The Wokingham Paper December 1 by The Wokingham Paper

YOUR BEST GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON ACROSS THE BOROUGH COVERING WOKINGHAM, FINCHAMPSTEAD, WINNERSH, SHINFIELD, WOODLEY, TWYFORD & SURROUNDING AREAS

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N E WS W I T H A H E A R T F O R T H E B O R O U G H

COUNCIL EXCLUSIVE

‘WE’RE NOT SORRY’

 FULL REPORT INSIDE p4

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THE BIG CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

That Grazeley plan for 15,000 homes?

Leaders see no need to apologise over secrecy

Thursday, December 1 2016 No. 85

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, December 1, 2016

Q: Which team won Daisy’s Dream quiz for third time? Still Crazies are still doing it! The quiz team won the Frasers Ofﬁces Supplies Trophy in the annual charity quiz for Daisy’s Dream

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

Email news@wokinghampaper.co.uk Publisher • Phil Creighton Chief reporter • Gemma Davidson Sports editor • Tom Crocker Sports reporter • Lewis Rudd

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A QUIZ team in Charvil took home the trophy for a third year in a row during a charity event last month. Local team Still Crazies took home the Frasers Ofﬁce Supplies Trophy for the third time at the Daisy’s Dream annual charity quiz, held on November 19.. The evening, which saw 12 teams pit their wits against one another, raised an incredible £3,400 for the child bereavement charity, which

Christmas party for gardening club A FINCHAMPSTEAD gardening club will be holding their annual Christmas Party on Monday. The California Gardeners’ Club, which meets at the Ratepayers’ Hall, in Finchampstead Road, every first Monday of the month, will be toasting another fruitful year and looking forward to 2017. The party is for members only. For more information on the club’s meetings call Lynn Potts on 0118 977 1852.

Festive fun as schools team up FESTIVE fun will be making its way to Finchampstead this weekend as two schools hold their combined Christmas Fayre. Gorse Rides Schools, in Gorse Ride

is based in Twyford. Attendees also helped to support the charity through a rafﬂe, tombola and auction, and enjoyed a delicious curry supper provided by The Cook Curry Club and champagne donated by The Duke of Wellington pub. Claire Rhodes, Fundraiser at Daisy’s Dream, was delighted. “We’re so grateful to the community for their support – from everyone who came, and all the people

South, will be welcoming Father Christmas himself to their fayre on Saturday, and everyone is invited to come along and meet him. The event kicks off at 11am and runs until 2pm, featuring mince pies, cakes, a tombola and plenty of fun and games for the children to enjoy. The fayre is the last major fundraiser of the school PTA’s bid to raise at least £20,000, which will go towards refurbishing four classrooms.

Try some wine at Town Hall A CHARITY wine festival will be held in Wokingham’s Town Hall on Saturday. Organised by the Windsor Forest Unicorn Club, Association of Small Direct Wine merchants, Wokingham Round Table and the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the event sees all ticket proceeds go to the charity. The event is an 0sopportunity for people to learn more about wine,

who supported by sponsoring or donating prizes, to our fantastic team of volunteers. “We really appreciate all the support and the funds will make a signiﬁcant difference to the lives of children we’re now able to support through the serious illness or bereavement of someone close to them. “Thanks again to everyone who came along. We’re looking forward to seeing you again next year!”

regardless of prior knowledge. There will be tastings, professional expertise and a chance to buy a bottle or two from independent merchants. It runs from 11am-6pm and tickets cost £5.  For more details, call 0118 986 2591.

Singer in concert A SINGER songwriter is coming to Finchampstead later this month for a concert. Phillippa Hanna will be at St James Church on Thursday, December 15 from 7.30pm. She has just released a new album, Speed Of Light, which was recorded in Nashville. It tackles the challenges of life head-on, offering listeners a message of hope in the face of adversity. Doors open at 7pm and tickets cost £12 or £8 for children aged 12 and under. There is limited space available and tickets are first-come, first-served.  For more details or to book, email foxconcerts@aol.com

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Thursday, December 1, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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Countdown to Christmas

Get ready for Santa – he’s coming to a street near you! EXCLUSIVE

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk FATHER Christmas will be visiting the streets of Wokingham borough from this evening, and we have all the details so you won’t miss him! Fundraising groups from across the area organise the sleigh rides each year, aiming to spread some festive cheer to the young and old of Wokingham, as well as raising vital funds for various charities in the process. Below are the routes and expected dates of where you can catch Father Christmas and his sleigh in a street near you. All dates are subject to weather conditions and could be changed without warning. The route details for Woodley and Earley Lions Club were not available at the time of going to press.

Santa Claus is coming to town … where he’s scheduled to come between now and Christmas n DECEMBER 1 Crowthorne - Greenwood Road Wokingham West Forest Round Table n DECEMBER 2 Twyford Village Fair Twyford Round Table n DECEMBER 3 Wokingham - Crutchley Road Wokingham West Forest Round Table Charvil- East Park Farm and Hawthorns Twyford Round Table Charvil – North Twyford Round Table n DECEMBER 4 Wokingham - Clifton Road Wokingham West Forest Round Table Twyford - Springfield Twyford Round Table Twyford - Hermitage Drive Twyford Round Table n DECEMBER 6 Winnersh - Robinhood Lane Wokingham West Forest Round Table n DECEMBER 7 Charvil – Gingells and Chiltern Drive Twyford Round Table Lower Earley - Hawkedon Way Wokingham West Forest Round Table n DECEMBER 8 Woosehill - Ruskin Way/ Hampshire Way Wokingham West Forest Round Table n DECEMBER 9 Woosehill - Dorset Way Wokingham West Forest Round Table n DECEMBER 10 Twyford North Twyford Round Table Twyford Centre Twyford Round Table Woosehill - Northway Wokingham West Forest Round Table n DECEMBER 11 Twyford - Broad Hinton Twyford Round Table Twyford - Broadwater Twyford Round Table Wokingham - Keephatch Park Wokingham West Forest Round Table

n DECEMBER 12 Wokingham - Emmbrook Road Wokingham West Forest Round Table n DECEMBER 13 Wokingham - Oxford Road Wokingham West Forest Round Table n DECEMBER 14 Twyford missed routes due to weather Twyford Round Table Wokingham - Glebe Park Wokingham West Forest Round Table n DECEMBER 15 Wokingham - Rances Lane Wokingham West Forest Round Table n DECEMBER 16 Wokingham - Montague Park Wokingham West Forest Round Table n DECEMBER 17 Wargrave North Twyford Round Table Wargrave South Twyford Round Table Wokingham - Beanoak Road Wokingham West Forest Round Table n DECEMBER 18 Twyford - Colleton Twyford Round Table Hurst Twyford Round Table Wokingham - Easthampstead Road Wokingham West Forest Round Table n DECEMBER 20 Crowthorne - Heathermount Drive Wokingham West Forest Round Table n DECEMBER 21 Twyford missed routes due to weather Twyford Round Table Shinfield Reading Lions Crowthorne - Edgcumbe Park Drive Wokingham West Forest Round Table n DECEMBER 22 Crowthorne - Waterloo Road Wokingham West Forest Round Table n DECEMBER 23 Crowthorne - Bramley Grove/The Brambles Wokingham West Forest Round Table

Seven-month-old Sophie explores a Christmas tree at King’s Church Winter Wonderland. She is watched by her Nanny, Bridget Payne Pictures: Phil Creighton

Winter Wonderland is fit for the King CHILDREN of all ages were able to get into the Christmas spirit last weekend thanks to a Wokingham town centre church. Members of King’s Church in Station Road turned their hall into a Winter Wonderland, featuring an amazing tableaux of snow-topped streets, light shows and plenty of Christmas trees. Children could take part in craft activities such as biscuit decorating or snowflake making, try their hand at hook-a-duck and also enjoy some seasonal refreshments. Father Christmas was on hand to read Christmas stories to excited youngsters, some of whom dressed up for the occasion. Parents could also enjoy cakes and drinks while their children played. Justine Baston, who helped organise the event, said: “It takes about a week to set up and this is the second year we’ve done this.” It was so popular that the church ran it over Saturday and Sunday.

Santiago (3) dressed as a reindeer and enjoyed a story with Santa. Below: One of the festive tableaux the church created

Enjoy a fantastic Christmas tree-t with festive festivals PLANS are now complete for the popular Christmas tree festival at St Mary’s Church in Twyford, which takes place from today until Sunday. It is the fourth tree festival held there and the festival in 2014 attracted more than 3,000 visitors. Many of Twyford’s voluntary organisations, businesses and schools are supporting the event and over 70 trees will be decorated individually. They are a mixture of real and artificial, plus some original designs with the interests of the exhibitors carefully woven into the display. Every corner of the church will be crowded

with trees depicting the theme of a White Christmas and promoting “Peace and Goodwill to all.” The festival is open daily and entrance is free. Opening times on Thursday and Saturday are 10am to 5pm, on Friday from 10am to 9pm and Sunday 10.30am to 4.30pm. Tomorrow evening, Twyford Hand Bell Ringers and Berkshire Recorder Consort will entertain and on Sunday afternoon Christmas tea will be served while Twyford ‘Glee Club UK’ is singing. This will be followed by a service at 4.30pm with carols sung around the trees. Visitors will also be able to view plans for Twyford’s new library.

n Wokingham Methodist Church will see more than 50 festive firs on show at its festival, each one decorated by local charities, groups and schools. Throughout the threeday event, which runs from Friday to Sunday there will be other entertainments including children’s activities, crafts and gift stalls. Entry is free, but the church accepts donations. All proceeds will be shared between three charities: The Salvation Army, Rett Syndrome and the Rose Street Alzheimer's Café. It is open from 10am to 4.30pm on Friday and Saturday and from noon to 4pm on Sunday, December 4.

Prepare to open Living Advent Calendars ONCE again both Wokingham and Twyford will be counting down the days to Christmas with their living advent calendars. Both are slightly different to each other but the aim is to offer fun community events that help make the wait for December 25 more bearable. In Wokingham, there will be a different performance every day at 6.15pm or 4pm at weekends. The fun starts at the Town Hall tonight, where there will be an opportunity to watch talented youngsters in action. Tomorrow night, Martin & Co in Peach Street will be the venue. On Saturday, Jess and Jake Fashion, also in Peach Street, is the spot; while Sunday's hosts are Sanpa in their new home in Denmark Street. On Monday night, local schools will come together in Market Square to help the town mayor, Cllr Gwynneth Hewetson, decorate the Christmas tree. Afterwards, there will be carols thanks to Wokingham Choral Society. On Tuesday, the Local Barbershop will be a cut above as it welcomes guests to hear a musical surprise. The Ship Inn, one of Wokingham's oldest pubs, is hosting on Wednesday; and next Thursday, Wokingham Library will be welcoming festive revellers. The Grape Escape completes next week, holding a surprise event on Friday, December 9. Twyford's Living Advent Calendar started on Sunday with the switching-on of the Christmas lights and it launches properly tomorrow with the annual street fayre (see page 9). Twyford Studios is holding a Christmas fayre on Saturday from 10am to 5pm, then the Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary's Church is Sunday's event. Carol singing at Bridge House Nursing Home is the option for Monday, December 5, while the annual children's quiz takes place at St Thomas More Church on Tuesday from 5.30pm. Music Made Fearless will be performing at Bell Corner in Twyford on Wednesday. On Thursday, December 8, the Guides will be singing at Twyford Station between 6pm and 7.30pm. More carols can be heard at Waitrose on Friday, December 9 as Polehampton Infant School perform at 9.30am. They will be collecting for Daisy's Dream. And residents of Ruscombe might be tempted to head to Henley, as it is also hosting a Living Advent Calendar, with performances nightly at 6pm.

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, December 1, 2016

Wokingham Borough Council executive Last Thursday evening, the council’s Executive – its cabinet – met at Shute End to make a range of decisions. PHIL CREIGHTON was the only journalist present. Here is his report

Council to count the cones for survey THE Borough Council is undertaking a stock take of all its assets relating to roads and footpaths. The scheme includes car parks, grass verges, street lights and street furniture. Cllr Malcolm Richards, executive member for highways, explained the need for such a scheme came from central Government. “All these assts need to be identified and have an assigned value and they also have a need to be serviced or repaired or modified. “In order to know what we own and what it is costing ... one would need a properly organised list or database of it all.” Cllr Richards said that the process was started several years ago and have been developed further since then. “What is happening now is that the government has specified that every authority should be doing this. If one didn’t do it, that might affect any grants … the Government might produce.”

Footbridge over railway questioned THE STATUS of a temporary footbridge over Wokingham’s railway line was queried last week. The Wokingham Society’s chairman Peter Must asked Executive asked how long it would be before the temporary footbridge would be in place before Network Rail installed a permanent crossing. Cllr Mark Ashwell, executive member for planning and regeneration, said that the borough Council and Network Rail have an agreement in place. He said: “The council’s long-term plans for a permanent structure of the Waterloo to Reading line could also see the existing footbridge over the North Downs Line replaced with a ramped footbridge.” The new multi-storey car park in the Carnival Pool development is designed to be linked to any such bridge, Cllr Ashwell reminded. When pressed on a timescale, Cllr Ashwell responded: “In short, it’s a longer-term aspiration.”

‘We don’t need to apologise for secret 15,000 home plan’ EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE EXECUTIVE feels that it doesn’t need to apologise over its secret plan to build 15,000 homes in Grazeley. As we revealed in October , the borough council has produced an expression of interest for a garden village on the land south of the M4. As it is nothing other than a proposal at this stage, and the details were leaked to the press before they were a firm suggestion, the Executive said that there was nothing to say sorry for. Answering a question from Cllr Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey, Cllr Mark Ashwell, executive member for planning and regeneration, said that the Grazeley garden village plan was “part of a discussion with government to establish whether there is any merit in this approach should the public favour this approach.” He was also questioned by Liberal Democrat Cllr Clive Jones. He asked Cllr Mark Ashwell: “As confidentiality was not a requirement [for the plans] will you apologise to the residents of Grazeley, Spencers Wood, Shinfield and all the other residents of the Borough who consider they are adversely affected by this proposal, for keeping your proposal secret … even though you didn’t need to.” Cllr Ashwell replied: “No apology is needed.” This view was backed up by the leader of the Council, Cllr Keith Baker. Speaking to The Wokingham Paper afterwards, he said: “Since there has been no decision on any plans and won’t be until May 2019 then there is nothing to apologise for.” This view was not shared by Cllr Jones, who asked the question at the end of a barrage of questions on the scheme from his fellow Liberal Democrat members.

Grazeley is subject to speculation that Wokingham Borough Council could place 15,000 homes as part of a garden village plan

Speaking to The Wokingham Paper after the meeting, he said: “I was very disappointed that Cllr Baker didn’t answer the question himself. “Cllr Ashwell is new to his role and won’t have been involved as Cllr Baker has been for the last 18 months. “Cllr Gary Cowan has told us these discussions have been going on for 18 months. There is no justification for keeping this LEP document secret for 18 months. “Confidentiality was not a requirement from the The Department for Communities and Local Government. “Unlike other councils who have been open and honest with their residents, those at the very top of ruling Conservative group here in Wokingham have shown their contempt for local residents by hiding these plans from them for so long – especially those who have moved into the area in the last 18 months and now find that they are likely

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to have an extra 36,000 neighbours on their doorstep. “The very least Cllr Baker and Cllr Ashwell could have done is apologise, this is disgraceful behaviour from senior Conservatives.” And that view was echoed by Cllr Gary Cowan, the new independent member for Arborfield. He sensationally quit the Conservatives at the end of the last Council meeting, as we exclusively reported last week. Cllr Cowan told The Wokingham Paper: “Yes, they should apologise. “Cllr Keith Baker said that he didn’t want to frighten resiudents, and that it was best to put all the houses in one location. “But the developers [in other parts of the borough] will fight for their patch and you could end up with 30,000 homes in Wokingham. “They’ve opened Pandora’s box that will release a tsunami of housing on all of Wokingham Borough. “So, yes, they absolutely should definitely apologise for the plans.”

AN AMUSING moment was provided when Cllr Angus Ross answered a question about a new cycle path by referring to the wrong part of Wokingham. Imogen Shepherd-DuBey asked the executive member for the environment about the cycle lane which had been built through the middle of the Meadow Road park in Emmbrook. Cllr Ross started his reply by talking about the park by Old Forest Road. Mrs Shepherd-DuBey interrupted him, telling him that he was in the wrong area. After a good natured exchange, Cllr Ross promised: “I will come back to you on that.” Speaking afterwards to The Wokingham Paper, Cllr Ross said: “Officers had misunderstood which cycle path was being referred to. “A correct reply will be issued as soon as possible.”

Executive agrees to 20% hike in fees THE amount people will pay for council services will rise from today. At the meeting of Executive, Cllr Anthony Pollock, Executive Member for Economic Development and Finance, explained the need for the increases. They cover health, sports, and housing. Although most prices will rise today, there will be a number that change from January 1 and some that go up from April 1. While most increases are modest and in line with inflation, there are others that will soar by 20%. For example, the hire charge for Wokingham Youth and Community Centre rises from £12.90 fto £13.10 per hour, while 10 physical sessions for over 50s – known as SHINE – rises from £25 to £30, a 20% increase. Cllr Anthony Pollock, executive member for economic development and finance said: “The standard approach is to increase fees and charges by the retail price index in July, which this year was 1.9%. “If we deviate from this it’s because we’re keeping in line with what other councils are charging. “We also round to a sensible figure, such as a whole pound. “When we set our fees we carefully consider their impact on our customers. It’s a fine line and about striking a balance.”

Special council meeting over plans for new partnership EXECUTIVE approved plans introduced by Cllr Pauline Jorgenson to expand a partnership between Wokingham, Bracknell Forest and West Berkshire councils. The new partnership service arrangement for public protection aims to save £50,000 a year and see the three councils work together on environmental health, licensing and trading standards. Known as a Public Protection Partnership (PPP), assuming all goes to plan, it will be launched in January. The council said that the new PPP will have a

joint committee with two representatives from each of the three authorities, who will be responsible to set the strategic direction, policies and financial set-up of the new service. “Local government is leading the way in this creative way of thinking, with at least 96 per cent of councils across the country now running their services in partnership with other local authorities,” said Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for resident services. “At Wokingham Borough we also share our legal, building control, and audit and

investigation services with neighbouring councils. “Partnership services benefit from economies of scale and efficiencies by combining to create larger operations. “They improve recruitment because councils are no longer competing for the same staff. And it also creates opportunities to diversify by offering more non-statutory services to boost public funds.” The plans were approved by executive last Thursday and will now be voted on at an extraordinary council meeting on Tuesday at 7.30pm.

Thursday, December 1, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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Blue Coat and Holt on Sunday Times list

Waverley School pupils celebrate their pole position in The Sunday Times school league tables

Funding row: ‘Schools are at breaking point’ THE education of pupils in Wokingham is being put at risk by unfair funding allocations, the organisers of a new campaign have warned. Angry parents, teachers and headteachers are backing a petition for fairer funding for Wokingham’s schools after it was revealed that the borough receives the lowest amount of funding per pupil in the UK. Campaigners Annabel Yoxall and Rachel Bradley have kick-started the campaign urging residents to lobby the council to push the issue of a fairer funding formula and take their petition to the government. Rachel said: “Our schools deliver a high standard of education but receive the lowest level of funding in the country and additional money is needed now to prevent their financial position becoming unsustainable, as well as in the longer term when the national funding formula is introduced. “Schools don’t have enough money to supply text books to every pupil, departments are being closed down and teachers are being made redundant. “Our schools are at breaking point. “They need to be brought in line with the rest of Berkshire with immediate effect and we need a guarantee that schools in our borough won't be overlooked when it comes to the review of the fair funding formula.” One parent of a secondary school pupil, who did not wish to be named, said they had to pay for their child’s art supplies and workbooks. They said: “Food Tech is also a bit of an issue as it is very hit and miss. “They don’t have utensils for cooking so parents have to supply their own and my child has come

home twice with an uncooked meal because there are not enough ovens. “I am concerned that my child is not learning the whole process at school. Ingredients have to be weighed out at home as there are not enough scales at school.” Teachers are also being forced to pay for their own supplies and regularly fear for their jobs according to one teacher, who again did not wish to be identified. They said: “I have been a teacher for near on 20 years and have worked in a few different boroughs during my career. Things have gradually got worse and worse and I’m now at the point where I'm worried for the future of my children in state education in this area. “More and more experienced teachers are leaving as they are fed up with an unsustainable workload and lack of basic resources; replacements, when they can be found, are of varying calibre. “Teachers are making do and using their own supplies and printing stuff at home to paper over the cracks, and teaching outside of their specialism. There is less and less choice in sixth form as subjects are cut. “Classes are getting bigger and adding to the problem. I feel most Wokingham parents are oblivious, and the ones who do realise there is an issue don't know the extent of it, or think it will be sorted by a few more funds from the PTA. “I’m angry at the hand our children have been dealt but like many teachers scared to speak out. Redundancy seems like a real possibility. “Experienced teachers cost too much – though they are what our schools need. This feels like a crisis.”  To sign the petition visit http://bit.ly/2gOXNIP.

writing and maths. The rankings are based on the SATS results of the pupils in year 6. Head of Waverley, Guy Shore, said: “We are absolutely delighted with our new ranking announced. “We have beaten some stiff competition and it is even more outstanding given that we are a nonselective school and have children of all abilities. “As a Head, I am enormously proud. “It is a credit to the amazing work of the staff and children, and the support of their parents, that we have attained such exceptional results and achieved our impressive national ranking.’

Messiah

by George Frideric Handel Sunday 4th December at 4.30 pm (Doors open at 4.10 pm) at All Saints Church, Wokingham RG40 1TN Ellen Boylan (treble), Michaela Parry (alto), Edward Hughes (tenor) and James Oldfield (bass) with the Gandolpho Players, led by Eleanor Harrison, Richard McVeigh (organ) and the choir of All Saints Church Wokingham. Conductor: Richard Smith

Proceeds to All Saints Church and the Army Benevolent Fund Tickets: £12.50, from www.wokinghamconcerts.co.uk or on the door

Photograph courtesy of Hemma Mason

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk

A FINCHAMPSTEAD school is celebrating after topping The Sunday Times league tables Waverley School was ranked as number14 nationally and the best in Berkshire in the regional tables. Blair Jenkins, Chair of Governors at Waverley, said: “There are 22,500 junior schools in Britain so for Waverley to be ranked yet again so highly, is great testament to the fantastic teaching and support team at Waverley.” The annual league table ranks schools based purely on their academic results. The league table analyses results in the core subjects of reading, English grammar,

All Saints PCC is a registered charity, number 1127585

Photograph by Hemma Mason

TWO of the borough’s secondary schools feature in The Sunday Times rankings published on Sunday. Reading Blue Coat School features in the Independent Schools top 250, while The Holt School is once again in the State Schools list. The rankings are determined by the percentage of A* to B grades at A-level and the percentage of entries returning A* and A grades at GCSE. They are published several weeks ahead of the official Government tables for secondary school performance. Ben Adams, deputy head for The Holt, said: “We are delighted to feature in The Times Top 250 state secondary schools for the third year in succession. The students, extremely well supported by all our staff, worked hard to achieve such excellent results. “We, along with many other comprehensive schools, have shown that young people can have a first class education without being selected at 11, and in fact achieve more highly than some grammar schools.”

Top of the class!

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, December 1, 2016

Were councillors whipped in pay vote?

Don’t dine alone this December A CARE home in Lower Earley is opening its doors to lonely members of the community this month. Austen House, in Kilnsea Drive, will be welcoming isolated and vulnerable members of the community to join them for lunch with residents and staff on the first three Mondays in December. The Don’t Dine Alone initiative has been launched by care provider Barchester Healthcare and many of the company’s care homes are taking part. Guests will be treated to a delicious home-made lunch served up by Barchester’s talented chefs. Leah Marsh, general manager at Austen House, said: “This year we are hoping to host up to five older people from the local neighbourhood for the first three Mondays throughout December and we can’t wait. Our staff and our residents are especially proud of our home we are delighted to be able to share it with others, especially those who might normally spend time on their own. “Guests can look forward to a nutritious threecourse meal that offers a range of choice, along with refreshments in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere whilst meeting new people. “We hope that the initiative will be a success and go a little way to reduce the social isolation that many older people within our local community may experience. “The meal will be provided completely free of charge, all we ask is that individuals pre-book to join us, with places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and are able to make their own travel arrangements.”  For more information call 0118 926 6100 or email austen@barchester.com.

EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Performers: Charlotte Baker, Emily Morrison, Tom Fletcher and Amber Li entertained visitors to St Eligius Church in Arborﬁeld Picture: Phil Creighton

Concert hits the right notes AN ARBORFIELD church was packed out last Friday lunchtime, as it hosted a special concert. Pupils from Farnborough’s Sixth Form College visited St Eligius to perform a selection of music. The bill included Ian Clarke’s Maya,

Strauss’ Morgen and Ronald Binge’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone. Afterwards, the church served a buffet lunch. The churchwardens are now busy preparing for a packed festive programme.

NEW L O SCHO

A ROW has broken out over whether Conservative councillors were ordered to vote against recommendations to curb their expenses payments. At the meeting of Wokingham Borough Council on Thursday, November 17, Cllr Keith Baker asked his colleagues to ignore the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel over Special Respon-sibility Allowances (SRAs) paid to members. This led to the pay panel resigning – and also prompted Cllr Gary Cowan to resign the Conservative whip. He said that the councillors had been told not to declare an interest in the issue before the meeting started and that the Conservative councillors had been told to vote for the motion. But Cllr Keith Baker insisted that the councillors had not been told how to vote. He told The Wokingham Paper: “As with all political parties there are rules. “All parties will have rules that basically allow them to debate a particular proposal and then reach

Help fill festive shoeboxes for victims of domestic abuse EXCLUSIVE

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a consensus which becomes the approved position of that political party. Councillors in that group will be expected to support that consensus. “In terms of this specific accusation then there is the opportunity for the Leader to make an executive decision if circumstances on the night dramatically change. I think you will accept that there was such a change on the night which is why I publicly stated that there was no whip on this vote. Furthermore I actually arranged for the abstentions of all those with a material interest in any of the recommendations on the SRAs.” Cllr Gary Cowan said: “He could have held his hands up and said there was a whip. He won’t do that. “Keith had it in his power to call an adjournment [on the debate] but he didn’t. I think it’s a dreadfully bad signal to send out to our residents.” And Cllr Lindsay Ferris, in a letter to The Wokingham Paper, said: “We fully support the IRP recommendations and will not, now or in the future, take any multiple allowance that may have been forthcoming.”  Letters page 16

AN initiative to help victims of domestic abuse over the Christmas period has been launched in Wokingham. Project Shoebox, in conjunction with Berkshire Women’s Aid (BWA), aims to provide victims and their families with a box of essentials, as well as a few luxury items, to make it through the festive period. Initially started in Bromley by Kate Kenyon, last year the project became so popular that coordinated points around the UK delivered in excess of 2,000 boxes throughout women’s shelters and outreach programmes. Wokingham’s effort, organised by Vicky Kollnberger, managed to donate more than 250 boxes. This year, the project is looking to expand throughout the Thames Valley, helping victims of domestic abuse across Wokingham, Reading and beyond. Vicky said: “While I have been lucky enough not to have to use a women's refuge myself, I was involved in a domestic violent relationship and understand the struggle and internal conflict that many of these women have been through. “I wanted to be able to offer my support in a little way, and try and help make things a little more comfortable for

these families over Christmas, help them realise that they are not alone and that there are people thinking of them. “Last year, with just myself as the drop off and a few willing volunteers for packing, we collected, packed and delivered over 250 boxes around the Thames Valley. “This year we have 20 drop off points, so I would love to be able to deliver over 500 boxes. “So far we have received 30 completed boxes and around another 50 boxes worth of

loose items that need to be boxed up and wrapped.” Donations of unwanted or unneeded toiletries, as well as items such as make-up and chocolates, will be greatfully received until Sunday, December 11. To find out more about how you can donate search for Project Shoebox – Thames Valley on Facebook, visit www.berkshirewomensaid. org.uk or contact Vicky on vickykollnberger@googlemail. com.

SHOPPING LIST REALLY USEFUL BASICS: • Shower gel • Soap • Toothbrush • Toothpaste • Shampoo • Conditioner • Body Lotion • Deodorant • Hair brush/comb HELPFUL, COMFORTING THINGS: • Face wash/toner/ moisturiser • Make up remover • Sanitary products • Cosmetics – face, nails, makeup, fake tan, hair dye • Cotton wool, ﬂannel • Hair products: spray, mousse and also hairbands or scrunchies JUST NICE THINGS TO HAVE: • Scarves, bits of jewellery

• Socks, tights, slippers or ﬂipﬂops • Sweets or Chocolate • A Christmas card – if people send in boxes with cards or messages, or if you want to include one TEENS: GIRLS AND BOYS It’s often families in refuges, so we also collect for younger recipients, and including boys items such as men’s shower gel, deodorant, socks, hair gel, etc. BABIES: Having a baby is often a real trigger point for domestic abuse to get worse, so babies are often in need within refuges. Any of the following make great baby boxes: • Baby shampoo • Baby Lotion • Baby Oil

• Nappy cream • Cotton wool • Wipes • Nappy bags • Clean, unused dummies • Anything helpful for a new mum: nipple cream, knickers, nursing pads, etc DON’T DONATE • Medicines, razors and sharp items. • Sweets and chocolates containing nuts. • Large toys or books. Small toys and books that ﬁt into a box are OK, but the shelters don’t have the space for larger items • Women’s clothes are also difﬁcult to store and cater for all ages and size, so no clothes except scarves, hats, gloves, socks etc.

Thursday, December 1, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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8 | NEWS

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Rose Street loo off to Hamsey A COUNCIL has spent a bit more than a penny on a toilet. The public convenience in the Rose Street car park is to close on Monday, a month ahead of work starting on the new Peach Place project. This leaves the Town Hall as the main disabled toilet in the town centre. Others include The Gig David Dunham accepts a cheque from Tesco’s Wokingham branch House and the Red Lion. The toilets for this year’s Poppy Appeal Inset picture: Sue Phelps Photography in the Bradbury Centre are not part of the local loo scheme and are only available to centre users. The toilet, which was installed WOKINGHAM has responded by Wokingham Town Council in in record breaking numbers to July 2013, is a coin-operated facility this year’s Poppy Appeal. and the council said that it has In all, across the borough, averaged around 15 uses per day. the appeal raised a fantastic As it is fairly new and in good £49,682.41. working order, the town council The local Poppy Team said invited other councils to take the that they issued more than 450 loo on, rather than see it go down collecting tins and raised £7,000 the pan. Hamsey Parish Council in collectors who sell poppies on from Waitrose shoppers and a East Sussex has accepted the offer the streets. furtherand £8,000 from Tesco. evening and willthe remove Save dateit from Tuesday. Wine Tasting Shopping He said: “We have [people David Dunham, who coAn officer for Wokingham Town 8th December In conjuction withthe Binfield Vineyards like] Dot Claridge who ordinates local appeal, said: Council said: “The toilet is still in continues to collect outside “The free peopleticket and theat businesses Rococo Jewellery Register your Eventbrite good working order and rather Boots in her mobility scooter in Wokingham are great and than allow it to be demolished, Bush Walk, at which she has done for many every year give us tremendous Wokingham Town Council offered years.” support. itWokingham to other towns and parishes www.facebook.com/rococojewellery The group’s biggest donation “Also this year the Poppy on the basis that they make the 5pm-8.30pm Team have been really stretched come from the Barkham arrangements for disconnecting it Hookers who crocheted with the added workload they from the services and removing it hundreds of poppies which are an amazing group of people from the site. were then sold for the appeal. who make this such a huge and “The offer was accepted by They raised £7,890.23 from successful appeal.” Hamsey Parish Council in East their efforts. Mr Dunham also praised the Sussex and they will be taking it away on Tuesday, December 6. “The notice on the toilet announcing its closure said ‘end of November’ because at the time Hilltop Road. The offenders A CAR has been stolen from we did not know the precise date. stole a number of items a property in Earley this including a set of keys to a week. It will in fact close on December 5 silver2Mercedes E2350 which Between 3.15pm and 1to allow for the erection of safety was then stolen from the 8pm on Sunday, someone fencing and other preparatory driveway. gained entry to a property in works.” Investigating Officer Kate Devonshire, Case Investigator based at Loddon Valley police station, said: “I would Save the date In conjuction with Binfield Save like to thespeak date to anyone who may have seen 8th December Vineyards 8th December or heard anything Rococo Jewellery Register your free ticket at Rococo Jewellery suspicious in this area particularly at around Bush Walk, Eventbrite at Bush Walk, 7.40pm that evening. Wokingham www.facebook.com/ Wokingham “If you saw a vehicle matching this 5pm-8.30pm rococojewellery 5pm-8.30pm description on Sunday evening or have any other information about this incident please contact me via the Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.

Record breaking appeal

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, December 1, 2016

Cardiac expert: ‘Lilly-May could have been saved’ By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE family of Lilly-May Page are no closer to receiving a conclusion over her death after a twoday inquest was adjourned this week. Lilly-May, five, collapsed from a suspected cardiac arrest while being collected from Willow Bank Infant School, in Duffield Road, Woodley, on May 15, 2014. The inquest, held at Reading Town Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday, recounted the moments leading up to the youngster’s collapse shortly before 3.15pm, and the following 54 minutes as paramedics, doctors and A&E staff battled to save her life. Lilly-May’s mother Claire Page took to the stand on Tuesday (29) to recap her witness statement to the Chief Coroner for Berkshire, Peter Bedford. She recalled her daughter’s medical history, which included a series of hospital admissions and GP appointments due to crippling stomach cramps throughout LillyMay’s short life, as well as various respiratory and urinary infections. Miss Page told the court: “I was made to feel like a neurotic mother, but she was always doubled up in pain.” She confirmed details of May 15, saying that Lilly-May had gone to school as usual that morning, and was excited to see her mum and grandmother picking her up at the end of the day, at around 3.15pm. Miss Page said: “She said to her grandma: “Look at how fast I can run”, before she sprinted away with a friend. I lost sight of her, and as I moved through the crowd I saw her lying on her back behind the school gate. “It was like someone had placed her there. Her arms were by her side, she didn’t have a pulse and she was barely breathing. I dialled 999 but another parent had already called so I hung up.” The court heard how two parents who happened to be nurses at the Royal Berkshire Hospital began performing CPR on Lilly-May until an ambulance arrived. The first crew, headed by paramedic Shannon Jacobs, who also took to the witness stand on Tuesday, arrived on the scene at 3.24pm, just eight minutes after the initial 999 call. The court heard a step-by-step account of the procedures Ms Jacobs followed, including the decision not to take life saving equipment to the child from the ambulance, rather deciding to pick her up and carry her to the back of the ambulance. The court heard how Ms Jacobs had not asked anyone on the scene for the child’s history, and

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Proof

Save the date Wine Tasting and Shopping evening 8th December In conjuction with Binfield Vineyards Rococo Jewellery Register your free ticket at Eventbrite Bush Walk, at Wokingham www.facebook.com/rococojewellery 5pm-8.30pm

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how timestamps from the vehicle’s defibrillator showed a delay on around five minutes before Lilly-May’s heart rhythm was checked, a delay which Ms Jacobs disputed. Ms Jacobs then told the court how she read the ECG trace of Lilly-May’s rhythm to be a ‘fine ventricular fibrillation (VF)’, referring to the amplitude of the rhythm, which she deemed to be an unshockable rhythm. She recounted from her training while at Oxford Brookes University that she had learned that shocking a fine VF would increase the risk of myocardial injury, and degenerate the rhythm into asystole, which is more difficult to restore from. Instead, she continued with CPR until the air ambulance Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) doctor, Dr Marietjie MJ Slabbert, arrived on the scene. The court heard from Dr Slabbert’s statement that she agreed with Ms Jacob’s initial diagnosis, and the pair decided that shocking Lilly-May was not the correct course of action. It was not until the youngster arrived at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, some 45-minutes after first collapsing, that it was deemed appropriate to deliver a shock, but by this time it was too late. However, on Wednesday (30), the court heard from independent experts, including Michael Jackson, a consultant paramedic from the North West Ambulance Service who said that having looked at a print-out of the initial ECG trace, he would have delivered a shock to the youngster on the scene. Paediatric cardilogist Dr Edmund Ladusans agreed with this opinion, saying that the paramedics would have had ‘nothing to lose’ by delivering a shock to Lilly-May. A post-mortem carried out at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London found that Lilly-May had suffered no other injury to her heart which could have caused the sudden cardiac arrest, but tests revealed an undiagnosed genetic condition known as catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) which had caused a disturbance in the electrical activity in her heart, brought on by her sudden sprint. Dr Ladusans said: “Her heart was otherwise fully functional, and she had been receiving perfectly adequate CPR by the nurses before the paramedics arrived, so in my opinion there would have been no further risk by giving her one or two shocks at the earliest opportunity.” When asked by the family’s solicitor David Thomas whether the outcome would have been any different if Lilly-May had been given a shock at the earliest opportunity, Dr Ladusans replied: “Yes, it is my opinion that she could have survived.” The inquest then heard from Mark AinsworthSmith, a Consultant Pre-Hospital Care Practitioner at South Central Ambulance Service, who told the court that lessons had already been learned from Lilly-May’s tragic death, including an update to onboard defibrillator equipment, further training in Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes, especially in paediatric patients, and contact had been made with training providers to reaffirm their position on delivering shocks in similar circumstances. The coroner, Mr Bedford, then decided that considering the amount of emphasis being placed on Ms Jacobs’ initial training at Oxford Brookes University, he had no option but to adjourn the inquest, and seek further evidence from the training provider on what she had been taught in order for him to reach a conclusion. A date has yet to be determined. The family did not wish to comment following the hearing.

Thursday, December 1, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

NEWS | 9

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Protesters queue up to back pharmacies hit by austerity cuts

Ellie Mattingley joins Santa and his princesses for a winter wonderland at Hare SHatch Sheeplands. Picture: Gemma Davidson

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk MORE than 100 people took to the streets in Twyford last week to protest the potentially devastating cuts being faced by independent pharmacies. Dozens of people, many of them elderly, braved the cold on Thursday morning to demonstrate how the closure of independent pharmacies, such as Newdays in London Road, could affect waiting times at GP surgeries. The protest, organised by Newdays pharmacist Olivier Picard in support of the national Support Your Local Pharmacy campaign, aims to raise awareness of the value of local pharmacies following an announcement by the Government to withdraw a £170million subsidy, which health ministers warn could lead to the closure of up to 3,000 pharmacies nationally. A petition calling for the cuts to be scrapped, signed by more than 1.8million people, was delivered to Twyford’s MP, Prime Minister Theresa May, in Downing Street at the end of July. Mr Picard, who runs three branches of Newdays in Twyford, Reading and Lane End, said: “Independent pharmacies have been squeezed in recent years, the cost of drugs has been going up and up which has led to inevitable rises in the cost of prescriptions. “Around 40% of pharmacies are within 10 minutes walking distance of each other, which the Government thinks is too many, but I have never heard of anyone complaining of too much choice. “The problem is that these cuts will harm the independent pharmacies, the ones where you can walk in and actually talk to someone without an appointment. The big chains such as Boots and Lloyds make their money elsewhere, and will probably be quite pleased to see us go out of business, but I personally don’t think you get the same level of customer service with them. “What this means for the customer is that their nearest pharmacy, which is currently within walking distance, may now be the other side of town or a bus journey away. “It is madness because on the one hand, people are being encouraged to stay away from A&E for minor conditions, but the alternative where they can be seen – pharmacies – are facing closure, it just doesn’t make any sense. “We need people to contact their local MPs, make them aware of the need for local pharmacies, and to lobby them to oppose these cuts before it is too late.” Twyford resident Cedric Gilson, who took part in the protest last week said: “Recently, I asked my pharmacist if he could advise me on treating

Santa’s stuck in the traffic! Protestors in Twyford last Thursday

an infection on my hand. He suggested what I needed but could not supply it for me because I needed a prescription. “When I consulted my GP, he prescribed the exact same medication. So why did I have to waste the doctor’s time and resources on so trivial a matter? “A problem with the Government’s approach to the economic problem is that their policy is not joined up, It is piecemeal, haphazard and indiscriminate. Often there is disproportionate loss in order to make a small gain.” A spokesperson for Healthwatch Wokingham Borough, who carried out a report on the effect the cuts could have on Wokingham’s residents, said: “Community Pharmacies in Wokingham Borough pharmacies are an important community resource. “The local pharmacy is often patients’ and the public’s first point of contact and, for some, their only contact with a healthcare professional. “Wokingham has 23 pharmacies plus three dispensing practices – this equates to 17 pharmaceutical centres per 100,000 residents which is below the national average of 20 per 100,000 residents. “Wokingham is predicted as having significant population growth driven by significant housing developments. If the population growth as estimated occurs, the number of pharmacy providers will fall per 100,000 residents to less than 15 per 100,000. “People should be able to access the treatment and services they need, irrespective of where they live or who they are and have a clear sense of what they are entitled to. “While Wokingham Borough currently has good access to pharmacies, if one were to close this would have a detrimental effect on customers, the remaining pharmacies and other health services such as GPs, A&E.” n To find out more about the Support Your Local Pharmacy campaign, visit supportyourlocalpharmacy.org.

Retailer fined over beer sale A RETAILER in Twyford has been fined for selling alcohol to a child. Sapra Retails Limited, trading as Loco Store, in Unit 1, Longfield House, Longfield Road, was fined £195 and ordered to pay £1,334.60 and a £30 victim surcharge by Reading Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to the sale of alcohol to a person under the age of eighteen on February 18. The prosecution followed a test purchasing exercise involving a 15-year-old volunteer organised by West

Berkshire and Wokingham Trading Standards Service. The teenager visited the store and bought a four-can pack of Guinness without age verification from the seller. The subsequent investigation found that the company had failed to take adequate steps to prevent that sale taking place. In passing sentence the magistrates acknowledged the timely guilty plea entered on behalf of the company. Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for residents services, said: “It is imperative

that retailers of potentially harmful products take adequate steps to ensure that alcohol is not sold to young people. “This includes taking steps to ensure that staff are adequately trained and that there is a robust proof of age policy in place.” Any Wokingham or West Berkshire resident or business who has concerns about illegal sales of age restricted products is asked to contact the Trading Standards helpline on (01635) 519 930 or email: tsadvice@ westberks.gov.uk.

EVEN Father Christmas could not avoid the traffic at Twyford crossroads last weekend, as his carriage was held up making its way to his grotto at Hare Hatch Sheeplands. The jolly man in red was joined on his procession by competition winner Ellie Mattingley, six, from Woodley, who won the chance to be a princess for the day and lunch for her and parents Jo and Darren. The horse-drawn carriage, provided by Haydn Webb Carriages of Swallowfield, was pulled through the streets of Twyford by 13-year-old Toffo and 14-year-old Yogi, before guiding Father Christmas to his grotto

at the Bath Road garden centre. Sheeplands owner Rob Scott said: “Santa's arrival is one of the best moments of the year at Sheeplands. There's always an excited crowd of children waiting to greet him and many of them stay to visit him in his grotto. "The staff have fun as well because several of them dress up in costume for the occasion, and the money raised goes to charity.” n Father Christmas is in residence at Hare Hatch Sheeplands every weekend from 10am to 4pm until December 18 and selected weekdays. Visits must be pre-booked. For details, email info@hhsheep.co.uk.

Join in the fun at street fayre A POPULAR festive street fayre returns to Tywford this Friday evening. Organised by Twyford Together, the fun event features a range of stalls hosted by local residents, businesses, groups and charities. As carols are sung, games will be played and, yes, chestnuts will be roasting on open fires for hungry visitors to enjoy. Local craftspeople will be on hand selling interesting and unique ideas for Christmas presents and there will be performances from schools, jugglers and morris dancers. Fairground rides, a DJ and a barbecue complete the fun. It takes place from 6pm on London Road and is organised by Twyford Together.

10 | BUSINESS

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, December 1, 2016

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Strange prepares for Rose Walk move The exterior to the new Strange The Jewellers branch in Rose Walk, Wokingham

PROPERTY PROPERTY INSIGHT INSIGHT Erica Townend

wokinghampropertyblog.co.uk

Wokingham property values increase by 0.1% ... good or bad news?

Wokingham Property Values increase by 0.1% ... good or bad news?

Clifton Ingram’s chairman Jonathan Davis with some of Christmas shoe boxes donated by the ﬁrm

Solicitors fill boxes with Christmas cheer THE wise men and women at a Wokingham solicitors have helped spread a little Christmas cheer. The team from Clifton Ingram have teamed up with Rotary clubs to complete special gift boxes that will be distributed to families, children and the elderly across Eastern Europe. The partners and staff used the money they would have spent on Christmas cards to buy lots of gifts, toys and essential household goods and put them in special shoe boxes provided by Rotary. The boxes are then distributed to those most in need across Eastern Europe. The Rotary Shoe Box Scheme is an allyear round project but distribution peaks at Christmas. Jonathan Davis, Chairman of Clifton Ingram said: “I would like to thank my colleagues who have taken the time and effort to thoughtfully prepare shoe boxes for this fantastic cause and we hope that we’re able to raise a few smiles on the faces of those less fortunate than us this Christmas."  www.rotaryshoebox.org

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By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk ONE OF Wokingham's oldest jewellers is on the move. After 50 years in Rose Street, Strange the Jewellers is relocating to Bush Walk from February next year. The move is brought on by the council's regeneration works, which will see the Rose Street car park converted into Peach Place and Rose Walk become a vital shopping mall on the way to the new public square. The company is moving into Barbara Easton's former unit and will be much larger than the current branch. Jason Hughes, who owns the popular jeweller, told The Wokingham Paper: "We have just signed a deal with Wokingham Council to relocate due to the council's regeneration works. “The shop will nearly treble in size enabling us to give an even

better offering of both diamond, gold and silver jewellery. “We have recently taken on new brands in preparation of our move including Fei Liu – Jewellery Designer of the year 2016 – and the Orla Kiely collection as well as securing a collection from a top London designer that will be launched in the new shop. “We will also be one of the first in the area to have a Clogau Shop in shop concept showcasing the welsh gold and silver collections.” Strange the Jewellers was first established in 1918 in Broad Street until its move to Rose Street in the mid sixties. Mr Hughes added: “This a really exciting opportunity for us, the new shop has been designed giving us a completely new look and a new shopping experience for our customers. “We'll be making far more bespoke design jewellery for our window display as well as continuing to redesign and remodel items for customers.”

Awards for local bus companies TWO LOCAL bus companies have been honoured at the recent UK Bus Awards. Reading Buses, which operates the Lion, Leopard and Woodley Orange services, said they were ‘astonished’ to be named Top Shire Operator for the fifth consecutive year. The award recognises the all-round excellence of the bus operator and encompasses everything that they do to succeed in their vision to be ‘the best local transport of choice, by constantly refreshing their services, skills and technology.’ Martijn Gilbert, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We were extremely humbled to win this award for the fifth time in a row against a very strong field. "Each year the rest of the industry gets better and better and we have to respond to stay ahead – something that the whole team at Reading Buses is motivated to do.” The company also won the Environment award and the Putting Passengers First award.

Elsewhere, Courtney Buses, which runs services to Twyford, were announced as Silver Award winners for Top Independent Operator. This is the fourth year in a row that Courtney Buses has been ﬁnalists in this category, which is for smaller bus companies not owned by a large group or plc, demonstrating its commitment to providing quality bus services, and being recognised as a company showing best practice in the industry. The judges noted the excellence of Courtney’s operation and the 30% increase in passenger numbers, partly due to the company's focus on high standards of customer service. Managing Director Bill Courtney Smith paid tribute to hard working staff. “Once again we have been acknowledged by the industry for our innovation and quality and we are delighted that the hard work by all our staff in this challenging year has been recognised.”

‘H

OW’S the Wokingham housing market doing?” asked an upbeat Wokingham landlord

last week. “Quite strange,” I replied. Our landlord was perplexed. Let me explain... Even the Brexit vote has not hindered Wokingham’s steady rise in property value, as Wokingham property values went up 0.1% last month alone, leaving Wokingham values 10.56% higher than a year ago. An increase in demand from buyers and an uninspiring level of supply (i.e. the number of properties on the market) has driven up the value of the Wokingham’s housing. And that is where the issue is. With Brexit, the coalition of 201015, a double-dip recession and post credit crunch fallout – I was perplexed that the Wokingham property market (and values) has remained so strong, still 20.4% higher than 20 months ago. That is until you start to look into the real reasons why we find ourselves in such a great place. The Wokingham (and the UK) housing market is built on the foundations of basic economic rules that any GCSE Economics student should understand. However, at a time when, as a country, we seem eager to uncouple ourselves from all manner of proven facts, anything is up for grabs. Even the wary RICS said throughout the UK, most of its Chartered Surveyors anticipated house prices to increase in the next six months. This seems contradictory given economic cautions from Mr Hammond and HM Treasury. Even though inflation will rise to around 2% to 3% in 2017 and perhaps a little more in 2018, (because of Sterling’s devaluation) together with a high probability of a decelerating GDP and a slight rise in unemployment, how can the RICS and most of my landlords be so confident about the value of our homes?

Well, look at our starting point. Nationally, there is a base of low unemployment, low inflation and preposterously low interest rates, while in Wokingham, the local economy is doing quite well for itself. Confidence also plays a part. Confidence can supersede basic economic facts for a short time at least, which is why actual property market changes tend to be more exaggerated, as confidence can turn both positive and negative very quickly. The fact is, there is a long-term relationship between property values, wages and unemployment. For example, looking at the graph, you can quite clearly see the ratio of property values to earnings is nowhere near as high as it reached in 2008 and currently is in the middle of the range for the last 30 years. As a country, we are in a good place. Wokingham property values might drop slightly in 2017, but based on what we know of the UK plc now, the UK and Wokingham property values are not projected to move that much over 2017 or 2018. Going into the next two years, we are in much better financial shape as a country compared to the last two crashes of 1987 and 2008. On the other side of the coin, we also know we don’t know much about the form of our economic future or indeed many other facets of our lives. Confidence will continue to be the key player in the Wokingham housing market for a while longer – will this spur some much needed second-hand market activity? Now, where is my crystal ball?  If you want to find out more about the Wokingham property market, visit the Wokingham Property Blog www.wokinghampropertyblog.co.uk or email erica.townend@martinco.com 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 expressed in this column are her own.

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Thursday, December 1, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Council’s festive gift: free parking!

Left: the big switch-on at Woodley town centre on Saturday Below: Local leaders gather for the Maiden Place event on Friday. Bottom left: Crowds gathered in Woodley Pictures: Phil Creighton

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk

n Crockhamwell Road, Woodley n Lytham Road (east and west), Woodley GRABBING any last minute presents Cllr Malcolm Richards, WBC’s in Wokingham will be easy as the executive member for highways council has announced a period of free and transport, said: “Free parking parking for shoppers in the run-up to at Christmas has been popular in Christmas. previous years and I am After the success pleased to announce of last year’s scheme, that we are offering it Wokingham Borough again this year. Council (WBC) has “We want to increase announced that free trade in our town and daytime car parking will villages so by offering be available on the three this initiative I hope Saturdays leading up the many people will use Christmas, starting this some of the wonderful shops on weekend. offer in the Wokingham Borough.” Free car parking will be available Free parking will be available on December 3, 10 and 17 at: between 8am and 6pm on the three n Polehampton Close, Twyford Saturdays only, maximum stay n School Lane, Wargrave limits will still be enforced and any n The Paddocks, Wokingham n Denmark Street, Wokingham vehicles breaching these regulations will be subject to the usual charges. (council-managed section only*) The free parking offer only applies n Easthampstead Road (east and to council car parks which are town west), Wokingham centre related (not associated with n Rose Street, Wokingham blueprint_advert_190x137mm_TKT5119_07B_PRINT_READY.pdf train stations), and does not apply to n Cockpit Path, Wokingham privately managed car parks. n Headley Road, Woodley

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CHRISTMAS lights were switched on in Maiden Place on Friday and Woodley on Saturday. To celebrate, hundreds turned out to sing carols, enjoy seasonal refreshment and countdown for the big switch-on. In Woodley, members of Just Around the Corner (JAC) served mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, while music came from Reading Operatic Society. 22/03/2016 18:14 Woodley holds its annual winter extravaganza on Sunday. Entry is free.

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12 | NEWS

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, December 1, 2016

Wokingham Winter Carnival 2016

A sign of love … Little Dallas Donkeys proved to be a festive hit in Peach Street

The Customs and Exiles morris troop entertained in Market Place

Churches Together in Wokingham handed out Christmas booklets and invited people to put themselves in a nativity scene Fairground rides, including the tea cups, proved to be a hit

Members of the Sumas – Wokingham and Emmbrook FC – had a stall in Market Place Thousands of people turned out to enjoy the winter wonderland

First Days had a Frozen theme to its stall in Denmark Street

WOKINGHAM- WE NEED YOU!

WOKINGHAM’S newest registered charity

WOKINGHAM IN NEED

was

All the fun The 1st Wokingham Scouts served seasonal refreshments, while the 2nd Woosehill Guides invited people to hug a Minion

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

A sweet raffle from the Easthampstead Roatary Club and a Christmas cake raffle from the Emmbrook Women’s Institute

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 Rotary and Wokingham Lions both had strong support on the day

WOKINGHAM IN NEED –Look forward to hearing from you. Sue Jackson WOKINGHAM IN NEED Telephone Number: 07340 301770 wokinghaminneed@gmail.com www.wokinghaminneed.com

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Thursday, December 1, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

NEWS | 13

Wokingham Winter Carnival 2016

Wokingham’s mini mayor Elysia Ellis from Westende Junior School flicked the switch to turn on the Christmas lights. She was helped by town mayor, Cllr Gywnneth Hewetson

of the fayre! PICTURE EXCLUSIVE By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Just some of the many entries into this year’s carnival procession, which included classic cars and morris dancers

THOUSANDS took to the streets of Wokingham on Sunday to join in the annual winter carnival. The fundraising event saw local groups and charities welcome visitors to their stalls. Guests could also watch performances from local morris dancers, enjoy circus events, jazz bands and the Reading Scottish Pipe Band. As dusk fell, the annual parade took place culminating in carol singing around the Christmas Tree in Market Square. Town Mayor Cllr Gwynneth Hewetson said: “It is a highlight of the Christmas season and we do it so well. “It’s all community, community, community.” The Revd Anna Harwood, the mayor’s chaplain, led the carol singing.

The Sultan in Market Place took its restaurant outdoors, offering Indian street food to hungry visitors

Fun at the Emmbrook Parents Association stall thanks to Georgia Hemmi, Vanessa Hemmi, Gabriela Prodossimo and Sabrina Rauber

Berkshire Maestros brought music to the carol singing

Several tractors paraded decorated hay bales

14 | NEWS

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Parish noticeboard Thursday, December 1 Shinfield Parish Council planning and highways meeting. 7.30pm. Shinfield Parish Hall, School Green.

Friday, December 2 Wokingham Borough Council. Planning Site Visits. 8am. Civic offices, Shute End RG40 1BN.

Monday, December 5 Charvil Parish Council village hall and amenities meeting. 8pm. Charvil Village Hall, Park Lane. St Nicholas Hurst parish council meeting. 7.30pm. Hurst Village Halls, School Road Hurst RG10 0DR. Shinfield Parish Council finance and staffing committee meeting. 7.30pm. Shinfield Parish Hall, School Green. Wokingham Borough Council. Audit Committee. 7pm. Civic offices, Shute End RG40 1BN. Wokingham Without Parish Council meeting. 7.30pm. Howard Palmer Room, St Sebastian’s Hall, Nine Mile Ride RG40 3BA.

Tuesday December 6 Winnersh Parish Council Recreation & Amenities Committee. 7.45pm. The John Grobler Room, Winnersh Community Centre, New Road, Winnersh RG41 5DU. Wokingham Borough Council. Extraordinary Council meeting. 7.30pm. Civic offices, Shute End RG40 1BN. Woodley Town Council Full Council. 8pm. The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Woodley, RG5 4JZ

Wednesday, December 7 Ruscombe Parish Council meeting. 7.30pm. William Penn Room, Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road, Twyford RG10 9JA. Wokingham Borough Council. Planning Committee. 7pm. Highwood Management Conference. 7.30pm. Civic offices, Shute End RG40 1BN.

Thursday, December 8 Wokingham Borough Council. Health and Wellbeing Board. 5pm. Civic offices, Shute End RG40 1BN.

A WOMAN from Finchampstead is due to appear in court charged with possessing a cutting blade in public. Jessica L Brady, 27, of Firs Close, denied the charge, which related to an incident in Calcot, Reading on September 8 this year, when she appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on October 20. She has been remanded on unconditional bail to appear at the same court on December 12. AN 18-year-old from Wokingham is due to appear in court charged with assault. Charlie Pearce, 28, of Budges Road, is accused of beating a man in Woodley on May 6 this year. Mr Pearce denies the charge. He has been remanded on unconditional bail to appear at the same court on December 9. A MAN from Wokingham has pleaded guilty to possessing an air weapon in public. Gordon Claridge, 57, of Sirius Close, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on October 21 where he admitted possessing the black GAMO PT80 airgun at Wokingham Hospital, in Barkham Road, on September 9 without reasonable excuse. He was discharged conditionally for two years; order to pay a surcharge to fund victims services of £20; and costs of £85.

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, December 1, 2016

From the courts

A WOMAN from Earley has admitted to driving while over the alcohol limit. Victoria Anne Bebbington, 40, of St Clements Close, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on October 21 where she pleaded guilty to driving while over the alcohol limit in Reading on September 5. Miss Bebbington was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community work within the next 12 months; to pay a surcharge of £85; costs of £85; and was disqualified from driving for 30 months.

A MAN from Arborfield has pleaded guilty to assault by beating. Adrian Michael Cross, 47, of Oaklands Park, admitted the charge when he appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on October 21. Mr Cross was ordered to undergo alcohol rehabilitation for six months; to participate in rehabilitation activities for up to 20 days; pay compensation of £75; and costs of £85. A MAN has been imprisoned for stealing three bicycles. Adam Ian Burgess, 20, of

no fixed abode, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on October 21 where he pleaded guilty to the three counts of theft, which all related to incidents at Earley train station on September 17 this year. Due to his previous record, Mr Burgess was sentenced to a total of 20 weeks weeks in prison, and ordered to pay a surcharge of £115. A MAN from Wokingham is due to appear in court charged with theft. Ionut-Gabriel Gheorghe, 26, of Old Wokingham Road, is charged with stealing clothing and cosmetics to the value of £244.48 from Marks and Spencer in Sandhurst on July 26. Mr Gheorghe denies the charge. He has been remanded on unconditional bail to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on January 13. A MAN from Earley has admitted driving while over the alcohol limit. Stuart Mitcheson, 42, of Ribbleton Close, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on October 24 where he pleaded guilty to driving while over the alcohol limit in Wokingham on October 9. Mr Mitcheson was fined £250; ordered to pay a surcharge of £30; costs of £85; and was disqualified from holding a licence for 12 months.

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THE WOKINGHAM PAPER NEWS WITH A HEART FOR THE BOROUGH

Sorry seems to be the hardest word WE HAVE a saying in our newsroom: we wear out our shoe leather, not our phone batteries. The mantra means we like to get out of the office and meet you where you are. We try our best to attend as much as we can, where we can – how else can we gauge what you’re thinking? It’s clear from the letters we’re receiving and the comments you’re making to us when we talk to you that you’re worried about the future development of the borough. It’s one thing to accept the 17,000 homes current planned or being planned, but it’s another to see big schemes such as 15,000 homes in Grazeley. While such a project might make sense for the borough council as it faces the Hobson’s choice of meeting Government demands on housing numbers, to plot it in detail in such secrecy, have the plans leaked and then say there is nothing to apologise for is a grave error. Sorry seems to be the hardest word – but it is a word we need to hear right now.

CHURCH NOTES

What a morph!

ROM a pin-head sized egg to a magnificent flying insect is an amazing transformation; so amazing that scientists have called it “butterfly magic”. I was deeply impressed as recently I watched a film called “metamorphosis” in which experts describe the dramatic changes that occur in every stage of a butterfly’s life cycle. Most impressive is the transformation that occurs within the chrysalis. There a simple, creepy-crawly with elementary organs is radically changed into a superbly engineered masterpiece with compound eyes, colourfully patterned wings covered in microscopic solar panels, highly sensitive antennae, and legs quite different from those of the caterpillar. I have often wondered whether a caterpillar, seeing a butterfly overhead, impatiently wishes that it could be released from its limited, earth-bound existence into the freedom of the skies. Christians have a similar anticipation. At present we live in earth-bound bodies with all their limitations, aches and pains. Daily news reminds us that we are in a troubled world, afflicted by tension, strife, hatred and bloodshed. But God has promised that there will come a day when his people will undergo a massive transformation. “We will be changed” wrote Paul the Apostle. He went on to describe that change as from perishable to imperishable, from mortality to immortality. And then to enjoy a future environment free from all nasty afflictions like mourning, weeping and pain. This ‘metamorphosis’ will take place when Jesus Christ returns to this planet. At this time of year during Advent (the four weeks before Christmas), the Christian church reflects on this great event. Advent, which means ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’, also is a time of remembering the birth of Christ over 2,000 years ago (his first ‘advent’). We will be reminded that the first coming and all that was accomplished then through his death and resurrection is the basis for new vitality now and an ultimate transformation into an indescribably wonderful life. Jesus invites us all to be ready for that climactic day. Why not share in the Advent preparations and Christmas celebrations in a church near you? David Anderson is from Norreys Church, Wokingham

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, December 1, 2016

Your letters

Send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk

We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to 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

Council must not ignore advice of pay panel So here we go again. Yet again the Councillors refuse the recommendations on their financial allowances made by the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP). As your editorial says “it doesn’t look good” – and it isn’t. For seven years I chaired the IRP for Wokingham but when in July 2013 we were faced with the Councillors, under Leader David Lee, approving for themselves an extra £12,000 in payments against our recommendations, we too resigned as a panel. After all there is no point in having a panel if its work is ignored. My view was then and is now that the current requirements behind the payment of Councillors are flawed. When the regulations were formalised in 2003, the Government made it a requirement on Councils to set up and “have regard to the recommendations of” an IRP i.e. they can legally ignore the recommendations if they want. I suppose in those days it was assumed that Councillors would never have the arrogance to reject the decisions of a panel of local independent experts – how wrong that assumption was. When we resigned in 2013 we stated: “Volunteer citizens who agree to serve on IRPs, act as a protection against potential criticism that Councillors pay themselves excessively and irresponsibly out of public funds. This protection of the Council’s reputation is only effective if the Panel’s independence is seen to be real and due regard is given to its recommendations.” In order for the Council to recover some credibility (and also enable it to recruit a new IRP as required) I would suggest that the Council Leader, Cllr Keith Baker, establishes a protocol going forward that the recommendations of the independent members of the IRP will be mandatory and automatically accepted. Let’s not give our community another opportunity to accuse Councillors of operating in their own financial interests. Robin Cops Former Chair Wokingham IRP

Council leader got it wrong over his accusations towards me I refer to Cllr Baker’s comments on members allowances at the bottom of page 13 (November 24) In it Cllr Baker makes a number of accusations against me. I want to put the position straight. Yes I did lobby the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) for an allowance for the Deputy Leader role within the Liberal Dem Group. It was a modest request (equivalent to that of someone who sits on the Planning Committee) and was based on my assessment of the role following four years as deputy leader. However I made very clear to the IRP that I objected to multiple allowances. In particular I said it could lead to abuse of the system, concentration of roles to a few and that no one person can be split many ways and still do their jobs properly. I therefore refute Cllr Baker’s accusation that I was perfectly happy to receive multiple allowances. Cllr Baker appears to live in a World where truth and fiction become mixed up. Through these pages I would like it known that the members of the Lib Dem group will fully support the IRP recommendations and will not, now or in the future take any multiple allowance that may have been forthcoming. If we are given the opportunity to run this Council, we will reinstate recommendation three into the remuneration process. Lindsay Ferris, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Wokingham Borough Council

Shock over Cllr Cowan’s resignation I am writing as a representative of the Arborfield Garrison Residents Action group over the “shock” resignation of Cllr Gary Cowan last week. Put simply having worked, and often argued with councillors such as Gary over the years, it wasn’t a shock, indeed it

Thank you for your independent eyes In a democracy – the meaning of which Wokingham Borough Council appears neither to understand or believe in – authority must, at all times, be scruntinised and, when warranted, challenged and held to account. Thank you, The Wokingham Paper, for acting as the independent eyes, ears and voice of the people of Wokingham and surrounding areas. Long may your endeavours prosper! J W Blaney, Wokingham

wasn’t really much of a surprise. We as a country are supposed to be electing people to be councillors, MP’s or whatever, not parties. However, in most cases those people need the backing of a party organisation to get elected. If they are the kind of person who is in the job to serve the public, that sometimes brings them into conflict when what their electors want is different from what the party wants. We have seen this first hand with a number of councillors, not just Gary over the years as housing plans have moved forward. For many years the Wokingham Conservatives portrayed themselves as the party who would keep housing under control, most notably when they stopped the original plans to build houses at Grazeley. Now they are the party who secretly restarted the Grazeley plans, and secretly bumped up the amount of housing we as a borough will take over the coming years. As the Liberal Democrats highlighted on the night Gary resigned, he has always been “Mr Arborfield”, putting the concerns of the people in our village above the party line - most notably voting against the rest of the executive on which he sat over adopting the Arborfield SDL when safeguards for the existing residents were not, in his opinion, up to scratch. Take a look back at how often the Executive doesn’t vote unanimously on critical issues and you realise what a brave position he took on that night. He paid for that disloyalty to the party shortly after when he lost his executive seat. Now Gary, and one other as yet unnamed councillor have voted against retrospectively supporting Grazeley. The party, we now know reacted by deselecting him. If you dig through all the bluster and comments in the press and social media from Cllr Baker, and Cllr Jorgensen, ultimately that is what it comes down to, if you vote against the party line in Wokingham Conservatives you get punished, if you continue to do it you’re out. Gary voted against Grazeley, and has expressed concern over the third of Arborfield Parish that is under threat of development, something that greatly concerns Arborfield residents, and the party has deselected him, we assume in favour of a new Conservative puppet who will dutifully do what they are told. This is perhaps a question for other Wokingham residents, when it comes down to it, will your local councillor stand up for you as residents, or will they do what the leaders of their party tell them. In Arborfield we now have an independent who is answerable only to us the electorate, what about where you live? Richard Peat Arborfield Garrison Residents Action Group

Give that man a medal! Well, what a humdinger of a council meeting I missed. A Tory Councillor resigns, then the Independent Panel resigns en masse discussing councillors allowamnces and the Tory Leader, Cllr Keith Baker, had to retract his comments in the chamber. Wow! The person who leaked the ‘secret’ 15,000 new houses plan in Grazeley should get a medal. Isn’t it sad that the leak has to happen as Wokingham Council is so undemocratic. Such important issue should be openly debated in public. But when you vote Conservative in Wokingham borough, that’s what you get: Too many Tory councillors who do not allow transparent and open public debate at the council. As for Cllr Gary Cowan’s resignation, over his 20 years he will have seen quite a few Tory councillor colleagues frozen out for not toeing the party line at the council, so it’s hardly a surprise when they did it to him over 15,000 new houses in Arborfield/Grazeley. Wokingham Council undemocratic? It has been for years, but then people do vote them in. Greg Bello, Woodley

Sheeplands debate disgusted me I attended the Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) Meeting on November 17 and I, like I am sure every other member of the public and Hare Hatch Sheeplands (HHS) staff who were present, was disgusted and outraged at the manner in which the meeting was conducted and the quality of the answers to the questions posed. The meeting, which should have been a democratic exercise, was nothing of the sort - it was clearly “rigged” in favour of WBC position. The answers given were in the main repeated statements of the Council’s position and in very few instances did they actually address the specific subject matter of the question. They were, what any member of the public would recognise as, “politicians answers” - concocted in advance. Very different I suspect to the responses that would have been received had the questions been impromptu. In a similar manner the Deputy Mayor’s refusal to selectively allow “supplementary Questions” to be answered at the meeting was clearly a strategy to allow “thinking time” for the Council employees to concoct further irrelevant answers which they would have had difficulty addressing at the time! As for the “debate” - what debate, there was no debate! What we had, with a couple of notable exceptions, was a few councillors reiterating the Council’s stance. It appears that certain Council employees, for reasons best known to themselves, are

Thursday, December 1, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Your letters

Send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk pursuing a vendetta against HHS and that this is the view, and only view, that is being promulgated by WBC to Councillors and media. WBC appears to be taking, by every means possible, measures to prevent the real facts of the dispute getting into the public domain. By its refusal to acknowledge the “will of the people”, as expressed in two petitions, and the imposition of draconian measures to prevent councillors attending the HHS site, WBC is doing all in its power to stifle local democracy. I also find the comments by the very last person to speak before the motion was proposed to be substantially inaccurate, highly derogatory, insulting and uncalled for. If he had to resort to these type of “cheap” remarks it demonstrates quite clearly the weakness of his main argument. Finally, in answers to a number of questions it was inferred that HHS was seeking to be dealt with in a favourable manner compared with other local businesses. Nothing could be further from the truth. All HHS and its supporters are seeking is a level playing field and to be dealt with in the same manner as other businesses have been in the locality. Something which, despite protestations to the contrary, WBC is refusing to do. If it wasn’t obvious before it is now blatantly obvious that WBC is intent on using every means at its disposal to thwart the democratically expressed will of in excess of 11,000 members of the public, the staff and owners of HHS and even the Prime Minister, to achieve its aim of closing HHS down. If ever there was an example of bad local government this is it! The attitude conveyed by the respondents to the questions, and indeed all the correspondence I have had with WBC regarding this matter, has been one of arrogance and contempt for the views of the public! Mike Shattock, via email

Ignoring the will of the people A recent meeting was held at Shute End Council Office between Wokingham Borough Council and supporters of Hare Hatch Sheeplands to debate a petition signed by over 4000 people that urged the council to “do everything it can to ensure Hare Hatch Sheeplands continues to operate as a financially viable enterprise”. At this meeting my question was ‘Why is Wokingham Borough Council refusing to acknowledge the democratic will of thousands of its residents that have signed petitions and sent hundreds of letters or emails of support clearly demonstrating that they wish to see Hare Hatch Sheeplands continue in its current form as the local community garden centre?’ Their withering response was that it is against the council’s principles to consider any amount of public opinion and that they must follow current law in order to protect the greenbelt. The greenbelt policy was created to prevent the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas and is very important. However no demonstrable harm has been done to the greenbelt at Hare Hatch Sheeplands. In fact the site has been improved and is a great asset to the local community. In contrast to this the North Wokingham major development site is an urban extension of Wokingham town, on land adjoining the Kentwood and Matthewsgreen neighbourhoods and Keep Hatch Beech. The development will bring new homes, a primary school and a neighbourhood centre with shopping facilities. The owner of Hare Hatch Sheeplands, Mr Scott was told he is irresponsible and guilty of blatant disregard of planning laws. This is not accurate; in fact there were lengthy discussions between both parties which WBC suddenly broke off just as an agreement seemed possible. It is clear that Mr Scott is ‘guilty’ of the following. 1. Transforming a formally derelict site containing broken glasshouses and poisonous giant hogweed into a beautifully landscaped area full of mature trees, shrubs and hedgerows. 2. Providing over 100 jobs for people in the local area, including a large percentage of over 50’s, young adults gaining their first valuable experience of employment and the disabled. 3. Supporting local traders and suppliers. Including giving a home to the farm shop and Pet Stop stores

VIEWPOINTS | 17

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On Wokingham Borough Council’s plan to build 856 houses per year Cllr Gary Cowan’s resignation of the Conservative whip in Wokingham Borough Council and the reasons you reported have caused me to write this letter. Why has Wokingham BC set a new target of 856 per year? The abolition of mandatory targets laid down by central government created a false impression that local authorities have complete freedom to set their own. It’s an illusion – almost a con trick! They do not. The government guidance says that Local Plans must be SOUND. Having a Local Plan that can be judged to be UNSOUND in any important aspect can have dire consequences. This applies particularly to housing targets and the allocation of land for development.

What is sound? Government Planning Policy Statements are quite clear on this. To be SOUND a (plan) should be JUSTIFIED, EFFECTIVE and consistent with NATIONAL POLICY. JUSTIFIED means that the plan must be founded on a robust and credible EVIDENCE base. The Government says: “To boost significantly the supply of housing, local planning authorities should use their EVIDENCE base to ensure that their Local Plan meets the full, objectively assessed needs for market and affordable housing in the housing market area.” A parliamentary briefing says: “Although not mandatory, (local authorities) are encouraged by Government to have a Local Plan adopted, following examination by a planning inspector, which sets out housing need in the particular area. The Government does not want to lay down in detail the method of calculating housing need. The estimate, however, needs to be based upon robust EVIDENCE in order to be approved by the planning inspector.”

What is the National Policy? The Government aims to increase housing supply and access to home ownership. A number of policies to boost housing supply were set out in the Conservative Party 2015 Manifesto and have now become part of the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

So, now we understand! The local authority can set its own targets – but only if the targets are approved as SOUND by the government planning inspector. Developers can be motivated to submit a planning application that does not conform to the Local Plan. It happens! On appeal, if the Plan can be shown to be UNSOUND by the developer, the decision of the government inspector is likely to support the developer and not the local authority. Then our council loses control of development, with that were evicted by the corporately run business across the road. 4. Supporting charities and actively assisting in many charitable events that benefit many organizations including Age Concern, Pancreatic Cancer Action, Daisy’s Dream, Bloodwise, Alzheimer’s Society and local charities such as the Twyford Charity Family Fun Run. 5. Providing a much loved local amenity and service that are much appreciated by many including the elderly, infirm, the young and other groups and organisations that meet there regularly. 6. Being an ethical and respected local independent family business for over 20 years. Wokingham Borough Council are concerned that allowing Hare Hatch Sheeplands to continue in its current form will set a precedent and cannot be allowed. I am sure many will agree that if the above points set a precedent, this would be a welcome and positive result. Maria Lee, via email

subsequent hazards to provision for health, education, environment and road infrastructure!

Why has the target risen to 856? The current Local Plan has 661 The currently Local Plan to March 2026 includes this lower target. However, in preparation for the new Local Plan that will extend to 2036, all local authorities had to update their understanding of housing demand. The resulting independently produced Strategic Housing Market Assessment (which Gary Cowan describes as “a dubious technical survey”) was published in February 2016. It is now the most current EVIDENCE. This latest published EVIDENCE contains a new estimated annual demand of 856 per annum!! Wokingham BC cannot ignore this. In the new Local Plan to 2036, the “voluntary” target has to conform to the EVIDENCE. Otherwise, it will be judged as UNSOUND. The evidence says 856. You may not like it – but that’s the minimum number folks!

Why has Wokingham Borough Council got a plan to build a Garden Settlement in Grazeley? The existing local plan has concentrated the greater part of housing development delivery into a number of Strategic Development Locations (SDLs). Most of these are on the boundaries of existing settlements. They include a North and South Wokingham SDL. The added over 4,000 dwellings will put a huge additional load on existing infrastructure. We see it in the estimates of increased traffic through roads established in the 19th century or even earlier, an already overloaded GP provision, excessive demand on existing schools with a new school building programme struggling to keep up. The process of planning and delivery around existing settlements is slow and expensive. Central Government recognises this as an issue – especially in the crowded South East. Initiatives like the “Northern Power House” are unlikely to impact its effect – especially for the next couple of decades. It describes support for new Garden Settlements as follows: We want to encourage more local areas to come forward with ambitious locally-led proposals for new communities that work as self-sustaining places, not dormitory suburbs. They should have high quality and good design hard-wired in from the outset – a new generation of garden villages, towns and cities. We know that there is interest at the local level in how developing new garden villages, towns and cities can be a suitable way of meeting local housing need, rather than building on to existing settlements. We are taking important steps to support local areas who want to move in that direction.

Reading Buses in Woodley May I draw your readers attention to the ‘new’ 13 and 14 Reading Buses to and from Woodley? Woodley people used to have a good service to/from Woodley to Reading and Reading to Woodley. Since the new timetable this service is much worse now. From Woodley shopping precinct to Reading via Shepherds House Hill route used to be served by a number 13 via Bulmershe and a 14 via Shepherds Hill every 15 minutes. Now there is a number 12, six minutes before a number 13. The 12 is almost always near empty. I can see no point in this, it brings the 12 into the times of the 128 Courtney Buses. Why? The 128 now has less passengers than before. To and from Woodley, 128 service now has to picked up from Friar Street - it used to be the station. We need a bus between 14.39 and 15.02 to Reading etc. Many elderly people are left waiting up to 30 minutes in very cold weather for the next bus, many of these people have heavy shopping.

We are proposing to strengthen national planning policy to provide a more supportive approach for new settlements. We are committing to legislate to update the New Towns Act 1981 to ensure we have a statutory vehicle well-equipped to support the delivery of new garden cities, towns and villages for the 21st century. There are a number of funding streams which, subject to eligibility, could be open for successful expressions of interest to secure priority access. So, this is the background to Wokingham BC’s interest in participating in the new garden settlement initiative. It’s not a WBC “secret plan”. It is a document jointly supported by Wokingham Borough, West Berkshire District and Reading Borough Councils. As the expression of interest says: it is clear that a new settlement of this scale presents opportunities to provide large scale social, environmental and economic infrastructure, including; a rail station, new transport links, a new motorway bridge, schools, retail and employment opportunities, flood alleviation, strategic scale green (and blue, based on local rivers) infrastructure and the ability to create a new highly sustainable community for western Berkshire.

Why should GLRA support the Grazeley Proposal? GLRA identified a large number of significant concerns about the impact of the current plan on Wokingham. We have expressed some very grave reservations – we are aware that massive extensions to the outskirts of our town will impose severe loads on its predominantly Victorian infrastructure. Do we want a new local plan that just continues with this potentially very damaging method of development – adding to existing settlements? In opposing the Grazeley proposal, we might well be encouraging a continuation of the harmful effects of the existing methodology. The majority of residents of Grazeley and Grazeley Green will not welcome the idea. However, from the perspective of residents of Wokingham town, if this plan is accepted, it includes the provision of 15,000 new dwellings. This represents 17 years of the WBC newly estimated demand of 856 per annum. These additional houses will have to be located somewhere. Can we tolerate the idea that a portion of these 856 causes even more expansion of Wokingham town? GLRA exists to represent the interests of residents of central Wokingham. We might sympathise with the views and concerns of people living in other areas. However, I recommend that we maintain this local focus and support the Grazeley plan. David Nash, via email In the last few weeks, I have had to wait 45 minutes for buses from Jackson’s Corner. That was full. Three stops along, Kings Road people were waiting and were ignored. How much longer would they have to wait? The Number 14 to Woodley and the Number 13 to Reading are now late running, from 12 minutes upwards, a lot of the time. The number of people to get on some of these buses are now big. The round trip leads to these delays. It just gets worse. The 13 used to come down Beechwood Avenue and vice versa. The loop for a bus has been withdrawn between Woodley and the end of Beechwood Avenue, which provided a 15-minute service to and from Reading. One bus driver told me he was 56 minutes late. Another driver said that they were fed up with the flack they are getting from passengers. The number of people that I have heard complaining about this poor service are many. Some people have given up. Reading Buses, you need to put this blunder right. Name and address supplied

18 | VIEWPOINTS

OH, MR SMITH!

A wry look at life

Aussie Christmas quiz

HERE I was quietly minding my own business when this curmudgeonly old codger in Australia thought he’d send another curmudgeonly old codger in Berkshire some jokes about Australian cuisine during the era of the £10 Pom. If you’re entertaining Aussies over Christmas this random collection of trivia should help keep them amused or aggrieved depending how you tell them. Pasta was not eaten in Australia during this era. A pizza was a leaning tower or, perhaps for Australians who couldn’t pronounce Italian words easily, the name for a town square. Curry was only a surname while a takeaway was a mathematical problem. This could be due to the fact that Indian restaurants were only found in India and as far as the average Aussie was concerned rice was for milk puddings. Calamari was called squid and Australians used it as fish bait. All potato chips were plain; the only choice was whether Australians sprinkled them with salt. A Big Mac was something Aussies wore when it was raining. Brown bread was only eaten by the poor and oil was for lubricating machinery and fat was for cooking. Tea was made in a teapot using tea leaves and always black. Imagine a parched Jackeroo calling into the Station and being offered a herbal infusion. You can imagine the conversation.

Crocs and caffeine

“Hi Barry. Got the tea goin?” “Yer Ned do you want White, Green, Oolong or Pu’er Tea? I’ve some Rooibos or Honeybush if you prefer?” “I think I prefer tisane if you got some on the go there Barry”. “Well I can brew one up. You know they’re naturally caffeine free and don’t contain tannin but if you’re planin’ to bag a croc later you probably need the caffeine Ned?” “Oh I don’t know about that Barry a Bai Mudan white tea might go down better right now than a Verbena Infusion with a slick of snake venom”. “Well Barry maybe you’d like one of my Jade Orchid green teas or a Lemongrass and Ginger Infusion?” Of course, in that blissfully free period before the arrival of the food police sugar was added to tea in liberal quantities. It was regarded as white gold and really posh sheep stations offered it in the form of cubes. In the 50s Seaweed was not a recognised food and Aussies didn’t realise fish had fingers. Eating raw fish was only done when too dangerous to cook near croc infested waters and it was never called Sushi. Whoever invented that name was a genius – a bit like the man who invented ‘rain-washed’ apples. Back in the 50s and 60s no Aussie had heard of yoghurt, healthy food consisted of anything edible and anyone who didn’t peel potatoes was regarded as lazy. Eating outside was called camping and never al fresco. And prunes were strictly medicinal. Surprisingly, muesli was readily available, it was used by stockmen to feed cattle. Water came out of a tap and if someone had suggested selling it in bottles and making it more expensive than led-free petrol they would have become laughing stock and probably fed muesli. But as ably demonstrated in the heart-warming Aussie film The Dish the one thing Aussie’s never put on the table was Elbows. Send us your Australianesque tall tales – send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, December 1, 2016

The Giving Tree Where your giving goes to… You are busy with your Giving! It looks like this year’s Giving Tree appeal will be the BEST EVER. Here we look at two more of the charities you are helping

Building the hospice was always the vision of Fiona and John Devine, from Windsor. They set up the charity to make it happen after the death of their son, who lost his battle against a rare brain tumour in early 2006. But the couple soon realised so many families needed more immediate help. In 2010, the charity set up the Alexander’s Care Team to support EOPLE love The Giving Tree. It’s children from birth to the age such a simple idea but it yields of 19, with life-limiting and lifea powerful response: you can threatening conditions, in their give fantastic presents that will own homes across Berkshire and mean so much. bordering areas. At the moment, the And the initial reaction looks like team has 86 families under its wing you will be giving thousands of gifts – and your Giving Tree gifts will take this Christmas. a little extra Christmas cheer into Gillian Mckernan, who is cothose homes. ordinating the appeal, said: “It’s Fay Denwood, the charity’s official, this year’s Giving Tree has fundraising administrator, told The been the most successful ever! Wokingham Paper: “We are delighted “Over 2,000 tags have already to benefit from the Wokingham been delivered to the host venues Giving Tree again this year – in fact, and they have nearly all been taken. we are absolutely ecstatic!” They have literally flown off the The Alexander Devine Children’s trees. Hospital Service (Sir Michael “The gifts are coming back in Parkinson is the founder patron and abundance and some of the charities Prime Minister Theresa May is also have already made their first a patron) relies on the generosity collection, ready to wrap the gifts in and support of local communities. plenty of time for Christmas. Think about its vital work with those “I have been overwhelmed by children and their families, who are everyone’s generosity and the struggling against the odds, when thought taken in buying such lovely you place your present under a gifts for the children. Giving Tree – they really deserve an “A huge thank you to everyone extra smile on Christmas morning. involved in the appeal, you are all Fiona Devine says: “Our home wonderful people.” from home will be a place of love and laughter, a special place to Alexander Devine make special memories. It’s about Children’s Hospice children being children, in a safe Service environment; a place where parents A DREAM for a local children’s feel they can safely be with their hospice, born out of the loss of an children, a secure, safe, loving eight-year-old, is almost a reality. environment, where no judgments The Alexander Devine Children’s are made. Hospice Service expects the doors “Even very sick children enjoy will open on the much-needed having an exciting, stimulating place facility near Maidenhead next to play and laugh with their brothers, summer. and sisters, friends and family.”

How The Giving Tree works

Visit a Giving Tree

 The Citizens Advice Witness Service provides practical help, emotional

Home-Start Wokingham District

UNFORTUNATELY babies don’t come with an instruction manual and parenting can be the hardest job in the world. But some people can’t cope as well as others and Home-Start Wokingham District throws them a lifeline when they feel they are sinking. Volunteers visit families with children under five in their own homes to help them deal with the challenges life has thrown at them. The parents could be struggling with anything from postnatal depression to isolation, physical health problems or bereavement. And it is these families who will benefit, if you put an extra gift on your Christmas shopping list and slip it under a Giving Tree. Elaine Strange, from HomeStart Wokingham District, said: “Home-Start Wokingham District is delighted to again be one of the recipients of presents from the Giving Tree. “Families are always overwhelmed by the kindness of the Wokingham public and have expressed their sincere appreciation of your support at what can be a very difficult time.” Home-Start is a leading family support charity with groups across the UK – 16,000 volunteers are helping 30,000 families. Hopefully The Giving Tree will let a ray of sunshine through the clouds for those in Wokingham, at least for that one special morning. It’s the true spirit of Christmas.

Find your nearest Giving Tree  Tesco – Wokingham  Tesco – Warﬁeld  Tesco – Martins Heron  Dell – Bracknell  Wokingham Borough Council  Newbury Building Society – Wokingham  Zappas – Bean Oak Wokingham  Zappas – Peach Street Wokingham  Zappas – Crowthorne  Zappas – Twyford  Zappas – Fleet  Nirvana Spa/Pulse8 – Wokingham  Premier Research – Wokingham  RSA Security – Bracknell  YOH Solutions- Winnersh Triangle  PricewaterhouseCooper – Reading  Wokingham Library  CenturyLink – Winnersh Triangle  Artizian – Catering Services Hurst  Morrisons Wokingham

The charities The Giving Tree will help:  Barnardos – Various Projects including Young Carers  Barnardos Fostering and Adoption Project  Dingley’s Promise – Early Years Specialists  Transform Housing and Support  Home Start  Women’s Refuge – Berkshire Women’s Aid  ASD Family Help  Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice  Wokingham Crossroads Young Carers Project  Look Ahead Care and Support  Children With Special Needs Foundation  Sebastian’s Action Trust  Berkshire Vision

Choose Buy the Return Congratulations! a tag present it to the You’ve just made someone’s Christmas! listed Tree

VOLUNTEER CORNER  The Wokingham Job Support Centre serves clients based in Wokingham Borough and Bracknell to help them in their search for jobs by coaching them for interviews, CV writing and supporting their job applications. They are in search of a new Trustee to be responsible for raising funds from the corporate sector. The volunteer with be required to establish links with business in the local area, so previous business knowledge is essential.

 For more information on how you can help Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service continue its vital work, please call 0845 055 8276, email fundraising@alexanderdevine. org or visit www.alexanderdevine. org.

With Helena Badger support and information to witnesses so that they feel valued, respected, informed and able to give their best evidence in Court. They are looking to recruit Court based and Outreach Volunteers. Although the role will be mostly Court based, the Outreach Volunteer role will require some support to be given to vulnerable victim and witnesses away from the Court environment. The role will involve providing support to witnesses and their supporters, by explaining the Court procedures and legal terminology, showing them around the Courtroom

before trial and sitting in the Courtroom with them, when permitted. Volunteers need to be friendly and approachable with good listening and verbal communication skills. A non-judgmental, impartial and conﬁdential approach to supporting others essential.  SEAP provide free and independent mental health advocacy, health complaints advocacy and will soon be providing advocacy under the care act and community advocacy for Wokingham residents. They are looking for Publicity

Champions who can talk to groups at events and promote the work that SEAP does, distributing leaﬂets and posters and generally making the people of Wokingham aware of the advocacy services available to them. Must be able 1 to 2 half days per week. Good people skills and good communication skills are a must.  To ﬁnd out more about the event and volunteering in general, please visit our website www. volunteercentrewokingham.org.uk or call us on 0118 977 0749 or email volunteer@wok-vol.org.uk

Thursday, December 1, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

VIEWPOINTS | 19

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PICTURE OF THE WEEK This is Artists’ Work, a picture that saw Mia McNicholas scoop silver in the Under 18s category of the Love Wokingham photo contest. It shows a scene from the arts day in the town centre, part of the Queen’s birthday celebrations. We’ll print another winner next week – but if you can’t wait, you can see the winners at the borough council’s ofﬁces in Shute End. We love receiving your pictures for this slot – send them to news@ wokinghampaper. co.uk

NELLIE KNOWS

Nellie Williams www.nelliepompoms.co.uk Elements conspire: look out for each other The start of a new month, the opening of the Advent calendar and the arrival of the new Dodopad (www. dodopad.com). I am in my element. Speaking of elements and judging by the weather warning it looks like it’s going to turn chilly, or shramming as my granny would say. Do me a favour and check on the elderly. If you normally see them taking a stroll at a certain time and they’re not there, if the milk is normally taken in and it’s not, if the cat is hungry and hanging around or the dog is barking incessantly when normally it doesn’t, or the post isn’t pushed through the door. These might be little things but for me they’re a reminder that some elderly might not have people nearby or technology at their ﬁnger tips. When I was in the Police I asked one of my elderly residents if she wanted me to pick anything up from the shops, she put her hand on my arm and said “well I don’t really want to run out of loo roll”. It’s the little things.

Floating into December

TONY JOHNSON Better than a letter (from America)

O MATTER how good our modern communications, visitors are always welcome, particularly when they’ve not been here for a while. A fly-in visit by one’s brother (Nick, now living in Florida) is a chance to catch up on what’s been going on and swap stories and views on events. Here’s some snapshots of our impressions.

Travel trivia

Cooped up in a small seat for hours, sleep in economy is ‘optional’. The racket from nearby kids almost provoked stewards from business class to walk back to the cheap seats and ask people if they could possibly keep the noise down to a riot ? People in the important seats were busy sleeping or finalising their speeches / pay claims. Luckily, those expensive seats don’t complain. They’re used to being sat on by self-important bums and can’t say anything anyway. Plus, coming from the land of the Cree and the home of the slave, kids are entitled to free shrieks too.

Motorway madness

OK, in the US the motorway is called the freeway – even when it isn’t. Free that is – as you have to pay to use many of the main roads and bridges. Over here, sitting on the wrong side of the hire car was the first challenge, as was driving on the wrong side of the road – the left, right? The M4 from Heathrow to Wokingham wasn’t a car park, instead it was fast. Very fast. UK speed limits are quite a bit higher, motorways are narrower, and you overtake in the right hand lane. Provided you can get there

HAVE YOUR SAY:

without getting clobbered by another vehicle whizzing by.

Self-ﬁnancing enforcement

By contrast, in the US you can cruise along in any lane and people are free to overtake on both sides. Lots of Highway Patrol cars too - lying in wait to catch anyone exceeding the limit. Apparently, enforcement over there is not only a major spectator sport, it’s also a recognised revenue generator and can even turn a profit. Oops, I retract that last word unreservedly, it’s ‘surplus of income’. It was news to Nick that we’ve outlawed bimbling along in the middle lane at 65mph. “Is the UK really part of the free world isn’t overtaking allowed on either side”? Sorry Nick, No it’s not. We have laws here. Though they’re somewhat ‘discretionary’ when we cut back on enforcement resources – whether they’re on the road or around the houses.

Refurbishment and regeneration Nick’s nearest large ‘town’ is Jacksonville

in Florida. It’s about 12 times the area of our Borough. Even their water area is twice the area but, what with new builds and all that greenhouse gassing, we’re catching up fast via flooding. Allegedly. But we pack in two times as many people per square mile, rising to nearer forty times if one compares Wokingham alone. Huddled masses? You bet. We’re doing all we can to get from “loose pack” to “tight pack” and we’re winning that race. The challenge of urban decline is similar, but bigger. Jacksonville has rebuilt the urban core, even the “mid-century modern architectural gem” (aka 60’s eyesore). Lots of businesses within minutes of the freeway and parking aplenty. But no shopping. Instead, the shops have moved to the “Town Center”. This is two fibs for the price of one. It isn’t a town and it isn’t in the centre – it’s 10 miles out. But it’s been built by private enterprise, it’s thriving and profitable, located about a mile or so from a major intersection of two freeways – really easy to get to. As for the parking, “lots” doesn’t do justice to the “parking lots” (as they say). Acres of single storey parking with spaces up to 50 yards from the shop you want. If you need to go to another shop, just get in the car (big shops) and drive to their car park. Sounds more like “going parking” – lots. All (dare one say this in our monocratic Borough ?) … Free.

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I felt like I ﬂoated into December after an aroma facial at Barefoot Therapies in Farley Hill (www. barefoottherapies.co.uk). Oh my days. The minute I stepped into Camilla’s treatment room I left the chaos of the world at the door and began to relax and unwind. After the initial consultation I drifted into a relaxed state whilst Camilla, who uses REN products and dreamy techniques, brought my skin back to life. I’m deﬁnitely going back to work my way through the list! She also sells delicious candles and vouchers that are on my wish list.

On the wish list

Speaking of Wish Lists I am often asked what I would like for Christmas so I’m sort of prepared, which is more than can be said for my food and drink planning, just as well I know so many great food producers and Wellington Farm Shop is just over the county border. I do like pottering in farm shops and of course the added bonus is most have a cafe so it’s more than just going shopping. It reminds me of the days when my Granny in Warwickshire (as opposed to the one who said shramming) would take me to Baddesley Clinton (one of my favourite National Trust places) for a walk around and then lunch. Simple pleasures.

Get into the Christmas spirit There are loads of lovely events to get you into the Christmas spirit and this week I’m off to the The Barn at Lark Rise over at Beenham: wp.me/P3X08q-o, Love Local Market at Henley Rugby Club organised by the amazing powerhouse Lynne Lambourne and Christmas at Neptune www.neptune.com/. More details on my blog, www.nelliepompoms. co.uk. Might see you there.

20 | PROPERTY

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, December 1, 2016

To advertise in this section, call Phil Creighton on 0118 327 2662

A spacious home close to Cantley Park A DETACHED home situated close to Wokingham’s town centre is being offered to the rental market by Martin & Co. The four-bedroom house is in a quiet and green cul-de-sac and within a short walk of Cantley Park, making it a perfect choice for sporty families. A number of secondary and primary schools are also within walking distance of the home. And the landlord is preparing to install new carpets throughout the house before the tenant moves in. Downstairs, there is a large 18ft 1in by 12ft 5in lounge complete with cosy gas ﬁre ideal for these colder days. French windows open up to the secluded, south-facing rear garden. The dining room, 12ft 4in by 11ft 3in, is next to the 12ft 11ft9in. This leads to a utility area equipped with boiler, fridge and washing machine with a door that opens to the rear garden. There is also an 8ft by 5ft 10in study and a downstairs cloakroom. A separate double garage, at 17ft 11in by 17ft 7in, complete the downstairs accommodation. Upstairs, the 12ft 6in by 12ft 2in master bedroom includes an ensuite shower room and a spacious built-in wardrobe with mirrored doors. The second bedroom is 15ft 9in by 6ft

10in and includes a walk-in cupboard. The third bedroom is 10ft 10in by 9ft 7in and the fourth bedroom is 12ft6in by 6ft 11in. Mike Townend, director of Martin & Co’s Wokingham branch, said: “This great property is in a lovely quiet cul-de-sac location within easy walking distance of the town centre.

“It has a lovely secluded south-facing garden and the landlord plans to replace all the carpets before a new tenant moves in. “The great property is sure to be snapped up very soon.” It is offered to the market at £1,850 per month. For more details, visit Martin & Co’s Peach Street ofﬁces, call 0118 334 2389 or log on to wokingham.martinco.com

Three honours for Millgate

gement

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at Millgate sid: “It is a great pleasure for Millgate to Offering numerous property management services for freehold and wide variety of properties throughout have had such success at the most prestigious awards e contact For us more information and to book a personal appointment please contact us leasehold residential Surrey, properties – we support; Residents Associations, ceremony within the housebuilding industry. Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, “To win one award would be a great achievement, y.co.uk Flat Telephone: 0844 499Ascot 3411 or Email: info@cleaverproperty.co.uk Management Companies, Developers, Landlords Freeholders. Cleaver Property Management, House, Finchampstead Road,and Wokingham RG40 2NW Buckinghamshire and Middlesex.

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but to win three awards for our ﬂagship sites, Englemere, Woolley Hall and Sundridge Park is a For more information and to book a personal appointment please contact us fantastic accomplishment in which every Millgate Telephone: 0844 499 3411 or Email: info@cleaverproperty.co.uk member of staff takes immense pride. “These awards are dedicated to their outstanding this year. Our talented team work ngham RG40 Cleaver 2NWProperty Management, Ascot House, Finchampstead Road, Wokingham endeavours RG40 2NW extremely hard to create timeless homes and it is a real privilege to have this hard work recognised by the professionals within the sector.” Cleaver Property Management, Ascot House, Finchampstead Road, Wokingham RG40 2NW  www.millgatehomes.co.uk

d beyond. Property Management Services for Wokingham and beyond. Property Management Services for Wokingham and beyond.

Voice tech helps landlords A CROWTHORNE-based businessman has grown a team of seven in just four years after spotting an opportunity with the increasing number of people renting their homes. Entrepreneur Mark Uttley’s company produces paper-free inventories for landlords and letting agents, saving them time and money. Inventory Clerk Berkshire Ltd – trading as VeriSmart Inventories - uses voice recognition technology allied with a copyrighted system to produce the documents at great speed. Being completely independent means tenants are protected and the business model is working so well Mark plans to expand further. His team, which includes his wife Lynsey, produces 200 inventories a month for letting agents and landlords, including national brands. Verismart is a national operation with over 40 franchisees and is on the approved supplier lists of many of the largest national and regional letting agents. Mark, who still owns a marketing company that he has run for 20 years, invested in the VeriSmart brand after spotting its potential. He said: “We work across the county in all the major towns including Reading and Wokingham, as well as Camberley. “There has been a growing trend in recent years for the number of property owners to decrease and the number of renters to increase. “This ‘generation rent’ means there is far more demand for inventories to be compiled. “I launched the business four years ago and now we have a team of clerks who carry out the visits and use the technology to produce the inventories. “They also add photographs and when it’s complete copies are sent to the letting agents and the tenants. “The tenant receives text message reminders to read the document and sign it off. “The model works superbly because it saves the landlord and letting agents time and money – freeing them up for other work – and the tenant is protected and reassured.” Jonathan Senior, chairman of VeriSmart, which developed the paper-free system, said: “It’s great to see that the hard work of Mark and his team is paying off in Berkshire.” A report last year from accountancy ﬁrm PwC predicted that by 2025 more than half of those under 40 will be living in properties owned by private landlords. By that year, a quarter of all households will be renting privately.

Join in charity event tonight MEMBERS of Cleaver Property Management will be taking part in an epic cycle ride next year –and to prepare they’re planning an evening ﬁlled with wine. The team, which includes friends and families of the company’s staff, will cycle 135 miles to Amsterdam in May to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis, Help For Heroes, Terrence Higgins Trust and Children with Cancer UK in May. To help fundraise they are hosting an auction at 7pm tonight (Thursday)at The Grape Escape in Denmark Street. Cleaver is asking local businesses if they would kindly donate an item or a service to auction off. Nothing is too small or too big . You are also invited to join in, tickets cost £10. To donate prizes, buy tickets or to help, call Susan Cleaver on 0118 467 1573 or email susan@ cleaverproperty.co.uk  www.justgiving.com/teams/Cleaver

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PROPERTY | 21

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22 | HEALTH

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, December 1, 2016

Everystepcounts

HEALTH MATTERS

Personal ﬁtness with Chris Hunt with Nicola Strudley

What’s your mind set?

OW, we are now in December, can you believe it? The Christmas adverts have started, the Christmas shops in town are now being visited, and Santa has made his decisions on who has been good or bad this year …what will your ﬁle say? It is fitting this week that the Pillar we will be discussing is Mind-set and State of Mind. December is a challenging month. Why challenging you ask? From current experience and working with hundreds of like-minded people like you over the last few years, December is one of those times where there are loads of distractions and lots of opportunities to deviate away from your plan. Now you see, lots of other trainers out there who don’t like to focus on Mind-set and just believe in the No excuses mentality, counting reps and looking down on you because you actually have a life would leave this to chance…. not me. We are going to face this month head on and enjoy ourselves but also accept that progress may be slower this month…. Just because we are in December doesn’t mean that the principle of Kaizen cannot be adopted. Mind-set essentially means the established set of attitudes by someone. “I can do this. “Why do I always put on weight in December? I feel I always go backwards.” “I’m going to avoid the Party this year as last year I was ill for days from all the sugar I ate.” Your state of mind is your mood or mental state at a particular time. “I’m feeling really positive today, I am ready for action.” “I don’t think I can do this weight, I have never lifted it before.” “I know I can Bench 100kgs today, I did 90kg last month and today I will succeed.” When you own your mind-set and you own your state of mind everything becomes easier. The positivity that will flow when you start training both of these will be massive to your results.

Christmas can be a time to let good intentions fall by the wayside … unless you focus on a positive mindset Picture: Beverly Lloyd-Roberts/freeimages.com

As a society we seem to focus on the negatives and not shout and scream about the positives enough… I say eradicate the negatives and become the person that is always positive. Be that guy or girl who isn’t afraid of obstacles, is not afraid of issues that may arise, is not scared of testing times coming up. When you own your environment and you own your mind-set… the only obstacle you face is time and how long it will take you to reach your goal. So as we fast approach my favourite time of the year which is Xmas, what tactics can you deploy that will ensure your state of mind

will mean December will be a success and not a setback. The Royal Marines have associated themselves with Mind-set and State of Mind for a long time now. Who has seen any of the adverts on TV with quotes such as: “Your mind is a weapon. It can beat heat, overcome hunger, eradicate pain, turn soft flesh into hard muscle. Where others fail to go…this is where you will find us?” I learnt many of the mind-set techniques I use with clients, family and friends from my time when I was a Royal Marines Commando. Even though I do have the qualifications to back it up, you can gain from this by just using previous experiences to drive you on. So let’s see a few simple tricks and tips you can start today to own your Mind-set in this highly fun but challenging month:  Express gratitude all month long… giving to others is so satisfying… every time you do something for yourself this month. Help someone else out too.  Visualise your journey each week and plan ahead for obstacles and troublesome periods. If you know you are out for office parties and family gatherings all weekend then plan your training before and after the weekend and lower your food intake slightly for the few days before your big weekend.  Focus on why you are on this journey, right now. Focus on the positive pleasures you seek and then think back to the pains associated with your former self…lengthen that gap and make the difference seem huge…this trick really does work.  Above all, have fun this month, it’s a fun month. December should be enjoyed but enjoy it knowing that your journey is still as important. A positive attitude gives you power over your circumstances instead of your circumstances having power over you. Hello December….you are the last month of 2016 so let’s make it the best month. Have a great weekend guys and make that mind-set a hugely positive one!!

Come on Santa, cut a dash! New build for Bulmershe Ho, ho, go! A Santa dash will take place in Dinton Pastures on the Saturday before Christmas

A FESTIVE jog around one of the borough’s best-loved beauty spots is taking place later this month. The inaugural Dinton Santa Dash will take place at Dinton Pastures Country Park on Saturday, December 17, and will feature hundreds of participants dressed up as Father Christmas. Organised by Barnes Fitness, who also stage the Wokingham 5km and 10km and the Woodley 10km every

year, the brand new 2km and 5km dash will raise money for local charity Building for the Future, as well as raise plenty of festive cheer. Entry to the fun runs include a Santa suit, mince pie and a medal upon completion.  For more information on the Dinton Santa Dash and to sign up visit www.barnesﬁtness.co.uk/event/ dinton-santa-dash.

A LEISURE centre in Woodley could be demolished and replaced with new facilities, the council has announced. On Thursday, Wokingham Borough Council’s (WBC) executive decided the future of Bulmershe Leisure Centre, in Woodlands Avenue, agreeing that, subject to budget agreements and planning permission, the centre would be demolished and replaced with a new £13 million leisure facility containing a sports hall, six-lane swimming pool, gym and fitness studio. The centre was built in the 1970s, and its facilities are now tired and in need of investment to bring it up to a better standard. Bulmershe underwent some cosmetic refurbishment in 2014, incorporating new facilities and equipment thanks to investments from the borough council and managers 1Life. But at that time the council promised to look at future plans to sustain and improve the centre further. The council held a public

consultation over the summer asking residents what they think would be the best way to improve the leisure centre. During the consultation period, representatives from the council visited several leisure centres already refurbished or rebuilt by other local authorities. These were centres recommended by Sport England. Cllr Angus Ross, WBC’s executive member for environment, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who spoke to us about the future of Bulmershe Leisure Centre. We received some invaluable comments from people who either use the facility, or plan on using it in the future. “These visits, and the information gained, were invaluable to scope the options and to identify the decisions taken by authorities and the risks they faced. By carrying out this research, and collecting feedback from our residents, we hope we can not only build something to be proud of but also a facility that improves health, wellbeing and quality of life.”

Should we pay for travel vaccinations?

OLLOWING a letter in The Wokingham Paper a few weeks ago, this is the question that has recently been getting a bit of attention on Streetlife, the social network that lets you connect locally with your neighbours. While certain inoculations are available free from GP surgeries, some people are annoyed that certain travel vaccinations are having to be paid for and the prices can vary from practice to practice. Views were expressed that if you can afford to go to a long haul holiday destination, you should be able to afford to cover the costs of your inoculations, just as you would purchase travel insurance. NHS websites such as fitfortravel.nhs.uk or NHS Choices, gives general travel health advice plus the latest on specific destinations and infection outbreaks around the world. Timing and convenience are also factors. There are jabs that need to be done at least six weeks before you travel (something to bear in mind when considering a last-minute long-haul holiday). Also, some vaccines (such as rabies) can need up to three separate visits. In Britain, the NHS provides the hepatitis A vaccine, typhoid vaccine and combined diphtheria, tetanus and polio vaccine free of charge from GP surgeries. Polio and meningitis immunisation is sometimes offered free or for the cost of a prescription and, depending on the surgery, there may be a smaller charge for rabies and yellow fever jabs than at a private clinic.

Long-haul

For travel to some long-haul destinations, your bill could easily reach around £250-£300 at a private clinic. In addition, a course of malaria tablets can set you back £30-£45, which may be nearly twice as much as buying tablets from a GP or from a high-street chemist. What the Streetlife conversation really highlighted to me is the differing expectations we have of the NHS. Everybody is clear about the challenge primary care services are facing with a significant increase in the Wokingham borough population over the coming years and the pressure this will put on an already pressurised system. But there was no clarity about where patients step in to support the system. The risk is that this sort of conversation could lead down the path of then not funding treatment if the illness was a consequence of a self inflicted behaviour such as smoking. The NHS was created out of the ideal that healthcare should be available to all, regardless of wealth. When it was launched in 1948, it was based on three core principles: that it meet the needs of everyone; that it be free at the point of delivery and that it be based on clinical need, not ability to pay. These three principles have guided the development of the NHS over more than 60 years and remain at its core, however the society we live in today may mean that these principles need to be reviewed.

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

Thursday, December 1, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

SOCIETY | 23

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Inthecommunity

If you are in a WI, Mothers’ Union, a friendship group or an action group then send us a report of your meetings and we’ll print them in here! Share your reports by emailing news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

News from your clubs and societies

Singers brush up on their Welsh for festive concert Twyford Singers

WYFORD Singers are having language tuition to perfect their performance of a Welsh carol for their Christmas concert. New member, Eirlys Hughes (pictured), whose first language is Welsh, found herself guiding pronunciation at her first rehearsal. Eirlys, of Binfield Heath, said: “They’re sounding really good.” The choir is helped by the magical effect that actually singing Welsh has on pronunciation, she added. The carol, Rhosyn Duw, known in English as The Flower of Bethlehem, is part of a varied concert with many audience favourites on Saturday December 10 at 7.30pm at St Mary’s Church, Station Road, Twyford. Excerpts from Handel’s Messiah will include the glorious and popular Hallelujah! chorus and For Unto Us A child Is Born. Other Christmas songs include chances for the audience to join in with well-known carols. Lyrical and moving New Zealand carol Te Harinui (Great Joy) offers a smattering of Maori words among its English ones. There will be organ and trumpet accompaniment for the concert. Musical director Helen Styles said: “Working with a trumpeter is always fun – and gives extra sparkle to the descants.” Advance tickets from 07762 738384 are £9 (£4.50 for under 16s). On the door they are £10 and £5. Entrance includes refreshments. For more details, visit www.twyford-singers. org.uk SUE CORCORAN

Wokingham West Forest Townswomen’s Guild THIRTY Four members and two guests attended our meeting of the Wokingham West Forest Townswomen’s Guild held on Monday, November 21. They were welcomed by the chairman who gave a brief resume of all the events which had taken place since the last meeting. These included a whist drive, a guided tour of the Windsor Castle kitchens with an opportunity to visit the state rooms and then to view the Queen’s dress exhibition. These were in addition to the regular coffee mornings, pub lunches, theatre visits, walks and small group activities. At our meeting we were entertained by Simon Williams who gave some ideas and clues as to how we can improve our memories. It was great fun and very thought provoking. It was agreed that this is something we all need to do and we hope to put some of his ideas into practice. A book sale was held and members were able to select their Christmas reading while clearing out some of the books already read. Our Christmas meeting will be held on December 12, at 7.45pm in Emmbrook Village Hall when we will be entertained by a local poet who will recite her topical and humorous poems. New members are always welcome. Please contact Liz on 0118 978 3585 to Terry on 0118 9784844 for more information. LIZ SHILHAM

Above left: young speakers from The Abbey School and, right, the team from The Piggott School

Youth speakers make their voice heard at debating contest Rotary Clubs of Loddon Vale and Reading Maiden Erlegh STUDENTS from several local schools came together to prove they have a talent for public speaking during a Rotary-backed competition. Pupils from Bulmershe School, Piggott School and The Dolphin School were among those competing in the 23rd Rotary Youth Speaks contest, organised jointly by the Rotary Clubs

of Loddon Vale and Reading Maiden Erlegh. The teams of three from each school consisted of a chairperson, a speaker and a proposer of a vote of thanks. The chairperson’s introduction and the vote of thanks presenter had to speak for two minutes while the main presenter was limited to six. The ages of the intermediate level teams were between 11 and 13 years and the one senior team between 14 and 17 years.

Woodley Townswomen’s Guild WOODLEY Townswomen’s Guild has had two events this month. Judy Anderson from the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity came to our November meeting and we heard all about the history of Great Ormond Street Hospital, how it evolved to become the children’s hospital

Impressive presentations were given by the two teams from the Dolphin School on “Living with oil” and “The global goals of equality”. The Bulmershe team skilfully took on the challenging topic of “What is the meaning of life”, while The Piggott School gave a topical and amusing twist to their presentation entitled “The devil in no detail” with an example of the recent American presidential campaign. The winning team in the intermediate section was the

it is today, and about the wonderful work they do to help sick children and their families. Just recently we held a social evening for about 60 people and we were pleased to welcome several members from the Wokingham Guild and from Berkshire Federation to join us. Thanks to several of our hardworking committee members we all enjoyed a hot supper followed by music, games

Abbey School, from Reading, with their thought-provoking title of “A Mineﬁeld of Manners”, highlighting the importance of etiquette to societies in different countries and reminded the audience of the relevance of manners to their own lives. The Piggott School team scooped the prize in the senior section. Rotary President Scott Trathen said “I am always amazed at the quality of presentations made by these young people; public speaking is such a valuable life-skill.”

and dancing, and a good time was had by all. Our sub-groups continue to meet regularly and we have a Christmas outing planned for December. Our Christmas meeting takes place on Thursday, December 1 at 7.45pm at Chapel Hall, Loddon Bridge Road, Woodley. We do not have a monthly meeting in January. LESLEY POWELL

GOOD ADVICE

Changing your mind about something you’ve bought

OU don’t have an automatic right to get your money back if you just change your mind about something you’ve bought and there’s nothing wrong with it – it’s down to the seller whether they offer you anything. There are certain steps you can take, depending on where you bought the item. If you bought it in a shop, check their policy on returns. Even though they don’t have to, lots of shops will say you can return items within a time period, as long they’re not used. The shop’s policy might be written on your receipt, or you could check their website. Shops often reduce the amount of time you have to return items bought in a sale. You’ll stand a better chance if you take your receipt with you and return the item in its original packaging. It’s up to them what they offer you - you’ll need to decide whether to accept it or not. If you don’t have a receipt you

could show a bank statement. If you bought the item online, by phone or by mail order you get a 14-day ‘cooling-off period’ to tell the seller you don’t want it. You then get 14 days to send the item back. You won’t get a coolingoff period when you buy:  Something that deteriorates quickly - like ﬂowers or food  An item that was personalised or custommade for you  Anything from a private individual rather than a business  A CD, DVD or software, if you break the seal on the wrapping If you paid for standard delivery when you bought something, the seller has to refund this if you return it. If you chose a more expensive delivery option, you’ll have to pay the difference. Sellers must give you certain information when you buy something

without seeing it in person. This includes their business address and phone number, and details of your right to cancel. If you didn’t get this in writing (they’re allowed to send it by email) then your cooling off period is increased even further, to a year and 14 days. Most sellers give instructions on how to return items, and often include returns labels with your order. You may have to pay the cost of posting the item back. The seller should have told you who has to pay for this when you bought the item. For example, it could have been in the terms and conditions. If they didn’t tell you, they will have to refund your postage costs. You don’t have to return the item in its original packaging, but you do need to make sure it’s packaged in a way that means it doesn’t get damaged. Sellers

can ask you to pay if something gets damaged because it wasn’t packaged properly. The seller can also ask you to pay (or reduce your refund) if you’ve reduced the value of the item. For example: If you wore shoes outside and scuffed the soles - but they can only do this if it’s in the terms and conditions. It’s a good idea to get a ‘certiﬁcate of posting’ from Royal Mail when you post the item - you can use this to prove to the seller that you posted the item. The seller has to pay you the refund within 14 days from when they receive the item.  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

24 | HERITAGE

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, December 1, 2016

WokinghamRemembers To advertise call 0118 966 6600

Friday, August 21, 2015 TheWokinghamPaPer

WokinghamRemembers When Spencers Wood was in Wiltshire Exploring our heritage with wokinghamremembers.com

Exploring our heritage with wokinghamremembers.com

The historians of a local village will be celebrating the REVIEW fruits of their labours next week – they will be publishing their latest researches, More From Our Village of Spencers Wood. The book looks at all aspects of life in this corner of the borough. JOHN WAKEFIELD explains

In association with

HERITAGE | 17 In association with

In the news LOCAL historian Jim Bell has compiled a free eBook, Wokingham In The News, for the Wokingham Society. Published earlier this year, it can be downloaded from the Society’s website, www.wokinghamsociety.org.uk It is available as an eBook, a PDF and a Word document. Here we present some seasonal extracts from it:

The past which has shaped our present...

This week MikE ChuRChER reviews the Wokingham Remembers articles of the past four months and discusses some of the factors which contributed to the making of Wokingham and its environment.

VER the past months the Wokingham Remembers page has been providing an early picture of how a small market town and a few villages on the edge of a forest is today ranked as one of the country’s leading communities. Education, religion, industry, transport, social structures, national politics and local government are all important pieces in building the great Wokingham jigsaw. Here now is a summary of our contributions to date and a few ideas on the next round of articles.

JAMES TWYCROSS DIES

major impact they had on the town and we have already made a start with the road system by mapping out the course of the old Forest Road. While the building of the M4 had a major influence on the introduction of the high tech businesses which now surround Wokingham, it is the A329M which in 1975 cut off the Forest Road and its natural connections between Emmbrook and the villages of Hurst and Binfield. The love and hate relationship with our rail and roads continue to this day!

Wokingham’s military

Education, Education, Members of the Spencers Wood Local History Group are preparing to launch the fruits of heritage their research next week. Inset: the Despencers family shield As 2015 is the bi-centenary of the Education Battle of Waterloo, there have been a Today’s Wokingham is renowned as number of articles commemorating this one of the country’s centres of excellence Berkshire in October GROUP of local historians are world changing event. 1844. A few years for education; this is partly due to strong later, land been was enclosed preparing toand launch the fruits of Themost area of hasthe always noted for school performance the motivated and aquired by local philanthropist their researches – a brand new its contribution to the nation’s military parents who live in one of the most Frederick and William Merry, book telling to the story of their capability, Allfrey, with Arborfield’s REME, highly educated communities in the UK. aRFA County magistrate and a visiting village words and Remount connections and the If weinlook intoand thepictures. history of Sandhurst and Wellington Colleges all as magistrate to Reading Gaol, as well The Spencers Wood History Wokingham’s schools weLocal can see situated very nearby. Secretary at War Lord Palmerston’s Group has beenisbusy working on the how education woven into its DNA. Even secretary the Duke offrom Wellington to private 1812 totook 1828. Priorbook, to thetracing Great War, new theWokingham origins of the living Stratfield Saye,to which is was surrounded by manor Theinvillage started growtoday and by south Wokingham village.houses and only 30 minutes away from Wokingham’s members of the landed gentry who 1880, the population was 600, with The village owes a little debt town centre. residents working in fields wanted to be to the levers of power; to France: it’sclose named after i.e. the royal households of Windsor. Wokingham’s or domestic service. a Norman family, the In turn thesewho upper echelons spite of its growth, le Despencers, lived benefactorInculture possessed serious sense of duty Spencers Wood was split in the 13thacentury. The area around Wokingham was and a responsibility to ensure their between the parishes of And, until the turn of surrounded by many remarkable community received at least a basic Shinfi eld, Swallowfi eld and the 14th century, it was individuals and they were instrumental in education. Wokingham also had a building the much needed infrastructure Grazeley. part of the Royal Forest of powerful professional class, a strong which underpinned thejust establishment Then, before the of Windsor. church community (including the nona strong community. First World War, the But times changed and conformists) and together they shared We will later be telling changed the story of boundaries as the the village fellin under the a strong belief the importance of Walter familythe andnew their contributions to parish church of administrative arm of teaching. the building of Wokingham but inAngels April St Michael and All William Longespée, Earl The result was with the skills, the first weekly issue, we told the story of the was consecrated. It is still of Salisburyand and his court available, motivation the finance much loved Arthur Hill, the 6th Marquess a focal point of the village today and there developed a culture of education in Amesbury. So, the village moved of Downshire. whichWindsor still holds strong to this day. willAlthough be the venue the Spencers from into Wiltshire, while one of for Britain’s wealthiest Wood Local Arthur HistoryHill Group’s book neighbouring Swallowfi eld was split Wokingham transport landowners, doubled as the launch next Wednesday. between Wiltshire and Berkshire Transport is probably the single in chief of the local Fire Brigade and was a Thefinancial book traces these origins andof the same way that parts of Shinfield most important factor in Wokingham’s major contributor to this part goes into more details. are in Readinginborough andand theroad bulk is development, both its rail Wokingham’s public services. For example, oneillustrate chapterthe is devoted systems. Later articles will in Wokingham borough. Future articles will look at the into demise of theseWorld great manors and the their to the Second War, when Spencers Wood was brought incumbent social system and the rise of introduction of the railways and the

DECEMBER 6, 1862

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

its replacement: local government.

Wokingham’s wild side

historians, Sarah Huxford, also took us on a journey to the old battlefields in search of their graves. This story reflects only a microcosm of the losses around the county of Berkshire, but affirms the importance of the wars in the development of our local character.

Before we believe too much in the idea that Wokingham’s development was a solidly sedate experience, May’s article told the story of the rioting in the town centre during the time of the 1857 General Election. Wokingham and Such events were a common sight in theinRoyal Forest The book cover tells the story of Spencers Wood just a few illustrations. They the town and this short and bloody battle today’s it is include some familiar landmarks as seen throughLooking the agesatand havecommunity, been carefully between the Whigs and the Tories also difficult to visualise just how rural the chosen by the History highlighted the Spencers Bush andWood Rose hotels inGroup.area once was and in part explains the Top,Place clockwise left: the Village Hall; the Wellingtonia Drive leading to Market as thefrom headquarters of these sometimes fragile relationship Stanbury; Highlands house (taken in the 1970s); St Michael’s Church with thebetween two feral groups. the old and new Wokingham; fewSecond Millennium Yewalso in the middle distance; the crew of Judd’s Sawmills during the The story was able to reflect areas in the UK have witnessed such World War – notice the ‘V’ for Victory, but you’ll have to buy the book to see what upon the national scene and the corrupt extraordinary growth and change in the else isof carved on elections the end ofbefore that tree nature general thetrunk! profile of its population. introduction of to theright: private ballot. Below, left a pair of houses with the characteristic cream brickwork; Although Wokingham’s history the Future articles will and include further lady and Clares Green SANG; an Edwardian girl.been Theseintertwined represent aspects haslittle always with of tales of anarchy and revelry in this Spencers Wood’s Environment andold Development. the surrounding villages by providing market town. a market place for agricultural and commercial produce, was also a Forest Wokingham audience will be ableitto buy a copy of village was home at to aWar Prisoner of War Town. The term ‘forest’ did not mean a There are watershed moments in the book at a discount. camp, and A Walk around The Square cluster of trees, but a system of laws laid history which mark the moment of great For those unable to make the focuses on some of the earliest houses down by royalty for the protection of change in a society and the Great War of on Wednesday, there will be built and the people who lived in them. launch their hunting grounds. 1914-1918 is one such time. a second chance rules to buy at Spencers The launch takes place from 6pm, These onerous restricted local Therefore a number of centenaries Wood from 10am to of 12.30pm and will see Hoyle peopleLibrary from using large parts the land between 2014Professor and 2018 Richard will on and speak about the of theofarea, forThursday, sustenanceDecember and in part8,led to on the commemorate thehistory great losses war Friday, December 9 fromand 11am to 1pm while Revdthe Marion will share rise of local highwaymen general whichthe scarred peoplePyke of Wokingham in the VillageAsHall. some herofmemories of growing up lawlessness. a result, the subsequent for theofrest the 20th century. Black Act ofdetails, 1723 came down May’s edition followed the story in the village.  For more log on to heavily on these ‘Wokingham Blacks’ and resulted in of And two brothers from Langborough with appetites whetted, the www.swlhg.co.uk either their transportation or execution. Road in Wokingham town. One of our

What’s in a cover?

We regret to have this week to announce the death of James Twycross Esq., of The Brook, Wokingham, which event took place on Wednesday night last. The deceased gentleman, who was highly respected, had for many years been largely and successfully engaged both in mercantile and agricultural pursuits, and he employed a considerable number of hands in this town. Whilst his charitable disposition caused him to be regarded as a true friend to the poor, by whom he will be much missed. Mr. Twycross had for many years been a member of our Corporation and more than once filled the offices of alderman and chief magistrate with The story was told in June, and also much dignity and a strict attention commemorated the 800th anniversary to his official duties; and his liberal of the Magna Carta, signed at nearby entertainment, the occasion of our Runnymede in on 1215. late High Steward, will be fresh in the Shining aoflight recollection many. on

Wokingham’s ‘Dark Ages’

To bring us to date the August DECEMBER 2, up 1865 articles are focused on the kids who are now entering into their summer holidays. MAGICAL ENTERTAINMENT What better way to use month’s On Tuesday evening, Mr.this Hambling, editions than to tell the stories of the the “Wizard of the North,” whose Romans, the Celts and the Saxons performance the previous week influence on the area before Wokingham had patronised, repeated wasbeen evenlargely a twinkle in old Wocca’s eye? his David capitalNash entertainment, on behalf Ford provided a set of of the funds the Royal Berks articles and of puzzles which makes Hospital, andfor a generous history fun the youngindividual and no doubt having offered theof the parents will also catch to thedefray interest who will be looking the overentire their child’s attendant expenses, shoulder. were available for the proceeds Here’s to the next round of articles! charitable object in view. Thanks go out to our Steve Unfortunately the contributors: weather proved Bacon, Jim Bell, David Nash Ford, Sarah very unfavourable, the rain falling heavily, Huxford, Roger Long, Trevor Ottlewski which, doubtless prevented many from and Peter Shilham for all their continuing being present. contributions. Still, many were encouraged All this work is provided by our enough to face the weather andand local historians free of charge enjoy veryon clever performance can bethe found the front page of of the Mr Hambling,Remembers who was loudly applauded Wokingham website throughout. www.wokinghamremembers.com Thanks£12 alsowill to Mark Ashwell Nearly be realised foratthe TradeMark for supporting the paper’s hospital. commitment to this project.

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EDUCATION | 25

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Thursday, December 1, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Presspack

At school? This is the page you can write! We welcome your articles, poems, pictures and stories for this page. Send your articles to news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

News from schools | stories from pupils Steppin Out’s principal Shelley Fitzgibbon (dressed as the Queen of Hearts) with one of the lucky prize winners

School is safe and seen By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Youngsters get star recognition CELEBRITIES sent their congratulations to pupils at a local theatre school during its recent awards night. Steppin Out Stars of Tomorrow held its annual ceremony at Emmbrook School last month to celebrate the success of its students - with everything from personality and progress recogonised. There were also awards given for achievement and for the young student of the year. The school’s famous patrons – including Emma Barton, known as Honey Mitchell in EastEnders – all sent personal messages to the children nominated in their category last weekend. Ms Barton sent a heartfelt message from Albert Square to Emily Highams, who won achievement of the year. The young actress has taken part in West End plays as well as her weekly sessions at Steppin Out. Tom Chambers sent a message

Immie entertains by singing a song

directly from the set of Holby City to Harrison Saville Nugent, who scooped an award for Progress. The Woodley and Wokingham school’s third patron Matthew Stirling – direct from his latest stunt job with former Batman Michael Keeton – congratulated his nominees with a comical and well rehearsed message to his winner Emily West and Rosie Newport Shortland. They scooped the personality award. Shelley Fitzgibbon, founder and principal, said: “The awards nights just gets bigger and better every year. “We had a theme of book characters and every parent and child dressed up. “It was a superb evening and we are so lucky to have the support from our fabulous patrons Emma Barton, Matthew Stirling and Tom Chambers.” n The school offers free trial lessons. For more details, call 07970 034488 or log on to steppinoutstars.co.uk

PUPILS at a new primary school in Wokingham are being kept safe and seen this winter thanks to a donation of high-visibility clips and vests from a home developer. Children from Floreat Montague Park, in William Heelas Way, have teamed up with David Wilson Homes Southern for Road Safety Week in order to encourage pupils to stay safe on the roads. Road Safety Week is the UKs biggest road safety event coordinated by Brake, the road safety charity. It is an annual event that works to prevent road death and injury and to make streets and communities safer by heightening awareness on how to be safe on

the road all year-round. The high visibility clips and vests have been donated in aid of the awareness week which ran from November 21 to 27. Kate Harper-Cole, the headteacher at Floreat Montague Park Primary School, said: “As our brand new school is being built in front of the children’s eyes, we have already

had a lot of discussions about why the builders wear high visibility jackets. “The children understand the importance of being visible and how it can keep you safe when crossing the road, cycling or even working on a construction site! “The children are very appreciative of their new high visibility vests and bag clips and were glad that they would be safer on their way to and from school.” Rob Allen, Sales Director at David Wilson Homes Southern said: “We thought this would be a great opportunity for us to support the local community and help to raise awareness of Road Safety Week. “We wanted to donate the high visibility vests and clips to this local primary school to encourage the children to stay safe on the roads as the darker nights draw in.”

St Joseph’s College celebrates third award A READING school that accepts pupils from across the borough is celebrating after winning an award for its leadership. St Joseph’s College, based in Upper Redlands Road, scooped the Outstanding Leadership Team at the Leadership Awards in central London on Friday. The awards look to honour leaders and organisations for showing leadership excellence and St Joseph’s was the only school to win. Other category winners including the Cranfield School of Management and the British Youth Council The award won by St Joseph’s recognises “leadership teams who show exceptional cohesion and an ability to work as an integrated unit, where this unity has made a positive and transformational impact on multiple fronts”. St Joseph’s was presented with the award as a result of the school’s progress over the last five years, growing from a girls’ school of just over 300 pupils to a fully co-educational school of over 500. The leadership team have overseen a strategy of cutting fees and increasing investment which has led to the national recognition. The school was also named Independent School of the Year at the end of last year, and received the Outstanding Progress Award at the Education Business Awards in July.

Andrew Colpus, Headmaster of St Joseph’s College, with fellow staff members and their award for Outstanding Leadership

Andrew Colpus, Headmaster of St Joseph’s, was thrilled to receive the award on behalf of his leadership team. He said: “It is wonderful for St Joseph’s to be recognised once again for its development over the last few years. “The leadership team have worked incredibly well as a group to manage the school’s rapid growth and to achieve great things in a short timescale. “The school continues to flourish, and this is testament to both the vision and

the hard work of not only the leadership team, but all members of the staff community.” The school has continued to invest in its facilities as it increases its pupil numbers. Last summer it created three new five-a-side astroturf pitches, refurbished a suite of rooms for the languages department and constructed a new drama studio. n For more information visit www.sjcr.org.uk

26 | LEISURE

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Leisure

A CELEBRATION of all things West End will be coming to Woodley next week. Woodley Light Operatic Society (WLOS) will be staging performances of their favourite

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, December 1, 2016 West End Hits at the Oakwood Centre, in Headley Road, from Wednesday, December 6 until Saturday. Tickets for the evening of song and dance start from £14, with concessions available.

Performances take place at 7.45pm, with a Saturday matinée performance at 3pm. For more information and to book tickets, visit www.wlos.co.uk or call the box office on 0333 666 3366.

Some of the trebles in All Saints Choir. The group will be singing Handel’s Messiah on Sunday Picture by Hemma Mason

CONCERT

The sound of Christmas: Hallelujah! REVIEW

It’s the wedding of the year! By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk

HE wedding of the year is taking place at The MIll at Sonning this Christmas, and it is just as glitzy, ritzy and fabulous as you’d expect. Starring David Delve, Bethan Nash and Mill regular Elizabeth Elvin, the highly-anticipated musical High Society opened on Thursday night (25), offering a cheeky glimpse into how the other half live in Cole Porter’s ‘swellegant, elegant’ classic romp. High profile socialite Tracy Lord (Nash) is getting ready to marry her second husband George Ketteridge (Joel Elferink) when her former flame, and favourite of her family, C.K Dexter Haven (Andrew Alexander) turns up to bid his best wishes. Meanwhile, undercover reporters Mike Connor (Sandy Batchelor) and Liz Imbrie (Gemma Maclean) are desperate to dish the dirt on the Lord family, after Tracy’s estranged father Seth (Nigel Barber) becomes entangled in a notso-secret affair with a New York showgirl. When Seth unexpectedly shows up for the wedding, his wife (Elvin) must maintain her composure while trying to keep the wedding on track. After a booze-filled pre-wedding party, Tracy lets her hair down and ends up in the swimming

pool with tabloid hack Connor, casting yet another doubt on her upcoming nuptials, while Dexter’s overly generous gift of a boat is enough to throw anyone overboard. Can Tracy make up her mind in time? Full of brilliantly timed one-liners courtesy of David Delve as Uncle Willie, High Society is a laugh-a-minute, foot-tapping whirlwind of glamour, fun and infidelity. Every member of the cast gives a stunning performance, with Kirsty Ingram, as little sister Dinah, and Nash teaming up for an unforgettably quirky rendition of I Love Paris, a highlight of the show. Featuring lots of familiar songs such as Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Let’s Misbehave and She’s Got That Thing, High Society will leave you breathless from the show-stopping vocals to the side-splitting slapstick. The Mill at Sonning have taken a risk by running a musical over the Christmas period for the first time in its 34-year history, but the gamble has certainly paid off with High Society, and in the words of Tracy herself, It’s All Right With Me. High Society runs until January 14. n Tickets start at £45.50, which includes a twocourse meal followed by coffee and mince pies. For more information and to book, visit www. millatsonning.com.

MOVIES

See a new film for free tonight FILM fans in Wokingham are in for a special treat as they are given the opportunity to view a final test screen of a brand new film. Wokingham Film Society, which screens movies at The Whitty Theatre at Luckley house School, have partnered with Dartmouth Films to give tonight’s (Thursday) audience a unique opportunity to contribute towards the final cut of a new film still in the latter stages of production.

The Atom: A Love Affair is the tragicomic true story of one of the 20th century’s greatest technological obsessions, delving into the archives of the PR men, campaigners and journalists who’ve battled to tell the story. The film is a surprising and often funny cautionary tale about what can happen when a promised wonder-technology comes face to face with harsh political reality.

This screening will be entirely free of charge and the audience’s views will be collected and relayed direct to the producers. The final version of the film will then be available in 2017. Doors open at 7pm with the film starting at 7.30pm. Fresh coffee and teas will be available and there will be a licenced bar. For more information, visit the Wokingham Film website www. wokinghamfilmsociety.com.

IT’S THE quintessential sound of Christmas and it’s coming to Wokingham this Sunday. All Saints Church in Wiltshire Road will be staging a performance of Handel’s Messiah this Sunday - but the organisers say that they are planning something a bit different. The new approach is not to the music – All Saints says it is looking forward to a concert of the same very high standard as last year - but it will be sharing the proceeds with the Army Benevolent Fund. The soloists, Ellen Boylan, Michaela Parry, Edward Hughes and James Oldfield will perform with the Gandolpho Players, led by Eleanor Harrison, Richard McVeigh (organ) and the choir of All Saints Church Wokingham. The conductor is Richard Smith, the Director of Music at All Saints Church. The church’s rector, the Revd Canon David Hodgson, said: “This is a magnificent opportunity to come and hear some well-loved music in a wonderful setting and see how just how brilliantly young

musicians perform.” And the church welcomes anyone who has ever wondered about singing in a church choir – they say it shows just how good their sound can be. All Saints Church maintains a long and happy tradition of choral music. Many of the choristers have taken up prestigious university scholarships and some have entered the music profession. In addition to the children’s music club and choir, All Saints Church runs a Nave Choir, an unauditioned group where many adult singers discover, or re-discover, their love for choral singing. The church is also very grateful for the support of many skilled adult singers who participate in some of the services and concerts like this. The concert is at 4.30pm, after the rather more hectic Reading Toy Run through the town, and there will be mulled wine and other Christmas refreshments in the interval. Tickets cost £12.50 or free for under 19s. For more details, or to book, log on to www. wokinghamconcerts.co.uk

CONTEST

WIN! Family tickets to see Snow White at The Hexagon PANTO season is here again – oh yes it is! This year, The Hexagon is presenting a new version of Snow White, starring CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher. Better known as Mr Tumble, Justin is a local lad and looking forward to spending Christmas in Reading. Joining him is Paul Morse, winner of the UK Panto Fans Award as best dame. Voice contestant Karl Loxley is in the cast, and Snow White is played by Sarah Accomando. The panto follows the tradtional story of Snow White: After the Magic Mirror declares Snow White to be the fairest in all the land, the Prince requests her hand in marriage. Sent into a jealous rage, the Wicked Queen commissions her henchman to take Snow White into the forest and to ensure she never returns. Will the dastardly

deed be carried out? Will our hilarious panto Dame and Justin the Jester uncover the treacherous plot? And what about the seven dwarves living in a cottage in the Enchanted Forest? With spectacular sets and costumes, fabulous songs and dances and bags of slapstick fun Snow White is a pantomime not to be missed this festive season. The show runs from Saturday,

December 10 until Sunday, January 8 and there will be lots of laughs, some great songs and plenty of magical memories. We have teamed up with The hexagon to offer TWO family tickets (up to four people) to see the show at a time to suit you *subject to availability). To be in with a chance of winning simply send us your answer to the following question: Who is the fairest of them all? A. Snow White B. The Ugly Stepsisters C. The Wicked Queen Send your answer, along with your daytime phone number to: Snow White contest, The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Alternatively email news@ wokinghampaper.co.uk Closing date: Thursday, December 8. Usual rules apply.

weekly puzzle challenge Your challenge Your weekly puzzle To sponsor this page, call Phil on 0118 327 2662

November 17, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October 13,1, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October 27, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER 24, December 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER | LEISURE 30 26

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Quiz Quiz Challenge Challenge

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Spell out 15-letter word or Spell Spell out 15-letter word or Spellout outaaaaa15-letter 15-letterword wordor or Spell out 15-letter word or phrase by moving from one phrase by moving from one phrase by moving from one phrase by moving from one phrase by moving from one W chamber to another within TI chamber to another within N chamber H chamber to another within chamberto toanother anotherwithin within N H chamber to another within the pyramid. You may the pyramid. You may the pyramid. You may the the pyramid. pyramid. You You may may the pyramid. You may only enter each of the only enter each of the O L only only enter each of the only enter enter each each of of the the Y I T IT G only enter each of the chambers once and IN G T ES chambers once and chambers chambers once and chambers once once and and chambers once and may only proceed may only proceed may may only proceed may only only proceed proceed N T E may only proceed U D N H through openings C E N through openings through through openings through openings openings S NT UA PE F M R through openings in the walls. The inin the the walls. The in walls. The the walls. walls. The The in the K E R D first letter may B O N M first letter may E first D A O N H D A R L first letter letter may may SA O C A E first letter may T A O N appear in any appear inin any any appear in appear any appear in any chamber. chamber. chamber. F O EIC T G E chamber. L E D R E LI A W BS O DT R O chamber.

How many words of four How many words of four How Howmany manywords wordsof offour four How many words of four letters or more can you letters or more can you letters or more can you letters or more can you letters or more can you make from this make from this make makefrom fromthis this make from this Nonagram? Each word Nonagram? Each word Nonagram? Nonagram?Each Eachword word Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, must use the central letter, must use the central letter, must use the central letter, musteach use letter the central letter, and may be and each letter may be and each letter may be and each letter may be and each letter may be used only once. At least used only once. At least used usedonly onlyonce. once.At Atleast least used only once. At least one word using all nine one word using all nine one oneword wordusing usingall allnine nine one word using all nine letters can be found. letters can be found. letters letterscan canbe befound. found. letters can be found. Guidelines: Guidelines: Guidelines: Guidelines: Guidelines: 28 Good; 33 Very Good; 24 25 Good; 29 Very Good; 22 26 20Good; Good;28 23Very VeryGood; Good; 23 Good; 27 Very Good; 29 34 39 Excellent. 33 34 Excellent. 31 27Excellent. Excellent. 32 Excellent. 40

O E

FIVE ALIVE FIVE FIVE ALIVE ALIVE FIVE ALIVE

WS SA IP NU NI AG CI YN HR OI OP RU AV IG

letters have letters have EI RC KT lettershave have ET ND EN YR SO RM ON GK CW EH SH LT letters letters have NA WC NE AR UV ES been mixed up. been been mixed up. beenmixed mixedup. up. been mixed up.

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481 56 9 3 223 4 8 2 9 87 1 7 2 5 9 3 51 98

19 32 9 754 9 8 71 1 68 4783 8 46 638

678 38 7 7 5 592 136 89 12 6 94 2 1 31 73

6 1 8 9 92 75 866 38 1 47 9 1

9 4 4 253 8 61 182 8 4 65 619 2

638

25 2 15 8 1 2 3 22 77 7 86 57 31 194 6 917 46 9 57 5 7 83 735 9 45 94 1

grid but the grid grid but the grid–––––but butthe the grid but the You have to You You have to Youhave haveto to

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1 46 68 65 6 79 94 1 35 29 4 6 1 9 7

Hard Hard Hard Hard Hard

3 5 514 1 7 48 38 4

75 67

57 87 623 49 23 9

2 6 55 4

99 4 98 4

EQUALISER EQUALISER EQUALISER EQUALISER 10 75359 2698 14 12 12 39677 4334125 741212 18 236235 46343 10 68155 41373 2313413 10 1402857 241642

Place Placethe thefour foursigns signs(add, (add, Place the four signs (add, Place the four signs (add, subtract, subtract, multiply, multiply, divide) divide) subtract, multiply, divide) subtract, multiply, divide) one onein ineach eachcircle circleso sothat that one in each circle so that one in each circle so that the the total total of of each each across across the total of each across the total of each across and down line is the same. anddown downline lineis thesame. same. and and down line isisthe the same. Perform the first calculation in each

9 5762 6 3 2361 2 441 6973

Perform each Performthe thefirst firstcalculation calculationinin each Perform the first calculation Perform the first calculation inineach each line first and ignore the mathematical line linefirst firstand andignore ignorethe themathematical mathematical line first and ignore the mathematical line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always law which says you should always law which says you should always law says should always law which which says you you should always perform division and multiplication perform perform division division and andmultiplication multiplication perform division and multiplication perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction. before beforeaddition additionand andsubtraction. subtraction. before addition and subtraction. before addition and subtraction.

All puzzles ononthis this page are All Allpuzzles puzzleson thispage pageare are All puzzles on page are All puzzles on this this page are supplied by Sirius Media Services. supplied suppliedby bySirius SiriusMedia MediaServices. Services. supplied by Sirius Media Services. supplied by Sirius Media Services. To try more of To Totry trymore moreof of To try more of To try more of our puzzles our puzzles ourpuzzles puzzles our our puzzles interactively interactively interactively interactively interactively online go toto online onlinego goto online go to online go to www.puzzledrome.com www.puzzledrome.com www.puzzledrome.com www.puzzledrome.com www.puzzledrome.com ©©Sirius Sirius Media Services Ltd © SiriusMedia MediaServices ServicesLtd Ltd © Media Services Ltd © Sirius Sirius Media Services Ltd

HARD SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU HARD HARDSUDOKU SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU

S B G X E U L H O V R M D X B I R U A V E N L F T M Z A O P F JB Y TJ Q K U S D V B O Y J A C F W G T U D C A H Q X X S J F G E A C M V Q N E M F N EI S M P I W K B Z T W Q 16 17 17 18 18 19 19 20 20 21 21 22 22 23 23 24 24 25 25 26 26 14 15 16 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 19 20 20 21 21 22 22 23 23 24 24 25 25 26 26 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 23 24 P Y Z K D F N I 22 Q W JIT 25 TJ 26 A Q S P J Y C K G R O Z H E L B V N H M X D W U Q S I 19M P X K R H E N F IW K N D Y Y Z O T L B R P H G V Z U W P O K A U D O Y X L V R L G C H S 33333

44444

55555

66666

777 77

888 88

999 99

10 10 10 10 10

11 11 11 11 11

12 12 12 12 12

13 13 13 13 13

SOLUTIONS SOLUTIONS SOLUTIONS

MAGIC SQUARE: MAGIC SQUARE: MAGIC MAGICSQUARE: SQUARE: MAGIC SQUARE: oust; user; semi; tusk; upon; sole; hang; aloe; norm; abed; bole; élan; mind; idea; neon; game; arid; ming; raft; axle; flea; team. trip. knee. gems. dent. dank. edge. WORD PYRAMID: WORD PYRAMID: WORD WORDPYRAMID: PYRAMID: WORD PYRAMID: The after. Double indemnity. Pelican crossing. Caught and Castles thebowled. air.ruin. On morning the road to Tree of in knowledge. EQUALISER: EQUALISER: EQUALISER: EQUALISER: EQUALISER: Clockwise from top Clockwise from top Clockwise Clockwisefrom fromtop top Clockwise from top left divide; left divide; subtract; left divide; left–––––add; multiply; left multiply; subtract; multiply; subtract; multiply; multiply; subtract; divide; multiply; subtract;subtract. divide; subtract; add; add. 8. 14. add. Total: 2.5.5. Total: 6. add.Total: Total: divide. Total:

29 2 33 1 5 4 7 2 3 6

54 5 36 7 1 27 78 19 99 6 63 62

square square square square

crosswords crosswords crosswords crosswords UI crosswords TU EO EP using the same AU using using the same AP OE usingthe thesame same using the same

RT AE IN RO AE GA UR

Each row and each column must contain the numbers to 9, and so must each box. Each Each row and each column must contain the numbers 111to to 9, and so must each box. Eachrow rowand andeach eachcolumn columnmust mustcontain containthe thenumbers numbers11 to9, 9,and andso somust musteach each33333xxxxx33333box. box. each column must contain the numbers to 9, and so must each box. Each row and

916 67 1 8 25 9 4 7 3 14 83 99 2 82 4 1 241 1 739 67 9738 439 41 98 7 612 52 3 9 7 128 584 3 83 6 5 63 7 5 964 616 3 4 6 7 2 9 5 8 92 8 78 2 9 5 1 941 5 8 48 254

Here are two Here are two Here Hereare aretwo two

659 474 9577 886 5136 928 4244 395 1862 63 7418 261 2785 152 3921 549 8393 717 8484 353 7245 528 1968 447 2333 271 5721 182 3696 916577 794152 835 9819 669 432 15 38 427 191 54 65 6 89 276 73 12 8 54 291 9 13 921 757 889 575 334 666 448 157 21 86 5 73 2 68 37 21 8 57 49 894 96 32 523 2 59 743 378 135 961 492 814 686 588 69 6 54 92 81 36 23 84 15 4 72 1 38 73 67 27 946 6 94 412 886 547 729 151 333 275 376 88211 167 4 76 19 49 73 4 92 5 8 1 56 23 65 38 3 8 75 292 614 453 769 548 927 211 56 4 9 38 5 7 68 9 71 63 3 52 27 87 2 16 484 1 28 659 165 973 384 846 297 732 795 927 13 1 86 3 57 82 3 49 28 8 94 65 541 85 4 66 387 521 798 232 613 479 154 93 768 57 3 65 94 8 16 4 27 1 89 3 45 28 1 79 152 7 32 294 619 456 847 528 985 361

68 5 3 9 418 5 17 91 6

I N

IE RI LE AL GA AR IO

SUDOKU SUDOKU SUDOKU SUDOKU

Easy Easy Easy Easy Easy

C G

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Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form Using Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form Usingall all16 16letters lettersof ofthe thephrase phraseabove, above,form form above, form Using all 16 letters of the phrase four words each of four letters which will fit in the four words each of four letters which will fit four words each of four letters which will fit in the four words each of four letters which will fitin inthe the which will fit in the four words each of four letters grid to form magic square in which the words grid grid to form magic square in which the words gridto toform formaaaaamagic magicsquare squarein inwhich whichthe thewords words in which the words grid to form magic square can be read both horizontally and vertically. can can be read both horizontally and vertically. canbe beread readboth bothhorizontally horizontallyand andvertically. vertically. and vertically. can be read both horizontally

22222

10 18

711

322 24 12 21 614 1 22 26 16 521 810 8 26 11 23 23 3

CROSSCODE CODE CROSS CROSS CROSSCODE CODE CROSS CODE

62 15 9 14 2 24 25 7 17 312 32 5 24 6 526 10 3 3 10 26 21 1 25 19

16 14 7 17 22 22 19 3 5 18 15 12 22 22 10 10 26 19 21 2 18 2

11111

21 17 810 5 925 18 26 6

913 24 9 12 519 24

EASY SUDOKU EASY SUDOKU EASY EASYSUDOKU SUDOKU EASY SUDOKU

215 13 21 17 8 624 8 3 6913 11 10 2 26 10 14 81 25 12 111 20 17 8

11 13 16 12 8 14 25 24 26 9 23 10 17 813 6 13 6 13 2 9 18

369 271 82 293 149 71 5 6 924 31 549 8 53 3532 697 7668 4225 1844 9311 8776 614 163 79 91 838 297 32 45 146 783 958 9 48 4415 3531 879 5756 6627 2263 7182 471 636 5 17 28 91 84 48 16 76 3 63 91 29 52 57 49 782 7 67 826 942 283 114 499 535 358 47 6 7 39 896 982 72 56 43 218 12 34 43 91 95 8 665 1 31 543 869 194 788 372 457 225 63 375 29 987 543 378 86 52 81427 429174 743589 22 1 55 642 566 198 931 232 354 68 38 52 47 35 83 54 14 91 78 29 617 29 6 297 5 95 168 576 421 937 783 849 614 3 61 4 76 53 748 97 91 38 89 56 272 58 69 124 134 4 82 257 428 636 891 915 374 569 788 897 16 86 29 58 13 12 8 3 64 39 57 75 4 4 91 423 6 26 994 755 517 379 231 682 143 925 515 24 58 97 5 21 34 75 7 49 916 6 83 638 376 3 19 671 184 942 263 858 726 497

724 4 9 18 13 12

31 LEISURE | 27

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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD CROSSWORD CRYPTIC CRYPTIC CROSSWORD CRYPTIC CROSSWORD CROSSWORD CRYPTIC CROSSWORD 1 1 2 3 4 5

1111 1 58 7 99988 89

11 11 11 910 11 10

13 11 12 13 14

12 1

222 2

9 910 10 10

11 11 11

10 12

13 14 13 13

13 12 13 13 11 14 15

22 20 20 21 22

17 17 17

23 23

35 7

12 12

17 16 16 15 17 20 18 18 19

6 5

6666 6

13 11 13 13 15 14 14 13 13 15 16 16 16 16 16

10 12 13

10 12

16 14 16

21 19 18 19 19 26

21 21 23

77 7 7 77 8

1716

17 17

19 20

21 22

10 10

10 12

5555 5

44 4 888

15 15 15 15 22

21 21 21

22 19 24 22 22 24 32

333 3

14 13 16 1415 15 16 18 19 16 17 18 19 20 20

2123 25

ACROSS DOWN ACROSS DOWN ACROSS DOWN ACROSS DOWN ACROSS DOWN ACROSS DOWN 1. Arrogant before being 2. On the throne, although 1. Measure of mercy (7) 1. In which one isthe followed by 2. Be successful with endless 1. rascal with a rascal marked 1. Jack’s right (9) 1. Almost identical boy (3)dried 1. Applauding the thunder before 2.Book It’s clear that had 1. luxurious Dance through hoops? (4-4) 1. Prime time for making Small movie Edward made 2. Sequentially tidy? (2,5) (12) expecting child to be an identical three (13) supply of drink (3) accent (6) 2. Requested that a desk be fi rst half of ball game (8) broken cover (6) Air polluting drowned valley (3) 6. 8. One who conveys type of grass, it might be said (6) for showing on a larger decapitated? (7) 5. Travel Girl who is spotted in squares 9. west and north in 3. A Lady found Beirut, changed (5) in 2. waywho to be taking 2. angry inour bomb could be Laurie (7) One laboriously screen (11) 5. bridge player 2.3.Dragon Light beam coming from 8. Refuse tothe take arson 6.Type Scotofrevised the price (4) Placed itvery inworks the second following band (4)who pursuit of another thing that 3. heartbroken (4) 3. outskirts Have faith to be with 51(6) the enthusiasm (6) of Warrington to repair old red piano (7) requires careful handling? (6) Arles (5)(5) seriously? (4,5,2,2) edition can be worn in bed (9) 9. Soundly being aware? (7) 9. Perch in a hen house (5) day before (7) piece coming 8. to provide non-(4) 3. Bone, a single 8. Andy’s A mobone vandalised the adesk 4. German composer takes 3. What worker gathered had 4.Prophet Somethe complain offi cially about 3. Cana 4. Making afrom lowfrom sound in the 9. Is Quietly read about 10. Brother needs a piece of 4. Hound Kabul committal answer (3,3,2) 7. near development that up (5) one 10. Gateman turned red (7) 10. Shakespearean hero in Florence to the West (6) chosen carefully a hazard at billiards (2-3) thankfully included (6)(4-6) fibeen elds (6) (6) clergyman (5) 9. Spectator, does he never underwear. Not this! (3) perhaps had come into view (6) 9. A bird doing something (2,2) 4. Comes to a similar American resort (7) 4. Glenda’s man? (3)is (7) 5. Not upset, noDad, doubt, by the watch the offside? (8) 5. Could be mad about in Money, said sweet (8) 11. A louder concoction in the 5.Another Courageous lover 11. and Anita shelter 10. Doug Annual publication by 4. disheartened collier conclusion soundly (6)you 11. Poor sap rebuilding, byfor the 9. Most valuable greeting monk’s haircut Paris, it’s fact(7) (5) 11. Out of gear (4) 6. will Without a aback visible sign in the melodic embellishment (7) African (7) woman with talent, we’re shrink in horror (6) 6. Angry mule, perhaps (5) 6. South Indication offianelow interest 10.new Transient 5. Dug out endless information way (7) creature member of staffmaking (6,5) a 6. left gloomy card 6. Some more results for absence of an athletics told (7) 12. the raised 12. Seriously Made changes if I appeared rate (5) flying visitaffect (4,2,7) on the freshwater fish (7) is 12. Sign arachnid had lost itsa 6.7.State in which something Snow transport from game (5) the purifi er (7) event (2,5) 13. Stop sailor having TV as section (5)form 10. or she issheep third 11. He Struck the by the in fourth (8) (6) tail (7) put aside temporarily – in 6. Seize young child second town near 7. Edward’s Take choir another (5) 7. nasty turnhaving attoof the Bird sent car around bea 7. Shrewd interpretation 11.Adiversion He’s a(6)bit of a maverick water 13. yacht capsized in old (4) refrigerator? (4,7) sleep (6) Manchester (6) vegetable (9) 11. One old reformed simpleton (6) end of November (2,7,3) 14. Persuasive vegetable? (6) copied out (11) 14. Depending upon one’s statue (6) 14. China Exchange where cattle are (6)originally 13. Arthur’s 13.inclination It is won and lost before 7. Go back onIand promise put 9. Fog Bought tea bag on 8. whistle repaired the perhaps (7) Complicated clue’s fun, 12. Live together – Ioutside it’s ato fion rm Maria arranged auctioned? (5,6) 15.Strange, Lifts up this so violently (6) 10. 8. aAunt Totally unabashed 13. ourinside story (6) 15. Not much in the way of discovered Scottish playso begins (4) hyphen in? (5,4,4) day one (9) south coast (4,2,5) cuss when failing to win (12) custom (7) to visit African country (10) musicians? (4,2,5) Ghostly English lake 18. identical Woman of partsfor (7)the(5) points town (6) 12. Star Has in toone change nag for 13. Sack tomilitary 18. Still about 14. disguise isaverage after aa (3) 16. victory before 17.Promising Ringundecided for legal aid? (4,3,6) 12. Review when total has 14.One I come inwho to join the 10. out of two isgoes leaseholder (6) 19. Fit toain drink, according wild horse 16. being Has row, being moreto flying (2,3,3) 13.workman What might be left in the fire blazes (7)(7)(7) 20. Language that debt (6)is written risen (3,2) man (7) 18. view (5) (8) 12. river board 14.Food It’s for keeping locks in of(3) consumed beggars impetuous 20.Oblique Father’s fur(7) isofadequate after the fifth ofinby the month! (8) down (7)point 15. In the plan I must have Stanley North charge 15. Rum I removed 20.Look Main to road dryroutes and withered (4) 16. 15.hostility Winelot vessel from service 18. illuminate beam (11) place upset by theaduring rain (7) 20. Replacement below (7) 21. Penny had no work on deck (4) 14. (6) tin (7) 18 & 20. Short time – a gap of Depose from offi ce – or a commotion (7) 16. Extra particular (7) 21.Crazy, I can become a Peruvian 21. ran round in Swiss in church (6)marvellous 15. Pair point to 22.Accept Tenmore out to back to back 22. Chain free onbe board initially (3) 17. no than 60should minutes Songs as an (6) (6) 16. It’s the talk ofcondiment some 19. one 22. Tries to abandon dreadful Indian (4) 16. saddle Go for composed each town (7)that sectional building (6) 17. Hebrew doing badly in Uganda 16.afterthought Two billsjudge one gets over (2,3,5,2,2,4) for charity (6)a 23. resume Sarah and a(7) fellow can Highlanders (6) (4,2) Christian name to make 15. Piecemeal instructions? 17. Key 4 Down bent eagerly Thoughts cast aside (5) going round the east (6)(6)(6) tree (6) 22. See about river that has 22. Man coming back in suit almost come from a city in 19. Book US gangster and on from fiTunis eld (8) 22. Excavated the Messenger holding the 23. delivery Items from (5) French 17. 19. Ringleader leaves the crowd 20. Against Lamb ambitiously trapping 20. Lure another ten with dried up (4) engulfed tidal wave 16. the Spanish having Spain (9) (5)(6) 18.sponger I narrow sell warped thread (5) (5) ground toby start with (3) (7) standard? 19. satellite Saturn (5) 24. Revolutionary loaf? (4) stripnear of leather aGiant deer (5)such (6)one’s 24.diamonds Because of moral to screen material (6) 21. Attack on the east – it’swas justa 24. Men’s nice clue about 19. Understood that Tom 23. food that reacted 21. Some prodding done with 23.Provided Turned out during the case 19. Fold Penny left before tea Deliberately damaged old 23. The man accepts nothing 25. Truth coming from cockney 21.desserts! Extinct volcano starts flaring standardsofconcerning the (5) emission light (12) (8) 21. Leftie (6) trapped an amphibian (3) 17. Observe terribly (7) (2,9) up to computer studies for aentering study meeting cane (3) break (5)warning boats found wrecked first (8) (9) but garden implement (3) lady another cavity up –ajolly interesting (4) (5) head, say

QUICK QUICK CROSSWORD QUICK CROSSWORD CROSSWORD QUICK CROSSWORD

1111 1

121 2

222

232 3

343 4

4544 5

777 7 89810 98

10 10 10 10

11 11 11 11

11 12 12 13 11

12 14 12

17 17 17 16 17

16 16

911 9 11 11 11 11 11 13 15 13

13 13 15 13 15

18 17 18

19 22 19 22

76 6 77

777 8

888 98

10 10

12 12

13 13 13 13

14 14 14 14

14 14 16 14 16 14

15 15 15 15 15

16 16

23 20 20 21 25 25 21 22 23 23 24 20 21 20 21 25 22 21 23 23 24 22 22

23 23 26 23

25 25

28 28 27 28 28 28 27

29 29 29 29

28 28

29 29 31

31 31

32 31 31 31 32

31 31

666 7

22 22 22 22

25 26 26 25 24 24

565 6

18 17 17 18

19 19 20 19 18 21 21 19 18 21 20 21

565

26 25 26

30 30

24 26 26 25 25 24 24

27 27 26 26

30 30

28 27 27 28

30 30 32

33 33

32 32

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12. Manufacturer 10. an angle (7)(5) Small spade (6) 5.7.At Foyer (4) 6. No longer alive (7) 10. American coin (4) 11. Choose for 13. Seashore (5) 9. Gloomy (4) 11. Tactile (anag.) (7) office (5) 6. Cold Scottish resort(4) (4) 13. vegetable 7. Untidy state 10.Wooden Discretion 14. pin(4) (3) 12. Jeans fabric dish (5) Wild African 10. 13. (7)(5)(7) 8. Dishevelled Impasse (9)pig 13. Large feline (5) 15. Man ofstealthily great 13. Reimburse (5) 15. Move 11. High (7) (5) 14. (7) 15.Depict One voice who 13. Fourfold (9)eyes wealth (5) 14. Animal doctor (3) 18. Counting frame 13. Support (7) lasciviously (5)(6) 15. Touch lightly (5) 14. Simple (4) 16. Long for (5) 15. Tusk material (5) 19. Prayer book (6) 18. Lodging, 14. Sum Interject (5,2) 19. what 16. (5) 15. Lively dance (5) 16. For Rub out (5) (6) registering 20. Judean princess, 15. Thorny shrub (5) reason? (3) 20. (6) (4) 19.Glossy Light- coat 18. Aromatic plant 19. Conifer (3) daughter of 16. Not at all (5) 21. Guide, advisor (6) heartedness (6) Herodias (6) 21. Felt Severity 21. hat (6) (7) 19. Perfumed 20. Roof beam (6) 22. (6) 20.Boy Actsoprano as 21. Squalid area 22. Relaxing Courage (6) (4) 24. 22. Rich cake substitute (4,2) 21. Danger (6) (6) 23. Sudden lunge (6) 22. Large vessel (4) 23. Detest (6) exercise (4) 21.Pouch Story (4) 23. Yellow fruit (6) (4) 24. in 24. Feel affection 24. With hands 23. Explosive (6) on 22.Garden Italian capital 25. hut garment (6) (4) (4) 24. Nearly (6) 25. Distort (4) hips (6) 23.Slide Allow (6) 24. Steal small 26. sideways 27. Graven image 27. Chap (inf.) (4) (4) 26. River of Hades (4) 27. Regimen (4) 24.quantities Wolfish (6) (6) 28. Poke 27. (4) (4) 25.Colleague Hairy(4) (6) 28. Wheel covering 27. Droop (4) Sicilian volcano (4) 25. Tallied (6)

cense; censer; censor; cere;arise; ceresin; alee; allow; aloe; alow; also; actin; action; alto; anti; antic; atonic; clime; coelom; come; income; lemon; 6Isle Kidnap; 7914 Break one’s word; 13 Fireman; 15Recipe; Animus; 16 Gaelic; abut; abutter; ATTRIBUTE; bait; Transcribed; 8Purchased; Bold as 12 brass; 13 November; 16 Special; 17 Gideon; Astute; 10Day; Mauritania; 12 Sum 1514Turmoil; 16 Pepper; 17 Artichoke; 12 Mustang; Hairnet; 1516 Prefab; 12 Cohabit; Soldier; 15 Carafe; 16 Acacia; Lisle; 19 Pleat. aegis;allee; ageist; agister; airer; arris; cense; censer; censor; censure; clone; of Wight; 10 Par; Egg; 14 Unseat; 15 Velvet; 17 abet; Andrew’s 8 Unsuccessful; 14up; Artisan; 1618 Stannic; 17 Psalms; cerise; cess;hale; cesser; cession; cine; easel; else; hall; hallow; halo; 17 Titan; Bearer; 19 Tacit. cant; canto; cation; clint; clot;gist; lime; limen; limn; limo; loom; melic; 19 21 Fuji. Keenly; 20 Bambi; Hoe. bare; bate; batt; batter; battier; Ideas; 19 Thong; 2123Rod. artier;barite; astir; gait; gaiter; girt; gîte; Notice. clonus; cone; consul; conure; conus; 19 Album; 21 Bombe. coin; coiner; coir; cone; core; corn; heal; heel; hell; hello; hole; holla; COALITION; coat; coati; coital; coition; melon; meno; mesic; meson; mesonic; battue; bear; beat; beau; beaut; beta; gratis; grist; grit; irate; raise; raiser; corn; cornel; cornu; counsel; crenel; corse; cosier; cosine; cossie; cress; hosel; howl; lase; lash; leal; lease; colt; coolant; coot; into; iota; ital; italic; mien; mile; milo; mince; mine; miso; bier; biretta; bite; biter; bitter; brae; REGISTRAR; resit; rise; riser; rite; sari; crone; enclose; ENCLOSURE; encore; leash; lose; sale; sallee; sallow; seal;site; crone; cross; crosse; encore; icon; licit; location; loot; loti; lotion; moil; mole; moline; mono; monocle; brat; bruit; brut; brute; butt; butte; sati;lint; satire; serai; sierra; sire; sitar; enrol; ensue; ensure; enure; erne; seel; selah; sell; shale; shall; shallow; necrosis; nice; nicer; niece; once; octal; ontic; onto; oolitic; otic; taco; mooli; moon; moose; noisome; nome; butter; rebut; tabi; tabu; tribe; tribute; stagier; stair; starrier; stir; stirrer; stria; leno; lens; leone; lone; loner; lorn; shawl; shell; shoal; slew; sloe; oncer; oscine; recess; RECESSION; tail; talc; talon; tian;slaw; toco; toil; tonal; omen; osmic; semi; SEMICOLON; tuba; tube; tuber; turbit. tarrier; tarsier; terai; tier; tiger; tire; lucerne; lune; nose; nous; nurse; once; slow; sole; swell; wale; wall; recon;sola; rice;simoon; scene; scion; scone; tonic; tool; toon. simoleon; slim; slime; smile; triage; trier; trig. oncer; onus; ounce; recon; rone; rune; weal; well; wels; welsh; whale; score;weasel; scorn; screen; senecio; solemn; some;scree; somoni. scene; scone; scorn; screen; seen; wheel; whole; WHOLESALE. sice; since; sincere; sonic. sene; señor; sneer; snore; sone; uncle; unco; unreel. QUICK CROSSWORD: QUICK CROSSWORD: QUICK CROSSWORD: QUICK CROSSWORD: QUICK CROSSWORD: Across Bush; Loo; Cassette; 10Only; Rile; 12 Defer; Across Minute; 88Abbe; Relent; 1010 Cancan; 11 12 Precipice; 9Slip; Except; 10 99 Icon; 11 Runt; 12 Tinsel; 13 212Underdog; Scratch; Keel; Apparel; 10 Wisp; 12Manic; Lent; Across Policy; 4 47Mascot; Lomond; Torero; 11 Naked; Naval; 12 Across––––––111 Senator; 766Astral; Inch; Robotic; 10 12 Hump; Across Improper; Fist; 8 8 8Ore; 9 Alphabet; 10 Nark; 12 14 Voice;14 17Nicest; Leer; 1816Receiver; Criminal; 24 Arms; 25 Timer; 26 Loosen; Nark; 1720 Tart; 19 Mass; 22 Step; 26 Bridal; Queuing; 16 Upas; 17 Talc; 18 Hem; 20 Dry; 21 Clog; 23 Brat; 25 15 Baton; 17 Report; 18 Render; 19 Healer; 21 Hebrew; 22 Radar; Teeter; 14 Clothe; 16 Risk; 17 Toga; Left; 22 Reel; 26 Iberia; 27 15 Fleet; 17 18 Rocker; 19 Quince; 21 Farmer; 22 Kneel; 23 14 Penny; 17Little; Chat; 18 Coverage; 2019 Amethyst; 24 Pour; 25 Perry; Yolky; 2926 Foot; 30 Intimate; 31 Lee; Free; 33Silver; Teetotal. 27 Glow; Hoping; Lupin; Custom; 3032Piffle; 31 32 Jeered. Parable; Urgent; 2929 Type; 3029 Avon; 31 32Paradox. Debutante. 23 2628 Sewn; 28 Attract; Over; 30Linger; Yale; 31 Onrush; 28 Llama; 29 Icicle; 30 Ebbing; 31 Guyana; 32 Merely. Eyes; 26 Stay; 28 Hammock; 29 Ogre; 30 Isle; 31 Dullard. 26 Throb; 29 Stab; 30 Drunkard; 31 Leo; 32 Brae; 33 Latitude. Down Noah; 3223Easter; 545 Glee; Borzoi; 11 Down –––211Recoup; Morale; Nelson; 3Dither; Racket; 7Mess; Length; Census; 4Tanner; Parent; 5Stadia; Cent; 656Extinct; 7Oban; Kepi; 34Repeat; Torpor; Hall;7666Solace; 10 Down Palate; 2Slap; Lumber; 3 Cannes; 56 Apollo; Cresta; 78 Down – 1 Clan; 2 Spry; 3 Nibble; 4 Tether; 5 Rich; Scam; 10 Down – 2 Mule; 3 Reheat; 4 Public; 5 Rota; 6 Fencer; 7 Strong; 11 Elect; 1210 Denim; Repay; 14 Ivory; 16 Erase; 19 Fir; 21 9Oblique; Tank; Cent; 13 Salad; 15 Vet; Creep; 18 18 Abacus; 19 Missal; 20 Stalemate; 13 Quadruple; 14 Easy; 15 Galop; 18 Herb; 19 Scented; Warthog; 11 Soprano; 1313 Endorse; 1415 Throw in; 15 Brier; 16 Never; Trowel; 1013 Tact; Tiger; 15 Ogler; Filing; 19 Levity; 20 11 Lattice; 13 Unkempt; 14 Portray; 15 Flick; 16 Total; 20 Scrap; 912Dark; Maker; 13 Coast; 14 Peg; 15 Nabob; 16 Yearn; 19 Why; Rigour; Mettle; 23 Loathe; 24 27 Diet; 28 Etna. Salome; 21 Slum; 2224 Ship; 23 Tonite; 24 Pilfer; Agreed. 22 Gateau; 23 Banana; 24 Almost; 27 Gent; 28 Tyre. 20 Rafter; 21 Hazard; 24 Love; 25Akimbo; Warp; 26 Styx; 27 Wilt. Fill in; 2122 Tale; 22 Rome; 23 Enable; 24 Lupine; Shaggy. Enamel; 21 Fedora; 25 Shed; 26 Skid; 27 Ally. 21 Mentor; 22 Treble; 23Yoga; Thrust; 24 Pocket; 27 25 Idol; 28 Prod.

CRYPTICCROSSWORD: CROSSWORD: CRYPTIC CRYPTIC CRYPTICCROSSWORD: CROSSWORD: CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: Across –––11111Hula-hula; Quarter; 8 5Haulier; 9Yes 10 Magenta; 11 Roulade; Across Microfilmed; Orlando; Nude; 12 Starboard; 6Cost; Ria; 8 Ambo; Make light ofit;11 it; 9Apropos; Padre; 10 8Roost; and no; 9Onlooker; At 1111 Across Clapping; 6Anna; 8Audibly; 910 10 Bird 13 of Across –– 12 Presumptuous; Win; 5 Tricky; 79 9 10 Golden hello; 10 Person; 11 Across 9Arisen; Nightgown; Bra; Ugandan; 12 12 Scorpio; 14 Leaning; 18 Actress; 20 Chinese; Locarno; 22 Modified; 14 Carrot; 15 13 Hoists; 18 In the 20 Sear; Entebbe; Almanac; 11Stock Rammed; Thurso; 16 Hastier; 18Passable; & 21 202122 In the Avast; 1411 18 Eerie; 19air; Potable; Poop; 22 passage; Eric; 13market; Toss; 17 Call the police; 20 21space Inca; Noodle; 13 Rumour; 16 Vowing; 18 Searchlight; 19 Take up; 20 Upend; 13 Cathay; 15 Lessee; 18 Slant; 20 Subways; 22 Fob; 23 Tsunami; 2324 Catered. 23 Units; 24 On principle. of an hour; 22 Dug; 23 Veracity. Sabotaged. Chinaman; 25 22 Sere; 23 Tutorial. Entice; 21 Eft. Salamanca; 24Roll; Luminescence. Down–––2112Limpid; Quadruplicate; Ardour; Tibia; Rhymes; 56 Gudgeon; Down In order; 3 Ruth; 4Nathan; Flotow; 54 Lollipop; 7 2 Asked; 32Believe; 43 Afghan; 5 Datum; Refiner; Heyday; Laser; 3443Hand-picked; 4 Len; No trace; Down 322Plodder; In-off; 5 Gallant; 6 6Cross; 7Ennui; Sleigh; Down – 2 1Sam; Brogue; 45 Recoil; Cold storage; Down Regnant; 3Wyvern; Sited; Mooing; Tonsure; 66Ombre; 7 St8

NONAGRAM: NONAGRAM: NONAGRAM: NONAGRAM:

Valid; Agave; Ninny; Sworn. Latin; Hulls. (1) Across Packs; Gismo; Nasal. Gates; Stout. (1) Night; Oasis. (1) Across Across–––Tramp; Month;Ounce; Spews; Rusty. (1) Across – Nasty; Wreck; Songs. Venus; Lingo; Doyen. Loach; Trail; Neeps. Down Pagan; Costs; Spool. Gross; Tango; Spent. Down Putts. Down–––Tango; Miser; Aegis; Needs; Hussy. Down – Newts; Stern; Yikes. Feint; Under; Dregs. Hyper; Virus; Stein. (2) Across Chart; Acorn; Grass. Miaow; Prawn; Emend. (2) Torte. (2) Across Across––––Earth; Cable;Yokel; Aitch; Yokes. (2) Across Vegan; Shirt; Risky. Fluid; Indie; Hives; Purge; Rosin. Down Clang; Aroma; Tents. Maple; Agave; Waned. Down Raker; Halve. Down––––Egypt; Crazy;Grins; Batik;Terms. Ethos. Down Visor; Nutty.

QUIZCHALLENGE: CHALLENGE:111Thomas Norma 222The Good Samaritan; 3 Anchor; 4 Punctuation; 5 Kieran 6The The Accidental Tourist; FIVE ALIVE: QUIZ of22Major; Cleves; Daihatsu; 4Grim Mars; 5Farm; Huq; 6N’Colombian; 7Sisters; London Sir Noël Coward; James Dyson; James Callaghan; 45Konnie Old Road; 5Prendiville; Scissor David Mellor; 787Francis; Barbados; Tokyo; Follicle; 32Milton Seven Year The 5Kent 6Roses; Tony Bennett; 7Lloyd; The Mary When QUIZ Hardy; Tesco; 3Keynes; Turkey; Michael Dickinson; Barry Goldwater; 6 Four Weddings and Funeral; Samuel FIVE FIVEALIVE: ALIVE: CHALLENGE: 11Anne Richmond; 2 Musk; 3 Ronald Reagan; 44is Leatherslade 55Cumbria; Sherlock Holmes; John 7 aMillennium Laila Morse; FIVE ALIVE: QUIZCHALLENGE: CHALLENGE: Taylor; Doctors; 3The Jerusalem; 4 3S43Itch; (bird oiseau inReaper; French); Guns 6 6Sikhism; 76 Swiss; 8Rose; Leigh 7 Burl Monterey RoyBoy; Kinnear; 98 The Canterbury 10 Alec Stewart. Footbridge (the ‘Wobbly Bridge’); Ron Weasley; 9 Tales; Hairspray; 10 Venice. 8Saturday Ives; 9Jack; The 10 HMS 98Blue Gary 10 Pecorino. Beckett; 8Comes; Baton Rouge; 9Kemp; (Alighieri); 10 Hughie Green. Victoria Coren Mitchell; 9Dante Japan; 10Hood. Christchurch. 98 Casablanca; 10 Action.

28 | LEISURE

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Livemusic Friday, December 2 BINFIELD – Binﬁeld Club, Forest Road, RG42 4DU. Anna Nightingale. Details: 01344 420572. BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Roger Beaujolais: Bracknell Jazz. Details: 01344 484123. BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, Market Place. Takamine Master Class with Stuart Ryan. Details: www.facebook.com/ theacousticcouch BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The Take That Experience. Details: 01344 303333. CROWN WOOD – Crown Wood Bar, Opladen Way RG12 0PE. Ash Lee. Details: 01344 867971. READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Oakford 10th Birthday Weekender Part 1 - Olubenga (Metronomy) DJ set + Oakford DJs (past and present). Details: 0118 959 4267. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. The Gents Cockney Singalong. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Suspect Sound System. Details: 0118 958 6692. SHINFIELD – The Bell & Bottle, School Green. Arachna. Details: 0118 988 3563. STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Ben Waters Band: Late Night Live at the Marquee Club.

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, December 1, 2016

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAMPAPER.CO.UK Details: 01491 681048. WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. King Loud. 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 Kitchen, Reading Rd GU46 7UH. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 01252 861151.

Saturday, December 3 BINFIELD – Binﬁeld Club, Forest Road, RG42 4DU. Whozdrivin. Details: 01344 420572. BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, Market Place. Spriggan Mist’s Night of the Krampus. Details: www.facebook.com/ theacousticcouch BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. !daft! Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Artree Live: Folk and Roots. Details: 01344 484123. BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. Red Aztek. Details: 01344 422622. BRACKNELL – The Cannie Man, Hanworth Road RG12 7WX. Uptown Trafﬁc. Details: 01344 307620. BRACKNELL – The Boot Inn, Park Road RG12 2LU. In Too Deep. Details: 01344 454532. READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. One Stop Boogie. Details: 0118 402 7800. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Lazy Habits + guests. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Sound For Movement. Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Oakford 10th Birthday Weekender Part 2 - DJ Format + Oakford DJs (past and present). Details: 0118 959 4267. READING – The Turks Head, London Road RG1 5BJ. Syn City Rockers. Details: 0118 957 6930. READING – University of Reading Great Hall, London Road. University of Reading Big Band in concert. NETTLEBED – Village Club, High Street RG9 5DD. Lindisfarne. SOLD OUT. Details: www. nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. The Undecided. Details: 01276 858501. WHITE WALTHAM – White Waltham & Shottesbrooke Social Club, Hurst Lane SL6 3JJ. The Berries. Details: 0118 934 3785. WINKFIELD – The Squirrels, North Street SL4 4TF. Gigabit. Details: 01344 882205. WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Tre. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Rd RG40 2EH. Julia Titus. Details: 0118 978 3023. WOKINGHAM – The Two Poplars, Finchampstead Road RG41 2NU. Blonde Ambition. Details: 0118 978 0590. WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548. WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights. Details: 0118 979 5790. YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, The Green GU46 7LR. Phill Aaron. Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, December 4 BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, Market Place. Karaoke Break. From 5pm. Details: www.facebook.com/ theacousticcouch BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Creative

The BROAD ST TAVERN

LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT FRI DEC 2

KING LOUD

PLAYING AWESOME TUNES FROM THE 60S TO NOW(ISH)

TUESDAYS

PUB QUIZ

FRI DEC 9

GRAFFITI CHILD

TEST YOUR WITS THE ULTIMATE FUNK IN OUR FUN QUIZ & DISCO BAND

Control Band Night. Details: 01344 484123. READING – Purple Turtle, Gun St RG1 2JR. Jim Bob from Carter USM. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Global Cafe, London St RG1 4PS. Old Time Picking. Dreading Poetry Slam. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – Community Hall at Watlington House, 44 Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk: Eat Drink and Be Merry. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – Abbot Cook, London Road. Stuart Henderson Trio. 1.30pm. SHINFIELD – The Bell & Bottle, School Green. Open mic and jam night. Details: 0118 988 3563. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. The Rat Pack at Christmas. Details: 0118 969 8000. WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Open mic night Details: 01276 858501. WOKINGHAM – The Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Gli Avanzi jazz sextet. Details: 0118 978 3023.

Monday, December 5 SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. The Rat Pack at Christmas. Details: 0118 969 8000. STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Pete Lincoln. Details: 01491 681048.

Tuesday, December 6 ARBORFIELD – The Swan Inn, Eversley Road RG2 9PQ. Blues and Beyond: The Ma Bessie Duo. Details: 0118 976 1645. BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. A Tribute to Michael Buble. Details: 01344 484123. PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Unplugged night. Details: 0118 969 9878. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Comedy: Bobby Mair. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street

RG1 4PS. Greg Mayston. Details: 0118 958 6692. SHERFIELD-ON-LODDON – The Four Horseshoes, Reading Road RG27 0EX. Equinox jazz with Alex Forsyth. Details: 01256 882296. STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Pete Lincoln. Details: 01491 681048. WARGRAVE – Spice Lounge, High Street RG10 8BU. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 0118 940 4036.

Wednesday, December 7 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Platinum: The Live Abba Tribute Show. Details: 01344 484123. BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, Market Place. Acoustic Jam on the Couch. From 5pm. Details: www.facebook. com/theacousticcouch READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Bohemian Night. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. FILM: Gremlins. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Smokin’ Billy’s, St Mary’s Butts RG1 2LG. Open mic with Scott Lewis. Details: 0118 957 3500. READING – The Milk Bar, Merchants Place, Reading, RG1 1DT. Jazz night: no Room for Squares and Baron Mare Quartet. Details: www. milkreading.com WINDLESHAM – The Half Moon, Church Road GU20 6BN. Gavin Thomas acoustic night. Details: 01276 473329.

Thursday, December 8 BINFIELD – Binﬁeld Club, Forest Road, RG42 4DU. Anna Nightingale. Details: 01344 420572. BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. West End Jerseys. Details: 01344 484123. FLEET – Propaganda Music Canteen, Fleet Road GU51 3BU. The Retro Beats. Details: 01252 620198. HENLEY – Magoos, Hart Street RG9 2AU. Stars in

the Their Minds Karaoke. Details: 01491 574595. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Love Shovel. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Whitehouse Studio Band Night. Details: 0118 958 6692. SHINFIELD – Magpie and Parrot, Arborﬁeld Road RG2 9EA. Jazz night: Trish Elphinstone Quartet. £5. Details: 0118 988 4130. WOKINGHAM – Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Rd RG40 2EH. Open Mic. Details: 0118 978 3023.

Friday, December 9 BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Blues Brothers Tribute. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, Market Place. Funky Friday with King Knit. From 5pm. Details: www.facebook.com/ theacousticcouch WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. King Loud. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548. WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights. Details: 0118 979 5790. WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Frisky Fridays. Details: 07415 354056. YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, The Green GU46 7LR. Daryl Gould. Details: 01252 870648.

Saturday, December 10

ARBORFIELD – The Swan Inn, Eversley Road RG2 9PQ. Open Mic night. Details: 0118 976 1645. WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Bricks Build Houses. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Live music. Details: 0118 978 3023. Free entry, fantastic beers & a great night out! WOKINGHAM – The Two Poplars, Finchampstead Road RG41 2NU. Blonde Ambition. Details: 0118 978 0590. WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548. WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights. Details: 0118 979 5790.

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What’son Thursday, December 1 EARLEY – Palmer Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 2AH. Reading Film Theatre presents: Sweet Bean (An) (PG). 7.45pm. Details: 0118 378 7151. TWYFORD – St Mary’s Church, Station Road. Christmas Tree Festival. 10am-5pm. Details: www. twyfordtogether.org. WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club: Print Comp Round 2: Macro/Close-up. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc. org.uk. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents Trelawney Of The Wells. 7.45pm. £10. Details: www. wokingham-theatre. org.uk. WOKINGHAM – Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS. Living Advent Calendar 2016. 6.15pm. Details: www.wokingham-tc.gov. uk/advent/ WOODLEY – Chapel Hall, Loddon Bridge Road. Woodley Townswomen’s Guild Christmas meeting with Starmaker Theatre Group. 7.45pm.

Friday, December 2 READING – Wesley Methodist Church, 84 Queens Road RG1 4BW. 4Bones concert in aid of Reading and Wokingham MS Society. 7.30pm. £10, £5 children. Details: 0118 986 2591. TWYFORD – London Road. Twyford Village Christmas Street Fayre. 6pm-9pm. Details: www. twyfordtogether.org. TWYFORD – St Mary’s Church, Station Road.

Christmas Tree Festival. 10am-9pm. Details: www. twyfordtogether.org. WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road. Coffee and Chat: listening ears, hot drinks, a chance to chat, friendly faces and more. 2pm-4pm. 0118 979 2122. WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road. Patrick Allies’ Siglo de Oro: Drop Down Ye Heavens. £12. Details: 0118 979 2122. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents Trelawney Of The Wells. 7.45pm. £10. Details: www. wokingham-theatre. org.uk. WOKINGHAM – Martin & Co, Peach Street. Living Advent Calendar 2016. 6.15pm. Details: www. wokingham-tc.gov.uk/ advent/ WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street. Christmas tree festival.

Saturday, December 3 CROWTHORNE – Wellington College RG45 7PU. Crowthorne Choral Society Concert: Rutter’s Gloria, Handel’s The King Shall Rejoice, Chris Williams: Stabat Mater Speciosa and Christmas music. £12, students £2. Details: 01344 778185. SINDLESHAM – Reddam House, Bearwood College RG41 5BG. Christmas market. More than 30 stalls with jewellery, leather goods, cosmetics, candles, cakes, handbags, greeting cards, books, crafts etc. Refreshments. Noon4pm. Free entry, free parking. TWYFORD – Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road, Twyford, Reading RG10

At the theatre Basingstoke – The Anvil

www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 Sleeping Beauty. From Thurs 8 until Jan 2.

Basingstoke – The Haymarket www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 The Night Before Christmas. Until Sun. Who Killed Santa Claus? Wed-Sat 10.

Bracknell – South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 Cinderella. Until Jan 3. Jon Richardson: Work in Progress. Thurs. Roger Beaujolais plus support: Bracknell Jazz. Fri. The Comedy Cellar. Fri. Artree Live: Folk and Roots. Sat. Creative Control Band Night. Sun. A Tribute to Michael Buble. Tues. Platimum: The

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Cinderella. TuesNew Year’s Eve.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Night Must Fall. Until Sat.

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

The best guide for local, community events across Wokingham borough

9JA. Salsa Party night. 8pm-1am. £10. Details: www.incognitodance. com. TWYFORD – United Reformed Church Hall, Station Road. Tywford Studios Christmas fair. 10am-5pm. Details: www. twyfordtogether.org. TWYFORD – St Mary’s Church, Station Road. Christmas Tree Festival. 10am-5pm. Details: www. twyfordtogether.org. UPPER WOOLHAMPTON – Douai Abbey RG7 5TQ. Mozart at Douai: Reading Festival Chorus perform two works by Mozart and Ne Timeas Maria by Victoria. Adults £15, Under-17s free, Details: 0118 983 4523; or from Newbury Corn Exchange 08455 218218. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents Trelawney Of The Wells. 7.45pm. £10. Details: www. wokingham-theatre. org.uk. WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road. Patrick Allies’ Siglo de Oro choral workshop. £25. 11am3pm. Details: 0118 979 2122. WOKINGHAM – Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS. Wokingham Wine Festival. 11am-6pm. £5. Details: 0118 986 2591. WOKINGHAM – Jess and Jake, Peach Street. Living Advent Calendar 2016. 4pm. Details: www. wokingham-tc.gov.uk/ advent/

Sunday, December 4 ACROSS BOROUGH – From Foster Wheeler in Shinfield to High Close School, Wokingham. Reading Bikers Toy Run. Road closures from 2pm-4pm. Check roads

Live Abba Tribute Show. Wed. West End Jerseys. Thurs 8. The Sixtees. Thurs 8. Veronikia Shoot and Alisa Lubarskaya: Conservatoire Concert Series. Fri 9. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 9. Topette!! Sat 10. Creative Control Band Night. Sun 11. FILMS: Deepwater Horizon. Thurs-Fri. The Girl On The Train. Fri-Sun. Miss Peregine’s Home For Peculiar Children. Fri-Sun. The Wave. Tues. The Inflitrator. Wed. ROH Ballet: The Nutcracker. Thurs 8. Inferno. Fri 9-Sun 11.

LEISURE | 29

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Thursday, December 1, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

for details. BEECH HILL – Memorial Hall, Wood Lane RG7 2BE. Concert “Christmas Icing” by Belle Canto. 2.30pm. £10. Details: 07774 734654. TWYFORD – St Mary’s Church, Station Road. Christmas Tree Festival. 10.30am-5pm. Glee Club from 2pm. Christmas Tea 4pm. Carols around the tree. 4.30pm. Details: www.twyfordtogether. org. WOKINGHAM – All Saints Church, Wiltshire Road RG40 1TN. Handel’s Messiah in concert. 4.30pm. £12.50, under 19s free. Details: www. wokinghamconcerts. co.uk WOKINGHAM – Sanpa, Denmark Street. Living Advent Calendar 2016. 4pm. Details: www. wokingham-tc.gov.uk/ advent/ WOODLEY – Shopping Precinct, Crockhamwell Road. Christmas Extravaganza. 10am3pm. Details: 0118 921 6920 or www. woodleytowncentre. co.uk.

Monday, December 5 TWYFORD – Bridge House Nursing Home. Carols at Bridge House with Colleton School. 4pm. Details: www. twyfordtogether.org. WOKINGHAM – Market Place RG40 1AS. Living Advent Calendar 2016: Dressing The Christmas Tree. 6.15pm. Details: www.wokingham-tc.gov. uk/advent/

Tuesday, December 6 EARLEY – Palmer Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 2AH. Reading Film Theatre presents: I, Daniel Blake. 8pm.

Aladdin. Fri 9-Jan 8.

Henley – Kenton Theatre www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 575698 Purdy. Thurs. Christmas with the King. Fri-Sat. An Audience with Ben Portsmouth. Sun. Sam Brown’s International Ukulele Club of Sonning Common. Fri 9. Blake Christmas Classics. Sat 10.

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Baubles and Buble. Thurs. Rent: The Musical. Until Sat. Monte Carlo Nights. Fri-Sat. Christmas Comedy Cabaret. Thurs 8. The Big Christmas Party Night. Fri.

Maidenhead – Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org

Details: 0118 378 7151. TWYFORD – St Thomas More Church, London Road. Christmas quiz for ages 5-11. 5.30pm-7pm. Free. Details: www. twyfordtogether.org. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents Trelawney Of The Wells. 7.45pm. £10. Details: www. wokingham-theatre. org.uk. WOKINGHAM – Local Barber Shop, Montague House, off Broad Street RG40 1AU. Living Advent Calendar 2016. 6.15pm. Details: www. wokingham-tc.gov.uk/ advent/ WOODLEY – Coronation Hall, Headley Road RG5 4JZ. Woodley Flower Club: Pantomime. 7.30pm.

Wednesday, December 7 SWALLOWFIELD – Parish Hall. Swallowfield Progressive Whist Club meeting. Beginners welcome. £2. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 976 1604. TWYFORD – Bell Corner. Music Made Fearless. Includes collection for Cystic Fibrosis Trust. 5pm-7pm. Details: www. twyfordtogether.org. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents Trelawney Of The Wells. 7.45pm. £10. Details: www. wokingham-theatre. org.uk. WOKINGHAM – The Ship Inn, Peach Street. Living Advent Calendar 2016. 6.15pm. Details: www. wokingham-tc.gov.uk/ advent/

Thursday, December 8 EARLEY – Palmer Building,

01628 788997 The Elves and the Shoemaker. Until Dec 30. Sofie Hagen: Shimmer Shatter. Thurs. Frozen Floral Roadshow. Fri. Hundred Watt Club. Fri. The Mods and Rockers Show. Sat. Martin Harley. Sun. An Evening With Brydon, Mack and Mitchell. Thurs 8. Christmas Ceilidh. Fri 9. Steve Waterman trumpet. Fri 9. The Vinyl Frontier: Your Best of Elvis. Sat 10. The Sherry Babys. Sat 10. ROH Live: The Nutcracker. Sun 11.

Newbury – The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 Cinderella. Until New Year’s Eve. Police Cops. Thurs. Mozart at Douai. Sat. Zoe Lyons: Little Misfit. Sat An Ace Winter Sharing. Mon. Nish Kumar: Actions Speak Louder That Words, Unless You Shout The Words Real Loud. Sat 10.

University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 2AH. Reading Film Theatre presents: Wiener-Dog (15). 8pm. Details: 0118 378 7151. SHINFIELD – Parish Hall, School Green. Shinfield Allotment Holders and Gardeners Association meeting: festive flower arranging with Margaret Finch. £1. 7.30pm. Details: gardenyoung@ aol.com TWYFORD – Twyford Station. Guides singing. 6pm. Details: www. twyfordtogether.org. WOKINGHAM – Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents: Trumbo (15). £6.50. 7.30pm. Details: wokinghamfilmsociety. com WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Library, Denmark Street. Living Advent Calendar 2016. 6.15pm. Details: www. wokingham-tc.gov.uk/ advent/ WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club: PDI Comp Round 2: Macro/Close-up. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc. org.uk. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents Trelawney Of The Wells. 7.45pm. £10. Details: www. wokingham-theatre. org.uk.

Friday, December 9 TWYFORD – Waitrose. Carols at Waitrose with Polehampton Infant School includes collection for Daisy’s Dream. 9.30am. Details: www. twyfordtogether.org.

Newbury – The Watermill www.watermill.org.uk. 01635 46044 Sleeping Beauty. Until New Year’s Day.

Reading – South Street www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Manpower. Thurs 8. Paul Foot: Tis a Pity She’s a Piglet. Sat 10.

Reading – The Hexagon

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road. Coffee and Chat: listening ears, hot drinks, a chance to chat, friendly faces and more. 2pm-4pm. 0118 979 2122. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents Trelawney Of The Wells. 7.45pm. £10. Details: www. wokingham-theatre. org.uk. WOKINGHAM – The Grape Escape, Denmark Street. Living Advent Calendar 2016. 6.15pm. Details: www.wokingham-tc.gov. uk/advent/ WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre, Headlely Road RG5 4JZ. The Oddfellows social group meeting: Pictionary with a Twist. £4, members £2. Details: 0118 959 4075.

Saturday, December 10 BRACKNELL – St Joseph’s Church, Stanley Walk RG12 1HA. Thames Voyces concert: Christmas Bells. £12, £10 concessions, under 16s free. Details: 0118 967 7319. CROWTHORNE – St John The Baptist Church, Waterloo Road RG45 7NT. Crowthorne Symphony Orchestra Family Christmas Concert. 4.30pm. £10, from Bookends, Peach Street, Traveltime Travel Agents, Crowthorne High Street. £12 on door. Details: www. crowthorneorchestra. com. SWALLOWFIELD – 23 Foxborough RG7 1RW. Gilbert (No Sullivan) - Tall Tales and Bonkers Ballads with Mitchell and Nixon. 7.30m. £10. Details: 0118 988 5989. TWYFORD – The Duke

0118 384 2195 Youth Theatre presents Wolves. Tues-Sat 10.

Shinfield – Shinfield Players www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 NEXT SHOW: Humpty Dumpty the pantomime. Jan 13-15, 20-22.

Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 High Society. Until Jan 14. The Rat Pack at Christmas. Sun-Mon.

www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Russell Brand: Exposed. Thurs. Christmas Carols with the Salvation Army. Sat. Snow White. Dec 10Jan 8.

Windsor – Theatre Royal

Reading – Progress Theatre

Woking – New Victoria

www.progresstheatre.co.uk

www.ambassadortickets.com

www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Jack and the Beanstalk. Until Jan 8.

of Wellington. Father Christmas at The Duke. 3pm-5pm. Details: www. twyfordtogether.org. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents Trelawney Of The Wells. 7.45pm. £10. Details: www. wokingham-theatre. org.uk. WOKINGHAM – TG Art Gallery, Peach Street. Living Advent Calendar 2016. 4pm. Details: www. wokingham-tc.gov.uk/ advent/ WOKINGHAM – Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS. Lunchtime concert: The Cameo Singers Christmas singa-long. Free, donations welcomed for Soulscape. Noon. 1pm. Details: 0118 974 0882.

Sunday, December 11 SONNING – St Andrew’s Church RG4 6UR. Candlelit Dickensian Christmas Fayre: 100 Candles, 100 Nativities, Carol Singing, St Nicholas, Hot Punch, Gifts, Books, Calendars, Decorations, Tower Tours, Produce, Cards and more. Park in Reading Blue Coat School. 2pm-4pm. TWYFORD – Stanlake Meadow. Twyford Comets’ Charity Football Match. 10.30am. Details: www.twyfordtogether. org. WOKINGHAM – Maison Rustic, Bush Walk RG40 1AT. Living Advent Calendar 2016. 4pm. Details: www. wokingham-tc.gov.uk/ advent/ WOODLEY – Shopping Precinct, Crockhamwell Road. Car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Details: 0118 921 6920 or www. woodleytowncentre. co.uk.

0844 871 7645 Glyndebourne presents Don Giovanni. Until Fri. Glyndebourne presents Madama Butterfly. Until Sat. Glyndebourne’s Behind The Curtain. Thurs. Snow White. From Sat 10 until Jan 8.

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 Trelawany of the Wells. Until Sat 10.

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre www.luckleyhouseschool.org 0118 978 4175 StageAbility presents Aladdin! Sat-Sun.

Woodley – Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org 07939 210121 NEXT SHOW: Dial M For Murder. Feb 7-11.

30 | CLASSIFIEDS

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PUBLIC NOTICES LICENSING ACT 2003 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE Premises: The Acoustic Couch Community Centre CIC 11 Market Street Bracknell Berkshire RG12 1JG Notice is given that …Jody Rule, Michael Corriette & Nigel Trevor Brown. have applied to Bracknell Forest Borough Council for a Premises Licence / under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003. The proposed licensable activities are: The Sale of Alcohol between the hours of 11:00am & 12:00 (Midnight) Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 11:00am & 01:00am Thursday 11:00am & 02:00am Friday 11:00am & 03:00am Saturday 11:00am & 12:00 (Midnight) Sunday Anyone who wishes to make representations regarding this application must give notice in writing to: Licensing Team, Bracknell Forest Council, Time Square, Market Street, Bracknell, RG12 1JD or by email to licensing@ bracknell-forest.gov.uk.

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Premises: Magdalenka Polish Delicatessen Ltd, 4 Rectory Row, Bracknell RG12 7BN Notice is given that Magdalenka Polish Delicatessen has applied to Bracknell Forest Borough Council for a variation to the Premises Licence under Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003. The proposed variation is: Change of opening and licence timing on Sundays from 10.30 am to 9.30 am Anyone who wishes to make representations regarding this application must give notice in writing to: Licensing Team, Bracknell Forest Council, Time Square, Market Street, Bracknell, RG12 1JD or by email to licensing@bracknell-forest.gov.uk. Representations must be received by 22/12/16 The application record and register may be viewed during normal office hours at the above address. It is an offence under Section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. The maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the offence is level 5 on the standard scale (£5000).

Representations must be received by 20/12/2016 The application record and register may be viewed during normal ofﬁce hours at the above address.

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24, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, November 17, 32

To advertiseToemail advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk advertise call 0118 327 2662

| 33 31

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, December 1, 2016

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November 1, 17, 2016THEWOKINGHAMPAPER THEWOKINGHAMPAPER 24,2016 Thursday, December

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WOKINGHAMSPORT Unrivalled coverage of sport in the borough

REVEALED: Christiansen shortlisted for BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award

Contact the sports desk: sport@wokinghampaper.co.uk | Log on the for latest sports news www.wokinghampaper.co.uk ICE HOCKEY

Plucky Bees edged out in thriller Bracknell Bees 4 Peterborough Phantoms 5 A HEROIC third-period fightback from the Bees was to go without reward after the side were edged out by bogey side Peterborough at The Hive. At this point the hosts were trailing 5-0 and appeared to be on the end of a hiding against opposition they have not beaten in more than two years. Bees, though, were not prepared to go down quietly and were soon rocking their guests with four quick-fire goals to set up an exciting finale. Lighting the blue touch paper was Carl Thompson, who put Bracknell on the board via a power play goal. He was joined on the scoresheet by player-coach Lukas Smital, who would net again after Rio Grinnell-Parke had smuggled the puck home amid a scramble on 56.43 to pull the hosts to within a goal of the Phantoms. Netminder Alex Mettam was duly sacrificed for the final minute as Bees looked to complete a remarkable comeback and take the game to overtime – only to run out of time as Peterborough fled with the points once again – but only just. While an entertaining finale to the fixture, the damage had been done earlier on Saturday evening. Scott Spearing, Josh Smith, Alex Barker, captain Matt Foord and Olegs Lascenko all went close for Bracknell during an open start to the game – yet they would find themselves behind in the 12th minute.

Luka Basic goes close for Bracknell Bees during Saturday’s game with Peterborough Picture: Kevin Slyfield

unable to prevent Smital grabbing a second to set up a dramatic finish. Such joy, along with any hopes of tieing up the scores, was abruptly ended by the full-time buzzer, although it would come as much relief for Peterborough, who hung on and survived an almighty scare.

Guildford Flames 10 Bracknell Bees 1

The goal was a touch fortunate, too with Scott Robson’s strike finding the net when rebounding off Mettam’s pads. The Cambridgeshire side doubled their lead early in the second session. With Spearing sitting out a slashing minor Peterborough took full advantage on the power play, with Darius Pliskauskas lighting the lamp. A third goal for the away side was not long coming either, which again arrived thanks to a huge slice of luck. In going for goal, Owen Griffith saw his strike saved by Mettam, but the puck spat up, hit the former in the chest and ended up in the net. With momentum very much with Peterborough a fourth goal was to arrive before the stanza came to an end, with Martin Susters this time

on target. The onslaught continued early in the third period when veteran forward Ales Padelek rattled in a fifth – yet little did he know his effort would turn out to be a winner. Up until now Bees had little joy on the power play, but their fortune was to change when Thompson, assisted by import duo Luka Basic and David Gaborick, reduced the arrears somewhat. And in doing so he helped release the pressure valve, as just moments later Smital was doubling the tally. The recovery operation was now in full swing and Bracknell were celebrating a third when Grinell-Parke got the decisive touch amid a melee around Phantoms’ goal. Not even a change of netminders could stem the tide, with Adam Long

ANY momentum picked during that frantic 20 minutes, however, was well and truly ruined just 24 hours later. Not only were the visitors hit for double figures by their fierce rivals, but were out of the contest with the local derby barely eight minutes old. Marek Maslonka led the demolition job with a five-goal salvo, as Andrew McKinney, twice, Andrew Melachrino, Matic Kralj and Tuomas Santavouri also got in on the act. A second goal of the weekend for Grinell-Parke ensured Bees left with something of a consolation. The game was littered with ill-discipline, with Guildford’s Maslonka and Melachrino (check to the head; misconduct) and Bees’ Josh Tetlow and Danny Ingoldsby (third man in, resisting an official) all ejected. Bracknell, who remain ninth in the standings, host Hull on Saturday before a trip to Peterborough on Sunday (5.30pm). n BEES have released Czech forward Krystof Kafan.

— Page 40 BASKETBALL

Garces wary of Thunder’s threat MANUEL PENA GARCES says he expects “another tough test” when Reading Rockets travel to face Worthing Thunder on Saturday. Rockets are seeking a fourth league win in a row after seeing off Lancashire Spinners 96-73 at Bohunt School at the weekend. But play caller Pena Garces is well aware of the threat posed at Worthing (2-7) and from one man in particular. “Worthing is a very difficult place to go,” said the Spaniard. “They are a very difficult team to face despite their record. “When we played them earlier in the season (losing 71-78) we found their speed and physicality difficult to match up against and they have arguably one of the best players in the league in Lyonell Gaines. “We expect another tough test but one that has come at the right time for us and one that we will be preparing thoroughly to keep our winning run going.” Reading go into the trip on the back of a comfortable win against Lancashire after an impressive first half showing in Wokingham. Chris Hooper led the scoring overall with 29 points while Chris Ponder (20), Elvisi Dusha (12) and Ali Sbai (12) also contributed well. The hosts opened up a 52-35 lead at the interval with a number of trebles from the likes of Ponder and Juan Valerio while Hooper was key at both ends with 18 rebounds. A pair of early second half trebles gave the Spinners hope, but Reading pulled away again to improve their season record to 4-3.

HOCKEY

Manser hits four goals as Sonning batter Banbury JAMES MANSER fired in four goals as Sonning bounced back from defeat to Oxford with a thumping 5-2 success against high-flying Banbury 2s. Manser, who only had five goals all season before the weekend, took the MBBO Regional 2 clash by the scruff of the neck with Ian Gallagher also on target. Nick Best and Harry Loxton netted for the visitors, who stay third. Two more Sam Fox-Harvey strikes guided SOUTH BERKSHIRE 1s to a 2-2 draw against Phoenix and Ranelagh. Martin Newell and Dean Osborn scored for the hosts but Fox-Harvey (pictured), who is now second top scorer in the league with 13, bagged another brace as Berks stay second in the Division 1 table. In the same league, SOUTH BERKSHIRE 2s picked up their first win of the season in style with a 5-0

victory over OMT 2s. Having lost eight from eight going into the contest, Berks got off the mark in memorable fashion with Craig Atkins, Josh Davies, Alex Fox-Harvey, Sean Hardingham and Ryan Kaley all scoring. SONNING 2s slip to eighth in the table after a 4-0 loss at Bicester 1s with Ben Kirk scoring twice. Chris Stone found the net as struggling SONNING 3s earned a point against title challenging Windsor 1s. Sonning have won just twice all season but picked up a decent 1-1 draw with Marcus Barrow earning a share of the spoils for the visitors. Also in Division 3, Jack Baveystock, Tom Pullen and Richard Wallace all scored as SOUTH BERKSHIRE 3s drew 3-3 at Banbury 3s. Chris Payne and Adrian Tang both scored to guide SOUTH BERKSHIRE 4s

to a narrow 2-1 victory over Leighton Buzzard 2s in Division 5. Meanwhile, SONNING 4s stay bottom and pointless after going down 2-0 at fellow strugglers West Hampstead 7s. Lower down the leagues there was a win for SOUTH BERKSHIRE TERRIERS but SOUTH BERKSHIRE 5s and SONNING 5s both lost. Ladies SOUTH Berkshire 1s climbed up to fifth in the Trysports Premier 1 table with a 3-1 victory at Wycombe 2s. Berkshire took the lead after 10 minutes when Holly Bentley converted following an Alison Eatwell pass. But Wycombe equalised when a short corner led to Karen Mckinnon squeezing in at the near post. Berkshire took the lead again shortly after the restart when a well executed one-two between Sophie De’ath and Yellie Powley-Williams led to the latter getting her name on the score sheet. And the win was sealed late on

when Jo Partridge’s deflected effort fell kindly into the path of Jemma Simpson to smash home. In the same league, leaders SONNING 1s failed to win for the first time all season after drawing 1-1 away to Maidenhead 2s. Wendy Doolin netted for Sonning, who stay top and six points clear of second placed Amersham and Chalfont. SONNING 2s stay eighth after losing 2-0 to Oxford 2s. SOUTH BERKSHIRE 2s are still winless in Premier 2 after a 2-1 loss at home to Slough 2s while in Division 2, SONNING 3s were soundly beaten 4-0 by Buckingham 3s. SOUTH BERKSHIRE 3s fared no better in Division 3, being edged out 1-0 by Maidenhead 4s and SOUTH BERKSHIRE 4s were thumped 6-0 by Marlow 4s in Division 4 with Treena Partridge, Sarah Perks, Louise Hale and Milly Conibear all scoring. SONNING 4s lost while SONNING VETERANS and SONNING 5s both picked up draws.

Chris Hooper bagged 29 points against Lancashire

BOXING

Sniper Smith sees Kirill bout cancelled BOXER Sam Smith’s scheduled fight against Kirill Psonko was cancelled by promoters Neilson Boxing. Smith, known as ‘Sniper’, used to train at Pinewood Starr and was set to headline the ‘Talk is Cheap’ night in Swindon with an unbeaten 3-0 record as a professional. But the whole event was called off due to “unforeseen circumstances” just two weeks before last Saturday’s scheduled bout.

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READING FC

Five in a row sees Royals cement third place Reading 2 Bristol City 1 JAAP STAM feels his side showed their qualities at both ends of the pitch during a breathless 2-1 win over Bristol City at Madejski Stadium. Royals stormed into a 2-0 lead before the 20 minute mark thanks to goals from Garath McCleary and Roy Beerens but were pegged back for large spells of the second half. And the Robins set up a grandstand finish when Gary O’Neil fired in from 20 yards in the 87th minute to give Reading fans some late hearts in mouths moments. But the hosts held on to record a fifth straight league win to stay third in the

Championship table. “Five wins in a row is a good feeling,” said Stam. “It is good for the confidence that we already had. “We knew we were facing a good team with a mixture of older and younger players and a good footballing team. “That’s what you’ve seen especially in the second half.” He added: “We can not only attack and play combination football but we can defend as well and that’s what you’ve seen today. “The guys have worked very hard and sometimes you want a bit more control but it doesn’t always work out like that because you’re playing good teams. “But I’m very happy with the win, eventually, and am looking

forward to the next game.” Royals took the lead after 13 minutes when McCleary scored from the rebound of his own missed penalty, which was awarded when Dominic Samuel was tripped by Hordur Magnusson. And Reading’s second goal certainly caught the eye as the hosts rounded off a fabulous passing move to go 2-0 up when Beerens slammed in a well executed volley. And Stam says the goal highlighted what his side had been working on in the buildup. “It was very good,” said the Dutchman. “We spoke before the game about where we can hurt them and make it difficult for them and it was from the sides

because their wingers don’t like to defend. “And with the movement that we have you want to create spaces and it was good run from Gunts (Chris Gunter), a good cross and a great finish from Roy. “It’s a thing we want to see and we did it so that gives us a very good feeling.” Chances came and went at both ends during a lively encounter with Ali Al-Habsi called into a number of fine saves while McCleary came closest for the hosts. Bristol City so nearly pulled one back on 79 minutes when Tammy Abraham broke through, only to be denied by a Liam Moore block. But that piece of defending was bettered on the follow-up

when Bobby Reid’s effort was heroically stopped by Paul McShane. And despite the late O’Neil consolation, the first league goal Reading conceded for 447 minutes, it did not change the outcome or marr another impressive defensive display. “There is a lot of commitment in the team and especially those two (Moore and McShane),” said Stam. “They are always talking before the game, talking to the rest of the players, keeping everybody on their toes to keep performing and not concede goals and keep winning games. “If you want to do well and keep winning your games you need to have winners in your team. “You need to have people

that are pushing other players within the team because everybody needs to stay sharp. “You see the mentality of those two, but it’s not only them, it’s everybody.” READING: Al-Habsi; Gunter, McShane (c), L. Moore, Blackett; Williams, Evans, Beerens (Kelly 90+1); McCleary (Harriott 74), Obita, Samuel (Meite 69). Subs not used: S. Moore, Watson, Cooper, Mendes. Goals: McCleary (13), Beerens (19) Yellow cards: L. Moore (48), Beerens (61) BRISTOL CITY: Fielding; Little (Wilbraham 58), Flint, Magnusson, Bryan; Pack; Paterson (O’Dowda 58), Reid, O’Neil (c), Tomlin (Engvall 76); Abraham. Subs not used: Smith, Freeman, T. Moore, Lucic. Goal: O’Neil (87) Yellow cards: Bryan (83) Referee: Tim Robinson Attendance: 18,778 (inc. 3,529 away)

RUGBY

Rams brought down to earth

Reality check for Irish

Clifton 25 Redingensians 19

REDINGENSIANS suffered their first defeat in seven matches with a narrow 25-19 loss away to mid-table Clifton. Rams came into the contest on the back of a thrilling victory over second placed Old Elthamians, but were brought back down to earth as Clifton came from behind to snatch victory late on. Jacob Atkins continued his recent good form with the boot to put Rams 3-0 ahead and when the first try arrived courtesy of Sean McDonnellRoberts, the visitors led 13-3 at the break. But the Bristolian side battled back, aided by both Ollie Taylor and Jak Rossiter being sent to the sin bin, allowing Clifton’s Alfie To’oala to take advantage and level the scores. Despite playing with only 13 men, Redingensians kept the score-line tight with

London Irish 42 Jersey Reds 29 Redingensians on their way to a try, sadly it was not to be a match-winning one Picture: Tim Pitfield

Atkins kicking two more penalties. However, two tries in the final 14 minutes from Ian Clark and Dan Wells handed Clifton a 25-19 win to leave

Rams with just a bonus point. Mike Tewkesbury’s men return home this weekend with a game against third placed Bishops Stortford (2pm).

RAMS: Guttridge, Rossiter, Bryant, Sanders, Corrigan, Atkins, Illingworth, Marris, Henderson, McDonnell-Roberts, Hoy, Taylor, Bryson, Vooght, Stapley (c). Reps: Crame, Steadman, Kharbouch, Lloyd, Owen.

NATIONAL LEAGUE 3 SOUTH

Last gasp penalty from Nowak hands win to Bracknell Bracknell 29 Camborne 27 BEN NOWAK kicked a last minute penalty to hand Bracknell victory over National League 3 South West leaders Camborne. In a first league meeting between the two sides, Camborne will have fancied their chances of a 10th win from 11, but Bracknell had other ideas. Early pressure from the hosts did not convert

London Irish’s Mike Coman felt that their win against Jersey Reds came despite the Exiles being caught off guard

into points but did see two visiting players sent to the sin bin. Despite this, Camborne took the lead through a David Mankee penalty. However, Ben Sanderson soon crossed for the first try of the afternoon with Nowak converting. But Camborne retook the lead through a Sam Matavesi try, only for the lead to quickly change hands again with Chris Brember putting his side 14-10 ahead at the break.

That lead was soon extended after the restart via a Stu Mackay try and Camborne’s afternoon was made worse when Matavesi was given a red card for biting Bracknell full back Ben Yates. Despite that, Camborne moved 27-26 ahead going into the closing stages, after Kim Plant had scored for Bracknell. But there was time for one final twist in this exciting contest as Nowak kicked between the posts in the final

action to earn a big win. Bracknell travel to bottom placed Bromsgrove on Saturday. BRACKNELL: Yates, Sanderson, Brember, Nowak, Mackay, Fitch, Conway, Williams, Clarke (c), Staples, Bailey, Plant, Valentine, Hadid, Ingle. Reps: Rice, Goodison, Slade.

n CROWTHORNE had an afternoon to forget in the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier with a 29-0 home defeat against Drifters. The Crows sit sixth in the table and have no game this weekend.

MIKE COMAN says Jersey Reds gave London Irish “a reality check” as the Exiles were forced to battle back to win 42-29 at Madejski Stadium. Jersey came flying out of the traps to take the lead after just three minutes through a Guy Armitage try. But a rampant Irish rallied to make it 10 league wins from 10 with David Paice (2), Richard Palframan, Ben Ransom and Tom Fowlie all crossing the whitewash. And second-row Coman admits Jersey’s start caught Irish on the back foot. “Jersey threw something at us that we haven’t encountered this year,” he said. “They were aggressive and they caught us off guard a little bit with the try early on. “But we regrouped as a team and we weathered the storm and scored a couple of tries which settled us a bit. “It’s something we’d like to address, leaking all those tries at the moment. “It’s been a good reality check and shows we can weather those storms and hold it together.”

It took until the 34th minute for Irish to take the lead following the early Jersey score when Paice scored following a driving lineout move before fellow forward Palframan’s try gave the hosts a 1710 half-time lead. Tries in the corner from Ransom and Fowlie eventually asserted some authority for Nick Kennedy’s men and sealed yet another bonus point. But Jersey kept battling, reducing the advantage to 29-17 through a Marc Thomas try and fine Sam Katz kick, the full-back having already scored a penalty from inside his own half earlier in the game. Tommy Bell’s penalty widened the gap before Greig Tonks’ crossfield kick was intercepted allowing George Watkins to bring Jersey back within 10 points. However, Irish immediately scored another try with Paice crashing over to finally secure the victory. The Exiles are on the road this weekend against eighth placed Rotherham Titans. LONDON IRISH: Tonks, Cokanasiga (Mulchrone 58), Fowlie, Williams, Ransom, Bell, Steele (McKibbin 61), Court (Elrington 62), Paice (c) (Ellis 62), Palframan (Franks 51), Lloyd, Sexton (De Chaves 60), Northcote-Green (Coman 3), Cowan, Nayalo.

36 | SPORT

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, December 1, 2016

Wokingham Borough Sports Council awards

The best secondary school team were Maiden Erlegh

Louis Hutchings with the Under 14s boys’ award

Abigail Taylor from The Holt School won the Under 14s title

Ross Wheeler scooped the Under 18s’ boy category

Ben Fletcher takes part in a Q&A at the start of the night

Roland Mears

senior mixed gymnastics team after they won the 2016 British Championships in their first competitive year. Maiden Erlegh enjoyed a good evening, picking up the best secondary school title while one of their students, Charlotte West, won the Under-18 girl prize for her diving exploits. Bulmershe Gymnastics Club’s Olivia Goves won one of the most coveted gongs, the Excellence in Sport prize for her achievements in aerobic gymnastics. While Fletcher was brought in as guest speaker for the night, he admits he was surprised at also being among the winner’s circle. “I had no idea about the award,” he said. “It’s really nice for people to want to give me that award. “I don’t really do judo for awards or to win medals, I really enjoy judo and it’s a challenge for me to improve myself. “The medals are great and they’re a sign of positive performance.” He added: “I’m back in Wokingham most weekends. “It’s not far from here to where I train in Bath. “I’m somebody from Wokingham and I always will

be. “It’s my hometown and I’m never going to be somebody I’m not - I’m proud of where I’m from.” And Fletcher was pleased to see so such a wide variety of sports represented across the evening. “It’s great to have young people being awarded for taking part in sport,” he said. “It’s really good to promote sport which I think Wokingham are doing very, very well. “People have to learn there’s winners and losers in sport and in life sometimes. “I think promoting sport and having events like this really do promote that and it’s a very positive thing. “For every award there’s a lot of nominees and a lot of people in a lot of different sports as well. “Some of them like aerobic gymnastics, I had never heard of that before. “It’s something completely different and somebody that’s very good at that is within our county that we maybe didn’t know about. “A lot of people wouldn’t know about me doing judo and it’s through awards like this that it’s brought to the rest of the area’s eye and they see it and appreciate it more.”

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk

HE CREAM of the sporting crop from across the borough descended on Bulmershe School for the annual Wokingham Borough Sports Council awards on Friday night. A total of 18 awards were handed out across a variety of categories from Under-14 girl to ‘service to disabled sport’ while Olympic judoka Ben Fletcher was the guest speaker, which included a question and answer session with the audience. Formerly of Pinewood Judo Club, Fletcher competed for Team GB at this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio and he was also honoured on the night, winning the inaugural Wokingham Paper Trophy, awarded to the ‘senior man’. There was a poignant moment when Gillian Frackelton of Woodley Netball Club was named as the ‘courage award’ winner. Frackelton passed away a few weeks ago after 48 years dedicated service to the club and her family were present to collect the trophy. Sports council chairman, Roland Mear, who announced he would now be standing down as chair to be replaced by Nigel King, said: “Wokingham is certainly doing everything it can to support sport. “Being chairman is a very rewarding thing to do, especially putting on these awards. “I thank your continued support for the awards, we want to keep growing it and I hope we can count on your support for next year.” Mear’s final ‘chairman’s award’ went to Reddam House

Sports stars are the

Reddam House’s senior mixed gymnastics team has the chairman’s cup

Shinfield St Mary’s CE Junior were judged to be the best primary school

Woodley Junior football team received the Female Team Award

Thursday, December 1, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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Wokingham Borough Sports Council awards

Ben Fletcher received The Wokingham Paper’s Man of the Year trophy from sports editor Tom Crocker (left) Gillian Frackelton’s family collected the Courage Award on her behalf, she died earlier this year

PICTURES: STEWART TURKINGTON

best in the borough Laura Webb, East Berkshire Golf Club, won the senior woman trophy

Midge Cox from Wokingham Tennis Club was volunteer of the year

Wokingham Borough Sports Council awards winners -

Jack Sulman compered the evening Pictures: Stewart Turkington

Olivia Goves scooped Excellence in Sport

OPTALIS was presented an award for its service to disabled sport

Paul Ferris was declared the borough’s Unsung Hero

Under 14 girl: Abigail Taylor, Holt School, synchronised swimming Under 14 boy: Louis Hutchings, Highwood Primary School, Reading FC Under 18 girl: Charlotte West, Maiden Erlegh, diving Under 18 boy: Ross Wheeler, Bulmershe School, kickboxing Best primary school: Shinfield St Mary’s CE Junior Best secondary school: Maiden Erlegh Senior woman: Laura Webb, East Berks Golf Club Wokingham Paper Trophy Senior man: Ben Fletcher, Pinewood Judo Club Unsung Hero: Paul Ferris, Woodley United FC

Service to sport in the community (individual): Ali Clarke, CLASP Service to sport in the community (club): Wokingham Walking for Health Coach of the year: Dominic EvanHart, Crowthorne Tennis Club Volunteer of the year: Midge Cox, Wokingham Tennis Club Service to disabled sport: OPTALIS, Adult social care and support services to the disabled Courage award: Gillian Frackelton, Woodley Netball Club Spirit of sport: Christy Eyles Goldsmith, Sonning Hockey Club Excellence in sport: Olivia Goves, Bulmershe Gymnastics Club Chairman’s award: Reddam House, senior mixed gymnastics team

38 | SPORT HELLENIC 1

Finches have six appeal as win puts them up table Finchampstead 6 Didcot Town Reserves 2 FINCHAMPSTEAD jumped into the top half of the Hellenic Division One East table with a thumping 6-2 win over Didcot Town Reserves. Jon Laugharne’s men have struggled for league form in recent weeks but put in an impressive showing to leapfrog their fellow mid-table side with braces from Kylo Atkinson, Danny Blatchford and Harry Swabey. After cup defeat to Woodley United last weekend, Finches made three changes with Aktinson, Dominic Jones and Jon Malone coming in to replace Chris Adams, Chris Dean and Richard Thomas. Finch made a bright start, going 1-0 up after just 10 minutes when star man Atkinson danced around the goalkeeper and tucked into the empty net. That lead was doubled on 21 minutes as Blatchford fired post the helpless keeper Matthew Carr which opened the floodgates with the hosts 5-0 up by halftime. A Harry Swabey penalty made it 3-0 with Atkinson and Blatchford adding to their tallies to kill the game before the break. Didcot pulled one back on 66 minutes through substitute Michal Filipowicz. Swabey added his second penalty of the game soon after before Tom Hoskin netted Didcot’s second consolation. Finches travel to face Bicester Town on Saturday. FINCHAMPSTEAD: Jones, Malone, Dunn, Callaway, J. Wright, Barnard (c), Atkinson, Barron, Swabey, Blatchford, Jewell. Subs: Dunbar, Stevens, Winship, Axton-Hall, Green.

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, December 1, 2016

HELLENIC DIVISION ONE EAST

‘We’re not getting carried away’ Woodley United 1 Penn and Tylers Green 0 MICHAEL HERBERT insists his Woodley United side are not getting carried away despite jumping up to second in the Hellenic Division One East table with victory over Penn and Tylers Green. Woodley, who have lost just once in the league all season, became the first side to topple previously unbeaten leaders Penn and Tylers thanks to a late Danny Horscroft winner. This season’s flying start is a far cry from last year. Woodley’s first campaign after merging United, Hammers and Town to former Woodley United could not have gone much worse with a rock bottom finish in Division One East. But Herbert and a fresh set of players have already won twice as many games as last year’s crop. However, the manager says the pre-season target has not changed and that no thoughts are turning to where they might end up by May. “At the beginning of the season our target was top six,” Herbert told The Wokingham Paper. “A lot of our games have just one goal in it so we’re not expecting that to change. “We know every game we play is really difficult and I’m sure we will suffer some defeats and draws along the way but we’re really pleased where we’re at at this stage. He added: “I’ve been around football for a long time and I know that you can do really well for six months and then you can struggle for three. “We’re still looking at top six, keeping our feet on the ground and see where that takes us.

“We’ll take it game by game, week by week and see how we get on from there.” Penn and Tylers arrived at Rivermoor as the league’s top scorers with 43 goals from just 11 games, but it was the division’s two meanest defences which came to the fore. Charlie Oakley headed Woodley’s best early chance wide while at the other end Joe Barley did brilliantly to block a Casey Bocarro shot. Last week’s Penn hero Fred Tripp missed a good chance to break the deadlock but as the game entered its final 15 minutes, Woodley grabbed the lead when Horscroft latched onto an Idris Kamara pass before slotting past the keeper. United stopper Alex Reed was called into a number of late saves to preserve the clean sheet as the hosts held on for a crucial victory. “It was a really, really tough game,” admitted Herbert. “I thought it was going to peter out into a 0-0. “There wasn’t much difference between the sides and we managed to nick it which was really, really pleasing. “It was a good battle and they’re a very good side, very organised, very fit and very strong but I thought we matched them in most areas. “It just shows our players that we can compete with the top sides in this league.” Woodley have a weekend off after their scheduled cup match with FC Beaconsfield was moved. WOODLEY: Reed, Greenwood, Turner, Nicholls, I. Kamara, Barley, Prestidge (Nditi 49), A. Kamara, Oakley (Thomas 82), Horscroft. Subs not used: Wilson, Smith, Meredith.

HELLENIC DIVISION ONE EAST

Sumas score four Wantage Town Reserves 2 Wokingham and Emmbrook 4 MATT BOOTH and Tom Williams both netted twice as Wokingham and Emmbrook inflicted further misery on Wantage Town Reserves. Wantage prop up the rest in Hellenic Division One East with no points and after their 4-2 defeat to Sumas have now conceded 76 goals in just 14 games.

But it was a far from straightforward afternoon for Clive McNelly’s men. Sumas were forced to start with just 10 men as three players including goalkeeper Ashley East suffered a punctured tyre as they were driving to the game. But they did move into a 2-0 lead when Booth and Williams got on the score sheet to settle any early nerve. Further first half goals from Wantage and Williams again gave the visitors a 3-1 half-time advantage.

And the game was as good as won after the restart when Booth notched his fourth of the campaign. Billy Gleed and Chris Halliday were the scorers for the hosts but despite East being sent off late on, but Wokingham held on. McNelly’s charges face Chalfont Wasps away from home on Saturday. SUMAS: East, Bateman, Booth, Broadhurst, Charlton, Duffelen, Findlay, Goddard, Rushforth, Wheeler, Williams. Subs: Bailey, Carter, Day, Douglas, Gibbs.

THAMES VALLEY LEAGUE

Twyford bag 12 goals in total annihilation MIKEY JONES bagged four goals as Twyford and Ruscombe annihilated Taplow United A 12-1 to stay in the thick of the Division 4 title race. Taplow have struggled for results this campaign but second placed Twyford fully put them to the sword with Jones leading the way on four goals, including two penalties. Jose Ribeiro also bagged a hat-trick, inside 17 first half minutes, while further goals from Andy Benyon, Ryan Jansen and Jonathan Rabin saw Twyford rattle in 10 before the break. Nick Fernandes bagged the hosts’ consolation goal. Two goals from Darnte Cranston helped WOODLEY UNITED B to a 3-1 win over HURST A. Cranston’s first half brace and a late Callum Fox-Spence goal cancelled out Ryan Hawley’s effort for Hurst. In the same league, goals from Shwan Maroof (2) and Ernesto Gomes earned WARGRAVE a share of the spoils in a 3-3 draw with The Hop Leaf but Richard Cumner’s goal could not prevent BERKS COUNTY ROVERS from losing 4-1 at leaders South Reading. Up in the Premier Division, HURST picked up their first

points of the season with a 2-1 win over Highmoor-Ibis Reserves. Hurst have endured numerous bad days so far this campaign but finally had a high thanks to goals from Steve Burgess and Daniel Pearson with Anthony Alleyne scoring for the visitors. Late goals from Adrian Vazquez and Chris Burt saw WOODLEY UNITED RESERVES claim a 2-2 draw against Taplow United. Marvin Hinds and Alex Seymour netted for Taplow but a second half stoppage time Burt strike lifted Woodley up to eighth. BERKS COUNTY lost 3-2 at 10-man Marlow United with Liam Bushay scoring a late winner. WINNERSH RANGERS were handed a home walkover against Frilsham and Yattendon in Division 1 while in Division 2, Matt Bacon bagged a brace as BARKHAM ATHLETIC beat Maidenhead Magpies Reserves. Alistair Drury also scored for Barkham. A fine second half display saw FINCHAMPSTEAD RESERVES sweep aside Woodcote Stoke Row Reserves 4-0 to jump to the top of the table. Locked at 0-0 at the break,

strikes after the restart from Nicholas Payne (2) and substitutes Richard Johnson and Colin Phillips secured maximum points. Marc Jones and Stuart Moss goals could not prevent a 3-2 defeat for WARGRAVE at the hands of Burghfield. HARCHESTER HAWKS sit third in Division 3 after a 3-2 win over Unity Reserves thanks to goals from Dan Leather (2) and David Panter while Elliott Poulter, Marc Shoosmith and Adam Shoosmith strikes earned ASHRIDGE PARK a 3-1 win at Newbury Reserves. HURST RESERVES earned the bragging rights with a 3-2 local derby win against WOODLEY UNITED A. Chris Tanner gave Hurst a 1-0 half-time lead and despite an Asa Povey brace for the visitors, goals from James Lawlor and Matthew Lamplugh secured the win. Reading Sunday League results Division 1 - 116 Exiles 5-0 Spencers Wood, Athletico Forest 2-1 FC Woodley, Polonia Reading 4-5 Le Galaxy Division 2 - Arborfield 1-2 AFC Burghfield Res, Charvil Rangers 3-3 Caversham AFC Division 3 East - Park Villa 4-1 116 Exiles Res, Reading United 4-4 Forest FC Division 4 East - Borussia Teeth 1-4 Twyford Comets

UNDER 11s

Penalty heartbreak ends cup run WOKINGHAM UNDER11s suffered penalty heartbreak as they were knocked out of the Southern Counties Cup by Dacorum. Fresh from a storming comeback win against Woking in the Shires Cup last week, Wokingham took the lead against Dacorum before being pegged back and eventually losing on spot kicks. The Berkshire side started well, taking the lead through a composed Nathaniel Muza finish. But after missing a number of chances to double their tally, Dacorum levelled to send the game to extra time. With no goals in the additional time, penalties were needed to separate the pair and decide who would reach the semifinals. And after hitting the bar with their final effort, Wokingham bowed out as their seven game winning streak came to an end. They return to league action on Saturday with a trip to Newbury.

SPORT | 39

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Thursday, December 1, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

COMBINED COUNTIES DIVISION ONE

HELLENIC PREMIER DIVISION

Bad week for Boars

Hayden is Binfield’s hero

Bagshot 5 Eversley and California 1 LEWIS ROBSON’S goal came in vain as Eversley and California were well beaten by Combined Counties Division One leaders Bagshot. The Boars were on a three game unbeaten run but ran into formidable opponents Bagshot, who stay two points clear at the top thanks to Josh Wood’s hat-trick.

The hosts broke the lead after 22 minutes and never looked back, going 3-0 up by half time. A fourth goal quickly followed before Robson’s penalty reduced the arrears. But Bagshot bagged a fifth to give Phil Ruggles’ men an afternoon to forget. And things got no better on Tuesday night as the Boars exited the Surrey Premier Cup with a resounding 7-2 loss against Nottsborough. Eversley host AC London on Saturday.

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

Ladies lose for first time Alton Ladies 4 Woodley United Ladies 0 WOODLEY suffered their first league defeat of the campaign with a heavy 4-0 loss at Alton. The deadlock was broken on 23 minutes through Tiff Taylor and a string of clinical finishing from Afiya Johnson, Meg Lebbern and Eshe Johnson sealed the points. During an end-to-end opening 25 minutes, Woodley had chances with Mollie Haines seeing her header saved while Bonnie Messitt’s long range effort was comfortably stopped. At the other end, Emily Sherwood saved from Afiya

Johnson and Lebbern. But Taylor did give Alton the lead when she was left unmarked from a corner and fired in from 25 yards. United responded with Haines denied while early in the second half Rosie Page-Smith fired a free-kick goalbound, but Chelsea Fox saved. But the lead was doubled just past the hour mark on a counter-attack when Afiya Johnson broke through. A casual Lebbern lob put the game beyond Woodley before Eshe Johnson completed the scoring. Woodley are back in action this weekend with a cup trip to Wycombe Wanderers.

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk

calmly beating the keeper to score his first senior hat-trick in only his ninth game.

LUKE HAYDEN was the unlikely hero as he masterminded Binfield’s return to winning ways in the Hellenic Premier Division by scoring in a duo of fantastic victories. The Moles went to title challenging Flackwell Heath on Saturday on a run of eight league games without a win but a second half Hayden hat-trick sealed a memorable 3-0 success. And Roger Herridge’s men followed that up on Monday night with a 3-1 success against second placed Thame United at Stubbs Lane thanks to goals from Bradley Pagliaroli, Liam Ferdinand and Hayden again. Binfield lost 3-0 at home to Flackwell Heath little over a month ago and the omens were not good up against a side who had scored 17 goals in their last three outings. Herridge’s injury hit side were dealt another blow after half an hour when Matt Jones was forced off which led to 17-yearold striker Hayden being called on from the bench. But that proved to be a match-winning substitution. If the first half was all about a solid defensive display, the second half very much belonged to young Hayden. The first goal came on 53 minutes when he headed in a Sean Moore cross, just after Pagliaroli had hit the post. The Heathens battled hard for a leveller but James Knight was on hand to brilliantly block a goalbound effort. And moments later it was 2-0 with Hayden on target again as he tucked home from another Moore cross. But it was Hayden’s pace which earned him the third goal as he latched onto Michael Walton’s through ball before

BINFIELD: Nyamunga, Broome, Luis (c), A. Walton, Brown (White 78), M. Walton, Kemp (Dean 68), Knight, Jones (Hayden 31), Moore, Pagliaroli.

And the wave of momentum continued two days later as the Moles once again upset the form book against Thame. Facing the top scoring side in the division, Binfield conceded just once and attacked with pace to come away with three more points. Hayden was rewarded with a start alongside the returning Ferdinand and the pair were both on the score sheet before the night was out. The youngster found the net again early into the game, only to be denied by the linesman’s flag. However, the deadlock was soon broken when Pagliaroli netted his first goal in Binfield colours as he rounded off a sweeping move. But it was level at the break after Lynton Goss headed past Munoda Nyamunga on 35 minutes. Herridge’s men were undeterred by the equaliser and went back in front just past the hour mark when Lewis Leonetti was fouled for a penalty. Although Ferdinand’s spot kick was saved, the striker followed in to put the Moles back in front. Binfield survived a couple of nervy moments in their own area before sealing the win on the counter attack with Hayden rolling the ball into an empty net deep into stoppage time. BINFIELD: Nyamunga, Broome, Luis (c), A. Walton, Leonetti, M. Walton, Moore, Knight, Ferdinand, Hayden, Pagliaroli.

 The Moles face another big week as they go to Brimscombe and Thrupp on Saturday before the derby clash with Bracknell Town next Tuesday night.

Results and ﬁxtures Saturday, November 26 FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Reading 2-1 Bristol City Hellenic Premier Division Flackwell Heath 0-3 Binﬁeld Hellenic Division 1 East Finchampstead 6-2 Didcot Town Reserves; Wantage Town Reserves 2-4 Wokingham and Emmbrook; Woodley United 1-0 Penn and Tylers Green Combined Counties Division 1 Bagshot 5-1 Eversley and California Thames Valley League, Premier Division Marlow United 3-2 Berks County; Woodley United Reserves 2-2 Taplow United; Hurst 2-1 Highmoor-Ibis Reserves. RUGBY National League 2 South Clifton 25-19 Redingensians National League 3 South West Bracknell 29-27 Camborne Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier Crowthorne 0-29 Drifters HOCKEY MBBO Regional Division 2 (Men’s) Sonning 5-2 Banbury 2s Division 1 Phoenix and Ranelagh 2-2 South Berkshire; Bicester 4-0 Sonning 2s; South Berkshire 2s 5-0 OMT 2s Trysports Premier 1 (Women’s) Maidenhead 2s 1-1 Sonning; Wycombe 2s 1-3 South Berkshire; Oxford 2s 2-0 Sonning 2s ICE HOCKEY EPIHL Bracknell Bees 4-5 Peterborough Phantoms

Sunday, November 27

RUGBY IPA Championship London Irish 42-29 Jersey Reds ICE HOCKEY EPIHL Guildford Flames 10-1 Bracknell Bees

Monday, November 28 FOOTBALL Hellenic Premier Division Binﬁeld 3-1 Thame United

FIXTURES Saturday, December 3

All fixtures 3pm, unless stated FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Fulham v Reading Hellenic Premier Division Brimscombe and Thrupp v Binfield Hellenic Division 1 East Chalfont Wasps v Wokingham and Emmbrook (2pm); Bicester Town v Finchampstead B&B Intermediate Cup FC Beaconsfield v Woodley United (1.30pm) _–POSTPONED Combined Counties Division 1 Eversley and California v AC London Thames Valley League, Premier Division

Hurst v Wraysbury Village; Mortimer v Berks County; Newbury v Woodley United Reserves (all 2pm) RUGBY IPA Championship Rotherham Titans v London Irish (2pm) National League 2 South Redingensians v Bishops Stortford (2pm) National League 3 South West Bromsgrove v Bracknell (2.15pm) HOCKEY MBBO Regional 2 (Men’s) Tring v Sonning (12pm) Division 1 South Berkshire v Ashford 2s (12pm); Sonning 2s v Phoenix and Ranelagh (12pm); Henley 2s v South Berkshire 2s (1.30pm) Trysports Premier 1 (Women’s) South Berkshire v Oxford 2s (12pm); Sonning v Wycombe 2s (1.30pm); Sonning 2s v Oxford University 2s (10.30am) ICE HOCKEY EPIHL Bracknell Bees v Hull Pirates (6pm)

Sunday, December 4 ICE HOCKEY EPIHL Peterborough Phantoms v Bracknell Bees (5.30pm)

Tuesday, December 6 FOOTBALL Hellenic Premier Division Bracknell Town v Binﬁeld (7.45pm)

Championship P Newcastle Utd 18 Brighton 18 Reading 18 Birmingham City 18 Leeds United 18 Huddersﬁeld Tn 18 Shefﬁeld Wed 18 Norwich City 18 Derby County 18 Fulham 18 Aston Villa 18 Preston N.E 18 Bristol City 18 Ipswich Town 18 QPR 18 Brentford 18 Nottm Forest 18 Barnsley 18 Burton Albion 18 Blackburn 18 Wolves 18 Wigan Athletic 18 Cardiff City 18 Rotherham Utd 18

WD L 13 1 4 11 5 2 10 4 4 8 7 3 9 2 7 9 2 7 8 4 6 8 3 7 7 5 6 6 7 5 5 10 3 7 4 7 7 3 8 6 6 6 6 5 7 6 4 8 6 4 8 6 4 8 4 7 7 5 4 9 4 6 8 4 6 8 5 3 10 1 4 13

Hellenic Premier

F A 36 14 28 11 25 19 24 19 21 20 20 23 20 20 29 30 16 13 25 21 21 18 23 21 24 22 17 17 19 26 24 21 32 32 29 29 19 24 20 27 19 23 16 20 18 30 18 43

Pts 40 38 34 31 29 29 28 27 26 25 25 25 24 24 23 22 22 22 19 19 18 18 18 7

Thames Valley League P W D L F Marlow United 14 11 1 2 51 Reading YMCA 12 10 2 0 43 Newbury 13 9 1 3 36 Woodcote S.R 14 8 3 3 38 Berks County 14 7 2 5 19 Mortimer 14 6 2 6 24 Cookham Dean 13 5 3 5 26 Woodley Utd Res 15 5 2 8 14 Wraysbury 15 5 2 8 21 Unity 13 4 2 7 11 Highmoor Res 12 4 2 6 23 Taplow United 11 3 1 7 19 Rotherﬁeld Utd 14 1 5 8 14 Hurst 12 1 0 11 8 *Denotes points adjustment

A 18 8 18 19 18 30 29 27 40 15 27 25 31 42

Pts 34 32 28 27 23 20 18 17 17 14 11* 10 10* 3

P W D L Thatcham Town 21 13 2 6 Thame United 17 11 4 2 Flackwell Heath 19 11 3 5 Bracknell Town 16 11 2 3 Highworth Town 18 10 3 5 Tufﬂey Rovers 18 9 3 6 Binﬁeld 19 9 2 8 Ardley United 19 8 4 7 Longlevens AFC 19 8 3 8 Wootton Bassett 19 9 2 8 Lydney Town 17 8 2 7 Ascot United 19 7 3 9 Brimscombe 15 7 2 6 Highmoor-Ibis 16 5 3 8 Brackley Saints 17 5 2 10 Oxford Nomads 19 3 5 11 Henley Town 20 3 3 14 Burnham 20 3 0 17 * Denotes points adjustment

F A 62 34 63 28 51 22 52 19 45 32 37 28 33 26 38 37 42 38 38 3 30 32 37 44 25 23 28 38 18 53 24 46 26 56 24 84

MBBO Regional 2 Pts 41 37 36 35 33 30 29 28 27 26* 26 24 23 18 17 14 12 9

Hellenic Division 1 East Penn & Tylers Green Woodley United Bicester Town Headington Ama AFC Aldermaston Chalfont Wasps Finchampstead Wokingham Didcot Town Res’ Rayners Lane Chinnor Sandhurst Town Holyport Wantage Town Res’

P 12 9 12 9 13 13 12 13 12 12 10 8 9 14

WD 9 2 8 0 7 2 7 0 7 0 6 2 5 0 4 3 4 2 4 2 3 3 3 2 3 0 0 0

L 1 1 3 2 6 5 7 6 6 6 4 3 6 14

F 43 21 23 34 30 21 22 25 28 16 12 15 20 13

A 8 6 15 14 26 21 22 28 27 25 22 13 20 76

Pts 29 24 23 21 21 20 15 15 14 14 12 11 9 0

Got a sports story? Email: sport@wokingham paper.co.uk

Slough Amersham & Cha Banbury 2 British Airways Sonning Men Marlow 2 Oxford Hawk 3 Tring Oxford 2 Eastcote 2 West Hamp 2 Staines 2

P 9 9 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

WD 9 0 7 1 6 0 5 2 5 1 4 0 4 0 3 0 2 2 1 3 1 2 0 1

L 0 1 2 1 3 5 5 6 5 5 6 8

F A 43 7 33 16 38 20 22 12 31 16 24 29 27 33 16 27 20 35 12 27 20 35 10 39

Pts 27 22 18 17 16 12 12 9 8 6 5 1

IPA Championship

P London Irish 10 Yorkshire 10 Ealing Trail 10 Nottingham 10 Doncaster 10 Cornish Pirates 10 London Welsh 10 Rotherham Titan 10 London Scottish 10 Bedford 10 Jersey 10 Richmond 10

W 10 9 6 5 5 4 4 4 4 3 3 1

D 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0

L 0 1 3 4 5 5 6 5 6 7 7 9

F A BP 361 148 9 302 244 6 247 209 4 210 233 4 223 211 5 267 251 6 218 206 6 223 259 4 216 282 6 227 228 9 220 250 8 139 332 1

PTS 49 42 30 26 25 24 22 22 22 21 20 5

EPIHL P Telford 25 Milton Keynes 25 Hull 24 Peterborough 24 Basingstoke 23 Swindon 24 Guildford 24 Shefﬁeld 23 Bracknell 24 Manchester 24

W 16 14 15 12 14 9 9 7 5 3

OW OL 4 3 4 1 1 0 2 1 0 1 2 2 1 3 1 2 0 2 1 1

L 2 6 8 9 8 11 11 13 17 19

F 103 97 105 90 80 76 89 76 61 60

A 58 69 81 69 56 82 87 92 120 123

Pts 43 37 32 29 29 24 23 18 12 9

WOKINGHAMSPORT

REALITY CHECK: Exiles win, but given a run for their money

Unrivalled coverage of sport in the borough

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— Page 35

SPORTS AWARDS

AWARDS

We are the champions! Borough’s best sports stars honoured

Sophie makes BBC shortlist

Paralympic hero Sophie Christiansen with Athene

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk

All the winners in our two-page picture special inside • pages 36-37

Picture: Stewart Turkington

HELLENIC DIVISION ONE EAST

Woodley: Smells like team spirit EXCLUSIVE

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk WOODLEY UNITED boss Michael Herbert says an “unbelievable” team spirit has been key to his side’s flying start to the season. Herbert, who only took charge of the team in the summer after a spell managing Mortimer, has seen his side lose just once in the league all campaign. And they produced arguably their greatest result so far at the weekend with a 1-0 win over previously unbeaten Hellenic Division One East leaders Penn and Tylers Green to jump up to second in the table. But it is not only on the pitch where Woodley have been making headlines. Throughout the course of the season a number of players from the squad have been filmed on social media singing and dancing, most notably Jake Nicholls and Josh Drew, who earned national coverage when they were forced to perform for the cameras after leaving a Woodley game early to go to a Justin Bieber concert. And Herbert says that kind of camaraderie off the pitch has been key to the club’s great form on it. “That’s the main thing,” the United boss told The Wokingham Paper. “It was a big lesson I learnt from Mortimer. “I had some very, very good players there but I think at this level you do get a few people who

Michael Herbert

have a bit of an ego so that was one thing that we wanted to make sure we cut out here. “The players that we’ve got are brilliant. “A lot of them are a good group of friends and six or seven of them played together before. “The team spirit is unbelievable. “Even when we had our first loss, against Wokingham, that was evident straight away. “We just moved on and the team spirit helps you do that.” Herbert has had a steady rise through to taking the Woodley hot seat. After spells playing in the Reading FC academy and also for Henley Town, Herbert turned out for a number of sides in the Bristol area, where he went to university. But his main focus is now on coaching, following on from managing the university team in Bristol by spending two years at Mortimer before moving to the Kestrels. At 30, Herbert is one of the younger coaches at this level and he admits his tender age often takes rival managers by surprise. “A lot of them shake my hand and think I’m a player!” he said. “And then when I say I’m the manager they’re a little bit confused by it all. “We probably bring a different approach to a lot of them which is good because that’s what football is all about, dealing with different aspects of the game. “I’m really enjoying it.” n For more football news, turn to page 38.

PARALYMPIC gold medallist Sophie Christiansen says she is “shocked and honoured” to be among 16 athletes who have been nominated for the 2016 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. Christiansen, who attended All Saints Primary School in Wokingham, followed up on her equestrian success at Beijing 2008 and London 2012 with another three medals in Rio in the summer to take her overall gold medal tally to eight. And while considered an outsider to win the prestigious crown, Christiansen could not hide her delight and being among the star-studded line-up of nominees which include Andy Murray, Mo Farah and Laura Kenny. “I am so shocked and honour to be nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year,” she said. “Especially in such an important year for sport where hundreds of athletes are worthy of this award. That said, I know that many of the British public won’t know who I am because I compete in a minority sport. “This is why I need your help not to come last!” Voting takes place during the live show on December 18 in Birmingham where the public can ring in and vote for anyone on the shortlist. And Christiansen is calling for your support. “I want to be voted for by the people because I stand for more than just an athlete,” she said. “So please vote for me if you have ever overcome a challenge, believe in the benefits of sport, studied maths, have a disability but never let that stop you, work in an office, love riding and horses, went to university, always strive for better, go to festivals and gigs, are a computer geek and proud of it, fight for things you believe in or just like to support the underdog!” Former Reading Hockey Club star Kate Richardson-Walsh is also nominated after winning a gold medal in Rio while fellow Olympians and Paralympians Alistair Brownlee, Max Whitlock, Nicola Adams, Jason Kenny, Kadeena Cox, Dame Sarah Storey, Adam Peaty, Nick Skelton and Danny Willett plus footballers Gareth Bale and Jamie Vardy complete the list. Published by Xn Media Ltd, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Printed at Trinity Mirror Watford © Xn Media Ltd, 2016