Xn April 14

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APRIL 2014

ISSN 2049-4971

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April 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

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Bereavement care from AB Walker & Son Berkshire funeral directors A.B. Walker & Son has set up a special care group which has helped scores of people cope with bereavement.

The Link Bereavement Care Group has proved a great success since it was launched in April 2013.

Clients and their families have been invited to attend a six-week course, run in partnership with the national charity Cruse Bereavement Care. The courses are held regularly at A.B. Walker & Son’s head office in Reading.

“We want to offer additional support to our clients after the funeral,” said A.B. Walker’s head of bereavement care, Melissa Walker.

“We all cope in different ways when we lose a loved one and we wanted to ensure our clients have this aftercare available to them and their families should they need help.”

Melissa runs The Link Bereavement Care Group along with her husband Matthew, who is a director of A.B. Walker & Son. The courses have been emotional. Tears have been shed.

Special friendships have formed.

One woman felt able to celebrate her son’s birthday by inviting his friends for a party.

A man, mourning the loss of his wife, shared his recipes and made a cake for the final session.

“People like to share their stories,” said Melissa. “They can feel they are not alone, that their

feelings are normal which has resulted in close bonds forming in the groups.”

The sessions include discussions about grief and feelings. There is also practical help including advice about gardening, banking and insurance policies.

During the final meeting candles are sometimes lit or balloons released in memory of the person who has died.

After the course clients are invited to stay in touch and join a Link Up ‘social’ group which meets once a month.

“We see a change in the people who come along,” said Melissa. “We see them growing in confidence. It is very rewarding for the team of facilitators owing to the positive impact the course has on those that attend.”

A.B. Walker & Son also held its second annual service of remembrance in March of this year.

Hundreds of bereaved people came together for the emotional service which was held at Reading Minster of St Mary the Virgin in Reading’s town centre. The service was officiated by The Venerable

Olivia Graham, Archdeacon of Berkshire.

“It was a chance for those who had lost a loved one to be with others who had also suffered bereavement,” said Melissa.

“It was a time for them to pause and reflect. We realise there is a great need for the bereaved to collectively remember.” n A.B. Walker & Son is one of Berkshire’s oldest family businesses. It was established in 1826 and is now run by the fifth generation of the family. It has been supporting bereaved families for nearly 200 years.

This month

Fair cake 4

This is your magazine Contact us with your stories, email editor@xnmedia.co.uk write to Xn Media, 60 London Street, Reading RG1 4SQ. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Richard McCoull 0118 328 3108 richard@xnmedia.co.uk Xn is published by Xn Media.

ISSN 2049-4971 c/o Crown House, 231 King’s Road, Reading RG1 4LS www.xnmedia.co.uk Twitter: @xnmedia Editor & publisher Phil Creighton editor@xnmedia.co.uk

Living water 10

Action! 32

Writer Vivienne Johnson vivienne@xnmedia.co.uk Photography Lynda Bowyer lynda@xnmedia.co.uk Website Peter Bowyer peter@xnmedia.co.uk Distribution Judith Creighton judith@xnmedia.co.uk Contributors Michael Penny, Steve Prince, James Hern, Martin Ceaser, Chris Carter, Jonathan Brown, Emma Major, Michael Johnson Thanks to Quench, Alan Magness, Louise Cole, Mary Brockington, Nick Crowder, Andrew Taylor, Steve Curtis, Lynne Colman, Emma Major, Paul Coia, Dan Brennan, Malc Pierce, CCA Cover picture BBC Printed by Polestar Xn is an independent publication that aims to reflect community and Church life without bias.

The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers.

Every care is taken to ensure that the contents of the magazine are accurate but the publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements, the publishers cannot accept any responsibility for any resulting unsatisfactory transactions. They will, however, investigate any written complaints. © Xn Media Ltd, 2014

Facebook: Xnmedia Twitter: @Xnmedia

Woody 18 Grants 21 Budget 20 Contents From the editor 4 The Main Event

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T’S BEEN a busy month at Xn Towers with change being the key word.

The first big change you’ll notice is our new A4-sized glossy magazine format. It’s got four extra pages in and even with them, that’s still not enough for all the Excellent News we wish to report.

We regularly update Xn’s website with the latest news. You really should visit it. It too Phil Creighton has had a makeover this month making it easier to read and share stories.

The biggest change has been a new home for Xn Towers. We are incredibly grateful for the support Quench has given us but with more volunteers helping out we’ve outgrown their space. We’re now grateful to the great guys at Crown House for letting us move in and to CCA for their help and support as we flitted.

Do let us know what you think about the new magazine. We love hearing from you.

Finally, we wish you all a very Happy Easter!

6 News 14 Education A special visit from the Royal family 17 Interview Paul Coia 18 News focus 26 Food Cooking on a budget 21 Business 22 Classified 26 Sport All the latest from the Football League 27 Family circle 28 What’s on Two pages of community events 30 Puzzles 31 Arts New plays, concerts and films

Get in touch! email stories to editor@xnmedia.co.uk Deadline for May issue Thursday, April 17

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April 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

the main event

Celebrating 10 fair years!

BY VIVIENNE JOHNSON PICTURES BY LYNDA BOWYER

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eading recently celebrated its 10th anniversary of being a Fairtrade town during Fairtrade Fortnight, February 23 to March 12.

“We were one of the first 10 towns to become a Fairtrade town,” said Bente Madeira, Events Co-ordinator for RISC and Reading Fair Trade steering group.

“I think there are over 500 now. We were in the forefront of that.”

Fairtrade Fortnight had something for everyone. Highlights included a Café Crawl around Reading’s flagship Fairtrade coffee shops, a demonstration of exquisite crocheted silver work with Just Trade jewellery and a talk from an olive farmer.

There were plenty of opportunities

to sample Fairtrade food and drink from around the world including exotic fruits grown in Columbia and Palestinian olives and dates.

The pavement outside RISC in London Street was turned into a free street café as samples of Fairtrade cereals, fruits and honey were offered with coffee, tea or juices.

The University of Reading’s chaplaincy held a pancake party using Fairtrade jams, spreads and fruit.

Ten years ago there were just two fairtrade cafés in Reading.

“I think there are well over 60 now,” said Bente. “And nearly all supermarkets and shops stock Fairtrade products.” v We’ve been covering Fairtrade Fortnight events.

Log on to our website goo.gl/tHmvYe or scan the QuickCode on the right.

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April 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

v Can you engage with Engage?

A READING-based befriending charity requires volunteers to visit older people living in the Reading Borough who are lonely or isolated.

These visits are weekly or fortnightly and the Friends can go out as part of this visit if appropriate.

Engage Befriending is currently looking for more befrienders and also someone who could design some new leaflets for the charity.

If you can help or would like to find out more, contact Katherine Shepherd by emailing engage@ themustardtree.org or calling 0118 956 7000.

v Be Inspired to get The Link THE Link Visiting Scheme, a Wokinghambased charity that offers a befriending service to lonely, elderly and vulnerable people is featured in a national magazine this month.

Inspire Magazine, which is read across the country, tells the story of the charity and how it has been helped by the Cinnamon Network.

The Link has a limited number of FREE copies of the free magazine to give away while stocks last. v For more details, email Jeremy Sharpe, the Link’s director, on jeremy@linkvisiting.org, call 0300 302 0225 or log on to: www.linkvisiting.org.

v Easter craft fair at The Cornstores Come along to The Cornstores pub for some craft fair action on Easter Sunday.

There will be lots of arts and crafts on offer including EsJay bespoke, handmade jewellery, paintings and prints from local artist Sarah Lawman, recycled furniture, vintage fashion and wearable textile art, accessories and millinery from Eternal Magpie.

You will also be able to buy Tutts Clump Real Cider made by hand from apples and pears harvested in West Berkshire.

Refreshments are available. The event is open from 11am to 6pm.

The Cornstores pub is at 10 Forbury Road in Reading.

New Street Pastors are ready to patrol

Pastor Neville Hollands from LifeSpring Church welcomes the eight new Street Pastors Picture: Lynda Bowyer

BY LYNDA BOWYER MOre than 80 people from around the borough attended the Reading Salvation Army Corps on Anstey Road last month to welcome some new Street Pastors.

Eight volunteers were sworn-in at the organisation’s fifth Street Pastor Commissioning Service on Saturday, March 15.

This now brings the total

number of Reading Street Pastors to 65 from more than 25 churches in the area.

Guest speaker at the event was Eustace Constance, the Operations Manager of The Ascension Trust – the governing charity for the Street Pastors initiative.

Sally Leonard, the Reading Street Pastors co-ordinator, said: “We’re also looking at recruiting some Street Pastors to

be permanently based at the First Stop Bus which was launched earlier this year. The work done there is vital as the bus is being used more and more.” v To find out more about Reading Street Pastors, visit reading. streetpastors.org.uk or call Sally on 07970 710080. v For a longer report, visit our website: goo.gl/bZsmmu

Poverty group to take action

BY PHIL CREIGHTON WEEKS after bishops condemned Coalition Government policies for causing a poverty crisis, plans are in place for an action group in the Reading area.

The Rt Revd John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford, was one of 22 Church leaders to sign the letter, which appeared in national newspapers at the start of Lent.

They wrote: “We must, as a society, face up to the fact that over half of people using foodbanks have been put in that situation by cutbacks to and failures in the benefit system, whether it be payment delays or punitive sanctions.”

They also called for action, saying there was an “acute moral imperative” to do so.

“Hundreds of thousands of people are doing so already, as they set up and support food banks across the UK. But this is a national crisis, and one we must rise to.”

As part of this, a Reading Church Action On Poverty group is in the early stages of launching.

The charity aims to make a real difference by helping to reduce the widening gap between the rich and poor. Its work is supported by Bishops and senior Church leaders across the country.

The Reading group will support the overall Church-based response to the issue of poverty in Reading

and aims to work in partnership with Reading Borough Council and associated agencies.

Network Vineyard Church spokesperson Salim Yakub said: “We’re looking for people who are passionate about eradicating poverty to join us in forming this action group, so we can support the wider movement at a local level, and make a difference in our town.

“The bigger the group, the more action we can take and the greater the difference we can make.” v To join this group or to find out more, call Salim on 07837 400216 or email salim@networkvineyard.org.uk. v For more on the bishops’ letter, log on to www.endhungerfast.co.uk.

v

Charities taking part included Wokingham Foodbank, JAC PAD (Just Around the Corner), First Days and the Link Visiting Scheme.

The event was organised by the Council, the Wokingham Volunteer Centre and Voluntary Sector Forum.

It was compered by local businessman Mark Ashwell (pictured left). v A longer version of this story is on our website, xnmedia.co.uk

SPEED networking isn’t just for dating as 23 charities found out last month.

Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr UllaKarin Clark hosted a speed networking event on Wednesday, March 19, to pair up local charities with businesses keen to support them.

The charities had three-minute pitches at St Anne’s Manor Hotel in Wokingham and businesess could then choose who to help.

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All you can eat for £5*

BY VIVIENNE JOHNSON Could you live on £1 a day?

1.2 billion people around the world (that’s 20 times the population of the UK) survive on just that.

The Global Poverty Project has organised the Live Below the Line challenge to raise awareness and money for 35 charities who are fighting to help the world’s poorest populations.

Starting on April 28 and lasting for five days the challenge aims to show the struggle faced by people living in extreme poverty who have to buy food and drink for less than £1 a day.

Funds raised will be used for sustainable development projects around the world that are mobilising people to end their own hunger and poverty in 15,000 village communities.

Mark Speirs, The Hunger Project UK’s Head of Fundraising said: “Although Live Below the Line can

Xn editor Phil Creighton is planning his £5 shopping list. Read his blogs on our website via the QR code below:

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v Stock up on plants Forget April showers, here come the April plant sales.

Head to Wokingham Methodist Church’s Bradbury Centre on Saturday mornings this month and next and you can buy everything you need to give your garden a spring makeover.

The Rose Street Gardeners sale is held between 10am and noon and offers a range of plants. These include shrubs and perennials, early vegetables and tomatoes.

The sale will take place on days when the weather is fine.

v Youth space never fully recreate what it’s like to live in extreme poverty, it gives people an invaluable insight into the kind of tough decisions 1.2 billion people face globally every day.”

The equivalent of £1 a day will buy people in developing nations basic food such as rice, lentils and vegetables for two meals with pennies leftover for all the rest of life’s necessities such as transport, clothing, shelter,

education and medicine.

Living on a tiny amount of money for a few days is nothing like the terrible struggle millions of people are faced with but it does open a window into the life of many people.

In previous years, participants have included the Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Andrew Proud. v For more details log on to: www.livebelowtheline.com/uk

*that’s your TOTAL budget for a five days’ worth of food shopping

A new monthly space has been created to allow younger people to explore Christian worship.

Kingdom Seekers meets at Emmanuel Church in Woodley on the third Saturday of the month.

Each evening includes a live band and a speaker.

The April meeting takes place on April 19, the May meeting is on the 17th and the June meeting takes place on the 21st. Entry is free and the events start at 6.30pm. v For more details, log on to www.kingdomseekers.co.uk.

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Get ready for an even bigger Big Day Out!

v This year’s line-up Saturday Main Stage Worship Central with Tim Hughes Rend Collective Newworldson THIRD DAY Jahméne Douglas Matt Maher Bellarive Four Kornerz Tearfund Tea Tent

It’s back for a sixth year, jam-packed with great music, family fun and an intense experience. All that’s missing from the BigChurchDayOut is you …

I

t’s already a Big weekend – now it’s going to be even bigger.

The hugely popular BigChurchDayOut, which takes place over the second May Bank Holiday weekend, is returning for its sixth year. Featuring a programme jampacked with music, fun and family-friendly activities, the BCDO offers something for everyone.

And this year it’s expanding, hosting a worship conference on the two days immediately after the main festival.

It all takes place at Wiston House in West Sussex – about 90 minutes away from the Thames Valley by car – and is one of the most laid-back and enjoyable festivals on the calendar.

“The BigChurchDayOut is all about us coming together to celebrate our faith, no matter what our church or background,” says Tim Jupp, organiser of the festival.

“There’s something for everybody, from a nice cup of tea with a Chamber Orchestra, to high energy worship, and some of the best ‘Christian’ music the world has to offer…it’s all about being ‘church’ together.”

Over three stages, 35 top acts will perform. The line-up includes Matt Redman, Newsboys, Third Day, Philippa Hanna, the Watoto Children’s Choir, Cathy Burton, Noel Robinson, X-Factor’s Jahmene Douglas and All Sons & Daughters.

As well as the music there is plenty of fun stuff for families. A large funfair is on offer and attractions go beyond the traditional merry-go-round to include bouncy castles, a climbing wall, mountain biking and face painting.

A special Big Church Fete area features a petting farm, a birds of prey display, the chance to try out some circus skills and a fun craft tent, all suitable for young children to enjoy.

And, for all children aged five and under, a fun soft play tent is open, offering lots of activities. Parents will be pleased to note that a baby changing area is right next door.

The first BCDO launched with 15,000 people on a single

day. Now it’s a weekend event and welcomes more than 20,000 people. To cope with demand, Tim and his team have been busy expanding the site each year to cope with the growth.

Stick around after the BCDO has finished and you can enjoy The Worship Conversation. The two-day conference is aimed at worship leaders, teams, church leaders and, as Tim says, “pretty much anyone who is passionate about worship”.

As well as guest speakers there will be time to take part in practical workshops, walks and writing. Evenings will be spent worshipping together.

Some of the guests include Matt Redman, who has written many great worship songs sung in our churches today. Also taking part are All Sons & Daughters, Matt Maher, United Pursuit, Reuben Morgan, Becca Jupp and Graham Kendrick.

There is an additional charge for the Worship Conversation, and it’s also possible to book for just the Worship Conversation.

Full details are on the BCDO website, www. bigchurchdayout.com.

It may surprise some readers, but BCDO is a charity and appreciates donations to help fund its activities. With this in mind, it’s launched Big Church Buddies.

Tim says: “Our vision is to do all we can to make the event as accessible to as many as possible, not only so the wider church can come together, but so that people feel comfortable inviting their friends and family from outside of church, and that’s why we discount our tickets so much.

“Here’s the exciting bit, you too can partner with us to help see the great assembly grow, to see more lives impacted, and to see the BigChurchDayOut become the beacon for the church we believe God wants it to be.

“For some time we have affectionately been calling those who help support the event our buddies, and the BigChurchDayOut cannot survive without the help of our BigChurchBuddies.”

It’s really easy to sign up to support BCDO in this way: just log on to the BigChurchDayOut’s website www.bigchurchdayout.com and follow the link.

Philippa Hanna (above) Watoto Children’s Choir Iona Cathy Burton Tara Brown UCB Stage Royal Foundlings Twelve24 Divine Divine Annastasia Baker Tara Brown

Sunday Main Stage

Matt Redman Fred Hammond Newsboys Jason Upton All Sons & Daughters LZ7 United Pursuit Guvna B Tearfund Tea Tent The Abrams Brothers Jason Upton All Sons & Daughters Gospel Singers Incognito UCB Stage Empire Nation J Vessel Noel Robinson iEqualsChange We Are Lions

May 22-24 May 26-27 www.bigchurchdayout.com

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April 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

v Encounter Helen HELEN BANTHORP, a successful businesswomen who makes gorgeous stained glass gifts will be the guest speaker for April’s Reading Aglow Encounter Night.

To be held at Southcote Christian Mission in Southcote on Monday, April 14, the event includes light refreshments and pampering hand massages.

The event starts at 7.15pm and entry is £5, although first time visitors can get in for free. v For more details, www.facebook. com/readingaglow

v Science & atheism A REGULAR contributor to BBC Radio 4’s Thought For The Day slot will be the guest speaker at the April Caf é Theologiqué meeting.

The Revd Canon Angela Tilby, who is a Canon at Christ Church in Oxford, will be helping to lead a discussion entitled What About Science: Do I Have To Be An Atheist?

The event will be held at Zero Degrees, 9 Bridge Street on Monday, April 28, from 7pm.

Everyone is welcome and no booking is necessary. Entry is free. v For more details, email chaplaincy@reading.ac.uk, or call 0118 378 8797.

Women discover Egypt via Poland

BY VIVIENNE JOHNSON PICTURES BY LYNDA BOWYER Streams of living water flowed across the Thames Valley for the International Women’s Day of Prayer.

The Polish Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Watlington Street in Reading was a fitting home for the town’s celebration on Friday, March 7.

Father Jerzy Januszkiewicz, the priest-in-charge of the church, said “It’s the second time we are having the Women’s Day of Prayer here and we are very happy that you choose our church for this event.”

Women and men from different denominations met to reflect as the day of prayer spread around the world. Celebrations started in Samoa as morning broke, travelling with the sunrise and ended in Samoa again as women there held the final service in the evening.

International Women’s Day of Prayer used the same material the world over and this year the service was written by a group of interdenominational Christian women in Egypt, taking the theme of Streams in the Desert.

Cllr Marian Livingstone, the Mayor of Reading, joined the

Streams of living water flowed in the Polish Roman Catholic Church in Reading as women from across the Thames Valley joined in celebrations for the annual International Women’s Day of Prayer

congregation and said: “I’ve really enjoyed today, it’s been very interesting.”

Major Alison Hudson of Reading Central Salvation Army spoke with passion about the Samaritan woman who gave Jesus a drink of water from a well.

“The same story for all the women around the world; that was on my mind today” said Alison. v For a longer version of this article with more exclusive pictures, log on to our website http:// goo.gl/PZ4DLS or scan the QR code on the right

v Finchampstead women head to the well The Parish of Finchampstead and California joined the Women’s World Day of Prayer.

The service included readings about life in Egypt and the importance of the River Nile, as well as a re-enactment of Jesus’ meeting with the Samaritan woman at the well. It was led by the local branch leader Sarah Owen.

The Revd Stephen Thatcher, Padre at Arborfield Garrison, gave a very interesting and wide-ranging talk.

He spoke about how the status of women in Egypt had changed over the centuries, how life is currently very difficult for many women throughout

Still the Hunger We provide a non-residential programme, and support groups and individual sessions for those needing less intensive support 07733 300 705 | info@stillthehunger.co.uk www.stillthehunger.co.uk

Sarah Owen with the Revd Stephen Thatcher the world and how Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman teaches us about God’s love and mercy.

The service was held St Mary & St John’s Parish Centre, Billing Avenue, Finchampstead and was followed by light refreshments.

v Exploring the struggle for liberty At St John the Evangelist church in Woodley this year, almost 50 people attended the Women’s Day service.

The speaker was a young woman from Egypt who said that she would adopt one of the prayers for her own use because it was so appropriate and because her future career will be one of community service in her own country.

She felt that the opportunity to speak was important to her because of her distress caused by media reports of the conflict in Egypt as a religious conflict.

Her view was that it is a struggle for liberty to lead a fulfilling life in a democratic society, not in one dominated either by religious or military enforcement.

MARY PRICE

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Join Stephen Baldwin at CRE International

O

NE of stars of The Usual Suspects is looking forward to being an unusual guest at this year’s CRE International.

Stephen Baldwin appeared in the doubleOscar winning film back in 1995, but this year he’s swapping Sunset Boulevard for Esher Racecourse as he drops in to show his support for the third UK Christian Film Festival.

It’s just one of the many attractions at the 30th National Christian Resources Exhibition, which runs at Sandown Park racecourse in Esher, Surrey, from Tuesday, May 13 to Friday, May 16.

Dubbed the Ideal Home Show for churches, the event features around 350 exhibitors representing more than 500 organisations.

They’ll be displaying everything you need to resource your church, from vestments to noticeboards, to newspapers to puppets, it’s all at the show.

From book publishers to youth specialists, overseas aid to church sound & lighting, no other event offers direct contact to such a remarkable range of suppliers and mission organisations.

Make the most of your day at CRE by soaking up music, theatre and entertainment in a unique, friendly atmosphere.

Browse in the exhibition bookshop,

stocked with hundreds of publications, CDs, DVDs, gift items and cards. Then relax and meet friends in the Spotlight Café.

As well as the exhibition, there are a range of special events and showcases. In addition to the film festival, there will be a focus on children’s ministry, more than 100 practical seminars and workshops and the opportunity to meet with a range of organisations.

Visitors will also be introduced to a new stage musical Love Beyond, which, at its launch last year, featured an 18-piece orchestra and a cast of 24.

With so much on offer, a day is rarely enough.

Stephen Baldwin’s visit to CRE International is to give his backing to the third UK Christian Film Festival.

Since Stephen became a Christian, he has focused more on roles in Christian-themed movies; the two latest are Loving the Bad Man and I’m in Love With a Church Girl.

Both will be featured in a retrospective of Baldwin’s career as part of CRE International. On the same day, attendees will be able to participate in a Q&A session.

He will return on Friday, May 16 to present awards in the festival’s nine categories – including Best Feature Film, Best Documentary and Best of British.

Tickets cost £5 – but Xn readers can enjoy a £1 discount using code xnsan14d.

To book, visit www.creonline.co.uk.

May 13-16, Sandown Park, Esher www.creonline.co.uk Europe’s leading

Christian Resources Exhibitions

CRE International Sandown Park, Esher 13 – 16 May 2014

Featuring

Jennifer Rees Larcombe

Tony Campolo

David Pawson

RT Kendall

and much, much more...

To receive a £1 discount off your ticket price simply visit CREonline and quote promotional code xnsan14d

For up to date information and to buy tickets go to

CREonline.co.uk

facebook.com/CREonline

YouTube.com/CREvideochannel

@CRE_churchshow

Christian Resources Exhibitions is part of Bible Society (Charity Reg. No 232759) Tel 01793 418218

Information correct at time of going to press

XN - sandown.indd 1

27/03/2014 15:30:14

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April 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

v This collection takes the biscuit!

Crumbs! If you’ve been guzzling garibaldis, nobbling Hob-nobs and digesting digestives, don’t throw away the wrapper.

A group at St Andrew’s Church in Sonning wants your rubbish: each sweet biscuit wrapper can raise 4p for Bowel Cancer Research.

A box has been set up in the church porch to receive donations.

No doubt hungry collectors wouldn’t say no to some wrappers having the biscuits left in the odd packet or two. v For details: sonningparish.org.uk

v Head to Brimpton to swap your plants A SWAP shop is going to be held next month and it’s open to everyone with green fingers.

St Peter’s Church in Brimpton will hold the plant sale and swap on Saturday, May 10.

Bedding and vegetable plants will be on sale, plants can be swapped for another and there will be a raffle and delicious cakes to enjoy.

It takes place from 10am to noon and everyone is welcome. v For details: www.awb.org.uk

Lent focus on food crisis

BY SALLY HAMBLIN EVERY Tuesday during Lent, St James Church in Finchampstead holds a weekly lecture.

Xn has summaries of each of the series on our website, xnmedia. co.uk. This is an edited extract of a panel discussion held on Tuesday, March 25.

The panel comprised Sue Burrow, a volunteer at the Crowthorne Food Bank (CFB); Jamie Walker, Sport & Community Outreach Officer at Finchampstead Baptist Centre and involved with the Finchampstead Food Bank Agency (FFBA), which operates as a satellite of CFB. Beth Rowland is admin director at Community Savings & Loans (Berkshire) Ltd; a credit union which serves those who live or work in Berkshire. It offers savings facilities and affordable loans to its members and is a local alternative to the high street bank, doorstep or pay-day loan lenders.

The panel members stressed how important these services are to the community, illustrating

Speakers (from left) Sue Burrow, Jamie Walker, Beth Rowland.

Inset: David Atkinson Picture: St James’ Finchampstead the point by describing the issues and hardship some of their clients were facing. They personally have found their work extremely rewarding and they encouraged the audience in St James’ Church Centre to do what they could to help.

A few examples for consideration were: educating young people on money management and running literacy and computer-skills courses for adults to enable essential form-filling.

David Atkinson, a member of the audience and also a volunteer at the Wokingham Food Bank,

joined in a Q&A session.

John Edwards summarised the evening by saying how deep seated the issues raised were for Christians, and that “a followup session would give a further opportunity to reflect on what we had heard and to consider our response.” v The final lecture in the series takes place on Tuesday, April 8. The guest will be Mabel Boyd, who will talk about the work of the Churches in Reading Drop-in Centre. The session starts at 7.45pm and everyone is welcome. v Read the full version of this report on our website, xnmedia.co.uk

Spend an afternoon with a new Saint

2014-2015 2014-2015 Mercy Circle Circle DivineDivine Mercy Reading Reading

St John Paul II

Divine Mercy HOLY HOUR: On these Sundays from 2:30pm to 3:30pm

Divine Mercy HOLY HOURDATE

CHURCH

On these Sundays from 2:30pm to 3:30pm th

St John’s Convent ChurchLinden Hill Lane, off A4 Bath Road, Kiln Green

St John’s Convent Our Lady of Peace & Bl. Dominic Barberi Linden Hill Lane, off A4 Bath Road, Kiln Green 338 Wokingham Road, Earley, RG6 7DA

Date

4th May th2014 8

June 2014

Our Lady of Peace & Bl. Dominic Barberi St Joseph’sRoad, Earley, RG6 7DA 338 Wokingham

8th June 2014

St Joseph’s Berkshire Drive, Tilehurst, RG31 5JJ Christ the King

6th July 2014

Berkshire Drive, Tilehurst, RG31 5JJ

408 Northumberland Avenue, RG2 8NR Christ the King

408 Northumberland Avenue, RG2 8NR St John’s Convent

6th July 2014

3rd August 2014

3rd August 2014 th

7 September 2014

Linden Hill Lane, off A4 Bath Road, Kiln Green St John’s Convent Linden Hill Lane, off A4 Bath Road, Kiln Green

7th September 2014

English64Martyrs Liebenrood Road, RG30 2EB 64 Liebenrood Road, RG30 2EB

5th October 2014

English Martyrs

5th October 2014 nd

John Bosco St JohnStBosco 56 Western Avenue, Woodley, RG5 3BH 56 Western Avenue, Woodley, RG5 3BH

2 November 2014 2nd November 2014

St James’ St James’ Reading, RG13HW 3HW Forbury Forbury Road, Road, Reading, RG1

7th December 2014 2014 7th December

Our Lady Peace Dominic Barberi Our of Lady of Peace&&Bl. Bl. Dominic Barberi 338 Wokingham Road, Earley, RG6 338 Wokingham Road, Earley, RG6 7DA 7DA

11th January 2015 11th January 2015

St Thomas More St Thomas More 105 London Road, Twyford, RG10 9EL

1st February 2015 st

Shrine of Our Lady & St Anne Our LadyCaversham, & St Anne 2 South Shrine View of Avenue, RG4 5AB

1st March 2015

St John Bosco 56 Western Avenue, Woodley, RG5 3BH

12th April 2015* *Feast of Divine Mercy* th

105 London Road, Twyford, RG10 9EL

2 South View Avenue, Caversham, RG4 5AB St John Bosco 56 Western Avenue, Woodley, RG5 3BH

Watch an astounding film about John Paul II

4 May 2014

1 February 2015 1st March 2015

12 April 2015* *Feast of Divine Mercy*

SAtuRDAy 26tH APRIL 2014 At 1:30Pm

A mAn WHO cHAnGED tHE WORLD the Reading Divine mercy circle invite you to commemorate the canonization of John Paul II Pope John Paul II will be Canonized in Rome on the 27th of April 2014.

All are warmly invited to join our celebration.

Join us for tea and coffee afterwards

divinemercyreading@gmail.com

“9 Days that changed the world” See how he calls on the power of God WHERE: Our Lady of Peace Parish Hall, 338 Wokingham Road Earley, Reading RG6 7DA

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Ted’s carpets help twice over

BY LYNDA BOWYER A Reading-based carpet fitter is ready to write a bumper cheque for charity – thanks to you.

Ted Callaghan, who runs Callaghan Flooring And Carpets, donates 5% of orders booked through Xn to Yeldall Manor.

He is poised to write a cheque for £200 to the Hare Hatch substance rehabilitation centre – bringing his donation to date in the region of £1,000.

Xn caught up with him while fitting the new floor covering at CCA’s furniture outlet on Silver Street after their recent flood damage.

Xn advertiser Ted said: “It’s important to do something good; to give something back. I came up with the idea of donating 5% from each carpet and floorcovering order to a charity back when Xn first started out over two years ago, and it’s something I value in keeping going.”

Ted has been helping with CCA’s furniture store refurbishment which took place during March.

Carpetman Ted Callaghan has donated more money to Yeldall Manor and helped refit CCA’s furniture store in Silver Street, Reading Picture: Lynda Bowyer

The Silver Street site is also home to ReadiFood’s offices.

Back in October, a burst water pipe caused extensive damage to the site and £3,000 worth of stock was affected.

Now the site has dried out, the refurbishment has been carried out. Works have included a new rear mezzanine floor, brand new carpets and lighting as well as a fire detection system.

A garden is also being planted in waste ground in the store’s backyard.

Tom Wedd, CCA Furinture Outlet Manager, said: “Do you have a spare half day to do some gardening for us?

“We would like to prepare a small area at the rear of the building for grass seed sowing. It’s about half a day’s work.” v For more details, or to offer help, email tom@ccam.org.uk or call in. To donate furniture, call 0118 951 2338. v For a longer version of this story, visit our website, goo.gl/R0JeBe or scan the QR code.

v Flowers on show WITH spring flowers coming into bloom, a floral festival is being planned.

St Mary’s Church in Beenham is planning to decorate the aisles with beautiful blooms over the weekend of May 24 and 25.

Part of the exhibition will be a display of miniature gardens produced by children in a village competition. There are two age ranges: under eights and under 12s.

It will be open each day from noon to 5pm and light refreshments are planned. A Songs of Praise service will close Sunday, starting at 5pm.

v Fit for food A Reading-based fitness club is offering to eschew its joining fee if you give a food donation.

Curves Reading West is a female fitness club and is asking new members not to give them money but a bag of non-perishable food items.

All food donated will be given to ReadiFood.

The club is based in Cholsey House, Moulsford Mews. v For more details, call the club on 0118 950 3657.

15 years later, Colin bows out

By Sharon Elliott AFTER 15 years heading up an organisation that has supported numerous local projects, a community leader is moving on.

And to celebrate, Faith In The Community hosted a farewell party for Colin Preston, who has led the group since 1999.

The gathering, held at Kings’ Church in Wokingham on Thursday, March 27, saw people pay tribute to Colin.

Projects that Faith In The Community have helped have included JAC, the Link Visiting Scheme, First Days, Soulscape (formerly Wokingham Area Schools Christian Workers Trust), A440 Choir and Bottletop Theatre all paid tribute to Colin’s significant contribution to the local community.

Jane Turner, of Soulscape, said to Colin: “Your belief in me helped my dream become a reality and has brought about real change.”

Keith Saynor of Kings Church, Wokingham and member of the Faith in the Community, team added: “After you have had a

BAKE WITH THE MASTERS Our Masterclasses have been developed for individuals to experience a truly hands on approach to baking. meeting with Colin, you always feel so much better.”

Patricia Gavigan of the A440 choir and Illuminate Arts Group paid a poetic tribute to Colin: With praise for Colin, your faith is tangible in worship and works With celebration for Colin, your steadfastness is accompanied by engaging humour With gratitude for Colin, your compassion holds hands with kindness With thanksgiving for Colin, your generous heart is led by the Spirit’s perception May the blessing of these virtues which have touched and changed so many rebound to you in the coming years.

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During these fun & lively sessions our bakers impart their experience and knowledge to you throughout the experience, showcasing skills and techniques we have used for generations.

All our Masterclasses are £99 and include Masterclass of your choice Warings family Master Bakers Embroidered Masterclass Apron Recipe cards & Afternoon Tea Plus all the product you make Call 0118 945 6688 www.waringsbakery.co.uk

14

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April 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

v Meet editor Phil at men’s breakfast EARLY risers can enjoy a full English and get an insight into Xn thanks to the Baptist Men’s Movement.

The organisation is welcoming Xn editor Phil Creighton as its guest speaker on Saturday, April 26.

Starting at 8.15am, the event starts with breakfast and then a talk. It’s part of a worldwide men’s breakfast event.

It will take place at Caversham Baptist Church.

The meal costs £6 and should be booked by April 23. v For details, call David Garrod on 0118 978 9870 or email davidmgarrod@yahoo.co.uk

v Sheeplands wants to bless your pets ALL creatures great and small are being invited to a garden centre to be made a fuss of.

The Revd Anna Harwood will be conducting a service of thanksgiving for domestic pets at Hare Hatch Sheeplands garden centre on Sunday, April 13.

Guests can bring along their own pets. Cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters are all welcome at the service which will be particularly targeted at children.

It starts at 2pm and is expected to last around 30 minutes.

Sheeplands’ two pet donkeys Cadbury and Manuel will also be on show.

The Duke of Kent unveils the plaque that officially opens the new Huntley and Palmer building of Katesgrove Primary School Pictures: Lynda Bowyer

The grand old Duke of opening

BY LYNDA BOWYER His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent officially opened Katesgrove Primary’s new Huntley and Palmer building last month.

The new building, completed in September 2013, was needed to enable the school to grow to accommodate 560 pupils, and is part of Reading Borough Council’s

school expansion programme which will deliver another 2,520 places over next few years.

The Duke opened the school on Tuesday, March 18.

Katesgrove’s head teacher Shelley Lowther said: “It’s been a lovely day.

His Royal Highness is an extremely knowledgeable gentleman.

“He spoke to lots of the children and now knows how to capture a

Duchess drops in twice over

v Mums, it’s your night out!

MUMS in the Goring area are invited to have an MoT once a month.

The Mum’s Out Tonight group meets at St Thomas’ Church on the fourth Monday of the month from 8pm to 9.30pm.

The relaxed night out features time to chat and hear a special guest speaker. It’s designed for Mums with young children.

The April event takes place on Monday 28, and will see Janet Hurst talk about Good Walks For The Family.

The May 19 event is Two Ways To Live with guest Jenny Roper. v www.st-marys-streatley.org.uk

v Foodbank needs CROWTHORNE Foodbank says that it urgently needs long life fruit juice and milk, 500g sugar, rice pudding, tinned tomatoes, cereal bars, 500g rice and sponge puddings.

Donations can be left in the village’s churches.

pirate, and how to get to the moon.”

The Duke also visited Sol Joel Park in Earley to open the Jubilee Pavilion.

Pupils from Earley St Peter’s School presented the Duke with a gift and he was given a right royal welcome by the excited schoolchildren. v For more pictures and a longer report, log on to our website: goo.gl/WBiFZS

The Bishop of Reading (right) with Christian Aid partner Sarjon Tomas and Christian Aid’s Jessica Hall help launch Christian Aid week Picture: Phil Creighton

Boots on for Christian Aid! WALKERs are invited to get their boots ready to walk round some of the most beautiful countryside in the country.

To mark Christian Aid Week, people are being asked to sign up to the annual sponsored walk from Bix Village Hall.

Three routes are available, lasting five, 10 or 15 miles. And, at the end of the route, there will be a barbecue sponsored by the The Good Little Company.

It takes place on Saturday, May 17. Walkers can set off between 8.30am and 10am and can either raise sponsorship or donate at least £10 on the day. v For more details, log on to www.christianaid.org.uk/ walks or email oxford@christian-aid.org.

Wokingham received a double helping of Royalty last month when HRH the Duchess of Gloucester GCVO dropped in.

She officially opened the town’s newly revamped Medical Centre, and then unveiled a framed representation of the 2012 Jubilee Freize at Wokingham’s refurbished Railway Station.

The visits were made on Wednesday, March 26. v We’ve got more pictures and details on our website, goo.gl/7TMIWk Picture: Lynda Bowyer

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200 children need a home

BY VIVIENNE JOHNSON

MORE than 200 children and young people in the Greater Reading area are waiting to find an adoptive or foster parent.

Some of them come from families whose circumstances mean they can no longer care for them. Sometimes their family is no longer a safe place for them to live.

Different reasons, different children, different needs, but all needing someone to care for them.

Reading Borough Council has a particular issue because many of the children in care cannot be placed with local foster carers.

Children can be moved away, leaving behind their home, school and friends.

This makes ongoing contact with their families very difficult and relationships are even more likely to break down in the future.

When Reading Christian Network (RCN) heard about the plight of these children they promised to help.

Laura Eades was a social worker

Could you adopt a child and help give them a new home?

Picture posed by model.

Picture: alesia17/ sxc.hu

before becoming a pastor at Wycliffe Baptist Church in east Reading. She has been working on the project with Parents and Children Together (PACT).

“Nationally 6,000 children in the UK are waiting for adoption,” she said. “There is a shortage of 9,000 foster carers at least and probably that number is growing.

Every day in this country 50 children come into care.”

People are needed to offer adoption and fostering care to children.

“You don’t have to be a parent already, you don’t have to be

anything other than an ordinary person,” said Laura.

“If you are going to adopt of foster, you need to have a room that a child can live in and you need to have an open mind as well as an open heart.”

People from all walks of life are needed as adoptive or foster carers.

From July, PACT is organising a series of information evenings and events for those are interested in fostering and adoption. v For more details, email Laura at laura@wycliffe-church.org.uk or call her on 0118 929 9911.

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v Canvas your face A TALENTED artist is offering to make you as pretty as a picture.

David Greenwood, a member of the Holy Ghost Church in Crowthorne, is offering to paint your portrait. But instead of keeping his fees, he’ll be donating them to Summer In The Rec. The popular summer event is held on Fridays in the Morgan Recreation Ground in Crowthorne.

Each week, a range of familyfriendly events are organised for the whole village to enjoy and is organised by Churches Together in Crowthorne. v For more details, email David on dgreenwood66@hotmail.com.

v Organ available A WORKING organ that is surplus to requirements is being offered to anyone who needs it.

The Yamaha standalone electric organ comes complete with stool and, in the hands of the right person, will make sweet music.

Collection will need to be arranged. v For details, call 0118 961 9781.

Take care!

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news

Make the most of life with Philip Keohane

You’ve got a friend

I

became a Dementia Friend last week. The process was free, quite painless, enjoyable even, and certainly worthwhile. It took an hour or two out of my day, that’s all. I went along to a local venue and met with a number of like-minded people who are also keen to understand how they can help people that live with Dementia to have a better quality of life.

The session is designed to help raise awareness of what it might be like to live with Dementia and, for many, it is a starting point for those who either wish or need to gain a greater understanding of how to help people who are living with dementia.

For my part, on account of my day job running Home Instead Senior Care here in Reading, the session was very straightforward and pitched at a level more designed to interest those with little or no pre-knowledge of what dementia is all about. To give you an example of this, Reading Busses are currently offering the course to many of their bus drivers. They hope that this better understanding will equip their drivers to provide assistance to people on their buses who have perhaps become lost or confused. What a fantastic initiative on their part.

I share this with you as I am deeply passionate about our society becoming more tolerant and understanding of those members of our communities that cannot easily undertake many of the day to day activities that most of us take for granted.

Becoming a Dementia Friend is an easy way to help gain a little more understanding of the needs of a steadily growing body of people within our community. Visiting www.dementiafriends.org.uk will enable you to find a local opportunity to become a Dementia Friend or you can call the Alzheimer’s Society who can also put you in touch with a local course.

Becoming Dementia Friends is not just about individuals. The example of Reading Buses highlights how simple it can be for people from the same organisation or voluntary group to also become Dementia Friends. Through the website, you can organise a session just for you and your colleagues or friends at a venue that suits you (perhaps your home or office).

It would be a great start if more people could sign up to this really positive initiative. It will certainly help to make Reading a more dementia friendly place to live.

Philip Keohane is owner & director of Home Instead Senior Care in Reading

The Mayor of Reading launched the Dementia Action Alliance at the Town Hall, where Jo Bryant demonstrated her puppets Pictures: Lynda Bowyer

Mayor launches Dementia Action Alliance READING is well on its way to becoming a Dementia Friendly town.

The Alliance was launched at the Town Hall on Thursday, February 27.

The Mayor of Reading, Cllr Marion Livingston, led the call to action designed to support people with dementia and their families.

The event included

drama, singing and puppets.

Moira Hemson, Dementia Action Alliance Coordinator for Alzheimer’s Society said: “The Alliance aims to address the isolation that many people living with dementia can feel.” v For more, visit our website goo.gl/ B91RyW

Alzheimer’s charity is winner of quiz night

BY PHIL CREIGHTON Contestants at the ever popular (and hotly contested) St Paul’s Parish Quiz, sharpened wits and their pencils.

Ably supported by quizmaster, Andy Howell and his wife, Kirsty (scoring), a packed crowd enjoyed 10 rounds of questions, stopping half way to tuck into a fish ‘n’ chip supper and draw a raffle.

Margaret Davies, chair of the Wokingham church’s social committee, said: “We are delighted by the turnout. This is a popular event and we sold over 90 tickets.”

She added: “I’m thrilled that we’ve raised enough to donate £300 for the Ascot Area Alzheimer Support Group, a charity nominated by Andy and Kirsty.”

Father Richard Lamey, the parish rector said: “It’s been a really enjoyable evening and I am most grateful to everyone who contributed to the evening’s success.”

The quiz was one of a number of events taking place each month over the coming year as St Paul’s celebrates its 150th Anniversary.

The church also hosted a Big Spring Clean weekend over March

15 and 16. Volunteers who took part polished, cleaned and washed pews to help prepare for Easter.

A group set about installing a new pump to empty the water in the crypt, a by-product of all the rain we’ve had over the last few months.

Teri Austen, acting church Warden, said: “Having water in the crypt doesn’t interfere with the day-to-day running of the church, but it does make it very cold. So we do try to keep it as clear as possible in an effort to keep heating costs reduced to a minimum.”

In the afternoon, the church held a Victorian games afternoon.

Fun included Pin The Tail On The Dionkey and a Beetle Drive.

Next month, the church will welcome back one of its former rectors, Father Peter Rapsey for a special anniversary choral evensong.

The service, on Sunday, May 18, will be preceded by the 2014 Anniversary Big Tea Party in the St Paul’s Parish Rooms. v For further details on plans for 2014 celebrations, please see the website www.stpauls-wokingham.org. uk or call the Parish Office on 0118 979 2122.

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17

Tune in & make your Sunday special Switch on the radio on Sundays and you’ll wake up to Paul Coia – PHIL CREIGHTON finds out how the star makes the radio magic happen

I

f Paul Coia ever gets picked for Celebrity Mastermind, don’t expect him to go for mundane subjects such as the history of The Beatles or Johnny Depp films.

He probably wouldn’t even pick his favourite subject of chocolate bars and how to eat them.

No, he’d probably choose the history of religion to face John Humphrys – all the way from the stone age to the present day.

The broadcaster, who has been hosting BBC Radio Berkshire’s Sunday morning breakfast show – which has a focus on faith in the Thames Valley – has been back at the books to ensure he’s never caught out by his guests.

“You have to be confident to carry out conversations rather than go ‘Woah! I’m out of my depth here’,” he says of his presenting role.

“But I would not say I’m 100% confident when I go on air – there’s always a fear you’ll get caught out.”

The show is broadcast from the very early hour of 7am every Sunday morning – quite a time to be tackling hot potatoes live on air.

And because it features guests who come from all corners of the faith spectrum, he’s been brushing up his knowledge, like a taxi driver knowing the streets before they get in the cab.

“It’s been a revelation for me,” he says. “I’ve done my homework, I’ve got lots of books from all sorts of different angles on faith: the history of faith, the need for faith and faith going back to stone age man. I’ve been fascinated by a whole area I didn’t know at all… it’s been an education.”

But the education doesn’t just come from the studying.

“On the programme, I’ve learnt so much, I genuinely have,” the youthful 53-year-old presenter says.

The show is a typical magazinestyle breakfast show: lots of guests talking about issues of the day, what’s in the Sunday papers and

Paul Coia in the BBC Radio Berkshire studios

how faith can help people make sense of the world around them.

It also includes a segment where Paul visits Thames Valley places of worship to see what makes them unique, which he loves.

Paul is still surprised that he was asked to host it.

“I’m not a priest, I’m not a vicar – I’m just a normal individual,” he says, adding that before he joined he asked the Beeb’s bosses “What do I bring to this [show]?”

They told him simply to be himself and he has, deftly switching between the serious and light-hearted with aplomb while also managing to keep the newsreaders on their toes with some good natured banter.

“We cover some very heavy topics on the programme and I’ll be very disappointed if anyone went away offended,” Paul says.

Running a radio show that starts at 7am is a challenge for anyone, not least a busy schedule which sees him travel the globe for a mixture of broadcasters, TV companies and corporate clients.

As well as being a familiar voice

Pick of the week Hear Xn editor Phil Creighton at 8.25am every Sunday on BBC Radio Berkshire Find out what’s happening in the week ahead by switching on Paul Coia every Sunday from 6am.

on our radio sets, Paul has been a familiar face for years on our TV screens. He was the first voice heard on Channel 4 (announcing Countdown, no less), hosted Pebble Mill at One, had his own quiz show Catchword and hosted numerous telethons.

He even had his own weekly pop music column in a Scottish newspaper back in the 80s.

So why, with such a successful career, has he pitched up at Radio Berkshire, setting his alarm for stupid o’clock once a week, eschewing his Sunday lie-in in the process?

“Well, because they asked me,” he laughs. “I love it too, I wouldn’t do it otherwise.

“When I joined, it was simply to fill in for people taking holidays.

They asked me if I would take on the Sunday morning faith programme.

“I asked them why and they said, ‘Because we think you can do it’. I thought, ‘Great, bring it on, let’s do it!’”

To ensure he makes the journey from his London home to Berkshire’s Caversham studios in time, he sets his clock. And his iPhone. And his iPad. “I have three alarms that go off in the morning,” he laughs again.

“They’re set at 4.30am on Sunday morning – I haven’t, touch wood, had a problem yet.”

Paul loves interviewing everyone from the famous to ordinary Joe and he tries hard to make each of his guests feel at home.

“I’ve had years of doing interviews with Prime Ministers and Hollywood stars to the man in the street; you come up with ways in which you hope are getting the nuggets out,” he says.

The show is getting a minimakeover in time for Easter and aims to be more reflective of how faith matters in Berkshire.

Paul says: “Whether you have faith or not, no one can deny that it is a huge issue to people in the United Kingdom – and in Berkshire specifically. Faith is such as fundamental part of the DNA of people in Berkshire, and it cannot be ignored.

“It’s whole real life soap opera if you like, it’s reality communication. It’s reality media – it’s faith in action.”

And with a year under his belt, Paul feels that he’s started and he’s not finished yet. And he hopes you’ll listen with no passes. v Catch Paul every Sunday morning from 6am on BBC Radio Berkshire. Tune in on 94.1FM, 104.1FM, DAB or via bbc.co.uk/ berkshire.

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v Ladies help lads to South Africa Some of the ladies who attended a special meal night organised by the 2nd Reading Boys’ Brigade

AN EPIC fundraising trip has taken a huge step forward, thanks to a night of pampering.

Members of the 2nd Reading Boys’ Brigade, based at Wycliffe Baptist Church in east Reading, need to raise £18,000 to fund an 11-day trip to South Africa this summer. Working with Rebuild South Africa 2014, the nine teenagers will be building a house while abroad – and helping running a club for children.

As part of their fundraising drive, the lads hosted a Ladies Night at Wycliffe on Saturday,

March 22. Along with other boys from the Company and a meal cooked by chef Rob Emmett, they fed and entertained 106 women.

Vicki Emmett, Mum of one of the lads taking part and an organiser of the night, said: “It was another very successful ladies night with 106 ladies coming and enjoying the good food and company.

“We raised more than £1,400 towards Rebuild South Africa and everyone had a good time.” v The group has a fundraising page for donations: mydonate.bt.com/ teams/wycliffesouthafrica.

v Woody gets ready to go on the run James Sherwood dressed as Woody with The Link Visiting Scheme’s manager Marjie Walker and former Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Bob Wyatt

Some people tell tall stories, but here’s a man who wants to tell a Toy Story.

On Sunday, April 13, Wokingham Borough Council’s communications officer James ‘Woody’ Sherwood will be running the 2014 London Marathon, on behalf of Wokingham charity The Link Visiting Scheme, dressed as Sheriff Woody from the Disney Pixar film franchise Toy Story.

The Link Visiting Scheme aims to befriend and support anyone who is isolated or lonely and would benefit from receiving a regular visitor to combat social isolation.

James said: “As a keen runner I always knew that I would be

running the London Marathon for The Link Visiting Scheme as it is an incredible charity that does a lot for the local community. But it was while running the Reading Half Marathon I decided that I would do the London Marathon dressed as Sheriff Woody from Toy Story.”

The Link Visiting scheme manager Marjie Walker said: “’We are so happy that James has decided to run the London Marathon on our behalf.”

v Anyone who would like to sponsor James can do so by visiting: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ JamesSherwood. v A longer version of this story is on the Xn website

The community

Performers will climb trees in Wokingham as it Good Friday play returns.

SHARON ELLIOTT explains

I

t is always a good idea to work with what you have. Wokingham Market Square is blessed with a number of large trees in strategic places, and one of them will host a key figure from the stories shared in this year’s Good Friday Passion Play.

Be prepared to look up – the character of Zacchaeus will be up a tree, trying to get the best vantage point to see Jesus.

The Good Friday performance will focus on the marginalised in our society today. But who are the marginalised?

Michael Johnson, artistic director of Stage-Fright, feels that everyone is in some way marginalised.

“When we started to work on who are the marginalised, we discovered that there are so many different ways that people are marginalised,” Michael explained. “We came up with a list four pages long.”

Think about it – we are all marginalised. I am because I am foreign (I’m Australian), have ginger hair and wear glasses. The list goes on …

Now in its sixth year, the Wokingham Good Friday open-air performance attracts larger crowds year on year and there is always a feeling of the community growing together through the shared experiences of the stories performed as part of the Good Friday Passion Play.

This is a community performance, supported by the local churches and Michael Johnson is looking for local people to become involved. He promises that you don’t have to go up a tree, unless you want to.

All are welcome to join in at rehearsals in April: Sunday, April 6, 2pm-5pn – Salvation Army Hall, Sturges Road Saturday, April 12, 11am-4pm – The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue Sunday, April 13, 2pm-5pm – Salvation Army Hall, Sturges Road The play includes a Community Choir.

Those wishing to join in can come together on Tuesday, April 15, in the evening at The Cornerstone in Norreys Avenue.

Good Friday events in Wokingham start at Norreys Church with hot cross buns at 11am followed by a short service and then the procession of the cross to the Market Square for the midday start of the open air Good Friday Passion Play – which will go ahead whatever the weather. v For more information, contact goodfriday@stage-fright.org.uk

v v

More Easter events

v

AN evening of music, monologues and meditations will get you in the mood for Easter.

Taking place at Wokingham Baptist Church on Wednesday, April 16, The Vigil has been organised by Stage-Fright theatre company and comes just days before Good Friday.

The monologues, music and meditations will come from Wokingham people and the hour-long performance starts at 8.30pm. v For details, call 0118 978 714.

v

ST Michael’s in Tilehurst will hold an Easter Breakfast after its sunrise service.

Tickets cost £6 and include an entry into a prize draw. All proceeds will go towards Brass For Africa.

The service starts at 6am with the breakfast afterwards.

In the evening, the church holds an Easter Songs of Praise at 6.30pm. v For more details, call 0118 942 7331 or email office@ stmichaeltilehurst.org.uk.

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19

that plays together...

June Hardcastle, Kevin Lovell and Adam Carlill

Welcome June!

Michael Johnson, Artistic Director at Stage-Fright Theatre Company with a Cross as it begins its journey around Wokingham visiting local churches and schools to share the Easter story.

It began its journey in the spring sunshine at Wokingham Baptist Church in Milton Road.

PICTURE: SHARON ELLIOTT

v

A GOOD Friday concert aims to take you on a journey from Christmas to Easter.

Held at Englefield Church on Friday, April 18, the event starts from 6.30pm with wine and refreshments.

Then, from 7pm, the Enharmonic Choir will perform, directed by Daniel Nicholls. Entry is free and the church is in the Englefield Estate.

v

A CAST of actors from across Woodley will be coming together to perform a modern mystery play in the run up to Easter.

To Jerusalem will be performed at Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road from Wednesday, April 16 to Friday, April 18. The cast comprises members of Woodley’s churches.

Performances run at 7.30pm and entry is free – a collection will be taken for Mercy Ships.

Refreshments will be available after the performances.

v

On Holy Saturday, St Andrew’s Church in Sonning is holding a family fun day.

From 2pm on April 19, the churchyard will be home to an Easter egg hunt, a barbecue and some egg and spoon races.

The church tower will be open and a walk around the parish will take place. v www.sonningparish.org.uk.

v

Stainer’s Crucifixion will be sung on Good Friday.

The oratorio will be performed by the choir of St John The Baptist in Crowthorne from 6pm.

The concert will include tenor and bass solos as well as five familiar hymns. v www.crowthorneparishchurch. org.uk

v

Churches in Southcote will be meeting at Grange URC for a special Good Friday service at

10am, then walk through Southcote with a Cross.

v

An open-air service takes place on Good Friday outside Tesco Extra on Reading’s Oxford Road.

Starting at 12.30pm and hosted by Churches Together West Reading, the service will include music from the Reading West Salvation Army band and an address by Michael Penny, chair of Churches Together in Reading.

v

CHURCHES in Reading are holding an early morning celebration on Easter Sunday.

It will take place in Forbury Gardens in Reading’s town centre from 8am. The short 30-minute celebration will be followed by tea, coffee and hot cross buns in nearby Abbey Baptist Church.

If it’s wet, the service will be held in Abbey Baptist Church.

All the Easter dates on our website xnmedia.co.uk

There were great celebrations when June Hardcastle was welcomed to the ministry team of St Mary Magdalen’s in Tilehurst.

June was formally licensed to the Benefice of Tilehurst St George and St Mary Magdalen at a special service on Sunday, March 23.

The service was conducted by the Vicar, The Revd Dr Adam Carlill and Kevin Lovell, the East Berkshire Area Advisor for Licensed Lay Ministry.

June, who also serves in the Methodist Church as a Lay Preacher, seemed very pleased with her welcome. The parish held a bring and share lunch to mark the occasion.

The two parishes sit on the Oxford Road going out of Reading towards Purley and Pangbourne.

Adam said, “I am delighted that June is coming to help with the ministry at St George’s and St Mary Magdalen’s.

“There is a lot to be done and some exciting opportunities for ministry among old and young.

“June really is a people person and will be a great blessing to us.”

20 April 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

ADVANCE NUTRITION

food

ptimising health , vitality & wellness with Christine Bailey, O nutritionist, chef and food/health consultant

v Healthy and frugal eating Taking part in the £5 for 5 days Challenge? – Nutritionist Christine Bailey offers some healthy budget tips

I

f you’re thinking of taking part in the £5 for 5 days challenge then take time to stock up your pantry with some healthy staple foods.

Top of my list would be cheap sources of protein.

Not only is protein an essential nutrient but it can help stabilise blood sugar levels and helps you feel fuller for longer.

Bags of dried lentils, cans of beans and pulses are easy options that can be thrown into vegetable curries, casseroles and soups.

Other cheap options include cans of mackerel, sardines and anchovies which are also great sources of essential omega 3 fats. Try making your own fishcakes or toss them through rice for a simple kedgeree style dish.

Eggs are an easy standby ingredient that can be used in a myriad of recipes.

Combine your protein with as many cheap vegetables as possible.

Make use of bags of frozen vegetables, go to markets and choose seasonal vegetables and check out the reduced section in supermarkets.

Cans of tomatoes and coconut milk are great for forming a base to dishes, whether it’s a curry, chilli or casserole.

Add in some spices and herbs and you can create endless variations of favourite dishes.

If you can afford to buy bigger bags of staples then you will find this saves money – ideally if you can afford it choose wholegrain options – wholegrain rice, noodles and pasta.

v Potato, Chickpea and Coconut Curry This curry contains chickpeas which are a good source of protein on a budget.

You could use canned beans or lentils, tofu or add in a couple of chopped hard boiled eggs instead.

To keep the costs low you can vary the vegetables according to what’s in season or use bags of frozen vegetables.

Serves 4 1 garlic clove, crushed 2cm piece of fresh root ginger, grated 1 red chilli, deseeded and chopped Zest and 1tbsp lime juice 1tbsp olive oil 1 small onion 1 can of chickpeas, drained 250g/9oz potato or sweet potato, cut into cubes v This Easter sees the launch of a range of healthy eating cookery courses for

1 red pepper, cut into chunks Handful of frozen green beans 3 tomatoes, deseeded and cut into chunks 500ml/ 17½floz/ 2cups coconut milk Handful of coriander leaves, chopped Place the garlic, ginger, chilli and lime with a little water in a processor and families on a budget. This is a joint initiative between Wokingham Borough Council and myself and all the cookery sessions are free.

The aim of these practical courses are to provide hands-on cookery skills for parents and children with a focus on healthy, budget friendly recipes.

If you are interested in attending, contact Elle Ford, Wokingham Borough Health Improvement Officer by calling her on 07809 309474.

We have spaces on the following sessions: v Wednesday, April 9, 2.30pm-4.30pm Rainbow Community Centre, Winnersh RG41 5SG v Thursday, April 10, 2pm4pm Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue, RG40 1UU v Wednesday, April 16, 2pm-4pm Red Kite Children’s

blend to form a paste.

Heat the oil in a wok or frying pan and add the onion, spice paste and chickpeas. Cook for 2-3 minutes then add the potato and pepper. Cover and cook for 10 minutes.

Add the tomatoes, beans, coconut milk and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.

Sprinkle over the coriander leaves and serve.

Centre Shinfield, Chestnut Crescent RG2 9EJ v If you’re interested in learning more about the importance of nutrition and healthy living then come along to the community event Live Well – Eat Well where I will be speaking.

Hosted by Transform Housing & Support in partnership with the Wokingham Borough Council, this event will take place on Wednesday, April 30 at the Bradbury Centre, Rose Street, Wokingham.

It will include talks on healthy eating, budgeting, nutrition and preventing waste.

It is free to attend but make sure you book your place by emailing wokingham@ transformhousing.org.uk or call 0118 978 7750.

business

BUSINESS

To advertise call 0118 328 3108 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | April 2014

21

Supporting the local economy together

Laura Hudson wants Riddlers to be a real community asset Picture: Lynda Bowyer

No riddle about this new taste of the continent

BY VIVIENNE JOHNSON Coffee connoisseurs can enjoy a taste of the Italian Riviera at Riddlers Coffee Shop at Reading’s Cemetery Junction.

The new boutique style coffee shop sells Fairtrade coffee, tea and hot chocolate from Kingdom Coffee, a Reading-based company.

Laura Hudson, 28, carried out extensive research as she looked for the perfect site for her store.

“I heard that Reading has been given the title of the new place to live in the UK” said Laura.

“Cemetery Junction is the next up-and-coming place. There is a fantastic social networking environment in the area with a wide range of personalities and professions. I realised I had found the perfect spot.”

Selling Fairtrade produce is important to Laura as is sourcing local food.

“I’m trying to source local suppliers for nibbles”, she said.

“Anyone that is trying to start up their own business selling cakes, sandwiches and soups please get in touch.

“There is a fantastic trade around here of people that want to spend money on sandwiches – but I can’t find a local supplier.”

Laura’s idea was to create a community coffee shop.

“I feel that communities are disbanding almost, they don’t have anywhere to go. A coffee shop is a nice place to sit down and socialise.”

As Riddlers develops Laura hopes to promote unwired music.

There is a small stage ready and waiting.

“I want musicians to be able to

promote their music, sell their CDs and get experience performing in front of people” she said.

“I also want to find local artists who would like a place to display their work. People will get to see the talent that is all around them.” v The store is open from 7am to 4pm Mon-Fri and 9am-4pm on Saturdays. v For a longer version of this article, log on to our website http://goo.gl/oqceCa or scan the QR code

Cinnamon spices up community projects

BY PHIL CREIGHTON A national network that aims to help people most at need in local communities came to Earley last month.

Laurence Singlehurst from The Cinnamon Network was the guest speaker at special afternoon conference hosted by Brookside Church in Earley on Tuesday, March 4.

The session was designed to give an overview of the Network and the projects it has helped, and to celebrate some of the local initiatives that are already taking place including The Link Visiting Scheme and Street Pastors.

Compered by Steve Prince and Alan Magness from Brookside, the event saw

Laurence (pictured) share his passion for community work as well as opportunities for delegates to discuss and explore ways in which it can be enhanced.

The Cinnamon Network has helped more than 3,000 churches serve people who are most at need in their communities. Projects it has supported include Prospects (for people with learning disabilities) and debt counselling charity CAP (Christians Against Poverty).

Steve Prince explained the context to some of the projects that are supported by churches in the Reading and Wokingham area. Through the Reading Christian Network (RCN), church leaders get together regularly to support and pray for projects run for the community.

“There is a genuine sense of unity,” Steve said of the relationships between church leaders in the town. He added: “Unity is built when you are working [together] – when you’re getting your hands dirty.”

The RCN website contains videos of some of the projects that it has supported and helped.

Laurence explained that The Cinnamon Network can provide microgrants of between £1,500 and £2,000 to help launch a Networkrecognised project designed to help the community.

“If this money is not given away, it’s lost,” he warned.

“These projects are not impossible to do – but they give some fantastic outcomes.” v For a longer version of this article and exclusive pictures, visit our website http://goo.gl/D7V4Bq or scan the QR code

22 April 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

Trades directory

House & home

CLASSIFIED BRINGING COMMUNIT Y TOGETHER To advertise call 0118 328 3108

All Trade Directory adverts receive a FREE advert on the Xn website.

v Electrical

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v Window cleaning STANDARD AND BAPTIST WINDOW CLEANING. Windows, Frames, uPVC, Solar Panels, Conservatories, Conservatory Rooves. A one off or regular, town and country service for 20 Miles around Reading. (0118) 954 7238 paul@standardandbaptist.co.uk

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v Building solutions Colman and Co. Building Solutions. All aspects of building work undertaken: • Kitchens / Bathrooms • Loft Conversions / Extensions • Free Estimates and Planning www.colmanandco.com Telephone Darren on 07799 613892.

v Plumbing Patterson Plumbers.

Bathroom installations, heating installations, plumbing repairs, free quotes, no job too small, over 60’s discount.

Professional, reliable & honest. www. pattersonplumbers.co.uk 07921 572652 info@ pattersonplumbers.co.uk.

v Gardens New Leaf Gardening. Looking for a gardener?

25 years Horticultural Experience, Hedge Cutting, Lawn Care, Fencing, Planting, Pruning, Gutters Cleared, Odd Jobs Considered, No job too small. Fully Insured, Call Mark on 07944 290837

v Plastering M & J Plastering. 25 years experience.

All types of plastering undertaken. Repairs & Re-skim Experts. No job too small.

For free advice and quote call Mark on 0777 550 9955 or 0777 082 9683 Mention Xn and 5% of total order goes to YeLDALl manor

To advertise email richard@xnmedia.co.uk v Carpets callaghan carpets and flooring. Home pattern service from a reliable family company.

Carpets, vinyls & commercial flooring 40 years’ experience. www.callaghanflooringandcarpets. co.uk or (0118) 962 8527.

v Property services Chambers Property Services. Offering a wide range of building services including electrics, decorating, general repairs and renovations. Quality work, professional & value for money. Free quotes. www. chamberselectricalservices.co.uk 07760122129 chambersrg10@gmail.com

v Chartered Accountants

Mention Xn and 5% of total order goes to YeLDALl manor

v Carpet cleaning Professional Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning. Trained and fully insured. Free, no obligation estimates. A.G Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning (0118) 3779149 or visit www.agcarpetandupholstery.co.uk Member of Trading Standards Buy with Confidence scheme www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk Mention Xn and 5% of total order goes to GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL

v Alarms

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domestic alarm specialist

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Remember! Tell advertisers that you saw their ad in Xn

Financial

12 gordon place, reading

Accountancy and tax for • Businesses, partnerships and companies • Individuals • Charities (Independent Examiner), • Ministers of Religion Please contact Simon Porter, Chartered Accountant, on simon@porter-co.com or 0118 9478158. www.porter-co.com

Life events v Funeral directors A.B. Walker & Son – Berkshire’s leading family funeral and masonry service. www.abwalker. co.uk

v Counselling Philippi Trust Counselling and Training.

Level 2 Introduction to Counselling courses.

Starting dates May 2014 Contact 0118 966 7422 or reading@philippi.co.uk

Advertise in our trade directory We’re a brilliant way to promote your business to thousands of readers every month. To advertise, call Richard on 0118 328 3108 email richard@xnmedia.co.uk

CLASSIFIED

Creative

To advertise call 0118 328 3108 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | April 2014

Music

Be part of the Xn story

Deliveries: central Reading, Sonning Common & Oxford Rd

v Piano accompaniment

v Marketing Creative thinker inspires results.

• Award winning copywriting • Business development • Creative network • Mentoring Contact Hyperbole.

0118 966 6600. john@hyperbole.co.uk

v Resources Faith in the Community (Wokingham) – helping Christians work together to transform their local communities. Phone Sharon Elliott 07843 091950

23

EXPERIENCED PIANO ACCOMPANIST available for music exams and recitals. Judith Creighton www.judithcreighton.co.uk or 07957 193366.

Volunteers needed to help us share our Good News!

Tuition

Every month, Xn strives to bring the Thames Valley an inspiring and encouraging mix of news, features and information.

v Driving lessons

We need your help to get the magazine into the community.

L

Driving Tuition. Lessons for beginners or those who are test ready. Pay as you go or get discount for block booking. Over 4 years experience. Contact Robin Gowers by txt on 07973730990 or email: robin.gowers@ntlworld.com

“Our recent advert has been of great help over the last six months and therefore I’d like to renew for 2014 – We have been blessed with a church project, installing a corner kitchen area for a café project in Southcote.”

Colman & Co – Trade Directory advertisers

Situations vacant

AMERSHAM ROAD COOKING CLUB (ARCC) P/T DEVELOPMENT WORKER 6 MONTH CONTRACT

CAVERSHAM, READING – C.£10 P.H. We are seeking to employ a development worker (15 hours p.m.) to promote the work of the cooking club which is run by local churches for children aged 7-12, and their families. The person will engage with and visit families, attend team meetings, and participate in cooking club sessions.

The post-holder will need good inter-personal skills, be well-organised and enjoy working on an estate which faces issues of deprivation.

They will also need to be supportive of the aims of ARCC including an understanding of the Christian faith which underpins our aim of helping people to reach their full-potential.

Contact Jeremy Tear on (0118) 946 2884 for an informal discussion and/or job description.

Closing Date 11 April Interview Date 15 April The post-holder will be required to have an enhanced DBS disclosure

For details, email judith@xnmedia.co.uk

Correspondents needed

Advertising works!

Amersham Road Cooking Club

If you could spare a couple of hours once a month to help us deliver copies to a small cluster of venues it will help us – we can tell even more good news stories.

We want to expand our good news – but we need your help.

Help us to share news from your church, community group, club or choir.

We are looking for volunteers to help us source interesting and inspiring stories for our magazine and website. No experience necessary: just enthusiasm.

For details, email editor@xnmedia.co.uk

24 April 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

news

v All the fun of the May fayre!

PLANS are being made for the annual Crowthorne May Fair.

The fun, family event is held on the first bank holiday Monday in May for families on the Morgan Recreation Ground in Crowthorne.

This year’s event will be held on Monday, May 5. Full details had yet to be announced as Xn went to press, but in previous years, activities included traditional stalls, live music and dance plus a bouncy castle and refreshments. v For more details, log on to www. crowthorneparishchurch.org.uk.

v Wokingham’s street fayre returns THE Wokingham Lions are busy making preparations for this year’s annual May fun.

The street fair takes over the town centre and sees community groups run stalls.

Street entertainment takes place and includes local bands, dance troupes and magicians.

The event will be held on Monday, May 5 from 10am to 4pm.

It is organised by Wokingham Lions and has been held every year since 1996. It is believed to be the largest street fair in the south of England and it is estimated that more than 20,000 people attend. v For more details, log on to www.wokinghamlions.org.uk

A F Harrold, author of the Fizzlebert Stump book series, opened a library at New Christ Church school Picture: Lynda Bowyer

School’s exciting new chapter

BY LYNDA BOWYER Pupils at a Reading primary school were given a Friday treat when a top poet dropped in.

Ashley Harrold visited New Christ Church Primary School on Milman Road, Reading on Friday, March 29, to open a new library.

The author of the Fizzlebert Stump series had a packed hall in fits of laughter as he recited with much exuberance poems such as The Spider and The Poet At The Disco.

As the afternoon drew to a

close, he officially opened the new library before spending some time reading to the children in the new facilities.

Acting headteacher Alice Boon

said: “It’s great that we have this place for the children. They need space to learn, so having a library purpose-built for that reason of being able to enjoy their books in this space is of huge importance.

“We look forward to the children being able to come and enjoy this place as part of their learning.” v To find out more about Ashley Harrold, visit www.afharrold.com or to discover more about his work specifically with children, visit www.afharroldkids.co.uk. v A longer version of this report can be found on our website, goo.gl/BePX4T

Ofsted says Brimpton primary is Good A PRIMARY school is celebrating after Ofsted inspectors found it to be good in all areas.

Brimpton CofE School was inspected in February and everything, including the pupils’ achievement, the quality of teaching and the leadership of the

school, was classed as Good.

Janet Main and Patricia Brims joint chair of governors, said: “Congratulations to [headteacher] Mrs Purchase and all the staff – and the children for their hard work.” v www.brimpton.w-berks.sch.uk.

twitter: @ellbphotography tel: 0118 384 2129 web: www.lyndabowyerphotography.com

news

To advertise call 0118 328 3108 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | April 2014

25

v How to buy a loaf of bread with just 5p

New café is full of beans Cllr Marian Livingston, Mayor of Reading, enjoys a cuppa with the Revd Clare Downing, moderator of the URC’s Wessex Synod, to celebrate the opening of Café Alive. The event attracted a large and happy crowd Pictures: Phil Creighton

BY PHIL CREIGHTON SOUTHCOTE is proving that it’s full of beans, thanks to a new community café.

Grange URC is hosting Café Alive, a purpose-built area serving a range of delicious fairtrade beverages to the wider community.

It was officially opened on Saturday, February 15, by Cllr Marian Livingston, Mayor of Reading, and the Revd Clare Downing, moderator of the Wessex Synod of the United Reformed Church, at a ceremony held at the Circuit Lane church.

Hundreds of people packed the church to enjoy live music from a jazz band and speeches and prayers from the mayor, Clare and the Revd Robert Barthram, minister of Grange.

The cafe is currently open on Wednesdays from 3pm and it is planned to expand it in due course.

It was built by Colman & Co, one of Xn’s advertisers.

The project is part of Southcote Alive, a coalition of groups in the area, including St Matthew’s Church, Grange United Reformed Church and Southcote Christian Mission.

A SPECIAL guest from Zambia recently visited an Earley church and school.

Lawrence Temfwe from the Jubilee Centre in Ndola, Zambia, stayed with the Revd Neil Warwick from Earley St Nicolas at the beginning of March.

The Centre aims to equip and serve pastors, professionals, missionaries to bring about change in the moral, economical, and political transformation of Zambia.

Lawrence is the driving force behind it and is a pastor and internationally renowned speaker.

"What a joy it’s been having Lawrence Temfwe of Jubilee Centre with us,” explained Wendy Neale, parish administrator for St Nicolas.

"On the Friday, just after he landed, Neil took him to meet Year 6 children at Loddon School, as a follow-on from their visit to St Nicolas for World AIDS Day. "Lawrence and Neil had lunch with the children, and afterwards they spontaneously came and gave Lawrence the 5p change from their dinner money.

“It totalled £1.35, which Lawrence explained was enough for three loaves of bread in Ndola.”

The story was shared in Early St Nicolas church the following Sunday morning, leading to another impromptu collection for Lawrence’s work. The congregation donated another £608 – enough for 1,351 loaves or bread, or enough to set up a feeding station for malnourished children.

Wendy added: “Neil and Lawrence went back to Loddon School on the Monday to tell them how their generosity had sparked our generosity and found Year 6 still keen to be involved.”

Lawrence said: “Thank you so much for this generous gift which, to me, is so divine because you’re already doing so much in encouraging us.

“The unity of the Church, the prayer life and the worship was so uplifting to me.” v The Xn website features an interview with Lawrence, conducted

by Neil Warwick.

26 April 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

SPORT

Thames Valley Churches Football League

For the latest, log on to tvcfl.footify.com or follow on Twitter @TVCFL

Goals galore as title goes to the wire

BY JAMES HERN & Chris Barltrop

T

he rain has abated, the sun has appeared and despite the threat of snow the TVCFL has managed an amazing three weeks without a fixture being postponed.

The dry weather has enabled teams to dry out their scoring boots as an astonishing 73 goals were scored across the 15 games played in March.

As with previous years, we enter the last stage of the season with the league title still in the balance.

West Reading CFC – the reigning champions – saw their chances of retaining their title all but gone after losing their last two league games against Bethel United and Wycliffe Wanderers.

Their season is not yet over as they reached the semi-finals of the Philmar Cup in March with a 2-1 victory over current holders Kerith FC. Tilehurst Albion remain as favourites to win their second title in three seasons. Although in third place, six points behind current leaders Brookside St Laurence, they have three games in hand. Albion do have to play Brookside and fellow title rivals Bethel United in the next month.

Elsewhere in the league, Wycliffe Wanderers look to have secured fourth place and may have 10.30am FIXTURES KICK onOFFSaturdays

v April 5

Norreys v B’side St Laurence Finchamp’ Baptist v West Reading Kerith FC v Wycliffe Wanderers Bethel United v Tilehurst Albion Greyfriars FC v Reading Saints

v April 12

W’ Rdg Reserves v Finchamp’ Baptist West Reading v Reading Saints Bethel United v Kerith FC Norreys v Wycliffe Wanderers Tilehurst Albion v B’side St Laurence

v April 19 B’side St Laurence v Wycliffe Wanderers

v April 26

Norreys v West Reading West Rdg Reserves v Kerith FC

Reading Saints v Tilehurst Albion Wycliffe Wanderers v Bethel United

Greyfriars FC v Finchamp’ Baptist

an outside chance of snatching third if any of the top three stumble.

Norreys have continued to thrive in their second full season.

They will be looking to chase down West Reading CFC who are currently in fifth place.

Greyfriars FC, Kerith FC and Reading Saints are involved in a minileague of their own, while Finchampstead and West Reading Reserves will both be looking to pick up enough points to avoid finishing bottom.

Finchampstead. Danny Lynch and Stephan Boyce each scored doubles, while Daniel Priest, Shane Newton and John Hewett also netted goals.

Tilehurst Albion kept up the pressure on Bethel with a 2-0 win over Greyfriars FC, but they were made to work hard for the three points.

Brookside Saint Laurence FC stayed in third place after they beat Reading Saints 3-1.

Wycliffe Wanderers moved up a place into fourth, leapfrogging opponents West Reading CFC after a 2-0 win, Neil Healy and Neil Humphries got the goals.

A six-goal derby ended all square as Norreys and Kerith FC drew 3-3.

Ealing FC or West Reading Reserves after the London based team came out on top in a dramatic 5-3 thriller.

Brookside Saint Laurence took advantage of not playing in the cup, rising to the top of the league after beating Greyfriars FC 3-2.

Brookside blast 10 past Finch

When league leaders Brookside Saint Laurence FC led lowly Finchampstead Baptist Church 2-0 at half-time on Saturday, March 22, players and spectators possibly anticipated a routine victory.

The hosts did indeed hold on to top spot with a win, but an extraordinary second half saw 12 more goals scored as Brookside Golbourne fires Albion ended the match 10-4 winners.

Ben Blackledge capped into final a strong performance Saturday, March 15 Friars back on form with a hat-trick while saw Tilehurst Albion On Saturday, March 1, Reading’s Courtenay Isaacs reach the final of pitches were still recovering from and Ollie Chambers the Philmar Cup for the recent wet spell and only two each scored doubles. the second time in league matches were able to go Andy Roberts, Jack three seasons after ahead.

Day and Stuart a hard-fought game Greyfriars FC secured their first, Stannard rounded against Norreys, the morale-boosting, victory since off the scoring for Ibis-based side coming out early November with a comfortable Brookside. on top 2-1.

6-0 win over basement side West Long-time leaders Bethel Ian Golbourne was the hero, Reading CFC Reserves. James Hern scoring his second goal of the game United remained in second place scored four and made one as the following their hard-fought 4-3 in the last minute of extra time visitors dominated from start to after Matt Loxton had equalised for victory over reigning champions finish.

West Reading CFC, secured while Norreys in normal time.

In the only other game playing with only 10 men for more Albion now await the winners played, Wycliffe Wanderers beat than half the game. of Brookside St Laurence and West Finchampstead Baptist Church Wycliffe Wanderers secured a Reading CFC after the latter saw 2-1 in a closely fought match to tighter grip on fourth place with a off cup holders Kerith FC 2-1 in close the gap on the top four. Dean 5-2 win over basement side West their quarter-final encounter.

Williams and Neil Healy scored the Reading CFC Reserves.

In the Colin Lowery Trophy, home side’s goals.

George Weekes and Jacob Potter league leaders Bethel United Bethel blast seven scored the goals that earned have reached the final following a A week later saw Bethel United Norreys a 2-0 win over Reading dominant 3-0 victory over Wycliffe fighting hard to remain top of Saints.

Wanderers. the TVCFL with a 7-0 victory over Kerith FC hit the woodwork Bethel will now play South twice before half time but could not find a way 17 P W D L F A W D L F A GD PTS Jamie Carstairs West Reading through a dogged

Neil Healy Wycliffe Wanderers 15 B’side St Laurence 15 7 0 2 35 17 5 0 1 30 15 33 36 Greyfriars FC James Hern Greyfriars FC 13

Bethel United 14 5 1 0 15 5 6 0 2 23 11 22 34 defence and the Jake Nicholls Tilehurst Albion 13 Tilehurst Albion 12 5 2 0 30 6 4 1 0 23 3 44 30 match finished

James Murdoch West Reading 12 Wycliffe Wanderers 14 5 0 2 22 13 4 2 1 21 10 20 29 goalless.

George Weeks Norreys 12 West Reading 14 5 2 1 31 14 2 1 3 18 17 18 24 Both teams William Day Kerith FC 12

Norreys 13 2 1 1 9 6 4 0 5 26 26 3 19 threatened to

Greyfriars FC 16 1 2 4 16 25 3 3 3 16 13 -6 17 Courtenay Isaacs B’side St Laurence 11 score after the Ben Sheppard B’side St Laurence 11

Kerith FC 13 4 1 3 21 18 0 2 3 9 17 -5 15 break but the

Matt Blake Reading Saints 9 Reading Saints 13 3 0 5 18 21 1 0 4 8 13 -8 12 keepers were in Finchamp’ Bap’ 13 1 0 5 4 23 0 0 7 6 33 -46 3 Ben Blackledge B’side St Laurence 8 good form. A draw W Rdg Reserves 15 0 0 6 9 39 0 0 9 7 52 -75 0 Michael Bembridge Wycliffe Wanderers 8 seemed fair.

league TABLE

Table correct as of March 28, 2014

top SCORERS

27

sport

To advertise call 0118 328 3108 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | April 2014

The Royals’ Prince

At Reading FC with Steve Prince

Creating and sustaining a good atmosphere

Get ready for the Big Match at the Mad Stad

BY PHIL CREIGHTON

FROM the ice rink to the football pitch, two top Dancing on Ice stars are preparing to take on professional footballers and the Great British public, all in the name of charity.

Suzanne Shaw and Matt Evers are backing The Big Match on Saturday, May 31.

The all-day charity event kicks off at the Madejski Stadium, organised by Reading fundraiser and founder Neil Humphries. It will raise money for Action for Children and The Brain Tumour Charity.

Additional sporty celebrities and footballing legends already confirmed to take part include Bobby Davro, Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock, Ady Williams, Michael Sprott, Ben Jones and Ossie Ardiles. They will pit themselves against Reading residents in the fun day out.

Founder Neil Humphries sadly lost his father to a brain tumour and decided to channel his energy into raising money for the two causes through a charity football match.

Last year’s Big Match 2013 raised more than £64,000. The vision for 2014 is bigger and better and Neil and his team hope to raise at least £100,000 this time round.

The day will include a children’s training session sponsored by

Pro-Cision Football Coaching. It will see 200 budding-football stars aged between five and 15 from the local community and schools receive professional coaching on the majestic Madejski pitch and receive a boot bag packed with treats.

Two of Europe’s best football freestylers Colin Nell and Noel Battle will also be teaching children how to wow the crowds.

Entrants need to raise a minimum of £50 sponsorship to take part.

Extra Time is also guaranteed, as it’s the name of the Big Match’s evening event at the Hilton, hosted

by Suzanne Shaw. The night will feature fantastic entertainment, and give attendees the chance to win prizes and football memorabilia.

Neil said: “This year, we have the biggest target ever and we want to break the £100,000 barrier. The Big Match 2014 is our biggest event yet, and promises to be the most exciting and the most successful so far.”

Spectator tickets are priced at £7.50 and are available from The Big Match website and the Reading FC ticket office online. v For information on sponsorship packages and donating money, goods or services, log on to www. thebigmatch.co.uk or follow @TheBigMatchCo on Twitter.

A

s ever there is lots to talk about when it comes to news and Reading Football Club.

Life is never dull and the climax to the season is promising yet more twists and turns.

Like most other supporters I was alarmed to read the very misleading article published in the Reading Chronicle about Reading fans and hooliganism. How strange that an excellent relationship of many years should be jeopardized between the club and the newspaper. The reality is that the family culture across the life of the club is as strong as ever and as our police have pointed out, they rarely need to attend games. We want our team to feature in the news for all the right reasons and right now these are numerous.

Our academy is fast being proved to be one of the best in the country.

The academy teams and U21’s are enjoying great success and I have read pundits who are suggesting that we could be the first team to potentially field a whole first team of players who have come through the academy ranks.

We must give great credit to Nigel Adkins, Eamonn Dolan and all the coaches and staff who are creating an environment conducive to long-term success. Our manager has just completed his first year with us and we remain competitive at every level.

Positive atmosphere

I recently did an interview with BBC Radio Berkshire’s Susanne Courtney.

We talked about a number of aspects of behind the scenes life at the football club including the role of what is known as the ‘pastoral prayer team’.

Susanne and I were sat chatting in one of the executive boxes overlooking the empty stadium on a sunny day. Our conversation went towards the feel of the stadium whilst empty. We talked about the atmosphere and feel of the place and I told her how that from time to time we literally walked around the pitch, praying for the atmosphere in a match day environment.

We pray that the fans will contribute towards a growing positive and encouraging atmosphere, especially when the team have phases in a match when things aren’t going as well as they might be. We all need the most support when life is tough and this is as true for footballers as it is for us all.

We are enjoying yet another season where there is opportunity for promotion. We are in the right place at the right time and the play-offs are looking like a real possibility. The sacking of Billy Davies at Nottingham Forest show just how much pressure there is on teams to succeed in reaching the top six.

We are at the stage where we need everyone; players, staff, fans and local media to each contribute to developing and maintaining an atmosphere that can encourage success at this the business end of the season.

Come on URZ!!

Steve Prince is Reading FC Chaplain AND THE Pastor of Brookside Church

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We can’t fit everything into the print edition, so log on to xnmedia.co.uk for more events Sunday, April 6

Wednesday, April 9

EARLEY – St Nicolas, Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley, RG6 7BN. People, Prayers and Potatoes Messy Church: crafts, stories, songs and prayers for Easter.

Plus a free jacket potato lunch. Noon.

Details: 0118 966 9080 or info@ stnicolas.org.uk.

EASTHAMPSTEAD – Baptist Church, South Hill Road, RG12 7NS. Songs of Praise Plus. 4pm. Details: 01344 487744 or ebc-bracknell.org.

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army hall, St Barnabas Road. Rehearsals for community Good Friday play organised by Stage-Fright. All welcome. No experience necessary.

2pm-5pm. Details: goodfriday@stagefright.org.uk or 0118 979 0098.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street. Pints of View: Lent series. Christians On The Left: new name, new perspectives? With Tim Jinkerson. 8pm. Details: Michael on 0118 979 0098.

READING – Reading Museum, Blagrave Street. Dig For Victory: Grow Your Own Seeds. For ages 5 upwards.

10am, 11.15am, 1pm and 2.15pm. £3, drop-in. Second World War classroom experience for ages 5 upwards.

11.30am, 1.15pm and 2.30pm. £1.

Drop-in. Details: 0118 937 3400 or www.readingmuseum.org.uk.

Monday, April 7 WOKINGHAM – The Mall Gallery, Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1BN. Clients Create: art exhibition in a number of mediums by Optalis’ own customers. 9.30am-5pm. Continues throughout month. Details: www. optalis.org/clients-create

Tuesday, April 8 EARLEY – St Nicolas, Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley, RG6 7BN. St Nicolas Mothers’ Union: Julia Jones will be talking about the work of REInspired. 2.15pm.

Details: 0118 966 9080 or info@ stnicolas.org.uk FINCHAMPSTEAD – St Mary & St John Parish Centre, Billing Ave. Tea and chat. Everyone welcome. 2pm.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James’s Church Centre. Lent Lectures. CIRDIC – Mabel Boyd describes the work of the Churches-in-Reading Drop-in Centre.

8pm. Details: 0118 973 0133.

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. 50+ Group meets: Costa Rican Adventure by Allen Cooper. Admission free, refreshments provided. 2.15pm. Details: 0118 977 2457 or www.norreyschurch.org.uk

Thursday, April 10 FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James’ Church Centre. Mothers’ Union meeting: favourite readings and poems followed by afternoon tea. Details: parish.finchampstead.co.uk or 0118 973 0133.

Saturday, April 12 BINFIELD – From Shopping Centre. Men’s monthly walk, for around an hour.

Come dressed for the weather. 7.45am Details: www.binfieldchurches.org.uk.

CROWTHORNE – Woodmancote, Pinewood Avenue RG45 6RQ. Out To Tea: for the older members of the community. 2.30pm-4.30pm. Details: 01344 780087.

READING – Reading Central Salvation Army, Anstey Rd. Jumble sale. 10am.

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Rose Street. Rose Street Gardeners plant sale, if weather is fine. 10am-noon.

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue. Rehearsals for community Good Friday play organised by StageFright. All welcome. No experience necessary. 11am-4pm. Details: goodfriday@stage-fright.org.uk or 0118 979 0098.

WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3LA. Church ramble. 10am.

Monthly quiz night. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 926 8143.

Palm Sunday ALDERMASTON – The Eagle Gate, The Street. Palm Sunday procession to the church. All welcome to join at any stage of the route. 10.30am.

CAVERSHAM – St John the Baptist Church, St John’s Road RG4 8EB. All-age Palm Sunday service. 10am.

Details: The Revd Jeremy Tear, 0118 946 2884.

CAVERSHAM – St Andrew’s Church, Albert Road. Palm Sunday procession, departs from Copperfields. 9.30am.

Details:www.standrewscaversham.org.

ENGLEFIELD – St Luke’s Church, Englefield Road. Family church meeting with a procession with donkeys to Holy Trinity Theale.

Refreshments afterwards. 4pm.

HARE HATCH – Hare Hatch Sheeplands Garden Centre. Thanksgiving service for domestic pets, accompanied by two donkeys. Bring your own pets.

2pm-2.30pm.

KIDMORE END – Kidmore End School.

Palm Sunday procession from the school to St John The Baptist Church.

10.50am.

READING – Wycliffe Baptist Church, King’s Road. Palm Sunday procession.

10.45am.

SONNING – St Andrew’s Church.

Palm Cross procession with holy communion. 10.30am.

THEALE – Holy Trinity Church. Family communion service with distribution of crosses.

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army Hall.

Rehearsals for community Good Friday play organised by Stage-Fright.

All welcome. No experience necessary.

2pm-5pm. Details: goodfriday@stagefright.org.uk or 0118 979 0098.

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – St Sebastian’s, Nine Mile Ride. 9.30am and 11.15am services include a procession with palm crosses. Details: www. stsebastians.org.uk.

Monday, April 14 BRIMPTON – Brimpton Church. Holy Week, 14th to 19th April. Brimpton Church will be open daily from 10am to 6pm until Holy Saturday for a Holy Week journey.

EARLEY – St Nicolas, Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley, RG6 7BN. Evening worship for Holy Week. A different approach each evening: details on website www. stnicolas.org.uk. 8pm. Details: 0118 966 9080 or info@stnicolas.org.uk.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James’ Church, Church Lane RG40 4LU. Holy Week service. 8pm. Details: parish. finchampstead.co.uk or 0118 973 0133.

SOUTHCOTE – Southcote Christian Mission, RG30 3BL. Reading Aglow

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Encounter Night: Helen Banthorp. £5 on the door, first meeting free, light refreshments served. Details: www. facebook.com/readingaglow

Tuesday, April 15 EARLEY – St Nicolas, Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley, RG6 7BN. Evening worship for Holy Week. A different approach each evening: details on website www. stnicolas.org.uk. 8pm. Details: 0118 966 9080 or info@stnicolas.org.uk.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James’, Church Lane RG40 4LU. Holy Week service.

8pm. Details: parish.finchampstead. co.uk or 0118 973 0133.

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue. Choir rehearsals for community Good Friday play organised

by Stage-Fright. All welcome. No experience necessary. Evening, time TBC. Details: goodfriday@stage-fright. org.uk or 0118 979 0098.

Wed, April 16 EARLEY – St Nicolas, Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley, RG6 7BN. Worship for Holy Week. 8pm.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James’ Church, Church Lane RG40 4LU. Holy Week service. 8pm.

TILEHURST – St Mary Magdalen Church, Kentwood Hill RG30 3DR. Reading Concert Singers and friends perform Stainer’s Crucifixion. 7.30pm. Free entry, retiring collection for Headway.

Details: www.readingconcertsingers. org.uk.

TILEHURST – English Martyrs Parish Church Hall, Liebenrood Road

RG30 2EB. Passover meal. 7.30pm. £6. Under 12s £3. Details: www. englishmartyrs.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Baptist Church, Milton Road. The Vigil: Monologues, music and mediatations from Scripture for Holy Week. 8.30pm-9.30pm. Details: 0118 978 7174.

WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3LA. To Jerusalem: a modern mystery play for 2014. Free, with retiring collection in aid of Mercy Ships. 7.30pm. Tickets: Nancy 0118 926 8590, Mary 0118 961 8144 or tojerusalem@woodley-airfield-church. org.uk.

For full listings of Easter events, log on to xnmedia.co.uk

Thursday, April 17 BINFIELD – St Mark’s, Popewood Road. Bring and share meal with communion. 7.30pm. Details: www. binfieldchurches.org.uk.

BURGHFIELD – St Mary’s, Church Lane RG30 3TG. Holy Communion followed by stripping of the altar. 8pm. Details: www.stmarysburghfield.org.

EASTHAMPSTEAD – Baptist Church, South Hill Road. Agape meal. 7.45pm.

Details: www.ebc-bracknell.org.

EARLEY – Anderson Baptist Church, Amherst Road. Maundy Thursday meal and worship. 7pm.

CAVERSHAM – St Andrew’s Church, Albert Road. Last Supper liturgy, including meal. 7.30pm. Details:www. standrewscaversham.org.

EMMER GREEN – St Barnabas, St Barnabas Rd. Tenebrae Service. 8pm.

Take time out and enjoy a cuppa and a chat!

You can’t beat a good cup of coffee and a chance to chat – and that’s what you can Come and on us n joi enjoy at Coffee & Chat, a brilliant new coffee morning in Reading’s town centre!

Wednesdays!

• Meet old friends, make new ones • Everyone is welcome • Tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits all available • Wednesdays 11am-12.30pm

Abbey Baptist Church Abbey Square, Reading (behind Reading Central Library) (0118) 957 2197 www.abbeybaptistchurch.org.uk

CALENDAR ENGLEFIELD – St Luke’s, Englefield Rd. Passover meal. 7.30pm.

GORING – St Thomas of Canterbury.

Pick a Flick club: The Thomas Crown Affair starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. £3. 10.30am-2pm.

Transportation can be arranged on request. Details: 01491 872109.

KIDMORE END – St John The Baptist.

Maundy Thursday Service. 8pm.

SANDHURST – Sandhurst & Yateley Methodist Church, Scotland Hill.

Maundy Thursday service. 7pm.

Details: sandhurstmethodist.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose St. Maundy Thursday passover meal. 7.30pm. Details: www. wokinghammethodist.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – St Sebastian’s, Nine Mile Ride. Passover meal.

Booking essential. 7pm. Details: www. stsebastians.org.uk.

Good Friday BINFIELD HEATH – Binfield Heath Church. Art@Binfield Heath exhibition by local artists. 3pm-8pm. Details: www.binfieldheathchurch.org.uk BURGHFIELD – St Mary’s, Church Lane RG30 3TG. Souper Soup Lunch.

12.30pm. An hour at the Cross. 2pm.

Details: www.stmarysburghfield.org.

CAVERSHAM – Shopping Precinct, opposite the Library. Walk of witness from churches to the precinct. From 10.30am. All welcome.

CROWTHORNE – Baptist Church. Good Friday service followed by walk of witness. 10.30am.

CROWTHORNE – St John The Baptist Church, Waterloo Road. Stainer’s Crucifixion, sung by the church choir.

6pm. All welcome.

EARLEY – St Nicolas, Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley, RG6 7BN. Making the Easter Garden. A service for children and families. 10am. Good Friday liturgy.

Noon. Details: 0118 966 9080 or info@ stnicolas.org.uk ENGLEFIELD – Englefield Church.

Good Friday concert: a celebration of Christmas to Easter. with the Enharmonic Choir. Refreshments from 6.30pm. Free entry.

KNOWL HILL – St Peter’s Church. An Hour At The Cross. 2pm.

ROTHERFIELD PEPPARD – All Saints Church. Good Friday music and meditation. 2pm.

READING – Tesco, Oxford Road. Churches Together in West Reading service led

by Michael Penny and the band of Reading West Salvation Army Band.

12.30pm. All welcome.

READING – St Andrew’s URC, London Road. Good Friday walk of witness to Earley St Peter’s Church, followed by soup and roll lunch. 10am. All welcome.

SANDHURST – Sandhurst & Yateley Methodist Church, Scotland Hill. Good Friday service. Noon. Details: www. sandhurstmethodist.org.uk.

SOUTHCOTE – Grange URC. Southcote Alive Good Friday walk of witness through Southcote. From 10am. All welcome.

THEALE – Holy Trinity Church. Walk of witness. Noon. An Hour at the Cross.

2pm.

TILEHURST – The Triangle. Walk of witness from Tilehurst churches to The Triangle for a unity service organised by Churches Together in Tilehurst. Noon. All welcome.

WARGRAVE – Highfield Park RG10.

Walk of Witness to St Mary’s Church.

10am. Followed by hot cross buns. All

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welcome. An Hour At The Cross. 2pm.

WHITLEY – St Agnes Church, Northumberland Ave, RG2 8DD. Reading Concert Singers and friends perform Stainer’s Crucifixion.

7.30pm. Free entry, retiring collection for Headway. Details: www. readingconcertsingers.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Emmbrook Sports & Social Club, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club: Hoopy Frood. £5/£7.50 on the door. Details: Stan Hetherington 07831 130610.

WOKINGHAM – Market Square. Good Friday community play, noon. All welcome. Free. Details: goodfriday@ stage-fright.org.uk or 0118 979 0098.

WOODLEY – Shopping Precinct. Good Friday open-air service. 11.30am.

WOOLHAMPTON – Primary School Hall. Good Friday Messy Church for children: things to make and do, songs, the Easter story, hot-cross buns and more. 11am-12.30pm. Just turn up. Details: 0118 971 2281.

Holy Saturday BINFIELD HEATH – Binfield Heath Church. Art@Binfield Heath exhibition by local artists. 11am-8pm, with an epilogue at 7pm on art, God and the meaning of life. Details: www. binfieldheathchurch.org.uk CAVERSHAM – St John The Baptist, St John’s Road, RG4 8EB. Once upon a Tree, an Easter musical performed by the church choir and friends under the direction of Len David. 4pm.

Details: The Revd Jeremy Tear, 0118 946 2884.

EARLEY – Maiden Erlegh Nature Reserve.

Oakwood Forest Church meeting.

3pm. Details: oakwoodforestchurch. wordpress.com.

READING – Wycliffe Baptist Church, Kings Road RG1 4LS. The Merry Opera Company present Handel’s Messiah.

7pm. £15, £13 concessions, £7.50 balcony. Unreserved seating. Details: 0118 929 9919 or www.wycliffechurch.org.uk.

READING – The Hexagon. Parabolē Productions presents The Casualty: a fresh take on the Easter story. £11.20, concessions £9.70. Details: www. facebook.com/paraproductions or 07941 540047.

SONNING – St Andrew’s Church. Easter family day including egg hunt, parish walk, egg and spoon races and a free barbecue. 2pm onwards.

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Rose Street. Rose Street Gardeners plant sale, if weather is fine. 10am-noon.

WOODLEY – Emmanuel Church, Southlake Crescent, RG5 3QW. Kingdom Seekers youth celebration.

All welcome. 6.30pm. Details: www. kingdomseekers.co.uk.

WOODLEY – Woodley Hill House, Eastcourt Avenue, Reading, RG6

1HH. Network Vineyard present an Easter egg hunt. 10am-noon. Details: families@networkvineyard.org.uk.

Easter Sunday BURGHFIELD – St Mary’s, Church Lane RG30 3TG. Easter Service of New Fire. 7am. Easter Breakfast followed

by Easter Egg hunt. 8am. Easter celebration. 10am. Details: www. stmarysburghfield.org.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James’ Church, Church Lane RG40 4LU. Dawn service. 6am. Communion services: 8am (BCP), 9.30am (family) & 11am.

Details: 0118 973 0133.

READING – Forbury Gardens. Churches Together in Reading Easter service.

8am. Short service led by Michael Penny and the Revd Paul Burnish, with the Reading Central Salvation Army Band. This will be followed by tea/ coffee and hot cross buns at Abbey Baptist. (If wet, the service will be held in Abbey Baptist Church.)

READING – The Corn Stores, Forbury Road RG1 1SB. Indoor market: arts, crafts, jewellery, millinary & more.

11am-6pm. Free entry.

TILEHURST – St Michael’s Church, New Lane Hill. Easter breakfast after 6am sunrise service. £6, in aid of Brass For Africa. Easter egg hunt after 9.30am service. Easter Songs of Praise.

6.30pm. Details: 0118 942 7331 or office@stmichaeltilehurst.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – St Sebastian’s, Nine Mile Ride. Sunrise service 6am.

Communion 8am. Celebration 10am.

Easter Praise. 7pm. Details: www. stsebastians.org.uk.

Tuesday, April 22 EARLEY – St Nicolas, Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley, RG6 7BN. Reflective Space.

Time to be, time to pray, time for stillness. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 966 9080 or info@stnicolas.org.uk.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James’ Church, Church Lane RG40 4LU. Fledglings’ toddler and baby group. 1.45pm.

Details: parish.finchampstead.co.uk or 0118 973 0133.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – St Mary & St John Parish Centrem, Billing Avenue RG40 4JW. Tea and chat: all welcome. 2pm.

Details: parish.finchampstead.co.uk or 0118 973 0133.

Wed, April 23 EASTHAMPSTEAD – Baptist Church, South Hill Road, RG12 7NS. Messy Church: drinks, snacks, messy fun and a cooked dinner. 3.30pm-6pm. Details: 01344 487744 or ebc-bracknell.org.

Thursday, April 24 BINFIELD – All Saints Church, Church Hill. The Julian Meetings for silent contemplative prayer. 8pm. Details:

www.binfieldchurches.org.uk.

Saturday, April 26 BINFIELD – St Mark’s, Popewood Road.

Men’s breakfast: The Big Society in Binfield. 7.30am-8.45am. Details: www.binfieldchurches.org.uk.

LOWER EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Way. St George’s Day Concert with Trinity Concert Band. £10 in advance, £12 on door. Details: 0118 969 0925 or www.trinityband.co.uk.

READING – Prospect School, Cockney Hill RG30 4EX. Family Fun Day. 2.30pm-5pm.

READING – Salvation Army, Anstey Road.

Walking Fellowship meeting: walk of no more than 4.5 miles and avoids steep climbs. 10am-1pm(ish). Details: Michael Bennett 0118 984 4818.

READING – St Barnabas Church Hall, Elm Road RG6 5TS. Rummage sale. 2pm.

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Rose Street. Rose Street Gardeners plant sale, if weather is fine. 10am-noon.

Sunday, April 27 EASTHAMPSTEAD – Baptist Church.

Adrian & Bridget Plass and the Searchlight Theatre Company present Adrian Plass and the Church Weekend. £12. Details: searchlighttheatre.org/ adrian-plass-tour/4583155446

Monday, April 28 GORING – St Thomas of Canterbury.

Mum’s Out Tonight social group. Good Walks For The Family with Janet Hurst. 8pm-9.30pm. Details: www. thomandmary.org.uk.

29

READING – Zero Degrees, 9 Bridge Street. Cafe Theologique: What about science: do I have to be an atheist?, led by Revd Canon Angela Tilby, Canon at Christ Church Oxford. Free. 7.30pm.

Details: 0118 378 8797.

READING – The Oasis, Baker Street.

God And Art: an evening with Gareth Leaney. 7.30pm.

Thursday, May 1 HENLEY – Badgemore Golf Club. The Filling Station. 7.30pm-9.30pm. Guest: Gerald Coates. Details: 07875 203409 or www.fillingstation.org.uk.

READING – Carey Baptist Church Centre, St Barnabas Road. Men’s curry night with Josh Fortune The Cameraman in Afghanistan. 7.30pm.

Friday, May 2 READING – Argyle Community Church, Argyle Street. If You Could Ask God 1 Question with Michael Ots. 7.30pm.

Saturday, May 3 CAVERSHAM – Gosbrook Road Methodist Church. Spring fair. Time TBC.

May Day holiday Monday, May 5 CROWTHORNE – St John The Baptist Church, Waterloo Road. Annual May Fair. Details tbc.

READING – All Saints Church Hall, Downshire Square. Community lunch. £3 for 2 courses. No booking essential, but helpful. 12.30pm. Details: 0118 376 6425 or p.cook5@:ntlworld.com.

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30 April 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

BREAK TIME

PUZZLES

Pit your wits against our brainteasers

Codeword

Kakuro

Place 1 to 9 in each white cell. To choose the right number you need to work from the clues in around the edge. The numbers below the diagonal lines are the sums of the solutions in the white cells immediately beneath. The numbers above the divide are the sums of the solutions immediately to the right. Rows and columns do NOT have to be unique.

Thus, if a 3 is shown as a clue there will be two cells waiting for you to put the digits 1 and 2 in them – the only possible sum that will equal 3.

The final rule is that no number may be repeated in any block. For example, if the clue is 4, the only possible solution will be 1 and 3 (or 3 and 1), never 2 and 2.

Numbers are substituted for letters in the crossword grid. Below is the key with two letters solved.

Try to complete the first few words to give you more letters, or look for a frequent number that might reveal a common letter. As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid. Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

Are you stuck?

STR8TS 4

8 2

1 9

SUDOKU

Sudoku

Medium

8

5 7 6

1 4 7 5 8 3 4 6 8 3 5 7 6 1

4 5

1 6 How to beat Str8ts – Like Sudoku, no single number 1 to 9 can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. 2 1 4 Each compartment must form a straight 6 4 5 a set of numbers with no gaps but it can be 4 5 in any order, eg [7,6,9,8]. Clues in black cells 4 3 6 2 remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight.

3 5 2 1 Glance at the solution to see how ‘straights’ 2 1 3 are formed.

© 2011 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

1 6

7 4 5

Very Hard

3 1 5 5 3 2 2 1 1 5 4

9 6 8

5

5 4 4 2 1

© 2011 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

Str8ts

The answers are on p34

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org for Sudoku and www.str8ts.com for Str8ts.

If you like Str8ts and other puzzles, check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.

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ARTS

ARTS

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31

Music, drama, comedy with a local perspective

live music

v Cardiac ward to benefit from Singers

A cuppa Paul

EVENTS of the first Easter will be marked with two charity concerts taking place in Holy Week.

Reading Concert Singers and friends from local church choirs will be performing Stainer’s Crucifixion on Wednesday, April 16 and Good Friday, April 18. A collection will be taken for Heartbearts, the West Berkshire Heart Support Group.

The charity raises funds to facilitate the purchase of state-ofthe-art equipment for the Cardiac Department at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, which the NHS budget is unable to afford.

The Wednesday concert takes place at St Mary Magdalen Church in Tilehurst and the Friday concert will be held at St Agnes Church in Whitley. Both concerts start at 7.30pm and entry is free.

Customers at the Reading Oracle branch of Caffé Nero got more than just a cuppa thanks to a talented musician.

Paul Bell visited the Riverside store on Thursday, March 20 to perform songs from his latest album Small Town Boy. For more, including an exclusive interview with Paul where he talks about his music, log on to our website: http://goo.gl/hPW8lD Words and picture: LYNDA BOWYER

v Tree climbing for Easter weekend

OPERA

Make Merry, this Messiah

‘F

or centuries Handel’s Messiah has brought strangers together and, through the singing of this unparalleled masterpiece, they have become as one. Tonight is no exception.”

That’s the view of John Ramster, director of a new staging of an Easter favourite.

The Merry Opera Company is bringing Messiah to Reading on Holy Saturday – the day before Easter Sunday – and you’re invited to join this special staging.

John says: “My intention has been to do the minimum necessary to shed the most light on the piece and make audiences hear it afresh, even those who have known the piece all their lives.

“I have approached the oratorio as a meditation on faith, what it means to believe, what it means to have that figure of the Messiah in your heart; therefore we also need to deal with the converse of that – what it is like not to have that conviction and to know and feel that absence.

He continues: “I’d like to think I am also paying homage to the

AN EASTER meditation will be performed in Caversham on Saturday, April 19.

St John The Baptist Church is the venue for Once Upon A Tree, which will be performed by the church’s choir and friends.

They will be conducted by Len David and the concert starts at 4pm.

Once Upon A Tree is written

by American composer, Pepper Choplin. It tells the story in words and music of the events leading up to Good Friday.

Everyone is welcome to the concert.

v Palm Sunday focus in Twyford

The Merry Opera Company brings Messiah to Reading later this month performance history of the piece.

“There is no lighting other than the church lights, no set other than the church architecture, some props but not many. There is no ‘period feel’ – it’s all happening right here, right now, in this church, as it always has.”

The Merry Opera Company has been touring since 2009 and has established a reputation for being slightly maverick and quirky, offering new takes on classics including another touring

production of La Traviata.

It has performed in venues including a 700-seater amphitheatre by Tower Bridge and a Wetherspoon pub.

Now it’s coming to Reading for a a happy Easter night out. v Messiah will be performed at Wycliffe Baptist Church on Saturday, April 19 from 7pm. Tickets cost £15, £13 concessions and £7.50 for the balcony seats. For more details, call the box office on 0118 929 9919 or visit www.wycliffe-church.org.uk.

THE Twyford Singers’ Easter concert will be held at St Thomas More Roman Catholic Church in London Road, Twyford on Sunday, April 13.

Starting at 7pm, the evening is entitled Reflections For Palm Sunday.

The programme of reflective music for the start of Holy Week includes excerpts from Mozart’s Requiem, Bruckner’s Locus Iste and Rutter’s The Lord Bless You And Keep You. Tickets cost £7 or £3.50 for under 16s. A limited number of tickets may be available on the door. v For more details, call 0118 934 2406 or 0118 934 5985.

32 April 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108 v Mayor hosts a farewell concert All good things must come to an end, and for Wokingham Town’s Mayor, he’s intending to go out in style.

Cllr Martin Bishop is preparing to hang up his chains of office, but before he does so he will be holding one last fundraising event for his chosen charities: Wokingham Scouts and Guides.

He’s asked St Sebastian Wokingham Brass Band to perform for a concert to be held on Sunday, May 11. Starting at 4.30pm, the afternoon of music will also include a bar and a raffle. Doors open at 3.30pm and the event takes place in Sindlesham Court.

Martin said: “I would be so pleased if you are able to attend and celebrate with me. I have been fortunate to meet so many wonderful people during the past year; I am looking forward to seeing everyone again.”

Tickets cost £10 and can be reserved in advance or, if still available, can be purchased on the door. v For more details, or to reserve tickets, email mayor@wokinghamtc.gov.uk, call 0118 974 0882 or visit the Town Hall information centre in Market Place.

v Children’s Hospice to benefit from songs ALMOST 500 years of music will be celebrated with a special concert next month.

The Erleigh Cantors will be singing at Earley St Peter’s Church on Saturday, May 17, for its Concert of Choral Music 1550 to the Present Day – Polyphony to Jazz.

The evening will see proceeds shared between The Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Services and Earley St Peter’s Church.

Maggie Nunn, one of the concert’s organiser said: “It is a very important year for the charity as the building of Berkshire’s first children’s hospice is due to start in the Autumn.

“The charity already provides nurses to support families in their own home, a very valuable service for those with children with life- limiting and life-threatening illnesses.

“It is hoped we can fill the church for the concert.”

The concert starts at 7.30pm. Full details have yet to be announced as we went to press. v For more details, log on to www.earley-stpeter.org.uk.

arts

DRAMA

After 10 years in the wings, drama club returns AFTER 10 years gap, drama has returned to a Tilehurst church and will receive its first curtain call at the start of Holy Week.

Act Now is the name of a new group set up for St Michael’s in New Lane Hill. Sixteen budding actors have signed up for the group and have been busy rehearsing for a Palm Sunday performance.

John Talbot, the group’s leader, said: “Drama was once a frequent and popular activity at St Michael’s, no one is quite sure why it was dropped but it was.

“Recently several people were asked about awakening the idea and it was met with unanimous enthusiasm. So far 16 players have been roped in and Act Now was born.”

The group’s first production will be on Palm Sunday, April 13, at the church’s 9.30am service and will be a continuation of the march of palms around the church. The theme of the play is Expectation and everyone is welcome.

art

Get ready to see a display of great artwork RESIDENTS of Binfield Heath are preparing to showcase their talents with a new art exhibition.

Binfield Heath Church is holding a two-day display on Good Friday and Holy Saturday – April 18 and 19.

It opens at 3pm until 8pm on Good Friday and then from 11am to 8pm the following day. At 7pm, there will be an epilogue reflecting on art, God and the meaning of life.

Everyone is welcome to see the display in the church, which is in Dunsden Way, Binfield Heath. v For more details, log on to www. binfieldheathchurch.org.uk

Guests at last year’s art exibition at Binfield Heath Church Picture: Thomas Brand

ROUND-UP

Three great musical events coming up

v

IF YOU’VE ever wanted to perform in a string orchestra then a forthcoming workshop will be just what you need.

Crowthorne Symphony Orchestra is holding a string orchestra day, open to all competent players, on Saturday, May 10, from 2.30pm-5.30pm.

The afternoon includes movements from Britten’s Simple Symphony as well as Mendelssohn’s String Symphony No 3, among others.

The event costs £10 or £5 for students. It will be held at The Morgan Centre, Wellington Road, Crowthorne RG45 7LD. v For more details, or to book email Faye Aspinall on workshop@ crowthorneorchestra.com.

v

TRINITY Concert Band will be celebrating St George’s Day with its April concert.

It will take place at Trinity Church in Chalfont Close, Earley on Saturday, April 26.

The evening includes a selection of patriotic music including Spitfire Prelude, the music for the motion picture The First of the Few

by Sir William Walton, Nimrod by Sir Edward Elgar and The Standard of St George a rousing march composed by Kenneth Joseph Alford.

Tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the night. Under 16s are free. v For more details, or to reserve tickets, call the box office on 0118 969 0925 or log on to www. trinityband.co.uk.

v

WOKINGHAM’S Baroque Concert Series is back and in a new venue of All Saints Church, Wiltshire Road, Wokingham.

The monthly series of concerts focuses on different aspects of Baroque music. On Wednesday, May 7, Theresa Caudle plays selections from her groundbreaking 2010 Nimbus Alliance CD Violino o Cornetto.

The series continues on Wednesday, June 4 with a performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by Eleanor Harrison.

Tickets cost £12.50 and under 19s get in for free. v For more details, log on to All Saints website and click on Baroque Concerts – www. allsaintschoirwokingham.org.uk.

ARTS REVIEWS

To advertise call 0118 328 3108 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | April 2014

choral

A floral masterpiece Flora and Fauna Tamesis Chamber Choir Greyfriars Church, Reading Saturday, March 15

G

reyfriars Church in central Reading is a lovely venue for a choir concert due to its ideal layout and acoustic.

And it was even more appropriate for the recent Flora and Fauna concert by Tamesis Chamber Choir as the church is adorned with hangings featuring scenes from the natural world.

Directed by their award-winning conductor Louise Rapple, the choir presented a varied programme of works, some sung a cappella and others accompanied by organist Simon Dinsdale.

The majority of Tamesis concerts are thematically-based and this programme featured plants and

animals, from madrigals such as Wilbye’s Flora Gave Me Fairest Flowers to Britten’s intriguing Rejoice in the Lamb.

A Tamesis concert is always a delight due to the confidence and passion exuded by each member – many soloists in their own right, yet together creating a balanced, unified sound full of colour and contrast.

The choir achieves a beautifully pure tone and an incredible range of dynamics: intense and sensitive in the quiet passages and ringing with clarity in the louder sections, every detail is communicated to the audience.

The choir is in the process of recording its third CD, a compilation of Christmas music in aid of the Sue Ryder charity. v For more details, log on to www.tamesischamberchoir.org JUDITH CREIGHTON

BOOK

v Tales of the Riverbanks Down by The River: The Thames and Kennet in Reading

By Gillian Clark, Two Rivers Press, £16.

ISBN 798-1-901677-58-4 Down By the River takes us on a journey through society from the 1100s to the 1960s.

By concentrating on the Rivers Thames and Kennet as they flow through Reading we get a slice through history from an unusual angle.

The book is generously illustrated with maps, drawings, photographs, advertisements and cartoons.

It is packed with anecdotes and tales to thrill and engage but it is also a useful academic text as Gillian has referenced all her research materials.

We start our journey in Caversham in the 1100s. he waterside crossing point had been there since Neolithic times and developed by the Romans until it became important enough to warrant a bridge and a weir.

This then led to the building of a mill and more boats arriving

which meant a lock had to be built and from this a small fishing industry developed.

This small patch of land held an important position, surrounded as it was by land owned by high status people.

It was also close to The Abbey, founded in 1121 by Henry I. To-ing and fro-ing from The Abbey kept the river crossing and wharfs busy.

Read on to find out how this small place grew and developed to become Reading, the modern town we all know. From the earliest fishing industry to the coming of the steam engine and on into the 20th Century the Kennet, the Thames and the Kennet and Avon canal have always had an influence on the commerce and leisure of the people of Reading.

At its heart this is a book about change and how it affects the lives of the people working and living down by the river. v Two Rivers Press is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion they are offering a 20% discount on books ordered via the Two Rivers Press website, www.tworiverspress.com.

VIVIENNE JOHNSON

33

v A happy kind of bright sadness Lent – The Season of Bright Sadness Cantemus Newbury St, Stephen’s, Upper Basildon Saturday, March 15 St Stephen’s Upper Basildon, recently refurbished to provide a much improved concert space, was the venue for a varied concert of modern British music performed

by Cantemus Newbury, directed by Mary Westley and accompanied on keyboard by Susan Holmes and on the flute by Sue Edmonds.

The Choir’s programme was made up of Five Flower Songs by Benjamin Britten, The Sprig of Thyme, an arrangement of popular folk songs by John Rutter, followed by Bob Chilcott’s Requiem: a suitably contrasting programme befitting the concert title Lent – The Season of Bright Sadness.

The choir of 17 produced a balanced sound with good intonation giving a lively and engaging rendition of the Ballad of Green Broom, managing all the cross rhythms without a hitch.

Rutter’s Sprig of Thyme song

set was charming, combining favourite folk songs with less well -known ones. The choir had the chance to show the strengths of its sections producing equally effective performances of the male- and female-only songs as well as a lovely soaring solo from Claire Hamilton.

The flute accompaniment wove attractively into the arrangements.

Solo items were excellent. Susan Holmes, having provided particularly sensitive accompaniment for the choir pieces, gave a beautiful performance of Matthew from Shulbrede Tunes by Parry.

Sue Edmonds on the flute played with a rich tone throughout the range whilst accompanying the Rutter, and her playing of the Lennox Berkeley Sonatina for Flute and Piano was well articulated and showed the instrument off to its best.

The Choir’s performance of Chilcott’s Requiem was impressive and moving. The solos from tenor, Ronan Busfield, and sopranos Deborah Cox and Jevan JohnsonBooth were excellent.

Christine Richardson

34 April 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

arts reviews

Moviewatch

One for strong stomachs

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Kakuro Suduku Sudoku Solution Str8ts Str8ts Solution Codewords

SOLUTIONS

Cinema with Martin Ceaser

v 300: Rise Of An Empire (15) Stars Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey, Rodrigo Santoro

H

aving studied this period of Greek history many years ago, I was interested to see how this film would pan out.

Set at and around the Battle of Thermopylae (“300”) and the events following, this is one of those films that should have a “flinchometer” – lots of blood, gore and violence that can make you, well, flinch.

If you have seen 300, you would be expecting that, along with lots of muscle bound blokes with bulging biceps, barrel chests and six packs – it’s one of the few films where the men wear less than the women!

Talking of the women, we have two very strong ladies in Lena Headey (reprising her role as Queen Gorgo of Sparta) and the

There’s a lot of six-packs on show in 300 Rise of an Empire, but some may flinch at the levels of blood, gore and violence

fabulous Eva Green (Kingdom of Heaven and Casino Royale) who dominate the movie in spite of all the bloodletting.

The film begins with a narration from Headey linking it to the Spartan heroics at Thermopylae, and Green is simply awesome as Artemisia, the commander of the Persian fleet – and yes, she is based on a real person and not simply introduced by Hollywood for a bit of glamour.

She is one of the best female leads I have seen in a long time, and is so good that you find yourself actually wanting things to go her way, even though the Persians are the “baddies”.

Her backstory of abuse and abandonment by Athenian troops followed by a rescue by Persians certainly gives her a sympathy vote which her brilliant performance then builds upon.

Sullivan Stapleton, as the Greek hero Themistocles, doesn’t come across quite as well – I was distracted by his accent, which sounded a bit South African at times and didn’t really fit with the events (he’s actually Australian).

He is nowhere near as powerful a character as Artemisia.

If you can cope with the violence, and a couple of pieces of nudity, there are several sub-

plots going on – love for your homeland, and a desire to unite it as one (Themistocles); the thirst for revenge (Artemisia and Gorgo); the desire for power and the delusion it brings (Xerxes, played by Rodrigo Santoro); loyalty and brotherhood (The Greek soldiers); and the relationship between father and son (Scyllias, played by Callan Mulvey, and Callisto, played by Jack O’Connell).

You could even, at a stretch, see something about the noble struggle for democracy against tyrrany, but there are probably better films to see if that’s what you want.

The quote of the film?

“Better we show them, we chose to die on our feet, rather than live on our knees!”

This is spoken by Themistocles but actually originates with Emiliano Zapata in the Mexican revolution of 1910.

One reviewer, impressed with Green’s role, has said that every mother should take their daughter to see this movie.

I would suggest not, unless your daughter has a very strong stomach.

So how did it pan out? It got the major historical bits right and took a few liberties in filling in some gaps. And the CGI for the naval battles was amazing.

The Revd Martin Ceaser is minister of Crowthorne Baptist Church

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