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2 | NEWS FAMILY NOTICES CLARKE, Christopher David Clarke, Christopher David passed away on 8th June at the Royal Berkshire Hospital following a short illness. Chris will be greatly missed by all his family, his friends and all that knew him. Funeral will be held at St. James Church, Ruscombe on Wednesday 22nd June at 1pm. Flowers welcome or donations to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home or RSPB sent c/o Tomalin & Son, 38 Reading Road, Henley On Thames, RG9 1AG

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Natural History Museum plans welcomed By JI-MIN LEE jlee@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM Borough Council has been full of praise for the proposed opening of a world-leading research centre.

The Natural History Museum is set to build the state-of-theart facility in Shinfield, subject to planning permission. The site could help tackle climate change. In all, 27 million specimens are expected to be relocated, making it the museum’s biggest move since the 1880s. Cllr Lindsay Ferris, executive member for planning and local plan, said: “We welcome this proposed addition to the cutting-edge offering at Thames Valley Science Park and the partnership with the University of Reading.” “[It] will cement the borough’s position as a hub for scientific

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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. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.

and technological excellence while creating jobs alongside new housing.” The government-funded facility would house about a third of the museum’s 80 million-strong collection, protecting items currently at risk of deterioration due to unsuitable storage conditions. Notable barnacles studied by Charles Darwin and the head of a megaloceros, a type of deer that lived in the Ice Ages, would be amongst the artefacts housed at the new site. The move would also see the relocation of 5.5km of library and archive documents. It would also enhance the museum’s digitisation efforts, offering greater access to its 350 inhouse and visiting scientists. In its official announcement, the museum said the centre would conduct projects aimed at tackling challenges facing the planet, such as

HISTORY ON THE GO: 27 million museum specimens are expected to arrive at the new facility, the museum’s biggest move since the 1880s Picture: Trustees of the Natural History Museum

biodiversity loss and the extraction of natural resources. The facility would span the area of three football pitches and accommodate the latest carbonreducing design features. If permitted, development would be completed by 2026. Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum, said: “We look forward to joining the lively community of ambitious, knowledge-based organisations at Thames Valley Science Park and forging closer relationships with institutions already based there.” The project further enhances Shinfield’s reputation as a leading site for discovery and creation. Thames Valley Science Park,

which is owned and run by the University of Reading, plays home to cutting-edge innovators such as the British Museum and Shinfield Studios. Prof Robert Van de Noort, vicechancellor of the University of Reading, said: “This is an exciting development for the University of Reading. “It could provide significant opportunities for our academics and students, as well as bringing benefits to the broader local area.” The museum will be required to seek the community’s views on its proposal before it submits a planning application to the borough council.

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A NEW Shinfield baby group is offering parents a weekly spot of respite. Bumps and Babies meets at the new School Green Centre. Parents are asked to bring a blanket to lay their baby on, as well as some toys. The group also runs story time sessions every other Thursday. Volunteers from Little Knellies Nursery and Shinfield View Care Home will read stories to pre-school children. The sessions are free to attend at 10am on Wednesdays, and the cafe is open. Visitors are encouraged to support it. n For more information, contact: shinfield@ robynsnest.co.uk

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NEWS | 3

Celebration of summer at horticultural club’s big show Arrest after police sent to pub Alan Phillips won first place for his flowers

LET THERE BE CAKE: Freddie (5), Alfie (8) and Elsie Harding (6) found the cakes most interesting at the Twyford & Ruscombe Horticultural Show on Saturday Picture: Steve Smyth/22061401

Jo Lucas with her prizewinning flowers

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today JUNE is busting out all over, all over the meadow and the hill. And to prove it, members of the Twyford and Ruscombe Horticultural Society showcased their buds busting outta bushes, and more besides.

They gathered in Loddon Hall on Saturday for their summer show, and let visitors determine who some of the winners should be. Classes included a potato growing challenge issued to pupils attending Colleton Primary School, Charvil Piggott Primary School and Happy Hours Pre-School. It wasn’t just the produce that was homemade: cakes served with refreshments were made by society members. And there was also a raffle, and a contest to guess the weight of a cake, with the society’s president Jean Moody presenting the prizes. A spokesperson said that they had attracted a good number of high-quality entries, which in turn meant a steady stream of visitors. “The show had a real buzz to it,” they said.

A Royal flavour to one of the entries

Jean Rowbotham, Lorraine Couzens and Marianne Ronsch admire the entries

SUNDAY 19TH JUNE

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Jean Poulter with her 1st place winning flower arrangement. Picture: Steve Smyth/22061401

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A LARGE police presence was sent to a Wokingham town centre pub on Friday night following report of an assault. A Caversham man has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency work and obstructing the police. The incident took place at The Station Tap in Station Road on Friday, June 10. Eye witnesses reported eight police cars plus an unmarked vehicle being sent to the pub. Full details cannot be reported at this time for legal reasons, however Thames Valley Police said they were acting in response to a man being drunk and disorderly. Wokingham Today understands that it was felt the man could have been a threat to others, and he was stopped on Station Road, away from the pub. There is no suggestion that the pub or its staff acted inappropriately or were involved. A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “We received a report of an assault at The Station Tap on Station Road, Wokingham, at around 8.45pm on Friday, June 10. “Officers attended and arrested a 28-year-old man from Caversham on suspicion of assault by beating of an emergency worker and obstructing a constable in execution of their duty. “He remains in police custody. “A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly in a public place. He has been released on police bail until Friday, July 8.” They added: “Officers are investigating and anyone with information should call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43220254015. “Alternatively, they can provide information anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.”

4 | NEWS

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Afternoon of music in the Great Hall

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 16, 2022

TWYFORD BEER FESTIVAL Pictures: Steve Smyth

THERE will be an orchestral concert at the university of Reading next weekend. West Forest Sinfonia will welcome guest conductor is Martin Georgiev for the show. The programme includes Janáček’s Cunning Little Vixen Suite, Brahms’ Double ConcertoDvořák and Dvořák’s Symphony No.8. The event takes place on Sunday, June 26 in the Great Hall, University of Reading on London Road. The concert begins at 4.30pm. Tickets cost £15, or £5 for under 18s and students. n For more information or to purchase tickets call: 07977 050 265 or email: tickets@ westforestsinfonia.org

Rob Cornes & Tom O’Neill (representing the Orchid Charity) with event organiser, Ian Wisdom

Recorder recital at St Mary’s SHINFIELD residents will be treated to an evening recorder recital on Saturday. The Berkshire Recorder Consort is set to perform a programme spanning the centuries at St Mary’s Church, Church Lane. The group will be showcasing a variety of different instruments, both ancient and modern, providing an authentic journey through the ages. The concert takes place at 7.30pm, with doors opening at 7pm. Advance tickets cost £10, but can be purchased on the door for £12. n To book your tickets, visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk and search for Berkshire Recorder Consort.

Bruce smiles for the camera

Don’t spill a drop! Steve Cochrane and Chris Lombard enjoy the fun at the Twyford

Beer festival raises thousands of glasses and thousands for charity By NATALIE BURTON news@wokingham.today

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THOUSANDS of thirsty punters raised their glasses to raise money for a male cancer charity last weekend.

More than 3,500 people visited Twyford Beer Festival, held at Stanlake Meadow Recreation Ground on Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11. Festival organiser Ian Wisdom led a team of more than 75 volunteers to run the event, the twelfth he has held in aid of Orchid. “Last year’s amount raised was £12,000 and I am hopeful that we will do better than that this year,” Mr Wisdom said. “Lots of people come back every year and tell us that it is their favourite beer festival, because they enjoy the atmosphere. “We sold more than 900 servings of Pimm’s, 200 bottles of wine and Prosecco, and 199 barrels of beer – or 17,192 pints – over the two days.” Visitors soaked up the sun whilst sampling ales and ciders from breweries including Bond Brews, Elusive, Phantom, Stardust and Tutts Clump. Food was provided by award winning Twyford businesses, Haweli and Rural Pie Co, while bands The PFJ, Big Audio Twynamite, Bottle Kids and Dacoda

kept the crowds entertained. Rob Cornes, a male cancer nurse specialist, led a team from Orchid at the festival. “Men aren’t very good at talking about their health which is why this event is so important to us,” he said. “It helps to get those conversations started. “We spoke with some 30 people, including men who hadn’t been able to find the courage to speak about their concerns or symptoms until they came to us. “And one man came to thank us for the support Orchid had given to his family following his father’s diagnosis of penile cancer five years ago.” The full amount raised will be announced at a later date. Twyford Beer Festival 2023 will be held on Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10. n For more information on male cancers, visit: orchid-cancer.org.uk

Thursday, June 16, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

NEWS | 5

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TWYFORD BEER FESTIVAL

Winnersh Post Office reopens at new location THE Post Office in Winnersh has reopened at a new location. The opening of the service at Winnersh Convenience Store, on Sherwood Road, restores a permanent Post Office to Winnersh. The previous branch, at 487 Reading Road in Winnersh, closed due to the resignation of the postmaster. A temporary mobile Post Office started in March 2020, which restored a part-time branch to the community. Graham Simmons, Post Office network provision manager, said: “We are delighted to have restored a permanent, full-time Post Office to Winnersh as we know how important a Post Office is to a community. “We want to also thank the postmaster for Warborough for providing a temporary mobile Post Office service in Winnersh whilst we worked towards a permanent solution.” The new service will be open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm.

Twyford Beer Festival on Saturday.

d Beer Festival Pictures: Steve Smyth

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6 | NEWS

NHS staff shuttle bus to RBH launches Monday A NEW shuttle bus service launched next week will help staff get to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, writes James Aldridge, local democracy reporter. Reading Buses is to launch the new route following the announcement that its park and ride service from Thames Valley Park – the 400 – is to be axed this weekend due to lack of use. The buses will also run from Mereoak in Three Mile Cross, with both services helping NHS staff get to the Craven Road-based healthcare facility. The service will run from 6.45am to 7.15pm. A spokesperson for Reading Buses said: “We have been using three vehicles and six drivers that normally run the Winnersh Triangle park&ride 500 service to run the temporary Thames Valley park&ride 400 service while Wokingham Borough Council funded the service during Winnersh Triangle closure. “The vehicles and drivers were intended return to Winnersh Triangle when the carpark reopens in 2023, but we have plenty of other work for them to undertake in the meantime including a new shuttle service for NHS staff from Thames Valley park&ride and Mereoak park&ride starting the following Monday.”

Spencers Wood farmers market to return SPENCERS Wood Village Hall is set to host its monthly farmers market. Visitors will be treated to 25 food and product stalls, serving up homemade fudge, awardwinning pies and much more. Regional businesses and individuals will showcase their fresh produce for visitors to peruse and purchase. “We will have Miyoung Finch offering her kimchi, which proved to be very popular at her first appearance last month,” organiser Jim Choi said. “Unholy Donuts, CrepeAway and The Homemade Brownie Company return fresh from their busy jubilee markets.” “UW Utilities will also be on hand to help people search out offers for home utilities.” The farmers market takes place on the third Sunday of every month. Visitors are recommended to travel by foot as parking is limited. The market will take place between 9am-noon on Sunday, June 19. n For more information, search Spencers Wood Farmers Market on www.facebook.com

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 16, 2022

Historic airfield building saved from demolition .. for now EXCLUSIVE By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today PLANS to demolish the historic Adwest building in Woodley have been rejected by Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee.

The decision was made at the council’s planning committee meeting on Wednesday, June 8. Under the proposal, five commercial buildings for light industrial work and storage as well as offices, car parking and a new access road would be built. The reason for the refusal by councillors was that “the application fails to preserve the Miles Aircraft factory headquarters building”. Although the plans have been rejected, the decision can still be appealed by the developer. The proposal to demolish the former headquarters of Miles Aircraft, on Headley Road East, have been criticised by residents, aviation historians, a local MP and councillors from all political parties in the borough. As well as protecting heritage, there were concerns over increased noise, traffic and fears the new commercial units would have a detrimental impact on air quality. Earlier this year, a petition to save the site received more than 4,500 signatures. Cllr Shirley Boyt, Labour councillor for Bulmershe and Whitegates, who led the campaign to save the building, was “delighted” with the decision. She said: “I am absolutely delighted with the decision and glad the committee decided to reject the plans. “We are almost certain the applicants will go to appeal so this

SAVED: The art deco building on Headley Road East that Woodley residents want to save from potential demolition Picture: Phil Creighton isn’t the end, there is a lot of hard work to do. “We have to be ready with a plan for the building so it can be preserved and used to benefit the residents of Woodley.” Cllr Boyt’s thoughts were shared by the Labour MP for Reading East, Matt Rodda, who sent a letter to the planning committee before the meeting calling for the building to be preserved. Reacting to the decision, he said: “I’m really pleased and relieved that the planning application to demolish the Adwest building was turned down and I’m proud of the work Shirley, Julian Temple and other campaigners have done on this. “It’s a great result for Woodley. “This is such an important part of

local heritage and it’s so important for local residents who would have had to suffer dreadful air pollution, noise and traffic problems.” At the meeting, Cllr Keith Baker, Conservative councillor for Coronation, spoke strongly against the proposals, calling on the committee to show it “cared about Woodley”. He said: “You need to consider the cumulative impact of this application on the immediate area. “To date I haven’t seen a single response from an officer acknowledging that fact. “The volume of HGV movements will be dictated by who actually leases each of those units. “Some companies will have significantly more demand for HGV movements than others.”

Cllr Stephen Conway, Liberal Democrat councillor for Twyford, described the number of comments on the plans from the community as “vast”. He added: “There are very few applications I have seen in many years on this committee that have excited so much interest and commitment from the public to preserve an historic building “I think that, to me, carries very significant weight “This is viewed in the community as a vital part of the built heritage of Woodley.” Although many councillors expect the decision to be appealed, the developer has not confirmed if one has been submitted. The developer has been contacted for comment.

Arrest after alleged break-in in Hurst home A 51-YEAR-OLD man from Hounslow has been arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, and has been released under investigation. Thames Valley Police confirmed on Tuesday, following a break-in at a home in Hurst last week. A spokesperson said: “At around 7.30am on Tuesday, June 7, Thames

Valley Police received reports of a burglary on Broadcommon Road, [Hurst]. “Officers are continuing to investigate. If anyone has any information, please call 101 and quote reference 43220247524.” Residents said they saw a fence smashed down in Broadcommon Road. Just a month earlier police said: “At around 1am on [May 9] Thames Valley Police received reports of a burglary in Broadcommon Road, Hurst. A variety of tools were stolen from the property. “Then, at 2am we received reports of a burglary in Hinton Road, Hurst. “Officers attended the scene, and were confronted by a silver Honda CRV without registration plates. The driver failed to stop, and drove through a wooden fence to get off the victim’s premises. Nothing was stolen at this property.” On Tuesday the police said: “The previous investigation [relating to the May reports] has now concluded and will be filed pending

Garden tools worth £23,000 are alleged to have been stolen from a home in Hurst Picture: Stock image by pexels on Pixabay

further information coming to light.” A landscape gardener alleged that £23,000 worth of his tools and equipment were stolen in last week’s incident. He said seven had now been returned to him, but he was still unable to do most of his work now. He said: “They broke into the barn and stole all the tools from there and from the van. They took lawn mowers, strimmers, electric

drills and saws, everything we had. “I’m still waiting for the insurance to be paid out on the first theft. I don’t know what we are going to live on.” He has a wife and two children. “To be honest I’m devastated. The tools cost a lot a lot of money and effort. I’ve been working so many hours to keep going.” He appealed for anyone with information about the incident to report it to the police.

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Thursday, June 16, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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8 | NEWS

Traffic closures in three roads THREE Wokingham roads can expect closures in the next few weeks. Warren House Road will remain closed all the time until Sunday, July 24 to allow South East Water contractors to undertake new development connections. Woosehill Spine Road will be closed between 4pm and 2am on Sundays, June 26 and July 10. Earle Crescent will remain closed until Monday, August 29 for street works.

Railway club’s Dunkirk evening THE WOKINGHAM Methodist Railway and Transport Club welcomes Paul Joyce to its meeting on Tuesday. His talk, with photographs, will explain how Reading railways coped with traffic arising from the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. The group meets at The Bradbury Centre, Rose Street in Wokingham, at 7.45pm. For information call: 0118 977 1754.

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 16, 2022

Theresa May’s concerns over Wokingham housing numbers By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

THERESA MAY has expressed her concerns over the number of houses being built in the borough and called for more affordable housing.

The Maidenhead MP made the comments after meeting with the leader of Wokingham’s Conservatives. It comes after the new leader of Wokingham Borough Council, Cllr Clive Jones, met with Wokingham MP Sir John Redwood over the issue last week, and days after Sir John raised the House of Commons. In his speech, Sir John said: “In Wokingham, there are thousands of permissions outstanding to build new homes, and thousands of new homes have been built in recent years. “We do not need or want Government inspectors determining in favour of yet more homes on greenfield sites that are outside our local plan area.” He also said that it was a “disgrace” that the planning system is abused “by some large development companies

and rich landowners, who manage to game the system to get extra permissions and make money out of the granting of the permission while houses go unbuilt”. Communities, he added, should have more influence over how housing need is calculated, and more infrastructure is need. “Planners must understand that we cannot suddenly conjure up new broadband, sufficient water supply, enough cable to take the extra electricity that is required, the extra road space needed for all the extra cars, or the extra primary schools and surgeries that will be needed to cater for people,” he said. In a speech last week, prime minister Boris Johnson pointed out that home ownership is concentrated on the over 65s, while just 31% of millennials own their own home, and expressed a view that more homes were needed. “(Levelling up secretary) Michael Gove has been developing plans to work hand in hand with local communities across England to build more of the right homes in the right

places,” he said. “We are going to put more publicly owned brownfield land to use and seek to unlock small sites that are ideal for the kind of unobtrusive development that communities welcome, with priority for first-time buyers and key workers.” He continued: “We will sensitively make use of existing planning rights, for example by making it easier to turn disused agricultural buildings into homes for local first-time buyers, and to support farmers in growing and diversifying their businesses.” A review of the mortgage industry was also promised with a view to reporting back in the autumn. His immediate predecessor, Mrs May, said: “Many of my constituents have expressed concerns about developers building too many houses in the wrong places. “Wokingham Borough needs a housing target that is sustainable, and we need more affordable homes with the right infrastructure.” The previous Conservativerun administration had been

working on a new local plan update, which would set out the borough’s housing plans up to 2036. This included proposals to build homes in Hall Farm on the Shinfield/Arborfield border, as well as at Rooks Nest in Finchampstead. There was also concerns that Pinewood Leisure Centre would be a target, although this was strongly denied by the Conservatives. The new Lib Dem-run administration is now tasked with compiling a new local plan, something that Mrs May, whose constituency includes the northern parishes of Wokingham borough, picked up on. “It’s vitally important that the council moves quickly to produce a Local Plan if we are to avoid developers exploiting the system. I look forward to meeting with council leader Clive Jones to discuss this,” she said. “I also look forward to working with Cllr Jorgensen and the rest of the Conservative group on this important issue.” Cllr Jorgensen said she was grateful that Mrs May met with her and felt that Wokingham borough’s housing numbers

needed to be reduced. “She spoke at length about the efforts of the previous Conservative Leader to halve that number,” she said. “I agree with her completely that the Lib Dem-led coalition must now get on with producing a new draft of the Local Plan. “Failing to do so will mean that developers can run rampant across the borough, with no ability to control where new homes are built.” Cllr Clive Jones said while he had written to Michael Gove shortly after becoming leader, he had yet to receive an acknowledgement from him. “The first thing I did as leader was write to him. It is disrespectful to the residents of Wokingham not to respond,” he said. Meetings have been set up between the council and the other three MPs over the coming weeks. This comes after a meeting Cllr Jones had with south east council leaders last week. “We spoke with a director from Michael Gove’s department. It did not fill me with confidence.”

NEWS | 9

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Thursday, June 16, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Members of the Woodley Lunch Bunch

Thames Valley Chorus entertain

Batman and characters from Star Wars entertained visitors Pictures: Joseph Creighton The Allied School of Dance gave displays of their work

The event was attended by the mayor of Woodley, Cllr Janet Sartorel and her consort

The fun fair included the dodgems

Classic cars were on show

Woodley enjoys the sounds of the sixties with carnival day The team from Daisy’s Dream at their stall

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today FORGET Carnaby Street, the swinging sixties was in the carnival.

On Saturday, thousands flocked to Woodley’s Woodford Park to take part in the annual fun day. In the afternoon, crowds patiently queued up to get into the showground where a host of treats awaited them. Community groups held fundraising stalls, raising money as well as awareness. They included a stall organised by Ronnie Goodberry’s team

heading to Ukraine, Woodley Lunch Bunch, and Me2Club. The team from youth support charity JAC brought along animals from its stables, while pooches could be judged in a fun dog show. An arena featured a range of performances from groups including Allied School of Dance, Kick Twist Cheerleading, Thames Valley Chorus, Starmaker, and Readiphonics. The popular fun fair was back with some new rides including a big wheel, and old favourites including the dodgems. Members of Woodley’s

photographic club staged an exhibition, while the Women’s Institute did a bustling trade in cakes and tea. The queues for the ice cream van and the beer tent snaked around the showground, as attendance was thought to be at an all-time high. Although there was no procession this year, there was an evening concert featuring local bands all performing hits from across the decades. The event, which raised money for charities and good causes, ended with the traditional fireworks display. The Woodley & Earley Lions were running a human fruit machine on their stall

Woodley’s link to its airfield past was acknowledged with this display

INVITATION TO A VIRTUAL EXHIBITION

Proposals for Land at New Bath Road, Twyford David Wilson Homes Southern (DWH) would like to take this opportunity to invite you to a Virtual Exhibition to view their proposals for a residential development and separate rugby club on Land at New Bath Road, Twyford. The Virtual Exhibition can be found at:

www.NewBathRoadTwyford.co.uk From Wednesday 15th June to Wednesday 29th June 2022 This will include a Virtual Exhibition section and online feedback facility which will be available to view and complete.

Contact us: Freephone 0800 232 1794 Info@NewBathRoadTwyford.co.uk Freepost LAND AT NBR CONSULTATION All feedback received will help inform the masterplan and a future outline planning application.

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Store gets Apple’s seal of approval EXCLUSIVE

By DANIEL BLACKHAM news@wokingham.today AN ELECTRONIC repairs store in Wokingham has been certified by Apple.

Pratts Pods, located on Elms Walk, has become the first company in Berkshire accepted on Apple’s Independent Repair Provider (IRP) programme. This gives the store exclusive access to the latest Apple training, specialist service tools, diagnostic and calibration equipment and genuine parts. Rory Pratt, managing director of Pratts Pods, described the recognition as “a huge achievement”. He said: “We honestly are thrilled to be able to announce this. This is the next big step for our business and a huge achievement for us to be working so closely with Apple to provide our customers the best possible repairs. “This really does set us up to be one step ahead from other repair shops. “You genuinely can’t get much better than this.” The team at Pratts Pods have been working towards the accreditation for more than a year. To be accepted on the

programme, each company has to meet strict requirements set by Apple. This includes specific business and operational requirements, an easily accessible location and Applecertified technicians to perform the repairs. Mr Pratt said: “So now you can rest assured your device will be well looked after. “Where available, all services will be offered, our standard aftermarket pricing alongside our IRP pricing for genuine Apple repairs on the latest devices. “This will give our customers the option to choose between both services.” By becoming the first in the county to receive this certification, Mr Pratt said Pratts Pods are the only store in Berkshire that can “confidently repair an iPhone 12 or 13 screen without you getting error messages pop up”. He added: “We are the only repair shop in the area that can

offer you genuine new iPhone batteries bought direct from Apple. “We are also the only repair company within 10 miles that can assure you your MacBook has a brand new genuine display assembly installed.” The service is available now and Mr Pratt believes this will secure the store’s position in the industry. “With every new iPhone comes a new challenge for our industry to overcome due to the lack of availability of new and genuine parts, and Apple’s habit of trying to block out aftermarket parts via third party repairs,” he said. “For us this is no longer a problem and we have managed to secure our position in this industry for a long time to come.” The store is open 9am to 5.30pm weekdays, and 10am to 3pm on Saturdays. n For more information visit: prattspods.co.uk

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Nine-year-old Dexter has a perfect 10 sporting challenges to tackle A WOODLEY schoolboy is set to take on a series of 10 formidable sporting challenges for a noble cause. Dexter Rosier will be completing the decathlon in June to help raise money for Sport in Mind, a sport and mental health charity. The campaign will see the fundraising superstar attempt to score past Team GB hockey star Amy Tennant and complete dives at the London Aquatics Centre with Olympic champion Leon Taylor. “Staying active makes me feel strong, positive and happy and I want others to understand how great and important it is too!” he said. The effort combines two of Dexter’s passions: sport and helping other young people. Sport in Mind is the UK’s leading sport and mental health charity. The organisation was formed in Reading in 2010 to improve the lives of those experiencing mental health issues through sport and physical activity. The charity’s CEO Neil Harris was full of praise for the youngster’s endeavour, saying: “We cannot wait to see how many goals Dexter can score

YOUNG CHALLENGER: Dexter Rosier will be taking on ten sporting challenges in June to raise money for Sport in Mind Picture: Samantha Rosier

against Britain’s best hockey goalkeeper or watch him complete a dive in the London Olympic Aquatics Centre.” “We are in awe of Dexter’s dedication in raising awareness and educating young people on the benefits of being active for good mental health.” Sporting goods retailer Decathlon UK is supporting Dexter by providing the kit he requires to participate in each event. The nine-year-old is scheduled

More than 180 firearms handed to police during amnesty drive A TOTAL of 181 firearms and ammunition items have been handed into Thames Valley Police during a firearms surrender. The force appealed to the public to hand in any unwanted guns or ammunition between Thursday, May 12, and Sunday, May 29, in the campaign supported by police forces in England and Wales. Across the Thames Valley, 181 items were handed in, including 48 firearms as well as ammunition, The amnesty was part of a campaign coordinated by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service. Thames Valley Police says that many firearms are held “in ignorance of their illegality” or are forgotten in people’s homes. Some firearms are also held legally and are no longer required. Other firearms are acquired and distributed by criminal networks to harm, threaten and intimidate their local communities. The surrender allowed people to hand in firearms and ammunition by contacting the police. Head of firearms at Thames Valley Police, Superintendent Gavin Wong said: “Thank you to everyone who handed in any firearms or ammunition as part of the firearms surrender.

“This means that there are now 181 fewer firearms and items of ammunition that were either unwanted or held in ignorance of their illegality, which could have easily fallen into the hands of criminals. “Thames Valley Police’s fight against gun crime is stronger than ever, as we work with our partners and local communities to safeguard, educate and intervene at the earliest opportunity.” He continued: “We use various overt and covert tactics to locate weapons that have fallen into the wrong hands, but we also need the public’s help to ensure unwanted, unlicensed or illegal firearms are handed in. “Thankfully, firearms crime remains low across the country, and the national surrender prevents firearms from falling into the pool of criminally used weapons. “Although the firearms surrender has now concluded, anyone who finds a firearm or is uncertain about the lawful possession of a firearm, please call police on 101, or 999 in an emergency. “Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously via its website or by calling 0800 555 111.”

to complete the challenges on Sunday, June 26, just before tenth birthday. Dexter is simultaneously undertaking a mile-a-day fundraising effort in support of the Royal Berkshire Hospital. He also famously wrote a letter to England footballer Marcus Rashford after Euro 2020, which went viral. n For more information or to donate, visit: www.justgiving. com/fundraising/dextersdecathlon

Bikeathon back WOKINGHAM Bikeathon is back later this month. The event is open to all ages and from occasional peddlers to regular cyclists. Participants cycle at their own speed, or with friends and families. There are 15, 25 and 35 mile routes to choose from, the signed courses taking riders through quieter Berkshire lanes. The two shorter routes should take around 60 to 90 minutes, and 120 to 160 minutes respectively. The long route will take around two to three hours. All routes start and finish at Cantley Park Event Hub, Wokingham. There will also be a range of e-bikes to try out for free at The Hub, along with advice from the suppliers. Food and drinks can be purchased, and there will be games and competitions, an obstacle course and other bike events. The event takes place on Sunday, June 26. Entry fee is: £15 for adults, £3 for 12-18 years, under 12s free, with proceeds going to charity. Sustainable seed medals of achievement are included in children’s entry price. Sponsored by My Journey Wokingham, the medals can also be purchased by adults for £3. Registration is between 8.15am and 10.30am, with families registering from 9am. n For more information and to sign up log on to: www. wokinghambikeathon.co.uk

How Spencers Wood saved its village hall By JI-MIN LEE jlee@wokingham.today A WOKINGHAM community group has been brought back from the brink thanks to the efforts of its volunteers.

Spencers Wood Village Hall, which is run as a registered charity, was destined for closure after experiencing the full force of the pandemic. The determination of its volunteers has not only restored the hall’s status, but injected it with a new lease of life. “When Covid hit, our income was decimated,” explained Gillie York, the hall’s chairperson. “Even prepandemic, things were just about ticking over. You could say we were breaking even.” “Our only source of income came from renting out the hall to the groups that use the space.” A drastic reduction in the number of hall users meant the £10 per hour hall rental fee was not sufficient to even cover the electricity bill. The committee organised one-off events in 2021 to generate income. Visitors were treated to a Hallowe’en disco, Easter scarecrow trail, snack shack

BACK FROM THE BRINK: Volunteers’ efforts have restored Spencers Wood Village Hall’s status after it experienced a drastic reduction in users during the pandemic Picture: Spencers Wood Village Hall via Facebook and socially-distanced cake sales with tea and coffee. The events highlighted the village hall’s impact within the community. “There was an old lady who came along and said that it was the first time she had spoken to people in months,” Ms York said. “I could have cried, it was so heartbreaking.” Coming out of lockdowns, the committee determined to harness Spencers Wood’s community spirit. The post-Covid offer now consists of groups, such as Brownies, fitness classes and toddler groups, as well as new initiatives. Ms York credited the efforts of volunteers for the hall’s resurgence, citing a

chance encounter with Jim Choi, who now runs the monthly farmers market. “I literally met Jim as he was passing my house,” she explained. “He helped me carry some things up the road and we got talking about the village hall. Jim asked how he could help and we spoke about setting up the farmers market.” The Spencers Wood farmers market takes place at the village hall on the third Sunday of every month. Through renting stalls, the hall brings in between £300 to £400 per event. “Jim is an absolute legend, he works so hard and does it all as a volunteer. He works full time and really breaks himself doing everything,” Ms York said. “I honestly don’t know where we would be without him.” The Spencers Wood repair cafe, run by Billie Bachra, allows people to get broken household items fixed by an able team of volunteers. The initiative reduces waste and sees the community come together for a common goal. The first session took place on Saturday, May 15. “It was such a joy to

see how much of a success [the first session] was,” Ms York said. “The repair cafe really is something for the community.” “During and coming out of the pandemic, you get a sense that the ladies were good at staying in touch and socialising through chats over coffee or zumba classes.” “However, we found that that wasn’t necessarily the case with the men, so it was great to see them out and fixing things.” “One male volunteer said, ‘It makes me feel valuable.’” The hall has come out of the pandemic stronger than it was before, but the committee is not resting on its laurels. Community engagement sits at the centre of its work, and Spencers Wood residents are encouraged to get involved with the various array of sessions on offer. New clubs and societies are also welcome, with support offered by the hall’s committee. “We’re particularly interested in setting up a ukulele club,” Ms York said. “We’d ideally like to run something monthly or on alternate Fridays.” The hall has previously accommodated young volunteers looking to accumulate hours for their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

n For a full listing of the hall’s activities, visit: www. spencerswoodvillagehall.co.uk

Achieve more with the help of Seady Consulting

TEADY CONSULTING is a small, local consulting firm that is focused on helping other small businesses achieve more.

Steady Consulting’s Director & Managing Consultant, Neil Stead has amassed an extensive set of skills, knowledge and experience having worked for The John Lewis Partnership for over 30 years - and is now using these to help others. “I hold a very strong belief that an organisation cannot be successful if it does not have clear direction, is not operationally efficient, and does not invest enough time or focus on people – be it customers or employees.” explains Neil. And it’s with this belief that Neil developed the Steady Consulting proposition, to define, develop and deliver an approach that gives small businesses the opportunity to grow. Neil adds “Our consulting services are designed to provide expert guidance and support across strategic, operations, customer experience and employee mental health & well-being areas of a business.” He adds, “We use our depth of experience to provide an affordable client-focused approach to consulting” With a smile on his face Neil lets us know that “I’m extremely proud of what’s already been achieved since we launched, and the feedback from clients has been amazing.” Neil is clearly passionate about helping others and appears humbled by such positive praise, and adds “I get enormous satisfaction knowing I’m helping small business owners to move things forward.” Neil wants other small business owners to understand the benefit that can be realised by bringing someone in who has extensive business knowledge and experience. He goes on to explain “I recognise that there are myths surrounding business consultants which may put off a small business owner from investing in an external expert to help improve their business.”

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Thursday, June 16, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

‘They’re only for underperforming large companies’ and ‘They’re expensive’ are two myths Neil hears and is looking to dispel. Neil stresses “Even a thriving small business will have something that it wants to improve or change - it simply may not know what it is or how to put it in place”. He adds “...and a large consulting firm will charge a large organisation a large fee - I take an approach that respects the small business, and understands the scale of investment it may have available to develop.” Sitting alongside the strategic and operational elements of the Steady Consulting services is a focus on equipping organisations with an improved understanding of, and tools to support, the mental health and well-being of employees in the workplace. And driven by his own lived experiences, Neil has recently become an approved provider of a half day mental health course, accredited by The Royal College Of Psychiatrists, and designed to support managers and front-line workers. Neil explains, “The course is the UK’s leading evidence-based mental health and wellbeing programme for understanding and managing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace and has been successfully rolled out across many organisations throughout the UK and around the world.” Neil would love to support any small business owners, and offers a free (no obligation) conversation to kick things off. This time is used to listen to your thoughts, concerns and discover what you’re trying to achieve. For more information about Steady Consulting, visit them online at www.steadyconsulting.co.uk, email hello@steadyconsulting.co.uk or call 07375 482637.

OFF TO OXFORD STREET: Yuniki is heading from Finchampstead to London for a pop-up store in John Lewis next week

Wokingham designer to feature at London pop-up A WOKINGHAM fashion brand is set to feature at a pop-up in a department store in London. Yuniku London, located on Nine Mile Ride in Finchampstead, will display a limited edition collection at John Lewis in Oxford Street later this month. The brand was created by designer Aparna Jain who said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to do a pop-up in such a well known department store in London. “When we started the brand we couldn’t have imagined achieving something like this. “ Bring friends and family along and say hello, we’d be delighted to see you.” Ms Jain founded Yuniku London two years ago in a bid to help people in need. Her family lives in India, and said a lot of people lost their jobs when lockdown restrictions were brought in. “My mum was helping people

by distributing food and clothes, but that’s not sustainable,” Ms Jain explained. “So, me and my sister wanted to come up with an idea to help people in the long term.” Combining her past experience in style consultancy and fashion production, the Wokingham designer was inspired to create her ethical and sustainable brand to create jobs for people in India. “Seamstresses were left without any jobs and they were struggling to feed their families, but now they have an opportunity to sew the clothes which me and my sister design,” Ms Jain added. “We just wanted to help people, and it’s been so rewarding.” Yuniku London will be available in the womenswear department of John Lewis, on Oxford Street in London, from Monday, June 20, to Sunday, June 26. n For more information, visit:Yunikulondon.com

12 | NEWS

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Interactive events to help you ‘paint the town green’

Climate view

Professor Ed Hawkins

Extreme heat becoming more frequent

HE darkening red colours on the climate stripes are being seen in real life as high temperatures become more frequent in the Reading and Wokingham areas in recent decades.

Data from the University of Reading’s weather observatory show that seven of the top 10 hottest temperatures have been recorded since the year 2000. Despite the mercury soaring this week, experts at the University of Reading have clarified that we are not currently experiencing a heatwave. The definition of a heatwave is when temperatures are above the set threshold for a particular region for three days in a row. The recently updated Met Office threshold for Berkshire is 28°C. Temperatures are forecast to climb to close to this threshold at the end of the week, but may not surpass it on consecutive days. Dr Liz Stephens, Associate Professor in Climate Risks and Resilience at the University of Reading and jointly affiliated with the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, said: “While the high temperatures this week do not meet the official criteria for a ‘heat wave’, it is a timely reminder that we need to raise awareness of how to reduce the severe impacts of extreme heat. Heat waves are the silent killers of climate change. “Heat waves in the UK are becoming more frequent and more intense under climate change, and we could experience 40 degree temperatures within the next decade.” The National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies from around the globe launched the first ever global Heat Action Day to #beattheheat on Tuesday. A recent report by the British Red Cross called for the UK government to prioritise heat risk planning, for example by mitigating heat risks in urban areas, and to support the people most vulnerable to extreme heat in advance of and during a heat wave.

IF you’re looking for a fun and interactive way to get involved with Show Your Stripes Day, this brand new online theatrical experience, Pip and Pearl: Planet Protectors could be just the ticket. Commissioned by Reading Fringe Festival, the free stay-at-home ecoadventure for families and children aged 5+ will see you become part of a global team of young planet protectors. Part-theatre, part-film, part escape-room, it is written and directed by Helen Eastman (In The Night Garden, Bicycle Boy) and created with Reading’s own Time Trap Escape Rooms. There are lots of other fun,

interactive adventures to be had across the town this week, including two new self-guided audio trails launched by Reading Borough Council’s High Street Heritage Action Zone and Sound UK. Created by local artists Aundre Goddard, Fiona Talkington and Richard Bentley, the tours, No ifs, No buts, Only Gingernuts: Huntley & Palmers Journey and Pies, Pints and Protests will take listeners on an exciting journey of discovery into Reading’s past, and let you get up and active this summer.

downloaded more than a million times within a week of the website launch. They have been shared on social media by the likes of the United Nations and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and on television channels around the world, adorn the cover of a forthcoming book on climate change by Greta Thunberg, and have been spotted on the Main Stage at Reading Festival, on the London Fashion Week catwalk and on badges worn by US senators.

Stripes hit the road in bus partnership WHILE the flurry of activity around the climate stripes will peak on the 21 June, one unmissable adoption of the colourful graphic will be zooming around Reading for a lot longer. The stripes for Berkshire will be painted onto a bus and hit the roads in the coming weeks thanks to a partnership between the University of Reading and Reading Buses.

The bus, one of Reading Buses’ natural gas-powered vehicles, will feature the stripes from wheel arches to roof for 12 months, printed on vinyl that

What are th

n For more information on how you can get involved, see whatsonreading. com

The story of the stripes SINCE their creation in 2018, the climate stripes have become a ubiquitous symbol of climate change and an emblem for climate action. The bright colours and simple, clear message they carry has given the stripes universal appeal, hammering home the fact that the impacts of climate change are already being felt in all corners of the world. The stripes were made freely available from showyourstripes. info in June 2019, and were

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 16, 2022

will be recycled after use. It will be used across different routes throughout this period, meaning everyone in Reading has a good chance of spotting the bus at some stage. A message will be displayed inside the bus, stressing the importance of the stripes image and of partnerships to developing solutions to climate issues.

NO words. No numbers. No graphs. Just a series of vertical coloured bars, showing the progressive heating of our planet in a single, striking image. The climate stripes, created by Professor Ed Hawkins at the

University of Reading in 2018, show clearly and vividly how global average temperatures have risen over nearly two centuries. Each stripe represents the average temperature for a single year,

Climate education experts rea MORE than 60 climate change experts are ready and waiting to assist schools and pupils in Reading and beyond to prepare for a world under climate change. A total of 66 researchers and professionals working in climate science have signed up to a new Climate Ambassadors Scheme designed by the University of Reading and STEM Learning. The scheme allows teachers and schools to submit requests for support on climate education or sustainability issues in order to receive advice or support from an expert. Requests might include identifying the best climate change resources to use in lessons, or advice on lowering their carbon footprints. The Scheme was launched in April as part of the Department for Education’s national sustainability and climate change strategy. It is one part of a wider Climate Education Action Plan launched by the University and partners at COP26 in November, following a Climate Education Summit hosted by the group. Both the Action Plan and Summit brought together young people, scientists, educators and national organisations to identify how teachers can be better supported to incorporate climate change into all lessons, from history to economics. Broadcast meteorologist and Reading alumna Laura Tobin, who is a champion for the scheme, said: “Teachers are already changing and

shaping lives across the country every day and require expert support if we are to build knowledge and skills into teaching to help young people face the challenges that come with a changing planet.

Thursday, June 16, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

he stripes?

relative to the longer-term average temperature. Shades of blue indicate cooler-than-average years, while red shows years that were hotter than average. The deep red stripes on the right-

hand side of the graphic are a stark reminder of the rapid heating our planet has seen in recent decades. Stripes have been created for almost every country in the world, and even for individual US states,

What can I do as #ShowYourStripes day comes round?

#SHOWYOURSTRIPES Day falls on Tuesday, June 21. The easiest way to get involved is to download a stripes graphic from showyourstripes.info and join thousands of others around the world in sharing them on social media on that day. Stripes are available for more than 200 countries, oceans, states and counties, allowing people everywhere to visualise and share how climate change is affecting where they live. The stripes are intended to start conversations about climate change. By sharing them with friends and family and talking about their meaning you can help climate science reach new audiences, raise awareness of the scale of the problem the planet faces and bring about climate action. This year’s #ShowYourStripes Day is set to be the biggest yet, with the stripes more visible than ever around Reading, including on digital screens at Reading Station and Broad Street Mall.

Students and staff at the University of Reading’s UK and international campuses will be given climate stripes badges to wear on 21 June, allowing our entire community to demonstrate their pride at the stripes being created in Reading and their support of the message they carry. Badges, mugs, face masks and other items featuring the stripes are available from artuk.org, while donations can be made at showyourstripes.info to support climate science and education at the University. Free online courses designed by the University are also available via futurelearn.com for those who want to learn a bit more about climate change and what they can do to take meaningful action (search ‘Planet Partners: Tackling the Climate Crisis Together’) , or for teachers seeking to incorporate climate education into their lessons (search ‘Teaching Climate and Sustainability in Primary Schools: An Outdoor Learning Approach’).

ady to be deployed in schools

Wokingham to strengthen role as climate research hub

“I would urge anyone who is passionate about and knowledge of climate change and sustainability to become a Climate Ambassador and help bring about positive changes in all classrooms.”

Experts wanting to sign up as ambassadors and schools and teachers wanting to connect with them can visit stem.org.uk/climate-ambassadors.

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WOKINGHAM will continue to play a central role in future climate research, with international researchers due to move into a new facility in the coming years. The University of Reading’s Whiteknights campus has been selected as the new home for the headquarters of the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), which will make the Earley Gate side of campus, located within Wokingham borough, home to the largest cluster of weather and climate scientists in the world. Professor Andrew CharltonPerez, Head of the School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences at the University of Reading, said: “The new headquarters and the neighbouring Meteorology building will create a knowledge hub capable of spawning

new innovation in the mould of the climate stripes, and will certainly provide greater opportunities for collaboration between the two leading centres for meteorological research.” ECMWF, currently located on nearby Shinfield Road, carries out forecasting, research and training. Its new building will include features such as a weather room, council chamber and atrium staircases. As well as hundreds of leading scientists, the University’s Department of Meteorology hosts parts of the UK Met Office, NERC National Centre for Atmospheric Sciences and NERC National Centre for Earth Observation. The new headquarters for ECMWF will be fully funded by the UK Government through the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Stripes on the catwalk

CLOTHING range created by the University of Reading has won a national prize for sustainable fashion.

After appearing at London Fashion Week, outfits and accessories designed in collaboration with University of Reading and couturiers Tammam were awarded the Best Customer Engagement Campaign by fashion magazine Drapers. The range’s design features the warming stripes, a visual data set which charts the changing annual temperatures around the globe since 1850, created by the university’s professor Ed Hawkins. Since their creation in 2018, the stripes have become a symbol of the continuing climate crisis. The range was given the award for its campaign to bring the issue of the climate crisis to a range of audiences, which judges noted for its ambitious scope. Professor Hawkins, professor of climate science at the University of Reading, said: “Bringing about vital climate action cannot be achieved unless we do things differently and this fashion partnership demonstrates a novel approach. “It’s brilliant to see the impact of the partnership and I hope it will help bring home the reality of climate change to more people, which will lead to more awareness and more action.” The award comes less than two weeks after the university led the Climate Ambassadors Scheme, which provides schools and colleges access to climate experts and resources. Lucy Tammam, the fashion designer behind the range of clothing, said: “We set out to make starting conversations about climate change stylish and fashionable and we are so delighted to see the impact this is having. “Our sustainable scarves, showcased at London Fashion Week, have now been sent across the world and worn by some incredible people, including top scientists at COP26.” Silk scarves created by Tammam, also featuring the stripes, were worn by some of the attendees to the Glasgow COP26 climate conference in November 2021. The 2022 limited edition collection used fabrics such as hand-loomed organic cottons, peace silks and Tammam’s exclusive eco-tulle. The collection also features “reinvented” vintage suits, where luxury fabrics that no longer serve their original purpose are reused. Professor Hawkins’ climate stripes were described by Enter Shikari frontman Rou Reynolds as “one of the most defining, most crucial images of our time” when they were displayed during the band’s main stage set at Reading Festival in 2019.

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

We can all take action on climate WOKINGHAM will, like much of the country, face some of the hottest days of the year this weekend. Temperatures are expected to reach 31ºC on Friday, and even Saturday will ‘only’ be 24ºC. In old money, it’s flaming June. It’s also a reminder that global warming and the climate emergency affects all of us, even here in Wokingham borough. People can argue that if other countries don’t take it seriously why should we, but the journey of a 1,000 miles begins with a single step. There’s lots we can do – turn plugs off at the wall, recycle as much as possible, make use of food waste collections, and try and buy fewer hard-to-recycle items. There’s clearly a lot to do, but small actions from all of us will help play our part in making the world a better place. We can’t wait for other countries, we have to take the lead.

CHURCH NOTES

Humility and grace

S I write this, we have all enjoyed a weekend of celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – a thank you for 70 years of service.

It was so lovely to see people from across the town, young and old gathering together to celebrate and thank our much loved and adored monarch. There are very few events that generate the same level of enthusiasm and energy and it was truly heart warming to see a country celebrating with pride. Some of my favourite moments were when the Royal Family gathered in the Royal box and on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, it was so lovely to see that despite all the pomp and ceremony, Prince Louis still wanted to sit on his grandfather (Charles’) knee and to show his Great Granny the planes as the fly-past took place. The Queen has always been known for her humility and grace, even as head of state though, it is easy to forget that at the heart of all that she represents, she is a Great-Grandmother, Mum, Aunt… Jesus did not have any descendants but he too treated his flock with grace, humility and humbleness and at the time there are many accounts of similar enthusiasm and energy when the crowds gathered to follow him. Jesus is no longer a ‘physical’ presence among us but his spirit surrounds us, not just within the walls of our churches but in our everyday being. So, what is it that prevents us from gathering to adore him today? On Sunday? In all we do? There are some truly amazing initiatives in Wokingham supporting those with learning disabilities, living in poverty, those with dementia, the homeless, young people, the list goes on… if you look closely, almost all of them take place or began in churches by and with Christians – a real ‘God send’ for many. Maybe we could consider joining a gathering to thank God for all he does for us. Not just on Sundays but in the things we do to support his work.

Claire Knight is the Community Outreach Team Leader for Wokingham Methodist Church, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham

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Jogging the memory A letter in last week’s paper spoke about the need to “jog my memory” on Thames Valley park & ride bus service, written by Liberal Democrat – sorry, Wokingham Borough Partnership councillor Prue Bray. It demonstrates a favourite tactic of the Council’s new administration: if the facts don’t fit, just make it up. Let’s look at what I said. I said that the service was commercially run by Reading Buses before the pandemic and had been financially supported by the Council during COVID. I also said that WBC had provided bridging funding in the hopes that the number of passengers would increase after the pandemic, but it didn’t. I said that it was down to Reading Buses as to whether they wanted to maintain the service despite the low number of passengers. All of this was confirmed, in the same article which Cllr Bray refers to containing my comments, by her colleague Cllr Paul Fishwick. I then added that it is up to the new Lib Dem-led administration to decide if it wants to continue with subsidising the service. That is Cllr Bray’s choice and that of her Executive colleagues, who I understand continue to call themselves Liberal Democrats. If Cllr Bray can’t remember words she has just read, if she has forgotten that her Group is now in charge of the Council, and if she fails to recall that her colleagues have the power to continue to subsidise the park & ride bus service, then I’m afraid she’s the one who needs a ‘memory jog’.

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, l eader of the Opposition and the Conservative Group, and ward councillor for Hillside, Wokingham Borough Council

Bleating on The letter written in last week’s paper by Charles Leigh, who seems to do his own fair amount of “bleating” in his continuous rant, seems rather to miss the point about the way the Lib Dems are running the Council.

I have seen Clive Jones saying in many places that he wants more working together with all political parties – but at every opportunity he shuts out the Conservatives, who are the only Opposition party on WBC. It’s worth pointing out too that the Lib Dems don’t have a majority of councillors, and the Conservatives in fact have more. So a minority party which isn’t even the biggest is controlling everything. No matter what your politics, surely we can agree that isn’t democratic?

Name and address supplied

The cost of Christmas Christmas 2021 has long passed but readers will no doubt recall the fake ice rink and market in Cantley Park and may still be wondering how much the ill-conceived event cost. The departing conservative administration to declined to inform residents so I submitted a freedom of information request. Total expenditure was £77,275, after offsetting income the final loss was £47,188. Let’s hope the new team make better use of our council tax.

Peter Humphreys, Wokingham

Religion and politics I refer of course to the letter in today’s Wokingham paper by Canon Hodgkins re Boris our Prime Minster. As a Christian I do not believe that ministers of religion should get involved in politics. I think that whatever you think of his strongly worded letter it was totally inappropriate to air his views in this way. Comments appreciated please.

MGGM, via email

Blue is the colour As June is hospice awareness month and blue is the hospice movement’s colour, between Saturday, June 18, and Friday, June 24, I will be going blue with my hair and clothes. This will be in aid of Sue Ryder’s Duchess of Kent Hospice and the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice,

Volunteer corner Helena Badger

DATE for the diary. Please come along to our Volunteer Recruitment Fair being held at the Charity and Community Hub in Wokingham Town Centre on Wednesday, July 6, from 11am2pm. It’s a free event, just drop in anytime to meet local charities for an informal chat about volunteering. Here is just a selection of the roles on our books. Please visit our website www. volunteerwokinghamborough.org. uk for many, many more.

n Do you have few hours or more to spare each week? Maybe you are recently retired? Perhaps your children are at school? Maybe you work shifts or work on a part-time basis and would like a voluntary role which can fit around them? This role is extremely flexible as you volunteer exactly when and how often you want to! All you need is your own car - there is no cost to you as we reimburse all your expenses. The Earley Transport Scheme is looking for drivers who can provide transport for older people to attend

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 16, 2022

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 to raise much needed funds by way of donation and sponsorship. But unlike the Little Blue Man that Petula Clark sang of in his earlier days, I hope nopone will push me off a rooftop in town. Instead, I hope they give me a cheery wave or, better still, a pound or two when I am out and about around Reading during the week.

Paul Famer, Reading

Peppa for PM Who could ever replace Boris Johnson? One option might be a job share, with Peppa Pig alongside Boris Johnson as UK PM. Boris could keep on doing the Ken Dodd type comic pieces he already excels at so marvellously. Peppa Pig could handle serious PM speeches, where words of sober sense to groups like the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) were needed. Peppa Pig might even mention Boris if the CBI speech needed lightening up.

J T Hardy by email

The power of partnership Recognising and celebrating the power of partnership is important. At the international disaster relief charity, ShelterBox, partnership enables us to do more and make a bigger difference to the people we support with emergency shelter aid. Our partnership with Rotary International has been renewed for another three years, which is significant as we continue to help people whose homes and livelihoods have been destroyed by conflict or disaster. This special humanitarian alliance means ShelterBox can support more people, in more places, in more ways. It gives us the flexibility and scale to respond in fast changing emergencies like in Ukraine, and after Typhoon Rai made landfall in the Philippines in December. Rotary members in the UK, and across the world, help ShelterBox in so many ways – navigating import challenges that delay our lifesaving

vital medical appointments such hospitals, local doctors, dentists, opticians, physiotherapists. drivers who can help with one off social trips (such as shopping and visiting friends/family in hospital/ care homes etc) and more regular social trips (such as to a lunch club or activity which may involve dropping them of and picking them up later rather than waiting with them). Time commitment can be very flexible. If you live in Earley (RG6) and you would like to help, please get in touch. You must be a minimum of age 21. Unfortunately, we cannot take on any new volunteers aged 75 and over due to insurances purposes. n The British Dyslexia Association Helpline is a national free helpline service for people with dyslexia and those who support them. It offers confidential, impartial

aid, providing us with warehousing space for our shelter kits, and making the community contacts needed to reach disaster-affected families in remote areas. It’s incredible to think that the Millennium project of one Cornish Rotary Club, which is how ShelterBox started, led to an extraordinary international movement that has provided emergency shelter to millions of people around the world. Becoming Rotary’s official project partner in disaster relief in 2012 helped transform ShelterBox into an internationally recognised disaster relief charity, and we continue to work together to reach those most in need of emergency shelter around the world.

Alex Youlten, Rotary Partnership Manager, ShelterBox

Thinking of hope As Father’s Day approaches, I’m thinking about the joy my children bring to my life. Their energy, enthusiasm, and the happiness they take from even the smallest of things all give me hope for the future. We are living through challenging times in a world devastated by war and food insecurity – as well as the cost of living crisis affecting many people here in the UK. I support Mary’s Meals because this wonderful charity is a beacon of hope around the world. With the promise of a daily meal in a place of education, hungry children are attracted into the classroom where they have the energy to learn their way to a brighter future. It costs Mary’s Meals just 8 pence to serve a life-changing meal to a hungry child, meaning every donation to the charity – no matter how small – can make an enormous difference. Please join me in supporting the Hope Conquers Fear campaign, so that Mary’s Meals can keep its promise to the 2,279,941 children who rely on a daily meal. For more information, please visit marysmeals.org.uk

Gary Maclean, MasterChef champion advice and information. We are contacted every day by people in need of help or guidance, including parents looking for information and advice on support in school, or employees looking to understand how to request reasonable adjustments in the workplace as well as students, adults with dyslexia, teachers and employers. We offer advice, empathy, information and guidance, to help our callers access the support they need. If you have a good knowledge and understanding of dyslexia, excellent listening skills and a friendly telephone manner, we’d love to hear from you. This role can be office-based near Bracknell or home-based. Full training provided. n Website: www. volunteerwokinghamborough.org. uk Email: volunteer@wok-vol.org.uk Tel: 0118 977 0749

Thursday, June 16, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

From the chamber

Cllr Charles Margetts

Tell the truth

WELCOME the words of Clir Clive Jones about working ‘’in an inclusive and non tribal way with other parties’’ as detailed in his ‘’From the leader’’ column in May 26 edition of Wokingham Today.

I also note the words of Jim Frewin (the ‘’independent’’ councillor for Shinfield South) about working as part of ‘’Team Wokingham’’. Sadly there is already a considerable and growing gap between the rhetoric and actions of the Lib Dem-led coalition which now is responsible for Wokingham Borough Council which both men represent. For people to work together in any part of life there has to be mutual trust and honesty – this is the only way to establish common ground. For Clive Jones this should include being honest about the past Conservative-led administration and its actions. I will not pretend that the Conservative-led administration did everything perfectly. If this was the case the result of the last local election would have been different. However, it is wrong for Clive Jones to misrepresent the things it did achieve and continued false claims as per his column will do real harm to any chance of ‘’inclusive and non-tribal’’ working within WBC.

If Cllr Frewin is serious about representing ‘’Team Wokingham’’ I would hope he would agree with these words and press Cllr Jones to make his actions meet his words. In his column Cllr Jones identifies the upcoming finanical burden of central government’s proposed adult social care reforms and then claims Wokingham Conservatives left no plan to address this issue. I was the councillor responsible for this portfolio so was fully involved in the issue. Our plan was simple - to persuade the government of the financial harm and to get them to change the policy and / or to allocate more funding. Clive Jones’s claim that nothing was done is demonstrably false. The government first briefed local authorties on the detail of the proposed changes in November 2021. Wokingham was the first council in the south east to work through the figures and work out the possible financial cost. When we realised the cost we approached all of our neighbouring councils to seek their views and to build a coalition against the changes. This involved many meetings with RBWM, West Berkshire and Reading politicians and offers to establish their projected costs and to build areas

From the chamber

Cllr Rachel Burgess

Affordable housing and the right to buy

E all know someone who has been affected by the housing crisis.

Whether it’s young people who grew up in Wokingham but are now priced out of the housing market in their home town (where the average house price has reached £520k according to rightmove); or renters in poor quality accommodation whose housing benefit/universal credit goes straight into the pockets of their landlords; or the hundreds and hundreds of people, including many families with children, stuck on Wokingham’s housing waiting list. Five years have passed since the terrible events at Grenfell Tower, yet archaic and outdated laws remain unreformed, leaving leaseholders and renters without the power and security they deserve in their own homes. Families find themselves subject to the whims of developers who have the right to charge them ever increasing ‘management fees’. While in power the Conservatives have overseen a transfer of power to

commercial developers, in return for millions of pounds of Conservative party donations. Meanwhile the number of homes for social rent has fallen sharply already, cutting the access to affordable and social housing that so many people need. The recently announced policy of extending the right to buy to housing association properties is a headlinegrabbing ploy by Boris Johnson, solely to please his rebellious back benchers. The ‘plan’ itself has been roundly condemned by housing experts and charities as unworkable, with leading housing associations warning that even with adequate funding, it could take years to build enough social housing to replace those lost through this scheme. Many of the council houses that were sold under right to buy ended up in the hands of private landlords, who charged their tenants far more than those houses that remained under Council control. The same would happen to sold-off housing association properties, thus continuing the dismal downward spiral of social housing

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To advertise, call 0118 327 2662 of agreement. Myself and the then leader (Cllr John Halsall) had a monthly meeting with all the relevant players from West Berkshire and Reading from February to build a coalition against the adult social care reforms. A letter was sent by myself and the lead member for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in January to the secretary of state for health to raise these issues. This was featured in the Wokingham Today at the time, and on the front page. I have written and met with three of the four local MPs to brief them on the changes and to gain their support in lobbying to alter the reforms. All three had agreed to support Wokingham in gaining extra funding. I also wrote to Jeremy Hunt in his role as head of the health select committee to raise our concerns and seek his support. He had agreed to meet me in June for a discussion. I had raised these concerns with Dr James Kent, the head of the NHS regional management body (the ICS) responsible for Wokingham. In the week before the election I had agreed a set of monthly meetings to progress discussions on this issue and the internal restructuring of the NHS and its effect on Wokingham. This issue has also been raised several times at the Health and Wellbeing Board in the presence of the new lead member Cllr David Hare. In late April, central government released more details of the planned reforms. Immediately before the local elections, Wokingham officers were working through these changes and identifying the revised figures. As Cllr Jones quotes the November 2021 cost of £25 million I would question his understanding of this subject. The previous administration was acting proactively in an attempt to

remove this threat to Wokingham. I suspect the only strategy Clive Jones has is to do nothing and try to blame the previous Conservative administration and national government for any problem. This is the behaviour of opposition – not of government. The only people who will lose from this strategy will be the residents of Wokingham. I would therefore call on Clive Jones to stop misrepresenting the past and start being honest with residents. If he truly does seek an inclusive and non-tribal council he has to act in an inclusive and non-tribal way: he needs to change his approach. There is already a growing gap between his words and his actions. It can clearly be seen that lot of work was done and a lot of ground was covered to set up a Wokingham response to adult social care reforms. It is important that politicians of all colours are honest with residents and I will continue to challenge any further ‘’misrepresentation’’ from Cllr Jones going forwards. In his piece Cllr Jones says he will take the following steps - to lobby the government for more funding and to work with other local authorities. This work has all been completed. If he truly understood the issue he would already be aware of this. It is now time Cllr Jones to stop posturing, to work on behalf of Wokingham residents and to announce how they will deal with this issue. The Conservative group is happy to work in an ‘’inclusive and non-tribal way” on one condition – that he is honest and truthful about what has gone before.

stock, putting the supply of social homes at even greater risk. At a time when we need many more social homes, Boris Johnson’s plan is to sell them off. Councils need more power to provide genuinely affordable housing, not less. And perhaps the most frustrating aspect of this policy announcement is that it is a nostalgic, inwardlooking ploy to mollify Johnson’s own Conservative Party MPs, whose confidence has been badly hit by the disgraceful ‘partygate’ scandal, rather than being a workable plan that will actually help ordinary people. Johnson’s local Conservatives have made great play of the amount of affordable homes over which they presided when in office, such as the new development at Gorse Ride. But so-called “affordable” housing costs are pegged against the local housing market – so in Wokingham, where housing costs are so high, they are not really affordable at all. And the amount of “affordable” housing provided in developments is often a fraction of what is really needed. Recently, there was much criticism that the new Carnival Pool site in Wokingham town did not include any affordable housing element at all. The Conservative-run Council announced last year that it was going to build the first 11 council houses in over 20 years – this is pitiful when we really need thousands more social homes, genuinely affordable housing in the Council’s control, if we really want to reduce the numbers of people on the housing waiting list and give all young families the start in life that

many older families took for granted. And the knock on effect of a greater level council housing on the wider housing market is also beneficial, as lower Council rents have the effect of dampening down private sector rents, thereby allowing many more people to build up savings for a deposit to buy their own homes, the outcome for which Johnson is supposedly aiming. Our broken housing system is just one part of an ongoing incompetence stemming from Johnson’s government, presiding over a UK economy that is expected to have the lowest growth in all of the G7 next year; presiding over record numbers of people on NHS waiting lists even before the pandemic; a government that promised 40 new hospitals that turned out actually to be mostly refurbishments that we are still waiting for; and a Prime Minister that said in public he took full responsibility for what happened in the ‘partygate’ scandal – and in private said he would do it again. But I also look forward with hope to a new era of government – one that would be on the side of the ordinary person and their housing needs, a government that would tackle the housing crisis, that would empower leaseholders, that would give security to private renters, that, instead of filling developers pockets, would prioritise first-time buyers and build the genuinely affordable and council homes that our society, including so many families in Wokingham, desperately need.

Cllr Charles Margetts is a Conservative councillor for Finchampstead North on Wokingham Borough Council

Cllr Rachel Burgess is the leader of Wokingham Labour, and ward member for Norreys

From the leader

Cllr Clive Jones

Finding ways to keep the buses running

T is now a month since the Liberal Democrats took over the running of Wokingham Borough Council with the support of the Wokingham Borough Partnership of Liberal Democrat, Labour, and Independent councillors.

The Lib Dems were put in charge at the annual council meeting on Thursday, May 19. During this month we have faced some serious challenges. We were expecting there to be some, but not as serious as they have been. At 9am on the day after we were put in charge of the council, we were advised of several severe budget pressures which had built up since the last few months of 2021. We were disappointed to discover that the Conservatives, who ran the council until May 19, had not budgeted for some important – and very predicable – areas of demand for new money. The first problem for us to address was the shortfall in the bus service budget. Eighteen services were threatened with cancellation from September, because the Conservative government was withdrawing the Covid support grant. This was being done before the bus services had recovered to their pre-covid levels. The services still haven’t done this. Supporting these buses services would cost the council over £1 million. Amazingly, the Conservatives had made no budget provision to support these services. It’s not clear what they intended to do but without financial support the services would have had to be cut. We have been working hard with officers and the bus companies since May 20, to find inventive solutions to this massive problem. The result of this hard work should mean that these services can be continued to the end of March 2023. Thereafter we will look to budget for them properly so the services can be maintained for our residents and visitors. Unfortunately, we can’t save the park & ride service at Thames Valley Park. This was cancelled before the Conservatives left office. But we are now looking to see what service can be provided there. In the meantime, an alternative park and ride service for Royal Berkshire Hospital staff has been arranged as a trial from the site. One of the focuses of the Liberal Democrat administration will be to support bus services wherever possible. Not everyone can afford to run a car, especially with the huge increases in fuel costs over the last year or so. We also need to provide alternatives to car use to help reduce carbon emissions. A significant help towards reducing carbon emissions in the borough is to retain and grow our bus services, not cut them/ We will continue to work to do this. Hopefully there will be support from government to do this.

Cllr Clive Jones is the leader of Wokingham Borough Council

32 | NEWS

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today PILEDHIGH: Waste in the North. Picture: courtesy of My Nametags

Businessman is a London Classics medal winner EXCLUSIVE

Discarded school uniform a monumental problem RESEARCH has revealed that a staggering amount of plastic is unwittingly sent to landfill each year in the South of England. And it’s not just plastic bottles that are the problem. School uniforms are too, when they become too small and are thrown away. Discarded uniforms contain polyester and contribute to a mountain of waste. It’s a national problem, but research shows that 630,000 are discarded in the South every year, the highest number in the country and the equivalent of 157 tonnes of plastic sent to landfill. The figures come from research conducted by Censuswide on behalf of My Nametags.

In all, 2,000 parents were asked how often they replace their child’s outgrown school uniform and how they dispose of the too-small items. The amount sent to landfill was calculated using the average polyester content (32%) of a boys’ school uniform (aged 10) from leading supermarket brands consisting of polo shirt, sweatshirt, and trousers. Lars B Andersen, managing director at My Nametags, said: “With more clothing made from synthetic fibres such as polyester, this throwaway attitude to children’s clothes is having a significant impact on the environment. “We hope everyone will think twice before needlessly throwing away items of clothing.”

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 16, 2022

By EMMA MERCHANT merchant@wokingham.today JONNY Singleton says he is not a regular cyclist, yet he completed the Ride100 London bike race in seven hours, raising money for charity in the process.

Along with around 25,000 other riders he took to the road on Sunday, May 29 to ride the 100 miles from central London to Essex. He has already raised almost £1,500 for charity Wings For Life which supports cutting edge treatments for spinal cord injuries. “I’m busy, but I still like to find time to do silly things,” Mr Singleton said. “I was only able to practise with eight mile rides, so the 100 miles was a bit of a shock. “At around 40 miles, I did find myself thinking, why do I do this? “But I’m delighted I did, and pleased I finished. “And I actually didn’t feel too bad afterwards.” Mr Singleton chose to raise money for the Wings Spinal

Cord Injury charity because of the support it offered his friend. “Philip was climbing a ladder to store a box of tiles when he fell,” said Mr Singleton. “One of the tiles hit the side of his neck and left him paralysed. “Wings For Life enabled Philip to receive unique surgery that has really helped, improving his speech and giving him better use of his

FINISH LINE: Jonny Singleton with his gold medal. Picture: Berni Singleton.

right arm. “When the ride got tough, I just remembered Phil, and that drove me on.” Mr Singleton is no stranger to surgery himself, having required titanium inserts to his own neck vertebrae in 2013. “It means I can’t do a huge number of press ups, but you just find different exercises to do,” he said. To qualify for The London

Classics participants need to have competed not only in the Ride100 cycle race, but also The London Marathon and the two mile Serpentine Swim. Jonny Singleton has completed all three, just before his 60th birthday. He completed the London Marathon twice, in 2007 and 2008, raising a total of £5,000 for charity Refuge. “I was inspired then to compete by my inspirational boss and mentor, who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. “Sadly, Mark passed away in 2007, but I ran the marathon with his picture on my shirt.” Mr Singleton completed the two mile Serpentine Swim in 2021. He then raised £3,500 for Alzheimers Research UK, swimming in freezing water and with a borrowed wetsuit. “I trained in an indoor pool, and had never swum outdoors, so I was in for a shock,” he remembers. The London Classics was created in 2017 to celebrate participants of all three of London’s toughest challenges. Everyone who competes receives a London Classics medal with the inscription Et ego Londinium vici (I, too, have conquered London) and is listed in the Hall of Fame. “To be honest, I didn’t know there was a London Classics, but I’m very pleased and proud to have completed it,” said Mr Singleton.

School set to host summer fayre

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A SHINFIELD primary school will welcome residents to its upcoming community fayre. Alder Grove’s summer fete is set to enthral, showcasing what the school is all about. There will be something for everyone, with children treated to fayre games, a bouncy castle, face painting and an entertainment stage. Meanwhile, adults will look to enjoy the various food and produce stalls, shopping opportunities and the raffle. Despite being a relatively new addition to Shinfield, the school has already made a mark within the community. “We’re a new school that opened in September 2020 to serve the existing town of Shinfield as well as the new housing development,” organiser Laura Parish explained. “The school now has a large nursery, two reception classes and a Year 1 cohort.” “It will continue to grow year

VENUE: Alder Grove School, Shinfield, will be hosting a community fayre on Saturday, July 9 Picture: Alder Grove School on year until we are a full two form entry primary school.” Funds raised on the day will go towards equipment for the school’s playground. Ms Parish said: “The idea of developing deep roots and bearing fruits is something that permeates through all the school does.” The fayre is organised by the Alder Grove School Parent, Carer, Staff Association (PCSA). The committee are

offering stalls and slots on the entertainment stage to local businesses. Suitable raffle prizes are also welcome at this time. Tickets are available at the door for £1 per person. The fayre takes place between noon-5pm on Saturday, July 9, at Alder Grove Primary School, Shinfield. n For more information, visit: www.aldergrove.wokingham. sch.uk

Music and laughter night planned A SHOW filled with music and laughter is coming to Crowthorne next month. Simeon Wood, a composer, musician and entertainer, is set to perform at Crowthorne Baptist Church. The show will see Mr Wood perform a range of songs

including Riverdance and Hallelujah. He started playing the flute at the age of eight and has now developed the ability to play a range of unique instruments, including a medical crutch which has been transformed into a flute.

The show is set to take place on Saturday, July 16, at 7pm. Tickets are available online with suggested donations of £10 for adults, £5 for children under 15 with free admission for under-10s. n To purchase tickets, visit eventbrite.co.uk

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Thursday, June 16, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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Share news from your groups, clubs and societies. Send reports to news@wokingham.today

Beauty spots praised for restoring wildlife CHARVIL Country Park and Charvil Meadows have both been designated as Local Wildlife Sites following a recent meeting of the Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre’s (TVERC) independent assessment panel.

The two public green spaces in Wokingham borough have been recognised as havens for a variety of wild animals including birds, insects and otters. TVERC was impressed by the wildlife in the area. Several wetland bird species, including bitterns winter on the site, along with Gadwall and smew, two nationally important types of wildfowl. The area is also home to wading birds like oystercatchers and the common tern. They noted several non-agressive rare bee and wasp species that prey on smaller insects and are crucial for balancing the wildlife population. And otters have returned after an absence of about 20 years. The area boasts two nationally rare plants: the beautiful Loddon Lily, which flowers in the spring, and the Loddon pondweed. Measuring almost 42 hectares in total, the sites are part of Carvil Wildlife Reserve. They are managed by Wokingham Borough Council, with support from Charvil Parish Council.

BACK: Otters have returned after 20 years. Picture: S.Herman and F.Richter via Pixabay TVERC experts also praised the high level of public access. Visitors can follow routes ranging between 6.3km (3.9 miles) and 1.4km (0.9 miles) around the entire site or circling any of the five lakes. Six self-guided walks will soon be available to download to visitors’ phones from a QR code. Eight information boards displaying

Developer installs figure to mark VE Day

the code will soon be installed at site entrances on Park Lane car park, Old Bath Road and Vale View. Cllr Ian Shenton, executive member for environment, sport and leisure at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “We’re immensely proud of the Local Wildlife Site designation. “It’s a testament to the hard work our officers, partners and volunteers have put into making the site a welcoming, hospitable place for both our borough’s wildlife and the people who visit to enjoy it.” The recognition comes after 25 years of careful management. This includes coppicing areas of woodland, creating new reed beds at lake perimeters and installing holts for otters. Hay cutting and grazing have also helped to conserve grassland in Charvil Meadows, while plant cuttings have been left for insects to inhabit. Cllr Shenton continued: “Our approach has been to give nature the chance to take its course and this has paid dividends. “We hope more residents will be encouraged to visit and enjoy the treasures they may not even know existed on their own doorstep.”

n For more information about the borough’s country parks and other outdoor spaces visit: www.wokingham. gov.uk

The Two Faces of Russia

EXPLORE: In May, members of The Arts Society Wokingham were treated to a fascinating talk about Russian history and art by Rosamund Bartlett Picture: Arts Society Wokingham

N May, members of The Arts Society Wokingham were treated to a fascinating talk about Russian history and art by Rosamund Bartlett. Rosamund used the architecture of the two cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg, to illustrate how Russia through the centuries has been influenced by both the east and the west. Before the invasion of Russia by the Mongols in the 13th century Kyiv had been the capital of Russia. At the end of the 15th century when the Mongols were eventually forced out, Moscow emerged as its capital. Although drawn to the Byzantine Empire and its Orthodox Christianity, Tsar Ivan III commissioned two Italian Renaissance architects to build the Kremlin. Within this ‘fortress in a city’ they created three cathedrals, all with golden domes. The iconic St Basil’s Cathedral built 50 years later just outside the Kremlin has a more oriental feel but originally had the gold ‘onion domes’ that we associate with Russian Orthodox churches. Two centuries later the young Tsar, Peter the Great, was greatly influenced by his European travels especially to Amsterdam and Paris and undertook to create a new capital city; St Petersburg. He employed Jean-Baptiste Le Blond as chief architect. The Frenchman also designed the magnificent classical summer palace and gardens, Peterhof. Russia had turned its head to the west. Successive Romanov Empresses were also drawn to western culture. Elizabeth loved European music and introduced concerts, ballet and opera

A DEVELOPER commemorated VE day by installing a figure at one of its developments in Wokingham. David Wilson Homes unveiled the Unknown Women in War figure from Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) at its Ashridge Grange development on Warren House Road last month. The special edition silhouette, handmade by veterans working at RBLI’s social enterprise, Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, commemorates the bravery and sacrifices of women in war. Kimberley Benson, sales and marketing director for David Wilson southern counties, said: “As we enter our second year in support of RBLI’s Tommy Club appeal, we are proud to install the counterpart to the iconic Tommy figure. “The Unknown Women in War figure highlights the bravery of women during the wars, and those who continue to serve today, and the statue serves as a fitting memorial.” More than 300 ‘Women in War’ statues have been installed by David Wilson Homes developments to mark the efforts of women, both in military and civilian occupations during times of conflict. The housebuilder has also donated £100,000 to the charity which will go towards supporting veterans in

INSTALLED: A Women in War statue in situ at Ashridge Grange Picture: David Wilson Homes the UK by providing mental health aid, housing and employment opportunities. Launched in 2020, the Tommy Club is a supporters’ club created to raise money for the RBLI charity as it provides the best possible care for the country’s deserving veterans. n For more information on the charity visit: tommyclub.co.uk

First Wokingham Classic Car Show to take place

MOTORING IN: A classic car show will take place Picture: Wokingham Lions Club into St Petersburg society. She was also inspired by the Baroque style of architecture and commissioned the building of the Winter Palace (The Hermitage). Catherine the Great was influenced by The Enlightenment movement in Europe and built up her art collection in the Hermitage, buying the Walpole collection of more than 200 works in 1779. But in the 19th century, the reactionary Tsars Nicholas I and Alexander III turned away from Europe and became more insular and nationalistic. Before he moved back to Moscow, Alexander commissioned the Russian architect, Alfred Parland, to build the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood in St Petersburg with its characteristic Russian domes. Rosamund had a wealth of knowledge to impart during this fast paced talk and

gave members a fascinating insight into Russian history and art which provided a context to the current conflict in Ukraine. At the end of the evening there was an opportunity for members to donate to the Disaster Emergency Committee’s Appeal for Ukraine. In contrast, the Society’s June lecture is entitled The Art of the Cartoonist. Harry Venning, who was awarded the UK Strip Cartoonist of The Year for his Guardian strip Clare In The Community will be drawing live at Newbold Church, on Monday, June 20. Guests in person or online are most welcome. Please contact memsectheartssocietywham@gmail.com for more details. n Details of future talks are available at www.TheArtsSocietyWokingham.org.uk

SUE BRYANT

THE first Wokingham Classic Car Show is scheduled to take place next month. Hosted by the Wokingham Lions Club, the free event will take place on Saturday, July 2. More than 100 classic, unusual and interesting cars and motorcycles are expected to be on display with a selection of food and drink also available on the day. Although entry is free, Andy Goffin, president of Wokingham Lions, said donations would be “greatly appreciated” to support Leukaemia UK and the Men’s Shed in Wokingham. Individuals who donate £5 or more will receive a unique memento for the day. The event is being organised by Wokingham Lion ,Bob DuGard, with help from Graeme Barker, who have both organised classic car and

motorcycle shows at Bearwood College from 2010 to 2013. Mr DuGard said: “On Saturday, July 2, the convoy of fabulous vehicles will meet before the show in the grounds of Reddam House school, where pupils will be offering refreshments to the owners, before setting off to travel through Wokingham’s town centre and then onto Elms Field. “Vehicles on display will include luxury brands such as Porsche, Jaguar and Rolls Royce from local car clubs, as well as British and Japanese classic motorcycles. “River Radio will be providing the music and prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories, such as Best in Show.” n For more information visit: wokinghamlionsclub.org.uk

34 | NEWS

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 16, 2022

PLATINUM JUBILEE

Staff thanked as part of home’s Jubilee events

A WINNERSH care home that helps people with dementia held a street party to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Abbeyfield residents, staff and volunteers welcomed family and friends for the event, which was held in the home’s garden. Guests enjoyed a buffet lunch, a tombola, raffle and cake sale, which helped to raise funds for the home, run by charity The Abbeyfield Society. Musical entertainment was provided by Katie Trice. Ann Warner, whose father is a resident at Abbeyfield Winnersh, said: “Thanks to all the staff at Abbeyfield Winnersh for making the party such a memorable day. “There was wonderful food too. “The best part was seeing the staff and other residents, who we have missed on our visits to Dad during the pandemic.”

She added: “It was a day full of joyful moments, and some sad ones, remembering those who are missing from these events and no longer with us.” The event also provided the opportunity for the home to publicly thank staff for their work during the pandemic and beyond. Long Service Awards were presented to Catherine Guntrip, Donna Downer, Diane Scott, David Brunsden, Jade Green, Jayne Wesson, Miranda Thatcher, Nicola Parton, Richard Odame, Samantha Langley, Amanda Sykes and Catherine Nakubulwa, each of whom have surpassed five years working at the home. Care Home Manager, Sue Smart, said: “We were relishing the opportunity to get out and celebrate with relatives and families together, the first opportunity we have had to do so since the COVID restrictions have been lifted.

“It was a great event, really well attended, and everyone seemed to let their hair down for the occasion.” She added: “We also felt it was especially important to acknowledge the incredible work of our staff, particularly those who have stuck with us through thick and thin. Their professionalism during periods of lockdown and restrictions was exemplary and enabled our residents to continue to enjoy the full benefits of life at Abbeyfield Winnersh.” The home also held a special Jubilee-themed Tea & Memories session. Tea & Memories uses archive TV footage to stimulate conversation and encourage those present to share their stories and experiences. The residents watched clips of the Queen, after which they discussed topics including the Coronation and the Silver Jubilee in 1977.

GARDEN PARTY: Resident Angela chats with Wokingham Town Mayor, Cllr Maria Gee. Picture courtesy of Four Seasons care home.

Mayor visits Berkshire Care Home to join celebratory garden party RESIDENTS at Four Seasons, Berkshire Care Home in Wokingham enjoyed celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a garden party. Their chef prepared a special jubilee cake for the occasion and a jubilee tea with meringues and scones. Residents’ families visited, as

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and really enjoyed helping with the preparations. “We’ve had such a wonderful time celebrating together and sharing our memories of the Queen over the years.” n For more information about Four Seasons care home, email: clare.bracken@fshcgroup.com or call: 07375 869222

Care home residents revel in jubilee festivities

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did Wokingham Town Council Mayor, Cllr Maria Gee. And residents were able to share their memories of The Queen’s coronation in 1953. The home’s manager, Robin, said: “Our residents were so excited during the build up to the big day,

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RESIDENTS at a Shinfield care home were treated to a spectacular jubilee celebration. Care UK’s Parsons Grange, put on a royal-themed garden party, which featured live performances and a barbeque. Residents, visitors and staff were delighted by the event, with Claire Usher, the home’s Customer Relations Manager, saying: “We had a wonderful time celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with the community here at Parsons Grange.” “For older people, and those living with dementia, reminiscing about key milestones, such as previous jubilee celebrations, can help bring back happy memories, as well as prompting conversation and connection with those around them.” “These positive feelings gained from revisiting fond memories can help decrease stress, reduce

agitation, and improve mood.” The special day saw residents and their families come together to commemorate the Queen’s monumental landmark. Live entertainment was provided by local guitarist Ray Martin and Troubadour Productions. The latter delivered a striking cabaret show, which included royalthemed comedy to the sound of oldschool Vera Lynn and Buddy Holly classics. Attendees enjoyed a special lunch prepared by the home’s head chef, which included a barbecue, summer salads, fruit platters and jubilee-inspired cupcakes. The event also offered residents an opportunity to share their own memories. Parson Grange is a care home which enables residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence.

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 16, 2022

PLATINUM JUBILEE

‘This was the icing on the cake’: Hurst residents enjoy a party

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Nick Wright raises his hat to the Queen By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today

GRAND DAY OUT: Family and friends gather for a picnic at the Hurst party in the park Pictures: Steve Smyth

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JUBILEE Saturday was family festival day on Martineau Green with children delighted the free bouncy castles meant many goes.

The concert stage included country dancing by St Nicholas Primary pupils, and performances by Twyford Glee UK, 12-year-old soloist Noa Ransby Craigs, Rick Sinfield, Third Lung, Dandy Man, Forbury, and Bottle Kids. There were also gladiator duels, human hungry hippo, a bar, barbecue and cream teas. Stanlake Park wine estate sold their wine. On Sunday 400 people enjoyed the novelty of a street party in traffic-free School Road with tables and chairs provided. There was much chat and catching up, as well as mountains of scones, Eton mess, Coronation chicken and cake. Some tables boasted candelabras and champagne buckets. Councillor Palmer said: “This is the icing on the cake. Over the four days there has been something for everyone.” Hurst Guides leader Wendy Gribble said: “The atmosphere has been fantastic, full of community spirit and much for the children.” Her friend Pat Bond, a former Charvil Guides leader, said: “Hopefully the children will remember this. We’ll never have another Platinum jubilee.”

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Flag display helps Twyford church celebrate feast of Pentecost A church was decked with flags from around the world and many languages were used to celebrate the feast of Pentecost. The celebration at St Thomas

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Youngster visitor to the event, Daniel (4 weeks) with proud parents, Andy & Lizzie Rich. followers could hear the apostle Peter speak to them in their own language. The Twyford church decided to celebrate their own parishioners’ diversity by inviting them to bring their national flags and to speak prayers in their native languages. Afterwards everyone enjoyed food from many countries at a gathering in the church hall. The countries involved included

Nigeria, where the parish priest Father Jude Mbonu comes from, the Philippines, India, Poland, Ireland, Scotland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy and Hungary. Father Jude said: “Pentecost is the church’s birthday which we celebrated, along with the wide diversity among our parishioners who come from around the world. It was a joyful time.”

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36 | BUSINESS

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Reading West MP officially opens new HQ for Theale firm Tower Cold Chain OPEN: Alok Sharma cuts the ribbon to declare Cold Tower Chain’s Theale HQ open

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today A THEALE company’s expansion is “precisely what we want to see more of in the Reading area” according to one of the borough’s MPs.

On Friday, Alok Sharma cut the ribbon to a high-tech 26,000 sq ft facility for Tower Cold Chain in Theale. The company manufacturers reliable and reusable supply chain containers that are used across the globe to transport temperaturesensitive pharmaceutical, life-science and biotech products. It uses the very latest technology, including 3D printers, to create the containers, which provide a minimum of 120 hours temperature compliance in any environment, anywhere in the world. Mr Sharma, the MP for Reading West, was given a tour of the new site, which has helped the firm to expand its container conditioning and storage capacities, as well as enhancing its design, laboratory and testing capabilities.

innovative, designed with the environment in mind. We are talking about reusable products which last for a very long period of time, not relying on single use packaging to protect the product that is carried.” Mr Sharma welcomed the firm’s ethos on sustainability, saying it was “very much about doing things in a green way, but ensuring a service is provided to customers, particularly

The company also won a Queen’s Award for International Trade. “Tower is incredibly impressive,” he said. “It’s underlined by the recent award, it’s a recognition of the significant effort they are making as an export company. “That’s what we want to see: a lot more exports going out of the UK, across the world. “And the products are clearly

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the pharmaceutical sector, around the world.” He had previously visited in December, and said he was encouraged by what he had seen since. “They are clearly excited about their products, quite rightly,” he said. “And they’re very excited about continuing to expand, particularly the number of hubs it has around the world.” The official opening was also attended by members of the Tower board. Chairman Just Arne Storvik said: “The Theale facility offers worldleading technology to support the needs of pharmaceutical companies, airlines and logistics providers. “We’re proud to see the facility officially opened and honoured to have such an esteemed dignitary as Alok Sharma here to cut the ribbon.” And its chief executive officer, Niall Balfour, said: “This is a huge moment for Tower. To get to this point is magnificent. “We were thrilled to get the Queen’s

Award, which has really opened things up for us from an international reach.” He said that the pandemic had helped raise awareness of the need for safe shipping of pharmaceutical products, and that has also helped the firm’s global expansion. The company is able to ship products between its hubs in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. “We can rotate our containers in and out of all these locations,” he said. “Not only are we a growing UK entity, but we are around the world, and growing around the world.” The company is now planning to scale up its activities in its different regions, “expanding our global footprint, expanding the expertise, and we’ve got new products we want to bring to the market,” Mr Balfour said. “The recent growth has allowed us to do that.” Mr Balfour felt that Theale was perfect location for Tower’s UK operations, being close to Heathrow, and close also to a railway station.

New partnership is hot property for house buyers in Wokingham A NEW partnership between two Wokingham businesses is bringing a whole new meaning to the term ‘hot property’. Sultan Indian restaurant in Market Place has teamed up with David Cliff Estate Agents in Peach Street to offer people moving house a free meal as a house warming present. Raja Majid, Sultan owner, said: “Everyone knows how stressful moving home can be and the last thing any of us want to do is start cooking when we’re knee deep in boxes. “A freshly cooked, authentic Indian meal will be the ideal way to celebrate your new home while taking the pressure off preparing a meal.” Anyone buying a house through David Cliff will be given a voucher for a meal for four – either eat in or delivery - at Sultan as part of their welcome pack, which also includes a bouquet of fresh flowers. David Cliff, owner of David Cliff Estate Agents, said: “Whenever someone buys a house through us we like to give them something to welcome them to their new home. “We always say that ‘move day is takeaway day’ and this voucher means we can give them something that will

TEAM UP: David Cliff from David Cliff estate agency with Raja Majid, owner of Sultan Balti genuinely help them so they don’t have to worry about cooking. “It’s great to see a local business that is so keen to get involved in the local community.” Sultan restaurant has recently undergone a £100,000

refurbishment. As part of the transformation, the restaurant brought in awardwinning chef Kuldeep Singh to give the menu an overhaul with unique dishes available. There is also a cafe on the ground floor.

Thursday, June 16, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 16, 2022

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Email: advertising@wokingham.today PUBLIC NOTICE WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL PLANNING APPLICATION

THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE) (ENGLAND) ORDER 2015 AND/OR PLANNING (LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS) REGULATIONS 1990

The following application(s) have been submitted and are advertised for the reasons below: Application Address

Reasons for Advert

Description

212664

St Crispins School, London Road, Wokingham

Affects setting of Full application for the temporary retention of an existing listed building modular classroom for five years. (Retrospective).

220421

Parcel V2n, Biggs Lane, Arborfield Garrison

Major Application

Application for the approval of reserved matters pursuant to outline planning consent O/2014/2280 for the erection of 73no. dwellings within parcel V2N with associated internal access roads, parking, landscaping, open space, footpaths and drainage. (Access, Appearance, Landscaping, Layout and Scale to be determined).

221396

2 Augustfield, Charvil Lane, Sonning

Conservation Area

Householder application for the proposed single storey, detached gazebo and shed in rear garden (Retrospective) and installation of hard standing to form front driveway following removal of lawn.

221499

Pavilion Sonning Recreation Ground, Pound Lane

Conservation Area

Full application for the proposed erection of a single storey side extension, following part demolition of existing sports pavilion.

221684

The Hope And Anchor, Station Road, Wokingham

Works to a listed building

Application for Listed Building consent for the proposed subdivision of the site and change of use of part of the public house into a self-contained 4 no. bedroom dwelling with associated changes to fenestration and provision of rear amenity space, plus construction of a single storey rear extension to form new toilet facilities and storage for the public house.

The application is available to view online at wokingham.gov.uk � Planning � Search planning applications and typing in the application number above. Comments on the application can be made online from this web page. Any comments must arrive on or before the 7th July 2022. Any comments made are not confidential and can be seen by anyone as they form part of the public record. The comments, unless offensive, discriminatory and/or racist, will appear on the Council’s website within 24 hours and include the submitted name and address. Due to the high volume of comments received we do not provide individual responses. Date: 16th June 2022

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LEISURETODAY

16.06.22

Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham

Snooker legend Steve Davis cues up for Reading gig Forget Snooker Loopy, the man with the golden cue is a big fan experimental psychedelic music. So much so that he’s formed The Utopia Strong – it was such a hit at Down At The Abbey last autumn that they’re coming back to the Ding. PHIL CREIGHTON finds out more

BAND that performed at last year’s Down At The Abbey festival were so popular that they’ve earned themselves a return gig, and it’s coming up later this month.

The Utopia Strong is a three-piece that headlined the second stage at last

year’s event, and well, among the lineup is none other than snooker legend Steve Davis. The six-time world champion was the world number one for seven consecutive seasons, and one of the greatest players ever to pick up a cue. But he’s swapped that the green

baize of the snooker halls for the bright lights of South Street, thanks to the experimental psychedelic band, along with Kavus Torabi and Michael J York. The trio have fused Modular Synthesisers with conventional and traditional instruments to create a weird and joyous celebration of left field psychedelic music. The band was born on the evening of January 2, 2018, after what can only be described as an experimental and revelatory improvised session together. Kavus Torabi is an experimental/ psychedelic musician with a long history in the field as a member of both Knifeworld and Gong. He has been a member in various other bands

including Guapo and most notably a guitarist in the final line up of Cardiacs. Michael York is a multi instrumentalist and luthier, working mainly with modular/analogue synths and woodwinds, primarily focusing on bagpipes, reeds and flutes of Europe and the Near East. His piping has seen him work not only in the realm of folk, with the likes of Shirley Collins and the seven-piece bagpipe choir Zephyrus. The band released their second album International Treasure last week. Steve says of the band: “I see myself as a strong midfielder, or a centre back. Kavus and Mike are like the Lionel Messi or Ronaldo of the equation, and

I’m setting situations up for them”. Joining them for the gig on Thursday, June 29, are support bands $un $keletons Kinky Hands $upport Group + Neither to Launch nor Land. Both support acts will be echoing the experimental sounds of The Utopia Strong with minimalist drone music influences accompanied with unconventional instruments such as a harp and a cello. n Heavy Pop presents The Utopia Strong will be at South Street Arts Centre on Wednesday, June 29, from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £18.50. For more details, or to book, call the box office on 0118 960 6060, or log on to: whatsonreading.com

14 | LEISURE

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 16, 2022

Night of comedy from up-and-coming stars

New York, Reeves has starred in West End and Broadway hit musical Movin’ Out. Supported by a five piece live band, he plays at The Mill at Sonning on Sunday, June 19. The bar opens from 6pm, dinner is served from 6.15pm and the event starts at 8.15pm Tickets cost £57.50 and include a two course meal in the theatre restaurant before the show. n For tickets and information visit: www. millatsonning.savoysystems.co.uk or call the box office on: 0118 969 8000

AN EVENING of comedy is taking place at Norden Farm this week. Two up-and-coming comics will be performing. Ania Magliano has written material for BBC Two and BBC Radio 4, and is a rising star on the comedy circuit. Also appearing is Jacob Hawley, host of BBC Sounds podcast On Drugs. The show takes place in the Maidenhead venue’s Courtyard Theatre on Thursday, June 16, from 8pm. Tickets cost £12, and a pre-show dinner, from 6pm, can be booked for an additional fee. For more details, or to book, log on to: norden.farm, or call the box office on: 01628 788977.

Solo night with Richard Durrant

Gloriously daft

MARK Evans’ Bleak Expectations is based on his ‘gloriously daft’ BBC Radio 4 series. This new stage adaptation takes audiences through a chaotic caper through Dickensian London with young Pip Bin, orphan, romantic and would-behero. Helped by his sisters Pippa and Poppy and best friend Harry Biscuit, Pip attempts to escape the scheming clutches of Mr Gently Benevolent, and the Hardthrashers. This anarchic comedy features hideous boarding schools, dastardly plans, devilish disguises, pulse-quickening romances, heart-rending death scenes, and a happy ending. The event takes place at The Watermill Theatre, in Newbury this week and next, (not Sundays) until Saturday, July 2. Evening performances, Monday to Saturday start at 7.30pm, Saturday matinée performances at 2.30pm. Tickets cost from £15. n For tickets and information visit: www. watermill.org.uk or call the box office: 01635 46044

Open to interpretation

MUSICIAN Martin Speak will perform some of Charlie Parker jazz interpretations. A long standing musician and composer with 23 recorded albums in his name, Speak has performed in the UK jazz scene since the mid-1980s. He first came to prominence as a member of the all-saxophone quartet

BALLET Black, a company of black and Asian classically trained dancers presents two new works. In an evening that celebrates the company’s 20 years of dancing, Ballet Black performs Black Sun and Say it Loud.

Black Sun was created by South African choreographer Gregory Maqoma, and Say It Loud was choreographed and directed by Ballet Black’s Founder and Artistic Director, Cassa Pancho. The company is known

Itchy Fingers with whom he toured all over the world. He has been described as ‘a saxophonist with an unusual turn of phrase, a persuasively gentle sound, and not just a distinctive improviser but a striking composer too.’ Martin plays at Norden Farm Studio on Friday, June 17. The evening starts at 8pm, and tickets cost £15. Pre show dinner at 6pm is available and costs £16. n For tickets and information visit: norden.farm or call the box office: 01628 788977

Who’s afraid? Not us

THE STUDIO Theatre Company at South Hill Park brings Edward Albee’s 1960s classic play. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf paints a harsh reality of love and marriage.

for its technique, precision and grace in performances of specially-commissioned pieces. Ballet Black perform at the Corn Exchange Auditorium, Newbury on Wednesday, June 22.

The play centres on the fiery, challenging and toxic marriage between middle aged couple Martha and George. One late evening two unwelcome guests arrive, Nick and Honey and after manipulative games and bitter words a huge secret is revealed. The event takes place in the Studio Theatre at South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell on Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18 and starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £14.50, concessions £13.50, members £12.50. n For tickets and information visit: www. southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office: 0134 448 4123

Tinseltown in Ireland

STONES In His Pockets tells the story of a Hollywood film being shot on location in a rural Irish community.

The event begins at 7.45pm and tickets cost £23, Concessions £21, Schools £19.50. n For tickets and information visit: www. cornexchangenew.com or call the box office: 0845 521 8218.

Film stars rub shoulders with village rurals, and the sparks begin to fly. Two actors play all the characters in this humorous, fast moving and poignant play. The play runs from Thursday, June 16 through to Saturday, June 18, at Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, Wokingham starting at 7.45pm. Tickets cost £14. n To book, or more information, visit: wokinghamtheatre.org.uk or call the box office: 0118 978 5363.

Uptown girl welcomed FANS of Billy Joel will be able to hear Darren Reeves recreate the songs of this legendary American singer, pianist, composer and songwriter. Darren Reeves plays the demanding and energetic lead role of The Piano Man in this show, Uptown Joel. Chosen by Billy Joel at auditions in

GUITARIST and composer Richard Durrant comes to Guildford with a collection of original guitar solos. The Sussex downland inspired pieces are played on a concert guitar made from ancient English oak. Richard’s Music For Midsummer tour sees him travel by bicycle from the north of Scotland to the South Coast of England, committed as he is to reducing his carbon footprint. Durrant plays at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre on Tuesday, June 21. The event starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £23, students and concessions £12. n For tickets and information visit: yvonne-arnaud.co.uk or call the box office: 0148 344 0000

Florian’s recital

AWARD-WINNING soloist and international performer, Florian Mitrea brings his piano concert, Significantly Beethoven, to Norden Farm as part of its Summer Recital Series. The programme includes Beethoven’s Sonata in C, Op.2 No.3, and his Sonata in E flat, Op.7. Other works during the evening are Chopin’s Nocturn in C sharp minor, Op.27 No.1, Scherzo’s No.1 in B minor and Liszt’s Spanish Rhapsody. Described as an outstanding young pianist, Florian Mitrea plays at Norden Farm on Wednesday, June 22. The concert begins at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £18 for adults, and £5 for under 18. Live stream tickets are available to watch from home. n For tickets and information visit: norden.farm or call the box office: 01628 788977.

AT THE THEATRE

Bracknell – South Hill Park

www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. Until Sat. The Comedy Cellar. Fri. Live Music on the Terrace. Sat. Raymond Burley: The Segovia Legacy. Sat. The Music In Me. Sun. One Night In Dublin. Thurs 23. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 24. Live Music on the Terrace. Sat 25. The Rat Pack in Vegas. Sat 25. Wilde Sundays: Naked WIthout It, Stem, Searching For Autumn. Sun 26. Tales of Peter Rabbit. Sun 26. Mark Watson: This Can’t Be It. Sun 26.

Camberley – Theatre

www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Down For The Count. Thurs. Babble. Sat. Bring Your Own

Baby Comedy. Tues. The Magic of Motown. Thurs 23. The Bob Dylan Story. Fri 24. Comedy Club. Fri 24. Purple Zeppelin. Sat 25. Step Back In Time. Sun 26.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud

www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Catch Me If You Can. Until Sat. Richard Durrant: Music for Midsummer. Tues. Dr John Cooper Clarke: I Wanna Be Yours. Wed. The Pasadena Roof Orchestra. Thurs 23. Ballet Central. Fri 24. Snatched. Fri 24. Climate ACTion. Sat 25. One Summer’s Evening in aid of Samartians. Sat 25.

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000

Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. Thurs. Rumours of Fleetwood Mac. Fri. In The Night Garden Live. Sun-Mon. Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs 23. Jackie Palmer Stage School: Verve. Fri 24-Sat 25. Luther. Sun 26.

Henley – Kenton

www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Martin Speake Quartet: The Charlie Parker Legacy. Thurs. Never 42. Thurs 17. Rich Hall’s Hoedown Deluxe. Fri. Summer Recital Series: Significantly Beethoven. Wed. Harry Baker: Unashamed. Wed. The Vinyl Frontier: Bat Out of Hell. Fri 24.

www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050 Woodley Light Operatic Society Sister Act. Until Sat. The Princess and the Pea. Sun. Tiffany Live acoustic concert. Tues. Angelos Epithemiou and Zoe Lyons. Thurs 23. Ghost Lights 2: Tiger Mendoza, Octavia Freud, Elucidate. Fri 24. The Duran Duran Experience. Sat 25. Henley Children’s Theatre: Bunfight at the OK Corral. Sun 26.

Newbury – The Corn Exchange

Maidenhead – Norden Farm

www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044

www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 RARE Productions: Hairspray. Thurs-Sat. London Rhymes: Summer 2022. Sat. Ballet Black. Wed. The Simon and Garfunkel Story. Fri 24. Dominoes. Sat 25.

Newbury – The Watermill

Bleak Expectations. Until Jul 2.

Reading – South Street

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 IndePINTSdecne Day: 10 Years of Workin’ Man Noise Unit. Sat. Heavy Pop presents The Utopia Strong. Wed 29.

Reading – Hexagon

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Alan Carr. Fri-Sat. An Evening With Suzanne Vega. Fri 24. Strictly Presents: Keep Dancing. Sat 25.

Reading – Concert Hall www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 NEXT SHOW: The Sixteen and Harry Christophers. Wed 29.

Reading – Progress Theatre

www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 Angels In America Parts 1 and 2. Mon-July 2

Reading – Reading Rep Theatre

www.readingrep.com 0118 370 2620 NEXT SHOW: Jekyll and Hyde. Oct 10-29.

Shinfield – Shinfield Players

www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 The Beauty Queen of Leenane. Until Sat. Uptown Joel: The Hits of Billy Joel Live. Sun.

Sonning – The Mill

www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Busman’s Honeymoon. Until June 25. Uptown Joel. Sun. Barefoot in the Park. From June 30.

Windsor – Theatre Royal

www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Future show to be announced.

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 NEXT SHOW: Daisy Pulls It Off. July 13-23.

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre

www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247 Wokingham Film Society presents: Flee (15). Thurs. Luckley House School presents Treasure Island. Wed-Thurs 23.

Woodley – Theatre

www.woodleytheatre.org 07488337838 NEXT SHOW: Teechers. Sept 27-Oct 1.

LEISURE | 15

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Thursday, June 16, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

It’s mid-June, the sun is out, and now’s the time to be thinking of panto ... oh yes it is! Last week, The Hexagon welcomed its 2022 panto stars for a catch-up. It might be hot, hot, hot, but preparations are well underway for when it’s cold, cold, cold. PHIL CREIGHTON slaps his thigh

Youngsters can audition for Jack’s junior ensemble

HE SUN might be shining, the ice creams might be out, but there’s one thing for sure … the beanstalk is growing.

Last week, stars from The Hexagon’s pantomime came together to launch this year’s show, Jack and the Beanstalk. Returning will be the hilarious double act of CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher and dame Paul Morse. Also coming back again will be Rachel Delooze as the Fairy, and Ryan Alexander Full who will play Fleshcreep. It might seem a daft time of year to be talking Christmas but preparations for the show are in full steam, with open auditions for the junior ensemble taking place at the Queens Walk theatre on Sunday, June 26. The show is once again being produced by Imagine Theatre for The Hexagon, and Mr Fletcher will also be writing the script. Paul said: “It’s lovely to be back … this is the starting gun for Christmas. Even though it’s June, we are now counting down to panto coming back. “It’s been lovely to see Justin and some great cast members from last year coming back. We just know it’s going to be a great, great show.” Imagine Theatre’s director, Steve Boden, is thrilled to be back. He’s taking Justin Fletcher’s ideas and turning them into reality, and with no covid restrictions. “Justin and I are really looking at how we retell the story of Jack and the Beanstalk in a fun and modern way. Without giving too much away, there’s

COMING SOON: Jack and the Beanstalk will be at The Hexagon this Christmas going to be a lot of comedy, a lot of fun, and some brand-new routines,” he says. “I think particularly for the younger audience, they’ll discover the story in a way that perhaps they’ve not seen before. All the classic ingredients will be there: the giant, the beanstalk, the beautiful cow Buttercup, and some great characters.” Steve is delighted that Justin will once again team up with his panto partner, Paul Morse. “It’s so nice that the pair of them have such a great rapport together and audiences react so strongly to them,” he explains. “People message us all year round, telling us there’s certain parts of the pantomimes they just love seeing – they love the slapstick routine, they love the ghost routine.” But, he promises, there will be some new material too. Rachel is excited to return for her third year, and will once again be appearing as the fairy. “It’s such a fun role, I love being the magical one that’s sometimes a bit cheeky, sometimes a bit wicked,” she says. “And I

love being able to cast my magical spells on the other cast members.” And Ryan will be playing the villain for the second year in a row, after his comic turn as Bear Bottome last year saw him as, well, the butt of the jokes. “When they asked me to come back, there was no hesitation in my mind whatsoever, I absolutely loved my time here last year,” he says. “What I love about walking into The Hexagon is that nice family feel,” he says. “You see so many people, who are all really lovely, and they will really get involved with the panto, it’s a nice team, with a family vibe. “It’s really nice to be back.” He says his part will be similar in many ways to last year’s show. “He’s going to be this sort of villain who thinks he knows more than the others … it’s gonna be fun.” n Tickets for the show are now on sale. It opens on Saturday, December 3, and continues until Monday, January 2. For more details, log on to whatsonreading. com or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.

BUDDING young actors are being invited to audition for roles in this year’s Hexagon pantomime. The team from Imagine Theatre will be holding an open casting session for anyone aged nine to 16. Those selected will appear alongside CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher and dame Paul Morse in Jack and the Beanstalk across December. This is the first time in three years that the talent search will be taking place. This year, it will be held on Sunday, June 26, at the Queen’s Walk theatre. Producer Steve Boden and his team will welcome the youngsters, teach them a short dance routine, and encourage them to perform it. He is determined that the session is open to everyone, not just those who attend dance schools. “We’re delighted to have our junior ensemble back,” he says. “I can’t quite believe it was actually in 2019 that we last held junior auditions for the pantomime. “We’re looking for youngsters who don’t necessarily have to have had formal training in performance, they just need to have an energy and enthusiasm. “We’ll teach them a little routine as a group, and they’ll perform that back to us. “We just want to see their characters, ability to move, and have a sense of fun.” The auditions are hugely popular and places are coveted by those

taking part. There will be three dance teams of eight people, plus eight reserves. “It’s really important that we provide these opportunities for young people to come and take part in panto,” Steve adds. “I can’t wait to see who turns up.” And because the shows are open to everyone, Steve says the teams at Imagine and The Hexagon work hard to ensure it is a safe environment for children. “At the start, we will explain very clearly how it works,” he explains. “All the children are professionally licenced and have chaperones, so they are looked after.” And there is a festive bonus for all those selected, as Steve explains with a smile: “The bit they love the most is they do have to miss a little bit of school.” The Hexagon’s doors open at 9.30am on Sunday, June 26. Participants will need to complete a consent form that can be downloaded from Imagine Theatre’s website, where there is also information about the day and how it works. This can be found at: www.imaginetheatre.co.uk/ pantomime/jack-and-the-beanstalkreading-2022 n Tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk are now on sale, and prices start at £14. For more details, log on to www. whatsonreading.com or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.

Norden Farm announces One Snowy Night will be its Christmas show A POPULAR children’s book by Nick Butterworth will be adapted for the stage this Christmas by a Maidenhead-based arts centre. One Snowy Night tells the story of Percy the Park Keeper, who always feeds the animals in the park where he lives. But on one cold winter’s night, Percy finds a little furry friend shivering on the doorstep. One by one, more animals show up. They are hungry and need somewhere to stay warm, so Percy must find a way to help them. The show is based on the Percy the Park Keeper book. Nick says he was inspired to

write them from his many walks through the local park with the family dog Jake. The Percy range includes six hardback books, paperbacks, audio tapes read by Richard Briers, and a range of activity books. The show was first created by Norden Farm and theatre company Slot Machine in 2010. It returned to sell out audiences at Norden Farm in 2015. The show has since gone on a national tour and had a Christmas season at The Albany in London, MAC in Birmingham and Southampton’s The Berry Theatre. Slot Machine also

created Miki (2011) and Kipper’s Snowy Day (2014) with Norden Farm. Now it’s back. One Snowy Night by Nick Butterworth opens on Tuesday, November 29, and runs until Friday, December 30, and is suitable for ages three upwards. There will be two performances from Tuesday to Saturday, and tickets ocst £15, or £13 for under 16s. A family and friends ticket, for four people, is £52, or £48 before Wednesday, August 31. n For more details, or to book, call the Box Office on 01628 788997 or online at www.nordenfarm.org

16 | LEISURE

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True story on the big screen MEMBERS of Wokingham Film Society will follow a journey of escape, as they watch Flee on Thursday, June 16. Refugee Amin is on the verge of marriage but must first come to terms with his past. Jonas Poher Rsmussen’s film is animated to protect the identity of the real Amin in this story of belonging and the search for identity. The film is shown for Refugee Week, with a panel taking questions afterwards. Tickets, available on the night, are £6.50 (£4 for members). Doors open at 7pm with the film starting at 7:30pm. n For more information visit: wokinghamfilmsociety.com

New date for Beatles return

TO MARK the 60th anniversary since The Beatles launched the Please Please Me LP, the famous Merseybeat will be recreated. The Bootleg Beatles have announced their 2023 tour dates, including a return to The Hexagon, on Tuesday, March 28. The evening of music will celebrate this musical milestone with the help of an orchestral ensemble and some nifty multimedia. Tickets are now on sale, costing from £31.50. n For more details, log on to whatsonreading.com or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.

East Reading Festival set to make summer return LATER THIS month, Palmer Park will see the return of one of the community’s most popular annual events. The East Reading Festival was forced to take a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The fun-filled afternoon will feature rides, stalls and live music, with organisers expecting thousands of visitors. “After a two-year break, we’re really excited to be welcoming people back to East Reading Festival 2022,” said committee member and festival volunteer Matt Foster. “Based on the feedback we have already received, there is a real appetite for communityfocused outdoor events.” “We hope the varied offer we have for this year’s festival will interest, excite and engage people from East Reading and beyond.” East Reading Festival regulars Tutu’s Ethiopian Kitchen, The Italian Food Truck, RG Spaces and Palmer Park Bowling club will be in attendance. They will be joined by new organisations representing new writers, environmental issues, local theatre and charities.

RIDING IN: The Dr B’s Custom and Classic bike show will welcome all kinds of riders. Picture: Phil Creighton

BACK AGAIN: East Reading Festival returns to Palmer Park after a two-year hiatus Picture courtesy of East Reading Festival A new Give Speech A Chance stage will be run by the Dreading Poetry Slam group, featuring poetry, spoken word and acoustic performances. Local youngsters will also have the opportunity to showcase their poetry skills in a competition. The event’s headline sponsor will be Paul Childs - Keller Williams estate agency. Mr Childs was full of praise for the event, saying: “As a Reading resident and local business owner, supporting East Reading Festival is vital for the community.”

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“This is why I wanted to align Paul Childs - Keller Williams as their local independent property expert.” The initiative aims to celebrate the area’s diversity and strengthen connections between residents and organisations from East Reading, as well as the wider community. The festival takes place between noon-6pm on Sunday, June 26. n For more information, visit: www.eastreadingfestival.co.uk

JAKE CLOTHIER

Bikers invited to join in return of classic rally ON SUNDAY, June 26, motorbikes of every description will roar into Highclose School grounds. Dr B’s custom and classic annual bike show is returning after two years of absence due to covid. This year bikers meet in remembrance of Ben Spiller, founder of Reading Toy Run, who died last April. Funds raised from the event will go to Highclose School. Riders can enter bikes for competition categories including: best Brit, best custom, best

engineering, best paintwork, best oddball, and many more. Bike competition entry is £3, and all bikes must be ridden. Entry forms will be available on the door. The event, organised by Reading Christian Motorcyclists, takes place between 10am and 4pm with judging at 1pm. Bikes park on site. Cars park in Wokingham town centre car parks. n For more information call organiser Denis Denmead on: 07968 335796.

Orchestra to welcome Young Musician winner for concert MEMBERS of the Reading Symphony Orchestra will be crossing over the border to Wokingham next weekend for their summer concert. The group will welcome 2019 winner of the RSO Young Musicians Competition, Cellist Oliver Simpson, for a rendition of Elgar’s Cello Concerto. The musician has since been

selected as an LPO Junior Artist for 2021-22, studies at the Junior Guildhall. The programme opens with Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, and concludes with Schumann’s Symphony No. 3, also known as the ‘Rhenish’ symphony. The orchestra says that Schumann was inspired to write this, his last symphony, following

a trip to the Rhineland. It was premiered in 1851 in Dusseldorf, Reading’s twin town. The evening of music will take place at St Paul’s Church in Reading Road, Wokingham on Saturday, June 25, from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £15, or £5 for those in education. n For more details, or to book, log on to: www.rso.org.uk

Concerts in Caversham to present an evening of chamber music AN UNUSUAL combination is promised by the Concerts in Caversham team for their June performance. The Caversham Ensemble will bring the music to St Andrew’s Church on Saturday, June 25. They will play a mixture of music for trios and duos, using viola, clarinet and piano. The ensemble comprises professional musicians: Adrienne Black on piano, Morgan Goff on viola and Max Welford on clarinet. The programme includes Mozart’s Kegelstadt Trio and trios by Reinecke and Max Bruch. Duos include Schumann’s Adagio and Allegro, sometimes played on the clarinet but on this occasion on the viola, and Horrowitz’s jazz-inspired

sonata for clarinet. The musicians will introduce the programme and there will be detailed programme for the audience. The organisers say that St Andrew’s, in Albert Road, is a stunning location for chamber music and boasts a wonderful acoustic and an

excellent grand piano. A bar will open from 6.45pm, and during the interval, with music from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £20 or £18, with those aged 16 to 25 paying £15, and under 16s free. n For more details, or to book, log on to: www.concertsincaversham. co.uk

LEISURE | 25

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Thursday, June 16, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

LIVEMUSIC

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RaW Sounds Today

Holly Ross - The Lovely Eggs performing at Reading Facebar Picture: Andrew Merritt

Chris Hillman bit.ly/raw sounds today

ITH the warm weather here at last - what do you mean it’s too hot? - our thoughts are very definitely on the summer season.

What can be better than being outdoors, listening to music and enjoying a jar or two with friends? Not even a plague of wasps can spoil it. This week’s playlist includes many musicians who will be entertaining us over the next few weeks, and we can’t wait. They include new entry Hoopy Frood who will be at Readipop next month, and then Wokingham Festival in August. Don’t forget, our mission is to champion and showcase great music from acts that have a connection to Reading and Wokingham (that’s the RaW in our Sounds Today name). Here’s two great bands that prove just how brilliant our music scene is. To hear this week’s selection, simply head to https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday and enjoy the music. There is also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap into. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will come up.

The Lovely Eggs – You Can Go Now As well as having many excellent bands and solo

artists in the area, we are lucky to have some great venues that attract touring bands from the rest of the country and beyond. Recently The Lovely Eggs, a duo consisting of Holly Ross and David Blackwell from Lancaster, visited to play at Reading’s Facebar and showed what an exciting and energetic duo they are. Here’s one of the songs they played – an infectious piece of psych punk from their latest album I Am Moron – https://www.thelovelyeggs. co.uk/

Hoopy Frood – Atoms & Molecules It’s not long until Readipop (July 8-10) and we see that there are a few local artists playing there that have previously featured in our playlist. One of those is Hoopy Frood so what a great excuse to include another track from their wonderful Affirmations album that they released last year. The band will also be at Wokingham Festival, opening the main stage on Sunday, August 28, so there’s two opportunities to see them locally.

Both great events so why not go to both? – https://linktr.ee/Hoopyfroodmusic

Deva St.John – DIE. Another artist playing at both Readipop and Wokingham Festival and here’s her latest single. With a positive message and with her melodic indie rock sound, Deva St. John has created another good one – https://www.devastjohn.com/

The Room – It’s Not My Home Here’s a powerful epic from The Room’s Caught by the Machine album. They will be at Cambridge Rock Festival on June 17, Alfold Rock & Blues Festival on July 3, and Wokingham Festival on August 29 – https://theroom.band/

Mordecai Smyth – In Your Dark Place Here’s the opener from Things Are Getting Stranger On The Shore by local musician Mordecai Smyth. A great album of psych moods – https://www. facebook.com/stickytapeandrust

Third Lung – Ghosts It’s another quality single from playlist faves, Third Lung, who will be appearing live this summer at Readipop in July, Wokingham Festival in August and their own Loddfest in September – http:// thirdlungband.com/

Katie Ellwood – Hourglass Katie, from Wokingham who is studying at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, with a piece from her genre-defying debut album, Interference. She will be appearing at Wokingham Festival in August – https://www.katieellwood.com/

Leoni Jane Kennedy – Life Like This Leoni is a Blackpool-born, Guildford-based singersongwriter with a rock sound with progressive leanings and soulful vocals which she will be showcasing with her band at Wokingham Festival – https://www.leonijanekennedy.com/

Reliant – Heaven or Hell Here’s the new single from local favourite, Reliant, and it’s an exciting piece of powerful indie rock recorded at Generation Studio. Another band that will be at Wokingham Festival – https://www. facebook.com/WeAreReliant

Adomania – Heavy Rain Here’s a debut single from a new young Wokingham band. It has a vibrant enthusiastic feel with great melodies showing a band with great potential. We look forward to hearing more from them in future – https://www.facebook.com/ AdomaniaBand

GIG GUIDE Thursday, June 16

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Ruby Dawn and Genre-Defyin Progressive Duo Across The Sea. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Mr Sango presents: Found Native. Details: 0118 959 7196.

Friday, June 17

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Oasisesque. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Luther Vandross Solo and Motown tribute. Details: 01344 303333. BURGHFIELD – Burghfield Community and Sports Association, James Lane RG30 3RS. Shane & the Korrados: Elvis & much more. £12. Details: rock3rs.co.uk READING - Palmer Park, Wokingham Road RG6 1LF. The House & Garage Orchestra. From 3.30pm. Details: https://www. fatsoma.com/e/nremd3z4/ the-house-garageorchestra-live-frompalmer-park READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING - Pentahotel, Oxford Road. The Cover Brothers and special guests. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. The

Skavengers. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1 4DX. 25 For Life presents Trophy Jump with Burnt Tapes, Buds, Tape It Shut, Missing The Scene. Details: 0118 958 6048. WINNERSH – The Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Close RG41 5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents True Gold. £19. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub. co.uk

Saturday, June 18

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Missing The Scene, Crisis Averted, Reawaken. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Wow 80s tribute. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Live Music on the Terrace. 3pm. Raymond Burley: The Segovia Legacy. Details: 01344 484123. READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Summer Gothmas. Details: 0118 958 0473. READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Never Mind The Jubilee Here’s Punkfest 2022: The Sex Pistols Exposé, . Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Luther Vandross v George Benson tribute. Details: 0118 402 7800. READING - Palmer Park, Wokingham Road RG6

1LF. Stories in the Park festival. Includes Andy C, Sub Focus, Flava D, Patrick Nazemi, TS7, Zero, Nathan Dawe, Big Miz, Friend Within, George Mensah, Big Naz, Salute, Mason Collective, Zodiac, Rems, El Waz, Cryptik, Hotline. Details: www. storiesinthepark.co.uk READING – Revolución de Cuba, Friar Street RG1 1EX. Club night with live music and DJ. Details: 0118 207 7016. READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Club Velocity presents Tomorrow Bird What Comes Next album launch party. Details: 0118 986 6788. READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. The Keynotes. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING - South Street Arts Centre. IndePINTSdence Day - 10 Years of Workin’ Man Noise Unit: Afterschool Teatime, Basic Dicks, Big Slammu, Cody Noon, HAQ123, Knifedoutofexistence, Stef Kett, Typical Hunks, Workin’ Man Noise Unit. From 3pm. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Wardour Street. Details: 0118 957 6930. TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. AWOL. Details: 0118 942 9606. WOKINGHAM – Unit 3 & 4 South Barns, Gardeners Green Farm, Heathlands Road RG40 3AS. Bond

Brews 7th anniversary beer festival. 1pm-7pm. WOKINGHAM - The White Horse, Easthampstead Road RG40 3AF. Fakestock - featuring The Small Fakers, Ready Steady Who and R’n’B Beatles starts at 7pm Tickets £11. Details: 0118 979 7402.

Sunday, June 19

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Na-mara. Details: www. readifolk.org.uk READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Brother Strut Live. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Club Velocity presents Dick Valentine. Details: 0118 986 6788. WOKINGHAM - The Leafy Elephant, Peach Place. Abi Powell. From 2pm.

Tuesday, June 21

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music Tuesday. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

Wednesday, June 22

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. The Mission. Details: 0118 959 5395.

Thursday, June 23

EARLEY – Harley-Davidson, Wokingham Road RG6 8HN. Bottle Kids. Details: 0118 334 4300. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Mr

Sango presents: Found Native. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING - Wild Lime, Friar Street. RSVP: open mic poetry, music and more.

Friday, June 24

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Ibiza Fitness and Club Night Fundraiser. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. I Got Soul present B Funkt. Details: 01344 303333. CHARVIL – The Heron On The Ford, Lands End Lane, RG10 0UE. Piston Broke. Details: 0118 934 0700. READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. The Final Clause of Tacitus. Housebase. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Revolución de Cuba, Friar Street RG1 1EX. Club night with live music and DJ. Details: 0118 207 7016. READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. The Big Untidy presents Grant Sharkey. Details: 0118 986 6788. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Kali Reading. Details: 0118 959 5395.

Saturday, June 25

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Chippie and Guests. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAM.TODAY

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Live music on the terrace. 3pm. The Rat Pack In Vegas. Details: 01344 484123. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The New Ambassadors. Details: 01344 303333. CAVERSHAM PARK – Caversham Park Village Social Club, Milestone Centre, Northbrook Road. Ashley Stone. Booking essential. £2 non-members. Details: www.cpva.org.uk CHARVIL - The Wee Waif, Old Bath Road RG10 9RJ. Moon Hill presents karaoke and disco. READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Beer garden gig. Details: 0118 958 0473. READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. The Highwasters. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. The Scarlet Vixens: A Pride of Filthy Animals. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Revolución de Cuba, Friar Street RG1 1EX. Club night with live music and DJ. Details: 0118 207 7016. READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Howling at the Moon. Details: 0118 986 6788. READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. WATT4. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Rise of the Machines and No Good Sons. Details: 0118 957 6930.

WOKINGHAM - Peach Place. Festival for Ukraine. From 2pm. The Mustard Band, One Last Day, Savour The Flavour, Michael Burns Peake, Small Town Heroes, Reliant, Mike Wagner, Oil City Kings, In Albion, Third Lung. Hosted by Beyond The Download and Generation Studio. YATELEY - Yateley Green, off Firgrove Road. Yateley Gig on the Green 2022. Just Anne Marie, Kaiser Thiefs, Tina Turner, The ELO Encounter, Chic to Chic, Sour Kix, Tequila Chase, Extreme Ways. From noon. Details: www. gigonthegreenyateley. co.uk

Sunday, June 26

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Wilde Sundays: Naked Without It, Stem, Searching for Autumn. Details: 01344

484123. BURGHFIELD - Little Manor, Church Lane RG30 3TG. Clive Fortune big band. From noon. Details: 07971 241222. READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: . Details: www.readifolk. org.uk READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Brother Strut Live. Details: 0118 959 7196. YATELEY - Yateley Green, off Firgrove Road. Yateley Gig on the Green 2022. From noon. Nat Augustin as George Benson, Do It Like Dua, Billy Joel, True Gold, Vannesa Webb and Andy Mathewson, UpToNoGood. Details: www. gigonthegreenyateley. co.uk

ROCKAID CHARITY EVENT FOR CANCER RESEARCH £5 DONATIONS ENTRY High Quality Live acts Saturday 9th July 3pm - 10.30pm THE WHITE HORSE Easthampstead Road Wokingham, RG40 3AF

0118 979 7402

26 | LEISURE

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WHAT’SON Films at Reading Biscuit Factory

READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. They include rassic World: Dominion (12a). Thurs. Everything Everywhere All at Once (15). Thurs. Top Gun: Maverick (12a). Thurs. Men (15). Thurs. Lightyear (PG). Fri-Thur 23. Keep It Cult III: Heathers (15). Fri, Mon. Reading Film Theatre presents: Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy (15). Wed. George Michael: Freedom Uncut (15). Wed. Elvis (12a). Fri 24-Thurs 30. Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk

Saturday, June 18

CROWTHORNE - Waterloo Hall, Wellington Collge, Duke’s Ride RG45 7PU. Crowthorne Choral Society presents Oh, Happy Day! Music inspired by jazz, gospel and spirituals. 7.30pm. £12, students £2. Details: www. crowthornechoral.org.uk EMMER GREEN - Highdown School. 50th anniversary celebration and summer fair: entertainment, cream teams, stalls and more. 12.30pm-4pm. Details: highdown_pta@outlook. com FINCHAMPSTEAD. Village fete. 11am-3pm. GORING - Goring Primary School, Wallingford Road RG8 0BG. Summer fete. Noon-3pm. Details: 01491 872289. HURST - St Nicholas Church RG10 0SJ. The Walnuts with Bells On: An evning of Celtic and Americana msuic. Pre-concert drink in The Castle Inn, 7pm. Concert in aid of The DEC Ukraine Appeal, Launchpad (Reading’s Homeless Support Charity) and St Nicholas Church. £12.50, under 12s £5, family £30. Details: Search Eventbrite. co.uk for The Walnuts WIth Bells On. LOWER EARLEY – Events field, Kilnsea Drive. Lower Earley Baptist Church Family Fun day. 2-4pm. LOWER EARLEY – Maiden Place Community Centre, Maiden Place RG6 3HA. Comedy and Curry night. £10. Booking essential. Details: www. lowerearleybaptistchurch. org.uk PANGBOURNE - Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel, RG8 8LA. Pangbourne Choral Society summer concert: Handel’s Zadok The Priest, Parry’s I Was Glad, Vaughan Williams’ O Taste and See, Faure’s Requiem and Cantique de Jean Racine. £10, under 18s £5. 7pm. Details: pangbournechoral.org.uk READING - Broad Street. Eat Reading presents Reading Chilli Festival. More than 40 chilli and non-chilli stalls, pop-up pub, entertainment and more. 10am-5pm. READING - IKEA, Pincents Kiln Industrial Park, Pincent Lane RG31 7SD. Balloon artist and face

painter for children. 11am5pm. Free. Details: www. ikea.com READING - Minster Church of St Mary The Virgin, St Mary’s Butts RG1 2HX. Reading Phoenix Choir come and sing: Two Little Masses - Chillcott’s Little Jazz Mass and Haydn’s Little Organ Mass. £25 1pm-6pm. Performance 7pm, £5. Details: www. readingphoenixchoir.com. READING - The Pavilion, Oxford Road. Pavilion Cinema Club presents Sing 2. 1pm. Free, under 14s must be accompanied by an adult. Places available on first come, first served basis. Details: www. thepavilion.org.uk READING – Prospect Park, Liebenrood Road. Car boot sale. Sellers from 6am. Buyers from 7.30am. £10 car, £12 van. Details: 07773 539172. READING - St James’ Church, Abbot’s Walk, The Forbury RG1 3HW. Friends of Reading Abbey presents The Dissolution and its impact on Reading, a talk by Professor James Clark. 2.30pm. Free entry, retiring collection. Details: readingabbey.org.uk SHINFIELD – St Mary’s Church. Berkshire Recorder Consort presents a summer evening of Summer Evening of Madrigals. 7.30pm. £10. Details: www.loddonreach. org.uk SWALLOWFIELD - Parish Hall, Swallowfield Street RG7 1QX. Russell Players: A Collage of Comedy. Three half-hour plays. £12. 3pm and 7.30pm. Details: 07710 500 491 or www.ticketsource.co.uk/ russellplayers READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15am-noon. Details: www.thamesvalleyfarme rsmarket.co.uk WARGRAVE - Mill Green, Station Road, Wargrave, RG10 8EU. Wargrave Bike Fest. 10am-2pm. 75km £25, 50km £20, 20km £10. Children free with adult. Child’s olympic challenge card £5.Booking essential. Details: www. wargravefestival.org.uk WINNERSH - Bearwood Recreaion Ground. Winersh Parish Fete. 2pm5.30pm. WOKINGHAM – Unit 3 & 4 South Barns, Gardeners Green Farm, Heathlands Road RG40 3AS. Bond Brews 7th anniversary beer festival. 1pm-7pm. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Stones in His Pockets. 7.45pm. Details: 0118 978 5363 WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am-

3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Sunday, June 19

BINFIELD - Newbold Church RG42 4AN. Windsor and Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra - summer family concert. Rossini, Grieg, Smetana, Mussorgsky, Ravel. 4pm. £18, students £5. Cakes for sale by Venture Scouts. READING - Market House, Market Place. Father’s Day comedy club: Glen Wool, Alan Francis, Freya McGhee. 3.30pm. Tickets from £15. Details: www. matesratescomedy.co.uk READING – RISC, London Road. Reading Repair Cafe: “if it’s broken, bring it along and we are sure to have a go or at least provide some advice about what your best course of action might be”. 12.30pm-4pm. Free, donations welcome. READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Summer art market. 11am-4pm. Details: 0118 986 6788. READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1 4DX. Laugh or Lemon open mic comedy event - five minutes on a lemon clock. 5pm. Free entry. Details: 0118 958 6048. SPENCERS WOOD – Village Hall, Basingstoke Road RG7 1AP. Spencers Wood Farmers & Community market. 9am-noon. Details: www.spencerswoodhall. co.uk TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Brewery Tours and Tasting: Father’s Day special. Over 18s only. Booking essential. Noon and 3pm. Details: doublebarrelled.co.uk STREATLEY - Chaddleworth RG8 9PR. Open gardens for NGS. 10am-5pm. £4.50, children free. Details: 07711 420586. WARGRAVE - Meet at The Kissing Gate, Blakes Road. Ramble and Picnic for Wargrave Festival. From 10am.Booking essential. Details: www. wargravefestival.org.uk WARGRAVE - Across village. Open gardens for Wargrave Festival.Booking essential. Details: www. wargravefestival.org.uk WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Minature Railway, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Pinewood Minature Railway running. £1.50 per ride, four rides £5. 1.30pm-4pm. Under threes free. Now accepts card payments. Details: www. pinewoodrailway.co.uk WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Monday, June 20

ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table. 9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org Binfield - Newbold College Church, Popeswood Road, RG42 4AN. The Arts Society Wokingham’s

monthly lecture ‘The Art of the Cartoonist’ by Harry Venning at 7.45pm. Also live streamed via YouTube. Details www.TheArtsSociey Wokingham.org.uk CAVERSHAM – Caversham Park Bridge Club, Milestone Centre, RG4 6PF. Face to face duplicate bridge, computer dealing & scoring. 7.30pm. £3. Details www.bridgewebs/ cavershampark READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Angels in America Parts 1 and 2. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk. STREATLEY - The Swan at Streatley, High Street, Streatley on Thames, RG8 9HR. Menopause theme talk and supper club. Speaker Dani Binnington. 7pm-10pm. £43.71 incl three course meal. Details: 01491 878800 or: www. theswanatstreatley. com. Tickets from: www. eventbrite.co.uk WARGRAVE - Mill Green, RG10 8EP. Wargrave Festival: Let The Summer Be Gin. 7.30pm.Booking essential. Details: www. wargravefestival.org.uk WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. 1.30pm-3.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Tuesday, June 21

EARLEY – Earley CResCent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Friendship table. 2pm-3pm. Details: linkvisiting.org. FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre Cafe, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. Friendship table. 10amnoon. linkvisiting.org READING - IKEA, Pincents Kiln Industrial Park, Pincent Lane RG31 7SD. Midsummer Party: Swedish buffet, ABBA tribute band, face-painting, flower headbands and more. 5pm-8pm. £10.50, £8.50 with IKEA Family Card. Ages 5-12 £4.50. Tickets must be purchased in advance from cafe. Details: www.ikea.com READING – Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road RG1 5EX. Chatty Cafe. Details: 0118 378 8660. READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Angels in America Parts 1 and 2. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: progresstheatre.co.uk. WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. CLASP Wokingham cafe with Friendship table. 10am-noon. Every third

and fourth Tuesday of the month. linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Railway & Transport Club: Paul Joyce on how the railways of Reading coped with the traffic arising from the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940. 7.45pm. Details: 0118 977 1754. WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY - Bulmershe School, Chequers Way RG5 3EH. Thames Valley Chorus presents an open rehearsal for all men who want to sing. Free. Sheet music provided. 7.30pm. Details: www.tvchorus. co.uk or 0118 977 4257.

Wednesday, June 22

EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm4pm. linkvisiting.org READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Angels in America Parts 1 and 2. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: progresstheatre.co.uk. WARGRAVE - Mill Green, RG10 8EP. Wargrave Festival: Teddy Bear’s Picnic. 10am Comedy Club - SOLD OUT.Booking essential. Details: www. wargravefestival.org.uk WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac with Friendship table. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Artisan market. 9am2pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Thursday, June 23

ONLINE. Berkshire Family History Society presents: The Simonds Family & Simonds Brewery An online talk by Raymond Simonds. 2pm. £5, £4 non-members. Details: berksfhs.org EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Angels in America Parts 1 and 2. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk. READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1 4DX. Sheer Art Attack: quick fire sketches, word associations, still life. 7pm, just turn up. Details: 0118 958 6048. SPENCERS WOOD – Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7

1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Friday, June 24

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org READING - Reading Minster, Chain Street RG1 2HX. Reading Mencap Double Diamond Event: Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Celebration, includes songs from the Reading Mencap choir, drama from Performing Arts Club and presentations and readings. From 6.30pm. READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Angels in America Parts 1 and 2. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk. WARGRAVE - Mill Green, RG10 8EP. Wargrave Festival: Bohemian Ball. SOLD OUT. 7.30pm. Booking essential. Details: wargravefestival.org.uk WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk. WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday, June 25

CAVERSHAM – St Andrew’s Church, Albert Road RG4 7PL. Concerts in Caversham: Chamber Music for piano, viola and clarinet, from The Caversham Ensemble. 7.30pm. Tickets £20, over 60s £18, and £15 for 16-25s. Under 16s free. Details: 0118 948 3220 or concertsincaversham.co.uk CAVERSHAM PARK – Caversham Park Village Social Club, Milestone Centre, Northbrook Road. Ashley Stone. Booking essential. £2 non-members. Details: www.cpva.org.uk EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Oakwood Forest Church meeting: Summer solstice. 4pm. Details: oakwoodforestchurch. wordpress.com HURST - Showground, School Road RG10 0DR. Hurst Show and Country Fayre.

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 16, 2022 10am-5pm. Advance tickets £5, £7.50 weekend. Under 16s free. Free parking. Details: https:// hurstshow.uk/ READING - Broad Street. Armed Forces Day celebration. READING – Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road RG1 5AQ. Wokingham Choral Society 70th anniversary concert: Bach Mass in B Minor. Pre-concert talk 6.30pm, concert 7.30pm. Conductor: James Morley Potter, organist Benedict Lewis-Smith, chamber orchestra: Instruments of Time and Truth. £16, £5 students and under 18s. Details: wokinghamchoral-society.org.uk READING - IKEA, Pincents Kiln Industrial Park, Pincent Lane RG31 7SD. Balloon artist and face painter for children. 11am5pm. Free. Details: www. ikea.com READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Angels in America Parts 1 and 2. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk. READING - St Luke’s Parish Hall, Erleigh Road RG1 5LH. Milonga Mariposita. 7.30pm. £10. Details: www.readingtango.com/ milongas READING - The Wren School, Bath Road RG30 3BB. Reading Festival Chorus presents: Most Heavenly Music: An evening of Shakespeare set to music. 7pm. Picnic from 5pm, bring your own food. £15, under 18s free. Details: readingfestivalchorus. org.uk SHINFIELD – St Marys Church Summer Fete, Shinfield green, Shinfield 25 June 12-4pm TWYFORD – Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road RG10 9JA. Twyford Singers 60th anniversary concert. 3pm. £15, under 12s £5. Details: twyford-singers.org.uk WARGRAVE - From Victoria Road, RG10 8EP. Wargrave Festival: Festival Parade and Fete. 12.30pm.Booking essential. Details: www. wargravefestival.org.uk WOKINGHAM - St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Reading Symphony Orchestra Summer Concert. 7.30pm. £15, under 18s and students £5. Details: www. rso.org.uk/next-concert WOKINGHAM - Wescott and Westende Primary School, Goodchild Road. Summer fair: live music, inflatables, food, bar, face painting, games, raffle, tombola, crafts and more. Noon-3pm. WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Sunday, June 26

BUGHFIELD - Little Manor, Church Lane RG30 3TG. Save the Children Kennet Branch’s Midsummer Music with the Clive Fortune Big Band. Bar, real ale, hog roast, raffles, children’s entertainment.

£15, under 16s free. Details: 0118 983 2569 or text 07971 241222. EMMER GREEN - Emmer Green Primary School, Grove Road RG4 8LN. EG10k. From 9.30am. Details: www. emmergreen10k.org.uk HURST - Showground, School Road RG10 0DR. Hurst Show and Country Fayre. 10am-4pm. Advance tickets £5, £7.50 weekend. Under 16s free. Free parking. Details: hurstshow.uk READING – Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road RG1 5AQ. West Forest Sinfonia: Orchestral Concert. 4.30pm. £15, £5 students and under 18s. Details: westforestsinfonia.org READING - Reading Buses, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HH. Open Day in aid of New Beginnings. Behind the scenes tours, rides through the bus wash, food and drink, games, memorabilia stalls and the fantastic bus rainbow. Details: www.readingbuses.co.uk READING - Palmer Park, Wokingham Road RG6 1LF. East Reading Festival: stalls, music, poetry, funfair, food from aroundthe world, charities and more. Noon-6pm. Details: www. eastreadingfestival.co.uk READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. H P Lovecraft: Gallery of Screams, two weird tales adapted and performed by R M Lloyd Parry. £10, £7 concessions. Details: 0118 986 6788. READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1 4DX. Bottle Club from 12.30pm. Laugh or Lemon open mic comedy event - five minutes on a lemon clock. 5pm. Free entry. Details: 0118 958 6048. WARGRAVE - St Mary’s Church, Station Road, RG10 8EP. Wargrave Festival: End of Festival Service. 10.30am. Booking essential. Details: www.wargravefestival. org.uk WARGRAVE - Mill Green, RG10 8EP. Wargrave Festival: Family and friends barbecue. Noon. BBO Big Band Show. 7pm. Booking essential. Details: www.wargravefestival. org.uk WOKINGHAM - From Cantley Park, Twyford Road. Wokingham Bikeathon. 15, 25, and 35mile routes, food, drink, cycle obstacle course and more. From 8.15am-2pm. Details: www. wokinghambikeathon. co.uk WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk YATTENDON - Across village RG18 0UR. Classic vehicle day: free to enter. Categories for Classic cars, vintage motorcycles, military vehicles and other mechanical delights. Register entries in advance: yattendonclassicvehicle@ outlook.com. Show open 11am-4pm. Details: www. yattendonclassicvehicle. couk.com

No. 5418

Your weekly puzzle challenge

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Thursday, June 16, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

TO ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE, CALL CLAIRE ON: 0118 327 2662

Quiz Challenge

1. Which South American mammal is the world’s largest rodent? 2. What is the surname of the sisters Dakota and Elle who are both US actresses? 3. The martial art of savate is associated with which country? 4. In the animated film series Madagascar, comedian Chris Rock provides the voice for which character? 5. By which unusual name is the Geneva Bible also known?

15 2

25 13

20 19

2 5

26 20

12 10

NONAGRAM

25 20

Y A M

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1

T I

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

MAP THE CAREER MICE

R O I

M N T How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found. Guidelines: 26 Good; 31 Very Good; 36 Excellent.

Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary (Tenth Edition) is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).

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 E through openings in the walls. The K first letter may appear in any chamber. S I

3 7 5 3

9 8 6 4 8

5 1 8 9 4 3 8 4 6 5 3 2 8 1 5 1 3 2 2 9 6 7

13 15

A T

ACROSS 1. Like a truant, is not doing very well (3,2,4) 6. Honestly it cannot be told (3) 8. Flower for female campers to lie on? (5,8) 9. I went first after nothing was lubricated (5) 10. Artfulness of curvaceous character in dry surroundings (7) 11. Raids go on for ever on Sunday (6) 13. Ref has collapsed again (6) 16. Belonging to me in red perhaps but covered with white fur (7) 18. Severely criticise cook (5) 20. Scab hit by wave (13) 22. Denial that there has been any amendment (3) 23. The most cheerless form of rest I dare (9)

S W

E T

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.

DOWN 1. Low manoeuvres by night flier (3) 2. Tommy first laid out by this destructive wave (5) 3. Time passes rapidly without food (4,3) 4. Impossible to repeat single no longer available (3-3) 5. So the fellow outside is a builder (5) 6. Anticipate that Rose will be troubled by retainer fee (7) 7. Cricketing cap? (6,3) 9. Not the most popular time to be away for three months (9) 12. Take another partner for better or worse (7) 14. Do nothing on behalf of Rupert perhaps (7) 15. Consumer friendly? (6) 17. Out of gear (5) 19. Weird weakling removes wig in low joint (5) 21. Pest found in the trattoria (3)

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

8 9

10 11

This puzzle page is supplied by Sirius Media Services Ltd.

To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com

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.

27 31 29

31 34

7 4 9 8 1 5 6 3 2

6 1 4 2 5 7 3 8 9

2 9 3 4 6 8 7 5 1

8 7 5 1 9 3 2 4 6

9 8 6 7 3 1 4 2 5

4 3 2 5 8 9 1 6 7

1 5 7 6 2 4 8 9 3

WORD PYRAMID: The cat’s whiskers. EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – multiply; add; divide; subtract. Total: 4.

SOLUTIONS

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.

3 2 8 9 7 6 5 1 4

3 6 5 1 2 5 9 7 6

6 8

EQUALISER 3 6 2 1 2 5 6 10 2 2 11 3

Hard

Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.

3 9 5 7 2 6 4 7 9 5 6 2 8

FIVE ALIVE DP

WORD PYRAMID

SUDOKU Easy

6. The Victoria Falls are on which river? 7. According to the science fiction writer Isaac Asimov, how many laws of robotics are there? 8. Which title is shared by a hit 1970s US sitcom and a Samuel Beckett play? 9. A ruler who uses their power to steal their country’s resources is called a what? 10. ‘How many roads must a man walk down’ is the opening lyric of which Bob Dylan hit song?

5 6 1 3 4 2 9 7 8

8 2 7 5 3 4 1 6 9

6 9 5 1 2 7 3 4 8

15 6

1 3 4 9 8 6 2 5 7

5 7 6 2 9 3 4 8 1

9 8 1 4 6 5 7 2 3

3 4 2 8 7 1 6 9 5

2 5 3 6 1 8 9 7 4

20 8

4 1 9 7 5 2 8 3 6

7 6 8 3 4 9 5 1 2

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

PZ1P5418

CROSS CODE

5418

ACROSS 1. Scottish oatmeal cakes (8) 8. Supplication (6) 9. Sieve (4) 10. Every (3) 11. Reach (6) 12. Fireproof material (8) 15. Mortuary (6) 16. Inn (6) 20. Places of interest (6) 24. Make (6) 27. Bullfighter (8)

28. Felt hat (6) 29. Small child (3) 30. Lean (4) 31. Spicy sausage (6) 32. Baptise (8) DOWN 2. Melodic recitative (mus.) (6) 3. Spice (6) 4. Pure (6) 5. Spatter (6) 6. Spiny plant (6) 7. Cooking instructions (6)

12. Biblical prophet (4) 13. Sailing vessel (4) 14. Legal action (4) 17. Giant monster (4) 18. Amphibian (4) 19. Look suggestively (4) 21. Cooling pack (3,3) 22. Arab tobacco pipe (6) 23. Inactive (6) 24. Shell-hole (6) 25. Birds of prey (6) 26. Rumple (6)

QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Bannocks; 8 Prayer; 9 Sift; 10 All; 11 Attain; 12 Asbestos; 15 Morgue; 16 Hostel; 20 Sights; 24 Create; 27 Toreador; 28 Fedora; 29 Tot; 30 List; 31 Salami; 32 Christen. Down – 2 Arioso; 3 Nutmeg; 4 Chaste; 5 Splash; 6 Cactus; 7 Recipe; 12 Amos; 13 Brig; 14 Suit; 17 Ogre; 18 Toad; 19 Leer; 21 Ice bag; 22 Hookah; 23 Static; 24 Crater; 25 Eagles; 26 Tousle.

QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Capybara; 2 Fanning; 3 France; 4 Marty the zebra; 5 The Breeches Bible; 6 The Zambezi; 7 Three; 8 Happy Days; 9 FIVE ALIVE: Kleptocrat; 10 Blowin’ in the Wind. (1) Across – Dream; Radon; Codes. Down – Doric; Ended; Minus. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across – 1 Out of form; 6 Fib; 8 Lady’s bedstraw; 9 Oiled; 10 (2) Across – Pages; Aside; Elect. Q E G X M C F A U V L N T Finesse; 11 Forays; 13 Afresh; 16 Ermined; 18 Roast; 20 Down – Phase; Guile; Swept. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Strikebreaker; 22 Nay; 23 Dreariest. K D O Y B W R H P J Z S I Down – 1 Owl; 2 Tidal; 3 Fast day; 4 One-off; 5 Mason; 6 NONAGRAM: ammo; anomy; atom; atomy; atony; Foresee; 7 Bowler hat; 9 Offseason; 12 Remarry; 14 Forbear; 15 inro; into; intro; iota; iron; irony; manor; MAGIC SQUARE: EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU Edible; 17 Naked; 19 Ankle; 21 Rat. pram; rice; ache; marmot; MATRIMONY; matron; mayo; meet. mayor; minatory; minor; moan; moat; monty; moray; morn; mornay; mort; mortmain; nitro; noir; nori; noria; norm; notary; oaty; omit; ratio; ration; rayon; riot; roam; roan; roman; rota; roti; ryot; taro; tony; torn; trio; troy; tyro; yoni.

28 | LIFE

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Getting on your bike Healthy Heart Tip

Another view Neil Coupe

than when exercising alone. Look up your local cycle groups to get started.

Starting Slow

YCLING regularly can help to lower our risk of developing heart disease and improve our overall health and wellbeing. Here are some tips to help you get on your bike this summer.

Cycle to work Cycling to work can be a time-efficient way to fit exercise into your daily routine. It can even benefit your

productivity at work whilst also improving the health of your heart.

Cycle together Cycling can be a great way to meet up with friends, or make new ones, and be active together. Evidence shows that we are more likely to complete exercise when doing so with a partner or in a group. Additionally, we work physically harder when surrounded by others

If you don’t yet feel confident or fit enough for a long bike ride, why not start small by going on some shorter bike rides, and gradually increasing your distance or time. This will build your confidence and fitness before you tackle a longer route. This could be the perfect starting point of pedalling your way to a healthy heart. n For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for to the weekly healthy tips at www. heartresearch.org.uk/ healthy-tips. n To help keep your

Just for men

NE of the topics of conversation that we middle aged men sometimes have is what should we be wearing and where should we be buying our clothes from?

heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from: https:// heartresearch.org.uk/ heart-research-uk-

recipes-2/. n Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and

food bloggers: https:// heartresearch.org.uk/ heart-research-ukcookbook/.

Enjoy a summer of fun with National Trust

SUMMER FUN: Children walking in the meadow and house in the distance at Clandon Park, Surrey Picture: National trust

ROM den building and active outdoor play to open-air theatre and a tree treasure hunt, National Trust says it has hundreds of events and activities this summer.

Thanks to funding from Sport England over 140 National Trust houses, gardens and parks will be encouraging families to get active and take part in a Summer of Sport. There will be drop-in ‘come out and play’ sports sessions include croquet and cricket, hopscotch and hockey, and with most sessions free to enjoy with no booking required. For more details, log on to: nationaltrust.org.uk Here’s the National Trust’s pick of the best places to enjoy this summer in Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire.

Hughenden, near High Wycombe

Hughenden offers a vivid insight into the charismatic personality and colourful private life of the most unlikely Victorian Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, who lived here from 1848 to 1881. The formal gardens at Hughenden were designed by Mary Anne Disraeli in an 18th century Italianate style, a highly fashionable choice for Victorian country estates. Today, the gardens have been recreated to be true to her vision with geometric formal beds, statuary and urns and striking planting. In the woodlands there are towering trees of all shapes and sizes to explore. Add a picnic in the parkland and you’re set for a fantastic day surrounded by stunning views and the sweeping landscapes of the Chiltern hills. In the summer holidays, children can play in the natural play area while the grown-ups catch up over coffee at the picnic tables in the orchard. Surrounded by rolling parkland and woodland, our woodland play area has been carved from giant fallen trees with rope walkways, wood stepping stones and hideaways for under-10s

to explore. Top picnic spots include under the shade of the apple trees in the orchard or in the parkland with views across to the hills in the distance. This summer’s family trail, Royalty in Nature, on until August 29, celebrates the natural world from the crown of the trees to the queens of the hives. Families will be able to build a den castle, create a natural crown and match the collars to the corgis.

Greys Court An intimate family home and peaceful estate set in the rolling hills of the Chilterns. This picturesque 16th century mansion has a welcoming feel with homely living rooms and a well-stocked kitchen. Lady Brunner designed the garden in the late 1930s and the series of walled gardens is a colourful patchwork of garden rooms linked by doors, gates and flower tunnels set amid medieval ruins. The play area has been refurbished, with new play equipment and a sitting circle for little ones. There’s plenty of space in the play area for den building, too. The maze is open every day, and a ‘Towering Trees’ trail is running until 15 July, where children can learn more about the importance of woodland. Throughout the summer holidays there will be a mindfulness programme, with a wellbeing trail for children, silent walks and bookable children’s activities hosted by Relaxed Kids. Sessions with Relaxed Kids will

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 16, 2022

run on Wednesday 27 July, 3, 17 and 24 August. More information and a link to book on the website.

Basildon Park, near Reading Sitting elegantly in 162 hectares (400 acres) of historic parkland and gardens, this 18th-century house was purchased by Lord and Lady Iliffe in the 1950s. They brought the house back to life, acquiring a collection of fine furnishings and Old Master paintings. The woodland and landscaped parkland offers space for plenty of activities to try as a whole family, including den building, making a home for a wild animal and bug-hunting. When you need a spot to pause there are plenty of great picnic spots to choose from in the parkland, with clearings in the trees, and benches with views over the Thames Valley. The umbrello is a lovely spot and the gardeners have been refreshing the planting there this year. Basildon Park are running bookable den building sessions taking place on Friday afternoons in the summer holidays 29 July, 5, 12, 19, and 26 August, 2 September 2.30–4pm. A wild play trail and the clipped lawns in front of the mansion all make Basildon one of the best places for day out this summer.

Cliveden, near Maidenhead Set high above the Thames with far-reaching views, Cliveden’s

impressive gardens and majestic woodlands are both grand and picturesque. There is a series of formal gardens to explore, each with its own character and charm and a tree-lined avenue leading to myriad woodland walks and secluded glades. Cliveden is a children’s paradise year-round with the Storybook Play Den for little ones and a natural play trail with rope swings, logs to leap over and den-building areas. You could tick off some of the 50 things to do at Cliveden, as recommended by staff, volunteers and visitors. Visitors can hire electric boats, canoes and rowing boats or take a guided tour on a skippered cruise with our partners, Boating at Cliveden. Offering unique views of Cliveden and a chance to get up close to the wildlife of the river, a boat trip is a must for nature lovers. To find out more and to book your river adventure, head to: Boating at Cliveden - Luxury boat hire and trips on the beautiful River Thames.

The Vyne, near Basingstoke Set on the edge of a tree-lined lake dotted with geese, The Vyne was once a great Tudor powerhouse comparable in size to Hampton Court. It was built by King Henry VIII’s lord chamberlain, Sir William Sandys and the king visited several times, with both his first wife, Catherine of Aragon and then with his second, Anne Boleyn. The sprawling gardens and woodlands are just waiting to be explored in the summer holidays, from the 22 July. Families can enjoy fun activities in Morgaston Woods; a ‘tree treasure hunt’ where you find different tree species and locate the oldest trees in the woods, a ‘hidden treasures trail’ featuring long-lost historical features hidden in the landscape, and ‘build it up’ nature experience, where the whole family can get involved in an essential wilderness survival skills of den building. Outdoor theatre also comes to The Vyne this summer with Shakespeare’s Much ado about nothing and As you like it.

Looking back at photographs from the 1970s and 1980s, local high streets would have drapers stores or gentleman’s outfitters, with reassuring names such as Hepworth or Greenwood. These shops would sell unostentatious beiges and browns, zipped fair isle cardigans, tweed jackets for the weekend, sensible shoes, and of course a wide variety of comfortable slippers. A 50-year-old man in 1975 would have been 20 in 1945, so jeans, T-shirts and clothing attached to a particular musical genre would never have been part of his identity, so dressing in an unshowy way like his father would have done, made perfect sense. Looking back at photographs of that era it is amazing how many men still wore ties at the weekend, either underneath jackets or, more commonly, under a snug fitting V-neck sweater. So what happens when you are not quite ready to accept the coming Elastic Waistland of wide velcro fastening shoes and drawstring trousers? We know that we need to wear lycra when out on a bicycle, with bonus points for an expensive Italian brand, and of course an ill-fitting nylon top is required when attending a football match- but what should we be wearing for the dreaded ‘dress down’ Friday or when out socialising? A quick look at Google took me to an American website, the worryingly titled realmenrealstyle. com, which set out to advise on what a man in his 50s should be wearing. It started off well by pointing out a couple of very clear home truths, namely that: Every few years, a new generation comes up with something that I don’t understand. Hard truths about life mean you feel more and more like an older man as the years go by. A near perfect description of what I believe about lots of things, such as the ‘bottomless brunch’. It then makes another extremely valid point that we should always remember: There’s nothing worse than seeing a guy approaching his 40s wearing the latest generation’s fashion or misusing new phrases because he doesn’t understand what they mean. So far, so good, however once the website shows a man in an office environment on dress down Friday looking like a relic from a 1985 episode of Miami Vice (a T-shirt and a crème jacket with narrow lapels), my confidence in its relevance to my life declines. When the writer actually proffers some advice as to what to wear on a Friday night in the pub, I’m afraid I have to face the fact that what works in the Mid-West may not actually work in suburban Berkshire: be the guy in grey slacks and a navy blazer with some sleek black dress boots and a fancy gold belt buckle that matches the blazer buttons. Digging out some old photographs and comparing them with recently social events I have attended, I came to the realisation is that middle aged men wear exactly what they wore when they were younger men. Those people with a taste for check shirts still wear check shirts, people who like AC- DC T-shirts still wear them, albeit they may be a little more snug around the waistline. We just wear what we have always worn. Anybody diverging from this principle will immediately be outed as having a mid-life crisis. Of course, the unavoidable truth is that, apart from our own little peer group, nobody else notices or cares what 50-plus-year-old men wear.

SPORT TODAY

WOKINGHAM

NO ONE CHRONICLES THE ACTION BETTER THAN US

16.06.22

ROYALS REACH FUTSAL FINAL

FINCH HIT FIELDERS FOR 4

BERKS ROYALS TOPPLE EARLEY

HOSTS MOVE INTO SECOND

ALL THE LATEST ROYALS NEWS

NEW GAFFER TO HELP KESTRELS SOAR

SHARP BOWLING SECURES FINCH VICTORY

WOODLEY United FC has appointed Jordan Blake as the new manager of the first-team.

MOVING ON UP By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

FINCHAMPSTEAD CRICKET CLUB’S first-team climbed up to second after they flexed a convincing win over Datchet.

Electing to bat first, Finch lost

opening batsman Greogory Smith for a duck and wicket keeper Jed crerar also for zero, but they recovered well to record a strong score. A top score of 71 from Ben Moffat helped Finch on their way to hit 216 runs from 63.4 overs. Finch ensured that they got rid of

four early wickets which had Datchet on 39-4. The hosts continued to bowl and field efficiently and worked their way through the Datchet batting order and had them all out on 115 after 22 overs to secure a comfortable victory. Lewis Sharp was in tremendous

form with the ball as he took 5-50, while Matt Gilkes (3-29) and Liam Bulteel (2-26) also bowled excellently The win puts Finch up to second in the Home Counties Premier Division 1.

n Full cricket reports and pictures on pages 21 & 22

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Blake takes over from Ben Hudell who stepped down from the position due to work commitments. Blake joins from Marlow FC where he had been a member of the management team for the past four seasons. In accepting the appointment, Jordan said: “I’m delighted to join Woodley United FC and thank the club’s board for this opportunity. “Woodley is known as a community family club with teams across all ages and a pathway from youth into adult football. “I’m excited to build on the work that Christian (Parker) and Ben did last season and look forward to working with the players and bringing my ideas and style to the club both on and off the football pitch.” The Kestrels ply their trade in Combined Counties Division One and finished in 16th position out of 21 teams last season on 41 points.

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18 | SPORT

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Michael Morrison clears from danger

The Royals and the Hammers compete in the air

Femi Azeez dribbles past Said Benrahma

READING FC

ROYALS TO HOST HAMMERS IN PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING FC will host Premier League West Ham United in a pre-season friendly for the second consecutive season.

David Moyes’ team will make the trip to the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday, July 16 (3pm kickoff). The Hammers ran out as 3-0 winners when they travelled to Berkshire to face Reading in pre-season in July last year. The Irons enjoyed another exceptional campaign under Moyes which ended with them falling just short in their Europa League adventure. Having beaten serial European winners Sevilla

and French giants Lyon, West Ham were knocked out in the semi-finals by German side Eintracht Frankfurt who went on to lift the trophy after defeating Rangers on penalties. West Ham secured European qualification after finishing seventh in the Premier League in the 2021/22 season. Reading’s last competitve match against West Ham came in the 2012/13 Premier League season where the Hammers were 4-2 winners at Upton Park. Goals from Garath McCleary and Adam Le Fondre helped the Royals draw lebvel but they were eventually beaten by a Kevin Nolan hat-trick in a match. In the reverse fixture earlier that season, Reading

Andy Yiadom gets forward on the ball

earned three points at the Madejski Stadium as Pavel Pogrebnyak’s fifth minute strike proved to be decisive. Reading have more happy memories of facing the Hammers, including a 4-2 win at Upton Park in March 2012 in a tremendous away performance which set Brian McDermott’s side up for an outstanding end to the campaign that saw them storm to the Championship title. Steve Coppell’s side earned one of the best results in the club’s history when they welcomed West Ham to the Madejski on New Year’s Day 2007. In their debut season in the top flight that finished in an incredible eighth place finish, Reading tore past the East London side with

a brace from Kevin Doyle and goals from Brynjar Gunnarsson, Stephen Hunt and Leroy Lita to race to a 6-0 success. Ending the season with 16 wins, eight draws and 14 defeats, the Hammers finished on 56 points which saw them qualify for the Europa Conference League after they were pipped to a Europa League spot by Manchester United on the final day of the season. Paul Ince’s men will also face National League team Maidenhead United at Bearwood Park in a behind-closed-doors match on Tuesday, July 12 (1pm kick-off). Tickets for the match against West Ham will be announced by the club in due course.

Reading v West Ham United in pre-season in July 2021 Pictures: Steve Smyth

Finchampstead v Reading YMCA Pictures: Andrew Batt

FOOTBALL

READING YMCA FC CONFIRM NEW COACHING TEAM By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING YMCA FC has announced Chrstian Barlett as their first-team manager to work alongside firstteam coach Lee Kitching.

Reading YMCA compete in the Themes Valley Premier League and finished in 10th out of 14 teams in the 2021/22 season. YMCA compete against fellow local sides in the division such as Finchampstead and Burghfield, who both battled it out for the title which saw Finch come out on top for a second consecutive seasons.

Other local teams in the division include Reading City U23’s who finished 12th and Woodley United Royals who finished in 14th. YMCA finished their last campaign in the league on 31 points with nine wins, four draws and 13 defeats. Bartlett said: “Excited to be working with a club with great history, can’t wait to get started with all the players in a couple of weeks. Exciting times ahead.” Kitching added: “Very much looking forward to working with all the players and coaches in achieving and fulfilling success at Reading YMCA FC.”

Finchampstead v Reading YMCA Pictures: Andrew Batt

NEWS | 19

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READING FC

ROYALS CLOSE TO COMPLETING FIRST SUMMER SIGNING

FUTSAL

READING ROYALS VALIANT IN DEFEAT AT LNFS CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL By SCOTT HARGREAVES sport@wokingham.today READING ROYALS FUTSAL CLUB fell at the final hurdle after they were edged out in the LNFS Champions Cup final.

Reading FC

READING FC are reportedly close to completing the signing of Middlesbrough goalkeeper Joe Lumley. The 27-year-old goalkeeper who has made 34 league appearances for Boro is set to complete a loan move to Reading. Paul Ince and his new recruitment team are set for a busy summer window with several senior players contracts set to expire at the end of the month. However, they are facing the extra challenge of being under a transfer embargo for the second consecutive season which will limit them to signing free agents and loan players. With the expiration of Orjan Nyland’s contract, who spent the latter end of the 2021/22 with Reading, and Luke Southwood reportedly being told he can depart, the Royals are in the market to sign a new goalkeeper. It appears that Lumley, currently at Middlesbrough, has become a top target for the club after being told that he is free to leave the club on loan. Lumley started his senior career at Queens Park Rangers and made 77 league appearances for the club after making his first-team debut in 2015. After loan spells with Bishop’s Stortford, Accrignton Stanley, Stevenage, Bristol Rovers, Blackpool, Gillingham and Doncaster Rovers during his time at QPR, Lumley eventually made a permanent switch to Middlesbrough in 2021. In his first season with Boro, Lumley played 34 times and finished the season with 34 goals conceded and 13 clean sheets in the league. Across all competitions, Lumley played 39 times, conceded 42 goals and kept 14 clean sheets but is set to be loaned out by Chris Wilder’s team for the upcoming campaign.

Royals were the team to get the day started as they kicked off the early game against Brunel Futsal Club. In a very fast flowing game Brunel took an early lead. Scott Hargreaves levelled the score for the Royals. Brunel quickly reclaimed the lead with a tidy counter-attacking goal, but two quick-fire goals from Josh Gillespie and Brayden Lissington saw the Royals take the lead for the first time in the match. A Brunel equaliser late in the half meant the teams went in level 3-3 at half-time. The second half started just as the first had finished, with Brunel scoring to take the lead for the third time in the game. The high intensity of this endto-end game continued with the Royals responding with two quick goals, a strike from distance from Phil Lant and a strong Noah Joyner finish giving Reading the lead. Brunel showed character and equalised with seconds on the clock remaining to make the full-time score a scintillating 5 -5 and to

Reading Royals Futsal Club in action Picture: Rob Smith take the game into extra time and another 10 minutes of full on futsal action. Reading looked to start the stronger and were quick out the blocks. A mazy Lant run caused chaos and Mitch Gomm took advantage to give Reading Royals a 6-5 lead. Brunel had no choice but to chase the game, Reading defended

resiliently and a counter-attack was completed with a clinical finish by Josh Gillespie making it 7-5 to Reading Royals and booking their place in the final. In the final Royals played East Riding, from Hull, who had a more comfortable semi-final win without the need for extra-time. In a very close first half Royals went in at half-time 2-1 down with

Lant scoring the only goal for the Reading side with a typical rocket shot. East Riding started the secondhalf strongly scoring two goals to take a 4-2 lead. The Royals showed character with two goals from Pawel Skowron and Joyner to make it 4-3. Just when it looked like the Royals were back in the game two quick goals from East Riding, with their on-form striker Danny Clarke completing a hat-trick, made it 6-3. With about six minutes remaining, Reading threw caution to the wind and played ‘fly-keeper’, where an outfield player replaces the goal-keeper to try and gain an advantage with an extra outfield player. This time this high risk approach did not pay off as East Riding continued their clinical finishing and scored another three goals to make the final score 9-3. The Royals finished the day defeated, deflated and exhausted after two intense games of futsal, but as their captain, Phil Lant, reminded the players after the game every player gave 100% and that they can hold their heads high in how they played, the character they showed and in finishing Runners-Up in the LNFS Championship Cup.

CRICKET

CROWS WOMEN EARN FIRST T20 WIN Crowthorne & Crown Wood Women (93-6) beat Steventon (88-8) Crowthorne & Crown Wood Women took their first ever T20 victory away at Steventon. Sent in to bat having lost the toss, Lily Mansfield stepped up to score a respectable 13 runs taking second place to top run scorer Gabi Jones with 16. Seetal Bhatti in her debut ran two and with partner Jo Lee (seven) both retired at over 16. Katie Finucane and Gillian Finucane then saw off the innings with a partnership of 10 runs, not out, taking runs off the bat to 67 and completing the the innings at 93-6. After tea, the fielding started very strong with bowler Katie Finucane stifling the run rate to three off 18 balls. Gillian Finucane and Gabi Jones then bowled 36 deliveries allowing only 10 runs to accrue on the hosts’ scoresheet. Wickets were taken by Sophie O’Loughlin on her first delivery;

Crowthorne & Crown Wood Women 1st XI Helena Jones whose delivery was forced into the air off the bat to be caught by Gabi Jones; Gillian Finucane, Katie Finucane, Anita Applin who bowled out their opponents with clean deliveries and Lily Mansfield with two well executed run outs. Victory came in the last over of the game with the Crowthorne team maintaining energy and poise to the very end to take their five run win.

Crowthorne & Crown Wood Crocodiles beat Emmbrook & Bearwood U11’s The Crocodiles won the toss and elected to bowl. After a chaotic four overs the match restarted on the correct size pitch. The restart seemed to reinvigorate the Crocodiles who bowled a tidy line overall and reduced the opposition to 237.

With his consistent line and length, Ollie was bowler of the match after taking two wickets for just six runs from two overs. Openers Ollie (8) and Jackson (12) started well. Nysha and Jacob maintained the score without losing any wickets. Tav (10) and Annabelle (22) added 32 to take the total to 295. Charlotte (21) and Kai (16) took Crows over the 300 mark comfortably. Trish (13) and Chloe (22) took Crows to a season best total of 386 for the loss of only four wickets. Not surprisingly choosing batter of the match was extremely difficult to some high scoring from Annabelle, Charlotte, Trish and Chloe and some classy shots from Tav, Jackson and Ollie. However, for his persistence, hard work and return to form, batter of the match went to Kai. Skipper, Chloe, chose Tav as fielder of the match for his hard work running on the boundary and positive attacking of the ball.

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BERKSHIRE RO

CRICKET

Finchampstead (batting) v Datchetug McMurray batting

Earley v Berkshire Royals (batting) By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

BCL Division 1A

CRICKET

FINCH CLIMB UP TO SECOND

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Home Counties Premier Division 1 WOKINGHAM climbed into third place after they triumphed away at Buckingham Town. The Oaks’ opening pair built a solid foundation for the team to build on with 136 runs on the board before the first wicket fell. Conrad Louth hit 84, while Imran Malik totalled 59 and later in the order Andy Rishton scored 68 as Wokingham finished on 251 before they declared. Three wickets each from Max Uttley and Andy Rishton ensured Buckingham were all out on 137 which secured a 114-run win for Wokingham.

FINCHAMPSTEAD moved into second after they earned a convincing win over Datchet. Opening batsman Ben Moffat scored highest for Finch with 71 which saw them finish with 216. After 22 overs, Datchet’s hope of catching the target ended after a clinical bowling performance from Lewis Sharp (5-50) and Matt Gilkes (3-29) which helped Finch to a 101-run victory.

Home Counties Division 2 WARGRAVE dropped down to third after they lost out away at Thame Town. Wargrave could only set a first innings total of 88 after they were skittled all out after 34.4 overs. Thame dropped just two wickets on their way to surpassing the chase.

BCM Championship

WEST READING fell down to third after they were defeated at home to Holmer Green. Hafeez Ul-Wahab took three wickets for Reading but that didn’t stop Holmer from totalling a big score of 294. Holmer then bowled Reading all out on 93 to confirm their win. SHINFIELD lost out by six wickets away at Penn & Tylers Green. 42 from Abhishek Chatterjee helped Shinfield to total 145, but Penn surpassed the chase after dropping just four wickets. CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD lost by four wickets in their home match against Ley Hill. Gerhard Kruger top scored for Crows with 70, while James Whitehurst hit a half century as they ended on 214, but Ley Hill got past the target with four wickets left.

READING LIONS moved up to third in the table with a home win over Peppard Stoke Row 2s. Keerthi Prakash totalled a half century for the Lions which helped them to total 222 after being bowled all out and they were confirmed as winners when Peppard finished their 40 overs 49-runs short of the target. BERKSHIRE ROYALS overtook EARLEY in the standings after claiming an away win. Asitha Rangana top scored for Berkshire with 59 as Berkshire totalled a strong first innings of 258. Earley were all out on 156 as Berkshire earned a convincing win.

CMB Premiership EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD picked up 21 points in a draw against Pinkneys Green. Andy Lazenbury was just two runs shy of completing a century for Emmbrook, while solid innings from Ollie Williams (30) and Joe Smart (40) contributed to see the Bears finish with 253. Richard Cole collected four wickets in the second innings but the match was drawn after Pinkneys finished on 152-6.

Chilterns Division Two EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD 2s won on their travels to The Lee 2s. A half century from Matt Booth saw the Bears finish their innings with 181.

Toby Morgan and Charlie Sawyer both took three wickets as The Lee were all out on 98 which sealed a 83-run success for Emmbrook.

BCL Premier Division FARLEY HILL are top of the tree after they got the better of Stratfield Turgis. Ali Jalil (41) and Matt Jones (44*) batted strongly to help Farley to 185 from 40 overs. Kashif Ali (4-32) and Adeel Razaq (3-18) were in fine form to help confirm a 28-run win for Farley to give them a healthy lead at the top. SHINFIELD 2s earned a comfortable victory at home to Mortimer West End. A half century from Sandeep Garg saw Shinfield amass 243 runs from 40 overs. Arun Jumar picked up four wickets which helped to bowl Mortimer all out on 184. SANDHURST collected 37 points in their home success over Woodcote. A strong opening pair of Adam Birch (56) and Savir Sharma (78*) saw Sandhurst record 223 runs. Woodcote were all out on 171 to confirm a 52-run win for the hosts. WEST READING 2s took the spoils with a six-wicket win away at Welford Park. Ashan Iqbal and Jawal Ahmad both took three wickets each, while Mahad Ahmad (64) and Mehdi Harees (60*) saw West Reading over the line to victory.

BCL Division 1B RANGERS climbed up to second in the table after they beat Stallions by six wickets.

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OYALS LEAPFROG EARLEY

TITLE HOLDERS LOOK TO BOOST PROGRESSION HOPES By DAVE WRIGHT sport@wokingham.today BERKSHIRE face table-topping Bedfordshire at the Wargrave Recreation Ground on Sunday knowing that a win in their penultimate Group 2 game would considerably boost their chances of reaching the quarter-finals of the NCCA Trophy. The holders currently sit second, two points behind their visitors but with a game in hand and a superior net run rate. This is Bedfordshire’s final group game, while Berkshire still have to face third-placed Hertfordshire, another side battling for a toptwo finish. Last Sunday, Beds replaced Berks as group leaders by beating Cornwall by 88 runs with former Northamptonshire captain Alex Wakely scoring 115 from 114 balls in their 50-over total of 274-4. He shared a thirdwicket partnership of 213 with left-handed opener Fayaz Homyoon making 114. Cornwall, who had defeated Berkshire at Truro two weeks earlier, were never able to get grips with their run chase against an attack that included Leicestershire seamer Alex Evans and slow left-armer George Darlow, son of the ECB’s interim chairman Martin. This will be the third game involving Berks and Beds this season as they played each other twice in the NCCA T20 competition at Ampthill last month with honours being shared, meaning neither county was able to overhaul Oxfordshire in the Group 4 title race. All three counties finished on 10 points with the places being decided on net run rate and it could be just as tight in the Trophy, adding to the importance of this Sunday’s clash (11am start). Host club Wargrave will be represented by Euan Woods and Rhodri Lewis, while Wokingham spinner Max Uttley is set to return after missing the game against Cornwall. The availability of Toby Albert will not be known until later in the week as the Finchampstead batsman may be wanted by Hampshire for their home Vitality Blast game with Surrey which is also being played on Sunday.

Earley v Berkshire Royals (batting)

54 not out from Arun Kumar Manoharan helped Rangers to surpass the chase after they hit 118 from 17.4 overs and only dropped four wickets in the process. WOODLEY moved up to third with an away success at FARLEY HILL 2s. A half century from Chris Garrod saw Farley finish with 203 as Tajdar Jawaid took four wickets for Woodley. Asad Imam top scored for Woodley with 57 which saw them win the match with five wickets left. EARLEY put 35 points on the board on their trip to SHINFIELD. Michael Page batted strongly and hit 87 which helped Shinfield total 197 as Waqas Jadoon picked up four wickets. But Earley made light work of reaching the chase as a century from Venkat Bandlamudi saw them win the game, losing just one wicket.

Earley v Berkshire Royals (batting)

CRICKET

CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD 3S PICK UP FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON By STAFF WRITER sport@wokingham.today CROWTHORNE & Crown Wood 3rd XI registered their first win of the season away to Yateley 3s.

Having won the toss, Yateley elected to bat. Adam Mansfield (1-14) and Avinash Singh (1-16) bowled tidily, with Singh taking the first wicket. Uttam Gajjar then bowled excellently to take 4-16. Shravan Sathiyan (2-14), Vijay Bhatti (1-8) and Ven Adapa (1-1) all chipped in

with wickets, and keeper-captain Rich Hester took four catches. The hosts were all out for 86 from 39.1 overs. The Crows set about chasing the total down in assured fashion. The in-form Dan Finucane (31) fell to a good catch, but had already done enough damage. Dave McQuitty (20*) and Simon Sheppard (12*) then saw the Crows home in 19.3 overs for a nine wicket win. Crows midweek XI made it through to the semi final in flying

fashion as they beat Eversley CC by 21 runs in the quarter final. The batsman got the show on the road with stand out performances from Prakash Singh (33) and Matt Childs (18) and a final few overs well negotiated by the tail including Peter Emes (13*) and Luke Taylor (9) with strong contributions all the way down the crows posted 151 from their 20 overs, then it was over to the bowlers to get the job done. A tight first spell from Omer Farooq (2-18) put the pressure back

on the Eversley batting line up. Some fantastic bowling in the middle overs from Chris Emes (2-27) and Oliver Taylor (1-17) kept the pressure firmly placed on the batting side. With tight fielding and some excellent death bowling from the skipper, Peter Emes (0-25) saw his side home defending 30 from the last over to make it a victory in the quarter final. A true bowling masterclass was on display from the Crows which helped them secure their spot in the semi-final.

22 | SPORT

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READING 2S MAINTAIN SECOND PLACE THAMES VALLEY CRICKET

Arun Pera bowling By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Thames Valley Division 1

EVERSLEY went up to fourth after they drew with bottom of the table Burnham. A spectacular all round display from Benjamin saw the Eversley man smash 111 runs in the first innings as Eversley finished with 235, before he collected four wickets in the second innings. But the match was drawn after Burnham ended 48 overs

Arun Pera bowling for Sonning

on 176 with three wickets left.

Thames Valley Division 2B READING remain at the top of the table after their six-wicket win over Royal Ascot. Ascot declared on 193, but Reading were able to take the win in the second innings thanks to several solid scores in their batting order which saw them get over the line after 43.2 overs. WOKINGHAM 2s are hot on the tail of leaders Reading after

they defeated Slough 2s. Matthew McDonald picked up four wickets for the Oaks, while Anthony Clapham (140*) and Jayden Barson (102*) batted superbly to help their side to a seven-wicket triumph. FINCHAMPSTEAD 2s climbed up to fourth after they beat sixth placed HURST. Finch put 229 on the board after an excellent score from Matthew Eldirdge (98). Despite a tremendous innings from Hurst batsman Ashley Cupido (135*), Hurst

were 27 runs short after four wickets from Adam Kite. BINFIELD dropped down the table after they drew at Fleet. J Collett (5-59) took plenty of wickets as Fleet were all out for 225, while Wynand Lamprecht totalled 79 for Binfield to help them to a draw.

Thames Valley Division 3A SONNING are the new leaders at the top after their success over Bagshot. A first innings score of

196 was followed up by some tremendous bowling from G Kwatsha (5-31) and P Higginbottom (4-18) to bowl Bagshot all out for 111. THEALE & TILEHURST defeated WHITE WALTHAM by 104 runs to keep their position in fifth. Despite an exceptional bowling display from M Furness (6-47) for White Waltham, K Coleman hit 98 for Theale to see them on 257. B Cooper then bowled expertly to take 6-40 as Theale

took victory by 104 runs. WARGRAVE 2s went up into seventh after they earned a positive results against Thatcham Town. 77 not out from Shamsi saw Wargrave over the line with eight wickets to spare after bright bowling performances from T Walker (4-46) and Pawar (4-1) in the first innings.

Thames Valley Division 4A WOKINGHAM 3s sit at the top of the table after their fifth

SPORT | 23

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WITH WIN OVER SONNING

Honours board Batting:

win in six games. Ryan Pogson collected 4-65 as Falkland set a total of 207, but the Oaks got past the target with three wickets in reserve after 44.1 overs. FINCHAMPSTEAD 3s stay in fourth despite being beaten by Peppard Stoke Row.

Thames Valley Division 5A WARGRAVE 3s lost ground on the top three after drawing with Marlow 2s. Solid scores from Richards (76) and Hick (66) helped Wargrave take nine points on the road after having four wickets left at the end of their innings.

Thames Valley Division 5B READING 2s stay in second place

after they were held to a tie by SONNING 2s. Sonning’s first innings score of 213-4 was matched by Reading who also scored 213 but lost nine wickets after 48 overs, resulting in a tie with both teams picking up 16 points from the match. EVERSLEY 2s climbed into third by beating Royal Ascot by eight wickets. Umair Pervaiz collected three wickets, while the second innings saw Eversley reach 163 to take the points thanks to John Matthews (73) and Tom Surrall (54*). BINFIELD 2s moved down a place in fourth after FINCHAMPSTEAD 4s win saw them move into eighth. Kwame Appiah smashed 98 runs without losing his wickets,

while Chris May and Ganess Bun took three wickets each to earn a 53-run triumph for Finch.

Thames Valley Division 6B EVERSLEY stay in eighth after drawing with Aldershot 2s, while WOKINGHAM 4s are rooted to the bottom after losing out to Slough 4s by six wickets.

Thames Valley Division 7A WHITE WALTHAM lead the way after they thrashed Fleet 2s by 101 runs thanks to a century from Elliott. WOKINGHAM 5s remain in fourth after they got the better of ninth placed HURST 2s by seven wickets.

Thames Valley Division 8A

BINFIELD 3s are the new table toppers after their six wicket win over Bradfield 2s. READING 3s are just one point behind in second after their 38-run victory against Royal Ascot 3s. BRACKNELL 2s stay in fifth after they beat Aldershot 3s by five wickets and SONNING 3s keep their sixth place standing after winning by 97 runs at Cove 3s.

Thames Valley Division 9A

Binfield 4s (149-9) lost to Royal Ascot 4s (151-7) Wokingham 6s (195-6) lost to Sulhamstead & Ufton 3s (198-2) Theale & Tilehurst (174 all out) beat Eversley 4s (139 all out) Bagshot 3s (143-6) beat Finchampstead (141 all out)

Thames Valley Division 10A Sonning 4s (94-6) beat Eversley 5s (90 all out)

SNOOKER

SNOOKER HOLIDAY CLUB SESSIONS TO COME TO READING By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

A national junior snooker summer holiday club is coming to Reading.

Crucible Reading Snooker Club will be running six sessions as a fun introduction to snooker and billiards for young people aged six to 16. The sessions will take place in the summer holidays and will coordinated by a WPBSA Snooker coach.

Each session will be available for £1 per person to make them accessible to everyone. The sessions will take place at Crucible Sports & Social Club, Reading 6 Richfield Avenue, RG1 8EQ. The first session will take place on Saturday, July 23 from noon1pm, with five more sessions running each Saturday, with the final session being two hours. Crucible Reading are a member

of the English Partnership for Snooker and Billiards national club scheme which means that it meets the governing body standards of safeguarding and equality, as well as adopting a code of conduct to ensure the right setup for juniors, overseen by a club welfare officer. The programme will also develop a selection of ‘Young Leaders’, who will complete an online skills syllabus and become club role models, encouraging other young

people to take up our sport at their local club. n To find out more about the national snooker development initiatives please visit https://www.epsb.co.uk/ https://facebook.com/epsbofficial https://twitter.com/epsbofficial n To book your place on the sessions, call Paul Vallance on 07817 114732 or email paulvallancesnooker@gmail. com

Anthony Clapham – Wokingham 2s v Slough 2s – 140* Ashley Cupido – Hurst v Finchampstead 2s – 135* Benjamin Salter – Eversley v Burnham – 111 Maneesh Mali – Eversley 3s v Aldershot 2s – 103* Jayden Barson – Wokingham 2s v Slough 2s – 102* A Elliott – White Waltham 2s v Fleet 2s – 101 Venkat Bandlamudi – Earley 2s v Shinfield 3s – 100 Kwame Appiah – Finchampstead 4s v Binfield 2s – 98* Andy Lazenbury – Emmbrook and Bearwood v Pinkneys Green – 98 Matthew Eldridge – Finchampstead 2s v Hurst – 98 K Coleman – White Waltham v Theale & Tilehurst – 98 Michael Page – Shinfield 3s v Earley 2s – 87 Conrad Louth – Wokingham v Buckingham Town – 84 Wynand Lamprecht – Binfield v Fleet – 79 Savir Sharma – Sandhurst v Woodcote – 78* Shamsi – Wargrave 2s v Thatcham Town – 77* John Matthews – Eversley 2s v Royal Ascot 2s – 73 Anup Urath – Eversley 3s v Aldershot 2s – 73 Ben Moffat – Finchampstead v Datchet – 71 Gerhard Kruger – Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Ley Hill – 70 Andy Rishton – Wokingham v Buckingham Town – 68 Nitin Kumar – Earley 3s v Emmbrook and Bearwood 3s – 67* Sairam Bhampidipati – Earley 3s v Emmbrook and Bearwood 3s – 65 Hanson Martin – Wokingham 3s v Falkland 2s – 65 Imran Malik – Wokingham v Buckingham Town – 59 Asitha Rangana – Berkshire Royals v Earley – 59 Ranvir Rana – Earley 2s v Shinfield 3s – 58* Asad Imam – Woodley v Farley Hill 2s – 57 Adam Birch – Sandhurst v Woodcote – 56 Chris Garrod – Farley Hill 2s v Woodley – 55 Arun Kumar Manoharan – Rangers v Stallions – 54* Tom Surrall – Eversley 2s v Royal Ascot 2s – 54* Keerthi Prakash – Reading Lions v Peppard Stoke Row – 53 Abdur Raheem – West Reading 4s v Stratfield Turgis 2s – 52 Sandeep Garg – Shinfield 2s v Mortimer West End – 51 James Whitehurst – Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Ley Hill – 50 Matt Booth – Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s v The Lee – 50

Bowling:

Hassan Afzal – Bracknell v Bagshot 2s – 6-39 B Cooper – Theale & Tilehurst v White Waltham – 6-40 M Furness – White Waltham v Theale & Tilehurst – 6-47 G Kwatsha – Sonning v Bagshot – 5-31 Sampath Bhamidipati – Earley 3s v Emmbrook and Bearwood 3s – 5-41 Lewis Sharp – Finchampstead v Datchet – 5-50 J Collett- Binfield v Fleet – 5-59 Pawar – Wargrave 2s v Thatcham Town – 4-1 Uttam Gajjar – Crowthorne & Crown Wood 3s v Yateley 3s – 4-16 Waqas Jadoon – Earley 2s v Shinfield 3s – 4-17 P Higginbottom – Sonning v Bagshot – 4-18 Tajdar Jawaid – Woodley v Farley Hill 2s – 4-31 Kashif Ali – Farley Hill v Stratfield Turgis – 4-32 Hatib Khan – Reading 3s v Royal Ascot 3s – 4-38 Benjamin Salter – Eversley v Burnham – 4-43 T Walker – Wargrave 2s v Thatcham Town – 4-46 Richard Cole – Emmbrook and Bearwood v Pinkneys Green – 4-47 Adam Kite – Finchampstead 2s v Hurst – 4-62 Ryan Pogson – Wokingham 3s v Falkland 2s – 4-65 Matthew McDonald – Wokingham 2s v Slough 2s – 4-66 Charlie Sawyer- Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s v The Lee – 3-2 Toby Morgan – Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s v The Lee – 3-12 Adeel Razaq – Farley Hill v Stratfield Turgis – 3-18 Max Uttley – Wokingham v Buckingham Town – 3-19 Ben Davison – Sandhurst v Woodcote – 3-21 Hafeez Ul-Wahab – West Reading v Holmer Green – 3-27 Jawad Ahmad – West Reading 2s v Welford Park – 3-27 Param Palanisamy- Reading Lions v Peppard Stoke Row – 3-28 Liam Bulteel – Finchampstead v Datchet – 3-29 Girish Nandwani – Earley 2s v Shinfield 3s – 3-30 Ahsan Iqbal – West Reading 2s v Welford Park – 3-30 Fayaz Mohamed – Berkshire Royals v Earley – 3-32 L Beaven – Reading v Royal Ascot – 3-33 Andy Rishton – Wokingham v Buckingham Town – 3-39 Marvin Vogel – Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Ley Hill – 3-39 Amit Puri – Rangers v Stallions – 3-41

24 | SPORT

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READING FC COMMUNITY TRUST

PROUD ROYALS RUN FOOTBALL SESSION

RESULTS

Saturday, June 11 CRICKET Home Counties Division One Buckingham Town (137 all out) lost to Wokingham (251-7dec) Finchampstead (216 all out) beat Datchet (115 all out) Home Counties Division Two Thame Town (90-2) beat Wargrave (88 all out) BCM Championship Crowthorne & Crown Wood (214 all out) lost to Ley Hill (216-6) Penn & Tylers Green (147-4) beat Shinfield (145 all out) West Reading (93 all out) lost to Holmer Green (294-9) CMB Premiership Emmbrook and Bearwood (253-8) drew Pinkneys Green (152-6)

A big thumbs up to the first Reading FC Proud Royals football session, held last week. More sessions will follow over the summer By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING FC pride group Proud Royals ran their first free football taster session last week at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

The session took place at the 3G pitch behind the Reading FC dome training centre at the SCL. Now they are preparing for follow-ups. In conjunction with celebrating pride month, Proud Royals are

teaming up with the Reading FC Community Trust to run the Rainbow Royals session that is open and available to everyone. Speaking to BBC Radio Berkshire, Proud Royals founder Thomas Williams said: “For the next three months on June 8, July 13, August 10, we are running a free taster session with FA qualified coaches and the Berks & Bucks FA are also involved .

“It’s a way of getting active in a safe and welcoming environment with qualified coaches and is open to everyone, not just the LGBTQ+ community. “We want to get people involved and interested in the sport, and the aim is to try and build a team to enter the league within the Berks & Bucks area. That is a long way from now but just to get people active and enjoy being in an environment that suits them.

READING FC WOMEN

SEASON TICKETS ON SALE FOR READING FC WOMEN’S 2022/23 WSL CAMPAIGN By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today SEASON tickets for Reading FC Women’s 2022/23 campaign are now on sale for fans.

Kelly Chambers’ team will return to action in the Women’s Super League for their second season since moving permanently to the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Although it was an underwhelming end to the season for Reading, it was a season that was full of highs. Playing every single competitive game at the SCL for the first time, highlights included beating Chelsea for the first time in the club’s history as Deanne Rose’s goal proved to be decisive in a 1-0 victory. That momentous win would be just one of two Chelsea defeats in their entire league campaign as they went on to win the Women’s

Super League title for a third consecutive season under Emma Hayes. An incredible run of seven wins in eight matches saw the Royals rise up the table in the middle of the season and put themselves in the running for a top four finish. However, injuries and lack of squad depth cost the Royals of having a chance of competing with the teams above them as they went winless in their final nine league matches. They eventually finished in 8th position in the WSL on 25 points with seven wins, four draws and 11 defeats from 22 games. Reading netted 21 times in 22 games, while they let in 40 goals with gave them a goal difference of -19. Reading manager Chambers said: “What I’m excited about next season is there’s a big foundation of this squad that stay for next season.

“And we’ve laid that foundation now and it’s for us, it’s kind of what’s next. “We need to look towards next season and go right, this is us, how do we progress moving forward? That’s what excites me. “We haven’t got big turnovers and we’ve got a solid squad already, and if we can add a few to that we could be a little bit stronger.” The club are freezing prices for current season ticket holders at every age group. Adult season tickets will cost an average of £5 per match, while over 65s will work out at £4 per match. 18-24 will pay an average of £3.75 per match, while under 17’s will be an average of £3. The season ticket will see fans guaranteed 11 home league matches, while all FA Women’s Continental League Cup matches will also be included. n For more information, visit: www.readingfc.co.uk

“The community trust has done a great job putting all this together, it will be a great event.” “Big thank you to those that turned out and a massive thank you to Reading FC Community for putting this on, looking forward to the next one.” Proud Royals are also on the lookout for a secretary to join its committee on a voluntary basis. n For more information, visit: https:// twitter.com/proudroyals or contact

BOWLS

PROSPECT PARK ENJOY CLEAN SWEEP OF WINS PROSPECT Park and Wokingham Bowling Club were both in action throughout the week with mixed results.

It was a successful week for Prospect in the KLV as they enjoyed a clean sweep of wins. Prospect A won 90-32, while their B team were victorious with a score of 61-33. The Oakapples played a match against Sunningdale on Thursday, June 9 and came out on top after winning two of the three triples matches and scoring a further four points for having the higher overall score. The Final outcome Wokingham 62 to Sunningdale 39 Wokingham C team played against Crowthorne in the KLV League on Friday and came out top with a win of eight points to two. Wokingham scored a total of 55 shots to Crowthorne’s 37. Wokingham Acorns were away to Desborough Bluebells last Thursday where they won on only one rink with a score of 27 to Desborough 12. The final score was 59 to Desborough Bluebells and 44 to Wokingham Acorns. n For more information about Prospect Park Bowls Club, contact 0118 959 5064.

BCL Premier Division Sandhurst (223-3) beat Woodcote (171 all out) Shinfield 2s (243 all out) beat Mortimer West End (184 all out) Stratfield Turgis (157 all out) lost to Farley Hill (185-9) Welford Park (187 all out) lost to West Reading 2s (190-4) BCL Division 1A Earley (156 all out) lost to Berkshire Royals (258-6) Reading Lions (222 all out) beat Peppard Stoke Row (173-9) BCL Division 1B Farley Hill 2s (203 all out) lost to Woodley (204-5) Rangers (118-4) beat Stallions 2s (117 all out) Shinfield 3s (197 all out) lost to Earley 2s (198-1) Thames Valley Division 1 Burnham (176-7) drew Eversley (235-6) Thames Valley Division 2B Hurst (202 all out) lost to Finchampstead 2s (220-7) Fleet (225 all out) drew Binfield (150-8) Wokingham 2s (291-3) beat Slough 2s (290-9) Royal Ascot (193-8) lost to Reading (194-4) Thames Valley Division 3A Wargrave 2s (130-2) beat Thatcham Town (126 all out) Theale & Tilehurst (257-9 dec) beat White Waltham (153 all out) Sonning (196-8) beat Bagshot (111 all out) Thames Valley Division 4A Finchampstead 3s (173 all out) lost to Peppard Stoke Row (175-2) Falkland 2s (207-6) lost to Wokingham 3s (211-7) Thames Valley Division 5B Bagshot 2s (197 all out) beat Bracknell (125 all out) Reading 2s (213-9) tied Sonning 2s (213-4) Eversley 2s (163-2) beat Royal Ascot 2s (162 all out) Binfield 2s (173 all out) lost to Finchampstead 4s (226-7)

FIXTURES

Saturday, June 18 CRICKET Home Counties Division One Oxford v Finchampstead Wokingham v Banbury Home Counties Division Two Wargrave v Tring Park BCM Championship Lay Hill v West Reading Shinfield v Crowthorne & Crown Wood CMB Premiership The Lee v Emmbrook and Bearwood Chilterns Division Two Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s v Winchmore Hill 2s BCL Premier Division Farley Hill v Shinfield 2s Waltham St Lawrence v Welford Park West Reading 2s v Stratfield Turgis BCL Division 1A Checkendon v Reading Lions Reading United v Silchester West Reading 3s v Earley BCL Division 1B Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s v Reading United 2s Earley 2s v Rangers Twyford and Ruscombe v Farley Hill 2s Woodley v Shinfield 3s Thames Valley Division 1 Eversley v Henley 2s Thames Valley Division 2B Binfield v Hurst Reading v Wokingham 2s Finchampstead 2s v Cove Thames Valley Division 3A White Waltham v Aldershot Harpsden v Wargrave 2s Thatcham Town v Sonning Thames Valley Division 4A Cove 2s v Finchampstead 3s Wokingham 3s v Thatcham Town 2s Thames Valley Division 5B Royal Ascot 2s v Reading 2s Sonning 2s v Bagshot 2s Finchampstead 4s v Purley on Thames 2s Newbury v Eversley 2s Bracknell v Binfield 2s

Sunday, June 19 CRICKET Home Counties Women’s Division 1 Binfield v St Albans Henley v Finchampstead

Home Counties Division 2 South Ballinger Waggoners v Wargrave Berkshire Women’s Softball Binfield v Crowthorne & Crown Wood Berkshire Women’s Softball Development 2 Slough v Emmbrook and Bearwood Windsor v Emmbrook and Bearwood