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THE WOKINGHAM PAPER
COVERING WOKINGHAM, FINCHAMPSTEAD, WINNERSH, SHINFIELD, WOODLEY, TWYFORD & SURROUNDING AREAS
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N E W S W I T H A H E A RT F O R T H E B O RO U G H
Friday, March 18, 2016 No. 48
50p
ANALYSIS
SURVEY TAKES PULSE OF THE BOROUGH
• Teenage pregancies • End of life care • Cancer screening • Obesity • Noisy dogs all under microscope P14 SPRING
A right royal welcome
Countess visits primary school • p6
‘ROADS CHIEF SHOULD QUIT OVER ACCIDENT’
Councillors urge John Kaiser to resign SEE P3 after lorries collide in Wokingham lane
LAMBS PAY VISIT TO SCHOOL P7 REGENERATION
400+ HOMES PLAN GETS GO AHEAD P4 COMMUNITY
GET READY FOR GOOD FRIDAY PLAY P18 SPORT
SUMAS PEELED BY LAST GASP GOAL P39
2 | NEWS
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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 18, 2016
This is Wokingham. We’re proud to cover it! WOKINGHAM borough is a large part of Berkshire. More than 156,000 of us live here – and countless more work here too. It’s a diverse area with pretty villages mingling with market towns and hamlets. In parts industrial, in others picturesque, it is a wonderful place to be. The Wokingham Paper was set up to ensure that the whole borough had its own newspaper. Our team has a mission to report on events and activities from the northernmost parts, which include parts of Henley and Cockpole Green, to the south including
Swallowfield and Finchampstead. In between you’ve got Twyford, Woodley and Wokingham town itself. All have their own personalities and specialities and we aim to reflect that. Our strapline is “News with a heart for the borough” and that’s exactly what we do. We’re a truly local newspaper – we’re produced locally, printed locally and we live locally. No one else covers Wokingham the way that we do. So if you want to reach Wokingham, we’re the place to be.
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FAITH
Church to mark its 292nd anniversary A BEECH HILL church will celebrate its 292nd anniversary while also marking Easter. The Baptist chapel, off Wood Lane in the village, will hold the special service on Good Friday from 4pm. The guest preacher will be Andrew Wigham, who is pastor of Yateley Baptist Church. Afterwards, the church will hold an afternoon tea. It starts at 4pm. For more details, call the church on 0118 956 0620.
SPORT
Badminton club wants new members A BADMINTON club meets at Swallowfield Parish hall twice a week. The group welcomes new members of all standards and says that its experience ranges from players who have enjoyed the game for three years to 33. The club meets on Mondays and Thursdays from 8pm to 10pm and also organises social events throughout the year. For more details call Martin (Mondays) on 0118 988 2671 or Malcolm (Thursdays) on 0118 988 2736.
FAMILY
Show off your Easter bonnet & win a hamper AN OPPORTUNITY to win an Easter hamper is open to anyone attending
Friends and family of John Shortland at the surprise award ceremony, held at the Council’s offices in Shute End. Borough Mayor Cllr Parry Batth made the award. Below right: Town mayor Cllr Philip Mirfin with Debbie Slay from Wokingham Lions
COMMUNITY
Awards for community stalwarts A MAN who has worked in the Wokingham community for the past four decades has been honoured for his work. Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Parry Batth surprised borough resident John Shortland with a Mayor’s Award for his long-standing efforts. John has been at the forefront of the Wokingham Winter Carnival for more than 20 years, was a founder of the Wokingham Cub Scout group and is a dedicated supporter of a Cystic Fibrosis charity. Thepresentation at the Civic Offices in Shute End was attended by 25 close friends and family who managed to keep the event a surprise. Dave Donaldson, chairman of the Wokingham Winter Carnival, said: “John is a very practical person who gets on and does! He can be relied upon. He is one of life’s doers.
a fayre this weekend. The church of St Michael’s and All Angels in Spencers Wood will be opening its doors on Saturday for the fun event which includes an Easter Bonnet competition. Other attractions include a gift stall, a tombola and a raffle and there will be Easter fun and games available. The church’s popular cafe, Caf’ Active, will be serving food during the day, which runs from 10am-3pm. For more details, call the church office on 0118 988 5923.
WARNING
Call to get your dog chipped FROM Wednesday, April 6, it becomes a legal requirement for all dogs over the age of eight weeks to be microchipped. A chip the size of a grain of rice is implanted under the dog’s skin
“He quietly and efficiently gets on with things behind the scenes. He is honest, reliable and good humoured. “He has never sought recognition for anything he has done and quietly disappears after the event, so rarely even gets a proper thank you. “He really deserves recognition for over 40 years of service to the Scouting movement and over 20 years for the Wokingham Winter Carnival and it
and contains the owner’s contact details. If the dog is lost or stolen it can be scanned by the authorities and returned to his owner. There is a fine of up to £500 if a dog is found without a chip.
CRIME
Man charged over Lower Earley burglaries A 31-year-old man has been charged in connection with burglaries in Lower Earley. Marlon Jeffrey-Hinds, of Fleetham Gardens, Lower Earley, was arrested and charged on Friday, March 11. He appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Saturday and has been remanded to appear at Reading Crown Court on April 11. The charges are in relation to three burglaries which took place between January 22 and February 26, two at
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.
is about time that the quiet man was recognised.” n Also honoured is Debbie Slay, a member of Wokingham Lions. She was presented a town council Civic Award by town mayor Cllr Philip Mirfin last week. She had been unable to attend the civic reception held last month.
Chatteris Way and one at Firmstone Close in Lower Earley.
SURVEY
Still time to take part in library consultation WOKINGHAM Borough Council is encouraging the public to have their say about the future of libraries. A consultation has been launched on the council’s Draft Library Offer, which includes principles by which the service could be run in the future and a proposed delivery model. The council said it envisages a system of a ‘hub’ of main libraries at Woodley, Lower Earley and Wokingham and smaller ‘spoke’ libraries elsewhere. A survey can be found on the Wokingham Borough Council website and there is a drop-in event in Finchampstead’s FBC Centre tomorrow (Saturday) from 10am-2pm.
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Friday, March 18, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER
ROADS
CRIME
Lorry smash on narrow road sees call for Kaiser to resign EXCLUSIVE
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk COUNCILLORS have called on the borough’s highway chief to resign after an accident injured a lorry driver. On Wednesday lunchtime, two lorries were involved in a collision on Keephatch Lane in Norreys. It is understood that one lorry slowed down to let the other pass but the other is alleged to have carried on. The two vehicles’ wing mirrors are said to have clipped and one flew through the other’s window, causing cuts and injuries to one driver who was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Both police and ambulance crews attended the scene. The incident has prompted calls from two town councillors for the resignation of the borough’s planning and highways chief, councillor John Kaiser. Cllr Andrew Waters told The Wokingham Paper: “We’ve had to wait for this accident to happen. We’ve been calling for the borough council to place traffic restrictions
Police at the scene of the accident on Wednesday. Picture: Colin George
on the road. It’s been ignored by Cllr Kaiser and his department.” Together with fellow Norreys East councillor Colin George, the pair have been pressing the borough to stop construction traffic from using Keephatch Lane as a cut through. They say that they are concerned that a serious accident could occur, especially as the road is used by children attending Keep Hatch
‘I’m committed to supporting residents for the best results’ COUNCILLOR John Kaiser, Executive Member for Planning and Highways at Wokingham Borough Council, has hit back at his critics. He said that he was mystified at the town councillors criticisms and didn’t understand it. Speaking to The Wokingham Paper he said: “I’m disappointed, you know my commitment to supporting residents and trying to get the best outcome for people across the borough. “I’m disappointed in the sense that I’m not just a borough councillor, I’m also a parish councillor. “My view is that I’m an elected member I do the very best within what the officers tell
me, it’s their responsibility if they tell me it’s safe, what they’ve done is legal and meet all laws and criteria, it’s not really my position to question that.” Cllr Kaiser added that after the meeting with the town councillors, a member of the highways team had been working on suggestions to make Keep Hatch Lane one way. “He has been working on it as far as I know,” he said. Cllr Kaiser added: “I cannot be held accountable for every accident and everyone that’s injured on the roads in the borough, that’s just unreasonable.”
PLANNING 1
Oaks to be felled for NDR PART of the Northern Distribution Road was given planning permission on Tuesday. Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee met to discuss plans to build the new road through Toutley Road, before connecting with a new roundabout junction with Twyford Road. While planning documents say it will provide “an attractive tree lined route with segregated pedestrian and cycle routes”, planners revealed that three historic trees are to be removed. One of the trees is estimated to be 230 years old, another is 160 years. Six new trees will be planted. A Council spokesperson said: “When planning the homes and infrastructure our borough needs, some difficult decisions need to be made about existing housing and natural features like the trees. “Having tested many options regrettably it results in the loss of an ash and two oak trees. The layout does allow a new buffer zone to the existing houses along southern side of Toutley Road in order to reduce the impact upon these properties and to allow landscape improvements along the southern section of the highway.”
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Primary School and St Crispin’s. “We’ve been campaigning for a traffic restriction order so heavy goods vehicles are not allowed to use this road. It is only 5.1m wide and vehicles are 2.1m wide,” said Cllr Waters. Cllr George said he was on the scene of Wednesday’s accident and praised the efforts of Police to manage traffic. He also spoke to other lorry drivers using Keephatch Lane and said that one told him he was working on a Twyford development and Norreys was a short cut. “We’re being used as a rat run for other building sites,” he added. The councillors say they have met with Wokingham Borough Council but their concerns have been dismissed. Cllr Waters said: “As town councillors, we’re pretty fed up of not being listened to. Residents are screaming at us. We’re shouting as loud as we can for them. “We’ve persistently tried to get the Council to do something about it, everything has been pooh-poohed and shouted down. “The planning and highways department is not fit for purpose and we think it’s about time Cllr Kaiser should resign.” Wokingham Borough Council’s Director of Environment Heather Thwaites said: “We cannot speculate on the causes of this reported traffic incident and await the outcome of any formal police report. “At the moment it is not clear that either of the vehicles involved was from a local construction site, but we have asked site managers to investigate. “We cannot ban HGVs from Keephatch Road as it forms part of a bus route and an established access route for local businesses. However, we are carrying out further safety assessments that may include putting some new signs to warn drivers of the short narrower sections.”
Tyres slashed on parked car
Nick Warren from Wokingham Litter Heroes with Town Mayor Cllr Philip Mirfin, St Teresa’s headteacher Nikki Peters with competition winners Shona Henderson and Matthew Demarchi Picture: Wokingham Litter Heroes
COMMUNITY
Litter heroes start young WOKINGHAM’S very own Wombles have had a little help from their friends ahead of this weekend’s borough-wide litter pick. Pupils from St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School, in conjunction with the Wokingham Litter Heroes, took part in an art competition on the theme Keep Wokingham Clean. The winning entry was chosen by town mayor councillor Philip Mirfin and will be turned into posters and stickers that will be displayed around the town centre, aimed at encouraging people not to litter. He was at the Easthampstead Road school to congratulate the winners on Wednesday morning. The initiative comes ahead of this weekend’s litter picking collection. Each parish and town council is organising a collection of rubbish in its streets, before enjoying refreshments. Most collections run on Saturday or Sunday from 10am to noon. A full list was printed in last week’s paper, but for more details log on to http://www.wokingham.gov.uk and search for Community Litter Pick. n To join the Wokingham Litter Heroes, search for them on Facebook or email info@wokinghamlitterheroes.uk
A DRIVER woke up to find that someone had slashed the tyres on their car, while others were broken into. The incident took place in Kingfisher Drive in Woodley overnight from Thursday, March 10 to Friday, March 11. All four tyres of a parked car were slashed while two other cars had their sat nav stolen. In another thieves tried to steal a stereo but were unsuccessful. One of the cars had been parked overnight in the service road. If you have any information call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
EASTER
Hot cross bun giveaway COMMUTERS will receive a tasty treat on Tuesday thanks to a town centre church. Members of Wokingham Methodist in Rose Street will be at Wokingham station handing out hot cross buns to mark Holy Week between 5.20am and 8.30am. The free gift is now an annual tradition for the church and complements a similar giveaway at Christmas. n A Good Friday play will take place in Market Place from boon. See page 18
PLANNING 2
Hatch Farm Dairies development gets green light PLANS to build more than 400 new homes on land adjacent to a flood plain were given the green light on Tuesday. Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee approved the reserved matters application for Hatch Farm Dairies in Winnersh, despite opposition from residents and neighbours. The site will be home to 431 homes, a new country park and woodland and play areas. Although a primary school was originally planned for the site, this has now been removed. Work has already started on the Winnersh Relief Road. Speaking at the meeting, Earley town councillor Bill Luck expressed residents’ concerns including parking spaces, potential flooding and the design
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of the houses. He also raised concerns over mud on the road from builders’ lorries. He said: “Wheel washing equipment has been installed 100m from the site access, which inevitably means that by the time vehicles get to the highway, the vehicles are dirty again.” The Hatch Farm Dairies application has been scrutinised by the Winnersh Residents Association. Spokesperson Paul Robinson raised issues including the density of the layout, potential light pollution and safety hazards for young children as well as fears that there is not enough flood protection on the site. However, the application was passed by the committee by eight votes to one.
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Mr Robinson said afterwards: “Sadly, but inevitably, the Reserved Matters was approved at tonight’s meeting. We will keep fighting for Winnersh residents, both present and future.” Addressing the issues raised at the meeting, a council spokesperson said: “The applicant has started site preparation works which have resulted in problems with mud on the roads due to the conditions on the site. We are working with the developers to address this issue.” “The reserved matters application considered this week included a drainage strategy which has been assessed by the Environment Agency, the Council’s Drainage Officer and Consultants and this has been found to be acceptable”.
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4 | NEWS
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TRANSPORT
Crossrail fears over station parking FEARS that Crossrail could cause further pressure on spaces at a borough train station has been raised by one of its MPs. Theresa May met with officials from Great Western Railway (GWR) last week to discuss car parking at Twyford Station. She said that the lack of space at the station is causing problems in surrounding streets, leading to congestion and upsetting residents. And she said it could be exacerbated when Crossrail comes into operation. During her visit she raised the issue with GWR managing director, Mark Hopwood and received an update on GWR’s bid for funding from the Department for Transport to expand the car park’s capacity, and on other measures that could help the situation. This follows a recent report by
Wokingham Borough Council which highlighted the need for the Council, GWR and the local community to work together on improving access to the station. During her visit, Ms May also welcomed confirmation from GWR that the station’s lifts will now operate on a 24-hour basis following a successful trial. This will improve access for disabled passengers. Ms May said: “It is important that we have the right infrastructure in place to meet the demand for car parking at Twyford Station, particularly with Crossrail coming in 2019. “We need more parking capacity at the station and I welcome the efforts of GWR and Wokingham Borough Council to seek a solution. I will continue to work with them to find the best way forward.”
MUSIC
Diamond nights at restaurant A WOKINGHAM restaurant was packed out as diners welcomed a diamond geezer. Baranda, on Peach Street, held another tribute night on Tuesday, offering a meal and music. This time the special guest was Bob Drury, who sings Neil Diamond’s hits. He’s pictured with Baranda’s owner, Faruk Bhuiya. Mr Drury said: “It’s the fourth time I’ve been here. “The customers are really enjoying it, they want to join in. People have been dancing.”
THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 18, 2016
PLANNING
Legal battle as garden centre takes on council By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk A GARDEN centre and the borough council are threatening to sue each other as a row over planning permission intensifies. And next week, a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council will receive a petition from people supporting Hare Hatch Sheeplands garden centre over the council. It is expected that more than 8,000 people have signed in support. It will be presented to the council by Patrick Heather, a former chairman of Twyford Village Partnership and current chairman of Age Concern Twyford, on behalf of those who signed. However, the Council said on Wednesday that the centre has failed to comply with enforcement notices previously served. As such, new planning applications submitted relate to what it says is unauthorised development and as such it is planning legal action. Countering that, Hare Hatch Sheeplands is seeking a judicial review of the council’s decision to ignore the two planning applications and a public enquiry is scheduled for September. This will hear an appeal by the centre over the council’s refusal to grant a Certificate of Lawful Use for activities on the site. The disagreement between the centre and the council dates back to 2003, when Petstop moved over to Sheeplands into a temporary shipping container after being evicted from the Wyevale site on the other side of the Bath Road while applying for planning permission, which was subsequently turned down. Over the next several years planning permission for various concessions, including the coffee shop and farm shop, were turned down, appealed and approved with strict conditions, with concerns raised by Wokingham Borough Council that too much Green Belt land was being used for business purposes. Cllr John Kaiser, executive member for planning and highways, said:
“Since the previous enforcement notice relating to Hare Hatch Sheeplands, Wokingham Borough Council officers have undertaken several site visits, and to date, the garden centre has failed to comply with the enforcement. “Regarding planning applications 152747 and 152748, both of these applications relate to unauthorised development required to be removed by the notice. “While the council has always stated that it would work with the garden centre to negotiate an acceptable proposal, this has always been on the basis that the site should be looked at comprehensively. “Unfortunately, the council considers that the time has come to take the next step towards compliance with the planning regulations, this involves further legal action through the courts which is due to be confirmed shortly.” However, Sheeplands owner, Rob Scott (pictured) said that his correspondence with the council suggested he should apply for planning permission. He said: “What’s so frustrating is that in letters to our supporters [Wokingham Borough Council Chief Executive] Andy Couldrick indicated that I could apply for planning permission for a play area and pet farm, which encouraged me to do so” “His actual words were ‘a planning application could be submitted to retain some uses such as the farm and play area and these could be acceptable to the council’.” Despite the pending appeal in September Wokingham Borough Council has written to Mr Scott and other interested parties giving him just 14 days to shut down certain areas on site, which they claim are not lawful. “They appear to have set themselves up as judge and jury, finding me guilty before I have even had a chance to put my case at the inquiry,” said Mr. Scott. “It is the independent planning inspector who should decide the result of my appeal, not the council,” he added.
Girl Guide leader Sarah Stevenson receives her award from former county commissioner Jenny King
AWARD
Sarah is a Guiding light A GIRL GUIDE leader has been rewarded for her work with the organisation. Sarah Stevenson was given the Girlguiding South West England Region Young Guiders Award for her ‘commitment and enthusiasm’. The honour is given to young women who have undertaken something remarkable and the 25-yearold has done just that, achieving the Queen’s Guide, the highest award in the movement. She was also selected to represent the UK and travel to Latvia in 2015 as part of the Guiding Overseas Linked with Development (GOLD) programme. Sarah’s next major overseas challenge will involve walking the Great Wall of China in October this year with Devon Senior Section, as part of the celebrations throughout 2016 to mark the centenary of Guiding’s Senior Section. Sarah was presented with her award by Girlguiding Berkshire’s former County Commissioner Jenny King and was watched by Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Senior Section members and Leaders from Shinfield District. After the presentation Sarah said: “Guiding has given me so much confidence and opportunity. There is no way I could travel as much as I have done without Guiding. If I can pass on that same confidence to one girl, then I know I’ve given something back.” Liz Slocombe, Reading Abbey Division Commissioner commented: “Sarah’s enthusiasm and drive to grow and develop Guiding in Shinfield District across all sections has made her truly inspirational. “We are all delighted she has been chosen by South West Region to receive the Young Guiders Award.”
OBITUARY
Guests urged to wear fuschia for Eileen’s funeral A COMMUNITY stalwart has died and her funeral will take place today (Friday). Eileen Mortimore, the wife of Gerry, died peacefully on 25 February after a five-year battle with cancer. Gerry plays a significant role in the voluntary sector in Wokingham. He has been a long standing member of the Wokingham Unicorn Club and for many years has taken a very active role in running their Wokingham Fireworks Spectacular, which has raised several hundred thousand pounds for local charities. As well as organising the event each year he
is the most active programme seller and must have knocked on tens of thousands of doors. Gerry also joined The Rotary Club of Wokingham in 2001 and immediately took an active role in supporting Rotary’s work in eradicating poliomyelitis worldwide. His contacts with Wokingham Borough Council and Town Council have resulted in the long oak seat which was erected in Market Place about 10 years ago together with the selection of a Council employee to attend a three-week exchange trip to Western Canada. For the past five years Gerry has devoted
his life to supporting Eileen and made countless trips with her to the Royal Marsden Hospital, where friends say she received exceptional treatment. Eileen’s funeral will be at Easthampstead Park Cemetery and Crematorium at 1.30pm on Friday, March 18, followed by a reception in her memory at Sandmartin’s Golf Club. Any ladies attending are asked to wear her favourite colour, fuschia or bright pink. Those who wish to do so can donate to the Royal Marsden Hospital charity in memory of Eileen via http://memorygiving.com/ eileenmortimore . ALAN ROUSE
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6 | NEWS
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INGHAM
THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 18, 2016
VISIT
School’s royal welcome
S&&LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPING
Bearwood School pupils welcome the Countess of Wessex as she visited the new outdoor area on Monday. Pictures: Stewart Turkington
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A SPECIAL visitor made During the visit, the Monday memorable for a Countess met pupils and Sindlesham school – it was took part in lessons, much Sarin Tel: 0118 9733414 .Tony . . the Countess of Wessex. to their delight. She also PATIOS FENCING & GATES TURFING Mob: 07920 524500 The royal guest visited toured the new outdoor .Dorian . Edwards, musical director of singhealthychoirs SHED BASES BLOCK-PAVING Bearwood Primary area ahead of unveiling Email: wokinghamdriveways@gmail.com receives cups from Jon Swindle, My Local Wokingham . School to officially a plaque in front of the REPAIRS OR DRIVE EXTENSIONS 436 Finchampstead | Wokingham | Berks | RG40 3RB assistant managerRoad outside one of the group’s rehearsal open the school’s new whole school. . GARDEN venues, The Bradbury Centre in Rose Street MAINTENANCE ngs Foundation Stage Foundation a song from . PROFESSIONAL Outdoor Environment. Stage pupils their recent DRIVEWAY CLEANING COMMUNITY She was joined by The then performance DRIVEWAYS &&LANDSCAPING DRIVEWAYS LANDSCAPING Lord Lieutenant of performed a at the O2. Berkshire and borough song that they Bearwood’s tical illness & income protection plans tical illness & income protection plans mayor councillor Parry had sung for oldest ONE of Wokingham’s n the convenience of yournewest homeshops has helped a Batth and local authority Mother’s Day female pupil, n the convenience your Sarin community choir aheadhome of their latest Tel: performance 0118 9733414 .Tony .of . TURFING PATIOS FENCING & GATES representatives and school and the School ngs & child trust funds Madison Mob: 07920 524500 date trust this weekend. ngs & child funds . SHED BASES . BLOCK-PAVING governors. Choir performed Amor, 11, and Email: wokinghamdriveways@gmail.com My Local, which opened in October in Market performance analysis . performance analysis REPAIRS OR DRIVE EXTENSIONS 436 Finchampstead | Wokingham | RG40 3RB Place, has donatedRoad items needed by| Berks Sing Healthy market options . GARDEN MAINTENANCE which incorporates the Thames Valley market Choirs options . PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT pensions Life assurance, critical & income protection plans Community Choirillness and the BBC Berkshire choirs. CLEANING Life assurance, critical illnessDRIVEWAY & income protection plans pensions Store manager James Fellows said: “When my Financial reviews in the convenience of your home . wokinghamdriveways.co.uk . 07920 anning s@googlemail.com Financial reviews in the convenience of your524 home500 0118 973 3414 anning assistant manager, whotrust belongs to the choir, told me Investments, savings & child funds Investments, savings & child trust funds nsfers how much they struggle to get basic essentials, such nsfers With profits fund performance analysis Independent advice With as profits performance analysis Independent financial advice cupsfund to help membersfinancial in the social aspect of the Annuities & open market options for a secure future choirs, I decided to donate some – and throw in some Annuities & open market options for a secure future By PHIL CREIGHTON Personal group pensions Secondary school, opening in tea, & coffee and sugar as well as some water to help Personal & group pensions news@wokinghampaper.co.uk September. . Inheritance Tax planning an their voices in the next big concert.” wokinghamdriveways@googlemail.com wokinghamdriveways.co.uk Inheritance Tax planning The developers are keen to protect Life critical illness & income protection plans Theassurance, singhealthy groups of choirs are all run as ISAs & ISA/PEP transfers Life assurance, critical illness & income protection plans Authorised and regulated by the FSA ISAs & ISA/PEP transfers AN OPPORTUNITY to explore plans Authorised and regulated byhome the FSA Financial reviews in the convenience of your the site’s heritage, promising that true Community offering anyone ents Financial reviews inChoirs the convenience of your home who wants for one of the borough’s biggest trust funds St Egilius Church will remain as Investments, savings child trust funds theInvestments, chance tosavings sing &&inchild a choir free from auditions, With profits fund performance analysis regeneration projects takes place this a place of worship and there are With profits fundknowledge performance analysis music reading or pressure. Annuities & open market options weekend. Annuities & open market options plans to refurbish the stables for Tomorrow night they will be staging a Personal & group pensionsAuthorised and regulated by the FSA Crest Nicholson will be unveiling Personal & group pensions he the community to use. Other listed Authorised and regulated by the FSA performance of The Voyage by Bob Chillcott in . wokinghamdriveways.co.uk Inheritance Tax planning wokinghamdriveways@googlemail.com Inheritance Tax planning proposals for the second phase of the buildings on the complex will also be Reading. This is a world premiere in aid of Age UK ISAs & ISA/PEP transfers ISAs &320430 ISA/PEP transfers 3 Mobile 07768 Email tony@independent-ifa.co.uk Arborfield Green development, which preserved. 3 Mobile and 07768 320430 Email tony@independent-ifa.co.uk with two other groups: Reading Phoenix Choir will ultimately see the former REME , Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 6HS Tomorrow (Saturday) there will be andWelsh Berkshire Youth Choir. , Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 6HS Fleck Associates Ltd Tony of Susan barracks transformed into a new miniTony The Welsh of Susan Fleck Associates Ltd an opportunity for residents to share choir recently have put on a charity Authorised regulated by the FSA town for the borough. Tel/Fax 01344 466173 Mobile 07768 320430and Email tony@independent-ifa.co.uk their views on the second phase of Authorised regulated by the FSA performance the 07768 Armed Manand by Karl Jenkins and Tel/Fax 01344 402 466173 of Mobile 320430 Email tony@independent-ifa.co.uk Tel 0118 07768 320430 Although up to 3,500 homes are Address 5 The Paddock,8978 Crowthorne,Mobile Berkshire RG45 6HS the Arborfield Green development as Addresshave 5 The raised Paddock, Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 6HS of years over £7,000 in the last couple planned for the whole development, Crest Nicholson unveils its proposals Email totony@tonywelshifa.co.uk charities such as Reverse Retts, Oxfam’s effort in Tony Welsh of Fleck Associates Ltd Independent Financial Adviser they are being built in stages. They Tony Welsh of Susan Susan Fleck orchestra. Associates Ltd for around 130 new homes in the north Nepal and the Berkshire Maestros’ Tel/Fax 01344 466173 Mobile 07768 320430 Email tony@independent-ifa.co.uk will include one- and two-bedroom east section of the former garrison. Tel/Fax 01344 466173 Mobile 07768 320430 Email tony@independent-ifa.co.uk They arePaddock, rehearsing for an Autumn at Tel 0118 402 8978 Mobile 07768 320430 Address 5 The Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 6HS concert Address 5 The Paddock, Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 6HS apartments and two-, three-, fourPlans and designs for “Plot T”, the Hexagon in aid of the Air Ambulance and a Email tony@tonywelshifa.co.uk and five-bedroom houses. At the an area bounded to the east by performance of Karl Jenkin’s Requiem with the heart of the development will be a Commonfield Lane, will be on display Berkshire Maestros. community centre with local shops at the Garrison Community Centre, n Singhealthychoirs has rehearsals in Wokingham and nd regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority horised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, registration no. 447018 and amenities. Sheerlands Road, Arborfield from horised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, registration no. 447018 Bracknell. For more details log on to www.singhealthy. nville Road, Maidstone, Kentand ME14 2BJ Authorised regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Registration Number AJW00121 Susan Fleck Maidstone, Associates LtdKent is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, registration no. 447018It also houses the new Bohunt nville Road, ME14 2BJ 1-5pm. Susan Fleckco.uk Associates Ltd is authorised andEdwards regulated byKent the Authority, registration no. 447018 call Dorian onFinancial 07825 616759. Head Office: Granvilleor House, Granville Road, Maidstone, ME14 2BJServices
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the youngest boy pupil, Oscar Jones, 4, presented flowers and the Countess also received some Barkham Blue cheese donated by Mr Dole, a parent of the school. Headteacher Jane Barlow said: “This is
the first Royal visit that Bearwood has ever had, and this is a little part of history that we will all remember. “It has been a truly special day and a once in lifetime experience for everybody involved.”
Bearwood Primary School said it would like to thank Tesco in Wokingham for donating all the flowers that decorated the school and Waitrose for donating cakes and pastries for the dignitaries.
See plans for Arborfield Green
Tony Welsh
Tony Welsh
h of Fleck Ltd dent Financial Adviser h of Susan Susan Fleck Associates Associates Ltd 8978 Mobile 07768 320430 Independent Financial Adviser onywelshifa.co.uk
Tony Welsh
Registration Number AJW00121
During the exhibition, Crest Nicholson representatives and members of the project team will be on hand to answer questions and explain the detailed designs. Crest Director Hugo Reeve said: “Crest has committed to consult residents throughout the development of the new Garden Village at Arborfield Green. “There has been extensive discussion with local people over the past two years and their input, along with that of local councillors, has proved invaluable to date crafting various changes to the design and layout of the village. “This consultation exhibition will build on that valuable contribution.” n At the planning meeting held on Tuesday, Wokingham Borough Council approved plans to extend Nine Mile Ride as part of the development.
The 720m stretch of road will connect the A327 roundabout and be built in three phases. Phil Hamshaw, speaking on behalf of Crest Nicholson, told the committee that the enhanced road would enable traffic to access the school and add a cycle path. He said: “This connection enables the cycleway to connect with the wider cycle network across the Strategic Development Location. The design has been subject to an independent road safety audit.” He also said that the traffic modelling used for the road would ensure that it will work during the school run. “The traffic modelling is robust as it artificially uplifts traffic flows to account for ‘peak’ activity. In addition, sensitivity analysis has further uplifted traffic estimates,” he said.”
Head Office: Granville House, Granville Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 2BJ
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
Susan Fleck Associates Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, registration no. 447018 Susan Fleck Associates Ltd is authorised and regulated byKent the Financial Head Office: Granville House, Granville Road, Maidstone, ME14 2BJServices Authority, registration no. 447018 Registration Number AJW00121 Head Office: Granville House, Granville Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 2BJ
EXHIBITION
APPEAL
Artists wanted Lilly-May charity installs defibrillator into Woodley’s St Dominic Savio
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silver-smithing, drawing, painting and collage, stitched textiles, stained and fused glass, wood turning and printing. The closing date for all applications is March 23. The event takes place in venues in and around Wokingham in their own studios and other local venues on the weekend of September 24 and 25. To apply, download the application form from the website, www. wokinghamartstrail.co.uk
Back row from left: Claire Page, Georgina Jury, Chair of Preschool, Ina Wright, St Dominic Savio’s Preschool Supervisor, Claire Willoughby, School Business Manager and James Broadbridge, Head Teacher. Front row: Leyla Lord (4) and Paolo Potenza (4) from the pre-school, and pupils Adam Ferdinand (7), Thomas Cottle (10) and Natasha Brown (7). Picture: Vivienne Johnson
A WOODLEY school is celebrating after installing a new defibrillator. St Dominic Savio Catholic Primary School officially launched the new kit on Wednesday, March 2. The defibrillator was presented to the school by the Arrhythmia Alliance Lilly-May Page organisation. Claire Page, founder of the LillyMay Page charity, said: “St Dominic Savio was one of the first schools to receive a defibrillator from Lilly-May Page. They have now purchased a cabinet to make it accessible to the public. “The defibrillator is accessible to the pre-school, the church and the primary school and with the park just behind and being close to the precinct, that is an enormous footfall of people who can access it 24/7 which is great. “We just need to get the word out now so that people know where to go if they need one.”
NEWS | 7
To advertise call 0118 328 2959
Friday, March 18, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER
BUDGET
New rules for council tax discounts By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE Borough Council has announced a massive shake-up of the way in which council tax discounts are being applied. From next month, residents who were on the council tax reduction scheme will have to pay at least 10% of their council tax bill. The scheme is also being narrowed: the discount will only be paid to the level of a Band D property. The council said that if a property is in a higher council tax band residents will only be able to get help up to the cost of a Band D property. A third change means that if residents have other adults living in their property that aren’t their partner, they may receive a lower award in the amount of council tax reduction.
The changes have been announced as a result of the budget presses facing the borough council. A spokesperson for the council said: “Every council has to operate a council tax reduction scheme to help people on low incomes pay their council tax bills. “Each scheme is different, and will have different rules and levels of award. “Councils have to look at their schemes each year and decide if it’s still appropriate or needs to be changed in any way. “Wokingham Borough Council faces huge financial changes; as a result, the council tax reduction scheme for the Wokingham Borough has been amended.” n For details, or advice on the scheme call 0118 974 6000, email: benefits@ wokingham.gov.uk or visit www.wokingham.gov.uk/ benefits
Brooke Fraser (6) and Jacob Hodge (5) have a go at feeding, while pictured below are Lola Nessling (4) and Max Cannon (5)
EDUCATION
Spring springs into St Nicholas Five-year-olds Lewis Collins and Bram Green enjoy meeting an orphan lamb
Gemma Woodward, Lucy Warren, Lewis Collins, and Elliot Brown, all 5, welcomed their special guest
Supporting the weak
chicks and hearing about their lives.” Mr Holmes has introduced Shetland sheep, originally from the remote Scottish islands, to his Maidenhead farm so they can help look after the orphan lambs. “The orphans are lowland sheep from a flock where the farmer couldn’t get another ewe to foster them. “I am bottle feeding the lambs at the moment but later they will be looked after by the Shetlands who are a really nurturing breed. If lambs don’t have adult sheep to copy they can find it hard to learn to eat sheep pellets and grass.” n A flypast by a Battle of Britain Dakota C-47 is planned, depending on weather and other conditions, for the first day of Hurst Show, Saturday June 25. Show details are at www.HurstShow.uk
Could you help others in need?
I
n the natural world it seems that the stronger animals sometimes attack the weak or injured to remove them from their pack. Children who stand out from the ‘norm’, or who are considered different in some way can also be ‘picked on’ or bullied in the play ground, or even in families. There are also tragic news stories of those who steal or abuse the physically or emotionally weak in our society. To be a carer, a different approach to the weak is foundational. This approach sees beyond any weakness or disability to the person behind the limitations of body, mind or age. A carer recognises the worth and humanity of each person in need and treats them with unconditional respect and dignity. This challenge goes beyond the natural response of the ‘herd‘ instinct or even our cultural prejudice, and enables us to nurture the weak, creating well being and security for them and enabling their independence and dignity. The weak in society today can be also be very lonely. In the UK, 51% of those aged over 75 live alone and two fifths of the elderly admit to loneliness, the television being their main companion. Those who care for the frail and weak at home, know that sometimes they are the only real company seen on a regular basis. The role of carer is a very important one in our society. Those who are vulnerable need not only the practical and medical support that a care worker brings, but also the emotional,
CHILDREN had a baa-rilliant time bottle feeding orphan lambs when the woolly visitors followed them to school one day, writes Sue Corcoran. The 12-day-old lambs’ journey to see the youngest pupils at St Nicholas Primary School, Hurst, was the first of two visits to the village. The next time the lambs will be part of a children’s farmyard at Hurst Show and Country Fayre on June 25 and 26. Pete Holmes of Basil and Crew mobile farm also brought eight chicks which ran round the Milne classroom floor surrounded by a circle of seated pupils. The children asked questions and gently touched the chirping visitors. Teacher Miss Julie Easton said: “The children loved meeting the lambs and
Become a Home Carer ABOVE: Bringing a smile to clients is a special reward
mental and spiritual reassurance and companionship. When others amongst their family network are unable to lend the regular support needed, a care worker is vital to ‘bridge the gap’ and provide the specialist help required. Bridges Home Care have a strong reputation for ‘bridging that gap’ so that the weak and vulnerable and their families have the reliable support they need. It is provided with a special ingredient of dignity and respect so that the individual gains confidence, a sense of well being is restored as is their ability to retain their own independence at home.
One of their grateful clients says “I would like to say a big thank you for all the kindness, support and understanding your team gave to mother and myself. She couldn’t speak too highly of you all.” It’s testimonials like this that help the Bridges team realise the vital importance of their work. Supporting others and giving confidence to enjoy the fullest life possible is a reward in itself. If you feel you would like to know more about this vital career, please contact Bridges today. We are happy to talk about how you could enjoy the strong team work and fulfilling role.
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8 | NEWS
Parish noticeboard Monday, March 21 Wokingham Borough Council Health and Wellbeing Board sub-committee. 7pm. Civic Office, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1BN Wargrave Parish Council Full Policy and General Purposes and Buildings meeting. 7.45pm. Old Pavilion, Wargrave
Tuesday, March 22 Wokingham Borough Council Community and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny committee. 7pm. Civic Office, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1BN
Wednesday, March 23 Wokingham Borough Council Health and Overview and Scrutiny committee. 7pm. Civic Office, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1BN Finchampstead Planning Meeting. 8pm. California Ratepayers hall, Finchampstead
Thursday, March 24 Wokingham Borough Council Council Meeting. 7.30pm. Civic Office, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1BN
Wednesday, March 30 Wokingham Borough Council Planning Committee. 7pm. Civic Office, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1BN
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To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk A MAN from Woodley has been fined £180 for trespassing on a railway line and assaulting a community support officer. Adam Little, 38, of Drovers Way, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on January 28 where he pleaded guilty to trespassing, and was found guilty of assault. The charges both relate to an incident on October 22 when Mr Little was found trespassing on the railway lines at Wokingham station. He was fined a total of £180, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £600. TWO men are due to appear in court charged with stealing coral and sea shells from a house in Wokingham. Barry Chilton, 38, of Linden Road, Reading, and Levi Stanley, 38, of Deardon Way, Shinfield, will appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on March 29 charged with trespassing at a property in Waterloo Road on June 23 last year and stealing coral, sea shells, a bottle of sherry, silver spoons and other items of an unknown value. Both men deny the charges. A MAN from Wokingham has been fined £50 for watching television without a licence. Frank McGinley, 54, of Gorrick Square, was proved to have watched television on July 7 last year without a licence, contrary to section 363(2) and (4) of the Communications Act 2003. Mr McGinley was fined £50,
THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 18, 2016
From the courts
ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £60. He was not present for the hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court on January 29. A MAN from West London has pleaded guilty to stealing alcohol from Asda in Lower Earley. Marian Grigorescu, 47, of Vine Place, Hounslow, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on February 1 charged with stealing the alcohol, to the value of £154, on January 30. Mr Grigorescu was ordered to carry out 70 hours unpaid work within the next 12 months, to pay
a victim surcharge of £60 and costs of £85. A MAN from Finchampstead is due to appear in court charged with failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions of a change in circumstances. Darren Gear, 41, of Whittle Close, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on February 2 where he denied receiving income by subletting rooms in his property while claiming Employment Support Allowance. Mr Gear was remanded on unconditional bail until April 28 to appear at the same court for trial.
A MAN from Woodley has pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a community order. Lawrence Richard James Bennett, 29, of Drovers Way, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on February 2 where he pleaded guilty to failing to attend unpaid work on January 3 and January 10 and failing to provide evidence as directed. Mr Bennett was fined £50 and ordered to pay costs of £50. A MAN from Woodley has been found guilty of driving while over the alcohol limit. Richard Robert Witts, 41, of Selsdon Avenue, pleaded not guilty to driving while over the limit on June 23 last year. Mr Witts appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on February 4 where he was ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months, pay a victim surcharge of £60 and costs of £775. He was also disqualified from driving for a total of 60 months. A MAN from Somerset has pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in Sonning. Anthony Peter Martin, 36, of St Andrews Lane, Minehead, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on February 4 where he admitted being drunk and disorderly in Bath Road on February 3. Mr Martin was fined £100 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20.
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APPRENTICES 1
Builders search for talented newcomers By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokinghampaper.co.uk
TO CELEBRATE National Apprenticeship Week, one of the borough’s regeneration developers has announced a search for 35 new stars. Crest Nicholson, which is building Mulberry Grove and part of the Arborfield Green developments, is looking for new apprentices across a range of disciplines. The company currently employs 81 apprentices across five distinct areas: bricklayer, carpenter, electrician, dryliner and decorator, and plumber. Twenty one of these roles are currently based in their South division. For the first time this year, Crest Nicholson is also introducing a new technical scheme employing apprentices as trainee quantity surveyors and architectural technicians. All Crest Nicholson apprentices are offered a three-year fixed term contract, during which they gain practical experience on-site which supplements coursework requirements for their NVQ qualifications. Apprentices graduate from the scheme with an Apprenticeship Framework at Level 2 and an NVQ. Current plumbing apprentice Callum Stewart at Mulberry Grove in Wokingham said: “I like working with my hands and I always knew an office job wasn’t for me. I studied construction at college for two years and I found plumbing the most interesting trade, so when my course ended I looked for opportunities to take my training further. “I’m now in the second year of a
The Mulberry Grove development in Wokingham will provide jobs for apprentices trained by Crest Nicholson
four-year apprenticeship at Crest Nicholson on site at their Mulberry Grove development and I am really enjoying it. “Once you know the theory, Crest Nicholson trusts you with responsibility and independence, and I am really enjoying doing more of the practical side of things. The company has always been very helpful and given me everything I need to succeed. “In the future when my apprenticeship ends I would like to carry on learning my trade on site – there is always more to learn.”
Anthony Wilkinson, group training manager at Crest Nicholson, said: “An apprenticeship is a fantastic way to learn a trade while being paid on the job. “There are many opportunities to develop your career after completing an apprenticeship with Crest Nicholson through its Site Management Academy, working in the industry with sub-contractors or even by starting your own business. “Some of our senior team members, including many site managers and even one of our managing directors, started out in their careers as apprentices.” Throughout their training with Crest Nicholson, each apprentice is allocated a mentor who will share
advice, skills and demonstrate best practice examples. Crest Nicholson said it works closely with colleges in the region including Bracknell & Wokingham College, which offers continuous support during the programme. Training courses are delivered through a selection of industry training groups including Construction Skills, the Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board. The apprenticeship scheme will formally be open for entrants from the summer For more details, log on to www.crestnicholson.com/about-us/ careers/apprenticeship-programme or to apply email a CV to recruitment@ crestnicholson.com
APPRENTICES 2
Hospital celebrates its apprentices TO MARK National Apprenticeship Week, which ends today, the Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) is championing its apprentices. The week aims to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy. Claire Dhaffir is responsible for apprenticeship programmes at the RBH Trust. “People often think apprenticeships are something only available for school or college leavers,” she said. “At the Royal Berkshire we offer a wide range of internal and external programmes for people of all ages and skills. “They provide a route into a wide variety of careers and are an excellent opportunity to earn, gain work experience and achieve nationally recognised qualifications at the same time.” One of the people who has benefitted from the programmes run at the RBH is Occupational Therapy Assistant Olivia Fuller (pictured). She completed her apprenticeship in July last year and is now putting the skills she learnt into practice while she considers her next career step. She said: “I have always been interested in a career in health care and at school I thought I might want to be a midwife or mental health nurse, but just wasn’t sure. “I decided to start looking for apprenticeships and saw an advert for an Occupational Therapy Assistant, I researched what would be involved, applied and was successful. “I completed the apprenticeship in July 2015 and am now employed as a permanent member of staff. “The apprenticeship has given me a wealth of practical experience. I’m thinking I will undertaking an Access to Healthcare course to enable me to apply to university to be a fully qualified Occupational Therapist.”
COMMERCE
Chamber gives welcome to Chancellor’s budget
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
WEDNESDAY’S Budget has been hailed as positive and included some important wins for the British Chambers of Commerce. The Thames Valley chapter said yesterday that their pre-budget submission called on the Chancellor to avoid new business taxes and cost burdens, reform the broken business rates system, and address business concerns about the service and support they receive from HMRC. They said there were substantive wins on all three fronts. Dr Adam Marshall, BCC Acting Director General, said: “Business wanted a steady, workmanlike Budget, and that’s what we got. The Chancellor listened to our calls to avoid higher business taxes and costs – and indeed moved to lower them in a number of areas. He has finally taken real action to lessen the crushing burden of business rates, and sharpened incentives for entrepreneurship and investment. “While his commitments to key business infrastructure projects are positive, the Chancellor must ensure that they move from the drawing board to speedy construction on the ground. In a softening economy, the
combination of sustained infrastructure investment and lower business taxes is important to maintaining the confidence of firms across the country.” The BCC has naturally welcomed the news that business rates will be reduced. Dr Marshall said: “Businesses will cheer measures to cut the burden of business rates, which hundreds of thousands of firms have to pay before they even turn over a single pound. Also commenting on the budget was Marcus Mason, Head of Business, Education and Skills for the BCC. He said he expressed concern on the reduction of the productivity forecast from the Office of Budget Responsibility. Mr Mason said: “It is concerning that the OBR has revised down its productivity growth forecasts. The causes of our productivity problems are both global and home-grown. Domestically, we need to urgently tackle deep-rooted productivity problems in the UK economy.” On the tax changes for the oil and gas industry, Ashley Shackleton, energy spokesperson at the BCC, said: “The changes
to tax for the UK offshore oil and gas industry won’t have a huge immediate impact but will go some way to secure investor confidence in the sector. “The move reflects the serious challenges facing the industry due to current oil prices, and provide some welcome support for continued investment at a critical time.” On the increase in the climate change levy, Ashley Shackleton said: “The government must be vigilant in making sure that carbon taxes on businesses do not make them internationally uncompetitive.” Finally, a plan to develop the next generation of telephony technology, known as 5G, has been hailed by Fiona Krasniqi, the BCC’s digital spokesperson. “We have long-called for the UK to lead the world in developing 5G technology, so we are pleased that the National Infrastructure Commission is to publish a 5G strategy next year,” she said. “Unless we set the bar high, and ensure UK companies have access to world class digital infrastructure, our dynamic firms will be at a disadvantage.”
TRANSPORT 1
Fewer delays on A329 – council By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokinghampaper.co.uk A £4million scheme to improve transport options for Wokingham has been hailed as a success after delays on one of the borough’s busiest roads has gone down by 5%. Wokingham Borough Council said that The My Journey Wokingham project has seen residents embrace new travel habits and stick with them, as well as generating income for the council and saving £400,000 in sick leave. The £2.75million project was funded by central government’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund to support a range of sustainable transport measures, between 2012 and 2015. Local funding contributions of £1.05million were added to this. It was extended until the end of this month with an additional grant from the Department for Transport. Results for the three-year project were released by the council last week. It focuses on the project which included the improvement of traffic signals and junctions on the A329 Reading Road, upgrades to cycling and walking facilities, bus stops updated, and local people given
NEWS | 11
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personalised travel plans and hundreds more bike maintenance training. The council says that more than half of those taking part say they are walking more than before; think twice about using their cars, and actively consider other options. Two thirds say they now know more about green travel choices in the borough. The number of people using the A329 cycleway has increased by 17%, while a new Lower Earley Cycleway is now used by thousands of cyclists. On the A329, 10 new bus stops have been installed offering real-time information screens showing residents how long until the next bus is due. Elsewhere, on Thames Valley Park cycling has increased by four per cent. A commuter challenge inspired some 150 staff from 24 organisations across the borough make 3,400 cycle journeys; saving four tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. New local business travel network easitWOKINGHAM now has 40 company members offering benefits to more than
8,000 workers across the borough. “These figures speak for themselves,” said Cllr John Kaiser, executive member for planning and highways. “People have embraced new travel habits and are sticking with them. But better health, a fuller wallet and cleaner environment are only part of the picture. “My Journey Wokingham has delivered a return of £3.60 for every £1 spent. For vehicles travelling through the borough on the A329 journey delays have gone down by 5 per cent, and bus users have increased 14 per cent. “More cycling and walking means less sick leave and almost £400,000 will be saved from reduced staff absence.” However, Andy Croy, spokesperson for Wokingham’s Labour party, said that the figures should be treated with caution. “I’m surprised to be honest, it doesn’t seem to fit with what people are saying. “Giving the amount of work going on, I suspect the overflowing traffic from the A329M, the expected change in travel time is not being realised.”
TRANSPORT 2
Digital speed cameras for roads SPEED CAMERAS across the Thames Valley are to be given a 21st century makeover. New technology means that existing wet film cameras will be replaced with digital models linked to a control centre in Banbury. The cameras are being upgraded by Thames Valley Police as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce deaths and injuries on the roads. The first cameras to be upgraded will be at priority sites where the force feels the greatest need to reduce the number of road casualties and the speed of vehicles. Twenty cameras and site upgrades will be completed this year, with a further 10 cameras to be upgraded next year. The overall replacement programme will take up to five years. Like all cameras across Thames Valley, the new technology cameras will be bright yellow and clearly visible to drivers. The new digital cameras will send
offence information to Banbury using mobile data technology. The analogue cameras require an operator to attend each camera site to remove the film, which is then developed into a negative before being reviewed by the team at the Fixed Penalty Support Unit. Thames Valley Police say that the new digital cameras offer a higher quality image, providing greatly enhanced pictures of the offending vehicle. Temporary Supt Henry Parsons, of Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: “This improved technology will help us continue to respond to concerns raised by local communities and help make their roads safer. “They are used solely for road safety reasons as evidence shows they are effective at reducing casualty rates.”
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12 | NEWS
THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 18, 2016
ANNIVERSARY
Bard’s 400th celebrated in borough’s libraries
CONSERVATORIES
WOKINGHAM’S libraries have been celebrating one of the country’s greatest writers this week – and there are more events to come. Shakespeare Week runs until Sunday and is a national annual celebration that aims to introduce children to the Bard, as well as marking the 400th anniversary of his death. As part of the celebrations, the borough libraries have been running special Shakespearethemed rhymetimes, based on a CBeebies-produced version of A Midsummer’s Night
Dream. A session was held at Wokingham library on Wednesday, while Finchampstead Library, at the FBC Centre, holds one at 11am today (Friday). Children are invited to attend dressed as a fairy or woodland creature. For older children, a family-friendly version of Twelfth Night is coming to the borough during the Easter holidays.
The Shakespeare Theatre Show has been written in rhyme to catch children's attention. From comic pleads of love to a confusing mix of characters dressing as others, the play is designed to get children laughing the way Shakespeare intended. It costs £5 and places must be booked in advance. There are two performances.
Wokingham Library holds its session on Wednesday, March 30 and Woodley Library holds its performance on Monday, April 4, both sessions run from 2pm to 3pm. And there is something for adults too: a Shakespeare Play Reading Morning of Twelfth Night will be held at Wokingham Library on Friday, April 29 from 10am to noon. For more details, call the libraries: Wokingham (0118) 978 1368; Finchampstead (0118) 908 8176; Woodley (0118) 969 0304.
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afternoon which I won't forget.” More than 200 people attended the event at Trunkwell Mansion House WOMEN from across the Thames Valley in Beech Hill, raising £15,000 which have been honoured for their work and will support the care provided by Sue lives. Ryder including the Wokingham Day Last Friday, Sue Ryder held Hospice. its annual Southern Women of Comedian and broadcaster Mark Achievement Awards, celebrating Dolan presented the awards, stepping women from across Berkshire, in at the last minute after the original Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. host fell ill. They included He said: “It was a a woman from The winners very special event for Wokingham. Woman of Achievement in a great charity and I’m Jane Holmes Business happy to be able to was joint winner Anna Rowe, Wallingford help out.” of the Woman of Woman of Achievement in the Tracey Hancock, Achievement in the Community Head of Fundraising Community award, Ailsa Bosworth MBE, Maidenhead for Sue Ryder’s sharing the accolade Jane Holmes, Wokingham Duchess of Kent and with Maidenhead’s Woman of Achievement in Sports Nettlebed Hospices Ailsa Bosworth. Heather Stanning, Reading said: “It is so nice to Ms Holmes said: Woman of Achievement in be able to recognise “I was so surprised but, Services the contribution so of course, delighted to Flight Sergeant Emma Rousell, many women make be one of the winners RAF Benson so selflessly while of my category. Young Woman of Achievement also celebrating “I am so proud Genevieve Espino, Reading the incredible care Sue of all the charities Sue Ryder Woman of Courage Ryder provides I have worked with Samina Hussain, Slough for people living and it was wonderful Robyn Jones Southern Woman of with life limiting to receive such Achievement 2016 conditions.” prominent recognition Ailsa Bosworth, MBE An auction included for all the hard work items such as a pair and love that has gone of bronze hares sculpted exclusively into them. for Sue Ryder by Sebastian Wylder, “I would like to thank everyone afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace, at Sue Ryder and the sponsors of my use of a Maserati for a weekend and a award, Savills, for a truly fabulous stay at Christmas Cottage, Bray.
ROADWORKS 1
Nelson Lane to close A WEEK of road closures will affect a Hurst street just after Easter. Wokingham Borough Council has announced plans to shut Nelson Lane between its junctions with Pound Lane and Broadcommon Road to enable road repairs to take place.
It is estimated that the work, which will start on Easter Monday, will take a week to carry out and residents will be able to access their properties. During the works a diversion will be in place between Pound Lane and Broadcommon Road.
ROADWORKS 2
Wall to be built in Remenham THE A321 Wargrave Road will be closed on Sunday to allow workers to build a retaining wall at Meades. A diversion will be in
place: A4130 White Hill, A4130 Henley Roadm A4 Bath Road, A4 New Bath Road and A321, Wargrave Road.
Rebecca McAllister from Savills Reading presents the Sue Ryder Woman of Achievement in the Community award to Jane Holmes. Picture: Martin Pickles
ELECTION
Be on register for 3 big votes A PUSH to ensure the borough’s voters are registered ahead of the forthcoming elections has been made by the borough council. There are three big votes coming up: while the European referendum on June 23 is garnering national headlines, there are also elections for the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the Thames Valley and also borough council elections in 18 wards in Wokingham. Wokingham Borough Council wants residents to register to vote, if they haven’t already done so. It is also an opportunity for voters to consider whether they wish to vote by proxy or post, rather than visiting their local polling station. Wokingham Borough Council’s
returning officer, Andrew Moulton, said: “The PCC, local elections and EU referendum are just eight and 15 weeks away respectively, and we want residents to register as soon as possible so they can make sure they have their say. “The application process is quick and easy via: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. The last day to apply to register in time for elections in May is Monday April 18; and the last day to register to vote in the EU referendum is Tuesday June 7. “In light of the EU referendum now taking place in June, it’s predicted there will a high volume of last minute online applications. In the majority of cases they will go through very quickly with no problem, but it is best to get in early just in case.”
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14 | NEWS FOCUS
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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 18, 2016
SURVEY
Taking the pulse of the borough New research offers an incredible insight into the current state of Wokingham. The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment covers everything: teenage pregnancies, mental health needs, cancer rates, end of life care and even the number of dogs barking. PHIL CREIGHTON explores the findings
A
REVEALING insight into the borough was released last week by Wokingham Borough Council as part of its new profile of the area. The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment looks at everything from the number of miles travelled by cars in the borough to the number of people who received a flu jab. The candid report also reveals areas in which work needs to be carried out. Executive member for health and wellbeing, Cllr Julian McGhee Sumner said: “The JSNA is a great source of local information that helps to both shape and define the health and wellbeing priorities for Wokingham Borough Council. “People have full access to it, but it is written in professional language because it is designed primarily for public services. So don’t be put off.” n You can read the profile in full at www.jsna.wokingham.gov.uk.
Housing
THE survey’s research reveals that while four in five residents in Wokingham either own their home outright or have a mortgage, affordability remains a problem. It is acknowledged that the average house price in Wokingham is 84% higher than the national average and the house price to income ratio is around 8% – almost double the UK average. The report reveals that “In order for a family to afford a mortgage for the average house, assuming a 20% deposit of £70,000, they would need an income of over £61,000. For a one-bedroom private rental to be affordable, residents need a minimum annual income of £23,800.” There is also a significant shortfall in the number of new affordable houses comparable to the local requirement: 390 need to be completed every year. However, the ongoing regeneration projects for the borough means that more affordable houses will be built. The report reveals: “We aim to have completed a further 1,000 units between 2015 and 2018, including social rented accommodation and shared ownership opportunities.” The number of households on council house waiting lists has remained fairly static over the past 10 years. While there was a spike in 2008 when almost 3,000
households were waiting, there are around 2,200 households waiting today – a similar number to 2003. The report acknowledges that many of these waiting families are being placed outside its borough boundaries, which causes more problems. It notes: “We are compounding the problems for households, many with children, in housing crisis. “Research shows that individuals and families suffering from homelessness fare badly against the general population on employment, mental and long term physical health.”
Homelessness
THE report acknowledges the challenges the Council is facing with an increasing homeless population. While the overall number is down from its 2005 high, since 2014 it has started to rise sharply and if current trends continue could overtake the previous figures later this year. The figures compiled by Shelter for the report counts families with children, households in priority needs, households not in priority need and households in temporary accommodation. All categories bar non-urgent households have seen steep increases since the start of 2015. Similarly, there has been a rise of rough sleepers in the borough, with causes including a lack of access to affordable private rented accommodation and direct access emergency accommodation “Rough sleeping, street drinking and begging are an increasing issue in Wokingham,” the report notes. “Wokingham Borough Council has an aspiration to be self-sufficient for its homeless accommodation in the 16/17 financial year. This is a very difficult task but one we are aiming to achieve.”
Mental health
ALMOST one in five people who live in Wokingham reported that they have a feeling of high anxiety. This is significantly greater than the average in England. The survey suggests that 35.06% of people with mental health related issues suffered high anxiety, compared to 20.03% of England. However, in 2013/14, the average life satisfaction score in Wokingham
Complaints ALMOST 900 complaints against fellow residents were received last year – and 164 noise complaints were made. Residential Service Requests – “complaints” 890 Third party assessment and mediation referrals 5 Service Requests relating to domestic noise 164 Private sector housing Service Requests 92 Chargeable pest control visits 144 Stray dogs picked up in Wokingham 76 Plus: Visits to houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO’s) 49
Pregnancy TEENAGE PREGNANCY ACCORDING to the survey, Wokingham’s teenage pregnancy rate is well below the national average – but the number of under 18s having abortions is above it. The figures go up to 2013, and reveal that the pregnancy rate has fallen steadily since 1999. Back at the turn of the century, around 28 Wokingham teenagers in every 1,000 became pregnant - the England average was more than 45 in every 1,000. In 2013, there were 15 teenage pregnancies in Wokingham compared to 30 for England. However, the abortion rate, calculated in a percentage, was much higher. In 2004, 2005 and 2011 around 70% of Wokingham teenage pregnancies were aborted - the national average is around 50%. The figures have since come down. Between 2011 and 2013, there were 117 teenage conceptions in Wokingham – 13.5 girls per 1,000 – and of those pregnancies, 71 were terminated. The report recommends that the borough’s children received high quality sex and relationship advice that is confidential and accessible, particularly for those who are from areas of deprivation, NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training), those excluded from schools and those in the youth justice system.
SMOKING THE number of pregnant women in the borough who smoke is under half the national average.
Over the five years since 2010, an average of 7% of Wokingham women carried on smoking while expecting – the national average is 13%. In 2013/14, the last year that figures are available, this had been reduced to 6% of the borough’s female population. The report recommends that agencies working with pregnant women or women likely to become pregnant can support and signpost those to SmokefreeLife Berkshire stop smoking services.
ANTENATAL SCREENING PREGNANT women are receiving antenatal screening that is well above the national average, according to the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment. Four infections are screened for during pregnancy: hepatitis B, HIV, syphilis and susceptibility to rubella. For HIV, the national target is 90%, while the local screening at the Royal Berkshire Hospitals is closer to 99%. With Hepatitis B, the national target is 70%, something that the hospitals have smashed - obtaining a 100%. Screening coverage for antenatal sickle cell and thalesseamia was just above or comparable to the national target of 95% and 90% respectively during 2012/13, while Down’s syndrome screening, as measured by completed laboratory request forms, was just below the national target of 97%. Newborn bloodspot screening and hearing screening coverage were both consistently high and above the national target of 95%. Picture posed by model. Picture: agasteche/ freeimages.com
was 7.61 out of 10, similar to the England figure of 7.49 out of 10. Wokingham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Wokingham Borough Council identified the most disadvantaged areas of Wokingham borough whose residents are likely to have poorer health and lower life expectancy compared to their more affluent neighbours: Bulmershe and Whitegates, Finchampstead South, Norreys, Shinfield North, Shinfield South, and Swallowfield.
Cancer screening
MORE Wokingham residents received cancer screening tests than the national average. As of March 2014, the last year for which figures are available, 14,027 (81.7%) of women aged 53-70 in Wokingham received a mammogram. In 2014/15, 66% of people in Wokingham who had been invited to test for bowel cancer took up the invitation – higher than than the Thames Valley average of 57.7%. Of those that took up the option for screening 1.7% had a definitive abnormal outcome. Finally, for cervical screening, 78.4% of women aged 25-49 were tested, significantly better than the national figure of 74.2%. Wokingham Borough has lower rates of cancer in under 75 residents than the England average, for all persons, including for those cancers considered to be preventable.
Obesity RESIDENTS in Wokingham Borough are healthier than the national average. While 63.8% of people living in England are considered to carry excess weight, just over half of Wokingham people are in that bracket – 57.4%. Just 37.7% are classed as overweight in Wokingham, while 40.8% of England is. While 23% of English people are classed as obese, just under one in five (19.7%) of Wokingham’s population are. One of the reasons for this is that Wokingham people are active – twothirds of Wokingham people took part in at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week in 2012, a figure that declined to 61.8% in 2013. The English average in 2013 was 55.6%. And just over a fifth (22.5%) of the borough is classed as physically inactive, compared to 28.9% of England.
Injuries to over 65s PEOPLE who live in Wokingham are less likely to fall over and injure themselves than any other part of the Thames Valley apart from neighbouring West Berkshire – although the figure is rising. The research revealed for 2013/14, shows that 382 people in the borough fell over and injured themselves, a figure that averages at 1,471.61 per 100,000 people. The greatest risk for injury is for those living in Slough, although 340 people
fell over there, it works out at 2,435 per 100,000 people. The survey recommends that a falls prevention service is established for people living with Dementia and a requirement for the issue of transport to be addressed.
Death
ALTHOUGH research carried out by Dying Matters Coalition revealed that seven out of 10 people would prefer to die at home, just over two in 10 people in Wokingham borough were able to do so in 2013, the last available year for such figures. Between 2010 and 2012 (inclusive): The percentage of deaths from Wokingham Borough occurring in hospital (47.5%, 521 deaths) is comparable to national average (49.31%) The percentage of deaths from Wokingham Borough occurring at home (23.0%, 252 deaths) is comparable to the national average (22.16%) The percentage of deaths in the borough occurring in a Care home (22.5%, 247 deaths) is also comparable to the national average (20.74%). The percentage of deaths from Wokingham Borough occurring in a hospice home (5.4%, 59 deaths) is also similar to the national average (5.65%) Finally, the percentage of deaths from Wokingham Borough occurring in other places (1.6%, 18 deaths) is comparable to the national average (2.14%).
15
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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
Section 106 money must be used on buses THE borough’s roads are a constant source of news for these pages. Delays, accidents and roadworks all crop up with alarming regularity. So the success of My Journey Wokingham is heartening. The borough council claims that it has helped produced individual travel plans for thousands of residents, reduced delays on the A329 and also seen an increase in cycling. Bus stops have also been upgraded, offering real time information so you can see how long you have to wait before the next three turn up at once. At the same time, as we report this week, plans for the borough’s big new road projects are continuing – planning permission was granted this week for parts of the Northern Distributor Road while the Winnersh Relief Road is causing issues for some. With six major new roads being delivered to help keep the 13,000 new households moving, this is no small undertaking. But there seems to be little in the way of public transport being discussed. Section 106 money means that the developers are paying for the bulk of these new roads – they should also be channeling some of this money into buses, creating a new transport network that will get cars off our roads, reduce congestion and make life much easier for all. The old adage that buses are dirty and smelly is simply not true, as anyone who has ridden the Lion or the Leopard services will testify. The case for creating a local bus network is one that future generations will thank us for. We just need to be bold and get delivering. Buses – they’re just the ticket.
CHURCH NOTES
Space in all the busyness I work with a fantastic charity called Soulscape (www.soulscape.org.uk). Using drama, discussion, play and reflection they create space to help young people explore life. My favourite Soulscape project is PAUSE; where the young people are encouraged to slow down and engage with the questions and challenges of life. The feedback often contains the comment that “I never get the chance to think about these things normally” and in the pausing and stillness the young people express feelings of ‘contentment’, ‘peace’ and ‘relaxation’. Providing space and stimulus for young people to respond to what forgiveness might mean for them, creating an opportunity for them to remember those that they have lost, to help them think about global issues, to be provoked into articulating their hopes and dreams and for them to have a chance to share their worries really is about creating space to explore life. Each time we run PAUSE I’m left wondering- is this the only space they get to stop and reflect? How can we encourage people to build in time to be still? Where are the safe spaces for people to share from their heart and be heard with no comment? Stillness and reflection is an art which requires effort. I wonder what works for you? Stillness doesn’t have to be quiet and reflection doesn’t have to be passive but they do require intention. If you’re scared by what stillness might stir up for you then I pray you’ll know courage and the companions that can help you face your fear. If time prevents you from stopping, then I pray that in your busyness you’ll have moments of beauty and discovery. And may the to do lists, the deadlines, the pressures and the potential for apathy never prevent you from creating the space to explore life. . Claire Hooper is youth specialist minister of Wokingham Baptist Church
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Delays on Wokingham’s roads EARLIER this week, we posted on our Facebook page the news that delays on the A329 had been cut by 5% as a result of the borough council’s My Journey programme. You weren’t convinced… It takes on average 40 mins to an hour to get from Warfield to Reading since the A329m has changed, if the council only got their lazy **** out of bed at the same time as the rest of us and sat in the same traffic day in day out (oh and junction 11 M4! everyone jumping the lights) they would understand what a complete waste of money the project was. With all the new houses going up in the area and by 2020 there will be another 10,000 homes which means on average another 15,000 plus cars the roads can’t cope at the moment let alone in the future! Andy Cakebread No way! Previously I sat for 30 minutes from Old Forest Road to the A329 and then 2-3 minutes on the A329 before joining the M4, now it’s 30 minutes on the Reading Road and then 15-20 minutes on the A329! The council can keep trying to convince themselves and others, but I actually do this
journey and it’s official – it’s actually worse! Emma Whitaker Thousands of cars being held up, one or two bicycles using the cycle lanes. Why did they not use half of the wide paths for bikes? Every project in the last five years has been flawed. Mike Thurston Mike, I regularly ride along the A329, and I see several bikes most times. That said: 1. The ones on the path are pootling along slowly and mixing with pedestrians, dog walker and dogs and children (all of who generally wander about all over the place). 2. The ones on the road are – like me – clipped in to their pedals and going at a fair rate, so the pathway is very unsafe for us the other users to be together. Liz Jones Everyone’s missing the point. Are you kidding? £4m? This is why we can’t have nice things... ... *sorry, essential things* like NHS Jade Burrell Yes I agree.. But only if you’re on the A329 at 3am.
THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 18, 2016 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
I would love to know how they benchmarked this. Jeanne Finneran Butcher Crackpot comments from clueless council. Duncan Wooldridge I don’t know about that, but it took me over an hour to get from Hurst to Crowthorne last night. Whose idea were the temporary traffic lights on the Finchampstead Rd Philippa Etheridge And up by 200% everywhere else! Sonia Lawlor
We should leave the EU Rob White from the Reading East Green Party wants people to vote to stay in the EU. Many times I have written that the nation should vote to leave, but of course it’s up to the people what they want to do. The Green Party is the same as all politicians of all parties that have turned their backs on our Commonwealth. The Green Party, as Labour, want our land flooded by asylum seekers and migrants and bring in 75 million Turkish people and destroy Britain with Shariah Law. I suppose the Green Party support that too. Victor Rones, Bracknell
GOOD ADVICE
Paid a deposit on your tenancy? Most private rents these days are called assured shorthold 10ancies. If you privately rent you probably have paid a 10ancy deposit. Getting all, or some of this back is one of the problem areas when 10ants leave a property. This article will explain how the scheme works Most new private 10ancies are likely to be assured shorthold. Unless your landlord lives with you or your accommodation goes with your job your 10ancy is likely to be assured shorthold. Most landlords and letting agents ask 10ants for a deposit as security against damage or non-payment of rent. From 6 April 2007 your landlord must use a 10ancy deposit protection scheme to safeguard it. A 10ancy deposit protection scheme safeguards your deposit. This means you can be sure that you will get your deposit back at the end of the 10ancy, as long as you’re entitled to it. For example, your landlord may keep some of the deposit if there is any damage or if you haven’t paid all your rent. The scheme also provides a service to sort out disagreements about the deposit without going to court. There are two types of scheme and it is up to your landlord to choose which one they want to join. One type of scheme is a custodial scheme and the other is insurance-based. The main difference is that: • in the custodial scheme, your landlord pays the deposit into the scheme and the scheme looks after it • in an insurance-based scheme, your landlord keeps the deposit, but has to pay insurance to the scheme If you’re looking for a place to rent, ask the landlord which 10ancy scheme they will use to safeguard your deposit. The law says that your landlord must protect your deposit and give you details of the scheme they are using within 30 days of receiving it. They must also give you certain other information, including the amount of the deposit you paid, the address that it relates to, and how the deposit is repaid at the end of the 10ancy. It is best if you and your landlord agree, in writing, what condition the place is in when you start renting it, including a list of the furniture and fittings (known as an inventory). This should help prevent disagreements at the end of the 10ancy. At the end of the 10ancy you should get your deposit back within 10 days if you and your landlord agree. If there is a disagreement, the resolution depends on the type of scheme your landlord is using. If there is a disagreement, make sure the landlord
and the scheme have your contact details such as a forwarding or email address or a telephone number. It is reasonable for your landlord to take money off the deposit to cover, for example, outstanding rent owed, damage to the property or furniture, or missing items that were listed in the inventory. But they should not take money off the deposit to pay for fair wear and tear, in other words, damage that has taken place over time through normal use. If your deposit is being held in the custodial scheme and you and your landlord agree how much you should get back, you both need to let the scheme know by completing a specific form. The scheme will then pay you the agreed amount within 10 days. If there is a disagreement about how much of the deposit you should get back, the scheme will hold on to the disputed amount until the disagreement has been sorted out and pay the rest to you. In an insurance-based scheme, your landlord will have kept your deposit. They must return it to you within 10 days of you asking for it, as long as you both agree how much you should get back. If you and your landlord disagree about how much of your deposit you should get back, they must pay you the amount which isn’t disputed and pay the rest into the scheme until the disagreement has been sorted out. For example, you paid a £600 deposit. Your landlord wants to keep £200 to replace damaged furniture, but you believe the damage was there before you moved in. Your landlord must give you £400 and put the other £200 into the scheme until your dispute is settled. If the landlord doesn’t pay you what you are entitled to, the insurance scheme will pay it. Each scheme has a free service which landlords and 10ants can use to sort out disagreements about deposits, instead of going to court. This is called an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) service. The ADR service will decide how much of the deposit you should get back. The 10ancy deposit scheme will then pay you the money. Some schemes have time limits which the ADR service has to be used by, so you should check this with the scheme that protects your deposit. If you agree to use the ADR service, you will have to agree with whatever decision is made. You will not then be able go to court. If you or your landlord don’t want to use the ADR service, you will be able to go to court to try to get your deposit back. It’s possible to take your landlord to court if they don’t do what the law on 10ancy deposit protection requires them to. If you’re thinking of doing this it’s best to get advice first. Before taking court action you
should write to your landlord to give them the chance to protect the deposit and/or to provide you with the required information. A court can order your landlord to pay you compensation if they: • don’t protect your deposit at all • don’t protect your deposit within 30 days • don’t give you details of the scheme they used within 30 days The court decides how much of a fine has to be paid, but it will be between one and three times the amount of your deposit. The court can also order your landlord to pay the deposit into a scheme. If your 10ancy has ended you may still be able to take your landlord to court. If your 10ancy ended after 6 April 2012, the court can order your landlord to pay you back some or all of your deposit. The court will also decide how much compensation has to be paid. If your 10ancy ended before this date you won’t be able to make a 10ancy deposit claim and you can’t get compensation. There is a special procedure which private landlords of10 use to evict 10ants by giving two months’ notice (called a section 21 notice) without having to give reasons. Your landlord is generally not allowed to use this procedure if they don’t protect your deposit using a 10ancy deposit protection scheme, or don’t give you the required information about the scheme and your deposit. In these circumstances, they can only give you a section 21 notice if: • they return the deposit to you in full or with deductions agreed by you, or • you make a 10ancy deposit claim and the court has decided the outcome, or the action has been withdrawn or settled. If your landlord hasn’t provided the required information about the scheme and deposit, but they have protected your deposit, they can give you a section 21 notice, but only after: • they give you the required information, or • they return the deposit to you in full or with deductions agreed by you, or • you make a 10ancy deposit claim and the court has decided the outcome, or the action has been withdrawn or settled. If your landlord is trying to evict you, you should talk to an experienced housing adviser straight away. Your local Citizens Advice will be able to help you. n You can get help, information and advice from your local Citizens Advice or visit www.citizensadvice. org.uk or contact Citizens Advice Wokingham at Second Floor, Waterford House, Erftstadt Court, Wokingham, RG40 2YF. Tel: 03444 111 306. email: public@wokingham-cab.org.uk
VIEWPOINTS | 17
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Friday, March 18, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER
PICTURE OF THE WEEK
NELLIE KNOWS
Celebrating your photography
Nellie Williams www.nelliepompoms.co.uk Valley to Valley
I
DID the Valley to Valley route this week when I left the Thames Valley, stayed with friends in Crickhowell and had a cup of coffee with Granny Valley in the Welsh Valleys, taking an indirect but stunning route of M4, Cirencester, Malvern, Crickhowell and over the top. I was asked why and the answer was simple “because I can!” Granted it was a tiring day but the views and walks made up for it. I spent five years at school in Malvern and at the time never appreciated the Hills that we had to walk on a Sunday afternoon, being back there 30+ years later with the dog on a sunny day was sheer bliss. If you’ve never been to Malvern before I’d suggest you rectify that straight away. It’s a charming Spa Town nestled at the foot of the Malvern Hills, with heaps of history and plentiful views. The shops have changed since my school days but if you’re a stationery lover then Austin & Co on Belle Vue is worth going to.
Goals
Reading has a new bridge, installed in Christchurch Meadows. The pedestrian crossing over the River Thames is known by locals as the Pointless Bridge and offers a new way to cross from Caversham to a town centre road. Rodney Hart, Deputy Chairman of the Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club has been quick to spot opportunities to find an unusual angle on this unusual bridge. It’s a very striking image and it’s great to see the structure in this way. Thanks Rodney. We love to showcase your photos in our Picture of the Week feature. If you have a picture – landscape in format, not portrait – email it to news@wokinghampaper.co.uk. Pictures should be hi-res, landscape, 300dpi and taken by yourself, preferably within the Wokingham borough.
TONY JOHNSON
Six Nations and bacon rolls
Water, water everywhere
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N LIVING memory, the UK has experienced many large floods. Cumbria this year; 2013/14 on the Somerset Levels; 2007 country wide; 2003 on the Thames; 2000 in Yorkshire. Locals with long memories will recall 2014 and 2007, also 1968 and 1947. Of late, each one has been described as ‘unprecedented’. Then so was the next one. So why’s it happening? Could it be climate change, drainage, land management, river maintenance, over development, planning controls, information, understanding, inadequate local resources, unawareness even? Or is the explanation like train delays due to the wrong sort of leaves on the line? Ah! The wrong sort of water – we’ve not heard that one yet it’s … unprecedented. Must add it to the list so’s the Chairman doesn’t have to use ‘unprecedented’ again. Maybe not. That would be … unprecedented. We used to have plain old ordinary floods. These days they’ve become an event, especially if they’re on TV. Plus they seem to be getting worse and worse. So they’ve been upgraded and are now “flood events”. The flood defences, when they’ve not been left open, are now often being … well, flooded. But that doesn’t make sense, so the new way of describing a flooded flood defence is “overtopped”. Sounds a bit Jack Ketch, but better than the alternatives.
HAVE YOUR SAY:
However when the flood happens in your backyard, it’s different. Your home or business is uninhabitable, literally stinking, taking months to dry out, costing a fortune to repair and ruining precious and irreplaceable items. You’re forced out, but you’ve got insurance haven’t you ? Well, you may have, but when you see the renewal premiums you’re going to be in for a shock, then you’ll be thinking about how to pay for them, but the trouble doesn’t stop there. Try selling a house that’s in a flood zone, let alone one that’s actually been flooded. You now discover you’re stuck. Can’t afford the insurance, can’t afford to move, jittery every time it rains, watching the river like a hawk. If that’s not enough when you want to get a new job, your daily commute gets worse too. So with those really nasty consequences, why hasn’t something been done about it ? The answer is partly historical, partly economic and partly human behaviour. Try this for size and you’ll start to see why. The population keeps on growing, jobs are available in the desirable places, but there’s so little housing there the prices are astronomic. So we build a few more until just about the only place we’ve got left is the bits by the motorways and the
It was again another busy sporty week in our house, our youngest and her school team took part in the Junior Schools Football Tournament over at Goals in Woodley and they did really well. It was encouraging to see so many girls and their teams taking part, I may have had a hay fever moment when some goals were scored! The girls all played really well and there was lots of photo opportunities with Reading FC Women players Emma Follis and Molly Bartrip. Well done and huge thanks to Mr Theobald from Westende Junior School for organising it and a big thank you to Georgia and Reading FC Community Trust who were refereeing the games and making sure everything ran smoothly.
rivers. To do this we have to cut down the trees and vegetation that previously held back water, leaving fewer roots to hold the soil. So when it rains the soil gets closer to the river until finally it gets washed downstream. Only now it’s not soil, it’s silt and it drops to the bottom in the slow bits and clogs them up. But when you try to dredge, you’ve nowhere handy to put the silt, because the land’s been built up with roads and houses. When there’s a storm, the water doesn’t get soaked up by the roads and houses, it flows downstream - to the place where the river is clogged. It can’t get past as easily as it used to and so it hangs about a bit, enjoying the company of more incoming water trying to get past. Pretty soon you’ve got a traffic jam and no water is going down the river any time soon, it’s now going upwards and sideways. But when it goes sideways, into the Houses of pParliament as it did in 1928, “something must be done”. And, after just one or two more major floods – in ’53 and ’59 – it was. The Thames Barrier opened in 1984. Huh ? To be continued.
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I am indebted to three advisors on flooding matters in the writing of this article. Where correct, it’s credit to their superb contributions. Where wrong – it’s down to me.
@WOKYPAPER
Friday night was England v Wales U20s which was an amazing and exciting game. Saturday’s Six Nations was not an amazing game (Granny Valley didn’t phone immediately either and she wasn’t impressed). On Saturday, Wokingham and Emmbrook Girls U11s played at home and won, to celebrate we piled into the club house for a bacon roll.
Vintage Turnaround After all that sport we nipped across the bridge to the Henley House and Garden show to see Tara of Sweetheart Darling among others and had a good look around in the afternoon sunshine. I’ve got to nip to Henley in the next couple of weeks to see Penny at Vintage Turnaround (which should be in your address book www.vintageturnaround.co.uk), they’ve got an amazing array to treat and tempt you. It might be just the place to find a stunning Prom Dress, just saying!
Thrift
I always enjoy looking around thrift, second hand and Salvage & Reclamation Yards and had a good look at Gallops in Crickhowell, I know it’s not on our doorstep but they’re online (www.gallopsltd. co.uk) and when you’re next in Wales or you’re heading to the Green Man Festival at Glanusk then nip in. I popped in twice last week and had a hay fever moment when Iona gave me my birthday present which is a reconditioned box with old handles that Rikki from Gallops had personalised for me. I’ve had a brilliant week and a fabulous birthday, I’ve been very loved and spoilt. Next stop Easter.
18 | VIEWPOINTS
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Wokingham’s people Michael’s ready for Good Friday
W
A wry look at life
Cash back hell
A
I never learn
Michael Johnson, from Stage-Fright, is an Anglican priest and the mastermind behind the town’s annual Easter passion play. Scenes from the last two years events are pictured below. Pictures: Phil Creighton
VOLUNTEER CORNER n The Wokingham Transport Scheme provides transport for the elderly or infirm to hospital, the doctors, dentist and physiotherapy appointments. Volunteer drivers/befrienders are called on an ad hoc basis and they will be required to help the clients get to and from their desired destination and in most cases, help them to attend their appointment. Expenses are re-imbursed. Volunteers choose when they want to drive, so it can be a very flexible role.
OH, MR SMITH!
SK RETAILERS or manufacturers why they use cashback offers and they say it is a better alternative to reducing prices in store. Discounts reduce their margin and leads to cost-cutting wars with competitors. Cashbacks retrieved through websites allow them to collect data and make further offers. According to one market research survey over 50% of shoppers like them. OK, I can understand cashbacks from the seller’s point of view but not from the consumer. I find cashbacks a pain in the proverbial. And I’m a complete hypocrite because I fall for them every time whether buying insurance, washing machines, or as in the recent case, a digital camera. I managed to persuade the wife that it was a business purchase and it would help me add value and be useful given the approaching visit to Melbourne. I managed to demonstrate the math that the cashback made a higher priced camera a better value purchase than a cheaper one simply because of the final difference in cost. So the manufacturer had now got me to buy a more expensive camera!
Next weekend is Easter and, as usual, plans are in place for a Passion Play in Market Place on Good Friday. SALLY BRYANT finds out more from the show’s director OKINGHAM’S Market Place will become a stage this Good Friday for the borough’s eighth Passion Play. Dignitaries will join a procession to follow a plain wooden cross from Corpus Christi Catholic Church to the town’s centre. Then at noon, shoppers will be able to put down their bags for an hour and enjoy a performance designed to make them think – and although the concept of the Passion Play is ages old, the message here will be bang up to date. The play that will stop passers-by in their tracks on Good Friday has been commissioned by Churches Together in Wokingham. The mastermind behind the project is local priest the Revd Michael Johnson, artistic director of Stage-Fright. The group he founded in London in 2000, then in Wokingham in 2007, sets out to “explore the thin places between heaven and earth, spirit and theatre, life and art”. Mr Johnson, who lives in Wokingham, explains: “It is essentially a theatre group trying to find ways to help people engage with old-fashioned faith stories, in a way that is acceptable in the contemporary world, not just in a classical movie way.” And this Good Friday, no member of the audience will leave untouched by the message, because the theme interwoven with the story of Christ’s suffering fills every branch of the media every day. As the artistic director explains: “Every year we are telling the story of Good Friday, of the death on the Cross. This year the main theme we are using is refugees, drawing on stories of refugees in literature, including the Bible, and also first-hand accounts.” The Passion Play will be the central feature of Wokingham’s Good Friday events. A cast of around a dozen – it has been 70 or more in previous years – will be telling the thoughtprovoking story. The youngest player will be around eight, the oldest heading for 80. The story will be told by narration, the script has been pre-recorded so everyone can hear, and onlookers will hear voices from a refugee town. Mr Johnson explains Stage-Fright’s delivery is aimed at being accessible for everyone and the
THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 18, 2016
performers are a far cry from a bunch of luvvies. “People receive things in different ways. Some people are happy to read a book, other people need something visual, others need to do something. “Stage-Fright is aimed at people who do not think of themselves as actors, they are just people from the community. The audience hears people talking in their own way, they realise it is being done by people from the community, rather than a performance troupe from outside. “Because it is visual, it has more impact.” The performers will be in contemporary dress to reinforce this is a message for today. When Mr Johnson was mapping out his career path, he was torn between the theatre and the Church. He chose the Church, then his first church asked him to run a theatre group. Now he is paid full-time by the Church to run theatre projects. Stage-Fright’s aim is to connect people in the community and audiences in London and Ascot, as well as Wokingham borough, have benefited from its work. Make sure you are in Market Place at midday on Friday – it promises to be an hour that will make you think and care.
With Helena Badger It really does make a difference to the client’s lives. n Saint Sebastian’s Church of England Voluntary Aided School is based on Nine Mile Ride, Wokingham, just to the north of Crowthorne. The school has an exciting opportunity for an individual with strong marketing skills and a wish to contribute to the local community to join the Governing Body as an Associate Governor to focus specifically on marketing the school to the local community.
This is a voluntary role. This new role will be critical in shaping the marketing activities for the school. The school staff and governors are keen to support this role. n Alexandra Place in Woodley provides social housing for the over 55s. They are looking for a volunteer to help with activities. The volunteer will be required to help run and join in with sessions, such as arts and crafts, IT, playing pool. If you have a passion, skill or hobby and you would be happy sharing it or teaching
a small group, then let us know! They particularly need help on a Tuesday and/or Friday morning from a volunteer in their Cognitive Behavioural Therapy groups. It has been shown to slow the normal deterioration expected in mild to moderate dementia. 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
Anyway the wife agreed. Up to this point all was well and good. What I hadn’t taken into account were the hoops I was going to be required to jump through. I should have learned the lesson from an insurance cashback scheme that buried me a couple of years ago. The website was notoriously difficult to use with buttons not working, data entry not registering and other problems. In the end the inflamed wife jumped in the car and drove to the local offices to make a nuisance of herself. We eventually received the promised cashback but given the amount it was hardly worth it. This was exactly my experience with the camera. The retailer told me to go to the manufacturer’s website and assured me the process would be simple. It wasn’t. I never learn. First, I needed to scan certain documents such as warranty and receipt and then enter these into a website field. It was just as well I had recently purchased a three-in-one scanner (thankfully without a cashback). The trouble was the scans were in PDF and the website wanted JPEGs or something similar. I am not technical. It wasn’t obvious how to change the format on the scanner. The wretched machine didn’t like my instructions or perhaps it didn’t like me.
No wifi in the rainforest Furthermore I only had a certain timeframe to register the purchase before the cashback offer expired. Since I planned to spend sometime in the rainforests of Queensland I convinced myself it had to be done before leaving the UK. Once a determination gets a grip on me rational thought flies through the window. You’ll be please to know that even in far flung Melbourne or more rural Maryborough in the heart of pineapple growing Queensland there are cafés with Wi-Fi. You can sit in comfort with a coffee and complete the cashback process assuming of course that the facilitating website actually facilitates. So, having finally got the website to acknowledge receipt of my documents I was pretty cowed and wasn’t prepared to raise any objection that might jeopardise my claim. You might be ahead of me now because this wasn’t the end of it. Before I could complete the process lots of windows popped up asking if I wanted the weekly newsletter as well as notifications of future offers, a willingness to share my identity with third parties and to take advantage of their own funeral plans. Of course I said yes to every offer they threw at me – anything to obtain what now seemed like a paltry sum of money. Anyway since over 50% of you like cashbacks may I suggest you write to the editor requesting a cashback on your purchases of The Wokingham Paper. TOM SMITH @WRYLIFEtomsmith
WELLBEING | 19
Friday, March 18, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER
Good health
You’re under doctor’s orders to read this page!
HEALTH MATTERS
HOLIDAYS
DIY: do it safely this Easter to save A&E Need to budget for
regular dental visits?
with Nicola Strudley
Easter is a popular time for DIY projects – a cry has gone out for DIYers to be safe over the holiday
If you’re Appy and you know it
How to contact us : Facebook @healthwatchwokingham Twitter @HWWokingham Phone 0118 418 1 418 Website www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk E-Mail enquiries@healthwatchwokingham.co.uk Walk in via Citizens Advice at 2 Waterford House, Erfstadt Court, Denmark St, 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
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.
£21 a month
What is included? • 2 Examinations (including x-rays) • 2 Hygienist visits • Accident & Emergency Insurance • 15% member discount on treatment
Need to budget Need to bud for regular budget for regular dental visits?dent
M
ENTAL health problems affect about one in 10 children and young people. They include depression, anxiety, stress, eating disorders and are often a direct response to what is happening in their lives. Alarmingly around 70% of children and young people who experience a mental health problem have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age. The emotional wellbeing of children is just as important as their physical health. Good mental health allows children and young people to thrive at school, develop resilience to cope with whatever life throws at them and grow into well rounded healthy adults. Future in Mind, a report from the government’s Children and Young People’s Mental Health Taskforce, was launched in March 2015. It sets out the case for change in mental health services for children and young people and makes recommendations for improvements. These include the quality of services; how quickly and easily services can be accessed when they are needed; better co-ordination between services; and, a significant improvement in meeting the mental health needs of children and young people. The vision for Berkshire West is to ensure that every child or young person gets the help they need when and where they need it. By 2020 support will be individually tailored to the needs of the child, family and community – delivering significant improvements in children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Last summer, the NHS, the three local authorities (West Berkshire Council, Reading Borough Council, and Wokingham Borough Council), the voluntary and community sector, local schools and colleges drew up a five-year plan for each council’s area. The Local Transformation Plans cover the whole spectrum of services for children and young people’s emotional and mental health and wellbeing in each local authority area. This includes enhanced support for children and young people experiencing a mental health crisis, anxiety or depression. Healthwatch Wokingham Borough sits on this Transformation Group. Healthwatch has taken a keen interest in hearing the voice of the young person locally. We surveyed over a 1,000 young people and produced an animation outlining our findings, watch it at https://youtu.be/QpiAfM3TD_8 As a result of a large number of Wokingham young people telling us they didn’t know where to access help and support outside school or have the coping strategies to deal with difficult times we decided to work in conjunction with our Healthwatch School, St Crispin’s, to develop an app. Appy enables young people to score and plot their mood over time, it will provide top tips to cope with stress, anxiety and depression and signpost young people to both local and national support organisations. We are currently running a competition for young people to design the App logo. If you are creative, techie and want to submit an entry please get in touch
Our membership scheme is available for only
WOKINGHAM Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is reminding local people to choose the most appropriate health service this Easter to ensure their bank holiday plans aren’t left unhatched. The Easter bank holiday weekend often marks a boom in DIY and local health commissioners are urging residents to take extra care when taking on those DIY tasks and, in the event of an injury, only to use A&E in a genuine emergency. It is also important to plan ahead for repeat prescriptions as GP
HEALTH
(excludes specialist and implant treatment)
Need to regular dental visits?
For more information, please contact us on 0118 978 3815, visit our website at www.beechcroftdental.com or call into Beechcroft Dental Practice, 32 Station Road, Wokingham, RG40 2AE and speak with one of our team.
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
practices and pharmacies in the area available 24 hours a day, 365 days a may be closed or working shorter year and is a great way to get the right days over Easter. medical advice at a busy time of year Ailments such as coughs, flu-like for the NHS. symptoms and upset stomachs can By choosing the right NHS service often be treated at home simply this Easter, patients will get the best by having a well-stocked medicine treatment in the shortest possible cabinet. Local pharmacies can supply time, and also ensure that emergency the right items and also You provide services are kept free forfi those do not need to be dentally t to join expert advice over the Easter break needing urgent care. BMS but a newApatient on how to treat many common list of localexamination pharmacies and is illnesses and minor injuries. their opening hours over Easter can required before signing up. If treatment Wokingham residents can also be found on the CCG website: www. dial 111 if they’re unsure which wokinghamccg.nhs.uk/news/entry/ is needed during the 12 month contract NHS service they need. NHS111 is easter2016
a member discount of 15% is given.
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) • • •
2 Hygienist visits Accident & Emergency Insurance 15%For member discount on treatment please more information, (excludes specialist and implant treatment)
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 contact us on2AE 0118 3815, RG40 and978 speak with one required before signing up. If treatment
Hospital could win award visit our website at www.beechcroftdental.com or call into thanks to yourBeechcroft feedback Dental Practice, 32 Station Road, Wokingham, is needed during the 12 month contract a member discount of 15% is given.
Finding out what you thought of your stayRG40 in the Royal Berkshire Hospital has made a real difference – and it will soon find out if your comments have helped it scoop an honour
T
HE Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is celebrating after being selected as a finalist in a national awards scheme about the way patient and staff feedback is used to improve healthcare services. The Friends and Family Test (FFT) is a way to find out from patients, quickly and anonymously, how they rate their latest experience of NHS care or treatment. As part of the project, they can provide comments to explain their score and this feedback helps services to focus on areas that need improvement. The RBH said that as most feedback is positive, the FFT also provides a well-deserved pat on the back for hard-working NHS staff. The recommendation rate is 99% (in-patients) from 52,172 surveys completed since April last year and includes feedback from visitors to the Reading hospital’s in-patient, out-patient, day case, maternity, and Accident and Emergency areas. And to make the feedback even better, a special award scheme has been set up to recognise NHS
Foundation Trust to their 2AENHS and speak with one of our team. friends and family.”
Almost 200 entries were received by NHS England. Anu Singh, Director of Patient and Public Participation and providers who are going the extra insight, NHS England, said: “We mile in their work to listen to have rolled out the FFT across patients and staff. most NHS services and we wanted There are five categories to take stock of how it’s working and The Royal Berkshire NHS and what benefits it is actually Foundation Trust has made the bringing for patients. shortlist for the FFT Champions of “Through entries to the awards, the year category. we have found a rich seam of The RBH said that information about a whole it recognised that range of improvements, the way to get great and small, that make meaningful and a real difference to how measurable data patients feel about their from FFT they contact with the NHS. would need to set “It is really rewarding a target of a 40% to see the high level of response rate. appreciation that patients This is being met. show for staff and to see how Ourwell membership scheme a month Sharon Herring, Director many healthcare providersis available for of Nursing for the Trust’s are listening to their patients and Networked Care Group, said: continuously improve What is included? You trying do nottoneed to be dentally fit to join “It is a real privilege to be a finalist services. NHS trusts also conduct • 2 Examinations (including x-rays) BMSa but a new patientscheme examination is in the FFT awards. similar feedback for • 2 Hygienist visits “Staff at our hospital have their before staff and that too a required signing up.isIfmaking treatment worked immensely hard to real difference.” • Accident & Emergency Insurance is needed during the 12 month contract encourage patients to complete The winners were due to be • 15% member discount on treatment discount of 15% given. the FFT survey and put measures a member announced just after we is had gone (excludes specialist and implant treatment) in place to ensure that their to press, at a national feedback feedback is listened to and acted and insight conference, organised by NHS England, held last night. on. “The results are fantastic. To learn more about the Friends Forn more information, please contact us on 0118 978 3815, and Family Test, go to www.nhs.uk/ 99% of our inpatients would our website at www.beechcroftdental.com or call into friendsandfamily. recommend the Royal Berkshire visit
Need to budget for regular dental visits?
For more information, please contact us on
only3815 £21 , 0118 978
visit our website at
www.beechcroftdental.com or call into Beechcroft Dental Practice, 32 Station Road, Wokingham RG40 2AE and speak with one of our team.
Beechcroft Dental Practice, 32 Station Road, Wokingham,
| HERITAGE 20 Friday, August 21, 2015 TheWokinghamPaPer
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WokinghamRemembers
THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 18, 2016
HERITAGE | 17
In association association with with In
Exploring Exploringour ourheritage heritagewith with wokinghamremembers.com wokinghamremembers.com
FAMILY REVIEW
How Bearwood became The past whichMansion has shaped oura school present... Last BACON provided us with Thisweek weekSTEVE MikE ChuRChER reviews the of the Walter family,articles owners of thestory Wokingham Remembers the Bearwood Mansion. This week, the of the past four months and discusses story oldwhich housecontributed continues after someofofthis thegreat factors the First World War to the making of Wokingham and its
AO
environment. FTER the Canadian medical staff
left inthe mid-1919, Bearwood VER past months the Mansion was much emptier. How Wokingham Remembers page has could survive the 20th picture Century? been it providing an early With soofmany it was town grander how arooms small market and a than the fictional few villages on theDownton edge of a Abbey. forest is today With as a bit thinking, one ranked oneofoflateral the country’s leading institution realised that Bearwood communities. wasEducation, the perfectreligion, place toindustry, relocate transport, its orphanage. John Walter V sold the and social structures, national politics property in Januaryare 1920 to the Royal local government all important Merchant Orphanage. pieces in Seamen’s building the great Wokingham It wasHere funded main donors, jigsaw. nowby is two a summary of our namely Sir Thomas Lane contributions to date andDevitt, a few senior ideas on partner ofround the firm of Devitt & Moore, the next of articles. ship owners, and Sir Alfred Yarrow, head Education, Education, of the Clyde engineering and shipbuilding Education firm. Today’s Wokingham renowned The Orphanage dated is back nearly as of theIncountry’s aone century. 1827, fivecentres boys, of excellence fororphans education; this is partly due to strong the of merchant school performance and the motivated seamen, had been placed who of live in one of the most inparents the charge a Mr highly in the UK. and Mrseducated Fisher incommunities a If wehouse look into private in Stthe history of Wokingham’s schools we can see George’s-in-the-East, how education is woven into its DNA. London. This grew Priorthe to years the Great over to War, Wokingham wasfor surrounded by manor houses and care nearly 3,000 memberslatterly of the landed gentry who children, at wanted to beBy close Snaresbrook. the to the levers of power; i.e. the royal households of Windsor. 1920s the Orphanage turn these echelons hadIn outgrown itsupper premises possessed a serious sense and relocated to Bearwood,of duty and amiles responsibility their a many from the to seaensure – but with community received at least a magnificent lake, highly suitablebasic for education. Wokingham training young sailors. also had a powerful class, atook strong A grandprofessional opening ceremony place inchurch 1922. community (including the nonconformists) and together they shared Although the Duke of York was unable strong belief in the importance of of toa attend, the Commodore the Marquis teaching. Graham CB CVO performed the honours The of result with the in front 130 was guests. A the newskills, refectory motivation and the finance available, had been built ready for the opening there developed a culture of education ceremony; the Commodore acted as which still holds strong to this day. stand-in to unveil a plaque above the Wokingham transport mantelpiece: “This hall was presented in Transport is probably the single memory of Frederick William Marten by most important factor in Wokingham’s his friends at Lloyd’s, and was dedicated development, rail and road on the 27th dayinofboth May,its 1922, by his Royal systems. the Duke of York”. Highness articles will look theafter the AFuture newspaper report says at that introduction the railways and the ceremony, “theofguests were entertained
to tea on the lawn, during which the major impact theychildren had on the town and gave a very smart display of with the we have already made a start gymnastics physical drill. Graceful road systemand by mapping out the course of national dances were performed by the old Forest Road. several ofthe thebuilding girls andofhornpipes byathe While the M4 had boys, followed by school singing”. major influence on the introduction of the There plenty ofwhich time in ensuing high techwas businesses now surround years for Princes Princesses, Dukes Wokingham, it is and the A329M which and Duchesses andForest even Kings andits in 1975 cut off the Road and Queens attend Speech DaysEmmbrook and to natural to connections between open facilities. Patronand of the HMNS, and the villagesThe of Hurst Binfield. The King VI,relationship visited for the first love George and hate with ourtime rail in late Julycontinue 1941, accompanied and roads to this day!by Queen Elizabeth; the newspaper report noted Wokingham’s military that “300 excited, delighted children heritage cheered themselves hoarse” in welcome. As 2015other is thebuildings bi-centenary the Various wereofdedicated Battle of Waterloo, there have been a by different donors. According to its number of articles plaque, thecommemorating Gymnasium wasthis world changing event. erected in 1930 in memory The area hasofalways been notedEsq. for Jenneson Taylor its contribution to the nation’s military of Sunderland, who had capability, with Arborfield’s REME,of the been President RFA and RemountChamber connections and the of Shipping Sandhurst and Wellington Colleges all of the United Kingdom situated very nearby. in 1908. Even the Duke of Wellington to The schooltook gained living in Stratfield Saye, which today is its own chapel in only 30 minutes away from Wokingham’s memory of James town centre. Lyle Mackay, first Earl Wokingham’s of Inchcape, treasurer of the RMNS from 1917 to 1932. benefactor culture Inarea 1934,around it wasWokingham dedicated forwas the The school by hisby widow surrounded manyJean. remarkable Former pupils fromwere the school played in a individuals and they instrumental prominent part in the Second World War. building the much needed infrastructure In the early days, there were plenty of which underpinned the establishment of deserving cases for the orphanage, a strong community. including couple sisters. We willa later be of telling theSunderland story of the was a major shipbuilding centre and to Walter family and their contributions seaport, withof a large coastalbut trade the building Wokingham in in April coal. Chisholm Colling was a master first John weekly issue, we told the story of the mariner working in Hill, the collier he much loved Arthur the 6thtrade; Marquess married Elizabeth Potts in 1911 and they of Downshire. hadAlthough three children. Elizabeth died one of Sadly, Britain’s wealthiest landowners, Arthur doubled thehis in childbirth in 1920,Hill leaving Johnasand chief ofto the localup Fire mother bring theBrigade family.and was a major contributor to this part of Johnfinancial Colling died in January 1922 Wokingham’s public outbreak services. – and his during the influenza Lateralso articles the mother diedwill fromillustrate the epidemic, demise of these manors on the day of hisgreat funeral. Thus,and thetheir incumbentwere social system to and the rise of daughters admitted the
Left: Bearwood as it is now – the school is now known as Reddam House. Below left: the on-site chapel and below, Jellicoe House.
Wokingham Railway Station viewed from Wellington Road looking towards St Pauls Church.
its replacement: local government.
Wokingham’s wild side
Before we believe too much in the idea that Wokingham’s development was a solidly sedate experience, May’s article told the story of the rioting in the town centre during the time of the 1857 General Election. Such events were a common sight in the town and this short and bloody battle between the Whigs and the Tories also highlighted the Bush and Rose hotels in Market Place as the headquarters of these two feral groups. The story was also able to reflect upon the national scene and the corrupt nature of general elections before the introduction of the private ballot. Future articles will include further tales of anarchy and revelry in this old market town.
historians, Sarah Huxford, also took us on a journey to the old battlefields in search of their graves. This story reflects only a microcosm of the losses around the county of Berkshire, but affirms the importance of the wars in the development of our local character.
The story was told in June, and also commemorated the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, signed at nearby Runnymede in 1215.
Shining a light on Wokingham’s ‘Dark Ages’
To bring us up to date the August articles are focused on theand kidsJellicoe. who are seafarers such as Drake now The entering into their summer site continues to have aholidays. sporting Looking at today’s community, it is What better way to use this month’s theme which it can trace back to the difficult to visualise just how rural the editions than to tell the stories of the Canadian area once was and in part explains the Romans, theConvalescent Celts and theHospital Saxons days: first a nine-hole golf course; then an sometimes fragile relationship between influence on the area before Wokingham 18-hole Now the Wocca’s nine-hole golf the old and new Wokingham; few was even course. a twinkle in old eye? course will beFord replaced by the Reading areas in the UK have witnessed such David Nash provided a set of FC Sporting Academy, adapting extraordinary growth and change in the articles and puzzles which makes many of the gardeners’ cottages outbuildings profile of its population. history fun for the young and no doubt Although Wokingham’s history will alsoover catch the interest of athe parents from a century ago to new use. Orphanage in the year it moved has always been intertwined with to who The will wartime be looking over theirCanadian child’s FC Bear Wood Bearwood, andvillages in the holidays they the surrounding by providing shoulder. would be proud. stayed with grandparents a market placetheir for agricultural andand Here’s tonote the next of articles! It is of that round the planning cousins in produce, Sunderland. It’salso a small world, Thanks go out to our contributors: Steve commercial it was a Forest Wokingham at War applications for the new football because wife’s mother was one of Town. Themy term ‘forest’ did not mean a the Bacon, Jim Bell, David Nash of Ford, There are watershed moments in academy are in the name theSarah ‘Royal cousins, and was able to visit Bearwood cluster of trees, but a system of laws laid Huxford, Roger Long, Trevor Ottlewski history which mark the moment of great Merchant Navy Foundation’, the charity in recent years.for the protection of down by royalty change in a society and the Great War of and Peter Shilham for all their continuing that still looks after the interests of After the Second World War, the their hunting grounds. 1914-1918 is one such time. contributions. seafarers’ orphans. number of potential declined These onerous rulesorphans restricted local Therefore a number of centenaries All this work is provided by our n My daughter Becky celebrated partlyfrom because shipping was people usingmerchant large parts of the land between 2014 and 2018 will local historians free of charge andher wedding reception Bearwood forsafer, sustenance andbecause in part led to the ships can commemorate the great losses of war be found on the at front page ofMansion the and partly so many in June 2013, and her aunt Joyce was rise of carry local highwaymen and general which scarred the people of Wokingham Wokingham Remembers website now flags of convenience. The able to enjoy the reception where the lawlessness. As a to result, the subsequent for the rest of the 20th century. www.wokinghamremembers.com school adapted change, becoming an Black Act of 1723 came heavily on May’s edition followed the story Thanks also to her Mark Ashwell at had Colling orphans, elder cousins, independent day and down boarding school, ‘Wokingham Blacks’ and resulted of twoBearwood brothers from Langborough TradeMark for supporting spent so many years whenthe notpaper’s Above: Theatre and inset: the Chapel these but continuing with a nautical flavour;in either their transportation or execution. Road in Wokingham town. One of our commitment towith this her. project. ship emblem in Sunderland the Houses are named after famous
Wokingham and the Royal Forest
Windows doors and conservatories that last a lifetime and beyond www.trademarkwindows.co.uk
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SCHOOLS | 21
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Friday, March 18, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER
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. Pupils from Nine Mile Ride, Farley Hill and Gorse Ride primary schools at the start of their visit to 3M
Theresa May answering questions from the Dolphin School’s current affairs club
VISIT
May talks Trump to Dolphins VISIT
Schools see a passion for science MORE than 100 pupils from three Wokingham primary schools came together last Friday to visit the 3M Customer Innovation Centre in Bracknell. Their day with the science-based technology company marked the start of British Science Week which runs until Sunday and 3M has joined as a sponsor this year. The pupils came from Nine Mile Ride Primary School, Farley Hill Primary School and Gorse Ride Primary School – all feeder schools for Bohunt School Wokingham in Arborfield, which opens its doors to its first students this September. They were treated to interactive tours of the Customer Innovation Centre, which boasts a wide spectrum of 3M technologies, and took part in a ‘careers speed networking’ event with employees.
The schools’ trip was designed to help pupils with the transition between primary and senior school, to show how science plays a part in so many aspects of everyone’s lives and to bring across the creative ethos and high expectations of the new school. Ben Godber, the headteacher of Bohunt School, said: “3M is a science-based company with a deep culture of innovation, mirroring the aspirations we have for our schools. “By visiting 3M we hope to have inspired our pupils and excited them about the prospect of joining us at the start of the new school year. From what I saw today, we have certainly achieved that.” British Science Week has been run for more than two decades by the British Science Association to inspire and facilitate a grassroots celebration of science,
technology, engineering and maths. Richard Howgill, brand manager at 3M said: “Being involved with British Science Week is a great opportunity to share our passion for changing lives through science. “For us, the week is about engaging both our employees and our communities – and showing how 3M science is applied to life.” Philip Avery, Director of Learning for the Bohunt Education Trust added: “It was so powerful for the students to see the importance of teamwork, creativity and risk taking and how those skills lead to successful learning for adults or children. “As well as delivering academic excellence, we will, through innovative teaching and unparalleled opportunities, give students at Bohunt the self-confidence, attitudes and ambition to thrive in the 21st Century.”
ONE of the borough’s four MPs visited a school last week, offering an insight into her parliamentary duties in the process. Maidenhead MP Thersea May, who is also the Home Secretary, met with Dolphin School’s Current Affairs and Debating club. During her visit, on Friday, Ms May answered questions on a variety of topical issues including the refugee crisis in Europe, Britain’s membership of the EU, and a light hearted question on Donald Trump. She went on to visit the school’s Year Fives and Sixes, some of whom handed her letters on issues including; improving local travel plans to allow pupils to walk and cycle to school, homelessness in the UK and the issue of unaccompanied minors in refugee camps. Tom Lewis, Dolphin School’s headteacher, said, “It was a great privilege to welcome the Home Secretary to our school. “The Home Secretary’s visit breathed life into our Earth Studies curriculum and gave pupils the opportunity to hear firsthand what the government are doing to address important issues.”
LITERACY
When asked by one eager pupil what Mrs May thought the outcome of the referendum on the EU would be, she said: “I won’t predict the vote.” When questioned by another pupil about whether Donald Trump should be the next President of the United States of America, Mrs May replied: “First it is a matter for the Republican Party and then for the people of the United States to decide.” Ms May would not venture an opinion on whether Donald Trump should be let into the UK and in true politician style said: “We do not talk about individual cases.” When asked by a member of the Debating Club, how long she prepared for a speech, Mrs May said: “The more preparation, the better but not to be over prepared; it is important to put passion into it and breathe deeply to overcome nerves. “If you are too complacent you will make mistakes.” Commenting on a question about how much free time she enjoyed, Ms May said, “Not enough; it is not a job but a way of life.”
Pupils vote for best Book Day outfit
Holme Grange School pupils dressed up as characters from their favourite books for World Book Day
HOLME Grange School celebrated World Book Day with the arrival of a Storytelling Bus from Once Upon A Bus. . To add to the occasion, pupils and staff dressed up as characters from their favourite books and there was a competition for the best costumes. A spokesperson for the school said: “The school community looked vibrant and the levels of excitement were palpable in the air. “The children from Nursery to Year 6 enjoyed listening to and participating in stories read by the team at Once upon a Bus on their double decker bus. “All of the children looked amazing and it was wonderful to hear them talking about their books and characters with such enthusiasm. “The best costumes were voted for by the pupils.”
Your weekly puzzle challenge
22 | LEISURE
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Quiz Challenge
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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
I REVIVE TEMPTRESS
How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found. Guidelines: 22 Good; 26 Very Good; 30 Excellent.
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All puzzles on this page are supplied by Sirius Media Services. To try more of our puzzles interactively online go to www.puzzledrome.com
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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.
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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. British racing driver and TV presenter Tiff Needell co-hosted which two motoring shows for the BBC and Channel 5? 7. Lake Titicaca straddles the border of Bolivia and which other country? 8. Which pope died in 1978, just 33 days after his election to the post? 9. What is the profession of George Clooney’s wife, Amal? 10. The name of which one-word African country contains all five vowels?
WORD PYRAMID
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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 18, 2016
© Sirius Media Services Ltd
11. It is outstanding as provision for the needy (6) 13. Leaves car parked partly on steep slope (6) 16. Old call to arouse feelings (6) 18. Turnstiles do for the highest number of contestants (6,5) 19. Small room near the junction (6) 20. River mud I removed from the platform (6) 21. Take food, although some of it repeats (3)
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DOWN 1. An assortment of mail for a beastly person? (6) 2. Like a toss-up, it’s risky (6) 3. Concern over a noisy trade show (6) 4. It comes straight from the shoulder (6) 6. Somehow checks a neat gamble (4,7) 8. Tom in German song tour first made three times (11) 10. Starts preparing Irish egg dish (3) 12. Belligerent opponent (3) 14. Document from South Carolina to go round (6) 15. Talk wildly about one mainly involved with theft (6) 16. Grant immunity to late Euro member before time (6) 17. Test performance scored in rugby and dismissed in cricket (3-3)
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22. Prongs (5) ACROSS 2. Part of church (7) 23. Chore (4) 26. Matures (4) 7. Extremely small amount (4) 28. High spirits (7) 8. Single entity (4) 29. Sea eagle (4) 9. Slaver (7) 30. Ripped (4) 10. Lowest part (4) 31. Come before (7) 12. Malay dagger (4) DOWN 1. Musical ending (4) 15. Chamfer (5) 2. Lawsuit (4) 17. Excluded (6) 3. Worshipped (6) 18. Dwarf tree (6) 4. Gossamer (6) 19. Apportions (6) 5. Skulk (4) 21. Lying face upward (6) 6. Flightless bird (4)
10. Care for children (4-3) 11. Exceed (7) 13. Corroding (7) 14. Arachnids (7) 15. Assailed on all sides (5) 16. Waterlily (5) 20. Fodder (6) 21. Mentally infirm with age (6) 24. Askew (4) 25. Retain (4) 26. Poker stake (4) 27. Deserve (4)
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1 2 8 9 3 4 7 6 5
5 6 2 4 9 1 3 8 7
3 9 7 8 6 2 1 5 4
4 8 1 7 5 3 6 9 2
2 5 6 3 8 7 4 1 9
8 3 9 1 4 5 2 7 6
7 1 4 6 2 9 5 3 8
HARD SUDOKU 17 4
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Y
N
18 5
B
X
19 6
L
C W
20 7
F
21 8
V
E
22 9
G
WORD PYRAMID: Stars and Stripes. EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – add; divide; subtract; multiply. Total: 8. MAGIC SQUARE: vest; ever; semi; trip. 23
I
A
10
S
24
U
11
H
25
O
12
P
26
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QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 2 Chancel; 7 Iota; 8 Unit; 9 Slobber; 10 Base; 12 Kris; 15 Bevel; 17 Barred; 18 Bonsai; 19 Shares; 21 Supine; 22 Tines; 23 Task; 26 Ages; 28 Elation; 29 Erne; 30 Torn; 31 Precede. Down – 1 Coda; 2 Case; 3 Adored; 4 Cobweb; 5 Lurk; 6 Kiwi; 10 Baby-sit; 11 Surpass; 13 Rusting; 14 Spiders; 15 Beset; 16 Lotus; 20 Silage; 21 Senile; 24 Awry; 25 Keep; 26 Ante; 27 Earn.
Triplicated; 10 Pie; 12 Foe; 14 Scroll; 15 Pirate; 16 Exempt; 17 Try- ashet; east; hast; haste; hate; heat; heath; heist; hest; hist; saithe; sate; out. sati; seat; seta; sheath; site; stew; swat; swathe; sweat; tash; tawse; thaw; thew; this; waist; wait; wast; waste; west; weta; what; wheat; whet; whisht; whist; whit; white; WHITEWASH; wist; with; withe.
Down – Fusty; Urine; Plead. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: Across – 2 Cha; 5 Snatch; 7 Futile; 9 Making a pile; 10 Plucky; 11 (2) Across – Hoard; Khaki; Musty. Down – Hokum; Amass; Daisy. Relief; 13 Escarp; 16 Excite; 18 Record entry; 19 Closet; 20 Podium; 21 Eat. NONAGRAM: Down – 1 Animal; 2 Chancy; 3 Affair; 4 Sleeve; 6 Take chances; 8
QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Sting (Gordon Sumner); 2 Professor Plum; 3 Relate; 4 Berlin; 5 Gloria de Piero; 6 Top Gear and Fifth Gear; 7 Peru; Pope John Paul I; 9 Lawyer; 10 Mozambique.
(1) Across – Frump; Swine; Yield.
FIVE ALIVE:
Friday, March 18, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER
Leisure
Your guide to what’s happening around Wokingham
ARTS
A feast of music from schools
Music, performing arts and speech have all been celebrated as part of this month’s Woodley Festival. Here we look at what’s happened so far…
T
HIS month, the Woodley Festival has been taking place in venues across the borough. The annual contest is a celebration of all kinds of performing arts, with five sections: vocal, choirs, instrumental, speech and drama and piano. The Instrumental section started proceedings bright and early on Saturday, March 5 at The Oakwood Centre in Woodley with the beginners’ class for children nine years and under. Within the first half an hour the first
trophy was awarded - for best beginners’ performance - to Mahi Karmarkar for her violin playing. By the end of the day at Oakwood some 65 entrants had played in 21 different classes and the audience had been delighted by amazing standards of playing, culminating in the stunning performances in the Recital class for under 15s by Yasmin on bassoon and Ewan on the oboe. Over at Emmbrook School the choirs started at lunchtime with six classes ranging from Infants to Upper Junior choirs involving literally hundreds of singers and even more proud supporters. The Woodley Festival said it was thrilled to welcome Wokingham Town Mayor Cllr Philip Mirfin to watch the Lower Junior Choirs who was as entranced as everyone else by the beautiful singing from Crosfields, St Joseph’s College and Holme Grange School.
Mothering Sunday was a very busy day for the festival with two venues operating concurrently – choirs at Bulmershe School and more Instrumental classes at Oakwood. Two little boys watched proudly while their Mum, Janet Carless, performed in the Open Woodwind solo class. At lunchtime the final choir class were given chocolates and roses for their mums. The Instrumental section was revelling in a feast of bassoon playing in no less than six different classes, all of them inspired by their teacher Catherine Millar who they all agreed was ‘simply the best’. The Woodley Festival continues this weekend at The Oakwood Centre with speech and drama entrants and the piano section. You can follow the festival on Twitter @woodleyfestival or find it on Facebook facebook.com/woodleyfestival.
ARTS
A celebration of all forms of dance LIFT Off Dance Festival returns to South Hill Park this weekend, bringing the opportunity to watch, perform or learn a variety of dance styles. More than 600 dancers will take to the stage in the Youth and Community Galas, showcasing the huge range of styles, ages and abilities of dance enthusiasts across the region. Alongside the Galas, 2Faced Dance Company and Nocturn Dance present their full evening performances around the venue for those with an interest in contemporary dance and theatre and Pitch, the emerging choreographers’ platform returns giving young artists the chance to bring their creativity to a new audience. Lena Dee, director of the festival, now in its 16th year, said: “Each year we look at expanding the festival so that more and more people can engage with dance at this fabulous Arts venue.
“Whatever your interest or experience of dance you can come along and watch family and friends perform, take Masterclasses with the professionals or discover the dance talent of the future. The aim is to break down any stereotypes of what dance is and who can take part and show that there really is something for everyone. “Shows like Strictly and Got to Dance have helped bring dance back to the public eye and the festival is there to offer even more opportunities to get involved.” In addition to the dance performances the Cinema will be relaying various Royal Ballet productions live from the Royal Opera House and there is an exhibition of dance photos from Lift Off Festival over the past few years by local dance photographer, Rolf Evans. A new event this year is the Berkshire Young Dance Artist of the Year Competition where dancers and choreographers from the
LEISURE | 23
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region competed to get to the final, taking place on March 20, to then have the chance to be crowned the Dance Artist of the Year. Lena added: “There is so much dance talent in the region that I wanted to provide a platform to really show what these dancers and choreographers can already do, before going on to full dance training at the age of 18. “Family and friends can come along and support these dancers and hopefully help boost their confidence in performing and creating dance. I am very much looking forward to seeing these young artists put on a great show and see who we should be keeping an eye out for in the future in the world of dance”. n For more information on all the festival events please visit www.southhillpark.org.uk/lift-off n Lift Off Dance Festival Youth & Community Galas Saturday, March 19 and April 16, 7.30pm Wilde Theatre £12, Conc & Members £10. Berkshire Young Dance Artist of the Year Sundy, March 20, 7pm Wilde Theatre £12, Conc & Members £10. For details, call 01344 484123 or visit www.southhillpark.org.uk.
LIVE MUSIC
Fred’s in the house AFTER a fantastic opening night on February 1 featuring a headline show from UK shanty band The Salts, Artree Music and Wokingham Music Club are collaborating once more on Monday, April 4 for the second in the series - ‘Artree Live @ The Clubhouse’. Artree Music, the folk, roots and acoustic music promoters have teamed up with Stan Hetherington – the driving force behind the hugely successful Wokingham Music Club, and Wokingham Festival, to host an occasional evening of live music in Wokingham on a Monday night. The idea of a collaboration between both organisations has been a number of years in the making, with the aim to bring some of the UK’s top up and coming roots artists to Wokingham, as well as showcasing the best in local talent. The second show in the series will be headlined by very highly rated Cambridge based band Fred’s House. Fred’s House mix elements of folk, pop, country, classic rock and that vintage American West Coast sound defined by acts like The Eagles and Crosby, Stills and Nash - echoing the 70’s but creating a fresh new sound that is very much part of now. With over 400 gigs under their belt, the band are creating quite a stir on the live circuit and gaining a reputation for their stunning and energetic shows across the UK. Also performing will be Surrey based three-piece The Willow Band who have carved out a good reputation locally for fine song writing and excellent three-part harmony vocals.
Stan said: “The first show with The Salts was a great night and we had lots of positive comments about the format and the fact we’re running a Monday night show. We hope with this next one, even more people will come out and give the show a chance. The calibre of artist we’re booking is really high quality and we can guarantee a top draw evening. Phil Daniels from Artree Music said: “‘We were really pleased with how the first show went – and it was good to see a real crossover of both our regular Bracknell audience members and Stan’s regular Wokingham crowd – which is exactly what we’re looking to achieve here. “Monday is always considered a ‘dead’ night as far as live entertainment goes, so we want to buck that trend with these shows – and in Fred’s House, we have one of the best kept secrets as far as the UK music scene goes, coming to play for us on April 4 – so it’ll be well worth people’s investment!” n The music takes place at Wokingham and Emmbrook Sports and Social Club in Lowther Road, Wokingham, from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £8 in advance or £10 on the door. For more details, log on to www.wokinghammusicclub.co.uk
24 | LEISURE
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What’s on Friday, March 18 BRACKNELL – Priestwood Community Centre, Priestwood Court Road RG42 1TU. Berks Family History Society Bracknell & Wokingham Branch meeting. A talk on The Hearth Tax with emphasis on Berkshire with Jameson Wooders. Free. 7.15pm. Details: bracknell@berksfhs. org.uk EARLEY – Our Lady of Peace Social Club, Wokingham Road RG6 7DA (entrance off Aldbourne Avenue). Reading and Wokingham Spanish Circle meeting: Los Becadoes de San Francisco, by Jon Roberts. 7.45pm. £3. Details, 0118 977 2569 or 0118 979 2458. FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre RG40 4ES. Rhymetime for under fives. 11am. Details: 0118 908 8176. 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: drop-in advice with a local expert. 10am-noon. Wokingham VIP group: book group for visually impaired. 2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 978 1368.
Saturday, March 19 BINFIELD – St Mark’s Church, Popeswood Road RG42 4AH. Thames Voyces present Fauré’s Requiem. £12, £10 concessions, under 16s free. Details: 0118 967 7319. EARLEY – Laurel Park Pavillion RG6 3BZ. Run Earley 10k plus Junior 2.5k. In aid of Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice. 9.30am juniors, 10.30am adult. Details: www.runearley.co.uk FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James Church Centre. Ladies Breakfast. 9am-10am. Details: 0118 973 0133. MAIDEN ERLEGH – Library, off Silverdale Road RG6 7HS. Children’s Writing Group for ages 9-12. 10.15am-11am. Storytime for ages seven and under. 10.15am10.45am. Craft time for ages two to five. 10.45am-
11.15am. £1. Details: 0118 966 6630. MORTIMER – St John’s Hall. RNLI annual spring clearance sale: books and bric-a-brac. 9.30am-3.30pm. READING – Wesley Methodist Church, Queens Road RG1 4BW. Reading Festival Chorus presents Crucifixus: Music for Lent. 7.30pm. £13, under 17s free. Details: 0118 983 4523. READING – Concert Hall, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Charity concert: The Voyage, performed by Phoenix Choir, Berkshire Youth Choir, BBC Berkshire Community CHoir and Berkshire Maestros Academy Chamber Ensemble. £12. Details: 0766 103427. SHINFIELD – Baptist Church, Hollow Lane RG2 9BT. Charity cafe in aid of Arcade. 10am-noon. Details: www. shinfieldbaptist.org.uk. SPENCERS WOOD – St Michael and All Angels, Basingstoke Road RG7 1AP. Easter fayre. 10am-3pm. Details: 0118 988 5923. SWALLOWFIELD – Parish Hall, Swallowfield Street RG7 1QX. Swallowfield pre-school jumble sale. 2pm-4pm. WOKINGHAM – Town Hall. Town councillors’ surgery. 10am-noon. Drop-in. Details: 0118 978 3185 or www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Teen writing group for ages 11-18. 10.30am-noon. Wokingham Writers Group for adults. 10am. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Film night: Inside Out. Popcorn and drinks provided, donations for Christian Aid. 5pm. Concert with the High Wycombe Male Voice Orpheus Choir. 8pm. Details: 0118 977 6898.
Sunday, March 20 EARLEY – Laurel Park, RG6 3BZ. Run Earley 10k in aid of Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice. 9.30am. £6. Details: www.runearley. co.uk EARLEY – Woodley Hill House, Eastcourt Avenue. Network Vineyard Church
Monday, March 21 BRACKNELL – Bracknell Open Learning Centre, Rectory Lane RG12 7GR. Bracknell Camera Club meeting: A Light Painting Workshop. 7.30pm. Details: www. bracknell-camera-club. co.uk. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James Church. Holy Week service. 7.30pm-8pm. Details: 0118 973 0133. LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Jack in the Books book club. 10.30am-
11.30am. Details: 0118 931 2150. MAIDEN ERLEGH – Library, off Silverdale Road RG6 7HS. Colouring For Adults. 2.15pm-3pm. Details: 0118 966 6630. SHINFIELD – St Mary’s Church, Church Lane RG2 9BY. Stations of the Cross. All day. Details: 0118 988 5923. SHINFIELD – The Bell and Bottle, School Green. Shinfield Association meeting. 8pm. SPENCERS WOOD – St Michael and All Angels, Basingstoke Road RG7 1AP. Compline for Holy Week. 8pm. Details: 0118 988 5923. TWYFORD – St Mary’s, Station Road RG10 9NT. YDG Passover Meal. 6pm. Details: www.thru-christ.org.uk WARGRAVE – Library, Woodclyffe Hostel, Church Street RG10 8EP. Storytime: stories and rhymes for under fives. 4pm-4.30pm. Monday bookworms book group. Booking essential. 2.15pm-3.15pm. Writers forum: share ideas and inspiration. 10.30am-noon. Woodclyffe book group. 5.30pm-6.30pm. Details: 0118 940 4656. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Knit Stitch and Natter: drop-in session, all abilities welcome. 2pm-3pm. First Steps in Drawing with Lyn Ebbett: Session 4: Still life. 2pm-4pm. £5. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Holy Week Mass. 8pm. Details: 0118 979 2122.
Tuesday, March 22 EARLEY – Palmer Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 2AH. Reading Film Theatre presents: Trumbo (15). 7.45pm. £5 members, £8 non-members, £7 concessions. Membership £20. Details: 0118 378 7151 or readingfilmtheatre.co.uk. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James Church. Holy Week service. 7.30pm-8pm. Details: 0118 973 0133. LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Rhymetime for babies up to 18 months.
10.30am-11am. Rhymetime for toddlers: ages 18 months-3 years. 11.30amnoon. Details: 0118 931 2150. SHINFIELD – St Mary’s Church, Church Lane RG2 9BY. Stations of the Cross. All day. Details: 0118 988 5923. SWALLOWFIELD – All Saints, Church Road RG7 1TH. Compline for Holy Week. 8pm. Details: 0118 988 5923. WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Crafts and Laughs. 2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 969 0304. WOKINGHAM – All Saints Church, Wiltshire Road. Come To The Source: space for silent meditation and prayer. 8pm. Details: 0118 979 2797. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Storytime: stories and rhymes for parents and children to enjoy. For ages 3-5. 4pm-4.30pm. Knit Stitch and Natter: drop-in session, all abilities welcome. 2pm-3pm. Children’s Origami Club. 4pm-4.45pm. 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. WOKINGHAM – Station, Station Road. Hot cross bun giveaway. 5.20am8.30am(ish). WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Holy Week Mass. 8pm. Details: 0118 979 2122.
Wednesday, March 23 FARLEY HILL – Victory Hall, Church Road RG7 1TR. Heartstart training. 6pm10pm. SHINFIELD – St Mary’s Church, Church Lane RG2 9BY. Stations of the Cross. All day. Tenebrae service. 8pm. Details: 0118 988 5923. SWALLOWFIELD – Parish Hall, Swallowfield Street RG7 1QX. Coffee morning. 10.30am-noon. WARGRAVE – Library, Woodclyffe Hostel, Church Street RG10 8EP. Knit Wits: knit or crochet club.
What’s on event submission form Holding a community event? Running a fun day? Organising a concert? Planning a friendship group? Get it listed in our what’s on guide by sending information to us. Use this form or email events@wokinghampaper.co.uk. Please note this service is for community
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groups, charities and not-for-profit activities. We cannot guarantee inclusion.
Date of event: Venue of event: What will happen:
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Holding a community event? Send your listings to events@wokinghampaper.co.uk
The best guide for local, community events across Wokingham borough community pancake lunch, includes a film, games, fun, Playstation and more. Free. 1pm-3pm. Details: 0118 966 2007 READING – The Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road RG1 5AQ. South Chiltern Choral Society presents Brahms’ Requiem. 6pm. £12, £6 under 21s. Details: 07500 032840. READING – The Abbey School, Kendrick Road RG1 5DZ. West Forest Sinfonia orchestral concert. 4.30pm. £15, £14 concessions, £2.50 students. Details: 0118 978 6189. SINDLESHAM – Best Western Moat House Hotel, Mill Lane RG41 5DG. Wedding fair. Fashion show 1pm. 11am-3.30pm. Details: www.dreamweddingfairs. come TWYFORD – St Mary’s, Station Road RG10 9NT. Twyford Singers concert for Palm Sunday. 7pm. Details: www. thru-christ.org.uk WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Palm Sunday mass with procession. 9.30am. Community Eucharist. 11am. Passiontide service of readings. 6.15pm. Details: 0118 979 2122. WOKINGHAM – All Saints Church, Wiltshire Road. Palm Sunday service, including a procession from All Saints Church. 9.45am. Details: 0118 979 2797. WOODLEY – Town Centre. Car boot sale. 8am-1pm. £10 per Car or £8 for table top pitch/ Walk on, bring own tables. Details: 07861 654 674 or www.woodleytowncentre. co.uk.
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Send your forms to: What’s On, The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS
THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 18, 2016
2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 940 4656. WARGRAVE – Wargrave Court, Church Street RG10 8EU. Talk about the work of FAITH – a charity that works among the homeless and destitute in Reading. 7.30pm Details: 0118 940 2833. WINNERSH – Library, The Forest School, Robin Hood Lane RG41 5ND. Colouring For Adults. 11.45am1.15pm. Rhymetime for under fives. 10.15am10.45am. Details: 0118 979 7519. WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Crochet Group with Gaynor White from Barkham Hookers. All abilities welcome. Noon2pm. £4. Details: 0118 969 0304. WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Contact friendship group presents: A service of reflection for Holy Week. 8pm. Details: 0118 977 6898. WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Holy Week Mass. 8pm. Details: 0118 979 2122.
Thursday, March 24 BEECH HILL – St Mary the Virgin, Beech Hill Road RG7 2BB. Maundy Thursday service. 8pm. Details: 0118 988 5923. EARLEY – Palmer Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 2AH. Reading Film Theatre presents: Youth (15). 7.45pm. £5 members, £8 non-members, £7 concessions. Membership £20. Details: 0118 378 7151 or readingfilmtheatre. co.uk. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James Church Centre. Morning prayer. 9.30am. Maundy Thursday supper. 7.30pm. Holy Communion followed by stripping of the altar. 9pm. Details: 0118 973 0133. SHINFIELD – St Mary’s Church, Church Lane RG2 9BY. Stations of the Cross. All day. Details: 0118 988 5923. 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 – The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club (WEBCC) meeting: images clinic - images from 2 miles radius of home. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 5670. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. National Careers Service: Advice sessions to help you with career planning, CVs and interviews. 9.40am3.40pm. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Maundy Thursday Holy Communion. 7.30pm.
Details: 0118 977 6898. WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Maundy Thursday Communion. 8pm. Mass and vigil. 8pm-11pm. Details: 0118 979 2122.
Good Friday, March 25 BEECH HILL – Beech Hill Baptist Church, Chapel Lane, off Wood Lane RG7 2BH. . Good Friday service and 292nd church anniversary meeting. Guest speaker: Andrew Wigham from Yateley Baptist Church. Followed by afternoon tea. 4pm. Details: 0118 956 0620. FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre RG40 4ES. Rhymetime for under fives. 11am. Details: 0118 908 8176. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James Church. Family service. 9.30am. Good Friday meditations. Noon-3pm. Details: 0118 973 0133. HURST – St Nicholas Church. Holy hour for Good Friday. 2pm. Details: www.thruchrist.org.uk RISELEY – Wellington Country Park, Odiham Road RG7 1SP. The Big Top Circus for children aged up to 8. 1pm and 3pm. £8, £7.50 seniors, £7 ages 3-15, under 2s free. Details: 0118 932 6444. SHINFIELD – St Mary’s Church, Church Lane RG2 9BY. Stations of the Cross. All day. Musical devotion. 7pm. Details: 0118 988 5923. SINDLESHAM – Wokingham Cricket Club, Sadlers End RG41 5AW. Berkshire Events comedy night with Robin Morgan, Wayne Shakespeare, Claire Nelson and Nabil Abdul Rashid. £10. Over 18s. Advance booking only. Details: 0118 973 7823. SPENCERS WOOD – St Michael and All Angels, Basingstoke Road RG7 1AP. Quiet Hour. 2pm. Details: 0118 988 5923. TWYFORD – Twyford URC, Church Street RG10 9DR. Service of reflection followed and coffee. 10.30am. Details: www. thru-christ.org.uk TWYFORD – St Mary’s, Station Road RG10 9NT. That Friday Night Thing. 7pm. Details: www.thru-christ. org.uk WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Rose Street RG40 1XS. The Meeting Place coffee morning. 10am11.30am. Details: 0118 977 6898. WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Easter journey for children. 10am. Good Friday service. 2pm. Watching at the Cross. 2pm5pm. Good Friday Service. 3.30pm.. Details: 0118 979 2122. WOKINGHAM – Market Place. Churches Together Wokingham Good Friday play. Noon. Parade from Corpus Christi before hand, then to Wokingham Methodist Church afterwards. WOKINGHAM – All Saints Church, Wiltshire Road.
Good Friday Prayers. 9am. Solemn Liturgy. 9.30am. Family Service. 10.30am. Evening Prayer. 5pm. Details: 0118 979 2797.
Saturday, March 26 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. WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Service of Readings. 9pm. Details: 0118 979 2122. WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Creative writing group for adults. 10.30am-noon. Details: 0118 969 0304.
Easter Sunday, March 27 DON’T FORGET — CLOCKS GO FORWARD TODAY!
BEECH HILL – St Mary the Virgin, Beech Hill Road RG7 2BB. 10.30am. Holy Communion. Details: 0118 988 5923. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James Church. Dawn service. 6.30am. Holy Communion. 8am. Family Communion. 9.30am. Parish Communion. 11am. Details: 0118 973 0133. SWALLOWFIELD – All Saints, Church Road RG7 1TH. 9am. Holy Communion. 10.30am. Family Communion. Details: 0118 988 5923. SHINFIELD – St Mary’s Church, Church Lane RG2 9BY. Easter Sunday dawn service. 6am. Easter service. 10am. Tea service for children and families. 4.30pm. Details: 0118 988 5923. SPENCERS WOOD – St Michael and All Angels, Basingstoke Road RG7 1AP. Family communion. 01am. Details: 0118 988 5923. WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. French Conversation Club for those with basic French knowledge. 2pm-3pm. Details: 0118 969 0304. WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Easter communion. 8.30am. Morning Worship. 10.30am. Details: 0118 977 6898. WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. First Mass of Easter. 6.30am-7.30am. Low Mass. 8am. All Together Mass. 9.30am. Easter Day Service. 11am. Details: 0118 979 2122. WOKINGHAM – All Saints Church, Wiltshire Road. Dawn Eucharist. 6.30am. Holy Communion. 8am. All ages parish communion. 9.30am. Baptism. 3pm. Festal Evensong. 6.30pm. Details: 0118 979 2797. WOODLEY – Town Centre. Car boot sale. 8am-1pm. £10 per Car or £8 for table top pitch/ Walk on, bring own tables. Details: 07861 654 674 or woodleytowncentre.co.uk.
LEISURE | 25
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Friday, March 18, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER
The programme includes Elgar’s Serenade, Holst’s Moorside Suite and Purcell’s Chaconne in G Minor. There will also be performances of Adam Carse’s Two Sketches, Warren’s Heather Hill and Kenneth Leighton’s Suite Veris Gratia. They will be conducted by Philip Ellis. Tickets for the afternoon concert are £15, £14 for concessions and £2.50 for students or under 18s. They can be bought on the door or by logging on to www.westforestsinfonia.org.
CINEMA
Easter film shown at Showcase tonight AN UNOFFICIAL sequel to The Passion of the Christ will be screened in Wokingham today. Risen, which followed the events that happened after Jesus is said to have been resurrected, will be shown daily at the Showcase Cinema in Winnersh from tonight until Tuesday. The film tells the events of Easter through the eyes of Clavius, a powerful Roman Military Tribune, and his aide Lucius. The pair are tasked with solving the mystery of what happened to Jesus in the weeks following the crucifixion, in order to disprove the rumours of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem. It stars Joseph Fiennes and curtain up is at 4.30pm. For more details, log on to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk/films/risen
CONCERT
Stainer’s Crucifixion forms focus for Chorus A LENTEN concert takes place in Reading tomorrow night. The Reading Festival Chorus will be performing at Wesley Methodist Church in Queens Road for its spring concert. Called Crucifixus, the evening features a selection of music for Lent including Stainer’s Crucifixion and takes place the night before Holy Week starts. The concert gets underway at 7.30pm and tickets cost £13, under 17s are free. For more details, call the box office on 0118 983 4523 or log on to www. readingfestivalchorus.org.uk.
CONCERT
Choruses unite to perform Beethoven’s Mass in C
PERFORMANCE
Orpheus in the Rose Street world A CHOIR founded almost a century ago will be raising the roof in Wokingham town centre tomorrow. The High Wycombe Male Voice Orpheus Choir will be appearing at Wokingham Methodist Church in Rose Street for a spring concert. The choir generally sings in a four-part harmony and performs everything from
Tickets cost £8, £4 for under 16s and includes refreshments at the interval. They can be bought in advance by calling 07747 031440. For more details, log on to www.twyfordsingers.org.uk.
Set sail for The Voyage
Music for Palm Sunday from Twyford Singers TO MARK Palm Sunday, a concert from a local choir will focus on events of Holy Week. The Twyford Singers will be performing at St Mary’s Church in Twyford on Sunday evening from 7pm. On the programme will be early church music from composers such as Henry Purcell, Thomas Tallis and John Stainer and forms a reflective evening ideal for Easter.
A WORLD premiere is coming to the Thames Valley this weekend. Bob Chilcott will conduct four choirs for the debut performance of The Voyage, a new choral work that explores life and loneliness across the generations. The concert also features choral music by Will Todd, John Rutter, Matthew Harris and others. Taking part in the performance are Reading Phoenix Choir, Berkshire Youth Choir, BBC
AT THE THEATRE
Basingstoke – The Anvil
www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 Brendan Cole. Sat. Marry Waterson and David A Jaycock. Sat. Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra. Sun. Double Talk. Tues. That’ll Be The Day. Thurs. Andy Cutting. Thurs.
Basingstoke – The Haymarket www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 Dealer’s Choice. Until Sat. Tony Stockwell. Wed. Joe Lycett SOLD OUT. Thurs.
Bracknell – South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 At Your Services. Until Sat. Charlotte Hoather and George Todica: Conservatoire Concert Series. Fri. The Comedy Cellar. Fri. Caribbean Crush Masterclass. Sat. Hip Hop Masterclass. Sat. Contemporary/Performance masterclass. Sat. Lift Off Youth and Community Galas. Sat. Berkshire Young Dance Artist of the Year. Sun. Creative Control Band Night. Sun.
Music of the Night, You’ll Never Walk Alone, Bring Him Home, Memory and Can Your Feel The Love Tonight and The Deadwood Stage. The concert starts at 7.30 pm. Tickets are £10 (including refreshments) with proceeds going to local charities. To reserve them in advance, call Tony King on 0118 978 5185 or buy on the door.
CONCERT
CONCERT
CONCERT
major operatic choruses, pop ballads, hymns and arrangements associated with the male voice tradition. Their repertoire includes Bohemian Rhapsody, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Take Me Home, A Roman War Song, Nessun Dorma and When The Saints Go Marching In. From the musicals, the group perform
A MUSICAL feast from Wellington College Chorus and the Crowthorne Choral Society is on the cards this Sunday. The two groups are combining for a spring concert that will see some of the greatest classical works performed. The first piece will be Haydn’s Te Deum, followed by Beethoven’s Mass In C. There will be professional soloists joining the two groups: (Soprano Kristy Swift, Alto Katie Slater, Tenor Richard Bignall and Bass Greg Hallam. Tickets cost £12 or £2 for students and can be bought by calling the box office on 01344 778185 or by logging on to www. crowthornechoral.org.uk.
Berkshire Community Choir and the Berkshire Maestros Academy Chamber Ensemble. The show starts at 7.30pm and takes place at Reading Concert Hall in Reading’s town centre. Tickets cost £12 are available online from The Voyage website at www. thevoyageproject.co.uk. Money raised from the performance will go to Age UK Oxfordshire. For more details, call 07766 103427.
Celebrate H20 AN EVENING of music with a water-based theme can be heard at Waingels College tomorrow. Woodley Concert Band is presenting its spring concert, called Aqua, and every piece performed has a water-based theme.
Henley – Kenton Theatre
Camberley – Theatre
www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Heartbeat. Mon-Sat 26.
www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 NT Connections. Mon. Brian Conley: Alive and Dangerous. Wed. Open Mic Night. Wed. Comedy Club. Fri 25. Chenyin Li. Sat 26. FILM: Delicatessen. Tues.
Didcot – Cornerstone www.cornerstone-arts.org 01235 515144 Hackney Colliery Band. Fri. Dracula: The Kisses. Sat. Cinderella Green The Recycling Queen. Sun. The Great Western Tears. Thurs.
Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Our House. Until Sat. Toast. Mon-Sat 26.
www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 575698 Blofeld and Baxters: Rogues on the Road. Thurs.
High Wycombe – Swan
Maidenhead – Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Mitch Benn: Don’t Believe A Word. Fri. Maidenhead Drama Festival. Until Sat. Fred’s House. Sat. Festival of Choirs. Sun. The Vinyl Frontier: David Bowie SOLD OUT. Sun. Dr Seuss Compendium. Tues. The Monster That Ate 3B. Tues. Dark River. Wed. Pilgrim The Musical. Wed.Round The World With Class Six. Thurs. Do We Ever See Grace? Thurs. The Vickers Bovey Duo. Thurs. Omid Djalili: live. Thurs-Fri. FILM: Spotlight. Fri.
Newbury – The Corn Exchange
Folk’s plough is furrowed with musical night
A FEAST of folk is coming to Reading next week. The Furrow Collective featuring Alasdair Roberts, Emily Portman, Lucy Farrell and Rachel Newton will be at South Street Arts Centre on Thursday, March 24. The evening features four fine soloists CONCERT coming together for an evening of traditional songs from England and Scotland. Each band member will take it in turns to lead a song, telling stories and being accompanied by harp, guitar, viola, MUSIC from a range of popular composers concertina, piano, banjo, fiddles and musical will be heard in Reading on Sunday afternoon saw. thanks to a local musical group. Tickets cost £14 or £11.20 for concessions West Forest Sinfonia will be at The Abbey and can be bought by calling the Reading Arts School in Kendrick Road from 4.30pm for their box office on 0118 960 6060 or logging on to www.readingarts.com. spring concert.
West Forest Sinfonia back for orchestral night
CONCERT
The Hunter and the Hunted. Mon. 12: The Musical. Wed-Thurs. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 25. Aesop’s Fables. Sat 26. Wilde Sundays. Sun 27. Creative Control Band Night. Sun 27. FILM: Creed. Fri. The Revenant. Fri-Sun. My Skinny Sister. Tues. Cartel Land. Wed. Chronic. Thurs. The 33. Fri-Sat. Spotlight. Fri-Sun.
The programme includes Handel’s Water Music, pieces from South Pacific, favourites from Titanic, even Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head. The performances starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £12, £10 concessions or £5 for under 16s. For more details, call 0870 3212186 or log on to www.woodleyconcertband.org.uk.
www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 Cafe Concert: Bernstein Revealed. Fri 18. Jongleurs Comedy Club. Fri 18. JS Bach’s St John’s Passion. Sat 19. Simon Weston. Sat. ROH: The Royal Opera Live: Boris Godunov. Mon. Junior Youth Drama. Tues. Spring Equinox 2016. Tues. Romesh Ranganathan: Irrational SOLD OUT. Wed. Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre. Thurs. Jenny Eclair: How To Be a Middle Aged Woman (Without Going Insane). Thurs. Three Degrees. Sat 26. Tap Factory. Sun 27. FILM: Secret In Their Eyes (2016) (15). Until Thurs. Anomalisa (tbc). Until Thurs.
Newbury – Watermill www.watermill.org.uk. 01635 46044 Romeo and Juliet. Until Apr 2.
Reading – South Street www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Poets’ Cafe: John Foggins. Fri. Third Friday Blues: Mark Harrison. Fri. Voodoo Room: Paying Tribute to Hendrix and Cream. Sat. The Furrow Collective Featuring Alasdair Roberts, Emily
Portman, Lucy Farrell, Rachel Newton. Thurs. Richard Herring: Happy Now? SOLD OUT. Sat 26. Berzerk Easter school: You Can Fly. Tues-Fri 1.
Reading – The Hexagon www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Ed Byrne: Outside, Looking In. Fri. Real Vintage and the Good Food Market. Sat. WASMA Concert. Sun.
Reading – Progress Theatre
of Whisky. April 28-30.
Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Last of the Red Hot Lovers. Until May 7. Storytime: The Gruffalo. Wed.
Windsor – Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Class Act 2: variety spectacular. Sun. End of the Rainbow. Tues-Sat 26.
www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 Marat/Sade. Until Sat. Jazz at Progress: Stuart Henderson and Vasilis Xenopoulous with the Simon Price Trio. Thurs.
Woking – New Victoria
Reading – St Barts
Wokingham – Theatre
www.stbartstheatre.org 07737 477193 Next shows TBC.
Shinfield – Shinfield Players www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 Actin, Singing and a Shot
www.ambassadortickets.com 0844 871 7645 Hairspray The Musical. Until Sat. That’ll Be The Day. Sun. Let It Be. Mon-Sat 26.
www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 Next show: Hactivists/Chatroom. April 12-16.
Woodley – Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org 07939 210121 Next show: Raving. April 19-23.
26 | LEISURE
To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk
Gig guide Friday, March 18 BAGSHOT – The Cedar Tree, High Street GU19 5AG. Utter Madness. Details: 01276 473160. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Dolly Parton Cabaret Night. Details: 01344 303333. CAMBERLEY – The Four Horseshoes, Frimley Road GU15 3EQ. Tony Barker and Keith Chilvers. Details: 01276 63842. CAMBERLEY – The Royal Standard, Frimley Road GU15 2PP. Fuzz Universe. Details: 01276 27641. CAMBERLEY – The Royal Swan, London Road GU17 9AA. Inside Track. Details: 01276 31560. EMMBROOK – Sports and Social Club, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club presents The Jigantics and Irene Rae. Details: wokinghammusicclub.co.uk FARNBOROUGH – The Alexandra, Victoria Road GU14 7PH. The Weathertop Preachers. Details: 01252 519964. FLEET – The Fox and Hounds, Crookham Road GU51 5NP. Stealers Bluff. Details: 01252 663686. PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Baron Manfred Von Landlord and His Flying Circus: LIVE. Details: 0118 969 9878. READING – The Roebuck, Auckland Road RG6 1NY. The Vinyl Covers. Details: 0118 966 3305. READING – South Street. Third Friday Blues: Mark Harrison. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Jewels and the Jacuzzis. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Tragedy! An all metal tribute to the Bee Gees. Details: 0118 959 5395. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Junction Music: Tanch,
Osiris, Rez, Tizzy J, Atilla. Dark Matter: Hannah Wild. Details: 0118 959 7196. TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. Nine Mile Riders. Details: 07946 342551. WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. In Too Deep. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Pinkfish. 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. WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Frisky Fridays. Details: 07415 354056. YATELEY – The Cricketers, Cricket Hill Lane GU46 6BA. Glen Cooper. Details: 01252 872105.
Saturday, March 19 ARBORFIELD – Arborfield Royal British Legion, Eversley Road. RG2 9PR. The Bear Blues Band night in aid of Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Details: 0118 976 0432. ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road. The John James Newman Band. Details: 01344 878100. BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, Market Street RG12 1JG. The Warehouse Soul night. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Mirrorball. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Caribbean Crush Masterclass. Hip Hop Masterclass. Details: 01344 484123. CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. The New Ambassadors. Details:
THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 18, 2016
HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAMPAPER.CO.UK 01276 32691. FARNBOROUGH – The Ivy Leaf Social Club, Cove Road GU14 0HF. Continuum Covers Band. Details: 01252 542962. FARNBOROUGH – The Alexandra, Victoria Road GU14 7PH. Zak. 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 Mushrooms. Details: 01252 811311. FLEET – The Fox and Hounds, Crookham Road GU51 5NP. The Miller Family. Details: 01252 663686. READING – The Jolly Anglers, Kennetside RG1 3EA. The Jason Hendrix Experience. Details: 0118 376 7823. READING – South Street. Voodoo Room. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Hugh Turner Heavy Quartet. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Highwasters. Details: 0118 957 6930. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Speakbeats: Spoken Word with Amy Neilson Smith and Andrea Spisto. SoundJam. Details: 0118 959 7196 READING – O’Neills, Friar Street RG1 1BD. No Way Out. Details: 0118 960 6580. READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Has Reading Got Talent: The Chosen 3. Details: 0118 402 7800. SUNNINGDALE – The Royal Oak, Station Road SL5 0QL. Dukes of Rock. Details: 01344 623625. TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. Damian. Details: 07946 342551. WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. The Dene Street Brothers. Details: 01276 858501. WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. 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.
Live music next Friday night at the Broad Street Tavern in Wokingham will come from Graffiti Child Details: 0118 979 5790. WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Essential Saturday. Details: 07415 354056. YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, The Green GU46 7LR. Off The Record. Details: 01252 870648.
Sunday, March 20 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Creative Control band night. Details: 01344 484123. BRACKNELL – The Crown Wood, Opladen Way RG12 0PE. Jam session: Martin Deadman acoustic. Details: 01344 867374. READING – The Abbot Cook, Kings Road RG1 5DE. Sunday jazz: Stuart Henderson Trio. 2.30pm. Details: 0118 935 4095. READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Readifolk: Jim McLean. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Odyxxey Pres: Birdskulls, Pipedream, Tara. Details: 0118 959 7196 WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Daniel Berry. Details: 01276 858501.
Tues, March 22 READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Chris Trim. Details: 0118 958 6692.
Wednesday, March 23 FLEET – Propaganda Music Canteen, Fleet Road GU51 3BU. Emma J Kennedy. Details: 01252 620198. READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Berkshire Jazz Jam with Ken Thompson. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Crossfaith. Details: 0118 959 5395. READING – The Purple Turtle,
The BROAD ST TAVERN
LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT MARCH 18
PINKFISH
FEEL-GOOD TRACKS FROM THE 50’S TO TODAY
MARCH 25
GRAFITTI CHILD
THE FUNKIEST FUNK BAND IN FUNKDOM
COME AND JOIN US! 29 Broad Street, Wokingham RG40 1AU 0118 977 3706 WWW.BROADSTREETTAVERN.CO.UK
Gun Street RG1 2JR. BBC Introducing Live: Kill Committee and Finchey. Details: 0118 959 7196 TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. Open Mic night with Damian Delahunty. Details: 07946 342551.
Thurs, March 24 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Country and Americana Night. Details: 01344 484123. CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. Jam Night. Details: 01276 32691. CAMBERLEY – The Royal Standard, Frimley Road GU15 2PP. Jam Night. Details: 01276 27641. FLEET – Propaganda Music Canteen, Fleet Road GU51 3BU. The Cobbles. Details: 01252 620198. HENLEY – Magoos, Hart Street. Stars In Their Minds karaoke. Details: 01491 574595. READING – South Street. The Furrow Collective featuring Alasdair Roberts, Emily Portman, Lucy Fareell and Rachel Newton. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Jazz at Progress: Stuart Henderson with Vasilis Xenopoulos. Details: 0118 384 2195. READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Silver Heels. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. The Hip Hop Story from Jazz and Northern Soul to Hip Hop. Details: 0118 959 7196
Good Friday, March 25 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road. Odyssey. Details: 01344 878100. ASCOT – The Stag, High Street SL5 7HP. Remix. Details: 01344 621622. BAGSHOT – The Three Mariners, High Street GU19 5AW. Happy Daze. Details:
01276 473768. BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, Market Street RG12 1JG. Thank You Great Ormond Street. From 6pm: Sophie Hastings and Charlie, Michael Tuffery, Nicky Booty, Paul Jude Wilson, Bearpaw. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Lionel Ritchie Tribute. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Crown Wood, Opladen Way RG12 0PE. Ash Lee. Details: 01344 867374. CAMBERLEY – The Four Horseshoes, Frimley Road GU15 3EQ. The Firm. Details: 01276 63842. CAMBERLEY – The Carpenters Arms, Park Street GU15 3PE. After The Masons. Details: 01276 63676. FARNBOROUGH – The Alexandra, Victoria Road GU14 7PH. The SwanLock Duo. Details: 01252 519964. FINCHAMPSTEAD – Memorial Hall RG40 4JU. Stuart Henderson’s Remix Jazz Orchestra. Details: www. remixjazzorchestra.co.uk READING – The Walkabout, Wiston Terrace, off Friar Street. Pauly Zarb. Details: 0118 953 0000. READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. High Grade Dub and Roots. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. The Skints. Details: 0118 959 5395. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Vinyl Only Night. Details: 0118 959 7196 SHINFIELD – The Sportsman, Shinfield Road RG2 7DS. Matti Fantasi: Ages of Rock. Details: 0118 975 2089. SHINFIELD – The Bell & Bottle, School Green RG2 9EE. In Too Deep. TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. Emma Kennedy.
HOPE & ANCHOR Free entry, fantastic beers & a great night out! Tonight @ 9pm
IN Rock TOO DEEP covers band
WEY LIVE MUSIC
Coming next Saturday, March 26
LIVE MUSIC
Every weekend at the Hope & Anchor
Station Road, Wokingham RG40 2AD 0118 978 0918 www.hopeanchor.co.uk
Details: 07946 342551. WINDLESHAM – Windlesham Club, Kennel Lane GU20 6AA. The New Ambassadors. Details: 01276 472210. WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Graffiti Child LIVE. 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. WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Frisky Fridays. Details: 07415 354056. WOODLEY – The Good Companions, Loddon Bridge Road RG5 4AG. Uptown Traffic. Details: 0118 969 3325. YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, The Green GU46 7LR. The Broken Stones. Details: 01252 870648. YATELEY – The Cricketers, Cricket Hill Lane GU46 6BA. Stealers Bluff. Details: 01252 872105.
Saturday, March 26 BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Evil Puppies. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Boot Inn, Park Road RG12 2LU. The Vinyl Covers. Details: 01344 454532. BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Mollys Jam. Details: 01344 457318. BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, Market Street RG12 1JG. Thank You Great Ormond Street fundraiser. From 6pm. Mellotronanism, Spriggan Mist, Rye Wolf, Babyhowl, The Llamas. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. The Mays. Details: 01276 32691. CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. Red Aztek. Details: 01344 530615. FARNBOROUGH – The Ivy Leaf Social Club, Cove Road GU14 0HF. Trackbax. Details: 01252 542962. FINCHAMPSTEAD – The Queen’s Oak, Church Lane RG40 4LS. The Blue Beats. Details: 0118 973 4855. HURST – The Wheelwright’s Arms RG10 0TR. Cockney Knees Up with Gordon Bennett. Details: 0118 934 4100. READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Dy’n’omite. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. SoundJam. Details: 0118 959 7196 READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Funk Soul Brothers. Details: 0118 957 6930. READING – O’Neills, Friar Street RG1 1BD. Live Music. Details: 0118 960 6580. READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane
RG2 0SN. Jukebox Jets Details: 0118 402 7800. SANDHURST – The Rose and Crown, High Street GU47 8HA. In Too Deep. Details: 01252 878938. TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. Flick. Details: 07946 342551. WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Back Track Band. Details: 01276 858501. WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. 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. WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Essential Saturday. Details: 07415 354056. WOODLEY – Bull and Chequers,Church Road. Ska night with Rankin Robbie J. Details: 0118 969 9756. WOODLEY – The Good Companions, Loddon Bridge Road RG5 4AG. The Presidents Party Rock Band. Details: 0118 969 3325. YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, The Green GU46 7LR. Okie Dokie Karaoke. Details: 01252 870648.
Easter Sunday, March 27 BAGSHOT – The White Hart, Guildford Road GU19 5JW. Gigabit. Details: 01276 473640 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Creative Control Band Night. Wilde Sundays. Details: 01344 484123. BRACKNELL – The Crown Wood, Opladen Way RG12 0PE. Jam session: Martin Deadman acoustic. Details: 01344 867374. FARNBOROUGH – The Alexandra, Victoria Road GU14 7PH. Karaoke. Details: 01252 519964. READING – The Abbot Cook, Kings Road RG1 5DE. Sunday jazz: Hugh Turner Trio. 2.30pm. Details: 0118 935 4095. READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Readirock Revolutions. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Readifolk: Singers Night. Details: 0118 958 6692. TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. Said and Done. Details: 07946 342551. WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Shakin’ A Round. Details: 01276 858501.
Easter Monday. March 28 EVERSLEY – The Golden Pot, Reading Road RG27 0NB. Pauly Zarb. Details: 0118 973 2104.
THE ACOUSTIC COUCH
Music with Jody Mc
LEISURE | 27
To advertise call 0118 328 2959
Friday, March 18, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER
At the cinema Kim Taylor-Foster
Another slice of animated gold Sometimes, things don’t always go to plan and that’s the case this week. JODY Mc looks ahead to the next few weeks at TheAcousticCouch
Disney has come up with the goods once again with the release of Zootropolis, just in time for the Easter holidays
I
T’S with regret we announce due to licensing errors theacousticcouch will not be open for their remaining events in March. • Warehouse soul, tomorrow night • Thank you Great Ormond Street, March 25-26. These are due to complications beyond our control and are extremely disappointed for everyone involved. With licenses already acquired for April’s events on April 8 and 9, normalities will resume. On Friday, April 8, you can enjoy T & The Mugs live at the Couch, we’ll bring you more on this in a future issue. Any questions please get in touch through www. theacousticcouch.co.uk or www.facebook.com/ Theacousticcouch
You can still catch a great Easter weekend with the guys at I Got Soul. The promoters – along with Dj Raj Aggarwal (gold dust radio), Dj Ali and Dj Don Jon – will be seeing you through some of the finest soul, funk, swing over Good Friday and Easter Sunday at two over 30s events, both Berkshire based, but a little further afield. On Thursday, March 24, they will be at Ascot’s Mikados. If you’ve not been there before, it’s easy to find. It’s situated at the bottom of Ascot High Street and within walking distance from the nearby train station. Parking is generous and why not check out found on offer before the party gets started? There are special offers for diners on the evening of the event. Then on Saturday, March 26, they will be coming from Maidenhead’s Zee Bar located on Queen Street. For more details check outI Got Soul on Facebook.
Zootropolis (U)
Ginnifer Goodwin supplies the voice of Judy Hopps – a tiny rabbit from a small town with big ambitions. She has always wanted to join the police force to fight crime under the glare of the bright lights of the big city, and although she aces police academy, there’s never before been a bunny that’s graduated. She’s got her work cut out. Leaving her cautious carrot-farming parents for Zootropolis, she takes up a post as a rookie cop on the city’s force. Of course, cape buffalo Chief Bogo (Idris Elba) neglects to take her seriously because of her size. Surrounded by an assortment of much larger colleagues – predators among them, she’s assigned to parking duty. Keen to prove her mettle and get her teeth into a meatier case, she
«««««
Voices: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, JK Simmons, Tommy Chong, Octavia Spencer, Jenny Slate, Shakira
A
BUNNY cop – that’s inherently funny, right? Absolutely is Disney’s verdict – and they’ve based their latest animated venture around that premise. To be fair, the bunny cop joke is the thin end of the wedge. There’s a whole lot more here that’s LOL-worthy, from Clawhauser, the camp big-cat receptionist (Nate Torrence) to the Vito Corleonestyled arctic-shrew godfather of the underworld, Mr Big (Maurice LaMarche) via plenty of preciselypenned one-liners and well-crafted set-ups in between.
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Zootropolis raises the bar a notch, poking fun at Disney’s own Frozen and pulling in Godfather references to layer on jokes aimed squarely at grown ups. Its cast, too, includes Tommy Chong, Idris Elba, JK Simmons and Jason Bateman who are all known for their adult-orientated work and ensure the appeal of this film spans the age divide. The scriptwriters never waste an opportunity to squeeze in a funny line or a smart reference and consequently, there are a lot of laughs to be found. But let’s not forget the kids. A lovely, motivational message that anyone can be anything pervades, and they’ll find the unusual and unpredictable storyline absorbing. If you’ve been feeling fatigued by the relentless onslaught of animated movies, you’ll be relieved to hear that Zootropolis is animated entertainment at its best.
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volunteers to help find the missing husband of a Mrs Otterton (Octavia Spencer) who has disappeared in mysterious circumstances, with no leads. Thrown together with wily, small-time con artist fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), she has no choice but to agree to Bogo’s unrealistic terms to solve the case in 48 hours and sets about investigating. Will she manage to do what no one else has been able to do and crack the case? Well, of course she will – but it’s how she gets there that’s important. The joy of Disney’s latest nugget of animated gold is in the wonderful characterisation and in the deliciously dry and surprisingly adult script, meaning it works for both young ‘uns and oldies. These are things that all great animated movies do well, but
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Tough
6 8 4 3 7 8 5 8 2 5 1 9 5 8 6 6 9 7
How to beat Str8ts – Like Sudoku, no single number can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. These need to be filled in with numbers that complete a ‘straight’. A straight is a set of numbers with no gaps but can be in any order, eg [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to The solutions will be published here in the next issue. see how ‘straights’ are formed.
9
5 6
Previous solution - Medium
4 9 5 3 2 6 7 8 1
5
2
1 6 8 5 7
© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles
You can still catch I Got Soul
3 7 1 8 5 4 6 9 2
2 6 8 1 9 7 3 5 4
9 5 2 4 6 1 8 3 7
7 3 4 2 8 9 5 1 6
1 8 6 7 3 5 2 4 9
5 2 7 9 1 8 4 6 3
8 4 9 6 7 3 1 2 5
6 1 3 5 4 2 9 7 8
To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely. For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org If you like Str8ts check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.
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WOKINGHAM SPORT
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FA CUP PICTURE SPECIAL: Late drama sees Royals’ date with Palace end in defeat — Page 38
SONNING HOCKEY CLUB
Five-star Ladies see off club-mates to set up final-day title decider SONNING LADIES take on Reading 2s this Saturday in what will be a winner-takes-all contest. The script could not have been better written for what will be the final game of the season in Premier 1 of the Trysports League. A resounding 5-0 victory over club-mates Sonning 2s in a rescheduled fixture on Wednesday night moved the ladies up to second in the table, where they now sit two points behind leaders Reading with three left to play for. Who wins the title, therefore will come down to the last 70 minutes of the campaign, although only a victory will do if Sonning are to end their rivals’ lengthy stay at the top. The team also kept up the heat last weekend when running out 3-1 winners at Bracknell, where Kristin Cooper celebrated a hat-trick.
The title decider takes place at Berkshire County Sports, starting at 10.30am. The 2S, though, were outscored by the odd goal in five away at Oxford 2s. A battle to avoid finishing bottom of Division 1 awaits the 3RD XI this weekend. They sit a point ahead of Wycombe 3s going into the final round of fixtures. The team went down 3-1 to runners-up Oxford Hawks 4s. SONNING 4S, however, will finish the campaign bottom of Division 3. Although having two matches to complete, they can no longer catch up the team above them following a 5-1 reverse at Thame 2s. The VETERANS were edged out by the odd goal in seven when entertaining Marlow 5s and remain 11th in Division 4, while the 5S were well beaten 5-0 by Division 6 winners Witney 3s and will finish 2015/16 propping up the rest.
Sonning Men JON SHARP notched his 10th goal of the season during Sonning Men’s 4-0 victory at Phoenix and Ranelagh in Regional Division 2 of the MBBO League. Ian Gallagher now sits just one behind him on nine for the season after also scoring during the win, while Jack Kelly and David Painter were also on target. A ninth success of the season moved the team up to third in the standings. With two games remaining, Sonning do have an outside chance of finishing the campaign in third, but are five points behind the side who currently sit there, Banbury 2s. The 2S sit comfortably in Division 1, but now have a game in hand on those around them after Saturday’s fixture with bottom side Thame did not go ahead. SONNING 3S, meanwhile, are facing likely relegation from Division 2 after a
miserable trip to Henley 2s leaves the side marooned in the drop zone. They were sadly no match for the table-toppers, who racked up 11 goals without reply to edge closer to the title. Richard Woolfrey led the rout, scoring four times, with Jody Measures celebrating a hat-trick. Dan Herbert, Fred Newbold, Ali Slay and S.Hall also struck for the home team. Demotion seems certain for the 4TH XI, too, as a narrow 2-1 reverse against fellow strugglers Witney 2s consigns the side to bottom spot in Division 4. A Chris Priestley effort was cancelled out by Phil Bishop and Joe Taylor as the Oxfordshire outfit gave their chances of escaping danger a boost. In the Open competitions, SONNING 5S were denied the chance to keep up the heat on Oxford 7s at the top of the Division 8 West ladder after their clash
with Reading Rascals was postponed. A 3-0 victory for Oxford over Newbury and Thatcham 4s moved them four points clear at the summit, but their closest rivals now have a game in hand. SONNING 7S doubled their win count in Division 9 West when getting the better of a goal fest against Oxford 9s. They won this basement battle 8-4. At the opposite end of the table, SONNING 6S were not in action and remain third, where they sit four points off the promotion places. Fixtures - Saturday, March 19 MBBO REGIONAL DIVISION 2: Sonning Men v Wokingham. DIVISION 1: Amersham and Chalfont v Sonning 2s. DIVISION 2: Sonning 3s v Maidenhead 2s. DIVISION 4: Phoenix and Ranelagh 2s v Sonning 4s. DIVISION 8 WEST: Sonning 5s v Newbury and Thatcham 4s. TRYSPORTS PREMIER 1: Sonning Ladies v Reading 2s; Sonning 2s v Aylesbury. DIVISION 1: Milton Keynes 2s v Sonning 3s.DIVISION 3: Sonning 4s v Maidenhead 4s. DIVISION 4: Oxford Fireflies v Sonning Veterans. DIVISION 6: Abingdon 3s v Sonning 5s
BASKETBALL
WOKINGHAM HOCKEY CLUB
Danny Tom’s treble in vain as Men are left crushed Rockets’ remains a doubt A TOM KING hat-trick could not prevent Wokingham Men slipping to a 5-4 loss during an absorbing contest with local rivals Bracknell at Cantley Park. Defeat represents a crushing blow for the hosts and their hopes of staving off relegation from MBBO Regional Division 2. Neil Bennett joined leading scorer King in hitting the back board, but it was Sam Fox-Harvey’s four-goal salvo and a Tom Pullen strike which secured Bracknell the points. The result saw the two sides swap places at the foot of the table, where Wokingham now sit bottom with only two fixtures remaining. Although avoiding relegation is not out of the question, doing so will rely on the Men picking up as many points as possible, results elsewhere and a final league decision on the number of teams which get demoted. Duncan Clarke, Cameron Dunlop and Ryan Kaley all found the net and helped secure WOKINGHAM 2S a vital victory
Wokingham’s Nathan Desmond can only watch on as Bracknell score during a pulsating local derby, where Tom King (inset) hit a hat-trick Pictures: Steve Smyth
over Windsor in Division 3. Wokingham climb above their opponents and up to ninth following the triumph, yet will need to pick up more points from the remaining matches to avoid a nervous end to the season. It was a tough day for WOKINGHAM 3S, who were beaten 4-0 on the road at Windsor 2s and drop to 10th in
Division 7, while in the Wessex Supervets Fixtures Alliance, the game between WOKINGHAM VETERANS and Windsor was postponed. Wokingham Ladies A DIFFICULT season for Wokingham Ladies continued at Reading 2s. This top-versus-bottom clash in Division 1 of the Trysports League went the way of form, with the league leaders
continuing their pursuit of the title with a 10-0 victory. Lucy Scott, Ellie Mann, Sophie Liu, Hannah Gilmour, Rachel Heath and Lucy Lee-Smith were among those to score for the home side. Defeat leaves the ladies bottom of the table with just the one game left to play, which is against Amersham and Chalfont on Saturday. Honours finished even when WOKINGHAM 2S entertained Bicester 2s in Division 2, with the point not enough to move the hosts away from 11th place. WOKINGHAM 3S, meanwhile, cannot finish any higher than ninth in Division 5, but the strugglers did give a good account of themselves away at runnersup Amersham and Chalfont, yet were still on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline. Fixtures - Saturday, March 19 MBBO REGIONAL DIVISION 2: Sonning v Wokingham Men. DIVISION 3: Oxford Hawks 5s v Wokingham 2s. DIVISION 7: Wokingham 3s v West Hampstead 8s. WESSEX ALLIANCE: Sunbury Red Lions v Wokingham Vets. TRYSPORTS PREMIER 1: Wokingham Ladies v Amersham and Chalfont. DIVISION 2: Henley 3s v Wokingham 2s. DIVISION 5: Bicester 3s v Wokingham 3s
SWIMMING
Morris is the Masters of the butterfly after smashing 200m British record
PETER MORRIS proved he can still mix it up with the best. Bracknell and Wokingham Swimming Club’s (BWSC) former Olympian recently added his name to the history books when setting a new British Masters record in the 55-59 age group 200metre butterfly, where he clocked 2:33.09. More impressively for Morris, who finished fourth when competing in the 1980 Moscow Olympics, was the fact he set the fastest time in the category in his own back yard. The 55-year-old was one of the first to swim for the club under then chairman Eddie Lynne during its inception back in 1978. Lynne remains involved in the sport to this day, some 38 years later, and would
Peter Morris set the new fastest time in the 55-59 200m butterfly
watch on in his officiating role as protégé Morris broke the existing record. His latest success became the 14th
British record set in a Bracknell pool. Other notable achievements at the 21st Masters Competition, which was held on March 5 and is one of the first meets of the swimming year, saw Adrian Sureshkumar finish just 0.01 of a second shy of his Personal Best (PB) in the 100m freestyle. While Claire Charlton set new PBs in both the 50 and 100m freestyle, which can only offer encouragement given the European Masters are only two months away. Top club on the day was Teddington. Having racked up a number of podium finishes between them, meanwhile, saw Terry Wright and Karen Leftley named BWSC’s top male and female. The medal count for the club was also
an impressive one, with members getting their hands on no fewer than 15 gold, 15 silver and 18 bronzes in the individual competitions. Four further golds, three silver and three bronze medals were also picked up in the relay events.
BWSC’s Karen Leftley and Terry Wright
READING ROCKETS again look set to be without injured captain Danny Carter this weekend. Head coach Manuel Pena Garces was last night (Thursday) looking to guide his side to a 10th straight win in Division 1 of the English Basketball League (EBL) when up against Essex Leopards at the John Madejski Academy in Whitley. Rockets kept up this fine run of form when narrowly outscoring Team Northumbria 67-66 and then grinding out an 81-74 success against London Lituanica last weekend. The victories moved the side up to third in the standings, with Pena Garces hoping his charges could keep up the winning habit when entertaining the Leopards. Whatever the result, the Spaniard will now be preparing his squad for welcoming Hemel Storm to Rivermead on Saturday (6pm), where the head-to-head record between the sides this season stands at one win each. “It will be our fourth game in eight days and they (Hemel) are a really dangerous opponent with arguably one of the best back courts in the league, so it will again be really hard but I am confident in our resilience and how we can play to give us a chance.” The coach, however, remains unlikely to call upon the services of Carter. The 26-year-old remains sidelined with a back injury and is awaiting the results of recent X-rays to determine just how longer he may be out of action – but he does continue to receive treatment from the club’s physios in the meantime. It is not yet known whether Carter could be back for the final round of regular season matches against Derby Trailblazers at home and Manchester Magic away next weekend – the sides currently first and second in the standings – or the play-offs. A Rockets win last night would have moved Reading level on points with the Trailblazers.
34 | SPORT
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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 18, 2016
ICE HOCKEY
Milestone night for Matt is spoiled by defeat Bracknell Bees 1 Peterborough Phantoms 4 By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk A HERO’S welcome greeted Matt Foord’s entrance to the ice. But becoming Bracknell Bees’ all-time record appearance holder was unable to inspire the hosts to victory over bogey side Peterborough Phantoms on Sunday evening. The run of results against the Cambridgeshire team is a wretched one to say the least, and you would have to go back some three seasons to remember the last time Lukas Smital’s men got the better of the reigning play-off champions. Yet Foord and Bracknell were more than holding their own against a side who arrived at The Hive sitting second in the standings – only for deja vu to strike once again. Bracknell shipped in four goals during the final period of the game with Sheffield Steeldogs the night before, losing 4-2, and it was the three more conceded during the concluding stanza 24 hours later which left the side on the wrong end of the result once again. “I thought we played really well,” said Foord, who surpassed the legendary Matt Cote’s appearances tally for the club of 408 up in south Yorkshire on Saturday. “I was saying to Smits (Smital) earlier, it is just having that experience throughout the team to close games out, because we are in it with every team we have played. “It is just either playing with a lead or trying to get that game-winning goal. “We just haven’t got that tiny little bit of experience.” Bracknell began the game in a purposeful manner, but would frustratingly find themselves behind in
James Galazzi goes close for Bracknell Bees against the Peterborough Phantoms at The Hive Pictures: Bob Swann
the third minute. More annoyingly, however, was the fact the goal arrived on the back of an attack by the home side. Peterborough’s Jason Buckman would not only block a strike at goal, but send team-mate Milan Baranyk on his way up the other end too. With just Alex Mettam in the Bees goal to beat, the forward raced on to the loose puck and produced a composed finish. Heads within the home camp, though, did not drop, and back they came. Josh Smith, however, was unable to produce the connection needed when set up by Vanya Antonov, with Alex Barker sending a blueline drive into the gloves of Phantoms netminder Janis Auzins soon after. Other chances of note during the first period saw James Galazzi drag a shot wide from a central position before Smital flashed an opportunity over the bar. He would connect with the rebound, too, but Auzins was again equal to the
effort. Bracknell’s perseverance, however, was finally rewarded six minutes into the second session. They would more than double the shots on goal produced by the Phantoms during the stanza, but the one which counted was finished off by Carl Thompson. It was a short-handed strike too, as James Galazzi had been pulled up for boarding just moments earlier. Smital was the architect, for it was the player-coach who set off on a marauding run down the right wing, remaining in control of the puck as he took it around the back of the net before squaring to Thompson from the other side of the rink. One touch was all the forward needed, and it was a telling one from just a yard out. It was just desserts for a side which had been the more adventurous – yet only the quick reactions of Auzins prevented the home side going in at the
Salonen strikes in overtime to seal win in goal-fest Hull Pirates 6 Bracknell Bees 5
AN OVERTIME strike from Pasi Salonen saw Bees edged out by the odd goal in 11 up in Humberside. Four of the nine wins recorded by Bracknell this season had come against their hosts, but they would make the long trip north on Friday missing nine of the regular roster due to work and college commitments and injury. Of those absent included Carl Thompson, Lewis Turner, James Galazzi, Alex Mettam, Scott Spearing, Alex Barker and Carl Graham. Yet the shortbenched side would start off the scoring in a fixture between two opponents playing for little more than pride when player-coach Lukas Smital broke the deadlock early in the second stanza on the power play. Hull would soon level things up through Lee Bonner, only for Josh
a 5-4 advantage, which looked to have Smith to fire Bees back in front while secured his side the points. both teams were down to four men But with just a minute and four after Salem and Josh Waller fell into seconds remaining, respective penalty trouble. however, Bendik pounced The Pirates, however, to put Bees back on level would head into the third terms with his second goal period on level terms of the game. thanks to a Tommi Laine This was enough to send equaliser. an absorbing contest into The goals continued an additional five minutes, to fly in after the break, where Vanya Antonov had where Bees would once a glorious chance to snatch again seized the initiative Bees the win. courtesy of a Bendik effort But the young forward on the power play – only to was to be thwarted by lose it when a second of the Pirates’ netminder Ashley night for Laine made it 3-3. Jan Bendik’s brace Smith when one-on-one Another Smith strike was not enough with the goalkeeper. would put Bracknell in The miss would prove front for a fourth time – but a costly one, as with just over a minute back came the opposition, who again remaining, the home side went up the tied up the scoring through Salem. other end and settled the game through Hull then completed the Salem. turnaround when Salonen struck for
JOIN US AT THE HIVE Games played at John Nike Leisure Complex, Bracknell
result in Will Weldon producing the break 2-1 ahead. Barker was again the man foiled by finishing touch amid a scramble. the Latvian, who did well to pluck his It was clearly a blow to Bees’ chances powerful drive out of the air and prevent – but just 35 seconds later and the the player from hitting the top shelf. Phantoms were celebrating again. But the visitors too had the chance to Craig Scott would lead a break away retake the lead when Ales Padelek was down the right, and with the opposition bundled over by Josh Tetlow as he made stretched, had the time needed to pick his way towards goal. out a pass and send Marc Levers through The same player would take the on goal. penalty shot, but got the attempt horribly Mettam tried hard to close the gaps wrong and produced a touch so wild he available, but his opponent would was unable to get away a shot. confidently stroke the puck into the Bees’ performance up until now was corner after a deft deke. of much encouragement to those up in Smital saw an opening denied by a the stands, whose hopes of witnessing deflection as his charges went in search an end to Peterborough’s hold on this of a way back into the contest, with fixture over the years were growing by Antonov thwarted by Auzins not long the second. after. But there has been something about Robbie Ferrara for the Phantoms the side and the final period in recent and team-mate Levers fell into penalty weeks which just has not been quite trouble for roughing and diving right and the dreaded curse was striking again five minutes respectively and were after the restart. subsequently binned for They say all goals are minors – as was Smital avoidable and this was for a trip, but neither side very much a case in point could capitalise. as Bracknell were unable Yet when Galazzi was to clear their lines. penalised for holding, It all came about from Peterborough had the a Darius Pliskauskas strike game wrapped up. which hit a post. Mettam did Matt Foord Levers and Scott would well to thwart Greg Pick on the combine to set up Baranyk to rebound but the danger remained. double his tally with a simple finish at And failure to nullify the threat would the far post on 46:13. English Premier Ice Hockey League “It is just that third period and that P W OW OL L F A Pts little bit of experience,” added Foord after Basingstoke 52 33 6 2 11 202 120 80 Bees saw a game lost in the last stanza Peterborough 51 30 3 7 11 202 131 73 for the second time in as many nights. Guildford 52 25 8 5 14 197 162 71 Telford 51 30 3 1 17 210 135 67 “But at the same time we have got a Milton Keynes 52 24 6 5 17 190 146 65 lot of young kids and they are learning Swindon 52 21 7 5 19 181 187 61 every single time they go out on the Sheffield 52 20 4 4 24 193 227 52 ice and that can only be a good thing to Manchester 52 16 3 8 25 167 208 46 just keep developing and gaining that Hull 52 6 5 5 36 128 266 27 experience, because that is invaluable.” Bracknell 52 9 0 3 40 142 230 21
Dogs bite back as Bees let slip of lead Sheffield Steeldogs 4 Bracknell Bees 2
A THIRD period collapse saw Bracknell slip to defeat in Sheffield on Saturday night. It was a second lengthy road trip for the side in the space of 24 hours, but on this occasion Carl Thompson, James Galazzi, Alex Mettam, Scott Spearing, Alex Barker and Carl Graham were all back on the bus, having missed the game at Hull the night before. With a play-off place already secured, the Steeldogs’ management decided to blood a number of youngsters for the game, and they would more than hold their own during the opening stages. The hosts, however, would fall behind in the 19th minute when Thompson laid on Vanya Antonov to open the scoring. The two would combine to great effect again midway through the second session, where Antonov would
double his – and the Bees’ lead. Bracknell would also kill off a five-v-three power play later in the period and looked good value to bag the win. Falling two goals behind prompted Sheffield player-coach Greg Wood to ring the changes, though, and back came some more senior players and the imports. Unfortunately for the Bees, it was to have the desired affect too, and their advantage was wiped out in a flash. The third stanza was just 30 seconds old when Arnoldas Bosas netted to cut the deficit, with Wood then pulling the Dogs back on level terms 33 seconds later. A shell-shocked Bracknell side were able to recover, but such resistance was broke again when Tom Squires turned the game on its head on 49:25. The same player would wrap up the scoring, and victory, with his second on the night in the 57th minute, leaving their opponents beaten for the 38th time this term.
THIS SATURDAY – March 19 BRACKNELL BEES v Telford Tigers Face off 6pm
Box office: 01344 789000 bracknellbees.co.uk
LOCAL RUGBY
LONDON IRISH
Tewkesbury wary of threat Saxons pose red-hot Rams REDINGENSIANS will be looking to edge closer to safety in National League 2 South with victory over Southend Saxons on Saturday (2.30pm). The Rams are on a red-hot run of form at present having won their last five games on the spin, which have pushed them away from trouble and up to ninth in the standings. Yet the threat of relegation remains, with the club one of seven battling hard to try and avoid slipping through the trap door. Southend will arrive at Old Bath Road sitting second from bottom, but are only 10 points behind their opponents. “It will be a tough encounter and we need to be at our best,” said coach Mike Tewkesbury, whose charges were 37-12 victors during the reverse fixture over in Essex back in November. “Southend will be scrapping for their lives while we are not out of the woods yet. “I believe we need 12 points from our last six games. That’s our target. “But none of the teams in this league just throw in the towel, as recent results show.” Redingensians, 13-7 winners at Dorking on their last outing back on March 5, have been handed a boost with the return of full-back Joe Duffelen, last season’s players’ player of the year, from injury. He will replace Ollie Foxley in the No.15 shirt, who reverts to his position back out on the wing, filling the void left by Conor Corrigan, who misses the game with a knee problem. Rams will also be without second row Tom Bryson, who has a calf injury, so Dieter Kerschbaumer deputises. All being well, the game should see Spike Chandler finally hit the magical
SPORT | 35
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Friday, March 18, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER
Cowan: Let’s start our bid to beat drop with a party LONDON IRISH v GLOUCESTER AVIVA PREMIERSHIP MADEJSKI STADIUM SUNDAY – 3PM
Joe Duffelen will return from injury agaist Southend Picture: Vivienne Johnson
1,000 point mark for the club. The 33-year-old sits agonisingly on 999, but is expected to reach the milestone having come out of semi-retirement earlier in the season to provide cover for the injured Luke Flower. “Spike has been a revelation since his return,” added Tewkesbury. “He’s adapted really well to the challenge.” n BRACKNELL will be looking to build on the 17-13 success at Eton Manor last time out when welcoming fellow mid-table side Wimbledon to Lily Hill Park in National League 3 London and South East. This game has a 2.15pm start. n THE pursuit of a top-four finish resumes for Crowthorne in the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier Division on Saturday. And they will be the odds-on favourites to pick up the points when guests of basement boys Wheatley. Kick-off is 2.15pm.
LONDON IRISH have just six games to save their league season. But Blair Cowan sees no reason why they cannot begin their bid to avoid the drop by winning one of the biggest games in the club’s calendar – the St Patrick’s Day Party. The 16-26 defeat to Saracens last Saturday leaves Exiles bottom of the Aviva Premiership table, where they sit eight points adrift of the team directly above them, Newcastle Falcons. Time is running out for the side, but Scotland international Cowan believes Irish can rise to the occasion. “It is going to be another massive game for us on Sunday,” he said. “We are under no illusion of the task facing us, we are at the bottom of the table and need to start winning – and what a perfect time to do it in the St Patrick’s Day game on Sunday at the Madejski.” A healthy crowd is expected for the fixture, and those present should see an ever-improving home side, whose three wins this term in the league have all come on home soil. “Every week we are improving,” added Cowan. “If you look at our stats with our set piece, tackle completion and attacking game it has just been building and building. “It (the game) is going to be special. The players are pretty amped and are looking forward to it.”
Blair Cowan knows only too well what the St Patrick’s Day Party means to London Irish supporters Picture: London Irish
Flanker Cowan also explained how the week spent over in the United States has been good for morale, adding the occasion was something which will long live in the memory, despite the squad returning home with nothing to show from a gallant performance. He said: “The biggest plus would be the fact that we became tighter as a group as we built into the week, which created a massive buzz. “The boys loved, it was great to try something new and the support was amazing, the atmosphere was something that I will never forget. “As a group we were together for an entire week and were able to do the small prep and had plenty of time to get treatment and we got a full recovery every night. “It was a pretty special week.”
n GEORGE SKIVINGTON has extended his stay with Irish for another season. Although his appearances this season have been limited due to a shoulder injury suffered against Bath back in November, the club captain says he had no hesitation in pledging his immediate future to the Exiles. Saracens Exeter Wasps Northampton Leicester Harlequins Gloucester Sale Sharks Bath Worcester Newcastle London Irish
AVIVA PREMIERSHIP P W D L F 16 12 1 3 413 16 11 0 5 402 16 10 0 6 402 16 9 0 7 341 16 10 0 6 345 16 8 1 7 395 16 8 1 7 321 15 7 2 6 300 15 5 0 10 286 16 5 0 11 304 16 4 1 11 251 16 3 0 13 241
A 282 258 288 257 326 399 300 309 302 398 405 477
BP 7 11 8 10 5 9 4 6 9 6 3 1
PTS 57 55 48 46 45 43 38 38 29 26 21 13
Coventry makes his point after Irish are denied a bonus in America London Irish 16 Saracens 26
AN ENCOURAGING performance from London Irish was to go without reward after a late Nick Tompkins try denied the side a losing bonus point in New Jersey. The two sides put on a good show in front of an enthusiastic audience over in the United States for what was the first ever Aviva Premiership fixture to be played overseas. And there was just three points separating the rivals as the contest neared a conclusion, but luck was out once again for the Irish. This is because, following a number of charged down kicks, the ball would fortuitously fall at the feet of full back Tompkins, who darted off to grab a score which put Saracens out of reach. Defeat leaves Exiles eight points adrift at the foot of the table with just six games left to play. Speaking afterwards, head coach Tom Coventry suggested conceding cheap penalties – along with the one missed when 16-19 behind were among the reasons why his charges were once again on the wrong end of the result. He said: “We’ll rue a few of our decisions at the end of the game. “They (Saracens) suffocated us. We came out with a plan, but we weren’t able to execute it. “I thought we gave away three cheap penalties, which meant they managed to get themselves in front and then we had to play to try and get something out of
Alex Lewington scored a try in New Jersey Picture: London Irish/Pinnacle
the match. “We’ll probably rue that opportunity to kick to the corner rather than take the three points when we were 16-19 behind, it was probably a reasonably poor decision in retrospect. “We need to win, it’s as simple as that. “That was our mantra all week, but in the end we got caught trying to play too much rugby in our own half. “In this state of mind, when you’re in a season where things aren’t going so well, those sort of things tend to roll against you.” The New Zealander and his back room staff would watch on frustratingly as Irish let slip of a 13-7 half-time lead against a Saracens side looking to reclaim
top spot back from Exeter Chiefs. A crowd of just over 14,000 would see the boys in green make a positive start to the fixture and take the game to the reigning champions during the early exchanges. And those cheering the side on from the stands at the Red Bull Arena thought they had a try to celebrate when Alex Lewington went over the line. The phase, however, was referred to the Television Match Official (TMO), who ruled the winger was in touch before grounding the ball, so play was duly called back and the score disallowed. But the first points witnessed on the west coast would go the way of the Exiles, who were awarded a penalty following an infringement in the build up to Lewington’s ‘try’ which Greig Tonks kicked over in the 10th minute. Saracens were missing a number of first-team regulars due to Six Nations commitments. Yet they did receive a boost when Alex Goode was released by England earlier in the week, and he was quick to remind the national selectors of his qualities when nudging his side ahead through a fine individual score. The full back would storm past two attempted tackles before slamming the ball down under the posts. Ben Spencer improved the score and the opposition led 7-3. Such joy, though was short-lived, as Irish roared back into the contest and were soon snatching back the advantage.
Doing this was Lewington, who was not to be denied a try, with the player diving under the goalposts to finish off a flowing attacking move. Scott Steele and Tonks, who added the extra two points, were instrumental in helping set up their team-mate to dab down for the second time in as many games following his late score during the 25-17 reverse at Bath the weekend before. The lead was now Irish’s to try and defend. Not only would they do that, but extend it too when Tonks was again accurate from the tee. Despite the end result, the Scotland international was enjoying a fine first start for his new club. The gap between the sides would remain at six points when the half time whistle was blown – although it should probably have been all square. This is because Spencer had two chances to put the ball through the posts, only to miss both. And in doing so the scrum-half was removed from kicking responsibilities during the break, with Goode handed the mantle. He was soon cutting the gap and then wiping out the remaining deficit completely via two efforts he was presented with during the first 10 minutes of the second half. Goode would then nudge his side ahead from a similar scenario moments later as yet more ill-discipline was to cost Irish dear. The task of chasing the game once
more, though, was one Coventry’s charges were to complete. A burst from Sean Maitland would result in Saracens producing an infringement, with Tonks duly accepting the invitation to make it 16-16 and take his individual tally to 11 points. Fatigue was now beginning to creep into the contest, although Goode slotted away another penalty to again give his side the edge. Another shot for goal would fall Exiles’ way, too, but Tonks was unable to keep up his 100 per cent record, as the attempt drifted wide – a miss his coach alluded to post match as the option to punt the ball into touch was passed up. Irish would continue to press hard, only for such efforts to end in despair when Tompkins snaffled up the loose ball and ran on to seal Saracens victory. Goode banged over the conversion and the beaten opposition were left nursing a potentially crushing defeat. LONDON IRISH: Maitland, Lewington, Hearn, Williams (Mulchrone 73), Ojo, Tonks, Steele (Allinson 71), Smallbone (Court 58), Cruse (Ellis 71), Aulika (Halavatau 59), Symons, Stooke (Lloyd 64), Narraway (c), Cowan (Trayfoot 58, McCusker Rep not used: Brophy Clews Try: Lewington Conversion: Tonks Penalties: Tonks x3 SARACENS: Goode, Ellery, Tompkins, Barritt (c), Wyles (Earle 79), Mordt (Ransom 64), Spencer (De Kock 45), Barrington (Lamositele 40), Saunders (Porecki 70), Figallo (Du Plessis 46), Smith, Hamilton (Hargreaves 45), Rhodes, Burger (Brown 45, Wray. Tries: Goode, Tompkins Conversions: Spencer, Goode
36 | SPORT
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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 18, 2016
Reading ‘keeper Ali Al Habsi pulls off a fine stop to deny Palace’s Yohan Cabaye from a free-kick – one of several stops the Omani made on the night Pictures: Steve Smyth
FA CUP
Royals pay the penalty, but Brian is proud Reading 0 Crystal Palace 2 By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk “WE WANT this every week and we want to get back to where we were a couple of seasons ago.” Despite defeat to Crystal Palace in Friday night’s FA Cup quarter-final, the occasion has certainly left Reading boss Brian McDermott wanting more. While it was the third time the manager has taken the club to the last eight of the competition, defeat to Palace was also the same number of times he has been denied a place in the semi-finals and a trip to Wembley, too. Although a big admirer of the cup, McDermott would quite happily trade this particular shot at silverware for a place back in the top flight. He said: “The challenge for me that has always been the same. I have been in three quarter-finals and not got to the semi-final yet. “I might not get to a semi-final, but I won the league here, so if you said to me you will never get to the semi-final but you are going to win the league again I will take that next season, no problem.” McDermott added: “We got knocked out in the first round of the FA Cup against Stevenage the year we won the league, so our priority is the league, we don’t want it to be a situation where we talk about the FA Cup and FA Cup runs, we want to be talking about winning league games, because that is what we’re about and we have to be looking to win league games. “The last 18 months we haven’t done
McDermott and Palace boss Alan Pardew embrace
that, so that is what we are looking to do.” Royals were just moments away from taking Palace to a well-deserved replay, but their stubborn resolve was broken only minutes from time when Yannick Bolasie was awarded a penalty when challenged illegally by Jake Cooper as he ran into the box. Although there was contact by the defender, who was sent off after picking up a second yellow card, it did look minimal – and certainly not enough to send the pacy winger to the ground. Yohan Cabaye would step up and score from the spot and finally get the better of Ali Al Habsi, the Reading ‘keeper who had produced a string of
superb saves to keep the Frenchman and his side at bay earlier in the game. The 10 men would then conceded a second in stoppage time, with substitute Frazier Campbell burying the ball at the second attempt, but McDermott did not want to get drawn in to too much of a debate about the obvious turning point in the contest. “Coops (Cooper) raised his arm, he has gone down pretty easy and that is what happens in this day and age and the referee has then got to make a call and he has decided to give the penalty,” he said afterwards. “That is football. Crystal Palace had a penalty given against them on Sunday and we have had one given against us. Unfortunately the referee has come down on the side of Palace. “For us that is football. “Whether he (Bolasie) was clever or not, I don’t want to talk about that really.” For McDermott, the game rekindled memories of not too long ago when games against Premier League opposition were on the calendar every week. Yet despite the late drama, the boss was understandably proud with what he
witnessed from his side, saying: “You do the best that you can and that is what we have done tonight and you can take losing as long as you see what you have tonight. “Guys were throwing their bodies in there. It was a very tight game and we went toe to Steven Quinn gets away from Joel Ward (left) and Cabaye toe with a very good Premier READING: Al Habsi, Gunter, McShane, Cooper, League side.” Obita (Rakels 90), Hector, Robson-Kanu, Norwood Ola John was on the end of the two (Williams), Quinn, John, Cox (Vydra 60). Subs not used: Bond, McCleary, Ferdinand, best chances which fell the way of the Piazon. hosts, firstly shanking the ball into the Booked: Hector, Gunter, Cooper side netting after Palace ‘keeper Wayne Sent off: Cooper Hennessey fumbled when attempting to CRYSTAL PALACE: Hennessey, Ward, Dann, claim a cross. Delaney, Souare, Zaha, Cabaye, Ledley (Sako 79), Bolasie (Campbell 90), Adebayor. The angle, however, was tight. Booked: Bolasie, Zaha, Jedinak The Dutchman then saw the Subs not used: McCarthy, Gayle, Mutch, Kelly, shot-stopper foil him after the break Puncheon when keeping out his header from a Hal Referee: Mike Dean Robson-Kanu cross at the near post. Attendance: 23,110.
Reading’s Ola John goes close to breaking the deadlock with a header, but disaster was to strike for the side when Jake Cooper was sent off late on (left)
Simon Cox (above) and Michael Hector (left) keep tabs on Cabaye and Emmanuel Adebayor
Tempers would flare when Palace’s Wilfired Zaha and Chris Gunter clashed
SPORT | 37
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Friday, March 18, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER
READING FC
INTERNATIONALS
We must get the best from each other urges Robson-Kanu READING v CARDIFF CITY SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP MADEJSKI STADIUM SATURDAY -3PM
By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk "IT is all about getting the best from each other and getting the best from the group." Hal Robson-Kanu should know better than most about playing ‘the Reading way’, having been with the club all of his professional career. The Wales international has experienced the highs and lows with the Royals – along with the difficult times too. And with the club sitting 15th in the table and eight points above the relegation zone, it is probably fair to say the 26-year-old is part of a squad which is currently going through the latter emotion. Robson-Kanu was one of those who spoke to the group in the wake of Tuesday’s 1-0 reverse at Brighton, where the squad was locked in the changing room for some three quarters of an hour to discuss successive league defeats. The attacker, therefore, will no doubt be keen to help get the club back on the right track when a team from the land of his forefathers head to Madejski Stadium on Saturday afternoon. So what exactly is the Reading way of playing football, and how could it help put a dent in the opposition’s late push for a play-off spot?
“People who play against Reading and the people who come to watch Reading play will know they are going to be in a game that is high intensity and there is going to be tough times against a group of winners,” Robson-Kanu explained. “This is no longer 2010 or 2011 when we were going for promotion, we’re now in 2016, so things are different and we have to adapt to that. “We have to sort out our own environment, which is going to win games and be successful for the club, and that is what everyone is striving towards.” McDermott, meanwhile, believes his side will have to be wary of the threat Russell Slade's men pose from set pieces. Both Cardiff goals during their 2-0 win over Royals earlier in the season came from corners, so the hosts will need to be switched on defensively. “They are very good from set plays,” he said. “Peter Whittingham’s delivery is very good. “They are well organised - a little bit like Brighton. They know what they are doing and know how to win games in this league.” McDermott, though, will most likely have to do without Lucas Piazon for the visit of the Bluebirds, as he remains laid low by an illness which saw him have to drop out of the squad which went to Brighton in midweek. Deniss Rakels is a doubt with a hamstring injury picked up in the same game, but Jake Cooper is back from suspension.
Burnley Brighton Middlesbrough Hull Derby Sheff Wed Cardiff Ipswich Birmingham Preston QPR Wolves Leeds Nottm Forest Reading Blackburn Brentford Huddersfield Bristol City Fulham MK Dons Rotherham Charlton Bolton
Sky Bet Championship P W D L 37 21 11 5 37 18 14 5 36 20 7 9 36 19 9 8 37 16 13 8 37 15 14 8 37 15 13 9 37 16 10 11 36 15 10 11 37 13 13 11 37 12 14 11 37 12 11 14 36 11 14 11 37 11 13 13 36 11 11 14 37 10 13 14 36 12 7 17 37 11 9 17 37 10 10 17 37 8 13 16 37 9 10 18 37 10 6 21 37 7 11 19 37 4 14 19
Cooper gets call up for England
F 60 50 47 50 50 53 48 46 40 35 46 45 36 34 41 36 48 48 34 56 31 43 34 36
A 30 34 23 22 35 36 40 43 34 34 42 50 41 35 42 36 58 52 58 63 49 62 66 62
Pts 74 68 67 66 61 59 58 58 55 52 50 47 47 46 44 43 43 42 40 37 37 36 32 26
CHAMPIONSHIP
Seagulls goal sees dressing room lock-in Brighton 1 Reading 0
BRIAN McDERMOTT kept his players in the dressing room after this narrow defeat at The AMEX Stadium for some 45 minutes. A goal from James Wilson on the 25 minute mark was enough to send Royals crashing to a successive defeat in the league – and a third loss in the space of a week. The visitors had chances to take something from the fixture – notably through Michael Hector and Ola John – but the manager was not happy with what he saw from his charges down on the south coast. So much so the boss decided to hold counsel with his squad after the final whistle. “I’m very disappointed to lose the game, it’s always disappointing when you lose,” said the manager after defeat left his side 15th in the Championship table. “Brighton are going well in the league at this moment in time and they’ve managed to nick the game 1-0. That’s where we need to get to. “We had a chance to make it 1-1 at the end with Ola John. But it’s not about this chance or that chance, we need to create more chances in front of goal.” While victory moved the hosts back into the automatic promotion places, the loss means Reading have only won four times since McDermott returned to the club back in December, and he feels a change in direction is needed. “We had a chat after the game in the dressing room, a conversation about where we’ve got to be
going forward. It was very straightforward. “I’ve been here for many years and I know what this football club is about. “It’s players who work hard for the badge, work hard for the supporters, work their socks off in every game they play. “Any team who play against Reading has to know it is going to be a tough, tough game if Reading play well. “We’re trying to get ourselves back to what we’re about as a football club and that’s going to be really important going forward.” McDermott would make four changes to the side beaten 2-0 by Palace in the FA Cup on Friday night – although one was necessary, with Anton Ferdinand (pictured) coming in for the suspended Jake Cooper. He was joined in the starting line-up by Danny Williams, Matej Vydra and Yann Kermorgant, who all replaced Oliver Norwood, Stephen Quinn and Simon Cox. The three were named among the substitutes. But they would fall behind just past the midway point of the first half when Wilson broke the deadlock. It was a tidy finish too from the on-loan Manchester United forward, who would send the ball low across the reach of Ali Al Habsi and into the far corner. Engineering the goal was Sam Baldock, who went on a surging run forward before laying on his team-mate.
Two of Reading’s best chances before the break would arrive in quick succession. Vydra saw his shot blocked by David Stockdale in the Seagulls’ goal before Hector sent the rebound wildly over the crossbar. Another opening would fall the way of John in the second half, but with the angle tight and Stockdale closing the available gaps, the Dutchman would put the ball wide. Although unhappy to lose the contest, McDermott hopes to use the opposition as a good example when attempting to bring the good times back to the club. Just a year ago Brighton were in a relegation battle, but now stand within earshot of a first-ever season in the Premier League. “We are competitive, but we want to be where Brighton are,” he added. “We’ve been used to being in the top six in the Championship, so that’s what we’re striving to get to - and we need to get back there as soon as we possibly can.” BRIGHTON: Stockdale, Bruno, Goldson, Dunk, Rosenior, Knockaert (Lua Lua 77), Stephens, Kayal, Murphy (Bong 77), Baldock (Sidwell 88), Wilson Subs not used: Maenpaa, Greer, Hemed, Skalak Booked: Stephens Goal: Wilson 25 READING: Al Habsi, Gunter, McShane, Ferdinand, Obita, Hector, Williams, Robson-Kanu, Vydra (McCleary 64), John (Rakels 81), Kermorgant. Booked: Gunter Subs not used: Bond, A.Taylor, Norwood, Quinn, Cox
JAKE COOPER is celebrating a first call up to the England Under-20 squad. Keith Downing has named the central defender in his roster for the upcoming game with Canada at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, and his inclusion is fully deserved, says Royals boss Brian McDermott. “He is a great boy – he has earned that right for what he has done since he was a young boy,” he said of the former Forest School pupil and California player. “He is still young in his career and he’s learning in every game, every day, every training session. “He has also had a little break as well against Brighton, which will be good for him going forward.” The 21-year-old has played 20 times for the first team this season, scoring once, which was the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday on January 23. He had been ever-present in 2016, but such a run in the side was ended when sent off, albeit controversially, during the 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace last Friday, which meant Cooper had to sit out the midweek loss at Brighton through suspension. He is, however, expected to return to the squad for Saturday’s game with Cardiff City.
UNDER 21s
Top four finish beckons READING UNDER-21s remain in the hunt for a top four finish in the Barclays U21 Premier League after scoring an impressive 2-0 win on the road at Everton. Martin Kuhl saw his young side take the lead when Harry Cardwell latched on to a pass inside the Toffees’ box before producing a tidy finish. Josh Barrett, who recently made his first team bow during the 3-1 loss at Huddersfield Town, doubled the advantage after the break. Victory moves Royals on to 26 points for the season after 20 games. The side are away at struggling Norwich City on Monday (7pm) Reading will then bring the season to a close with a home game against Manchester City on Monday, April 11. n READING will be bringing its Easter Soccer Schools to the borough. The courses are for boys and girls between the ages of six and 14 and are run by Community Trust coaches who are FA qualified. The programme will be held at Goals in Woodley, Twyford and The Piggott School in Wargrave. For more information or to book places call (0118) 968 1480. Alternatively, the schools will also be held at Henwick Playing Fields in Thatcham, Reading University and Palmer Park.
38 | SPORT
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THAMES VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE
No Payne, no gain: James puts Finch back on track JAMES PAYNE fired Finchampstead Reserves back into promotion contention in Division 3. He scored four of the nine the side put past lowly Aldermaston Reserves, with the victory moving the team back up to third in the standings, where just two points now separates them and SRCC in second – although the latter do have a game in hand. Kieran Robinson, Matthew Bonny, substitutes Chase Jacobs and Richard Johnson and Nicholas Payne were all on target as Finch made a triumphant return to action. BERKS COUNTY, meanwhile, went someway to ease the threat of a possible relegation scrap by edging out basement boys Highmoor Ibis Reserves in the Premier Division. Joshua Dillon and a Brandon Blair goal five minutes from time secured a 2-1 win, with the three points moving County on to 19 for the season. An Anthony White effort would prove to be in vain for Highmoor. WINNERSH RANGERS moved level on points with Westwood United in Division 1 after they were awarded the win from a fixture scratched by opponents Cookham Dean Reserves. Not that they need get too carried away, as leaders Westwood United have five games in hand. Jonathan Gosnell had plenty of reasons to celebrate at the weekend. This is because his hat-trick helped BERKS COUNTY RESERVES to a 5-1 victory over AFC Corinthians Reserves, a win which means they continue to lead the way in Division 4. Gosnell was joined on the scoresheet by James Andrews and Christian Brooker, with Jonathan Slevin pulling a goal back for Corinthians. County, though, sit only two points clear of Burghfield, who would hand HURST RESERVES’ promotion hopes a setback when running out 2-1 winners over the villagers. Burghfield’s Bradley Foster broke the
Wargrave ‘keeper Liam Pidgeon keeps Harchester at bay in this Jubilee Cup clash Picture: Steve Smyth Left: FInchampstead’s James Payne
deadlock on 33 minutes – only for Alex Smith to tie up the scoring early in the second half. The winner, however, was to arrive in the 62nd minute, as a Ryan Farmer effort would settle the contest. Defeat leaves Hurst fourth, where they now trail the top two by eight points. SONNING SPORTS remain among a clutch of teams who can secure a top four finish in Division 5 after rolling over bottom side Baughurst AFC Reserves. Wayne Little was top scorer on the afternoon for the away team, hitting a double, with Adam Rose, Liam Richardson, Danny Snow, Martin Peters and Umar Dumbuya also popping up with goals. Sean Newton had opened the scoring for Baughurst in the ninth minute and would score again after the break, but it was of little joy for the hosts. Sonning, however, would finish the game with 10 men after Samuel Braham was shown a red card on 81 minutes. A first-half Steven Lebrecht double was enough to secure The Hop Leaf a 2-1 victory over HURST A. Ryan Hawley would halve the deficit, but defeat leaves the hosts in fifth place. Just behind them in sixth – and having played five fewer games – is SHINFIELD RANGERS MEN.
Their steady rise up the standings continued with a 2-1 win on the road at Taplow United A, where Jonah Vaughan and Lewis Thomas struck in both halves. Seamus Stapleton pulled a goal back, but Shinfield held out to take the points. Cup round-up WARGRAVE held their nerve to defeat Marlow United Reserves 4-3 on penalties and secure a spot in the quarter-final of the Reading Junior Cup. The game remained all square after 120 minutes, with Wargrave’s Thomas Bray and Christopher Davies for the visitors on target in a game which finished 1-1 after extra time. They will meet either Mortimer Reserves or Westwood United Reserves in the last eight. TWYFORD AND RUSCOMBE, meanwhile, set up a semi-final with Rotherfield Park United Reserves in the Jubilee Cup after overcoming Woodley United A at Woodford Park. Ensuring the visitors’ progression was Mikey Jones and Richard White. Substitute Liam Besant made for an exciting finish when cutting the gap, but it was Twyford who were celebrating come the final whistle. Joining them in the last four is WARGRAVE RESERVES. They squeezed out Harchester Hawks in a tight affair, which they won 1-0.
HELLENIC DIVISION 1 EAST
Harman hits a brace to inflict more hurt on Woodley Penn and Tylers Green 3 Woodley United 0
UNITED were sadly no match for the Hellenic Division 1 East leaders. Adam Harman followed up Dean Munday’s early opener with a brace of goals as Penn preserved top spot via goal difference with this victory at French School Meadows. Woodley arrived in Buckinghamshire five points adrift at the foot of the table and were up against it from the off, where only a goal- ine clearance from defender Brad Hoy prevented the hosts from taking the lead sooner than they did. The deadlock was broken on five minutes, where Munday jumped well to head home a cross from the left after United failed to properly clear a corner. Such was the away side’s vulnerability from set pieces, it was from a similar scenario when Penn went two goals to the good before the contest had reached the 10 minute mark. A loose ball inside the Woodley box would sit up nicely for Harman, who was
to open his account for the afternoon with a looping shot which ended up in the top corner of Ben Hitchins’ net. It was already looking like an all-too familiar story for the strugglers this season, yet they would have a sight of goal when Conor Creegan sent Rupin Limbu on his way, only for the player to see his attempt flash wide of a post. But back game Penn and the width of a post would deny Chris Hurst from making it 3-0 from a free-kick. The same player would have the ball in the net later in the half, only for his ‘goal’ to be met by an offside flag and was ruled out. The hosts would relentlessly continue to attack their guest, but the combination of Hitchins and poor finishing meant Woodley continued to trail by just the two goals. ‘Keeper Hitchins would deny Lee Thompson from point-blank range before the same player crossed for Hurst, who presented the shot-stopper with easy pickings when opting to chest the ball towards goal as opposed to heading it. Mark Ingram would charge down
another Penn strike before Limbu was again off target for the away side. Chances for either side would dry up after the break, but when Harmen was presented with an opening on 56 minutes, Penn were celebrating a third. It was a tidy finish too, with the player stroking the ball into the corner following a one-two. United were carved open again by another flowing move forward, but Thompson was unable to keep his strike down. Right-back Jez West would also have to hook another attempt off the line as the visitors’ goal continued to live a charmed life. Matt Brookling would also stop a shot on the whitewash, with Green’s Danny Jordan rattling a post late on as the side were unable to build on their tally. WOODLEY UNITED: Hitchins, West (Burt), Brooking, May, Hoy, Ingram, Creegan, Bridges, Green, Limbu. Sub not used: Szram.
Up next for Woodley is the visit of 11th placed Chalfont Wasps on Saturday (3pm).
THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, March 18, 2016
SUPPLEMENTARY CUP
Rushforth seals QF date to leave Sumas wanting More Moreton Rangers 1 Wokingham and Emmbrook 3
A QUARTER-FINAL date with Stokenchurch awaits Wokingham and Emmbrook this Saturday. A second-half Elliott Rushforth brace and Blake Stewart strike saw the Sumas recover well from falling behind at London Road and secure their place in the last eight of the Bluefin Sports Supplementary Cup. Wokingham and Emmbrook would head over to The Cotswolds with a patched up squad due to injury and unavailability. They started the game in a positive manner, yet would fall behind to Hellenic Division 2 West side Morton, who held the advantage going in at the break. The gulf between the two sides would eventually take its toll, with the visitors
pulling themselves level when Luke Scope set up Rushforth to drill home the equaliser from just inside the Rangers’ box. They would complete the turn around soon after. A Josh Pearson free-kick was parried by the host keeper, with Stewart on hand to net the rebound. Victory was wrapped up when substitute Jack Herridge picked out Rushforth (pictured left) with a delightful diagonal through ball, which the forward brought under control before finishing well. Reward for the win is a game with Stokenchurch of Division 2 East at the Invesco Perpetual Triangle. Kick-off is 3pm. WOKINGHAM AND EMMBROOK: Woodward, Carter, Wheeler, Day (c), McNelly, Duffelen, Pearson, Rushforth, Scope, S.Bateman, Stewart. Subs: Tabor, Herridge, Eggleston, D.Bateman
SUNDAY LEAGUE
YOUTH FOOTBALL
United hit for six
Blacks beaten
IT WAS a bad day all round for Woodley United. Not only were the side resoundingly beaten 6-0 by title-chasing Purley in the Premier Division, they also lost two players to injury during the defeat. But they did not get going either against their guests, who had just gone 2-0 up when defender Jack Shone was forced off the field. Purley would rattle in two more before the break, where a problem with his thumb meant ‘keeper Chris Harris would play no further part. Taking his place between the posts was Chris Hayman, and he did well the keep the rampant opposition at bay – only to be beaten twice in quick succession around the 70 minute mark as Purley celebrated an emphatic win which keeps them second in the standings. Battling on valiantly despite the scoreline saw James Timbers named man of the match, while Sam Cialis worked tirelessly as the lone striker. Results - Sunday, March 13
AMIR IDJER struck a post and Joe Jones was wide with a header during Wokingham and Emmbrook Blacks’ game with Eldon Celtic Lions in Division 1 of the East Berkshire Football Alliance. But the side would finish the game on the wrong end of a narrow 1-0 result, with the winner arriving in just the 12th minute. Eldon would break the deadlock from a corner, but were left clinging on to the lead as Wokingham went in search of an equaliser. Despite dominating possession and with Calum Woodfield and Jones providing threats going forward, the Blacks would be left frustrated. While Idjer and Casey Starke impressed offensively, the man of the match award was presented to Ralph Ivey (pictured above), who excelled in defence alongside Eugene McElroy.
PREMIER DIVISION: D.C Steamers 2 Richfield Rovers Reserves 2 DIVISION 1: 116 Exiles 3 Charvil Rangers 2; Woodley Wanderers 4 Henley Town 4 DIVISION 2: Emmbrook Inn 3 Loxwood Park Rangers 2; Wokingham and Emmbrook 1 Athletico Forest 7 DIVISION 3 EAST: Forest FC 2 Berkshire Rovers 3
COMBINED COUNTIES LEAGUE
Boars’ hopes cinder after loss to Ash Eversley and California 1 Ash United 2
PHIL RUGGLES’ unbeaten league start at Eversley boss is over after his side suffered a late defeat at Fox Lane. The Boars were beaten by an Ash side which scored at both ends of the game, with the winning goal being struck four minutes from time. Visiting United had broken the deadlock in just the third minute, but were pegged back moments later when Bradley Brown made it 1-1. The score would remain at deadlock as the game entered the final few minutes, where Ash went on to snatch victory. Defeat and results elsewhere mean promotion-chasing Eversley drop down to fifth in the Division 1 standings with just nine games left to play.
Ruggles will be hoping he side can put the heat on the leading pack once more when taking his team to lowly Dorking Wanderers Reserves on Saturday (3pm). Combined Counties League Division 1 P W D L F A CB Hounslow Utd 24 17 4 3 56 21 Abbey Rangers 26 17 3 6 60 29 Eversley & Calif 22 16 1 5 66 31 Worcester Park 23 15 4 4 58 23 Bedfont & Feltham 22 15 2 5 56 30 Cobham 27 11 3 13 49 58 Banstead Athletic 19 10 4 5 48 33 Frimley Green 24 10 3 11 39 38 Staines Lammas 25 10 2 13 47 49 Dorking 22 10 1 11 37 37 Ash United 24 8 6 10 44 49 Sandhurst Town 24 7 5 12 40 68 Sheerwater 24 6 2 16 39 56 Dorking Wand Res 21 4 5 12 22 41 Farleigh Rovers 21 5 1 15 22 60 Epsom Athletic 18 4 2 12 28 53 South Park Res 20 3 2 15 25 60
Pts 55 54 49 49 47 36 34 33 32 31 30 26 20 17 16 14 11
HELLENIC PREMIER DIVISION
Costly calls leave Eggleston officially frustrated at ref Wokingham and Emmbrook 0 Highmoor Ibis 2 WOKINGHAM and Emmbrook joint manager Matt Eggleston blasted the match officials after his side’s 2-0 defeat by Highmoor Ibis at Henley on Tuesday. With the game goalless, Jake Butler hammered the ball into the Highmoor net after 20 minutes, only for the Sumas’s celebrations to be cut short by assistant referee’s raised flag. A fuming Eggleston described it as an “absolutely disgraceful” decision. “We feel cheated,” he said. “I feel sorry for my lads, as they worked their socks off. We were bang on it tonight and didn’t deserve to lose. “I thought the referee and one of his linesmen cost us three points. “There were two (referee) assessors here and no one could explain why the goal was disallowed. “They (match officials) get paid to do a job and this was not good enough. I’m livid.” Like they have so many times this season, the Sumas did not play badly against their mid-table opponents. And yet again their general performance certainly did not reflect the hopeless position they find themselves in the Hellenic League Premier Division, where they are rock bottom with just nine points, 12 behind the side immediately above them, Abingdon United, with just eight games remaining. Relegation back to Division 1 East looks inevitable, but the players are certainty
Jake Butler saw a goal ruled out – one of many decisions to anger boss Matt Eggleston (below)
not going down without a fight. They created several good scoring attempts with the ball fizzing narrowly
wide or far too high and into the trees behind the goals. Josh Pearson hit a superb volley inches over the bar, but keeper Ashley East’s clearance put Highmoor on the attack and Mitchell Parker provided a smart finish to make it 1-0 after 27 minutes. “Had we scored first then it may have been a different story as goals breed confidence,” said Eggleston. Wokingham pushed more men forward in the second half and were still in with a chance of snatching the equaliser before Parker netted his and Highmoor’s second in stoppage time. Sumas are home to Stokenchurch in the third round of the Hellenic League’s Supplementary Cup this Saturday, the club are advising supporters to Hellenic Premier Division P W D L Thatcham Town 32 24 5 3 Kidlington 29 23 3 3 Flackwell Heath 30 22 3 5 Ascot United 33 19 7 7 Highworth Town 29 18 3 8 Thame United 34 17 6 11 Brimscombe & Thrupp 28 16 3 9 Longlevens AFC 34 16 2 16 Binfield 29 15 4 10 Highmoor-Ibis 31 14 3 14 Lydney Town 31 11 9 11 Oxford City Nomads 31 12 5 14 Royal Wootton Bassett 33 12 5 16 Ardley United 31 11 2 18 Brackley Town Saints 34 10 4 20 Bracknell Town 29 7 8 14 Milton United 34 6 8 20 Tuffley Rovers 29 6 6 17 Abingdon United 35 6 3 26 Wokingham 30 2 3 25
F 91 97 82 64 73 51 52 54 59 49 54 51 48 52 59 47 41 49 41 29
A 39 29 38 35 29 41 40 61 47 46 56 57 74 68 82 60 79 70 103 89
Pts 77 72 69 64 57 57 51 50 49 45 42 41 41 35 34 29 26 24 21 9
BINFIELD FC
A real Jem: Johnson’s hat-trick seals win Binfield 4 Oxford City Nomads 2
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Patterson continued to be a nuisance, but a well-timed Alex Luis tackle and the combination of ‘keeper Nathan Silver and JEMEL JOHNSON celebrated a 20-minute his near post would prevent the player hat-trick which helped Binfield secure a from further troubling the scorers. fine comeback victory on Binfield looked to get Monday night. back into the game from Jemel Johnson netted Liam Ferdinand began out wide, but a number Binfield the points the response for a Moles of inviting crosses side who had fallen 2-0 swung into the box behind when netting for were dealt with by the the second time in as many Nomads. matches on 39 minutes, And their problems with strike partner were to double on 26 Johnson securing the win minutes when Mikey in the second half. McKirnan saw his Boss Roger Herridge free-kick from out stuck with the same on the left bypass a starting XI which had clutch of bodies before played well against Lydney nestling in the far Town on Saturday, only corner. to finish the game with The hosts now had a nothing after the away side job on and the next goal snatched a late 2-1 success. would be a crucial one They would see plenty – and both Josh Howell of the ball during the and Ferdinand saw opening exchanges, but a succession chances to cut the gap come and go. of corners and free-kicks went without Howell was just over from a set piece reward as the stubborn Nomads soaked before his team-mate saw a strike at up all that was thrown at them. goal turned away for a corner by ‘keeper Christian Lawrence. The visitors too boasted a weapon Ferdinand, though, would make it game in Kaylem Patterson, whose pace and on soon after when getting the better of running with the ball was of particular the Oxford shot-stopper having skipped concern for the opposition. past several despairing tackles when None more so then when breaking latching on to a through ball. forward in just the second minute, leaving Binfield were now looking the more defenders in his wake when charging off purposeful of the two sides, with Howell down the left, where his centre would again going close from a free-kick. present Amer Awadh with a simple finish for a 1-0 lead. Momentum would stay with the side
at the start of the second half, which is where they would move back on level terms. Although receiving the ball from Danny Horscroft, Johnson was the architect when going on to open his account for the night, showing quick feet to lose his marker before sending a shot on the turn between two more defenders, with the strike helped home by a post. The game was now beginning to open up, with Oxford going close to regaining the lead. McKirnan, though, saw another free-kick strike the wall before the combination of Horscroft and Luis stopped Deon Gallacher in his tracks. Yet just moments later the play had switched to the opposite end of the pitch, where Johnson would complete the comeback. The striker would owe the goal to Ferdinand, however, for it was his work in beating Lawrence to a loose ball on the edge of the box which would result in the forward producing the telling touch into an empty net. There were no favours needed when making it 4-2, though, with Johnson this time producing an accurate lob to complete the hat-trick and not only wrap up the win, but also a neat passage of play which produced the opportunity to secure the treble. BINFIELD: Silver, O’Connell, Horscroft, Walton, Luis (c), Broome (Withers 72), Howell, Knight (M.Walton 82), Ferdinand, Johnson (Jordan 84), Dean. Subs not used: Rowland, Gibbs
Binfield are away at Royal Wootton Bassett Town on Saturday (3pm).
HELLENIC DIVISION 1 EAST
Busy Bryant keeps Chinnor at bay to secure Finchampstead a point Chinnor 0 Finchampstead 0
FINCHAMPSTEAD’S winless run in Hellenic Division 1 East stretched to six games with this midtable stalemate at The Playing Fields. There was nothing to separate the two sides either on the scoreboard or in terms of possession, but Tom Bryant was arguably the busier of the two goalkeepers on Tuesday night. He was to have a fine evening between the posts and ensured the visitors left Oxfordshire with a point through a string of important saves. The Finch shot-stopper was called into action during the early exchanges, denying Mark Jones from one of three chances which fell the home side’s way. Dino Bonwick was wide with one, while Stuart Braun was over with the other. Jones was also off target with a volley later in the half. The visitor’s, however, did have their moments before the break, with the best opportunity falling to Danny Blatchford, but he failed to beat the wall from a free-kick. Chinnor would introduce Tom Banks from the bench after the break for his senior debut, and not only should he have gone on and broke the deadlock, but had the game wrapped up, too. His pace was to cause the opposition problems, but from one particular surge forward the youngster would find himself clean through on goal. Bryant raced off his line to reduce the options available, and it would prove to be the right call as Banks was unable to convert. He would find himself with the
goalkeeper to beat once again, but this time could only shoot straight at Bryant. The second sighting of goal came moments after Chinnor saw appeals for a penalty waved away. Luke Axton-Hall appeared to collide with Pete Dumbarton in the box, but the referee was having none of the claims. Finch were also calling on the official to point to the spot when Nathan Onreat-Wells went down under a clumsy-looking challenge by Steve Newell in the penalty area, but the man in charge was once again not convinced. The home side would go close to snatching the lead late on, but only to suffer the same outcome as Bryant once again stood firm. He would first deny Jones from point blank range before keeping out Banks for a third time as the honours finished even. The game between Chalfont Wasps and Finchampstead last Saturday was postponed. This has since been rearranged to take place on Monday, March 28, with a 3pm kick off. Finch are without a game this weekend. Hellenic Division 1 East P W D L Bicester Town 19 13 3 3 Penn & Tylers Green 17 12 3 2 Henley Town 18 11 3 4 Headington Amateur’s 21 10 3 8 Rayners Lane 19 9 5 5 Chinnor 17 9 2 6 Finchampstead 18 7 7 4 Holyport 20 8 4 8 Didcot Town Res’ 18 5 2 11 Wantage Town Res’ 18 5 2 11 Chalfont Wasps 14 4 3 7 Old Woodstock Town 16 3 1 12 Woodley United 19 1 2 16
F 44 50 50 44 44 38 35 36 28 23 25 13 12
A 30 10 24 28 27 26 20 38 49 44 40 48 58
Pts 42 39 36 33 32 29 28 28 17 17 15 10 5
Morley-Lyne the matchwinner as Lydney complete late comeback Binfield 1 Lydney Town 2
A STOPPAGE-TIME strike from Declan Morley-Lyne left Binfield nursing a defeat on Saturday afternoon. The striker would bag all three points for the away side when netting via a curling effort from just inside the Moles’ penalty area, sending the ball past ‘keeper Nathan Silver and inside the far post. This was very much a case of Town snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, as they had only cancelled out Liam Ferdinand’s opening goal on 32 minutes just moments earlier when substitute Matthew Timmins popped up with a goal from a free-kick. Binfield were looking to record a third league win on the spin and started the game by asking all of the questions, with chances falling to James Knight, Josh Howell, Chris Dean, Jemel Johnson and Ferdinand, but neither of the quintet could make any of the opportunities count. Ferdinand, however, was to make amends for his earlier miss when profiting on a Lydney mistake. A high ball pumped into the box was misjudged by Sam Elliott and the striker would seize the moment, nipping in to slide the ball past Richard Thomas in the Lydney goal for a 1-0 lead. Thomas would thwart the same player from a header in the second half before Josh Howell spurned a glorious chance to make it 2-0 in the 77th minute,
Liam Ferdinand opened the scoring Pictures: Colin Byers
turning the ball wide when breaking free. And Binfield would rue the miss, as not long after Timmins was nodding the away side back on level terms. The goal was to spark a dramatic turnaround, as not being intent to sit on the point Lydney, who arrived at Hill Farm Lane unbeaten in their previous four games, went for victory. And they would not be left disappointed, with Morley-Lyne keeping his cool to settle the contest with just seconds remaining. BINFIELD: Silver, O’Connell, Horscroft, Walton, Luis, Broome, Howell, Knight, Ferdinand, Johnson, Dean. Subs not used: Rowland, Jerome, Carlisle.
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Let me focus on football, not contract talks, says Hal HAL ROBSON-KANU appears no closer to signing a new contract with Reading, writes LEWIS RUDD. The 26-year-old will see his existing deal run out in the summer, meaning he would be free to join another club for nothing after that should he not agree new terms with the Royals. Robson-Kanu (pictured) has been one of the standout performers in a season which began full of promise, only to look like ending on a difficult note. And it is such displays which leave many with the opinion the Wales international could be offered a new challenge elsewhere, although the forward-come-winger says he has not
HOW IT ALL STARTED table and just eight points above the manager will tell you that as well. spoken with any potential suitors. just Iwant tohow give my best for the With Robson-Kanu tosteak be restaurant“Iwhere My first job was helpingexpected out in a local learned to select and cook what I thinkdrop is thezone. perfect steak. moved Reading 30 years ago and to at my disappointment wastime not able to findI have a restaurant food I loved most. explained it was about club every I play. beenthat served the McDermott partI of thetoWelsh squad competing My dream was to open a steakhouse in Reading that would serve the quality of steak I had experienced all those years back. the need to address the indifferent here for 11 years now and have been a Euro 2016 this summer, it would Finally, I had the opportunity to buy Colleys Supper Rooms, a restaurant that had been established in Reading for over 20 years in a beautiful the club fantastic to dream. the club, so we willin Febresults have thought the I knew I had the Victorian building that Ibeen had always admired. chance toservant achieve my I opened Barts 2011 andwhich with thehave help ofplagued my fantastic team we have been serving a great ever since. in Thethe décor and atmosphere is continually evolving over the past couple of seasons, but toenvironment see what happens future. attacker wouldexceptional want hissteaks inhave thanks to our loyal future patrons. sorted The menu has grown first opened proud to say fooddismissive has only got better. was of claims motivation focus and nowI am has to be on that the quality of ahead of since we“My is an issue, steaks especially among those finishing theallseason for competition, butinspired by Here at Barts, the we bring together dishes cuisines from over thestrongly world but centered around our renowned andofobviously what does appear and this seafood. Wenot specialise in offeringReading you the steaks the highest going quality, into provided by local whose butchers,long-term future with the team agedcase. for a minimum of 28 is days, flame grilled for superior succulence. remains unknown. a massive summer fortaste my and nation.” to be the He said: “Everybody has their own His boss, Brian McDermott, has Hal has previously Jamshed Miah welcomes you to Barts Grill & Restaurant motivation. You have motivation to get already stated his thoughts on the suggested he is a new contract, or if you’re playing to situation and is hopeful Robson-Kanu keen to wait until get away from the football club to go will extend his stay in Berkshire. the completion of the to a Premier League club – that’s your He is one of several players whose campaign to discuss his motivation. futures with the club remain up in the next move, but was asked “But motivation for a football player air, although many of these are the six about the matter again when I don’t think comes into it. When you talking to the press ahead of Saturday’s who are on loan for the season. go out on that pitch I think they are all The manager kept his squad in the Championship clash with Cardiff City motivated to go out and play. dressing room for some 45 minutes at Madejski Stadium (3pm). “No-one can tell me they haven’t following the 1-0 loss at Brighton on “I won’t be able to tell you that,” he given their lot for Reading.” Tuesday night. said. n FOR more Reading news, turn to A second successive league defeat “All I can focus on is each day and pages 36 and 37. on the spin leaves the club 15th in the each game as it comes and I’m sure the
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MATT FOORD wants to end his career with Bracknell Bees. The forward wrote his name into the club’s history books when surpassing the appearance record of 408 previously set and held by Matt Cote last weekend and now wants to continue adding to his impressive tally. And news of the 34-year-old insisting he wants to continue turning out for the side will no doubt be welcomed with open arms by supporters and players alike after what has been another challenging season on the ice. “I won’t play for anyone else,” said Foord, the Bees captain who pulled level with Cote during Friday’s 6-5 overtime defeat at Hull Pirates and then broke it up at the Sheffield Steeldogs, a game Bracknell were also defeated in, losing 4-2. “My heart is with Bracknell Bees and has been since I joined. I play with my heart on my sleeve and I feel at home here. “I’m happy here and I think I would like to end my career here. I don’t think I will ever play for anyone else. “I have met some wonderful people along the way: friends, fans – everybody. I am honoured to play for the club.” An illustrious career has seen Foord play at three levels of competition within the English game – the British Ice Hockey League, Elite and Premier League. His time with Bees stretches some 11 years and in between a spell with the Swindon Wildcats. Yet little will he have known, or perhaps even cared to have thought about, that when signing on at The Hive back in 2005 and then returning in 2008 and again in 2011, he would one day pull on the black and gold more times than the legendary Cote. “It’s funny because someone mentioned it to me a little while ago, when I was probably
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80 or 70 games off it and I thought that was Roast Lamb 8.95 crazy and that I’m never going to get there Overnight marinated lamb, served with sauté mixed vegetables (Baby Carrots, Broccoli, (to 408 appearances),” added Foord, who was Cauliflower, Green Beans), oven roasted potatoes, honey glazed roasted parsnips, Yorkshire speaking after Sunday’s 4-1with reverse againstmint gravy. Accompanied by mint sauce. pudding, topped Barts homemade Peterborough Phantoms. “But then it got I thought my TAKEas THE DAY nearer OFF FROM COOKING‘oh THIS WEEK AND TREAT YOURSELF, FAMILY OR FRIENDS TO Asurpass SUPERB SUNDAY ROAST god, this is incredible, I could actually this’. “I played against Matt (Cote) and what a player he was, so to be mentioned in the same breath as a player like Matt Cote is just an honour. WWW.BARTSGRILL.COM “I’m just happy I got to play for a0118 club 966 like 2268 Bracknell and when I first started out I didn’t think I would ever get to have these sort of experiences, meet the people I have met, play for the teams I have played for and it is just an overwhelming experience.” Foord is expected to rack up two more appearances for Bees this weekend when the club host Telford Tigers in their final home game of the season on Saturday (6pm) before the campaign is wrapped up away at Manchester Phoenix on Sunday (6.30pm). Whether he will be a Bracknell player next season remains to be seen but Foord, who commutes from Swindon for every game, has been left encouraged by what he has seen both on and off the ice in recent weeks. The shooter believes plans to create a committee to help tackle administrative tasks and potentially setting the club up as a charity is a positive step in the right direction. He also lauded the unquestionable commitment shown by those players who have stuck around through the tough times, many of whom have continued to give their all despite the documented cash flow issues ISSN 2058-5268 surrounding the team. He said: “We are going through a difficult time, but the players we have will not quit. “We won’t give up week in, week out. It is a testament to the whole team that we don’t give up. “We will go to the end.” 9 772058 526009 n For more Bees news, turn to page 34
DRIVEN BY QUALITY Matt Foord has made 410 appearances for Bracknell Bees – and wants to make many more Picture: Bob Swann
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