The Wokingham Paper October 13, 2016 by The Wokingham Paper

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Thursday, October 13, 2016 No. 78

Baby saved by quick thinking estate agent Driver urges first aid training after 17-monthold’s seizure

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HOMES LATEST NEWS ON PROPERTY SCENE P20 PLANNING

DINTON IS ‘NOT FOR HOUSING’ P6, P16 YOUTH

EXCLUSIVE By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk

A MOTHER whose baby daughter had a seizure while sitting in trafﬁc has thanked the passers-by who stopped to help. Stephanie Ward was driving her 17-monthold daughter Thea home along Wokingham Road in Earley on the morning of Saturday, October 1 when the youngster suddenly having a fit in her car seat. She said: “I pulled up at Three Tuns traffic lights and looked in my mirror, [Thea’s] in a rear facing seat with a mirror in front so I can check on her, and noticed her eyes rolling and jerking movements. I ran out the car screaming and howling and removed her from her seat and she went all floppy.” The mum said she then started having a panic attack as passers-by rushed over to help her and her daughter. She continued: “The rest is a blur really but I remember a man holding [Thea] and performing first aid on her, and another lady trying to calm me down and get me out of my panicky state. “I would just like to say thank you to everyone that helped in that scary situation as everyone one was so reassuring and calming. I really can’t remember much of what people did for me but it’s just nice knowing that people will always help in your time of need.”  Continued on page 3

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May’s Sunday service: Prime Minister presents prizes at Twyford Fun Run

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October 13, 2016

HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US

Shinﬁeld Baptist Church pastor Nathan Hunt with some of the church’s children and its harvest donations. They have been given to a local foodbank Picture: Phil Creighton

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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harvest songs including We Plough The Fields and Scatter. All the food donated will go to a local foodbank that provides emergency threeday parcels for people in dire need. If the congregation hadn’t been fed enough, there were more refreshments after the service. The church has also just launched a new afternoon service. Taking place on Tuesdays from 4pm, the laid-back event includes singing worship songs, the opportunity to enjoy cake and

coffee and also talk about issues raised during the service talk. This will take place at its base on the junction of Hollow Lane and Fairmead Road. Mr Hunt said: “Harvest is a great time to celebrate the goodness of God and to think about those in need. Jesus came to bring all the goodness of God to earth. “As we let him live in us so we can share that goodness in our community.” For more details, call the church ofﬁce on 0118 327 3180.

Primary school has green fingers

Citizens Advice’s 100 Club winners

the 100 Club, can be found here: www. citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk/home/ funding/

AN EARLEY primary school is looking forward to getting growing after scooping runners-up spot in a national competition. Organised by Stewart Garden, primary schools were tasked with showing their green fingers. To help them, the company sent out a range of its products including a seed tray, plastic plant pots and five-litre watering cans A Minehead school came top, winning the £1,000 first prize, but Loddon Primary School in Earley was one of five runners-up and won £100 in garden centre vouchers. Andy Burns, managing director at Stewart Garden said: “It’s great to see how young people use our products and witness their passion for gardening and growing vegetables.”

THREE people have won prizes in the monthly Citizens Advice 100 Club draw. The advice charity held its October draw on Tuesday, October 4. The three prizes were drawn as follows: First prize with ticket 58 was Jane Cops. She won £21. Second prize went to ticket 11, owned by Siobhan Sanctuary, who won £12.60. Third prize went to Dennis Eyriey who wins £8.40 for ticket 66. Tickets can be bought at any time of year and will be entered for the remaining months in the draw year (which is currently November to April). Tickets for the rest of the year now cost £6 each and then reduce by £1 after each draw. More details, including how to join

Addiction centre appeals for boxers

A SHINFIELD church welcomed all good gifts at its harvest service on Sunday. Members of Shinﬁeld Baptist Church met in the village’s parish hall to hold the café style service. Visitors could enjoy a simple breakfast including freshly made bread, cereals, croissants and brioche rolls before taking part in the hour-long service. Pastor Nathan Hunt led the service which included a collection for aid agency Tearfund and the opportunity to sing

A REHABILITATION centre in Hare Hatch is asking for clothes as well as food for harvest. Yeldall Manor, which helps men free themselves from drink or drug addiction, has requested donations of new men’s boxer shorts, toiletries, disposable razors and shower gels. It would also like donations of mugs, plain white cereal bowls and plain stainless steel cutlery. Food donations of instant coffee, vegetable oil, olive oil, tinned tuna and tinned tomatoes are also appreciated. The centre can be contacted by calling 0118 940 4411.

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Thursday, October 13, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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Wokingham boys will live long and prosper By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk BOYS born in Wokingham could expect to live in good health for longer than anywhere else in the country, according to a report published this week. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released a report on Tuesday (11) on health expectancies at birth and at age 65, using data collected from the 2011 Census. The report found that, on average, boys and girls born in the UK between 2010 and 2012 could expect to live 78.8 years and 82.6 years respectively. If they experienced the same health status rates as observed between 2010 and 2012, boys could expect to live 63.2 years, or 80.3% of their lives, in “very good or good” health, while girls could expect to live 64.6 years, or 78.2% of their

lives, in “very good or good” health. When looking at data from across the country, the ONS found that newborn boys in Wokingham could expect to live 69.9 years, or 85.8% of their lives, in very good or good health, 6.7 years longer than the national average. Boys in Manchester tended to have the lowest healthy life expectancy, at only 55.8 years, or 74.6% of their lives, a staggering 14.1 years less than those in Wokingham. Jodie Withers, health analyst at the ONS, said: “There is large variation in how many years people can expect to live in good health across the UK. “Differences in education, employment opportunities, lifestyle behaviours, social mobility and the wider local environment all have a major impact with males and females in some parts of the UK living 14.1 years and 15.0 years longer in very good or good health than others.”

Estate agent calls on readers to undertake first aid training n from front page Thea was rushed to hospital, but all of her tests came back clear. Stephanie said: “Thea was taken to hospital as generally fitting in infants is common if there is a temperature spike, but her temperature was normal. She had blood taken but they all came back clear. It is a bit of a mystery but I just hope it never happens again.” One of those people who came to Thea’s aid was Max Rasool, who is a branch director for Hunters estate agents. He told The Wokingham Paper that he noticed the driver of the car next to him get out of her vehicle at the traffic lights, and thought she had just forgotten to buckle her child’s seat. He said: “She looked a bit frantic and was asking for help so I thought I’d better see what I can do. Just as I got to the lady, she handed me her baby. The baby was floppy in my arms, I turned the baby to see her face. Her eyes were rolling up as if she was passing out. “About 10 years ago I had received first aid training but it was geared towards adults, not babies. I did the best I could while getting the mother to ring for the ambulance. “Immediately I turned the baby round balanced her on my

Max Rasool with a first aid kit – he wants parents to have first aid training in case of emergencies Picture: Gemma Davidson

palm facing downwards and I thumped her back in order to dislodge any possible throat blockage. I checked her again and there was no change. I looked for signs of the baby’s lips and extremities turning blue but everything looked fine.” He said that another man arrived on the scene who said he was a doctor, and checked for the baby’s pulse and breathing. Max said: “I held back my tears of relief. A short while later the paramedics arrived

and started to assess the baby, and a few minutes later a fully equipped ambulance came. At this stage I was a bystander so I left the professionals to deal with the baby. “I strongly urge parents of young children to please, please get first aid training, I hope you may never need it but please do not put it off.” n Wokingham NCT are holding a Baby First Aid course on Tuesday, November 8. For more information visit www.nct.org. uk/branches/wokingham.

Andrew Wilkinson with the Lions sleigh – he is appealing for help to refurbish it Picture: Gemma Davidson

Can you help fix Santa’s sleigh? A PLEA to help refurbish Father Christmas’ sleigh in time for the festive season has been made by a local teacher. Andrew Wilkinson, the Head of Design Technology at Maiden Erlegh School, first built the sleigh for the Woodley and Earley Lions in 2004, and since then it has helped to carry Father Christmas on his rounds collecting money for charity every year. But now the sleigh is starting to look tired and in need of sprucing up, so the Lions called on Andrew to help give the trailer a new lease of life. Andrew said: “The sleigh was

looking very sad and sorry for itself. I have been working on it every other evening and every weekend for the last month, so it is very much a labour of love. “The initial materials needed were covered by Arnold Laver, in Basingstoke Road, who kindly donated £250 worth of materials, including the plywood needed to create the shape of the sleigh. “What I would love to do is kit the sleigh out with high-spec LED lights which will not only look great but last for a long time. I know the Lions could probably afford to take on the cost, but I think their money

School criticised

Rotary host winter show

A SCHOOL in Wokingham has been criticised over its handling of an alleged assault on a child by a classmate. Parents of pupils at All Saints CE Aided Primary School, in Norreys Avenue, have accused the school of not making them aware of an alleged assault by a Year 1 pupil on a classmate. One parent, who did not wish to be identified, told The Wokingham Paper: “I have taken my son out of school, and he will not be returning until the child has been removed from his class, or the school offers an explanation as to why we were not informed. “The school has not handled it very well at all, and instead we have found out through playground gossiping.” Another parent said: “My son is asking me what is going on, they are hearing all sorts. I don’t want him to be around that sort of thing.” Wokingham Borough Council is aware of the allegations and support has been offered to the pupils and families involved. Executive member for children’s services, Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor said: “This is an isolated situation, but we do understand why parents are worried. The safety of our children is always paramount. The school has taken action and support is in place for the pupils and families involved.”

THE Rotary Club of Easthampstead is hosting a winter fayre and Fashion Show on Saturday to raise funds for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance. It will be held at Sindlesham Court in Mole Road from 10am to 5pm, and there will be a catwalk fashion show at noon and 3pm, featuring items from French fashion house Captain Tortue. Author Jon Blake will sign books and there will be a display of vintage cars. There will be 30 stall holders selling fashion items, food and festive gifts, and a range of refreshments will be available from the bar. Entry is £2 and under 16s can get in free.

Shinfield neighbours team up to launch residents association A GROUP of Shinfield residents have formed a new association after fears that family homes are being converted into Houses of Multiple Occupcation (HMO). The group aims to tackle the issue after seeing homes on the Pearmans Croft development, off Cutbush Lane in Shinfield become HMOs. They met for the first time at Shinfield Parish Hall last Saturday and agreed to formally create the first residents’ association in the Parish. It will also look at other issues affecting the quality of life of those who live

on the development. HMOs are houses which are converted from family homes into executive bedsits and let to individuals. The residents’ association said that this can create numerous issues, including parking. The residents’ association and the parish council feels that family home conversions are proliferating throughout Shinfield Parish, and with no controls over their numbers, combined with the extensive development in the parish, there are concerns about the growth in conversions and its impact on the local area.

should be used for charity, so I am looking for a company to sponsor the sleigh so we can get what we need. “The lights I am looking at cost around £500, but they will look fantastic and I think they will help the sleigh look so much more professional and polished. The sponsor will have their name added to the sleigh so everyone will know they helped to make the sleigh look amazing.” If you would like to sponsor the sleigh contact Annabelle Kelly at Maiden Erlegh School on 0118 926 2467.

Shinfield Parish Council Chairman, Cllr Peter Hughes, said: “The Parish Council is keen to support this first new residents’ association and I hope this may lead to the development of more local associations, giving local people a greater say on what happens in their local neighbourhoods.” n The parish council is hosting a developers exhibition at the Parish Hall on Saturday from 2pm to 5pm, aimed at helping residents find out more about the various developments taking place across the parish. Entry is free and all are welcome.

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‘Rod Stewart kept me awake!’ Residents air views on music fest EXCLUSIVE

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokinghampaper.co.uk MUSIC from a Rod Stewart tribute act kept a Hurst resient awake during last year’s Marvellous Festival. The revelation came during a post mortem on the music festival, and showed that villagers widely diverged on their verdicts. In a bizarre twist, those nearest the site said they escaped noise nuisance. But unhappy villagers three quarters of a mile away said they had no peace from music noise all weekend. A mile from the festival Tape Lane residents said the music was a nuisance and called for changes, in response the organisers say they may reposition the 2017 stage. Eleven residents gave their views to Marvellous Festivals director Steve Stanton and Chris Buggy of Wokingham Borough Council countryside service at the Dragonfly Café, Dinton Pastures on Sunday. Mr Stanton said invitations went to about 80 nearby households and also via Hurst Village Society email service. Most attended to lodge support: only two had complained, he said. Lou Robinson an assistive technical trainer of Tape Lane said afterwards: “They were quite shocked that we did hear the music. The sound travelled and it was a nuisance. In Hurst we have Rocktoberfest, Party in the Park and village hall events. “The festival is another event affecting our rural peace. We thought it was a two-day event. But there was the private party on Friday as well. Apparently they didn’t break sound volume regulations but we could hear it quite clearly. “I’m asking Wokingham Borough to review and improve things for next year.” She felt the council had underestimated how noise travelled. Another villager a little closer to the site kept a diary: “Saturday … It’s so loud it’s amazing … Sunday … Darkness, now we are completely and totally fed up. “Had no peace all weekend, couldn’t escape it, too hot to close all the windows. Trying to go to sleep to Rod Stewart. I find it incredible that it’s just OK to make so much noise for three days and we are all just supposed to take it.” The woman, who did not want to be named, said her neighbour felt the noise was very intrusive as well.

But one of the closest residents, systems analyst Colin Evans said: “Maybe it was because the way the wind was blowing but the music was not intrusive. “I would rather see the site used for something supporting its current use, than see it abandoned, or under threat for housing.” Successful but not intrusive leisure use was needed. His wife, Shirley Evans, 56, a teaching assistant said their children had really enjoyed going to the festival. Sales director Helen Freestone, 45, of Lea Heath Way, also nearby, said: “We came to the festival. It was great, brilliant. More please. It had a great vibe and was family orientated.” Her near neighbour Vikki Randles said: “We felt very positive. We had a great time. We have small children and it was a good family event.” Mr Stanton said Wokingham Environmental Health officers had monitored sound in a nearby garden and it had also been monitored in the arena. The music had not broken the national standard. He added he had received just one complaint about sound over the festival weekend. The only other issue was about music finishing four minutes after the 11pm “voluntary curfew”, but the licence had been until midnight. He was looking at the complaints from residents some distance away. “Although the number of comments are tiny we take them seriously. We’re already working on repositioning the stage so the sound travels probably more over Black Swan Lake.” Chris Buggy of Wokingham Borough Council who had four emailed complaints said the council had quite significant control over how Marvellous worked: “We work in partnership and we work very hard. It’s a delicate balance to get a fantastic family event which works well and also to minimise, as much as we reasonably can, the impact on people around us.” Hurst’s Wokingham Borough Councillor Wayne Smith said: “Around the festival I had two complaints about excessive noise, nothing about traffic, parking and highways.” Marvellous were given an ongoing licence for the music festival this year. Tickets for next year go on sale on November 1. Steve Stanton says the agreed dates are July 29 and 30, with a small campers’ party on Friday July 28. The Friday party had been well advertised this year, he added.

Council clarifies Dinton plans WOKINGHAM Borough Council has said that the reason for adding Dinton Pastures to the Call For Sites development list was to improve and protect the country park – not to build houses on it. The council has been charged with creating a new local plan, which aims to set out how the borough could be developed over the next 20 years. Along with a number of other council owned sites, Dinton Pastures and Grays Farm were added, as we reported last week, as leisure sites. In a statement released this week, the council said that it had “no intention to build, or

allow to be built, any houses on Dinton Pastures” and the site will remain the borough’s “premier country park”. The statement adds that if approved, Dinton’s designation for leisure use will enable the council to “invest in further improvements, potentially improving existing facilities but also potentially building new facilities, including leisure buildings, over the next 20 years.

“We have no firm plans for what may be needed to continue to retain Dinton Pastures as our premier leisure location, but we do know that any new buildings will not be houses.” And the Council has vowed to consult on any planned leisure facilities and buildings that will be placed into the country park in Hurst. “As we have done in the past, we would consult on any new leisure facilities that could be provided at Dinton Pastures and they would also have to gain planning permission,” the council statement adds.  Letters, page 16

Couldrick receives Sheeplands petition

Andy Couldrick (left) receives the Hare Hatch Sheeplands petition from Patrick Heather outside Wokingham Borough Council’s ofﬁces

LAST FRIDAY, the chief executive of Wokingham Borough Council accepted a petition from supporters of a local garden centre. Patrick Heather,a former chairman of the Twyford Village Partnership, joined Hare Hatch Sheeplands supporters outside the council offices in Shute End to present the petition to Andy Couldrick. It has almost 5,000 signatures and 2,611 Wokingham borough signatures. It is the second such petition from the garden centre – the first was rejected over its wording. This level of support means that the ongoing dispute between the Council and Sheeplands will be discussed at a special council meeting. Mr Heather told The Wokingham Paper: “I’m pleased that with the help of Wokingham Borough Council we agreed the wording of this new petition. “It has been running for just over two months. “Andy Couldrick just confirmed that this petition will trigger a council debate. We requested the debate to be held locally, maybe at Piggott School or Loddon Hall. He replied it was a sensible suggestion and he will pass it on.”

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Artists of all ages invited to get drawing A FREE creative drawing event is coming to Wokingham’s town centre this weekend. The Big Draw will be held at St Paul’s Church on Saturday and budding artists of all ages are invited to come along and get scribbling. This year’s event has a theme of STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths. Visitoirs will be asked to use the Reading Road church and some chosen still life objects as inspiration for their drawings. Organisers said that anyone can come along and draw, doodle or ‘take a line for a walk’. They add that no artistic skill is necessary. Local artists, Karen Greville-Smith, Caroline Saynor, Fran Self and NeeArna will be on hand to offer advice. Visitors will be able to make a mini sketch book, do some mono printing, brass and stone rubbings, and carbon paper drawing. There will be timed sittings for portraits and figure drawing for an hour at noon and again at 2pm. Still life displays will include instruments and objects from the science lab, shape and space with maths. Some stick figure animation, take a line for Charlotte Haitham Taylor, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for children’s services, abseiled down the Forth Rail Bridge on Sunday for the Canine Partners charity a walk, or create a picture with mosaics. Refreshments will be available all day in church in return for a donation, and parking and toilet facilities will be available at the Parish Rooms. For more information on the Big Draw please go A SHINFIELD councillor who friend Jacqueline Reid, who took an indoor climbing centre on the Friday rope a very long way up in the air. to www.thebigdraw.org completed a charity abseil in Scotland part in the challenge on the iconic night, meant we realised the scale of the “The feeling of euphoria when my last weekend has described the 126-year-old UNESCO World Heritage challenge we were taking on. feet touched the ground was however experience as ‘euphoric’, writes Gemma Site structure which towers over the “On the day, at the top, it was a incredible and in the knowledge that I’d Davidson. Firth of Forth River, nine miles from different matter. The professionals taken the leap for such a superb charity. Charlotte Haitham Taylor, executive Edinburgh. were fantastic, reassuring and meant “I’d like to say a massive thank you member for children’s services and Cllr Haitham Taylor, who lives in that when we took our feet off the to everyone who has supported and THE Big Draw is not the only event at St Paul’s Shinﬁeld South councillor, braved a Riseley, said: “The morning of the abseil bridge we felt conﬁdent we were in safe sponsored Jacqueline and I in our abseil Church on Saturday. free-fall abseil down the side of the was daunting to say the least. hands. challenge. Your help in support of this The Scamping Rogues barn dance band is 165ft tall Forth Rail Bridge on Sunday, “Perhaps slightly foolishly as “A free-fall abseil is amazing. Never amazing charity is outstanding and we marking its 100th dance with a special charity to raise more than £1,400 for Canine Jacqueline and I had visited the bridge having done one before I didn’t really cannot thank you enough.” event. Partners. the night before to see where we’d be know what to expect.  For more information on Canine It has been offering free concerts for The mum-of- one was were among going the next day. “You feel exposed and acutely aware Partners visit www.caninepartners. fundraisers over the past 11 years and now it will 10 fearless volunteers, including her “This, coupled with our practise at that you are essentially hanging by a org.uk. raise funds for Mary’s Meals. The charity feeds 1.1 million children in 12 countries. The concert takes place in the Parish Rooms on Saturday from 7pm. Tickets include a hot main meal, and pudding. They cost £10, £5 for children or £20 for a family. To book, call Chris on 0778 570 4597.

What goes up … Councillor goes forth in charity challenge

Rogues barn dance to help meals group

Heresies sermon series ST Paul’s Church is hosting the latest in its Horrible Heresies sermon series on Sunday. It will welcome the Revd Kate Harrison from New Windsor, to speak on the subject of Worship As An Entertaining Hobby. The event takes place at the Choral Evensong service on Sunday at 6.15pm. Entry is free and the church is on the Reading Road.

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Police seek to calm fears over intimidating clown sightings By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk REPORTS of people dressed as clowns intimidating or threatening members of the public in Berkshire are being investigated by police. Last weekend, Thames Valley Police (TVP) were called to 14 incidents over a 24-hour period where victims reported being intimidated or frightened by people dressed as clowns. Incidents of clown sightings have been reported across the country, but are now believed to be happening in and around the Wokingham and Bracknell area too. Reports on social media suggest that people dressed as clowns have been spotted in Finchampstead, Spencers Wood and Winnersh.

One nine-year-old schoolgirl, who did not want to be identified, had had nightmares as a result of the sightings. She drew a picture of a clown she had seen after watching a report on the craze on a children’s news programme. She said: “I wonder why the police don’t just get out there on the case like detectives instead of waiting for a phone call.” Police are calling on the perpetrators to stop as they are wasting police time, and could also land them with a criminal record. Chief Supt Andy Boyd, head of neighbourhood policing, said: “While we do not want to be accused of stopping people enjoying themselves we would also ask those same people to think of the impact of their behaviour on others and themselves.

RE conference planned for Saturday A CONFERENCE looking at ways in which Religious Education (RE) is taught in schools is to be held in Woodley. Waingels College is the venue for the REInspired event on Saturday, October 15. Keynote speaker will be the Revd Kate Coleman, a former president of the Baptist Union of Great Britain.

There will be 10 workshops for delegates to enjoy, an exhibition and a lunch. It runs from 9.30am to 3.30pm and places cost £20. REInspired is based in Earley and helps schools with RE lessons. For more details or to book a place log on to www.reinspired. org.uk

“Their actions can cause fear and anxiety to other people, this could be perceived to be intimidating and threatening which could lead to public order offences, arrest and a criminal record. “In addition, their behaviour is causing multiple reports to our call takers and is tying up police resources which could impact on calls to other incidents. “While we realise that reports of this kind are not restricted to the Thames Valley area, the issues of intimidation, potential arrest and waste of public resources are the same across the country and we would urge people to refrain from such activity.”  As some readers and their children have been distressed by the clown sightings, we will not share any clown images on our Facebook page or on our website homepage, wokingham.today

Baby loss service of remembrance PARENTS who lost a baby are being invited to a special service of remembrance taking place this weekend. Reading Lifeline is organising the event on Sunday afternoon at 3pm. It will take place in Reading Minster Church, in St Mary’s Butts and opposite an entrance to The Oracle shopping centre.

The service is open to anyone that has been affected by the loss of a baby at any time in their life. There will be an opportunity to add a special memory or prayer to a Memorial Tree during the service. For more information, call Reading Lifeline on 0118 959 6669 or send an email to lifeline@themustardtree.org

Thursday, October 13, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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8 | NEWS

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Parish noticeboard Thursday, October 13 Wokingham Borough Council. Health and Wellbeing Board. 5pm. Civic offices, Shute End RG40 1BN

Saturday, October 15 Barkham Village Hall. Arborfield and Barkham Neighbourhood Plan open session. 2pm-4.30pm. www.arbarsurvey.com Wokingham Town Council. Councillor Surgery. 10am-noon. Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham RG40 1AS

Monday, October 17 Charvil Parish Council meeting. 8pm. Village Hall, Park Lane.

Tuesday October 18 Wokingham Borough Council. Executive Question Deadline. 10am. Civic offices, Shute End RG40 1BN Wokingham Town Council. Council meeting. 7.30pm. Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham RG40 1AS Woodley Town Council Plans Committee. 7.45pm. The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Woodley, RG5 4JZ

Wednesday October 19 Wokingham Borough Council. Schools Forum. 9am. Civic offices, Shute End RG40 1BN

Thursday, October 20 Arborfield Village Hall. Arborfield and Barkham Neighbourhood Plan open session. 7pm-9.30pm. www.arbarsurvey.com Shinfield Parish Council planning and highways meeting. 7.30pm. Shinfield Parish Hall, School Green.

Tuesday, October 25 Barkham Parish Council. Planning meeting 7.30pm. Barkham Village Hall, Church Lane, Barkham RG40 4PL. Wokingham Town Council. Extraordinary Arts and Culture Meeting. 7.30pm. Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham RG40 1AS

Thursday October 27 Wokingham Borough Council. Executive meeting. 7pm. Civic offices, Shute End RG40 1BN

A MAN from Barkham has pleaded guilty to a harassment charge. Rajpal Singh Labana, 28, of Doles Lane, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on August 26 where he was ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid community work. Mr Labana had previously pleaded guilty to the charge of using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress on April 12 this year. Mr Labana was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £85 and costs of £85. A WOMAN from Winnersh has been handed a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to drink driving. Hilda Blomley, 25, of Woodward Close, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on September 5 where she admitted driving while over the alcohol limit on August 16. Miss Blomley 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; pay a surcharge of £115; costs of £85; and was disqualified from driving for 30 months. A MAN from Wokingham has pleaded guilty to criminal damage. Nathan Marcus Hamilton, 24, of Nine Mile Ride, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on September 5 where he admitted causing damage to several cars, to

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October 13, 2016

From the courts surcharge of £85, and costs of £85. A MAN from Woodley has pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer. Steve Mark Cotterell, 27, of Kingfisher Drive, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on September 6 where he admitted assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty on May 26 this year. Mr Cotterell was fined £200, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £135.

the value of approximately £1,000, in Finchampstead on August 17. Mr Hamilton was given a sixweek prison sentence, suspended for one year, ordered to participate in an accredited programme for 19 days, and to pay compensation of £400.

A MAN from Charvil has pleaded guilty to two drug charges and two motoring offences. Marley Tyrone Bovell, 26, of Mendip Close, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on September 7 where he admitted driving without insurance and without an appropriate licence in Sonning on May 6 this year. For this offence he was fined £100, and his licence was endorsed with eight points. Mr Bovell also pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a quantity of cocaine, and one charge of possessing a quantity of cannabis. Both charges relate to an incident in Reading on April 9, 2014. For each count, Mr Bovell was fined £100, and he was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £85.

A MAN from Earley has pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage. Robert John Maclean, 34, of Sutcliffe Avenue, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on September 5 where he admitted assaulting a man in Reading on August 13. He also admitted intentionally causing damage to a kettle, wall and door belonging to the same man. Mr Maclean was ordered to carry out 40 hours of unpaid community work within the next 12 months, pay a victim

A TEENAGER from Spencers Wood has pleaded guilty to three motoring offences. Oliver Joseph Faulkner, 19, of Lansdowne Gardens, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on September 7 where he admitted driving while over the alcohol limit, driving without adequate insurance, and driving without an appropriate licence. All three charges relate to an incident in Shinfield on April 25. He was fined a total of £560, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £85, and was disqualified from obtaining a licence for 16 months. Mr Faulkner also pleaded guilty to failing to surrender to police custody on May 19, for which he was fined £80; failing to surrender to custody at Reading Magistrates’ Court on September 7 for which he was fined £80; and fined £160 for breaching a conditional discharge made on April 25. A MAN from Wokingham is due to appear in court charged with theft. James Reano, 24, of Longs Way, is due to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on November 1 charged with stealing two bottles of spirits, to the value of £24.50, from Marks & Spencer in Reading on February 10 this year. He is also charged with obstructing or resisting a constable on February 10, and failing to surrender to police custody on April 7. Mr Reano denies all the charges.

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Thursday, October 13, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Above: Gill Thomson won best allotment newcomer. Below: Luckley House School

WINDOWS & DOORS

Dickens Court resident Margaret Hetherington won best residential homes garden

CONSERVATORIES Walter Infant School won the best infants and juniors school category

Floral wonders celebrated WOKINGHAM’S green fingered friends were celebrated at a special ceremony last week. The Town Mayor, Cllr Gwynneth Hewetson, hosted the Wokingham In Bloom awards evening at the Town Hall. More than 100 people attended the prize-giving and honours were given in four main categories – for allotment gardening, for flowers and gardens around commercial premises, Ship Inn landlord David Jennings with for Wokingham town residents back Steve Williams was honoured for having the best his award for best business flowers and front gardens and for gardening in allotment at St Paul’s Gate Wokingham schools. to see so many people receiving awards Gardens were judged over the – ranging from five-years-old to much, June to August period by experienced much older than that! This year I was gardeners all of whom bring a wealth of privileged to be involved with the knowledge and a keen eye to the task. judging of the businesses and schools Each prize-winner received a sections. I saw first-hand how much certificate and some gardening effort people invest in their gardens.” vouchers. It really was heart-warming. The first prize-winners and the The Town Council’s Chairman of gold award recipients also received the Amenities Committee, Cllr Nick an engraved trophy to hold for a Campbell-White, added that the council year. Many of the trophies have been is grateful to its sponsors, A B Walker & donated by mayors at the end of their Son, Syngenta and Tesco, and is looking Brian Price was judged as having the best mayoralties. forward to seeing more new entrants in Ormonde Road allotment Cllr Hewetson said: “I was delighted next year’s contest. Roger Martin Kipps Keith Kimbery and Mark Winter had the best Choules won came top windowboxes, the award for in the hanging best Gipsy Latimer baskets and Lane allotment Road containers allotment contest

Search is on for Furry friends advice town’s unsung heroes session at pet shop THE search is on for residents who deserve recognition. Wokingham Town Council is looking for individuals living or working within the Wokingham town boundary who deserve to be nominated for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the town. Nominees are wanted for a range of services including caring for people in the community, voluntary work, artistic and cultural achievements and being a good neighbour. Cllr Philip Mirfin chairs the Civic Committee. He said: “Wokingham Town Council takes great pride in recognising those individuals who have significantly supported our Wokingham community. I encourage you to think of people you know who have contributed and nominate them to be considered for this important award.” An official ceremony will take place on Friday, January 27, when the Mayor will present awards to successful nominees. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, November 30.  For full criteria and nomination form, visit www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk/civic/civic-awards

ADVICE on how to look after the furry members of your family this winter will be on offer at a Wokingham pet shop this October. Pets at Home, in Finchampstead Road, is inviting parents to bring their children to a free, fun workshop where they can interact with some furry friends and learn about how to take care of them during the colder months. The half term workshops will also give children a chance to hold some of the pets instore, and each child will receive a My Pet Pals certificate, colouring sheets and stickers to take home after completing the workshop. Store manager, Alison Slade, says: “Our My Pet Pals Autumn Activity Club is a great way for children to learn about the importance of responsible pet ownership, while keeping them occupied during the half term holiday. “Even if your child doesn’t have a pet, they can still learn and interact with pets for free.”  To ﬁnd out more about My Pet Pals Autumn Activity Club and book your place in your nearest workshop, visit petsathome.com/workshops.

Church service for youth YOUNGSTERS in Woodley are invited to a special church event this weekend. Emmanuel Church in South Lake Crescent is the venue for the youth service. It starts at 7pm and will run until 9pm. It has been organised by Churches Together in Woodley.

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October 13, 2016

Got a business story? Email news@ wokinghampaper.co.uk. or write to The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS Roger Welsh, Head of Partnerships at Costa Coffee, presents the award to the staff at the Twyford branch

Top customer service rewarded at Twyford Costa A COFFEE shop in Twyford has been voted the best for customer service in the UK. Costa Coffee, in the High Street, was recently named as the friendliest branch of the nationwide chain, and the staff were rewarded for their high

levels of customer service with a cheque for £1,000 last week. Branch owner Emilio Aleo he was thrilled with the recognition of the shop, which opened in August last year. He said: “I am so proud of the staff, and they should be

proud of themselves. They were jumping up and down when they found out they had won.” A spokesperson for Costa said: “One of our newest franchises, Costa Coffee in Twyford, has just picked up a huge accolade. It has been voted

by customers nationally for the coveted award – the best and most friendliest Costa Coffee store in the UK. “Out of 3,000 stores this is truly a huge win for this local franchise company run by Kerry and Emilio Aleo”

New tenants sign up for Winnersh Triangle By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokinghampaper.co.uk MORE new tenants have moved into Winnersh Triangle. Patrizia UK, the manager of

the business park, said that it has secured 18,000 sq ft of lettings and it has also completed a comprehensive refurbishment of a

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9,439 sq ft Grade A, hi-tech industrial and office unit. As we reported two weeks ago, CitySprint is the latest occupier to open its doors at Winnersh Triangle. The same day delivery company has taken 7,885 sq ft of Grade A industrial warehouse and office space at 545 Eskdale Road on a six-year lease. Elsewhere, Banking Automation, a global leader in customised, automated self-service cash solutions has expanded from its existing premises at Winnersh, to take an additional 10,000 sq ft into an interconnected unit at 515 Eskdale Road. The company’s move brings its total leased space to 20,513 sq ft. At 635 Eskdale Road, Patrizia has completed refurbishment works comprising 9,439 sq ft Grade A industrial and

warehouse space. The high quality fit-out gives the property new suspended ceilings, recessed lighting and improved kitchen facilities. Patrizia UK commercial director Will Lawrie said: “We are focused on offering our occupiers the highest quality accommodation and facilities at Winnersh Triangle, set within a great location for accessibility and connections. “We are delighted to welcome CitySprint to the park community, and to see continued growth and investment of Banking Automation. “This news demonstrates Winnersh Triangle’s capacity to provide for companies seeking to expand and underscores the park’s track record for attracting and retaining top-tier businesses from a range of different

industries.” CitySprint’s Regional Manager Peter Trevellion said: “Our continued growth meant we needed to amalgamate our previous two sites in Wokingham into the larger space at Winnersh Triangle. “It’s an ideal location for us.” And David Tew, managing director of Banking Autonmation, said: “Our new premises help us to fulfil our commitment to continuous improvement through innovation, to create the very best products for our customers.” Patrizia recently launched its Grade A speculative development at 1030 Eskdale Road, Winnersh Triangle alongside its redevelopment of 220 Wharfedale Road, and a new landscaped communal outside space which will be known as The Green.

PROPERTY PROPERTY INSIGHT INSIGHT Erica Townend

wokinghampropertyblog.co.uk

942% rise in Wokingham END property prices since 1981 Property Blog, where you will ﬁnd many more ar退耀cles like this solely on the one topic of the Property Market in Wokingham ‐ www.wokinghampropertyblog.co.uk

OLL the clock back 35 years to 1981, when Mrs T was in power, we had a Royal Wedding, Britain won the Ashes and Bucks Fizz won Eurovision with Making your Mind Up. Haven’t things changed! The number of homeowners and property investors who wished they had with hindsight bought up every house in Wokingham all those years ago, especially when you consider what has happened to Wokingham property values, as… Wokingham Property Values since 1981 have risen by 942%. Not bad when you consider inﬂation over the same time period has been 271.9%, meaning in real terms (that is after inﬂation), property values in Wokingham are 670.1% higher. It’s no wonder people can’t afford to buy property any more and landlords are attracted by bricks and mortar. Yet the changes to the Wokingham property market run much deeper than property values because no one could have predicted how the property market would change in Wokingham over the last 30 years. Looking at the Local Authority data for Wokingham Borough Council in 1981, 12.7% of Wokingham people lived in a council house, while today its 7% ... a drop which can mostly be attributed to Margaret Thatcher allowing Council tenants to buy their council house. The private rental sector since 1981 has, as one would have expected, also changed. Nationally private rentals have almost doubled. In the Wokingham area they may not have doubled, but they have seen an increase from 8.2% to 11.2% of property. So, let us consider those people who own their own home, surely that has had a massive drop? In 1981, the proportion of people living in the Wokingham Borough area who owned their own home was 79% … and today it’s still … 79%. Not the seismic change most of you were expecting (including myself).

Homeownership in the 1980s and 1990s in Wokingham did rise but, as I have discussed in previous articles in the Wokingham Property Market Blog, that was because nearly every Council tenant was buying their council house. Now there are hardly any council houses for the younger generation to move into so they have no choice but to privately rent. … and this is why the buy-to-let market in Wokingham is an investment sector that will continue to grow because councils aren’t building council houses in their thousands each year (like they were in the 1950s/60s and 70s). The Wokingham property market is constantly changing. Buy-to-let for too long has been heavily dependent on house price growth, but yield has been almost forgotten. I see the changes in tax and landlord and tenant law in a different perspective to the soothsayers and see it as bringing many opportunities where yield will become more important. Like Bucks Fizz said in their song, it’s time to make your mind up. The advice I give to my landlords, and also to you my blog-reading friends is this: these changes will make some landlords panic, meaning competition for decent Wokingham buy-to-let bargains will reduce as fear of change kicks in and amateur investors flee the market. These opportunities will provide a more stable platform for knowledgeable and wise Wokingham buy-to-let landlords to thrive in. If you want to learn more about the Wokingham Property Market, feel free to pop in for a coffee at our office for a chat with me, or failing that, visit the Wokingham Property Blog, where you will find many more articles like this solely on the one topic of the Property Market in Wokingham – www. wokinghampropertyblog.co.uk

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

Thursday, October 13, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

New chairman for car video tech firm

BUSINESS | 11

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

Solicitor offers support to borough’s fine art society

Hairdresser up for national award

A VIDEO technology company from Wokingham has appointed a new nonexecutive chairman. By JOHN WAKEFIELD Geoffrey Page-Morris, who joined news@wokinghampaper.co.uk CitNOW as a board advisor earlier this year, has been placed in the new role just A WOKINGHAM solicitor is weeks after the company was named as showcasing its support for the ﬁner one of the UK’s Top 20 in the Sunday Times things in life after signing up as a tech list. corporate partner to a local group. Mr Page-Morris started immediately and Clifton Ingram Solicitors said is charged with growing Wokingham based that it is proud to be appointed the company which currently works with 31 first ever corporate partner of the OEMs across Europe and 91 of the Top 100 Wokingham Decorative and Fine automotive dealer groups in the UK. Art Society (DFAS), which currently Building on a wealth of automotive has 300 members. experience, prior to joining CitNOW, The group is an affiliate member Mr Page-Morris spent 18 years with car of the National Association of dealership group Sytner. Judy Tomlin of the Wokingham Decorative and Fine Art Society (DFAS), with Decorative and Fine Arts Societies He said: “I liked CitNOW from the off. The Jonathan Davis from Clifton Ingram and Robin Cops & Tim Burton from WDFAS (NADFAS), a leading UK Arts charity ability to seamlessly present a personal that works to advance decorative They have the opportunity to at Clifton Ingram, said: “We are video quickly within an existing dealer’s and fine arts education and attend study days and participate delighted to be associated with process, in sales or aftersales is very appreciation. in visits to art collections and Wokingham DFAS and help support compelling. The sponsorship will help guided walks. them in both their practical arts “The simplicity of approach by support some of the many events New members are always conservation work and artistic CitNOW encourages sales executives and that the Wokingham DFAS holds, welcome. education.” technicians to immediately get stuck in and as well as its volunteer work in the For an annual subscription,  For more information about have a go. That’s so important, especially blueprint_advert_190x137mm_TKT5119_07B_PRINT_READY.pdf 1 22/03/2016 18:14 community. Wokingham DFAS members attend Wokingham DFAS visit www. when every management team, not Jonathan Davis, Chairman lectures from visiting art experts. wokinghamdfas.org.uk surprisingly, is looking for results”.

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A YOUNG stylist from a Wokingham salon has been shortlisted for a prestigious national contest. Elisha Didymus from the newlyopened branch of Simone Thomas in Denmark Street, is due to present her work live on stage at Salon International, one of the biggest hairdressing events in the country. The 22-year-old is just one of four finalists in the Denman Stage Star competition and will be judged on a range of criteria including stage presence and Denman product knowledge. She said: “I’m so excited to have reached the finals. I’m so passionate about the hairdressing industry and the opportunity to present on stage at Salon International in front of some of my idols – is just mindblowing.” If she wins, she will enjoy an allexpenses paid trip to New York next spring, where she will work on the Denman stage at the International Beauty Show.

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October 13, 2016

Wokingham Borough Council budget consultations

Have your say on council’s financial issues By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk BOROUGH residents are being invited to help the council with its budget. As we revealed last month, the council needs to make savings of £19million over the next three years. The council is now seeking residents views on ways in which it can do so and the first of five budget engagement sessions will be held in Twyford next week. Over the next fortnight, there will be more sessions across the borough and there will also be an online survey for people unable to make any of the face-to-face sessions. The council says that residents taking part in the sessions will be able to talk to councillors and staff from all borough council service areas and take part in the ‘Funding Priorities Dilemma’ activity. This, it says, is an interactive way for attendees to comment on those areas and services they feel should get priority funding from the shrinking public purse. And to help encourage people to attend, Wokingham Borough Council is holding a prize draw. The prizes include a year’s family membership for any 1 Life leisure centre in Wokingham borough, four day tickets to the Marvellous Festival which will take place in Dinton Pastures next July, a

£100 voucher for Dinton Activity Centre and a home garden waster composter. Leader of the council Cllr Keith Baker said: “We hope our budget engagement sessions will generate a lot of valuable comments. It will also be a great opportunity for residents, businesses and organisations to talk informally to us about the 2017/18 budget. “Our financial future is bleak. It will come as no surprise that we face some very difficult decisions because our government funding is being cut year on year. It’s important we talk about it, so and we look forward to welcoming you to our sessions.” After the sessions have taken place, ideas gleaned from residents will be posted on the council’s website. Each of the budget engagement sessions run from 7pm to 9pm and entry is free. The sessions are: Monday, October 17 St Mary’s Church Centre, Station Road, Twyford Thursday, October 20 Maiden Place Community Centre, off Kilnsea Drive, Lower Earley Monday, October 24 The Bradbury Centre, Rose Street, Wokingham Tuesday, October 25 Finchampstead Baptist Church, Gorse Ride North, Finchampstead Monday, October 31 Waingels College, Waingels Road, Woodley

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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

OKINGHAM Borough Council is proposing a new way for residents to contact them in future. They are calling this 21st Century Council. You will then be able to link into WBC services via an App on your mobile phone. You will be able to pay your Council Tax, rent etc via this means as well as accessing the services that WBC would still provide. By moving to such an approach the Council believes it will be more efficient and require less staff. In time we think this is correct. However the Council must ensure that residents who do not have, or are unable to access these facilities are still able to contact the Council via phone, letter and e-mail as current. One of the biggest complaints we receive is that “WBC do not reply to my enquiry, I hear nothing”. An acknowledgement is the very least the council can do, any new system must address these areas. No part of the community should be disadvantaged by the changes. Why is WBC introducing such an approach? There are we believe two main reasons, firstly the new IT software is now available and second

more importantly because local councils have had to cut services, arising from the 2007/08 downturn which have tightened further since the Conservatives won in 2015. WBC is no different. The Government treats all councils the same irrespective of how they are performing. It feels more like cuts for cuts sake and can lead to a false economy. WBC is already a small council and therefore has less to cut. If it becomes too small it will be swamped by unmet demand. It is difficult to see how WBC can perform better with so much upheaval. Not only is there to be a further cut in staff of between 120 and 150, on top of the 100 previously made, a new IT system is to be introduced and many of the staff who remain would need to be retrained. This will be very challenging indeed. WBC has not had a good track record with the introduction of IT. The task will be to ensure an easy to use, straightforward interface with the residents as well as automation of the back offices. If only one end works the project will fail. Remember WBC will still need to perform its current services in parallel until the new systems come on stream.

We are particularly concerned that the needs of residents may not be met during this interim period. The Council is also looking at different standards for the various services they offer “Good”, “Good enough” and “Reduce/stop/move to selffinancing”. Services such as Libraries, Leisure, School Support Services and Countryside are in this lowest category, so we must ask “what the future is for these services?” Others such as Waste Collection, Special Educational Needs & Highways Maintenance are included in the “Good enough” category – whatever that means! There also needs to be a better focus on customer service and greater collaboration with neighbouring councils otherwise there will be cuts or big hikes in charges for some services. Other areas that need to be addressed include: Will the projected cost savings (circa £12-13m) actually be made? Will it be delivered in 2018? How will WBC deal with future emergencies? How robust and secure is the IT system? How will WBC interface with the NHS and Adult Social Services? And what happens if there is a failure of any part of the system? In summary, this is the most ambitious but potentially most risky project WBC has ever proposed.

‘21st Century Council with a 19th century flavour’

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

‘We worry the needs of residents may not be met’

Labour view: Cllr Andy Croy

WOKINGHAM- WE NEED YOU!

WOKINGHAM’S newest registered charity

Liberal Democrats view: Cllr Lindsay Ferris

OKINGHAM residents and council employees are about to be battered by the death throes of a failed Tory policy of

austerity. Austerity was never an economic plan it was always the political choice of a party that hates local government and hates the idea that collectively we can achieve more. The Conservatives have shown themselves to be a party that cannot accept that individuals, through no fault of their own, may need support, including the elderly and the disabled. The cuts in government support for our area are driven by ideology, not need. Locally, we have been poorly served by our council. The often repeated myth that the Conservatives are good at financial management is just not true. They have in fact created a long-term financial risk for our community. The three year freeze in council tax that they have delivered has only been possible with the support of their Tory mates in Westminster. Westminster money has been used to artificially protect Wokingham from the impact of austerity. The problem with freezing council tax is that they have chopped off future revenue forever. The 6% raises that could have been made relatively painlessly over three years mean that in effect the Tories

have denied themselves and some of the most vulnerable people in our community of £7 million of revenue per year, forever. So one third of the £20 million cuts that Wokingham council have revealed they need to make are directly due to local Tories taking a short-term economic gain, at the expense of the long term. Now the Westminster cash has stopped our council finds itself three years behind where they should be in revenue. This did not, however, stop them all from giving themselves a pay rise last year. The remaining two-thirds of the cuts are due to the failed austerity measures of a failed Tory chancellor. Measures that you will have seen the newest Conservative leader rapidly distanced herself from. Their proposals are frankly, shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic; but instead of listening to the band the Tories are chucking its members over the side. We will lose many good local government officers and all their experience in this process. So not only will there be less money to spend, but we will have fewer experts ensuring our money is spent as effectively as possible. For all the claims of being a 21st

Century Council, it smells remarkably like a return to the 19th Century, with rubbish collections being cut and services such as lollipop ladies reliant on the donations of philanthropists. Meanwhile the council plans to ‘manage’, demand from residents, remove expert knowledge from within the council and fleece users of our parks for more money. Worse may be to come. The Tories plan to allow councils like Wokingham to cut spending by cutting child protection spending. Currently, Wokingham Borough Council is bound by law to carry out defined child protection tasks and provide particular child protection services. The Tory Children and Social Care Bill will allow these statutory requirements to be dropped – saving money, but at the same time exposing Wokingham’s most vulnerable children to unnecessary risks through the removal of protections developed over many years. This is the harsh truth. The reality of these cuts will begin to hit all of us, not just the most vulnerable. We are not facing these cuts because there isn’t enough money in the system. We are facing these cuts because the Coalition and Tories have chosen to avoid confronting tax loopholes and have provided tax cuts for the most wealthy.

Thursday, October 13, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

NEWS | 13

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Wokingham Borough Council budget consultations Conservatives view: Cllr Keith Baker

Becoming a 21st Century Council

T IS NO secret that Wokingham Borough Council has to save almost £19million by March 2020. In a recent Peer Review we were commended for being ‘ambitious and high achieving’ in many areas. One such ambitious initiative is our far reaching 21st Century Council programme which will make a significant contribution to our sound three-year savings plan to address the deficit. We’ll become a leaner, more efficient council costing significantly less to run. This is a brave journey for us, but we are building from strong foundations.

We will radically change the way we work; we will improve our services and reduce our costs. But be assured, residents and customers will be at the heart of everything we do. Changing our approach and doing things differently is not an easy task. The changes will mean that you should see availability and access to our services improve through digital channels; as well as swifter resolution of issues and queries. And, I have every faith that we can make the changes needed to ensure we are fit for purpose in the new world. Despite the budget deficit, we’re investing in our IT, which in the longer

They will work even closer with the Police, NHS, town and parish councils and the voluntary and community sector. They will be equipped to address a wider range of issues, relating to people and communities to environmental issues in a more connected and efficient way. We’re looking to improve and deal with your enquiries sooner or at first point when contacting us. The 21st Century Council Business Case which the executive agreed on September 29, focuses on the shape, structure and size of the organisation and how it would operate. But this is just one of 12 strands that would make savings. A further £9.7million would be met through various initiatives closer integration between health and social care; continuing to ensure best value for money from the council’s largest contracts; looking for further opportunities to share services with

term will make us more efficient and ultimately save us money in the longer term. Customers will have more choice in how they wish to interact with us. By improving and integrating our technology better, customers and residents will be able to get what they need, find the information they want, make bookings, payments and complete more transactions remotely and online. And they will be able to do all this, at a time that is convenient to them, 24/7. For those less confident with technology, other channels will continue to be available such as by telephone or by visiting our offices. However we will encourage those that can, to self-serve. Our approach will be different. No longer will we have traditional council departments. Instead we will have customer-focussed teams some of which will be based in our communities closer to our residents.

other councils and to raise and generate income such as through the council’s own companies and Wokingham town centre regeneration. To learn about our difficult financial position and the budget challenges please join us at one of the budget engagement sessions taking place this month. We’ll be in Woodley, Twyford, Finchampstead, Lower Earley and Wokingham – all the details are on our website: news.wokingham.gov.uk. This is your chance to share with us your views on the principles and priorities that will guide how we spend your money to fund your services. It will also be an important forum to discuss the 21st Century Council Century Council programme. So our journey has begun. We know it’s going to be challenging but we’re determined to make it a success and improve our services further on our limited funds.

Hannah is set to share her slimming secrets

SLIMMER who transformed her life by “I never dreamed losing four stone would be so losing four stone is using her success to easy but with the support of my amazing group I shape a whole new career helping other have dropped three dress sizes and now have the people change their lives and achieve their confidence to ride my bike in the day not just at night weight loss dreams too. Hannah joined when no one can see me. her local Slimming World group in Twyford 1 year ago “Slimming World isn’t just about changing what ago and dropped from 13.6 stone to 9.4. you eat. Becoming more active is important too. Hannah has since trained as a Consultant for Our Body Magic programme takes the threat out Slimming World, the UK’s of activity by showing people, largest group-based weight loss many of whom have unpleasant organisation, at their national memories of being forced to take training academy in Derbyshire. part in activity at school, how they Now she is opening her own can build activity into their daily group in Charvil at The Charvil routine without having to take up pavilion on Wednesday October traditional forms of exercise like 19 at 7.30pm. going to the gym or running. She says: “Obesity is “Everything counts from walking becoming such a huge issue to gardening to washing the car. I across the UK. When I first joined love cycling and running to get my Slimming World as a member, I Body Magic! never dreamed that I would end “As a Consultant it’s my role up helping other people to lose to create that warm, supportive weight but now I just can’t wait atmosphere to get people sharing to get started. After completing their ideas and experiences to help my training, it’s a privilege others - it’s going to be great fun!” for me to be able to pass on Like Hannah, Slimming the experience, insight and World Consultants are all former understanding that helped me, members who have lost weight so that I can give my members at their local group themselves the support they need to get to and groups are set up as micro target. businesses in the heart of local “Support is really the most communities. There are currently important thing. It all starts around 4,000 Slimming World with feeling that you’re not Consultants across the UK and alone. I couldn’t have lost Ireland running 15,000 groups. four stone without the weekly Consultants receive training in help, encouragement and Slimming World’s healthy eating understanding of my own and physical activity programmes Consultant and group. As and learn how to use the power someone who has lost weight of group support to empower myself I know the challenges members to take control of their people can face, which is why, own weight loss journey. along with the group, I will be As self-employed microthere to support every one of entrepreneurs, Consultants also Before and after: Hannah my members all the way to their learn how to build a successful lost four stone with Slimming chosen target weight. community-based business. World – now she wants to “Setting targets, sharing Hannah says she can’t wait for the help you achieve your weight recipes and other ideas, and new challenges running her own loss goal working together as a group to business will bring. overcome challenges and celebrate success is so “For me becoming a self-employed franchisee important to a successful journey. That’s why, at my was a great option. I wanted a job that was well paid, Slimming World group, there’ll be tons of support, flexible and could fit around my busy family life, so encouragement and fun. launching my own Slimming World group was an “I came to Slimming World after having received ideal option – I feel like I’ve got a brand new career some concerning news that my weight had now and I can’t wait for my new groups to run now! become a health issue, i left feeling devastated as I Becky Acton, who runs Slimming World’s Twyford was told that if I continued to gain weight I was putting group and manages Hannah as a Team Developer, myself at risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes a says: “Slimming World Consultants are chosen for stroke and cancers to name a few, I had no idea the their positive outlook and because they genuinely danger I had put myself in by simply being overweight care about the health and happiness of others. and I knew something had to change so I found the “With Hannah’s experience of being a successful courage to take myself to my local group. Slimming World member and her kind and warm

personality and great sense of humour I just know that she’ll be an amazing support to members, cheering them all the way to their target weight.” Hannah’s Slimming World group will be held at Charvil Pavilion every Wednesday at

7.30pm from October 19. For more information or to join Hannah’s group either pop along on 19th October or call her on 07515471575. Alternatively, visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000.

Slimming World Join a friendly group near you to make your weight loss dreams come true

NEW GROUP CHARVIL Launches 19th October Charvil Pavilion 7.30pm Hannah 07515 471575

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

TUESDAYS Twyford & Wargrave Piggott School 5.30pm + 7.30pm Becky 07415 884433

Free cook book worth £4.95 plus two FREE weeks*

Crowthorne Morgan Centre 7.30pm Cindy 07990 516187

Wokingham Kings Church 7.30pm Cindy 07990 516187

Wokingham Salvation Army 9.30am + 11.30am + 5.30pm + 7.30pm Nicki 07850 588456

Finchampstead Parish Centre, Vicarage Close 7.30pm Gail 07421 768261

Henley On Thames Henley Hockey Club 9.30am + 5.30pm + 7.30pm Kerry 07789 313737

THURSDAYS

Binfield John Nike Leisure Sport Complex 7.30pm Susan 07857 007481

Wokingham Emmbrook Infant School 5.15pm + 7.30pm Becky 07415 884433 Crowthorne St Johns Church 6.30pm Emma 07500 868972

WEDNESDAYS

SATURDAY

Winnersh St Mary’s Church 9.30am + 5.30pm + 7.30pm Jane 07855 016345

Woosehill Hawthorn School 8.30am Claire 07973 141843

*When you buy a 12-week Countdown course 10th-29th October 2016

slimmingworld.co.uk 0344 897 8000

14 | NEWS

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October 13, 2016

Special Chief Inspector Ian Heaford pictured in 1986

The new 1st Woosehill Group Scout leader Steve Capel with new Scouts Ollie Humphreys, Matthew Kelly and Carter Lawrence. Below: the new Beavers, Cubs and Scouts raise a salute Pictures: Phil Creighton

Officer’s 30 years on the beat A POLICE officer who spent time serving Woodley and Earley has been awarded a long service medal. Special Chief Inspector Ian Heaford received a medal for 30 years of service from Thames Valley Police (TVP) Chief Constable Francis Habgood on September 29. Ian joined Thames Valley Police in February 1986 following a conversation with his local beat officer who had visited him to talk about a neighbourhood watch scheme at the time. It was through this conversation that Ian was told about the Special Constabulary which grabbed his attention. Ian began his service as a special constable in Reading but also served in Pangbourne, Woodley and then Loddon Valley. During this time, he was promoted to Special Inspector where he became

the Special Constabulary lead for the area, receiving an Area Commander’s commendation in 2001 for his contribution to local policing. In 2002 he was promoted to Special Chief Inspector, taking up the role of Special Constabulary lead for what was then known as the Berkshire West Basic Command Unit (BCU). In 2008, he moved across to a non-operational role as the Special Chief Inspector for training, where his experience in both the Special Constabulary and management experience from his day job, working for a large multinational corporation, was put to good use. More recently, Ian acted as the Master of Ceremonies during an attestation ceremony for TVP’s newest special constables.

music club

Monday, October 24, and the company expects that the work should be completed the following day. During the works, a diversion will be in place along Langley Common Road, Eversley Road, Sindlesham Road and Mole Road and access for residents will be maintained.

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Scout since he was eight, and says he will be “64 in a few years time”. He said that one of the reasons why he loves the Scouts is that “we try and produce the next generation of awesome adults”. He added that across Wokingham there is a waiting list because they need more adult helpers. “We always need help,” he said.

Row over Southfield School By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk A WOKINGHAM councillor has hit back at claims that the extent of a troubled school’s problems were kept from a scrutiny committee. In an email to the executive member for children’s services, Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor, the then leader of of the Wokingham Lib Dems, Cllr Prue Bray, and then deputy leader Cllr Lindsay Ferris expressed their ‘extreme concern’ over the current situation at Southfield School, which was placed into Special Measures by Ofsted earlier this year. The email, which was sent ahead of last month’s executive meeting, criticises Cllr Haitham Taylor’s failure to

inform the council that the Gipsy Lane school would not be reopening at the beginning of the new term, and called on her to make a statement on the school at the meeting. The party has now called for a full investigation into the problems at the school. The email said: “What is of particular concern is that the Local Authority has been seen to be deficient and ineffective. This confirms the view of our Group that the education side of Children’s Services Department at WBC is not performing as it used to. For Ofsted to state that pupils and staff are not safe at the school is damning.” But Cllr Haitham Taylor hit back at the Lib Dems, saying the committee had been kept up-to-date with the school’s progress, and that pupils’

safety was a priority. She said: “These claims are completely false, which you can see in the minutes of the Children’s Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 28 June – the first of these meetings following the publication of Ofsted’s report. “The subsequent monitoring letter from Ofsted’s interim visit arrived too late for the second overview and scrutiny meeting as per the council’s constitution, so will be presented in full at the next one on November 15. “We’ve done everything within our powers to ensure the safety of pupils, as well as raise standards working with an academy provider to preserve the long term future of the school and give its pupils every educational opportunity possible.”

Faloncry centre expands

Richard Digance

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THE LATEST recruits to the 1st Woosehill Scouts were welcomed with a special investure ceremony late last month. The youngsters made their promises to the Scouting movement and received their woggle, watched by proud parents, before joining in a singalong around a camp ﬁre. Also invested was new group Scout leader Steve Capel. The Norreys man has been a

Wokingham

Road closure order for Barkham BT OPENREACH is planing to carry out works on Bearwood Road in Barkham later this month. The phone company will be undertaking repairs on the road between its junctions with B3349 Barkham Road and The Lilacs. Work is scheduled to start on

New Scouts welcomed with a camp ﬁre singalong

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A FALCONRY centre in Hare Hatch is celebrating its birthday by setting up a conservation project. Feathers and Fur Falconry Centre, which is based at Ladds Garden Village in Bath Road, will be celebrating its seventh birthday this month with various events including the launch of a long-term owl nesting conservation project. The centre will purchase and install Barn Owl and Little Owl nesting boxes in the countryside surrounding Twyford,

which they will then monitor closely and share their findings, images and videos with local schools and visitors to the centre. A flash sale on the centre’s Facebook page will mark the centre’s actual birthday tomorrow (Friday), and there will be further celebrations on October 30 with an owl-based Hallowe’en event, including craft activities, quizzes and photo opportunities with the birds.  For more information about any of the events visit www. feathersandfur.co.uk.

Winners! Left: Jo Wredden and Howard Witten from The Crooked Billet and, right, Richard (left) and Chris Athroll (right) of Emmbrook’s Dog and Duck with Brakspear’s John Beazley (centre)

Landlords have a winning welcome TWO borough pubs have been named some of the best in the country after scooping the Brakspear Hospitality Awards. Howard Witten and Jo Wredden at The Crooked Billet in Honey Hill won Best All-Round Award, while the Dog & Duck in Emmbrook, run by Richard Athroll and Veronica De Diaz Athroll, took the Best Kept Cellar title. Jo said, “We were both surprised

and delighted to receive this award. We thank our wonderful staff, as we could never have achieved this without them.” The Dog & Duck’s beer cellar was assessed by an independent inspector from Cask Marque, who judged it as ‘outstanding’. Presenting the awards, Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies said: “We congratulate The Crooked Billet and The Dog & Duck on their achievement.”

Thursday, October 13, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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Fun runners get medals from Prime Minister By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

PARTICIPANTS in a charity fun run had a medal ceremony with a difference – they were presented with their honours by the Prime Minister. On Sunday, Twyford Together held its annual fun run on the King George V Memorial Field, attracting entrants of all ages. Theresa May, the area’s MP, took time out from running the country to give out prizes and medals to the winners of each of the races. She also posed for selfies with youngsters and chatted with residents. Throughout the morning there were a variety of races including a pre-school toddle of 100m, all the way up to a 2km race for school years 5 and 6 and another for years 7-11. Parents and business teams were invited to race against school years 12 and 13 in another 2km run, held just before a special football tournament organised by the Twyford Comets. Children were invited to come dressed up and there were prizes for the best costume as well as coming in first. Each entrant received a medal and a goody bag sponsored by local estate agents Mullie. Hungry spectators could enjoy a breakfast barbecue courtesy of the 1st Twyford Scouts, and The Piggott School PTA organised a refreshment stall. Other activities included face painting, crafts and a bouncy castle. More than £3,000 was raised on the day, this will be shared among Twyford Charities Together: Daisy’s Dream, Age Concern, The Piggott School, Building for the Future, Mohawk, Arc and Twyford, Wargrave and District Volunteer Centre. PICTURES: STEVE SMYTH

NEWS | 15

16 | VIEWPOINTS

THE WOKINGHAM PAPER NEWS WITH A HEART FOR THE BOROUGH

£19million cuts: make sure you have your say Next week, Wokingham Borough Council holds the first of its budget engagement sessions. With £19 million to be saved over the next three years and, through documents such as Call For Sites and 21st Century Council, there’s also the opportunity to look ahead at the next 20 years. Should we expect our libraries, lollipop patrols and leisure services to be provided via our council tax? Or weekly bin collections? There are going to be some tough choices in the days ahead – the old adage you can’t please all the people all the time has never been so true. But the council is looking to hear your views on how it spends your money. Over two hours, you have a chance to share your views with senior council leaders and staff. It is a grand opportunity to explore the issues and, well, sympathise with the difficult decisions the council have to make. So make sure you go along: 120 minutes of your time that’s worth £19 million. Only a fool would stay away.

CHURCH NOTES

Truth

‘W

HAT is truth?” asks Pilate when faced with the problem of this intriguing, miracle-working preacher, Jesus, that he had heard so much about. It is a question we should all ask ourselves, as Christians. “Speak the truth and shame the devil” as my Grandma used to say. The dictionary says truth is the quality of being true, genuine and factual. Of the four Quaker Testimonies – Peace, Truth, Equality, and Simplicity – truth is probably the most difficult to both define and adhere to. Truth can so easily slip into those little white lies we use to ease uncomfortable situations, being economical with the truth. I am sure we can all hold up our hands to this, only very occasional, I am sure, stretching of the truth! On the other hand, there are those falsehoods we make in order to save another’s feelings. “Thank you for the wonderful present” you say as you wonder whether Oxfam will take it. A member of the Oxford Group, who are very particular about telling only the absolute truth, when asked to admire what he considered was a particularly hideous baby, said, “Well, that sure is some baby!” He was telling the truth and also evading telling his truth. Scientific truth seems to change daily, if you believe everything you read in the press. In centuries past, we believed the world was flat. If you denied it, you were mad or evil. There still is a Flat Earth Society, that is still their truth. Most of the modern world believes the earth is a sphere that travels round the Sun. Science moves on, old theories are discarded as new discoveries are made. Eben Alexander, the American neurologist brain surgeon, who “died” and came back to life, wrote in his book Proof of Heaven, that God, The Creator, the Source (his word for God), is pure, unconditional Love. This, he says, is the Truth he learned: we shall all know it fully when we pass into that other dimension at death. Jesus said: “I am the way, the Truth and the Life”. The Way he showed us in His life and teaching. Love God with all your being and your neighbour as yourself, a clear commandment. The Life is the time we have now on earth, and for eternity. God is that life. But what is the Truth? Paula Seddon is a member of Wokingham Quakers

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October 13, 2016

Your letters

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

Send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk

We have no intention to build houses on Dinton Following your front page article in last week’s Paper (Dinton Pastures put on development list), we must make clear that Wokingham Borough Council has no intention to build, or allow to be built, any houses on Dinton Pastures Country Park. It is clear from comments on social media that your article has (whether intentionally or not) misled people into believing Dinton Pastures is under any threat of housing development. Dinton Pastures is too important to too many local people to allow that misconception to fester. In recent years we have invested signiﬁcantly in Dinton Pastures with improvements to our play area, catering facilities and activity centre and have seen the number of people enjoying the park go up and up. We intend to continue this pattern of improvement while being mindful of Dinton’s special appeal as our prime leisure destination. The reason Dinton Pastures has been put solely for Leisure Use in our Local Plan Update is in order to protect its leisure status and to ensure that we can further enhance what is offered on the country park. We do not have any ﬁrm plans for changes at Dinton but we are committed to maintaining it as a successful leisure facility. We have also put Grays Farm forward solely for Leisure Use and it is our intention to use this land for outdoor sports pitches. The Local Plan Update will guide where homes, schools, roads, community, sporting and health facilities will be planned in the next 20 years. If Dinton Pastures is successfully allocated as a Leisure Use site in this new Local Plan it will safeguard its future for only that use – in other words, not for housing. Cllr Angus Ross, Executive member for environment Cllr Mark Ashwell, Executive member for planning, regeneration and communities

Use your extra hour wisely As the days become shorter, it’s a stark reminder that the end of another year is approaching – Hallowe’en

Antiques Valuations EVERY Saturday Wokingham Town Hall 9am-1pm Bring along silver, jewellery, art, gold sovereigns, ceramics, oriental items, Next auctions: Home & Antiques Tues, Oct 11, 2pm Silver, Jewellery

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Thursday, October 6, 2016 No. 77

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Dinton Pastures put on development list Grays Farm also on council’s Call For Sites

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

ONE of the borough’s much loved country parks has been added to a list of potential development sites. Dinton Pastures in Hurst is just one of several council owned areas that has been placed on the recently released Call For Sites

document. Also on the list is Grays Farm, which is

already earmarked to be turned into football pitches, Winnersh Allotments and the Millennium Arboretum also in Winnersh. The council has also submitted Woodlands Avenue in Woodley, Winnersh Farm and Wheatsheaf Close. The Call For Sites was a project that forms part of the borough’s new Local Plan and aims to set out how the borough will develop over the next 20 years.  Continued on page 3

ASHLEY BANJO OPENS NEW STUDIO P13 CCTV

PEEPING TOM WANTED BY POLICE P6 SPORT

WE MUST P40 IMPROVE SAYS BINFIELD BOSS

Our front page story last week is nearly upon us and Guy Fawkes Night is just around the corner. For families caring for a life threatened or terminally ill child, these autumnal highlights can be a tough reminder that time is a luxury that cannot be taken for granted. For these families every hour spent with their seriously ill child is precious beyond belief. Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity provides vital support for families caring for a seriously ill child. Every family has its own dedicated Family Support Worker who helps to make life a little easier for the family - at home, in hospital or in the community, so that the family can make the most of the time they have together. I have been aware of Rainbow Trust for many years and believe the work it carries out with families is outstanding. When the clocks go back on 30 October, Rainbow Trust is calling on the public to use their extra hour wisely, by taking part in its Big Hour Campaign. The

campaign encourages people to make their extra hour count by organising a 60-minute fundraiser. I urge everyone to get involved with this wonderful campaign so that Rainbow Trust can support more families who have to face the frightening prospect that their child might not get better. To ﬁnd out more about Rainbow Trust’s Big Hour Campaign visit rainbowtrust.org.uk/big-hour or text RAINBOW to 70111 to make a £3 donation, by donating via SMS donors agree to be contacted via SMS message by Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity Lucy Alexander Television presenter and broadcaster

Get walking to school Sixteen years ago there had never been a single case of a child being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the UK. BBC’s Panorama revealed last week that there are now more than 500 cases – and rising. October is International Walk to School Month – not a date many of us will have in our diary but as walk to school rates hit a dangerous low point and child health problems increase, maybe it should be. Walking more can lead to improved physical and mental health, including reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. The journey to school is one that children make every day, so let’s just make it an active one. Catchment areas can be an issue but Park and Stride – swapping school gate gridlock for parking further away and taking a short walk instead – means children can still get active for part of the journey and stops the school being surrounded by congestion. If you could park further away and walk the last stretch then ask your school to speak to a nearby supermarket, pub or church about allowing their car park to be used for Park and Stride. Soaring diabetes, childhood obesity and harmful air pollution mean we need to seek solutions – not excuses – and give them a go. International Walk to School Month is a good time to start. Tim Fitches, Research and Evaluation Manager, Living Streets

GOOD ADVICE

If you need a blue badge

F you’re disabled or have a health condition that affects your mobility, you can apply for a Blue Badge. You can also apply for a badge if you care for a child with a health condition. If you get certain beneﬁts you’ll automatically be able to get a Blue Badge. It’s still worth applying if you’re not automatically eligible, but you’ll need to have very severe problems moving your legs or arms. The application will be more complicated, because you’ll have to describe your mobility problems in a lot of detail. You don’t need to be able to drive to apply for a Blue Badge, unless you’re applying because of problems with your arms. Don’t apply for a Blue Badge from anywhere other than your council or GOV.UK. You’re automatically eligible for a Blue Badge if you:  are registered as blind  get the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)  get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and scored 8 points or more in the ‘moving around’ area of your assessment – check your decision letter if you’re not sure  get War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

 received a lump sum payment as part of the Armed Forces Compensation scheme (tariffs 1 to 8), and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability. If you’re not automatically eligible you might still be able to get a badge. You’ll have to fill in an extra part of the application. You should do this if:  you have problems walking that are permanent, or that your doctor says are likely to last at least a year  you can’t use your arms  you’re applying on behalf of a child aged over 2 who has problems walking, or a child under 3 who needs to be close to a vehicle because of a health condition. The application is more complicated if you’re not automatically eligible. It’s worth getting help from an adviser at your nearest Citizens Advice to fill in the form properly. Before you apply, make sure you have:  your National Insurance number or child reference number if you’re applying for a child  your driving licence if you have one  the number, expiry date and local council on your current blue badge, if you have one.

You’ll also need:  your original decision letter from the DWP - if you’re automatically eligible  proof of identification, for example a birth or marriage certificate, passport, ID card or driving licence  proof of address, such as a Council Tax bill or a utility bill dated within the last 3 months  a photograph. Send copies rather than originals, in case it gets lost in the post. You can apply for your Blue Badge online on GOV.UK. If you’d prefer to use a paper form, contact your local council. If you’re automatically eligible, the application is straightforward. If you’re not you’ll need to fill in an extra part of the form to explain why you need a badge. If you have a terminal illness it’s best to get a paper form directly from your council – tell them you’re terminally ill. They might give you instructions that will make the application easier. If you apply online, make sure you write clearly that you’re terminally ill when you’re asked to describe your medical condition. There won’t be a box to tick. You should hear back within 6 to

8 weeks – but it will depend on your council. You can contact your council if you want to find out how long your application is likely to take. You might be asked to do a mobility assessment. A health professional will do this. They’ll tell your council whether they think your health condition or disability limits your ability to move around enough. You also might be asked to send in extra information. Your council will be told writing if this is the case. If you’re refused a Blue Badge, you can ask your council to reconsider their decision. You’ll need to renew your badge after 3 years, or when you stop receiving the benefit your badge is linked to – for example DLA or PIP. You must give your Blue Badge back to your council if you no longer need it, for example if your condition improves. You could be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t.  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

Thursday, October 13, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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NELLIE KNOWS

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

Nellie Williams www.nelliepompoms.co.uk Best laid plans So much for my best laid plans for four days of being busy, hardworking and sociable in Wales. Instead, I was floored by a heavy cold and asthma which has made me feel grimmola, but has reminded me I must make an appointment for my flu jab. I’ve had flu once, until then I thought I’d had flu but when you’ve got flu you know about it. As a result I have very little patience with people who are dying with flu one day then fully perked up the next. Flu recovery isn’t quick and I speak from experience – my flu arrived in December 2010 and I returned to work in April 2011. For more information on flu and flu jabs check your local doctors or chemist, and spread the word.

Books, radio and praise This shot of a heron, was taken in the back garden of a Winnersh home and taken by a reader. Peter Ashcroft said: “This shot was taken by my disabled 60-year-old son Paul. That was from an upstairs back bedroom window, where he has been conﬁned for the last 12 months due to illness.” Get well soon Paul, and thank you for sharing. We love receiving your pictures for this slot – send them to news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

TONY JOHNSON Relax – this won’t hurt a bit…

OU know when you hear these words from your doctor or dentist that it isn’t going to hurt a bit. It’s going to hurt a LOT! This month, Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) has been debating what to do about the £19M gap between income and expenditure. Evidently it’s a difﬁcult choice, because a number of public meetings are being held to test our reactions to what’s being proposed. To give an idea of the size of the problem, here’s three different possibilities:  Raise income by £19M – equivalent to a one-off council tax charge of 25%  Lower expenditure by £19M – equivalent to cutting 20% off Town Centre Regeneration costs  Do both by £9.5M each – an extra £19k for the next 500 new houses and scrapping remuneration (pay) for borough councillors for the next 17 years. Under normal circumstances, it’d be entirely predictable that someone blows a gasket with these because they’re a) ridiculous; b) impractical; c) irrelevant; d) “Capital not Revenue” don’t you know? And under normal circumstances I’d agree. Maybe. But the circumstances aren’t normal as we’ve not had this big a hole in the budget before. I’ll describe it again slowly… Nineteen. Million. Pounds. Even our councillors and senior ofﬁcers (employees) in WBC recognise that this is a lot of money. And while there’s the usual hand wringing from councillors, dark mutterings about changes in the rules, comments about being “victims of our own success” etc, what else can they say when their “friends” in central government have let them down so badly? One senior councillor has suggested an end to “salami slicing” the budget. Another’s warned that we might be getting a “negative RSG” shortly. No – not tasteless food, that’s the additive MSG. The Rate Support Grant comes from central

HAVE YOUR SAY:

government and if that warning is correct, the RSG isn’t just going to be cut, but money will be flowing the other way. George Orwell’s novel Nineteen Eighty-Four comes to mind as that “negative RSG” sounds like a load of political newspeak. Luckily, there’s some perfectly serviceable old speak for an action where someone in authority takes your money. It’s called … A tax. In this case, a stealth tax; on a borough which, up until recently, has kept expenditure under a semblance of control and roughly in balance with income. However, if you study the budget to find out where all the money’s going, you’ll come across these items from the capital vision pages in WBC’s current 2016/17 Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP): Amount (to nearest £5m) — Directorate — Project £95m—CEO—Town Centre Regeneration £90m—Children—Additional places for primary and secondary schools £75m—Finance—Repayment of forward funded schemes loans £60m—Health—Investment in the council’s housing stock £50m—Finance—Affordable housing future schemes £35m—Environment—Shinfield eastern relief road £30m—Environment—South Wokingham distributor road £30m—Health—Investment in Wokingham Housing loan And before anyone squawks up with “ahah, but some of these are funded by developer contributions” (i.e. S106 or CIL monies), the MTFP only declares (depending which page one believes) £41m, £45m or £49 as the income available and doesn’t show how it’s allocated. If you’re looking to understand council spending in the MTFP’s revenue budget pages, good luck. For those who’ve experience of managing budgets, you’ll know the tricks of the trade when it comes to balancing income and expenditure. Spending £6m on IT projects then allowing “natural

Despite feeling grimmola in Wales I did have a pleasant time. I picked up my friend Katie Fforde and drove her to Crickhowell where she was talking at the Crickhowell Literary Festival with Jo Thomas, organised by Emma who runs Book~ish. If you were listening to the Revd Richard Coles on BBC Radio 4 on Saturday you’ll have heard his guest mention Book~ish. She said it was a very friendly bookshop and you don’t need to be part of the community to feel welcome. My heart was bursting with pride.

New bags

wastage” from retirements, departures and redundancies to save £4m total in four years (at national average pay rates) wouldn’t normally be top of your agenda. You’d end up with even more obstacles between your customers and your staff, as well as demoralised employees. You’d probably start by looking at the big numbers and then choosing to spend what you can afford. The town centre regeneration project is an obvious target. You might be minded to discover how on earth the borough needs £70m of debt repayments. Oops, begging your pardon. Technically that should be repayment of “forward funded schemes loans”. Then again, what with newspeak, regeneration and that repayment mouthful – perhaps they’re all one and the same thing. It’s for certain that ideas on balancing budgets aren’t a Shute End monopoly. The Budget Engagement public meetings will be held soon – places and times below. So you might want to put on your thinking cap(s) and scoot along to one, where your ideas may even be welcome. Plus you’ll be able to scrutinise the proposals. Unless of course you want huge debts and silly proposals like a 25% ‘extraordinary charge’ on your council tax bill?

Whilst in Crickhowell I picked up a colourful collection of small and large Hinza bags that will be available to buy at the Pre Season Sale being held in aid of The Brain Tumour Charity and HeadSmart today (Thursday) between 11am and 7pm at Brown Bear Bakery, Holme Grange Craft Village, Wokingham, RG40 3AW. Historically I’ve held this sale at home but now it’s time to hold it somewhere else and thanks to Michelle (who made Katie some bouquet cup cakes) I’m able to hold it there. Do pop in and kick off your festive shopping with Nellie Pom Poms, Black Mountain Roast, NomNom Chocolate, Niki’s Balms, Which Glasses are Which, Ouch Paper Cuts, Delights of Italy, Brown Bear Bakery, Hunter Gatherer, Brain Tumour Charity Christmas Cards as well as a brilliant rafﬂe. For more details, here’s the Facebook link: www. facebook.com/events/707698892727920/?ti=icl

Twilight walk

Budget engagement sessions The sessions run from 7pm-9pm  Monday, October 17, St Mary’s Church Centre, Station Road, Twyford  Thursday, October 20 at Maiden Place Community Centre, off Kilnsea Drive, Lower Earley  Monday, October 24, at The Bradbury Centre, Rose Street, Wokingham  Tuesday, October 25, at Finchampstead Baptist Church, Gorse Ride North, Finchampstead  Monday, October 31, at Waingels College, Waingels Road, Woodley

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On Sunday my girls and their friends are doing The Twilight Walk in aid of The Brain Tumour Charity in memory of Clare Chauffepied, my best friend who lived in Wokingham and taught at Yateley. I can appreciate that everyone has plenty of sponsorship requests but if you felt like it then they’ve got a Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/MillaWilliams

Half-term is coming So I’ve got to get better, shake off this cold and control my asthma. Is it half-term yet? Not for my lot until the last week of October but I can certainly smell it!

18 | VIEWPOINTS

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October 13, 2016

OH, MR SMITH!

Wokingham people

Latin pretensions

The Queen Bee of the sewing bee

A wry look at life

OLITICAL parties have been insisting for some time that refugees and economic migrants to this country need to learn English to integrate more fully into society. They want to create a country where no one need feel excluded; a truly united kingdom. I wonder how useful a good knowledge of English might be to white working class males whose exclusion began a long time ago. Now even educated white middle class males seem an endangered species. A breed you should expect to see or hear increasingly rarely on BBC television or radio. Just ask Jon Holmes the BBC Radio 4 comedian who according to the Daily Mail, a wholly trustworthy source in my opinion, was sacrificed to the altar of “diversity”. Now there is a misnomer. It is interesting to see how the desire for diversity by the Political Correctness Police simply generates new forms of exclusion. Anyway, I digress. I do believe language is vitally important to enjoying social integration and a sense of inclusion. Only this week I was talking to a seventy year old friend who has almost no sight or hearing due to being born with a genetic disorder. Whenever he is invited to give a talk on disability he begins by asking the audience which sense they would prefer to lose if they had to choose – sight or hearing. Most people think eyesight is more useful to retaining independence but at the end of his talks many realised that hearing is the more valuable because if you can hear other people you can participate in conversation and debate. You can learn to speak clearly and distinguish meaning through the rhythms and cadences of speech.

Embarrassing

You can’t with sight alone. Most people have seen how attempts at humour in emails can be deeply embarrassing. You can’t hear the inflections that separate wit from littoral statements within the context of the electronic conversation. So audible English is what bonds society but only if you come from the right region. I suffered a double whammy at birth. In fact I’m surprised I can participate in any social engagement. Not only was I born a white working class male but an inner city Brummie to boot. Never mind advancement, try finding a job in the BBC mail room with those qualifications. Northumberland, Lancashire, Welsh or Cornish extraction is fine. It’s all been proven by statistics. Pollsters question a thousand people and somehow produce an outcome that is a representative view of a country of 65 million. Questions would be raised in the House of Commons. Jon Holmes might be the wrong sex and colour but at least he doesn’t have flattened Brummie vowels. Anyway, not to be defeatist I think I have found a subject in which my vowels won’t disadvantage me. I’m going to learn Latin. Although it’s going against mainstream opinion I’ve long believed it helps learners better understand the structure of languages – well any of the Latin-based Romanic languages. Mrs Smith supports me. She’s given me a beginner’s book of Latin. Shall we begin; pueri asunt, pueros videmus, puerorum libros habeo What are your electronic bugbears? Send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Sue Hames shares her expertise in dressmaking and sewing at the Swallowﬁeld Sewing Bee

Gone are the days when all girls and women could sew a fine seam, but Sue Hames is doing all she can to share her skills in, and passion for needlework. She founded the Swallowfield Sewing Bee and Cotton Reel Club and, as she tells The Wokingham Paper, she feels they are doing more for the community than just keeping needles flying and machines whirring.

UE Hames has always loved sewing and dressmaking, but they can be lonely pastimes. She realised there must be others, sewing away in their spare rooms, who would love to get together with like-minded souls. Mrs Hames also realised they would all have expertise and tips to share and the Swallowfield

Sewing Bee was born. It is such a success, the weekly sessions are full at the moment – there is no room for anyone else to squeeze in to Swallowfield Parish Hall. But the Cotton Reel Club for teenagers has space for newcomers keen to make friends and master techniques like patchwork. Mrs Hames, of Odiham Road in Riseley, says: “I have been doing something in Swallowfield for years, but the group as it is now has been going for 18 months. “It is a group of friends, who get together to sew. “The purpose of the group was for lonely

VOLUNTEER CORNER ADDINGTON SCHOOL are looking for a Café support assistant, to support students with catering tasks at Shuters Café on a Thursday. You will be required to help set up the café and clear away at the end of the day. You will need to enjoy working with young people with learning disabilities, be a good communicator and have good customer service. DO you have some spare time on your hands? Maybe you’ve recently retired, or your children are at school or you

people, or people who have just moved here to get to know others and if you are doing an activity, you have a common interest – it fulfils a need.” The sewing bee – the founder stresses it is not a class – has members aged from their late 20s to their 80s. Most are making garments, with some help from a volunteer who is a gifted dressmaker, but a few are working on crafts. And Mrs Hames is delighted the young people of the Cotton Reel Club are “well into their patchwork”. They get a helping hand from 49-year-old Julie Gershkoff, from Yateley, and they are doing more than their bit to make sure the skills of yesteryear go on into the future. Mrs Hames and her helpers give their time for free and many people have donated materials to give the sewing bee a boost – the founder’s home is stuffed with threads, buttons and other sewing basket paraphernalia. But she is happy to put up with that, if it helps the groups thrive. “I want to encourage people to make nice things and encourage the young people to sew. I just want people to enjoy sewing as much as I do and pass on my knowledge and skills.”

With Helena Badger are currently unemployed? The Wokingham Transport scheme is run from the Wokingham Volunteer Centre and provides transport for the elderly or inﬁrm to hospital, the doctors, dentist and physiotherapy appointments. We need volunteer drivers who can be called on an ad hoc basis to help the clients get to and from their desired destination and in most cases, help them to attend their appointment. Expenses are re-imbursed. Volunteers choose when they want to drive, so it can be a very ﬂexible role.

It really does make a difference to the client’s lives. THE Me2Club offers support to families who have children, between the ages of 5 to 19, with special needs to enable them to access mainstream social activities, mainly after school or at weekends. They provide trained volunteers to offer one to one support to children in need. The Me2 Club links volunteers with children with additional needs to enable to take part in activities with other children.

These include brownies, scouts, music lessons, drama clubs and a wide variety of sports clubs. They are looking for volunteers with a few hours to spare each week to support these children to get involved. No previous experience is required. Volunteers must be aged 16 and over.  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, October 13, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

SOCIETY | 19

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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

Fifty shades of autumn at flower club WOODLEY Flower Club members and friends found they were able to really relax and forget the darker nights drawing in, as professional flower arranger Kate Thomas of Wokingham showed them her interpretation of Fifty Shades of Autumn. Kate, married and with two sons, has owned her shop Funky Flowers on the London Road in Wokingham for two years and was making her third visit to the club, having first attended when she had just qualified as a demonstrator. Kate certainly used all the shades of autumn in arranging lovely combinations of flowers and foliage. Chairman Brenda Milton said: “Kate is one of the region’s younger demonstrators, with a different, amusing and entertaining way of flower arranging. “She’s very knowledgeable about the plant materials she uses, and brings out the best of them in her displays. “We will all look forward to Kate’s next visit.” The flower club’s next meeting is on Tuesday, November 1 at 7.45pm. Doors open at 7pm come early for a cuppa and a chat. It takes place at Coronation Hall, Headley Road, Woodley, RG5 4JZ. The Christmas Demonstration will be on Tuesday, December 6 – with the plenty of ideas you can copy for a beautiful home at Christmas, the famous Everybody Wins tombola, a sales table, mince pies with wine or juice and plenty of Christmas music. For further information, contact chairman Brenda Milton on 0118 969 5697.

Kate Thomas from Wokingham’s Funky Flowers showed her talents at the Woodley Flower Club meeting

SHELIA LOBLEY

Berkshire Greenpeace calls for the protection of nature

With two excellent Vegan Chocolate Cakes Berkshire Greenpeace hosted a Picnic and Afternoon Tea by the Thames as part of The Climate Coalition’s Week of Action on Climate Change. Reading’s Green Party Councillors Rob White (also a Reading East candidate) and Brenda McGonigle joined us to celebrate Nature and call for its protection in post brexit Britain. Most of our nature depends on us stopping climate change. Weather changes are affecting species. Freak weather events becoming common. Flooding, which affects peoples lives as well as nature, is becoming an annual occurrence. Our Climate Change commitments are based on EU laws. Brexit leads to a risk and an opportunity: A risk that laws that protect our nature and steer our climate action, will be weakened in the rush to leave Europe, and an opportunity that the UK can take lead internationally in environmental protection. Now is the ideal moment to move ahead with ratifying the Paris Climate Agreement, so we applaud Prime Minister Theresa May’s announcement on September 20 that the UK will begin its domestic process for ratification before the next UN climate talks. As well as Climate Change and Brexit the Thames Riverside near Thames Valley Park is at risk from a proposed Park and Ride Scheme … nature needs local, national and international support to thrive. Find out more about Berkshire Greenpeace www.greenwire.greenpeace.org/uk/en-gb/ groups/berkshire-greenpeace

BERKSHIRE GREENPEACE

Torchbearer Sally to address Townswomens Guild on Tuesday

On Tuesday, Wokingham Evening Townswomens Guild meet at St Pauls Parish Rooms, Reading Road, Wokingham, with a talk by Sally Wilson entitled Torch Bearer for the 2012 Olympics. The meeting starts at 7.30pm and visitors are welcome. Call 0118 989 2649 for further details.

LIZ WILLIS

Young men invited to become lifesavers with Anthony Nolan

Wokingham West Forest Round Table is urging young men aged 16-30 to join the Anthony Nolan stem cell donor register. Anthony Nolan matches incredible individuals willing to donate their blood stem cells or bone marrow to people with blood cancer and blood disorders who desperately need lifesaving transplants. In 1986, Round Table clubs across the UK and Ireland were instrumental in adding 100,000 new names to the Anthony Nolan register and 30 years on, Round Table clubs are teaming up with the Anthony Nolan charity again, this time targeting young men. Mark House, National President of Round Table, is urging young guys to get involved, “Men aged 16-30 are the most in demand as stem cell donors but they make up just 15% of the Anthony Nolan register. “Round Table clubs were instrumental in getting Anthony Nolan to where it is today and as a young man’s organisation I hope we can encourage more young men to join the donor register”. Ann O’Leary, head of register development at Anthony Nolan, said: “We’re delighted to restart

our lifesaving partnership with the Round Table. We urgently need more people, especially young men, to join the register. “Most people have a one in 900 chance of being chosen to donate. But young men have a one in 200 chance. What many people don’t realise is how simple it is to join the stem cell register – it involves filling in a form and providing a saliva sample. “For those who go on to donate, about 90% will donate through PBSC (peripheral blood stem cell collection). This is a straightforward process, carried out as an outpatient procedure, where you can potentially save the life of a person in desperate need of a transplant. “Our original collaboration with Round Table added a huge number of potential donors to the register. This time around we want to reach young men in particular and we look forward to seeing how the campaign takes off in the

Wokingham West Forest area. For those interested in finding out more about Anthony Nolan and Round Table, please go to anthonyNolan.roundtable.co.uk. For more on the Wokingham West Round Table visit www.wokingham-west-forest. roundtable.co.uk

A busy few months for the Woodley Townswomen’s Guild

Woodley Townswomen’s Guild enjoyed a day out in July with a trip on the Basingstoke Canal to Odiham (King John’s) Castle followed by a ride on the Watercress Line from Alresford with afternoon tea. Some of our members also went to Oxford Theatre to see The Glenn Miller Story. At our July monthly meeting we had an entertaining talk on Curiosities in the Peak District by Alan Copeland. He showed us some unusual slides and told us all about them, the strangest one being perhaps a pub sign of a headless woman entitled The Quiet Woman. In August Ellie Dickens from Hungerford gave a fascinating talk on the Relationship between Shoes and Feet. She had brought along plenty of shoes to show us different styles and fittings and told us much about the history of shoes. She also gave advice about styles for problem feet and afterwards many of us had our feet measured. For our September meeting Alan Gould from Henry Street Garden Centre gave a very interesting talk on gardening in autumn and answered our questions and we all came away having learnt something we didn’t already know about gardening. Woodley Townswomen’s Guild also has several smaller groups which meet regularly: craft group; book club; Scrabble group; Rummikub group; social studies discussion group; rambling, and short local walks groups. Woodley Townswomen’s Guild meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7.45pm at Chapel Hall, Loddon Bridge Road, Woodley. Visitors are always welcome. Date of our next meeting is November 3.

Fuchsia society to meet later this month

On Monday, October 24, the Reading & District Fuchsia Society will meet at Maiden Place Community Centre in Lower Earley. The guest speaker John Negus will talk on the subject New Forest Idyll – exploring Exbury Gardens. The meeting starts at 7.30pm. For details, visit www.rdfs.info Green Party Councillors Rob White (also a Reading East candidate) and Brenda McGonigle took part in a tea party at Thames Valley Park with Berkshire Greenpeace

20 | PROPERTY

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October 13, 2016

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

Executive four-bedroom home available to rent in Emmbrook AN EXECUTIVE four-bedroom family home situated in a quiet Emmbrook cul-de-sac is available to rent thanks to Martin & Co’s Wokingham office. Ideally situated for a range of the borough’s secondary schools, the property also offers easy access to Wokingham’s town centre, the railway station and also nearby Winnersh and Dinton Pastures. In excellent decorative order, the unfurnished property has been finished to a very high standard. Downstairs, the entrance porch includes a cloakroom and doors to the spacious reception room and the kitchen. Both the kitchen and the reception room lead into the dining room, which itself has double doors leading out to the garden. The kitchen also has access to the external garage. Upstairs, there are four bedrooms, each with their own fitted wardrobes. The master bedroom has an ensuite shower room and there is also a family bathroom. There is a private rear garden

with a paved patio area providing space for a garden table and chairs. A pathway leads to gated side access. The rest of the garden is laid to lawn and enclosed by panelled fencing to all sides, offering a high degree of privacy. The property has gas central heating and is double glazed throughout. Although unfurnished, the home will come with contemporary and high quality curtains and blinds. Mike Townend, director of Martin & Co’s Wokingham branch, said: “This is a perfect family home with plenty of space for everyone. “Being so close to the town and schools, it’s great for people looking to settle, especially as it’s suitable for medium and long-term lets. “It’s offered in fantastic condition and is available to move into from January.” It is available for £1,850 per month. For more details, call Martin & Co’s Wokingham ofﬁce on 0118 334 2389, visit its Peach Street branch or log on to www.martinco. com

Children invited to design a Christmas card for McCarthy

Borough Mayor Cllr Bob Pitts joins a local family to test the new play equipment in Montague Park, one of the new developments built in Wokingham

Mayor gives his seal of approval to new playground A PLAY area at a property development in Wokingham was given the Mayoral seal of approval last week. Mayor of Wokingham Borough Cllr Bob Pitts visited the Montague Park development, in London Road, for the ofﬁcial launch of its new children’s play area on Saturday, October 1. Current and prospective homeowners were invited to the launch

by developers David Wilson Homes, who are currently working on a third phase of new homes at the site. Cllr Pitts said: “It was a great pleasure to be able to ofﬁcially open the new play area in Montague Park which has been provided by David Wilson Homes. “The weather was not what one would have wished for but the warmth

of the residents more than made up for that. “I would like to thank David Wilson homes for giving me this opportunity and all in all, it was a great event.” Neil Douglas, Sales Manager at David Wilson Homes Southern said: “We are so pleased to have launched the play area as it really helps to build the family friendly community around

the development. “Montague Park is known for being a family orientated development where people can feel relaxed and safe and we want to reiterate this by now having a fantastic place where children can play. “We were delighted to get the support of Cllr Pitts and would like to thank him for attending the event and giving his seal of approval.”

A RETIREMENT property developer is calling on Wokingham’s younger generation for help in designing its annual Christmas card. McCarthy and Stone, the housebuilder behind the Queens Gate development in Wellington Road, is urging youngsters to design their ofﬁcial 2016 Christmas card as part of their commitment to engaging with the local community. The competition is open to youngsters aged between ﬁve and 11-years-old living within Wokingham borough, but you will need to be quick as entries close on Monday, October 31. Julie Ward Regional Sales and Marketing Director for McCarthy and Stone South East said: “At McCarthy and Stone, we believe that Christmas is a very special time for the whole family and we want to celebrate that with our creative competition. “The design can take any form the children want – it can be a painting or drawing, so long as it is original and exciting. “As a company we are committed to our customers and their families, but we also strive to create a positive legacy in the communities in which we build. “Collaborating with local schools is just one way in which we aim to do this and we look forward to seeing the entries.” To enter the competition, children should email their designs to mccarthyandstone @mccann.com by October 31 to be in with a chance of winning. The winner will be announced on Thursday, November 10.

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22 | HEALTH

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October 13, 2016

Everystepcounts

HEALTH MATTERS

Personal ﬁtness with Chris Hunt with Nicola Strudley

Forming good habits Are you ready to change your life? Well, changing habits will take time. CHRIS HUNT is on hand to help you take control

Joachim Löw at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Picture: Danilo Borges/ copa2014. gov.br

ONG term change is about forming habits, changing beliefs and creating sustainable behaviour change. In the modern era of quick fixes, short term focus and the desire to get things done in the shortest possible time, we have created lives that do not focus on the long term. Now I fully understand in specific situations the need and desire for quick fixes but these are not the norm. Maybe you need to lose a stone as quickly as possible to fit in your wedding dress? Possibly you have an operation coming up in the next month and you need to have a reduced BMI to make that operation happen? These circumstances are not the norm so I truly believe the long term goal should be the focus. If you are not in a major rush and you want to give yourself the best possible opportunity for success then you need to come up with a plan, focus on milestones to achieve that plan and then work on changing behaviour patterns. Doing this will increase your chances of success and isn’t this what we are all about? Succeeding and getting to your end goal and then maintaining that end goal for the rest of your life? What motivates and determines health related behaviour is a complex issue. Human behaviour is a very deep subject. Habits are behaviours that are normally repeated, often fairly automatic and very difficult to control. To make it simple, habits enable us to do things automatically without having to think about the action. In my opinion, a good example of a negative habit would be Joachim Löw, the German national football team manager.

For those that watch football you will know what I am talking about. If you have been eating a Mars Bars every day for five years do you think that the habit can be changed in several days or weeks? No! Let’s say you have been regularly drinking three pints of beer every night at your local pub religiously for a few years, do you think the habit of stopping this can be achieved in just a couple of months? No! I truly believe that when trying to change behaviour, form new habits and get positive results, you need to focus on the long term and talk in months and years rather than days and weeks. An amazing scientifically backed study that I will be mentioning in the private Facebook group Every Step Counts concluded that habits could take up to around 254 days

(eight months or 36 weeks) to form. A habit such as drinking a glass of water every morning could take 21 days (the classic habit period most of the short termers state) but anything harder could take much, much longer. In finishing up this Friday, pick a habit to start today, right now. Choose one of the below if you want to get you going today: Drink a glass of water every morning as you wake up.  Take a multivitamin every morning.  Spend 20 minutes reading every day.  Go for a 30 minute walk every day Think long term, not short term and adopt a habit focused lifestyle… it won’t be easy but the long term effect will be amazing. Take control of your habits and take control of your life!

It’s play all day on the Children’s ward

OT everyone looks forward to a stay in hospital, especially if you’re young, but a recent week of fun changed that. National Play In Hospital Week was celebrated in the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading at the beginning of the month. During the week, the hospital said that its young patients and staff really made the most of the special week. Every day children could enjoy a different activity, which included baking, crafting, music sessions provided by Rosie’s Rainbow Fund, a colouring competition, plus a special visit from the Fred in the Shed magic show. Play In Hospital Week raises awareness of the benefits of play in the treatment of poorly children across the UK. It is organised by the National Association of Health Play Specialists (NAHPS), which aims to promote and ensure the provision of appropriate therapeutic and stimulating play facilities in hospitals. The Royal Berkshire Hospital has a small play team which supports children who need to spend time in hospital. Ashley Zdanowicz, Senior Play Specialist said: “Clinical evidence shows that play and art therapies can improve the recovery of patients across a range of conditions and

Fancy a bit of extra care?

AVE you ever thought about where you might live when you next move house? What if you need to downsize or can’t manage where you are now? Most people have not given the matter much thought and usually wait until the time arises that they cannot put off thinking about it any longer. For some people, the luxury of choice is taken away and they are forced to go wherever is available. There are many factors that make thinking about our next move crucial – we are all living longer, there are more people living with complex long term conditions, the NHS and social care are so stretched they cannot continue to deliver services as they have been. Financial challenges and the cost of living means we should give some thought to how we fund our life post retirement. People want to have choice and control over their lives and research shows that if we have an active social life into later years this positively impacts physical health outcomes. Extra Care has evolved over the past 20 years or so as a type of accommodation provision that could be described as halfway between living in your own home and being in a residential care home. It allows a community of older people to continue living independently, typically in a selfcontained flat or bungalow (that can be privately bought or rented), while benefiting from some on site care and support that can be flexibly tailored and altered depending upon individual need.

Living together

One of the main benefits of extra care housing is that it enables couples where one partner is highly dependent to remain living together. Wokingham Borough currently has three extra care settings: Alexandra Place in Woodley; Beeches Manor, Reading Road; and Cockayne Court in Finchampstead. The communal facilities play an important role in providing venues and opportunities for social interaction and the development of friendships. The provision of communal eating areas is of particular importance. There are plans for further extra care schemes underway; a £6 million development on the site of the former Fosters Care Home in Fosters Lane, Woodley. This will be 34 self-contained flats for elderly people will include communal facilities such as a lounge and dining room, as well as a specialist dementia facility. The flats will allow elderly people to live independently in the security and privacy of their own home, with additional facilities and care staff if needed. Healthwatch wants to be able to shape the development of the new extra care settings by letting Developers and Commissioners know what people who currently live in extra care think is important. Healthwatch is keen to hear from you if you are thinking about your next move or get in touch if you would like to be kept informed of the project.

How to contact us : even aid post-operative recovery. “As well as aiding recovery, it gives the children something to do. Boredom can be very debilitating and play supports their mental health as well as their physical health and this is important.”

Above: Seven-year-old Harley from Shinﬁeld enjoys a musical session with the help of Karen from Rosie’s Rainbow Fund

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, October 13, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Presspack

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

News from schools | stories from pupils

Luckley marks a day of verse

EDUCATION | 23

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Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday celebrations at Evendons

Year Seven pupils at Luckley take part in a poetry writing exercise. Two pupils’ poems are reprinted below

By ARABELLA PINNEY and IMOGEN LANG Year 7

THURSDAY, October 6, was National Poetry Day, a day when we celebrate all the different kinds of poetry. At Luckley House School we had an assembly where we talked about how poetry is in everything nowadays: books, films, music and even newspapers. It is also believed that you use poetic devices such as alliteration, metaphors, onomatopoeia, rhythm and rhyming every 10-25 words. Also we talked about how every poetic writer is different and we watched a clip about how even the American Presidential candidates use elements of poetry in their speeches. During this week, we discovered that poetry has been around for thousands of years and the

first ever poem written was a 4,000-year-old Persian love poem. In English we wrote our own poems based on different journeys. Some were short, some were long, some were metaphorical and some were funny, or about fantasy worlds. Either way everyone had their own unique story to tell. Afterwards, we folded them up and put them in match boxes that were decorated and put on a model train, as if to look like luggage. We sent our poetry on a journey. After that we learnt about how poetry was used, the different devices and many views on the world of poetry; we discovered that even if you don’t enjoy writing poetry or prefer another subject you can still use it for expressing your feelings and emphasising your ideas.

Journey to Heaven

Shattered

As the wind whistles, the sky grows cold, Everyone disappears when they get old, When you lie in a coffin, they mourn by your side, You’re not really gone, haven’t yet died.

I could see your face tantalising, teasing, Your laughter raspy, wheezing; My silhouette misshapen, My freedom gone, taken.

Time has no meaning, and could almost stop, You start at the bottom and come out on top, It carries you through to a faraway place, Swept up in the midst without even a trace. Once you have been erased from the world, Stretched and strung and cruelly curled, There are two places where you could then go: One is above, the other below. You hold your nerve and close both eyes, Roses wilt as somebody dies…. The journey to Heaven, not everyone makes, But you did, for your past life’s sake. By Eve Doodson, Year 8

I walk, away from the hell I walk, But even then I don’t escape the cold, icy talk. My footsteps are quiet, so to go unseen, Yet I still see my shadow, hideous, that’s me. I step closer to their inviting whisper, Yet the crashing waves just remind me how much I miss her. As I ride the white horses to my death, I hear a kind voice, dragging me from the ocean’s breath. I could see your face, you looked back at me, Yet this time of burden, I am free. Every day you told me I was not to be flattered, So with one pound of my fist, you lay on the floor, shattered. By Maddie Windsor, Year 8

John Kirk enacts The Twits to pupils at Evendons Primary School to mark Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday. Below: Year 1’s dream jars

By MAYA PATEL, aged 8

N Monday, September 12 a very talented man called John Kirk came in and told us Roald Dahl’s story of The Twits. He acted it out with a few props and it was brilliant! John used different voices to tell the story and switched between being Mr Twit and Mrs Twit. Both characters were really horrible to each other. It was amazing as he knew it off by heart! He used water to squirt children which made them jump. He also pretended to eat worms and had a frog and a glass eye ball! It was really funny. I loved it!

In Different Years In Year 4 we have been studying different books written by Roald Dahl.

We made up or thought of our dreams and wrote them on a drawing of a dream jar. We then drew a picture of our dreams, it was great to see everyone’s different dreams and into their imaginations. Before that, we watched a video that showed the BFG Dream Trail in London, some of the children and staff had been to see it and said it was brilliant. In Year 3 they have been writing a booklet about Charlie and the Chocolate

Factory. They were all great and showed how much the children all love chocolate. In Year 1 they were studying the BFG and made their own dream jars. They wrote their dreams on labels and stuck them on the bottles. They also stuck stickers on the bottles and filled them with water. They looked fabulous, I hope they have real dreams in them. In Reception they have been looking at a Roald Dahl’s Revolting Recipes which is a recipe book that Roald Dahl wrote. The school’s youngest children then made their their own recipe (using mainly nice things like fruit) They were wonderful and everyone got to try them We have had so much fun celebrating Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday and we’re all now inspired to read even more of his books.

Westcott pupils can be seen clearly PUPILS from Wescott Infant School in Wokingham are learning about International Walk to School Month throughout October with the support of local housebuilder Barratt Homes. As part of its commitment to support local schools within close proximity to its developments including Montague Park, in Wokingham, Barratt has donated 60 hi-vis vests to help keep pupils safer as the darker nights draw in. International Walk to School Month encourages pupils to walk to school rather than be driven by car. It aims to reduce congestion on the roads and at the school gates, improved health and wellbeing and encourage sociability. A generation ago, 70% of pupils walked to school and it has been reported that this figure has now less than halved. Lynnette St Quintin, sales director for Barratt Southern Counties says: “We have been supporting this campaign to encourage pupils to remain visible when walking to school for many years now. As the evenings are getting darker earlier more parents may be more tempted to jump in the car, even for

Barratt Homes, which has built part of the new Montague Park development, has donated 60 high visibility jackets to Westcott Junior School pupils

short distances. By donating fluorescent hivis vests, we are encouraging parents, carers and pupils in Wokingham to walk, cycle or scoot to school in a much safer fashion. As well as being better for their health, it reduces the number of cars on the road which can only be a positive thing.” Head of School Mrs Drew at Wescott Infant School says: “It is great to receive

this donation of vests from Barratt Homes. We always encourage our pupils to walk to school wherever possible and these brightly coloured vests will definitely encourage more parents to think about leaving their car at home. We appreciate it’s not always easy but even trying to walk to school once or twice a week will definitely be a step in the right direction.”

24 | HERITAGE

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Friday, August 21, 2015 TheWokinghamPaPer

WokinghamRemembers When Wokingham made bells

Exploring our heritage with wokinghamremembers.com

In association with

HERITAGE | 17 In association with

Exploring our heritage with wokinghamremembers.com

One of the many things Wokingham is famous for is its REVIEW bell foundry. First established in the early 1300s, some of its bells are still in use today. JOHN HARRISON explains more about our bell making heritage

The past which has shaped our present...

of Reading, who subsequently LMOSTMikE any guidebook or This week ChuRChER reviews moved to London and became a website on Wokingham will tell the Wokingham Remembers major competitor to the Whitechapel you that it is famous for its bell articles Foundry. of thefoundry, past four and discusses whichmonths operated for Around the same time there was around from the early 1300s. some300 ofyears the factors which contributed probably work done on the tower roof Around 50 Wokingham bells tostill theinmaking of Wokingham and its one of the main beams is because are use in Berkshire and environment. inscribed 1702. surrounding counties.

The nearest Wokingham VER theto past months the is the Treble (lightest) Remembers of the six bells Wokingham page at has Arborfield, which wasan cast about 1399. been providing early picture how a small town and a Rogerof Landen was market the earliest few villages on Wokingham the edge of a forest is today known of the founders, ranked one ofare the named country’safter leading and twoasroads him: communities. Landen Close and Landen Grove. Education, religion, industry, transport, Unhelpfully for visitors, social structures, national they are on opposite sidespolitics and local are all important of thegovernment town. pieces in building the great Wokingham Landen Close jigsaw. Here now is a summary of our is to the south off contributions to date and a few ideas on Finchampstead the next round ofRoad, articles. and Landen Grove is Education, Education, to the northwest off Reading Road. Education Today’s Wokingham is renowned as Less well known is the one of the centres of excellence location ofcountry’s the foundry. forIfeducation; is Bellfoundry partly due to strong you havethis seen schoolasperformance andthe thetown motivated Lane you approach along parents who live in one of the most it Twyford Road you might assume highly educated thethat UK. was there, but incommunities the Middle in Ages If we look into the history of would have been a long way out of the Wokingham’s schools we can see town. how education is woven into its DNA. Historic records put the foundry in Prior to the Great War, Wokingham Smyths Place, and location was surrounded by the manor housesbecame and clear when foundry members of non-ferrous the landed gentry whoslag was discovered byto archaeologists wanted to be close the levers of power; ahead thehouseholds development of land i.e. the of royal of Windsor. behind 7/15 Broad Street. In turn these upper echelons In 1553 All Saintssense church had four possessed a serious of duty and aWe responsibility ensure their bells. know thattobecause when community received least a basic King Edward VI sentathis agents education. Wokingham had a round parish churchesalso to confiscate powerful professional a strong silver plate and otherclass, metal, as his churchHenry community (including the nonfather VIII had done with the conformists) and together they shared monasteries, they recorded what they a strong the left importance took andbelief whatinthey behind.of teaching. Here they left four bells and a The result was with the skills, the Sanctus bell. motivation and the finance available, We know nothing about those bells, there developed a culture of education but it seems likely thatto they which still holds strong thiscame day. from the foundry that was just a short Wokingham transport walk away. Transport is probably the single The oldest surviving bells today most important factor in Wokingham’s were part of a new ring of six development, in both its rail and road installed in 1704 – 80 years after the systems. Wokingham foundry closed. Future articles will look at the They wereofcast by Samuel introduction the railways andKnight the

Theimpact other they beamhad is marked 1613,and major on the town which might indicate earlier we have already made aan start with the restoration. road system by mapping out the course of 1814 twoRoad. of them were replaced theIn old Forest While building of Thomas the M4 had a with newthe ones cast by Mears major influence on the introduction of the of Whitechapel, presumably because high tech now surround they werebusinesses damaged which or cracked. Wokingham, it is the A329M which In 1903 two more in 1975 cut off thebells Forest Road and its were replaced natural connections between Emmbrook and two extra ones and the villages of Hurst and Binfield. The added to make a love and hate relationship with our rail ofday! eight. and roads continue ring to this They were hung Wokingham’sinmilitary a new iron frame heritage slightly lower in the As 2015 is the bi-centenary of the tower than the old Battle of Waterloo, theresix-bell have been a timber frame number of articles commemorating this had been. world changing event.later, in 2004, A century The has always been noted for four ofarea the bells were replaced with its contribution to the nation’s military new ones cast by the Whitechapel capability, with Arborfield’s REME, Bell Foundry – not because they were RFA and Remount connections and the damaged they weren’t Sandhurstbut andbecause Wellington Colleges all sufficiently tune with the others. situated veryinnearby. Bells the don’t go out of tune like Even Duke of Wellington took to aliving piano they hadSaye, never been in –Stratfield which today is completely in tune. only 30 minutes away from Wokingham’s Thecentre. science of bell tuning only town developed in the late 19th century and Wokingham’s wasn’t widely practised by the time of benefactor culture the 1903 restoration. The area around Wokingham was After the 2004 restoration the surrounded by many remarkable bells sounded sweeter and more individuals and they were instrumental in harmonious than needed they had done for building the much infrastructure the previous 300 years. which underpinned the establishment of Bells are tuned by removing small a strong community. amounts metal from different We willof later be telling the story of the parts the bell bring the different Walteroffamily andtotheir contributions to the building frequencies of Wokingham buta in April vibrational into first weeklyrelationship. issue, we told the story of the harmonic much loved Arthur Hill, the 6th Marquess In the spirit of modern of Downshire. all four of the bells that conservation Although onewere of Britain’s were replaced found wealthiest new homes: landowners, Arthurone Hillin doubled as the two in Yorkshire, Australia and chief of the local Fire Brigade and was a one in Worcestershire. major financial contributor to this part of The bells all carry inscriptions Wokingham’s public services. recording the date werethe cast, the Later articles willthey illustrate founder so great on. manors and their demise ofand these The oldest bell, cast in 1703, also incumbent social system and the is rise of

Above: The bells of All Saints, Wokingham in the ‘up’ position ready to ring; left: Bells cast by Roger Landen bore this distinctive mark of a stylised lion’s head; below left: The 1703 Tenor bell, weighing 15½ cwt, after cleaning and being fitted with new headstock, waiting to be rehung; below right: Decoration of acorns and oak around theStwaist the Tenor bell at All Saints, Wokingham. Bottom left: Wokingham Railway Station viewed from Wellington Roadleaves looking towards Paulsof Church. Inside the re-tuned Tenor bell showing cuts from the tuning latheHuxford, also took The story was told in June, and also historians, Sarah its replacement: local government. commemorated the 800th anniversary us on a journey to the old battlefields Wokingham’s wild side of the Magna Carta, signed at nearby in search of their graves. This story Before we believe too much in the idea Runnymede in 1215. reflects only a microcosm of the losses that Wokingham’s development was a around the county of Berkshire, but solidly sedate experience, May’s article Shining a light on affirms the importance of the wars in the told the story of the rioting in the town Wokingham’s ‘Dark Ages’ centre during the time of the 1857 General development of our local character. To bring us up to date the August Election. Wokingham and articles are focused on the kids who are Such events were a common sight in now entering into their summer holidays. the Royal Forest the town and this short and bloody battle Looking at today’s community, it is What better way to use this month’s between the Whigs and the Tories also difficult to visualise just how rural the editions than to tell the stories of the highlighted the Bush and Rose hotels in area once was and in part explains the Romans, the Celts and the Saxons Market Place as the headquarters of these sometimes fragile relationship between influence on the area before Wokingham two feral groups. the old and new Wokingham; few was even a twinkle in old Wocca’s eye? The story was also able to reflect areas in the UK have witnessed such David Nash Ford provided a set of upon the national scene and the corrupt extraordinary growth and change in the articles and puzzles which makes nature of general elections before the profile of its population. history fun for the young and no doubt introduction of the private ballot. Although Wokingham’s history will also catch the interest of the parents Future articles will include further by the Belltheir Foundry decorated a pattern ofwith acorns and who has always with been intertwined willWhitechapel be looking over child’sin tales of anarchy and revelry in this old 2005. oaksurrounding leaves. the villages by providing shoulder. market town. a market place and Here’s to the is next articles! For most offor itsagricultural history Wokingham John Harrison theround Towerof Foreman commercial produce, was also Thanks go outChurch to our in contributors: Steve Wokingham at War only had one churchit with bellsa Forest but of All Saints Wokingham Town. The termin‘forest’ did notStmean a Bacon, Bell, David Nash Ford, There are watershed moments in that changed 1864 when Paul’s and anJim established authority on Sarah cluster trees, but a system of laws laid Huxford, Roger Long, Trevor Ottlewski history which mark the moment of great churchofwas built. bellringing. down by royalty foritthe protection of change in a society and the Great War of andHe Peter fortwo all their continuing From the start had a fine ring hasShilham published books: Living their hunting grounds. 1914-1918 is one such time. contributions. of eight bells cast by John Warner of Heritage: 300 Years of Bells, Ringing These onerous rules restricted local Therefore a number of centenaries All this work is provided by our Cripplegate, London, outshining the and Ringers at All Saints Wokingham people from using large parts of the land between 2014 and 2018 will local historians free of charge and mother church of All Saints, which at looks at the local history behind the for sustenance and in part led to the commemorate the great losses of war can be found on the front page of the the of time only had six. and general bells, while earlier this year Shire Books rise local highwaymen which scarred the people of Wokingham Wokingham Remembers website The bellsAs were retuned in 1987 but published Bells and Bellringing, looking lawlessness. a result, the subsequent for the rest of the 20th century. www.wokinghamremembers.com destroyed firecame afterdown a lightning at Thanks all aspects activity. Black Act ofby 1723 heavily on May’s edition followed the story alsooftothe Mark Ashwell at strike‘Wokingham in January 2004. n For morefor onsupporting bellringing,the visit www. these Blacks’ and resulted in of two brothers from Langborough TradeMark paper’s Thetheir current ring of eight was cast allsaintswokinghambells.org.uk either transportation or execution. Road in Wokingham town. One of our commitment to this project.

Windows doors and conservatories that last a lifetime and beyond www.trademarkwindows.co.uk

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Leisure

LEISURE | 25

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Tickets for Rewind festival go on sale TICKETS for next year’s Rewind Festival have gone on sale. The 80s nostalgia festival,

which this year featured performances by Adam Ant, Rick Astley and Tony Hadley, will take place at Temple Island Meadows between August 18 and 20, 2017. Although no acts have been announced yet, eager fans are able to get their hands

Keeping it in the family Members of Wargrave Theatre prepare for All My Sons

A classic play that looks at moral responsibility will be the next play from the Russell Players. GEMMA DAVIDSON explains

N ARTHUR MILLER play will be performed in the borough this week courtesy of Wargrave Theatre. First performed in 1947, All My Sons is a classic play about moral responsibility set against personal gain, a theme which seems to be as relevant today as it has ever been. The play is based on a true story of an American manufacturer who shipped out engine parts knowing they were faulty. During the Second World War, Joe Keller

and Steve Deever ran a machine shop making airplane parts. Following a shipment of defective parts, which caused the death of many airmen, Deever was sent to prison, whilst Keller remained free and went on to make his fortune. Keller’s son, Larry, was reported missing in the war but his mother, Kate refuses to accept his death and waits for his return. Meanwhile their second son, Chris, begins a love affair with Larry’s fiancé, Ann Deever, an affair that causes friction in the household compounded by the arrival of Ann’s brother, George, fresh from visiting his father in prison. The family and their neighbours are finally forced to face the devastating truths about which they have been in denial as the play reaches an electrifying climax.

Mill’s biggest welcome Sally Hughes and her team from The Mill at Sonning with their award Picture: Pamela Raith

Director Joe Haynes said: “Wargrave Theatre Workshop has a play reading group and it was decided to stage one of the great American classics. We read plays by Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller and it was agreed that All My Sons was both topical and very challenging and reflects the moral dilemma of profiteering from war and how a family is torn apart. “The various characters require experienced actors with the ability to speak in American accent and to show the strong emotions the play demands. The play is set in the 1940s and the music, costumes and hairstyles have to accurately reflect the period.” n All My Sons will be performed at the Woodclyffe Hall, High Street, Wargrave from October 19 to 22 at 8pm. Tickets are £10. To book visit www. wargravetheatre.co.uk.

Amusing and entertaining REVIEW: The Russell Players presents Funeral Games JOE Orton – the bad boy of British playwrights – always set out to shock and surprise and The Russell Players latest production of his 1968 black comedy Funeral Games did so in an amusing and entertaining manner. Nigel Adams’ neat production utilised a very effective split set, which kept the action moving along well. The absurdity of the unlikely and complex plot, involving a 60s cult leader who hires a dubious thug to kill his wife in revenge for her apparent affair with a Catholic priest, was brought to the fore. Orton’s anti-religious theme and his biting satire of suburban hypocrisy and immorality came through with humour, pace and a vibrancy of touch. Chris Partridge, playing Pringle, a self-styled religious guru and conman, set in motion the action of the play well, adopting a self delusional and literally “holier than thou” approach. He was suitably persecuting and judgmental of his somewhat simple minded and naïve wife Tessa, played by Tessa Costin. The difficult role of the mysterious and strangely appealing underworld hit man Caulfield was played with menacingly evil overtones by Mitch Mitchell. Glynn Marshall was convincingly amusing as the hapless defrocked priest McCorquodale who, it is later revealed, has murdered his own wife and buried her in the cellar. The farcical yet disturbing mood of the piece was caught well, and the relationships between the characters effectively presented by all four actors. The absurd situations which the characters created for themselves, combined with Orton’s black humour, brought home to the audience Orton’s cynical and somewhat sinister view of organised religion of all kinds. This combined with some very entertaining and witty banter, made for an enjoyable and thought provoking performance. DUNCAN HAMILTON

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

They found themselves at DBARC as their owner had too many cats, and was facing eviction if they didn’t re-home some of them. They are both neutered and are looking for their forever home. They are a very sweet pair, very friendly and affectionate, so would make an ideal addition to a family.

FINLEY A DINNER theatre in Sonning has been named the UK’s most welcoming venue. The Mill at Sonning scooped the national award during a glittering ceremony at London’s Guildhall on Sunday, having been previously named the Most Welcoming Theatre in the South East. The accolade was the only award of the night to be voted for by the general public. A spokesperson for The Mill said: “We weren’t expecting it so we’re absolutely delighted.”

Fiona Allan, President of UK Theatre, said: “The UK Theatre Awards celebrate the world class theatre that is performed on stages across the country and demonstrates the breadth and depth of outstanding talent. “It is also important that we recognise the venues and the teams that run them. “As centres of artistic and creative excellence, our local theatres are a vital part of all our communities.”

on Early Bird tickets now. Tickets start at £54.50 for an adult day ticket, and £97.50 for a weekend ticket. Camping tickets are also available. For more information and to order visit www.rewindfestival. com/tickets.

CINDERELLA AND BELLE These adorable little ladies are both twoand-a-half months old, and are such good friends that they are ideally looking to be rehomed together.

Poor seven-yearold Finley is looking for a new home after his owner sadly passed away. This must be a very upsetting time for him, so we would like to see him settled in a new home quickly. He is very friendly and would like a quiet home, similar to the one he had with his previous owner. Can you offer him his forever home?

FOREST AND ROMAN These shy brothers are looking for a

home together. Shelter life is proving to be quite overwhelming for them, but they are starting to come out of themselves and their confidence is growing by the day. Because of this, they will need an owner who is patient and understanding, and will help to build their confidence. They are very sweet once they get to know you. 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

26 | LEISURE

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What’son

Friday, October 14 FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre RG40 4ES. Rhymetime. 11am11.30am. Details: 0118 908 8176. KNOWL HILL – Bird In Hand, Bath Road RG10 9UP. Gary Roman Mallard music night. Details: 01628 826622. LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Pass The Book book group. 10.30am-11.30am. Details: 0118 931 2150. SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane RG2 9DF. The King and I. Details: www. shinfieldplayers.org.uk WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Local history surgery: drop-in for advice. 10am-noon. Crochet Group. 9.30am11.30am. £4. Mindful Parenting – Learn how to become a Mindful and Focussed parent – talk with Parenting Success Coaching. 10am-11am. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre, Headlely Road RG5 4JZ. The Oddfellows social group meeting. £4, members £2. 2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 959 4075.

Saturday, October 15 EARLEY – Earley Radstock Social Club, Radstock Lane RG6 5UL. Bingo night. 8.30pm. Details: 0118 931 3965. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James Church, Church Lane. Call My Bluff wine tasting. £15, includes light buffet supper plus wine tasting. In aid of 1st Finchampstead Scouts

and The Diana Camidge Foundation for Research in to GSS, a disease similar to CJD. Details: 07544 414707. MAIDEN ERLEGH – Library, off Silverdale Road RG6 7HS. Storytime for ages five and under. Free. 10.15am-10.45am. Children’s Writing Group for ages 9-12. 10.15am11am. Details: 0118 966 6630. READING – The Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road RG1 5AQ. Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra Concert with Tamesis Chamber Choir and the APO Singers. 7.30pm. £12, £10 concessions, £4 under 16s. Details: www. aldworthphilharmonic. org.uk SINDLESHAM – Sindlesham Court RG41 5EA. Rotary Winter Fayre & Fashion Show in aid of Thames Valley Air Ambulance. 10am-5pm. £2. Details: www.sindleshamcourt. co.uk SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane RG2 9DF. The King and I. Details: www. shinfieldplayers.org.uk TWYFORD – Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road RG10 9JA. Charity barn dance with Saxon Drain. In aid of Contented Dementia Trust. Bring a plate of savoury food to share. 7.30pm-11pm. £8.50, children £5. Details: 0118 932 0491. WINNERSH – Library, The Forest School, Robin Hood Lane RG41 5ND. Gaming club for teenagers. 10.30am12.30pm. £1. Details: 0118 979 7519. WINNERSH – Royal British Legion, Woodward Close RG41 5LP. Emily Reed as

At the theatre Basingstoke – The Anvil

www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 Elaine Paige. Fri. Otis Gibbs. Fri. London Philharmonic Orchestra. Sun. The Solid Gold Rock ‘N’ Roll Show. Fri 21. Jo Harman. Fri 21. The Hollies. Sat 22. Flats and Sharps. Sat 22.

Basingstoke – The Haymarket www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 Marcus Brigstocke. Thurs. Wishbone Ash. Fri. Eric Knowles. Sat 15. Round The Horne. Sun. Nobody’s Perfect. Wed-Sat 22. Graeme Swann’s “Great British Spin Off” with Henry Blofeld. Sun 23.

Bracknell – South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 40 Years Gone. Thurs. The Bon Jovi Experience. Thurs. Stefan Criric:

Sunday, October 16 EARLEY – Whiteknights Indoor Bowls Club, Beech Lane RG6 5PT. Open day at Whiteknights Indoor Bowls Club. 10.30am2pm. Turn up. Wear flat-soled shoes such as trainers. Details: 0118 986 0759. WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Choral Evensong sermon series: Horrible Heresies: Why What We Believe Really Matters. Guest speaker

Conservatoire Concert Series. Fri. Comedy Cellar. Sat. Mission Improvable. Sun. Shakespeare Schools Festival. Tues-Fri 21. The Occasional Orchestra. Thurs 20. Miwako Miki: Conservatoire Concert Series. Fri 21. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 21. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Sat 22. Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. Sat 22. Die Hard. Sat 22. Wilde Sundays. Sun 23. Creative Control Band Night. Sun 23. FILMS: Yarn. Thurs. Jason Bourne. Fri-Sun. Miss Saigon. Sun. ROH: Cosi Fan Tutte. Mon. Sweet Bean. Tues. Suicide Squad. Wed. The Threepenny Opera. Thurs 20. Swallows and Amazons. Fri 21-Sun 23. Golden Years. Fri 21-Sun 23. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Sat 22. Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. Sat 22. Die Hard. Sat 22.

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600

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

The best guide for local, community events across Wokingham borough

Cher. 8.15pm. Ticket only event. £10. Details: 0118 978 0307. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Teen Writing Group. 10.30am-noon. Adult writing group. 10amnoon. Storytime for ages seven and under. 4pm4.30pm. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOKINGHAM – Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Five Live: the mayor’s charity concert. 7.30pm. With Wokingham Choral Society, When We Speak, Jaxannah, Hula Monkeys, Saint Sebastian Wokingham Band. £12. Under 12s free. Details: 0333 666 3366. WOKINGHAM – Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents A View From The Bridge. £12. Details: 0118 978 5363. WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road. The Big Draw. 10am-4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122. WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road. Scamping Rogues barn dance in aid of Mary’s Meals. £10. 7pm.

Kate Harrison, curate of New Windsor. 6.15pm. Details: 0118 979 2122. WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Miniature Railway Society, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Pinewood Minature Railway. 1.30pm-4pm. £1 per ride, buy 5 get 6th free. Details: www. pinewoodrailway.co.uk WOODLEY – Shopping Precinct, Crockhamwell Road. Car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Details: 0118 921 6920.

Monday, October 17 EARLEY – Harborne Building, Harris Gardens, University of Reading RG6 6UD. Friends of the Harris Gardens talks: Westonbirt: the National Arboretum. 7.15pm. £1. Details: 0118 935 8221. EMMBROOK – Village Hall. Wokingham West Forst TG (Townswomen’s Guild) meeting. 7.30pm. FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre RG40 4ES. Bridge and table games club. 2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 908 8176. LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Jack In The Books book group. 10.30am-11.30am. Details: 0118 931 2150. WARGRAVE – Library, Woodclyffe Hostel, Church Street RG10 8EP. Storytime. 4pm-4.30pm. Details: 0118 940 4656. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Knit, Stitch and Natter. 2pm-3pm.First Steps in Drawing with Lyn Ebbett. £5. 2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOKINGHAM – Theatre,

Harry Hook: About Africa. Thurs. UK Pink Floyd Experience. Sat. Ealing Comedies Film Season: The Lavender Hill Mob. Tues. Commotion Theatre School: Grease! Thurs 20-Fri 21. Sounds of the 50s Live. Sat 22.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Relatively Speaking. Until Sat. Rick Stein’s Long Weekends. Sun. This Happy Breed. Tues-Sat 22. Romantic Masterpieces. Sun 23.

Henley – Kenton www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 575698 Comic Potential. Until Sat. Mitch Benn. Sat 22. Lipstick on Your Collar. Sun 23.

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Queens of Country 2016. Thurs. Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs. Julian Clary. Fri. The Whitney

Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents A View From The Bridge. £12. Details: 0118 978 5363.

Tuesday, October 18 EARLEY – Palmer Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 2AH. Reading Film Theatre presents: Tale of Tales (15). 7.30pm. Details: 0118 378 7151. EARLEY – Earley St Nicolas, Sutcliffe Avenue. Board Games Cafe. 10am-noon. Details: 0118 966 9080. TWYFORD – Library, Polehampton Close RG10 9RP. Twyford Knit and Natter: drop-in for knitting and a chat. 2pm-3pm. Meg and Mog Storytime. For ages 3 to 5. 4pm-4.30pm. Details: 0118 934 0800. WINNERSH – Library, The Forest School, Robin Hood Lane RG41 5ND. Arts Explorers – Come and find out about how you can take part in the Arts Award. For teens and children aged 5 upwards. 3.45pm-4.45pm. Details: 0118 979 7519. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. WI Stitch and Chatter. 2pm-3.30pm. Children’s origami club. 4pm-4.45pm. Storytime: rhymes and stories for ages 3-5. 2pm-2.30pm. Third Tuesday Book Group. 10.30am11.30am. UK Online. 2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOKINGHAM – Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents A View From The Bridge. £12. Details: 0118 978 5363. WOODLEY – Library,

Houston Show. Sat. Baby Fair. Sun. Sister Act 2016. Mon-Sat 22.

Maidenhead – Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Sunday Stories at the Farm. Sun. The Collector. Tues. Pyjama Men: 2 Man 3 Musketeers. Wed. ROH Live: Cosi Fan Tutte. Thurs 20. Lee Nelson Work In Progress. Thurs 20. A Night of ELO. Fri 21. Wifi Wars. Sat 22. Christian Garrick and the Budapest Cafe Orchestra. Sat 22. Hannah Sanders and Ben Savage. Sun 23. The Rat Pack Is Back. Sun 23. FILM: Cafe Society (12a). Sat, Sun. Things To Come. Wed. Captain Fantastic. Sat 22.

Newbury – The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 The Unique Komedy Ukuele Orchestra. Thurs. RSC Encore: King Lear. Fri. Lee Nelson: Work in Progress.

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October 13, 2016

Headley Road RG5 4JA. Crochet Group. All abilities welcome. Noon2pm. £4. Rhymetime for under fives. 10.30am. Crafts and Laughs. 2pm4pm. Arts Explorers Artist Session – Henri Matisse and Andy Warhol. 3.45pm-4.45pm. Details: 0118 969 0304.

Wednesday, October 19 FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre RG40 4ES. Book group. 10.30am11.30am. Relaxing activities for adults. 10am-noon. Details: 0118 908 8176. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. Storytime: We’re Going On A Bear Hunt. 10.30am. £3.50. Details: 0118 969 8000. WARGRAVE – Library, Woodclyffe Hostel, Church Street RG10 8EP. Crafts and Laughs. 2pm4pm. Knit Wits Knitting group. 2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 940 4656. WHITE WALTHAM – White Waltham School, White Waltham Road SL6 3SG. Grimms Players present auditions for Brassed Off. 7.30pm. Details: 01344 317993. WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Wokingham Folk and Acoustic Club. 7.30pm. Details: Facebook.com/WokFAB WOKINGHAM – Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents A View From The Bridge. £12. Details: 0118 978 5363. WOODLEY – Shopping Precinct, Crockhamwell Road. Farmers market. Details: 0118 921 6920 or www.

Fri. An Evening of Burlesque. Sat. Molly’s Marvellous Moustache. Sat. Miss Saigon: 25th Anniversary Performance. Sun. Bolshoi Live: The Golden Age. Sun. ROH: Cosi Fan Tutte. Mon. Run. Wed. Felicity Ward: 50% More Likely To Die. Thurs. Michael Morpurgo’s An Elephant In The Garden. Thurs 20-Fri 21. Steeleye Span. Sat 22. FILM: Bridget Jones’s Baby (15). Fri until Thurs 20. Free State of Jones (15). Fri 14-Thurs 20.

Newbury – The Watermill www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 The Wipers Times. Until Sat 29.

Reading – The Hexagon www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Round the Horne. Thurs. The Mod Musical: All Or Nothing. Fri-Sat. Romesh Ranganathan: Irrational. Sun. Sally Morgan. Tues. Jimmy Carr. Wed. Royal

woodleytowncentre. co.uk.

Thursday, October 20 EARLEY – Palmer Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 2AH. Reading Film Theatre presents: The Mafia Kills Only in Summer (La Mafia Uccide Solo d Estate) (15). 8pm. Details: 0118 378 7151. FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre RG40 4ES. Crochet Group. 1pm3pm. Details: 0118 908 8176. SPENCERS WOOD – Library, Basingstoke Road RG7 1AJ. Crafts and Laughs. 3pm-4pm. Details: 0118 988 4771. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Wearing the Trousers: Women’s struggle for sartorial freedom – illustrated talk by Jayne Shrimpton. £5. 2pm-3pm. Classics Book Group. 6.30pm-7.30pm. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOKINGHAM – Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents A View From The Bridge. £12. Details: 0118 978 5363.

Friday, Oct 21 EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports and Social Club, Lowther Road. Wokingham Music Club: Richard Digance. £14. 7.30pm. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub. co.uk FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre RG40 4ES. Rhymetime. 11am11.30am. Details: 0118 908 8176. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Cribbage and

Philharmonic Orchestra. Thurs 20. Celine: The Power of Love. Sat 22. 10cc In Concert. Sun 23.

Reading – The Concert Hall www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Celebrity Organ Recital: Daniel Cook. Mon. A Great British Variety Show: Reading Scottish Pipe Band. Sat 22.

Reading – Progress Theatre www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 Dracula. Thurs 20-Sat 29.

Shinfield – Shinfield Players www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 The King and I. Fri-Sun.

Card Games club for all abilities. 10.30am-noon. Local history surgery: drop-in for advice. 10amnoon. VIP Book Group: for people with a visual impairment. 2.15pm3.30pm. Crochet Group. All abilities welcome. 9.30am-11.30am. £4. Play reading group. 10amnoon. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOKINGHAM – Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents A View From The Bridge. £12. Details: 0118 978 5363. WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre, Headley Road RG5 4JZ. Woodley and Earley Arts Group present autumn exhibition. 10am5pm. Free entry. Details: 0118 969 3311.

Saturday, October 22 WINNERSH – Library, The Forest School, Robin Hood Lane RG41 5ND. Gaming club for teenagers. 10.30am12.30pm. £1. Details: 0118 979 7519. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Teen Writing Group. 10.30am-noon. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOKINGHAM – Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents A View From The Bridge. £12. Details: 0118 978 5363. WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Chuch, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. October Rendezvous - High Voltage Singers Charity Concert for CRY (Care and Relief for the Young). With Reading Accordion Group. 7.30pm. £10. Details: 0118 934 5998.

Carpenter. Sun 23.

Windsor – Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Hamlet. Until Sat. Travels With My Aunt. Mon-Sat 22.

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 A View From The Bridge. Until Sat 22.

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre www.luckleyhouseschool.org 0118 978 4175 Wokingham Film Society: Eye In The Sky. Thurs 13. Five Live. Sat 15. Wokingham Film Society: Made In Dagenham. Thurs 27.

Sonning – The Mill

Woodley – Theatre

www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Blithe Spirit. Until Nov 19. A Gala Night of Classics. Sun. Voice of the Heart: Karen

www.woodleytheatre.org 07939 210121 Jazz at the Oakwood: The Martin Hart Trio with Julian Stringle. Sat.

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

CROSS CODE 4

9 17

18 10 25

5 26

17 13

8 5

4 26

8 14

15 3

15 10

25 23

2. What is the name of the sheath from which a hair grows?

7. What was the name of Henry VIII’s warship which sank in the Solent in 1545?

NONAGRAM

O I

O T

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1

8. Which 1996 film, starring Sean Bean, has the same name as a monthly football magazine? 9. Which member of Spandau Ballet was actress Sadie Frost’s first husband?

5. In which English county is Cartmel racecourse?

25 8

6. Which famous singer is also an accomplished artist painting under the name Benedetto?

4. Which cloaked figure wielding a scythe is a traditional personification of death?

17 14

1. Nikkei 225 is the stock market index for which city’s stock exchange?

3. In which film does wind from a subway grate blow up Marilyn Monroe’s white dress?

25 19

17 17

16 8

18 3

MAGIC SQUARE

GAME LONGSHOREMAN

How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found. Guidelines: 23 Good; 27 Very Good; 32 Excellent.

Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which will fit in the grid to form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and vertically.

SUDOKU

5 9

5 8 6 3 9 7 1 7 1 2 3 8 4 7 6 8 2 6 5 5 3 6 1 9 8 7 8 2 9 8 4 1

4 9

5 1

8 2

9 7

6 8

4 1 9

6 3 4

G N

A C

E I

Here are two miniature fivesquare crosswords using the same grid – but the letters have been mixed up. You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.

Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same.

8 3 2 6 4 9 5

9 10

13 13

15 15

EQUALISER 12 5 7 1 2 2 4 10 7 3 8 6

Hard

Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.

3 8 9

FIVE ALIVE

Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary (Tenth Edition) is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).

10. Which Italian hard cheese is made from ewe’s milk?

Spell out a 15-letter word or phrase by moving from one chamber to another within the pyramid. You may only enter each of the chambers once and may only proceed S through openings in the walls. The S first letter may appear in any chamber. O R

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD 1

WORD PYRAMID

C A N

Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

Easy

LEISURE | 27

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

Thursday, October 13, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction.

All puzzles on this page are supplied by Sirius Media Services. To try more of our puzzles interactively online go to www.puzzledrome.com © Sirius Media Services Ltd

ACROSS DOWN 1. Dance through hoops? (4-4) 1. Prime time for making dried grass, it might be said (6) 5. Girl who is spotted in squares 2. Light beam coming from following the band (4) Arles (5) 8. Andy’s one to provide a non3. What the worker gathered had committal answer (3,3,2) been chosen carefully (4-6) 9. A bird doing something (2,2) 4. Glenda’s man? (3) 11. Poor sap rebuilding, by the 6. Without a visible sign in the way (7) absence of an athletics event (2,5) 13. Stop sailor having TV as a diversion (5) 7. Shrewd interpretation of statue (6) 14. Exchange where cattle are 10. Aunt Maria and I arranged auctioned? (5,6) to visit African country (10) 18. Ghostly English lake (5) 12. Review when total has 19. Fit to drink, according to risen (3,2) river board (7) 15. Rum lot I removed during 21. Penny had no work on deck (4) commotion (7) 22. Tries to abandon dreadful 16. Go for each condiment (6) Christian name to make 17. Key 4 Down bent eagerly (6) delivery on field (8) 20. Lamb ambitiously trapping 24. Revolutionary loaf? (4) a deer (5) 23. The man accepts nothing 25. Truth coming from cockney but a garden implement (3) lady entering another cavity (8)

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

12 15

25 26

28 29

31 32

SOLUTIONS

ACROSS 1. Steep cliff (9) 9. Apart from (6) 10. Religious figure (4) 11. Undersized pig (4) 12. Listen (anag.) (6) 13. Forming a line (7) 16. Poisonous tree (4) 17. Perfumed powder (4) 18. Border of cloth (3) 20. Remove moisture (3) 21. Wooden shoe (4)

23. Ill-behaved child (4) 25. Biblical story (7) 26. Pressing (6) 29. Sort (4) 30. Stratford’s river (4) 31. Loiter (6) 32. Society girl (9) DOWN 2. Regain a loss (6) 3. Population count (6) 4. Mother or father (6) 5. Small US coin (4)

6. 7. 8. 13. 14. 15. 18. 19. 22. 23. 24. 27. 28.

No longer alive (7) Untidy state (4) Impasse (9) Fourfold (9) Simple (4) Lively dance (5) Aromatic plant (4) Perfumed (7) Rich cake (6) Yellow fruit (6) Nearly (6) Chap (inf.) (4) Wheel covering (4)

3 6 4 8 1 2 5 7 9

8 7 5 4 9 6 3 1 2

9 1 2 7 3 5 4 6 8

4 3 1 9 2 7 6 8 5

7 9 8 6 5 3 1 2 4

5 2 6 1 8 4 9 3 7

6 5 3 2 4 8 7 9 1

2 4 9 3 7 1 8 5 6

7 9 1 3 6 8 4 5 2

1 8 7 5 6 9 2 4 3

EASY SUDOKU

14 1

15 2

16 3

CROSS CODE

4 3 5 1 9 2 6 7 8

6 8 2 5 4 7 9 1 3

8 7 9 2 1 6 5 3 4

5 1 4 7 3 9 8 2 6

3 2 6 8 5 4 1 9 7

1 6 7 4 2 5 3 8 9

2 4 3 9 8 1 7 6 5

9 5 8 6 7 3 2 4 1

HARD SUDOKU

17 4

18 5

19 6

20 7

21 8

22 9

WORD PYRAMID: Pelican crossing. EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – divide; multiply; subtract; add. Total: 14. MAGIC SQUARE: hang; aloe; norm; gems.

QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Precipice; 9 Except; 10 Icon; 11 Runt; 12 Tinsel; 13 Queuing; 16 Upas; 17 Talc; 18 Hem; 20 Dry; 21 Clog; 23 Brat; 25 Parable; 26 Urgent; 29 Type; 30 Avon; 31 Linger; 32 Debutante. Down – 2 Recoup; 3 Census; 4 Parent; 5 Cent; 6 Extinct; 7 Mess; 8 Stalemate; 13 Quadruple; 14 Easy; 15 Galop; 18 Herb; 19 Scented; 22 Gateau; 23 Banana; 24 Almost; 27 Gent; 28 Tyre.

Astute; 10 Mauritania; 12 Sum up; 15 Turmoil; 16 Pepper; 17 actin; action; alto; anti; antic; atonic; cant; canto; cation; clint; clot; Keenly; 20 Bambi; 23 Hoe. COALITION; coat; coati; coital; coition; colt; coolant; coot; into; iota; ital; italic; licit; lint; location; loot; loti; lotion; octal; ontic; onto; oolitic; otic; taco; tail; talc; talon; tian; toco; toil; tonal; tonic; tool; toon.

Down – Gross; Tango; Spent. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Hula-hula; 5 Anna; 8 Yes and no; 9 At it; 11 Apropos; 13 (2) Across – Miaow; Prawn; Emend. Down – Maple; Agave; Waned. Avast; 14 Stock market; 18 Eerie; 19 Potable; 21 Poop; 22 Chinaman; 24 Roll; 25 Veracity. NONAGRAM: Down – 1 Heyday; 2 Laser; 3 Hand-picked; 4 Len; 6 No trace; 7

QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Tokyo; 2 Follicle; 3 The Seven Year Itch; 4 The Grim Reaper; 5 Cumbria; 6 Tony Bennett; 7 The Mary Rose; 8 When Saturday Comes; 9 Gary Kemp; 10 Pecorino.

(1) Across – Gates; Ounce; Stout. FIVE ALIVE:

28 | LEISURE

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Livemusic Friday, October 14 BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Soul’d Out. Details: 01344 303333. EASTHAMPSTEAD – The Green Man, Crowthorne

Road RG12 7DL. Murphy James. Details: 01344 423667. KNOWL HILL – The Bird in Hand RG10 9UP. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 01628 826622. LITTLEWICK GREEN – The Novello, Bath Road SL6 3RX. Jazz at the Novello:

Victoria Arms

)EWXLEQWXIEH 6H ;SOMRKLEQ &IVOWLMVI 6+ ),

Sat 8th Oct MOD & The NORTHERN SOUL NIGHT

Vocal

Lion

THIS SATURDAY

Sweet Soul Music Man

Victoria Arms

)EWXLEQWXIEH 6H ;SOMRKLEQ &IVOWLMVI 6+ ),

4VIWIRXW

,SWXIH F] 6IEP .EOI

Every Friday

The Lea Lyle Quartet. Details: 01628 825753. READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Limpopo Groove. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – The Hexagon. All Or Nothing: The Mod Musical. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Odyxxey x Embeepee pres. – Stephen Steinbrink + more. Details: 0118 959 7196. TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. Bitterroot. Details: 07889 226309. WINDLESHAM – Windlesham Club, Kennel Lane GU20 6AA. Tony Barker and Keith Chilvers. Details: 01276 472210. WINNERSH – The Pheasant Inn, Reading Road RG41 5LR. Stars In Their Minds Karaoke. Details: 0118 978 4529. WOKINGHAM – The Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Open mic night. Details: 0118 978 3023. WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. The Shelf Side. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548. WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October 13, 2016

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAMPAPER.CO.UK RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights. Details: 0118 979 5790. WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Frisky Fridays. Details: 07415 354056.

Saturday, October 15 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road. The Vintage Sound Collective. Details: 01344 878100. BARKHAM – The Bull at Barkham, Barkham Road RG41 4TL. Vintage Vehicle Day with live music from Dr Busker and the Dorset Rats. Details: 0118 976 2816. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Evil Puppies. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. The Vinyl Covers. Details: 01344 422622. BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Blind Man’s Buff. Details: 01344 457318. CROWTHORNE – Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. NRG. Details: 01344 530615 HURST – St Nicholas CE School, School Lane RG10 0DR. Hurst Rocktoberfest: The PFJ, The Scoundrels, Achtung! Spitﬁre, Evolution. Ticket only. www. hurstrocktoberfest.org.uk READING – O’Neill’s, Friar Street RG1 1DB. No Way Out. Details: 0118 960 6580. READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Hugh Turner Heavy Funk Quartet. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – The Hexagon. All Or Nothing: The Mod Musical. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – The Palmer Tavern, Wokingham Road RG6 1JL. Beaver Duo. Details: 0118 935 1504. SANDHURST – The Rose & Crown, 108 High Street, GU47 8HA. Riff Raff. Details: 01252 878938. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Tim Valentine. Details: 0118 969 8000. WOKINGHAM – The Grange

Coffee House, Holme Grange Craft Village, Heathlands Road RG40 3AW. The Jigantics, Cat Watley and guests. Free 2pm-5pm. £7.50 after 7pm. WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Off The Record. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Mod and Northern Soul night. Details: 0118 978 3023. WOKINGHAM – The Crispin, Denmark Street RG40 2AY. Malarkey. Details: 0118 978 0309. WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Gigabit. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – The Two Poplars, Finchampstead Road RG41 2NU. Uptown Trafﬁc. Details: 0118 978 0590. WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s. Details: 0118 977 4548. WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Party Nights. Details: 0118 979 5790. WOKINGHAM – Spin, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Essential Saturday. Details: 07415 354056. YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, The Green GU46 7LR. Kieran Acoustic. Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, October 16 READING – Community Hall at Watlington House, 44 Watlington St RG1 4RJ. Readifolk: Darren Black. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Dreading Poetry Slam. Details: 0118 958 6692. SHINFIELD – The Bell & Bottle, School Green. Open mic and jam night. Details: 0118 988 3563. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. A Gala Night of Classics. Details: 0118 969 8000.

Tuesday, October 18 FLEET – The Harlington,

The BROAD ST TAVERN

LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT FRI OCT 14

THE SHELF SIDE

FUNK & ROCK!

TUESDAYS

PUB QUIZ

TEST YOUR WITS IN OUR FUN QUIZ

FRI OCT 21

GRAFITTI CHILD

BACK TO ROCK AGAIN!

FLEET – Propaganda Music Canteen, Fleet Road GU51 3BU. John James Newman. Details: 01252 620198. HENLEY – Magoos, Hart Street RG9 2AU. Stars in the Their Minds Karaoke. Details: 01491 574595. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Tailfeather. Details: sub89.com READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Silver Heels. Details: 0118 958 6692. WHITE WALTHAM – White Waltham & Shottesbrooke Social Club, Hurst Lane SL6 3JJ. The Jukesters. Details: 0118 934 3785.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Resurrection, a tribute to The Stone Roses. Details: sub89.com READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Sexy Rumours. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Kinwood. Details: 0118 402 7800. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Two Step Presents: Ulrika Spacek and Palm Honey. Details: 0118 959 7196. SANDHURST – The White Swan, Swan Lane GU47 9BU. The Shelf Side. Details: 01252 872444. SHINFIELD – The Bell & Bottle, School Green. Tetnus Jab. Details: 0118 988 3563. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Tim Valentine. Details: 0118 969 8000. WOKINGHAM – Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Open mic night. Details: 0118 978 3023. WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Graﬁtti Child. 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.

Friday, October 21

Saturday, October 22

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Neil Diamond Tribute. Details: 01344 303333. EMMBROOK – Sports and Social Club, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club presents Richard Digance. Details: wokinghammusicclub. co.uk

ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road. Funk Soul Rebels. Details: 01344 878100. BINFIELD – Binﬁeld Club, Forest Road RG42 4DU. Uptown Trafﬁc. Details: 01344 420572. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Hubba Bubba. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12

Fleet Road Gu51 4BY. Moscow Drug Club. Details: 01252 811009. READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Fleur Stevenson Jazz Singers Night. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – Speakeasy Cocktail Bar, St Mary’s Butts RG1 2LG. Open mic. Details: 0118 957 3500. STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Ragged Union Bluegrass. Details: 01491 681048.

Wednesday, October 19 READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Bohemian Night. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. BBC Introducing Live: Tom Dunne, Carmody, Little Giants. Details: 0118 959 7196.

Thursday, October 20

7DE. Hog Wild. Details: 01344 457318. BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. Serious Chord Squad. Details: 01344 422622. READING – St Laurence Church, Friar Street RG1 1DA. Amber and the Professors. 7pm. READING – The Hexagon. The Power of Love: The Music of Celine Dion. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Discovered. Details: 0118 402 7800. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Bidgie Reef and the Gas live. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – The Turks Head, London Road RG1 5BJ. Syn City Rockers. Details: 0118 957 6930. SANDHURST – The Rose & Crown, 108 High Street, GU47 8HA. The Bite. Details: 01252 878938. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Tim Valentine. Details: 0118 969 8000. TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. Said & Done. Details: 07889 226309. WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Dawn Sandells and the Raiders. Details: 01276 858501. WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Asylum Affair. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – The Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Oxjam Wokingham from 4pm. Details: 0118 978 3023. WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548. WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. 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. Robbie Lee. Details: 01252 870648.

HOPE & ANCHOR Free entry, fantastic beers & a great night out! SATURDAY @ 9pm

OFFRockTHE RECORD covers from Hendrix,

Thin Lizzy and Pink Floyd Sat October 22

WE ASYLUM AFFAIR LIVE Just what the doctor ordered: MUSIC music from the past till now

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

LEISURE | 29

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

Thursday, October 13, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

AT THE CINEMA

The acoustic couch

Drama, now arriving

Who’s gonna become a rock star?



Making music is something that’s really important to us at the Couch – so when we saw this contest, we knew we had to host it

Stars: Emily Blunt, Justin Theroux, Rebecca Ferguson, Haley Bennett

HE Girl on the Train is troublesome in two ways: it doesn’t like men and it doesn’t think much of women either. One of last year’s best-selling novels, The Girl on the Train, has been turned into a Hollywood money-spinner by director Tate Taylor, the man behind Oscar-winning civil rights drama The Help. As a thriller, it’s serviceable and sells itself – like many others in the genre – on its veil of mystery and a double-stranded twist, revealed at the film’s climax. It’s a whodunit with added unreliability. Englishwoman in New York, Rachel (Emily Blunt), takes the commuter train every day. As she sips from a water bottle filled with vodka, she peers out of the window and loses herself in hazy thought. This is a woman with problems, fixated on the lives of one beautiful couple she sees every day. They’re symbolic of a perfect love to her – amplified, since the house neighbours the des res of ex-husband Tom (Justin Theroux) which he shares with his new wife and mother of his child, Anna (Rebecca Ferguson). To make matters worse, it’s Rachel and Tom’s former marital home. When the beautiful female neighbour, Megan (Haley Bennett), vanishes, Rachel is drawn in. Her sketchy, booze-soaked memories make it difficult for her to piece together events but she nevertheless becomes obsessed with finding out what happened – and in the process some shocking secrets are revealed. Labelled by some an empowering post-feminist triumph, it’s far from it. But while it treats the female characters abhorrently, pigeonholing them and punishing them repeatedly, it also shows the male characters in a brutal and reductive light. The three women characters all battle to break free of stereotypes. They’re all burdened with situations and concerns that are typically attributed to women. Rachel was, in her past, preoccupied with having a baby and becomes so troubled by an inability to conceive that she starts to unravel. The new wife, Anna, meanwhile, fulfils the ‘other woman’ role – she’s the mistress pitted against the first wife and the one held responsible for the husband’s infidelity. The third is the Freudian ‘whore’, presented by the film as the foxy femme fatale. She turns out to be arguably the most complex of the trio. Of the men, the therapist pulled into the whole murky affair perhaps fares best, although he’s shown to be ‘typically’ male in the difficulty he encounters attempting to shun the advances of his sexy patient. There’s also Scott (Luke Evans), the ubermasculine, possessive partner with anger issues – and the cheating husband, of course. Though the film seems to want to look beyond gender stereotypes, characters never break free of the limits placed on them. The men are all characterised by their attitudes towards women, dominance and sex, motivated by desire and struggling to tether sexual impulses, and the women are defined by mothering instincts, submission and sex appeal, or lack of. Although the main twist feels clearly signposted from the outset, the device of using Rachel’s alcoholism to throw doubt on events and obscure the truth is an effective one, encouraging us to question everything and making Rachel refreshingly unlikeable. Blunt is great in this tragic role and deserves singling out, while the marvellous Allison Janney adds depth, even if she doesn’t really get to dig her nails in. A drama wrapped in a murder mystery, this thriller gives you plenty to ponder, even if it does the opposite of what it sets out to do, and descend into TV movie melodrama territory by its close.

We like to rock. We like to roll. We like folk, jive, rap, soul and anything that’s musical. So it’s no surprise to you that we’re backing the Rock Week Band Competition. We’ll be holding both heats and the grand final in the new year and we want you to be part of it. The contest will be at The Acoustic Couch in Market Street in Bracknell. It is open to all styles/ genres and open to bands, trios, duos and solo acts, with great prizes to be confirmed for the Winners. This year, the contest celebrates its 30th Anniversary. Rock Week started out at Windsor Arts Centre and since has taken place in venues across Berkshire, during this time it has spawned some of the best musicians in the South East many going onto successful careers in the music industry. Now it’s your turn. Each Heat will feature five acts with the winner plus overall runner-up going through to the Final. If you want to get on your musical journey, sign up now. The closing date for applications is Friday, December 9. Heats will take place on January 5, 6 and 7, with the grand final on January 14. For more details, log on to www. grahamsteelmusiccompany. com/contact Good luck!

STR8TS

SUDOKU

No. 303

Tough

Previous solution - Medium

5 7 4 6 8

3 4 6 2 5 3 1 2 5 4 7 1 9 6 7 5 8 6 4 7 3 4 2 1 5 9 8 1 2 8 7

7 2

5 2

3 4

8 3 1 9 1 You can find more help, tips and hints at www.str8ts.com

1 2 6 4 1 8 9 3 7 8 5 2 3 4 3 5 2 1 6 5 2 7 6 4 3 9 5 4

No. 303

3 4 5 8 1 4 7 2

Easy

5 1 3

4 3 1 5 7 9 6 8 2

1 8 4 8

3 7 5 9 8 1 6

How to beat Str8ts – Like Sudoku, no single number can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. These need to be filled in with numbers that complete a ‘straight’. A straight is a set of numbers with no gaps but can be in any order, eg [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to The solutions will be published here in the next issue. see how ‘straights’ are formed.

Previous solution - Very Hard

5 2 3

The Girl on the Train (15)

Upcoming music with Jody Mc

Kim Taylor-Foster

8 5 7 6 3 2 1 9 4

2 9 6 4 1 8 5 7 3

7 8 4 1 9 3 2 6 5

5 2 9 8 6 4 3 1 7

1 6 3 7 2 5 9 4 8

9 7 5 3 4 6 8 2 1

3 1 2 9 8 7 4 5 6

6 4 8 2 5 1 7 3 9

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely. For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org If you like Str8ts check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.

in a BanD? hoLDing a gig? hEaRD SomE gREaT mUSiC? WE WanT To hEaR FRom YoU! E-maiL nEWS@WokinghamPaPER.Co.Uk

| CLASSIFIEDS 30 Thursday, October 6, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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7x2

FOR SALE

VIOLINS FOR SALE. One violin £35 one violin for £15 or both for £40. Can be seen at address close to Wokingham town Centre. Details: 07947 957044

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Peugeot 108 1.0lr Active. 3 door. Cash price £8,594.00. Customer deposit £108. Amount to credit £7.486.00. 48 monthly payments of £108. Final optional payment £3,302.00. 0% representative APR. Based on 6.000 annual mileage. Peugeot 208 1.2lr Active. 3 door. Cash price £10,754.00. Customer deposit £149. Amount to credit £10.605.00. 48 monthly payments of £149. Final optional payment £3,453.00. 0% representative APR. Based on 6.000 annual mileage. Peugeot 3008 Active diesel. Cash price 14,937.00. Customer deposit £199. Amount to credit £14.738.00. 48 monthly payments of £199. Final optional payment £5,186.00. Based on 6.000 annual mileage.All drivers must meet eligibility criteria including full UK licence, Payments will vary according to age, post code and annual mileage. Finance provided by Peugeot Finance, a tradingstyle of Peugeot Financial Services. Quadrant House, Princess Way, Redhill RH1 1QA. For further details please contact your local Eden Peugeot branch.

Thursday, October 13, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER 34

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

Flames are doused as Barker becomes a hero GUILDFORD FLAMES 3 BRACKNELL BEES 4

By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk ALEX BARKER etched his name into Bees’ folklore after netting the winner in a seven-goal thriller at The Spectrum. The forward settled this local derby with just under 90 seconds of the contest remaining when sending a first-time strike high past Joonas Kuusela in the Guildford net. Bracknell looked set to double their win tally for the season earlier in the contest when second-period goals from Scott Spearing, Krystof Kafan and David Gaborcik saw the visitors open up a 3-1 lead. A second of the evening from Jens Eriksson, this after breaking the deadlock in the opening session, and a Matic Kralj effort late in the third stanza, however, dragged the home side back on level terms. There was still enough time on the clock, though, for Barker to make himself a hero and seal Bees the points and bragging rights. Yet a positive start from Lukas Smital’s charges was to count for nothing when Eriksson nudged the Flames in front when netting on the power play in the fifth minute. This was while Harvey Stead sat out a cross-checking minor. Bracknell were on the wrong side of an 8-4 result when the two rivals met at The Hive three weeks earlier – but memories of that

Alex Barker was Bracknell Bees’ match-winner Picture: Bob Swann

disappointment appeared to have been wiped out within the space of just seven minutes. Moving the puck around confidently eventually yielded an equaliser on 28 minutes, with Scott Spearing profiting from some good work from Krystof Kafan and Oleg Lascenko, the 19-year-old Latvian forward who was making his debut having signed just days earlier. With momentum now on their side and attacking their hosts at will, Bees completed the turnaround moments later when Kafan got the better of Kuusela. Architect of the goal was Rio Grinell-Parke, as it was his turn of pace down the right wing which would present the Czech shooter with an opportunity to pull the trigger. Things would get even better

for Bracknell just three minutes later when another import, Gaborcik, made no mistake when burying a Smital pass unmarked. The away side would take this deserved advantage into the break, but would emerge for the final stanza missing Spearing and captain Matt Foord. A coming together of the sides at the buzzer saw the pair hit with a 2+2 and 10 minute misconduct penalties respectively for their involvement in the fracas. Despite chances falling their way, the closing 20 minutes became more a test of Bees’ resolve as Guildford cranked up the pressure. And they were standing up to the challenge – and even stubbornly killed off even more penalties after forward duo James Galazzi and Grinnell-Park fell into trouble. But further indiscipline was to follow and the Flames were in no mood to pass up yet more opportunities on the power play. Within 35 seconds and things were all square thanks to Eriksson and then Kralj, who was levelling matters just as the opposition prepared to welcome players back to the ice. The drama, though, was not yet finished. Although heavily out-shot by the Flames during the final period, one of the five attempts they did muster proved to be the winner, which arrived when Spearing laid on Barker to spark jubilant scenes among the visiting camp.

LOCAL DERBY DUALS: South Berkshire and Sonning clashed in the hockey — Page 36

Wait for home win goes on Bracknell Bees 1 Basingstoke Bison 3 BRACKNELL BEES are still seeking their first home win of the season after going down 3-1 to local rivals Basingstoke Bison, writes TOM CROCKER. Lukas Smital’s men went into the game in a positive frame of mind having won at Guildford the night before and gave a Hive debut to new signing Oleg Lascenko. The night proved to be an end-to-end encounter with Luka Basic, Carl Thompson and Scott Spearing all calling Bison netminder Tomas Hiadlovsky into early action.

Bees’ Carl Thompson gets to grips with his opponent Picture: Kevin Slyfield/Flickr: kevinslyfield

Josh Smith rattled a Bison post before the visitors broke and hit the frame of the goal themselves through a Shaun Thompson wrist shot. The deadlock was broken at the start of the second when a long range Ciaran Long strike went through

a crowd of bodies and past Alex Mettam. Bees battled hard to try and equalise but were dealt a sucker punch when Thompson made it 2-0. And when Tomas Karpov made it 3-0 the tie was as good as won with Basic bagging a late consolation.

2016 Wokingham Borough Sports Council Sports Awards – Nomination Form Name of the person you are nominating:........................................................................................... Their address.................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................................. Postcode:......................................................................................................................................................... Age (if under 25):........................................................................................................................................... Nomination Category:................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................................. Sport:................................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................................. Club/School:................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................

BASKETBALL

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Hooper points Rockets the way to victory in opener

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Hemel Storm 79 Reading Rockets 98 SUMMER signing Chris Hooper racked up a match-high 23 points as Reading Rockets defeated Hemel Storm in the first league game of the season. Rockets began with intensity against a side who beat them three times last campaign with captain Danny Carter and in-form American Hooper (pictured) leading by example. The visitors racked up 30 points in the opening quarter to really take the game by the scruff of the neck including a 12-0 run, with Carter (2), Ponder and Juan Valerio (2) all hitting trebles. Hooper and Valerio, who racked up 40 points between them,

combined well throughout the early stages with Hooper’s buzzer-beating treble giving Rockets a 30-18 lead. But Hemel stormed out of the traps going into the second quarter, peppering the Rockets net with three trebles to pull it back to 36-33, before briefly taking the lead. Manuel Pena Garces’ men edged ahead again to lead 48-44 at the break and held on relatively comfortably after the restart. The four-point advantage increased to eight and then 13 midway through the third quarter to 63-50 and Storm never got close to pegging the scores back. A high-scoring fourth quarter brought Rockets to the brink of the 100-point mark with seven of the team finding the net, including a first treble for the club for Dani Arcau.

A busy week for Reading sees the side travel to face Cardiff in the National Cup tonight (Thursday) before returning to Wokingham to face Derby Trailblazers at Bohunt School on Saturday (6pm tip-off). “This week is a tough one as we have to make a trip to Wales to play a Division Four team that can potentially be a banana skin what with it being a one-off, winner takes all game,” said head coach Pena Garces. “Less than 48 hours later we’re returning to take on a well-coached, well-balanced Derby Trailblazers team who have been great over the last two seasons since their promotion back to Division One. “We will take each game as it comes, put an emphasis on the areas we want to be great in and respect and prepare for each opponent. “We are excited but we have a lot of work still to do.”

Rockets top scorers v Hemel: Hooper 23, Ponder 21, Valerio 17, Carter 16, Keeble 11.

Contact Telephone:..................................................................................................................................... Reasons For Nomination (Please provide up to 150 words, from the past 12 months, in support of your candidates. Bullet points only please):................................................................ .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... Please send all completed forms to Sports & Leisure Team, Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1BN. Alternatively, nominations can be emailed to sport@wokingham.gov.uk. The closing date is Friday, October 14.

Thursday, October 13, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

SPORT | 35

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NATIONAL LEAGUE 2

Barnstormer for Rams right under the posts from Atkins after a fine run from Chico U’Chong before Bryant crashed over to give the hosts a 19-3 half-time lead. A quick second-half try from Henderson put Rams well in control but Barnstaple did up their game and reduced the deficit through a Linford Brock try. Redingensians spent most of the second half on the back foot but had a big enough lead to defend and thanks to a late Atkins try, wrapped up the victory. Rams travel to face Exmouth on Saturday (2.30pm)

Redingensians 31 Barnstaple 20

Irish’s Ben Franks barges his way through a tackle on what was another satisfactory afternoon for the Championship leaders Pictures: Steve Smyth

LONDON IRISH

Keep raising expectations, Laidlaw tells Exiles fans London Irish 35 London Welsh 12 By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk “WE WANT the fans to expect us to win.” That was the message from London Irish assistant coach Clark Laidlaw as the Exiles cruised to their sixth win from six games this season by beating London Welsh. After regular seasons of struggles in the Aviva Premiership, winning just four matches as they were relegated last campaign, growing crowds at Madejski Stadium are pleased to see a victorious Irish side again. Over 4,000 were in attendance for the ‘Battle of the Exiles’ to see Nick Kennedy’s men notch another bonus-point victory thanks to tries from Fergus Mulchrone, David Paice, who was making his 250th appearance for the club, Sebastian De Chaves and Brendan McKibbin. And Laidlaw is relieved to see his side no longer go into every match as second favourite. “We want the fans to expect us to win,” said Laidlaw. “I think that pressure is good. “You don’t want to be the underdog all the time. “If you’re the underdog it means you’re not very good. “We want to be dominating and we want the expectation to be high. He added: “I think as long as the management really challenge the players each week and we strive to get better then that will keep the pressure on the players. “We’ve got a strong squad so if players aren’t performing well and their effort’s not there then we will just have to rotate other players in. “I think we’re in a good spot with that but it is up to the management and the players together to keep challenging each other.” All the pre-match build-up focused

David Paice walks out for his 250th Exiles appearance with his daughter

on club legend Paice, who skippered the side for his 250th appearances in Exiles green. And after a string of Tommy Bell penalties and Fergus Mulchrone try, Paice pushed Irish 21-0 ahead shortly after the restart, crashing over following a powerful drive to spark wild celebrations. Within minutes the Exiles scored another similar try, capitalising from a line-out before Sebastian De Chaves got his name on the score-sheet while Brendan McKibbin sealed the bonus point, putting the hosts 35-0 up. Welsh bagged two late consolation tries through Krystian Phillips and Rob Lewis but the afternoon belonged very much to Paice and Irish. That victory leaves Irish six from six so far ahead of their British and Irish Cup clash with Ospreys Premiership Select this weekend, meaning they will sit top of the Championship for a few weeks. Laidlaw is one of the few remaining faces on the coaching staff from last season. Following director of rugby Tom Coventry’s resignation, Kennedy stepped up to work alongside

new technical director Brendan Venter and coaches Laidlaw, Paul Hodgson, Declan Danaher and George Skivington. And the Scot heaped praise on the way Kennedy has quickly got the team into a winning mode again. “It has possibly gone a bit better than expected,” admitted Laidlaw. “When we started in pre-season Brendan came in really late. “We didn’t have a lot of time to organise but I think Nick can take a lot of credit around the way he’s organised the staff and coaches. “I’ve been in a lot of different environments but I think this is the most organised a coaching group have been on a daily basis and a weekly basis in building our game with a real pro-active mentality. “I think Nick and Brendan and the rest of the staff should take a real pat on the back for that. “It’s making our training and preparation during the week really thorough and I think the players are really benefiting from that.”

LONDON IRISH: Marshall, Ojo (Fowlie 48-60 (76)), Hearn, Mulchrone, Tikoirotuma, Bell, Steele (McKibbin 59), Court (Elrington 66), Paice (c) (Harris-Wright 71), Franks (Hoskins 54), Robson (Lloyd 59), De Chaves, Coman (Trayfoot 54), Cowan, Treviranus. Tries: Mulchrone (30), Paice (44), De Chaves (54), McKibbin (65) Cons: Bell x3 Pens: Bell (15,18,26) LONDON WELSH: Thomas, Phillips, Stevens, Jewell, Mantella, Hughes, Glynn (Lewis 54), Marfo (Morris 46), Kwasnicki (Hallam 46), Cooper (Chawatama 59), Maddison, Thomas Brown (Woolford 24), Pienaar (Liston 59), Hodson (c), Murphy. Tries: Phillips (73), Lewis (80) Con: Hughes Referee: Christophe Ridley Attendance: 4,025

LONDON IRISH have signed Fijian back-row Senitiki Nayalo on a twoyear deal following a successful trial with the club. The 25-year-old former member of the British Army is in line to debut for the Exiles against Ospreys on Saturday.

REDINGENSIANS’ patience was rewarded as they picked up their first home win of the season in defeating Barnstaple. Rams came into the contest on the back of three straight losses at Old Bath Road and despite dominating the first half, they struggled to break through initially against Barnstaple. But after Jak Rossiter scored the first try, the floodgates opened with RAMS: Atkins, Rossiter, Bryant, Stevie Bryant, Jacob Atkins Rams’ Stevie Bryant races for the line Sanders, McDermottroe, Chandler, and Ben Henderson also Picture: Tim Pitfield U’Chong, Weller, Henderson, going over in the 31-20 McDonnell-Roberts, Hoy, Bryson, success. Kharbouch, Vooght, Stapley (c). Reps: Crame, While Mike Tewkesbury’s men were Marris, Taylor, Hopkins, S. Guttridge. almost camped on the Barnstaple try National League 2 South line during the early stages, they could P W D L F A BP PTS not find a way past a resolute defence. Chinnor 6 6 0 0 281 77 4 28 Even after seeing two men sent Old Elthamians 6 6 0 0 197 92 3 27 to the sin-bin, the visitors held firm Taunton Titans 6 5 0 1 211 158 5 25 to deny Henderson, Phil Hoy and Redruth 6 5 0 1 172 96 3 23 Robbie Stapley and even took the lead Bishop’s Stortford 6 3 1 2 186 95 6 20 6 4 0 2 120 111 0 16 through a Jordan Petherbridge penalty. Worthing Bury St Edmunds 6 3 0 3 158 142 4 16 Rams did eventually cross the line, Henley 6 3 0 3 155 177 3 15 but were held up on both occasions on 6 3 0 3 139 133 6 13 what was developing into a frustrating Cinderford Canterbury 6 2 0 4 135 146 5 13 half. Redingensians 6 2 0 4 128 140 3 11 But in the final moments of the first L.I Wild Geese 6 2 0 4 133 186 3 11 period, Redingensians broke through Barnes 6 1 0 5 130 146 5 9 thanks to Rossiter after good work at Clifton 6 1 1 4 101 206 3 9 the back of the scrum from Stapley. Barnstaple 6 1 0 5 95 251 1 5 Exmouth 6 0 0 6 102 307 2 2 Two more quick tries followed, both

NATIONAL LEAGUE 3

Bracknell beaten and hit ‘big bump’ Cleve 57 Bracknell 13 BRACKNELL suffered “a big bump in the road” after they were thrashed at Cleve. Still seeking their first away win of the season, Bracknell suffered a second half collapse and left The Hayfields empty-handed. Trailing from the 10-minute mark to a converted Steve Bath try, the hosts powered clear to 15-3 with Liam Henning’s penalty all Bracknell had to show for their efforts. That was until a fine spell just before half-time when, following good work in the scrum, Peceli Nacamavutu and winger Stuart McKay combined for the latter to score. And a successful Henning conversion followed by another Henning penalty saw the gap closed to 15-13 at half-time. But when captain Lachy Valentine National League 3 South West P W D L F A Camborne 6 6 0 0 240 101 Old Redcliffians 6 5 0 1 149 78 Ivybridge 6 5 0 1 152 129 Dings Crusaders 6 4 0 2 131 122 Bournemouth 6 3 0 3 162 116 Hornets 6 3 0 3 154 156 Brixham 6 3 1 2 130 147 Newton Abbot 6 2 1 3 136 133 Lydney 6 2 0 4 98 111 Bracknell 6 2 0 4 112 167 Cleve 6 2 0 4 141 169 Salisbury 6 2 0 4 114 168 Launceston 6 2 0 4 97 160 Bromsgrove 6 0 0 6 130 189

BP 4 2 2 4 5 4 2 3 3 3 2 2 2 4

PTS 28 22 22 20 17 16 16 13 11 11 10 10 10 -1

was sent to the sin-bin, Bracknell crumbled and fell 36-13 behind. Ben Yates became the third Bracknell men to be given his marching orders, after Lewis Dennett was also penalised in the first half. And the visitors struggled with a man light, conceding two more tries to lose 57-13. “We’re on a journey and some journeys have bumps in the road,” said chairman of rugby Martin Radford. “This was a big one but no deviation from me – the future is bright.” Bracknell have a week off before facing Dings Crusaders on October 22. BRACKNELL: Yates, Burch, Nacamavutu, Hemming, Mackay, Dennett, Walton, Staples, Miranda, Williams, Goodison, Plant, Knight, Rice, Valentine (c). Reps: Walters, Johnson, Sanderson

n CROWTHORNE picked up their first win of the season, edging past Abingdon 17-12 in Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier. The Crows are next in league action on Saturday, October 22, where they will be guests of Swindon College Old Boys. Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier Division P W D L F A BP Hungerford 4 4 0 0 77 40 0 Drifters 4 3 0 1 112 24 3 Didcot 3 3 0 0 119 37 3 Swindon College OB 3 3 0 0 97 50 2 Tadley 4 2 0 2 124 78 1 Crowthorne 3 1 1 1 66 66 3 Chesham 3 2 0 1 42 36 0 Risborough 4 1 0 3 42 113 1 Abingdon 4 0 0 4 35 80 2 Slough 4 0 1 3 44 98 0 Phoenix 4 0 0 4 43 179 1

PTS 16 15 15 14 9 9 8 5 2 2 1

36 | SPORT

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October 13, 2016

MEN’S HOCKEY

READING FC

Simpson and South Berkshire have the Will to comfortably win local derby Gunter unable to WILL SIMPSON scored twice as South Navdeep Sharma and Devohn Teixeira cap off milestone Berkshire 1s eased past Sonning 2s in strikes handed Slough victory.

Sam Fox-Harvey of South Berkshire shields the ball from an opponent during the 5-2 victory over Sonning 2s at Cantley Park

Berks, Bucks and Oxon Division 1. After beating their second string in the opening week, South Berkshire made it two from two with a 5-2 victory as Simpson took his goals tally to three for the season. Neil Bennett, Ben Dudley and Daniel Ray also found the net while Ian Gallagher bagged both Sonning goals. SOUTH BERKSHIRE 2s endured a day to forget as they were thumped 12-0 by Newbury and Thatcham 2s. Six men got on the score-sheet for the hosts with Ben Cook (5), Ian Anderson (2) and Nick Barrett (2) doing most of the damage. SONNING 1s are still seeking their first MBBO Regional 2 win of the season after losing 3-2 to Slough 1s. Robert Crackles scored his second of the campaign while Matt Poulton also found the net, but Sunny Sangha,

Ashley Holden and Tom Pullen found the net as SOUTH BERKSHIRE 3s played out a 2-2 draw with Windsor 1s. Also in Division 3, SONNING 3s picked up a point from a 0-0 stalemate with Aylesbury 2s. Mark Peel’s double helped SOUTH BERKSHIRE 4s to a 2-1 away win at West Hampstead 7s in Division 5. But it was disappointment for SONNING 4s, who lost 5-2 at Marlow 4s. Matt Hill and Jon Jessop netted for the visitors but a Kevin Chappell brace guided Marlow to victory. SOUTH BERKSHIRE 5s and SONNING 5s both tasted defeat but there was a victory for SOUTH BERKSHIRE TERRIORS and a 13-0 demolition job from SONNING 6s against Aylesbury 5s.

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Pake is Sonning’s saviour after sealing the bragging rights By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk KATIE PAKE found the net as Sonning 1s edged past South Berkshire 1s 2-1 in Trysports Premier 1. Having both won one game each already this season, it promised to be a tight affair and so it proved. Mai-Po Wan also scored for the hosts, her third of the season, as the Sonning Lane club preserved their perfect start to the season to climb up to second. Sonning are back at home on Saturday when they face early leaders Amersham and Chalfont 1s while South Berkshire host Aylesbury 1s. SONNING 2s picked up their first point of the season as they drew 0-0 at Aylesbury. The clean sheet will be welcome to a Sonning side who had conceded nine goals in their previous two games. SOUTH BERKSHIRE 2s are still awaiting their first win in Premier 2 after losing 3-0 to Bicester 1s at Cantley Park while SOUTH BERKSHIRE

3s also lost, 9-0 at home to University of Reading 4s in Division 3. SONNING 3s fared much better, cruising to a 5-0 win away at Abingdon Pilgrims 1s in Division 2 to climb up to fifth in the table. Elodie James and Ellie Aries found the net as SONNING 4s drew 2-2 at Marlow 5s in Division 4. Vicki Smith stepped up to captain the side but saw her team fall behind to a Marlow first half strike. But James quickly levelled with a fine effort, supported by joint player of the match Hannah Skeldon with a quick attack down the wing. Keeper and also with a share of player of the match, Tori Prince, produced some fine saves to keep the scores level before Aries broke through to put Sonning ahead. But Marlow equalised to earn a share of the points. SOUTH BERKSHIRE 4s were beaten 3-0 at home by Windsor 2s while there was a defeat for SONNING VETERANS, 5-0 at home to Witney 3s but SONNING 5s beat Slough 3s 1-0.

Match-winner Katie Pake, above left, beats South Berkshire’s Jemma Simpson to the ball as team-mate Kristin Cooper, below, ﬁnds a route to goal blocked off Pictures: Steve Smyth

TENNIS

Willis dreaming of another big break when taking on some of world’s best

It has been quite a year for Wokingham’s Marcus WIllis

MARCUS WILLIS is set to battle the likes of Andy Murray and Goran Ivanesevic for a $250,000 prize in Austria next week. Wokingham’s Willis, who famously reached the second round of Wimbledon this year before losing to Roger Federer, has been invited to compete in the Tie Break Tens in Vienna alongside some of the biggest names in the game. In a unique competition, players battle across 10 matches in a race to just 10 points, all across one night with the winner bagging the full prize fund on October 23. Wimbledon and Olympic

champion Murray will go in as favourite but faces stiff competition from Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Dominic Thiem, both of whom are inside the world’s top 13. Veterans Tommy Haas and Ivanesevic complete the starstudded line-up alongside world number 495 Willis. Speaking to The Tennis Podcast, Willis said: “It’s abnormal to have that opportunity and I’m very grateful for it. “I’m itching to get out there and play against them. “I’m excited to test my game against them but I’ll learn a lot

from that evening even if it’s shambolic results-wise. “I back myself. I can win. It’s a 10-point tie-break. “I probably won’t, but if you play that 100 times I’m going to win it at some point.” He added: “It’s 10 points. Best of five sets is tough but could I beat Andy Murray in a 10-point tie-break? Probably. “Am I going to beat him more often than not, no absolutely not. “It’s like playing 10 minutes of football. Accrington Stanley could beat Man Utd in 10 minutes. “I’m still dreaming!”

CHRIS GUNTER (pictured) became the fourth most-capped player in Wales’ history with two more appearances this week. The Reading right-back made his debut for the Dragons in 2007 and took his cap tally to 76 by featuring against both Austria and Georgia. The three men Gunter is chasing down have all retired, leaving the door open for the 27-year-old to potentially top the list before he hangs up his boots with Neville Southall (92), the late Gary Speed (85) and Craig Bellamy (78) the leading trio. On the pitch it was a mixed week for the Euro 2016 semi-finalists with a good point away to Austria, drawing 2-2 with Gunter bagging an assist for Joe Allen, before being held at home by Georgia. Also in World Cup 2018 qualifying, Sandro Wieser completed 90 minutes twice as Liechtenstein continue to seek their first point of the campaign after losing 2-0 to Albania and 2-1 in Israel. Paul McShane was part of the Republic of Ireland squad which saw off Georgia and Moldova, but was an unused sub for both games. Elsewhere, Danny Williams picked up two more USA caps in their friendlies with Cuba and New Zealand. Williams was introduced for the final 21 minutes as Jurgen Klinsmann’s men beat Cuba 2-0 thanks to goals from Chris Wondolowski and Julian Green. And the midfielder played 26 minutes, replacing Perry Kitchen in USA’s 1-1 draw against New Zealand. John Swift scored a stunning goal as England Under-21s wrapped up their successful Euro 2017 qualification campaign with a 5-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Having already sealed their spot in Poland with a win over Kazakhstan on Saturday, where Swift was unused, Reading’s star man this season got England off to a perfect start on Tuesday with a fine strike from 25 yards. Further goals from Tammy Abraham (2), Josh Onomah and Duncan Watmore ensured a comfortable afternoon in Walsall. Luke Southwood kept two clean sheets as England U20s enjoyed a perfect week with three wins from three to win the Four Nations tournament. The Royals stopper was on hand to help the Three Lions to a 2-0 victory over Holland in Oldham before sitting out the comeback success against Germany. But he was back between the sticks in Rochdale against USA where two goals in the last six minutes earned England another 2-0 success. Defender Axel Andresson enjoyed a prolific week in front of goal with two strikes for Iceland U19s. The youngster could not prevent defeat against Ukraine while his goal against Turkey came in vain. But during his third 90 minutes of the week, Andresson netted late on to seal a 2-0 win over Latvia. Josh Barrett earned three more Ireland U19 caps and bagged a goal during their 5-0 win over Gibraltar while Zak Jules and Jake Sheppard both played for Scotland U21s.

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Thursday, October 13, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

THAMES VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Duffett makes his Mark for County By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk THREE second half goals saw Berks County fight back from 1-0 down to defeat Woodley United Reserves 3-1 in the Thames Valley Premier Division. The two mid-table sides locked horns at John Nike Stadium and Woodley took the lead on 18 minutes through Adam King. But a second half resurgence saw the hosts rattle in three goals in 20 minutes to turn the tie on its head. Mark Duffett got the ball rolling on the hour mark with Connor Banks and Tony Langton also on target. The win sees Berks leapfrog Woodley up to seventh in the table. James Payne’s goal could not prevent FINCHAMPSTEAD RESERVES from slipping to a 3-1 defeat at home against White Eagles in Division 2. Previously unbeaten Finch took a lead into half-time thanks to Payne’s strike, but second half goals from Bartosz Rochatka, Jacek Bojda and Bartosz Pachulski lifted White Eagles up to second. WARGRAVE picked up their third win from four games this season with a comfortable victory over Taplow United Reserves. Thomas Bray, Callum Hunter and Daniel Patterson netted the goals against winless Taplow. Ronnie Groom struck twice as WOODLEY UNITED A won a nine-goal thriller 6-3 against ASHRIDGE PARK in Division 3. In a battle of two in-form sides at

Callum Hunter, left, was on target during Wargrave’s 3-0 victory over Taplow United Reserves in Division 2

Cantley Park, Woodley boasted five different goalscorers with Sam Cripps, Lewis Doe, Billy Gale and Jake Brown all adding to Groom’s brace. Those six strikes cancelled out Alex Malinov, Jacob Rebbeck and Mark

Shoosmith goals as Woodley moved level on points with Ashridge. Carl Pyne scored in each half as HARCHESTER HAWKS picked up their second consecutive draw, holding Newbury Reserves 2-2.

Richard Lukacs and Aaron Susans netted for the visitors, but Harchester stayed second bottom with a credible point thanks to Pyne. HURST RESERVES fought back twice to draw 2-2 with bottom side White Eagles Reserves. Hurst, sitting fourth in the table, trailed to Robert Ignaczak’s first half goal but levelled through Ashley Lamb. Albert Dziegiel quickly restored the White Eagles lead but Lamb struck again to earn a share of the spoils. Alex Hill and George Lloyd goals preserved BERKS COUNTY RESERVES’ perfect start to the campaign as they edged out Brimpton 2-1. Andy Miller scored the only goal for the hosts as Berks stay three points clear. HURST A stay third in Division 4 after easing past BERKS COUNTY ROVERS 3-0. Dean Cherrett, Brendon Buckley and Asher Price netted the goals to seal a good away win. Oscar Gutierrez and James Carter strikes could not prevent WOODLEY UNITED B from falling to a 5-2 loss at home to leaders South Reading, who had Jordan Sawyer’s hat-trick to thank. WARGRAVE RESERVES and HARCHESTER HAWKS RESERVES played out a 3-3 draw to move up to sixth and 10th respectively. Andrew Caldwell, Ernesto Gomes and Jack Hatcher goals for Wargrave were matched by Harchester strikes from Grahame Lucking, Lewis Smith and Chris Berry.

SUNDAY LEAGUE

Victory for Woodley as Bell tolls on Forest SAM BELL scored and was named man-of-the-match as Woodley United made it three wins from three in Division 1. Athletico Forest edged the first half an hour, striking the crossbar before Dan Hill grabbed the ball on the rebound. But it was Woodley who took the lead when Bell collected possession after good work between Danny Blatchford and Graham Dew, before smashing a fine effort over the head of the keeper. Forest levelled on 39 minutes when a speculative effort from outside the box found its way in. United fared better after the break and took the lead when Harvey Detenon headed in Chris Hayman’s corner and the win was sealed on 71 minutes as Ollie Jones found Bell to notch his second of the afternoon. Reading Sunday League results, October 9: PREMIER DIVISION: The County 3-4 Woodley Wanderers DIVISION 1: FC Woodley 2-2 SC United, Le Galaxy 3-2 AFC Burghfield, Spencers Wood 3-3 116 Exiles, Woodley United 3-1 Athletico Forest DIVISION 2: Charvil Rangers 1-3 AFC Burghfield Res, Arborfield 2-2 Loxwood Park Rangers DIVISION 3 EAST: Berkshire Rovers 2-0 Forest DIVISION 4 EAST: Shinfield Rangers 3-8 Delta Vigo

YOUTH FOOTBALL

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

Evans’ goal cannot prevent defeat

Next Gen call-ups for Royals trio

KAI EVANS’ goal was not enough to prevent Wokingham and Emmbrook Oranges from slipping to their first defeat of the season. Sumas’ Under-14s equalised an early Goring Robins opener before half-time through Evans, but a second half strike handed the table-toppers victory. The two in-form sides started level on points in East Berkshire Football Alliance Division 6, but the contest lacked the quality expected of the two leading sides. Robins took the lead in the scrappy affair on 12 minutes when a long-range effort from a tight angle found its way in. The advantage was almost doubled minutes later but George Watkins tipped the shot onto the woodwork before grabbing it on the line. Evans’ introduction changed the course of the game with his attacking flair the difference and he was on hand to fire home on the rebound after Josef Lamberton’s shot was blocked. Neither side could show their qualities after the break as the contest continued to become an attritional battle with the winning goal coming from a goalmouth scramble. Lamberton nearly equalised from a one-on-one, but his chip hit the crossbar while Nathan Mulvaney and Matt Rogers both wasted chances. Sumas, who named centre-back Charlie Williams man-of-the-match, slip to fourth with this defeat but

Defender Charlie Williams, left, and Prashant Gurung were named man of the match for Wokingham U14s and U16s respectively.

do have games in hand on the sides above. WOKINGHAM U14s: Watkins; Johnson, Hamblin, Williams, Gofton; Vickers, Bridges; Mulvaney (c), Starkey, Mohr; Rogers. Subs: Evans, Lamberton, van Vliet, Johnson

n IT WAS also disappointment for Sumas’ U16 side as they lost 2-0 at home to Burnham Junior Lynx Blues. Burnham came into the Division 1 clash as favourites after their cup win over league champions Ash United last week and they took the lead on 18 minutes. Both sides defended well

throughout but a set-piece undid Wokingham as a header found the net. Sumas got on the front foot more after the break, without creating any clear cut chances. Ellis Wisdom made some good saves in the Wokingham goal while the defence stood firm in the most part with Prashant Gurung named man-of-the-match. It took until late on for Burnham to seal the win as they ran out 2-0 winners. Send your youth football reports to sport@wokinghampaper.co.uk.

READING WOMEN trio Mary Earps, Molly Bartrip and Lauren Bruton (pictured) have been called up to England’s Next Gen squad, writes TOM CROCKER. All first team Royals regulars, the three will join up with Marieanne Spacey’s Under-23 squad, which has recently been renamed Next Gen, for a three day camp between October 16-19. The group of 16 will train at St George’s Park in the group which is seen as directly below the England senior set-up.

“It’s always an honour being selected for England,” said Bartrip. “But with this age group it is something special. “I am delighted for the other two also. “They’ve been on fire and fully deserve it.”

Full squad: Sophie Baggaley (Birmingham), Mary Earps (Reading), Molly Bartrip (Reading), Hannah Blundell (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Birmingham), Gabby George (Everton), Aoife Mannion (Birmingham), Satara Murray (Liverpool), Jade Bailey (Chelsea), Lauren Bruton (Reading), Beth England (Chelsea), Ashley Dodson (Liverpool), Freda Ayisi (Birmingham), Mel Lawley (Birmingham), Sarah Mayling (Aston Villa), Beth Mead (Sunderland).

Surtees secures United a late point Woodley United Ladies 2 Wargrave Ladies 2 ELLEN SURTEES bagged a late equaliser as Woodley Ladies rescued a draw against Wargrave Ladies in their Southern Region Division One opener. Woodley enjoyed good possession for the majority of the contest and the hosts were rewarded when Clara Stringer’s effort beat goalkeeper Amy Cox via a deflection off Charlotte Maskell. But Wargrave levelled just before half-time when Hannah Sheehan’s free-kick found the top corner to beat

Bonnie Messitt. Woodley were causing problems down the flanks with Maskell twice denying May Hamblin after the restart while Rosie Page-Smith hit a post. The hosts were made to rue their missed opportunities as Wargrave got on the front foot and called Messitt into action with three fine saves. And the visitors made the breakthrough for what looked like the winning goal on 86 minutes when Courtney Hunt lobbed the keeper. But Woodley refused to give in, battling back for a share of the spoils as Surtees fired in at the near post just two minutes from time.

38 | SPORT

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FLOODLIT CUP

The ‘Ard times continue for Herridge and Binfield Ardley United 4 Binfield 2 By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk LATE GOALS from Courtney Lawrence and Matt Jones could not prevent Binfield from exiting the Hellenic Perpetua Press Floodlit Cup on Tuesday night. The Moles, who have now lost five games on the spin, trailed 3-0 before Lawrence and Jones strikes gave them hope, only for Ardley to net a fourth. Roger Herridge made four changes to his side which lost 3-1 against Brimscombe and Thrupp. James Charlton replaced Michael Walton at centre-back while there were also starts for Ross Seldon, Grant Kemp and Mo Davies with Jack Broome, Jamie Connor and Luke Scope dropping out. But the visitors started poorly and could never get back on level terms. Ardley took the lead on just two minutes when Troy Bryan, who has previously scored four in one game against the Moles, broke the deadlock. Despite having a number of players unavailable as they could not make the trip, Binfield battled well and carved out a number of opportunities while Ardley struck the woodwork twice. Connor replaced the injured Seldon at the break but within minutes of the restart the hosts were 2-0 up as Leam Howards got his name on the scoresheet. And the tie was all but won when Bryan struck again on the hour mark. Recent Moles signing Lawrence was introduced with 25 minutes to play and began the Binfield fightback with a strike from 20 yards. And when Jones pulled it back to 3-2 by heading in Davies’ cross with five minutes to play, Binfield dared to dream only for Howards to complete a brace in the closing stages. Despite the defeat, boss Herridge tweeted there were “many positives” from the trip. Binfield face Lydney Town on Saturday. BINFIELD: Aulsberry; White, Poynter, Charlton (Lawrence 65), Luis (c); Kemp, Knight, Seldon (Connor 45); Davies, Ferdinand, Jones.

Matt Jones was on target for Binfield against Ardley

Picture: Colin Byers

TRANSFER NEWS

Gibbs goes back to Wokingham WOKINGHAM and Emmbrook have completed the signing of Jack Gibbs. The former Sumas defender has returned to his old club after being released by Hellenic Premier Division outfit Binfield in the summer. Gibbs (pictured) made 24 appearances for the Moles last season, scoring twice, but was not signed on for the 2016/17 campaign. The defender is not a stranger to changing clubs having only joined Roger Herridge’s Binfield a year ago from Combined Counties League side Hartley Wintney, where he spent a year after leaving Wokingham. And he enjoyed some good times last campaign, being named

Binfield player of the month for his performances in November where he helped his side keep two clean sheets. Gibbs is the latest in a line of recent new recruits by Clive McNelly with another Binfield man, Tom Williams, scoring twice in his two appearances so far following his switch to the Sumas. Freshly relegated Wokingham and Emmbrook have struggled with life in Hellenic Division One East, winning just twice from their eight games. Gibbs will have to wait for his debut with Sumas not in action again until they host league leaders Headington Amateurs on October 22.

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, October 13, 2016

HELLENIC PREMIER DIVISION

Ferdinand nets, but no let up for beaten Moles Binfield 1 Brimscombe and Thrupp 3 LIAM FERDINAND’S penalty was not enough to prevent Binfield from falling to a fourth straight defeat at home against lowly Brimscombe and Thrupp. Brimscombe, who move up to 11th with this win, took the lead in style through Josh Jones only for Ferdinand to level up from the spot. However, goals either side of the break from Ollie Pitt and Jack Smith handed the visitors victory and left Roger Herridge’s men still seeking that winning feeling again. Matt Jones went close to an opener for Binfield as his lob was denied at full stretch by Lewis Sykers while at the other end Jack Smith struck a post. But the first goal did not take long in arriving as Brimscombe and Thrupp, who reached the third qualifying round of the FA Cup before defeat to Weymouth last week, took the lead. Latching onto a bouncing ball 25 yards out, Josh Jones hit a dipping volley into the top corner, giving Garry Aulsberry no chance. But the Moles quickly hit back when Matt Jones was brought down in the penalty area. Up stepped Ferdinand to slam home from the spot and mark his return to the side with a goal. It was a hearts in mouths moment just before the break for Binfield skipper Alex Luis as he tripped Josh Jones – but fortunately he only received a yellow card.

Liam Ferdinand equalises from the penalty spot Picture: Colin Byers

However, from the resulting freekick, Pitt curled it around the wall and into the far corner. And Brimscombe pulled two goals clear on 55 minutes when Smith controlled and finished from just inside the area, but only after Luke Scope and Jake White had efforts for Binfield. Matt Jones tried to pull one back only to be denied by Josh Jones’ block on the line and when Jack Broome was sent off for a second yellow card on 71 minutes, Herridge’s men had a mountain to climb. And despite their best efforts, the Moles could not find a way back into the contest. BINFIELD: Aulsberry; White, M. Walton, Broome, Luis (c); Connor (Kemp 54), Knight, Poynter (Davies 65); Jones, Ferdinand, Scope (Seldon 54). Sub not used: Moore.

COMBINED COUNTIES

Brown bags hat-trick, but Boars held AC London 3 Eversley and California 3

BRADLEY BROWN scored a hat-trick as Eversley and California played out an entertaining draw with AC London. The Boars led twice against the Combined Counties Division One league leaders, but London produced a late comeback to earn a point. Seeking a third away league win

from four games this season, Eversley started brightly and took the lead on five minutes through Brown (pictured). But AC London equalised on 25 minutes before Brown struck again after good work from Alimamy Kamara, who was later sent off. And Brown extended the lead to 3-1 after the break, sealing his hat-trick. But London pulled one back with 20 minutes to go before snatching a draw deep into stoppage time from the penalty spot to keep them top of the league.

Drew nets twice and ensures Woodley avoid the Flack

Substitute Adam Nditi extended United’s lead with his second goal in as many games

Picture: Peter Toft

Woodley United 4 Flackwell Heath Reserves 1 JOSH DREW bagged a brace as Woodley United moved into the third round of the Berks and Bucks Intermediate Cup with a comfortable win over Flackwell Heath Reserves. Woodley took a 2-1 lead into the break thanks to Drew’s brace while second half strikes from Adam Nditi and Charlie Oakley sealed a 4-1 success. Debutant Sukhi Kang had the game’s first chance but was denied by a good Scott Johnson stop and the keeper also denied a Jake Nicholls free-kick. Oakley was the next to try his luck, hitting the base of the post and he

hit the woodwork for the second time after rounding Johnson before firing against the bar. But the pressure finally told when Drew cut in from the right and smashed into the far corner. Chris De Franco cleared an Oakley cross off the line soon after but Flackwell could do nothing to deny Drew his second goal from a flowing counter-attack. From defending a corner, the hosts broke with pace with Oakley playing in Danny Horscroft, who crossed in for Drew to net from six yards. Flackwell pulled one back before half-time when Adam Milligan followed in from Adam Bradshaw’s parried shot. And they almost equalised immediately after the restart when a

cross from the right just evaded a red shirt in the middle. But the majority of the chances were falling Woodley’s way and they re-established their two goal cushion when Kang’s brilliant cross was met by substitute Nditi for his second goal in as many games. And there was time for a fourth in added time as Nditi turned provider, teeing up Oakley. Woodley, who have won all of their league matches so far, are back in Hellenic Division One East action on Saturday when they travel to face Finchampstead. WOODLEY: Meredith, Turner, Kang, Nicholls, Barley, Greenwood, Drew (Baines), Morgan (Beckett), Oakley, Horscroft, Edwards (Nditi). Subs not used: A. Kamara, Reed.

Thursday, October 13, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

HELLENIC DIVISION 1 EAST

Tale of two penalties for Sumas’ Williams n Winger nets one but misses another for hosts Wokingham and Emmbrook 1 Chinnor 1 WOKINGHAM and Emmbrook picked up their first point since returning to Lowther Road with a 1-1 draw against Chinnor in a tale of two penalties. Having lost all three games since bringing football back to the borough last month, Sumas finally broke their duck as they battled back from a goal behind thanks to Tom Williams’ penalty. However, Williams missed the chance to hand Sumas victory as he blazed a second spot kick over the bar. The visitors took a lead into half-time thanks to Mark Jones but Wokingham fought back in an entertaining second half. Clive McNelly introduced Elliott Rushforth from the bench and Sumas were soon level when a Chinnor man handled in the penalty area. Up stepped Williams, who made no mistake in drilling in the penalty to level up the contest. Captain Sam Lawrence saw a shot bundled behind for a corner as the game developed into an end-to-end encounter. And Sumas were handed the golden opportunity for all three points when player-assistant

Results and fixtures Saturday, October 8

MBBO DIVISION

Binfield 1-3 Brimscombe and Thrupp

HELLENIC DIVISION 1 EAST

Regional 2: Sonning 2-3 Slough Division 1: Newbury and Thatcham 2s 12-0 South Berkshire 2s South Berkshire 5-2 Sonning 2s

ICE HOCKEY EPIHL

1-1 Chinnor

B&B INTERMEDIATE CUP Woodley United 4-1 Flackwell Heath Reserves Finchampstead 4-0 FC Titans

COMBINED COUNTIES DIVISION 1

Guildford Flames 3-4 Bracknell Bees Tuesday, October 11

FOOTBALL HELLENIC FLOODLIT CUP

FIXTURES

California

Saturday, October 15 (Start time 3pm, unless stated)

THAMES VALLEY PREMIER DIVISION

FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Berks County 3-1 Woodley United Reserves

RUGBY IPA CHAMPIONSHIP London Irish 35-12 London

Welsh

manager Darren Thorne broke into the box and was fouled. Williams took the responsibility again, but this time missed the target as he shot over the bar. Sumas did not let the miss affect them, somehow not scoring from a goalmouth scramble before Williams fired wide after being teed up by

Lawrence meaning McNelly’s men had to settle for a point. The draw leaves Wokingham and Emmbrook ninth in Hellenic Division One East with eight points from eight games. SUMAS: Woodward, Goddard, Thorne, Bailey, D. Carter, Lawrence (c), Duffelen, Broadhurst (Rushforth), Wheeler (McNelly), Booth (Marsh), Williams. Subs not used: B. Carter, East

Finchampstead 4 FC Titans 0

Dave Stevens stroked Finchampstead in front on 15 minutes Picture: Steve Smyth

player soon after the break almost brought Finches a fourth as he danced past three Titans defenders before curling just wide of the top corner. Richard Thomas then headed against a post before Lee Longstaff inadvertently turned a free-kick past his own keeper. Atkinson and Thomas continued to try their luck and rack up the score before Adam Barnard was denied by Charlie

Draper in the Titans goal. But four goals were enough to book Finchampstead’s spot in round three. Finches are back in league action at The Memorial Ground on Saturday. They host borough rivals Woodley United in a local derby.

FINCHAMPSTEAD: Griffith, M. Wright, Malone, Thomas, Green, Barnard (c), Atkinson, Dean, Swabey, Stevens, Barron. Subs: Pople, J. Wright, Winship, Blatchford, Dunbar

Cleve 57-13 Bracknell

BB&O PREMIER DIVISION Crowthorne 17-12 Abingdon

Huddersfield Norwich Newcastle Brighton Bristol City Birmingham Brentford Reading Sheff Wed Barnsley Leeds Wolves QPR Fulham Burton Ipswich Preston Nottm Forest Aston Villa Derby Wigan Blackburn Cardiff Rotherham

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

F A 14 8 21 15 22 10 14 7 19 12 14 9 18 9 12 15 13 14 21 16 12 13 15 14 14 17 10 13 16 16 8 9 12 14 19 22 10 12 6 10 12 14 12 20 8 19 11 25

Pts 25 23 22 21 20 20 18 18 17 16 16 15 15 14 13 13 13 12 10 10 9 8 8 6

Berks County v Unity Taplow United v Hurst

RUGBY BRITISH & IRISH CUP

HOCKEY TRYSPORTS PREMIER 1 P WD 11 8 1 11 7 2 11 7 1 11 6 3 11 6 2 11 5 5 11 5 3 11 5 3 11 5 2 11 5 1 11 5 1 11 4 3 11 4 3 11 3 5 11 3 4 11 3 4 11 4 1 11 3 3 11 1 7 11 2 4 11 2 3 11 2 2 11 2 2 11 1 3

Finchampstead v Woodley United

THAMES VALLEY PREMIER DIVISION

NATIONAL LEAGUE 3 SOUTH WEST

Championship

No giant-killing for the Titans

Redingensians 31-20 Barnstaple

Lydney Town v Binfield

HELLENIC DIVISION 1 EAST

NATIONAL LEAGUE 2 SOUTH Tom Williams’ (left) second half penalty ensure the Sumas of a point Picture: Steve Smyth

QPR v Reading

HELLENIC PREMIER DIVISION

Ospreys Select v London Irish

NATIONAL LEAGUE 2 SOUTH Exmouth v Redingensians

Trysports Premier 1: Sonning Ladies v Amersham and Chalfont (10.30am) South Berkshire Ladies v Aylesbury Ladies (12pm) Sonning Ladies 2s v Oxford Hawks Ladies 3s (1.30pm) MBBO Regional Division 2: Sonning v Oxford 2s MBBO Division 1: South Berkshire 2s v Sonning 2s (1.30pm) Witney v South Berkshire (12.30pm)

Milton Keynes Lightning v Bracknell Bees (7pm). Sunday, October 16

RUGBY RFUW NATIONAL CHALLENGE, SOUTH EAST WEST 1

Reading Abbey Ladies v Crowthorne Ladies

ICE HOCKEY EPIHL

Bracknell Bees v Sheffield Steeldogs (6pm). Monday, October 17

FOOTBALL HELLENIC PREMIER DIVISION Binfield v Flackwell Heath (7.45pm) Tuesday, October 18

FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Reading v Aston Villa (8pm).

FA WSL 1

Tables Hellenic Premier P W Thatcham Town 15 9 Thame United 10 7 Tuffley Rovers 14 7 Flackwell Heath 13 7 Wootton Bassett 13 7 Binfield 12 7 Lydney Town 12 7 Highworth Town 13 6 Ascot United 12 6 Bracknell Town 9 5 Longlevens AFC 12 5 Ardley United 11 4 Highmoor-Ibis 9 4 Brimscombe 11 4 Oxford Nomads 12 3 Brackley Saints 11 3 Henley Town 13 2 Burnham 14 0

HOCKEY TRYSPORTS & MBBO LEAGUES

ICE HOCKEY EPIHL

Ardley United X-X Binfield

AC London 3-3 Eversley and

(2.30pm)

Sonning 2-1 South Berkshire Aylesbury 0-0 Sonning 2s

FOOTBALL HELLENIC PREMIER DIVISION

Wokingham and Emmbrook

BERKS AND BUCKS INTERMEDIATE CUP

THREE first-half goals set Finchampstead on their way to a comfortable win over FC Titans in the second round of the Berks and Bucks Intermediate Cup. Taking on a relatively unknown prospect from a level below in the league pyramid, Jon Laugharne’s men eased through thanks to goals from David Stevens, Harry Swabey and Kylo Atkinson before a second half own goal sealed the 4-0 victory. The hosts wasted little time in asserting their authority against their young opposition with Atkinson showing his class from the off. And the deadlock was broken after quarter of an hour when a cross to the far post was tapped in by Stevens. The lead was doubled on 37 minutes after Swabey lobbed the keeper and the tie was as good as won soon after when Atkinson broke through to make it 3-0. A fine run from the same

SPORT | 39

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D 2 3 3 2 1 0 0 3 0 2 1 2 2 1 3 2 3 0

L F A 4 48 22 0 44 19 4 33 23 4 31 17 5 31 19 5 25 14 5 25 21 4 29 26 6 28 31 2 21 15 6 27 23 5 22 24 3 11 14 6 19 21 6 14 30 6 10 23 8 21 36 14 12 73

Pts 29 24 24 23 22 21 21 21 18 17 16 14 14 13 12 11 9 0

P WD Manchester City 15 13 2 Chelsea 14 10 1 Arsenal 14 8 2 Liverpool 15 7 4 Birmingham City 14 6 5 Notts County 13 3 3 Reading 14 1 6 Sunderland 14 2 3 Doncaster Belles 13 0 0

L 1 0 2 2 3 4 4 6 3 3 5 5 5 7

F A 35 9 30 4 19 10 14 9 17 18 17 24 11 14 10 21 15 14 12 11 12 23 11 15 5 10 5 31

Pts 24 22 16 13 13 13 12 12 11 10 7 6 5 0

P Headington Ama 7 Bicester Town 8 Penn & Tylers 6 Woodley United 4 Aldermaston 7 Chalfont Wasps 8 Finchampstead 7 Didcot Town Res’ 7 Wokingham 8 Sandhurst Town 7 Chinnor 8 Rayners Lane 7 Holyport 6 Wantage Tn Res’ 8

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

L 1 2 0 0 3 3 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 8

F A 30 11 19 11 20 3 10 1 20 15 9 9 13 13 15 16 12 14 10 13 9 21 10 16 15 14 6 41

Pts 18 18 16 12 12 11 9 9 8 8 8 7 6 0

Pts 41 31 26 25 23 12 9 9 0

IPA Championship London Irish Yorkshire Car Doncaster Pirates Ealing Trail L’don Scottish London Welsh Jersey Bedford Rotherham Nottingham Richmond

Thames Valley League Hellenic Division 1 East P WD Marlow United 9 8 0 Reading YMCA 8 7 1 Woodcote SR 8 5 1 Highmoor Res 7 4 1 Mortimer 8 4 1 Wraysbury 9 4 1 Berks County 8 4 0 Woodley Utd Res 10 4 0 Cookham Dean 8 3 2 Newbury FC 7 3 1 Rotherfield Utd 10 1 4 Taplow United 7 2 0 Unity 8 1 2 Hurst 7 0 0

L F A 0 35 3 3 36 14 4 26 11 4 24 18 3 10 11 7 12 21 7 13 22 9 15 33 13 6 44

P 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

W 6 6 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 0

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

L 0 0 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 4 6

F A BP 181 66 5 190 137 4 152 118 2 160 137 4 141 134 2 152 164 4 135 134 5 119 126 4 122 130 4 131 150 3 118 159 3 78 224 0

PTS 29 28 18 18 16 16 13 12 12 11 11 0

EPIHL P Telford 10 MK 10 Hull 10 Swindon 10 B’singstoke 10 Guildford 10 Sheffield 10 Peterboro’ 10 Bracknell 10 Manchester 10

W 6 6 7 5 5 5 4 2 2 1

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

L 0 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 8 9

F 36 35 45 37 31 42 36 27 24 21

A 23 27 30 29 25 40 34 32 47 47

Pts 17 16 14 13 11 11 10 9 4 2

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PAICE MAKER: Irish mark stalwarts 250th appearance with victory over Welsh — Page 35

ICE HOCKEY

Cox is confident improving Bees will keep getting better By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk

“WE WILL keep getting better” was the defiant message from Bracknell Bees’ bench coach Gareth Cox. Thanks to a late Alex Barker goal, the club pulled themselves off the foot of the English Premier Ice Hockey League (EPIHL) table with a brilliant, if not dramatic, 4-3 victory over fierce rivals Guildford Flames last Saturday. Although beaten 3-1 at The Hive by another near neighbour, Basingstoke Bison, on Sunday night, these latest results demonstrate a huge improvement from player-coach Lukas Smital’s young side. In previous encounters with the two clubs earlier in the season, Bees suffered heavy 8-4 (Guildford) and 8-1 (Basingstoke) reverses, so the progression is clear to see. It was inevitable the roster may encounter some teething problems this term given the time available for Smital to assemble a team after he and countless other volunteers spent most of the close season battling heroically

Gareth Cox is back with the Bees as bench coach Picture: Kevin Slyfield

to keep the club in existence. And those players at his disposal boast an average age of just 24, with some of those individuals having little or no experience of the EPIHL at all. Results over the past few weeks, however, suggest the side is beginning to settle down and Cox is confident the team can only continue to improve. “It is a young team with a lot of young faces in there, so it is a big learning curve for some of them,” he told The Wokingham Paper. “It is such a young side with some EPL inexperience – we have four imports who have never played in this country before, but we are only going to get better and better. “These players are finding their feet at the moment, but we are growing in confidence and we need to keep it going.” Cox added: “The Guildford result was a fantastic one and is the way we need to play, but then people say it was a disappointing result (against Bison) after we are beaten at home. “But the last time we played them we lost 8-1, so a 3-1 defeat is a massive

improvement. “We were unlucky not to take anything out of it as we had a couple of opportunities on the power play and created some scoring opportunities but didn’t take them. “But going from 8-1 to 3-1 must be looked at as a massive improvement.” Cox is back with the club once again following his shock dismissal as then-Head Coach back in 2013 amid what owners at the time, Precision Sports Marketing, described as a cost-cutting measure. Since then he has taken charge of the Bracknell Hornets and coached both the club’s Under-15s and the South East Conference team at U17. But he is back on the Bees’ bench once again, explaining how the offer of a return from close friend Smital was an easy one to accept. “It’s good to be back,” he said. “It’s nice and I know most of the guys from before and across the league. “I’m here to help support Lukas really, he is the one making the key decisions and I’m making the easy

ones for a change! “It’s all good fun and I’m happy to be here.” Bees are away at Milton Keynes Lightning on Saturday (7pm) before hosting Sheffield Steeldogs the following day (6pm). The points have gone the way of the opposition when the sides have met this season, but the bench coach is hoping the galvanised side, who sit ninth in the standings, can come away with something this weekend. He said: “We had a bad result last time against Sheffield (5-2) but we believe with our better performances and improved confidence we can do better this weekend. “MK is always a tough place to go. They have a lot of talented players and a lot of experience, but we ran them close last time, losing 4-3. “But given the way we played last weekend, we need to make sure we build on these performances.” n FOR more Bracknell Bees news, turn to page 34.

GYMNASTICS

Tumbling ace Lucie is simply outstanding By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Luice Colebeck proudly holds aloft the Outstanding Athlete of the Year award she received at the weekend

PINEWOOD Gymnastics Club star Lucie Colebeck says it was a “real honour” to be named Outstanding Athlete of the Year at the British Gymnastics national awards ceremony. Colebeck, 20, has trained at Wokingham’s Pinewood for the past 15 years and was recognised for her efforts, which included a silver medal at the World Championships, by being named the top athlete from the ‘non-Olympic’ category. But after a slow start to the year, she admits the honour came as a big surprise. “I’m extremely happy,” Colebeck told The Wokingham Paper. “I got informed about three days beforehand and when I got the email to be told about the award I was extremely shocked. “In 2015 I thought I worked hard and to be recognised for that is a real honour.” She continued: “It was all to do with my 2015. “I struggled with a mental block at the beginning of the year and didn’t really think I was going to compete in any competitions during that year. “I went to the British Championships and came first which was a real confidence booster. “We had a World Cup just before

the World Championships and I actually didn’t complete one of my twisting elements which decreased my confidence a lot. “But then we had a new programme leading up to the Worlds and worked hard, trained hard and going there and doing well with my team was my main goal. “To also receive an individual silver medal was a real highlight of my year.” Colebeck, who lives in Binfield, has been competing in her current discipline of tumbling since she was 10 years old and combines her training with coaching gymnastics both at Pinewood and various local schools including Ludgrove in Wokingham. And she now has her eyes set on an important year for the sport in 2017. “Now is kind of like play time for us,” she said. “We haven’t got any competitions coming up until next year and next year is a big year for us. “It’s the World Games which is hosted every four years. “My main aspiration is to qualify for that and go and just show how good the Great Britain tumblers have become.” Colebeck was in good company at the weekend’s

awards ceremony in Leicester. Olympic champion and one of the favourites for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award Max Whitlock took the equivalent award to Colebeck in the ‘Olympic’ category. But that is something the former St Crispin’s School pupil is unlikely to be able to win in the foreseeable future. “Tumbling isn’t an Olympic discipline which is a shame,” explained Colebeck. “There’s been talk about it becoming one but nothing certified yet. “I was (in Rio this summer) doing the gymnastics gala. “It was brilliant to showcase tumbling as a non-Olympic event and I think the audience thoroughly enjoyed it from what I’ve heard. “It was a great experience to be part of the Olympic Games, especially to be a part of the Great Britain athletes out there who did tremendously. “I felt very proud to be a part of Team GB.” Published by Xn Media Ltd, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Printed at Trinity Mirror Watford © Xn Media Ltd, 2016