The Wokingham Paper September 29, 2016 by The Wokingham Paper

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Thursday, September 29, 2016 No. 76

£19 million must be cut

n Council facing new round of austerity n 150 jobs to be axed n Review of bin collection service n Lollipop patrols could be sponsored n £6.2m investment in new technology n Your views wanted

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk UP TO 150 people could lose their jobs as the borough council looks to save £19m in a new round of austerity savings. A meeting of tonight’s Executive will look to implement the spending cuts, and bring in a new programme dubbed 21st Century Council. For services, the plan will see residents using a self-service approach reducing demand and face-to-face interaction with council staff. The first step of this has been taken with the launch of a mobile phone app which enables residents to access services

and information. The borough council says the £6.2m cost of the plan will pay for itself within three years and lead to more effective customer services. However, the plan also means services will be cut, contracts will be re-negotiated with suppliers, and up to 150 job losses within the council, which it says will save £4.5m a year. The council said there will be fewer senior and middle managers and one of the directors’ roles will be axed, with the redundancies taking place over the next 18 months. In all, £2.5m has been set aside for severance packages. n Continued on page 5

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, September 29, 2016

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

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

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FAMILY NOTICES Share your family news in The Wokingham Paper Is there a new addition in your family? Is your son or daughter getting married this summer? Has someone you know recently passed their exams? Maybe a work colleague is retiring and you would like to wish them well in the future. Contact The Wokingham Paper to post your announcements today. We offer a range of packages designed at helping you share your news without breaking the bank.

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Members of Spencers Wood FC’s Under 14 squad show off their new kit, sponsored by developer Crest Nicholson

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A PROPERTY developer in Spencers Wood has helped to kit out a local youth football team. Crest Nicholson, which is behind the new Brambles development close to Spencers Wood FC’s headquarters, donated £500 to the team to help kit out the U14 side. The club is currently

developing a new sports hub, which will aim to provide the local community with a multi-purpose sports pitch and changing pavilion. Now the team can take to the ﬁeld in style, thanks to their professional new kits. Chris Wicks, Procurement Ofﬁcer at Spencers Wood FC said “We are hugely grateful

Come and hear lunchtime music A CHURCH’S Come and Sing event was so successful that it has decided to make music a regular fixture. St Mary’s in Shinfield organised a scratch choir to perform Faure’s Requiem back in July. Now it is set to host a lunchtime concert on the first Saturday of the month. Each event will start at noon and run for around 30 minutes and be followed by a light lunch. The first one takes place this Saturday. Organiser Ann Young said: “We are very much hoping that this will provide a venue for those talented individuals who might like an audience to appreciate their skills or for youngsters coming up for music exams who need that kind of exposure.

for Crest Nicholson’s generous donation to purchase a new kit for the Spencers Wood FC U14 team. This is an exciting time for the team as we continue to grow and they are looking forward to wearing their new kits with pride for the 2016/2017 season.” Christine Tiernan, Sales and Marketing Director for

“If you know of anyone who might be interested, please encourage them to contact us.” This Saturday’s concert will be a selection of organ and vocal music from Ann and Andy, ranging from classical to swingtime. For more details, email Andy Baldwin on awbaldwin4@gmail.com or Ann Young on gardenyoung@aol.com.

Gardeners to hear about cacti at club THE prickly subject of cacti will be discussed at the next meeting of the California Gardeners’ Club in Finchampstead. The group will meet at 8pm on Monday, October 3, at the Ratepayers’ Hall, in Finchampstead Road, to listen to the talk by Alice Vanden Bon. Entry is free to members, or £2 for visitors.

Crest Nicholson said: “We are delighted to be helping Spencers Wood FC by providing a new kit for the U14 team. The team plays an important role within the local area, and as a new member of the community we look forward to becoming more involved and watching the team develop.”

Players are back with black comedy THE Russell Players are presenting a black comedy for their latest production. The group of amateur actors will be back in action from Friday, October 7 to Sunday, October 9 with their take on Joe Orton’s play Funeral Games. Centred on a cult leader who is also a con artist, the play explores what happens when he commissions a criminal to investigate reports that his wife is having an affair with a defrocked Catholic priest. Is everything as it seems? The play will be directed by Nigel Adams and feature villagers in the key roles. Tickets for the show, which will be performed at Swallowfield Village Hall, cost £9. They can be bought from the parish stores or by calling 07555 073597.

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WOKINGHAM PAPER

Thursday, September 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Special measures school fails to open for new term

Southfield School was placed into special measures after an Ofsted inspection and has yet to open for the new school year

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk A SCHOOL in Wokingham which was placed into special measures following its last Ofsted inspection has failed to improve, a report has revealed. Southfield School, in Gipsy Lane, was branded as ‘not safe’ by a team of inspectors in March, and a follow-up visit in July revealed that steps had not been taken to improve the special needs school. As a result, the school did not reopen at the beginning of the new term, leading to plans for a staggered reintroduction for pupils in October. The school has been dogged with controversy over the last few months, with the principal, deputy principal and three members of staff currently suspended from the school, resignations among remaining staff, and long-term sick leave of several senior leaders. The follow-up report, which was published on September 14, revealed that the school’s post-Ofsted action plan was ‘not fit for purpose’, and that pupils and staff ‘are not safe at the school’. Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) has been working with the school and the Department of Education (DoE) to

convert it into an academy. Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor, WBC’s executive member for children’s services, said: “We’ve been working with the Department for Education to secure a firm foundation for the school’s future. “A multi-academy trust partner has expressed its enthusiasm to work with the school. To help make the rapid changes needed, we’ve appointed an experienced interim headteacher to work with school staff and professional partners. “The interim head and all involved want to make sure all students have the chance to reach their full potential. “It’s been a particularly difficult time for all involved. We’ve worked with Ofsted since concerns were raised, and have started to enact the plans needed to address these. “Unfortunately there are no quick wins, so we must balance the needs of students and their families, whilst planning future uninterrupted good quality education. “Prioritising the needs of children, and planning for improvements to a multi-academy trust, has meant that students have not been able to attend

sessions at the school straight away when term started. Parents have been told and are being updated. The needs of their children are at the heart of our planning. “Sessions for students at Southfield School will start again from the beginning of October. The planning is for a phased return of students to make sure this runs smoothly and establishes a solid base for the future. “Meanwhile older students’ college courses started in September as planned, and younger students are attending another local school which has taken as many as it can. Southfield School has also sent work home in the interim for students. “Wokingham Borough Council has been working hard to secure sessions for its Southfield students, and additional teaching sessions and resources have been planned for them where appropriate. “We’re working hard to ensure Southfield has a sound footing for a smooth transition to academy status – all of which is part of its improvement being led by its dedicated staff and experienced interim leaders appointed by the local authority.”

Body discovered in search for missing woman FEARS have grown for the safety of a woman missing from Hurley after a body was discovered near Maidenhead at the weekend. Teresia Heales, 51, was last seen at 10.30am on Tuesday, April 12 at Hurley Farm Estate, Hurley. She has not been seen or heard from since. The body of a woman was discovered

by members of the public shortly after 10am on Friday in a wooded area in High Woods on land at Berkshire College of Agriculture in Burchetts Green. Although formal identification is yet to take place, the family of Ms Heales has been informed and is being supported by specially trained officers.

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Senior investigating officer Det Insp Jon Groenen, from Berkshire Force CID, said: “Officers are currently working to establish the identity of the deceased woman who has been located. “Her death is currently being treated as unexplained but is not believed to be suspicious.”

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Cakes wanted for café’s charity do A CAFÉ is asking customers to bring the cake this Friday as it hosts a Macmillan Coffee Morning. Brown Bag’s branches in the Oakwood Centre, Woodley town centre and Wokingham town centre, are holding the fun event on Friday between 9.30am and 11.30am. Suppliers and staff are already donating cakes for the event, but Brown Bag is asking customers to join in by bringing along their favourite cake as a donation to the sale and then enjoying a relaxing coffee, chat…and a slice or two of cake. Sean Rolfe, operations director at Brown Bag, said: “Following the success of last year’s Macmillan Coffee Morning which

raised over £300 for the charity, we have decided to extend our coffee morning to three locations this year. “In addition to the cake sale, Brown Bag will also be donating 50p

from every coffee purchased during the coffee morning. “Please do come along and support us in raising much needed money for Macmillan Cancer Support.”

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, September 29, 2016

Wokingham Borough Council meeting Last Thursday night, Wokingham Borough Councillors came together for their regular meeting. They heard updates on Council projects, companies and debated motions. Here, PHIL CREIGHTON rounds up all you need to know from Wokingham’s corridors of power …

Road crossing petition presented A PETITION relating to the refuge island in Rose Street was presented to the Council by Clive Chafer. A number of residents have signed up after learning that drivers are switching lanes to avoid driving through a pinch point. Campaigners say there have been a number of near misses and are calling on the council to redesign the area. Mr Chafer said: “Clearly this is a significant public safety issue … It can be done cost effectively, let’s keep our residents safe.” The petition was received for consideration for debate at a future meeting.

Prue to step down PRUE BRAY is stepping down as leader of the Wokingham Liberal Democrats. She announced her resignation at the beginning of the council meeting, saying, “I have a number of other roles, it’s time for someone else. I have enjoyed it.” She promised to stay on as a councillor and support the new leader, pledging the “benefit of my experience”. Her Conservative counterpart, Cllr Keith Baker, was quick to pay tribute to her. He said: “You’ve always pushed your point with vigour.” The council chamber paid their own tribute by applauding Mrs Bray.

Changes to filming rules CHANGES to way in which meetings organised by the council are filmed were approved by the council. Prue Bray said that the constitution had to be changed following a challenge made to the Local Government Ombudsman. Under the new proposals, filming will be allowed, but members of the public could request that they not be featured in the footage.

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Musical festival hailed as a Marvellous hit A MUSIC festival that rocked Dinton Pastures earlier this summer could be returning. Cllr Angus Ross, Executive Member for the Environment, said that Marvellous Festival had been “a great success on all counts, including the weather”. “Plans for future festivals are underway and we will be consulting with the residents close to Dinton to get feedback from them and also

propose improvements for any future similar events.” Cllr Ross also added in his report that his deputy, Cllr Parry Batth, “has been working on various energy and climate change opportunities which he will bring to the Council at our next meeting”.  A FIVE YEAR plan for the future of the borough’s country park is being prepared by the council. Cllr Angus Ross, executive member

for the environment, revealed that a longer-term view is being taken for the green spaces. Replying to a question by Cllr Tim Holton, who wanted to know if Cllr Ross welcomed Dinton Pastures acceptance on Trip Advisor’s Certiﬁcate of Excellence scheme for the third year running, he said: “We are working on a ﬁve year plan that will see further improvements to the whole of the Countryside

Services’ offer including planned improvements to California Country Park currently out for consultation.” A cross-party working group has been set up to look at the proposals. Cllr Ross added: “I am very conﬁdent that we can continue to provide the services that have given us this award and yet further enhance them.”

Councillors allowances to Parking powers plan moves be published on website step closer says Cllr Richards ALLOWANCES paid to councillors will now be published so that members of the public can see them. A motion submitted to Council last Thursday by Cllr Ian Pittock was passed unanimously. It commits Wokingham Borough Council to publishing the allowances councillors receive from outside bodies such as the Berkshire Fire Authority. Cllr Pittock said that the onus was on councillors to advise the council’s democratic services department if they received such payments. He said: “This is about transparency. “Our residents have a right to know how much of their money is being given to councillors as allowances. This motion will ensure that this information is easily accessible on the council’s website.” Supporting the motion, Cllr Lindsay Ferris said that it was

Cllr Keith Baker

important “we are seen to be squeaky clean”. Cllr Keith Baker, leader of the council, said afterwards: “I am pleased that all parties on the council supported Cllr Pittock’s motion. It is important as elected representatives that we are clear and honest with the public about how their money is spent. “The Conservatives in Wokingham borough are constantly striving to make local government as open as possible to the people who elect us.”

PLANS to introduce Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) will be brought to the executive. This will allow the council to put their own traffic wardens on the streets of Wokingham borough to enforce double yellow lines and timed parking bays. Cllr Malcolm Richards, the executive member for Highways and Transport, told the council: “I am now pleased to say that next week I will be presenting our formal

CPE application to the Executive for approval to submit that CPE application to the Secretary of State”. In a later answer to a question from Liberal Democrat councillor Lindsay Ferris, he said that the initial focus would be on existing restrictions, not creating new ones. He said: “Any changes or larger scale improvements to the existing arrangements would be done on a priority basis.”

Driving habits blamed for near misses BAD DRIVING habits are behind a series of near misses on a roundabout in Lower Earley. Cllr Michael Firmager asked Cllr Malcolm Richards what could be done to make the roundabout at the junction of Rushey Way and Kilnsea Drive safer. Cllr Richards said that a sign had been moved further back so that motorists could see it several seconds earlier - “an improvement”.

“However, I have to say that they also made comment that people go along the road very quickly because they drive fast expensive cars and they think it is wonderfully safe and they were driving badly,” Cllr Richards added. “The message seems to be not so much to do with signs as drivers improving their standards and observing the regulations and speed limits.”

Thursday, September 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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Wokingham Borough Council meeting

‘The financial picture is bleak — if we don’t act now, worse cuts will come’ n Continued from front page The summary presented to the Executive noted: “As far as possible these reductions will be achieved through the existing turnover in the organisation. In addition, for the last eight months all senior and middle management posts have been kept vacant (or filled on an interim basis) unless it was clear that permanent appointments were business critical and would be required in the new model. Directorates have similarly monitored and managed vacancies. As a result redundancies will be kept to a minimum, but provision for the statutory cost of redundancy is proposed.” The report that the Executive will consider also outlines services where the Council feels it can reduce investment, stop providing altogether, or become self funding. Areas at risk include leisure services including the countryside department, libraries, school support services, bus subsidies and school crossing patrols. Council leader Cllr Keith Baker guested on BBC Radio Berkshire’s breakfast show last Friday to float the idea of lollipop patrols being sponsored. He told listeners that he knew some of the proposals would be controversial. “If that allows us to maintain a service then what is wrong with seeking sponsorship?” he said. In a briefing last Thursday, Graham Ebers, the Director of Finance and Resources, explained that the council’s sums for the next four years were based on council tax increases of 2% a year and takes into account the complete withdrawal of the Government’s support grant over the next two years, as well as changes to collection of business rates.

“The picture is very bleak, but manageable,” he said. “If we don’t cut we may have more severe cuts to come.” Andy Couldrick, the borough’s chief executive, said that after already seeing the council’s income squeezed, there was a “need to do something more radical this time”. The proposed 21st Century Council and the £6.2m investment in modernising the council’s IT infrastructure is part of that, allowing residents to access services remotely and digitally. “We’re reflecting the way in which life is changing and we’re enhancing the way we do things to generate efficiency savings,” he said. The plans to change kerbside rubbish collections come out of a need to “save money. We need to think about how we can create sustainable and affordable waste collections.” Cllr Baker said: “Coupled with the need to fund inflation and the growth in population, which predominantly affects adult social care, children’s services and waste disposal costs, which are partially funded by council tax increases, there is still a budget shortfall. This needs to be met with further savings."

What happens next?

Assuming the Executive approve the plans for 21st Century Council, the council would write to the Secretary of

State to accept the offer of a four-year settlement instead of annual financial settlement on the proviso that there is no negative revenue support grant (RSG) in 2019/20. It will immediately start implementing the 21st Century Council plan, to be completed by March 2017. Work will then start on reducing a £9.7million deficit. The council said that this would be met through various initiatives including 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 other councils and to raise and generate income such as through the council’s own companies. Leader of the council Cllr Keith Baker said: “While taking up the offer of a four-year settlement gives us some financial certainty and some stability, we’re under no illusions and must continue planning to make ourselves even more efficient during this time. “We would become a leaner, more efficient council costing significantly less to run. “But I’d like to assure our residents that it would be very much business as usual during the transition. And they should see availability and access to council services improve through digital channels; as well as swifter resolution of issues and queries.”

Nothing wrong with tax avoidance says Cllr Smith A PROPOSAL for the council to clamp down on tax evasion was rejected after a debate on the difference between evasion and avoidance. Cllr Clive Jones argued that, for contracts worth more than £500,000 a year, the council should only be working with companies who can account for their past tax record and also selfcertify that they are fully tax compliant. However, arguing against the motion was Cllr Chris Smith, who is an accountant in his day job. “I am disappointed to see that Cllr Jones has flalen for one of the most common misconceptions concerning tax. “He has compared tax evasion and tax avoidance. “Tax evasion is illegal and should be prosecuted, it is no less a crime than theft… however, tax avoidance is legal. It is within the law and certain Government policies encourage it. “To conflate them is to say that crashing into a wall is the same as gently applying the brakes as they have both stopped the car. It is disingenuous.” Cllr Smith went on to argue that the motion would not protect “some of the planet’s poorest”.

BREXIT has not had an impact on the borough according to Anthony Pollock, executive member for economic development and finance. Cllr Prue Bray asked the question only to be told: “I think you asked me a similar question recently and my answer then was no and my answer today is no. The Thames Valley economy is currently in very good health.” He also expected that EU funding will be guaranteed up to 2020.

The motion was not passed. Afterwards, Cllr Jones condemned the borough’s Conservative councillors for blocking the motion, which he said is back by aid agency Christian Aid and similar plans had been introduced at Central Government levels. “Wokingham spends tens of millions every year on goods and services,” said the Lib Dem councillor. “That puts this council in a powerful position to insist on minimum ethical standards.” Cllr Jones said that he felt Christian Aid’s idea had been flatly rejected by the majority Conservative group amid claims it might cause problems for small sole traders. “That is rubbish,” he added. “It’s highly unlikely that any small one-man business will be looking to secure a contract of over £500,000 from Wokingham Borough. ““Cllr Chris Smith from Hillside ward and Cllr Antony Pollock the Exec member for Finance spoke against the motions. The other Conservatives councillors voted against the motion like lemmings, none of them had the decency to support the motion.”

OPTALIS, the council owned company that bids for social care provision across the country, agreed a new contract in Maidenhead. Cllr Anthony Pollock, Non-Executive Director Optalis, said that this was for a residential care facility in Maidenhead working with Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead council. “ This contract commenced on 1 September and incorporation of this contract into Optalis has gone smoothly to date,” he said.

Have your say LIKE last year, when the Council also had to find significant savings, it is launching a series of budget consultation events in every corner of the borough. Residents are invited to come along and hear from senior council staff about the plans and also offer their input on the principles and priorities that will guide how the council spends its money to fund services. The sessions are planned between Monday, October 17 and Monday, October 31. Each meeting runs from 7pm to 9pm and residents can drop in without booking in advance. 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

The Emmbrook School Learning Together : Succeeding Together

The Emmbrook School

Emmbrook Road, Wokingham RG41 1JP The Emmbrook School www.emmbrook.wokingham.sch.uk

OPEN EVENING Wednesday 5th October 2016 6.00pm – 8.30pm The Emmbrook School

Learning Together: Succeeding Together

A Caring Community Our transition work begins in the Spring term of year 6. We work with teachers and tutors to generate information as well as data to ensure a smooth and effective start to year 7. All students in years 7 to 11 are allocated a tutor group in one of our four Colleges. The daily ‘College Time’ includes coaching and mentoring (often students helping other students) as well as a structured programme of personal, social, careers and progression work. As a community we thrive on competition. Each term ends with the College Assemblies to hand out the cups, trophies, certificates and medals celebrating the success of the individual, the group and the school. Our support systems cater for every child. They allow us toLearning stretch and extend all abilities including our Oxford/Cambridge University candidates.

Headteacher’s address will be at 7pm and 8pm in the Hall “Students’ excellent moral, social and cultural maturity is fostered through personal, social, cultural and citizenship education and by the high expectations of consideration and respect which pervade the school’s ethos”

OFSTED Report

Our Aims

Five reasons to consider The Emmbrook School:

W Together: Succeeding Together

c su

The Sixth Form

Th p e w

Our Sixth Form provides a broad range of programmes for over 200 students. Whilst each year the majority of leavers

progress University Oxfordsupporting and Cambridge) we overseas and has “ The school has to very strong(including global links, a school

Our community is built on high expectations and high standards. We expect everyone to take responsibility for their own work and for the people around them. We expect everyone to share the same rights and responsibilities. As an academic centre our work is underpinned by a requirement for the highest standards of teaching and learning. We expect the standards of behaviour to mirror these aims. In their learning students are encouraged to be determined, active, reflective and enquiring. To develop enquiring minds and to become self reliant, confident and happy members of society.

Outstanding GCSE and A-Level results 74% of students achieved A*-C passes in English and Mathematics, which is well above the national average. Ofsted has judged us a ‘good’ school.

also have an enviable record of supporting our leavers into contacts with China, India and the United States.” OFSTED Report local employment.

Th e st Th a

The Sixth Form is a key feature of the community. The students expect to contribute to the whole school. They do this in a formal way through Community Service and the mentoring of younger students and in a diverse range of informal activities. Sixth Form Fund Raising Week is a popular part of the Calendar. The students organise a week of break time activities to engage the whole school community and to raise funds for their nominated charities.

In e w e h

We expect everyone to enjoy their time at school.

A wide range of outstanding departments Beyond the formal curriculum Beyond English and Maths we have departments such as Art, Business, Drama and Music that produce results well beyond the national average with students of all abilities. 4

www.emmbrook.wokingham.sch.uk

C tim Telephone: 0118 978 4406

E-mail: enquiries@emmbrook.wokingham.sch.uk www.emmbrook.wokingham.sch.uk

N H

Most evenings the school provides a wide range of activities to engage, inspire and extend the individual. Clubs and activities range across the curriculum. Many involve local, regional and national competitions.

In advance of public examinations we offer a revision programme which supports our learners to structure their independent study. www.emmbrook.wokingham.sch.uk

2 2 trips Extensive opportunities for extra-curricular clubs and A huge array of opportunities in sports and the arts. National and international trips.

The Emmbrook School

Our own Residential Outdoor Education Centre, Tirabad, (shared with Maiden Erlegh School and Charters School) offers an exciting opportunity to spend a week in the beauty and splendour of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Canoeing, caving, rock climbing, gulley scrambling all provide a physical challenge led by fully qualified and experienced staff using top of the range resources.

New Buildings and facilities Our state of the art £3m Maths Block will be ready for September 2017. 8

www.emmbrook.wokingham.sch.uk

Learning Together: Succeeding Together

Telephone: 0118 978 4406

E-mail: enquiries@emmbrook.wokingham.sch.uk www.emmbrook.wokingham.sch.

Excellent transition team We will visit every primary school and will know every child before they walk through the door in Year 7.

Open mornings every day till 14th October at 9.15am – book via the website www.emmbrook.wokingham.sch.uk “ Students’ personal development and well-being have a high profile.” OFSTED Report

A modern curriculum The curriculum we offer our students matches the needs of

A journey of personal development

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, September 29, 2016

Join firefighters and Community celebrates the best of business donate a pint of blood A BLOOD donation drive will be held at Wokingham Fire Station this week. Members of the public are invited to the Easthampstead Road station between 11.30am and 2.30pm, or between 3.45pm and 7pm on Friday (30). The station has already hosted two hugely successful donation sessions, with 230 pints of blood collected in total. Further sessions have been scheduled at Wokingham Fire Station on December 5, February 2, April 3 and June 15, while Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is working with the NHS Blood and Transplant Service to open up more of its fire stations as blood donation venues in 2017. The fire station’s appliance bay will be temporarily adapted while the sessions take place, with health screening areas and a number of

beds in place so that NHS staff can take the blood donations. The fire engine will be parked on a different part of the site during the sessions but the crew will still be available to attend incidents. Station Manager Luke Coleman said: “It has been really great to work alongside the NHS on this project and be able to offer the station as a venue, supporting the great work they do. “Giving people the opportunity to help save lives has gone down really well in Wokingham and we hope this next session will be as popular as the others.” New and existing donors are welcome to come along to the sessions. There will be a small number of walk in appointments but to avoid disappointment donors are encouraged to make an appointment, by visiting www.blood.co.uk or calling 0300 123 23 23.

Enjoy the best of autumn flowers AUTUMN has well and truly arrived, but that doesn’t mean that the fun has to end for Woodley Flower Club. The group will be hosting a demonstration by Kate Thomas from

Tuesday of the month. All are welcome, entrance is free for members, £5 for nonmembers. For more information call Anne Rogers on 0118 869 3615.

the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust entitled 50 Shades of Autumn at its next meeting on Tuesday. The group meets at Coronation Hall in Headley Road at 7.30pm on the first

WOKINGHAM- WE NEED YOU!

THE sixth annual Twyford Business & Community Awards took place last week with a host of local businesses and people taking home accolades. A total of 12 trophies and eight gold medals were handed out in the glittering ceremony at Buratta’s, in Ruscombe Lane, on Monday, September 19. Among the winners on the night were Barnes Fitness, who picked up the Community Award for their work organising the Twyfest Triathlon; local fundraiser Jane Holmes from children’s charity Building for the Future, and Tom Toy, the leader of the 1st Twyford Scouts, who received the Parish Council’s Citizen of the Year award. Mr Toy said: “1st Twyford Scouts is very much a team effort so I accepted the award on behalf of the whole team. We are one of the largest Scout groups in Berkshire, we currently have 200 youngsters and waiting lists in all sections. “I was invited along to the award ceremony by Gordon Storey but he didn’t tell me exactly why. I have never been to the awards before so it was quite a bit bigger than I had envisaged. “When we rebuilt the Scouts headquarters back in 2007 I endeavoured to raise the standing of the Scout group within the local community, and I think we have done that, we now support a lot of local charities and take part in a lot of local events. “We are now preparing for the Remembrance Day Parade in November, the Round Table Bonfire where we will be manning the barbecue, and of course our Christmas charity carol concert on the 19th of December.”

Jane Holmes receives her gold medal Picture: Gareth Jones/Sports-alive photography

Trophy Winners Ballards – Business of the Year Award Floor Store – Business of the Year Award (Runner-up) Parkers – Business of the Year Award (Runner-up) TW Computer Services – Business Support Award Davis Tate – Best New Member Award Riverways Farm – New Business Award Charlotte Hollidge (Ideal Branding) – Best Individual Performance Award Barnes Fitness –Community Award

Hennerton Golf Club – Charity Support Award Chambers Property Services – Twyford Tradesmen Together Award Fit and Able – Health and Wellbeing Award Mullie – Gordon Storey’s Special Award

Twyford Parish Council Citizen of the Year Tom Toy (1st Twyford Scouts)

Gold Medal Winners Andy Nicholls (Wokingham Borough Council) – Member of Twyford Together's Great

PM May accused of unfair behaviour during EU poll By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

WOKINGHAM’S newest registered charity

WOKINGHAM IN NEED

was

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

WOKINGHAM IN NEED

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

WOKINGHAM IN NEED

are currently raising funds to provide a drop-in centre at the Church and Community Centre. This will provide one-to-one support and workshops. “This is just the beginning though”, said Sue Jackson, “and we want to include the whole community’s needs as we progress with this project and others. This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in helping people in your community.” The reason for supplying you with this information? ..We would like your support.. 

As an individual - Your donations, no matter how small



As a business - Your donations, no matter how small

Anything would be gratefully received. Please donate : by cheque made payable to Wokingham In Need which can be sent/ delivered to Prospect Estate Agents, one of our valued sponsors, at their Broad Street Office in Wokingham. Alternatively you can donate by JustTextGiving. Text: WOKY15 - State : the amount you wish to donate—Send To: 70070.

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

British High Street Team Ren Kapur MBE (X-Forces) Jane Holmes (Building for the Future) Chris Bingham (Bingham’s Brewery) Mr and Mrs Stafford (Twyford in Bloom Volunteers) Neil Robertson (Twyford Together Defibrillator Initiative) Bill and Karen Suter (Landlord and Landlady of The Duke until May 2016) – Life Time Achievement Award David Brownlow (The David Brownlow Charitable Foundation) – Outstanding Performance Award

THE new Prime Minister has been accused of failing to back David Cameron 13 times in the run-up to this year's European referendum - despite her local support for the Remain cause. In the Mail on Sunday, Mr Cameron's former director of communications, Sir Craig Oliver, said that Mrs May was “sphinx-like” and her behaviour “doesn’t seem fair on DC [David Cameron], who treated her well”. Sir Oliver also said that communications between Mrs May and Mr Cameron left her predecessor “visibly wound up”, she was “unprepared to help” with negotiations with Brussels and there were fears that she would “say something unhelpful”. The article lists a baker’s dozen of times when Mrs May failed to publicly support David Cameron’s campaign to remain in the European Union, accusing her of “ratting on pledges to back him” and said that Cameron’s attempt to mow his lawn was interrupted with news that the Maidenhead MP would brief the press that the sky won’t fall in if we leave the EU. He also alleges that Mrs May attempted to avoid running a key speech past 10 Downing Street in which she backed the case for remaining in Europe. When her office did send the speech over, it disappointed him. Sir Oliver said: “there are phrases in there [the speech] that are catnip to journalists suspecting she isn’t fully signed up [to Remain]”... “This

will mean that the story will be all about the Home Secretary chiding the Remain campaign for its approach and saying it’s a fine decision between staying and leaving. Not helpful.” The Mail on Sunday article continues with allegations that Mrs May “completely went against my advice” to conduct an interview with the BBC. The articles are based on extracts from Sir Oliver’s book, Unleashing Demons, describing his time as an aide to David Cameron in the run up to the European Referendum in June. The paper said that Mrs May “grudgingly” backed the Remain campaign leading her to frustrate David Cameron, who then suspected she would launch her own leadership bid after the vote. However, during the European Referendum campaign, Mrs May spoke up in favour of Remain at a special debate organised in Twyford. As we reported in June, Mrs May was one of the panellists at a debate held at St Mary’s Church. Hundreds crowded into the pews of the Station Road church to hear the then

Home Secretary and local MP explain why she believed the UK should remain in the EU. And we reported that she held her ground against fierce opposition from the audience. In her speech Mrs May outlined her reasons for remaining based on hot issues such as immigration, security and the economy. Hosted by local resident Steven Buckley, the 90-minute debate was briefly interrupted by the peeling of the church’s bellringers providing some comic relief to the proceedings. Mrs May said: “Remaining inside the EU makes us more secure, prosperous and more influential. “If you look back over the last 40 years the EU has changed, more countries have joined as member states and many people feel they want to think again about whether it still works for them.” Mrs May fielded dozens of questions from the audience, including one woman whose company had relocated hundreds of jobs to Europe, and a French migrant who believed the focus of the debate should have been on the levels of peace the union had maintained since the 1940s. Closing the session, Mrs May said: “What is really good is that so many people have come tonight, it shows the interest in the referendum. “What I really hope is that people will vote on Europe of the future, not on what it is now or what it has been, but what it will become if we choose to stay.”

Thursday, September 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

NEWS | 7

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

The future of buses arrives: six come at once EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk A SOFA, ceiling windows and new information screens are just some of the innovations coming to Woodley’s brand-new buses. On Tuesday, Reading Buses unveiled their bright new look double deckers that will serve the town on two new circular routes, known collectively as the Orange route: numbers 12, 13 and 14. Six of the state-of-the-art machines have been pressed into service and they are powered by Mercedes Benz engines. They also include a sofa on the top deck making it easier for groups to enjoy a ride around town. There is also a table equipped with a tablet enabling people to work. Each seat in the bus has its own USB charging point for mobile devices and a coat hook. They have also been fitted with the latest lightweight and durable fabric. A number of improvements have been made to the buses to make them better for visually impaired users. Reading Buses’ chief executive officer Martijn Gilbert told The Wokingham Paper: “There are really, really clear signs for the visually impaired and route names on the side of the buses. “A full length strip on the top of the bus lights the pavement up at night.”

Inside, the company has installed information screens above the wheelchair and buggy area, making it easier for disabled customers to see what the next stop will be. “It’s a new generation of screens that are larger and easier to see,” Mr Gilbert said. And the new glass windows on the staircase and on the roof is quite a transformation. Mr Gilbert said: “It creates a whole flow of natural daylight.” The new look buses were showcased at Crockhamwell Road shopping precinct in Woodley, allowing visitors to explore the facilities and enjoy some orange goodies. Mr Gilbert is proud of the new fleet of six buses that will connect Woodley with Reading. “It will help challenge people’s perceptions … the bus is for everyone,” he said. They are the lightest weight and most fuel efficient in their class, meeting the stringent Low Carbon Bus (LCEB) certification which is unusual for double deck buses and are industry leading in combining luxury features with low weight and economic operation. “The £1.3m investment in these new buses will revitalise our Woodley routes, considerably enhancing the travelling experience for our customers and making these services an attractive and viable alternative to private car use,” he added.

Visions of the future – the new Orange route buses were launched on Tuesday Pictures: Phil Creighton

More foster carers needed for Wokingham children in care

E URGENTLY need more residents to come forward to be Foster Carers for some of the 83 Wokingham children in care to ensure that ALL children in the borough have the same opportunities in life. Because of the shortfall in Foster Carers in the Wokingham Borough, many children and young people coming into care experience the disruption not only of having to be separated from their parents, but also from their communities, schools and friends. This is because Foster Carers cannot be found locally so they find themselves being sent to Foster Carers many miles away. To support children in achieving their potential, our goal in Wokingham is to keep them as close to their home and school as possible. Our carers tell us that, though challenging, fostering is a rewarding career. We provide training, support, financial remuneration and we value our Foster Carers as they are at the heart of the fostering team. We have a real need for long and short term Foster Carers who are able to care for older children, young sibling groups, teenage mums with their babies and those who can offer supported lodgings to young people. Foster Carers, Sue and Les, say: “We absolutely love being foster carers and although it is a full time job, challenging, and hard work at times, we feel so proud when we see the children in our care develop and achieve.” Our growing, supportive community of Wokingham Council Foster Carers come from all walks of life and are as different

‘Fostering ensures that ALL children in the borough have the same opportunities in life’

as the children they look after. If you have a spare room, are over 21, in a relationship or single, a home owner or renting, religious or non-practising, and you think you could make a difference, we want to hear from you. The Council is holding a fostering information

to take a step forward? TimeTime to take a step forward?

event on Thursday 20th October at the Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Woodley, RG5 4JZ. Or call Jackie or Alison on (0118) 974 6204, fostering@wokingham.gov.uk or visit www. fostering.wokingham.gov.uk/ and Facebook Wokingham Fostering.

Could you be a foster Could or you be a foster carer supported carer or supported lodgings carer? lodgings carer?

If you think the boot might fit: If you think the boot might fit: For fostering with For more moreinformation informationabout about fostering with Wokingham Borough Council, please contact us Wokingham Borough Council, please on: 0118us 974 6204, contact on: 0118 974 6204, email: fostering@wokingham.gov.uk email: fostering@wokingham.gov.uk or orvisit: visit:www.fostering.wokingham.gov.uk/ www.fostering.wokingham.gov.uk/ Alternatively, Alternatively, come comealong alongtotoone oneofofour our drop-in information events: 5.45pm to 8pm, drop-in information events: 12.30 to 2.45pm, Thursday at The Centre, Thursday20 29October September at Oakwood the United Headley Road, Woodley, RG5 4JZ. Reform Church Hall, Church Street, Twyford, For more dates and venues in RG10 9DR. For more dates and venues in the website. the borough, borough,please pleasevisit visitour our website.

8 | NEWS

Parish noticeboard Thursday, September 29 Shinfield Parish Council planning and highways meeting. 7.30pm. Shinfield Parish Hall, School Green. Wokingham Borough Council. SE Connect Garage, Finchampstead Road, Wokingham: planning application site visit. 3.15pm. Wokingham Borough Council. Personnel Board meeting. 6pm. Civic offices, Shute End RG40 1BN Wokingham Borough Council. Executive meeting. 7.30pm. Civic offices, Shute End RG40 1BN

Monday, October 3 Charvil Parish Council village hall and amenities meeting. 8pm. Charvil Village Hall, Park Lane. St Nicholas Hurst parish council meeting. 7.30pm. Hurst Village Halls, School Road Hurst RG10 0DR. Wokingham Without Parish Council meeting. 7.30pm. Howard Palmer Room, St Sebastian’s Hall, Nine Mile Ride RG40 3BA.

Tuesday, October 4 Winnersh Parish Council Recreation & Amenities Committee. 7.45pm. The John Grobbler Room, Winnersh Community Centre, New Road, Winnersh RG41 5DU.

Wednesday, October 5 Ruscombe Parish Council meeting. 7.30pm. William Penn Room, Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road, Twyford RG10 9JA.

Friday, October 7 Wokingham Borough Council. Planning application site visits. From 8am. Schedule to be published on wokingham.gov.uk.

Monday, October 10 Shinfield Parish Council full council meeting. 7.30pm. Shinfield Parish Hall, School Green. Winnersh Parish Council Planning Committee. 7.45pm. The John Grobbler Room, Winnersh Community Centre, New Road, Winnersh RG41 5DU.

Tuesday, October 11 Wokingham Town Council. Planning and Transportation meeting. 7.30pm. Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham RG40 1AS

Wednesday, October 12 Wokingham Borough Council. Planning Committee. 7pm. Civic offices, Shute End RG40 1BN

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk A MAN from Wokingham has been found guilty of racially aggravated public order offences. Jack William Godfrey, 20, of Jupiter Way, was found guilty by Reading Magistrates’ Court on August 16 of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour towards a PCSO in Molly Millars Lane on February 13 this year. Mr Godfrey was handed a conditional discharge for three years, ordered to pay compensation of £300, and surcharge of £15 to fund victim services. A MAN from Finchampstead has admitted breaching the requirements of a community order. Ross David Grier, 22, of Booth Drive, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on August 16 where he admitted to failing to attend an unpaid work requirement on May 15, following an order made by the same court on January 22. Mr Grier was fined £500 and ordered to pay costs of £330. A MAN from Lower Earley is due to appear in court charged with theft. Stephen Painter, 39, of Stanton Close, is due to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on October 14 charged with stealing meat to the value of £40 from Sainsbury’s in Broad Street, Reading, on January 26. Mr Painter denies the charge. A MAN from Finchampstead is

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, September 29, 2016

From the courts being made that the vehicle would not be used on a public road. Mr Whitby was fined £770, ordered to pay a vehicle excise back duty of £181.25, and costs of £90. Mr Whitby was not present for the hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court on August 19.

due to appear in court charged with failing to provide a breath specimen. Craig Andrew Edward Partridge, 27, of Nine Mile Ride, is accused of failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis at Loddon Valley Police Station on January 30, having been suspected of driving while over the alcohol limit. Mr Partridge denies the charge. He is due to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on November 3. A WOMAN from Finchampstead has pleaded guilty to stealing clothes from a shop in Reading.

Shannon Marie Smith, 22, of Wellingtonia Avenue, appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on August 18 where she admitted stealing clothing worth £127 from Matalan on May 6 this year. Mrs Smith was conditionally discharged for nine months, ordered to pay a surcharge of £20 and costs of £100. A MAN from Winnersh has been fined £770 for using a car which was registered as off the road. Craig Lee Whitby, 39, of Bathurst Road, was proved to have kept a Volkswagen Golf on a public road on March 31 this year, despite a declaration

A MAN from Wokingham has been fined for watching television without a licence. Paul Clarke, 54, of Ashridge Road, was proved to have used a colour television receiver between May 7 and June 8 this year without a licence registered to the address. Mr Clarke was fined £440, ordered to pay a surcharge of £44 and costs of £120. He was not present for the hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court on August 19. A WOMAN from Wokingham has pleaded guilty to watching television without a licence. Sheila L Kelly, 54, of Roycroft Lane, admitted to using a colour television receiver on June 8 without a licence registered to her address. Mrs Kelly was fined £60 ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £120. She was not present for the hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court on August 19.

University comes sixth in Sunday Times league table By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE University of Reading has come sixth in the southeast in this year’s Sunday Times Good University Guide, which was published on Sunday. The academic institute, which is celebrating its 90th birthday this year, has improved on its national ranking in the guide, which aims to provide the most comprehensive overview of higher education in Britain. The survey includes an analysis of student satisfaction with the quality of the teaching at each institution. It takes into account teaching quality, the student experience, graduate prospects, services and facilities spend and world ranking to create a guide to more than 200 different universities across the UK. The guide notes: “The University remains just outside the [national] top 30 in our league table despite a strong

Music Club gets Funke for oneman ‘sonic explosion’

performance in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, in which real estate, planning and construction management were among its leading players. “If improvements could be achieved in National Student Survey scores for student satisfaction, to bring Reading in line with other campus-based institutions, a sharp rise in its overall ranking would follow.” A spokesperson for The Sunday Times said: “The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017 published on September 25 provides students and

WOKINGHAM Music Club has announced a new gig for early next month and tickets are now on sale. Funke and the Two Tone Baby will be appearing at a special Monday night gig on October 3. Although the name sounds

their parents with an invaluable first reference point on the path to finding a university place. It contains full profiles of all universities. “The league table is made up of nine indicators including student satisfaction with teaching quality and their wider student experience, research quality, graduate prospects, entrance qualifications held by new students, degree results achieved, student/staff ratios, service and facilities spend, and degree completion rates. “The Times complemented coverage in The Sunday Times with two further supplements published on Monday and Tuesday. These focused on the best universities for student satisfaction and the universities that come top in different subject areas.” A fully searchable website with full university profiles and 67 subject tables is available at www.thesundaytimes. co.uk/gooduniversityguide (subscription required).

like he’s a band, Funke is actually a one-man ‘sonic explosion’ that combines guitar and harmonica with beatboxing and effects “that seamlessly collide the organic with the mechanical to create a fresh sound of unstoppable rhythm and unrelenting melody”.

There will also be a support act. The music will be heard at the Emmbrook Sports and Social Club in Lowther Road. Tickets cost £8 in advance or £10 on the door. n For more details, visit www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk

Thursday, September 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

NEWS | 9

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

Twyford Parish Council meetings

Fears village will be built over in new homes expansion Twyford allotments – they could be turned into parking spaces for the station Picture: Steve Smyth An evening of beer, food and music is on the cards as the Hurst Rocktoberfest returns next month

It’s Rocktober as festival returns EXCLUSIVE

AN EXTRAORDINARY general meeting of Twyford Parish Council was held to debate plans to convert part of an allotment into car parking for the train station – but curtailed amid fears that the village could be subject to an expansion of housing in the near future. Under the proposals that were due to be discussed, land on the Hurst Road plots would be purchased and converted into spaces for commuters using Twyford station. Although there is a need for more spaces now, when Crossrail comes in it is expected that demand will soar. Up to 40 plots could be re-acquisition to become parking – 25% of the allotment – if the plan does become a reality. However, the debate was curtailed when the question for discussion was withdrawn by the parish council member who raised it. In his speech outlining why he was withdrawing his question, Merv Boniface told the committee that met at the Loddon Hall on Wednesday, September 14, that there were fears that if the parish council did not take any action now, the land could be subject to compulsory purchase order in the future. He said of the stations on the Crossrail route Great Western Railway representatives had told him: “The only station that needed to build a 1,000 car park was Twyford.” But he argued that there were rumours of a massive housing expansion for the village.

“Since June, therefore, I like many others in this room have thought long and hard about parking issues in Twyford and their possible solution,” he said. Asking why the village was being asked to shoulder the burden of these new car parks, he added that he was afraid of what a car park might lead to. “Already there are local rumours of massive housing expansion in Twyford as part of the new Local Plan to be discussed in the next few weeks. Are we not mitigating the need to build on Green Belt around our village? “I am so against such moves that I have been convinced that Twyford needs to keep one or two tricks up our sleeve to combat these very real threats to what we have at present.” Issuing a rallying cry for residents to “combat the horrendous proposals that are coming” he said that residents should “forget building on allotments as there are bigger battles to fight in the coming months.” Resident Malcolm Bray was one of a number of people who asked questions, expressing a concern that Twyford didn’t have enough allotment space: arguing that Wokingham Borough Council’s development plan allocated 0.52 hectares of allotment space for every 1,000 people. Chair of the committee, Roy Mantel, said that the parish council did not have to abide by this. The parish council then agreed to appoint an advisory committee on the plans, which will then meet with representatives from Great Western Railways, which runs Twyford Station, on Wednesday, October 19.

Family picnic will go ahead next year

Pavilion could gain new meeting room

PLANS are being made for next year’s Twyford Family Picnic, despite this year’s being a bit of a washout. At a special meeting organised by Twyford Parish Council, a working party looked at a review of August’s event and set out ideas for next year. They include a motorbike stunt show, village races and to approach Reading Scottish Pipe Band or a folk band to open the event. A classic car show would also be part of the event. To help fund the picnic, a car parking charge was considered. The committee, which met on Tuesday, September 13 at the Loddon Hall, ﬁrst considered results of a survey into this year’s disappointing turnout. The majority of respondents said they were on holiday, 66 people were worried about rain and a further 33 said that they were not aware of the event taking place. The date set for next year’s event would be Saturday, August 19.

STANLAKE PAVILION could be expanded if plans for a new meeting room get the green light. Twyford Parish Council considered the idea to boost facilities at the pavilion, which would ease pressure on the Loddon Hall meeting room. The issue was debated at a parish lands committee meeting held on Tuesday, September 13 in the Loddon Hall. It will now be discussed with the local sports clubs. At the same meeting, it was agreed to move the pitch used by the Twyford Comets next to the tennis courts in the King George V recreation ground and also create a new small pitch at Stanlake Pavilion. This was agreed, subject to agreement from the cricket club and the new pitches will not be included in the pitch maintenance programme

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

HURST Rocktoberfest is expected to draw hundreds of people for an evening of beer, hog roast and music by four local bands. Back by popular demand, the event is on October 15. Optional dress code is German Bier Keller, with entry refunded for the best dressed man and woman. Martin Hodgkins of St Nicholas Primary School PTA said: “This is our fourth year. We started with about 200 people coming. Last year it was around 400 and we raised over £5000 for the school. “Rocktoberfest has expanded:

it’s an important date locally for lots of people. “Three of the bands are from Hurst, The Scoundrels, Evolution and Achtung! Spitﬁre. They include current and former school parents and even a school

governor. Maybe Hurst is the musical epicentre of Berkshire at the moment? “The other band The PFJ from Wargrave are really funny, they dress up as characters from The Life of Brian ﬁlm.” Locally brewed beers, lager, wine and cocktails will be available. Rocktoberfest is is 6.30pm to midnight on the school ﬁeld, School Road, Hurst, RG10 0DR. Tickets at £15 (over 18s only) include the hog roast and are from www.hurstrocktoberfest.org.uk. It is advance tickets only.

ASHILL’S PROPOSALS FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE HEWDEN DEPOT, OLD FOREST ROAD, WINNERSH, WOKINGHAM

A CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY Ashill is pleased to invite you to view our proposals for a high-quality residential redevelopment of the Hewden Depot, Old Forest Road, Winnersh, Wokingham. Our plans propose redeveloping this brownfield site with a sensitively designed, wholly residential scheme, delivering new homes, car parking and attractive landscaping. Ashill is committed to consulting with the local community and would like to invite you to a public exhibition on: Tuesday 4th October 2016, between 3pm and 7.30pm, at the Woosehill Community Hall, Emmview Close, Wokingham, RG41 3DA Members of the team will be available to discuss the proposals with you. The exhibition also provides the opportunity for local people to provide Ashill with their feedback before a planning application is submitted to Wokingham Borough Council. FOR MORE INFORMATION To find out more please call Ashill’s freephone information line number on 0800 298 7040 or email us at feedback@consultation-online.co.uk

10 | NEWS

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, September 29, 2016

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

PROPERTY PROPERTY INSIGHT INSIGHT

Hello, we’re the new neighbours

Erica Townend

wokinghampropertyblog.co.uk

ND What will the 0.25% interest rate do

to Wokingham’s property market?

CitySprint gave its new neighbours ice cream Picture: Gemma Davidson

A NATIONAL courier company announced its arrival in a Wokingham business park by delivering ice creams to its new neighbours. CitySprint, which has recently moved into premises in Winnersh Triangle, surprised companies on Wednesday, September 14 by turning up on their doorstep with free ice cream cones on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year. Those who couldn’t wait for their iced treats could

even chart the van’s progress around the estate, using a special tracking website which is available for all CitySprint customers. Regional Sales Executive, Lisa Clark said: “We could have just gone round knocking on doors and handing out leaﬂets, but we wanted to do something a little different and memorable to let people know that we have arrived.”  For more information on CitySprint visit www. citysprint.co.uk.

Fibre broadband helps turbocharge the Triangle By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

HAD an interesting chat with a Crowthorne landlord who owns a few properties in the area. He popped his head into my ofﬁce as his wife was shopping (and let’s be honest talking about the Wokingham property market is a lot more interesting than clothes shopping!). We had never spoken before (because he uses another agent to manage his Wokingham properties) yet after reading this column for a while, he wanted to know my thoughts on how the recent interest rate cut would affect the Wokingham property market and I would also like to share these thoughts with you… It’s been a few weeks since the Bank of England cut interest rates 0.25%, because the Bank believed Brexit could lead to lower growth for the UK, especially in manufacturing and construction. You see, for the country as a whole, manufacturing and construction are still performing well below the precredit crunch levels of 2008/09, so the British economy remains highly susceptible to an economic shock. This is especially important in Wokingham because a large number of people are employed in these sectors. In Wokingham, of the 22,230 people who have a job, 1,635 are in the manufacturing industry and 1,396 in construction meaning: 7.4% of Wokingham workers are employed in Manufacturing and 6.3% of Wokingham workers are in Construction The other sector of the economy the Bank is worried about, and an equally important one to the Wokingham economy, is the Financial Services industry. Financial Services in Wokingham employ 855 people, making up 3.8% of the Wokingham working population. So, the Bank also announced an increase in the quantity of money via a

new programme of Quantitative Easing to buy £70bn of Government and Private bonds. Now that won’t do much to the Wokingham property market directly. Another measure also included was £100bn of new funding to banks. This extra £100bn will help the High Street banks pass on the base rate cut to people and businesses, meaning the banks will have lots of cheap money to lend for mortgages … which will have a huge effect on the Wokingham property market. That £100bn would be enough to buy half a million homes in the UK! It will take until early in the New Year to find out the real direction of the Wokingham property market and the effects of Brexit on the economy as a whole, the subsequent recent interest rate cuts and the availability of cheap mortgages. Something bigger than Brexit and interest rates is the inherent undersupply of housing (something I have spoken about many times in my blog and the specific affect on Wokingham). The severe undersupply means that Wokingham property prices are likely to increase further in the medium to long term, even if there is a dip in the short term. This only confirms what every homeowner and landlord has known for decades... investing in property is a long-term project and as an investment vehicle, will continue to outstrip other forms of investment due to the high demand for living space and the low supply of new properties being built. For more thoughts and opinion on the Wokingham Property Market, visit the Wokingham Property Blog at 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.

SUPER FAST internet is being credited for turbocharging a Winnersh ﬁrm’s customer service … and also shrinking costs. FISco UK, a technology-led business based at Winnersh Triangle, installed a new fibre broadband connection earlier in the year from high-speed provider WarwickNet. The company’s line is now 80 Mbits/s download and 40 Mbit/s upload, significantly faster than what it had previously enjoyed. Installed in January, WarwickNet’s fibre-enabled cabinet is due to joined a second at the business park. In order to reduce the often lengthy process of installing a second cabinet, WarwickNet will be utilising PIA (Physical Infrastructure Access) at Winnersh Triangle, an initiative which allows the firm to build high-speed broadband networks through access to BT Openreach ducts and poles. Services available include superfast broadband with download speeds of up to 100 Mbit/s, uncontended leased lines and premium internet access with unlimited data transfer allowance. FISco (UK), which procures and manages more than 100 workplace services and products nationally, said that the new service has seen its internet-based offerings bloom as a result. Satbir Dhillon, co-founder of FISco (UK), said: “As a technology-led business, both internal and external

Celebrating fast broadband are (from left) Satbir Dhillon and Alan Bruter, founders of FISco, with WarwickNet business development manager Thomas Smith

customers are highly reliant on remote access to our systems. “We develop and deploy our own computer aided facilities management (CAFM) solution across the UK, which not only runs our business but also enables external customers to monitor activities within their buildings. Our new connectivity means this runs much more quickly and smoothly. “From the initial meeting to the overall implementation, WarwickNet has gone above and beyond to meet our requirements. Not only have they

improved our capabilities, but they have also halved our costs, while the support they have provided since going live has been exceptional.” Thomas Smith, business development manager at WarwickNet, said: “When we spoke to FISco it was clear their connectivity wasn’t adequately meeting their needs. We worked to advise what would best suit them and we are delighted to have increased their internet speed significantly, and reduce their costs in the process.”  For more, visit www.warwicknet.com.

Life’s a dream for door ﬁrm

Manbir and his wife Lak cutting the ribbon to Dream Doors

A NEW door opened for a ﬁrm that specialises in the essential bit of furniture. Dream Doors Reading & Wokingham was declared open last week after Surinder Singh Rana, Business Development Manager at Thames Valley Chambers of Commerce helped open the new showroom, which is based in neighbouring Caversham. The ﬁrm helps transform kitchens by replacing doors

and work surfaces rather than organising a full kitchen refit. Showroom owner Manbir Takhar said: “I wanted a new challenge in my career and, after looking at many different franchise opportunities, Dream Doors stood out as the best option for me.” In addition to its kitchen makeover services, Dream Doors will also design and fit an entire new kitchen and can custom make doors to fit.

Thursday, September 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

NEWS | 11

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

Course will help manage relationship breakdowns

Groups are invited to sign up for the Winter Carnival procession, this year’s theme is Once Upon A Time

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

feelings of those seeking support. Course participants said that they found it helpful. We have protected their FOR people whose relationship has broken identity, but they have said: down, the end of summer can be tough, ”It was a life-changing experience. I specially if a solo holiday didn’t fulfill now look forward to an exciting future.” expectations and the prospect of a lonely “I learned one is a whole number: I can winter beckons. live life to the full as a single person.” But a group that aims to offer support ”It’s helped me realise I am not alone for those facing relationship breakdown and I now understand my true feelings.” is preparing to run a new course to “I learned it was not all my fault.” help overcome the pain of divorce or “It’s given me hope that I have a future separation. and can be happy again.” Starting in Earley on Friday, October “It’s helped put my marriage and ex 7, Divorce Recovery Workshop (DRW) into perspective.” emphasises that the course is for both “I learned I am not a failure. It was my Divorce Recovery Workship aims to help men and women. marriage that was a failure.” The UK charity was launched in people going through separations “I feel it’s improved how I can help Maidenhead in 1992. my children. I feel better about what “We can honestly say that everyone National chair John Kemp of happened.” has told us they were helped in some Wokingham, who attended the first DRW “The course has been a life saver.” way.” course, said: “We know some men find it The full Reading course at Brookside Anne of Reading who helps with difficult to admit they need help. We do Hall in Earley is over four days: Fridays the course said: “I suffered years of though offer a friendly, confidential and evenings October 7 and 14, and Saturday misery before a DRW course turned my non-judgmental environment. daytime October 8 and 15. life round. We’re here for everyone, no “DRW is for men and women, A charge covers course costs including matter how long ago your relationship irrespective of whether they decided to lunch and refreshments. broke down.” leave or were left. Participants are free to n For 1 more details, or to book, contact blueprint_advert_190x137mm_TKT5119_07B_PRINT_READY.pdf 22/03/2016 18:14 All course leaders attended a previous Kathy on 07785 223821 or John on 07880 disclose as much or as little as they feel course and understand many of the 702337 or email reading@DRW.org.uk. comfortable with.

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Join the Carnival parade A CALL has gone out for entries for this year’s Wokingham Winter Carnival parade. Every year, a procession goes through the town centre for the grand finale of the charity fundraising spectacular. The free community event attracts thousands of visitors to the borough and will this year take place on Sunday, November 27. In addition to the carnival procession, there will be a fun fair, more than 100 food, craft and charity stalls, free entertainment and Santa’s grotto in Wokingham Library. The procession starts at 4pm and is a grand spectacle with decorated floats, bands, assorted vehicles and

costumed walkers. There will also be opportunities to donate to charity. Now an appeal has been made for organisations to sign up to the parade. In a letter to The Wokingham Paper (page 16), Peter Lucey said: “We welcome floats and entrants of all ages and types: the town is full and the parade enthusiastically applauded. “Two prizes are possible – a prize of £150 is awarded to the best adult float, and also to the best children’s float.” Floats should be on the theme of Once Upon A Time and help can be given arranging a lorry to use for the event. n For more details, call Mr Lucey on 07770 643675 or email parade@ wintercarnival.co.uk

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12 | NEWS

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, September 29, 2016

Attendees at Wokingham Choral Society’s re-arranged come and sing event

Did they play Handel’s Water Music? A FLOODED rehearsal space could not put the dampeners on a Wokingham singing group’s open evening last month – they simply changed the date. Wokingham Choral Society, who rehearse at The Emmbrook School, were the victim of a flash flood during recent heavy rains (pictured right), forcing them to reschedule their popular Come And Sing event. The rescheduled open evening instead took place on Thursday, September 22, welcoming members of the public who had always wanted to try choral singing. The guests joined the choir in singing excerpts from their upcoming performance, including Mozart’s Mass in C

Birthday boy Nevill Micham with, left, Town Mayor Cllr Gwynneth Hewetson and, right, great-grandchildren Maisie, one, Harry, seven, and Dexter, four

A double celebration for Nevill and the mayor By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THERE were two birthdays for the price of one at a care home in Wokingham last week as a centenarian received a visit from the town mayor. Nevill Micham, who served in the army during the Second World War, shared his birthday with Cllr Gwynneth Hewetson on September 19, surrounded by three generations of his family at Alexandra Grange Care Home in Oaklands Drive. He was born in Wembley, Middlesex where he lived until he met his late wife Beryl, who he married in 1940. Nevill, who has two grandchildren

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Minor, Haydn’s Te Deum, Mozart’s Ave Verum and Haydn’s Insanae et Vanae Curae, which will be performed on November 12 at the University of Reading’s Great Hall. The choir will also be singing as one of five acts at the Wokingham Mayor’s Charity Concert Five Live on

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and three great-grandchildren, received a letter from Her Majesty The Queen congratulating him on his milestone. The day was made all the more special as his great-granddaughter Maisie, one, wore a party dress made for her by the care home’s resident sewing club. Nevill said: “My secret to being 100 is to live each day to the full and have no regrets. “I can’t thank Alexandra Grange enough for making my birthday so special, everyone went out of their way to make sure I had a lovely party and it was so wonderful to spend the afternoon with everyone.” Cllr Hewetson said: “They say everything is relative and I had

that demonstrated on my birthday this year! I was invited to Nevill's 100th Birthday Tea Party and was blown away with his positivity and joy for life. He stood and gave us a fascinating insight into his life and beliefs. It was a real privilege to share his special day and realise that I was merely at the start of another journey.”  ALEXANDRA Grange Care Home will be holding a Macmillan Coffee Morning tomorrow (Friday). Residents, relatives, staff and members of the public will all be enjoying homemade cakes and sweets while raising money for the cancer support charity. The coffee morning starts at 11am. All are welcome, but parking onsite is limited.

Berkshire Momentum welcomes Corbyn win By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE RE-ELECTION of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour’s leader has been welcomed by local activists, ahead of a meeting of a new group supporting his role. On Saturday, Mr Corbyn was revealed as the winner of the poll, comfortably beating rival Owen Smith and seeing his share of the vote increase on his original win last year. The result was announced in Liverpool ahead of Labour’s party conference which has been running all week. Members of Berkshire Momentum, a grassroots organisation set up in the wake of Jeremy Corbyn's election victory, took to the streets on Sunday to talk to residents about Labour’s future direction. The views aired will help inform a debate to be held when the group

Enjoy a ruby night out with barber shop choir

meets on Tuesday, October 4, in Reading. The discussion will be called Which Way Forward For Labour? and will also include a celebration of Corbyn’s win. Suzie Ferguson, local Momentum and Labour member, was at Liverpool to hear the leadership election result. She said: “It was very exciting first hearing that more than 600,000 people had been eligible to vote, nearly 1% of the UK population! Then, followed by hearing that Jeremy had received more than 300,000 votes, a clear win and, for me, a huge relief, first and foremost. “Then it got more and more exciting as the further figures revealed the scale of the victory – a clear mandate granted from every group of voters... and of course, the room around me was full of people on their feet cheering, clapping and hugging their neighbour.”

A WOODLEY-based choir is gearing up for a spectacular 40th anniversary concert. The Reading Barberettes, regular performers at the Wokingham Living Advent Calendar and Sunny Saturdays, will be marking its ruby milestone with Divalicious next month. A spokesperson said: “It would be great to see as many people there as possible to share in this

Momentum isn’t the only group giving their backing to Jeremy Corbyn. The Wokingham Labour Party branch also pledged their support to him earlier in the summer, while Tim Roache, the leader of the trade union GMB, said: "GMB sends our congratulations to Jeremy. It's time for the Labour Party to unite and get on with holding this Government to account - standing up for working people and winning their support rather than continually talking to ourselves about ourselves and banging on about our internal differences.” The Berkshire Momentum meeting takes place 7.30pm on Tuesday, at the Great Western Staff Association in Station Hill, Reading, just by Reading Station. It is open to all. For more details, search for Berkshire Momentum on Facebook or email: ReadingMomentum@gmail. com.

amazing milestone.” The event takes place at 6.45pm on Saturday, October 8, at Garth Hill College in Bracknell. Tickets cost £10 or £7.50 for concessions. The group sings a wide range of popular songs in four-part close harmony. Their set list includes The Weather Girl's It's Raining men; The Carpenters Top of the World and timeless

classics such as Moon River from Breakfast at Tiffany’s and a medley of Beatles hits. They rehearse on Wednesdays at the St John Ambulance hall in Church Road, Woodley and welcome new members. There is no requirement to read music.  For more details, or to book, log on to www.ticketsource. co.uk/thebarberettes or www. barberettes.org.uk

NEWS | 13

Thursday, September 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Model railway display is on the right tracks!

WINDOWS & DOORS

CONSERVATORIES A MODEL railway society welcomed visitors to its autumn exhibition on Saturday. The Loddon Vale Model Railway Club (LVMRC) held its show at Earley St Peter’s Church Hall. Over three rooms local groups showcased a range of dioramas, all lovingly prepared. Youngsters could have a go at some Brio and a Thomas The Tank Engine set. LVMRC meets on Tuesdays at Grazeley Village Hall and members are keen to welcome anyone who wants to join them. www.lvmrc.co.uk

Clockwise from far left: The Berkshire N Gauge Society; members of the Loddon Vale Society; Isla and Josiah Nottage enjoy a children’s railway; and Thomas the Tank Engine

REPLACEMENT ROOFS

CAMPAIGN: Council vows to tackle pet owners who fail to clean up

6,000 bags of dogs’ mess left behind every year EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk DOG OWNERS are failing to clean up after their pooches 6,000 times in the space of a year. A survey by Friends of Woodford Park revealed that in just one month one person had bagged up 497 dogs’ mess left behind. Added up over the course of a year that’s a potential 5,964 bags of poop that should have been scooped. Now, Woodley Town Council says it needs to do something about it and has teamed up with Keep Britain Tidy to launch a new campaign called We’re Watching You. And to help make it a reality, the council is appealing for volunteers to

come forward to help as park wardens. The campaign is setting its sights on irresponsible dog owners, with recent research showing that dog walkers are more responsible and pick up after their dogs when they think that they are being watched. A test campaign run by Keep Britain Tidy last year reported a 46% reduction in the levels of dog fouling and identified that dog owners are more likely to leave dog mess at night when they feel they can’t be seen ‘under the cover of darkness’. The campaign will use edgy new signs and the volunteer Park Wardens to remind dog owners to pick up after their dogs. The volunteer park wardens are a new role that will help Woodley Town Council maintain Woodford Park.

Duties include identifying potential park improvements, being on call for visitors needing help or advice, litter picking and discouraging dog fowlers. The Town Council is asking all Woodley residents who own dogs to be responsible and mindful of other residents who use the parks and Town Centre and needs help to get owners to do this. Dogs’ mess should be bagged up and taken home or deposited in a bin. A spokesperson added: “If you see a dog owner acting irresponsibly, please do not confront the person, but come to the Woodley Town Council offices in the Oakwood Centre and give us a description.”  For further information log on to www.woodley.gov.uk or send an email to admin@woodley.gov.uk

Join Poppy Appeal recording

Special needs family fun day

THE Wokingham Poppy Appeal is planning something extra special for this year’s fundraising efforts, with a bit of help from the creator of Holby City. On Saturday, Tony McHale will be coming to Wokingham Town Hall to direct residents in a special recording of the famous remembrance poem In Flanders Fields. Organised by appeal chairman David Dunham, the event will see people including the Town Mayor Cllr Gywnneth Hewetson and Wokingham Paper publisher Phil Creighton, read lines from John McCrae’s work, originally written in May 1915.

A GROUP that helps parents looking after children with special educational needs and disabilities is holding a fun and information day this weekend. Volunteers from REACH Wokingham will be holding the event on Saturday at St Crispin’s Leisure Centre in London Road. Children will be entertained by fun activities including a bouncy castle, circus skills, face painting, a climbing wall and sports activities. A demonstration from Lu’s Owls will let youngsters meet these amazing nocturnal birds. For parents, there will be information stalls and guest

When completed, the recording will then be sold to raise funds for the Poppy Appeal in the run-up to this year’s Remembrance Sunday on November 13. “We would still like a few people to come forward and read a line,” said Mr Dunham. “We will be recording this Saturday morning and welcome Wokingham people who want to be part of something special.” The recording will be held from 10am to noon at the Diamond Jubilee Room in Wokingham’s Town Hall.  For more details, or to take part, call Mr Dunham on 07722 238214.

speakers, offering information about the support, services and activities that are available locally to support families who have a child with SEND. This event is open to anyone living in the Wokingham Borough who has a child or young person with a special educational need or disability, and is free to attend. It runs from 11am to 4pm on Saturday and you do not have to be a member of REACH Wokingham or the CAN Network to come along.  For more details or to register a place, email reachwokingham@ yahoo.co.uk or visit www. reachwokingham.com.

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14 | EDUCATION

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, September 29, 2016

Advertisement Education feature Options2016

L At The Forest, the delivery of a first-class education is our ‘main thing’. We look forward to welcoming you. th

Parent Only Open Mornings: 16 , 19 , 21 , 23 and 26 September, from 9:15am—10.50am.

Open Evening: 6th October 2016. Family Tours from 6:00pm – 9:00pm. Includes a ‘showcase’ and Headteacher’s welcome. Visit www.forest.wokingham.sch.uk to book your place at one of our Year 7 events.

The Forest School Academy Trust, Robin Hood Lane, Winnersh, Wokingham RG41 5NE. Tel 0118 978 1626

Annual Open Morning Saturday 1st October 2016 10am-12pm Simplicity · Integrity · Equality · Peace

Luckley Sixth Form – a Bespoke Education

UCKLEY SIXTH FORM students will always have an advantage as the teaching and learning is delicately tailored to each students’ individual learning style. The support they receive is second to none, with stringent tracking of progress in place to ensure that any issues are picked up and dealt with quickly. Ultimately the students will always leave in Year 13 having achieved their own personal excellence. Head of Sixth Form, Claire Gilding-Brant says: “With A levels becoming more and more challenging in the return to a linear set-up, coupled with the demand for a ‘more than just qualifications’ applicant for post 18 pathways, this individual attention is paramount to ensuring that each student leaves the school equipped with the skills and qualifications necessary for the next stage of their life.” Year 13 students Eleanor Barron, Lauren Clark and Sophie Cranley say: “Sixth form at Luckley is a wonderful combination of increased independence, small class sizes and additional responsibility. The opportunity to make new friends from across the world is great preparation for university. The December trip to Covent Garden to see a show and do some last minute Christmas shopping is hugely anticipated, as well as a great way to relax before our mocks.” This year’s intake of students are enjoying the benefits of an exciting new IT Strategy which has been rolled out for the new academic year. Each student has been issued with their own Microsoft Surface tablet, which is theirs to keep for the duration of their studies at the Sixth Form Centre. The tablets are used within lessons for whole-class

collaboration and enable instant access to valuable tools and resources to support and enhance the learning environment. The students are so far very impressed with this new approach to their studies: Feedback includes: “I love that everything is stored in one place which really helps me to be organised” “It is great to be able to communicate with my teachers and share my notes and homework so easily with them” “This new way of learning is great for the environment, we have far less paper and text books now!” “The tablet is a fantastic tool for my independent research. With access to such a wide range of online text books and other resources it really helps me with my coursework” “Lessons are quicker paced now and being able to access the internet within class means that we are able to relate our studies to current issues far more readily”

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Wednesday 5 October 2016, 6.30pm Book online at www.luckleyhouseschool.org Luckley Sixth Form Centre, Wokingham T: 0118 978 4175 E: Registrar@luckleyhouseschool.org

‘The nurture of every pupil lies at the heart of what we do’ There is a buzz and excitement about academic life at Blue Coat, where our friendly and supportive environment enables pupils to ﬂourish and thrive

HE NURTURE and development of every pupil as a well-rounded individual lies at the heart of all that we do at Reading Blue Coat School. This is most evident in the pupils who leave the school, not only with a handful of impressive A-Level results, but also having accomplished excellence in the arts and in sport, having learned invaluable life lessons and having made lasting friendships along the way. There is a buzz and excitement about academic life at Blue Coat, where our friendly and supportive environment enables pupils to ﬂourish and thrive. Academic achievement is valued highly and the school has enjoyed strong results in recent years. Learn more about our results and university destinations on our website at www.rbcs.org.uk. Our curriculum is designed to provide the best possible preparation for life after school. Careers education runs throughout the school to help students make the right choices as they consider their options for university and beyond. In the Sixth Form particularly, students are given weekly careers guidance, guest speakers feature at a special Higher

EDUCATION | 15

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Thursday, September 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Education evening, and events include a Careers Fair, a UCAS Convention and group university visits. Pupils are also encouraged to participate in a wide range of co-curricular activities, and the school offers generous provision in a wide variety of sports, music, drama, public speaking, the CCF, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Young Enterprise and a wide variety of additional activities. The School is situated in a beautiful 46-acre site by the Thames in the village of Sonning. The new Design Technology Centre will be completed later this year and will complement the School’s impressive facilities, including the new IT centre, the Psychology and Geology block, the 23-classroom Richard Aldworth Building, an extensive Sixth Form centre, an all-purpose sports hall, an indoor swimming pool, a purpose-built science centre and a cricket pavilion. Blue Coat is an independent day school for boys aged 11-18 and girls aged 16-18. For more details, please contact Mrs Jane Jarrett or Ms Audrey Fernandes in Admissions on 0118 944 1005 or admissions@rbcs.org.uk. Further information is also available on the school’s website: www.rbcs.org.uk.

Waverley School Leads the Way Again…

AST YEAR, IN 2015, all Waverley School’s year 6 ‘graduates’ achieved their ﬁrst choice of secondary school. Over 50% of Waverley’s year 6 pupils achieved scholarships or grammar school places. Choosing secondary schools is perhaps one of the most stressful and responsible decisions any parent can make. Given that every child has their own strengths, passions and ambitions, we asked Guy Shore, Head Teacher of Waverley Prep School and Nursery, to share with us the secrets of their success. Guy gave us his three top tips.

Choose the right primary school Many primary schools are a feeder for (or are linked to) one particular secondary school. Choose your child’s primary school carefully as you may unwittingly be limiting their secondary school options. Ideally choose a primary school which will identify your child’s strengths and guide them towards the secondary school best for them.

One Secondary School Does Not Fit All The secondary school that your child’s best friend

will attend may not be right for your child. Visit secondary schools yourself, speak to your child’s teachers and make your own decision – you know your child best.

Nurture Your Child’s Talents Know your child’s strengths and build upon them. Many independent secondary schools offer bursaries and scholarships for not only academically gifted children, but also those with artistic, musical or sporting abilities. Don’t assume grammar is best for your child – he/she may be better in a school which encourages sports or the arts.

Waverley Leads the Way Waverley Prep School in Finchampstead is renowned for its ability to identify the right secondary school for each of its pupils and then help them to secure a place at their chosen school. Waverley uniquely, has a dedicated ‘graduation’ team and also no bias or afﬁliation to any secondary school. Waverley’s success has been based upon small class sizes and a deep understanding of each pupil’s skills and capabilities.

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16 | VIEWPOINTS

IN THE COMMUNITY

Welcome to our new column that helps bring together news from the many groups across the borough. 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

Wokingham Litter Heroes

HIS month the Wokingham Litter Heroes have continued their campaign to keep Wokingham tidy. On Saturday the Heroes helped out the Norreys and Westcott Neighbourhood Action Group’s (NAG) bi-annual litter pick. The pickers featured in the photo collected 20 bags of litter from the streets around Norreys Avenue. It was amazing that at first glance the litter didn’t seem that bad but then once we got going we found loads of litter stuffed into the bushes, long grass and in the leaves. The NAG were in high spirits and it was a great morning for a litter pick. A week prior, Nick Warren joined me for collection around Elms Field: we found enough litter to fill six large bags. We found that the car parks were especially bad and the majority of the litter was due to alcohol, smoking and fast food. The weirdest piece of litter of the month has to be a crash helmet that had been stuffed into a hedge near Norreys Avenue. ANDREW LE BREUILLY

Wokingham Evening Townswomen’s Guild

HIRTY TWO members were present at our September meeting, held on Tuesday, September 20, and we were delighted to welcome a new member to our Guild. Our speaker Jean Pretty gave an interesting talk on Alpine Flowers. It is amazing how such tiny plants can survive in such harsh conditions, but they push their way through the snow and are an absolute delight, with so many wonderful colours against the bright white snow and the bright blue skies. It is a busy time for the Guild with our Autumn Buffet at the end of October when Saint Sebastian’s Band will entertain us and with Christmas coming there are a number of trips and events planned. We welcome anyone who wishes to become a Guild member and flyers have been posted on the new estates in the hope that this might encourage new members. If you would like to find out more then please contact 0118 989 2649. JULIA TREDWELL

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, September 29, 2016

Wokingham people Emma’s ready for her catwalk turn Emma Cairns with her daughter Molly. While in remission from breast cancer the pair have embarked on an amazing tour of the globe. But now cancer is back and she is looking forward to taking part in the Breast Cancer Care Fashion Show

A Mum who has battled breast cancer is preparing for a moment in the spotlight as she takes part in a glittering fashion show. GEMMA DAVIDSON ﬁnds out more

MOTHER who is battling secondary breast cancer has been picked to take part in a glittering fashion show in London later this year. Emma Cairns, 44, who lives in Holmewood Close with her 11-year-old daughter Molly, was picked from hundreds of applicants to take part in the annual Breast Cancer Care Fashion Show this November. Emma, who has campaigned tirelessly for more funding into research of secondary breast cancer, will join 31 other women on the catwalk at the Park Plaza in Westminster on November 2. The former Emmbrook and Forest School teacher said: “It’s one of their biggest fundraisers for the year, I think in the evening the presenters will be Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford. “We haven’t been told which brands we will be wearing but I’m looking forward to finding out at the fitting in a couple of weeks. “I’ve never done anything like it before and I’m absolutely terrified because it is two shows, one in the afternoon and one in the evening, and about 800 people will attend each show so it’s a massive thing. “I thought it was really important to do it, a lot of women with secondary breast cancer aren’t well enough to do something like this, or to make their voices heard or stand up and shout for their rights, so it has given me the opportunity to stand up and speak for those people as well as raising awareness of it locally and nationally.” Emma was originally diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 after finding a lump, but following treatment she was given the all-clear. Sadly, in 2011 she began to suffer from back pain and while attending a routine check-up at the hospital a scan revealed that the cancer had returned and spread to her spine and, more recently, her liver. Emma said: “My daughter has just started secondary school, and when I was diagnosed in 2011 I was told two to three years would be my life expectancy, so five years later I’ve seen her go to secondary school which I never thought I would be able to do. We have done a lot of travelling, I wanted her to get to see as much of the world with me as possible, so we’ve been off to Cambodia, Borneo and all sorts of amazing places, so I’m really trying to spend my time

making memories with her that she will have in the years to come. “[Molly] is definitely older than her years, I’ve been very honest with her about my disease as I don’t want her to get a big shock at any point. I’ve had a long period where my disease has been stable, but unfortunately I’m just coming into a period where I am going to need some new treatment because the condition has decided to wake up, so she knows it’s going on. “It’s unsettling for her and of course she asks those awful questions, but I have to be honest with her. “The good thing about the type of breast cancer I have is that it is the most treatable, they say it is ‘the best one to have’ out of all of them, and new treatments are coming on the market all the time, so you just need to hope that they can keep you going for as long as possible really.” Emma is now trialling a new style of biological therapy, but has had to postpone her treatment while she recovers from mouth ulcers. She said: “I would like to avoid chemo at all costs, I’ve had it twice already and it’s not pleasant and it would have much more of an impact on my daughter’s life so the longer we can stay away from that the better really. “I’ve got amazing friends and family who are always saying ‘how can I help?’ which is brilliant, I’m very lucky to have such a strong support network in Wokingham. Having retired from teaching due to ill health, Emma has taken her fight for awareness of

VOLUNTEER CORNER

secondary breast cancer to Westminster, where she talked to MPs at the Houses of Parliament. She also went to the Labour Party Conference where she spoke personally with newly-elected leader Jeremy Corbyn. He then raised her question on the statutory reporting of secondary breast cancer by hospitals during Prime Minister’s Questions. Emma said: “Hospitals are meant to report how many women are diagnosed with secondary breast cancer each year, but it’s just not being done so there are no actual figures or data for how many people are diagnosed, how they are treated or the success of those treatments. That makes it very difficult for hospitals to respond to care, and for the Cancer Drugs Fund where they are making decisions about funding for drugs based on data, but where are they getting the data from? “Jeremy Corbyn asked the Prime Minister, who at the time was David Cameron, why wasn’t it [the collecting of data] being done, and David Cameron said he would look into it. “This year Breast Cancer Care have done a lot more about this and have carried out a Freedom of Information request from hospitals to find out who is collecting and how they are collecting, that’s one of their main focuses at the moment. It’s a massive step forward.”  To ﬁnd out more about Emma’s campaign and make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/Dontbeasheep. To ﬁnd out more about the charity visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk.

With Helena Badger

Change lives … by coming to our recruitment fair!

HE Wokingham Volunteer Centre is holding its annual Volunteer Recruitment Fair on Saturday, October 8, from 10am-1pm at the Bradbury Centre in Wokingham. Around 25 local charities and organisations from across the Borough are attending on the day, all of which are looking for volunteers to help in the local area. The organisations attending include:  The Link visiting scheme (which provides befrienders for elderly people who have become isolated)

 The Me2 Club (which supports children and young people with extra needs to access mainstream activities)  Sport in Mind (a charity that encourages and support people with mental health issues to access sport)  Holt Copse Conservation (a group who look after the Holt Copse area in Wokingham)  Short Break Carers (recruit volunteers to look after disabled children on a regular basis for short periods of time)  Samaritans (provide a listening service for those in need)

 Home for Good (ﬁnd foster parents for children in need)  Daisy’s Dream (support bereaved children). Other organisations attending include those that support children, young people, families, the elderly, people with health issues and people with disabilities. There is something for everyone! It will be held at the Bradbury Centre in Wokingham, at the Rose Street Methodist Church. The event is free, so just come along for an informal chat and ﬁnd out more

about volunteering. Helena Badger, Volunteer Development Coordinator, said: “Being a volunteer is a great way to help the local community, enhance your CV, improve your conﬁdence, meet new friends, gain new skills and have fun! It really will make a difference to your life and those you are helping.”  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

17 15 15 15

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Thursday, September 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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18 | VIEWPOINTS

THE WOKINGHAM PAPER NEWS WITH A HEART FOR THE BOROUGH

Tough choices yes, but what about… THE news that the Council has to find £19million of savings by 2019 cannot be described in any way as good. It goes above and beyond what people expected of austerity measures when they were first mooted in 2010 by the then Chancellor George Osborne. By the time we hit 2020, a decade of cutting the cloth will have passed and we will, no doubt, be no closer to ensuring the national budget balances. So for the Government to continue to expect local councils to pick up the tab for increased social care needs and also squeeze budgets is a pathetic dose of short sightedness. The reality is not a lighter, nimbler state but hard choices that will mean our communities will suffer in so many ways. It would come as no surprise if our weekly blue bag collections became fornightly. And there will probably be annual increases for charges at re3 sites. But with all the cuts that we are to face, some disguised as efficiency savings made through new technology, a single question remains: why. Why should it be the local councils that are being forced to push through painful austerity measures? Why aren’t local authorities saying enough? The council has difficult days ahead. Austerity should not be forced on us.

CHURCH NOTES

Harvest at the foodbank

ERE at the foodbank we are about to become very busy as we prepare for and receive all of the wonderful Harvest Giving that you are collecting for us. But we may need a little help. Harvest – if there is anyone who fancies spending a couple of hours helping us between 10am and noon on a Monday or Friday morning during October we would be very grateful. We will be sorting and dating the food that comes in and sorting it into trays, not too difficult and a great way to pass an hour or two with some really great volunteers. We’ll even provide morning tea! If you can, either call me 0791 440 5553 or even just turn up on the morning, I’m sure we can find enough to do, and if we can’t we’ll still give you tea! Eat Well-Spend Less – We are having a Training session for this programme on Tuesday, October 11 between 9am and noon, and we could do with a few more people who might be interested in running this programme with us. Our volunteers are all very busy already, but this programme is much in demand and we have had several requests that we run it. If food, cooking, nutrition or saving money is your thing, or you are just interested in what Eat Well - Spend Less (or the foodbank) is all about please come along and join us. Call me on 0791 440 5553 if you can make it. We are beginning to settle into our new home, 1 Broad Street Walk and are happy to show you around if you’d like to visit in normal opening hours, and we are hoping to hold an official opening on Saturday, November 5. Thank you so much for your continued support for the foodbank, unfortunately the need continues and with some of the changes in the pipeline for benefits etc. it is almost certain to grow. David Atkinson, wokingham.foodbank.org.uk

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, September 29, 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

Mental health app won’t help grammar pressure I was interested to read about the mental health app that is aimed at teenagers in Wokingham. It is a great way to tackle a much larger problem that starts with our younger people. A lot of our young people are struggling with selfesteem, depression and the pressures to academically achieve in school. Local schools are dropping some of their less academic subjects - such as food technology (sometimes known as cookery) and a range of foreign languages. You would have thought that with our health and obesity problems that being able to cook a balanced meal was important subject for all of our students to learn? Or are we trying to encourage a takeaway and microwave dinner culture in the future? Then there is the possibility of grammar schools - I do hope they don’t come to Wokingham, as I cannot see how they would be of beneﬁt to anyone, except maybe our highest academic achieving students. We should be looking at why our secondary schools are not challenging our students enough and not worry about them being ‘held back’ by slower students. Better to ﬁx this problem rather than having them siphoned off into Grammar schools with the best teachers also following along. Surely there is a value in these more academically achieving students learning to live with people of different abilities? And what of children who don’t get selected for grammar schools at the young age of 11? What do they get from this system? There were a great many reasons why this separated and selective education system did not work and we should not be using public funds to support it. All of our students deserve equal opportunities to achieve their fullest potentials. A divisive culture is never the better answer. Like all Liberal Democrats, I aspire for Britain to be an open, tolerant and united society. Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey Wokingham Town Councillor and Wokingham Liberal Democrats

Sign up to the Winter Carnival Please may I use your pages to remind anyone who wants to take part in the 2016 Wokingham Winter Carnival Parade to please get in touch with me or

APPyness is a unique ‘app’ to help young people measure their moods and feelings and provide top tips about handling life from Healthwatch Wokingham Borough

my colleague Sue Brooker! We welcome ﬂoats and entrants of all ages and types: the town is full and the parade enthusiastically applauded! Two prizes are possible – a prize of £150 is awarded to the best adult, and also to the best childrens’ ﬂoat. This year’s theme is “Once Upon a Time” and the parade takes place at 4pm on Sunday, November 27! Please contact me or Sue if you have any questions. Peter Lucey peterhome@peterlucey.com 07770 643675

Why are our streets dangerous? A new report published this week shows that Britain has more pedestrian deaths per head of population than other leading countries. The report from PACTS (the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety) shows that, while Britain compares favourably with other countries for all road deaths, pedestrian deaths are signiﬁcantly higher. It’s incredibly depressing to read that deaths among pedestrians are noticeably greater in Britain. Streets are where we live, work, play and socialise – they should be safe and enjoyable places for everyone. We would like to see targets for reducing road casualties reintroduced. Such targets operated under successive governments from 1987-2010 and proved effective, helping focus the work of policy makers and practitioners.

Road danger has far reaching public health consequences as it discourages people from being active. Inactivity currently costs the NHS in England and Wales over £0.9 billion a year and NHS Scotland £94 million a year. Investment from the Government to make our streets ﬁt for walking will reduce these costs in the long-term by helping us create a walking nation, free from congested roads and pollution, reducing the risk of preventable illness and social isolation. Tompion Platt, Head of Policy, Living Streets

We must help young people We face an urgent imperative to help the UK’s young people. More than ever, we have a generation of youngsters in crisis. Barnardo’s research reveals an astonishing 87% of under 18’s lack confidence in the South East. This figure is supported by the Young Women’s Trust who recently revealed a generation of young women ‘wracked by anxiety, lack of confidence and despair.’ Increasingly we are seeing that ‘youthful optimism’ no longer exists. This epidemic of low confidence and limited selfbelief holds young people back from future success, but there is a more disturbing issue that we are also addressing. The abuse, and in particular, sexual abuse of children and young people by their peers. Nationally, we have witnessed a 30% increase for our Child Sexual Exploitation Services in the past year alone and dealt with more than 9,000 referrals in the past two. This increasing demand for our services is the backdrop for the launch last week of our Ten Year Strategy. We already work with 248,000 young people and their families, but over the next ten years, we must increase this to meet the needs of millions more. Barnardo’s has been providing services for 150 years, and will continue to be there for young people for as long as it takes. But this is a national responsibility that goes beyond formal organisations like ours. We all have a duty to show young people that we believe in them and will support them. 66% of adults we spoke to in the South East said they just ‘aren’t very good’ at telling youngsters they believe in them. This has to change. Jonathan Whalley, Director, Barnardo’s South-East and Anglia Region

GOOD ADVICE

Ten top tips to avoid a Christmas debt hangover

HRISTMAS is a time of giving, but you don’t want to give yourself a headache in the New Year with bills and debts you can’t afford. It’s all to easy to overspend – there are tempting offers and pressures to buy, but you must decide how much you can afford before you start spending. Planning, budgeting and organisation are key to avoid getting into debt at Christmas and beyond. If your spending runs out of control, you can soon ﬁnd that debt is not only a problem at Christmas, but can become a way of life. So, here are some tips that should help: PLAN EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS. Be realistic and budget accordingly. Work out how much you are going to spend on each person – and stick to it. Manage expectations as to what you or Santa can give. DON’T FORGET THE EVERYDAY BILLS. Remember that rent, the mortgage, utility bills, food bills and other existing debts still have to be

paid – and the consequences can be severe if they’re not. Even though it’s Christmas, get your priorities right. DON’T BANK ON AN OVERDRAFT. If you do need more money, don’t just run up an overdraft without talking to your bank ﬁrst – it will work out much more expensive. KEEP THINGS SIMPLE. If you can afford to pay for your goods outright by cash, cheque, or debit card, don’t be persuaded to take out extended credit agreements unless they really do work out cheaper. SHOP AROUND. Try as many different places as possible to ﬁnd the best price. Buy what you want and not what other people say you need. Be wary of extended warranties; the cost of a repair could be less than the cost of the warranty. BUY SAFE TO BE SAFE. Whatever the deal, whatever the temptation, don’t buy from unauthorised traders and

don’t borrow from unauthorised lenders. The initial savings and convenience may prove to be a false economy. READ THE SMALL PRINT. Check for hidden extras in any credit agreement. Work out the total amount payable. Ensure that the monthly instalments are within your budget before signing. Interest free credit can seem attractive, but if you don’t pay on time, or miss a payment, you could have to pay a lot more. DO YOUR OWN CREDIT CHECKS. If you are going to use a credit card, shop around and compare terms. Some cards charge high interest rates, but provide interest free periods or discounts. Budget for all these costs and put the payment dates in your diary. BE ORGANISED. There’s a lot to remember at Christmas. If you’ve borrowed money don’t forget that it won’t be long before you have to make a payment. Make sure you

pay on time, even if it is only the minimum, or you will be faced with additional charges. START PLANNING AND SAVING FOR NEXT CHRISTMAS. Once Christmas is over, it’s worth looking at what you did well and what you didn’t. Learn from your mistakes and start planning how you will do things differently next year. This might also be a good time to start saving for next Christmas. If you do get into difﬁculties, get advice as soon as you can from your local Citizens Advice or visit www. citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk  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, September 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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OH, MR SMITH!

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

A wry look at life

Money-go-round

Sunny Saturdays is one of the great treats from Wokingham’s Town Council. Every Saturday during the summer months a different artistic act has appeared in Market Place behind the Town Hall. One of the ﬁnal acts this year was the Hurst Morris People and keen photographer Harry Atkinson was entranced by their display, taking some pictures for your enjoyment. We wonder if Harry enjoyed it so much that he decided to join the HUmP’s open evenings where visitors could have a go at morris dancing. Thank you for sharing your pictures with us Harry. We love receiving readers’ pictures for this slot – send them to news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

TONY JOHNSON Imagination matters

HEN you first look at a work, you start to form impressions of it. What it says; where it can take you; how it appears; why it matters to you (or others); who it influences and who influenced it. Simple or complex, the key thing that determines whether you’ll like it, enjoy it, use it or own it is the way it fires your imagination. Whether it’s the complete works of Shakespeare running to over 880,000 words, or Einstein’s energy equation with just five characters, the impression, the consequences and impact on our everyday lives has been immense. But without their creator’s imagination neither would ever have existed. Moving up from science & literature to works of art and creativity, our own imagination becomes as important as that of the creator’s. Readers may recall that the bottle of wine offered for decoding the cryptic cultural reference went unclaimed, thus it was carried over to be awarded at the newly returned Wokingham Arts Trail. Last weekend, it was a real pleasure seeing everyone’s works on display. Entry to all the venues was very affordable (free). Plus if you liked an item, then unlike a museum, you could buy it there and then! It was easy to say there would be an award. Not too difficult to fund it. Slightly more taxing to ask the right person to make the award. Rather tricky to choose a category for the choice and as for the choice itself, downright problematic.

HAVE YOUR SAY:

What makes a piece good? Is it creativity; artistry; handiwork; execution; presentation? Or is there something more? As it turned out, there was. In short, the piece needs to engage. Appealing to your emotions or your logic (or both), good art in whatever form should form a connection between your imagination and that of it’s creator’s. Having met and talked with all the people whose work was being shown, there were lots of good contenders. Here’s the ones that made it to the final five. Jane Bonney’s creation All that Remains was a reminder of the discovery of Richard III’s remains, a cope that was designed around the mnemonic of the colours of the spectrum (ROYGBIV) – which describe his father. The cope and skeletal mat are on international tour and

all that remains in Wokingham is the original test piece. The backdrop to Gemma Cumming’s sunny Surrey village scene is clearly one of a volcanic eruption, complete with cloudless lightning (pictured left). This prompted the thought, where on God’s earth would one find a volcano in Surrey? The clue was in the well chosen place name, making this a finely thought out multi-level challenge. Sam Knight’s piece was, on the surface, nowhere near as complex at first glance. Until one tied together the fact that this was one image and supporting text among many, put together in a form which revives and modernises a medieval concept of a book of animals, each with its own moral tale. A veritable Bestiary, of the best kind. Not knowing the title of Kerto Koppel-Catlin’s piece at the time of seeing it, one had to look at the picture, work out what was going on, then understand why the sign was so amusing. A beautifully crafted visual gag, as good as any from the days of silent movies. As one of the pieces created by John Nicholls in a quest for the perfect curve, his sculpture appears to balance a glass sphere on the sharp inner edge of a curved piece of stone. A “clear conundrum” one could say.  To ﬁnd out who won, and who kindly presented the prize, see the full coverage of the Wokingham Arts Trail on p24 and 25.

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HERE’S no escaping it – some things are just best left for the rich man’s world. Some months ago I needed to replace my record deck that I purchased in the 80s from John Lewis. Sadly it died leaving me with around 200 unplayable vinyls. Should I give them to a charity shop? Well, they are by and large in good condition and scratch free. Apart from Mrs Smith’s of course. I think she used hers to grate carrots. The records also have sentimental value as they were bought during my student years and were sacrificial purchases. Sacrificial in the sense that I would only be able to drink two pints of beer not three. Many were cheap labels that had been recommended in the music press. Occasionally I did splash out on the luxurious Deutshe Grammophon label but only for an exceptional recording. I could have purchased a turntable from any number of outlets costing under £100 that also digitised the recording but the reviews didn’t speak too kindly about them. So there I was seeking a better deck. I started with charity music shops but it was always the same story with volunteers saying, “Oh you should have come in last week mate, we had a Technics direct drive....” I was dubious of very affordable decks on Gumtree, eBay and the like and decided in the end to buy a new one. Then, alas, when calling a specialist audio shop for advice they said they had an ex-demo model available. It was two thirds the best price I could find on the internet and a top recommendation by WHICH? magazine. Although the deck was extremely basic it provided superb sound quality similar to more sophisticated decks costing much more than I could afford. After a week or two however I realised the sound quality had plummeted. I called the proprietor and expressed my concern. He was very reassuring asking me how often I cleaned the records. He was horrified at my response and said with a deck of this quality I needed to clean it very day I used it. And the records every time I played them. Did you know that dirt builds up on records and the pressure at the end of the stylus can be the equivalent of tons per square inch? This generates friction and heat and burns the dirt on the record surface. I immediately hot footed it to the shop to buy a stylus and record cleaner. The proprietor retrieved two small packages from a draw. One was a carbon fibre record cleaner with the improbable name of ‘Super Exstatic’, along with a carbon fibre brush about a quarter the size of my £1 tooth brush bought from the pound shop. I was less than ecstatic when I saw over £40 charged on my debit card. I was thinking maybe £7. As I left nursing my severely bruised wallet I remembered a sales assistant telling me he had spent £22,000 on his hi-fi system. May I repeat that: £22,000. Then I discovered my mother-in-law had just purchased a device for downloading music from her iPad for a mere £500. And the audio shop had showed me record decks costing £6,000 which, at the time, I thought was a ploy to make me feel better about my £40 quarter sized tooth brush. It just goes to show that the minute you start getting serious about anything the cost start getting serious too. What are you expensive tastes? Send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk

20 | PROPERTY

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, September 29, 2016

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

Quality apartment to let in Crowthorne’s town centre A QUALITY apartment in the heart of Crowthone is being offered to let by Wokingham estate agents Martin & Co. Offering two large double bedrooms, the immaculate property has been redecorated in contemporary neutral colours and also had high quality new flooring installed throughout. Situated on the first floor and accessible by the lift, it is at the rear of the building. A large living room (15ft 9in by 15ft 3in) looks out to the rear of the property and has ample power sockets, two TV and satellite ariel points, two ceiling lights and leads into a fully fitted kitchen with a range of floor and wall mounted cupboards, this Shaker style kitchen includes built-in appliances such as a dishwasher, a fridge/freezer and an electric oven and hob. The master bedorom is 18ft 3in by 12ft 2in and boasts an ensuite shower room, a TV and satellite ariel point and a rear aspect window. The ensuite includes a hand wash basin, a toilet and a fully tiled double shower.

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The second bedroom is 17ft 9in by 10ft 8in and could be used as a dining room, a study or even a combination of both. There is another bathroom that contains a white suite comprising a bath, wash hand basin and toilet, a mirrored wall cupbard, a chrome heated towel rail, a shaver point and a ceiling mounted extractor fan. An allocated parking space in complemented by provision for visitor parking. Mike Townend, director of Martin & Co Wokingham, said: “This is a large two-bedroom luxury apartment just off Crowthorne’s High Street. “It’s perfect for anyone who wants space and ﬂexible living accommodation. “It is offered unfurnished and, with its neutral decor, can quickly become someone’s ideal home.” The home is offered to the market at £1,200 per calendar month. For more details, call in to Martin & Co’s Peach Street branch, call 0118 334 2389 or log on to www.martinco.com

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Thursday, September 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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22 19, August 2016 THE WOKINGHAM PAPER Friday, 15,12, 8, 2016 2016 THE THE WOKINGHAM WOKINGHAM PAPER PAPER 22 April

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, September 29, 2016

23 29

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, July 24, 2015

Keep those special moments forever

NOW YOU CAN ORDER PHOTOS ONLINE

Over the past few weeks, we have been out and about at numerous events across the borough and in the process taken thousands of photographs – only a few make our pages every week. Now we’re delighted to say – due to the popular demand – that you can now buy a copy to keep forever. We’ve teamed up with industry experts newsprints.co.uk to offer you the ability to order prints and digital copies of the pictures that we take. So far, more than 1,400 pictures have been uploaded and that ﬁgure is growing daily. Have look through, browse our archive, place an order with our secure checkout and wait for the pictures to be delivered to your door.

wokinghampaper.newsprints.co.uk

Thursday, September 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

HEALTH | 23

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Everystepcounts

HEALTH MATTERS

Personal ﬁtness with Chris Hunt with Nicola Strudley

Set the focus on YOU

Spreading a little bit of kindness to breast cancer patients

What works for other people doesn’t necessarily work for you. So, says CHRIS HUNT, make sure that your goals are ones that work for you and no-one else

OU now have the environment aligned with your goals…now it’s time to focus on you and only you. One of the worst things you can do is to compare yourself to others. You may have a friend, family member or work colleague that is also on their own journey or has been on a similar journey before. “This worked for me” “You have to buy this protein powder not that low carb one” “Don’t skip breakfast; this should be your biggest meal of the day” “What, you only eat between the hours of 2pm and 8pm; you are not doing this right my friend” “You go running, that isn’t cardio, hitting tyres and throwing barbells around is cardio” You may have heard some of these before from various people, maybe some people you normally listen to and others just noise in our ever crowded environments. Everyone seems to be an expert and thinks that is their duty to tell you how to reach your goal. Well, I tell you this so please take your time and read it slowly and take it all in. You are you, your routine and personal preferences are most probably completely different to everyone else you know. Do not base your routine and your choices on what someone else is doing. Below are some of my beliefs that I recommend you read and they probably go against everything you have been told before:  If you don’t like breakfast and you feel skipping it would assist you then miss that meal out. Meal Timing is less important than overall energy balance, macronutrient breakdown and

If you enjoy a hot lemon drink in the morning because it makes you feel great, keep doing it – it will help get you in the right mental state each day. Picture: Marta Rostek / freeimages.com

micronutrient breakdown anyway.  If you like running for 60 minutes on a treadmill, keep doing it if it makes you feel great and healthy.  If your vice is a takeaway pizza on a Saturday night but you look forward to it every week then keep that routine up. Just make sure you balance it out with better choices 80% of the time.  If you feel great having 4/5/6 or even 10 hours sleep a night then keep doing that. Textbooks say we should get between 7 and 8 hours of sleep a night, I personally get around 5 hours and I feel great and have more energy than when I was in my teenage years.

 If you like having a hot lemon drink in the morning because it makes you feel great, who cares if the scientific backing behind the routine is patchy? Keep doing it if it helps you get in the right mental state each and every day. You know your body better than anyone. Decide on your strategy according to your likes, dislikes and previous experiences. Just because your mate Dan down the gym says the best time to train is the morning, if you feel full of energy at 10 at night then train then. What I am trying to get at is the beauty of this game is that you get to pick your route of how you get from point A to point B.

Retired get benefits from volunteering

AR from a burden and a drain on society and NHS resources, older people provide invaluable help – an incredible 6.2 million people aged 55 to 74 volunteer. The research by older people’s charity Royal Voluntary Service identified nearly half of 55-74 year olds (46 per cent) volunteer: 22 per cent formally and 36 per cent informally each year. This means equates to 1.4 billion hours per year (949 million informal and 464 million formal). As so many older people devote time to volunteering, the ageing population – 39 per cent of adults in Great Britain will be over 55 years old by 2020 – will provide an opportunity to expand the country’s volunteering workforce. The research identified the potential to enhance the number 55-74 year olds volunteering in Britain to 6.7 million in 2020. While population growth alone could achieve this increase, it could be countered by later retirement as many people are anticipating

working into later life or are considering gradual or phased retirement. More than a third of over 55s in employment (38 per cent) said their plan work part time after retirement would prevent them volunteering as much as they would like. With public sector cuts and demand for volunteers so high, Royal Voluntary Service is warning that more needs to be done to entice older adults to consider volunteering. The volunteering charity, which has 35,000 volunteers, with half over 65 years old, is calling on Government, businesses and the voluntary sector to do more to promote the benefits of volunteering to older people and to address the barriers. Persuading more of this age group to volunteer before or as soon as they are retired has dual benefits as previous research conducted for the charity by Professor James Nazroo found that older people who volunteer are happier and healthier than their counterparts

who don’t. This is supported by recent reports identifying how remaining active in older age can delay the onset of frailty. Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia found that a retired person’s risk of death is dramatically lowered if they take part in social activities regularly with others once they finish work. Despite delayed retirement, encouragingly more than a quarter (28 per cent) of over 65s plan to reduce the amount of time they are working over the coming year. Of these 53 per cent said they will start volunteering or increase the time they currently spend volunteering, with the additional hours they are willing to commit to volunteering calculated at 13.8 hours per month. The over 65 year olds who are interested in volunteering when they retire said it appealed for a number of reasons. Many said they are keen to stay active (86 per cent), give something back (43 per cent) or meet new people (29 per cent). David McCullough, chief

executive of Royal Voluntary Service said: “Older people have so much to offer; their experience, skills and talents would be worth a fortune in the job market, yet many choose to be generous with their time and volunteer. Sadly we are failing to realise and harness this talent as much as we could. We need to do more to motivate older adults to volunteer which will provide the help that is so desperately needed and at the same time, will give them an opportunity to meet new people and to remain active and engaged in their local community. “Volunteering in retirement should be normalised so it becomes a little like work experience for young people; a must have part of their post work plans. It’s vital to engage older people before they leave a company and to achieve this the voluntary sector needs to work with Government and businesses to convince future retirees to include volunteering when planning the next phase of their life.”

AST week I had the pleasure of meeting Lynne, a breast cancer survivor who has been instrumental in setting up a charity called Chemogiftbags. Chemogiftbags lets women in Berkshire, who have Breast Cancer and are undertaking chemotherapy, know that there are people who care. The team produce gift bags (which are more like bumper packs due to the generosity of the items included) which consist of many items that might make chemo a little more manageable. They include cosy socks, slippers, a warm blanket as well as flavoured teas, wordsearch books, soft tooth brushes, a “Thinking of You” card, a positive affirmation charm bracelet and many more items, including black nail polish that can help to reduce nails going brittle throughout treatment and mints to reduce the metallic taste that chemotherapy leaves in the mouth!

Emotional Oncologists can be so focused on the practicalities of cancer treatment and the physical impact on health that the emotional side can be neglected. Receiving a goodie bag full of products that can help relieve some of the uncomfortable physical side effects is a thoughtful touch that can make a huge difference. All of the items are donated by the public and by business. All the toiletries and beauty products are carefully chosen ensuring they contain no harmful ingredients and are as kind and natural to the body as possible. Chemo Gift Bags are always looking for donations and have called a toiletry amnesty. If you are anything like me, you will have creams and beauty gift sets that have been sitting at the back of a bathroom cupboard unopened and unused. If you have any unwanted toiletry products and are wondering what to do with them …. You can donate them to a Chemogiftbags. There is a drop-off point in Woodley or one of the Chemogiftbags team will arrange collection from you. If you are interested in finding out more or would like to donate some goods to Chemo Gift bags get in touch via www.facebook.com/Chemogiftbags/ or by email Chemogiftbags@outlook.com

How to contact us : Facebook @healthwatchwokingham Twitter @HWWokingham Phone 0118 418 1 418 Website www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk E-Mail enquiries@healthwatchwokingham.co.uk Walk in via Citizens Advice at 2 Waterford House, Erfstadt Court, Denmark St, Wokingham RG40 2YF. Nicola Strudley is manager for Healthwatch Wokingham Borough. Opinions are her own

24 | LEISURE

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, September 29, 2016

Wokingham Arts Trail Last weekend, hundreds of people got on the arts trails, exploring the amazing creations from the borough’s best artists. TONY JOHNSON was on hand to capture the event in pictures and this is a peek into his photo diary

Illustrator Sam Knight is presented with a bottle of Mouton Cadet wine from the Baron Philippe de Rothschild estate by Wokingham Town Council Mayor Cllr Gwynneth Hewetson. The prize was for the most thought provoking piece of the show (pictured right), contributed by Tony Johnson

Event organiser Christine Morgan showcases a new ceramic plate she has created

John Nicholls in action on a new piece, which he was allowing selected visitors to work on as part of the demonstration he was running. Also pictured is one of his completed pieces

Imogen Waller with some of her jewellery Nichola Pitt with some of her ceramics

Carol Newman shows a preparatory design for a piece based on Make do & Mend, a memory of clothes rationing during her childhood

Sofie’s work as The Silver Fairy is modelled here in the form of a bangle, ring and earrings. Sofie, a former student of Beverley Bartlett has branched out and her work has caught the attention of many around the country after the Henley Arts Trail earlier this year, when Theresa May wore one of Sofie’s pieces on the Andrew Marr show on BBC1. Jane Bonney writes: This is a picture of the Ecclesiastical Cope on display at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham. The Cope was inspired by the discovery and re internment of Richard III remains and the Churches part in the Funeral. The Cope has seven panels in rainbow colours all embroidered with heraldic symbols from Richard III’s coat of arms and other royal regalia. On the front fastening is embroidered the all important representation of the DNA symbol to prove his identity. After all the pomp and ceremony is over, all that remains are the bones, the same as anyone, king or not, just bones. The prize of a sewing machine was sponsored by Vivebooks and the Cope will be on show at the Knitting and Stitching shows in London, Harrogate and Dublin

Nicola Kantorowicz exhibited her impressive Stained Glass

Thursday, September 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

LEISURE | 25

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Wokingham Arts Trail

Lesley Redmond shows one of her wildflower paintings. The poppies and other wildflowers featured are in Chalfont Way, Lower Earley, and part of Wokingham Borough Council’s wild flower area creation scheme

Helen Ormerod with her ceramic towers - fired to 1280ºC and frost-proof – perfect for the British weather!

Michelle Clay with a mannequin showing a necklace comprising natural crystals

Dawn Quigley with a glass bowl she has created. The light shines through it

Kerto Koppel-Catlin creates cartoons and paintings including this witty chicken crossing the road illustration

Cathy MacLennan with her customer Caroline Parker who had just purchased a copy of the book as well as the illustration that forms one of the central pages of the book. Town Mayor Cllr Gwynneth Hewetson and her consort, Tony, has a go at sculpting

Joy Frey showed me her work Cosmic Dust, a linoprint with mono print over, and then promptly sold it to a visitor!

Steve Gordon with some of the paintings he was exhibiting on the Wokingham Arts Trail

And the last word goes to Wokingham Town Council Mayor … Cllr Gwynneth Hewetson said: “The Wokingham Arts Trail had another very successful year. The quality and commitment of the artists is tangible and each and everyone of the 30 exhibitors warmly welcomed all their visitors. “This is an initiative that is now firmly embedded in the Wokingham Calendar thanks to Christine Morgan and her team of organisers and long may it continue.”

26 | LEISURE

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What’son

Exhibitions EARLEY – The Peacock Gallery, Maiden Erlegh Campus, Silverdale Road, Earley, Reading RG6 7HS. Secret Life of Body and Mind: an exhibition by Rebecca Swainston. Weekdays 3pm-4.30pm. Saturdays 10am-3pm. Details: maidenerleghschool. co.uk/community/ community-arts. READING – Riverside Museum at Blake’s Lock, Gasworks Road (off Kenavon Drive), Reading, Berkshire RG1 3DH. Exhibition of art: explore hidden Reading with Artikinesis. 10am-5pm. Until Saturday, October 1. Details: 07763 403180.

Friday, September 30 ASCOT – Racecourse SL5 7JX. Camra Beer Festival: more than 240 beers, ciders and ales. Details: 0844 346 3000 WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Crochet Group with Gaynor White from Barkham Hookers. All abilities welcome. 9.30am-11.30am. £4. Local history surgery: drop-in advice with a local expert. 10am-noon. Details: 0118 978 1368.

Saturday, October 1 ASCOT – Racecourse SL5 7JX. Camra Beer Festival: more than 240 beers, ciders and ales. Details: 0844 346 3000 EARLEY – Our Lady of Peace Social Club, off Albourne Avenue. Annual Charity Dance and curry night in aid of Alzheimers Society. 7.30pm. £11, members

£10. Entry by ticket only. Details: 0118 907 6767. EARLEY – Earley St Nicolas, Sutcliffe Avenue. Harvest Quiz. 7pm. Tickets £10 including fish and chip supper. Details: 0118 966 9080. ETON – Eton College School Hall, High Street SL4 6DW. Windsor & Eton Choral Society in the Windsor Festival. 7.30pm. Details: 01628 527081. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James Church Hall. Harvest supper in aid of The Alexander Divine Children’s Hospice. 7.30pm . £8, £5 under 12s. Details: 0118 973 0133. SHINFIELD – St Mary’s Church, Church Road. Saturday lunchtime concert followed by lunch: a selection of organ and vocal music from Ann Young and Andy Baldwin ranging from classical to swingtime. From noon. Details: awbaldwin4@ gmail.com or gardenyoung@aol.com. TWYFORD – Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road, Twyford, Reading RG10 9JA. Salsa Party night. 8pm-1am. £10. Details: www.incognitodance. com. READING – Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road Campus, RG1 5AQ. Trinity Concert Band Autumn Concert: ‘Trumpet Extravaganza. £13 on door. Under 15s free. Details: 0845 226 3047 or www.trinityband. co.uk. WARGRAVE – Library, Woodclyffe Hostel, Church Street RG10 8EP. Meg and Mog Storytime - Meg and Mog Stories and rhymes

At the theatre Basingstoke – The Anvil www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 The Magic of Mowtown. Thurs. Brussels Philharmonic. Fri. Basingstoke Variety Show. Sat. 10cc In Concert. Sun. Ashley Hutchings: From Psychedelia To Sonnets. Sun. Petula Clark: From Now On. Thurs 6. Ellie Taylor. Thurs 6. The Whitney Houston Show. Fri 7. Clive Gregson and Liz Simcock. Fri 7. The Illegal Eagles. Sat 8.

Basingstoke – The Haymarket www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 Frankenstein. Until Sat. Seann Walsh. Sun. Mum’s The Word 2. Wed. The Billy Joel Songbook. Thurs 6. Stick Man. Fri 7-Sat 8. Warsaw Village Band. Sun 9.

Bracknell – South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk (01344) 484123

Sunday, October 2 EARLEY – Whiteknights Indoor Bowls Club, Beech Lane RG6 5PT. Whiteknights Indoor Bowls Club open day. 10.30am-2pm. Free entry. Details: 0118 986 0759. SONNING EYE – Frizers Farm. The Henley Ploughing Match organised by the Henley & District Agricultural Association. From 9am. Includes country market. £5, children under 16 free. Details: 01491 413619. WOKINGHAM – All Saints Church, Wiltshire Road RG40 1UE. Harvest service with collection for Wokingham Foodbank. 9.30am, 11am. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road. Harvest services 9.30am,. plus lunch. £10, £5 children. Details: 0118 979 2122. WOODLEY – Shopping Precinct, Crockhamwell Road. Car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Details: 0118 921 6920 or www. woodleytowncentre. co.uk.

One Man Star Wars Trilogy. Thurs. The Comedy Cellar. Fri. Boogie Music Inferno. Fri. Simon Mayor and Hilary James. Sat. Kaleidoscope of Fashion. Sat. Paul Sinha. Sat. Creative Control Band Night. Sun. Legally Blonde: The Musical. Wed-Sat 8. Gordon Campbell: Bracknell Jazz. Fri 7. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 7. Gypsy Queen. Fri 7. Artree Live: Folk and Roots Music. Sat 8. Wedding Fair. Sun 9. Teddy Bears Picnic. Sun 9. Wilde Sundays. Sun 9. Creative Control Band Night. Sun 9. FILM: Ghostbusters. Fri.

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Don’t Dribble On The Dragon. Sat. James Cagney Film Season: Love Me Or Leave Me. Tues. Clairvoyance: Psychic Cop Keith Charles and Susie Gigg. Thurs 6.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud

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

The best guide for local, community events across Wokingham borough

for parents and children to enjoy together, For children aged 5 and under. 10.30am-11am. Free. Details: 0118 940 4656. WINNERSH – Library, The Forest School, Robin Hood Lane RG41 5ND. Winnersh Library Gaming Club for teens. 10.30am12.30pm. Details: 0118 979 7519. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Teen writing group for ages 11-18. 10.30amnoon. Details: 0118 978 1368.

Monday, October 3 EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports and Social Club, Lowther Road. Funke and the Two Tone Baby. 7.45pm. £10 on door, £8 advance. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub. co.uk SPENCERS WOOD – Library, Basingstoke Road RG7 1AJ. Storytime for ages 3-5. 4pm. Details: 0118 988 4771.

Tuesday, October 4 EARLEY – Earley St Nicolas, Sutcliffe Avenue. Craft and chat. 7.30pm-9.30pm. £3 includes resources and refreshments. Details: 0118 966 9080. EARLEY – Palmer Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 2AH. Reading Film Theatre presents: Embrace of the Sepent (El abrazo de la serpiente) (12a). 7.30pm. Details: 0118 378 7151. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St Mary & St John’s Parish Centre, Vicarage Close RG40 4JW. Refresh simple lunch. Noon. Details: 0118 973 0468 TWYFORD – Library, Polehampton Close RG10 9RP. Reminiscence Club. 10.30am-noon. Details: 0118 934 0800. WINNERSH – Library, The Forest School, Robin Hood Lane RG41 5ND. Winnersh Readers bookgroup. 6.45pm-7.45pm. Winnersh Book Borrowers: book group for ages 7-11. Booking essential. 4.15pm-5pm. 50p. Details: 0118 979 7519.

www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Clare Balding’s Family Afternoon. Sat. The Shakespeare Revue. Wed-Sat 8. A Dead Good Evening With Robert Harris. Sun 9. FILM SEASON. Where To Invade Next. Thurs 29. Singin’ In The Rain (U). Fri. Tale of Tales (15). Fri. The Beatles: Eight Days In A Week (12a). Fri. The Nice Guys (15). Sat.

Henley – Kenton Theatre www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 575698 Frank Sinatra: His Way. Fri 7. In My Time. Sat 8.

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Round The Horne. Thurs. Talents of Britain. Fri. Dead Over Dinner. Fri. Mum’s The Word 2. Sat. Family Fun Day. Sun. Shooting With Light. Mon. Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Mon-Tues. Ministry of Science Live. Wed. Illegal

WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Crochet Group with Gaynor White from Barkham Hookers. All abilities welcome. 9.30am-11.30am. £4. WI Stitch and Chatter. 2pm-3.30pm. Children’s origami club. 4pm4.45pm. Storytime: rhymes and stories for ages 3-5. 2pm-2.30pm. UK Online: Help and support with computers and the internet for beginners. 2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Crochet Group with Gaynor White from Barkham Hookers. All abilities welcome. Noon2pm. £4. Rhymetime for under fives. 10.30am. Crafts and Laughs. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 969 0304.

Wednesday, October 5 FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre RG40 4ES. Relaxing activities for adults: colouring, jigsaw puzzles and photo book browsing in a quiet setting. 10am-noon. Details: 0118 908 8176. SWALLOWFIELD – Parish Hall. Swallowfield Progressive Whist Club meeting. Beginners welcome. £2. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 976 1604. WARGRAVE – Library, Woodclyffe Hostel, Church Street RG10 8EP. Crafts and Laughs. 1.30pm-3.30pm. Details: 0118 940 4656. WOKINGHAM –Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Baby signing: free taster session with TinyTalk. For 6 months to

Eagles. Thurs. Hellfire. Thurs 6. Petula Clark: From Now On. Fri 7. Dancing Queen: The Concert. Sat 8. Russell Kane. Sat 8. King of Pop Starring Navi. Sun 9.

Maidenhead – Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 The Heath String Quartet. Thurs. Debra Stephenson: Night of 100 Voices. Fri. ROH Live: Norma. Sat. Showtime Unplugged. Sun. The Lindisfarne Story. Sun. Macbeth: Blood Will Have Blood. Thurs 6. The Vinyl Frontier: The Best of Prince. Sun 7. The Pendulum Jazz Orchestra. Sun 7. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Family. Mon 8. FILMS: David Brent: Life on the Road. Sat, Sun. Wiener-Dog. Tues, Wed. Julietta (15). Thurs 6, Sat 8.

Newbury – The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, September 29, 2016

24months. 10.30am11am. Nell Gwynn – more than a mistress? A costume presentation for adults wiht Meredith Towne. 2pm-3.30pm. £5. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue. Willing Spirit Exercise class. 1.30pm2.15pm. £4. Beginners welcome. Details: 0118 979 2797. WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Chess and Scrabble Club for adults. 2pm-3pm. Details: 0118 969 0304.

Thursday, October 6 EARLEY – Palmer Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 2AH. Reading Film Theatre presents: Maggie’s Plan (15). 7.30pm. Details: 0118 378 7151. EARLEY – Earley St Nicolas, Sutcliffe Avenue. Over 50s Club: speakers, play board games and more. 2pm-4pm. £6 annual fee, £2 per month, Details: 0118 966 9080. LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Board Games Club. 10am-11am. Details: 0118 931 2150. MAIDEN ERLEGH – Library, off Silverdale Road RG6 7HS. Poetry Writing Workshop for ages 9-12. 3.45pm4.30pm. Details: 0118 966 6630. SPENCERS WOOD – Library, Basingstoke Road RG7 1AJ. Rhymetime: rhymes and stories for under fives. 2.30pm-3pm. Knit and Natter. 3pm4pm. Details: 0118 988 4771.

Jongleurs Comedy Club. Fri. The Apollo Big Band. Sat. Coco and the Butterfields. Fri 7. Oklahoma! Wed-Sat 8. Morgan and West: Parlour Tricks. Sat 8. FILMS: Dare To Be Wild (PG). Until Wed. Anthropoid (15). Until Thurs.

Newbury – The Watermill www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 The Wipers Times. Until Oct 29. Sunday Sessions: The Swing Commanders. Sun 2.

Reading – South Street www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 CLOSED UNTIL OCTOBER 25.

Reading – The Hexagon www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Reading Operatic Presents: Sister Act. Until Sat. One Man Star Wars Trilogy. Sun. Ministry Of Science Live.

WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. National Poetry Day reseings. 6.45pm-8pm. Teen Book Group for ages 11-18. 50p. 4.30pm5.30pm. Reminiscence Club: discuss your memories of days gone by. 10.30am-noon. First Thursday book group. 6.30pm-7.45pm. National Careers Service: Advice sessions to help you with career planning and CVs. 9.40am-3.40pm. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Children’s Chess Club for ages 8 upwards. 3.30pm5pm. Woodley book group. 10.30am-11.30am. First Thursday evening book club. 6pm-6.45pm. Details: 0118 969 0304.

Friday, October 7 FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre RG40 4ES. Meg and Mog storytime. 11am11.30am. For ages 3-5. Drop-in. Details: 0118 908 8176. LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Shared aloud reading group. 10.30am. 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. Crochet Group with Gaynor White from Barkham Hookers. All abilities welcome. 9.30am-11.30am. £4. Cribbage and card games club. 10.30am. Local history surgery: drop-in

Mon. Jimmy Osmond: Moon River and Me. Wed. The Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain. Thurs. Professor Brian Cox Live. Fri 7-Sat 8.

Reading – Concert Hall www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 No Tricks: An Evening with Derren Brown. Sat. Louis Schwizgebel, Piano. Sat 8.

Reading – Progress Theatre www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 Christian Brewer Quintet. Fri. NEXT SHOW: Dracula. Oct 20-29.

Shinfield – Shinfield Players www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 NEXT SHOW: The King and I. Oct 7-9, 14-16.

Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000

for advice. 10am-noon. Details: 0118 978 1368.

Saturday, October 8 BRACKNELL – Garth Hill College, Bull Lane RG42 2AD. Divalicious, The Barberettes 40th Anniversary Concert. 6.30pm. £10, concessions £7.50. Details: www. barberettes.org.uk SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane RG2 9DF. The King and I. Details: www. shinfieldplayers.org.uk WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Teen Writing Group. 10.30am-noon. Wokingham Writers Group for adults. 10am. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3LA. Chuch ramble. Come dressed for the weather. 10am. Details: 0118 926 8143. WOODLEY – Bulmershe School, Woodlands Avenue RG5 3EU. Woodley Concert Band concert: Across Time and Space. 7.30pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: 0870 321 2186.

Sunday, October 9 WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. French Conversation Club for those with basic French. 2pm-3pm. Details: 0118 969 0304. WOODLEY – Shopping Precinct, Crockhamwell Road. Car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Details: 0118 921 6920 or www. woodleytowncentre. co.uk.

Blithe Spirit. Until November 19

Windsor – Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 The MGM Story. Until Sat. The Animals and Friends, Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers. Sun 2.

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre www.luckleyhouseschool.org 0118 978 4175 RedCape Theatre presents Be Brave and Leave For The Unknown. Tues Oct 11.

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 NEXT SHOW: A View From The Bridge. Oct 13-22.

Woodley – Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org 07939 210121 Be My Baby. Until Sat. NEXT SHOW: Quartet. Nov 22-26.

Thursday, September 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Leisure

LEISURE | 27

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The cast of The King & I Pictures: Martin Butler

Players hold court as Siam comes to Shinfield Michael Cochrane as Doctor Bradman, Finty Williams as Elvira, Elizabeth Power as Madame Arcati, Belinda Carroll as Mrs Bradman, Darrell Brockis as Charles, Janine Leigh as Edith, Tam Williams (Director). Photo: Geoff Swaine

Mill gets in the Spirit A Noel Coward farce is the latest play at The Mill. GEMMA DAVIDSON finds out more about the all-star cast who will perform it A FARCE by the much-loved playwright Noël Coward is coming to the Mill at Sonning tonight (Thursday). Blithe Spirit, directed by Tam Williams, tells the story of socialite and novelist Charles Condomine, who invites the eccentric clairvoyant Madame Arcati to his house to conduct a séance at a dinner party. Lost in a trance, Madame Arcati unwittingly summons the ghost of Charles’ deceased first wife Elivira, much to the annoyance of Charles’ second wife, Ruth.

Mayhem ensues as the two feuding wives fight to the end for the love of their mutual husband. First staged in the West End in 1941, the play created a new long-run record for a non-musical British play, enjoying 1,997 performances, and later enjoying equally good fortune on Broadway. The play was adapted by Coward to film in 1945, before being adapted as a musical, and for television and radio in the 1950s and 60s. A spokesperson for The Mill said: “We’re delighted to have a number of theatrical dynasties performing in Noël Coward’s comedy, no less than Finty Williams, the daughter of actors Dame Judi Dench and Michael Williams. “Tam Williams will also be directing his mother Belinda Carroll and his step-father Michael Cochrane,

the latter of which is well-known for his role as Oliver Sterling in Radio 4 soap opera The Archers and has also appeared in Doctor Who. “Also joining our cast will be Darrell Brockis as Charles, Phillipa Peak as Ruth and two familiar Mill faces: Janine Leigh as Edith and Elizabeth Power as Madame Arcati.” Blithe Spirit will run at The Mill at Sonning Theatre from Thursday, September 29 to Saturday, November 19. Evening shows take place Tuesday to Saturday, with Saturday matinees every week, and Sunday matinees from October 16. Tickets start from £45.50 which include a two-course meal, a show programme, and tea and coffee. To book tickets call the Box Office on (0118) 969 8000 or visit www. millatsonning.com.

Whitty explores the great unknown A CRITICALLY acclaimed theatre company will bringing an ‘exhilarating’ new show to a Wokingham theatre later this month. Award-winning RedCape Theatre, which has gained a reputation for staging incredibly powerful original plays since its launch in 2006, will bring the gritty Be Brave & Leave For The Unknown to The Whitty Theatre at Luckley House School on Wednesday, October 11 at 7.30pm. In the aftermath of a terrible tragedy, a couple sit across a table in a suburban living room, a chasm opening between them. When their courage deserts them the only choice is to run or hide, which path will they choose? Inspired by true stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations, the show explores the nature of bravery both epic and domestic, large and small. Be Brave… tells a story of love, loss and courage through the hands of a piano player and the lens of a photographer. Tickets are £12 each, £8 for concessions. For more information and to book visit www.luckleyhouseschool.org/the-whitty-theatre.

AUDIENCES in Shinfield will be transported to 19th century Siam as a classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical is brought to life later this month. Members of The Shinfield Players have been rehearsing tirelessly for their production of The King and I, a show which director Karen Bird says will evoke plenty of fond memories among the audience. “It’s one of those musicals which, whether you have seen it or not, you will know a lot of the numbers,” she told The Wokingham Paper. “The rehearsals are going well, it’s quite different from the book [Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon] due to artistic licence, but a lot of people will know The King and I from the film, which it is quite close to. “We have got a lot of children in the play, all of them are in our youth groups so they are used to performing onstage with us. “The rehearsals have had their moments, it’s a really difficult production, I can’t say it has been smooth sailing. “It is difficult musically, obviously you are trying to get a decent set, the music, the choreography, and you’re trying to bring it all together. It’s a very difficult show, which I knew it would be, but it’s a very, very good show.” Karen’s love of the show stems from a production she took part in back in 1985 with several of her now colleagues at the Players.

She said: “It is one of my favourites. I took part in a show at Park Church as a young wife, and three other people who were also in that performance will be performing with me onstage in this one! “Most of us are playing different parts now, but Steven, who plays the King, played a very young King back then. Obviously being with different people in a different venue and the fact that it was 30-odd years ago now will change things, but it’s just a lovely show and we all love it. “I just hope the audience come and enjoy the whole performance, the costumes are amazing and the sets are looking really good, and I just hope they enjoy being transported back to Siam. “The musical numbers are ones that everyone has heard of, but sometimes you don’t realise where you know it from, so they’ll go away tapping their feet and thinking ‘ooh I didn’t know that song was from that show’, so hopefully everyone will be singing along with them.” The King and I opens at The Shinfield Theatre on Friday, October 7, with performances on October 8, 14 and 15 at 7.45pm, and October 9 and 16 at 2.30pm, and a British Sign Language signed performance on October 14. Tickets are £12 each, to order visit www.shinfieldplayers. org.uk or call the Box Office on 0118 975 8880. GEMMA DAVIDSON

28 | LEISURE

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Livemusic Victoria Arms

Friday, September 30

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ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road. Beverley Craven. Details: 01344 878100. ARBORFIELD – The Swan, Eversley Road RG2 9PQ. Blues and Beyond. Details: 0118 976 1645. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Fawlty Towers Experience. Details: 01344 303333. CROWN WOOD – Crown Wood Bar, Opladen Way RG12 0PE. Ash Lee. Details: 01344 867971. FINCHAMPSTEAD – Memorial Hall RG40 4JU. Stuart Henderson’s Remix Jazz Orchestra. Details: www. remixjazzorchestra. co.uk READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Subfactory vs TUK DnB. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Funky Hammond Fever 45s. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Jazz at Progress: Christian Brewer Quintet. Details: 0845 867 9845. READING – Walkabout, Wiston Terrace RG1 1DG. TWI Friday. Details: 0118 953 0000.

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23rd September & Every Friday

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, September 29, 2016

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAMPAPER.CO.UK READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Orange Goblin plus Electric Citizen and Poseidon. Innobation Tour with Guv, Majistrate, Phantasy, Modiﬁed Motivation and more. Details: sub89.com SANDHURST – The White Swan, Swan Lane GU47 9BU. Force Ten. Details: 01252 872444. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Tim Valentine. Details: 0118 969 8000. WOKINGHAM – The Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Open mic night. Details: 0118 978 3023. WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Fat Men In The Bathtub. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548. WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights. Details: 0118 979 5790. WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Frisky Fridays. Details: 07415 354056. YATELEY – The Cricketers, Cricket Hill Lane GU46 6BA. Phill Aaron. Details: 01252 872105.

Saturday, October 1 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road. Memphis Stone and the Elevators. So Good: Pantiles Reunion. Details: 01344 878100. ASCOT – Bar 1, High Street SL5 7JF. Details: 01344 875123. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The New Ambassadors. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, Market Street RG12 1JG. Ghostly Tales with Spriggan Mist. Details: facebook.com/ theacousticcouch BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Simon Mayor and Hilary James. Details: 01344 484123. BRACKNELL – The Boot

Inn, Park Road RG12 2LU. Oxjam 2016. Details: facebook.com/ oxjambracknell CROWTHORNE – Crowthorne Inn, HIgh Street RG45 7AD. The Cherries. Details: 01344 530615. FRIMLEY GREEN – Working Men’s Club, Sturt Road GU16 6HX. Peach. Details: 01252 835322. READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Dire Straits UK. Details: 0118 402 7800. READING – Walkabout, Wiston Terrace RG1 1DG. Saturday Sessions. Details: 0118 953 0000. READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. 4 Sound Movement with Lee Jones. Details: 0118 958 6692. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Tim Valentine. Details: 0118 969 8000. WOKINGHAM – The Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Wardour Street. Details: 0118 978 3023. WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Red Aztek. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Gigabit. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548. WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights. Details: 0118 979 5790. WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Essential Saturday. Details: 07415 354056. YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, The Green GU46 7LR. Vince Freeman. Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, October 2 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road. Sunday Lunch Jazz: Benn Clatworthy Quartet. Also performing in the evening. Details: 01344 878100.

The BROAD ST TAVERN

LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT FRI SEP 30

FAT MEN IN THE BATHTUB

SAT OCT 1

GIGABIT

AN ENERGETIC MIX OF ROCK AND POP FOR GOOD CLEAN FUN! SATURDAY NIGHT!

FRI OCT 7

HAYSTACKS BAND FRESH, FUN COUNTRY-POP!

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Creative Control Band Night. Details: 01344 484123. BRACKNELL – The Boot Inn, Park Road RG12 2LU. Oxjam 2016: The Don’t Look Now Band, Khamsina, Ryan Webb, Freespirit, The Broken Chords, Gun Hill Riffs. Details: facebook.com/ oxjambracknell HURST – The Wheelwright’s Arms, Davis Way RG10 0TR. Jazz at the Wheelies. Details: 0118 934 4100. READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. American Old Time Picking. Dreading Poetry Slam. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – Community Hall at Watlington House, 44 Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk:. Richard Grainger. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Skyharbor, Sithy Aye, Modern Day Babylon. Details: sub89.com SHINFIELD – The Bell & Bottle, School Green. Open mic and jam night. Details: 0118 988 3563.

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: Flashﬁres, Captivves and guests. Details: 0118 959 7196.

Monday, October 3

Friday, October 7

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Pasadena Roof Orchestra Quartet. Details: 01491 681048.

Tuesday, October 4 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road. Americana Night with The Southern Companion. Details: 01344 878100. READING – Speakeasy Cocktail Bar, St Mary’s Butts RG1 2LG. Open mic. Details: 0118 957 3500. READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Greg Mayston. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Comedy Night. Details: 0118 959 7196. SHERFIELD-ON-LODDON – The Four Horseshoes, Reading Road RG27 0EX. Equinox with Andrew Tyler. Details: 01256 882296.

Wednesday, October 5

Thursday, October 6 CROWTHORNE – The Prince, High Street RG45 7AZ. Rick Chase. Details: 01344 772241. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Gavin James. Out n Out White T-Shirt Party. Details: sub89.com READING – The Hexagon. The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Two Step Presents: Estrons, The Bay Rays, Mellor. Details: 0118 959 7196. WINDLESHAM – The Half Moon, Church Road GU20 6BN. Gavin Thomas. Details: 01276 473329.

ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road. Thin White Duke: David Bowie Tribute. Details: 01344 878100. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Ultra 90s Fresh. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Bracknell Jazz: Gordon Campbell. Details: 01344 484123. EARLEY – The Roebuck, Auckland Road RG6 1NY. The Vinyl Covers. EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Inn, Emmbrook Road RG41 1HG. Quiz Night. Details: 0118 978 2552. HENLEY – The Queen Victoria, Market Place RG9 2AG. Get Ready. Details: 014191 412667. READING – Jazz Cafe, Madjeski Stadium, Shooters Way RG2 0FL. The Ninja Squirrels. Details: 0118 968 1442. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Two Step Presents:

Inheaven and Pale Waves. Details: 0118 959 7196. 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. The Haystacks Band. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548. WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights. Details: 0118 979 5790. WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Frisky Fridays. Details: 07415 354056. YATELEY – The Cricketers, Cricket Hill Lane GU46 6BA. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 01252 872105.

Saturday, October 8 RISELEY – The Bull Inn, Basingstoke Road RG7 1QL. NRG. Details: 0118 988 8840. WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Imposters. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – The Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. The Vocal Lion. Details: 0118 978 3023. WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548. WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights. Details: 0118 979 5790. WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Essential Saturday. Details: 07415 354056. YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, The Green GU46 7LR. Rob and the Retros. Details: 01252 870648.

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

RED AZTEK

Awesome rock covers: Queen, Cooper, The Rolling Stones, Hendrix and more… Sat October 8

WE IMPOSTERS LIVE THE WOO HOO! They are back!! MUSIC Blondie, Stewart, Bowie…

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

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

CROSS CODE 13 21

8 25

26 8

18 20

6 9

4 11

25 25

1. What French word is commonly used in English to describe pruning shears? 2. Which informal word, now accepted in English dictionaries, relates to the buttocks and means attractively curvaceous? 3. Which character was played by Peter Capaldi in the TV series The Thick of It? 4. What was the middle name of the American poet Henry Longfellow? 5. Which Scottish-born sailor was hanged for piracy in London in 1701?

1 4

25 23

13 25

9 6

25 1

25 6

18 6

1 20

25 18

17 4

9 14

22 15

NONAGRAM

U 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.

MAGIC SQUARE

EVE DEMANDS NEW VAN

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 T through openings in the walls. The T first letter may appear in any chamber. H G

C I

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: 21 Good; 25 Very Good; 29 Excellent.

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

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

8 10

10 13

13 15

17 21

I H

O R

T E

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.

ACROSS 1. Suitable material for building a castle on the beach? (9)

EQUALISER 10 9 4 4 11 2 7 3 3 4 4 3

Hard

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

8 2 7 4 9

SUDOKU Easy

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD 1

FIVE ALIVE

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

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

6. In which London park were the equestrian events of the 2012 Olympics held? 7. Which BBC1 quiz show did Noel Edmonds host from 1985 until 1998? 8. Miranda, Oberon and Titania are among the moons of which planet? 9. Which direction of a compass equates to 315 degrees? 10. Which politician and US Civil War general wrote the historical novel Ben-Hur?

WORD PYRAMID

J E T

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1

LEISURE | 29

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Thursday, September 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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. 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

DOWN 1. Drink out of a glass upwards (3) 2. Tender shark (5) 3. Variety of dockets available 6. Limitless power (3) for sale (7) 8. Deployed rainproof hats 4. It is idiotic to have nothing without thought (6-7) with a cod perhaps (6) 5. Follow directions to go to 9. Verify American money court (5) order (5) 6. One in a vehicle coming up 10. Grizzly female perhaps (3-4) to the city ingenuously (7) 7. Nicer hand, potential 11. Are putting rotter in the obstacle (9) passageway (6) 9. Fruit found on the sidewalk 13. Is able, over there, to find in New York? (4-5) the ravine (6) 12. Ship’s company bloomer (7) 16. Gathered in great numbers 14. Ten appear in discordant chant in Turkish city (7) at a church service? (7) 15. A theologian I caught was a 18. Home of the brave (5) devotee (6) 17. Gentleman has removed 20. How rowers interfere? one, bowled (5) (3,5,3,2) 19. For each group round the 22. Feature clearly included (3) old city it is cleaner (5) 21. Incline to indicate 23. Destroyed the beer, Dutch agreement (3) variety (9)

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

11 13

18 22

22 23 29

29 31

SOLUTIONS

30 31

ACROSS 2. Broke free (7) 7. Straight line (4) 8. Rotating rod (4) 9. Rock garden plant (7) 10. Cordon ---- (4) 12. Footway (4) 15. Backless seat (5) 17. Fight (6) 18. European capital city (6) 19. Memorised (6) 21. Peculiar person (inf.) (6)

22. 23. 26. 28. 29.

More subdued (5) Bird’s home (4) Nautical mile (4) Fall back (7) West African country (4) 30. Welsh emblem (4) 31. Edible root (7) DOWN 1. Figure skating jump (4) 2. Jacob’s twin (4) 3. Prairie wolf (6) 4. Handgun (6) 5. Slightly wet (4)

6. Strip of wood (4) 10. City of ancient Mesopotamia (7) 11. Snares (7) 13. Firedog (7) 14. Free sample (7) 15. Tilt (5) 16. Romeo (5) 20. Higher (6) 21. Instrument used in fighting (6) 24. Test (4) 25. Journey (4) 26. Seaweed (4) 27. Cattle (4)

8 4 5 9 6 7 1 2 3

1 9 6 2 3 5 4 8 7

2 7 3 1 4 8 6 9 5

7 6 8 3 5 1 2 4 9

4 5 9 8 2 6 7 3 1

3 2 1 7 9 4 5 6 8

9 1 4 6 7 3 8 5 2

5 8 2 4 1 9 3 7 6

1 3 7 9 8 4 2 6 5

6 3 7 5 8 2 9 1 4

EASY SUDOKU

14 1

15 2

16 3

CROSS CODE

4 8 2 6 1 5 9 7 3

6 5 9 2 7 3 1 4 8

9 7 5 1 2 6 8 3 4

8 4 6 3 9 7 5 1 2

2 1 3 4 5 8 7 9 6

3 2 8 7 6 9 4 5 1

5 9 4 8 3 1 6 2 7

7 6 1 5 4 2 3 8 9

HARD SUDOKU

17 4

18 5

19 6

N W 7

21 8

22 9

WORD PYRAMID: Do the right thing. EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – multiply; subtract; add; divide. Total: 5. MAGIC SQUARE: wave; amen; vend; ends.

QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 2 Escaped; 7 Axis; 8 Axle; 9 Alyssum; 10 Bleu; 12 Path; 15 Stool; 17 Battle; 18 London; 19 Learnt; 21 Weirdo; 22 Tamer; 23 Nest; 26 Knot; 28 Relapse; 29 Mali; 30 Leek; 31 Parsnip. Down – 1 Axel; 2 Esau; 3 Coyote; 4 Pistol; 5 Damp; 6 Slat; 10 Babylon; 11 Entraps; 13 Andiron; 14 Handout; 15 Slant; 16 Lover; 20 Taller; 21 Weapon; 24 Exam; 25 Trip; 26 Kelp; 27 Oxen.

Hindrance; 9 Crab-apple; 12 Coaster; 14 Antioch; 15 Addict; 17 cine; cist; cite; cuisine; cutie; cutin; cutis; etui; iciest; ictus; incest; Sahib; 19 Purer; 21 Nod. incise; incite; incus; incuse; inject; INJUSTICE; insect; inset; juice; juiciest; justice; nice; nicest; nisei; nisi; seniti; sice; since; sine; site; stein; suint; suit; suite; tein; tine; tunic; unit; unite; untie.

Down – Pelts; Drake; Ethos. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Sandstone; 6 Nth; 8 Parrot-fashion; 9 Check; 10 She- (2) Across – Draft; Grips; Alley. Down – Dogma; Axial; Tasty. bear; 11 Arcade; 13 Canyon; 16 Amassed; 18 Tepee; 20 Put their oar in; 22 Ear; 23 Butchered. NONAGRAM: Down – 1 Sup; 2 Nurse; 3 Stocked; 4 Oafish; 5 Ensue; 6 Naively; 7

QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Secateurs; 2 Bootylicious; 3 Malcolm Tucker; 4 Wadsworth; 5 Captain William Kidd; 6 Greenwich Park; 7 Telly Addicts; 8 Uranus; 9 North-west; 10 Lew Wallace.

(1) Across – Padre; Loath; Specs.

FIVE ALIVE:

30 | LEISURE

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, September 29, 2016

AT THE CINEMA

The acoustic couch

Bridget’s back for one ﬁnal ﬂing

An outstanding weekend of music

Kim Taylor-Foster

Upcoming music with Jody Mc

This past week, The Acoustic Couch has been open and showing people what it’s made of. And to prove it, here are two reviews from attendees. All we can say is WOW!

Stars: Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, Patrick Dempsey, Gemma Jones, Jim Broadbent, Sally Phillips

RIDGET Jones’s Baby is full of moments that make you cringe. And it’s not the points actually designed to make you hide your face behind your fingers responsible, it’s all those unintentional squeakybum sequences. It’s not that Bridget Jones (Renee Zellwegger) is 25 years older than the rest of the revellers at the music festival she’s gone to. Nor is it the moment she falls face first into the mud dressed head-to-toe in white, feet clad in snake-print kitten heels. It’s not the moment when the guy she thinks has got her pregnant and whom she’s invited onto the TV news show she produces spots her in the gallery, compelling her to hide, either. It’s the sequence in which she’s dancing and singing alone in her flat to House of Pain’s Jump Around, and it’s the scene where she’s chatting through an earpiece with her friend – show presenter, Miranda (Sarah Solemani) – between news segments. In short, Bridget Jones’s Baby – at least at the start – has got things off balance. The parts that are supposed to make us identify with her alienate us, and the parts that are meant to make us cringe, or feel sorry for her, leave us cold. Fortunately, though, as the film falls into its stride it overcomes its early awkwardness to blossom into a piece of implausible escapism, not too far removed from its predecessors. A win, mostly, for Bridget Jones fans. If you’ve seen the trailers, it’s giving nothing away to say its plot hinges on Bridget not knowing who the father of her unborn baby is. She and Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) have been split up for some time, following 10 years together. But a couple of nights of passion leads to pregnancy. Only, one of those nights is with another man… a certain Jack Qwant (Patrick ‘McDreamy’ Dempsey). With a new young boss at work intent on clearing out the old guard, she’s got more than an unexpected pregnancy on her plate – but she bumbles her way through to the film’s climax in true Bridget Jones style. Dishing up the kind of blundering high jinx fans love alongside the sort of London location shots Richard Curtis would be proud of, director of the original Sharon Maguire neatly and satisfyingly pulls the curtains on a quintessentially British trilogy. Boosted by a scene-stealing performance from national treasure Emma Thompson as the midwife, coupled with Colin Firth’s charmingly sincere reprisal as Mark Darcy along with Jim Broadbent’s unbearably sweet and awkward dad, Bridget Jones’s Baby is an initially stuttering yet ultimately gratifying conclusion to the everywoman saga that defined the 90s.

FANTASTIC weekend at the ‘couch with not one but two nights of outstanding music. So, first things first, Friday night was punk night. That’s punk for the new generation not the old school Sex Pistols/Clash etc. Amethyst Kyss were the support act and none too shabby: A bass-led three-piece with female guitar and vocals. Shades of Jean Jac Brunel with a solid drummer and a female voice that didn’t need any help from the sound desk. I think, with a few more paying gigs under their belt, this band could be on to something. On to the main event and what an event it was: Hands Off Gretel. I used the word outstanding before and will use it again because they were. Another female-led band but this time a four piece with a tight rhythm section, a theatrical but nevertheless excellent lead guitar with rhythm guitar and vocals from the female lead. This band really were the best thing I’ve seen for a long while, with sometimes soft seductive melodies to screaming rage with a few stops in between.

STR8TS No. 301

3 7 1

So that was my weekend, how was yours? Because you could have a similar experience, should you wish to. Just get yourself down to theacousticcouch and check it out. I’m really not making it up. JIM ANNYS

We should really consider ourselves lucky to have this band as they managed to squeeze us in on their extensive UK tour and I really wouldn't be surprised to see them again: the next time headlining a major festival. Which brings us to Saturday night when we had to do it all again. Dare I use the word outstanding again? Perhaps I shouldn’t but they were. This was a prime example of youth and enthusiasm against age and experience. First band on (I won’t call them the support act) were Streetfight Silence, a four-piece rock/ garage group with all the attitude and energy you could ask for and then some. These guys meant it, they want it and you can hear it in every beat, every word and note. They were all four talented and exciting young musicians but the drummer did it for me, could’ve been taking lessons from Keith Moon. This band deserve a bigger stage and I fully expect to see them on one. And so to the finale: The Oil City Kings. This band have been together for a while and it shows. Polished and professional this Dr Feelgood influenced four-piece band finished the weekend in style. I have to say I’m a little biased as the bassist is a friend of mine so I won't say too much about them, just thoroughly recommend them to anyone who appreciates Wilco Johnson and the like.

RIDAY night I decided to travel from Bristol to Bracknell to see a free gig by a band called Hands off Gretel, a band I have loved for a few months. They are an awesome blend of punky grunge. They were supported by a good local(ish) band called Amethyst Kyss, a power punky sound. The venue was The Acoustic Couch, a new community arts / music / performance space situated about five minutes walk away from Bracknell railway station. A really good venue, with great acoustics and run by Jody and his merry band. Only after the gig did Jody tell me that the sound was done by a team of teenagers — you wouldn’t have known, and that the video was taken by teenagers as well. This is exactly what Jody and his team are going to achieve, creating a vibrant, inclusive area for people to showcase and develop their talents. People of Bracknell, you have a cracking new venue, use it. It’s great but will only go on to be greater with your support. ANDREW

SUDOKU Easy

Previous solution - Medium

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

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

You can find more help, tips and hints at www.str8ts.com

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

2 1 9 5 3 4 6 7

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

No. 301

1 2 3 4 7

Tough

9 8

8 3 7 2 6 8 2

6 9 1 5 2 5 3 3 7 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.

8 3 1 6 9 5 7 4 2

1 4

Previous solution - Medium



Bridget Jones’s Baby (15)

JODY Mc WRITES: We were blown away this weekend with the reaction from all that attended our full to the brim weekend of live music. The crowds were joyous and kept me feeling electric. The volunteers worked away all weekend with a kick in their step (and not forgetting “omm” (old man Mick) getting his shimmy on). Well, the weekend was topped off when we found out we had guests who travelled from as far as Bristol! It does not stop there either. Andy from Bristol – our new friend and supporter – and a local fellow whom has been breathing local music since way back when, Jim have both taken time out to write about their experiences and you could get involved too. If you’re out at a local live music night and fancy yourself as a writer or trying it then come and get involved. Simply write about your time and get creative. We only ask that you keep things clean as we have an audience that dances across a vast range. Enjoy this weeks articles. #Communitythrumusic

Streetﬁght Silence wowed The Couch on Saturday Night Picture: C.Hunnisett Photography

9 6 2 4 7 8 5 1 3

7 5 4 1 2 3 8 9 6

4 7 9 3 8 6 1 2 5

3 2 5 9 4 1 6 8 7

6 1 8 2 5 7 4 3 9

1 9 6 7 3 4 2 5 8

2 8 7 5 1 9 3 6 4

5 4 3 8 6 2 9 7 1

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

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WOKINGHAMSPORT

MIXED EMOTIONS: It was quite a weekend for Luka Basic and Bracknell Bees

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— Page 36

NATIONAL LEAGUE 3

HOCKEY

McLean leaves his mark on Bracknell as hat-trick seals Brixham the points Brixham 33 Bracknell 17 BRACKNELL’S lengthy trip to Devon proved to be a disappointing one after a Tom McLean hat-trick left the Lily Hill men beaten for the second weekend running. In a repeat scenario to the one witnessed during the loss to Salisbury last time out, Dan Ap Dafydd’s men overcame an early deficit and opened up a slender lead, but were unable to build on the advantage, which allowed the hosts to hit back and secure the maximum five points. A strong wind which blew across Brixham’s Astley Park home was of no use to either side, although it was the hosts who better managed the conditions and were soon in front;

McLean capitalising on a turnover in the scrum and scoring a converted try. They would hold this seven-point lead until the 25th minute, which was when scrum-half Ally Walton levelled up the try scoring on the breakaway. The conversion was put wide, not that it was to matter on this particular occasion as Bracknell were soon ahead after a fumble amid a five-metre lineout allowed centre Chris Brember to touch down. Again, the extras were not added after the ball was kicked wide of the posts, but nonetheless the visitors had completed the turnaround and were heading in at the break looking to build on a 10-7 scoreline. They would also have to see out the half with 14 men after Kim Plant was the shown the yellow card having

tackled an opponent not in possession of the ball. Five minutes after the restart, however, and Brixham had once again seized the initiative courtesy of fly-half Martin Worthington, who was dabbing down once stepping inside, with his effort quickly improved by the conversion. McClean’s second try of the afternoon and Joe Lovell’s conversion kick stretched Brixham’s lead even further, only for Bracknell to quickly respond when fly-half Liam Hemming ran in under the posts, with Lewis Dennett securing the two extra points. This happened while the hosts’ Russ Morris sat out in the sin-bin, and he was later joined by team-mate Cory Moore following a yellow-card offence. The opposition duly pressed on with

RUGBY – LONDON IRISH

We can step up the Paice n Unbeaten Exiles yet to hit potential London Irish 32 Ealing Trailfinders 12 DAVID PAICE says there is a lot more to come from London Irish after their “ugly” victory over Ealing Trailfinders. The Exiles came into the game with three wins from three and they preserved their perfect start, grabbing a late bonus point thanks to Scott Steele’s try to stay top of the table. Steele’s effort followed tries from Ben Ransom, Joe Trayfoot and James Marshall to push through for a 32-12 victory. But hooker Paice is still not satisfied with how the side is performing. “Five points is five points against a very tough Ealing side,” said the vice captain. “We’re not playing at our best but at the end of the day it’s a bonus point victory. “But we do have a lot to improve on. “We’ve also got to give a lot of credit to the opposition we’re coming up against. “There’s not an easy game in the Championship.

London Irish vice-captain David Paice Picture: Steve Smyth

“Teams pride themselves on the set piece. “There are big guys and they put us under a lot of pressure so I think a lot of credit has got to go to the opposition. “It was ugly, but we got there in the end and I think we’re improving as a team.” Irish were quick to get ahead, bagging a try with just two minutes on the clock when Ransom collected Fergus Mulchrone’s offload to dab down in the corner. With Tommy Bell accurate with the

boot, additional tries from Trayfoot and Marshall saw the Exiles fly into a 25-7 lead. And the vital fifth try arrived on 67 minutes when Steele bundled over following a number of powerful drives. “We’re very happy with the win,” said head coach Nick Kennedy. “Ealing are a tough side and we sneaked the bonus point at the end. “It was a close game. “There’s a couple of really clear things to work on that all the coaches spoke about at half-time. “Luke (Narraway), our captain, touched on it after the game that we’ve got a short turnaround before Nottingham so we’ve only got two full training days. “We have a lot of work to do in those two days.” Exiles kick off the Greene King IPA Championship weekend on Friday night when they travel to Lady Bay to take on seventh placed Nottingham (7.45pm).

LONDON IRISH: Marshall, Ojo, Tikoirotuma, Mulchrone, Ransom, Bell (Fowlie 78), Allinson (Steele 54), Court (Hobbs-Awoyemi 50), Ellis (Paice 48), Palframan (Hoskins 48), Sexton (Lloyd 58), De Chaves, Trayfoot, Northcote-Green, Narraway (c) (Coman 54). Tries: Ransom, Trayfoot, Marshall, Steele. Cons: Bell x2, Marshall Pens: Bell x2 Referee: Matthew O’Grady Attendance: 3,357

their two-man advantage, but it was Brixham who added the next batch of points to the board as Bracknell missed out on a losing bonus. Joe Lovell put just enough purchase on a grubber kick to pick out McClean, who was once again touching the ball down in familiar territory. Although defeat was now confirmed for the guests, the scoring had not yet finished, with Russ Morris stealing in and beating the clock to further better Brixham’s points haul, although the conversion was missed. Bracknell will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat when hosting Lydney this Saturday (5pm). BRACKNELL: Williams, Miranda, Ovens, Bailey, Plant, Goodison, Rice, Valentine, Walton, Dennett, Mackay, Nacamavutu, Brember, Burch, Slade. Reps: Staples, Johnson, Hemming.

National League 2 South P W D L F Taunton Titans 4 4 0 0 163 Chinnor 4 4 0 0 166 Old Elthamians 4 4 0 0 116 Bishop’s Stortford 4 3 0 1 97 Redruth 4 3 0 1 86 Worthing 4 3 0 1 73 Henley 4 2 0 2 100 L.I Wild Geese 4 2 0 2 94 Bury St Edmunds 4 2 0 2 83 Canterbury 4 1 0 3 85 Cinderford 4 2 0 2 75 Redingensians 4 1 0 3 80 Clifton 4 1 0 3 79 Barnes 4 0 0 4 74 Exmouth 4 0 0 4 78 Barnstaple 4 0 0 4 51

A 85 33 61 57 59 62 105 112 86 82 75 88 127 106 164 198

BP 4 2 1 3 1 0 2 2 1 4 3 2 2 3 2 1

PTS 20 18 17 15 13 12 10 10 9 8 6 6 6 3 2 1

National League 3 South West P W D L F A Old Redcliffians 4 4 0 0 120 43 Camborne 4 4 0 0 134 71 Ivybridge 4 3 0 1 94 78 Dings Crusaders 4 3 0 1 94 86 Bournemouth 4 2 0 2 97 77 Hornets 4 2 0 2 107 105 Lydney 4 2 0 2 71 61 Salisbury 4 2 0 2 74 86 Brixham 4 1 1 2 87 111 Newton Abbot 4 1 1 2 78 83 Bracknell 4 1 0 3 66 98 Launceston 4 1 0 3 64 92 Cleve 4 1 0 3 72 114 Bromsgrove 4 0 0 4 84 137

BP 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 2

PTS 18 18 14 14 11 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 5 -3

Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier Division P W D L F A BP Didcot 2 2 0 0 80 29 2 Hungerford 2 2 0 0 40 23 0 Drifters 2 1 0 1 63 18 2 Swindon College OB 1 1 0 0 34 9 1 Risborough 2 1 0 1 36 65 1 Crowthorne 2 0 1 1 49 54 1 Chesham 1 1 0 0 13 5 0 Tadley 2 1 0 1 18 27 0 Slough 2 0 1 1 30 38 0 Abingdon 2 0 0 2 14 45 1 Phoenix 2 0 0 2 22 86 0

PTS 10 8 6 5 5 5 4 4 2 1 0

Opening day joy for Jones MARY JONES bagged the only goal as Sonning Ladies 3s kicked off their Trysports Division 2 season with victory over Kidlington 1s, writes TOM CROCKER. Sonning came flying out of the traps and scored what proved to be the sole goal of the contest as Jones smuggled it in on the line. The hosts kept piling on the pressure but failed to double their tally, allowing Kidlington back into the contest. But courtesy of joint player of the match displays from Jones and Flora Grove-Smith, Sonning picked up the win. SONNING 4s suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Reading 4s in their Division 4 opener. Reading bagged the opener but Sonning quickly levelled through Vicky Smith, slipping the ball in after a great Amy Shaw pass. From there Sonning controlled the first half and threatened plenty of scoring opportunities. But they could not find the breakthrough and were stung by a second Reading goal after a poor clearance and short corner routine. In the same division, SOUTH BERKSHIRE 4s were soundly beaten 6-0 by Oxford Fireflies. In a local derby battle in Premier 1, the recently-formed SOUTH BERKSHIRE 1s came out on top, winning 3-1 against SONNING 2s. The club is the result of a summer merger between Wokingham and Bracknell hockey clubs, and it was an encouraging weekend for the team. SOUTH BERKSHIRE 2s earned a 2-2 draw at home against Amersham and Chalfont 2s in Premier 2 while the 3S won 4-2 against Milton Keynes 3s in Division 3. SONNING VETERANS got off to a winning start in Division 5, easing past South Bucks 1st XI 3-0 while SONNING 5s lost 2-0 at home to Iver and Burnham 1s. The men’s competition begins this weekend, with both South Berkshire and Sonning in action in the MBBO divisions.

NATIONAL LEAGUE 2

U’Chong notches his first try for Rams, but the joy is cut short as visitors lose low-scoring affair Redruth 10 Redingensians Rams 8 CHICO U’CHONG’S first Redingensians try came in vain as Redruth ground out a low-scoring victory to inflict a third defeat on the Rams this season. After withstanding some early Redruth pressure on their try line,

Rams eventually fell behind to the first score of the game through a converted try. U’Chong (pictured) and Jak Rossiter kept the heat on at the other end and the Rams

did reduce the deficit before the break when Jacob Atkins kicked over a penalty. And the visitors went one better, taking the lead when U’Chong’s strong run down the right saw him cross the line for the first time for the club. Redruth kicked over two more penalties just before the half was out to lead 10-8 and remarkably that is how the scores stayed.

Rather than the end-to-end rugby of the first half, the second period was ruined by poor weather conditions with both teams instead opting to try and keep the ball in hand. With just one score separating the sides it made for an exciting finale but Redruth will feel they could have pulled further ahead, only for their rapid attacks to be halted at the last with Antony Marris and Robbie

Stapley producing notable tackles. Rams had one final rally to try and edge back in front, reaching drop kick distance but failed to fire between the posts as Redruth held on. Redingensians are back at home on Saturday, taking on Chinnor.

REDINGENSIANS: Duffelen, Rossiter, Bryant, Barnes (c), McDermottroe, Atkins, U’Chong, Weller, Henderson, McdonnellRoberts, Taylor, Kharbouch, Vooght, Stapley. Reps: Crame, Marris, Amor, Guttridge, Sims.

36 | SPORT

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ICE HOCKEY

Hat-trick hero Basic blasts Bees to first win

 But joy is cut short as Phoenix quickly exact revenge

By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk IT WAS quite the weekend for Bracknell Bees. A hat-trick from Luka Basic helped the side to an impressive 7-2 triumph over Manchester Phoenix up in Flyde and a first victory of the new EPIHL season. Those celebrations, though, came to an abrupt end just 24 hours later when the same opposition exacted their revenge through a 5-0 success at The Hive, which was also win number one for the Phoenix this term. A disappointing night for the hosts will also be remembered for Bees’ player-coach Lukas Smital being thrown out early on for unsportsmanlike behaviour following a cross-checking call made against him in the 13th minute. Both sides are now up and running for the 2016/17 campaign, but when they first faced-off on Saturday afternoon the teams were on a four-game losing streak. The two matches, as is customary at this stage of the competition, also doubled up as league and cup affairs. But it was Bracknell who went ahead in the 10th minute through a first goal in the black and gold for Rio Grinnel-Parke, skating once again following a recent injury. Thing were to get even better for the visitors just 60 seconds later when Josh Tetlow beat Stephen Fone in the Manchester goal with an impressive solo effort. Home side Phoenix pulled a goal back early in the second stanza, and in doing so denied Matty Smital, handed a start between the pipes,

BOWLS

Men end season with resounding win at Windsor

a shutout. Yet instead of seizing the chance to equalise through two power play opportunities they would, in fact, find themselves 4-1 behind following a pair of shorthanded Basic strikes. The import forward, duly named man of the match, would complete the treble early on during the third period with a wrist shot. With the points now in the bag and playing with confidence, Bees continued to go for the jugular and were celebrating a sixth goal when James Galazzi set up fellow forward Scott Spearing to light the lamp. Manchester’s Robin Kovar, just 30 seconds later, was up the other end putting away a Robin Kovar pass to cut the gap to four goals, but it was

the away side which was to have the final say in this contest. And doing this was Krystof Kafan, who found himself in the right place to notch his first goal for the club when netting on the rebound after a Josh Smith attempt rung back off a post. Hopes of building upon this victory, however, were left in tatters by a clinical Phoenix side keen to right a few wrongs a day later. Although peppering Fone and the Manchester goal with some 24 shots during the first 20 minutes the home side went in at the interval trailing by three goals. Kovar struck first and then again in the 14th minute on the power play which was a result of Smital’s removal, with Edgars Bebris making it 2-0 only minutes earlier as Bees again had a man in the bin. Kafan was unable to convert a chance which fell his way during a second session littered by penalties, while Kovar was denied a treble by the crossbar. It did, though, witness a goal a minute and 12 seconds before the break, with Romal Malinik popping up to make it 4-0. Kafan and Alex Barker were again denied the chance to grab a consolation by a stubborn Fone, who would later watch on as Jakub Langhammer rattled in a fifth on 59 minutes to round off a fine evening for the guests as Bees found themselves back at the bottom of the standings. Bees go again this Saturday when they make the short trip down the M4 to take on Swindon Wildcats (5.45pm) before Milton Keynes Lightning visit The Hive on Sunday (6pm).

THE MEN at Wokingham Bowls Club wrapped up the season with a convincing victory over Windsor in a friendly. Winning on all four triples at Reading Road contributed to a winning score of 75-41.

The club, though, was unable to repeat this feat when up against Cippenham in a mixed friendly. With the conditions good and the green superb, it was the hosts who emerged from a close contest victorious by 114 shots to 93.

Bees forward Luka Basic celebrated a hat-trick on Saturday night Picture: Kevin Slyﬁeld

BASKETBALL

Rockets prepare to launch Trophy bid at Bohunt School WOKINGHAM will play host to Reading Rockets this weekend as Manuel Pena Garces’ side look to bounce back from an opening day defeat. Rockets, who lost to Worthing Thunder two weeks ago, will take to the court at Bohunt School against newly-promoted Team Solent Kestrels in the National Trophy (5pm). With regular venue Rivermead Leisure Complex currently unavailable, the newly built Arborfield school, which is one of the club’s training venues, will see competitive action for the first time.

“This weekend’s game against Solent will be a real challenge for us,” said head coach Pena Garces. “We know that Solent teams are always difficult to play against through the academy games and Matt Guymon has done a really good job with this. “They have built on their core foundations over the years and approach Division One with two new Americans and two good quality English players.” Having led for 33 minutes, Rockets eventually succumbed to a 78-71 defeat to Worthing in the first game of the season and Pena Garces admits it was a tough one to swallow. “The defeat to Worthing was a difficult one to take,” said

0the Spanish play caller. “We had been ahead in the game for a long time but in the end game missed some key assignments resulting in a narrow loss – but highlighting the key areas we will need to be working on as we start the season. “It was good for myself and Alan (Keane) to see where the players are at individually and what we will need to give them, as well as how the team is as a collective and we feel this is the key area moving forward. “I am hoping Sunday’s game will be much better and we will be able to record our first win.” Rockets have a fully fit squad available for the Kestrel clash with up to five players in line for home debuts.

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, September 29, 2016

GOLF

Robertson and England regain Auld Enemies Cup WOKINGHAM’S Graeme Robertson has captained Team England to victory over Scotland in the 2016 Auld Enemies Cup. Robertson, who is now in his sixth year as captain of the English Disabled Golfers, helped his nation to a 15.5 points to 8.5 points triumph in the Ryder Cup style three-day event. Taking place in Peebles, Scotland, England were looking to win back the The Auld Enemies Cup is back in the hands of England trophy they lost in London captain Graeme Robertson (right), whose side defeated Alan in 2014 and made a fine Robertson’s Scotland up in Peebles start. members, amputees, Parkinsons, The opening day saw six MS, blind and stroke survivors all rounds of foursomes action with England participating together.” winning 4-2, a score they repeated in the Scotland captain Alan Robertson fourballs the following day. admits the English side provided tough And after winning 7.5-4.5 in the 12 opposition. singles contests, the comfortable win was “Some of the golf on show was confirmed. incredible,” he said. “I am very proud of my team for “There were some really close matches their efforts and sportsmanship,” said and congratulations must go to Graeme Robertson. and his team, who I thought were on top “I put together a team from our order form. of merit running throughout the year, “Although we’re disappointed with the that represents what the Disabled Golf result, we will be determined to win the Association is all about – different cup back in 2018!” abilities/disabilities, ages and parts of the Team England will move their efforts country joining together. “We have ex-servicing service now to taking on Wales on October 16-17.

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Thursday, September 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

READING FC

Stam: Royals must use loss as a learning curve Brentford 4 Reading 1 By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk JAAP STAM admits his side’s performance “wasn’t good enough” as Reading saw their eight game unbeaten run come to an abrupt halt at Brentford. Two goals in five minutes at the end of the first half from Josh Clarke and Lasse Vibe put the Bees in control and they all but secured the win when Maxime Colin made it 3-0. Yann Kermorgant pulled one back from the penalty spot but Scott Hogan added a fourth for Brentford late on. “It wasn’t a good performance,” admitted Stam. “Brentford deserved the win. “They were better on the ball, more aggressive than we were and if you’re not both of those things then you are going to have a very difficult evening. “That’s what happened. “We had time on the ball to play our game but we didn’t do it well. “We chose to play the long ball to the strikers too early and we were not making easy passes.” Reading were dealt a blow before kick-off with the news Danny Williams would miss out with an ankle injury and his absence was the only change from the win over Huddersfield, with George Evans coming in. Brentford, unbeaten at home

Yann Kermorgant hit a consolation from the penalty spot at Griffin Park

since March, started well with Andreas Bjelland going close from a free kick before Joey van den Berg’s sliding challenge denied Vibe in the box. Royals were threatening at the other end too, almost breaking the deadlock when Evans glanced John Swift’s free kick against the base of the post. Moments later, the Bees took the lead when Clarke fired high past Ali Al-Habsi. And that advantage was doubled just before the break when Vibe connected with a low Hogan cross to prod home. Stephen Quinn was introduced at the break but it was Brentford who moved further ahead when Colin smashed home. The visitors struck the post again, this time through Callum

Harriott, but Stam’s men did pull one back when Kermorgant fired a penalty high into the net after Quinn was tripped. Joseph Mendes and Dominic Samuel were thrown on to try and find a way back into the match but it was Brentford who scored again when Hogan found acres of space in the box and picked his spot. “Sometimes it’s important to lose,” said Stam. “Although it’s difficult for any manager to say that. “From games like this, maybe we can learn a lot. “It’s not like we have to go back to square one all of a sudden. “We had a good run going and we wanted to keep that up, so it’s a shame that unfortunately it didn’t happen for us. “It wasn’t good enough from us.” Reading are back at Madejski Stadium on Saturday, hosting Derby County.

READING: Al-Habsi, Gunter, McShane (c), Moore, Obita, van den Berg (Quinn 45), Evans, Swift, Harriott (Samuel 84), Beerens (Mendes 84), Kermorgant. Subs not used: Jaakkola, Watson, Gravenberch, Kelly. Goal: Kermorgant (63) Yellow cards: van den Berg (16), Swift (19) BRENTFORD: Bentley, Colin, Dean (c), Egan, Bjelland (Barbet 70), Clarke, McCormack (McEachran 85), Yennaris, Sawyers, Vibe (Kaikai 88), Hogan. Subs not used: Bonham, MacLeod, Saunders, Hofmann. Goals: Clarke (41), Vibe (44), Colin (58), Hogan (86) Yellow cards: Dean (5), McCormack (19), Bjelland (69), Yennaris (81) Referee: Oliver Langford Attendance: 9,679 (inc. 1,646 away)

Roy nets points, boss philosophical Reading 1 Huddersfield Town 0 By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk

“Football can change very quickly.” That was the message from Jaap Stam as Reading climbed up to fourth in the Championship table with a 1-0 win over previous league leaders Huddersfield Town at Madejski Stadium last Saturday. The victory extended Royals’ unbeaten run to eight in all competitions and six in the league with Stam still yet to taste defeat at home in his tenure. Roy Beerens netted the only goal after Huddersfield had been reduced to 10 men on 26 minutes following the dismissal of Rajiv van la Parra, but Stam refuses to get carried away. “Up to now we’re doing quite well,” admitted the manager. “But we’re still not looking for a top-six spot. “Basically our philosophy within the club is playing a certain way, succeeding in that, working on that and improving that every time. “Then of course results eventually are very important.” He continued: “We need to look

to the future in terms of how many games we need to play. “It’s only a few games into the start of the season and everything is going well, but it’s still a very long way to go. “We play Tuesday and Saturday again and if you lose a couple you probably drop a couple of places. “It’s not going to be easy.” Stam made three changes from the last league game at Barnsley with George Evans and suspended duo Tyler Blackett and Garath McCleary missing out, replaced by Jordan Obita, Callum Harriott and the fit again Joey van den Berg. After an even opening, the first half swung on a red card for van la Parra as he picked up two yellow cards in two minutes, the second for dissent, to earn his marching orders. Reading piled on the pressure with John Swift cracking an effort off the post and Paul McShane going close before Beerens’ deflected effort beat goalkeeper Danny Ward. But the Terriers responded after the break and were the better side, twice going close in the closing stages when substitute Michael Hefele headed wide before a low Tommy Smith ball across the six

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yard box somehow stayed out. Reading had chances at the other end too with Stephen Quinn denied but one goal was enough to earn three more points and extend the unbeaten run to eight games. Stam said: “If you mention (the league position) then you’re thinking OK, we’re doing very well in how we play and the results we get but there’s not a lot of time really to think about that. “We know as well in football it can change very quickly. “The only thing that we do is focus on the style of playing and eventually getting results as well.”

READING (ratings out of 10): Al-Habsi 6.5; Gunter 7, McShane (c) 7.5, van den Berg 7.5 (Evans 53 6.5), Moore 7, Obita 6.5 (Watson 45 7); Harriott 7.5*, Williams 7.5, Swift 6.5 (Quinn 70 6.5), Beerens 7.5; Kermorgant 7. Subs not used: Jaakkola, Gravenberch, Samuel, Mendes. Goal: Beerens (41) Yellow cards: Obita (35), Gunter (56) HUDDERSFIELD: Ward; Smith, Hudson (c), Schindler, Lowe (Cranie 80); Kachunga, Mooy, Hogg, van la Parra; Wells, Palmer (Bunn 28 (Hefele 80)). Subs not used: Coleman, Whitehead, Payne, Scannell. Yellow cards: van la Parra x2 (24, 26), Smith (27), Lowe (45), Hudson (58), Kachunga (66) Red card: van la Parra (26) Referee: James Linington Attendance: 17,030 (1,349 away)

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

Wait finally over as Follis brace seals vital victory Doncaster Rovers Belles 1 Reading Women 4

EMMA FOLLIS scored twice as Reading Women sealed an historic first WSL 1 victory to ease their relegation fears against rock-bottom Doncaster Belles. Knowing a win would leave them all but mathematically safe, Royals took a 2-0 lead into the break through Follis and Nia Jones strikes. Emily Simpkins pulled one back but a spectacular long-range Follis effort and Rachel Rowe’s calm finish sealed the win to pull Reading nine points clear of the relegation zone. Kelly Chambers made two changes from the team which lost against Chelsea last time out with Welsh duo Rowe and Kylie Davies dropping out as Kayleigh Hines and Jones earned recalls. And it did not take long for the Royals to move ahead in a battle of the two promoted sides when Follis turned in at the back post after Remi Allen’s cross. With only six points between the two teams at the bottom of the table, a win was vital and Chambers’ charges took a huge step towards all three points when Jones, making just her third start of the campaign, bundled in from close range after a well-worked free-kick routine. Donny reduced the deficit immediately

Emma Follis Pictures: Neil Graham

after the restart when Simpkins’ longrange effort crept into the bottom corner. But the two-goal cushion was restored on the hour mark when the inspirational Follis curled a fabulous 20-yard effort over goalkeeper Nicola Hobbs. And substitute Rowe sealed the win, latching onto Mel Fletcher’s lay-off before keeping her cool one-on-one. Victory lifts Reading up to seventh in the table, nine points ahead of Doncaster. Royals have just two games remaining while Donny still have five matches left. READING: Earps; Jane, McGee (c), Hines, Scott; Allen, Bartrip (Ward 77), Bruton; Follis (Rowe 74), Fletcher, Jones (Stobbs 83). Subs not used: Sansom, Boho Sayo Goals: Follis x2 (9,61), Jones (37), Rowe (84) Referee: Gareth Mellor Attendance: 753

Survival ‘more than just football’– Jones NIA JONES says survival in FA WSL 1 is about “more than just football” as Reading Women close in on securing another season in the top flight, writes TOM CROCKER. After going 13 games without winning, Royals finally broke their duck with a 4-1 success in a relegation six-pointer against Doncaster Rovers Belles on Saturday. The victory, thanks to goals from Emma Follis (2), Jones and Rachel Rowe, pulls Reading nine points clear of the drop zone and leaves them on the brink of ensuring another campaign amongst the elite. And striker Jones admits there was a lot riding on the trip to Doncaster. “It was a massive result for us,” she told The Wokingham Paper. “It’s taken a little bit of pressure off. “It could’ve gone to the last game of the season between us and Donny which would’ve been great for the neutral but it would’ve been a very pressurised game. “It’s a huge step.” When Reading got promoted this time last year, most of the squad were handed full-time professional contracts.

But Jones (pictured) says that could be thrown up in the air again if the club were to get relegated. “We said from the start of the season that our main aim this season was literally just that we wanted to stay in the league,” she said. “I think if we do stay up then we will have attained our target for the season. “We have to think about where we’re going to live (if we get relegated) and what we’re going to do as a job. “It’s more than just football if you like. “We do have to think about our careers as well. “If we stay up it will be a massive, massive step for the club again.” She added: “It’s said at all our meetings that there will be some financial repercussions if we were to go down. “They couldn’t have sustained the contracts that they had got players on. “We might not have all been able to be full-time. There will definitely have been an effect. “Hopefully next season we won’t just be hoping to stay up, we’ll actually be hoping to target the top half of the table.”

Woodley’s Rosie records treble in cup thriller ROSIE PAGE-SMITH netted a hat-trick as Woodley United Ladies won a nine-goal thriller after extra time of their Challenge Cup clash with Ascot United. Trailing 3-1, Woodley looked set to crash out at the first hurdle but a brilliant fightback saw them force extra time. And from 3-3, the hosts pushed on to snatch a memorable 5-4 victory with six minutes to play. Ascot’s early long balls were causing problems, with the side smashing the bar before taking the lead through Amy Woollard. Page-Smith quickly levelled with her first but two goals in 10 minutes from

Georgina Bowers gave Ascot a cushion. May Hamblin halved the deficit which lifted Woodley spirits and they eventually equalised through Page-Smith on 74 minutes to force an additional half an hour. The turnaround was complete when Mollie Haines found the net but a third for Georgina Bowers saw the scores tied up again at 4-4. However, there was still time for a winner and it came in the form of Page-Smith’s second hat-trick of the campaign to book a second round showdown with Southampton.

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Laugharne and Finches hurting from comeback loss and more injury woes Finchampstead 1 Headington Amateurs 2

DANNY BLATCHFORD’S first half strike was not enough to prevent injury-hit Finchampstead from slipping to their first home defeat of the season. Blatchford’s 32nd minute effort gave Jon Laugharne’s men (pictured) the lead but Headington Amateurs battled back after Finch striker Greg Alexander was forced off with a serious knee injury through goals from Jay Hill and Yannick Nkwanyuo. Finches were forced into changes to their line-up with captain Adam Barnard returning but Harry Swabey missing out with an ankle problem. The hosts started well with Chace Jewell’s pace causing problems but when he lost possession, James Pople had to be on hand to hook a Headington effort off the line.

Jewell then joined the injury list, picking up a knock to his foot, but Laugharne’s charges soon took the lead through Blatchford. But the afternoon took a turn for the worse when Alexander twisted his knee and had to be taken to hospital before the scores were level in first half stoppage time when Hill prodded home. And the comeback was complete on 66 minutes when Nkwanyuo unleashed a spectacular effort which flew into the top corner. Headington hit the bar soon after while Pople tried his luck at the other end but Finches could not find a way back into the contest. Laugharne’s men are back in action at home this Saturday, taking on Sandhurst Town.

FINCHAMPSTEAD: Griffith, Pople, Malone, Thomas, S. Green, Barnard (c), Dunbar, Stevens, Blatchford, Alexander, Jewell. Subs: J. Wright, Winship.

Danny Blatchford fired Finchampstead into a first-half lead against Headington

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, September 29, 2016

EVERSLEY AND CALIFORNIA

Nine-man Buckingham shock Boars Buckingham Town 4 Eversley and California 3

EVERSLEY AND CALIFORNIA suffered extra-time heartbreak as they were dumped out of the FA Vase by nine-man Buckingham Town. Facing something of an unknown quantity from the United Counties League, Eversley fell behind after just four minutes when Steve Gavrovski netted from an astonishing 70 yards. Leon Lobjoit doubled the advantage on 55 minutes to leave the Boars with a mountain to climb, but the game swung when Michael McKenzie was dismissed for a second bookable offence. The game twisted and turned right up until the 120th minute, deep into extra time after a brace from Eversley’s Peter Noble plus a goal from Brad Brown cancelled out Dan Mullins’ strike to leave the scores at 3-3. Gavrovski had also joined McKenzie in being sent off and after Eversley’s 118th minute equaliser, the home side

HELLENIC CHALLENGE CUP

Woodley’s Jake Nicholls (left) and Abdul Kamara outnumber and block off an opponent as Shrivenham go on the offensive, below Pictures: Peter Toft

United Drew level, but failed to book their spot in next round Woodley United 1 Shrivenham 1 (Shrivenham win 3-1 on pens) By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk WOODLEY exited the Hellenic Challenge Cup at the first round stage after a penalty shoot-out defeat to Shrivenham. It looked like it could be a long afternoon for Woodley when the visitors went ahead through Levi Cox in the opening minute. But the hosts responded and dominated large spells of the contest, equalising through Josh Drew and taking the game to penalties. However, with only Joe Barley scoring from the spot for Woodley

compared to three for Shrivenham, the cup run came to a premature end. Debutant goalkeeper Spencer Meredith was no doubt hoping to be eased into action, but had no such fortune when a long-range effort from Cox flashed with less than 60 seconds on the clock. Eyeing a quick leveller, Charlie Oakley saw his cross cut out with Abdul Kamara lurking before Greg Beckett saw a shot blocked. Despite controlling possession, Woodley struggled to create many chances but they finally hit the target just after the half hour mark when Drew smashed in from 15 yards. Danny Horscroft had a shot saved just before the break while Meredith

were trying to hold on for penalties. But there was to be one more twist as nine-man Buckingham incredibly won the tie in the final minute of extra time. A hopeful long ball from Jelani Blair should have been easily dealt with but it completely caught the keeper out as he missed his kick, allowing Blair to charge through and roll the ball into the empty net sparking wild celebrations. Challenge Cup THE BOARS put the disappointment behind them on Tuesday night with a penalty shoot-out win over Bagshot in the Division One Challenge Cup. The scores were locked at 2-2 after 90 minutes as Eversley’s task grew when Dan Gigg was sent off. But, from 4-3 down, the visitors managed to equalise and send the game to penalties, triumphing 5-4 on spot kicks. Eversley are back in league action on Saturday, at home against Epsom Athletic.

was on hand to deny Steve Kier shortly after the restart. More United pressure came and went before the end of 90 minutes with Beckett and Idris Kamara (pictured left) going close. Neither side could break through the stalemate in extra time, forcing a penalty shoot-out. Shrivenham bagged their first two but Oakley’s effort was saved before Beckett blazed over. Rob Lincoln extended the advantage to 3-0 and while Barley pulled one back, a miss from Jake Nicholls sent the visitors through 3-1 on spot kicks. Woodley return to league action on Saturday with Bicester Town the visitors. WOODLEY UNITED: Meredith (Rees), Greenwood, Turner, Nicholls, I Kamara, Barley, Drew (Briggs), A Kamara (Morgan), Oakley, Beckett, Horscroft. Subs not used: Baines, Thomas

THAMES VALLEY LEAGUE

Searle shoots down Corinthians to get Rovers off the mark CHRISTOPHER SEARLE bagged a hat-trick as Berks County Rovers secured their first win of the season with a 4-3 success against AFC Corinthians A. With two defeats from two in Division 4, Berks finally got off the mark in a seven-goal thriller down in no small part to Searle. His treble, combined with one for Shane Manjelo, lifted Berks up to ninth in the table. In the same division, Jamie Grainger, Paul Novell and Asher Price all netted braces as HURST A thrashed The Hop Leaf 8-0. Reece Hawley and Christopher McLean also found the net on a good afternoon all round for Hurst, who now sit second.

Chris Payne’s Finchampstead Reserves sit top of Division 2

Jake Brown’s double came in vain as WOODLEY UNITED B lost 4-2 against Braybrooke. Early goals from Josh Whitehead and Jack Bingham put Braybrooke in command and despite a goal in each half from Brown, Martin Bradshaw and Jack Kendall strikes did the damage. HURST remain rooted to the foot of the Premier Division after a 6-0 thumping at home against Reading YMCA, with Daniel Donegan netting a hat-trick. Two late Connor Banks goals earned BERKS COUNTY a memorable 2-1 win over Newbury. Leroy Clarke netted for the visitors, who also saw Luke Gray sent off, but it looked like they would come away

with at least a point until Banks struck in the 85th and 92nd minutes to earn a dramatic win. Greg Taylor’s second-half winner handed WOODLEY UNITED RESERVES their third win of the season. Adrian Vazquez bagged in the first half but it was Taylor’s 72nd minute strike which sunk Mortimer 2-1. FINCHAMPSTEAD RESERVES continue to fly high atop Division 2 after seeing off Maidenhead Magpies Reserves 3-1. Goals from Nicholas Payne and Richard Johnson combined with an Alan Hasler own goal cancelled out David Olver’s strike to preserve Finch’s perfect start to the campaign. Tim Grenham, Joe Pietrasik, Ashley Lamb and James Lawlor all found the

net as HURST RESERVES comfortably saw off HARCHESTER HAWKS 4-0 in Division 3, while Dean Caffell netted the only goal as BERKS COUNTY RESERVES edged past Newbury Reserves. Reading And District Sunday League Results – September 25 PREMIER DIVISION: Woodley Wanderers v Mortimer (home walkover) DIVISION 1: 116 Exiles 1-6 Le Galaxy, Athletico Forest 2-3 Eldon Celtic, FC Woodley 2-2 Polonia Reading DIVISION 2: WS Hobnob 0-3 Loxwood Park Rangers OTHER: Bainbridge Latom 4-0 116 Exiles Res, AFC Basildon 4-0 Shinfield Rangers

Thursday, September 29, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

HELLENIC DIVISION 1 EAST

Sumas sunk by Porter’s brace Wokingham and Emmbrook 2 AFC Aldermaston 3 A LATE GOAL left Wokingham and Emmbrook still searching for their first point since returning to Lowther Road. After a lengthy spell playing away from the borough, Sumas returned earlier this month but have now suffered two defeats after also losing to Bicester Town. AFC Aldermaston did the damage this time, despite Clive McNelly’s men (pictured) battling back twice, edging the contest 3-2 with Michael Porter bagging a brace and Richard Jones also scoring. The visitors took the lead with just two minutes on the clock when a long ball over the top left Sumas flat-footed and allowed the striker in.

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But Wokingham responded well, deservedly levelling through Josh Pearson, only to fall 2-1 behind just before the break. The home side thought they were level when Craig Haylett found the net, only for the goal to be chalked off. Wokingham threw substitutes Skidmore and Wheeler on and they did equalise, but Aldermaston struck back again to grab a 3-2 win. The defeat leaves Sumas ninth in Hellenic Division One East with a cup clash against Premier Division Lydney Town next up on Saturday. WOKINGHAM AND EMMBROOK: East; Carter, Day (c), Duffelen, Broadhurst; Findlay, Rushforth, Lawrence, Douglas; Haylett, Pearson. Subs: Bailey, Skidmore, Thorne, Wheeler.

Results and fixtures Friday, September 23 (Start times 3pm unless stated)

FOOTBALL FA VASE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Reading 1-0 Huddersfield Town

FA WSL 1 Doncaster Rovers Belles 1-4

HELLENIC DIVISION 1 EAST Finchampstead 1-2 Headington Amateurs Wokingham and Emmbrook 2-3 AFC Aldermaston

BLUEFIN SPORTS HELLENIC CUP

Berks County 2-1 Newbury Hurst 0-6 Reading YMCA Woodley United Reserves 2-1 Mortimer

RUGBY NATIONAL LEAGUE 2 SOUTH

Bracknell Town 2 Binfield 1 By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk TWO LATE goals earned Bracknell Town the bragging rights as they came from behind to dump Binfield out of the FA Vase at Stubbs Lane. The Moles, officially the away side but playing at home due to Bracknell’s ground issues, took the lead on 21 minutes through a fine Jack Broome strike. And while the Robins piled on the pressure, it took until the 78th minute to equalise when Joe Grant found the net. Barely a minute later the tie turned completely on its head with George Short bagging the winner to set up a first round proper clash against Croydon. After a good opening spell from Bracknell, the deadlock was broken in Binfield’s favour when Broome caught out goalkeeper Chris Grace, who appeared to be expecting a cross but the ball flew into the top corner. But the ‘home’ side responded well after the break and really took the game to Roger Herridge’s men. The scores appeared to be level when Adam Cornell rounded Garry Aulsberry in the Binfield goal and rolled it into the net, only for the referee to instead award a penalty. Terence Bohane stepped up and incredibly screwed the spot kick wide to give the Moles a huge let off. While Bracknell were growing stronger, Binfield were holding firm with the clock ticking towards the final 10 minutes. But Kensley Maloney proved to be the

BINFIELD: Aulsberry, Lock (Connor 84), Luis (c), M. Walton, Charlton, Broome (Seldon 84), White, Knight, Scope, Ferdinand, Moore (Hayden 70). Subs not used: Etienne, Browne.

Highmoor Ibis 1 Binfield 0 BINFIELD’S disappointment extended to the league as they suffered just their third defeat of the campaign, inflicted by Highmoor-Ibis on Tuesday night. In a game of few chances, Highmoor pleased the majority of the 90 fans at Rivermoor when Devon Reid bagged the winner on 48 minutes. Both teams had opportunities to break the deadlock in the first half with Martin Lingwood and Reid missing the target for the hosts while Liam Ferdinand went close with a spectacular overhead kick. Garry Aulsberry was called into two good second half stops but could do nothing to keep out Reid’s header. Ferdinand had Binfield’s best chance to equalise but saw his shot from 10 yards out blocked after a succession of corners. Defeat leaves Herridge’s men third in the Hellenic Premier Division ahead of a home game against Brackley Town Saints on Saturday. BINFIELD: Aulsberry, Broome, Luis (c), Connor, Charlton, M. Walton (Brown 45), Scope, Knight, Ferdinand, Seldon (White 70), Moore (Etienne 80). Subs not used: Lock, Davies.

South Berkshire Ladies 3-1 Sonning 2s

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

F A 13 8 16 10 12 6 18 9 17 11 13 9 12 12 11 14 17 7 20 14 14 12 9 11 8 8 10 12 18 20 12 16 10 10 14 16 10 14 5 9 12 14 12 19 8 17 11 24

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

Thames Valley League P Marlow United 8 Reading YMCA 7 Woodcote SR 7 Wraysbury 7 Highmoor Res 5 Cookham Dean 7 Mortimer 7 Berks County 6 Woodley Utd Res 8 Newbury 6 Rotherfield Utd 8 Unity 7 Taplow United 5 Hurst 6

WD 8 0 6 1 4 1 4 0 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 0 3 0 2 1 1 3 1 1 1 0 0 0

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

F A 35 8 29 4 14 9 15 19 13 7 15 14 14 18 7 8 7 18 8 11 10 16 5 10 6 14 5 27

Pts 24 19 13 12 10 10 10 9 9 7 6 4 3 0

RUGBY NATIONAL LEAGUE 2 SOUTH NATIONAL LEAGUE 3 SOUTH WEST Bracknell v Lydney

HOCKEY TRYSPORTS & MBBO LEAGUES

Bagshot 4-4 Eversley and California (Eversley win 5-4 on penalties)

Trysports: Sonning 2s v Sonning Ladies; South Berkshire v Amersham and Chalfont MBBO: British Airways v Sonning Men 1s; South Berkshire 2s v South Berkshire

FIXTURES

Friday, September 30

RUGBY IPA CHAMPIONSHIP Nottingham v London Irish (7.45pm) Saturday, October 1

ICE HOCKEY EPIHL

FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Swindon Wildcats v Bracknell Bees (5.45pm) Sunday, October 2

Reading v Derby County

ICE HOCKEY EPIHL

Binfield v Brackley Town Saints

HELLENIC DIVISION 1 EAST

Finchampstead v Sandhurst Town Woodley United v Bicester Town

BLUEFIN SPORTS HELLENIC CUP

ICE HOCKEY

Bracknell Bees v Milton Keynes Lightning (6pm) Tuesday, October 4

FOOTBALL HAMPSHIRE SENIOR CUP

Eversley and California v Gosport Borough (7.45pm)

FA WSL 1

Tables Hellenic Premier P W Thatcham Town 13 7 Flackwell Heath 11 7 Binfield 10 7 Thame United 8 6 Tuffley Rovers 12 6 Lydney Town 11 6 Wootton Bassett 11 5 Highworth Town 10 5 Ascot United 9 5 Bracknell Town 8 4 Longlevens AFC 10 4 Highmoor Ibis 7 4 Oxford Nomads 10 3 Brimscombe 10 3 Henley Town 12 2 Brackley Saints 8 2 Ardley United 8 2 Burnham 12 0

Newbury v Hurst Woodcote Stoke Row v Berks County Woodley United Reserves v Highmoor Ibis Reserves

Redingensians v Chinnor

RPM RECORDS CHALLENGE CUP

HOCKEY TRYSPORTS PREMIER 1

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

Brentford 4-1 Reading

HELLENIC PREMIER DIVISION

NATIONAL LEAGUE 3 SOUTH WEST

P WD 10 7 1 9 6 2 10 5 3 10 5 2 10 5 2 10 4 5 10 5 2 10 5 2 9 5 1 10 5 1 10 4 3 10 3 5 10 3 4 10 4 1 10 3 3 10 3 3 10 1 7 10 2 4 10 3 1 10 2 3 10 2 2 10 2 2 10 2 2 10 1 3

FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Eversley and California v Epsom Athletic

THAMES VALLEY PREMIER DIVISION

ICE HOCKEY EPHIL

Redruth 10-8 Redingensians

Brixham 33-17 Bracknell

difference, with his tricky wing play causing all sorts of problems, first calling Aulsberry into a good stop before teeing up Grant to head in at the far post. And a minute later Maloney registered his second assist, clipping the ball over for Short to control and finish and earn a memorable win.

Highmoor Ibis 1-0 Binfield

THAMES VALLEY PREMIER DIVISION

Wokingham and Emmbrook v Lydney Town

COMBINED COUNTIES DIVISION 1

Bracknell Bees 0-5 Manchester Phoenix Tuesday, September 27

Reading Women

Buckingham Town 4-3 Eversley and California (After extra-time)

Moles caught Short

Manchester Phoenix 2-7 Bracknell Bees Sunday, September 25

London Irish 32-12 Ealing Trailblazers

FA VASE

RUGBY IPA CHAMPIONSHIP

Bracknell Town 2-1 Binfield Saturday, September 24

Woodley United 1-1 Shrivenham (Shrivenham win 3-1 on penalties)

Clockwise, from above: George Short prods Bracknell in front, Highmoor Ibis’ Devon Reid hits the winner on Tuesday night as Binfield’s James Charlton goes close Pictures: Colin Byers

EPIHL

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

L F A 4 39 20 2 30 11 3 23 9 0 38 14 4 27 21 5 23 21 5 22 18 4 22 20 4 26 23 2 19 14 5 20 18 2 7 8 4 13 24 6 16 20 7 21 31 4 7 19 5 13 21 12 8 62

Pts 23 23 21 20 20 18 16 16 15 14 13 13 12 10 9 8 7 0

anchester City M Chelsea Arsenal Birmingham City Liverpool Notts County Reading Sunderland Doncaster Belles

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

L 0 1 1 1 0 3 4 2 4 4 3 4 4 6

F A 20 3 28 10 12 7 7 5 8 1 15 13 15 16 8 9 11 13 8 20 13 9 9 11 8 16 5 34

Pts 16 15 12 11 9 9 9 8 7 7 6 6 4 0

L F A 0 35 3 3 36 14 4 21 11 3 10 11 4 21 17 7 12 21 7 13 22 9 15 33 11 5 36

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

P 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

W 4 4 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 0 0

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

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

Pts 41 31 23 23 22 12 9 9 0

F A BP 117 47 3 118 88 2 108 77 2 112 70 2 91 67 3 94 96 2 90 104 2 100 81 5 76 108 1 91 130 3 71 100 3 52 152 0

PTS 19 18 16 14 11 10 10 10 7 7 3 0

EPIHL

Hellenic Division 1 East P Penn & Tylers 6 Headington Ama 6 Bicester Town 5 Chalfont Wasps 6 Woodley United 3 AFC Aldermaston 6 Didcot Town Res’ 7 Sandhurst Town 6 Wokingham 7 Chinnor 7 Holyport 5 Finchampstead 6 Rayners Lane 6 Wantage Tn Res’ 6

P WD 15 13 2 14 10 1 13 7 2 14 6 5 14 6 4 13 3 3 14 1 6 14 2 3 11 0 0

P MK 6 Telford 6 Hull 6 Peterboro’ 6 Sheffield 6 Swindon 6 Guildford 6 Basingstoke 6 Manchester 6 Bracknell 6

W 5 5 5 2 3 2 2 1 1 1

OW OL 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0

L 0 0 1 3 3 3 3 4 5 5

F 26 24 33 16 23 20 25 17 15 15

A 13 12 20 16 21 21 30 19 30 32

Pts 12 11 10 6 6 6 5 3 2 2

Got a sports story? Email sport@wokinghampaper.co.uk

WOKINGHAMSPORT

AT LAST!: Follis helps Reading Women break duck and score a vital victory in Doncaster

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— Page 37

MOTOR RACING

FAB Bailey, 8, keeping it Cool after landing British Minibike gig

Bailey Stuart-Campbell has been picked to race for the Halsall Racing Team

WOKINGHAM schoolboy Bailey Stuart-Campbell has been selected to compete in next year’s Cool FAB Racing British Minibike Championships. Stuart-Campbell, 8, has been named as part of a four-man team selected from a random list of hopefuls to represent the newly-formed Halsall Racing Team squad in 2017. As well as Stuart-Campbell, James Cook, 9, from Swindon, Callum Beach, 10, from Abergale and Elliot Jones, 6, from Ollerton will also compete. Owner Martin Halsall, who is also part of the team which runs the Bennetts Suzuki British Superbike squad, says he is looking forward to working with some of the stars of the future. “I have a home in Spain and see the children day in, day out whizzing around the circuits on the mini-motos,”

FOOTBALL

‘I’m enjoying the challenge’ n But Sumas boss McNelly admits it has been a tough start By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk CLIVE McNELLY admits life as Wokingham and Emmbrook boss has been more difficult than he first expected. Former reserve team leader McNelly stepped up to the top job after joint bosses Dan Bateman and Matt Eggleston resigned following relegation from the Hellenic Premier Division. But Sumas, who won only three of their 38 league games last season and conceded 106 goals, have struggled for form in Division One East with just two wins from their seven games so far and McNelly concedes it has been a tougher transition than he felt it may be. “It has been challenging without a shadow of a doubt,” he told The Wokingham Paper. “Putting a new squad together has been a bit of a challenge but I’m really enjoying it. “Hopefully we can move things forward a bit quicker than it has been lately.” He added: “Yes I think it has been harder than I imagined. “Dan and Matt probably made the job look a lot easier than it was. “It’s a challenge but something I’m looking forward to doing. “You get the backing of everyone at the club and supporters so that helps and

I’m sure we will get through it and start performing.” Wokingham have seven points from seven games so far and their indifferent start continued with a 3-2 defeat at home to AFC Aldermaston at the weekend. And while McNelly was not present due to personal commitments, he says the game was not out of place with the rest of the campaign. “It sounded like we dominated which is probably the story of our season really,” he said. “We dominated the game a bit but couldn’t take our chances and silly mistakes at the back cost us. “We would’ve hoped for a few more points than seven at this stage. “It never helps playing your first five games away from home. “It makes things a lot harder. “I would’ve hoped for more but we haven’t got more and we just need to roll our sleeves up and move forward and try to pick up some more points.” After losing 31 league games and finishing 19 points from safety last season, McNelly says the players are still suffering from the effects of a traumatic year in the Hellenic top flight. But he remains positive he can change the mindset of his squad. “I believe we’ve still got the hangover of last season,” he admitted.

“I’ve got probably half a side who haven’t played at this level before and the other half are still a bit battered and bruised from last season. “Trying to get that confidence back into them is a lot harder than I thought. “But it is coming. You can see it’s coming. “When it arrives, I think we’ll be fine.” The ambition for most freshly relegated sides is to try and bounce straight back. And while McNelly says that is also his hope for Sumas, he revealed he has not been pressured into trying to find a quick fix. “My target would’ve been top three, without a doubt,” he said. “We’ve not had the best of starts for that but we can still make a challenge and we’ll see where we go. “I was never given the remit when I got the job to gain promotion straight away. “They knew we were building a new side. “We’ve got six or seven new faces in there and it takes a little bit of time for that transaction to come through.” Wokingham have now played two games back at Lowther Road after a lengthy spell away. And despite two defeats from those games, the Sumas boss says the move has given the place a lift. “That’s the most exciting news of all,” said McNelly. “And the fact we’ve got this permission for the floodlights and the small stand which has really got the club buzzing.” n MORE local football news on pages 38-19

said Halsall. “Now that it’s taking off in the UK, I’m really keen to get involved as we know there’s a lot of talented young riders here.” Stuart-Campbell has been competing on minibikes throughout the year, recently racing in Kent as part of the British series and battling for top spot in the AC140 Pro class. Crispin Victoria, managing director of Cool Motor Racing, added: “Our aim is to inspire and nurture talented young riders and provide an infrastructure that will encourage more youngsters to enter the sport. “Cool FAB Racing has long played an active role in developing young British talent and with the teams’ help and the support of British Superbikes, we hope that we can produce even more future champions.”

FOOTBALL

Laugharne is left officially frustrated after Finch loss JON LAUGHARNE feels his Finchampstead side are due the rub of the green after a controversial 2-1 defeat to Headington Amateurs. Finch, who sit 12th in Hellenic Division One East, took the lead against high-flying Headington through Danny Blatchford only to fall to a fourth league defeat in six games. But manager Laugharne says it could have been a very different story. “Their goalkeeper should’ve been sent off at 0-0, as simple as that,” the Finches boss told The Wokingham Paper. “We scored from the free kick but he’s come racing out of his goal and clattered our midfield player and the referee has booked him, not sent him off. “Had it been any other player, anywhere else on the pitch, it would’ve been a straight red card. “The referee deemed it to be only a yellow card. Maybe

he didn’t get the memo about the change of rules. “It has a massive effect on the whole game.” After missing penalties to win matches and suffering from a number of injuries, including two more at the weekend, Finches are going through a tough spell. And Laugharne admits problems often tend to all happen at once. “These things can conspire against you sometimes,” he said. “It’s a bit disappointing when those kind of things go against you a little bit but we’ve just got to move on to the next one. “No-one is despondent or down about anything. Things have happened. “We’ve not been hammered in any game or anything like that. “At the moment those little breaks aren’t quite happening but I’m sure they’ll change around somehow.” Published by Xn Media Ltd, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Printed at Trinity Mirror Watford © Xn Media Ltd, 2016

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