18 Winter 2018
Swallowfield volunteers win Queen’s Award Congratulations to the Swallowfield Horticultural Society for winning a 2018 Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. It was presented to members of the Society by the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, James Puxley, at The Windsor Guildhall. The award recognises the Society’s dedication in promoting gardening, and organising events that benefit the community and local charities. The Society has more than a hundred volunteers and organises, among other things, the annual summer Swallowfield Horticultural Show which attracts more than 7,000 visitors. This unique UK national honour was created by Her Majesty to mark the Golden Jubilee in 2002.
UP ON THE BOARDWALK If you’re visiting California Country Park you’ll notice a new 200metre boardwalk across Longmoor Bog. It replaces the previous 18-year-old timber structure which had weakened with age and was also regularly vandalised. The new boardwalk cost £88,000, funded by us and Finchampstead Parish Council. We’re also improving the car parking layout at the country park and creating an all-weather outdoor café seating area and a new road for better access. The park, including the café, will remain open during this work which is due to be finished by next summer.
www.facebook.com/wokinghamboroughcouncil
Opening doors for key workers Twenty-two new key worker apartments at the Peach Place development in Wokingham Town Centre are nearly ready to welcome their new occupants. The one and two bedroom flats, from our local housing company Berry Brook Homes, will be available early next year to key workers who either live or work in the Wokingham Borough. Rents will be up to 80 per cent of market values. Key workers are public sector employees who provide an essential service. This includes the NHS, education, police, prison service, probation service, local government, the Ministry of Defence, environmental health officers, and Highways Agency traffic officers. The Peach Place apartments will be allocated through our Housing Needs team, which will examine your employment and circumstances to see if you are eligible. Other housing associations and private developers, in addition to Berry Brook Homes, can offer key worker housing across the Wokingham Borough. As the allocations for all of these sit with us, you should always register your interest with us if you want to be considered for one. More information: (0118) 974 6760 housing.needs@wokingham.gov.uk
