The Wokingham Paper November 3, 2016

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

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, November 3, 2016

HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US

Reading deputy mayor Rose Williams joined Reading Minster’s Rector, the Revd Dr Stephen Pullin, and Cards for Good Causes joint managers Sally Main and Martin Butler for the launch of the charity scheme last month

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

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

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FAMILY Buy your Christmas cards and help good causes NOTICES THEWOKINGHAMPAPER proof  Deaths

ROBSON, John William John died peacefully aged 92 at Hill Brow Care Home, Farnham on 17th October 2016.

John will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Funeral will take place on Friday 11th November at 12.00 midday at Guildford Crematorium. Flowers immediate family only.

All are welcome to Celebrate John’s Life at the Service and afterwards at Oak Park Golf Club.

Funeral Directors: AW Goddard Tel: 01252 616431 Giving in commemoration of John’s life to The Bletchley Park Trust www.bletchleypark.org.uk/contents/support/donation.rht Or Parkinson’s UK: www.parkinsons.org.uk/content/leave-gift-memory

THE WOKINGHAMPAPER Family Notices Write your message here Use block capitals and check your spellings. Use a separate sheet if necessary.

THE charitable spirit of Christmas is alive and well following the launch of this year’s Cards for Good Causes appeal.

A shop selling the festive cards was officially launched in Reading’s Minster church by the Deputy Mayor of Reading Councillor Rose Williams last week, but the cards can also be bought from various locations around Wokingham

Enjoy fun at parish bazaar FUN and games will be in store thanks to a Wokingham town centre church.

St Paul’s will be opening its Parish Rooms on Reading Road this Saturday for its annual bazaar.

There will be the traditional clergyrun bottle tombola, plenty of traditional games and lots of stalls.

The church’s catering team will be opening the kitchen for refreshments and lunches and there will also be a grand prize draw.

The fun takes place from noon to 3.30pm. For more details, call the church on 0118 979 2122.

Tips for coping with fatigue A FREE workshop aimed at helping people manage fatigue will take place at

borough.

Joint manager for the local Cards for Good Causes campaign Martin Butler said: “In the past five years, charities have received more than £20 million from Cards for Good Causes – representing at least 70p in every pound out of which the charities have to pay for the production and distribution of their Christmas cards and

any VAT.” The shop in Reading is open daily from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday until December 17.

The cards are also available to buy from Wokingham Library, in Denmark Street, Lower Earley Library in Chalfont Close, and Twyford United Reformed Church schoolroom in Church Street.

a town centre venue next week.

Organised by Unlock Your Well Being, the event looks at how exhaustion and tiredness can be lived with in a better way, using fun, informative messages.

It is open to everyone who lives and works in Wokingham borough and has been funded by a grant from Healthwatch Wokingham.

The session takes place at the Bradbury Centre in Rose Street from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Tuesday.  For more details, log on to unlockyourwellbeing.co.uk.

want to develop the body’s spiralling capability typical of Chen style Tai Chi. It takes place from 7pm to 10pm on Friday, November 11. Places cost £40.

For more details, log on to www. berkshiretaichi.co.uk.

Try silk reeling AN evening of traditional Silk Reeling training is coming to Winnersh next week.

The community centre in New Road is to be the venue for the event, which will be led by Chen Yingjun, the second son of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang, 19th generation head of Chen family Tai Chi. The seminar is aimed at people who

WI to hold shopping event WITH Christmas just around the corner, the Women’s Institute in Shinfield is hosting an evening shopping event on Friday.

Guests will be able to buy goods from more than 20 local sellers, with items ranging from jewellery, beauty treatments, scarves and accessories to jams and preserves, there will be something for everyone. There will even be wrapping paper and stationery to give your gifts the finishing touches.

The shopping evening will take place at Shinfield Parish Hall, in School Green, from 7pm to 10pm on Friday, November 11. Entry is free.

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

THE Wokingham Paper and TradeMark Windows have teamed up to present Community Cash Tokens.

The scheme is simple – cut out the tokens we’ll print each week.

Send them in to us, as many as you like, and once every two months we’ll pull one at random from the editor’s hat. One lucky group will win £200, courtesy of TradeMark Windows.

The more tokens that you and your supporters send in, the more chance you have of your group being picked at random.

The Community Cash Tokens are open to charities and other non-profit making groups within Wokingham borough and offer a great way of boosting your funds.

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

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WOKINGHAM PAPER

Thursday, November 3, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Employee stole £42,000 of beauty goods to sell on eBay EXCLUSIVE

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk A WOMAN from Reading has admitted stealing more than 2,000 beauty items from her former Sindlesham employer.

Louisa Selvey, 32, of Ruskin, Caversham, appeared at Reading Crown Court on Thursday, October 27 where she narrowly avoided a custodial sentence for the thefts, which took place between 2008 and 2015 when she was employed as a beautician at Nirvana Spa, in Mole Road.

The court heard how Ms Selvey, along with her colleagues at the spa, were given incentives for hitting sales targets in the form of beauty products, which she went on to legally sell on eBay. But the prosecution stated that once Ms Selvey realised how much money she could make out of the products, she started taking them from the shelves and putting them

into her purse to take home and sell.

Her crime went undetected for years as the spa admitted to not carrying out thorough stock checks.

It was not until another employee of the spa, Head of Procurement & Security Graham Walker was checking the auction site in October 2015 to see who was selling the Nirvana Spa products that he chanced upon a website called Beautiful Beauty World, which had numerous items listed for sale which he knew came from the spa. A review of the CCTV at the spa quickly revealed that Ms Selvey had been stealing the products.

The court heard how the beautician immediately admitted the crimes, and offered to pay the money back, but following an internal investigation, the spa called the police.

When questioned, Ms Selvey said that she had suffered a back injury at work, and felt that her employers had not been sympathetic enough towards her, leading her to lose ‘any

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sense of loyalty’ towards them.

Ms Selvey appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on September 12 where she admitted four counts of theft from an employer, which included 2,190 beauty products which she sold on eBay totalling £41,578.35.

Her defence claimed that Ms Selvey had shown full remorse for the crime, and had been going through a difficult time in her life when the thefts took place.

Her husband had recently left her, and her mother had begun to experience ill health.

She admitted stealing the products, and even said she was surprised at how quickly the amount accumulated.

Sentencing, Judge John Reddihough said that given her guilty plea, previous clean record

and the fact that Ms Selvey had recently secured a new job despite her new employer being fully aware of the upcoming prosecution, he sentenced her to 10 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

She is also to abide by a curfew for two months, and attend up to 15 days of supervised rehabilitation activity.

Ms Selvey was also ordered to pay a total of £41,578.35 as compensation.

Summing up, the judge said: “I believe that you are truly sorry for what you have done.

“You have narrowly avoided an immediate custodial sentence here today, but you have been given a second chance to get your life back on track.

“I hope you have learned your lesson and that the criminal courts will never see you again.”

59-year-old who died at Twyford named THE MAN who died at Twyford Station last week has been named.

Michael Robert Clark, who was 59, lived in Greys Hill, Henley before his death on Tuesday, October 25.

Mr Clark was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services at around 3.45pm after he was struck by a train. His family has been informed.

An inquest into Mr Clark’s death has been opened by the Berkshire coroner, but no date for the hearing had been set at the time of going to print.

A previous story by The Wokingham Paper reported that the man was 68, but the coroner’s office has since confirmed that he was 59.

Boy arrested over Legoland assault A BOY has been arrested in connection with a sexual assault at Legoland in Windsor.

The incident took place at the Castaway Camp in Pirate Shores between 12.15pm and 12.30pm on Thursday, August 11 this year.

Two six-year-old girls were touched inappropriately by the offender.

On Tuesday morning officers from Thames Valley Police arrested a boy in connection with the offence, who has been released on bail until December 2.

Police are still appealing for information from anyone who may have been at the resort on the day and may have seen the offence take place. Anyone with information is urged to call 101 and quote reference number 705 (12/08).

Pop-up gallery launches A POP-up shop celebrating local artists is set to open for the festive period this week.

Morearts, which runs the annual Wokingham Arts Trail, has set up shop in Peach Street, displaying works by dozens of local people.

With pieces including pottery, glass, paint and jewellery, the Art House will have something to suit everyone’s Christmas shopping list.

The Art House will be officially opened this Friday at 6.30pm by the Mayor of Wokingham Town, Cllr Gwynneth Hewetson. Members of the public are invited along to enjoy drinks and nibbles, and to chat to the artists about their work.

Network Rail said that its £800 million project to improve stations across the South West network, including Wokingham, is going well

Station’s platform extension is due to arrive on time WORK to extend the platforms at Wokingham train station is going well, according to Network Rail.

The extension project is due to be finished by February 2017, just in time for a roll-out of longer trains the following summer. Work completed so far includes the commissioning of new signalling at the station, and large sections of the new platforms.

Wokingham is one of 10 stations undergoing refurbishment as part of an £800 million Waterloo and South West Upgrade, and will provide more seats for passengers on trains between Reading and London Waterloo.

Stewart Firth, principal sponsor at Network Rail said: “Passengers at Wokingham will have seen the work progressing at a fantastic rate over the

last few months, and I’m delighted to say that it’s all due to be delivered on time by February.

“The enormous investment along the route, part of our Railway Upgrade Plan, will provide passengers with a better railway and better services, and passengers at Wokingham will be some of the first to benefit when longer services begin next summer.”

The overall project aims to provide an extra 30% capacity at London Waterloo by not only allowing longer trains to operate along the route, but by bringing the former Waterloo International Terminal into use, providing an extra five platforms in Waterloo itself, and by introducing a fleet of brand new trains, providing 150 additional carriages.

Police catch man with his trousers down PATROLS have been stepped up just over the border in Maidenhead following reports of illegal sexual activity at car parks.

Local neighbourhood officers from Thames Valley Police have increased patrols in the area of Maidenhead Thicket – close to Littlewick Green and Knowl Hill – following reports of activity in Henley Road and Pinkneys Drive.

A 60-year-old man from High Wycombe was recently given a £90 fixed penalty notice for a

public order offence after PCSOs discovered him naked from the waist down during one of the patrols.

Inspector Mike Darrah, of Maidenhead neighbourhood team, said: “We are aware that there is illegal sexual activity occurring in two car park areas of Maidenhead Thicket.

“We are also aware that there are concerns within the community about the type of activity that is occurring.

“I would like to reassure the community that we have recently increased the number of patrols in these areas and we are working with partners including the National Trust, which owns the land, to address these issues.

“This site is used by a lot of different people and groups, including children, and illegal sexual activity of this kind will not be tolerated.

Offenders will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.”

Call us today to arrange a free initial consultation Tel: 0118 418 1000 Email: info@kjsmith.co.uk Visit: www.kjsmith.co.uk

5 H eadley Road, Woodley, Reading, RG5 4JB Offices in Henley on Thames, Woodley, Windsor, Basingstoke, Guildford & London

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, November 3, 2016

Wokingham Borough Council executive meeting Wokingham Borough Council’s executive met last Thursday. The equivalent of a Cabinet, a range of decisions affecting the borough were made and PHIL CREIGHTON was the only journalist present

14 | NEWS

Keep it brief and to the 14 | NEWS Arrest made over point leader Havetheft a go at warns Scottish

Chief Exec praised for ‘well-led’ council but New bus routesCharity to long-term vision panned

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, August 26, 2016

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, September 2, 2016

Davies and Beryl Langton “On that basis it should notpainting Picture: effectively be a brand new question Steve divorced from the answer to the Smyth

free serve Woodley offers from chipping early next month for cats

THE leader ofmade Wokingham Borough AN arrest has been country dancing in connection withcalled a Council has on questioners to

By PHIL CREIGHTON business of the council”, adding that number offans thefts from a to–have DANCING arepoint invited at it brief. keep to the anda gokeep news@wokinghampaper.co.uk “the real business gets done between Scottish countryindancing leisure centre Lowerat a special open primary question.

At each meeting of the council, September and November”. It encourages evening Earley. next week in neighbouring Frimley.

“It also should not be an members of the1public and THE borough is well-led by its chief the council to explore the electoral The Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey On Monday, August opportunity for the questioner to councillors are invited to ask Border branch of the Royal Scottish Country executive but it suffers from a clarity of cycle’s impact on decision making. a number of lockers were Dance is of holding event on leaders, make a new statement or speech. questions thethepolitical brokenSociety into and personal “strong vision for the area and the council’s The report was not all critical. It Wednesday at Our Lady of Heaven As many of the questioners are belongings stolen at Queen but at last week’s Executive CATS and kittens can be neutered role in shaping it” according to a Local praised some sectors as “innovative Roman Catholic Church Hall, in Portsmouth Loddon Valley Leisure and microchipped free of charge political then they often have a meeting Cllr Keith Baker (pictured) Government Association report.

Road and opposite Frimley Park Hospital. work” andto athat council is “Local Centre, in Rushey Way. thanks specialthe campaign predesigned supplementary which made a comment after he felt Andy Couldrick’s leadership was Government’s An experienced ‘go to’ example of launching for September.

Following an teacher will be calling bears no relevance to the actual that people asking a permitted the dances andby thepolice group promises a warm singled out for praise in the review, successful The Bracknell and Wokingham investigation delivery of strategic housing answer.

This is a shame follow-up question – known welcome to anyone – no experience is written by leaders from other councils development District branch of the Cats an arrest was made on accompanied by the necessary. as the supplementary as supplementaries – Protection has launched a free across the country including Durham, August 16. The suspect infrastructure to create There is no need to be Scottish nor neutering and microchip campaignsustainable concept is designed to were has beenstraying released onfrom Medway and Luton. The team spent wear a kilt or tartan. Visitors should wear communities”. during the entire month for people conditional bail until allow the questioner the original question hours looking at the way in which lightweight loose short sleeved clothing and in their catchment area, scheme regardless “is widely The Regeneration early October. to probe more the and being little too soft flat shoes oradance pumps.

Wokingham Borough Council works and of their thought tocircumstances. be a strong and sustainable actual answer given. verbose.

The event takes place on Wednesday, found much to praise, although the way Cat owners in Wokingham, development programme” and the September 7 from“Keep 8pm to 10pm.WOODLEY folk hadWokingham Evening Guild“This heldwould a Tea to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday and support the Alexander Devine Charity. is Party far“abroad” more said he hoped they go a taste of France andTownswomen’s He said: whose pets are over four-monthsin which political decisions were made The group holds children’s classes on Picture: Steve Smyth / WP1608038 expected 10% return old and at least 2kg in weight,iscansaid to be questions short andItaly last week without the hassle of airport again. challenging for the were criticised.

Saturday mornings atinCrowthorne Parish Tuesday was French day and Italian on queues. “impressive”. download a voucher to be used at A GARDEN centre person giving the sharp or I will start Monday The Corporate Peer Challenge, which Hall from 9.30am and a fortnightlyChrist Thursday.

Church in Crockenhamwell one ofExecutive the participatingAndy veterinary Hare Hatchpeople is hoping off.”

Chief Couldrick is answer as they cannot cutting technique class at Finchampstead Memorial was conducted in February this year, said: Road held Holiday at Home days and they Visitors, mostly elderly who don’t want practices in the area. draw out the good “well-respected by staff, the leader have a prepared answer to afterwards Hall Speaking for more advanced dancers.have been hailed a success.

DAINTY sandwiches and scrumptious a chance to meet up – and it was such “most key decisions [are] explored by the the hassle of travelling abroad, enjoyed Cats can be neutered and weather for as long as and microchipped members,at and partners both in details, call chairman Paul on 01252 n For to The Wokingham Baker, creamfor cakes taste crafts, ofsupplementary.” a success, it has become It was aCllr first venuture the were the that music and the finest cuisine froman annual largest political group prior to going to Denton Vets, possible with Summer 404639 orsaid: visit www.rscds-bhs.org.uk of Wokingham; Wokingham”. Similarly, summer for some lucky ladies. event.

However, Democrat in Denton Road, Baker “We have limited time church, but church secretary Tony Atkins FranceLiberal and Italy.

Fun Day next weekend.

Executive. The process … does generate and outside of the Wokingham Mrs Gillottsaid said: “The Shinfield Vets, in Shinfield the leadership team Road, is said to be Cllr Lindsay Ferris, it committee forLadds questions and therefore it is Membersleader, Garden Village, Evening Townswomen’s Guild did all the catering and there were results, however there is tendency for Moor Cottage Vets, in London Summer fun in store with staff Road, believing that in Bath Road, will be would be business as usual for helpful if questioners can be as gathered at St Paul’s parish rooms for sandwiches and scones and gorgeous there to be a focus on the short-term “approachable” Binfield, and Forest House Vets, holdingas the possible. free event on they “walk the talk”. the party as it sought to hold the brief traditional afternoon tea. cream cakes. It went very well.” and a potential to limit transparency in in Hermitage Parade, High Street, A GARDENSeptember centre in Hare is hoping Saturday, 10, Hatchquestion Conservative-led administration to a fundecision-making”. the initial can The best china The council is encouraged to explore was out at the As well as giving everyone Ascot. draw“While out the good weather between 10am and 4pm. for as long as hall on Tuesday, August afternoon, the event made £123 for It also said that “there is a lack of detail include always To check whetherthe your postcode ways in which role of elected possible with(and Summeralmost Fun Day next weekend.do) Reading Roadaccount.

There will be the chatter funds. the falls withinwill the Cats Protection’s Ladds Garden Village, in Bathspeech Road, Heandsaid: “This isguild because a statement or mini the 16, and both the tea councillors change as part of its around what Wokingham, the place, and facepainting, reptiles, flowed.

Wokingham Evening catchment area, visit www.cats.org. will be holding the free event on Saturday, Leader of the Council is annoyed supplementary 21st Century Council initiative, with the birds of prey, sand art, should not.

Wokingham Borough Council will look Group secretary Jill Gillott Townswomen’s Guild will always uk/bracknell.

Vouchers will be valid September 10, between 10am and 4pm. with the Lib He was being of all ages. like over the medium- to long-term.

“A supplementary question explained that, a balloon artist and a reportforsaying: “there traditionally, the Dems.welcome new members use until the end of seems October to be limited There will be face painting, reptiles, vintage hogbe roast to a balloon tetchy outthird onTuesday of “Without this clarity of vision and should based on the member development”. members have never metand in trying to Ittake meets it on the Road and support terminating in Reading.

The 2016,for andCentral can only be used at a14 via birds of prey, sand art, artist actual and a EXCLUSIVE keep everyone smiling August because are awayof on this the month from 7.30pm at St Paul’s usmany because annoyance.

Shepherd’s HillThe willparticipating serve this route reverse, starting Cllr Keith answer given toeveryone the primary veterinary practice. vintage hog roast to keep smiling leader of inthe Council, Bypriorities, GEMMA DAVIDSON there is a risk that increasingly throughout theday. day. holiday. But two years it wasto take parish There speakergdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk every in CentralBaker, Reading,n and terminating at Sandford Lane.

For more information regarding throughout the “Weago, plan norooms. notice ofis ait.” question. told the Executive that he was diffi cult decisions will be taken on For more visit www. decided to try holding an afternoon month – if you are interested, just The new 12 service will start email: at Chequers, and serve this campaign neutering. n For more information, call 0118 940 4794 pleased with the reveiw’s findings, a piecemeal basis and may not be laddsgardenvillage.co.uk Doris Osborn, Sylvia Grant and Avril enjoy theShepherd’s party tea party to give friends still at home turn up as a guest and give it a go. cpbracknell@gmail.com.

Hill top before terminating in Central or visit www.laddsgardenvillage.co.uk.

BUS users in Woodley will see a change inRimmer their routes The Holiday At Home French Day event in Woodley. Picture: Steve Smyth noting that Local Government delivering the strategic or 4794.

Reading, while the same routethe in reverse will also WOKINGHAM WOKINGHAM WOKINGHAM THEWOKINGHAMPAPER To advertiseToemail advertise advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk call 0118 328 2959 23 andconsistent 22call 0118 940 29 the addition of a in new service from next month.

Association been by the The newhad service will “impressed” run hourly objectives of the council.”

From Monday, September 5 the numbers 13 and 14 stop at Thatcher’s.

Friday only,projects. except public holidays. From will have a new routes, and a new – the orange And the report saidbusthat electingMonday a tocouncil’s 12 combines 13 route, plan was 12 third – will of be introduced following from Woodley Hetheadded thatwithantheaction the council in feedback three years out Centre, from Reading it combines with the 14 providing customers andwas drivers.“having an impact on and of four the developed to address areas that had been customers with up to three buses an hour during

Holiday at home is a grand hit

Fun day

Townswomen celebrate Queen’s birthday with tea!

19, Friday, April August 15,12, 8, 2016 2016 2016 THE THE THE

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Friday, July 24, 2015

Keep those special moments forever

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MEP hits out at borough’s ‘toxic air’ Grammar schools

The changes to the 13 and 14 routes will see both services becoming more circular around Woodley, Monday to Friday daytimes.

A spokesperson BusesShepherd-DuBey said: “New meaning they will both run along the same roads but asked byfor CllrReading Rachelle will be£300,000 on buses shortly. in opposite directions. Customers wishing to head timetablesafter wasPlease takennote, offthere the project. into town will therefore be required to take one route, is a misprint on the ‘departures from Woodley Centre’ He said: “The sum has been identified table on pages 26 and 27 with the Green old information MEP while the return journey will be made on the other.

EXCLUSIVE as being in excess requirements and is are working to getofthis information Keith Taylor is and 14 routes will now run via Bulmershe shown. We ByThe JOHN13WAKEFIELD considered surplus cash. so please disregard the campaigning information on ” or Shepherd’s Hill. The 13 via Bulmershe will start at reprinted,therefore news@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE future of the borough’s schools was there the is nomoney orange 12will service shown. for cleaner air used on the now be Blagrave Street in Reading, and stop at London Road, these pages ifAnd raised in a question from Keith across south “But thecouncil’s timetable Northern change is notDistributor all! Wethewill also AIR POLLUTION inCentre, Wokingham is resident Bulmershe Sports Thatchers and terminate Road project. east, including new buses approved to these routes from to mid-purchase Malvern. contributing a public in Sandford to Lane.

Thehealth 14 viacrisis Bulmershe will serve be introducing  Executive plans Wokingham September.

These buses will be comfortable and that route claims thereverse, livesCllr of starting upCharlotte to 50,000 this at Sandford Lane and He in asked Haitham Taylor Toutley Cottage to help with building of Picture: lots of great features,borough. including free people a year to one of the terminating inaccording Central Reading. about the discussions she had had with modern with North Distributor Road.

Officepoints of Keithand a 4G WiFi, USB Wokingham phone charging borough’s MEPs. Hill, the 13 will start at Sandford superfast the Via Shepherd’s council offiMEP cers oversouth the Prime Minister’s MEP Keith Taylor, information on Lane, before stoppingforatthe Woodley Piazza, Chequers glazed staircase. Look out for moreTaylor pledge introduce new grammar schools. east which to includes in Beechwood Avenue,Wokingham Shepherd’s Hill top, London these buses soon.”

She replied theytofelt “any conclusions borough, said that thethat only way But Mr Taylor,until who is a member transport programmes across solve towntocentre’s “toxic wethe came would justair” be hypothetical” of the European Parliament’s the South East continues to cost problem cut backhad on traffic the “fiisnetodetail” been released. rather than look for alternative Environment and Public Health thousands of lives annually. No And she also echoed hercommittee, comments saidfrom this doesn’t go far one is pretending that solving ways to get cars moving.

A FIVE-a-side football tournament in September’s “The starting this crisis willoverspend be easy, but today's His comments council come meeting. days enough.

THE COUNCIL’S is the equivalent aid of a mother Woodley who point wasfrom that Wokingham’s comprehensive, Responding to the damning report clearly demonstrates the after Wokingham Borough of a 0.5% rise in council tax according to the is battling cancer raised more than air pollution report published by government and local authorities Council announced Quality schools are maintained andAir academy former Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Prue £6,000 at the weekend. academics at do the Bristol-based haven’t even been trying.”

Management Areas toin the helpcountry. amongst the bestturned Pupils Bray.

More than 120 players University of the West of England “Air pollution deaths have improve the borough’s air quality. here, and this year’s results show that, upwell for the 24-hour kickabout in asked executive member a reached epidemic levels; 4,000for In Wokingham town he said: “This report exposes She yet again”.

Woodford Park on Saturday and crisis livesdevelopment are needlessly lost every year Cllr centre, there is a higher than ghastly truth: A public healtheconomic and finance, Sunday to raise money forsaid, Mr Malvern in reply, that he felt that claims the any lives of 50,000 in the South East. recommended amount ofMichelle nitrogen Anthony Pollock, if the £494,000 would put Davey, 33,ina new who was Shuteschools British now citizens every year has “I would urge Wokingham dioxide the mum aironaround discussions grammar were added pressure on meeting service needs in diagnosed withwest bowel cancer End in the of thejusttown, been systematically ignored by council to treat our poor air quality “very premature”. nancial year. weeks afterStreet giving birth her son,and successive governments. the 2017/18 as the fipublic health priority it Denmark in theto south He replied it would.

He added: Tommy.

“The study reveals the abject needs tothat be and reconsider its London Road to the east.

The money raised willisgo towards proposals.

In Twyford there a higher failure of UK transport planning; “We willcurrent needtransport to apply our usual level of helping Michelle and husband Phil pay the “Air pollution up innovation an than recommended amount of expansion at all costs is failing financial diligence andracks service around 120 players up to play £6,000health which bill far of £20bn.

British people andturned the planet.

We excess annualofpublic for everyday essentials such their nitrogen dioxide in the airasaround in formulating our proposals for 17/18 and the this in Wokingham at the exceeds in thesee football match over the two “For the theexpectations health andofprosperity mortgage, bills, and childcare for their can the A321 crossroads. setting a balanced budget”. the solution to toxic air organisers of the British air pollution and ispeople, just absolutely days, with families and friends coming seven-month-old son. said that it moment; While the council And in ano separate thetotown centre cannot to incredible! can longer beagenda ignored.point, As a the along support.

The stalls werebe very Reading FC‘greenways’ player Nathanto in is Former implementing MONEY taken from the Winnersh accommodate traffic, must Green, I will fighting to totally maintain “Myself andbe Michelle are popular with themore cake sale anditover Executive noted the overspend, of which link up the borough for awalkers Tyson even turned up to away lend hand, Relief Road will not have impact onit. the toonly reduce and came strengthen by the EU generosity and and and cyclists, it wants help from 18s (alcohol) tombola proving to overwhelmed alongside past and present players of anbe £408,000 from the safeguards health “Thepopular! lack of environmental support while calling on the government project. individuals and local interest be very that people shown.” expects the Woodley Hammers. wellbeing budget.

Thehave council consideration wrong-headed groups on Malcolm other it was can executive donate, visit its www.justgiving.

“I understand theand currentcontinued total for ntoTore-examine Mr Davey said: “Theways weekend Cllr Richards, member no additional to planning.” come from the refusal to invest in weekend sustainable approachfunding to transport its airAs quality. the fundraising over the is in com/crowdfunding/michelle-davey. aimprove huge far aswas I understand for success.

Highways, responding to a question

questioned

Overspend ‘equals On the ball in the fight against 0.5%cancer tax rise’

Over the past few weeks, we have been out and about at numerous events across the borough and in the process taken thousands of photographs – only a few make our pages every week.

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£300k road switch queried

Department of Health, which means that

highlighted as needing improvement.

But the Conservative opposition felt the paper offered some warnings to the council, particularly over excluding other parties from the decision making process.

Cllr Lindsay Ferris, Liberal Democract leader, told The Wokingham Paper: “A common thread within this review is one of complacency and a degree of secrecy within the Council.

“WBC has made advances, but there is a feeling that it is “pleased with itself”.

Also the ruling group focuses on shortterm issues and also does not wish to share much with the Opposition with far too many decisions being taken behind closed doors and rubber stamped at the Executive Meeting.

“Overview and Scrutiny is done very poorly within WBC. Only the odd item has been investigated throughout the four years plus that I have been on the Council and two of those investigations have come as a result of a Call In by the Lib Dem Group.

“Overview and Scrutiny needs to be beefed up and taken more seriously.

“The present arrangements merely scratch the surface of any issue that is/ has been investigated and if anything has been found the process is closed down in case there is any criticsim.

“There is a resistance to any alternative proposal being put forward.

“Without an effective Scrutiny process the decision making process will become much poorer, potentially leading to costly mistakes.” there will increased pressures on the council as it seeks to provide social care.

Children’s services also overspent by £250,000, with a difficulty in recruiting social workers listed as one of the reasons for the deficit. It was noted that the variance was offset by efficiency programmes and external funding.

Provision of school places, including the Shinfield West School and a “bulge in school places required in Woodley” meant that the education budget had an overspend of £341,000.

Other services had saved money including the chief executives offices, which had saved £40,000, a £90,000 saving from environment and £38,000 from housing revenue account.

Merger approved PLANS to merge Optalis – the council’s adult social care company – with services provided by neighbouring Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead council were approved by Executive.

The deal sees the council give up a 45% stake in the company and it is expected that the first services run by the newly enlarged company will start from April next year.

As part of the plan, the Executive agreed to approve a short-term loan facility for Optalis of £350,000, payable at Bank of England base rate plus 5.5%.

Thursday, November 3, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

NEWS | 5

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

Wokingham Borough Council executive meeting An artist’s impression of the new Elms Field shopping area

Elms Field contracts called into question NEGOTIATIONS over a new foodstore for Elms Field were brought into focus thanks to a question from a member of the public.

Peter Humphreys asked Cllr Keith Baker why it was taking “an inordinately long time” to secure the Aldi supermarket, a key part of the new retail area of the town centre, which will also include a boutique cinema, hotel and several restaurants.

He wanted to know if Wokingham Borough Council was offering any tax breaks in “its desperation to secure a deal” or “providing financial incentives of any kind”. These, he said, included “rents below market value, rent-free periods etc. and other creative inducements or concessions”.

Cllr Baker said that desperation was an emotional word and this could not be used to describe the council’s dealings.

He added: “The negotiations with the potential food store operator are progressing well and in line with the project programme … As you would expect I am unable to go into

detail on this matter but any incentives being discussed are wholly in line with market requirements and will achieve the ‘market value’.”

Mr Humphreys accused Cllr Baker of using a confidential clause to “sort of conceal information from your fellow councillors and the public, but it is already in the public domain; albeit hard to locate that 15 shops and restaurants have been given free rent periods and that the cinema fit-out is, and I quote, ‘a loss leader’.”

In reply, Cllr Baker said: “The fact is that the market requirements dictate certain actions and we are doing those actions and we are not doing anything different than anybody else in this area.”

Speaking to The Wokingham Paper, Cllr Baker sought to reassure over the negotiations.

He said: “The rent paid to the council on all units rented out will be market based rents for that type of operation and therefore in no way can that be considered as a loss leader.

There will be no reduced

income whatsoever regardless of other potential interest in other retail units.”

Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Lindsay Ferris said that there were fears the project’s risks were being ignored.

He said: “The Council should be more open about the potential risks of this project.

These include additional costs resulting from any delay in commencing the project, not knowing the overall cost until the supplier(s) are chosen and the cost of any ‘sweetheart’ deals that may or may not be undertaken.

“There is a high risk in this project and residents need to be made aware of these risks.

“It should be recognised that the more money the Council borrows the more interest is paid. Currently interest rates are low, but this will change at some point in the future. Interest paid by the Council is considered revenue and as such will go onto the Council Tax base. Therefore the more interest paid the more the residents will pay in their Council Tax. This leaves less money for other services.”

Leisure services put out to tender LEISURE services in Wokingham borough are due for a shake-up after Executive approved plans to launch a 21st Century Strategy and a public consultation.

The centres are currently operated by 1Life, and it is proposed to launch new services as the borough expands including a centre, with swimming pool, at the Bohunt School site in Arborfield and the proposed football pitches at Grays Farm.

The plans were put to public scrutiny for eight weeks on Friday, October 28, running up to Christmas Eve, with final proposals brought

to the executive meeting on Thursday, January 26.

The strategy seeks to increase adult participation in physical activity, maintain community facilities and support grassroots sports clubs.

It is hoped that the strategy would save £2.1million over three years.

As part of this, leisure services currently provided by 1Life would be put out to tender. Executive considered whether the centres – St Crispin’s, Carnival Pool, Bulmershe and Loddon Valley – should be brought in house, a mixed approach of some facilities run by external

operators, a shared service with other local authorities or a full tender process enabling an outside operator to run the facilities in the way that 1Life currently does.

Executive felt that the best way forward was to launch a new round of tendering for running the borough’s leisure services as the other options would present a “greater financial risk to the council”.

The new contracts would be for 10 years with an option for a five-year extension.  A major refurbishment of Carnival Pool is planned from April 2019 and the Arborfield pool is expected to open in 2026.

Woodley redevelopment plan approved: see page 11

Councillor apologises for saying borough “too white” words on my part … I apologise for not having chosen my words more carefully.”

However, in a follow-up question, Cllr Pollock said that he felt his accusers were making a mischief of his original faux pas.

Cllr Dollinski asked him: “In light of your answer would the Executive Member agree that trying to use this as an issue to stoke up racial tensions for political gain is morally reprehensible?”

Cllr Pollock replied: “Yes I do.”

The statement was also picked up on by Liberal Democrat councillor Clive Jones. He asked the leader of the council, Keith Baker, if Cllr Pollock’s words were “inappropriate, inaccurate, divisive and very misleading?”

Cllr Baker replied: “I think Cllr Pollock has already dealt with this issue.”

Speaking to The Wokingham Paper after the meeting, Cllr Jones said: “Cllr Pollock’s remarks at the previous Executive were very unfortunate as he has now realised.

“These were not the kind of remarks that a senior member of the Council’s ruling Conservative Executive should make. ”At the full council meeting in July the whole council unanimously passed a motion saying that there was no place for such language to be used.”

A COUNCILLOR who said that Wokingham was too wealthy and too white has apologised for his choice of words.

At the September Executive meeting of Executive, Cllr Anthony Pollock (pictured) said that the council received a poor financial settlement from central Government because of its ethnic make-up.

As we reported last month, he said: “The simple answer is that we are too wealthy and too white and therefore in the econometric model we do not do so well.”

However, at this month’s Executive he was given the opportunity to apologise after a question on the subject from fellow Conservative councillor Richard Dollinski.

He asked the executive member for economic development and finance whether ethnicity was a factor used to calculate the level of funding the Council receives from central Government.

In reply, Cllr Pollock said that “ethnicity is one of the many factors used in assessing the needs formulae for our funding from Government.

“I should be clear in stating that ethnicity is not based on skin colour alone.”

Cllr Pollock added: “This was a poor choice of

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, November 3, 2016

Paedophile rapist jailed for 13 years

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk A MAN from Binfield will spend the next 13 years behind bars after being found guilty of six sexual offences.

Shane Matthew Chubb, 43, of Apsey Court was sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Friday last week after a jury unanimously found him guilty of raping a girl under the age of 16, and three counts of sexual activity with a child contrary to the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The offences, which all involved the same victim, took place in Berkshire between 2002 and 2009.

Chubb was also found guilty of two counts of making indecent images of children, offences which took place between the 2010 and 2014.

Investigating officer, Det Con Alex Marshall from Force CID, based at Maidenhead, said: “I am pleased that Chubb has been convicted and sentenced for his crimes. He took advantage of a young girl for his own gratification.

“I would like to pay tribute to the victim for coming forward and reporting the crimes committed against her. Hopefully now that justice has been served she can start to rebuild her life and begin to come to terms with what she has been put through.

“I hope that this sends the message to other victims that we will always take reports seriously, will investigate them fully and bring offenders to justice even if the offences might have happened some time ago.”

Thames Valley Police remind the public

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If you wish to report an incident, please call the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.

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

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

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A VISITING Swedish priest is to bring a touch of Scandinavia to Wokingham this Sunday.

Father Dag Bjärnhall is to lead a Sankta Lucia (St Lucy) celebration at St Paul’s Church from 6.15pm, followed by traditional Swedish refreshments.

The priest is visiting St Paul’s in Reading Road during his sabbatical, and the service celebrating St Lucy will be part of a cultural exchange between his Swedish traditions and those of the parish.

Sankta Lucia is a Swedish national festival normally celebrated on December 13 commemorating St Lucy, a 3rd century martyr.

There will be an opportunity to make gingerbread from 4.45pm in the Parish Rooms and volunteers have been busy learning to make Swedish delicacies  For more details visit www.spauls.org.uk or call 0118 979 2122.

PROGRAMMES from two rock concerts in 1967 fetched more than £800 at an auction held in Wokingham last month.

The programmes had been produced for performances by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Who and The Koobas at the Saville Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue, London, on January 29 1967, and when The Jimi Hendrix Experience appeared again with The Herd and The Crazy World of Arthur Brown on October 8 the same year.

Estimated to sell for £300 to £400, the two programmes finally sold for £850 to a buyer in the USA, who was following the sale and bidding on the internet.

Also sold at the Martin & Pole auction on October 19 were five FA cup final programmes from 1930 to 1937.

The collection was sold for a total of £1,310, with the 1933 programme fetching £400 alone.

Auctioneer Matthew Coles said: “We knew as soon as the

programmes came to us that they were something special.

“The psychedelic design of one of the programmes really epitomised the era and seeing both The Who and Jimi Hendrix playing on the same night must have been in hindsight a special occasion.”

Martin & Pole’s next auction in Milton Road will be held on Wednesday, November 16.

Public viewing of the sale will be on the Saturday morning, Monday and Tuesday prior.

Barn Own box gets PM’s approval A PROJECT to install new Barn Owl boxes around Sonning has been given the seal of approval by the Prime Minister.

The conservation project, which is being sponsored by local residents, aims to install 15 state-of-the-art boxes at various locations around the village in time for the 2017 breeding season.

Professor Alastair Driver, who is heading the project, said: “When I was Conservation Manager for the Thames Region of the National Rivers Authority 25 years ago, I initiated a project with the Hawk and Owl Trust for the installation of Barn Owl boxes on Reading University farmland at Sonning, funded by the NRA. “This project led to several pairs of Barn Owls breeding where there were none previously, but the boxes have

all rotted away now and so I decided it was time to resurrect the idea, but this time doing it entirely with local funding.”

Prof Driver will be assisted by Colin Shawyer, former Director of the Hawk and Owl Trust who has installed 3,500 boxes across the UK. The trust estimates there are around 8,000 pairs of Barn Owls in the UK, and around 75% of these breed in purposebuilt boxes.

And the villagers’ generosity in funding the boxes has not gone unnoticed, as they have received a special thanks from local MP Theresa May. Mrs May said: “As part of our commitment to be the first generation to leave

the environment in a better state than we found it, the government is very keen to promote local environmental management and improvement.

“This communityfunded example from my own constituency, led by a known conservation expert, is a great model for communities around the country.

“I wish the project every success in its ambition to return this beautiful bird to its rightful place in the Sonning countryside.”

The boxes in Sonning will be monitored by volunteers, including Sadie Shepherd from Feathers and Fur Falconry Centre at Hare Hatch, and Reading-based professional ecologist Katy Thomas.

Thursday, November 3, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

NEWS | 7

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

Crackdown plan for single person’s council tax discount

Wear your knitted poppy with pride!

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk

“However, it’s a statutory requirement for council tax payers to tell us if they think they should no longer qualify for a discount. I would A REVIEW into single person discounts on council strongly urge anyone to contact us now if they tax is to be carried out by the council. receive a discount they’re not sure they’re Council tax payers who live alone, or are the entitled to. only person in their main residence over the “While we’re cracking down on the incorrect age of 18, are entitled to a 25% discount on their discounts granted, we’re still keen to make sure annual bill. everyone gets the discounts they’re entitled to.

Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) will soon You should also contact us if you think you should be carrying out a review of those entitled to the qualify for any discounts and exemptions.” discount to ensure it is awarded only to those Any change of circumstance, which affects a residents who are entitled to it.

But rather than contacting every resident resident’s entitlement to a single person discount, currently claiming, WBC will work with Northgate or any discount or exemption, incurs a penalty of Public Services to carry out residency checks, £70 unless the council is notified within 21 days.

WITH Remembrance Day just around the corner, one Changes are backdated, so withholding crochet group from Wokingham is putting its skills to targeting those residents whose circumstances differ from that recorded on its systems and may information could mean some households have a good use for charity. considerable amount of council tax arrears to pay. therefore no longer be eligible for the discount.

The Barkham Hookers, led by Gaynor White, have Anyone who thinks they may no longer be been creating eye-catching homemade poppies which Cllr Anthony Pollock, WBC’s executive member for economic development and finance said: “We entitled to a council tax discount should contact can be worn again and again, with all proceeds going believe most council tax discounts are claimed the borough council on (0118) 974 6000 or email: to The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. honestly and legitimately, and we know there Ctax@wokingham.gov.uk.

Gaynor said: “Last year we raised £5,200 through are times a household’s circumstances change n For more information on council tax discounts the sale of our18:14 poppies, and this year we are trying to blueprint_advert_190x137mm_TKT5119_07B_PRINT_READY.pdf 1 22/03/2016 and people forget to tell us their eligibility for a visit www.wokingham.gov.uk/benefits/council-taxbeat that. discount should end. discounts/council-tax-discounts “The poppies are great, I’ve made some custom

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ones to give out to family and friends, including my postman, Tom, who always goes out of his way to help with deliveries.

“I even made one for the announcer at Wokingham Station who always brings a smile to everyone’s faces.”

The poppies are being sold at several local shops including Lockey Farm, Barkham Post Office, Nine Mile Ride Dentist and Vets, Jats Chemist in Finchampstead, Ashridge Garden Centre, Stitchery Do in Wokingham, Woodley and Wokingham libraries and Woosehill Medical Practice.

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Parish noticeboard Friday, November 4 Wokingham Borough Council. Planning Site Visits.

8am. Schedule to be published on Wokingham Borough Council’s website. Shute End RG40 1BN.

Monday, November 7 Charvil Parish Council village hall and amenities meeting.

8pm. Charvil Village Hall, Park Lane.

St Nicholas Hurst parish council meeting. 7.30pm. Hurst Village Halls, School Road Hurst RG10 0DR. Wokingham Borough Council. SACRE (Standing advisory council on religious education) meeting. 6.15pm. Civic offices, Shute End RG40 1BN. Wokingham Without Parish Council meeting. 7.30pm.

St Sebastian’s Hall, Nine Mile Ride RG40 3BA.

Tuesday November 8 Barkham Parish Council. Planning meeting 7.30pm. Council 8pm. Barkham Village Hall, Church Lane RG40 4PL. Remenham Parish Council meeting, 8pm. Parish Hall, off Remenham Lane, Remenham.

Swallowfield Parish Council meeting. 7.30pm. Swallowfield Parish Hall, Swallowfield Street, Swallowfield RG7 1QX Winnersh Parish Council Full Council Meetings. 7.45pm. The John Grobbler Room, Winnersh Community Centre, New Road, Winnersh RG41 5DU. Wokingham Borough Council. Council Question and Motion Deadline. 10am. Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

7pm. Civic offices, Shute End RG40 1BN. Woodley Town Council Leisure Services. 8pm. The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Woodley, RG5 4JZ

Wednesday, November 9 Wokingham Borough Council. Planning Meeting. 7pm. Civic offices, Shute End RG40 1BN.

Thursday, November 10 Shinfield Parish Council planning and highways meeting.

7.30pm. Shinfield Parish Hall, School Green.

Monday, November 14 Shinfield Parish Council full council meeting. 7.30pm.

Shinfield Parish Hall, School Green.

A MAN from Finchampstead has pleaded guilty to driving offences.

Buster James Christopher Evans, 26, of Nash Grove Lane, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on September 22 where he admitted driving while disqualified, and driving without third party insurance on July 20 this year.

He was handed a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid community work within the next 12 months, ordered to pay a surcharge of £115, costs of £85, and was banned from driving for 18 months.

Mr Evans also pleaded guilty to obstructing a police officer on the same date. For this offence he was fined £40.

A WOMAN from Woodley is due to appear in court charged with breaching a closure order.

Victoria Samantha Bunce, 27, of Wheble Drive, is alleged to have entered a premises in Tudor Road, Reading on March 29 despite a closure order being in place at the property.

Ms Bunce appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on September 22 where she denied the charge.

She has been remanded on unconditional bail to appear at the same court on November 21.

A MAN from Earley has pleaded guilty to drink driving.

Andrew Bisset, 42, of Fleetham

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, November 3, 2016

From the courts

Mr McNamara was handed a 10week prison sentence, suspended for 15 months, and placed under a restraining order.

He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation, a £115 surcharge and costs of £85.

Mr McNamara also admitted breaching a suspended sentence order made by Berkshire Magistrates’ Court on June 29, for the offences of assault by beating and criminal damage. For this breach he was fined £100.

Gardens, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on September 22 where he admitted driving in Reading on September 5 while over the alcohol limit.

Mr Bisset was fined £260, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30, costs of £85, and was disqualified from driving for three years.

A MAN from Twyford has admitted causing criminal damage.

Michael Thomas McNamara, 25, of Springsfield Park, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on September 22 where he admitted causing criminal damage to the value of £5,000 on September 20 this year.

A MAN from Earley has pleaded guilty to plying for trade as an unlicensed taxi.

Abdul Jabber, 49, of Byron Road, appeared at Reading Magistrates’

Court on September 23 where he pleaded guilty to driving, standing or plying for trade in Station Hill, Reading on March 9 this year.

He also pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle as a private hire vehicle in a controlled district without having a current licence.

Mr Jabber was fined a total of £150, ordered to pay a surcharge of £20, and costs of £200.

A MAN from Woodley has pleaded guilty to beating a child.

The man, who we are not naming for legal reasons, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on September 26 charged with assault by beating.

The charge related to an incident involving an 18-month-old child.

The man was handed a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months; ordered to participate in a 28-day rehabilitation programme; a rehabilitation activity up to 15 days; ordered to pay a surcharge of £115, and costs of £85.

The man also pleaded guilty to damaging a window at a property in Woodley, for which he was given an eight-week suspended sentence, to run concurrently.

He was also made the subject of a restraining order to not contact the victim directly or indirectly, save through solicitors, and to not go to their house.

The order lasts until further notice.

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Monster fun! The first Hallowe’en children’s party at the Broad Street Tavern attracted a wide range of fiendish creatures on Sunday morning

A329m: drivers blamed for delays, calls for new lane EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE SOLUTION to Wokingham’s go slow motorway is to reduce the speed limit to 50mph at peak times - but it’s unworkable.

Instead, Wokingham Borough Council should focus on expanding the A329m, adding an extra lane in each direction at an estimated cost of £17million.

That’s the verdict of a council commissioned report into the traffic problems facing motorists since the A329m was turned into two single lane motorways, one for local traffic and the other for vehicles going onto the M4.

Since the scheme was launched a year ago, drivers have been complaining of delays, near misses and confused motorists.

Now their concerns have been vindicated in the report, created by Highways England consultants Mouchel in September, but it has only just been released under a Freedom of Information act request.

The report notes that “the A329m does experience peak time congestion with the southbound carriageway most affected” and that the new road layout has increased that. However, the scheme was introduced after research

by Highways England between 2009 and 2011 indicated that it would “provide journey time savings and reduce accidents”.

The report officially records what readers have been saying ever since the revised layout opened last autumn: the signs and road markings “does not sufficiently inform drivers … causing late weaving manoeuvres and A329m traffic to brake suddenly”.

CCTV footage captured by the consultants caught 26 drivers changing lanes at the wrong time, with last-minute lane changing “more evident” on traffic heading from Wokingham towards Reading.

But the report goes on to blame “driver behaviour as the root cause of congestion, due to poor lane discipline (changing too late/early)”. It adds that the single lane sections do add to congestion but said that if road signs and markings were improved the road could cope with the volume of traffic without delays.

Further research, using Google

Maps’ traffic live traffic feature, also highlighted how the M4 junction on the southbound side of the A329m was contributing to the traffic delays facing motorists, with drivers switching lanes being the root cause of the delays. The survey estimates that three times more users are travelling south than in the other direction.

The report outlines seven ways to make improvements for motorists, three are short-term and the rest longer term but it only recommends three of them.

The short-term plans involve adding solid lines to the traffic coming on to the A329m from the M4.

The aim is to reduce the number of drivers moving into traffic already on the A329m and therefore reduce accidents.

And the third shortterm plan would see signs improved, changing to make it clear that lane one is for M4 only and the other lane is A329m only. However, Wokingham Borough Council’s concerns over increasing congestion mean that these will be placed two-thirds of a mile before the junction, not the traditional mile.

But the big advice is to change the speed limit from the Coppid Beech roundabout to Winnersh Triangle to just 50mph. The experts recommend this as it would “regulate the flow of traffic and would allow for smoother merges or diverges, which would in turn reduce or eliminate the amount of sudden braking occurring on the A329(M) at the merges and diverges”. However, it also notes that a blanket speed limit would “impose an unrealistic speed limit which would rely on enforcement to achieve compliance”.

A suggestion for a variable speed limit is also suggested but dismissed as too expensive. “The cost of which could be better spent in solving the root cause of congestion,” the report notes.

A third plan, installing new sign gantries across the road, has an estimated cost of £4million, but is considered to be an excessive cost.

The consultants final suggestion is the one that they recommend. Despite costing an estimated £13m to £17m, expanding the A329m by an extra lane, including a hard shoulder and widening the bridges, would “increase the volume of traffic [the road] could support”.

The report also suggests altering the central reservations as the M4 merges with the A329m to create the additional lanes.

Highways England will provide funding for short term solutions, but the cost of any long term improvements “thereafter will be discussed between Wokingham Borough Council and Highways England”.

Cllr Malcolm Richards, executive member for highways and transport at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “We welcome this report.

“As part of its current slip road maintenance at J10 on the M4, Highways England says it will also be improving the road lining and signs from the A329m onto the motorway.

“This is to help drivers merge better into the right lanes, therefore easing rush hour congestion.

“Following this, we and Highways England will continue to monitor traffic at this busy junction.”

But Cllr Lindsay Ferris, Liberal Democrat leader on the borough council, felt that the report’s suggestion of asking Wokingham Borough Council to pay the £17m cost of the extra lane was a “blooming cheek”.

He said: “They are prepared to pay for some white lines to realign the road which seems fine to me, but also indicate that the best solution would be to add an extra lane to the A329M at an estimated £17M and for WBC to pay for this. Blooming cheek if you ask me – just where are WBC going to get that sort of money?

“It was Highways England who proposed to have the lining on the motorway changed, with all the consequences that has happened since they were provided.”

A Highways England spokesperson said: “Safety is Highways England’s top priority and we continue to keep safety under review.

“Our upgrade to the junction has been successful at reducing congestion on some of the slip roads and we are working with Wokingham Borough Council to carefully consider the report.

“We are carrying out improvements over the coming months and will keep the junction under review.”

Little monsters enjoy a frightfully good party FORGET things that go bump in the night – here’s some little monsters having a frightfully good time.

The Broad Street Tavern opened early on Sunday morning so it could welcome youngsters for its very first Hallowe’en party.

And the youngsters rose to the occasion, dressing up as ghosts, ghouls and wizards and even a Ghostbuster for the fun event.

There were a number of traditional Hallowe’en games, including one where brave youngsters were invited to place their hands in boxes and guess what foul things were inside.

Afterwards, the children enjoyed a feast before going back out to the daylight. We hope that little Draculas didn’t crumble in the autumn sunshine.

Broad Street Tavern’s landlady, Lily Collier, said: “What an amazing turn out for our first kids Hallowe’en party.

“What an amazing bunch of kids. Thanks for Mylo tries his hand at the mystery all your help parents to make it a big success.” box game Pictures: Phil Creighton

WOKINGHAM- WE NEED YOU!

WOKINGHAM’S newest registered charity

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

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, November 3, 2016

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

PROPERTY Pub is Pheasantly surprised by community win PROPERTY INSIGHT INSIGHT Erica Townend

wokinghampropertyblog.co.uk ...And Wokingham property values, assuming that everything goes well with Brexit, I believe in twelve months’ ƟŵĞ we should see values in the order of 5% to 10% higher.

House Prices in Wokingham rise END than 21% in the last 18 months more

A PUB in Winnersh has been inspired to do more in the community after scooping a community hero award.

The Pheasant Inn, on Reading Road, picked up the Enterprise Community Heroes award for the Thames Valley at a ceremony last month for their ‘outstanding’ contribution to the local community.

Assistant manager Samantha Lane said: “We were so surprised, to have made it down to the final 30 out of 5,000 entries is amazing but to actually win was a complete shock.

“We do a lot of work with the annual Christmas Toy Run, not a lot of people know that it actually started here at the pub 30 years ago, and we are still heavily involved every year. We provide drinks and hot food for the bikers, and we get thousands of people streaming past every year.

“We won £1,000 with the award which we have put towards doing up our garden so local groups can use it for sport. We fitted astroturf and it’s completely flood-lit so we are making it available to kids or adults who want to use it.

“We also want to raise our profile in the local community. A pub should be the heart of the community and we are determined to put ourselves back into people’s minds.

We want to help those in need, by holding fundraisers or whatever we can do.

“We are also getting involved with local businesses by holding specially themed nights. Our next one is Ladies Night on November 19, we have lots of businesses coming down who cater especially for women, as well as a burlesque troupe so hopefully it will be a really fun night!”

Showcase aims to help develop and grow Woodley’s business THIRTY FIVE local businesses will be showcasing their skills and services at next week’s Festival of Business.

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The event, which will be held in the Oakwood Centre on Wednesday, aims to connect Woodley businesses together and offer inspiration and advice.

The theme for the festival is Development and Growth and guest speakers and exhibitors will share their experiences and provide advice, be it on business or staff development or how to maximise opportunities to grow via sales, improved marketing or business planning and development of products.

The event is sponsored by M-four Promotions, a local company that has been trading for 10 years and specialises in promotional merchandise.

In addition to sponsoring the event, owner Judith Tinker is one of three key note speakers who will be sharing their experiences and answering visitors’ questions.

Other speakers are Claire Edmunds, founder and CEO of Clarify, a specialist development company and Grainne Ridge co-owner of Business Fit Club Thames Valley training and business coaching company.

The Festival of Business is a non-profit making event with the intention of making a donation of any funds raised to Me2 Club, a registered charity that enables children and young people with additional needs who live in Wokingham Borough to access mainstream leisure activities.

Judith Tinker, founder and Managing Director of M-four, said: “We have been trading now for 10 years and, as this is our anniversary year, we wanted to support the local business community in recognition of the wonderful help and support we have received from many individuals, companies and organisations as without their support our business would not be here today.

“As a business leader I have taken advice from many professionals from within the local community including coaches, mentors and advisors.”  Doors open at 5pm next Wednesday and tickets cost £5.

They are available from www. festivalofbusinesswoodley.co.uk.

O

VER the last month, the Wokingham property market has seen some interesting movement in house prices.

Property values in the Wokingham Borough Council area rose by 2.3% in the last month, to leave annual price growth at 14%.

This compares well with national figures where UK property prices across the UK saw a monthly uplift of 0.42%. This means that annual property values across the Country are 8.3% higher, despite the constraining factors of Stamp Duty changes in the spring and more recently our friend Brexit.

The figures for the last 18 months makes even more fascinating reading.

House prices are 21.3% higher, thought provoking when compared to the national average figure of 13.6% higher.

It gets even more remarkable when we look at how the different sectors of the Wokingham market are performing.

Over the last 18 months, in Wokingham Borough, the best performing type of property was the semi. Semi-detached houses outperformed the area average by 0.81% whilst the worst performing type was the apartment, which underperformed the area average by 1.41%.

Now the difference doesn’t sound that much, but remember two things: Firstly, this is only over 18 months.

Secondly, the gap of 2.2% (the difference between the semi at +0.81% and apartments at -1.41%) converts into a few thousand pounds disparity when you consider the average price paid for a semi-detached property in Wokingham over the last 12 months was £398,400 and the average price paid for a Wokingham apartment was £270,400 over the same time frame.

I know all Wokingham landlords and homeowners will want to know how each of the property types have performed, so this is what has happened

to property prices over the last 18 months in the area!

Overall Average +21.3% Detached +21.3% Semi Detached +22.2% Terraced +21.2% Apartments +19.6% So what does all this mean to Wokingham homeowners and Wokingham landlords and what does the future hold?

When I looked at the month-tomonth figures for the area, you can see clearly that there is a slight tempering of the Wokingham property market over these last few months.

I have mentioned in previous articles that the number of properties on the market in Wokingham has increased this summer, something that hasn’t happened since 2008.

Greater choice for buyers means, using simple ‘supply and demand’ economics, that top prices won’t be achieved on every Wokingham property.

You see, some of that growth in Wokingham property values throughout early 2016 may have come about because of the surge in house purchase activity, a direct result of the increase in stamp duty on second homes from April, which provided a temporary boost to prices.

However, it may be still possible that the recent pattern of robust employment growth, growing real earnings and low borrowing costs will tilt the ‘demand/supply’ seesaw in favour of sellers and exert upward pressure on prices once again in the quarters ahead. ...And Wokingham property values, assuming that everything goes well with Brexit, I believe in 12 months’ time we should see values in the order of 5% to 10% higher.

Erica Townend is a director and co-owner of the Martin & Co estate agency in Wokingham and has been aligned closely to the world of property for almost 20 years. Opinions express in this column are her own.

NEWS | 11

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Thursday, November 3, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Fireworks light up the borough with plenty of ooh and aahs!

FIREWORKS have already been lighting up the skies over the borough and there are still plenty of oohs and aahs to come.

The Wokingham Charity Fireworks Spectacular will explode into action on Saturday.

Thousands are expected to join a 6pm torchlight procession from the town centre to Cantley Park, where the spectacular will begin at 7.30pm. Organisers are hoping funds raised by the event will rocket to a staggering £25,000 for local good causes.

Twyford and District Round Table lit the touchpaper on its display, at Twyford’s King George’s Field, on Saturday. Crowds who gathered to see the Strictly Come Bonfire and Fireworks extravaganza also enjoyed a barbecue, beer tent and funfair and their evening of fun will benefit local charities.

Organisers said: “Many thanks to all who attended and helped make this year’s bonfire and firework event special. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.”

Swallowfield was also celebrating on Saturday, when Spooky Sparks In the Park raised funds for Farley Hill School. Supporters thronged to Swallowfield Park for a night of fireworks, funfair rides, live music and food from a barbecue and hog roast.

Claire Kirby, from the school’s PTA, said: “We had wonderful weather, wonderful support and a wonderful time!”  Tickets for Saturday’s Wokingham Charity Fireworks

Spectacular are on sale now at the information centre at the town hall, Tesco, Newbury Building Society, Barclays Bank and Clarks Shoes. They are £5 if bought in advance (£7.50 on the gate) and everyone who digs into their pocket will be helping the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice, Just Around the Corner, the Me2 Club (helping children with additional needs), Thames Hospice and Topic of Cancer.  Picture special, page 20

Flood warden training ahead of winter storms

Mosque’s Macmillan backing A COMMUNITY cake afternoon was held in Earley last Saturday, raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Care.

Members of the Aisha Masjid & Islamic Centre in London Road baked a variety of tasty treats and invited local residents to come in and enjoy them.

Leftover cakes were auctioned

by Cllr Shahid Younis and the event was attended by Woodley town mayor Cllr Jenny Cheng and Reading West MP Alok Sharma.

Cllr Younis said the mosque wanted to help Macmillan as a number of its members had benefited from its services.

Woodley to get a new pagoda as £340,000 revamp approved

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk PLANS to give Woodley precinct a £340,000 makeover have been approved by the council.

The northern end of the shopping area is to get a cash injection in a bid to make it a more flexible space for traders, shoppers and community events.

Wokingham Borough Council’s (WBC) decision-making executive agreed last Thursday to release £250,000 in developers’ contributions to fund the scheme in the north precinct, to go with £90,000 third party funding already set aside.

The project promises to refresh the precinct from the pavement next to the disabled parking bays northwards, installing contemporary street furniture to complement those already in the

south part of the shopping area.

Lighting in the north section will also be improved.

The existing pagoda will be replaced with a modern multi-use performance shelter, and relocated near the pub car park.

The aim is to open up the area to create a community space for outdoor events such as concerts, al-fresco dining and pop-up exhibitions, making the whole area more family friendly with extra seating that can be put out when needed.

Cllr Angus Ross, WBC’s executive member for the environment said: “The northern end of the precinct is cluttered and dated with a mismatch of street furniture that restricts how the space is used.

“Compared to the popular south end of the precinct, footfall is much lower in the north because it doesn’t encourage shoppers to stop, linger

and browse.”

The borough council has been working on the new designs in partnership with Woodley Town Council (WTC) and the Woodley Town Centre Management Initiative (WTCMI), along with other groups using the area.

Cllr Ross said: “The space will become more inviting, will look and feel much safer and increasing the number of people walking through will help the businesses in and around it.

“The new innovative space for children will add to this, giving people a new attraction. It also means lots more events and activities can be held.”

Speaking to The Wokingham Paper, Cllr Richard Dolinski, who is deputy leader of Woodley Town Council, expressed his delight at the news the funding was being released.

He said: “The plans are welcome.

I’m pleased that the community is getting involved as well in looking at the plans. The north end does need to be regenerated and hopefully it will bring business to the town centre.

“I think it will become a great community asset, the idea of staging concerts and musical events, bringing families to the town centre, it’s exciting and it’s a great opportunity for Woodley and I think it might actually be something that other town centres might become envious of.”

Although Section 106 money from developers is providing the bulk of the money for the scheme, the £90,000 contribution includes £10,000 from the Mary Portas Town Team funding, and £30,000 from the Woodley Town Centre Management Initiative.  More Executive news pages 4-5

RESIDENTS in Hurst who are interested in helping their local community battle against flooding are invited to become designated flood wardens.

Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) will be running Introductory Flood Warden Training this evening (Thursday) from 7pm to 9pm to anyone interested in the position.

Community Flood Warden schemes are completely voluntary, and can consist of a single person or several people acting as volunteers to help raise awareness of any flood risks in their community, help pass on flood warnings when they are issued, help prepare for flooding and to help vulnerable people both during and after flooding has occurred.

Community Flood Wardens are an important part of the local community, but can also play a key role in assisting the Environment Agency, Thames Water, and Wokingham Borough Council with local information on flood conditions. They may notice or have been given information about a blocked watercourse, culvert, and drain or burst pipe, which they can then pass on to the relevant agency.

The training will involve talks on flood risk across the borough, the role of a flood warden, reporting in to the emergency operations centre, and water safety training. A number of people have already signed up but WBC is looking for more volunteer flood wardens, particularly for Hurst.

The training will take place in the David Hicks Room at the Council Offices, Shute End Wokingham. For details, call 0118 974 6000 or email Francesca.hobson@wokingham,gov.uk.

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, November 3, 2016

Can you solve mystery of the cheurb?

Young rider Bailey Fraser (2)

Tractors go on tour

MEMBERS of a local tractor club spent the last Saturday of half-term going for a drive.

More than 30 different vintage tractors met at Lockey Farm in Arborfield for the tour of surrounding countryside, organised by members of the Thames Valley Vintage Tractor and Engine Club.

The group has been meeting for more than 40 years and also takes part in the Wokingham Winter Carnival procession.

Organiser Christopher Beasley said: “We’re not all farmers, we’re many people from different walks of life.

“The route goes over country lanes and there are five fords we’ll go through.”

The group travelled around 10mph along the 40-mile route and enjoyed a pub lunch in Spencer’s Wood.

“This is for pleasure,” Mr Beasley added.

Vintage tractors set off from Lockey Farm on Saturday

Be treated like royalty and ride on with Father Christmas!

AMAZING READER COMPETITION HERE’S an exciting opportunity exclusively for readers of The Wokingham Paper.

Thanks to Hare Hatch Sheeplands you have the chance to be a Prince or Princess for a day and could ride with Father Christmas in his horse and carriage when he visits the Twyford garden centre later this month.

Santa has told Sheeplands that he will arrive at 10.30 am on Saturday, November 26.

His route takes him through the centre of Twyford and the winners of our competition will meet him on the village outskirts and ride in his carriage the rest of the way, waving to shoppers as they pass through.

On arrival at Sheeplands the winners will be able to escort Santa into his grotto and then enjoy a lunch with their family, courtesy of Sheeplands.

As if that isn’t enough of a thrill they will also be given free tickets for the “Queen of the North” show at the garden centre.

The competition is open to all ages and is easy to enter. Just fill in the form printed in this paper and drop it into Sheeplands, or pick up a form next time you visit them.

Alternatively you can simply send your name, age, address, including postcode, plus your telephone number to info@hhsheep.co.uk saying that you are entering The Wokingham Paper competition.

Two names will be drawn at random and the winners will be notified directly by Hare Hatch Sheeplands.

Even if you don’t win the prize you are welcome to be there when Father Christmas arrives and, who knows, you might even manage to get your photograph taken with him.  Postal entries can be sent to Competition, Hare Hatch Sheeplands, London Road, Hare Hatch, Reading, RG10 9HW.

A statue of a cherub has appeared in a Wokingham town centre residence

MYSTERY surrounds an angelic visitation that has appeared in a Wokingham close.

Reader Sue Harris contacted The Wokingham Paper after a cherub appeared outside Dickens Court, off Alderman Willey Close in Wokingham’s town centre.

But this little angel is no vision: it’s a statue around 18in high.

Sue Harris said: “Nobody knows where it came from. It could have been on a child’s grave.

“It’s not very big but it’s heavy, so I can’t move it.

“I don’t really think it’s that old.”

Mrs Harris said that she was concerned that the statue had been mislaid, adding that she didn’t think it had come from someone’s garden.

“I don’t know where it’s come from, someone must have lost it.

“It’s not really a garden ornament.”

The cherub, Mrs Harris added, has a little hole in the top and there was no obvious sign of damage.

She wanted to reunite the cherub with its rightful owner.  Can you solve the mystery of the cherub? If you recognise the statue and want to be reunited, please contact the Wokingham Paper’s newsroom by calling 0118 327 2662.

Seniors invited to book now for Christmas party OLDER RESIDENTS are being asked to book now for a special Christmas tea party.

The event, Be A Santa To A Senior, is to be held at the Colleton School on Saturday, December 10.

Up to 150 guests will be able to enjoy a free tea party, with entertainment provided.

The event forms part of Twyford’s annual Living Advent Calendar programme and runs for two hours from 3.30pm.

This is the fourth year in a row that the event has been held and last year one special guest was then Home Secretary and now Prime Minister, Theresa May. It has been organised by a group of local organisations including Twyford Together, Home Instead Senior Care, Age Concern, TimeFinders, Hare Hatch Sheeplands and the David Brownlow Charitable Trust. The trust is providing the high tea free of charge.

Father Christmas has already confirmed that he will be in attendance and will join in the singing of Christmas Carols In addition he hopes to provide all the guests with a little present courtesy of Home Instead Senior Care.

There are a maximum of 150 places available for residents over the age of 65 who live in the Twyford area.

These are filling fast but can still be booked on application to either Gordon Holmes of Age Concern on 0118 934 4040 or Paul Westgarth of Home Instead Senior Care on 01628 299097.

Thursday, November 3, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

NEWS | 13

Rotary club fashion show picture special

Members of the Easthampstead Rotary Club on their raffle stall – one of the many ways they helped raise £3,000 for charity

A turn on the catwalk PICTURE SPECIAL

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

A catwalk show featured local women showing some of the latest trends, as chosen by leading French online fashion house Captain Tortue

SINDLESHAM COURT joined Paris, London and New York as fashion centres of the world, thanks to the local Rotary Club.

The Eastampstead branch of the charitable organisation organised a day dedicated to clothes, food and pleasure last month, inviting the public to shop till they dropped ... and to take inspiration from a catwalk clothes show.

The displays were produced by Rebecca Buckland, local manager for the leading French online fashion house Captain Tortue, and featured six female models and three girls, Harriet, Oriana and Sophie.

Organisers said that it was it was a huge success.

A spokesperson for the Easthampstead Rotary Club said: “The Fayre, a sell-out with over 30 stalls, offering fashion, food and festive goods.

“It was a market place for small, independent retailers – mostly from Berkshire, but also from Kent, Staffordshire and two from Leicestershire.

“Present were the Mad Hatter, The Pie Man, The Glass Lady, the Beekeeper, the Wood Turner, the Silversmith, to name but a few.”

Also appearing was Jon Blake, local-born author of more than 50 works for children and teenagers including You’re A Hero, Daley B, Axel Scheffler’s first picture book, with worldwide sales of over 100,000, and Little Stupendo, which was shortlisted for the Children’s Book Award.

He was signing his latest book Thimble Monkey Superstar.

Rotary club members also organised a tombola, cake sale and refreshments.

The event raised around £3,000 for charity, including the Air Ambulance. n For more details, log on to www.easthampsteadrotary.co.uk

Margaret Finch and Partricia Walmsley on the cake stall

Above: Chris Healy from Black Tie menswear in Crowthorne Below: a tasty pie was on offer from Brockleby’s Pies

Capes are the in thing from British-made retailer Urchins

Hats were a surprise hit of the day

14 | EDUCATION

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Presspack

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, November 3, 2016

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

Oh Mercy! Teen dancers head to the Albert Hall ON SUNDAY, members of a Wokingham dance school joined 500 other young dancers for an evening to remember.

Members of the Jayne A Coleman Academy of Dance performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London, for the Dance Proms.

The event is the UK’s biggest international youth dance celebration.

The young dancers performed Mercy, an original choreographed lyrical jazz dance.

But before they did so, they had time to pose for pictures outside the famous London venue, home to the BBC Proms concerts.

Pictures: © David Tett

Lucy Green and Luke Hickling with their winning work

Teens’ art show success TWO talented students from a school in Earley are celebrating after their works were recognised in a local art competition.

Luke Hickling and Lucy Green, who are both Year 12 students at Maiden Erlegh School in Silverdale Road, entered pieces into the Bengali Cultural Society of Reading’s Durga Puja art exhibition at the Rivermead Leisure Complex between October 7 and 11.

The five-day festival, which is one of the biggest events in the

Indian calendar, featured live music, dance, drama and traditional food, as well as the art competition which was open to anyone to enter.

Luke’s scale painting entitled Beach Huts took home second prize, for which he received a gift voucher to spend at Hobbycraft, and Lucy’s series of three stitched portraits was Highly Commended.

Head of Art at the school, Miss Katy Wragg said: “Well done to both students for this fantastic achievement!”

EU vote and Syria debated

By JOSEF and KATIE Year 7, Luckley House School

T

HE fierce annual debating competition at Luckley House School was held on Wednesday.

The topics were: ‘This House believes there should be a second referendum’, and ‘This House believes that we should invade Syria’.

The four school Houses were given their topics in the morning and were allocated rooms for them to carry out research and write the speeches.

Competition was intense and the atmosphere was electric.

In the afternoon, Galloway and Randle Houses were the first to speak. There were confident speeches from both sides on this contentious issue.

Good points were made, including that the pound had plummeted and lots of our favourite household products were being taken off shelves.

Ultimately Luckley students voted 80% that there should be a second referendum, so the debate was won by Galloway House.

The second half of the debating competition began – and it started with an educational clip to provide us with information about the situation in Syria because both the debating teams felt that the audience would benefit from understanding more about Middle East politics.

An emotional story was told by Cornish House about how Syrian people were struggling in their own country, and they didn’t want to be refugees. However, whilst the case was made well that life in Syria is horrible and the situation difficult, it did not convince Luckley students that we should invade Syria.

This was mainly because we were not sure that war was the only way to help Syrian people, especially as it was not always clear who we should fight, or that we could prevent Syrian people from being killed in the invasion.

Despite heartfelt speeches, Luckley students voted 60% that we should not invade Syria, so the motion was lost.

Above: one of the debates in motion: Galloway House discuss why we should hold a second EU referendum

Above: Luckley House School students research their debate topics Right: Luckley’s own Parliamentary reporters, Josef and Katie

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THE WOKINGHAM PAPER NEWS WITH A HEART FOR THE BOROUGH

A329m: White lines are not enough THE report on the A329m makes sobering reading.

Much of it feels like it’s stating the obvious, but ultimately it reveals that the new layout is a dismal failure.

But we could have said that before they did it.

All those months of roadworks, plus years of consultation and all that public money wasted on a harebrained scheme that is causing jams and delays – the very opposite of what it was meant to do.

We raise an eyebrow over the solution: rejecting a suggestion to introduce speed limit signs that adjust according to conditions, the much more expensive plan of introducing an extra lane to the motorway is mooted as the best option.

Well, it should have been what Highways England did in the first place, not a hasty afterthought to fix a problem of their own devising.

It is galling that we will ultimately foot the bill for such a project. But it’s also concerning given that Highways England to make the M4 a Smart motorway.

White lines are not enough. This cannot be the best answer.

CHURCH NOTES

Remembering St Lucy

O

N SUNDAY, Father Dag Bjärnhall will led a special Swedish-themed service at St Paul’s Church (see page 6).

He is visiting Wokingham during October and November, as part of his sabbatical. He grew up in the northern part of Sweden, but now lives in Växjö, in the south of the country. He has two grown-up daughters and lists being outdoors, sports and all kinds of cultural activities among his main interests, particularly what bears on human existential themes.

He serves the city-and-cathedral parish of Växjö city as a komminster in a team, working mostly with adult education and development, with respect both to growth in faith and opening up the faith for newcomers.

He says that he finds using meditative services, pilgrimages, retreats and dialogue groups very helpful.

In 1999 he presented his doctoral dissertation in Comparative Religion, on the idea of revelation. He is interested in religious dialogue and the meeting of faiths and cultures.

After 13 years in his present position in Växjö, he feels that he’d like a new stimulus and the Anglican Church seems interesting to him in many ways, seeing both similarities and differences in comparison to the Swedish Church.

On Sunday, he will fuse his interests and share something of home with the St Lucy’s Day service. It is most commonly celebrated in Scandinavia, with their long dark winters, where it is a major feast day. She is represented as a lady in a white dress and red sash with a crown or wreath of candles on her head. Girls dressed as Lucy carry rolls and cookies in procession as songs are sung. Boys participate in the procession as well, playing different roles associated with Christmas.

It is said that to vividly celebrate Saint Lucy’s Day will help one live the long winter days with enough light.

Her feast once coincided with the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year before calendar reforms, so her feast day has become a festival of light. Falling within the Advent season, Saint Lucy’s Day is viewed as an event signalling the arrival of Christmastide, pointing to the arrival of the Light of Christ.

Sunday’s event starts with gingerbread making at 4.15pm, followed by the service at 6.15pm.

Jane Clark is a member of St Paul’s Church, Wokingham

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, November 3, 2016

Your letters

Send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk

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

This is why we need to be checking child refugees With regard to the letter from MEP Keith Taylor last week, this really does show the mindset of some people.

Anyone who has different ideas or who disagrees with Mr Taylor is deemed xenophobic, racist and inhumane. The people of Great Britain will always help refugees and provide protection for children.

However, they will not be taken for fools.

Those using violence in Calais against lorry drivers and the police are not people we want in this country, and the so-called children we have seen arriving would have any advertiser up in court for deception.

Like in other areas such as holiday visas, checks should be made to confirm identity and age if the individual wants to come to this country.

A lot, but not all, of the migrants in Calais are economic and only want to come to Britain to take.

If you don’t believe me, see the actual television comments from some Calais jungle residents. It is inhumane to the people of Britain, who are also human beings, if we deprive them of medical or social care because of an influx of over 1 million migrants.

Let us help the true refugees from Aleppo and Mosul etc., not the alleged vulnerable migrants who have paid thousands to people traffickers and can afford to carry mobile phones, pay ‘phone charges, and wear relatively new clothing and trainers.

This is not xenophobic or racist but realistic, honest and in support of Britain and its values.

Derek Harding, Wokingham

We’re NOT bigoted racists Having read Mr Taylor’s recent letter regarding “child refugees”, I find it interesting that rather than actually look at the issues involved, he immediately attacks those wishing to establish the age of these “children” before entry into the UK and also declares all those who voted to leave the EU as bigoted racists, a very popular stance from the liberal socialist MEP’s who will soon be looking for employment.

First point, the request to check these children’s age is not a sickening response as he claims, but a very sane request.

It is a procedure that is used in many countries, as from the pictures released so far, the majority look more 20 + rather than below 18, one of the “children” was already balding and as a few countries within the EU have already found what they assumed were “children” were anything but, adding to the number of sexual assaults and offences being committed.

So a question that should be asked is, would you want a supposed “child” who is actually an adult sitting next to your young daughter at school?

Second point, the majority of people in this country are not, contrary to Mr Taylor’s comment, antiimmigration, just anti uncontrolled immigration, to see the effects of that, just visit the towns across the country that received the majority of immigrants after Labour removed all visa requirements and see how the services – education, health, housing have all suffered.

To continue to allow mass immigration of uneducated, unskilled people into this country is unsustainable as the services within the country are only able to cope with so many people and the continued drain on the state finances (tax payer) again would be catastrophic.

Maybe, as an MEP, Mr. Taylor should ask why these people did not register at their point of entry, why they were allowed to cross Europe without registration, which, if I am correct, is supposed to be the standard procedure, and also why France is claiming that it is our problem, rather than theirs?

Brian Wedge, via email

Elms Field Having followed the saga of Elms Field over the years and the latest reader’s letter and poem by J Blaney covers the opinion of the majority of the town’s people.

owners? It is supposed to be for everybody you say.

The council say the regeneration will not be a drain on council budgets, but financially viable, not to rely on a subsidy from the taxpayer, but money from the regeneration would have a positive effect on council’s financial position. So where has the money come from in the first place for the whole regeneration?

I find this council hard to believe. Wokingham town has always been a lovely place, it apears a lot of our councillors don’t even live here so maybe that is why so many detrimental decisions are made in the first place.

So sad.

H Boyed, Wokingham

Councillors work hard for £7,500

The plans for the new play area at Elms Field don’t meet everyone’s approval Bearing in mind that the older residents are opposed to anything being built on the field, as well as those who have moved here over the last 50 or so years – at great expense – are here because they liked it as it was and still is.

When the Ellison sisters gave Elms Field as a place where the Wokingham people could enjoy the open space so close to the town centre, so the field is the property of us.

I would like a responsible and neutral person to be allowed to peruse the transfer deed and report their findings, meanwhile, would the names of the councilllors who voted to build on the field be named with the future elections in mind?

I do not wish any of my hard earned money to be spent on any ‘regeneration’.

I remember Wokingham District Council offering £6,000 to the best design for a new office building at the east side of Elms Field.

The winner was a London architect, the design was the office block – demolished since (which an Australian visitor thought was the town urinal) –and from the rear, a covered colonnade going up the field to a building to house the mayor’s parlour and a council chamber with an amphitheatre seating so it could be used as a theatre.

The Thatcher government at the time cut the seating by about 50% so that ended the idea.

Strange how the Council chamber at Shute End is similar today.

L Hopkins, Wokingham

Where are the green spaces?

I have read over weeks the concern in The Wokingham Paper’s letter of the fact we are having some green spaces covered by housing and other ideas, so I felt I should bring to public attention a letter from the Council’s regeneration team to inform me of the fact that Wokingham Borough Council are to build over the next 30 years 856 homes per annum = 17,120 houses.

Where are they going to put them?

It appears that more of our green spaces will be gone. We are fast losing our town identity and, as I have said, we shall end up another Bracknell.

The new plans in The Wokingham Paper for Elms Fields again, our natural green space including the space off Denmark Street, back of the Red Cross building where myself and lots of people enjoy walking my dog on the only natural green space in Wokingham to enjoy, also the lovely old hundreds of years old trees and birds will be gone too. Again, what I had written about.

Formal lawns, bushes, shrubs and, they say, semimature trees. These will, not for many years, be a replacement for what is being chopped down.

I see lots of areas for children’s play. Where is the area for people to walk and enjoy peace and to sit and enjoy that peace? Where are the dog areas for dog

I noticed you had a correspondent in your lovely newspapers asking why do we pay our councillors £7,500 per year (letters, October 27).

Well, in their defence the vast majority work hard.

Some though draw the £7,500 a year in Wokingham borough even though they have moved to London.

The discussion on Hatch Farm Dairies at Winnersh was very interesting but councillors do serve their communities and give up time away from the families.

Some though move away to live in London and still draw down £7,500 per year.

Some people say, well, does it matter they don’t live in the borough?

The question “why do we pay councillors?” is a good one. I believe we pay them because on the whole they do a very good job and face very difficult decisions financially.

Does it matter that a Conservative councillor leaves the borough to live in London and does not stand down whilst drawing down £7,500 per year of our money?

Well, I am sure he has worked hard for many years on our behalf helping on decisions.

Well done, say I for giving up so much of your personal time on our behalf.

Thanks for all the hard work, I am sure it’s worth £7,500 per year.

Greg Bello, Woodley

Why do we pay councillors?

In my view councillors should not be paid , they should do their work “if any” on a voluntary basis, maybe petrol expenses only and money that is needed would be found.

The people should insist that this should happen.

At the same time members of parliament should receive a pay cut if the people need to tighten their belts so should councillors and Members of Parliament.

It is time our society became fair.

Victor Rones, Bracknell

Cycling on the pavements As a life long cyclist I hearterly agree with your reader who calls for more police observation of users of bikes on our town centre narrow pavements. It is unlawful and must be stopped as it is frightening for the elderly particularly folks with sight problems and potentially dangerous.

More dangerous are the drivers who choose to ignore road signs indicating that a left turn is not allowed.

Crossing Rose Street from Boots to the NatWest bank last week I just observed a white van turning right from Market Place into Rose Street in front of me. I noted that the driver was using his mobile phone.

Cyclists on pavements are a nuisance but drivers using mobiles and ignoring road signs can be lethal.

Having police or other persons with authority in our town centre is a matter of some urgency.

Of course, the council will look at accident statistics to say that the occurrence of accidents does not justify the cost of supervision but just how many folks have given up shopping in our potentially hazardous town centre?

Brian Morris, Wokingham

Thursday, November 3, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

VIEWPOINTS | 17

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VIVIENNE

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

Vivienne Johnson

Plant a seed of hope

P The clocks have turned back, the leaves are falling and the autumn sunshine has been glorious. It also formed the inspiration for Wokingham Camera Club member Rodney Hart, who took this Love Wokingham photo contest winning shot at Joel Park. His entry shared first prize with fellow club member John Massey, which we’ll share next week. The Love Wokingham photo contest entries are on show at Wokingham Town Hall this Saturday from 1pm to 5pm. We love receiving your pictures for this slot – send them to news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

TONY JOHNSON Culpable liability

M

INUTES of a discussion between the Minister and the Permanent Secretary: Miggins, why has Ron Jedwood made this Department a red faced laughing stock during Question Time this afternoon?

Did you mean Redwood, Minister?

My face isn’t made of wood Miggins, and where exactly is Blokingham and what was the department thinking of by giving them a motorway?

It’s Wokingham sir…

I don’t care if they’re awake or not, how on earth have we mislaid a motorway?

It’s a London ringways project, mothballed in the 1960’s due to lack of funds. We’ve since spent over £5 billion fixing that misjudgment sir.

That’s a bit steep for hush-money, even today.

It’s not terribly quiet sir, I believe it’s called the M25.

Don’t be obtuse, why didn’t you brief me on Chokingham?

If you recall sir, it was the M4 Junction 10 report in last Friday’s box, the one with the red cover.

(Thinking) Red cover … red cover … was that the one the dog ate or did it get kicked into the fire during that delightfully athletic workout on the lambswool rug …

Ahem - and?

And what sir?

What does it say man?

It says that there’s a congestion problem.

What congestion?

With their motorway Minister, when we “improved” Junction 10.

Miggins, either give me some good excuses or ask your successor in.

Well Minister, you’ll recall the problems we were having with jams on the M4 at Junction 10 a while back …

Certainly. Backed up to Junction 8 one day. The Home Secretary wasn’t amused. Made her late for Regatta.

Well we widened the M4 slip roads so they fed smoothly onto the Wokingham Motorway. No jams on the M4 any more, not even small ones.

HAVE YOUR SAY:

So why’s their MP up in arms then?

In order to make it work Minister, the Project Manager had to … “appropriate” one of the lanes of their motorway.

And who approved that may I ask?

Your predecessor Minister.

Ah. Well fire the Project Manager then.

He already did that Minister Good judgment. What else does it say?

Well Minister, it says we created the problem … (interrupting) This is a disaster, you’ve got to stop it.

That would be difficult sir.

You’ve done it before haven’t you?

I’m afraid it’s rather too late for that Minister Don’t tell me it’s gone out already?

Certainly Minister, I won’t then.

Won’t what?

Tell you, Minister.

You mean …

Precisely, Minister (groaning) Can’t they use the other two lanes of their motorway?

Not exactly Minister.

Because?

Their motorway only had two lanes Minister, and we’ve taken one of them.

What!!! A one lane motorway, that’s about as useful as a one legged … (intervening) Ahem – if I may Minister, while the report doesn’t have a plan as such, it does examine some options.

Is one of them to get drivers to behave and let the new system bed-in?

Regrettably not Minister.

Because?

Your predecessor already did that.

And? That’s why he’s your predecessor.

So which one’s the cheapest?

Well there are three which only need some paint.

Excellent - get on with it man ! (silence) Well Miggins?

Painting more lines on the road isn’t recommended until driver behaviour is understood.

Well, get the Police onto it - they’ll soon understand.

That might not go down too well with the Home Secretary Minister.

I don’t see why.

When the Police find out they’ve been tasked to sort out a problem this Department created, they might get in touch with the former Home Secretary and “advise” her against it.

I still don’t see how that’s a problem.

Well Minister, I might end up having this conversation with your successor.

Now that WOULD be a problem. What else can we do?

We can reduce the speed limit to 50mph and it only costs £1 million How much? Are the signs made of gold???

Diggers Minister, as well as Police to enforce the new limits We can’t import any more diggers and what with the Police too, it’s a non-starter. How about those cameras they use on the M25, wouldn’t that make it self-funding?

Yes Minister, that’s almost what the report said, however introducing variable speed limits will cost around eight million pounds and the report suggests solving the root cause of the congestion instead.

Couldn’t we try better signage?

While that’s only £4 million Minister, the report claims it’s excessive and better spent on other improvements.

Which presumably means building two new lanes at a cost of £15 million instead?

Yes Minister - although the Borough Council gets to foot the bill, not the Department.

Capital! Now why didn’t you say that to start with?  A. E. Miggins is undergoing “accelerated retirement”.

The Department confirms that Highways England will fund the extra lanes, if they are proved necessary.

Until then fresh paint stocks will be made available.

B. F. Muggins – Permanent Secretary to the Department

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LASTIC bags and litter blowing through the streets of Manchester. That’s how the seeds of awareness were planted in me.

For my husband, the seed was planted when as a gardener for Manchester Parks Department he arrived at work to find a homeless man frozen to death in a park he was responsible for.

So, what is this seed?

I’m not sure what its name is, but it looks like an awareness that there are important things going on in the world and I have to do something about it, even though I don’t see the immediate benefits of my work.

My journey took me from litter picking to thinking about food.

When I was pregnant I became very aware of what I was eating and I started to read about how food was produced.

I learned that the way food is grown not only affects the finished article (what ends up on my plate) but also the wider world, whether that be nitrates leaching into rivers, soil erosion or the use of petrochemicals in fertilisers and diesel in tractors.

That led me to wonder what is better for the environment; if a vegetable is organic but grown under glass in Africa and shipped across the world or if it’s grown conventionally five miles down the road.

My top three concerns (or seeds) at the moment are: TTIP, the plight of the bee and the state of the world’s soils.

For my husband, his concern has remained constant; a worry about vulnerable people, especially those living on the streets.

Different

The beautiful thing about the seed is that it looks different in everyone and what we do about it looks different too.

For some it’s joining Wokingham Litter Heroes and litter picking in Wokingham’s green places to keep them beautiful and safe.

Another person may decide to get their new family pet from Diana Brimblecombe, giving a stray or abandoned animal a second chance.

Someone else may support a quiz to raise money for Wokingham in Need, or, bake biscuits for the local school to sell to raise money for a project to support their pupils.

The possibilities are endless but they all start in the same place. Look outside yourself, what concerns you? Then wonder in however small a capacity, can I do something to improve this situation?

That is why local newspapers such as The Wokingham Paper are important.

Week after week they write about people around the borough doing amazing and glorious things.

Some people go on marathon bike rides, others have their head shaved.

The only limitation is your imagination.

If you want to put your toe in the water and see what you can do, you can speak to Helena Badger who will gladly show you some of the opportunities you have to nurture this seed – see her column overleaf on page 18.

Or you can get in touch with the people in the articles and help make Wokingham borough an even better place to live; one seed, one street, one idea at a time.

18 | VIEWPOINTS

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, November 3, 2016

OH, MR SMITH!

Wokingham people

Barcelona on my mind

Angela wants your coaching to be clean

A wry look at life

I

’M THINKING of visiting Barcelona.

Well, only because daughter No 2 will be there in November while son-in-law No 2 attends a conference.

I thought she might be lonely even though it’s only for a few days. She’s been three times before so Mrs Smith and I should at least have a guide to all the city’s art treasures.

Barcelona is the city where Spain’s greatest artist, Pablo Picasso, began to formulate ‘modern art’. Although he spent the rest of his life in Paris he considered Barcelona his home. So I shall enjoy visiting the Picasso Museum and savour the early works of the man many regard as having the most influence on 20th Century art.

I know a violin teacher who says she could read music before she could read words. Picasso apparently learned to draw before he could speak.

You can imagine the frustration of his mother, “Pablo stop drawing those silly pictures and tell me what you want”.

It was in Barcelona that Picasso’s early paintings started to create an oeuvre known as his Blue Period. These works show a departure from a realistic style of representation. What emerges is a series of paintings of a melancholy humour, predominantly blue in tone. Although Picasso left for Paris in 1905 and remained an exile during the Franco dictatorship memories of Barcelona continued to influence his later and more famous Cubism.

Questions of legacy and legitimacy

Just as I am warming to the subject of Barcelona’s artistic legacy there is a knock at the door. I am visited by two young men wearing name badges with the title ‘Elder’. They are Mormons.

One is from Yorkshire the other inevitably from Salt Lake City, Utah.

I tell them they are hitting an area more desert like than Arizona. They ask me what I think will happen when I die. I tell them I think it is more important to think about how we live now and how we treat others and how we handle mistakes and ground ourselves.

Am I thinking about personal legacy?

I think the question of death is a question about personal legacy.

Picasso was born in Malaga in 1881.

Picasso’s father was an art teacher and he came to teach in Barcelona when Picasso was fourteen following a short period in Corunna, Galicia.

After rejecting formal study of art at the Fernando Academy in Madrid he returned to Barcelona. His first period of artistic outpouring was energised by the avant-garde set who congregated at the Els Quatre Gats (The Four Cats) Tavern. Here Picasso staged his first solo exhibition reflecting the mould-breaking art of Cezanne, Matisse, and the Fauvist movement.

As far as I know there is only one painting from the high water mark of Picasso’s Cubism and that is in the National Museum of Catalan Art. The Woman With Hat and Fur Coat was painted in Paris in 1937 and merges different views into a single image.

As I think about Barcelona I read an article about ‘death cafes’. A lot of people are afraid of death and these are venues where they can discuss their fears and their legacies.

Will I ever get to Barcelona? Picasso died in 1973, aged 91. Two years before Franco. History is not kind to Franco although it is argued that his harsh and repressive regime saved Spain from becoming an economic backwater. At his end I wonder how Picasso viewed the legacy of his life and the legacy of his work?

Send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Angela Dunbar surrounded by friends, family and supporters as she launched her new book, Clean Coaching, in Wokingham last week Pictures: Phil Creighton

A

N AUTHOR is toasting the launch of their latest book, devoted to the art of clean coaching.

Angela Dunbar held a party at Wokingham’s Cantley House Hotel last Thursday to mark the publication of Clean Coaching: The Insider Guide To Making Change Happen.

Friends, family and fellow coaches joined Angela for the event which included a workshop based on some of the principles she espouses.

The book, published by Routledge, is a how-to manual aimed at helping coaches offer help and advice to clients without letting their own views get in the way.

Over 16 chapters, the book looks at everything from the language that coaches should use when talking with clients to looking at directive bias.

There is even a chapter dedicated to the art of asking ‘stupid’ questions.

And it’s not the first book that Angela has written. The member of the Association for Coaching and a Master NLP Practitioner, has been writing since the publication of Essential Life Coaching Skills in 2009.

“After writing my first book, I remember

saying never again,” she joked at the launch. But she did – and her latest book is one of a series dedicated to sharing her knowledge.

The blurb for the book makes this clear.

It says: “Most coaches today see their role as mainly non-directive, helping to uncover their coachee’s own wisdom. However, coaches may unwittingly and unconsciously constrain what their coachees talk and think about, getting in the way of unique, self-generated solutions.

Clean Coaching provides a different, simple yet highly effective approach to one-to-one facilitation.

“It is a style, strategy and set of techniques that help coachees gain insight and make changes through discovering more about their own ‘insider’ perspective: of themselves and the world around them.

“Through the use of specifically-phrased, structured coaching questions, the coach’s own biased perspectives are stripped from their language, ensuring the coachee’s unique

VOLUNTEER CORNER  Dingley Family and Specialist Early Years Centres in Berkshire provide places where children - from birth to five years - with special needs and disabilities can come to develop skills through play.

The charity’s mission is to also offer guidance and support for the whole family and information can be given on: local services; grants and facilities. The centres offer a place where parents are made to feel welcome and they can make friends and share experiences.

Every child who attends Dingley is at widely differing levels of development, they heavily on volunteers in our playrooms in order to be able to give individual help and encouragement.

They are based at All Saint’s School in

personal experience is honoured.

“In Clean Coaching, Angela Dunbar explains how this approach works in practical terms, with descriptions of how to structure a Clean Coaching session and the steps to take within such a session.

“The book gives detailed descriptions of the kinds of questions to ask and provides a wealth of analogues, examples and case studies to bring the descriptions alive, offering a clear blueprint for action.”

At the launch, Angela praised her audience for sharing the joy of the book’s publication.

“Thank you there are so many people here that I have a special connection with. It’s lovely to see family, colleagues and partners in crime!

“It’s just wonderful that you’re all here.”

And introducing the book was Lynne Cooper.

She told the audience: “I think this book is great and should be on every coach’s bookshelf.”  Clean Coaching by Angela Dunbar is published by Routledge, £19.99. ISBN: 9781123816374

With Helena Badger Wokingham and are volunteers to help support the children and chat to the families.

The Group sessions take place Monday to Friday during schools hours, term time only. They need volunteers to help for the morning session; 9.30am12.30pm and afternoon sessions; 1.30pm-3pm term time only.  Community Responders are a group of people who volunteer to help save lives in the local community. Using skills taught by the South Central Ambulance Service they respond to life threatening emergencies within their local area and are able to arrive before an ambulance and start basic life saving treatment.

The South Central Ambulance Service is looking for more volunteers to extend the amount of cover provided in the local area.

They provide full training and support to local community responder.

The scheme aims to provide 24 hour local cover, subject to enough volunteers being available.

Whether you can give one evening per month or one day per week, this could be the volunteer role for you.

creative solutions to match the individual’s needs.

Volunteers with good technical, design, engineering and practical skills are required to join the Berkshire branch of REMAP to serve the local area.

You will need to have access to a workshop/somewhere you can work, be able to attend monthly meetings and be happy working alone, or sometimes in teams.

 REMAP is a charity which designs and builds technical aids that are not commercially available to help disabled people.

REMAP provides an engineering service alleviating disability through

 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, November 3, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

SOCIETY | 19

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

Inthecommunity News from your clubs and societies

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

Rotarians find themselves in The Clink Rotary Club of Maiden Erleigh MEMBERS of a local Rotary group found themselves behind bars earlier this month – but it was all in the name of charity.

The group from the Rotary Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh visited HMP Brixton to dine in the Clink Restaurant, a service where inmates prepare and serve all of the food to the standard of a high class restaurant.

The restaurant service is run by the Clink Charity, which provides a training programme for prisoners which leads to a City & Guilds NVQ qualifications in food preparation, food service and customer service, with a view to reduce reoffending rates.

The Clink Restaurants allow prisoners to learn, engage with the public and take their first steps towards a new life.

The charity also trains prisoners in horticulture at other prisons in Surrey and Wales and the produce is used in the Clink restaurants.

Rotarian Paul Cunningham, who organised the visit, said: “We were amazed and delighted by the presentation and standard of the delicious food and the friendly service from the waiters.

“The service was friendly and effective, considering that there were 40 of us in addition to other diners in the restaurant.”

For more information visit www. theclinkcharity.org.

REACH Wokingham CAN Day

Members of the Maiden Erlegh Rotary Club enjoyed a meal out with a difference – it was held at HMP Brixton

on the third Monday of each month at 7.45pm and would welcome new members.

At our meetings we have speakers, illustrated talks and demonstrations plus refreshments.

In addition we offer a range of small group activities and social events.

We had an amusing – but vital – first aid talk with demonstrations of essential life saving manoeuvres at our last meeting and our speaker at our next meeting on Monday, November 21, will enlighten us on “Fun Ways to Help our Memories”.

Please come along and meet our members or ring Liz on 0118 978 3585 or Terry on 0118 978 4844.

Wokingham Art Society ON SATURDAY, October 1 REACH Wokingham in partnership with Wokingham Borough Council Children with Additional Needs (CAN) Network hosted the annual Family Fun and Information Day. The day was a huge success with more than 250 people attending the event which was held at St Crispin’s Leisure centre in Wokingham.

The day was packed with activities for the children to enjoy which included trampolining, a climbing wall, circus skills with Camp Mohawk, face painting as well as meeting and holding some beautiful owls with Lu’s Owls.

While the children were entertained their parents and carers were able to visit the information stalls. More than 30 different groups and charities were on hand to give information and advice on services and activities available to children with special educational needs and disabilities in the Wokingham borough.

The event was also visited by the Wokingham Borough Mayor, Councillor Bob Pitts, who said that the families in Wokingham were very well served by all the organisations there.

Wokingham West Forest Townswomen’s Guild WE are a local branch of the National organisation and meet in Emmbrook Village Hall

WORK by members of the Wokingham Art Society is currently on show at Dinton Pastures in the Dragonfly Cafe. The paintings are being exhibited until the end of December.

The group will be holding its November meeting next week at the Bradbury Centre in Rose Street.

The demonstration, called Painting Flowers Using Watercolour, will be given by Jake Winkle.

The event starts at 7.30pm and entry costs £4.

For further information visit: www. wokinghamartsociety.org.uk

Reading & District Fuchsia Society THERE are two meetings coming up for the society. Both take place at Maiden Place Community Centre.

The first is on Monday, November 14, when the group will welcome John Nicholass. He will give a talk entitled Over Wintering Fuchsias.

Then, on Monday, November 28, the group will hold its annual general meeting followed by a festive-themed social.

Both events take place from 7.30pm to 10pm.

For more details, call Ann Allen on 0118 966

3730 or send an email to annallen.39 @btinternet.com.

Thames Valley Ancient Egypt Society THE next meeting of the Thames Valley Ancient Egypt Society looks at something that doesn’t normally get discussed: pessimism.

In a lecture entitled Ipuwer And Perfect Misery: Why Did The Egyptians Like Pessimism?

Dr Roland Enmarch will explore some Middle Egyptian literary work.

The passage, called The Dialogue of Ipuwer and the Lord of All, is an exploration of the problem of evil and is a pessimistic poem in stark contrast to the popular view of the Egyptians, but a view found in other Egyptian texts.

The event takes place on Saturday, November 12 from 2pm. It will be held at The Oakwood Centre in Headley Road, Woodley.

Visitors are welcome and entry is £3.

GOOD ADVICE

Does my employer have to give me a reference?

U

SUALLY, you don’t have a right to a reference from your employer. But your employer does have to give you a reference in some situations, for example:  If your contract says they have to give you a reference  Where the reference is needed by a regulatory body. This might be a body like the Financial Conduct Authority so they can make sure people employed to give financial advice are qualified to do this.

There are different reasons why your employer might refuse to give you a reference.

If you think your employer won’t give you a reference for a reason related to your race, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief or gender reassignment this might be

discrimination. You should get advice from an experienced adviser, for example at your local Citizens Advice.

Your previous or current employer doesn’t have to show you a reference they’ve written about you.

So if you want to see a reference that’s been written about you, you should make a request to the employer the reference was sent to.

You should make this request under the Data Protection Act. The employer will then work out whether they can show you the reference, in line with the Data Protection Act. You can find out more about making a request to see a reference on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.ico.org.uk and search on

‘employment references’. Or, you can call their helpline on 0303 123 1113. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Your employer has a duty to write an accurate reference about you, and shouldn’t mislead the employer asking for the reference.

But some information shouldn’t be included in a reference, unless you agree to it. This is information like your medical records, or information about spent criminal convictions.

Your employer also mustn’t give information in a reference or another document, for example, an e-mail, which is inaccurate, or which is deliberately wrong or misleading.

If this has happened, you may be able

to take action against your employer.

In most cases, if you are asked about convictions and you decide to answer, you do not have to declare spent convictions.

There are some exceptions to this general rule. However, you always have to declare unspent convictions and this includes any unspent cautions.

If you’re in this situation, you should get advice from an experienced adviser, for example at your local Citizens Advice.  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 | FIREWORKS

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, November 3, 2016

Wokingham Fireworks drawing competition Wokingham Fireworks asked youngsters to draw what Bonfire Night means to them. Here are the entries…

Amber Willoughby – Age 6

Amelia Richardson – Age 9

Anallna Heneye – Age 4

Austin Gee – Age 5

Ava Mae Richardson – Age 5

Ben Plummer – Age 7

Cameron Hale – Age 8

Celia Sudlow – Age 9

Charlie Rodhouse

Chloe Smedley – Age 8

Chloe Thomas – Age 7

Connie Morshead – Age 4

Elsie Allen – Age 6

Emily Sudlow – Age 7

Evie Plummer – Age 5

Faye Dawson – Age 5

Freddie Dawson – Age 8

Gabriella Sumo – Age 5

Hannah Deen – Age 10

Keira Thomas – Age 7

Thursday, November 3, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

FIREWORKS | 21

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

www.wokingham-fireworks.co.uk Winner Millie Allen will lead Saturday’s torchlit procession and light the bonfire at the start of the display

Lauren Hale – Age 10

Lauren Knight – Age 12

Lois Gee – Age 7

Maeve Gabriel – Age 4

Maxim Jutsum – Age 5

Millie Rodhouse – Age 9

Millie Allen – Age 9

Nancy Sudlow – Age 6

Ophelia Hamllye – Age 5

Raphael H – Age 7

Rhys Littleford – Age 7

Robin Dyce – Age 5

Ruby Sipson – Age 7

Sadie Gabriel – Age 6

Seren Jones – Age 10

Thomas Kavanagh – Age 8

Yvie Hardy – Age 7

22 | PROPERTY

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, November 3, 2016

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

Live in a mansion and enjoy the country

You’ll like this – your chance to win a meal for two at Ruchetta RICHARD WORTH Estate and Land Agents is delighted to be the main sponsor for this year’s Wokingham Fireworks display.

The event, which takes place on Saturday, sees thousands of people come together to enjoy a great display and bonfire and also raise a lot of money for charity.

But that’s not the only good thing it’s

doing. It is currently running a contest to win a meal for two at Ruchetta, its next door neighbour.

To enter, all you have to do is like its Facebook page, share its post, saying who you would like to take to the meal and why.

The best will win the meal for two at what is considered to be one of Wokingham’s finest restaurants.

COUNTRY lovers could find their dream home in Arborfield - and it’s available to rent or to buy.

The former Queen Anne mansion is split into several apartments and Martin & Co’s Wokingham office has a three-bedroom apartment on offer.

The residence is perfect for those who want to escape the rat race and is perfect for pet lovers as animals are considered.

The apartment comes with its own garden area and a wood store as well as private parking.

The entrance is a large 27ft by 9in by 8ft 10in Susan and Martin Cleaver have welcomed a recent move hallway.

This leads to all the main areas of the home, to new offices strengthening the continuing relationship including a 21ft 1in by 19ft living room which includes a bay window and a wood burning stove. in Wokingham.

We manage a up number of properties in The master bedroom is 19ft by 15ft 9in and Cleaver Property Management has been set to provide a management service residential the town and we plan totogrow this over the coming years. includes a fitted wardrobe.

A second bedroom is an equally spacious 19ft 10in properties for both leasehold and freehold by 14ft 3in, leading to a third bedroom, which could be properties.

Cleaver Property Management is an independent, specialist property used as a study and is 14ft 7in by 9ft 7in. managing and residential letting agent, operating for over 20 years. As The kitchen diner is 21ft by 8ft 10in and has its own bay window and separate store cupboard.

Susan and MartintoCleaver This service is provided Residentshave welcomed a recent move a Cleaver family run business, Management most of our clients have come to us byspecialist personal There’s cialist property Property is an independent, property a 14ft 4in by 5ft 11in bathroom and a Associations, Flat Management Companies, to new offices strengthening the continuing relationship separate cloakroom. recommendation due to the outstanding personaloperating service ourfor local team ver 20 years. managing As and residential letting agent, over 20 years.

As Landlords and Freeholders.

It has been recently redecorated and carpeted in Wokingham.

We provide. manage a number of properties in of highly trained experts throughout and the bathroom suite has been newly us by personal a family run business, most of our clients have come to us by personal

gement

Cleaver Property Management Cleaver Property Management

Let Cleaver look after your home

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

Cleaver Property Management

the town and we plan to grow this over the coming years.

installed.

Mike Townend, director of Martin & Co’s Wokingham branch, said: “This is a rarely available apartment and is available to rent or to buy. It’s great for anyone wanting country living in a splendid country house setting.”

It is offered to the market for £450,000 to buy or for £1,300 a month on a rental basis.

For more details, call into Martin & Co’s Peach Street offices, call 0118 334 2389 or log on to wokingham.martinco.com

The aim of the company is: Offering management services for freehold and local team e our local recommendation teamnumerous property due to the outstanding personal service our leasehold residential properties support; Residents Associations, of To highly trained experts provide. provide high quality Cleaver Property Management is –anweindependent, specialist property

220 homes released at Arborfield Green

Flat management Management Companies, Developers, Landlords and20 Freeholders. serviceletting managing and residential agent, operating for over years. As THREE parcels of land at the r freehold Offering and numerous property management services for freehold and a family run business, of our clients have come to us by personal to multi tenantedmost properties new Arborfield Green Garden For more information to book a personalpersonal please contact us Associations, Village development have ts Associations, leasehold residential properties –appointment we support; Residents recommendation dueand to the outstanding service our local team been sold to Redrow Homes Cleaver Property Management provide Telephone: 0844 499 3411 or Email: info@cleaverproperty.co.uk ofFlat highly trained experts provide. d Freeholders.

Management Companies, Developers, Landlords and Freeholders.

Southern Counties. the service of a Managing Agent to a

Developer Crest Nicholson,

Offering numerous property management services for freehold and wide variety of properties throughout on behalf of the Defence e contact For us moreresidential information and to book personalResidents appointment please contact us leasehold properties – we asupport; Associations, Infrastructure Organisation Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Oxfordshire, (DIO), announced the sale .co.uk Flat Telephone: 0844 499Ascot 3411 or Email: info@cleaverproperty.co.uk Management Companies, Developers, Landlords Freeholders.

Cleaver Property Management, House, Finchampstead Road,and Wokingham RG40 2NW Buckinghamshire and Middlesex.

Property Management Services for Wokingham and beyond.

of land parcels H, I and J at the £600m development on For more information and to book a personal appointment please contact us Monday.

The 15-acre site is in the Telephone: 0844 499 3411 or Email: info@cleaverproperty.co.uk Arborfield Green masterplan for up to 220 homes and is located ngham RG40 Cleaver 2NWProperty Management, Ascot House, Finchampstead Road, Wokinghamsouth RG40 2NW of the new Nine Mile Ride Extension. The site forms part of the southern gateway to Cleaver Property Management, Ascot House, Finchampstead Road, Wokingham RG40 2NW the new garden village.

d beyond.

Property Management Services for Wokingham and beyond.

Property Management Services for Wokingham and beyond.

Redrow is expected to bring forward initial proposals in accordance with the site’s Design Codes and outline planning permission over the next few months.

Crest Nicholson’s Project Director Hugo Reeve said: “Crest Nicholson is delighted to be working with a fellow developer of Redrow’s calibre.

As the DIO’s development partner, Crest Nicholson’s role is to ensure the Arborfield Green vision is protected and delivered, and we are pleased that Redrow shares our ambition.”

Jon Fletcher, Managing

Director of Redrow Southern Counties said: “This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the new garden village and create a thriving new community at Arborfield Green.

“Redrow is committed to working with the existing residents and their representatives to ensure the provision of new homes, including homes for affordable rent and shared ownership.”  For more information on the Arborfield Green development and Crest Nicholson, please visit: www.crestnicholson.com/ developments/arborfield-green

Thursday, November 3, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

1 BED

WOOSEHILL

2 BED

PROPERTY | 23

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

SUNNINGHILL

2 BED

WARFIELD

1 BED

WOKINGHAM

• One Bedroom House • Parking for Two Cars • Kitchen with Applicances • Garden with Decking • Large Double Bedroom • Pets Considered • Unfurnished • Available January 2017

• Executive Apartment Block • Two Double Bedrooms • Large Living Room With Balcony • Quiet Location • Short Walk To Village • Communal Gardens • Allocated Parking • Part Furnished • Available Now

• Ground Floor Apartment • Excellent Decorative Order • New Fitted Carpets • Convenient For Road Links • Allocated Parking • Suit Investors Or First-Time Buyers • Leasehold • No Onward Chain

• Ground Floor Maisonette • Central Location • Close To Station • Living Room • Dining Area • Re-Fitted Kitchen & Bathroom • Garage Converted Into Office/Studio • Two Parking Spaces • Share of Freehold

2 BED

2 BED

3/4 BED

4 BED

£900 pcm

WOKINGHAM

£975 pcm BINFIELD

£257,000

WOKINGHAM

£264,600

WOKINGHAM

E N IC IO PR UCT D RE

• Two Double Bedrooms • Quiet & Convenient Location • Kitchen With New Appliances • Bathroom With Jacuzzi Bath • Garage & Off-Road Parking • Pets Considered • Part-Furnished • Available 1St October

• Two Double Bedrooms • L-shaped Living/dining room • Conservatory • Kitchen with Fridge-freezer and Washing Machine • Two Parking Spaces • Pets Considered

• Well Presented Town House • Flexible Living Accommodation • Three Bedrooms • Study/Bedroom Four • Large Living Room • Kitchen/Breakfast Room • Single Garage • Freehold • No Chain

• Refurbishment Opportunity • Semi-Detached • Two Reception Rooms • Four Bedrooms • En-Suite Shower Room • Large Garden • Convenient Location • No Onward Chain

2 BED

2 BED

4 BED

4 BED

£1050 pcm

BRACKNELL

£1075 pcm

CROWTHORNE

£385,000

WINNERSH

• Spacious Modern House • Two Double Bedrooms • New Kitchen With Appliances • Close To Station • Contemporary Decoration • GCH • Garden • Off-Road Parking • Unfurnished • Available Now

• Large Luxury Apartment • High Street location • New Decoration and Flooring • Two Double Bedrooms • En-suite to Master • First floor with Lift Access • Allocated Parking • Available Now

• Detached Family Home • Master Bedroom with En-Suite • Kitchen/breakfast Room • Sun Room • Winnersh Railway Nearby • Good Access to Motorways

2 BED

4 BED

4 BED

£1100 pcm

WOKINGHAM

• Luxury Apartment • Town Centre • Two Bedrooms • Two En-Suite Bathrooms • Original Beams • High Ceilings • Underfloor Heating • Unfurnished

£1750 pcm

£1150 pcm

EMMBROOK

£489,950 WINNERSH

• Spacious Family Home • Quiet cul-de-sac Location • Close to Schools • Easy Access to Town and Station • Secluded Rear Garden • Unfurnished • Available Jan 2017

• Detached Family Home • Private Road • Master Bedroom with En-Suite • Two Reception Rooms • Study/playroom • Double Garage • Secluded Garden • No Onward Chain

£1850 pcm

£715,000

£359,950

EMMBROOK

• Private Cul-De-Sac Location • Four Spacious Bedrooms • Two Reception Rooms • Study • Conservatory • Private Rear Garden • Tandem Garage • Excellent Decorative Order

£585,000

4 BED

FINCHAMPSTEAD

• Spacious Family Home • Immaculate Condition • Non-estate Location • Secure Gated Driveway • 100ft Secluded Rear Garden • Large Patio Area

£815,000

24 | HEALTH

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, November 3, 2016

Everystepcounts

HEALTH MATTERS

Personal fitness with Chris Hunt with Nicola Strudley

The pillars of success Let’s start getting to the nitty gritty – you are now primed to succeed, let’s build that plan starting with some sound foundations.

CHRIS HUNT is your guide

German philosopher Frederick Nietzsche pictured in 1882. Picture: Gustav Adolf Schultze

O

VER the last eight weeks we have covered so much already.

We have talked about GOALS, creating the right ENVIRONMENT, being YOU, talked about what HEALTH and FITNESS means to you, HABITS, being of a POSITIVE mindset and finally last week talking about your WHY, your reason for reading this column and your reason for wanting to change and improve some aspect of your life.

This now leads us onto what I believe are the key pillars to success that you need to focus on if you want to improve your health and fitness and in turn your quality of life.

Imagine your current quality of life is the roof of a house. For the roof and the overall infrastructure to be sound and safe and strong it needs strong walls, strong support beams and strong foundations.

These strong foundations are what I like to call the pillars of success.

Now, every person and every coach out there should have their own thoughts on this and maybe you do too.

What categories could we create that let us group habits, practices and daily actions that aid us to get great results?

I have six pillars that for me are so important when it comes to health and fitness and positive change. In simple terms, the more you have, the stronger your building will be and the more robust it will be.

If you can improve all pillars you have more chance of success than just improving two or three pillars. If you leave out an important pillar you can pretty much guarantee that it will come back and bite you at some point soon.

The ancient city of Petra in Jordan was built on strong pillars that are still standing today Picture: Andrew Green

Over the next few weeks we will be going over the pillars. Here they are:  Nutrition and our internal bank balance  Fitness and Exercise  Sleep and recovery  Mind-set and state of mind  Daily Rituals and habits  Environment that we live, work and socialise in You see the problem with the industry I work in is that too many inexperienced coaches try and focus on the short term or the easier pillars of success. They just count reps and tell you to eat less and move more.

REAL coaches that truly love their job and EMBRACE positive change focus on the pillars that take time to improve and the pillars that

need extra work on. Improving your mindset isn’t a quick fix, changing your environment can be hard and really tough sometimes but it needs to be done.

When I moved into THE HUB, I knew I had to change the environment my clients deserved to train in. I wanted new and awesome equipment; I wanted my clients turning up for private coaching and not having to worry about where they could park.

I wanted a POSITIVE professional atmosphere that enforced my beliefs on what top level coaching involves… LOVE for the job and love for the OPPORTUNITIES you can create with people.

Looking at the above pillars that I have mentioned; ask yourself a few questions:  What is holding me back right now in relation to the pillars?  Could I make any simple changes right now, this instant that could improve my current situation?  Are any of the pillars in my life seriously lacking right now?

Do I have a plan in place for adopting the practice of Kaizen which, as you will already now know, translates as ‘Constant Improvement’.

Over the coming weeks we will touch on how we can improve each aspect with some simple choices and this will without doubt help you improve not only your own health and fitness but also your success in life moving forward.

What starts out as a health and fitness journey can soon become so much more and really it becomes a complete journey of selfdiscovery.

In every moment, you are the only one who gets to choose your attitude. Choose wisely.

Today, be the person of your dreams. See and act from their eyes.

Have a great weekend everyone, think about how the pillars fit into your life and think about what you can do to create positive change and long term awesome results.

Mosque donates interest to RBH cancer unit PATIENTS receiving cancer treatment at the Royal Berkshire Hospital will now be made a little more comfortable thanks to the fundraising efforts of an Earley mosque.

Worshippers from The New Aisha Masjid and Islamic Centre, in Bath Road, handed over a cheque for £10,000 to the hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust last week.

Mohammed Arif, Chairman of Jamme Masjid Trust, presented the cheque to the RBFT Chairman, Graham Sims, ahead of a Trust Board on October 26.

Mr Arif said: “This money was ‘interest received’ from an old bank account and could not be used by the Jamme Masjid Trust to benefit the Mosque as it is against our religion.

“The Mosque’s Management Committee agreed to give this amount

Mohammed Arif, chairman of Jamme Masjid Trust, Graham Sims, Chairman of Royal Berkshire Hospital Foundation Trust, Dr Prem Sharma and Abdul Salim with a cheque for £10,000

Can GP services online save the NHS?

W

E REGULARLY hear your frustration at having to call your GP surgery to book an appointment.

Official figures reveal that over 95% of GP practices are now set up to offer online services.

GP surgeries across Wokingham borough have been using online services to allow people to book appointments, order repeat prescriptions, and access parts of their GP record online.

These services make it more convenient for people at a surgery, as there’s no need to make a phone call or visit us.

Computer, smartphone or tablet users can make or cancel an appointment or request a repeat prescription at a time that suits them, even when their surgery is closed.

The service is available online via a website, smartphone and tablet users can also download an app which will give them these functions on their phone.

Patients living with a long-term health condition such as diabetes can also benefit by having a greater involvement in their healthcare as they can access test results and keep track of their treatment.

Fewer people calling means that those people who don’t want to go online wait less time to get through on the phone.

Attendance

We’ve also found that people who are able to book their appointments online are more likely to attend their appointment.

Missed appointments are a problem for all GP surgeries, but by reducing them we can help GPs to see more patients more quickly.

Wokingham Medical Centre has recently introduced a number of new developments to reduce phone congestion, such as the “Sit and Wait” clinic currently offering 50 appointment slots each day.

You don’t need to phone ahead or book, just turn up between 9am and 12.30pm and wait your turn to see a GP. There is also new direct line that you can call for prescription related queries only.

This line is open 11am-3pm weekdays, the number to dial is 0118 402 0677.

By making it more convenient for people to make and keep, appointments with their GP, we can help to prevent unnecessary visits to an A&E or Minor Injuries Unit.

This works alongside traditional methods of accessing GP services, it does not replace them.

To register for GP online services, drop in and ask at your GP surgery, or to find out more visit the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk/ GPonlineservices

How to contact us : to a local charity that could utilise this for the benefit of the wider community.

“The RBFT’s Cancer Centre is an important institution offering treatment and excellent support to those who are suffering with this disease.

“The Jamme Masjid Trust thanks Dr Prem Sharma for organising this presentation on their behalf.

“Dr Sharma has a close association with Reading’s Muslim community, and over the years has

worked closely ensuring relationships and harmony have been maintained.”

Mr Sims said: “This is a very generous donation and we would like to extend our thanks to the Mosque.

“It is thanks to such

generous donations from the local community that we can continue to make life better for our patients by investing in ways that make their lives more comfortable.

“It will make a big difference.”

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, November 3, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

WokinghamRemembers To advertise call 0118 966 6600

Friday, August 21, 2015 TheWokinghamPaPer

WokinghamRemembers

Exploring our heritage with wokinghamremembers.com

HERITAGE | 25

HERITAGE | 17 In association with

Longevity in the bell tower

Exploring our heritage with wokinghamremembers.com

JOHN REVIEWHARRISON explains the health benefits of bell ringing – and discovers that members remain active until well into their 90s. And thanks to good record keeping we can see what Wokingham’s ancient ringers were doing in their dotage

The past which has shaped our present...

This week MikE ChuRChER reviews Over the years he served the church ELLRINGING is aRemembers healthy the Wokingham articles in many roles including sidesman, activity, and it’s not uncommon of theforpast four months and PCC member, church warden, and ringers to remain active intodiscusses Entertainments Committee secretary, sometheir of the 90s. factors which contributed andits served local ringers as Vice Membership records of Wokingham to the making of Wokingham and Chairman and as representative to the ringers go back to 1880 and show environment.

Oxford Diocesan Guild. many ringers serving for 30, 40 or

B

O

VER past months the more than 50the years.

Wokingham Remembers page has William James Brooks (Bill) rang for been providing an early picture 50 years in Wokingham. of how a small market town and a He was born in 1889 and learnt to few villages on the edge of a forest is today ring in Kent, where he was a gardener ranked as one of the country’s leading at Hever Castle, and then moved to communities.

Wokingham his twenties.

Education,in religion, industry, transport, He served in France during the War social structures, national politics and and invalidedare out shrapnel localwas government allwith important wounds made walk with a pieces inthat building thehim great Wokingham jigsaw. Here now is a summary of our limp. contributions and a few ideas He lived atto 13date Langborough Roadon the next of articles. and was round a gardener at Southlands (now demolished) in Gypsy Lane.

Education, Education, In 1921, aged 32, he was elected Education Foreman the ringersisatrenowned All Saintsas Today’sofWokingham following deathcentres of SamofPaice, and one of the the country’s excellence remained in post he died instrong 1963. for education; this until is partly due to Bill was a competent ringer and a school performance and the motivated quiet, genteel man, wellofliked by those parents who live in one the most highly educated who knew him. communities in the UK.

If we look into the history of Wokingham’s schools we can see how education is woven into its DNA. Prior to the Great War, Wokingham was surrounded by manor houses and members of the landed gentry who wanted to be close to the levers of power; i.e. the royal households of Windsor.

In turn these upper echelons possessed a serious sense of duty and a responsibility to ensure their community received at least a basic education. Wokingham also had a powerful professional class, a strong church community (including the nonconformists) and together they shared a strong belief in the importance of teaching.

The result was with the skills, the motivation and the finance available, there developed a culture of education which still holds strong to this day.

Wokingham transport

Transport is probably the single most important factor in Wokingham’s development, in both its rail and road systems.

Future articles will look at the Walter Pearce, ringing at Wokingham introduction of the railways and the

major impact they had on the town and Walter John Pearce (Wally) rang we 60 have already made a start with the for years in Wokingham.

He came road system by mapping out and the course from a Wokingham family learnt of the old Forest Road. to ring in his teens, and became a While the building of the M4 had a member in 1925. major influence on the introduction of the Hetech played a leading rolenow in posthigh businesses which surround war ringing at Allthe Saints, aswhich deputy Wokingham, it is A329M Foreman 1945-63, and as in 1975 cutfrom off the Forest Road and its Foreman from 1964-79. natural connections between Emmbrook was moreofoutgoing and forceful andHe the villages Hurst and Binfield.

The love and our rail than Bill,hate but relationship he could bewith intimidating. andwas roads continue to day!

He a plumber bythis trade, and for many years he wasmilitary also Sexton and Wokingham’s Verger, living in one of the cottages heritage next theischurch.

Asto 2015 the bi-centenary of the He later lived inthere Waterloo Road,a Battle of Waterloo, have been and spent his finalcommemorating years in sheltered number of articles this housing opposite the church where he world changing event. area been hadThe rung forhas foralways most of hisnoted life. for its He contribution to the nation’s died in August 1984. military capability, with Arborfield’s REME, George Wigmore rang for almost RFA and Remount connections the 74 years in and total, but Sandhurst and Wellington only 45Colleges of themallwere situated very nearby. in Wokingham. He Even the Duke of Wellington took to was born in Fulham living in Stratfield Saye, which today is in 1889 and learnt to only 30 minutes away from Wokingham’s ring when he was 11. town centre.

He joined the band Wokingham’sat All Saints in 1929 benefactor culture when he was 40, The area around and Wokingham was rang regularly surrounded by many remarkable until Christmas 1973, individuals and they werethe instrumental dying followingin building the much needed infrastructure September.

He was which underpinnedathe establishment of hire car chauffeur a strong community. with Herrings (and We will later be telling the story of the later Brimblecombe), Walter family and their contributions to at one time becoming the building of Wokingham but in April thetold preferred driver first weekly issue, we the story of the Hon. Corfield, much loved Arthur of Hill, the Mrs 6th Marquess a former Wokingham of Downshire. lived in Although one of Mayor.

Britain’s He wealthiest Streetas and landowners, ArthurPeach Hill doubled the chief of the local Fire was a in Brigade his finaland years major financial contributor to Sale this part of moved to Garden Wokingham’s publicCottages. services.

Later articles will illustrate the Eddie Whittingham demise of these great manors and their was Wokingham’s incumbent social system and the rise of

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

The passing of thelocal years: bellringer Bill Brooks historians, in 1923 andSarah almost 30 yearsalso later, in 1952 Huxford, took its replacement: government. us on a journey to the old battlefields Wokingham’s wild side is of what Rector wrote inHere search theirthe graves.

This storyabout Before we believe too much in the idea him in his July Parish letter: reflects only a microcosm of the losses that Wokingham’s development was a ‘It is not people around the given countytoofmany Berkshire, butto be a solidly sedate experience, May’s article regular bellringer for more than affirmsChurch the importance of the wars in the told the story of the rioting in the town development of our local years, but this was thecharacter. record of Mr. centre during the time of the 1857 General 60 Election.

Such events were a common sight in the town and this short and bloody battle between the Whigs and the Tories also highlighted the Bush and Rose hotels in Market Place as the headquarters of these two feral groups.

The story was also able to reflect upon the national scene and the corrupt nature of general elections before the Eddie Whittingham and George Wigmore introduction of the private ballot. ringing at articles All Saints Church Future will include further tales of anarchy and revelry in this old longesttown. serving ringer, and he had a market

most unusual end. He was born in Wokingham at War 1883 and learnt to ring as a teenager

There are watershed moments in just after the mark bells the were augmented history which moment of great from six eight inand 1903. change in to a society the Great War of He wasisaone carpenter by trade, and 1914-1918 such time. saw active service during the 1914Therefore a number of centenaries 18 war. He was as a between 2014 andunexceptional 2018 will commemorate theonly greatthe losses of basic war ringer, and rang most which scarredbut thehe people of Wokingham of methods, had staying power, for restliterally of the 20th century. andthe rang to the end of his life, May’swas edition followed the of story which on the evening Monday of twoMay brothers 20th 1968.from Langborough Road in Wokingham town. One of our

Edward John Whittingham Wokingham and who passed from this life in the latter part of May.’ the Royal Forest ‘Some years ago Mr. Whittingham Looking at today’s community, it is decided that he had reached an age difficult to visualise just how rural the when he must uppart ringing. area once was give and in explains the ‘I remember making a presentation sometimes fragile relationship between to him of Wokingham; his fellow ringers. the on oldbehalf and new few Soon after asUK an have earlywitnessed stage of our plans areasthis, in the such for the restoration of the thethe extraordinary growth andChurch, change in profile of its population. bells were taken away to Whitechapel Although history for repair andWokingham’s re-tuning. They were has always intertwined with then broughtbeen back and rehung in a more the surrounding villages by providing modern manner on ball bearings.’ a market place agricultural tried and one ‘One day Mr. for Whittingham commercial produce, it was also a Forest of the bells again and found that he Town. The term ‘forest’ did not mean a could manage it with ease. cluster of trees, but a system of laws laid ‘From on for he the resumed his of down bythen royalty protection customary place in the belfry and so their hunting grounds. continued until therules actual moment of These onerous restricted local his death for using he passed life people from large from parts this of the land actually in the ringing chamber at a for sustenance and in part led to the rise of local highwaymen and general normal Monday evening practice.

It is a lawlessness.

As a result, the subsequent wonderful record.’

Black of 1723 down about heavilythe on TheAct Rector wascame mistaken thesewhich ‘Wokingham Blacks’ and resulted bells, were never removed but in either their transportation or execution.

The story was told in June, and also commemorated the 800th anniversary rehung on ball bearings still in of the Magna Carta, signedwhile at nearby the tower. in 1215.

Runnymede

More significantly he was wrong Shining a light on about Eddie’s name, which was not Wokingham’s ‘Dark Ages’ Edward.

To bring us up to date theJohn, August He was baptised Edgar on 17th articles are focused on theofkids are June 1883, but for most hiswho life he now entering into their summer holidays. was known as Eddie. When he died, What better way to use this month’s six years after his wife, no one seems editions than to tell the stories of the to have known his real and Romans, the Celts and thename, Saxons the powers-that-be influence on the areamust beforehave Wokingham considered ‘Eddie’ in unsuitable foreye? was even a twinkle old Wocca’s a burial andprovided they assumed David record, Nash Ford a set of (wrongly) his name Edward, articles andthat puzzles whichwas makes history is fun for he thewas young and no doubt which how mis-named willhis also catch the interest of the parents on tombstone.

who will be looking over their child’s shoulder.

John Harrison is the Tower Foreman Here’s to the next in round of articles! of All Saints Church Wokingham Thanks go out to our contributors: Steve and an established authority on Bacon, Jim Bell, David Nash Ford, Sarah bellringing.

Huxford, Roger Long, Trevor Ottlewski has Shilham published books: Living andHe Peter fortwo all their continuing Heritage: 300 Years of Bells, Ringing and contributions.

Ringers atwork All Saints Wokingham All this is provided by ourlooks at the historyfree behind the bells, locallocal historians of charge and while earlier this year Books published can be found on Shire the front page of the Wokingham Remembers website Bells and Bellringing, looking at all www.wokinghamremembers.com aspects of the activity.

Thanks to Mark Ashwell at n For morealso on bellringing, visit www.

TradeMark for supporting the paper’s allsaintswokinghambells.org.uk commitment to this project.

Windows doors and conservatories that last a lifetime and beyond www.trademarkwindows.co.uk

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

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

Thursday, October 27, 13, 2016 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October | LEISURE 30 26

CROSS CODE CODE CROSS CROSS CODE 14 26 12 26 7

7 4

11 12 8

9 9

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25 26 9

5 24

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MAGIC MAGIC SQUARE SQUARE

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E T L E S R I E

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How many many words words of of four four How How many words of four letters or more more can can you you letters or letters or more can you make from from this this make make from this Nonagram? Each Each word word Nonagram?

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Guidelines: Guidelines: Guidelines: 24 25 Good; Good; 28 29 Very Very Good; Good; 23 29 Good; 27 34 Very Good; 33 Excellent.

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EASY SUDOKU EASY EASYSUDOKU SUDOKU

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348 8266 695 587 1 15 9 942 3 713 4 498 2 271 7

HARD SUDOKU HARD HARDSUDOKU SUDOKU

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MAGIC SQUARE: MAGIC MAGICSQUARE: SQUARE: oust; user; tusk; upon; sole; hang; aloe; norm; game; arid;semi; ming; trip. knee. gems. edge.

WORD WORD PYRAMID: WORDPYRAMID: PYRAMID: The Double indemnity.

Pelican On morning the crossing. road after. to ruin.

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

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S B G X E U LS E H V R M D I U L F T Z D VI B O Y J A C FC W T D X A B Q X A B V F N E O V G N M M 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 14 15 16 18 19 21 23 24 P Y ZL 17S K D F 20K N I 22R Q W JT 25E TJ 26H A Q P J C Z U L I M P XZ K R H N Y S O Q R Y H W G G U W P O K 11 1

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CROSS CODE CODE CROSS CROSS CODE

44 4

55 5

66 6

77 7

88 8

99 9

10 10 10

11 11 11

12 12 12

13 13 13

SOLUTIONS SOLUTIONS

11 11 11

11 1

Place Place the four signs (add, Place the the four four signs signs (add, (add, subtract, subtract, multiply, divide) subtract, multiply, multiply, divide) divide) one in each circle so one that one in in each each circle circle so so that that the the total of each across the total total of of each each across across and and down line the same. anddown downline lineisis isthe thesame. same.

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPERThursday, Thursday,November October 20, THEWOKINGHAMPAPER 3, 2016 2016

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Quiz Challenge

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LEISURE | 27

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32

ACROSS ACROSS ACROSS 2. politician 1. US One expected to 1.

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27.

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33

32

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QUICK CROSSWORD: QUICK QUICKCROSSWORD: CROSSWORD: Across Bush; Loo; Cassette; Rile; 12 Defer; Across Minute; Relent; 10 11 Cancan; 11 12 Precipice; 9Slip; Except; 10 99 Icon; Runt; 12 Naked; Tinsel; 13 Across–––112Underdog; Senator;476Astral; 888Inch; Robotic; 1010Only; 12 Hump; 14 Voice; 17 Leer; 18 Receiver; 20 Criminal; 24 Arms; 25 Timer; 26 Loosen; 14 Nicest; 16 Nark; 17 Tart; 19 Mass; 22 Step; 26 Bridal; Queuing; 16 Upas; 17 Talc; 18 Hem; 20 Dry; 21 Clog; 23 Brat; 25 15 Fleet; 17 Little; 18 Rocker; 19 Quince; 21 Farmer; 22 Kneel; 23 Yolky; 2926 Foot; 30 Intimate; 31 Free; 33Silver; Teetotal.

27 Hoping; 28 Lupin; Custom; 3032Piffle; 31 32 Jeered.

Parable; Urgent; 2929 Type; 30Lee; Avon; 31 Linger; 32 Debutante.

Eyes; 26 Stay; 28 Hammock; 29 Ogre; 30 Isle; 31 Dullard.

Down Noah; 323Easter; 4 3Dither; 55 Glee; 6 Borzoi; 7 6Solace; 11 Down –– 21 Recoup; Morale; Nelson; Racket; 7Mess; Length; Census; 4Tanner; Parent; 5Stadia; Cent; 66Extinct; 7Scam; 8 Down – 1 Clan; 2 Spry; 3 Nibble; 4 Tether; 5 Rich; 10 Elect; 1210 Denim; 13 Ivory; 16 Erase; 19 Fir; 21 9Oblique; Tank; Cent; 13Repay; Salad; 15 Vet; Creep; 18 Abacus; 1919 Missal; 20 Stalemate; Quadruple; 14 14 Easy; 1515 Galop; 18 Scented; 1113 Lattice; 13 Unkempt; 14 Portray; 15Herb; Flick; 16 Total; 20 Rigour; 22 23 Loathe; Akimbo; 27 Diet; Etna.

Salome; 21 Slum; 2224 Ship; 2324 Tonite; Pilfer; 25 Agreed.

22 Gateau; 23 Banana; 24 Almost; 27 24 Gent; 28 Tyre.

Enamel; 21Mettle; Fedora; Yoga; 25 Shed; 26 Skid; 2728 Ally.

Down Venus; Lingo;Neeps.

Doyen.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSSWORD: Down Loach; Trail; CRYPTIC Spent.

Down–––Gross; Miser; Tango; Needs; Hussy.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: (2) Across Feint; Dregs.

Hyper; Virus; Stein.

Prawn; Emend.

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12 Scorpio; 14 Leaning; 1818 Actress; 20 Chinese; 212122 Locarno; 22 Agave; Waned.

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Ethos.

Noodle; 13 Rumour; 16 Vowing; 18 Searchlight; 19 Take up; 22 20 Tsunami; 2324 Catered.

23 Units;21 24 On principle.

Chinaman; Roll; 25 Veracity.

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QUIZ CHALLENGE: CHALLENGE: 1 Tokyo; Norma 2 2The Good Samaritan; 3 Anchor; 4 Punctuation; 5 Kieran Prendiville; 6The The Accidental Tourist; QUIZ of2Major; Cleves; Keynes; 3 Itch; Daihatsu; Mars; 5Farm; Konnie Huq; 6 Colombian; London Follicle; 3Milton The Seven Year The4Grim Reaper; 55 Cumbria; 6Holmes; Tony Bennett; 7Lloyd; The Mary Rose; 8 When QUIZ CHALLENGE:11Anne Richmond; 2 Musk; 3 Ronald Reagan; 44Leatherslade Sherlock 6 7John 7 Millennium Laila Morse; 7 Monterey Jack; Roy Bridge’); Kinnear; 98 The Canterbury 10 Alec Stewart.

Footbridge (the ‘Wobbly Ron Weasley; 9 Tales; Hairspray; 10 Venice.

Saturday 98 Gary Kemp; 10 Pecorino.

8 VictoriaComes; Coren Mitchell; 9 Japan; 10 Christchurch.

(1) Across Across – Latin; Valid; Agave; Ninny; Sworn.

(1) Hulls.

Stout.

(1) Across––Gates; Month;Ounce; Spews; Rusty.

FIVE ALIVE: ALIVE: FIVE FIVE ALIVE:

Thursday, November 3, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Leisure Join the Happiness patrol

Didy Veldman’s Umanoove presents The Happiness Project at South Hill Park next week. It features dancers Dane Hurst, Estela Merlos, Mattieu Geffre, Hannah Kidd Picture: Tom Rowland

A CELEBRATION of what makes us happy, and the pursuit of happiness, will be explored at South Hill Park next week.

Theatre company Umanoove, set up by award-winning choreographer and former Rambert dancer Didy Veldman and comprising four dancers and a ‘visionary’ violinist, will bring their selfstyled Happiness Project to Bracknell on Wednesday, November 9.

Didy said: “We’re all interested in being happy, and The Happiness Project examines the idea of happiness as something we strive

for, as something fleeting, something that can be very elusive or even absent.

“My aim is to find a common language between the movement, drama and the music on stage in my investigation of western society’s endless search for fulfilment.”

Having danced with the Scapino Ballet in the Netherlands, Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève and Rambert, Veldman began choreographing in 1987, creating work for the repertoires of all three companies and many others.

Joining her onstage for this electrifying performance will be Dane Hurst, Mathieu Geffré, Hannah Kidd, Estela Merlos, four highly acclaimed independent dancers, while celebrated composer/ violinist Alexander Balanescu will play live onstage.

The Happiness Project comes to South Hill Park, in Ringmead, on Wednesday, November 9 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £14, concessions are available. n For tickets call 01344 484 123 or visit www.southhillpark.org.uk.

REVIEW

You won’t be board with Chess EBOS’ latest show is a big high profile show. GEMMA DAVIDSON is our guide to the Cold War musical

T

HE PIECES are set and the players have moved into position for one of the biggest productions South Hill Park has seen all year.

Chess, the toe-tapping musical written by Tim Rice and Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA, came storming into Bracknell on Tuesday night for a five-night run courtesy of the East Berkshire Operatic Society (EBOS).

Directed by Margery Jackson, the musical bursts into life with the opening number The Story of Chess hitting you with full force, letting the audience know from the get-go that this will be a high production evening.

Featuring an abstract, monochrome stage design, the production stays true to its 1980s roots, and the clever use of space to differentiate between scenes is really effective. The costumes (the shoulder pads), hair and make-up are all reminiscent of the decade that fashion forgot, but don’t steal focus or make this a ‘nostalgia fest’ in any way.

Set during a Cold War-era chess tournament between American and Russian opponents, the play has plenty of political overtones which are integral

LEISURE | 27

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to the story, but it is done in a way that is fun and entertaining, and prior knowledge of the time is not wholly necessary.

The American, Freddie, is bold, brash and cocky, while his Russian counterpart Anatoly is reserved and focused, and refuses to be swayed by the glitzy trappings of the high profile tournament.

While both sides are certain of victory, a love story emerges between Freddie’s long-suffering girlfriend and manager, Florence, and his rival. The tournament is muddied by politics, racism and love affairs, but can everyone make it out in one piece?

Putting on such a high-profile production such as Chess is a risky gamble, as there are bound to be fans of the original in the audience, and some pretty big shoes to fill onstage. Kelly Gates does a superb job of stepping into the legendary Elaine Page’s shoes to play Florence, and her duet with Jennie Leopold (Svetlana) for I Know Him So Well was received with rapturous applause.

The suave, cool and collected Arbiter who oversees the tournament proceedings is propelled into the spotlight by Rutendo Mushambi. His voice is strong, his dancing is on point, and the ensemble performance of The Arbiter showed off the high quality choreography.

Fusing modern dance styles with

classic ballet comes easy to EBOS, with duo Mette Isaksen and Courtney Fleming stepping up to the plate with their captivating performance as the game is played out.

Their striking forms and perfect lines left the audience entranced and begging for me, which was gladly offered later in the act.

The star of the show has to be Daniel Strong as Anatoly, whose voice most certainly lives up to his name. Delivering a performance worthy of the Royal Albert Hall, his powerful vocal cords are really something to behold and had the audience on their feet for The Anthem at the close of Act 1.

Strong is superb: moving and uplifting yet understated and modest, he really helps to take the quality of the performance to the next level.

Chess is performed at the Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park until Saturday.

For tickets call the Box Office on 01344 484123 or visit www.southhillpark.org. uk/events/chess-the-musical. n EBOS will be holding preview nights for their upcoming shows this month.

On Monday, November 7 at 8pm the company will hold a read-through of My Mother Said I Never Should, while on Tuesday, November 15 at 7.30pm they will be holding a dance workshop for Boogie Nights.

Anyone interested in getting involved in either production should email info@ebos. org.uk.

Animal Corner

with Gemma Davidson Can you offer these adorable animals a loving forever home?

Each week, we team up with the folk at Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre in Nelsons Lane, Hurst, to try to find new homes for the animals currently in their care

will certainly need to further her doggie education at training classes. She will need an interesting and active lifestyle, and company most of the time

PUMPKIN

WINNIE

This gorgeous two-year-old pointer cross Dalmatian was facing an uncertain future in a dog pound. Luckily, she was saved and taken into rescue care where she has been able to show off her lovely nature.

Winnie is great with other dogs, but we don’t kow what she is like with cats.

She loves everyone she meets, but as we have no long term history for her, we wouldn’t like to place her in a home with children under 12.

Winnie is a lively girl, but by no means as hyperactive as many Dalmatian types can be. She loves her walks, and loves to run free, but is also sensible and obedient, and walks very nicely on her lead.

Winnie is just a happy, sociable dog who finds great joy in life, and deserves her own special someone to share that joy with. She will need plenty of exercise, and company most of the time.

Poor Pumpkin was found as a stray.

She was heavily pregnant, and very sadly she lost all her babies, but is recovering well from her loss and is now ready to find herself a loving home.

She is very friendly, but does not seem to like other cats.

Pumpkin will be neutered, chipped & vac’d before leaving DBARC

GOLDIE & GRACE

BOP

Originally a stray in a dog pound, one-year-old Bop was never reclaimed and has now come to DBARC to find the loving home that she so deserves.

Because she has no long term history, we would not wish to place her with children under 12 years, but she is affectionate towards people of all ages, she is just one of those dogs who loves to be cuddled and fussed over.

She also loves to play, and loves her walks, so an active home will suit this lovely dog. Bop is good with other dogs, but has not lived with cats.

As she is still just a youngster, Bop

Goldie & Grace were strays, living in a car park being handled and fed by a lady since tiny kittens.

They are lovely cats, a little overwhelmed at coming to DBARC, but they are both settling into cattery life well. We would like them to go to a new home together as they do really seem to love each other n Could you offer a forever home to any of these animals?

If the answer is ‘yes’ then please get in touch with the centre on 0118 934 1122 to make sure the animals have not already been reserved.

The centre is open everyday between 11am and 1pm, and 2pm and 4pm. For more information, and to view other animals in need of a home visit www.dbarc.org.uk

28 | LEISURE

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What’son

Thursday, November 3 EARLEY – Palmer Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 2AH. Reading Film Theatre presents: Cafe Society (12a). 8pm.

Details: 0118 378 7151.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre RG40 4ES. Crochet Group. 1pm3pm. Finchampstead Society Archive Surgery.

2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 908 8176.

LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Board games club. 10am-11am.

Details: 0118 931 2150.

SPENCERS WOOD – Library, Basingstoke Road RG7 1AJ. Knit and Natter.

3pm-4pm. Details: 0118 988 4771.

WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Art History Talks with Dalila Castelijn: Picasso’s Portraits. 2pm4pm. £5. Reminiscence Club: discuss your memories of days gone by. 10.30am-noon. First Thursday book group.

6.30pm-7.45pm. National Careers Service: Advice sessions to help you with career planning, CVs and interviews. 9.40am3.40pm. Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOODLEY – St John’s Church, Church Road.

The Woodford Singers concert in aid of the Loddon Vale Practice.

8pm. Details: ppg.lvp@ gmail.com WOODLEY – Chapel Hall, Loddon Bridge Road.

Woodley Townswomen’s Guild: The Remarkable Story of Great Ormond Street Hospital. 7.45pm.

WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA.

Children’s Chess Club for ages 8 upwards. 3.30pm5pm. Woodley book group. 10.30am-11.30am.

First Thursday evening book club. 6pm-6.45pm.

Details: 0118 969 0304.

Friday, November 4 FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre RG40 4ES. Little Explorers storytime.

Five Minutes Peace.

11am. Details: 0118 908 8176.

LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Read Aloud Group. 10.30am11.30am. Details: 0118 931 2150.

SPENCERS WOOD – Library, Basingstoke Road RG7 1AJ. Rhymetime.

10.15am-10.45am.

Details: 0118 988 4771.

WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Crochet Group.

9.30am-11.30am.

Cribbage and card games club. 10.30am-noon. Local history surgery. 9.30am11.30am. Wokingham Library Day Book Group.

10.30am-12.30pm.

Details: 0118 978 1368.

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 – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Let’s Get Creative: card making with Helen Cook.

2pm-4pm. £5. Details: 0118 969 0304.

Saturday, November 5 LOWER EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way

At the theatre Basingstoke – Anvil

www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Thurs. Maximum R’n’B. Sat. Kevin Bloody Wilson. Tues. The Sons of Pitches. Fri 11. Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra. Sat 12.

Basingstoke – The Haymarket www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 Mr Darcy Loses the Plot. Thurs.

Mark Watson. Fri. Chris Wood. Tues. Kaz Hawkins Band. Fri 11. Peggy Seeger and Calum MacColl. Sat 12.

Bracknell – South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 Chess. Until Sat. Bracknell Jazz: Tony Woods. Fri. The Comedy Cellar. Fri. Artree Live: Folk and Roots. Sat. Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs. Sun. West Forest Sinfonia Chamber Concert.

Sun. Creative Control Band Night. Sun. Bracknell Flower

Club. Mon. Lee Hurst. Tues, Thurs 10. The Happiness Project. Wed. Artree Live: An Evening With Chris Difford.

Fri 11. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 11. South Hill Park Craft and Design Fair Sat 12-Sun 13.

Mission Improvable. Sun 13.

FILMS: The Curious World of Hieronymus Bosch. Thurs.

Cafe Society. Fri-Sun. The Railway Children. Sun. Pierrot Le Fou. Tues. Captain Fantastic. Wed. Little Men. Thurs 10-Fri 11. Anthropold.

Fri 11-Sun 13. Peter’s Dragon. Sat 12-Sun 13.

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 An Evening of Burlesque. Fri. The Billy Joel Songbook. Sat. Ralph McTell. Fri 11. Talons: The Best of the Eagles. Sat 12.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 A Room With A View. Until Sat. A Princess Undone. Mon-Sat 12.

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

The best guide for local, community events across Wokingham borough

RG6 5HZ. Church fair: crafts, toys, cakes, jewellery, refreshments and more. 1pm-4pm.

Earley Mayor opens fete at 1pm. Details: www. trinityearley.co.uk LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Charity coffee morning. 10amnoon. Dad and Baby Rhymetime for ages five and under. 11am11.30am. Details: 0118 931 2150.

MAIDEN ERLEGH – Library, off Silverdale Road RG6 7HS. Children’s writing group. 10.15am-11am.

Details: 0118 966 6630.

TWYFORD – Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road, Twyford, Reading RG10 9JA. Salsa Party night.

8pm-1am. £10. Details: www.incognitodance. com.

WARGRAVE – Library, Woodclyffe Hostel, Church Street RG10 8EP. Five Minute Peace storytime. 10.30am11am. Details: 0118 940 4656.

WINNERSH – Library, The Forest School, Robin Hood Lane RG41 5ND. Winnersh Library gaming club. 10.30am-12.30pm.

Details: 0118 979 7519.

WOKINGHAM – Cantley Park. Wokingham Charity Firework Spectacular.

Torchlit procession from Market Place at 6pm. Fireworks from 7.30pm. £7.50, under 7s free. Details: www. wokingham-fireworks. co.uk WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Make a Moroccan Tea Lantern – craft session with Rachel Freegard. Noon. £5. Dad and Baby thymetime.

10am-10.30am. Code

Club for ages 9-11.

10.15am-11.30am. Teen Writing Group. 10.30amnoon. Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road. Parish Bazaar. Noon-3.30pm.

Details: 0118 979 2122.

WOODLEY – Shopping Precinct, Crockhamwell Road. Earley St Peter’s Church Choir sale in aid of Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice.

9.15am-3pm.

Sunday, November 6 READING – Concert Hall, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Henley Symphony Orchestra Concert: Nielsen: Helios Overture, Bruch: Violin Concerto (Soloist: Callum Smart, violin) and Dvorák: Symphony No 7. 4pm. £18, £14, £12. Details: www.henleysymphony orchestra.co.uk.

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road.

Special Swedish-style church service in a celebration of St Lucia.

Gingerbread making 4.15pm. Service of light followed by refreshments from 6.15pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 WOODLEY – Shopping Precinct, Crockhamwell Road. Car boot sale.

8am-1pm. Details: 0118 921 6920 or www. woodleytowncentre. co.uk.

Monday, November 7 TWYFORD – Library, Polehampton Close RG10 9RP.Twyford Authors Book Group.

2.30pm-3.30pm. Details: 0118 934 0800.

Henley – Kenton Theatre www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 575698 The Wizard of Ox YPE. Until Sun. Shappi Khorsandi. Thurs 10.

NYJO: Then and Now. Fri 11.

Michael Portillo. Sat 12.

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Show of Hands. Thurs. Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs. Chinese State Circus. Fri. Foster and Allen. Sat. Nina Conti. Sun. Tenors Unlimited. Tues. An Evening With Paul Merson.

Tues. T.Rextasy. Wed. Someone Like You. Thurs 10.

Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs 10. Dad’s Army: A Salute to the 1940s. Fri 11. Maximum R ‘n’ B with The Manfreds. Sat 12. Stick Man. Sun 13.

Maidenhead – Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Southern Tenant Folk Union.

Thurs. ROH Live: Anastasia.

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, November 3, 2016

Tuesday, November 8

Wednesday, November 9

EARLEY – Palmer Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 2AH. Reading Film Theatre presents: Traders (15). 8pm. Details: 0118 378 7151.

LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Knit and Natter. 4pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 2150.

TWYFORD – Library, Polehampton Close RG10 9RP. Tuesday Reading Group. 2.30pm3.30pm. Details: 0118 934 0800.

WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Five Minutes Peace Storytime. For ages 7 and under. 4pm-4.30pm.

Crochet Group with Gaynor White from Barkham Hookers.

All abilities welcome.

9.30am-11.30am. £4. WI Stitch and Chatter. UK Online: Help and support with computers and the internet for beginners.

2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOKINGHAM – Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Luckley House School’s autumn show: Be My Baby.

7.30pm. £7, concessions £3.50. Details: www. thewhittytheatre.org.

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Rose Street.

Fatigue - managing to live better with it. Free.

9.30am-12.30pm. Details: unlockyourwellbeing. co.uk WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Rhymetimes. 10.30am11am. Crafts and Laughs.

2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 969 0304.

WOKINGHAM – Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Luckley House School’s autumn show: Be My Baby.

7.30pm. £7, concessions £3.50. Details: www. thewhittytheatre.org.

Fri. Jim Mullen guitar. Fri. A Diwali Celebration. Sun. The Vinyl Frontier: Smiths and Friends. Sun. The Studio Session. Sun. Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain. Wed. A Night at the Movies with Claires Court School. Fri 11-Sat 12. The Changing Room. Fri 11. Lee Nelson: Work In Progress.

Sat 12. Sunday Stories at the Farm. Sun 13.

FILMS: Bridget Jones Baby. Sat. Hell or High Water (15). Sun, Tues. Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children. Sun 13.

Newbury – The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 1972: The Future of Sex. Thurs.

The schools choreography challenge. Thurs. Seann Walsh: One For The Road.

Fri. Lee Nelson: Work in Progress. Fri. Remembrance.

Sat. The Magic of Motown.

Sat. The Wizard of Oz. Sat. Bolshoi Encore: The Bright Stream. Sun. Shakespeare Schools Festival. Mon-Tues.

Pitch To The Panel. Wed.

Thursday, November 10 CHARVIL – Charvil-Piggott Primary School, Park Lane RG10 9TR. Piggott Interact Club quiz night.

From 6.30pm. £8 with fish n chips, £5 without.

Details: 0118 969 2172 or email tbarber13@ btinternet.com EARLEY – Palmer Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 2AH. Reading Film Theatre presents: Summertime (la belle saison) (15). 8pm. Details: 0118 378 7151.

SHINFIELD – Parish Hall, School Green. Shinfield Allotment Holders and Gardeners Association: Beautiful Kashmir with Anthony Powell. £1. 7.30pm. Details: gardenyoung@aol.com WINNERSH – Library, The Forest School, Robin Hood Lane RG41 5ND. Book group. 7pm-8pm.

Details: 0118 979 7519.

WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Art History Talks with Dalila Castelijn: The Caravaggists. 2pm4pm. £5. 100 Years of Shopping- An illustrated talk. 6.30pm-7.30pm. £3.

Book chat book group.

10.30am-11.30am.

Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOKINGHAM – Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS. Lunchtime concerts: The

Queen of Katwe (PG). Until Thurs. Ethel and Erest (PG).

Until Thurs. Julia Fordham.

Fri 11. Islands In The Stream.

Sat 12.

Newbury – The Watermill www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 Frankenstein. Until Fri. Ubo Roi. Wed-Sat 12.

Reading – South Street www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Kicking and Screaming. Tues.

The Boy With Tape On His Face is… Tape Face. Wed. The Horne Section. Thurs 10. Jenny Eclair: How To Be A Middle Aged Woman (Without Going Insane). Fri 11. Sounds of Salvation - End of An Era. Sat 12.

Reading – The Hexagon www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 George’s Marvellous Medicine.

Fri-Sun. Czech National

Acorn Singers. Free entry, retiring collection for SoulScape. Refreshments available. Noon-1pm.

Details: 0118 974 0882.

Friday, November 11 LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Pass The Book club. 10.03am11.30am. Details: 0118 931 2150.

WINNERSH – Winnersh Community Centre, New Road RG41 5DU. Silk Reeling with Tai Chi master Chen Yingjun.

7pm-10pm. £40. Details: 07814 969540.

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road. Coffee and Chat. 2pm-4pm. 0118 979 2122.

WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre, Headlely Road RG5 4JZ. The Oddfellows social group meeting. £4, members £2. Details: 0118 959 4075.

WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Crime Thriller book club.

Noon-1pm. Let’s Get Creative: card making.

2pm-4pm. £5. Details: 0118 969 0304.

Saturday, November 12 BINFIELD – St Mark’s Church, Popeswood Road RG42 4AH. Thames Voyces: True Romantics.

7.30pm. £14, concessions £12, under 16s free.

Details: 0118 967 7319.

BINFIELD – Block B, 2 Bracknell Boulevard, Cain Road RG12 1LF. Photography exhibition: Between Here And There.

10am-3pm. Free entry.

Details: 0800 028 7338.

GORING – St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Off

Symphony Orchestra. Thurs 10. Sean Lock: Keep It Light.

Fri 11.

Reading – Concert Hall www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Henley Symphony Orchestra 2016. Sun. Lunchtime Organ Recital - Joseph Beech. Wed. An Audience with Craig Revel Horwood. Sun 13.

Reading – Progress www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 Jazz at Progress: ben Holder Quartet. Fri. NEXT SHOW: 11th Annual Write Fest. Wed 16-Sat 19.

Manor Road RG8 9DS. Reading Bach Choir presents Arise my love - Music from the Song of Songs. 7.30pm. £12, concessions £10, students £8, under 16 £5. Details: 0118 947 8097.

LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Five Minute Peace Storytime.

11am-11.30am. Details: 0118 931 2150.

READING – The Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road RG1 5AQ. Wokingham Choral Society concert.

7.30pm. £15. Details: www.wokingham-choralsociety.org.uk.

WINNERSH – Library, The Forest School, Robin Hood Lane RG41 5ND. Gaming club. 10.30am12.30pm. £1. Details: 0118 979 7519.

WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Further Adventures in Coding for ages 9-12.

10.15am-11.45am. Teen Writing Group. 10.30amnoon. Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road. An evening of folk and fun with Davaar. £12.50.

Bring drinks and glasses.

Details: 0118 979 2122 WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Five minute peace storytime for ages five and under. Drop-in, free.

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

WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre, Headley Road RG4 5JZ. Egyptology Lecture: Ipuwer and perfect miserya talk with Dr Roland Enmarch. 2pm4.30pm. £3. Details: www. tvaes.org.uk or 01491 838803.

Whitney: Queen of the Night.

Sun. Storytime: What The Ladybird Heard. Wed. How Sweet It Is. Sun 13.

Windsor – Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Rumpy Pumpy! A Musical. Until Sat. The Bob Dylan Story.

Sun. Snow White. Tues-Sat 12. Snow White: Behind The Magic workshop. Wed. Making Memories. Sun 13.

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 NEXT SHOW: Trelawny of the Wells. Nov 29-Dec 10.

Shinfield – Shinfield Players

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre

www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 NEXT SHOW: Ladies Day. Nov 16-19.

www.luckleyhouseschool.org 0118 978 4175 Be My Baby. Tues-Wed.

Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Blithe Spirit. Until Nov 19.

Woodley – Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org 07939 210121 NEXT SHOW: Quartet. Nov 22-26.

Thursday, November 3, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Livemusic Thursday, November 3 WOKINGHAM – Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Rd RG40 2EH. Open mic.

Details: 0118 978 3023.

Friday, November 4 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road.

Mick Ralph’s Blues Band.

Details: 01344 878100.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Tony Woods: Bracknell Jazz Details: 01344 484123.

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Back 2 Soul: Funklab.

Details: 01344 303333.

EARLEY – The Roebuck, Auckland Road RG6 1NY. The Vinyl Covers. Details: 0118 966 3305.

HENLEY – Lovibonds Brewery, Market Place RG9 2AA. Bottlekids.

Details: 01491 576596.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. AC DC UK. Details: sub89.com READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount, Reading RG1 5HL. Jazz at Progress: The Ben Holder Quartet.

Details: boxoffice@ progresstheatre.co.uk READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Suspect Sound System. Details: 0118 958 6692.

SANDHURST – The White Swan, Swan Lane GU47 9BU. Blonde Ambition.

Details: 01252 872444.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Tim Valentine. Details: 0118 969 8000.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Pop quiz.

Details: 01276 858501.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Live music. Details: 0118 978 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WOKINGHAM – The Red

LEISURE | 29

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAMPAPER.CO.UK Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights. Details: 0118 979 5790.

WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Frisky Fridays. Details: 07415 354056.

Saturday, November 5 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road.

Get Funky. Details: 01344 878100.

BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Said & Done.

Details: 01344 457318.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Artree Live: folk and roots.

Details: 01344 484123.

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Back 2 Soul: The Originals. Details: 01344 303333.

CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street, RG45 7AD. Dukes of Rock.

FRIMLEY GREEN – Working Men’s Club, Sturt Road GY16 6HX. Free Peace Sweet. Details: 01252 835322.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Sound System. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Cat Brooks. Details: 0118 958 6692.

SANDHURST – Rose and Crown, High Street GU47 8HA. Red Herring / Hearfield Blues Band.

Details: 01252 878 938.

SHINFIELD – The Bell & Bottle, School Green.

The Abject Band. Details: 0118 988 3563.

SHINFIELD – Magpie and Parrot, Arborfield Road RG2 9EA. Big Band Bash with the Mills Tones.

Details: 0118 988 4130.

SONNING – Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Tim Valentine.

Details: 0118 969 8000.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. The Casinos.

Details: 01276 858501.

WOKINGHAM – The Two Poplars, Finchampstead Road RG41 2NU. Uptown Traffic. Details: 0118 978 0590.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and

Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Rob James.

Details: 0118 978 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Live music.

Details: 0118 978 3023.

WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WOKINGHAM – Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights.

Details: 0118 979 5790.

WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Essential Saturday.

Details: 07415 354056.

YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, The Green GU46 7LR. Live music.

Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, November 6 BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, Market Square.

Couch Karaoke. Details: www.facebook.com/ theacousticcouch READING – Community Hall at Watlington House, 44 Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk:. Moirai Trio. Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. American Old Time Picking. Dreading Poetry Slam. Details: 0118 958 6692.

SHINFIELD – The Bell & Bottle, School Green.

Open Mic Night. Details: 0118 988 3563.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Whitney: Queen of the Night. Details: 0118 969 8000.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Open mic night Details: 01276 858501.

Monday, November 7 NETTLEBED – Village Club, High St RG9 5DD. Chris Leslie. Details: www. nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk

Tuesday, November 8 READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street

The BROAD ST TAVERN

LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT FRI NOV 4

THE GRAFTERS

TUESDAYS

PUB QUIZ

PLAYING LONGER, TEST YOUR WITS HARDER & FASTER IN OUR FUN QUIZ

FRI NOV 11

PINK FISH THEIR HIGH ENERGY SHOW WILL GET YOU DANCING!

RG1 2JR. FILM: The Manchurian Candidate.

Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Mark Burton Quartet. Details: 0118 958 6692.

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Chris Jagger and Friends.

Details: 01491 681048.

Wednesday, November 9 READING – Speakeasy Cocktail Bar, St Mary’s Butts RG1 2LG. Open mic.

Details: 0118 957 3500.

READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Folk at the Global.

Details: 0118 958 6692.

Thursday, November 10 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road.

Platform Live Acoustic Night. Details: 01344 878100.

CROWTHORNE – The Prince, High Street RG45 7AZ. Leech. Details: 01344 772241.

FLEET – Propaganda Music Canteen, Fleet Road GU51 3BU. Karizma.

Details: 01252 620198.

HENLEY – Magoos, Hart Street RG9 2AU. Stars in the Their Minds Karaoke.

Details: 01491 574595.

READING – South Street.

The Horne Section.

Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Two Step Presents: Cabbage, The Lizards and Vinyl Staircase. Details: 0118 959 7196.

WOKINGHAM – Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Rd RG40 2EH. Open mic.

Details: 0118 978 3023.

Friday, November 11 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Artree Live: an evening with Chris Difford. Details: 01344 484123.

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Adele tribute.

Details: 01344 303333.

CROWN WOOD – Opladen Way RG12 0PE. Steve Carroll and Megan Luna Rhodes. Details: 01344

867971.

KNOWL HILL – Castle Royle Golf Club, Bath Road RG10 9XA. Daved & Confused. Details: 01628 820700.

LITTLEWICK GREEN – The Novello, Bath Road SL6 3RX. Jazz at the Novello: The Lea Lyle Quartet.

Details: 01628 825753.

READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. La Mort Subite. Details: 0118 958 6692.

SONNING – Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Tim Valentine.

Details: 0118 969 8000.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Pinkfish. Details: 0118 978 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights. Details: 0118 979 5790.

WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Frisky Fridays. Details: 07415 354056.

Saturday, November 12 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road.

Raging Horns. Details: 01344 878100.

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Funkline. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Boot Inn, Park Road RG12 2LU. 4Ever80s. Details: 01344 454532.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. NNU Music. Details: 01344 422622.

EARLEY – Palmer Tavern, Wokingham Road RG6 1JL. Mollys Jam. Details: 0118 935 1504.

READING – South Street.

Sounds of Salvation: End of an Era. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. DJ Dom. Details: 0118 958 6692.

EASTHAMPSTEAD – The Green Man, Crowthorne Road RG12 7DL. The Vinyl Covers. Details:

01344 423667.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – The Queen’s Oak, Church Lane RG40 4LS. Off The Record. Details: 0118 973 4855.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Tim Valentine. Details: 0118 969 8000.

TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. The Jukesters.

Details: 07889 226309.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. The Turn.

Details: 01276 858501.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Bad Hombre.

Details: 0118 978 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Crispin, Denmark Street RG40 2AY. Malarkey.

Details: 0118 978 0309.

WOKINGHAM – Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Mark 2.

Details: 0118 978 3023.

WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WOKINGHAM – Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights.

Details: 0118 979 5790.

WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Essential Saturday.

Details: 07415 354056.

YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, The Green GU46 7LR. Live music.

Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, November 13 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road.

Sunday Lunch Jazz: Gilad Atzmon Quartet. Also performing in evening.

Details: 01344 878100.

PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Classic car breakfast club.

Details: 0118 969 9878.

READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Readirock Revolution. Details: 0118 958 6692.

SHINFIELD – The Bell & Bottle, School Green.

Open mic and jam night.

Details: 0118 988 3563.

SONNING – Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. How Sweet It Is: Motown’s Greatest Hits.

Details: 0118 969 8000.

HOPE & ANCHOR Free entry, fantastic beers & a great night out!

SATURDAY @ 9pm

ROB JAMES

Amazing guitar playing and a cracking voice!

WE HOMBRE LIVE BAD An awesome night of Rock, MUSIC Pop, Punk & New Wave!

Sat November 12

COME AND JOIN US! 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

Promote your events here!

Call 0118 327 2662 today

30 | LEISURE

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, November 3, 2016

AT THE CINEMA

The acoustic couch

Strange days

Going live and wowing the crowds

Stars: Tilda Swinton, Mads Mikkelson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams

D

OCTOR Strange is the latest addition to the ever-expanding Marvel movie canon – and if you’ve lost track not only of how many films have been released to date but also how many characters have featured in starring roles within the franchise, it’s probably best not to trouble yourself. It’s a lot.

In Doctor Strange, Marvel begins to mine its cache of lesser-known comic book characters – which gives the team responsible for bringing it to the screen more freedom and flexibility.

Director Scott Derrickson and the wider crew have embraced this, with a bold script, adventurous approach to its look and impressive casting – acting heavyweight Tilda Swinton, Mads Mikkelson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benedict Wong and Rachel McAdams make up the incredible supporting cast.

Benedict Cumberbatch, meanwhile, stars as the titular Doctor Strange, a highly skilled but arrogant neurosurgeon who enjoys the trappings of his success.

One day, while speeding along treacherous roads in his flashy car, he’s involved in a devastating accident, and ends up having his hands – the tools of his trade – completely reconstructed using metal pins.

Seeking alternative ways to heal, he hears about a spiritual centre in Nepal that achieved miraculous results with a similarly afflicted individual and heads to Kathmandu to try it for himself.

Strange is nothing if not persistent, and his dogged determination persuades The Ancient One (Swinton) and her team of monk-like mystics to take him on and teach him what they know. Soon, he’s switching between realities, using his mind to shape things.

He quickly becomes proficient but he doesn’t bank on having to fight former student Kaecilius (Mikkelson) who is intent on destroying the protective stations – or sanctums – positioned around the world that safeguard reality and the natural order of things, so that he can seize power.

Strange is among the most powerful and least plausible of Marvel characters. While Black Widow’s skill is to fight really well, and Hawkeye’s is to fire arrows with pinpoint precision, Strange can, in actuality, do just about anything within and without the realms of possibility. He can re-shape reality; bend time; magic weapons; and he has a magic cloak.

As outlandish as it all sounds, the story is anchored in reality, with ordinary humans, recognisable locations and pop culture references all in the mix.

This sets up a fun and engaging ride, bringing Marvel fans an origin story where effects take centre stage, but not at the expense of script and characterisation.

Doctor Strange doesn’t take itself too seriously, and this is perhaps best reflected in Cumberbatch’s irreverent performance. It’s self-aware enough to poke fun at itself without subverting the comic bookmovie genre, and gets away with spouting a lot of nonsense by way of exposition as a result.

While some films take unnecessary time introducing the events leading up to the incident that triggers a superhero’s powers, Doctor Strange gets quickly to the nitty gritty, plunging us swiftly into the Inception-influenced graphics and story of good versus evil. It also ensures we fast forward to Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One – a cinematic treat – and the scene-stealing Benedict Wong.

With action sequences slightly over-stretched, Doctor Strange is perhaps 10-15 minutes too long but the requisite Stan Lee cameo, a post-credits sequence cementing Strange’s position in the wider Marvel universe and a fresh approach from a director with a horror background, Doctor Strange sits up there with some of the most enjoyable in the franchise.

Another weekend, another night of great music – with a focus on the local. JODY Mc explains

T

HERE’S a certain tone setting in at Theacousticcouch, the vibe and simplicity is catching on and oh, my days – some incredible bands and artists are stunning a growing crowd each and every time an evening happens.

Last Saturday set the bar for the way in which a weekend at the Couch can go if the #communitythrumusic just comes together.

We have not got the luxury of a marketing team (and we welcome volunteers to support that faction of our charity), so Saturday night was about word of mouth.

From Radio Cars of Bracknell came jonesy, a born ‘n’ bred local and Market Street kebab favourite star – kebab being a staple diet of mine for 20 years.

I raise my hat (and my kebab) to the bands that played on Saturday, and created a pumping atmosphere and, of course, the volunteers!

Without these guys turning up to put in a shift we would not be opening doors.

Thank you so much for the continued support.

OK, on to the main event and what a night it was. Oh yeah.

Kicking off was Rage DC who clearly don’t need any introduction.

I asked the guys, “Do you need a few words to kick it off?” They said yes, I said: “Boys, girls, Rage DC” and… well, they did the rest.

Twenty years of music ties Rage to Bracknell and they’re stitched into live and roots music.

They certainly stirred up a crowd hungry for music.

Millie Manders then blew me away headlining and she was a

Middle picture: Alisdair Hunt Photography www.facebook. com/AlisdairHunt Photography/ Top picture: C. Hunnisett Photography www.facebook. com/CHunnisett Photography/

STR8TS

SUDOKU

No. 306

Medium

6 4

5 6 6 7 7 8 5 3 1 2 2 1 4

7 8 3 2 1

5 3 7 6

9

5

9 1

7

9

You can find more help, tips and hints at www.str8ts.com

No. 306

Previous solution - Easy

4 3

2

right good proper headbanger.

You bring bells and whistles and she’ll raise you with ukulele and call you with a brass section.

Ska legends The Specials have her in their playlist and if that ain’t enough of an endorsement...

Seeing us to last orders were Hong Kong Drinking Team.

General consensus was … wow!

They are another gem of a band from Bracknell. We will see these guys again, mark my words.

While this event was for those aged 18 and upwards, we have plenty of events planned for the family audience, so why not check out our events page at www. theacousticcouch.co.uk and see what’s coming up.

Wednesday nights are becoming a real night out as we invite artists, bands or groups to host a night or, if you’re really lucky, yours truly will co host a night.

Families are welcome –and listeners to.

Without your support we won’t be #communitythrumusic

6 7 8 5 2 4 3

3 4 5 9 6 8 7 5 4 6 9 9 7 8

4 3 2 1 6 7 8 5

7 1 2 3 4 2 3

2 1 9 4 3

6 8 5 6 7 4 7 8 5 6

Very Hard

2

5 6 9 3

5 6 1 7 8 9

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.

2

7

2 4 1 6 8 3 5 7 9

4

3 7

5 8 4 6

Previous solution - Tough

3

1

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

Doctor Strange (12a) 

Upcoming music with Jody Mc

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

Kim Taylor-Foster

6 3 5 9 7 1 4 2 8

9 8 7 4 2 5 1 3 6

5 7 2 3 1 9 8 6 4

1 6 8 7 5 4 2 9 3

3 9 4 8 6 2 7 5 1

7 2 6 1 9 8 3 4 5

4 1 9 5 3 7 6 8 2

8 5 3 2 4 6 9 1 7

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org If you like Str8ts check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October 20, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October 27, 2016

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WOKINGHAMSPORT Unrivalled coverage of sport in the borough

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CONFIDENT: Finchampstead boss Laugharne insists he can turn around poor run of form — Page 40

Basketball

XXXXXX

We want to build up momentum after weathering Storm – Garces

Player-coach Lukas Smital grabs a goal for Bracknell Bees during Sunday’s game with Peterborough

ICE HOCKEY

Phantoms pile yet more misery on beaten Bees Bracknell Bees 4 Peterborough Phantoms 7 LUKAS SMITAL takes his Bracknell Bees to the Sheffield Steeldogs on Thursday night looking to end a run of six successive defeats.

Because Manchester Phoenix managed to pick up a bonus point from an overtime loss to Hull Pirates on Sunday night, the team now finds itself three points adrift at the foot of the EPIHL table.

Bees are also 11 behind the play-off places, but player-coach Smital’s immediate concern will be to try and stop the run of losses and start closing the gap on the Phoenix.

A positive result in south Yorkshire tomorrow night, however, will set things up nicely ahead of a clash between the strugglers at The Hive on Saturday.

Bracknell’s latest reverse came against a side very much their nemesis - Peterborough Phantoms.

Smital’s charges have seldom taken points off this opponent in recent years. In fact, you have to go back to March 3, 2013, to find the last time Bees came out on top in this fixture in a 4-0 triumph.

Peterborough have won all 18 games between the sides ever since and looked odds-on to rack up a 19th triumph after goals from James Archer, Darius Pliskauskas and Petr Stepanek saw the visitors open up a 3-0 lead inside the first 14 minutes.

Thankfully Bees, at full strength for what was their only game of the weekend, were able to stem the tide and keep the Phantoms at bay for the rest of the session.

Four minutes into the second stanza and the hosts were scoring themselves through David Gaborcik, with Smital and captain Matt Foord grabbing the assists.

The goalmouth action during

these 20 minutes was fairly even, but on 13.45 Stepanek was doubling his evening’s tally and restoring Peterborough’s three-goal advantage.

Smital, though, was quick to cancel out the strike and it was game on once again. It would remain 4-2 until the final few seconds of the period, where Bracknell were dealt a blow.

This is because the deficit was once again to stand at three goals after Archer joined team-mate Stepanek in netting twice on 29.11.

Things, however, were looking bleak for Bees shortly after the restart when Rob Ferrara rattled in a sixth for the Cambridgeshire side, who were now closing in on a first four-point weekend of the season.

Peterborough would eventually seal such an achievement - but not before the opposition mounted a late rally which set up an interesting finale.

Adding his name to the scoresheet saw man-of-the-match Luca Basic cut the gap on 46 minutes.

He would get the better of Janis Auzins in the Phantoms’ goal while his side were a man short having fallen

into penalty trouble.

The Slovenian forward would then play a part in helping knock another dent in the arrears on 55 minutes, combining with James Galazzi to set up Alex Barker and make it 6-4.

It was the closest Bees had been to their guests since the end of the second period, although any hopes of completing a remarkable comeback were dashed late on.

As has unfortunately become the norm in this contest in recent years, it was Peterborough having the final say.

Wrapping up the win, and doing so via a power play goal, was Pliskauskas – notorious in these parts for being a former Slough Jet. While disappointed with the result, Bracknell will have positives to take from the game ahead of what is a busy few days for the club.

Following tomorrow’s game in Sheffield (7.45pm) and the Phoenix clash on Saturday (6pm), the roster wrap up the weekend with another lengthy trip, this time to Hull on Sunday (5.30pm).

David Gaborcik, who also scored on the night, puts the brakes on an opponent Pictures: Kevin Slyfield

MANUEL Pena Garces wants his Reading Rockets side to build on the National Cup victory over Hemel Storm when they go in hunt of league points this weekend.

Lengthy trips to Team Northumbria on Saturday (6.15pm) and then Bradford Dragons the following day (4.15pm) await the Berkshire side.

But they can head north buoyed by the 84-67 triumph over Hemel last Sunday which sealed a spot in the last eight of the Cup, which sets up a date with Kent Crusaders of Division 2.

In doing so, Rockets also kept the opposition to their lowest points return of the season, something which offers Garces some encouragement as they prepare to take on two teams with impressive scoring records.

“We defended a lot better against Hemel and limited their opportunities for easy baskets and that is something which is going to be key this season if we are to have the success we want to achieve,” said the Spaniard.

“And this needs to be the way we approach this weekend with Team Northumbria averaging nearly 86 points a game and Bradford Dragons a massive 107 in their first four games, so we know we have to prepare this week to play against high tempo, offensive teams.”

Saturday’s trip to Northumbria will see Reading resume their league campaign having not been in EBL

Division 1 action since the 90-78 loss to leaders Derby Trailblazers in mid October.

Having only completed two fixtures thus far, Garces charges are playing catch up, so the play-caller is undoubtedly keen for his team to start building up some momentum.

“It has been a difficult two weeks for us having not played any competitive games after our loss to Derby and not being able to have a full practice with some players on the Erasmus trip to Spain,” he added.

“However, I felt our response on Sunday was excellent and we really worked hard to grind out an important win that keeps us in contention in the National Cup. “We will need to carry this momentum forward into this coming weekend as the teams we play are doing really well right now and playing back to back games is always a challenge for any organisation.

“These two games are already really important ones despite it being still quite early in the regular season and we will be building momentum this week in preparation to be competitive from the outset and impose our games on both teams, so we can try and bring two wins back to Reading on Sunday evening.”

Captain Danny Carter and Juan Valerio look set to win their respective injury battles, meaning Rockets will be at full strength for the weekend.

‘Much improved’ Kings edged out DESPITE being edged out 43-35 by Plymouth Storm, “great improvements have been made” was the opinion of Thames Valley Kings’ captain Wayne Burton.

When the side’s last met, the Devon outfit were comfortable 60-21 victors, but things were not so straightforward on this occasion as just eight points separated the sides come the full-time buzzer.

It was Berkshire-based wheelchair basketball club Kings who seized the initiative through Reece Barker.

They would add another six points to their tally before Plymouth put themselves on the board and would end the first quarter in possession of a 10-7 lead.

The visitors, however, lived up to their name during the second and third sessions, whipping up a storm and taking control of matters – although they did profit from a number of free-throws following indiscipline from the Kings.

At one stage during the third quarter Plymouth went on an eight-point streak, although this was ended when captain Burton sunk

a shot which actually instigated a counter-attack from the hosts.

Bagging eight unanswered points of their own through Joe Humphreys, Ryan Jones and Reece Barker meant it was all to play for at 26-31.

Joe Barker, Peter Rapley and Burton added to Thames Valley’s total in the final quarter, but the brave effort was to end in disappointment.

Skipper Burton, though, was anything but and left the court encouraged.

“What a game. From start to finish it was rapid up and down court,” he said.

“We learnt a lot in this one. Great improvements have been made from last year.

“It may be a defeat, but we played out hearts out.”

The Kings return to Division 3 action on Sunday, November 20, at St Barts School in Newbury. n A SIDE containing junior members took on Cardiff Met Archers in an exhibition match.

The Welsh side won the contest 46-40.

36 | SPORT

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LONDON IRISH

Forward-thinking Bell stars in rout London Scottish 12 London Irish 62

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH Tommy Bell hailed the performance of the forward pack as London Irish romped to their biggest win of the season with this thrashing of London Scottish, writes TOM CROCKER Bell, who ended with a perfect kicking record and 32-point haul, bagged two of his side’s eight tries during the rout.

David Paice, Brendan McKibbin, Joe Cokanasiga, Aseli Tikoirotuma, Scott Steele and Blair Cowan also all crossed the whitewash in a fine attacking display.

But the full-back was quick to praise the work of those in the defensive part of the team.

“I think we were outstanding,” said Bell.

“Our defence really set the tone.

“The whole pack were amazing, kept coming off the line and pushing them back and getting those turnover

Exiles’ full-back Tommy Bell scored two tries in a 32-point haul

plays. We were really alive to that and it allowed us to play.

“Our set piece went well which gave us the ball to score that many tries.

“The backs are getting a bit of credit at the minute but it was a great display by the forward pack.”

Looking to shine in front of the Sky Sports cameras, Exiles took an early lead as Paice crashed over following a trademark driving maul.

McKibbin soon added a second, profiting from James Marshall’s chip through, but Peter Lydon reduced the arrears for Scottish.

But a moment of magic lit up the contest as Irish academy product Cokanasiga scored an incredible try, receiving the ball in his own 22 before lifting it one handed above his head and dancing beyond a number of challenges to break clear.

Bell’s try then secured the bonus point before the half was over but Exiles did not let up after the break with further scores from Tikoirotuma, Steele and Cowan sealing an emphatic win.

“With the pressure of being on Sky and a big crowd, the boys really stepped up,” said Bell.

“We’ve had some teams 20 or 30 points on the ropes and let our foot off in some games towards the end.

“But I’m really pleased as a whole group to kick on and put 62 points on London Scottish.

“They’re a great team in the Championship and they’re always there or thereabouts at play-off time, so we’re pleased with that.”

Irish are back at Madejski Stadium on Saturday for a top-of-the-table clash against Yorkshire Carnegie who, like Nick Kennedy’s men, have won every game so far this season.

LONDON IRISH: Bell, Cokanasiga, Tikoirotuma, Mulchrone, Ransom, Marshall, McKibbin, Court, Paice, Franks, Robson, De Chaves, Gilsenan, Cowan, Treviranus.

Reps: Harris-Wright, Elrington, Palframan, Lloyd, Nayalo, Steele, Ojo.

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, November 3, 2016

Local Rugby

Bury impaled by Spike and Rams National League 2 South

And that lead was up to 24-12 by half-time after a third try, this time from Corrigan, who took advantage at the back of a ruck, side-stepping three players before dabbing down.

Sterling got his second try of the contest for Bury with a 60-metre run down the right, but a late Nightingale score ensured a big win for the Rams to keep up their good form.

Redingensians are back in action on Saturday when they host mid-table Cinderford.

All home games from now until the end of January kick-off at 2pm.

Bury St Edmunds 17 Redingensians 37 SPIKE CHANDLER kicked 15 points as Redingensians Rams extended their unbeaten run to four matches with a comfortable win over Bury St Edmunds.

After a slow start, Rams have now won three and drawn one, a run which has lifted them up to sixth in the National League 2 South table.

Robbie Stapley, Ben Henderson, Conor Corrigan and Craig Nightingale all crossed the whitewash as Mike Tewkesbury’s men racked up 37 points in Suffolk.

Rams wasted little time in taking the lead as Chandler converted Stapley’s opening try in the fifth minute to kick-start what would be an exciting half.

Bury St Edmunds quickly scored a try of their own through centre Sam Sterling.

And a strong run from full back Chris Lloyd turned the game the way of the hosts as he broke through the

Spike Chandler was deadly accurate in Suffolk Picture: Tim Pitfield

defensive line, covering half the pitch before teeing up Chris Snelling to score.

But some powerful rucks restored Rams’ advantage with Henderson crashing over before the reliable boot of Chandler kept the score ticking along.

REDINGENSIANS: Atkins, Rossiter, Bryant, Barnes, Corrigan, Chandler, Illingworth, Steadman, Henderson, McDonnell-Roberts, Hoy, Taylor, Bryson, Vooght, Stapley (c).

Reps: Crame, Weller, Nightingale, Sanders, U’Chong.

n BEFORE Saturday’s fixture with Cinderford, young female rugby players are invited for a taster session with the club.

Any girls in school years 5-10 are welcome to train from 1pm at Old Bath Road before watching the men’s match afterwards.

For more information, contact Mark Pett-Ridge at mpettridge@aol.com.

Late Gadd try stings Bracknell as Hornets snatch victory Hornets 22 Bracknell 17 A LATE Hornets try condemned Bracknell to a third defeat on the spin as their difficult season continues.

It looked as though Daniel ap Dafydd’s men were on for just a third win of the campaign thanks to tries from Lachlan Valentine and Jasper Mirander.

But Bracknell were stung in the closing minutes and slip to 11th in the National League 3 South West table after a sixth loss from eight matches.

Jonny Mirza returned to the side to start for the first time all season while Lewis Dennett also came back in for Bracknell.

And the visitors had an early chance to take the lead but Dennett’s kick was short.

National League 3 London and South West The disappointment grew for ap Dafydd’s men when Ben Yates was soon sent to the sin bin, allowing Hornets to crash over for the lead courtesy of Kieran Ward.

But Bracknell tied things up before the break when Valentine profited from good hands by James Ingle to score following a five-metre scrum.

Hornets scored first after the restart through winger Charlie Carter before the joy was short-lived when flanker Jack O’Malley was shown a straight red card for a reckless boot which forced Valentine off with a cut to the head.

And Bracknell made the extra man count as Mirander squeezed over the try-line with Dennett’s conversion putting his side 14-12 ahead.

That advantage was extended to

17-12 via the boot of Dennett only for Hornets to reduce the deficit from a penalty.

And, with only minutes to play, the 14 men completed the comeback when full back Joe Gadd broke through to score under the posts.

Bracknell host Ivybridge on Saturday (2.15pm), a side fourth in the table.

BRACKNELL: Mirza, Clarke, Staples, Bailey, Valentine, Rice, Webb, Ingle, Conway, Dennett, Mackay, Brember (c), Sanderson, Burch, Yates.

Reps: Mirander, Walton, Slade.

n CROWTHORNE preserved their unbeaten home record with a 20-12 win over Chesham in the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier.

The Crows, who lost at Swindon College Old Boys last time out, got back to winning ways to climb up to sixth in the table.

They hit the road to take on Tadley this weekend.

HOCKEY

Fox-Harvey and Eatwell preserve South Berks’ perfect start SOUTH BERKSHIRE Men’s 2s sit two points clear atop of Division 1 in the MBBO League after Connor Eatwell and Sam Fox-Harvey goals preserved the team’s perfect start to the season.

The pair were on target in a 2-1 victory at OMT 2s, with the result meaning early pacesetters Berkshire have won all five league games to date.

Up in Regional Division 2, SONNING MEN doubled their tally of wins and sit sixth in the standings after a comfortable 3-0 success against Eastcote 2s.

All three goals came from the stick of Matt Poulton, with this hat-trick taking him to five for the campaign.

Club-mate Nick Salter was also celebrating a treble. He was the matchwinner as SONNING 3S edged out Banbury 3s to seal a first win of the season in Division 3.

Stuart Armstrong and Noel Britton were on target for the visitors.

A goal from Sam Fox-Harvey helped South Berkshire to a 2-1 win at OMT 2s

In the same competition, SOUTH BERKSHIRE 3S were sadly no match for Wootton Wanderers, who powered their way to top spot with a comprehensive 9-1 rout.

Leading the scoring was James Knibb, who notched on four occasions.

Alex Blunt, Scott Mahoney, Lee O’Donnell, Lee Tozer and Danny Whitfield also struck the backboard.

Berkshire’s solitary reply came via Duncan Clarke.

The bragging rights very much belonged to SOUTH BERKSHIRE 4S when they hosted near neighbours Sonning 4s in Division 5.

A hat-trick each for Shaun McInnes and Matt Taylor were added to by a Greig Scott brace and Mark Peel as the home side enjoyed a 9-0 triumph.

This win moves the team on to six points as Sonning prop up the rest following a fifth successive defeat.

Also with work to do at the bottom of their respective division is SOUTH

BERKSHIRE 5S, who are yet to secure a point this term after a 6-2 reverse at Banbury Piranhas left the team nursing a fifth loss on the bounce.

SONNING 5S, meanwhile, are up and running in Division 8 West. They picked up a point from a six-goal thriller with Oxford 8s.

SOUTH BERKSHIRE TERRIERS also picked up a point, and a decent one too, after they ended Wallingford 5s 100 per cent start to the season.

The table-toppers and their hosts played out a 1-1 draw.

Ladies round-up SONNING lead the way in Trysports Premier 1 after disposing of struggling Oxford University 2s in a rearranged fixture.

The home side ran out 4-1 winners in this top-played-bottom encounter.

The ladies were back in action just a day later,, this time taking on Wallingford in the Investec Women’s Vase.

And it was a case of having to hold their nerve as a penalty shootout was required to determine the winner.

Sonning did just that, outscoring their opponents to set up a trip to Andover in the second round on November 20.

The club’s 3rd XI also saw off opponents languishing at the foot of the table.

But they had to work hard for the victory, which did not arrive until the final few minutes of the clash with Bicester 2s.

The home side had opened up a 2-0 lead, yet a Sonning side a player light due to injury fought back to secure a 3-2 success.

Another unblemished start to the year was ended by South Berkshire at the weekend.

Ending Division 3 leaders Amersham 3s’ run of four straight wins was the club’s 3S, who picked up a point from a 1-1 draw.

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READING FC WOMEN

Allen: Defensive errors cost Royals Chelsea Ladies 3 Reading Women 2

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk

REMI ALLEN admitted the defensive errors which led to Chelsea’s goals made the narrow defeat “even more frustrating” as Reading were beaten in Staines.

Royals conceded twice from corners, with England international Eni Aluko poaching from close range, while also being unstuck on a counter-attack with Ana Borges scoring.

Lauren Bruton and Melissa Fletcher netted in the second half for the visitors but it was not enough to record a second win of the campaign.

But Allen says there are plenty of positives to take from the display.

“It was a tough game but an enjoyable one to play in,” the midfielder told The Wokingham Paper.

“I think we matched them and we created chances.

“We’re disappointed with the goals that we conceded, especially the two set plays, but it’s a step in the right direction.”

Reading came into the game free from the pressure of trying to avoid relegation for the first time after Doncaster Belles were confirmed as finishing bottom since the last time Kelly Chambers’ side played.

And they started brightly with Emma Follis testing goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.

But Chelsea took the lead on 19 minutes when Millie Bright headed on a corner which Aluko steered home.

Borges then doubled the tally after the restart when the ball kindly fell back into her path after Mary Earps had saved the initial effort.

Lauren Bruton, above, gets Reading back into the game from the penalty spot as team-mate Remi Allen keeps hold of possession.

Pictures: Neil Graham

Former Royal Fran Kirby was introduced for Chelsea to take on her old side for the first time since leaving last year, but a training ground routine free-kick got Reading on the score-sheet

when Bruton was tripped by Borges.

Bruton stepped up herself, calmly sending the keeper the wrong way to breathe life back into the Royals.

That hope lasted just three minutes,

READING FC

Forest felled by former favourites McCleary and Gunter Reading 2 Nottingham Forest 0 READING sit pretty in the Championship play-off places after securing a second league win on the spin.

But Jaap Stam’s side were far from their best when seeing off struggling Nottingham Forest and Yann Kermorgant admitted afterwards the hosts can do much better.

Regardless of the performance, it was quite the afternoon for Garath McCleary and Chris Gunter, with the pair grabbing the goals against their former club which helped Reading climb up to fifth in the standings.

“We have played much better lots of times, but it is a positive because we still won 2-0 and it is the kind of game you have to win at home if you want to be in a good position at the end of the season,” said striker Kermorgant.

“It was important to take the three points, so we are pleased.”

Forest arrived at Madejski Stadium yet to keep a clean sheet this season, and hopes for a first shutout were ruined after just 10 minutes.

It was the opposition who gave McCleary his chance in the professional game when plucking him from non-league Bromley back in 2007.

So it was a touch ironic it was he who ensured such a run continued when drilling home, unmarked, on the rebound after visiting ‘keeper Vladimir Stojkovic parried a John Swift drive in the direction of the winger, who was muted with his celebration.

The last time Gunter (pictured) netted in the league was when with his previous employers – the winner in a 1-0 victory at Doncaster Rovers in August 2011.

The marauding full-back, therefore, certainly picked his moment to score – and it was a nice finish too from the Welshman, firing across Stojkovic from close range and into the far corner after Forest’s Joe Worrall inadvertently set him up.

This 62nd-minute strike was enough to kill off the away side who, despite arriving in Berkshire having won one of their previous nine games, were more than a match for Royals.

In fact, the City Ground club produced more shots at goal on the afternoon, but were let down by poor finishing or denied by Ali Al-Habsi.

The Omani would save his side on several occasions, with a stop at full stretch to tip a long-range Eric Lichaj attempt around a post his best.

Forest also appeared to have won a penalty when Henri Lansbury went

down under a challenge by Liam Moore practically on the line for the area. Referee Andy Davies initially pointed to the spot, but soon reverted his decision and correctly award a free-kick following discussions with his assistant.

Such opportunities, though, came about from Reading being sloppy in possession and looking a little suspect at the back, especially from throw-ins and set pieces, something Kermorgant alluded too when talking to the press.

He added: “Everything was not perfect. As you can see, Ali had a few great saves, but at least we kept the clean sheet and scored two.

“We have a lot of things to improve, but it is good to take the three points.

“We are doing well at the moment and like the way he (Stam) wants us to play, but we can do much better.”

READING: Al Habsi, Gunter, Blackett, McShane (c), Moore, van den Berg (Evans 55), Williams, Swift, Beerens (Harriott 75), McCleary (Obita 91), Kermorgant.

Goals: McCleary 10, Gunter 62.

Booked: Moore; van den Berg, Williams.

Subs not used: Samuel, Watson, Kelly, Moore.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST: Stojkovic, Lichaj, Traore (Fox 60), Mills, Perquis, Worrall, Lansbury, Kasami, Cohen (Dumitru-Cardoso 84), Osborn, Vellios (Assombalonga 58).

Booked: Traore; Lansbury Subs not used: Henderson, Lica, Grant, Edser.

Referee: Andy Davies Attendance: 17,093 (1,805 away).

though, as Aluko scored again and despite a smart late finish from Fletcher, Chelsea picked up the win which sealed Champions League football next season.

“In a way the goals we conceded make it even more frustrating because we kept them at bay in open play,” said Allen.

“We conceded from set plays which we keep conceding from. We know it’s a weakness of ours and what we’ve got to improve on.

“We’ll definitely be looking to do that for next season.”

She added: “We’ve almost got nothing to lose now. It’s a chance to experiment and try new things.

“It was nice to play with that bit of freedom (of avoiding relegation) and to be able to express ourselves.”

Reading round off their campaign with a home game against Doncaster on Sunday (6pm) at Adams Park.

And despite Belles still yet to register a point all season, Allen is not expecting an easy evening.

“I think Donny have improved as the season’s gone on,” she said.

“Especially in the second part of the season they’ve improved dramatically.

“The last game against them was tough and I expect it to be similar.

“For us we’re still competing to finish above Sunderland so there’s definitely everything to play for.

“We owe it to the fans to give a good performance and get the three points.”

READING: Earps; Jane, McGee (c), Bartrip (Hines 85), Scott; Rowe, Allen; Follis, Bruton, Stobbs; Fletcher.

Subs not used: Moloney, Estcourt, Boho Sayo, Ward.

Goals: Bruton (pen 64), Fletcher (90+2) Yellow card: McGee (76) CHELSEA: Lindahl; Blundell (Kirby 58), Fahey, Bright, Rafferty; Davison (Bailey 75), Chapman (c), Carney, Borges; Ji, Aluko (England 73).

Subs not used: Spencer, Spence.

Goals: Aluko x2 (19,67), Borges (55)

Academy Latest

Foxes fight back to take the points A LATE goal condemned Reading Under-23s to a 3-2 defeat against Leicester City, despite leading twice in the East Midlands.

Royals took the lead early in the second half when Tyler Frost found the net.

But the Foxes equalised with 25 minutes to play through substitute Raul Uche.

Luke Southwood saved an Admiral Muskwe penalty to keep the scores level and the visitors retook the lead with a fabulous team goal, rounded off

by Ryan East.

Alex Pascanu levelled the scores again before Harvey Barnes netted an 87th minute winner.

READING: Southwood, Sheppard, Medford-Smith, Bennett, Cooper (c) (Andresson 63), Keown (Odimayo 63), Barrett, Rinomhota, Novakovich, East, Frost.

n BUT there were better fortunes for Royals’ U18 side as they came from behind to win 3-2 against Swansea City.

Joel Rollinson put Reading ahead only for Mael Davies and Oliver Cooper to turn the tie on its head by half-time.

However, Royals rallied and equalised on 83 minutes when Jordan Holsgrove provided a composed finish before Teddy Howe bagged a dramatic late winner.

READING: Driscoll, Howe, Green, Adimayo, Philby (Burley 32), Shokunbi, Coleman, Rollinson, Holsgrove, Nolan, Moore (Wilson 81).

38 |SPORT

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, November 3, 2016

HELLENIC CHALLENGE CUP

HELLENIC DIVISION 1

Ferdinand fires Binfield back to winning ways Binfield 7 Oxford City Development 3 LIAM FERDINAND scored a quick-fire hat-trick as Binfield ended a run of eight games without a win by thrashing Oxford City Development in the Hellenic Challenge Cup. It’s been a long wait for the taste of victory again for Roger Herridge and his charges, a run stretching back to September 12 when they toppled Thatcham Town.

And they set about ensuring this would be the week where that record finally came to an end, racing into an early lead with Ferdinand in the thick of the action.

Manager Herridge said earlier this season that when striker Ferdinand plays well, so do his side and he

certainly did that with a treble which incredibly arrived inside the first 11 minutes.

It was not all one-way traffic, as Sami Khawaja bagged a brace for the visitors but further first half goals from Matt Jones and Sean Moore gave Binfield a 5-2 half-time lead.

From there it was relatively straightforward for the Moles, despite a goal from Oxford’s Matthew Brown, with substitutes Muhammed Davies and Luke Hayden finding the net late on.

The win will certainly be a welcome boost for the club having lost seven of their last eight outings and they are back in home cup action on Monday night, hosting Windsor in the Berks and Bucks Senior Trophy.

Liam Ferdinand helped Binfield return to form when hitting an 11-minute hat-trick Picture: Colin Byers

BINFIELD: Vaughan, Lock, Moore (Hayden 80), M. Walton, A. Walton, Broome, Knight, Ferdinand, Jones (Davies 55), Poynter (Wiggins 56).

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

THAMES VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Holding leaders ends United’s nightmare run

Sam snatches Finch a point

Woodley Utd Ladies 1 Oxford City Nomads 1 WOODLEY UNITED produced a resilient display in response to two heavy cup defeats with a draw against league leaders Oxford City Nomads.

Following defeats to Barton Rovers (6-0) and Southampton Women (11-0), facing the Southern Region Division One South table-toppers may have been a daunting task, but Woodley produced their best display of the campaign to earn a point.

Oxford started strongly with Clara Stringer forced into a last ditch block.

But United settled and got shots away through Rosie Page-Smith, Ellen Surtees and Molly Haines.

Neither keeper was being severely tested until the second half and the visitors took the lead on 72 minutes when Abbie Smith nodded home.

However, the hosts refused to give in and grabbed a point nine minutes from time when Surtees’ free-kick was turned into her own net by an Oxford defender.

United travel to New Milton this Sunday (2pm).

READING AND DISTRICT SUNDAY LEAGUE Results: October 30: PREMIER DIVISION: Ghana Stars 1-1 Woodley Wanderers.

DIVISION 1: 116 Exiles 3-2 AFC Burghfield; FC Woodley 3-3 Athletico Forest; SC United 0-15 Le Galaxy; Woodley United 3-4 Polonia Reading.

DIVISION 2: Arborfield 2-2 Charvil Rangers; Imaan 2-4 WS Hobnob; Wokingham and Emmbrook 2-5 Caversham AFC. DIVISION 3 EAST: Reading United 14-1 116 Exiles Res. DIVISION 4 EAST: Delta Vigo 4-1 Shinfield Rangers.

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk SUBSTITUTE Sam Jenkins bagged a last minute equaliser to earn Finchampstead Reserves a share of the spoils against Barkham Athletic in Division 2.

Finch trailed to an early Matt Bacon strike but Jenkins, who was only introduced with nine minutes to play, popped up to grab a point for the visitors.

However, the draw does mean Finchampstead are now longer top of the table, slipping to second behind Westwood United Reserves, after they thrashed WARGRAVE 5-1.

A hat-trick from Daniel Nicholson and Tom Clark brace did the damage while Jack Morris hit Wargrave’s consolation.

BERKS COUNTY suffered disappointment after being held 0-0 at home by struggling Rotherfield United in the Premier Division.

It was the club’s first game since Nathan Baker was named as the new manager and he will be hoping to grab a first win when his side face Highmoor-Ibis Reserves on Saturday.

WINNERSH RANGERS stay second in Division One after a 3-0 win at Cookham Dean Reserves.

This was Winnersh’s fourth win from

Dan Leather grabbed a goal for Harchester Hawks during their win over Ashridge Park

five games in the league so far and they got it thanks to goals from Hayden Best, Leon Bird and Jordace Holder.

Four goals from Asa Povey could not prevent WOODLEY UNITED A from falling to a 7-5 defeat against Brimpton.

The game was always likely to be high-scoring given Woodley’s 6-4 triumph against the same opposition in the cup last week and it certainly did not disappoint.

Povey’s four-goal haul and a Harry Neate strike were trumped by an Andy Miller hat-trick and strikes from Oliver

Barber, Neil King, Joe Tallentire and Rob Teagle.

Rumen Gargov hit a late winner as HARCHESTER HAWKS edged out ASHRIDGE PARK 3-2.

Alex Malinov and Adam Shoosmith scored for the visitors but second half goals from Craig Wigan, Dan Leather and Gargov settled the contest in Harchester’s favour.

Greg Rowley scored a hat-trick as BERKS COUNTY RESERVES eased to a 5-1 win at Rotherfield.

Sam Clark and George Lloyd also netted for the visitors, who had Roger Greer sent off.

Three goals in the last 15 minutes helped WOODLEY UNITED B to a 3-1 victory against WARGRAVE RESERVES in Division 4.

Woodley struggled to break through until substitutes Ricky Thompson and Grant Oxlade put the hosts in front.

Oscar Woodbridge scored for the visitors but an 87th minute Darnte Cranston goal secured victory.

In the same league TWYFORD AND RUSCOMBE beat AFC Corinthians A 2-0 thanks to goals from Michael Buckle and Jose Ribeiro while a Richard Cumner goal could not prevent BERKS COUNTY ROVERS from losing 4-1 at Goring United Reserves.

YOUTH FOOTBALL

Sumas’ Starke marks return from injury with a hat-trick CASEY STARKE returned with a bang as he bagged a hat-trick on his return from injury to help Wokingham and Emmbrook Under-16s to a comfortable 4-0 win over Woodley Saints Panthers.

Starke has been missing for five weeks following a broken arm, which required surgery, but he was clearly trying to make up for lost time, putting Sumas ahead on eight minutes after a good run by Adam McLaughlin.

And Starke doubled the score early in the second half when latching onto an Amir Idjer through ball.

He then turned provider, teeing up Mike Valdambrini before sealing his

hat-trick and victory with a fine run and finish. n WOKINGHAM AND EMMBROOK U14s returned to winning ways as Josef Lamberton bagged a brace in the 4-3 win over Camberley Town Rebels.

Oranges played some of their best football of the season in the first half with Nathan Mulvaney almost opening the scoring on nine minutes, but his shot rolled just wide.

However, Kai Evans soon did break

the deadlock after quarter of an hour, latching onto Joe Turner’s pass.

Man-of-the-match James Starkey (pictured) then provided the second, picking out Lamberton before the same two players combined again for the same result and a 3-0 lead.

However, Camberley fought back after the restart to 3-1 before Oliver Vickers seemingly put the game to bed once and for all.

Rebels set up a grandstand finish with two late strikes, but Wokingham held on to win.

SUMAS: Mohr; Johnson, Hamblin, Williams, Gofton; Vickers, Turner (c); Mulvaney, Lamberton, Evans; Starkey.

Subs: Johnson, Bridges, Watkins.

‘We lost Finchampstead 1 Penn and Tylers Green 3

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk JON LAUGHARNE believes his side lost to the best team in Hellenic Division One East as Penn and Tylers Green ran out 3-1 winners at the Memorial Ground.

Finches have struggled for consistency this term and suffered their third straight loss, playing much of the game with 10 men following the dismissal of Jon Malone.

A brace from Fred Tripp and Casey Bocarro put Penn in control before Harry Swabey bagged a late consolation.

Defeat leaves Finchampstead 10th in the table with just three wins so far, but Laugharne had no complaints with the latest result.

“It was disappointing,” Finch’s boss told The Wokingham Paper.

“We gave away a penalty and it’s always going to be difficult against them.

“They’re probably the best team in the league.

“Then we had a man sent off and it becomes difficult from there on in.”

While Laugharne admits Malone did deserve his red card, he felt Penn and Tylers Green were fortunate to finish the game with 11 men.

“They were probably the right decisions,” the Finch manager said of the penalty and red card.

“But if both teams do it then both teams should have the same punishment.

COMBINED COUNTIES

A mixed bag of results for Boars Chessington and Hook 2 Eversley and California 2 EVERSLEY AND CALIFORNIA are now winless in three games in all competitions after mixed fortunes this week.

Having been dumped out of the Aldershot Senior Cup

by Knaphill last week, the Boars returned Bradley Brown was to Combined on target against Counties Chessington and Hook League action on Saturday against Chessington and Hook United.

And the pair shared the spoils as Eversley came away with an encouraging point against the third placed side thanks to goals from Bradley Brown and James Osler.

But Phil Ruggles’ men were very much second best on Tuesday night, exiting the Premier Challenge Cup after losing 5-1 against Walton and Hersham at Stompond Lane.

Eversley return to league action on Saturday, hosting Ash United.

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Horscroft helps Woodley

EAST

to best team in the league’

to seventh straight win Headington Amateurs 0 Woodley United 1

n No complaints from Finchampstead boss Laugharne “(Malone) has done two tackles, got two yellows and he’s off.

“There’s other players doing more than that and getting nothing or going up and swearing in a referee’s face.

“We’ve been told this year about that and he didn’t quite cope with it.

“But take nothing away from Penn and Tyler, they’re the best team in the league.

“I rate them highly.”

Danny Blatchford had a good chance to hand Finch the lead, but fired wide after being teed up by Chace Jewell.

But it was Penn and Tylers, who are unbeaten and won the reverse fixture 3-0 in August, who took the lead.

Tripp was the man to break the deadlock from the penalty spot just before the half hour mark, which is how it stayed going into half-time.

The lead was doubled after the restart when Bocarro fired a super effort into the far corner of Neil Griffith’s net, before Malone was shown his marching orders.

Tripp bagged his second of the afternoon to kill the contest before Swabey notched in the final minute.

Finchampstead travel to face Rayners Lane in the league on Saturday.

FINCHAMPSTEAD: Griffith, Barron, Malone, Callaway, Thomas, Barnard (c), J. Wright, Dean, Swabey, Blatchford, Jewell.

Subs: Dunbar, Winship, Pople, Axton-Hall, Haylett.

DANNY HORSCROFT netted the only goal as Woodley United upset second placed Headington Amateurs to clinch a seventh win on the spin.

Woodley, who sit third in Hellenic Division One East with two games in hand, were forced to work hard to preserve their perfect start to the campaign, becoming the first side to shut out free-scoring Headington this season.

Man-of-the-match Horscroft bagged the winner in the first half before United saw out their fifth clean sheet in the league.

Headington started brightly with Luke Cuff dragging a one-on-one wide with only Alex Reed to beat.

But it was the visitors who grabbed an early lead when Horscroft fired home on 18 minutes.

A fine pass from Luke Turner found the midfielder unmarked on the edge of the box and the former Binfield man made no mistake, taking a good touch before firing low past Harry Jenkins.

Adam Nditi missed a chance to double the tally two minutes later, driving a free-kick over the bar and neither keeper was severely tested for the remainder of the half.

Sean Horcombe curled a free-kick of his own over the bar after the restart while Nditi and Horscroft missed chances to double the tally.

Jake Nicholls also cleared the bar for Woodley late on but one goal was enough for the visitors, who have conceded just twice this campaign, with Reed saving well in the closing

Danny Horscroft was Woodley’s match winner in Oxfordshire

moments of the contest.

Woodley travel to local rivals Wokingham and Emmbrook on Saturday (2.15pm) with the struggling Sumas fresh from having no game at the weekend.

WOODLEY UNITED: Reed, Turner, Kang, Nicholls, I. Kamara, Barley, Nditi (Wilson 75), Morgan, Oakley, Horscroft, Beckett.

Subs not used: Baines, Gutierrez, Briggs, Meredith.

n JOE BARLEY has been named Woodley player of the month for October.

The centre-back featured in every game during the month, helping the side keep three clean sheets along the way. n WOKINGHAM and Emmbrook’s Reserves went down to a 2-1 defeat against near neighbours Sandhurst Town in Hellenic Division 2 East.

Ben Findlay was on target for the hosts, but second-half strikes from the Fitzmaurice duo of Conor and Rory seals The FIzzers all three points.

Results and fixtures Saturday, October 29 FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Reading 2-0 Nottingham Forest Bluefin Sport Challenge Cup Binfield 7-3 Oxford City Dev Hellenic Division One East Headington Amateurs 0-1 Woodley United; Finchampstead 1-3 Penn and Tylers Green Combined Counties Division One Chessington and Hook United 2-2 Eversley and California Thames Valley Premier Division Berks County 0-0 Rotherfield United RUGBY National League 2 South Bury St Edmunds 17-37 Redingensians National League 3 South West Hornets 22-17 Bracknell BB&O Premier Division Crowthorne 20-12 Chesham HOCKEY MBBO Regional 2 (Men’s) Sonning 3-0 Eastcote 2s MBBO Division 1 OMT 2s 1-2 South Berkshire; South Berkshire 2s 1-6 Witney; Ramgarhia 5-3 Sonning 2s Trysports Premier 1 (Women’s) Sonning Ladies 4-1 Oxford University Ladies 2s

Sunday, October 16 FOOTBALL FA WSL 1 Chelsea Ladies 3-2 Reading Women

RUGBY IPA Championship London Scottish 12-62 London Irish ICE HOCKEY EPIHL Bracknell Bees 4-7 Peterborough Phantoms

Tuesday, November 1 FOOTBALL Premier Challenge Cup Walton and Hersham 5-1 Eversley and California

Thursday, November 4 ICE HOCKEY EPIHL Sheffield Steeldogs v Bracknell Bees (7.45pm)

Saturday, November 5 Fixtures (3pm unless stated) FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Wigan Athletic v Reading Hellenic Division One East Wokingham and Emmbrook v Woodley United (2.15pm); Rayners Lane v Finchampstead Combined Counties Division One Eversley and California v Ash United Thames Valley Premier Division Highmoor Ibis Res v Berks County (2pm); Mortimer v Woodley United Res (2pm); Wraysbury Village v Woodley United Res (2pm)

BTC Senior Cup Taplow United v Hurst (2pm) RUGBY IPA Championship London Irish v Yorkshire Carnegie National League 2 South Redingensians v Cinderford (2pm) National League 3 South West Bracknell v Ivybridge* Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier Tadley v Crowthorne* HOCKEY MBBO Regional 2 (Men’s) West Hampstead 2s v Sonning MBBO Division 1 South Berkshire v West Hampstead 3s Trysports Premier 1 (Women’s) South Berkshire Ladies v Wallingford Ladies; Sonning Ladies v Oxford Hawks Ladies 3s ICE HOCKEY EPIHL Bracknell Bees v Manchester Phoenix (6pm)

Sunday, November 6 FOOTBALL FA WSL 1 Reading Women v Doncaster Rovers (6pm) ICE HOCKEY EPIHL Hull Pirates v Bracknell Bees (5.30pm)

Monday, November 7 FOOTBALL B&B Senior Trophy Binfield v WIndsor (7.45pm)

Championship Newcastle Brighton Huddersfield Norwich Reading Bristol City Birmingham Sheff Wed Leeds Brentford Fulham Barnsley Preston QPR Aston Villa Ipswich Wolves Burton Derby Nottm Forest Cardiff Wigan Blackburn Rotherham

P 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15

WD 11 1 9 4 9 1 8 3 7 4 7 3 6 6 7 3 7 2 6 4 5 6 6 2 6 2 5 4 3 9 4 6 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 3 4 3 3 5 3 4 1 4

L 3 2 5 4 4 5 3 5 6 5 4 7 7 6 3 5 6 6 6 8 8 7 8 10

Hellenic Premier

F A 32 12 23 9 16 17 26 24 17 18 23 17 20 17 16 17 16 15 21 14 21 18 27 24 19 19 16 21 15 15 12 14 17 18 18 20 9 11 24 29 13 23 14 16 15 23 16 35

Pts 34 31 28 27 25 24 24 24 23 22 21 20 20 19 18 18 17 17 17 15 15 14 13 7

Thames Valley League P Reading YMCA 11 Marlow United 11 Woodcote SR 11 Cookham Dean 11 Newbury FC 9 Berks County FC 10 Wraysbury 11 Mortimer 11 Highmoor Res 9 Woodley Utd Res 12 Taplow United 9 Unity 10 Rotherfield Utd 12 Hurst 9

W 9 9 7 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 3 2 1 0

D 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 0 2 5 0

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

F 35 44 29 25 18 12 17 18 20 10 15 7 12 6

A 8 13 13 20 14 14 25 28 21 23 19 11 23 36

Pts 29 28 23 17 16 16 14 14 13 13 9 8 8 0

P Thatcham Town 18 Flackwell Heath 16 Thame United 12 Highworth Town 16 Bracknell Town 12 Tuffley Rovers 15 Ardley United 15 Binfield 15 Lydney Town 14 Longlevens AFC 14 Wootton Bassett 17 Ascot United 15 Brimscombe 13 Highmoor-Ibis 12 Brackley Saints 14 Oxford City Nom 16 Henley Town 17 Burnham 17

W 12 9 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 6 7 6 5 5 4 3 3 2

D 2 3 4 3 2 3 3 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 4 3 0

L 4 4 0 5 2 5 5 7 6 6 8 8 6 5 8 9 11 15

F A 57 26 38 19 47 20 38 31 39 15 33 25 31 29 26 20 25 25 32 26 33 31 30 36 22 22 19 23 15 37 20 39 25 46 19 79

FA WSL 1 Pts 38 30 28 27 26 24 24 22 22 20 20* 19 17 17 14 13 12 6

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

P 9 9 7 9 10 10 8 9 9 10 9 9 7 11

WD 8 1 7 0 7 0 7 0 5 0 4 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 0 2 3 2 2 2 0 0 0

L 0 2 0 2 5 4 3 4 4 7 4 5 5 11

F 39 34 17 20 23 14 15 17 14 15 9 14 16 9

A 5 14 2 11 21 16 13 18 19 20 21 18 16 62

Pts 25 21 21 21 15 14 11 11 11 9 9 8 6 0

Manchester City Chelsea Ladies Arsenal Ladies Liverpool Ladies Birmingham City Notts County Sunderland Reading Women Doncaster Belles

P WD 16 13 3 15 11 1 15 9 2 15 7 4 15 6 6 15 4 4 15 2 4 15 1 6 15 0 0

L 0 3 4 4 3 7 9 8 15

F A 36 4 39 16 28 11 24 18 11 12 15 23 16 34 15 25 7 48

Pts 42 34 29 25 24 16 10 9 0

IPA Championship

P London Irish 7 Yorkshire 7 Ealing Trail 7 Doncaster 7 Cornish Pirates 7 London Welsh 7 London Scottish 7 Rotherham Titans 7 Nottingham 7 Jersey 7 Bedford 7 Richmond 7

W 7 7 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 0

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

L 0 0 2 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 7

F A BP 243 78 6 225 166 5 165 157 2 162 132 3 184 163 5 149 144 5 164 226 4 157 174 3 138 167 3 148 161 6 145 154 5 86 244 0

PTS 34 33 20 19 19 17 16 15 15 14 13 0

EPIHL P Telford 17 MK 17 Hull 17 Basingstoke 16 Peterborough 16 Swindon 17 Sheffield 16 Guildford 17 Manchester 16 Bracknell 15

W 10 10 11 10 6 7 6 6 2 2

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

L 1 4 5 5 7 8 7 8 12 13

F 62 61 81 53 54 59 59 63 42 39

A 42 45 57 37 49 59 57 70 78 79

Pts 29 26 24 21 17 17 16 15 7 4

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WOKINGHAMSPORT

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— Page 36 READING FC

Jon Laugharne saw Finchampstead beaten 3-1

by Penn and Tylers Green on Saturday – the club’s seventh loss of the season

Stam: sack race is unbelievable

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk

FOOTBALL

Finch boss Laugharne is not concerned by stuttering start n ‘Injuries to key players hasn’t helped, but the results will come’

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk FINCHAMPSTEAD boss Jon Laugharne says he has “no worries at all” about his side’s stuttering early season form.

Finches currently sit 10th in the Hellenic Division One East standings with three wins and seven defeats from their 10 matches in the league so far.

The latest loss came at the hands of leaders Penn and Tylers Green, going down 3-1 despite a Harry Swabey goal after Jon Malone had been sent off.

That extended Finchampstead’s run to three defeats on the spin, but Laugharne is convinced that once he can get his first choice side back available, the results will come.

“I would be really concerned but we’ve had seven changes every week for the last three

weeks,” the Finch boss told The Wokingham Paper.

“It is what it is.

“Our level of consistency in team selection is just non-existent.

“If we were playing with the same team every week and getting beat then I would have real areas of concern.

“But we need to get everybody back from injuries and everything else, get them training and get some sort of stability back to where we were.

“The teams at the top only make two or three changes maximum but we’re making seven or eight enforced so that’s where we’re at.

“Injuries to key players at key times this season hasn’t helped, but everybody gets injuries.

“It’s just been frustrating.”

The spate of injuries and unavailability led to Laugharne

dipping into the transfer market to snap up Wokingham and Emmbrook striker Craig Haylett.

The forward has been on the bench for the last two games having left Sumas as their top scorer so far this term.

“I saw him play a few times last year and I know all about him,” said Laugharne.

“I was a little bit surprised that he doesn’t actually get in at Wokingham, bearing in mind he’s their top scorer.

“Why he wasn’t really playing for them seems a little bit strange and strikers are at a premium.

“He’s got to earn his stripes.

You can’t just throw him straight in, you’ve got to see how they interact within the group in training.

“But he’ll be fine, no doubt.”

After a string of eight home games on the trot, Finches are back on the road at the weekend

when they travel to face Rayners Lane on Saturday.

And Laugharne is looking forward to the trip.

“I like Rayners Lane,” he said.

“They’re a nice club with good people and a good team.

“They’ve always been good and it’s a nice playing surface over there as well.

“We do have some good games with them and they’re always played in the right way as well.”

He added: “Once we get everybody available and get our injuries sorted out and holidays and work and everything else, I have no worries at all.

“We’ve only really had one bad performance this year and that was against Aldermaston.

“Little things go against you, you’ve just got to suck it up, move on and get on with it.” n FOR more local football news, turn to pages 38 and 39.

JAAP STAM says it is “unbelievable” how many managers have already lost their jobs in the Championship as Reading prepare to travel to Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

The Latics sacked boss Gary Caldwell last week, just months after he guided them to promotion from League One. Manchester United youth coach Warren Joyce is expected to take charge before the weekend as Wigan become the sixth club in the Championship to appoint a new manager this season.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Stam.

“I knew before I arrived over here that it can go very fast in the Championship with managers going and changing clubs.

“They want to have instant success and want to do well and go up to the Premier League.

“A manager needs to have time to build his team and create a certain atmosphere in the team to get results.

“But you don’t really have time in football nowadays.”

Saturday will not be the first time this season Reading will face a side who have recently parted company with their manager, winning at Rotherham United and drawing against Derby County.

They were also beaten by Aston Villa not long after Steve Bruce was installed as the club’s new boss.

And Stam admits it makes things tougher when it comes to preparing for the fixture.

“It’s going to be guessing how they’re going to be playing,” said the boss.

“It’s not going to be easy to play these teams because the starting 11 want to prove themselves to their new manager.

“But we always focus more on our own team rather than the opposition.”

Depending on results elsewhere, victory at the DW Stadium could take Royals up to third in the Championship heading into the international break.

But Stam insists it is still far too early to read much into the standings.

“It would be nice to go up to third and win the game,” said the Dutchman.

“But for myself, the most important thing is the performance of the team.

“If we play well, dominate the game and can play our own game that we want to play then there’s a big chance we’re going to have a result as well.

“Eventually you’re going to be looking at the table and where you are.

“I’m not saying we’re not looking at the table at all because I’m a winner as well.

“But at the moment it’s not my main concern.”

Stam confirmed that Stephen Quinn has joined the club’s injury list with a knee problem while Joseph Mendes (hamstring), Deniss Rakels (ankle) and Anssi Jaakkola (knee) are all still out. n MORE Reading FC news on page 37.

Published by Xn Media Ltd, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Printed at Trinity Mirror Watford © Xn Media Ltd, 2016