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SHINFIELD CHURCH ORGANISES CLIMATE MARCH
COP21 Hundreds make a noise for climate change
By PHIL CREIGHTON pcreighton@wokingham.today
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HUNDREDS of people took to the streets of Reading on Saturday, November 6, to make some noise about the climate emergency.
A range of groups including politicians, teachers, activitists and churches gathered at the Broad Street Mall end of town for 1pm.
Led by Shinfield Baptist Church pastor Nathan Hunt, the group processed along Broad Street and into Market Place, blowing whistles, rattling rattles and shouting slogans.
It was part of a worldwide movement which saw tens of thousands of protestors march through Glasgow, where world leaders are gathering for the United Nationas COP26 climate emergency summit.
Its president is Reading West MP Alok Sharma.
Saturday’s focus was on the creation of sustainable agriculture and land use, and saw 45 governments pledge urgent action and investment to shift towards a more sustainable way of farming.
The UK has pledged to engage three-quarters of farmers in low carbon practices by 2030.
Commitments made by countries today will help to implement the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use which is now endorsed by 134 countries covering 91% of the world’s forests. The Declaration aims to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.
Mr Sharma told the summit: “If we are to limit global warming and keep the goal of 1.5ºC alive, then the world needs to use land sustainably and put protection and restoration of nature at the heart of all we do.
“The commitments being made today show that nature and land use is being recognised as essential to meeting the Paris Agreement goals, and will contribute to addressing the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.
“Meanwhile, as we look ahead to negotiations in week two of COP, I urge all parties to come to the table with the constructive compromises and ambitions needed.”
At the Reading march, Mr Hunt led calls for a successful COP26, and to see temperature increase limited to 1.5ºC.
Afterwards, he said in a post on social media: “Thank you to all those who joined the March 4 Climate today in the middle of COP26. It was a wonderful, colourful, peaceful (but noisy) event for all those who care about this world, its people and all its creatures.
“Thanks to all those who made it happen and came and supported it.”
Among those taking part was Reading East MP Matt Rodda, who said the event had been wonderful.
“It’s been a sign of people’s commitment to tackling the dangerous climate change. Our community are working together to try and tackle this very difficult problem that we all face.”
He added: “I think the challenge really is to get the message out to as many people as possible, and to actually change the way that we all live. I do think that’s entirely possible: there are lots of small things we can all do, whether it’s giving up meat some days a week, or shifting to having an electric vehicle or walking and cycling.
“I also think that governments around the world should be doing more, we have made some real step forward in Glasgow, but we all need to do much more now.
“One international thing, which I’m particularly pleased with is the shift away from coal – that is absolutely vital. It’s the most polluting fuel, it releases the most carbon and it’s very dangerous, it needs to stay in the ground.
“So do other fossil fuels, we need to move on electrify the economy use other forms of alternative technology and move to a better future.”
Wokingham Town Council leader Cllr Imogen ShepherdDubey said she had come to the march via public transport, and urged on others to take more of an interest in the climate emergency.
“People need to realise we are one minute to 12,” she said. “We need to do something, and we need to force the Government to make changes in its green policies.”
She said the town council have installed recycling bins in Wokingham town, and planted trees where possible.
“We should be pushing Wokingham Borough Council to do more to support buses in Wokingham,” she added. “The bus service is really poor. Give people proper alternative choices to driving their car around. We need more services for everybody to use so they can make these choices to help save our climate.”
And Wokingham borough Lib Dem spokesperson for the environment, Cllr Sarah Kerr, took part in the march and had strong words about it.
“It was a peaceful, positive protest and really good to see a wide range of people including lots of children coming together to demand action,” she said. “What is a disgrace is that were having to march in the first place. And that makes me angry.
“Enough of the talk, we have solutions, let’s implement them. Enough of the greenwashing and the tokenism being trotted out.
“What this tells me is that there is grassroots support for action and people on the ground in their communities and raring to put the wheels in motion.
“But this government refuses to decentralise power and finances to allow this to happen. We need this government to give communities the ability to bring about change to tackle this very real threat to our existence.”
The March 4 Climate event in Reading town centre on Saturday, saw protestors from Reading, Bracknell and Wokingham join forces Pictures: Phil Creighton
SHEEPLANDS
PLANT CENTRE - CAFÉ - FARM SHOP
Save the Dates
Cactus Show Sun 21 Nov
with RHS Gold Medal winners Ottershaw Cacti Collectibles & Bric a Brac Fairs Sun 21 & Sun 28 Nov
A FARM SHOP FULL OF CHRISTMAS CHEER
Visit our Friendly Farm Shop & Plant Centre to pick up everything you need for a tasty and fun filled Christmas. Christmas Trees, decorations gifts, Christmas Dinner, party nibbles & even carrots for Rudolph!
Late Night Shopping & Tasting Evening
Tue 23 Nov & Tue 14 Dec 5.30 - 9pm
TREES & WREATHS
T he Kings & Queens of Fr esh Christmas Tr ees will be available by the 27 Nov. Handmade wr eaths too.
Our butcher s counter will be taking or der s for Christmas meats until the 5th December
Woman who tried to help a stranger assaulted
EXCLUSIVE
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today
A WOKINGHAM woman said she will think twice about helping others after being assaulted in the town centre last week.
Veena Shastri was waiting to pick up her son at Wokingham Train Station on Tuesday, November 2, when she was hit in the head with a raw egg.
Sat in her car in one of the station’s waiting bays around 3.30pm, Mrs Shastri rolled down her driver’s window after a teenage boy tapped on the glass.
“I thought he needed some information, so I lowered my car window,” she explained.
She said he asked her for directions to the town’s Aldi.
“Before I could know what was going on, another chap came from behind and threw something at me,” she said.
“My ear was in pain, and I wasn’t sure what had hit me. I thought it might have been a stone, as it was quite hard.
“There was this buzzing feeling in my head.”
Mrs Shastri said that when she looked down, she saw that raw egg had exploded in ASSAULT: Veena Shastri was waiting in her car outside the train station when she was hit with an egg
her car, covering the interior and carpets.
“I was completely shocked and upset when I saw the egg. I’m really upset. I tried to help this young boy, and they played a prank on me.
“It really troubled me they could do that to someone close to the age of their mother.”
Mrs Shastri said that she was glad it didn’t hit her eye, and said that there were no serious injuries.
“I wear glasses, but if I didn’t, and it had hit my eye, it could have had a massive impact,” she said. “I could have lost an eye.”
She said that a group of young people witnessed the assault but did not see any adults in the area.
She believes the two boys may have worked together, with the first encouraging her to lower her window, while the second one threw the egg.
“The second boy ran off, but the first one just walked away,” she said. “He didn’t seem to be in any shock at what had happened.”
Mrs Shastri said that when her son arrived, after exiting his train, he was disturbed by what had happened.
“I think I will be really wary of opening my car window ever again,” she said.
“I didn’t get out after, in case they threw another egg at me. “I just didn’t feel safe. It did shake me up.”
NEWS | 11 Earley photographer launches tree calendar
A CALENDAR showcasing the beauty of some of Berkshire’s trees is now on sale.
Earley-based photographer Tina Panting chose 13 of her favourite images from around Reading, Woodley and Newbury for the 2022 Moods of Trees calendar.
Ms Panting, a social care worker by day, said inspiration came from a Bracknell and Wokingham College photography course project seven years ago.
She hopes her photos will bring the outside inside.
“Trees are so calming and mystical and an important part of nature,” she said.
Ethical Reading’s Trees for Reading initiative will receive 50p
from each sale in recognition of the role trees play in her work. The organisation is working with Reading Borough Council to fund the planting and care of trees around the town to improve the urban environment. Ms Panting has also created a calendar of Reading scenes, with funds going to local Home Start organisations. The calendars cost £10, including postage. n For more information on the calendar, log on to: www. tdpphotography.co.uk n For information on Trees for Reading, visit: www.ethicalreading. org.uk/programmes/sustainability/ trees-for-reading University’s net zero plan praised in national awards
THE UNIVERSITY of Reading’s plan to become Carbon Net Zero by 2030 has been recognised as one the best of its kind in the UK.
The Energy Management Awards 2021, run by the Energy Managers Association, placed the University among some of the leading public and private sector organisations for sustainability.
The institution has been shortlisted in the category for Best Net Zero plan. The winners will be announced on Tuesday, November 16.
Dan Fernbank, energy and sustainability director at the University of Reading, said the plan matches the University’s worldleading research and education in environment and climate change.
“Our plan considers every aspect of our operation, including shifting our buildings to carbonfree heating, cutting emissions from national and international business travel, and using our campuses and resources to better support biodiversity and carbon sequestration,” Mr Fernbank explained. “We hope our actions, as well as our research, will inspire others to take action on climate change.”
K U STEAM RAIL DAY T RIP£99 from 24
EST.1997
Steve Precious
The Birmingham & Shrewsbury Christmas Express
Saturday 11th December 2021
Join us on this scenic rail tour by seasonal steam train through the Thames Valley and the Oxfordshire and Warwickshire countryside to the Christmas markets at Birmingham or Shrewsbury. Join us from Reading on this steam hauled daytrip to visit Birmingham or Shrewsbury this December for some festive cheer. There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner served at your seat. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam. Standard Class includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.
Fares Adult Junior Family Premier £259 £175 £781 First £159 £102 £471 Standard £99 £70 £303 Refreshments available to purchase on board. Tables for two can be guaranteed in First/Premier for a £25pp supplement subject to availability. Organised by The Railway Touring Company. The Railway Touring Company’s Standard Conditions of Booking and Travel apply – see website for details.
The Railway Touring Company 14a Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1JN
Phone 01553 661 500
Thiswinter Cantley Parkwelcomesa ChristmasMarket
Getintothefestivespiritas CantleyPark’sfirst ChristmasMarket,brought toyoubyWokinghamBorough Council,issettolightuptheevent fieldthiswinter.
Therewillbeoutdoormarket hutssellingdeliciousfoodand festivedrinks,plusavarietyofgifts, offeringboroughresidentsthe perfectopportunitytoshopfor seasonalpresents,whilst supportinglocalbusinesses.
Wewouldlikelocalbusinesses toapplytorunastall,andforlocal residentstosupportsmalllocal businesses.Executivememberfor environmentandleisureCllrParry Batthsaid:“Asweapproachthe autumnalmonths,it’stimetostart thinkingaboutChristmas.Thepast eighteenmonthshaveshownus theimportanceofshoppinglocally, andwhatbetterwaytosupport growthinourlocaleconomyand helpbuildbusinessthanby attendingCantleyPark’sChristmas Market.
Hurry!Therearelimitedmarket stallsavailableonselecteddays forcraftmakersandcommercial retailvendorstoexhibitandweare offeringanearlyBlackFridaydeal of10%offstallholderbookings madebefore14thNovember.To findoutmorepleaseemail artsandculture@wokingham.gov.uk
Residentsgetyourskatesonas theskatingrinkisdebutingin CantleyPark’seventfieldfrom12 November2021until7January 2022,everyday(excludingbank holidays)from12pmto8pm.An adultticketcosts£12,achildticket costs£7.50andafamilyoffour ticketcosts£30Pleaseusethe ‘FamilyFor30’code.(forfamiliesof fourormore,itwillbe£5perextra child).Eachticketallowsentry ontotheice-skatingrinkforone hour.Duetothepopularityofthis event,advancedbookingis advised.
Ticketscanbepurchasedviathe WokinghamBoroughCouncil Eventbritefollowingthiswebsite link: shorturl.at/rBE25.
Therewillbesometickets availableontheday,subjectto availability.Ticketspurchased throughtheEventbritewebsite betweenfrom11 Novemberuntil27 Novemberwill receiveanearly BlackFriday discountof10%by usingthediscount code BLACKFRIDAY.Toredeemthisoffer pleaseenter BLACKFRIDAY on Eventbriteinthediscountcode field.Onlyonepromotionalcodeis validpertransaction.
Aseriesofcreativeworkshops willberunningattheCantleyPark CaféintheAshridgeRoomduring thefestiveseason.Thereare opportunitiestomakeyourown wreathtodecorateyourhomein ourChristmasWreathMaking workshop,andmakeyourown personalisedfestivewrapping paper,cards,andgifttagsinour ChristmasPrintmakingworkshop.
Youcanalsomakepersonalised homewaresanddecorationssuch ashangingbaubles,snowflakes andstarsinourChristmasCrochet workshopledbyGaynorWhite. DuringtheNovemberleadupto Christmas,wewillberunninga JewelleryMakingworkshopwith artistJanetRichardsonwhichmight betheperfectwaytomakeyour lovedonesathoughtfulgiftbefore theChristmasrush.
TobooktheChristmas printmakingWorkshop:
shorturl.at/pCOP9
TobooktheChristmas WreathmakingWorkshop:
shorturl.at/ityLQ
TobooktheEarringsWorkshop:
shorturl.at/fmGVZ
TobooktheRingMaking Workshop: shorturl.at/jwzGY
Forthefullprogramme,visitthe WokinghamBoroughCouncil EventbritepageortheWOCCA app.TheWOCCAappcanbe downloadedonAppleandAndroid devicesviatheplaystoreby searching‘Wocca’. � Foranyfurtherquestionsormore
