The Wokingham Paper, January 5, 2017

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Thursday, January 5, 2017 No. 89

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HAPPY NEW WOKINGHAM PEACH PLACE WORK STARTS MONDAY

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DELIVERING REGNERATION FOR WOKINGHAM Work starts on Monday January 9 to redevelop the area known as Peach Place with shops, restaurants and homes around a new pedestrianised square and facing onto Peach Street Here's what to expect _

How will Wokingham benefit?

 Affected retailers along Peach Street will have vacated before the handover and units will remain empty until demolition starts in March 2017

 Creating a sustainable town centre with the flexibility to adapt to how the high street is changing, becoming more about leisure and socialising alongside shopping

 Dawnus Construction Limited will formally take over the site and will start closing off the affected areas to prevent unauthorised pedestrian / vehicle access

 Deliver a better variety of shops for the town centre

 The Rose Street car park will close permanently.

You can find out more about alternative parking locations in the town centre on the Regeneration microsite at: www.regenerationcompany.co.uk/ town-centre/parking-in-wokingham

 Promote niche, boutique and independent businesses alongside national names  Offer something different from larger neighbours  A new foodstore to help offer choice and bring back daily footfall to the town centre  Create fantastic new pedestrianised spaces, specially designed to support local community events

 Marks and Spencer store and car park remain open

 An improved town centre park and better play area

 Pedestrian access from Rose Street across the site will be restricted and pedestrians will need to access the town centre via the Broad Street end of the road

 Improved leisure facilities including a larger gym, studio spaces, an indoor sports hall, new bowling alley and cinema

 The Bradbury Centre and Methodist Church remain open throughout the works and pedestrian access will be maintained from Rose Street  Rose Street footpaths adjacent to the site may be affected by certain phases of the project and we will keep residents up to date as we know more detail and timings

WHE

 A new Premier Inn hotel  A range of new sustainable homes in a great town centre location  New parking for the town centre  A link road from Wellington Road to Shute End to make help make the local network more robust  Create new jobs for our residents plus new apprenticeship schemes to help train local young people  Reinvest profits and income from the scheme back into the community (funding other schemes and services across the Borough)

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Homeless help centre to open in Wokingham Portable cabin installed at Salvation Army

Thursday, January 5, 2016 No. 89

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By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk A NEW drop-in centre for the borough’s homeless and vulnerable will soon be open for business – but a call has gone out for help to make it sustainable.

Based at The Salvation Army in Sturges Road, the centre will be open every day and aims to provide a warm and safe place for its users.

It has been organised by Wokingham In Need (WIN), a new charity that works within the town to help the vulnerable and sees several groups work together to help provide the facilities.

As part of the support, a new portable cabin has been installed at the Salvation Army site, providing a storage unit ready to provide necessary supplies to drop-in centre visitors.

It was installed on a Saturday morning in early December by a specialist team who lifted it into place.

And volunteers from WIN were able to assist in giving presents and a Christmas cake (baked by a volunteer) to the homeless on Christmas Eve. WIN also distributed toys to children over Christmas, bringing a little joy into their lives.

Now, WIN is looking for more funding and volunteers to come forward to help expand the drop-in centre’s vision.

Sue Jackson, founder of WIN, told The Wokingham Paper: “We are very grateful for all  Continued on page 6

TRIBUTES PAID TO JOHN NIKE P14

Moving in: a new portable cabin has been installed at Wokingham’s Salvation Army to help create a drop-in centre for the homeless and vulnerable

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, January 5, 2017

Santa stops at Alexandra Grange CHICKENS, rabbits and sheep were just some of the festive visitors to the residents of a Wokingham town centre care home shortly before Christmas.

Father Christmas and four of his elves, along with a little help from mobile farm business Basil and Crew, transformed Alexandra Grange Care Home, in Oaklands Drive, into a grotto on Tuesday, December 20, where residents could pet the animals and receive a present.

A novelty finger scanner set up in the grotto also told the residents how naughty or nice they had been during the year.

Resident Eric Tozer, 92 said: “What a great way to start the festivities, it was really lovely to

Alexandra Grange resident Eric Tozer, 92 meets Santa, while below: Resident Veronica Spooner, 91 meets Santa and his elves. have seen the white rabbits, residents were delighted to see the sheep, the chicken and Santa and his elves and it was the five mice. I also found out fantastic to see all the smiles I have only been 79% nice this and laughter from them and year.” their relatives.

Lifestyles Leader at “From nine-months-old, all Alexandra Grange, Adriana the way to 102, everybody had Fernandes-Bowyer said: “Our such a fabulous day.”

Cowboys attempt to steal cattle CATTLE in a field in Winnersh were moved in what police believe to be an attempted robbery.

Overnight on Wednesday, December 16, someone forced the lock on a gate to a field in Woodward Close. The cattle in the field ere then moved into another field.

Track marks in the field show that a vehicle may have been used in an attempt to steal the livestock.

Anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area around this time should call 101.

Come and sing Handel’s Messiah SINGERS are invited to sign up for a community performance of Handel’s famous oratario later this year.

All Saints Church in Swallowfield is staging the Messiah for Easter Monday, April 17.

Professional soloists and an organist will join the Farley Singers Chamber

Choir for an edited version of this famous choral work and enthusiastic singers are invited to take part.

The community choir will sing the seven main choruses, and everyone who attends will be able to take part in the Hallelujah chorus.

To register a place or for more details, contact Mary Sangster on 0118 988 4015 or email martsangster@hotmail.co.uk

Coffee served in Swallowfield COFFEE fans are invited to sample the brews at a weekly coffee morning taking place in Swallowfield.

The Swallowfield Coffee Corner takes place every Wednesday from 10.30am to noon at the Davies Room in the village’s Parish Hall.

Organisers promise home-made cakes, good coffee, attractive tables and great conversations.

Generator stolen A GENERATOR has been stolen from a unit in Shinfield before Christmas.

Overnight Tuesday, December 15 into

Wednesday, someone broke into the unit in Hyde End Road, stealing the generator and a compressor. The offenders had forced the lock on the metal door to gain access.

Anyone with any information should call Thames Valley Police on 101.

Church gets messy on Sunday A NEW family-friendly event is launching in Norreys – and organisers are promising that it will be messy.

Starting on Sunday, January 8, Norreys Church will be holding Messy Church, with subsequent meetings taking place on the first Sunday of the month. There will be tea and coffee with the Sunday papers, craft activities, a family lunch and a Christian message.

Entry is free and sessions start at 10.30am.

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WOKINGHAM PAPER

Thursday, January 5, 2017 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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Town council looking into holes in Market Place

Charity recipients joined local Rotary, Unicorns and Lions clubs for the presentation of £36,300 – raised from the Wokingham Fireworks night held on Saturday, November 5 Pictures: Phil Creighton

Fireworks night fun raises £36,000

An artists’ impression of what Market Place will look like once the regeneration works have been completed. Exploratory work starts on Monday

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk WOKINGHAM’S Market Place is about to get a whole new look, but to prepare for it, the town council is planning to dig some holes and divert traffic.

From Monday, and over the course of January, the council will create 22 holes in the area around the Town Hall as part of a special pre-construction phase ahead of works to create a new paved area.

When completed, the pavements will be relaid with non-slip materials and on the same levels, dedicated disabled parking and loading bays will be created and new power supplies will be installed to make it easier for market traders.

The pavements will be the same across all sides of Market Place, including the side where The Red Lion pub is based.

The Town Council said in a statement released earlier this week that everyone is looking forward to a newly refurbished Market Place.

The project is a partnership between Wokingham Borough Council and Wokingham Town Council.

During the pre-construction phase, the 22 trial holes will be dug in Market Place and the Town Council said that these are necessary

to confirm what wiring exists under the surface.

Scanning tests show that a ‘spaghetti junction’ of services and utilities exists. but the pre-construction phase will help determine what work will be needed to create the new Market Place and what the costs will be.

The Town Council said that its Market Place neighbours are already aware and will also be contacted again where they are directly affected.

The council is also promising that every effort will be made to minimise the impact of the work but it will cause some disruption and is likely to be noisy at times.

Towards the end of the programme the council will divert traffic in Market Place outside Boots. Cars will use the bus lane during these works and buses will temporarily be re-routed.

Cllr Peter Lucey, Chairman of the Town Council Working Party, said: “I am very pleased that we are making progress with the work to deliver the newly refurbished Market Place.

“This has been a long time ambition of the Town Council and we are delighted to be working with the Borough Council to deliver this for the whole community; while there will be disruption the end result will be worth it.” n For more information, please visit www. wokingham-tc.gov.uk

Peach Place work starts Monday ANOTHER part of Wokingham’s town centre regeneration starts on Monday.

From January 9, over the next 18 months, work will take place to transform Peach Street and the Rose Street Car Park into a new public space.

Dawnus Construction has been appointed by Wokingham Borough Council

to carry out the work, which will see a new pedestrianised public square created on the site of the existing Rose Street car park, a range of new shops and restaurants with apartments above, new public toilets and four new houses fronting onto Rose Street.

Early works on site will include preparing the affected properties for demolition and

carrying out final surveys, including archaeological investigations. Following this, demolition of the affected buildings will start before foundations are laid and construction can begin. The main building works are expected to last until October 2018, with many of the new businesses up and trading by Christmas of that year.

WOKINGHAM’S big firework extravaganza was hailed by organisers as the biggest and best display ever – and it also created a bumper donation to local charities.

More than £36,000 was donated to local groups at a special presentation evening on Tuesday, December 13.

Held at the Town Hall in Wokingham town centre, the event saw organising charities come together to present the cheques to representatives from the receiving charities.

Both the borough mayor, Cllr Bob Pitts, and town mayor, Cllr Gwynneth Hewetson, were present for the awards ceremony, which included a buffet and speeches.

The cheques were given to Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice, JAC (Just Around the Corner),

Me2 Club, Thames Hospice and Topic of Cancer.

The event was hosted by the Windsor Forest Unicorn Club, Thames West Unicorn Club, Easthampstead Rotary Club, Wokingham Rotary Club and Wokingham Lions Club.

And it was a special evening for Easthampstead Rotary Club president James Strugnell who not only presented a cheque

New services at church A NEW pattern of services at an Arborfield church is being launched this weekend.

St Eligius will hold a family service on the first Sunday of the month at 9.30am, although the first one takes place this Sunday, January 8 due to the New Year.

Every Sunday there will be a service of Holy Communion at 11am, apart from the second Sunday in the month when there will be a Service of the Word, also at 11am.

And the church is holding a lunchtime fellowship service on Tuesdays at 12.15pm.

For more details, call 0118 973 0133.

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to charity, but received one too.

The group, which meets on Mondays at the Coppid Beech Hotel, received £2,000 for its charity fund.

Now plans are being made for this year’s display and torchlit procession, which will go from the Town Hall to Cantley Field on Saturday, November 4. n www.wokingham-fireworks. co.uk/

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WIN makes plans new homeless drop-in centre  From front page of the support we have received from the local community.

“We would like to thank the Wokingham Lions Club, Prospect Estate Agents, BSW and Healthwatch Wokingham for their generous support.

“We do need more funding to achieve our goal of adding more facilities. We also need more volunteers to help develop workshops to assist the homeless and vulnerable in our community.”

Founded last year, WIN aims to work within the community to assist the homeless and vulnerable within Wokingham. The charity also aims to act as a catalyst for working with other charitable groups, encouraging shared work.

It feels that it has come a long way in the past year but there is more to be done.

Mrs Jackson said: “We would also like to thank the trustees, Candy Kirkland and Peter Izod, who have worked tirelessly to help us move forward.

“In addition, much needed backup has been provided by other volunteers, especially Zara Saunders on the website and Claire MangersPage.”  To help WIN, email wokinghaminneed@gmail. com, call Sue Jackson on 07340 301770 or visit www.wokinghaminneed.com.  To donate, send a text to 70070, with message WOKY15 and the amount you wish to donate.

History society AGM THE Shinfield and District Local History Society is starting 2017 with an AGM. The group meets in the John Heggadon Room of Shinfield Parish Hall on the second Tuesday of the month. On Tuesday, they will look back at the previous year and on to the year ahead.

New members are welcome and entry is free.

Meetings take place from 7.45pm.

For more details, call 0118 988 3580.

Yobs vandalise Woosehill subway mural days after installation EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON and GEMMA DAVIDSON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk A BRIGHT new mural that has been defaced by vandals with excrement was not given a protective coating to prevent damage.

Shortly before Christmas, the Woosehill underpass was freshened up thanks to mural artist Dean Tweedy who has previously painted murals in Lower Earley. Within days of the work ending, graffiti artists used the pictures as a canvas.

The scrawl include several words unrepeatable in a family newspaper and crude drawings of phallus. The yobs also smeared the walls with excrement.

Readers have been in touch to complain that the £10,000 work has been vandalised.

One, who did not wish to be named, said: “Those responsible are a disgrace to the town”, while Pam Small wrote: “Wokingham youths are obviously not like those in other areas – some of ours are vandals, disrespectful, nasty, nauseating people.

And it turns out that Wokingham Borough Council, which commissioned the work, did not apply a protective layer to the artwork, blaming weather conditions.

Some of the vandalism to the mural painted in the Woosehill subway Pictures: Phil Creighton

Cllr Angus Ross, executive member for environment, told The Wokingham Paper: “We couldn’t apply the protective layer when we wanted because weather conditions were too damp and it wouldn’t have set.

“But we will do this when we remove the graffiti in the new year.”

And Cllr Ross said that the graffiti taggers needed to be caught.

He said: “This vandalism is a criminal offence prosecuted by the police, so we ask our residents to be vigilant and report any incidents to them.”

But Mrs Small was not happy. She said: “The council did not appear to have any plans in place to protect

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this £10,000 investment other than a wing and a prayer and yet they are constantly asking us how they can save money … it amounts to £10,000 down the drain.”

Cllr Lindsay Ferris, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “How disappointing.

“Someone spends their time to put a mural together and for the sake of a protective coat it may well have been badly damaged. Perhaps this should have been thought through better as it was always understood that a protective coat was required and that this may not be able to be done in cold weather.

“We hope the Council will take this into account should we have

a proposal for another mural somewhere else in the borough and time things in the future so that a protective coat can be provided in good time to prevent a repeat.

“The outcome is that council tax payers will pick up the bill to clean the mural, unless the culprits can be found and made to contribute to costs.”

Dean Tweedy, from Marvellous Murals, said: “We apologise for not being able to finish the mural but we will definitely return in the Spring when the weather improves and repair any damage, finish the mural and apply an anti-graffiti varnish which should hopefully protect it for a long time.”

A special Harley-Davidson hearse was used for the funeral of Toy Run participant Pete Thomson-Spokes

Bikers join Toy Run Pete’s ride of honour HUNDREDS of bikers took part in a ride of honour before Christmas.

Pete Thomson-Spokes, from Shinfield, died of a heart attack close to the finishing line of this year’s Reading Toy Run. For his funeral service, held on

Friday, December 23, the bikers gathered at Miles & Daughters in Winnersh to take part in the ride of honour to Easthampstead Park Crematorium.

The funeral directors arranged for Mr Thomson-Spokes to be

driven to the service in a HarleyDavidson, his dream bike.

His daughter, Erica Clarke, said: “On behalf of my brother and I, we wish to thank everyone for turning out and making it a memorable occasion.”

Santa’s sleigh raises £4,000 THE CHRISTMAS spirit of giving was alive and well in Twyford this festive period, as more than £4,000 was collected by the local Santa Sleigh.

Twyford and District Round Table visited streets in Charvil, Wargrave, Hurst and Twyford in the weeks leading up to Christmas, collecting £4,373.21 in donations for various charities.

The group also delivered boxes of leftover chocolates to the children’s ward at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

A spokesperson for the group said: “We would like to thank the kind residents of Twyford, Charvil, Wargrave and Hurst for their generous donations and the warm welcomes into your streets.

None of this would be possible

without you.

“We would also like to thank our volunteer elves (and their children) who braved the wind and rain to bring smiles and Christmas spirit to the local area.

“We will distribute the proceeds in the new year to local charities and publish the charity names on our website, www.twyfordroundtable.org.”

Man dies after day at the seaside

A MAN from Winnersh died following a family day out at the seaside.

Dennis Hawkins, 88, of Dunstans Drive, stumbled and fell as he was returning home with his wife Elma and their children from visit to East Wittering on August 31, 2016.

An inquest, held at Reading Town Hall on December 20, heard how Mr Hawkins had hit his head during the fall, but had initially seemed ok.

His daughter-in-law Nicola said in a statement that during the evening Mr Hawkins became incoherent and started to vomit, causing the family to call an ambulance.

By the time South Central Ambulance Service arrived at the house, Mr Hawkins was slipping in and out of consciousness and he was transferred to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, where he sadly died in the early hours of the following day.

The coroner Ravi Sidhu told the inquest that medical evidence showed Mr Hawkins had suffered a stroke which had caused him to fall, and hitting his head on the hard floor had caused a massive subdural haemorrhage.

He said: “It is the age-old question of had he fallen onto a bed of cushions, would he have died? We just don’t know. He had suffered a heart attack in May 2015, was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2008, and had a coronary bypass in 2001. He also had high blood pressure.

“He had just been on a long car journey earlier that day, he could have been a bit unsteady on his feet. It’s not good for people with high blood pressure to be sitting still for long periods of time.”

Mr Sidhu recorded a verdict of a naturally occurring event which led to a fall, which led to a massive haemorrhage, which led to death.

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15,000 homes at Grazeley not included in Government’s plans EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE controversial plan to build a 15,000 home garden village in Grazeley will not receive Government funding – at least, not yet.

And, in a separate development John Redwood MP has warned that even if the scheme goes ahead, there is no guarantee that development across the rest of the borough will be reduced.

On Monday, the Government announced the 17 sites for the new garden villages and towns. Each of the schemes chosen are between 1,500 homes and 10,000 homes, each having access to a £6million fund over the next two financial years.

The Government said that the money would be used to “unlock the full capacity of sites, providing funding for additional resources and expertise to accelerate development and avoid delays”.

Although Grazeley was not one of the schemes announced, the Government said that due to a high level of interest from councils

across the country, it has made an additional £1 million for further development of other proposals and, later this year, it may run a further call for expressions of interest.

Last autumn, Wokingham Borough Council teamed up with neighbouring councils to produce the planned submission of interest in secret, but the plans were leaked to the local media.

If they get the go-ahead, there could be more than 15,000 homes built on the site, complete with appropriate infrastructure.

The plans caused local councillor Gary Cowan to resign the Conservative whip in protest.

Although John Redwood’s name was on the original leaked documents, he was not a supporter.

Writing in his blog before Christmas, he warned that having a local plan for housebuilding does not necessarily mean that councils would be able to halt development across the areas.

“Where a Council has concentrated development on a few sites to maximise the development gain payments and to ensure proper infrastructure provision, the developer can go slow on the build rate,” he said. “This can lead an Inspector to grant permission for more homes in a place where the local community and Council did not want to build.

“The truth is that having an upto-date Local Plan and supporting Neighbourhood Plans does not fully protect areas where a community does not seek more building.

“The best defence a Council has comes through working closely with developers that do have planning permission to try to keep the build rate at the required level.”

Cllr Gary Cowan told The

Wokingham Paper: “This is a welcome reprieve for Grazeley but I wonder if it’s a short term?

“Having secretly spent 18 months developing the expression of interest, I wonder if they will all up stumps and go away. I would like to think so but I just saw a pig fly past.”

A Council spokesperson said: “The funding announced by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) on January 2 has no implications for Wokingham Borough Council’s Local Plan Update process, which will set where development can and cannot happen in the borough up to 2036 “The expression of interest submitted by WBC and its partners for possible Government support, should it be decided to pursue a Garden Settlement at Grazeley, remains under consideration by DCLG. “It is important to point out that nothing has been decided at this stage and that there will be plenty of opportunities for local people to have their say on the Local Plan Update before any decisions are made.”

Looking ahead to a great year

NEW L O SCHO

S

tagecoach Performing Arts Wokingham has had an exciting 2016, and now we're looking forward to a fresh 2017 with lots of exciting opportunities lined up.

In 2016 we saw a rebrand which bought a new look to Stagecoach to appeal to all young performers. You might have seen our new feature film adverts in the local cinema!

However, Stagecoach Wokingham has retained the same high standards and welcoming family atmosphere and has continued to grow with more and more students joining us every term.

2017 is geared up to be equally exciting, with our anticipated highlight being a trip to Disneyland Paris in July. We have 33 students performing in the pre-parade and show stages alongside 500 other Stagecoach students. We can't wait - it's going to be the trip of a lifetime!

In our weekly classes we have our Performance Arts Awards (accredited examinations tailored to suit Stagecoach and recognised qualifications), West End Performance, Easter and Summer Schools and termly shows.

DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND...

now running in Wokingham on Fridays!

Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year olds Venue: The Holt School, Holt Lane Wokingham RG41 1EE

Time: 4.15pm - 5.45pm & 4.30pm - 7.30pm We are a buzzing and friendly school!

We are delighted that due to popular demand we are now running on Fridays from the Holt School. We are delighted to be working with this fantastic school to reach out to a different part of Wokingham

and provide another day that students can come and join our classes. This is open to students aged 4-88 years and we would love to hear from you.

Call Claire on 0118 371 2998 or email wokingham@ stagecoach.co.uk to book your trial place with us.

Find out more and start your child’s journey today: stagecoach.co.uk/wokingham 0118 371 2998 Stagecoach Performing Arts Schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach is a registered trademark of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Ltd.

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Parish noticeboard Thursday, January 5 Finchampstead Parish Council. Planning committee. 7.30pm.

California Ratepayers Hall, Finchampstead Rd, Finchampstead.

Wokingham Borough Council. Individual Member Decisions: Response to Bracknell Forest Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA) . Noon.

Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1BN Wokingham Town Council Amenities committee. 7.30pm.

Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS.

Monday, January 9 St Nicholas Hurst parish council meeting. 7.30pm. Hurst Village Halls, School Road Hurst RG10 0DR. Shinfield Parish Council planning and highways meeting.

7.30pm. Shinfield Parish Hall, School Green.

Winnersh Parish Council. Planning Committee. 7.45pm.

Community Centre, New Rd, Winnersh RG41 5DU. Wokingham Borough Council. Community and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 7pm. Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1BN

Tuesday January 10 Barkham Parish Council. Planning meeting 7.30pm. Council meeting 8pm. Village Hall, Church Lane, Barkham RG40 4PL. Earley Town Council, Planning Committee. 7.30pm. Council offices, Radstock Lane, Earley RG6 5UL. Remenham Parish Council meeting, 8pm. Parish Hall, off Remenham Lane, Remenham.

Sonning Parish council meeting. 7.30pm. Sports Pavilion, King George V Playing Field, Pound Lane, Sonning.

Winnersh Parish Council. Full council meeting. 7.45pm.

Community Centre, New Rd, Winnersh RG41 5DU. Wokingham Town Council. Finance and general purpose committee. 7.30pm. Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS. Wokingham Borough Council. Standards Committee. 7pm.

Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1BN Woodley Town Council Plans Committee. 7.45pm. The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Woodley, RG5 4JZ

Wednesday, January 11 Finchampstead Parish Council. Finance committee. 7.30pm.

FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North, Finchampstead RG40 4ES. Wokingham Borough Council. School Admissions Forum. 7pm.

Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1BN

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, January 5, 2017

Last orders for Black Boy publicans

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE OWNERS of a Shinfield pub will be calling last orders for the final time this weekend.

Mike Clegg and Claire Hawkins, who have run The Black Boy in Shinfield Road for nearly nine years, have made the decision to sell the lease of the pub to Surrey-based Baron’s Pub Company Ltd. Mr Clegg and Ms Hawkins have seen a lot of changes during their time at the pub, most recently the building of the Shinfield Eastern Relief Road which is taking place right outside the front door.

The pub will temporarily close from 5pm on January 8, with Baron’s officially taking over the pub on Monday, January 16. The pub will remain closed for a make-over, but a reopening date has yet to be announced.

In a statement on the pub’s website, the outgoing owners thanked their customers, suppliers and team members for their support.

The statement said: “Since April 2008 Mike and I have had the pleasure of owning the lease at the Black Boy. “We have thoroughly enjoyed our time here; we are so proud of our

achievements and the difference we have made to this establishment over the years. We have been lucky enough to have met some wonderful people and have had many great and memorable experiences.

“Now the time has come for us to move on and start the next chapter in our lives.

“We have decided to sell the lease at The Black Boy … to Baron’s Pub Company Ltd. We know the Black Boy will be in good hands under the ownership of Company Director, Clive Price and the Company’s operations Director Helen Pillinger.

“They have many exciting plans for the Black Boy and we are looking forward to seeing the changes they will make, we hope all of you will be excited too and join us in wishing them every success here.

“We are closing the business from Sunday 8th January at 5pm. Until the 8th of January the business will remain as normal. Please continue to check the page for updates from the Baron’s team.

“We would like to thank our customers, suppliers, team members past and present and everyone who has supported us in our journey at The Black Boy. “We wish you all the very best for the future.”

Sandra with her father Brian Kinch after her New Year’s Eve head shave

Sandra’s new look is for her Mum A MOTHER from Woosehill has raised more than £2,000 for charity by shaving her hair off.

Sandra Ostridge, 53, braved the shave on New Year’s Eve to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of her mother, Helen Kinch, who passed away last year aged 75.

Family and friends joined Sandra at Inspirations Hair and Beauty salon in Wokingham on Saturday

my mind or wanted to back out, I am just so happy we raised so much money.

“Inspirations were very supportive and raised around £300 from staff and clients.

“We received several donations on the day from clients who joined us to toast my mum, we got through two magnums of Prosecco!” n To sponsor Sandra visit bravetheshave.org. uk/shavers/ sandra-ostridge.

to watch her hairdresser daughter Chelsey cut off her long locks.

Due to the length of her hair, Sandra now intends to donate the cuttings to the Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children with cancer.

Sandra said: “I am very happy with the results, apparently I have a good shaped head!

“It was very emotional with lots of tears at the end, but I never changed

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Christmas plays 2016

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NATIVITIES | 21

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Passionate about property

Christmas plays 2016

Christmas plays 2016 What do snowmen wear on their heads?

Ice caps!

What did Adam say the day before Christmas?

It’s Christmas, Eve! What does Santa do with fat elves?

He sends them to an Elf Farm!

ALL SAINTS PRIMARY SCHOOL KEEP HATCH PRIMARY SCHOOL

EARLEY ST PETER’S SCHOOL

ALL SAINTS PRIMARY SCHOOL

COLLETON PRIMARY SCHOOL

Christmas is a time for celebrating and schools across the borough have been busy presenting their fabulous festive productions. Here is the second part of our fantastic Nativity Special!

ALL SAINTS PRIMARY SCHOOL

Pictures: Gemma Davidson & Phil Creighton

OAKLANDS INFANTS’ SCHOOL

DOLPHIN SCHOOL

k per.newsprints.co.u H H Order your souvenir photos today at wokinghampa H HH H H H H H H H H H H H H H H HH H H H H H H H HH H H H H H

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Passionate about Christmas

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ST NICHOLAS HURST PICTURE: EMMA RAMSKILL

Order your souvenir photos today at wokinghampaper.newsprints.co.uk H H H H H H H HH H H H H H H H H H H H H HH H H H H H

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Passionate about property

What is Santa’s favourite pizza?

One that’s deep pan, crisp and even

What do Santa’s little helpers learn at school?

The elf-abet!

SHINFIELD ST MARY’S

Order your souvenir photos today at wokinghampa per.newsprints.co.uk H H H H H H H H HH H H H H HH H H Passion H H H H H ate H H H H H H H H H H Christm H Habout H H H H as H H H H HH H HH H H HH H H H H H H H H H H H H

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Wife run over by husband in surgery car park accident

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk A WOMAN who died in a medical centre car park was involved in an accident, an inquest has heard.

Mary Parkes (pictured) was run over by her husband in the car park of Loddon Vale Surgery in Woodley on Wednesday, September 28.

As a result of the incident, her husband William – known as Larry – has relinquished his driving licence.

A former roads policing officer for Thames Valley Police told the inquest, held at Reading Town Hall on Thursday, December 22, that there was no mechanical defect with the car, and Mr Parkes had put the car into reverse by mistake.

Mrs Parkes suffered multiple head and chest injuries, as a result of being hit by the car and then hitting the ground.

Mr Parkes had an amputated leg but had had his Nissan adapted so he could drive it legally.

There was no evidence that he had any medical impairment.

He told the inquest: “I have tried a thousand times to understand what I did that day, but all I can gather is that I hadn't put the handbrake on and I had put the gear lever into reverse by mistake. I have relinquished my driving licence and will never be able to drive again.”

Summing up Coroner Ravi Sidhu said: “It seems clear to me that this was an accident, pure and simple.

“The consequences of the collision led to your wife's tragic death, and those are consequences you no doubt continue to live with.”

In a statement released by the family after the inquest, they paid tribute to Mrs Parkes.

They said: “Mary was always and ever the heart of the family, and infinitely precious to her devoted husband of 64 years, William.

“Mary is survived by, and sorely missed by her family; four children, six grandchildren, a great-grandson, son-in-law and daughters-inlaw.

“The whole family are united in their support for William at this time of terrible loss.

“The family were determined that, as well as a focus for grief, Mary’s funeral would be a celebration of her life.

“Accordingly, following a moving service at the crematorium with family contributions, the congregation attended a church service which included a eulogy from Violet, elder daughter to Mary and William, with photos from their wedding and family albums.

“Other family members carried into church the many floral tributes, read poetry and Bible passages, and delivered their own tributes.

“There was also a ‘Tartan table’ to honour Mary’s Scots heritage, with a tartan blanket and a photo of Mary surrounded by her favourite things.

“The funeral was very well attended by family and friends from both near and far, and culminated in a wake at the Land’s End pub, where all reminisced and swapped favourite stories about Mary.

“As Mary was born in Scotland, her ashes were taken by family to be interred in the family plot in Dunfermline cemetery, where they lie alongside those of the rest of her family.

“There was then a ceremony of thanksgiving for the life of Mary, movingly completed by the playing of bagpipes by a family member.

“Thanks are given now by the whole family for the life of their dearly beloved Mary Parkes, and may she now, and forever, Rest in Peace.”

Left: Michelle Michelle Bowdidge from the Stroke Association receives her cheque. Below from left: Rachel Docherty from Macmillan Cancer Support, Lewis Honeywill from British Heart Foundation and Sarah Sharky from Thames Valley Air Ambulance receive cheques from Rotary Club president Nigel Boshier

Pedal power helps local charities CYCLISTS helped make it a cracking Christmas for five local charities.

Participants in the Three Counties Cycle Ride, held in June, raised more than £12,000 for the good causes as they pedalled through the countryside for the annual event, organised by the Rotary Club of Bracknell.

Just before Christmas, club members invited representatives of the charities to receive cheques to the value of £2,500 at a special festive lunch.

The club’s president, Nigel Boshier, presented the awards to Michelle Bowdidge from the Stroke Association, Rachel Docherty from Macmillan Cancer Support, Lewis Honeywill from the British Heart Foundation, Sarah Sharky from Thames Valley Air Ambulance and Paul Wentzell Rotary Club of Bracknell Trust Fund.

Now the club is preparing for this year’s event, which will take place on Sunday, June 5. There are three routes planned 15 miles, 33

miles and 50 miles, each starting from Garth Hill College. The short route is intended for families with younger children to enjoy.

Places cost £17 for over 16s and £9 for under 16s. A free T-shirt is offered to riders who sign up before May 22.

And The Rotary Club welcomes new members. It meets every Tuesday at the Old Manor Hotel in Bracknell. n For more details, log on to www.3ccr.org or www. rotaryclubofbracknell.org

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Slimming World

New priest for Woosehill community A NEW priest is being appointed to a Woosehill church this week.

The Revd Patrick Mukholi is joining the team led by members of St Paul’s Church and his installation service takes place tonight (Thursday).

Woosehill Church in Chestnut Avenue will be the venue for the welcoming event, which will be led by the Bishop of Reading, the

Rt Revd Andrew Proud.

Once installed, Mr Mukholi will be part of the parish for at least three years.

He is married to Helen and they have a 25-year-old son, Jonathan.

Prior to entering the priesthood, Mr Mukholi studied agricultural engineering at Nairobi University before working for the Kenyan Government for eight years.

He has worked for churches in Oxford and Swindon as well as working for a Bible School in Mombasa.

Writing in the church’s parish magazine, Mr Mukholi shared his excitement at his new appointment.

“I very much look forward to digging into the transforming work that God is already doing in the parish,” he wrote.

Festive thefts are thought to be linked POLICE believe that four burglaries that took place in Wokingham before Christmas in a two-and-a-half hour spree are linked.

They want to speak to a man in his early twenties who was wearing a tracksuit and was seen in the area at the time of the thefts.

The homes – in Barrett Crescent, Charwood Road, Arthur Road and Pheasant Close – were targeted by a burglar between 5.30pm and 8pm on Thursday, December 15.

In each case, the thief entered the houses and stole a number of items.

Thames Valley Police Investigating officer Sgt Stephen Kania based at Loddon Valley police station said: “We believe that these incidents may be linked and would like to speak to anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious.

“We are particularly interested in speaking to anyone who may have seen a white man, in his early

twenties, wearing a tracksuit in these areas at these times or an unfamiliar dark coloured hatchback.

“Anyone with information can contact me via the nonemergency number 101 quoting reference 43160352490.”

Sgt Kania aded: “If you don’t want to speak directly to us you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.”

MONDAYS CROWTHORNE St Sebastian’s Cricket Pavilion 5.00pm + 7.00pm Emma 07500 868972

TUESDAYS TWYFORD AND WARGRAVE Piggott School Twyford Road 5.30pm + 7.30pm Becky 07415 884433 CROWTHORNE Morgan Centre 7.30pm Cindy 07990 516187 WOKINGHAM Salvation Army 9.30am + 11.30am + 5.30pm + 7.30pm Nicki 07850 588456

BINFIELD John Nike Leisure Sport Complex 7.30pm Susan 07857 007481

THURSDAYS

WEDNESDAYS

CROWTHORNE St Johns Church 6.30pm Emma 07500 868972

CHARVIL Charvil Pavilion 7.30pm Hannah 07515 471575 WINNERSH St Mary’s Church 9.30am + 5.30pm + 7.30pm Jane 07855 016345 WOKINGHAM Kings Church 7.30pm Cindy 07990 516187 FINCHAMPSTEAD Parish Centre, Vicarage Close 7.30pm Gail 07421 768261

slimmingworld.co.uk 0344 897 8000

WOKINGHAM Emmbrook Infant School 5.00pm + 7.00pm Claire 07973 141843

SATURDAY WOKINGHAM Woosehill Hawthorn School 8.30am + 10.30am Claire 07973 141843 CAREER OPPORTUNITIES for past and present members in this area.

Contact Becky for details on 07415 884433

10 | BUSINESS

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, January 5, 2017

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

University seeks businesses for internships STUDENTS are looking for work placements.

That’s the message from the University of Reading, which is organising a special internship event on January 24.

Rebecca Chard and Maria Papantoniou shared the message at the Wokingham Positive Difference breakfast held on Friday, December 16.

The group’s next meeting takes place on Friday, January 20 at the Bearwood Lakes Golf Club in Sindlesham from 7.30am. Places cost £16 for non-members and includes breakfast. For details, visit www.businessbiscotti. co.uk/wokingham-positivedifference

Byte Night charity sleep-out event raises a magic million

By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

VOLUNTEERS from some of the Thames Valley’s biggest firms spent a night under the stars to help a charity raise more than £1 million.

Held last October, the Thames Valley Byte Night saw 138 people sleep in Reading’s Forbury Gardens.

It was the 10th year that the event had been held and organisers revealed last month that it raised £93,000 in sponsorship and support – bringing the cumulative total raised for Action For Children

to more than £1 million.

The money raised from the annual event goes to the charity’s services that work to prevent youth homelessness such as Here4Me in Newbury, which provides disadvantaged young people with independent visitors, mentors and advocates.

Teams from companies large and small from across the Thames Valley including KPMG, CDG, Barclays, SOPHOS, Voyage, Savant, Invenias and Boyes Turner joined more than 1,200 others simultaneously sleeping out

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across 10 locations up and down the UK. Sally Hanson, chair of the Thames Valley Byte Night, said: “Wow, we did it. A million pounds! A huge thank you to everyone who slept out as part of Byte Night and to all of you who have supported us over the past 10 years.

“As always it was such an inspirational night with a great sense of camaraderie, and truly moving to see small and larger businesses from across the Thames Valley working together to make

a real difference to the children, young people and families supported by Action for Children.

“We already have big plans for this year’s event and registrations are now open, so please join one of the biggest annual fundraisers in the UK and help us provide essential support to those near us who need it the most.”  To donate, find out more or register to take part next year, visit bytenight.org.uk or contact the Byte Night team on bytenight@actionforchildren. org.uk

Praise for starter home plan A PLAN to build new starter homes has been welcomed by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

The group said that an announcement by the Government, to give the green light for the construction of thousands of Starter Homes is great but leaves greater challenges as the country attempts to solve its housing crisis.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “It’s great to see the Housing Minister kick off 2017 by giving the green light to the first Starter Homes.

“These homes will help some first time buyers get a foot on the housing ladder, and our small house builders are enthusiastic about delivering on that vision, but Starter Homes will not be a panacea.

“A wider set of measures aimed at increasing the capacity of the house building industry are needed to overturn the long-term under-supply of new homes.

“Central to this must be getting small and medium-sized (SME) builders delivering more new homes.”

Overview of exporting seminar THE Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce is holding a day seminar devoted to exporting later this month.

The event will be held on Tuesday, January 17 at its Slough offices in Edinburgh Avenue from 9am to 4.30pm.

It includes a look at elements of a good export deal, building quotations and making payments.

Places cost £375+VAT for members and £500+VAT for nonmembers.  For details, visit www.thamesvalley chamber.co.uk/event/45432/

PROPERTY PROPERTY INSIGHT INSIGHT Erica Townend

wokinghampropertyblog.co.uk

The average price of a home in Wokingham is now …

A lot happened in 2016, including movements to the Wokingham property market and a big year for (from left) Sir Andy Murray, Donald Trump and the Bake Off

W

ELL, wasn’t 2016 eventful!

The ups and downs of Brexit, the Queen’s 90th, Andy Murray winning Wimbledon, Trump, Bake Off to Channel 4 and something close to the hearts of every buy-to-let landlord and homeowner in Wokingham ... the Wokingham property market!

So, let’s look at the headlines for the Wokingham property market...

In the last month, Wokingham property values rose by 1.77%, leaving them, year on year 12.6% higher, while, interestingly, Wokingham asking prices are down 2.0% month-on-month.

All three statistics go to show the Wokingham property market has recovered well after the summer lull.

Asking prices worsened due to uncertainty surrounding the EU vote back in June.

Irrespective of all the issues, the average value of a Wokingham home now stands at £545,000.

Generally, Wokingham asking prices continue to hold up well at 4.7% higher year on year. At this time of year, asking prices tend to drop on the run up to Christmas and locally, they dropped by 2.0% in November, although this still compares well with the previous years’ asking prices, which dropped by 1.1% in November 2015.

Now it’s true to say, after chatting with fellow property professionals in Wokingham, all of us have seen the number of property sales fall slightly, suggesting a slowing market. But it is very early days and it could be the time of year.

Also, the numbers are limited. It’s interesting to note a recent survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, stating that new buyer enquiries and new instructions are falling at the same rate. This suggests that there will not be a downward pressure on property values.

Looking at the figures for the UK (as we can’t just look at Wokingham in isolation), property values are generally rising slower than a few years ago.

On a positive note, there’s still

growth across the UK. You see, slowing growth of property values isn’t solely Brexit-related.

After a number of years of double digit rises in property values, affordability has weakened and cooling price increases are widely seen as a natural correction of the market.

On the other hand, interest rates at a record low of 0.25% are helping the property market. The cut in interest rates in late summer was medicine for the post-Brexit worry and will, as a consequence, ensure that the UK economy continues to be underpinned by buoyant property prices.

So, what will happen in 2017 in the Wokingham property market?

Some say until we know what type of exit the UK will make from the EU it is hard to evaluate the outcome.

Although, I believe, the whole Brexit issue is a sideshow to the main issue in the UK (and Wokingham) housing market as a whole. As I have mentioned time and time again over the last few months, the biggest issue is demand outstripping supply when it comes to the number of households required to house us all.

Wokingham has an ever-growing population: with immigration (we still have at least two years of free movement from EU members into the UK), people living longer and the fact we need thousands of additional households as the country has nearly 115,000 divorces a year (where one household becomes two households).

These are interesting times ahead.  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.

Honour for neighbourhood policeman

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk A NEIGHBOURHOOD police officer from Woodley said he is ‘chuffed’ to have been recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.

PC Les Eke, who is also the Schools Officer for Wokingham, will receive the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) for distinguished service.

Elsewhere in Thames Valley Police (TVP), Dr Steven Chase, the force’s Director of People, will receive the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

PC Eke started working for TVP in 1984, based in Reading before moving to Woodley as a neighbourhood police officer. He became schools officer for Wokingham in 1996, a role he has held ever since and is now a familiar face with children and young people at schools and educational establishments in the local area.

His work has been incorporated into the national 'Safer Schools Partnership' role, and PC Eke has spearheaded effective communication between the police and young people by helping to design a number of courses for the Duke of Edinburgh to provide them with an understanding of policing principles.

The courses have now been running for nearly 18 years at no cost to the students as he volunteers his own time to the project.

During 2010 PC Eke was instrumental in the Autism Spectrum Alert Card scheme in Berkshire. The alert card scheme provides people with autism with a way of informing law enforcement agencies and other organisations in circumstances when communication can be difficult. He is currently in the process of designing and implementing additional initiatives to work with young people in order to support those in a vulnerable situation and is working on a partnership response to help pupils with cyber bullying.

He said: “I’m absolutely chuffed to receive the Queen’s Police Medal. I know how much of an achievement this is to receive and I think there are far more worthy people.

“I would like to thank Sgt Mark Smith,

NEWS | 11

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Thursday, January 5, 2017 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

PC Les Eke has been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the New Year honours

my supervisor until two months ago, who has always supported me. My role includes dealing with minor crimes involving young people and helping young people to recognise mistakes they may have made to prevent future offending.

“My role is like a neighbourhood police officer however my ‘neighbourhood’ is schools. Outside of work I am a youth worker and I’m also involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award so it has been nice to have a job which also allows me to

incorporate my hobby of working with young people.”

Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police Francis Habgood said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Steven and Les have been recognised in this year’s New Year Honours. Steven is an outstanding Director of People and is a forward thinking inspirational leader who displays the highest levels of professionalism, ultimately working to improve the service our officers, staff and volunteers provide to the public.

“As well as his work in Thames Valley he has led many national initiatives and advises and supports colleagues in other forces.

“PC Les Eke has worked tirelessly for the past two decades, sacrificing all his available time as a Schools Officer to inspire young people within the communities he serves. He has taken on far more work than his role as Schools Officer and has become the focal point of youth engagement locally. He has been the architect of many projects and initiatives which have made a real difference to the lives of local youngsters. Through his boundless energy he has delivered a whole array of projects which have motivated young people to develop their own abilities. I’m exceptionally proud of them both and their many achievements.”

University professor given an OBE THE head of the International Study and Language Institute at the University of Reading has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours list.

Professor Rosalind Richards, who has been at the institute for 20 years, was delighted to be honoured.

She said: “It’s wonderful to see the field I work in recognised. As a sector, we are encouraging the globalisation of higher education by providing

high quality language support for students to achieve their academic potential when studying in another language, whether that be in the UK or overseas. Moreover, at the University of Reading we are developing transnational higher education partnerships across the world for which local capacity building is very often crucial to the sustainability and success of these ventures. I am deeply honoured at a

personal level to have been awarded an OBE for my part in this work.”

She is just one of a number of local people honoured.

Members of Reading Hockey Club, which meets at Sonning, were rewarded for their part in Team GB’s medal success at the Rio Olympics, while Paralympic hero Sophie Christiansen received a CBE for her efforts at the Paralympics.  For more New Year honours see page 38

Community and food are at heart of The Duke’s Head

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

A WOKINGHAM pub is celebrating the start of a New Year with a special offer for our readers.

Since taking over The Duke’s Head in Denmark Street five years ago, Adrian and Julie Taylor have worked hard to improve the popular inn’s food offerings.

Throughout the week it offers a menu that caters for all tastes and pockets, offering everything from full-on Sunday roasts to budget -busting £5 daily specials.

Its signature burger is called – what else? – The Duke, and sees a tasty burger topped with a slice of pork and cheese.

And it’s all served in its cosy, but bustling, pub opposite Wokingham’s library and minutes from Carnival Pool car park in one direction and the Town Hall in the other.

The couple pride themselves on their menu, which changes regularly.

“Food is so important to us,” said Mr Taylor.

“Our regulars like coming in for food.

“Some people expect us to be a dining room, but we’re not. We’re a pub that serves simple, honest home-cooked food.

“We’ve got a warm welcome, an open fire and a chance to while away a very happy evening or afternoon.”

And Mr Taylor also likes to offer his customers the best possible value he can find.

He said: “Our £5 daily special includes dishes like chilli con carne,

lasagne and stews. It’s all good, wholesome stuff and it’s all freshly cooked.

“We don’t buy any meals in for our main courses.”

The pub, which also acts as an inn with rooms available to rent, has real ales on tap including Brakspears Bitter, one that changes regularly and a monthly special from brewers such as Marston and Wychwood.

“It’s all beers that we’re proud to serve,” Mr Taylor said. “Everyone loves our beer.”

The Duke’s Head is more than just a place to enjoy a pint. Mr Taylor is determined that the town centre venue, which has its own car park, also reaches out to all ages.

“We’re an essential part of the community. We’re good for darts and we offer coffee mornings for parents with children,” he explained.

“We’ve got games for them to play and rather than go to coffee shops where children have to sit in buggies, they can play in a safe space.”

The Taylors want to invite you to try it for yourself with a special reader offer: buy one Sunday roast and get a second absolutely free.

It’s a roast meat, such as beef or chicken, or a vegetarian option such as a home-made goats’ cheese pie.

To take part in the offer you need to pre-book to ensure they have enough roasts available, and also bring with you the voucher printed below.  For more details, or to book, call 0118 978 0316 or log on to www. dukesheadatwokingham.co.uk

ENJOY A FREE SUNDAY ROAST Fantastic New Year offer from The Duke’s Head, Wokingham  Buy one main course, get the second free

 Enjoy a freshly made home-cooked roast

Everyone loves a good Sunday roast – a plate piled high with meat, vegetables, Yorkshire puddings and, of course, lashings of gravy.

At The Duke’s Head – a friendly pub in the heart of Wokingham – we know this more than most. It’s what our customers demand!

We’re offering readers of The Wokingham Paper an unbeatable New Year offer: buy one main course Sunday roast for £7.95 and you’ll get a second one FREE. Add a starter or dessert for an extra £3, or both for an extra £5.

It’s a brilliant deal – come and warm up this winter by our fireplace and enjoy a great meal.

 Starters and desserts also available

Buy one Sunday roast get one free at The Duke

HOW TO GET YOUR FREE ROAST DINNER 1. Book in advance Call 0118 978 0316 or pop in and see us (enjoy a pint at the same time!)

2. Bring this coupon with you when you dine with us 3. Enjoy!

Offer ends March 31, 2017

NAME

ADDRESS

PHONE DATE OF BIRTH EMAIL Yes! Please send me details of your latest special offers, money off vouchers and your news

BOOK NOW! CALL 0118 978 0316

FULL TERMS & CONDITIONS ON REQUEST Offer only valid with a completed voucher for customers who have booked in advance.

No voucher = no free meal. Free meal does not include drinks.

Management reserve right to withdraw offer without prior notice.

56 Denmark Street, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 2BQ | www.dukesheadatwokingham.co.uk

12 | NEWS

Get help to get online with festive e-gifts PEOPLE who received a tablet, iPhone or computer for Christmas but don’t know how to use it are being invited to join a club to give them a helping hand.

Shinfield’s Understanding Computers Club offers lessons to people who have no prior experience of IT equipment but want to learn how to use it to send emails and stay safe online.

Lessons can be booked by calling 0118 988 2459.

Callers should leave a message mentioning the Computer Club if there is no reply.

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Buses for Bohunt and Oranges gain late night extension

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

NEW timetables introduced for the borough’s buses this week sees Bohunt School gain a stop and Woodley’s Orangecoloured routes gain a latenight service.

Reading Buses said that the changes are aimed at making its services more “a-peeling” to customers.

In Woodley, the Orange Leopard buses on the 3 routes, 12, 13 and 14, have route will now run to Bohunt been adjusted so that a School near Arborfield bus runs every 15 minutes BICYCLES have been stolen from Wokingham and Garrison on weekdays, during the day, while the Woodley. meaning that school pupils Orange 13 service will now On Wednesday, December 21, a bicycle was no longer have to walk from run until 3am between stolen from outside a shop in Peach Street, while the school to the previous Reading and Woodley. over in Woodley, a mountain bike was stolen stop which is close to St The company said that from a property in Silver Fox Crescent on the Eligius church. its changes are in response same day.

The company has also to customer feedback since Elsewhere in Woodley, at some time made some slight timetable the service launched last between December 16 and 21, someone adjustments at the same September and include picked the lock to a block of garages in time, again making it easier more time for the buses to Drovers Way, stealing bicycles and tools for students to get the bus to complete 1a full circuit of from inside. blueprint_advert_190x137mm_TKT5119_07B_PRINT_READY.pdf 22/03/2016 and from lessons at the new Woodley, but also interlink Anyone with any information relating school. so that people in the to these thefts should call 101.

Bicycles stolen in festive thefts

Showroom Opening Hours Friday 9-3 Monday to 10:30-2:30 on Saturdays

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, January 5, 2017

Buses to Woodley will now run until 3am and serve Sandford Lane every 15 minutes

Sandford Lane area benefit from buses running every 15 minutes in both directions.

Jake Osman, Reading Buses Marketing and Communications Manager, said: “We were excited to launch the new routes for Woodley in September, but we realise that the initial timetables haven’t quite achieved what we wanted from them.

“We listened to customers and drivers to change the 18:14 orange 13 and 14 routes to a circular service - with

the buses now running the same route around Woodley, but in alternate directions.

The subsequent timetables for this have been difficult to implement in challenging traffic conditions.

“The great news for the people of Woodley is the introduction of evening buses on orange 13 running until around 3am – perfect to get customers back from ‘social nights’ in Reading.

“These changes are a reflection of what we have learned so far from analysing the routes since September, but also what customers and drivers have been telling us since the new routes were implemented.

We have wanted to listen and respond to customers’ issues.”

However, despite investment in the services, Reading Buses said that passenger levels have not

risen as much as they’d hoped for.

Mr Osman said: “While we are still seeing small growth on these routes, it is not at the levels expected – mainly due to the performance of the timetables. The buses themselves are brand new after the significant investment in them. They are modern, comfortable with superfast 4G WiFi, USB chargers, tablets and tables.

“They also have glazed staircases and a sunroof although we appreciate that the sun roof is not at its best during winter!

“These buses were specified with their added extras thanks to the feedback from customers from the trials Reading Buses previously conducted.” n For further information visit www.reading-buses. co.uk/articles/januarytimetable-changes-2/

Telephone: 0118 989 3438

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13

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, December 15, 2016

Support Horizons

Care in the home now available for the general public!

Do you or a family member require a high quality, well-regulated carein-the-home service from a mature and professional service provider with a difference? If so Support Horizons is the place for you!

S

upport Horizons is a not-forprofit social enterprise run by its members (customers and staff) and for the benefit for its members.

We are not setup to make money but to contribute to the local community and pursue projects that add social value. So by using Support Horizons as a private funded client you inthisthe home are alsoCare enabling wider agenda now available for the general public! too!

Setup 10 years ago Support Horizons Do you or a family member require a high quality, well‐regulated care‐in‐the‐home service from a mature currently provides approximately 1,500 and professional service provider with a Ěŝīerence? If so Support Horizons is the place for you! hours a week of care-in-the-home support via over 80 highly qualified Support Horizons is a not‐for‐prŽĮƚ social enterprise run by its members (customers and staī) and for the support workers in the Wokingham, beneĮƚ for We are Reading its andmembers.

Bracknell areas.

Ournot set‐up to make money but to contribute to the local community and pursue projects that socialofvalue. So by using Support Horizons as a private funded client you are also history has been theadd provision enabling this wider agenda these services to vulnerabletoo! adults via contracts generally placed by the local Setup 10 years ago Support Horizons currently provides approximately 1,500 hours a week of Council. care‐in‐the‐home support viasocial overcare 80 highly ƋƵĂůŝĮĞĚ support workers in the Wokingham, Reading and We focus on added-value Bracknell areas.

Our history has been and not the short stop work of many the provision of these services to vulnerable adults via contracts generally placed byWe the other providers. arelocal now Council. offering We focus on added‐value social care and not the short stop work of many other providers.

We are now Žīering these high‐quality services to the wider public … these high-quality services to the wider public …

Support Horizons

The Support Horizons Ěŝīerence: ‐ Horizons services, ✓ Support Highly experienced supportcore workers ✓ delivered Top quality carewith ‐ as reŇĞĐƚed in our integrity recent GOOD care and raƟŶŐ from the Care Quality Commission  Personal Care - washing, dressing etc. ✓  Comprehensive and ŇĞxiblecleaning, supportshopping plans created Household chores - cooking, etc. in close consultaƟŽŶ with you plus a  Medical - administration of medication, free changing dressings assessment etc. ✓  24x7 emergency on‐call service Social Engagement and Companionship ✓  Close matching of client requirements to worker Getting out-and-about, transport to and from skills appointments, seeing friends, attending social events and ✓ Assigned activitiesclient etc. lead for every customer ✓ Minimum visits of 1 hour to guarantee quality ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Support Horizons offer considerable experience and support with‐ specialist Support Horizons core services, delivered withworkers care and integrity: Personal Care ‐ washing, dressing etc. training in the following areas: Household chores ‐ cooking, cleaning, shopping etc.  Elderly Care, Dementia & Mental Capacity

dressings etc. o

Medical ‐administraƟŽŶ of medicaƟŽŶ͕ changing Learning Disability & Vulnerable Adults

 Adult Transitioning, Respite Care Activities, Events and

Social Engagement Groups and Companionship GeƫŶŐ out‐and‐about, transport to and from appointments, seeing friends, aƩending social events and ĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ Horizons etc.

The Support difference:

 Highly experienced support workers  Top quality care - as reflected in our recent GOOD rating Support Horizons also Žīer considerable experience and support workers from the Care Quality Commission with specialist training in the following areas: ‐  Comprehensive and flexible support plans created in ✓ Elderly Care, DemenƟĂ & Mental Capacity close consultation with you plus a free assessment ✓ Learning Disability & Vulnerable Adults  24x7 emergency on-call service ✓ Adult TrĂŶƐŝƟŽŶŝŶŐ, Respite Care  Close matching of client requirements to worker skills ✓ ĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ͕ Events and Groups  Assigned client lead for every customer  Minimum visits of 1 hour to guarantee quality

Support Horizons – enabling people to live in their homes and in the community with dignity and respect.

Contact us for a free assessment!

Caring in the home – why short-stop care is a short-sighted solution

T

he Care sector has been transformed over the last 5 years at many levels.

The introduction of the Care Certificate programme in 2015 has professionalised the industry and introduced a robust set of key skills and care worker behaviours that seeks to provide genuine person centred care, promoting independence and autonomy.

This should enable care providers to deliver high quality and holistic services that are for the genuine good of the customer and address their emotional needs as well as the practical requirements of care such as washing, dressing, cleaning, cooking and medication.

However, on the other hand the constant striving for reduced costs in both the public and the private sectors has eroded this intent. This shows in the real-world with a trend towards low-quality, cheap, short stop care visits that focus on practical tasks and not the customer as a whole.

After all, it has been clearly shown that most people accepting care-in-the-home are also in danger of being isolated, lacking interaction and often lacking genuine companionship as friends and family become less accessible and available.

After all most people with strong family connections in the locality will never enter the care provision market.

For individuals and councils paying for this care this is to an extent understandable as many people cannot afford the luxury of longer value-added care visits but we believe this is a short-sighted view.

Through our own customer and employee feedback surveys we have seen that care workers providing care in the home who are given the time to do a more holistic role provide enormous benefits for the customer and the employee; after all our employees say that more than anything they enjoy the relationship

Community Company Please call 07776 995116 or Support HorizonsSupport CommunityHorizons Interest Company Please call Interest 07776 995116 or 01189 893959 info@support‐horizons.co.uk info@support-horizons.co.uk www.support-horizons.co.uk www.support‐horizons.co.uk

Keith Deane, Chief Executive Officer, Support Horizons Community Interest Company and genuine caring nature of these roles and the customers over time become notably more confident and self-reliant.

We believe that this approach is far better and as such as a provider we do not offer care visits under one hour.

This more holistic approach we believe also benefits that larger health system as clients who are engaged, related to and communicated with are far less likely to worsen, suffer from depression and ultimately require higher levels of more expensive care later on.

That’s why all our care workers are instructed to spend time with the client at a relational level as well as a practical task based level. It works for them as employees and it works for the customer too.

It is our belief that by looking at the whole issue and taking a more holistic approach that care provision overall becomes more cost effective than rushing in and out of numerous people’s homes, generally late and just doing the minimum … which is the rather sad view that the general public seems to have of care provision.

Put simply, it doesn’t need to be like that, good high quality professional holistic care provision really does exist and is available for those that need it.

01189 893959

14 | NEWS

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

On song with Choral Society open event PEOPLE looking to make singing in a choir their new year’s resolution are in luck – a local group is holding a come and sing evening next week.

The Wokingham Choral Society is holding the open event on Thursday, January 12 at its regular meeting place of The Emmbrook School.

Starting at 7.30pm, the event gives people the chance to try their hand at singing three pieces

by Purcell: Come Ye Sons of Art; Funeral Music for Queen Mary and Dido and Aeneas.

All singers are invited to take part, but the choir particularly welcomes tenors and basses.

For more details, log on to www.wokinghamchoral-society.org.uk

Holt pupils to perform at lunchtime concert PUPILS from Wokingham’s Holt School will be showcasing their musical talent in Shinfield this Saturday.

The youngsters will be joined by music teacher Andrew Gray for a special New Year’s concert at St Mary’s Church on Saturday.

It is part of a regular series of monthly musical lunches, which are held at the Church Road church on the first Saturday of the month.

The concert, which starts at noon, will be followed by a light lunch.

Entry is free and there will be a retiring collection.

Art group’s new topic THE new year means a new topic for the Swallowfield Art Group.

It returns for its weekly meetings on Monday and will be looking at how to paint with acrylics.

The group, which meets in the village hall in Swallowfield Street, has space for new members who want to make art their new year’s resolution.

Tutoring is available from Jonathan Newby and beginners are welcomed.

Sessions take place from 2pm to 4pm.

Tributes paid to businessman who died on Christmas Day

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk TRIBUTES has been paid to local businessman John Nike, who passed away on Christmas Day. He was in the Royal Berkshire Hospital and with his wife Sue. The Bracknell Bees revealed the news in a statement on its website.

Mr Nike was the chairman of the Nike Group of Companies, which includes the ice rink in Bracknell, a builders’ merchants and the Coppid Beech Hotel.

He is also a familiar face in Wokingham – in his capacity as Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire, he was a regular at events including the Wokingham Winter Carnival and the Wokingham Art Show at St Paul’s Church, where he could often be seen supporting local artists by buying their work.

In their statement, the Bracknell Bees paid tribute to Mr Nike, praising his support for the club.

“Under Mr Nike’s Chairmanship the club won four League championships, four Cup championships and a Playoff championship,” they said.

“The Bracknell Bees players, staff, management and volunteers, who were all deeply saddened by the news, all wish to extend their deepest sympathies to Mr Nike’s wife Sue, his family, friends and employees at this time.”

Originally from Devon, Mr Nike moved to Bracknell in 1964 where

WOKINGHAM IN NEED

was

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

Founded by local resident Sue Jackson, the aim of

WOKINGHAM IN NEED

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

WOKINGHAM IN NEED

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

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

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

As an individual - Your donations, no matter how small



As a business - Your donations, no matter how small

Anything would be gratefully received.

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

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

WOKINGHAM IN NEED –Look forward to hearing from you.

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

John Nike OBE, who died on Christmas Day, pictured at the Wokingham Art Society opening night in August Picture: Phil Creighton

he worked for a garden centre. From 1967, he developed land around Amen Corner, opening dry ski facilities in 1985, ice skating in 1987 and the Coppid Beech Hotel in 1993.

He has also expanded his leisuresport business, running dry ski slopes in Chatham, Llandudno, Plymouth and Swadlincote.

And he has been a keen supporter of the community, funding the John Nike Athletics Stadium at the Bracknell Sport and Leisure Centre in 1984, The John Nike Lecture Theatre in the Agriculture Building at the University of Reading in 2000,

The John Nike Digital Suite at South Hill Park in Bracknell in 2004 and The John Nike Dance Studio at The Brakenhale School in Bracknell in 2011.

His support for the local community was recognised in 2002, when he was made an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list.

At the time, he told BBC News: “I am very pleased the work I do for the community was thought worthy of an honour.”

His appointment as Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire came in 2005, while he was made an

Illegal caravan park loses court battle

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, January 5, 2017

AN illegal caravan park has been removed from a site in Finchampstead following a sevenyear court battle.

Proceedings between Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) and the owner of the Pineridge site in Nine Mile Ride in June 2009 to remove the 22 mobile homes.

The land, classified as protected woodland, had never received planning consent from the council, however areas of hard standing, services and utilities had been installed without planning permission.

The council issued a number of enforcement notices for the mobile homes to be removed and the land to be restored to its previous condition, but the owner of the site, Felix Cash, repeatedly failed to comply.

Mr Cash appealed against the enforcement notices, but the Planning Inspectorate upheld the decisions made to turn down his retrospective applications, and dismissed his appeals.

However, following a recent High

Court action which resulted in an injunction in the council’s favour, the homes have now been removed.

Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for planning and regeneration Cllr Mark Ashwell said: "This is a tremendous result that will allow the woodland to naturally regenerate and shows how determined we are to protect our countryside.

“We have faced repeated legal obstruction from the owner of this site, but our success proves that professionalism and perseverance will win in the end against illegal developments and legal trickery.

“I’d like to thank the officers and elected members who have kept going in the face of numerous obstacles to secure this victory and to uphold the integrity of our planning policies.

“We have always been aware that people have made their homes in this park, but the fact is they should never have been there and have had plenty of time to make alternative arrangements.”

For the latest news visit our website

Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Bracknell Forest in 2013.

Dr Phillip Lee, MP for Bracknell, paid tribute to Mr Nike.

He said: “I was deeply saddened to hear the news of John Nike’s passing, and although I knew he had been ill for some time am also deeply shocked, as when I met him only last month he still displayed his usual determination and drive.

“John had been a good friend to me personally over the past few years, giving me the benefit of his extensive knowledge of the area when I first became Bracknell's MP. “The town has also lost a good friend. He loved this area. In a time when returning something to the community is on the wane, John stood out like a beacon. Indeed, there can be few individuals who have not benefited, either directly or indirectly, from his generosity to the area.

“My thoughts are with his wife Sue and his family who I would like to thank for ‘lending’ us so much of John over the years.”

And Sue Jackson, a member of Wokingham Lions, said: “Our kindest thoughts go to a great man who I had the pleasure to know through Sue Balchin.

“He was a gentleman who listened to you and understood what was needed. He was dedicated but overall he was just a man who wanted to make a difference and he did.”

Cash and jewellery stolen in house raids CASH and jewellery were stolen from houses in Wokingham and Earley during break-ins before Christmas.

Between 9am and 2.25pm on Monday, December 19, a house in Trefoil Close was broken into. The offenders smashed a downstairs window to get in.

The property was searched, and the thieves made off with cash and items of jewellery.

The following day, someone broke into a house in Old Field Close by forcing the kitchen window. The house was searched, and money and jewellery was stolen.

Anyone with any information regarding either of these incidents should call 101.

Thieves target pub A PUB In Arborfield has been targeted by thieves.

Between noon and 4pm on Sunday, December 18, someone forced open a dining room window of The Bramshill Hunt pub, in Bramshill Close, before stealing cash.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious during that time should call the Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.

Supper for the Bard A BURNS Supper is planned for Beech Hill next month.

The Scottish poet Robert Burns will be honoured with a dinner dance at the Memorial Hall in Wood Lane on Saturday, February 4.

The traditional event will include a menu of haggis, neeps and tatties, dancing to a band and plenty of highland flings. It takes place from 7.30pm and tickets cost £15. For more details, call Lesley Boardman on 0118 988 3255.

15 15

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August 12, 2016 THE WOKINGHAM PAPER 29,2016 2016 THE WOKINGHAM PAPER 26, Friday, September July 1, THE WOKINGHAM PAPER September 23, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, 9, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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16 | VIEWPOINTS

THE WOKINGHAM PAPER NEWS WITH A HEART FOR THE BOROUGH

Peach Place is coming, be patient!

THE first most visible sign of Wokingham’s regeneration finally gets under way on Monday.

While work has been going on for the new multi-storey car park in Carnival Pool (and it’s on course to open in the summer), it hasn’t affected us in same way that plans for Elms Field and Peach Place will.

There is bound to be significant disruption over the next few months as the builders move in, buildings come down and the new square is erected.

But we have to keep our eyes fixed on the prize. Short term pain for long term gain.

When the regeneration is finished, Wokingham will have its unique offering.

It is not, nor do we want it to be, a clone town. Instead we’ll have our own Oxford Street with a run of shops, cafes and restaurants stretching from Carnival Pool all the way to The Ship Inn, plus Broad Street too.

It will give us an edge over our neighbours and will also provide a brilliant day out.

Yes, the next 18 months will be tough, but the end result will be worth it.

Keep calm and carry on.

CHURCH NOTES

Happy New Year from the Archbishop of Canterbury

R

ECENTLY I stood in the ruins of Coventry Cathedral, which was bombed on 14th November, 1940.

On the remains of the wall behind the altar are written the words, ‘Father Forgive’ – echoing the words that Jesus prayed as his enemies crucified him. The day after the bombing, the Provost of the Cathedral, an extraordinary man called Dick Howard, made a commitment not to revenge but to seek forgiveness and reconciliation.

I started life as a clergyman here in Coventry. I was ordained in the new Cathedral, built alongside the ruins. I never imagined I’d work here, but for five years I helped lead Coventry’s global ministry of reconciliation, which grew out of Dick Howard’s vision and now has 200 partners for peace around the world.

Coventry’s always been a place that has caught my imagination and my passion. The story of this city says so much that is true about Britain at its best. About our courage, our standing up to tyranny, how we stand alongside the suffering and defeated. How we stand for human dignity and hope.

It says something vitally important about our generosity. How we’ve embraced the idea of reconciliation, so that our wartime enemies are now friends. Thanks to our creative, innovative spirit, this vibrant and diverse city is also a hugely welcoming place.

Last year we made a decision that will profoundly affect the future of our country – a decision made democratically by the people. The EU referendum was a tough campaign and it has left divisions. But I know that if we look at our roots, our culture and our history in the Christian tradition, if we reach back into what is best in this country, we will find a path towards reconciling the differences that have divided us.

If we’re welcoming to those in need, if we’re generous in giving, if we take hold of our new future with determination and courage, then we will flourish.

I wish you a happy and hope-filled New Year.

This is an edited extract from The Archbishop of Canterbury’s New Year greeting

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, January 5, 2017

Your letters

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

Send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Hurst’s new 30mph signs are cryptic and a blight I write with reference to the story in the Wokingham Paper on December 22/29 about the large unsightly signs erected near Hurst.

If the aim of the Hurst Village Society (HVS) was to remind drivers of speed limits why did they not install conventional circular signs rather than the large green monstrosities that now blight the countryside?

If these signs are designed to reduce speed to 30mph upon entering Hurst why are some of them erected two miles from the village in a 60mph zone?

Fifty years ago pictograms and symbols became the template for British road signs with the aim of conveying information and warnings in a clear and quickly understood manner.

At a time when there has been a lot of media coverage given to mobile phones and other electronic devices that distract drivers it is somewhat absurd that Hurst wishes to add to the list of distractions with these cryptic signs.

Between 1993 and 2013 the number of road signs in England increased by 83% to 4.57m – we don’t need any more.

The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 took effect on 22 April and removed the requirement to place repeat speed limit signs.

Clearly no one in Hurst has read this directive.

The then Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin said: “Road signs should only be installed on our roads when they are essential. Our commonsense reforms will help get rid of pointless signs that are an eyesore and distract drivers.”

In these austere times it is disappointing that HVS could not find better use for their funds.

These signs are destined to rank in the history of pointlessness alongside those erected in the 1970s by left-wing councils proclaiming their towns as nuclear free zones.

Peter Humphreys, via email

Join the campaign and speak up for borough’s phone boxes J W Blaney (letters, December 22/29) mentions “an unknown number of invisible voiceless others who slip through the safety net of assistance”.

One of these invisible voiceless groups is people who use telephone boxes. A consultation has taken place about the removal of 19 telephone boxes from the Wokingham Borough Council area. This consultation was little more than a tick-box exercise and received hardly any publicity.

The Campaign to Retain Payphones (CARP) made objections and I think we have succeeded in saving just one phone box. This is the box at the Junction of Hearn Road and Drovers Way, Woodley, which was used for 396 calls in the last 12 months. Usage of the other boxes on the list ranged from zero to 92 calls in 12 months. Several of the low-use boxes were out of order when I checked them so their figures may not be representative.

CARP is trying to protect phone boxes for two reasons. First, because some people still use them.

Secondly, because they could be a useful back-up if terrorists succeed in disabling the mobile phone network.

Rex Hora, Chairman Campaign to Retain Payphones (CARP) www.carp2003.btck.co.uk

Housing over green space 56,900 more housing. That is what our council is imposing on us over the next 20 years.

Wokingham 850 = 17,120, Reading 699 = 13,980, West Berkshire 655 = 13,100, Bracknell Forest 635 = 12,700 = 56,9000.

Miles of our green spaces being built on, more green areas concreted over, more cars on our roads, more traffic jams, less places in our schools, overcrowded hospitals and so on, and so on.

Berkshire is the smallest county in the South, yet we are agreeing to more and more houses than any other county?

A big thank you, and a look at things to come …

The party’s over and now, as we check our bank balances, dread the arrival of the credit card statements and energy bills.

As we regret New Year resolutions made in haste and sally forth on diets and health regimes, let’s pause and remember the hospitals, the emergency services, the armed forces, suppliers of energy and fresh water, the carers,

volunteers and all those others who gave their time, talents and skills to ensure that Christmas for the rest of us was safe, warm and comfortable.

To them, we send a huge gift-wrapped THANK YOU, together with the hope that the New Year ahead will be kind and generous to you all.

J W Blaney, Wokingham

Enough is enough.

Why are our councillors not refusing these figures?

What are they getting out of agreeing to such huge amounts of housing? Must be something.

The problem being half our councillors do not live here and do not care.

I have written time and time again that this council is fast making our town and surroundings another Bracknell the Second.

We are losing our identity and, with the proposed 56,900 housing, we will be one big sprawl of boxes and concrete from Reading to Bracknell, with Wokingham in the middle.

Above all, all the wildlife habitats destroyed, losing more wildlife including birds, with more now on the danger list.

How so sad.

Again, our councillors just do not care, only about getting their own way in anyway they can.

H Boyed, Wokingham

The underpass in Woosehill There is an underpass beneath the Woosehill roundabout on the Reading Road, Wokingham.

Over the past few weeks the council have employed a company known as Marvellous Marvels to decorate the long walls with scenes of landscaped gardens. Every day I passed through with my dog they were hard at work and it was fascinating to see it develop. Last week it was finished apart from a small side wall. By the weekend it had been daubed in black spray paint and today red paint has been added to it.

The council have told me that it has cost £10,000 and was done in the belief and hope, as has happened in other areas, that it would not be vandalised due to its attractiveness. Wokingham youths are obviously not like those in other areas – some of ours are vandals, disrespectful, nasty, nauseating people.

I hope that their parents are amongst those who via our council taxes have contributed to this fiasco.

The council did not appear to have any plans in place to protect this £10,000 investment other than a wing and a prayer and yet they are constantly asking us how they can save money.

Whilst I am not complaining about the cost as it

At The Turn of the Year If the old year was unkind to you, Then bid it glad goodbyes, and pray that in the year to come your hopes you’ll realise.

If the old year was a kind one, then wish it fond adieu and pray the year that lies ahead will be a kind one too.

was lovely to see each day, it still amounts to £10,000 down the drain!

Mrs Pam Small, Woosehill  I wondered how long it would be before the new artwork below the Woosehill roundabout was defaced. Those responsible are a disgrace to the town, as is also the eyesore on Wellington Road.

It is gratifying that the people of Bracknell have shown considerable pride in their own subway artwork.

Name and address supplied

Help out the Sea Cadets Have you made your New Year’s resolution yet? If the answer is no, why not consider taking on a challenge in aid of youth charity Sea Cadets?

For the first time, we are thrilled to have places available for a whole host of exciting charity challenges. The money you raise could really make a difference, as 93p in every £1 that we receive goes directly to our valuable work with young people.

Sea Cadets helps 14,000 10- to 18-year-olds, in 400 communities across the UK, to see the world with confidence, to develop self-belief and skills for life.

Our charity challenges are a team effort between you and us – we offer you support as you prepare and train for your challenge, while you will be helping thousands of young people across the UK through your fundraising.

We have sporting challenges available such as the Prudential RideLondon and the Royal Parks Half-Marathon, both designed to push you to the limit. The Snowdon Triple Challenge awaits those who fancy a tough and exciting multi-activity trial, while aspiring sailors may enjoy a day on the Solent with our Maritime Industry Regatta.

If you would like to make a trip abroad, take a look at the Zambezi River Challenge. Not one for the fainthearted, you will paddle your way along the border with Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, steadily heading for Victoria Falls where you will raft the most tempestuous rapids in the world.

If you are interested and would like to help raise vital funds for Sea Cadets, email events@ms-sc.org.

Martin Colesm CEO, Sea Cadets

Thursday, January 5, 2017 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

TONY JOHNSON

2016: News and views

January

T

HE year opened with mild flooding, but only for a day or so. Over 700 people joined in the hunt for a lurcher (type of dog) which was found and reunited with its owner a week later. The parking charges at Dinton Pastures were put up and despite the freezing cold conditions, over one hundred protestors gathered in Elms Field.

An election for a town councillor was called for Emmbrook and a row broke out as to why.

Meanwhile, in a news story that was to continue throughout the year, new signs had been put up on the A329M, but the crashes, along with the traffic jams, continued. Can’t wait for Highways England (H.E. - who shall be obeyed) to pronounce that we’ve got the wrong type of drivers on that road.

a Hare Hatch Sheeplands petition.

A four-year-old girl was “awarded” an 11 mile trip to school and a dog went on a train ride to Reading by itself.

On parking, the pay-to-pray debate started, Woodley decided not to introduced Sunday parking charges, the Leader of the Borough Council (also a Woodley town councillor) promised that car park charges across the borough would be hypothecated for pot-hole repairs.

Southfields (special needs) school closed temporarily and staff were suspended.

Local Conservatives congratulated themselves on winning a “good boy grant” of £2.1M of central government funding, then made loud protestations of “being penalised” by central government as we’d just lost £6.3M of Rate Support Grant. Sorry chaps - but we’re £4M out of pocket and that doesn’t sound like any cause for celebration.

“Consultations” were held on parking fees and Woodley promptly opted out of the Borough’s parking charges scheme. Work started on the muddy track that one day might be known as the Winnersh Relief Road. The results of the public consultation for the North Wokingham Distributor Road were presented by WBC’s then director of highways, Matt Davey. The public were not amused that WBC had ignored their vote. Matt Davey found himself a new job and the ill-considered NWDR looks set to be a disaster for some time to come.

Secret Tory plans to spend funds to boost the “appeal” of candidates in election years were leaked.

Herbie, the VW, came to a festival of all things Volkswagen at Easthampstead Park while the Home Secretary’s support for local events became visible on that week’s Andrew Marr show when she wore the bangle she’d bought on the Arts Trail.

Wrangles between WBC and Hare Hatch Sheeplands continue to rumble on.

There was growing concern and criticism of the Borough’s new grass cutting contract, as the rising tide of weeds started to make the whole place look rather shabby. Orange re3 rubbish discs were introduced as the borough started charging residents extra for disposal of waste, despite central government guidance and legislation not to do so.

June

March

On the roads, we learned that H.E. had ignored a Department for Transport (DfT) report on the A329M capacity, so H.E. said that WBC Highways was jointly responsible. A crash of two lorries on Keephatch Road led to a town councillor calling for the wrong person to resign. Ulla Karin and Sanjay got the Emmbrook railway bridge unflooded (again).

WBC was busy awarding a contract to one of its own companies, but had just enough spare capacity to commence a legal battle with Hare Hatch Sheeplands over planning enforcement.

There were queues in Woodley for a Mary Berry book signing and Wokingham’s Furniture and Bedding Superstore started its closing down sale.

As the weeds grew and grew, they concealed more and more and one resident was injured as a result. Feedback was almost entirely negative, but as there was no “consultation” in progress, there was no need to respond.

Fortunately, the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations intervened and all the local town and parish events to celebrate the occasion took the pressure off WBC for a while.

In the debating chamber, the Borough chose to celebrate the life of public service given by one local councillor. It was a genuine pleasure, as well as a surprise, that this “secret” could have been kept right up to the night when the title of Honorary Alderman was bestowed on Cllr. Bob Wyatt.

July

April

WBC gave itself planning permission for developing Elms Field and continued to portray its sensitive understanding of the local mood by cutting short a member of the public’s speech at the council meeting where they were presenting

accepted that talks with WBC were needed.

Nationally we’d voted to Brexit the European Union and once it had sunk in to Tory leaders quite how badly David Cameron and George Osborne had misjudged things, it took just 3 weeks between Theresa May standing for the top job and actually getting it.

Locally, Tories finally said sorry for not cutting the grass.

August

brought to the attention of one of the borough’s MP’s as Rob Wilson visited Loddon Park.

School management woes continued as allegations emerged that the Southfields school had been mismanaged by WBC, but everyone was being reassured that they could sleep more soundly knowing that a £6M IT project was going to fix the £19M budget shortfall at Shute End.

November

May

February

HAVE YOUR SAY:

VIEWPOINTS | 17

On the roads, Borough MP Rob Wilson proposed a “third bridge” across the Thames by the Thames Valley / Suttons Seeds business parks. Preparations were underway as the Shinfield East Relief Road was due to open. IKEA Reading meanwhile actually DID open its store.

1,100 people were turned away from re3 centres - no rubbish disposal without an orange ‘tax disc’. The owner of Hare Hatch Sheeplands

The Olympic Games ran for three glorious weeks. Sadly, local hopes of a medal didn’t last long as Ben’s Rio dream was floored in the first 15 seconds.

All the GCSE and A Level results were in and many were delighted with their grades. At the other end of the process, the opening of a new primary school was put back by one year.

On the roads, a 30mph limit was rushed in to cover the whole of the Barkham Road, ostensibly for pupils at the Bohunt School. Shame you couldn’t see all the signage properly, also that the limit didn’t apply all the way out to the school.

Over in Woodley a car crashed into not one but two houses (no injuries), possibly a Wokingham driver fleeing the draconian parking charges just introduced over there.

September

The noise barrier was dropped from the list of planning requirements for the yet-to-be-opened Shinfield Eastern Relief Road but we have been promised that the M4, which is to become a “smart motorway” will definitely have noise barriers. Possibly.

Hare Hatch Sheeplands lost their case at judicial review, started a new petition, now faced bills for costs and a High Court case to boot.

The “Call for Sites” was published as part of the Local Plan update - showing everyone the possible locations where housing developments might be taking place in years to come.

And a small hole was found in WBC’s budget as Keephatch Primary school failed to improve and Southfield School failed to open for the new term.

October

The list of development sites was published (and Dinton was on it in the worst possible way, so some nifty “explaining” was going to be needed). But it was promptly made to look irrelevant by the revelation that WBC Tories had submitted secret proposals for 15,000 home “garden village” in Grazeley.

We found later that all other garden village submissions around the country had been done in public, with support from locals from the outset.

On developments around the borough, progress on the Shinfield Eastern Relief Road was halted as the operating license was suspended.

Serious defects in new house build quality were

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In a report which blamed driver behaviour (it was an H.E. report, so it couldn’t blame H.E. behaviour, could it?), it emerged that it was going to cost pounds to fix the improvements which had been made at Junction 10 of the M4. Rather a lot of pounds as estimates of 13 to 17 million were being bandied about.

In the Executive meeting, one councillor proposed to restrict the democratic process by limiting supplementary questions, while another councillor commented that we’re “too wealthy and too white”. The explanation for the Grazeley application was apparently in a bid to win £250M of Government funding. The post-Christmas news is that the 14 bid-winning garden villages and towns are sharing £6 million – not even an “arfer” per bid.

In “that” council meeting, the Hare Hatch Sheeplands debate was streamed live, a councillor resigned the Tory whip at the end, the Independent Panel resigned the following day.

Calls for resignation of the leader seem to have fallen on deaf ears.

December

Unapologetic over their secrecy, WBC leaders seem unperturbed by questions being raised over school funding.

By residents rather than by members of the Executive or Borough Councillors that is.

Then again, perhaps it’s just the time of year and everyone’s looking forward to a few days well-earned rest.

Meanwhile, out in the real world, the whirl of Christmas events continued daily as journalism morphed into photo-journalism for most of the month. Wokingham’s Winter Carnival; Twyford’s Street Fair; Hurst’s St Nicholas event; Woodley winter extravaganza; the Living Advent Calendar; the Bikers Toy Run; the Dinton Santa run; more school nativity plays than you can imagine good coverage was given to one and all.

The best Xmas present delivered by Shute End was a new license for the kebab van along the Reading Road. Thank you and congrats to all involved in settling this long and complicated matter.

The Acton Diet – Democratic debate or farce?

AT the beginning of “that meeting” in November, there was a debate on Hare Hatch Sheeplands which went on and on and on.

However the matter is sub-judice so once the high court case is resolved, I’ll explain why I think this debate was a waste of public time and money. caveat.lector@icloud.com

18 | VIEWPOINTS

OH, MR SMITH!

A wry look at life

Abstract Expressionism show was brilliant

W

ELL it would have been if I had I managed to be there.

Many of the big names in Abstract Expressionism were there; Still, Pollock, De Kooning, Rothko, Newman, Kline, Reinhardt, Mitchell and Smith.

What!; you’ve never heard of Mitchell and Smith?

Well I haven’t actually. I’ve heard of Mitchells and Butlers.

These artists were part of the Beat generation who helped establish New York as the centre for art in the fifties.

You might question the validity or usefulness of a post-event review of a non post-modern art exhibition. Well, since we live in a post-truth world where everything is relative or simply irrelevant it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks. So if you think your view has some sort of relevance, I won’t use the word ‘meaning’ that is far too loaded, please write in and with any luck your views will be published.

The caveat is that this promise is made in a posttruth era.

I’m not going to get there. It is 10.30am on the final day and I have just visited the website which states that all the tickets have been sold but there’s a queue for anyone who fancies their chances. I wonder if a press pass would work for an article that will be published days after the event has gone home?

This really was the exhibition to visit. For the first time in more than half a century the Royal Academy has managed to concentrate all these masterpieces into a single moment in time in a single institution.

Well, the single moment was around 10 weeks but I just couldn’t get my act together with all that pre-Christmas shopping and entertaining followed by post-Christmas recovery from the said statutory celebrating. Also, you may dispute my use of the term ‘masterpieces’ if you consider these artists postmodernists. But if you thought this it would be like calling Scargill a Thatcherite. Opps.

But putting aside all these nit-picking arty arguments it was the energy of the fifties NY art world I wanted to experience. I would have settled for just a pale reflection of it captured in oil on canvas. How I would like to have been there and reminisce you with tales of cruising Fifth or FiftySeventh Street in the early hours of New Year’s Day in 1957, stepping ankle deep into fluorescent shop window lights reflecting off wet pavements and waiting for the dawn to rise majestically above the Manhattan skyline as it eclipses Paris and bohemian Montmartre.

I could have figured in the coffee bars of Columbia or mingled with the likes of Ginsberg, Burroughs and Kerouac discussing De Kooning and Reinhardt in Greenwich Village. I could have done all this but I was still in primary school during the fifties.

Sympathise with me please.

But back to the Royal Academy. These artists threw out the rule book to generate a new approach to the visual arts redefining its nature in two-way magnum opus statements of change.

Wokingham’s own Expressionist, Julian Gordon Mitchell said: “Abstract Expressionism takes us back to when people imagined painting was a heroic kind of activity. Artists were hard drinking, double denim men with paint spattered Raybans. Artists today, with their mix of irony and cool (and Bo Peep dresses), look shallow by comparison. Even if they are often rather more fun.”

If only I had experienced the exhibition it wouldn’t have mattered so much about missing New York in the fifties.

Were you there when it was all happening?

Send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper. co.uk

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, January 5, 2017

Wokingham people Magical night out for slimming duo TV magician Stephen Mulhern said that he admires the passion of Slimming World consultants Nicki and Becky, helping transform lives of their clients. JOHN WAKEFIELD finds out more

Slimming World consultants Nicki Ilbrey and Becky Acton meet TV presenter Stephen Mulhern.

W

HILE there is no magic solution to make weight loss happen at the wave of a wand, a couple of slimming experts recently received a cuddle from a top telly magician.

Nicki Ilbrey and Becky Action, two Slimming World consultants from the borough, met TV presenter Stephen Mulhern when he presented the annual Slimming World Awards.

And the pair couldn’t be happier at meeting the Catchphrase host, who helped Slimming World’s founder and chair, Margaret MilesBramwell OBE, at the gala night out.

Nicki, who runs a Slimming World group on Tuesdys at The Salvation Army Hall in Sturges Road, Wokingham, said seeing Stephen was a wonderful way to round off a great 12 months for Slimming World, as well as a brilliant way to get ready for another successful year.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our members,” she said. “They’ve lost fantastic amounts of weight throughout 2016, with many of them making their weight loss dreams come true by hitting their target weight, improving their health and confidence, and more.

“It’s so rewarding to see people being able to do things that they didn’t think possible before losing weight, whether that’s having more energy and confidence, wearing smaller clothes, taking up new hobbies, reducing medication or doing more with their family and friends.

“Every week I feel so lucky to play even a small part in people’s achievements and I felt very honoured to represent our Slimming World groups when I met Stephen.

“He was bowled over by the difference Slimming World makes to people and how it changes their lives, so meeting him has reinspired me and now I feel super motivated to support even more people in Wokingham to lead healthier, happier lives in 2017.”

And celebrity Stephen, who also presents Britain’s Got More Talent, said he was thrilled to meet Nicki and Becky at the event, held at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre.

“I’m known for my magic tricks and there was definitely magic in the air at the Slimming World Awards,” he said. “The stories I heard from people who had lost amazing amounts of weight and transformed themselves – inside and out – were so inspirational.

“So many slimmers talked about how their weight loss has allowed them to start really living and be the people that they always dreamed of being – doing things they previously thought they couldn’t, from running for miles to playing with their children and grandchildren.

“Every one of them spoke passionately about how they felt that they couldn’t have achieved everything they had or made the changes they have to eat more healthily and become more active without the support, advice and encouragement of their group each and every week. So people like Nicki and Becky are clearly very important.”

Becky, who runs a Slimming World group at The Piggott School in Charvil, also on Tuesdays, said that 2016 has been a big year for Slimming World, with the organisation welcoming hundreds of thousands of members and winning

VOLUNTEER CORNER

W

HAT is your New Year Resolution for 2016?

Do you want to be more involved with your local community?

Would you like the chance to gain more skills to help improve your employment opportunities?

Are you hoping to meet new people?

Do you want to gain more confidence and give yourself a new range of skills?

If the answer to any of these is yes, then contact us at the

awards for both its food range and Slimming World magazine, and hopes 2017 will be just as successful.

“Lots of people will be making resolutions to lose weight and improve their health this New Year. I truly believe that joining a local Slimming World group is the best way for people to lose weight and learn new habits.

“Thanks to our Food Optimising eating plan they’ll see big results on the scales without ever having to feel hungry or deprived, and they’ll discover a whole world of support and advice that’s sure to help them reach their targets – and have a lot of fun along the way, too!

“I’d love anyone who’s thinking about losing weight this January to join us.”  For more details, call Nicki on 07850 588456 or Becky on 07415 884433 or visit www. slimmingworld.co.uk

With Helena Badger Wokingham Volunteer Centre!

Volunteering has so many benefits; it’s not just about those you help, it’s about helping yourself too!

Our staff can provide detailed information on which organisations you can volunteer for and what is available.

We will come up with suggestions that best suits your interests, availability and skills.

We offer face to face meetings in our offices in Wokingham Town Centre or if work or family commitments mean you

can’t, you can complete a form online or we can chat over the phone.

There really is something for everyone!

Whether you are looking for something that only takes a couple of hours a month to fit around work or the family or you are looking for work or recently retired and would like to fill up a few days every week, there is a role that is right for you.

Opportunities are extremely varied and include; volunteering directly with

children, young people, the elderly, people with health issues and disabilities, animals, gardening, driving, befriending and sport as well as also supporting charities with their PR, marketing, HR, finance or IT functions.  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, January 5, 2017 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Inthecommunity News from your clubs and societies

Singers pay tribute to members

Above: The Twyford Singers Left: musical director Helen Styles Pictures: Neil Jackson

SOCIETY | 19

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

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

The Finchampstead Support Group of the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice

Top: Finchampstead Village Hall was packed for the quiz night Above: some of the prizes Right: the quizmaster Below: some of the organising team

Twyford Singers A Christmas concert packed with an audience of 170 people paid tribute to two long standing and much loved choir members who died recently.

Above: Alan Twyford Singers dedicated Glenny Below: their performance on Saturday, David Brown December 10, to Alan Glenny of Twyford and David Brown of Reading who died recently aged 74. Coincidentally, they were born and died within a few days of each other.

The event took place at St Mary’s Church, Twyford.

The singers’ chair Lloyd Scrivener said afterwards: “It was wonderful to have such a magnificent audience, particularly as we were remembering Alan and David. We were also thinking of our singer who is ill in the United States at the moment.”

Musical director Helen Styles said: “The choir sang really well. It’s so much more fun singing when there is a full church.”

She said their performances of the carol There is no rose with its 15th century words and Welsh carol Rhosyn Duw were especially atmospheric. Alto Sue Thomas’ solos in Handel’s Messiah were “really beautiful and musical”.

Three carols, including Te Harinui from New Zealand, performed from memory rather than using music sheets, gave great connection with the audience, added Helen. The audience had joined in enthusiastically with their carols.

Accompanist Judith Creighton’s playing was “beautiful, just fantastic,” said Helen.

Trumpeter Gregor Spowart of Woodley Concert Band and Sandhurst Silver Band drew praise for his exuberant and soaring accompaniment in The Messiah.

Audience member Barbara Reid, visiting from Glasgow said: “It was a superb concert, beautiful.

There was lovely singing, enthusiasm and expertise.

The choir looked as though they were enjoying it.”

David Brown, as concert manager, introduced the Singers’ performances for many years. He was a member from 1987. Alan Glenny, a member for over 12 years, helped produce audio records of concerts.  Twyford Singers’ Palm Sunday concert is on April 9, 2017 at St Marys Church, Wargrave.

SUE CORCORAN

AN IMPRESSIVE £1,600 was raised by members of the The Finchampstead Support Group of the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice at a charity quiz night.

The event, held at Finchampstead Village Hall, saw more than 100 people take part in the fun trivia challenge.

Over several rounds, their knowledge was tested in a

range of subjects including sport.

Guests could also take part in a fundraising raffle, enjoy a tasty buffet and also make donations for a range of drinks.

The network has been active for 40 years, raising thousands in that time and this quiz night has added to that total.

Pictures: Phil Creighton

GOOD ADVICE

What to do if you’re unhappy about something at work

I

F YOU’RE unhappy about something that your employer or a colleague has said or done, you should always try and talk about it with them.

It’s a good idea to try to sort out problems early on. If things aren’t sorted out quickly you may get angry, and this could cause bigger problems between you and your employer.

Legally, it’s also normally better to act quickly.

If you don’t, any changes to your contract or working conditions could become permanent. If you don’t do anything you may be seen to be accepting any changes, even if you protested about them.

It’s a good idea to write down your concerns and anything that happens.

This will be useful as a record and

reminder of the situation.

If you’ve been dismissed, or your employer starts formal disciplinary action against you, there is a procedure they should follow under a code produced by the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas).

As part of this, you should be given the chance to defend yourself in a meeting, and to appeal their decision.

If you can, you should do this in writing to your employer. You should explain to them why you don’t agree with their decision.

If you can, it’s often helpful to get advice so you know where you stand.

Your employer may be entitled to do what they’re doing and you may not be

able to do much to change it.

On the other hand, your employer may not be entitled to do what they’re doing, and you might be able to use your legal rights to change things.

If you’re a member of a trade union, you should always try to talk about any problems you have at work with your union official.

Part of your trade union’s role is to help sort out problems individual members have at work.

Problems can often be resolved more easily with the help of your union. But if you’re unhappy with a decision your union has made for you, then you should get advice elsewhere.

If talking about things with your

employer hasn’t worked, you might want to think about another way to sort out the problem.

One way of doing this is to put in a grievance.

A grievance is a way of more formally raising your concerns, problems or complaints about work with your employer.

Your local Citizens Advice will be able to help you.  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

20 | PROPERTY

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, January 5, 2017

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

Time capsule helps launch new Shinfield Meadows site PUPILS from a primary school helped create a lasting memory for the future at a new housing development.

The youngsters, who attend Shinfield St Mary’s CE Junior School in Shinfield, helped Linden Homes Chiltern prepare a time capsule for future residents to unearth.

It includes cinema tickets, popular books and newspaper cuttings, and will give future Shinfield Meadows residents a reminder of the past in many years to come.

Twenty children from Shinfield St Mary’s school along with PSHE teacher Paul Arnold, helped Linden Homes and Lenny Linden, the company’s mascot, bury the time capsule at the Shinfield Meadows’ development.

The site will eventually be home to a neighbourhood of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom houses, and 1 and 2 bedroom apartments.

It is one of the ways in which the company has worked with Shinfield residents, schools, councillors and businesses to mark the launch of its brand new housing development, Shinfield Meadows.

The housebuilder said that it organised and supported a range of community events during December, including the time capsule project and a stakeholder evening to officially open the Linden Homes show homes and marketing suite.

Linden Homes also provided a Christmas tree and raffle prizes for Shinfield Infant School’s Christmas Fair.

Lenny Linden also ensured the safe delivery of a 9ft Christmas tree and raffle prizes to Shinfield Infant School earlier that day in time for the Fair.

This is the second year Linden Homes has supported the school’s festive activities.

The day concluded with an exclusive evening viewing of Woodland Edge, the first phase of 3, 4 and 5 bedroom houses at Shinfield Meadows.

Attendees from Wokingham Borough Council, Finchampstead FC, Shinfield Parish Council and the University of Reading were among the first to view the show houses and marketing suite, receiving a tour from Linden Homes Chiltern’s sales and marketing director, Simon Pendlebury.

He said: “Linden Homes are committed to providing ongoing support to the wider local community in Shinfield.

“It was fantastic to welcome the children of Shinfield St Mary’s School and we hope the pupils had fun collecting their treasures to bury for our future residents to potentially find in later years.”

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

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

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

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

Property Management Services for Wokingham and beyond.

Cleaver Property Management, Ascot House, Finchampstead Road, Wokingham RG40 2NW

Above left: the stakeholder launch event; Left: Lenny Linden helps Shinfield CE Primary School pupils bury a time capsule and, above, with Shinfield Infants School

Linden Homes’ new collection of homes are part of Shinfield Parish’s development programme which, when complete, will provide 1,200 new homes, a new primary school, a food store, commercial space, recreation grounds and open spaces.

Prices for a three bedroom house start from £435,000, four bedroom house start from £515,000 and five bedroom houses from £725,000.

A number of these homes are eligible for the Help to Buy scheme, based on an equity loan of up to 20% of the property price which allows buyers to put down a deposit of as little as 5% and own 100% of the home.  For more information on Shinfield Meadows call 0118 914 5083 or visit www.lindenhomes.co.uk

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22 | HEALTH

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, January 5, 2017

Everystepcounts

HEALTH MATTERS

Personal fitness with Chris Hunt with Nicola Strudley

Get ready to own 2017!

Christmas is over and the new year has begun. What are your goals for the 12 months ahead?

CHRIS HUNT looks at how just 60 minutes can transform your 2017

New Year is here but how do we make 2017 count?

One hour will make all the difference Picture: Candace Penney/ freeimages.com

W

OW, Christmas has been and gone but let’s give ourselves a little post Christmas treat for the year ahead.

Now we have that time of the year when everyone is thinking about the next year. This week’s column is about you owning 2017. You managing your outcomes for 2017 and making sure you dictate what will happen.

I don’t want to embarrass a certain friend of mine but he made audacious claims at the start of 2016. Without going into too much detail he didn’t put the groundwork in at the beginning. He put in a considerable amount of work which is awesome but he tried to run before he could walk.

Looking at the big end goal but not working out the steps that are needed to reach that goal can be catastrophic. I am all for big goals and specifically ‘Big Audacious Hairy Goals’ as Jim Collins likes to say but they need to be realistic and also well thought through.

What do you want to achieve in 2017?

Now I believe that your life goals can be broken down into certain key areas and these areas include:  Business and Career  Financial and money  Health  Family and Friends  Romance and love  Personal growth and development  Fun and recreation  Physical Environment What areas do you NEED to and WANT to improve in in the year 2017?

Maybe you have many goals and maybe even a

How deaf friendly are local health services?

goal for every single category.

I would love for you right now to schedule in an hour like it is the most important meeting of not only your day or your week but your year.

This hour is going to be the most important hour of 2017. How about that for a head complex?

Please read these simple rules below before you start thinking about your 2017 goals:  Commit to your resolution. Make it meaningful to you.  Be realistic but dream big. You can even have a mix of both.  Develop a step by step method to achieving your goals.  Visually create your goal. See yourself achieving your goal.  Find like-minded people who are equally motivated and create an accountability group.

I have many goals for 2017 and will be spending January completely engrossed in my number one goal. No matter what I have going on every day in January; I will be spending two hours every day on this goal.

Here is my public commitment to you using the steps above:

 My first draft of my book will be finalised by the end of January 2017.  My book will be Number 1 on Amazon during 2017.  I will have my marketing plan drawn up by the end of January 2017.  I will visualise myself sitting in Waterstones signing my book for readers.  I will join a coaching programme in January 2017 to get my book out there.

There you have it my friends; I have just outlined one of my goals for 2017 and also taken some steps to make sure that it happens.  What are your goals?  What is your number one goal for 2017?  How are you going to achieve it?  A goal without a plan is just a wish.  Don’t let anything stop you from reaching your goal.

The tragedy in life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goals.

Have a FANTASTIC New Year. Honestly, 2016 has been an absolute belter to be alive.

Here’s to an even better 2017, I look forward to you joining me.

Laser donation helps improve care at Frimley Health TWO new lasers are benefiting patients at Frimley Health’s hospitals, thanks to a generous donation from the League of Friends of Heatherwood Hospital.

The group’s £40,000 gift helped purchase two Holmium lasers that will help patients undergoing treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), and those suffering from kidney, bladder and ureter stones.

The lasers provide for a much improved patient experience and offer many benefits over more invasive traditional treatments.

These include reduced pain, a shorter hospital stay, a reduced risk of infection and quicker access to treatment for emergency surgery.

Heatherwood’s League of Friends was established in 1958 and over the years has funded vital medical and other equipment for the hospital.

Members of the League of Friends visited Heatherwood to present the equipment, when medics and hospital staff expressed gratitude for their support.

Members of the Friends of Heatherwood Hospital with one of the new lasers machines that will help with surgergy at the Ascot medical centre

Chairman Roy Ryman said: “The League is proud and pleased to have been able to support the purchase of the two lasers for Heatherwood and Wexham Park hospitals to the tune of £40,000 as these are very vital pieces of equipment which will greatly benefit the treatment of

patients undergoing this specialist treatment.

“The League has a totally dedicated team of volunteers and I am pleased and honoured to be their Chairman.

“We have been well supported over many years by the general public and various organisations

and we hope this will continue as we look forward to the hospital being re-developed.

“We are totally devoted to, and supportive of, Heatherwood Hospital and shall always continue to be so, especially now that we can see an excellent future for it.”

A

TRIP to the dentist should be straightforward. But for people who are deaf, basic tasks, such as filling out a form, making an appointment, or asking about treatments can be difficult.

Healthwatch has been working with Deaf Positives Action to find out whether dental surgeries are meeting the needs of the deaf community. Mark Hooper, a Healthwatch Champion who is deaf, was a mystery shopper at 10 local dentists to find out how easy it was to access appointments and facilities.

This is what he found: “To be honest, nothing about the visits were easy. Every step was frustrating and stressful, from asking for a registration form, requesting a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter, to aftercare help. Only two dentists made an effort to improve my experience. This was simply by being friendly, showing patience and helping to book an interpreter without any fuss.”

With more than 11 million people in the UK living with some form of hearing loss, it’s important that dental services understand people’s needs. Mark suggests five ways that dental surgeries should improve to help deaf people: Deaf awareness training for staff. By understanding Deaf people and their needs, staff would be able to build better relationships with their patients. If staff are confident about communicating with deaf people, they may feel more relaxed. Every patient wants to be greeted by relaxed and welcoming staff, deaf people are no different.

Provide information that deaf patients understand Under the Accessible Information Standard (AIS), dental surgeries that provide NHS services must ensure that people who are deaf are provided with information in a format that makes sense to them. This applies to hearing parents that have deaf children or deaf parents with hearing children.

Every deaf person has individual needs. Some deaf people will need a registered BSL interpreter; others may rely on lip reading instead. The important thing is that the dentist has a duty to find out what needs a patient has and to make sure support is provided.

Advances in technology There are still barriers to relying on remote interpreting services, for example if the Wi-Fi connection is poor. Online interpreting services should not replace face-to-face interaction, but it can be useful in an emergency or to book appointments. For example one receptionist assumed the appointment was for me and not my son; online BSL would help to clear this up.

Understanding the risks Dental services gave me information in a written format. For some deaf people written English is not easy to understand, as their first language is BSL. There is a risk that the patient won’t understand what they are signing.

Aftercare was another issue. Some dentists gave me a card with a date and time written on it, but it didn’t tell me what the follow up appointment was for.

Making it easier to feedback It isn’t widely known, but patients can complain about a bad experience to the Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS).

Complaints usually have to be made in writing, which is not always possible for those whose first language is BSL. Dental surgeries could make this easier by having information in an easy read format.

To see the report, visit www.healthwatch.co.uk/ resource/access-nhs-dental-services-what-peopletold-local-healthwatch

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, January 5, 2017 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

CALLING ALL YOUNG READERS!

EDUCATION | 23

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Luckley pupils help foodbank spread festive cheer PUPILS at a Wokingham school used Advent to organise a special giveaway.

Instead of opening doors on an Advent Calendar, the children from Luckley House School brought in food to be donated to the Wokingham Foodbank.

Every day during the first 12 days of December, pupils and staff gave items for the collection, which was then taken to the foodbank on the final day of term before Christmas.

It was not the only event the school organised to give back for Christmas: a festive jumper day held in the final week of term raised more than £100.

The school’s deputy head, Claire Gilding-Brant, (pictured with some Year 7 pupils) said: “I hope this makes a real difference to families in need this Christmas.”

At school or college? 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

Coding geniuses come from Wokingham school TALENTED youngsters at a Wokingham school showed their skill at the latest computer technologies by storming an international competition.

More than 5,000 pupils from across the globe took part in Grok Learning’s Code Quest 2016.

The five-week competition saw them use BBC micro:bit computers to create computer code (instructions that run programmes) of increasingly complexity.

The micro:bit computers are small machines about 2in long and have a screen of just 25 red LED lights that can flash messages. It can also be linked to a monitor for more complex challenges.

The low-cost computers have been sent out to schools to encourage pupils to discover how easy it can be to create computer code.

During the contest, a new challenge was issued each week with the complexity increasing over the five weeks.

Grok Code Quest is aligned to the computing national curriculum and there were four different levels for the contest.

Students from Holme Grange School in Wokingham were just some of the entrants and organiser said that five of its students came first in their division.

A spokesperson for Grok Code Quest said: “A young student from Holme Grange School in Wokingham recently performed outstandingly in the international competition.

“More than 5,000 students from around the world participated in Grok Learning’s Code Quest 2016. They competed for five weeks, using code to solve problems of increasing complexity.

“Several students from Holme Grange did a remarkably good job among the 5,000+ participants worldwide, including five students coming first in their division.

“Computer science skills are critical, whether you want to cure cancer, solve global warming or unlock the secrets of the universe, and it’s really good to see these students making such a positive start.” n For more on the scheme or to have a go at coding, log on to groklearning.com

We’d be Lion if we said George’s Christmas present was pawful

By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE OPERATORS behind Wokingham’s popular Lion and Leopard bus services proved they can also be Santa’s little helpers after making a boy’s festive wish come true.

The six-year-old, called George, is a massive fan of the gold-coloured buses that link Wokingham with Bracknell and Reading.

His Mum, Julie, had contacted Reading Buses ahead of Christmas with what she said was a ‘strange’ request.

She said that George had requested a “toy Lion bus” as “Santa can make anything”.

Helping Santa out, she asked the company: “Are you able to tell me whether you sell anything that might be suitable?”

Sadly the company does not currently produce toy versions of their brightly coloured buses, so instead invited the family to visit its Great Knollys Street depot in Reading.

The site houses the company’s fleet and has a massive bus wash, which is a popular attraction during its annual open days.

George came to the depot accompanied by his brother Luke and his father and grandfather and was given a grand tour of the facility.

They were shown around the workshop and control room, as well as being driven around the yard on a lion bus. The little boy was also presented with one of the

Luke (left) and George (right) enjoy their visit to Reading Buses depot Picture: Reading Buses

original cuddly toy lions – bought to promote the buses and route.

Reading Buses said that George and his brother ‘absolutely loved’ the day exclaiming that their friends wouldn’t believe where they had been.

They were full of questions which were fielded by Reading Buses Marketing and Communications Manager, Jake Osman.

Mr Osman said: “We were taken

by George’s mum’s request, but

couldn’t fulfil it as we don’t sell toy buses. However, we knew we could help make his Christmas by giving him a private tour of the depot as well as presenting him a lion toy.”

And the visit filled Mr Osman with festive cheer.

“I’ve shown a lot of people around, including those working in the industry, and they had more questions than anyone - they were fascinated by how we run the company and all the brightly coloured buses,” he added.

“It is great to showcase our company to a fan like George, though we would encourage people who want to know more about our company to join us on our annual charity open day in the summer.

“We will be announcing the date in the New Year, but it’s usually around the end of June or beginning of July and people can book onto our tours of the workshop and control room to get the inside scoop on all we do.”

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

November 17, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October 13,8, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October 27, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER 24, December 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER | LEISURE 30 26 24

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NONAGRAM NONAGRAM NONAGRAM NONAGRAM

O G Y T F O S N A O A S B O

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9 10 C 11 V O A E 22 21 22 23 24 21 23 23 24 21 22 23 24 24 21 22 22 23 21 24 21 22 23 24 R E N I R

12 12 12 12 12 12

I R SL SE Q U S C R U T H A S I R L C N W

13 13 13 13 13 13

13 E T 26 25 26 25 25 26 25 26 25 25 26 26 T A N

Each number in our Cross Code grid represents different letter Each Eachnumber numberin inour ourCross CrossCode Codegrid gridrepresents representsaaaaadifferent differentletter letter Each number in our Cross Code grid represents different letter Each number in our Cross Code grid represents different letter of the alphabet.

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MAGIC MAGIC SQUARE MAGIC SQUARE SQUARE

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FIVE ALIVE FIVE FIVE ALIVE ALIVE FIVE ALIVE RI LE AL GA LA EA HN AR IO

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SUDOKU SUDOKU SUDOKU

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67 949 2 1 7 4 49 35 6 582 154 8 634 16 768 2 1 253 4

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6 2 1 8 6 9 42 6 75 86 18 1 6 97 4 21

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68

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3 5 14 1 4 7 2 478 3 98 72 6 55 4

4 39 9838 14 9 5962 8 63 28 61 2 44 1 973

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HARD SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU HARD HARDSUDOKU SUDOKU

4 444

5 555

6 666

7 777

8 888

9 999

10 10 10 10

11 11 11 11

12 12 12 12

13 13 13 13

SOLUTIONS SOLUTIONS SOLUTIONS

1 Q 2 J 3 T 4 L 5 C 6 V 7 P 8 O 9 A 10B 11E 12Y 13Z I B P H C S S R W B W U V G Z A L M K Q T S G X E U LS J H V R M D X B I R U A V E L F T M Z P D S Q Y X A O P F J Y T Q K U S D V B O Y J A C F T U D C A H I C Q X X B G F N E O C W V G N E M 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 14 15 15 16 16 17 14 15 16 17 18 18 19 19 20 20 21 21 22 22 23 23 24 24 25 25 26 14 16 18 19 21 23 26 14 14N 15 15 16X 17 18 19D 20 21I 22 23S 24 24K 25 25R 26 G M W H U F X W M Q N F O E D A H P Y ZL 17 K D F 20L N I 22K Q W J TJ 26W Q S P J Y C K G R O Z H M T L N V E F JJ R IT D U A E L B V N H M X D U Q S I M P X K H E N F B IG N Y Y Z O T R P H W G V Z U W P O K

265 8 9 4 81 6 5 7 92 7 3 883 5 6 73 92 28

MAGIC SQUARE: MAGIC SQUARE: MAGIC SQUARE: MAGIC SQUARE: MAGIC SQUARE: goal; once; ache; slim; upon; lobe; ibis; oust; user; semi; tusk; sole; brim; race; icon; hang; aloe; norm; abed; bole; élan; mind; idea; game; arid;neon; ming; leer. mesh. trip. knee. mend. gems. dent. dank. edge.

WORD PYRAMID: WORD WORD PYRAMID: PYRAMID: WORD WORDPYRAMID: PYRAMID: Immersion heater.

Once more for luck.

The after.

Double indemnity.

One moment in time.

Pelican crossing.

Caught and bowled.

Castles in the air.

On morning the road to ruin.

EQUALISER: EQUALISER: EQUALISER: EQUALISER: EQUALISER: Clockwise fromtop top Clockwise from top Clockwise from top Clockwise from Clockwise from left divide; add;top multiply; left divide; multiply; left––––add; divide; subtract; left divide; left – multiply; subtract; multiply. divide; add; add; subtract; multiply; divide; subtract; multiply; multiply; subtract; divide; multiply; subtract. subtract; divide; Total: 10. Total: subtract.

Total: 12. add.

8. subtract.

14. add.

Total: 2.5. 3.

Total: 6. add.Total: Total:

718 3 7 4 18 739 416 584 3 5 6 7 3 4 59 8 9 946 5 1

EQUALISER EQUALISER EQUALISER EQUALISER 246498 14 5359 16 12 12 15 11 369727 4324165 7217412 18 2433625 4238463 10 614575 42143763 24163213 10 1402857 2419642

6 3 15 92 24 395 89 74 41 26 78 15 92 549 36 27 14 36 6779 47 91537 88 58 42 29 35 71 6 68 4 12 643 8 71 5 82 1 83 8 92 44 36 27 73 18 67 9167 5 246 14 835 81 43 58 83494 35 72285 52 14 29 51 35 669 8 87 3 91 1 72 6 7 79 2 99 711 7198 17 85 59 536 925 32 634 67 296 48 478 24 674 43 71 925 46342 185 39863 94 63 87 12 51 29 33 352 818 13 175 918 791 4242 962 88 484 69635 26 87 397 93 1957 271 8469 745 76 63 28 51 52 282 88 656 52 47 71 33 267 795 16 84 21 43 65 52 98 58828 639 6374 45 92 37 85 469 17 111 33 79 24 94 932 64 34 44 283 745 658 92 547 39 83 35716 8827191 167 4165 276 14 72 99 8879 51 53 66 358 81 849 195 34 83 26 227 77 7212 682 21161 556 4658 619 37 7595 968 9913 37 68 53 84 484 97 72 59 149 677 543 721 78 842 6896 493 468 569 15 154 74935 92 15316 321 83 51 3788 24 22 835 93548 94 521 82 34 54 69 85 34177 931 9283 768 58722 273 69 8679 416 4466 827 1357 58 15

5 3 962 418 6 5 179 6 791 3 29 2 38 1 5 3 4 7 2 3 68

Hard Hard Hard Hard

Each Each row and each column must contain the numbers 111to to 9, and so must each 333xxxxx33 box.

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2 222

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CROSS CODE CROSSCODE CROSS CODE CROSS CODE CROSS CROSS CODE 2 3

33333 3

11 111

22222 2

E T T N R L E S R M L E N I E

Spell out 15-letter word or Spell Spell out 15-letter word or Spellout outaaaaaa15-letter 15-letterword wordor or Spell out 15-letter word or Spell out 15-letter word or phrase by moving from one phrase by moving from one moving from one phrase by moving from one phrase phrase by by moving moving from from one one TII N O chamber H chamber to another within another within chamberto toanother anotherwithin within R chamber to another within N H chamber to another within the the pyramid.

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R S O H E M EI A N M O R C IS O LIT E G N

EASY SUDOKU EASYSUDOKU EASY SUDOKU EASY EASY EASYSUDOKU SUDOKU

11111 1

R E N A II H C IT R M B W I L

WORD PYRAMID WORD WORD PYRAMID PYRAMID WORD PYRAMID

965 7 723 2 632 1 597 6116 15 38 889 9 29 3 8 9 3441 831 7216 54 9 251 3 385 2 6647 797 8 425 176 4 942 216 6 397 9 51 83 884 59479 32 63 15 94 6 7 1 6127 21 29683 778 17352 958 4 143 8 474 5 351 82 9 576 64 879 3 18 1 484 9 78 86 23 69 92 4 5 2 89422 24 12613 17 3754 46 96139 52 53275 357 45968 78 1 616 7 837 6 941 797 8 274 56 19 37326 56 95 242 13541 4 75 15 4 8 98137 29 8685 66 6 932 1 573 89 9 1434 74188 382 2 423 5 69 911 4 36 669 7 58172 55 947346 1372858 98 46 28985 69 5421 871437 42 4 72359 212 3 385 254 1 321 7 6997 6 5176 2 1394 4432 5 8685 3 9828 4753 8 3 4 8 1 9 2 6 5 7 7 4 8 3 5 9 2 6 29 3 1 5 4 9 7 8 6 2 5 8 6 1 7 3 9 18 459 673 7275 9 4382 8964 2 3426 5691 1 68479 3 4 1 9 7 8 2 5 9 3 5 6 134 6 8 9 3 5 3 778 2 21 7 426 8 6 1 5 4 381 97 82 82997 5 48 863 63546 3 25 479 24 14 37 42 8 8166 946 4 78135 512 7 3 9 25971 675 2 1913 624 1 46 59275 5211 34 77 8 938 8532 6 93 86 9 37 5 52549 668 1 1 4 9752 27493 84168 716 6 49387

120 82 17 8

31 LEISURE | 27 25

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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD CRYPTIC CRYPTIC CROSSWORD CRYPTIC CROSSWORD CROSSWORD CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

11111 11 1

12 21

2222 2 2

5 77 98988 99 89

11 11 11 910 11 12 11 10

3

3

24 4

6

9 910 10 10

11 11 11

11 11

13 13 13

14 15 16 13 16 1415 17 14 15 16 16 18 16 17 18

19

18

18

17

17 17 17

18

21 20 20 21 22

55555 5

7

10 12

12 10 12

13 13

12 12 12

12 15 15 15 22

16 16 15 16 17

17 17

18 19 18 18 19

22 22

56 5

666 666

10 10

8

10 10 15

14

16 16 16 16

20

17 17

23

1716 1717 17

20 19 20

18 18

21 21

21 21 23 21 23

12

14 16 16 19

19 19 18 2019 19 26

777 777 7

9 9

13 11 13 14 13

14 14 13 13 14 15

47

8 8 10

21

21

20

21 21 21

24 22 22 24 32 24 24

35 5

22

23 23 23

22 19 22 24

444 4 4 8 888

10 10 10 11

13 13 13 16

13 13 15 11 12 12 14 13 13 11 13 14 13 14 14 15

20 20 20 21

333 3 3

23 25

21 25 23 25

23 23

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Apricot tart contains cheese (7) 16. victory before 17.Promising Ring for legal aid?

(4,3,6) 12.

Review when total has 14.One I come in two toofjoin the military out of is average (3) 15.

Small piece poetry 19.

Fit toain drink, according to (7) 10. wild horse Jack, being visual, 16. being Has row, being more biscuit (8) (7) flying (2,3,3) What might be left inisthe fire blazes (7) 20.

Language that isis written (6)mince 19.

Means ofdebt igniting the boat All the confusion deadly (6) 13. mother 20.

Gourmet gave pie to risen (3,2) man (7) accepted (7) river board (7) 14.

It’s for keeping locks in(6) (3) consumed by beggars humorous (7) impetuous 20.down Father’s is adequate (8) 12. after the fifth ofactivity the month!

(8) (7) 16.Food Global fiIeld 15.

In the plan I of must have (7) fur 15.

Rum lot removed 20.Look Main road dry went andone withered (4) 16.

21.

Itpriest is understood 21.

Who turned, first and 15.Stop Winespeaking vessel from service 18. to illuminate beam (11) place upset by theaduring rain when it’s (7) 21.

Penny had no work on deck (4) hostility (6) 18 & 20.

Short time – a gap of 14.

Depose from offi ce – or a 17.

Modern vessel in commotion (7) 15.

No, Lisa, another girl (6) 16.

Extra particular (7) First worker is 21.disregarded Icried? canmale become a Peruvian discretion (4) 21.

Crazy, ran round in Swiss (6) in church (6)marvellous 15. tightly Pair point to closed (4,2) 22.Accept Tenmore out to be back to back 16. no than 60should minutes saddle (6) It’s the talk ofcondiment some Nottinghamshire (6) 19. that one 22.

Tries to abandon dreadful unyielding (7) Indian (4) 16.

Go forfor each town (7) sectional building (6) 16.

Pays the goodies, as(6) 22.

Place for(4,2) growing plants, 17.

Hebrew judge doing badly in Uganda (7)notes 16.Pants Two bills one(6) gets over a 23.resume Understand I 17. for instructions (6) (2,3,5,2,2,4) Highlanders Christian name to make 18.

In charge of journalist who 15.

Piecemeal instructions?

(6)(6) 17.

Key 4 Down bent eagerly Thoughts cast aside (5) 22.

Brazilian diplomacy was doctor does in hospital (6) going round the east (6) centrally heated home?

(8) tree (6) composed about a 22.

See about river that has 22.

Man coming back in suit on from fiTunis eld (8) 22.

Excavated the Honest, principal combatant 17.

Messenger holding the 23. delivery Itemsto from (5) French 20. is frozen (4) used prevent crowd 19.

Ringleader leaves the crowd 20. Against Lamb ambitiously trapping 20.

Lure another ten with biological process dried up (4) engulfed tidal wave 16. the(6) Spanish having 18.was I narrow sellincluded warped thread (5) (5) 24.

Tap-dance shoe?

(4)(9) ground toby start with (3) (7) the 17. aaSaturn good standard?

19.

Giant satellite near (5) 24.

Revolutionary loaf?

(4) trouble (4,3) stripin of leather 19.

Running problem streaker aTension deer (5)requires (6)one’s 24.diamonds Because of moral to screen such material (6) deal of restraint (6) suspension of hostilities (5) a 24.

Uncommonly fi ne (4) 23.

Provided food that reacted 19.

Understood that Tom was does not have!

(6) 21.

Some prodding done with 23.Del Turned out during the case 19.

Fold Penny left before tea Deliberately damaged old 25. and Rodney perhaps 23.

The man accepts nothing 25.

Truth coming from cockney 23.

Marines removed from 21. Extinct volcano starts flaring standards concerning the 21.

(6)sick trapped an (3) 17. to computer studies (5) (7)feet for study meeting (8) cane (3) break (5)warning boats found wrecked first (8) (9) 23.

Aup gold-plated paddle (3)(4) fiterribly nd atheir (8)amphibian 25.Leftie Toy prop (9) 22.Observe Herb makes many but garden implement (3) lady entering another 19.

Right demand (5) discussion class (7)cavity up –ajolly interesting (4) head, say (2,9)

QUICK QUICK CROSSWORD QUICK CROSSWORD CROSSWORD CROSSWORD QUICK

1111 1

121 2

222 2

232 3

333

343 4

4544 54

777 7 810 88 10 98

99

10 10 10 10

11 11 11 11

12 12 13 13 11 12

14 14 12

17 17 16 16 17

16 16 16

911 11 99 11 11 11 11 11

13 13 15 13 15 13

15 15 13

21 21 21

19 22 19 22 19

23 23 26 26 23 29 29 29 29

24 24

27 27

25 25 26

28 28 28 28 28 28 27

28 28

29 29

31

31 31 31 32 31

31 31

676 77

7877 87

98988

88

10 10 10

10 10

12 12

12 12

13 13 13

14 14 14

14 16 14 16 14 14

15 15 15 15 15 15

16

18 18

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

25 25

29 29 31 31

6766 76

22 22 22 22 22

22 22

26 26 25 26

565 6

18 17 17 18 17

17 17 18 19 19

19 18 19 18 20 20 18

65655

30

24 24 26 25 25 24 26 24 24 26 25

27 27 27 26 26

30 30 30

27 27 28

30 30

30 30 32 32

33

32 32 32

26.

(4) ACROSS 27.Remain Forceful forward ACROSS 21.

Semitic 23.

Ill-behaved child 28.

Plant with long Apportion (4) (4) ACROSS ACROSS 26.

Like the yellow 21.

Unconscious Biblical psalmist (5) 28.

ACROSS flowof (6) 1.US Insurance 2. politician language (6) spiky flowers (5) Hanging bed (7) part an egg Cord worn round 1.

Acrobatic state (4) One expected to 1.

Sixty seconds (6) 2.

Graze (7) food 25.

Biblical story (7)(5) Steep cliff (9)(7) Assimilate (6) 28.

1.

Bank account 29.

Learned expert (6) 28.

Cud-chewing contract (6) 22.

Navigation aid (5) 29.

Twelve inches (4) the neck (7) movement (9) lose for (8)(6) 7.

Simple mistake 29.

Habit (6) 23.

Gone by (4) 4.

Starry deficit (9) Text giant (4) 26.

Pressing (6) 9.

7.

Lowest part(6) of(4) 29.

30. Evil Soup dish (6) mammal (5) 4. Apart Goodfrom luck 30. General Very friendly 23.

Incandescence (4) 26.

Policeman (inf.)(8)(7) (6) 9.

Irregular (6) (4)(6) 25.

6.

Shrub (4) 30.

Nonsense (inf.)

(6) 8.

Move slowly broadcasting pardon 8.

Soften (6) ship (4) 9.

Epistle (6) 31.

Lithe (6) Lies (anag.)

29.

Sort (4) 10.

Religious figure (4) 30.

29.

Frozen drip charm (6) 31.

Shelter (3) 26.

Stitched (4)(4)(6)(6) 29. Price Bound 10.

Excess body fat 26.

Card game (3) 8.

Young hog (6) 31.

Precious metal 9.

(7) list(4)(6) 10.

High-kicking 8.

French cleric (4) 30.

Declining (6) 8.Machine-like Scottish loch (6) 32.

Shellfish (6) 10.

Small stone At liberty (4) 30.

Stratford’s river (4) 11.

Undersized pig (4) 31. person (7) 28.

Draw (7) (inf.)

(4) 30. Stupid Labour (4) 9. dance Cartridge (8) 10.

Very busy (6) (6) 32.

Derided (6)(8) (4) 29. particles 10.

(4)(4) 31.Fine South American 10.

Bullfighter (6) particles 33.

Abstinent DOWN 9. Merely Clothing (7) 31.

Loiter 12.

Listen (anag.)

29.

Ended (4) 11.

Immense (4) (6) DOWN Plan of(6) action (6) 10.

Anger 11.

Prestige 11.

Bare (5)(4)(5) country (6) DOWN 11.

Relating to 30.

Oil reservoir (4) DOWN 12.

Protuberance (4) 1. Society Expel from a(9) 11.

(4) 30.

American 32.

Dare (9) 12. Expensive Cut a (6) 10.

Tuft (4)tooth Postpone (5) girl (6) 13.

Forming a (5) line 12.

Endangered (6)(7) 31.

1.

Tribe (4) 32.

Only (6) warships 12.

Relax (6) 2.

Ark builder (4) 1.

Confidence Western French country (6) 15.

Navy university (4) DOWN 13.

Fix in(5) 14.

Power of 12.

12.

Time ofthe fasting (4) 14.

Uncivilised (6)(6) DOWN 16.

Poisonous tree 12.Searched Move unsteadily (6) DOWN 3. Nimble, Christian 14.

Most pleasant city (6) admiral 2. agile (4) 2.

British (6) 2.

Gaudy (6) 17.

Small (6)(6) 31.

Contradiction (7) memory (7) (6) On fire, glowing (6) speech (5) deeply 1.

Roof of the 14.

Cover, dress 16.

Retain (4) festival (6) 15.

Conductor’s 2. Bite Regain aworker loss 17.

Perfumed 16.

Informer (inf.)

(4) 32.

Numbing (9) 3.

Leather (6) 3. gently (6) (6) Israeli currency (6) 3.

DOWN 16.

Honey drink (4) Tunic (6) 17.

Lecherous look (4) 18. teenager (6) mouth (6) 16.1960s Danger (4) 13.

Warned (7) 17.

Card with three 4.

Be indecisive (6) stick (5) powder (4) 3.

Population 17.

Open pie (4) DOWN 5.

Sports grounds Peaked cap (4)(6) 17.

Ancient Roman 4.

Hampshire town 18.

Part of(4) agarment 5.

Roman emperor (6) 2.Restrain Rumble (anag.)

(6) 17.Golden Roman (4) 1. an spots 19. fruit (6) 5.

Mirth (4) 16.

Rubber tube (4)(4) 17.

Give anof account count (6) 18.

Border cloth (3) 4.

19.

Church service 2.

In truth (6) garment (4) 6.

Din (6) telephone (8) 2.

Smack (4) 5.

Formerly (4) 3.

Resort in south 19.

Port side (4) animal (6) 6.

Container for Russian 19.

Wing part 21.

Cultivator (6) of (6) 17.

Top of a building (4) 4.

Mother oragain 20.

Remove 22.

(4) 18.

Felt hat (3) Lawbreaker (8) of to France (6) 3. bed 22. Pace Spool 3.

Go over (6) 6. Go Relating to(6) the 7.

Linear extent (6) incoming post (2-4) wolfhound (6) 22.

Child of(4) four (4) 22.

(5) (4)(3) 5.5.Prosperous father (6) moisture (3) 18.

Plaster Greek god (6) (6) 26.Genuflect European 20.

Written record side (7)(inf.)

18.

Afflict (3)(6) 24.

Weapons (4)(6) 26.

Of weddings (6) 4.

Apathy, 7. Steering Comfort in (6) 4. device Armoured 9.

Heart 26.

Wear down 23. of shoe sight (4) (4) peninsula (6) 6.Swindle Toboggan (6) 5.

Small US coin 21.

Wooden (4) 6.

19.

Therapist (6) 7.

Correct text (4)(4) East European inactivity (6) distress (6) 25. Organs Remit (anag.) vehicle (4) 27.

Anticipating (6)(5) 20.

Female sheep (3) 5.

Wing part (4)run 9.

Redeye fish (4) 27.

Dissimilar (6)

10. an angle (7) (6) 7.At Small spade 5.

Foyer (4) 6.

No longer alive (7) 10.

American coin (4) 8.

Acted 11.

Choose for 6.

Frighten badly 10.

Person who Gloomy (4)(4) fraudulently 11. (anag.)

(7) office (5) 6.9.Tactile Scottish resort (4) 13.

Cold vegetable entertains 7.

Counterfoil (4)(9) 7.

Untidy state (4) 10.dish Discretion (4)(5) 12.

Jeans fabric (5) Wild African pig Involve (9) 10.

13.

(7) (7) 13.

Marsupial 8.

Willingness to 8. Dishevelled Impasse (9)(5) 13.

Large feline (5) 13.

Reimburse (5) (5) 15.

Move stealthily believe (9) 11.

High voice (7) 15.

Able be 14.

(7)(4) 14.

Twinge 15.Depict One to who 13.

Fourfold (9)eyes 14.

Animal doctor (3) 18. Affirming Counting frame 13.

(9) (5)(6) bribed (5)(7) 13.

Support lasciviously 15. lightly 15. Touch Full amount 14.

Simple (4) (5) 15.

Tusk material (5) 14.

Irish Gaelic (4) 19.

Prayer book (6) 18.

Lodging, 18.

South American 14. Sum Interject (5,2) 16.

(5) 18.

Parasitic insect 15.

Lively dance (5)(4) 16. Tenet Rub out (5) (6) registering plain (6) 15.

(5) 20.

Judean princess, 15.

Thorny shrub (5) 20.

Glossy coat (6)(4) 19.

Light18.

Aromatic plant (4) One who denies Conifer (3) daughter of 19.

European 18.

16. Unfortunately Not at all (5) heartedness (6) himself (7) Herodias (6) country (6) 21. Felt Severity 21. hat (7) (6) (7) 19.

Perfumed 19.

Jeered 20.

Roof beam (6) 20.Squalid Act as 21.

(4) (6) 20.

Slave toarea a(6) habit Courage (6) 22. Relaxing Wrecker 22.

Astounded (6) 24.

22.

Rich cake substitute (4,2) 21.

Danger (6) (6) 22.

Large vessel (4) (4) 21.

Dried bog fuel 23.

Detest (6) exercise (4) 23.

Stomach Evergreen shrub (6) 21.

Story (4) 23.

Yellow fruit (6) 24.

Feel affection 24.

With hands on 23.

Explosive (6)(4) 22.

Discontinue (4)(4) enzyme (6) 22.

Italian capital 25.

Garden hut Attempting (6) (4) 24.

Nearly (6) 25.

Distort (4) hips (6) 23.Slide Allow (6) 24.

Flower part (6) 24.

Steal small 23.

Excessively (6)(4) 26. sideways Select (4) 27.

Chap (inf.)

(4)(4) 26.

River of Hades (4) 27.

Regimen (4) 24.Skating Wolfish (6) quantities (6) 27. floor 24.

Remove clothes (6) 27.

25.Colleague Hairy (6) 28.

Wheel covering 27.

Droop (4) Wealthy (4)(4) (6)(4) Sicilian volcano (4) 25.

Tallied (6) 28.

Melt (4)miserly 25.

More

Down ––21Limpid; 32Plodder; 43In-off; 5 Gallant; 6 6Cross; 7 Sleigh;8 anew; fawn; flaw; flew; hawse; hewn; Brogue; Wyvern; Nathan; 4 15 Recoil; Cold storage; army; artery; arty; arum; erratum; eyra; 6Down Scampi; Straight actor; 1313 Jocular; Alison; 16 Treats; 17 abet; cense; censer; censor; cere; ceresin; alee; allee; allow; aloe; alow; also; Tumble; 10 Seeing that; 12 Equal; 15 Modicum; 16 Shut up; 17 17 alibi; anti; aril; bail; bairn; bait; balti; actin; action; alto; anti; antic; atonic; clime; coelom; come; income; lemon; 6 Kidnap; 797 Break one’s word; Fireman; 15 Animus; 16 Gaelic; abut; abutter; ATTRIBUTE; bait; Transcribed; 8Purchased; Bold as brass; 13 16 Special; 17 Gideon; Cuckoo; 10 Each; 1412 Colliery; 15 Macaroon; 16 Sphere; Astute; 10 Mauritania; 12 Sum up; 15 Turmoil; 16 Pepper; Artichoke; 12 Mustang; 14 Hairnet; 15 Prefab; 12 Cohabit; 14 Soldier; 15 Carafe; 16 Acacia; 18 Lisle; 19 Pleat. aegis; ageist; agister; airer; arise; arris; Isle of 20 Wight; 10 Par; Egg; 14November; Unseat; 15 Recipe; 16 Velvet; 17 mare; lawn; news; NEWSFLASH; sawn; Strain; 19 Claim. marque; MARQUETRY; marry; Briefs; Truce; 23 cerise; cess; cesser; cession; cine; easel; else; hale; hall; hallow; halo; bill; birl; blain; blin; blini; brail; brain; 17 Bearer; 19 Tacit. cant; canto; cation; clint; clot; lime; limen; limn; limo; loom; melic; 19 Titan; 21 Fuji.

Newark; 18 Iced; 1923Oar. Stitch; Keenly; 20 Bambi; Hoe. 22 Dill. bare; barite; bate; batt; batter; battier; Ideas; 19 Thong; 21 Rod. artier; astir; gait; gaiter; girt; gist; gîte; Notice. sewn; shaw; shawl; shew; slaw; slew; martyr; mater; mature; maturer; merry; coin; coiner; coir; cone; core; corn; heal; heel; hell; hello; hole; holla; brill; BRILLIANT; ital; lain; lair; lari; liar; COALITION; coat; coati; coital; coition; melon; meno; mesic; meson; mesonic; battue; bear; beat; beau; beaut; beta; gratis; grist; grit; irate; raise; raiser; swan; swash; wale; wane; wash; weal; mure; murre; murrey; quarry; quart; corse; cosier; cosine; cossie; cress; hosel; howl; lase; lash; leal; lease; libra; lilt; lint;milo; lira; nail; rail; rain; rani; colt; coolant; coot; into; iota; ital; italic; mien; mile; mince; mine; miso; bier; biretta; bite; biter; bitter; brae; REGISTRAR; resit; rise; riser; rite; sari; wean; wels; welsh; whale; when. quarte; quarter; query; rare; rate; leash; lose; sale; sallee; sallow; seal; crone; cross; crosse; encore; icon; rial; tabil tail; tian; tibia; tibial; till;site; licit; lint; location; loot; loti; lotion; moil; mole; moline; mono; monocle; brat; bruit; brut; brute; butt; butte; sati;rill; satire; serai; sierra; sire; sitar; ream; rear;nice; rearm; retry; tamer; tare; seel; selah; sell;nicer; shale; shall; shallow; necrosis; niece; once; trail; train; trial; tribal; trill. octal; ontic; onto; oolitic; otic; taco; mooli; moon; moose; noisome; nome; butter; rebut; tabi; tabu; tribe; tribute; stagier; stair; starrier; stir; stirrer; stria; tarry; tear; teary; term; terry; shawl; shell; shoal; slaw; slew; sloe; oncer; oscine; recess; RECESSION; tail; talc; talon; tian; toco; toil;tram; tonal; omen; osmic; semi; SEMICOLON; tuba; tube; tuber; turbit. tarrier; tarsier; terai; tier; tiger; tire; tray; trey; true; truer; tyre; urate; urea; slow; sola; sole; swell; wale; wall; recon; rice; scene; scion; scone; tonic; tool; toon. simoleon; simoon; slim; slime; smile; triage; trier; trig. yare; yurt. weal; weasel; well; wels; welsh; whale; score;year; scorn; scree; screen; senecio; solemn; some; somoni. wheel; whole; WHOLESALE. sice; since; sincere; sonic.

QUICK CROSSWORD: QUICK QUICK CROSSWORD: QUICK CROSSWORD: QUICK CROSSWORD: Across ––––1211Underdog; Digest; 447 6Astral; Script; Porker; 10 Hectic; 11 Kudos; 12 Overdraft; Letter; 10 Grit; 11 Dear; 12 13 Across Bush; Loo; 9 Cassette; 10Only; Rile; 12 Across Minute; Relent; 10 Cancan; 11 Naked; 12 Cartwheel; 99Slip; Random; 109 Flab; 11 Vast; 12 Teethe; Precipice; Except; 10 Icon; 11 Runt; 12 Tinsel; 13 Scratch; Keel; 888888Abbe; Apparel; 10 Wisp; 12Defer; Lent; Across Policy; 4 Mascot; Lomond; 10 Torero; 11Probed; Naval; 12 Across–14 –12Savage; Senator; 7Hold; Inch; Robotic; 10 12 Hump; Risked; 16 Trey; 19 Flap; 26 Abrade; Alerted; Roof; 20 Ewe; 21 Coma; 23 Past; 25 14 Voice;16 17Tyre; Leer;17 1816 Receiver; 20 Criminal; 2422 Arms; 25 Timer; 26 Loosen; 14 Nicest; Nark;1817 17Ail; Tart; 19 Mass; 22Quad; Step; 26 Bridal; Imprint; 16 Mead; 17 Toga; Fez; 20 Log; 21 Slav; 23 Mete; 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; 19 Left; 22 Reel; 26 Iberia; 27 15 Fleet; 17 Little; 18 Rocker; 19 Quince; 21 Farmer; 22 Kneel; 23 27 Unlike; 28 David; 29 Pundit; 30 Tureen; 31 32 Oyster.

Amnesty; 26 Tariff; 29 Fuzz; 30 Sump; 31 Nantes; 32 Deadening.

Yolky; 2926 Foot; 30 Intimate; 31 Lee; 32Piffle; Free; 33Svelte; Teetotal.

27 Hoping; 28 Lupin; 29 Custom; 30 31 Silver; 32 Jeered.

Lanyard; 26 Copper; 29 Tied; 30 Toil; 31 Tactic; 32 Challenge.

Parable; Urgent; 29 Type; 30 Avon; 31 Linger; 32 Debutante.

23 Glow; 26 Sewn; 28 Attract; 29 Over; 30 Yale; 31 Paradox.

Onrush; 28 Llama; 29 Icicle; 30 Ebbing; 31 Guyana; 32 Merely.

Eyes; 26 28 Hammock; Ogre; Isle; 31 Down – 1Stay; Deport; 2 Garish; 3 29 Shekel; 530 Caesar; 6 Dullard.

In-tray; Ticker; – Verily; 3 Retire; 4 Rudder; 5 Flap; 6 Terrify; Stub; Down Noah; 3 Easter; 4 Dither; 5 Glee; Borzoi; 7666Solace; 11 Down – 1 Morale; 2 Nelson; 3 Tanner; 5 Stadia; 6 Racket; 777Mess; Length; 2 Aflame; Tabard; 4 Havant; 5 Erst; Lateral; Edit; – 2 3 Census; Parent; 5 Cent; 6 Extinct; 77Oban; – Kepi; 2 3 Repeat; 4 Torpor; 5 Hall; 10 Down 12Recoup; Palate; 2Slap; Lumber; 3 Cannes; 56 Apollo; Cresta; 788 – 1 Clan; 2 3 Nibble; 4 Tether; 5 Rich; Scam; 10 9Down Rudd; 10 Host; 13Spry; Koala; 15 Vet; Venal; 18 19 France; 20 Credulity; 13 Attesting; 14 Erse; 15 Dogma; 18 Alas; 19 Scoffed; Elect; 12 Denim; Repay; 14 15 Ivory; 16 Erase; 19 Fir; 21 9 Tank; Cent; 13 Salad; 15 Creep; 18 Pampas; Abacus; 19 Missal; 20 Embezzled; 13 Implicate; 14 Pang; 15 Total; 18 Flea; Ascetic; 22 Stalemate; 13 Quadruple; 14 Easy; Galop; 18 Herb; 19 Scented; Warthog; 11 Soprano; 13 Endorse; 14 Throw in; 15 Brier; 16 Never; Trowel; 9 10 Dark; 1013 Tact; 13 Tiger; 15 Ogler; 18 Filing; 19 Levity; 20 Oblique; 11Peat; Lattice; 13 Unkempt; 14 Portray; 15 Flick; 16 Total; 20 Addict; 21 2223 23 Unduly; 24 Divest; 2527 Meaner.

Amazed; 23 Pepsin; 24 Stamen; 27Warp; Rink; 28Styx; Fuse.

Rigour; Mettle; Loathe; 24 Akimbo; 27 Diet; Etna.

Vandal; 23 Myrtle; 24 Trying; 27 Pick; 28 Rich.

Salome; 21 Slum; 22Quit; Ship; 23 Tonite; 24 Pilfer; Agreed.

22 Gateau; 23 Banana; Almost; 27 Gent; 28 Tyre.

20 Rafter; 21 Hazard; 2424 Love; 25 26 Wilt.

Fill in; 2122 Tale; 22 Rome; 23 Enable; 24 Lupine; 25 Shaggy.

Enamel; 21 Fedora; 24 Yoga; 25 Shed; 26 Skid; 2728 Ally.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CRYPTIC CRYPTICCROSSWORD: CROSSWORD: Across ––––11 Bungler; Haircut; Lesotho; 10 Dilemma; 11 Steeple; Berating; Scot; 8999Yes Pinnacle; 911 Palm; 11 Steeple; 13 Across 11111 Quarter; 8855Haulier; 10 Magenta; 11 Roulade; Across Microfilmed; 10 119Apropos; Nude; 12 Tabu; Quadrille; Damask; 12 Wholly; Starboard; 6Cost; Ria; 8 Make light ofit; it; Padre; 10 Hula-hula; Anna; 8Roost; and no; 9Onlooker; At 11 13 Across Clapping; 68 8Audibly; Ambo; 9Orlando; 10 Bird of Across 2Crackdown; Win; 5 Tricky; 79 Arisen; Golden Person; 11 12 Snaking; 14 Draw out; 18 Ricotta; 20 Epicure; 2110 Adamant; 22 Excel; 14–Implausible; 18 Had on; 19 9 Lighter; 21hello; Tact; 22 Hothouse; 12 Scorpio; 14 Leaning; 18 Actress; 20 Chinese; 21 Locarno; 22 Modified; 14 Carrot; 15 Hoists; 18 In air; 20 Sear; 22 Entebbe; 13 Machismo; 16 Sentinel; 20 Lethal; 21 Howled; 23 Digestion; 24 Almanac; 11 Rammed; 13 Thurso; 16 Hastier; 18 & 20 In the space Avast; 14 Stock market; 18 Eerie; 19 Potable; 21 Poop; 22 passage; 11 Eric; 13 Toss; 17 Call the police; 20 Passable; 21 Inca; Noodle; 13 Rumour; 16 Vowing; 18the Searchlight; 19 Take up; 20 Riot act; 23 Seminar.

24 Pump; 25 Trotters.

Tsunami; 23 Catered.

23 Units; 24 On principle.

Rare; 2521 Plaything. of an hour; 22 Dug; 23 Veracity.

Sabotaged.

Chinaman; 24 Roll; 25 22 Sere; 23 Tutorial.

Entice; Eft. Down 11 Bulls 2Ardour; 3 Lit up; Rhodes; 5Ennui; William; Bypass; 2Laser; 34 4Trampoline; Nil; 666No Down Quadruplicate; Tibia; Rhymes; 56Chancel; Gudgeon; Down 2Sam; In order; Ruth; Flotow; 54 Lollipop; 77 2 Roughage; 3Ranee; Cuddle; Dairyman; 54Datum; Wild; Papaws; ––––11 2and Asked; 32Believe; 43 Afghan; 5 Refiner; Heyday; 2bears; 3Nested; Hand-picked; 4 Len; trace;

NONAGRAM: NONAGRAM: NONAGRAM: NONAGRAM: NONAGRAM:

(1) Across Across ––– Gates; Jived;Agave; Pence; Needs.

(1) Abhor; Aging; Muted.

Valid; Ninny; Sworn.

Latin; Hulls.

Upend; Abate; Meets.

(1) Across Packs; Gismo; Nasal.

Stout.

(1) Night; Oasis.

(1) Across Across––Tramp; Month;Ounce; Spews; Rusty.

Down Japan; Venue; Diets.

Down –– Alarm; Hoist; Rigid.

Venus; Lingo; Doyen.

Loach; Trail; Neeps.

Unarm; Evade; Duels.

Down Pagan; Costs; Spool.

Gross; Tango; Spent.

Down Putts.

Down–––Tango; Miser; Aegis; Needs; Hussy.

(2) Across Across Cacti; Looms; Oldie.

(2) ––Earth; Lakes; Pearl; Ewers.

Feint; Under; Dregs.

Hyper; Virus; Stein.

Taken; Ended; Riser.

(2) Across Chart; Acorn; Grass.

Miaow; Prawn; Emend.

(2) Yokel; Torte.

(2) Across Across––––Cello; Cable; Aitch; Yokes.

Down Chord; Issue.

Down – Maple; Lapse; Knave; Sulks.

Fluid; Indie; Hives; Purge; Rosin.

Their; Nadir.

Down Clang; Aroma; Tents.

Agave; Waned.

Down Raker; Halve.

Down–––Egypt; Crazy;Kudos; Batik;Terms.

Ethos.

FIVE ALIVE: ALIVE: QUIZ CHALLENGE: John Philip 2James Taggart; 3Year West Ham United; 4Reaper; Eddie 56Canterbury; 67Sisters; 7David Spiel; 8Rose; Strawberry; FIVE Venezuela; 2Sousa; George; 3Absolute Ontario; 4343Coil; It’s A4Grim Long Way ToMurphy; 665Prendiville; Philistine; 7Hawaii; Mike 8 Stop QUIZCHALLENGE: CHALLENGE:1111Thomas Norma 222The Samaritan; 35Anchor; 4 Punctuation; 5 Kieran 6The Accidental Tourist; FIVE ALIVE: QUIZ CHALLENGE: of Cleves; Daihatsu; Mars; 5Farm; Huq; Colombian; London Cold Comfort Farm; 23Good Beginners; 3Callaghan; Thomas Telford; Bankside; 5Tony 6The Dr7Lloyd; HH Crippen; 7orSurrey; Sir Noël Coward; Dyson; James 45Konnie Old Kent Road; Scissor 6Todd; Mellor; 78cease; Tokyo; 2Major; Follicle; 32Milton The Seven Itch; The 5Tipperary; Bennett; The Mary When QUIZ Hardy; Tesco; 3Keynes; Turkey; Michael Dickinson; Barry Goldwater; 6Lambda; Four and Funeral; 7Barbados; Samuel FIVE FIVEALIVE: ALIVE: CHALLENGE: 1Anne Richmond; 2 Musk; Ronald Reagan; 44Leatherslade 54Cumbria; Sherlock Holmes; 6Weddings John 7 aMillennium Laila Morse; 979QUIZ Goliath; 10 Cecil Rhodes.

British 10 Ghana.

Monterey Roy Kinnear; 98Their The Canterbury 10 Alec Stewart.

Footbridge (the ‘Wobbly Bridge’); Ron Weasley; 9 Tales; Hairspray; 10 Venice.

8Saturday Atkinson; 9Association; A Boy; League Own; Yemen.

Burl Ives; 9Jack; The 10 of HMS Comes; 98Blue Gary 10 Pecorino.

Beckett; 8Humanist Baton Rouge; 9Kemp; (Alighieri); 1010 Hughie Green.

8Rowan Victoria Coren Mitchell; 9Dante Japan; 10Hood.

Christchurch.

Thursday, January 5, 2017 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Leisure

LEISURE | 25

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

Brian’s back for another Christie whodunit Flicka, played by Hannah Guile; The Snow Queen, played by John Lawrence; Crystalline, played by Katy Lawrence in Hurst Panto Group’s new festive pantomime, The Snow Queen

Snow wonder heading to Hurst Think panto season is over? Oh no it isn’t! JOHN WAKEFIELD finds out about the Hurst Panto Group’s upcoming show

N

OW that the festive season is coming to an end, the professional pantos are coming to an end – Snow White at the Hexagon finishes this Sunday – it’s time for the local groups to have a go.

One such cast is the Hurst Panto Group, which says it has built a sparkling reputation for fun, invention and tradition in its 14-year history.

Coming up later this month, its eighth pantomime will be The Snow Queen, a unique interpretation of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale.

Co-producer Ann Guile said: “The Snow Queen gives us an opportunity to tell a wonderful story about the true power of friendship as two childhood friends, Flicka and George, are separated by the wicked Snow Queen who wants to rule the world at any cost.

“They grow up apart – will their friendship be strong enough for them to be reunited and fulfil their destiny to restore balance to the world’s weather?”

Flicka and George are initially played

by Erin Bowe and Lulu Briggs but, as they grow up, Hannah Guile and Jack Lawrence continue their story.

“We have so many great young people in our cast, who amaze us with their singing and acting,” says Ann, “and we also have two fabulous dames.

“Joe de Mounteney is Beauty – the friendly Queen of the Southern Seas, and

John Lawrence is the wicked and imposing Snow Queen”.

“There's classic audience participation, songs for everyone and lots of clever special effects,” adds Ann. “After the success of his Cinderella script two years ago, we’re really happy that Joe de Mounteney has again been able to craft such a magical story.”

Claire Lawrence is directing, in her sixth production with the group.

The Snow Queen will be performed at Hurst Village Hall on 19-21 January at 7.30pm and at 2pm on the Saturday matinee.

Prices range from £7-£9 for seniors and under 16s and £10-£13 for others. This is a fundraising event and all proceeds will go to the Hurst Pantomime Group n For more details, or to book online visit www.hurstpanto.org.uk.

Dragon’s Egg is returning to Twyford TWYFORD and Ruscombe Theatre Group will be bringing one of their favourite pantos to the stage next week.

Written by members Pete and Elizabeth Reynolds, The Dragon’s Egg tells the story of the sad dragon who has lost his egg.

This is terrible news for him,

but great news for all those panto baddies who will be rubbing their hands with glee as they can finally get their own way.

First staged in 1994, the pantomime is one of the group’s personal favourites and is set to delight audiences young and old alike.

Performances take place at Loddon Hall, Twyford on January 12 and 13 at 7.45pm, and January 14 at 2pm and 7pm.

Tickets start from £7.

To book call the Box Office on 0118 328 2825 or visit www.ticketsource. co.uk/twyrusdrama.

L

EGENDARY actor and director Brian Blessed will be returning to direct another Agatha Christie ‘whodunit’ at a theatre in Sonning later this year, it has been revealed.

The booming star of stage and screen will return to The Mill at Sonning, less than a year since his last residency, to direct the crime-writer’s classic Spider’s Web between July 6 and August 26.

Blessed’s wife, Hildegard Neil, and daughter Rosalind Blessed, graced the Sonning stage last autumn in the comedy-thriller The Hollow, and Brian himself will return to the dinner theatre on January 22 for his one-man show and Q&A session An Evening With Brian Blessed.

Spider’s Web is billed as an evening complete with intrigue, lies, murder and mystery – all the classic ingredients of a Christie classic.

Clarissa has a vivid imagination but not even she could be prepared for the moment she stumbles upon a bloody corpse. Desperate to dispose of the

body before her husband comes home with an important foreign politician – a man on his way to secret talks at 10 Downing Street! – Clarissa persuades her three house guests to become accessories and accomplices.

But then the web of deceit becomes even more tangled as a mysterious phone-call tips off the police and brings the determined Inspector Lord to the scene.

Clarissa soon realises he is convinced that one of them is the killer and finds her talent for storytelling put to the test as she fights to keep her friends and family from suspicion.

At the same time her own life is in dire danger as the search for the real murderer comes closer and closer to being revealed.

Tickets for Spider’s Web are on sale now from £46, which includes a twocourse meal and tea or coffee. Tickets for An Evening with Brian Blessed are also on sale now, priced at £80. n To book visit www.millatsonning. com or call the Box Office on 0118 969 8000.

Lecture follows film club show THE SCREENING of an award-winning film will be accompanied by an expert lecture in Wokingham next week.

Wokingham Film Society will welcome film lecturer Phil Dale, from the award-winning Deptford Cinema, to introduce their screening of the Cannes 2015 Palme D’Or winning film Dheepan on Thursday, January 12.

After the film Phil will give a short, illustrated talk on the work of director Jacques Audiard and host a Q&A session.

The screening and talk will be held at The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, at 7.30pm.

Doors open from 7pm, and teas and coffees will be served along with a licensed bar.

Tickets are available on the door or in advance from www.ticketsource. co.uk/wfs or direct from The Whitty Theatre website. n For more information, visit the Wokingham Film website www. wokinghamfilmsociety.com GEMMA DAVIDSON

26 | LEISURE

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, January 5, 2017

The acoustic couch music club

Wokingham

Upcoming music with Jody Mc

FRIDAY 20TH JANUARY

Ultimate Elton and The Rocket Band Close your eyes and you won’t believe your ears!

8pm Tickets £15 in advance

FRIDAY 3RD FEBRUARY

Apple of my Eye + support The uproarious troubadours of London’s modern folk scene 7.45pm Tickets £10 in advance

FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY

Dani and Will Wilde A night of stunning acoustic blues from Blues royalty!

7.45pm Tickets £11 in advance

FRIDAY 24TH FEBRUARY

Yes, Otway! John is coming to play

H

ERE’S some great news to start your 2017 in style: we’ve got a beezer of a gig coming your way soon.

John Otway, the singer-songwriter with a sizeable cult audience thanks to his surreal sense of humour and a self-deprecating underdog persona, is making an appearance at The Acoustic Couch this March.

For those with long memories, you may have seen him on The Old Grey Whistle Test, one of the BBC’s legendary music programmes.

When he appeared, his performance on that show would grab the attention of the watching audience.

Otway, ever the showman, decided to jump on to the amplifier of his colleague during a performance of Bob Lind’s Cheryl’s Going Home.

Unfortunately for Otway, he misjudged his leap and sent Wild Willy Barrett’s amplifier tumbling as he crashed down straddling the box under the amp.

The full force of the impact was absorbed by the most tender part of his body, but in doing this one simple act of recklessness and his wanton disregard for his own safety, Otway was the talk of everyone who watched that evening's programme.

Not only did he see a surge in his audiences, sales of Otway's sixth single, the half-spoken love song Really Free increased dramatically and reached number 27 in the UK Singles Chart.

An appearance on the BBC's flagship music programme Top of the Pops, where Otway & Barrett were introduced by Elton John later, Otway was finally a star. It would however, be his greatest success for some time.

Despite numerous attempts to get back into the charts, Otway would have

to wait 25 years for his next taste of chart success.

In the intervening years, Otway would become an actor; write an autobiography (Cor Baby That’s Really Me: Rock and Roll’s Greatest Failure); perform sold out shows at London’s Astoria and Royal Albert Hall; make regular appearances at both Glastonbury and Edinburgh Festivals; and write the nation’s seventh favourite lyric of all-time (beating Bob Dylan and Paul Simon in the process).

In 2002, Otway achieved what he desired the most – a second hit.

A concerted publicity campaign saw Otway reach number 9 with the disco pastiche Bunsen Burner and a second appearance on the Top of the Pops.

Despite this success, a planned world tour collapsed, but Otway continued to gig extensively around the UK either with his band, as a duo with Wild Willy Barrett or solo. A follow-up autobiography was penned in 2010 and titled: I Did It Otway: Regrets I’ve Had a Few. Five years ago, to celebrate his 60th birthday, Otway produced his debut movie titled Otway the Movie: The Story of Rock n Roll’s Greatest Failure.

A screening for producers was held at London’s Leicester Square with the final scenes from the movie filmed on the red carpet and edited into the film. The film was then taken to Cannes Film Festival and a 50-date tour of cinemas in both the UK and North America.

It was subsequently voted the second best film of the year in a poll of its readers conducted by The Guardian newspaper.

He’s on the way to our great venue in Bracknell on Thursday, March 2.

STR8TS Tough

Previous solution - Medium

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

6 4 9 7

3 3 6

WOKINGHAMMUSICCLUB.CO.UK

3 4 7

7.30pm Tickets £14 in advance

Emmbrook Sports & Social Club, Lowther Road, Wokingham RG41 1JB

6

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

© 2017 Syndicated Puzzles

A blockbuster night out with the legendary glam rocker

MANY could have been forgiven for thinking that this time last year the newly-opened Acoustic Couch in Bracknell was nothing but a pipe dream for its owner Jody Rule.

A community arts centre run mostly by volunteers delivering quality music in a safe and friendly environment at affordable prices right in the heart of Bracknell’s town centre?

Let’s face it at the time the town centre was nothing more than a building site.

Nearly a year on and with Auld Lang Sine still in our ears signalling a fledgling new year The Acoustic Couch and all its staff and supporters can look back at 2016 as being a full year of diverse events and regular features ranging from afternoon art sessions to full blown rock gigs.

Events have reached out to the broad cross section of the community from teenagers to senior citizens.

We’ve seen seasoned musicians and dancers rubbing shoulders with new bands at activities such as open mic nights and workshops; and all in the throws of comfortable couches and with an ever busy coffee machine providing some regulars with their hot beverages.

It’s become much more than that though, For some it’s become a valued lifeline and a conduit for overcoming issues such as anxiety.

A network of friends and I’ve even heard the word family being mentioned.

It would take a lot more space than this column would allow to list all the goings on at The Acoustic Couch with almost weekly concerts from musicians from all over the country coming to the venue, it’s worth mentioning that the venue’s technical side is virtually run by a talented team of young volunteers whose work ethic and expertise

would be the envy of some much more established ventures.

The year wasn’t without it’s challenges – it costs money to upkeep a venue of this size and looking into 2017 the constant struggle to keep the arts centre affordable and accessible to all but pay its way is a real one.

But events such as ‘Generation’ 1 & 2, Wassail & the Enchanted market are around the corner and then there’s the return of the communitythrumusic festival and six new festivals planned – it looks like it’s going to be anotherexciting year for The Acoustic Couch.

As the “New” town starts rising into the sky there is a place in its foundations where the talent and drive of the Art loving Community are placing solid building blocks themselves.

Thank you all for your support to date and please do not forget us in 2017.

SUDOKU

No. 315

Pete Lincoln, lead singer of Sweet

Looking forward and back…

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

No. 315

1

7 6 2 3 1 5

Easy

9

Previous solution - Very Hard

4 1 7 5 8 2 6 9 3

8 9 8 2

1 3

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

How to beat Str8ts – Like Sudoku, no single number can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. These need to be filled in with numbers that complete a ‘straight’. A straight is a set of numbers with no gaps but can be in any order, eg [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to The solutions will be published here in the next issue. see how ‘straights’ are formed.

© 2017 Syndicated Puzzles

THE HOME OF GREAT LIVE MUSIC IN WOKINGHAM

6 8 3 4 9 1 7 5 2

5 2 9 3 7 6 8 1 4

2 6 8 1 3 9 5 4 7

7 3 4 2 6 5 9 8 1

9 5 1 7 4 8 2 3 6

8 4 6 9 1 7 3 2 5

3 7 2 8 5 4 1 6 9

1 9 5 6 2 3 4 7 8

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org If you like Str8ts check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.

What’son Thursday, January 5 BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, RG12 1JG. Rock Week contest. £5. 8pm.

Details: 07985 359654.

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club: SCPF League. 7.30pm.

Details: www.webcc. org.uk.

WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Installation of the Revd Patrick Mukholi. 7.30pm.

Friday, January 6 BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, RG12 1JG. Rock Week contest. £5. 8pm.

Details: 07985 359654.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre RG40 4ES. Little Explorers Storytime Stories and rhymes for parents and children to enjoy together, For children aged 5 and under. Free. 11am11.30am. Details: 0118 908 8176.

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

Saturday, January 7 BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, RG12 1JG. Rock Week contest. £5. 8pm.

Details: 07985 359654.

TWYFORD – Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road, Twyford, Reading RG10 9JA. Salsa Party night.

8pm-1am. £10. Details: www.incognitodance. com.

WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Little Explorers Storytime Stories and rhymes for parents and children to enjoy together, For children aged 5 and under. Free. 4pm-4.30pm.

Details: 0118 969 0304.

WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre, Headley Road RG5 4JZ. Thames Valley Ancient Egypt Society lecture: Pyramids, Pounders and Nimiti : Recent Excavations on Sai Island with Dr Ken Griffin. £3. 2pm4.30pm. Details: 01491 838803.

Sunday, January 8 WOKINGHAM – Cantley House Hotel, Milton

Monday, January 9 ARBORFIELD – Pop-up Library, Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Little Explorers Storytime Stories and rhymes for parents and children to enjoy together, For children aged 5 and under. Free.

4pm-4.30pm. Details: 07801 664 520.

ARBORFIELD – Village Hall.

Arborfield Local History Society meeting: Magna Carta and what she did for you. 7.45pm.

BRACKNELL – Bracknell Open Learning Centre, Rectory Lane RG12 7GR. Bracknell Camera Club meeting. Abandoned America – Fragments of an American Dream.

7.30pm. Details: www. bracknell-camera-club. co.uk.

SWALLOWFIELD – Village Hall, Swallowfield Street

RG7 1QX. Swallowfield Art Group meeting. 2pm4pm. Details: www.slhsoc. org.uk WARGRAVE – Library, Woodclyffe Hostel, Church Street RG10 8EP. Little Explorers Storytime Stories and rhymes for parents and children to enjoy together, For children aged 5 and under. Free. 4pm-4.30pm.

Details: 0118 940 4656.

Tuesday, January 10 EARLEY – Palmer Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 2AH. Reading Film Theatre presents: A United Kingdom. 8pm. £5 members, £8 nonmembers, £7 concessions.

Membership £20. Details: 0118 378 7151 or readingfilmtheatre.co.uk.

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Board games café.

10am-noon. Mothers’ Union meeting. 2.15pm.

Details: 0118 966 9080.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – St Mary and St John’s Church, Billing Avenue.

Tea and chat. 2pm.

SHINFIELD – John Heggadon Room, Parish Hall, School Green.

Shinfield and District

Local History Society: AGM. 7.45pm. Details: 0118 988 3580.

WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Little Explorers Storytime Stories and rhymes for parents and children, For children aged 5 and under. Free.

4pm-4.30pm. Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. Norreys Church 50+ Group: brain-teasing quiz set by Rosie Antink. All over 50s welcome. Refreshments from 2pm, 2.15pm start.

Entry free. 0118 961 9821.

Wednesday, January 11 WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Baby Signing free taster session, for babies from 6 to 24 months.

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

Thursday, January 12 ARBORFIELD – Village Hall.

Arborfield Gardeners Association meeting: the latest gardening products.

7.30pm.

EARLEY – Palmer Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus

What’s on event submission form Name Address

groups, charities and not-for-profit activities. We cannot guarantee inclusion.

Date of event: Venue of event:

Postcode

What will happen:

Email

Time of event:

Send your forms to: What’s On, The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS

Contact number for readers:

At the theatre Basingstoke – The Anvil www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 NEXT SHOW: Tommy Emmanuel. Jan 17.

Basingstoke – The Haymarket www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 The Wizard That Woz. Sat.

Bracknell – South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 Rage DC. Sat. Creative Control Band Night. Sun. Bryon Wallen: Bracknell Jazz. Fri 13.

The Comedy Cellar. Fri 13.

Artree Live: Folk and Roots.

Sat 14. Wilde Sundays. Sun 15. Creative Control Band Night. Sun 15.

FILMS: War Dogs. Thurs. The Accountant. Fri, Sun. Trolls.

Fri-Sat. Doctor Strange.

Sat-Sun. The Wonders. Tues.

RSC: The Tempest Live. Wed. American Honey. Thurs 12.

The Light Between Oceans.

Fri 13-Sun 15. Moana Sat 14-Sun 15.

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 The Tempest. Wed. NT Live: No Man’s Land. Thurs 12. Best of the Fest: Mark Cooper-Jones - Geographically Speaking.

Thurs 12.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Aladdin. Until Sat. The Tempest live screening. Wed. All The World’s A Stage. Thurs 12.

Strictly Come Joking. Fri 13.

One Winter’s Night. Sat 14.

Southern Pro Musica: New Year Concert. Sun 15.

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

The best guide for local, community events across Wokingham borough

Road RG40 5QG. Wedding fair. 11am3pm. Details: www. berkshireweddingfairs. co.uk WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. All Together Epiphany Mass for all ages. 9.30am. Details: 0118 979 2122.

Holding a community event? Running a fun day? Organising a concert? Planning a friendship group? Get it listed in our what’s on guide by sending information to us. Use this form or email events@wokinghampaper.co.uk. Please note this service is for community

LEISURE | 27

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

Thursday, January 5, 2017 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Henley – Kenton www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 575698 Rapunzel: A Tangled Tale. Until Sat. NEXT SHOW: High School Musical. Sun 22.

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 80s Mania. Sat. NEXT SHOW: Let’s Hang On. Thurs 19.

Maidenhead – Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Friday Night Flamenco. Fri. The Dreamers. Fri. The Snowman.

Sat. Sunday Stories. Fri 8.

NT Live: No Man’s Land. Fri. Stephen K Amos: World Famous. Fri 13-Sat 14.

The Vinyl Frontier: Album Championship. Fri 13. RSC Live: The Tempest. Sun 15.

Steve Gribbin: Shunted

Again! Sun 15.

FILM: A Street Cat Named Bob (12a). Thurs. A United Kingdom (12a). Fri-Sat. Sully: Miracle on the Hudson (12a).

Sat 14-Sun 15.

Newbury – The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 Jongleurs Comedy Club. Fri 13.

Sounds of the Glenn Miler Era. Sat 14.

FILMS: Snowden (15). Until Thurs 12. The Birth of A Nation (15). Until Thurs 12.

NT Encore: No Man’s Land.

Thurs 12.

Newbury – The Watermill www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 NEXT SHOW: Murder For Two. From Jan 26.

Reading – South St www.readingarts.com

RG6 2AH. Reading Film Theatre presents: After Love (L’economie du couple) (12a) . 8pm. £5 members, £8 nonmembers, £7 concessions.

Membership £20. Details: 0118 378 7151 or readingfilmtheatre.co.uk.

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Over 50s Club.

2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 966 9080.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James’ Church Centre.

Mothers’ Union. 2pm.

LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Little Explorers Storytime Stories and rhymes for parents and children to enjoy together, For children aged 5 and under.

Free. 11.15am-11.45am.

Details: 0118 931 2150.

SHINFIELD – John Heggadon Room, Parish Hall, School Green. Shinfield Allotment Holders and Gardeners Association group AGM followed by talk on Send A Cow charity and cheese and wine buffet. 7.30pm. £1.

TWYFORD – Loddon Hall, RG10 9JA. Twyford & Ruscombe Theatre Group panto: The Dragon’s Egg. 7.45pm. Tickets £7-£10.

Details: 0118 328 2825.

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club: 10 Minutes of Fame.

7.30pm. Details: www. webcc.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Understanding being overweight and obese, a workshop for adults. 6.30pm-8pm. £2.

Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOKINGHAM – Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents: Dheepan (15). £6.50.

7.30pm. Details:

0118 960 6060 From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads. Sat. John Shuttleworth: My Last Will and Tasty Mint. Thurs 12.

Poets’ Café - Holly Hopkins, hosted by Susan Utting.

Fri 13.

Reading – Hexagon www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Snow White. Until Sun. The Elvis Years. Sat 14.

Reading – Concert Hall www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 NEXT SHOW: Lunchtime Organ Recital – Christopher Cromar. Wed 18.

Reading – Progress Theatre www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 NEXT SHOW: No Naughty Bits.

Tues 16-Sat 21.

wokinghamfilmsociety. com WOKINGHAM – Main Hall, Emmbrook School, Emmbrook Road RG41 1JP. Wokingham Choral Society open evening.

7.30pm. Free. Details: 07810 574765 or www. wokingham-choralsociety.org.uk.

Friday, January 13 SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane RG2 9DF. Shinfield Players present Humpty Dumpty, a pantomime. 7.30pm.

Details: 0118 975 8880.

TWYFORD – Loddon Hall, RG10 9JA. Twyford & Ruscombe Theatre Group panto: The Dragon’s Egg. 7.45pm. Tickets £7-£10.

Details: 0118 328 2825.

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.

WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre, Headlely Road RG5 4JZ. The Oddfellows social group meeting: card painting. £4, members £2.

Details: 0118 959 4075.

Saturday, January 14 BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, RG12 1JG. Rock Week grand finale. £5.

8pm. Details: 07985 359654.

ETON – Eton College, High Stret SL4 6DW. Windsor & Eton Choral Society Concert 7.30pm. £20 or £22. Details: www.w-ecs. org.uk.

SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane RG2 9DF. Shinfield Players present Humpty Dumpty, a pantomime. 2pm, 6pm.

Details: 0118 975 8880.

Shinfield – Shinfield Players www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 Humpty Dumpty: The Panto. Fri 13-Sun 15.

Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 High Society. Until Jan 14.

Knit and Natter. Tues. The Pasadena Roof Orchestra.

Sun. Storytime: Tabby McTat. Wed.

Windsor – Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Jack and the Beanstalk. Until Sun. A Judgment in Stone.

Wed-Sat 21.

Woking – New Victoria www.ambassadortickets.com 0844 871 7645

SINDLESHAM – Reddam House, Bearwood Road RG41 5BG. Opera at Bearwood New Year concert: Magic and Mayhem. £15, £12 concessions. 2.30pm or 7.30pm. Details: 0118 966 5414 or www. operaatbearwood.org.uk.

TWYFORD – Loddon Hall, RG10 9JA. Twyford & Ruscombe Theatre Group panto: Dragon’s Egg. 2pm, 7pm. Tickets £7-£10.

Details: 0118 328 2825.

WOKINGHAM – Kings Place, 9 Station Road. #PrayerStop. Between 10.30 and noon. Details: www.kingschurch.org.uk/ prayerstop

Sunday, January 15 EARLEY – Whiteknights Indoor Bowls Club, Beech Lane RG6 5PT. Whiteknights Indoor Bowls Club open day.

2.30pm-5pm. Just turn up, wear flat shoes.

Details: 0118 986 0759.

SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane RG2 9DF. Shinfield Players present Humpty Dumpty, a pantomime. 2pm. Details: 0118 975 8880.

SINDLESHAM – Reddam House, Bearwood Road RG41 5BG. Opera at Bearwood Magic and Mayhem. £15, £12 concessions.

2.30pm. Details: 0118 966 5414 or www. operaatbearwood.org.uk.

SWALLOWFIELD – All Saints Church, Church Road RG7 1TH. Medals Concert with Oliver Dunn and Hanna Hipp. 6.45pm. £10. Bring a cushion.

Tickets: Parish Stores.

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Parish Pot Luck Lunch. £10, £5 children, £25 families.

Bring drinks and glasses.

Details: 0118 979 2122.

Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs.

Until Sun. Roy Wood. Tues.

Oh Goody – An Audience with Tim Brooke-Taylor and Chris Serle. Wed. Bowie Experience. Thurs 12. ABBA Mania. Fri 13. Andy Ford : Flippin Ridiculous. Sat 14.

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 NEXT SHOW: Glorious! Jan 26-Feb 4.

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre www.luckleyhouseschool.org 0118 978 4175 FILM: Dheepan (15).

Thurs 12.

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

28 | LEISURE

THE ROEBUCK MARKET PLACE, WOKINGHAM

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To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, January 5, 2017

Livemusic Friday, January 6

Saturday, January 7

BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe, Birch Hill Road RG12 7DE. Dan McHugh. Details: 01344 457318.

READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. DJ Hame. Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Deep Fat. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Fish Fry. Details: 0118 959 4267.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Tim Valentine. Details: 0118 969 8000.

TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. Steve and Megan. Details: 07946 342551.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Pub quiz.

Details: 01276 858501.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Nine Mile Riders. Details: 0118 978 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Wardour Street. Details: 0118 978 3023.

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.

WOKINGHAM – The Roebuck, Market Place RG40 1AL. Disco night.

Details: 0118 979 6486.

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. I Got Soul Brings You. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Rage DC. Details: 01344 484123.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. White Light Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Palmer Tavern, Wokingham Road RG6 1JL. Live music.

Details: 0118 935 1504.

READING – South Street.

From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Sound Jam. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – O’Neill’s, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Live music. Details: 0118 960 6580.

READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. January Blues Boo You. Details: 0118 959 4267.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Tim Valentine. Details: 0118 969 8000.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Flying Visit.

Details: 01276 858501.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Live music.

Details: 0118 978 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Details: 0118 978 3023.

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 – The Roebuck, Market Place RG40 1AL. Disco night.

Details: 0118 979 6486.

Sunday, January 8 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Creative

Control Band Night.

Details: 01344 484123.

READING – Community Hall at Watlington House, 44 Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk: Dave Ellis and Boo Howard. Details: 0118 958 6692.

SHINFIELD – The Bell & Bottle, School Green.

Open mic and jam night.

Details: 0118 988 3563.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. The Pasadena Roof Orchestra.

Details: 0118 969 8000.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Open mic night. Details: 01276 858501.

Tuesday, January 10 READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Mark Burton Quartet. Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. DarkMills Cult Cinema: Shaun of the Dead. Details: 0118 959 7196.

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Moscow Drug Club. Details: 01491 681048.

Wednesday, January 11 READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Folk at the Global.

Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. BBC Introducing Live: Eskimos and special guests. Details: 0118 959 7196.

Thursday, January 12 HENLEY – Magoos, Hart Street RG9 2AU. Stars in the Their Minds Karaoke.

Details: 01491 574595.

READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Johnny Owens.

Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Heavy Pop: Indian Queens and guests. The Reggae Reggae Show.

Details: 0118 959 7196 WOKINGHAM – The Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road

The BROAD ST TAVERN

LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT FRI JAN 6

TUESDAYS

BACK TO ROCK 2017!

TEST YOUR WITS IN OUR FUN QUIZ

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THE ORIGINAL BAND

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAMPAPER.CO.UK RG40 2EH. Open mic night. Details: 0118 978 3023.

Friday, January 13 BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Band auditions: The Toledos and NBS. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead.

Bracknell Jazz: Bryon Wallen and support.

Details: 01344 484123.

GORING – Goring Hall.

Goring Hall Jazz Society: Derek Nash’s Sax Appeal. Details: www. goringhalljazz.co.uk READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Influences presents Adjusted Audio Reunion.

Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Whole Lotta Soul. Details: 0118 959 4267.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Tim Valentine. Details: 0118 969 8000.

WINNERSH – The Pheasant Inn, Reading Road RG41 5LR. Open Mic Night.

Details: 0118 978 4529.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Triple Aces.

Details: 01276 858501.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. The Original Band. Details: 0118 978 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Wardour Street. Details: 0118 978 3023.

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.

WOKINGHAM – The Roebuck, Market Place RG40 1AL. Disco night.

Details: 0118 979 6486.

Saturday, January 14 BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The Beat Goes On. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe, Birch Hill Road RG12 7DE. The Bite. Details: 01344 457318.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Aretree Live: Folk and Roots.

Details: 01344 484123.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Katie DIx. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Jolly Anglers, Kennetside RG1 3EA. Gli Avanzi Jazz sextet. Details: 0118 376 7823.

READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. DJ Dom. Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – The Palmer Tavern, Wokingham Road RG6 1JL. Love That Jazz. Details: 0118 935 1504.

READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Frau. Details: 0118 959 4267.

READING – O’Neill’s, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Live music. Details: 0118 960 6580.

READING – The Hexagon.

Mario Kombou: The Elvis Years. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Sound Jam: Danny MRT BIrthday Bash.

Details: 0118 959 7196.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Tim Valentine. Details: 0118 969 8000.

WINDLESHAM – Windlesham Club & Theatre, Kennel Lane GU20 6AA. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 01276 472210.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Stealers Bluff.

Details: 01276 858501.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Asylum Affair.

Details: 0118 978 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road

RG40 2EH. Christmas Eve. Details: 0118 978 3023.

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 – The Roebuck, Market Place RG40 1AL. Disco night.

Details: 0118 979 6486.

Sunday, January 15 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Wilde Sundays. Creative Control Band Night. Details: 01344 484123.

FLEET – The Emporium, Fleet Road GU51 3QW. Blonde Ambition. Details: 01252 816797.

READING – Community Hall at Watlington House, 44 Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk: Singers Night. Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Dreading Poetry Slam. Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Reading Swing Jam. Details: 0118 959 4267.

SHINFIELD – The Bell & Bottle, School Green.

Open mic and jam night.

Details: 0118 988 3563.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Rick Storm.

Details: 01276 858501.

Tuesday, January 17 READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Fleur Stevenson Jazz Singers Night. Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Dark Mills Cult Cinema: Juno. Details: 0118 959 7196.

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. The Gary Fletcher band with Alan Glen Details: 01491 681048.

Wedesday, January 18

HOPE & ANCHOR Free entry, fantastic beers & a great night out!

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Rock covers from Heart COME AND JOIN US! to the Kings of Leon!

29 Broad Street, Wokingham RG40 1AU Station Road, Wokingham RG40 2AD 0118 977 3706 WWW.BROADSTREETTAVERN.CO.UK 0118 978 0918 www.hopeanchor.co.uk

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead.

Tom Barford: Bracknell Jazz.

Details: 01344 484123.

READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Bohemian Night.

Details: 0118 958 6692.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Wokingham Folk and Acoustic Blues Club. Details: facebook.com/ WokFAB

Classifieds Advertise regularly and save ££££s Special rates for 4, 12, 26 and 52 weeks

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Thursday, January 5, 2017 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Proof service Reach local people Friendly We cover Wokingham borough Call us for a price today

THE WOKINGHAM PAPER proof HOLIDAYS PUBLIC NOTICES Corralejo, Fuerteventura Canary Islands LAS FUENTES 105

WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL: LICENSING ACT 2003 REPORT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT OMBUDSMAN NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A ThePREMISES Local GovernmentLICENCE Ombudsman has issued a

report following an investigation of a complaint against

Premises: Wokingham Borough Council. The complaint was about an Adult Centre Care Services The Acoustic Couch Community CIC matter.

The Ombudsman found that there had been fault on the 11 Market Street Bracknell part of the Council, and this had caused injustice to the complainant.

Berkshire RG12 1JG

Two bedroom ground floor holiday apartment (sleeps 4 plus sofa bed). Peaceful location situated a short walk to local amenities and The Council must now consider the report and tell the beaches.

Ombudsman within three months what it proposes to do.

Notice is given that The Acoustic Couch Community Facilities — shared communal pools with gardens, air Centre CIC Copies has applied Bracknell Forest Borough of thetoreport will be available for public inspection conditioning, open plan lounge with dining area, fully Council for a Premises during normal offi/ce hoursSection at Wokingham Borough Licence under 17 of the equipped kitchen, free live English TV, Wi-Fi and privateLicensing Act Council’s 2003. Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham for three terraces. weeks starting on Thursday January 5.

The proposed licensable activities Prices from £280 per week.

Anyone is entitled to takeare: copies of the report or extracts All payments secured by PayPal. from it. Copies will be supplied at a reasonable charge.

Provision of Plays For booking enquiries please contact - email: Sunday to Wednesday: 08:00 – 00:00, lasfuentes105@mail.com or Mobile: 07952 947348.

Thursday to Saturday: 08:00 – 01:00

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Exhibit Film Sunday to Wednesday: 08:00 – 00:00, Thursday: 08:00 – 01:00, Friday: 08:00 – 02:00, Saturday: 08:00 – 03:00

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11+ (CEM) Tutor Monday to Thursday: 08:00 - 01:00, Friday: 08:00 David Elgood Electrical Services For Reading, Kendrick – 02:00, Saturday: 08:00 – 03:00, Sunday: 08:00 – Live Music

Mobile: 07966 551698 Phone: 0118 973 3537 Email: trevor@quality-decorators.co.uk Website: www.quality-decorators.co.uk

Father-and-son business established for 40 years

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• Seven-day call-out service Recorded Music Schools.

Structured07:00 – 00:00, Thursday: • No job is too small Monday to Wednesday: 07:00 – 01:00,approach, Friday: 07:00 – 02:00, Saturday: 09:00 • Part P registered with NAPIT and a JIB approved electrician – 03:00, Sunday: 09:00 – 00:00 track record.

• Age Concern registered and CRB checked

Based in Performance of Dance Monday to Wednesday: 08:00 – 00:00, Thursday: Tel: 0118 978 6753 Mobile: 07768 914303 Wokingham.

Friday: 08:00 – 02:00, Saturday: 08:00 Email: davidelgood1@gmail.com 08:00 – 01:00,www.11plustutor.education – 03:00, Sunday: 09:00 – 00:00 A satisfied customer is a good advert.

07906 387368 See our reviews at www.littlegreenbook.co.ukLate Night Refreshment

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Sunday to Wednesday: 23:00 – 00:00, Thursday: 23:00 – 01:00, Friday: 23:00 – 02:00, Saturday: 23:00 – 03:00

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Sale of Alcohol Sunday to Wednesday: 11:00 – 00:00, Thursday: 11:00 – 01:00, Friday: 11:00 – 02:00, Saturday: 11:00 – 03:00 Having a clear out? Why not turn your treasure into cash with our free adverts? Sell your items without any fee with the aid of this coupon. Items* valued at up to £250 can be sold in these columns for free! Simply send us the details –maximum of 30 Anyone who wishes to make representations words – and post or email it and we’ll do the rest regarding this application must give notice in writing to: Licensing Team, Bracknell Forest Council, Time Square, Our Dj's Can Cover Any Event, Playing Market Street, Bracknell, RG12 1JD or by email to Write your advert in the box below, one word per box. Maximum 30 words.

Music From The 1950's To Today! licensing@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.

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The application record and register may be viewed Making Your Night One To Remember. during normal office hours at the above address.

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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).

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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 The Acoustic Couch Community Centre CIC has applied to Bracknell Forest Borough Council for a Premises Licence / under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003.

The proposed licensable activities are: Provision of Plays Sunday to Wednesday: 08:00 – 00:00, Thursday to Saturday: 08:00 – 01:00 Exhibit Film Sunday to Wednesday: 08:00 – 00:00, Thursday: 08:00 – 01:00, Friday: 08:00 – 02:00, Saturday: 08:00 – 03:00 Live Music Monday to Thursday: 08:00 - 01:00, Friday: 08:00 – 02:00, Saturday: 08:00 – 03:00, Sunday: 08:00 – 00:00 Recorded Music Monday to Wednesday: 07:00 – 00:00, Thursday: 07:00 – 01:00, Friday: 07:00 – 02:00, Saturday: 09:00 – 03:00, Sunday: 09:00 – 00:00 Performance of Dance Monday to Wednesday: 08:00 – 00:00, Thursday: 08:00 – 01:00, Friday: 08:00 – 02:00, Saturday: 08:00 – 03:00, Sunday: 09:00 – 00:00 Late Night Refreshment Sunday to Wednesday: 23:00 – 00:00, Thursday: 23:00 – 01:00, Friday: 23:00 – 02:00, Saturday: 23:00 – 03:00 Sale of Alcohol Sunday to Wednesday: 11:00 – 00:00, Thursday: 11:00 – 01:00, Friday: 11:00 – 02:00, Saturday: 11:00 – 03:00

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 19/01/2017 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).

Advertise here Call 0118 327 2662

30

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34 32

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edenSALE THE

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— Page 38

BASKETBALL

Tough test ahead for Rockets READING ROCKETS are out to begin 2017 with a bang as they prepare for two of their toughest games of the season this weekend.

Following the Christmas break, Rockets (7-3) host last season’s quadruple winners Manchester Magic (10-2) in NBL Division One on Saturday (6pm) before welcoming BBL Championship outfit Bristol Flyers on Sunday in the BBL Trophy (5pm).

While the fixtures are undoubtedly tricky, Reading come in on the back of a great run of six wins on the spin, culminating in a 101-79 thrashing of Solent Kestrels to climb up to fourth in the table.

“We finished the year on a really good note,” said head coach Manuel Pena Garces, who has also recently taken charge the England Under-15 side.

“We played some fantastic basketball against Solent and this is what we must build on.

“I have been pleased with the progression of the team both in terms of individual players and as a group, the latter being the most important to any successes this season.

“We have much work still to do and now we have got ourselves back in the mix near the top of the league it is time to continue and try to challenge the teams right at the top.”

The big league game against Manchester is followed

by the BBL Trophy game, a competition the club are delighted to be involved with against sides from higher up the league pyramid.

“It is always a privilege for us to be invited to take part,” said Rockets chairman Gary Johnson.

“Despite not quite making it past the first round yet, we still love to be in the competition and try our very best to cause an upset.

“We are hoping to put on a great show on Sunday on what is an absolutely brilliant weekend for the fans at the Rivermead.”

Rockets are reporting no new injury concerns following the break.

ICE HOCKEY

Phantoms and Wildcats too strong for Bees

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk

BRACKNELL BEES’ festive schedule culminated with no victories after home defeats to Peterborough Phantoms and Swindon Wildcats.

A busy schedule over Christmas saw ninth placed Bees beaten 4-2 at home by Guildford Flames on Boxing Day before losing the reverse fixture 7-0 the following day.

And while they were soundly beaten 3-0 by Peterborough last Thursday, Lukas Smital’s men did at least pick up a point on New Year’s Day with a penalty defeat against Swindon at The Hive.

The four game spell sees Bees remain ninth in the 10 team table and they are in fact a point closer to Sheffield Steeldogs, who occupy the final play-off spot, than they were before Christmas.

Optimism is rarely high for a clash with the Phantoms, so it came as no real surprise when Peterborough left Berkshire with victory yet again, their 23rd straight success against the Bees.

Injured trio Scott Spearing, Luka Basic and Josh Smith were all still missing for the hosts but Rio GrinellParke did return from Great Britain’s Under-18 training squad.

Phantoms were also missing a number of players and Bees almost got off to the dream start as they looked to end their three-year hoodoo.

An early Shaun Thompson strike rebounded off netminder Janis Auzins into the path of Alex Barker, but his follow-up shot was kicked away.

And moments later, Peterborough were in front.

With just three minutes on the clock, Petr Stepanek fired the puck

into the top corner of Alex Mettam’s net.

Tom Norton almost doubled the tally immediately from distance before Bees’ Danny Ingoldsby picked up a two minute charging penalty.

The visitors made the power play count with Stepanek again on target for his second of the night with only six minutes played.

Smital and David Gaborcik tried to spark a revival but their efforts were thwarted before Phantoms gave Bees a real mountain to climb before the first period was over.

This time it was Sam Towner who found the net inside the first nine minutes of the contest to stun the home side.

Bees wasted a power play opportunity shortly afterwards as Smital slashed wide before Auzins showed his class in the Peterborough net with a number of fine stops.

The second and third periods passed scoreless with Bees’ cause not aided by James Galazzi being handed a five plus game penalty for slashing after colliding with Auzins.

Mettam made a superb stop at the end of the second stanza to flick Ales Padelek’s shot over the bar and despite Bees being camped in Peterborough’s half for much of the third, their efforts proved fruitless. n BUT BRACKNELL did come much closer to that elusive win in the first game of 2017 as they pushed seventh placed Swindon all the way.

Spearing and Smith were both still unavailable but Basic did make a timely return for the M4 derby.

Bracknell started brightly with Grinell-Parke pouncing on a loose puck in the opening minute but his shot was deflected away to Smital,

The Peterborough Phantoms soundly beat Bracknell Bees over the New Year period, keeping them away from the play-off position Picture: Kevin Slyfield/Flickr: kevinslyfield

who was denied by Wildcats netminder Stevie Lyle.

Basic also went close before the hosts were handed a good stroke of fortune when Wildcats’ Jan Kostal’s stick broke as he was about to shoot for goal.

But Swindon did take the lead just before the first period was out when Jonas Hoog scored against the run of play.

Basic continued to be the main threat going forward for Bracknell but he constantly found Lyle in his way while at the other end Wildcats began to apply some second period

pressure to try and kill off the contest.

With just one goal between the sides going into the final stanza, Bees sensed their opportunity.

The signs were there early when Smital crashed a shot off the crossbar and after a fine Mettam stop, Bracknell did level the contest with just seven minutes to play through Olegs Lascenko.

Lyle complained of a high stick but the referee was unmoved and the game moved into overtime.

After a string of penalties were killed the game was destined for penalty shots and it was Wildcats

who came out on top.

Tomasz Malasinski missed the first effort for Swindon but Basic also failed for the Bees.

Jan Kostal was successful with the next effort and when Lyle denied Shaun Thompson, the writing appeared to be on the wall.

And so it proved as Alex Barker could not convert after Hoog had missed for Wildcats. n Bees are back in action this weekend with a big trip to Sheffield on Saturday before hosting Basingstoke on Sunday (6pm).

Thursday, January 5, 2017 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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LONDON IRISH

17 wins in a row for Exiles Ofisa Treviranus (centre) bagged two tries when Irish overcame the blues at the Madejski Stadium on New Year’s Eve Pictures: Steve Smyth

READING FC

Yann brace keeps Royals in the race

Two goals from Yann Kermorgant (left) saw Reading come back from 2-0 down to beat Bristol City in a thrilling game of football

Bristol City 2 Reading 3

London Irish 36 Bedford Blues 21

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk

OFISA TREVIRANUS bagged two tries as London Irish made it 17 wins in a row with a bonus-point victory over Bedford at Madejski Stadium.

The Exiles, who were pushed all the way by rock-bottom Richmond on Christmas Eve, looked more like their old selves by running in five tries to end 2016 on a high.

Treviranus scored in each half while Dave Porecki and Jerry Sexton crossed the whitewash too with Irish also awarded a penalty try as they move 12 points clear at the Championship summit.

“That was one of our goals at the start of the season, to finish the year on top,” said lock Sebastian De Chaves.

“It was a tough game, they throw the ball around a lot so it’s always hard against teams like that.

“So to finish on top, unbeaten still and with a bonus-point win was brilliant from all the boys.”

Bedford got off to a flying start, taking a 7-0 lead when Matt Gallagher’s try was converted but big Samoan Treviranus soon crashed over with Tommy Bell’s conversion levelling the contest.

Jake Sharp missed the chance to put the visitors back ahead from a penalty and after waves of pressure, Irish eventually got in front on the stroke of

Left: Luke Narraway and above: Tommy Bell

half-time when Dave Porecki profited from a powerful maul.

A penalty try and more sharp kicking from Bell put the Exiles 21-7 up but after James Marshall was yellow carded, Blues made the most of the man advantage to put the game back in the balance with a Tom Whitely try.

However, a long range Bell penalty opened up some more breathing space before Treviranus sealed the bonus point with another close range score.

Bedford added to their tally courtesy of Michael Le Bourgeois in the closing stages but the hosts had the last laugh with second-row replacement Sexton getting on the score sheet.

“We’ve just got to keep on winning and keep getting better each week,” said De Chaves.

“In any season you are going to have the odd week where we are not quite at the races which was maybe evident against Richmond.

“It’s going well, we just want to keep the momentum going.”

Irish now have a week off before travelling to face Connacht Eagles in the British and Irish Cup on January 14.

LONDON IRISH: Bell, Ojo, Tikoirotuma, Mulchrone, Ransom (Williams 65), Marshall, McKibbin (Murphy 77), Court (Palframan 67), Porecki (Elrington 77), Franks (c) (Hoskins 67), De Chaves, Robson (Lloyd 55), Narraway, Cowan, Treviranus (Sexton 77).

Tries: Treviranus (18,77), Porecki (40), Penalty (46), Sexton (80) Cons: Bell x4 Pens: Bell (66) Referee: John Meredith Attendance: 4,345

RUGBY ROUND-UP

Hearn signs up for more Exiles games CIARAN HEARN has signed a new two-year contract extension at London Irish.

The Canadian international joined the club in 2015 and has racked up 23 appearances either at centre or on the wing so far.

And he is pleased at the opportunity to continue his career with the Exiles.

“London Irish is a club with big ambitions,” said the 31-year-old.

“They are building for the future which excites me.

“There is a very good feeling in the camp at the moment.”

Director of rugby Nick Kennedy added: “Ciaran has all the qualities that we want

at London Irish and I’m very pleased that he has extended his stay with the club.

“Being relentless is one of the three values that this proud club stands for and Ciaran fits into this mould perfectly.” n THE LOCAL rugby scene returns this weekend

following its Christmas break.

Redingensians Rams travel to play Henley Hawks in National League 2 South on Saturday while Bracknell are at home in National League 3 South West with a home game against Salisbury.

Crowthorne have another week off.

MATCH-WINNER Yann Kermorgant says Reading always believed they could battle back as his brace guided Royals to a dramatic victory over Bristol City.

Royals trailed to a Tammy Abraham double before three goals in the last 18 minutes, one from Liam Kelly and two for Kermorgant, capped a second memorable 3-2 away win in succession after beating Blackburn Rovers by the same score in December.

Having seen their final game of 2016 against Fulham abandoned due to heavy fog, Reading knew defeat would see them drop from third place in the table, but they found a way to take maximum points.

“We know how to play,” said Kermorgant.

“We’ve got a plan and we have got to stick to it even if it didn’t work out in the first half.

“Towards the end of the second half they started to drop and it gave us a bit more time with the ball.

“We managed the game and when we got the first goal we just kept going and kept believing we could do something.

“Sometimes a point is better than nothing, especially after being 2-0 down, but we did really well to push for the win.”

Jaap Stam made three changes from the abandoned Fulham clash with Paul McShane and Roy Beerens coming in while John Swift made his first start since November.

And it was Swift who had Reading’s first effort with his shot fumbled by goalkeeper Frank Fielding before being scrambled clear.

But it was Bristol City who took the lead on 27 minutes when Ali AlHabsi’s kick out was intercepted by Joe Bryan, whose parried shot fell kindly for Abraham to tuck home.

Kermorgant came agonisingly close to levelling on the stroke of

half-time as he met a Tyler Blackett cross but his powerful header came back off the crossbar.

Blackett was in the thick of the action again just moments after the restart, conceding a penalty as he brought down Callum O’Dowda and Abraham made no mistake from the spot.

However, Reading stayed in the game and began a stirring comeback following the introduction of Kelly from the bench on 66 minutes.

It took the academy product just six minutes to make his mark, guiding in his first goal for the club to give the visiting fans hope.

And with the clock ticking down, Kelly picked out Kermorgant in the box to powerfully level the contest.

Despite being far from prolific in front of goal since joining Reading, veteran striker Kermorgant had one more trick up his sleeve, taking his Royals goals tally to 10 from 40 games with a precise long range stoppage-time strike.

“Liam Kelly has done well in the last few games,” said Kermorgant.

“I told him when he came on he should show the gaffer why he should be playing and to show when you are on the bench you can make an impact when you come on.

“We didn’t have the best start but still managed to get the result so it’s really good for the confidence and we want to keep going now.”

Reading face a break from league action with a mouthwatering trip to Stam’s former club Manchester United in the FA Cup on Saturday.

READING: Al-Habsi, Gunter, McShane (c), L. Moore, Blackett (Obita 54), van den Berg, Williams, Swift (Kelly 66), Beerens, McCleary (Meite 83), Kermorgant.

Subs not used: S. Moore, Cooper, Evans, Samuel.

Goals: Kelly (72), Kermorgant x2 (86,90+3) Yellow cards: Kermorgant (39), van den Berg (68), L. Moore (77) BRISTOL CITY: Fielding, Little, Flint, Matthews, Golbourne, Smith, O’Dowda (Reid 61), Brownhill, Bryan, Freeman (Wilbraham 78), Abraham.

Goals: Abraham x2 (27, (pen) 47) Yellow cards: Abraham (62), Little (64) Referee: Roger East Attendance: 20,074

36 | SPORT

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HELLENIC DIVISION 1 EAST

HELLENIC DIVISION 1 EAST

Defeat sends Woodley nine points below Penn and Tylers Green 1 Woodley United 0 WOODLEY slipped nine points off leaders Penn and Tylers Green after being edged out 1-0 on New Year’s Eve in Buckinghamshire.

Michael Herbert’s men came into the game on the back of just their second league defeat of the season, 3-1 against Didcot Town Reserves, on Boxing Day and they ended 2016 on a low thanks to Christopher Hurst’s first half strike.

Woodley made three changes from the shock Didcot defeat as debutant goalkeeper George Boughton, Dan Greenwood and Jake Nicholls came in for Sukhi Kang, Carl Prestidge and Teddy Thomas.

In damp and foggy conditions, the visitors almost got off to a terrible start when Josh Fox rounded Boughton in just the second minute, but Joe Barley got back to clear off the line.

United responded well with Nicholls feeding the ball through for Josh Drew, but keeper Josh Cockerill was quick off his line.

The first goal soon arrived when Greg Beckett committed a foul around the halfway line which Penn put into the box

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, January 5, 2017

Sumas ring out the old

Jake Nicholls on the ball Picture: Peter Toft

and Hurst headed home.

Chances were at a premium for the majority of the contest as the game settled into a midfield battle but a halftime change to bring Kang on sparked a lively second half start.

Drew fired a shot straight at Cockerill before striking the post a minute later while Danny Horscroft also tried his luck.

Penn had their first shot in anger of the half just past the hour mark with Boughton twice called into action, denying Fred Tripp the chance to double the tally.

Drew saw another effort thwarted while Charlie Oakley had a late penalty shout waved

away as Woodley slipped to a second straight defeat for the first time in the Herbert era.

Taking to social media after the game the manager said: “Tough game to take, felt we were the better side for large periods but just lacked our normal quality. Important that we stick together.”

Despite the losses, United remain second in the league and do have three games in hand on Penn and Tylers ahead of a clash with AFC Aldermaston on Saturday at Rivermoor (3pm).

WOODLEY: Boughton, Greenwood, Horscroft, Nicholls, I. Kamara, Barley, Drew, A. Kamara (Kang), Oakley, Morgan (Wilson), Beckett (Prestidge).

Subs not used: Thomas, Briggs.

HELLENIC PREMIER

Moles boss pushes for improvements Brackley Town 1 Binfield 2 DESPITE goals from Michael Walton and Lewis Leonetti securing all three points, Roger Herridge felt his Moles were not clinical enough against Brackley, writes Lewis Rudd.

With the visitors once again missing leading marksmen Liam Ferdinand because of a hamstring problem, Binfield would need to rely on firepower from elsewhere.

But it would arrive at St James Park from the unlikeliest of sources, with long-range strikes from the defensive pairing of Walton and Leonetti opening up a 2-0 first-half lead.

Joshua Bowden would reduce the arrears for lowly Brackley after the break and set up a nervy finish, but the opposition held out to secure a second Christmas win following a narrow 1-0 triumph over Ascot United earlier in the week.

“Brackley was just one of those games,” said boss Herridge. “They are a lovely football side and move the ball around well, but we have got ourselves a 2-0 lead with two good goals and looked reasonably comfortable.

“But we have then shot ourselves in the foot and from one mistake they score and set

up an anxious last 15 minutes.

“I said afterwards we needed to be more clinical in front of goal.”

Victory over the Saints was the Moles’ seventh win from their last 12 games, a run which has moved the club to within a point of the top six in the Hellenic Premier Division.

But the supply of goals has diminished somewhat during Ferdinand’s absence, something Herridge admitted he will need to look at.

The forward has netted 23 times in 27 appearances this term, so his non-involvement is going to be felt by the team.

The manager said: “If you take Liam’s goals out of the equation you have to look a long way down the list to find somebody who is close to him.

I think the next best return is seven.

“It is an area we will need to improve on.”

Regardless, the side has marched on without their talisman and recording back-toback wins sets things up nicely ahead of an interesting run of fixtures.

Up first on Saturday is the visit of Ardley United to Hill Farm Lane for a seven-playssixth contest (3pm).

After that comes a trip to Thame United, currently second, before Herridge takes his charges to another high-

flying opponent, Thatcham Town.

With only nine league games left to play, Binfield will realistically need to take something out of these games if they are to compete for a top six finish – if not higher.

But they will be buoyed not only by their own good form, but the fact they have already taken six points from Thame and Thatcham this season.

“All of these games are not going to be easy. They are very good teams, but we have beaten Thatcham and Thame at home.

Ardley beat us twice when we were going through a bit of a lean spell earlier in the season, so it would be nice to give them a little bit of payback,” added Herridge.

“If we can get the right players on the pitch there is no reason why we cannot go and beat them.”

The boss is hoping Ferdinand can come through a training session tomorrow night unscathed and be fit for the game in Oxfordshire.

He is also expected to welcome back Ross Sheldon (illness) and Sean Moore (family commitments) to the squad after both missed the win in Brackley.

BINFIELD: Nyamunga, Broome, Luis, Dean, Smith, Brown, Kemp (White), Knight, Hayden, M.Walton, Leonetti Subs not used: Powell, Vaughan

Wokingham and Emmbrook 2 Rayners Lane 4

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk WOKINGHAM’S woes continued as they ended 2016 with a 4-2 defeat against Rayners Lane at Lowther Road.

Sumas, who now sit third bottom of Hellenic Division One East, have struggled to adapt to life in the second tier following relegation and saw their latest chance of victory slip away when Michael Flatman was sent off in the first half.

Tom Williams had handed Clive McNelly’s side the lead and Luke Giles equalised for Wokingham during the second half, but goals from Stephen Coultas, Tyrone Godwyn, Denzil Ossai-Manual and Simon Fearon gave the visitors maximum points.

McNelly made four changes from the side which lost 2-1 to Finchampstead on Boxing Day with Sean Woodward, Flatman, Giles and Williams all starting as Tom McNelly, James Charlton, Matt Booth and Elliott Rushforth dropped out.

And Sumas got off to a brilliant start, going 1-0 up against the top half side when Williams robbed a Rayners Lane defender and fired powerfully into the top corner.

Jack Gibbs (right) makes a run for it

The lead could have been doubled soon after when Williams headed a Jack Gibbs cross wide and in the space of a couple of first half minutes, the game swung the way of the visitors.

As if Flatman being dismissed for scything down Jamal Mattan was not bad enough, Rayners Lane netted from the resulting free-kick to go into half-time on a high.

Jake Wheeler had the first chance after the restart, firing straight at the keeper and the travelling side soon made their extra man pay with a goal on the counter-attack.

But Giles finished well deep inside the area to level the

game again after good work to give the hosts hope, only for Rayners Lane to go straight down the other end and retake the lead through Fearon.

Dan Best, James Clark and Jonny Moore were all thrown on to try and rescue the game but a late fourth goal on the break sealed victory to leave Sumas facing up to a fourth home defeat of the campaign.

McNelly’s men take on 11th placed Didcot Town Reserves at Lowther Road on Saturday (2.15pm).

SUMAS: Woodward; Carter, Flatman, Giles, Bailey, Goddard (Moore); Wheeler, Lawrence, Gibbs, Broadhurst (Best); Williams (Clark).

Sub not used: Day.

SPORT | 37

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Thursday, January 5, 2017 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

with tight defeat

Sumas were defeated by Rayners Lane on New Year’s Eve. Pictures: Steve Smyth

HELLENIC DIVISION 1 EAST

ROUND-UP

Boars ready to roar again

Too little, too late for Finch Headington Amateurs 2 Finchampstead 1 CAPTAIN Adam Barnard’s goal was not enough to help Finchampstead up to fifth in the league as they slipped to a narrow defeat at Headington Amwateurs on New Year’s Eve. Finches had a mountain to climb at half-time thanks to Luke Cuff’s brace and while Barnard set up a grandstand finish, it proved too little, too late.

With each of Finch’s last five games being settled by the odd goal and with both sides level on 24 points in the Division One East table this was always likely to be a close contest.

Jon Laugharne made just one change from the Boxing Day win over Wokingham and Emmbrook as Matt Wright came in for Nathan Onreat-Wells.

It was the hosts who made the stronger start in Oxford with Ben Strong finding the net after just six minutes only to see the linesman’s flag had already been raised for offside.

Freddie Barron then repeated the trick for Finch after a poor kick from goalkeeper Harry Jenkins, but he too was flagged.

The deadlock was broken just before the half hour mark though when Cuff got in behind the Finch defence and slotted past Neil Griffith to give Headington the lead.

That advantage was soon doubled when Cuff was allowed to walk through the Finchampstead back-line to bag another goal just three minutes after his first.

Whatever Laugharne said at the break appeared to have worked as the visitors made a much brighter start after the restart.

Harry Swabey had time and space to pick his spot but curled an effort over the bar before Danny Blatchford was also off target.

Talisman Swabey was beginning to grow more and more into the game and had another opportunity which was blocked before Gary

Adam Barnard is congratulated for his goal Picture: Andrew Merritt

Callaway headed wide from a corner.

Jon Malone, a scorer on Boxing Day, then tried his luck but it was Barnard who eventually found a way through with 20 minutes to play.

The skipper found a gap in the crowded penalty area to drill his effort into the net and give the visitors belief.

That task became harder, however, when substitute Ben Winship was shown a straight red card after a coming together with Liam Morbey.

And it was in fact the home side who came closest to adding to the goal tally but Griffith was on hand to produce a fine stop in the dying moments.

Finch have a week off now before returning on January 14.

FINCHAMPSTEAD: Griffith, Malone, Jewell, Callaway, S. Green, Barnard (c), Barron, Blatchford, Swabey, Lambert, M. Wright. Subs: Dunn, Winship.

EVERSLEY AND CALIFORNIA return to action on Saturday as they host South Park Reserves.

The Boars have had a relatively quiet Christmas period with just one game.

However, that was one to remember as they trounced Frimley Green away from home 6-0 on December 27.

Lewis Robson led the charge with a hat-trick while Robert Griffiths, Ben Hutchings and Sam Hutchings were also on target.

The win lifted Phil Ruggles’ charges up to fifth in Combined Counties Division One, five points off the top three with as many as four games in hand on some sides. n The local football scene is also back this weekend following the festive break with fixtures in the Thames Valley League and Sunday Leagues.

Woodley United Ladies are also in action when they host Alton on Sunday in the Southern Regional First Division.

Meanwhile Reading Women goalkeeper Mary Earps has been named in Mark Sampson’s England squad for friendlies against Norway and Sweden later this month.

Results and fixtures Saturday December 24

Saturday December 31:

RUGBY Greene King IPA Championship Richmond 20-26 London Irish

FOOTBALL Hellenic Premier Division Brackley Town Saints 1-2 Binfield Hellenic Division One East Penn and Tylers Green 1-0 Woodley United Headington Amateurs 2-1 Finchampstead Wokingham and Emmbrook 2-4 Rayners Lane RUGBY Greene King IPA Championship London Irish 36-21 Bedford

Monday December 26 FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Reading 3-1 Norwich City Hellenic Division One East Finchampstead 2-1 Wokingham and Emmbrook Woodley United 1-3 Didcot Town Reserves ICE HOCKEY EPIHL Bracknell Bees 2-4 Guildford Flames

Tuesday December 27 FOOTBALL Hellenic Premier Division Binfield 1-0 Ascot United Combined Counties Division One Frimley Green 0-6 Eversley and California ICE HOCKEY EPIHL Guildford Flames 7-0 Bracknell Bees

Thursday December 29 ICE HOCKEY EPIHL Bracknell Bees 0-3 Peterborough Phantoms

Sunday January 1 ICE HOCKEY EPIHL Bracknell Bees 1-2 Swindon Wildcats (after overtime)

Monday January 2: FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Bristol City 2-3 Reading

FIXTURES (3pm unless stated) Saturday January 7 FOOTBALL FA Cup Manchester United v Reading (12.30pm)

Hellenic Premier Division Binfield v Ardley United Hellenic Division One East Woodley United v AFC Aldermaston Wokingham and Emmbrook v Didcot Town Reserves (2.15pm) Combined Counties Division One Eversley and California v South Park Reserves Thames Valley Premier Division Hurst v Mortimer Newbury v Berks County Reading YMCA v Woodley United Reserves RUGBY National League 2 South Henley Hawks v Redingensians Rams National League 3 South West Bracknell v Salisbury ICE HOCKEY EPIHL Sheffield Steeldogs v Bracknell Bees (7.30pm) HOCKEY Trysports Premier 1 Sonning 2s v South Berkshire 1s Oxford University 2s v Sonning 1s

Sunday January 8 ICE HOCKEY EPIHL Bracknell Bees v Basingstoke Bison (6pm)

Championship Brighton Newcastle Reading Huddersfield Leeds United Sheff Wed Derby County Barnsley Norwich City Fulham Preston Aston Villa Birmingham Brentford Ipswich Town Wolves QPR Bristol City Cardiff City Nottm Forest Burton Albion Blackburn Wigan Athletic Rotherham

P 24 25 24 25 25 25 25 25 25 24 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 24 25 25 25 25 25

WD L 16 6 2 17 1 7 14 4 6 14 4 7 14 3 8 12 6 7 11 7 7 11 5 9 11 4 10 9 9 6 10 6 9 8 11 6 9 8 8 9 6 10 8 7 10 7 8 10 8 5 12 8 3 14 7 6 11 7 5 13 6 7 12 6 6 13 4 7 14 3 4 18

Hellenic Premier

F A 40 15 48 20 36 32 30 28 34 24 28 24 24 18 43 37 41 37 41 30 33 32 26 24 30 35 32 31 25 29 32 34 24 36 33 35 27 38 37 45 26 34 29 40 20 31 25 55

Pts 54 52 46 46 45 42 40 38 37 36 36 35 35 33 31 29 29 27 27 26 25 24 19 13

Thames Valley League P W D L F Marlow United 15 12 1 2 57 Newbury FC 15 11 1 3 45 Reading YMCA 12 10 2 0 43 Woodcote S.R 15 9 3 3 41 Mortimer 16 8 2 6 30 Berks County 16 7 2 7 21 Cookham Dean 15 6 3 6 33 Woodley Utd Res 17 6 2 9 17 Wraysbury 17 6 2 9 24 Unity 15 5 2 8 17 Highmoor Res 14 4 3 7 26 Rotherfield Utd 16 1 7 8 18 Taplow United 13 3 2 8 22 Hurst 14 1 0 13 9 * Denotes points adjustment

A 20 20 8 20 32 24 36 34 42 19 34 35 30 49

Pts 37 34 32 30 26 23 21 20 20 17 12* 12* 11 3

Trysports Premier 1

P W D L F A Pts Bracknell Town 22 17 2 3 80 24 53 Thame United 22 16 4 2 80 31 52 Flackwell Heath 24 16 3 5 67 27 51 Thatcham Town 23 14 3 6 67 37 45 Highworth Town 24 14 3 7 60 40 45 Ardley United 23 12 4 7 53 39 40

Binfield 25 12 3 10 45 36 39 Tuffley Rovers 23 11 4 8 42 37 37 Royal Wootton 23 11 2 10 46 41 32* Lydney Town 21 10 2 9 40 41 32 Brims’ & Thrupp 19 9 3 7 35 29 30 Longlevens AFC 23 8 3 12 46 49 27 Ascot United 24 7 3 14 41 56 24 Highmoor-Ibis 20 6 3 11 30 49 21 Brackley Town 21 5 2 14 23 65 17 Oxford City 23 3 5 15 26 56 14 Henley Town 23 3 3 17 29 76 12 Burnham 23 3 0 20 25 102 9 *Denotes points adjustment

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

P 16 13 17 12 17 17 17 14 13 14 14 17 14 17

WD 12 3 10 0 8 4 9 0 9 0 8 2 8 0 7 2 6 2 5 3 5 2 4 4 4 0 0 0

L 1 3 5 3 8 7 9 5 5 6 7 9 10 17

F 56 25 29 40 39 30 29 26 23 18 32 29 34 15

A 13 11 25 19 31 32 28 21 22 28 30 37 35 93

Pts 39 30 28 27 27 26 24 23 20 18 17 16 12 0

Got a sports story?

Email: sport@wokingham paper.co.uk

Sonning Ladies Amersham/Chal Maidenhead 2s South Berkshire Oxford 2s Wallingford Oxford Hawks 3s Sonning 2s Wycombe 2s Oxford Uni 2s Oxford Ladies 3s Aylesbury Ladies

P WD 11 10 1 11 8 1 11 7 3 11 6 2 11 6 2 11 5 2 11 4 1 11 3 2 11 2 2 11 3 1 11 0 3 11 1 2

L 0 2 1 3 3 4 6 6 7 7 8 8

F A 32 9 33 11 20 9 28 16 28 21 30 24 18 17 13 21 14 29 23 39 11 32 6 28

Pts 31 25 24 20 20 17 13 11 8 8 3 3

IPA Championship

P W D London Irish 13 13 0 Yorkshire 13 12 0 Doncaster 13 7 0 Eailing 13 7 1 Cornish Pirates 13 6 1 London Scottish 13 6 0 Nottingham 13 5 1 Jersey 13 4 0 Bedford 13 4 0 Rotherham 13 4 1 London Welsh 13 6 0 Richmond 13 2 0 *Denotes points deduction

L F A BP 0 461 199 11 1 377 289 7 6 309 264 8 5 294 272 5 6 353 313 8 7 285 346 7 7 267 324 7 9 305 337 12 9 302 329 10 8 260 356 4 7 294 251 9 11 188 415 3

PTS 63 55 36 35 34 31 29 28 26 22 13* 11

EPIHL Telford Tigers Milton Keynes Peterborough Hull Pirates Basingstoke Guildford Swindon Sheffield Bracknell Bees Manchester

P 33 32 33 32 33 34 32 34 33 30

W 21 20 19 19 19 15 12 8 6 4

OW OL 5 3 4 1 2 1 1 0 0 2 1 4 4 2 1 3 0 3 2 1

L 4 7 11 12 12 14 14 22 24 23

F 144 124 127 136 110 127 104 110 78 75

A 87 79 86 115 80 114 106 153 160 155

Pts 55 49 43 40 40 36 34 21 15 13

WOKINGHAMSPORT

NEW YEAR’S MATCH: Sumas beaten in thriller

Unrivalled coverage of sport in the borough

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

— Page 37 HONOURS

Stam fears nothing ahead of United cup date Sophie’s CBE caps off great year at Rio

“WE’VE got nothing to lose.”

That is the message from Jaap Stam as he prepares to take his Reading side to Old Trafford for a mouthwatering FA Cup clash with Manchester United on Saturday lunchtime.

Royals come into the game sitting third in the Championship but will be massive underdogs against Jose Mourinho’s in-form Red Devils.

And Stam is urging his players to enjoy the occasion.

“We’ve got nothing to lose when

we play there,” said the boss.

“We don’t want to give the tie up, we will work very hard and we are going to fight for it.

“There is no need for the players to get nervous because of the crowd or the game, they need to enjoy it.

“Obviously you enjoy it much more if you get a result, but this is an opportunity for the players, the team, the club to show themselves to the world in what we are trying to do here.”

He added: “The stadium is a bit bigger, the players we’re up against have different names on their shirts but you’ve got to trust yourself, believe in yourself, believe in the team and what we can do, work hard together and I’m confident we can make it hard for them.”

A lot of the focus ever since the draw was made at the back end of last year was on Stam returning to the club where he enjoyed so much success as a player.

The Dutchman won the Premier League title in each of his three seasons as Old Trafford and played a key part in the treble winning side of 1999 to

earn his place in United folklore.

But while he admits it is a special day personally, he insists the weekend is about the players, not him.

“It’ll be good to be back in Manchester,” he said.

“I still love the club, I love the fans and I had a great time over there.

“It’s going to be good to go back.

“But it’s not about me, it’s about Reading facing United at Old Trafford.

“It’s about our team and hopefully doing well at United.” n For more Reading FC news, turn to page 35.

FOOTBALL

Moles face exciting times in 2017

By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk ROGER HERRIDGE believes exciting times lay ahead for Binfield Football Club.

While the Moles are bang in form on the pitch, off it things are about to get a great deal better for the Hellenic Premier Division side, as work to modernise Hill Farm Lane will begin in earnest next week.

And boss Herridge could not be any prouder at being the man to lead club into the latest chapter of its 125-year existence.

Through grants totalling more than £315,000, Binfield’s home is to go through an extensive refurbishment project which will see the venue given new changing rooms and better access arrangements for disabled supporters, among other improvements.

Money for such work was secured last summer from the Premier League and Football Association’s Facilities Fund, the Premier League through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, Binfield Parish and Bracknell Forest Borough councils respectively.

It will also be used to install a physio room, spruce up the clubhouse, PA system and areas around the first-team pitch.

Kind volunteers gave up part of their Christmas holiday to help with some preparation work, which included removal of a viewing area known as the ‘Shed End’, ahead of contractors moving in on Monday, January 9.

This revamp comes during what is an invigorating time for local football in the area, with neighbours Bracknell Town seeing their Larges Lane base undergo a complete overhaul, which included the laying of a 3G pitch.

Wokingham and Emmbrook are also working on plans to add

Grants will help Binfield revamp its facilities, hopefully leading to some more celebrations on the pitch as well as off it Picture: Colin Byers

a 100-seater stand and floodlights at Lowther Road after eventually receiving planning permission from the borough council last year.

Town, managed by former Binfield head honcho Mark Tallentire, also lead the way in the standings, yet Herridge, his former assistant, knows where he would rather be.

He said: “I think I said when manager of Wokingham [and Emmbrook] that Binfield has always been the club in the local area where you want to be.

“At the end of the day the resurgence from Bracknell [Town] doesn’t change my opinion of that.

This is a well run club which lives

within its means and does things properly.

“There is going to be a lot of headlines and fireworks coming from our neighbours just down the road, and rightly so because they are top of the league, but we are quite happy with our own plans and our development and I look forward to seeing the changes at Hill Farm Lane.

“We have our own plans and aspirations, but without wanting to use too many cliches, it’s like a child - they don’t run before they walk.

“The funding has come through a lot of hard work and it is exciting times for Binfield Football Club.

“Over the last 10 years or so the

club has come on leaps and bounds and I think the plan is to continue developing on and off the pitch.

“It is an exciting club to be manager of.”

Herridge can lay claim to carrying out a rebuilding job of his own.

Victories over Ascot United and Brackley Town Saints not only made for the perfect Christmas, but means the Moles have won seven of their last 12 games in all competitions, with the club sitting seventh and within striking distance of the top five.

This is following a difficult Autumn which saw his charges endure an eight-game winless streak and fall way behind the chasing pack.

Such a resurgence, though, means Binfield’s destiny this season is now back in their own hands ahead of crunch games against Ardley United this Saturday (3pm) and Thame United and Thatcham Town in the coming weeks.

“Going back to that lean spell, I got together three or four key players and we had a conversation and aired a few views,” he said.

“Since then we have gone back to basics, played a 4-4-2 and no excuses.

“The new players we have brought in have also been a difference to us and the goalkeeper [Munoda Nyamunga] has come in and done really well.

“He has made a few saves, kicks the ball well and is a good character.

Anyone who was played along the back four in the past month or so has certainly played better with him behind them.

“We can now look forward to games against Ardley, Thame and Thatcham.

“If we are going to push on for the top six then we need to beat those sides who are there or thereabouts.”

Sophie Christiansen was made a CBE in the New Year’s Honours list

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

WOKINGHAM’S multi gold medal paralympian Sophie Christiansen, made a CBE in the New Year’s honours, has questioned the selection process behind the awards system.

Para-equestrian Christiansen, 29, who went to All Saints Primary, Wokingham, feels honoured by her CBE but says athletes’ campaigning and charity work is ignored in award citations.

Her CBE is for “services to para-equestrianism” after she won three gold medals for dressage events at Rio in 2016, but there’s no mention of Christiansen’s work for the disabled community, an important part of her life.

“Winning gold is remarkable, but the way athletes give back through charity and disability work should be looked at,” she said.

“Many athletes do this and I’m not sure it is taken into account.”

Away from sport, Christiansen is now working with Network Rail to develop a mobile phone app to improve how disabled people book help to get on and off trains with the current system requiring disabled travellers to phone 24 hours in advance to book help.

She commutes two days a week to Paddington to work at investment firm Goldman Sachs.

“Quite frankly it’s a form of discrimination that we have to plan 24 hours in advance,” she said.

“The booking sometimes fails anyway.

Technology should get a message straight to a guard on a particular train,” she said.

Her own daily struggles drive her to fight for improvements for disabled people.

Christiansen was the youngest paralympian rider ever in 2004. Rio, her fourth Paralympics, was the second games that she had won three golds. Her honours award is her third after she was awarded the MBE in 2008 and the OBE in 2013.

“When we compete we just think about our goals, performance and potentially a medal,” she said. “We never think about getting an honour.

It’s really a bonus.

“We’re very lucky to do our jobs in the public eye. Athletes are put forward (for awards) automatically.”

She added: “There are so many unsung heroes worthy of an honour who don’t get the recognition we do.

“When I got the news I did feel honoured. But not all my team mates got the same recognition.

“I felt my award was because of the longevity of my career rather than the number of medals.”

Christiansen, who finished fifth in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year before Christmas, says her decision whether to compete in Tokyo’s 2020 Paralympics depends on her finding a suitable new coach.

What will happen, when?

All dates are subject to confirmation

 JUNE 6, 2016 _ — _ Work started to deliver the new Carnival multistorey car park  JANUARY 9, 2017 — _ Peach Place redevelopment starts • Permanent closure of the Rose Street car park • No pedestrian access across site during work  MID-FEBRUARY 2017 — _ Closure of Peach Street footpath next to site (footpath will remain closed for duration of works)  END FEBRUARY 2017 — _ Peach Street right hand lane (adjacent to site) for 15 weeks to allow for demolition of buildings closest to highway. Dates to be confirmed and published shortly  MAY 2017 — Carnival multi-storey car park opens  JUNE 2017 — Reopening of Peach Street lane  SUMMER 2017 — Work starts at Elms Field. Dates to be confirmed once a contractor has been appointed to carry out the works  NOVEMBER 2018 — work completes at Peach Place with new businesses up and trading for Christmas 2018  MID 2019 — work starts on improving and increasing leisure facilities at the Carnival Pool  End 2019 _ work completes at Elms Field  End 2020 _ work completes at Carnival Pool

ERE TO PARK IN WOKINGHAM Ref

Car Park

Walking time*

Mon-Fri

Open Sat-Sun

Maximum stay

Number of bays

Postcode

1

Easthampstead Road East

5 mins

24 hours

24 hours

N/A

233

RG40 2EG

2

Easthampstead Road West

4 mins

24 hours

24 hours

4 hours

50

RG40 2EH

3

Cockpit Path

2 mins

24 hours

24 hours

6 hours

106

RG40 2HD

4

Denmark Street (WBC)

4 mins

24 hours

24 hours

4 hours

46

RG40 2BB

5

Wellington House (Lower)

5 mins

24 hours

24 hours

3 hours

31

RG40 2AA

6

Wellington House (Upper

5 mins

After 3pm only

24 hours

3 hours

63

RG40 2AA

7

Elms Road multi-storey

3 mins

8am to 6.30pm

8am-6.30pm Sat, closed Sun

Varies by level

189

RG40 2AA

8

The Paddocks

6 mins

24 hours

24 hours

10 hours

282

RG40 2AA

9

Shute End council offices

6 mins

After 3pm only

24 hours

N/A

204

RG40 1BN

10

Carnival Pool (opens May 2017)

6 mins

Tbc

Tbc

Tbc

529

RG40 2AF

*Approximate walking times taken from Google Maps based upon time taken to walk from car park to Market Place (RG40 1AS)  In addition to the above council run car parks there are also privately owned car parks at Waitrose, off Rectory Road (No 11), Marks and Spencer, off Rose Street (No 12) and further spaces in the Denmark Street Euro Car Park (No 13). For further information

WWW.REGENERATIONCOMPANY.CO.UK

relating to these car parks and associated restrictions please contact the provider directly.  For up to date information on council car parks and charging visit: www.wokingham.gov.uk/car-parks

15, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, December 22/29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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