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Friday, March 27, 2015

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Lads with pioneering spirit Meet the boys who be making history this September – p27

OLYMPICS

US ROWER REUNITED WITH RING P10

ROAD RAGE As more roadworks get under way, drivers ask if their traffic woes will never end

MEET THE DINOSAURS!

Win family tickets to see Dinosaurs Live P27 COMMUNITY

GET READY FOR MAY DAY FUN P14

SPECIAL REPORT: P4 & 5

ALL CHANGE Latest on regeneration projects including Elms Field, Peach Place, Carnival Pool and Market Place Pages 8, 14 & 15

WIN!

THINNER BLUE LINE

What will the latest cuts to the Thames Valley Police budget mean for you? P27

ISLA ST CLAIR

Exclusive interview with Scottish singer P32

2 | NEWS

PAPER

N E W S W I T H A H E A RT F O R T H E B O RO U G H The Wokingham Paper is an independently owned newspaper for the communities in the Wokingham Borough and the surrounding area. Our aim is to give you a concise round-up of everything that’s going on in our community and give you the chance to get involved. We want you to be part of this newspaper and welcome your stories, views, letters and comments. This special pilot edition will give you a real taste for how we aim to serve you, the people. We will be weekly from April 24 – show your support and place your order at your newsagent today. Phil Creighton Publisher The Wokingham Paper

WEEKLY FrOM aPrIL 24 This special edition of The Wokingham Paper is to introduce ourselves to you. Will will be Wokingham’s weekly paper from April 24 –no one else will cover the Borough like we do.

GEt IN tOUCH

Send your stories to: The Wokingham Paper Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS Call 0118

Email news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

FaCEBOOK & tWIttEr: WOKYPaPEr

go hunting for the hidden chicks A TREASURE hunt with a twist will be coming to Woodley this Easter. Shops and businesses in the town centre will have Easter chicks hidden somewhere in their window displays, and it is up to members of the public, young and old, to find where they are hiding. Argos vouchers worth £30, £20 and £15 will be awarded to the winners. Entry forms can be picked up from HF Newberry card shop, Chapter One bookshop, Bosco Lounge, Woodley Goldsmith, Woodley Pets, Costa, Café Pandilla, Brown Bag or the Oakwood Centre from today until April 10. Completed forms must be handed in to the above shops before the closing date to be entered into the Grand Draw. For more information visit www.woodleytowncentre.co.uk.

CraFtS

aNNIVErSarY

new crochet club will have you in stitches

Peter ready to barge his way into celebration BEECH HILL Baptist Chapel will find someone barging in to its anniversary service – the guest speaker. Peter Atwill will address the congregation at its 291st anniversary meeting to be held on Good Friday, April 3, at 4pm. A chaplain to the waterways, he lives on a narrow boat and works with Canal Ministries. Afterwards, the church will hold a tea. Peter will also speak at the church’s Easter Sunday meetings at 10.30am and 6.30pm.

QUIZZING

Woodley gets ready to Countdown to fun day FANS of Countdown should start counting down for a tournament taking place next month. Organised by a keen quizzer and former Countdown contestant Tony Atkins, the annual event attracts contestants from all over the country and follows the rules of the letters and numbers game. Doors open at 10.30am, with the grand final taking place at 5pm, to which people can watch. The winner is promised the opportunit to hold the COREA teapot for “at least five minutes”. Entry is by donation of at least £10, with proceeds going to debt advice chairty Christians Against Poverty. It will take place at Christ Church in Crockhamwell Road, Woodley. For more details, call 0118 926 8143 or log on to www.kisekigo.com/corea15.

Girls’ Brigade members visited Downing Street to remember kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls

CaMPaIGN

Lily takes girls’ plight to Number 10 A SCHOOLGIRL from Hurst made a special delivery to 10 Downing Street last week, as she added her voice to a campaign to raise awareness of the kidnapped Chibok girls in Nigeria. Lily Emmett, 11, was part of an 18-strong delegation of hope, made up of Girls’ Brigade members, leaders and supporters, went to London to present Cards of Hope created as part of a national campaign run by the youth organisation. The girls presented 219 cards to

GarDENING

help your garden and mental health to thrive A SERIES of eight weekly indoor gardening sessions for people aged 50 and over begins on April 16. Sow & Grow is being put on by mental health gardening charity Thrive but is open to anyone aged 50+ at the Earley CResCent Resource Centre. Contact (0118) 988 4844.

POLItICS

help for mums looking to breastfeed

meet the candidates with Finchampstead Society

MUMS looking for some help with breastfeeding can find a listening ear and some tea at a weekly drop-in group. Running from 12.30pm to 2pm on Tuesdays, the drop-in session is suitable for mums, bumps and their siblings. It takes place at St James’ Church Centre in

THE Finchampstead Society is holding a Question Time debate with the main Bracknell constituency candidates on April 16 (7pm for a 7.30pm start). Society members will have first refusal for entry but if spaces are available, it will be opened up to the public.

Medium

7 5

Previous solution - Easy

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

7 9

1 2 4 8

9 4

A Crochet and Knit While U Chat group will meet every Saturday from April 18 between 11am and 1pm at Caf’Active in Clares Green Road, Spencers Wood. Everyone of all ages are welcome, from complete beginners through to experts. The group is free to attend, but supplies and refreshments will be available to buy. Any profits made will go to The Long Cycle Round, a 16,000-mile charity cycle around North America for Alzheimer’s UK.

Finchampstead. Mums with babies under six weeks who live in Wokingham district may be able to access 1:1 support from the West Berkshire Peer Support Service. For details, call 07501 466818 or e-mail readingpeersupport@breastfeedingnetwork. org.uk.

SUDUKO SUDOKU

No. 222

4 6

Baroness Joyce Anelay at the UK Foreign Office, while another 219 were delivered to the door of Number 10, where the group met Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne the day before he gave his Budget speech. Lily (pictured left) attends the 5th Reading Girls’ Brigade company and read a poem she had written to Baroness Anelay. Proud Mum Vicki said: “Lily was thrilled with how the day went – she really hopes that the cards continue to raise awareness that the girls are still missing.”

ParENtING

Str8tS STR8TS

YOUr tEaM Publisher PHIL CREIGHTON Reporter ALAN BUNCE Reporter GEMMA DAVIDSON Reporter VIVIENNE JOHNSON Features SALLY BRYANT Sports editor LEWIS RUDD Chief sub-editor ADAM SMITH Chief photographer PAUL KING Photographer PHILIP GOODIER Advertising JOHN MOORE

Don’t forget clocks go forward this weekend!

2 1 3 2 1 1

You can find more help, tips and hints at www.str8ts.com

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

No. 222

Very Hard

9 3 1

Previous solution - Tough

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

4 6 5 8 3 2 7 1 9

8 7

How to beat Str8ts – Like Sudoku, no single number can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. These need to be filled in with numbers that complete a ‘straight’. A straight is a set of numbers with no gaps but can be in any order, eg [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to The solutions will be published here in the next issue. see how ‘straights’ are formed.

9 7 6

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

7 5 9 1

WOKINGHaM

TheWokinghamPaPer Friday, March 27, 2015

EaStEr

THE

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2 3 1 7 9 6 8 4 5

9 8 7 5 4 1 6 2 3

6 7 8 9 1 5 2 3 4

3 5 4 2 6 8 9 7 1

1 2 9 3 7 4 5 8 6

7 4 3 6 8 9 1 5 2

8 9 2 1 5 3 4 6 7

5 1 6 4 2 7 3 9 8

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

NEWS | 3

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Friday, March 27, 2015 TheWokinghamPaPer

POLITICS

GARDENING

CRIME

Sexual assault: E-fit is released

it’s time to shake up Wokingham: Calls for more independent election candidates By aLan BUnCe

A GROUP of Wokingham residents wants to shake up the electoral system by filling the town council with independent candidates. The group – An Independent Voice for Wokingham – was formed by people who felt dismayed about the party political system and its impact on the Elms Field proposals. Chairman Alan Sadler had met with others who felt similarly after one council meeting and now the group wants to attract locals interested in standing. All 25 seats on Wokingham Town Council are being contested this year but with 10 of them currently held by Conservatives on the borough council, the group feels that creates a block vote and does not allow sufficient representation. Member of the group Amanda Kirby said the fact that the 10 were Conservatives was not the issue, but that they were able to vote together to force their party line was. She said: “The best interests of the town are not served by councillors on the borough, overriding them.”

The group wants to hear from locals interested in standing at the town council elections on May 7. Public meetings have been held to spread the word and a Facebook group has been formed which has more than 330 likes. Nominations for standing have to be in by 4pm on April 9. Although members of the group have been working together, the independent candidates will be able to vote as they wish. Ms Kirby, who is a working, single mum, said all kinds of people were wanted, including younger people and mums. She added: “We want the wider town to be represented. We are trying to raise awareness that if you want to do something for your town, why not be a town councillor?” She added: “We have a core group so far that has absolutely no political allegiances and they believe the town council line should not be party political. “This is all about shaking the council up and making sure it represents the constituents.” Contact info@wokingham townindependents.co.uk

CARE

have your say on charging for care RESIDENTS in the borough are being asked for their views for charging for services under the Care Act 2014. The act introduces new rights for support carers and people funding their own care and support. People who can afford to pay for their own care can ask Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) to provide services on their own behalf but the council says it will not profit from any charges.

It also means that while more people will be able to access support, they may be asked to pay or contribute to the cost . WBC has created an online survey to understand how people in the borough feel. Residents are invited to read the consultation leaflet and then use the online form to add their views. The survey should be completed by May 5, 2015.

COUNCIL

Review planned after oxfordshire exploitation A CROSS-PARTY review is to be held by Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) in the wake of the Oxfordshire serious case review of child exploitation. It will include an examination of the role of WBC’s chief executive Andy Couldrick during the time he worked at Oxfordshire County Council. Cllr Keith Baker, WBC leader, said: “The serious case review details horrific exploitation that went on over 16 years in Oxfordshire. Andy worked there for three years, and it is right and proper that his role is accurately understood and scrutinised by this panel.” The review will be chaired by Fran Gosling-Thomas, the independent chair of the Wokingham Safeguarding Children Board (WSCB), and the results made public in the next few months. Ms Gosling-Thomas, said: “Sexual exploitation can have a devastating impact on children’s lives and on their families. It is vital that we all work together to stamp this out, wherever it is found and perpetrators brought to justice.” Last week Wokingham’s Liberal Democrats urged WBC to be “open and transparent” in holding its review. They have called for an external review to prevent “the issue being swept under the carpet”.

By Gemma DaviDson

Exhibitor Maren Talbot ,from Heritage Orchids in Marlow, with her fantastic display of blooms at the Thames Valley Orchid Society’s annual show at Hare Hatch Sheeplands.

Orchids have flower power! HUNDREDS of orchid lovers descended on Hare Hatch Sheeplands on Saturday for the Thames Valley Orchid Society’s fifth annual Spring Show. The Twyford garden centre was filled with beautiful and colourful plants and experts were on hand to offer advice on the growing and care of orchids. Best in show was won by Derek Long, from Marlow, with his Brassia verrucosa, which also won the best species class. The award for best hybrid went to a Phalaenopsis shown by the Wessex Orchid Society. Show manager Barry Cook said: “It was a very successful show with the number of exhibits being up on last year by about 20 per cent. “One of the most enjoyable things is

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the number of visitors we were able to help with their own plants. Some even brought them along for us to look at.”

POLICE are looking for this man in relation to a sexual assault in Earley in January. At some time between 4pm and 6pm on Saturday, January 31, a woman was walking around South Lake in Earley when she was approached by two men. They sexually assaulted her and then left the area. Last week Thames Valley Police issued this e-fit of a man they would like to speak to in connection to the incident. He is described as white, of average height and of slightly stocky build. He is around 40-yearsold and he was wearing a black jacket at the time of the assault. Investigating officer Detective Constable Iain Watkinson, from Reading Force CID, said: “I would like help from the public in identifying who this person is. “This is a popular area for dog walkers so I hope that someone may have witnessed this happening, may have seen this person, or may even recognise or know them.” Anyone with information is asked to call the Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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4 | NEWS

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 27, 2015

TRANSPORT

COURT

Company director ﬁned for illegal waste shipments to West Africa THE director of a Wokingham shipping company has been given a suspended jail sentence and his company ﬁned, for attempting to illegally ship Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) to West Africa. Bakour Limited and company director Adam Bakour, based at Rushton Farm, Warren House Road, in Wokingham, pleaded guilty to offences relating to the attempted shipment of six containers filled with WEEE to various West African countries. Reading Crown Court ordered Bakour Limited to pay a fine of £7,950. Adam Bakour, the sole company director, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. Mr Bakour was also ordered to pay a contribution of £5,000 to the costs of the Environment Agency investigation and prosecution.

Tempers boil over as ‘traﬃc chaos’ brings borough’s roads to a halt By ALAN BUNCE

FRUSTRATED drivers are facing yet more delays on Wokingham’s roads as work begins on the Suttons Seeds roundabout, adding to the host of major schemes around the borough. Just as delayed work on the Showcase roundabout nears completion, the first phase of essential maintenance on the A3290 flyover starts on Sunday and is due to last until April 16. Meanwhile work on the Coppid Beech roundabout will continue for four more months and the final phase of the Station Link Road carries on for around another month. Work is also underway on the Shinfield Eastern Area relief road and, later in the summer, the second phase of work on the Loddon viaduct starts. And still in the pipeline is the north and south distributor roads. Retired TRL employee Adrian Roberts who lives in the north of Wokingham said: “The amount of traffic chaos in Wokingham is awful. “It almost gives you the impression that the contractors are paid, irrespective of the time it takes. “There seems to be no incentive to

do it quickly.” Delays to the finish date of the Showcase roundabout prompted comments on The Wokingham Paper’s Facebook page. Company managing director Liam Swan wrote: “They never seem to be working on it,” and Robert Horskins from Woodley called it the “longest six weeks ever”. Salli Scott said her husband filmed the junction with a headcam showing no safe provision for cyclists and pedestrians. But Cllr John Kaiser, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for planning and highways, said the council took care to ensure simultaneous works would only be carried out at opposite ends of the borough and that schemes such as Showcase and Sutton Seeds, which were close together, would not overlap. And he said phasing was also tied to funding. He added: “We've got so much to do because the motorway (Suttons Seeds flyover) is in a pretty poor state but sometimes that means it is time sensitive and sometimes that means we prioritise stuff before the Government funding disappears.”

Suttons Seeds Roundabout

THE first phase of work will involve reducing noisy joints, improving drainage, installing longer lasting safety barriers and a low noise surface starts on Sunday for up to three weeks. To ensure two lanes of moving traffic throughout, a contraflow will direct vehicles onto the northbound side of the flyover (the Thames Valley Park inbound side) allowing engineers to work on the southbound side (exiting Thames Valley Park). Works will go on 24 hours a day. Due to funding issues, the second phase of the work is not due to go ahead until 2017.

Loddon viaduct THE first phase was completed last year with the second phase scheduled for this July and August. The work, to replace the bridge's old and noisy joints involves installing new safety barriers, improving drainage and signs and installing quieter surface. The eastbound carriageway has been completed and work on the westbound carriageway is due to start this summer.

Shinfield Eastern Relief Road WORK has begun on a new bridge over the M4 with connecting roads and junctions

leading to the A327 Arborfield Road, leading to lane closures and temporary traffic lights. It will also mean a one-way gyratory around the existing Lane End Farmhouse, linking the existing A327 Shinfield Road at its junction with Cutbush Lane. The old bridge over the M4 will then be converted to a bus lane and foot/cycle way.

Sation Link Road STATION Link Road at Wokingham, for more pedestrian and cycling facilities and improvements along with a contra flow bus lane, waiting area and taxi rank. There will also be rail safety improvements. The final phase is due for completion during spring.

Showcase roundabout WORK is due to finish this weekend on the scheme to put in 12 miles of new cabling to serve 64 sets of lights. It was due to finish last week but the completion date was delayed by a week. More than 50,000 vehicles go through it every day.  Send your pictures of the congestion on Wokingham’s roads to news@wokinghampaper. co.uk

GENERAL ELECTION 2015 WOKINGHAM HUSTINGS Not sure who to vote for…? Your chance to

quiz the candidates!

Monday 27th April, 7.30pm Rose Street Methodist Church Organised by Wokingham Churches Together www.wokinghamchurches.org.uk Doors from 7pm, with refreshments available. Questions are to be submitted on the night, in time for a 7.30pm start. Questions will be chosen to represent a variety of topics.

Trafﬁc queued up in Shinﬁeld near the site of roadworks - one of the many projects taking place in the borough.

Safety concerns ‘ignored’ claim By ALAN BUNCE

THE COUNCIL has been accused of ignoring safety concerns over the new South Wokingham Distributor Road by a retired chartered engineer. Les Roland, who is also a former chairman of Frog Hall Drive Residents’ Association, says he and other engineers feel the original Government inspector’s suggestion for a relief road alongside the railway line was much safer than Wokingham Borough Council’s (WBC) final choice of a distributor road through the new housing estates. Mr Roland says a relief road would have no crossings and would keep pedestrians and traffic separate. A distributor road would bring them closer in areas where new schools are proposed. He added: “I have a lot of friends who are chartered engineers and equally qualified.

“They all agree with me that it’s ridiculous when you can have a safe road, to have a less safe road.” Mr Roland also insists the bridge over the railway line would be unnecessary if the relief road were built rather than the distributor road. He has spoken at meetings and written to councillors to question the engineering qualifications of officers but says his concerns are being ignored. But Cllr John Kaiser, WBC’s executive member for planning and highways, said before any road was built there would always be a safety audit and the council worked with some of the most experienced firms to design the best roads. The northern and southern distributor roads were, he said, designed to disperse the traffic in a logical way and the railway bridge would eliminate the level crossing, itself a major hazard. “Level crossings are dangerous,” he said.

Friday, March 27, 2015 TheWokinghamPaPer

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NEWS | 5 hundreds join fight for return of number 19 bus By ALAN BUNCE

Where will it end? new roads planned Two major road schemes look set to move a step closer as we went to press. on Thursday evening, wokingham Borough Council’s executive met to consider authorising preliminary design work on the Arborfield Cross Relief Road ahead of a full planning application and will also consider authorising further progress on the proposed bridge over the railway and road link to Waterloo Road (the Eastern Gateway section), part of the South Wokingham Distributor Road. The infrastructure improvements are designed to be in place for the area’s new housing requirements. Around 6,000 homes are planned in just two schemes over approximately 10 years. Speaking ahead of the meeting, the executive member for planning and highways Cllr John Kaiser said: “These roads are just part of the massive investment that is going into infrastructure across the borough as we put our long-term strategy into place. “For too long in the past, wokingham Borough accommodated housing without being able to invest in the roads, schools sport and community facilities necessary to accompany it. “Now, thanks to the Strategic Development Locations and core strategy we are now able to secure major infrastructure investment and we’re starting to see the concrete benefits of this approach.” The SWDR includes the proposed railway bridge at Montague Park and the stretch of the road to join Waterloo Road, which is being considered earlier to take advantage of potential funding from Network Rail, which may divert money earmarked for improvements to the level crossing, to the new bridge. The rail operator had planned an upgrade of the crossing but is talking to the council about the bridge instead. Cllr Kaiser said: “We have a window of opportunity here. We want the bridge built as soon as possible and Network Rail wants to close the level crossing – which it cannot do until the bridge is open. So it makes sense for us to work together.”

Top: It’s slow going along Peach Street in Wokingham as motorists stuggle to drive around town. More delays have been found at Sutton Seeds roundabout (above left) and the Showcase Roundabout in Winnersh

Pothole cash is ‘wasted’ The Asphalt Industry Alliance says nationally, money spent filling potholes is being wasted. It’s Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey reports a third more being spent filling potholes but the amount needed to bring the country’s roads network up to scratch has not reduced. It suggests more long term fixes. Chairman Alan Mackenzie said: “The point remains that money would be better spent preventing potholes forming in the first place.”

A Shinfield mum struggles to navigate the pavement with her pushchair after workmen left a pile of signs blocking her route. Pictures: Paul King

AlmosT 500 Woodley residents are demanding the return of the number 19 bus to their roads. Cllr Kay Gilder who represents South Lake, handed a petition in at Wokingham Borough Council’s meeting last Thursday. Residents in and around Fairwater Drive and Nightingale Road want a return of the service which was split into three last summer. Some have lost their only direct route to hospital and some of those wanting to attend Loddon Vale GP practice are having to take two buses. Cllr Gilder said “Since the number 19 bus has stopped calling at Fairwater Drive and Nightingale Road in Woodley, residents from South Lake have lost their only direct route to both the Royal Berkshire Hospital and our local GP Surgeries. “Elderly and less mobile residents have to make other arrangements to get to essential medical appointments and this is causing considerable distress, inconvenience and in some cases financial hardship. “In one case the cost of alternative journeys for a resident has come to £40 in just one week!” Reading Buses chief executive Martijn Gilbert said the company took a financial risk by taking the 19 and 19a services from being fully subsidised to a commercial operation with a top up subsidy from the council, and that the South Lake area had low usage. He said: “There still is a service, Orange 14, serving this area, allowing residents to transfer on to the 19s, and this includes our Woodley Transfer ticket allowing interchange between the two services. “We have analysed the routes and have deployed the buses in what we think is the most efficient way to maximise resources. “Indeed, since the change in July, the 19s service has seen an increase in passengers on the route, showing that this method is working to attract customers and is helping to stabilise and secure the future of this service, whilst also contributing to significant improvements to route reliability and timekeeping.” Mr Gilbert added: “It should be noted that, while we appreciate the public feeling that has generated 500 signatures, the fact remains that there were not 500 people using the service in this area and, had there been, the service would not have changed.”

6 | NEWS

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SocIEtY

TheWokinghamPaPer Friday, March 27, 2015

EDUcatIoN

crIME

Borough’s schools ‘among most successful’ despite low funding

Carl Graves at the Thames valley Ancient egypt Society meeting

Talk like an Egyptian CARL GRAveS was the guest speaker at the latest meeting of the Thames valley Ancient egypt Society (TvAeS). His talk – Nubia: What lies beneath – was well received by an audience of more than 80. TvAeS was founded in 1994 and has a membership of

some 150 people. The current chairman is John Billman. each month the society holds a lecture which costs £3 to attend. New members are always welcome. visit: www. tvaes.org.uk Words & pictures: Phil Goodier

hIStorY

a swan song for museum

ONE of the final events to be held at the REME Museum will be a charity choir concert this weekend. The Military Wives Arborfield Choir will perform a Friends and Family sing-along concert at the museum, in Isaac Newton Road, this Sunday. Doors open at 4.15pm.

Tickets cost £3 for adults, £1.50 for 11 to 16-year-olds. Under 11s are free. Proceeds will go towards the Military Wives Foundation which helps to support families of military personnel. For more information contact Alison Woolley on 07572833194.

Farm break-in: Police appeal

By GEMMA DAVIDSON

WhErE thE caSh goES:

SCHOOLCHILDREN in Wokingham are not missing out despite being educated in one of the worst funded areas in England, according to the Borough’s executive member for children’s services. A report by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) revealed last week that Wokingham Borough’s schools are some of the poorest-funded schools in the country, receiving nearly £2 million less in 2015/16 than the highestfunded schools, the equivalent of around 40 full-time teachers. The report shows that secondary schools in the 10 bestfunded areas, such as Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Lambeth, will on average receive grants of £6,297 per pupil in 2015-16, compared with an average of £4,208 per pupil in the 10 most poorly funded areas. This means that in an average secondary school of 920 pupils, the highest-funded schools will receive a budget of around £5.8 million, while schools in Wokingham, West Sussex and South Gloucestershire will receive around £3.9 million, a difference of £1.9 million. However, MPs are calling for a reform in the funding review, meaning Wokingham’s schools could soon see a fairer deal. MP for Wokingham John Redwood (pictured) wrote on his website earlier this month: “We have been pressing the Government to ensure that every school receives a reasonable amount per pupil, as under the previous administration the gap between the best funded and the worst funded schools became very large. “So far this Coalition government has given some extra money to the worst funded schools. I wish to see Wokingham schools benefit from the new funding formula we have been promised for the next Parliament.” Despite the funding inadequacies,Wokingham’s Executive member for children’s services, Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor is

5 lowest-funded areas

5 highest-funded areas

1 Wokingham – £4,158 per pupil 2 Poole – £4,194 per pupil 3 South Gloucestershire – £4,196 per pupil 4 West Sussex – £4,206 per pupil 5 Stockport – £4,206 per pupil

1 Tower Hamlets – £7,014 per pupil 2 Hackney – £6,680 per pupil 3 Lambeth – £6,384 per pupil 4 Hammersmith & Fulham – £6,248 per pupil 5 Islington– £6,229 per pupil

confident that the borough is still a great place to receive an education, with an average 68.5 per cent of pupils achieving five A* to C grades at GCSE last year, compared with 53.4 per cent nationally. She said: “Wokingham Borough schools are among some of the most successful in the country, while being in one of the lowest funded areas. “Along with all other local authorities across the country, we are moving forward within a national funding reform process. These reforms have been a central Government initiative, with the aim of simplifying funding, ensuring transparency and levelling playing fields. “The Borough Council has carried out extensive consultations with all of its schools in the borough, and has worked in strong partnership with the Wokingham Schools Forum, which is attended by headteachers, governors, council officers and a designated elected member. “The forum discusses consultation findings, as well as school budgets in order to ensure that the council always works closely with schools.”

POLICE are appealing for information after a farm was broken into in Shurlock Row earlier this month. On Tuesday, March 10, offenders drove a vehicle onto the farm grounds, forcing open the electric entrance gates, damaging the mechanism. They then drove into the farm compound in a Mitsubishi Shogun before leaving. Nothing appears to have been stolen.

coMMUNItY

Surplus toys are worth playing for THE Lend and Play Toy Library in Woodley will be holding a sale of surplus toys next month. Games, books, dressing up clothes and donated toys will be up for sale at the library in Ambleside Close on Saturday, April 11, between 10am and 1pm. Visitors will also have the chance to become a member of the Toy Library on the day and learn about its services. For more information visit www.lendandplay.org.uk, email lend.play@gmail.com or call (0118) 377 6429.

crIME

Two Wokingham nailbars are raided as part of UK-wide crackdown on people trafficking

By GEMMA DAVIDSON

TWO nail bars in Wokingham were raided by police as part of a nationwide human trafficking operation. Thames Valley Police officers led a multi-agency operation at locations across Berkshire, Yorkshire and London at 10am last Tuesday. The nails bars were just two of the sites to be raided in Wokingham, with warrants carried out at two further addresses in the town. A number of arrests have been made, and victims are said to have been recovered. Investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Mears said: “I would like to thank the

Open Mornings

police you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. “Victims of human trafficking can also contact the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) National Referral Mechanism, which is a framework for identifying victims of human trafficking and ensuring they receive the appropriate protection and support. Contact the NCA via 0370 496 7622 or www. nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk “The key aim of this operation is to protect vulnerable people. The victims in this investigation have been taken to rest centres where they are being supported by Thames Valley Police, the British Red Cross and the Salvation Army.”

traNSPort

Thursday 30 April • Tuesday 9 June Thursday 2 July Open Mornings commence with a tour of the school from 10.30am, followed by the Headmaster’s address. To reserve your place at an Open Morning please call Admissions on 0118 984 6910 or email admissions@sjcr.org.uk. Alternatively you can book via our website.

www.sjcr.org.uk TheWokinghamPaperCollegeOpenMorningAd142x170March2015V1.indd 1

public for their co-operation and patience while we continue to carry out our enquiries at the 17 properties across the country. “Thames Valley Police is committed to tackling human trafficking and will work with communities to stop such crimes. “It is a criminal offence to traffic people into the UK. It is an offence to force people, by threats or coercion, to work unpaid or to pay off a debt. It is an offence to make people carry out acts against their will. “If you believe you are a victim of human trafficking, know someone who is, or have information that can help our investigation please contact the Force via 101. If you don’t want to speak directly to the

24/03/2015 08:25 am

get on your ReadyBike from Earley station READING’S popular ReadyBike scheme is being extended into Wokingham for the first time with a rack of eight cycles at Earley railway station. The Earley Station ReadyBike docking station is funded through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund and is the result of collaborative working between Reading and Wokingham Borough Councils. Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Member for Strategic Environment, Transport and Planning, said: “Since its launch in June 2014, ReadyBike has proved a popular and cost effective

way for people to travel around Reading with a total of 90,192 miles covered by ReadyBike users, 16,837 rentals in the last nine months and an average rental time of 41 minutes.” John Kaiser, Wokingham Borough Council’s Executive Member for Planning and Highways, added: “This is an excellent initiative, and makes it even more convenient for people to cycle. It supports our borough vision, to provide every opportunity to make realistic sustainable travel part of everyday life.” To register visit www.readybike.co.uk.

NEWS | 7

To advertise call 0118 328 0967

Friday, March 27, 2015 TheWokinghamPaPer

TOWN CENTRE

SALVATION ARMY

market Place to be given a ‘21st century’ makeover By PHIL CREIGHTON

Two councils are joining forces with a plan to refurbish Market Place to make it fit for the 21st century that will, they say, respect its heritage. The area behind Wokingham’s iconic Town Hall will be given a makeover in the project run by Wokingham’s Town and Borough councils. Hugely popular, the area is home to community events including the fireworks parade, May Fayre and the Winter Carnival. It is also used four times a week for its regular markets. The council says the aim is to create a high quality central space that provides the facilities to support a thriving market, community events and opportunities for surrounding bars, cafés and restaurants to offer outdoor seating during the warmer months. The plans include installing “good quality surfaces that will complement the red brick Victorian Town Hall” while also levelling the area and reducing the dominance of traffic around the area. Plans have been drawn up with the needs of visitors and traders in mind, while respecting and enhancing the area’s heritage – the Town Hall itself is a listed building.

Cllr Stan Hetherington, chairman of the Town Council’s Markets Development Working Party, said: “I am delighted that both councils are working together to make improvements to our much loved Market Place. “We all enjoy both the entertainment and markets that take place in the centre of our town and to level the space, enhance its use and improve the back drop for the Town Hall itself can only be a good thing.” Wokingham Borough Council’s Cllr Philip Mirfin is chair of the Regeneration Project and is also pleased with the plans. In a statement, he said: “Improving the quality of our public spaces is critical to the rejuvenation of Wokingham town centre and, as the heart of the town, there is no better place to start than the Market Place. “The improvements will provide our historic buildings – in particular the Town Hall – with the high quality setting they deserve, complement the re-development of Peach Place. “They will also provide residents and traders with an attractive and functional space to hold the market and other community events, or simply to spend some time.” The work is planned for early next year and be completed in time for the warmer weather.

In the Salvation Army’s new shower room: (from left) Dave Manners. Audrey Meek. Bob Wyatt, Chris Scott, Sue Jackson, Ron Davis, Nicola Muir and Lauren Fowles Picture: Phil Goodier

A big thank you from the Salvation Army By GEMMA DAVIDSON THE Wokingham community has once again come together to help build brand new facilities at The Salvation Army. The charity’s premises in Sturges Road was in desperate need of updating and refurbishment, so a team of local tradesmen and volunteers have stepped in to help build a shower and wet room, which was officially opened yesterday. Work began on the project in the summer of 2014 after building firm FD Construction Solutions Ltd advertised their services to any local causes in need of help. Managing director of the company, Mark Fowles said: “As a company we feel very blessed in the business the local area has given to us and we wanted to give something back. We’re strong believers that community matters. “When we reached out, The Salvation

Army reached back, and we were delighted to help.” Wokingham Salvatation Army currently runs community outreach sessions on Mondays, Thursday and Saturdays for local people in need, or those experiencing homelessness. The drop-in service includes a meal, social activities, advice and support as well as access to the washing machine and tumble dryer. Church leader Lieutenant Nicola Muir said: “We are so excited about how our ministry can develop now we have such a fantastic facility here in our church and community centre. The only washing facility we had was a hand basin, now our service users can have a proper shower. “I just want to say the biggest thank you to all the workers and volunteers who have made the project such a success. Mark and FD Construction but also Wokingham

Lions and Audrey Meek from PTS Plumbing who have journeyed with us and brought BSW Building Services Ltd and other local companies on board. This really has been a collaborative effort.” For more information about Wokingham Salvation Army please contact Nicola on (0118) 989 4055 or email nicola.muir@ salvationarmy.org.uk n A TEAM of volunteers are making sure that more people in need across Wokingham can access The Salvation Army’s help by keeping the centre open on Wednesdays. Inspire Change Wokingham has pulled together a team of volunteers to man the centre between 12.30pm and 6pm every Wednesday, making drinks, toasted sandwiches, soup and a main meal. To volunteer email wokingham. salvationarmy@hotmail.co.uk or call (0118) 9894055.

Moving to coeducation: Excellent all-round education for senior boys and girls We are proud of our outstanding academic results and exceptional pastoral care.

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Coffee with the Head at 9.30am, followed by a tour of the school Visit our website, or contact the Registrar for details of alternative visiting options

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EDUCATION

Council ‘delighted’ at number of offers to run new Arborfield secondary school By ALAN BUNCE

COUNCILLORS say they are delighted with the wide range of enquiries from organisations interested in running the new secondary school opening in Arborfield in September 2016. Those to have expressed an interest so far include: n The Bohunt Education Trust n GLF Schools n King’s Group n Maiden Erlegh School, Earley n Waingels College, Woodley Each visited the school site and Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) offices last week and met councillors, including executive member for children’s services Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor, parents and officers. Formal applications must be submitted by April 6. Cllr Taylor said: “We are delighted

very exciting for the community it will serve. “Next, we have the planning application to be decided upon this month, and so we are currently on track to open this much needed school. “A large part of the credit, for the progress to date, must go to all those parents who have given their time, knowledge and passion to work towards a great school for their children. “We are extremely grateful for their efforts and delighted that they will be bringing their expertise to the preferred provider selection process.” A roadshow involving members of the PRG and WBC officers are currently spreading the work by taking a roadshow to primary schools. For more, visit: www.wokingham. gov.uk/schools/review/new-arborfieldschool or the Project 2016 Facebook page.

by the number of organisations who have expressed an interest in running this school. “Selecting the right preferred provider is vital and it is wonderful to have such a wide range of interest at this stage. “There will be a rigorous selection process, with local parents having the opportunity to meet all applicants and be fully involved.” WBC will submit its choice of the preferred provider to the Secretary of State who will make the final decision on who will run the new school. A Parents Reference Group (PRG) has been working with the council on delivery of the school. Cllr Taylor added: “With every big milestone being reached, we are getting closer and closer to the first moments when parents will see this school growing from the ground which will be

ARTS

Sunny Saturdays will offer fun for all the family The Town Centre say it is ready to come alive as it plans to launch a new season of free entertainment with the return of its Sunny Saturdays programme. Market Place will, from May 2 through to September 26, be the venue for a range of family friendly performances, including Wokingham Rock Choir, Saint Sebastian Wokingham Band, Mountain Entertainment, Disney

SATURDAY MARKET

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Both the Town Council and the stall holders themselves are dedicated to bringing a traditional local market to Wokingham and create a central hub of activity in the town centre.” Wokingham Town Council says that new stall holders are welcome, with rates starting at £18 per day. For details, email marketsup@ wokingham-tc.gov.uk.

Princesses and many more. As well as the Sunny Saturdays programme, the town’s markets will continue to offer a range of stalls on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8am to 4pm, and a farmers’ market will also run on the first Thursday of the month. Market manager Rob Vincent said: “We are very proud of our markets.

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TheWokinghamPaPer Friday, March 27, 2015

CHARITY Rugby legend Lawrence Dallaglio and Alexandra Matthews, who was in the 2014 England Women’s World Cup winning squad, at the launch of the new car fun run. Picture: www. vermont-images. co.uk

Forget the Cannonball run, it’s time to enter the Oval Ball! By HILARY SCOTT

ORgaNISeRS of a fun car run are hoping rugby fans will have a try at it. Rugby enthusiast and restaurant owner Tony Cole wants to encourage teams to enter the Green Park Oval Ball Run drive from Reading to Chateau de Fontainebleau in France in August. Says Tony: “It’s a big year for rugby and we’d like Berkshire rugby fans to join us on the road for a bit of fun and to raise cash for several large charities as well as Reading Rugby Club.” The run starts off on August 10 and finishes on August 12 and the route takes in places like Lilles and Reims.” The Green Park Oval Ball Run is not a race and while classic cars are encouraged you take can your ordinary motor, even a banger or a motorbike. Team spirit will be celebrated at each stop,

along with fun activities and a quiz en route and prizes for winners. Says Tony: “We’re coming up with lots of fun elements to add to the run and social media will be very much involved with prizes at the end of each day for things like the best picture taken on that day’s route.” The Green Park Oval Ball Run is backed by rugby legends Lawrence Dallaglio and Will Greenwood and charities helped include Dallaglio Foundation, Spinal Injuries Association, Pied Piper and Child Bereavement UK as well as Reading Rugby Club. Sponsors of the Green Park Oval Ball Run include Oxford Properties/Green Park, Reading Audi, Autoglym, Harrison Clark Rickerbys, Zest, Indent Design and MBA Group. For full details and how to enter please visit www.ovalballrun.com or call Amy on 07795 600080.

SHOP AT WOODLEY & HUNT THE EASTER CHICKS

There are little Easter Chicks hiding in some of the shop windows in Woodley Win Argos Vouchers worth £30, £20 & £15 Look very carefully in all the Shop Windows & write on the form, which shops have an Easter Chick hiding in them. Hand the completed Form to any of the Shops mentioned below by April 10 to be entered in a Grand Draw. To enter the competition, get an entry form from: H.F Newberry Card Shop, Chapter One Bookshop, Bosco Lounge, Cozze, Woodley Goldsmith, Woodley Pets, Costa, Café Pandilla, brown bag or the Oakwood Centre from March 27 to April 10

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Friday, March 27, 2015

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REUNITED

CHARITY

Mayor’s auction raises nearly £2K for charity

Fraudsters target garden centre

A GARDEN centre on the Bath Road in Hare Hatch has been targeted by a duo of fraudsters. At around 1.15pm on Sunday two men approached the till at the garden centre to buy two cans of drink. One of them deliberately confused the till operator by giving a £20 note, then asking to swap smaller notes up to a £50, which the till didn’t have, and then asking for smaller division of £10 notes and then £5. The incident left the shop around £70 short. The man is described as white with short, dark hair, and 5’8” tall. He was aged in his late 30s or early 40s, and was of stocky build. He was wearing a white top and grey tracksuit bottoms. The other man was described as white, in his mid-30s, of smaller build and wearing a red top. If you have any information about this incident which you think may be helpful to police you should call the Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.

BURGLARY

Cash stolen in house burglary

THREE men were disturbed while they were burgling a house in London Road, Earley, on Tuesday afternoon. At around 3pm two Asian men and a European man were chased from the house after they had broken in by removing an entire window and its casing. An undisclosed amount of money was stolen from the property. If you saw anything suspicious in the area at the time you should call Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

TheWokinghamPaPer Friday, March 27, 2015

Borough Mayor Cllr UllaKarin Clark gets the bidding underway at the More Arts charity auction. Picture: Paul King

Carole Headland with a ring similar to the one that she since returned with its owner, an Olympic rower. Picture: Paul King

olympic ring is reunited with american owner 20 years after being lost in river By GEMMA DAVIDSON

A RING that fell into the River Thames in Henley nearly 25 years ago has been reunited with its owner – an Olympic rower from Team USA. Doug DeVere, who runs the Magpie and Parrot pub in Arborfield Road, Shinfield, was given the ring as a present by his partner, Carole Headland, on his 64th birthday last Friday. Ms Headland said: “Doug is into

all things quirky, we have quite the collection in the pub, and I was looking for a particular racing set of model horses and jockeys from Eversley Barn Antiques, but the set was incomplete and quite expensive so I looked for something else. “The ring caught my eye because it was quite quirky, so I bought it and gave it to him.” Mr DeVere said: “When I opened the box and saw this ring, I noticed it had the initials inscribed on it. “I thought they must be significant so I Googled it and found out that these rings were given to all the members of Team USA who took part in the Seoul Olympics in 1988. “I decided to try and reunite the ring with its rightful owner, so I looked through a very long list of names of the athletes who took part, and I came across Peter Nordell, a rower who won a

bronze medal at the games. “I Googled him and found that he is the chief executive of a hospital equipment company in Ohio, so I sent him an email explaining that I had found his ring.” Mr Nordell said: “I lost my ring in 1991 at Henley when it slipped off my finger at a bar on the River Thames. “At the time I was ready to jump in to get it, but was told that the bottom was basically broken pint glasses and I would have cut myself to ribbons. “Someone must have used a metal detector or something to salvage things of value from the bottom. The ring is not made of precious metal, but is clearly important to me.” Mr DeVere said: “How it came to be at Eversley Barn Antiques I do not know. Apparently they bought it from an antique shop in Yarnton, in Oxfordshire, but it would be great to know where it has been all these years.”

RING

Rower Peter is delighted to be reunited

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Peter Nordell contacted the Wokingham Paper to share in his joy at being reunited with his lost ring.. Here is what he has to say: In 1990 or '91 I rowed at the regatta in Henley with a rowing club from New York City called the Power ten. We went for fun, rowed in the thames Cup. We had a great time. I cannot recall how many races we rowed, but I know we lost fairly early. once we lost, we focused on the fun, and one afternoon we were having a Pimms or a pint on the patio of a pub right near the bridge in town. the patio must have been in the shade, because one of the women with us said she was chilly. Naturally I took off my blue blazer, gallantly swung it around her shoulders with a flourish, and – zip! – off the ring finger of my right hand comes the ring, and – kerploop! – right into the river. I must say I clearly recall the sensation of having i zip off my finger and the sound it made as it landed in the river.... I was on the way into the river to try to find

it, but the staff restrained me as they thought I would be cut to ribbons by broken glass. So there I was, no olympic ring. Good trip to Henley anyway. Fast forward to 2006, at my 40th birthday party, my lovely wife Winnie presents me with a new ring. All these years later, she had talked the original manufacturer Josten's into re-casting a replacement – but one size smaller to make sure it stays on. I do not wear it very often, saving it for occasions on which I need some bling or some extra mojo. So I will be very happy to have the original back. Such a nice thing that Mr. Devere did to find it, look me up, and send it back. reading his email made me smile ear to ear, and wonder how it was that someone dredged it up off the bottom – perhaps sifting with a metal detector for coins? I asked doug to pick a local charity to which I could make a donation in his name, but he demurred, so I guess I'll have to settle for buying him a pint or two when next at the regatta, hopefully within a few years.

THE mayor’s charity art auction raised just under £2,000 for charity on Saturday night. Guests were able to enjoy Champagne and chips before bidding on a number of special lots during the auction, held at the Martin and Pole Auction House in Milton Road. The funds raised will be donated to Wokingham Borough Council mayor UllaKarin Clark’s chosen charity this year – the More Arts Wokingham (Borough) Legacy fund. This special fund is set aside to help pay for activities which will benefit young people in the local area who have a variety of complex needs. These include the most vulnerable and at risk young people in our community who are helped primarily by developing life skills through the creative process. The evening included entertainment and the fast and fun auction with auctioneer Pascal McNamara from Martin and Pole. It features works of art by a range of talented local artists in the Borough.

CENTENARY

Wi history made with baton handover By GEMMA DAVIDSON

TO CELEBRATE 100 years of the Women’s Institute movement, a special centenary baton that has been travelling the country will be stopping off in Berkshire next month. Having started in Anglesey on January 1 last year, and will finally reach Berkshire on April 7, when it is passed from the Wiltshire Federation at Hungerford. Events organised by groups within the Berkshire Federation will be held over the following week, before the baton is passed over to Oxfordshire on Tuesday, April 14, at the GB Rowing Centre in Caversham. On April 9 there will be a coffee morning between 10am and 12pm at Swallowfield Parish Hall, in Swallowfield Street, attended by WI groups from Maiden Erlegh, Pound Green Shinfield, Burnham Copse, Arborfield and Newland, Theale Green, and Padworth. Later that day, Radstock and Redlands WIs will be hosting a celebration evening at Trinity Church, in Chalfont Close, Lower Earley, from 7.30pm. On Friday, April 10, WIs from Binfield, California, Crowthorne, Finchampstead, Harman’s Water, Hawley, Owlsmoor, Sandhurst, St Sebastians, Woosehill, Winnersh, Yateley and Yateley Green will hold a social afternoon with tea and an Easter Bonnet competition at Finchampsted Memorial Hall, between 2pm and 4pm. On Monday, April 13, a coffee and cake morning will be hosted by WIs from Littlewick Green, Twyford and Ruscombe, Knowl Hill, Burchetts Green and Hurley at Gilchrist Hall, Littlewick Green, between 10.30am and 12pm. Finally, on Tuesday, April 14, Chazey, Sonning Glebe, Rosehill, Whitchurch Hill WIs will hold a finger buffet lunch at Caversham Heath Golf Club, Mapledurham, between 12pm and 3pm, before the baton is handed over to Oxfordshire Federation in a ceremony commencing at 4pm at the Redgrave Pinsent Rowling Lake, off the Henley Road.

NEWS | 11

Friday, March 27, 2015 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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UKIP bus rolls into town to ‘push’ MP PAUL NUTTALL, MEP and deputy leader of UKIP since 2010 visited John Redwood’s constituency of Wokingham last Friday on his whistle stop tour of the UK, writes Vivienne Johnson. Mr Nuttall joined Phil Cunnington, UKIP’s Parliamentary candidate for Wokingham, on an open topped purple bus tour around the Borough. “I’m here to tell everyone that there is an alternative to the Conservatives in Wokingham,” said Mr Nuttall. “Labour don’t even exist in this constituency. Wokingham is crying out for a strong opposition. If you are in opposition you can ensure that things get done.”

Phil Cunnington, who is currently General Manager for mental health services in NE Hants and Farnham, said: “I want to push John Redwood. We have a big majority to overturn.” Mr Redwood gained a majority of 13,492 in the 2010 general election. Mr Cunnington lives in Wokingham with his family. His youngest daughter still attends the local Holt School. “The community needs a voice,” he said. “The council has its own agenda and courts public opinion. The MP doesn’t take any notice of public opinion.” Picture by Paul King

Meet the candidates: General Election hopefuls are named

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The candidates that have declared so far are, above from left, Conservative John Redwood, Liberal Democrat Clive Jones, Labour’s Andy Croy, UKIP’s Phil Cunnington, Adrian Windisch for the Green Party and Independent Kazek Lokuciewski.

Vote 2015 By ALAN BUNCE THE main party candidates have all declared their intentions for the May 7 General Election in Wokingham. No definitive candidate list is available yet because anyone considering standing has until 4pm on April 9 to decide. But The Wokingham Paper has asked the main candidates we know about so far to tell us about themselves. Conservative John Redwood is Wokingham MP until March 30, 2015, when Parliament is dissolved. He will then become the Conservative parliamentary candidate for the Wokingham constituency. He has been a Government minister, a shadow cabinet member, and has chaired the Conservative economic affairs committee in the 2010-2015 parliament. Liberal Democrat candidate Clive Jones has lived with his family in Earley for 23 years where his children attended local schools. He has been a company director for 25 years for manufacturing businesses. Mr Jones said: “My priorities in Parliament will be the protection of the Education and NHS budgets and doing more for cancer patients.” Labour’s Andy Croy, a former Forest School pupil, was brought up by a single mum on Wokingham council estates. His son also went to Forest. Mr Croy studied Geography at the School of Oriental African Studies, London followed by a post graduate course at Bangor. He taught in Sudan and Kenya for eight years, has since retrained as an accountant and works for a pharmaceuticals firm.

He is stongly pro EU and says exit would be ruinous for the area. UKIP’s Phil Cunnington was born and raised in Berkshire and has lived in Wokingham for the last 19 years. He has worked in IT and as a DJ. Since 2000 he has worked in NHS front-line services and is currently the general manager of an NHS mental health service. He said: “UKIP will give people a proper say on local issues and will support local businesses.” The Green Party candidate is Adrian Windisch, a construction engineer. He was chair of Reading and Wokingham Green Party from 2005 to 2012 and has been the candidate in many local elections and general elections in 2005 and 2010. The husband and father of two said: “The Green Party are for the common good, not just the one per cent. “We are the only ones against austerity, fracking, privatisation of schools and hospitals.” Independent candidate Kazek Lokuciewski is the founder of SMART-voter.org. Mr Lokuciewski, 39, a Wokingham resident for 17 years, is a married multimedia producer and father of two. He says he became disillusioned by what he calls “banker politicians and the corruption they represent”. In 2013 he founded SMART-voter.org with the intention of empowering the public to hold politicians to account. CANDIDATES for the General Election can be questioned at Wokingham Hustings next month. The event, organised by Churches Together in Wokingham, is on Monday, April 27, at Rose Street Methodist Church. Doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm start and questions can be submitted on the night.

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TheWokinghamPaPer Friday, March 27, 2015

EASTER

MENCAP

‘Unnecessary’ Wokingham Foodbank serves its 3,000th customer thanks to your generosity

Join Smiles for Sibs event

By GEMMA DAVIDSON

A FOODBANK which was originally criticised as being ‘unnecessary’ in Wokingham has recently served its 3,000th customer. Brian Doherty and David Aitkinson started the Wokingham Foodbank, in Rose Street, in September 2013, and since then have seen scores of individuals, couples and families who have fallen on hard times walk through its doors. Brian, whose life was turned upside down when he suffered a stroke in 2012 and found he could no longer drive and work, said that although the service was initially met with a frosty reception, the community had warmed to the idea. He said: “Anyone can find themselves as a ‘have’ one day, and a ‘have not’ the next, situations can change so easily. “We have given food parcels to people from all walks of life, with a variety of reasons as to why they have ended up here. “A lot of the time, we see people who just need a week or two’s help before another job starts up, so we just help to fill that gap so that their family doesn’t have to go without.” The Foodbank works in conjunction with a number of local agencies within the Borough, including social services, which refers people to the service. Once someone has been referred, they call into the Foodbank where Brian or David will chat to them about their circumstances. Brian said: “We want to get to know people, and find out a little bit about why they are here, what they are doing to help themselves, and also get to know their family a little better. “That way, we can tailor the food parcels to best suit their needs. A family with a young baby will need nappies and formula, whereas a family with

WOKINGHAM, Bracknell and Districts Mencap will be holding a Smiles for Sibs event at the Earley CResCent Resource Centre tomorrow (Saturday). The event, which runs from 1pm to 4pm at the centre in Warbler Drive, will be a chance for siblings of children with learning disabilities to have fun with some free activities such as cookery, hair styling and nail art, football with coaches from Reading Football Club, and martial arts. Cakes will be on sale. Members of the Wokingham, Bracknell and Districts Mencap team will be on-hand to give information to families

interested in knowing more about the organisation. For more information and to book a place please contact the office on 0300 777 8539 or email admin@ wokinghammencap.org n WOKINGHAM, Bracknell and Districts Mencap will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, May 7, at Easthampstead Park Conference Centre at 7.30pm. All members are welcome to come along to the evening, where participants in the Gateway Award will be presented with their awards by the speaker, Lisa McNally, consultant in Public Health, Adult Social Care.

RULING Volunteers Carol Grey and Liz Goddard with some of the stock held at Wokingham Foodbank.

teenagers might need more chocolate biscuits and snacks. “We aim to give the client around three days’ worth of food, but it is a very generous helping. We like to include necessities, things that you or I would buy on our weekly grocery trip, such as toiletries and sanitary items. “If we don’t have an item in stock that someone really needs, I will sometimes pop to the shop and pick it up for them. “We rely heavily on donations, both from local businesses, churches and from individuals. Tesco and Waitrose both have collection points in-store,

where customers can buy a little extra with their weekly shop, and donate it to the Foodbank.” With around 40 volunteers helping to unpack donations and pack up parcels, the Foodbank is never quiet, as Carol Grey, who has been volunteering since the very beginning explains. She said: “There is always something going on, and it’s nice to give something back to the community.” To find out more about Wokingham Foodbank and how you can donate, visit wokingham.foodbank.org. uk.

mobile homes must go AN unlawful mobile home site in Finchampstead must be removed by the middle of June, a Government inspector has ruled. Wokingham Borough Council has won its decision against Felix Cash in respect of Pineridge Parks Homes on Nine Mile Ride, where 22 mobile homes along with hardstanding were sited without planning permission.

The wrangle has gone on for over five years leading up to the recent inspector’s report which said it was not a sustainable development. WBC’s executive member for planning and highways Cllr John Kaiser said: “We do work with people to help provide affordable homes in the borough. But we have to safeguard the existing community and environment.”

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14 | REGENERATION

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TheWokinghamPaPer Friday, March 27, 2015

MAY FAYRE

may Fayre 2015 will be ‘the best yet’ By GEMMA DAVIDSON PREPARATIONS are underway for this year’s May Faye, which is billed to be ‘the best yet’. Now in its 20th year, the event which is organised by Wokingham Lion’s Club has become a staple in the town’s calendar, drawing thousands of visitors to the town each year. Taking place at various locations across the town, including Denmark Street, Elms Fields and Erfstadt Court, the fayre will play host to hundreds of stalls, a petting zoo, climbing wall, ferret racing, assault course, a ski slope, and crazy golf. Fire engine and train rides will be just a few of the attractions on offer. May Fayre organiser Paul Baily said: “The May Fayre is a wonderful day out for families and people of all ages. There are charity, craft and trade stalls, and a chance to win a prize at some competitions. “A Creative Youth Collective Corner, run by the youth element of the Lions Club, offers a chance for all to have fun and be creative. Plus the tea tent, of course. “In addition, we are delighted to welcome the Military Wives Choir, who will perform a grand finale at 4pm. This year, for the first time, we have an accordion band, known as RAG, performing. We also have Morris dancers, street dancers, solo singers, a jazz band, comedy jugglers and performances from various drama schools. “We are waiting to confirm even more entertainment, so it promises to be a very lively day out.” Proceeds from the day will go towards three local charities: Camp Mohawk, a multifunctional day centre for children with special needs; Robbie the Robot, a machine which carries out key-hole surgeries at the Royal Berkshire Hospital; and The Homeless, a project for those in need in Wokingham. This year’s May Fayre will be held on Monday, May 4, between 10am and 5pm. Those interested in booking a stall should contact Allison Vile at allison. vile@btinternet.com For more information on the Wokingham Lions Club, visit the website, www.wokinghamlions.org.uk or call 0845 833 7384.

PROPERTY

guide Dogs site homes due for spring release

BEWLEY Homes’ Cavendish Park development on the former Guide Dogs for the Blind Association site off Barkham Road is due to be unveiled this spring. Some 100 homes are being built - a mixture of three, four and five bedroom properties. The guide price is £415,000 - £950,000 and according to Romans, which is marketing them, the houses would appeal to growing families, downsizers and investors. Tim Foreman, new homes manager at Romans, said: “We’re very excited about the launch where everyone will be invited to view the show homes and find out more about Cavendish Park in the bespoke marketing suite.” According to Zoopla, house prices in the borough have increased by 10.02% in the last year.

An artist’s impression of how the new pedestrianised Peach Place could look after the plans were approved by Wokingham Borough Council.

new-look town centre gets the green light By PHIL CREIGHTON

PEAch Place will become pedestrianised after plans to redevelop the town centre area were approved by Wokingham Borough council’s planning committee on Wednesday. The plans will, according to a Borough Councillor, be a “huge improvement” on the “tired 1960s buildings” that are in line to be demolished. Part of the ambitious regeneration scheme for Wokingham, the plans will see new retail units with accommodation above for the area between Costa Coffee

and the Redan pub. Haka and Marks & Spencer will be unaffected and there are plans to build four new houses on Rose Street. It will take two years to build and work is scheduled to start in late 2016. Plans also include the newpedestrianised public square, which the Council says will be key to unlocking the town centre’s full potential, providing a quiet area away from cars with shops, cafés, planting and seating. It could also mean an extension to the market and other specialist events. Cllr Philip Mirfin, executive member

for regeneration and communities, said: “This is another important step in the regeneration of Wokingham town centre. “Once built, the new buildings along Peach Street will be a huge improvement on the tired 1960s buildings they will replace. “There will be a variety of rooflines to reflect the existing buildings in the town, which is what local people told us they wanted. “We will be able to provide a better range of shops, and create a better balance between national and niche retail,

so I’m delighted our plans have been approved. “Securing planning consent is just the first step in designing the redevelopment of Peach Place. We want to make sure our designs are right for the town and want local people to get involved.” The Borough Council says it will be working with local people on the next steps of designs such as shop frontages, public art and landscaping. Local residents will be asked to help create a name for the new public square and the development, which will replace the working title of Peach Place.

Loss of disabled parking bays causes ‘distress’ for Bradbury Centre users By GEMMA DAVIDSON

ThE decision to remove disabled parking spaces outside The Bradbury centre to make way for the town centre regeneration has distressed many of its regular users. The plans to remove the parking bays at the Rose Street centre, which were discussed at a meeting of the planning committee on March 4, have cast some doubts on its future, as it is feared that many of the disabled members who currently use it will not return. Ian Severn, a representative of the Wokingham Methodist Church which is next door to the Bradbury Centre, said he was concerned that Wokingham Borough Council was ignoring key aspects of the Equality Act 2010 with regards to disabled access. Mr Severn said: “A lot of people who use The Bradbury Centre use the disabled parking bay as a way of getting in and out of the centre. Keep Mobile, a company which transports disabled people, have said that they may not be able to continue bringing people to the centre if there isn’t sufficient disabled access, and a lot of our members are very concerned for the future. “We will dispute the council’s decision because they have said that the members can use a disabled space outside the church, but that is just not good enough.

The centre needs its own disabled access so that members can come and go without having to worry.” Moira MacDougall’s husband Douglas uses a wheelchair to get around after he damaged his hip in a fall. She said: “I am actually very distressed about this decision, our entire social life centres around The Bradbury Centre and I just don’t know how we are going to manage. “The council say that we can park in the other disabled bays in the town centre, but there really aren’t very many and they are usually taken so you are very lucky if you actually manage to get a spot. “There is a ramp from the centre’s main car park into the front door, but I tried to use it and it is dangerous pushing a wheelchair down it, we almost ended up in the road. “I don’t think the council realises just how much of an impact this will have on our lives. There are a lot of disabled people in Wokingham, so we need more disabled parking spaces, not less.” Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for regeneration and communities, Cllr Philip Mirfin said:“We recognise concerns about disabled parking in this location, and have been working to address this. “We will be re-providing disabled spaces outside the church on Rose Street, as well as a new flexible drop off point.”

Ian Severn, above, from Wokingham Methodist Church, said the council is ignoring “key aspects” of the Equality Act 2010 with regards to disabled access at The Bradbury Centre.

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Friday, March 27, 2015 TheWokinghamPaPer

REGENERATION | 15 FOOD

Third incredible Edible site for Wokingham

By GEMMA DAVIDSON INCREDIBLE Edible Wokingham has announced the location of its third site in the town. The land off Alderman Willey Close was identified by residents of Dickens Court as being a suitable location for people to grow their own food, and will be joining forces with the organisation to look after the plants. The ground is currently overgrown with ground ivy, and several old tree stumps will need to be removed. A working party will be held on Easter Monday, April 6, between 11am and 4pm for anyone who is interested in joining in. Stan Hetherington, chairman of Wokingham in Bloom, said: “It is great to see residents and council officials working together so successfully. This was a redundant piece of land which will now be a benefit to residents. “Hopefully the Thames and Chilterns in Bloom judges will be impressed with our community’s team work.”

Pictured are Dickens Court residents Bert Harper, Margaret Parsa, Connie Jones and Eileen Humphrey together with Incredible Edible founder Vicky Stanborough and Sam Avery and Ann Molloy from Optalis/Wokingham Borough Council and Stan Hetherington from Wokingham in Bloom.

Last chance to speak out on Elms Field By ALAN BUNCE

THERE is less than a week left to have your say about the latest proposals for Elms Field. Three drop-in sessions and an online debate have been held and the current consultation ends on April 2. Key aspects of the latest proposals include: n A new park and play area n More green space n Events space n More and varied shops n Boutique cinema n Smaller foodstore n Premier Inn Hotel n New homes n Through road linking Wellington Road and Shute End n New car park n Moving Elms Road to allow for more open space n Improved pedestrian links from the town centre to the Carnival Pool. Cllr Philip Mirfin, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for regeneration and communities, said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity to start giving the residents the type of town centre they want, right here on

their doorstep. “Regeneration is all about providing our residents with a much better variety and quality of shops and leisure facilities. “It’s also about giving local businesses the facilities, they tell us are important to them, to remain in the area like a new hotel and flexibly sized units. “We think Wokingham has the opportunity to stand out as a great market town and offer something different from larger neighbours by emphasising our current strengths and creating the right spaces for people to live great lives.” However the Liberal Democrats were unhappy that amendments of theirs were voted down by the Conservatives at a meeting of the council last week. They wanted all the green areas maintained, phased implementation and the words ‘minimising the financial risk’ added. Artist’s impression of how the redeveloped Elms Field could look if the plans are agreed Lib Dem leader Cllr Prue Bray said it was a mistake to build on the green spaces. She added: “Once it is gone, it is gone forever.” Visit www.regenerationcompany.co.uk or pick up a hard copy at the WBC offices at Shute End.

CRIME

Distraction crook warning after thefts

SHOPPERS in Wokingham are being reminded to remain vigilant after a number of distraction thefts in the town this week. At 9.30am on Wednesday a man stopped a lady in Tesco on Finchampstead Road to ask about chocolate. While they were talking, he managed to steal her purse from her handbag At 11.30am on the same day a man entered a building in Rose Street to speak to someone, indicating that he was deaf. He had a clipboard which he placed on a desk, covering a mobile phone, which he stole as he left. A similar incident also happened at a hairdressers in the town. The man is described as in his early 20s, of eastern European origin, wearing a blue baseball cap and a dark coloured gilet. He was also carrying a flimsy bag. If you have any information regarding these incidents you should call the Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.

COMMUNITY

Crossrail under spotlight at agm

THE Twyford Village Partnership is to hold its AGM on Tuesday, April 7, from 8pm. It will take place at St Mary’s Church in Station road and will include an opportunity to explore the impact of Crossrail and ask questions. All are welcome.

16 | PEOPLE

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COMMUNITY

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 27, 2015

ARTS

Islamic Arts session oﬀers boost to concentration and handwriting ISLAMIC Art made an appearance at Woodley Library thanks to a talented artist from Palestine. Hadil Tamil is regularly asked by Wokingham Borough Council to do sessions across the borough. She works with a wide range of people, including many youngsters to help improve hand and eye

concentration which in turn can help with handwriting. She said: “My work can help people present their handwriting in a neater way and can get them away from computer screens while helping them to engage with society.” FOR more information visit www.hadil.art.blogspot.com

Hadil Tamil, second from right, holding an Islamic Arts session at Woodley Library. Picture: Phil Goodier That’s dedication: Reception manager Angie Morre and kitchen porter Vernon Durrant celebrate 25 years at The Winning Post pub.

EDUCATION

It’s 25 years and counting for The Winning Post pub’s long-serving staﬀ THE Winning Post pub and inn, based in Winkﬁeld, held celebratory drinks event to honour its two longest-serving staff members. Reception manager Angie Moore and kitchen porter, Vernon Durrant have both reached the remarkable milestone of 25-years’ service at the popular 18th century pub. The pub has long been the local community hub and both Angie and Vernon have ensured it continues to play this role today, serving many locals who have frequented the pub for even longer than they have worked there. “When I started at The Winning Post, I was 23-years-old and looking for weekend work,” said Angie. “Who knew back then

that I would stay for 25 years, working up from being a chamber maid, to overseeing the cleaning team and then managing reception? “I love welcoming both regular and new faces through the front door.” Angie fondly recalls some of the famous faces that have also frequented The Winning Post over the years, including exprofessional footballer turner actor Vinnie Jones, English presenter, businessman and broadcast producer, Chris Evans, and most notably, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York and his former wife, Sarah Ferguson. Many of these well-known faces have visited the pub while enjoying a day or weekend at Ascot races. The pub is synonymous with equine

VOLUNTEER CORNER VOLUNTEERING is a fantastic way to get involved with the local community and helping people in need, whilst gaining skills and having fun. Wokingham Volunteer Centre supports many charities in the local area by working closely with them to ﬁnd the right volunteers for them. The Wokingham Volunteer Centre, based on Denton Road in Wokingham, has been delivering volunteering services to the community for more than 40 years. Opportunities are extremely varied and include volunteering directly with children, young people, the elderly, people with health issues and disabilities, animals, gardening, driving, befriending and sport as well as supporting charities with their PR, marketing, HR, ﬁnance or IT functions. Helena Badger, Volunteer Development

fans who regularly stay in the 10-bedroom inn, being so ideally situated near Ascot and Royal Windsor Racecourses, The Royal County of Berkshire and Guards Polo Clubs. Presenting both members of staff with gifts, Gregory Loison, manager at The Winning Post, said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with both Angie and Vernon since I came on board early last year. “Angie has a fantastic rapport with all our guests, while Vernon has easily worked with over a dozen head chefs in his time here, and keeps us all entertained with his one-of-a-kind dress sense. “The Winning Post wouldn’t be the pub it is without them!”

with Helena Badger

Coordinator, said: “Anyone can get involved with volunteering – whatever your interests, whatever your circumstances, whether you have plenty of spare time, or hardly any at all, we can ﬁnd the right role for you.” The Wokingham Volunteer Centre works with around 200 local charities and has more than 100 different roles registered. Here are a couple of examples of organisations that needs more volunteers:  The Wokingham Transport Scheme provides transport for the elderly or inﬁrm to hospital, the doctors, dentists and physiotherapy appointments. Drivers will be called on an ad hoc basis and they will be required to help the clients get to and from their desired destination and in most cases, help them to attend their appointment. Expenses are re-imbursed.

Rianna Hale is the ﬁrst Bracknell and Wokingham College student to be accepted onto the British Film Institute’s Film Academy residential programme.

Media student Rhianna scoops place on prestigious BFI course By GEMMA DAVIDSON

Volunteers choose when they want to drive, so it can be a very ﬂexible role. It really does make a difference to the client’s lives.  The Me2Club offers support to families who have children, between the ages of 5 to 19, with special needs to enable them to access mainstream social activities, mainly after school or at weekends. They provide trained volunteers to offer one to one support to children in need. The Me2Club links volunteers with children with additional needs to enable them to take part in activities with other children. These include brownies, scouts, music lessons, drama clubs and a wide variety of sports clubs. They are looking for volunteers with a few hours to spare each week to support these children to get involved. Please contact us now on 0118 977 0749, email wok-vol@btconnect.com or visit our website www.volunteercentrewokingham. org.uk to ﬁnd out more.

A STUDENT from Bracknell and Wokingham College has become the ﬁrst from the institution to attend a prestigious education programme. Talented media student Rianna Hale, 16, was accepted onto the British Film Institute’s (BFI) Film Academy residential programme in London to study Animation and VFX (visual effects). Rianna, who lives in Bracknell, learned how to make a short stop motion animation, and was given the opportunity to gain a few high profile contacts in the business. Rianna said: “Throughout the course I learnt a lot about how to succeed in the film industry and even met Daniel Gerhardt who worked on the film Gravity. “He spoke to us about the process of visual effects, what it was like to win an Oscar and a general, but valuable, insight

into what to expect from a career in the film industry. “The days were packed with activities. We had practical classes, talks from industry speakers and trips to the BBC studios and the Barbican cinema; we were always busy.” Rianna’s college tutor, Denise Meller, said: “The BFI programme was a terrific opportunity for Rianna to enhance her CV, increase her confidence and to learn more – not just about animation and visual effects – but also about what it’s like in a real working environment alongside industry professionals. “A students’ chance of future work is greatly improved through experiences such as these as they are proving their proactive qualities by learning more about their desired trade outside of their normal college activities. “Hearing about Rianna’s experience has made opportunities like this feel more attainable for our other students.”

Friday, March 27, 2015 TheWokinghamPaPer

18 | VIEWPOINTS GOOD ADVICE

How changes to the State Pension aﬀect you

Wokingham CAB look at a recent issue they have come across and give an answer I AM due to retire in two years and have heard that the State Pension Scheme is changing. What are the changes and will it affect me? The State Pension is changing from April 6, 2016, for people who reach State Pension age on or after that date. This affects you if you are a man born on or after April 6, 1951, or a woman born on or after April 6, 1953. You can find out what your State Pension age is by using the calculator on the GOV.UK website at www.gov.uk/calculate-statepension If you reach State Pension age before April 6, 2016, you are not affected by these changes even if you have put off claiming your State Pension. You will still be able to claim under the old rules, or continue receiving it. When the new State Pension is introduced, it will replace the existing basic and additional one and will still be based on your National Insurance contributions. What you get depends on how many ‘qualifying years’ of National Insurance contributions you have. Each tax year (April 6 to April 5) that you pay or are credited with National Insurance contributions counts as a qualifying year, provided you earn or are credited with earnings of at least a minimum amount. The new State Pension will end ‘contracting out’. Contracting out is where you pay a lower rate of National Insurance contributions because you are contributing to a certain kind of workplace pension scheme, such as a final salary scheme. If this applies to you, you will start paying the standard rate of NI from April 2016. The full amount of the new State Pension will be at least £148.40 per week, but it is likely to be higher than this when you can first claim it in 2016. It will be set above the basic level of means-tested support, which means that fewer people will need to claim Pension Credit as a top-up. You can get help, information and advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau or visit www.adviceguide.org.uk or contact Wokingham CAB at Second Floor, Waterford House, Erfstadt Court, Wokingham, RG40 2YF. Tel: 0844 499 4126.

CHURCH NOTES

with Nicola Muir

Time for transformation

SPRING is a beautiful time of the year. The earth is being transformed. The short dark cold winter days are beginning to get longer. As a dog owner who works long hours I enjoy the longer, lighter days when we can see where we are walking we can enjoy God’s creation more fully. The earth is beginning to transform as well, crocus, snow drops and other flowers are naturally blooming in the ground. The leaves are beginning to appear on the bare trees. Spring time seems to be a time of transformation and new creation. It is traditionally a time when young animals are born in the wild, like the sheep in the fields. In Wokingham we are also having a transformation in the town, many new properties are being built, new families moving into the area. This paper is a new one. We may not always want transformation and the change that it brings, but it is a cycle of life. We all change as we grow, either in age or time and maturity. Last year I was privileged to become transformed into a grandparent and this last year as many of you readers will have seen within your own families, has seen my granddaughter change from a small helpless baby into a toddler, walking and attempting to communicate with all around her. So different from this time last year. The town also looks different from this time last year. We are growing and developing. For some this is unwanted change for others a natural development. For me I pray that we do not loose our small town feel, our love for each other and for the community as a whole. For the Christian it is also a time of transformation as we recognise Easter Time. This is the time when traditionally Christians try to focus more fully on the power of transformation within our own lives through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. So as we all transform in some way, may this spring time be a time of transformation and new life for all of us as we try to reach out to our community through the love of God.

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Your views Welcome to Wokingham – MP I WELCOME you to our public debate as you join the news media in Wokingham. There is plenty to talk about, with many council plans for growth and improvement in the town and wider Borough. There are many great people living in our area with stories to tell, achievements to celebrate and issues to share. Immediately there will be a General Election and council elections which usually generates a good many tweets, blogs, emails and leaﬂets to follow. I wish the team at The Wokingham Paper well as they work out how to join in our vibrant local conversations. John Redwood MP for Wokingham

Exciting time for Wokingham IT IS always an exciting time when a new project like this takes off and I wish it all the success for the future. With the recent demise of the only weekly newspaper for the Wokingham area it has left a large hole for our residents, many of which do not have any access to the internet. I am very pleased that Xn has decided to step into the gap and I hope all residents will give it the support it needs to continue. Cllr Keith Baker Wokingham Borough Council Leader

Media presence is welcome ‘MORE arts’ would like to extend a warm welcome to the new Wokingham Paper. We were sad to see the demise of The Wokingham Times in December 2014 and miss an actual paper to browse all the many events going on in Wokingham. On line information is only suitable for looking up things one is aware of. We look forward to having a signiﬁcant media presence that we can call our own in Wokingham Borough. Please drop in at The Art House in Broad Street Walk – the latest ‘more arts’ pop up gallery, with thanks to Michael Hardy for their generosity in enabling this. Cllr Gwynneth Hewetson, Chair of Wokingham Town Council’s arts and culture committee

Newspaper is ‘badly needed’ ON BEHALF of the Wokingham Society, the civic organisation for the town of Wokingham, may I as chairman extend a very warm welcome to the new Wokingham Paper. The town badly needs its own printed newspaper and we do hope that your new venture is the success we all wish for it. My committee members and I stand ready to offer our views on the developments that are happening

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 27, 2015

We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relatingto the Borough (in 250 words or less) to The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk We reserve the right to edit letters

IS IT A GOOD THING WOKINGHAM IS GETTING ITS NEWSPAPER BACK? JOAN BUCKETT, Wokingham “It’s very important, I like to read the announcements and catch up with what is going on with people I know.”

PATRICIA LONG, Bracknell: “I think it’s a really good thing personally, with all the regeneration going on, with the new houses and new shops coming into town, it’s nice to know what’s happening.”

ALAN JONES, Wokingham: “We live in a very strange time where we don’t really speak to our neighbours anymore, so the local paper is nice to read to know what is happening in the local area, it’s quite a social thing.”

JULIE WILLIAMS, Binfield “I think it’s important to have a newspaper, it’s good to catch up on local events.”

and are in prospect around our local area. For example, we are in the process of commenting on the plans for developing Elms Field that the Borough council has put out for consultation and we look forward to engaging with the regeneration team as this project moves forward. We will be glad to let you know our immediate response, which we hope will be both constructive and relevant to the concerns of the local community. Again, our best wishes for this initiative. Peter Must Chairman, The Wokingham Society

Schools sought for awards WWF-UK (World Wide Fund for Nature) is calling for nominations of local schools that put green issues at the heart of school life to enter the WWF Green Ambassador Awards 2015. A winning school will be awarded £5,000 and two runners-up will win £2,500 each, to go towards new green initiatives, and the winning school will be crowned WWF’s Green Ambassador School of the Year. The project has support from CBBC presenter Ceallach Spellman who “thinks it’s great that schools can be rewarded for their green projects”. Winners and runners-up will be invited to a VIP awards ceremony at the Living Planet Centre in Woking in July. If any local primary schools are getting stuck in to green projects, from green-ﬁngered gardeners to recycling champs, WWF would love to hear all about them. Perhaps your school has created a wildlife garden to encourage wildlife in the school grounds, or have

found a brilliant way to save energy? The closing date for school entries to the WWF Green Ambassador School Awards, sponsored by Alpro, is April 15. You can register and apply for your chance to win online: www.wwf.org.uk/gaawards2015 Karen Gates Schools & Events Specialist WWF-UK

Financial help on offer

LAST Wednesday’s Budget will no doubt prompt renewed debate – and disagreement – on the impact any economic recovery is having on real people. Regardless of the politics, the fact remains there are millions of people in the UK who are genuinely struggling financially. We hear on a daily basis of families having to make choices that most of us would find incomprehensible just to make ends meet. So, amidst any discussion on whether the budget is or isn’t going to help, it’s doubly important that people who are affected by financial hardship know that there is practical and immediate help available – help with understanding benefits entitlements or seeking a grant to deal with an unexpected and adverse event. Charities like Turn2us can provide practical and simple help in understanding what financial support is available to those who are struggling. Anyone who is worried about their situation can find us at www.turn2us.org.uk S imon Hopkins, Turn2us 200 Shepherds Bush Road, London W6 7NL 0208 834 9200

IN THE PARLOUR With Cllr UllaKarin Clark CLLR UllaKarin Clark was first elected as the Wokingham Borough Mayor in May 2013 and re-elected for a second term in June 2014, having previously served as deputy mayor in 2012. The mayor is also the chairman of Wokingham Borough Council. UllaKarin lives in Emmbrook, Wokingham with her Wokingham-born husband Joseph, and has been a Borough councillor, representing the residents of Emmbrook ward in Wokingham since 2003. In addition to chairing council meetings, the Borough mayor carries out more than 200 engagements each year, promoting and supporting the whole Borough as well as visiting its schools and businesses. The mayor gives out Civic Awards, presides over monthly Citizenship Ceremonies and raises funds for a chosen charity. The mayor also represents the Borough council at civic events within and outside Berkshire. In her two mayoral terms, UllaKarin has

supported Building for the Future, which was launched in 2007 by a group of parents of disabled children living in Wokingham Borough. Their goal was to raise enough money to provide the first community centre for disabled children and their families in Wokingham. Thanks to local support, that goal was achieved in 2014 and the group now has a single-storey, easily accessible building in Toutley Road, Wokingham, with a sensory room, an area for teenagers and a room for therapies to take place. This year’s charity is the More Arts Wokingham (Borough) Legacy fund. This special fund is set aside to help fund activities which will benefit young people in the local area who have a variety of complex needs. These include the most vulnerable and at risk young people in our community who are helped primarily by developing life skills through the creative process. Supporting all local voluntary groups is an important part of the Borough mayor’s role and

over the last two years, UllaKarin has promoted sustainability within the third sector by promoting relationships between business and charities through speed networking events that matched up compatible partners. UllaKarin said: “I know many of our residents are involved with the voluntary sector. They are all dedicated people who contribute tirelessly to our community and make Wokingham Borough such an excellent place to live and work. “I therefore decided to seek a second term as Borough mayor so that I could continue to promote sustainability in the voluntary sector, ever more important in today’s climate of reduced funding. “There are many businesses who want to support charities and there are many charities that need their support. The success of these events shows that there is a will to make this happen. The support we have had has been overwhelming.”

Friday, March 27, 2015 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

VIEWPOINTS | 19

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NELLIE KNOWS

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

Nellie Williams

It’s time to be happy – spring is on its way! IT’S A TIME of new beginnings with a new paper for Wokingham, the clocks going forward, the Easter holidays are fast approaching and gardens all over Wokingham are showing signs of fresh new shoots and lush green grass. What’s not to be happy about? We really are very lucky living where we do and Wokingham is often quoted as being one of the best places to live. Having lived in the borough all my life I will have to agree. I grew up in Hurst when Dinton Pastures was just fields which subsequently became gravel pits when the aggregate was used for the A329M. Now it is a hugely popular country park that attracts heaps of visitors yearly. I moved to Wokingham 25 years ago tempted by the bright lights and, by the time I realised the bright lights were infact the level crossing lights, it was too late. I’d already put down my roots in the town and it’s where I am raising my family. The town centre is going through many changes and I would urge you to get involved and have your say. I’m a big fan of independent shops that give a little bit more and I assure you the town IS still open, yesterday I spent two hours after school running errands in town and picking up bits, not only did the shopkeepers welcome they custom they also gave the customers some good old fashioned customer service with a smile. And that to me means a great deal.

Sport They say a picture is worth a thousand words and that’s certainly true of this image of the gorgeous Maiden Erlegh Nature Reserve taken by 16-year-old reader Raine. It shows the reserve as spring is about to burst forth and demonstrates just how talented many amateur photographers are. We would love to feature more of your photographs on these pages, so if you have a picture you’d like to show off email it to news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

EDITORIAL

Here we are, Wokingham, your very own newspaper. Don’t let us go again

Phil Creighton

ELCOME BACK. At the heart of every community is its newspaper. It’s part of the glue that holds everything together. It informs, shares, encourages, celebrates and chides. Through its pages leaders are held to account. Adventurers are celebrated, sportsmen and women are honoured while stalwarts are venerated. Children’s exploits are smiled at, causes are championed and restaurants are critiqued. Letters stir debate, readers reminiscence and politicians pontificate, regardless of their party colour. The singers, actors and musicians among us have the opportunity to showcase their talents, while we can look to the past and the future. Yes, a newspaper is a vital link for everyone in the community, be they young or old. So here we are. When The Wokingham Times closed after more than 110 years of continuous publication, our community lost something. The beancounters in their ivory towers who made the decision did so

without really cherishing – or knowing – what makes Wokingham Borough one of the best places to live and work in the UK. And there was nothing to step into its place. Until today. You hold in your hands the first issue of Wokingham Borough’s brand-new newspaper. We’re going to be the glue that binds everyone together. Our strapline is News With A Heart For The Borough – that’s a big promise. As is another one: our team will wear out their shoe leather, not their phone batteries. If we are not out and about meeting you where you are and reporting on what you’re doing then we’re failing you, the people we serve. We will never forget that journalism is a public duty and the pen is mightier than the sword. We’re an independent newspaper in every sense of the word. No one owns us but you. The only people who can stop our presses is you, our readers. We have published this special pilot edition to show you the quality product we intend to give you each week. But if we are to go forward, if we are to be Wokingham’s

newspaper for the 21st Century we need you to play your part. Place an order at your newsagent today – don’t miss an issue from April 24. Our 50p cover price is not a special offer or gimmick, it’s our price because we believe that news should be accessible to all. Tell you friends that they need to buy their own copy. Passing us on when you’ve finished reading may seem like you’re doing us a favour, but the 50p we miss out on may mean the difference between us existing and us closing down. Support our advertisers – and if you run a business in the Borough, advertise with us. The more advertising we have, the more we can do. Here’s another promise for you: we will establish a trust fund so that when we are profitable, those profits can be invested back into the community through grants. A divi, if you will, to the people of Wokingham. If you want to ensure we get off to the strongest possible start, consider supporting our crowdfunding campaign. We’ll be back from April 24, on a weekly basis, with your support.

Popped into John Wood Sports to pick up a stud spanner for one of the girls’ football boots. While there they asked about the football teams the girls played for and supported. One of my girls plays for Ashridge Park U14s and one of them plays for Wokingham & Emmbrook U10s and are undeniably proud of their clubs and their achievements. Back in the day, girls didn’t play football so it is refreshing to see so many girls getting involved and my husband is often badgered to go into the garden (or next door to retrieve a ball) or the park to help the girls to practice their skills.

Books and reading

One of the great pleaures of my childhood was reading. I grew up on a diet of Famous Five and Mallory Towers, then I started reading pony books and the Flowers in the Attic series. I still read loads and review books for authors and publishers which has introduced me to many great authors. A number of our local bookshops and libraries have author events which are hugely enjoyable and very popular. I regularly keep an eye on Wokingham Libraries, Bookends and Chapter One website and Twitter feeds to see who is coming along and, over the coming months, I will be arranging a number of events which you will be able to learn more about in this column.

Shopping

One of my hobbies is shopping, not just for buying new things but also finding new things and am often asked where I find things. Quite simply there’s loads of places to look and in supporting local shops I am playing a small part in keeping our town centres alive. Sometimes it might be considered easier to buy something online because it could be cheaper but when you add in the P&P and the time spent finding out how to reclaim your parcel if you are not in then that all takes time. My children often (regularly) complain that I spend too long in shops but I like the personal touch.

Food and drink

According to my friend Fiona I cook like her Welsh Nana cooked – opening the fridge to see what’s there and then creating a tasty and wholesome meal for all the family. If she times it right I will send her home with a dish of food for which she is grateful for (funny how she always manages to time it right!). I’m a big fan of slow cooking and have known Netherton Foundry for some years, they have a great range of cast iron cookware which can be found in Robert Dyas as part of the Theo Paphitis SBS selected items. Just this morning I threw in some tomatoes, chopped onion, garlic and carrots together with some mince and seasoning so that by the time the children are home from school or clubs, the homework is done and the kit required for the following day is located I can just lift the lid of the slow cooker and supper is ready.

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 27, 2015

INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS AND BOYS AGED 3—16 YEARS

Headteacher Mrs Claire Robinson BA PGCE NPQH Pupils, staff and parents at a top independent school in Wokingham are celebrating after receiving the HIGHEST possible accolade, by achieving “Excellent” in all areas of the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) Inspection report. Inspectors from the ISI found that Holme Grange School “…successfully fulfils its ambitious aims. The School is a happy and productive environment in which pupils develop an enthusiasm for learning from an early age, in a wealth of both academic and creative subjects and activities.” Holme Grange provides a liberal and challenging academic education that stimulates the pupils’ intellectual curiosity. It strives to promote high standards of achievement across a wide spectrum of activity, extending beyond the conventional academic horizon, enabling each pupil to discover and develop individual talents and interests. It also aims to nurture individual personal development within a caring, diverse and warmly supportive family environment; to develop pupils’ confidence, self-esteem and leadership skills in preparation for the next stage of education. The four-day inspection by the ISI judged Holme Grange School “EXCELLENT” in aspects including the quality of pupils’ achievements and learning, the teaching, curriculum, the wide range of extra-curricular activities, behaviour – judged to be “exemplary” -, links with parents, the quality of governance, leadership and management, provision for more able pupils and for children with special educational needs and more. Inspectors found “Throughout the school, pupils of all ages and abilities are well educated. …Pupils reach high standards of attainment and make excellent progress …”

We will be welcoming our first Year 9 pupils in September 2015 and will be extending the superior level of teaching all the way to GCSE. There is still time to see how your child can benefit from this outstanding level of education and unique learning experience. This is an excellent opportunity for senior students to join our growing family . Our pupils are prepared to succeed in an ever changing, competitive world. We offer challenge, we strive to inspire, develop confidence, provide opportunity and realise potential in every child—and now up to the age of 16.

We are proud to have also been awarded the prestigious NACE Challenge Award for More Able, Gifted and Talented Pupils in recognition of the high quality work by the whole school in challenging ALL pupils to achieve their best.

Winston Churchill once said: “Continuous effort, not strength or intelligence, is the key to unlocking our potential.”

NACE Chief Executive Rowena Gaston said: “Holme Grange School has worked hard to win the NACE Challenge Award status. It has shown itself to be committed to developing a school where ALL pupils are challenged to be the best they can be. Pupils were enthusiastic about their school, proud of their achievements and keen to take on every challenge and opportunity offered”.

At Holme Grange we not only unlock the child’s potential but will also foster within them, a passion for learning. Our pupils are prepared to succeed in an ever changing, competitive world. We offer challenge, we strive to inspire, develop confidence, provide opportunity and realise potential in every child. We are committed to providing the very best education. Our students are well prepared for the next stage of their educational journey and are enriched with a set of values which will colour their actions and decisions throughout their lives.

We provide our pupils with a toolkit to live their lives and when they eventually enter the adult world, we can be confident they will do so well prepared with a real life foundation for every challenges they will face. At Holme Grange we will not only unlock your child’s potential but will also foster within them, a passion for learning.

“The pupils’ success is also promoted by

excellent teaching and by exemplary attitudes to learning, which contribute well to their progress.”

Friday, March 27, 2015 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

HERITAGE | 21

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Looking back at 200 years of Wokingham, Wellington and Waterloo In 2015, Wokingham commemorates the bi-centenary of the Battle of Waterloo. Our local history is peppered with references to the Duke of Wellington who led the Allied forces to victory. MIKE CHURCHER explains the Wokingham connection

N JUNE 18, 1815, the Duke of Wellington’s Allied force defeated Napoleon at Waterloo in Belgium. In the coming months, there will be much ceremony as the nation remembers this history deﬁning moment. In the 19th century, Wokingham – like the rest of the country – bristled with pride over the victory and the town provides evidence of this approval in many of its names; Waterloo Road and the Wellington Road are both to be found in the Borough. There was also the Wellington Brewery in Denmark Street and two pubs still existing are the Lord Raglan and the Duke’s Head. Wellington lived in Stratfield Saye, (just a 30-minute drive from Wokingham) and Crowthorne’s Wellington College was built in his honour and completed in 1859. The development of the college was to educate the orphaned sons of Wellington’s fallen men and is just a short 15-minute drive from Wokingham’s town centre.

‘Who’d a Tho’t it’!

Out of that pride in victory grew a few tall stories; two pubs in the area, the ‘Who’d a Tho’t it’ of the Nine Mile Ride and the Dukes Head, both attached themselves to the legendary Iron Duke. The story goes that the Duke’s entourage decided to take a break on their homeward journey to Stratfield Saye and came upon an old beer house on the Nine Mile Ride. Having been treated to a display of welcome by the beer keeper, the Duke raised his glass to his now merry throng and declared the visit a success. “By Jove, who would have thought it!” he declared. The legend was thus born that the publican named the pub thereafter the ‘Who’d a Tho’t it’! It’s a good yarn and would certainly have

RESOURCES OF THE WEEK ROGER Long’s research supports these articles and he continues to amaze and entertain; keep an eye out for his new book The Broomdashers, you’ll never be the same again. In addition, the book The Inns and Public Houses of Wokingham started by Anthony Cross and following his death in 1986 was completed by Dennis Ayres and Judith Hunter in 1992.

Woden and Thor’! The term gradually became corrupted from ‘Woden and Thor’ to ‘Who’d a Th’ot it’! Another legend has grown up around the name of The Dukes Head in Denmark Street, Wokingham. This pub has a painting on the external wall of a gentleman with a prodigious nose and whose head is peeping out of a wellington boot making it very obvious which Duke the Duke’s Head is named after. However, Wellington was made a Duke in 1814, whereas the name, The Dukes Head appears in 1791 when it is advertised in the Reading Mercury newspaper. The pub’s name therefore couldn’t belong to Wellington and was more likely a reference to the Duke of St Albans who was Wokingham’s High Steward during the 1700s. Another coup for the Ayres Hunter historians! We mentioned the Lord Raglan earlier and you might be puzzled over the reference to the name. He was after all, more closely connected to the Crimean War (the one in 1853-1856) and was pilloried by the press for being responsible for both the appalling conditions of the soldiers and The Charge of the Light Brigade. Legend has it that Lord Raglan had his arm amputated and soon after spent some time looking for Crowthorne’s Wellington College was built in the Duke of Wellington’s honour.

brought in a few curious customers. The story however starts to wobble when the pub shares its name with other pubs in other parts of the country. The story sadly starts to disintegrate further when a more plausible alternative appears. A book on Wokingham pubs by local historians Ayres and Hunter, quoted Bryant Lilywhite’s theory that baronies were being bestowed upon wealthy brewers and a wag came up with: ‘Who’d ha’ thought it…. Hops had bought it’. Local historian Roger Long waded in with another theory. Sailors wounded during the Napoleonic wars would live among the ‘broom dashers’ of the local forest and made various nautical exclamations of unexpected pleasure; one being ‘By

There are many legends about the names of pubs.

it to retrieve a ring which was a gift from his wife. Dysentery and depression had killed him prior to the end of the war and the Wellington connection is that he was the Duke’s military secretary.

And the point is…

History is peppered with theories which become fascinating in their own right, raising even more questions than answers. Who was Woden? Did you know about the Duke’s association with the area? Who were these sailors living among the broom dashers in the forest? And who on earth were the broom dashers? It becomes endlessly fascinating, especially as it hints of a dark past. If you can help enrich this article either write to The Wokingham Paper or place a comment on www. wokinghamremembers.com

Our thanks to:

Roger Long is a local writer whose books have highlighted and unraveled many of the mysteries around Berkshire. Thanks also go to Chris French and his excellent set of pub photos and biographies on www.frogslegs.org.

NOW AND THEN LITTLE has changed about the Duke’s Head pub in Denmark Street over the years, apart from its landlords, and legends abound as to how it got its name. Duke’s Head then (source Chris French) Wellington College: Wikipedia

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22 | NEWS

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Tom’s marathon effort for Bliss By Phil Creighton Picture PhiliP goodier A Hurst man has a special reason for running next month’s London Marathon – his niece. tom silk will be tackling the gruelling 26.2 mile race to help raise funds for Bliss, a charity that helps provide support and care ‘for babies born too soon, too small and too sick’ nationwide. His niece Ava was born prematurely at 24 weeks and was cared for at John radcliffe hospital in Oxford for the first six months of her life. He said: “I was amazed and humbled by the care she received. I wanted to give something back. “I can remember going to John radcliffe, there was a banner mentioning fundraising and I remember saying to my dad that we should do something, we should raise some money here. It’s taken a while to get round to it.” to help hit his fundraising target of £2,500, tom has been tackling a range of sporting endeavours including a 100-mile bike ride, a duathlon, a 10-mile race and twisting his Mum’s arm to hold a coffee and cake sale.

tom said: “I’ve got quite a lot of things in the pipeline. I want to give my fundraising a different flavour.” One of the ways he’ll do this is with a guess the finish time contest for potential donors. “there’s a prize fund for the winner,” he promised. “the more people guess, the more the prize is.” the training has been going well for the race, which takes place on sunday, April 26. “I started properly training around November,” tom said. “I want to hit my fundraising target and I want to get round in a reasonable time.” running the course is an arduous task but tom knows that he’s doing it for his neice and other babies who were in special care and are supported by the charity. “that motivation provides that and the sense of, I guess, personal achievement and pride as well, but I think it goes back to wanting to give something back,” he said. To guess Tom’s time, log on to www. guess2give.com/sweepstake/view/londonmarathon-2015-16 To give Just Giving: www.justgiving.com/ Tom-SilkBliss

VOLUNEERING

opportunities galore for those who want to give back to the community MEMBERS of The Wokingham Volunteer Centre were hard at work promoting the volunteering opportunities and support for individuals across the Borough at Woodley’s Oakwood Centre on Friday. The centre has been delivering volunteering services across the Wokingham borough for more than 40 years. Christine Knox, Wokingham Volunteer Centre manager, said: “We will never turn anyone away.” The starting age for volunteers can be from age 14 upwards and Christine added: “We have a variety of roles that people can get involved with, from sports, arts and crafts to working in a charity shop or maybe even becoming a befriender to other people. “It’s great for people who want to get involved - you could gain a new skill, improve your job or career prospects and you’re also giving something back to the community. “Sometimes people find it reassuring just to be around other people which helps them to feel useful again and builds up self esteem. “We act as an intermediary working with

TheWokinghamPaPer Friday, March 27, 2015

Borough Mayor Cllr UllaKarin Clark tests one of the new pieces of fitness equipment at Bulmershe Leisure Centre, while below delegates gather for the launch of the centre’s redevelopment. Pictures: Philip Goodier

WELLBEING

new leisure centre is a hit with local keep fit enthusiasts By geMMA dAVidSon

THOUSANDS of people are flocking to a newly refurbished leisure centre in Woodley, just months after re-opening its doors at the end of last year. Bulmershe Leisure Centre, in Woodlands Avenue, which was originally built in the 1970s, was taken over by 1Life leisure management in December after undergoing the £400,000 redevelopment, funded by 1Life and Wokingham Borough Council (WBC). At the centre’s official re-opening ceremony on Wednesday, March 18, it was revealed that more than 10,000 people have used the centre in the last three months, a ‘fantastic response’ according to the new owners. The transformation includes a brand-new £225,000 gym, boasting state of the art equipment, extended gym opening times, and a facelift to the swimming pool changing rooms and reception areas. Bulmershe is now one of four centres across the borough which is managed by 1Life, meaning members can also access Loddon Valley, St Crispin’s and Carnival Pool as part of their

membership. Cllr Angus Ross, WBC’s executive member for environment, said: “We are so pleased people have embraced the reenergised centre. “It is a vital sports and leisure facility for the whole Woodley and Whitegates community – whether individuals, families as well as the students and pupils at Bulmershe School and other neighbouring schools. “But it doesn’t stop here. In a few years’ time we would like to rebuild it, or do more major refurbishment and will

be consulting with the Town Council and local people on the options.” Tony Penge, contract manager for 1Life, said: “The response from local people since the centre’s refurbishment has been fantastic. They say they love the improvements which have made the centre appealing and easier for them to get healthy. “They have certainly been voting with their ‘running’ feet because of the increased number of people now using the centre. This is just the start. We have great plans for this centre.”

How Bulmershe helped Sameena get in shape It’s good to volunteer: Members of The Wokingham Volunteer Centre promoting the organisation’s work at Woodley’s Oakwood Centre. Words and pictures: Philip Goodier

voluntary community groups as well as charitable organisations, helping to recruit and place volunteers in a range of roles suitable for them. “We like to get to meet the people we place, just to make sure it is the right role for them.” For more information about the Wokingham Volunteer Centre, e-mail volunteer@wok-vol.org.uk or visit www.do-it.org.uk. You can also call (0118) 977 0749 (from 9am Monday-Friday).

A WOMAN who was diagnosed with arthritis has said she no longer needs her medication thanks to the newly revamped leisure centre. sameena Begum, 44, who lives in Woodley, was never into exercise before, but when she heard that the centre had been refurbished she came along to have a look. sameena said: “My GP told me that a little exercise would help my condition. I came to Bulmershe and spoke to the trainers, and they recommended weight training. “A few months ago I couldn’t even lift a bottle of water, and now I am deadlifting weights, it really is unbelievable.” sameena has made so much progress in her short time at the centre that she was awarded the very first Member of the Month certificate at the re-opening ceremony. she said: “I never saw myself as a ‘gym bunny’ before, but now I am here every day. I have lost weight, I feel better about myself and, most importantly, I don’t need to use as much medication for my condition which is brilliant.”

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Friday, March 27, 2015

Lads with pioneering spirit Meet the boys who be making histor

y this September – p12

ROAD RAGE

As more roadworks get under way, drivers ask if their traffic woes will never end SPE ALL CHANGE

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WE’RE INDEPENDENT, LOCAL & YOURS

Here’s what we want to do…

This issue of The Wokingham Paper is a slice of history – a new, independently owned local newsaper to serve the Borough. We want to make sure that we have regular news for our borough in printed format. Do you? Our surrounding boroughs all have thriving newspapers that are Thanks to the people who have helped us so far: Paul Cairney Jason Hobbs Michael Churcher

Richard Peat Liam Foale Kim Taylor-Foster Chris Pape Sue Corcoran Ted Callaghan

rich in content, packed with sport, news, schools events and arts news – we would like our community to enjoy the same experience. So... We are launching a new weekly newspaper for the Wokingham Borough that will inform, inspire and involve the community. The Wokingham Paper will be the newspaper with a heart for the Borough of Wokingham and this is our special first issue. Everything we do is community

focused, community minded and community driven – if we’re wearing out our phone batteries and not our shoe leather, we are doing something wrong. But as a small company, we need to punch above our weight to ensure we provide you with the news you expect. Editor Phil Creighton has years of experience in local media, and so, holds the credentials required to deliver this community-led venture in droves.

Here’s the rewards you can enjoy Log on to www.crowdpatch.co.uk and sign up to support The Wokingham paper. To say thank you, you can enjoy some great rewards. n BE NAMED A SUPPORTER! Contribution Amount: £10 reward Description: Be named as a supporter of our community newspaper in the first issue! n A YEARS SUBSCRIPTION! Contribution Amount: £25 reward Description: year’s subscription, by voucher redemption in newsagents n 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION + CAR STICKER! Contribution Amount: £50 reward Description: year’s subscription, by voucher redemption in newsagents, plus car sticker n QUARTER PAGE ADVERT Contribution Amount: £100 reward Description: Book a 1/4 page advert in the first weekly issue of the Wokingham Paper! n MEET THE EDITOR AT OUR LAUNCH PARTY! Contribution Amount: £250 reward Description: Have a special invite to our launch party and meet Phil! n 1 YEARS LINAGE ADVERT (PRINT AND WEBSITE) Contribution Amount: £500 reward Description: linage advert for your business in print and website for first year n BE EDITOR FOR THE DAY Contribution Amount: £1000 reward Description: an opportunity to be guest editor for the day

In the Berkshire Patch Aspire@Wokingham Aspire@WokinghAm is a centre for young people, giving them the opportunity to gain a knowledge and understanding of the world of work while continuing in education as well as inspiring them to achieve We require £200 which will fund one of our students through their course. rewards include a cookery book or a calendar.

MAGNA CARTA 800TH THAMES RIVER RELAY The magna Carta 800th river relay from hurley riverside to runnymede pleasure ground over two days,13th and 14th June, carrying a facsimile of the magna Carta, created for the Windsor & royal Borough museum by young people in the royal Borough of Windsor and maidenhead. stopping at various points on the way we recount the story of the magna Carta and hand over the responsibility of carrying the document to a new relay bearer who will be on board the royal shallop “Jubilant” and escorted by rowed craft. We are now looking for donations to help fund proceedings and have come up with a list of gifts which enables generous people to contribute at a level that fits their pocket, from a simple “thank you certificate” to being the Thames River Relay Title sponsor and a number of opportunities in between.

3D PRINTING RESOURCE KIT FOR FOREST SCHOOL The Forest school was looking to purchase a resource kit that will enable us to run an out-ofschool 3D printing club. giving our students access to this exciting new technology will allow them to pursue inspiring, creative projects that support and enhance their their sTem based skills over three months that the project ran on Crowdpatch, they were able to raise more than £2,800 from more than 100 contributors, helping them to reach their target.

CHRISTMAS LUNCH FOR WINDSOR’S OLDER PEOPLE every year, spencer Denney Centre feed around 100 older people over 3 days around Christmas time. Catherine, the centre manager, likes to make it special with an individual gift for each attendee. she invited donations from Crowd patch supporters to help make Christmas special and ended up raising £700.

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NEWS | 27

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PLANNING

it’s a unanimous ‘yes’ to 2,000 new homes and a 1,500 pupil school at Arborfield Garrison site By ALAN BUNCE

Long fought-over plans for 2,000 homes at Arborfield Garrison were approved last night. Both the homes development and the 1,500-pupil secondary school were voted through unanimously by Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee. It was the biggest application for housing the council has ever approved in the borough and discussions lasted three-and-a-half hours while members discussed questions about a wide range of issues, such as traffic and the quality of the development. Councillor John Kaiser, executive member for highways and planning, said the houses were forced upon the council by the Government but he hoped to see infrastructure such as roads in place first. The secondary school will reduce the need for children to be bussed around the borough. He added: “I obviously welcome the new secondary school, it’s badly

An artist’s impression of how the new 1,500-pupil secondary school will look at the Arborfield Garrison development site.

needed. Children’s education is more important than being driven around in a bus.” Developer, the Aborfield Garrison Landowners Consortium, had withdrawn a previous application for the homes in October 2013 at the request of the council to allow further involvement of the local community. Arborfield and Newland, Barkham and Finchampstead parish councils favoured the current proposals. There will be 20 per cent affordable housing and the developer has agreed to pay for 15 per cent more affordable homes off the site.

Another application for 1,500 homes on the land is still to reach the committee. The school was particularly welcomed by the Parents Reference Group, set up to work with the council to plan the new school. Parent Lloyd Watkins said he understood the concerns people had about the houses but felt a huge relief that the school was now approved. He said: “Lots of people have expressed quite reasonable reservations and in an ideal world I would prefer not to have 3,500 houses but I understand why that decision

was taken quite a number of year s ago when the SDL (strategic development location) was agreed. “My activity has been on the need for a secondary school in the area. There has never been one within four or five miles of Arborfield and Finchampstead. A hundred per cent of them go (to school) by bus or car so this is a huge advantage.” He said the four schools most people wanted their children to attend were The Holt, The Forest, St Crispin’s and Emmbrook but all were in the town centre and meant some pupils spent up to three hours a day travelling.

School’s in – for the boys! AFTER 97 years Luckley House School is about to step into a brave new world. The traditionally girls school is to go co-educational in September and a group of its first male intake made a visit this week. The ‘Luckley Pioneers –Omar, Michael and Robert – took part in activities including an adventure trail and climbing and offered their thoughts about their new school. Jane Tudor, head of Luckley praised the boys for being the first.

She said: “We firmly believe that what boys will experience when they join Luckley, will be better and more fulfilling than they could ever expect! “Each boy will gain from the academic excellence, will be encouraged to reach beyond his potential, and will grow into a confident and accomplished young man”. So far five Year 7s and a handful of Year 12s are due to attend in September.

It’s the big 5-0 for charity runner Joe By GEMMA DAVIDSON A TEACHER from Emmbrook School will be marking the school’s 50th anniversary by running 50km for charity next month. English teacher Joe Riley, 27, is hoping to raise £5,000 for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) and the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice when he takes on the challenge on Saturday, April 11. He will set off from the Embrook Road school at 9.30am and finish in Alresford, Hampshire. No stranger to fundraising, Joe completed five marathons in five days in April 2014, raising more than £3,000 for CRY. Joe said: “Even though raising money for charity is my primary aim, I would also like the mission to be part of the community and to help commemorate the school’s fiftieth anniversary. “Both charities mean a huge amount to me and I ask that people donate to the one that they have the best connection with, or donate to both!” To sponsor Joe visit www.justgiving.com/teams/ schoolrunner50 or follow his progress on Twitter @ schoolrunner50.

Animal magic for St Nicholas pupils

Pictures: Paul King

ANALYSIS

Crime ‘will be kept at record low’ despite latest police funding cuts By GEMMA DAVIDSON

THAMES Valley Police (TVP) is bracing itself for another round of cuts over the next five years, amounting to savings of around £33million. The force has already made £58million worth of savings between 2010/11 and 2014/15 through reducing non-staff costs and restructuring. However, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Anthony Stansfeld, is confident that the force will continue to keep crime levels at their record low and jobs will be saved, despite the cuts. Mr Stansfeld told The Wokingham Paper: “The cuts announcement came as no surprise to us because we had been expecting it and we have factored it into our plans until 2016, but after that time I’m not sure what will happen.

“We will also have a new Chief Constable by then who ultimately makes the decisions on where the money is spent and where it is saved. “I think what we will see will be services being integrated, possibly into a central location, such as roads policing, rural crime and police horses. TVP already work with Hampshire Constabulary to police the roads and I think this is working very well. “Of course, certain crimes will have to be prioritised, but a crime is a crime as far as I am concerned. Roads policing do an incredibly vital job, not just catching people speeding or making fools of themselves on the roads, but also in knowing where criminals are which is fed back to other services. “What we are working towards is using IT more efficiently, and we are hoping to issue all officers with an iPad or similar so that they can fill in forms while

they are out on the street without having to come back to the station. This will save time and mean that the officers are not taken away from where they need to be.” Despite the ongoing cuts, TVP has seen the number of recorded crimes fall to its lowest level since 1989, and burglaries in particular hit a 40-year low in 2014. Mr Stansfeld said: “Of course, some might say that the police is wasting valuable time and money investigating crimes that happened 30 or 40 years ago, especially when there are cases of child exploitation cases happening today. “My personal view is that time spent bringing people to justice is never time wasted, and that the police, along with the judicial system, will continue to work hard to make sure criminals are brought to justice.”

YOUNGSTERS from St Nicholas Primary School were joined by some very special Easter visitors last week. Lambs, ducklings and chicks headed along to the Hurst school on Thursday to help the children with their studies. The youngsters were able to pet the animals and were even allowed to bottle feed one of the lambs. Picture: Phil Goodier

28 | SCHOOLS

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TheWokinghamPaPer Friday, March 27, 2015

Press pack Under 20? Here’s the page that you can write!

Calling all junior wordsmiths...

HavE you ever wanted to be a journalist? Have you always wanted to see your name in print? Have you got a burning issue you want to sound off about or someone you want to interview? Well, this is the space for you! At The Wokingham Paper we want to encourage young talent, be they three or 13. Our Press Pack section is a space where you can try your hand at writing, have fun and see your pieces get published. If you are 20 or under, we want to encourage you to write. You may have seen a film or read a book that you want to review. You may want to write about a school trip you’ve been on or to send us an interview with someone you’ve met. Have you written a poem? Painted a great picture? We’d love to see those too. Every item on this page will be written by you. And every so often we’ll give you the chance to tackle some special assignments – interviewing big names or covering big events. We can’t wait to see what you can come up with. Send your items to news@ wokinghampaper.co.uk or write to The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS.

moving between borders made me bait for bullies

Seeing red for charity! By GEMMA DAVIDSON

STUDENTS at a school in Earley got a chance to ‘wear it red’ for charity as part of this year’s Red Nose Day earlier this month. Sixth Form students at Maiden Erlegh School, in Silverdale Road, raised money by selling the comedy noses during morning registration on Friday, March

13, while pupils in Year Seven organised a disco in the evening. Co-headteacher at the school, Mary Davies said: “At Maiden Erlegh School we support a number of charities and this year for Red Nose Day our Year Seven students organised a disco for the year group, Sixth Formers sold red noses and in PE they had a ‘wear it red week’.”

Above: Maiden Erlegh sixth formers Harleigh Ankerson, Faye Warwick, Ben Faulkner and Lucy Hickling selling Red Nose Day noses. Top: Students at the Year Seven Disco.

The school raised a total of £626.10 which will go towards transforming the lives of millions of people across the UK and Africa.

PEoPlE say it’s hard to move house. They complain about the stress and the difficulty. But how many people have thought about how much harder it is to move country? How much harder it is to move between borders? and how many people have thought about the effect on children? For me the most difficult thing was to have to leave my home behind because as a five-year-old I didn’t know anything else and couldn’t imagine anything else. People might think that a young child would forget everything about their old country, but I didn’t: I could still remember all my good friends and my nursery teacher and everything about my old life. As a young child living in a foreign land it was very hard. The most challenging thing for me was interacting with other children. At times I could understand what

they said but they couldn’t understand me. Some of them took advantage of this; they made fun of my accent, or the fact that there were some words I couldn’t pronounce. In my first year I was the perfect bait for cruel bullies. I was often taken out of class with a teacher to go in a separate room to practise saying the type of words English children learnt by the age of three, but then we started having to do things like reading books and having proper conversations. This was very frustrating because when I wanted to say something I often had to draw what I wanted on a piece of paper. Now I speak English and I am in a much happier school. I feel sorry for the children who bullied me, because I now speak two languages, whereas they only speak one.

Aroa Lombao, aged 11

Open Mornings Early Years Centre and Prep School

Thursday 30 April • Tuesday 9 June • Thursday 2 July Open Mornings run from 9.15am to 11.00am. Our Early Years Centre is open to pupils all year round, welcoming boys and girls from the half term in which they turn three.

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24/03/2015 08:24 am

PETS AND VETS

NEWS | 29

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Friday, March 27, 2015 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

with Michael Morrow

IN Michael’ first column for The Wokingham Paper he reflects on what being a vet means to him. As a veterinary surgeon I am often asked what motivated me to become a vet, and how I got to be where I am today. This is a challenging and rewarding profession, held in high regard by the public, and with a constantly changing and demanding work day. And, quite simply, I love it. The obvious answer to the question is that I became a vet because I love animals, and there is some truth in that. But I also feel a real sense of community and satisfaction dealing with people, people from all manner of backgrounds, nationalities and age. People desperately worried about the outcome of a difficult procedure, people dealing with the loss of long standing member of their family, people hugging me in thanks for the extra time I took that day, people thrilled to share the joy of a new pet with us, people in pain and people in relief. People who I would never have met if it weren’t for my job. People who have touched me and made me more determined to be better. There are times where I am physically and emotionally drained, but then I look back with pride at the impact I have had in people’s lives through helping their animals. It’s not easy to get here, even if you choose this profession. The pressure on students, academic and financial, and the changing face of veterinary practice in the UK are challenging. But regardless of these hurdles, for those who know it’s for them, it will be worth it. The hours are long, the expectations for care and excellence high, there are constant highs and lows, but that is ultimately the difference between a vocation and a job. Michael Morrow owns and runs St Vincents Veterinary Surgery, an independent practice providing personal care for pets in and around Wokingham. Find St Vincents on Facebook or www. stvincentsvets.co.uk

Michael Morrow, second left, with staff and some of the furry customers at St Vincents Veterinary Surgery, which has opened a new premises in Oaklands Park

Here’s to another 10 years! By GEMMA DAVIDSON

A VETERINARY practice which ﬁrst opened 10 years ago has re-opened at new premises in Wokingham this week. St Vincents Veterinary Surgery, run by Michael and Nancy Morrow, opened its doors in new premises in Oaklands Park on Monday, with some very special first customers. Michael said: “When we first came here from South Africa in 2000, our first clients were Sue and Brian Jones, with their English sheepdog, Bliss. “Then, when we opened St Vincent’s Veterinary Surgery in 2005, they were our first clients again, so I thought it was only right to fit them in as our first clients again now with their dogs Felicity and Fleur.” Mrs Jones, from Crowthorne, said: “Michael, Nancy and all the staff here really do care about animals, and it shows.

CRIME

Learn how to secure your shed and garage at free police event By GEMMA DAVIDSON

RESIDENTS in Wokingham can learn how to protect their sheds, garages and outbuildings at a special crime prevention event in Bracknell this weekend. Members of the Bracknell Forest Neighbourhood Policing Team and the Community Safety Partnership will be hosting the event at Homebase, in Wokingham Road, on Sunday between 11am and 3pm, where they will be providing advice on security and crime prevention. Garden sheds, outbuildings and garages are a popular target for thieves as they are likely to contain expensive items such as lawn mowers, power tools and push bikes. Inspector Dave Bryan said: “We aim to raise awareness of outbuilding, garden and shed security and we will be working in partnership with Bracknell Forest Council to provide local residents with vital crime prevention advice, to help prevent themselves from becoming a victim of crime during the upcoming spring and summer period. “In addition to these events, the neighbourhood teams will be carrying out high visibility patrols in the town and the rural areas. “The team will also be carrying out a series of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operations and proactively patrolling burglary hot spot areas to target known offenders. “We will be out and about, so if you have any concerns or just want some advice and information, approach your local neighbourhood officers who will be there to assist you. “We will also be sending out messages via Thames Valley Alert to residents with crime reduction advice, so I would urge people to sign up by visiting www. thamesvalleyalert.co.uk.” Councillor Iain McCracken, Bracknell Forest Council’s executive member for culture, corporate services and public protection, said: “Our community safety team is working with local police to encourage

us to consider the security of sheds, garages and outbuildings in the same way as we look after the safety and security of our homes. “How much would you lose if your shed or garage was broken into and how inconvenient would it be if your expensive lawn mower or bike was stolen? “With the warmer weather fast approaching and with us spending more time working and playing outdoors, it’s important to think about what we store in our outbuildings.” The Bracknell Forest Neighbourhood Policing team and the Community Safety Partnership have issued the following crime prevention advice:  Make access to areas where sheds and outbuildings are located as difficult as possible – lock all side and rear gates using a bolt and padlock or hasp and staple lock and make sure fencing/hedging is secure. Prickly plants can be used around the fence line to deter access.  Install passive security lighting in gardens.  Keep sheds, garage and outbuilding locked with good quality locks - padlock alarms are available from hardware shops that sound if any attempt is made to tamper with it.  Consider putting bars on the windows of sheds to prevent break-ins.  Strengthen the security of sheds by reinforcing door hinges, fitting doors with non-returnable screws or coach bolts.  Don’t leave tools and equipment in gardens but keep them locked away and consider securing these with cables and chains with robust padlocks.  Have power tools, garden implements and pedal cycles security marked with a post code and house number and deterrent warning stickers placed on the shed/garage/outbuilding windows. Use an ultra violet pen or a permanent marker pen on more heavy duty items such as lawn mowers. If you see anyone acting suspiciously around a property or outbuilding report it to police via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

“Our dogs have no fear about coming here. “I remember one time when Bliss was in for treatment, Michael called me to say she wasn’t quite ready to come home on the Friday afternoon, so he and Nancy took her to their flat for the weekend. He called me to say she was recovering well and up on the sofa with him watching South Africa beat England at the rugby. He really does go above and beyond the call of duty. I wouldn’t take my dogs anywhere else.” The new premises feature two state-of-the-art consultations rooms, a sterile and a non-sterile treatment room, kennels for dogs and cats, and an isolation room for animals with potentially contagious infections. The surgery has a rear access door which patients can use if they have a collapsed or disabled pet, as they can be wheeled straight from the car park into the treatment room.

The site is also big enough to accommodate a large staff room, which can be used for in-house training and lectures for veterinary professionals. Michael, who has two cats, two dogs and two guinea pigs at home, said: “The most important thing is that we are animal lovers ourselves. “It can be a very stressful job, we can often see 30 clients in one day, but if you didn’t like animals or people it would be a very long day. “It is a great job, but it can be very emotional, especially when you are dealing with end of life situations. But we also help owners come to terms with losing their pets, as we know how difficult it can be for them. We are very fortunate that we have been able to carry on and grow as much as we have. We feel like we are a big part of the community and that is what we love the most.” For more information visit www.stvincentsvets.co.uk or www.facebook.com/stvincentsvets

Moss enD fArM shoP Discover the worlD’s finest fooDs Step inside Moss End Farm Shop and discover why it’s a place of wonder for foodies. Run by Gary and his team who believe eating well means resourcing the best foods from around the world. You won’t find a wider range of top-end artisan foods including the biggest ranges of chutneys, mustards, jams and marmalades, extremely hot sauces and so much more – including hampers to order and Weber & Kadai BBQs Find it all at Moss End farm Shop including the best tastes that British farmers and producers have to offer.

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30 | SUSTAINABILITY

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 27, 2015

IN THE GARDEN

The good life

National Garden Gift Vouchers

How Wokingham is going Green with Vivienne Johnson

It’s time to get gardening

Community orchard introduces edible Earley

THE gardening season has officially started and there is plenty happening both in the garden and out of it. April sees the start of the Love The Plot You’ve Got campaign in garden centres and nurseries around the UK that’s looking to inspire young people to put their outside space to good use and demystify gardening in general. Visit www.loveyourplot.com . It’s also the month of the Royal Horticultural Society’s National Gardening Week (April 13-19) that aims to get people of all ages into gardening and horticulture. One of the easiest ways of getting started in gardening is to grow plants, herbs and even vegetables in containers and pots. Gardening myth of the month is that you should add gravel or broken pots in the bottom of containers to help drainage. However, evidence suggests that this is not only a waste of time, but that it also restricts plant growth and results in their roots sitting in water. Soil holds moisture better than gravel but so long as there is a hole in the bottom of the container, water will find its way out. A plant that likes a well drained soil is the ever popular Rhododendron that flowers at this time of year and brings early colour back to the garden. Don’t worry if your garden doesn’t have the acidic soil that Rhododendrons need to thrive, as they can be grown in pots, using ericaceous compost, while young. There are over 20,000 registered varieties of Rhododendron. A woody plant, either evergreen or deciduous, most species have showy flowers ranging from brilliant white through to bright pink, vibrant purple and fire orange. Native to Asia the Rhododendron is the national flower of Nepal. In the UK it provides a welcome burst of spring colour and is a favourite of professional gardener and co-presenter of ITV’s Love Your Garden, Frances Tophill, who said: “These stunning and perpetually cheerful shrubs flower in all sorts of vibrant colours during spring when we tend to think of most of the colour coming from bulbs. “They extend the flower power of your garden from ground level to head height and beyond and need hardly any pruning. Don’t be fooled into thinking that they provide spring flower and nothing more - most species we buy for the garden are evergreen so even in the depths of winter their deep, glossy leaves will provide colour.” April is the perfect time to ‘revisit’ your garden and start getting it ready for the summer months ahead. For seasoned gardeners, this month is one of the busiest in the gardening year. National Garden Gift Vouchers can be bought and redeemed at more than 2,000 outlets in the UK, with more than 90,000 garden plants and products on offer. Visit www. thevouchergarden.co.uk to see the outlets that accept them.

EARLEY Town Council Park Ranger Service has joined up with the Earley Environmental Group to plant a community orchard on open spaces within the town. The largest group of fruit trees are being planted on park land near Paddick Drive, Lower Earley, with smaller satellite sites dotted around. “Specially chosen varieties of heritage trees were chosen,” said Grahame Hawker, Park Ranger. “The trees are being spaced out so that the overall look of the site is still open. The orchard was planned using an old planting scheme and traditional fruit species that have been developed locally.” Work on the community orchard started on March 3 as Councillor Linda Chambers, mayor of Earley Town Council, joined the Park Ranger Service and volunteers from Earley Environmental Group in planting 20 trees. Jonathan Brown had the difficult decision to make of which variety of fruit to plant. He researched which trees would be seen growing in the area in times past. “My favourite tree is the Rosemary Russet,” he said. “But that one got squeezed out this year to get a more local one in.” The trees were all bought from The Heritage Fruit Tree Company based in North Oxfordshire. The idea for the orchard was broached by Joan Hackett, who brought the idea of a community orchard back from a trip to Australia She said: “In the middle of Perth at the railway station there were raised beds growing fruit and vegetables. Anyone could pick the produce and spare food was donated to a local soup kitchen. “The area at Paddick Drive was chosen because it is close to where people live. You could go for a walk and pick the fruit - it’s there for anybody to pick, it’s a free for all.” “Next year we want to continue planting trees in this area,” Cllr Chambers explained. “This will be the main orchard, we would like satellite sites as well.” For more on The Heritage Fruit Tree Company visit www.heritagefruittrees.co.uk For more on the Earley Environmental Group visit www.earleyenvironmentalgroup.co.uk

WHAT WAS PLANTED: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Apple – John Standish (Berks) Apple – Charles Ross (Berks) Apple - Strawberry Pippin (Berks/Woodley) Apple – Winston (Berks) Apple - Cox’s Pomona (Bucks) Apple - Blenheim Orange (Oxon) Apple - Arthur Turner (Bucks) Apple - Millers Seedling (Berks) Apple - Charles Eyre (Berks) Apple - Caudal Market (Oxon) Apple – Old Fred (Oxon) Apple - Cox’s Orange Pippin (Berks) Apple – Grenadier (Bucks) Pear – Williams Bon Chretien (Berks) Pear – Buerre Hardy Pear – Doyenne Du Comice Plum – Marjorie’s Seedling (Berks) Damson – Aylesbury Prune Gage – Old Green Gage Black Mulberry

Councillor Linda Chambers, Mayor of Earley Town Council, helping park ranger Grahame Hawker and volunteers plant the ﬁrst tree in the community orchard. Below: Sam Chaher and Fﬁon Evans, two of the University of Reading students who volunteered for the project. Pictures: Vivienne Johnson

Far left, Councillor Linda Chambers, Mayor of Earley Town Council. Left, two volunteers from the Earley Environmental Group hard at work.

WELLBEING | 31

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To your good health You’re under doctor’s orders to read this page!

YOUR HEALTH

Don’t damage yourself with DIY WITH spring approaching, how many of us will be considering odd jobs in the garden, spring cleaning or sprucing up the house with Do it Yourself projects? Probably at least one of the above, if not all of them. How often do we undertake these tasks? Once in a blue moon. We will plan these events a long time in advance, most likely take a days holiday, most likely suffer the following days, having put our bodies under duress. This may have a knock on effect on work, our ability to complete the project successfully pain free and possibly even straining our relationships. How can we avoid these tasks? Each month we will be here to answer your questions directly, whether it be focusing on gardening, DIY, cleaning, housework, running, football, training for an ironman, walking or everyday life. Each month we will answer topics which you can request advice on from the Injury Rehabilitation Specialist (IRS), advice on how to avoid and minimise the risk of injury through simple processes and risk assessment. This week, the IRS focuses on the Spring Clean, of which one of my good friends asked me this question. “My wife asked me to clear out the shed ready for the bikes, it has a load of stuff, heavy boxes and bric a brac, last year I cleared out the attic and ended up being in bed as a result of a bad back, what do you think I should do? Well, clearly “no” might not be an option, but if you do have a bad back, then maybe this might be your option. If not, plan your task, what has to be moved,  If you are moving big items, do you need two sets of hands? If so, use them and enlist the help of someone else  Plan the items you are moving. What is in the boxes? Are they heavy items? You might be better placed emptying the boxes and redistributing them  Label the boxes so you are know what’s in them. Consider how heavy a box might be when full, for example a heavy box may need more than just two people  Watch how you lift the boxes or items. Keep the box close to your body, bend the knees and the hips and keep your back straight  How long will the task take you? Can it be split over several sessions, rather than try to move everything in one go. Often its better to move certain items one at a time. Consider where you are going to move them to – does it have enough headroom?  Can you make use of a trolley? If you are anything like me Mark, you will have a shed full of lots of useful things like old batteries, bikes, boxes and just stuff. My partner reminds me that I do not need most of it. Rather than face the annual spring clean and the potential risks, consider doing it gradually over the winter months. Whilst not guaranteed to prevent back pain, planning, making the task into bite-size chunks and practising safe lifting techniques, you may just reduce the risk of lower back pain. It is often that simple. Next, we will look at gardening, preparing the garden for summer. If you have any questions about avoiding injury during gardening, then get in touch with us, the IRS (Injury Rehabilitation Specialist) at russellkesley@wokinghamsportsphysiotherapy.com

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From birth to death: A fascinating look behind the scenes at the Royal Berks

NOBODY wants to be in hospital – the prospect is frightening and you are putting yourself in the hands of others, perhaps for the ﬁrst time. But behind the imposing façade of the Royal Berkshire Hospital are around 5,000 people, from porters to consultants, all working to save lives and make futures brighter. In the weeks to come we will be taking an in-depth look at some of the busiest departments and the people behind the bewildering titles, who are dedicated to giving every patient the best possible treatment and care. But before we go behind those doors, here are the medical notes on one of the country’s biggest district hospitals – it is a massive operation, writes Sally Bryant.

ROYAL Berkshire Hospital is the biggest employer in the Reading area, with an annual budget of around £350 million. It is a quarter of a mile from one end to the other and if you trot around the perimeter you will clock up a mile. There are more than 20 departments, dealing with the complexities of all stages of life

from the busy maternity unit to the elderly care and dementia friendly wards. The catering department dishes up more meals than any other local establishment – a staggering 2,000-plus a day for patients, staff and the public. These are huge numbers – but even more breath-taking are the statistics showing just how many people depend on Royal Berks, or even owe their lives to it. On an average day, around 5,000 people walk through the front door – 2,000 outpatients and 3,000 bringing them in or visiting friends and family. The emergency department routinely treats 300 people a day. There are more than 30 wards, with beds for nearly 700 inpatients. This year 42,000 operations (3,500 a month) will be carried out and 6,000 babies will say hello to the world. Ten per cent of them will need help from the special care baby unit. These are not just statistics they are people, each with a different story but all needing help and all testament to the hospital’s vital role at the heart of the community. As well as dealing with most of

our ailments – almost everything but open heart surgery and spinal injuries – Royal Berks leads the way in many fields. For the third year running it is the fastest in the country at delivering heart attack treatment. It is pioneering in its aftercare for intensive care patients – those recovering are given diaries of their ‘lost’ time and the chance to see where they were, in a bid to stop flashbacks and frightening hallucinations. The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust labours 24/7 to provide major acute medical and surgical healthcare services to around 500,000 people in Reading, Wokingham, West Berkshire and surrounding areas. Its care also reaches out into Berkshire East, South-east Oxfordshire and Hampshire to take treatment to the patients – people in Bracknell now have urgent care, cancer treatments, CT scans and outpatients’ clinics on their doorstep at the Royal Berkshire Brants Bridge clinic. The Reading hospital is also behind an eye clinic in Windsor, day surgery at the West Berkshire

Community Hospital in Thatcham, and mobile chemotherapy and audiology units. As well as looking after our bodies, Royal Berks is looking after the souls and wellbeing of everyone under its wing. The chaplaincy comforts patients and staff of all religions and the hospital could not run without around 1,000 volunteers. The Red Cross work in the emergency department, the WRVS are there and volunteers do everything from staffing the welcome desk to taking the newspaper and sweets trolleys around the wards. The oldest, Jack Warner, jumped on board when he was 65 and he has just turned 90! The hospital also has countless help and support groups under its roof and fundraisers come up with well over £1 million a year. Royal Berkshire has come a long way in 175 years, since first patient George Earley had his arm amputated without an anaesthetic (just a burly member of staff to hold him down). It is now a big, big operation – and the vital heartbeat of the community.

From April 24, We’ll start taking you behind the scenes of the RBH –order your copy now!

32 | LEISURE

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Leisure

TheWokinghamPaPer Friday, March 27, 2015

Your guide to what’s happening around Wokingham

isla St Clair brings her passion for Scottish folk songs to Reading The one and only Isla St Clair, who shot to fame on the inconic Generation Game hosted by Larry Grayson, brings her life-long love of Scottish folk songs to Reading Concert Hall next month, writes PHIL CREIGHTON SHE’S been singing since was a wee girl. Her 12-yearold voice is preserved in precious recordings in a national archive. And her face is familiar to millions – all because she opened that door to a role on one of television’s most popular programmes of the day. It could only be Isla St Clair and the singer will be joining with Reading Scottish Pipe Band and musicians from Wokingham for a special Highland Gathering taking place at Reading’s Concert Hall next month. Although fondly remembered for her role as hostess on Larry Grayson’s Generation Game, a show watched by around 20million viewers a week in the late 1970s and early 80s, it is singing traditional Scottish folk songs that has been her bread and butter since before she could talk. “My Mother tells me that I sang before I ever spoke,” she says. “When I was two or three years old, we lived in a small village in the north east [of Scotland] called Findochty and I, as a very young child, used to sing with the Salvation Army. “My mother said if ever she couldn’t find me to be sure to find me marching up and down the street with the Salvation Army singing away.” She also sang nursery rhymes in her Mother’s Brownie concerts: “I’d no idea what was happening – but I obviously enjoyed it,” she recalls. Teaming up with her Mother to sing at the Aberdeen Folk Song Club led to a performance at the Pollock Hall in Edinburgh, where she was one of many on a bill that included Barbara Dickson and Billy Connolly. Isla sang all 20 verses of The Dowie Houms o Yarrow, “one of the great Border ballads” to a large audience. It’s no mean feat but she was just 12 at the time. “Up I got and sang, entirely unaccompanied 20 verses – it lasted over seven minutes,” she recalls. “Luckily it

was recorded by the School of Scottish Studies so that recording exists, which is very wonderful.” And so began a career that has seen her sing, present and celebrate Scotland in all its forms including its traditional songs, something that was instilled in her from an early age, thanks to her Mother’s similar interest. Isla says: “The songs mean everything to me - from the connection with my mother, for the music, for the travel around Scotland and off to Shetland and her encouragement really. If it hadn’t been for her interest and her singing them really I’d be singing other things but luckily she was. “I know Scotland from my travels around it and I love it completely. It’s probably the most beautiful country in the world. I say, probably, really I don’t,” she smiles, adding: “[It’s] closely followed by Wales, England and parts of Ireland. I think it’s hard to beat the British Isles actually, hard to beat.” When she comes to the Thames Valley on Sunday, April 19, she’ll be teaming up with Reading Scottish Pipe Band and other singers from the Wokingham area including Colin Livingstone, from the folk duo Davaar. Isla is looking forward to enchanting moment of song that will celebrate all that’s good about Scotland. “I think it’s great you’ve got the Pipe Band and everything – they’re fantastic. “For Scots folk hearing the pipes just does it, completely – it sends the shivers up the spine. “If you have any Scottish connections or any love of Scotland this is a concert you should definitely be coming to. “We’ll be doing some stuff together. “I’m sure we’ve make a very good performance all round – there will be dancing as well! It’s a really good Scottish show all together, it’ll be smashing! I’m really looking forward to it.” The Highland Gathering takes place at Reading Concert Hall from 3pm on Sunday, April 19. As well as Isla St Clair, there will be performances by Wantage Silver Band and the O’Gara Irish Dancers. Tickets cost £16 for adults, £14 for concessions and £9.50 for under 16s. They can be bought from the Reading Arts box office on 0118 960 6060 or logging on to www.readingarts.com. For more details, log on to www.readingscottish.org

Prepare to have your soul touched by ensemble performance of godspell By PHIL CREIGHTON

A CHOIR that’s perfect for all occasions now has a special occasion of its own: it’s teaming up with a host of wellknown singers to take to The Hexagon’s stage next month. For a new production of the musical Godspell In Concert, the Occasions Singers (pictured right) will be taking centre stage for the ensemble performance at the Reading theatre on Friday, April 24. The musical is a timeless tale of friendship, loyalty and love that has touched the hearts of countless theatregoers all over the world – and now UK theatre fans can join in the celebration as a spectacular ensemble is set to stir souls and raise spirits, aided by a full live band. It is on a UK tour and at each stop, local choirs have been invited to take to the stage. Russell Scott, the show’s musical director, said: “The standard and volume of choirs that have applied to join

us as part of the Godspell in Concert tour has completely exceeded our expectations. “We have reworked the orchestration for an ensemble and adding choirs extends the community feel of the show, adds an exciting new dimension to the score and brings with it additional electricity. In this intimate concert format, it will leave the audience feeling exhilarated and uplifted.”

Under Russell’s tutelage Occasions will sing some of the most popular songs from the show accompanied by the live Godspell in Concert band. Jacqui Voller, who heads up Occasions Singers, said: “We all believe that singing is not simply about great vocal technique, it’s about singing from the heart and communicating meaning to create lasting memories.” The choir has previously performed with Blake and its repertoire includes choral music and stage songs. Appearing with them on The Hexagon’s stage will be X Factor star Andy Abraham, The Voice UK star Leanne Jarvis and Jersey Boys star Tom Senior. The show will be at The Hexagon in Reading on Friday, April 24. Tickets cost from £25 to £29 with concessions available. To book, call the Reading Arts box office on 0118 960 6060 or log on to www.readingarts.com For more on the Godspell in Concert tour, visit www. godspellinconcert.com

OPERATIC SOCIETY

TWYFORD SINGERS

Tickets still available for kindertransport play

Raising the roof with Pie Jesu for Easter concert

THERE’S still time to catch a performance of Kindertransport. The play explores events during Nazi Germany when families were forced to send their children out of the country and into the arms of strangers. In the build up to the Second World War, the Kindertransport helped almost 10,000 children, mainly Jewish, living in Germany and Austria to leave the country to start a new life. The play is performed by East Berks Operatic Society at the Pinewood Theatre in Old Wokingham Road until Saturday. The curtain rises at 7.45pm each evening. Tickets cost £11 and can be bought by calling 0645 450 5301. For more details, logon to www.ebos.org.uk.

ARTSBAR

Striking portraits on show at town centre bar QUANDRY is the current exhibition at The Artsbar in Wokingham. It features works by artist C J Esling and features some very striking portraits. The exhibition takes place at the Artsbar in Cantley Lodge, Wellington Road, Wokingham. It is open every day until Thursday, April 2. For details, visit www.cantleylodge.co.uk

LEISURE | 33

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YOUTH

Schools to join forces for Saturday night concert

THE Twyford Singers will perform their Easter Concert this Sunday evening. The programme includes European romantic church music and features Fauré’s Requiem and the aria Pie Jesu. There will also be works by Bruckner and Duruflé. The concert will be held at St Mary’s Church in Station Road, Twyford, from 7pm. Tickets cost £7 or £8 on the door. For further details or to book, call (0118) 934 5985.

ART SOCIETY

Set sail for art society’s lesson in mixed media

WOKINGHAM Art Society has announced plans for its April meeting. Artist Chris Forsey will be leading the demonstration, which will be based on the theme of boats and using mixed media. The meeting takes place at Wokingham Methodist Church in Rose Street, Wokingham from 7.30pm on Tuesday, April 21. Non-members entry fee is £4 and includes a cup of coffee during the interval. For more details, log on to www. wokinghamartsocity.org.uk

ELVIS

meet a mountain of talent Friday night is music night and no one knows that better than danny Mountain. The musical genius is holding a fun-filled evening of musical entertainment at Bearwood College Theatre tonight and tickets are still available. Danny’s act includes rock ‘n’ roll, reggae and a brilliant Blues Brothers impersonation. Elvis may also be in the building. Tickets cost £7 and doors open at 8pm. For details or to book call 07949 858480 or email bookings@mountainentertainment.co.uk.

THE Wokingham Area Schools Music Association (WASMA) is preparing to host its latest concert this weekend. Pupils from across the Borough will join forces for the evening of music, which will be performed at The Hexagon theatre in Reading on Sunday. The show starts at 7pm and tickets can be bought by calling 07769 777955.

SOUTH HILL PARK

murderous jigsaw puzzle of death and despair The Hurst Morris People raised £290 for the National Autistic Society.

CHARITY

Getting the HuMP for autism funds a CHariTy that helps people with autism is glad it got the HuMP when it collected a donation earlier this month. The Hurst Morris People presented £290 to the National Autistic Society at a rehearsal for its forthcoming Mummers play, being staged to mark St George’s Day. The donation was given to the charity’s fundraising officer, Jo Redhead, at Hurst Village Hall on Saturday, March 15. The charity was nominated by HuMP member Jason Yannacopoulos, 28, who is autistic.

The NAS advised him about applying for jobs after he completed his Master’s degree. He now works part-time, training support workers for disabled people and also auditing accommodation for disabled people. Sue Corcoran, from HuMP, said: “We raised it through charity collections when we danced last year and at raffles and a barn dance.” HuMP will perform its Mummers play, written by Nic, at the Castle Inn in Hurst on Thursday, April 23, from 7.45pm. For more details, log on to www. hump.org.uk

AN exploration of death, despair and domestic violence is the premise for Breathing Corpses, a new play coming to South Hill Park in Bracknell next week. The Studio Theatre Company will perform the “murderous jigsaw puzzle” from Wednesday, April 1, to Saturday, March 4, in the arts’ centre’s studio theatre. Suitable for ages 14 upwards, the play focuses on 19-year-old chambermaid Amy who finds yet another corpse in a hotel room, Jim who is growing suspicious of the smell coming from one of his storage units and Kate, who discovers a female body whilst walking the dog. Tickets cost £12.50 or £10.50 for concessions. For details, call South Hill Park on 01344 484123 or log on to www. southhillpark.org.uk

SPRING CONCERT

CHORAL SOCIETY

Purcell and handel stars of choral society’s show

Stretch your vocal chords Cellar bar shows will with singing workshop have you in stitches

MUSIC from Purcell and Handel will be performed by the South Chiltern Choral Society when it returns for its spring concert this Sunday night. Dido and Aeneas is the showpiece for the concert and was Purcell’s first opera, written around 1688. The concert also feature’s Handel’s Zadok The Priest, composed for the Coronation of King George II in 1727. You can hear the choral society at the Great Hall, in London Road, Reading, on Sunday from 6pm. Tickets cost £12, £6 for under 21s and can be obtained by calling Caroline Jones on 07500 032840.

THOSE looking to enhance their singing skills are invited to a choral workshop taking place in Emmbrook Junior School tomorrow (Saturday). Organised by the Wokingham Choral Society, the day will focus on developing technique and aurual skills and tuning. It ends with a short performance of madrigals. The day is led by Edward Rhys Harry and Jo McNally and places cost £20. Guests should bring their own lunch. For more details, log on to www. wokingham-choral-academy.org.uk

COMEDY

COMEDY nights at South Hill Park continue every Friday evening. The shows, which usually sell-out, take place in the Cellar Bar with doors opening at 8pm – and queues starting from 7.30pm. Friday’s line-up sees Noel James, Archie Maddocks, John Ryan and Tom Webb perform, while on Friday, April 3, Maff Brown, Steve Day, Fin Taylor and James Redmond will be cracking the gags. Entry is £12 or £11 for members. Diners can enjoy a beer and a burger for £9.75. For more details, call South Hill Park on 01344 484123 or log on to www. southhillpark.org.uk

AT THE THEATRE Basingstoke – The Anvil www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 Stone Cold Murder. Until Saturday. Clare Teal and her Hollywood Orchestra: Celebrate Doris Day. Fri. Peter Knight’s Gigspanner. Sat. Henning Wehn. Sun. Kimme Rhodes. Sun. The Bootleg Beatles. Tues. The Furrow Collective. Tues. Andy Parsons. Wed. Gervase Phinn. Thurs. Concept. April 8. Philharmonia Orchestra. April 9.

Bracknell – South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk (01344) 484123 The Counterfeit Stones Grass Me Up Tour. Fri. The Comedy Cellar. Fri. Caddy Cooper & Friends. Sat. Breathing Corpses. April 1-4. Sports Massage. Wed. A Night at the Oscars: Jayne Coleman Academy of Dance. April 2-4. Films: The Theory of Everything. FriSat. Penguins of Madagascar. SatSun. Titus Andronicus. Sun. Bad Hair (Pelo Malo). Tues. Roh: Weill – Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (live). Wed. National Gallery. Thurs. Into The Woods. April 3-5.

Foxcatcher. April 3-5.

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 The Surrey Heath Gangshow. Fri. Camberley Comedy Club. Fri. Reduced Shakespeare Company presents The Complete History of Comedy (Abridged). Sat. Popstarz dance for ages 4-7. Mon. Step Up Street Dance (ages 8-12). Mon. Urban Grooves (ages 13-17). Mon. Pirates and Princesses Drama for 4-7yrs. Wed. A Midsummer Night’s Dream (drama 8-12yrs). Wed. Macbeth Drama Workshop (age 1317yrs). Wed. Tree Fu Tom. April 4.

Didcot – Cornerstone www.cornerstone-arts.org 01235 515144 The Poozies. Fri. A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night. Sat. The Ugly Duckling. Sun.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Oh What A Lovely War. Until Sat. And Then There Were None. March 30-April 4.

Henley – Kenton Theatre www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 575698

Good To Be Bad! Sat, Sun. Some Enchanted Evening. April 9.

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Paul Carrack: Rain or Shine. Fri. The Neil Diamond Story. Fri. Sapnay School of Dance Ray of Rhythm 4. Sat. New Mozart Orchestra. Sun. One Man Breaking Bad. Mon. Johnny Cash Roadshow. Wed. Singalonga Frozen. Thurs. Singsalonga Sound of Music. Thurs. Hellfire comedy night. Thurs. Pop Factor The Concert. Sat April 4.

Maidenhead – Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997

Create n Make. Fri. Digi Den. Fri. Friday Night Art Club. Fri. Simon Allen Sax. Fri. Flow Yoga. Sat. Sgraffito with Oil Pastel. Sat. Lee Nelson Suited and Booted. Sat, sold out. Zumba. Sun.

Jump In! Showcase youth dance. Sun. Jump In! Showcase: The Tales of Hans Andersen. Sun, Wed. Philip Henry and Hannah Martin. Sun. Zoom, Zoom, Zoom for ages 6+. Wed. Jump In! Showcase: Ernie’s Incredible Illuminations. Wed. Book Club. Wed. ROH Live: Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny. Wed, Fri. Jump In! Fun Dance at the Fair. Fri. Jump In! Drama: All About Me, how to own the stage. Fri. Jump In! Spray painting. Fri. Jump in! Stop Motion Animation. Fri. Jump In! Circus Skills. Fri. Jump In! Make and Decorate Chocolate Lollipops. Fri. Jump In! Zoom, Zoom, Zoom. Fri. Create n Make. Fri. Jump In! Magic: Become The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Fri. Films: Trash (15). Sat, Tues. Love Is Strange (15). Sun, Tues. Stations of the Cross. Thurs. Shaun The Shep Movie (U). Good Friday, Sat April 4. The Theory of Everything. Good Friday. Paddington. April 4.

Reading – South Street www.readingarts.com (0118) 960 6060 Darklands. Sat. Tom Adams presents Howl At The Moon. Wed. Standby for Tape Back-up. Thurs. The Boy Who Bit Picasso. Sat 4.

Reading – The Hexagon www.readingarts.com (0118) 960 6060 Stewart Lee: Room With A Stew. Fri. Killer Queen. Sat. Wokingham Area Schools Music Association Concert. Sat.

Reading – Progress Theatre www.progresstheatre.co.uk (0118) 384 2195 Animal Farm. Until Sat. Slim Panatella and the Mellow Virginians. Sun. Jazz at the Progress: Alex Garnett’s Bunch of Five. Thurs. Talking Heads. April 20-25.

Shinfield – Shinfield Players www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 Radio Times. April 24-30, May 1-2.

Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com

(0118) 969 8000 Next production: Dead of Night. April 11-May 2.

Windsor – Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Dreaming of Kate: Kate Bush tribute. Fri. Jackson: Live In Concert. Sat. The Take That Experience. Sat. Stand Up By Royal Appointment. Sun. Chess The Musical. March 31-April 4.

Woking – New Victoria www.ambassadortickets.com 0844 871 7645 Jersey Boys. Until Sat. Jesus Christ Superstar. Mar 31-April 4. Solid Silver 60s Show. Easter Sunday.

Wokingham – Theatre (0118) 978 5363 www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk Tons of Money. Until Sat. Frost-Nixon. April 23-May 2.

Woodley – Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org 07939 210121 Woodley Theatre presents The Ladykillers. April 21-25.

34 | LEISURE

FIVE THINGS

Caitlin Bowring

Easter fun for teens

Gravity Force Head to Camberley for a FreeJump at Gravity Force’s 50 interconnected trampoline indoor arena (£10 per hour, per person). Alternatively, book on to a Friday night Graviteen session for ages 13-19. You can jump to your heart’s content to a live DJ (£15 per person). They say: “You won’t even realise you’re exercising!” Book online at www.gravityforce.co.uk

Free swimming for under 18s Carnival Pool, Loddon Valley Leisure Centre and Bulmershe Leisure Centre are all offering free swimming sessions for children and teenagers over the Easter holidays. All you need is a (free) Wokingham Borough Library Card. For more information visit www.wokingham.gov.uk/sports/ swimming or call 0118 974 6000

Be one of the ﬁrst to see woodland Easter bluebells Escape the Borough’s madding crowds and go walking in the wonderfully expansive Coombes Woods just off Bearwood Road to get in a Spring-like mood. Optimum viewing time is middle to the end of April.

Observe a court case from the public gallery A different and horizon-broadening experience for an empty day. Choose between Reading’s Magistrates Court (open 9am-5pm Monday to Thursday, 9am-4.30pm Friday) for petty crime and domestic cases or the Crown Court (open 8.30am-5.30pm) for more serious cases. Recommended age: 16+ For more information visit courttribunalﬁnder.service.gov.uk/ courts or www.doortothelaw.co.uk/workexperience/court.html

Eat out at Wokingham’s new and thriving Spanish tapas bar Sanpa in Peach Street boasts a deliciously authentic menu (viewable on its Facebook page) ranging from cured meat platters to paella. Feel free to leaf through the many vinyls stacked next to the vintage 60’s record player upstairs and personalise the musical accompaniment to your meal. For more information, search for them on Trip Advisor or call Or call 0118 989 3999.

AND…

Go bowling If the rain won’t go away book a game with friends at Wokingham SuperBowl: during the holidays before 11am the cost is just £3.95 per player, per game. SuperBowl is open from 10am to late during the school holidays, every day of the week. For more details, visit www.wokinghamsuperbowl.co.uk.

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 27, 2015

HEXAGON

WIN! Family tickets to this rip-roaring dino show THEY come from a land that time forgot … until now. And we’ve got two fantastic family tickets for you to win to see them for yourselves. Dinosaur Zoo is coming to The Hexagon in Reading this Easter ready to wow children of all ages. And as well as the 50-minute show afterwards brave souls can stick around to meet and greet the dinosaurs and maybe pose for some selfies. The show is coming to the Thames Valley direct from the West End and will bring these everpopular and awesome prehistoric creatures to the stage as you’ve never seen them before. The show features cute baby dinos and teethgnashing giants and the audience can observe and interact with extraordinary life-like dinosaurs in this imaginative and hilarious live show. But watch out – not all of these ravenous reptiles are as tame as they seem. Originally performed in Australia, the show includes special danger zone seats where anything can happen. The dinosaurs are managed by a team of talented puppeteers. The show has been hailed as Fabulous by BBC Radio 4 presenter Libby Purves and is suitable for ages three upwards. The show will be at The Hexgon from Friday, April 10, to Sunday, April 12, with performances at 1.30pm and 4.30pm on the Friday and 11am and 2pm over the weekend. Tickets cost £17 for the danger zone seats, £14.50 for standard seats. Family tickets for four people are £44.80 and groups of 10 can get in for £11.20. We have two family tickets to give away in our great competition. To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question: What is the best dinosaur? Send your answer along with your contact details including a daytime telephone number, to: Dinosaur Zoo contest, The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS by noon on Thursday, April 2. Alternatively, email news@wokinghampaper. co.uk. Rules: Only one entry per household. Winning entries will be drawn from the editor’s hat. Winners will be notified on Thursday, April 2. Prize is not transferrable. Editor’s decision is final, no correspondence can be entered in to and multiple entries will be fed to the T-rexes.

COMPETITION

WIN! Your chance to meet Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom THE hugely popular Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom theatre production takes to the road again for a second UK & Ireland tour this year. A BAFTA award-winning TV animation, Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom comes from the makers of Peppa Pig and was produced for the stage by top children’s theatre producers Fiery Light Productions whose growing stable of work – which includes the stage adaptions of Peppa Pig and Octonauts – has now been seen by millions of children across the UK over recent years. Currently a top favourite show for preschoolers, Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom is a charmingly magical animation airs on Nick Jr and on 5’s Milkshake. The Little Kingdom – where everyone is very, very small – is home to Princess Holly and her best friend Ben Elf. Holly is a young fairy princess who is still learning how to do magic properly and sometimes her spells don’t work out quite right. Ben is an Elf. Elves don’t do magic but they are very good at making things. Ben doesn’t have wings like Holly but he flies on the back of Gaston the Ladybird. The series won a BAFTA award for Best Pre-School Animation in 2009 and a British

Animation Award for Best Pre-School Series in 2012. In this exciting new musical adventure for the stage, Ben and Holly have fun and games helping Gaston clean up his messy cave; they go on a trip to The Big World with tooth-fairy Nanny Plum; and still have time to plan a surprise for King Elf’s birthday party, complete with an unplanned jelly flood. Packed full of games, songs and laughter, this is an enchanting and magical visit to the Little Kingdom, live on stage for the very first time. This beautiful story of elves, princesses and childhood innocence will delight all the family. Richard Lewis, who has adapted the TV animation for the stage and also directs, said: “We knew from the early screenings of Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom that the TV animation was destined to become a children’s classic and would translate well to the stage. “The magical world of the Little Kingdom is a safe place for young children to learn about family values, respect, loyalty and most importantly how to have fun. “We’re delighted that following the very successful first tour of the stage show we can respond to demand and bring it back to UK and Ireland audiences for a second time.

We hope that once again it will be a magical experience for all Ben & Holly fans, both young and old”. We have a family ticket to give away, along with the chance of meeting Ben & Holly after the show at The Hexagon on Wednesday, April 22 at 4pm.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question: What is the name of the tooth fairy in Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom? Send your answer along with your contact details including a daytime telephone number, to: Ben & Holly contest, The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS by noon on Thursday, April 9. Alternatively, email news@ wokinghampaper.co.uk. Rules: Only one entry per household. Winning entries will be drawn from the editor’s hat. Winners will be notified on Thursday, April 9. Prize is not transferrable. Editor’s decision is final, no correspondence can be entered in to and multiple entries will be given a mangled spell. For more on the tour, visit www. benandhollylive.com.

DRAMA

Seminal Frost/Nixon interview set to thrill audiences at Wokingham Theatre

Starring: Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden, Derek Jacobi, Ben Chaplin, Hayley Atwell, Helena Bonham Carter

Jess said: “In today’s sense, it would be like Graham Norton getting an apology out of Tony Blair for the war in Iraq, it would just be incredible viewing. This interview was a major turning point in American politics: before this, I don’t think many politicians actually conducted interviews in this way so I think that is why it continues to engage audiences and keep them interested. And here we are, nearly 40 years later and we are still captivated by it.

“It’s an incredible play and I really hope people will enjoy it as much as I do.” Frost/Nixon, directed by Jess Hadleigh and Mark Hampshire, comes to The Wokingham Theatre, in Twyford Road, Wokingham, on April 23 until May 2. Tickets are £10, and performances start at 7.45pm. To book tickets visit www.wokinghamtheatre.org. uk or call the Box Ofﬁce on (0118) 978 5363 and leave a message on the answerphone.

CONNECTED

Keep your little ones occupied over the holiday Don’t ever miss an event again: New website oﬀers arts info THE Easter holidays are fast approaching, and there is plenty to keep the little ones occupied around Wokingham. On Wednesday, April 8, creative children can try out their jewellerymaking skills at a bracelet workshop in Wokingham Library, in Denmark Street, between 10am and 11.30am. Suitable for children aged six years and over, there is a charge of £2 per item made. On Thursday, April 9, Quirks Animal Roadshow will be touring the libraries of the Borough, taking children on a journey through different animal habitats, giving children the opportunity to interact with the animals that live there. Suitable for children aged four to 12 years’ old, the roadshow will visit Woodley library, in Headley Road, between 9am and 10am; Spencers Wood library, in Basingstoke Road, between 11am and noon; Maiden Erlegh library, in Silverdale Road, from 1pm to 2pm; and Winnersh library, in Robin Hood Lane, from

Kim Francis-Taylor

Cinderella (U) 

EASTER HOLIDAYS

By GEMMA DAVIDSON

AT THE CINEMA

Don’t go to this ball

It was one of the biggest news stories of the 1970s: Watergate saw a US President fall. But it took a satirical TV host to tell the full story. GEMMA DAVIDSON ﬁnds out more A PLAY which was recently turned into an Oscarnominated ﬁlm will be arriving at Wokingham Theatre for a week-long run at the end of April. Frost/Nixon, a 2006 play by Peter Morgan which was adapted for the silver screen by Ron Howard in 2008, tells the story of a fading television presenter, desperate for a big scoop, and a former United States President who has become synonymous with the word ‘scandal’. Set in 1977, the play focuses on the now infamous interview carried out by talk-show host David Frost to President Richard Nixon regarding his time in office and the Watergate scandal, but audiences need not have a degree in American politics to enjoy the play, says one of the directors, Jess Hadleigh. “The play really focuses on the characters of the two men, their backgrounds, their goals, and their hopes for the future,” explains, Jess, who is making her directorial debut at Wokingham Theatre with this production. “It is actually probably better if you come without any preconceived ideas of whose side you are on, because then you get a chance to see everything with a fresh perspective and make your own decisions. “What I particularly enjoy about this play is that you get to see the workings backstage, you see Nixon’s team furiously trying to work out what the questions will be, I think that is one of my favourite scenes. You also get to see Frost’s team pinning everything they have on this one interview, so you get a real sense of how much was riding on it being a huge success. “One of them has to come out on top, so you really do feel for them.” With the General Election just around the corner in May, theatre-goers will no doubt see similarities between the politics of today and those of bygone years.

LEISURE | 35

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Friday, March 27, 2015 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

3pm to 4pm. Places must be booked by calling the relevant library, and there is a charge of £3.50 per child. Also on Thursday, April 9, budding artists and comic book fans can try their hand at a Manga drawing workshop at Lower Earley library, in Chalfont Close, from 10am to 11.30am. Suitable for older children aged eight to 16. Places must be booked by phoning the library on (0118) 931 2150, and there is a charge of £2 per child. On Thursday, April 16, the author of The Queen’s Hat and Please Mr Panda, Steve Antony, will be dropping by Woodley and Wokingham libraries to meet fans and talk about his work. Books will be available to purchase, and there will be drawing activities too. Steve will be visiting Wokingham library at 10.30am to 11.30am, and Woodley library between 2pm and 3pm. Suitable for children aged eight and under, places must be booked in advance by calling the relevant library. There is a £2 charge. Arty craft sessions will be

on offer at Lower Earley library on Thursday, April 16, and at Wokingham library on Friday, April 17. Children aged 12 years and under can enjoy this fun session, which costs £1.50 per child. And finally, there will be a Monsters Love Underpants sessions at various libraries over the fortnight. Children aged eight and under can come dressed in monster fancy dress, create their own monster mask and listen to stories. The sessions will be held at Finchampsted library, in Gorse Ride North, on Wednesday, April 8, from 9.45am to 10.30am; Wokingham library on Thursday, April 9, between 10.30am and 11.15am; at Twyford library, in Polehampton Close, on Monday, April 13, between 2pm and 2.45pm; and Wargrave library, in Church Street, also on Monday April 13, between 3.15pm and 4pm. Booking is required for the Finchampsted library session only. Our photographers will be out and about throughout the Easter holidays so if you see them, remember to give them a smile!

A NEW website has been launched to help bring together news and information on the many events that take place in the Borough. The Wokingham Events Partnership has created What’s On In Wokingham, and devised a new Love Wokingham logo which will be used to raise awareness of the events taking place in the town. Over the coming weeks, there will be civic parades, fun days, choral concerts, lunchtime recitals, a street concert and open air theatre. The Events Parnetship is a collaboration between Wokingham Town Council, morearts, Wokingham Town Team and Wokingham Borough Council. For more details, log on to www. whatsoninwokingham.co.uk

WHAT the world needs, Disney has decided, is a straight, live action re-boot of not just Cinderella the fairy tale itself but Disney’s own 1950 animated version. Following hot on the heels of the famous studio’s recent screen adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods, Cinderella also ﬁnds itself released amid a post-Frozen movie landscape. Consequently, this tradition-focused re-telling of the ragsto-riches tale not only seems dry and outdated, but it also seems off-kilter in its messaging. Where Into the Woods is innovative, subversive and satirical, with strong female characters that challenge the order, and where Frozen offers up admirable, accessible and realistic female role models, Cinderella gives us regressive chauvinistic stereotypes. Lily James’s stoic, downtrodden and girly Cinderella is certainly no match for Anna Kendrick’s feisty, independent and forthright Cinders.

Kindness Presumably, the Disney brief was to stick closely to the traditional tale but in doing so, director Kenneth Branagh has missed a trick. There’s no tongue-in-cheek approach here and as such, we’re left with a bad taste. Dogged by criticism for perpetuating unrealistic ideals when it comes to the pertinent issue of body image (waists are waspishly cinched in), its star Lily James asserts that what’s being missed amid the furore is the script’s insistence that kindness and courage are the most important values to embrace. It’s a fair point – but for a five-year-old girl, images have arguably more impact – and in any case, there’s plenty in this movie both script-wise and picture-wise that lauds Cinderella for being outwardly beautiful, even if it does denigrate the stepsisters (played by Holliday Grainger and Sophie McShera) for their inner ugliness. Of its positives, Helena Bonham Carter is standout. She brings things to life when she’s on screen, in her idiosyncratic, peppy, wonderful way – but her screen time as the fairy godmother is woefully limited. Cate Blanchett, meanwhile, cuts a sad figure as the evil stepmother, and with a hint towards her psychological motivations, you wonder if her back story might have made the more interesting film. With a fairly moving father-son relationship between king (Derek Jacobi) and handsome prince (Richard Madden), issues surrounding male roles are touched upon – but when all’s said and done, this new version of an old tale brings none of the last 65 years of progress to it and is a curious, confusing and controversial film as a result.

36 | LEISURE

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FOOD REVIEW

STREET STYLE

The Secret Diner

Keeping an eye on what you’re wearing

Is Pandilla’s panini pit-stop perfect?

Natalie Goulden Age: 17 Why are you in Wokingham today? I am a student at The Holt School, I have finished for the day and I am going shopping. Where is your outfit from? Jacket: Forever 21 Top: Pull and Bear Jeans: Topshop Boots: Timberland

Undercover outdoor seating in Woodley’s town centre will make Café Pandilla a tasty place to be this summer Pictures: The Secret Diner

Café Pandilla Crockhamwell Road Woodley RG5 3JP AFTER a busy morning shopping in Woodley a pit stop was required. With just half-an-hour to spare, our original plan to visit Bosco Lounge was scuppered on account of it being heaving. Costa is fine if you want a coffee and an oversized custard cream, while Greggs is busy but doesn’t offer waitress service. So, a debut visit to Café Pandilla. A small, but perfectly formed greasy spoon close to Iceland that offers a reasonable selection of snacks including an all-day breakfast for £5.25 and coming with the promise of the works – bacon, sausages, egg et al. An additional 50p would allow you to go large and enjoy extra toast or fried bread. The café’s bread and butter, as it were, are simple items: sandwiches, wraps, baguettes and toasted paninis. Expect to pay around the £3 mark. Jacket potatoes with a range of fillings are on tap, while cooked meals include a penne served with tomato and basil (£5.25) and a chicken and bacon pasta bake (£5.25). Other staples are cheesey chips (£2.50) and a soup and roll (£3.20).

You order at the counter – and what a counter. Glass topped, it contains a range of tempting treats. Cakes and bakes vie for your attention and a few inches on your waistline. The Café also offers a free doughnut with any toasted sandwich and a hot drink bought. When we arrived the café was midway through its lunchtime service. It was bustling but not heaving. Staff were polite and friendly but wanted to ensure food orders were handled quickly rather than entering into chit chat. No complaints about that: a café is different to a restaurant where you have all the time in the world and the waiters help make the meal.

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 27, 2015

My lunch was a bacon and sausage baguette (£3.55), while my dining companion enjoyed a mozzarella, tomato and pesto panini melt (£3.80). While neither will set the world alight – the sausage was certainly not a gourmet one – they were warm, tasty and hit the spot for fast food. With two large mugs of tea alongside them, the quick bite was exactly what we’d wanted. As we ate, the crowds were ebbing and flowed in and out. Clearly a café that’s doing something right.

Lizzie Ower Age: 22 Why are you in Wokingham today? I work in Wokingham and am just on my lunch break Where is your outfit from? Coat: Debenhams Top: New Look Cardigan: Dorothy Perkins Jeans: Next Shoes: New Look

Watch out for our spy on the streets!

Angelo has been the proud owner of Ruchetta for the last 11 years. Angelo has a great team of Italian chefs and waiting staff who have been with him for many years and share Angelo’s desire for creating & serving wonderful fine Italian food, in beautiful surroundings, where the service is friendly and the experience is memorable. Angelo believes in the philosophy, work hard, create the best, and serve your customers well. Brought up in Calabria Italy, Angelo grew up helping out in his mother’s kitchen, preparing fresh ingredients from the local markets and drying their home grown tomatoes in the sun. Angelo’s passion for food and desire to be a chef came from his mother who still sends him fine ingredients and cooking tips today! Angelo creates his menus around readily available seasonal produce which ensures his customers experience food at the peak of its freshness and full of flavour. However, Angelo’s passion does not stop with food. He searches out fine wine and wonderful cheeses from both the UK and abroad to compliment his menus.

Trip Advisor Best Restaurant No 1 in area for last ﬁve years

6 Rose Street, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 1XU 0118 978 8025 | www.ruchetta.com

Recruiting now

WE’RE BACK ON APRIL 24TH Own a piece of history – buy this newspaper!

THE WOKINGHAM PAPER

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N E W S W I T H A H E A RT F O R T H E B O RO U G H

Friday, March 27, 2015

Lads with pioneering spirit Meet the boys who be making histor

y this September – p12

ROAD RAGE

As more roadworks get under way, drivers ask if their traffic woes will never end SP ALL CHANGE

Pages 8, 14 & 15

WE’VE GOT THE WOKINGHAM NEWS YOU NEED FOR JUST 50p! OLYMPICS

US ROWER REUNITED WITH RING P10 WIN!

MEET THE DINOSAURS!

Win family tickets to see Dinosaurs Live P27 COMMUNITY

GET READY FOR MAY DAY FUN

ECIAL REPORT: P4 & 5

Latest on regeneration projects including Elms Field, Peach Place, Carnival Pool and Market Place

50p

P14

THINNER BLUE LINE

What will the latest cuts to the Thames Valley Police budget mean for you? P27

ISLA ST CLAIR

Exclusive interview with Scottish singer P32

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38 | LEISURE

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What’s on

Send your listings to news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Community events coming up in the Wokingham Borough Until April 10

Saturday, March 28

WOODLEY – Town Centre. Easter chicks hunt in town centre shop windows. Details: 0118 921 6920 or www.woodleytowncentre. co.uk.

EARLEY – Community Arts, Maiden Erlegh Campus, Silverdale Road RG6 7HS. Mixed Media Image Transfer workshop. £34, £32. 10am-4pm. Details: 0118 929 6065. EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Junior School, Emmbrook Road Rg41 1JP. Wokingham Choral Academy workshop: Madly Improve Your Singing, led by Edward Rhys Harry and Jo McNally. 10am-4pm. £20. Details: www.wokinghamchoral-academy.org.uk FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. Comedy night with Mark Palmer. £5. 7.30pm. Details: www. ﬁnchampstead.com.

Friday, March 27 WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents Tons of Money. 7.45pm. £10. Details: www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk. WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Theatre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. EBOS presents Kindertransport. 7.45pm. £11. Details: 0845 450 5301 or ebos.org.uk.

IN WOODLEY TOWN CENTRE

...on Sunday’s

READING – The Great Hall, Univeristy of Reading, London Road, RG1 5AQ. Reading Symphony Orchestra Concert with the Orchester der Landesregierung, Düsseldorf. Programme includes Rachmaninov and Strauss. 7.30pm. £13, £5 students, under 16s. Details: 0118 986 0707 or www.rso.org.uk. SANDHURST – Baptist Church. Nearly new sale. 10am-2pm. Details: 01252 879088. WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Parish Rooms, Reading Road, RG41 1EH. Wokingham Horticultural Association Spring Show. 2pm. £1, children free. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents Tons of Money. 7.45pm. £10. Details: www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk. WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Parish Ofﬁce, Pinewood Leisure Centre. Wokingham Without Parish Council Litter Pick. 10am. Litter pickers and tabards provided. For Details: admin@ wokinghamwithoutparishcouncil. gov.uk or 01344 771425. WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Theatre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. EBOS presents Kindertransport. 7.45pm. £11. Details: 0845 450 5301 or ebos.org.uk. YATELEY – St Swithun’s Church. Yateley Choral Society present The Easter Story featuring music by Chilcott, Finzi and VaughanWilliams. 7.45pm. Details: 01276 682749.

Sunday, March 29

25 Jan | 8 & 22 Feb 8 & 22 March | 12 & 26 April 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 May 7, 14, 21, 28 June 5, 12, 19, 26 July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Aug 6, 13, 20, 27 Sept 11 & 25 Oct | 8 & 22 Nov 13 December 2015

SATURDAY MARKET EVERY WEEK

9am to 3pm

WWW.WOODLEYTOWNCENTRE.CO.UK

ARBORFIELD – REME Museum of Technology. Arborﬁeld Military Wives Choir: friends and family concert. 4.15pm-5.15pm. £3, 11-16years £1.50, under 11s free. Includes light refreshments. Details: 07572 833194. CROWTHORNE – St John the Baptist Church, Waterloo Road. Jeruslaem Joy, a cantata for Easter by Roger Jones. 10am. READING – The Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road, RG1 5AQ. South Chiltern Choral Society: Dido & Aeneas. 6pm. £12, under 21s £6. Details: www.southchilternchoralsociety. org.uk, or Caroline Jones, 07500 032840. TWYFORD – St Mary the Virgin Church, Station Road, RG10 9NT. Twyford Singers Easter concert: Fauré’s Requiem. 7pm. £7 in advance, £8 on door. Details: 0118 934 5985 and twyfordsingers.org.uk.

Tuesday, March 31 WOKINGHAM – All Saints Church, Wiltshire Road. Come To The Source: space for silent meditation and prayer. 8pm. Details: 0118 979 2797. WOKINGHAM – The Bradbury Centre, Rose Street. MORS group presents The Lake District, a talk with David Hunt. All welcome. 8pm. Details: 0118 977 6898.

Wednesday, April 1 BINFIELD – George’s Coffee Shop. Binﬁeld women’s Wednesday walk. Meet at coffee shop at 9am and walk to Warﬁeld. Come dressed for the weather. 9am. Details: Gisele Taylor or Claire Thomas 07724 889169.

WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street. Tenebrae Service. 8pm. Details: 0118 977 6898.

Thursday, April 2 BEARWOOD – Bearwood College RG41 5BG. Wokingham Film Society presents Pride (15). £6.50, £4 members. 8pm. Details: www.wokinghamﬁlmsociety.com. WOKINGHAM – Railway Station. Hot cross bun giveaway. Details: 0118 977 6898. WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street. Maundy Thursday Passover Meal. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 6898.

Good Friday, April 3 WARFIELD – St Michael’s Church. Walk of witness to Bluebell Hill, Bullbrook, followed by communion on the hill. 11am. Details: www.warfield.org.uk. WARFIELD – St Michael’s Church. Good Friday service with the Warfield Voices Choir. 8pm. Details: www.warfield.org.uk. WOKINGHAM – Market Place. Churches Together Wokingham Passion Play: noon. Civic parade from All Saints Church beforehand.

Saturday, April 4 WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street. Rose Street Gardeners plant sale. 10am-noon. Details: 0118 977 6898.

Easter Sunday, April 5 BRACKNELL – John Nike Leisuresport. Easter Family Fun Day. 11am-6pm. £6. Free parking. Details: 01344 789002 or www. jmlbracknell.co.uk. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James Church. Easter morning dawn service. 6.30am. WOKINGHAM – St Crispin’s School, London Road. Easter Celebration with Easter egg hunt, children’s activities, bacon rolls and Easter cakes. Organised by ChristChurch Wokingham. 10am. Details: www. christchurchwokingham.org.uk.

Easter Monday, April 6 WOKINGHAM – St Crispin’s School, London Road. Car boot sale. Noon-3pm. Cars £7, vans £9. Entry to sellers from 10.30am, entry for buyers before noon £2, Entry for buyers after noon 50p

Tuesday, April 8 FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre. Monsters Love Underpants: come dressed in monster fancy dress, create your own monster mask, with storytelling and fun activity sheets too. For children aged eight and under. £1.50. 10.30am11.15am. Drop-in. Details: 0118 908 8176. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street. Bracelets Making for children aged six upwards. Dropin. 10am-11.30am. Details: 0118 978 1368.

Thursday, April 9 ARBORFIELD – The Royal British Legion. Live country music evening. Dress: smart casual or Western. £7. Ages 14+. 8.15pm. Details: 0118 989 1354. LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close. Manga drawing weekend with Steph O’Brien. For children

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 27, 2015

aged 8-16. Booking essential. £2. 10am-11.30am. Details: 0118 931 2150. MAIDEN ERLEGH – Library, off Silverdale Road. Quirks Animal Roadshow: a journey through different animal’s habitats. For families with children aged 4-12. 1pm-2pm. Booking essential, £3.50 per child. Details: 0118 966 6630. SPENCERS WOOD – Library, Basingstoke Road RG7 1AJ. Quirks Animal Roadshow: a journey through different animal’s habitats. For families with children aged 4-12. 11amnoon. Booking essential, £3.50 per child. Details: 0118 988 4771. WOKINGHAM – The Bradbury Centre, Rose Street. Charity coffee morning in aid of Dig Deep. Details: 0118 977 6898. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street. Monsters Love Underpants: come dressed in monster fancy dress, create your own monster mask, with storytelling and fun activity sheets too. For children aged eight and under. £1.50. 10.30am11.15am. Drop-in. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, Norrey’s Avenue RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting: People. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc.org. uk or 0118 978 6566. WINNERSH – Library. Quirks Animal Roadshow: a journey through different animal’s habitats. For families with children aged 4-12. 3pm-4pm. Booking essential, £3.50 per child. Details: WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road. Quirks Animal Roadshow: a journey through different animal’s habitats. For families with children aged 4-12. 9am10am. Booking essential, £3.50 per child. Details: 0118 969 0304.

Saturday, April 11 WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street. Rose Street Gardeners plant sale. 10am-noon. Details: 0118 977 6898. WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road. Church ramble, come dressed for weather and meet in car park. 10am. Details: www.christchurch-woodley.org.uk. WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road. Countdown Tournament. 10.30am-6pm. Details: www.christ-churchwoodley.org.uk.

Sunday, April 12 WOODLEY – Town Centre. Car boot sale. 8am-1pm. £10 per Car or £8 for table top pitch/Walk on, bring own tables. Details: 07861 654 674 or www.woodleytowncentre. co.uk.

Monday, April 13 TWYFORD – Library, Polehampton Close. Monsters Love Underpants: come dressed in monster fancy dress, create your own monster mask, with storytelling and fun activity sheets too. For children aged eight and under. £1.50. 2pm2.45pm. Drop-in. Details: 0118 934 0800. WARFIELD – St Michael’s Church. All Starz Easter holiday club for primary school aged children. 9.30am-noon. £5, sibling £2.50. Details: www.warﬁeld.org.uk. WARGRAVE – Library, Woodclyffe

Hostel, Church Street. Monsters Love Underpants: come dressed in monster fancy dress, create your own monster mask, with storytelling and fun activity sheets too. For children aged eight and under. £1.50. 2pm2.45pm. Drop-in. Details: 0118 940 4656.

Tuesday, April 14 BINFIELD – Salisbury Hall, Newbold College, St Mark’s Road. Diversity Lecture: God, Language, Mind and Men with Mervi Kalmus, intern pastor in Tallinn, in the Estonian conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and lecturer in Homiletics at the Tartu Theological Seminary of the Estonian Baptist Church. 7.30pm. Details: www.newbold.ac.uk. WARFIELD – St Michael’s Church. All Starz Easter holiday club for primary school aged children. 9.30am-noon. £5, sibling £2.50. Details: www.warﬁeld.org.uk.

Wednesday, April 15 WARFIELD – St Michael’s Church. All Starz Easter holiday club for primary school aged children. 9.30am-noon. £5, sibling £2.50. Details: www.warﬁeld.org.uk. WOODLEY – Town Centre. Farmers’ Market. 9am-1.30pm. Details: 0118 921 6920 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk.

Thursday, April 16 LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close. Get Arty - Drop in craft session. For children 12 and under. £1.50 charge. 2pm-3pm. Details: 0118 931 2150. WARFIELD – St Michael’s Church. All Starz Easter holiday club for primary school aged children. 9.30am-noon. £5, sibling £2.50. Details: www.warﬁeld.org.uk. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street. Meet Steve Antony, author of The Queen’s Hat, Please Mr Panda and other fun picture books. With drawing activity too, books will be available for purchase. For families with children aged eight and under. Booking essential. £2. 10.30am-11.30am. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, Norrey’s Avenue RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting: annual competition, selection and marking, 7.30pm. Details: www. webcc.org.uk or 0118 978 6566. WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road. Meet Steve Antony, author of The Queen’s Hat, Please Mr Panda and other fun picture books. With drawing activity too, books will be available for purchase. For families with children aged eight and under. Booking essential. £2. 2pm-3pm. Details:

Friday, April 17 EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports & Social Club, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club presents Never The Bride and Steve Winch. 7.45pm. Details: wokinghammusicclub.co.uk. SINDLESHAM – Sindlesham Court, Mole Road RG41 5EA. Wokingham Town Mayor’s farewell rock and pop charity concert with the REME band. In aid of High Close School, Wokingham (Barnardo’s).

£10. 7.30pm. Details/tickets: Wokingham Town Hall’s Information Centre or from Bookends or you may email your request for tickets, using the attached form, to mayor@ wokingham-tc.gov.uk WARFIELD – St Michael’s Church. All Starz Easter holiday club for primary school aged children. 9.30am-noon. £5, sibling £2.50. Details: www.warﬁeld.org.uk. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street. Get Arty - Drop in craft session. For children 12 and under. £1.50 charge. 2pm-3pm. Details: 0118 978 1368.

Saturday, April 18 SANDHURST – Baptist Church. Vintage tea party with live music. 3pm-6pm. Suggested donation £5. Details: 01252 879088. WOKINGHAM – Town Hall. Town councillors’ surgery. 10am-noon. Drop-in. Details: 0118 978 3185 or www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk. WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street. Rose Street Gardeners plant sale. 10am-noon. Details: 0118 977 6898.

Tuesday, April 21 WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street. Wokingham Art Society Meeting: Boats with Chris Forsey, using mixed media. £4. 7.30pm. Details: www. wokinghamartsociety.org.uk. WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street. Railway and Transport Club: British Railways in the 1960s with Derek Spicer. 7.45pm. Details: www. wokinghammethodist.org.uk. WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre. Woodley Theatre presents: The Ladykillers. 7.45pm. £10, £8 concessions. Details: www. woodleytheatre.org or 07939 210121.

Wednesday, April 22 WOKINGHAM – The Bradbury Centre, Rose Street. Contact Group: Living In Switzerland with Alison Godwin. 8pm. Details: 0118 977 6898. WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre. Woodley Theatre presents: The Ladykillers. 7.45pm. £10, £8 concessions. Details: www. woodleytheatre.org or 07939 210121.

Thursday, April 23 ARBORFIELD – The Royal British Legion. Live country music evening. Dress: smart casual or Western. £7. Ages 14+. 8.15pm. Details: 0118 989 1354. WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, Norrey’s Avenue RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting: monochrome. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc.org.uk or 0118 978 6566. WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre. Woodley Theatre presents: The Ladykillers. 7.45pm. £10, £8 concessions. Details: www. woodleytheatre.org or 07939 210121.

Friday, April 24 WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre. Woodley Theatre presents: The Ladykillers. 7.45pm. £10, £8 concessions. Details: www. woodleytheatre.org or 07939 210121.

Your weekly puzzle challenge PUZZLES 39 Quiz Challenge

CROSS CODE 12

19 1

14 24

26 12 22

3 19

16 11

23 13

15 3

24 25

3. Which instrument was played by the jazz composer and bandleader Dizzy Gillespie?

8. What is the purpose of the military display known as Trooping the Colour?

4. If something is reniform, what shape is it?

9. The Decalogue is another word for which Biblical instructions?

NONAGRAM

EACH number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

MAGIC SQUARE

HOW many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found. Guidelines: 22 Good; 26 Very Good; 30 Excellent.

USING all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which will fit in the grid to form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and vertically.

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

LOCATE CHEAP PHONE

3 2

3 8 9 7 5 6

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

9 8 1 4

7 6 3

2 6

P T

I H

N G

HERE are two miniature fivesquare crosswords using the same grid – but the letters have been mixed up. You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.

EQUALISER 1 8 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1

Hard

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

SUDOKU Easy

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

8 9

10 10

15 15

17 23

FIVE ALIVE HS

10. Tony Hadley first rose to fame in the 1980s as the lead singer of which band?

SPELL out a 15-letter word or phrase by moving from one chamber to another within the pyramid. You may only enter each of the chambers once and may only S proceed through openings in the C walls. The first letter may appear in any R A chamber.

A L T

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD 1

WORD PYRAMID

V A L

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1

7. Sculptor, Hydra, Sextans and Crater are lesser-known examples of what?

5. What name is given to a temporary military bridge constructed on pontoons?

1 1

10 19

6. Who played the title role in the TV drama series The Singing Detective?

2. In which East Sussex village was the Royal Greenwich Observatory based for several years?

1. Which is the largest ‘ocean’ on the visible face of the Moon?

10 3

24 8

13 14

17 19

15 17

19 7

10 14

13 19

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Friday, March 27, 2015 TheWokinghamPaPer

PLACE the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same. Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction.

All puzzles on this page are supplied by Sirius Media Services. To try more of our puzzles interactively online go to www.puzzledrome.com

ACROSS 1. Mufti not suitable for hill dwellers? (12) 9. Aunt baffled after strange groan came from ape (5-4) 10. Came across some lame tigers (3) 11. Ann could be enthusiastic with the material (7) 12. Low singers could be graduates with Italian agreement (5) 13. Their partners are forever late (6) 15. Making a request from the throne? (6) 18. Renew organisation that’s more modern (5) 20. Sportsman on half-pay? (7) 22. Greek letter, and others almost (3) 23. Every work unit is ultimately shut by doctor specialising in abnormal bodily reactions (9) 24. Must one have glasses to do this on holiday? (3,3,6)

DOWN 2. In drama King Edward was wise (7) 3. Found in singlet by the fireplace (5) 4. Quoting part that was explicit in Guildford (6) 5. Volume of transport (7) 6. Bad smell on useless decayed matter (5) 7. Declaring one’s departure (7,5) 8. How the good fairy is getting on marvellously (5,7) 14. The way to fight? (7) 16. Stamp, one mint pair inside (7) 17. Penny and Sarah writing songs of praise (6) 19. Run shuttle from west to east along the avenue (5) 21. Lady found gold in the publication (5)

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

11 13

29 29

18 19

30 31

SOLUTIONS

ACROSS 1. One expected to lose (8) 6. Shrub (4) 8. Card game (3) 9. Cartridge (8) 10.Anger (4) 12.Postpone (5) 14.Power of speech (5) 17.Lecherous look (4) 18.Part of a telephone (8) 20.Lawbreaker (8) 24.Weapons (4) 25.Remit (anag.) (5)

26.Like the yellow part of an egg (5) 29.Twelve inches (4) 30.Very friendly (8) 31.Shelter (3) 32.At liberty (4) 33.Abstinent (8) DOWN 2. Ark builder (4) 3. Christian festival (6) 4. Be indecisive (6) 5. Mirth (4) 6. Russian wolfhound (6) 7. Comfort in distress (6)s

11.Choose for office (5) 12.Jeans fabric (5) 13.Reimburse (5) 14.Animal doctor (3) 15.Tusk material (5) 16.Rub out (5) 19.Conifer (3) 21.Severity (6) 22.Courage (6) 23.Detest (6) 24.With hands on hips (6) 27.Regimen (4) 28.Sicilian volcano (4)

5 9 7 3 6 2 8 1 4

4 6 3 8 1 7 5 9 2

1 8 2 4 5 9 3 7 6

7 5 4 6 3 1 2 8 9

2 1 9 7 8 4 6 3 5

6 3 8 2 9 5 1 4 7

3 2 5 9 4 8 7 6 1

8 4 1 5 7 6 9 2 3

5 7 9 6 3 1 2 4 8

9 7 6 1 2 3 4 5 8

EASY SUDOKU

14 1

15 2

16 3

CROSS CODE

6 8 2 5 4 7 3 1 9

3 1 4 9 8 2 7 6 5

9 3 5 7 1 4 8 2 6

8 4 6 2 9 5 1 3 7

1 2 7 3 6 8 5 9 4

2 9 1 8 5 6 4 7 3

7 5 3 4 2 9 6 8 1

4 6 8 1 7 3 9 5 2

HARD SUDOKU

17 4

18 5

19 6

20 7

21 8

22 9

WORD PYRAMID: Pork scratchings. EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – add; divide; subtract; multiply. Total: 3. MAGIC SQUARE: echo; clap; hate; open.

Down – 2 Noah; 3 Easter; 4 Dither; 5 Glee; 6 Borzoi; 7 Solace; 11 Elect; 12 Denim; 13 Repay; 14 Vet; 15 Ivory; 16 Erase; 19 Fir; 21 Rigour; 22 Mettle; 23 Loathe; 24 Akimbo; 27 Diet; 28 Etna. Down – 2 Learned, 3 Ingle, 4 Citing, 5 Omnibus, 6 Humus, 7 Setting forth, 8 Doing wonders, 14 Warpath, 16 Imprint, 17 Psalms, 19 Weave, 21 Morag. QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Underdog; 6 Bush; 8 Loo; 9 Cassette; 10 Rile; 12 Defer; 14 Voice; 17 Leer; 18 Receiver; 20 Criminal; 24 Arms; 25 Timer; 26 Yolky; 29 Foot; 30 Intimate; 31 Lee; 32 Free; 33 Teetotal.

alga; algal; align; anal; anvil; avail; gala; gall; gallant; GALLIVANT; gavial; gill; gilt; glia; glial; glint; lagan; lain; lanai; lava; laving; liana; lilt; ling; linga; lint; nail; natal; naval; nival; tail; tala; tall; till; vagal; vaginal; vail; valiant; vanilla; vial; villa; vital.

Down – Haugh; Lupin; Early. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Plainclothes, 9 Orang-utan, 10 Met, 11 Nankeen, 12 Bassi, (2) Across – Sever; Folio; Years. Down – Softy; Villa; Roots. 13 Widows, 15 Asking, 18 Newer, 20 Semipro, 22 Eta, 23 Allergist, 24 See the sights. NONAGRAM:

QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 The Ocean of Storms; 2 Herstmonceux; 3 Trumpet; 4 Like a kidney; 5 A Bailey bridge; 6 Michael Gambon; 7 Constellations; 8 To mark the official birthday of the sovereign; 9 The Ten Commandments; 10 Spandau Ballet.

(1) Across – Halve; Upper; Hanky.

FIVE ALIVE:

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WOKINGHAM SPORT

RUGBY: Rams lock Root ready to make a Super return from injury this weekend - Page 45

Unrivalled coverage of sport in the Borough

Contact the sports desk: sport@wokinghampaper.co.uk | Log on the for latest sports news www.wokinghampaper.co.uk IN THE SPOTLIGHT...

CRICKET

After 40 years, Derek is hanging up his Blue Coated boots

Aussie ace Hall aiming to be a Roaring success

teams competing – our only difficulty is THE football season is nearing a conclusion finding other schools with eight teams to – and so is that of Derek Cottrell’s 40-year compete against.’ association as first-team coach at Reading Cottrell’s success, though, is not just Blue Coat School. Cottrell is to retire from teaching at the limited to coaching. In his younger years he was end of the academic year, meaning his tireless work with the Sonning school’s snapped up by now-League Two outfit Wycombe Wanderers before a spell with football team is also coming to a close. “I’ve really enjoyed the company and Woking – where he reached the semi-finals good nature of the pupils as much as of the FA Trophy – was followed with a stint at Wokingham Town, where he was anything,” he said. “The vast majority have been very signed for a fee of £1,500. This was, at the time, Town’s most polite, pleasant and well intentioned – and the staff have been very pleasant – so it’s expensive signing. Cottrell spent 10 years with the been a real pleasure teaching at Blue Coat.” Cottrell, a former Wokingham Town Finchampstead Road outfit, later carrying out a coaching stint with the club player and manager, will doubtless “Derek is before retiring in 1995. have many memories from an A Tottenham Hotspur naturally modest, involvement with the first XI supporter, the teacher spanning an incredible four but richly deserves recalled a game for Woking decades, but one which all the accolades against Barnet, who had sticks out is the successes from the people he former Lillywhites hero enjoyed by the team of the has helped over the Jimmy Greaves in their 2012/13 season. line up – and the former years” – Phil Wise, Not only did the school England striker was sent off. lift the RJ Gibbs Cup (a RBCS Deputy It will, though, be the competition for schools in Head dedication and commitment to Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and the cause which will be remember Oxfordshire) and the Under-18 Walsh County Cup, but did so unbeaten, winning by those who worked and were taught by Cottrell at Blue Coat. every game in the process. “Derek has never settled for anything Looking back at that particular achievement, Cottrell, a Geography less than the very best, in terms of looking

Derek Cottrell will bring his 40-year reign as Blue Coat first-team coach to an end later this year Picture: RBCS

after the students at RBCS,’ said Phil Wise, deputy head. ‘He does an incredibly thorough job and

teacher, said: “There were lots of years when we won the leagues, but that season was the high point. “We had some outstanding individuals in that team – Rob Tarry was a strong goalie, although he was in the lower sixth, Ben Campbell was at his peak, scoring 20 goals in 10 games; Year 11 Ed Jabbari was brilliant and had an outstanding season. “Doug Scholes was extremely competent in midfield, and James Halson was a thinking athlete who slotted into a role up front, having been out of football for two years because he was playing county cricket.” He added: “There is a great depth of football at Blue Coat because the boys enjoy their soccer a great deal. “At the moment we have eight senior

I am sure it would have been just the same back in the 1970’s, whether on the football field or in the classroom. “Derek is naturally modest and self-effacing, but richly deserves all the accolades from the countless people he has helped over the years. “In life, you usually get back what you put in, and Derek has certainly put in more than most. “Everyone will be incredibly sad to see him retire.” While Ben Campbell, 2013/14 captain who played under Cottrell, added: “Mr Cottrell was not only an excellent coach, spearheading our success with his expertise, but he was also a very inspiring man and very reliable figure in all aspects of school life.” n WANT to appear in the paper? Email your reports and stories before MIDDAY on a Tuesday to make the next edition

COUNTY CRICKET

Fyffe issues budget warning as Berkshire record losses of almost £8,000 BERKSHIRE Cricket made a loss of £7,904 in their last financial year, compared to more than £14,500 the previous year. Financial director Graham Fyffe said the county “cannot continue to sustain these loses” and all future budgets must be strictly adhered to. He added: “The budget for the present year has been closely reviewed and we are

planning for a very small surplus. “All costs of all aspects of our work have been reduced wherever possible and will be very closely monitored. “The ECB continues to make increasing demands on our activities without hardly increasing their grants to cover these additional responsibilities. “Our grant for disability cricket of

£9,000 is now being withheld as they feel we are not meeting their requirements in this area. “We are currently examining working with our neighbours in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire to mount joint efforts in this most difficult area.” But Mr Fyffe said it is not all bad news. “Our net costs in playing our great

game, together with its essential coaching, have been reduced by £20,087,” he said in his annual report. “We are developing specialist and commercial coaching courses as well as the usual squad sessions over all levels, and this has led to additional income.” n CRICKET fans, do not forget to follow us on Twitter: @WokinghamSport.

AUSTRALIAN Corrine Hall is to play for Wokingham Ridgeway CC again next season. Last year she helped the club win the Southern League before they went on to claim the national title. Hall, 27, who plays for Tasmania Roar, will be returning to play for a strong Wokingham team that will include England vice-captain Heather Knight and, when available, England skipper Charlotte Edwards. Wokingham captain is Alex Roger, who has played, and skippered, an Amersham men’s team in the Thames Valley League. Rogers, Hall and Knight are all in the Berkshire team who play in the top division of the women’s county championship. Last year, the county played all their home fixtures at the Wokingham ground in Sadlers End, but for 2015 have decided to split their fixtures between Finchampstead CC and North Maidenhead. One the reasons is that Berkshire are keen to boost the women’s game at other clubs. The bulk of the county team will continue to play for Wokingham. Heather, 24, remains as Berkshire captain with 20-year-old Lissy Macleod her deputy. In addition to Hall, Berkshire have signed another Australian, Alex Blackwell - but they can only play one overseas player at a time. All-rounder Blackwell, 31, is vice-captain of the Australian national team and has nearly 200 appearances in Test, one-day and Twenty20 matches to her name. For the first time the Berkshire players will be playing in coloured clothing of black, green and gold, with the shirts carrying squad numbers. Phoenix Retail will continue to sponsor the team, with extra backing this year coming from Block House, Romans and Shanly Homes. n Wokingham will be hosting a men’s one-day fixture at Sadlers End when Berkshire play Buckinghamshire in a Unicorns Trophy group match on Sunday, April 26th. This is a change in the original fixtures list announced by the county. n Janet Rogers, one of the leading lights in women’s cricket at Wokingham, has left the board of Berkshire CC. She did not seek re-election at the annual general meeting when she was due to retire by rotation. Janet is now working in London and was finding it difficult to attend board meetings. Her role as Berkshire’s communications director has been taken over by Ralph Dellor, the cricket presenter, commentator and coach.

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BOXING

ICE HOCKEY

Bees show ‘Dogs their six appeal - but a season of struggle ends on a losing note

Wannabe boxers from across Wokingham were among those who took their first steps in the ring last Sunday Pictures: Paul King

novice boxers raise a knockout amount of money for charity The culminaTion of eight weeks intensive training came to a successful conclusion for these wannabe boxers last Sunday. Held at Wokefield Park, the White Collar Boxing event raised in excess of £19,000 for cancer research. The concept of the event sees individuals who have never stepped in the ring before signing up for a gruelling training programme before facing one another on a night of fundraising.

TheWokinghamPaPer Friday, March 27, 2015

And Sunday saw several participants from across the borough trade blows for good causes. Admission is free, but participants are tasked instead with raising money for charity. So far, more than £900,000 has been raised nationally. White Collar Boxing is a nationwide initiative, and will be returning to Berkshire in June. For more information or to sign up, visit www.ultrawhitecollarboxing.co.uk

NETBALL

High fives for St Nicholas as school crowned borough champs St NicholaS are celebrating after shooting their way to glory at the Primary Schools’ Netball tournament hosted by luckley house. The school got their hands on the title after scoring a 4-2 victory over St Sebastian’s. “I would like to thank everyone who took part in the tournament,” said Kirstie Dobney, head of PE at Luckley House. “It was nice to see such good team spirit St Nicholas School were crowned primary school neyball amongst the schools champions at Luckley House and to see so many handed random bibs at the start of each children experiencing netball and six-minute match to determine their competitive sport. “Well done to St Sebastian’s and St position. At the end of the contest, the players Nicholas School, in particular, for an swapped bibs to ensure a constant exciting final.” A total of 11 teams of Year Five age rotation throughout the event. Each school competed in a series of from across the borough made their way to the Finchampstead Road school for round-robin matches, with the winners progressing to the last four, where St the ‘High Five’ competition. Sebastian’s and St Nicholas won through To make things interesting, however, all five players in each team were to the grand final.

Bracknell Bees 6 Sheffield Steeldogs 8 BeeS fans were treated to a goal-fest on the final day of the regular EPIHL season – but the hosts were sadly on the wrong end of the scoreline. Looking to end what has been a thoroughly miserable season for the club – and avoid a 20th straight defeat in the process – the scoring got underway with less than two minutes on the clock, but it was visiting Sheffield who were to break the deadlock. This came courtesy of Andrew Hirst, who beat netminder Alex Mettam at his near post after the puck had been turned over behind the pipes. A powerplay for the home side yielded chances for Matt Foord, Jan Bendik and Lewis Turner, but neither were able to grab the equaliser. And failure to take the chances was soon punished, as Craig Elliott doubled Steeldogs’ advantage on the rebound. Further chances came and went for Bees, with Rio Grinell-Parke this time going close, while a five-on-three powerplay in favour of the home side also went without reward. And things got even worse for Bracknell when, on a breakaway, Hirst doubled his tally for the night, meaning the Steeldogs now boasted a 3-0 advantage. Bees clearly needed to regroup during the break – and the interval was a big help, with player-coach Lukas Smital going coast-to-coast before producing a cool backhand finish to reduce the arrears for the revitalised hosts on 27.34. Yet any momentum quickly hit the buffers, as Lubomir Kohorn fired home to restore Sheffield’s three-goal advantage before Callum Pattison made it 5-1 just 17 seconds later. Things were looking bleak, but all was not lost for Bracknell. Matt Towalski and Jan Bendik had chances – as did Foord and defenceman Pavel Strycek on the powerplay after the away side fell into more penalty trouble. But the next opportunity, which fell to Bendik, was taken, with the import flashing a loose puck past Brad Day in the Sheffield goal. Having witnessed seven goals during the

Matt Foord

Bees’ Rio Grinell-Parke hit his first senior goal against the Steeldogs, while Jan Bendik (inset) led the scoring with a brace Pictures: Bob Swann second 20 minutes, the third stanza had a lot to live up to. But normal service quickly resumed, with the period just 36 seconds old when good work from Strycek allowed Grinell-Parke to net his first senior goal for the black and gold. Play continued to swing back and fourth, but it was Sheffield who was next to strike; Hirst finishing well to complete the hat-trick, taking the score to 6-3. Team-mate Greg Wood then looked to have all but wrapped up the point when converting a Janis Ozolins pass as the game entered the final 10 minutes. However, another powerplay saw Bendik send a big hit from the point into the top corner to close the gap once more – doubling his tally for the evening. Sheffield’s Callum Pattison was later sent to the bin for boarding – and their opponents once again took full advantage, with another import, Strycek, this time capitalising through a trademark long-range effort. Yet any hope of staging a dramatic comeback, something Bees supporters have become accustomed to in recent years, were dashed when Kohorn finished off another

Manchester Phoenix 6 Bracknell Bees 1 a SeconD-period strike from captain matt Foord proved to be nothing more than consolation for a Bees side comfortably beaten in altrincham. A rapid start from Phoenix saw them rack up two goals inside the opening six minutes through Robin Kovar on the powerplay and Frantisek Bakrlik. Bees eventually settled into the game, but were undone once more midway through the second stanza when veteran Tony Hand finished off a breakaway move to make it 3-0 on 29:25. Some hope, it appeared, had been restored moments later when youngster Harvey Hind-Pitcher laid on Foord to reduce the deficit - only for Phoenix’s Johan

counter attacking move to all but ensure Bees remained without a win since the turn of the year. But they did have something to cheer about late on when another young protégé, Brad Day, also added his name to the scoresheet as Bracknell moved to within two goals of their hosts. As is typical in such situations, Smital sacrificed Mettam for the extra skater as a late push to tie the game was mounted. But it was all to prove in vain as Sheffield killed off the attacking threat to ensure they head into the end-of-season play-offs on a winning note. Men of the match: Lukas Smital (Bees) and Andrew Hirst (Steeldogs). Telford Guildford Basingstoke Peterborough Swindon Manchester Milton Keynes Sheffield Bracknell

48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48

36 25 24 21 24 17 16 12 7

EPIHL 3 3 5 4 4 5 6 2 4 0 4 7 2 6 6 2 0 5

6 14 15 19 20 20 24 28 36

226 177 170 167 172 179 152 150 108

119 144 155 163 150 165 186 203 216

81 64 61 56 56 49 42 38 19

Burlin to cancel out the effort with an unassisted effort in the final minute of the session. Bracknell bravely continued to try and take the game to their hosts as they looked for another way back into the fixture, but their resistance was broken once more when former Bee Shaun Thompson chipped in with a fifth Manchester goal on 49.34. Phoenix’s netminder Declan Ryan was again tested by the visitor’s forward line - but to no avail. And another miserable night on the ice for the away side was further compounded when Burlin wrapped up the scoring with his second of the game late on. Men of the match: Johan Burlin (Phoenix) and Lewis Turner (Bees).

HOCKEY

‘Tis the season form Lamming, yet Lily’s goal is in vain a lilY lamming strike was not enough to stop Wokingham ladies crashing to a 2-1 defeat at local rivals Bracknell in Trysports Premier 1. The loss saw the side slip to 10th in the standings. The 2s, however, were unable to raise a side for their clash at Slough 2s, therefore receiving a 3-0 loss which leaves them bottom of the Division 1 table. Jolyon Vernon and Eric Watkins goals, meanwhile, saw Wokingham Men beaten 2-1 at Milton Keynes in MBBO Regional Division 2. Richie Wallace, Peter Tailby,

Steve Bearpark and Alex Eikens, however, were all on target as the 2s edged a seven-goal thriller with Gerrards Cross in Division 3. But down in Division 7, Wokingham 3s suffered a heavy 2-9 loss to British Airways 2 in a basement battle at Cantley Park, a result which leaves the hosts in the relegation zone. Fixtures – Saturday. MBBO Regional 2: Wokingham Men v Bracknell Div 3: Wokingham 2 v Wycombe 3 Div 8: Bicester 3 v Wokingham 3. Trysports Div 1: Witney 2 v Wokingham 2 (12:30pm) Action from Wokingham Ladies’ 2-1 loss at Bracknell in Trysports Premier 1 Division 5: Aylesbury 4 v Wokingham Pictures: Phil Gee 3 (Midday)

Friday, March 27, 2015 TheWokinghamPaPer

RUGBY

‘i’m feeling good’ - Rams lock Root ready for emotional return after 16-month injury lay-off

By Steve WilliaMS oWen root will make an emotional return to the redingensians side at Weston-super-Mare tomorrow having missed the last 16 months with a serious knee injury. The lock, ironically, makes his comeback for the National League 3 South West leaders against the side Rams were playing when he suffered the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury back in November 2013. And director of rugby Mike Tewkesbury is wasting no time in bringing the forward back in to the first team fold, partnering Root alongside James Hughes in the second row over in the West Country (3pm kick-off). “I’m feeling good to go and really excited,” said Root, who replaces the unavailable James Hughes in Rams’ only change from the side which won 65-5 at Oxford Harlequins last weekend. “It’ll be a tough challenge but I’m looking forward to it.” While a Redingensians side sitting 10 points clear of Exmouth at the top of the table will need no extra motivation at the moment, news of Root’s return can only be of a boost – and the player could still have a big part to play in the club’s title tilt. Tewkesbury said: “It’s great to have him back. “He has made a remarkable recovery from his knee injury and has done well when he has come on in the last couple of games and deserves the opportunity. He is very experienced, a very good player and has great leadership qualities.” Rams can expect a stern test at Recreation Ground against a Weston side fighting for their lives down at the bottom of the standings. But unbeaten in four games, including the 38-27 success at Bracknell last time out, they are in good form. “They are fighting for survival and they are not going to lie down,” added Tewkesbury. “It’s another big challenge and one we’ve got to overcome.”

Redingensians: Duffelen; Poole, Barnes, Massey, Foxley, Flower, Brooks; Steadman, Henderson, Baker, Root, Bryson; Amor (c), Hopkins, Guttridge. Reps: Weller, Davies, Clark.

Owen Root goes straight into Rams’ second row for the game at Weston-super-Mare on Saturday having missed the last 16 months with a serious knee injury Picture:Paul Clark

Super nightmare leaves Bracknell’s play-off hopes in tatters Bracknell 27 Weston-super-Mare 38 BraCkneLL’S pursuit of the play-off spot in national League 3 South West was dealt a major setback with this surprise defeat at Lily Hill Park. The loss not only ended the side’s four-game winning streak, but second-placed Exmouth’s 33-18 success at Old Centralians means Rory Greenslade-Jones’s men now sit 14 points adrift of their promotion rivals with just three games of the season remaining. Bracknell, therefore, now need to secure bonus-point victories in all these games and hope Exmouth slip up along the way if there are to pinch the runners-up spot come April 18. Missed tackles would later come back to haunt the hosts but, even more frustratingly, they started well, with winger Stuart Mackay crossing the line with less than five minutes of the contest played. George Owen was to miss the resulting conversion, something which was to occur again soon after when attempting to add the extras to a second Bracknell try of the afternoon, finished off by scrum-half Barry Dwyer - who was making his return to the starting XV following a recent injury. The home side continued to dominate possession and territory during the opening 40 minutes, but failure to capitalise further was to hit the side hard before the break. A Weston side scrapping for their lives at the wrong end of the table put their first points on the board through centre Ollie Snook, whose two converted tries – along with a later penalty – saw the visitors snatch the advantage. This, though, was quickly cancelled out early in the second half through another winger, Ian Burch, who dabbed down to swing the lead back in favour of the Lily Hill men. Kicking duties had now been handed to Ben Nowak, but the full-back too was struggling with his range, with his conversion attempt dropping the wrong side of the upright.

SPORT | 45

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Scrum-half Barry Dwyer, who makred his return from injury with two tries, leads the Bracknell assault Picture: Paul King The challenge for Bracknell, now, was to maintain and build on the narrow advantage – but a Weston side up for the fight had other ideas. And they were anything but dogged. This was a rampant performance from the away side who, through dominance in the pack, went on to stun the opposition with further tries from Mick Hocking and George Sparks. Weston, though, would soon lose a man to the sin-bin – and this allowed Bracknell to capitalise, with a second try for Dwyer reducing the gap and securing a bonus point in the process. It also raised hopes of a late and dramatic fightback, but this was soon extinguished when Rick Webster too added his name to the scoresheet and all but killed off the game. There, was, however, still time for Owen to make up for his earlier misses, although this would prove to be

nothing more than a consolation. If they are to remain with a shot of finishing second and clinching the play-off spot, Bracknell realistically need all 15 points from their final three games, which start with the visit of Hornets tomorrow (2.15pm). Bracknell: Brambley, Silvester, Mirza, Bailey, Taylor, Salustri, Milligan (c), Clarke, Dwyer, Conway, Bayliss, Mackay, Brember, Burch, Owen. Reps: Barry, Ovens, Nowak.

BraCkneLL 3s (left) thrashed local rivals reading 3s 52-7 to pick up some much needed points in Division 3 of the Berks, Bucks and oxon League. A heavy defeat for the visitors inflicted a huge blow on Reading’s feint play-off hopes. Picture: Paul King

LONDON IRISH

Symons gives up being a Chief to become an Exile Waikato Chiefs lock Matt Symons will join London irish next season, the club has announced. The 25-year-old is English born, but moved out to New Zealand in 2012 following a stint with the youth academy at Aviva Premiership rivals Saracens. Symons has also spent time with the Great Britain rowing World Class Start programme. “It was a really tough decision to leave one of the best Super Rugby teams in the competition, but the opportunities London Irish offered and the chance to return home was very compelling,” said the new signing, who has penned a longterm deal at Madejski Stadium. “The new coaching set-up at London Irish is exciting. “I had made my decision before they had established the management team, but having worked with Tom Coventry (Irish head coach from next season) at the Chiefs, I know he will be a massive asset to London Irish.” The forward began his career down under with High School Old Boys in Christchurch before moving on to captain the 2013 Crusader Knights and representing Crusaders in a friendly against the Hurricanes. Symons was also part of the 2013 Canterbury ITM Cup-winning squad prior to joining up with the two-time Super Rugby champions

the Chiefs – where he was named pre-season captain and vicecaptain for the 2015 season. Bob Casey, operations director at the Exiles, said: “Matt is an incredible athlete. “He has size, mobility and is joining from a world class set-up at the Chiefs. “He is a natural born leader who is the right age and a player we believe will be a key figure in leading this club on to bigger and better things. “Matt is a player we have targeted for some time and both Glenn Delaney and Nick Kennedy have played a key role in attracting him to the club.” n IRISH fans, follows us for the latest club news on Twitter: @WokinghamSport. n TURN to the back page for an interview with London Irish interim head coach Glenn Delaney

irish fans asked to name good causes in funding bid LonDon irish bosses are calling on fans to put good causes and charities forward for a new initiative handing out up to £25,000 in funding. The Exiles are among the clubs supporting the Aviva Community Fund, a new scheme launched by the Premiership Rugby sponsors which aims to offer support and finances for local projects. “Local charities and groups are an important part of community life and need all the support and funding they can get to continue doing their good work,” said Irish captain George Skivington. “The Aviva Community Fund is a great chance to secure extra funding and awareness. “Some of these inspirational local projects don’t get the recognition or support they deserve, but the Aviva Community Fund offers a way to reward the great work being done by unsung community heroes.”

Individuals will need to submit the cause they are supporting, along with an idea they think will make a real difference, via an online entry form. The four categories which are available for funding are: health disability and wellbeing, supporting the younger and older generation and community support. Mark McCafferty, chief executive of Premiership Rugby, added: “Premiership Rugby are delighted to be supporting this exciting new initiative from Aviva, which delivers much needed funds into some great causes across the United Kingdom. “The fund will provide real help to community projects throughout the UK, some of whom will be connected to the clubs within Aviva Premiership Rugby.” Entries will be voted by the public on May 1. To nominate a cause, visit aviva.co.uk/communityfund.

Crows will be keen to keep up the heat Berks, Bucks and Oxon Championship CroWtHorne will be expected to keep up the heat on leaders risborough when they welcome struggling Faringdon to Cricket Field Grove tomorrow. Just a point separates the top two, but a good win for Karl Roberts’ men could see them

reclaim first place in the standings at the expense of Faringdon, who host Aldermaston on the same day. The latter were beaten by the Crows last weekend, with the side returning from West Berkshire with the points from a 26-15 triumph. Kick-off is 3pm.

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Thousands snap READING FC up tickets for FA Clarke calls in a favour from old club Chelsea once Cup semi-final more, this time taking starlet Nathan Ake on loan By Lewis Rudd

These Reading fans queued in anticipation for tickets Pictures: Paul King

FA CUP fever has hit the Madejski Stadium this week, with thousands snapping up tickets for the semi-final date with Arsenal next month. Queues have snaked around the Royals’ home since seats were put up for grabs on Monday, with some fans having to stand for hours before securing a spot at the Wembley showdown on April 18. Some areas of the 31,000 allocation have now been taken, while others only have limited availability and must now be brought in person. Members with 1,500 points or more are now eligible to try and purchase tickets, which range in prices from £33 to £63 respectively. A reduction of £10 has been slashed off prices for supporters aged 65 and over, between 17 and 21 and those under 16, with the club not charging for booking fees or postage. A request for more seats has been made, given the high demand for the game with the Premier League Gunners. The clash will be broadcast live on BBC 1, with the winners meeting either Blackburn, Liverpool or Aston Villa in May’s final.

Supporters have been patiently waiting for seats all week

CROSS COUNTRY

STEVE Clarke has bolstered his defensive options by bringing in Chelsea starlet Nathan Ake on loan. Although only 20, the player arrives at Madejski Stadium with vast experience, having represented the Blues at Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup levels, picking up a Europa League winners medal in the process. He also has more than 50 caps for Holland at youth level, captaining his country at Under-21 and U17 levels. Ake has signed on initially for a month, although the deal can be extended. “I’m delighted to add a player of Nathan’s quality to our first team squad at this important time of the season,” said Royals’ boss Clarke. “He has been a fixture in Chelsea’s first team squad this season and we are grateful that Chelsea have allowed him to join us here at Reading to get some competitive minutes on the pitch. “He is a very talented player who I have been aware of for some time and I look forward to working with Nathan in the coming weeks.” Ake, who made his league debut at the age of 17, is the second player to join the club’s back line in recent weeks, with Reading also snapping up Zat Knight on a short-term deal. He is held in high regard at Stamford Bridge, with manager Jose Mourinho handing the player a five-year contract in 2013. This season the player has made four appearances for the Premier League club , all of which have come in cup competitions. Ake will be available for selection when Royals host Cardiff City in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday, April 4. But the defender, who is comfortable at either left back, centre back or as a defensive midfielder, will have to sit out the prestigious FA Cup semi-final with Arsenal next month, as he made a late substitute appearance for Chelsea during an earlier fixture in the competition. The deal is subject to football league ratifications, with Ake taking the squad number 43. n ROYALS midfielder Jake Taylor yesterday completed a loan switch to League 1 side Leyton Orient. He will remain with the side until the end of the season.

TheWokinghamPaPer Friday, March 27, 2015

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

Four-some Kirby gets Royals off to a flying start KELLY Chambers praised the workrate which saw Fran Kirby score all four goals during Reading Women’s opening-day victory at Yeovil in Women’s Super League 2. The England international was on blistering form in the West Country as the Royals recorded a 4-2 victory last Thursday. “Fran wouldn’t score those goals if she didn’t have the service, she’s a goal scorer and this is why we’ve invested in her and we want to keep her,’ said boss Chambers. “Everyone played their part tonight. I wouldn’t say it was a performance that I would like to watch but football is football and the three points is the most important thing.” Kirby needed only six minutes to open her account for the new campaign, capitalising on confusion in the hosts’ defence. Then, on the stroke of half-time she fired past Yeovil ‘keeper Charlotte Haynes before netting again a minute later as Reading went in at the break boasting a 3-1 advantage; Tash Knapman briefly levelling for the home side. Corinne Yorston, making her debut for the Glovers, halved the deficit from the penalty spot 15 minutes from time to ensure a nervy finish, but Kirby eased any worries when hitting her fourth of the evening in stoppage time. Reading make the short trip to London Bees on Sunday looking to preserve their unbeaten start to the campaign. Kick-off at the Hive is 3pm.

Nathan Ake holds aloft his Reading FC shirt having signed on a short-term deal from Chelsea, the Dutchman trained with the squad for the first time on Thursday. Pictures: Reading FC

Norwood starts for beaten Ulsterman READING’S Oliver Norwood played 69 minutes of Northern Ireland’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Scotland on Wednesday night. The midfielder was replaced at Hampden Park by Southampton’s Steven Davis. It was Ipswich Town defender Christophe Berra who settled the contest in favour of the hosts in the 85th minute. Norwood will be hoping to keep his place when the Ulstermen resume their 2016 European Championship qualifying campaign against Finland at Adams Park on Sunday. Elsewhere, fellow Royals midfielder Hope Akpan played all 90 minutes for Nigeria, who suffered a 1-0 friendly defeat to Uganda

at the Akwa Ibom Stadium on the same night. Adam Federici, meanwhile, watched on from the substitutes bench as Lukas Poldolski struck a late goal to snatch World Cup winners Germany a 2-2 draw against Australia in Kaiserslautern. Also among the replacements was Danny Williams. The midfielder was an unused sub during the USA’s 3-2 reverse against Denmark. Tomorrow, Royals duo Chris Gunter and Hal Robson-Kanu will be expected to help Wales continue their fine start to Group B when they face Israel in a Euro 2016 qualifier.

SWIMMING

Victory for Liam

Willis ‘in good shape’ ahead of British Championships

EMMBrOOk Junior School pupil Liam Gash won the Year Three Boys race in the annual Crosfields School’s cross country meeting. He was followed home by Archie Jones from Farley Hill Primary. All the other three races held on the same afternoon were won by pupils from Oaklands Junior in Crowthorne, Millie Dethick led the field home in the Year Four Girls’ race, Erin Ackroyd won the Year Three Girls’ title and Zac Waight took the honours in the Year Four Boys’ event. Over 450 youngsters from 27 schools took part in this event, which has become increasingly successful since being started in 2007. The first three in each race received a medal and there was also a trophy for the winning teams. The presentations were made by Gareth Edwards, director of sport at Crosfields. Each race was over approximately 1,000 metres of the school’s grounds in Shinfield Road, Reading.

HE MIGHT have lined up in an Olympic final but there will still be more than a few nerves for Andrew Willis at next month’s British Swimming Championships. The 24-year-old will go for gold in the 100m and 200m breaststroke at the London Aquatics Centre in April well aware next summer’s Olympics are edging ever closer. Bracknell and Wokingham Swimming Club’s Willis has established himself as one of the country’s premiere swimmers over the last few years, having announced himself on the international stage when he qualified for the 200m final at London 2012. A fourth place finish at the World Championships a year later cemented his reputation and he backed it up with a bronze medal at last year’s Commonwealth Games. But despite the experience he has under his belt as he returns to the London 2012 pool, Willis admits there is nothing quite like competing against his peers at the British Championships.

“I had a good block of training during the winter that included a month in Thailand so that was great and got me ready for action,” he said. “I had some good swims in the short course season as well so I feel like I am in really good shape coming into the British Championships. “It is the big one for us and one that we all target and want to do well at so I think our whole training revolves around it. “There will always be those nerves there and that little bit of anxiety about doing well and I think that is normal with a big championships. “I want to be on the team each year and fulfilling my potential so this is the place where I can go and show what I can do.” For Willis the target will be two topspot finishes in London, with the British Swimming Championships doubling up as the trials for this summer’s World Championships in Russia. But he says the standard of swimmers

in Britain at the moment makes grabbing a plane ticket to Russia far easier said than done. “I think that the standard of swimmers we have at the moment is fantastic and there is so much talent and depth in the country,” he added. “So I think that is a massive motivation for us and definitely for me because I want to be on that team and swimming for Britain. “I will be going there to enjoy myself but I want to make sure that I swim like I know I can and hit my potential. “It’s crazy how quickly the Olympics come around and obviously getting there is a big goal but for now I’m just looking at the Championships and doing well this year.” n Come and support the country’s best swimmers from 14-18 April at London Aquatics Centre. Buy your tickets now http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/feature/ british-swimming

Fran Kirby Picture: Nigel Hoyle/Goalshots

United Reserves in final bid for Cup glory WOODLEY United Reserves will be bidding for cup glory this weekend when they meet local rivals Wargrave in the final of the Berks and Bucks County Women’s Trophy. For many of the United players, this will be their fourth consecutive showdown appearance, having twice previously lifted silverware at Under-18 level and on a previous occasion at U16. The two teams met at the same stage of the U18 competition last year, where Wargrave prevailed in a 6-0 thrashing. The final takes place at Abingdon United FC on Sunday. Kick-off is 2pm.

Friday, March 27, 2015 TheWokinghamPaPer

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FOOTBALL

Tye double not enough as groves and Bygrave goals condemn faltering Finch to a fifth successive defeat Woodley Town 4 Finchampstead 2 TOWN sit sixth in Hellenic Division 1 East after Steve Campbell, George Dallarda, Doug Groves and Adam Bygrave struck to secure all three points at Scours Lane on Tuesday night. It was a Finch side looking to avoid a fifth straight defeat who started this derby fixture well, with Nathan Onreat-Wells firing over when well placed and Ryan Tye twice going close for the away side. So it came as no surprise when Finch took the lead on the half-hour mark, with Tye making up for the earlier missed chances, this time slotting a shot into the bottom corner. But the lead was to last just five minutes; Steve Campbell heading home Jordan Goddard’s inviting cross to level the scores. Woodley were now the team on the offensive - George Dallarda in particular. Finchampstead’s Luke Axton-Hall (far right) rues a missed opportunity Having flashed over another dangerous Pictures: Phil Gee cross. the same player saw another effort from 18 yards blocked, where Campbell saw very much with the hosts and, from a corner, Marlow United 2 Woodley Town 1 the rebound blocked on the line. they turned the game on its head when TOWN’S involvement in the Reading Unable to make the most of the chances, Groves popped up to put them 3-2 ahead. Senior Cup is over following a both teams went in at the break with the But there was to be no similar comeback quarter-final defeat at Redgrave score stalemate. from the visitors, who conceded a fourth Sports Centre last Saturday. But early in the second session when a free-kick from captain Dave Stevens Despite boss Damien Marshall Finchampstead regained the lead through was headed home by Bygrave to complete a ringing the changes, things began Tye’s second of the evening, ghosting satisfactory night for Damien Marshall’s well for Hellenic Division 1 East side into the box to turn home a charges. Town, who took the lead on eight cross unmarked. “Best way to get over a loss is minutes when Steve Campbell tapped With the goal coming to bounce back with a good win,” home following flick-ons from both against the run of play, said the Town boss. Adam Bygrave and George Dallarda. Town were keen to “Good character from my However, a Marlow side going respond – and they Woodley lads.” well in the Thames Valley Premier were given the perfect Woodley Town: D.Smith, Division this term reacted positively, Malone, Goddard, Doe, Douglin, opportunity to equalise and were back on level terms in the Bygrave, Dallarda, Cashin-Murray when Dallarada was sent 37th minute. (Gonzalez), Campbell (Odusanya), tumbling in the box. Stevens, Groves (Brown). Wes Sutherland was the scorer, The same player quickly Finchampstead: Griffith, nipping in between ‘keeper Dan dusted himself down and M.Wright, Pople, J.Wright, Smith and Stuart Doe to net from a Town’s Jordan Goddard (left) keeps Axton-Hall, Payne, S.Hunter, duly equalised. throw in. Kell, Swabey, Tye, Onreat-Wells Momentum was again tabs on Nathan Onreat-Wells

Will Day leads the Sumas’ charge

Boars share the points - and the dismissals Eversley and California 2 Dorking 2 EVERSLEY twice squandered the lead during a feisty clash with Dorking at Fox Lane on Saturday. The Boars opened the scoring inside the opening two minutes, but were pegged back later in the half when Matty Harmsworth finished on the rebound. The Eversley keeper then conceded a penalty and received a red card for his troubles - but the spot kick hit the

woodwork. Eversley, though, regained the advantage shortly before the break courtesy of a deflected free-kick. Dorking, though, made it 2-2 early in the second half,; Harmsworth this time presented with the simple task of tapping home following an error from the host keeper. The playing numbers too were levelled up soon after when the visitors’ Zach Powell was dismissed for a headbutt.

SATURDAY Rugby AvivA PReMieRSHiP: London Irish v Newcastle Falcons (3pm) NATiONAl leAGUe 3 SOUTH WeST: Bracknell v Hornets (2.15pm), Weston-super-Mare v Redingensians (3pm). Berks, Bucks and Oxon Championship: Crowthorne v Faringdon (3pm). Football ReADiNG SeNiOR CUP: Stokenchurch v Wokingham and Emmbrook (2pm) HelleNiC DiviSiON 1 eAST: Henley Town v Finchampstead, Rayners lane v Woodley Town. COMBiNeD COUNTieS DiviSiON 1: Eversley and California v Farleigh Rovers TUeSDAY Football HelleNiC DiviSiON 1 eAST: Wokingham and Emmbrook v easington Sports (7.45pm). Tables - Football

And on the stroke of half-time they took the lead. Town failed to clear their lines from a free-kick, which an unmarked Ollie Flint was only too happy to fire past Smith. Woodley were on the back foot for most of the second half – but did go close to grabbing an equaliser when a United player headed the ball against his own post. And Town’s work was made even harder when substitute Seun Odusanya was sent off for a mistimed challenge. Woodley Town: D.Smith, Malone, Goddard, Doe (G.Smith), Douglin, Bygrave, Dallarda, Cashin-Murray, Campbell, Alleyne (Odusanya), Groves (Downes). Subs not used: Barham, Brown.

One ‘Ell of a first-half sends clinical Sumas top of the Division 1 table Wokingham and Emmbrook 3 Finchampstead 0 FIRST-HALF strikes from Elliott Rushforth, James Charlton and Nick Bateman not only secured Wokingham and Emmbrook the bragging rights – but sent the side top of the Hellenic Division 1 East table. Under the floodlights at the Triangle last Thursday, Jack Gibbs and Rushforth both went close for the hosts during the early exchanges, but it was Finches Ryan Tye who should have broken the deadlock. But with Sumas’ keeper Sean Woodward off his line, the midfielder, having burst forward, was off target with the effort. The deadlock was broken on 24 minutes; striker Rushforth coolly finishing from close range. Promotion-chasing Wokingham were now smelling blood and duly went for the jugular, with defender Charlton doubling the lead nine minutes later - turning home from a corner. Freddie Barron and Scott Hunter were unable to convert chances for the visitors to halve the deficit soon after – and Finchampstead’s task then became even harder on the stroke of half time when Bateman netted a third for the home side. Despite showing more resolve after the break, Jon Laugharne’s men almost conceded a third, but the crossbar came to their rescue to deny Chris Yeatman. Both sides saw ‘goals’ met by a linesman’s flag as the game progressed, but a comfortable victory for the hosts – their fifth consecutive

Fixtures

Sky Bet Championship Bournemouth’ 39 21 10 8 Watford 39 22 6 11 Middlesbrough 39 21 9 9 Norwich 39 20 10 9 Derby 39 19 10 10 Ipswich 39 19 10 10 Brentford 39 20 6 13 Wolves 39 18 11 10 Nott’m Forest 39 14 12 13 Blackburn 39 7 4 11 Charlton Ath 39 13 15 11 Sheffield Wed 39 13 14 12 Leeds Utd 39 14 10 15 Cardiff 39 13 12 14 Birmingham 38 11 14 13 Brighton 39 10 15 14 Bolton 39 12 9 18 Huddersfield 39 11 11 17 Reading 38 12 8 18 Fulham 39 12 7 20 Rotherham 39 9 13 17 Wigan 39 8 11 20 Millwall 39 7 12 20 Blackpool 39 4 11 24 Hellenic Division 1 East Brackley Town ‘Dev’ 24 14 6 4 Wokingham & Emmbrook 20 15 2 3 Old Woodstock Town 23 14 2 7 Easington Sports 22 13 4 5 Chinnor 24 10 4 10 Woodley Town 22 9 6 7 Henley Town 20 9 5 6 Finchampstead 23 8 6 9 Rayners Lane 22 7 5 10 Penn & Tylers Green 22 7 4 11 Headington Amateurs 22 6 5 11 Didcot Town 22 6 3 13 Burnham 22 6 2 14 Chalfont Wasps 22 2 4 16

82 78 59 76 69 59 64 56 51 43 48 36 43 48 43 43 46 48 42 50 40 35 33 30

55 58 53 51 56 39 49 39 46 43 39 34 36 29

40 46 30 43 43 43 52 45 50 44 50 40 47 50 55 46 57 67 61 68 60 52 64 78

37 20 29 34 44 39 37 47 52 44 44 45 58 97

Combined Counties Division 1 Farleigh Rovers 25 18 3 4 57 32 AFC Croydon Athletic 25 17 1 7 70 26 Bedfont & Feltham 26 14 5 7 48 44 Worcester Park 23 13 6 4 55 27 CB Hounslow United 27 13 4 10 59 52 Staines Lammas 26 11 7 8 54 39 Chessington United 21 12 2 7 58 36 Eversley & California 25 12 2 11 55 46 Banstead Athletic 22 11 4 7 50 30 Ash United 27 9 8 10 41 52 Cobham 24 8 3 13 48 39 Dorking 24 7 4 13 40 55 Alton Town 26 7 3 16 43 61 Sheerwater 27 7 3 17 32 81 Epsom Athletic 24 5 4 15 38 78 Sandhurst Town 30 7 1 22 46 96

Nick Bateman hit Wokingham’s third goal - but was later sent off Pictures: Paul King success over their local rivals – was somewhat soured when Bateman saw red late on. Wokingham: Woodward, O’Connell, Gibbs, Day, Charlton, Newlove, Yeatman (c), N.Bateman, Scope, Rushforth, Collier. Subs: Cook, Carter, S.Bateman, McNelly. Finchampstead: Griffith, M.Wright, Pople, J.Wright, Axton-Hall, Payne, S.Hunter, Kell, Swabey, Tye, Barron. Subs: Green, Winship, Pickersgill, Price.

+42 +32 +29 +33 +26 +16 +12 +11 +1 -1 -2 -4 -4 -2 -12 -3 -11 -19 -19 -18 -20 -17 -31 -48

73 72 72 70 67 67 66 65 54 25 54 53 52 51 47 45 45 44 44 43 40 35 33 23

+18 +38 +24 +17 +12 +0 +12 -8 -6 -1 -5 -11 -22 -68

48 47 44 43 34 33 32 27 26 25 23 21 20 10

25 44 4 28 7 15 22 9 20 -11 9 -15 -18 -49 -40 -50

57 52 47 45 43 40 38 38 37 35 27 25 24 24 19 19

8 9 6 7 5 10 7 7 7 9 7 1

62 53 52 51 51 48 43 39 37 29 25 1

Rugby

Northampton Exeter Saracens Bath Leicester Wasps Sale Harlequins Gloucester London Irish Newcastle London Welsh

Aviva Premiership 17 13 1 3 474 307 17 11 0 6 527 330 17 11 1 5 492 332 17 11 0 6 447 307 17 11 1 5 336 329 17 9 1 7 505 367 17 9 0 8 378 354 17 8 0 9 329 359 17 7 1 9 414 420 17 5 0 12 324 416 17 4 1 12 330 397 17 0 0 17 162 800

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Bateman dismisses title talk as the Sumas crank up pressure on top spot By LEWIS RUDD DaN BateMaN has rejected suggestions the Hellenic Division 1 east title is now wokingham and emmbrook’s to lose. The Sumas’ joint-boss, however, believes his side now have the opportunity to put themselves in a great position for a promotion push having gone top of the standings with last week’s 3-0 local derby victory over Finchampstead. Wokingham’s stay at the summit, though, was a brief one, with closest rivals Brackley Town Development reclaiming first place courtesy of a win over Headington Amateurs by the same scoreline on Wednesday night. The club managed by Bateman and Matt Eggleston, though, boast some four games in hand on the Northamptonshire side, and the two are due to meet at the Invesco Perpetual Triangle at the start of next month in what could potentially be a title decider. The Sumas also face another promotion-chasing side, Easington Sports, before the end of the season, so the side’s destiny is still very much in their own hands. Bateman said: “We are really pleased with how things are going, and as I have said before the league is our absolute priority, and it is looking really good at the moment.

“I certainly would not swap our place with any other team at the minute, that is for sure. “We have been helped with continuity and the numbers in our squad are unbelievable. We had six or seven missing from the first-team on Saturday (a 0-0 draw at Headington Amateurs) but we held out. “We have a great strength in depth and no player is guaranteed a place in the team, which keeps people on their toes.” The game Bateman referred to at the weekend was a thirdround Bluefin Sports Insurance Supplementary Cup clash, a contest the Sumas went on to lose 7-6 on penalty kicks. Although disappointed to be knocked out of the competition, the loss may come as a blessing in disguise, as it means Wokingham and Emmbrook can now focus more attention on what is likely to be a hectic run-in, especially as promotion to the Premier League is the club’s main aim. And despite appearing to hold the majority of the cards in the race for top spot, Bateman is keen to keep things in perspective. “We have certainly put ourselves in a great position, but it would be silly to say anything else,” added the comanager.

“We have six league games left and we still have teams around us who still probably fancy their chances of winning it. “I wouldn’t say the title is ours to lose, but we can only do ourselves a favour by winning these matches.” League matters are put aside again this weekend as the Sumas continue their defence of the Reading Senior Cup against Stokenchurch – the Thames Valley Football League outfit who dumped out Wokingham’s league rivals Woodley Town at the weekend. Victory here would set up a clash with Marlow United in the next round, the side Wokingham and Emmbrook defeated 2-1 to lift the cup for a second successive time back in 2013. The club are looking to retain the crown at Madejski Stadium for a fourth consecutive year. n READING FC yesterday completed the loan signing of Crystal Palace striker Kwesi Appiah. The Ghana international, 24, signs on at Madejski Stadium until the end of the season, with Royals fighting off a host of other clubs to secure his signature. Appiah arrives in Berkshire less than 24 hours after the club signed Chelsea defender Nathan Ake on a short-term deal. Like Ake, Appiah is also cup-tied, meaning both will miss the FA Cup semi-final with Arsenal. n FOR more local football news, turn to page 47.

RUgBY

We had better watch Falcons’ backs, warns Delaney By LEWIS RUDD Newcastle Falcons’ rear-guard work could spoil london Irish’s st Patrick’s Day party, Glenn Delaney has warned. A crowd in excess of 20,000 is expected at Madejski Stadium tomorrow for the club’s annual shindig, where a win for the Exiles would see them pull further away from their opponents at the wrong end of the Aviva Premiership table. Although admitting his players need little motivation for such an occasion, interim boss Delaney (above) believes the visitors’ back line possesses a particular threat. “They have probably the defensive

back line in the league, scoring more tries than any other in the league,” he said. “They have scored something like 20 tries, and they have arguably three of the best ball carriers in the league in Alesana Tuilagi, Sinoti Sinoti and Juan Pablo Socino, so we need to be focused on their attack. “We need to stop the physical side of their game, but we also need to put our own pressure on the game, and deploy the systems we have been working on with Richie (Richard Whiffin, backs coach), whose work on our attacking game is developing well.” The game presents Irish with the chance to produce a quick response to the narrow 26-20 loss to Harlequins last time Published by Xn Media Ltd, Crown out – and would also House, 231 Kings set the club up nicely Road, Reading RG1 4LS. for the European Printed at Newbury Rugby Challenge Cup Weekly News . quarter-final with © Xn Media Ltd, 2015 Edinburgh on Easter Sunday. Delaney,

though, is keen to focus on the task at hand, saying: “We will take anything provided it is a positive result. “Yes, there are four league games after this and a top eight finish but we are taking it a game at a time, and after this game we can focus on the quarter-final. “Saturday is a massive game for the club, it is a one-off every season and a lot of people are coming to the game – some people who don’t usually come that often, so it is pretty unique. “The crowd is fantastic and the occasion is second to none, and the guys are looking forward to it and understand the significance of the game. “They enjoy walking in with parties and things going off outside, but it is important we get them inside, focused and ready to roll. “Hopefully we will get the result our performance deserves.” Delaney will once again be without the injured Ofisa Treviranus, but prop Geoff Cross and second-row Blair Cowan have both returned from Six Nations duty with Scotland boasting a clean bill of health and should be involved.

Royals nab Nathan: Chelsea starlet Ake joins Reading on a month’s loan - Read more on page 46

EQUESTRianiSm

Lillie Browne rides Petaco in the Intermediate section. Picture: Wayne Jones

Wokingham and Bearwood saddling up for shot at national success a RIDING club in wokingham has achieved huge success in the opening months of the year, with many of its members now looking to compete nationally, writes GEMMA DAVIDSON. Wokingham and Bearwood Riding Club (WBRC) rode to success in the junior category of the British Riding clubs Area 6 intermediate show jumping qualifier, held at the Berkshire College of Agriculture on January 31. Riders of Lillie Browne on Petarco, Rachel Cawley on Moortown Juicy Lucy, Jessica Stephens on Zilona and Rachael Bomphrey on Midnight Playboy all successfully held off the competition and will now travel to Bury Farm in Buckinghamshire for the National Intermediate championships on May 3.

On February 8, the junior team also beat the competition in the novice qualifier, also held at Berkshire College of Agriculture. The winners, this time with Maddison Perries on Humbug, Lucas Peries on A Dream Within, Megan Day on Cluoin Cairn Mirah and Alice Day on Harlequin Billy Elliot. The riders are now looking ahead to the KBIS British Riding Clubs National Novice Show Jumping Championships. This takes place at Hartpury College, near Gloucester, on April 5. Show jumping chef d’equipe Lisa Oram said: “I am looking forward to accompanying the teams to both of these championships and the possibility of bringing a National Show Jumping title back to Berkshire.”

Sports fans - the clocks go forward ONE hour this weekend