Wokingham Paper October 16, 2015

The Emmbrook Sixth Form Open Evening Wednesday 21st October 7pm-8.30pm

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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

ANGER AT NEW ROAD LAYOUT

M-way madness A329(M) layout changes claims first victim as dozens more report near misses READ THE FULL SHOCKING STORY ON PAGE 7

Finchampstead: 1,500 homes get the go-ahead

Friday, October 16, 2015 No. 26

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FAMILY NOTICES  In Memoriam

Geoff Taylor

Geoff Taylor 15th October 2014

15th October 2014

Remembering my darling husband Geoff who passed away on the 15th October 2014.

It broke my heart when I lost you A love like ours was just so true.

I miss you everyday my darling.

Your Jeanie.

Remembering my darling husband Geoff who passed away on the 15th October 2014.

It broke my heart when I lost you A love like ours was just so true.

I miss you everyday my darling.

Your Jeanie.

Share your family news in The Wokingham Paper

Is there a new addition in your family?

Is your son or daughter getting married this summer?

Has someone you know recently passed their exams?

Maybe a work colleague is retiring and you would like to wish them well in the future.

Contact The Wokingham Paper to post your announcements today.

We offer a range of packages designed at helping you share your news without breaking the bank.

Send us your wedding pictures

If you’re getting married over the next few weeks, make sure you include us in your plans.

Simply send us a picture of the happy couple and tell us a little about the day and we’ll print it free of charge, when space permits.

Share your bundle of joy!

Have you heard the pitter patter of tiny feet? Has the stork brought you a special delivery? We’d love to share your good news with our readers.

Simply send us a photo of the new arrival and tell us a little about them and we’ll print it free of charge, when space permits.

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Email announcements@wokinghampaper.co.uk or, to place a paid notice, call 0118 960 6060.

Photo by Dijana Capan for The Wokingham Paper.

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YOUR TEAM Publisher PHIL CREIGHTON Reporter GEMMA DAVIDSON Reporter VIVIENNE JOHNSON Features SALLY BRYANT Sports editor LEWIS RUDD Sports reporter TOM CROCKER Chief sub-editor ADAM SMITH Chief photographer PAUL KING Advertising JOHN MOORE

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, October 16, 2015

COURT

Diesel thief with no insurance is fined £450

A WOKINGHAM man has been fined nearly £450 for stealing fuel and driving without insurance.

Jonathan Marcus Murphy, 23, of Outfield Crescent, appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on October 1 charged with two counts of stealing fuel, and one count of driving a vehicle without insurance.

The first count relates to an incident on February 1 this year when Mr Murphy left a filling station in Reading without paying £25 for diesel.

On February 18, Mr Murphy again left a filling station in Wokingham without paying £50.05 for diesel.

My Murphy pleaded not guilty to both charges, but was found guilty.

On February 24 this year Mr Murphy was found to be driving a Ford Escort van in Barkham Road without insurance, to which he pleaded guilty.

Mr Murphy was ordered to pay a total of £349.05 in fines and costs in relation to the theft charges, and fined £100 and given six points on his driving licence for driving without insurance.

FINCHAMPSTEAD

Shop ‘til you drop at play area fundraiser

SHOPAHOLICS can get their fix at a Ladies Shopping Evening in Finchampstead tonight (Friday).

Stalls from dozens of local traders will be crammed into the Finchampstead Memorial Hall between 7.30pm and 9.30pm to raise money for Finchampstead Memorial Park Play Area.

Entrance is £1. For more information call Bev on 07887 637789.

FUNDRAISING

Put your brain power to the test for charity quiz CALLING all quiz masters! There will be a charity quiz night in Finchampstead on Saturday, October 24.

Teams of up to six can enter the quiz at the California Ratepayers’ Hall, with all proceeds going to the California Association.

Tickets are £12 per head which includes a fish and chip supper. Get there for 7pm for a 7.15pm start. Bring your own drinks, nibbles, glasses and pens.

For tickets and more information call Steve on 0118 973 3553 or email secretary@ratepayers.co.uk

Members of Norreys Church during the celebration weekend and, below, dignitaries including Wokingham Borough Council mayor, Councillor Parry Batth, Wokingham Town Council mayor Philip Mirfin and his consort, mayoress Kathy Mirfin. Pictures: Kevin Sutton

NORREYS

Church is still going strong 75 years on!

MEMBERS of a Wokingham church marked its 75th anniversary with a weekend of celebrations at the weekend.

The congregation at Norreys Church marked the occasion with a host of events, including a photographic exhibition and a service attended by local dignitaries.

Peter Jackman, chair of the anniversary committee, said: “We had photographs on show dating back to 1940 and the opening ceremony of the building in Norreys Avenue.

“Nearly 100 former members returned for the celebration, some people we hadn’t seen for 30 or 40 years. It was a wonderful time of reminiscing.”

On Sunday morning a service to mark the occasion was held and attended by Wokingham Borough Council mayor,

CRIME

Farms in Farley Hill targeted by thieves

FOUR men attempted to steal a grass mowing tractor from a farm in Farley Hill on Wednesday, October 8.

At some point during the night, four men entered fields off Castle Road to steal the John Deere 4520 tractor which was held in a locked compound.

They then drove the tractor towards Church Road, but were seen and abandoned it, making off in a Subaru Estate towards Barges Lane.

In a separate incident, between midnight and 10am the following day someone broke into an outbuilding on a farm in Church Lane, stealing a number of tools including a Stihl FS90R strimmer, hedge trimmer attachment and a chainsaw.

If you saw anything suspicious around the time of these incidents you should call 101.

CHURCH

Plenty to do during holiday Bible club

A HURST church is holding a holiday

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

Councillor Parry Batth, Wokingham Town Council mayor, Councillor Philip Mirfin and his consort, mayoress Kathy Mirfin.

Mr Jackman added: “Seventy five years after it was first opened the members of Norreys Church are still endeavouring to serve their local community.

“We have parent and toddler groups, a short mat bowls club, coffee mornings, keep fit and a youth club.”

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.

Bible club for primary school children this half-term.

Epic Explorers will include Bible stories, quizzes, singing, craft activities, prizes and more.

It runs at the Hurst Gospel Hall in Whistley Green from 10am to Noon from Tuesday, October 27, to Thursday, October 29.

Suitable for ages five upwards, organisers say that under fives can be brought along if accompanied by an adult.

For more details about the event and how you can take part, log on to www.hurstgospelhall.org

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, October 16, 2015

FUNDRAISING

Goods go under the hammer at church auction

A CHANCE to flog it comes to Spencers Wood on Saturday.

St Michael’s and All Angels Church is holding an auction event where for each item sold, 75% of the profit goes to the seller and the rest is kept by the church.

Items can be brought to the church today (Friday) until 7pm.

Viewing opens at 5pm on the Saturday and the sale starts at 7pm.

Refreshments from Caf’Active will be available during the sale. For more details, call 0118 988 4520.

CRIME

Haul of power tools stolen from home in Barkham

Sue Jackson helped organise Wokingham In Need’s first charity music night.

POWER tools have been stolen from a property in Barkham.

Some time between Friday and Monday someone broke into a container on a building site in Barkham Road and stole power tools, hand tools, a wacker plate, a diesel power washer, a water pump and a generator.

If anyone has any information relating to this incident they should call the Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.

FUNDRAISING

Dancing the night away for town’s latest charity

MEETING

Pin this Townswomen’s talk date to your calendar A TALK about medals will be the focal point of a meeting of the Wokingham Evening Townswomen’s Guild on Tuesday.

Tom Handy, from the Royal British Legion, will be delivering the talk at the meeting at St Paul’s Parish Rooms, in Reading Road, from 7.30pm.

New members are always welcome. For more details call 0118 989 2649.

The Emmbrook Sixth Form Open Evening

“Students benefit from excellent support in preparing applications for employment and university and high proportions gain entry to OFSTED higher education” Email: Website: Twitter: Phone:

PWhitehouse@emmbrook.wokingham.sch.uk www.emmbrook.wokingham.sch.uk @EmmbrookSchool 0118 978 4406

The Emmbrook School

Learning Together : Succeeding Together

asked if we could set up a club.”

The night helped raise awareness for the new Wokingham In Need charity, which aims to help the borough’s good causes work together. One early example of such co-operation was the recent renovation of the Salvation Army’s kitchen. Now, the charity has set its sights on a bigger goal: helping the borough’s homeless.

Ms Jackson said: “We want to raise at least £10,000 over the next few months so we can move on with the homeless drop-in centre, to provide care and for the consultation process that was needed.”

Plans are being made for a quiz night for the end of November.

TOWN CENTRE

Wednesday 21st October 7pm-8.30pm — Over 25 Advanced Level courses — — PROCOM and Btec courses available — — Outstanding value added at both AS and A2 — — Personalised academic and welfare support — — Wide range of extra curricular and enrichment opportunities —

WOKINGHAM’S newest charity brought together artists from across the borough for an evening of music and fun.

On Saturday, Kings Place in Station Road was the venue for an open mic event organised by Wokingham In Need.

Sue Jackson, who helped organise the event, said: “We had classical music, folk music, every range really, it was varied. It all ended with singing 500 Miles and everyone was on their feet.”

The hall was packed out with people wanting to enjoy the fun and Sue said it was well received.

“The night was such as a success, as people were leaving they said, ‘Please do this again’. Someone else

“All students gain valuable leadership experience through their extensive community service commitments”

OFSTED

New Sixth Form Centre — now open

Temporary Redan closure down to ‘error on licence’

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk A MISTAKE in a Wokingham pub’s licence forced it to close temporarily, the landlord has said.

Andy Rogers, who has run the Redan in Peach Street for more than a decade, has spoken exclusively to The Wokingham Paper to set the record straight.

He said: “I want to dispel any rumours surrounding reports of drugs, illegal lock-ins or financial issues.

“In actual fact what happened was that during the process of applying for our licencing hours an error was made in our recorded music hours. For the past five years we have been playing music for an hour or more than the licence said.

“However it was without a single noise complaint in that time.”

Mr Rogers said the error was spotted during routine checks by the police. Afterwards, someone is suspected to have hacked into the Redan’s Facebook page to post an unsavoury comment.

“The long and short of it is the police shut us down for the recorded music aspect of our licence, we remained shut until they were satisfied it was all in place and correct.

“The Facebook message exacerbated things.

We don’t know who it was by, but it came from our account, hence my official apology and the Redan’s closure.”

Mr Rogers said the closure, over the weekend of October 2, was used to help with staff training and redecoration of the busy pub.

Now, despite reports to the contrary, the pub is

Andy Rogers says the pub’s Facebook page was hacked.

requirements, the Redan now has door staff at weekends and recorded music is being switched off by midnight.

“I’ve always worked with the police as closely as possible,” continued Mr Rogers. “We have always been 100% above the law. We have no trouble here – ever.”

With the popular cocktail bar reopen, Mr Rogers said that the team are now busy preparing for Hallowe’en on Saturday, October 31. Customers are invited to come dressed for the theme American Horror Story.

“It’s bigger than Christmas for us. Hallowe’en takes an effort. We spend money on decorations.

Every year it gets better and better. This year’s will

PLANNING

It’s ‘yes’ to 1,500-home garden village in Finch

By VIVIENNE JOHNSON vjohnson@wokinghampaper.co.uk PLANS for 1,500 new homes in Finchampstead were unanimously approved by Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) earlier this week, despite continued objections from residents.

Outline planning permission for the construction of the dwellings, ranging from one and two bed flats to five bed houses, was given unanimous approval at Wednesday evening’s meeting of the Planning Committee.

A further 2,000 houses, a primary school, neighbourhood centre, allotments and green space are planned elsewhere in the Arborfield Garrison Strategic Development Location (SDL).

The area is expected to take around 15 years to be fully developed.

The rubber stamping of the approval went ahead despite a wave of objection from Finchampstead residents.

Resident Suzanne Sach said at the meeting: “Hogwood Farm development has been described as a ‘garden village’. A garden village has two main ingredients: it should be near a main transport connection, and there should be employment in the location. A garden village should be sustainable.

“My main objection is that there is a lack of public transport; in phase one the bus service to Wokingham

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is only hourly. This is the biggest SDL [Strategic Development Location] out of all of them but there are no plans to get this site linked to Reading and Cross Rail.

“There is no inspiration behind this scheme regarding buses and public transport, at the moment there is no real alternative to using a car.

“I am disappointed that these issues that residents have been bringing up for months have been brushed aside by the planning committee.”

Another resident, Rachel Stockton, who also spoke at the meeting, said: “Where is the drainage and the surface water from the sustainable drainage system going to be routed to? I received no specific answer to this question, I was just told that a risk assessment had been carried out on the Blackwater River.

“Two pumping stations that are meant to deal with surface water can’t cope as it is. The development is 110 hectares of which 49% will be developed and covered in concrete with all the run off.”

Cllr Simon Weeks, chair of the planning committee, said: “This is the last of the SDL applications.

This application can clearly accommodate 1,500 houses.

“We have had numerous public meetings and consultations, 180 objections and 55 letters of comment. WBC wrote to every household in the area and there has been a considerable period of consultation.”

CHARITY

Beatrice makes it a right royal occasion From left: Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire, James Puxley, Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice of York, and Rory Carson, Director at Oxford Properties and Asset Manager at Green Park

A CHARITY that helps other charities received a royal seal of approval this week.

The Berkshire Community Foundation, which helps charities including the Dingley Family Centre which has a branch in Wokingham, was visited by its patron on Monday.

Princess Beatrice visited the Foundation to officially open its new offices at 100 Longwater Avenue.

She then went on to visit the Dingley Family Centre’s Reading branch.

Gerry Lejeune, CEO of Berkshire Community Foundation, said: “We were honoured to welcome

our Patron on her first visit to the Foundation this morning and delighted in the interest and knowledge that HRH Princess Beatrice has shown in our work.”

Rory Carson, Director at Oxford Properties and Asset Manager of Green Park in Reading, said: “The Berkshire Community Foundation is an enormously respected charity and we are delighted to have been able to support and find a new home for them.”

The Berkshire Community Foundation is an independent charity that raises funds and awards

grants to local voluntary and community groups. In 2014/15 it was able to give more than £900,000 to local causes.

The Dingley Family Centre in Reading supports the education and development of young children with disabilities and additional needs, and their families, through play.  For more information on the Berkshire Community Foundation visit www. berkshirecommunityfoundation. org.uk. For more information on the Dingley Family Centre visit www.dingley.org.uk

ITALIAN WINE LUNCH Enjoy Head Chef Tom Clarke’s Michelin starred three course lunch with a glass of red or white wine

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The site of the planned 1,500-home development in Finchampstead. Picture courtesy of Wei Yang & Partners

Thinking Thinking Thinking Thinking Charity offers help to those about whose relationship has endedabout about about Thinking divorce? divorce? divorce? divorce? about COURSE

A CHARITY that helps people through the pain of divorce and separation is to launch a new course in the borough.

Divorce Recovery Workshop (DRW) is launching the new course at Brookside Hall in Brookside Close, Call ustoday today arrange Call us Call today us to arrange toto arrange Earley, over two Friday evenings and Saturday Call us today to arrange freeconsultation initial consultation a free aainitial free initial consultation consultation days – October 23/24 and 30/31. Organisers say a it free initial is for people whose relationship has broken down, Tel: 01256 Tel: 01256 584000 584000 Tel: 01256 584000 Call us today to arrange Tel: 01256 584000 whether they have been married or not.

Email:Email: info@kjsmith.co.uk info@kjsmith.co.uk a free initial consultation Email: info@kjsmith.co.uk John Kemp, a founder trustee of DRW and from Email: Visit:info@kjsmith.co.uk Visit: www.kjsmith.co.uk www.kjsmith.co.uk Visit: www.kjsmith.co.uk Tel: 01256 584000 Wokingham, said: “We come across a lot of people Visit: www.kjsmith.co.uk Email: info@kjsmith.co.uk whose break up was years ago, but they can still be Visit: www.kjsmith.co.uk feeling hurt, angry or betrayed. They haven’t been able to move on. We are here to help.”

Anne of Reading, who attended a DRW course, said: “It can be a horrible, tough, awful time. DRW showed me a way through. I never imagined I could live life to the full again.”

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divorce?

Please call 0118 988 8500 or book a table online. Available Tuesday to Friday until 27th November. Maximum 6 people per booking.

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, October 16, 2015

SALE

Baking good for vital cancer care charity

Sheila, Gillian, Gill and Diana helped organise the cake sale. Picture: Kevin Sutton

A CAKE sale helped a church friendship group raise money for charity.

Members of the All Saints Fellowship, part of the church in Wiltshire Road, baked in aid its charity of the year, Wokingham District Cancer Care Trust.

As well as the tasty treats, the group raffled a hanging basket with the winning ticket drawn by the Revd Anna Harwood.

Gill Sutterby, who helps lead the group, said: “We raised over £150, which was fantastic for our small group.”

The group will next meet at 7.45pm on Wednesday, October 21, at the Cornerstone in Norreys Avenue.

The guest speaker will be Jane Bolton of the Cat’s Protection League and the group is requesting donations of cat food which will be given to the charity. Everyone is welcome. n For more details call 0118 977 0223.

Clockwise: Wokingham Red Cross, top, Northwood, Parkinsons, Happy Hedgehog Rescue, and South Central Ambulance Service. Pictures: Paul King

VOLUNTEER DAY

Just the job for local charities A RECORD-breaking number of charities joined a recruitment event at Wokingham Volunteer Centre on Saturday.

More than 30 organisations set up stalls at Wokingham Volunteer Centre in Denton Road to enable local people to see their work and hopefully offer their spare time.

Helena Badger, Volunteer Development Coordinator for the centre, said: “There were 34 organisations attending this year,

which was a record.

“The organisations ticked every box.

There were children’s and elderly charities, conservation and animal organisations and charity shops.

“We had over 100 people through the door, from 14-year-olds to retired people.

Some people were out of work and looking to fill their time or get work experience.

“This event is part of the ongoing support we offer charities in Wokingham.”

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COUNCIL

War of words erupts over budget consultation filming

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk A ROW has broken out over whether council budget discussion meetings should be filmed.

The borough council is currently embarking on a series of consultation meetings with local residents aimed at discerning how best to find savings of £4million as a result of central Government cuts.

The first meetings took place last week but local resident Kaz Lokuciewski has hit out at being banned from filming the meetings.

In a Tweet to the Wokingham Paper, he said he wanted to record what was being said to ensure the councillors are heard on the record.

However, on a similar thread on the discussion forum StreetLife, several people have said that they do not want him filming the meetings and both the leader of the council and the Liberal Democrat leader condemned his approach on the same thread.

On StreetLife, Councillor Keith Baker warned him “Both of our groups have

Wokingham resident Kaz Lokuciewski has been pressing to have budget consultation meetings filmed

different politics so when we say the same thing it should be listened to”.

Speaking to The Wokingham Paper, Cllr Baker said the budget consultation meetings start with a presentation to outline the situation facing the council, then give the public an opportunity to talk with councillors and senior council officers about areas and subjects they wish to find out more about.

He said: “It’s important we start talking

now to local people to help them better understand our financial challenges.

“It’s about having open and honest conversations with our residents about how we can best use our limited resources.

“It is not practical to film the dozens of conversations happening simultaneously around all parts of the venue – nor would it authentically capture the event.

“Also, some residents have also already told us they don’t wish to be filmed and that is their right.

“The presentation at the start of the evening is being filmed and will be available on our website shortly afterwards.” n There are two meetings next week, with the remaining two taking place during half-term.

On Monday the venue will be St Crispin’s School, London Road, Wokingham. Then, on Thursday the meeting will be held at Charvil Village Hall in The Hawthorns, off Park Lane.

Finchampstead Memorial Hall in The Village will be used on Monday, October 26, and the final session takes place on Wednesday, October 28, at The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Woodley. Sessions run from 7pm to 9pm and all are welcome.

Friday, October 16, 2015 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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ANGER

Accident at confusing new A329M layout

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk A WOMAN who crashed her car on the A329M on Wednesday night could be the first victim of a new road layout which has been enraging motorists across Wokingham.

The woman’s car overturned during the accident, which happened shortly after 7pm on the Wokingham-bound carriageway near Winnersh and close to the junction with the M4 where changes to the road layout have recently been introduced.

Firefighters from Bracknell and Ascot were called to the scene to make the car safe, but the driver not require any hospital treatment.

The changes to the busy road were made at some point over last weekend, meaning the left-hand lane of the carriageway now filters onto the M4, while the right-hand lane only continues on the A329M. Angry motorists have complained to Wokingham Borough Council, who own the stretch of road, and Highways England, who carried out the works, that small temporary yellow signs do not give drivers enough warning of the changed layout, causing many to swerve at the last minute to avoid joining the M4.

Many drivers are being caught out by the A329M’s new lane layout. Picture: Paul King

John Kaiser, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for planning and highways, said: “When Highways England started the project we handed over that stretch of the A329M to them as the M4 J10 scheme is theirs and their responsibility.

“We’ve been talking to them over the past few days asking them to resolve this situation as a matter of urgency, and also passing on people’s concerns who’ve contacted us.”

Prue Bray, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Winnersh, said: “It is extremely poor that Highways England have

created such a dangerous situation by not having adequate signs in place when the new lanes went in.

“Also, it looks like what they have done will only increase congestion on the A329(M) by forcing more traffic into one lane. I have already asked for an explanation of why this was thought to be a good idea. The council trusted Highways England and didn’t check up on what they were doing.

I hope they will be more careful in future.”

On Wednesday afternoon, Ed French, Highways England spokesman, said the agency would be installing permanent signs

within the next two weeks.

He said: “We are aware of the problems road users have been experiencing in this area and apologise for any inconvenience they may have encountered.

“We will be installing permanent signs over the coming two weeks. In the meantime we have arranged with our contractors for the current signs to be moved to give drivers better advance warning of the new road layout and have also instructed the contractors to install further temporary signs over the next few days.”

But that is too little too late for many motorists, who say that the changes to the carriageway are an accident waiting to happen.

Fiona Baskett commented on our website: “Now that the A329M has been reduced to a single lane, surely the speed limit needs to be reduced, as now it is far too dangerous? I have witnessed several near misses, and without major signage and numbers painted on the road inexperienced drivers will … end up on the motorway.”

Ray Rampton wrote: “What a shambles, near accident there on Sunday, cars jumping across lanes, accident waiting to happen, what [idiot] designed this junction layout, wants shooting, won’t be long before he has blood on his/her hands.

REACTION

Facebook views Karen Livingstone: “I drove down the A329m last night and we played the game ‘spot the sign’. The only one we saw (and it wasn’t that big) was almost at the junction where the road takes you off to the M4.

Thankfully we know the road but I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t. Great news that signs are going up!!!!!”

Lilly Jane Eyre: “It’s an accident waiting to happen. I almost went into the back of a van earlier as it panic swerved into my lane to avoid being swept onto the M4. Need proper full size “get in lane” signs asap.”

Suzanne Taylor: “Agree with everyone.

Sooooo dangerous. No one saw any signs.

It’s an accident waiting to happen! We had to change lanes at the last minute and was lucky no one was in our way. If the road had been busier there would have been an accident for sure!”

Kirsty Jayne Allder: “This new layout is so confusing as the signage is non existent until the last minute. I’d been warned about it, so knew which lane I had to be in, but saw plenty of cats swerving into the outside lane at the last minute. This is going to cause a serious accident!!

Jo-Ann C Rogers: “Dangerous!! Small yellow sign literally just before the fork, not big enough and not enough time to SAFELY change lanes! Ridiculous! What were they thinking? Use this road daily, and see almost collisions every time.”

8 | NEWS

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, October 16, 2015

HEALTH

Residents urged to speak out on GP service changes

RESIDENTS are being reminded that there is still time to give their views on plans to improve patient care in the Borough.

Wokingham Clinical Commissioning Goup (CCG) is holding a Have Your Say event on on Tuesday and local people are being encouraged to come along and share their views on the CCGs’ plans to develop GP services to meet future needs.

There will also be a chance to discuss with local doctors the impact of the new Primary Care Strategy and to discuss future commissioning plans.

Dr Johan Zylstra, Chair of Wokingham CCG, said: “We know that the NHS must adapt and change in the face of the different demands being placed on it.

“With demand for appointments increasing each year, challenges in recruiting staff and advances in technology, I would encourage as many local people as possible to attend so your views can inform how patient care will look in future.”

The event takes place from 10am to noon at Sindlesham Court, RG41 5EA. People wishing to attend can reserve a place by calling 0118 982 2709, or emailing ppiteam. berkshirewest@nhs.net

CLUB

Open day visitors are bowled over

CRIME

A BOWLING club opened its doors to prospective new members last weekend.

Whiteknights Bowls Club, based in Beech Lane, Earley is managed by England international medal winner Andy Knapper.

Sue Griffin, one of the coaches at the club, said it has been running for 45 years and has put friendships at its heart.

She said: “The social life is an important part of the club. After a match or a practice session people will go to the on-site cafe for a drink or

Motorbikes stolen after garage door is removed

ANGER

TWO motorcycles were stolen during a break-in at a property in Winnersh earlier this week.

At some time between 11pm on Tuesday and 6am on Wednesday the motorcycles were stolen from a locked car port in Reading Road.

The offenders unscrewed off the garage door in order to break in.

Anyone with any information relating to this incident should call the Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.

If you suspect a crime is in progress you should always call 999.

something to eat.”

The club runs coaching sessions on Sunday mornings for people looking to learn how to improve their game.

“Whiteknights is one of the best coaching schools with advanced coaches. New players, if they join now will be coached until January when they will all go into a new league for beginners.”

For more details, log on to www. whiteknightsibc.co.uk or call 0118 986 0759.

Jean Pound, John McKenzie, Jan Belshaw and Kulwant Channa, who are all coaches at Whiteknights bowls club.

Water mess! Roadworks on A4 cause traffic chaos

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk

MOTORISTS have been suffering a week of tailbacks on the A4 near Twyford after roadworks by Thames Water caused massive TOWN CENTRE disruption in the area.

Angry parents have taken to social media to complain that the roadworks have resulted in their children being late for school, and asking why the works could not have been postponed WOKINGHAM Job Support Centre will until during the half term week. be closed for two days next week for an IT The work started on Monday and is due to upgrade. be completed next Friday. Thames Water is The centre, at The Cornerstone in Norreys working to construct a chamber over a 12-inch Avenue, will be closed on Monday, October 19, main pipe and install a gate valve. Traffic is and Tuesday, October 20. being controlled with two-way signals.

A spokesperson for the centre apologised Sarah Andrews, spokesperson for Thames to users for any inconvenience caused by the Water, said: “We appreciate our work on the closure.

A4 is disruptive for road users and we’ll do all we can to finish the job and take down the traffic lights as soon Established 2006 as possible. The work is necessary to reduce the risk of leaks and bursts in We want to put a smile on your face the area and provide customers with Motorists have taken to social media to complain about long delays on the A4. a more reliable water supply.”

Job Centre closed for computer upgrade

CRIME

Cash stolen during knifepoint robbery A MAN was threatened with a knife during a robbery in Woodley last week.

The 46-year-old victim was walking along Headley Road East at around 10.25pm on Friday when he was approached by a man who followed him to a garden in the same road and threatened him with a knife.

The attacker demanded cash before escaping on foot towards Welford Road.

Money and cigarettes were stolen during the robbery, but the victim was not injured.

The offender is described as white, about 5ft 11ins and stocky. He was wearing dark combat style trousers, hi-top trainers and a woollen hat.

Investigating officer, Kate Devonshire of Local CID based at Loddon Valley police station, said: “I would like to hear from anyone who recognises the description of the offender provided, or saw anything suspicious in the area at the time.

“If anyone has any information please contact me via the Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.”

If you do not want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

No personal details are taken and you will not go to court.

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This is not just any grant... charity scoops M&S cash A WOKINGHAM-based charity is looking forward to seeing the light after winning a national competition.

Just Around The Corner (JAC) has scooped a £20,000 grant from Marks & Spencer in its Community Energy Fund.

The contest saw a range of projects face a public vote, with the most votes winning the cash prize.

Rehoboth, JAC’s equine assisted learning centre in Forest Road, came top of the contest, which ran throughout September. The money will pay for the installation of solar panels

on the site, giving the charity access to free electricity.

Mireille Haviland, the charity’s resources manager, said that the award will make a big difference to the work that it does with young people.

Speaking to The Wokingham Paper, she said: “It’s going to make us more sustainable as a charity, but the most important thing is that the money that we spend on bills – which is quite a lot – we can put all that back into our services for young people. Obviously it helps for the future by [making us] sustainable.

“And there’s the educational aspect.

It really fits in with the educational package that young people will learn about.”

The JAC team had a nervous wait to find out if they would come top. Voting could have gone either way.

Ms Haviland said: “It was really exciting. We were up watching till midnight [when the vote closed] – right up until the last minute! We’ve just been really overwhelmed with the response that we got.

“Originally when we entered it we were going to enter the regional

competition, but the prize was £12,500 and our project cost £20,000. So we entered the national one because it covered the cost.”

The panels will be installed on the offices of JAC, on a south facing roof and, all being well, the project should be completed early in the New Year.

“We will probably get the grant in the next month and I’m hoping in the next two to three months it will be up and running,” Ms Haviland said.

“We’ve had to put in lots of paperwork but we’re well on the way to getting there.”

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10 | BUSINESS

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Business Community supermarket gets new look

SummerCampaign_A5_001.pdf

1

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

Italian treats tempt Woodley shoppers

POST OFFICE

A NEW-look post office was unveiled by Wokingham’s town mayor in Emmbrook last weekend.

Following a major refurbishment the One Stop store in Reading Road, which incorporates the Post Office, was officially reopening by Councillor Philip Mirfin on Saturday.

Owner Sanjay Odedra, who has been running the store since 1988, said he was pleased with the turn-out on the day.

Mr Odedra said: “I think people were

A touch of the Mediterranean came to Woodley last Friday when Italia in Piazza held its regular Italian market.

Shoppers could choose from a range of continental food including artisan breads, cakes and sweets, olives, cheeses and delicatessen meats.

Woodley Town Centre Manager Jacques Lherbier said: “The Italian Market has been coming to Woodley for about five years now. They come twice a year; in March and then at the end of Summer.

“It was a lovely day which was well attended. It’s very popular with the residents and will be back next year.”

quite shocked by how different the shop looks now. We are competing with the larger supermarkets so we have quite a professional look now.

“We were really pleased with how many people came along for the official re-opening. We like to think of ourselves as a community supermarket where people can get everything they need without having to travel too far.”  The shop donated £500 to WADE as part of its celebrations.

14:39

Town Mayor Philip Mirfin joined the team at the Emmbrook Post Office for its reopening Picture: Paul King

PARTNERSHIP

Good business education is on the cards with LEP

By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, October 16, 2015

LINKS between business and schools will be strengthened thanks to a £100,000 Government award.

The Thames Valley Berkshire LEP has received the cash boost to join the national roll-out of Enterprise Advisers programme, led by government’s Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC). The programme will see the recruitment of more business volunteers to advise schools’ senior leadership teams, with the aim to better equip young people with the skills needed to join the workforce.

This programme is a key element to the

LEP’s Berkshire Future Talent project.

As part of the scheme, Learning to Work will provide the first phase of the project: a study to map employer engagement across Thames Valley Berkshire schools and provide baseline data for an Enterprise Adviser Network.

Robin Barnes, Berkshire Future Talent project sponsor, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to link Berkshire schools and young people with experienced business leaders located in the area, who are willing to share their knowledge and skills. There is currently a disparity between the educational choices that young people are making and where the jobs vacancies exist now and will exist in the future.

“This programme is essential if we are to prepare our young people for the future labour market and ensure schools have the networks of support to get pupils work ready.”

Claudia Harris, chief executive of The Careers & Enterprise Company, said: “Our role is to shine a light on the many excellent schemes that exist today, fill gaps and improve coverage.

“The Enterprise Adviser network will allow us to do this, helping schools connect more smoothly to the many excellent employerengagement schemes that already exist and increasing engagement where today it is limited.”

CMY

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MEETING

LAW

Exporting advice

New role for technology expert Joanne

BUSINESSES looking for helping with exporting can attend a seminar next month.

The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce is holding the day-long training event at its Slough offices on Tuesday, November 3.

It is aimed at exporting beginners and entry costs from £375+VAT.  Full details and how to book are on its website, www. thamesvalleychamber.co.uk

A BERKSHIRE-based solicitors has welcomed lawyer Joanne Frears as the firm’s 18th partner.

She joins the Corporate and Commercial team from a leading London law firm.

She will provide commercial legal advice to technology companies and users with particular focus on technology for the retail sector; advising AR providers, wearable developers, auction and aggregation platform developers and innovators on all aspects of technology commercialisation,

intellectual property protection, licensing, commercialisation and defence of IP. She also advises writers, performers and theatrical agents.

Partner David Few, head of the firm’s Corporate and Commercial team, added: “We are delighted to welcome Joanne to the firm as a partner.

“Jo brings many years of experience in assisting clients protect and exploit their intellectual property.

She is widely admired and her expertise will no doubt prove to be invaluable.”

Friday, October 16, 2015 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

NEWS | 11

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FUNDRAISING

Boogying on down for WADE funds A FUN music night helped raise hundreds of pounds for a Wokingham charity.

Last Friday, Wokingham Lions teamed up with WADE (Wokingham and District Elderly association) to host Boogie Night.

The evening included live music from the Back Beat Boogie Band, a bar run by the Queen’s Head pub and food. It took place at WADE’s Reading Road base.

Sue Jackson, from Wokingham Lions, was delighted with how the evening went.

She said: “It went extremely well, I’m very pleased with it.”

Jackie Wilson, from WADE, said it was a great evening that was enjoyed by all.

“There were a number of people from sheltered accommodation in Wokingham, Glebelands, who had heard about this event and they all had such a fantastic time and enjoyed meeting other people their

BEFORE AFTER age and there were younger people.”

The final figure raised is still to be confirmed as The Wokingham Paper went to press, but it is expected to be around £800-900.

However, Mrs Jackson is also pleased with the way in which Wokingham came together for the evening.

“What I’m trying to do is to get people together.

I know I’m pushing it all the time, but it’s kinda what I do.”

CONSERVATORIES & ORANGERIES

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CRIME

Did you see injured man fleeing crash scene after robbing pizza delivery driver?

A MAN who attacked a pizza delivery driver, stole his car and crashed it into another vehicle in Wokingham on Saturday night is being hunted by police.

Just before 9pm a 24-year-old man was delivering pizza to an address in Goodchild Road.

He returned to his car, a silver Vauxhall Corsa, when he was grabbed from behind by a man.

The attacker punched the victim in the stomach, before stealing his car keys and the car.

The stolen car was then driven along London Road, before colliding with a VW Polo in Finchampstead Road. The Vauxhall Corsa ended

up on its roof, and the offender made off on foot.

It is believed the offender may have sustained injuries from the collision.

Detective Constable Stuart Hawkes, of Loddon Valley CID, said: “We would like to speak to anyone who saw the robbery in Goodchild Road or the silver Corsa being driven through Wokingham around that time or an injured man running from the scene in Finchampstead Road.”  Anyone with information about this incident, who has not yet contacted the police, is asked to call 101 quoting URN 1425 10/10 and ask to speak to Det Con Hawkes.

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12 | NEWS

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, October 16, 2015

COURT

CHILDREN

Lager thief ordered to pay £255 after guilty plea

Children enjoy stories of song and stickers at library

A WOODLEY man has been given a conditional discharge after pleading guilty to stealing alcohol from Sainsbury’s Local in Wokingham.

Callum Mark Mottram, 20, of Loddon Bridge Road, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on October 1 charged with stealing four cans of Stella Artois lager worth £4.80 from the store in Ashridge Road on August 26.

Mr Mottram was also charged with failing to appear at the same court on September 24 having been released on bail on September 10.

He was given a conditional discharge for 18 months, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20, and costs totalling £235 after pleading guilty to both charges.

YOUNG children and their parents gathered for a very special Story Time at Wokingham Library last month.

Author and illustrator Suzanne Barton visited the library in Denmark Street on Tuesday, September 29 to read from her book The Dawn Chorus and also give a sneak peek at her latest book, Robin’s Winter Song.

The children listened intently as Suzanne read to them, before having a great time colouring in their own birds

and decorating them with stickers and brightly coloured feathers.

Suzanne said: “I come from an illustration background, I had written a couple of books before but never about animals or wildlife.

“I remember sitting in my garden one day and hearing the dawn chorus and thinking that would make a lovely subject for a story.” n For future author events visit www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries

CHURCH

Cat food collection during Fellowship’s monthly talk

Suzanne Barton (above and right) gave a talk to youngsters at Wokingham Library. She also gave them a preview of her latest offering Robin’s Winter Song.

Pictures: Paul King

THE All Saints Fellowship will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday.

The group, which meets at The Cornerstone in Norreys Avenue, will welcome Jane Bolton from the Cat’s Protection League.

She will talk about the group’s work and how it will collect cans of cat food for the League to use.

The group meets from 7.45pm and entry is £1.50, which includes refreshments.

Help with transport is available. For details, call Gill Sutterby on 0118 977 0223.

SUPPORT

Drop-in cafe offers meals on Christmas Day

A CAFE that meets in Spencers Wood is planning to open on Christmas Day so no one need be on their own.

Caf’Active, which is part of St Michael’s and All Angels Church on Basingstoke Road, will open its doors on Friday, December 25, for a festive meal.

Places should be booked in advance with the cafe and the church wants to hear from people who would benefit from friendship and food on the big day.

For more details, call the benefice office on 0118 988 5923.

RELIGION

Celebrate All Saints at church’s activity day

AN OPPORTUNITY to celebrate All Saints Day will take place in Wokingham later this month.

The church of All Saints in Wiltshire Road will hold a community service with an activity afternoon on Saturday, October 31.

Then, the following day, it will hold a familyfriendly party from 11am.

The theme will be Message In A Bottle and guests should bring some food to share.

For more details, log on to www. allsaintswokingham.org.uk

POLICE

Protect your tack at police marking event

A TACK marking event will be taking place in Wokingham later this month.

PC Laura Wright and PCSO Suzie Carr will be visiting the Pony Club Field in Barkham between 10am and 2pm on Monday, October 26, to security mark any equipment.

For further information contact PCSO Suzie Carr 07973 154 636 or PC Laura Wright 07814485291.

RELIGION

Pop in for some healing at town church’s service

ALL Saints Church in Wiltshire Road will hold a healing service next month.

The special service will be held on Sunday, November 22, from 6.30pm.

UNIVERSITY OF READING

Tributes to ‘wonderful’ professor who died taking pictures at American beauty spot

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk AN “OUTSTANDING” professor from the University of Reading has been killed while working in America.

Prof Alexei Likhtman, 44, who taught in the Mathematics department at the university, died while trekking on the Appalachian Trail in Maryland when he fell nearly 50 feet from a rock.

Prof Likhtman was on a work trip and was trying to take a photograph at Annapolis Rock when he fell at around 10.30am local time.

Prof Likhtman had worked at the university for eight years after joining from the University of Leeds in May 2007.

His family said in a statement: “Alexei was the best husband, father, son and friend anyone could have wished for. He was a kind, tender, caring, loyal and reliable person.

“He was generous, supportive and wise

in every life situation.

“His intelligence, ambition and passion accompanied him in everything he did.

His talents stretched across many hobbies and interests including skiing, hiking, badminton, woodwork and photography.

“We were all hugely proud of his achievements as a scientist, but will remember him most as a deeply loving and happy person who lived life to the full. Words cannot fully describe our devastation at his sudden loss.”

Sir David Bell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: “I was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Professor Alexei Likhtman. The University of Reading community has been deeply affected by this tragic news.

“He was an outstanding leader, academic and friend. My thoughts are with all his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Professor Alexei Likhtman.

Dr Stephen Langdon, head of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, said: “Alexei Likhtman was a rare academic. He was, without doubt, one of the leading theoretical physicists of his generation.

“He was an intellectual powerhouse, with academic gravitas way beyond his 44 years, yet utterly approachable, modest and always friendly in a natural way that charmed anybody who met him.

“Alexei was so much more than an academic and an intellectual. He was a great friend, a funny, spirited, yet always serious person, and our department will not be the same without his daily passionate presence, his enthusiasm for science, his warm friendship.

“Colleagues have said Alexei had ‘a wonderful character combining modern efficiency with the honest spirit of former times’; described him as a ‘wonderful person and a great scientist’ and as a ‘good friend of the whole group’.

“We still cannot grasp what has happened. His loss has left a gaping hole in our department, and in the heart of all his colleagues, and he will be sorely missed.”

EDUCATION

Uni student’s petition plea to save ‘unique’ deaf studies qualification

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk

A STUDENT from the University of Reading has launched a petition to save a course from closure.

Sophie Mendham, who is currently studying for a degree in Theatre Arts, Education and Deaf Studies (TAEDS), launched the petition last week and it has already gained 1,500 signatures.

The three-year course, which is open to both deaf and hearing students, uses

signing to study drama and theatre, and is believed to be the only course of its kind in the UK. Miss Mendham said: “I [started the petition] because of the uniqueness of the course and the effect that it will have on the deaf community that are already involved with us.

“Not only this but it will mean that we lose all ties with the different schools we go to establishing relationships with the teachers and students.

“We go to schools that have students that are deaf or hearing impaired, and we

become a realistic role model for them.

If the uni close the course they will be taking that away.”

Carolann Grandison, a spokesperson for the university, said: “The Institute is considering introducing a new BA Education that would offer a fully inclusive degree for students with special educational needs.

“As part of this, the Institute is reviewing the long-term future of the BA in Theatre Arts, Education & Deaf Studies from 2016 onwards.

“These internal discussions are

ongoing, and no decisions have yet been taken.

“The Institute and University will set out the next steps later this month. In the meantime, we will keep prospective students, current students and staff fully informed.

“Regardless of any future decisions, we can confirm that all current undergraduates will be able to complete their full course at Reading, even if TAEDS closes to new undergraduates.” n To sign the petition visit chn.ge/1QlrPeL

Friday, October 16, 2015 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

NEWS | 13

To advertise call 0118 966 6600

FUNDRAISING

LIONS

Strum along to Guild’s charity music evening

Life-saving defibrillator fitted at church A CHURCH in Woodley now has a publiclyaccessible defibrillator thanks to the work of a local charity.

The Lilly-May Page Foundation, which is part of the Arrhythmia Alliance, donated the life-saving equipment to Emmanuel Church, in Southlake Crescent, on Saturday to be made available to the public 24 hours a day.

The cabinet in which the defibrillator will be kept was bought and installed thanks to money raised by the Woodley and Earley Lions Club.

Claire Page, whose daughter Lilly-May tragically collapsed and died at the age of five in May 2014, said she was thrilled to have a defibrillator installed at the church.

Ms Page said: “This is the first defibrillator from the Lilly-May Page fund.

It has total public access and is in my home town, which is fantastic.”

AN EVENING of guitar music will help the Wokingham Evening Townswomen’s Guild raise funds for charity later this month.

The group will hold its autumn buffet on Saturday, October 24, at its regular meeting place, St Paul’s Parish Rooms on Reading Road.

The event starts at 7.30pm and includes music from Graeme Parsons. Half of the money raised on the night will go to the Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

The event comes just days after the group holds its normal October meeting.

Tom Handy, from the Royal British Legion, will speak about medals on Tuesday, October 20. This meeting is also at the Parish Rooms and also starts at 7.30pm.

The Guild said that it always welcomes new members. For more details, call 0118 989 2649.

COURT

Rev Sean Riorden of Emmanuel Church, campaigner Claire Page and Mike Tarling of Woodley and Earley Lions

WINNERSH RANGERS

Footballer booted from club over claims he struck ref during cup clash

By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk A LOCAL footballer is facing an indefinite ban from the game after allegedly hitting out at a match official.

Aaron Lynch has also been axed by his club, Winnersh Rangers, following the alleged incident which occured during a Berks and Bucks FA Intermediate Cup clash against Westwood United last Saturday.

Rangers were leading the second round tie 4-2 when referee Stephen McMahon called the fixture to a halt after he was

understood to have been struck in the face by Lynch, whom he had just sent off having been shown a second yellow card.

The club have since withdrawn from the competition as a result of the incident, condeming the player in a stronglyworded statement which confirmed Lynch will no longer represent the Division 1 side.

Alan Rodhouse, secretary, said: “As a club we are extremely disappointed at

the shameful incident on Saturday.

“We have a zero tolerance stance on any actions that go against the (Football Association’s) Respect campaign and do not condone this type of behaviour at all.

“The player concerned will not play for Winnersh Rangers again. The club apologise, unreservedly to the referee, opposition and the league.”

The Berks and Bucks Football

Association were unavilable for comment at the time The Wokingham Paper went to press, but it is understood the association could well issue Lynch with a ‘Sine Die’ suspension, meaning he will be banned from playing any representative football in the near future, subject to any appeal.

Unfortunately, this was not the only unsavory moment in local football at the weekend, with it being reported a female official was subjected to a verbal attack by a player following a match between Woodcote Stoke Row and Cookham Dean.

Guide Dogs fundraising drive is a glowing success

Put the village shop on your Christmas list

ANYONE looking to buy Christmas presents from local companies will be in for a treat when they visit Beech Hill next month.

The Village Shop in St Mary’s Church will be holding a special event on Thursday, November 19 from 6pm.

The event will see local food suppliers and artisan crafters set up shop in the church, allowing you to buy direct and find out more about the item being purchased.

For more details, call the shop on 0118 327 2645.

TALK

SPENCERS WOOD

Village hall’s history laid bare at open meeting

POLICE

Man dies and three others are seriously injured during M4 crash the scene. His next of kin have been informed.

Three other men in the vehicle were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford with serious injuries.

Three other men who were also travelling in the vehicle were taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. Their injuries are currently not known.

SHOPPING

THE SHINFIELD Women’s Institute will find out how to become train robbers when it meets next month.

The group will relieve the 1962 Great Train Robbery at its meeting on Wednesday, November 18.

It will be held from 7.30pm at the Parish Hall in Church Road, Shinfield.

For more details, call 0118 988 2648.

neon accessories for the event.

It was just one of the ways funds were raised during Guide Dogs Week, which ran from October 3-11. The team also took part in street collections and a quiz night.

The Guide Dogs team are looking for more volunteers to help them with their work.

For more details, call 0845 3727433.

A MAN has died after the car he was travelling in crashed on the M4 on Monday night.

Shortly before 10pm a black Citroen C4 Grand Picasso travelling west between junctions 8/9 and 10 left the carriageway.

No other vehicles are believed to have been involved.

The front passenger – Ashley Doyle, 27, from Weston-super-Mare – died at

A WOMAN from Woodley has appeared in court charged with assault and theft.

Karlena Shelena Greene, 27, of Wheble Drive, faced the two charges when she appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on October 1. They relate to alleged incidents in Twyford on June 9.

Ms Greene has pleaded not guilty to both charges, and has been bailed to appear at East Berkshire Magistrates Court in Maidenhead on January 14.

WI members turn to crime for next meeting

CHARITY

THE future is bright for the Guide Dogs charity following a week of fundraising by local volunteers.

The team from Guide Dogs Reading Mobility dressed up in fluorescent outfits to mark Let’s Glow Friday to help raise cash for the charity’s work with visually impaired people.

Based at Winnersh Triangle, the fundraisers wore tutus, legwarmers and a bright array of

Woodley woman faces assault and theft charges

The road was closed while emergency services attended the scene, and for Roads Policing officers to investigate the cause of the crash.

Senior investigating officer Sgt Graeme Hughes, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Three Mile Cross, said: “I would like to hear from anyone who saw this collision, or saw the black Citroen people carrier before it left

the carriageway.

“Some witnesses came forward at the scene, but if you have information which could assist the investigation and have not yet spoken to police please contact us.”

Anyone with information about the collision should contact the 24-hour Thames Valley Police service desk on 101 quoting URN 1393 12/10.

THE Spencers Wood village hall team will hold its annual AGM on Monday, November 16.

The meeting will allow guests to find out more about how the hall has been used over the past year, meet committee members and vote in new ones.

It starts at 8pm and all are welcome. For details, call Ann Symonds on 0118 988 3483.

COURT

Sonning man charged with stealing food

A MAN from Sonning has been charged with two count of stealing food.

Ryan Edwin Doe, 42, of Glebe Gardens, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on October 1 where he was bailed to appear at the same court today (Friday).

14 | VIEWPOINTS

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Wokingham’s people

OH, MR SMITH!

Remembering two familiar faces

A wry look at life

SUCCESS

David is hit for six after golf hobby becomes an international business It isn’t often that a stag ‘do’ causes a life-changing moment, but one did for David Eversham. He moved on to a new hobby and is now a specialist antiques dealer and recognised expert in his field, thanks to a high-spirited round of golf

W

HEN David’s son James married six years ago, the stag weekend included a game of golf.

David got into the swing of things with plus fours, a flat cap and a set of old-fashioned wooden clubs – and he hasn’t looked back since.

After the big day, he sold the clubs online and it was a lightbulb moment. The retired headmaster, from Loxwood in Earley, realised there was a niche market for golf memorabilia just waiting to be filled.

Now the 68-year-old buys, restores and then sells on historical clubs. He has sold to customers in more than 30 countries around the world and built up his own impressive collection.

“I have about 120 in the study upstairs and about 300 in the workshop, which I am getting ready for sale. They always need a new grip and cleaning up, they get a complete renovation.”

David explains the big change came on the greens and bunkers in 1930.

Players were allowed to use clubs with steel shafts for tournaments for the first time.

The game changed, balls could be hit further and the old-fashioned wooden clubs started gathering dust in attics and garages – and waiting for David to give them a new lease of life.

It is a thriving, albeit unusual business. David recently sold some 1910 clubs to an enthusiast in America and he is just back from a Lincoln antiques fair, where he replenished stocks.

He will be on the hunt in Ludlow next month.

And not all the nostalgic pieces end up hanging in collections to see out their days. A Swedish player is using one of David’s clubs in the hickory open championship in Scotland – hickory golf is where players use the old-fashioned wooden-shafted clubs.

“Clubs over 100 years old can be as little as £20, rarer ones a couple of hundred pounds. A really rare one, handmade and with the maker’s name on it, could be between £1,000 and £6,000.”

A highlight of David’s new ‘life’ came when he was “lucky enough” to go to Mission Hills Shenzhen in China – the world’s largest golf club, which has links with prestigious St Andrew’s in Scotland – to help set up a museum.

“It was a wonderful week of golf.

The museum is based in the complex and set up by the two brothers who own it. They wanted to know about old clubs and wanted help with dating them.”

As well as restoring memorabilia, David finds time to take part in quizzes and fundraise for the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service. He and his wife, Julia, head a team of volunteers in Earley, who put their hearts into boosting the coffers for a hospice for Berkshire and supporting the charity’s nurses.

Oh yes and David, who has played golf seriously for 20 years, also fits in a couple of rounds a week at Sonning Golf Club – par for the course when you love what you do!

VOLUNTEER CORNER  The Bracknell and District Parkinson’s Branch provides friendship, support and services for members and their families in the Bracknell and surrounding areas.

This includes monthly meetings and social activities and access to services such as hydrotherapy and physiotherapy. They need to recruit a new secretary for the group. The secretary is responsible for the smooth running of the branch. The core role is being the main branch contact for member communications and external organisations including the Parkinson’s Disease Society. Depending on the interests and skills of the individual, further duties could include preparing and distributing the bi-monthly newsletter,

 Keep Hatch Primary School near Wokingham Town centre is for children from 4 (Reception) to 11 (Year 6) and serves the local community. They are looking to recruit a new school governor to provide strategic direction, ensuring

Vlogging success .

I

’VE just worked out my next get-rich-quick scheme. Although none of my previous schemes were successful, such as pyramid selling of guinea pigs, this one is a dead cert.

I shall become a Vlogger.

Successful Vloggers can earn six-figure sums and have famous brands beating a path to their doors. As far as I can see Vlogging is simply putting a video selfie on the internet and talking about anything that interests you. The key is to ensure your Vlog is seen by Generation Z. Now before I go any further can I check you know your generation terminology. Generation Z is the current generation of teenagers, those born after the year 2000. The previous generations of ‘X’ and ‘Y’ are not chromosomes but people born between the mid 60s and early 80s (Gen X) while Generation Y, otherwise known as Millennials, were born between the mid-80s and Year 2000.

These former generations were increasingly influenced by the accelerating march of technology and so have prepared Generation Z quite nicely for my Vlogging purposes.

Generation Z make a captive audience because they are glued to their mobile phones, switching between applications and doing all sorts of clever things online. Actually the term ‘online’ is now an oxymoron because they are never offline. I shall call them internetised.

I think there’s a lesson to be learnt watching them in action because what teenagers do today we older people will start practicing tomorrow.

Knowledge

David Eversham restores antique golf clubs before selling them around the world

with Helena Badger arranging monthly branch meetings and quarterly committee meetings, and assisting with fundraising and other branch activities. The time commitment will vary according to the individual’s circumstances but is estimated to require c.3-5 hours a week and attendance at monthly branch meeting and quarterly committee meetings which normally take place on a Monday evening.

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, October 16, 2015

that the school develops to meet the learning needs of the children, within a limited budget. They are particularly interested in people who are comfortable with finance, facilities and general management backgrounds. Meetings are generally held in the evenings, but an ability to visit the school on occasion during the day is beneficial.  The Wokingham Stroke Support Group (run by the Stroke Association) is for Life After Stroke. They support people affected by stroke through every step of recovery through its information and Life After Stroke services. They are looking for a lead volunteer to support the Life

After Stroke Co-ordinator to run the Wokingham Support Group that meets from 10am to noon at the Bradbury Centre on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. Ideally the volunteer will have experience of managing people and have excellent interpersonal skills. They are also looking for general volunteers to help at the group as well. Volunteers will need to be empathetic and have good communication skills.

These are just three of the roles we are recruiting for. 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

She’s not Generation Z even though she’s behaving like a ‘Screenager’ of the iGeneration.

The giveaway was not her knowledge of internet platforms but actually hopping between them to organise holidays on Airb&B, practising click-andcollect groceries and household items, knowing the best review sites, booking cabs using Uber and keeping in touch with people using a multitude of social media channels. I tell you it’s in her DNA. By comparison I held out much longer considering myself above such things as texting.

Now I realise it’s the most effort-free way to send a quick message such as; “My train is on time but the train ahead of me has broken down so I will be late” or “I am in the supermarket do you need two litres of cheap, farm-squeezed, milk” or “I’ve collected the wrong toddler from nursery, the police have been alerted, can you collect me from the station?”

Thinking about it, the wife would make a natural Vlogger. In the time it takes me to think about a suitable subject she, with all her food, fashion and health savvy ways could be churning out useful insights that directly address the insecurities and concerns of this continually connected generation as their rights of passage are presumably worked out online.

The key thing is that though they never appear to look up from their mobile screens they are sophisticated, concerned and scrutinise what they receive. So it’s no good advertisers harnessing the wife for any blatant advertising activity. You cannot control Generation Z online and unfortunately they also have an attention span of six seconds so if any of them began reading this column to see what this latest Vlogger offered, they have long since moved on.

Nevertheless I will tell you the secret of success. Get hold of a camera, shoot a selfie of you giving a useful tip or two. Keep doing it to build up your presence online and develop a few skills to link in some supporting channels such as Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, Vine and others.

Well, if I can’t be as successful as ‘She’ as a Vlogger I could perhaps start a second career as her Uber-summoned taxi service.

TOM SMITH @WRYLIFEtomsmith

15

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16 | VIEWPOINTS

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

We can’t wait for the A329(M) signs THE change in the road layout of the A329(M) has taken us by surprise.

Motorists heading to the M4 now have their own filter lane rather than turning off down a separate slip road.

This means that for a short stretch of the A329(M), the carriageway is reduced from two lanes down to one, before traffic joining the road from the M4 joins as a new lane.

It’s a shock after years of being a two-lane road.

And, if you’d been down the A329(M) while these works were taking place you’d probably have been caught in a traffic jam as the two lanes were being narrowed into one.

Like Station Road’s one-way section, we consider the lack of signage to be dangerous.

While it may have passed another safety audit, it’s clear that there is no accounting for driver error, particularly on a road that has been used on the daily commute for years.

In both directions, there is scant warning that you need to be in one lane for one road and another for the other.

Most major road splits like this have plenty of warning, indication signs painted on the roads and big signs to highlight the forthcoming divisions.

That the new-look roads were unleashed without any prior publicity is concerning, and the new signage is inadequate.

While the changes may make sense when it’s all bedded down, this is yet another change to the borough’s roads that defy logic and remain an accident waiting to happen.

If an accident does happen, at speed, the consequences scarcely bear thinking about.

Signs are needed. Now.

CHURCH NOTES

Well placed to help others I REGRET that I was unable to return many of the kindnesses shown me when I was younger.

For each of us there will be things in our past that we regret. I wish now that we had made more efforts to explore family history with our parents for there are things I would ask them now that did not occur to me when they were alive; we have photographs of people we cannot identify.

More seriously I regret that I was unable to return many of the kindnesses shown me when I was younger. In many cases the opportunities were missed because I was too busy making my way in the world.

The pressures of earning a living, of courting, of bringing up a family and caring for parents, being involved in the life of my professional association, and in leadership roles in church, and supporting charities, kept me so busy that I now realise that I failed to show my appreciation adequately to those who gave me time and trouble and much kindness.

Yet I have come to see that in God’s divine economy it often happens that we are well placed to help others – and do so gladly without expectation of them being able to render service to us.

God gives us plenty of opportunities to express his love in little acts of caring that help others at their moment of need. In the wonderful workings of our God we may never be able to repay the kindnesses that particular friends extend to us but we can help others when they most need it.

In the process we see the love of God in action and it brings a smile to our eyes. Life is too busy to fill it with regrets so let us extol our Lord for every chance we get to be useful in his service – and to him we express our thanks and praise.

Malcolm Ray-Smith

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, October 16, 2015

Your views

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

Send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk

A329M: Action needed before someone is injured I WOULD like to stress my concerns over the new layout of the A329M at the M4 junctions on both carriageways.

On the numerous journeys I have made in both directions of the carriageway I have not noticed a warning sign to the new road layout until about 10 yards away from the final turning onto the M4. The warning sign which has been put into place is very small and goes easily missed.

I have witnessed a near miss on every journey I have made since the new road layout has been put into place. Drivers are unaware of the new layout and then suddenly move across to the right hand lane of the carriageway in the path of oncoming vehicles at the last minute. I am very conscious about using this road now as even though I know the new layout (after working it out for myself) other motorists are not aware of it and could cause a very serious collision.

I do not feel this is a safe road to be driving on and something needs to be done about it ASAP before someone is seriously injured if not worse.

Laura Sheppard, via email

Dress up and get in the pink for Breast Cancer Care LIKE many of your readers, I’ve had family and friends affected by breast cancer, which is why I’m encouraging everyone - with a little help from Linda and Pauline - to grab their favourite girls, dress up and hold their own fabulous Big Pink to raise vital funds for Breast Cancer Care.

A Big Pink could be a dress down day at work, a lunch, brunch or cosy night in at home – anything goes, as long as it’s pink and as long as you’re all having fun! Join in today (Friday) or choose any date in October that suits.

Every year, 55,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer, and the number of those living with a diagnosis is on the rise - so there has never been a more urgent time to support the work of Breast Cancer Care, who provide vital care, support and information for those affected, from day one.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – so really there’s no better time to show you care!

You can get your free Starter Kit at: www.breastcancercare.org. uk/thebigpink.

Please join me and lend

motorists coming off the M4 junction are confused and still trying to move over! Dreadful change!

Jessica Loomes, via email

Limmerhill: casual vandalism forced closure of paths

A329M: ‘Dangerous’ new lane layout prompts anger THANKS for your article about this. I was caught in the left lane, needing to go straight on on Sunday.

Fortunately, there was just enough of a gap, but it must have frightened whoever was behind me. It’s very, very dangerous.

I have emailed the Highways Agency, whose website has an obsolete email address. They are now Highways England, who have not responded yet.

Facebook is full of comments on this.

Charles Bockett-Pugh, via email

A329M: Action needed to alter this ‘dreadful change’ I THINK it’s so badly signposted and someone had to pull out in front of me last minute this week.

Quite frankly I think its really dangerous. Even

I AM shocked that you have written a biased, largely uninformed and harmful article about the path off Limmerhill Road.

Private landowners are allowed and obliged to close paths for essential maintenance.

Unfortunately, this action has become necessary as a result of abuse of the facility, with dangerous and unpleasant rubbish being thrown into the field, vulnerable horses and ponies (elderly, rescued or on respite care) being harassed by dogs and a vendetta being raised against tenants who wish to be part of the community and share the pleasure and renewal engendered by care and attention given to a beautiful and precious area, and by the presence of gentle and needy animals who continue to share the environment with wildlife, including deer.

When the land began to be used, it was in poor condition, with the detritus of casual vandalism and drug abuse scattered over the area.

Now it has been well managed, grassland rotated, topped and rested, ragwort cleared, woodland maintained and supported, and measures taken to prevent further vandalism.

How sad that some of the residents seem no better

your support too. It’s incredibly important.

Lesley Joseph, Breast Cancer Care Supporter

than those who have chosen to abuse the site, not least having possibly been trespassing on private land for some time, contravening the country code and succumbing to using verbal abuse.

Many of the local community are generous and thoughtful, in support of the project.

Why have you not spoken to any of them? Or to the tenants of the land?

How do you justify such unprofessional journalism?

Valerie Adams, via email Publisher’s response: We approached the landowners for a comment, but they chose not to make one.

How many council staff does it take to change a light bulb?

THE lack of no entry signs at the bottom of Station Road clearly indicates our council’s high regard for the intelligence of the general public compared to its own staff.

For whilst it is not considered necessary to erect the standard no entry signs for drivers approaching from Barkham Road the council have erected three left turn/ one way signs at the exit of the staff car park into Station Road at their Shute End offices.

No doubt this was backed up by internal emails and a training course.

How many council employees does it take to change a light bulb?

Peter Humphreys, via email

GOOD ADVICE

Shedding light on your job status after company is taken over Wokingham CAB look at a recent issue they have come across and give an answer THE company I work for has been bought by another company and my old boss has told me that he does not think that I will have a job after they have re-organised it.

Can they fire people these days because the owner has changed?

Where a business is transferred from one employer to another, this doesn’t automatically mean that you are redundant.

Your employment contract will continue and you will keep the same terms and conditions of employment with your new employer.

This is known as protection under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations, also referred to as ‘TUPE’.

However, there are circumstances where you could get made redundant because of the transfer.

This could either be by your old employer before the transfer takes place, or by your new employer after the transfer has happened. Your employer would have to show that:  You were genuinely redundant, because there’s no longer any need for the work you were doing, and  The transfer itself was not the only, or main reason, for your redundancy.

It is quite common for employees to be dismissed

unfairly when a business is taken over so if you’re made redundant when a business is taken over, you should get expert advice urgently.

If you are being made redundant because the business is being taken over, you should seek the help of an experienced adviser, such as at a local Citizen’s Advice.

To search for details of your nearest Citizens Advice office, including those that can give advice by e-mail, look here: www.citizensadvice.org.uk  You can get help, information and advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau. Visit www.adviceguide. org.uk or contact Wokingham CAB at Second Floor, Waterford House, Erfstadt Court, Wokingham RG40 2YF. Tel: 0844 499 4126. Alternatively, email: public@wokingham-cab.org.uk

Friday, October 16, 2015 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

VIEWPOINTS | 17

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PICTURE OF THE WEEK

COMMENTARY

Noises... Off

F

RIDAY night into Saturday morning, I was woken up by the deep throated roar of a diesel engine.

Getting up and looking out into the inky blackness of the Hatch Farm development site, I heard that engine and saw some high mounted lights illuminating the trees.

They were bobbing up and down as they moved away, across the fields towards the M4.

Earlier on during the day, some pre-development investigations had been going on but this was way outside the permitted hours for work to take place.

I was suspicious that a digger was being stolen, so called the police to report a possible crime in progress.

They were quick to send a car round to the official site access point in Greenacres Lane, but there was no sign of any activity there and the large concrete blocks were still in place preventing entry or exit.

Being wide awake and fully dressed by now, when the police called back to ask if they were at the right place, I invited them round to our house to show them where the disturbance had come from.

They arrived less than five minutes later.

So, at 2.30 in the morning, a policeman, policewoman and I tramped around the fields, following the trail of a heavy tracked vehicle.

As we did, we came across signs of vegetation having been snapped off recently, but there was no sign of the vehicle. This left one feeling a bit of a chump.

Tony Johnson

RED sky at night gave delight not just to shepherds but to photographers everywhere. On Sunday, the borough’s skyline was a vivid autumnal display and reader Clive Hollingshead had his camera ready. He said that this was taken around 6.20pm on Sunday in Sindlesham and it really does capture the beauty of the moment. Thanks for sharing this fantastic image Clive. 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.

S

O common sense has reigned in a US courtroom after an aunt tried to sue her nephew, now 12 but eight when the incident happened, for leaping into her arms on his birthday to say hello and breaking her wrists.

We know how litigious the Americans are but this was surely madness – and the precedent it would have set would have been horrendous.

The little lad also lost his mum last year and was described as looking ‘bewildered’ as he sat in court with his dad.

Meanwhile each line of the story made you wince – she actually said her broken wrist had interfered with “holding her hor d’oeuvres plate” at a New York party. You actually hoped she’d choke on her canapes but then remembered the party host would probably have been sued!

HILARY SCOTT’S NOT-A-BLOG Everyone has a blog so this isn’t one

When litigation goes mad...

Marvellous ‘Marvellous’ ‘Robbie Williams’ performed at Cantley House last week. Is it me or do you remember the days when tribute artists were a bit more creative than just hoiking out a set of quotes and dropping them round their names? Like Boot Led Zeppelin, The Real Diamond and Abba Express?

Meanwhile I read the great news that the Marvellous music festival may move to Dinton Pastures and that acts could include ‘The Beatles’, ‘Coldplay’ and ‘Elton John’.

I’m sure it will be good and it gets a big yes from me – ‘Simon Cowell’.

Hot stuff This is officially the warmest October for a good few years, according to, er, me.

October 1 is the day I try to aim for to get by without turning on my heating. Last year I didn’t

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

make it and it’s always a pretty chilly time if you visit me at the end of September.

But this year I lasted until the 14th which with underfloor heating means I can probably celebrate with a two-week holiday to the Caribbean!

Hallowe’en has lost its magic

I dislike Hallowe’en intensely these days.

Even as I write the shops are full of pumpkins,

kids’ outfits and all kinds of gruesome, and expensive, things.

Supermarkets have Hallowe’en covered in every department from grocery to clothing, DVDs to tableware.

In Scotland where I grew up we didn’t ‘trick or treat’ we went guising – we dressed up in home-made outfits, knocked on neighbours’ doors (you had to know whose door you were chappin’, as we say) and performed a song or a poem and were given treats or went inside to bob for apples.

We had turnips not pumpkins for lanterns and no one really ever wanted to dress up as the ‘tattie bogle’, the scarecrow. It was all very civilised.

It did mean the streets were full of wee folks stuttering around in old sheets (the easiest home-made costume though I know some parents resorted to a simple balaclava and your school uniform) with eyes cut out of them trying unsuccessfully to eat home-made toffee apples under the sheet.

Simpler pleasures than a dodgy bright orange costume that could go up in flames easily and Hallowe’en pizzas methinks.  This may not be a blog but I do have one I made earlier if you are interested – hilarymscott.wix.com/hilaryscott

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@WOKYPAPER

Goose chase Even so, the diligence and patience of the police was exemplary and as we parted, I apologised for calling them out on what had turned out to be a wild goose chase. Their reply was quick and authentic - if it weren’t for people calling them, it would be much harder to do their job.

But I was left wondering whether it was just my imagination sound to start with, followed by sight and sound. So next time it will be shoot videos first and make calls later.

Wanting to find out what had actually happened, I went around the fields today to meet with the people working on site.

It turns out that the diggers are being used to make trenches and thus explore the archaeology of the site before construction starts.

This is a requirement of the planning permission. The trench locations are decided by the Borough and the work is paid for by the developer.

Given that diggers of this size are rather valuable, the theft of one on a Friday night into Saturday morning might not be discovered until Monday, by which time the vehicle would be well away.

However, both drivers said that on Monday, their diggers were still locked up and parked in the place they’d been left on Friday.

Listening to the digger engines running and while their sound was similar, it was lighter and sweeter than the one I’d heard in the middle of the night.

One of the staff suggested that “lampers” might have been responsible. I learned that they’re people who use a red light to catch a deer’s attention, then a bright searchlight swung round quickly so that the deer can be seen and shot.

However, I’m still mystified as to the real cause of the disturbance. But I’m as impressed as heck with the professionalism of the police. They were as intent as I was to apprehend those responsible.

In the end, the only thing that was stolen was a good night’s kip.

But it wasn’t half tempting to share that loss with others.

Especially those who were responsible for the diggers being there in the first place.

Now that would have been criminal.

Even Selsdon Mowbray might have raised a glass.

Tony Johnson is a marketeer with experience of developing and delivering sonar; payment systems and communications infrastructure and services.

He is currently studying art and drawing, while practising writing and photography.

18 | SUSTAINABILITY

The good life

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, October 16, 2015

How Wokingham is going Green with Vivienne Johnson

SCHOOLS RECYCLING Free bins and bags

Woodside Farm, Goodboys Lane, Reading RG7 1ND

0118 983 4327 www.woodsiderecycling.co.uk

WooDsiDe

ReCYCLiNG

IN THE GARDEN

National Garden Gift Vouchers

Autumn colour comes to the garden

O

GRANT

Greenredeem boost to school’s bee-attractive planting project

By VIVIENNE JOHNSON vjohnson@wokinghampaper.co.uk ECO-CONSCIOUS residents of Wokingham have donated more than 350,000 Greenredeem points to Nine Mile Ride School as part of the Green Schools Programme.

The points, which equate to a £1,000 grant, will be used to plant bee-attractive plants in the school’s ground and support the active EcoSchools team, who regularly run environmental campaigns to reinforce ‘green’ issues.

The money will also be used to develop the outdoor teaching facilities, allowing pupils to continue their study of bio-diversity in the local area, including how food chains and water cycles work.

The school has already encouraged students and staff to ‘switch-off’; a reminder for everyone to turn off lights, projectors and classroom monitors when not in use, and to close outside doors.

Headteacher Ali Brown said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be awarded this grant. The Eco-Schools team play such an important role here at Nine Mile Ride, encouraging a sustainable lifestyle amongst both members of the school and the local community.

“To be able to add more activities and resources will no doubt have a considerable impact on the school!”

Cllr Angus Ross, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for environment, said: “Thanks to the generosity of residents in our borough, our schools are being given the opportunity to promote environmental awareness.

“In the world we live in, it is vital for sustainability to remain at the forefront of the school curriculum, and the funding from Greenredeem is allowing this to continue. Thank you to everyone who donates their points to this excellent scheme.”  To find out more about the Greenredeem scheme, visit www.greenredeem.co.uk

CTOBER heralds the start of Autumn and the start of the big garden tidy up getting plants and containers ready for winter.

If it’s Autumn colour you are after, conifers can provide fabulous splashes of orange, blue or purple at this time of year and October is the best month to plant them along with other trees and shrubs.

Gardening myth of the month is that you must use compost and fertiliser when planting new shrubs – but adding them to a planting hole isn’t necessary and, in some cases, can actually discourage a vigorous root system.

Nutrient-rich planting holes can give roots less incentive to branch out to absorb nutrients and moisture from the surrounding area. If you’re concerned about soil fertility when planting trees or shrubs, you’re better off giving plants a nutrient boost by spreading a thin layer of compost and then a thin layer of mulch over the planting site. Just be sure to leave a few inches of breathing room around each plant’s stem, especially when mulching trees.

National Conifer Week takes place during October – helping to highlight how hardy, easy to care for and long-lasting conifers are which means they are the ideal choice for the inexperienced gardener looking for a low maintenance but high impact plant.

And someone who understands all about high impact is conifer lover, Alex Gregory MBE, Team GB Olympic Gold Medal Rower.

“Conifers have always been a part of my life,” says Alex. “There’s something fascinating about the variety of sizes, colours and shapes conifers provide, they really are a feast for the senses. Every garden should have at least one conifer!”

Pruning is top of the list of garden ‘to dos’ this month. Other top tips for October from the Royal Horticultural Society and National Garden Gift Vouchers...  Plant spring bulbs such as daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths.  Prepare the ground for new fruit trees, nuts, vines, canes and bushes.  Dig over vacant areas of the vegetable plot, as the approaching cold weather may help to improve the soil structure.  Cut back perennials that have died down.  Leave some plant seed heads as food for the birds.  Clear up fallen autumn leaves regularly.  Move tender plants into the greenhouse or near to house walls for added warmth.  Plant out spring cabbages.  Harvest apples, pears, grapes and nuts.  Order seeds for next year.  National Garden Gift Vouchers can be bought and redeemed at over 2,000 outlets in the UK, with more than 90,000 garden plants and products on offer.

Visit www.thevouchergarden.co.uk to see the outlets that sell and accept them. You can become a fan and buy vouchers on facebook www.facebook.com/GardenGiftVouchers or follow on twitter @GardenGiftVouch or via the blog at www. vouchergardenblog.com

HEALTH | 19

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A trip down memory lane Museum of English Rural Life – which jointly runs the session with the hospital’s Care Crew and hospital chaplain Lorraine Colam – says: “It is wonderful to be able to use our collections to stimulate memories and start fascinating conversations with hospital patients.

“All the sessions we’ll be running will relate to activities or events which many of the patients may have experienced in their lifetime.”

In September the museum staff brought in photographs from their photographic collections to discuss jams and preserving and these acted as a stimulus to discussions alongside traditional jam-making equipment. It was also an opportunity to indulge in homemade jams and scones.

Earlier this month, patients enjoyed talking about harvest.

Historic photographs, corn dollies and fruits and vegetables helped bring back memories.

Patients also watched an historic film depicting harvest.

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

AN INNOVATIVE project bringing history to life at Royal Berkshire Hospital is helping older patients recover.

The project uses ‘reminiscence therapy’ to bring back happy memories for patients.

While the nearby Museum of English Rural Life is undergoing redevelopment, staff have been sharing historical artefacts and photos relating to A Year on the Farm with Royal Berkshire Hospital’s elderly care wards.

Lyndsey Openshaw, care crew leader at Royal Berkshire Hospital, said that the scheme has many benefits.

She said: “Using physical objects and pictures to encourage older people, and those with dementia, to talk about old memories, is a wonderful way to bring back happy memories. It also helps us to facilitate conversations with the patients, which is hugely beneficial in their recovery, as some older people feel lonely.”

Phillippa Heath from the

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2-4 Pond Head Lane, Wokingham Road, Reading Having anEarley, explanation forRG6 the7ET problems that your child www.berkshirephysio.co.uk 0118 966 8601 has been experiencing can bring a sense of relief. It also provides you with the information you need to get access to the most appropriate education and services. Currently there is an average 18-24 month wait for assessment of Autistic Spectrum Disorders in Wokingham.

Many parents talk about feeling isolated, frustrated and at a loss. Concerns about their child’s behaviour having a knock-on impact on other areas of life such as schoolwork.

School staff can feel like they are doing more social work than teaching, without the training or resources to adequately deal with mental health issues.

Long waiting times are only part of the jigsaw. Parents Patients with Philippa Heath and Lyndsey Openshaw at a memory session at the Royal Berkshire say they feel frustrated at the poor administration within Hospital.

CAMHS. We have heard examples of parents not being informed about appointments, and when explained they would not be able to get their child from school, this being recorded as “refused appointment”. Some parents find that their case has been closed and handed back to the GP without any notification or explanation.

Rising demands for CAMHS, particularly assessment of Autistic Spectrum Disorders, in Wokingham means that staff have to prioritise young people who have an urgent or critical need or are at risk of harm.

All local authorities must publish in one place information about the services available in their area for children and young people 0 - 25 who have special there was a need, people were travelling to us or and development manager, said: “This new group is educational needs and/or disabilities. This is known as “The Reading. here for anybody affected by macular degeneration, Local Offer” – it can be found at info.wokingham.gov.uk “People can just turn up and we welcome carers we want to encourage people to come along. Friends The Council and the GPs have recently put together as well. We will have speakers, show equipment an action plan to address the backlog of referrals to and family are also very welcome.

CAMHS. Healthwatch Wokingham Borough are keen to and share information, and try to keep everyone “It’s good to be able to learn from each other’s hold Commissioners and Providers of CAMHS to account up to date with new treatments and research. experiences and get tips. The peer support and ensure the action plan is having a positive impact The meetings also give everyone the can be so helpful. Our groups can really on service delivery. We can only do this if we hear your chance to talk to other people in similar help people increase in confidence and experiences of CAMHS (good and bad). Please get in touch. circumstances.” become more independent.  Special Educational Needs and Disability Information The Wokingham group will meet on “The group will invite guest & Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) 0118 908 the third Monday of the month, from speakers on a variety of subjects, 8233 or sendiass@wokingham.gov.uk 10.15am until 12.15pm, at the Bradbury including macular conditions and  The ASSIST team (Autism Spectrum Service for Centre in Rose Street. their impact on our daily lives. The Information, Support & Training) work closely with the The group is organised by the meetings are also social occasions Wokingham Children’s Autism Partnership to deliver a Macular Society, together with local where we can chat over a cup of tea.” wide range of autism specific workshops locally. people. The driving force is to offer If you think the Wokingham group 0118 974 6882 or email assist@wokingham.gov.uk information, encouragement and friendship to –one of 300 across the UK and beyond  The National Autistic Society can point parents people affected by age-related macular degeneration – could be a lifeline for you, just turn up at this towards local sources of help and support. Call 0808 800 (AMD). The condition affects the central vision and month’s meeting.

4104, Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm  You can also contact the group leader by emailing more than 600,000 people in this country are living Nicola Strudley works two days a week as the janefigg@icloud.com, call the Macular Society’s with it. Those with advanced macular degeneration Established for over 25 years, we offer personalised manager foraHealthwatch Wokingham Borough. helpline on 0300 3030 111, or email cannot read, drive or recognise faces.

Opinions expressed in this blog are her own Established for over 25 years, we offer a personalised service with excellent facilities and a dedicated team. help@macularsociety.org.

Tom McInulty, Macular Society regional support Neurological Conditions

Eye, eye – group has a new vision for macular degeneration support

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NEW support group has been launched in Wokingham to help people affected by macular degeneration – the most common cause of sight loss in the UK. The first meeting was held last month with the aim of increasing members’ confidence and independence.

At the helm is 66-year-old Jane Figg (pictured), who was diagnosed with the condition when she was 40. The retired teacher, from Stevenson Drive in Binfield, has been leading the Bracknell support group for more than three years.

She told The Wokingham Paper: “We have started the Wokingham group because we felt

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Macular Degeneration is the most common cause of sight loss in the UK, but where do you go for help?

A new support group launches in Wokingham on Monday. SALLY BRYANT finds out more

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ARBORFIELD

ARBORFIELD

Reformed drug dealer talks to St Crispin’s pupils A FORMER stock-market millionaire and drug dealer turned public speaker, author and activist visited a school in Wokingham last week.

Shaun Attwood, 45, who at one time faced a 200-year jail sentence in 2002, spoke to the Year 12 students at St Crispin’s School, in London Road, about his time in an Arizona prison, drugs and how he turned his life around.

The pupils listening intently as he recounted excerpts from his prison blog, Jon’s Jail Journal, which turned the international media spotlight on the terrifying conditions he experienced, including gangs, guards murdering inmates, and dead rats in the food.

Shaun has appeared on

the BBC, Sky News and TV worldwide, including an episode of National Geographic’s Banged Up Abroad series, called Raving Arizona. Random House published his life story as the English Shaun Trilogy: Party Time, Hard Time and Prison Time.

Anna Merrygold, head of Enriched Curriculum at the school, said: “We were delighted that Shaun could attend St Crispins to deliver his story to the pupils. It was incredibly engaging and thought provoking.

“He challenged the students’ ideas on drugs and prison culture and made many of them aware of the dangers of drug use. The students enjoyed the experience and found his story amazing.”

Parents given a sneak preview of BET school PROSPECTIVE students and parents got a chance to have a look around the plans for the new secondary school in Arborfield last week.

Bohunt Education Trust (BET) held the two open evenings at Henry Street Garden Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday which were attended by hundreds of parents and their children.

The Bohunt School Liphook’s big band gave a spirited performance, and live science demonstrations and speeches from senior figures within BET gave prospective students a taste of the ethos of the new school.

Neil Strowger, BET chief executive, said:“We are very much looking forward to opening the new school and it was great to meet parents and children in the area who share that excitement.

“From our innovative use of technology, to immersion language teaching, high quality sport in an incredible gymnasium and the planned expeditions – it was brilliant to be able to explain to people what will be on offer when the school is open next year.”

Bohunt School is due to open in Arborfield in September 2016. Visit www.bohunttrust.co.uk

Students George Holloway and Tim Bowden with Shaun Attwood (centre).

COMPETITION

Half-term fun

It all adds up for St Neot’s pupils

KEEP the kids busy this half term with the many events that are taking place throughout Wokingham Borough.

ALL WEEK n Multi-sports camps at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre and St Crispin’s Leisure Centre, for ages five to 12-years. For details of times and prices visit www. wokingham.gov.uk/sports/holidaysports MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 nMad Hats and Alice - Spencers Wood Library, Basingstoke Road, 4pm to 5pm. No need to book.

Price: £1.50.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27 nMad Hats and Alice - Finchampstead Library, Gorse Ride North, 2.15pm to 3.15pm. Also at Wokingham Library, Denmark Street, 10.30am to 11.30am. No need to book. Price: £1.50.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28 nMad Hats and Alice - Woodley Library, Headley Road, 10.30am to 11.30am. No need to book. Price: £1.50.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 nEmergency Services Fun Day - Arborfield Garrison Community Centre, 10am to 4pm. nThe Borrowers - South Hill Park, Bracknell, 12.30pm and 4.30pm. To book visit www.southhillpark.org.uk/ events/the-borrowers nMini Animal Models - Wokingham Library, Denmark Street, 2pm to 3pm. Price £2. nMad Hats and Alice - Lower Earley Library, Chalfont Close, 2.30pm to 3.30pm. No need to book - £1.50. nTeen Book Group - Wokingham Library, Denmark Street, 4.30pm to 5.30pm. nSpooky Night Paddles - Dinton Activity Centre, Hurst, 5pm to 7pm.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 nThe Borrowers - South Hill Park, Bracknell, 3pm and 7pm. To book visit www.southhillpark.org.uk/events/ the-borrowers. nSpooky Night Paddles - Dinton Activity Centre, Hurst, 5pm to 7pm. Come along and watch out for ghosts and the island’s grim reaper. Price: children £10, adults £15.

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, October 16, 2015

From left: Conor, Xander, Georgina and Matthew with Gareth Pearson, Senior Deputy Head at Lord Wandsworth College.

A TEAM of talented mathematicians from a school in Eversley took part in a prestigious regional competition this week.

The Year 5 and 6 students from St Neot’s Preparatory School, in St Neot’s Road, scooped second place out of 19 schools taking part in the Lord Wandsworth College Logic Cup on Tuesday.

The competition, which is held every year at the Hook-based college, involves mathematical puzzles, logic problems, a mathematical treasure hunt around the school and a mathematical relay race.

Stewart Cockerham, Director of Studies and Head of Maths at St Neot’s, said: “‘Congratulations to Conor, Xander, Georgina and Matthew for their amazing team work, and their fantastic result!

“Galileo Galilei famously wrote that mathematics is the language with which God has written the universe, so it is great that St Neot’s students are so fluent!”

STEPPIN OUT

Amy has stars in her eyes as she meets Broadway idol A THEATRE-school student from Wokingham had her dreams come true last month when she met her musical idol.

Amy Wilding, 13, who attends Steppin Out Stars of Tomorrow, which holds sessions at Emmbrook School in Wokingham and Waingels College in Woodley, won a competition run by Steppin Out founder and principal Shelley Fitzgibbon to meet West End and Broadway star Kerry Ellis on September 20.

Amy said: “I had such a special day. I

had to sing a song of my choice and then Kerry workshopped the song with me.

“She gave me a short acting lesson which enabled me to get to the root of the emotion of the song.”

Shelley said: “Amy was absolutely ecstatic following the workshop. It was such a joy to offer such a wonderful experience for one of my students!”

To find out more about Steppin Out email shelley@steppinoutstars.co.uk, or visit www.steppinoutstars.co.uk

Amy Wilding, 13, who attends Steppin Out Stars of Tomorrow, with star Kerry Ellis.

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WokinghamRemembers

HERITAGE||1721 HERITAGE Inassociation associationwith with In

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

PEACH REVIEWSTREET

All to Wokingham’s trading past Theroads pastlead which has shaped our present...

KEN and Edna Goatley were so famed for This week MikE ChuRChER reviews their work on local history, they were the Wokingham Remembers articles known as Mr and Mrs Wokingham.

One of the past four months and discusses method used towhich tell their stories was some of they the factors contributed to treat the main streets in the town to the making of Wokingham and its as separate entities. In this way Market Place, environment.

PeachVER Street, Broad Street, Rosemajor Street and impact they had on the town and the past months the we tales have already made a start with the Denmark Street all hadpage their to tell.

This Wokingham Remembers has own road systemcarefully, by mapping out the course of providing an early picture week been JIM BELL shows us how if we look Peach the old Forest Road. of how a small market town and a Street still provides evidence pre-retailing While the building ofpast. the M4 had a few villages on the edge of a forest is today of its

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ranked as one of the country’s leading OLLING back the history of streets communities. revealsreligion, not just aindustry, local history, Education, transport, but maps out the moments a social structures, national politicsofand changing England. local government are all important A wander downthe Peach Street will show pieces in building great Wokingham us the rise ofnow nail is bars, charity shops, jigsaw.

Here a summary of our tattoo artists, hairdressers, agents, contributions to date and a estate few ideas on pubs and round restaurants; these are service the next of articles. industries which gradually arrived to Education, Education, both join and replace the range of goods Education retailers such as grocers, shoe, pet, toy Wokingham is renowned as andToday’s handyman stores which dominated one of the country’s centres of excellence 20th century Peach Street. forThis education; this is partly dueof toPeach strong week we take the story schoolaperformance Street little further and backthe in motivated time when parents who live in one ofwas the not most the centre of Wokingham only highly educated communities in the to supply goods and services, but alsoUK. a If we lookthings into the history of place where were made.

Wokingham’s schools welarge can see Wedged between two how education woven into its DNA. buildings whichishouse two Prior to the Great War, estate agents is the OldWokingham was surrounded by been manor houses and Forge.

It had earlier members of the landed in the hands of the Hall gentry who wantedthen to bethe close to the levers of power; family, Loaders i.e. the royal households of Windsor. and in 1907 it was In turn these echelons finally taken overupper by the possessed aof serious partnership Harrysense of duty and aand responsibility to ensure their Berry Fred Painter. community received at least a basic If you needed a hinge education.

Wokingham for your barn door or a also had a powerful professional class, a strong hook to hang up your kitchen church community (including the nonutensils then you could call into conformists) and together they the forge. To emphasise the levelshared of a strong belief in the importance skills these gentlemen possessed,of they teaching. also undertook ‘memorial work of every The result was with the skills, the description in marble, granite and stone motivation and the finance available, design’. there developed a culture of education Those were the days though when the which still holds strong to this day. horse ruled the road; it was still the very Wokingham transport early days of the motor car and in this Transport probably rural area, theishorse was the single common most important factor in Wokingham’s mode of transport, whether they were development, in both its rail and road drawing a vehicle or carrying a single systems. rider.

Futureand articles look atitthe Harry Fred will knew that was the introduction of the railways and the local horse business which would keep

major influence on the introduction of the them busybusinesses and beforewhich long they high tech now were surround fitting more than 400A329M shoes awhich week.

Wokingham, it is the There always horsesRoad in the shop in 1975were cut off the Forest and its and needed five menbetween to attendEmmbrook them. In natural connections fact, there were of once seven and the villages Hurst andblacksmiths Binfield. The in various parts of Wokingham and rail for a love and hate relationship with our while it was big business, and roads continue to thisbut day!tough too.

“You’ve got to be as fit as the animal Wokingham’s military you have to deal with,” Fred told his heritage many visitors. He would show them a Asbehind 2015 ishis theright bi-centenary the a scar ear whichofwas Battle of Waterloo, there have been a permanent reminder of the day a horse numberout of articles commemorating this kicked in protest at what Fred was world changing event. engaged to do.

The areaHarry has always been noted Partner Berry passed awayfor in its contribution to the nation’s 1943, but Fred kept going until military 1967 when capability, withno Arborfield’s REME, his skills were longer in demand.

RFA and Remount connections and the The Reading Mercury in 1959 reported Sandhurst and Wellington Colleges an all on Fred’s work and provided situated very nearby. insight in what was to be.

Even the Duke of Wellington took to ‘The sad thing is that living in Stratfield Saye, which today is because everything else only 30 minutes away from Wokingham’s changes and horses are town centre. replaced by mechanical Wokingham’s vehicles and machines, 150 year old shop benefactor Fred’s culture is often empty. was The area around Wokingham He remarkable has no reason to surrounded by many forge burning as in individuals andkeep theyhis were instrumental fiercely as it once did. If he building the much needed infrastructure is lucky hethe will, perhaps haveof which underpinned establishment to put on forty shoes in a week. His a strong community. customers are mainly riding hunting We will later be telling theor story of the establishments.

Walter family and their contributions to only local tradesman —a theToday, building of one Wokingham but in April baker — sends his horse tothe Fred.

Theof the first weekly issue, we told story rest send their vansHill, to the Fred much loved Arthur thegarage.

6th Marquess is fit and there is plenty of work of still Downshire. in him yet. But must, he admits, Although onethere of Britain’s wealthiest landowners, Arthurhe Hill doubled the come a time when will have toasclose chief of the local Firehe Brigade the shop.

And when does, itand willwas be a major financial contributor to this of unhappily permanent, for there is part no son Wokingham’s services. or assistant topublic carry on the business’.

Later articles will illustrate thehis In 1967 Fred finally put away demise ofretired. these great manors and their tools and Within two years he incumbent thethe rise of had passed social away, system but notand before

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

its replacement: local government.

Wokingham’s wild side

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.

Before we believe too much in the idea that Wokingham’s development was a solidly sedate experience, May’s article Shining a light on told the story of the rioting in the town Wokingham’s ‘Dark Ages’ centre during the time of the 1857 General To bring us up to date the August Election.

Wokingham and articles are focused on the kids who are Such events were a common sight in now entering into their summer holidays. the Royal Forest the town and this short and bloody battle Looking at today’s community, it is What better way to use this month’s between the Whigs and the Tories also difficult to visualise just how rural the editions than to tell the stories of the highlighted the Bush and Rose hotels in area once was and in part explains Romans, the Celts and the Saxons Above: The OldasForge in Peach Streetofasthese it was and (inset) as it is today.

Left: Fred Painterthe who ran the company until 1967.

Market Place the headquarters sometimes fragile relationship between influence on the area before Wokingham two feralhad groups. outeven the markets asindistribution council recognised his services to the the Sainsbury’s head office in Blackfriars, old and new Wokingham; few was a twinkle old Wocca’spoints eye?

The story and wasgave also able reflect award areas and support rise of the retailer community him atospecial London.

Today the Old Forge nestles in the UK have witnessed such David Nashthe Ford provided a set of in the upon thetheir national scene and the corrupt latter part the 19th century. to show gratitude. between two growth larger buildings andinhouses extraordinary and change the articles and of puzzles which makes nature of general before As the of goods to As the decade elections entered into the the 1970s the local community health team and profile of its population. history funsale for the youngrelocated and no doubt introduction of the private ballot. larger the Reading Mercury reported that the Although Wokingham’s will alsoshopping catch thecomplexes interest ofand the then parents whilst its original use hashistory long gone, Future articles will and include further the will internet, shopsover nowtheir house service smithy was dormant its future has intertwined with have who be looking child’s thealways presentbeen owners of the building tales of anarchy and revelry in this old providers such as restaurants, estate undecided. the surrounding villages providing ensured the evidence ofby Fred and Harry’s shoulder. market town. agents, personal Inside all the tools of the trade still aendeavours market place agricultural and Here’s cafes to theand next round ofservices. articles! arefor retained to this day. remained; anvils, hammers, Thanks go out to our contributors: Steve Wokingham at War and bellows commercial produce, it was also a Forest COMMENT: Whatever our Ford, opinion of were immediately recognisable Town. The term ‘forest’ did not mean a Bacon, Jim Bell, David Nash Sarah There are watershed momentsbut in Wokingham adapted today’s town historyOttlewski tells us that rusted. which mark the moment of great cluster of trees, buthas a system of laws laid Huxford, Rogercentre, Long, Trevor history Asby with manyfor (but all) towns, down royalty thenot protection of change in a society and the Greatfor War and Peterhas Shilham forbeen all their change always bothcontinuing merciless The Borough received offers theof Peach Street grounds. has adapted to the new their hunting 1914-1918 one suchattime. contributions. and remorseless. The challenge is how we premises is including least one to return demands placed upon as a central These onerous rules it restricted local number centenaries All thisthat workchange is provided by our manage by facing both the theTherefore smithy toaits formerofuse and another part offrom the community.

In theofearly people using large parts the land between 2014 and 2018 will local historians of charge and an demands of thefree future and keeping from Reading University for all the tools.

1800s it was made uppart of residential sustenance and in led to the commemorate great losses of war new for can on the the eyebeonfound the past.

Thefront factpage that of a humble In 1983 the Oldthe Forge finally received accommodation and small industry rise of local highwaymen and generaland which scarred the people of Wokingham Wokingham Remembers building such as the Oldwebsite Forge has not tenants following rebuilding work and lawlessness. result, subsequent for the rest the 20th century. www.wokinghamremembers.com saw the riseAs of athe beerthe houses from the been pulled down to make way for a new became theofheadquarters of ‘Savacentre’, Black Act of 1723 came down heavily on May’s edition followed thepast. story Thanks also to Mark Ashwell at and 1840s. development, hints that the past itself a name now from the these ‘Wokingham Blacks’ and resulted in of two from TradeMark forcan supporting the paper’s The railways came along the present work together and still Thebrothers Savacentre HQLangborough stayed there either their transportation or execution.

Road Wokingham of our commitment to this project. future.

(Wokingham’s arrived in 1849) to usher provide us with a workable until in 1999 when theytown. wereOne moved to

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Unit 20, Headley Park 10 (next to Screwfix), Woodley RG5 4SW 0118 9699322

22 | LEISURE

Leisure

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, October 16, 2015

Your guide to what’s happening around Wokingham

WOKINGHAM THEATRE

Going on holiday can be murder...

A

PLAY by the queen of murder mysteries is coming to Wokingham Theatre next week.

Agatha Christie’s famous And Then There Were None tells the story of 10 strangers lured to a grand house on an island off the coast of Devon for the weekend by a mysterious host.

No-one seems to know the elusive Mr Owen, who has been ‘delayed’ in joining them at the residence, but when a strange recording is played, listing off everyone’s names with details of deaths each one has been responsible for, the evening takes a sinister turn.

Who is Owen, why has he brought these people together, and will any of them survive?

Director Nigel Lawson Dick takes the helm for this gripping crime mystery, which, in true Christie style, sees every character bumped off one by one as the play goes on.

Nigel explains: “I have never done a Christie before, so it has been a challenge, but I think it has come together.

“There are a lot of characters, but they become easier to manage as the play

goes along because there are fewer and fewer of them!

“The play has a few changes from the book, the ending is slightly different and the rhyme Ten Little Soldiers has obviously been changed, but we try to keep as true to the original as possible.

“It can be quite a tricky play to put together, as there are so many characters, and you need to make every movement as subtle as possible.

“You need to set up opportunities for the characters to be murdered, for example, a glass of whiskey needs to be left unattended, or a character needs to pass another in a certain way.

“We want to keep the audience thinking, they become the detectives and are trying to piece together the clues to find out who the culprit is.”

And Then There Were None opens with a charity preview in aid of Citizens Advice Wokingham on Tuesday and then runs until Saturday, October 31.

Tickets start at £10. To book visit https:// crm.wokingham-theatre.org.uk GEMMA DAVIDSON

Animal Corner with Gemma Davidson

CAN you offer these adorable animals a loving forever home? Each week, we team up with the folk at Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre in Nelsons Lane, Hurst, to try to find new homes for the animals currently in their care

OLIVE, OSCAR, OCTOBER, ORLA AND OLIVIA

These adorable kittens are all looking for a new home! They are only 10-weeks-old, but they are already well socialised and have been well-handled.

The two boys and three girls are all short-haired, two grey, two black and one tabby. They are all very friendly and affectionate and would make a lovely addition to any family. As they are still so small, they will need someone around during the day to give them their lunch. Ideally, they would go as a pair, or to a home with an existing cat so that they don’t get

A new spin on ‘Earnest’ from the talented Bunbury Players

O

INDIGO

Poor Indigo has been passed from pillar to post recently, having arrived at DBARC from another rescue. We can’t understand why this beautiful threeyear-old female hasn’t found her forever home yet! She has a lovely nature and is very friendly, and would be a welcome addition to any home. Book a visit to come and meet her and see if yours could be her perfect new home.

REVIEW

lonely. Kittens are a big responsibility, and a life-long commitment. They will need littertraining and can be a handful, almost like having a small baby in the house at times!

If you are ready to give these kittens the home and attention they need then give us a call today. n Could you offer a forever home to any of these animals? If the answer is ‘yes’ then please get in touch with the centre on 0118 934 1122 to make sure the animals have not already been reserved. The centre is open everyday between 11am and 1pm, and 2pm and 4pm. For more information, and to view other animals in need of a home visit www.dbarc.org.uk

SCAR Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest pokes fun at Victorian society and the twists and turns of the plot remind us why it is simpler never to tell lies. It also has some of Oscar Wilde’s best loved quotes.

It’s difficult to give such a well-loved and well known play a new twist but Simon Brett certainly pulled that off with the additional scenes he wove around the original story.

As the play starts we are watching the Bunbury Company of Players giving their final dress rehearsal for their rendition of the play which, it seems, they have been performing regularly for many, many years.

So much so that the two leading male characters, both love interests in their 20s, are played by men with grey hair.

The play within a play is acted out on a beautiful art deco set which is the sitting room where the rehearsal is taking place. As well as the sparkling Oscar Wilde dialogue the audience is given an extra treat with the toing and froing of the am-dram group as they rehearse their lines.

Five of the original cast have moved with the play from its West End performance.

Rosalind Ayres gives a memorable performance as the neurotic Miss Prism, Nigel Havers is Algernon Moncrieff, Christine Kavanagh is Cecily, and Sian Phillips is the fearsome Lady Bracknell.

Joining them are Nigel Anthony who plays Lane and Merriman, Carmen du Sautoy as Gwendolen and David Shaw-Parker as the Revd Canon Chasuble.

Nigel Havers plays Algernon Moncrieff.

The Importance of Being Earnest is at the Wycombe Swan until tomorrow (Saturday).

Tickets start at £19.50 and are available from www.wycombeswan.co.uk

VIVIENNE JOHNSON

To advertise call 0118 966 6600

Friday, October 16, 2015 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

LEISURE | 23

MUSIC

Marvellous moves to Dinton A FAMILY-friendly festival is preparing for a move to Hurst – and acts on the bill could include ‘ABBA’, ‘The Beatles’, ‘Coldplay’ and ‘Elton John’.

The Marvellous Festival will come to Dinton Pastures over the weekend of July 23 and 24 next year, bringing with it a weekend of live music, a funfair, a children’s village, food and drink stalls and camping.

The event will be held on the site of the old Hurst Golf Course and is the first such event to be held there.

Cllr Philip Houldsworth, deputy executive member for environment, said: “As a result of the Dinton Pastures consultation earlier in the year, we have been exploring hosting a variety of events at the country park and I am pleased to announce that the first event to take place is the popular, family friendly, Marvellous annual music festival.

“I hope many Wokingham Borough residents will come along, enjoy some live music and have fun in the beautiful surroundings of Dinton Pastures Country Park.”

The event has been previously held at Wellington Country Park. The line-up has yet to be announced but in previous years has included music by ABBA, The Beatles, Coldplay, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Michael Jackson, Oasis, Rod Stewart, Take That and U2.

Wokingham Borough Council said that following its Dinton Pastures consultation in January, 1,107 people (26 per cent) said they would like to see the country park used to host events (such as carnivals and festivals) and 854 people (20 per cent) said they would like to see live music.

Peter Lincoln, Marvellous Festival director, said: “Marvellous is a very special brand of family entertainment, unique in its approach to the festival experience.

“We are delighted to bring it to Dinton Pastures, and look forward to welcoming new customers into the fold, and to exploring the range of new opportunities that the move presents.” n www.marvellousfestivals.com.

FAMILIES

CHOIRS

Spooks, sparks and Lego bricks go bump in the night

Go on… release a few hormones and sing yourself happy This Christmas, you can give yourself some festive cheer by singing The Snowman. Here DORIAN EDWARDS explains why he wants you sing and put a smile on your face

I Legoland will enjoy a fantastic firework display each weekend from tomorrow until the end of the month, as part of its Brick or Treat festival.

O

N SATURDAY, a popular family theme park is getting a scary makeover.

Legoland Windsor will be running its hugely popular Brick or Treat event from tomorrow until the closure of the park on Monday, November 2.

Frankie the Friendly Monster and his not-so evil side kick Lord Vampyre will be returning for lots of Legothemed fun and games.

And, during the three weekends between now and November, there will be the Lego Ninjago firework show to enjoy.

Brick or Treaters can meet Frankie and Lord Vampyre along with Orange Brick in the eerie, misty woodland of the Enchanted Forest, where they will also be able to create their very own Lego or Duplo pumpkins to place in the Lego pumpkin patch.

Young hands can also take part in a giant Lego Mosaic build.

And if that’s not enough, there’s

also cobweb colouring, a Minifigure monster trail and an invasion of the ghostly kind over in Miniland where tiny LEGO figures will be spooking things up.

For littler ones there’s a special Spooky Puppet show over at the Duplo theatre where the puppets will don their very own Hallowe’en costumes.

The Lego Ninjago firwork display will light up the skies on Saturdays and Sundays, as Master of Spinjitzu, Red Ninja Kai will be making daily appearances at the Ninjago Training Academy.

And once you’ve enjoyed the spooky trail, there’s 55 different rides and activities to enjoy.

All activities are included in the entry price which starts at £36.90 for adults and £33.75 for children. For visits on fireworks days (17/18, 24/25 and 30/31 October) tickets are from £41.40 and from £38.25 for children. n www.legoland.co.uk or call 0845 373 2640.

T IS PRETTY inescapable the passion that surrounds the Rugby World Cup. Apart from their impeccable behaviour, the crowds watching the games have been supporting and encouraging their teams through songs and anthems.

As a Welshman I a well used to hearing Hen Wlad fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers) being sung at matches wherever Wales play, but it is the memories of my father singing it that will always stay with me.

His wonderful bass/baritone voice aside, it was the way I could see how the words and music affected him, made him appear to stand taller, made him happy.

To the players on the field the crowd singing with such passion could genuinely add points to the scoreboard.

What we do know for sure is that when you sing, musical vibrations work within you and they alter you physically and emotionally.

If you have sung in a Rugby crowd you may well have understood how exhilarating it can be. It soothes your nerves and elevates your spirits. It’s not just sports crowds however, look how The Last Night of the Proms raises the collective pride in our country So why can singing have such an amazing affect on us?

Unsurprisingly there is lots of research science on this issue.

One of the most interesting pieces of research from the US attempts to make the case that “music evolved as a tool of social living,” and that the pleasure that comes

from singing together is our evolutionary reward for coming together cooperatively, instead of hiding alone, every cave-dweller for him or herself (source: American Psychological Society).

As a cave dweller myself, one who runs three choirs locally, I would have to agree with this.

Dr Bjorn Vickhoff led a Swedish study that seemed to indicate that groups of singers, who sang regularly found that their heart rates went into sync with each other.

He said; “The pulse goes down when you exhale and when you inhale it goes up, so when you are singing, you are singing on the air when you are exhaling so the heart rate would go down. And between the phrases you have to inhale and the pulse will go up. If this is so then heart rate would follow the structure of the song or the phrases, and this is what we measured and this is what we confirmed.”

The benefits of singing regularly seem to show a cumulative effect.

Singing seems to release endorphins, which are associated with feelings of pleasure.

Other studies show that the body releases oxytocin, a hormone that has been found to alleviate anxiety and stress.

There is so much information available that shows quite clearly that singing relieves anxiety and contributes to quality of life.

So why not give it a try, find a group who sing the sort of music you like, or perhaps challenge yourself by looking at a different style of music, but above all remember that it’s you they want, not someone who sounds like Mariah Carey or Ed Sheerin. The great thing about singing is that you don’t even have to be a good singer to reap the rewards.

Group singing can produce satisfying and therapeutic sensations even when the sound produced by the vocal instrument is not the best quality.

Singing groups vary from casual affairs where no audition is necessary to serious,

committed local choral societies and professional groups.

Just remember one thing, singing with other people is what it is all about, a great team effort working with and for each other. If you take the time to try, you will find it can make you happy and energised, but remember what the great Billie Holiday said; “If I am going to sound like someone else, I need not sing at all” It’s all about you, your voice – your participation!

I am a local musical director of three local choirs including the BBC Berkshire Choir.

For the past 40 years, I have been helping people release the potential of singing for over 40 years.

The BBC has over the past few years, with programmes featuring choir leaders like Gareth Malone, brought choir singing into the front of people’s minds.

It’s worth remembering however, that we have been showing people for a lot longer than that how anyone can play an important part in a choir.

If you can speak, you can sing.

What it takes is determination and the desire to give it a try.

We do not hold auditions, you do not need any musical experience and there is no pressure whatsoever All of these choirs are open to anyone over the age of 18 and they regularly do concerts to raise money for local charities.

In November 2014, one of his choirs sold out the Hexagon Theatre in Reading to perform The Armed Man by Sir Karl Jenkins.

The choir, The Thames Valley Community Choir as the first totally nonauditioned group to perform this great work and they were accompanied by the Berkshire Youth Symphony Orchestra.

This Christmas they are again linking with the BYSO and the Coombes School Choir for their Christmas Concert – The Snowman – in Reading Concert Hall on 20th December.

Over the last six years his choirs have raised over £25,000 for different groups.

24 | LEISURE

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What’s on Friday, October 16 BRACKNELL – Priestwood Community Centre, Priestwood RG42 1TU. Berkshire Family History Society Bracknell and Wokingham Branch meeting: The Kennet and Avon Trust with Dave Copley. 7.15pm. Free entry.

Details: 0118 950 9553.

EARLEY – Our Lady of Peace Social Club, Wokingham Road RG6 7DA (entrance off Aldbourne Avenue). Reading and Wokingham Spanish Circle meeting: Interactive discussion: life under the Franco regime.

7.45pm. £3. Details, 0118 977 2569 or 0118 979 2458.

EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports & Social Club, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club presents Police Academy. 7.45pm. Details: wokinghammusicclub.co.uk.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre RG40 4ES. Rhymetime for under fives. 11am-11.30am.

Details: 0118 908 8176.

LOWER EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Scrabble club. 10am-noon.

Details: 0118 931 3124.

WOKINGHAM – 30 Rose Street RG40 1XU. John Redwood MP constituency surgery by appointment. Details: 020 7219 4205.

WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Local history surgery: drop-in for advice.

10am-noon. Wokingham VIP group: book group for visually impaired. 2pm-4pm. Cribbage and card games club. 10.30am.

Details: 0118 978 1368.

Saturday, Oct 17 BINFIELD – St Mark’s Church, Popeswood Road RG42 4H. Ladies Pamper Afternoon.

1.30pm-5.30pm. Details: 01344 421079 HURST – St Nicholas School playing fields. Hurst Rocktoberfest.

6.30pm-midnight. £15, includes hog roast. Music from The Scoundrels, Evolution, Dirtbag.

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Pinewood (Wokingham) Miniature Railway. Rides £1, buy 5 get 6th free. Under threes free. 1.30pm-4pm. Details: www. pinewoodrailway.co.uk or 07599 969 579.

Monday, October 19 FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James Church Centre. Fruitfulness On the Frontline: exploring faith in the every day. 7.45pm. Details:

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

The best guide for local, community events across Wokingham borough

Details: www.hurstrocktoberfest. org.uk MAIDEN ERLEGH – Library, off Silverdale Road RG6 7HS. Storytime for ages 3-5. 10.15am10.45am. Details: 0118 966 6630.

SPENCERS WOOD – St Michael’s and All Angels, Basingstoke Road RG7 1AP. Auction event: viewing from 5pm, 75% to seller, 25% to church. Refreshments available.

Viewing 5pm, sale 7pm. Details: 0118 988 5923.

SONNING – Reading Blue Coat School. Reading Churches Men’s Breakfast meeting. 8.15am. Guest speaker: Nathan Beard: Living Dangerously, a Life of Adventure, Faith and Purpose. £10. Details: 0118 957 3879.

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. 10.30amnoon. Wokingham Writers Group for adults. 10am. Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOODLEY – The Oakwood Centre.

Woodley Theatre presents Jazz at the Oakwood. £10. 7.45pm.

Details: www.woodleytheatre.org or 07939 210121.

WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Saturday Storytime.

11am-11.30am. Details: 0118 969 0304.

Sunday, October 18

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, October 16, 2015

0118 973 0133.

WARGRAVE – Library, Woodclyffe Hostel, Church Street RG10 8EP. Writers forum. 10.30am-noon.

Storytime for ages 3-5. 4pm.

Details: 0118 940 4656.

WARGRAVE – Wargrave Library, Woodclyffe Hostel, Church Street, Wargrave, RG10 8EP. Wargrave Library Writers’ Forum.

Adults Writing and sharing ideas with others. Details: 0118 940 4659.

WOKINGHAM – St Crispins School, London Road. Join the budget consultation. 7pm to 9pm WOODLEY – Woodley Library, Headley Road, Woodley, RG5 4JA. Yoga Fusion and Pure Stretch. Weekly classes. Adult event. 7.30pm to 8.45pm. Details: 0759 9988126.

WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3LA. Network Fellowship group: bingo.

2pm. Details: www.christ-churchwoodley.org.uk or 0118 926 8143.

Tuesday, Oct 20 WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street. Railway and Transport Club: Today’s railways in Switzerland with Steve Ollive. 7.45pm. Details: www. wokinghammethodist.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Wokingham Art Society Meeting: Tony Jackson on Life In India, using pastels. 7.30pm. £4, includes refreshments. Details: www.wokinghamartsociety. org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Wokingham Evening Townswomen’s Guild presents Tom Handy of the Royal British Legion, speaking about medals.

7.30pm. Details: 0118 989 2649.

WOKINGHAM – Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents And Then There Were None. 7.45pm. Details: www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Library, Denmark Street,

Wokingham, RG40 2BB. Storytime. For children aged 3 to 5 years old. Just drop in. 2pm to 2.30pm. Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Library, Denmark Street, Wokingham, RG40 2BB. National Careers Service. Advice sessions to help you with career planning, CVs and interviews. 9.40am to 3.40pm. Details: 0800 1954 700.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Library, Denmark Street, Wokingham, RG40 2BB. Third Tuesday Group.Group meets to discuss new books, bestsellers and favourites. Adult event.

10.30am to 11.30am. Details: 0118 978 1368.

TWYFORD – Twyford Library, Edward Polehampton Library, Polehampton Close, Twyford, RG10 9RP. Knit and Natter. Drop in knitting group for adults All abilities welcome. Details: 0118 934 0800.

Wednesday, October 21 SHINFIELD – Parish Hall, Church Lane. Pound Green Shinfield Women’s Institute meeting: harvest supper. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 988 2648.

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue. All Saints Fellowship: The Cats’ Protection League, a talk by Jane Bolton.

Entry: £1.50 and a can of cat food.

7.45pm Details: 0118 977 0223.

WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street. Alzheimer’s Café: guest speaker Johan Baker, adult safeguarding officer. 2pm3.30pm. Details: 0118 977 6898.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road. Wokingham Folk and Acoustic Blues Club.

8pm. Free entry. Details: www. facebook.com/WokFAB WOKINGHAM – Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents And Then There Were None. 7.45pm. Details: www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk.

WOODLEY – Town Centre.

Farmers’ Market. 9am-1.30pm.

Details: 0118 921 6920 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk.

WOODLEY – Woodley Library, Headley Road, Woodley, RG5 4JA. National Careers Service.

Free advice sessions to help you with career planning, CVs and interviews. Adult event. 10am to 5pm. Details: 0800 1954 700.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Library, Denmark Street, Wokingham, RG40 2BB. Rhymetime for Toddlers. Rhymes for babies aged 18 months to 3 years old and their parents, Just drop in. 11am to 11.30am.

Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Library, Denmark Street, Wokingham, RG40 2BB. Rhymetime for Babies. Rhymes for babies aged 0 to 18 months and their parents, Just drop in.

10.30am to 11am. Details: 0118 978 1368.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Finchampstead Library, FBCentre, Gorse Ride North, Wokingham, RG40 4ES. Finchampstead Library Book group. Book group meet to discuss new books and favourite books. Adult event. 10.30am to 11.30am. Details: 0118 908 8176.

WARGRAVE – Wargrave Library, Woodclyffe Hostel, Church Street, Wargrave, RG10 8EP. Crafts and Laughs. Drop in for a chat and create some wonderful crafts together. Adult event.

Details: 0118 940 4659.

Thursday, Oct 22 LOWER EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Chalfont social afternoon: The work of Blind Veterans UK. £1.

2pm. Details: 0118 931 3124.

SHINFIELD – Magpie and Parrot, Arborfield Road RG2 9EA. Andy Kennedy Quartet. £5. Details: 0118 988 4130.

WOKINGHAM – Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents And Then There Were None. 7.45pm. Details: www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone,

Norreys Avenue RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Photographic Club meeting: Image clinic. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 5670.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Library, Denmark Street, Wokingham, RG40 2BB. Storytime. Stories and rhymes for parents and children to enjoy together, For children aged 3 to 5 years old. Just drop in. 4pm to 4.30pm. 0118 978 1368.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Library, Denmark Street, Wokingham, RG40 2BB.Art History Lecture. With Dalila Castelijn: Highlights of the National Portrait Gallery. 2pm to 4pm. Details: 0118 978 1368.

CHARVIL – Charvil Village Hall, The Hawthorns, off Park Lane, Charvil. Join the Budget Conversation. Wokingham Borough Council is asking residents to join in and have their say on the council’s budget at a series of public drop-in sessions in October. 7pm to 9pm. Details: Budget conversation website page LOWER EARLEY – Lower Earley Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way, Lower Earley, RG6 5HZ. Storytime. Stories and rhymes for parents and children to enjoy together, For children aged 3 to 5 years old. Just drop in. 2.30pm to 3pm. Details: 0118 931 2150.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Library, Denmark Street, Wokingham, RG40 2BB. National Careers Service. Advice sessions to help you with career planning, CVs and interviews. Adult event.

9.40am to 3.40pm. Details: 0800 1954 700.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Library, Denmark Street, Wokingham, RG40 2BB. Home educated book group. Book discussion group for young people who are home educated.

Families with chidlren aged 7 to 14 years old. Places must be booked. 10.30am to 11.30am.

Details: 0118 978 1368.

Friday, October 23 WOKINGHAM – Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents And Then There Were None. 7.45pm. Details: www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Finchampstead Library, FBCentre, Gorse Ride North, Wokingham, RG40 4ES. Rhymetime. Rhymes for under 5’s. 11am to 11.30am. Details: 0118 908 8176.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Library, Denmark Street, Wokingham, RG40 2BB. Local History Surgery. Drop in advice with a local expert. 10am -noon.

Details: 0118 978 1368.

Saturday, Oct 24 RISELEY – Village Tea Room. Visit by Austin Enthuasists Club. Details: 0118 988 7028.

SHINFIELD – Shinfield Baptist Church, Hollow Lane RG2 9BT. Cake cafe in aid of Tearfund’s No Child Taken campaign. 10.30amnoon. Details: shinfieldbaptist. org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Wokingham Evening Townswomen’s Guild presents autumn buffet with guitarist, Graeme Parsons. Half of the profits will go to the Thames Valley Air Ambulance. 7.30pm.

Details: 0118 989 2649.

WOKINGHAM – Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents And Then There Were None. 7.45pm. Details: www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Library, Denmark Street, Wokingham, RG40 2BB. Teen Writing Group.Get writing, get ideas, Make new friends and Have fun with writing. For teens aged 11 to 18 years old. 10.30am to 12noon. Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Stories and rhymes for parents and children to enjoy together. Just drop in. Details: 0118 969 0304.

AT THE THEATRE Basingstoke – The Anvil www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 Dresden Philharmonic. Fri. Hothouse Flowers. Sat. An Audience with Lesley Garrett. Sun. The RAF in Concert. Wed. All Star 60s Show. Thurs. Jo Harman.

Thurs. The Shires. Fri 23. Asian Dub Foundation: THX1138. Sat 24. Steve Backshall. Sun 25. Chris While and Jule Matthews. Sun 25.

Basingstoke – The Haymarket www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 Hal Cruttenden. Fri. Here Be Monsters.

Sat. Round The Horne. Sun. Classic Ghost Stories. Tues-Sat 24.

Bracknell – South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk (01344) 484123 Simon Allen: Bracknell Jazz. Fri. The Comedy Cellar. Fri. Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers. Fri. Artree Live: Folk and Roots Music. Sat. Wilde Sundays. Sun. Creative Control Band Night. Sun. Fawlty Towers 2. Tues-Sat 25. David Malusa: Conservatoire Concert Series.

Fri 23. Comedy Cellar. Fri 23. Berkshire Wedding Fair. Sun 25. Creative Control Band Night. Sun 25.

FILMS: Me And Earl And The Dying Girl. Fri. Southpaw. Fri-Sun. The Man From UNCLE. Fri-Sun. The Barber of Seville (Live). Mon. Marshland (La Isla Minima). Tues. RSC Henry V (Live).

Wed. Beyond The Reach. Thur-Sun 24.

45 Years. Fri 23-Sun 25.

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Daughters of Davis: #NotPlayingTheGame. Fri 16. Rhydian Roberts. Sun. Comotion Theatre presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. Thurs-Fri.

Didcot – Cornerstone www.cornerstone-arts.org 01235 515144 He Had Hairy Hands. Sat. Patrick Kielty: Help. Sun. Jo Brand: Work In Progress SOLD OUT. Thurs. Kadia With Support from the White Horse Whisperers. Fri 23. Salon du Chocolat: Hips, Lips and Nibs. Sat 24. Death, Duck and the Tulip.

Sun 25.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Rebecca. Until Sat. An Evening With Sir

Roger Moore: SOLD OUT. Sun. Home and Beauty. Tues-Sat 24.

Henley – Kenton www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 575698 Maskerade. Until Sat. A Time To Dance.

Sun. Georgie Fame in Concert. Thurs.

An Evening With Ian McCulloch. Sat 24.

Manx. Sun 25.

FILM: 45 Years. Sat. NT Live: Hamlet. Fri, Tues. Miss Julie. Sun. RSC Live: Henry V. Wed.

Newbury – The Corn Exchange

www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Blofeld and Baxter: Rogues on the Road.

Fri. The Importance of Being Earnest.

Until Sat. The Smallest Show on Earth.

Mon-Sat 24.

www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 The Irish House Party. Fri. Choral Spectacular. Sat. Wire Bird Sculpture.

Sat. YCE Presents: Film Competiion Launch. Sun. Jeremy Hardy Live. Tues.

Children’s Bookshow with Patrick Benson. Tues. RSC: Henry V. Wed. He Had Hairy Hands. Wed. Sinatra Sequins & Swings: The Capitol Years Live. Thurs. Robert Newman: The Brain Show. Fri 23.

Maidenhead – Norden Farm

Newbury – The Watermill

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan

www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Sean Hughes: Mumbo Jumbo. Fri. Gren Bartley Band. Fri. The Vinyl Frontier: Your Best of Queen. Sat. Nancy Kerr and James Fagan. Wed. Martin James Bartlett (piano). Thurs. Classic Meets Jazz. Thurs. Hal Cruttenden: Straight Outta Cruttenden. Fri 23. Daniel Koek: His West End Story. Fri 23. Justin Moorhouse: Destiny Calling. Fri 23.

Old Mother Hubbard. Sun 25. Harry

www.watermill.org.uk.

01635 46044 The Ladykillers. Until Sat 31.

Reading – South Street www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Third Friday Blues: Tommy Allen and Johnny Hewitt. Fri. Poets Cafe: Jo Bell. Fri. CultureMix presents The Peace and Love Concert. Sat. Reading Comedy Festival New Act competition.

Tues. Men In The Cities. Wed. James Acaster: Represent. SOLD OUT. Thurs.

Sitelines: Verity Standen’s HUG. Fri. Alfie Moore: The Naked Stun. Sat.

Reading – The Hexagon

0118 975 8880 Playing Away. Nov 18-21.

Sonning – The Mill

www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Jimmy Carr: Funny Business. Tues. Thank You For The Music. Fri 23.

www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Round and Round The Garden. Until Nov 21. Another 100 Years of Jazz. Sun. Mr Laurel. Tues. Music of the Night.

Sun 25.

Reading – Concert Hall

Windsor – Theatre Royal

www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Beardyman: One Album Per Hour. Fri 23.

www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Dinosaur Zoo. Thurs-Sun. Portrait of Murder. Mon-Sat 24.

Reading – Progress Theatre

Woking – New Victoria

www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 Jazz: Gabriel Garrick’s Expansions Quintet. Fri 23. The Two Sisters with Hilary James, Janey Giraudo and Simon Mayor. Fri 30.

www.ambassadortickets.com 0844 871 7645 Back to Bacharach. Fri. Michael Palin: The Thirty Years Tour. Sat. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Tues 27-Sat 31.

www.stbartstheatre.org 07737 477193 Not Treasure Island Nor The Odyssey.

Sat 17. The Mighty Prince and Other Fabulous Fables. Sat 24.

www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 And Then There Were None. Oct 20-31.

Shinfield – Players

www.woodleytheatre.org 07939 210121 Bell Book and Candle. Nov 24-28.

Reading – St Barts

www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk

Wokingham – Theatre

Woodley – Theatre

LEISURE | 25

To advertise call 0118 966 6600

Friday, October 16, 2015 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

AT THE CINEMA

The acoustic couch

Here’s a new take on Never Never Land

From Royal Oaks grows fundraising

Kim Taylor-Foster

Upcoming music with Jody Mc

Music for a good cause will turn Hallowe’en into a day of fun. Local organiser DAVID CRUTTENDEN previews the acts

Ready to perform for Oxfjam are BabyHowl (left) Jody Mc (middle left) and Alexander McKay (bottom left). Pictures: David Sell

O T

HE last thing, probably, that you thought you needed was another version of Peter Pan. But that’s what British director and period drama specialist Joe Wright has delivered.

To be fair, it’s a bit more than that: the film takes the original J.M. Barrie story and embellishes it, rewinding to an imagined origin story of how Peter Pan wound up in Neverland and giving an insight into his back story.

Wright’s production is large scale. It features Kathy Burke as a Miss Hannigan-style orphanage matron who’s been selling off her charges to a band of pirates.

Snatching the boys from their beds Mad Max-style, the sky-faring brigands transport them back in a flying galleon to a far-off magical land populated by fairies, tribes, mermaids and enormous crocodiles.

It’s on one such occasion that Peter (Levi Miller) is snatched.

The story focusses on Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman), the fearsome overlord who forces his minions to mine for fairy dust – a valuable commodity.

It’s prophesied that a boy who can fly will arrive who will topple Blackbeard from his lofty perch – and when Peter inadvertently flies soon after being put to work, it becomes apparent that he’s the one.

Befriending fellow prisoner James Hook (Garret Hedlund), Peter escapes the pirate’s clutches and what follows is essentially a chase movie that relies on Peter’s capacity for self-belief.

Wright doesn’t shy away from dark themes and treatments, and while Jackman is deliberately theatrical in his portrayal, there are plenty of moments where he’s quite menacing.

In an age of overly sanitised children’s fare, it’s refreshing to behold. With vertiginous special effects and a beautifully realised Neverland, the film is an absorbing and unpatronising adventure for young viewers. However, it’s let down by its younger cast who struggle with what’s asked of them.

A bland anti-hero in Hook and irritating leading lady in Rooney Mara’s Tiger Lily do untold damage, while a glorious turn from Adeel Akhtar as Smee adds humour and warmth.

Hollywood pirate films have historically flopped and were considered untenable in Tinseltown until the massive success of Pirates of the Caribbean which bucked the trend.

But don’t let the pirate theme or the fact it’s regurgitating an oft-adapted story put you off – it’s actually quite fun

Alexander McKay’s songs excite me, I first found him via the music discovery platform Tradiio (www.tradiio.com) which I highly recommend. He also comes from Guildford.

Honest, acoustic songs with clever lyrics, he will certainly be a treat to watch. He’s also an actor, with his first film featuring his music Stones released later this year.

Cherry White and Pistol Kings both bands based in London have a great range of songs and a professional approach. Check out their amazing videos for 7 Days and Run Roger respectively.

Three great young local ladies will also be on the bill.

Wokingham star Nicky Booty, Katie Kukla and Sophie Hastings. All are quality and well worth seeing live.

Nicky was the last act to be selected to play at the event, having been spotted busking outside Camden Station and the following week in Reading.

Sophie was one of the stars of theacousticcouch event recently,

STR8TS

SUDOKU

No. 251

Tough

2

Previous solution - Medium

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

1 5 4

5 2 8 1

7 9 6

3 2 1 7 6 9 8 4 5

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

8 7 9 6 1 2 3 4 5 6

4 3 2 9 8

No. 251

Easy

9 7 4 5 7

Previous solution - Very Hard

6 4 8 5 9 2 3 1 7

5 4 8 3 8 9

8 2 4

6

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.

7 3

2 9

please check out her excellent cover of Birdy’s Not About Angels on youtube.

Completing the bill will be a name that needs no introduction to regular column readers. Ascot’s Jody Mc, founder of theacousticcouch, who will be performing a set to promote both the live music venue he is opening on December 1 and also to promote the forthcoming release sof his Bittersweet Cacophony EP. Hosting the event will be Johnny Summers and Pete Ring from Zykotika Promotions, big names in the unsigned and independent music scene, formerly of Reputation Radio (www.zykotika.com).

The dress code is scary so come in Hallowe’en costume, and the best will win a prize. There will also be an Oxfam raffle with great prizes.

All acts will be performing Hallowe’en covers in their sets.

Hallowe’en cookies will also be on sale, as well as a bar and barbecue all day. There are also many surprises planned.

See you there.  www.facebook.com/oxjambracknell

2

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

8 1 2 1 9 3

6 8 9 5 1

© 2011 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

Stars: Hugh Jackson, Levi Miller, Garrett Hedlund, Rooney Mara

© 2011 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

Pan (12a) 

XJAM Bracknell ‘O’ween 2015 is fast approaching.

This year’s day of music will take place on Saturday October 31.

The venue is The Royal Oak, London Road, Bracknell and the musicathon will raise money for the charity Oxfam.

The hope is to create a live music event all day for Hallowe’en, and bring some life to Bracknell for a day instead of it being a ghost town.

Entry is just a minimum of £5 donated to Oxfam, but please donate however much you can and how much you think entry for the whole of your stay at the event is worth.

There will be 12 great acts over the 12 hours, with the headliners being local band BabyHowl who also headlined to great applause at last year’s highly successful inaugural event. I’m Looking forward to seeing their progression with a new drummer and fresh electric sound.

I am very excited and proud to see Corrina Jane from Northampton return as well.

She has just released her Hard In Love EP, and I rate her very highly.

I would not be at all surprised to see her go on to a highly successful music career on big stages.

The Midnight Rambler from Reading are a great band, and I’m looking forward to hearing their Tales From The Nightshift album live.

Another act that played last year are The Toniks from Guildford, who impressed with their upbeat pop tunes.

They have been taking a break this year, so it’s a privilege to have the popular band return to the bill.

3 7 5 6 1 4 9 2 8

9 1 2 8 3 7 5 6 4

8 9 6 2 7 3 4 5 1

2 3 1 4 8 5 7 9 6

4 5 7 9 6 1 2 8 3

7 2 3 1 5 6 8 4 9

1 8 4 7 2 9 6 3 5

5 6 9 3 4 8 1 7 2

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

For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org If you like Str8ts check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.

IN A BAND? HOLDING A GIG? HEARD SOME GREAT MUSIC? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! E-MAIL NEWS@WOKINGHAMPAPER.CO.UK

26 | LEISURE

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, October 16, 2015

GIG GUIDE Catch some live music near you Friday, October 16 BAGSHOT – The Cedar Tree, High Street GU19 5AG. The Mays. Details: 01276 473160.

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Adele Cabaret Night. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Bracknell Jazz: Vasilis Xenopoulos. Details: 01344 484123.

BRACKNELL – The Cannie Man, Hanworth Road RG12 7WX. Uptown Traffic. Details: 01344 307620.

EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports and Social Club, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club presents The Police Academy and Sea Of Teeth. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk.

FLEET – The Fox and Hounds, Crookham Road GU51 5NP. The Lee Aaron Band. Details: 01252 663686.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Dark Matter: Tim Sharpe.

SoundJam. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. The Doors Alive.

Details: 0118 959 5395.

READING – South Street arts centre. Third Friday Blues: Tommy Allen and Johnny Hewitt. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Rev Ferriday.

Details: 0118 957 6930.

READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Oaktoberfest: Hello You.

Details: 0118 959 4267.

WINKFIELD – The Squirrels, North Street SL4 4TF. Hype.

Details: 01344 882205.

WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s, 90s night with DJ Pumba. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Feel Good Fridays. Details: 0118 979 5790.

YATELEY – The Cricketers, Cricket Hill Lane GU46 6BA. Arachna. Details: 01252 872105.

Saturday, October 17 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Hill SL5 9EG. Revolution: All Funk, No Cheese. Details: 01344 878100.

BAGSHOT – The Three Mariners, High Street GU19 5AW. 2 Pauls. Details: 01276 473768.

BAGSHOT – The White Hart, Guildford Road GU19 5JW. Gigabit. Details: 01276 473640.

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Bustin’ Loose. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Artree Live: Folk and Roots Music. Vanquish: Imaginarium. Details: 01344 484123.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. Malarkey. Details: 01344 422622.

CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. Black Shot Rose.

Details: 01276 32691.

CROWTHORNE – The

HOPE & ANCHOR Good food, free entry, fantastic beers & a great night out!

WE LIVE MUSIC

This Saturday @ 9pm

The Echo

Maximum British Power Pop!

Next gig: October 24

Who Are You?

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

Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. The Cherries.

Details: 01344 530615.

FLEET – The Falkners Arms, Falkners Close GU51 2XF. The Soultones. Details: 01252 811311.

FRIMLEY GREEN – Working Men’s Club GU16 6HX. The Abject Band. Details: 01252 835322.

HURST – St Nicholas School playing fields. Hurst Rocktoberfest. 6.30pmmidnight. £15, includes hog roast. Music from The Scoundrels, Evolution, Ditbag. Details: www. hurstrocktoberfest.org.uk READING – Grosvenor G Casino, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Bran Mazz 6 Piece Band.

Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Mielzky. Details: 0118 959 5395.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Dirtbag.

Details: 0118 957 6930.

READING – The Horn, Castle Street RG1 7RD. Mollys Jam. Details: 0118 957 4794.

READING – The Jolly Anglers, Kennetside RG1 3EA. C’Nergi. Details: 0118 376 7823.

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Shooters Ways, Madejski Stadium RG2 0FL. Blunter Brothers. Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING – O’Neills, Friar Street RG1 1BD. Replica Rockaholics. Details: 0118 960 6580.

READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Oaktoberfest: Oxjam takeover - Tiny Giant, Bear and the Woods, Stevie Parker and more. Details: 0118 959 4267.

READING – The Walkabout, Wiston Terrace, off Friar Street. Caddy Cooper.

Details: 0118 953 0000.

READING – The Roebuck, Auckland Road RG6 1NY. The Vinyl Covers. Details: 0118 966 3305.

READING – South Street arts centre. Culture Mix presents The Peace and Love Concert.

Details: 0118 960 6060.

SANDHURST – The Rose and Crown, High Street GU47

8HA. Said & Done. Details: 01252 878938.

TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. The Nine Mile Riders.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Backtrack. Details: 01276 858501.

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 – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. The Echo. Details: 0118 978 0918.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Fat Men In The Bathtub. Details: 0118 977 3706.

WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre, Headley Road RG5 4JZ. Jazz at the Oakwood with Art Themen. £10. Details: 07939 210121.

WOODLEY – The Thatchers Tavern, Fairwater Drive RG5 3RG. Charlie Chandlers Little Rock. Details: 0118 926 7846.

WOODLEY – The Bull and Chequers, Church Road RG5 4QP. Gary Roman is Elvis.

Details: 0118 969 9756.

YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, The Green GU46 7LR. The Reflections. Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, October 18 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Wilde Sundays.

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.

READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Oaktoberfest: Reading Swing Jam. Details: 0118 959 4267.

READING – RISC, London Road RG1 4PS. Readifolk: singers

night, theme: Question and Answers. Details: 0118 958 6692.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, RG4 6TY. Another 100 Years of Jazz with Pete Long, Nick Dawson, Richard Pite, Enrico Tomasso and Dave Chamberlain. Details: 0118 969 8000.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Sammi Lee Bassey. Details: 01276 858501.

Monday, October 19 EVERSLEY – The Golden Pot, Reading Road. Live Music Mondays: Pauly Zarb.

Details: 0118 973 2104.

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Nine Below Zero.

Details: 01491 681048.

Tuesday, Oct 20 FLEET – The Harlington, Fleet Road GU51 4BY. Ben Clatworthy Quartet. Details: 01252 811009.

READING – The Global Cafe, London Road RG1 4PS. Fleur Stevenson Jazz Singers’ night. Details: 0118 958 6692.

PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Stuart Henderson Quartet with Nigel Price. £5.

Details: 0118 969 9878.

Wednesday, October 21 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Wilde Sundays.

Jazz Jam workshop. Details: 01344 484123.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. BBC Introducing Live: Mellor/ Lake of Kings/Jake Cade & The Everday Sinners. Details: 0118 959 7196.

Thursday, Oct 22 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Hill SL5 9EG. Steve Summers Band: blues rock. Details: 01344 878100.

CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. JAM Night.

Details: 01276 32691.

CAMBERLEY – The Bear, Park Street GU15 3PQ. Kieran

Welcome to the

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0118 934 0700 BOOK NOW FOR CHRISTMAS PARTIES

Our fantastic large function room can cater for up to 100 people!

School Green, Shinfield RG2 9EE

0118 988 3563

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Funkline. Details: 01344 303333.

CAMBERLEY – The Four Horseshoes, Frimley Road GU15 3EQ. Ma Might.

Details: 01276 63842.

CROOKHAM – The Black Horse, The Street GU51 5SJ. The Mays. Details: 01252 616434.

FLEET – The Harlington, Fleet Road GU51 4BY. The Barron Knights. Details: 01252 811009.

FLEET – The Fox and Hounds, Crookham Road GU51 5NP. The Turn. Details: 01252 663686.

READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Suspect Sound System.

Details: 0118 959 4267.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Somerset Slim. Details: 0118 957 6930 READING – Concert Hall.

Beardyman: One Album Per Tour. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Hexagon.

Thank You For The Music: Abba Tribute. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – South Street arts centre. Sitelines: Verity Standen’s HUG. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Gabriel Garrick’s Expansions Quintet. Details: 0118 384 2195.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street

Lands End Lane, Charvil nr Twyford RG10 0UE

Pub&Restaurant

All Rugby games are shown live – plus all other sports on our big TV screens

Friday, Oct 23

RG1 1EP. Big Narstie.

Basement Jaxx. Details: 0118 959 5395.

Saturday, October 24 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Hill SL5 9EG. 50 Years of James Bond: Denmark Street Big Band.

Details: 01344 878100.

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Daft.

Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Cannie Man, Hanworth Road RG12 7WX. Said & Done. Details: 01344 307620.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. 4-Minute-Warning. Details: 01344 4226 CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. Finish On 2.

Details: 01276 32691.

CAMBERLEY – The Royal Standard, 115 Frimley Road, GU15 2PP. England’s Dreaming. Details: 01276 27641.

FARNBOROUGH – The Ivy Leaf Social Club, Cove Road GU14 0HF. The Mays. Details: 01252 542962.

FARNBOROUGH – Tradesman Arms, Cover Road GU14 0EX. The Turn. Details: 01252 376745.

FLEET – The Falkners Arms, Falkners Close GU51 2XF. RoadRunner Blues. Details: 01252 811311.

FRIMLEY GREEN – Working Men’s Club GU16 6HX. Flying Visit. Details: 01252 835322.

SANDHURST – The Rose and Crown, High Street GU47 8HA. The History of Rock by Revoc Rocks. Details: 01252 878938.

SANDHURST – The Village Inn, Yorktown Road GU47 9DX. The Capo Thieves. Details: 01252 873220.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. SoundJam. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Grosvenor G Casino, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Beached Boys. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ.

Talulah Kills and support.

Details: 0118 959 4267.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. The Corsairs.

Details: 0118 957 6930.

READING – The Walkabout, Wiston Terrace, off Friar Street. Caddy Cooper.

Details: 0118 953 0000.

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Shooters Ways, Madejski Stadium RG2 0FL. Best of Buble and Olly Murs. Details: 0118 968 1442.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Stret GU26 9PL. Rockin Razors. Details: 01276 858501.

WINDLESHAM – Windlesham Club, Kennel Lane GU20 6AA. Gigabit. Details: 01276 472210.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Who Are You?. Details: 0118 978 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Two Poplars, Finchampstead Road. Blonde Ambition.

Details: 0118 978 0590.

WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights.

Details: 0118 979 5790.

YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, The Green GU46 7LR. The May. Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, Oct 25 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Wilde Sundays.

Creative Control Band NIght.

Details: 01344 484123.

BRACKNELL – The Crown Wood, Opladen Way RG12 0PE. Jam session: Martin Deadman acoustic. Details: 01344 867374.

READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Hair of Dog comedy night.

Details: 0118 959 4267.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. The Ordinary Boys.

Details: 0118 959 5395.

READING – RISC, London Road RG1 4PS. Readifolk: singers night with Reg Meuross.

Details: 0118 958 6692.

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAMPAPER.CO.UK

TheLandsEnd

Bell & Bottle Join us to watch the World Cup

Acoutsic. Details: 01276 684999.

CROWTHORNE – The Prince, High Street RG45 7AZ. Rick Chase. Details: 01344 772241.

READING – Artigiano, Broad Street RG1 2AP. Celine Dos Santos. Details: 0118 950 0703.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Sylosis. Details: 0118 959 5395.

SHINFIELD – Magpie and Parrot, Arborfield Road RG2 9EA. Andy Kennedy Quartet. £5.

Details: 0118 988 4130.

Steve and Yvonne look forward to welcoming you to our friendly pub • Family friendly • Sports-free zone • Menus to suit most tastes • Excellent wine list

• Two large car parks • Large patio area • Fantastic back garden • Great for Anglers

Find out more – visit us online at www.thelandsend.co.uk

Holding a Hallowe’en party?

Don’t be a ghoul, tell people about it!

Advertise your pub event here 0118 966 6600

‘Outstanding’ Reading crash out of cup

Friday, September October 16,25, 2015 THE WOKINGHAM PAPER Friday, 2015 THE WOKINGHAM PAPER

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk

To advertise call 0118 966 6600

A tight affair burst into life just Women’s Super League 2 after the half hour mark when Whelan P W D L F A Pts powered an effort past goalkeeper Grace Doncaster Belles 15 11 3 1 48 14 36 Notts County 3 Moloney after good work from Jess Reading Women 14 10 3 1 49 12 33 Reading Women 2 Clarke.

Yeovil Town Ladies 15 8 4 3 34 20 28 Everton Ladies 14 6 6 2 30 17 24 But Reading responded instantly KELLY CHAMBERS praised her with in-form Ward turning in from close Oxford United Women 15 6 3 6 22 32 21 News and views from your local pubs Upcoming music with Jody McHowever, Aston Villa Ladies 15 5 4 6 23 23 19 “outstanding” Reading side as they fell to range. back came the hosts, Durham Women 15 5 1 9 19 30 16 a late defeat against Notts County in the retaking the lead from the spot after Millwall Lionesses 15 2 6 7 16 29 12 Continental Tyres Cup quarter-finals.

Ellen White was caught in the face by a CROOKED BILLET London Bees 15 3 3 9 17 44 12 Goals from Helen Ward and high boot. Greenwood stepped up Watford Ladies 15 1 1 13 11 48 4 Mel Fletcher saw Royals come and made no mistake with the from behind twice after resulting penalty.

Aileen Whelan and Alex had noticed that they had all just sung Mist, Paul Jude Wilson of the Bitter Yvette Hockley and her teamwere had The scores It’s been a tough week for Greenwood strikes to a Beatles song each.

Blues Band and Michael Tuffery from arranged a vibrantly busy volunteer levelled again midway JODY There I am introducing my next Ryewolf and Knight & Tuffery. in the local send theMc game–here towardshe explains drive for charities through the second half song. Leading into the song, a nice We wanted a casual affair with the community. why he’s a sofa surfer extra time. when Fletcher mention of how grateful I am to be Knowing that the couch loves amade theaudience, so we opted to go unplugged.

But England most of her rare start here today and how awesome it is And, rather good crowd, we HIS week I’m fl ying free style international Greenwood

By PHIL CREIGHTON Howard Witten, who runs the pub with Jo Wreddon, with a good run and finish. to have... Yup, “A little help from my than organising were invited to guys.

I’m laid up on my couch. news@wokinghampaper.co.uk popped up to curl in a said it had been a good day, even if they did not have as friends”. turns to take to join the team of But with just two Armed with only my mobile many vehicles as they usually do. fabulous late winner for the Laughter ensued throughout the the stage, we dancers from minutes left on the clock, phone as communication to the CLASSIC car fanstheir werespot ablein to admire a selection of He said: “We only had five cars. When we’ve Lady Pies to seal first verse. went together. the Martins whole world. lower back has gone Notts done County took the lead for the vehicles and My enjoy a hog roast when a Wokingham pub it in the past we had quite a few turn up. I think the lastbut four.

A new venture is born, it was an all Tuffers and Heron friends, ok I think I willlast make it. organised a its special meet-up Saturday. thirdSchool time when Greenwood found space it was various things and the rugby but it was a good And Chambers (pictured) refused to be round success, superb fun and I can’t Paul were in of Dance in With so muchBillet goinginonHoney I guessHill a welcomed The Crooked onvintage the edge ofday. the box to fire beyond wait to the next event. downhearted after the defeat. chairs and little couch could be a great place vehicles fornews the charity day, held in aid of entertaining Wokingham “Theredive. was an old American Chevvy truck but I Moloney’s despairing Theacousticcouch “with a little help myself and everyone “My girls were outstanding from to start.

Lions. didn’t get a chance to see it up close, but there was a Reading from my friends” will be a way we and Baz joined supporting thenow have a weekend off but Theacousticcouch minute one,” she said.“with a little Ferrari that wasthat veryWSL interesting as well.” will be boosted by the news our supporting artists can give back the crowd very important help“They fromwere my friends” was cially brilliant.

Theoffi back four Mr Witten, who also organised a hog roast for 2 informative leaders Doncaster Rovers Belles were to the very community that support by propping and launched this past week at Bracknell have been fantastic all season, especially visitors, added: “We did it for the Wokingham Lions them. ourselves on day.held to a 3-3 draw by Everton, leaving the sports centre. the two centre-halves, Kirsty McGee and and charged for the hog roast. We donated the hog and Four artists will take to the stage the edge of the Our favourite Little did I know when arriving at door open for Chambers’ charges to go raised about £300.

Kylie Davies. That partnership was again charity, to share a more intimate coming stage. our gig that it was going to be the start top of the league if they win their game “The day is about bringing the local outstanding. together of music. We will discuss The Youthline, of something? in hand.was community together. We’ve been in this pub now “That 88th minute goal hurt, because

Raiseacoustic your glasses The couch

This fab four get by with help from friends Pub’s charity day is

a classic for car lovers

T

I should explain, the group involve girls deserved much more, but I isthe a central supportso organisation suppose that services, is the difference between for voluntary community WSLfaith 1 and WSL 2inright now.” and and groups Wokingham Bracknell It was Forest. the first time Royals have They are wonderful group of reached theaquarter-finals of the individuals with competitionthat andhave theyinspired put up ame strong both kindness and faith in in ame, as fighttheir against the side placed league well as assisting me in finding suitable above, who named six members of volunteers and funding for our rapidly England’s latest squad in their starting approaching venue.

line up.

Spurs are shot down asLEISURE Khul’s| 25 LESIURE 27 men extend lead TASTE TEST

Eye-catching and for adults

ROWAN LIBURD bagged a brace as Reading Under-21s extended their lead at the top of the table with a comfortable 4-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur, writes TOM CROCKER. Royals took an early lead in fortuitous circumstances when Lisandro Semedo’s effort was blocked by Christian Maghoma but the ball ricocheted off of goalkeeper Tom Glover and into the net.

Tariqe Fosu and Andrija Novakovich both went close to doubling the advantage before Liburd was on hand to head in his fourth goal in as many games following his summer arrival from Billericay Town.

And chocolate the gametowas put outmore of sight just IF YOU prefer your be slightly grownup, then thebefore latest range frommark.

Elizabeth Shaw is sure to the hour tickle your tastebuds.

Fosu was tripped by Kyle Walker-Peters Having recently launchedbox twoand newhe products, in the penalty steppedDark up to Chocolate Raspberry Biteskick and Milk Chocolate Almond take the spot himself, sending Glover Bites, the luxury confectionary brand now has something the wrong way. to satisfy every chocolate connoisseur.

There was a brief moment of hope for At only 24 calories per bite, the chocolates are Ugo Ehiogu’s Spurs when Anton Walkes as delicious as they are eye-catching.

Topped with a swept in from close range but the win was tempting layer of real dried raspberry and caramelised sealed when Liburd notched second almond pieces, the chocolate slowly melts inhis your mouth beingthe played through

by Semedo. allowing youafter to savour flavours for a moment of pure indulgence. Still unbeaten, Martin Kuhl’s men sit top Judging by quickly these treatsLeague lasted inDivision the ofhow Barclays U21 Premier Wokingham1,Paper office, they hang around on the two points clearwon’t of Monday’s opponents shelves for very long!

Southampton.

The new chocolates arewill available now from Sainsbury’s The game take place at Wycombe with an RRP of £2.50.

Wanderers’ Adams Park (7.45pm) with GEMMA DAVIDSON tickets available on the gate for just £3 for adults and £1 for children.

It will also be televised on BT Sport.

musical stories and welcome audience interaction in attendance READING: Moloney, McGee, Scott,we meet new people every for justJane, over five Davies, years and participation. between the andRoche, in control Walkley, day.”

Bragg, Ward, Fletcher, Rowe.

We will let you know more about intimate crowd at theSUBS helmNOT USED: Sansom, Jones, Wilson, Now that the classic car day is over, the Crooked the official launch soon but if you are and Baz was instant and the banter were Collette and Estcourt.

Giddings, Bartrip, Billet team are starting to think about Christmas events. interested get in touch. was priceless.

Gina. GOALS: Ward (35), Fletcher (67).

“We’ll be doing a Christmas carol concert on the And if you have a story you’ve At one point it was noted four guys, WeNOTTS will be catching up with these COUNTY: Chamberlain, Greenwood, READING: Moore; Long, Hyam, Sweeney, Griffin; Sunday before Christmas,” said Mr Witten.

Helen wasasonclean cut) sat written or have something we might notWard maybe fantastic from Bassett,young Crichtonpeople (Williams 68),the Buet, Walton, (though Fridjonsson, Kelly; Semedo (Husin 71), Novakovich, “The local musical players come and sing.

It starts Reading at were the be interested in musically, we’d love to on thetarget stagefor wishing they Turner, Scott,asClarke, Whelan, White. charity soon we have been invited Fosu; Liburd (Rinomhota 78). from 6pm.”

Meadow Lane USED: Telford, Plumptre, Hassall, Beatles. hear from you. to playSUBS for NOT them.

SUBS NOT USED: Ward, Owusu, Jules. n For more details, log on to www.Picture: Nigel Hoyle/ O’Neill.

GOALS: Glover (OG) (8), Liburd x2 (40,70), Fosu Send me an email: Jody@ Unknowingly the whispers and At midday we took to the stage. In crookedbilletwokingham.co.uk or call the pub on GOALS: Whelan x2 (39,88) laughter (58). theacousticcouch.co.uk had begun, somehow no one residence were Baz(34), CiliaGreenwood from Spriggan Goalshots Alan Cartmell , Jo Wredden and Howard Witten preparing food for hungry visitors. Pictures: Kevin Sutton 0118 978 0438.

REFEREE: Akil Howson.

ATTENDANCE: 649 ATTENDANCE: 351

Keep those special moments forever NOW YOU CAN ORDER PHOTOS ONLINE

Since our launch, we have been out and about at numerous events across the borough and taken thousands of photographs – only a few make our pages every week.

Due to the popular demand – that you can now buy a copy to keep forever.

We’ve teamed up with industry experts newsprints.co.uk to offer you the ability to order prints and digital copies of the pictures that we take. So far, more than 2,000 pictures have been uploaded and that figure is growing daily.

Have look through, browse our archive, place an order with our secure checkout and wait for the pictures to be delivered to your door.

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Your weekly puzzle challenge

28 | LEISURE

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Quiz Challenge

CROSS CODE 23

2

15

15

12 5

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1. In golf, what name is given to the club designated as a No 1 wood?

4

21

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21

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13

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12

3

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1

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15 26

3. Which TV comic actor worked for the fictional company Sunshine Desserts?

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21

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15

4

4. Which is the most northerly of the British weather forecasting sea areas?

5. Which London Underground line serves Heathrow Airport?

6 19

12

6

NONAGRAM

24 20

15

I

21

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

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P

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T S

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

S A

E N A

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

LET’S TIME MAP TITLE

How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found.

Guidelines: 30 Good; 36 Very Good; 42 Excellent.

BA

NF

RI

UH

ES

TS

6 8 5 3

7

4 4 1 9 5 6 5 4 9 1 6

3

9

N

M C

D

A R

E

2 7 8 3

EY

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.

2

All puzzles on this page are supplied by Sirius Media Services.

To try more of our puzzles interactively online go to www.puzzledrome.com

5 6 9

Here are two miniature fivesquare crosswords using the same grid – but the letters have been mixed up.

You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.

Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same.

3

5

9

1

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10 11

12 13

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19 20

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25

ACROSS 1. The current price for a Shakespearean extract perhaps (9)

EQUALISER 16 5 8 2 1 2 2 6 2 3 2 3

Hard

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

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

P

SL

SUDOKU Easy

E

LE

UZ

TB

4

8

24

C

BO

TI

NI

3

7

A

DO

AO

UA

2

8. Against having drink in the valley (4) 9. Useless depository (9) 11. In the silo customarily find a grasshopper (6)

LM

QE

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.

AI

1

24

FIVE ALIVE SL

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

23

WORD PYRAMID

M G M

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1

6. What is the legislative capital of Sri Lanka?

7. Which of the world’s capital cities lies nearest to the Equator?

8. Which species of bird has varieties called gentoo and chinstrap?

9. Suzi Perry, former presenter of The Gadget Show, began covering which sport for the BBC from 2013?

10. Which British theatrical knight was born with the first names Lewis Ernest Watts in 1908?

2. In which country are the Cambrian Mountains?

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, October 16, 2015

© Sirius Media Services Ltd

12. Strong influence made one member behave (6) 13. Get together in period nine (8) 16. Clumsy nun gaily performed (8) 20. I am on vehicle or foot (6) 21. Greek character, slender religious adherent (6) 23. The spotting of an infectious disease? (9) 24. Pulled and tied (4) 25. Prop? No, a toy (9)

DOWN 2. Rare one in France on parish land (8) 3. Get a BA perhaps for making a hot drink! (3,3) 4. Thanks Scotsman for including successful record by an islander (8) 5. Stonework by Alan (4) 6. There’s nothing in this flask (6) 7. Some cover Texan at the top (6) 10. Question a stance (4) 14. Attempting before second half of July in a testing way (8) 15. It is not what it appears to be (8) 16. One French maid, say, was undone (6) 17. Gets us revolutionary piece let into garment (6) 18. I propose to be in the same place (4) 19. Even host was upset for a short time inside (6) 22. Plant makes many unwell (4)

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

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SOLUTIONS

ACROSS 1. Group of moving parts (9) 9. Wheedle (6) 10. Idiot (4) 11. Rain heavily (4) 12. Wooded hollow (6) 13. Facial defect (7) 16. Imitated (4) 17. Title (4) 18. Pike-like fish (3) 20. Finish (3) 21. Prefix denoting self (4) 23. Greek cheese (4)

25. Unreal, dreamlike (7) 26. Stings (6) 29. Beams (4) 30. Ancient harp (4) 31. Cattle pen (6) 32. Monetary fund (5,4) DOWN 2. Surround entirely (6) 3. Extreme dislike (6) 4. Serviette (6) 5. Move along swiftly (4) 6. Sailor (7)

7. Percussion instrument (4) 8. Practice (9) 13. Backpack (9) 14. Rip (4) 15. Gasps (5) 18. Mirth (4) 19. Rodent snare (3,4) 22. Commencement (6) 23. Gambol (6) 24. Zodiac sign (6) 27. Well ventilated (4) 28. Auction (4)

9 4 2 1 6 8 5 7 3

5 1 3 7 4 2 8 6 9

7 8 6 3 9 5 1 4 2

1 3 7 4 5 9 2 8 6

4 2 5 8 7 6 3 9 1

6 9 8 2 1 3 4 5 7

3 7 9 5 8 1 6 2 4

8 6 1 9 2 4 7 3 5

1 8 9 5 7 2 3 4 6

2 5 4 6 3 7 9 1 8

EASY SUDOKU

E

O

H

K

14 1

15 2

Q

16 3

CROSS CODE

F

7 3 5 4 1 6 8 2 9

2 4 6 3 8 9 5 1 7

4 1 8 9 6 5 7 3 2

5 9 7 2 3 1 6 8 4

3 6 2 8 4 7 1 9 5

6 2 1 7 9 8 4 5 3

8 5 4 6 2 3 9 7 1

9 7 3 1 5 4 2 6 8

HARD SUDOKU

U

17 4

R

V

18 5

J

X

19 6

M

C

20 7

Y

S

21 8

P

B

22 9

G

WORD PYRAMID: Peaches and cream.

EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – add; subtract; multiply; divide.

Total: 9.

QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Mechanism; 9 Cajole; 10 Twit; 11 Pour; 12 Dingle; 13 Harelip; 16 Aped; 17 Name; 18 Gar; 20 End; 21 Auto; 23 Feta; 25 Surreal; 26 Smarts; 29 Rays; 30 Lyre; 31 Corral; 32 Petty cash.

Down – 2 Enwrap; 3 Hatred; 4 Napkin; 5 Scud; 6 Mariner; 7 Gong; 8 Rehearsal; 13 Haversack; 14 Rend; 15 Pants; 18 Glee; 19 Rat trap; 22 Outset; 23 Frolic; 24 Taurus; 27 Airy; 28 Sale.

MAGIC SQUARE: Ibid; 19 Smooth; 22 Mill. slit; late; item; temp.

W

23

D

10

L

24

Z

11

T

25

A

12

N

26 13

I

aegis; ageism; ageist; agent; agin; angst; easing; easting; eating; enigma; gain; gait; game; gamiest; gamin; gamine; gate; gean; gemma; gent; giant; gist; gite; gnat; image; ingest; mage; magnet; MAGNETISM; mange; mangiest; mating; mega; meting; mintage; sage; sang; sating; seaming; seating; sigma; sigmate; sign; signet; sing; singe; smegma; snag; stag; stage; steaming; stemming; stigma; sting; taming; tang; teaming; teasing; ting; tinge.

Down – Squib; Lotus; Dolly.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Quotation; 8 Vale; 9 Scrapheap; 11 Locust; 12 Impact; (2) Across – Limbo; Afire; These.

Down – Leant; Maize; Obese.

13 Intermix; 16 Ungainly; 20 Iambus; 21 Muslim; 23 Diagnosis; 24 Drew; 25 Plaything.

NONAGRAM: Down – 2 Uncommon; 3 Tea bag; 4 Tahitian; 5 Opal; 6 Vacuum; 7 Vertex; 10 Pose; 14 Tryingly; 15 Illusion; 16 Unmade; 17 Gusset; 18

QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 A driver; 2 Wales; 3 Leonard Rossiter, as Reginald Perrin; 4 Southeast Iceland; 5 The Piccadilly Line; 6 Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte; 7 Quito, Ecuador; 8 The penguin; 9 Formula One; 10 John Mills.

(1) Across – Salad; Until; Busty.

FIVE ALIVE:

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Classifieds Advertise regularly and save ££££s Special rates for 4, 12, 26 and 52 weeks

DECORATING

Call 0118 966 6600

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SERVICES

ALL CARS WANTED

We are proud to support The Wokingham Paper

Including vans & motorcyles for cash

A local family business established for 30+ years, we guarantee customer satisfaction with our highly professional and personal service.

Minimum *£200 cash for scrap cars.

We provide all aspects of internal and external painting and decorating, domestic and commercial, plus artexing, coving and tiling.

Also general building and allied work.

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Same day service.

Will not be beat on any prices.

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Autobiography? Speech?

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SERVICES WE DO CLEARANCES FROM HOUSES, GARAGES, GARDENS, OFFICES AND SHOPS

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07789 122100 CARPETS CALLAGHAN CARPETS AND FLOORING. Home pattern service from a reliable family company. Carpets, vinyls & commercial flooring 40 years’ experience. www. callaghanflooringandcarpets. co.uk or (0118) 962 8527.

TUITION ACORN TUTORS. Local familyrun private tuition agency, connecting students to exceptional tutors. Currently recruiting new tutors. 0118 934 5514 www.acorntutors. co.uk

*Subject to condition of vehicle

FOR SALE

VASE/JUG . Kernewek pottery gurgle jug in shape of fish.

Speckled brown glaze 10 ins high. £10 ono.

Details: 0118 971 2952.

Ghostwriter available

07429 122 712

Mobile: 07966 551698 Phone: 0118 973 3537 Email: trevor@quality-decorators.co.uk Website: www.quality-decorators.co.uk

WHEELCHAIR. Swift 46TR Lightweight with cushion.

Cost £240. hardly used, so selling for £95. 0118 978 5630.

Reach local people

We cover Wokingham borough Call us for a price today

MOTORING

quality decorators

PETROL LONGREACH PRUNER. Brand new.

Includes motor blade protector extension arm, shoulder strap. Price includes oils, protective helmet with ear defenders and full face mask, instruction book. £95. Tel: 0118 979 1068.

CLASSIFIEDS | 29

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Friday, October 16, 2015 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

VINTAGE PYREX GRAVY BOAT. Chelsea pattern 19x 7 cms high no damage excellent condition £7 ono Details: 0118 971 2952.

JIGSAW PUZZLE. Charles and Di wedding. 1,000 pieces £8 ono. Details: 0118 971 2952.

JIGSAW PUZZLE. pub and shop signs of old london 1000 pieces £8 tel 0118 9712952

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BASKETBALL

IN THE SPOTLIGHT...

Beach boys Lawry and Seal put on a title-winning show in Weston

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk

HOME-GROWN talent shone on the sand dunes on Weston-Super-Mare Beach last weekend in one of the biggest dates in the amateur British motor sporting calendar.

Dan Lawry, from Wokingham, and Sheldon Seal, from Arborfield, both brought home the trophies in their respective classes at the RHL sponsored Weston Beach Race, in what has been billed one of the toughest races ever.

Seal, who was the Adult Quad/Sidecar overall winner, suffered a couple of issues during the 19-lap endurance race but roared home in a time of 3:00:51.81 on his KTM 450.

Lawry, who drives a WHT KTM 590 sidecar with passenger Sam Wilkinson, only took up sidecar racing two years ago after competing in several other endurance classes.

Speaking to The Wokingham Paper Lawry said: “There were around 1,000 competitors including the youth classes

over the weekend, it’s a massive draw for Weston-Super-Mare, especially at the end of the season. I think there were about 65,000 spectators over the weekend, it’s a great race to watch.

“There’s a mile-long straight after the starting line, and you can get up to 85 or 90mph, and then it twists round into these man-made dunes. It was a great course.

“I’ve only been racing sidecar for a couple of years so I’m relatively new, but I became endurance champion in my first year.

“We were up against crews who are third or fourth in the country, and maybe tenth in the world, so we knew it would be tight, but we are really happy with our win.”

RHL Activities Director Gareth Hockey, who is one of the event’s organisers said: “Saturday’s racing has certainly been some of the best we’ve seen in years at Weston. I would say the track is also one the toughest we’ve had for many years.”

A great start, but unbeaten Rockets need a rest – Garces

Dan Lawry (left) and team-mate Sam Wilkinson give the thumbs up after racing to top spot in the Adult Quad/Sidecar competition Sheldon Seal on board his KTM 450 in the Adult Quad Endurance Race

Lawry and Wilkinson negotiate a tight corner

GOLF

East Berkshire star Guy Woodman shoots BB&O to PGA glory at the Belfry

From left: Paul Simpson, Guy Woodman and Scott Marshall with the PGA trophy Picture: Jan Kruger/Getty Images

GUY WOODMAN was the star of the show as Berks, Bucks and Oxon (BB&O) secured victory at the PGA England and Wales Inter-County Championship.

Woodman, the professional at East Berkshire Golf Club in Crowthorne, shot a triumphant two rounds of 69 (two under par) at the Belfry.

And his inspirational work on the course would result in BB&O holding off the challenge of overnight leaders Hertfordshire to take the title.

“I’ve been really pleased with my performance this week,” said Woodman, who was assisted by ex-PGA professional Paul Simpson and Lambourne’s Scott Marshall.

IRISH RETURN: A Tigers test awaits the Exiles this weekend – and Coventry cannot wait — Page 34

“I didn’t get off to the best of starts, but I felt I kept it together and made some really important pars on the back nine.

“It is really weird because with the format it’s incredibly difficult to judge how your team is doing.

“I must admit that from what I saw I thought our guys were having a tough day, but I just hung in there, got back in and saw how well they’d done.”

Woodman, who will jet off to Antalya, Turkey, next month for the end of season PGA play-offs, overcame an early bogey at the second, a hole he had birdied on the day, to ensure he posted the best individual score of the week over the four-time Ryder Cup course.

This meant BB&O finished the event with a one-over-par total of 281, topping the leaderboard from Hertfordshire by just a shot.

The latter was tied in second place on two-over-par with Lancashire.

Victory also represented a first win on the PGAs national tournament schedule for captain Marshall.

He said: “I did feel coming in here that I was doing the managerial role, getting us organised and finding places for us to eat!

“Guy and Paul are both very good players and I was in good hands – as I expected, they both played excellently as we are all very proud to have been able to win this trophy for our county.”

MANUEL Pena Garces has few complaints after watching his Reading Rockets extend their unbeaten start to the season last weekend, writes LEWIS RUDD. Defeating Westminster Warriors 85-80 on Sunday not only ended their opponents’ 100 per cent start to the new campaign, but put Rockets atop of their National Trophy pool.

Recent victories have also secured the club a place in the last 32 of the National Cup, while a win over newly-promoted Lancashire Spinners on the opening round of the National Basketball League Division One calendar sees Rockets sit top of the standings.

The team is now without a fixture until Saturday, October 24, when they clash with Kent Crusaders in the league (7.45pm).

The rest could not come at a better time for Reading, either, as it will allow a number of key players currently carrying injuries the opportunity to recover.

Captain Danny Carter (knee), Dian Ivanov (groin), shooting guard Joel Keeble (fractured rib), D’Montre Edwards (illness) and Antonio Robinson (back) are all keeping the club’s medical team present, but all are expected to be back in contention when Rockets next take to the court.

“I have been really pleased with the start of this season and we have overcome some difficult challenges already despite a lot of the season still to come,” said coach Pena Garces.

“I feel we have assembled a very good group of players who have been working well so far and I think there is a lot more ahead of us, but we can see from our early games that every team will be a challenge and we will need to improve in a lot of areas if we are to compete for silverware.”

He added: “This small break comes at a good time for us as we have been suffering with some early season knocks and injuries, so it means all the players can have some active rest and be physically and mentally ready for the challenge of next week and the double header we have to face.

“Our physio team have been doing a great job over the past few weeks and this will be a really important time for them to assess the players and give them more treatment time for quicker recoveries, as well as doing some injury prevention work moving forward.”

Both the league fixture with Kent and National Cup third round tie with Plymouth Raiders II on Sunday, October 25 (4.45pm) will be played at Rockets alternative home of Loddon Valley Leisure Centre, as Rivermead is unavailable.

To reserve tickets call (0118) 926 3040.

Friday, October 16, 2015 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

SPORT | 33

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ICE HOCKEY

This win was for fans says Smital as Bees douse Flames Bracknell Bees 4 Guildford Flames 3

By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk LUKAS SMITAL paid homage to the Bracknell Bees fans who helped the side edge past local rivals Guildford in a seven-goal thriller on Sunday.

A night of high emotion and heroism saw the hosts race into a 3-0 lead inside the opening 16 minutes at the Hive only to be left hanging on to a one-goal advantage as the relentless Flames pushed hard for an equaliser Vanya Antonov and take an led the Bees line absorbing with two goals on contest into Sunday overtime.

Pictures: Bob Swann Guildford

thought they had levelled the scoring late on through Marcus Kristoffersson, but the goal was ruled out as the visitors were deemed to have had two men in the opposition crease.

Although praising his charges’ desire and determination for holding out to secure a first four-point weekend of the season, player-coach Smital did single out the majority of a 2,000-plus crowd whom he believed helped drag his side over the line.

“It was a great crowd and it was quite electric in the last five minutes,” the forward told The Wokingham Paper.

“It is good to have this many people behind you and cheering you on. If you don’t play the game you do not understand how much it helps you.

“You are out of legs, you are out of breath and your mind pushes you on with the screaming fans behind you, so it was no excuse not to put the body on the line and it (the support) was definitely a big help and very enjoyable.”

Those backing the boys in black and gold would eventually go home happy thanks to a Vanya Antonov brace and further goals from Frantisek Bakrlik and Milan Kostourek.

However, they were certainly privy to some heart-in-the-mouth moments, especially as Matic Kralj, Kevin Phillips

and former Bee Danny Meyers struck to pull the away side to within a goal of their guests.

But had it not been for some last-ditch defending and an inspirational spell in the ironwork by Alex Mettam, they could well have gone on to tie up the scoring.

Smital added: “That is what the team is all about – it is why I still play.

“It is just incredible, you know, if you stick together it is so amazing how much you can do and on Sunday we proved it.

“We just wanted to win so bad and we put our body on the line for each other and obviously for the club and we got the result.

“I can’t remember the last time we had a four-point weekend to be fair, and it feels good. I think we are in a good progress of the season where I can maybe say three or four weeks ago we wouldn’t be able to get four points, so it is good to see that we are learning and to hold on to the win, bear down and stick with our game plan until the last second and not try to do anything different and it paid off on Sunday.

“Big credit to Mettsy (Mettam) he was amazing and he made some major saves for us, and that is great because it is the team working, but he made such a difference.

“He bailed us out a couple of times and we just needed to get the win for him as well.”

A devastating start for the Bees saw two goals from Antonov, one coming on the powerplay, and a Bakrlik strike put them 3-0 ahead with the game less than 17 minutes old.

Now in full throttle, Bracknell looked a side which was going to score from every attack against a Flames outfit which arrived in Berkshire boasting the leanest defence in the league.

Yet they were pegged back when Kralj reduced the arrears on the powerplay.

But the hosts picked up where they left off at the beginning of the second session and regained a three-goal advantage when Kostourek tipped the

puck into the top shelf.

The chance to go 5-1 ahead was then awarded via a penalty shot when Smital was upended as he bared down on goal.

The player-coach would have to take the shot, but was unable to beat Flames’ replacement netminder Stephen Wall.

And the miss would prove to be a pivotal moment, with the visitors going up the other end to halve the deficit through a powerful Phillips effort before Meyers rattled in another goal from distance, on another powerplay, minutes into the third period to ensure of an interesting finale.

Both sides had their respective chances to equalise and put the result beyond any doubt – and for a moment it looked as though Guildford had tied up the scoring when Kristoffersson clattered the puck home amid a scramble, only for play to be called back for the crease encroachment– but it was Bees who clung on to take the bragging rights.

“I think the turning point, believe it or not, was when I didn’t score that penalty shot and it could have been 5-1 and a different story,” Smital admitted.

“They immediately scored the second goal and we kind of let them into the game in the way of momentum, but we held on and all the guys did an incredible job and put their body on the line to hang on.

“The one thing I must admit, though, was that our powerplay was very poor.

“For one reason or another it just felt like we did not want that puck, so we need to touch a little bit on it in practice, but these things happen.

“Luckily it did not affect the game and we won the game anyway.”

A highly emotional game, though, would end on a sour note for the away side, with Kristoffersson ejected with just a second remaining for his behaviour towards the referee when contesting a call.

Not only did he receive two 10-minute misconduct calls, but also a match penalty for abuse of officials after his angry outburst continued off the ice.”

English Premier Ice Hockey League P W OW OL L F Milton Keynes 12 5 3 0 4 44 Peterborough 10 6 1 2 1 37 Basingstoke 10 5 2 1 2 34 Guildford 9 5 1 1 2 31 Swindon 11 4 1 1 5 40 Manchester 11 5 0 1 5 35 Bracknell 10 5 0 0 5 41 Telford 10 3 1 0 6 30 Sheffield 9 3 0 2 4 28 Hull 10 0 1 2 7 18

A 38 21 26 19 41 36 35 32 43 47

Pts 16 16 15 13 11 11 10 8 8 4

Antonov breaks the deadlock Captain Matt Foord looks to drag his side out of trouble

Bees’ Lewis Turner keeps tabs on a Flame Bracknell players contest Kristoffersson’s equlising ‘goal’ – which quickly was ruled out

Sam Waller in action

Frantisek Bakrlik sees his route to goal blocked

Bracknell break away-day hoodoo in Hull, where Kostourek leads pounding of the Pirates Hull Pirates 2 Bracknell Bees 7

MILAN KOSTOUREK led the scoring with two goals for a Bracknell side which ended its wait for a first away win of the season on Saturday, writes JOHN SLATER. Vanya Antonov, Scott Spearing, Lukas Smital, Frantisek Bakrlik and Callum Fowler were also on target for the visitors in Humberside.

Keen to avoid a third successive defeat in the EPIHL, Bees secured the

perfect start via a delayed penalty goal from Kostourek (pictured) before the contest had reached the fourth minute.

The away side continued to dominate proceedings, but were unable to find another way past Jon Baston in the Pirates’ goal.

It was pretty much one way traffic during the opening 20 minutes, although the hosts did have their moments – and it was only through some smart stops from Alex Mettam which prevented Hull from tying up the scoring.

Yet despite out-shooting their hosts

25-7, the scoreboard boasted only the one goal when the whistle for the first interval was blown.

It was, however, a completely different story during the second session.

Despite Bakrlik falling into penalty trouble just seconds after the restart, Bees went on to rattle in three quick-fire goals, with Antonov and Spearing netting within 47 seconds of one another.

Just 12 seconds later and player-coach Smital rattled in goal number four.

The latter would soon join Alex Barker in the penalty box following calls of slashing and delay of the game, respectively, but Hull were unable to capitalise from the subsequent five on three.

Once back up to five skaters Bracknell lost Carl Thompson to a tripping offence, with the opposition this time making the powerplay count; Mario Mjelleli securing a lifeline two minutes before the break.

But the difference between the two teams was four goals once again during the early exchanges in the third stanza, with Bakrlik the scorer.

Play would settle down as the minutes passed by – but it was not to be the end of the scoring.

Cameron Brownley pulled a goal back for the hosts on 47 minutes only for Kostourek to put the game to bed when hitting his second, and Bees’ sixth, of the evening.

It was here when Mettam sacrificed

his place between the pipes to give Matt Smital, the eldest son of Lukas, his first competitive game time with the senior side.

He would, however, watch on as his dad received a two-plus-two (roughing) and 10 minute misconduct call following an altercation with Cameron Brownley, who was hit with a two-plus-10 following a check to the head.

Young Smital would also witness a goal too, with Fowler rounding off a satisfactory road trip for Bracknell when beating another replacement netminder, Ashley Smith, with just 37 seconds remaining.

The man-of-the-match awards went to Kostourek (Bees) and Tommi Laine (Hull).

34 | SPORT

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WOKINGHAM HOCKEY CLUB

King strikes, but he cannot lead Wokingham to victory

Wokingham 3s go on the attack during their game with Milton Keynes Samurai, which they won 7-1 Pictures: Paul King

Wokingham Ladies captain Helena Badger keeps tabs on an opponent

By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk

hat-trick, with further strikes coming from Govind Grewal, Colin Jones, Callum Redpath and Glenn Webster.

A TOM KING strike was unable to prevent Wokingham 3s, however, enjoyed a Wokingham Men goal-fest at Cantley from suffering a Park.

3-1 loss at West Hosting Milton Hampstead 2 in Keynes Samurai in MBBO Regional Division 7, the hosts Division 2. bounced back from Goals from Geoff an opening day 7-0 Ho and a Ryan defeat at Marlow 5s Zaman double leave by thrashing their Wokingham still visitors 8-1. searching for their Jas Jeeta netted first points of the what proved to be new season. a consolation for There was no Wokingham Vets, joy for the club’s who were no match second string, for leaders Oxford either.

Hawks Falcons Away at Harrow in the Wessex Wokingham Vets were beaten 5-0 by league 1s, the side Supervets Fixtures leaders Oxford Hawks Falcons shipped in seven Alliance. uncontested goals Trailing 5-0 at the against opposition break, Oxford went on to win the fixture who now top the standings in Division 3.

7-1, missing out on a clean sheet when Nick Lendon led the scoring with a Jeeta scored from a short corner.

Wokingham Ladies IT WAS a disappointing afternoon for Wokingham 1s, who were beaten 4-0 on home soil by Aylesbury 1s.

Elisa Woodford, Voirrey Holmes and Meghan Chapple were among the scorers for the Buckinghamshire side.

Wokingham 2s’ woes in Division 2 continued when up against Marlow 3s.

Fixtures – Saturday, October 17 TRYSPORTS PREMIER 1: Sonning Ladies 1s v Wokingham Ladies; Oxford Hawks 3s v Sonning 2s DIVISION 1: Newbury and Thatcham 2s v Sonning 3s DIVISION 2: Buckingham 3s v Wokingham 2s DIVISION 3: Sonning 4s v Wallingford 3s DIVISION 4: Sonning Veterans v Newbury and Thatcham 3s DIVISION 5: Wokingham 3s v Wallingford 4s DIVISION 6: Buckingham 4s v Sonning 5s MBBO REGIONAL DIVISION 2: Bracknell Men v Sonning Men; Wokingham v Slough DIVISION 1: Sonning 2 v Bicester DIVISION 2: Milton Keynes 3s v Sonning 3s DIVISION 3: Wokingham 2 v Oxford 4 DIVISION 4: Sonning 4 v Wootton Wanderers DIVISION 7: Banbury Piranhas v Wokingham 3s REGIONAL DIVISION 8 WEST: Newbury and Thatcham 4 v Sonning 5s.

REGIONAL DIVISION 9 WEST: Sonning 6s v Thame 3s; Henley 4s v Sonning 7s

SONNING HOCKEY CLUB

Four-some ladies continue to sit pretty at the top SONNING LADIES sit three points clear at the top of the Trysports Premier 1 table after extending their 100 per cent start to the season to four games with a comfortable 4-0 success at Bicester 1s.

The club’s second team, meanwhile, climbed up to fourth following victory by a single goal against Oxford University 2s at Berkshire County Sports.

Sonning 3s, though, slipped to the foot of the standings in Division 3 following a 2-1 reverse at home to Wycombe 3s.

The same position is occupied by the club’s fourth string in Division 3.

Away at Bracknell 2s, the visitors succumbed to a fourth straight defeat, going down 3-0 to their near neighbours.

It was a disappointing day too for the Sonning Veterans, who were walloped 6-1 on the road at Gerrards Cross Ladies 2s in Division 4.

Sonning 5s are also without a win this term. Berkshire rivals Slough 3s were the visitors to Sonning Lane last Saturday, and they would later head east with the

Sonning Men look for goals against British Airways Picture: Vivienne Johnson

points following a 5-1 triumph.

Sonning Men TOM SAMPSON helped himself to two goals for a Sonning 1 side which opened

his account for the campaign with a 4-2 victory against British Airways.

Jonny Partenheimer, for the second weekend running, and Matt Poulton were also on target for the home side.

Teto Jutley and Parmjot Thiarha replied for BA. Ben Johnson was on target for a Sonning 2nd side which suffered a 3-1 loss at Witney 1 in Division 1, as was Adrian Trueman for the 3s, who were beaten by the same scoreline when hosting Wallingford 2s in Division 2.

A Matt Denham goal proved to be in vain for Sonning 4s, who sit bottom of Division 4 following back-to-back defeats, the latest being by a 5-1 scoreline at Banbury 3s.

There was, however, better news for the club’s 5th XI, who sit top of the Division 8 West standings following a 3-1 win at Thame 2.

It is the same story for Sonning 6s as well, who squeezed past Thame 3 2-1 to go top of the table.

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, October 16, 2015

LONDON IRISH

Coventry ‘excited’ as Irish get ready for Tigers test

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk

TOM COVENTRY says Sunday’s season opener against Leicester Tigers will provide a good barometer as to what level his new side can perform at.

New Zealander Coventry took charge of London Irish this summer and leads his team into battle against one of the pre-season favourites for the Aviva Premiership title at Madejski Stadium on Sunday (3.15pm kick-off).

And while he acknowledges the threat Leicester pose, a side who have finished in the top four in each of the last 11 seasons, Coventry insists he is excited by the challenge.

“We have been here a few weeks and I think the boys are ready to play,” the head coach told The Wokingham Paper.

“It will be good to get them on the pitch and see how we go. “(Leicester) are a very proud club with some very good players and are well coached so I don’t have any doubts that they’ll be a team that most of the sides will judge themselves against.

“Particularly for us early on it will give us a guide of where we’re at.”

On paper, Coventry has a tough task on his hands with the Exiles.

The club have finished in the bottom three of the table in each of the last three seasons and having not reached the semi-final stages since 2009 but the new coach is relishing the chance to pit his wits against one of the best sides in the country.

“I think for us it’s exciting to be at home with a new squad and a new coaching staff with new ideas,” said Coventry.

“Our challenge is to put all that together. Change takes a while so we’ve just got to make sure we look after what we’ve been focusing on.

“Leicester obviously are a challenge but I don’t think we’d use the word daunting.

“We understand how tough it’s going to be and that the competition is all about putting performances on the board that you’re proud of and obviously if that comes with a positive result then that’s what you’re there for.

“We’re excited and hopefully we can put a performance on the field that we’re proud of but also the people that come to support us are as well.”

A number of the Irish squad have

Tom Coventry will make his Aviva Premiership bow with Irish this Sunday

spent the summer away representing their countries at the World Cup and while the likes of Blair Cowan and Sean Maitland have a quarter final with Scotland to prepare for, some have already departed the competition.

But they may not find themselves propelled straight back into the Exiles starting XV. “It depends on some of the positions in our team that we need to fill,” continued Coventry.

“They’re great rugby players but sometimes it takes a bit of a while to introduce them to our squad with a new system. We’ll trickle them back in as needs be. Some of them are mentally a bit tired so they will need some time to get their head round a new season and a new team.”

And while Coventry admits in an ideal world his side would be at full throttle from the first game of the campaign, he acknowledges it could take a while for his new ideas to come to fruition.

He continued: “I’d like them to be ready to go and be at the top of their game on Sunday but that’s not necessarily reality.

“When you’ve got a new squad and lots of new ideas, change does take time.

“We’ll be working hard to try and make that process as short as possible but I understand where we’re at and what we’ve got to do to be a much stronger club in this competition.

“We’ll be working hard week by week, game by game and so it’ll be good to get a guide against Leicester in round one.”

Exiles tie Fowlie down to new deal TOM FOWLIE has signed a new contract extension to stay with London Irish for a further two years.

Winger Fowlie, 20, has risen through the academy ranks at the club and is now a regular among the first team squad.

And new head coach Tom Coventry feels this is an important step to secure a better future for the club.

“Tom is exciting,” he said.

“He had a bit of a slow start recovering from a shoulder surgery but he’s fast, good on his feet, got good footwork, he’s good with the ball in hand, he’s young and he’s come through the club so he has a real affinity with the club and the people.

“It’s nice to be able to cement some of our senior academy boys into the top team and provide a pathway for the rest of our players coming through the club.

“I think maybe we’ve been guilty in the past of letting some of the Tom Fowlies and the like disappear and play for other clubs in Britain.

“It’s good to be able to lock a couple of these boys down for us.”

Having gained experience representing England at Under-18s and U20s, during which time he won the U20 Six Nations title, Fowlie (pictured) has now gone on to feature on 13 occasions for Irish’s first team, scoring two tries.

And he did enough during pre-season under the new coaching regime to earn a new deal, featuring twice in the final two pre-season friendlies against Harlequins.

Fowlie said: “I am really excited by the direction in which the club is moving and I am looking forward to being a part of it.”

SPORT | 35

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Friday, October 16, 2015 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

NATIONAL LEAGUE 3

BERKS, BUCKS AND OXON PREMIER DIVISION

Pete pounces as Crows are shut out Tadley 7 Crowthorne 0 PETE ROSIER scored the only try of the game as Crowthorne were beaten and shut out at Red Lane.

The second row nipped in to score midway through the first half, dabbing down under the posts following good work from winger Tom Jeffery after Tadley had broken free from a defensive maul.

The Crows, without a win from their opening four games, found themselves under pressure from the off, but it would soon become apparent this contest would be either won or lost around the breakdown, as both sides offered excellent competition over the ball.

There was little to separate the two near neighbours in the scrum, either, but it was good work from Jake Cottrell which would lead to the try and settle the contest.

Wrestling the ball from the visitors saw Cottrell offload to Rosier, who would run into the space made by Jeffery’s intervention and glide over the line under the posts.

Tadley were dealt a blow not long after when Tom Altman, in the second row, had to be stretchered off after taking a hit, but Crowthorne were unable to capitalise.

But this was not through the want of trying, as several penalty opportunities went unpunished after indiscipline and individual errors began to get the better

of the home side.

Yet only a post would prevent Crowthorne falling further behind, Chris Dennison rattling an upright from a set piece. Jeffery tried to score on the rebound, but was promptly swallowed up by a number of yellow shirts.

The away side continued to press hard after the break and had their hosts on the back foot during the final 10 minutes through some good field position, but were unable to find a way through a resolute back line.

As such, Crowthorne failed to put any points on the scoreboard for the first time this term, but they did collect a bonus point which moved them a place up the standings to ninth.

The Crows will be hoping for better luck going forward tomorrow, but must negotiate their way past an Abingdon side who top the standings at Arborfield Garrison.

Kick-off is 3pm Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier Division P W D L F A BP Abingdon 4 4 0 0 157 67 3 Milton Keynes 4 4 0 0 128 78 2 Gosford All Blacks 4 3 0 1 173 48 5 Tadley 4 4 0 0 156 59 2 Risborough 4 3 0 1 45 100 0 Alchester 4 2 0 2 84 66 4 Slough 4 1 1 2 113 112 2 Chesham 4 1 0 3 74 110 2 Crowthorne 4 0 1 3 67 88 3 Wheatley 4 1 0 3 44 131 0 Hungerford 4 0 0 4 53 117 3 Chipping Norton 4 0 0 4 46 164 0

Wiltshire double downs Bracknell Colchester 24 Bracknell 21

Crowthorne were strong in the scrum Mick Stepney and Karl Crosbie look to thwart a Tadley attack at Red Lane

James Muckle makes the tackle Pictures: Andrew Merritt Pete Rosier (on the ground) grabs the only try of the match

PTS 19 18 17 13 13 12 8 6 5 4 3 0

NATIONAL LEAGUE 2

Rams close in on pacy Lasserre as Clifton punish slow start Clifton 41 Redingensians Rams 7

JULIEN LASSERRE could be named in the Redingensians squad for the visit of Old Elthamians tomorrow (2pm).

The French winger, who has experience playing rugby league with Toulouse Olympic and AS Carcassonne, is eager to switch codes and join a club in this country and is said to be close to signing on at Old Bath Road.

Lasserre will add pace to a side which suffered a heavy defeat at Clifton last Saturday, where a John Caven hat-trick helped the hosts inflict a fifth defeat in six games on Mike Tewkesbury’s men.

The coach, however, could be boosted by the return of several key men for the game with Elthamians.

Centre Steve Bryant, fly-half Luke Flower, hooker Ben Henderson and utility back George Drury, who all missed the game in Bristol through injury, could be in contention, so a late call on selection will be made before the clash.

Another hooker, Ross Crame, however, and fly-half Harry Stapleton will both need to assessed having left proceedings early last weekend with shoulder injuries.

“Statistics showed clubs in this league used an average of 35 each last season,” said Tewkesbury.

“It is a relentless treadmill but we must forget about that and just get on

National League 2 South P W D L F A Taunton Titans 6 6 0 0 218 102 Clifton 6 5 0 1 236 139 Cambridge 6 5 0 1 175 117 Old Albanians 6 4 1 1 196 105 Redruth 6 4 0 2 164 161 Bishop’s Stortford 6 4 0 2 173 113 Old Elthamians 6 3 0 3 180 151 Southern Saxons 6 3 1 2 154 153 Worthing 6 3 0 3 139 127 Canterbury 6 3 0 3 131 126 Barnes 6 2 0 4 156 158 Bury St Edmunds 6 2 0 4 140 168 Dorking 6 2 0 4 130 190 Chinnor 6 0 0 6 145 208 Redingensians 6 1 0 5 82 178 Launceston 6 0 0 6 60 283

Will Hopkins kicked over a conversion for Rams in Clifton

with trying to win matches.

“The league is already splitting into two halves and we have faced most of the top clubs already, so it will be necessary to pick up points these next few games.”

A Rams side fresh from defeating Worthing Raiders for a first win of the season last time out endured a terrible start over in Clifton.

Missing a series of tackles down the right win would result in host captain Joe

BP 6 5 5 5 5 4 5 3 2 2 5 4 4 6 1 0

PTS 30 25 25 23 21 20 17 17 14 14 13 12 12 6 5 0

Quinn going over in just the third minute.

A bemused Redingensians defence also waved through Ian Clarke and Elian Cavin for two further tries, which arrived within two minutes of each other, as Clifton raced into a 19-0 lead thanks to a couple of Brad Barnes conversions.

Victory was now looking a forlorn hope for the guests, but their cause was not helped either when Crame left the field.

He was replaced by Jake Knowles, one of two new faces in the slide along with Joe Horsham.

Cavin would go on to bag his second score of the afternoon before Stapleton was taken off hurt, which meant a reshuffle of the back division was needed.

The Sonning side failed to penetrate the Clifton 22 before the interval, but that was to change early in the second half.

Yet their best spell of pressure saw the Rams fail to score from a series of five-metre scrums.

The away side was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty try, but their perseverance was finally rewarded when, from a line out, Jake Steadman crossed the line. Will Hopkins added the extras.

This, however, was as good as it got for the side.

Upping their game saw second-placed Clifton hit back with two further touchdowns from Will Pomphrey.

Caven also completed the treble during this time, with James Mackay adding the conversion.

“We just stood aside and didn’t communicate in the first quarter,” bemoaned Tewkesbury, who will be hoping his charges can settle an old score this weekend.

Old Elthamians denied Rams promotion to this division when running out 17-10 victors in a play-off clash back in 2013/14.

The visitors, though, arrive in Berkshire having won three of their six games this term.

REDINGENSIANS: Foxley; Poole, Barnes, W.Hopkins, Norville, Stapleton, Brown; Weller, Crame, Baker, Taylor, Kerschbaumer, Kharbouch, Nightingale, Guttridge.

Reps: Steadman, Knowles, Amor, Kruzycki, Horsham.

BRACKNELL’S search for a first win on the road this season continues after being edged out of an entertaining contest in Essex.

It was another frustrating afternoon too for the Lily Hill men, who would let slip of a lead for the second weekend running following a 30-27 loss to Guernsey last time out.

Coach Rory Greenslade-Jones was absent from the game, but the away side did welcome Kenny Barry and George Milligan into the team for the first time this campaign.

And backed by the wind during the opening 40 minutes, it was Bracknell who put the first points on the board; Lachlan Valentine scoring from a scrum following a number of phases on eight minutes. Liam Hemming kicked over the conversion.

The lead, though, was cut just a minute later when Colchester’s David Higgins cleared the posts with a penalty awarded from a collapsed scrum.

But the opposition continued to dominate possession and went further ahead when Hemmings crossed the line and duly added the extras for a 14-3 advantage.

Another Colchester response again came via the tee and a boot of Higgins, but they would continue to trail going in at the break.

They did, though, close the gap even more when flanker Daniel Whiteman went over.

Colchester then tied up the scoring after the opposition fell into further penalty trouble for not releasing the ball from a tackle, which Higgins slotted over.

Failing to deal with a deft kick through the back line saw full back Jaid Wiltshire race on to score and put the hosts in front for the first time on the day.

But Barry was to lead a quick recovery, breaking through and latching on to Hemming’s incisive pass and offloading for wing Ben Yates to clear the whitewash.

With the two extra points, Bracknell were in front once more.

The visitors, though, were unable to hold out, conceding another try to Wiltshire amid a period of scrappy play.

The conversion was this time missed, but Bracknell now trailed by three points.

A final chance would fall to the guests via a Hemmings break, but the ball went to ground and the opportunity to snatch victory was missed.

Bracknell welcome unbeaten London Irish Wild Geese to Lily Hill Park tomorrow (1pm) BRACKNELL: Mirza (c); Silvester, Baragwanth, Barry, Kronman, Milligan, Devereux, Valentine, Conway, Hemming, Mackay, Faamatuainu, Price, Yates, Dennet.

Reps: Williams, Brambley, Higgins.

National League 3 London and South East P W D L F A BP Tonbridge Juddian 6 6 0 0 244 111 5 L.I Wild Geese 6 6 0 0 234 122 5 Westcombe Park 6 5 0 1 157 101 4 East Grinstead 6 4 0 2 164 89 5 Guernsey 6 4 0 2 197 145 4 Shelford 6 4 0 2 155 123 4 Hertford 6 4 0 2 200 117 2 Chichester 6 3 0 3 141 171 2 Colchester 6 2 0 4 119 131 2 Wimbledon 6 2 0 4 105 145 1 Gravesend 6 1 0 5 125 164 4 Bracknell 6 1 0 5 110 169 4 Westcliff 6 0 0 6 104 220 2 Eton Manor 6 0 0 6 61 308 1

PTS 29 29 24 21 20 20 18 14 10 9 8 8 2 1

36 | SPORT YOUTH FOOTBALL

O’Leary double nets Wokingham Girls U15s the bragging rights TWO GOALS from Anna O’Leary put Wokingham and Emmbrook Under-15 Girls back on the victory path.

O’Leary struck in both halves as the Sumas defeated local rivals Ashridge Park 2-1 in Division 2 of the Berkshire County Girls League.

Stealing the ball off an opponent before driving into the box and finishing coolly saw Anna break the deadlock on 38 minutes.

At the other end, the Wokingham defence was expertly marshalled by captain Dionne Hodges, while Ellie Leahy in goal mopped up anything which came before her.

Ashridge though, did find a breakthrough 18 minutes after half time when Lauren Anderson headed home an equaliser from a corner.

But they were level for just 10 minutes, O’Leary settling the contest when played in by former Park player Milia Williams.

Ashridge had two chances to pull level once again, but both opportunities were kept out by second-half ‘keeper Lauren Anderson.

Calum Woodfield netted a late consolation goal for a WOKINGHAM EMMBROOK BLACKS side beaten 5-1 on the road at Old Windsor Tigers Reds in Division 1 of the East Berkshire Football Alliance (EBFA).

It was a lacklustre performance from Wokingham, who found themselves 2-0 down at half time – although losing Joe Jones to injury did not help, The visitors did rally after the break and were twice denied a way back into the contest by an upright.

Poor defending from set pieces, however, would result in Windsor scoring three more times before Woodfield replied from a Rhys Williams corner.

Annets (pictured) was named man of the match.

Under-16s EVERSLEY and California hit double figures for a second weekend running after thrashing Littleton Youth 10-2 in round two of the Hampshire County Cup. Brett Gardner, who would go on to hit a hat-trick, opened the scoring with less than a minute played, as Paolo Giamattei and Joseph Romanski quickly made it 3-0.

Harry Sage added a fourth before another Gardner strike made it 5-0 to the rampant Boars.

With their name seemingly in the hat for the next round, Eversley continued to lay siege on the Littleton goal, with Giamattei bagging his second and Gardner securing the treble.

Further strikes arrived from Alfie Andrews, George Armstrong and Ethan Pinnock as they took their scoring tally to 20 in just two games, having thrashed Guildford Saints 10-2 the previous weekend.

To their credit, Littleton never gave up, with their efforts yielding two consolation goals late on.

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, October 16, 2015

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

Reading close in on title but Villains can ruin our party, warns Chambers

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk KELLY CHAMBERS says she is expecting a physical battle when Reading travel to face Aston Villa needing a victory to seal the title in the final game of the season on Sunday (2pm kick-off).

Reading go into the match knowing a win would almost certainly seal the WSL 2 title ahead of fellow promoted outfit Doncaster Rovers Belles, with the pair currently separated on goal difference only.

And with the season finally coming to a close seven months after it started, Chambers is calling for one last big effort to try and bring the trophy back to Berkshire.

She told The Wokingham Paper: “It’s important that they do have that push but I think we are in good stead and good shape for it so it will be an exciting game on Sunday.

“I think it’s a requirement that the girls have had every game this season, to get three points so it will be no different on Sunday.”

With Doncaster strong favourites to beat Millwall Lionesses, Reading will have to complete an impressive feat to seal the title.

Aston Villa are the only side left in WSL 2 who Royals have not beaten this season with Chambers’ side held to a 1-1 draw in Farnborough back in July.

But the boss is expecting an improvement from her charges this time around.

She said: “(Villa) are a good side. They’re a physical side and they work hard so we’re expecting that, definitely.

“We didn’t play very well when we played against them at home so I’m hoping for a better performance than we gave when we played them at our place.

“The girls have got good confidence at the minute. They’re looking forward to the game and I’m hoping that they will be able to achieve what they want to achieve.”

With the WSL 1 title race going to the final day last week Chambers admits she always felt the WSL 2 campaign would go down the same route.

“It’s always had that kind of look about it since the start of the season,” she said.

“We had Everton in that as well, we thought Everton would be competing which they were, pretty much most of the season.

“It makes women’s football more exciting, especially for those spectators that are watching, that it does go down to the wire.”

It is quite rare for a squad to reach the final week of the season with no injury concerns but that is exactly the luxury Chambers has been dealt with ahead of the trip to the Midlands, including a key name in former Aston Villa forward Emma Follis (pictured above) Reading’s top scorer has been absent for the last six weeks but the manager confirmed she is set to return for the season finale.

Kelly Chambers’ side will win the WSL 2 title with victory at Aston Villa on Sunday Pictures: Nigel Hoyle/GoalShots

Rowe and Ward get the goals as Women go top with win over the Toffees Reading Women 2 Everton Ladies 0

Rachel Rowe scored the opening goal against Everton Picture: Nigel Hoyle/GoalShots

READING kept the WSL 2 title race in their own hands thanks to a hard-fought win against Everton.

Rachel Rowe set the Royals on their way with a fine strike before the win was sealed in the closing moments through in-form Helen Ward to ensure they went into the final weekend at the league’s summit.

Many had tipped Everton, freshly relegated from the top flight, to claim one of the top two spots in the league and they proved a tough nut to crack for Kelly Chambers’ charges.

Wales international Rowe broke the deadlock after quarter of an hour, rounding off a fine team move by firing in an effort from the edge of the box which went in via the post.

From there, Reading dug in and began to play on the counter attack with Lois Roche and Kirsty McGee going close to doubling the tally.

With Royals defending stoutly, they sealed the win in stoppage time when Ward lobbed goalkeeper Kirstie Levell to notch her 11th goal in 10 games.

“We’re pleased to be back on top and hopefully next week we can go out and do the job and become champions,” said skipper McGee. “It was hard work but we’ve done it.

“We knew the quality Everton had and they have a fantastic team and to be fair

they’ll probably think they deserve to finish higher than third place.

“Our aim this season was to get promoted but now we have been promoted we want to be champions.

“We don’t want to go up as second best. We want to be the best.”

READING: Moloney; Jane, McGee, Davies, Scott; Roche; Bruton (Fletcher 54), Walkley (Horwood 64), Rowe, Ward; Watts (Jones 88).

SUBS NOT USED: Sansom, Bartrip, Estcourt, Bragg.

GOALS: Rowe (16), Ward (90) YELLOW CARD: McGee (9) REFEREE: Lisa Rashid ATTENDANCE: 580

n ROSIE PAGE-SMITH stuck on the hour mark to secure Woodley United a 2-1 victory over Banbury United and a first win of the Southern Region Women’s League Premier Division season.

United got off to a dream start, Bonnie Messitt breaking the deadlock after just 12 seconds, but Banbury hit back on 52 minutes through Zoe Bote before Page-Smith settled the contest.

Women’s Super League 2 P W D L P Reading Women 17 13 3 1 P Doncaster Rovers 17 13 3 1 Everton Ladies 17 7 7 3 Yeovil Town Ladies 17 8 4 5 Aston Villa Ladies 17 7 4 6 Oxford United Women 17 7 3 7 Durham Women 17 6 2 9 Millwall Lionesses 17 2 6 9 London Bees 17 3 3 11 Watford Ladies 17 1 1 15

F 58 53 38 35 27 23 24 17 19 12

A 13 15 21 23 25 35 31 35 53 55

Pts 42 42 28 28 25 24 20 12 12 4

Friday, October 16, 2015 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

SPORT | 37

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READING FC

Howe: Royal Elm Park ‘a big positive’

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk

NIGEL HOWE says Reading will aim to provide public transport as part of a supporter’s season ticket in relation to the “massive development” proposed around Madejski Stadium.

Members of the public are this week invited to attend consultations outlining details for the newly named Royal Elm Park, which will include new houses, an ice rink and leisure facilities created on land adjacent to ground.

And Howe, chief executive of Reading FC, feels the Thai owners are showing their ambition and longevity by backing a landmark event for the area.

“I see this as a massive development in terms of the south of England,” he said.

“Certainly it’s going to be a prominent facility that you only get in the larger cities in England.

“The amount of fees required just to get to this stage has been enormous.

“They (the owners) have invested all the way around, both in the squad and in taking this so far with the architects and engineers.

“It’s early days and there’s a long way to go but certainly there’s probably a few more positives than we’ve had in the last three years.”

Following the first consultation last night, the plans will be on show at The Concert Hall in Reading Town Hall on Wednesday (2-6pm) and Thursday (2-8pm) next week before moving to South Reading Community Centre on Saturday October 24 (10am-4pm).

And Howe is urging the public to come and view the plans and ask any questions they may have after issues were raised over the potential loss of car park space outside the ground.

He added: “That’s why we want as

Reading FC chief executive Nigel Howe with the proposals for Royal Elm Park, which have gone on public display this week Picture: Paul King

many people to come along and look at the consultation documents that we put forward at these various exhibitions we’re doing.

“We wouldn’t have gone forward with this without thinking about how it was going to work and if it didn’t work we wouldn’t have gone ahead.

“What we’ve tried to do is provide a better transport facilities network in terms of getting the fans here earlier, getting them more engaged and getting them away in an easier way.”

And he feels the new proposed system will be much more convenient for supporters travelling to a Reading game.

He continued: “People who park in this car park on site here can be as long as two hours getting out of the car park after a game.

“What we’re proposing is to try and

speed that up substantially but also give them a better experience of getting here, not waiting so much in traffic, etc.

“We are bringing lots of new things, probably providing public transport as part of their season ticket and also there’s a new MAX Rapid transport development between junction 11 and Reading station that will be coming forward over the next four years.

“There’s also the building of the Green Park station.

“So there’s a lot of things that are going to improve access to the stadium.”

If all goes as scheduled the regeneration is set to commence around June next year with the first building in place by 2018.

And these plans prompted a brief statement from London Irish last week saying they are “considering

the implications of the proposed development” with the Aviva Premiership side currently engaged in a long-term contract over their joint use of Madejski Stadium.

But Howe feels that, if anything, Royal Elm Park would strengthen the rugby club.

“They’ve had initial feedback like everybody else of how it will work and they now need to look at the detail,” he explained.

“I don’t see any reason why what we’re proposing for the football won’t enhance the rugby as well and, to be honest, rugby is different where fans like to get here earlier, like to enjoy the fan experience, the day out if you like to call it.

“I think these are positives for London Irish.”

Tshibola nets as Royals defeat the Hammers AARON TSHIBOLA was among the scorers as Reading beat West Ham United 4-3 in a thrilling friendly at Upton Park.

With neither side in competitive action due to the international break, both managers took the opportunity to keep their players fresh after impressive starts to their respective campaigns.

Royals took the lead through Brazilian loanee Lucas Piazon on 22 minutes before doubling the advantage from the penalty spot as Nick Blackman continued his hot streak.

But a strong West Ham side rallied with first team stars Victor Moses, James Tomkins, Nikica Jelavic and Manuel Lanzini all involved from the start.

Mauro Zarate reduced the deficit from close range before a stunning effort from 30 yards levelled matters.

Back came Reading, though, retaking the lead thanks to Tshibola before an own goal put them 4-2 up.

Hammers pulled back a consolation as substitute Enner Valencia raced through and cut back for Carroll to sweep in but Steve Clarke’s men held on.

@TomJCrocker

PREVIEW

Euro star Norwood ‘playing best football of my career’ Reading v Charlton Athletic Sky Bet Championship Madejski Stadium (3pm)

OLIVER NORWOOD believes he is playing the best football of his career as he prepares to switch focus back to Reading’s promotion charge tomorrow when they host Charlton Athletic (3pm kick-off), writes TOM CROCKER. Norwood has spent the last two weeks away with Northern Ireland and played a full part as the side sealed their shock qualification for Euro 2016 as Group F winners, despite being seeded to finish fifth.

International success has coincided with the midfielder cementing his place as a key member of Steve Clarke’s high flying Royals side, leading Norwood to admit things have never been better for him on the pitch.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Norwood said: “I do think I am (playing my best football). I’ve enjoyed the start of the season and obviously enjoy it a lot more when you’re winning games than when you’re not winning games.

“I think it’s just maturity. I know I’m still only 24 but it’s my fourth season now playing in the Championship and I think I’ve realised what it takes to be an effective and good player at this level.

“And obviously playing international football has helped but I’m just enjoying playing and just buzzing that we’re

Oliver Norwood is back with Reading having helped Northern Ireland to Euro 2016

picking up the results that we are.”

Despite the impressive recent results Reading have achieved in beating promotion hopefuls Burnley and Middlesbrough, Norwood insists the side cannot afford to get carried away,

particularly against a Charlton side who beat Royals twice last season.

“Every game in this division is a fight,” he said.

“I don’t think I’ve played in a game yet where it’s been as easy as everybody thinks it is. It’ll be a tough game, we know that.

“I think (Charlton) have lost their way a little bit but we don’t take anybody lightly in this division, you never do.

Because if you do you get beaten, as simple as that.”

Despite the two-week break, manager Clarke is still going to be without a number of players with Hal Robson-Kanu joining the injury list for the weekend after picking up a knock playing for Wales.

“Jonathan Bond, Anton (Ferdinand) and Stephen Quinn won’t be available this week,” explained Clarke.

“Matej Vydra’s just joined in with the group for the first time yesterday and probably has a chance of playing in some of the games this week but Saturday will probably come too soon.”

After Charlton, Reading face back-to-back away trips at Rotherham United on Tuesday night and Fulham next Saturday lunch time, and Clarke is aware how key this week is for his charges to prove their worth as credible promotion candidates by beating three sides sitting in the bottom half.

He said: “For me it’s going to be an interesting week for my team and let’s

see if they can perform at the level that they’ve been at before.

“The games before playing Middlesbrough, everyone’s talking about Middlesbrough and playing Burnley, everyone’s talking about Burnley.

“Now people are starting to talk about Reading so we have to change our mindset and we have to be ready for a different challenge where people expect us to win the games but we still have to go out and do it.”

Brighton Middlesbrough Reading Birmingham Hull Burnley Derby Cardiff Wolves Sheff Wed QPR Ipswich Fulham Nottm Forest Blackburn Leeds Charlton Huddersfield MK Dons Brentford Rotherham Bolton Preston Bristol City

Sky Bet Championship P W D L F 10 6 4 0 14 10 6 2 2 17 10 5 3 2 16 10 5 3 2 16 10 5 3 2 13 10 5 3 2 14 10 4 5 1 12 10 4 4 2 14 10 4 3 3 15 10 4 3 3 15 10 4 3 3 18 10 4 3 3 15 10 3 3 4 17 10 3 3 4 9 10 2 5 3 12 10 2 5 3 9 10 2 4 4 11 10 2 4 4 10 10 2 2 6 9 10 2 2 6 12 10 2 2 6 12 10 1 5 4 9 10 1 4 5 7 10 1 4 5 12

A 8 7 7 10 7 11 7 11 11 14 20 17 16 10 10 13 14 14 14 19 19 16 13 20

Pts 22 20 18 18 18 18 17 16 15 15 15 15 12 12 11 11 10 10 8 8 8 8 7 7

Aaron Tshibola

Cox joins the Robins on loan SIMON COX has joined Bristol City on loan until January.

The striker has found game time limited at Reading this season, starting just once and making four late substitute appearances, all of which came in August.

Cox, 28, rejoined the Royals last summer, going on to play 43 times and scoring eight goals as he established himself in the squad.

But with the emergence of Nick Blackman plus arrivals of Matej Vydra, Orlando Sa, Ola John and Paolo Hurtado, places are now limited for a spot amongst the in-form front-line.

Bristol City are currently at the foot of the Championship and are likely to offer Cox regular football between now and the expiry of the loan on January 3.

Royals boss Steve Clarke said: “This arrangement is good for all parties and we wish Simon well in his loan spell at Bristol City.”

Republic of Ireland international Cox could make his debut for the Robins against his former employers Nottingham Forest tonight.

38 | SPORT

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COMBINED COUNTIES LEAGUE

THAMES VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Three the magic number for unbeaten Finchampstead GOALS from Matthew Bonny, Matt Philo and Alex Woodman secured Finchampstead Reserves a third win in fours games in Division 3, writes LEWIS RUDD. The club, which switched from Hellenic Division 1 East last term, defeated SRCC 3-1 at the Memorial Ground.

Kieran Cane was on target for the away side – but the player was later sent off having picked up two yellow cards.

Shane Caswell, meanwhile, hit a hat-trick and Ryan Jansen also netted as TWYFORD AND RUSCOMBE put four past Baughurst AFC at Cantley Park.

But the home side was still on the end of a losing result, as George Garrity (2), Andy Miller (2), Thomas Etheridge, Neil King and Tommy James fired the visitors to a 7-4 success.

There was little joy for WOODLEY UNITED A, either, who went down to a 4-1 loss at Unity Res. Nathan Bingham grabbed a consolation for United.

WARGRAVE RESERVES sit bottom of the table following a third loss in four games.

Steven Francis and Connon Mcnama struck to secure AFC Aldermaston Reserves all three points from a 2-0 success.

Clive Akem-Che led the scoring with a hat-trick as SONNING took the bragging rights when defeating local rivals WARGRAVE in Division 2.

Brodie Davies and Curtis Robertson also added their name to the scoresheet.

The only blotch on a celebratory afternoon for Sonning was losing Mike Akem-Che to a straight red card.

Stuart Moss, John Rimmer and Adam Luckett netted for Wargrave, but the goals would prove to be in vain.

Matthew Day and Alistair Drury notched for BARKHAM ATHLETIC during their game at Marlow United Reserves, but it could not prevent the side slipping to a 4-2 reverse.

Neil Austin, James Brown, Christopher Davies and Mark Rowley condemned the visitors to defeat.

ASHRIDGE PARK continue to sit without a point at the foot of the table following a fifth straight loss.

Chris Hayter did net twice for his side, while Scott Drummond-Bayne also got a goal, but the hosts were outscored by Imaan at Cantley Park.

The points went the way of the away side courtesy of Ben Lyden, Luke Edwards, Usman Tariq, Sabeel Asghar and Bilal Saleem.

HARCHESTER HAWKS sit level on points with leaders Hurst Reserves at

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, October 16, 2015

the top of the Division Four table after Carl Pyne, Dan Lockwood and Gareth Turk secured a 3-1 triumph at Highmoor Knights.

The visitors, though, left it late to record the win, with Lockwood and Wells netting in the 85th and 90th minutes respectively.

Fraser Hodgkins scored for Highmoor.

HURST top the standings after thrashing FC Reading Dons 6-0 at Cantley Park.

David Worley bagged a brace, with Tim Grenham, Ashley Lamb, Jack Sanchez and Thomas Couchman completing the rout.

BERKS COUNTY RESERVES, meanwhile, sit fifth on eight points after running out 5-3 winners at AFC Corinthians Reserves.

Two Connor Banks goals and further strikes from Christian Brooker and Joshua Stefanini cancelled out efforts from Corinthians’ Ashraf Ali, Jason Haste and Max Jennings.

Gareth Wills (2), Danny Young, Shaman Goswell and Dylan Chaffin helped SHINFIELD RANGERS MEN double their win count for the season following a 5-3 victory against Taplow United Reserves in Division 5.

Visiting Taplow hit back through a Shaun Gray double and Sam Simmonds, but it was not enough.

SONNING SPORTS occupy third spot after Wayne Little and Daniel Fletcher struck in both halves during a 2-1 success at BERKS COUNTY RESERVES, who had equalised through substitute Richard Cumner on 65 minutes.

Sitting a place below them in fourth is HURST A, who hit three goals without reply at Woodley United B. Scoring two of these was Charlie Scope.

He was joined on the scoresheet by replacement Asher Price.

Cup round-up BERKS COUNTY booked their place in round three of the Berks and Bucks Intermediate Cup with a 3-0 win over Ascot United Development.

Joining them in the draw is HURST, who defeated Premier Division rivals Highmoor Ibis Reserves by a solitary goal.

Reward for the wins is third round ties away at Maidenhead Magpies and Abingdon Town respectively on November 14.

WINNERSH RANGERS, though, will have to wait and see if they remain in the competition after their tie with Westwood United was abandoned.

Rangers were winning 4-2 when the game was called to a halt after the referee was assaulted. n FOR more on this story, turn to page 13.

Ashridge Park (in red) were beaten 5-3 by Imaan in Division 2 Picture: Paul King

Top stuff from Griffiths has Eversley leading the way Eversley and California 6 Farleigh Rovers 0

EVERSLEY sit top of the Division 1 table after romping to victory at Fox Lane.

Matt Griffiths led the scoring against the reigning champions with a hat-trick.

Craig Smith, substitute Tom Elmore and Matt Stamp were also on target as the Boars secured what turned out to be a comfortable three points.

But the bulk of the goals did not arrive until after the break - and not before Brad Smith, the top scorer with 17 strikes this term, was substituted.

Eversley broke the deadlock on nine minutes; Brad Smith unselfishly squaring a loose ball for namesake Craig to tuck home.

Farleigh, though, thought they had equalised just five minutes later, only for the ‘goal’ to be ruled out for offside.

Further chances came and went for the hosts, but they were unable to build on their slender lead.

Some inspirational words from manager Neville Roach were needed, and it proved to be just the tonic, as Griffiths opened his account for the afternoon on 66 minutes, capitalising on some Farleigh indecision and firing into the corner.

Smith then saw his involvement come to an end, with the striker having to watch on as his team-mates struck a further four times in the final 15 minutes.

Having exchanged passes with Charlie Lynch, Griffiths made it 3-0 before Elmore and Stamp put the result beyond any doubt.

Meeting an Elmore cross would see Griffiths complete the hat-trick and the scoring in injury time.

Eversley’s Aaron Voller wins this tussle Picture: Vivienne Johnson EVERSLEY AND CALIFORNIA: Giles, Osler, Massaquai, Neville, Voller, Hodgson, Douglass, B.Smith, Stamp, Griffiths, C.Smith, Elmore, Sayer, Medford, Hoptroff, Lynch.

Combined Counties League Division 1 P W D L F CB Hounslow United 8 7 0 1 20 Eversley & California 9 7 0 2 26 Worcester Park 8 6 0 2 20 Staines Lammas 9 5 1 3 23 Sandhurst Town 8 4 2 2 16 Abbey Rangers 8 4 1 3 13 Bedfont & Feltham 4 4 0 0 18 Cobham 8 4 0 4 18 Epsom Athletic 9 4 0 5 20 Dorking 8 3 0 5 13 Frimley Green 5 3 0 2 5 Sheerwater 8 2 1 5 11 Dorking Wanderers Res 8 2 1 5 9 Farleigh Rovers 8 2 0 6 8 Ash United 7 1 2 4 13 Banstead Athletic 7 1 2 4 8 South Park Reserves 8 1 0 7 10

A Pts 5 21 12 21 7 18 12 16 16 14 10 13 4 12 18 12 31 12 14 9 7 9 18 7 18 7 22 6 20 5 17 5 20 3

COUNTY CUP

Finch handed bye FINCHAMPSTEAD have been handed a third-round tie with Shrivenham in the Berks and Bucks Intermediate Cup. The Hellenic Division 1 East leaders were due to host AFC Corinthians in the competition last Saturday, but the Thames Valley League outfit scratched the fixture, meaning Finch were handed a walkover victory.

Shrivenham, of Division 1 West, head to the Memorial Ground on November 14.

Finchampstead return to domestic action tomorrow, where Jon Laugharne’s charges will be looking to record a fifth successive win on home soil when up against basement boys Reading Town (3pm).

HELLENIC LEAGUE

A Folley afternoon for United as Chinnor take the points Woodley United 0 Chinnor 2

FIRST-HALF goals from Tom Folley and Edward Barnett denied United a third straight win in the league.

Woodley started the game well and won a corner in the opening two minutes, but a foul on visiting ‘keeper Ben Taurnton saw that particular attack come to an end.

Rupen Limbu later saw a shot blocked, with Taurnton swallowing up the rebound.

Chinnor, though, were soon asking questions of their own, but Harry Stiff was equal to a first attempt on goal.

The United, keeper, however, was beaten soon after when unmarked wing-back Folley popped up in the penalty box and broke the deadlock on 20 minutes.

Taunton, at full stretch, denied Omar Cofie as the home side mounted an immediate response, but a Woodley team lacking tempo and intensity fell further behind when Barnett slipped past Oli Bridges and put Chinnor 2-0 ahead.

The goal was to galvanize the hosts – but not before Stiff had to save well to thwart another attack from the Oxfordshire side, although the move was eventually called back for offside.

Dan Faherty and Limbu combined from a quick free-kick routine to release Matt Leigh on the overlap, but the full-back could only send a strike into the

side netting.

The next player to be thwarted by Taurnton was debutant Nathanial Richardson, who was beaten in a chase to a long ball by the latter.

Bridges made way for Matt Brookling during the break, with the introduction of the substitute helping shore up the Woodley defence.

This would have a positive impact further up the field, where United enjoyed the majority of possession and created further chances, the best of which falling to Cofie and Robinson, but both were unable to find the target as Taurnton was rarely troubled.

The best opportunity for the visitors during the second half saw James Bonwick hit the side netting.

Yet despite holding a two-goal advantage, Chinnor’s cause was dealt a blow when Stuart MacLellan saw red with 10 minutes left to play for kicking out at Creegan following a challenge.

Woodley, though, were unable to capitalise on what was a surprisingly below-par afternoon from Jock Mowat’s men.

United are at home again tomorrow,

United’s Connor Creegan battles for the ball Picture: Peter Toft

where second-placed Penn and Tylers Green are the opposition (3pm).

WOODLEY UNITED: Stiff, Phillip (Ingram), Leigh, Bridges (Brookling), Titcomb, Creegan, Alozie, Faherty, Cofie (Skehan), Robinson, Limbu.

Subs not used: Pearce, Szram Hellenic Division 1 East P W D L Finchampstead 9 5 2 2 Penn & Tylers Green 7 5 1 1 Headington Amat 8 4 2 2 Henley Town 8 4 1 3 Rayners Lane 7 4 0 3 Bicester Town 7 3 2 2 Chinnor 6 3 0 3 Holyport 5 3 0 2 Wantage Town Res’ 9 3 0 6 Didcot Town Res’ 7 2 2 3 Chalfont Wasps 4 2 1 1 Woodley United 7 2 1 4 Old Woodstock Town 7 2 0 5 Reading Town 5 0 0 5

F 16 21 10 19 15 13 13 11 13 11 8 8 5 7

A Pts 9 17 5 16 8 14 16 13 9 12 15 11 10 9 11 9 20 9 12 8 6 7 11 7 19 6 19 0

Friday, October 16, 2015 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

WOKINGHAM AND EMMBROOK

Floodlit Cup can offer no relief for beaten Sumas Chinnor 2 Wokingham and Emmbrook 0

A MARK AVERY penalty and Max Mitchell header sent Wokingham and Emmbrook crashing out of the Hellenic Perpetua Press Floodlit Cup on Tuesday night.

League form obviously is taking precedent at the moment and it showed over in Oxfordshire, where joint managers Dan Bateman and Matt Eggleston made nine changes to the squad beaten at Abingdon United last Saturday.

Only George Parsons, Ben Broadhurst, Elliott Rushforth, Sam Bateman and Sean Watson kept their place in the matchday 14, yet the Sumas started well, edging the territorial battle and trading several half chances with their Division 1 East opponents.

But they were to fall behind midway through the half when ‘keeper Harry Coxhead sent Mitchell crashing to the ground when played in by Jamie Britnell, with the referee pointing to the spot and showing the shot-stopper a yellow card.

Responsibility from 12 yards fell to Avery, who made no mistake when finishing clinically.

The Sumas once again edged possession at the start of the second half, but lacked the cutting edge needed to really penetrate their hosts.

And their involvement in the competition plunged into further doubt on the hour mark; debutant Mitchell timing his run to perfection when meeting an Ed Barnett cross from the right to nod his side into a 2-0 lead.

Elliott Rushforth was one of only five Wokingham players to keep their place for the trip to Chinnor on Tuesday Picture: Vivienne Johnson

In an effort to get back into the tie, the visitors introduced Andy Pearce and Jack Herridge from the bench, but neither could provide the nous needed to offer the visitors a lifeline.

WOKINGHAM AND EMMBROOK: Coxhead, Pietrasik (Pearce), Smillie, Parsons (c), McNelly

SPORT | 39

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(Herridge), Broadhurst, Wheeler, Rushforth, Watson, Haylett, S.Bateman Sub not used: Eggleston

n WOODLEY UNITED also exited the competition at the second round, losing 2-0 at home to Thame United of the Premier Division on Wednesday.

HELLENIC PREMIER DIVISION

Defeat in Abingdon makes for more difficult Reid-ing Abingdon United 2 Wokingham and Emmbrook 0

BASIC errors proved costly once again after George Reid struck twice to leave the Sumas in a perilous position at the foot of the Hellenic Premier Division table.

Defeat in this relegation battle leaves Wokingham and Emmbrook seven points adrift of Abingdon, who sit 18th in the standings.

Only a point separates the club and the team directly above them, Bracknell Town, but the Robins have five games in hand, meaning the Premier Division newcomers are facing the real danger of an instant return to Division 1 East.

But Wokingham’s struggles are not through the want of trying, with the visitors creating enough chances on the afternoon to have picked up the three points themselves.

They were, however, thankful for ‘keeper Sean Woodward saving a first-half penalty to prevent United taking the lead.

At the other end, both Sam Duffelen and Luke Scope went close, but the score would remain goalless going in at the break.

Nothing would separate the sides after the restart, but that all changed when a moments hesitancy from Jordan Rowland allowed Reid to nip in, cut inside and beat Woodward for a 1-0 lead.

The Sumas thought they should have been awarded a spot kick of their own when Elliott Rushforth went to ground in the box, but the referee dismissed the appeals.

And with just seconds left to try and salvage something from the game,

Abingdon, and Reid, went on to double their tally and inflict more woe on the opposition.

Wokingham appear to be down on their luck, and this was no more evident when an unfortunate slip from George Parsons allowed Reid to go on and finish confidently past Woodward again.

The result means Dan Bateman and Matt Eggleston’s charges have now not picked up any points in the league since a 3-0 win at Bracknell on August 25.

They will be hoping to stop the rot tomorrow, but must overcome a Thatcham Town side who sit third in the standings at Waterside Park (3pm).

The two teams met just last month, where Town ran out 6-1 winners.

WOKINGHAM AND EMMBROOK: Woodward, Wanklyn, Rowland, Day, Parsons, Duffelen (Broadhurst), Rushforth (S.Bateman), Butler (c), N.Bateman, Scope, Sargeant (Watson).

Hellenic Premier Division P W D L Flackwell Heath 13 9 2 2 Ascot United 15 9 2 4 Thatcham Town 11 9 1 1 Oxford City Nomads 14 9 1 4 Kidlington 12 8 3 1 Highworth Town 12 8 1 3 Highmoor-Ibis 14 7 2 5 Binfield 11 6 2 3 Brimscombe & Thrupp 11 6 2 3 Thame United 13 6 2 5 Longlevens AFC 13 6 1 6 Royal Wootton Bassett 12 5 2 5 Lydney Town 12 4 4 4 Ardley United 14 4 1 9 Tuffley Rovers 12 3 2 7 Milton United 14 2 5 7 Brackley Town Saints 15 3 2 10 Abingdon United 15 3 2 10 Bracknell Town 10 1 2 7 Wokingham 15 1 1 13

F 44 25 33 31 27 29 28 19 20 19 17 22 19 17 19 14 23 19 12 13

A Pts 22 29 15 29 14 28 16 28 12 27 11 25 20 23 11 20 15 20 17 20 17 19 25 17 21 16 31 13 26 11 23 11 42 11 46 11 25 5 41 4

Lucky Lewis and Kidlington end Binfield’s four-game winning streak Binfield 1 Kidlington 2

an ankle problem, started well.

The fixture was barely two minutes old when Danny Horscroft was presented with a sight of goal.

LEWIS GABBIDON struck a controversial But the midfielder, who had netted winner 15 minutes from time to end three times in as many games prior to Binfield’s four-game winning streak. the contest, saw Gabbidon deflect his The Kidlington defender would settle volley over the bar. the contest when sending a header from Johnson, returning to the starting a corner towards the far post. line-up in the absence of Ferdinand, saw Moles captain Alex Luis appeared his teasing centre go unpunished before to blocked the ball on the line, with he was denied by Kidlington goalkeeper ‘keeper Nathan Silver smothering the Sam Warrell when running on to a long rebound, denying Anaclet Odhiambo in ball over the top from Carl Withers. the process.

The game had now become an However, the visitors claimed the expansive one, with the hosts looking to initial effort had bounced over the press forward at every opportunity. whitewash and, following discussions The away side, though,.were always a with an assistant, the referee awarded danger on the break, but a back four of the goal.

Jack Broome, Luis, Michael Walton and Substitute Brad Brown flashed an Lewis Leonetti stood up to the challenge effort across goal and Jemel Johnson saw of a pacy forward line admirably. a second ‘goal’ ruled out for offside late Although the best chances during the on as the hosts pushed for an equaliser, first 45 minutes fell the way of Binfield, but Binfield were unable to cling on to which included James Knight firing off their unbeaten streak. target having burst into the box, both Having attracted a three-figure crowd sides went in at the break with the score stalemate. to Hill Farm Lane (114) on what was But that was to change on the hour Non-League Day, the home side, despite mark. missing striker Liam Ferdinand through Having sent a Lewis Gabbidon nets the winner...but was it a goal? volley over the bar earlier in the half, another opportunity for Walton would see the centre half break the deadlock, powering the ball

high into Warrell’s net on the turn from 10 yards when latching on to Chris Dean’s in-swinging corner form the right.

It was Walton’s first goal for the club.

With momentum now on their side, Binfield were charging forward again just two minutes later, where Josh Howell slid in Johnson, who confidently skipped past Warrell and stroked the ball into an empty net for what looked like a 2-0 lead.

The celebrations, though, were met by an offside flag and the ‘goal’ was subsequently chalked off.

And it would prove to be a decisive moment in the match, as Kidlington quickly regrouped and were soon levelling the scores, albeit in rather fortunate circumstances.

Trying his luck from some 20 yards, Lewis Coyle was looking to beat Silver at his near post.

However, via a wicked deflection, the ball made its way, slowly, to the opposite corner, with the stranded shot-stopper powerless to prevent the Oxfordshire side from grabbing the equaliser.

Binfield’s Howell and Odhiambo, for the guests, both traded missed chances before luck favoured Kidlington once again when Gabbidon was deemed to have squeezed the ball home at the far post on 75 minutes.

Boss Roger Herridge replaced Withers and Horscroft with Brown and Josh Person for the last 10 minutes as the Moles pushed for a way back into the game.

And the switch almost proved

Michael Walton (left) fires Binfield into the lead

Pictures: Colin Byers

appearance in a Moles shirt. dividends when Brown let fly – only to see his strike flash past Warrell and the BINFIELD: Silver, Broome, Luis (c), M.Walton, Leonetti, Withers (Pearson)< Howell, Dean, wrong side of an upright.

Knight, Johnson, Horscroft (B.Brown).

It did look as though Binfield would Subs not used: Rowland, Reid, Brown, Dickie rescue a point when Johnson turned home Broome’s overhead Carl Withers kick back into the box, but (right) could the forward was frustratingly make his 500th deemed to be offside once appearance for more as a Kidlington side the Moles next tipped to push for the title this week season somehow held out to secure a comeback victory.

Binfield will be looking to put the defeat behind them when travelling to Highworth Town tomorrow (3pm).

A home local derby with Bracknell Town then awaits the side on Monday (7.45pm) This game could see Carl Withers make his 500th

WOKINGHAM SPORT

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Contact the sports desk: sport@wokinghampaper.co.uk | Log on the for latest sports news www.wokinghampaper.co.uk READING FC

Supporters get their first glimpse of Royal Elm Park RENOWNED FOR PLANS to develop the area adjacent to Madejski Stadium were available to view in a public consultation exhibition for the first time yesterday.

Ideas for a major development of Royal Elm Park were revealed for the first time last week but further images and details have now been released.

Reading FC are playing a key role in the proposals with chief executive Nigel Howe leading a professional team of consultants.

The 15.5 hectare site currently houses a car park and training pitch but could instead offer over 600 new homes, a hotel, leisure complex and more than 1,000 new jobs among other things.

If you missed out on yesterday’s exhibition at the Royal Berkshire Conference Centre, there are three more scheduled dates to go and take a look at the ambitious plans and air your views.

Reading Town Hall hosts the consultations on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon with the plans on

An artist impression of Royal Elm Park

show at South Reading Community Centre on Saturday October 24. n TURN to page 37 for more details and to see what Nigel Howe

told The Wokingham Paper about the developments and the concerns over the potential lack of parking space outside Madejski Stadium.

n READING offer the cheapest season ticket in the Football League, a BBC Sport study has revealed.

The annual ‘Price of Football’ report shows that the £135 ticket available for 18-24 year olds is the best priced with no other club in the top five leagues of England offering a cheaper single match ticket either.

Entry to Reading, Derby County and Huddersfield Town can all be purchased from as little as £10, with Chelsea’s £52 the highest priced cheapest ticket available in the country.

Reading chief executive Howe, said: “Reading are still developing as far as I’m concerned.

“We’re still encouraging new fans to come along and to enjoy seeing what we have at the moment which is some very good football.

“I want people to be encouraged by pricing at a level that they feel they can come and enjoy a good game of football without affecting what they’ve got to spend on other things.”

OUR STEAKS

ICE HOCKEY

Having helped shoot down the Flames, Smital lauds his Bees star...

Antonov will have a bright future

By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk

VANYA ANTONOV is a player with no limits and will have a bright future in the game, according to Bracknell Bees player-coach Lukas Smital.

The Russian-born forward scored twice and played a starring role as the club defeated fierce rivals Guildford Flames 4-3 in the English Premier League last Sunday, with his performance drawing praise from the manager.

Antonov, 18, also helped lay on a goal for team-mate Frantisek Bakrlik during a match which saw Bees hold out to secure a fourth win in five matches on home ice this season, recording a four-point weekend in the process.

Smital (pictured), however, can count himself extremely lucky to have the player on his roster this term, as Antonov had agreed a switch to league rivals Sheffield Steeldogs during the summer, only for the move to fall through at the last minute.

And having the protégé wearing the black and gold once again is clearly a blessing, although the coach admits he will struggle to keep hold of the talent in the future should he continue to impress out on the rink.

“Vanya, believe it or not in my eyes – and maybe other people will disagree with me – has got no limits, because he is such a nice lad and he is switched on and he is so coachable,” Smital told The Wokingham Paper.

“Even though he one of the top players on our team, he still acts like a very modest and very humble guy. He swallows up every advice I give him or what the senior players will give him and he has become a leader.

“On Sunday he led us, he led us in that first period and scored two big goals and created

the third for Frankie (Bakrlik) and I’m just over the moon I could secure him this year.

“He has no limits and as long as he keeps doing what he is doing and does not get disturbed, he can have a bright future, absolutely.”

A season which has already seen Smital become the leading points scorer in EPIHL history reached another high last Saturday when the Czech’s son, Matt, made his first senior start for Bees during the 7-2 win at Hull Pirates, where he was introduced as a late replacement for netminder Alex Mettam.

While explaining it was the decision of his goalie to let Smital Jnr take to the ice, Lukas was undeniably proud of the occasion.

He said: “For the record, whether he is my son or not, he deserved his place on the team.

“He deserved it and it wasn’t my call, it was Alex (Mettam) who wanted to give him some ice. I said it was a perfect opportunity as we were 6-2 up.

“He trains with us, he works hard for me and yes it was emotional because it feels so good as a dad and as a coach to play with your own son, its an indescribable feeling.”

Matt, though, will have to wait patiently for his next run out with the team, as fellow netminder Tom Annetts will be back for Sunday’s home game with MK Lightning (6pm) having returned from holiday.

“Nothing is going to be given, I have signed my two netminders and that is the way it is,” added Smital.

“He is going to have to wait his turn, just like any other kid and keep plugging away and good things may happen for him in the future.” n FOR more Bees news, turn to page 33.

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

Visit us and find out just how good our food is!

Vanya Antonov

Pictures: Bob Swann Published by Xn Media Ltd, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Printed at Newbury Weekly News, Newspaper House, Faraday Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2DW . © Xn Media Ltd, 2015

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