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Friday, August 5, 2016 No. 68

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, August 5, 2016

HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US

The Healthwatch Wokingham Borough team want to hear your ideas to boost wellbeing in the community

Newsroom: 0118 327 2662 Advertising: 0118 328 2959 Write to: The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS

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Share your family news in The Wokingham Paper Is there a new addition in your family?

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Contact The Wokingham Paper to post your announcements today.

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HEALTHWATCH Wokingham Borough has launched a Community Cash Fund to help individuals and small groups undertake projects to boost wellbeing in their communities.

Last year, the fund supported several projects including a survey of Foodbank users and a mystery shop of GP practices by a deaf person.

Mark Hooper, from Deaf Positives, said: “Working with the Community Cash Fund (CCF) has been a great experience from start to finish. We have been able to

Police seek double exposure flasher AN APPEAL for information has been made by police after a man was reported flashing twice in two days.

Thames Valley Police reported that a man exposed himself to a woman in Jocks Lane around 10pm on Monday, July 18.

The next evening, he struck again.

This time, around 10.15pm, he exposed himself to a woman at the junction of Hitherhooks Hill and Temple Way. Investigating officer Det Sgt Steve Middleweek, from Local CID based at Bracknell police station, said: “We believe that these incidents may be linked and would like to hear from anyone who may have any information that could assist us with our investigation.

“Please contact me via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre

raise the profile of the issues deaf people face in their everyday lives in Wokingham Borough.”

The benefit of having access to and working the CCF will last for many months to come. It would not have been possible without Healthwatch.”

Nicola Strudley, Healthwatch manager, added: “If you have an idea that will help local people to speak up about local health services, that will boost their wellbeing, this is your chance. All projects will be judged on merit.”

Applications should be made by September 30 and the winners will be announced on October 3.

The projects need to: • Increase the involvement of disadvantaged communities in health and social care related services.

• Increase the feedback from and improve the wellbeing for hard to reach or seldom heard communities n For more details, or to apply, log on to www.healthwatchwokingham. co.uk

on 101 quoting reference 43160197626.

“If you do not want to speak directly to the police you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.”

Saturday when the exhibition opens at Block B, 2 Bracknell Boulevard in Cain Road, Binfield.

The show is open from tomorrow until Wednesday between 10am and 3pm. Entry is free.

For more details, call 0800 028 7338 or log on to www. thephotographicangle.co.uk/ exhibitions

Exhibition to see life in Monochrome A TOURING exhibition will be making a stop-off in Berkshire this week, offering a chance to look again at photography.

Monochrome has been created by The Photographic Angle and aims to explore the way in which patterns of light and shadow draw the eye when using black and white photography.

Pictures on show aim to highlight how an effective monochrome picture is reliant on its composition.

You can see for yourself from

Another chance to see Twelfth Night FAMILIES are invited to come along to Howard Palmer Gardens in Wokingham town centre this Sunday to watch one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays.

The Enchanted Players will present a special child-friendly version of Twelfth Night from 2.30pm.

Aimed at ages six upwards, entry is free and younger children are welcome.

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Postcode Email Phone number Send your forms to: Family notices, The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Please enclose payment by cheque, made out to The Wokingham Paper

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 supporters 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.

Send your tokens to: Community Cash Tokens, The Wokingham Paper, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Please note, only original tokens can be accepted.

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WOKINGHAM PAPER

Friday, August 5, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Raven Haven owner: I grew drugs after donor let me down

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE owner of a bird sanctuary in Crowthorne who was prosecuted for wildlife and drug offences has said he is the victim of a ‘hate campaign’ by former volunteers.

Steve Burns, 58, who runs Raven Haven in Sandhurst Road with his wife Shelley, was convicted last month of 25 offences of keeping a bird in unsuitable housing, contrary to Section 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, and 17 offences of failing to protect an animal from pain, suffering, injury or disease contrary to Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act. He also pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis and possessing cannabis with intent to supply after a number of plants and dried cannabis were found at the property.

Mr Burns said in a statement that he started to grow the plants as a means

of raising cash after the sanctuary was let down by a donor.

He said: “I pleaded guilty to these offences but would however like to let people know, I decided to do this to try and raise enough cash to provide for a new cage fit out which was desperately needed for our intake room and recovery room after we had been let down by a donor after six months of planning. It really was a terrible decision and I’m sorry for what I did.”

“With regards to the numerous [wildlife] charges that I was found guilty of, the birds in our care were all being treated for their injuries. We chose to put them into cat carriers to start with so they wouldn’t have so much space to further any injury, and to help keep them quiet during treatment and recovery.

“We had also put some of the birds from the recovery room into carriers whilst the recovery room was hastily being redecorated.”

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Mr Burns received a community award in 2012 for his ‘outstanding and exceptional work’ rescuing injured birds, and claims to have passed numerous inspections by the RSPCA and DEFRA. He continued: “I am very disappointed at the outcome of this trial as we did our best for the birds [brought] in to us.

“It just doesn’t seem fair when back in 2012 I was given a community award for 22 years of outstanding and exceptional work aiding injured birds, and then in 2015 being prosecuted for doing the same thing.

“I believe Raven Haven has been the victim of a hate campaign started by some ex-volunteers and still continues now even after the trial.”

Mr Burns has been prohibited from taking any new birds into the sanctuary for 12 months, a decision which he said he will not appeal.

He said: “I am thankful that the judge allowed us to keep our remaining birds with the only restriction being no new birds into the sanctuary for 12 months. I do not intend to appeal the judge’s decision as I don’t want to worsen the situation and possibly jeopardise our remaining birds.”

Mr Burns was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, in relation to the wildlife crime charges, and was ordered to carry out 60 hours of unpaid community work and pay £1,080 costs. He received an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, for the drugs charges.

Autism unit approved for St Crispin’s School A NEW unit for students with autism is set to open at a Wokingham school next year.

The specialist unit at St Crispin’s School, in London Road, was approved by Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) last week in a move that would see around 25 pupils, aged 11 to 18, who are currently educated outside of the borough benefit from the new facility.

As we revealed in our July 18 edition, the unit will be created within the school’s current sixth form before a purpose-built facility, along with a new sixth form centre and multi-use games area (MUGA), is opened in September 2017.

Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor, WBC’s executive member for children’s services, said: “The new autism unit at St Crispin’s School is a positive example of our disability strategy and partnership working with the school.

“In Wokingham Borough we currently have a dedicated provision for children with autism at Westcott Infant and Westende Junior schools and this resource at St Crispin’s School will complete the education pathway for those pupils.”

Thieves steal jewellery JEWELLERY has been stolen from a house in Earley this week.

At some time between Sunday and Wednesday someone broke into the house in Anderson Avenue by forcing a kitchen window open. It is thought they initially tried the rear door but couldn’t get in. The property was searched throughout and jewellery was stolen.

Anyone with any information relating to this incident should call 101.

Garden tools taken in raid GARDEN tools have been stolen from a garage in Sonning.

At some time between Sunday and Wednesday someone broke into the garage in Paddick Close and stole a lawnmower, hedge trimmer and strimmer.

Thames Valley Police is urging anyone with any information to come forward, and reminding residents to ensure their garages, sheds and outbuildings are secure.

Anyone with information relating to this incident should call 101.

Shed broken into Team members and residents at Alexandra Grange are crossing their green fingers after entering a national gardening competition while, right, residents Elizabeth Charlton, 92 and Veronica Spooner, 90 enjoy a glass of Pimms in the garden which had a red, white and blue theme

Greenfingered residents scoop awards in national competition

The gardens at Alexandra Grange with their patriotic colour scheme

A CARE home in Wokingham has proved that its residents have the greenest fingers after scooping two gardening awards.

Alexandra Grange Care Home, in Oaklands Drive, has been named Best Outdoor Activity Provision and Best Vegetable Patches and Herb Garden at the annual Hallmark in Bloom gardening competition.

The home, which offers residential and dementia care, was praised for its use of outdoor space and the level of resident engagement at the care provider’s company-wide event.

Adriana Fernandes-Bowyer, lifestyles leader at Alexandra Grange, said: “We

Month-long road closure from Monday

Potential firefighters invited to open day

WORKS to replace an embankment means that a busy road will be closed for more than a month from Monday.

Wargrave Hill between its junctions with A321 High Street and The Bothy will be shut until Wednesday, September 14 to enable the works to take place.

A council spokesperson said: “The existing embankment is eroding, exposing the concrete foundation of the brick wall. A king post wall with timber sleepers is being

A RECRUITMENT day for potential retained firefighters for Wargrave and Crowthorne stations will be held in Reading this weekend.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) will be holding the recruitment day for anyone interested in becoming a retained, or part-time, firefighter.

Specific qualifications or experience are not required, but you must be over 18 years of age, be fit and live or work within

installed to support the bank and prevent it deteriorating further.

“For Wokingham Borough Council to do this work, SSE must first divert services that are in the way; hence the duration of the closure.”

During the works a diversion will be in place from A321 High Street, School Lane, Dark Lane and Wargrave Hill .

The Council says that residents will still be able to access their homes.

are delighted to have been awarded Best Outdoor Activity Provision and Best Vegetable Patches and Herb Garden.

“Since we opened our doors we have worked really hard to utilise our outdoor space and create a garden which can be enjoyed by our residents.

“I would like to thank the whole team, our volunteers and all of our fantastic residents who have contributed their time to make our gardens look beautiful, it shows what we can achieve when we work together. We really love the residents’ crafts which are shown throughout the garden and really help create a colourful and interesting environment.”

around six to eight minutes of your local retained fire station.

Unlike their full-time colleagues, retained firefighters are not based at a fire station, often holding full-time jobs elsewhere.

Candidates are invited to attend either 9.30am session on Saturday, August 6 or Sunday, August 7 at Whitley Wood Fire Station in Whitley Wood Road, where they will undergo an interview and various tests.

A SHED in Finchampstead has been broken into Between 6.15pm on Tuesday and 7.45am on Wednesday, someone has jemmied off the mount on a padlock on a shed in Windsor Ride. The offender then went into the shed to steal a hedge trimmer and a drill. They also attempted to open the garage door.

Anyone with any information relating to this incident should call 101.

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environmentally friendly fair We’re still openfordespite roadworks Maidenhead best for UK’popular pick-your-own farm says Tories praise

Cars vandalised and Another chance to have Help shape Wokingham Borough Council meeting – Thursday,focus July 21 xit vote special –the Wokingham votes remain Green living Theresa May becomes Prime Minister

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broken into inBulmershe crime spree GREEN living is to be showcased at the your say on leisure centre Residents have no right to Earley We need unity ‘Focus onGreen what’s Fair this weekend.

A NUMBER of cars have been broken into and of the future A CONSULTATION on the future of Bulmershe The annual event has been held for sandbags during flooding vandalised in Woodley over the last week.

Leisure Centre will be held in Woodley Shopping

Borough says Rob Wilson leader support for new PM

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their MP’s new New play arearole in Finchampstead open

Mrs May to tackle technology Hugencourages in a Muggirls friends gets grand boost for project

Roadworks to shut A33 near Mereoak for a month

Quest for more access for horses and their owners

Library of the future goes out for tender

Council reveals pay Redwood snubs his neighbour bands in post-election blog post Phone snatch thief wanted set for next year Traffic modelling survey for third Thames bridge

Memory garden will be a great way to remember a great day

Vicar promises toagainst pray for Mrs May Yeldall celebrates apraises good year and good weather Council unites hate crime Man obsessed with appearance Redwood magnificent

committed suicide at home Corbyn after Trident vote

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and provide any visitors with information to help them live in a more sustainable way.

The fair features three types of stall: charity, environmental and crafts and foods. Exhibitors will include the Earley Environmental Group,

Members of the Focused Friends Earley Town Councils Park Ranger Greenpeace, Butterfly Conservation meeting on Thursday following publication of its Pay The group service. Head ranger Grahame Hawker and the Berkshire Mammal Group.

Policy Statement. bridleways celebrate Craft stallsprotest focus on activities It notes: “It is the“The policy to ensure said: joyofofthe theCouncil day is that it has a that news including basket making, pottery, that the ratio of the salary of the paid officer friendly village fetehighest atmosphere.” made its of their woodworking,way with the chance andfor the lowest paid well below 20:1to Theofficer eventiswill run fromthe 10am through funding visitors to have a go themselves. ratio recommended asthe a maximum in theErlegh terms of 3pm, at end of Maiden lake Wokingham grant, which The Green town Fair iscentre organised by the for the reference Hutton Review of Fair in off 2011 Beech Lane in Earley. willPay enable the Public Sector.” last May. A them to follow-up expand question its Hug relating to In A Mug the march project, was asked which MEMBERS of the Maidenhead at Council sends mugs CHILDREN in the borough will be delighted to learn Conservative Association – which on Thursday packed that a new play area has opened in Finchampstead is based in Ruscombe – have addedwith last week goodies to behind the FBCtheir Centre. congratulations to Theresa Picture: lonely and Cllr Angus Ross, executive member for May as she becomes the UK’s Prime Gemma isolated Environment, Minister. told Council: “A ground-breaking new Davidson people in layout of a MUGAIn–amulti-use games – is now statement, they area expressed open. This is an exciting new concept of anhospitals open area their delight at the appointment and and refuges with many applications for all ages of youth.” shared their belief that Mrs May

the past 20 years and returns to the Overnight Saturday, July 30 someone damaged IDEAS fornext theon future of a Woodley Precinct month. borough tomorrow (Saturday).

IF WOKINGHAM floods, the council doesn’t need the tyres on a parked Porsche in Warren Road. leisure are being welcomed Wokingham Borough Council seeking views of NOW is centre theits time for unity andsandbags co-is by BRACKNELL MP Dr Phillip Lee, whose It will showcase local to provide residents with despite following night thieves went into two cars theThe council. residents about how they envisage sports also operation – that’s the verdict from the popular constituency includes parts offriendly organisations environmentally expectations that itRoad. will. parked in Cornfield The cars had been left Residents are being asked for their centre, which includes awill swimming pool, changing EXCLUSIVE Reading East MP Rob Wilson.

Wokingham Instead, “The council encourage people to in borough, has spoken of unlocked and items left inside were stolen. views on how to improve Bulmershe the years ahead.

Bysadness PHIL CREIGHTON He was writing in response to his at the resignation of David make their own enquiries for sandbags in advance Elsewhere inin Tippings LaneAvenue, two cars werenews@wokinghampaper.co.uk broken Leisure Centre, Woodlands The leisure centre underwent a refurbishment, Britain’s decision to leave the European Cameron in the wake of the Brexit vote. of a flood event by contacting local suppliers such as into small items left inside were afterand aafter promise wasfacilities made toand look at stolen along incorporating new equipment in The 2014, Union Thursday’s referendum.

Remainer added that the result builders’ merchants”. with loose change. ways to improve and sustain the centre owner of a popular farm after investment from theas borough council and 1Life Mr Wilson, who serves a Council ofTHE the referendum must bepick-you-own respected Just before last Thursday’s meeting, Cllr On the same evening, someone broke a Nissan following a cosmetic refurbishment in into in Wokingham has hit out at misleading –Pauline the council’s leisure provider.

Government minister, represents parts and the country must come together as Jorgensen passed borough’s new sandbag THE new Prime Minister ofthe the UKdriver’s parked in Headley Road East.

The door was 2014. to aoutside road closure - and sought The introduced council says is that now looking at possible of Wokingham borough fall within itsigns planspointing for a future of Europe. policy, initthe wake of theloose 2014 flooding willThe beand aleisure strong voice and a fantastic open the car searched, but only change centre, which houses a to reassure the public that he is still open for options which include either refurbishing or his Reading East boundaries, including He also praised the high turnout in which saw many houses flooded and the council leader. was stolen. swimming pool, gym, centre sports hall andas improving business. borough – more than 80% of rebuilding the leisure as Maidenhead well Woodley and Earley.

Wokingham having to call on neighbouring council That’s the verdict of In the early hours of Wokingham the following morning Heathlands dance studio, was built in 1970s, is currently general site such asthe car parking.

He said ofissues LEAVE’s win: “It is voters had their say. Road to help out.

Conservatives leader Cllr Keith someone broke into a Volkswagen Touran in undergoing meaning the facilities have become tired repair Either decision will result incouncil partial full closure incumbent on all politicians to do theirisornot Onto Thursday,carriageway the UK voted to leave works, The new policy notes “ the able Baker.

Fosters Lane. car alarm was activated and and insite, need ofThe investment. meaning closures in place to of one ofit the reasons why the council said it road utmost make work for the country, the European Union by a veryare narrow actthe to alltorequests for sandbags during a flood event Speaking to The Wokingham Paper,time, nothing was stolen.

Around the same Wokingham Borough Council enable– 52% contractors workBrexit. in safety. But wants to identify hear from residents. whatever reservations they may have margin of votersto backed but does its priorities.” he praised Theresa May a to someone broke into two for carsbeing parked onfor a driveway (WBC) is looking at executive possible options works couldn’t come at Cllr Ross, member thethe had in Angus the past.

“The British people have have spoken, ” a worse This includes deploying sandbags to maintain strong constituency MP.include in Church Road. improve the site which either time for the Grays environment, “I’dmight like tobethank everyone who “I know thatsaid: many Dr Lee said.

“It isowner now theof duty of allFarm: this access for emergency services, protecting Council He added that an right official opening will take is the person to reunite theplace Mrs May became Prime Minister onas and weekend Cllr Ross replied that there was no requirement recent his localbusiest elections, requested an update on the Both vehicles had been left unlocked looseWe is the refurbishing or rebuilding the centre, normally attended the previous events earlier this month. disappointed with thevital result; especially Parliamentarians to respond in the best of the properties and other facilities.

Residential just in time for the bank holiday weekend, on Conservative Party in the wake August Wednesday, takinggeneral over from for a submitted petition to be reported back to the traffic modelling plans. change was stolen. well as improving siteDavid issue such year into crop and received some excellent feedback and hope to get asofraspberries those who have worked tirelessly interests our great andcome good country. property is theresigned lowest priority in such an emergency.

25 at 1pm. of the referendum result.

Cameron who after the council chamber, but added that he had met with Ms “A significant number of traffic surveys were Valley Police are reminding motorists as Thames car parking. forI am theglad summer. lots more atcampaign the next event and as part of theschools online during the for something inresidents “At the prepare local level, that And when sandbags are offered to “I’m delighted They the mayor will that be coming to the also said they are European referendum.

Greenwood and the results of that discussion had undertaken in September 2015 in and around Representatives from the council will never to leave items inside your car, even in the The work is in two phases, with the consultation. which they passionately believe. turnout was high in both Bracknell it will be with the caveat that “no guaranteethe can opening,” Cllr Ross said. proud of their MP. incredibly Cllr Baker, who also leads been shared with her network.

Wokingham, Reading and Oxfordshire,” Cllr Richards be “Now visiting Woodley town centre glovebox and side pockets, and close first taking place fromabove the the junction of “We the local community towithin take part and is the time for unity andto always Wokingham, with both be givenwant that they will be delivered aand The project has beensaid: funded

by Section 106 They “Congratulations tomoney Wokingham Borough Council, “We do appreciate the popularity of horse riding said.

“The current programme on involved Saturday July 9 doors from 9am to 4pm windows, lock themust and activate any It’s security Nine Mile Ride to Wyevale Garden Centre. shows the transport be in planning the way forward. really co-operation; we all accept thewill national average. specific timescale” and “the council not accept and Finchampstead Parish Council. our new Prime Minister. said: “As Leader of the Council in our borough,” he added, saying that he hoped that model is expected to be ready towards the end of the and at Bulmershe Leisure on any work, “The devices when your car.

The second phase runs fromthe the river important before we Centre carry out there outcome ofthat, theleaving referendum and work and the issues responsibility for the quality effectiveness of thereferendum “Weofare and the July Conservative Group, Ioram the total network of Wokingham’s bridleways could summer.”

Peter Gray with some thedelighted raspberriesthat thatThe willRt be on Sunday 10our from 9am to 4pm to Anyone with any relating todebate these bridgeraised north of engaged Holme many Grange Craft is support proposals.” together tofor tackle theinformation challenges that clearly sandbags”.

Hon Theresa May, our MP forshowed the pleased that we now have aon Prime reach “upwards ofa40% over the next 10 years”. careerssale A progress report will be delivered, Cllrengineering Richards this weekend.

Above top: the original sign gather local people’s views the incident is urged to call 101.

Village to the entrance of Holme Grange LEAVING the then leadership science, technology, to explore STEM as potential in STEM-related and The stall will be in Woodley on Saturday, August 6 remain. new voters, which is very welcome and However, will be of given Maidenhead, is days. now in the positionsign to Minister whosandbags represents part our free of charge, “We are working hard at to deliver anadd enhanced promised: “We’llsending be keeping you goodies, a supportive the tune of £1,056 to enable work as to completely closed for 14 A replacement CAMPAIGNERS outmaths. hugsinformed.” in centre’s future.

School. election and career choice.

Itthe took place events like this are keymessage if road we are from 9am to 4pm.will “I look forward to working with to dispose encouraging. although owners be expected of them aside for a moment, Wokingham Day Service Party and this Borough. network for equestrian users,” hedistribute said. toguest expand. (above) was putlead up atthe theConservative beginning of the week mugs are celebrating afterShe securing and tothe more people Cllr Angus Ross, executive member Signs erected at both ends of Theresa May spent time was the special at Adobe’s base in Maidenhead. overcome barriers which stop Anyone who is unable to attend the event can colleagues towards securing the long“There will be some challenging times after the emergency hasbeen passed.

Country forward as our new Prime has always strong in The Friends said that from Pictures:aPhil Creighton funding toto expand theroad initiative. for“Theresa environment, said: “The possibility Heathlands imply that the is encouraging teenagers get the Adobe Girls In Tech Summit, Mrs Mayfeedback said: “There is an in need.” many young girls from pursuing have their say online on the council’s website.

Thebut, as a Road term future of our great country.” ahead nation, we must now The council’s sandbag stock will WOKINGHAM Day Service meets PLANS to introduce new self-service kiosks to at the Minister. speaking up for this Council and ourbe 400 filled recipients at Wokingham Hospital of women Optalis The Focused Friends project, run girls aged Customer Experience of Mr rebuilding or refurbishing Bulmershe completely closed, but work is taking stuck into STEM subjects – aimed inspiring 13-15 under-representation STEM career. ” closing date for responses is Friday 19 August.

Wilson also praised outgoing come together and concentrate on what sandbags and empty bags.

The“We Acorn Community Centre, which has borough’s libraries arebelieve moving a step closerhas after the He stressed theJodie popular pick-your-own we’re just has starting raspberries.

We should confirmed the works on Heathlands that Theresa theRoad residents, and 1,000 itisisa fantastic that this been very positive with the ward by a team of clients and staff from the Champion Reichelt added: Leisure Centre top priority for us. place during off-peak hours of 9.30am Winnersh Parish Council presented a cheque to Abbeyfield House after its recent parish fete. Receiving the cheque is Michelle Cox, Operations Manager or Abbeyfield. It is given by Cllr Prime Minister David Cameron, who is best for the UK as we move into a been specially designed for people who councillor for residents’ services announced a new business is “fully open” during the works be very busy, especially with the weather. will lead to road closures, but runs off-peak qualities and determination to reunite voice will now be coming from Number matron sending a letter of thanks to Wokingham Day Service at Woosehill, “I think this is a brilliant project and “We wanthis the local to and 4pm.

ROADWORKS will see acommunity major in Swallowfield John Winnersh Parish Council Chairman Geoff Harper (centre), other parish councillors and Abbeyfield staff look on Picture: Steve Smyth announced resignation on road Friday future outside of theSouthgate European as Union. ” needParty ato lot4.30pm, of support. mostareitems grown tendering on the process. road being for closed nowsuch is very – 9.30am the and theMonday Country.to Friday.

10. the group donating unique and said sees mugs filled with various treats“The thethat benefits far-reaching. take part be involved in planning wanting to improve access for horses Peter Gray, who runs Grays Farm, told closed forand a month. morning.

He added: “ICAMPAIGNERS was very sad to see It includes a fully accessible bathroom Cllr Pauline Jorgensen told Council that the farm are coming into season. serious, to compound it the signs aren’t The road will be open the rest “It is not going to be easy, but of the “Personally, I have known Theresa gifts. such as tea, candy canes, and “This initiative gives the ‘Focused theHe way forward. the his borough asked for an updateoron a petition The Wokingham Paper that it would be Minister The A33 between Welsh Lane and Mereoak Lane wrote: “The Prime Minister David Cameron announce intention runfor uncontested.

Prime any IN HIS first across comments from the Leadership contest.” bids will betime. requested September, with the aim complete with hoist and a sensory room “The strawberries are superb.

They clear, theoffer signs sayStory, closed two weeks. with herinleadership and compassion, forMOBILE 10 years, and have acted as her A phone was snatched from someone’s hand SALARIES paid to council staff were revealed at the Kelly Senior Support Worker chocolate sent to people in need, such Friends’ group a chance to engage with “It’s really important that, before we they had submitted. better for the works to have taken place will shut overnight from Thursday, August 25 and has served our country with dignity, to after resign.Theresa However, it was a typically Instead ofatany warm words support to hersigns evenare though May was He added: “There are now of implementing the new services “together with fitted with visual, sound, scent and touch really are excellent top quality at the The not that clear it’s open the Cllr Malcolm Richards, executive stability will be restored. election agent during general elections. in Lower Earley earlier this month.

Council’s meeting last week. at the Day Service said: “This was a as people who are isolated, lonely or in their community, learn new skills and carry outOctober any work, there is support for works Nicola Greenwood, from Wokingham Bridleway inannounced the when his Pick Your Own Sunday, 16 to enable resurfacing to autumn, compassion and understanding, andover honourable andas selfless decision from of welcome, Mr Redwood they are in neighbouring the new leader discussions going on about A BUSINESS case forgrow aon third bridge thevictim River enhanced hours” nextfull spring. devices. moment,” he said.

“With raspberries we opening beginning and endearlier of the day. member forhas highways and transport, said: “She the support of Itake have watched her in her role Atproposals. around 11.45am Friday, July 1, the had The lowest paid council staff will receive £14,975 project that started with nothing and a homeless refuge. make new relationships. our Group, asked Cllr Angus Ross, the executive member season has finished for the year.

PLANS for a new memory garden can welcome Abbeyfield to Winnersh with this opened this summer in Woodward two local charities, ” said Winnersh Parish IThames haveplace. noisdoubt he will continue to a man who has led our country wrote about the otherhave one variety constituencies. of the Conservative Party, with howon thethe new PM canmoment, bestShe also “Unfortunately currently being developed. added that they are working with Twyford It also holds regular meetings with go at the “Saturday should be our busiest day signage prior to the work the Association, all our Officers, as an MP, and climb the ladder from their mobile phone snatched from their hand by a per year for a full-time role – £7.76 per hour, while just grew.

Each mug treat also contains a “It also has a clear benefit to the “I hope that many of months. you willfrom be able for the Environment, to explain what was happening.

He also wrote to the council expressing take shape at a new dementia care home contribution to their new garden. ” Close.

Council’s Cllr John Southgate. works run onfew weekdays 8pm todistinction do The so over the next It’s for the last six years. candidates andthe leaving the EU. Mr Redwood, who serves a fellow local MP snubbed keep faith with the UKParish voter Cllr Richards, the executive member Council and the Polehampton Charity on aclarify the local Learning Disability Partnership two coming online ofthe the year for us, if it’s not raining: starting onSouthgate Heathlands Road not Executive, Councillors anddid Members.

Opposition to the Home Office, and man onMalcolm aalong bike. the highest paid donation employee chief executive Andy “The energy and enthusiasm of with isanother note best wishes to help cheer groups and people who athis ‘Hug to come and share your views Msof Greenwood’s pony Darcy was killed years his concerns that the he knew about writes Harry thanks to afirst local fun day, Cllr presented the cheque to Last month, organisers made donation is to helpreceive establish a 6am. absolutely right that he remain inan update on “As a party, we will now start the He said: “It isaup curious that “This Wokingham, backedeight fellow her by eschewing any electorate, getting us out for highways and transport, gave the community hub project designed to enhance its library.

Board, police and community wardens weekend.

It’s a very important time for us.

Saturday before the schools break the working hours.

The signs has now been “We are all incredibly proud of now to Downing Street.

The offender was wearing a hoody and had cycled Couldrick, who receives £130,000 with a potential the group has made it a huge success. recipient up. in a Mug’. andDuring we will also bethe able to show you a willprocess ago after being hit by a van, leading her to launch the the closure was when the signs went Pamely.

Michelle Cox, the Abbeyfield Operations of £500 to help create the new facility in memory garden at the new Abbeyfield the road closures, a diversion take position to steady ship and deliver of electing a new leader, who will all three senior Conservatives Brexiter Andrea congratulations to her. the EUnew in a timely andbroad project -will which could start inleisure Wokingham’s Thames “Libraries also opportunities to extend andlook organises special events for nowofgift selling potatoes, should Leadsom be extremely busy.” changed tofor show when theof road will as be “She make afantastic fantastic Prime Theresa and wish her every success up behind the victim before stealing the phone. £13,000 bonus in performance related pay.

Now we have funding fromhome. the LDPB, “We’re The scheme has June received backing “The is a powerful gesture to examples of other bridleway campaign.

Last year, supporters staged up and the timing of the closure isduring very Held ongovernment Saturday, 18, the Manager after taking a tour the 62-room the purpose built residential in Winnersh which will benot available place using the Basingstoke Road. period of stability, having demonstrated then go topost form a new groomed for“won’t prominence in Centre the leadership election, In on his ‘Brexit means successful way … we do Valley Business Park in response to a question from our service by increasing footfall, developing its members.

It’s run by Optalis for beans, carrots, beetroot, broccoli, rhubarb Mr Gray is concerned that people closed.

Minister, and on behalf of myself and the country’s new Prime Minister.

Anyone with any information which could be The median salary for council workers is £24,717, our plan is to produce 200 specially from the Wokingham Learning those who may feel lonely and isolated facilities built aRedwood horse powered protest through Wokingham andwere very serious.

Now he is trying the word home.

Winnersh Summer Fete saw more than to seecampaign a good to bothhave residents home and Although willthe start when the Swallowfield his ability to works doaround soGuy over thecountry past sixin and lead the negotiation of ourto get thepleased Votehe Leave but she stood down on“We Brexit’ John made doofitthe according totothe former councillor Grandison. andfor generating revenue,” Wokingham Borough Council. spinach, all sorts.”intoneed bother this way” but, added, “We apologise any confusion this my colleagues onshould thecould Council, I wish in “We are portion looking to theof the helpful to police callreplicate 101. while thethis mean salary designed mugs, fill them with Disability Partnership Board (LDPB) to coming or simply of area. a reasonsponsorship to smile.” opportunities recent years that we saw 6,575 people the petition calling for more out that it’s business asthe usual.

Another offorward the proceeds £4,000 raised for a sign host” of good causes turnout at the fete again yeardelicious which is £28,921. visitors from the local Show runs, it will not affect the popular event as the years.” withdrawal from the European Union.

Monday, allowing Mrs May to no effort to welcome new Treaty rules.” have now been eliminated Mr Grandison, who lost his borough council seat in she added.

Wokingham Borough Council has “We’re still accessible – very much so.” may have caused.” her good luck.” future with Theresa at the helm.”

The figures were approved in the council’s Woodley.” bridleways.

He said: “It’s the peak of the season,Unit, which fete will be donated to Reading Family Aid. including Abbeyfield Dementia has enabled us to provide donations to “We were especially happy to be able to road closures run overnight.

very sults we’re has

onal ative nsen e of f the

THE WOKINGHAM PAPER Friday, August 5, 2016 29, 22, THE WOKINGHAM PAPER Friday, July THE WOKINGHAM PAPER Friday, July15, 8,

Look out for details of our exciting new season coming soon

“THANKS God forMay’s keeping us Clockwise said: “I’d to extend myinfrom daunting before her.

THE Vicarbe ofto Theresa Baker responsibilities said that the increase in hate Fletcher COUNCILLORS from all church parties came theCllr Aisha Masjif andlike Islamic Centre Earley dry!” left: Gabriel’s and“talked best wishes to the Rt “Sheisisnot a hardworking highly has congratulated her on becoming people takingand on new views, but congratulations together to condemn racism, xenophobia crime where the Iman about building the comment made by Angels dressed Theresa May together as she becomes Primefor respected local MP andalways has been theThat UK’s Prime Minister elect following “individuals have felta valued that way Hon and hatewas crimes and pledge that Wokingham that bridges to come as a community a staff member of a drug and alcohol a good time; justice Peter United Kingdom. and now very they supportive member of to ourcome church Andrea Leadsom’s withdrawal from the but are emboldened out Minister was open to all. to reflectof onthe values of charity, peace, rehabilitation centre after it held its By GEMMA DAVIDSON received athe text message fromtheir Mr hatred Griffin and as the door been bolted from the inside, “Mrshad May grew up&inBeth the Munday Diocese family lastand 20 years.

Conservative Partyvote, leadership race. backed of the for shadows carry out In a unanimous the chamber tolerance. annual openfrom day on Saturday. bought somethethis which said: she “Iwith don’t you are and“I the main door had barricaded.

The “I believe is well placed toandtome The Jamie Taylor,leader vicar of St Baker openly”. oftook Oxford where her father, agdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk council Keith welcome this motion as I Mr believe Bymotion PHILRevd CREIGHTON comfortably, 471think MPs voting renew He also time tobeen praise Corbyn’s HareatHatch based Yeldall Manorthat quality together rhubarb; news@wokinghampaper.co.uk getting on very well.

I am going to get my paramedics required assistance from lead our nation and to deliver a Andrew’s in Sonning, promised the Revd Hubert Brasier, wasit police He pledged that the council will work aimed reassuring the entire Wokingham chamber is united in working to Trident and 116 against, with one abstention. stance on nuclear weapons, despite going welcomed hundreds visitors tonew during thethe A MANwill from Earley committed suicide stuff and move out.toSorry.” officers that to break down the door, but by successful negotiation as leave church pray forofher in background, her role,after first vicar ofmusic Enstone with with police report any incidents it ensure community, regardless of that closely local bodies have the support Writing afterwards, Mrwe Redwood said he against official Labour party policy. its grounds for themembers”. event which celebration; years ofitsuffering from body ALL four of Wokingham’s MPdysmorphia. backed the Mr Griffin’s Brian said in a and time they intoNigel Griffin could notline, be the European Union. just as has always prayed for the nation’s Heythrop and later becomes aware of.father they are “valued they need to fight and prevent voted for Trident because: “I campaigned “Itresources is notgot easy go against the party included face painting, a plant Matthew Nigel Paul Griffin, 35,sale, of Rosemary renewal of Trident a Parliamentary vote statement that his sonHer hadcorners suffered saved and was declared dead atshe 9.10pm.

“We pray weekly for leaders. of Wheatley, where To from all of from the racism Introducing hisinmotion, stemming from on andhe xenophobia”. theapplause Conservative Manifesto without but I certainly found it necessary when we a hog roast and a cream tea O’Connor & Royal Avenue, died on 13with this year after he chamber, on Monday night –March andcasual afterwards John depression, had issues his appearance A post-mortem examination the Majesty and those setwith inwith He added that Mrs May is a “very and her were he concluded: “As leader of in this increased reports of racism and hate In the ensuing debate, Cllrat Prue Bray signalling my dispute this measure it. were battling to get anhusband EU referendum, and strawberries supplied by Grays Ramona Lupu was found hanged in his parents’ garage.

Redwood Jeremy Corbyn’s stance the of no 18, and his mental state that was and Berkshire Hospital found traces of powers alcohol authority under and that supportive member” ofthe the historic church married.

Asno MP for council, I age have hesitation in government saying crimes in praised the wake of recent European Labour’s Cllr Croy spoke of the Ifrom did so because Iher, agree with the trying to stop the Andy transfer of more Farm. enjoyed faceand no An inquest into his death, heldand at Reading against nuclear weapons asBaker “magnificent”. ‘up down’. or medication inthe Mrsafety Griffin’s body, prayer will take onforce a little more as well as being a “hardworking Maidenhead she is also, you are, wherever you came from, referendum, Cllr Keith said: “Any whoever pin project, in thatand a submarine is the best means of importance to the EU,” heof wrote.

“There was something The event alsoWednesday, featured a first painting Town Hall on heard how Mr Theresa May made her speech in whatever He saidan that Nigel had become external injuries other than theonmarks significance for us at St.of Andrew’s in ‘fixated’ respected MP”. ofabout course, one of our own the colour your skin or the incident, no matter how small, is concerning people wearing safety pins their retaining independent deterrent, with at which magnificent his determination to thanksgiving service the Pictures: Griffin had of suffered from mood and nature the House Commons as Prime Minister, with hisofshoulder injury, around his neck.

He also had underlying the ahead.”

Speaking to The for Wokingham Paper, Mr constituency MPs. your religion, asand long as definition you obey lapels and suitable action needs to low be taken. be seen by anyone facing hate leastyears one submarine always atlost sea in waters changecan the policy and stick tono his principles Christian-based centre, which WP1607030 anxieties his appearance for many telling MPs the nuclear weapons fitted the in his muscles as your he nothas work out.

His crime illnesses conditions that could have/voices led to Mr Taylor’s call forcould prayers been Taylor “On behalf of all at St Andrew’s “I can Mrs May of my continued law, respect neighbour and want “We said: areover athat diverse society and I believe as aorbeacon to stand with. unknown.” when heassure had so many votes and has submarines helped conquer their Steveat Smyth years, and a recent injury had left to “will remain essential to to mood became lower ‘could not cope his death, leading the pathologist echoed by the and Acting Bishop of borough Oxford.

Church in people Sonning, Ishoulder warmly congratulate as she takes up office such aFawaz work hard getand on,he this will prayers this chamber reflects this, with councillors The motion was passed unanimously, against him, even though I disagreeDrwith his addictions. him feeling despondent and ‘deformed’. the UK’s security as it has over with perceived deformity’.

Musa to note theour cause of death In the a statement, Rt Revd Colin Theresa May MP astoday she prepares to for take up critical time for country.” always be open to the you.” from both genders, different ethnic with Cllr Baker summing up as byhanging. asking viewpoint.”

May makes Prime Minister’s Although much of Wokingham Griffin’s partner of 18 years Victoria 60 Mr years, and for as all long as the global Brian Griffinthe said that his son had called councillors: In conclusion, the that coroner Seconding motion was Cllr Richard backgrounds and from different walks of “It’s my“Despite hope we Peter don’t Robhis Wilson said: successes over Questions debut was No hit with heavy in the Stamp, with whom he hadtothree children, security situation demands, to deter the Dolinski, him following his argument withvisit Ms Stamp Bedford said: “Can be satisfied that Nigel who recounted a recent to the forget life. position israin off limits them.” this motion.” recent decades in Ilimiting the number of ANOTHER milestone was passed by Theresa early part of Saturday, by the time said inextreme a statement hertopartner talked and asked him to pick him up from their Griffin intended to end his life beyond all most threats the UK’sher national states with nuclear capabilities, we cannot May on thiswas week – her debut at Yeldall’s open started, the sun about killing himself many before, but home. security and day way of life andtimes that of the UK’s HeWednesday said his son very quiet during reasonable doubt?shift What do know is that rule out a major in Ithe international thejourney weekly Prime Minister’s Questions. was out and stayed that he –wouldn’t goout. through with it because the allies.” and didn’t say much about what he talkedsituation about hurting himself long security which would putfor usaunder The new leader theWokingham’s Conservative Partycentre.

Supporter relations SueShe he Mrs didn’tMay want toover hurtmanager his said sheseathad MPs, her covers far town Rob Wilson is the Reading pointed outfamily. that intelligence happened, butofwhen they got home he time, even spoke PARENTS’ fears safe routes by a vehicle driving at 40mph consider a 30mph speedgrave limithe providing walking toEast the ANALYSIS threat.

That isabout why Ihanging doroutes not himself believe gave a convincing – and witty –8pm performance Hedger joked about the weather, had talked him out ofschools asphyxiating himself than area that, Mr andto he sits inup a seat was reports suggested North Korea hadmore seemed to relax. around heRedwood’s noticed in the garage.

There are historical references to the borough’s new isenough likely tothe die.

How can I sendAt onAgain, Bearwood Road, provide safe school. it would beMP right give thisthat capability at the a grillingand from all he buthis added: “Iseveral meant the weather, but in carto once before, butduring she admitted that itsafely on seems to dispatch cover. changed 1997, once South. material create dozen nuclear weapons. the garage doorbox, key wasboundaries missing that to him feeling suicidal his relationship was raised mypaper, child off to school onfacing crossing points andinimprove HeReading said:when “[An] inspection unilaterally.”

WHEN people talk ofatimes Wokingham, sides of the House offor Commons. could be read both ways. ” he would ‘deep down’ she knew eventually Maidenhead for Mrs May isson prior tofor which he was focused on He represents Reading “It also has a long-range ballistic missile, hadn’t seen his a while. broke down and, even though heofinstigated the council meeting, with his bike or by foot when he is at safety pedestrians. identified various works such Dr Phillip Lee wrote an parts article in 2007 they instantly think of the town Shestarted started by revealing was about to that, do it. it claims also Charvil, Wargrave, borough. borough as well as Wokingham which can reach as America, andriskSonning, He to worryWokingham asshe only two weeks the break up this time, we can see there councillors asking questions serious of death?”

“We were assured while as clearing vegetation and about Trident, in which he argued thatare to hallMr andGriffin its townhad centre. jet off to Germany to meet with Chancellor treatment Hurst, Remenham and had threatened MP Dr Phillipno Leesuggestions borough areas of Bulmershe and which is potentially intended forTwyford, nuclear before, his son to development hang of a weapons gesture toand betosaved here. well asWokingham a question byreceived resident Msfor Symes also raised theBracknell Arborfield improving visibility assist decommission the then have But borough – the Merkel, before visiting Paris on Thursday for anger management in the the past, but that even ahad partabout ofhimself Woodley –the allofingarage. is in ain seat that was created Whitegates, Loddon South delivery.

There is, of course, danger in Mr Griffin went to the “This them allows meattousers.” thatand Nigel hadin a Claire Symes. concerns the lack a was progress, the council highway toinbring back ansay unspecified point area thatdown The Wokingham Paper his depression meetings with the President Hollande. turned offers of help 1997’s boundary changes Wokingham borough.

Lake.

North Korea might share technology garage to find door was locked.

Hethat went and he carried it out.”

Cllr Bill Soane asked theforits safe crossing on Bearwood would ensure there–plan were He promised that the council the future could cost lives due to the delays a bouncy castle, a baby corner, a treasure A CELEBRATION of a group dedicated to due to venue capacity.

If the weather is dry, covers –weapons is more than that. other And She made about Corbyn’s and personality disorder, telling his family Thisand means that she isthe MP to ajokes prior to that ittousing had been And if alllooking that that wasn’t confusing or its with countries or round toalso back door but Mr despite a East Mr Bedford concluded Griffin question on her behalf, sharing Road the Barkham Road safe routes Bohunt from would be to Nigel make in making missiles. hunt and a plant stall.

If weather permits, new parents is celebrating its diamond then there the willnew be more places available role leader the Labour party and talked that’s whyneeded we’ve been covering thatfears he towish sort hisharm,” problems organisations that toout do us she hammer and aofscrewdriver to try and prise took very diverse area ofasthe Thames Berkshire. enough, of Henley belongs to his own lifepart while her for her son’s safety end of Langley Common Road.

Barkham or, alternatively, free improvements onsuffering Bearwood He said: “History painfully teaches usfrom that there will be a sports day outside. jubilee this weekend. due to being able to use the village hall’s uparound the importance positive role most models for the election of the himself. added. the door open he ofcouldn’t gain access. disorder.

Valley.

While ofuntil hisHe constituency Wokingham too. on the journey ascountry’s much ofnew his The pavement Barkham transportation thispersonality was the twenty Road, but a borough subway atto Rickman within years required develop Displays will also be held from groups Members of the Wokingham NCT group grounds. children.

TheMinister. inquest March 12Rob Mr Prime Although Dr heard Phillipthat Lee on (Bracknell), described in his statement that heForest, couldhe also n (116 123) ais24-hour Likewise, John Redwood, is in Bracknell While theoperates borough divided up route will be alongside roads Manor is “dangerously narrow” established.”

Close should beweapon used to cross a Samaritans replacement system, suchShe as said: the MAD Academy, Buggyfit and will mark the anniversary with a special The event runsnuclear from 2.30pm to 4.30pm “It is an important symbol for Griffin and Ms Stamp had argued, and Ms Theresa May has been MP for Wilsonthe (Reading East)is and John Redwood seeMP a figure suspended represents from the rafters service available every day the year.changes If you the serves parts ofand Wokingham in such alead way, weof will continue to where speed limit higher andWokingham “traffic regularly speeds Replying, Executive Member Langley Common Road. world events could to dramatic Usborne books.

Food will be they provided by summer party in Barkham Village Hall on at the Church Lane venue in Barkham. girls and young women when can see Stamp had left theseat house Maidenhead since the was inthethefollowing (Wokingham) didn’t speak debate,this called 999. prefer to write down how you’re than 30mph.

Burghfield, Mortimer and borough: Finchampstead North, around corner, with little for Highways and Transport, cover four MPs andfeeling, the “We are confident that or if in global Iall believe, Emma’s Kitchen.

Sunday.

Placesthreats. can be booked bytherefore, emailingthat the women in positions such as Prime Minister day to stay with her sister.

She said in a they allin voted for trident. report by the paramedics described you’re worried about being overheard email a created 1997.

“The WBC factsheet on road regard for safety”.

Cllr Malcolm Richards, that walking willthe betoprovided Sulhamstead, allA in Newbury work theyroutes do within Finchampstead South, andsaid sensible and prudent decision is retain Tickets cost £2 of per child are being sold Activities, suitable for allon ages, include nctparties@hotmail.co.uk and First Minister Scotland. statement that at local 13 The all Government won the and motion how accessing the garage veryWithout. difficult Samaritans at tojo@samaritans.org. the school,”capability.” he said. speeds states that a1.46pm child hit March She pressed the council thewas council was committed to nuclear a she very different place to to community.

Like the other Wokingham modest deterrent

Why does Wokingham have four MPs? Parents’ fears over safe routes to Bohunt raised by councillors Diamond event for baby group’s big birthday

Police seize off-road motorbikes

Item 1. Red and white Honda 100cc Trails bike. Partial chassis number JH2HE83A58K6?228. Engine number has been filed off.

OFF-ROAD motorbikes and a quad bike have been seized by police in Wokingham.

The bikes are believed to have been stolen and officers are trying to locate the rightful owners.

The first is a red and white Honda 100cc Trails bike, with a partial chassis number of JH2HE83A58K6?228.

The engine number appears to have been filed off.

The second off-road motorbike is a red and white Honda 125cc Trails bike.

The chassis number is JH2JE01A03M700103 and the engine number is JE01E6404239. The kick-stand to this bike is missing or broken.

A black quad bike has also been seized. Officers are not sure what make it is, but the VIN number is L3CHEJLH1BM009361, and the engine number is T1P39FMA 10604066.

If you recognise these vehicles, or are a member of a motorcross or enduro bike community in the Berkshire, Hampshire or Surrey area, you are asked to share these details with them and contact the police with any information via 101.

NEWS | 5

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Friday, August 5, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Paddles up! Couple kayak down the Yukon to help youth charity

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk A COUPLE are spending their summer holidays taking on an ultimate challenge – kayaking down a Canadian River.

Sarah and Andrew Wilkinson, who live in Crowthorne, are currently paddling down the Yukon.

The duo have been joined by school friend Marty for the epic trip, which aims to raise an impressive £5,000 for local charity JAC (Just Around The Corner).

The river is 1,300 miles long and the trio embarked on their quest at the beginning of July. They have broken it up into two stages, with Andrew and Marty going 500 miles from Whitehorse to Dawson City while Sarah and Andrew will travel on to Anchorage, aiming to arrive at their finish line by August 27.

To meet their target, they need to average 35 miles a day.

Mrs Wilkinson works for Wokingham-based JAC, a charity that supports disengaged or struggling young people across the borough.

As part of its work, it owns stables in Forest Road so it can offer equine therapy. It also has a drop-in centre and runs a charity shop and market stall in Wokingham’s town centre.

Last year it delivered 2,039 sessions to 11,954 young people.

Mireille Haviland, Resources

Manager for JAC, said: “We’re immensely proud of Sarah and her husband Andrew as they undertake this enormous challenge.

“They’re aiming to raise an astonishing £5,000 as they kayak down the Yukon. Their 1,300 mile paddle will have a huge impact on our work here in the UK. “We really want to make a positive difference to the youngsters that we work with, offering them the best possible mentoring, support and experiences.

“That Sarah, Andrew and Marty are willing to give up their summer holidays to help us do that is amazing.

“We hope you'll support their efforts.” n To follow their progress, visit my.yb.tl/ darkice

Maidenhead Aquatics help JAC TO help JAC’s work with young people, Binfield based company Maidenhead Aquatics has donated two fish tanks to be used at its stables in Forest Road.

The tanks will be sited in the kitchen – where young people have hot chocolate and talk about their week and their sessions – and in the classroom where JAC provides educational programmes, functional skills, English and Maths for those that are not receiving education at all.

Do you enjoy cooking?

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Mireille Haviland, Resources Manager for JAC, said: “Maidenhead Aquatics generously checked the tanks were working and donated filters and lights to get them up and running as well as some other accessories.”

Rob Moulding, Manager of Maidenhead Aquatics, added: “It was a pleasure to support this local charity and meet some of the young people that they are working with. They asked lots of questions and really enjoyed their visit.”

6 | NEWS

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Vet extends closure while refurb continues A VETERINARY practice in Crowthorne will be closed again this weekend as ongoing refurbishment works take place.

Kynoch Vets, in Duke’s Ride, will be closed for the new few weekends as the works take longer than expected.

The practice anticipates that the surgery will be affected for the weekends of August 6 and 7, August 13 and 14 and August 20 and 21.

The surgery’s weekend and Out of Hours services will continue to be available at the Wokingham branch in Barkham Road, and can be contacted via the same telephone numbers as usual. n For more information visit www.kynochvets.co.uk.

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, August 5, 2016

Earley man, 89, is sentenced for killing his wife

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Investigating officer, Det Insp Stuart Blaik from Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, said: “Today Phillip Williamson pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his wife Josephine Williamson by way of diminished responsibility.

“Mr and Mrs Williamson had been married for more than 60 years in what has been described as a caring and loving marriage. It is terribly sad that Josephine’s life ended in such tragic circumstances.

“The Williamson family have been very supportive of the police investigation and cooperated throughout in extremely difficult and distressing circumstances.

“My condolences and those of Thames Valley Police remain with the family at this difficult time.”

A MAN from Earley has been given a two-year suspended prison sentence after he admitted killing his elderly wife last year.

Philip Williamson, 89, of Elm Lane, pleaded guilty to killing his wife of 60 years, Josephine Williamson, 83, at their home on November 21.

Mr Williamson admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility at Reading Crown Court yesterday (Thursday).

He was sentenced at the same hearing to a two-year suspended prison sentence.

Mrs Williamson was found to have been pushed down the stairs and strangled.

A post mortem took place and the cause of death was found to be compression of the neck.

Mr Williamson sustained self inflicted injuries to his stomach during the incident and was transported to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

He was arrested on November 21 and charged with Police officers at the crime scene last November murder on March 9 this year.

Around a quarter of Twyford’s allotments could be turned into parking for the railway station if plans are approved Picture: Steve Smyth

Fears allotments could be parking FEARS that parts of a popular allotment in Twyford could be lost as plans to extend the station car park are discussed.

Twyford Parish Council (TPC) are currently locked in discussions with Wokingham Borough Council over ways to solve the ongoing parking crisis at Twyford Station, which are set to be exacerbated once CrossRail arrives in 2019.

As part of their investigations, councillors are considering developing land on the Hurst Road allotments to provide extra car parking.

A spokesperson for TPC said in a statement: “The Council have set up a subcommittee to investigate this item during the next few months and a date for its meeting is yet to be set.”

Twyford and Ruscombe Horticultural Society (TRHA) has raised concerns that as much as 25% of the allotments could be given over to parking, and urged members to make their voices heard during the consultation.

In an email sent out to members last week, chair Claire Dunsterville said: “Although the allotments do not come under the auspices of the TRHA this is a subject that does demand careful consideration of both local and environmental needs.

“It is a topic worthy of serious debate and so if you do have an opinion this would be a valuable opportunity to air your views and support your parish council in making what is likely to be a very difficult decision.”

Bradbury Centre café forced to close

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A POPULAR town centre meeting place has been closed for a refurbishment.

The Bradbury Centre’s Coffee House, in Rose Street, shut yesterday for four weeks, in order for a new floor to be installed.

Assuming all goes to plan, the centre will re-open on Saturday, August 27.

The Coffee House, which is part of Wokingham Methodist Church, is well used by the community during the week and

hosts regular charity coffee mornings and local groups.

Brian Morris, from the church, said: “It is so successful that the floor screed has started to break up and has to be replaced together with new carpeting.

“The Coffee House will sadly be closed for a month.”

It’s not the only change facing the popular cafe: the church is looking for a new full-time manager to help the centre

to grow and cope with the forthcoming changes as part of Wokingham’s regeneration: work is due to start on Rose Street car park early next year to convert it into the new Peach Place public square.

Mr Morris added: “In addition to the problems with the floor comes the realisation that a full time manger is needed to manage and encourage the volunteer staff and to welcome new visitors.”

TripAdvisor award Emergency services for Dinton Pastures day at FBC centre

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A HURST park has received one of tourism’s highest honours for the third year in a row.

Dinton Pastures won the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for great traveller reviews on its website: receiving at least four stars out of five in the comments.

Cllr Angus Ross, executive member for environment, said: “We’re delighted that Dinton Pastures Country Park has been awarded a certificate of excellence for the third consecutive year.

“We feel this achievement highlights the consistently outstanding offer provided by the Countryside Service and its partner companies.

“We’ll continue to work hard to maintain and improve our service to ensure we win an award next year too.”

Heather Leisman, vice president of industry marketing at TripAdvisor, said: “This recognition helps travellers identify and book properties that regularly deliver great service.

“TripAdvisor is proud to play this integral role in helping travellers feel more confident in their booking decisions.”

AN EMERGENCY Services Day will be held in Finchampstead next week.

The free event will take place at Finchampstead Baptist Church in Gorse Ride on Tuesday between 10am and 2pm.

Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team will be in attendance alongside other partners including the Fire Service, South East Coast Ambulance service and the local parish council.

There will be lots of fun activities for all the family including the opportunity to see a variety of emergency service vehicles and equipment up close.

Police officers will be on hand to offer crime prevention advice and bike marking and cycling experts Journey will also have a stand offering tips on cycling and bike maintenance.

A local vet will be attending to carry out dog chipping and the local council will be offering Highway Safety Advice. n It comes hot on the heels of a similar event held in Wokingham’s Market Place on Wednesday. Look out for our picture special in next week’s Wokingham Paper.

August 5, 2016 THE WOKINGHAM PAPER 22,2016 2016 THE WOKINGHAM PAPER Friday, July 8, THE WOKINGHAM PAPER

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Parish noticeboard Due to the summer holiday, most councils are not holding meetings this month. Most resume in September.

Tuesday, August 9 Barkham Parish Council. Planning meeting 7.30pm.

Council meeting 8pm. Barkham Village Hall, Church Lane, Barkham RG40 4PL. Swallowfield Parish Council meeting.7.30pm.

Swallowfield Parish Hall, Swallowfield Street, Swallowfield, Reading RG7 1QX Winnersh Parish Council Planning Committee.

7.45pm. The John Grobbler Room, Winnersh Community Centre, New Road, Winnersh RG41 5DU. Wokingham Borough Council. Response of Wokingham Borough Council to the consultation Consultation response to Runnymede Borough Council on their Local Plan Issues, Options and Preferred Approaches - Individual Member.

11am. Wokingham Borough Council civic offices, Shute End RG40 1BN. Wokingham Borough Council. Response of Wokingham Borough Council to the consultation on the issues and options for the Wycombe District Draft Local Plan, Executive - Individual Member.

11.15am. Wokingham Borough Council civic offices, Shute End RG40 1BN.

Thursday, August 11 Wokingham Borough Council. Health and Well being board. 5pm. Wokingham Borough Council civic offices, Shute End RG40 1BN.

Monday, August 15 Charvil Parish Council finance and planning committee meeting. 8pm. Charvil Village Hall, Park Lane.

Shinfield Parsih Council planning and highways committee. 7.30pm. Parish Hall, School Green RG2 9EH.

Wednesday, August 17 Wokingham Borough Council. Planning Committee.

7pm. Wokingham Borough Council civic offices, Shute End RG40 1BN.

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk A MAN from Wokingham is due to appear in court charged with common assault and causing criminal damage.

Paul Richard Jenkins, 41, of Mylne Square, is accused of assaulting a man on July 1, and of intentionally damaging a table lamp and telephone belonging to the same man. Mr Jenkins denies the assault charge but admits the criminal damage charge.

He has been remanded on bail to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on August 8. He has been ordered not to enter Curl Way, Wokingham, to live and sleep at his address, and to report to Wokingham police station between noon and 5pm daily.

A 23-year-old man from Wokingham is to appear in court charged with theft.

James Reano, of Charnwood Road, is alleged to have stolen two bottles of spirits, to the value of £24.50, from Marks and Spencer, Reading on February 10 this year. He is also accused of obstructing or resisting a police officer on the same day, and failing to surrender to Loddon Valley Police Station on April 7.

Mr Reano has been remanded on unconditional bail to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on September 8.

A MAN from Finchampstead will appear in court charged with failing to comply with a community order.

Ross David Grier, 22, of Booth Drive, will appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on August 16 charged with failing to attend an unpaid work requirement set by Reading Crown Court on January 22. The charge relates to two instances on April 3 and May 15 this year. Mr Grier denies the charge.

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, August 5, 2016

From the courts

A MAN from Earley has pleaded guilty to driving while over the alcohol limit.

Nicholas Moody, 33, of Ravenglass Close, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on July 5 where he admitted driving a motor vehicle in Reading on June 12 this year while intoxicated.

Mr Moody was ordered to undergo treatment for alcohol dependency for six months; to carry out 100 hours of unpaid community work within the next 12 months; to pay a victim surcharge of £85; costs of £85; and was disqualified from driving for 29 months.

A MAN from Wokingham is due to appear in court charged with voyeurism.

Darren Garlish, 49, of Buttercup Close, is due to appear at Reading

Crown Court on August 8 charged with one count of voyeurism and two counts of observing a person doing a private act.

Between February 24 and May 24 this year, Mr Garlish is alleged to have installed equipment with the intention of enabling himself to observe another person doing a private act, without their consent, for his own sexual gratification.

Between that time, he is also accused of observing someone doing a private act without their consent, for the purpose of his own sexual gratification, on two occasions. All three charges relate to incidents in Wokingham.

A MAN from Woodley has been fined £750 to damaging the wing mirror of a car.

Mark William Cole, 37, of Sunderland Close, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on July 6 where he was found guilty of intentionally damaging the wing mirror of a Volkswagen Passat in Purley on Thames on June 6 last year.

Mr Cole was fined £250, ordered to pay compensation totalling £135, a victim surcharge of £75, and costs of £500.

A MAN from Hurst has pleaded guilty to assault and causing criminal damage.

Jake Robert Kind, 24, of Green Lane, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on July 7 where he admitted beating a woman in Wokingham on June 10 this year. He also admitted to intentionally damaging two doors belonging to another woman on the same day.

Mr Kind was fined £200, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 to fund victim services, and costs of £85.

A TEENAGER from Earley is due to appear in court charged with criminal damage.

Amy Clare Balague, 19, of Beaconsfield Way, is due to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on August 24 charged with intentionally damaging a car, to the value of £1,368.46, belonging to another woman in Shinfield on January 16 this year.

Ms Balague denies the charge.

She has been remanded on conditional bail until the court appearance, and is not to contact the complainant directly or indirectly, or to attend the property in Shinfield, the BP Garage and the Spar Shop in Chalfont Way, Lower Earley.

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Friday, August 5, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

WINDOWS & DOORS

CONSERVATORIES

Thames & Chiltern in Bloom judges visited Wokingham recently. The party inspecting the borough included (from left) judge Paul Almond, Town Clerk Jan Nowecki, resident Hazel Guile, the Chairman of Thames & Chiltern Britain in Bloom Tony Hewetson, resident Linda Lowe and judge Kate Dagnall.

Efforts included blooms planted by Richard Worth estate agents. Pictures: Steve Smyth

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We look blooming great – but will the judges agree?

WOKINGHAM’S bright blooms came up for inspection last week - now bosses are waiting with bated breath to see if the borough is up to scratch, writes Harry Pamely.

Judges from the Thames & Chiltern in Bloom toured the town centre with town mayor Cllr Gwynneth Hewetson, stopping to look at how pubs, shops and schools have embraced this year’s In Bloom contest.

Wokingham has been a strong performer in previous years, scooping the Silver Gilt award for the past three years running.

Now, the town council is hoping that they can go one better and get the gold.

On their tour, the judges walked around Rose Street, South Place, Wokingham Library, Holt Copse, St Paul’s Churchyard and Wokingham

Hospital, among other locations.

During the visit they met many of the volunteers that take part in Wokingham in Bloom.

Paul Smith, Amenities Officer at Wokingham

Town Council, said: “It is an ongoing annual project. We have around 100 volunteers who look after the plants and flowers all year round on a limited budget. It takes a lot of dedication on their part to keep the town looking the way it does.”

The judges were treated to lunch at the Bradbury Centre Cafe, part of Wokingham Methodist Church in Rose Street, where they saw an exhibition of photographs which documented Wokingham’s Bloom year.

The pictures were taken by the Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club and will be on display in Wokingham Town Hall from August 22-24.

The results will be released on Monday, September 15.

Inspired by Rio? Then get to Finchampstead’s new park

By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokinghampaper.co.uk WITH the Olympics launching today, millions of us will be glued to our screens and then inspired to have a go.

And with perfect timing, Wokingham Borough Council has launched a brand-new activity area, perfect for recreating those gold medal moments as seen in Rio. As we revealed last week, a new games area has been opened in Finchampstead, behind the FBC Centre.

Called a MUGA – a Multi-use Games Area – it has a range of facilities covering most field and track events.

Built on Gorse Ride playing field, it includes a 185m circuit for health walks and cycling and has been designed to help people of abilities to be active and stay fit.

And the area includes activities for all ages, making it perfect for a day out, especially as the FBC Centre cafe is open next door.

A large multi-sport court is joined by

two smaller courts aimed at families with younger children, a mini-tennis zone, rebound panels for practicing sport, multiple basketball/netball hoops, three ping-pong tables, a board games table and picnic tables and seating.

The MUGA was designed through consultation and engagement with the local Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG), Finchampstead Parish Council and other community representatives.

It will be used for activities run by the borough council and Finchampstead Baptist Church, but it is an open public facility that anybody can use.

Although the MUGA is open for play now, there will be an official opening to be attended by Wokingham Borough Deputy Mayor Cllr Rob Stanton on Thursday, August 25 at 1pm and the council said that everyone is welcome.

Geoff Markham, vice chair of Finchampstead Parish Council, said: “We are delighted to have been able to contribute to this amazing new recreational facility for Finchampstead residents.

“It is great to see it being so well used already, and we would encourage residents of all ages to come and enjoy the variety of activities on offer.”

The new MUGA has been built partly by using Section 106 money – given to the borough council by developers for such projects. £176,000 of funding came from Wokingham Borough Council and £20,000 from Finchampstead Parish Council, as well as some other community funding.

Cllr Angus Ross, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for environment, said: “This is a tremendous facility for Finchampstead and one that we know will be well-used.

“There is already a great play area for young children on the site and this MUGA complements that perfectly.

“The MUGA is an innovative, open design that will draw people in and provide a lot of different spaces so that different groups can enjoy it at the same time – the multi-sport games area will see cricket games, football games and other activities.”

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, August 5, 2016

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

PROPERTY INSIGHT

Friends, supporters and customers of Headcase Wokingham celebrate the launch of Ixquic Kayapa’s new mural, based on the Day of the Dead festival in Mexico.

She’s pictured below putting the finishing touches to her work Pictures: Phil Creighton

Erica Townend

wokinghampropertyblog.co.uk

The Wokingham love affair with its 1,700 terraced homes

Barbershop brings things to a head

C

ALL me old fashioned, but I do like the terraced house. In fact, I have END done some research that I hope you will find of interest.

In architectural terms, a terraced or townhouse is a style of housing in use since the late 1600s in the UK, where a row of symmetrical/identical houses share their side walls.

The first terraced houses were actually built by a Frenchman, Monsieur Barbon, around St Paul’s Cathedral as part of the rebuilding process after the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Interestingly, it was the French that invented the terraced house around 1610-15 in the Le Marais district of Paris with its planned squares and properties boasting identical facades.

It was in the 1730s that the terraced/ townhouse came into its own in London and, of course, in Bath with the impressive Royal Crescent.

However, we are in Wokingham, not Bath, so the majority of our borough’s terraced houses were built in the Victorian era. Built on the back of the Industrial Revolution, with people flooding into the towns and cities for work, the terraced house offered decent livable accommodation away from the slums.

An interesting fact is that the majority of Victorian terraced houses in Wokingham are based on the standard design of a ‘posh’ front room, a back room (where the family lived day-to-day) and scullery off that.

Off the scullery, a door to a rear yard, while upstairs, three bedrooms (the third straight off the second). The law was changed in 1875 with the Public Health Act and each house had to have 108sq ft of livable space per main room, running water, its own outside toilet and rear access to allow the toilet waste to be collected (they didn’t have public sewers in those days in Wokingham – well not

at least where these ‘workers’ terraced houses were built).

It was the 1960s and 70s where inside toilets and bathrooms were installed (often in that third bedroom or an extension off the scullery) and gas central heating in the 1980s and replacement Upvc double glazing ever since.

Looking at the make-up of all the properties in Wokingham, some very interesting numbers appear. Of the 11,340 properties in the RG40 postcode area… n 5,570 are Detached properties (49.1%) n 2,179 are Semi-Detached properties (19.2%) n 1,746 are Terraced / Town House properties (15.4%) n 1,643 are Apartment/ Flat’s (14.4%) There are also 202 mobile homes, representing 1.7% of all property in RG40.

When it comes to values, the average price paid for a Wokingham terraced house in 1995 was £60,160 and the latest set of figures released by the Land Registry show that today the figure stands at £381,430, a rise of 534% – not bad when you consider flats in Wokingham in the same time-frame have only risen by 333%.

But then a lot of buy-to-let landlords and first-time buyers I speak to think the Victorian terraced house is expensive to maintain. I recently read a report from English Heritage that stated maintaining a typical Victorian terraced house over 30 years is around 60% cheaper than building and maintaining a modern house – which is quite fascinating don’t you think? n For more thought-provoking commentary on the Wokingham property market please visit the Wokingham Property Blog - www. wokinghampropertyblog.co.uk Erica Townend is a director and co-owner of the Martin & Co estate agency in Wokingham and has been aligned closely to the world of property for almost 20 years. Opinions express in this column are her own.

ONE of Wokingham’s newest barbers nailed its colours to the mast recently with the placement of a new mural on its wall.

And to celebrate, it gave away free beer and hosted a party.

Headcase Barbers, in Denmark Street and opposite Wokingham Library, opened late last year.

The store offers a contemporary twist on traditional barbershops, fusing rock music with incense, a bar and oversized mirrors and top of the range traditional-style barber chairs.

Each store is also known as a chapter, with the aim being to make the shop a social hub and part of a man’s monthly routine.

On Saturday, July 23, the chapter welcomed artist Ixquic Kayapa who painted a Day Of The Dead mural on the shop’s wall, while her partner Barry Grice DJed. Outside, in the store’s patio area, younger guests were able to colour in a selection of pages.

The event was well attended and customers enjoyed hospitality as well as haircuts.

Plummeting pound pushing up costs warns Builders

By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokinghampaper.co.uk CONCERNS over the rising costs of construction materials could be exacerbated by a weakening currency following the EU referendum result, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has warned.

Its State of Trade Survey results for the second quarter of this year reveals that twothirds of construction SME bosses predict material price inflation.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Following the EU

referendum, the plummeting value of sterling has further complicated an already difficult situation for small construction firms.

“Even prior to the referendum result, nearly two in three bosses were anticipating rising material costs, on which there has been intense pressure over the past couple of years, as demand for projects has picked up again. With the dramatic fall in currency value, we’re concerned that the trend towards price inflation will grow.

“We’ve already heard of

timber and brick costs rising, and a number of sources have said that even steel prices have risen by 8% since the Brexit decision.

Mr Berry continued: “Combined with the continuing skills shortages shown in our survey results, which puts upwards pressure on salaries and wages, the costs associated with running a small construction firm are on the rise.

“Too many are already operating on razor-thin margins and are forced to tender at prices which barely return a profit.”

Chamber’s inflation event held next Friday FOLLOWING the Bank of England’s briefing on inflation, the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce is holding a free update event next week.

The Government has set the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) a target for the annual inflation rate of the Consumer Price Index of 2%. Subject to that, the MPC is also required to support the

Government’s objective of maintaining high and stable growth and employment. The inflation report is published quarterly by bank staff under the guidance of the members of the MPC. To be held on Friday, August 12 from 7.30am, the breakfast meeting will look at what the latest inflation figures will mean for the region.

The speaker will be from the Bank of England’s Central Southern England unit and they will take questions from the floor.

The free event takes place at the Royal Berkshire Conference Centre in the Madjeski Stadium in Reading.

Places should be booked by noon next Thursday. For details, call 01753 870500.

Customers give Blandy vote of confidence A LOCAL law firm is celebrating after all its customers said it was doing pretty well.

In its annual feedback survey, all those who took part rated Blandy & Blandy LLP’s service as good or excellent.

The company also said that staff received a top score for their approachability, communication and responsiveness.

And the good news for the company doesn’t end there: it said that 99% of its clients said they felt able to make well informed decisions, while 97% felt informed on relevant new and emerging issues.

Clients described the firm as “welcoming”, “highly professional” and “very effective” and praised their advisers for providing “clear and easy to understand advice”. One client said “the service received could not have been better” and another labelled Blandy & Blandy as “the best in Reading”.

Chairman Brenda Long said: “We pride ourselves on providing an excellent service to all our clients and being approachable – two of our stated values. These survey results confirm that we are delivering what our clients demand – we will always strive to do better.”

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Friday, August 5, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Woodley to get its own parking zone

St James celebrates brilliant books

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Floral displays in St James, Finchampstead celebrated books, and home made cream teas were served

Visitors to the patronal festival could climb the church tower. Pictures: Phil Creighton

BOOKS were blooming marvellous at the St anniversary of authors like Roald Dahl, Beatrix Attendees could also climb up to the top of James’ Patronal Flower Festival, writes Harry Potter, William Shakespeare and Charlotte the church tower. Built in 1720, it is believed Pamely.

Bronte. Local groups helped created some of the to be the highest point in Finchampstead.

The Finchampstead church opened its doors exhibits on show.

They were treated to a view of several of the to visitors last month as it celebrated literature There was a broad range of work including surrounding counties. and its patron saint with three days of activities. arrangements based on Charlie and the Festival organiser Sue Sampson said: “On Centred around a flower festival in the Chocolate Factory, Peter Rabbit and even hymn the Sunday we had around 400 people visit, and historic village church, there were special events books. there was a queue for the tower well before including a concert on the Saturday night and The 1st Finchampstead Guides and 5th it opened at 2pm and people were queuing up the chance to climb the church’s tower on the Finchampstead Brownies were just two of the until 5pm. blueprint_advert_190x137mm_TKT5119_07B_PRINT_READY.pdf 1 ” 22/03/2016 18:14 Sunday. groups that contributed to the 24 works on The event raised more than £3,000 which The Books in Bloom festival celebrated the show. will be shared among various church funds.

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WOODLEY’S car parks will run on their own time zones after plans to introduce a different pricing structure were agreed last week.

A meeting of Wokingham Borough Council’s Executive committee rubber stamped a request by Woodley Town Council and the Woodley Town Centre Management Initiative to raise daytime fees and keep free parking in the evenings.

The trial launches in September, and means that it is out of sync with the rest of the borough, which introduced evening and weekend charges on Monday.

Answering a question from a member of the public, Cllr Malcolm Richards, executive member for highways and transport, acknowledged that the trial runs until March, but success would be measured from feedback from local residents, businesses, and the Woodley Town Centre Management Initiative as well as usage.

The council added that if the trial is not financially successful, the plan will be scrapped.

Cllr Richards added: “We know these new charges aren’t popular but in these difficult financial times with cuts in our funding from central government, we still have to maintain and run our car parks.

“During our consultation into the new charging plans, the Woodley Town Centre Management Initiative expressed concern about the impact it would have on their community so we’re happy to see if this is a feasible solution.

“We will look closely at the results comparing them with those from the new evening and weekend charges in other parts of the borough. It will be a very useful yardstick.”

Cllr Richards added that the the daytime trial is not being run more widely because it wasn’t proposed by other town and parish councils.

The trial, which sees an hour of parking rise to 80p, will run until March 31 next year.

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Pop-up library is an Have your say on open andplans shut case drainage POP-UP books can behas found in launched a new pop-up library, A NEW consultation been to canvas as the borough’s libraries opens up a new chapter. borough residents’ opinions on water quality and Therisk.

Arborfield British Legion is the new home for flood theWokingham village’s library services, stepping in after the Borough Council is seeking feedback former container library closed earlierSystems this year(SuDS). after on its plans for Sustainable Drainage being judgeduntil beyond repair. 16, the consultation Running September Open twiceSuDS a week, whenaims not in the into the new strategy to use findall out what facilities equipment can besolutions tucked away, residentsand think about drainage thatmaking provide it first in the to pop-up only whenwater anthe alternative toborough direct channelling of surface needed. through pipes and sewers to nearby watercourses.

Although the council long term is to new The borough hasplan set up a include strategyafor a library in the Arborfield Garrison development, this long term vision for SuDS, which will help developers pop-up version will offer adultasfiction plan their new homes andchildren’s buildingsand as well plus somewhen non-fiction.

It will be open on Mondays planners assessing planning applications. from 2pm to 7pm crucially and Saturday mornings from “This strategy provides advice, guidance 9.30am to 12.30pm. and technical detail for both developers and our A council spokesperson “We’re borough planners,” said Cllrsaid: Angus Ross,extremely executive grateful Royal British Legion for providing a memberto forthe environment. temporary home forinvolved this localtoservice.”

“I urge all those study and comment n events page 14 so we can then make any onSummer the draft documents, n Editorial page amendments if 16 needed. This will help ensure we adopt a robust and effective strategy to minimise drainage issues in new developments and provide for good maintenance of sustainable drainage systems.” n To complete the survey visit www.wokingham.gov.

REGENERATION works in or Bracknell will lead to a uk/news-and-consultation email: SuDSStrategy@ number of road closures in our neighbouring town wokingham.gov.uk from this weekend.

A new car park is being constructed for The Lexicon development and, from tomorrow, there will be disruption to the westbound carriage of A LOCAL artWay society has launched new series Millennium to enable the safearemoval andof monthly art relocation ofdemonstrations. cranes.

Taking place run at the Oakwood(August Centre6) infrom Woodley, The closures tomorrow 6am the Woodley Earley Arts Group aims to to help until 6pm on and Sunday.

Then again from 6am 6pm artists improve the technqiues. on Saturday, August 20 and finally from 6am on The group held a meeting last (Thursday) Saturday, September 3 through tonight 6pm on Sunday, and return 4. on August 25 for an activity evening. On September September 29, Catespeaking Wetherall demonstrate pastel Simon Russian, onwill behalf of Bracknell techniques with a wildlife said: theme.

Regeneration Partnership, “These roadworks start at 7pmclosures and entry for andSessions the accompanying areisafree necessary part members or £4 for non-members. of the regeneration of the town centre.

Members also receive a 10% discountcaused.” on art “We apologise for any inconvenience materials bought from in Woodleyof More roadworks are Brighton’s planned: resurfacing Shopping Precinct. the eastbound carriageway of Millennium Way is n For details email woodleyandearleyartsgroup@ scheduled off-peak from 9.30am to 3.30pm from gmail.com.

Monday, August 15 to Wednesday, August 17.

THE WOKINGHAM PAPER August 5, 2016 THE WOKINGHAM PAPERFriday, Friday, July 29,

Sheeplands launches new petition, but it could also fail warns Council Lining up with Cookie in our photo are (left to right) Max Graham (aged 7) from Caversham, Millie Sheppard (7) from Shinfield, her cousin Oscar Mundy (aged 7) from Arborfield and her twin sister Grace.

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THE owner of a business at war with the council over planning consent has launched a new petition after a previous one – netting more than 11,000 signatures – was rejected.

Hare Hatch Sheeplands said it has launched the new petition because it is fighting back against Wokingham Borough Council’s refusal to accept the previous petition which infringed the council’s constitution.

The Council said that it was rejected because it related to a planning decision.

The garden centre is now asking people to sign the new petition, even if they signed the previous one.

The petition requests that the council does all it Another visitor can to ensure that “this highly valued and community focused business continues to operate as a financially who enjoyed viable enterprise”, adding that it is a hub for many the show was local groups and activities.

Chloe Barnes Rob Scott, who heads up Sheeplands, said: “We (aged 4) from The stage is set for Marvellous. The music festival has moved to a new home at Dinton Pastures and organisers said it was a hit, attracting all ages. Pictures: Steve Smyth/WP1607046 are also a venue for the elderly, the young and many Woodley social groups. Local schools and organisations also (below) benefit from our support as we continue to play a full part in local life.

“We also benefit the many local suppliers and companies with whom we do business. All of that will

By HARRY PAMELY come to an end if the council gets its way because we IT WAS laughter all the way for news@wokinghampaper.co.uk children who visited Hare Hatch would be operating at a loss and be forced to close Sheeplands on Saturday. down.

THISisyear’s Marvellous The garden centre near Twyford offering a host of festival was the biggest and the “The 11,000 people who signed the petition, plus bestholidays, so far, according to itsvisitors organiser. entertainment during the summer ensuring small nearly 1,000 who have added their signatures since After 13 years at Wellington Country Park, the have a memorable visit. it was presented to the council, will not give up this music weekend that specialises On duty was make-up free clown Cookie.

Organisers said that in tribute acts fight.” moved to Hurst, where say it was a great he had them jumping for joy with a mixture of jokes, tricks,organisers songs, However, Wokingham Borough Council warned success. dances, competitions, bubbles and balloon modelling. that this new petition might also fail on technicalities.

Steve Stanton said: “It was the He is just one of the performersFestival who willdirector be banishing summer A spokesperson said: “There is clear guidance on firstSeptember one held in4 Dinton Pastures holiday boredom at the centre until –and it is all free. and it was a really petitions in Section 3.5 of our constitution, online at: local Oojamaflip, festival, with many people walking to the Acts will include Bertie’s Slippers, MAD Academy www.wokingham.gov.uk (search for ‘constitution’). and creative arts expert Janine.festival instead of driving.

Anyone wishing to present a petition is advised to had an astonishingly For more details, log on to Hare“We Hatch Sheeplands Facebooklow amount of read this guidance before collecting signatures. people drive in – there were only about 600 cars page or visit www.harehatchsheeplands.co.uk “Unfortunately, in this case we weren’t asked parked. for advice from the petitioners before collating “The council were fantastic, they helped us out signatures. When the petition was presented, officers with manpower and water, since it was such a hot explained it couldn’t be accepted because it related The warm weather and good music kept everyone happy day.” to a planning decision – in this case, an enforcement The weather was bright as acts played in the notice. sunshine for 7,500 people over the two-day festival “Petitions about planning decisions cannot be held on Saturday and Sunday. accepted because such decisions require professional (but we would love a donation The line-up of 14 acts included tributes to specialised knowledge, delegated to professional to keep this event going) Adele, AC/DC, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Queen and officers and our planning committee. Councillors others. were advised why the petition couldn’t be accepted, “It was a success,” continued Mr Stanton. “The and agreed the constitution couldn’t be amended to traffic was fine for local residents, and we didn’t leave overturn this rule. any litter around Dinton Pastures.

“We’re anxious there isn’t further disappointment “A fantastic time was had by everyone.” with this latest petition, so Mr Scott is urged to check n Planning will begin in a few months for next year’s You’re only supposed to … our constitution and contact our officers if he’s unsure, Marvellous festival. before starting to collect signatures.”

Josie Delieu, Nicola Morgan and Emma Barry One man gets ahead This has not fazed Mr Scott, as his business and family the borough council are currently taking A legal action raisesreview, their in the High Court and also seeking a judical glasses to a which will be heard in September.

Pixar animation Marvellous He said: “It is vital that our customers make it clear Friday August 19th weekend to Wokingham Borough Council that they do not want at its best The Italian Job at Dinton Hare Hatch Sheeplands to close down and will do Classic 60’s film starring Michael Caine.

‘You’re only supposed to blow the b****y doors off’ Pastures everything in their power to keep us in business.

“We do not intend to give up the fight, even though Saturday August 20th Friday August 19th it is costing both the council and ourselves ridiculous Friday The Italian JobAugust 19thWall-E amounts of money.”

An adventure The Italian Job beyond the Ordinar-E

Works will shut road Art demos in Woodley

A Marvellous start for new festival Sheeplands summer fun

Elms Field, Wokingham

FREE ENTRANCE Friday, August 19

The Italian Job Saturday, August 20

Wall-E

Friday, August 21

Classic 60’s film starring Michael Caine.

‘You’re only supposedClassic to blow b****y doors off’ Caine.

60’sthe film starring Michael ‘You’re only supposed to blow the b****y doors off’

The Princess Bride True love, but not your basic average, run-

Quilters plan exhibition

Sunday August 21st Saturday August 20th The Princess Bride Saturday August 20th

Wall-E Heroes. Giants. Villains. Wizards. True Love. Not just your basic, Wall-Eordinary, run-of-the-mill, ho-hum fairy tale An adventure beyond the Ordinar-E average, everyday, An adventure beyond the Ordinar-E

Sunday August 21st Sunday August 21st The Princess TheBride Princess Bride

of-the mill fairy tale

Thank you to our sponsors this year

eroes. Giants. Villains. Wizards. True Love. Not just your basic, Giants.

Villains. Wizards.

True Love. verage, everyday,Heroes. ordinary, run-of-the-mill, ho-hum fairy Not tale just your basic, average,With everyday, ordinary,to run-of-the-mill, ho-hum fairy tale thanks our sponsors

With thanks Bring your chair, blanket & a picnic to our A fabulous family evening Thank youThank to ouryou sponsors this year this year to oursponsors sponsors

Join the fun from

7.30pm onwards Leaflets supplied by

www.wokinghamopenaircinema.co.uk Leaflets supplied by Leaflets supplied by

Above: T.Rextasy on the main stage Left and right: Bruno Mars tribute act in action

A CRAFT group will hold its biennial exhibition this October.

The Meadow Quilters will showcase some of its efforts at Newbold Church in Binfield on Sunday, October 16.

Running from 11am to 4pm, the event will see a range of displays created by the groups 40-strong members. There will be demonstrations, traders, a children’s quiz and refreshments.

Entry is £3, and all proceeds from the event will go to Sue Ryder Care. n For more details, call Avril Donnelly on 0118 978 0114 The warm weather helped make the event a hit or email avrildonnelly8@gmail.com

Friday, August 5, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Join us for our next auction event Next Auction: Wokingham Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS on Saturday, August 13th at 2pm Viewing: Friday 12th from noon to 6pm, Saturday 13th from 9am to 2pm Live bidding from the-saleroom.com and easyliveauction.com Full Catalogue now available on: wokinghamauctions.com

Next Valuation Days: Saturday, August 20th, 9am-2pm at Wokingham Town Hall Saturday, September 24th, 9am-2pm at Wokingham Town Hall

wokinghamauctions.com

13

14 | NEWS

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Council launches review of community forums GROUPS set up to keep residents informed of regeneration issues are to be reviewed.

Four years ago, Wokingham Borough Council set up a range of Strategic Development Location community forums.

Each one aims to meet around four times a year, and provide a chance for people to learn more about what’s happening in the four Strategic Development Locations (SDLs) – Arborfield, South Wokingham, North Wokingham and Shinfield area.

In recent months, these have been well attended as developers, councillors and residents associations have brought people together, hosting presentations and answering questions.

Councillors have also been in attendance and have been able to canvass views from attendees.

The borough council is now reviewing how they work and is calling for residents to comment on them.

Executive member for planning and regeneration Cllr Mark Ashwell said: “We’re committed to continued engagement with residents as the new communities in the borough grow

and we think it is time to look at the community forums to see how they can be developed.

“We have been extremely grateful to the hundreds of people who have attended the forums and can assure them that engagement will continue – this is about improving and building on what has been done already.”

As part of this drive to provide residents with more information about the various projects that are currently taking place across the borough, Wokingham Borough Council has launched an electronic newsletter for regular updates and information.

To receive this, send an email to: communityengagement@wokingham. gov.uk.

Dump truck stolen

Temporary lights

A MINI dump truck has been stolen from the front garden of a property in Wokingham.

Overnight on Wednesday, July 27 into Thursday morning, the yellow and black JCB mini dump truck, fitted with a high lifting pneumatic bucket, was stolen from outside a property in Barkham Road.

Anyone with any information should call 101.

TEMPORARY traffic lights will be in action in Sonning next week.

Between Wednesday, August 10 and Friday 12, there will be multiway lights controlling traffic at the junction of Pound Lane and Pearson Road.

This is to allow Thames Water contractors to carry out maintenance works in safety.

WOKINGHAM- WE NEED YOU!

WOKINGHAM’S newest registered charity

Enjoy a summer of reading fun at borough’s libraries

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Residents at a previous community forum event

WOKINGHAM IN NEED

was

launched in September 2015 with the grand opening of new kitchen facilities (following the successful wet room installation), at the Salvation Army Church and Community Centre, Sturges Road, Wokingham.

Founded by local resident Sue Jackson, the aim of

WOKINGHAM IN NEED

is to assist in the relief and prevention of poverty - assisting the homeless and vulnerable in Wokingham by providing support, grants, items and services to Individuals and other charities working in this field.

WOKINGHAM IN NEED

are currently raising funds to provide a drop-in centre at the Church and Community Centre. This will provide one-to-one support and workshops.

“This is just the beginning though”, said Sue Jackson, “and we want to include the whole community’s needs as we progress with this project and others. This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in helping people in your community.”

The reason for supplying you with this information? ..We would like your support.. 

As an individual - Your donations, no matter how small



As a business - Your donations, no matter how small

Anything would be gratefully received.

Please donate : by cheque made payable to Wokingham In Need which can be sent/ delivered to Prospect Estate Agents, one of our valued sponsors, at their Broad Street Office in Wokingham. Alternatively you can donate by JustTextGiving.

Text: WOKY15 - State : the amount you wish to donate—Send To: 70070.

WOKINGHAM IN NEED –Look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Jackson WOKINGHAM IN NEED Telephone Number: 07340 301770 wokinghaminneed@gmail.com www.wokinghaminneed.com

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, August 5, 2016

BOOKWORMS across Wokingham will be treated to a whole summer of readingthemed activities.

The sessions, which include arts and crafts, creative writing and reading time, are aimed at children of all ages and vary in price.

The activities will be taking place at libraries across the borough, starting from next Monday.

Monday, August 8 Lower Earley Library, Chalfont Close: Free session with Explore Learning on Roald Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine from 9.30 to 10.30am. For children aged eight to ten, places must be booked.

Lower Earley Library: Free session with Explore Learning on Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox from 10.45 to 11.45am. For children aged eight to nine, places must be booked.

Wokingham Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 2.15pm to 3.30pm

Tuesday, August 9 Finchampstead Library, Gorse Ride North – Come along and learn some circus skills from 10.30 to 11.30am.

For children aged four to 12. £3 charge, places must be booked.

Twyford Library, Polehampton Close – Come and hear the story of The Enormous Crocodile and make some fun crocs to take home 10.45am to 11.30am. For children aged eight and under, £1.50 charge, just drop-in.

Winnersh Library, The Forest School, Robinhood Lane – Come along and learn some circus skills from 1pm to 2pm. For children aged four to 12. £3 charge, places must be booked.

Lower Earley Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 2.15pm to 3.30pm Maiden Erlegh Library, Silverdale Road – Fun writing course, for children aged nine to 12 from 3.15pm to 4pm.

Places must be booked.

Wednesday, August 10 Winnersh Library – Come and make some fun arts and crafts inspired by Roald Dahl’s characters. Create a Mr Fox mask or a Mr Twit beard and other fun activities. For children aged 12 and under, £1.50 charge, from 10am to 11am. Just drop-in.

Wokingham Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 10.45am to noon.

Finchampstead Library – Crafts in the library for children, different theme every week from 10am to 10.45am and 11am to 11.45am. £1 per child, please book at FBC Centre reception on (0118) 908 8155.

Woodley Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 2.15pm to 3.30pm.

Thursday, August 11 Spencers Wood Library, Basingstoke Road – Come and hear the story of The Enormous Crocodile and make some fun crocs to take home from 10.15am to 11am. For children aged eight and under, £1.50 charge, just drop-in.

Lower Earley Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 10.45am to noon.

Maiden Erlegh Library – Come and make some fun arts and crafts inspired by Roald Dahl’s characters. Create a

Mr Fox mask or a Mr Twit beard and other fun activities. For children aged 12 and under, £1.50 charge, from 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Just drop-in.

Friday, August 12 Woodley Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 10.45am to noon.

Finchampstead Library – Come and hear the story of The Enormous Crocodile and make some fun crocs to take home from 11am to 11.45am. For children aged eight and under, £1.50 charge, just drop-in.

Lower Earley Library – Manga Drawing Workshop, for children aged eight to 16 years old, from 10am to 11.30am. £3 charge, places must be booked.

Wokingham Library, Denmark Street – Pets as Therapy dog Kali will be in from 11am to noon ready to be told stories from children aged six to ten, just drop-in.

Monday, August 15 Lower Earley Library – just drop-in and create a sand art picture. For children aged four to 11 from 10.30am to 12.30pm, £3 per picture.

Wokingham Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 2.15pm to 3.30pm Wargrave Library, Church Street – Come and create some plasticine animals in this fun modelling session, for children aged eight and over, from 2.30 to 3.30pm. £2 charge, places must be booked.

Twyford Library – Come and make some fun arts and crafts inspired by Roald Dahl’s characters. Create a Mr Fox mask or a Mr Twit beard and other fun activities. From 2.30pm to 3.30pm. For children aged 12 and under, £1.50 charge

Tuesday, August 16 Woodley Library, Headley Road – Free session with Explore Learning on Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes from 9.15 to 10.15am. For children aged five to seven, places must be booked.

Woodley Library – Free session with Explore Learning on Roald Dahl’s Matilda from 10.45am to 11.45am.

For children aged seven to ten, places must be booked.

Spencers Wood Library – Come and meet some birds of prey from 11am to noon. For families with children aged five and over. £3.50 charge, places must be booked.

Lower Earley Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 2.15pm to 3.30pm Maiden Erlegh Library – Come and meet some birds of prey from 3.15pm to 4.15pm. For families with children aged five and over. £3.50 charge, places must be booked.

Maiden Erlegh Library – Fun writing course, for children aged nine to 12, from 3.15pm to 4pm. Places must be booked.

10.30am to 11.30am. For children aged 12 and under, £1.50 charge.

Lower Earley Library – Meet the creatures with the Rangers from Dinton Pastures from 10.45am to 11.30am. For children under 12, £1 charge, just drop-in.

Lower Earley Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 10.45am to noon.

Maiden Erlegh Library – Come and hear the story of The Enormous Crocodile and make some fun crocs to take home 2.15pm to 3pm. For children aged eight and under, £1.50 charge, just drop-in.

Friday, August 19 Lower Earley Library – Manga Drawing Workshop, for children aged eight to 16-years-old from 10am to 11.30am. £3 charge, places must be booked.

Woodley Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 10.45am to noon.

Monday, August 22 Wokingham Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 2.15pm to 3.30pm Spencers Wood Library – Come and create some plasticine animals in this fun modelling session, for children aged eight and over, from 2.30 to 3.30pm. £2 charge, places must be booked.

Tuesday, August 23 Wokingham Library – Free session with Explore Learning on Roald Dahl’s Matilda from 9.30am to 10.30am.

For children aged seven to ten, places must be booked.

Wokingham Library – Free session with Explore Learning on Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes, for children aged five to seven, from 10.45 to 11.45am.

Places must be booked.

Lower Earley Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 2.15pm to 3.30pm Maiden Erlegh Library – Fun writing course, for children aged 9 to 12, from 3.15pm to 4pm. Places must be booked.

Wednesday, August 24

Wokingham Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 10.45am to noon.

Woodley Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 2.15pm to 3.30pm.

Woodley Library – Free session with Explore Learning on Roald Dahl’s The Twits, for children aged seven to eight, from 9.15 to 10.15am. Places must be booked.

Woodley Library – Free session with Explore Learning on Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox from 10.45 to 11.45am. For children aged eight to nine, places must be booked.

Wokingham Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 10.45am to noon.

Finchampstead Library – Meet the creatures with the Rangers from Dinton Pastures from 9.30am to 10.15am. For children under 12, £1 charge, just drop-in.

Winnersh Library – Meet the creatures with the Rangers from Dinton Pastures on from 11am to 11.45am.

For children under 12, £1 charge, just drop-in.

Woodley Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 2.15pm to 3.30pm.

Thursday, August 18

Thursday, August 25

Woodley Library – Meet the creatures with the Rangers from Dinton Pastures from 9.15am to 10am. For children under 12, £1 charge, just drop-in.

Spencers Wood Library – Come and make some fun arts and crafts inspired by Roald Dahl’s characters.

Create a Mr Fox mask or a Mr Twit beard and other fun activities. From

Lower Earley Library – Roald Dahl inspired poetry workshop with poet Rachel Piercy from 9.30 to 10.30am.

For children aged seven to 11. £2 charge, place must be booked.

Woodley Library – Just drop-in and create a sand art picture. For children aged four to 11 from 10.30am to 12.30pm, £3 per picture.

Lower Earley Library – Summer Reading

Wednesday, August 17

Challenge activity session, just drop in from 10.45am to noon.

Wokingham Library – Roald Dahl inspired poetry workshop with poet Rachel Piercy from 11am to noon.

For children aged seven to 11. £2 charge, place must be booked.

Friday, August 26 Lower Earley Library – Manga Drawing Workshop, for children aged eight to 16, at from 10 to 11.30am. £3 charge, places must be booked.

Woodley Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 10.45am to noon.

Wokingham Library – Pets as Therapy dog Kali will be in from 11am to noon ready to be told stories from children aged six to 10, just drop-in.

Saturday, August 27 Maiden Erlegh Library – Share your ideas and take part in some fun writing exercises. For children aged nine to 12, from 10.45 to 11.15am.

Places must be booked.

Tuesday, August 30 Lower Earley Library – Free session with Explore Learning on Roald Dahl’s The Twits, for children aged seven to eight, from 9.30 to 10.30am. Places must be booked.

Lower Earley Library – Free session with Explore Learning on Roald Dahl’s The Big Friendly Giant, for children aged seven to nine, from 10.45 to 11.45am.

Lower Earley Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 2.15pm to 3.30pm

Wednesday, August 31 Finchampstead Library – Crafts in the library for children, different theme every week. £1 per child, please book at FBC Centre reception on (0118) 908 8155.

Lower Earley Library – Storyteller John Kirk retells Roald Dahl’s The Twits. For children aged six and above, with a fun craft activity after the performance. From 10.15am to 11.15am. £3 charge, places must be booked.

Wokingham Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 10.45am to noon.

Winnersh Library – Come and take part in the fun, revolting recipe workshop from 11am to noon, and again at 2pm to 3pm and create some ‘Frobscottle’ drink and ‘The Big Friendly Gobbler’. For children aged seven to 11, places must be booked. £5 charge.

Finchampstead Library – Storyteller John Kirk retells Roald Dahl’s The Twits. For children aged six and above, with a fun craft activity after the performance. From 12.45pm to 1.45pm. £3 charge, places must be booked.

Woodley Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 2.15pm to 3.30pm.

Wokingham Library – Storyteller John Kirk retells Roald Dahl’s The Twits. For children aged six and above, with a fun craft activity after the performance. From 2.45pm to 3.45pm. £3 charge, places must be booked.

Thursday, September 1 Lower Earley Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 10.45am to noon.

Friday, September 2 Woodley Library – Summer Reading Challenge activity session, just drop in from 10.45am to noon.

15

16

August 5, 2016 THE WOKINGHAM PAPER Friday, July 8, THE WOKINGHAM PAPER 22,2016 2016 THE WOKINGHAM PAPER

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, June 24, 2016

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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

Three cheers for our borough’s libraries AS YOU might have guessed, we’re a little bit biased over the printed word.

There’s something rather special about sitting down with your favourite newspaper or a book – it still beats looking at a computer screen.

For those of us who remember the days of hot metal printing, there’s also something about the smell of the ink and the way in which the printed impression leaves a firm impression on the page.

So it is a joy to read of the many things happening in our borough’s libraries this summer (page 14).

All ages and interests are catered for, and there’s a Roald Dahl touch to the proceedings. As the younger ones make their explorations through the shelves, they’ll discover mind popping books that will enrich and enhance their lives.

Across many parts of the country, libraries are under threat, an easy target for the Government’s self-inflicted and unnecessary austerity measures.

It is not living within our means to view libraries as irrelevant or an easy target. Libraries cost public money because they are a vital public service.

Wokingham Borough Council is bucking the trend, seeing footfall rise and making plans to expand open hours and services provided.

There are not many councils that can boast that.

And, as we reported last week, they are also looking at ways in which they can introduce selfscanning technology to make it easier for people to use its services.

Yes, it’s costly, yes they’re looking for sponsors to come forward to help, but yes, it’s important.

So three cheers for our borough council for making reading the printed word a priority.

CHURCH NOTES

The joy of God’s world

W

E live in a nice town that regularly comes near the top Best Places to Live surveys.

Wokingham is a nice, comfortable and safe town.

The town itself is very pleasant and there is plenty of wonderful countryside around and about.

I find wandering in the countryside one of the best ways to appreciate the beauty of this world we live.

Wherever you live in this country there are many beautiful places around, virtually everybody lives within a few miles of the coast, a river, some hills or other beautiful location.

I find the countryside amazing for many reasons one of which is that it seems so still, but when you look closely there is a lot going on – animals and birds moving, the wind causing the trees and grass to wave in the breeze.

On a walk in the woods I sometimes stop to examine the trees, seeing the lichen on the wood or stone, tracks of animals through the wood or field or the way the animals in the field stand and look at me.

Even on a walk it is so easy to speed through the countryside without really noticing what is around you.

Pease do so – you will reap the benefit.

There is an almost infinite variety in nature.

You can see great violence in a storm or total peace on a quiet winter’s day.

All of this is a gift to us and appreciating this gift of so much beauty will bring many benefits to us. This gift is very rich and complex and has taken millions (or maybe billions) of years to prepare for us to enjoy.

I take all of this as a gift from God, who has prepared this wonderful gift with all its complexity and given it to us to make what we want.

Geoff Peck is a member of Woosehill Church and writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham

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Your views

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, August 5, 2016 We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relatingto the borough (in 250 words or less) to The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk We reserve the right to edit letters

Send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk

What happened to innocent until proven guilty?

I am saddened by the opinion piece by your regular contributor Tony Johnson about the Council’s complaints system (Wokingham Washes Whiter, July 29).

In it he appears to completely ignore the basic right of “innocent until proven guilty”. His examples are all based on complaints that did not go anywhere and the individual complained about was completely exonerated.

The system, which he complains about guarantees anonymity for the person being complained about during the investigative process and definitely if they are completely exonerated.

He implies that someone who has been found totally innocent of any allegations should be publicly outed which cuts right across natural justice.

I find it interesting that he repeats an allegation about the by election which this very paper had publicised the outcome of that investigation, maybe he doesn’t read the paper he writes for?

If he had he would not have used that as an example for his accusations about the process. It was reported as a violation of electoral law and was thrown out.

More recently it was reported as a code of conduct violation and was thrown out.

That is twice the individual, i.e. me, was completely exonerated.

It did not even get to the committee to adjudicate on the basis there was no foundation in the allegations.

Other allegations against the opposition were also thrown out at this stage as all parties are treated equally.

I strongly believe in the protection of individuals on the basis of being innocent until proven guilty. It is a shame that this regular contributor to this paper thinks otherwise and wants to know everything about a complaint even though the accused is totally exonerated.

While national papers have journalists who like to rake up potential “muck” I had hoped that local journalists would have much greater morality. I guess not when it comes to Tony Johnson.

Cllr Keith Baker, Wokingham Borough Council Leader

Woodley Parking Restrictions alert I want to draw readers’ attention to Wokingham Borough Council’s proposed parking restrictions at the cul-de-sac end of Nightingale Road where it meets the footbridge over to Earley Station.

This proposal is madness because it will make it harder to use the trains from Earley station.

We all want to reduce traffic and pollution on the roads by encouraging the use of public transport.

How are people to use public transport if they can’t park somewhere nearby?

If these parking restrictions are implemented, less people will use the trains from Earley station.

That adversely affects most of us, not just the local residents.

Also, if these parking restrictions are implemented, most of the people who at present park there will just park on the nearby roads such as Bideford Close, Hazel Drive and Sycamore Close.

The local residents will then have cars parked outside their front gardens, rather than where the cars park now, which is out of sight from the local houses.

There are only two weeks to register your objections to this Prohibition of Waiting Order with Wokingham Borough Council, so if you don’t like the sound of it, raise your objections with the Council now.

Rob Needham, Woodley

We must condemn intolerance EU citizens living in Reading and across the UK are understandably unsettled since the vote to leave the European Union. Likewise, UK citizens abroad.

Contributing to this is a rise in hostility towards people of many backgrounds since the referendum.

The government must do more to condemn intolerance and to reassure people that their rights will be protected.

For now Europeans retain the same rights to work, study and travel as before the referendum. These rights should be unaffected until a new agreement is negotiated and the UK officially leaves the EU. But, it is natural that people are considering the long-term future, their job prospects, their children’s education.

People’s lives must not be used as political

bargaining chips. The Government needs to send a clear message that we are grateful to these people, that they will continue to be welcome, and their rights will be unchanged.

This long-term certainty is also vital for our public services which depend on workers from other countries.

The Green Party has a proud history of standing up for migrants and we will continue to champion free movement whilst recognising that the benefits must be shared more equally.

We need urgent long-term security for the millions of people who have made their lives in the UK and who contribute socially, culturally and economically to our society.

Rob White Reading East Green Party candidate

Office workers exercise New research has revealed that office workers need to do twice as much exercise as other adults to reduce their risk of premature death – and has recommended walking more (Published in The Lancet medical journal, reported July 28).

Environmental pressures, such as desk jobs, make healthy choices difficult.

However, inactivity is making people unhealthy and unhappy; accounting for one in six deaths in the UK and costing the health service up to £10billion a year.

One way or another, we need to introduce more activity into our lives – and walking is an easy way to do this.

We want to create a walking nation.

Just a 20 minute walk a day can provide noticeable physical and mental health benefits, reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, stroke and depression.

Employers should ensure their staff feel able to go for walks and encourage them to do so.

They will be rewarded with a happier and healthier workforce – bringing with it cost savings on sick pay, and employees who return from a walk feeling refreshed and motivated.

Tompion Platt, Head of Policy and Communications, Living Streets

GOOD ADVICE

Thinking about joining, or are in, a Holiday Club?

B

UYING membership of a holiday club promises you the chance to buy cheaper holidays. However, often holiday clubs don’t live up to the promises they make. Here are some tips on what to think about before joining and how to avoid scams. n They don’t own any holiday accommodation and so no dates or destinations are guaranteed. Holidays are often not available when and where you want them n You might not save any money and could end up paying as much as High Street prices n You’re unlikely to be able to sell your membership n You’ll have to pay annual fees whether you use your membership or not n Some countries don’t have the European regulations that protect members in force.

Presentations can be very high pressure. Watch out for techniques such as: n They’ve made you a special offer valid for that day only n You’re not left alone to discuss anything with your partner. You may be

kept separate from other couples and even discouraged from taking notes. n The presentation has lasted so long you’re tempted to sign because you’re desperate to leave However high pressure the presentation gets remember: n You can always walk out. No one can make you stay, no matter what the salespeople may try and tell you. If anyone tries to make you stay they are committing a criminal offence n However much pressure the sales people put you under, never agree to anything on the spot. Refuse to sign anything then and there. Take the documentation home with you and sleep on it n Don’t take your credit card or debit card with you to presentations.

Before you sign an agreement: n Do lots of research – research the company and ask for references. Check other suppliers and compare prices n Make a note of everything you were promised, and make sure it’s in the agreement. If it’s not, refuse to sign n Ask about your cancellation rights

and get them in writing. If you’re signing in an European Economic Area (EEA) country, remember that timeshare regulations give you 14 days to change your mind n It’s a criminal offence for companies to request or take money from you during the 14 day cooling-off period n Ask for written proof of the security measures which are in place if the company goes bust during your membership n Ideally, get an independent lawyer to read the contract before you sign it.

Agreements signed in an EEA country are protected by The Timeshare Regulations.

For more advice on agreements signed in Europe outside the UK, contact the UK European Consumer Centre (ECC). They will help you try and sort out your problem with the timeshare company and can give you legal advice.

You can call their consumer helpline on: 08456 04 05 03 Some holiday clubs are reputable but there are a lot of bogus ones out there: n Be very wary of letters, phone calls

or emails from companies you don’t know offering you business deals out of the blue n If you don’t want to discuss holiday clubs over the phone, you can end the conversation at any time n Be suspicious of people or companies who say you’ve been chosen especially, or that you’ve won something n Never give confidential personal information to cold callers n Beware of money-back guarantees as these could be difficult to claim in practice If you already belong to a holiday club, beware of companies who offer to buy your membership. You could end up losing money by making up front payments or with a second holiday club membership that you don’t want. n You can get help, information and advice from your local Citizens Advice or visit www. citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk or contact Citizens Advice Wokingham at Second Floor, Waterford House, Erftstadt Court, Wokingham RG40 2YF. Tel: 0300 330 1189. email: public@citizensadvicewokingham. org.uk

VIEWPOINTS | 17

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Friday, August 5, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

PICTURE OF THE WEEK Harold Chorley sent in this picture of a fire he took while camping in Ellis Hill Farm recently. We hope he toasted some marshmallows on it.

We love receiving your pictures – send them to news@ wokinghampaper. co.uk

NELLIE KNOWS Nellie Williams www.nelliepompoms.co.uk Stress free summer mornings Loving the stress free mornings of the school holidays and the lack of routine. The house is full of people, the cupboards are bare and the garden is my sanctuary.

Reading

I finished In A Dark Dark Wood

by Ruth Ware late one night, when the house was quiet and I could hear every creak and rattle which possibly wasn’t a good idea as it was a dark, intense and gripping read.

I then changed genres and read Rachael Lucas’ Wildflower Bay which I can highly recommend. Rachael’s first book Sealed With A Kiss was a delight, her second book Coming Up Roses was equally so and Wildflower Bay is so well written one could almost believe you’re actually there.

Next on the list is The Long Count by J M Gulvin, then Kate Humble’s A Friend For life.

After that, no idea!

It’s Henley Literary Festival next month so I have been poring over the schedule and am looking forward to hearing and meeting the authors and getting my hands on a few signed copies.

Out and about A PHOTOGRAPHY competition celebrating all that is great about Wokingham has been launched.

The ‘Love Wokingham’ competition is calling on photographers of all ages and abilities to snap their favourite park, building, event or whatever they love about Wokingham, with the winner and two runners-up scooping a cash prize and a framed copy of their photo.

The competition features two categories - under 18s and 18+ - and is open to amateur and professional photographers. Entry is free, and entrants can submit up to five images which have a quality of at least 300dpi and do not exceed 5MB in size.

Three prizes will be awarded per category, first prize is £100, second prize is £50 and third prize is £25.

Winners will receive a framed copy of their photograph and will have their picture taken with the Mayor.

To enter email your name, category, postal or email address and phone number, and title and location of images, along with your submissions, to photos@ lovewokingham.co.uk. Entry closes on September 17. n For more visit www.morearts.org.uk.

TONY JOHNSON You’ll have to speak up

D

IFFERENT friends. Different circumstances.

Similar results.

You’ll recall the dark old days. Back before Brexit came to pass.

One friend of the family had been invited to take part in that Final Debate programme, the evening before the vote. She’s been interviewed on a number of different TV programmes and has written many articles for a national paper. Hence the invitation.

To others among Britain’s 11 million plus disabled people, she’s not just one in a million, it’s more like one in three or four million, there are so few like her who appear on our screens. On political matters I can think of only three – her, Alex Brooker and Adam Hills.

As a wheelchair bound writer and disability activist, she’s one of a very few who have the knowledge, experience and above all courage to speak on topics that most of us shy away from.

Catching up with Penny recently, it was a chance to find out her views about taking part in that woeful programme.

She’d asked beforehand if the event was going to be accessible. Not just to a person in a powered chair, but to someone who can only raise her voice, not her arms, nor her head.

Less than four minutes before the end, Jeremy Paxman walked over saying “Sheila Hancock has been saying I should have been talking to you for ages” (she’d been sitting next to Sheila the whole time).

Penny spoke for just 27 seconds, making the point that nobody had explained the impact of

HAVE YOUR SAY:

Brexit on the disabled and suggesting that debate was needed.

What happened on screen was plain rude.

You could just see some of Mr Paxman’s hand gestures. His one word dismissive response “right”, then in the same breath turning to another member of the audience saying “Michael Heseltine, you have a point on security here…” completely scuppered any chance of debate.

Mr Heseltine took 85 seconds on peace in Europe after which Mr Paxman summed up for 30 seconds and the programme’s end credits ran for about a minute.

Accessible? Hardly. Balanced? Not a bit of it.

That invitation smacked more of tokenism rather than a well motivated attempt to present the case.

Being charitable, one could say that Channel 4 had tried, whereas others hadn’t even bothered.

Even so, this emphasised the TV media’s lack of interest in tackling disability issues in mainstream programmes.

The second friend’s a profoundly deaf person.

Here’s one of his recent experiences: He’s finding it hard to communicate with doctors, hospitals, emergency services, councils and PLC or0ganisations. If you’ve had to phone in to any of these, you’ll know you have to get past the automated answering system before you get the person you wanted to speak to.

He’d been referred to a local ear nose and throat specialist by his doctor.

A couple of weeks later, he was sent a computer based appointment booking form.

After several attempts to book his appointment

online had failed, he got a message to “phone in for an appointment”.

Phone answering systems are difficult enough when you’re able bodied, but when the options all have to be transcribed from voice to text, it’s a problem.

Six attempts were timed out before his TypeTalk operator could transcribe the menu options to let him read them on screen, understand them and respond.

These calls were via a premium number service, so they were expensive. Several weeks have passed and he’s still not been able to book his appointment.

In summary, two friends, two different communications challenges, both fruitless.

In 1995 the Disability Discrimination Act was first passed, superseded in 2010 by the Equality Act. Over 20 years have gone by and the majority of organisations still don’t get it.

You’re not just discriminating against people who want your services or need your help. You’re not just acting illegally by breaking the law.

Your organisation is ineffective.

Most don’t realise that more people become disabled during their lifetime than are born disabled. When it happens to you or someone you know, that’s the time where you realise how dire the situation really is.

So until we understand what equal access really means, we’ve a one in five chance we’re going to be experiencing it ourselves.

Which is when we’ll be hurt most by its absence.

FACEBOOK.COM/WOKINGHAMPAPER

@WOKYPAPER

There’s a new coffee shop and pottery painting place in Sandhurst called Mad Hatters which is run by the powerhouse that is Fiona who also runs Leap Frog Ceramics in Warfield, Mad Hatters in Tilehurst and Crema Coffee in Binfield.

Pottery painting is less stressful now the children are older and less inclined to daub paint any old how. I’d like to say my painting has got better too, I knew that Art O Level would come in handy sometime!

We’ve also been tootling around having treats all over the place and can highly recommend The Blackbird in Bucklebury, Wellington Farm Shop just off the A33 and The Quince Tree in Stonor.

The Quince Tree also operates at The River & Rowing Musuem at Henley so we can combine a walk along the river, a play in the park and a tasty snack afterwards. Of course, half the fun of no routine means we can head off for impromptu picnics so my Hinza bag is packed with tasty treats and the Outdoor Lounge really comes into its own.

Of course, one thing I don’t forget to pack is a plastic bag for waste and litter.

Blackberries

Being a dog owner means lots of walks and we’ve been venturing far and wide for strolls. Avebury by the stones is a favourite place that we’ve not been to for a while. My tip is to get there early or late as during the day the car park is heaving. Armed with poo bags, a large bottle of water and a lead we all head off for a stomping good walk and now have a list of good places to find blackberries.

Litter

One of my bugbears and sadly all too evident. It riles me that people don’t take their stuff home with them or find a bin to dispose of it safely. Wokingham Litter Heroes posted a photo on their Facebook page of bags of discarded litter at Elms Field they had picked up which made my blood boil.

There’s no excuse for laziness whatsoever.

Same goes for fly tipping. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again we are very lucky to have a brilliant waste facility at Bracknell and Reading that as borough residents we are entitled to use.

The staff are friendly and helpful and I suspect groan when I appear with my garden waste and other oddments.

I’ve recently got a brown recycling bin which is a godsend.

School shoes

It’s nearly that time when parents and children are guaranteed to fall out. My lot have always worn Start Rite shoes, the fit is better for their feet and they’re long lasting.

That said I’ve yet to find another pair of shoes that don’t scuff, I did find a pair in France years ago that had rubber toes and heels but I’ve not seen any since.

Anyway, I’m going to delay that outing for a while and enjoy time with family and friends. Hope you do too.

18 | VIEWPOINTS

OH, MR SMITH!

A wry look at life

Whistling in the wind

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, August 5, 2016

Wokingham People 7,000 cakes later, Wendy bows out Wendy Hope in Frostings – she closed the store, after 21 years, on Saturday

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S MOST people are away on holiday and Wokingham Borough Council hasn’t much to do during this balmy spell I have a great suggestion for filling their time.

It is the abolition of singing and whistling in public along with the nasty habit of humming while you work. I think these are particularly antisocial habits.

The perpetrators are usually completely unaware that they can’t whistle, don’t know the tune, play the wrong notes and sing in the wrong tempo. These erstwhile vaudeville performers should stick to what they know best whether plumbing, carpentry, roofing or delivering milk.

The Council should treat these audible outbursts as a health hazard causing irritability in members of the general public.

In fact, my call goes out to the UK Government (Mrs May, are you reading?)

They should produce a Green Paper entitled ‘The Control of Spontaneous Polyphonic Disharmony’.

If we were still in the EU it could have become the Antisocial Cacophony Directive.

This would apply to not only to random polyphonic indulgences but to everyone in the music sector requiring everyone to adhere to a Duty of Care.

The basic requirements should be: n People who cannot sing in tune should refrain from musical outbursts in public places as this would constitutes audible vermin. n In private enclosures such as housing suitable sound insulation should be used in the most vulnerable areas such as shower rooms and bathrooms. n Professional practitioners should not encourage those prone to perform spontaneously in public. On no account, however, should anyone contravening this Order in terms of spontaneous public performance be approached without an appropriate member of the enforcement agencies being present. n Anyone affected by such outbursts are advised to seek medical advice. n Those affected by those not given to seeking medical advice should also seek medical advice before resorting to regular use of wax or other substance in the ear. Aural contraception can be harmful to those susceptible to allergies. n Red Robins and other seasonal vermin should be exterminated using controlled substances. n Music teachers helping those who are completely inept should be supplied with soundless pianos and other noiseless instruments.

There are two exceptions. n Whistling in the wind is permissible provided the whistle is directed into the oncoming wind and whose wake passes into a derelict area or, even better, oblivion. n Low frequency humming may be excepted if the lack of frowning from members of the public is accepted as a measure of permissible audible level for humming.

In the event that this Directive is not understood please do NOT call Wokingham Borough Council. Simply call The Wokingham Paper and whistle into the telephone.

This could possibly make front page news in next week’s edition.

Are you a whistler? Send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk

After 21 years, one of Twyford’s most famous cake makers has hung up her apron. SUE CORCORAN finds out what Wendy Hopes will do next

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CAKE making guru has closed her Twyford business, having created over 7,000 cakes in 21 years.

Wendy Hopes, 69, hung up her spoon at her shop and kitchen, Frostings in Station Road, for the last time on Saturday. Her creations have been the celebratory centrepieces for weddings, birthdays, Christenings, funerals, baby showers and anniversaries.

A stream of grateful customers made their way to Frostings leading up to the closure to thank Wendy of Caversham. They deluged her with gifts and cards, saying how much they would miss her.

Not only has Wendy made her own fabulous cakes but she has been generous with advice to amateur

cake bakers and decorators. “I’ve always wanted to help, especially the young mums who wanted to make their baby’s first birthday cake but didn’t know how. I just told them what to do. They came back year after year after that,” she said.

Wendy’s business included hiring out cake tins of every shape and size and providing cake decorating materials.

One customer said: “Wendy was so patient and kind with her advice. It didn’t matter what I asked.

I once took a fruit cake in for her to pronounce on whether it was cooked. Going to see her seated at the little counter in her pretty and well organised shop, was like visiting a revered and wise oracle.”

Wendy started making cakes for her daughters birthdays and then learned sugar flower making at Reading College. She later made cakes for friends and friends of friends. Eventually, 21 years ago, she visited the shop in Station Road, Twyford, for supplies and, rather to her own surprise, ended up taking over from the previous owner.

VOLUNTEER CORNER n DEBRA is the national charity that supports individuals and families affected

by Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) – a painful genetic skin blistering condition which, in the worst cases, can be fatal.

DEBRA was founded in 1978 by Phyllis Hilton whose daughter Debra had EB – the charity was the world’s first EB patient support group. DEBRA funds pioneering research to find effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for EB. They also provide care and support to individuals and families living with EB. DEBRA’s Fundraising Team provides fantastic opportunities for volunteers to contribute to the fight against the genetic skin blistering condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).

“It was brave, having previously worked with children at Micklands Playgroup, Caversham and Addington School, Woodley for many years. I was very nervous, I didn’t even know how to use the till.

I couldn’t have done the business side without my husband Tony who is an accountant,” she said.

Early on she made an eight-tier wedding cake which included a church spire. Her particular love is making delicate flowers including roses, orchids, freesias, lilies and gerbera from petal paste.

Tony who is retired has written and published his first novel, A Year At Nethercombe Ley. He is now working on his second. He and Wendy celebrate their golden wedding in September.

Wendy looks forward to more than two weeks holiday a year, her limit while running the business, gardening and spending time with her daughters Beverley and Lindsay and their four children, who all live in Finchampstead.

The future use of the Twyford shop is unknown at present.

With Helena Badger As a Fundraising Volunteer you will have the opportunity to work within a team and assist with a number of activities being rolled out over the course of the year.

In particular, they are looking for Volunteers to assist at The Oracle in Reading where we are Charity of the Year.

They will be hosting a range of events at the centre, including a press launch and cycle challenge (in June), school choir/drama performances, an autumn photography competition, Christmas wrapping and carol singing.

They will need people to help with the raffles, challenges, competitions, children’s activities and bucket collections on the following dates; Wednesday 14 to Friday,

September 16 (three days); Wednesday 28 to Friday, September 30 (three days); Wednesday 12 to Saturday, October 15 (four days); Thursday 27 to Saturday, October 29 HALF TERM (three days); Wednesday 9 to Friday, November 1 1 (three days); Wednesday 16 to Sunday, November 20 (four days) and Monday 19 to Saturday, December 24 (six days).

opportunity to offer their specialist palliative care patients and carers.

This service requires Befrienders, across Reading and Wokingham, to build a relationship with the patient, give support when carers visit, escort to hospital appointments and shopping trips and other befriending activities.

n SUE RYDER provides specialist palliative care for terminally ill people. It also includes support for the families after death of their loved one by providing a bereavement support service.

The Duchess of Kent House, based in Reading, has a new exciting befriending

These are just some of the roles we are recruiting for, but we have more than 100 different roles on our books.

To find out about these or any other roles, call us on 0118 977 0749, email wok-vol@btconnect.com or visit www. volunteercentrewokingham.org.uk

Friday, August 5, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

HOMES | 19

To advertise call 0118 328 2959

Wokingham Property Lakeside living on offer at this luxury apartment

To advertise in this section, call Mark Martin on 0118 328 2959

Welcome to the section you’ve demanded!

WHEN we launched The Wokingham Paper last year, we said that we were a replacement for the much-missed Wokingham Times.

But when we go out and talk to you, our readers, you always ask, ‘Where’s the property section?”

Well, here we are.

We know that you enjoy sitting down over a cuppa and reading your favourite newspaper.

We know how much you like being able to read about houses, what’s for sale, what’s to rent and what new developments are being planned.

And we know that online estate agents such as TV property Sarah Beeney says

that local newspaper advertising is important.

So here is our new section. It’s small at the moment, but we intend it to grow, with your support and support for agents.

We’ll continue to report on the local property scene, and work with agents to bring you news of what’s happening in every corner of the borough.

As the section grows, it will become an invaluable resource … and with more pages, you’ll need two, maybe three, cups of coffee on hand as you browse it!

If you’re an agent and want to support local news from a local company then get in touch today to discuss advertising in our pages.

Call Mark Martin on 0118 328 2959.

Martin & Co let this town centre threebedroom home only 48 hours after it was put on the market

Heron Mansions is a home featuring luxury apartments and marketed as part of Richard Worth’s Exclusive collection The two-bed apartment includes a kitchen with German made integrated appliances and (bottom left) balconies in the living room and master bedroom overlooking the lake (bottom right)

A TWO-BEDROOM luxury apartment overlooking a stunning 3.5 acre lake is currently on the market with Richard Worth.

Heron Mansions has been built with the finest fittings and sharp architectural details. The apartment of sale is a penthouse, complete with balconies from the master bedroom and the living room offering stunning views of the water while geese nest and wild flowers grow.

The abundance of architectural windows and roof lanterns give this exceptional home a light and airy feel and provides a contemporary living space within a traditional façade in a truly stunning location.

Approached through a set of imposing electrically operated gates, the road to Heron Mansions guides you along the edge of the lake to the parking court at the front of the property.

The Mansions has gorgeous communal grounds that are maintained to a high standard. Lawns to the rear of the apartments lead to an attractive decked area which reaches out into the lake. The lake itself is fully stocked with fish and it is a joy to watch the ducks and geese on the

water and to marvel at the magnificent heron from which this development derives its name.

The second floor apartment is accessible by both a lift and stairs and comprises a large open plan kitchen/ living area complete with German-built appliances and underfloor heating. The Master bedroom is roomy and includes an ensuite bathroom and fitted wardrobes.

A second bathroom is off the entrance lobby and serves a second bedroom.

Three storage cupboards and a hot water boiler cupboard complete the interior and the property also benefits from a garage, complete with an electric door.

The asking price for Heron Mansions, off Chestnut Avenue, is £599,950 and forms part of the Exclusive Collection marketed by Richard Worth. n For more details or to book a viewing of this stunning apartment, log on to www.richard-worth.co.uk or call 0118 979 6796.

Georgian-style home let after just two days Milton Gardens, Milton Gardens,Wokingham Wokingham To Let

To Let

£1,650 pcm Fees Apply

£1,650 pcm Fees Apply

EXECUTIVE 3­BEDROOM GEORGIAN style house, sought­after residential leafy

mews in central3­BEDROOM Wokingham. Half a mile walkstyle to Wokingham Market Placeresidential and EXECUTIVE GEORGIAN house, sought­after leafy railwayin station.

Access to M4, M3,Half A329.

Catchment area for Holt/Forest Schools. mews central Wokingham. a mile walk to Wokingham Market Place and AExcellent THREE-BED Georgianavailable. style house On entering the home, the The property was let for £1,650 décor. Rarely SmallA329. pets considered. railway station.

Access M3, Catchment for Holt/Forest Schools. was so popular that it was to letM4, within spacious hallway,area complete with per month.

Excellent Rarely estate available. Small pets considered. two days ofdécor. a Wokingham wooden laminate flooring, leads to Mike Townend, director of Martin

agency putting it on the market.

The Milton Gardens home is situated just half a mile from Market Place and Wokingham railway station and also falls within the catchment area for The Holt and The Forest schools.

The executive home is in superb condition and comprises three double bedrooms, a three-piece suite bathroom, a kitchen/diner with white goods supplied, a downstairs cloakroom and a landscaped rear garden.

It also included a garage, off and on road parking and a patio area.

the large lounge, which has double glazed bay window.

As an open plan area, it leads to a large kitchen/diner with tiled flooring, and appliances including a dishwasher, washing machine and a fridge/freezer.

Upstairs, the three bedrooms all have built-in wardrobes and the master bedroom has a bay window overlooking the front.

The bathroom is also upstairs, and there is access to a loft.

The enclosed rear garden is mostly laid to lawn and boasts mature trees, shrubs and gated rear access.

& Co, said: “We’re delighted to have let this executive property so quickly.

A professional couple saw it and just loved it immediately.

Consequently we were able to secure the full asking rent for our landlord.

“A property like this, of such high quality, is always highly sought after by discerning tenants. We’re always looking for similar properties to market.”

For more details, call Martin & Co’s Wokingham branch on 0118 334 2389 or email wokingham@martinco. com. You can also visit Mike and his team at their offices in Peach Street.

20 | PROPERTY

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, August 5, 2016

Donation will help doctors buy a blood pressure machine

By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokinghampaper.co.uk A GP Surgery’s bid to buy an automatic blood pressure machine for patients has been boosted by a £500 donation from Bloor Homes.

The Patient Participation Group (PPG) at the Loddon Vale Practice in Woodley is aiming to raise £2,500 to purchase the machine, and the contribution from Bloor has brought them closer to reaching their target.

Bloor’s Bakers Place development on Loddon Vale Road is located just half a mile away from the practice, and it is expected that many of the new residents will register as patients.

The PPG has raised money to buy various items of equipment to improve patient care over the years and has identified the blood pressure machine as its latest priority.

The machine will enable patients to check their own blood pressure in the waiting room without having to make an appointment.

As well as easing the pressure on medical staff, it is hoped the new machine will help combat ‘white coat syndrome’.

So called because of the white

coats traditionally worn by doctors, white coat syndrome is the phenomenon by which a person’s blood pressure is higher when taken in a medical setting than when taken at home.

Jackie Trick, chair of the Loddon Vale PPG, said: “Following discussions with patients and staff at the practice, it was decided that the purchase of an automatic blood pressure machine would be a very welcome addition to the practice.

“We hope the new machine will not only improve the experience for patients by providing a more relaxed environment in which to test their blood pressure, but also free up our doctors and nurses and allow them to spend more time treating patients.

“We are extremely grateful to Bloor Homes for their generous donation which has gone a long way towards meeting our fundraising target and we hope to be in a position to purchase the machine in the very near future.”

Kim Willcock, Regional Sales Director for Bloor Homes Southern, said: “We are always keen to support the local

Pictured from left: Loddon Vale practice manager Miles Dagnall, nurse practitioner Helen Williamson, PPG member Sylvia Caston, Bloor Homes sales advisor Natasha Seaborn-Davies, patient services manager Julie McVeigh and receptionist Anne Bye Picture: Charlie Davies Photography

communities close to our developments so we were only too happy to help the Loddon

Vale Patient Participation Group with their fundraising appeal.

Cleaver Property Management Susan and Martin Cleaver have welcomed a recent move to new offices strengthening the continuing relationship in Wokingham. We manage a number of properties in the town and we plan to grow this over the coming years.

Cleaver Property Management is an independent, specialist property managing and residential letting agent, operating for over 20 years. As a family run business, most of our clients have come to us by personal recommendation due to the outstanding personal service our local team of highly trained experts provide.

Offering numerous property management services for freehold and leasehold residential properties – we support; Residents Associations, Flat Management Companies, Developers, Landlords and Freeholders.

For more information and to book a personal appointment please contact us Telephone: 0844 499 3411 or Email: info@cleaverproperty.co.uk

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“We hope the new blood pressure machine will prove to be a major benefit to patients,

some of whom I am sure will be residents at our Bakers Place development.”

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22 | EDUCATION

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Press pack

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, August 5, 2016

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

St Peter’s ends year with a special school procession

Above: Taran and Danvir try their hand at drumming Right: Nepalese dancer Shanti Pun shows children one of her dances Class 7W from The Forest School perform a scene from Richard III as part of its theatre week

On the bill, Shakespeare

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk A WEEK of theatre has taken place at a school in Winnersh.

Shortly before the end of term, boys from The Forest School, in Robinhood Lane, performed 23 different plays out on the school field.

Heading up the bill were seven Year 7 classes who each performed a

Shakespeare play between two large oak trees on Thursday July 14 and Friday 15.

The audience, made up of parents, pupils and staff, were treated to some of the Bard’s most famous plays including Othello and Richard III. On Monday, July 18, it was Year 8’s turn to perform in eight different physical theatre plays, each based on a Grimm Fairy Tale.

From well-known tales such as Hansel and Gretel, to the more obscure The Mouse, The Bird and The Sausage, the pupils delighted their audiences with their adaptations.

Finally, Year 9 completed the week of drama by performing a set of completely new plays based on the theme of fear.

A spokesperson for the school said: “The Drama department was delighted

to be assisted by Louise Johns, who is about to embark on her Theatre Performance degree in Leeds, and Martin Jakeman, a Forest Old Boy, who is now is his final year of Drama at Winchester.

“All the boys really rose to the challenge and performed incredibly well, and the Drama department hope to further these achievements next year.”

Schools celebrate launch of new Academy with balloon release

Newtown Primary School children and staff celebrate with the school’s executive head, Angharad Brackstone (centre)

Pupils from St John’s CofE Primary School and Newtown Primary School came together to launch balloons to celebrate the launch of the new academy Pictures: Phil Creighton

TWO local schools that take pupils from Earley have joined forces to launch a new academy.

The Royal County of Berkshire Schools Trust comprises St John’s CE Primary School and New Town Primary School.

To celebrate the new status, pupils from both schools gathered together by the Kennet and Avon canal to launch balloons in the sky. More balloons, each one representing the number of years the schools have been open, were released simultaneously in the school playgrounds.

Afterwards, the pupils enjoyed squash and cake in their respective schools.

Spearheading the Academy trust is the schools’ executive headteacher, Angharad Brackstone.

A SCHOOL in Earley celebrated the end of the academic year in style last month.

Earley St Peter’s School, in Church Road, held their end of term South Asian Extravaganza on July 20 to herald the start of the summer holidays and bring the local community together through singing, dancing and lots of food.

The afternoon’s events kicked off with a procession, headed by a young dhol drummer, from the school’s playground out into Sol Joel Park next door where the festivities got into full swing. Activities included Bhangra and Nepalese dancing, henna painting, live music, sports and plenty of Asian cuisine.

Organiser and member of the Earley St Peter’s School Association (ESPA) Hanna Hussain said: “I wanted to celebrate and bring together all the Earley St. Peter’s families to enjoy the best of Asian culture at this event while raising funds for the school. It’s also a wonderful way of saying goodbye to our Year 6 pupils and wishing them the best for the future.”

“It was a very successful and action-packed event and I’ve already received lots of positive feedback. It was great to see everyone having fun and coming together to enjoy the different South Asian food, music, sports and dances.”

Alice (left) and Beatrice enjoy posing at the photo board

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Friday, August 5, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, August 21, 2015 TheWokinghamPaPer

WokinghamRemembers

HERITAGE || 17 23 HERITAGE In association with In association with

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

Do you remember when Berkshire looked The past which has shaped our present... like a boot?

REVIEW

Once upon a time, this was what Berkshire looked like ... a bit like a boot. Picture: Berkshire, by H. W. Monckton, published

by Cambridge University Press, 1911. Map is credited to George Philip & Son, Ltd.

This week MikE ChuRChER reviews the Wokingham Remembers articles JOHN WAKEFIELD continues of the past four months and discusses his exploration ofwhich the Thames some of the factors contributed Valley’s heritage groups with to the making of Wokingham and its aenvironment. look at the activities of the

O C

VER theLocal past months the Berkshire History - a major impact they had on the town and we have already made a start with the Wokingham Remembers page has groupbeen setproviding up just two years after road system by mapping out the course of an early picture the old Forest Road. of how a small market town and a the Royal County’s borders While the building of the M4 had a few villages on the edge of a forest is today major influence on the introduction of the ranked as one of the country’s leading changed shape

high tech businesses which now surround communities. it is the A329M which Education, industry, AST yourreligion, mind back to 1974transport, - the averageWokingham, house in 1975 social price structures, national politics was £10,990, a gallon of and petrol cost 42p andcut off the Forest Road and its local government areresigned all important Richard Nixon over Watergate. natural connections between Emmbrook and the villages of Hurst and Binfield. The pieces inCoal building thewent greaton Wokingham miners strike over wages, love and hate relationship with our rail jigsaw. Here now is a three-day summary week, of our Lord Lucan helping to lead to the and roads continue to this day! contributions to date and abranch few ideas on went missing and the first of McDonald’s the next of articles. opened inround Woolwich.

Wokingham’s military On December Education, 27, as the year ended, Ned Maddrell Education, heritage passed away. He was the last native speaker of the As 2015 is the bi-centenary of the Education Manx language and a little part of our history died Wokingham Railway Station viewed from Wellington Road looking towards St Pauls Church.

Battle of Waterloo, there have been a Today’s Wokingham is renowned as with him. number of articles commemorating this one of the country’s centres of excellence The story was told in June, and also historians, Sarah Huxford, also took its replacement: local government.

There was also a massive change to the Royal world changing event. for education; this is partly due to strong commemorated the 800th anniversary us on a journey to the old battlefields County too.

Wokingham’s wild side The area has always been noted for school and the motivated of the Magna Carta, signed at nearby in search of their graves. This story Until performance around the ninth century right up until 1974, Before we believe too much in the idea its contribution to the nation’s military parents who livemore in onelike of athe most Runnymede in 1215. reflects only a microcosm of the losses Berkshire looked boot than the blob it is that Wokingham’s development was a capability, with Arborfield’s REME, highly educated communities in the UK. around the county of Berkshire, but today. Border changes introduced this year redefined solidly sedate experience, May’s article Shining a light on RFA and Remount connections and the affirms the importance of the wars in the If we looktointo the history of what it was be born in Berkshire and paved the told the story of the rioting in the town Wokingham’s ‘Dark Ages’ Sandhurst and Wellington Colleges all Wokingham’s schools we can see way, 15 years later, for the introduction of the six centre during the time of the 1857 General development of our local character.

To bring us up to date the August situated very nearby. how education is woven into its DNA. unitary authorities of Bracknell Forest, Reading, Election.

Wokingham and articles are focused on the kids who are Even the Duke of Wellington took to Prior to the Great War, Wokingham Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead, West Berkshire Such events were a common sight in now entering into their summer holidays. the Royal Forest living in Stratfield Saye, which today is wasWokingham. surrounded by manor houses and and the town and this short and bloody battle Looking at today’s community, it is What better way to use this month’s only 30 minutes away from Wokingham’s members of the landed gentry who It meant that areas now firmly part of South between the Whigs and the Tories also difficult to visualise just how rural the editions than to tell the stories of the town centre. wanted to be close to the levers of power; Oxfordshire were lost to us. They included Abingdon, highlighted the Bush and Rose hotels in area once was and in part explains the Romans, the Celts and the Saxons i.e. the royal Windsor.

Wokingham’s Wantage and households Wallingford.ofModern day historians say Market Place as the headquarters of these sometimes fragile relationship between influence on the area places. before Wokingham In turn these upper echelons transport.

Other options include Searching Reading Society.

Its meeting dates, complete with Membership also includes another bit of reading: that Berkshire’s leg was pulled when they redrew the two feral groups. benefactor culture the old and new Wokingham; few was even a twinkle in oldincluding Wocca’s eye? possessed a serious sense of duty for Wokingham brings up 58 results John talk to titles are all featured on the Berkshire Local Berkshire Old And News, its journal, which includes map.

The story was also able reflect The area around Wokingham was areas in the UK have witnessed such Nash FordBowling providedClub a set1928of and responsibility to ensure theirfind that bits of Harris’ HistoryDavid of Wokingham History Association’s website. articles on local history, notes on sources, upon thebooks national scene and the corrupt Goaback even further and you’ll surrounded by many remarkable change 2000, in theThe Inns articles puzzles which makes community were received atpart leastofaWiltshire basic and and Public Houses of Wokingham by Reports the groupextraordinary meetings cangrowth often beand found published and other miscellany. nature of general elections beforeof the Wokingham once – but individuals that’s and they were instrumental in profile of its population. history fun forHunter the young and no doubt education.

Wokingham also had a Dennis Ayres and Judith and Stewart Glen’s in the Association’s magazine, which is available to Members can also see what introduction of the private ballot. a story for another day. building the much needed infrastructure Wokingham’s historyThe Story ofwill also catch the interest of thetoparents A Wokingham House: A Guide 39, powerful a strong that helped readAlthough on its website. researches are being carried Future articles will include further It is thisprofessional changing ofclass, the boundaries which underpinned the establishment of has always been intertwined withRose Street,who will be looking over their child’s Wokingham. out by other members, enabling church community (including the nontales of anarchy and revelry in this old lead to the formation of the Berkshire Local History a strong community. the surrounding villages by providing shoulder. co-ordination of efforts to help conformists)inand together they shared market town.

Association 1976.

Researches We will later be telling the story of the a market place for agricultural and Here’s to the next round of articles! save work. a strong the importance of in local Its corebelief aim isinto encourage interest The group wishes to it was also a Ask Walter family and their contributions to commercial produce, Forestquestions Thanks go out to our contributors: Steve Wokingham at War of membership include teaching. history in the county, before and after the 1974the building ofPerks encourage research and offers hosts itsDavid own bulletin board Wokingham but in April Town. The term ‘forest’ did not meanThe a Association Bacon, Jim Bell, Nash Ford, Sarah There are watershed moments in being able to attend a day The result was with the skills, the boundary changes. to assist authors aimed people getLong, answers to their queries first weekly issue, we told the story of the cluster of trees, but a with system of laws laidat helping Huxford, Roger Trevor Ottlewski history which mark the moment of great grants school in the autumn. motivation andlinks the finance available, of Reading’s With strong to the University works, while to local history. much loved Arthur Hill, the 6th Marquess down bytheir royalty for the protectionrelating of change in a society and the Great War of publishing and Peter Shilham for all their continuing Group members will also be there developed a culture education History department and itsofMuseum of EnglishofRural prizes be received by There arecontributions. four sub-forums: general queries, places Downshire. theircan hunting grounds.

1914-1918 is one such time. taking part in Heritage Open which still as holds to this day. Society and Life as well thestrong Berkshire Record University their in Berkshire, Buildings in Berkshire andby People Although one of Britain’s wealthiest Thesestudents onerousfor rules restricted local Therefore a number of centenaries All this work is provided our in Days over the weekend of Berkshire Record Office, it has plenty of information academic Berkshire.

Although not bustling activity, Wokingham transport landowners, Arthur Hill doubled as the people endeavours. from using large parts of the land between 2014 and 2018 will local historians free ofwith charge and this 8-11. about days gone by to help any researcher. chief of theSeptember To people researching, is a useful resource for anyone to get some Transport is probably the single local Fire Brigade and was a forhelp sustenance and in part led to the commemorate the great losses of war can be found on thelooking front page of the a bibliography help but doesn’t know where to start.website most important factor in Wokingham’s risemaintains of local highwaymen and general major financial contributor to this part of which scarred the people of Wokingham it also Wokingham Remembers Membership of publications publicthe subsequent Societies development, in both its rail and lawlessness.held As ainresult, for the rest of the 20th century. www.wokinghamremembers.com Wokingham’s public services.

The group offers three types ofroad membership: libraries across the county, to itscame history.

Local arethe affiliated to it including n For on the society, contact Margaret Blackrelating Act of 1723 down heavily onmore details systems. family and corporate. All members receive May’s edition followed the story Thanks also to Mark Ashwell at Later articles willgroups illustrate individual, Another book list can be searched by topics, Wargrave’s Local History Society, the Berkshire Simons membership@blha.org.uk or log on these ‘Wokingham Blacks’ and resulted inby emailing: of two brothers from Langborough TradeMark for supporting the paper’s Future articles will look at the demise of these great manors and their a tri-annual newsletter, giving details of lectures, including occupations, trades and the in History of to www.blha.org.uk either their transportation or execution.

Wokingham town.

One ofarcheology, our commitment to this project. social systemArcheology and the riseGroup of andRoad introduction ofreviews the railways and the meetings, book and news of members.incumbentIndependent

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24 | HEALTH

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, August 5, 2016

Good health

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

HEALTH MATTERS with Nicola Strudley

Transplant recipient Helen has a very athletic outlook on life Helen Wilson, who had a double liver transplant, took part in a special transplant games last weekend, winning a gold medal for her efforts

How would you like your information?

O

NE of the top comments we hear when out and about is how difficult it can be to access information, particularly at a time of crisis such as a health scare.

People with a disability or sensory loss have rights in relation to the information provided by services. As from Monday this week some organisations must follow the Accessible Information Standard by law.

NHS England have created the Accessible Information Standard which the NHS and adult social care services are legally obliged to meet. They must: n Ask people if they have any information or communication needs, and find out how to meet their needs; n Record those needs in a set way; n Highlight a person’s file, so it is clear that they have information or communication needs, and clearly explain how those needs should be met; n Share information about a person’s needs with other NHS and adult social care providers, when they have consent or permission to do so ; n Make sure that people get information in an accessible way and communication support if they need it; n Accessible information is about empowering people. People need information to make decisions about their health and care services. If an individual does not get information in a way that they can process, they are unlikely to be involved in the services they are accessing. n Accessible information reduces health inequalities.

The nature and complexity of most medical information makes accessibility an issue for everyone. However there are some groups that are particularly disadvantaged by the lack of accessible information and good communication. Removing these barriers by providing accessible information, tailored to specific needs, is a key enabler for people to access health services.

If patients, service users and carers find that NHS provider organisations are not complying with the Standard by failing to meet their accessible information and/or communication support needs, they should follow the NHS Complaints Procedure.

If the issue concerns a provider of adult social care services, Wokingham Borough Council are responsible for arrangements for dealing with complaints, so people should contact the local authority for a copy of its complaints procedure. Under the statutory complaints system, you should complain to your local authority in writing or verbally to the complaints manager within 12 months.

Wokingham Borough Council should acknowledge it has received your complaint within three working days. It will inform you of how long your complaint is likely to take to investigate. The local authority must respond fully within six months, unless a different time period has been discussed and agreed with you.

If you don’t ask, you don’t get! If you have a particular communication preference don’t be frightened to ask for information in a format of your choice.

How to contact us : Facebook @healthwatchwokingham Twitter @HWWokingham Phone 0118 418 1 418 Website www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk E-Mail enquiries@healthwatchwokingham.co.uk Walk in via Citizens Advice at 2 Waterford House, Erfstadt Court, Denmark St, Wokingham RG40 2YF. Nicola Strudley is manager for Healthwatch Wokingham Borough. Opinions are her own

Think an organ donor recipient has to take things easy? Think again.

Helen Wilson who has had her kidneys and livers replaced has just won gold in the Transplant Games

H

ELEN Wilson knows only too well the huge benefits of organ donation, as she has been the recipient of two lifesaving organ transplants.

The 54-year-old from Wokingham, has had both a kidney transplant, which was donated by her brother in 2007, and a liver transplant in December 2013 following diagnoses of both polycystic kidney and liver disease.

She was previously fit and well before she first fell ill with polycystic kidney disease, which led to her having both her kidney’s removed and undergoing dialysis treatment for five hours, three times per week.

Helen said: “I became very ill very quickly with the disease and it was a scary and surreal experience.

Once I had both kidneys removed the dialysis treatment was incredibly draining and my body wasn’t responding as well as the doctors would have liked.

“Then my brother rang me up and asked me what he needed to do to become a donor. After six months of tests for both of us he was a good match and I underwent the transplant on February 7, 2007.

“I felt better overnight – the difference the transplant made was amazing and it felt wonderful to get my life back. It was the most generous thing my Brother could ever do and I will always be truly thankful.”

After her kidney transplant Helen’s life went back to normal and she resumed her job as Head of HR at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Sadly for Helen in 2013 she discovered she had polycystic liver disease. Her liver became enlarged

and her body quickly became full of fluid.

Helen continued: “I knew that there was a high chance of me getting the condition because of what happened with my kidneys.

“Because my liver wasn’t functioning properly my body was literally filling with fluid – to the point where when my cat scratched me I began leaking fluid. I could hardly move from the sofa it was so debilitating.

“I had been placed on the organ donor list to undergo a liver transplant however I was actually taken off as I was deemed too unwell to be on the list.

“In October 2013, I was taken into the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading and we found out that one of the cysts on my liver had burst. I was transferred to Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the doctors there drained two litres of fluid from the cyst and I was immediately put back on the transplant list.

“Due to the nature of my condition I needed a high quality organ and I finally got the call in December 2013 to tell me that I was going to receive my much needed transplant.

“The liver transplant went well and despite some initial complications, I have made a wonderful and full recovery. Yet again it was brilliant to get my life back and just doing everyday tasks like the housework and the food shopping became a joy!

“During my time at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust I was introduced to the Westfield Health British Transplant Games. The staff and previous participants at the Hospital told me about the event and encouraged me to attend the 2014 Games, which were taking place in Bolton.

“I went along as a spectator to the opening ceremony and I was very emotional and began crying when I saw the donor families and listened to them talking about how proud they were to be attending the Games. I instantly knew that I had to take part and compete in the Games in 2015.

“In January 2015, I joined a local gym in Bracknell

and in May 2015 I started training with one of the coaches, Ken Spencer, at Bracknell Athletics Club to improve my overall fitness and try and get some technique under my belt.

“I competed in the 100m, 200m and the archery at The Westfield Health British Transplant Games in Newcastle last year and secured a bronze medal in the archery and personal best times in the other two events. I was over the moon!

“Taking part in the Games was an absolutely fantastic experience for me and I am delighted to be competing in the Games this year which took place in Liverpool at the end of July.”

Speaking ahead of the event, she said: “I have added the long jump and javelin to my events list this year and my husband, brother and sister in law and two of my cousins will be coming up to Liverpool for the weekend to cheer me on.

“Now that I have the experience of last year’s event I have already began training for this year’s Games and hope I can beat my 100m and 200m times.

“Personally I feel that the Westfield Health British Transplant Games are all about showcasing the benefits of organ donation and celebrating life as well as ensuring that as many people as possible not only join the organ donation register, but also express their organ donation wishes with their loves ones.

“I feel incredibly lucky to have received two organ transplants and I will never forget what my brother did for me or what my donor’s family went through to enable me to receive the lifesaving organ.

“I have written letters to my donor’s family and they have shown amazing generosity by replying and engaging in dialogue with me. Luckily for me, they observed the wishes of their loved one at the saddest of times which truly enabled me to have the gift of life and I, my family and friends will always be grateful.”

LEISURE | 25

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Friday, August 5, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Leisure

Your guide to what’s happening around Wokingham

Bracknell rocks

Animal Corner

The heart of arts in Bracknell is well and truly beating, writes CAROLINE COOK – and it’s all thanks to the brilliant Bracknell Festival

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

with Gemma Davidson

Wokingham OUTH Hill Park is well known as the

S

music

cultural heart of Bracknell and last Saturday it showed that heart is well and truly beating with the fantastic Bracknell Festival.

With sun shining, hundreds of camping chairs covering the lawn, and a truly diverse musical line-up on offer, South Hill Park brought its community together for a day of summer fun.

"Bracknell, Bracknell, Bracknell, so good they named it thrice. Where have you been all our lives?" shouted The Hoosiers frontman, Irwin Sparkes during the band's roaring homecoming set.

The four piece played their big hits, including Worried About Ray, along with some newer material and a couple of very well chosen covers including Womack & Womack’s Teardrops.

There was a lot of love for the band, especially when they brought their original keyboard player, Bracknell-based Craig Allen on stage. Playful, entertaining and sounding great, The Hoosiers were clearly happy to be home.

And what a way to welcome them back with a festival like this. Families, couples, groups of friends, and both young and old were well represented, with the audience as diverse as the line-up. And the atmosphere throughout the day was relaxed and friendly, with a real sense that this is how a community event should be done.

With music across two stages, the main stage and The Secret Garden stage, a good selection of food stalls, a bar, inflatable slides, a silent disco, face painting, and a children's tent, all bases were covered.

The Secret Garden stage was a small

Wokingham

club

music

NIBBLES

club

Oh dear. Nibbles was brought to DBARC because he had started fighting with his brother, and it was thought best to separate them.

Rabbits tend to get on well with other rabbits of the opposite gender, so Nibbles would do really well in a home with a neutered female to keep him company.

He is three-years-old but still has plenty of life left in him, and will make a wonderful addition to his new home.

Wokingham

A day to celebrate the music! Bracknell Festival made a triumphant return to South Hill Park on Saturday, offering something for all ages Picture: Alex Harvey-Brown

clearing at the top of the Italian Gardens which played host to smaller acts like Abi Powell, Marcus Hughes and Days Are Done, and served as a pleasant place to relax away from the main event.

Over on the Main Stage, funky, pop band Retrostate opened the afternoon, followed by 80s hitmaker Owen Paul, who looked like he was having a blast, Australian country singer Caddy Cooper, Sally Barker from The Voice, and the R'n'Beatles, who were the first to really get the crowd up on their feet.

When Space arrived on stage the crowd were really up for a good night, eager to hear The Hoosiers, and of course, the band many had booked to see, headliners The Shires.

The Shires, Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes, lived up to their reputation as UK's

top country act with a sensational set.

Tracks from their first album Brave, like Nashville Grey Skies and Friday Night, saw plenty of singing from the sizeable crowd who left their picnic blankets to dance in front of the stage.

With a taste of their new album My Universe, and some heartfelt crowd interaction, The Shires closed Bracknell Festival in style.

South Hill Park is no stranger to music festivals, having held over 100 over the last 40 years, including a previous incarnation of Bracknell Festival, in the late 1990s. But this new, 2016 Bracknell Festival, feels like the arts centre has really hit upon a winning formula, and hopefully it will mean Bracknell continues to see many more fantastic events like this in years to come.

For more on the festival, see The Acoustic Couch on page 27

Get down to the Beach Boys IF YOU wish life was a beach but you’re confined to Wokingham borough this August, there’s a chance to experience the Beach Boys this Thursday.

The Wokingham Film Society is bringing its latest screening to its new home of The Whitty Theatre.

Based at Luckley House School, the theatre includes a purpose built projector, making it ideal for big screen showings.

Next week, it will look at the life and times of 60s pop stars The Beach Boys in the biopic Life and Mercy.

Telling the story of the group’s producer Brian Wilson, it focuses on his 60s heyday and his 80s nadir.

Wilson is played by two actors: in the 60s, Paul Dano takes the role, while in the 1980s it’s John Cusack who explores how Wilson overcame his therapist, played by Paul Giamatti.

Wokingham Film Society

HARRY AND PENFOLD

destructive in the home at all.

He has lived with children in his previous life, but being a terrier type dog we would prefer him not to go to a home with children under 10 years. Buddy really is a lovely dog and we hope he finds a loving home very soon.

Paul Dano plays a 1960s-era Brian Wilson, subject of the biopic Life and Mercy

These cute little chaps are looking for a new home together. They are both male guinea pigs, and are both one-year-old.

Ideally they would go to a family who are experienced with guinea pigs, but they would also make an ideal first-time pet to any family.

Guinea pigs do require a lot of maintenance so please consider this before offering Harry and Penfold a home.

BUDDY Seven-year-old Buddy found his way to DBARC after his owner was sadly made homeless. He is a sweet and friendly boy, who loves other dogs but isn’t so keen on cats. He is fully housetrained, and isn’t

for members - the society only accepts cash payments. n For more visit www. wokinghamfilmsociety.com or search on Twitter or Facebook.

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

music

THE HOME OF GREAT LIVE MUSIC IN WOKINGHAM

WWW.WOKINGHAMMUSICCLUB.CO.UK

THE CLUBHOUSE, EMMBROOK

club

The Acoustic Strawbs

SEP

Richard Digance

OCT

16

21

TICKETS

TICKETS

IN ADVANCE

IN ADVANCE

£14

£14

The Style Councillors

NOV

DEC

TICKETS

TICKETS

IN ADVANCE

IN ADVANCE

18

in our bright foyer and leafy patio.

“Don’t forget your surf board!”

The screening takes place from 7pm next Thursday at the Whitty Theatre. Tickets cost £6.50 or £4

club

Wokingham

The Faces Experience

secretary Rob Atkins said: “Immerse yourself in the 60s California scene and enjoy a Coke or, for the sophisticates, an iced Pimms or chilled Sauvignon Blanc,

music

£10

16

£15

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW FROM WWW.WOKINGHAMMUSICCLUB.CO.UK

26 | LEISURE

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

What’s on Saturday, August 6 BINFIELD – Block B, 2 Bracknell Boulevard, Cain Road RG12 1LF. Monochrome exhibition.

10am-3pm. Free entry.

Details: 0800 028 7338.

BRACKNELL – Bracknell Ski Slope, John Nike Way RG12 8TN. Family fun games day. Snowboard Buckaroo ,Wet and Wild Sno-Tubing, Sharpe Shooter, Human Skittles, Basketball, Sno-Tubing Walk like a Plank. £12.95. 10am-1pm or 3pm-6pm. Ages 4 upwards. Details: 01344 789002.

EARLEY – Between Beech Lane and Maiden Erlegh Nature Reserve. Earley Green Fair.

10am-3pm. All welcome.

FLEET – The Harlington, 236 Fleet Road GU51 4BY. Fleet 10th anniversary beer festival with hog roast and live music. Adults only.

11am-3pm or 5.30pm-9pm. £9. Details: www.fleetlions. org.uk/beerfest MAIDEN ERLEGH – Library, off Silverdale Road RG6 7HS. Children’s Writing Group for ages 9-12.

10.15am-11am. Booking essential.. Details: 0118 966 6630.

READING – RISC Roof Garden, London Street RG1 4PS. RISC Roof Garden open event.

Noon-4pm. £3.50. Details: www.risc.org.uk/gardens SULHAMPSTEAD – Thames Valley Police training centre. Thames Valley Police open day. 10am-4pm.

TWYFORD – Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road, Twyford, Reading RG10 9JA. Salsa Party night.

8pm-1am. £10. Details: www.incognitodance.com.

WOKINGHAM – Market Place. Sunny Saturdays presents: Babarettes.

11am-1pm. Details: www. wokingham-tc.gov.uk WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Teen Writing Workshop: Plot Pitfall Prevention.

For ages 11-18. £4.

10.30am-3.30pm. Booking essential. Dad and Baby rhymetime for up to 18 months. 10am-10.30am.

Code Club for ages 9-11.

Booking essential. 10.15am11.30am. Details: 0118 978 1368.

Sunday, August 7 BINFIELD – Block B, 2 Bracknell Boulevard, Cain Road RG12 1LF. Monochrome exhibition.

10am-3pm. Free entry.

Details: 0800 028 7338.

HURST – Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street RG10 0TH. Teddy Bears Picnic with teddy

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

The best guide for local, community events across Wokingham borough tail. £3. 11am-1pm. Bring a picnic. Details: 0118 974 6343.

WOKINGHAM – Howard Palmer Gardens, off Sturges Road. Enchanted Players Theatre Company Twelfth Night. 2pm. Bring something to sit on. Details: 0118 974 0889.

Monday, August 8 BINFIELD – Block B, 2 Bracknell Boulevard, Cain Road RG12 1LF. Monochrome exhibition.

10am-3pm. Free entry.

Details: 0800 028 7338.

BRACKNELL – Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Rotary Club of Easthampstead meeting: Phil Creighton, publisher, The Wokingham Paper.

7.30pm. Details: 01344 862440.

LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. George’s Marvellous Medicine with Explore Leanring. For ages 8-10. 9.30am-10.30am.

Fantastic Mr Fox with Explore Learning. For ages 6-7. 10.45am-11.45am.

Free. Details: 0118 931 2150.

LOWER EARLEY – Loddon Valley Leisure Centre GR6 4GD. Finding Dory swimming session.

Booking essential. 3pm-

4pm. Details: 0118 931 2066.

MAIDEN ERLEGH – Library, off Silverdale Road RG6 7HS. Colouring For Adults.

2.15pm-3pm. Details: 0118 966 6630.

SONNING – Sonning Golf Club, Duffield Road RG4 6GJ. Rotary Club of Loddon Vale business meeting. 12.15pm2pm. Details: www.rotaryribi.org WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. SHSG support group: for families and carers of people who self-harm or have suicidal thoughts. 7.30pm-9.30pm.

Details: search for SHSG Wokingham on Facebook or email SHSG2016@gmail. com WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. The Big Friendly Read Activity Sessions: summer reading challenge. 2.15pm3.30pm. Knit, Stitch and Natter. 2pm-3pm. Book group for adults. Booking essential. 2.30pm-3.30pm.

Details: 0118 978 1368.

Tuesday, August 9 BINFIELD – Block B, 2 Bracknell Boulevard, Cain Road RG12 1LF. Monochrome exhibition.

10am-3pm. Free entry.

Details: 0800 028 7338.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre RG40 4ES. Circus Workshop for ages 4-12. Booking essential. £3.

10.30am-11.30am. Details: 0118 908 8176.

LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. The Big Friendly Read Activity Sessions: summer reading challenge. 2.15pm-3.30pm.

Knit and Natter. 4pm-5pm.

Details: 0118 931 2150.

MAIDEN ERLEGH – Library, off Silverdale Road RG6 7HS. Children’s writing course with Ali Sparkes. For ages 9-12. Booking essential.

3.15pm-4pm. Details: 0118 966 6630.

TWYFORD – Library, Polehampton Close RG10 9RP. The Enormous Crocodile craft session for ages eight and under.

10.45am-11.30am. £1.50.

Booking essential. Details: 0118 934 0800.

WINNERSH – Library, The Forest School, Robin Hood Lane RG41 5ND. Circus Workshop for ages 4-12.

Booking essential. £3.

1pm-2pm. Details: 0118 979 7519.

WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. WI Stitch and Chatter.

2pm-3.30pm. UK Online: Help and support with computers and the internet for beginners. 2pm-4pm.

Details: 0118 978 1368.

What’s on event submission form Holding a community event? Running a fun day? Organising a concert? Planning a friendship group? Get it listed in our what’s on guide by sending information to us. Use this form or email events@wokinghampaper.co.uk. Please note this service is for community

Name Address

groups, charities and not-for-profit activities. We cannot guarantee inclusion.

Date of event: Venue of event:

Postcode

What will happen:

Email

Time of event:

Send your forms to: What’s On, The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS

Contact number for readers:

At the theatre

Basingstoke – The Anvil

www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 CLOSED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 24.

Basingstoke – The Haymarket www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 CLOSED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 11.

Bracknell – South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk (01344) 484123 Oz Revisited performances. Fri-Sat. Bracknell Jazz: Martin Speake.

Fri. Creative Control Band Night.

Sun. Therese Raquin. Wed-Sat 13. The Great Gatsby. Fri 12-Sun 14. Creative Control Band Night.

Sun 14.

FILMS: Love & Friendship. Fri-Sun.

The Nice Guys. Fri-Sun. Three and a Half Minutes, Ten Bullets.

Tues. Breaking The Bank. Wed. Me Before You. Thurs-Fri. Money Monster. Fri 12-Sun 14.

Camberley – Theatre

Henley – Kenton Theatre www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 575698 Closed until September 1.

Next show: The Three Musketeers.

Sept 1-17.

www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Frimley Lodge Live 2016. Sat-Sun.

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan

Didcot – Cornerstone

www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Doctor Dolittle. Fri-Sun.

www.cornerstone-arts.org 01235 515144 Steam. Sat. High School Musical. Sat 13-Sun 14.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Main stage closed until Sept 16.

Maidenhead – Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997

Newbury – The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218

The Last Post. Fri. Mini Youth Deama Taster. Fri. Storytime. Fri. Newbury Music Competition.

Sat. FILM: The BFG (PG). Until Thurs.

Newbury – The Watermill www.watermill.org.uk.

01635 46044 Crazy For You. Until Sat Sept 17.

Reading – South Street www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Closed until October 21.

Reading – The Hexagon www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Next show: Reading Rep Theatre presents Ben Hur. Sept 1-3.

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, August 5, 2016

WOKINGHAM – Carnival Pool and Fitness Centre, Wellington Road RG40 2AF. Finding Dory swimming session. Booking essential.

11am-noon. Details: 0118 977 0007.

WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Crafts and Laughs. 2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 969 0304.

Wednesday, August 10 BINFIELD – Block B, 2 Bracknell Boulevard, Cain Road RG12 1LF. Monochrome exhibition.

10am-3pm. Free entry.

Details: 0800 028 7338.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre RG40 4ES. Get Creative: crafts for under 12s. 11am11.45am. £1. Details: 0118 908 8176.

HURST – Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street RG10 0TH. Twilight Club: open evening, boat hire and bring your own food to barbecue. £12. 6pm-8pm.

Open Water Swimming.

250m triangular course. £3.

6pm-8pm. Details: 0118 974 6343.

WARGRAVE – Library, Woodclyffe Hostel, Church Street RG10 8EP. Coffee morning. 10am-noon.

Details: 0118 940 4656.

WINNERSH – Library, The Forest School, Robin Hood Lane RG41 5ND. Dahl Get Arty: arts and crafts inspired

by Roald Dahl’s characters.

Create a Mr Fox mask or a Mr Twit beard. For ages five upwards. 10am-11am. Drop in. Details: 0118 979 7519.

WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. The Big Friendly Read Activity Sessions: summer reading challenge. 10.45amnoon. Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. The Big Friendly Read Activity Sessions: summer reading challenge. 2.15pm-3.30pm.

Details: 0118 969 0304.

Thursday, August 11 LOWER EARLEY – Library,

Reading – Progress Theatre www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 Next season’s shows TBC.

Shinfield – Shinfield Players www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 Next show: The King and I. Oct 7-9, 14-16

Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Agatha Christie’s The Hollow. Until Sept 3.

Windsor – Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888

Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. The Big Friendly Read Activity Sessions: summer reading challenge. 10.45am-noon.

Details: 0118 931 2150.

MAIDEN ERLEGH – Library, off Silverdale Road RG6 7HS. Dahl Get Arty: arts and crafts inspired by Roald Dahl’s characters. Create a Mr Fox mask or a Mr Twit beard. For ages five upwards. 2.30pm-3.30pm.

Drop in. Details: 0118 966 6630.

SPENCERS WOOD – Library, Basingstoke Road RG7 1AJ. The Enormous Crocodile craft session for ages eight and under. 10.15am-11am. £1.50. Details: 0118 988 4771.

WINNERSH – Library, The Forest School, Robin Hood Lane RG41 5ND. Winnersh Book Group.

7pm-8pm. Details: 0118 979 7519.

WOKINGHAM – Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents: Love and Mercy (12) . £6.50. 7.30pm. Details: wokinghamfilmsociety.com WOKINGHAM - Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Beading Group. 10.30am12.30pm. Heritage Walk around the town centre. For ages 8 upwards. Booking essential. 10.30am11.45am. Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOODLEY – Bulmershe Leisure Centre, Woodlands Avenue RG5 3EU. Finding Dory swimming session.

Booking essential. Noon1pm. Details: 0118 926 8733.

Friday, August 12 CROWTHORNE – Morgan Recreation Ground, Lower Broadmoor Road RG45 7LA. Summer in the Rec: family friendly activities including crafts, visits from groups such as London Irish, live animals etc. Organised

by Churches Together in Crowthorne. Free. 3pm5pm.

West Side Story. Until Sun. The Hollywood Special Effects Show. Mon-Wed. Aliens Love Underpants. Thur-Sat.

Woking – New Victoria www.ambassadortickets.com 0844 871 7645 The Illegal Eagles. Fri. The Chicago Blues Brothers. Thurs. Peppa Pig’s Surprise. Sat 13-Sun 14.

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 Shout! The Mod Musical. Aug 12-13.

Woodley – Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org 07939 210121 NEXT SHOW: Be My Baby. Sept 27-Oct 1.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre RG40 4ES. The Enormous Crocodile craft session for ages eight and under. 11am-11.45am. £1.50. Details: 0118 908 8176.

HURST – Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street RG10 0TH. Sunset paddles: guided paddle of the lake.

Ages 4 upwards with an adult. Booking essential. £15, children £10. Details: 0118 974 6343.

LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Pass The Book Club. 10.30am11.30am. Manga workshop for ages 8-16. 10am11.30am. £3. Details: 0118 931 2150.

SWALLOWFIELD – The Mill House, Basingstoke Road RG7 1PY. Ladies Lunch Club: for ladies that like to lunch.

Noon. Booking essential.

Details: 0118 988 3124.

WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Read with Pets as Therapy dog Kali, and handler Sheila Cooper. For ages 6-10.

11am-noon. Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. The Big Friendly Read Activity Sessions: summer reading challenge.10.45am-noon.

Crime and Thriller book club. Noon-1pm. Details: 0118 969 0304.

Saturday, August 13 LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Dad and Baby Rhymetime. 10.30am11am. Details: 0118 931 2150.

MAIDEN ERLEGH – Library, off Silverdale Road RG6 7HS. Maiden Erlegh crime book group. 10.30am11.30am. Details: 0118 966 6630.

WOKINGHAM – Market Place.

Sunny Saturdays presents: Pauly Zarb. 11am-1pm.

Details: www.wokingham-tc. gov.uk WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Poetry Writing Group for adults. 10am11.30am. Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. French Conversation Club for those with basic French knowledge. 2pm3pm. Details: 0118 969 0304.

Sunday, August 14 EARLEY – Harris Gardens, University of Reading RG6 6UD. Open gardens in aid of RNLI. 2pm-5pm. £3, under 12s free. Details: 0118 935 8221.

GRAZELEY – Village Hall.

Car Boot Sale. Sellers 7.30am. Details: 0118 983 3132.

WOODLEY – Shopping Precinct, Crockhamwell Road. Car boot sale.

8am-1pm. Details: 0118 921 6920 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk.

LEISURE | 27

To advertise call 0118 328 2959

Friday, August 5, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

FOOD REVIEW

All’s fine with Loch Fyne’s summer specials There’s certainly nothing fishy about this restaurant, just off the London Road in Wokingham, writes HARRY PAMELY

W

ALKING in to Loch Fyne, the first noticeable quality to see is that there is definitely a nautical theme going on.

You could almost imagine that you are on a ship with a penchant for eating anything that swims alongside it.

As a result, it is a visually impressive place.

On entering you are greeted by friendly staff who then escort you to your table.

As they do, you will walk past an impressive dislay of fish on ice, whetting your appetite for what is to come.

It’s a bit like being at a fishmonger’s, but it’s a restaurant where you can also buy some fish to cook at home should anything really catch your fancy … or you want to convince your wife that this one didn’t get away.

The drinks menu has been chosen to pair with the fish. As every Bond fan knows, you need white wine with fish and there’s a good selection available, along with other drinks including whiskeys and vodkas as well as soft drinks.

While this is a treat for any fish lover, what happens if your fellow diner is fish averse, as mine was?

Loch Fyne is aware that some people’s tastes lie outside the water, with a few non-fish options that will cater for all tastes. The menu includes duck, lamb, chicken and steak and there are some vegetarian options, although some will be disappointed with the choice.

There is a broad and varied choice of fish available for selection, with interesting twists on seafood that I had not considered before.

Alongside more traditional English fish and chips, there were Asian-inspired dishes like Seafood ramen, and there was a special, limited edition menu featuring dishes from all over Europe.

As a result, you can try something new or have something that you know you will like.

I tried oysters on a whim, and found the taste to be rather nice, especially the one in tempura batter with chilli jam, which provided a pleasant kick of spiciness.

My guest had the chargrilled aubergine rolls, which were fresh and full of flavour. They came goat’s curd as opposed to cheese, so it made a welcome change.

The salt and pepper squid were fresh and not rubbery at all, with a delicious punchy flavour added by the seasoning.

Next, came the cod and chips, on the basis that it would be a good measure of Loch Fyne’s ability to do fish.

It was of a good size, and perfectly cooked, served alongside delicious twice-cooked chips.

My non-seafood eating companion had the steak, which was cooked to their specification and they were pleased with it.

To finish, we shared a tasting ashet, comprising small amounts of the desserts on the menu. While they all hit the spot, a particular hit with us both was the sticky date cake, which was deliciously rich, and served with a beautiful sauce, reminiscent of sticky toffee pudding.

Staff are friendly and have are knowledgeable about the menu, so if you are gluten-free or have an allergy, then you would be helped by asking them.

With car parking available, and the ability to catch the Lion bus which stops close by, accessing it is fairly easy.

And with lunchtime menu deals and a well stocked bar, Loch Fyne is good for all occasions, not just an evening out.

Salt and Pepper Squid

Enjoy supporting local producers You can’t have a festival without a shopping area.

JOHN WAKEFIELD looks at the stalls coming to the Wokingham Festival

Ascot Ales was one of the exhibitors at last year’s Wokingham Festival

A

S WOKINGHAM Festival gets bigger with every year that passes, it should come as no surprise that this year’s event features a new craft village.

Joining the food, music and beer areas will be a range of specially selected stalls meaning that visitors can shop till they drop, then drop and enjoy the music while refreshing themselves with a nice local ale and a tasty freshly-made dish.

It’s the perfect combination, especially for those visitors who arrive before noon on the Saturday and Sunday and enjoy free entry.

Wokingham Festival takes place in Elms Field in the town centre over the bank holiday weekend.

It aims to celebrate all that’s good about food and drink and bring summer to a close with its own music festival. Who needs to go to Reading?

The craft exhibition area is still being updated so this list may change between now and Friday, August 26.

If listening to the bands inspires you to seek out some new forms of music then Clutterbucks will be a must-visit stall.

It offers a range of vintage CDs and vinyl, allowing people to find music to suit their mood and to enjoy at home.

In keeping with the vintage vinyl, how

about visiting Everybody Wants 1, a stall that features film and music memorabilia?

It’s a multi-talented place too as visitors can also enjoy buying handmade gifts, scented container candles and more.

Lyn’s Handmade With Love stall also features handmade gifts: this time visitors can find items such as teddies, animals, dolls, aprons, pinboards and bags. There will be present ideas for all ages, and from a local craftsperson.

Helping raise funds for charity will be the Sue Ryder Wokigham Day Hospice stall.

The charity provides patients with day care, support and specialist therapies in the grounds of Wokingham Community Hospital, so buying something from its stall, or making a donation, will make a big difference to the charity’s work.

Fans of our feathered friends will be pleased to support the RSPB, the country’s

largest nature conservation charity.

Volunteers will be on hand to talk about how you can Give Nature a Home in your community. Visitors can become members and find out how to gain access to more than 200 wildlife reserves across the UK. And there will also be a display from Costco Wholesale Lrd, a membership warehouse with a branch in Green Park, offering brand name items at low warehouse prices.

Truly something for everyone. n Wokingham Festival takes place from Friday, August 26 to Sunday, August 28.

Throughout the weekend there will be live music on two stages, a beer festival organised

by Wokingham Lions and food and drink demonstrations from local experts. There will be activities for children and craft stalls too.

Entry is free on Saturday and Sunday before noon. Day tickets cost £5.50 in advance or £6.50 on the door, evening tickets are £6.50 in advance or £8.50 on the door and weekend tickets are £16.

For details: www.wokinghamfestival.co.uk

+ + LAST CHANCE + + LAST CHANCE ++

FESTIVAL WEEEKND TICKETS MUST BE WON! IT’S SOLD OUT BUT WE HAVE TICKETS! WIN A PAIR OF WEEKEND CAMPING TICKETS WORTH £426 THE Wokingham Paper has teamed up with Reading Festival to give one lucky reader the chance to experience the whole festival for free!

To be in with a chance of winning a pair of weekend camping tickets, with full access to the festival, just answer the following question correctly:

TERMS AND CONDITIONS The competition is open to residents of the UK aged 18 and over.

Staff of XN Media, their families and any associated companies are not allowed to enter.

Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of

When did the Red Hot Chili Peppers last headline Reading Festival?

2007, 2008 or 2009 To enter send your answer, name, address, telephone number and email address to contests@wokinghampaper. co.uk by 5pm on Friday, August 12.

these Terms and Conditions.

One entry per person. Multiple entries will not be counted.

The closing date for entries is 5pm on Friday, August 12 2016.

The winner will be notified by telephone on Monday, August 15, so please ensure a valid telephone number is provided.

The prize is for a pair of

Weekend Camping Tickets to Reading Festival 2016.

Winners must be able to make their own way to the festival site.

There is no alternative prize and no cash value.

The prize is non-exchangeable and non-transferable.

The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

28 | LEISURE

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Gig guide Friday, August 5 ASH VALE – The Old Ford, Lynchford Road GU12 5QA. Jukebox Junkies. Details: 01252 544840.

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Sam Smith and Olly Murs.

Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Bracknell Jazz: Martin Speake plus support.

Details: 01344 484123.

CAMBERLEY – The Four Horseshoes, Frimley Road GU15 3EQ. The J45s.

Details: 01276 63842.

EASTHAMPSTEAD – The Green Man, Crowthorne Road RG12 7DL. Murphy James. Details: 01344 423667.

READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. DJ Dubious. Details: 0118 958 6692 READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Sami Switch.

Details: 0118 959 5395.

READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Fish Fry. Details: 0118 959 4267.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Deep Fat. Details: 0118 959 7196.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Glyn & Elaine. Details: 0118 969 8000.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Pauly Zarb. Details: 0118 978 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights. Details:

0118 979 5790.

WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Frisky Fridays.

Details: 07415 354056.

YATELEY – Mumbai Kitcheb, Reading Road GU46 7UH. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 01252 861151.

Saturday, August 6 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road.

Chain Gang. Details: 01344 878100.

BINFIELD – Binfield Club, Forest Road RG42 4DU. Stealers Bluff. Details: 01344 420572.

BINFIELD – Jack O’Newbury, Terrace Road North RG42 5PH. Chord of Duty. Details: 01344 454881.

BLACKWATER – Hawley Bridge Working Men’s Club, Willows Lane GU17 9DL. Anna Nightingale. Details: 01276 31037.

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Tom Jones. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Boot Inn, Park Road RG12 2LU. In Too Deep. Details: 01344 454532.

BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Said and Done. Details: 01344 457318.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. The Vinyl Covers. Details: 01344 422622.

CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. White Light.

Details: 01276 32691.

CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. Red Aztek. Details: 01344 772241.

FARNBOROUGH – The

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, August 5, 2016

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAMPAPER.CO.UK Ivy Leaf Social Club, Cove Road GU14 0HF. Uptown Traffic. Details: 01252 542962.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – The Queen’s Oak, Church Lane RG40 4LS. Off The Record.

Details: 0118 973 4855.

FLEET – The Falkners Arms, Falkners Close GU51 2XF. The Lee Aaron Band.

Details: 01252 811311.

FLEET – The Harlington, Fleet Road GU51 4BY. Lions beer festival: The Kindred Spirit Band, The Fleet Booze Hound Blues Band. 11am-3pm and 5.30pm-9.30pm. £9 on door. Beer tokens £8 for five half pints. Details: www. fleetlions.org.uk READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Four To The Floor.

Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. 4 Sound Movement. Details: 0118 958 6692 READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Oakford Live present with Kaldera and Febueder.

Details: 0118 959 4267.

TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. Said and Done. Details: 0118 934 0890.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Shades (Surrey).

Details: 01276 858501.

WHITE WALTHAM – White Waltham & Shottesbrooke Social Club, Hurst Lane SL6 3JJ. The Jukesters. Details: 0118 934 3785.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Remix. Details: 0118 978 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977

4548.

WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights.

Details: 0118 979 5790.

WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Essential Saturday. Details: 07415 354056.

YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, The Green GU46 7LR. Kirean Acoustic.

Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, August 7 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Creative Control band night. Details: 01344 484123.

EVERSLEY CROSS – The Chequers RG27 0NS. Classic Car Day with music from Off The Record at 1pm.

11am-4pm. Details: 0118 402 7065.

FLEET – The Prince of Wales, Reading Road South GU52 7SY. NRG. Details: 01252 614284.

HURST – The Wheelwright’s Arms RG10 0TR. Jazz at the Wheelies. Details: 0118 934 4100.

PANGBOURNE – Pangbourne Working Men’s Club.

Pangbourne Jazz Club with Alan Graham. 7.30pm. £5.

Details: 0118 971 0100.

READING – Community Hall at Watlington House, 44 Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk theme night: Faraway Places. Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Dreading Poetry Slam. Details: 0118 958 6692 READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Sunday Service with Matt Stockl. Details: 0118 959 4267.

READING – RNYD, Castle Street RG1 7SB. Live music evenings. Details: 0118 950 5555.

SHINFIELD – The Bell & Bottle, School Green. Open mic and jam night. Details: 0118 988 3563.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Open Mic Night. Details: 01276 858501.

Monday, August 8 READING – Walkabout, Wiston Terrace RG1 1DG. Movie Club: Hail, Caeser!

Details: 0118 953 0000.

Tuesday, August 9 HOLYPORT – The White Hart, Money Row Green SL6 2ND. Open mic night with Shaky Ground. Details: 01628 621460.

READING – Speakeasy Cocktail Bar, St Mary’s Butts RG1 2LG. Open mic night with Scott Lewis and guests. Details: 0118 957 3500.

READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Mark Burton Quartet. Details: 0118 958 6692 READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Outdoor cult cinema club: Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Details: 0118 959 7196.

Wednesday, August 10 READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Folk At The Global. Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. BBC Introducing Live: Tiny Giant, Calum Foad and support.

Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Walkabout, Wiston Terrace RG1 1DG. Karaoke Night. Details: 0118 953 0000.

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Mollie Marriott and friends. Details: 01491 681048.

TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. Open Mic night with Damian Delahunty. Details: 0118 934 0890.

Thursday, August 11 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road.

Acoustic Night with Ivan Chandler. Details: 01344 878100.

CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. Jam night.

Details: 01276 32691.

CAMBERLEY – The Royal Standard, Frimley Road GU15 2PP. Open mic night.

Details: 01276 27641.

FLEET – Propaganda Music Canteen, Fleet Road GU51 3BU. Soul Star. Details: 01252 620198.

HENLEY – Magoos, Hart Street. Stars In Their Minds karaoke. Details: 01491 574595.

READING – RNYD, Castle Street RG1 7SB. House

The BROAD ST TAVERN

LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT AUGUST 5

PAULY ZARB

WOKINGHAM’S MUSICAL LEGEND

TUESDAYS

PUB QUIZ

TEST YOUR WITS IN OUR FUN QUIZ

AUGUST 12

THE SHELF SIDE ARE BACK!

COME AND JOIN US! 29 Broad Street, Wokingham RG40 1AU 0118 977 3706 WWW.BROADSTREETTAVERN.CO.UK

Band Thursday / Vinyl Vault.

Details: 0118 950 5555.

SHINFIELD – Magpie and Parrot, Arborfield Road RG2 9EA. Jazz night. Band TBC. £5. Details: 0118 988 4130.

Friday, August 12 BAGSHOT – The Cedar Tree, High Street GU19 5AG. Jump The Gunn. Details: 01276 473160.

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Partners In Crime. Details: 01344 303333.

CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. The Lord John Band. Details: 01276 32691.

CAMBERLEY – The Four Horseshoes, Frimley Road GU15 3EQ. SOS Band.

Details: 01276 63842.

CAMBERLEY – The Royal Standard, Frimley Road GU15 2PP. Murphy James.

Details: 01276 27641.

LITTLEWICK GREEN – The Novello, Bath Road SL6 3RX. Lea Lyle Quartet.

Details: 01628 825753.

READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Universal Records.

Details: 0118 959 4267.

READING – Walkabout, Wiston Terrace RG1 1DG. TWI Friday. Details: 0118 953 0000.

SANDHURST – The White Swan, Swan Lane GU47 9BU. Frankie The Fish.

Details: 01252 872444.

SHINFIELD – The Bell & Bottle, School Green. The Turn.

Details: 0118 988 3563.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Glyn & Elaine. Details: 0118 969 8000.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Vintage. Details: 01276 858501.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. The Shelf Side. Details: 0118 978 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights. Details: 0118 979 5790.

WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Frisky Fridays.

Details: 07415 354056.

Saturday, August 13 BARKHAM – The Bull, Barkham Road RG41 4TL. The Bull Beer Festival: live music night. Details: 0118 976 2816.

BRACKNELL – The Boot Inn, Park Road RG12 2LU. Stone Thorn. Details: 01344 454532.

BRACKNELL – Hanworth Social Club, Hanworth ROad RG12 7WX. Rhianon Rae. Details: 01344 423487.

BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Red Aztek. Details: 01344 457318.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. In Too Deep. Details: 01344 422622.

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The Mushrooms. Details: 01344 303333.

CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. From The Ashes.

Details: 01276 32691.

EVERSLEY – The White Hart, The Street RG27 0PJ. The Turn. Details: 0118 973 2817.

FLEET – The Falkners Arms, Falkners Close GU51 2XF. Lost Roberts. Details: 01252 811311.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Velocity. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. DJ Dom. Details: 0118 958 6692 READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Dope on Plastic.

Details: 0118 959 4267.

READING – Walkabout, Wiston Terrace RG1 1DG. Saturday Sessions. Details: 0118 953 0000.

SUNNINGDALE – The Royal Oak, Station Road SL5 0QL. Gigabit. Details: 01344 623625.

TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. Said and Done. Details: 0118 934 0890.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. The Wilkins Micawber Collective. Details: 01276 858501.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Flick. Details: 0118 978 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with

HOPE & ANCHOR Free entry, fantastic beers & a great night out!

SATURDAY @ 9pm

REMIX

Current music to your favourite 60s songs!

WEY LIVE MUSIC

Sat August 13

FLICK

He will impress you with his talented guitar playing!

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

DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights.

Details: 0118 979 5790.

WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Essential Saturday. Details: 07415 354056.

YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, The Green GU46 7LR. Kirean Acoustic.

Details: 01252 870648.

YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, The Green GU46 7LR. The Broken Stones. Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, August 14 BARKHAM – The Bull, Barkham Road RG41 4TL. The Bull Beer Festival.

Details: 0118 976 2816.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Creative Control band night. Details: 01344 484123.

READING – Community Hall at Watlington House, 44 Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk: Kith and Kin. Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – RNYD, Castle Street RG1 7SB. Live music evenings. Details: 0118 950 5555.

READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Readoirockrevolution.

Details: 0118 958 6692 SHINFIELD – The Bell & Bottle, School Green. Open mic and jam night. Details: 0118 988 3563.

Monday, August 15 READING – Walkabout, Wiston Terrace RG1 1DG. Movie Club. Details: 0118 953 0000.

Tuesday, August 16 READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Replay UK presents: Dan Le Sac. Details: 0118 959 5395.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Annabella’s Bow Wow Wow. Outdoor Cult Cinema Club: Ed Wood. Details: 0118 959 7196.

Wednesday, August 17 READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. BBC Introducing Live: Alex Green, Sam Handy and support. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Walkabout, Wiston Terrace RG1 1DG. Karaoke Night. Details: 0118 953 0000.

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Jackie Oates and Megan Henwood Trio. Details: 01491 681048.

TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. Open Mic night with Damian Delahunty. Details: 0118 934 0890.

LEISURE | 29

To advertise call 0118 328 2959

Friday, August 5, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

AT THE CINEMA

The acoustic couch

Something fishy about this tale

Bracknell Festival: The view from the couch

Kim Taylor-Foster

Upcoming music with Jody Mc

Saturday was Bracknell Festival and we were there, partying like there was no tomorrow. JODY Mc shares his thoughts

F Finding Dory (PG) ««««« Stars: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Michael Sheen, Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy

E

VERYBODY’S in search of something, right?

But in the case of our animated fishy Disney friends, in the first instance it was Nemo the clownfish being sought.

In the second? It’s Dory the forgetful blue tang. And at various points in the film, it’s Dory’s parents, Hank the octopus, Destiny the whale shark, Bailey the Beluga whale and Becky the loon bird. Can fish just stop disappearing already?

The story picks up a year on from the events of the first, where a bunch of underwater critters pooled their collective resources to reunite little captured Nemo (Hayden Rolence) with his timid father Marlin (Albert Brooks).

In it, Dory (Ellen Degeneres) begins to remember her past and has flashbacks to the parents she lost some time before meeting her clownfish cohorts.

Eager to find them but worried she’ll forget what she’s set off for, she persuades her orange pals to come with her.

When they’re separated and she winds up at a marine life institute, things look bleak. However, with the help of a seven-legged octopus named Hank (Ed O’Neill), Destiny (Kaitlin Olson), Bailey (Ty Burrell) and more, she realises she might not be far away from finding her folks.

Struggling against a string of obstacles, Dory is frustrated time and again but with the assistance of her friends old and new, she’ll finally discover what she’s been searching for all along – and learn the meaning of friendship.

A bigger but not necessarily better adventure, Finding Dory spends too much time fretting about cramming in new ways to lose characters and bring them back together again as it swims its way frantically to its tense climax.

Replacing the novelty and inherent charm of the original with outlandishness and non-stop action – as is often the way with sequels – it lacks magic.

Ridiculously implausible set-ups and plot elements are absurd and inappropriate rather than inventive and enchanting, and it’s a crying shame.

A chameleonic octopus who spends more time on dry land than in seawater you can just about buy, but the same anthropomorphic octopus manning a child’s pushchair and driving a van? Now, that’s just silly.

Nevertheless, Finding Dory is a harmless and colourful distraction for children during the summer holidays – even if all they want to do is run up and down the aisle for the duration like one little girl in the screening I went to.

A reflection on the film? I’d say so.

ROM the minute you enter the general vicinity of South Hill Park it is noticeable how well organised everything was.

The stewards upon entry were friendly, fresh and welcoming.

With these guys assisting it meant parking was easy and, at £5, I felt reasonably priced.

Music flowed over the growing crowd from noon and smiles seemed a plenty.

As loud as the music was, the first thing that I noticed was the glowing abundance of bounciness from the youngsters.

There certainly had been some thought put into making sure there was plenty for them to do. A festival favourite has to be face painting, they also offered body art, (if you can turn this old fossil into art where do I sign up)?

Attending the festival with me today, was guest reporter Marc from St Margaret’s School in Hanworth and his family, thanks to South Hill Park’s generous family ticket, (the recent prize I took with me when I visited the school for a pep talk).

Also with me for the ride was James Fothergill, one of the trustees for The Acoustic Couch.

Now Jim could hardly contain himself upon arriving.

You see, there was a hat stall and Jimbo (James) just had to have a hat. I’m not sure I have seen such excitement before!

It’s now Friday and I’m not sure he has taken off his hat as yet; I will however take my hat off to Jim. Before I explain the highlight of my day and why Jim was the

hero of the day, I’d like to get the metaphorical crayons and paint you a picture.

Once in the grounds we were invited, using our press passes, to access all areas.

Accessing all areas meant we were welcomed into the VIP area with the artists, other media and staff.

There was an interesting array of foods served up to us all from open till close and a steady flow of teas, coffees and refreshments. Thanks to all the staff for serving us to such a high standard.

Afterwards,we started checking out the artists we’d circled in advance – boy, was there some serious talent on offer.

The bill included Michael Tuffery, Emma Jane Kennedy, Steve Sculpher, Rebecca Jayne and Caddy Cooper. We were spoilt for choice.

After a spell binding performance from the absolute marvel that is Sally Barker, a past contestant of The Voice and an outstanding and charming talent, we decided head back to the VIP area to collect our thoughts and refuel.

Now I’m not one for being wide eyed and star struck, but what happened next was not expected and definitely the highlight of my day.

Having selected my cakes from the vast table of treats, Jim took a turn to decide which tempting pâtisseries to sample.

I could hardly believe my eyes when Jim returned with

Marc Volkins reports St Margaret’s School in Hanworth held a contest to offer one pupil the chance to review Bracknell Festival. This is their report IN SCHOOL I won who had the best work and I won free tickets to the Bracknell festival!

On Saturday at 3pm I went to the festival, when I walked in my mouth dropped open. There were stages, stalls, bouncy rides and millions of people It was so cool, they really had succeeded and I really enjoyed it.

I feel they could have made some of the songs so loud but, the other songs were good! The day made me really energetic and I am keeping the wristband for a good memory.

I think everyone in Bracknell should have attended. #communitythrumusic The Vockins family add: “Bracknell Festival was really good fun – family friendly, great bands and scrumptious street food. The event was very well organised and the venue was safe and very clean.”

South Hill Park’s CEO Ron McAllister enjoyed himself.

Here’s what he has to say:

Sally Barker!

So what did we learn from our newfound friend?

Sally does a wicked North Carolina accent! How do we know this? During a good old chinwag, Sally told us of her recent return to the UK after a writing session with her good friend Vicky in a beautiful and tranquil log cabin setting.

Valuable time was taken out to clear the cobwebs and pen to paper her next album release and a major record label had been knocking, but that’s on hold for the moment.

Sally explained: “In the coming year I’m going to doing a few things. I’m recording a solo acoustic album, just me and the guitar and very much stripped back, which needs to come out in January.

“In January to coincide with my release I will be supporting the brilliant English folk band from the 60s Fairport convention, that I think runs till

the first week in March and is across the UK. “I will also be doing a collaboration possibly with artist and friend Vicky, but that’s very hush hush for now.

“I chose to pen an original album, it just felt right. I love singing and performing to everyone but in truth if I have something to give other than just a covers album like the other deals on offer and my loyal friends, family and admirers of my work want to hear originals, who am I to say no? “ With a cheeky grin I asked, “Given the opportunity to sign a covers album deal now would you take it?”

Her response was simple.

“If no one wanted to hear what I had to offer, then maybe”.

I for one cannot wait to see what transpires for Sally and all close to her in the coming year.

I also cannot wait to find a date for Sally to visit The Acoustic Couch… Yup, that’s right, you heard me.

We will leave you on that exciting possibility. Watch this space!

I WAS delighted with the success of the re-launch of Bracknell festival on Saturday. The atmosphere was fantastic – chilled, safe, relaxed and fun!

The audience were in excellent voice singing along with Space, The Hoosiers and The Shires.

The artists told me how impressed they were about how knowledgeable our audience was about their work – word perfect, in fact!

From a personal point of view, it was great to see the festival back and I sincerely hope we can produce another Bracknell Festival next year.

We need to assess the financial situation first though.

For now, we are just still buzzing about this year’s festival – and we are delighted and encouraged by the feedback we have received.

I would just like to thank all the South Hill Park team for doing a great job – everyone rose to the challenge magnificently.

The view from South Hill Park

S

ATURDAY 30th July 2016 is a date that many of us will remember.

Bracknell Festival launched for the first time since its last event in the late 1990s and it did not disappoint.

The sunshine made a glorious appearance, the audience were on their feet dancing throughout the afternoon and evening, and the entertainment was of the highest quality.

Bracknell Festival’s mission is to create a day catered to all families and friends of all ages, with all interests and tastes in music and entertainment. It’s a celebration of music in all its great form and variety.

They are proud to showcase this country’s huge range of musical ability, especially within the local community.

The Secret Garden Stage was a beautiful display of local talent, performing original and cover acoustic tracks that warmed the cockles!

The Main Stage’s headline acts delivered

above and beyond: Space with their quirky, nostalgic indie, The Hoosiers with their energetic pop that radiated throughout the festival adding a personal touch, being a Berkshire-based band.

The Shires completed the evening’s slot with a gorgeously melodic set, full to the brim of fun and feel-good songs, with some gentle ballads in the mix.

Bracknell Festival 2016 is the launch of exciting musical initiative, a place where anybody can come to and enjoy a great day with the community in an intimate setting.

It’s a festival where you can walk and talk with the artists on the terrace, lay out in the sunshine with anything from 80s classics to foot-stomping country to lively pop music as your background music, in the leafiest of surrounds. Its very exciting to think of what’s next in store!’

FELICITY GUY

IN A BAND? HOLDING A GIG? HEARD SOME GREAT MUSIC? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! E-MAIL NEWS@WOKINGHAMPAPER.CO.UK

Your weekly puzzle challenge

30 | LEISURE

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Quiz Challenge

CROSS CODE 17 5

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1. Which botanical-sounding threeword phrase is used to imply thoroughness?

2. What sonnet by Shelley begins: “I met a traveller from an antique land ...”?

3. Often used in South Asian cuisine, what type of food is paneer?

4. Which Welsh boxer was BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2007?

5. Where do Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty fall to their death in Conan Doyle’s The Final Problem?

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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 S through openings in the walls. The I first letter may appear in any chamber.

D K

A E E

G U M

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

ENEMIES LISTEN OUT

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: 19 Good; 23 Very Good; 27 Excellent.

TF

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Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction.

2 9 7 4

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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.

2 7 3 8 6 1

L

EQUALISER 7 12 5 4 2 2 3 12 5 3 4 6

Hard

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

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

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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

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FIVE ALIVE

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

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

6. Under what name was fitness guru Diana Moran better known during the eighties?

7. Dancer and choreographer Brian Friedman is creative director on which TV reality show?

8. Which ten-letter word, contaning double L and double C, means a minor sin or fault?

9. Who wrote the popular song Begin the Beguine in 1935?

10. Which video sharing website was bought by Google in 2005 for 1.65 billion dollars?

WORD PYRAMID

D O G

11

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, August 5, 2016

All puzzles on this page are supplied by Sirius Media Services.

To try more of our puzzles interactively online go to www.puzzledrome.com © Sirius Media Services Ltd

ACROSS 1. Something one can get one’s teeth into (5,4) 6. Frenzied mother returned (3) 8. Track runners’ programme?

(5,2,6) 9. Courage displayed by some of the artillerymen (5) 10. Batsman who is out (7) 11. Little more than a pound in African country (6) 13. Old writers pointedly used it (3,3) 16. Not much of a surge in the main (7) 18. Set the speed and walked slowly (5) 20. Behave with undue familiarity and remove freedoms? (4,9) 22. Don’t start to poke with stick (3) 23. Felt less miserable, having been given a standing ovation? (7,2)

DOWN 1. Ready between game and match (3) 2. A nail removed from the plant (5) 3. Diet ten prepared in area of kitchen (7) 4. Nothing a swimmer has is idiotic (6) 5. Old copper finished in port (5) 6. Anatomical model, one included by family man first (7) 7. Desmond has plagiarised work, Edward explained (9) 9. Tarn on the coast? (4,5) 12. Called upon one knight in Devon mysteriously (7) 14. Ruler of Rome muddled through inside (7) 15. Building standing firm (6) 17. Purple I call outlandish (5) 19. Youngster left inside to be scolded (5) 21. Is coming up quietly for drink (3)

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

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30 31

ACROSS 2. Cooking utensil (7) 7. Peruvian capital (4) 8. Pierce (4) 9. Merchandise (7) 10. Is seated (4) 12. Tall flower (4) 15. South American mountain range (5) 17. Harbinger (6) 18. Resides (6) 19. Covered carriage (6) 21. Devastate (6)

22. Animal trail (5) 23. ---- and branch (4) 26. Small ball (4) 28. Lack of activity (7) 29. Fever (4) 30. Narrow opening (4) 31. Remainder (7) DOWN 1. Flightless bird (4) 2. Drains, enfeebles (4) 3. Be plentiful (6) 4. In mint condition (6)

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Sparkling wine (4) Wise men (4) Student (7) Canadian city (7) Free from prison (7) Hang (7) Assumed name (5) Avow (5) Overturns (6) Decomposed (6) Wild party (4) Row (4) Lowest part (4) Amongst (4)

9 5 7 8 3 2 6 4 1

4 1 6 9 5 7 3 2 8

2 3 8 6 4 1 9 5 7

6 4 1 2 9 8 5 7 3

3 8 5 1 7 4 2 9 6

7 9 2 3 6 5 1 8 4

1 2 3 7 8 9 4 6 5

5 7 9 4 1 6 8 3 2

7 8 9 1 4 3 6 2 5

8 6 4 5 2 3 7 1 9

EASY SUDOKU

Y

K

E

M

14 1

15 2

Q

16 3

CROSS CODE

S

6 3 2 7 5 8 1 4 9

4 1 5 6 9 2 7 3 8

5 9 4 2 8 7 3 6 1

1 7 8 4 3 6 9 5 2

2 6 3 9 1 5 4 8 7

3 4 7 5 2 9 8 1 6

8 5 6 3 7 1 2 9 4

9 2 1 8 6 4 5 7 3

HARD SUDOKU

V

17 4

A

H

18 5

B

Z

19 6

D

U

20 7

J

C

21 8

F

G

22 9

I

WORD PYRAMID: Firework display.

EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – multiply; divide; add; subtract. Total: 10.

MAGIC SQUARE: unit; nose; isle; teem.

R

23

L

10

O

24

N

11

X

25

P

12

T

26

W

13

QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 2 Spatula; 7 Lima; 8 Stab; 9 Product; 10 Sits; 12 Iris; 15 Andes; 17 Herald; 18 Dwells; 19 Landau; 21 Ravage; 22 Spoor; 23 Root; 26 Bead; 28 Inertia; 29 Ague; 30 Slit; 31 Residue.

Down – 1 Kiwi; 2 Saps; 3 Abound; 4 Unused; 5 Asti; 6 Magi; 10 Scholar; 11 Toronto; 13 Release; 14 Suspend; 15 Alias; 16 Swear; 20 Upsets; 21 Rotted; 24 Orgy; 25 Tier; 26 Base; 27 Amid.

Described; 9 High water; 12 Invoked; 14 Emperor; 15 Stable; 17 aged; ague; agued; dame; deem; dégagé; DEMAGOGUE; deme; demo; Lilac; 19 Child; 21 Sip. doge; dome; edge; egad; egged; gage; gaged; game; gamed; gauge; gauged; geed; geode; geum; gouge; gouged; made; mage; magged; mead; meed; mega; mode; moue; mugged; odeum; oedema; ogee; omega.

Down – Trick; Icily; Fated.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Solid food; 6 Mad; 8 Train of events; 9 Heart; 10 Striker; (2) Across – False; Aorta; Treat.

Down – Feast; Large; Enact.

11 Guinea; 13 Pen nib; 16 Wavelet; 18 Paced; 20 Take liberties; 22 Rod; 23 Cheered up.

NONAGRAM: Down – 1 Set; 2 Liana; 3 Dinette; 4 Oafish; 5 Dover; 6 Manikin; 7

QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Root and branch; 2 Ozymandias; 3 Cheese; 4 Joe Calzaghe; 5 The Reichenbach Falls; 6 The Green Goddess; 7 The X Factor; 8 Peccadillo; 9 Cole Porter; 10 YouTube.

(1) Across – Thief; Idiot; Keyed.

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Friday, August 5, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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FOR SALE BATHROOM CABINET, rich pine wood, sliding mirror doors, glass shelves. 62Cm long x 54cm high x 13cm deep. Good condition. £10.

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32

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33

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WOKINGHAM SPORT

BOWLS

Acorns enjoy narrow win over Great Hollands

A VICTORY by 11 shots for skip Joy Holmes and her rink of Teresa O’Connor and Marion Evans was the highlight of Wokingham Acorns’ narrow victory at Great Hollands.

This was a tight fixture in Division 1 of the Thames Valley Ladies League, but one the guests would emerge from as winners by the odd shot in 89, with the final score 45-44.

35

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Friday, August 5, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Unrivalled coverage of sport in the Borough

FOOTBALL’S BACK! NEW SEASON STARTS HERE Celebrations for the Royals – and their fans – as John Swift hits the equaliser Pictures: Phil Creighton

Royals take a bite out of Cherries

MEN

n WINNING by an aggregate score of 204-193 would result in the club’s men’s section retaining the Jim Clarke Trophy.

Played each year over two legs against Suttons, outscoring their opponents 122-112 in the return fixture ensured the trophy remains in the Wokingham trophy cabinet at Reading Road for another 12 months.

Boasting the highest-up rink for the hosts was Paul Graham, skip, Alex Thomson and Alan Jeynes, who won their discipline by a margin of 13 shots. n GETTING to grips with both a difficult green and the opposition would yield a 78-74 triumph for Wokingham A at Royal Household in Division 1 of the Kennet League. n WOKINGHAM B, meanwhile, racked up succeive wins in Division 2 against Sunningdale, 95-53 in a rearranged fixture, and then over Great Hollands (8565).

On both occasions the club was successful on three of the four rinks. n AWAY at the University of Reading in Division 3, Wokingham C were comprehensively beaten 87-55.

OVER 60s

A NARROW win by three shots for skip Bob Thompson, Len Cooke and Martin Brailey proved to be nothing more than consolation for Wokingham A. Away at Suttons, the team went down to a 68-25 reverse. n THERE was no joy for the club’s B section, either, who would run Palmer Park close, only to finish on the wrong end of a 48-45 scoreline.

Keeping Wokingham in contention was the triple of Colin Musto (skip), Alan Herbert and Barry Woolley, who came away from their rink clutching an impressive victory by 10 shots. n IN another clash with Suttons, Wokingham C were agonisingly edged out by just a single shot when up against the opposition’s B team in Division 2.

The standout performance for the club came from skip Eric Nathan, who was flanked by Claude Linnell and Keith Hutchings.

Between them, the trio conjured up a five-shot success. n A TUSSLE down in Division 3 between Wokingham D and Three Mile Cross B went the way of the latter.

They took the points after racking up 64 shots, which was 15 more than the 49 Wokingham managed.

From left: Oliver Norwood whips in a set piece, Danny Williams runs through the Cherries defence and Denis Rakels uses his strength

Reading 1 AFC Bournemouth 1

By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk READING wrapped up their pre-season programme with a performance which provided Jaap Stam with plenty of positives – but much to ponder.

The boss took to the Madejski Stadium dugout for the first time last Friday and would watch on as John Swift cancelled out Lewis Cook’s 37th-minute opener for the Premier League Cherries and secure a share of the spoils.

“The second half was a lot better than the first half,” said Stam.

“Not that we didn’t play well first half – but we didn’t press the opponent well enough early on.

“And communication-wise, we needed to improve in terms of who was going to pick up who in midfield. We didn’t do that well and that allowed them to pass it through our midfield too easily.

“At half-time we spoke about it and how to set things right, and as I say it was a lot better second half. We were very compact in there, the spaces were very small and there wasn’t a lot of space for them to pass the ball through.

“And when we won it we kept possession well, unlike in the first half when we gave it away too early because we wanted to go forward too fast.”

The boss handed a first start to recent signing Roy Beerens, while a change of tactics saw Joey van den Berg along Paul McShane in defence.

Also returning to the fold was Chris Gunter, back in action following his exploits with Wales at Euro 2016.

Royals and Swift would provide the first opportunity of note, but Artur Boruc in the Bournemouth goal did well to palm away the midfielder’s drive.

Josh King and Dan Gosling then went close for the opposition before Swift again, and George Evans tried their luck, only for both to be off target.

The deadlock, however, was broken nine minutes before the break.

Running on to a ball through the middle, former Leeds United man Cook picked his spot and the visitors were in front.

Stam (pictured inset) made just the one change during the break, replacing Beerens with Tanner, and it was the substitute’s in-swinging cross which was hooked home at the second attempt by Swift.

Traded missed chances for the two teams would then come via free-kicks, with Swift wide and Max Gradel forcing Al Habsi into a save.

Another opportunity would fall the way of Eddie Howe’s side late on. Lys Mousset was ready to pull the trigger, only to be denied by a perfectly-timed tackle by Danny Williams.

“In the second half we got the goal and created a few more chances – it was good to see,” added Stam.

“The opponent had difficulty in pressing us continuously and we dictated the game in parts –

that’s always good against a Premier League side like Bournemouth.”

READING FC: Al Habsi, Gunter (Watson 62), Obita, McShane (c), Van den Berg, Norwood (Kelly 75), Evans, Williams, Swift, Beerens (Tanner 46), Rakels.

Subs not used: Jaakkola, Jules, Cooper, Gravenberch, Stacey, Fosu.

n BEFORE the game the club announced the signing of striker Yakow Meite, who arrived from French giants Paris Saint-Germain on a three-year contract.

The Parisian-born forward progressed through the club’s Academy system and regularly appeared in the UEFA Youth League – the Under-19 equivalent of the Champions League – last term.

Here, he notched against Shakhtar Donetsk, Malmo, AS Roma and then Chelsea in the final, which the London side went on to win, 2-1.

He also made his debut for the senior side in the same season, coming off the bench during a 2-0 win over Guingamp in what was a treble-winning year for Laurent Blanc’s side.

Eligible for the Ivory Coast through his parents, Meite has represented the country at Under-17 and Under-20 levels, competing at both the World Cup and Toulon Tournament in recent years.

“He has a great left foot, good technique, good physique, pace – all together he is a promising young player,” said boss Stam.

“We are hopeful he can be a good player for us going forward.”

36 | SPORT LOCAL FOOTBALL

Moles power to winning start MICHAEL WALTON’S second-half header was enough to see Binfield make a winning start to the new Hellenic Premier Division season.

Liam Ferdinand was also on target as the Moles completed a 2-1 comeback victory at Henley Town and, in the process, exert some revenge following defeat to the same opposition in the final of the Reading Senior Cup back in May. Boss Roger Herridge handed starts to summer signings Garry Aulsberry, Jake White, Jamie Connor, Ross Seldon, Luke Scope and Tom Williams, while another new recruit, Nick Bateman, was later introduced as a substitute.

But the new-look side fell behind on 15 minutes when Town’s Ben Clark stabbed home a cross from the right.

Binfield, though, were not behind for long on Tuesday night with Ferdinand needing only 22 minutes to open his account for the campaign, finishing well from 15 yards after combining with James Knight.

The contest was settled shorty after the break when defender Walton climbed highest to meet an Alex Luis cross from out on the right wing.

The guests went close to grabbing a third through Scope, but the striker failed to hit the target with an eight-yard header.

Binfield begin their venture in The Emirates FA Cup on Saturday with a home Extra Preliminary Round tie against North Greenford United (3pm).

BINFIELD: Aulsberry, White, Luis (c), Hopper, M.Walton, Connor (Bateman 65), Seldon (Etienne 85), Knight, Scope, Ferdinand, Williams (Horscroft 70).

Subs not used: Bennett, Jones.

Pre-season

HENLEY were also the opposition for a WOKINGHAM AND EMMBROOK side which continued its pre-season programme last Friday.

And through a goal each for Jake Wheeler and George Marsh the Sumas went on to score a 2-1 win over their old tenants at the Invesco Triangle.

But the following day Clive McNelly’s charges were beaten in a 10-goal thriller against Cookham Dean of the Thames Valley League.

At one stage the Hellenic Division 1 East outfit trailed 4-0, but a remarkable fightback saw them tie up the scoring, only for late Paul Reed and Dave Bradley strikes to win it for the hosts.

Wokingham wrap up their close season schedule with a friendly at near neighbours Binfield on Monday (7.30pm). n COOKHAM also claimed the scalp of FINCHAMPSTEAD on Wednesday night following a 2-1 success, but Jon Laugharne’s men were 3-1 winners over Fleet Spurs last Saturday, where Danny Blatchford was on target twice. n GOALS from Jake Brown and a Scott Terry penalty helped WOODLEY UNITED edge out Step Seven side White Eagles in a 2-1 triumph.

The win, though, was marred by injuries to Andrew Sinclair and Darren West, who suffered a dislocated wrist and knee respectively and required hospital treatment.

United are away at Sheerwater in another friendly tomorrow (3pm) before their Division 1 East campaign kicks-off at Headington Amateur’s on August 13.

YOUTH LEAGUE

Appeal for new players EVERSLEY and California Under-18s are looking for new players to join the squad for the upcoming season.

Anyone keen on linking up with the Boars, who compete in the North East Hants Youth League on Sunday afternoons, must be under the age of 18 on August 31, 2016.

Pre-season training takes place at the Eversley Sports Association in Fox Lane on Tuesday evenings (7pm-8.30pm) and Sunday mornings (11am - 12.30pm).

The club’s 2016/17 campaign kicks off in September.

For more information contact manager Neal McLoughlin on 07770 571 304 or visit www.pitchero.com/clubs/californiafc/teams/69947

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

W

HAT a busy week its been..

Women’s football games are like buses: you wait weeks for a game then three come along in the space of 10 days.

Coming off another draw with Birmingham we went into the Notts County game confident of picking up more points and slowly climbing the table.

This was the second of the three consecutive home games.

The game started off very open with both team’s creating numerous of chances.

Unfortunately a greatly struck free-kick from a Notts player found itself in our net with five minutes to go until half-time.

Not the best time to concede but we

LOIS ROCHE

The Reading FC Women’s midfielder writes exclusively for The Wokingham Paper regrouped during half-time and came out fighting and managed to find an equaliser.

And what an equaliser it was…

Emma Follis cutting in the from wide left with a wonder strike straight into the top corner. I hate to admit it but its got to be up there with goal of the season contender or shock of the season, either or…

She hasn't shut up about it since,

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, August 5, 2016

although I don’t think I blame her.

With cause for concern from myself of her head getting bigger than mine I think i’ll leave it there.

Well done Em. And last, but by no means least, we welcomed the league leaders to Adams Park, coming off the back of 8-0 and 5-1 wins it was safe to say City were flying.

Going into the game we had a game plan to sit in deep and try to catch them on the break.

City controlled the game with large spells of possession, which was expected, however, we defended diligently but a momentary lapse of concentration in the dying minutes of the first half saw them

nick a goal.

Going in at half time 1-0 down we were still firmly in the game and knew all we needed was another chance. But we weren’t able to convert our chances and before you knew it City were 2-0 up.

We fought back and Emma was at it again, winning us a penalty with Brute’s (Bruton) calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

However it was just too little too late and City were able to hold on to a 2-1 win despite our last-ditch attempts.

Regardless of the result, we were proud of the performance we put in against a top side and can’t wait for the reverse fixture in a couple of weeks.

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

‘Unlucky’ Royals beaten by leaders Reading FC Women 1 Manchester City Women 2 LAUREN BRUTON admitted Reading Women were unlucky not to come away from Wednesday’s game with league leaders Manchester City with any points, writes Lewis Rudd.

Royals’ winless streak now stands at 10 games following this reverse at Adams Park, where a goal in both halves from Isobel Christiansen and substitute Toni Duggan saw the visitors extend their lead atop of FAWSL 1 to seven points.

A late rally from Reading would result in Bruton cutting the arrears from the penalty spot, but their efforts to try and force the issue even further ran out of time.

“I thought we did exceptionally well,” said the goalscorer.

“We kept them at bay for a good while. We stopped them playing through us, which was our game plan, and we frustrated them.

“When we did get the ball we broke on the counter and we did have chances, especially in the first half.

“They’ve got the quality to break us down, so when they have so many chances they’re going to score at some point.”

But Bruton added: “We frustrated them tonight and were unlucky to come out with no points.”

The result leaves the hosts still searching for their first win upon promotion to the top flight, but they do have a six-point cushion between themselves and the drop zone.

They fell behind to the table-toppers on 38 minutes when an unmarked Christiansen – making her

Reading’s Lauren Bruton netted from the penalty spot on Wednesday night Picture: Richard Claypole

50th appearance for the club – nodded home a Nikita Parris cross from six yards.

A Reading attack led solely by Jade Boho-Sayo would spurn a number of chances created on the counter attack, yet those of a clear cut variety were few and far between.

The one goal would continue to separate the sides until 10 minutes from time where failure to clear a corner would result in England international Duggan lashing the ball home from the edge of the box.

City appeared to have the game wrapped up, only to be given food for thought when Emma Folis was grounded in the area by Parris, with Bruton stepping up and tucking the resulting spot kick in the bottom corner.

But with only seconds left on the clock, the hosts were unable to go on and notch the equaliser midfielder Bruton felt they deserved.

Kelly Chambers’ side are now not in action until Sunday, August 28, where they will be up against the same opposition at

the Academy Stadium (2pm).

READING FC: Earps, Jane, Hines, McGee (c), Folis, Allen (Fletcher 82), Bruton, Roche (Walkley 64), Boho-Sayo, Perry, Rowe Subs not used: Bartrip, Stobbs, Ward, Jones, Sansom.

Goal: Bruton 88 MANCHESTER CITY: Bardsley, Bronze, Stokes, Middag (Walsh 61), Beattie, Houghton (c), Scott (Corboz 82), Christiansen, Stanway (Duggan 74), Ross, Parris.

Subs not used: Toone, Hourihan Goals: Christiansen 38, Duggan 80 Booked: Walsh Referee: David Rock Attendance: 592

Follis’ fine finish ensures Reading of a point Reading Women 1 Notts County Ladies 1 READING’S wait for that elusive first win of the season stretched to a ninth game, but Emma Follis believes the side are getting “closer and closer” to breaking their duck.

It was the midfielder who earned the hosts a share of the spoils last Sunday, as it was her stunning second-half strike which cancelled out Danielle Buet’s 39th-minute opener for Notts County.

Both sides had chances to go on and win the game, yet the Royals were indebted to a late double-save by Rebecca Jane to ensure the honours finished even, with the ‘keeper thwarting Jess Clarke and Rebecca

Jane in quick succession.

“In the end it was probably a fair result,” said Follis after the hosts picked up a sixth point of the season.

“They had chances and both teams had penalty appeals. There was a clear-cut one in the end when Jade (Boyo-Sayo) had a chance inside the box but she snatched at it a bit.

“There weren’t many differences between the two sides. We played two games in a sense as we sat quite deep and allowed them to come on to us and then we tried to hit them on the break.

“They had a lot of the ball but we didn’t really let them create too much.

We’re getting closer and closer to that first win.

“As long as we keep ticking over we know that the goal will come.

“Teams around us are dropping points and we’ve shown we can compete in this league.”

The Lady Pies arrived at Adams Park having been walloped 5-1 by league leaders Manchester City the weekend before.

But they would break the deadlock when Buet was deadly accurate from a free-kick.

County would hold the lead until the 63rd minute, which was when Follis cut inside from the left and arrowed a shot into the top right-hand corner, giving Megan Walsh in the away side’s goal no chance.

“I should probably say I’ve scored a lot of goals like that, but the truth is I haven’t,” added the goalscorer.

“It was a nice feeling see it drop in the back of the net.”

In what was a dramatic finish to the contest, Boyo-Sayo was twice unable to make the most of opportunities which fell her way before Jane’s heroics ensured Reading would improve their points tally come the final whistle.

READING FC: Jane, Hines (Roche 74), McGee, Follis, Bruton, Boho-Sayo, Davies, Perry, Earps, Fletcher (Allen 57), Rowe.

Subs not used: Sansom, Walkley, Ward, Stobbs, Jones.

Goal: Follis 63.

NOTTS COUNTY: Walsh, Krantz, Luik, Buet, Clarke, White, Potter, Moore, James (Williams 72), Whelan, Bassett.

Subs not used: Whelan, Turner, Chrichton, Hassell.

Goal: Buet 39 Booked: Buet 76.

Referee: Paul Johnson Attendance: 506

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WOKINGHAM CRICKET CLUB

CHILTERNS LEAGUE

Brave Hass and Staves hits in vain as Binfield fall by the Wrayside BINFIELD are looking at a midtable finish at best this season after a narrow one-wicket defeat to Wraysbury leaves them seventh in the Division 1 standings.

This defeat was the club’s fifth of the summer and leaves them way behind the leading pack.

Captain Sean Ennis won the toss and elected to bat – only to see his side slip to 104-7 and looking to be dismissed on the cheap as Andy Prasad, who finished with 7-44 and Deep Singh pulled the line-up to pieces.

However, Andrew Hass and Mike Staves grabbed the situation by the

neck and were soon hitting back – literally.

Hass rescued the innings with a magnificent 62, while Staves was not too far behind on 58.

Rotating the strike to great affect would also see the pair put on 118 for the eighth wicket and help elevate the score to 236-10.

Wraysbury’s reply was quite the opposite, with runs arriving at the top of the order, where the 93 posted by Shahid Rafiq proved pivotal.

Four wickets for Matt Hayman and Phil Davies’ brace ensured very little separated the two sides as the game concluded on a knife edge.

But brilliant rearguard action from Asim Ibrahim (25no) and last man Arjun Reddy (9no) saw the title-chasing Buckinghamshire outfit snatch victory in the 48th over.

Things get no easier for Binfield this Saturday, where they are away at leaders Penn and Tylers Green (1pm). n THE club’s 2ND XI saw their winless run enter a third game after being held to a draw by struggling Chalfont St Giles 2nd.

Despite three wickets each for Tony Boad and Ian Goddard the opposition laid it on thick, stacking up a daunting 260-8 before declaring in the 49th over.

Richard Higginson spearheaded the reply with 43, while Matt Humphrey (38), Paul Edgington (34) and Adam Carson (25) also contributed.

Yet Binfield were still way off their target come the end of play, where Boad (4no) and skipper Goddard (11no) were needed to see off the threat of a shock defeat.

The visitors closed on 215-9 and picked up 11 points from a draw after two were knocked off by penalties.

They now sit sixth in the Division 2 table ahead of the visit of Great Kingshill on Saturday (1pm).

FINCHAMPSTEAD CRICKET CLUB

Carter puts Finches in pole position

By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk DEFEATING Tring Park by six wickets has put Finchampstead back in pole position in Division 1 of the Home Counties Premier League.

While closest rivals Henley and Banbury were held to a draw and beaten respectively, the table toppers were going about their business in comprehensive style.

Finchampstead’s remarkable rise to the top upon their return to the top flight has largely been indebted to a lethal bowling attack, but Matthew Carter and Jandree Coetzee were the stand out performers on this occasion.

Berkshire star Carter was in bloodthirsty form and would leave the field clinching devastating figures of 6-46, while partner in crime Coetzee put paid to the other four wickets, with the return coming at the cost of just 57 runs.

Between them, and some good work in the field, visiting Tring were shot out in the 26th over for just 110.

Such was their dominance on the opposition, skipper Marles felt no other bowler was needed during the session.

Losing Andrew Rishton to a golden duck did not get their chase off to the best of starts, while Andrew House (15) was back in the pavilion 31 runs later.

Matt Jones, for 11, and Greg Smith (8) also went without failing to make any sort of impact, yet the hosts were never really in any trouble.

The arrival of Dan Lincoln at six would put an end to any further dismissals.

He top scored with 74 during the impressive win at High Wycombe the previous week, while Marles also notched a half-century in the same game.

And while not needing to be as prolific on this occasion, both were among the runs once again, with the captain leading the reply with an unbeaten 48 as Lincoln made a quick-fire 25.

Their efforts saw Finchampstead past the winning post in the 28th over, with this result seeing them open up a 18-point lead ahead of a trip to Slough this Saturday.

Wokingham Under 19s have a new kit, which has been sponsored by Hi-Line Motors

UNDER 19s

Young Oaks hopeful of quarter final spot WOKINGHAM Under-19s have been progressing nicely in the Nat West U19 Club T20 tournament and now sit on the cusp of a quarter-final date, writes LEWIS RUDD. Under the guidance of team manager Ahmaar Ghafoor and coach Dersh Patel and pictured here sporting a new

kit sponsored by Hi-Line Motors Ltd – whose directors are Vic and Hitti Patel – the young Oaks have won three of their five matches to date in the comptition.

Wokingham are now waiting on results elsewhere to learn if they have sealed a spot in the last eight of the Berkshire section of the tournament.

In a group which also includes winners Finchampstead, Emmbrook and Bearwood, Binfield, West Reading and Shinfield the club, which boasts a youthful-looking squad with many players who can compete in this competition for another two seasons, currently sit second on 19 points.

Oaks back on track after crushing Chesham

WOKINGHAM began a pivotal run of fixtures with a brilliant 65-run triumph over Chesham at Sadlers’s End. The Oaks play the four teams around them in Division 1 of the Thames Valley Cricket League in the next few weeks and got this schedule off to a perfect start, with Saturday’s victory seeing the side close the gap on the top two once again.

Wokingham’s track produced more than 460 runs the week before during the club’s draw with Kew and it would favour batsmen once again – particularly in the first session.

Chesham arrived in town holding a 27-point lead over the opposition in second place and they challenged the hosts to set a target.

But they would concede 54 runs before the first wicket was to fall – that of opener Stuart Parsons on 22 – and another 88 before claiming a second dismissal.

Gone on this occasion was Dan Housego (pictured), but not before running up a top score of 67, of which 40 came via boundaries. Also producing a watchful contribution was fellow former professional Michael Bates, who celebrated a half century 53 which arrived from 67 balls.

Both fell to the bowling of Asad Rehman (4-64) and the departure of the wicket-keeper would trigger a collapse as Chesham began neutralising the innings. Only captain Stuart Hayter (11) and Simon Myles (19) ventured in to double figures within the rest of the line up, which fell from 158-3 to 210 all out.

Joining Rehman in interrupting the session was Pip France, who also snared four victims for the cost of 53 runs.

Wokingham’s demise, however, may have been a sign the strip was on the turn, as a number of Chesham batsmen also quickly came and went.

Yet this could also be down to some lethal bowling from Jack Wood and Paul Dewick.

The latter has been influential with the ball in recent weeks and was back at his destructive best once again, with three of his four wickets on the day helping pin the visitors back to 65-5.

Luke Webb would put a temporary halt on proceedings with a defiant 58, but when he played a catch to Stuart Hayter to give Cameron Spence the first of two dismissals (2-20), the writing was all but on the wall for the Buckinghamshire side.

Another resolute stand would come via Gift Kwatsha, who totted up 37 from a 70-ball stay, but he was unfortunately the last man to go, removed

by Dewick, who was to celebrate a four-wicket haul (4-27) for the second weekend running.

The spinner was responsible for cleaning up the majority of the lower order, which despite rarely troubling the scorers almost lasted the distance.

Their replay was about the enter its 48th over before Dewick had the final say as this win, Wokingham’s fourth in five games, moved them to within nine points of their opponents and 16 behind leaders Stoke Green, whom they face on Saturday (1pm)

MINOR COUTIES

Hussain and remarkable Berkshire hurt their hosts, but rain comes to Cornwall’s aid BERKSHIRE’s Western Division clash against title rivals Cornwall at Grampound Road was abandoned with rain preventing any play at all on Monday and Tuesday, writes DAVID WRIGHT. But some good has come out of it, as they secured the eight maximum bonus points on Sunday plus another four points for the draw, and that has seen them move above Cornwall with 88 points, five behind leaders Shropshire, who beat Cheshire on Tuesday, while the Duchy are now down to third with 83.

On the only day where play was possible, Berkshire produced one of the most sensational performances seen in the club’s modern history.

They rolled over Cornwall for a meagre

92 in 37.5 overs with Tom Nugent in phenomenal form, taking 6-26 off 15 overs.

Matt Carter captured 2-15 and Waqas Hussain 2-11, while there were four catches for wicket-keeper Stewart Davison.

Berkshire then took an even tighter stranglehold on a shattered looking home side by racing to 325-6 before declaring after 63.5 overs, giving them a commanding lead of 233.

Waqas Hussain led the run charge with 123, made off 124 balls with an amazing 25 boundaries.

“I wouldn’t say it was my best ever century of my career, but it is the first time I have made 100 in fours,” said the

Slough all-rounder.

Hussain and Ollie Wilkin put on 69 for the first wicket before the Ealing batsman fell for 33 and Martin Andersson soon followed with just one boundary to his name.

Hussain bettered Cornwall’s total by himself, reaching his century off 102 balls in 115 minutes.

Following his dismissal at 208-3 in the 40th over, Berkshire quickly lost James Morris for nine and Andy Rishton for 12 with the fifth wicket going down on 236 in the 46th over.

Richard Morris and his Henley teammate Euan Woods kept the runs flowing with a partnership of 84 in 16 overs and the former was just five runs short of

his century when he edged a catch to the keeper. His 95 came off 128 balls in 140 minutes and included two sixes and seven fours.

Wood was unbeaten on 37 and Davison three when skipper James Morris called his players in.

To declare a first innings on the first day when batting second is extremely rare in minor counties cricket and is surely a first for Berkshire.

They then turned the screw even harder on the Duchy when Nugent claimed his seventh victim of the game by having home skipper Matt Robins snapped up by Davison for four with the total on 8-1.

Berkshire looked certain to go on to

win the game, but Cornwall’s wet weather shattered their hopes. Rain crept under the covers and the umpires had no hesitation in calling the game off early on Tuesday.

All three title contenders have just one fixture remaining with Berkshire facing Dorset at Finchampstead, Cornwall visiting Devon at Sidmouth and Shropshire taking on Wiltshire at Devizes, all games commencing on Sunday week, August 14. n ANDERSSON was named as 12th man for the England under-19 squad for their four-day game against Sri Lanka Under-19s at Northampton which started on Wednesday (Aug 3).

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, August 5, 2016

Farley Hill’s unbeaten run is ruined by jubilant Johnson DIVISIONS 2 AND 3

AN UNBEATEN 94 from Oliver Johnson steered Earley to a brilliant six-wicket victory over Farley Hill, writes LEWIS RUDD. The Knights had only won two of their nine games going in to the fixture, so certainly picked their moment to improve this record having inflicted a first loss of the season on the runaway Division 2 leaders.

Captain Gary Shacklady won the toss, asked the hosts to bat and then went on to share six Farley wickets with Charlie Johnson (3-37).

Owen Bye also claimed a couple of scalps, yet the opposition were still able to keep the scorers relatively busy.

Opener Ross Ditchburn held up the innings with a hit of 31, while skipper Simon Longfield totted up 27 and Chris Garrod was 20 not out when the session came to a close.

The trio would help the table-toppers to a total of 195-9, but Johnson (pictured) was soon ensuring it was not enough to preserve their impressive unbeaten run.

Arriving with the score on 2-1, the No.3 shared a stand of 92 with Shacklady and put up another 49 more runs with Curt Watts (22).

His watchful whack would then continue with Bye (23no), as the pair chipped away at the remaining runs and ensured a shock success was secured in the 43rd over.

There was a wicket each for Thomas Hale, Ali Jalil, Longfield and Johan Vorster, but the day belonged to the away side.

SHINFIELD continued their pursuit of the top two after defeating WALTHAM ST LAWRENCE by five wickets.

Wasim Javed and Ed Davies were the biggest contributors for a Waltham side inserted in to bat, notching up 42 and 31 respectively.

Ziggy Kiani (23) and Cameron Stig (17no) also kept the scoreboard ticking over, but an overall total of 148-7 after 45 overs was looking a little on the light side.

Spearheading the Shinfield attack was Prashant Gandhi, who left the field clutching figures of 4-31.

While not necessarily clinical on the day, the hosts’ work in the field was affective nonetheless.

Richard Madgwick and Ankush Gandhi had soon clawed back 86 of these runs through knocks of 28 and 58 opening the batting.

Sunreet Basra (31) kept the chase on track for a successful conclusion before Oliver Sankey and Naveed Naseer confirmed the result in the 23rd over.

Shinfield remain third in the league ladder, but now stand within earshot of Peppard Stoke Row 2nd after the second placed side was held to a draw by struggling Sandhurst 2nd.

A captain’s knock from Stuart Barrable kept TWYFORD AND RUSCOMBE’S march to the Division 3 title on track.

Of the 207 all out plundered by the Stanlake Meadow outfit when up against Purley on Thames 3rd, he ran up 114 during a swashbuckling unbeaten performance which lasted

120 balls and included no fewer than 18 boundaries.

Barrable’s innings was also much-needed, as the next best return was the 19 Steve Walkland added when coming in at seven.

His blast proved pivotal, too, as the opposition ran the leaders close during an entertaining run chase.

Purley remained in contention thanks to the first-wicket partnership of 90 between Mohammed Rizemy, who went on to accumulate a top score of 80, and Tejpal Singh. He was scoring at a rapid rate, with his 44 coming from just 43 deliveries.

But they were left beaten by 12 runs after falling from 151-4 to 195 all out as the Twyford attack began to show its teeth.

Eventually ruining the reply was Robin Thompson (4-36) and Kiran Musudi (4-21) who knocked off eight wickets, while two dismissals earlier up the order by Chandra Cherukuri also helped protect a Barrable-inspired total.

They now hold a healthy points total and far superior average over WOODLEY 2ND, who thrashed Ruislip Victoria 2nd by 130 runs at Woodford Park.

Rajiv Dhallam (55) celebrated a half-century during the game, as did team-mate and captain Tajdar Jawaid, who regularly found the gaps during a leading knock of 64.

Between them, the pair helped elevate Woodley to a competitive score of 237-9 – which they would go on to defend with some ease thanks, in no small part, to Gowtham Payavula.

In a destructive 9.3-over spell from the bowler, he would put paid to six opponents and lost just 21 runs.

This would include the wicket of Ruislip’s Paul Bailey, who offered some resistance with a dazzling 63, given the circumstances.

He was the only batsman to reach double figures in what was an otherwise woeful reply, although Payavula did not help their cause.

With Jawaid, Balaju Balaji, Adrees Afzal and Fasul Afzal sweeping up the remaining wickets, Woodley had a potentially significant triumph sewn up inside 33 overs.

Another vital victory in the division was recorded by KNOWL HILL. They struck up a daunting 264-8 and removed Mortimer West End 2nd for just 94 to comprehensively win this relegation battle by 154 runs and climbed out of the drop zone.

Fancying his chances on their own strip, Hill captain Noel Darvell elected to bat and watched on as Jordy Duffy and Toby Cutler racked up centuries.

In laying siege on the opposition, Duffy hit an individual score of 103, while a scintillating stand from Cutler yielded 107 runs from just 78 balls.

The pair also put on 184 for the third wicket before Cutler became one of four victims snared by Rahul Wagh.

Mortimer were clearly unable to shake off the confidence hit suffered out in the field, as they were soon 45-5 and then all out six runs shy of 100.

Duffy followed up his earlier exploits by leading the bowling figures with 3-21, but this was a collective effort from the attack with Nick Hopper, Silvi George and Joe Brookman chipping in with two wickets apiece.

Emmbrook & Bearwood’s Matt Howarth hits out during their game against Welford Park

Picture: Steve Smyth

BERKSHIRE CRICKET LEAGUE

Barron’s sights end in draw PREMIER DIVISION AND DIVISION 1

By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk RICHARD BARRON, Nick Outram and Alex Sykes all celebrated half centuries during Crowthorne and Crown Wood’s game at Mortimer West End. While the efforts of the pair combined helped the side post a daunting 286-8, it could not steer the visitors to victory.

This is because defiant stands from Mortimer’s Abrar Pewekar (84) and captain Nick Kingston, who struck up an unbeaten 75, ensured the points were shared out from a draw.

Crowthorne were asked to bat and it was an invitation they duly accepted with Barron (75), Outram (67) and Sykes, not out on 53, all piling on the runs.

With skipper Anthony Cluett adding 39 more, the visitors appeared to be sitting very pretty.

Their stance on proceedings became even greater when Robert Crook and Cluett quickly removed the opposition’s opening pair to leave Mortimer on 10-2.

Cluett would finish the session with 3-63, but it was a frustrating spell in the field.

This is because on a track clearly favouring batsmen, Pewekar and Kingston’s solid contributions ensured the two teams would shake hands on a draw – which was a winning one for the guests – after Mortimer closed on 236-7.

The Crows finished the contest with 23 points, enough to see them move up to fourth in the standings.

They now sit above WOODLEY, who dropped all the way down to eighth

following a five-wicket reverse at Ruislip Victoria.

This was despite posting 225-9, of which the majority of the scoring came from the bats of by Reyhan-Ul Din, who led the way with 63, Usman Asif’s unbroken 51 and the 43 totted up by Kashif Ali. Peppard, though, are a side currently chasing top spot and the title and such a target proved to be in easy reach.

Two wickets each for Usman Jamil, Sak Bhatti and Akbar Ansari helped keep Woodley in sight, and through equally impressive hits from Kashif Maan (51) and Yakub Vora (64) the home side had the required runs knocked off in the 43rd over.

Faisal Ahmed would eventually remove Vora and went on to take 3-24, but his efforts to stifle the chase prove to be nothing more than consolation in the end.

EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD remain bottom and are beginning to face a battle to avoid the drop.

Last weekend they were beaten by a margin of three wickets when hosting mid-table Welford Park, who had the necessary firepower to better a score of 160 all out.

Welford won the toss and then went on to thwart their guests with the ball, as Joe Lawrence (3-34) and the Herrington duo of Will and Ian, who each claimed two scalps, proved to be particularly menacing.

Andy Webb and Archie Carter struck an equal 28 at the top of the order, but the leading knock would come down at seven from Ryan Phelps (pictured above), who hit one more run in a stand of 29.

A lack of meaningful contributions from elsewhere, though, left Emmbrook looking vulnerable and trying to protect a

lightweight total.

But they made a real fist of things and two wickets each for Matt Smart and Callum Marshall kept things interesting.

Sean Woodward, Chris Fletcher and Matt Howarth combined to remove three more batsmen, but any momentum picked up in the field was soon nullified by the opposition.

Welford would pass the winning post in the 31st over, but were indebted to the contributions of Joe Lawrence, leading scorer with 46, and Aseem Sharma’s 34 not out.

In Division 1, BERKSHIRE COUNTY SPORTS strengthened their grip on top spot and look increasing likely to make a swift return to the top flight.

They blew away lowly Hawley in a game they won by seven wickets at Sonning Lane.

Winning the toss and electing to bat proved to be a shrewd call by host captain Barbar Butt, who would see his side obliterate the Surrey side’s innings.

The session would last just 23 overs and witness only 63 runs.

BCS’s attack was in bloodthirsty mood, with Basat Ali destroyer-in-chief.

In just under five overs, he conceded only five runs and snared four opponents, with his accurate work wiping out the Hawley tail.

Earlier in the session, Umer Chaudhary’s three wickets had set the tone, while Mohammad Farooq took a couple more as the visitors collapsed in devastating fashion.

The hosts would lose Talat Nawaz and Kashif Mehmood cheaply, but not that it would matter after Mubashar Aftab’s top score of 40 helped wrap up a 12th win of the season in just 77 balls.

Baines star of the show for Crowthorne DIVISION 4

ANDREW BAINES was the star of the show for a Crowthorne and Crown Wood 3rd side which rediscovered the winning feeling with an eight-wicket victory over neighbours Binfield 3rd.

The all-rounder took 3-23 with the ball to help restrict the opposition to 129 all out and then led the reply with a round 70 on what turned out to be a comfortable afternoon for the home side.

Both Baines and Marshall Miller (3-22) vindicated captain John Cartledge’s decision to field upon winning the toss.

With Mike Storey also picking up a pair a scalps and Aran Long and Cartledge

sharing two more, Binfield were eventually dismissed in the 43rd over.

It was a hard-earned total for the away side, too, with only opener Simon York (29) and captain Steve Andrews, who top scored with 32, coming away from the innings with any credit.

Although Gary Chippendale snared Crowthorne opener David McQuitty on just seven, defending a small total was always going to be a big ask - and so it proved.

Through Baines’ watchful stand, who struck 10 fours before falling to Steve Andrews, and the unbeaten 40 struck by Rowan Williams at the opposite end, the home side were celebrating victory in the 34th over.

The result keeps the side fourth in the standings, although any hopes of gatecrashing the top two remain faint at best.

SHINFIELD 2ND, however, remain very much in a tussle with the top two.

The third-placed side were due to visit WALTHAM ST LAWRENCE 2ND, but the home side conceded the fixture, meaning the opposition was awarded 30 points.

While probably disappointed not to get any action, the result keeps them within touching distance of the team in second, Bradfield 2nd, who picked up the lesser share of the spoils from a losing draw with leaders Peppard Stoke Row 3rd on the same afternoon.

THAMES VALLEY CRICKET LEAGUE

Clinical Matthews halts Sonning’s rise DIVISIONS 2-5

By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk LOSING by the slenderest of margins to Finchamsptead 3rd saw Sonning disposed of top spot in Division 3A. The villagers were bowled out for 175 in reply to the 176 struck by the hosts meaning they went down to a one-run defeat.

Josh Lincoln led the attack with 4-70, but fine bowling at the death from Liam Matthews took care of the remaining wickets and secured a victory which moved Finchampstead up to fourth.

He would finish with 3-23.

Through Zahid Mohammed’s 71 at the top of the order, Tiernan Hick’s 31 and the 28 made by Simon Brooks appeared to have Sonning on track to surpass their target, only for wickets falling cheaply elsewhere to prove costly.

Leading the scoring for Finch earlier in the day was Tom Potter with 47, while Sam Jenkins (23) and James Eaglesham (24) also contributed.

A draw at Falkland 2nd could not prevent EVERSLEY 2ND slipping to the foot of the table. The Boars started the game in the field, where they were hit for 244 runs. Of the eight wickets taken, three were picked up by James Berger-North.

Yet despite playing out all their allotted overs, Eversley were well behind the rate and would close on 172-8.

Richard Ford’s half-century 52 batting at seven helped improved the score, as did Berger-North’s 35 and some steady stroke play from Dan Tucker (34) and Andrew Hogston (31), but it was not enough.

FINCHAMPSTEAD 2ND remain the team to beat in Division 2A. The title favourites packed just too much punch for Tring Park 2nd, whom they defeated by six wickets.

Although Craig Hodges led the line

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Friday, August 5, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

brilliantly for the visitors, picking 6-63, it was still an expensive session for Finches, who leaked 244 runs in the field.

More than half of this total, however, was clawed back by Billy Rogers.

Not picked for the first XI on this occasion, he gave a timely reminder of his batting talents by striking up a superb 134, which included 22 boundaries and arrived from just 124 balls.

With the foundations firmly in place, unbeaten stands from Ed Oliver (57) and Andy Lazenbury (35) saw the away side to a comfortable victory in the 46th over.

Elsewhere in the Division, EVERSLEY cannot be ruled out of a late title tilt after a three-wicket triumph over Marlow Park moved Phil Wise’s charges up to third.

Scoring at a steady rate saw the visitors notch up a competitive 218-8 at Fox Lane.

Of the wickets which fell, Joe Tucker picked up 2-23.

Losing Wise cheaply and then Tom Howorth and Tom Wright with the scoreboard on 44 left Eversley with work to do, but Kenny England was able to rebuild the innings through a watchful 73.

A contribution of 32 from opener Jack Ford nudged the hosts closer to their required total, which was later reached thanks to Aftab Habib and Peter Healy, who made 25 and 33 not out respectively.

HURST’S promotion aspirations suffered a setback after they fell desperately short of defeating Royal Ascot in this second-playedthird encounter.

Stringent work from Nick Reynolds (2-27) and Andrew Ruddock (2-59) contained Ascot to 184-6.

Hurst also found the going tough on their own track. However, a steely stand from Tom Hibbs, who top scored with 53, and further contributions from Lewis Smith (33) and Usman Ijaz (24), appeared to swing the contest the way of the hosts.

But they were unable to get the job done, as inspirational bowling from Andrew

Andrew Ruddock (2-59) looks to build on his tally of wickets during Hurst’s game with Royal Ascot in Division 2A Picture: Steve Smyth

Murray saw Ascot protect their total – but only just.

Murray followed up four earlier wickets by taking two more to finish with 6-72. In helping dismiss the opposition for 182-3, the away side won by just one run.

WARGRAVE nudged themselves away from trouble, but had to share the spoils with Slough 2nd.

Big hitting from Imran Malik, who celebrated a century 111, and the 70 totted up by captain Neal Robinson contributed greatly to an opening score of 241-6.

Three wickets for Huw Thomas and a share of four more for Robinson and Mandip Sohi interrupted the reply, but Slough never looked in any trouble.

Helped by timely strokes from Naveed Akhtar (72), they closed on 213-8.

Wargrave secured 14 points, with the visitor’s awarded eight.

In Division 4B, WOKINGHAM 2ND preserved their modest six-point lead over closest rivals Fleet after outscoring Theale and Tilehurst by 113 runs.

The Oaks were asked to set a target and duly accepted the challenge.

Built around the 89 gathered by Simon Carter and subsequent solid knocks from Michael Cowdell (36) and Jacob Clark (35), the visitors put 225 runs to their name.

And with Wokingham’s bowling attack in fine tune, it was a score which proved to be beyond the home side’s reach.

Of the four bowlers deployed by captain Craig Beales, Simon Andersson came out on top with 4-44,.

Yet the quartet all contributed.

With John McDonald picking off three batsmen, Jacob Clark snaring two more and Muhammad Usman getting involved, Theale and Tilehurst’s response was over after 34 overs and 112 runs.

Mark Richards was able to put the disappointment of cruelly being denied a century to one side after SONNING 2ND put Bracknell to the sword in Division 5B. The opener was on 99 when removed by Nipun Chopra. His knock, nonetheless, was still the standout for the villagers.

With Dan Anderson striking up an unbroken 50, Sonning were looking good on 243-8 after 52 overs.

Lead by Hasnein Akram’s four-wicket haul, which came at the cost of only 34 runs, Bracknell never got near their target.

Also pulled apart by Ghulam Abbas, Mohammed Atif and Kevan Smith, who took care of the remaining six batsmen, the guests were shot out for 113, losing by a deficit of 130 runs.

O’Brien and Vijoen combine to keep Wokingham 3s on track DIVISIONS 6-9

WOKINGHAM 3rd remain very much in the Division 6B promotion mix after a six-wicket win over Hurst 2nd.

It was the opposition who won the toss at Sadlers End and elected to bat, with Jack Wrigley top scoring with a patient 44.

James Roxbrough Smith (28) and the 25 racked up by Toby Zeal kept the scoreboard ticking over, but Hurst’s innings was stifled

by Charlie O’Brien.

He removed half the line up and took home figures of 5-44, with his work helping restrict the guests to 162 all out.

Wokingham’s reply, however, got off to a terrible start as Zeal struck twice in quick succession to peg the side back on 7-2.

Ashley Brinsford, though, negotiated the Oaks out of this sticky spell with a hit of 34, but Markus Vijoen’s unbeaten 67 had the third-place side celebrating a seventh win of the season.

Wokingham remain 17 points behind Royal Ascot 3rd and 43 adrift of leaders WARGRAVE 2ND. They were upstaged away at Purley on Thames 2nd, who inflicted a first defeat of the summer on the table toppers.

Razwan Hanif (47), Archie Withers (32no) and Scott Morton (41no) all scored well for Wargrave, but John Rimmers’ 72 was the standout contribution during a session which saw the gusts post 239-6.

But failing to remove George Clarke resulted in the Purley No.6 going on to tot up a match-winning 84 not out and secure a six-wicket success.

Tom Tinsley and Ollie Bareham were taking wickets and scoring runs for fun when FINCHAMPSTEAD 4TH were guests of Henley 4th in Division 7A. Tinsley bagged 4-17 and Bareham secured 3-21 as the pair blew away the hosts, who were skittled out for just 90 chasing 226.

Although their total proved more than comfortable in the end, the bulk of Finchampstead’s scoring came from tail end pair Tinsley (46) and Bareham’s round 50.

Ben Fisher, with 48, had earlier helped the away side out of a hole after the top three all went cheaply. An 11th win of the campaign moved unbeaten Finch on to 295 points, where they sit a stunning 76 ahead of closest rivals EVERSLEY 3RD. They would edge past Yateley 3rd by two wickets during a second-played-third contest which witnessed Robert Saunders claim seven dismissals.

Although coming at the cost of 106 runs, his work contained their Hampshire rivals to a total of 187-9.

The promotion-chasing Boars knocked this target off with overs in hand, with Paul Ager (54) and Vijat Nawale (40) responsible for reducing the deficit.

WOKINGHAM 4TH continue to lead the way in 8A, but it remains a slender one after

being held by promotion and local rivals SONNING 3RD. Oaks captain Dersh Patel got lucky with the coin toss and asked the hosts to bat, only for Bubbu Thava to run riot.

The opener stole the show, whacking up a century 102 before falling to Mohammed Ghafoor (2-42).

With Naqash Tahir (35), Aamir Tahir (33no) and Nick Ray (25no) all batting well , third-placed Sonning’s closing score of 273-6 was a competitive one.

It was also a total Wokingham never got near, with Raj Acharya’s 34 the best return from a line up which struggled against Vivek Vasist (3-39) and Waqas Tahir (2-19), in particular.

The visitors were fortunate not to have been bowled out of the contest, but held out to finish on 156-8 and scramble six points from a draw. Sonning amassed 14.

EVERSLEY 4th prop up the rest – but gave their survival hopes a boost after carding a 119-run triumph over Kew 4th.

Bill Burnett celebrated a half century, captain Tony Critchley enjoyed a hit of 47 and Luke Casey was unbeaten on 35 as the Boars plundered a first innings score of 231-4.

The skipper then went on to share six wickets with Jack Borthwick and Jeremy Hammond, but Ollie Heywood topped the bowling charts with a stringent 3-18.

With the attack firing on all cylinders

collectively, Kew were skittled out for a 112 in the 35th over. Victory moved Eversley to within 12 points of safety.

The bragging rights went the way of the away side when the fifth XI’s of WOKINGHAM and FINCHAMPSTEAD clashed in Division 9A. Steve Levett, host captain, elected to bat at the toss, but was one of four batsmen rolled over for a duck as an opposition attack fronted by Michael Dykes (4-20) and Richard Reed (3-16) imposing itself on proceedings.

Wokingham’s Steve Creighton made a fist of things and added 38 to the total as John Carpenter nudged up 23 more, yet a total of 143 looked lightweight.

Mark James struck early to have Finch opener Khatrik Khanti gone for six, but it would count for very little.

Building on Richard Reed’s 33, an unbeaten 61 amassed by Gary Woodford had Finchampstead celebrating a seven-wicket win. They consolidated second spot and hold a 63-point lead over Cove 5th in third.

WARGRAVE 3RD remain fifth but had a day to forget against league leaders Boyne Hill, where they were bowled out for just 84 and beaten by seven wickets.

Only Oliver Newton came away from the innings with any credit, laying on almost half the runs made by the side (40).

Boyne had victory wrapped up in just 21 overs.

The Borough Honours board The team each player represents is listed first Batsmen BILLY ROGERS: Finchampstead 2nd v Tring Park 2nd – 134 STUART BARRABLE: Twyford and Ruscombe v Purley on Thames 3rd – 114* IMRAN MALIK: Wargrave v Slough 2nd - 111 TOBY CUTLER: Knowl Hill v Mortimer West End 2nd – 107 JORDY DUFFY: Knowl Hill v Mortimer West End 2nd – 103 BUBBU THAVA: Sonning 3rd v Wokingham 4th – 102 MARK RICHARDS: Sonning 2nd v Bracknell – 99 OLIVER JOHNSON: Earley v Farley Hill – 94* SIMON CARTER: Wokingham 2nd v Theale and Tilehurst – 89 RICHARD BARRON: Crowthorne and Crown Wood v Mortimer West End – 75 KENNY ENGLAND: Eversley v Marlow Park – 73 ZAHID MOHAMMED: Sonning v Finchampstead 3rd – 71 NEAL ROBINSON: Wargrave v Slough 2nd –70 ANDREW BAINES: Crowthorne and Crown Wood 3rd v Binfield 3rd – 70 MARKUS VIJOEN: Wokingham 3rd v Hurst 2nd – 67* DAN HOUSEGO: Wokingham v Chesham – 67 NICK OUTRAM: Crowthorne and Crown Wood v Mortimer West End – 67 TAJDAR JAWAID: Woodley 2nd v Ruislip Victoria 2nd – 64 REYHAN-UL DIN: Woodley v Ruislip Victoria – 63 ANDREW HAAS: Binfield v Wraysbury – 62 GARY WOODFORD: Finchampstead 5th v Wokingham 5th – 61* ANKUSH GANDHI: Shinfield v Waltham St Lawrence – 58 MIKE STAVES: Binfield v Wraysbury – 58 ED OLIVER: Finchampstead 2nd v Tring Park 2nd – 57 BILL BURNETT: Eversley 4th v Kew 4th – 55 PAUL AGER: Eversley 3rd v Yateley 3rd – 54 MICHAEL BATES: Wokingham v Chesham – 53 TOM HIBBS: Hurst v Royal Ascot – 53 ALEX SYKES: Crowthorne and Crown Wood v Mortimer West End – 53 RICHARD FORD: Eversley 2nd v Falkland 2nd – 52 USMAN ASIF: Woodley v Ruislip Victoria – 51 DAN ANDERSON: Sonning 2nd v Bracknell – 50 OLLIE BAREHAM: Finchampstead 4th v Henley 4th – 50 *Not out BOWLERS: ROBERT SAUNDERS: Eversley 3rd v Yateley 3rd – 7-106 GOWTHAM PAYAVULA: Woodley 2nd v Ruilsip Victoria 2nd – 6-21 MATTHEW CARTER: Finchampstead v Tring Park – 6-46 CRAIG HODGES: Finchampstead 2nd v Tring Park 2nd – 6-63 CHARLIE O’BRIEN: Wokingham 3rd v Hurst 2nd – 5-44 BASAT ALI: BCS v Hawley – 4-5 TOM TINSLEY: Finchampstead 4th v Henley 4th – 4-17 MICHAEL DYKES: Finchampstead 5th v Wokingham 5th – 4-20 KIRAN MUSUDI: Twyford and Ruscombe v Purley on Thames 3rd – 4-21 PAUL DEWICK: Wokingham v Chesham – 4-27 PRASHANT GANDHI: Shinfield v Waltham St Lawrence – 4-31 JACK WOOD: Wokingham v Chesham – 4-32 HASNEIN AKRAM: Sonning 2nd v Bracknell – 4-34 ROBIN THOMPSON: Twyford and Ruscombe v Purley on Thames 3rd – 4-36 SIMON ANDERSSON: Wokingham 2nd v Theale and Tilehurst – 4-44 JANDRE COETZEE: Finchampstead v Tring Park – 4-57 MATT HAYMAN: Binfield v Wraysbury - 4-64 JOSH LINCOLN: Finchampstead 3rd v Sonning – 4-70

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DAN THE MAN FOR OAKS: Housego’s hit helps secure a vital victory for Wokingham — Page: 37

READING FC

Excited Gunter is hoping Royals can kick-off on a winning note A GOOD start and three points is the aim for Chris Gunter and Reading this weekend, writes LEWIS RUDD. The eve of a new Championship season is upon us once again and for Royals it will be a case of trying to improve upon the disappointing 17th position last time around.

But there has been much change both on and off the pitch at Madejski Stadium during the close season with Jaap Stam replacing Brian McDermott as manager and the Dutchman has been busy stamping his authority on a much-changed squad.

But there is likely to be a familiar face at right back when Reading line-up against Preston North End tomorrow (3pm) and Gunter is relishing the challenge.

“It’s nice to start at home – there is always excitement before the first game,” he said.

“It’ll be a tough test – they are a very good team. But speaking to the boys here

through pre-season, there have been some really good performances and on Friday, against Bournemouth, there was certainly some stuff we can take forward.

“We’ll certainly go out on Saturday looking to get the three points and off to a good start.”

Preston, ironically were the team Royals faced on their final home game of 2015/16, where a late Daniel Johnson strike secured the Lillywhites a 2-1 victory.

“Preston will have ambitions of their own this season and, exactly the same as us, they’ll want to get off to a good start.

“But I think they’ll come to Madjeski Stadium this weekend and they’ll be facing a completely different Reading team this season.

“We were in a bad way and a real rut at the end of last season, and we couldn’t shake ourselves out of it.

“I’m sure they’re aware they’ll be facing a very different Reading team this time. Hopefully we can get the three

Chris Gunter Picture: Phil Creighton

points and kick-start our season.”

Boss Stam could hand competitive debuts to a host of new faces, although Joseph Mendes and Yakou Meite of the new arrivals are not quite up to match fitness and unlikely, therefore, to be involved, the Dutchman revealed on Thursday.

Steven Quinn will be assessed on a knee injury but Yann Kermorgant and Garath McCleary are both back in training and could take part in the curtain raiser.

One player who will not be in the squad is Oliver Norwood.

The 25-year-old midfielder left the club on Wednesday to link up with Championship rivals Brighton and Hove Albion, whom he joined on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

The Northern Ireland international made 81 appearances for Royals following a switch from Huddersfield Town back in 2014 and had become a popular figure in these parts.

And while many will be disappointed with his departure, the fact he only had a year left to run on his existing contract could suggest this was a sensible bit of business for the club. n PRIOR to the game, Reading will officially open the re-named Eamon Dolan Stand.

At 1.30pm when the turnstiles open, Co-Chairman Sir John Madejski and members of the late Academy Director’s family will unveil a plaque to a Dolan, who lost his battle with cancer earlier this year.

In another tribute, a current crop of Academy players will also form a guard of honour to welcome both teams on to the Madejski Stadium pitch.

Inside the ground, some of the Eamonn’s greatest achievements, including the Premier League Cup win, will be broadcast. n FOR more Reading FC news, turn to pages 35 and 36.

BACKING OUR BOY

Fletcher vows to give it his all as dream Rio date awaits

By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Ben Fletcher will begin his bid for Olympic glory on Thursday

YOUNG judoka will have the chance to follow in Ben Fletcher’s footsteps during a special event at Pinewood Judo Club On Thursday, August 11, on the same day that Ben steps onto the mat at the Carioca Arena 2 in Rio de Janeiro, members of the local community will have the opportunity to experience everything that the sport of judo has to offer in the surrounding of Ben’s home

Picture: Sam Farr/Matchtight

club. The Judo House, at Pinewood Judo Club, will be running a range of fun games and activities, including a barbecue, before welcoming everyone to watch Ben’s match on the big screen.

All are welcome to come along from 10am at Pinewood Judo Club, Old Wokingham Road, Wokingham, RG40 3AQ. For more information visit www.pinewoodjudo.com.

THE Olympic Games officially get underway later today and Ben Fletcher is itching to get started.

Although Wokingham’s representative in Rio will have to wait a little bit longer before going for gold, as the Men’s U100kg judo competition does not start until Thursday.

The 24-year-old, however, will be present alongside many more of Team GB at tonight’s opening ceremony before settling down for business.

“Yes, I will be there at the opening ceremony as I don’t start until Day Six, and I’m looking forward to it,” he told The Wokingham Paper.

“I’m itching to go. I’m looking forward to the opportunity and I’m going to give it my best shot.”

Not only will Fletcher be roared on in South America by family and friends, but he will also have the borough and the nation in his corner.

And although he now lives and trains in Bath, the judoka admitted there is no place like home.

“It’s nice to be representing your home town,” said the former Emmbrook School pupil.

“Even though I live somewhere else I’m back in Wokingham as often as I can, as it’s a good place to relax and a different atmosphere, and I have a real good affiliation with the place.

“I still have a lot of friends there who have been sending me messages of congratulations and that sort of thing.

“There has been a great reaction to it (going to the Olympics).”

Ben’s first-ever appearance at the

Games pits him in a tough-looking While closer to home, members and team-mates at Pinewood Judo Club will category. be screaming on their Olympic hero.

Defending 2012 champion Tagir The club is notorious for producing Khaybulaev of Russia, Henrik Grul, countless winners over the years, but reigning European champion from the Fletcher is the first from the Netherlands and Japan’s Ryunosuke Crowthorne-based club to actually go on Haga, who is billed at the favourite, are and qualify for the games. all likely to stand in Fletcher’s way if his “It is a massive achievement for me is to reach the medal stages on Thursday, personally to be the first Pinewood man August 11. to qualify,” he said.

So the hopeful is under no illusions of “It has been such a big part of my life the task at hand, yet can take to the mats over the years. Wokingham is my home knowing he has had the better of such town and Pinewood is still my home club. opponents in the past.

“I’m now Bath through and through “My category is a little bit all over the but Pinewood is my roots. place and the top five spots have been “I have a huge affiliation with the place shuffling around this year. and this is a massive thing for me.”

“Ryunosuke Haga is billed as the Fletcher harnessed his talents under favourite, but I won’t be ruling anybody the late and legendary Pinewood Sensei out.

Don Werner.

“But If I am to medal I am probably “Don had his own way of doing things,” going to need some of the best added the Olympian. performances of my life.

“I’m sure he would have been proud of “I know I can beat these people, but me, but probably would not have said it being honest with myself it is about in those way of words!” going out there and giving it everything Also flying the flag locally for Team and as long as I can do that then I can be GB will be Binfield Skeet shooter Amber happy.”

Hill, 18, while Bracknell and Wokingham Roaring on their son from the stands Swimming Club’s Andrew Willis, 25, at the Carioca Arena will be Ben’s will be hoping to follow up his 2014 parents, who will be joined by some of Commonwealth 200m breaststroke his friends and his sister, Megan. bronze medal with yet more success in A cruel twist of injuries and illness the pool. ended her hopes of Published by Xn making the plane to Brazil ISSN 2058-5268 Media Ltd, Crown at the qualifying stages, 31 House, 231 Kings something her sibling can Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Printed at relate too given he missed Newbury Weekly out on competing at the News, Newspaper House, Faraday Road, Commonwealth Games Newbury, Berkshire in 2014 because of a knee RG14 2DW .© Xn 9 772058 526009 Media Ltd, 2016 complaint.