Wokingham Today for October 7, 2021

COVERING WOKINGHAM, FINCHAMPSTEAD, EARLEY, WINNERSH, SHINFIELD, WOODLEY, TWYFORD & SURROUNDING AREAS

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THREE MEN JAILED OVER CANNABIS FACTORY

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today THREE men have been jailed for four years after growing cannabis in Wokingham.

Kadri Bako, 29, Emiljano Faslliaj, 30, and Eduard Troka, 30, were sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday to four years imprisonment.

Bako and Faslliaj, both of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty in a hearing at Reading Crown Court on Friday, April 23.

It was after police were contacted by a resident reporting a large cannabis factory in two industrial units in Oxford Road.

On Thursday, December 3, last year, officers discovered the plants growing at the site. They had a street value of approximately £1.5 million, and were in various stages of growth.

Bako and Faslliaj were arrested that day. Bako was charged the next day, and Faslliaj on Saturday, December 5.

Crime Scene investigators found Troka’s fingerprints at the scene, and he was arrested and charged on Thursday, January 28, in London.

Troka, also of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty during the trial at Reading Crown Court on Thursday, September 16.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Julia Winmill, of Loddon Valley, said: “Police will continue to work proactively to disrupt organised criminals and reduce the impact such set ups have on our communities.

“I would encourage members of the public to have the confidence to come forward with any information that may help us to continue to pursue those who engage in this type of activity.”

Residents can make a report online or via 101.

THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

Thursday, October 7, 2021

WOKINGHAM’S WONDERLAND Winter market and ice rink come to Cantley Park for the festive season

No. 332

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CITIZENS ADVICE GOES MOBILE P3

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today CANTLEY PARK’S first Christmas market and ice rink will be arriving this winter.

The free outdoor event will run from Wednesday, November 24, to Friday, December 24.

It will include a range of outdoor market huts selling food, drink and a variety of gifts.

Last year’s Christmas Market took place virtually, with this year’s event expected to be twice as popular.

It will also feature Wokingham’s first ice synthetic skating rink, which will run from Friday, November 12, to Friday, January 7, from noon to 8pm.

The council is seeking businesses, including those who make Christmas cards, gifts and toys, food and drink suppliers, and arts and craft vendors to exhibit.

There will be 11 huts available in an open plan or closed format. The former is best for retail, the latter, food and drink vendors.

Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure, said; “As we approach the autumnal months, it’s time to start thinking about Christmas. n Continued on page 3

MAN JOINS CAR FIRM COURT BID P5

ARTISTS’ AUTUMN SHOWCASE P18

NEW FACES STEP FORWARD P8

2 | NEWS

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Rising costs forces pause to library plan EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON pcreighton@wokingham.today THE RISE in building costs is forcing the council to pause plans for a proposed new library in Twyford.

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HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US Due to the coronavirus, our offices are closed to the public. The best way to contact us is by email Email news@wokingham.today Newsroom: 0118 327 2662 Advertising: 0118 327 2662 Write to: Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS Publisher • David Riley Editor • Phil Creighton Deputy editor • Jess Warren Reporters • Charlotte King, Laura Scardarella Sports reporter • Andy Preston Graphic designer • Charlotte Simpson The Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation. If you have a complaint about a Wokingham Paper Ltd publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance email: editor@wokingham.today. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk.

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 7, 2021

“It is a real disappointment that we must pause our efforts,” said council leader John Halsall at a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council’s executive on Thursday, September 30.

“I understand this will be disappointing and want to assure everybody that we remain supportive of the principle of the new library, and that this is a pause to allow us time to make the right decision,” he said.

The council had been due to discuss buying the lease from Polehampton during the meeting, but this item was expunged from the agenda as a result.

Cllr Halsall explained: “We were due to discuss the lease for a proposed new library for Twyford this evening but are now not able to do so. The recent and rapid increase

in building costs across the country necessitates pause to consider how we ensure value for money for all residents. A recent tender exercise for the work required for this project revealed a significant increase of above previously planned and budgeted costs.

“It is well known that I have personally husbanded this project with my executive and invested much time and political capital to its realisation, with very little local member or parish council tangible support. So, it is a real disappointment that we must pause our efforts.

“This is simply not the moment to be cavalier with our capital spending.”

Later in the meeting, Cllr Stephen Conway (Lib Dem, Twyford), asked if one part of the library could be named after Twyford resident Dave Turner “in recognition of his considerable efforts on this project”.

Mr Turner had helped fundraise and champion the project, including re-enacting a record-breaking seesaw challenge he carried out in the 1960s.

University and Microsoft launch collaboration A NEW collaboration between Microsoft and scientists at the University of Reading’s Walker Institute is aiming to develop more solutions to international climate threats.

Professor Rosalind Cornforth, director of the Walker Institute, said: “Our mission is to enable the development of climate-resilient societies; societies able to adapt in an uncertain, changing world.

“Our contribution to a new knowledge base is key, ensuring that climate resilience is better understood and can be attained.

We make a meaningful difference in people’s lives by conducting risk-taking, innovative and novel

PAUSED: The Twyford Library project has been paused indefinitely He died earlier this year.

Responding, the executive member for neighbourhoods and communities, Cllr Bill Soane, said: “It is a consideration we will take very seriously and I hope we would be able to do that”, but added that council would need to make the final decision.

After the meeting, Cllr Halsall said he was “bitterly disappointed” that the plans had to be paused.

“As a backbencher, I tried to get this project going,” he explained, adding that he managed to “strongarm very reluctant officers to agree to the scheme”.

“Officers were very reluctant, as there is already a library in Twyford, and we’d recently spent tens of thousands of pounds refurbishing it, abeilt a Portakabin, but it works.

I managed to persuade them.

“But we’re looking at building costs rising between 30% and 100%.

“We’re having to trim our capital budget quite substantially in light of new circumstances.

“Projects that are unsupported, which means they don’t generate an income, we have to review.”

Cllr Halsall said that the lease couldn’t have been signed for at the executive meeting as it was tied to the business case that was going to be presented to last Thursday’s executive meeting.

“This report is now void, and there was no indication as to when the project would be picked up again.

“It is my wish that the project should go through (to completion) but I can’t promise this, because I don’t know what the situation will be like (in the future),” he said.

National railway crossing near misses highest ever

research to tackle the complexity of the global challenges facing society.”

She said the support from Microsoft will help the institute grow research into the Earth’s natural systems, develop naturebased solutions to problems like agricultural stress, and strengthen collaborations.

Alberto Arribas Herranz, Microsoft sustainability science lead for Europe, said: “Sustainability at Microsoft is about helping us and others to reduce carbon emissions and protect biodiversity. A key way we do this is working with leaders in weather, climate, prediction and risk.”

FOLLOWING the death of five people at level crossings this year, HM chief inspector of railways is urging residents to use them safely.

Ian Prosser is calling on residents to be aware of their surroundings and use level crossings safely.

It follows data released by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), which showed five people died at level crossings in Britain in 2020-21, up from two in the previous year.

A sharp increase in near misses with 342 pedestrians was also recorded — the highest number since records began in 2002/03.

Mr Prosser said: “It is unfortunate that despite fewer

trains running on the network in the last year we have seen an increase in the number of deaths at level crossings.

“I remain concerned about the increase in near misses with trains that often pass through at very high speeds.

“This past year we have seen shocking CCTV footage of reckless behaviour at level crossings and I cannot stress enough the danger people are putting themselves in when not using a crossing safely.

“I’ve seen first-hand the consequences of this sort of behaviour, and I urge everyone to take care when using crossings.”

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Hot wheels: New van makes Citizens Advice upwardly mobile EXCLUSIVE

WINTER: A Christmas Market will be coming to Cantley

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today

Xmas market plan

THIS WEEK Citizens Advice Wokingham is launching a new mobile office.

n From front page

Advice On Wheels will be delivered across the borough, in a bid to take the charity’s services directly into communities.

Since lockdown in March last year, the organisation has helped three in 50 adults across the borough.

The van will be unveiled tomorrow in Twyford by Theresa May, MP for Maidenhead, and Warren Buckley, National Citizens Advice chair of trustees.

During the Second World War, some of the earliest work of Citizens Advice took place in a converted mobile horsebox.

Modernising this approach, the Wokingham branch has a specially designed Volkswagen Crafter to take to the road.

It is sponsored by Wokingham.

Today, as well as British Gas, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Hitachi Capital, Wokingham United Charities, David Brownlow Charitable Foundation, Bri-Stor systems, Clifton Ingram Solicitors and Hex Signs & Graphics.

Jake Morrison, chief executive of Citizens Advice Wokingham, said: “Before the pandemic, our team used to lug a pop-up gazebo across the borough and, while this increased our reach, it was challenging to sit in, and support people with their enquiries.

“This Mobile Advice Unit has a specially designed interior, with electricity, so that we can take our office out on wheels.

“This means that we can park up in any location across Wokingham borough and support people who want our help.”

He said this will include supermarkets, GP surgeries and town and village centres.

Mr Morrison said he hopes the van will help people facing hardship and deprivation, increase access to free, confidential advice, and work with other charities and services to help residents get the most effective support.

Partner organisations who will take to the road with Citizens

ADVICE ON WHEELS: The new van is sponsored by Wokingham.Today along with other organisations Picture: Citizens Advice Advice Wokingham include; AgeUK Berkshire, domestic abuse charity Kaleidoscopic UK, Home-Start Wokingham, Involve, carers charity Tuvida, Wokingham Foodbank, Healthwatch Wokingham and learning disability charity CLASP. Since the start of the pandemic, staff and volunteers at Citizens Advice Wokingham have helped 8,527 people deal with more than 26,000 issues, helping people access more than £2.3 million that they’re entitled to, and written off just under £1 million of debt.

These issues range from access to essentials such as food and prescription collections during the first lockdown, to the increase in welfare benefits, housing, debt and employment issues.

The charity is concerned that the cut to the Universal Credit benefit at the same time that energy bills are rising, along with the colder weather, will see many struggle with their essential costs.

Mr Morrison said he fears a drop in income could be particularly difficult for new

Bogus water officials make distraction burglaries BOGUS waterboard officials have been seen in Woodley, and a warning has been issued over distraction burglaries.

Residents in the town have been receiving letters from Thames Valley Police to raise awareness — and reassure that the force will be dealing with this in a “robust manner”.

“We have had reports of persons knocking on doors masquerading to be from the water board,” the letter reads. “They have been invited into properties as one has distracted the resident while the other has

managed to steal property.”

The force is also asking for residents support in catching the bogus officials.

“If you have any information about any crimes or anything else in your area please contact your Neighbourhood Policing team by telephoning 101,” the letter continues.

“If you would like to pass on information to the Woodley (team) discreetly, or require any further information or advice, email: WoodleyNHPT@thamesvalley.pnn. police.uk.”

benefits claimants who may be unaware of the cut.

He hopes taking advice and information services on the road will mean that the charity can continue to reach even more people who may benefit from support.

He added: “I could not be more proud of the work that all of our volunteers and staff have put in since the start of the pandemic, ensuring that no one in our communities is left behind.

“Given the hand that we were dealt, we couldn’t have done any more than we have.

“We are the 11th highest performing Citizens Advice service so far this year in the number of calls our team are answering.

“As we look to rebuild from covid, and continue to push the government to invest in the benefits system, keeping the vital lifeline for people, we are doing what we can to support our communities.

“Throughout the pandemic, we have said this simple message — do not hesitate to reach out to us, there is no wrong reason to seek our

VAN: Advice will be borough-wide help and guidance. We don’t want people to be struggling and secondguessing themselves about whether to ask for help.

“So while our phone lines are as busy now as at the height of the pandemic in lockdowns last year, we’re taking this extra step to increase our outreach into our neighbourhoods.”

n Anyone interested in volunteering and supporting the advice van can visit: www.citizensadvicewokingham. org.uk

“The past 18 months have shown us the importance of shopping locally, and what better way to support growth in our economy and help build business than by attending Cantley Park’s Christmas Market.

“Whether you are a baker, jewellery maker or Christmas gift designer, we want to see as many vendors as possible selling gifts and produce at the Christmas Market.

“We are anticipating plenty of interest, so I am encouraging vendors to book their huts as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”

Responding to concerns that there would not be enough stalls to go round, Cllr Batth said: “We currently have space for up to 13 Christmas Market stalls but could increase this number if we feel there is sufficient demand.

“We’ve already identified some fantastic businesses with a range of lovely goods on sale and are looking forward to finding more.

“Not all traders are staying for the full- time so there is always going to be something new to see and we’d encourage residents to visit more than once.”

Cllr Batth was looking forward to the range of attractions residents can enjoy.

“The stalls are also not the only thing on offer,” he said.

“The Cantley market also benefits from some delicious food and drink sellers as well as activities including Wokingham’s first outdoor ice rink and festive Cantley craft workshops, like Christmas wreath making, so we are sure there will be lots of fun for everyone.”

Cllr John Halsall, the leader of the council, was pleased that Cantley Park was to be used for such a venture.

“Wokingham Conservatives have, despite the opposition and criticism, rebuilt a town which is now vibrant and, in comparison to our neighbours, incredible,” he said. “The testament of that is Elms Field and Cantley Park, which is now taking shape as a really super, super facility.

“I hope there is a realisation from the population of Wokingham town that the investment and achievement of the Conservative-led administration has been significant in improving the quality of life.”

Cllr Halsall promised to try the ice rink, warning “my pirouettes are not great.” n To exhibit, visit the borough council website.

4 | NEWS The Berkshire Care Home

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 7, 2021

Woosehill Rainbows thanks Wokingham Tesco for £1,000 grant

Creativity, thoughtful discussion and good times...

The Berkshire Care Home and Paintings in Hospitals celebrate our beautiful planet through art.

Using art to explore Land, Sea and Sky, The Berkshire Care Home in Wokingham have partnered with Paintings in Hospitals to offer a range of activities for mind, body and soul as part of their Magic Moments Club programme throughout October.

THANKS: Lukasz Zawada, Wokingham’s store manager giving 2nd Woosehill Rainbows unit leader Janette Searle £1,000 Picture: Tesco

Scammers steal more than £1m from door-to-door fraud

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

The beautiful planet creative activities are supported by artworks specially selected from the national Paintings in Hospitals art collection. The joint project will integrate arts, creativity and culture into the daily life of our residents.

C Creating ti and d admiring d i i art is part of what it means to be human.

It can benefit our mental and physical wellbeing in a variety of ways including, relieving stress and anxiety, boosting self-esteem and keeping the brain active.

For more information, visit www.brighterkind.com/ theberkshire or call our friendly team on: 0118 911 1223 The Berkshire Care Home, 126 Barkham Road, Wokingham RG41 2RP www.brighterkind.com/theberkshire

GIRL guides in Woosehill are celebrating after receiving £1,000.

The 2nd Woosehill Rainbows were given a Tesco grant to buy den-building supplies, animal footprint trails and forest discovery kits so they can hold meetings outdoors as often as possible.

Janette Searle, unit leader at 2nd Woosehill Rainbows, said: “The Tesco grant has made a huge difference to our unit — not just in helping to cover the costs of adapting for a safe return to faceto-face meetings, but in allowing us to purchase extra equipment to make socially distanced meetings as fun and engaging as possible.”

Lukasz Zawada, manager at the Finchampstead Road superstore, said he was pleased to make the donation. n For more information about the Community Grants scheme, visit: tescocommunitygrants.org.uk

FRAUDSTERS have claimed more than £1 million through door-todoor sales in the Thames Valley over the past year.

Data released by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) revealed £1.1 million has been lost during 227 doorstep visits from bogus tradespeople.

The figures have been calculated from reports made between August 2020 and August 2021.

Matthew Barber, police and crime commissioner for the Thames Valley, said while the figures are worrying, the number of unreported incidents is also a cause for concern.

“This is clearly not something to be proud of,” he said.

“We need to recognise that the Thames Valley force is the fourth largest in the country, so it will always see a greater scale of incidents.

“But getting reports through is not necessarily a bad thing and I want everybody to have the confidence to report something if it happens to them.”

The NFIB’s data revealed Metropolitan Police had the highest bill at £8.3 million, followed

by Kent Police which reported £1.6 million lost.

Thames Valley Police came fourth highest out of 45 forces across the UK. The force with the least door-todoor sales is Cleveland Police, which reported £18,000 lost more than 28 reports.

According to Mr Barber, fraud is a problem which needs to be tackled nationally, not just within the Thames Valley.

“Thames Valley Police has funded some projects in the past, including helping Neighbourhood Watch raise awareness of the signs of scammers,” he explained.

“There’s still obvious work for

New bridge praised

by Thames Valley LEP THE WIDENING of a bridge in Barkham is making journeys smoother, said the council’s highways leader.

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport, said the changes to Barkham Bridge are proving a “major benefit” to drivers in the area.

“Removal of the bottleneck with the new bridge means traffic flows smoothly and helps to keep drivers moving on our roads. The benefits aren’t just to those in vehicles on the road and it’s been fantastic to see the new shared path for cyclists and pedestrians is being put to use.”

The work was completed earlier this year by contractor

Balfour Beatty.

The company also improved drainage along Barkham Road up to the School Lane junction.

The project is part of the council’s Major New Roads programme. It was funded through developer contributions, and £4.2 million from Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

Bob Beveridge, chair of Thames Valley Berkshire LEP, said he is delighted the bridge is finished.

He added: “It has removed a bottleneck on an increasingly important route between Shinfield and Wokingham, improved traffic flow for buses, and created safer journeys for cyclists.”

the police to do, as well as for local councils and Trading Standards.”

And he said doorstep fraud can have serious implications for victims.

“What may seem like a relatively simple, harmless incident can knock someone’s confidence,” he said.

“They could lose significant amounts of money, which will have a long-term effect.

“It can also be incredibly tricky for people to spot doorstep fraud.”

The police and crime commissioner advised residents keep a watchful eye for signs of a scam, including pressure to pay cash upfront.

Heating Force, which compiled the NFIB data, has also shared its top tips for avoiding doorstep fraud.

These include researching tradespeople to see if they have the correct qualifications, signing a contract before making a payment, and ensuring any money transferred can be traced through a bank.

“I would like to reassure people that all reported incidences are taken seriously,” Mr Barber added.

“If you’ve been a victim, the chances are those scammers will prey on others, so we all have a duty to report these crimes.

“It could prevent other people from being taken in.” n The data for all 45 police forces is available on the NFIB’s Fraud and Cyber Crime Dashboard, which can be accessed here: www. colpolice.maps.arcgis.com/apps/ opsdashboard/index.html

Optalis team rated good A REHABILITATION care provider is celebrating after its CQC inspection.

The Optalis Short Term Assessment and Reablement Team (START) was rated good in all areas, following an inspection in September.

Sameer Kishore, manager of START, said her team has shifted its focus towards rehabilitative care.

“We are pleased to see that this is reflected in such a positive report and overall rating,” she said.

The CQC report said people were always placed at the centre of the assessment process and reablement support, with an active say in their care.

A family carer praised the service.

She said SMART made an unbearable time bearable through

the team’s good humour, kindness and respect.

“I cannot thank them enough for answering my endless questions and always, always making me feel better every single day,” she said.

The inspectors said several areas have improved since the last inspection in 2019, including enhanced care plans.

Ms Kishore said the team aims to continually learn.

“The pandemic highlighted the critical need to facilitate hospital discharges and maximise people’s outcomes once they return home,” she said. “Supporting team members to increase their skills was a critical part of this project, with some becoming trusted assessors. We’re lucky to have a highly skilled team.”

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Thursday, October 7, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Emmbrook resident joins call to sue car maker over ‘dieselgate’

By Charlotte King cking@wokingham.today

A WOKINGHAM resident who spent nearly £115,000 on three Mercedes cars has teamed up with a law firm in a bid to sue the manufacturer.

John Searle, who lives in Emmbrook, is calling for Mercedes to offer compensation to customers over the “dieselgate” scandal, which alleged the company used to install devices to avoid complying with emissions laws.

He is working with consumer rights law firm Slater and Gordon to bring the claim, which is representing approximately 14,000 claimants across the country.

Mr Searle, who has purchased three Mercedes models since 2009, said he was “shocked” to learn about the alleged scandal that saw the manufacturer recall nearly 775,000 vehicles across Europe in 2018.

“I am keen that all of us who have been let down by Mercedes should receive the compensation we are due,” he said.

“It was especially disappointing to see that Mercedes colluded with other car manufacturers to suppress technology that could have reduced the vehicles’ emissions and protected the environment.”

COMPENSATION: John Searle has teamed up with an anti-Mercedes group Picture: Tobias A Muller from Unsplash Mr Searle told Wokingham.

Today that when his second Mercedes was serviced, he was asked to put AdBlue, a type of diesel exhaust fluid, into his car.

“I’ve never before had to put that into our diesel cars,” he said. “We had a warning sign come up on the car during a trip to France, and it implied it was quite urgent.”

After driving to a Mercedes dealer in France, Mr Searle discovered he had to remove the contents of his boot, the boot floor, and the spare wheel to reach the diesel exhaust fluid hole.

“I thought it was crazy. The car is just not built for the user,”

he said.

Mr Searle said he thought the “dieselgate” action and his own concerns about the design of the car were likely just a coincidence.

“I’ve got nothing against Mercedes, I went back and bought another, but [dieselgate] was just wrong,” he said.

According to Slater and Gordon, cars made between 2008 and 2018 were fitted with the “cheating software” to limit emissions during testing.

It suggested up to 600,000 UK vehicles may have been affected with the value of each claim able to reach a maximum of £10,000.

Gareth Pope, the lawyer in charge of the claim at Slater and Gordon, said: “Our clients will allege that Mercedes knowingly installed unlawful defeat devices in hundreds of thousands of UK vehicles that allowed them to pass emissions tests designed to protect human health and the environment, while still being highly polluting on the road.

“As a result, our clients will allege that they have been deceived into purchasing these polluting vehicles for more than they were worth.

“As part of the deception, our clients will also allege that Mercedes participated in a cartel with other German manufacturers, including Volkswagen, to suppress the development and implementation of cleaner emissions technology in order to maximise their profits.”

A spokesperson for Mercedes said the company considers these claims “unfounded”. “[We] will defend ourselves with the necessary legal means,” they said.

The car manufacturer is currently appealing against the order to recall its vehicles in 2018, which was made by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA).

“The courts will clarify

Two charged with growing cannabis

the correct interpretation of relevant legal standards in this complex technical environment,” the spokesperson continued.

They said the emissions system the KBA objected to is “permissible” and does not impair how its vehicles function.

“Nonetheless, MercedesBenz has implemented the recall measures ordered and [undertaken] voluntary measures for other Dieselpowered vehicles to reduce on average emissions in real driving.”

According to the spokesperson, a European Commission investigation also found “no evidence” there was ever an agreement about using defeat devices in Mercedes’ vehicles.

“The Commission made no findings on whether the diesel passenger cars sold during the relevant period met the regulatory requirements,” they added.

“As we see it, this investigation is not related to lawsuits brought by customers in Europe in connection with diesel.”

A Volkswagen Group spokesperson declined to comment.

THAMES Valley Police has arrested and charged two men after cannabis plants were found growing in Charvil.

The force conducted a warrant at an address in Charvil on Friday, October 1.

The two men have been charged with production of cannabis, and are in custody ahead of a pending court date.

The tweet the force sent out read: “Wokingham South Engagement Team conducted a warrant yesterday at an address in Charvil.

“With help from other teams, they have been charged with production of cannabis and remain in custody to attend court.”

Planting day RESIDENTS have been invited to join a wildflower planting event this Saturday.

Friends of Fox Hill is hosting the event in the woodland between Woosehill and Barkham. It will run from 11am to 1pm, and is for all ages.

Those that join will be planting native wildflower bulbs, including Wild Garlic, Bluebells, and Wood Anemones.

Attendees should enter the woods from the Dorset Way entrance, opposite Heron Park and follow the path next to the stream towards the pylon line.

A £3 donation is requested.

Hydrotherapy charity helped A WOKINGHAM charity has received £1,000 to help young people with disabilities.

Housebuilder Persimmon Homes gifted the money to Liquid Vibrations – the country’s only musical hydrotherapy practitioner.

It offers children the chance to relax in a different way – floating – and supported in a specially adapted hydrotherapy pool. Free of pain and restriction, they are immersed

in music they hear under the water surface.

Liquid Vibrations helps specialist schools install underwater sound systems in their on-site hydrotherapy pools and train staff.

Spokesperson Georgina Densley said: “Our work makes a real impact on the wellbeing of disabled young people. We are raising funds to ensure that we can subsidise costs for schools so more can take part.”

Persimmon Homes Thames Valley sales director Rachel Faulkner said the advanced form of therapy can bring great benefits to children and young people.

“The events of the last year have clearly hindered Liquid Vibrations’ ability to practice its valuable work and affected its fundraising efforts,” she said. n For more information, visit: www.persimmonhomes.com

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6 | NEWS

Mayor opens activity centre THE NEW activity centre at Dinton Pastures was officially opened last month.

On Thursday, September 22, borough mayor Cllr Keith Baker opened the country park venue.

It welcomed cafe visitors throughout September.

The centre cost £2.4 million and is the borough’s first net-zero carbon building.

It was created by Reds10, a modular building company.

It features solar panels and windcatchers on the roof for natural ventilation, low energy LED lighting, and air source heat pumps.

Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure, said that he is delighted the activity centre is in its final stages.

“Since opening, it has already created fantastic opportunities for residents — to work, to play and, most importantly, spaces to socialise and network — an important aspect that is much needed, especially after the easing of lockdown restrictions,” he said.

The activities offered are intended to be inclusive and have been tested by the Caring Listening and Supporting Partnership, a selfadvocacy charity for adults with learning disabilities.

There is a climbing wall in the activity hall, available on a pay-and-play session for family groups, and on a pre booked basis for school and youth groups.

The centre is running half term Wild Sessions and Sailing Courses. n For more information, visit: www.dinton-pastures. co.uk

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 7, 2021

Authenticity should make us Curry King says Adda Hut team

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today

THE OWNERS of Woodley’s newest Indian restaurant are hoping they will be crowned Wokingham’s curry kings.

Last month, Wokingham.Today asked for readers’ help to find the tastiest curry house across Wokingham borough.

Sirsendu Sen, is one Adda Hut’s co-founders. Since opening in July, he said they have had a really good response from the residents of Woodley.

“I would say 80% to 90% of visitors are repeat customers,” he said.

“Some people even came from as far as Birmingham via word of mouth.”

The Crockhamwell Road restaurant specialises in Kolkata street food, which gives it a unique edge, Mr Sen said.

Dishes include croquettes, fish fries and pakoras, along with a range of fish, meat and vegetable items.

It also has a grand buffet on Sundays, which is proving popular.

“People are calling up on the

CROWN ME: The team from Adda Hut are hoping that they will be named Wokingham’s first Curry King Picture: Steve Smyth Friday to ask which dishes will feature, and requesting some of their favourites,” he said. “We’re really overwhelmed with the response.”

He said the menu steps away from Anglo-Indian curries, offering a range of Bengali dishes, with mild

but flavourful ingredients.

“Our focus has always been on food quality,” he explained. “The mix of spices we use, you will not find anywhere else locally. It is the true Indian taste, not altered for any palette, but offered as it is.

“Across the south of England,

I don’t think you will find any others offering this level of authenticity.”

He hopes this will be help the business reach top place in the competition.

Mr Sen thanked the town for nominating Adda Hut for Wokingham’s curry king.

“All I can say is a very big thank you to everyone,” he said. “The support has been amazing, we are really happy to have the support of Woodley.”

Adda Hut is open for lunchtime takeaways from noon to 3pm, Tuesday to Saturday, and dine-in or takeaway dinners from 6pm to 10pm. It has a grand buffet on Sundays, noon to 3pm.

Wokingham.Today’s contest is still ongoing and we are asking readers to continue nominating their favourite places to dine out.

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 next Curry King.

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

Thursday, October 7, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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Liberal Democrat leader steps down after five years in charge CHANGE: Cllr Lindsay Ferris is stepping down as leader of Wokingham’s Liberal Democrats, but will continue to represent Twyford

By Phil Creighton pcreighton@wokingham.today

THE LEADER of Wokingham’s Liberal Democrats has stepped down after five years in charge.

Cllr Lindsay Ferris, who is looking forward to his 69th birthday, is to pass the mantle on to his deputy, Cllr Clive Jones, today.

And the group’s new deputy is Cllr Ferris’ fellow Twyford ward member, Cllr Steven Conway.

“Five years is a good length of time, and I’ve enjoyed my time as leader of the opposition,” Cllr Ferris said. “What made me think about (making this move) is that the Liberal Democrats group has grown freom five to 18.

“When we started, I had lots of ideas and I was pulling the group along, saying we need to do this, we need to do that.

As time has gone by, the group has grown bigger and bigger, and this summer I found the group was starting to push me. I thought this was an interesting situation, the group has started to grow up, it’s now time for a new leadership, because you need to build on that and take it forward.”

He continued: “The next step is moving from a sizeable opposition to getting into some form of control,” adding that the decision to step down was his alone and that his fellow councillors wanted him to carry on.

“I am carrying on as councillor for Twyford and I have asked to become Lib Dem lead for the local plan, because I think that is a very, very important area. I want to be involved in that as much as I can because I’m quite concerns that what may come out of it if we’re not careful,” he said.

The Local Plan update is due to go to its next stage of consultation over the next few weeks, and will help inform the council’s housing agenda up to 2036.

It’s been one of a number of issues on Cllr Ferris’ agenda

over the past five years, but the one thing that will dominate his time in the leaders’ chair is covid.

“Since the pandemic, I’ve been very busy, definitely working four days a week from 9.30am in the morning until 9.30pm at night,” he said.

“I tried to keep Fridays as clear as I could, but even that got busy.

“There were all the briefings, all the information and we were asked for our advice on things. What started off as quite interesting became stressful and rather upsetting on occasions. That does have a toll on you.

“I actually think the council has done very well (with its pandemic response), and I’m certain parts – adult social services and children’s services – have done a brilliant job. All the staff that were seconded on to covid-related activities have done a sterling job.”

Cllr Ferris also had praised for the council’s swift action on preventing people with covid being released from hospitals in to care homes, as well as the way in which the council has distributed grants to businesses struggling due to the lockdowns.

And the group’s relationship with council officers has, he felt,

improved. “We’ve gone from being a pinprick nuisance in the corner (of the council chamber) to a group of 18, which is a serious opposition, very much taken notice of not just by officers, but by Conservatives because, I feel, the more snotty they are towards us, the better I like it because it means that we are working.

“We’ve now got a group who are very capable.”

Looking ahead to next May’s local elections which, if it goes in the Lib Dems favour could see them become the council’s largest party, Cllr Ferris said: “I actually feel we’ve got a good opportunity. I feel that everything the government touches is turning to sand, people aren’t listening to them any more.

“They’re just shrugging their shoulders and carrying on doing whatever they’re doing.”

He cites the lack of people wearing facemasks as a covid precaution as an example of that.

Cllr Ferris wants to see his party take control because “I believe that we could do a better job and I feel that the residents deserve better. That’s what drives us. We have pushed, I think, the agenda over the past couple of years. I think that is

Residents encouraged to celebrate Black History Month THE borough council is urging all residents to join it in celebrating Black History Month during October.

It is supporting the national Black History Month 2021 campaign, ‘Proud to Be’.

The council said it is not holding the annual Taster and Performance Evening or displaying the visual exhibition in The Mall of its Civic Offices this year, because covid rates remain high.

Instead, residents are encouraged to view its online

visual display of Proud To Be resources, via the BME Forum page on the council’s website.

The library service will be publicising black authors and black musicians during the month, which will be available in each library and online.

Cllr John Halsall, leader of Wokingham Borough Council, said: “This year’s Black History Month is more important than ever, with the ‘Proud to Be’ theme encouraging people of

all ages, from all walks of life, to share their stories.

“This is the second year in a row where we’ve been unable to celebrate in the way that we’d like to, and this is extremely disappointing.

“However, the safety of our residents must come first, and we hope that we can resume our usual activities for Black History Month 2022.” n For more information about national events, visit: www. blackhistorymonth.org.uk

what an opposition is there for.

“We are also prepared to say where we agree and put out an alternative proposal where we don’t don’t. So I feel what we have had from the Conservatives over the past couple of years have been disappointing. I think we could do a lot better.”

Woman fined and banned from driving

Cllr Ferris said he felt proud of his campaigning over the council’s finances – “the one that generates the greatest flak from the Conservatives” – and on local issues, including the town centre development, highways and environment.

Now, he’s expecting great things from his “formidable” successors, including building on the alternative budgets the party presented in the past two years.

“They will have my full support,” he said. “I will not be a backseat driver.”

And what is Cllr Ferris looking forward to the most now his workload has reduced?

“I’d like to be able to take our dogs out a bit more, and I’m very much interested in railways and collecting railway items. But I will be focusing on Twyford.”

Council leader John Halsall, who in the neighbouring ward and the opposite side of the chamber, said: “I’ve always regarded Linsday as a friend of mine and I will continue to do so.”

A READING woman has been banned from driving for the next 18 months, following a police investigation.

Sandra Edwards, also known as Sandra Mayers, aged 54, of Blandford Road, Reading, has also been ordered to pay more than £900 in costs and fines.

Edwards was sentenced following a hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, September 30, where she was found guilty of one count of failing to provide a specimen for analysis and one count of failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver of a vehicle when required.

Investigating officer PC Matthew Fairman, based at Reading police station, said: “Failing to provide a specimen for analysis will not help you if you are suspected of being under the influence of drink or drugs, you will be charged and prosecuted by the courts.

“Drink and drug driving is one of the fatal four and driving while under the influence vastly increases your chances of being involved in a road traffic collision with serious consequences.”

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Thanksgiving service for Prince Philip A THANKSGIVING service will be held for the Duke of Edinburgh later this month, and places are available for members of the public wishing to pay their respects.

Berkshire Lieutenancy will hold a county service for Prince Philip, who died at Windsor Castle on Friday, April 9, this year.

He was the longestserving royal consort in British history.

On Saturday, October 16, a service will celebrate the Duke’s life, his service to the monarchy and support to the Queen, and his legacy of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE).

Thanks will also be given for the Duke’s support to many Berkshire institutions and charities.

It will begin at 5pm at Reading Minster of St Mary the Virgin.

Dignitaries and representatives from organisations across the county have been invited to attend.

Tickets are free, and can be booked via: whatsonreading. com Bookings close on Friday, October 15, subject to availability.

The Holt Copse Conservation Volunteers stand: Ruth Redwick and Mike Saynor

The Cancer Support Network Stand: Sharon Hatherley

SIGN UP: The Guide Dog Stand. Volunteers Ron Field Chair of the EastBerks Fundraising Group, and Levi Niemann with “Hugo” and Erin Storr, who is the Volunteer Co-ordinator, Reading Pictures: Steve Smyth

The Home-Start Stand: Chris Jack and Mandy Ozficici.

New faces sign up to help at Wokingham Volunteer Fair CHARITIES and community groups have seen an influx of new faces, thanks to the annual Wokingham Volunteer Fair.

The event was held in Wokingham Town Hall in Market Place.

Stalls were set up to allow visitors to meet existing volunteers and supporters of a range of charities.

In all, 13 different groups were present.

Guests could learn more about the opportunities available and how they can help.

Organisers from Wokingham Volunteer Centre said that around 150 people attended, and there were a number of sign-ups.

Those benefitting included

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The Link Visiting Scheme, which saw 25 people volunteer, Holt Copse Conservation Volunteers seeing 24 people join, and more than 20 people agrreing to help our First Days Children’s Charity.

One charity that took part said: “What a brilliant event. We didn’t expect such a good turnout.

Everyone was keen to talk and

really wanted to help.”

And another said: “Thank you to the Volunteer Centre for organising. It makes such a difference to be able to talk to people face-to-face.

“We have signed up some excellent volunteers today.” n For more details, log on to: wokinghamvolunteercentre. org.uk

Wokingham drivers urged to plan for M4 closures THE M4 will be closed in two places this weekend, and drivers are being urged to plan ahead.

It will be shut between junctions 13, Chieveley, and 14, Hungerford, from 9pm on Friday until 6am on Monday for resurfacing work and to replace the waterproofing material on the bridge.

There will be a signed diversion via the A338, A4 and A34.

The M4 will also be closed further east towards London, between junction 3, Hayes, and junction 4b, the M25 interchange.

It will be shut from 4am on Saturday until 6am on Monday.

And diversions will be in place along the A312, A40 and M25.

The closures are part of the Smart Motorways programme of works.

For more information about the junction 13 and 14 closure, visit: highwaysengland.co.uk/ se-maintenance For more information about the junctions 3 and 4b closure, visit: highwaysengland.co.uk/ our-work

Fuel crisis forces Keep Mobile to cancel rides EXCLUSIVE

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today A CHARITY offering essential support to the borough’s vulnerable residents says it has been forced to halt its services after failing to find enough fuel.

Keep Mobile, based on Evendons Lane, has cancelled more than 50 ‘dial-a-ride’ journeys that help elderly and disabled members access doctor’s appointments, vaccinations and other healthcare services.

The charity has written to MPs, calling for “urgent action” on the fuel crisis, so it can continue its work across the borough.

Speaking to Wokingham.

Today, Fred Rule, trustee of Keep Mobile, said the organisation has also been forced to postpone day trips. “[This] was the first opportunity many of our members had to get out and about since the pandemic,” Mr Rule said.

“We just put our services back in place because people have the confidence to go out, and it has knocked everybody for six.”

The trustee said Keep Mobile is now having to prioritise members.

“We now have to ask people what the purpose of their trip is,” he said. “We’re making terrible decisions that we shouldn’t have to.

“One of our nine buses has managed to fill up, but we can’t just sit in queues because we’ve got people to help.”

In its letter to MPs, which was published in last week’s Wokingham.Today, Keep Mobile reiterated that the fuel crisis is causing “havoc” to its essential services.

“Our drivers, booking staff and the whole organisation are totally frustrated that we are unable to provide the service that we are renowned for,” it said.

The charity also questioned why emergency and essential services have not been granted priority to purchase fuel, as in 2000.

“We are still being told there is no emergency, but yesterday we had nine buses that were unable to

obtain fuel,” the letter added.

“If this continues, we will have to close down.”

According to Keep Mobile, its drivers are also struggling to purchase fuel to get to work.

“We just seem to be in chaos,” the charity wrote, “[and] we have members pleading with us to get them to their hospital or doctor’s appointments.

“We need urgent action now.”

Mr Rule told Wokingham.

Today he would now like to see somebody policing petrol stations.

“In an ideal world, I’d want to ban a lot of the cars that are buying fuel,” he explained. “We should check to see if they’ve got half a tank and, if so, send them on their way.

“We need to start thinking about people who can’t walk, who need a lift, who are in wheelchairs and need help.”

The Government announced today that 150 soldiers from the army will begin delivering fuel over the coming days in an effort to tackle the issue.

Thursday, October 7, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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Inflationary pressures to cause ‘yet another financial precipice’ SETTING A PLAN: Wokingham Borough Council officers and senior councillors are looking again at budgets in light of the current problems facing the economy

By PHIL CREIGHTON pcreighton@wokingham.today

THE FINANCIAL effect of the covid pandemic is being felt by Wokingham Borough Council, and will lead to the council facing “yet another financial precipice”.

This includes “significant inflationary pressures impacting on our services and Capital programme ambitions, these include gas prices and the huge increase in cost of building materials”.

Council leader John Halsall told a meeting of its Executive committee on Thursday, September 30, that another pressure on them was “a potential multi-millionpound burden, following the recent NHS and Social Care announcements”.

Cllr Halsall said that as a result of the pandemic, its recovery strategy and expected commitments, the council is “reviewing our revenue income and expenditure, and our capital budget, particularly if unsupported [by the government]”.

He added: “Many of these pressures are already upon us, and others will be taking their toll over the coming years.

“We cannot afford to take our hands off the financial tiller and

must continue to collectively steer our way through turbulent and challenging times.”

In coming weeks, Wokingham Borough Council will learn what its grant from the Government will be for the 2022-23 financial year.

This, Cllr Halsall said, would be “one of the most significant Local Government Finance Settlements this Council has faced in a very long time”.

“It will determine the grant funding we have to deal with our challenges over, I suspect, the next three years,” he said.

“It is essential we get a fair deal for this Council and our residents. I and my Executive will do everything in our power to press home the case for Wokingham. I am just grateful that my contact with Government and MPs is very good.

“Regrettably, I cannot determine the outcome of such a national funding settlement.

So, whilst doing all I can to bring pressure to bear to get the funding settlement our residents deserve, it remains incumbent on us to relentlessly

pursue value for money in all we do and continue to practice the highest standards of financial management in delivering vital services for our community.

“Therefore, we are reviewing our revenue income and expenditure, and our capital budget, particularly if unsupported.”

Speaking after the meeting, he said that as a local authority, Wokingham had to live within its means. “If the paradigms which we have here are thought to be about to change, then we

Mayor welcomes 17 new citizens

must change what we’re doing,” he said. “We are not going to become the next Slough.”

He likened the situation to like driving a car, in that motorists adapt to the prevailing conditions.

“I don’t know if these will be temporary, instantaneous or medium term. My belief is that we’re currently in a period of overheating and we have supply-side problems which has nothing to do with Brexit.

It is to do with the fact that the economy was stopped for the best part of 18 months, and the recovery is a lot stronger than anybody expected.

“The supply side issues are fuel, energy prices, materials, building costs and building availability, all of which nobody expected. And furlough has now ended; we don’t know what that’s going to do yet.

“However, we are a really good local authority whose finances are strong. This correction might not be a correction, it might just be a check that we are still on the right track.”

He added: “Reviewing the budget in the light of a change of circumstances doesn’t mean that it’s a crisis or an emergency, it means that you’re reviewing the budget in the light of the changing circumstances.”

BERKSHIRE’S first face-to-face Citizenship Ceremony since the pandemic was held last month.

On Wednesday, September 15, 17 new citizens were welcomed to the borough.

During the pandemic, the ceremonies were conducted virtually or at small gatherings without guests or dignitaries.

All adult applicants who are accepted by the Home Office for citizenship by naturalisation or registration must take an oath of allegiance and pledge of loyalty while the national anthem is played, before they can become a British Citizen.

During the ceremony new citizens were presented with certificates from the deputy lieutenant of Berkshire, Dr Christina Hill Williams, and a gift of a passport cover from the borough mayor, Cllr Keith Baker.

Tea, coffee and biscuits were served after.

Cllr Baker said he was delighted to celebrate the special day.

“We are proud of the borough’s wide diversity and have welcomed citizens from all walks of life,” he said.

“Our new citizens will bring transferable skills and talents which will enrich and enhance our community.

“I’d like to welcome all our new citizens and thanks for choosing [this] as a place to live, learn, work and grow.”

Leader sorry over suspended green waste collections “I’M desperately sorry to any resident inconvenienced by the pausing of green waste collections.”

That’s the apology from Cllr John Halsall, leader of Wokingham Borough Council, over the decision to suspend the service for four weeks due to a driver shortage.

The pause allows contractor Veolia to ensure it can collect blue bags, food waste and recycling on a

weekly basis.

“Veolia has reacted quite positively in order to protect their collections,” he said.

“My understanding is they’ve encouraged people to take their accumulated holidays off.

“It has made them short of crews, and they’ve built in that firebreak so we’re not running into problems when we are in the Christmas and winter periods.”

Cllr Halsall said that while

some people were concerned about autumnal leaves, the four-week period would avoid the worst of the fall.

“They say it’s actually a good time because the growth has stopped and it’s prior to the period in which you start tucking away everything for winter.”

The scheme is on hold until October 31, but the subscription period will be extended for four weeks between May 1 and 29.

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 7, 2021

Got a business story? Email news@wokingham.today or write to: Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS

Cyber team granted £1m A READING cyber security firm has received £1 million from a global lender.

Falanx Group secured the investment from BOOST&Co last month, which offered the money to help the firm grow its cyber division.

The initial £1 million growth loan is expected to rise to £2.5 million in the future.

According to BOOST&Co, Falanx has a “long track record” of offering comprehensive cyber services to prevent digital attacks.

The lender said it chose to invest in the Reading firm because believes it is “at the forefront” of

the cyber and intelligence sectors.

Joanna Scott, managing director at BOOST&Co, said: “We are delighted to be working with Falanx on its continuing growth journey and to be supporting UK businesses in this unprecedented environment. “ She said its services, customer relationships and management mean it is “very well placed” to continue growing in the future.

Mike Read, chief executive at Falanx, added: “Our much-improved trading, combined with a growth loan from BOOST&Co, puts us in a strong position to exploit the major opportunities that lie ahead.”

Support for vulnerable

University project sees awards for Reading firms

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

PRIZES have been awarded to two Reading firms, thanks to a university partnership.

Red Whale, which offers professional development for doctors, and a behavioural economist at Reading-based fintech firm Dynamic Planner have won awards through working with the University of Reading.

The two were highlighted at the 2021 Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Awards for their efforts to collaborate with and connect research and businesses.

The ceremony awarded Red Whale and the University for “the most outstanding overall partnership” that has

brought “significant benefits” to participants.

Red Whale worked with the University of Reading for two years to provide professional development to half of the UK’s GPs across digital platforms.

Martin Haley, CEO at Red Whale, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that the hard work of the project team and the wider Red Whale team has been recognised in achieving such a successful business transition.”

Professor Rachel McCrindle from the University of Reading added: “We are very proud of the part we have played in the transformation of Red Whale’s business.

“Seeing how the project supported frontline NHS

staff during the coronavirus pandemic was also hugely motivating and highlights the benefits of industry and university collaboration.

“Winning the best of the best KTP award is the icing on the cake.”

Dr Louis Williams, a behavioural economist at Dynamic Planner, was also named a Future Leader at the KTP Awards.

He won the prestigious award for his work helping financial advisors better understand their clients by linking resilience and investment decisions.

He said: “I feel very honoured to receive the KTP Future Leader award.

“It confirms the success of the KTP project [and] having

THAMES WATER has joined forces with a Reading charity to help priority customers.

It has partnered with Berkshire Vision to support customers with visual impairments by signing them onto its priority services register (PSR).

This is a database of customers who would struggle to get by, should their water supply be disrupted.

Now, the two organisations have launched a campaign video to showcase the support on offer, including large print bills.

Laura Mitchell, Berkshire Vision CEO, said: “We’re pleased to be partnering with Thames Water to help more of our members sign up to the PSR. “Providing communication

Blogging’s good for business ANYBODY with a flair for writing might be interested in this upcoming event.

Woodley Business Club is hosting a session later this month on what makes a good blog and how having an online presence can benefit companies.

Speaker Charlotte Haye, from copywriting company Eleven Eight, will guide people through how to

services tailored to their needs will help them in their daily lives and it also will help reassure them that Thames Water will support them.”

Is PSR customers cannot access water, Thames Water’s care team will deliver bottled water to their homes if they cannot reach a collection hub.

Olivia Worthington, partnerships lead at the water firm, added: “Working with Berkshire Vision means we’re able to help more people should they experience an issue with their water supply or require billing information to be communicated in a format tailored to their needs.

“I’m incredibly proud of this partnership, which will help more customers with visual impairments continue to live independently.” start a blog and what it can do for their businesses.

The session will include what makes a good blog post, the different types of blogs, and how to create a never-ending list of talking points.

The meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 12, at 8am online.

Entry is free.

For more information, or to book a space, visit: www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/woodley-businessclub-virtual-networking-eventtickets-174629249787?

n For more information, visit: www.reading.ac.uk/ktc

FUTURISTIC: KYMIRA uses AI to generate healthcare garments to support patients’ recovery

Reading AI firm joins national tech scheme SUPPORT: Hannah uses Thames Water’s PSR service Picture: Thames Water

an experience where you can gain insight into an industry gives you an edge over many academics at an early stage in your career.”

Dr Susan Matos, director of the Knowledge Transfer Centre at the University, added: “We are delighted to see that our work supporting local firms to thrive and make a positive difference has been rewarded in this year’s KTP awards.

“It’s more important than ever to be helping businesses to access and engage with academic innovation, and our recipients of the awards showcase how broad the scope for that work can be.”

Picture: Owen Beard from Unsplash

A READING firm has become one of 32 companies to join a national technology programme.

KYMIRA, which creates innovative smart textiles, has signed onto Tech Nation’s Applied AI 3.0 growth scheme — a Government-backed initiative to support start-up companies.

The Reading company combines artificial intelligence (AI) with electronic textiles to provide healthcare garments.

Timothy Brownstone, founder of KYMIRA, said: “We are extremely excited to have been selected to join the Applied AI 3.0 cohort.

“As a scale-up company with ambitious goals in developing an AI driven technology in healthcare, we see this as a huge opportunity.”

Companies are selected for the Applied AI scheme by 35 judges across key industries, including from Microsoft, Google and PwC. The programme is part of the Government’s AI Sector Deal, to use AI to transform people’s lives socially and economically.

Tech Nation hopes the latest cohort will help strengthen the UK’s position as a “global science superpower”.

New appointment for Winnersh property firm THERE’S a new face at Winnersh Triangle, thanks to an appointment last month.

James Miller has joined property consultant Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), which is based in the business park, to help develop its services across the South East.

With previous experience

as a building surveyor and in project management, Mr Miller will continue using his expertise in the residential housing sector within the new role.

Mike Righton, RLB managing partner for the Thames Valley region, said: “I’m very pleased to welcome

James to the Thames Valley team in what is a period of continued growth for our regional office. “[He] has a first class track record and considerable expertise in the affordable housing sector and is already well known to a number of our clients.’’

Mr Miller added: ‘‘I am delighted to join RLB [and] I am looking forward to getting to know new clients, and hopefully working with some familiar faces too.

“I will be identifying opportunities for clients and look forward to finding sites that require unlocking.”

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Thursday, October 7, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Call more road safety measures at new Farley Hill Primary School

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today

WALKING to the new Farley Hill school is dangerous without traffic-calming measures.

That’s the view of one parent, whose daughter started at the Baston Road school this term.

Joanne Peters, whose name has been changed, said she is frustrated a permanent toucan crossing was not created before the term began.

Instead, there is a temporary traffic light crossing for pupils to use.

But the council said it was not its responsibility to create the crossing, but that of developer Crest Nicholson.

She believes the school should be surrounded by further safety precautions, including school children crossing signage, street markings and a 20mph zone.

Ms Peters reached out to the borough council about her concerns in March, before her daughter was granted a place at the school.

“I was concerned more generally about the route,” she explained.

Despite being promised updates in April, Ms Peters said she has been left in the dark by the council’s highways team.

SOLUTION: A temporary crossing is in place for the time being Picture: Wokingham Borough Council She was told a permanent toucan crossing would be built when there was enough demand but believes the start of the autumn term will bring many pupils on foot.

“There’s nothing to say

there’s a school here — no signs for children crossing,” she said.

She believes the borough council has a duty of care to pupils attending the new site.

“They’re happy to take our

OPEN: Cllr Keith Baker, Wokingham borough mayor, cut the ribbon at Farley Hill Primary School’s new site Picture: Stewart Turkington

Borough mayor opens new school THE borough mayor cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of a new primary school in Arborfield.

Cllr Keith Baker joined pupils and headteacher Emma Clarke at the new Farley Hill Primary School last month.

He gave a short speech, thanking all involved in the

project for their work.

“The new school is a triumph for all involved and I want to congratulate those who helped make it happen,” he said.

“Despite challenges, including the global pandemic, school staff and partners have worked tirelessly to get it ready for pupils

for the start of this term. I’m delighted to hear the pupils are already thoroughly enjoying the new buildings.”

Ms Clarke said she is delighted with the new facilities.

She said: “The children all gave the school a double thumbs up in assembly and are very happy.”

council tax, and the community funds from developers, but what about safety?” she said.“This is what we pay our council tax for.

“How can the council see an entire school built and

ignore the road safety of young children and their families?

“All other primaries have signage to ensure traffic is slowed around the area.”

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport said: “The main developer for Arborfield Green, Crest Nicholson, is responsible for putting in a toucan crossing, and we are working with them to ensure they do so.”

She said Crest Nicholson installed a temporary crossing, which is an “acceptable alternative” in the interim.

The councillor said her team has checked the average speed of traffic on Biggs Lane, and said it is below 30mph in the school peak times.

“Bearing these issues in mind, the crossing arrangements are safe with the measures currently in place – although we will certainly ensure Crest do provide the toucan crossing as the permanent arrangement,” she said.

A spokesperson for Crest Nicholson said: “The safety of the community and students is of our utmost priority.

“We recently installed a temporary crossing to serve Farley Hill Primary School and are working closely with the council to ensure a permanent one is installed.”

Charity hosts hot air balloon trail A WOKINGHAM charity is running a Hot Air Balloon Trail during half term.

Thirty shops and businesses in Wokingham town centre will be displaying a hot air balloon in their window from Sunday, October 23, to Sunday, October 31, in aid of First Days Children’s Charity.

A map of all the locations will be available for a minimum donation of £3, from Blue Orchid cafe, Brown Bag cafe, Wokingham Library and at First Days’ Molly Millars Lane site.

Residents must complete the map and submit it to be in the prize draw, which include two sets of family tickets for Everyman Cinema.

Village association hosts quiz night BARKHAM residents are invited to a quiz next month.

The Barkham Village Residents Association is holding a quiz evening at Barkham Village Hall on Saturday, November 27.

Doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm start.

There will be a raffle and bar. A fish and chip supper is included.

Tickets cost £12. n To book, email: social@ barkham.org.uk or call: 0118 978 3373

12 | NEWS

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 7, 2021

CREIGHTON reports on a meeting of Wokingham EXECUTIVENEWS PHILBorough Counil’s executive held on September 29 Bespoke well being services

Patanjali the Guru - Part one -

B

ACK in Yogic times , thousands of years ago, a Sage or Seer wrote a book called THE SUTRAS. The Sutras are a collection of threads..a terse expression of a truth , principle or observation.

Council to consult on new social housing policy

A DRAFT housing policy aimed at developing Wokingham’s social housing is to be put out to consultation following a vote by the executive.

At a meeting held at Shute End on Thursday, September 30, councillors gave their support to a consultation for the new

policy, which aims to reduce homelessness, help housing applicants receive suitable accommodation, make best use of housing stock, and support sustainable communities.

Introducing the report, deputy leader John Kaiser said: “The draft housing allocation policies replace

and update the existing policy.

“Because of changes in the law and unprecedented increase in demand for accommodation in the borough, due in no small part to covid, we have seen the demand for accommodation (increase).”

He said reasons for this include changes to the way in which people

work and increased cost in housing.

“It’s vital that we respond to that,” he said.

A six-week consultation will run until the end of November.

“Once feedback has been reviewed, it is hoped [the strategy] will be adopted in January next year,” Cllr Kaiser added.

By PHIL CREIGHTON pcreighton@wokingham.today

Dems, we won’t force people out of their cars.”

He continued: “What we will do is support residents in reducing their need to travel.

“We will also support residents to reduce their reliance on travelling by private car.”

To achieve this, there will be work with “experts in behaviour change” and “incentivising sustainable living”.

This would work on the aim of removing barriers, and see more schemes such as Beat The Street, which encouraged pupils to walk or cycle to school.

He concluded: “Will we limit car use? No. Will we prevent people from visiting relatives, to work or take their kids to school because of an arbitrary quota or limit? No. “Frankly, I am disappointed that you (Cllr Bishop-Firth) would.”

Responding, Cllr Bishop-Firth said: “I’m not quite sure how you’ve interpreted the question in such a way. Nobody wants to try and force quotas on them.”

She added: “What steps will the council take, as an employer, to explore the possibilities of hybrid working, to allow those staff who can do so to continue to work from home?”

Cllr Murray said that his answer was based on the way the question had been phrased, and the council

already had a hybrid working policy.

“We had it before covid … and we’re looking to maintain it post-covid,” he said.

“We’ve reduced our carbon footprint of vehicles coming in and out of the council by over 65%.”

He added: “We have to lead by example. We can’t go to businesses and ask them to reduce the number of days they’re expecting staff to return to offices if we’re not, ourselves, offering the same to staff, which is what we are doing already.”

Council leader John Halsall said that work was ongoing to a Workplace Reimagined document, which would show what a council would be like in the future. “It’s a long piece of work, and will come to the executive some time when we know what it looks like.”

Later in the meeting, Cllr Murray gave an update on the Climate Emergency Task and Finish Group, following a report from council officers featuring 25 recommendations to help the climate emergency action plan.

These include items on transport and road building; homes and insulation; renewable energy;

and behavioural changes such as implementing new technologies.

As part of this, the council’s refit programme on social housing is showing a “dramatic reduction” in energy use.

“A resident told me that his energy bill for one month had been cut to just £12,” Cllr Murray said.

“A number of authorities, both neighbouring and further afield, are interested in the results of that trial.”

On the Barkham solar farm plan, Cllr Murray said: “I can confirm revenue will be reinvested into other climate initiatives.”

Experts would be invited to pitch ideas on changes that can be made by residents in the bid to be net carbon zero by 2030.

Cllr Phil Cunnington (Con, Norreys) wanted to know if the council’s insulation programme was the same one backed by the protestors currently gluing themselves to motorways.

“As it happens, yes,” said Cllr Murray. “The houses that (insulation) has been applied to are some of the least energy efficient in the borough and tend to be lived in by some of the people potentially at risk of fuel poverty.”

‘Viable alternatives’ for those wanting to ditch their cars THE COUNCIL will provide “viable alternatives” to residents who want to reduce their carbon footprint by ditching their cars.

PICTURED: Kat Belton a qualified Yoga teacher and Massage Therapist

By doing the asanas . (THE POSTURES) the mind is quietened so that we can attain higher consciousness or SAMADHI (bliss).

Patanjali explains that once the mind is properly restrained, then "the seer" orthe "soul,the true self " can rest in its own nature.

"Tatah pratyakakcetanadhigano pyantarayabhavasco" (Sutra 1.29) Translation: Thereafter, the aspirant gains direst experience of inner being.

Thereafter obstacles also vanish forever."

In chaper 2 Patanjali talks about THE KlESHAS (causes of suffering) . He talks about how we are able to make a start on our practice using RA JA YOGA (Royal Yoga) , so that we can achieve higher consciousness.

Patanjali defines yoga as: "Yoga scritta vritti nirodhad" Yoga is the restraint of the modifications of the mindstuff " .

I think that Patanjali was amazing because he formulated his wise teachings and the philosophy of Yoga into sutras or threads.

These threads could be remembered as they were passes on verbally as there were no books at the Time. They were passed on to students so that they could be discussed in more detail and understood in the forests of India.

The Sutras are a short work, but they are very Important and just as relevant to our Yoga Practice together as then.

07599 988 126

f: @Arjuna Yoga and Massage email: hello@arjunayogaandmassage.co.uk

www.arjunayogaandmassage.co.uk

That was the promise made

by Cllr Gregor Murray, executive member for emissions, during a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council’s executive committee on Thursday, September 30.

He also pledged that the council would not limit residents’ car use.

Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth (Lib Dem, Emmbrook) pointed out that the council’s climate emergency report encourages public transport and active travel “wherever possible.”

She wanted to know: “What steps will you be taking to limit the number and length of journeys which are taken within the Borough?”

Cllr Murray said: “I am pleased we don’t have the power to limit civil liberties because that sounds like some form of totalitarian dictatorship, rather than the democracy that, for the sake of my children, I will defend to my last breath.

“I am surprised that you used that word, but for the record, your Conservative Council wants to help people be more sustainable, not force them to be. Unlike the Lib

Tackling anti-social behaviour: ‘Officer will be on the ground, not behind a desk’ PLANS to return some services back to Wokingham Borough Council are continuing.

When it met on Thursday, September 30, the ruling executive committee voted in favour of West Berkshire Council retaining some services provided by the Public Protection Partnership: trading standards, food standards, air quality and animal welfare.

They will also retain their regulatory proceeds of crime and enforcement case preparation support.

Cllr Bill Soane, executive member for Neighbourhood and Communities, said: “Services we will bring back include (tackling) anti-social behaviour, we can offer a much better service by bringing it back in house with local knowledge.

“It will give us coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week coverage which is not there at the moment.

“It will benefit all our residents.”

The final approval of the contract with West Berkshire Council would be delegated to the council’s director of place and growth, and the deputy chief executive.

Cllr Soane confirmed that under the new arrangement, West Berkshire Council would be the subcontractor for the outsourced services, but the ones coming in house would have a big benefit for the community.

“If somebody reports antisocial behaviour on Friday or Saturday night – which, let’s face it, is more than likely the time it is going to occur – there is (currently) no cover.

“We will make that change so we will be available.

“They won’t be behind the desk, they will be out on the road, ready to respond.

“It’s very beneficial.”

Partnership with voluntary sector extension A PARTNERSHIP between the council, the voluntary sector and faith groups was approved at a meeting of Wokingham’s ruling Executive on Thursday, September 30.

The Procurement of Adult Social Care Voluntary Sector Services strategy will see £2.1 million of funding shared between 22 organisations and 30 grants and contracts. The aim is to build on work started during the first covid lockdown that saw the community hub established — a partnership between Wokingham Borough Council and the groups involved in the One Front Door initiative.

The aim is to provide a more joined-up approach for preventing, reducing and delaying the need for formal care and support for adults with mental health, physical health and social support needs.

Introducing the report, Cllr Phil Cunnington, the deputy member for health, wellbeing and adult services, said: “It allows the council

to set the agenda and direct providers into areas where they can do better than us, where we can no longer afford, or sustain, funding.

“This is a key part of our efficiency plan and how we moderate rising demand.”

He added that the council had consulted with voluntary groups ahead of the paper being presented, and the procurement process will last for five years, with grants and contracts for three years, with options to extend by one or two additional year. Competitive tendering processes will be used for grants under £200,000, those above would be through a tender process.

“I am certain this will bring stability to the market and support the sustainability of many of our amazing voluntary, community and service sector organisations operating in the borough, which is a key priority of the voluntary community sector, and will offer more appropriate care for the residents in our borough.”

NEWS | 13

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Thursday, October 7, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

‘The Lidl plan needs a second consultation’

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today

AN EARLEY councillor is calling for a new public consultation on the Swallows Meadow plan.

It includes 43 homes and a Lidl, and the developer has recently submitted many new planning documents, with a number of revisions to the scheme.

Cllr Andrew Mickleburgh, Liberal Democrat councillor for Hawkedon said he thinks this is cause for another round of public consultation.

He said there was a “very high” level of public interest in the development, which Wokingham.

Today has followed since the first trees were chopped in Swallows Meadow last November.

“It’s only right and proper that all the stakeholders can look at the revisions and make their comments,” he said.

“I don’t know how people will view these revisions,” he said. “They may be seen positively by some who were previously opposed to the plans.”

Cllr Mickleburgh said some of the applicant’s cover letter concerned him.

“They say there is no public right of way on the land, but there is an

application nearing its final stages for one,” he said.

In February this year, ward councillors applied for a public right of way across the site, using historic evidence of its use.

“I believe the photographic evidence was quite significant,” he said. “If granted, the applicant would have to redesign or apply for a right of way diversion, and the whole process starts again.”

The councillor said a second consultation would resolve the applicant’s concern that objectors opinions may have been swayed.

However he disputed this, and said residents were not given a “template” on how to oppose, but a digital booklet that included links to planning law.

Created by Cllr Mickleburgh, he said he was very careful not to suggest residents should argue in favour or against, but that they should back up their comments with references to planning law.

A spokesperson for Lower Earley Properties Ltd said the amendments were in response to comments received from statutory consultees.

“This is a normal part of the planning process,” they said.

“The council will now consider this information as they look to determine the application.”

CRAFTS: Sam Jonkers and Val Johnston from Care4Calais with Dolphin School pupils Errol Angus, Axel Angus, Rafe Angus, Flynn Thiriasilpa, Ella-Rose Scordis and Noa Ransby-Craigs, and Sian Moore, head of middle school Picture: Jess Warren

Pupils create craft bags to give to Afghan children PUPILS at a Hurst school have helped create craft bags for Afghan refugees.

Dolphin School, on Waltham Road, donated 60 bags filled with pencil cases, pens, white boards, toys, games and crafts for the children arriving in the UK after fleeing their country.

The initiative was led by Sian Moore, the school’s charity and community liaison ambassador, who organised for them to be given to Care4Calais.

The Reading branch, like many others, has refocused its efforts to support refugee families arriving from Afghanistan, following the Taliban takeover.

“I was moved by everything I was seeing on the television,” Ms Moore explained. “There are all these children with nothing.”

The families also have to quarantine together on arrival, due to the pandemic.

“These children are stuck in a hotel room with nothing to do,” she said.

This inspired the craft bags.

“Entertaining children is not easy,” she added. “But drawing can also be a great way of exorcising trauma.”

Sam Jonkers and Val Johnston, from Care4Calais Reading, collected the bags

on Friday, October 1, from the school.

The mother and daughter duo thanked pupils at Dolphin School for donating items for the refugee children.

“The amount of thought put into this is lovely,” Ms Jonkers said.

They will deliver the bags directly to hotels where the families are quarantining, she explained.

As part of the collection, Ms Moore delivered an assembly to pupils about what is happening in Afghanistan.

“I tried to get the children to imagine what it would be like, knowing you would never be

October 16th and 17th 2021 We've 9 well-known authors and illustrators joining us, eager to introduce you to their worlds!

For ages 3 - 12 Limited in person sessions and all sessions available online £3 a seat in person or £3 an online family pass Info & to sign up: www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk/bookfest

going back,” she said.

“Our overarching value at the school is kindness,” she explained. “We encourage emotional agility, for students to be able to put themselves in others’ shoes.”

Headmaster Adam Hurst thanked parents of pupils at the school, and said they were always quick to respond to fundraisers and charitable causes.

He said Care4Calais does wonderful work and praised Ms Jonkers and Ms Johnston for their efforts. n For more information, or to support Care4Calais, visit: care4calais.org

14

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 7, 2021

Book now for The Queen’s Oak’s festive menu A PUB is getting ready for welcoming Christmas bookings.

The Queen’s Oak, in Finchampstead, redecorated during lockdown and, over the spring and summer, made full of its garden area.

And landlord Paul Brotherton has been working hard to ensure the pub will continue to be covid-safe.

Fully trained staff will wear masks, have temperature checks before each shift and thoroughly clean the premises throughout the day.

Customers will also be asked to use the track and trace system and they can expect clear instructions on where to go.

During the summer, The Queen’s Oak offered a seasonal menu, including a range of salads, home smoked trout, baked Camembert and the traditional pub classics such as burgers and fish and chips.

Now, it is preparing something more festive including, of course, turkey. But there’s also sea bass, pressed pork belly and vegetarian options.

All the food is freshly made in-house, catering for all dietary requirements as well as vegetarians and vegans.

Paul, who has worked at the Queen’s Oak for more than two years, previously trained

and worked alongside Raymond Blanc in the early part of his career.

In March last year, Paul made home care packages for the vulnerable residents in the local area as well as offering free soup to key workers and people who were struggling throughout the lockdown.

He also started a call and collect service, running from Wednesday to Sunday, which has continued.

The dog-friendly pub is the start and finish

for two picturesque walks, which take in the beautiful woodland, lakes and countryside around Finchampstead with one taking around three hours to complete – and there’s a beer to look forward to at the end.

Paul is looking forward to welcoming people over the autumn, in to the winter and beyond.

“We also have a good following on our Sunday roasts, we offer five or six options for it with a choice of desserts, which are all made by our staff here so everything is completely

fresh.”

The pub’s opening times are noon-11pm on Monday to Saturday and noon-8pm on Sundays.

Food will be served from noon-2.30pm and 6pm-9pm weekdays, noon-8pm on Saturdays and noon-5pm on Sundays. Times may vary.

Booking in advance is recommended; walkins are subject to available space. n For more details, or to book, call 0118 996 8567 or log on to thequeensoak.com

OUR FESTIVE MENU 2 COURSES 25.95 | 3 COURSES 29.95 Available from 1st to 31st December.

(Excluding Christmas Day).

Speak to a member for staff for allergen information or dietary requirements.

A discretionary 10%service charge is included.

STA R TE R S

M AIN S

RO QUE F ORT CHEESE SO UF F L É v P e ar & c hi c ory s al a d .

ROA S T TU RK E Y C ROWN S a g e & cr a n b e r r y p o r k st u f f i n g , r o a st p o t a t o e s, p i gs i n b l a n ke t s, ca r r o t & swe d e ma sh , b r a i se d r e d ca b b a g e , b r e a d sa u ce .

TUNA CA RP A CCIO Ro lled i n was abi a n d s e s a me s e e d s , mo u l i sla w & c ri s py wan t o n s .

FILLE T OF S E A B A S S Wa r m p o t a t o sa l a d , co n f i t o n i o n s, su n b l u sh t o ma t o e s, p a r me sa n , cr i sp y sq u i d , sa l sa ve r d i .

CURRIE D P A RS NI P SO UP v To as ted foc ac c i a.

B L A CK P UDDING BO NBO NS Cr ispy pi c c al i l l i .

WIL D MUS HROOM RI SO T T O V P a rmes an tui l e, tr u f f l e o i l .

PU D D I N GS CHRISTMAS PUDDING Brandy sauce.

STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING Toffee sauce, vanilla ice cream.

LE MON P OS S E T Marinated berries, almond biscuit.

CHEESE & BISCUITS Tomato chutney, pickled celery & biscuits.

A UB E RGI NE P A RMI GI A NA v Ri ch t o ma t o sa u ce , p a r me sa n , b r e a d cr u mb s, b a si l & mo zza r e l l a .

CORNFE D CHI CK E N B RE A S T S t u f f e d wi t h mu sh r o o m & ch e st n u t mo u sse , t a r r agon cr e a me d l e e ks.

P RE S S E D P ORK B E LLY Gr a t i n d a u p h i n o i se , ci d e r b r a i se d r e d ca b b a g e , a p r i co t s, ci d e r j u s.

MULLED W INE POACHED PEAR Lemon curd cream, poaching juices,ginger nut crumb.

www.thequeensoak.com Call us on: 0118 996 8567 Email: brotherton@thequeensoak.com

The Queens Oak, Church Lane, Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 4LS

15

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Thursday, October 7, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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16 | NEWS

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 7, 2021

CROWTHORNE&FINCHAMPSTEAD NEWS

To advertise in this section, call Claire on 0118 327 2662

CATS Crowthorne prepares for panto EXCLUSIVE

By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today BOO’S and hisses will be heard as CATS Crowthorne take to the stage for its annual panto – the first since the pandemic.

The amateur dramatics society is preparing its bow and arrows for this year’s production of Robin Hood at Crowthorne Parish Hall.

And tickets are now on sale.

Directed by Sam Gillett and Sophie Levine, the production will be the first indoor pantomime in Crowthorne since 2019.

Mr Gillett said rehearsals are well under way for the show.

“I’m elated to say we have a cracking cast who are going to bring the legend of the man in tights to the stage this November,” he said.

“I have missed the laughter like so many other members at CATS that fills the rehearsal rooms, and then the stage during show week.”

The story follows Robin of Loxley, a lord in Nottingham, who enjoys a good life with

CHEQUE IN: COATS Centre receiving the £1,000 cheque. From left: Bernie Dunstone, Hilary Tinsley, Elsie Griffith, Christine Mintrim, Tony Howe EN GARDE: CATS Crowthorne rehearsals for its last show his lover, Marian, before he is drafted by the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham to fight in the Third Crusade against the Saracens.

Mr Gillett added: “This year, the script is absolutely fantastic with everything you could possibly want from a panto. As soon as I read it back in June, I knew I had to direct it.

“I can’t wait to welcome all our patrons back to boo, hiss and shout ‘it’s behind you’ at the top of their lungs,” he said.

“But just make sure you keep your eye out for the dastardly

Sheriff of Nottingham, and stray arrows.”

Performances run from Thursday, November 25 to Saturday, November 27.

Evening shows start at 7.30pm and Saturday matinee starts at 2pm.

Standard tickets cost £10, early bird tickets at £8 and family tickets cost £35.

Tickets can be purchased at Playhouse Dry Cleaners, Dukes Ride, Crowthorne.

Or to book online, log on to: ticketsource.co.uk/ crowthornecats

R

Donation provides a COATS of paint A CROWTHORNE charity has received £1,000 from a housebuilder to support its refurbishment.

Retirement developer McCarthy and Stone donated the money to The COATS Centre, a charity for senior citizens to meet and enjoy each other’s company.

The organisation, based on Pinewood Avenue, was refurbished and updated in 2019 and reopened in November that year.

The money donated will go towards completing the centre’s interior, after it was put on hold during the pandemic.

David Wilson, trustee of COATS, said: “One of the final jobs following reopening was to complete the interior design with

pictures and artwork to adorn the walls of our entrance hall and two lounges.

“We barely had the planning on this started when covid struck and we were forced to close our centre.”

Mr Wilson added that when the centre could reopen in May 2021, they decided to focus on the artwork project again.

“With the generous support of McCarthy Stone, we are now able to complete the interior design of our centre,” he said.

“Our staff and visitors have been planning what they would like to see on the walls including bright, floral artwork and heritage photographs of times gone by.”

Mr Wilson is looking forward to showing the result to visitors.

Verity McKay, divisional marketing manager for McCarthy Stone Southern, said it was an “absolute pleasure” to present the donation to COATS. “Here at McCarthy Stone, we appreciate our responsibilities go further than building highquality retirement apartments — we also seek to create a positive legacy in the communities in which we build,” she said.

“All of us here at McCarthy Stone in Crowthorne wish the centre every success with its ongoing commitment to the senior community.” n For more details, visit: coatscrowthorne.org.uk

Choral society returns

Crowthorne to India

CROWTHORNE Choral Society is back in action as it prepares for its upcoming concert this Autumn.

The group started its regular evening rehearsals again after almost two years of no performances.

Practice sessions take place in the Old Gym, at Wellington College, on Mondays at 8pm.

The society’s next concert will be on Friday, November 19, where it will perform alongside the Wellington College Choir.

Conducted by director of music, Simon Williamson, performances will include John Rutter’s Requiem as well as some instrumental pieces.

And the group is on the hunt for new singers, particularly tenors and basses.

A NEW SCHOOL is set to open in India in two years time, thanks to Crowthorne-based Wellington College.

The school, on Duke’s Ride, has teamed up with the Unison Group to establish Wellington College schools in India.

The first school, in Pune, Maharashtra, will open in 2023. It will be a coeducational day and boarding school for ages two to 18 following the English National Curiculum.

Further schools are planned, including a full boarding school.

James Dahl, master at Wellington College, said he is “utterly thrilled” that Wellington College is partnering with Unison in India.

“From our very first meetings, it was clear that the values and educational philosophy of both organisations were aligned, and it has been a joy to work together,” he said.

n For more details, visit : crowthornechoral.org.uk

Yateley’s musical fundraiser A MUSIC fundraiser is making a comeback at The Dog and Partridge this Sunday.

The pub, on Reading Road, Yateley, will host its annual event, Oxjam.

Local residents volunteer themselves as gig makers to raise money through music for well-known charity Oxfam, which helps fight against global poverty.

The event, organised by musician Abi Powell, has been running the fundraiser for the

last seven years until covid hit last year.

Miss Powell is very excited for the event.

“This will be my seventh Oxjam event and they are always so much fun,” she said.

“The musical entertainment is going to be fantastic and it’s more important, than ever, to support grassroots music.”

Music from Treble 21, Mell Atkinson, Rocket Kings, Michael Tuffery, Pixi De Valle, Simon Williams and Fleece

Lined will entertain across the day.

A raffle will be held on the day, with prizes such as vouchers from Sassys Sugar Doughnuts, Big Fry Fish and Chips and a Body Shop hamper.

The fundraiser will take place from 2pm until 7pm.

Entry is free and donations for Oxfam are welcomed.

n For more details, visit the Oxjam at The Dog and Partridge Facebook event page.

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SONNING, RUSCOMBE, TWYFORD&HURST, NEWS REMENHAM & WARGRAVE

‘Life changing’ addiction charity helped by old tenant

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

AN ADDICTION charity in Hare Hatch has received a helping hand from a former resident who launched his own business after staying at its centre.

Yeldall Manor, which supports men with drug and alcohol addictions, recently employed James Wilde to clean up leftover covid tape on site.

Mr Wilde, who is the owner of Immaculate Cleaners, was a resident at the addiction centre a few years ago.

He launched his own business in April after the charity helped him turn his life around, and said

On your marks

returning to Yeldall Manor as a worker was “a blessing”.

“Not only did I have a chance to help Yeldall with their carpets, but I got the chance to sit with the new residents they have now,” Mr Wilde said.

“While being attentive to some people sharing their testimonies and encouraging them in their own personal journey, I felt encouraged, too.”

Mr Wilde founded Immaculate Cleaners, which specialises in deep cleaning the inside and outside of buildings in and around Reading, when he struggled to find a job after leaving Yeldall Manor.

He said his stay at the centre, which offers phased support to

re-integrate tenants into daily life, inspired him to turn his negative experiences into something positive.

“I felt very limited in seeking employment and had experienced a lot of knocks back,” Mr Wilde explained. “It was likely due to my past, but Yeldall Manor and Door of Hope, which supported my move forwards, continuously helped me.

“After many struggles, I decided to plan my own business with no limitations.”

He said he was happy to support the addiction service because it changed his life and has given him a chance to “live a life worth living”.

“I saw [Yeldall Manor] through a different lens now that I have been

on the other side of the programme and wanted to listen to, care for and encourage those who I spoke with,” he added.

Looking forward, Mr Wilde wants to continue growing his business and plans to launch a window cleaning franchise and professional car valeting service.

“I really thought about how I could apply my recovery to helping others and being able to give back using this business,” he said.

“So one of the goals I have for Immaculate Cleaners is providing opportunities for others to join a team, learn and gain experience.”

n To find out more about Mr Wilde’s company, visit: www.immaculatecleaners.co.uk

Sonning dresses up for Village Show

PUT YOUR running shoes on because there’s still time to register for Twyford Together’s annual Fun Run. On Sunday, October 10, residents will take to the streets to fundraise for Twyford Charities Together with a series of challenges.

This year’s event includes a 5km (3.1 mile) race and a range of fun runs for youngsters, including 1km and 2km courses.

There will also be a ‘fastest street’ contest.

Runners are encouraged to register in advance online.

Diamond celebration CELEBRATE 60 years of music in Twyford later this month.

Twyford Singers is marking its 60th anniversary with a concert at St Mary’s Church in the village on Saturday, October 16.

The group, which consists of approximately 45 members, will sing parts of choruses one, two and three from Handel’s Messiah .

It will also be accompanied by a full orchestra.

Throughout the pandemic, the group practised virtually.

Tickets for the 60th anniversary show cost £25.

For more information, contact twyfordsingers@ outlook.com

SONNING came together to celebrate with music, food and healthy competition last month.

On Saturday, September 11, Sonning Village Show took place at the primary school on Liguge Way. Carol Collier, event organiser, said: “A good day was had by all.” Residents enjoyed an afternoon of fancy dress, tea and cake, barbecue food and drinks. Organisers also hosted an annual competition which saw people compete in classes, including best photography, best onions and best Victoria sandwich.

Festival raises thousands for cancer charity TWYFORD Beer Festival revealed it raised thousands of pounds for charity at its event in June.

The annual celebration donated £12,000 to male cancer charity Orchid last month, and has now donated more than £70,000 over the past 12 years.

Ian Wisdom, organiser of the Beer Festival, said it was “a very proud day” for the team when it presented the cheque.

“Our thanks go out to all who have supported

Twyford Beer Festival over the years,” he said.

“In such a challenging environment, and with increased costs due to covid, this could not have been achieved without the festival-goers’ support and generosity.”

This year’s event was the 11th of its kind, and has raised money for Orchid since its inception.

Ali Orhan, CEO of Orchid, extended his thanks to Twyford Beer Festival’s organisers for their continued support.

“Ian Wisdom is an Orchid Ambassador and

a passionate and dedicated supporter,” he said. “[He] and the team visit the Orchid office every year to present us with a large cheque as a result of money they have raised through the Beer Festival and numerous collections.

“We are incredibly grateful to Ian and the whole team for their fantastic fundraising efforts, which enables us to continue to help raise awareness, support men and their families affected by cancer, as well as fund vital research.”

Handling Difficult Conversations at Work: 4 Essential Tips

H

OW are you at handling a difficult one to one conversation at work?

No one enjoys having them, but difficult conversations are an unavoidable part of life. In the workplace, if discussions around issues are not managed with care, they can quickly escalate, leading to damaged relationships – and worse.

Here are four important generic tips that will help you to have more meaningful conversations – and find a way through conflict: 1. Make conversations about accountability – not blame The fastest way for a discussion to break down is when one or both parties feel they’re being personally blamed for something that’s gone wrong or isn’t working as it should. It’s vital to discuss accountability to find out what went wrong, not who was wrong.

2. Look for the answer in the whole of the dialogue – not just in part of it A sensitive or complex issue will rarely be concluded in one discussion but will involve a series of communications. This may sound obvious, but it’s relevant because the answer to an issue is most likely to be found within the whole of the collective, sequential dialogue rather than in any single part of it.

3. Ensure consistency across all communications Dialogue between HR and an employee is likely to combine a range of communication formats, including written correspondence, emails, telephone conversations and of course, the discussions that take place in face to face or virtual meetings.

Correspondence needs to match the conversation that happened. Templates are great only as a starting point.

4. Don’t be afraid to be emotionally courageous!

For any discussion to be truly meaningful, emotional courage is required on both sides. By this, I mean the emotional courage to express genuine feelings, ask for help when it’s needed, request clarity on an issue or check a point has really been understood. Without this, a conversation is likely to be one-sided and will probably not lead to a lasting and satisfactory conclusion.

How are you managing difficult conversations in your business?

What happens in your business when you need to have a difficult conversation? Do you and your team have the skills required to manage the process to a successful conclusion – without upsetting relationships or the running of your business?

Call us now for an initial conversation.

Organic P&O Solutions

T: +44 1344 441 043 E: contactus@organicposolutions.co.uk

www.organicposolutions.co.uk

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WOODLEY&EARLEYNEWS

ART: Sarah Viahh Day demonstrating some of her artwork

SENT WITH LOVE: Lynda Tolworthy with the cards she paints

BROWSING: Richard Monk and Debra McDermid admire the artwork

Artists showcase work at event

ON SHOW: Elizabeth Baldin with her painting, “Windswept Sands” All pictures: Steve Smyth

ART was showcased at an exhibition over the weekend.

On Friday, October 1, Woodley and Earley Arts Group opened the doors at the Oakwood Centre for it’s autumn art exhibition.

Derek Allan, from the group, said there were around 250 people who visited over the two days.

“We’re glad to see people remain enthusiastic about supporting local artists,” he

said. “A wave of new members have joined the group and it was great to see many of them getting involved in the exhibition.”

Marion Barter won the Favourite Painting title.

Lakeside residents upset by town council’s refusal to cut a hedge

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today

THE HEIGHT of a hedge in Earley is causing upset among neighbours.

Residents of Lakeside said they are “surprised and upset” an agreement to keep a hedge below waist-height has been broken.

A spokesperson for the Maiden Erlegh Residents’ Association (MERA) said Earley Town Council has taken a different approach to the land management since the Liberal Democrat Party took control from the Conservatives.

They said nine years ago, an agreement was made to preserve the views of the lake.

Although the “formal” hedge has cut back, the growing vegetation behind it has not, leaving residents feeling ignored, the spokesperson said.

At an Amenities and Leisure Committee on Wednesday, September 8, councillors agreed to neaten and thin the offending greenery, but not cut it down

to two feet and six inches, to match the “formal” hedge.

“The requirements of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 and its emphasis on conserving biodiversity appears to be the overarching reason for the decision,” said a MERA spokesperson.

“Although of course this legislation was in place when the agreement with residents was reached in 2012.”

Jo Friend, town clerk at Earley Town Council committee members felt that cutting the hedge may only benefit an extremely small number of residents, and did not outweigh the town council’s environmental responsibilities.

“I can assure you that Earley Town Council has not ignored any MERA members who have asked for the shrubbery to be cut down. Their request has been fully considered, town councillors visited the site in question and thorough discussions were had.”

Ms Friend said council members felt strongly that, since the 2006

decision, awareness and knowledge of the importance of habitats and biodiversity has greatly increased, with environmental issues gaining more significance.

She said the committee felt it was reasonable to review a stance made over a decade ago, as situations alter and priorities change.

And users of the nature reserve appreciate the screening the hedging provides from the built environment of Lakeside, she explained.

Councillors felt maintaining the second hedge as requested would require a substantial amount of town council resources, Ms Friend added.

They said hand tools would have to be used because of nesting birds, which was not considered to be best use of town council resources.

However, one Lakeside resident said the second hedge is “very dangerous”.

They said there has been an increase in anti-social behaviour in the area, as people are more hidden.

Another said children and dogs can no longer get out of cars parked on the south side of the road.

“Much of the year it is a safety hazard as you can’t see what’s on the road ahead,” they said.

“Motorists wouldn’t see if a child, dog, fox or deer emerges from one of the designated exit points.

“Are we actually waiting for an accident to happen?”

The MERA spokesperson added: “We understand that the new administration would not feel bound to pursue the policies of previous administrations, but we are disappointed that they are unwilling to take on board the discontent of Lakeside residents.

“Given the decision that has been made on this matter, there appears to be little more that we can do for the time being, but residents might want to raise this as a continuing issue with prospective candidates for the next Town Council election.”

Council hosts eco events EARLEY residents have been invited to 26 environmental events in the run up to COP26.

Earley Town Council hopes the sessions will engage, inform and encourage residents to join the climate change conversation.

A number of them have already happened, including a litter pick along the Thames, where

Cllr Anne Bassett, Earley town mayor joined volunteers to clear the ground near The Waterside Centre.

A five for five clothes swap was held on Saturday, where residents could bring five items and exchange for a different five.

And more events are planned.

The Town Council will

be handing out specially produced postcards at events encouraging residents to write down a question they would like to send to those attending COP26.

It plans to deliver them to Reading West MP, Alok Sharma, who is chair of COP26. n For more information, visit: www.earley-tc.gov. uk/green-events-2021

REVEAL: Joan Gaines with one of her paintings, “Early Spring Time”

Bridges Resource Centre rated Ofsted outstanding again A WOODLEY centre supporting children with disabilities has been awarded outstanding

by Ofsted for the 10th time.

Bridges Resource Centre provides short breaks for children with complex needs and disabilities.

It was inspected in July and has been praised for high quality partnership work.

In the report, Ofsted said: “The children are at the centre of all practice and there is a culture of respect and dignity evident in all staff practice.

“The children’s positive experiences start from the very first time that they stay.”

The centre focuses on a holistic approach that supports not only their needs, but the wider family.

Ofsted said that the management team is highly effective, knowledgeable and passionate and constantly making improvements to benefit the children.

Cllr Graham Howe, executive member for children’s services at the borough council congratulated the team.

He said: “This is the 10th outstanding rating the service has had, which is down to the incredible hard work and dedication of the team and the passion and energy they put into their work with children.”

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Finchampstea £3,000 in th

Another view Neil Coupe

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today

Revisiting the past

A FINCHAMPSTEAD family determined to raise £10,000 for charity have hit the £3,000 mark in just three months.

W

HEN I celebrated my 50th birthday, sadly a more and more distant memory, I produced a list of 50 things I had never done and gave myself the objective of doing.

Many of these were banal in the extreme, for example, involving travel destinations.

Some tasks were slightly more physically challenging, involving weekends of kayaking, clay pigeon shooting or archery, and others were verging towards the masochistic, such as climbing my first-ever mountain, followed by two others – all supposedly within a 24-hour period.

Three entries on what may be described as my ‘bucket list’ seemed incredibly straightforward.

I had realised that in my 50 highly sociable years I had never managed to have a ‘lock-in’ in a drinking establishment.

There had always been a seedy glamour about a pub lock-in that appealed, and I was always envious of friends who spoke of being out until dawn.

Surely that could not be too difficult to arrange?

I had always liked the idea of going backstage at a gig, although I suspected that the reality would be being huddled in small talk with strangers in a backroom, with curling sandwiches and warm lemonade, rather than spending half-an-hour in deep conversation with Mick Jagger.

The other idea was to arrange a university reunion. Ours was originally mooted at the beginning of lockdown and had already been cancelled in three occasions.

So, October 2021 it was. Seven of the class of 10 were coming.

What would it be like to spend an evening with people whom we had not seen for three decades?

Would we have anything to talk about?

Pity the poor waitress plaintively asking, ‘are you ready to order your drinks?’, ‘are you ready to order your food?’ as the conversation effortlessly and enthusiastically flowed.

What was fascinating was how the evening was such a ‘safe place’ for everyone, and how openly everyone was able to speak about challenges, as well as successes, that they had encountered over the intervening decades.

‘Therapy’ is not the word, maybe ‘privilege’ for having access to such an accomplished, honest and fun group of people.

There was also the pleasure of catching up on well-worn half-forgotten stories as well as ones I did not know but sound extraordinary in hindsight.

We spent a year in France, in different locations.

I discovered that two of my then 20-yearold classmates, one male and one female, had separately been deposited at a service station on the M6 with six months’ worth of luggage and the task of hitch-hiking to their respective destinations. All this without a mobile phone.

At the time it did seem rather ‘characterbuilding’ and is pretty much inconceivable from today’s perspective.

Thanks to the kindness of strangers, they successfully reached their destinations. This would still almost definitely be the case today, but I can’t imagine many people attempting it.

The night wore on, eventually four of us remained and the stories continued to flow.

The bar we were in thinned out, and eventually it was time to go.

To my surprise the doors had been locked, and the staff had departed – so while it was not how I had expected my first ever lock-in to occur, I think I can tick off both ‘University Reunion’ and ‘Lock-In’ from my list.

If any reader can organise a backstage pass to the next Rolling Stones tour, please let me know.

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 7, 2021

ON YOUR BIKE: Andy Thomson raised almost £1,500 for charity

Andrew has wheelie good fun for charity

A WOKINGHAM man has raised almost £1,500 for the British Heart Foundation thanks to pedal power.

Andrew Thomson joined thousands of riders for the London to Brighton 54-mile off-road cycle event on Sunday, September 19.

“After an early start, the first part was lovely, riding along the Thames and through countryside,” Andrew says. “But there’s a big hill towards

the end which is a killer. I got to the seafront in Brighton and still had more than three miles to go.”

Also a sales manager at Bewley Homes, he adds: “It was very inspiring to see so many other riders all together, raising millions of pounds for charity.

“Maybe we’ll organise a Bewley team of riders next year as part of our Bewley Backs Bikes campaign.”

Harvest time with Freely Fruity Sunday, September 26 – 139.4kg Donated to Shinfield Baptist Church and Helping Hands Shinfield.

This week’s harvest included potatoes, carrots, spring onions, beetroots, radishes, cooking and eating apples, chard, spinach, kale, cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli, runner beans, French beans, strawberries, leeks, marrows, pumpkins, butternut squash, rhubarb and peppers.

This week’s total – 139.4kg 2021 total so far – 1,449.9kg

Wheelpower winners

Claire De Cort and her daughter Amelie launched their 10x10 challenge this year to raise the grand total by Amelie’s 10th birthday in March.

“Amelie and I are incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved so far and have received amazing feedback from the charities we are helping,” Ms De Cort said. “It has been really good fun and has inspired Amelie’s friends to get involved, which was our aim in all of this — to engage families in helping others.”

The duo have planned a series of smaller, interactive fundraisers throughout the months to hit the target and support as many different organisations in the process.

They are currently running an online auction in aid of the World Land Trust.

The charity is supported by Sir David Attenborough and Steve Backshaw, and has conservation projects across the world.

Its Keepers of the Wild project employs local people as rangers in reserves and rainforests to protect and conserve the natural environment.

Ms De Cort said her daughter Amelie chose the charity and is a big fan of Sir David’s documentaries.

“She watches all his programmes, and wants to go to the Amazon Rainforest herself,” she explained.

Once Amelie discovered the impact that palm oil plantations can have on the ecosystem, she gave up Nutella for a month, Ms De Cort said. Now reserved as a weekend treat, Amelie hopes to support the rainforest with her auction.

“There’s something for everybody in the auction,” Ms De Cort said.

Businesses across the borough and beyond have donated prizes,

10X10 CHALLENGE: Claire De Cort and her da and bidding has begun.

Included in the list of items is a Cotswold Gin Distillery tour and gin tasting for two, an outdoor dining dome experience for two to four people, a Tesla driving experience, segway tours, animal and wildlife park passes, and a range of treats.

Bidding started at £1, and ends on Sunday, October 10.

The weekend after, her family

Wokingham runners take on 24-hour fundraiser

ALMOST £4,500 was raised by a group of walkers from St Crispins Leisure Centre last weekend.

The centre, on London Road, Wokingham, saw 16 people travel 26 miles to raise funds for Wheelpower, a charity providing opportunities for disabled people to get into sport.

Between the group they raised £4,412, exceeding their original £3,200 target.

Leader Dave Covey is “extremely proud” of the group.

“We have all become friends since the event, which is what all this type of fundraising is about,

forging friendships and at the same time raising much-needed funds for Wheelpower,” he said.

“I want to thank everyone for taking part, including Jamie who was supporting us en route, and to all my colleagues at St Crisipins who supported me.”

Wheelpower’s events fundraiser Jo Hall said: “We are grateful to the team for taking part in their marathon walk and raising money to fund opportunities for disabled people to play sport and lead healthy active lives.”

n To donate, log on to justgiving.com/ team/stcrispins

THREE runners took on an epic challenge around Wokingham to raise money for a mental health charity close to their hearts.

Wokingham resident Matthew Bloomfield, Yateley-based Eathan Smith and Matt Bull, from Fleet, embarked on a 24-hour run around the town on Friday, September 17.

Starting at 8pm at St Paul’s Church, the trio travelled in a relay-style loop around Wokingham, running past Joel Park and through to Cantley Park, where only one person ran at one time.

“We were excited about doing the run, but I don’t think we really knew what to expect,” Eathan Smith said.

“The adrenaline kept us going through the first couple of laps, although we did get lost on a couple of occasions and ended up running further than we wanted.

“A couple of hours before we started the run the donations started

to flood in, and that’s when we started to feel some nerves, as we didn’t want to let anybody down, but it definitely helped us keep going during the early hours of the morning.”

The group were greeted at the finish line with cheers and clapping from their loved ones, and a much deserved beer.

Mr Smith added: “It’s taken a couple of days for it to sink in.

Matt and I had not even run a half marathon before, but by the end of the day we had all technically run an ultra marathon.”

He said they chose to support CALM, as they have struggled with their own mental health in some way.

The trio wanted to show their support for an organisation that helped lift the stigma around the subject of suicide.

“We also wanted to support the great work that CALM do providing critical services to people struggling

ad family raise hree months

Wokingham duo conquer mountains for Parkinson’s

aughter Amelie are trying to raise £10,000 by Amelie’s 10th birthday in March a paint-athon, and £210 in a Cookalong.

“At first, family and friends just thought we would be asking them for money,” Ms De Cort said. “But they’ve been really impressed they’re getting an experience out it. People have been astonished with Amelie’s range of ideas.”

n To follow the family’s challenge, visit: www.teamhdc.co.uk

NON-STOP: Matthew Bloomfield, Eathan Smith and Matt Bull embarked on a 24-hour run around the town

with their own mental health or families impacted by suicide,” Mr Smith said.

He went on to thank all of their supporters for their donations so far.

“When it was dark and all our muscles ached, your kindness and generosity helped push up on.”

James Baker, head of fundraising at CALM, described the group’s running challenge as “truly inspirational”.

“It’s thanks to incredible supporters

like Matthew, Ethan and Matt, who raise vital funds and awareness, that we continue to be there for people who need us, no matter what” he said.

“Every week in the UK over 100 people take their own lives.

“At CALM, we believe there is always hope, always a reason for living, so please join us in supporting the trio in their challenge and CALM’s fight in uniting against suicide in any way you are able to.”

WHAT’S BREWING

IN FINCHAMPSTEAD?

C ON TOP OF THE WORLD: Jacquie and Natalie completed the Three Peaks Challenge

is hosting a spooktacular Hallowe’en event in Barkham.

It will run from 2.30pm until 4.30pm on Sunday, October 17 at Barkham Village Hall.

It will include games, a costume parade, a tombola and cake sale.

Entry costs £1 per child, and proceeds will go to Babies in Buscot Support.

Last month, the duo raised £240 at

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Thursday, October 7, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

A WOKINGHAM woman has made a mountainous effort to raise money for charity.

Jacquie Gee completed the Three Peaks Challenge last month as part of her family’s year-long fundraiser for Parkinson’s UK. The Gee family, which includes Jacquie, her husband Ben, and their 10-year-old son Austin, has been completing challenges throughout 2021 after Ben was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 41.

On Saturday, September 4, Jacquie and her friend Natalie Highley climbed Mount Snowdon in Wales, Scafell Pike in England, and Ben Nevis in Scotland in just under 23 hours to raise vital funds.

Jacquie says she and Natalie “crushed it” by completing the hikes in under 24 hours.

“Three Peaks has been an epic challenge for [us],” she says.

“We are both personal trainers and we trained really hard for this.

“It’s not until you are climbing those mountains that you realise how tough a challenge it is, not just physically but mentally.

“It really did push us to our maximum [and] I’m so proud of what we achieved.”

Jacquie and Natalie raised more than £2,150 for Parkinson’s UK,

taking the family’s total donation to £5,800 so far.

Kay Slade, regional fundraiser for the South East’s Parkinson’s UK, added: “We are incredibly grateful to the Gee family and Hat and Home for their ongoing support.

“With more than 40 potential symptoms, Parkinson’s can devastate lives [and] while we’ve made huge breakthroughs in the last 50 years, there is still no cure, and current treatments are not good enough.

“Our incredible fundraisers help us drive forward the groundbreaking research we need to transform the lives of people affected by the condition.”

Earlier this year, Austin played football for five hours and raised £280 for the charity, and Ben is running the Virgin Money London Marathon this weekend.

Ben is also the owner of Wokingham estate agency Hat and Home, which has chosen Parkinson’s UK as it’s charity of the year.

In total, the family hope to raise £10,000.

n To find out more, visit: www. justgiving.com/fundraising/ jacqsandnatsdothethreepeaks

POETRY CORNER Harvest Moon I love Autumn and I love a Harvest Moon. New beginnings I close my eyes and contemplate under the warm glow of harvest moon, fiery red power with a shimmer of magic ushers in the promise of golden autumn and we say goodbye to fading summer sun we say goodbye to mistakes that linger we say goodbye to past darkness that full, burnished moon plays a new tune of redemption, of beginnings, a rebirth.

Take a deep breath, breathe in the energy of a new path, a new time, another chance

as we say goodbye to all that binds and stifles we say goodbye to those no longer lit by love and we welcome and embrace the courage and newness of the harvest moon beckoning us to move on and begin again.

by Tina Cathleen MacNaughton

AN you believe that there are Christmas adverts already running on the TV? Whilst it seems pretty soon for that as there’s plenty to get to before then, this is a Christmas themed column.

Why? Because we’re being organised, and we want to help you be organised too!

Advent Calendars. We all love them, we all grew up with them. Most of you had a delicious chocolate treat every day, some of you (like me) only had pictures of the nativity. Even so, it’s that level of nostalgic excitement that is why we’re all recreating that as adults. Whether it’s sweet treats, socks, bath bombs, cosmetics or yes, beer, the 24 days of Advent is a time for us all to treat ourselves.

Last year, we created our first ever Craft Beer Advent Calendar and it went down a storm. So much so, that when lockdown hit again in February, we decided to try and bring some of the holiday spirit to the bleak proceedings with our Lockdown Calendar.

Now the holidays are rolling back round again, we’re here with not one, but two incredible Craft Beer Advent Calendar options.

First up, is our classic advent calendar.

24 beers, all unique and all bound to please.

We’ve stepped it up a gear this year as the calendar actually has 3 beers exclusive to it.

They won’t be available anywhere else!

There are also two styles that are new for us, so you’re in for some beery treats!

If 24 beers in the month seem too much for you, then our other option is for you.

We have our first ever Snackvent Calendar.

This one has 15 beers and 9 different snacks, from popcorn to chocolate and much in between. December is the one month where we can all enjoy the odd snack, guilt-free.

To see the range of Calendars, which are now available to pre-order, and of course, all of our latest releases, merch and other news, check out the Siren Craft Brew website - sirencraftbrew.com/advents Lastly, this weekend at the Tap Yard we have Jonny Garrett down from The Craft Beer Channel as part of his national book tour. He’ll be signing books and giving a Q&A. For a FREE ticket, which includes a sample of our collab beer, head to: bit.ly/JonnyFreeTicket There’s also plenty of walk-in space, and Funky Pickle will be onsite with their Canadian inspired Poutine and other delicious wares.

See you here soon!

SIREN CRAFT BREW 18 Marino Way, Hogwood Lane Industrial Estate, Finchampstead RG40 4RF

Picture: David Mark from Pixabay

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

Festive fun to spread goodwill

AFTER the dark days of the past 20 months, we need reasons to be cheerful.

That’s why the news that Cantley Park will be turned into a Winter Wonderland is to be welcomed.

Sure, life is not quite back to normal yet – covid rates are still high across the borough, and precautions still need to be taken – but at last we have things to look forward to.

The vision for a festive treat in Cantley is terrific – not just a traditional market, but also ice skating and other winter attractions.

It will be brilliant fun for all ages, and we can’t wait to enjoy it.

The market will be just one of a number of traditional events that were sorely missed last year.

Christmas lights will once again be switched on in style, the winter carnivals and late-night shopping nights will be restored, and the carols will once again be sung with gusto.

Christmas is all about light coming in the darkness. This year, it’s a message we need more than ever. See you on the rink.

CHURCH NOTES

Hope renewed

R

ECENTLY, a group from the Mid Thames Area Quaker meetings attended an online workshop entitled Hope As A Spiritual Practice, run by Woodbrooke, the Quaker college in Birmingham.

The facilitator asked us to bring an object or poem which symbolises hope for us personally.

We shared these in small groups.

It struck me that everyone in my group brought an item representing our children or grandchildren, symbols of our hope in/for future generations.

In our discussions, we came up with the idea that hope might be a mindset that we choose.

We can pay attention to the things that make us feel hopeful in our personal lives, or pay attention to the things that make us feel hopeless.

We agreed that it is easier to have hope if we feel we have agency.

Hope may be a mystery, a glimmer of light in a dark room, or it can move mountains.

We can build our capacity to hope.

One of the resources suggested to us, which I recommend, is an episode of the Melvyn Bragg radio series In Our Time, entitled Hope. You can access this at bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00017vl.

The panel discussed the development of ideas about hope, including the myth of Pandora’s jar.

Only hope is left in the jar.

A consolation, or another evil?

Later, it is the companion of faith and love (1 Corinthians 13).

Vaclav Havel, former president of the Czech Republic, wrote in his book, Disturbing the Peace, that hope is “an ability to work for something because it is good, not just because it stands a chance to succeed. The more unpromising the situation in which we demonstrate hope, the deeper that hope is.

“Hope is not the same thing as optimism.

“It is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out”.

Nicki Sutcliffe, from Wokingham Quakers, writing on behalf on Churches Together in Wokingham

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Wokingham needs its own rubbish tip I am writing to thank Wokingham Council for the services (privileges?) that they have deprived us residents of over the last 10 years.

1. The green garden waste bags.

Free collection every two weeks 2. The Woosehill skip. This arrived every six months for residents to dump their expired mattresses, sofas etc for free collection.

3. The Woosehill Crusher. This replaced the skip, but only once per year 4. The silly new ‘book a slot’ rules at the tip. What do they resemble this to? A boiler service or something?

Anyway, in these days of reducing our carbon footprint, it’s about time we had our own tip rather than have to drive to Reading or Bracknell (traffic jams and pollution) 5. The removal of Carnival Pool and gym. Yes, we know we can use Loddon Valley or Bulmershe, but I used to walk to Carnival. Now it’s the car and a waste of an hour (on a good day) 6. The removal of dog waste bins.

Unbelievable!

John Laverack, Woosehill

Tackling hate crimes RESEARCH by learning disability charity United Response found there were more than 7,300 reported Hate crime cases in 2019-20, a rise of just under 12% in a year, and this number continues to increase.

This is the tip of the iceberg, as the statistics published back in 2013/14 estimate that there were 62,000 disability hate crimes with only 2,020 recorded by the police.

Statistics do not demonstrate the actual impact of this crime on peoples lives.

I am sure we can all remember the case of Fiona Pilkington who set fire to her car with herself and her 18 year old daughter inside, after experiencing more than a decade of harassment and anti-social behaviour focused on Frankie who had learning disabilities.

Westminster Diary

Sir John Redwood

I

N response to those of us who have asked how the new Secretary of State will ensure the extra money directed to the NHS will be used to raise the quality of care, improve access and get the waiting lists down, Mr Javid has announced a review of NHS and Care leadership.

He has appointed General Sir Gordon Messenger and Dame Linda Pollard to conduct a review into how efficiency and innovation can be improved in the NHS, and how regional inequalities can be reduced.

As Health now has a massive £230 bn budget, absorbing all of our Income tax, CGT, Inheritance tax and Stamp Duty, it is indeed time to review how it can be better spent, and to ask what

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 7, 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

Tackling problems with some GPs I write in reference to the letter in last weeks paper ‘we must deal with the GP scandal now’.

I share many of the authors views – however there are some inaccuracies in the letter which need to be clarified.

It is certainly correct that the performance of some GPs is not a new issue. However many of our GPs do an excellent job, and I believe it is unfair to imply all are poor when the evidence simply does not support this claim.

GPs have experienced a 40% increase in demand as the pandemic has eased and are working under pressure. It is important to call out poor performance, but the statement that there is a problem with all Wokingham GPs is totally wrong.

The recent NHS patient experience survey ( available on the NHS website ) shows that four Wokingham GPs sit in the bottom 10% in the UK. They are the Wokingham Medical Centre, The Loddon Vale Surgery, Twyford Surgery and Woosehill Practice.

The fact that five Wokingham Borough GP’s sit in the top 10% in Here in Wokingham CLASP members are regularly subject to a variety of hate crimes.

It is shocking to hear their stories, and I wonder if their perpetrators always know their behaviour constitutes a hate crime and is actually prosecutable by law?

The week commencing October 11 is Hate Crime week.

CLASP are proud to be celebrating this and raising awareness.

We end the week on Friday, October 15, with a signing of our Hate Crime Charter by Felicity Parker, Superintendent of Thames Valley Police and Matt Pope, Director of Adult Social services.

This will take place at 10am at the Bradbury Centre in Rose Street, another £12 bn can bring that £230 bn cannot achieve.

I wish to explore this in a few pieces and pass on my thoughts to the Secretary of State. I would have preferred the terms of the review to have been more narrowly focussed on quality and cost of care.

Let us begin by asking what can we expect of the two lead characters appointed?

I wish them both well and acknowledge they have had successful careers in public service. May they be wise and insightful in this task. Often the need is to remedy defects in the way the base budgets are spent.

General Sir Gordon can draw on the talents, bravery and discipline our soldiers show, and their ability to improvise and respond quickly when on active service.

He was decorated for his personal bravery in leading troops in action. I hope he has also learned from some of the failings of MOD and senior army management.

There is a long history of big budget

the UK ( the Finchampstead Practice, Wargrave Practice, New Wokingham Road Surgery, Wilderness Practice and Burmah Hill Practice ) shows this is not a national issue and is based on issues with these four practices.

It is unacceptable that our residents should endure endless long phonecalls and second-rate service.

GPs are commissioned by the West Berkshire CCG. The ccg are responsible for the management and performance of GPs. Any resident who is unhappy with their GP should contact the CCG at: NHS Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Group, 57-59 Bath Road, Reading, RG30 2BA, or send an email to: bwccg.bwpalscomplaints@nhs.net WBC is concerned over the performance of these four practices and has raised this matter with the CCG. We have also written to James Kent, the head of ICS (the organisation that sites above the ccg and is responsible for its performance) asking for improvement plans for all four surgeries. We will continue to raise this matter until there is an Wokingham town centre.

We are reaching out to Wokingham businesses, traders, organisations and societies to support this fight against Hate Crime by asking you to come along to the event and sign the charter as well.

Asda have kindly donated funds for us to supply refreshments.

No need to book please just turn up or call me on 07780 749 453.

Lets make Wokingham and beyond a positive place for us all to live.

Thank you

Debs Morrison, CLASP and LDPB Manager

When the doctor called HEREWITH my comments on Wokingham Today’s coverage in its 30th overruns and delays when buying equipment.

The use of the rank of lieutenant colonel, paying around £80,000 a year to 1,510 senior officers in a service of 82,000 armed personnel does not look like slim management. There are 590 more officers of ranks above lieutenant colonel to fill the main national management roles.

Dame Linda Pollard can draw on the example of the bravery, hard work and versatility shown by the frontline NHS workers handling serious covid cases over the last year and a half.

The Leeds Teaching Hospital she chairs was last rated as Good by the Care Quality Commission. It did, however, receive criticism for safety which needed improvement. It failed to meet performance standards for referrals to treatment– i.e, too many people waited too long.

Its emergency readmission rates were above the national average meaning more remedial treatments were needed. Its staff cost per unit of work were lower than average, but its

adequate plan on the table to raise performance The author seems to believe that the political make-up of the local council has an influence on this matter. However, the evidence publicly available contradicts this claim. If you look at the NHS survey you will see the same problem exists in Reading (which has a Labour council) and West Berkshire. If WBC had control or any influence over local GP performance this issue would have been dealt with years ago We fully support the view that every resident who wants a faceto-face consultation with their GP should be able to have one. However it is possible to access NHS services without the need for a face to face meeting.

We will launch a publicity campaign next week to explain to residents other ways of accessing primary health care. However we also call the CCG to support our GPs to move towards face-to-face appointments for all who want them.

Cllr Charles Margetts Exec Member for Adult Services and Public Health Wokingham Borough Council September edition. Firstly, ‘We must deal with the GP scandal now.’

Gone are the days when the family doctor was the family friend. He came out to your house, readily, to treat a child with chickenpox, or an adult with asthma.

My mother’s cconsultant would just drop in to see her, at home. But even in more recent times, we didn’t have problems with seeing doctors when Wokingham had the Rectory Road, and Tudor House practices.

When it comes to making doctors accountable, I gather that the General Medical Council deals much more severely with those who have affairs with their lady patients, than with those who fail in their clinical responsibilities. non-staff costs higher.

I would be more reassured about her advice were Leeds to have an outstanding rating for safety and quality of care, and were it not to have issues in getting waiting lists down.

The media did not seem to report any of this, saying the review was an attack on waste and wokery. It is not quite what the announcement says.

I do think the Secretary of State needs to sit down urgently with the leading CEOs running the NHS in England to get them to identify what they need to do to get waiting lists down, the prime current objective.

Tthis also entails performance criteria for quality of treatment and cost. His own performance monitoring system which is very detailed by CQC should help him decide which of the senior CEOs are good, which need to be mentored to improve and which if any need to be removed for continuing poor results.

Sir John Redwood is the MP for Wokingham, and blogs at johnredwoodsdiary.com

What an odd attitude.

Secondly – ‘Why we must keep the £20 uplift in Universal Credit.’ In order to keep our mentally-ill service users out of poverty, I am in constant touch with the Department of Work and Pensions.

This is part of a report which I have just submitted, and applies to most seriously mentally-ill people.

‘Recovery from serious mental illness is not generally achieved quickly, but is usually achieved in four stages.

Stage One, is getting out of bed, washed, dressed, out of the house, and into the crisis house in order to start mixing with other people.

The patient was at this stage when she first came to us, but still has days when she is so depressed, and so exhausted by anxiety that she is unable to get out of bed.

Furthermore, despite taking medication for it, anxiety still causes her disturbed sleep.

Stage Two, is the taking on of some voluntary work. The patient has been doing this for some time – with a degree of success. Stage Three is taking on some part-time paid ‘permitted work’.

This used to be called, ‘therapeutic work’ – because it aids recovery, and also enables the patient to test the water, in the world of work – which is an, essential ingredient in successful psychiatric rehabilitation.

She is just about ready to take this vital third step – though her anxiety levels remain very high and she remains in need of a great deal of support from our Association.

We fear that an attempt to leap back into the world of full-time unsheltered work would result in her suffering a relapse into severe mental illness, take her back to square one, and not even able to reach, Stage One, of the recovery process.

The patient should continue to receive Benefits, and so be given the chance to make a success of ‘permitted work’ – with the long-term goal of achieving complete recovery eventually.’

Thirdly, Council increases charity investment. The problem with this is that such funding can be axed, precipitately.

Mental health clients need security

above all else, so we prefer to be independent of statutory funding.

Finally, lest readers misunderstand, an afterword to my letter – ‘Perfection?’ – we don’t think that our services are perfect, but when service users do so, we are intrigued as to why they then want to change them.

Pam Jenkinson, The Wokingham Crisis House

No degeneration, please DO I see yet another, albeit tiny, almost inperceptible portent of the eventual self-destruction of our civilization?

Are our elected civic servants and the teams they lead, who control the destiny of our town, incapable of devising a contract which requires a service company to put back the paving slabs they have removed, rather than stuffing tarmac into the holes they have created for access to the utilities beneath?

Having spent millions on the aesthetic ‘REgeneration’ of our Market Place, are the Council, through blindness or negligence, allowing the whole process of DEgeneration to start again, hardly a blink of an eye after completion?

It is the same canker that had slowly spread throughout the brick paving of the previous Market Place.

It has already started eating away at the new one!

Despairing of Wokingham

Sack Kit Malthouse IN my view who should be sacked is Kit Malthouse being rude to women and girls to flag a bus down or leg it away from a single police officer also I wrote before that he does nothing about the guns on the street that people use to blow away lives also knives.

Also Cressida Dick must go as she is not fit to be a chief or break up the met and have one national police force with an fbi for all over this country.

I join all women that Cressida Dick must go so should Kit Malthouse.

Cressida Dick got an innocent Brazilian shot so many times to death.

She did not care in 2005.

Victor Rones, Bracknell

From the Vicechancellor

Robert Van de Noor

I

FEEL very fortunate to be Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading. The reasons for this are many, but the key one is our students.

Their optimism and exuberance is palpable and keeps us all feeling young.

We have recently welcomed thousands of new and returning students back to our campuses in Reading and Wokingham boroughs.

After a difficult year for everyone, including the students and my colleagues, we’re hopeful that things will go more smoothly in the new academic year.

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Thursday, October 7, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

While we have solid plans in place if the pandemic throws us any more surprises, we all hope it does not.

Here’s another reason – we are helping to bring one of the world’s fastest-growing and most exciting industries to the Thames Valley.

Last month, we launched Cine Valley, a project that should bring new jobs, opportunities and plenty of glamour to Reading and Wokingham.

The project is, in part, the next phase of planned development for our Thames Valley Science Park in Shinfield.

This is already home to innovative businesses and organisations in

A Tale of Two More Stories (continued) Last week’s Wokingham Today on page 36 tells a great story ‘Good Habits start young’, with the school run. It mentions 11 million local journeys over a year, of which almost half are on foot. It goes on to suggest that very few cycle and scoot.

It suggests that the health and social benefits of these activities can be profound, and it would help to reduce pollution around the schools.

A laudable aim which we all would support.

Why then does Wokingham Borough decide then to make sure that children within walking distance, even those living outside the gates of the new relocated Farley Hill Primary School at Arborfield Green, all have to drive their children to other schools all over the Borough and beyond to have their children educated, extra pollution and all?

On page 27 the excellent Cllr Gregor Murray deals with Climate Emergency and Planning. His understanding of Climate Emergency is very good, but he needs to be briefed on the intricacies of planning.

What a pity the Executive member for Planning did not help him out here.

The Council has existing powers to refuse a planning application, and yes, the Planning Inspectorate can overrule, or not any planning decisions referred to them. He is right about solar panels but there are many other planning applications where trees are cut down, existing polluted roads have more pollution generating traffic added to them, to name but two,z where the Planning Department could refuse them if they wanted to.

They can and do use the iniquitous term ON BALANCE to approve such applications.

On balance also suggests that there are also reasons a planning application could be refused, but I cannot ever remember on balance being ever used to refuse anything. It appears that it’s the Planning Departments way of getting plans passed that might have been refused.

Quoting appeals lost having significant cost is a red herring and might even be deemed bullying, as possible cost to the Council is not a good planning reason to suggest refusing a planning application. science, technology, healthcare and heritage, such as the Rutherford Cancer Centre and the British Museum.

Cine Valley will include the new Shinfield Studios, a brand-new 18-stage movie studio complex, plans for which are currently being considered by Wokingham Borough Council.

Four studios and four workshops have already been granted temporary planning permission and are nearing completion. Other than Shinfield Studios, plans for another TV studio, close to existing buildings, have also been approved.

But this is about more than buildings.

Our mission is to continue to change lives by helping our students and local people, and improving our environment for generations to come.

Our vision for Cine Valley is not just building film studios, but a whole new ecosystem for the film and TV industry. It will allow creativity to flourish.

As a rule every time the Planning Department uses on balance to get a planning application through they are sticking the knife up to the hilt into the back of the Councils Climate Emergency aims and ambitions.

I have been campaigning for an independent public inquiry into the operation of Wokingham Borough’s Planning Department, but my efforts to date has fallen on deaf ears. It’s as if they don’t care. Am I surprised ? No.

Cllr Gary Cowan. Independent Borough Councillor for Arborfield at Wokingham Borough Council.

Helping life-long vegetarians

The recent social care news coverage has raised interesting questions about the control we have over our care in later life.

September was World Alzheimer’s Month, raising awareness of the issues faced by people living with the challenging disease.

The disease is a major concern for some older vegetarians and vegans (veg*ns). Many of us worry about needing care, fearing we may lose the ability to choose a diet in accordance with our beliefs and values.

Vegetarian for Life (VfL), a national charity that supports older veg*ns, is launching a self-advocacy pack to support people worried about this situation.

It has been launched to mark National Older Vegetarians and Vegans Day. The pack will help to explain the laws protecting those with special dietary needs; sources of support if your rights aren’t being recognised; and simple actions you can take to protect your rights.

These include making a statement of your wishes and care preferences, helping future carers to understand your needs.

It is vitally important that people plan for their future and know their rights. VfL believes that needing care should not mean losing the right to have and practice their values.

Contact the charity to request a pack or visit the website for more information.

We hope to help as many veg*ns as possible to maintain their beliefs and be treated with dignity in care.

Joe Barson, Advocacy & Policy Officer, Vegetarian for Life We want to create opportunity and jobs for many people who live and study here, putting environmental sustainability at its heart.

Students in our Department of Film, Theatre and Television should benefit from the work experience and career opportunities of having major productions on their doorstep, but we also want to provide opportunities for people across Wokingham, Reading, and the wider region – in communities that are too often left behind.

Cine Valley will provide new jobs, from carpenters to hairdressers and trainee film producers.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of many businesses and local organisations.

I am very grateful to local people, and their council representatives, across Wokingham and Reading for their enthusiasm and support for this project, while balancing the needs of the whole community.

We all look forward to seeing where the journey will take us next.

The climate emergency Cllr Gregor Murray

Let’s talk about waste

A

S a Borough, we throw away about 70,000 tonnes of waste every year.

That works out to be roughly 1 tonne per household, similar to the weight of an adult rhino.

Around 57% of that waste gets recycled, mostly paper, cardboard, plastic, metal and food waste.

That figure is good, and is better than most of our neighbouring authorities, but there is still so much more for us to do.

We have set a target of reaching 70% recycled by 2030.

Our waste strategy, which will launch in the coming months, will set out our plan on how to get there. As part of this strategy, we are also setting ambitious targets for cutting the amount of waste we create as a Borough, and for sending zero waste to landfill.

With waste, there are four key actions for Wokingham Borough Council, for all our local businesses and for all of you at home to work on.

They are Rot, Recycle, Reduce, and Reuse.

Rot: As a Council, we collect both food and garden waste. This waste is taken away and allowed to decompose, with food waste giving off gases that is then turned to energy, and garden waste is turned into compost.

But you don’t have to rely on the Council – many gardeners know the value and benefit of home composting.

Recycle: While our recycling rate as a Borough is already very good, there is a simple truth that there is still more we can do. Take the contents of our blue waste bags. 24% (7,200 tonnes) of the contents of those bags remains cardboard or paper, while another 8% (2,400 tonnes) is food waste that could be recycled but is still being thrown away.

Reduce: We have to reduce the amount of waste we create. Even while we have been working to increase our recycling rate, the average volume of waste each house across the Borough generates has increased. This shift in behaviour won’t be easy, but it is essential if we are to live in a more sustainable Borough.

Reducing waste starts by simply buying less, and when we do buy, buying products without excess packing. An easy way to do this is to have less delivered.

You could challenge yourself, and your family, to half the number of blue bags you put out each week, and challenge yourself to half the amount of food waste you create.

Much of our food waste come from items, such as fruit of vegetables, being bought but never cooked or consumed – so reducing your food waste will also help you save money of food shopping.

Reuse: Glass deposited at bottle banks gets melted down and then reused as bottles and other glassware. Glass collected at the doorstep, unless manually sorted, tends to get crushed and used as aggregate in road surfacing. This is the reason we don’t have curbside glass collections.

There are other household items that can easily be reused as well.

Nationally and locally, we throw away a lot of items that could be used by others: clothes that we have grown out of, or are ripped, can be reused.

Paint can be recycled at the Re3 recycling centres; so can old toys, electrical items, furniture and other items.

Many community groups exist to connect new users with items we no longer want; for example, there are Freecycle apps, and many Facebook groups.

Next week: What can we all do?

Cllr Gregor Murray is executive member for resident services, communications and emissions on Wokingham Borough Council

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Email your news to: news@wokingham.today

Pedal power over three counties helps charities LAST MONTH, more than 300 cyclists, including the Earley Panda, enjoyed the annual Three Counties Cycle Ride (3CCR) around the Berkshire countryside, dipping into Oxfordshire and Bucks.

“Well-signed, well-marshalled.

Thank you very much for organising the event.”

“I have never ridden with you before, and I rode the 15-mile route. Coming back next year to do the 30.”

“Well run as always.”

“The marshals are friendly and encouraging!”

“One of the best cycle rides I have been on.”

“Never done it before. What a great route – can I make a donation?”

Just some of the comments registered by participants of the Three Counties Cycle Ride 2021.

Created by young Bracknell Rotarians 38 years ago, and run now by Easthampstead Rotarians and Friends, the 3CCR has donated more than half a million pounds to local charities. This year’s beneficiaries are: • Breakthrough Learning – a Reading-based charity that operates across Berkshire, helping children and adults with learning difficulties • Daisy’s Dream (25 years old

STARTERS ORDERS: Mayors gather with organisers at the beginning of the route

RIDE ON: Some of the cyclists pause after reaching a checkpoint during the Three Counties Cycle Ride this year) - another local charity which supports children and their families through life-threatening illness and bereavement • The Thames Valley Air Ambulance team who provide emergency medical care and transport vital blood, medicines and equipment during the Coronavirus crisis

• Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. At a time when our NHS is under huge pressure, it provides a range of health services to Berkshire residents of all ages.

You can still donate. Go to https://3ccr.org/ and select ‘3ccr Donate’

Peter von Bergen

FAMILY TIME: All ages were able to take part in the ride, organisered by Easthampstead Rotary

RARING TO GO: Cyclists set off from the ride’s starting point in Bracknell

The mysteries left by Three Men in a Boat’s illustrator

J

EROME K Jerome’s classic Victorian comic novel, Three Men in a Boat, To Say Nothing of the Dog! (1889) is still in print today, yet until recently little was known about its original illustrator.

Among the new discoveries is the fact that many of his relatives lived in Wokingham, one was even married to the town’s mayor, and that he and at least seven members of his family are buried in St Paul’s churchyard.

Frederick Arthur Hipp (18491929), later known as Arthur Frederics, was a descendant of the official baker to King George III. His grandfather, George Frederick Hipp, moved to Wokingham shortly before he died in 1857, and most of his children (three of Arthur’s aunts and an uncle) had also arrived in the area by 1860, and are all buried in St Paul’s churchyard.

Arthur himself was born in London but studied at Reading School of Art, as had his eldest sister, Amelia, who by 1861 was living with three of their aunts in Station Road, Wokingham.

It is likely that Arthur also stayed there as a student.

After graduating, Arthur returned to London where he trained as a stained-glass artist and worked briefly as an actor before becoming an illustrator and theatrical costume designer.

It was in 1889, shortly before he left Britain with his wife and three children to work in Australia, that

Three Men in a Boat appeared with his illustrations.

Meanwhile, in1867, his sister Amelia married Tyndale Heelas, grandson of the founder of the Heelas department store and later mayor of Wokingham.

They lived in three properties named Weston House, first in the Market Place, then in Murdoch Road and finally in Sturges Road where Amelia died in 1922.

She is buried in St Paul’s churchyard.

Arthur’s older sister, Edith, also lived in Wokingham, staying with their aunts in Station Road for more than 30 years before moving to Fair View Road, near Murdoch Road. She and another older sister, Jesse, are also buried in St Paul’s.

In addition Emma, Arthur’s younger sister, lived in the Sturges Road house in the early 1920s.

After returning from Australia, Arthur continued to work in London but occasionally visited his nephew Frank Heelas, Amelia’s fourth son, at the Mill House, Emmbrook, in the early 1920s.

However, by 1926 he had become ill with a heart condition and moved to Wokingham to be with the remains of his family.

His children still lived in Australia, where his estranged wife had died in 1923, and five of his six siblings had died before him – three of whom are buried in St Paul’s.

At the time of his death on

December 28, 1929, Arthur was living at Hensington, Edneys Hill, which was still standing in the 1950s but later demolished.

His death was registered by his nephew Arthur Tyndale Heelas, Amelia’s eldest son and by then head of Heelas Ltd, another resident of Fair View Road.

However, three mysteries remain.

The first is where exactly in Wokingham did Arthur’s grandfather, George Frederick Hipp die, and where is he buried?

The second is where exactly was Arthur himself buried in St Paul’s churchyard? No trace of either has yet been found.

The third mystery concerns Montmorency, the dog from Three Men in a Boat.

Jerome was adamant that he was entirely fictional, though the story was based on the real-life adventures of himself and two friends, but a copy of the book owned by William Smith of the Jerome K Jerome Society seems to suggest otherwise.

It is inscribed by Doreen Heelas, Arthur’s great-niece, daughter of Amelia’s third son, from Weston House, stating: “This is one of the original ‘author’s copies’ given to E.G.Heelas (my father) by the author.

“The book is illustrated by Grandma’s brother, A. Fredericks [sic].

Jerome K Jerome, the author, was a great friend of the Heelas family and often visited them.

“The dog Montmorency died during one of these visits and was buried in the garden at Weston House.”

A photograph of the dog was also enclosed.

Is it possible that Arthur could have based his drawings on his sister’s pet?

And, if so, might the garden of one of the buildings once known as Weston House contain his mortal remains?

As Jeremy Nicholas, the actor and writer, and President of the Jerome K. Jerome Society, said regarding Arthur Frederics: “It is very sad to learn that the grave of this 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.”

Perhaps it might also be nice to mark the final resting place of Montmorency the dog?

Dr Mark Bryant lives in South London and is a member of the Jerome K. Jerome Society.

His recent anthology, Dogs: Stories and Poems contains a number of extracts featuring Montmorency’s adventures from Three Men in a Boat

To advertise in this section, call Claire on 0118 327 2662

WOKINGHAMLEISURE New comedy open mic night

A NEW COMEDY open mic night is coming to Reading next week, thanks to Mates Rates Comedy.

The club will host its Mates Rates Comedy Raw on Monday, October 11 at 7.30pm.

Taking place at The Outlook, on King’s Road, audiences will see five acts take to the mic to perform their own stand-up comedy set.

Early bird tickets cost £1.50, advanced tickets are £2 and tickets on the door cost £5. n For more details, visit: matesratescomedy.co.uk

Magical adventure AN AERIAL theatre show is making its way to South Hill Park later this month, Family-friendly production, Tarzanna, will be performed at the arts venue’s Wilde Theatre on October 26.

Anna doesn’t like the bugs in her garden, she likes to keep things clean and tidy.

But her world is turned upside down when she is magically transported to a rainforest world.

Performances will take place at 2pm and 4pm.

Tickets cost £13.50 for adults and £11.50 for concessions. n For more details, call the box office on 01344 484123.

LEISURE | 25

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Thursday, October 7, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Listen up: Billie is ready for big music day out The annual Are You Listening? festival takes place across Reading this Saturday, celebrating live music.

LAURA SCARDARELLA talks to one of the acts taking part, Billie Martin, to find out more

A

N ACOUSTIC folk artist is gearing up for Reading’s Are You Listening festival this Saturday.

Billie Marten, from Ripon in North Yorkshire, will be joining the likes of BC Camplight, Katy J Pearson, TV priest, Eat Daddy Eat and many more for the main event happening across the borough.

Artists will perform at Face Bar, Milk, Oakford Social Club, Purple Turtle, Rising Sun Arts Centre, South Street Arts Centre, Sub89 and Upstage Mini at The Roseate Hotel.

Prior to the festival, Billie has been touring across the UK throughout September.

And she said it’s a “dream” to be back on the road again.

“I’m excited to perform at Are You Listening and just can’t wait to perform live music again after so long,” she said.

“It’s going to be great to come to Reading, as it’s somewhere we haven’t toured yet, and we’ve had so many people say how excited they are for us to be coming to the area.”

Billie started singing from the age of eight, where she began posting cover songs on YouTube.

After one video went viral, she signed to Chess Club Records, a division of Sony Music when she was just 15-years-old.

She went on to do her first supporting tour with Lucy Rose.

Billie said when doing the tours in the early stages of her career everyone was “so welcoming”.

She said: “It’s wonderful that

SONG TIME: Billie Marten performs at Are You Listening festival this weekend people in music tend to come together, and there are people I supported in their tours a few years back who I now consider my friends.”

Inspired by the likes of Nick

Drake, Joni Mitchell, Joan Armatrading and Kate Bush, Billie said she grew up with music in the family.

After receiving her nomination for the BBC Sound of 2016, Billie

has continued to receive radio support from Annie Mac, Huw Stephens, Phil Taggart and Greg James with multiple playlist adds at BBC Radio 1.

Following her previous albums Writing of Blues and Yellows and Feeding Seahorses By Hands, Billie released her third album Flora Fauna, earlier this year.

It is a more mature album that was built from bass and rhythm.

The songs mark a period of personal independence for Billie as she learned to nurture herself and break free from toxic relationships, and a big part of that was returning to nature.

“I’m very proud of this album,” she said.

“Musically, I was trying to push the boat out a bit more and my narrative further.

“We started writing the album in summer last year and there was no pressure at all, it was just very much an experiment in songwriting for me.”

Ahead of the Are You Listening festival, Billie has just finished her September tour, her first one since the pandemic hit.

“It’s just wonderful to be back,” she said.

“You just can’t take these things for granted and I’m making sure we are all enjoying every second of it,” she said. n Billie’s set for Are You Listening will be performed at South Street Arts Centre from 10pm until 10.45pm on Saturday. n www.areyoulistening.org.uk

26 | LEISURE

Book the date for Bookface BOOK lovers can enjoy a day of browsing stalls at Reading’s Rising Sun Arts Centre next weekend.

The two-day event, called Bookface, will take place from 11am until 4pm on October 16 and 17.

The arts venue, on Silver Street, will display a range of artists’ work including handmade books, altered books, illustrators, printmakers, poetry, installations and more.

Refreshments will be served at the Yellow Teapot cafe bar with homemade cakes.

The event will also run online from now until October 17. n For more information, visit: risingsunartscentre.org

Anne on stage WOKINGHAM Theatre will present Howard Brenton’s play, Anne Boleyn, later this month.

Rummaging through the Queen Elizabeth;s possessions, King James I finds evidence that Anne Boleyn was a religious conspirator.

A celebration of an English heroine, Anne Boleyn dramatises the life and legacy of Henry VIII’s second wife, who helped change the course of the nation’s history.

Performances will run from Thursday, October 21 until Thursday, October 28.

Tickets cost £14. n For more information, log on to: wokinghamtheatre.org.uk

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 7, 2021

Reading Rep prepares for its first first night

O

PENING night is on the horizon for Reading Rep Theatre’s world premiere adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray, DORIAN.

Written by Phoebe EclairPowell, and directed by Owen Horsley, the pair bring a fresh take on the story, which follows Dorian Gray, who sells his soul for eternal beauty.

Basil and Henry join him for the ride until it all gets a bit much, and the hangovers make way for murder.

Andro Cowperthwaite, playing the iconic role of Dorian, said audiences can expect a “cuttingedge” world premiere adaptation of the book.

He’ll perform alongside LAMDA graduate Ché Francis, playing Henry, and Nat Kennedy, who’ll be playing the role of Basil.

“This exhilarating, fun, playful and queer adapation explores what it’s like to be gay in Oscar Wilde’s time and celebrating queer culture in history,” Mr Cowperthwaite said.

He added Dorian Gray is a really exciting role to play.

“If people who know the story know that Dorian is a villain, sometimes it’s more exciting playing the villain over the hero,” he said.

There’s an emphasis on age,

READY TO LAUNCH: Reading Rep Theatre are preparing to present DORIAN. Picture: Holly Revell youth and gay culture throughout the play.

And Mr Cowperthwaite explained the story of Dorian Gray is relevant today because it draws on the narratives between those issues.

“There’s still boundaries that need to be broken down and what’s important is that those prejudices still haven’t gone away, so putting this in front of today’s audience is so poignant,” he said.

The actor, whose credits include Salome and Dido: Queen of Carthage, for the Royal Shakespeare Company, is proud to be a part of Reading Rep’s first show of the new season.

“It feels very special because Reading Rep was set up by Paul Stacey, and nearly nine years later he was able to get funding to build this new theatre this year, and just from that sheer fact it’s great to be a part of it” he said.

“This play is going to be bonkers, it’s going to be in your face but it’s also going to be important and touching.

“It’s going to enhance pride in Reading and that is the vision.”

Performances run from Tuesday, October 19 until Sunday, November 7. n For more information, call the box office on 0118 370 2620, or log on to: readingrep.com

LAURA SCARDARELLA

CATCH-UP: An Irish pub in the 60s is the setting for a play sailing into Maidenhead next week

New musical will be a right catch

A THEATRE company will be sailing into Norden Farm next week.

The arts centre, in Maidenhead, will see Red Fox Theatre present its show, Catch of the Day on Friday, October 15.

Set in 1966 Ireland, an ordinary skipper sails into the sleepy town of Dingle with a very unusual catch.

The series of events include the head of the Irish government, a publican who happens to be an amateur marine biologist, a magical dolphin, the actual Queen of England, and a whole bunch of really confused nuns.

Based in a West of Ireland pub, audiences can expect a night full of craic featuring a mix of live music, comedy and theatre.

Catch of the Day was shortlisted for Best Musical at the Edinburgh Fringe and has achieved sell-out shows in London.

The performance starts at 8pm and tickets cost £15 for adults and £13 for concessions. n For more information, or to book, call the box office on 01628 788997, or log on to: nordenfarm.org

Murder mystery comedy AFTER its recent play, The Last Abbot of Reading, RABBLE Theatre is back with its next production, Who Killed Alfred Oliver?

The Reading-based theatre company will present the show at the Reading Minster of St Mary the Virgin, on Chain Street, from Thursday, November 4 until Saturday, November 20.

Written by Beth Flintoff, the story tells a more recent, mysterious tale of tobacconist Alfred Oliver’s unsolved murder on Cross Street, Reading, in 1929.

The family of Mrs Oliver, who still live locally, contacted the theatre company to share their

great Aunt’s memories.

And Helen Wearing of Cream Design, contacted RABBLE to say her business is in the same building where Mr Oliver was murdered, next to Marks and Spencer.

Originally created in 2020 as a co-production between RABBLE and BBC Radio Berkshire, the play was listened to by 30,000 people across Berkshire.

Directed by Gareth Taylor, whose credits include The Barbican and Southwark Playhouse, will bring a fast-paced whodunnit spin on the play.

And BFI Future Film winner Chris Mitchell will step into the

musical composition and sound design role for the run.

Dani Davies, RABBLE’s executive director said “This is a 100% #MadeInRdg production, which is fantastic, and we are delighted to be producing a play that has absolutely nothing to do with contagious viruses.”

Tickets range from £5 to £25, with discounts available.

Saturday matinee performances will take place at 2pm, and evening shows will start at 7pm. n For more information, or to book tickets, log on to: rabbletheatre.com

Shinfield Players musicals review SHINFIELD Players will presents a musicals review night Music Box later this month.

The theatre company, on Whitley Wood Lane, will give its opinions in Gogglebox-style on some of the most popular musical theatre songs.

Audiences can enjoy watching cast members present 24 songs from 24 different musicals on the night.

Performances take place from Friday, October 22 until Saturday, October 30.

There will be a special charity show to raise funds for Shinfield Players charity of the season on October 26.

A socially distanced show will be on Thursday, October 28.

Tickets cost £14 for adults, £13 for concessions and £7 for children. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on 0118 9758880, or log on to shinfieldplayers.org.uk

LAURA SCARDARELLA

LEISURE | 27

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Thursday, October 7, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

LIVEMUSIC

To advertise in this section, call Claire on 0118 327 2662

Wokingham Loves Music

SIGNALS: The Paradox Twin performing at Wokingham Festival Picture: Andrew Merritt Photography

Chris Hillman

bit.ly/wokingham lovesmusic

H

EADING up our hit parade this week is a band that stopped off in Wokingham for the recent festival, wowing us with their sound.

This weekend, you can hear The Paradox Twin’s new album as it drops. To whet your appetite, we have included Sea of Tranquility in our playlist.

You can tune in for free, and hear 10 fantastic tracks. Just head to Spotify and search for Wokingham Loves Music – or log on to bit.ly/ wokinghamlovesmusic The playlist is more than just a bunch of tunes.

You can join in the discussion at www.facebook.com/ groups/wokinghamlovesmusicchat And if you’re hosting a gig, or preparing to play for one, send an email to events@wokingham. today

GIG GUIDE Thursday, October 7

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. The Filthy Llamas. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Simon Goodall and the Bourne Again Shadows.

Details: 01344 484123.

CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, London Road GU17 9AP. Open mic night. Details: 01276 32691.

Friday, October 8

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Red Hoax Chili Peppers. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Ultimate RnB tribute: a flavour of the old school.

Details: 01344 303333.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Comedy night.

Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – South Street Arts Centre. Roddy Woomble.

Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Bruce Juice. Souped Up: Serum, Voltage, Benny Page, Benny Vee and MCs. Details: 0118 959 5395.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Blue Haze. Details: 0118 977 3706.

Saturday, October 9 BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Mirrorball. Details: 01344 303333.

CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, London Road GU17 9AP. The Junction. Details: 01276 32691.

CAMBERLEY – The Four Horseshoes, Frimley Road, GU15 3EQ. The Turn.

Details: 01276 423582 READING – Across town.

Are You Listening Festival 2021.

READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. The Rocket Kings. Details: 0118 958 0473.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Ma Bessie’s After Hours Party. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Level 42.

Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. The New Amen Corner. Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING – The Palmer Tavern, Wokingham Road RG6 1JL. Mythicals.

Details: 0118 935 1009.

READING – The Retreat, St John’s Street RG1 4EH. Cafe Zazous: swing gypsy jazz. Details: 0118 376 9159.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Rigsby. Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Highwasters. Details: 0118 957 6930.

YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, Reading Road GU46 7LR. Tequila Chase.

Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, October 10 READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Bobby V. Details: 0118 959 5395.

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Guest night: Broomdasher.

Details: www.readifolk. org.uk

Monday, October 11

NETTLEBED – Village Club, High Street RG9 5DD. Nettlebed Folk Club presents: Spires and Boden. Details: www. nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk

Ronnie Laine & Slim Chance – The Preacher Here’s a classic from the past that is in the playlist, as Slim Chance will be playing live at WMC on Friday, October 15, as they continue the legacy of the late great Ronnie Laine – slim-chance.co.uk

Split the Dealer – High Rockets He was No. 3 in our Best of 2020 with his Deva St.John duet on the XV single and since then Split, aka Sam Brett, has released more very good singles, and this is his latest – facebook.com/splitthedealer

Deva St.John – Pity Party

The Paradox Twin – Sea of Tranquility Following their recent live tour, which included an appearance at Wokingham Festival, this Readingbased band release their eagerly awaited second album, Silence from Signals, this weekend.

The album is already gaining critical acclaim, which isn’t surprising considering the excellent musicianship of the band, the quality songwriting of Danny Sorrell, and the emotional dual vocals of Danny and Nicole Johnson.

Tuesday, October 12

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Norman Jay MBE and Don Letts.

Details: 0118 959 5395.

Wednesday, October 13

READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Monthly Shanty Session.

Details: 0118 958 0473.

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Coach Party. Details: 0118 956 8188.

Thursday, October 14

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. The Lost Trades, The Gillies, Mandy Woods. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk Friday, October 15 BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Peach. Details: 01344 303333.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Syn City Rockers. Details: 0118 957 6930.

WINNERSH – The Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Close RG41 5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents Slim Chance. £18. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub. co.uk WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Side Hustle Rock.

Details: 0118 977 3706.

Saturday, October 16

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Ultimate Party Band.

Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. The Lord John Band.

Details: 01344 422622.

CROWTHORNE – Royal

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAM.TODAY

British Legion, Wellington Road RG45 7LJ. Emma Baldwin. Details: 01344 772161.

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Heavy Pop presents John.

Details: 0118 956 8188.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Abba Magic.

Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Laura Marling. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Shooters Way, Select Car Leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. Madison Heights Soul and Motown Band. Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. The Echo.

Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Syn City Rockers. Details: 0118 957 6930.

TILEHURST – Royal British Legion, Downing Road RG31 5BB. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 0118 942 9606.

WINNERSH – The Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Close RG41 5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents The Average Chalky White Band. £16. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub. co.uk

Sunday, October 17 READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: singers night: autumn songs. Details: www. readifolk.org.uk READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. The Showhawk Duo. Details: 0118 959 5395.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. Buddy Holly and the Cricketters. Details: 0118 969 8000.

The other half of that duet mentioned above also has a new single out. This is the latest of a string of quality singles from Deva and it is a powerful rock pop dance anthem – facebook.com/dayvasaintjohn This single is one of the album’s beautiful mellower pieces – www.theparadoxtwin.com

In Albion – Earth

A Better Life (feat. Herica and The Wolf) – Dreaming of the Beach

They performed a great show at local record shop Beyond the Download’s event in Peach Place, Wokingham, recently. Here’s their latest single – inalbion.net

Here’s another artist from the local area who is gaining a great reputation, and even though we’ve featured A Better Life in this playlist before, they have just released a wonderful lyric video for this beautifully chilled track from their Take A Deep Breath album.

We had to include it.

A Better Life is the creation of producer and musician, Phil Daniels, and on this track he features the brilliant vocal talents of UK singer/songwriter Herica and the Wolf – abetterlifemusic.com

Hank Wangford – Perfect Day This is the opening song on UK Country/ Americana legend Hank Wangford’s latest album Holey Holey.

We look forward to seeing him live at Wokingham Music Club (WMC) on Friday, October 22 – www. hankwangford.co.uk

Crooked Shapes – Crooked Shapes This Wokingham-based rock band have their debut album, also called Crooked Shapes, due for release on Friday, November 19, and Fire is their first single release from that album – crookedshapes.com

The Wave Machine – Doesn’t Matter to Me One of the highlights of the Wokingham Festival was seeing a packed WMC stage audience singing along to the songs of Angus Trott, aka The Wave Machine – www.thewavemachine.co.uk

Michael Burns-Peake – London Michael is a singer/songwriter from Wokingham and is another young talent who appeared on the WMC Stage at the festival and performed a great set of quality songs – www.facebook.com/ MichaelBPMusic

No. 5382

Your weekly puzzle challenge

28

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 7, 2021

TO ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE, CALL CLAIRE ON: 0118 327 2662

Quiz Challenge

CROSS CODE

5

16

22

8

9

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5 13 23

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NONAGRAM

9 9

I

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1

2

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5

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9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

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O

C

S E S

S

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

LABOURER A BUNGLER

T R

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: 25 Good; 29 Very Good; 34 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).

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.

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 A through openings in the walls. The R first letter may appear in any chamber.

S T

PE

EB

UO

CO

AO

AL

NE

YR

OA

KT

TE

Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.

9

4

3 3

5 6 3 8 9 5 2 1 7

5 4 6

5

4 7

3

8 4 9

C P

O R

P

F E

D

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.

LY

18

16 20

20 21

23

3

4

DOWN 1. He’s a fool to obstruct the chief (9) 2. Aggressive person will afflict donkey and worker each side (9) 3. Fishy sort of apple? (7) 4. One taking steps in riotous caper (5) 5. Ronald always content with artificial silk (5) 6. Tight distinction between present and past, perhaps (5) 10. Bird on very end of a ditch (5) 11. How a gun is set to go off? (9) 12. Tax that is always paid late (5,4) 15. Glad patrol leader had relaxed (7) 18. Different point about how a motorist will cruise? (2,3) 19. Harry and mother have a game on board (5) 20. Hurried to church from large farm (5)

5

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10 11

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To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com

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This puzzle page is supplied by Sirius Media Services Ltd.

© Sirius Media Services Ltd

2

9

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27 31 29

30

31 34

6 7 9 3 2 1 5 8 4

2 3 5 4 6 8 7 9 1

WORD PYRAMID: Strapped for cash.

EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – subtract; multiply; divide; add. Total: 5.

SOLUTIONS

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QUICK CROSSWORD 1

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.

3 2 8

18

14

ACROSS 3. How two or more surgeons can work together (2-7) 7. Means of catching girl with a ring (5) 8. Espying Desmond sobbing (9) 9. Move slowly, breaking right claw (5) 10. Sort of dragnet that was allowed (7) 13. He and another boy find the girl (5) 14. Look through the space at dance (5) 16. Gentle form of illumination (5) 17. I had returned to the railway despite being indecisive (7) 21. Sign indicating where roadworks usually are – in front (5) 22. Inactivity up to the moment by the loch (9) 23. From annexe attempt to take formal leave (5) 24. Point of attack (9)

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.

1

3

1 8 4 7 5 9 6 2 3

3

6 1 7 5 2

7 2 8 9 4 5 1 3 6

6 7 9 8 1 2 5 1

4 9 1

9 4 1 6 3 2 8 7 5

2

3 1 5

7 1 8

3 5 6 8 1 7 2 4 9

7

8

8 1 7 5 9 4 3 6 2

4 8

4 6 2 1 7 3 9 5 8

6

A

EQUALISER 7 10 8 3 1 6 3 9 1 2 4 6

Hard

6

24

H

SA

SUDOKU Easy

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21

S

DS

IP

5

11

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IE

TU

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RA

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FIVE ALIVE

RN

3

9. Which game birds are called either grey-legs or red-legs?

10. Which stretch of water separates the Orkneys from mainland Scotland?

BS

2

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WORD PYRAMID

H E G

5

2

10

8. Which English football club’s home ground used to be Gay Meadow?

5. Carrauntoohil is the highest mountain in which European country?

3

9 22

7. Dictionary Corner is featured in which TV game show?

4. Which aircraft company produced the Tiger Moth, the Mosquito and the Comet?

24

25

2. The historic Leeds Castle can be found in which county?

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5

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3

6. English singer-songwriter Ricky Wilson is the frontman of which indie rock band?

13

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1

1. Pip and Estella are lead characters in which Charles Dickens novel?

3. What O is a fertile spot in a desert and the name of an English rock band?

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9 15

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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

PZ1P5382

24

13

15

18

5 9 3 2 8 6 4 1 7

24

14

16

2 4 9 1 7 6 3 5 8

15

10

3

8 1 6 9 5 3 4 2 7

22

26

7 3 5 2 4 8 6 9 1

17

22

9 6 1 8 3 4 5 7 2

13

1

17

15

15

22

5 2 3 7 6 1 9 8 4

20

9

4 8 7 5 2 9 1 3 6

12

23 23

8

3 9 8 6 1 2 7 4 5

22

1 7 4 3 8 5 2 6 9

21

6 5 2 4 9 7 8 1 3

22

5382

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32

27. Unnerve (8) ACROSS 28. Except (6) 1. Light musical drama (8) 29. Glide on snow (3) 8. One under par 30. Cook (4) (golf) (6) 31. Withdraw (6) 9. Trudge (4) 32. Small bird (8) 10. Pen part (3) DOWN 11. Castrated male (6) 2. Floral powder (6) 12. Biological 3. Buy back (6) science (8) 4. Lymph gland (6) 15. Beast (6) 5. Chief nun (6) 16. Stints (6) 6. Asian 20. Favour (6) sultanate (6) 24. Perfume 7. Involuntary sampler (6) spasm (6)

12. Pant (4) 13. ---- men’s morris (4) 14. Story (4) 17. Leg joint (4) 18. Mongrel (inf.) (4) 19. Beget (4) 21. Streamlet (6) 22. Bends (6) 23. Reddish-brown (6) 24. Casual top (1-5) 25. Plaster (6) 26. Church officers (6)

QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Operetta; 8 Birdie; 9 Plod; 10 Nib; 11 Eunuch; 12 Genetics; 15 Animal; 16 Skimps; 20 Prefer; 24 Tester; 27 Unsettle; 28 Unless; 29 Ski; 30 Chef; 31 Recede; 32 Titmouse.

Down – 2 Pollen; 3 Redeem; 4 Tonsil; 5 Abbess; 6 Brunei; 7 Hiccup; 12 Gasp; 13 Nine; 14 Tale; 17 Knee; 18 Mutt; 19 Sire; 21 Runnel; 22 Flexes; 23 Russet; 24 T-shirt; 25 Stucco; 26 Elders.

FIVE ALIVE: QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Great Expectations; 2 Kent; 3 Oasis; 4 De Havilland; 5 The Republic of Ireland; 6 Kaiser Chiefs; 7 Countdown; 8 Shrewsbury Town; 9 Partridges; 10 The Pentland Firth.

(1) Across – Bebop; Rated; Yokel.

Down – Burly; Batik; Pedal.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across – 3 Co-operate; 7 Lasso; 8 Descrying; 9 Crawl; 10 (2) Across – Specs; Nouns; Ratty.

J X N F D K V L E G W B S Granted; 13 Helen; 14 Galop; 16 Light; 17 Dithery; 21 Ahead; 22 Down – Sonar; Erupt; Sissy.

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Stillness; 23 Exeat; 24 Spearhead.

P O T M Y I H Z A C R Q U Down – 1 Blockhead; 2 Assailant; 3 Codling; 4 Pacer; 5 Rayon; 6 NONAGRAM: egret; eight; either; erst; ester; ether; Tense; 10 Gully; 11 Triggered; 12 Death duty; 15 Pleased; 18 In girt; girth; gist; gite; greet; grist; grit; MAGIC SQUARE: EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU top; 19 Halma; 20 Ranch. grub; role; ulna; heist; hest; hist; reset; resist; resit; bear. rest; rete; retie; right; rite; sheet; shirt; sight; sighter; sightsee; SIGHTSEER; sister; site; steer; stere; stir; teres; terse; thee; there; thesis; this; three; tier; tiger; tigress; tire; tree; tress; trig.

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Roasted Squash & Chimichurri In the kitchen with Freely Fruity

S

Serves 4 as a side

TUNNING varieties of squash are being harvested now heralding the arrival of autumn.

Although beautiful enough just to look at, they are so delicious and versatile in the eating; silky in a soup, mashed into risotto or chunks in a spicy curry.

The trick is to find the right squash for the job.

Here they are roasted with skin – so look out for varieties which hold their shape well and have a thinner skin such as delicata, acorn, festival or smaller butternut squashes.

Better still, mix and match.

Ingredients n 1-2 squash, skin on, seeds removed n 1 tbsp olive oil n 1 tsp ground cumin n Pinch salt

For the chimichurri n 30g fresh parsley, very finely chopped n 30g fresh oregano, very finely chopped n 1 garlic clove, very finely grated n 100ml extra virgin olive oil n 1 tbsp vinegar, wine or cider n Salt

Method 1. Preheat the oven and a tray to 185°C/gas mark 6 2. Cut the squash into wedges and coat in 1 tbsp oil, cumin and salt

3. Spread in a single layer onto the preheated tray and roast for 40-55 minutes, or until soft and slightly crisp at the edges 4. Meanwhile make

the chimichurri by mixing the ingredients together 5. Drizzle it over the roasted squash and serve hot or at room temperature

Recipe by Charlotte Simpkins for Freely Fruity www.facebook. com/freelyfruityuk

Autumn colour in the garden

In the garden

O

CTOBER is one of the most colourful times of the year.

Many flowers are still blooming, and the leaves on trees and shrubs are beginning to change to fiery colours like red, yellow and orange.

It’s a good time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials, as the soil still has some warmth and will help to get them established.

Try and get evergreens planted by the end of the month.

Dormant roses are now available at local nurseries and garden centres, and are very good value for money.

You can easily create a rose garden for the coming year that will provide beautiful flowers and fragrance from early summer through to autumn.

Before planting, mix in some good quality compost, and make sure the plants are watered well once planted.

It’s also an excellent time to plant conifers. They are cone-bearing seed plants and include cedars, cypresses, firs, junipers, larches, pines, spruces, and yews.

While being practical and useful, conifers are also visually stunning and can transform a garden into something quite magnificent.

They are a wonderful way of adding colour and shape to your outdoor space, especially as many conifers change colour throughout the year.

With several hundred varieties of conifers available in the UK, there is one to suit every type of garden, and they are easy to look after.

They need good drainage and water to get them established but, once growing,

FIREY COLOURS: Native to North America, Heuchera were originally grown for their flowers will need little attention as they are pretty disease resistant and maintenance free.

In addition to conifers, another way to bring colour to the garden at this time of year is with autumn bedding plants.

One of the most exciting group of plants to brighten up any part of the garden is Heuchera. Native to North America, they were originally grown for their flowers – dainty spikes of red, pink and white bells.

They carry their plume like flowers high above their crowns of leaves, but gardeners are now mainly interested in their foliage which comes in a variety of colours.

Heucheras grow in full or partial sun, in well composted soil and are fairly pest resistant.

They can be established as

ground cover in many garden situations like under trees where grass could struggle.

October is often a time spent clearing up after the summer and preparing for the winter and spring ahead.

Here are some top tips for jobs this month from the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) … n Plant autumn colour n Create a bird feeding area n Move tender plants inside or into a greenhouse to protect against frost or fleece n Harvest autumn vegetables n Collect falling leaves n Plant spring flowering bulbs n Prune tall growing roses n Dead head all faded flower heads and remove any parts of plants that have died back

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Rams battle for the ball

Bracknell touch down over the line to score a try Rams suffered their first loss of the season at Leeds Titans Pictures: Paul Clark

Rams head towards the try line

RUGBY UNION

WINNING RUN FINALLY BROKEN AS RAMS FALL TO TAUNTON TITANS

By RICHARD ASHTON apreston@wokingham.today

Taunton Titans 18 Rams 17 SEB Reynolds believes the pressure is all on National One table-toppers Rosslyn Park when they visit Old Bath Road on Saturday (3pm).

A gut-wrenching 18-17 defeat at Taunton Titans – sealed by a Gary Kingdom penalty with the last kick of the match – ended Rams unbeaten start to the season and saw them drop to third in the standings after five matches.

But Reynolds, the Rams director of rugby, believes the arrival of high-flying Park is the ideal fixture for Rams to try and bounce back, with a bumper crowd expected for what should prove to be a

Rams attempt to touch down

thrilling encounter.

“We’ve had a fantastic start to the season and Rosslyn Park is really exciting,” he said.

“There’s no pressure on our lads and there is on them – they’ve made no secret of the fact they think they should be in the Championship.

“They want to go up, they’ve recruited heavily, they’ve got star players and so it will be really interesting to see how we can go.”

On a wet afternoon in Somerset last Saturday, Rams had responded terrifically to a Kingdom penalty, as two Ellis Jones tries and seven points from the boot of Drew Humberstone had the visitors 17-3 up early in the second period.

Sean McDonnell-Roberts and Ben Henderson were

both then sin-binned as Titans hit back before snatching victory right at the death.

Reynolds said: “It was disappointing, but you can’t take away from the fact the guys put in a huge effort and for large parts of the first half and chunks of the second we were excellent.

“We controlled the game and felt we had the ascendancy in the maul.

“We were constantly going forwards and then towards the end we drove them 40 metres before it came down and it was play on, but it’s one of those things.

“Taunton were excellent and came back really well in the second half – and then Gary Kingdom does what Gary Kingdom does and won them the game at the end.

He continued: “We reacted

really well to the sin-bins, albeit the ideal scenario is you don’t get them – we probably lost the referee a little bit in the second half, and we were punished.

“I think if we’d got one more score early in the second period we could probably have controlled the game from there, but this is why this league is outstanding.”

To try and avoid delays entering the ground for the Rosslyn Park game, supporters are asked to prebook tickets via the club’s website, www.ramsrugby. com A free park-and-ride bus service will also be in operation starting at 1pm from The Piggott School, with limited parking at Old Bath Road alternatively costing £10 per car.

Titans v Rams Pictures: Paul Clark

RUGBY UNION

MAGIC THREE: BRACKNELL ENJOY TREBLE SUCCESS

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Bracknell 25 Witney 0 BRACKNELL RUGBY CLUB’s first team continue their reign at the top of the table with victory over Witney RFC.

A cold and wet Saturday did not dampen Bracknell supporters’ spirits as they cheered from the stands and sidelines for their local rugby team, who, after 80 minutes, earned victory without dropping a single point in the process.

The score finished with 25-0 in Brackell’s favour, with another home game this Saturday for the 1XV team to look forward to as they welcome Buckingham RFC with a 3pm kick off at Lily Hill Park.

Bracknell v Witney Pictures: Paul Ridley

Bracknell currently have a four-point lead at the top of the table.

As well as the 1XV team taking the win at home the club also saw their men’s 2XV and 3XV take wins from their away fixtures.

The 2XV away at Henley secured a win with a 22-10 triumph.

The third XV made the trip to Marlow where the final result saw Bracknell storm to an impressive 49-0 success.

n Bracknell’s teams have been producing fireworks on the pitch, and the club will be replicating that when they host their annual fireworks on Sunday, November 7. They are inviting residents of Bracknell to join them at Bracknell Rugby Club to enjoy live music, a barbecue and fireworks display.

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HOCKEY

OFF THE MARK: SONNING 3S BEAT HENLEY South Berkshire Ladies in action against Marlow 5s Pictures: Steve Smyth

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

South Central Division 1

SONNING 1s earned a point on the road with a 1-1 stalemate against Wycombe.

South Central Premier Division 2

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 2s fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Newbury & Thatcham.

SONNING 2s earned their first victory of the season with a 2-1 triumph at home to Bicester.

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 3s got up and running on the points board with a home victory over Henley.

Kaplinski struck a double for South Berks, while Barnard and Longson added to the score to help them to a 4-2 win.

SONNING 3s suffered a heavy away defeat at the hands of Oxford with a 5-1 loss as they await their first win of the campaign.

South Berks battle for possession season with a win and a clean sheet away at Maidenhead 4s.

They hit four past their opponents without reply to see them to a second consecutive victory to start the season.

South Central Women’s Division 1

SOUTH BERKSHIRE LADIES 1s were dealt their first defeat of the season as they lost 2-0 at Phoniex & Ranelagh 1s.

SONNING LADIES 1s fell to their

South Berks Men’s 3s against Henley

after they lost 3-1 away at Marlow 4s.

SONNING LADIES 2s remain undefeated after they shared the points in a 2-2 stalemate against Reading 4s.

SOUTH BERKSHIRE LADIES 3s continued their winning start as goals from Cruse, Kelly and Pio helped them to a 3-0 win over Marlow 5s.

Meanwhile, SONNING LADIES 3s were beaten for the second game in a row with a 3-0 loss at Wycombe 3s.

South Central Women’s Division 2

South Central Women’s Division 3

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 2s were beaten for the first time this season

ROCKETS SUFFER NARROW LOSS TO DEFENDING CHAMPIONS KESTRELS THE ROCKETS tipped off the league season with a narrow defeat to defending champions Solent Kestrels.

Despite controlling the tip through new signing Meshack Lufile, the Rockets struggled from the field early.

The Kestrels built a 4-0 lead through the first couple minutes of play as the Rockets missed their first six shots, but a timely Jaz Bains treble ensured the Rockets got on the board before the Kestrels could start to pull away.

Although the Rockets were down nine late in the quarter, buckets from Tyler Cartaino and youngster Kivuvu Live ensured that the first period ended with the Rockets at a manageable six-point deficit at 14-20.

Trading in the volume of

trebles they shot in the first period for more driving layups and pull-up mid-rangers, the Rockets began to find some rhythm and played some great team basketball, with their first four buckets of the period all coming from different players.

Rockets went into half-time leading the defending champs by two after holding them to just 11 points in a dominant second quarter performance and a 33-31 advantage.

The third quarter passed with neither side giving an inch.

A Cole Gentry three in the final minute of the quarter seemed set to give the Kestrels a five-point cushion entering the final period, but Jaz Bains showed great focus to reply with a three of his own to keep it a one-score game at 52-50 in Kestrels favour.

Meshack recorded back-toback blocks at the top of the fourth, stifling what looked to be a promising period for the

South Berks take a strike at goal

first loss of the season as they went down 3-1 to Reading.

BASKETBALL

Team Solent Kestrels 69 Reading Rockets 64

Saturday, October 2 FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Cardiff City 0-1 Reading

Combined Counties Division One Eversley & California 2-0 Bedfont & Feltham Langley 3-1 Berks County

South Central Division 4

By GARY JOHNSON apreston@wokingham.today

FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Derby County 1-0 Reading

Combined Counties Premier North Reading City 1-2 Virginia Water Southall 3-1 Sumas

South Central Division 2

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 4s maintained their fine start to the

Wednesday, September 29

Isthmian South Central Binfield 2-1 South Park

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 1s got off the mark with their first win of the season with a 4-2 away triumph at Witney.

South Central Thames Division 2

RESULTS

Kestrels after they had knocked down another three to open up the quarter.

A six-minute drought in which the Rockets failed to register a field goal was put to rest by Meshack after two strong moves inside on backto-back plays. but the Rockets were still left seven down with only three minutes to play after a tough, defensive fourth period from both sides.

More inside pressure proved productive and Sam Toluwase used his cool veteran savvy to score and assist the relentless Meshack in the final two minutes.

Relying on missed free throws, Sam Toluwase sent another Kestrel to the line.

They split the pair, putting the Rockets down five with too little time for what would have been a truly remarkable comeback.

n Rockets host Leicester Warriors on Sunday in their next league fixture.

South Central Women’s Thames 1

BASKETBALL

COACH T RETURNS TO THE ROCKETS SET-UP READING ROCKETS have welcomed back coach Dave Titmuss who joins in a role to help develop high performing coaches.

After his incredibly successful time at the Rockets in previous years, coupled with his experiences as a head coach in high performance and world class environments.

As well as his work as a coach tutor, Coach T will step into a newly formed role working alongside Matt Johnson as the High Performance Coach Mentor.

Johnson said: “As a previous player, captain, assistant and associate coach with Coach T, my experiences are cherished and memorable and my wish is that we can now create an environment that is rich in challenge and equal in support for coaches that want to tread a similar path that Coach set for us all many years ago. “ Titmuss said: “I’m delighted to be back. This Club has always been a terrific environment for both player and Coach development so I’m excited to be playing a part in helping to expand this important mission.

“I’ve been fascinated and passionate for many years about programme and culture building and in the pursuit of coaching excellence so I’m really looking forward to the challenges ahead.

“I think that recognising the true value of Coaches and coaching comes from the top of any basketball organisation.”

Thames Valley Premier League Finchampstead 3-1 Westwood Wanderers Maidenhead Town 0-0 Reading YMCA Richings Park 2-3 Reading City U23’s Wargrave 3-1 Windlesham & Chobham Woodley United Royals 3-3 Mortimer

Marlow 4s 3-1 South Berkshire 2s

Sunday, October 3 FOOTBALL Women’s Super League Reading 0-3 Everton

FA Women’s Cup Eversley & California 2-4 Caversham United Ascot United 3-0 Tilehurst Panthers Milton United 7-2 Woodley United Thames Valley Women’s Division One Mortimer Ladies 1-6 Wargrave Women Thames Valley Division 3S Wargrave Women Development 4-4 Eversley & California Reserves

FIXTURES

Saturday, October 9

FOOTBALL Combined Counties Premier North Hanworth Villa v Reading City Sumas v Edgware Town Combined Counties Division One Berks County v British Airways Woodley United v Langley

Thames Valley Division Two Hurst Reserves 3-2 Slough Heating Reserves Maidenhead Town A 3-3 Twyford & Ruscombe Berks County Swords 2-3 Richings Park Reserves

Thames Valley Premier League Finchampstead v Maidenhead Town Reading YMCA v Burghfield Wargrave v Reading City U23 Woodley United Royals v Windlesham & Chobham

Thames Valley Division Four Finchampstead Development 1-4 Harchester Hawks

Thames Valley Division One Eldon Celtic v Hurst

RUGBY UNION National Division One Leeds Titans 18-17 Rams South West 1 East Bracknell 25-0 Witney HOCKEY South Central North Division 1 Wycombe 1-1 Sonning South Central North Division 2 Sonning 2s 2-1 Bicester Witney 2-4 South Berkshire South Berkshire 2s 1-2 Newbury & Thatcham South Central North Division 4 South Berkshire 3s 4-2 Henley 3s Oxford 4s 5-1 Sonning 3s South Central Women’s Premier Division Reading 2s 3-1 Sonning Phoenix & Ranelagh 2-0 South Berkshire South Central Women’s North Division 2 Sonning 2s 2-2 Reading 4s South Central Women’s Division 3

RUGBY UNION National League One Rams v Rosslyn Park South West 1 East Bracknell v Buckingham

Sunday, October 10 FOOTBALL Women’s Super League Reading v Aston Villa

Southern Region Women’s Premier Division Woodley United v Wycombe Wanderers Southern Region Division One South Southampton Women Reserves v Eversley & California Thames Valley Women’s Division One Mortimer Ladies v Wargrave Women & Girls Penn & Tylers Green v Tilehurst Panthers Women Thames Valley Division 3S Eversley & California Reserves v S4K Ladies Tilehurst Panthers Development v Wargrave Women

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www.trademarkwindows.co.uk Eversley & California FC Pictures: Richard Milam

FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

McKERNAN DOUBLE ROCKS BEDFONT AS BOARS BOOSTED BY VICTORY FA Women’s Cup

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA, TILEHURST PANTHERS and WOODLEY UNITED all suffered defeats as they were eliminated from the FA Cup. The Boars went ahead through Aimee Charman, but hit back with two goals to turn the game around for Caversham United.

Megan Averill levelled the game up for Eversley but it was Caversham who progressed as they found two more goals to secure a 4-2 win.

The Kestrels took a lead but Milton United made a tremendous recovery with a goal-filled secondhalf to earn a 7-2 victory.

TILEHURST PANTHERS exited the cup as Ascot United sailed through with a 3-0 win.

Isthmian South Central

BINFIELD left it late as Callum Bunting scored a 90th-minute winner as the Moles took three points against South Park.

Josh Helmore got Binfield off to a flying start as he put them ahead after two minutes.

The visitors levelled before the break as Terrique Anderson struck for South Park, but in stoppage time, the Moles snatched the points with Bunting’s late winner.

Binfield manager Carl Withers said: “Difficult game, played in difficult conditions but our resilience and togetherness was the difference and was what got us over the line.”

Ross McKernan nets his second

Combined Counties Premier North WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK are just a place off the bottom after they suffered their sixth defeat of the season away at league leaders Southall.

The league’s top team went ahead after 26 minutes but the Sumas responded quickly with an equaliser from Harry Pearson.

But the goals kept coming in quick succession as Southall restored their lead before half-time and then netted from the penalty spot early after the break to take the points.

READING CITY fell to defeat at home against Virginia Water.

The Cityzens went ahead in the 16th minute through Nathan Jones but the away side responded with a goal in each half to win the match.

Combined Counties Division One EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA moved up to seventh in the table with a 2-0 triumph over Benfont & Feltham.

After a goaless first-half, Ross

Thames Valley Women’s Division One

Eversley celebrate after their second goal

Paras Gill makes a tackle

McKernan notched a brace in the second 45 to help the Boars earn three points.

BERKS COUNTY were defeated for just the third time in 10 matches with a loss to Langley.

Thames Valley Premier League FINCHAMPSTEAD stormed to the top of the table with victory over Westwood Wanderers.

Goals from Nick Payne, Callum Vallance and an own goal saw Finch claim top spot with a 3-1 win.

WARGRAVE climbed up to sixth as they got the better of Windlesham & Chobham with a 3-1 win.

READING CITY U23s are up to ninth as they earned three points on the road at Richings Park.

William Okine-Peters netted a brace and Kit Davies added to the score to secure a 3-2 success.

WOODLEY UNITED ROYALS shared the points with Mortimer in an entertaining six-goal contest.

Daniel Akomavo, Toby Briggs and Nathan Lock got on the scoresheet as the teams were locked in a 3-3 draw.

WARGRAVE WOMEN & GIRLS soared to the top of the table with a stunning away win at Mortimer.

With the teams in a stalemate at 1-1 at the break, Wargrave produced a convincing second-half display with five goals.

Sian Blissett netted a hat-trick, while Millie Bilcliff contributed with a brace and Hannah Sheehan scored for Wargrave.

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA WOMEN RESERVES took their place as league leaders as they earned an away point at WARGRAVE WOMEN DEVELOPMENT. Eight goals were shared with four each as Miranda Brown, Alison Richardson and a double from Tina Leahy for Wargrave, but Megan Lawrence, Molly Tzanetis and a brace from Ellie Messitt resulted in a draw.

Sumas walking football team Pictures: Andrew Batt

WALKING FOOTBALL

SUMAS TO COMPETE IN WALKING NATIONAL FINALS WOKINGHAM & Emmbrook Football Club will be represented in the finals of a prestigious national football competition this weekend.

Players from the club’s Walking Football team travel north to Barnsley on Sunday, October 10 to compete against teams from around the country.

The Sumas already confirmed their status as South East Regional champions after they managed to retain their title with victory over Bexley at Emmbrook School last week, meaning that they qualify for the national competition this coming weekend.

The team, all aged over 50, are up against difficult competition from around England where they will face seven champions from other regions, including Everton, Blackburn and Norwich.

Wokingham & Emmbrook are no strangers to winning prestigious competitions and have an impressive set of accolades throughout the years.

In 2020 they reached the semi-final stages of the same competition.

Mike Allpress, the captain and player/manager of Wokingham & Emmbrook’s cup team, said: “It’s an interesting version of football, and it is still evolving.”

Mike believes that one of the reasons behind Wokingham & Emmbrook’s great success in walking football is due to the camaraderie of the core of the team, many of whom have struck up a superb relationship on the pitch having played alongside each other for several years.

“Some of our team, including myself, have been playing in various teams together since we first played for the St. Crispin’s School team in 1976.”

Three of the team are also members of the South East regional England team – just one step away from the national team.

Such is the strength of walking football at Wokingham & Emmbrook, that the club fields two teams in the Thames Valley Walking Football League’s over-50s Premiership.

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REACTION

‘WHEN I HEARD THE FINAL WHISTLE, I WAS SO PROUD’

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Josh Laurent fills in at defence

Drinkwater strides forward Pictures: Steve Smyth

Top scorer John Swift

Midfielder Ovie Ejaria

George Puscas receives the ball

READING manager Veljko Paunović expressed pride in his team’s performance as they battled to take three points away at Cardiff City.

“When I heard the final whistle, I was so proud,” said Paunovic.

“So proud of the team’s performance, the team’s spirit, the grit and determination that it took to earn these three very important points as we go into the international break.

“We earned another clean sheet with another very good defensive performance, and although at time it wasn’t pretty, we figured out how to manage the game. Our reward is these three points.”

Despite being under pressure for the majority of the match, the Royals recorded just their second clean sheet of the season, and their first away from home in the Championship.

Paunovic continued: “Ten minutes of injury time were signalled, which I found fair because we had a lot of injuries which needed treatment.

“But the team reacted very well, it was great to see them take the ball into the corner where our fans were, and we got the boost we needed from our

fans as we tried to keep the ball there.

“It was a tough game against a very difficult side. We read what was going on, and the physical output was tremendous.

“Scott (Dann) provided his composure and Jahmari (Clarke) brought us some physicality up front with his work rate.

“Every player worked immensely hard to grind out the result.”

The Royals now head into the two-week international break in 10th position in the Championship table after 11 games.

“It’s a win that helps us conclude a solid month going into the international break.

“The win gives us confidence, while the break gives us time to recover and reflect on the upcoming matches in the next part of the season.

“After the previous international window, I knew the team was only going to get better.

“We had lost at Huddersfield and the players went away with their countries. A month later and look at them now.

“The same players with a few additions who came in late in the window. And yet look at the improvement.

“The injury list remains the main concern – with Dejan Tetek and Alen Halilovic adding to our list.”

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

Junior Hoilett netted for the Royals Pictures: Steve Smyth

HOILETT HAUNTS BLUEBIRDS Cardiff City 0 Reading 1

terms of chances on goal as Luke Southwood produced an impressive stop to keep out a header from Mark JUNIOR HOILETT returned McGuinness as he met a to haunt his former club as he netted the only goal of the floated cross and directed an effort on goal. match to help Reading earn But despite the home three points in an away win team’s seemingly strong at Cardiff City.

It was a backs-to-the-wall control of the match, they performance for the Royals, fell behind just before halftime as the Royals mustered who managed just one their only shot on target. shot on target in the entire A long ball into the box match, but that proved to was cushioned down by be enough as they shut the Andy Yiadom to the feet Bluebirds out with their first away clean sheet of the of Hoilett, who set himself before he struck a low drive season. into the bottom corner past Hoilett proved to be Alex Smithies from just the scourge of his former inside the area. employers as his 38thThere was a muted minute strike pushed celebration from Hoilett, Reading up to 10th in the who made 173 league Championship table. appearances for the Cardiff dominated in

Derby County v Reading Bluebirds before he moved to Reading in the summer on a free transfer.

Cardiff searched hard to find an equaliser after the break as Marlon Pack tried his luck from distance, and despite his shot beating Southwood, it also flew past the far post.

The attacks continued to come from the hosts as Kieffer Moore felt he was upended in the box, going down under a challenge from Yiadom, but the referee waved play on.

The Bluebirds kept the ball alive and the pressure

on the Royals defence, but Southwood came to his team’s rescue once again as he flew to his right to keep out a testing strike.

Cardiff came agonisingly close to a leveller when a cross from Ryan Giles was tipped onto the post from Southwood, with the ricochet off the frame of the goal falling dangerously close to a Cardiff body, but Reading managed to clear.

There was plenty of defending for Reading to do as the game entered 10 minutes of added time due to two long stoppages in the

second-half.

But despite a barrage of chances, which saw Cardiff have 27 attempts in total, the Royals managed to claw onto their one-goal lead and take the points.

CARDIFF CITY: Smithies, McGuinness, Flint, Nelson, Brown, Pack, Ralls, Giles, Bowen, Bacuna, Moore Subs:Phillips, Bagan, Vaulks, Collins, Colwill, Harris, Ng READING: Southwood, Rahman, Moore (c), Laurent, Yiadom, DeleBashiru, Drinkwater, Hoilett, Swift, Ejaria, Puscas Subs: Dann, Rafael, Ehibhationham, Osorio, Stickland, Clarke, Bristow Goals: Hoilett 38’

From the middle Dick Sawdon-Smith

What’s wrong, Warnock?

N

EIL Warnock has had an impressive managerial career.

He has guided several clubs into the Premier League.

That he hasn’t been able to keep them there shouldn’t detract from a remarkable achievement.

His problem, however, is that he can’t stop questioning referees’ decisions.

He used to boast that he had passed the exam on the Laws of the Game and seemed to think that this gave him some authority over referees. Instead it has cost him a lot of money.

Quite recently he has been fined £7,000, but he’s still at it if we look at his behaviour at Reading’s match against Middlesbrough.

Apart from haranguing the fourth official constantly, it happened mainly when a Middlesbrough player was sent off near the end of the game.

I watched the highlights of the game in the evening on Quest television’s EFL show. it was quite clear that from his position in the technical area, Warnock could not see what happened.

Apart from being 70 yards away, the penalty area was crowded with players.

The close-up replay showed quite clearly that a Middlesbrough player had lunged at the ball at the same time as the Reading goalkeeper dived to save it just outside his goalmouth.

I wrote recently that a lunge from any angle can be classified as serious foul play.

The reason is that once a player lunges foot first, he loses control.

In other words, he’s not able to stop his action, so if an opponent is in the way it will result in an injury.

There is a degree of severity for lunges. For instance, when the player is off the ground, any injury is likely to be worse.

Then there is the distance and speed of the lunge and whether the studs are showing or the leg is straight which increases the seriousness of any injury.

We can’t tell if the Reading goalkeeper was injured, but as he received treatment we assume so.

None of this concerned Warnock, who claimed, when interviewed afterwards on Quest, that this year’s Championship referees were the worst ever.

Time to get an updated Laws of the Game, Neil.

Neil Warnock

38 | SPORT

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TRICKY TOFFEES PUDDING WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE

Player of the match: Grace Moloney

READING 0 EVERTON 3 GRACE MOLONEY

Made several important stops to keep the scoreline to minimum, including a tremendous penalty save in the second-half.

TASH HARDING

Made a costly error that led to Everton’s early opener.She then suffered an injury and had to be replaced after 33 minutes.

GEMMA EVANS

Struggled to deal with the attacking threat of Everton who ran riot in the first-half and took a commanding lead.

DEANNA COOPER

Only managed to play the opening 15 minutes before Reading suffered their first set-back and had to replace her with Chloe Peplow.

LILY WOODHAM

Was kept consistently busy throughout the match with plenty of defending to do against some tricky wingers.

FAYE BRYSON

Created a decent chance in the second half when she swung in a dangerous ball which almost beat the keeper and snuck in at the far post

JUSTINE VANHAEVERMAET Did a solid job filling in at centreback as Chambers had to reshuffle her side due to injuries in the firsthalf.

BROOKE CHAPLEN

Had to contribute more defensively which didn’t allow her to get forward as often as she would have liked to

DEANNE ROSE

Was nullified for much of the game by Everton as they managed to limit Reading’s attacking threat by keeping the ball.

NATASHA DOWIE

Starved of chances throughout the match as the Royals still hunt their first goal of the campaign.

AMALIE EIKELAND

Still trying to forge a relationship with some new attacking players in the side that will need to flourish if the Royals are to pick up points soon.

SUBSTITUTES Chloe Peplow 5, Emma Harries 5

8 3 4 N/A 5 5 5 4 4 4 4

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING FC WOMEN slumped to a fourth consecutive defeat in the Women’s Super League as Everton earned three points at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

The Royals are now bottom of the league without a point and are yet to score a goal.

It was a first-half rout from the Toffees who flew out of the traps to take the lead inside two minutes.

Anna Anvegard took advantage of some indecisive Reading defending in the box as Tash Harding failed to deal with a cross and the Everton forward snatched the ball and smashed it into the top corner from inside the six-yard box.

Adding to her goal in the early stages of the match, Anvegard set Everton on their way to find their second of the match as she drove at the backline of the Royals’ defence.

Her cross was then played into the path of Claire Emslie from Izzy Christiansen’s pass and she curled the ball beautifully beyond the reach of Grace Moloney into the top corner to finish a sublime team move.

There were several stoppages in the first 45 as Reading lost both defender Deanna Cooper and captain Harding to injury, they were replaced by Chloe Peplow and Emma Harries.

Things went from bad to worse in a disastrous first-half for Kelly Chambers’ side as Everton found their third of the afternoon deep into stoppage time.

Danielle Turner free-kick let Moloney rooted to her goal line as her shot flew through a gap

Evans picks out a pass

Reading winger Deanna Rose

Woodham is chased down

MATCH STATS Reading: Moloney, Bryson, Cooper, Evans, Woodham, Chaplen, Vanhaevermaet, Harding, Rose, Eikeland, Dowie Subs: Peplow, Harries, Stewart, Roberts, Lister

Amalie Eikeland on the ball Rowe,

Everton: MacIver, Maier, Sevecke, George, Turner, Dali, Galli, Christiansen, Emslie, Anvegard, Duggan Subs: Gauvin, Brosnan, Finnigan, Clinton, Bennison, Pattinson Goals: Anvegard 2’, Emslie 38’, Turner 45+9’

in the Reading wall to give the Merseysiders a commanding lead at the break.

With a mountain to climb in the second-half, Reading came forward with attacking intent as Faye Bryson had Everton goalkeeper Sandy MacIver scrambling but her shot went inches wide of the far post.

With 15 minutes left to play, Reading were in danger of falling further behind as Christiansen was fouled in the box and the Toffees

ON THE BALL: Deanne Rose takes were awareded a spot kick.

But goalkeeper Moloney prevented her team from conceding a fourth as she sprung down low to her right to get a strong glove to Christiansen’s penalty to keep it out, before her rebound was also blocked.

However, a fourth defeat in a row leaves Reading stranded at the bottom of the WSL behind both Leicester City and Birmingham City on goal difference having conceded 10 in four matches.

REACTION

Chambers: ‘It’s imperative that we get points on the board’ THE Royals now find themselves at the bottom of the table having yet to pick up a point or score a goal in their opening four matches.

“It’s really disappointing to conceded that early, and right now that’s how our season has been,” said manager Kelly Chambers.

“We’ve conceded silly goals where we need to be more ruthless.

“It was a case of we can’t concede, especially at the points of the game when we did, straight from the first whistle, and seeing the third just before halftime.

“The third goal made it difficult to come back from and changed the outlook on the game and the mood in the dressing room.”

The Royals also lost to key players to injury in the first-half as captain Natasha Harding and Deanna Cooper were both forced to be substituted.

“Losing Deanna Cooper shortly after the first goal was tough,” Chambers continued.

“When you lose on of your centre back pairings, it has a real strain on the side’s stability, as you train with the pair to build that relationship.

“So when you lose one, it can make the other quite uncomfortable.

“Having said that, I thought Gemma and Justine did a good job, especially as Justine is a midfielder.

“Just as we began to settle, we

lost Tash, one of our leaders and key voices on the pitch.

“So two injuries and a quick goal made it a really difficult game to get back into.

“At half-time, to be fair I didn’t need to say anything.

“The players led the changing room because they know it’s not down to tactical plans.

“It’s finding that desire, that fight in their belly where they want to win games.

“Grace (Moloney) and Brooke (Chaplen) dictated the changing

room and I think they said what they needed to and the players to that point.

The Royals boss is now keen for her side to fix their struggling form and put points on the table “Now we have to find that belief and fire in our belly ahead of the next match against Aston Villa.

“It’s now imperative that we get points on the board.

“We’ve not been in this situation before, but the players know they need to find it within themselves.”

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TOUGH TO SWALLOW

From The Tilehurst End Grace Moloney makes a penalty save

Adam Jones

An ode to Danny Drinkwater

I Eikeland shrugs off a defender Gemma Evans Natasha Dowie goes down under a tackle

on Toni Duggan Pictures: Neil Graham

Woodham is tracked by a defender

Reading goalkeeper Moloney said: “The first half from all eleven of us was simply not good enough.

“The two injuries are no excuse, we have a good squad, and the players who came off the bench today are more than good enough to play in this fixture.

“We weren’t good enough in our reactions to first and second balls, and just putting our bodies on the line to stop crosses or shots, it just wasn’t at the level we should be playing.

“Yes it may take a short period of time to adjust when a player goes off suddenly, but I think that’s an easy blame.

“You saw how Justine had to fill in at centre half, I thought she was brilliant.

“She led by example, and I didn’t think she looked unnatural in that position, the same can be said for Chloe who came into her usual position and played the best game she has for us in that second half.

“But I say again, that first half was just not good enough, and we gave ourselves too much to do in the second half.” ““We showed a lot more aggression in winning the ball back, and we didn’t want to embarrass ourselves anymore.

“Our message in the dressing

room at half time was we need to stand up and be counted.

“At the end of the day, Kelly and the whole coaching team couldn’t do any more for us as players in preparing us for today’s game, or any of our previous three games for that matter.

“At the minute, we’re not delivering for them, and I feel so sorry as they cannot do any more than what they are doing for us already.

“We need to go away, look at ourselves, because we’re the ones who have to show we are good enough for this league and can perform so much better.”

PREVIEW

ROYALS SEEK TO GET OFF THE MARK IN VILLA VISIT READING FC WOMEN are still seeking for their first points of the season when they host Aston Villa at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Sunday.

The Royals have had a torrid start to their Women’s Super League campaign and have lost all four of their opening fixtures without scoring a goal.

The four consecutive defeats leaves them adrift at the bottom of the table.

Villa come into the contest at the weekend having made a decent start to the season.

Carla Ward’s team are currently

in sixth position with two wins, a draw and a defeat from their first four games.

They will be hoping to improve on last seasons campaign where they finished in 10th position, just three points above the relegation zone.

They went on an unbeaten run at the start of the campaign as they opened with a 2-1 win over Leicester City as former Royals player Remi Allen netted the winner to get them off to a perfect start.

They then earned a draw at West Ham as Allen again popped up with a goal, on this occasion in

stoppage time to snatch a point for her side.

The Villans then picked up their first away win of the season as a solitary goal from Emily Gielnik was enough to see off Brighton & Hove Albion.

However, they were dealt their first defeat of the season last weekend as they lost 4-0 to Arsenal, who are currently on a four game winning streak at the top of the table.

In the last meeting between the two teams, the Royals had victory stolen from them in the dying embers of the match.

Kelly Chambers’ side had earned a 2-1 lead in the match with goals from Angharad James and Rachel Rowe either side of Mana Iwabuchi’s goal for Villa.

However, with the points looking to be destined to head back to Berkshire with the away team, Diana Silva scored for the hosts with virtually the last kick of the match as the points were shared.

Meanwhile, the last time Villa visited the SCL, they were defeated 3-1 in September 2020.

The Royals took the points with goals from Amalie Eikeland, Lauren Bruton and Fara Williams.

’LL hold my hands and admit when I’ve wrongly been sceptical over a Reading signing – and Danny Drinkwater is one of those.

After being left out in the cold at Stamford Bridge in recent years, going out on loan to Burnley, Aston Villa and most recently being shipped off to Turkey on a temporary spell, there were understandable concerns over his mindset as he arrived at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

His ability has never been doubted – he was a Premier League title-winner for a reason.

Not only has he come to Berkshire with the right attitude, but he’s also shown his Premier League class in the centre, stepping in admirably on his debut against Fulham and helping the Royals to record a vital away win at Craven Cottage.

The 31-year-old has performed consistently ever since that clash in west London and has no doubt played a big part in the Royals’ upturn in form since the previous international break.

His composure in the middle of midfield has also been vital both defensively and going forward.

Defensively, his ball retention skills have helped to take the sting out of the oppositions’ attacks at times and ensure the Berkshire outfit aren’t giving the ball away in dangerous areas.

And going forward, he has been instrumental in building attacks from the back, supplying the occasional sublime pass. With this, he will continue to play an important role in maximising Reading’s goal tally throughout 2021/22 and we will just be hoping he can remain fit over the next seven months or so.

Let’s not forget he’s also come in along with Tom Dele-Bashiru to provide some muchneeded competition at the heart of midfield.

Former loanee Alfa Semedo was decent enough during 2020/21, but Drinkwater and Dele-Bashiru have been upgrades.

There does seem to be a divide in how he’s viewed by sections of the fanbase, I believe those on the more critical side will view him very differently if he can maintain his current performance levels and get himself in and amongst the goals.

This consistency will be key. But for now, I must hold my hands up, say I was wrong on him and give him all the plaudits he deserves.

More of the same please, Mr Drinkwater.

Danny Drinkwater Picture: Steve Smyth

WOKINGHAM BIG NEWS ABOUT YOUR WOKINGHAM SPORT COMING NEXT WEEK

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ANOTHER WIN FOR BRACKNELL

KINGS READY FOR NEW SEASON THAMES VALLEY KINGS face a triple-header clash as they kickoff their new season this weekend.

The British Wheelchair Basketball league action begins for the Kings with a trio of home fixtures on Saturday, which will be played at the FBC Centre in Finchampstead.

The Kings first-team have been newly promoted to the top-tier in the county and will be plying their trade in the Premier Division.

They make their debut in the Premier Division as they face The Owls in what promises to be a high-octane fixture.

The Kings are presented with a tough opening match: their opponents from Manchester are considered one of the UK’s top teams, and have an impressive overall ranking of 15th in Europe.

Meanwhile, Kings 2nd team will be competing in Division Two South for the first time.

They will begin their campaign against Cardiff Met Archers this weekend.

The all-new Kings third team, who will be playing in Division Three South make their debut with a clash against Aylesbury Aces second team.

n All of Thames Valley Kings’ home matches will be available to watch live on Youtube: https://bit.ly/3msBdFg

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING FC WOMEN are looking to stop the rot in Women’s Super League after a tricky start to the new season.

Reading’s goalkeeper Grace Moloney has called on her teammates to rally together and find their form ahead of what she labelled as a ‘cup final’ against Aston Villa on Sunday at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

The Royals endured a difficult 2020/21 campaign which saw them finish in a disappointing

seventh position in the table, and their poor form has carried across at the start of this season.

They have lost all four of their matches so far having been dealt a difficult start up against Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton.

However, Kelly Chambers’ side are now left adrift at the bottom of the table having yet to score a goal or pick up a point.

The Royals now have two home games in quick succession with Villa’s trip to the SCL in the league before they host Bristol

City in the Women’s Continental Cup. After defeat to Everton, Chambers said: “They were very clinical to take the chances that fell to them and also punish any mistakes we made.

“Losing two of our most experienced players to injury in the first-half made a difficult task even harder, but I was pleased with how the team reacted.”

Goalie Grace Moloney added: “At the end of the day, Kelly and the whole coaching team couldn’t do any more for us as players in preparing us for the games, or any

of our previous three games for that matter.

“At the minute, we’re not delivering for them, and I feel so sorry as they cannot do any more than what they are doing for us.

“So we need to go away, and look at ourselves, because we’re the ones who have to show we are good enough for this league and can perform so much better than what we’ve shown.

“We need to draw a line under this defeat.

“As on Sunday we have Villa and essentially it’s a cup final for us.”

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