The Wokingham Paper January 29, 2016 by The Wokingham Paper

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Friday, January 29, 2016 No. 41

Bowled over by Burns

50p

UNITY

TEENS TAKE CHARGE P11 REGENERATION

SOCIETY GIVES ELMS FIELD A P3 THUMBS DOWN OPINION

Wokingham celebrates Scotland’s poet with a feast of fun • p4-5

A329M: ‘Safe and working well’ says Councillor

(But this driver, caught in a hit and run after last-minute lane change, may disagree) SEE P7

DON’T LOSE TOWN’S CHARACTER P17 TRANSPORT

A329 TO CLOSE FOR NEW P3 ROADWORKS SPORT

AL-HABSI: UP FOR THE CUP P37

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, January 29, 2016

FAMILY NOTICES v Deaths BAINES Peter (aged 77) At his home in Finchampstead. Funeral to take place at 10.45am on Tuesday 2nd February Corpus Christi RC Church, Wokingham Followed by cremation at Easthampstead Park Crematorium

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CRIME

Timepieces stolen during two burglaries

WATCHES have been stolen during burglaries at two properties in Earley over the past week. Overnight Friday, January 22, into Saturday, someone broke into a property in Langdale Gardens through the conservatory. The property was searched and various items were stolen. At some point on Sunday, someone smashed a patio door of a property in Firmstone Close before searching the house and stealing watches. Anyone with any information relating to this incident should call police on 101.

HEALTH

Dust off your walking boots for these events

THE Mid Berks Ramblers are organising two walks for Sunday. The first is for a walk between five and six miles, which explores the woods, commons and fields around Nettlebed. To take part, meet at the Pot Kiln/ Pudding Stones, off the A4130 at Nettlebed at 10.30am. The walk leader is Jill, who can be contacted by calling 07787 490299. A second walk, of 12 miles, will go from Knowl Hill and back via Bowsey Hill, the Thames at Hurley and back over Ashley Hill. The Ramblers say that there will be some hills on the way. To take part, meet at the closed Seven Stars pub off the A4 at Knowl Hill for 10am. This walk is expected to finish around 4pm. For more details about the event, call walk leader Marian on 07521 378895.

David Grant (centre) with Yeldall Manor resident Tom and staff member Chris. Picture: BBC

TELEVISION

Songs of Praise shines spotlight on Yeldall Manor THE work of a local addiction rehabilitation centre featured on Songs of Praise last Sunday. Yeldall Manor was the focus for the long-running religious programme, which saw host David Grant present the show from the Hare Hatch centre. Viewers saw centre manager Dan Head as he went on his morning rounds, an interview with former resident turned

COURT

staff member Chris Wood and current residents who are undergoing the intense detox programme. It also revealed that three quarters of its residents who complete the programme manage to stay off drink or drugs. Sue Hedger, supporter relations manager for Yeldall, told The Wokingham Paper: “We were very excited to be

chosen to appear on Songs of Praise and to be able to share about our work on national television. “We have had a tremendous response on Facebook, with people being really supportive, and also a number of telephone calls from people seeking help for themselves or others. “I have no doubt that much fruit is going to come from this broadcast.”

HERITAGE

Between 10pm on Sunday and 10.25am on Monday someone attempted to force the window of a property in Hilltop Gardens. Dent marks were found around the window frame, but no entry was gained and nothing was stolen. Anyone who might have any information relating to this incident should call 101.

Man due in court on Morris Dancers to lead charity box theft charge apple tree blessing A 32-year-old man has been charged with stealing a charity box from a shop in Lower Earley and interfering with a car. Luther O’Keefe, of no fixed address, was charged last Tuesday with one count of theft and one count of vehicle interference. The theft charge is in connection with an incident at Thomson, in the Asda Complex, Lower Earley on January 12 during which a charity collection box was stolen. The vehicle interference charge is in connection with an incident in Parsley Close, Earley, on October 1, 2015, involving an Audi TT. O’Keefe was bailed to appear at Slough Magistrates’ Court on February 5.

A TRADITIONAL winter event is coming to Warfield on Sunday. The Ellington Morris Dancers will perform a Wassailing ceremony at Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare. The troop will lead a blessing of 300 apple trees in the landshare’s orchard. Prior to the wassail, there will be a guided walk around the region. As it will be muddy, organisers recommend wearing suitable footwear. The event starts at 1pm, with the wassail taking place at 2.30pm.

CRIME

Police warning after house break-in attempt

HOMEOWNERS are being urged to remain vigilant following an attempted break-in at a property in Spencers Wood this week.

WIN £200 FOR YOUR GROUP THE Wokingham Paper and TradeMark Windows have teamed up to present Community Cash Tokens. The scheme is simple – cut out the tokens we’ll print each week. Send them in to us, as many as you like, and once every two months we’ll pull one at random from the editor’s hat. One lucky group will win £200, courtesy of TradeMark Windows. The more tokens that you and your group send in, the more chance you have of your group being picked at random. The Community Cash Tokens are open to charities and other non-profit making groups within Wokingham borough and offer a great way of boosting your funds. We’re able to offer Community Cash Tokens thanks to the generosity of Mark

Ashwell, managing director of TradeMark Windows. The Wokingham Paper’s publisher Phil Creighton said: “The Community Cash Tokens were a hugely popular ingredient of The Wokingham Times, and thanks to Mark’s support for the community of Wokingham borough, we’re delighted to be able to bring them back. “Whatever your group, charity or good cause is, Community Cash Tokens offers your supporters a fun way of helping you raise funds and awareness of your cause. “Make sure you don’t miss an issue.” Send your tokens to: Community Cash Tokens, The Wokingham Paper, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Please note, only original tokens can be accepted.

CRIME

Vandals target car

A CAR parked on a driveway in Wokingham has been targeted by vandals. Between 9am and 10.30am on Friday, January 22, the rear window of a Renault Scenic parked on a driveway in Charwood Road was smashed. Nothing is believed to have been stolen from the car during the incident. Anyone with any information or who saw anything suspicious should call 101.

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CRIME

TRANSPORT

Huge increase in drink driver arrests

Delays expected during A329 resurfacing works

THE number of people arrested in Wokingham for drink-driving offences over the Christmas period has soared by nearly 300% compared with the previous year, writes Gemma Davidson. Between December 1, 2015, and January 1, 2016, 15 people were arrested — a 275% increase on the four people arrested during the same period for 2014/15. The number of arrests across the Thames Valley increased as well from 273 in 2014 to 325 in 2015. Of those arrested across the region, 198 have been charged, 90 were bailed, and 37 have been released with no further action taken. Men were also the most prolific drink-drivers, with 272 men being arrested compared with 53 women, with the average age of the person arrested being 35. The oldest person arrested was 87 while the youngest was just 17. TVP carried out dedicated patrols regularly over the festive period to deter and detect motorists

suspected of putting lives in danger. The actions of officers on patrol were supported by the ‘Where will you end up tonight?’ campaign, which carried the hard-hitting theme of a mortuary to emphasise the fatal consequences of drinkdriving. Thames Valley Police Road Safety Sergeant Chris Appleby said: “It’s crucial that we never forget the fatal consequences of drink and drug-driving. “Any road user – be it drivers, passengers or pedestrians – can suffer life-changing injuries as a result of a drink-drive incident, and family members can suffer the devastating emotional effects from such tragedies. “It’s just not worth the risk, and our commitment to campaigning on this issue remains vigorous, as demonstrated by the fact that there is an increase in the number of arrests made during the campaign compared with the previous year’s figure.”

MOTORISTS face a fortnight of misery as the A329 gets resurfaced. From Wednesday next week, the road will be closed between Winnersh crossroads and Woodward Close to enable Wokingham Borough Council contractors to work safely. It is the final phase of the seven-week project and it is expected to be finished by Friday, February 19. During the works, Reading Road will be closed and while contractors aim to keep access open for residents there will be times when this is not possible. Wokingham Borough Council has published a timetable on its website and the works will be carried out from 8pm to 6am. On nights residents are unable to park their vehicles on their properties Sainsbury’s will allow people to use its car park. n There will also be a fortnight of road closures on the M4 from Monday night to enable more works to be carried out on the Shinfield relief road bridge. A detour will be in place via the A329M. See page 14.

Police at the scene in Whistley Green on Thursday morning. Picture: Paul King

INCIDENT

Police called after couple are ‘poisoned’ POLICE sealed off a home in Whistley Green and called in a specialist hazardous material unit after a man and a woman were taken to hospital with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. At the time of going to press yesterday (Thursday) the man was in a life-threatening condition at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, while the woman is reported to have responded well to treatment at the scene. The pair in their 60s were found at the property in Lodge Road at around 8am yesterday (Thursday) morning by a family member who was accompanied by a child.

DRAMA

They were also taken to hospital as a precaution. The area around the property was cordoned off by police and road blocks were put in place. According to South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) spokesperson David Gallagher the air ambulance, which landed close to the Elephant and Castle pub, two ambulances, ambulance officers and an incident care response unit, which deals with hazardous materials, attended the scene. Fire crews from Wokingham and Whitley Wood fire stations were also called to the scene.

TWO cleaners were trapped in a lift for more than two hours before being rescued by firefighters on Tuesday night. The women became trapped in the lift at Advansys in Molly Millars Lane shortly after 5pm. Neither of them were carrying a mobile phone so they could not call for help. It was only when they were spotted through the glass doors of the lift by a passerby at around 7.30pm that the alarm was raised. Firefighters from Wokingham used a lift door key and screwdriver to free the women, neither of whom were injured.

SUPPORT

DEVELOPMENT

New church group launches

It’s a resounding ‘no’ to Elms Field plans from influential town society EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE council’s plans for Elms Field have been criticised by The Wokingham Society, who say they are “disappointed” with what is proposed. The group, which is dedicated to combatting “thoughtless redevelopment”, has issued a detailed rebuttal to the controversial regeneration project which includes building a cinema, supermarket and hotel on the popular playing fields. It also includes a residential development and a new landscaped Elms Field playing area suitable for hosting outdoor events. Writing the Society’s response to the planning application, chairman Peter Must noted that “the committee has always been opposed to building on Elms Field as a matter of principle”. The group’s “prime objection” is over the “unrelenting height of most of the buildings”, while they also have concerns over “featureless” buildings.

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Criticising the planned budget hotel, Mr Must noted: “The proposed design and height… will do nothing to enhance historic quality of reflect the importance of providing an attractive, or interesting vista to Wokingham’s southern gateway.” They also call on the council to reduce the height of the planned residential development “so they are not overbearing for those local residents”. “An opportunity has been missed to create a resident area of enduring attractiveness and modernity, which would reflect the heritage of the town while keeping residents firmly and proudly in the 21st century,” Mr Must added.

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Plans for New Elms Road also gives the Society concerns, particularly as the planning documents imply it could be used as a bus route in years to come. Mr Must said: “We urge that… use of the road for through traffic would be deterred.” And given that the Elms Field plan has been criticised because the council are building on green spaces, the Society wants to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy what is left. Mr Must said: “We feel strongly that a long-term covenant or other order should be created to preserve the open space for, say, 50 years.” The Society does also praise some aspects of the application, welcoming plans to hold events in the park, that footpaths have been kept to a minimum and to install a crossing between Carnival Pool and Elms Field. n Today (Friday) is the last day for comments on the Elms Field plans. The documents can be found on Wokingham Borough Council’s website — search for planning application 153125.

SUNDAYS

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A NEW church for people with learning difficulties launched in Wokingham next week. Run by the Revd Judi Hattaway from St Paul’s Church, it will be held in the Parish Rooms on Reading Road, on the first Tuesday of the month, starting on February 2, from 7pm to 8.30pm. Email Judihattaway@mac.com or calling 0118 976 1197 for more details.

Still time to sign protest petition A PETITION started by Facebook group Keep Elms Field Green has reached over 1,300 signatures in a week. The petition is asking for people who live, work or are educated in Wokingham and who do not wish to see building development on Elms Field to sign. The Facebook page states: “That number is significant. If most Wokingham Borough Council councillors had that number of votes lost in an election they would almost certainly not be re-elected. “We hope the planning committee will consider how unpopular a decision to pass the plans would be.” Petition organisers are aiming for 1,500 signatures by today (Friday).

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CRIME

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, January 29, 2016

SUPPER

Great Scot! Wokingham

Wargrave properties targeted in similar raids

A QUAD bike was targeted in one of two incidents in Wargrave last week. During the evening on Thursday, January 21, the resident of a property in Kentons Lane was approaching the driveway when they saw a dark blue Volvo estate car which then drove around them and out of the gate. The resident discovered that a quad bike had been moved from a barn onto the driveway, and a screwdriver and wire cutters were found on the seat. Two men were seen in the dark blue car. Elsewhere overnight Friday into Saturday, someone cut through the wire fence of a property in Blakes Lane, broke into the stables and stole various items. If anyone has any information regarding these two incidents they should call the Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.

RACE

Dust off your running shoes for Shinfield run

ENTRIES are now being accepted for a popular fun run. The Shinfield 10k takes place on the May Day bank holiday, May 2, and is organised by Reading Roadrunners. There will be chip timings, a memento for all who finish in under 90 minutes and junior races. There will also be a barbecue and a fete to enjoy. Entries before April 27 cost £11 for UKA affiliated runners and £13 for non-affiliated. For more details, log on to www. readingroadrunners.org

Committee members Alex and Sue Thomson, piper Charlie Sim, Paul Gallagher, Colin Livingstone, Bill Finnie, Cyndy Price-Finnie and Jannette Kane. Picture: Phil Creighton

FINCHAMPSTEAD

Scouts supper raises £2,000 By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk

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David Judge, Charlie Sim and Ian Blagden at the 1st Finchamspead Burns Supper held on Saturday night.

A SCOUT troop in Finchampstead raised more than £2,000 at their Burns Supper on Saturday night. Around 113 people turned out to support the 1st Finchampstead Scouts and enjoyed watching piper Charlie Sim addressing the haggis before tucking into the Highlands delicacy, which was served with neeps and tatties at Finchampstead Memorial Hall. The evening was rounded off with Scottish

country dancing and many people attending wore traditional dress and tartan. A spokesperson for the group, Sam Wood, said: “The event raised over £2,000, most of which will go towards the trip to the international scout centre at Kandersteg in Switzerland. “The two-week trip takes place every five years and enables Scouts to take part in some amazing activities including night and dawn hikes, glacier climbing and loads of exciting outdoor activities.” Picture: Paul King

ROTARY

Dancing the night away with the Bard of Ayrshire A GRAND night out was held to honour Scotland’s national poet in Sindlesham on Saturday night. The Rotary Club of Bracknell held its Burns Supper at Sindlesham Court, and saw almost 130 people join together for a night of food, music and poetry. The haggis was piped in by Alan Vaughan and drummer Gregor Hosie from the Reading Scottish Pipe Band. People could then enjoy a fourcourse meal before taking part in a ceilidh organised by Alan Davis. The evening, now an established event in the Rotary Club’s calendar, helped raise £1,000 for Help For Heroes. The next event being planned by the club is a Three Counties Bike Ride on Sunday, June 5. Three routes are being planned for the family-friendly event, 50 miles for the regular and experienced riders,

Bracknell Rotary Club held a Burns Supper at Sindlesham Court on Saturday. Attendees included Sue Davis, Alan Davis, Janet Jobin, Nancy Massie, Barbara Gowing, John Jobin, David Gowing and Dave Donaldson

a medium route of 33 miles and a short route of 15 miles for families with younger children. They all

start from Garth Hill College. For more details, log on to www.3ccr.org. For more

information about the Rotary Club, contact Dave Donaldson on 07748 701346.

COMMERCE

Ikea launches recruitment drive ahead of store opening IKEA has launched a recruitment drive for its new store. The company is looking for 350 people to come and join the branch, which is located in Calcot and off Junction 12 of the M4. A mixture of full- and part-time jobs are on offer and a range of roles are being recruited for. The company calls all staff members co-workers

and promise a range of benefits including a Christmas present. They include customer experience coworkers (people who will serve on the shop floor) and co-workers for the restaurant. There are also roles in logistics, finance and visual merchandising. On its website, Ikea said that the new

store, which opens in the summer, will “create a cultural change in how consumers in the Reading market view home furnishings, be the leader in life at home while demonstrating a seamless, consistent, positive and fun shopping experience with a multichannel approach.” n For more details, log on to its website, www.ikea.com/gb/en/store/reading

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celebrates Burns Night ROBERT BURNS was celebrated by Wokingham’s Bowling Club on Friday night in a truly Scottish celebration. The Reading Road clubhouse was packed with people wanting to celebrate the life and works of the poet at a now annual supper. More than 90 people came along to the event, which included singing of Burns songs led by singing duo Davaar – aka Colin Livingstone and Paul Gallagher. At the start of the meal, the committee was piped in by Reading Scottish Pipe Band’s Charlie Sim. He also played as the haggis was brought in by Sue Thomson.

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Mr Sim then addressed the haggis by reading a traditional Burns’ poem, which starts “Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face, Great chieftain o the puddin’-race!” During his dramatic reading, from memory, Mr Sim slit the haggis ready to be served and it ended with guests raising a toast to the beast. The Immortal Memory speech was given by Colin Livingstone, while the toast to the lassies was given by Bill Finnie. Replying was

his wife, Cyndy Price-Finnie. Mr Livingstone said: “It was a fabulous night for the second year running. It was a full house and now a regular fixture that all members look forward to. “The toasts were outstanding and the singing went down a treat. “Feedback was first class from all and the meal was really outstanding. “It was a real credit to the folks who did all the work on the night and before.”

CRIME

Conmen steal £240 after confusing shop’s cashier

A TRIO of conmen duped a cashier out of more than £240 during a distraction burglary at a Wokingham shop. At around 5pm on Saturday the men entered the shop in the BP garage on Wokingham Road. Two of them approached the till and one asked to buy some cigarette papers, before asking the cashier to change £200 into £20 and £10 notes them some notes into coins in order to confuse the cashier. When a second staff member came over, the third man started to talk to him, while the second man near the till started to get agitated with the cashier. The men then left the shop with their original £200, plus £240 of till money. If anyone has any information regarding this incident they should call the Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.

MUSIC

Concert band to raise the roof with ‘best of best’

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THE best of 2015 is the promise from a local band as they prepare for their latest concert this weekend. Trinity Concert Band will return to Trinity Church in Lower Earley tomorrow night (Saturday) to perform a selection of music as chosen by its audience members from its concerts over the past 12 months. The music starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £12 on the door. Accompanied under 16s can get in for free. Money raised from the concert will go to the charity Brass For Africa. n For more details, log on to www. trinityband.co.uk/the-best-of-2015.

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6 | NEWS TWYFORD

Improved sports facilities is back on the agenda

A COMMITMENT to provide the best sports facilities possible in Twyford was made during a meeting to discuss the future of Stanlake Pavillion. The issue was raised by residents Nic Downes and Mark Nolan during a meeting of Twyford Parish Council’s Parish Lands Committee on Tuesday, January 12. They told the meeting that because a nursery was no longer using the pavilion it gave the village sports club new opportunities. The meeting heard that previous plans to extend the pavilion were ambitious and had been designed to accommodate the nursery. Ideas raised at the meeting including having a tea area which could be extended to provide a lounge area overlooking the grounds. The council agreed to give this consideration at their next meeting.

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DINING

Food for thought as Supper prepares to start serving A REVOLUTION in the way we order food is coming to Wokingham next month. Supper, an innovative new approach to healthy, home-cooked takeaway food, is gearing up to officially launch its new service in Wokingham on February 16 after a successful two months recruiting chefs and cooks. Supper, which is the brainchild of Wokingham-born entrepreneurs Duncan Scott and Nick Bolter, started in South

West London last year and has enjoyed great success, leading the team to expand into Berkshire. Nick said: “We have recruited some great cooks who all have their own signature dishes, and our menu for Wokingham is shaping up really nicely. “We understand that the idea of a takeaway is usually an impulsive decision, but what we are encouraging the people of Wokingham to do is

order their Supper takeaway a couple of days in advance, maybe they have a special occasion or a dinner party coming up that they can plan ahead for. “All of our dishes are under 825 calories and we have a Harley Street nutritionist onboard to ensure that all of our

meals are of the highest quality as well as being really healthy.” Meals cost between £9 and £15 each. For more information visit www.supper.co.uk or pick up The Wokingham Paper next week when we will be delving a little deeper into the world of Supper.

EDUCATION

Chalk up this date for teacher training event

PEOPLE interested in becoming teachers are invited to a special information evening at Maiden Erlegh School on Tuesday. Berkshire Teaching School Alliance, which is led by the Silverdale Road school, is hosting the information evening from 7.30pm to 9pm, aimed at anyone who is considering a career in teaching, including teaching assistants, career changers, teachers trained overseas and those graduating in the summer of 2016. People interested in becoming a teacher should confirm attendance by sending an email to teachingschool@maidenerleghschool.co.uk

Amit Atwal, 12, and Toby Ward, 12. Pictures: Vivienne Johnson

MONEY

EDUCATION

Free financial help is on offer from churches

School opens hub of innovation

PEOPLE struggling with their finances are being invited to get free financial help. Next week, a CAP Money Course is being launched in Wokingham and takes place in the Town Hall. Run by Kings Church and Christchurch, the course aims to help participants manage their money, learn to budget, save and spend well. There are three sessions: Tuesday, February 2, 9 and 23. Each one runs from 7.45pm to 9.30pm. For more details, call Tim on 07528 705242 or Helen on 0118 954 0994.

A STATE-of-the-art computer centre was officially opened at a school in Sonning last week by a leading name in the world of IT. Helen Lamb, the Vice President of Managed Infrastructure Services at Fujitsu UK, who was voted one of the 50 Most Influential Women in IT 2015 by Computer Weekly magazine, visited Reading Blue Coat School (RBCS), in Sonning Lane on Friday, January 22, to officially unveil the new suite and give a talk to members of the Sixth Form. The centre, which required 14km of cabling, has been created by transforming existing rooms, some of them from living quarters, with

FUN

Family picnic for village is confirmed by councillors

ANOTHER family picnic is to be held in Twyford this summer, the parish council has confirmed. The theme of the picnic will once again be fitness, and some commercial and charity stall holders have already booked their place. During a meeting of Twyford Parish Council on January 12, a council spokesperson said: “The aim is not to make money, it is a local event, for parishioners to have a pleasant afternoon in local facilities.”

CONCERT

Singers’ free charity event

ACORN Singers are holding a lunchtime concert in aid of the Mayor’s Charity, Macmillan Cancer Support on Thursday, between noon and 1pm in the Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham. The group will be performing To Shorten Winter’s Sadness. Entry is free and refreshments will be provided.

AWARD

Louise is Cadet of the Year MAIDEN Erlegh student Louise Martin, who is also a Sergeant in the 1996 (Earley) Squadron Air Training Corps, has been selected to be the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire’s Cadet for the Year.

One of the rooms in the new IT centre and, below, Dexter Beard, 12, tries out the equipment.

each room being carefully restored to leave features such as fireplaces, stained glass windows and even old graffiti in place. Peter Thomas, Second Master at RBCS, said: “As a boy, the world of IT was full of bits and bytes that I struggled to understand. Our school has wisely invested in resources that will give our students the best start in life. “The new IT Centre will be a hub of innovation and a place of growth of knowledge and understanding.” Ms Lamb said: “It is a privilege and a delight to be here and see your incredible asset. “I hope you all get as much out of IT as I have, IT is very cool!”

DRAMA

Hero postie saves man after crash By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk A POSTMAN from Wokingham has been praised after his quick-thinking helped save the life of a young man who was hit by a car in December. Tony Peet, 54, who lives in Frederick Place, was at a food van in Reading Road on Friday, December 18, with his wife Tracy, when the young man, believed to be in his twenties, was struck by a car. The man was flung across the road and hit the wall surrounding St Paul’s Church, sustaining a large cut to his head. Tony, who works for the Royal Mail in Wokingham, had completed a St John Ambulance First Aid at Work course in September so knew he could potentially help the injured man and had the confidence to take action. He said: “I ran across the road and found he had a huge gash in his head, he was unconscious, and was obviously

bleeding heavily from the wound. I checked he was breathing, cleared his airway, and then applied pressure to his head using a scarf. After three or four minutes he came around but then went into shock.” Tony kept the man calm and continued to talk to him and reassure him until the first response paramedic from South Central Ambulance Service arrived. They asked Tony to continue his first aid, while they assessed the patient. The man was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford where tests revealed no fracture to the skull, but that he had broken his leg in six places. The young man’s father called Tony that Sunday to say his son was alive and well, and thanked him for everything he had done. Tony said he felt relieved to know the young man was all-right, but did not think of himself as a hero. He said: “The training I’d had really

Tony Peet has been hailed a hero for helping a man who had been injured in a car accident.

helped me to keep calm. I didn’t panic and everyone who was there thanked me for what I did. I certainly didn’t feel like a hero, but I must admit to being hugely relieved to get a call from his dad to say he was OK. “I really think more people should learn first aid – you never know when you may need it.” St John Ambulance provides workplace

first aid, plus health and safety courses for more than 55,000 people every year across the South East. Deborah Adwent, the charity’s regional training manager, said: “I’d like to congratulate Tony on helping in what must have been a traumatic situation. “We aim to give people the confidence and skills to provide first aid when the time comes. Tony did just that, so we’re proud of him and proud of the local trainer, Tom Brindley, who taught him. “This incident also shows the wider positive impact workplace first aid training can have in your local community. It can have wide reaching benefits at work, at home or even when you’re out and about.” n For more information on St John Ambulance, including how to make a donation, volunteering opportunities, and details of training for the public, schools and businesses, visit www.sja.org.uk or call 0303 003 0101.

NEWS | 7

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Friday, January 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

TRANSPORT

‘Danger’ A329M is working — council

CAMPAIGN

EXCLUSIVE

MOTORISTS angry at the changes to the A329M should keep up the pressure for improvements to the ‘danger’ road. That’s the view of Reading East MP Rob Wilson, whose constituency backs on to the road. He was responding to news that two petitions have been set up to try and restore the A329M. The first has been set up on Change.org by David Luck, a member of a Fix The A329M Facebook group, and aims to “Instruct Highways England to revisit the recent changes to the A329M”. If it reaches 10,000 signatures, then the Government will respond and if its reaches 100,000 it will be considered for a debate in Parliament. A second petition has been set up by UKIP councillor Phil Ray and is aimed at Wokingham Borough Council. If it reaches 1,500 signatures then the council will discuss it at a council meeting. Mr Ray said: “I have created a petition on WBC’s website. If it reaches 1,500 signatures they will need to discuss it at a full council meeting.” Mr Wilson told The Wokingham Paper: “I’ve raised the concerns of my constituents with Highways England. In terms of the petition to Parliament, should this reach 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate by the Petitions Committee. Until this time, the important thing is to keep up the pressure on Highways England to improve safety for road-users.” His comments echo that of Mr Redwood, who said that the petition is a good way for people to express their views on the A329M project. He told The Wokingham Paper: “I am taking it [the A329M issues] up with Ministers, Highways England and the Borough. An adjournment style debate would not add much to what I am already doing, but it is good to have an expression of opinion from the many who have to use the road.”

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk WOKINGHAM’S notorious ‘danger’ road is reducing queues of traffic and is safe for all road users, according to Wokingham Borough Council’s highways chief. The claims come as Highways England (HE) finally complete work to improve signage on the A329M and hand back responsibility for the road to the council.

All this week and last, HE has been installing the new signs that end its involvement with the year-long project to convert the two-lane motorway into two single lane carriageways, one for the A329M and one for traffic going on to the M4. Since the project opened in October last year, we have reported on numerous accidents and near misses while readers have commented on the increased journey times they face as the single lane A329M has

caused additional delays to their commutes. Both John Redwood MP and Rob Wilson MP have also added their weight to the campaign to restore the A329M (see right) and a Facebook group has been set up called Fix The A329M. It currently has more than 900 members. However, councillor John Kaiser, Wokingham Borough Council’s (WBC) executive member for planning and highways, told The Wokingham Paper

ACCIDENT

Lane changing driver causes car shunt A MAN driving his girlfriend to work has been left facing a £1,500 repair bill after being the victim of an alleged hit and run on the A329M. Stef Bird’s Toyota was involved in a shunt after a black Ford Fiesta pulled out of the M4 lane to stay on to the A329M. Mr Bird said that the driver did this at the last moment without indicating, causing the accident. Mr Bird said that the driver of the Fiesta then carried on without stopping. It is possible that the driver was unaware that a collision had occurred. He told The Wokingham Paper: “I was taking my girlfriend to work, there was a Jaguar in front of me and a black Fiesta on the inside lane merging into the M4. “At the last second the black Fiesta

pulled out without indicating and braked suddenly, forcing the Jag to slam his brakes on and come to a near stop. Luckily the Jaguar stopped in time, but I was not as fortunate. “Me and the Jaguar driver swapped details and went on our way but the driver of the Fiesta just carried on as if

nothing had happened.” And since the changes to the A329M, which came into effect last October, Mr Bird said that he had witnessed several other incidents on the road. “The new layout is so dangerous, I’ve had many near-misses there, one involving an articulated lorry.”

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that the changes to the A329M are working and are an improvement. It has also been given an independent safety audit. He said: “The recent A329M scheme was designed by Highways England to reduce the amount of traffic queuing on the M4 – something that had been identified as a significant safety problem. “The design was checked by WBC’s consultants, WSP, and both agreed it should provide the necessary capacity at the junction that would be safe for all road users. And this has worked.” Speaking on the problems related to the signs on the road, which have added to motorists’ confusion, Cllr Kaiser was upbeat. “The originally planned scheme is now complete,” he said. “The scheme’s safety was audited independently before Christmas and one of the recommendations made was to improve signage. “The additional permanent signs will be in place by the end of January.” And the council aims to continue to monitor the way in which motorists are using the new A329M. “In the last couple of weeks we’ve carried out video surveys and further ones will be carried out in the next few weeks,” Cllr Kaiser said. “This will help us identify what is causing delays, in particular during the morning rush hour, and what measures we could safely implement to reduce them if it’s appropriate.”

MP: ‘Keep up the pressure’ as petitions launched

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8 | NEWS

Parish noticeboard Monday, February 1 Hurst Parish Council. 7.30pm. Hurst Village Hall, School Road, Hurst,RG10 0DR Wokingham Town Council arts and culture meeting. 7.30pm. Wokingham Town Hall, Wokingham Wargrave Full Planning and Highways meeting. 7.45pm. Old Pavilion, Wargrave

Tuesday, February 2 Arborfield Parish Committee Meeting. 7.30pm. Pavillion, Arborfield Park, Swallowfield Road, Arborfield Wokingham Town Council Planning and Transport meeting. 7.30pm. Wokingham Town Hall, Wokingham Crowthorne Parish Council meeting. 7.30pm. Crowthorne Parish Hall, 48 Heath Hill Road South, Crowthorne RG45 7BW

Wednesday, February 3 Wokingham Borough Council Planning Committee. 7pm. Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1BN Finchampstead Amenities Meeting. 7.30pm. Parish Office, FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North Finchampstead, RG40 4ES Ruscombe Parish Council meeting. 7.30pm. Loddon Hall Road, Twyford, RG10 9JA

Saturday, February 6 Crowthorne Parish Council monthly surgery. 11am. Crowthorne Parish Hall, 48 Heath Hill Road South, Crowthorne RG45 7BW

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To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk n A 19-year-old man from Wokingham has pleaded guilty to assault. Marcus Ryan Waines, of Frederick Close, pleaded guilty to assaulting another man in Wokingham on August 10, 2014. Mr Waines appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on December 17 where he was ordered to complete 90 hours of unpaid work during the next 12 months, pay compensation of £150, a victim surcharge of £60, and costs of £620. n A MAN from Woodley has been fined more than £300 for using a vehicle that had been declared as off the road. Duncan Clive Chadwick, 54, of Martin Close, was found to have used a Ford Ka on a public road on October 19, despite having made a Statutory Off-Road Notification regarding the vehicle. Mr Chadwick was fined £320, ordered to pay a vehicle excise back duty of £45, costs of £90 and a criminal courts charge of £150. Mr Chadwick was not present for the hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court on December 18. n A 26-year-old woman from Woodley has been fined £220 for failing to tax her vehicle. Stacey Johnson, of Knowle Road, was proved to have used a Ford Focus LX on a public road on October 15, despite the vehicle being unlicensed. Miss Johnson was fined £220, ordered to pay an vehicle excise back duty of £38.34, costs of £90 and a criminal courts charge of £150. Miss Johnson was not present for the hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court on December 18.

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, January 29, 2016

From the courts

n A MAN from Earley has pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. Alexis Bruno Alfred Simmons, 20, of Pimento Drive, was fined £110 after he was found with a silver metal butterfly knife in Sindlesham on July 1 last year. Mr Simmons was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20, costs of £85 and a criminal courts charge of £180 when he appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on December 21. n A 39-year-old woman from Earley has been fined £110 for driving offences. Ibrat Shaheen, of Delamere Road, was found guilty of driving a vehicle without due care and attention on the

A329 Wokingham Road on December 12 2014. Mrs Shaheen was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £520 to the Crown Prosecution Service when she appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on December 21. n A MAN from Wokingham has pleaded guilty to stealing two boxes of chocolates from Marks and Spencer. Tony John Hawker, 30, of Peach Street, was handed a nine month conditional discharge, ordered to pay compensation of £20, a victim surcharge of £15, costs of £50 and a criminal courts charge of £150 when he appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on December 21.

The charge relates to an incident at the Rose Street shop on November 11. n A 52-year-old woman from Wokingham has pleaded guilty to driving while above the alcohol limit. Sarah Ellen Comerford, of Hawkins Way, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on December 21 where she pleaded guilty to the charge, which related to an incident in Nine Mile Ride on December 6. Mrs Comerford was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £60, costs of £85, and a criminal courts charge of £150. n A MAN from Wokingham is due to appear in court charged with assault. Dariusz Pawel Sarota, 33, of Sharonelle Court, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on December 21 where he pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault by beating. The charge relates to an incident in Elms Road on October 12. Mr Sarota was remanded on unconditional bail to reappear at the same court on March 11. n A 71-year-old man from Wokingham has pleaded guilty to assault. Dr Jose Angel Chiesa, of Shaftesbury Court, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on December 22 for sentencing after pleading guilty to the charge of assault by beating on October 14. The charge relates to an incident on October 12. Dr Chiesa was given a conditional discharge for 12 months, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £15, costs of £85 and a criminal courts charge of £150.

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10 | BUSINESS

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Business

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, January 29, 2016

Got a business story? Email news@wokingham paper.co.uk. or write to The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS

EVENT

OPENING

A purr-fect choice for pets

Peer into the future with 3D printing day A LOOK at the future of printing is coming to the Thames Valley next month. The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce is organising a day conference exploring 3D printing, featuring keynote addresses from some of the industry’s top technology executives. The event will take place at the Hilton Hotel in Terminal 5 at Heathrow airport on Friday, February 5. Speakers include Brunel University’s Dr Eujin Pei. He will explain research into 4D printing. The conference takes place from 8am to 11am and entry is free to Chamber members or £24 for non-members. n For more or to book, call 01753 870500 or visit www.thamesvalleychamber.co.uk/events

FUNDRAISING

Firm’s charity appeal A LOCAL law firm is appealing for charities looking for support to come forward. Over the past two years, Blandy & Blandy has raised almost £25,000 for Younger People with Dementia (Berkshire West) and Camp Mohawk. Now it’s looking for new charities to back from July this year. Fundraising activities have ranged from regular staff competitions, events and dress-down days to a highly popular quiz night, which welcomed 17 leading Thames Valley firms and in itself raised over £2,500. If your charity would like to be considered, contact david.lamont@blandy.co.uk. The closing date for completed applications is Friday, March 11.

Kiera Browne and Louisa Brooks at the launch of Pets Corner at Wyvale Healthlands in Wokingham. Pictures: Phil Creighton

A NEW pet shop has opened in Wokingham, offering animal lovers the chance to stock up on ethical treats for their animals. Pets Corner arrived at Wyvale Heathlands Garden Centre on Saturday. The new store has created four jobs and features a wide variety of pet products including cages, foods and grooming accessories. Where possible, the company buys British – and from small independent companies. Scott Sherriff, regional manager at Pets Corner, said: “We are delighted

to be bringing our animal expertise to Wokingham. “Everyone at Pets Corner is incredibly passionate about animals and we are committed to delivering the highest quality of service and care. “The whole team has been trained in giving advice that will help make pets’ lives as safe and happy as possible. We are looking forward to meeting our Wokingham customers.” The company also has branches at Wyvale’s garden centres in Winnersh, Binfield and Hare Hatch.

RECORD

New figures reveal 2015 was a business best for Berkshire

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By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokinghampaper.co.uk MORE than 1,300 new businesses were registered in Wokingham last year – part of a record total for the Thames Valley. According to new research released by www.informdirect.co.uk, there were 9,135 companies registered in Berkshire during 2015, the highest figure ever. It represents a 2.9% growth and there are now a total of 63,186 companies registered in the region. The figures have been released in a new report, The Inform Direct Review of UK Company Formations in 2015. The research reveals that across the country, there were a record-breaking 612,565 firms formed across the United Kingdom — up from 586,784 the year before.

Of those, 551,886 companies were in England, 34,711 in Scotland, 14,689 in Wales and 7,254 in Northern Ireland. Henry Catchpole, managing director of Inform Direct, said: “Our dynamic economy and business-friendly environment are the reasons there is a ‘Great’ in Great Britain. “All around the world, governments are spending time and money to figure out the best way to foster an entrepreneurial culture that helps boost the economy. “But here in the UK, our politicians can nurture this business mentality that has established itself organically.” And Mr Catchpole added that the region enjoyed a very good 12 months. “Berkshire has had a very successful year and the figures indicate a surge in

entrepreneurialism in 2015 for this region,” he said. Of the new companies created last year in Berkshire, 2,105 were in Slough, 1,711 were in Windsor and Maidenhead, 1,680 were in Reading and 1,528 were in West Berkshire. A further 1,303 were registered in Wokingham and 808 in Bracknell Forest. Inform Direct, which is a provider of online company formations and secretarial software, used its software to identify not only start-ups, but also the number of UK companies dissolved in the same period. n To see more on company formations in Berkshire visit www.informdirect.co.uk/ company-formations-2015/berkshire

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WHILE the number of businesses registered across the Thames Valley may have risen last year, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is warning that workloads for small builders shrank. Last week, it released its latest State of Trade Survey, which it said reveals worries over wider economic uncertainty. Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “The building industry remains confident of continued growth but the slowdown we saw in the last quarter is a cause for concern. “Undoubtedly, the adverse weather experienced in large parts of the country has played its part, by causing projects to overrun and costs to spiral. “However, the fact that both current and expected construction workloads are

down in every region is worrying given some of the gloomy predictions being made about the wider economy.” Mr Berry said that the last three months of 2015 represented the first quarter in nearly three years in which private sector SME housebuilding showed a negative balance, something the FMB feels is “most concerning”. “Even if this is a temporary blip, it comes at a time when merely managing to tread water would be inadequate in tackling the housing crisis,” he continued. “We need firms of all sizes firing on all cylinders if we’re going to address the chronic under-supply of housing but, unfortunately, a complex set of problems continue to constrain smaller developers.”

The FMB wants there to be a concerted effort to tackle ongoing issues around access to finance, availability of suitable small sites and shortages of skilled labour is vital. “The survey findings underline the latter point, showing 52% of our members reporting difficulty in finding carpenters and joiners, and 50% continue to have trouble hiring quality bricklayers,” Mr Berry said. Despite the gloom, the FMB does expect there to be a bounce back during 2016 but a warning remains in place for the economy. Mr Berry said: “If 2016 starts in anything less than a positive fashion, we could see growing fears that the hardearned gains made by the construction industry over the past two or three years are indeed under threat.”

NEWS | 11

Friday, January 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

WINDOWS & DOORS

CONSERVATORIES

The worship group, from left: Abigail Merchant, Emily Preston, Megan Webb, Lucy Preston and Joel Bowring. Pictures: Phil Creighton

CHURCH

Teens find unity in prayer

Isabel Green introduces the Lord’s Prayer at the Unity service at Wokingham Methodist Church. Inset: Teenager Alex Freeney preaches the sermon at the event, held to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Below and right: Worshippers during the

TEENAGERS from Wokingham’s churches came together to lead a special service on Sunday night. Held to mark the annual Week of Prayer For Christian Unity, the youngsters hosted the event at Wokingham Methodist Church in Rose Street on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham. Around 150 people attended including church leaders, parents and members of the town’s churches. It was introduced by 16-yearold Isabel Green from Wokingham Baptist Church and included a sermon on Pentecost, based on Acts 2, given by 13-yearold Alex Freeney, who also

attends the Milton Road church. A Bible reading was given by Matt Ceaser, 17, from Kings Church in Station Road, while Megan Webb led a reflection on unity. A group of teenagers interviewed adults on their thoughts relating to inter-church unity, while singing was led by a band from Kings Church, comprising Abigail Merchant, Emily Preston, Megan Webb, Lucy Preston and Joel Bowring. The congregation were given candles to light and hold as they prayed the Lord’s Prayer. The event closed with a prayer for unity by the Revd Nick Hudson, minister of Wokingham Baptist and chair of Churches Together in Wokingham.

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Jesus Jones to join The Wurzels at TwyFest A POPULAR Indie band have revealed that they will be headlining a local music festival this summer. Jesus Jones, who were hugely successful in the 1990s, will be performing at this year’s TwyFest, in a bill that also includes The Wurzels and tribute band Kings ov Leon. The group shared in a Facebook post their excitement at coming to Twyford for the event, saying they enjoy the

atmosphere at smaller events. The music day on Saturday, June 4, is just part of the 10day festival, which includes a talent show, a darts contest, comedy nights and food and drink events. It is organised by members of the Twyford Village Partnership. Jesus Jones are quite a coup

for the Festival, with a string of hits to their name. Their 1991 album Doubt topped the charts. Writing on their Facebook page on Monday morning, Jesus Jones said: “We’re delighted to tell you we’ll be headlining band night at Twyfest, in Twyford near Wokingham, on June the 4th. We’ve always loved playing small intimate festivals like this — the crowds are amazing the

atmosphere is second to none. “It’s close to the M4, it’s an easy journey from London, it’s going to be a great day out!” Tickets are due to go on sale in April. n Twyford’s Got Talent is open for entries. The fun event takes place on Sunday, May 29 in a specially-erected marquee in The Duke of Wellington pub. For more details, log on to www.facebook.com/ twyfordsgottalent

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CRIME

FUNDRAISING

‘Opportunistic’ thief swipes iPad from home

Santa’s gift to local charities

AN iPad was stolen in what police have described as an opportunistic burglary in Crowthorne last Sunday. Between 11am and 9.50pm someone entered a property in Lupin Ride through an unlocked side gate and an open rear door. An iPad which had been left on the kitchen table was stolen. Anyone with any information relating to this incident, or saw anything suspicious around the time, should call the Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.

WOKINGHAM

Get ready for the big day with this wedding fare

BRIDES-to-be can pick up tips and ideas at a wedding fare in Wokingham on Sunday. St Anne’s Manor in London Road is the venue for the event, which will feature local suppliers to help get people ready for their big day. There will also be bridal fashion shows at 12.30pm and 2.30pm. The event runs from 11am to 3.30pm and entry is free. For more details, call 01276 451498.

CRIME

Warning after thieves attempt to force garage

A GARAGE in Wokingham has been targeted during an attempted burglary. Between Sunday, January 10, and January 24, someone attempted to break into a garage in Tangley Drive but the offenders were unable to force the door open and nothing was stolen. If anyone has any information regarding this incident they should call 101.

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, January 29, 2016

Andrea Burlingham, Rose Burgess and Tim Pascall celebrate HareHatch Sheeplands grotto.

Seed Communities in Jamaica where I was born. It is my charity of the year and helps disadvantaged young people. “Locally we are also helping Camp Mohawk at Wargrave as well as a number of other beneficiaries.” Mr Pascall added: “We are grateful to Hare Hatch Sheeplands for helping us again. So many grottos are now run for commercial benefit that’s it’s wonderful to find one still willing to help charitable causes.” Ms Burlingham said: “We try very hard to be a good neighbour in the local community and this is just part of our effort. I can confirm that we will be happy to be home to Santa’s grotto again next Christmas.”

SANTA Claus proved as popular as ever at a garden centre in Twyford, raising an incredible £3,500 for charity during his stay at Christmas. Nearly 1,200 children visited Santa’s grotto at Hare Hatch Sheeplands, in Bath Road, during the 12 days it was open. Volunteers from the Rotary Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh made sure that Father Christmas and his elf helpers were always in attendance to welcome visitors. On Friday, the club’s President Rose Burgess and Treasurer Tim Pascall collected the money from Andrea Burlingham of Sheeplands. Rose Burgess said: “Various local and international charities plus various good causes will benefit including Mustard

SUPPORT

Council denies it is ‘failing’ on care EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk A MISTAKE in Wokingham council’s response to a Freedom of Information (FoI) request regarding care home fees has led to it being accused of flouting the rules. The Independent Age charity sent out FoI requests to all councils in England. Of the 18 in the South East that responded, the charity says that 11 of them — including Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) and neighbouring Bracknell and

Reading councils — are failing to meet their responsibilities to help with the cost of caring for the elderly. However, the council said earlier this week that it made an error when it responded to the request for information and it is compliant with its responsibilities under the Care Act. Cllr Julian McGhee Sumner, WBC’s executive member for health and wellbeing, said: “Having reviewed the information supplied, it’s clear we made an error in our own submission. “We had stated that third party top ups were private arrangements between the care home and the third party (usually a relative); they are not, they are governed by

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Wokingham Borough Council. “Under the Care Act we are required to manage third party top ups to give protection to the third party and to underwrite the payment to the care home – in other words if the third party fails to pay, the council must make good the shortfall. “We are well aware of our top up responsibilities and we ensure the correct contractual safeguards are in place wherever a third party top up is arranged. We also offer advice and guidance to anyone looking to make such an arrangement. “The funding we received for all of our new Care Act duties has for 2016/17, been wrapped into our general formula grant, which was then cut by over 50 per cent.” Janet Morrison, Chief Executive of Independent Age, said: “Top-up fees must be fair, be agreed in writing and be

reviewed regularly. “Rules introduced by the Government make it clear that it is councils that are responsible for making sure this happens and relatives are not charged unfair fees. Yet our research shows that many councils in the South East are failing to do this.” The charity says that families of the poorest pensioners could be subsidising the cost of essential care unnecessarily and that, across England, an estimated 50,000 older people have relatives paying a ‘top-up’ towards their care costs, ranging from tens to hundreds of pounds a week. Ms Morrison added: “Anyone who is concerned about paying unfair care home fees can speak to one of our advisers for free and confidential advice on 0800 319 6789 or visit our website www.independentage.org for more information.”

REFURBISHMENT

A red letter day for post office A POST office in Woodley is due to close for a week while refurbishment works are carried out. Brecon Post Office, at The Parade, Brecon Road, will close for up to seven days at some point in March or April to allow the works to take place. A poster detailing the exact dates will be displayed in the branch at least two weeks before. Once reopened, customers will be able to take advantage of more services at the post office and benefit from longer opening hours. The renovation will include two new low-screened, open-plan style service points integrated into the retail counter. The post office will now open

between 7.30am and 6pm Monday to Saturday, and 7.30am to 12pm on Sunday. While the work is being carried out customers are advised to use Twyford Post Office, 19 London

Road, Twyford, RG10 9EH. Customers will also be asked for their feedback once the changes have taken place. Details will be available in the branch shortly after the re-opening.

ENVIRONMENT

New planting scheme for Stanlake Meadow DEVELOPING the biodiversity at Stanlake Meadow was put under the spotlight at a meeting of Twyford Parish Council’s Parish Lands Committee earlier this month. Network Rail’s Mike Franklin,

spoke at the meeting about the planting carried out last year. Some of this had failed and he presented two options of new planting to the committee. It was agreed that a hedge of hawthorn, privet, dogwood,

guilder rose and hazel will be planted along the boundary where there is a new acoustic fence. Watering is not recommended as this encourages root development too close to the surface.

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Friday, January 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Matt Willis climbed Mount Kilimanjaro after his father was diagnosed with dementia.

MUSIC

Erasure and Adam Ant will headline Rewind festival By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE line-up for the 80s revival festival Rewind South was announced this week. The festival, which will take place between August 19 and 21 at Temple Islands Meadow in Henley-onThames, sees thousands of music fans descend on the area to re-live the golden age of glam rock, cheesy pop and the new romantics. The line-up for the festival was revealed on Tuesday, with plenty of big names guaranteed to transport revellers back to their youth. On Saturday, August 20, Andy Bell from synth-pop duo Erasure will headline the main stage, along with Rick Astley, and Tony Hadley from Spandau Ballet, who will be appearing with an orchestra. Other names added to the line-up on

Saturday include Jimmy Somerville, Leo Sayer, Snap, The Trevor Horn Band and The Real Thing. On Sunday, August 21, glam-rock icon Adam Ant will headline, along with Soft Cell’s Marc Almond, Heather Small from M People, The Blockheads and the Earth Wind and Fire Experience along with many more. The festival is one of three Rewind events which take place over the summer. Rewind North takes place in Cheshire between August 5 and 7, and Rewind Scotland takes place in Perth between July 22 and 24. Tickets for Rewind Festival go on sale today (Friday). Day tickets start at £54.50 for adults and £27.25 for children. Weekend tickets start at £97.50 for adults, £48.75 for children. n For the full line-up and ticket details visit www.rewindfestival.com, search 80s Rewind Festival on Facebook

FUNDRAISING

Matt is on top of the world after raising £6k A WOKINGHAM man whose father was diagnosed with dementia aged just 52 has “smashed” his fundraising goal by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Matt Willis, 30, who lives in Tamarisk Rise, set himself the challenge of raising £5,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society after his dad, Michael Willis, was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia seven years ago, but he has already raised more than £6,000.

As well as climbing the African mountain, Matt completed a 54-mile London to Brighton cycle ride and the Windsor Half Marathon, both in September. Matt, who works in the e-commerce department at Salon Services in Winnersh, said: “In the lead up to the trek I was a mixture of nerves and excitement and, even though I’d done plenty of training, I don’t think I was prepared for just how tough

it would be! We faced some pretty wet conditions during the first few days which made it difficult, and the altitude certainly took its toll. “So far I’ve managed to raise £6,125, with some donations still to come in. My target was £5k so I’m delighted to have smashed my fundraising goal!” n To support Matt visit www.justgiving. com/mattwillisalzheimers.

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TRANSPORT

Motorists urged to plan journey during M4 closure

DRIVERS face a lengthy detour for the next fortnight as the M4 is shut for roadworks. Engineers working on the new Shinfield Eastern Relief Road will be closing the M4 in both directions between junctions 10 and 11 to enable work on a new bridge to be completed. During the closures, Hochtief (UK) Construction will be pouring concrete on to the new bridge deck. The work is due to start on Monday and is weather dependent. Organisers hope the road will be closed for just six nights over the two-week period, between 9pm and 6am each time. A diversion will be in place, using the B3270 and the A329M. Further closures will be required later in the project. For more details visit: www.southofm4.com

Richard, Christ and Veronica Athroll behind the bar of the new look Dog & Duck. Pictures: Phil Creighton

CLUBS

New Rotary ‘satellite’ group holds formal launch

A SATELLITE group to the Rotary Club of Loddon Vale is to launch in Woodley this weekend. The Satellite Club of Loddon Vale will meet twice a month at Woodley Library in Headley Road and The Bosco Lounge in Crockhamwell Road. It is hoped that the club, which will be run by Anne Coulson, President of the Rotary Club of Loddon Vale, can provide better flexibility and accessibility to potential members. District Governor Fred King will be among the guests at the club’s launch, which takes place in the library at Waingels College in Waingels Road this Saturday, at 2pm. New members are welcome to attend. For further information email loddonvalerotary@gmail.com

TRANSPORT

Detours in places during town’s half marathon

THERE will be a number of road closures during the Wokingham Half Marathon on Sunday, February 21. The following roads will be shut from 9am to 1.30pm to enable runners to complete the course safely: Bellfoundry Lane, Warren House Road, Maidenhead Road, Forest Road, B3018 The Straight Mile, Darvills Lane, Hungerford Lane, Hinton Road Hurst, Broadcommon Road, IslandStone Lane, Broadcommon Lane, n For more details, log on to: www. wokinghamhalfmarathon.co.uk

EMMBROOK

New publicans keep it in the family! EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk AN EMMBROOK pub has been given a new lease of life after a receiving a makeover. The Dog and Duck in Matthewsgreen Road reopened earlier this month after a two-week refurbishment by new landlords Richard and Veronica Athroll. And they are already attracting support and interest from the local community – they have hosted a number of local groups since they arrived in November and next week they will hold a gathering for the new

Mulberry Grove residents. “It’s all about getting the community together,” said Mr Athroll, who spent 32 years in the military before moving to Emmbrook. “We’re aiming to be a real family and welcoming pub.” This is the couple’s first pub and they moved from Ash in Hampshire after discovering the inn. So far, everything has been going well for them and they say they have been welcomed by customers old and new alike. “We’ve taken to it like a Dog and Duck to water,” joked Mr Athroll. “We’ve had a nice warm welcome and we’ve enjoyed getting to know people.”

While the interior of the pub has had an extensive makeover, some things have remained the same: the pub quiz is still taking place on Mondays and, as Mr Athroll said, “It’s run by one of the guys who beat the Eggheads in the BBC TV quiz of the same name.” They’re looking to build the business up and have recruited their son, Chris, for kitchen duties. But it is not nepotism: he has extensive experience in other restaurants including head chef at Bill’s in Guildford.

Mrs Athroll explained the plan for the food: “It’s all fresh food, there’s nothing brought in. We’re very proud of it all being fresh. People have noticed the difference. Our fish pie has big chunks of fish in.” Food is served lunchtimes and evenings Monday-Thursday, all day on Friday and Saturday and on Sunday afternoons. n The Neighbours Get Together for the Mulberry Grove estate takes place on Wednesday, February 3 from 6pm to 8pm.

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The Streets of Wokingham (IN Need) Have you seen the Homeless and Needy Within the streets of Wokingham “Kicking up the papers with their worn out shoes” Why is this happening to many people in our own town We need to help and provide care, shelter and a new life Join Wokingham IN Need and make a difference How can you help us to help those in need And provide the love and help they require “Let us take you by the hand And lead you through the streets of Wokingham” Wokingham IN Need will show you how to make a difference. Contact Us Now: wokinghaminneed@gmail.com

SAVVY shoppers will be able to pick up a bargain as a charity furniture shop in Winnersh is closing down. Age Concern Winnersh Triangle, which is based in Wharfedale Road, is clearing out its stock ahead of the closure in February. The shop, which has operated from the premises for the last four years, is closing as the lease has now come to an end. The shop is run by around eight volunteers, as well as students on work placements, and is only one of two outlets that stocks large furniture, the other being in Maidenhead. Shop assistant Jenny Daish said: “It does such a services this place because most of our customers just can’t afford shop prices.” The shop provides much more than just household goods, often giving customers

somewhere to go for a chat. Volunteer Alan Sloman said: “Some customers come for the company and a cup of tea, they don’t even have to buy anything.” Manager Mandy Laitham said: “We just want to say a big thank you to all our customers.” The outlet is expected to close in mid-February, the exact date is yet to be arranged. Age Concern are still looking for new premises in the Wokingham area to use as a warehouse for large furniture. For more information visit www. ageconcernsabe.org.uk. Alan Sloman, volunteer, Jenny Daish, assistant manager, and volunteer Renee Joubert. Picture: Vivienne Johnson

CONSULTATION

Have your say on the future of borough’s libraries A PLAN to ask Wokingham people what they think its libraries should look like in the future was set to be approved last night (Thursday). Councillors on Wokingham Borough Council were due to rubber stamp a plan to hold an eight-week consultation where opinions would be gather from a broad section of the community. The plan states that the borough’s libraries increased usage means they are bucking the national trend and the

consultation wants to find ways in which the council can enhance and improve services. In the draft plan, library services in all areas would be kept open, possibly for longer. It also looks at ways in which the libraries can generate income and make better use of technology. What may be controversial is a plan to introduce self-service facilities, leading to some times when libraries will be open but unstaffed.

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, WBC’S Executive member for resident services, said: “Our proposed library offer enshrines the principle that books are at the heart of our libraries and why it would also mean our most popular libraries would open for longer without increasing our running costs. “If the executive approves, our plan is to seek a wide range of views on the library offer. I am very interested in your views on our proposals.”

Friday, January 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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THE WOKINGHAM 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

Make sure you have your say on Elms Field CONTESTANTS on the television gameshow Catchphrase are always encouraged to say what they see. And that’s exactly the opportunity that the borough’s residents – us – have been given by the council over a wide range of schemes. Over the past few weeks, there have been consultations on childcare, parking charges, new development sites, Peach Place and, of course, Elms Field. These are real opportunities for us to collectively look at the schemes and ideas on offer and share our insights, thoughts and dreams on them. And when it comes to projects such as the Elms Field regeneration, many of us do have a voice and we’d like it heard. Today is the last opportunity for comments to be made on the Elms Field project. It’s been a hugely contentious part of the regeneration of the borough and many of you have strong feelings about different aspects of the plans. This week, we report on The Wokingham Society’s dismay at aspects of it, but there are also concerns from residents about losing a green lung. There’s been enough concerns for a petition to be set up and it’s gained more than 1,300 signatures. It means that there are significant enough voices for the powers-that-be to listen. Previous protests led to a rethink of the Elms Field plans to produce the current ones. While the planning process is now to take its due, it will do so with your comments and views as part of the deliberations. Your voices will be heard, so regardless of what you think of the Elms Field plans, make sure you have your say.

CHURCH NOTES

Candlemas is coming IT was good to be out on a frosty but sunny Tuesday last week and see the snowdrops in flower. But what does your diary tell you about next Tuesday — February 2? Is it special? Well actually yes! It is Candlemas which is on February 2 every year and is 40 days after Christmas. Candlemas, which is also known as the Feast of Presentation of the Lord, marks the occasion when his parents brought Jesus to Jerusalem for two ancient ceremonies. The first was the ‘Redemption of the First-born’ (Numbers 18: 16). All first-born male children were held to belong to God, and had to be ‘bought back’ at a cost of five shekels (about 75p), money that was paid to the priest (Exodus 13:2). This is perhaps a reminder to us that we believe children are a precious gift from God. The second ceremony was the purification of Mary, for which she had to bring two offerings: a lamb for a burnt offering and a pigeon for a sin offering. Poor folk, who could not afford a lamb could bring two young pigeons, which we read was all Mary and Joseph could offer another reminder of the poverty of the home into which Jesus was born. In the early Church — indeed up to the present day in some places — this day was traditionally celebrated with the blessing of candles and with the young girls of the parish bringing snowdrops to place on the altar. The candles are to remind us of the words of old Simeon (Luke 2: 25 32), who took the baby Jesus in his arms and said of him that he would be “a light to reveal your will to the Gentiles, and glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2: 32). The snowdrops represent the purity of Mary. Jim Dunning on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham

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Your views

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

Send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Football stand plan is a ‘high price to pay’ for club’s future I HAVE been a Wokingham resident for over 45 years, and, for the first 25 of those, an active supporter of the Town’s Football Club. That the Club is still alive is much to the credit of Mark Ashwell, a long-term sponsor and now a club trustee. But plans that have recently been revealed for the small Lowther Road ground, endowing it with 18 metre high floodlights and a 6ft wooden stockade, ripe for adornment with graffiti, in the midst of a built up area, seem a large price to pay both for the club and local residents. Especially since at an open meeting a few months back, Mark emphasised that the need and ambition of the club was to stay in its league, or go up just a Division or so, all well below its stature of 20 years ago. But it now appears, from club manager Dan Bateman’s interview with your newspaper (22 January), that the aim of the development is much grander, to cater for the needs of hundreds and possibly thousands of young footballers in the borough. This motivation for development of the club in the future is to be applauded. But it surely cannot be accommodated at Lowther Road, even with a few more car parking spaces and an added toilet or two. Dan Bateman also describes the town as having new houses built on every square inch of land. I know of a local green space with millions of square inches of land, already blessed with sports fields, floodlights and no need for fencing. It’s called Cantley Park. I’m sure, really, like me, that Mark would love Wokingham Town FC to be a senior semi-professional side again, and accommodate many budding youngsters. Other ‘well-to-do’ towns boast such ambitions and facilities. So will someone tell us what the secret is about Cantley being unavailable? John Michael Nicholls, Wokingham

Let’s save £6,700 and co-opt councillor after heart op I WAS saddened to read in The Wokingham Paper (January 15) of the behaviour of Labour’s representatives regarding Councillor Sanjay Odedra’s absence from meetings due to him having major surgery from which he is recovering. He should certainly be co-opted during the period of convalescence. Sanjay has gone beyond his duties as a councillor, for instance, during a period of heavy snow in the winter of 2008, I was caring for my wife who had a terminal illness and I was running out of some essential items, so I set forth to go to Embrook Stores but unfortunately I fell on the ice covered road. I managed to return home, and telephoned the shop and

Sanjay Odedra. explained the situation and he said that he would see what he could do. At around 11pm Sanjay and his wife Rekha arrived, each carrying a large cardboard box containing

controlled by independent local government officers, not our councillors. Secondly, the granting of an acceptance of absence to the absentee councillor lies solely in the hands of the sitting council – effectively the other 20 or so Tory councillors. At any time in the six months the Tory council could have voted to accept an explanation of anticipated or actual absence. The absentee councillor did not have to be present. That the Tories did not vote on the councillor’s absence prior to the six-month deadline is indicative of the staggering complacency of the local Tory party and other Emmbrook councillors in particular. Andy Croy, Spokesperson, Wokingham Constituency Labour Party

Emmbrook by-election row: It was not called by politicians Let’s cut speed limit to 20mph PLEASE allow me to shed some light on the reasons for the Emmbrook North town council by-election. Firstly, the law is very clear. Only electors of the ward may call a town council by-election, no one else. There is no scope at all for a political party to call an election, it has to be electors and electors only. Nor is there scope for any political party to block, deny or delay a by-election. The law is there to protect us, the people, from precisely the sort of self-serving political machinations which were attempted by our sitting councillors. Thank goodness 10 electors in Emmbrook North had the decency to exercise their democratic rights. And thank goodness the electoral process is

WHY not 20mph speed limit in Wokingham now that it has been adopted for most residential roads in Cheshire West and Chester? Brian Morris, via email

The A329M is now ‘far, far safer’ when joining M4 THERE does not appear to have been enough made of the benefits of the changes to the A329M. It is now far, far safer joining the A329M from the M4 as there is no longer a very short distance provided to join and the need to watch out for the fast traffic on the inside lane. The signage on the A329M is now very clear and any motorist who doesn’t understand “M4 Only” and

everything we needed, how on earth they managed this in the dark on ice rink conditions, being a private road it is without light and unsalted. As my wife and I were approaching 90 years of age it was certainly a relief for us. I cannot see Mr Brent Lees or any of his Labour associates claiming to be democratic, they are not behaving so. Councillors’ duties are not just as politicians — they should be attending their townspeople and, to quote, not “kick then when they’re down”. Sadly my wife died shortly afterwards. So Sanjay Odedra should be co-opted so saving £6,700 of our money in doing so. Leo Hopkins, Wokingham

“A329M” only really shouldn’t be driving in the first place! The new system works has worked well for years on the M25 so give it some time to bed in. Tony Wood, via email

Speed is the problem on A329M, not the layout MY view regarding all the accidents on the new A329M is that a lot of motorists drive too fast for the prevailing conditions. They want to do 70 or 80mph whatever the volume of traffic. They also think they can cut into the lane they want at the last possible moment and that’s when the accidents are caused. There is nothing wrong with the new road layout and a little patience and attention to the road signs is all that is needed to keep the traffic flowing and avoid the shunts. CR, Wokingham

‘This country must stop migrants coming in’ IN Wokingham, crime is rising — as in all parts of the country — but the police cannot control it because of cuts from the Chancellor, though the Home Secretary, Theresa May, could push for less cuts. This country is burning up good money on dropping bombs on Syria and tackling refugees. We do not want British girls and women to face more sexual abuse from migrants as Germany is. This country must stop them coming in. Victor Rones, Bracknell

GOOD ADVICE

How you can claim compensation for a holiday problem Wokingham CAB look at a recent issue they have come across and give an answer IF SOMETHING went wrong with your holiday you might be able to get compensation from the company you booked with. Your legal rights depend on whether you went on a package holiday (i.e. a holiday with transport and accommodation included) or organised the holiday yourself. If you went on a package holiday you’re legally entitled to compensation if: n The holiday you went on was lower in value than the one you booked, e.g. you paid for a deluxe room but only got a standard room — this is called ‘loss of value’ and you can claim back the difference in value n You had to spend extra money because of a problem with the holiday, e.g. you had to pay for another

hotel because there were fewer beds than you booked — this is called claiming for ‘out-of-pocket expenses’ n Something goes wrong that causes you distress or disappointment, e.g. if the pool was closed for the whole trip - this is called ‘loss of enjoyment’ There’s no strict guidance on how much you can claim for loss of enjoyment. You’ll need to think of an amount that reflects the portion of the holiday that was affected. You’ll only be able to get the full cost of the holiday back if it was completely ruined — this rarely happens. You can’t get compensation if: n You simply didn’t enjoy the holiday, even though it matched what you booked n The problem was out of the holiday company’s control, e.g. bad weather n You’ve already been compensated, e.g. the hotel compensated you while you were staying there If your flight was cancelled your package holiday

organiser should arrange an alternative flight or give you a refund if the flight you were booked on is delayed or cancelled. Check the information you received when you made the booking to see what you’re supposed to get. If you don’t get the service you’ve been promised, you may be entitled to compensation for breach of contract. If you book a holiday that’s covered by the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL) scheme and the airline you’re supposed to fly with goes out of business, you’ll get: n A refund if you haven’t travelled yet n To finish your holiday and a flight home without paying extra, if the airline goes bust during your holiday. n You can get help, information and advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau. Visit www.adviceguide. org.uk or contact Wokingham CAB at Second Floor, Waterford House, Erfstadt Court, Wokingham RG40 2YF. Tel: 0844 499 4126. Alternatively, email: public@ wokingham-cab.org.uk

Talkin’ ’bout our ’Generation

ELEASED by ‘The Who’ in 1965 and reaching number two’s around the world, My Generation was their biggest single and went on to earn them millions. (Wikipedia - Jan 2016). Released by ‘The Wbc’ in 2010 and causing number twos around the burrow, Regeneration was their biggest disaster and went on to cost them millions. (Wikipedia - Jan 2066). In this case, it’s Regeneration and the future of Elms Field. Back in 1968, the last attempt at regeneration was the shopping arcade, from Market Place into Peach Street and it looked good. Ten years on, it was a bit dated. A decade later, it was decidedly shabby. A heart transplant that looked out of place and out of touch. In the mid 1970s, the council “developed” Elms Field, building new council offices and parking. Promises of recreational amenities got dropped, leaving a grey concrete block, no dance hall, no entertainment. That eyesore demonstrated the council’s ability to spend money on itself. But it’s been demolished recently to “make way for progress”. The car parks remain, but locked up so we can’t use them.

In 2013 plans were introduced to regenerate Wokingham as one project. After howls of public protest they were withdrawn shortly after. They reappeared in three parts: Peach Place (2014); Carnival Pool (2015) and Elms Field (late 2015). Commercially, there’s been change too as prospect after prospect has looked then backed off. Some have stayed and were rewarded for their loyalty with better positions. But the core idea remains Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) as landowner; developer; planning authority; with a goal of making the town fit for 21st century needs. Apparently it’s been “forced” into this because no commercial developer was interested, so a Regeneration Company was formed instead.

Regeneration 2 — The big push This year there’s a big push to gain support for the Elms Field plans. The “story” is varied and interesting with those in charge fully committed to making it work. The graphics are much more lifelike. But Regeneration has had a chequered past and remains fraught with difficulties. For example, what do we want a regenerated Wokingham to be? Also what do we want for Elms Field and can we afford it?

What’s character? Most live here because they like the character of our historic market town. I went looking for its future character in the plans. The glossies at Shute End have lots of £5 words strung together in resonant but meaningless phrases. None of the 50p simplicity needed. Luckily, last year I photographed buildings on the main roads in preparation for my “Lies, Damn Lies and Executive Summaries” column. It’s clear they’re all different. Frontages, widths, heights, kerb distances, windows, colours, proportions – the lot. There’s a big contrast between ground level and upper floors too. Commercially, there’s a mix of national chains and local enterprise side by side. They’ve come and gone as the town has evolved. Overall this can be described as higgledy-piggledy, almost random. Old and new in a jumble of styles, each representing its period, its owners and the changes made down the years. In a word “Character”. So for a historic market town, supplementing the dignified design diversity with big gobs of Uninspired Urban Uniformity is unlikely to appeal – wherever the UUU appears it’s Ewww.

Purpose of Elms Field In contrast, Elms Field has been a peaceful backwater. At least since the supermarket moved out and the eyesore

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LIFE

Recalling many fond times in Wokingham

Tony Johnson

Regeneration 1 — Howls of protest

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Friday, January 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Wokingham is at a crossroads – and you still have a chance to share your views on the Elms Field planning application today

was demolished. WBC could have cleaned up, but chose not to. There remains a place for public parks, as the lack of big back gardens and Dinton Pastures being choca-bloc at weekends tells us. A place where people can rest and let kids play freely, not cooped up indoors staring at screens all day. Other towns have some great parks – John Coles Park in Chippenham and Alexandra Park in Hastings to name a couple. Why not Wokingham?

Keeping up appearances As for the new-look Elms Field, WBC is planning to drop a load of four and five-storey buildings into what is historically a two and a half-storey market town. No amount of rhetoric is likely to convince the public that this is sensible. The amount of green space is being halved and whatever’s left will be overshadowed by tall buildings on three sides. Deep shadows will turn it into a gloomy place. Morning and evening. But it’ll be landscaped and better maintained than the “muddy patch” it was called by one Councillor last week. One wonders who’s responsible for maintaining the “muddy patch”? Hmmm, let me see, isn’t it the Council? On appearance then, our collective imagination seems lacking. Just like the plans for Peach Place last year, it’s as if the office junior has set the CAD system on defaults and churned out another urban bungle. The super graphics only serve to illustrate how ‘out of keeping’ the new buildings will be, as well as strengthening that UUU factor.

Thin Margins If all this isn’t bad enough, the Elms Field development is optional, according to the WBC Executive Member for Regeneration (no kidding, we heard him say it). I doubt this is true and the reason’s simple. Elms Field contributes money to Regeneration. Take it away and the financial case collapses. At 7%, the Return on Investment is already very low, perhaps due to political guidance adding a bit of cost here, shaving a bit of income there, until margins are so gossamer thin they’re transparent. Removing a big money spinner will see WBC haemorrhaging money. Our money. Hmmm, low margin on a public project, wonder if it can stay on budget when most others haven’t?

Regeneration on Radio Last week Elms Field was discussed on BBC Radio Berkshire’s morning show. For many, the highlight of the debate was when Peachy explained how things worked and warned a local politician to stop talking, as it wasn’t his show. When they didn’t, he turned their microphone off. Catch up on BBC iPlayer to find out more: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03dx27

Managing Risks So, apart from politicians with no “off button”, how

are we managing the risks? From sight of a redacted copy of the risk register, it was totally professional in form and layout. From professional experience I’m certain that the Project Manager knows what he’s about. However, in our one-horse political town (the opposition’s nag long since dead), it’s troubling that the finances and risk register are secret. Not only does the Local Government Act 1972 make special provisions for developer / planning authority situations, simple common sense says publish and be damned. Or is there something that people want to hide?

Danger of Hypocrisy If WBC as Developer ignores its own policies, that we’re told are “rigorously applied” to all other Developers, that’s tantamount to hypocrisy. It’ll be interesting to see how the public’s comments on Elms Field plans are going to be managed, as the opportunity for comment ends this week (details below).

Consulting or Insulting So, after the comment period closes, will it be “Con” or “In”? I suggest not to hold your breath. Our planning process’s track record might be getting better, but on major projects, that record is terrible: Fought 2. Lost 2. Both Strategic Development Locations (i.e. big). Recently, I’ve a feeling that we’ve lost our way a bit in sensibly steering big developments, be they housing estate or town centre. On this occasion, WBC is both poacher and gamekeeper — tricky!

Way Forward In the absence of a “character” reference that residents and electors buy into, working on the details is challenging. For example do we want more “Marlow and Henley” or “Slough and Camberley”? Or none of the above? Should Regeneration be driven commercially and organically, or should it stay ‘councilly’ and all at once? Get these right and we might just get a town that people want to go to instead of Reading or Bracknell. The easy path is to leave it to others to decide for you. Then complain later when you don’t like what you’re stuck with. But what you want does count. So you can express your opinion as others have, making a difference as a result. Planners and Politicians are learning to listen to and act on public opinion on the big topics. It’s your choice, but your children and theirs will thank you for making the right one.

To comment on Elms Field: Log on to the Wokingham Borough Council website: www.wokingham.gov.uk/planning-andbuilding-control/planning-application/comment-onplanning-application/ Alternatively, email the planning officer emy.Circuit@wokingham.gov.uk - Subject: 153125 Elms Field. Closing date for submissions is today.

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HANKS for all your comments following my return last week. It’s good to be back. If you’ve not already seen my previous columns then do take a look at www.nelliepompoms.co.uk. I can’t believe we are approaching the end of January, where has the time gone? Well, it’s not been spent ironing as I completely forgot to do it, despite my good intentions last week. I have had a good excuse though as the washing machine broke down, but with a few grunts and screwdrivers I got it working again. Maybe you heard me roar? I am chuffed that I no longer have a washing machine in front of the oven and it works! I have no idea how I got it working but it wont be long before I can hang it out on the line! Oh I’m looking forward to those days! I’m also looking forward to next month when my husband has his plaster taken off his ankle following a ligament reconstruction. His Look Keo pedal sheared off in the summer, so do check your pedals aren’t on the recall list.

Nellie Knows

Memories of Wokingham Over on the Facebook page Memories of Wokingham we had a real laugh discussing the food we all ate back in the day! We all seemed to eat at The Rose/Berni but our home cooked meals featured crispy pancakes and potato croquettes, helped down by a handful of Spangles and a glass of milk. Who can forget the Watch out, watch out there’s a Humphrey about! We also talked about local characters and one name that popped up was Sgt Hedges who some of you may well remember. I saw him recently, he’s not on Facebook but he did want to thank everyone for their memories and kind wishes, then he added that he hopes that everyone is behaving themselves!

Looking into live-in care I have been looking into live-in care and products that make life a bit easier for the older generation and those less able bodied. My brother-in-law has Friedreich’s Ataxia and my motherin-law often tells me in her weekly phone calls (Sunday at 7pm) of things she has found to make the day a little bit easier. Live-in care allows your family member to stay in their own home and have a companion 24 hours a day. One company I have looked at is Miracle Workers (www.miracleworkers.co.uk). They place live-in carers throughout the UK, Ireland and parts of Europe. Do look them up if you are considering a live in carer and also if you interested in becoming a live-in carer. We’re all going to get old someday so it’s worth planning while you can.

The here and now Back in the day, when we all went to The Berni Inn and we didn’t have such things as websites and social media, we didn’t have the opportunity to check on things like weather and travel, but I check these daily. It’s really annoying to be driving somewhere and find that the road is closed or traffic lights hamper the day but I know that roads aren’t dug up to annoy motorists they are dug up to rectify problems or replace old worn equipment. This is where you come in! If you see a leak or a broken drain or a light bulb is out or the hedges are obscuring your view or safe passage then report it to the council or relevant organisation so that they can deal with it before it becomes an emergency which impacts on everyone. I know it’s dull and boring but if everyone reported issues when they saw them we might not have quite so many road closures or delays. BBC Radio Berkshire also broadcast regular traffic bulletins and rely on people to advise them of traffic and travel issues, next time you are stuck in a jam give them a call on 0345 931 1333. One thing I do like about social media is the fact that you can be reading something on your phone or computer written by someone hundreds of miles away. Last week my friend Tanya Barrow was in Jordan visiting the refugees with World Vision UK, you can keep up to date with her visit on her website www.mummybarrow.com

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, January 29, 2016

Wokingham’s people

OH, MR SMITH!

Remembering two familiar faces

A wry look at life

LITERATURE

Holly’s treat for young bookworms Bestselling author Holly Webb will be reading one of her books to a group of young fans at the Lend and Play library in Woodley next month. She is pictured during a signing event at Waterstones in Reading last year. Picture: Vivienne Johnson

The art of storytelling is alive and well - and to prove it local author Holly Webb will be reading to youngsters next week, explains VIVIENNE JOHNSON

RE you sitting comfortably? Then we’ll begin. A week devoted to the art of telling tales returns next week and, to celebrate, the Lend and Play library in Woodley will welcome a very special guest. Bestselling author and local resident Holly Webb is supporting the annual National Storytelling Week by reading one of her books to a group of her young fans.

The reading, from Holly’s popular A Treasury of Animal Stories series, is free to attend and will take place at The Ambleside Centre in Woodley starting at 10.30am next Friday, February 5. Ms Webb has written more than 90 stories over the past 11 years, turning the tables on her original role of children’s book editor. Two years ago she wrote her first picture book, Little Puppy Lost and also created the Maisie Hitchins series. Other titles she has created include classic winter stories, such as The Winter Wolf. “I only meant to write one animal book and ended up writing 30,” she told The Wokingham Paper. Many of the stories in the Animal Series books are taken from real

VOLUNTEER CORNER n Elevate helps bring together organisations who help young people and adults to find employment and training by providing careers advice and guidance, IT support, workshops and work experience. They are looking for volunteers to help support an unemployed young person or adult at Elevate Hub in Wokingham, searching the internet, local papers, business websites, local town centre shop windows for job vacancies including apprenticeships and traineeships, supporting them to learn how to do this for themselves and referring them to others at the Elevate Hub support for more specialised careers advice and

events. Rosie the cat, who features in the book Lost In The Snow, is based on the story of a cat Holly’s parents owned before she was born. Her mother told her: “If we hadn’t called the cat Rosie that would have been your name.” In The Lost Puppy inquisitive dachshund Toby is based on a relationship between two of Holly’s own dogs, Max, a snappy dachshund and Alice, an older and more experienced dog, who has to learn how to live with lively Max. The Lend and Play Toy Library’s special storytime reading is open to everyone and will be followed by

refreshments and a chance to learn more about the charity, which hires out toys, books and play equipment suitable for children aged from birth to seven years and those with additional needs across the Wokingham Borough. It costs £10 to join the toy library for a year. The toys and books, which are selected to help with children’s development, are loaned for a nominal fee. For more information, visit www.lendandplay.org.uk or call into the toy library on Wednesday afternoons (2.30pm-8pm) or on Saturday mornings (10am-noon).

with Helena Badger guidance, CV writing and interview skills workshops. n Basildon Park in Pangbourne is an 18th century mansion surrounded by 400 acres of parkland run by the National Trust. They are looking for enthusiastic and friendly Outdoor Volunteers, who are available to talk to visitors in their gardens, parks and woodland. Commitment is two days per month and would suit those volunteers who are passionate about being outdoors and passionate about Basildon Park. Full training will be given.

They are also looking for Visitor Coordinator volunteers. These volunteers will support the general public on parking and offer assistance when it is needed. This role is all year round, but more volunteers are needed in the busy summer months. Basildon Park are holding a Volunteer Recruitment Day on Thursday 4th February from noon-3pm for anyone interested in volunteering for the organisation in the roles above or in any other capacity. n Cruse Bereavement Care is a national charity and its local group covers

Wokingham, Bracknell, Maidenhead, Windsor and Slough. It is looking to recruit a Treasurer to support the charities financial activities and budget setting. Someone with previous financial experience is essential. Please contact us for full details. These are just three of the roles we are recruiting for, but we have more than 100 different roles on our books. To find out about these or any other roles, call us on 0118 977 0749, email wok-vol@btconnect.com or visit www. volunteercentrewokingham.org.uk

Remembering Vietnam .

OT many people know that Australia was involved in the Vietnam war or that it produced one of the Australian army’s most heroic actions. I only know this because my wife and I visited a museum about the country’s involvement. We happened to be staying in San Remo for a few days and a friend offered to give us a tour of Phillip Island which is connected to San Remo by a bridge. San Remo is a small coastal town south of Melbourne which is reached by driving around the Western Port Bay. So there we were visiting bird sanctuaries and exotic public gardens when suddenly we came upon a sign pointing us to the The National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM) which we decided to visit. The NVVM was founded, built and is managed by veterans and other volunteers. It’s purpose is to remember, interpret and relate the sacrifice and experience of soldiers who fought in this war to a wider society. It was quite a solemn experience. One minute we were enjoying a light hearted jaunt beneath a vibrant blue Australian sky and the next moment placed amongst the somber memorabilia and teaching aids that talk about quite a different life experience. When conscription was introduced selection was via a lottery system based on birthdays. If your number came up you were compelled by law to serve and this most likely meant seeing action in Vietnam. The average age of soldiers was 20. Perhaps the most harrowing duty was to descend small tunnels dug by the Viet Cong to flush out the enemy. Many were booby trapped with bamboo spears and poisonous snakes and around 40% of the regiment that performed this duty perished. They were brave men and seeing photographs of smiling soldiers who were injured or lost in action was deeply poignant. The museum authentically portrays one of the greatest tragedies of the war. This was a consequence of the strong protests the war provoked in Australia and the US. Returning veterans felt they were being targeted and felt betrayed by their own countrymen. The museum includes some spectacular exhibits such as Sioux, Huey, Wessex and Cobra helicopters alongside a centurion tank and Howitzer artillery. It is amazing that this independent museum also boasts a Canberra bomber in the process of restoration. Beside these major pieces are many booths that focus on specific aspects of soldiers lives during the war. Last year TripAdvisor recommended the NVVM as being in the top 1% of places worldwide worth visiting Should you find yourself in the area it is well worth the experience. The museum is specifically interested to have any memorabilia relating to the country’s involvement in this war. If you can help, contact letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk TOM SMITH @WRYLIFEtomsmith

WELLBEING | 19

Friday, January 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Good health

You’re under doctor’s orders to read this page!

HEALTH MATTERS with Nicola Strudley

Are GPs about to call time on home visits?

OCTORS nationally are considering an end to home visits because they take up too much time. Instead, they want patients to be brought to surgeries by taxi or minibus, or to be seen by paramedics. Senior GPs will vote on being allowed to opt-out of the visits – as well as looking after the elderly in care homes. They have convened the Special Conference to decide what urgent action is needed to ease the pressures on surgeries caused by immigration, the aging population and a shortage of doctors. If they vote to be able to opt-out of home visits, it could become the official policy of doctors’ union, the British Medical Association (BMA). The BMA may then lobby the Government to change GPs’ contracts accordingly. Campaigners say the move would compromise the health of vulnerable patients. The motion, to be voted on by around 360 senior GPs at next Saturday’s summit, states that home visits and the care of nursing home residents should be removed from GPs’ contracts if services are to be sustainable. Surgeries would no longer be obliged to offer these services but could offer them if they received additional funds. Criticising the proposal, Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association, said: “Many elderly and vulnerable patients rely on these services, and their health would be compromised without them. “Without GPs visiting care homes, many elderly residents will have to make unnecessary trips to hospital. Having access to their GP is essential to ensuring the comfort and safety of care home residents.” Many surgeries are already sending paramedics on home visits, and a pilot scheme has been under way in Kent since November. Others provide patients with a list of local taxi firms, or tell them to get a lift with a friend. In Ealing, London, the NHS Trust has invested £250,000 on a minibus service to ferry the elderly to surgeries. GPs argue that home visits take up to an hour, during which they could see four or five patients at the surgery, and that practices are more appropriate for treatment. Dr Maureen Baker, chairman of the Royal College of GPs council, said: “Patient care is paramount for all GPs and with workloads rising, we are increasingly having to prioritise our efforts on routine services in order to guarantee safe care. “This motion shows how close general practice is to the edge and is a cry for help from hard pressed GPs who are heaving under unprecedented workloads... with depleting resources.” n How to Contact us: Facebook @ healthwatchwokingham, Twitter @HWWokingham, call 0118 418 1418, email enquiries@ healthwatchwokingham.co.uk or walk in via Citizens Advice at 2 Waterford House, Erfstadt Court, Denmark Street, Wokingham RG40 2YF. Nicola Strudley works two days a week as the manager for Healthwatch Wokingham Borough. Opinions expressed in this blog are her own

HOSPITAL

Professor’s mission is to help kidney stone patients A Professor at the Royal Berkshire Hospital is keen to tackle kidney stones. Here JO WARRIOR explains why

Professor Malcolm Sperrin wants to improve the lives of kidney stone sufferers. Picture: NHS Extraordinary You publication

Our membership scheme is available for only You do not need to be dentally fit to join BMS but a new patient examination is required before signing up. If treatment is needed during the 12 month contract a member discount of 15% is given.

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OYAL Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust’s Director of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, Professor Malcolm Sperrin, leads a very full life. As well as his role at the hospital, he is an active member of the Army Reserve, a published author and an advisor to a number of government and international organisations. At the hospital Malcolm is responsible for a team of more than 70 staff including scientists, technicians and administrators. The five medical physics departments he leads support imaging and therapeutic procedures, radiotherapy, clinical photography, engineering, and nuclear medicine, as well as leading on aspects of professional standards and research. Alongside his very busy day job, Malcolm also finds time to devote to research and development, something he is passionate about. “Modern healthcare can be extremely technical and research allows me to play a part in the future of a very complex healthcare system, especially where new technology is available that can contribute to more efficient and more diverse treatment options,” said Malcolm. He is author of many publications across a wide spectrum of medical physics, including a leading paper on lithotripsy. Lithotripsy uses externally generated ultrasound waves to break kidney stones

Need to budget for regular dental visits?

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Our membership scheme is ava Our membership scheme is available You do notfor need to be dentally fit to join butaa new patienta examination onlyforBMS £21 month Our membership scheme is available only £21 month is You do not need to be dentally fit to join BMS but a new patient examination is required before signing up. If treatment is needed during the 12 month contract a member discount of 15% is given.

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visit our website at www.beec You do notBeechcroft need to be dentallyDental fit to join Practice, 3 BMS but a new patient examination is For more information, please us on2AE 0118 3815, RG40 and978 speak with one ‘doped’ to make treatment more contact enough to be be required before signing up. If treatment

into pieces small passed out painlessly in the urine, avoiding the need for surgery. It has proved to be extremely effective for smaller stones, but surgery for larger or more awkwardly shaped ones is still often required. Malcolm has been working to better understand the process, and using modelling techniques to show how stress builds in the stone following ultrasound shockwaves. His findings have been used to fine tune lithotripsy, allowing it to be used on larger stones providing an alternative treatment option for patients. He also found that urine surrounding the stone can

FAMILIES

required before signing up. If treatment is included? needed during the 12 month contract What is a member (including discount of 15% is given. • 2 Examinations x-rays)

effective and developed the use visit our website at www.beechcroftdental.com call into is needed during the 12 monthor contract of a device introduced into the body so the ultrasound shock can a member discount of 15% is given. Beechcroft Dental Practice, be delivered nearer to the stone 32 Station Road, Wokingham, better outcomes. RG40 2AEproviding and one of our team. As a speak leader in with his field, Malcolm’s knowledge is not only of great benefit to the hospital and its patients, but also to the organisations he advises. Just this week he has been leading a number of sessions at a Global Conference in Lyon, France, where delegates discussed technical aspects of radiation medicine, contingency, business continuity and risk prevention.

Autism assessment: help for parents Need to PARENTS who want to find out if their children are autistic are invited to take part in free pre-assessment workshops being run by local NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups – the fee payable has been dropped. The workshops are being offered to parents who are waiting for an assessment of autism spectrum conditions for their children and come about thanks to a new partnership between Autism Berkshire and the NHS. The sessions will now be available at venues in Bracknell, Windsor and Slough, as well as Reading. Previously parents and carers had to pay a fee to attend. There will also be daytime and evening PreAssessment Support Groups where parents and carers can meet, get to know each other and seek mutual support. The partnership with the CCGs will enable more support for families while they wait for an

budget for regular dental visits?

assessment and post-diagnosis, along with help for parents of teenagers, as part of the CAHMS Transformation project and follows the publication of the Government’s Future in Mind report on mental health services for young people. Our membership scheme is available for a month The new workshops and support group meetings take place at: n Slough: Friends Meeting House, in Ragstone Road. What is included? You do not need to be dentally fit to join n Windsor: Windsor Youth and Community Centre, in • 2 Examinations (including x-rays) BMS but a new patient examination is Alma Road. • 2 Hygienist visits n Bracknell: Bracknell Open Learning Centre, required before signing up.inIfRectory treatment Lane. • Accident & Emergency Insurance is needed during the 12 month contract Dates and times of the workshops and • 15% member discount on treatment a membercan discount of by 15% is given. support group meetings be found going to (excludes specialist and implant treatment) eventbrite.co.uk and searching for Autism Berkshire Pre-Assessment. Bookings can also be made at this site. More information about the sessions is available For more information, please contact us on 0118 978 3815, by calling Autism Berkshire on 01189 594 594 or visit our website at www.beechcroftdental.com or call into emailing admin@autismberkshire.org.uk

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20 | HERITAGE

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Friday, August 21, 2015 TheWokinghamPaPer

WokinghamRemembers

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, January 29, 2016

HERITAGE | 17

Inassociation associationwith with In

Exploring our our heritage heritage with with wokinghamremembers.com wokinghamremembers.com Exploring

HERITAGE REVIEW

Bearwood Mansion theour Great War The past which hasduring shaped present... The parts of the Bearwood Estate had Thisoutlying week MikE ChuRChER reviews been broken up by auction sales in 1911, but the Wokingham Remembers articles the core property was still in the hands of of the past four months and discusses the Walter onwhich the outbreak of the some of thefamily factors contributed Great War in August 1914, writes STEVE to the making of Wokingham and its BACON environment.

VER the past months the HE WALTER family continued tohas Wokingham Remembers page play itsproviding part in local occasions; been an early picture the that and a of local how apress smallreported market town Mrs Walter presented prizes few villages on the edge of a forest is at today Finchampstead School in May 1914. ranked as one of the country’s leading It was announced on 11th July: communities. ‘FLOWER SHOW AND SPORTS ATtransport, Education, religion, industry, BEAR As will be seen by an and socialWOOD. structures, national politics advertisement, theare annual show of local government all important the BearinWood, Sindlesham, Barkham, pieces building the great Wokingham Finchampstead, and of Newland jigsaw. Here nowArborfield, is a summary our Cottage GardentoSociety, with sports, contributions date and a few ideasfolk on dances, willofbearticles. held on the 22nd inst. the nextetc., round in the beautiful grounds of Bear Wood, Education, Education, by kind permission of Mr. John Walter. Education Mr. H. F. Simmons, Bear Wood School, is Wokingham is renowned as theToday’s hon. Secretary’. oneSuch of the country’s centres of excellence a large family was soon to face for education; this is partly due to strong tragedy; two months later on school performance and the motivated 31st October, the Reading Mercury parents who live in one Killed of the in most reported under ‘Officers Action’: highly educated communities in thewho UK. ‘Second Lieutenant Sydney Walter, we look into the of24, was wasIfkilled in action onhistory October Wokingham’s schools we can seeGodfrey born in 1893, the only son of Mr. how education is wovenHants. into its Walter, of Makshanger, Mr.DNA. Sydney Prior towas theaGreat War, Wokingham Walter grandson of the late Mr. was surrounded by manor and John Walter, of Bear Wood, houses and “The members theeducated landed gentry who Times”. Heof was at Eton and wanted to be close to the levers of power; Sandhurst.’ i.e.The the family royal households ofmember Windsor.in lost another In turn these upper echelons action, as reported on 2nd September possessed serious sense of duty – On 1916: ‘ROLLaOF HONOUR: WALTER and 13, a responsibility to ensure their July Private Reginald Walter, The Buffs community received at least a basic (previously Public Schools Battalion), education. alsoWalter, had a of only son of Wokingham the late Francis powerful professional class, a strong Islip, Oxon, and grandson of the late John church of community (including the nonWalter, Bear Wood, Wokingham, aged conformists) and together they shared 17.’ a strong beliefwas in the importance of The family closely involved teaching. in preparations for the War. By 26th The result was the skills,that the September 1914, it with was reported motivation and the finance available, the Berkshire Territorial Association there developed a culture of education had taken over ‘Bear Wood’. The same which still holds strong to this day. newspaper article mentioned that Wokingham transport the Mansion was assessed for its Transport probablywhich the single suitability as aisHospital, it later most important factor in Wokingham’s became. development, in both its rail and road After the Canadian Convalescent systems.opened, the YMCA started to Hospital articles look at which the putFuture on concerts at will Bearwood, introduction of the railways and the were often reported in great detail by

major impact they had on the town and the Reading Mercury, towith the lists we have already madedown a start the of songs andby sketches performed. The of road system mapping out the course ALHS shows an example from the oldwebsite Forest Road. December 18,building 1915. of the M4 had a While the Theinfluence Reading Standard contained of the major on the introduction ahigh pictorial feature of the Canadian tech businesses which now surround Convalescent on December Wokingham, itHospital is the A329M which 25, 1915, showing plus two in 1975 cut off the the mansion, Forest Road and its group naturalphotographs. connections between Emmbrook 1, 1916 issueThe andThe theMercury’s villages ofJanuary Hurst and Binfield. also with love reported and hate ‘Christmas-tide relationship with our rail the when andCanadians’, roads continue tothe thisYMCA day! again entertained them. There were also Wokingham’s military reports on subsequent weeks. There was aheritage football match on January 15 between 2015 is the bi-centenary theAs Bear Wood Veterans and of the Battle of Waterloo, been5-2, a the Canadians, the there latter have winning number ofwas articles commemorating this and there an evening celebration world event. at Thechanging Walter Arms. The area has always noted for In summertime, localbeen volunteers would its contribution to the nation’s military take groups of wounded soldiers on the capability, withtoArborfield’s REME, River Thames river-side properties for RFA and Remount connections and the a day out and picnic. The Canadians were Sandhurst Colleges all both guestsand andWellington entertainers on these situated very nearby. trips. Even‘Merry the Duke of Wellington took to The Mascots’ from Bearwood living in Stratfield Saye, which today were often mentioned as players andis only 30 minutes away from Wokingham’s entertainers. town centre. The wounded Canadian soldiers Wokingham’s enjoyed a drink as much as their British counterparts, butculture pub landlords were benefactor fined ‘supplying intoxicants to Thefor area around Wokingham was members of by Hismany Majesty’s Forces surrounded remarkable whilst undergoing hospital treatment’. in individuals and they were instrumental The patients from Bearwood were building the much needed infrastructure frequently in Court as result. which underpinned thea establishment of One case involved the Swan — or it a strong community. could beenbe the Bull or Bramshill Wehave will later telling thethe story of the Hunt all that the soldiers could to Walterfor family and their contributions remember afterwards! the building of Wokingham but in April Later in the War,we with many first weekly issue, toldsothe story of the Canadians Americans here’, much lovedand Arthur Hill, the‘over 6th Marquess there was much debate about whether of Downshire. Prohibition good for Britain Althoughwould one ofbe Britain’s wealthiest landowners, doubled as the in wartime – Arthur but theHill British couldn’t be chief of the local Fire Brigade and was a convinced. major financial contributor to this Bearwood Mansion was still thepart of Wokingham’s public until services. home of Mrs Walter her death, Later articles will illustrate the reported on February 17, 1917 in the demise ofthis these greatrevealed manors and Mercury; article the their incumbent social system and theand rise of sheer number of Canadian staff

Wokingham Railway Station viewed from Wellington Road looking towards St Pauls Church.

The story was told in June, and also historians, Sarah Huxford, also took commemorated the 800th anniversary us on a journey to the old battlefields of the Magna Carta, signed at nearby in search of their graves. This story Before we believe too much in the idea Runnymede in 1215. reflects only a microcosm of the losses that Wokingham’s development was a around the county of Berkshire, but solidly sedate experience, May’s article Shining a light on affirms the importance of the wars in the told the story of the rioting in the town Wokingham’s ‘Dark Ages’ development character. The YMCA hutthe at Bear and, below, troops being inspectedof at our Bearlocal Wood during the Great War. centre during timeWood of the 1857 General To bring us up to date the August Election. Wokingham and patients sharing the place with her. articles are focused on the kids who are Such events were a common sight in The recovering soldiers certainly now entering into their summer holidays. the Royal Forest the town and this short and bloody battle Looking at today’s community, it is What better way to use this month’s got fit. There were annual sports days at between the Whigs and the Tories also difficult to visualise just how rural the editions than to tell the stories of the Bearwood, reported in detail in the press. highlighted the Bush and Rose hotels in area once was and in part explains the Romans, the Celts and the Saxons In August 1916 it was announced that Market Place as the headquarters of these sometimes fragile relationship between influence on the area before Wokingham there was to be a baseball match at Elm two feral groups. the old and new Wokingham; few was even a twinkle in old Wocca’s eye? Park two teams Thebetween story was also ableof toCanadian reflect areas in the UK have witnessed such David Nash Ford provided a set of Convalescents, from ‘Bear Wood’ and upon the national scene and the corrupt extraordinary growth and change in the articles and puzzles which makes from Orpington. nature of general elections before the profile of its population. history fun for the young and no doubt A previous match had already been introduction of the private ballot. Although Wokingham’s history will also catch the interest of the parents won by Bearwood. The articlefurther briefly Future articles will include has always been intertwined with who will be looking over their child’s described the layout of a baseball tales of anarchy and revelry in thispitch old the surrounding villages by providing shoulder. and rules of the game, a novelty to most market town. a market place for agricultural and Here’s to the next round of articles! English people. Bearwood beat their commercial produce, it was also a Forest Thanks go out to our contributors: Steve Wokingham at War opponents Town. The term ‘forest’ did not mean a Bacon, Jim Bell, David Nash Ford, Sarah There are11–3. watershed moments in Bearwhich Wood mark Canadians F.C. played cluster of trees, but a system of laws laid Huxford, Roger Long, Trevor Ottlewski history the moment of great local teams throughout their stay.War In of down by royalty for the protection of change in a society and the Great and Peter Shilham for all their continuing the 1917-18 they won nearly 40 their hunting grounds. 1914-1918 is season, one such time. contributions. matches, scoring 170 goals against 56. These onerous rules restricted local Therefore a number of centenaries All this work is provided by our They owed much to the people from using large parts of the land between 2014 and 2018 willenthusiasm local historians free of charge and of the Revd Major Bayley, Vicarofofwar Bear for sustenance and in part led to the commemorate the great losses can be found on the front page of the Wood,scarred chaplain topeople the hospital, and rise of local highwaymen and general which the of Wokingham Wokingham Remembers website lawlessness. Asforward, a result,who the subsequent for rest of the 20th scoring century.about www.wokinghamremembers.com international played in the alsothe a centre-forward, in May 1919. The Revd Bill Bayley Black Act of of 1723 down heavily on the storyhad Thanks also Mark Ashwell at for last match thecame season. 100May’s goals.edition Some followed of the Canadians remained at St.toCatherine’s Church these ‘Wokingham Blacks’ and gradually resulted in of twoprofessional brothers from Langborough TradeMark foryears, supporting paper’s After the War, the hospital been footballers, including many more servingthe with the Home either theirthe transportation or execution. Road in Wokingham town. One of our commitment this project. Guard in thetoSecond World War. Spencer, a famous Nottingham Forest emptied, last nursing sisters leaving its replacement: local government.

Wokingham’s wild side

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The good life

How Wokingham is going Green with Vivienne Johnson

PRODUCE

When it comes to minerals in our fruit and veg, things are not what they used to be... What’s changed about your five-a-day since the 1950s? VIVIENNE JOHNSON finds out

Studies are showing that as fruit and vegetables get bigger nutrients get diluted. It is also fashionable for high yield varieties to be grown on ‘dwarf’ plants, meaning the plants themselves are smaller. As plants draw in and store minerals in their stalks, the small plant means there is less space to store nutrients and so less for the fruit. Plants cultivated to produce higher yields tend to have less energy for other activities like growing deep roots and generating phytochemicals—healthpromoting compounds like antioxidants and conventional farming methods, such as close plant spacing and the application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides are also thought to cause crops to absorb fewer nutrients and have unhealthy root systems. Anecdotal evidence claims that the flavour of these high-yield varieties is ‘watered down’ when compared to heirloom counterparts. Don’t panic though, nutrient depletion pales as a threat when compared to other aspects of the Western diet such as our

F YOU were around in the 1950s and ate a handful of string beans (about 100g) you would have eaten about 9% of your daily calcium needs. By 1999 100g of string beans would give you only 5% of your daily calcium. Today the figure is 3%. And today you would have to eat eight oranges to get the same amount of Vitamin A as our grandparents would have found in one. So, what is going on? Research in this area shows two compelling reasons. The first is to do with the crop itself and the second, the soil it is grown in. New varieties of crops are bred to provide a bigger yield, better pest resistance and climate adaptability but this rapid growth means that their ability to manufacture or uptake nutrients has not kept pace.

preference for refined sugar, fats, oils, and refined grains over fruits and veggies in the first place. Un-processed fruits and vegetables are still the best source of many nutrients, even after this decline. For those of you who want to grow your own food, look for heirloom and non-hybrid varieties of plants as you flick through the seed catalogues. They may not yield as much food, but they are more nutritious, and possibly more flavourful.

How much have our nutrients been depleted? Reduction in average mineral content of fruit and vegetables: Mineral

Vegetables

Fruit

Potassium Magnesium Calcium Iron Copper Zinc Sodium

16% -24% -46% -27% -76% -59% -49%

-19% -16% -16% -24% -20% -27% -29%

Keep a treasured memory Our Christmas Plays supplements were hugely popular – and you can order pictures to keep forever from our photosales website! SCHOOLS | 23

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, January 29, 2016

Press pack

We want to hear from you! Send your stories, pictures and poems to news@ wokinghampaper.co.uk or write to The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS.

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

MUSIC

Sons of Pitches wow young choir members YOUNG singers at a school in Wokingham were thrilled to be visited by an award-winning vocal group earlier this month. Members of the choir at Keep Hatch Primary School, in Ashridge Road, were joined by a capella group Sons of Pitches, who won Gareth Malone’s BBC series The Naked Choir last year. The sextet joined the youngsters for the afternoon on January 13 to teach them their techniques, including beatboxing, and inspire them to sing without instruments or backing tracks. By the end of the session the

children were able to sing a fourpart a capella song. A spokesperson for the school said: “The children in the Keep Hatch School Choir were dazzled with a dynamic and thrilling musical workshop in the school’s new music suite. “The group wowed the children with some performances of their songs, indeed the children could not believe that there was not an instrumental accompaniment being played. “The choir and staff left the workshop absolutely buzzing with excitement and enthusiasm from their experience.” Student Daanish Ahsan receives his ILM award from Principal Christine Cunniffe.

SPORT

Olympian Toby drops in for an inspiring visit Olympic athlete Toby Garbett with pupils at Holme Grange School.

AWARDS

Teamwork wins it for students A FORMER Olympic athlete has inspired pupils at a school in Wokingham by showing them how teamwork can lead to glory. Two time world champion and Olympic 2004 athlete Toby Garbett visited Holme Grange School, in Heathlands Road, on Wednesday, January 13, to help kick-start the Year Seven Sky Sports Leadership Programme, part of the Sky Sports Living for Sport scheme. Toby, who started off in the field of

rowing, has won medals at two world championships and has represented Great Britain in the 2004 Olympic games. Toby shared some of his inspiring stories from his sporting career and the trials and tribulations that he had to go through to get to the top of his sporting profession. The athlete then lead the pupils through a series of problem solving tasks that were used to highlight the importance of communication, teamwork, planning

and roles within a group, all of which the pupils will go onto explore more during the programme. A spokesperson for Holme Grange School said: “The pupils had a thoroughly enjoyable time with Toby and we look forward to welcoming him back to school in March when he will join the pupils again to help them in preparation for their Sky Sports activity morning they will be leading for our Year Two pupils.”

APPEAL

Can you help build a free library drop box? By GEORGIA BUTTERWORTH, AGED 11

‘WOULDN’T it be lovely to be able to sit in the park, enjoying some free fruit and vegetables and reading a book that you got for free, in exchange for an unwanted one of yours? That’s the idea of the upcoming Little Free Library. In a nutshell, the idea is that local people come together to create a place where everyone can swap books. This will be in a wooden box, like an

open-fronted bird-box. It’s a ‘take a book, leave a book’ idea, but no one is under any obligation to leave one in return. And the fruit and veg? That’s the work of the Incredible Edible team, on Elms Field. This Book Exchange will, when built, be within this garden. I was reading an article about this very thing, and it struck me that it would be a really lovely idea to have something like this in our community.

I am an avid reader, and would love for more people to have access to books that they can keep, while at the same time giving to the other people in our town by leaving books in the exchange. At the moment, we are looking for a carpenter who will help us construct the box. We have wood available, as the Broad Street Tavern kindly donated some to the Incredible Edible team. If you are interested, email vickystanborough@gmail.com

SIXTH formers from an Ascot school have proved they are the leaders of tomorrow after gaining a very special award. The pupils, from LVS Ascot, have achieved the Institute in Leadership & Management’s Level 2 Award after taking a course in Effective Team Member Skills. This aims to give students the chance to learn the importance of communication, adapt their own styles of learning and communication, improve negotiation skills and learn how to adapt in a business environment. This year is the fifth that the school has been able to offer the ILM qualifications — and it provides the training not just to the pupils, but to staff as well. Student Timothy Shaw is presented with his ILM award from Principal Christine Cunniffe.

The school said its facilities allow course leaders to create a business environment on site separate from the school and students have access to support from staff who have experienced the ILM process. Five Year 13 students from Ascot, Maidenhead, Wokingham and Windsor received their certificates for the ILM Level 2 Award in Effective Team Member Skills just before Christmas. Course trainer Jackie Green said: “The ILM qualification is recognised worldwide, and for these five LVS Ascot students having it on their CV is a definite plus when applying for universities and jobs. It helps so much in the transition from education to business by enhancing communication, negotiation and team work”.

Your weekly puzzle challenge LEISURE 23 Quiz Challenge

CROSS CODE 5

14 7

24 23

4 2 1

10 8

24 20

24 23

24 19

1. Message in a Bottle was the first UK number one hit for which pop group? 2. Dale Arden is the female companion of which comic strip space adventurer?

23 18

17 2

24 18

18 4

20 6

23 12

20 23

17 16

23 17

4. In which country is Lake Garda?

5. Prior to 1923, what was the capital of Turkey? 20

NONAGRAM

20 24

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

T A P

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

CLOSURE CONTINUES

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: 30 Good; 36 Very Good; 42 Excellent.

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

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

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

1 2

T F

H H

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 8 10 15 3 1 5 2 3 3 3 4 7

Hard

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

2 4 5

10 10

12 13

15 22

21 23

ACROSS 1. It is not easy to act confidently with such an affliction (5,6)

9 4 6

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

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

SUDOKU Easy

FIVE ALIVE HT

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

WORD PYRAMID

O T R

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ L

6. The author of The Railway Children was E. Nesbit. For what does the E stand? 7. The English Greyhound Derby is held annually at which dog track? 8. António Eanes was president of which European country from 1976 to 1986? 9. Rapper Iggy Azalea (born Amethyst Amelia Kelly) comes from which country? 10. Which 18th century English clergyman invented the power loom?

3. Excluding the ostrich, which is the world’s largest bird?

23 26

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Friday, January 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

DOWN 2. Highest speed going to one’s head? (7) 3. Spinner shortly used in riotous orgy (4) 9. More ready to drop? (5) 4. What is left when one stops smoking (3,3) 10. Greek racing round with hidden energy (7) 5. Unfairness in the acting fraternity (8) 11. Money despatched, we 6. In Idaho I still use the hear (4) elevator (5) 7. Almost in effect (11) 12. Prepare for take-off (8) 8. Performing with broken 14. The aim of going camping? (6) nose, rail worker is alert for possible danger (2,4,5) 15. Symbol of one’s standing (6) 13. Fashionable one who is 18. Joining girl before eleven, knowledgeable but useless afterwards (8) unskilled (8) 16. Deviate, but it certainly won’t 20. Endless deceit of German rouse one’s interest (4,3) lady (4) 17. Agreement on occupying 22. Bounty, a big ship (7) the same pitch (6) 19. Another Roman lady (5) 23. Smell is nothing grim (5) 21. Going to lose one metal plate (4) 24. Going presently with this (7,4)

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

11 13

29 29

18 19

SOLUTIONS

30 31 33

26. Wary (5) ACROSS 1. Bloomed (8) 29. Talk deliriously (4) 6. Crustacean (4) 30. Curved sword (8) 8. Flightless bird (3) 31. Policeman (inf.) (3) 9. Tirade (8) 32. Horse’s gait (4) 10. Verse form (4) 33. Bony structure (8) 12. Cut off (5) DOWN 14. Panache (5) 2. Bound (4) 17. Organs of sight (4) 3. Marine mammals 18. Contempt for (6) opposition (8) 4. Rough-edged (6) 20. Miming game (8) 5. Judge (4) 24. Measured 6. Dome (6) portion (4) 7. Sour (6) 25. Sweet, thick fluid (5) 11. Sandy strip (5)

12. Portable chair (5) 13. Medieval stringed instrument (5) 14. Healthy (3) 15. Pester (5) 16. Regenerate (5) 19. Remuneration (3) 21. Empty talk (3,3) 22. Spurn (6) 23. Containing salt (6) 24. Contrivance (6) 27. Vipers (4) 28. Head of mafia (4)

2 6 8 9 7 5 4 3 1

7 3 5 4 8 1 6 2 9

4 9 1 2 6 3 5 8 7

5 2 6 7 4 8 1 9 3

8 4 9 3 1 2 7 6 5

1 7 3 5 9 6 2 4 8

3 8 7 6 5 4 9 1 2

9 1 4 8 2 7 3 5 6

7 4 6 5 1 9 8 3 2

6 5 2 1 3 9 8 7 4

EASY SUDOKU

14 1

15 2

16 3

CROSS CODE

3 2 1 6 8 4 5 9 7

5 9 8 2 3 7 6 1 4

1 6 4 9 2 3 7 8 5

2 3 7 4 5 8 9 6 1

8 5 9 7 6 1 2 4 3

6 1 2 3 9 5 4 7 8

9 7 3 8 4 2 1 5 6

4 8 5 1 7 6 3 2 9

HARD SUDOKU

17 4

18 5

19 6

20 7

21 8

22 9

WORD PYRAMID: Flirt with the law. EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – subtract; divide; add; multiply. Total: 12. MAGIC SQUARE: icon; clue; ours; nest.

QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Flowered; 6 Crab; 8 Emu; 9 Harangue; 10 Poem; 12 Sever; 14 Flair; 17 Eyes; 18 Defiance; 20 Charades; 24 Dose; 25 Honey; 26 Cagey; 29 Rave; 30 Scimitar; 31 Cop; 32 Trot; 33 Skeleton. Down – 2 Leap; 3 Whales; 4 Ragged; 5 Deem; 6 Cupola; 7 Acetic; 11 Beach; 12 Sedan; 13 Rebec; 14 Fit; 15 Annoy; 16 Renew; 19 Pay; 21 Hot air; 22 Reject; 23 Saline; 24 Device; 27 Asps; 28 Capo.

Practically; 8 On one’s guard; 13 Inexpert; 16 Turn off; 17 Unison; anti; atop; attorn; inapt; into; intro; introit; iota; nitro; paint; pant; panto; 19 Norma; 21 Gong. part; PARTITION; patio; patriot; patron; pint; pinto; piton; pitta; point; pont; port; prat; print; rant; rapt; ratio; ration; riot; rota; roti; taint; tanto; tapir; tarn; taro; tarot; tarp; tarpon; tart; tian; tinpot; tint; tipi; tiro; titan; titi; topi; torii; torn; tort; train; trait; trap; trio; trip; triton; trot.

Down – Holed; Linen; Slope. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Stage fright; 9 Riper; 10 Grecian; 11 Cent; 12 Unbutton; (2) Across – Trash; Idols; Elegy. Down – Tripe; Arose; Hussy. 14 Intent; 15 Status; 18 Annexing; 20 Frau; 22 Largess; 23 Odour; 24 Parting gift. NONAGRAM: Down – 2 Topknot; 3 Gyro; 4 Fag end; 5 Inequity; 6 Hoist; 7

QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 The Police; 2 Flash Gordon; 3 Emu; 4 Italy; 5 Istanbul; 6 Edith; 7 Wimbledon; 8 Portugal; 9 Australia; 10 Edmund Cartwright.

(1) Across – Helps; Lingo; Dense. FIVE ALIVE:

24 | LEISURE

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What’s on Friday, January 29 FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre RG40 4ES. Rhymetime for under fives. 11am. Details: 0118 908 8176. SWALLOWFIELD – Parish Hall, Swallowfield Street RG7 1QX. Russell Players present Alice: The Panto. 7.30pm. £9, under 16s £5. Details: 07710 500491. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road. Wokingham Theatre presents Skylight. 7.30pm. Details: www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk or 0118 978 5363. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Crochet Group with Gaynor White from Barkham Hookers. All abilities welcome. 9.30am11.30am. £4. Local history surgery: drop-in for advice. 10am-noon. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOKINGHAM – St Anne’s Manor Hotel, London Road RG40 1ST. Rotary Club presents a big band dance evening with the MillTones dance band. £30. From 7pm. Details: 0118 979 1447.

Saturday, January 30 LOWER EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Church walk - around four miles, with optional pub lunch. Come dressed for weather. 10am. Details: 0118 931 3124. LOWER EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close. Trinity Concert Band presents the Best of 2015. 7.30pm. £10 advance, £12 on door, under 16s free. Details: 0845 226 3047. READING – Hilton Hotel, Kennet Island. Risley, Swallowfield and Farley Hill Charitable Trust presents a

Magical Masquerade Ball. 7pm-12.45am. £45, includes three-course meal. Details: 0118 988 5929. SWALLOWFIELD – Parish Hall, Swallowfield Street RG7 1QX. Russell Players present Alice: The Panto. 2pm, 7.30pm. £9, under 16s £5. Details: 07710 500491. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road. Wokingham Theatre presents Skylight. 7.30pm. Details: www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk or 0118 978 5363. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Teen writing group for ages 11-18. 10.30amnoon. Knitting classes for beginners with Rachel Freeguard. 10am-noon. £5. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Creative writing group for adults. 10.30am-noon. Details: 0118 969 0304. WOODLEY – Town Centre. Market. 9am-4pm. Details: 0118 921 6920 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk.

Sunday, January 31 READING – Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road RG1 5AQ. West Forest Sinfonia orchestral concert. 4.30pm. £15, £14 concessions, £2.50 students. Details: 0118 978 6189. WOKINGHAM – St Anne’s Manor Hotel, London Road RG40 1ST. Wedding fair including bridal fashion shows at 12.30pm and 2.30pm. 11am-3.30pm. Details: 01276 457498. WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3LA. Games afternoon. 2pm. Details: www.christ-churchwoodley.org.uk or 0118 926 8143.

www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 That’ll Be The Day. Fri. The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines. Sun. Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Thurs.

Basingstoke – The Haymarket www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 Secondary Cause of Death. Until Sat. Fay Field and the Hurricane Party. Wed. The Great Gatsby. Thurs-Sat 6.

Bracknell – South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk (01344) 484123 One Man, Two Guvnors. Until Sat. Mishka Momen: Conservatoire Concert Series. Fri. Comedy Cellar. Fri. Creative Control Band Night. Sun.

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Comedy Club. Fri. Kast-Off Kinks. Sat. Clare Teal and Trio. Thurs. Toyah: Acoustic – Up Close and personal.

Holding a community event? Send your listings to events@wokinghampaper.co.uk

The best guide for local, community events across Wokingham borough Monday, February 1 EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports & Social Club, The Club House, Lowther Road, RG41 1JB. Artree live: The Salts. £8. 7.45pm. Details: www.wegottickets.com/ wokinghammusicclub FINCHAMPSTEAD – California Ratepayers’ Hall, Finchampstead Road, RG40 3RL. California Gardeners’ Club meeting AGM with cheese and wine. 7.30pm. £2. Details: 0118 979 3730 or 0118 978 1432. MAIDEN ERLEGH – Library, off Silverdale Road RG6 7HS. Colouring For Adults. 2.15pm-3pm. Details: 0118 966 6630. TWYFORD – Library, Polehampton Close RG10 9RP.Twyford Author book group. 2.30pm-3.30pm. Details: 0118 934 0800. WARGRAVE – Library, Woodclyffe Hostel, Church Street RG10 8EP. Writers forum. 10.30am-noon. Storytime for ages 3-5. 4pm. Monday Bookworms book group. 2.15pm-3.15pm. Details: 0118 940 4656. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Knit, Stitch and Natter. 2pm-3pm. Details: 0118 978 1368.

Tuesday, February 2 EARLEY – Palmer Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 2AH. Reading Film Theatre presents: Carol (15). 8pm. £5 members, £8 nonmembers, £7 concessions. Membership £20. Details: 0118 378 7151 or readingfilmtheatre.co.uk. TWYFORD – Library, Polehampton Close RG10 9RP. Reminiscence Club. 10.30am-noon. Details: 0118 934 0800.

AT THE THEATRE Basingstoke – The Anvil

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, January 29, 2016

Fri 5. NVSDD Presents: Showtime 2016. Sat 6. The Jewels of Duckula. Sun 7. Bracknell Jazz: Mark Ridout and support. Fri 5. Jacqui Dankworth and Charlie Wood. Fri 5. Rhys James: Remains. Fri 5. Comedy Cellar. Fri 5. Wilde Sundays. Sun 7. Mission Improvable. Sun 7. FILMS: The Dressmaker. Fri-Sun. Black Mass. Sat-Sun, Tues. Crimson Peak. Wed. Under Milk Wood. Thurs. Bridge of Spies. Fri 5-Sun 7.

Didcot – Cornerstone www.cornerstone-arts.org 01235 515144 Robert W Strange exhibition talk. Sat. The Ruff Guide To Shakespeare. Sat. Funky Monkey and the Juicy Fruits. Sun. Comedy Club. Thurs. Luke Daniels Revolve and Rotate. Fri 5. Austentatious: An Improvised Jane Austen Novel. Sat 6. Comedy Club 4 Kids. Sun 7.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Roy Hudd’s Very Own Music Hall. Fri. Michael Portillo - Life: A Game of Two Halves. Sat. Madam Butterfly. MonTues. Wisdom of A Fool. Fri 5-Sat 6.

WINNERSH – Library, The Forest School, Robin Hood Lane RG41 5ND. Winnersh Readers bookgroup. 6.45pm-7.45pm. Winnersh Book Borrowers: book group for ages 7-11. Booking essential. 4.15pm5pm. 50p. Details: 0118 979 7519. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Rhymetime for Babies. 10.30am-11am. Rhymetime for toddlers. 11am-11.30am. Storytime: rhymes and stories for ages 3-5. 2pm-2.30pm. National Careers Service: Advice sessions to help you with career planning, CVs and interviews. 9.40am-3.40pm. UK Online: Help and support with computers and the internet for beginners. 2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Crochet Group with Gaynor White from Barkham Hookers. All abilities welcome. Noon2pm. £4. Rhymetime for under fives. 10.30am. Crafts and Laughs. 2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 969 0304. WOODLEY – Coronation Hall, Headley Road RG5 4JZ. Woodley Flower Club demonstration evening with Kathryn Goddard: Damsels and Dragonflies. £5. 7pm. Details: 0118 969 5697.

Wednesday, February 3 SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, RG4 6TY. Storytime: Big Pet Day by Lisa Shanahan. 10.30am. £3.50 per child. Book club for adults. 2pm. Details: 0118 969 8000. WARGRAVE – Library, Woodclyffe Hostel, Church Street RG10 8EP. Crafts and Laughs. 1.30pm-3.30pm. Details: 0118 940 4656. WINNERSH – Library, The

Henley – Kenton Theatre www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 575698 Bye Bye Baby. Sat. Rock of Ages. Wed-Sat 6.

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Soul Explosion. Sun. Ed Byrne: Outside Looking In. Thurs. The Wedding Reception. Fri 5. Michael Portillo. Sat 6.

Maidenhead – Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Paul Sinha: Postcards From The Z-List. Fri. Chris Martin: This Show Has a Soundtrack. Sat. Mozart Birthday Concert with St John’s Chamber Orchestra. Sat. FILM: NT Live: Les Liaisions Dangereuses. Fri. Black Mass. Sun, Tues. Sunset Song. Tues.

Newbury – The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com

Forest School, Robin Hood Lane RG41 5ND. Storytime for ages 3-5. 10.15am10.45am. Colouring For Adults. 11.45am-1.15pm. Details: 0118 979 7519. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Colouring for Adults. Free. 10am-noon. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Chess and Scrabble Club for adults. 2pm-3pm. National Careers Service. Advice for your CV and career planning. 10am5pm. Book group meets. 10.30am-11.30am. Details: 0118 969 0304.

Thursday, February 4 EARLEY – Palmer Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 2AH. Reading Film Theatre presents: Tangerines (Mandariinid) (15). 8pm. £5 members, £8 nonmembers, £7 concessions. Membership £20. Details: 0118 378 7151 or readingfilmtheatre.co.uk. LOWER EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Chalfont social afternoon: The work of Community First Responders: trained volunteers for emergencies with Anne Yousif. £1. 2pm. Details: 0118 931 3124. LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Board Games Club. 10am-11am. Beaded Delights Workshop with Caroline Marriott. Session 1: Stitch a beaded brooch. 2pm-4pm. £5. Storytime for ages 3-5. 2.30pm-3pm. Details: 0118 931 2150. SPENCERS WOOD – Library, Basingstoke Road RG7 1AJ. Knit and Natter. 3pm-4pm. Details: 0118 988 4771. WINNERSH – Library, The

Forest School, Robin Hood Lane RG41 5ND. Keep Calm and Fly Casual: Club for players of the X Wing Miniatures Game, Star Wars and Armada. Age 16 and over. 5.30pm-7.45pm. Details: 0118 979 7519. WOKINGHAM – Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS. Lunchtime concert: The Acorn Singers. Noon-1pm. Free entry, donations in aid of Mayor’s charity. Details: 018 974 0882. WOKINGHAM – Baptist Church, Milton Road. Wokingham Literary Society meeting: Robert McFarlane: The Old Ways, by Barbara Stagles. £2.50 nonmembers. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 978 6782. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Reminiscence Club: discuss your memories of days gone by. 10.30am-noon. First Thursday book group. 6.30pm-7.45pm. National Careers Service: Advice sessions to help you with career planning, CVs and interviews. 9.40am-3.40pm. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Children’s Chess Club for ages 8 upwards. 3.30pm-5pm. First Thursday evening book club. 6pm-6.45pm. Details: 0118 969 0304.

Friday, February 5 LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Shared aloud reading group. 10.30am. Details: 0118 931 2150. READING – Concert Hall, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Reading Phoenix Choir: Fauré’s Requiem. 7.30pm. Tickets £9.50-£19.50, under 16s £6. Details: 07783 222993. SWALLOWFIELD – Parish Hall, Swallowfield Street

RG7 1QX. Russell Players present Alice: The Panto. 7.30pm. £9, under 16s £5. Details: 07710 500491. WOKINGHAM – All Saints Church, Wiltshire Road. Wokingham Concerts presents a night of folk music with Philip Henry and Hannah Martin. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 979 2797. WOKINGHAM – 30 Rose Street RG40 1XU. John Redwood MP constituency surgery by appointment. Details: 020 7219 4205. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Crochet Group with Gaynor White from Barkham Hookers. All abilities welcome. 9.30am-11.30am. £4. Cribbage and card games club. 10.30am. Local history surgery. 10am-noon. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Arts Explorers: discover art all around you. For teens and children aged 5 and over. 4pm-4.45pm. Details: 0118 969 0304.

Saturday, February 6 EARLEY – St Peter’s Church Hall, Church Road. Meet your neighbours friendship lunch. Noon-3pm. Free, bring food to share. Details: enquiries.cic@outlook.com. EARLEY – Earley St Peter Church, Church Road RG6 1EY. Chiltern Brass Quintet in concert in aid of Brass For Africa and church funds. 7.30pm. £8, £5 concessions, £2 child. Details: 07905 087478. MAIDEN ERLEGH – Library, off Silverdale Road RG6 7HS. Children’s Writing Group for ages 9-12. 2pm-2.45pm. Details: 0118 966 6630. READING – All Saints Hall, Downshire Square. Ramp Up The Red in aid of British Heart Foundation: table

0845 5218 218 Forever In Blue Jeans. Fri. Steve Hall and Tommy Rowson. Fri. Elkie Brooks. Sat. ROH: The Royal Ballet Encore: The Two Pigeons/Rhapsody. Sun. The Great Gatsby. Tues-Wed. ROH Live: La Traviata. Thurs. Voulez-Vous 25th Anniversary Tour. Sat 6. FILM: Room. Until Thurs.

Reading – The Concert Hall

Newbury – The Watermill

Reading – Progress Theatre

www.watermill.org.uk. 01635 46044 Tell Me On A Sunday. Until Feb 20.

www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 NEXT SHOW: Steel Magnolias. Feb 15-20.

Reading – South Street

Reading – St Barts

www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Toot Focus Group (or how to stare down and transfigure loneliness, a play after David Foster Wallace. Fri. Luke Daniels: Revolve and Rotate. Thurs. Isy Suttie: The Actual One. Fri 5.

www.stbartstheatre.org 07737 477193 NEXT SHOW: Standby For Tape Back-up. March 5.

Reading – The Hexagon

www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 NEXT SHOW: The Dumb Waiter and Something Unspoken. March -12.

www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 The Circus of Horrors. Fri. I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue. Sun. Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. Mon-Sat 6.

www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Piers Adams’ Recorder Roadshow. Fri. Red Priest: Classical Music Alive. Sat. Reading Phoenix Choir: Faure Requiem. Sat 6.

Shinfield – Shinfield Players

Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000

top sale, tombola and raffle. 1.30pm-3.30pm. Details: 0118 958 4131. READING – Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road RG1 5AQ. Reading Symphony Orchestra winter concert: Glinka, Beethoven and Shostakovich. 7.30pm. £15, £13 concessions, £5 students and under 16s. Details: 0118 986 0707. READING – Concert Hall, Blagrave Street RGH1 1QH. Faure Requiem performed by Reading Phoenix Choir. £9.50-£19.50. Under 16s £6. Details: 07783 222993. SPENCERS WOOD – Village Hall. Chapel Lane pre-school quiz night. £10, includes meal. Bring own drinks. £10. Details: 07946 378320. SWALLOWFIELD – Parish Hall, Swallowfield Street RG7 1QX. Russell Players present Alice: The Panto. 2pm, 7.30pm. £9, under 16s £5. Details: 07710 500491. WARGRAVE – Library, Woodclyffe Hostel, Church Street RG10 8EP. Saturday storytime for ages 3-5. 10.30am-11am. Details: 0118 940 4656. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Teen writing group: Read Out Loud. For ages 11-18. 10.30am-noon. Kniting classes for beginners with Rachel Freeguard: how to read patterns. 10am-noon. £5. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church parish rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Quiz night with fish/chicken and chips supper. Details: 0118 979 2122. WOKINGHAM – Kingdom Hall, Station Road. Wokingham In Need quiz night. Teams of up to 8. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 375 8418. WOODLEY – Town Centre. Market. 9am-4pm. Details: 0118 921 6920 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk.

The Perfect Murder. Until March 12. Forever In Blue Jeans. Sun. Comedy Night. Mon. The First Ladies of Song. Sun 7.

Windsor – Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 New Jersey Nights. Mon-Sat Feb 6.

Woking – New Victoria www.ambassadortickets.com 0844 871 7645 Horrible Histories: Groovy Greeks and Incredible Invaders. Until Sat. Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty. Tues-Sat 6. Motown’s Greatest Hits: How Sweet It Is. Sun 7.

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 Skylight. Until Sat. NEXT SHOW: The London Cuckolds. March 3-12.

Woodley – Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org 07939 210121 NEXT SHOW: Entertaining Angels. Feb 16-20.

Friday, January 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Leisure

LEISURE | 25

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Your guide to what’s happening around Wokingham

THEATRE

This tale of marital breakdown leads to a killer comedy THE PERFECT MURDER The Mill at Sonning Thursday, January 22 Directed by Keith Myers

HE perfect murder is the one we never hear about…” Husband and wife Victor and Joan Smiley both want out. They’ve both wanted out for a long time, but neither have had the guts to leave. But when they both start having extra-marital affairs, the mood takes a sinister shift, and thoughts begin to turn to murder. Victor, played by The Bill and Coronation Street star Andrew Paul, is obsessed with two things: easternEuropean prostitute Kamila Walcak (Aneta Piotrowska), and murder mysteries. He has been planning to run away with Kamila with a payout from the life insurance he has taken out on his wife, but first he must do the deed. But how? After studying countless episodes of Midsomer Murders, Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie mysteries, he has come up with the perfect plan involving a can of paint and a bottle of cyanide: the perfect murder? Joan (Sonia Saville) wants to feel wanted. At her wit’s end with Victor, she turns her hand to voluntary work and

meets the dashing Don Kirk (Adam Morris) who sweeps her off her feet. The loved-up pair conspire to run away to Spain, but they need to get Victor out of the picture first. But how? An incredibly sugary cake and a couple of beers on their wedding anniversary should send Victor into a diabetic coma, and when Joan injects him with sugar water instead of insulin, surely it was all just a terrible mistake: the perfect murder? Crime-writer Peter James’ super-sleuth DC Roy Grace (Nick Lawson) is called in to investigate the disappearance of a teenage boy, but his psychic consultant Kamila, who has a talent for locating murder victims just by holding one of their possessions, brings another potential case to his attention when Victor disappears. Can DC Grace solve the case, and will Victor turn up alive or dead? I won’t spoil the fun by revealing who succeeds, but with the amount of doublecrossing and underhand tactics at work, expect plenty of twists and surprises. Set between the couple’s home just outside Brighton and Kamila’s room at The Kitten Parlour brothel, the action is fastpaced and well-timed, with every scene change played out with an appropriate soundtrack. Having every performance space laid out simultaneously on-stage keeps the action flowing, and a clever use

Take a trip down the rabbit hole...

of lighting leads the audience to where they need to be. The attention to detail, as always at The Mill, is impeccable, from the photo frames on the sideboard to the flowers in the kitchen window, we are flawlessly immersed within the Smiley’s lives. Many would believe that such a tale would leave you feeling down and depressed, especially on a cold and rainy January evening. But The Perfect Murder is full of incredible oneliners, comedic pauses and even a reference to The Mill’s famous next door neighbour (“It’s never George Clooney when you want it to be”, bemoans Joan when hearing about a tramp living in her neighbour’s shed). The couple verbally assault each other with a razor-sharp wit so cutting that you are convinced they have been married for 20 years too long. Victor and Joan’s journey

MUSIC

Phillip and Hannah bring folk to All Saints FOLK is coming to Wokingham next Friday, thanks to a town centre church. The first of a short series of folk music concerts launches at All Saints with an appearance by Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin. The award-winning pair will be performing songs from their latest album, Watershed. It’s been quite a journey for the duo: they started off by busking on the streets of Devon and have since risen to be voted the Best Duo at the BBC’s folk awards. BBC Radio 3’s Fiona Talkington has described them as “Eloquent performers” and “a musical success story”, while The Guardian’s Robin Denselow said that they have “a combination of virtuosity, intensity and charisma”. You can hear for yourselves next Friday at the Wiltshire Road church. The series continues on Friday, March 4, with an appearance by former Steeleye Span violinist Peter Knight and his astonishing new trio, Gigspanner. Then, on May 6, the barnstorming 2015 BBC Young Folk Award winners Talisk take centre stage.

Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin will be appearing at All Saints church.

The season ends on June 24 with a visit by June Charlie Dore, who penned the massive 1979 hit Pilot of the Airwaves. Tickets for next Friday’s concert, which

starts at 7.30pm, cost £12. They can be bought from The Cornerstone, on the door, or online from www.wokinghamconcerts. co.uk. Under 19s go free.

from fed-up, middle-class husband and wife to cold-blooded killers is carefully constructed, hugely entertaining, and definitely worth braving the cold evenings for. n The Perfect Murder runs at The Mill at Sonning until March 12. Tickets start from £43.50 which includes dinner and a programme. For more details visit www.millatsonning.com. GEMMA DAVIDSON

AUDIENCES will be treated to a trip to Wonderland this weekend as the Russell Players take to the stage for their annual pantomime. Alice…. The Panto! tells the much-loved tale of the girl who chases a white rabbit into another world, full of tea parties, Cheshire cats and talking caterpillars. Meeting the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts along the way, Alice does her best to find her way home. With the rain setting in for the weekend, why not treat the family to a trip to Wonderland instead? The Russell Players perform at Swallowfield Parish Hall, The Street, RG7 1QX. Alice… The Panto! is performed tonight (Friday), Saturday, Friday, February 5 and Saturday, February 6, at 7.30pm, with a 2.30pm matinee on both Saturdays. Tickets are £9 for adults, £5 for children under 16, and are available to buy from Swallowfield Parish Stores, The Crown Public House, and from the Box Office on 07710 500491.

26 | LEISURE

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BRIDGING THE VOID, a new film and dance production visited South Hill Park earlier this week. Produced by Experiential Dance Company the evening was designed to evoke the changes of light and atmosphere that accompany the transition from night to dawn. Starting out in complete darkness the dance experience integrated the audience into the 45-minute show. Standing, they are encouraged to move around the gallery as three dancers move around the space. The music starts with a very urban sound of metal clanking and grinding interspersed with gasping breath and eventually, bird song. The dancers move, almost in pain, as they mingle with the audience, shadows moving and writhing. They are unknown creatures trying to break through or break out, but of what? Eventually the darkness is broken by a projection of London skyline on one of the walls. The soundtrack changes to traffic noise and day breaks with the rising sun, the dancers play with the sun’s rays as the room gets brighter. Suddenly, the dancers are on the screen in a park. They seem to have escaped and look happy, running through

Gig guide Friday, January 29 BAGSHOT – The Cedar Tree, High Street GU19 5AG. Jump The Gunn. Details: 01276 473160. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Moonfly: Keller Auditions. Details: 01344 303333. CAMBERLEY – The Four Horseshoes, Frimley Road GU15 3EQ. T Roze and Co. Details: 01276 63842. CAMBERLEY – The Royal Standard, Frimley Road GU15 2PP. Forty45. CANCELLED. Details: 01276 27641. CAMBERLEY – The Agincourt, London Road GU15 3JA. Cave rock night: Courtesans, Hammerjack and Brightlight City. Details: 01252 651841. FARNBOROUGH – The Alexandra, Victoria Road GU14 7PH. The Swanlock Duo. Details: 01252 519964. FARNBOROUGH – The Tradesmans Arms, Cove Road GU14 0EX. The Turn. Details: 01252 376745. FINCHAMPSTEAD – Memorial Hall RG40 4JU. Stuart Henderson’s Remix Jazz Orchestra with Hazel Pollard. Details: remixjazzorchestra.co.uk. FLEET – The Fox and Hounds, Crookham Road GU51 5NP. Up2NoGood. Details: 01252 663686. READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Jazz at Progress: Moscow Drug Club. Details: 0118 384 2195.

READING – Concert Hall. Piers Adams’ Recorder Roadshow. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Pay Day Disco. Details: 0118 959 4267. READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. 80s Rewind DJ. Details: 0118 402 7800. SANDHURST – The White Swan, Swan Lane GU47 9BU. The Lord John Band. Details: 01252 872444. SHINFIELD – The Bell & Bottle, School Green RG2 9EE. Mythical Men. CANCELLED. TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. Nine Mile Riders. Details: 07946 342551. WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Live music. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548. WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights. Details: 0118 979 5790. YATELEY – The Cricketers, Cricket Hill Lane GU46 6BA. Blonde Ambition. Details: 01252 872105.

Saturday, January 30 BAGSHOT – The White Hart, Guildford Road GU19 5JW. Gigabit. Details: 01276 473640 BINFIELD – Victoria Arms, Terrace Road North RG42 5JA. Teaser.

HOPE & ANCHOR Free entry, fantastic beers & a great night out! This Saturday @ 9pm

JOE HOLIC

Solo acoustic act playing hits from Beatles to The Jam, Rolling Stones to Kaiser Chiefs Coming next Saturday, February 6

WEY LIVE The Imposters MUSIC

Station Road, Wokingham RG40 2AD 0118 978 0918 www.hopeanchor.co.uk

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, January 29, 2016

REVIEW

A day, in dance the grass, swinging on tree branches. Where everything started in complete and utter darkness the fiery light grows brighter and brighter until it washes out all the images. Now complete silence the bright lights are turned back on to the audience. The production is an interesting mix of light and dark, urban noise with a primitive drum beat and beautiful dance moves interspersed with jerky, passionate movement. The dance and film was choreographed by Rachel Johnson of Experiential dance and Theatre Company. “The idea of the dance is that you experience it and make it your own story,” she explained. “The starting point was a personally intense period, I had just finished my MA and had a dark void. “One morning I saw a sunrise and I felt so peaceful.” VIVIENNE JOHNSON Picture: Experiential Dance Co/Josh Tomalin.

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAMPAPER.CO.UK Details: 01344 483856. BINFIELD – Binfield Club, Forest Road RG42 4DU. Charlie Chandlers Little Rock - CANCELLED. Details: 01344 420572. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Section 8: Keller Auditions. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Cannie Man, Hanworth Road RG12 7WX. Uptown Traffic. Details: 01344 307620. CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. Fuzz Universe. Details: 01276 32691. FARNBOROUGH – The Alexandra, Victoria Road GU14 7PH. Steve Brookes. Details: 01252 519964. FARNBOROUGH GREEN – The Fox, Chapel Lane GU14 9BN. Shakin’ A Round. Details: 01276 34735. FLEET – The Falkners Arms, Falkners Close GU51 2XF. The Ninja Squirrels. Details: 01252 811311. FLEET – The Harlington, Fleet Road GU51 4BY. Live tribute to Michael Buble. Details: 01252 811009. FRIMLEY GREEN – Frimley Green Working Mens Club, Sturt Road GU16 6HX. Peach. Details: 01252 835322. READING – Concert Hall. Red Priest. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – South Street. Simon and Garfunkel: Through The Years. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Funky Hammond Night with Fever45s. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Onestop Boogie. Details: 0118 402 7800. READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Black and White Music. Details: 0118 959 4267. READING – Jazz Cafe, Shooters Way, Madjeski Stadium RG2 0FL. Gary Barlow tribute evening. Details: 0118 968 1442. READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. The Corsairs. Details: 0118 957 6930. READING – The Red Lion, Southampton Street RG1 2QL. Red Lion Rock: Soul Ride. Details: 0118 958 2797.

TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. Flick. Details: 07946 342551. WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Continuum Covers Band. Details: 01276 858501. WOKINGHAM – The Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Creme Freche. Details: 0118 978 3023. WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Joe Holic. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548. WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights. Details: 0118 979 5790. WOODLEY – Bull and Chequers,Church Road. Gary Roman is Elvis. Details: 0118 969 9756. YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, The Green GU46 7LR. Off The Record. Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, January 31 BRACKNELL – The Crown Wood, Opladen Way RG12 0PE. Jam session: Martin Deadman acoustic. Details: 01344 867374. BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Wilde Sundays and Creative Control Band Night. Details: 01344 484123. READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Hair of the Dog Comedy night. Details: 0118 959 4267. READING – Abbot Cook Pub, Kings Road RG1 5DE. Stuart

Henderson with Vasilis Xenopoulous and the Simon Price Trio. From 3.30pm. Details: 0118 935 4095. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Forever In Blue Jeans. Details: 0118 969 8000. WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Chris Dunne Band. Details: 01276 858501. WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Open mic night. Details: 0118 978 0918.

Monday, February 1 EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports & Social Club, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club presents Artree Music Live: The Salts. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk.

Tuesday, February 2 PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Open acoustic jam night. Details: 0118 969 9878. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. The Rifles (Acoustic). Details: 0118 959 5395. READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Greg Mayston. Details: 0118 958 6692. SHERFIELD-ON-LODDON – The Four Horseshoes, Reading Road RG27 0EX. Equinox with Chris Ford. Details: 01256 882296.

Wednesday, February 3 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Jazz jam. 10am.

Details: 01344 484123. READING – Milk Bar, Merchants Place, off Friar Street RG1 1DT. No Room For Squares: David Bowie tribute. Details: www. milkreading.com TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. Open Mic night with Damian Delahunty. Details: 07946 342551.

Thursday, February 4 CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. Jam Night. Details: 01276 32691. CAMBERLEY – The Royal Standard, Frimley Road GU15 2PP. Acoustic Evening. Details: 01276 27641. READING – South Street. Luke Daniels: Revolve and Rotate. Details: 0118 960 6060. SHINFIELD – Magpie and Parrot, Arborfield Road RG2 9EA. Claire Jones. Details: 0118 988 4130.

Friday, February 5 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road. Stanley Dee. Details: 01344 878100. BAGSHOT – The Cedar Tree, High Street GU19 5AG. Soul’d Out. Details: 01276 473160. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Ed Sheeran cabaret night and Beth Morris from The Voice. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Mark Ridout and Support. Jaquie Dankwirth and Charlie Wood. Details: 01344 484123. CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. The Lord John

Beth Morris from The Voice will be appearing at The Keller next Friday evening

Band. Details: 01276 32691. CAMBERLEY – The Royal Standard, Frimley Road GU15 2PP. Said and Done. Details: 01276 27641. CAMBERLEY – The Four Horseshoes, Frimley Road GU15 3EQ. Charlie Chandlers Little Rock. Details: 01276 63842. FARNBOROUGH – The Alexandra, Victoria Road GU14 7PH. Zak. Details: 01252 519964. FLEET – The Fox and Hounds, Crookham Road GU51 5NP. England’s Dreaming. Details: 01252 663686. READING – The Red Lion, Southampton Street RG1 2QL. Red Lion Rock: Mod Band Night - Wardour Street. Details: 0118 958 2797. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Spear of Destiny. Willie and the Bandits. Justin Bieber Appreciation Society Details: 0118 959 5395. SANDHURST – The White Swan, Swan Lane GU47 9BU. Creme Freche. Details: 01252 872444. WINDLESHAM – Windlesham Club, Kennel Lane GU20 6AA. Tony Barker and Keith Chilvers. Details: 01276 472210. WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Live music. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548. WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights. Details: 0118 979 5790.

Saturday, February 6 BINFIELD – Victoria Arms, Terrace Road North RG42 5JA. D’Artagnan. Details: 01344 483856. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Peach. Details: 01344 303333. CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. Forty45. Details: 01276 32691. FARNBOROUGH – The Alexandra, Victoria Road GU14 7PH. Phil and Al. Details: 01252 519964. FLEET – The Falkners Arms,

Falkners Close GU51 2XF. The Soultones. Details: 01252 811311. FLEET – The Harlington, Fleet Road GU51 4BY. Fleetwood Bac. Details: 01252 811009. FRIMLEY GREEN – Frimley Green Working Mens Club, Sturt Road GU16 6HX. CoolBeans. Details: 01252 835322. READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Syn City Rockers. Details: 0118 957 6930. READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Knoxville Highway. Details: 0118 402 7800. SANDHURST – The Rose and Crown, High Street GU47 8HA. Blonde Ambition. Details: 01252 878938. WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Uptown Traffic. Details: 01276 858501. WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. The Imposters. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548. WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights. Details: 0118 979 5790. YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, The Green GU46 7LR. Lou Taylor. Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, February 7 BRACKNELL – The Crown Wood, Opladen Way RG12 0PE. Jam session: Martin Deadman acoustic. Details: 01344 867374. BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Wilde Sundays and Creative Control Band Night. Details: 01344 484123. FLEET – Prince of Wales, Reading Road South GU52 7SY. NRG. Details: 01252 614284. WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Open mic and jam night. Details: 01276 858501.

LEISURE | 27

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Friday, January 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

AT THE CINEMA

The acoustic couch

This banking morality tale comes up short

Salts to give Mondays a new flavour

Stars: Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt

HE year 2007 doesn’t seem that long ago, but between then and now you’ll certainly have forgotten that bankers had shockingly bad hair. That’s the main thing that comes through when you watch Adam McKay’s The Big Short. A far throw from knockabout Will Ferrell comedies Anchorman, Talledega Nights and Step Brothers, The Big Short is co-written and directed by the man responsible for those same comedies and tackles the very serious subject of the devastating financial crisis. Which, the movie tells us, saw eight million Americans lose their jobs and six million lose their homes. Feeling a little like he’s suddenly developed a conscience, McKay approaches The Big Short with a flashy yet talky take, turning in a Wolf of Wall Street-style entry into the world of movies about immoral, bloodsucking bankers. He doesn’t jettison the comedy all together – even if it’s just in the laughable hair dos of Steve Carell, Christian Bale and a Robert Redford-looking Brad Pitt, and in the risible blinding-white teeth and terracotta tan of Ryan Gosling. And let’s not forget Bale’s performance itself as the eccentric Michael Burry – the guy who first predicts the crash. The board shorts-sporting, flip flop-flapping, heavy metalobsessed banking hotshot who must surely occupy a space along the autism spectrum, is a dismissal short of a role as the third step brother in McKay’s eponymous film. McKay’s treatment attempts to explain to audiences exactly what caused the financial meltdown – it’s all to do with shonky mortgage bonds – at the same time as telling the story about those who saw it coming and invested knowingly to profit from the big banks’ greed and ignorance. Fair play to them. But the problem, of course, is that everybody in this movie is pretty much morally reprehensible and we’re never actually sure if McKay’s somewhat light-hearted, mocking approach is backing our team of ‘antiheroes’ or indicting them. All of the characters bar one are never more than twodimensional figures serving the facts laid out in the story. The exception is Steve Carell as Mark Baum who is still coming to terms with his brother’s suicide and his own feelings of guilt, and is the only one who expresses any real dismay at what’s happening in the world – and what they’re doing. Narrated by Ryan Gosling’s Jared Vennett and punctuated by fourth wall-breaking interludes to explain troublesome banking terminology to the audience via speeches from the likes of Selena Gomez and chef Anthony Bourdain, there’s added levity – and a touch of condescension. The Big Short, however, is mostly on our side. In fact, it should sit as a companion piece to current release Spotlight: both highlight how institutions do us all over. Acting as a cautionary tale, McKay warns us as the film draws to a close that this could all happen again – and that, inevitably, the taxpayer will be the one to suffer.

ONDAY might not be the first day that springs to mind when thinking about going to a gig – but that is exactly the plan for a new occasional Monday night folk, roots and acoustic music event, which launches next week in Emmbrook. Artree Music, Berkshire’s premier folk, roots and acoustic music promoters has teamed up with Stan Hetherington, the driving force behind the hugely successful Wokingham Music Club, and Wokingham Festival, to host the evening of live music. The idea of a collaboration between both organisations has been a number of years in the making, and if successful, could increase to more than just the occasional show currently planned. The first show – scheduled for Monday, February 1, will be given a raucous start with a headline set by very highly rated sea shanty band The Salts. The Salts, fronted by twice BBC Young Folk Finalist Lee Collinson-

James, have circumnavigated the Commonwealth with tours of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India, Singapore and Hong Kong. Their debut album, ‘She Rises’ features a mesmerising mix of full speed traditional and original shanties – and their live show is full of great musicianship, sing-a-longs and banter. Also performing will be Bruce Neil.

Club events is an ideal venue for roots and acoustic music. “Although I have programmed the genre sporadically in the past, having a dedicated semi-regular show is a great step forward in providing another opportunity to live music fans.” And Phil Daniels from Artree Music is also pleased that the team-up is happening. He said: “Offering a live music event on a Monday is a risk, and will certainly pose some challenges with regards promotion and marketing – but we’re strong believers that if the product is good, people will invest time in it – and we’re determined to make sure each line up at these Clubhouse shows is worth the investment.” The gig takes place on Monday at Wokingham and Emmbrook Sports and Social Club in Lowther Road. Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets cost £8 in advance or £10 on the door. n For more details, log on to www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk

A Wokingham native, Bruce is a singersongwriter with a folk-inspired sound, producing songs with heartfelt depth and lyrics that captivate the listener. Stan Hetherington from Wokingham Music Club said: “I’m delighted to be able to host the guys from Artree at my club for what I hope will be a long and fruitful association. The clubhouse where we host the Wokingham Music

Graham steels show (no he really does!) Wit, wisdom and music were all on offer at South Hill Park last week. JODY Mc was there too A night of witty banter was laid on at South Hill Park last Thursday. During the evening, Graham Steel again reminded us why he is adored by the unsigned artist, and exactly why we welcome him and his events to TheAcousticCouch family as a valued friend and promoter. (I hope to learn a lot more from Graham and his music company — aka GSMC — in the years ahead). Armed with a pencil and paper (the good ol’ fashioned way) I wasn’t sure what I was going to expect as I attended on the first-ever Graham Steel Music Awards. I mean this was something inspired after a good night’s sleep and a harmless Facebook post. I asked Graham why he decided to do the awards and it turns out that it

originally started as a joke, but soon became more serious. He said: “On December 23, I woke up and thought, for a laugh, I would do my own music awards. Within a week around 750 people voted and just fewer than 1,500 people engaged online for the announcements, a truly startling response. “We’ve had a fab show tonight night and the winners now have the awards in their homes and the GSMC Music Award is now a thing! All within a month.” Graham was also grateful to those who performed during the evening. He said: “A big thanks to Al & the Sunflowers, Rebecca Jayne & Zach Johnson for the great sets tonight, And congratulations to all the Winners. “I must not forget thanks to all who came along in support, we had an amazing night.” Amrit Sond was winner of best instrumental artist award. He uttered the words so many musicians will relate to.

STR8TS Medium

Previous solution - Easy

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

1 5 6 1

5 6 3 9 7 5

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

No. 266

Very Hard

4 7 3 1 1 2 5

1 6

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

8 5

6 9 2 1 7 5 8 3 4

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.

Previous solution - Tough

2 3

3 5

minutes for Graham, and deservedly so. A personal influence to my walk and me with music and venues and community and a wonderfully great friend. To quote Abba, Graham thank you for the music and giving it to me ;)

He said: “I’ve known Graham for many, many years, we met on a little stage at the Firestation, a Windsor Arts centre. Without him I don’t think I’d be here now doing the music I do.” For every minute of applause for the winner of each award there were three

SUDOKU

No. 266

2 4

The award winners of the inaugural Graham Steel Music Company Awards

4 3 1 4 6

The Big Short (15) «««««

Upcoming music with Jody Mc

Kim Taylor-Foster

1 8 7 4 3 2 5 6 9

5 3 4 8 9 6 1 2 7

9 6 3 2 5 7 4 8 1

7 5 8 6 1 4 2 9 3

2 4 1 3 8 9 7 5 6

8 2 6 7 4 3 9 1 5

3 7 9 5 2 1 6 4 8

4 1 5 9 6 8 3 7 2

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.

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THE WHITTY THEATRE AT LUCKLEY HOUSE SCHOOL The Whitty Theatre at Luckley House School of Luckley Road, Wokingham, RG40 3EU proposes to carry on the following licensable activities at the above premises: Performances of plays, films, live music, recorded music, dance, and anything of a similar description – and the supply of alcohol during these events – at any time between Monday to Sunday, 09.00 to 23.00. Representations may be made in writing by any responsible authority or interested party in the vicinity of the premises to the licensing authority – Licensing Team, Wokingham Borough Council, POB 155, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WW or by email to licensing@wokingham.gov.uk All representations made are open to public inspection Representations to be made by: 17 February 2016 This application has been made to the Licensing Team at Wokingham Borough Council where a register of applications is kept and a record of the application may be inspected.

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DECORATING

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quality decorators We are proud to support The Wokingham Paper A local family business established for 30+ years, we guarantee customer satisfaction with our highly professional and personal service.

We provide all aspects of internal and external painting and decorating, domestic and commercial, plus artexing, coving and tiling. Also general building and allied work. Free estimates and advice Mobile: 07966 551698 Phone: 0118 973 3537 Email: trevor@quality-decorators.co.uk Website: www.quality-decorators.co.uk

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WOKINGHAM SPORT

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 HOCKEY

Victory is King for leading scorer Tom and Wokingham WOKINGHAM MEN pulled themselves off the bottom of the MBBO Regional Division 2 table with an impressive 4-1 victory over West Hampstead 2s at Cantley Park. Leading scorer Tom King hit his seventh goal of the season during the triumph. He was joined on the scoresheet by Craig Atkins, Nathan Desmond and Ravi Patel. Joergen Jaehnig struck a consolation for the away side. Promotion-chasing Harrow, meanwhile, were simply too good for WOKINGHAM 2S. Led by the two goals netted by Nick Lendon, the visitors ran out 5-0 winners in the MBBO Division 3 clash. Joseph Castle-Giffin, Will Grogan and Colin Jones were also on target for second-placed Harrow. WOKINGHAM 3S, though, pulled themselves closer to the mid-table positions when bagging a 3-1 success on the road at MBBO Division 7 basement boys Milton Keynes Samurai. In the Wessex Supervets Fixtures Alliance, WOKINGHAM VETERANS fought back from 2-0 down away at Amersham and Chalfont Vintage – only to lose the contest 3-2 with the very last shot of the game. Wokingham Ladies THE WAIT for a win is finally over after Wokingham 3s stunned Bicester 3s in Trysports Division 5. A 2-0 victory over opposition which started the day sitting third in the table was not only the club’s first league win of the season, but also moved Wokingham on to plus points for the campaign. The FIRST XI, however, slipped to a 12th loss in 15 outings when going down to a 3-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Aylesbury in Premier Division 1. Chloe Banks, Angela Dickson and Clemmie Jackson all hit the backboard for the Buckinghamshire side. The same scoreline was recorded in Division 2, where WOKINGHAM 2S were also on the wrong end of the result. Jo Rees, Olivia Philp and Ellie Yeomans all notched to secure opponents and hosts Marlow 3s the points. Fixtures - Saturday, January 30 MBBO Regional Division 2: Slough Men v Wokingham.

Tom Desmond celebrates his goal

Tom King (left) was on target for Wokingham last Saturday Pictures: Andrew Merritt

DIVISION 3: Oxford 4s v Wokingham 2s DIVISION 7: Wokingham 3s v Banbury Piranhas. TRYSPORTS PREMIER 1: Wokingham Ladies v Sonning Ladies DIVISION 2: Wokingham 2s v Buckingham 3s DIVISION 3: Wallingford 4s v Wokingham 3s.

SONNING HOCKEY CLUB SONNING LADIES kept up the winning habit when defeating Oxford University Ladies 2s 3-1 in Trysports Premier 1. Victory saw the side consolidate sixth position in the standings. SONNING LADIES, meanwhile, warmed up for this weekend’s borough derby with Wokingham Ladies when disposing of struggling Bicester Ladies in a 4-1 victory. They remain third in the table, but sit 12 points behind leaders Reading 2s. The club’s 3RD XI, meanwhile, ended a wretched run of 13 straight defeats in style. Away at fellow basement club Wycombe 3s, the visitors romped to an impressive 5-0 victory. Sonning move on to three points for the season, and now only sit as many behind their weekend opponents. A 3-0 loss in a bottom-of-the-table clash with Bracknell 2s, however, means SONNING 4S are six points adrift at the foot of the Division 3 table. There was little for the Veterans to cheer about either, who were handed a 6-1 thrashing by Gerrards Cross 2s at Berkshire County Sports. A points deduction for being unable to field a team means Aylesbury 4s replace SONNING 5S at the foot of the Division 6 ladder. But such luck was to run out on the field, where Slough Ladies were comfortable 3-0 winners. Sonning Men TWO GOALS from Colm Hanlon and a Chris Tipple strike saw Sonning 2s secure a share of the spoils with Witney in MBBO Division 1. The six-goal, 3-3 draw was completed by the efforts

from Witney’s Scott Beach, Andy Gosnell and Harry Harbage. SONNING MEN were away at British Airways in this fourth-played-fifth encounter in MBBO Division 1. Ian Gallagher and Jon Sharp struck for the visitors, but it was those goals scored by Teto Jutley (2), Amandeep Matharoo and Dav Sehmi which saw B.A to the points in a 4-2 victory. A Tim Preston double was little more than consolation for Wokingham’s SONNING 3S, who remain just a place off Ravi Patel the bottom in MBBO Division 3 after a 5-2 reverse at Wallingford 2s. Two goals each for Luke Casey and Angus Jones, along with a Dan Richardson effort helped the home side to the win. A difficult season for SONNING 4S shows no sign of letting up. They continue to prop up the rest following a 6-1 rout at Banbury 3s. Tom Boardman hit a hat-trick for the visitors, with Ben Britto (2) and Luke Frazer joining him in finding the back of the net. Sonning hit back through Chris Stone, but the goal was of little significance to the result. A 4-2 defeat at Bracknell Terriors saw SONNING 5S lose top spot in MBBO Division 8 West, where they have been replaced by Oxford 7s, while in Division 9 West, second-placed SONNING 6S played out a goalless draw with Thame 3s, with the 7S conceding four goals without reply at Newbury and Thatcham 5s Fixtures — Saturday, January 30 TRYSPORTS PREMIER 1: Sonning Ladies 2s v Oxford Hawks 3s DIVISION 1: Sonning 3s v Newbury and Thatcham Ladies 2s DIVISION 3: Wallingford Ladies 3s v Sonning 4s DIVISION 4: Newbury and Thatcham 3s v Sonning Veterans DIVISION 6: Sonning 5s v Buckingham 4s MBBO REGIONAL DIVISION 2: Sonning Men v Bracknell MBBO DIVISION 1: Bicester v Sonning 2s MBBO DIVISION 2: Sonning 3s v Milton Keynes 3s MBBO DIVISION 4: Wootton Wanderers v Sonning 4s DIVISION 8 WEST: Sonning 5s v Oxford 7s DIVISION 9 WEST: Newbury and Thatcham 5s v Sonning 6s; Sonning 7s v Henley 4s

DOES THEO HOLD ALL THE CLEWS?: Academy star predicts a bright future for London Irish — Page 35

LIVING THE DREAM

Olympic Youth Games date for Twyford hot-shot Verity AN ICE HOCKEY ace from Twyford is preparing to represent Team GB at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer. Verity Lewis is one of the 16 athletes selected to represent her country at the competition, which takes place in Norway next month. The 16-year-old is part of Bracknell Ice Hockey Club, where she plays for the Bracknell Queen Bees Under-16s, and will compete for GB in the ice hockey skills challenge. Lewis booked her place in the squad after qualifying out of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Global Skills Challenge held last year, which was confirmed by the British Olympic Association (BOA) on Tuesday. “I’ve been working towards this moment for a long time and to finally know that I am going to be part of Team GB for the Youth Olympic Games is a dream come true,” said Verity. “It’s so exciting to think we’re only two weeks away from flying out there. “The skills challenge is a tough event but preparations have been going really well and I’ll be looking to do the best that I can in Lillehammer next month.” The delegation will feature in seven of the 15 disciplines which make up the sporting programme: alpine skiing, bobsleigh, curling, freestyle skiing, the ice hockey skills challenge, luge and skeleton. Lillehammer 2016 is the fourth-ever edition of the Youth Olympic Games, which started in Singapore back in 2010. It will be the second winter games following the inaugural competition which Innsbruck hosted in 2012. Adam Pengilly, Team GB’s Chef de

Verity Lewis

Mission, said: “It’s really exciting to announce the team and in just a few days time we’ll be gathering together to kit the team out and assemble for the first time before flying out to Norway. “This will no doubt be the pinnacle of these athletes’ careers so far and we want the Youth Olympic Games to be part of a journey to help with their development both as competitiors, but also as people. “Lillehammer will be about them gaining the experience of being part of an Olympic environment as well as delivering the best possible performance that they can. “We’ve got a great mix of sports and we’re represented in seven of the 15 disciplines, with quite a small delegation. “I’m sure we’re going to see some exciting things from these young athletes in Norway and beyond.”

BASKETBALL

Improving Rockets preparing for ‘must-win’ double header READING ROCKETS will contest a fourth successive double header this weekend. And the games with Leicester Warriors on Saturday (6pm) and Tees Valley Mohawks the following day (5pm) – both taking place at Rivermead and in NBL Division One – have been labelled “must-win” by coach Manuel Pena Garces. It was a mixed bag of results for Rockets last time out, letting slip of a 15-point half-time lead and losing 74-72 against Essex Leopards before rallying back to outscore struggling Kent Crusaders 71-63. Although frustrated at surrendering an advantage against the Leopards, Pena Garces was pleased with the response shown in the following match, and is hoping this momentum can continue when they return to the court for what will be games eight and nine in the space of just 24 days. “This group is learning a lot and we

are working hard to be better every practice and ultimately for the end of the season our goal is to be the best we can, work for each other and win,” said the Spaniard. “This weekend’s games are must-win games for us and how we prepare, approach and execute will be the keys in trying to attain this. “Our discipline in practice needs to transfer to the game floor and we need to keep being accountable and learning every single day to give us the platform we need to push on into this second part of the season.” Captain Danny Carter is struggling with a knee complaint and will need to be assessed. A decision will also be taken over Jordan Nicholls, the point guard who has been playing through the pain barrier having injured a wrist, which was aggravated again last weekend.

34 | SPORT Lewis Turner suffered a bang to the head on Saturday night

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, January 29, 2016

ICE HOCKEY

Bracknell captain nets 100th goal for club, but Swindon take the points

Foord’s milestone ruined by the ‘cats Bracknell Bees 4 Swindon Wildcats 7

By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Wait for win over Phantoms is still a dream for Bees Peterborough Phantoms 4 Bracknell Bees 1

BEES’ miserable form against the Phantoms continued on Saturday night, writes FIONA GEORGE-SMITH. Bracknell’s losing streak against Peterborough remains at two years and counting after a brace of goals from Craig Scott helped the hosts to victory in Cambridgeshire. A Bracknell side missing player-coach Lukas Smital, Tom Beesley, Brandon Miles, Harvey Hind-Pitcher and Josh Martin fell behind to a goal scored by the same player in just the second minute and were unable to recover. Scott broke the deadlock via a counter attack and would make it 2-0 in the fifth minute when set up by Milan Baranyk and Tom Norton. Bees did create openings of their own to try and get back into the contest, but were either off target or unable to find a way past Janis Auzins in the Phantoms goal. Darius Pliskauskas would ping home a third for the home side at the start of the second session, but some hope for Bracknell was restored when captain Matt Foord was on hand to tuck home the rebound after a Milan Kostourek effort had deflected his way. The goal would arrive on 36:01, but just minutes later and a heavy hit which saw Lewis Turner crash into the boards would result in the defenceman being knocked out and having to be helped to the dressing room. He would take no further part in proceedings, and a Bracknell side whose numbers had now been further decimated saw the deficit stretched when Lloyd Gibson finished off good work between James Ferrara and Pliskauskas to make it 4-1 on 41 minutes. Peterborough used the moment to make a change in goal, with Auzins making way for Adam Long. Not long after and Bees’ Josh Smith was called up for an icing infraction. Remonstrating with the referee, however, would result in Milan Kostourek being hit with a 10 minute misconduct charge. The visitors would kill off the respective penalties and then receive a power play of their own when Scott Robson was guilty of a stick offence. Bracknell duly laid siege on the Phantoms goal, but again could not find the target or a way past Long, who fell into penalty trouble himself when trying to hide the puck, with the player deemed to have committed a delay of the game offence. Bees would remain encamped in opposition territory, but the outcome was no different.

MATT FOORD struck his 100th goal for Bracknell Bees on his 600th league appearance – but it was not enough to prevent the side slipping to defeat at the Hive. It was quite a remarkable weekend for the forward, who also notched for the 200th time in his career during the 4-1 reverse at Peterborough Phantoms on Saturday night, but it was one which was to end in disappointment. Foord drew his side level at 3-3 early in the second session when drilling home a pass from Milan Kostourek in what was a good old-fashioned battle between these two M4 rivals. However, three strikes in a little over two minutes late in the game, two of which came from Jonas Hoog with player-coach Aaron Nell getting the other to complete the hat-trick, was the undoing of the Bees. “I think the game was a lot closer than it was tonight,” said Food, who is now closing in on Matt Cote’s record of 419 games for the club.

James Galazzi broke his scoring duck when netting twice during the 7-4 loss

“If we can take our chances and try and limit those small mistakes we can get a result. It was just one goal (from Nell) and silly mental errors. “They also scored one on the break, which is frustrating and a lapse in judgement. “It is not as if we are playing bad, it is just about taking our chances and it is difficult because when you are working so hard and you just fall short it is a bit demoralising and you have got to try and pick yourself up. “I think we are putting the performances in and if we can get a couple of results you just don’t know what could happen.” Bracknell were the livelier of the two teams during the early exchanges and were unlucky not to get the go-ahead goal when defenceman Carl Graham let fly from the blueline, only to see Swindon netminder Jordan Hedley deflect the puck on to the crossbar. But it was the Wiltshire side who took the lead and quickly doubled the advantage with two goals in the space of just 77 seconds. Corey Mcewen rattled a strike into the top corner on 6.21 as Bees were caught out

Matt Foord (left) racked up a century of goals for Bees when scoring against Swindon on Sunday night Pictures: Bob Swann

by a counter to break the deadlock before Carlo Finucci set off down the right wing at break-neck speed and squeezed a shot between Alex Mettam in the Bees goal and the near post. Both goals would arrive through Swindon attacking Bracknell’s left side, which was often left exposed as the hosts pushed forward. It was, however, game on two minutes later when Graham threaded an incisive pass from deep to Milan Kostourek, who turned his man brilliantly and produced a clinical finish past a rooted Hedley to halve the deficit. The ‘keeper would deny Lewis Turner from netting an equaliser at point-blank range soon after and then watched on as the visitors surged up the other end and regained the two-goal cushion. Making it 3-1 was Nell, who swept home a Hoog pass from an inside left position in the 13th minute. Tomasz Malasinski was thwarted by Mettam when a slick Swindon move from one side to the other cut Bracknell wide open, but back came the home side. Vanya Antonov was wide and another Kostourek attempt caused a goalmouth scramble, but it was from a trademark Bendik drive from the blueline when James Galazzi ended his long wait to light the lamp. With Wildcats duo Finucci and Matt Selby sitting out roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct calls and Scott Spearing joining them in the bin, also for roughing, Galazzi was on hand to tip his team back into contention. Bracknell were once again missing player-coach Lukas Smital due to a broken finger, but the injury curse was to strike again when Turner, who suffered concussion following a knock to the head the night before, was deemed unable to continue during the interval. The first period had its moments, but the second 20 minutes became a much feisty affair, and the stanza was just seconds old when Galazzi and Selby

Netminder Alex Mettam and Jan Bendik foil Swindon forward Tomasz Malasinski

dropped the gloves. A slashing minor would see Swindon’s Adam Harding also take a seat in the bin, and it was here when Foord completed the comeback. Another deflection, meanwhile, would divert a Bendik shot on to the ironwork, while Mettam foiled both Finucci and Malasinski as the two sides continued to trade chances. The fixture, though, would be marred by yet more penalty trouble, with Spearing and Swindon’s Sam Bullas clashing following an incident which saw Bendik draw blood and need treatment. Antonov would also become involved, and he was punished with a 2+10 charge for abusing an official. Dust ups aside, it was all still to play for in the final session – but losing Josh Smith to a high stick call saw Swindon regain the lead, and it was some strike too from Nell, who had the time to pick his spot and get the better of Mettam with an opportunist shot from distance. The opposition would continued to show the indomitable spirit witnessed on countless occasions this season, and both

Kostourek and Graham were unlucky with goal-bound efforts Hedley kept out. The crossbar, though, would thwart Malasinski after Kostourek was given two minutes for hooking, yet when back at full strength Galazzi pulled Bees level for the third time on the night. And it was a brilliant and confident strike by the forward, who took a Josh Tetlow pass in his stride before flashing the puck into the top shelf. Yet whatever Galazzi could do, Nell was about to match, producing a goal worthy of winning any contest on 56:23. His hat-trick goal was one which came out of nowhere, as the forward looked to be causing little trouble when receiving the puck just inside Bees’ territory. But the forward had a sight of goal and chanced his luck, with Mettam only able to watch on as the strike whistled over his shoulder and into the top slot. It was the decisive blow to a shorthanded Bracknell side which was beginning to tire, although more sucker punches were to arrive. Exploiting the gaps now being left open as the hosts pushed up saw Hoog skate in unopposed and beat Mettam at the second attempt. The same player would wrap up the scoring seconds later when slotting into an empty net after Mettam was pulled following a time out. Defeat leaves Bees three points adrift at the foot of the table ahead of a trip to Basingstoke Bison this Saturday (6.30pm) before the Wildcats once again visit the Hive on Sunday (6pm). English Premier Ice Hockey League P W OW OL L F Basingstoke 38 22 5 2 9 142 Milton Keynes 40 19 5 4 12 139 Peterborough 37 20 3 5 9 140 Guildford 38 16 6 3 13 133 Swindon 37 17 5 3 12 131 Telford 37 20 2 0 15 145 Sheffield 36 16 3 3 14 132 Manchester 35 11 1 6 17 106 Hull 38 5 3 5 25 88 Bracknell 38 8 0 2 28 115

A 91 110 95 122 123 103 149 131 179 168

Pts 56 52 51 47 47 44 41 30 21 18

Friday, January 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Kiely to kit Exiles out for St Patrick’s Day celebrations THE FIXTURES against Saracens and Gloucester will see London Irish line up in a commemorative shirt designed by Orla Kiely. The world renowned Irish designer (pictured) has created the kit Exiles will wear as part of the 2016 St Patrick’s Day celebrations. The strip will be first worn when Tom Coventry takes his side to New York for the groundbreaking Aviva Premiership game with local rivals Saracens. This takes place in the States on March 12. It will then be put back on for the visit of Gloucester to Madejski Stadium on March 20, which is the club’s St Partick’s Day game. The Orla Kiely brand is famous for its instantly recognisable signature retro prints and carries ringing endorsements from the Duchess of Cambridge and celebrities such as actor Keira Knightly and fashionista Alexa Chung. Well known for its collaborations with major brands in kitchenware, stationary

and furniture, this will be the brands first “I was delighted to accept the invitation to design the London Irish St Patrick’s jersey,” said the designer. “It is an exciting opportunity to be part of something different and I wish the club much success this season and beyond.” The launch of the kit will tie in with World Cancer Day on February 4, with the initiative lending its support to official charity partner Cancer Research UK, whose logo will feature on the shirt. Bob Casey, London Irish chief executive, added: “The club is pleased to have partnered with Orla Kiely to design this season’s St Partick’s Day jersey. “March is an important month for us with our ground-breaking fixture in the USA, as well as our 15th St Partick’s Day game. “To have a shirt exclusively designed by Orla will make these important fixtures even more special.”

Aseli signs on for two more seasons

ASELI TIKOIROTUMA has signed on with Irish for a further two seasons. The Fiji international only joined the club from Aviva Premiership rivals Harlequins last summer, but his impact has been immediate and club officals have moved to tie the player, who is comfortable either at wing or in the centre, to a longer deal. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at London Irish so far this season,” he said. “The club has created an environment in which I feel I can perform to my best. “I have full belief in the coaches and the programme they are running at London Irish. “I feel extremely positive about what we can achieve in the future.” Tikoirotuma has made 11 appearances for the Exiles this term, scoring two tries. The 29-year-old arrived in the UK

SPORT | 35

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when joining Quins from Super Rugby side the Chiefs, where he was a key member of the squad which won two Super Rugby titles. To date, Tikoirotuma has been capped 17 times by his country since making his debut in November 2013, ans played at last year’s World Cup. He started his career with Wanganui in New Zealand, where he spent five seasons before moving to Manawatu, where he played in the ITM Cup.” Glenn Delaney, head of rugby operations at Irish, added: Aseli has fitted into our squad really well since arriving at London Irish in October. “He is a great character and a player we feel can play an influential role in our back line for the next couple of seasons. “He is also a great role model for our young players to learn from.”

LONDON IRISH

‘Lets impose our game on Sale and show some front’ SALE SHARKS v LONDON IRISH AVIVA PREMIERSHIP AJ BELL STADIUM SATURDAY – 2.15PM By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk LONDON IRISH return to Aviva Premiership duty this weekend and can expect a battle up front, Fergus Mulchrone has warned. The Exiles resume domestic duties buoyed by last Saturday’s comfortable victory over Agen in the European Challenge Cup and the drama which followed. A late try scored by Grenoble’s Gio Aplon saw Mulchrone and Irish squeeze through to the quarter-finals at the expense of Edinburgh, and a date with Harlequins in April now awaits the side. But the centre, who grabbed the all-important bonus-point try in southern France at the weekend, is keen to put the European excitement to one side, and is hoping to be part of the starting XV which looks to secure a second league win on the spin. “Of course it is great to be in the quarter-finals, but that’s not for a few weeks and its now time to concentrate on the league,” said the 29-year-old. “It is a local derby and we will be wanting to do a job on them and fingers crossed we can get to the semi-finals, but for me it is about taking each game at a time, and the next game is Sale.” Mulchrone knows the Sharks only too well, as Steve Diamond’s side lists among his former clubs. And while expecting a tough battle in the north west, the player is keen to see Irish go and take the game to opposition who sit not too far away from the visitors in the standings. Mulchrone added: “The idea is to try and get in as comfortable a position as we can in away games. “We want to impose our game on the opposition and not wanting them

Fergus Mulchrone could line up against his old club on Saturday

to come on to us. We’re working on the structure we want to play and the systems we hope can win us the game. “We know it is going to be tough and we’re not expecting great weather conditions and it’s all going to be up front. “They are going to be strong in the scrum and the line-outs and they have some talented players. “It is going to be a physical match, so we will need to be disciplined, but we’re looking forward to it.” Victory over Newcastle Falcons in their last league match back on January 10 pulled Irish off the foot of the table. Picking up just a third win of the season could, results elsewhere depending, see Tom Coventry’s charges close the gap on those above them in the standings. Yet to potentially move level on points with the Warriors, Exiles must do something which has eluded them in the Premiership thus far in 2015/16 – pick up a bonus point. And while admitting it is a frustration

Mulchrone, who signed on at Madejski Stadium from Rotherham Titans back in 2013, is looking at the issue with some perspective. “Of course it’s tough,” he said. “You put in a full-blooded performance for 80 minutes and not come away with a single point is hard, but we cannot go out looking for a losing bonus point. “We have got to stick to out structure, believe in each other and the team and hope we can come away with something.” Having scored a try and helped the side to victory, you would think Mulchrone would have given coach Coventry some thinking to do as he prepares to name his squad for the clash at the AJ Bell Stadium. The New Zealander has heavily rotated his line-ups over the past two weeks, and changes can be expected once again as some of the more established players return to the fold, yet Mulchrone is not getting too carried away. He said: “One of the big pluses to come out of Europe and qualifying for the quarter-finals is that we have been able to blood some of the younger players, like Theo Brophy Clews and Ollie Curry. “The experience will stand them in good stead, but it’s back to the Premiership now and we have some players coming back from injury. “Of course I’d love to play against my old team, but will leave those decisions to the coach.” Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier Division P W D L F A BP Saracens 9 8 0 1 255 110 5 Exeter 9 7 0 2 237 126 6 Harlequins 9 6 1 2 254 200 5 Leicester 9 7 0 2 188 164 1 Northampton 9 4 0 5 159 133 6 Wasps 9 4 0 5 193 181 4 Gloucester 9 4 1 4 183 195 2 Sale Sharks 8 3 1 4 130 163 3 Bath 8 3 0 5 158 152 4 Worcester 9 2 0 7 170 237 4 London Irish 9 2 0 7 136 271 0 Newcastle 9 1 1 7 128 259 1

PTS 37 34 31 29 22 20 20 17 16 12 8 7

Symons and Irish happy as Gio secures dramatic quarter-final spot Agen 17 London Irish 31

BRING on Harlequins was the message from Matt Symons after London Irish secured an unlikely spot in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup. The Exiles did their job in recording a bonus-point victory in southern France, but still needed a favour from elsewhere if they were to pip Edinburgh to second spot. Luke Narraway, Tom Fowlie, Tom Smallbone and Fergus Mulchrone all went over for the away side, who were also awarded a penalty try. But Tom Coventry’s men were left holding on to learn their fate, and it was only through a late try from Grenoble’s Gio Aplon which denied the Scottish side the point needed to progress, meaning Irish go through at their expense. And reward for securing second spot in Pool 5 is an all-Aviva Premiership date with Harlequins at The Stoop in early April. Quins took the points when the two sides met in the league back in October,

Matt Symons

winning the game 37-29 but Symons, a first-half replacement at Stade Armandie, is relishing the challenge. “We are really happy,” said the lock. “Firstly, it was a really good performance on Saturday night, going into the game we just had to focus

on ourselves and the job, which was winning with a bonus point and hope that other results fell our way. “The news that we got at the end of the game on the pitch that we were through to the quarter-finals was brilliant and we can now look forward to playing Harlequins at The Stoop in April.” It was a great start to the fixture by Irish, who saw early dominance by the front row yield a penalty which Shane Geraghty kicked into touch inside the Agen five-metre line. It was here where the pack took over, with a perfectly executed maul allowing Narraway to drive his way over. Things were to get even better for the visitors just eight minutes later. Centres Fergus Mulchrone and Dom Waldouck combined to win turn over ball inside the hosts’ 22, where a patient build up would result in Fowlie going over in the corner, with Geraghty adding the extras. In a side led out by captain Topsy Ojo, scorer Fowlie was one of nine players to have emerged from the Club’s academy in the starting XV. Although already eliminated from the competition, Agen were not keen to end

their involvement on a whimper, and Francois Bouvier put the first points on the board with a penalty. The three points, though, were soon cancelled out moments later when Smallbone bundled his way over for a second try in Europe this season. Geraghty was accurate with the conversion and Irish were comfortably in front at 19-3 with 10 minutes of the first half still to play. But there was still time for Filipo Nakosi to drag his side right back in it when crossing the whitewash. Bouvier improved the score and gap was cut to nine points. A shaky start to the second stanza, however, saw replacement Agen hooker Jalil Narjissi go over, Bouvier made no mistake with the conversion and it was game on at 19-17. Mulchrone, though, would settle any nerves when securing the bonus point 15 minutes from time, beating his opponent when one-on-one. The try was again engineered from more pressure up front. Dominance in the scrum continued, where the powerful unit won a penalty try to secure the win.

This concluded a job well done, but it was not until returning to the dressing room when those involved learned of Grenoble’s 34-23 victory over Edinburgh. “The first goal was to win the game and the second goal was to get four tries and the bonus point,” added try scorer Mulchrone. “We put on a fairly good performance and wanted to do that, but once back in the dressing room there was some fantastic scenes and we celebrated the win really well before coming back on Sunday and starting to prepare for Sale.”

AGEN: Sicart; Tardieu (Fouyssac 50); Roux (Mchedlidze 61), Heriteau; Nakosi; Bouvier; Abadie (Darbo 54); Tetrashvili (Bethune 56); Barthomeuf (Marjissi 50); Joly (Ryan 11); Naikatini (Braendlin 49); Roidot; Marchois (Gal 71); Bastien; Miquel. Tries: Nakosi; Najissi; Penalty: Bouvier Conversion: Bouvier x2 LONDON IRISH: Brophy Clews; Ojo (c); Mulchrone; Waldouck; Fowlie (Lewington 72); Geraghty; Steele (Allinson 58); Smallbone (Harris 56); Cruse (Symons 28); Halavatau (Aulika 51); Curry; Sisi Narraway (McCusker 60); Gilsenan; Guest (Murphy 78). Tries: Narraway, Fowlie, Smallbone, Mulchrone, penalty try Conversions: Geraghty x3.

36 | RUGBY

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, January 29, 2016

NATIONAL LEAGUE 2 SOUTH

NATIONAL LEAGUE 3

No winning return for Chandler as Raiders snatch victory from Rams Worthing Raiders 22 Redingensians Rams 20 REDINGENSIANS welcome Clifton to Old Bath Road on Saturday and it is a game “we can win”, coach Mike Tewkesbury has said. The hosts will be looking to arrest a run of four successive defeats when they entertain the mid-table outfit from Bristol, with the latest reverse coming via a lastgasp loss away at Worthing Raiders. “It’s just an old cliché but this was a game which could have gone either way,” said Tewkesbury. “I felt we deserved more than just a bonus point for our performance. “We were a little frantic at the start. But once we settled down, we showed skill and patience, plus a lot of determination.” There was little to separate the two sides down in Sussex, yet a Rams side missing the injured Rob Stapley would trail 14-3 as half-time approached. But they went ahead in the fixture through Spike Chandler, who marked his return to the first-team fold following a two-year absence when kicking over a penalty in the eighth minute. Worthing, though, hit back through Dan Sargent, who went over from a catch and drive, with Matt McLean adding the extras. The scoring was to dry up until just

before the break. This was when Raiders’ No.8 Liam Perkins increased the side’s advantage when scoring unopposed from a short yardage scrum. There was still time, however, for Chandler to knock over his second threepointer of the afternoon, which was the impetus the visitors needed to launch a comeback in the second session. Worthing lost Perkins to a yellow card and Tewkesbury’s men rammed home the advantage. Dieter Kerschbaumer, who had been a lively presence throughout the game, provided the telling touches to a catch and drive, with Chandler adding the extra points from the touchline. Things would get even better on 55 minutes when tight-head James Baker added his name to the scoresheet. Chandler was again deadly accurate from the tee and Rams were now not only in front, but in control too. But they were unable to build on this momentum, and conceding a penalty exactly on the hour mark saw McClean pull the hosts to within three points of the opposition. And in a complete role reversal to the incident which occurred earlier in the half, losing George Drury to the sin-bin for not releasing saw Worthing capitalise and snatch victory.

Birch bags a try, but Layton leads Guernsey to win

Redingensians’ James Baker helps out in a ruck

And the winning score was immediate, with Jamie Ure crossing from a quickly taken tap penalty straight after the restart. Despite being a man short, Rams pushed hard in the final 10 minutes, but were unable to avoid defeat.

REDINGENSIANS: Foxley; Corrigan, Bryant, Barnes, McDermottroe; Chandler, Drury, Weller, Henderson, Baker, Bryson, Kerschbaumer, Kharbouch, Vooght, Guttridge. Reps: Knowles, Ball, Morrison, Nightingale, Brooks.

The loss saw Rams drop to second bottom in the National League 2 South table, so Tewkesbury will be looking for some improvements when Clifton make the trip east tomorrow afternoon (2pm). He added: “Although we have shown some consistent improvement in our campaign, we must eradicate mistakes and make sure we take our scoring opportunities.” “We suffered a 41-7 defeat at Clifton when we were hit by injuries. “Since then they have slid to a mid-table position, winning just two of their last nine games.

Pictures kindly provided by warwickpics.com

“I feel this is a game we can win.” The coach will be hoping Stapley (dead leg) and Kerschbaumer (ankle) can shake off their respective knocks in time to take their places for the game. With Ollie Foxley unavailable, Jamar Richardson will return to the starting XV at full-back. He scored on his debut when Rams were beaten 14-40 by Taunton Titans a fortnight ago. National League 2 South P W D L F A Old Albanians 19 16 1 2 625 307 Cambridge 19 16 1 2 574 336 Bishop’s Stortford 19 13 1 5 539 292 Taunton Titans 18 14 0 4 565 338 Redruth 19 13 0 6 437 360 Old Elthamians 19 10 2 7 441 428 Clifton 19 9 1 9 525 457 Barnes 19 7 3 9 427 504 Worthing 19 8 1 10 417 418 Canterbury 19 8 0 10 396 473 Dorking 19 7 0 12 376 498 Bury St Edmunds 19 7 0 12 378 473 Chinnor 19 5 3 14 427 542 Southend Saxons 19 5 3 11 377 548 Redingensians 19 5 0 14 394 508 Launceston 17 0 1 16 205 621

BP 18 16 17 13 12 8 13 12 8 9 11 10 13 6 11 5

PTS 84 82 71 69 64 52 51 46 42 41 39 38 33 32 31 7

Tom Bryson claims the lineout ball

Dieter Kerschbaumer leads this attack from the Rams

BERKS, BUCKS AND OXON PREMIER DIVISION

Crowthorne’s unbeaten streak ended as Tigers roar back to take points Crowthorne 17 Tadley Tigers 28

CROWTHORNE let slip a 14-0 lead and saw a three-game winning streak ended at The New Nest. The hosts went into the fixture having won seven of their previous eight games, and coach Alex Stewart made just the one change to the side which routed Slough 34-17 last time out, with James Bailey returning to fly-half, replacing Josh Roberts. And with the hill on their side during the first 40 minutes, the Crows stormed in front. A burst through the visiting midfield

would result in Rhys Carnie offloading to George Watson, with the second row crashing over to open the scoring. Doug Charman added the extras for a

Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier Division P W D L F A BP Gosford All Blacks 13 12 0 1 482 124 12 Milton Keynes 13 12 1 0 547 145 9 Tadley 14 12 0 2 558 175 10 Abingdon 14 10 0 4 415 217 10 Crowthorne 14 7 1 6 222 210 7 Risborough 14 6 0 8 158 444 1 Alchester 14 4 0 9 165 311 8 Chipping Norton 13 4 2 7 192 340 3 Slough 13 3 1 9 251 378 3 Hungerford 14 4 1 9 207 363 7 Chesham 13 2 0 11 147 349 6 Wheatley 14 2 0 12 107 395 4

PTS 60 59 53 50 38 26 24 23 17 15 14 2

7-0 lead. The advantage was extended when the powerful Crowthorne pack won a scrum against the head, which would result in Baily putting a deft chip behind the Tadley defence. Although the ball was fumbled, winger James Huckle stormed his way in, with Charman again successful with the conversion. The away side would force their way back into the contest through a Chris Dennison penalty and Tom Bartlett try – only to see a gap open up once more when Charman knocked over a penalty, taking the scoreline to 17-10 when the half-time whistle was blown. But the fitness levels among the host

side began to let them down after the break, and another Dennison penalty would provide the spark needed to begin the Tadley turnaround. The visitors would nudge themselves in front through a second Bartlett try and Dennison penalty before winger James Hutchins crossed the line for a converted try to seal the comeback. Although beaten, Crowthorne remain fifth in the standings in what has been an excellent first season in the Premier Division. Up next for Stewart’s charges is a tricky test away at the team directly above them in the standings, Abingdon. Kick-off is 2.15pm

Guernsey 27 Bracknell 8 A TRY from Ian Burch was little more than consolation for a Bracknell side beaten for the third time in a row. A first-ever league game atFootes Lane was to end in disappointment for the Lily Hill men, who saw Glen Walters, twice, Layton Batiste, Dave Davison all dab down to secure hosts Guernsey a bonus-point victory. Bracknell arrived on the Channel Island aiming to become only the second team to beat the hosts on their home turf this season. And coach Rory Greenslade-Jones would have watched on with delight as the visitors made a storming start to the game, with a Lewis Dennett penalty putting the side into a 10th minute lead. But Bracknell were unable to sustain the pressure and would find themselves behind when Walters grabbed the first try of the afternoon.

Ian Burch

Owen Thomas was off target with the 26th-minute conversion, but soon made amends when kicking a penalty between the posts. Prop Batiste crashed over to extend the lead to 13-3. The same player would double his scoring tally early in the second half to leave Bracknell with work to do. But the damage had already been done, and when Davison ran on to Adam Nixon’s clever grubber kick, Guernsey were out of reach. Thomas bettered the score and the home side lead by 24 points. The advantage was an unassailable one, although it was cut somewhat when Burch managed to breach the whitewash for an unconverted try. Defeat means Bracknell have lost both fixtures with Guernsey this term, but attentions now turn to avoiding a fourth straight loss when they play ninth-placed Colchester at Lily Hill Park on Saturday. Victory would move the hosts above the opposition in the National League 3 London and South East standings. Kick-off is 2.15pm. BRACKNELL: Mirza (c); Pickett; Baragwanth, Bailey, Valentine, Richardson, Deveraux, Milligan, Conway, Dennet, Mackay, Faamatuainu, Higgins, Burch, Yates. National League 3 London and South East P W D L F A BP Tonbridge Juddian 17 14 1 2 561 233 14 L.I Wild Geese 17 14 2 1 534 287 11 Westcombe Park 17 13 0 4 474 242 10 East Grinstead 17 12 1 4 462 232 12 Hertford 17 12 0 5 487 300 9 Guernsey 17 11 0 6 454 351 9 Shelford 17 11 0 6 384 322 9 Wimbledon 17 7 0 10 391 358 6 Colchester 17 7 0 10 324 400 4 Bracknell 17 6 0 11 332 461 8 Chichester 17 5 0 12 312 429 7 Westcliff 17 3 0 14 272 552 6 Gravesend 17 2 0 15 255 513 5 Eton Manor 17 0 0 17 174 736 4

PTS 72 71 62 62 57 53 53 34 32 32 27 18 13 4

Friday, January 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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PREVIEW

Al-Habsi would love a date at Wembley with Royals READING v WALSALL FA CUP – ROUND FOUR MADEJSKI STADIUM SATURDAY, 3PM IN ALI Al-Habsi, Reading have a goalkeeper with impressive cup pedigree. Not only was the 34-year-old shot-stopper part of the Wigan squad with produced an against-the-odds victory over Manchester City to lift the FA Cup back in 2013, but he has also experienced glory when winning the respective association cup with Al-Nasr in his native Oman. He was also a runner-up with FK Lyn Oslo in the 2004 Norwegian Cup – and Al-Habsi is now ready to enjoy such success with his new club. And when signing for then-Royals boss Steve Clark, the ‘keeper was joining a squad which had made it to a Wembley semi-final just a few months earlier, where a historic run in the competition was ended by an extra-time 2-1 defeat by eventual winners Arsenal. Hopes for such a repeat remain as Reading prepare to welcome League One high-flyers Walsall to Madejski Stadium on Saturday, and Al-Habsi has been explaining what is needed to go on and win a competition described by many as the best in the world. “You have to take it game after game and you have to believe,” he said. “It’s a tough competition and with the squad here and what has been happening before, they should have good experience for this competition, and I think everyone

Ali Al-Habsi is an FA Cup Winner Picture: Vivienne Johnson

loves it. “It is a great place to play and we will have to see if this is our year for Wembley. “I would love to play with this team in a cup final.” But standing in the way of Reading and a place in round five is a Walsall side not only sitting third in League One, but who also disposed of Royals’ Championship rivals Brentford in the previous round. Among their ranks too is striker Tom Bradshaw, who has previously been linked with a move to Reading, while defender Rico Henry and midfielder Romaine Sawyers are further talents who are also courting interest from the Premier League.

“They are doing very well in League One,” added the ‘keeper. “It will be a tough game for us. Every game is tough, but they should not be coming here expecting an easy game. “They will be coming here trying to win the game, so we have to make ourselves ready for it.” In Al-Habsi, Royals boast the only player from the Middle East to win the prestigious competition, and the player is just as excited for the FA Cup now as when he first got a taste for the tournament. He said: “I have played at Wembley and believe me, it is one of the best moments in my football career. “I remember the final in 2007 between Chelsea and Manchester United, it was the first final at the new Wembley and I went with my mum and brother. “I said to my mum please pray for me one day to play at this beautiful stadium – and a few years later I played in a semi-final, went to the final and won the cup. “We have to take it step-by-step. We have this game on Saturday and hopefully we can get the result and see what comes next.” Reading are likely to be without Garath McCleary for the visit of the Saddlers, who remains sidelined through injury, but there could be better news for captain Paul McShane, Michael Hector and Aaron Tshibola, with boss Brian McDermott admitting there is a “good chance” the trio could be back from respective spells on the sidelines.

SPORT | 37

TRANSFER NEWS

Sa seals switch to Tel Aviv as Taylor signs for Exeter READING have this week said goodbye to both Orlando Sa and Jake Taylor. Striker Sa, who only joined Royals from Legia Warsaw in a £1million deal last summer, has signed for Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv, penning a three-and-a-half year contract for an undisclosed fee. Academy graduate Taylor, meanwhile, has teamed up with League Two side Exeter City, where he makes the move to St James Park on a free transfer. Midfielder Taylor, 24, had been on loan with Motherwell of the Scottish Premier League, but the deal was cut short to allow the player to return to a club he made 26 appearances for during the 2011-12 season. Despite seeing his chances limited under boss Brian McDermott, many supporters were surprised to see Sa (pictured) leave the club after only seven months at Madejski Stadium.

Although missing a penalty during the 2-1 loss at Birmingham City on the opening day of the season, Sa would open his Royals account during the 3-1 victory at Brentford in August. He would follow this up with a hat-trick during the 5-1 thrashing of Ipswich Town in the next game, but a red card in the loss to Derby County resulted in a dip in form. He would strike again during the 4-2 reverse at old club Fulham, but had failed to find the net since. n DOMINIC SAMUEL, meanwhile, could see his spell with Gillingham extended until the end of the season. The on-loan forward has hit five goals in 14 appearances since joining the League One side on loan in November – but the deal is set to run out at the end of the month. Boss McDermott, however, has said talks to possibly extend the deal until May are underway.

UNDER-21S

Harry nets, but City take the points AN OPENING goal from Harry Cardwell could not steer Reading to victory against Manchester City in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League. Cardwell put the visiting Royals in the ascendency on the hour mark, nipping in on the half-way line, driving forward and planting the ball beyond Angus Gunn in the City goal.

The home side, however, pulled themselves level through Ashley Smith-Brown before Aleix Garcia fired them in front. Bersant Celina wrapped up the win in the final 10 minutes. The side are away at Liverpool on Sunday. The game will be played in Chester, with a 2pm kick-off.

A first Madejski Stadium goal for Cooper clips wings of in-form Owls Reading 1 Sheffield Wednesday 1

By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk

A FIRST goal at Madejski Stadium for Jake Cooper secured Reading a share of the spoils against in-form Sheffield Wednesday. The Academy graduate and central defender climbed highest to nod home an Oliver Norwood corner on 74 minutes and draw the hosts level, who had fallen behind to an early Gary Hooper strike. It was the 20-year-old’s first goal for the club since a brace secured Royals a 2-1 win at Norwich City back in November 2014, and with family and friends watching on from the stands, a proud moment too. “It was good,” he said afterwards. “I thought we played well. Obviously it was disappointing to conceded a goal at an early stage, but after that I thought our play was brilliant. “We created many chances to get more goals than we scored, but I thought it was a positive afternoon.” A run of seven straight victories prior to arriving in Berkshire had seen the Owls storm into the Championship play-off places. And the warning signs for Reading were there from the off, with Barry Bannan rattling a post when set up from a Ross Wallace free-kick. But from the next attack on 10 minutes, Wednesday were in front. Picking up a loose ball when the hosts

Jake Cooper, competing with Sheffield Wednesday’s Glenn Loovens, scored for the first time at Madejski Stadium Picture: Vivienne Johnson

failed to play out from the back saw Bannan attack the space which lay in front of him. Surging towards the box, the playmaker would eventually slip in Jack Hunt on the overlap, who skipped unopposed to the byline before pulling back to Cooper, who took a touch before stroking the ball home from five yards. The response mounted by Royals would see new signing George Evans, handed a debut following his switch from Manchester City, attack a corner, while an inviting cross from Norwood went unpunished. The fixture was now some 20 minutes old and Kieren Westwood in the Wednesday goal had yet to be tested. That, however, was to change when

Glenn Loovens produced a reckless challenge on Matej Vydra as the pair contested for the ball in the box, and referee Stephen Martin wasted no time in pointing to the spot. Responsibilty from the spot belonged to midweek hat-trick hero Vydra, and while his attempt was a confident one, the ball rattled back off a post and was cleared. But Reading rallied once again, with Norwood and Danny Williams off-target with chances before Jordan Obita flashed a strike only just wide of an upright on the stroke of half time. The fit-again full back was the second of two changes made to the line-up by boss Brian McDermott, with the defender taking the place of Andrew Taylor, who

was dropped to the bench. And the manager was to reshuffle his pack too during the break, handing another new arrival, Yann Kermorgant, a debut, with the ineffective Lucas Piazon making way. And the set-piece specialist would be presented with a sight of goal from a free-kick minutes after his introduction, but was unable to keep the opportunity down. Williams and Bannan would trade missed chances before a vital block from Chris Gunter denied Fernando Forestieri making it 2-0 from point-blank range when Reading were hit on the counter attack. Ola John was added to the fold on 64 minutes, and the replacement would have a part to play in helping the home side draw level. For it was his cross from the left which a Kermorgant header was deflected out for the corner which Norwood swung over and former Forest School pupil Cooper headed into the bottom corner. Reading were now in the ascendency, and a bursting run from Williams saw the midfielder eventually slip in Vydra, who was called back for offside. The American international then saw an ambitious volley from the edge of the box drop just wide of a post. Another break from Wednesday saw Atdhe Nuhiu over hit his pass to an unmarked Bannan – but back went the play up the opposite end, where Kermorgant was desperately unlucky not to hit the winner on his first game for the club. Placed just three yards out and

unmarked, the forward was waiting to meet another Norwood cross. A slight deflection, however, changed the direction of the ball, and the former Bournemouth man could only divert it wide of an upright.

READING FC: Al-Habsi, Gunter, Obita, Cooper, Ferdinand, Norwood, Williams, Evans, Piazon (Kermorgant 46), Robson-Kanu, Vydra. Subs not used: Bond, Taylor, Hector, John, Cox, Keown. Goal: Cooper 74. SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: Westwood, Hutchinson, Loovens (c), Hooper (Nuhiu 85), Lee, Sasso, Hunt, Wallace (Helan 78), Pudil, Bannan, Forestieri (Joao 71). Subs not used: Price, Palmer, Semedo, Bennett. Goal: Hooper 10 Referee: Stephen Martin Attendance: 18,972 Sky Bet Championship P W D L F A Pts Hull 28 17 5 6 45 18 56 Middlesbrough 27 17 4 6 37 14 55 Burnley 28 14 9 5 46 25 51 Brighton 28 13 11 4 34 28 50 Derby 28 13 10 5 39 25 49 Sheff Wed 28 12 10 6 42 31 46 Birmingham 28 13 7 8 37 28 46 Ipswich 28 12 9 7 37 35 45 Cardiff 28 10 11 7 35 31 41 Brentford 29 11 7 11 42 41 40 Nottm Forest 29 9 12 8 30 25 39 Wolves 28 10 8 10 37 38 38 QPR 29 8 12 9 35 35 36 Leeds 29 8 12 9 29 33 36 Reading 28 9 8 11 32 31 35 Preston 28 8 11 9 25 27 35 Huddersfield 28 8 8 12 37 39 32 Blackburn 27 6 12 9 24 24 30 Fulham 28 6 10 12 43 48 28 MK Dons 28 7 5 16 23 41 26 Rotherham 28 7 4 17 34 49 25 Bristol City 28 5 9 14 24 47 24 Charlton 28 4 9 15 22 54 21 Bolton 28 3 11 14 24 46 20

38 | SPORT

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, January 29, 2016

THAMES VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Carter fires Wargrave to vital victory By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk BEN CARTER was the match-winner for a Wargrave side which edged a basement battle with local rivals Sonning in Division 2. Carter bagged visiting Wargrave all three points from a narrow 1-0 success at Pound Lane. Defeat for Sonning, meanwhile, leaves the villagers rooted to the foot of the table, where they sit four points adrift of the team directly above them, ASHRIDGE PARK. They too had a disappointing afternoon, as an early Ross Weatherstone goal and late Tom Brownlow strike saw mid-table Woodcote Stoke Row Reserves take the points in a 2-0 victory. A two-goal salvo from Jamie Broadley and Mark Kilbane effort was not enough to see WINNERSH RANGERS’ recent winning run ended by Cookham Dean Reserves. Phillip Fitzsimons, Alexander Bart and Richard Jones, twice, were all on target for Cookham, who edged this seven-goal thriller 4-3 in Division 1. Losing means Winnersh missed the

COMBINED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Sheer class: Brad hits hat-trick as Boars run riot Eversley and California 6 Sheerwater 0

Sonning (black and yellow) and Wargrave players in action.

chance to go second in the table. The wait for a first win of the season, however, is over for TWYFORD AND RUSCOMBE, who broke their duck at the 13th attempt when outscoring WOODLEY UNITED A in Division 3.

Wargrave missed the header, above, and there was plenty going on at the net, below.

Second-half efforts from Darren Sanger and substitute Craig Hall followed up Severin Geertz’ sixth-minute goal to secure a 3-1 triumph for the hosts at Cantley Park. Liam Besant replied for beaten Woodley. Despite the victory, Twyford continue to prop up the rest, but they do now sit level on points with ninth-placed United Reserves. Woodley remain fourth. FINCHAMPSTEAD RESERVES, who are second in the table, saw their game at S.R.C.C postponed. The promotion race in Division 4 is hotting up after BERKS COUNTY RESERVES inflicted just a second league defeat of the season on HARCHESTER HAWKS and moved to within two points of top spot. The game was evenly poised at 1-1 thanks to strikes from Connor Banks and Sam Chapman for the Hawks. Banks, though, would settle the contest in favour of the hosts when hitting an 89th minute winner. The result saw the two sides swap places in the standings. BERKS COUNTY FC ROVERS were celebrating too after they swept aside WOODLEY UNITED B 5-1 in Division 5. Christopher Searle led the rout with a brace and was joined on the scoresheet by Jason Chapman, Richard Cumner and Andy Prendergast, who notched from the

penalty spot. John Leach had netted for United on nine minutes, but this would be no more than a consolation. Peter Jones and Charlie Scope fired HURST A to a 2-1 victory over SONNING SPORTS, who hit back through Kevin Pitt, but sitting just a point behind the winners in fifth is SHINFIELD RANGERS MEN. Strikes from Alexander McLaughlin and Jonah Vaughan put a dent in The Hop Leaf’s title aspirations, as a 12thminute goal from Timothy Wolfe could not prevent the away side suffering a 2-1 reverse. Cup round-up HURST limped out of the Reading Senior Cup after they were walloped 10-1 by Premier Division rivals Reading YMCA. Reward for victory is a second round clash with reigning champions Wokingham and Emmbrook at The Cauldron on Saturday, February 20. Reading and District Sunday League Results - January 24 PREMIER DIVISION: D.C Steamers 3 Purley 7 DIVISION 1: The Pub 1 Charvil Rangers 3 DIVISION 2: AFC Burghfield Reserves 4 Wokingham and Emmbrook 1; Athletico Forest 2 Imaan 1; Loxwood Park Rangers 1 WS Hobnob 1. DIVISION 3 EAST: Grosvenor 0 Spencers Wood 3; Loddon Valley Rangers Res 0 Mapledurham 7. BERKS AND BUCKS SUNDAY JUNIOR CUP: Woodley Wanderers 3 FC Woodley 1; Finchampstead Athletic Reserves 5 Embrook Inn 3 BERKS AND BUCKS JUNIOR TROPHY: Berkshire Rovers 3 Forest FC 2

Wargrave try to put a goal past the Sonning keeper.

BRADLEY BROWN hit a hat-trick to help move promotion-cashing Eversley up to third in the Division 1 table with this rout of Sheerwater at Fox Lane. It has been some start to his career with the Boars for Brown, who has now struck four times in just two games since arriving at the club from Binfield. Having grabbed a debut goal the week before during the 3-1 victory over Staines Lammas, the player was in the thick of the action once again. It was his cross the visitors struggled to clear, from where Brad Smith would pounce to open the scoring in the 21st minute. Moments later and a cross swung over by Ross Kisiel was headed home by Matt Griffiths for a 2-0 lead. Eversley would hold the advantage going in at the break, but had ‘keeper Adrian Giles to thank when Shane Rideout broke free early in the second half. Giles would thwart the Sheerwater striker when one-on-one – and the save would prove to be a pivotal one. This is because on 59 minutes Brown opened his account for the afternoon with a header. Brown would again turn provider when laying on Smith to make it 4-0 with his second of the afternoon and then added a fifth via a fine strike from the edge of the box. The hat-trick, and the scoring, was completed late on when Smith nodded on a cross for Brown to put past the Sheerwater ‘keeper with another header. Victory moved Neville Roach’s men level on points with second-placed Worcester Park. Both sit five adrift of leaders Hounslow United. Eversley will be looking to make it three wins on the spin when guests of bottom club Farleigh Rovers on Saturday. Kick-off is 2pm Combined Counties League Division 1 P W D L F A CB Hounslow Utd 20 15 3 2 45 15 Worcester Park 20 13 4 3 50 20 Eversley & Califor 20 14 1 5 58 31 Abbey Rangers 21 12 3 6 42 26 Bedfont & Feltham 17 12 2 3 47 22 Cobham 21 9 3 9 42 45 Dorking 19 9 1 9 33 29 Staines Lammas 21 9 1 11 43 40 Frimley Green 18 8 2 8 27 28 Banstead Athletic 15 7 3 5 34 29 Ash United 19 6 4 9 38 41 Sandhurst Town 18 6 2 10 35 56 Epsom Athletic 16 4 2 10 27 46 Dorking Wand Res 17 3 4 10 19 32 Sheerwater 17 4 1 12 27 44 South Park Res 16 3 1 12 19 43 Farleigh Rovers 17 3 1 13 17 56

Pts 48 43 43 39 38 30 28 28 26 24 22 20 14 13 13 10 10

YOUTH FOOTBALL

Sage fires four-some Eversley into County Cup semis TWO second-half goals from Harry Sage put paid to Corfe Mullen United as Eversley and California United stormed into the semi-finals of the Hampshire County Cup. The wet and cold conditions threatened to make life difficult, but those present witnessed an exciting first half which saw Sage have a goal

dubiously ruled out for offside. Corfe Mullen were handed the chance to open the scoring themselves from the penalty spot, but the Boars ‘keeper was equal to the strike, making a fine save. The rebound was smashed against the crossbar. The entertainment was

cranked up a notch after the break, and it was here when United broke the deadlock via a tap-in after an initial shot was parried. Eversley, though, roared back into the tie and turned the quarter-final completely on its head with three goals in the space of five minutes, which arrived through man-of-the-match George Higgins and Sage’s brace. Another George — Armstrong — wrapped up a 4-1 success late on.

SPORT | 39

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Friday, January 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

COUNTY CUP

Finch left Stoned after semi-final hopes are dashed by Tom’s winner Finchampstead 1 Letcombe 2 (After extra-time) FINCHAMPSTEAD saw their hopes of reaching a Berks and Bucks Intermediate Cup semi-final snatched away from them in heartbreaking fashion. Scott Hunter’s first-half strike looked to have been enough to seal Jon Laugharne’s men a spot in the final four as this quarter-final clash neared a conclusion at the Memorial Ground. Division 1 East side Letcombe, however, would grab an equaliser two minutes from time through Sean Webb and then won the tie when Tom Stone struck on the rebound early in extra time. Defeat was harsh on a Finch side who dominated long periods of the clash, but were left to rue a number of missed opportunities which fell their way. Freddie Barron was over with one of these chances, while Luke Stone got in the way of another strike before ‘keeper Danny Joyce did well to keep out a header, with Danny Blatchford turning the rebound wide. The one-way traffic remained, but the hosts were still unable to break the deadlock. Finch, though, would finally see their perseverance rewarded when Hunter opened the scoring with the very last touch of the half. A Letcombe side told a few home truths during the break came out a different proposition for the second session, but would need another block from Joyce to prevent James Wright from doubling the advantage.

SUPPLEMENTARY CUP

It would take a tactical switch to really get the away side going, with defender Webb pushed up into an attacking role. And the move paid dividends. Letcombe would not register a first shot on goal until the 88th minute, with Tom Bryant in the Finchampstead goal turning a Dan Hoskin drive for a corner. But with the contest now into added time and from their next attack, the Oxfordshire side grabbed the equaliser. A cross whipped in by substitute Luke Faircloth would take a wicked deflection, falling kindly for Webb to nod home and force the extra 30 minutes. The momentum, and luck, was now with the guests, who completed the turn around just seconds into extra time. A slip from defender Sam Green, who grabbed Finch a point from a 1-1 draw with Rayners Lane the weekend before, would prove costly. This allowed Richard Claydon to race through on goal, where he would commit Bryant before attempting to put his side in front. The shot hit a post, but Stone was on hand to bury the rebound. Finchampstead were now chasing the game and duly pushed players forward. This would lead to an almighty goal mouth scramble late on, only for the ball to end up in the hands of Joyce. The same player would also tip another chance around a post to ensure his side progressed to a date with Olney Town next month. Finchampstead return to league action on Saturday, where they are away to Division 1 East leaders Penn and Tylers Green. Kick-off is 2.15pm.

HELLENIC PREMIER DIVISION

Finchampstead’s Freddie Barron takes on an opponent Pictures: Andrew Merritt Defender Garry Callaway snuffs out an attack

Finch captain Adam Barnard makes the pass

The hosts deal with a corner

Binfield keen to beat the weather – and rivals Town BINFIELD will be hoping the weather is kind as they prepare for a return to action at local rivals Bracknell Town tonight (Friday) – 7.45pm. Apart from a hastily-arranged friendly earlier in the month, Roger Herridge’s Moles have not kicked a ball in anger since playing out a 2-2 draw with another near neighbour, Wokingham and Emmbrook, back on December 22. Waterlogged or frozen pitches have put paid to a number of league and cup games since then. It was also a downpour which washed out their latest chance of a game, Tuesday’s Bluefin Challenge Cup clash with Finchampstead. But with conditions having dried up since the deluge of rain which fell locally at the beginning of the week, those involved with the club will be hoping the playing field at Larges Lane will be ready to host this eagerly-awaited fixture. The two sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw when they met in the league back in September, but with former Binfield boss Mark Tallentire now in the Town hot-seat, the clash has an extra spice to it. The visitors will line up for the game without striker Bradley Brown, who recently quit the club to join Eversley and California of the Combined Counties League. Binfield are currently eighth in the Hellenic Premier Division, while Bracknell are scrapping for points in 19th.

HELLENIC DIVISION 1 EAST

Let us play cup tie Early Wyatt goal sets tone for another collapse as Woodley are hit for six WOKINGHAM and Emmbrook will be hoping for a first outing since Boxing Day when they travel to Letcombe for a Bluefin Sports Supplementary Cup first round clash on Saturday (1.45pm). The Sumas have not played since the 2-2 draw at local rivals Binfield on the day after Christmas. The two teams were due to contest the tie on January 9, but the game was called off due to a waterlogged pitch. Hellenic Premier Division P W D L Thatcham Town 24 18 4 2 Flackwell Heath 24 18 2 4 Ascot United 27 16 6 5 Kidlington 22 16 3 3 Highworth Town 22 16 1 5 Longlevens AFC 24 13 2 9 Highmoor-Ibis 27 12 3 12 Binfield 23 11 4 8 Brimscombe & Thrupp 21 11 3 7 Thame United 23 11 3 9 Royal Wootton Bassett 25 11 2 12 Ardley United 26 10 2 14 Oxford City Nomads 24 9 3 12 Brackley Town Saints 28 9 2 17 Lydney Town 22 6 7 9 Milton United 29 6 7 16 Abingdon United 30 6 3 21 Tuffley Rovers 21 5 5 11 Bracknell Town 21 4 5 12 Wokingham 27 2 3 22

F 68 71 51 63 64 42 44 42 37 29 38 46 38 53 34 37 37 34 30 27

A 28 34 26 21 18 37 42 35 30 28 57 56 47 74 41 58 84 43 45 81

Pts 58 56 54 51 49 41 39 37 36 36 35 32 30 29 25 25 21 20 17 9

Holyport 6 Woodley United 0

CONCEDING an early goal was to set the tone for another disastrous afternoon for United. Woodley have now lost eight games on the spin after Adam Wyatt, Paul Rake and Dale Wright all scored twice for the hosts at Summerleaze. Beaten 4-0 by Headington Amateurs last time out, the visitors fell behind in this Hellenic Division 1 East encounter from the very first attack of the game. In rushing off his line to deal with a long ball over the top, United ‘keeper Ben Hitchins could only head in the direction of Wyatt, who took a touch before coolly lobbing the ball into an empty net from 25 yards. Holyport continued to lay siege on the opposition goal, with Hitchins denying both Rake and Wright. But he would be beaten for a second time from the penalty spot in just the eighth minute when defender Kriss Hemming was penalised for handball. Up stepped Rake, who confidently placed the ball in the bottom corner. Woodley were facing the prospect of

Tyrone May (on the ball) and Seun Odusanya (left) both had chances for United during the hammering at Holyport Picture: Peter Toft

another long afternoon, but they would have chances to cut the deficit. Fraser Mowat shot straight into the hands of ‘Port ‘keeper Leo Smith and was the off target with a free-kick when Seun Odusanya was clattered by the shot-stopper just outside the box.

Yet there was also the threat of the home side stretching their advantage even further, with Hemming blocking a Jonny Feaver strike and Rake firing over, while Wright and Wyatt were also off target. The second half would start on a fairly even platform, but when Wright made it 3-0 with a low drive on 55 minutes, the writing was on the wall for struggling United. Odusanya, though, was unlucky to see a header from a Conor Creegan corner diverted away from goal via a deflection, but it was a case of damage limitation for Jock Mowat’s men. But they were unable to keep a rampant Holyport side at bay, with Wright cutting in from the right and firing home goal number four on 64 minutes. And it was soon 5-0; Wyatt netting his second of the afternoon on the rebound after Luke Dexter saw his initial effort saved by Hitchins. The opportunity to try and grab a consolation would fall to Tyrone May, but he was wide when opening up from 25 yards. At the other end, Hitchins thwarted

Feaver, but a sixth for Holyport was not too far coming. The rout was completed seven minutes from time when Rake breached a beleaguered back line and stroked the ball into the bottom left-hand corner. With Reading Town picking up a point from a 1-1 draw against Chinnor, only goal difference is keeping Woodley off the foot of the table. Up next for the side is a home clash with ninth-placed Didcot Town Reserves at Scours Lane on Saturday (3pm). WOODLEY UNITED: Hitchins, West (Pearce), Creegan, May, Bridges, Hemming, Szram, Ingram, Odusanya, Mowat, Wareing (Burt). Hellenic Division 1 East P W D L Penn & Tylers Green 15 11 3 1 Bicester Town 16 11 3 2 Henley Town 16 10 3 3 Headington Amateur’s 18 9 3 6 Finchampstead 17 8 5 4 Holyport 15 7 4 4 Chinnor 14 7 2 5 Rayners Lane 15 5 5 5 Didcot Town Res’ 16 5 2 9 Chalfont Wasps 10 4 2 4 Wantage Town Res’ 15 3 2 10 Old Woodstock Town 13 3 0 10 Woodley United 16 2 2 12 Reading Town 16 2 2 12

F 56 46 49 40 35 32 32 30 36 16 21 12 13 18

A 9 23 23 21 18 27 22 23 43 26 40 40 49 72

Pts 36 36 33 30 29 25 23 20 17 14 11 9 8 8

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Pending arrival Rakels is a player the owners want, admits McDermott DENNIS RAKELS is a transfer target like,ITbut I know the real story,” he said. in the Polish Ekstraklasa this term, he HOW ALL STARTED Reading’s Thai owners have been “The real story is that if the added: “It could be, it’s a possibility.” My first job was helping out in a local steak restaurant where I learned how to select and cook what I think is the perfect steak. pursuing, boss Brian McDermott has scouts are bringing him in, owners Royals’ boss also confirmed he has I moved to Reading 30 years ago and to my disappointment was not able to find a restaurant that served the food I loved most. revealed, writes LEWIS RUDD. are bringing him in, the committee spoken to former My dream was to open a steakhouse in Reading that would serve the quality of steak I had experienced all those years back. player and Latvia had established in Reading forcaptain over 20 years in a beautiful The 23-year-old Latvia internationalFinally, I had the opportunity to buy Colleys Supper Rooms,isa restaurant bringingthat him inbeen or the manager is Kaspars Gorkss to learn more chance to them achievein, mythat’s dream.how I opened Barts in Feb 2011 andthe withimpending the help of my is closing in on a switch to Madejski Victorian building that I had always admired. I knew I had thebringing it works. about arrival. fantastic team we have been serving exceptional steaks in a great environment ever since. The décor and atmosphere is continually evolving Stadium from Cracovia Krakow in “Asopened a manager we all have to work “This (Rakels deal) has come from thanks to our loyal patrons. The menu has grown since we first and I am proud to say that the quality of food has only got better. Poland for a fee understood to be in together. scouts of the owners, who know the Here at Barts, we bring together dishes inspired by cuisines from all over the world centered around renowned steaks the region of £400,000. “If an owner comes in but who fancies a our player,” said McDermott. and seafood. We specialise in offering you the steaks of the highest quality, provided by local butchers, And while the forward would fill player – he owns the football club and “I have seen him on My.SCOUT, aged for a minimum of 28 days, flame grilled for superior taste and succulence. the void left by Orlando Sa, who quit it is something he has worked on with where you can watch a player. the club earlier this week to join Israeli his scouts orBarts whatever, then great – “He works his socks off and has Jamshed Miah welcomes you to Grill & Restaurant outfit Maccabi Tel Aviv, the Royals not a problem.” got a good track record of scoring in manager revealed Rakels was not a McDermott, who is preparing his Poland this season. player on his radar. charges for an FA Cup fourth round “I spoke to Kaspars Gorkss about Owners bringing players to their clash with Walsall of League One at him and he gave me a good insight respective clubs, however, is not Madejski Stadium on Saturday (3pm), about him and if the deal is being uncommon in today’s game, as went on to explain how the club is done then great, he will come into our Brian McDermott has lifted the lid on McDermott explained. currently in talks with a striker. squad.” Reading’s transfer policy “This is how it is in 2016: Managers And when asked if the player in n MORE news from the Royals can Picture: Vivienne Johnson can sit here and say whatever they question is Rakels, who has hit 15 goals be found on page 37.

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‘The results are not great but they are turning out, week in, week out’

Foord: Our fans have Bee-n superb SUNDAY ROAST

By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk MATT FOORD believes it will not be too long before loyal Bracknell Bees supporters are rewarded with some positive results. The club’s captain sounded out the fans following Sunday’s 7-4 reverse against Swindon Wildcats at The Hive – a fixture which was tied up at 4-4 with just three-and-a-half minutes to play. Defeat was Bees’ 20th in their last 21 games, with the loss leaving the side cut adrift at the bottom of the English Premier Ice Hockey League (EPIHL) by three points. Bracknell also sit 12 points off the play-off places, and while the possibility off missing out on the end-of-season competition for the second year running is a very real one, Foord explained what it means to be cheered on by those up in the stands when times are hard. “I really want to mention and thanks the fans for all they are doing,” said the 34-year-old forward. “Because of what is going on at the moment, it is just thanks for the support. “Obviously the results are not great and they (the fans) are turning in week in and week out and they are supporting a performance I hope is acceptable. “We are working hard and we’re trying to win – it’s not like we’re not trying to win. “Hopefully we can string some results together. “We have got a few home games coming up and we always play well at home.” Those following the club have not just been backing the team vocally and in good numbers either, as some have gone to their pockets to offer financial

AVAILABLE 12:00 - 17:00 help as officials negotiate a cash flow problem which has hindered progress Roast Beef 8.95 Overnight marinated beef, served with sauté mixed vegetables (Baby Carrots, Broccoli, both on and off the Cauliflower, ice this term. Green Beans), oven roasted potatoes, honey glazed roasted parsnips, Yorkshire topped It was, meanwhile, a pudding, weekend of with Barts homemade gravy. Accompanied by horseradish sauce. mixed emotions for Foord. Roast Lamb 8.95 His goal during Overnight the 4-1 marinated defeat at lamb, served with sauté mixed vegetables (Baby Carrots, Broccoli, Peterborough Phantoms Cauliflower,last GreenSaturday Beans), oven roasted potatoes, honey glazed roasted parsnips, Yorkshire pudding, topped with Barts homemade mint gravy. Accompanied by mint sauce. was the 200th of his career. He then notched for the 100th time THEmaking DAY OFFitFROM in a Bees jerseyTAKE when 3-3 COOKING THIS WEEK AND TREAT YOURSELF, FAMILY OR FRIENDS TO A SUPERB SUNDAY ROAST against former employers the Wildcats – on what was his 600th league appearance. He added: “It has been a bit of an extraordinary weekend in terms of personal goals, but it’s really WWW.BARTSGRILL.COM disappointing to work so hard and we 0118 966 2268 were unlucky (on Sunday). Matt Foord (left) celebrates scoring “It was a harsh scoreline, but we his 100th goal for Bracknell Bees made a couple of mental errors and Picture: Bob Swann that cost us the game, but we had chances and were just unlucky not to take those, but the guys worked hard and it’s just unfortunate not to get the result.” Having racked up 63 points via MILAN KOSTOUREK has quit Bees Bracknell fought back on no fewer goals and assists this season, Czeck in order to move closer to his unwell than four occasions against Swindon, forward Kostourek leads the scoring mother. only for a late Aaron Nell strike and “It is with a heavy heart that I have for both club and the league this term. Jonas Hoog brace to secure a win for The 33-year-old lost his father back asked to leave Bracknell Bees,” said the visitors. in the Autumn, and the condition of the forward, who signed on from MK And Foord, who is now closing in on Lightning last summer. his mum has prompted him to leave Bees legend’s Matt Cote’s appearance the UK, with Kostourek joining a team “The players, management and record, hopes the youthful-looking in Germany. fans have all been fantastic with me roster can learn from such harsh “I would like to personally thank this season and I have enjoyed myself lessons. Milan for his hard work, passion with the club. “It’s all an experience,” he said. and efforts this season to date in the “I have no complaints about the “We have got a young team and Bees colours,” said chairman Andrew club at all and wish I didn’t have to it is all a learning experience, and Cross. “Life and family, however, must leave, but I feel I need to be closer to hopefully we learn our lessons, not always come first.” my family at this current time.” just (on Sunday) but throughout the season and we will only get that with on Saturday Published by Xn (6.30pm) and Media Ltd, Crown experience. House, 231 Kings host Swindon “The older guys, the veteran guys Road, Reading RG1 again on in the room, all do their best to make 4LS. Printed at Newbury Weekly Sunday (6pm). sure everybody is learning, and we News, Newspaper n FOR are learning ourselves as well, so House, Faraday Road, Newbury, Berkshire more Bees hopefully we should get better as the RG14 2DW .© Xn news, turn to season goes on.” Media Ltd, 2016 Bees are away at Basingstoke Bison page 34.

Kostourek departs The Hive

DRIVEN BY QUALITY At Barts, we specialise in steaks of the highest quality from top butchers, aged for a minimum of 28 days, flame grilled for taste.

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