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4-year-old given school place 11 miles from home Girl faces 45 minute bus ride each way due to class sizes

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By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk A FATHER from Three Mile Cross says he has been ‘let down’ after his four-year-old daughter was offered a primary school place 11 miles from her home. The father, who did not wish to be named, said he has been ‘let down’ by

Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) and may be forced to move house after his daughter was offered a place at Floreat Montague Park in Wokingham. He said: “According to the Department for Education’s ‘New home to school travel and transport guidance’ primary school bus journeys should not be longer than 45 minutes. n Continued on page 4

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 22, 2016

FAMILY NOTICES v Deaths Stephen HANGER 11.12.1984 – 29.03.2016 In loving memory of Stephen who will be sadly missed by family, friends and all who knew him. The funeral will take place on Tuesday 26th April 2016 at 10.30am at Easthampstead Park Crematorium. Donations to: Battersea Dogs Home. All enquires c/o Co-operative Funeralcare Earley, 572 Wokingham Road, Earley RG6 7JD. Tel: 0118 966 7922

Share your family news Support group for self-harm carers 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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A SUPPORT group for people who care for others who have suicidal thoughts or self-harm meets regularly in Wokingham town centre. The SHSG group offers a safe space for those who wish to talk about the effect such activities are having on their families. Support also comes from being with people who are going through the same experiences. It meets on the second Monday of the month from 7.30pm at the Bradbury Centre in Rose Street, Wokingham. For more details, search for SHSG Wokingham on Facebook or email SHSG2016@gmail.com.

Green fingers: The Rose Street Gardeners (from left); Sue Jones, Ann Crail, Judy Jones and Gerry Higson Picture: Phil Creighton

Everything’s coming up Rose Street for gardeners THE first of a regular series of plant sales took place in Wokingham last Saturday. The Rose Street Gardeners have been helping get the borough’s gardens growing for years, and the debut event for 2016 was no exception with all the best cuttings snapped up quickly by happy customers. Even though the weather was wet, flowers and vegetable seedlings were all

Children invited to be face of carnival

Salsa club to launch in summer

THERE’S still time for children to apply to be a carnival ambassador for Woodley. The closing date for entries is Friday, April 29 at 4pm – and the contest is open to anyone aged between eight and 16 who lives in or attends school in Woodley. Applicants should be willing to make a difference to their community and selected children will be required to represent Woodley Community Carnival at events leading up to the big day, before spearheading the procession on Saturday, June 11. The prize includes free lifetime entry to the carnival, a trophy and the opportunity of riding in a classic car during the procession. For more details or to enter, log on to www.woodleycarnival.org.uk.

A NEW salsa club is coming to Twyford this summer. Once it’s launched, it will hold monthly classes and parties featuring guest DJs and treats. Sessions will take place from 8pm to 1am and give participants the chance to take part in salsa, bachata, kizomba and cha cha styles of dance. It will take place at Loddon Hall on Loddon Hall Road. The first class is on Saturday, June 18 and entry costs £10. For more details, log on to www. incognitodance.com.

Walkers wanted for charity event WALKERS are wanted to help with this year’s Christian Aid Week.

bought by people wanting to get a head start to their growing season. The sale takes place outside the Bradbury Centre on selected Saturday mornings in April and May and is organised by the group, which in turn is part of Wokingham Methodist Church and based in Rose Street. The group also look after a secret garden accessible from the Bradbury

Centre’s coffee area and a regular entrant in Wokingham in Bloom. Gerry Higson said: “It’s gone really well despite the rain, Salvia Hotlips has been our biggest seller, they’ve all gone. The rhubarb and the hostas all did well.” The group are back tomorrow (Saturday) and then return on May 7 and 14. The sales all take place between 10am and noon.

The aid agency, which works in developing countries across the world to fight poverty, will be hosting its annual sponsored walk from Bix on Saturday, May 21. There are three routes to tackle – five, 10 or 15 miles – all around the countryside near Bix Village Hall. It is suitable for walkers of all abilities. Entry is via sponsorship or a donation or at least £20 on the day. Registration starts at 8.30am to 10am. For more details or to register, log on to www.christianaid.org.uk/walks or call 01865 246818.

It will be held at Woodley Library in Headley Road from 1.30pm to 3.30pm on Saturday, April 23. Places cost £3 and must be booked in advance. For more details, call the library on 0118 969 0304.

Vintage patterns brought to life A STITCHING workshop is coming to Woodley later this month. Sally Richards will be leading the event, which will see vintage patterns brought to life.

WIN £200 FOR YOUR GROUP THE Wokingham Paper and TradeMark Windows have teamed up to present Community Cash Tokens. The scheme is simple – cut out the tokens we’ll print each week. Send them in to us, as many as you like, and once every two months we’ll pull one at random from the editor’s hat. One lucky group will win £200, courtesy of TradeMark Windows. The more tokens that you and your group send in, the more chance you have of your group being picked at random. The Community Cash Tokens are open to charities and other non-profit making groups within Wokingham borough and offer a great way of boosting your funds. We’re able to offer Community Cash Tokens thanks to the generosity of Mark

Ashwell, managing director of TradeMark Windows. The Wokingham Paper’s publisher Phil Creighton said: “The Community Cash Tokens were a hugely popular ingredient of The Wokingham Times, and thanks to Mark’s support for the community of Wokingham borough, we’re delighted to be able to bring them back. “Whatever your group, charity or good cause is, Community Cash Tokens offers your supporters a fun way of helping you raise funds and awareness of your cause. “Make sure you don’t miss an issue.” Send your tokens to: Community Cash Tokens, The Wokingham Paper, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Please note, only original tokens can be accepted.

Have a go at writing crime tales FANS of crime novels are being invited to have a go thanks to a new workshop. Two authors, Melanie McGrath and Laura Wilson, will be leading the event for adults tomorrow – Saturday, April 23. Introduction to Crime Writing takes place from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Wokingham Library in Denmark Street. Places cost £5 and should be booked in advance. For more details, call the library on 0118 978 1368.

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Friday, April 22, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Everyman announced as operator of Elms Field’s three-screen cinema By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk IT will soon be lights, camera and action for Elms Field as the operator of the new boutique cinema has been announced. On Wednesday, Wokingham Borough Council announced that it has signed a pre-let agreement with Everyman Cinemas. The company operates an independent chain and has branches across the country including Shepherd’s Bush in London, Winchester and Canary Wharf. They join the previously announced Premier Inn, which has also signed a pre-let agreement following the recent – and controversial – decision to grant planning permission to regenerate Elms Field. The overall scheme sees new housing, a revamped park and a supermarket, rumoured to be Aldi, coming to the area. Wokingham Borough Council said the pre-let agreements will see the

two major brands move into new units in the borough council’s Elms Field development once their buildings have been completed. Work is due to start next year and will be complete by 2020. Bernie Pich, head of town centre regeneration at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “We’re also incredibly pleased to have signed a pre-let agreement with Everyman Cinemas who will be running the new threescreen boutique cinema at Elms Field. Local people have continued to tell us Wokingham lacks things to do and has limited entertainment options. “We have had repeated requests for a new cinema at each stage of our consultations and this long awaited boutique facility is a first for the local area.” Mr Pich said that the cinema chain is “the perfect fit”. “One of the fastest growing independent cinema networks in the country, Everyman prides itself on an exceptional film watching experience,

from great design and service, to comfortable seating and good atmosphere. It will offer something for everyone, with a programme which balances blockbuster movies with more select films, alongside live screenings of theatre and opera from some of the leading performance venues in the world.” Crispin Lilly, CEO of Everyman Cinemas, said: “We’re delighted to announce our plans for the arrival of a new Everyman in Wokingham. We’re excited to become a destination for the local community to indulge in a great night out. “Our venues are intimate spaces that offer a diverse range of film and events for all our guests along with great food and drink. We look forward to opening the doors in the near future." Mr Pich is equally happy with the discussions that the Council has been having with companies interested in moving into the borough. He said: “It’s been great seeing such

growing interest and confidence in the town since we started to secure planning consent for the different regeneration phases. We’ve been talking to a variety of companies about taking on units and we think local people are going to be excited when they see the businesses signing up to come to the town.” Premier Inn added that it is delighted to be checking in to Wokingham. Jo Moon, director of acquisitions for Premier Inn, said: “Bringing superb new locations like Wokingham town centre into our portfolio is great news for Premier Inn and for our guests. This is an important opportunity for us to invest in the town and participate in a high-quality development project. We’re looking forward to work starting and towards opening the doors on another fantastic Premier Inn hotel in the near future.” Work on site at Elms Field will start in spring 2017 and is expected to be complete by 2020.

Jennie goes wild in the aisles after winning Rotary’s trolley dash THE WINNER of a charity competition starred in her very own ‘Supermarket Sweep’ in Woodley last weekend, writes Gemma Davidson. Jennie Reeves, from Wokingham, was the lucky winner of the annual trolley dash organised by the Rotary Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh, who raised £1,970 for two local charities through sales of tickets. Mrs Reeves, who had three minutes to dash around Waitrose in Crockhamwell Road, said: “I was very surprised to have won because I don’t usually win anything!” Two runners-up, Tony Collins from Maidenhead and Lee Turner from Woodley, won a Waitrose hamper worth £75 and £50 respectively. Mayor of Woodley, Councillor Dave Mills was on hand to count Jennie down and accept a cheque for his chosen charity DrugFAM. Cllr Mills said: “DrugFAM supports the families of people who

have become drug dependent. The impact an addict’s drug use has on the rest of their family is huge, and there is a lot of work done to support the drug user, but not the people who have to pick up the pieces. “I am very honoured to be here to collect this cheque today.” The money raised was also donated to Daisy’s Dream which supports children and their families who have been affected by life threatening illness or bereavement. Rotary club president Rose Burgess said: “As a club we are very keen to raise funds for charities and good causes in the local area, and we are very grateful to the Mayor of Woodley for allowing us to sell tickets in the precinct, and to the shoppers who bought tickets.” The trolley dash had originally been due to take place on Easter Monday, but had to be postponed after scaffolding in Woodley Precinct collapsed in high winds.

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FIREFIGHTERS were called to reports of a car fire in Reading in the early hours of Tuesday morning. A crew from Wokingham Road answered the call at around 1am and discovered a Volkswagen Golf ablaze upon arrival to Cintra Close. Using a hose reel, those in attendance spent around 40 minutes dousing the flames, but were unable to save the vehicle. The fire had also spread to some nearby bushes, but the damage is believed to have been minimal. The incident has been passed over to Thames Valley Police, who are investigating what caused the car to become alight. Anyone with information is asked to call 101.

Fridge freezer blamed for outbuilding fire AN OUTBUILDING at a house in Bracknell was destroyed by fire on Monday night. A fridge freezer fault is being blamed for the blaze, which ripped through the building in Fearnhill. The occupants were in at the time of the incident, but only became aware a section of the property was alight when the electric cut out and went out to investigate. Pumps from Bracknell and Ascot fire stations responded to the 999 call and two crew members wearing breathing apparatus and a hose reel spent around an hour tackling the flames. No one was injured in the incident, with a spokesman for Bracknell Fire Station saying: “The outbuilding was pretty much destroyed.”

Crews called to Court SIX fire appliances from stations across the area were called to a small fire at Reading Crown Court on Monday afternoon. Crews from Wokingham, Wokingham Road, Wargrave, Ascot, Caversham Road and Dee Road were called to the fire in the basement of the Crown Court at 1.55pm. The fire, believed to have started by a light fitting, was isolated and brought under control, before the scene was handed back to the court officials. A spokesperson for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the number of appliances attending was due to the type and age of the building.

Ready for a clean sweep: The winner of a supermarket sweep contest with members of the Rotary Club and Waitrose staff. From left: Pat Holloway, Tim Thorpe, Woodley Town Mayor Cllr Dave Mills, Tim Simpson, winners Roger Reeves, Jennie Reeves, Rose Burgess and Waitrose’sTerry Hodgkinson Picture: Gemma Davidson

Terrorist bomb plot wife appeals her life sentence A WOMAN from Earley who was jailed for plotting acts of terrorism is appealing her life sentence. Sana Ahmed Khan, 24, of Hutton Close, was jailed in December for her role in plotting a bomb attack on London with her husband Mohammed Rehman, 25, from Reading. She was jailed after being found guilty of funding her husband’s plans by using payday loans to buy 11kg of fertiliser to make explosives. Khan was sentenced to 25 years in prison on December 30 last year, while

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Rehman received 27 years. Last week it was revealed that Ms Khan’s barrister Henry Blaxland QC appeared at the Court of Appeal to argue that more information about his client should have been obtained before jailing her for life. He told the Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas that Khan’s husband was the only person she had any contact with who expressed any

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interest in extremist ideology, and that she was a drug user, which is almost completely unheard of for those who have taken to extreme Islam. He said: “On the face of it, there is at least the possibility that, now she has effectively broken from Rehman, she may no longer be any danger at all. “Although this was a very alarming incident, principally because the husband

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had assembled a considerable amount of explosives, it was never clear this would come to fruition. No target had been selected and no date had been set. “Her involvement was very much one removed from what was going to happen.” Lord Thomas, sitting with Sir Brian Leveson, Mr Justice Sweeney, Mr Justice Hickinbottom and Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, said he would make a decision on Khan’s appeal at a later date.

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Three Mile Cross pupil’s 11-mile school run

Tributes paid after Bulmershe pupil dies in road accident TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Bulmershe pupil who was killed in Reading last week. Lauren Heath, 20, was killed in Basingstoke Road, Reading on Wednesday, April 13 while pushing her baby Millie in a pram. Lauren collided with a heavy goods lorry near Morrisons shortly after noon and died at the scene, while Millie suffered minor head injuries and was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital. Emma Reynolds, the headteacher of her former school in Woodlands Avenue, paid tribute to the young mother. She said: “Lauren was well liked by her peers and staff. “She was a kind, thoughtful and bubbly character who was always on hand to support her friends. “We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and our thoughts go out to her family and friends. Lauren will be much missed.” An online fundraising page was set up by one of Miss Heath’s friends to help pay for her funeral, with any additional funds going into a trust for her daughter. At the time of going to press, more than £20,000 had been donated. Miss Heath’s fiancé Kenny Hensley posted a message on the fundraising page, thanking donors for their support. He said: “Just want to thank everyone who has donated money for my fiancé Lauren and my baby girl Millie, the money will go towards a hero’s funeral, and the rest will go into a trust fund I set up for Millie for when she is 18. “Thank you again everyone didn’t think the world had so many kind people in it x.” n To donate to the page visit www.gofundme. com/56z2gsyc.

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 22, 2016

Trinity Concert Band won gold at the National Concert Band Festival

By George, they’ve got gold! TRINITY Concert Band will be striking up for St George on the strength of success tomorrow, writes Sally Bryant. The 40 musicians are entitled to blow their own trumpets after winning gold at the National Concert Band Festival. Triumphs at regional festivals earned them a place at the national event, held at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester earlier this month. Each band was judged on its own merit – and Trinity’s gold means music-lovers can listen to one of the country’s best in Wokingham tomorrow. The St George’s Day concert will start at 7.30pm at All Saints Church in Wiltshire Road (doors open 7pm). The programme will have something for everyone, from a rousing march and Jerusalem to Holst, Elgar and the modern Theatre Music by Philip Sparke. Trinity Concert Band was formed in 2001 for musicians who wanted to play in a friendly and supportive group. The band features brass and woodwind instruments and members practise at Trinity Church in Lower Earley.

Dave Robson with the award

Explore Hatch Farm dig AN OPPORTUNITY to explore discoveries made during an archaeological survey takes place this Sunday. A team from Thames Valley Archaeological Services will be on hand to give guided tours of the late Iron Age settlement that has been uncovered at Hatch Farm Dairies. Some of the finds that have been recovered on the site will be displayed along with poster displays detailing the work to date and explaining how the discoveries fit in with the wider Winnersh area. The event runs from 10am to 3pm and dogs are welcome. However, the team from TVAS warn that access to the site is on rough and uneven ground and visitors should wear strong outdoor footwear. Entry to the site is via the Gurnsey Way area.

n From front page “With 45 minutes being considered the maximum, with traffic in and around Wokingham, multiple stops and accidents it’s completely unrealistic that journeys would on average be less than 45 minutes. Based on this not complying with the Department of Education’s (DfE) own rules, is surely illegal and the offer is unlawful.” “Her only option is a temporary Portakabin at Oakbank for two to three years. I’m not prepared to put my daughter in a temporary school for two to three years, and we can’t really afford private education. “This leaves us with the only option of moving house. To say we’ve all been let down is an understatement. “It seems completely unacceptable that as parents who combined have paid taxes for over 35 years are left without a good school place for our daughter. We understand that a growing population is the cause but that isn’t our problem and WBC will have known for over six months that there weren’t enough places for the number of children. “The quality of their communications are shocking, both pre and post notifications have been confusing and inconsiderate. “I am also concerned that [my daughter] would miss out on the ability to have local friends, which is a key part of any child’s development in our opinion, and we would need to cancel her after school activities, for example Rainbows, which she is due to start in January 2017.” More than 2,100 applications for primary school places were received by WBC for September 2016, with 85%, around 1,820 pupils, receiving their first choice school. A further 191 children were offered their second choice school, while 54

How places are allocated CHILDREN were allocated based on six criteria, including whether the child was subject to a residence order or special guardianship; those with exceptional medical or social needs as the grounds

were allocated their third choice. However, a total of 68 children weren’t allocated any of their top three choices leaving parents furious that their child would have to travel to a school up to 11 miles away. Three schools were so oversubscribed that an agreement was reached between the schools and the council to permanently expand to allow more children to attend. Beechwood Primary, in Ambleside Close, Woodley, allowed an extra 15 pupils to be allocated, taking the total number of reception children to 60; Grazeley Parochial CE Aided Primary, in Mereoak Lane, Grazeley, expanded from 15 pupils to 30; while Loddon Primary, in Silverdale Road, Earley, expanded from 60 to 90 children, joining Hawkedon Primary in Earley, Shinfield Infant and Nursery School in Shinfield, and Walter Infant School in Wokingham as the schools taking the most students in the borough. Only 11 schools were able to offer places to every applicant who expressed a preference, while 13 schools had to turn pupils away. Aldryngton Primary in Earley was so oversubscribed that it had to turn away 71 children, while Radstock Primary turned away 44. Alan Stubbersfield, head of learning and achievement at WBC said: “We have been planning to meet the growth of pupil numbers in the South West, which is why we have set out plans to open a series of new schools in the area over the coming years. “For all applications received on time, we have made offers of Wokingham schools and with travel times and distances within those set out by DfE. “We encourage all parents with enquiries to speak to the admissions team on (0118) 974 6245 or 974 6225.” for their admission to a particular school; children whose permanent address is inside the school’s catchment area and have a sibling at the school; and children whose home address is outside the school’s catchment area but has a sibling at the school.

Chris tackles three peaks and 1,000 miles BIG hearted fundraiser Chris Cottam set off last Friday on his 1,000 mile trek – plus three huge peaks to climb, writes Sue Corcoran. Chris, 56, left his Winnersh home for his start point, John O’Groats, knowing he already has £11,000 pledged towards his £30,000 target. Driving him on is his family’s experience of cancer. Funds he raises will be split between Breast Cancer UK, Cure Leukaemia and the new sixth form centre at The Holt School, Wokingham. Helping him to check and recheck all the plans and equipment is his wife Hazel who has successfully battled breast cancer twice. She is driving Chris’s support vehicle,

Chris and Hazel Cottam as they set off for the start of the Big Jogle last Friday

a Land Rover, 1000 miles the length of Britain. Chris has named the trek his Big JOGLE. It’s Big because he added the three peaks of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon to his JOGLE, John O’Groats to Land’s End, journey. Ahead of his walk Chris said: “It’s been crazy and insane

getting ready. We’re taking a tent and sleeping bags in case we can’t find somewhere to stay. We could sleep in the Land Rover, if the weather was appalling.” He left for his trek with an injury which shouldn’t slow him down. “I dropped a log on my finger and ended up having

antibiotics,” he said. Chris is doing his huge challenge after losing family and friends to blood cancers. In 2014 his sister-in-law, Ruxi, died aged 52 after a long battle with myeloma. He is supporting The Holt project to help young, educated people who can carry on the good work of organisations researching cancer cures and providing care. His daughters Samantha, 22, and Sophie, 21, both former Holt School pupils, are studying dentistry and neuroscience respectively. Supporters can follow Chris’s progress on his Tracking and Statistics page on his website: www.ChrisBigJogle.com. You can also donate to his good causes via the site.

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Friday, April 22, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Police launch hunt for apologetic flasher

School forced to close after four staff members suspended By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk

St Sebastian’s Cemetery in Wokingham Without

A SEARCH has been launched for a small bearded man who exposed himself to a mourner and then apologised. The distressing incident occurred on Wednesday, April 6, at a cemetery in Wokingham Without. Thames Valley Police want witnesses to come forward so they can help find the suspect. It took place around 11am when a woman was tending to a grave. The man is said to have come to her to ask for the time before exposing himself. He then apologised and went to the car park. A small red car then drove off. He is described as white, thin and short - around 5ft 6ins to 5ft 7ins, with a dark beard and dark coloured eyes. He was wearing a faded black tracksuit. Det Con Stuart Hawkes of Wokingham CID, is leading the investigation. He said: “The victim was understandably distressed by this incident. We would ask that anyone who witnessed this or who recognises the description of the offender or the red car to contact us as a matter of urgency.” If you have any information please contact Det Con Hawkes via the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 101. If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken.

A SCHOOL in Wokingham was temporarily closed and four members of staff suspended following concerns over pupil safety. Southfield School, in Gipsy Lane, contacted parents on Wednesday, April 13, with regards to the suspensions, and the school was closed on Thursday while investigations were carried out. A spokesperson for Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) said that the school had been inspected by local authority officers in February and Ofsted in March. The school provides for students with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties, with about half of the students having additional learning difficulties. Alan Stubbersfield, head of learning and achievement, said: “Southfield School was inspected by local authority officers in February and Ofsted in March. “The Ofsted Report is not yet published; however our investigations have led to some concerns about safety. “I can confirm four members of staff from Southfield School have been suspended. Suspension is a neutral act; it does not imply guilt and is not itself part of any disciplinary process. “Staff at the school as well as parents and students are being informed. Interim arrangements have been put in place. “Reassurances are being given

He did it! Finch man cycles from Glasgow to Berkshire

Left: Joe Dimmock about to set off from the Chequers Pub in Eversley Cross, on his sponsored bike ride on Saturday, April 9. With him are Michelle Dorey and Beth Cutcliffe Picture: Steve Smyth Above: Joe celebrates the finish of his 460-mile cycle ride a week later. Right: Joe with Michelle Dorey Pictures: Gemma Davidson

A MAN from Finchampstead has completed a gruelling cycle ride from Glasgow to Berkshire to raise thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK. Joe Dimmock, who works as an assistant manager at The Chequers pub in Eversley Cross, rode 460 miles over the space of a week to raise more than £4,000 for the charity after two of his friends, including Michelle Dorey, were diagnosed with the disease.

He arrived back at the pub on Saturday afternoon to the cheers of dozens of well-wishers who had been following his journey. Joe said: “I feel overwhelmed by the kindness and the support of everyone who has followed my journey and donated. “It was a hard slog, there were days when I didn’t think I was going to be able to complete it. “I hurt my knee after two days so was in

a lot of pain, but the cold weather managed to numb it enough so that I could push through. “I think I will get on the bike again, but right now I just want to sit down, put my feet up and have some champagne.” Joe was supported by Beth Cutliffe from Berkshire Specialist Cars who kept him moving and on track during the ride. n To support Joe’s fundraising efforts visit www.justgiving.com/Joe-Dimmock.

Southfuield School in Wokingham was closed for a day after staff were suspended

that the education and welfare of the students at the school is of the utmost importance.” A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “Child Protection Officers from Thames Valley Police are taking part into a joint investigation with social workers from Wokingham Borough Council into child protection procedures at Southfield School, Wokingham.” “Child Protection Officers from Thames Valley Police are taking part into a joint investigation with Social Workers from Wokingham Borough Council into child protection procedures at Southfield School, Wokingham.”

6 | NEWS

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 22, 2016

Amazon brings same day delivery to borough AMAZON Prime users can now have their orders delivered on the same day, after an expansion of the service. The Prime Same Day scheme offers customers who place an order by noon, on any day of the week, delivery between 6pm and 10pm that day. The internet company said that there is no minimum order value and a wide range of items are available, from TVs to toasters, DVDs to books, and coffee makers to children’s toys. The service is also available to non-Prime customers at £9.99 per order. Christopher North, managing director of Amazon.co.uk, said: “Prime Same Day adds to the range of benefits available to Prime members, like unlimited streaming of movies and music, unlimited photo storage and more.”

Alarm alarms thieves WOULD-BE thieves left empty-handed after triggering an alarm at a unit in Wokingham on Saturday morning. Shortly before 2am, someone broke into a unit which is used by a landscape gardening company in Heathlands Road. The offenders tried to steal petrol powered tools but they were chained together and an alarm was activated. Anyone with any information should call 101.

Dogs and their owners enjoyed a sunny day at Dinton Pastures on Sunday, as Guide Dogs UK hosted its annual Dogs Unite event

Every dog has their sunny day

Saddles stolen in raid SADDLES and gardening equipment were stolen from a property in Wokingham last week. Between 11pm on Wednesday and 2pm on Thursday a garage was broken into in Nine Mile Ride. Gardening equipment and two saddles were stolen. Anyone with any information is urged to contact Thames Valley Police via 101.

Dog agility courses were one of the shows on offer during the day

Friendship group offers focus on Indian life AN OPPORTUNITY to find out about life in one of the world’s most densely populated countries comes to Wokingham later this month. The Contact friendship group will be welcoming guest speaker Kalpnama Majithia to its meeting on Wednesday, April 27, where they will talk about life in India. They will share more about the country, its culture and its languages, with a chance to try on a sari and taste some traditional Indian foods. The event starts at 8pm and takes place at the Bradbury Centre in Rose Street. For more details, call Wokingham Methodist Church on 0118 977 6898.

The Streets of Wokingham (IN Need) Have you seen the Homeless and Needy Within the streets of Wokingham “Kicking up the papers with their worn out shoes” Why is this happening to many people in our own town We need to help and provide care, shelter and a new life Join Wokingham IN Need and make a difference How can you help us to help those in need And provide the love and help they require “Let us take you by the hand And lead you through the streets of Wokingham” Wokingham IN Need will show you how to make a difference. Contact Us Now: wokinghaminneed@gmail.com

A sponsored walk was a big attraction on the day

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk HUNDREDS of dog lovers and their fourlegged friends turned out for a special international event at Dinton Pastures on Sunday. More than 200 people and their dogs took part in the Dogs Unite event in aid of Guide Dogs UK at the Hurst country park. Guide Dogs UK joined forces with Guide Dogs Victoria and Blind Foundation New Zealand to raise awareness and funds for people with sight loss through dog agility courses, demonstrations and a dog show. Rebecca Mills, campaign officer at Dogs Unite said: “It was a really fantastic day, we raised well over £1,000 with more sponsorship

money due to come in. “Thankfully the weather was on our side and we saw more than 200 people come along to take part. As well as the usual stalls and sideshows, people took part in agility courses with their dogs, and enjoyed a demonstration by Guide Dogs UK showing how the dogs are trained and how they help people with sight loss. “We even gave people the chance to see what it is like to have sight loss, they wore a blindfold and had to navigate an obstacle course just to get a first-hand experience of what life can be like for a blind person. “Everyone had a great time and we are hopeful that we will bring the event back next year.” Pictures: Michaela Greene/Guide Dogs

All creatures great and small … dogs of all sizes were welcomed for the fun day

Ideas sought for new youth area on Loddon Mead A DISUSED area of land near one of the borough’s busiest roads has been given to a charity that works with young people. Woodley Town Council and Wokingham Borough Council have teamed up to release the space, known as Loddon Mead, underneath the A329M so that young people can create something special in it. Now, the charity that will deliver the plans is appealing for help to decide what to do with the land.

The charity, JAC (Just Around The Corner), works with disadvantaged young people on the streets and has been asking its clients for their ideas. So far, these include a parkour area, a BMX track, space for skate boarding and a café. To help create the space, a team of volunteers from McDonald’s Reading branches worked with JAC supporters to clear the ground of brambles, tidy the site

and remove vegetation. The project took 10 people five days earlier this month. Now, JAC is appealing for more people to come forward with ideas, or to donate funds to help make them a reality. For more details, a video is available on YouTube: youtu.be/vH0lwN8ILNM. To be involved in the planning or development or raising of funds email info@jacoutreach.org or 0118 944 1444.

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8 | NEWS

Parish noticeboard Friday, April 22 Wokingham Borough Council Executive - Individual Member Decisions. Council offices, Shute End. 8.30am and 8.35am.

Tuesday, April 26 Wokingham Town Council Planning and Transport meeting. 7.30pm. Wokingham Town Hall, Wokingham Wargrave Parish Council Annual Parish Assembly. 7.45pm. Old Pavilion, Wargrave Woodley Town Council Strategy and Resources meeting. 8pm. The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Headley Road, Woodley, RG5 4JZ

Wednesday, April 27 Wokingham Borough Council Planning meeting. Council offices, Shute End. 7pm.

Thursday, April 28 Shinfield Parish Council annual meeting. 7.30pm, Parish Hall, School Green

Tuesday, May 3 Arborfield Parish Committee Meeting. 7.30pm. Pavilion, Arborfield Park, Swallowfield Road Wargrave Parish Council Full Planning and Highways meeting. 7.45pm. Old Pavilion, Wargrave

Thursday, May 5 Wokingham Borough Council elections. Count to take place from 10pm at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre, Lower Earley.

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To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk A WOMAN from Woodley has been made subject to a community order for being in charge of a dangerous dog. Tracey Payne, 42, of Howth Drive, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on March 8 where she pleaded guilty to being in charge of the German Shepherd Alsatian which was dangerously out of control at the allotments in Reading Road, Woodley, on July 12 last year, and caused injury to a man. Ms Payne was already subject to an 18-month conditional discharge for being in control of a dangerous dog at Woodford Park Leisure Centre on March 23 last year. Ms Payne was fined £100, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £60, and costs of £150. She was ordered to undergo treatment for alcohol dependency for six months. A MAN from Earley is due to appear in court charged with a public order offence and assault. Amani Likita, 23, of Chiltern Crescent, will appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on April 26 charged with one count of using threatening, abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, and one count of assault by beating. Both charges relate to an incident in Reading on December 12 last year. Mr Likita pleaded guilty to the public order offence, but not guilty to the assault charge. A MAN from Arborfield has been fined £80 for obstructing a constable in the line of duty.

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 22, 2016

From the courts

Michael John Cole, 41, of Eversley Road, pleaded guilty to obstructing PC Dhothar in the execution of his duty on November 28 last year. A charge of assault with intent to resist arrest was dismissed by Reading Magistrates’ Court on March 9 due to no evidence being offered. Mr Cole was fined £80, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £85. A MAN from Earley has been imprisoned for eight weeks for theft. Stephen Painter, 38, of Stanton Close, pleaded guilty to stealing a coat to the value of £115 from River Island in Reading on September 25 last year, stealing a handbag to the value of £50 from Cath Kidston in Reading on September 29 last year, stealing a

Beats speaker to the value of £129.99 from TK Maxx in Reading on December 30 last year, stealing meat items to the value of £7.40 from Marks and Spencer in Wokingham Road, Reading on January 24, during the operational period of a suspended sentence. Mr Painter appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on March 10 where he was committed to prison for eight weeks and ordered to pay compensation of £80. A MAN from Crowthorne has been made subject of a community order for stealing petrol and receiving a stolen car. Mark Anthony Dyson, 45, of Llangar Grove, pleaded guilty to receiving the stolen Vauxhall Astra on May 3 last year and also to stealing unleaded

petrol worth £40 from the Esso Garage in Knowl Hill on the same day. A charge of stealing number plates from a vehicle was dismissed after no evidence was offered. Mr Dyson was ordered to carry out 85 hours of unpaid community work within the next 12 months, ordered to pay compensation of £40, a victim surcharge of £60 and costs of £200. Mr Dyson was present for the hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court on March 10. A WOMAN from Woodley has been fined £220 for not having a television licence. Georgina Violet Rivers, 37, of Gemini Road, was found to have used a colour television receiver on September 13 last year without a licence at the address. Ms Rivers was fined £220, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £22, and costs of £120. She was not present for the hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court on March 11. A TEENAGER from Woodley has been fined for watching television without a licence. Frances Thatcher, 19, of Ravensbourne Close, was proved to have used a colour television receiver between October 12 and 14 last year without a licence. Ms Thatcher was fined £220, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £22 and costs of £120. She was not present for the hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court on March 11.

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Friday, April 22, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

NEWS | 9

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Development’s name is fit for the Queen

Orchids capture the moment at Sheeplands

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE name of a new retirement development in Wokingham has been revealed to coincide with the Queen’s 90th birthday yesterday (Thursday). Queens Gate, which is being built by awardwinning developer McCarthy and Stone, is due to open in Wellington Road this winter and will feature a club lounge where residents can socialise, a guest suite for when family and friends want to stay over, and landscaped gardens. of McCarthy and Stone South East, said: “We The development will also benefit from its very wanted to choose a name that was memorable, own Concierge, who will ensure the smooth-running and that would resonate with both of the development, a security entrance system, plus Wokingham residents and our future homeowners 24 hour emergency call points for added peace of alike. mind for both homeowners and their families. “Our chosen name, Queens Gate, will serve as a An artist’s impression of how the completed site celebration of our Queen and mark a significant year will look has also been revealed to coincide with the during her reign and we hope our artist’s impression name announcement. will bring the development to life for any homeowners It is being built on the site of the old Cantley interested in securing one of these quality and low Lodge Hotel and is close to both the new Elms Field maintenance homes for themselves.” development and Wokingham Station. Retirees interested in living in Queens Gate are The over-60s development will comprise a stylish encouraged to register their interest now to avoid collection of oneblueprint_advert_190x137mm_TKT5119_07B_PRINT_READY.pdf and two bedroom apartments, which missing out. 1 22/03/2016 18:14 Above: Neil Porter from Earley shows of his prize-winning winning orchids. will be available to buy off-plan from this summer. n For more details, call McCarthy and Stone on 0800 Inset: Larry Bracewell re-pots another orchid Pictures: Jade Armstrong Julie Ward, regional sales and marketing director 201 4811 or log on to www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk.

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

THERE was a blooming good turnout for the Thames Valley Orchid Society's annual show at Hare Hatch Sheeplands in Twyford on Saturday. Neil Porter from Earley, a member of the society, collected a hat trick of successes. His orchid Dendrobium Thrysiflorum was awarded best in show, best species and "Orchid of Excellence." One of the busiest people during the afternoon was Larry Bracewell from Clifton Hampden who spent much of his time re-potting visitors orchids. Visitors were able to enjoy a wonderful splash of colour, view some rare types of orchid and get helpful advice from the many experts who were in attendance.

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10 | BUSINESS

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Business

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 22, 2016

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

Chance to win van at windows day ROOF window installers will have the chance to win a new van at a special event taking place in Wokingham next week. The VELUX Group is visiting Anderson Roofing Supplies on Forrest Road next Thursday to give installers and suppliers from across Wokingham a first look at the new white-painted roof window range, developed to meet demand for a contemporary alternative to traditional pine. All installers who attend the event will have the chance to win over £75,000 of rewards and exclusive prizes on the day including a brand

new Vauxhall Vivaro van worth over £20,000, Makita Drill Sets and white iPad minis. Everyone who pre-registers at www.velux.co.uk/2016tour and attends an event will receive an instant win scratch card with a guaranteed VELUX Reward worth between £5 and £50. Attendees will also be able to take a virtual tour of the VELUX factory. Ashley Nelson, Brand Manager at VELUX said: “We’re launching our new white-painted roof window range over the coming months and want to give our suppliers and installers a first look at the new products.”

A COMPANY that specialises in 3D printers has opened a new flagsghip store in the borough. Creat3d sells 3D printers, scanners, tools and acessories from its base at Shepherds Hill in Earley. The new store opened on Monday.

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children with behaviour that challenges and those awaiting a CAMHS assessment Parents, residents and professionals welcome. Meet the providers and see the support offered across Wokingham Borough.

Where: Wokingham Town Hall, Market Place This event is open to all. Contact clare.rebbeck@involve.community or just drop in on the day involve Community Services is a registered charity (1061373) and company limited by guarantee (3332555). involve receives funding from Wokingham Borough Council, and Wokingham CCG.

RG40 1AS

Cheers! Celebrating the launch of Brown Bag’s new store in The Oakwood Centre are (from left) Woodley Town Council leader Cllr Keith Baker, Brown Bag owner Tony Edwards, Woodley town deputy mayor Cllr Jenny Cheng and operations director Sean Rolfe Pictures: Phil Creighton

New café in the bag for Oakwood Centre By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk A RIBBON cutting ceremony heralded the start of a new café in Woodley’s popular community centre. On Saturday morning, town councillors joined together with customers, face painters and balloon modellers to celebrate the grand opening of the Brown Bag cafe in the Oakwood Centre. The chain, which has branches in Wokingham and Woodley town centres and also has a warrant for supplying the royal family, has taken over the centre’s cafe from Just In The Park. Woodley Town Council deputy mayor, Cllr Jenny Cheng, performed the opening ceremony and praised the

way in which Brown Bag had risen to the initial challenges of running The Oakwood Centre’s café. In her speech she said: “I am delighted to formally welcome Brown Bag to The Oakwood Centre, both as a the town council’s catering partner and as the operator of the coffee shop, which has been transformed by the council’s maintenance and venues team. “Brown Bag had to cope with our busiest weekend of the year in their first week of trading when they had to cater for the Woodley Festival of Music and Art. I understand they coped extremely well. If they can cope with that, they can cope with anything. “We look forward to a successful catering partnership with Brown Bag.”

Poppy Sandford (6) enjoys wearing her balloon hat, made during opening celebrations of Brown Bag’s new branch

Waitrose changes pay structure Barratt in seventh heaven in line with new Living Wage after latest five-star award WORKERS at three of the borough’s supermarkets are to stop receiving a higher rate of pay for overtime and working on a Sunday. Staff at Waitrose in Wokingham, Woodley and Twyford will see a lower rate of pay for working unsociable hours, in a move the store has said will bring it in line with competitors. A spokesperson for Waitrose said in a statement: “Changes were made by the John Lewis Partnership as a whole, to bring us in line with competitors. “The Partnership assesses market rates and then we pay as much above that as performance deserves – this is why we have broad pay ranges, rather than spot rates.

“Premium payments are no longer a feature of the market we compare pay rates to and we planned these changes before National Living Wage was announced.” The average wage for a Waitrose supermarket assistant is around £7.80 per hour, and employees, known as partners, can earn up to £8.91 per hour. They also get an annual bonus. Waitrose saw its samestore sales fall 1.3% last year, amid fierce competition for supermarket customers. Chairman Charlie Mayfield has warned of “challenging” market conditions and steep food price deflation, which he said mean Waitrose must control costs to retain its market share.

THE company building Montague Park is celebrating after receiving a major national award from the Home Builders Federation (HBF). Barratt Homes has achieved a 90% customer satisfaction score and five-star rating in a nationwide survey. It said it is the only major national housebuilder to have been awarded the maximum rating seven years in a row by the HBF. Barratt Homes took part in the UK-wide survey of more than 45,000 homebuyers which revealed that over 90% of its customers would recommend the homes to a friend. The high customer satisfaction for Barratt Homes comes from

checking more than 400 details throughout the build process and three separate inspections are involved before any front door keys are handed over. Lynnette St Quintin, sales director for Barratt Homes in the Southern Counties region (pictured), said: “We are tremendously proud that Barratt Homes has been recognised as a fivestar housebuilder yet again. It’s testament to the dedication of all staff, who go above and beyond every day to exceed our customers’ expectations.” n For more details on Montague Park, off London Road in Wokingham, log on to www. barratthomes.co.uk.

Friday, April 22, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

NEWS | 11

To advertise call 0118 328 2959

Friendship Week will help bring the borough together By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk THREE footballing legends, two classic films and one community picnic are on the cards for a special week to celebrate friendship. The Link Visiting Scheme, a national charity based in the borough, is organising the events to help its work combatting loneliness and social isolation. Each of the events aims to offer a fun way to get together and expands on the launch of a recent Community Kitchen event which offers a tasty Sunday lunch for all ages, bringing people together and in the process reducing isolation for older people. The Friendship Week launches on Saturday, May 14 with an evening of footballing brilliance: West Ham defender turned Sky Sports presenter Tony Gale will talk about life on the pitch with fellow legends West Ham/ QPR goalkeeper Phil Parkes and formerEngland midfielder turned Maidenhead United manager Alan Devonshire. Organisers invite people to come along, hear the banter, enjoy a few beers and have a selfie. The following day there will be an afternoon matinee of the classic Bing Crosby film High Society. It also stars

Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra with music from Louis Armstrong and Cole Porter and starts at 3pm. On Thursday, May 19, there is an evening screening of the film Brooklyn, the story of an Irish immigrant who heads to Post-War America and is written by Nick Hornby. It starts at 7.30pm. A quiz night will be held on Friday, May 20 from 7.30pm, with teams of up to eight welcomed. You’re invited to bring your own drinks and nibbles to both this event and a community picnic planned for Saturday, May 21. This will take place from 1pm and there will be live music to enjoy. The venue will be Langborough Park off Langborough Road. The Link Visiting Scheme, which has offices in Easthampstead Road, also hopes that people will organise their own friendship events to help raise funds for the charity. Marje Walker, manager of The Link Visiting Scheme, said: “Get your friends and family together, to celebrate friendship.” n Tickets can be purchased from the Link Visiting Scheme office in Easthampstead Road, next to the fire station. For more details, call the office on 0118 979 8019 or log on to www.Linkvisiting.org/ friendshipweek

NAG group to meet

Artists on show: Delphine Sym with her work Spring and, inset, David Leon – both were taking part in the Woodley and Earley Arts Group exhibition last weekend Picture: Phil Creighton

Art provides a splash of colour in downpours TORRENTIAL rain didn’t deter crowds from admiring the work of local artists, writes Sally Bryant. Over Friday and Saturday more than 250 people visited the Woodley and Earley Arts Group exhibition. They splashed their way to the Oakwood Centre in Woodley’s Headley Road to see paintings in oils, watercolours and acrylics by 18 of the group’s members. Styles ranged from modern abstracts to classical landscapes and many were snapped up by those fancying an original to grace their walls. And by the end of the event, it was

clear a scene of London had drawn the most attention. All visitors were asked to vote for their favourite exhibit and the winner was an oil on card painting of St Martin’s from Trafalgar Square by Clare Buchta, of Western Avenue in Woodley. Pat Birt, arts group treasurer, said:

Inspiring champions of the future at Waverley School

“It all went extremely well. Although Saturday was a rotten day, we had a good turnout, sales were good and the raffle went well.” The Woodley and Earley Arts Group, founded more than 20 years ago, meets on the last Thursday of the month at the Oakwood Centre for demonstrations by professional artists. It also organises workshops through the winter. Mrs Birt, who lives in Lunds Farm Road in Woodley, said the group is friendly and informal and new members would be more than welcome – contact her on 0118 969 3461.

THE Earley Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) will be meeting on Monday. The meeting will take place at the Earley Town Council offices in Radstock Lane between 7.30pm and 9pm, and will discuss issues such as the building of 400 houses at Hatch Farm, speed humps on Beech Lane and updates around the Finchampstead Road commute parking. There will also be an update from the Neighbourhood Policing Team. If you have anything to add to the agenda please email jw@bankadvice.co.uk by 3pm today (Friday).

Wood chipper stolen in raid A WOOD chipper has been stolen from a property Spencers Wood. At some point on Saturday someone broke into the farm machinery sales area of a company premises in Beech Hill Road by ramming the gates. The offenders made off with a wood chipper. If anyone has any information which would be helpful to the police, they should call 101.

Waverley Preparatory School and Day Nursery Independent School for Boys & Girls: 3 mths- 11 yrs

OPEN DAY: Fri 22nd April 9.30AM Inspired by Danny Willett’s recent Masters win, Waverley School pupils tried their hand at golf last week

PUPILS at Waverley School were challenged this week to be golf champions of the future! The school celebrated last week’s British win at The Masters Golf in Augusta with a golf workshop day for all the children at the school. With the help of PGA golf professional Warren Twyman from Wokingham Family Golf, the children acquired key golf skills whilst learning that the sport can be great fun. Children of all ages, from reception through to Year 6, were given a taster of the sport with the Tri-Golf scheme. Tri Golf uses

youngster-friendly golf equipment enabling children of all ages to learn the basics of the sport through fun activities. The children at Waverley enjoyed a variety of putting and team games to improve their accuracy and golf club control. Guy Shore, Head at Waverley, commented, “The recent win of Danny Willett at the Masters Golf was a golden opportunity to introduce the children to golf and to try a new sport. “We were keen to broaden their horizons and show that there are so many different sports available to children these days.

“You never know, we might have just inspired the next British golf champion!”

Find out more about Waverley Discover how we challenge every pupil to achieve to his or her maximum potential. Join us on our Open Day on Friday 22nd April at 9.30am or contact us for an individual visit. We also have limited scholarships available for current Year 1 and Year 3 pupils. Tel: 0118 973 1121 Email: info@waverleyschool.co.uk www.waverleyschool.co.uk

Berkshire’s Top School For Under 11’s According to SATs Results 2011-2015 0118 973 1121 info@waverleyschool.co.uk www.waverleyschool.co.uk

Waverley Way, Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berks RG40 4YD

12 | NEWS

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 22, 2016 The Twyford & Ruscombe Horticultural Association committee, from left: Diane Thirtle, Susan Pankhurst, Jenny Benger, Philippa Campbell and Claire Clark Pictures: Phil Creighton

Jean Poulter’s stunning arrangement

Tracy Ray’s piece Tiger Tiger

Twyford’s talents are prized Amy Bennett’s model of St Mary’s church won first prize

A visitor takes in the displays

Knitted fruit from Geraldine Eglington

N Covill’s origami netted a first prize

N Covill’s sewing case impressed judges

Graham Talbot’s impressive daffodils

A detail from Joan Pratt’s impressive tableau

Graham Talbot’s potatoes scooped first prize

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

T wyford Beer

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Opening hours: 12:00 - 21:00

Raising money for:

Our 7th year and still free to enter! This year we are doubling the size of the marquee to make sure we have more space for our thirsty customers! All of the team that put on this charitable event are volunteers even the bands work for free. This simply means we can give more of the profits to Orchid the mens cancer charity. We always need more helpers so should you want to help please contact us via the website: hhtp:\\twyfordbeerfest.co.uk There is no entry fee and all the beers and ciders are just £3 per pint or £1.50 a half. There will be some exceptional food available as well. Last year our visitors helped us raise over £6000 for the charity so lets see if we can do even better this year! Ian Wisdom - Festival Organiser

Registered in England with the Charity Commission No. 1080540 Company Registered in England No. 3963360

ORGANISERS of a horticulutural society are hoping that its planting exercise will take root and bear fruit. Last Saturday, the Twyford & Ruscombe Horticultural Association held its spring show, offering members the chance to celebrate all things bright and beautiful, with classes including daffodils, floral arrangements, lego models and photography. Taking place at the Loddon Hall, the event attracted hundreds of entries – but organisers are keen to ensure that the Association attracts a wider audience. Clare Clark, the Association’s chair, said: “Our Association is facing challenges similar to many voluntary organisations in terms of maintaining our committee and securing our future in the face of a dwindling membership. However, we are determined to change this and with gardening and allotment holding becoming ever more popular we are perfectly placed to establish

The winners First prize winners only 1 6 Daff 2 vases G Talbot 2 6 Daff 2 vases T Miller 3 9 Daffs G Talbot 4 5 Daffs G Talbot 5 3 Daffs G Talbot 6 3 Daffs T Miller 7 3 Daffs T Miller 8 3 Daffs G Talbot 9 3 Daffs G Talbot 10 3 Daffs J Lucas 11 3 Daffs G Talbot 13 1 Daff G Talbot 14 1 Daff G Talbot 15 5 mini Daffs G Talbot 16 Pot of mini Daffs No 1st Awarded 17 Pot of Daffs T Miller

ourselves as a key part of the community.” Ms Clark said that the Association will work with Twyford Village Partnership on initiatives such as the Britain in Bloom competition and is forging links with local schools to encourage children to form an active interest in gardening and wildlife.

Walled gardens talk A TALK about walled gardens will be the highlight of the next meeting of the Twyford & Ruscombe Horticultural Association. The group will welcome Margaret Finch to their meeting on Thursday April 28, who will talk about plants from her walled garden at Farley Hill Place Gardens and will bring some with her. The meeting starts at 8pm at St Mary’s Church Centre, Station Road, Twyford. Members £2, visitors are welcome for £3. Light refreshments will be included. For more details visit www.trha.org.uk or call 0118 932 0315.

18 5 Tulips T Miller 19 3 Tulips G Talbot 20 3 Tulips T Miller 21 3 Tulips B Smith 22 3 Tulips J Lucas 23 9 Grape Hyacinth A Phillips 24 5 Polyanthus No 1st/2 25 3 Polyanthus B Smith 26 6 Pansies J Lucas 27 Vase Spring Flowers G Talbot 28 Mixed Vase M Simpkins 29 5 Heathers B Smith 30 3 Camellia C Clark 31 Mixed Vase flowering shrubs M Simpkins 32 Pot of Primrose G Talbot 33 Flowering Pot plant B Smith 34 Foliage Pot plant M Yeates 35 3 Daffs Novice V Yalden

36 1 Daff Novice R Bennett 37 1 Specimen Novice R Bennett 41 3 sticks Rhubarb J Wager 42 Longest stick Rhubarb G Talbot 44 2 of any Vegetables G Talbot 51 Jar of Citrus Marmalade M Bray 52 Bottle of Fruit Liqueur S Evans 53 Tea Loaf D Lucas 54 6 Shortbread fingers P Campbell 55 Eccles Cake No 1st Awarded 56 6 Iced Buns (men only) S Clark 57 A jar of Pickled Onions

Joan Pratt won silver for this display

She also praised the quality of the exhibits on show last Saturday. “They were spectacular, showcasing a fantastic display of spring flowers, floral art and handicrafts the quality of which far exceeded our expectations,” she said. “The spring show also provided a great opportunity for bakers, artists and photographers to test out their skills and we were delighted to receive many entries across each of the categories. This year we saw double the number of entries in the children’s sections which included Lego models and jam jars of spring flowers. “ The group is now planning its next events: a summer show on June 18 and an autumn show on September 3. It also has a trading store. Ms Clark said: “This has extended its opening hours on a Sunday morning and is now open from 9.30am–11.30 am. “It is also a great place to come and get some gardening advice from some experienced gardeners.”

M Yeates 61 Children’s – Jar of Flowers Age Group 1 R Eglington Jr 62 Children’s – Jar of Flowers Age Group 2 Luke Alford 64 Children’s – Lego Model Age group 1 R Eglington Jnr 65 Children’s – Lego Model Age group 2 A Bennett 72 Floral Art – Spring Scene G Alford 73 Floral Art -Poetry T Ray 74 Floral Art – Gem G Alford 81 Art – A Watercolour D Thirtle 82 Art – Yellow and Green B Crickmore 83 Art – Sky K Cohen 91 Photo – Spring Time S Clark 92 Photo – Sky S Clark

93 Photo – Winter Frolics S Clark 101 Handicraft – A case for scissors N Covill 102 Handicraft – A Christmas Ornament G Roberts 103 Handicraft – Any article in 3D G Roberts 104 Handicraft – A piece of Cross stitch G Roberts 105 Handicraft – A Crocheted Item P Campbell 106 Handicraft – 3 Knitted Fruits G Eglington 107 Handicraft – Paper Origami N Covill 108 Handicraft – An Item of Wood Work B Haines 109 Handicraft – Any G Roberts

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Friday, April 22, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Row over election ‘smear’ in leaflet war

Search for silver bones PET owners planning to visit California Country park should keep their eyes peeled for some extra special treats tnext weekend. To celebrate 25 years of Pets at Home, the Wokingham store on Bridge Retail Park will be hiding some gifts for their furry friends. From 9am on Friday April 29, dogs and their owners should be on the lookout while walking in the Park as they could be one of 25 lucky winners to find an exclusive celebratory silver dog bone. The lucky finders can take the bone into any Pets at Home store, where they will receive £25 off their total purchase, from food or toys to bedding and accessories. Alison Slade, store manager and Pets at Home Wokingham said: “The bone hunt is just a small way to say a big thank you to everyone that has supported us in keeping local pets happy and healthy over the years. Lucy Jellis, Community Ranger at Wokingham Council, added: “What an exciting reason to enjoy the great outdoors.” n For more details, visit: www.petsathome. com/25boneterms

NEWS | 15

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By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

A party fit for The Queen! A PARTY in honour of the Queen’s 90th birthday was held at a charity in Wokingham yesterday (Thursday). Wokingham and District Association for the Elderly (WADE) held the celebration at its day centre in Reading Road, where more than 50 members tucked into a hearty roast beef lunner before enjoying some musical entertainment by guitarist and accordionist Ray Martin. The guests were then treated to an after high tea, tombola and were given a gift to take away as a memento of the day. WADE offers a welcoming, social environment and facilities for residents over 60 years of age in the Wokingham

Borough. It also offers time out for carers who can be confident that their loved ones are receiving excellent care from a highly dedicated team. Centre manager Jane Porter said: “It was wonderful to see so many of our members here today to celebrate this very special day for the Queen, some of them having shared every birthday with her. “Everyone thoroughly enjoyed both the lovely lunch and the entertainment by Ray, organised by our Activities Co-ordinator, Rebecca Craker. “Many thanks to all staff and everybody involved who made this a truly memorable occasion.”

A WAR of words has broken out between two political parties ahead of May’s local elections. The Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives are at loggerheads over claims made in each other’s election leaflets published in the Emmbrook ward. The leader of Wokingham Conservatives on the borough council, Cllr Keith Baker, has been accused of sending out a letter that looks as if it comes from the council itself – something he denies. The Liberal Democrats said that voters have been misled into thinking it is an official letter from Wokingham Borough Council and a complaint about the leaflet has been made. However, the Electoral Commission said that as the leaflet contain a imprint declaring it has been published on behalf of the Conservatives it is OK. Cllr Baker said that he expected the Lib Dems complaint to be rejected by the council’s standards board. The leaflet, pictured, is headed ‘A message from the leader of the council’ and aims to rebut claims made in a Liberal Democrat missive. The first is that Emmbrook will not have enough M4 noise barriers installed, something that Cllr Baker said is not true, but the Lib Dems, in their follow-up leaflet says that parts of the ward will be exposed. The second is that an additional £500,000 is to be spent on the Station Link Road. Cllr Baker said that the money had been “prudently” set aside in case of land compensation claims and if none are made it will be returned to Council reserves. The Lib Dems say that this was added to the council’s spending plans in February. The third claim focuses on the building of car parks: Wokingham train station has currently closed its car park and work on the new Carnival Pool multi-storey car park is due to begin in June. While Cllr Baker said

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his letter that additional car parking has been arranged and the Lib Dem leaflet is “not true”. Responding, the Lib Dems said that the work on the two car parks is due to overlap, something that Cllr Baker told The Wokingham Paper will not happen. A fourth point focuses on plans to upgrade the sports facilities at Lowther Road, home to the Wokingham Sumas. Cllr Baker said that the team “has just been relegated from the Hellenic League… It certainly doesn’t need to upgrade to Premier League standards”, a response, the Lib Dems argue, “misses the point”. The Liberal Democrats said that voters have been misled into thinking it is an official letter from Wokingham Borough Council. Speaking to The Wokingham Paper, Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Prue Bray said: “They must be absolutely desperate to try and damage our credibility because that’s the only thing they’ve got left. “It is a smear. None of the things we have said are incorrect or inaccurate. He’s just trying to make out that we are not telling the truth because they’ve only tactics they’ve got – to smear us.” Responding, Cllr Baker said: “I put this letter out correcting the errors as I felt there is an onus on political parties to tell the truth, not misrepresent the facts. “Their complaint appears to be that I have misused my authority and have reported me to the standards board on that. There is absolutely nothing in the letter that suggests this was from the council, no logos, no address, no letterhead and it even has the formal imprint which it has to have as we are in the election period. A spokesperson for Wokingham Borough Council said: “The Council has very recently received a complaint from a member of the public about Cllr Baker’s letter. The matter is being looked into and we hope to be able to respond to the complainant shortly.”

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16 | VIEWPOINTS

THE WOKINGHAM PAPER N E W S W I T H A H E A RT F O R T H E B O RO U G H

The thinner blue voting line IN ALL the kerfuffle of the European referendum, the elections taking place on May 5 are not getting their full moment in the spotlight. It appears that, for our national media, the issue of should we stay or should we go is more pressing than what happens locally. There has been little said about the police and crime commissioner elections. This is the second time that we have been asked to elect the person who will hold the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police to account on behalf of the public. The role was set up to replace the police authority and aims to ensure that there is a better method of communication between the public and the police. They also help decide how the budget will be spent, produce a crime and police plan setting out local policing priorities and they have the power to appoint or dismiss chief constables. Four years ago, when the role was introduced, the proportion of spoilt ballot papers was 10 times the rate seen in general elections. Research by the University of Reading revealed that there were 120,000 voters who protested at the ballot box. Of those, 7,445 were in the Thames Valley, the second highest in the country. And the Electoral Reform Society said that almost half of those who chose not to vote stayed away because they felt they had insufficient information about the candidates. A fifth of non-voters stayed away because they objected to the policy, introduced at a time of austerity. Here we are being asked to vote again and it still feels like a stab in the dark. Will the spoilt papers vote hold up? Possibly.

CHURCH NOTES

An address to the Pope SECRETARY of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Gareth J Powell, met with Pope Francis at the Vatican earlier this month. Here is an extract from his speech to the Pope. Your Holiness, We bring you the greetings of the Methodist people. It is a particular pleasure to greet you in the year when the English speaking Methodist community, here in Rome, celebrates 60 years of worship and ministry at Ponte Sant’ Angelo Church. The work of that local church, and the ecumenical commitment of its ministers, has led to important exchanges of insights and wisdom as together we seek to proclaim the love of God. The dialogue between Methodists and Catholics continues to enrich our understanding of each other and also of ourselves. That the formal dialogue takes place at an international level is vital to our understanding of the breadth of God’s creation. That churches in this City and in a whole variety of local communities give expression to our common faith in Christ is vital to our faithful search for deeper unity. We are grateful to you for the encouragement you give that together we must strive to be one in faithfulness to Christ and the mission of the Church. Your Holiness’s declaration of a Year of Mercy is one in which the Methodist people take a most particular interest. The proclamation of the mercy of a loving God stands at the heart of all that John Wesley, our founder, stood for. We are grateful to your Holiness for offering us fresh understandings of the Mercy of God. Your call to a renewed understanding of God’s mercy is one that must surely find expression in our common endeavours and in the way that we live out our mission and shape our ecclesial communities. We pray that together we may find a deeper sense of our shared calling. Through our sharing in the celebration of the victory of love over death may we have a more dynamic and urgent sense of our mission. In these hymns and in all that we do as followers of the risen Christ, let us raise our voices in the proclamation of our common gospel and the offer of mercy.

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Your views

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 22, 2016 We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relatingto 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

Elms Field: please remove the graffiti With reference to the write-up and letters concerning Elms Field development (April 1). Whatever happens to Elms Field, I hope the first thing is to remove the graffiti which is a complete eyesore entering the town from Finchampstead Road. It makes entry to the town look cheap and tawdry. It would be interesting to know how much has been spent on these hoardings which appear to be altered from time to time. The artists impressions of the field looks remarkable for such a small area as the end of Elms Road had blocks of flats, offices and other facilities. Will these be removed for the lavish spread? It seems awful to me that the council can ignore and dismiss the number of objections, restrict room space for the debate held. What does our MP, John Redwood, have to say – or have I misssed that piece from the Paper? It would be better if what we have was improved so that a variety of smaller shops could afford to open and trade instead of trying to expand away from the town centre. Name and addressed supplied

Your reactions to Elms Field cinema being announced ON WEDNESDAY, we broke the news that Everyman is to run the new cinema on Elms Field. Here’s some of your views on Facebook: n How will a cinema help town traders? People drive in, sit in the dark for two hours, then go home.... Rick Daniow n I love Showcase, it would need to be on par for me to visit but it is a good idea for those who rely on transport buses etc as a lot easier to get town access Emma Mattock n Sounds good to me Sandra Ostridge n The cinema is not the problem. It’s the opportunity it’s being built on, that hurts. #chasingthefastbuck Mark Hampshire n A costly overpriced venue that nobody goes to. I wonder where they’ll be able park. Oh yes, overnight and Sunday parking good idea and daytime. Showcase is freeeee parking.....or have they forgotten that? Mark Campbell

Why pay to park? Two questions. Why is Wokingham increasing the car park charges when Crowthorne can supply a free car park? Since last year hundreds of homes have been built in Wokingham. Therefore the council tax collected this

One reader would like the graffiti at Elms Field tackled.

year must be hundreds of thousands of pounds more than last year. Where is all this money going on? Much needed public toilets perhaps. J Peston, via email

Help with Parkinsons For over 16 years, ever since my brother in law Gordon Scarfe was diagnosed, I have seen at first-hand what it’s like to live with Parkinson’s, and what a struggle it can be to cope with this progressive and potentially devastating condition. In many ways Gordon is lucky, as he has a loving and supportive family around him. Some people struggle on their own, and, heartbreakingly, this is often because they are frightened to share their diagnosis. According to new findings from Parkinson’s UK, released to highlight this month’s Parkinson’s Awareness Week, nearly two fifths of people with Parkinson’s feel the need to hide their symptoms or lie about their condition to those closest to them. There are 127,000 people living with Parkinson’s in the UK, and someone is diagnosed with the condition every hour. Parkinson’s UK estimates that, sadly, 42,000 people in the UK have delayed sharing their diagnosis with someone close to them. What this means is that fear of ‘coming out’ about Parkinson’s is preventing people from seeking the vital support available, just when they are struggling emotionally to cope. Nearly 20% of people surveyed said it ‘felt like my world has ended’ in the year following diagnosis. It particularly upsets me to learn that the problem is especially acute for younger people, who may be trying to juggle demanding family and work commitments

whilst hiding life-changing news. No one should feel alone in dealing with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s. I am determined that each and every person with the disease should be aware of the support available so that they feel able to face the future, rather than hide from it. There is so much that can be done to help, and I can’t bear to think of those diagnosed suffering unnecessary fear and anxiety on their own. I hope this letter will encourage those among your readers who are affected to contact us and to help them feel more confident about sharing their diagnosis. For more information visit parkinsons.org.uk or call our freephone helpline 0800 800 0303. Jane Asher, President Parkinson’s UK, 215 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1EJ

Don’t let people eat at Foodbanks Gemma Davidson wrote that “low incomes forcing families to foodbanks” (April 15, 2016). This is the same all over the country and should be peoples motivation to stop this unnecessary norm that must not be accepted in United Kingdom, the fifth richest country in the world. It is serious that the next councillors along with all Members of Parliament no matter what party they are in should be up in arms about food banks, homeless people, high private rents and inadequate council or social housing. These politicians should be told before one votes for them in the future to get rid of all that faces poor people in the future. To have a right to have a decent home a right not to eat at food banks and a right not to live in poverty. Victor Rones, Bracknell

GOOD ADVICE

Threatened with homelessness? The numbers of people losing their homes locally has increased recently because private landlords have started selling off their properties

OU will legally be homeless if you have no accommodation which is available and reasonable for you and your household to live in or if you have accommodation but cannot get into it. You will be a ‘priority need’ for housing if you are homeless and you are pregnant; you have dependent children under 16, or under 19 if they are in full-time education: you are homeless because of an emergency such as a flood or a fire or you are aged 16 or 17. You may also be in priority need if you are vulnerable; you are elderly,

or have a physical or mental illness or disability; you are over 18 but at risk of exploitation or have been in care; you are at risk of domestic violence, racial violence or other threats of violence or you are homeless after leaving hospital, prison or the armed forces. You may be considered ‘intentionally homeless’ if you have deliberately done something that has made you lose your home. However, the definition of intentionally homeless is complicated and the local authority will look at each case individually. If you lost your home because of genuine financial problems you will not be homeless through your own fault. The local authority may refuse to accept responsibility if it thinks that you have no connection with the area where you

are looking for help with housing. You would usually be expected to live, work or have family links to have a local connection. In this situation, you may be referred to an area where you do have a connection. If the local authority needs time to carry out enquiries (and if it deems that you are homeless and in priority need), it must make sure you have somewhere to live while it investigates your situation. If you qualify as homeless, the local authority will have to help you. It does not have to provide accommodation from its own properties. It can house you in various ways, for example, by referring you to a housing association, or arranging accommodation with a private landlord. If the local authority decides that you are not homeless, it does not

have any duties to arrange long-term accommodation for you. However, it will have some duties to help you, and must provide advice and assistance in finding accommodation, or provide a temporary place to stay while you find a permanent home. The local authority must give reasons for its decision if it decides you aren’t homeless. If you disagree with the decision, you must request a review within 21 days of the date you receive the decision letter. If you are in this situation, you should seek advice, for example, from your local Citizens Advice. n You can get help, information and advice from your local Citizens Advice or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk or contact Citizens Advice Wokingham at Second Floor, Waterford House, Erftstadt Court, Wokingham RG40 2YF. Tel: 03444 111 306. email: public@wokingham-cab.org.uk

VIEWPOINTS | 17

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Friday, April 22, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

NELLIE KNOWS

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

Celebrating your photography

Nellie Williams www.nelliepompoms.co.uk

Reader John Edwards likes to rise with the lark – he was up early enough this week to capture the sun rising over Three Mile Cross. The sky looks fantastic, even if it means the shepherds are on a warning. Thanks for sharing this fantastic picture John. We love to showcase your photos in our Picture of the Week feature. If you have a picture – landscape in format, not portrait – email it to news@wokinghampaper.co.uk. Pictures should be hi-res, landscape, 300dpi and taken by yourself, preferably within the Wokingham borough.

TONY JOHNSON

RESIDENTS’ EYE

Talking rubbish?

E’RE used to rubbish collections every week and this matters for two reasons. Sight and smell. All who remember the Winter of Discontent (78/79) will recall the sight of rubbish lining the streets. Piles of black bags lying uncollected for weeks as the strike ground on. Hills of cardboard on the pavements grew so tall that you couldn’t see the shops as you walked by in the road. It was a mess all round the country because the waste collectors, like many other public sector staff, were on strike. They’d gone on strike to highlight their need as inflation and interest rates had been over 15–20% per year for some time. This wasn’t the 1.5%–2% of recent memory, it was 10 times higher. It meant that, in an era of skyrocketing prices you couldn’t pay your bills, so personal debt soared as people struggled to keep up. Or they went without. Not just beer and fags money, it included petrol too and many had to walk to work. For pensioners though, it was a different story. Bills for heating were reduced by turning it down, or off. Food bills cut by eating less. Far from being well fed, in a warm and well-lit care home, elderly people just died. In the dark. Cold. Starving. Abandoned by the country they’d been through two world wars to preserve and protect.

HAVE YOUR SAY:

Meanwhile in the streets, those thriving were the vermin. Feasting on the decaying food which, thanks to the mostly sub-zero temperatures, didn’t rot quickly or smell bad. The Callaghan government knew that if it didn’t fix things before Spring, the political stink would soon become a real stink, when dissatisfaction and agitation would turn to unrest and riot. To avoid revolution, the government caved in, borrowed money from the IMF and was promptly booted out in the 1979 General Election, leaving the Iron Lady with little, or no, choice. The history lesson from the yo yo economics since MacMillan’s 1957 “(you’ve) never had it so good” comment was stark. Control inflation or it controls you. Back to the present day when winters aren’t as cold and bad smells won’t be held back for months. However we turn our noses up at anything rotten, be it organic or political. So to avoid a stink, the storage, collection and disposal of organic waste is a finely balanced judgment. It’s your choice as to where to put food waste before the weekly collection. Keep it in the house and it smells. Put it outside and it attracts foxes, rats and slugs. In our borough, food waste can be recycled, so it should go in the black boxes that WBC provides.

T CERTAINLY feels like spring has at last sprung with the warmer weather, longer days and the smell of freshly cut lawns. I quite possibly struggle with seasonal adjustment disorder so to wake up in the light and draw the curtains after supper is a highlight. That said I did wake up before 4am on Monday and left Crickhowell at 5am to get home in time for school run so the start to the week was painful. However I had a great weekend in Wales so it’s swings and roundabouts. The weekend itself was predominantly a working weekend as #Cwtchfest2016 was taking place in the grounds of The Glanusk Estate, so I was sporting a beaming smile and my “Nellie Glanusk Marketing” badge in brilliant sunshine, beautiful surroundings whilst sampling delicious Welsh food and chatting to brides, grooms, wedding planners and exhibitors. It’s our 20th wedding anniversary next month, time for a party! Speaking of parties I am really looking forward to summer entertaining and spending hours outside. There’s much to be done in the garden but we’ll all get involved and get everything sorted. I had a long to do list on Wednesday and couldn’t decide where to start so I went off piste and started painting the fence, now I wish I hadn’t but it’s got to be finished before the Bank Holiday Weekend so I must focus on that. As I write this column The Queen is enjoying a walk around in Windsor and I have been enjoying the BBC Radio Berkshire coverage, we will no doubt sit down and watch some telly this evening and raise a glass. My paternal granny and maternal grandfather reached the 90 year old milestone many years ago so they can have a raised glass too. Ninety is a grand old age and one to be celebrated. I was saddened by the news that Victoria Wood had died at 62, this year has been such a sad year with people from my childhood dying. I know that people bang on about doing it while you can but I firmly believe that you should. So, do it, seize the day and do something you’ve always put off. Unfortunately I can’t put off painting the fence so I will crack on. See you next week.

Paul Gallagher

Many of us don’t have enough space for them in the house and they’re not exactly the most elegant things to have indoors either. As with rubbish bins of old, we keep them outside by the door. Close enough to drop stuff in them when it’s raining. Simple! Save for the rain. Although this may come as news to some people, it rains here in Britain and those boxes have no lids, so water collects in them. However the black box designers thought of that. They put channels in the bases with exit holes for water. They also thought about letting the water drain out properly, so they included some dimples to get the boxes off the ground. Great! Except that the holes aren’t at the lowest point and the dimples are on the inside. It’s as if the plastic moulding got reversed. So when one takes the rubbish out for collection, water sloshes out of the holes and goes all over you. If getting wet isn’t bad enough, when one adds organic matter the water is filthy and makes you smell bad. As a result, I suspect that many choose not to recycle food waste. And all because the moulding is the wrong way up. What can one say about it? Rubbish!

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O, Matthewgreen Farm is no more – the earthmovers have moved in, the first show house will be ready by June and in seven or eight years time there’ll be 760 dwellings and several thousand new residents of Emmbrook. The destruction of our green and pleasant land? The inevitable consequence of demand for housing in the South East? The price we pay for Wokingham being regularly voted as one of the best places to live in the UK? Yes – all of those! Leading one of the two residents associations (RAs) in Emmbrook, it often feels like being in a battle zone. Is it all bad news? Well, it doesn’t have to be, if we remain vigilant and stick up for the rights of residents, both those that already live in this lovely part of Wokingham and those thousands who will do but as yet don’t have a voice. Needless to say, there will continue to be differences of opinion between RAs and other parties and we’ll always fight for the best deal for residents. For sure, traffic will get even worse – that is part of a bigger traffic management issue that the Council needs to solve for the whole town. There will certainly be increased pressure on GP surgery availability and better flood management will need to cope with the run off from all those new hard surfaces. But we should end up with some benefits: n more parkland n a new primary school n a new community hall n new shops n a 30mph speed limit on Old Forest Road (at last!), and easier access onto Reading Road n a new Scouts centre Getting there will probably continue to feel like being in a battle zone for a while. See the latest on the Matthewsgreen Farm development from a resident’s perspective at emmbrook-residents.org/ Paul Gallagher is chair of the Emmbrook Residents Association

18 | VIEWPOINTS

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Marathon people

OH, MR SMITH!

A wry look at life

Picture: Alicja ‘Alko’ Ludwichowska/freeimages.com

Iain’s battle for bowel cancer

Abolish Mother’s Day

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 22, 2016

ELL this is only fair since last time I suggested abolishing Father’s Day and at least there are another 48 or so weeks to go before the next one. I imagine the mere suggestion of abolishing it will cause deep disgust amongst some people. Mother’s Day – or Mothering Sunday to give it its proper name – is a wonderful institution or rather it used to be until it became a widely recognised gender stereotyping institution. And society has moved on. In a changing world it is losing its relevance as more women join the treadmill of being the bread winners while more men become househusbands. These men are, I suppose, the new mothers. Incidentally is ‘househusband’ as derogatory a term as the term ‘housewife’? My wife does not approve. I would gladly embrace the term if my good wife chose to take on the role of main breadwinner. Being a househusband seems to hold a lot of advantages. One of my friends finds time to play golf and tennis between ferrying the kids after school. He’s a great cook and whizz with the washing machine. Unfortunately I am so old school but let’s not go there. There’s a double benefit to be gleaned from this reversal of roles. Househusbands can reduce family expenditure by taking advantage of off-peak membership of golf and tennis clubs and arrange matches with other househusbands or retired people. Then, when exhausted working wives collapse at the weekend, they do not become golf widows as have many women in previous generations. Apart from these practical suggestions it is also important to realise that Mother’s Day is just a manipulative marketing gizmo similar to Christmas. Rampant marketing, advertising and merchandising bully us into believing we neglect our mothers if we don’t buy over-priced clichéd boxes of chocolates and flowers. Many of us comply because the alternative is unthinkable. What will family and friends think of us if we appear forgetful or mean spirited on the appointed day? I noticed my local supermarket selling what are normally £5 or £7 bouquets of flowers for £15. I thought supermarkets were those places where you saved money? Wasn’t that the whole point of them in the 60s when they slowly put a lot of traditional greengrocers, butchers and corner shops out of business? I would however temporarily preserve Mother’s Day for the sake of the current generation of grandparents. They are of a different generation with different values. They appreciate their children and grandchildren returning to the traditional home for a family day long after the sharp pain of empty nesting has been softened by time. So I think I would be mean spirited if I said we should abolish Mother’s Day. But I still draw the line at Father’s Day – unless I can persuade my daughter to buy presents from House of Fraser rather than the Pound Shop. What do you think? Is Tom a grinch or right? Write to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk TOM SMITH

This Sunday, a Wokingham man is tackling the London Marathon as he bids to beat bowel cancer. We find out why Iain McCowatt is determined to run all 26.2 miles. By JOHN WAKEFIELD

T’S the ultimate challenge and this Sunday Iain McCowatt will be taking it on. What is it? The Virgin Money London Marathon. The Swallow Way man is running the gruelling race to raise money for the charity Beating Bowel Cancer. The 44-year-old, who is an IT Director for Barclays Bank in Canary Wharf, is hoping that the blisters he’ll incur will help to raise awareness of the UK’s second biggest cancer killer. And there’s a personal reason for taking the route on: a few years ago, Iain’s sister-in-law’s husband, Rob, died of the disease. Iain said: “He’d been having a few tummy issues, but the doctors didn’t think it was anything to worry about. Eventually, they started taking it seriously. “When they finally opened him up to take a look, it was too late; about six weeks later he was gone. “A couple of years later, my dad was diagnosed. Thankfully this time it was caught early; he was one of the lucky ones. Thanks to surgery and chemotherapy, he’s now all clear. “It’s a terrible disease, both for the individuals affected and their families…so when I decided to run the marathon for a charity, Beating Bowel Cancer were a no-brainer.” When asked about how his training for the day is going, Iain said: “It’s going well. I ran a half-marathon in September, and by Christmas managed to run my first and only 26.2 to date. “Since then it’s been a bit of a slog through the winter mornings, and I’ve mainly focussed on just keeping in shape: I’ve done six runs of 20-22 miles this year, but nothing really fast, so I’ll be taking my time on the day. “I’ll be passing my office at Canary Wharf around the 16-mile mark and will be giving them wave and a thanks, as my employers are kindly providing matched funding for any sponsorship I raise, which will make a big difference to the total. “I’m looking forward to enjoying the experience and soaking in the atmosphere. Though I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous.” Each year around 41,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer, but if caught early, more than 90% of cases can be treated successfully. Beating Bowel Cancer’s Fundraising Events Manager, Danielle Chamberlain, said: “We’re so

Iain McCowatt has a personal reason for raising money for Beating Bowel Cancer – his brother-in-law died of the disease. This Sunday, he’ll be running the London Marathon

grateful for Iain’s support and fundraising efforts, which will help the charity continue to help those affected by bowel cancer. “The marathon is a huge commitment to undertake and we wish him best of luck for his challenge. We’ll be cheering Iain on from the sidelines.” n To donate to Iain’s fundraising efforts please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/IainMcCowatt

Support for bowel cancer

Beating Bowel Cancer is the support and campaigning charity for everyone affected by bowel

VOLUNTEER CORNER n Youthline Ltd provides high quality faceto-face, one-to-one counselling services to young people aged between 12 and 25. Its geographical area covers the borough of Bracknell Forest, and surrounding areas. The service is designed to be an early intervention service that prevents more serious problems arising. At any one time, they have a team of approximately 30 Counsellors working with us providing counselling sessions in the afternoon and evening (usually 3pm to 9pm) on five days per week, and on Saturday mornings (10am to 1pm) (including school holiday times) at its main base and additional sessions at local secondary schools and in community venues.

cancer. It offers a range of vital services that give people with bowel cancer help, hope and reassurance. The charity advises people to go to the GP if they have any of the following symptoms for three weeks or more: • Bleeding from the bottom or blood in your stool • A persistent change in bowel habit, especially going more often or looser stools • Abdominal pain, especially if severe • A lump in your tummy • Unexplained weight loss or tiredness n For more information and advice about bowel cancer visit www.beatingbowelcancer.org

With Helena Badger It is looking for help from volunteer as an Administrator/Support Volunteer to greet clients, answer the phone, taking bookings, updating social media, supporting with fundraising and other general administration. n Samaritans are people from all walks of life who provide a service for the suicidal and despairing. Their callers can telephone us, visit our Centre, or contact us by e-mail or SMS. Samaritans have to listen, attentively, unhurriedly and at length. We have to share the pain, often knowing that there is nothing we can do: we cannot wave a magic wand and produce jobs, accommodation, money, friends, or instant

happiness. Above all, we do not give advice to our callers. We try to support them in working through problems themselves. We offer “non-directive” support. We also recruit Support Volunteers who help with fundraising, publicity etc. All Samaritans give are expected to do one 2½ -3 hour shift every week (except for holidays, times of illness, etc). Once a month this weekly shift will be at night, either 3 hours (called the twilight shift) or 5 hours (called the night shift); we are the only lifeline that provides 24-hour coverage. Based Bracknell. Their next information evenings is Thursday, May 19 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

n Thames Hospice is an independent local charity offering people living with a life-limiting illness the best possible care and support. Their charity shops are essential to their fundraising efforts. Their shops based in Wokingham, Crowthorne and Woodley are all currently all looking for new volunteers to help with various roles such as sorting and pricing donations, serving customers etc. These are just three of the roles we are recruiting for, but we have more than 100 different roles on our books. To find out about these or any other roles, call us on 0118 977 0749, email wok-vol@btconnect.com or visit www.volunteercentrewokingham.org.uk

Friday, April 22, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

PEOPLE | 19

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Marathon people These are the runners to cheer on Sunday RUNNERS from across Wokingham Borough will be lacing up their running shoes to pound some serious pavement on Sunday by taking part in the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon. We have caught up with just a few of those brave (or crazy!) runners who will be joining the thousands of people tackling the 26.2-mile course this weekend.

Joanne HendrieHenderson (right) will be running the London Marathon on Sunday, with support from friend Lynne and brother Adrian

Joanne Hendrie-Henderson – Shinfield

This Sunday will be Joanne’s first ever marathon in support of the Stroke Association and The Royal Berks Charity, after her brother suffered a stroke, and her father was treated at the Royal Berkshire Hospital before he passed away 10 years ago. Joanne, 53, said: “My brother Adrian was my initial running inspiration and more recently has become

my ever-present running mentor. Along with his own training he puts an awful lot of time and effort into mine. “Sadly, back in September 2015 he suffered a small stroke. In my family we have had too many instances of stroke; my late husband, Arthur, died following a stroke while my husband David also lost his father to a stroke. “The second person to share my running, the good bits, the not-so-good and the often-very-funny is

Lynne. We have been running together since 2011, when we entered our first 10-mile race. “She is a very determined lady and this has seen her cope with the recent devastating loss of her father. He died suddenly and was treated by the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. My own father died 10 years ago and he too was treated in the same hospital, hence my wish to raise funds for the Royal Berks Charity.” n To support Joanne visit bit.ly/1NCOH7B

Lesley Williams – Wokingham

Simon Crute – Finchampstead

Samantha Barnes – Wokingham

Rebecca Margetts – Finchampstead

Running the London Marathon is the ‘biggest challenge of my life’ according to 42-year-old Rebecca, who will be joining the 24-strong World Cancer Research Fund on Sunday. Having recently completed the Cranleigh 21, Rebecca will now be taking on the London Marathon in memory of family member Monica Brown, who lost her battle with cancer late last year. She hopes her efforts will not only help to raise over £2,000 for research into cancer prevention, but raise awareness of how lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of developing cancer. Rebecca said: “Monica really suffered, and if the money I raise helps towards finding the causes of cancer and ways to prevent it, I will feel I have done something for her. “I work for a charity for adults with learning difficulties and it really is a wonderfully rewarding job. They’re all right behind me in my fundraising efforts, including taking part in a ‘guess my finish time’ sweepstake.” n To support Rebecca’s fundraising efforts, visit justgiving.com/Rebecca-Margetts2/

LESLEY is running the Marathon for Pancreatic Cancer UK after her grandad Keith and aunt Ann both passed away from the disease. She said: “My Grandad died from this awful disease at the age of 63, he was given just six months to live but survived for a year. “My Auntie Ann also suffered this illness, taking her away too young, aged 62, leaving her much loved family behind. “I am running this marathon on behalf of my family in support of Pancreatic Cancer UK and In loving memory of Keith and Ann.” n To support Lesley visit www.justgiving.com/ Lesley-williams1980

Simon is not only hoping to complete the London Marathon in under four hours, but for every £500 he raises for Wokingham, Bracknell & Districts Mencap, he has pledged to run another marathon or ultra marathon in 2016. Simon, 45, said: “One of [my children] is on the ASD spectrum, which is one of the reasons I like running for the local Mencap team. “If I raise £1,000, I’ll commit to running two marathons. If I manage to raise £5,000 then I’ll run 10 marathons or ultras during 2016.” n At the time of going to press, Simon had raised £630. To sponsor him visit bit.ly/1Vmbnks

Mum Samantha, 29, is running the marathon to raise funds and awareness of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Her four-year-old daughter Daisy has type 1 diabetes, meaning she has to have her blood sugar levels checked constantly, and at least four injections a day along with a strict diet. Samantha, who lives in Keephatch, said: “I’m running/ walking/crawling the 26.2 miles on Sunday in the hope of a better future for my little girl!” n To help Samantha reach her £2,000 fundraising goal visit bit.ly/1Wfdd5n

| HERITAGE 20 Friday, August 21, 2015 TheWokinghamPaPer

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WokinghamRemembers

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 22, 2016

HERITAGE | 17

In association association with with In

Exploring Exploringour ourheritage heritagewith with wokinghamremembers.com wokinghamremembers.com

Murder in Emmbrook – the peculiar case of Charles Forester REVIEW

The past which has shaped our present...

Last week, PETER SHILHAM looked at the formations of Emmbrook, from its earliest day to the 19th century. Now, he looks at some the Victorian residents and finds that all This week MikEof ChuRChER reviews the Wokingham articles human life is here,Remembers including death, celebrations and tragedy theGreat past four inofthe Warmonths and discusses some of the factors which contributed The outdoor lavatory at to the making of Wokingham and its Emmbrook environment. Village Hall

VER the past months the Wokingham Remembers page has been providing an early picture of how a small market town and a few villages on the edge of a forest is today ranked as one of the country’s leading communities. Education, religion, industry, transport, social structures, national politics and local government are all important pieces in building the great Wokingham jigsaw. Here now is a summary of our RS BULLOCK wasathe contributions to date and fewSchool ideas on Mistress from 1858 the next round of articles. until 1891 retiring through ill-health but Education, Education, continuing there with the infants to, at least, 1899 and Education then the Sunday School until her death in 1905. Today’s Wokingham is renowned as Before transfercentres of olderofpupils one of thethe country’s excellence infor 1894, a Government Inspection education; this is partly due toinstrong 1892 prompted an improvement in school performance and the motivated accommodation village parents who liveatinthe one of thehall: mosta porch caps and coats and a in lavatory. highlyfor educated communities the UK. This being used If welatter look was into still the history of up to its demolition in 1981. Wokingham’s schools we can see A bell was added to theinto turret how education is woven its on DNA. the gable endGreat of the school and at The Prior to the War, Wokingham Christmas Tree event, held in January was surrounded by manor houses and 1893, it wasofrung, a school songwho composed members the landed gentry by HaroldtoHarding byof the wanted be closebeing to thesung levers power; Monitress Emily Bosher. of Windsor. i.e. the royal households The bell these had been cast from old ship In turn upper echelons metal by thea P&O through interest of possessed serious sensethe of duty Montague Wilkinson to who oftentheir visited and a responsibility ensure the neighbourhood. community received at least a basic education. in Wokingham also had a Murder the village powerful professional a strong to Mrs Saltmarsh of Billclass, Hill, referred churchand community (including thethe nonearlier being keen to improve conformists) and together theyinshared spiritual wellbeing of the poor her a strong belief in thetaken importance of neighbourhood, had on Charles teaching. Forester (on the recommendation of The resultsecretary was withofthe skills, the Mr Goldhart, the London motivation the finance available, City Mission)and in 1854 to deliver weekly there developed a culture education lectures and sermons to theofrural which still aholds to this day.not population, taskstrong to which he was suited … he was a tailor. Wokingham transport He left in July 1856 andthe wassingle admitted Transport is probably as a patient at Brompton Consumption most important factor in Wokingham’s Hospital. development, in both its rail and road Ultimately he returned to his home systems. in Emmbrook on the night Future articles will lookof atMonday, the November 10 and behaved in a strange introduction of the railways and the

major impact they had on the and wastown still being we have already made a start the usedwith in 1981, road system by mapping out the course before it was of the old Forest Road. demolished While the building of the M4 had a major influence on the introduction of the high tech businesses which now surround Wokingham, it is the A329M which in 1975 cut off the Forest Road and its natural connections between Emmbrook and the villages of Hurst and Binfield. The love and hate relationship with our rail and way.to this day! and distressing roads continue While he had been away, his wife had Wokingham’s military opened a grocery shop in Emmbrook and, on the Friday morning while she was heritage serving a customer, Charles Forester As 2015 is the bi-centenary of the left the house, being seen by William Langley Battle of Waterloo, there have been a and his wife Mary between 8am andthis 9am. number of articles commemorating He walked into Wokingham and gave world changing event. himself up tohas thealways police,been admitting The area notedthat for he murderedtohis Samuel aged 4½ itshad contribution theson nation’s military years. capability, with Arborfield’s REME, Mary theconnections wife of James Evans RFA andEvans, Remount and the aSandhurst wheelwright, lived two doors fromallthe and Wellington Colleges Forester’s house. situated very nearby. She ran the bedroom Even theupstairs Duke ofinto Wellington took to living in Stratfield Saye, where she discovered thewhich dead today child is only his 30 minutes away Wokingham’s with throat cut andfrom much blood on town centre. the pillow and sheets and a bloody razor under the child’s legs. Wokingham’s While in custody that morning Charles benefactor culture Forester repeatedly exclaimed: “Oh dear, The area aroundmind Wokingham was oh dear, I wouldn’t giving anything surrounded manydone. remarkable to undo whatbyI have I loved my individuals were instrumental little boy andand nothey one loved him better in building than I did.the much needed infrastructure which underpinned establishment of “I can’t think whatthe I did it for, I’m sure.” a strong At the community. resulting trial he was found not Weon will later be telling the story of the guilty the grounds of insanity. Walter family and their contributions to He was “detained until Her Majesty’s the building of Wokingham but in April Pleasure is known”. first weekly issue, weintold of the It transpired that 1853the or story 1854 he much loved Arthur Hill, theTaunton 6th Marquess had been employed by the Town of Downshire. Mission but he left on the grounds of Although one ofand Britain’s wealthiest mental incapacity eccentricity. landowners, Arthur Hill doubled as the Soldiers Scouts chief of the and local Fire Brigade and was a In December 1914 the 8thtoLeicester major financial contributor this part of Regiment was public to use services. the Embrook Infants’ Wokingham’s School House forwill night accommodation Later articles illustrate the during staygreat and amanors concertand wastheir given demisetheir of these for them. incumbent social system and the rise of

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

itsMen replacement: local government. with connections with Emmbrook were involved in the wild Great War: Wokingham’s sideHenry Brant, Charles Challis,too Ernest Challis, Before we believe much in the idea William Challis, Maurice Deane, Harry that Wokingham’s development was a Eamer, FrankMay’s Pennells, solidlyGeorge sedate Forge, experience, article Thomas Sadler,inJames told the Potter, story ofHenry the rioting the town Turner. centre during the time of the 1857 General They were all serving with the Royal Election. Berkshire Regiment lost theirsight lives. Such events wereand a common in Others lost short their lives were Leonard the town who and this and bloody battle Yalden (South Wales and Borderers) - awarded between the Whigs the Tories also the Military Medal, F Bleazard highlighted the Bush and Rose(Royal hotelsField in Artillery), Frank (RN), William Market Place asBuckle the headquarters of these Killick (Royal West Surrey Regiment), Bruce two feral groups. Nicholson, Edward Nicholson And Walter The story was also able to reflect Nicholson (All Royal Fusiliers), Victor upon the national scene and the corrupt Nicholson (RN), Frank Potterbefore (RN), And nature of general elections the George Potter of (RN). introduction the private ballot. Not onlyarticles were four from the Future willbrothers include further Nicholson family and lost,revelry but of the six old Potter tales of anarchy in this brothers (sons of Charles and Fanny), three market town. of whom lost their lives, Reginald survived Wokingham at War but There lost a are leg and William, anotherin watershed moments survivor, died at the Armistice Dayofparade history which mark the moment great in Wokingham in 1956. change in a society and the Great War of Other survivors included 1914-1918 is one such time. Albert Dance andTherefore Ellis Garrett, both awarded the a number of centenaries Military Medal, and brothers Charles and between 2014 and 2018 will Frederick Miles.the Another Sergeant commemorate great was losses of war R Knapp accepted the duty of Scout whichwho scarred the people of Wokingham Master Emmbrook for thewhen rest ofthe the1st 20th century. Troop was set May’s up in 1919. However, bythe June Arthur edition followed story HofBarnes was thefrom newLangborough Scout Master and two brothers in November Herbert town. KnappOne wasofActing Road in Wokingham our

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

Wokingham and the Royal Forest

Looking at today’s community, it is difficult to visualise just how rural the area once was and in part explains the sometimes fragile relationship between the old and new Wokingham; few areas in the UK have witnessed such extraordinary growth and change in the Assistant Scout Master, Edward Wakefield profile of its population. Senior PatrolWokingham’s Leader and Frederick Although history Yalen Patrol Leader. has always been intertwined with the surrounding by providing Toutley Hallvillages and Lowther a market place for agricultural and Road sports ground commercial produce, it was also a Forest

In the 20th century the owners of Town. The term ‘forest’ did not mean a Toutley Hall contributed to Emmbrook cluster of trees, but a system of laws laid life: at the time of The Great War, for the down by royalty for the protection of British War Prisoners, their hunting grounds.Alice Dunne, the wife of Major Terence managed These onerous rulesDunne, restricted local the Parcels Fund. By June 1916 were people from using large parts ofthere the land 40 making penny formembers sustenance and inthe part led toweekly the contributions from St Paul’s rise of local highwaymen andChurch. general By the time subscribers had been lawlessness. As50 a result, the subsequent “recruited” news was received that Black Act ofthe 1723 came down heavily on Sergeant William John Killick these ‘Wokingham Blacks’ and(whose resulted in parents lived at Cantley Lodge) had been either their transportation or execution.

The story was told inEdmund June, and also Skinner commemorated the 800th gaveanniversary the sports of the Magna Carta, signed at at nearby ground Lowther Runnymede in 1215. Road to Wokingham Shining a light onBorough Council in 1949, adding a Wokingham’s ‘Dark Ages’ covenant that it can To bring us up to date the August only be used for articles are focused on the kids who are physical training and now entering into their summer holidays. recreation. Teams What better way to use this month’s using it included the editions than to tell the stories of the Emmbrook cricket Romans, the Celts and the Saxons team in the 1920s influence on the area before Wokingham (left) and the football was even a twinkle in old Wocca’s eye? team of 1919 (above) David Nash Ford provided a set of articles and puzzles which makes killed infun action on young 1st Julyand 1916. history for the no doubt leftcatch “a sorrowing wife sweet willHe also the interest ofand the aparents littlewill child heover returned not to see.” who bewhom looking their child’s She also organised the sending of eggs shoulder. to Here’s the wounded soldiers – 108 dozen eggs to the next round of articles! for Easter Thanks go 1917. out to our contributors: Steve Later, during his time at Ford, Toutley Hall Bacon, Jim Bell, David Nash Sarah Edmund Roger BecherLong, Skinner provided fruit Huxford, Trevor Ottlewski andPeter vegetables to anybody in continuing the village and Shilham for all their who had fallen ill. contributions. In 1949 he gave the Sports at All this work is provided byGround our Lowther Road to Wokingham Borough local historians free of charge and Council by Deed of Gift inpage which can be found on the front ofthere the was a restrictive Remembers covenant that the land shall Wokingham website not be used for any purposes whatsoever www.wokinghamremembers.com except physical and recreation. Thanks also totraining Mark Ashwell at n Next week, conclude our with a TradeMark forwe supporting the series paper’s look at the sporting of Emmbrook commitment to thislife project.

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WELLBEING | 21

Friday, April 22, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Good health

You’re under doctor’s orders to read this page!

HEALTH MATTERS

Rotary helps fight ‘the silent killer’ Wokingham Rotary Club offered blood pressure test in Wokingham Market Place. From left: Ravindran Krishnamurthi, Brian Perris, Dr Mike Darlison and president Malcolm Bruce. Picture: Phil Creighton

with Nicola Strudley

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 works two days a week as the manager for Healthwatch Wokingham Borough. Opinions expressed in this blog are her own

Our membership scheme is available for only You do not need to be dentally fit to join BMS but a new patient examination is required before signing up. If treatment is needed during the 12 month contract a member discount of 15% is given.

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Never too late to exercise SK anyone to guess which age group is least likely to be meeting recommended physical activity guidelines, and they’ll opt for children. However it’s grown-ups (aged 16-64) that are poorer at achieving the recommended level of physical activity for adults (five sessions of 30 minutes’ moderate activity a week). And older people sit firmly at the bottom of the class. Department of Health figures show that only 17% of men and 13% of women over the age of 65 are sufficiently active. Other research shows that 44% of adults over the age of 70 years take a 20-minute walk less than once a year – or never. It seems that the older we get, the less active we are. Aging also brings increased risks of developing a long term condition such as diabetes, arthritis or hypertension. The need to improve the treatment and management of long-term conditions is a top challenge facing the NHS. Improving care for people with long-term conditions must involve a shift away from a reactive, disease-focused model of care towards one that is more proactive, holistic and preventive, in which people with long-term conditions are encouraged to play a central role in managing their own care. Research by the Richmond Fellowship looked at attitudes and barriers to encouraging physical activity amongst those with long-term conditions. Physical activity can be any activity that gets you up and moving. This might include things like walking to the shops, gardening or doing the housework, as well as things like riding a bike, going for a swim, or playing football Even the most incapacitated people surveyed said that they wanted to be more physically active. However both exercise and physical activity were often seen as “not for people like me” among inactive participants with multiple long-term conditions and physical activity had negative connotations. Barriers to exercise included the fear of pain before, during or after physical activity; feeling tired or breathlessness; lack of motivation; lack of time and lack of suitable facilities. When looking at positive, motivating messages about physical activity, survey respondents said preventing conditions from deteriorating and improved mobility are the top benefits of physical activity, along with sense of achievement and improved mental health. Key messages about physical activity included; • Everyone benefits from moving about more, regardless of how old they are, or what their health is like • It’s never too late to start getting active • Even small amounts of physical activity can bring long-term benefits for your health and wellbeing • Every step counts; small increases in activity, like walking to the bus stop, can have a big impact • Physical activity can help you stay strong and remain independent The Government goal is 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity on at least five days of the week, but at the beginning, your goal should simply be to start moving more. That might mean around the home, or the garden. For support contact The Lifelong Fitness Alliance (50plus.org) which offers advice and encouragement on getting and staying fit beyond 50.!

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A GAZEBO went up in Market Place on Saturday to help shoppers fight ‘the silent killer’, writes Sally Bryant. The Rotary Club of Wokingham held its annual Know Your Blood Pressure event inviting passers-by to dodge the rain for a few minutes, relax and have a free blood pressure test with Dr Mike Darlison and nurses – and it may prove to be a lifesaver for some who took up the offer. Rotary secretary Paul Buckenham said heavy rain took its toll on the

For more information, please contact us on 0118 978 3815, visit our website at www.beechcroftdental.com or call into Beechcroft Dental Practice, 32 Station Road, Wokingham, RG40 2AE and speak with one of our team.

Our membership scheme is ava Our membership scheme is available You do notfor need to be dentally fit to join uptake, but of the 50 people who can hit anyone of any age and it is butaa new patienta examination rolled up their sleeves one really called ‘the silent killer’ as it can onlyforBMS £21 month Ourhadmembership scheme isbeavailable only £21 month is severe hypertension (high blood completely painless. It puts you at risk pressure) and was asked to follow of a heart attack or even heart failure. up with a GP urgently. Seven were The Rotary Club of Wokingham, You do not need to be dentally fit to join also considered to have severe in conjunction with the Stroke hypertension, 12 moderate 14 a new Association, leading the way with BMSandbut patientwasexamination is mild – just 16 results were normal. last weekend’s event. signing up.taking If treatment In Britain, 16 millionrequired know they before Others will be place across have high blood pressure, but too the country tomorrow (Saturday) is needed during the 12 month contract many people do not know their which is Know Your Blood Pressure reading. Day. a member discount of 15% is given. High blood pressure is a factor Mr Buckenham said: “We were in more than 50 per cent of strokes, very pleased with the day.”

required before signing up. If treatment is included? needed during the 12 month contract What is a member (including discount of 15% is given. • 2 Examinations x-rays) • • •

2 Hygienist visits Accident & Emergency Insurance 15%For member discount on treatment please more information, (excludes specialist and implant treatment)

visit our website at www.beec You do notBeechcroft need to be dentallyDental fit to join Practice, 3 BMS but a new patient examination is For more information, please contact us on2AE 0118 3815, RG40 and978 speak with one required before signing up. If treatment

How the Royal Berks helps visit our website at www.beechcroftdental.com or call into with end of lifeBeechcroft careDental Practice, 32 Station Road, Wokingham, is needed during the 12 month contract a member discount of 15% is given.

ADLY, it is a fact of life that death comes to us all. But how and where we die is important and when asked, the majority of people asked would choose to die at home; but, for many reasons, that may not always be possible. In managing end of life care for its patients, the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust aims to be a national leader, and the best locally. Once it is recognised that a patient is nearing the last few hours and days of life, the care that they can expect to receive is based on five essential aspects of care, set by clinical teams and recognised nationally. These are : • recognising that they may be about to die • communication with them and with the people who are important to them • involvement in decisions about care • supporting the people who are important to our patient • planning and delivering care that is appropriate. The care that patients receive from this point onwards should be in line with the needs and wishes of the patient. Wherever possible, these are discussed with the patient and often their families and carers before nearing the end of life. In an audit looking at national end of life quality indicators in March 2016, the Trust achieved scores between 82% and 96% where the National average was between 56% and 84% across 5 indicators. The End of Life Care – dying in hospital audit was led by the Royal College of Physicians. Susi Lund is the Trust’s End of Life Care lead. She puts the Trust’s performance in this emotive area down to the Trust staff’s focus on delivering excellent quality of end of life care. Mindful that every patient is someone’s loved one, the Trust has invested in end of life care training across clinical and support staff. There is a close relationship with local community health and social

RG40 2AE and speak with one of our team.

care providers (including GP and district nursing, palliative care teams and hospice care providers), to give patients who do want to die at home, the chance to do so. For those whose end of life care is in a hospital setting, it is not always possible for patients to die in quiet rooms off the wards (and some patients may not want to). Strategies for managing this are in place and being developed further. We recognise that care does not stop when a patient dies and ensure consideration of family requirements in a suitable environment. Comfort bags, now known as Jimmy’s Bag, are provided as required, giving toiletries and care essentials for patients who have come in as an emergency or for the families who are staying overnight in the last hours of a patient’s life. These are generously funded by bereaved families. Susi said: “Ultimately, when you lose someone close to you, you remember the people around you in hospital at that time and it is important to those who work at the Trust that we are remembered for our compassion, and our care, for the patient and for the families. Our membership scheme is available for a month “Our End of Life Governance Group includes clinical, pastoral and support staff. The group What is included? Youwe do thought not needwas to be dentally at fitthe to join focussed on what important • 2 Examinations (including x-rays) end of a person’s lifebut andathe we would want is BMS newcare patient examination to see given. That is the standard we set ourselves: • 2 Hygienist visits required before signing up. If treatment what care would we want for ourselves or our • Accident & Emergency Insurance is needed during the 12 month contract family.” • 15% member discount on treatment a member discount of 15% is given. Director of Nursing Caroline Ainslie added: “It’s (excludes specialist and implant treatment) been a lot of very hard work, led by the palliative care team, but these figures show us that we are doing this work well.” n To find out more the Tenovus Cancer Care please contact us on 0118 978 3815, Forcallmore information, free Support Line on 0808 808 1010 or visit visit our website at www.beechcroftdental.com or call into tenovuscancercare.org.uk.

Need to budget for regular dental visits?

For more information, please contact us on

only3815 £21 , 0118 978

visit our website at

www.beechcroftdental.com or call into Beechcroft Dental Practice, 32 Station Road, Wokingham RG40 2AE and speak with one of our team.

Beechcroft Dental Practice, 32 Station Road, Wokingham,

Your weekly puzzle challenge

22 | LEISURE

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Quiz Challenge

CROSS CODE 25

5 14

14 6

24 1

3 24

3 4

24 22

5 26

11 19

14 18

2 6

3 3

1. What is the name of the 2013 film, directed by Martin Scorsese, based on the memoirs of Jordan Belfort? 2. Which town in Surrey is home to Sandown Park racecourse? 3. Which town in Greater Manchester gives its name to a pastry cake filled with currants? 4. With which relative did the comic character Desperate Dan live? 5. In Only Fools and Horses Rodney Trotter was renowned for having GCEs in which two subjects?

23 26

11 17

11 16

NONAGRAM

12 23

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1

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

SEASONED LEMONADE

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. Which Welsh town is the birthplace of both Aneurin Bevan and Neil Kinnock? 7. Who wrote Taken On Trust, the best-selling account of his time in captivity as a hostage in Lebanon? 8. Which 11-letter word, meaning not diminished, is almost only ever used to qualify the word disaster? 9. Dominic Cooper played and sang the part of Sky in which hit film of 2008? 10. Which ten-mile long sandbank lies six miles off the coast near Deal in Kent?

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

O A R

B O U

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: 20 Good; 24 Very Good; 28 Excellent.

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).

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

A R

EQUALISER 3 14 7 2 6 2 6 12 12 3 2 1

Hard

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

8 9

10 10

12 13

15 15

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. Lifelike picture I see, so to speak (12)

R N

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

FIVE ALIVE LJ

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

WORD PYRAMID

SUDOKU Easy

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 22, 2016

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

10. 11.

12. 13. 15. 18. 20. 22. 23. 24.

DOWN 2. What the drudge noticed in the tool shed? (7) 3. Lady in gold fancy hat Finding a bed for the night outside (5) at sea? (9) 4. Hardy, like the base of the Silent parent (3) birdcage? (6) Descriptive of some 5. A strange garble of letters relations, like Diana’s for numbers (7) French aunt almost (7) 6. Sticky chum identified when hiding (5) Move back, for example, after the shoot (5) 7. Praise a right-winger in a most favourable way (12) In a snug retreat we are the 8. Touching down before takemost modern (6) off at the airport (7,5) Off raced some detectives (6) 14. Burdened when riding a Unhappy about the horse (7) continental food (5) 16. Cuts possibly made about one in charge are severe (7) Bat noise we hear (7) 17. You, say, hurried with us for Steal most of the gown (3) the planet (6) Another ancestral place in 19. Left one cupholder in the the north-west (9) balance (5) Top area for sightseeing? (4,8) 21. During March aired the seat (5)

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

11 13

29 29

18 19

30 31

SOLUTIONS

ACROSS 1. Written supplement (8) 6. Fearless (4) 8. Increase (3) 9. Find one’s way (8) 10. Grass (4) 12. Desire, wish for (5) 14. Roost (5) 17. Pole (4) 18. Authenticate (8) 20. Slaughterhouse (8) 24. Encounter (4) 25. Liquid measure (5) 26. Coniferous tree (5)

29. Pronoun denoting something (4) 30. Passenger plane (8) 31. Small bird (3) 32. Nimble (4) 33. Skill (8) DOWN 2. Expensive (4) 3. Newspaper boss (6) 4. Muffle (6) 5. Submissive (4) 6. Superior (6) 7. Song words (6)

11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 19. 21. 22. 23. 24. 27. 28.

Customary (5) Measure of gold (5) Theme (5) Animal’s foot (3) Watercourse (5) Barren open country (5) Consumed (3) Senior clergyman (6) Reliable (6) Rue (6) Morning prayer (6) Information (4) Look searchingly (4)

4 2 8 1 7 9 5 6 3

5 3 6 2 8 4 9 1 7

7 1 9 5 3 6 8 2 4

9 5 3 4 6 7 2 8 1

2 4 7 8 5 1 3 9 6

8 6 1 9 2 3 4 7 5

6 8 5 7 4 2 1 3 9

1 7 2 3 9 5 6 4 8

1 8 3 9 7 6 4 5 2

3 9 4 6 1 8 7 5 2

EASY SUDOKU

14 1

15 2

16 3

CROSS CODE

9 2 6 4 5 8 7 3 1

7 5 4 2 1 3 8 6 9

3 6 2 8 4 9 5 1 7

4 1 9 7 3 5 2 8 6

5 7 8 1 6 2 9 4 3

8 9 5 6 2 1 3 7 4

2 4 1 3 8 7 6 9 5

6 3 7 5 9 4 1 2 8

HARD SUDOKU

17 4

18 5

19 6

20 7

21 8

22 9

WORD PYRAMID: Supernaturalist. EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – multiply; subtract; divide; add. Total: 8. MAGIC SQUARE: sand; aloe; nose; deem.

QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Addendum; 6 Bold; 8 Eke; 9 Navigate; 10 Turf; Covet; 14 Perch; 17 Spar; 18 Notarise; 20 Abattoir; 24 Meet; Litre; 26 Cedar; 29 This; 30 Airliner; 31 Tit; 32 Spry; 33 Artistry. Down – 2 Dear; 3 Editor; 4 Deaden; 5 Meek; 6 Better; 7 Lyrics; Usual; 12 Carat; 13 Topic; 14 Paw; 15 River; 16 Heath; 19 Ate; Bishop; 22 Trusty; 23 Regret; 24 Matins; 27 Data; 28 Peer.

11 21

solar; sora; sura; sural.

12 libra; lira; lobar; oral; rail; rial; rusa; 25 sail; sailor; sari; slab; soar; soba; sola;

Commendatory; 8 Landing strip; 14 Saddled; 16 Caustic; 17 aloo; also; aril; arioso; bail; bailor; basil; bias; boar; bolas; booai; bora; Uranus; 19 Libra; 21 Chair. brail; burial; bursa; bursal; isobar; LABORIOUS; labour; lair; lari; liar;

Down – Loses; Polio; Natal. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Photographic; 9 Anchoring; 10 Mum; 11 Distant; 12 (2) Across – Jesus; Drill; Ewers. Down – Judge; Snide; Silks. Budge; 13 Newest; 15 Rancid; 18 Salad; 20 Racquet; 22 Rob; 23 Lancaster; 24 Peak District. NONAGRAM: Down – 2 Hacksaw; 3 Thora; 4 Gritty; 5 Algebra; 6 Humid; 7

QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 The Wolf of Wall Street; 2 Esher; 3 Eccles; 4 His Aunt Aggie; 5 Art and Mathematics; 6 Tredegar; 7 Terry Waite; 8 Unmitigated; 9 Mamma Mia!; 10 The Goodwin Sands.

(1) Across – Lupin; Split; Scowl.

FIVE ALIVE:

EDUCATION | 23

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Friday, April 22, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Press pack

We want to hear from you! Send your stories, pictures and poems to news@wokinghampaper.co.uk or write to The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS.

Ameena Arain, Jasmine Gray and Ella Azzopardi with their finished chocolate bars. Pictures: Phil Creighton

Cash token is a sweet treat for Guides MEMBERS of the 2nd Woosehill Guides had a doubly special meeting last Friday – they worked to receive a chocolate badge and also received £200 in our Community Cash Tokens, sponsored by TradeMark Windows. Rosie Porter from Rosie’s Chocolate Factory visited the meeting at the 1st Embrook Scout Hut in Woosehill to show the girls how to make chocolate bars and lollipops. They had to then decorate them with sweets to make their own unique creations. At the start of the meeting, the girls were given £200 after their name was drawn from the Community

Cash Tokens hat. The scheme, run in conjunction with TradeMark Windows, will help the group’s work. Vicky Kingsman, who leads the group said: “This will be used to help children who can’t afford some of the trips. “As we come to summer, it will be very useful. We want to include everybody and ensure every child can join in.” The chocolate lesson is one of many different activities the group runs. Mrs Kingsman said: “Every week we do something different. We try and give the girls confidence to do new things all the time.”

Jasmine Kinsman, Sophie Cole and Mia Davies watch Rosie Porter pour chocolate into a mold. Right: Larissa Palethorpe admires her chocolate bar

Steppin’ out with Mickey and Minnie TWENTY FIVE students from a local theatre and stage school are back in Wokingham after a sell-out show on the main stage at Disneyland Paris. The talented youngsters performed a 20-minute version of Guys and Dolls on the Videopolis stage in the centre of the resort during the Easter holidays. They are all members of the award-winning group Steppin

Dolphin School students in Hurst created 200 hygiene kit bags for people living in refugee camps in Calais and Dunkirk

Pupils pack bags for refugees PUPILS from a Hurst school helped make practical parcels to help refugees in Calais and Dunkirk. Just before the Easter holidays, the Dolphin School welcomed Ruth Curtis-Talbot, a parent of three Old Delphinians and founder of the charity Refugee Relief Slough, Maidenhead and Windsor, to talk to the children about the refugee crisis in Calais and Dunkirk and what they could do to support the refugees. During her visit, Ruth shared what refugees were; why they had left their homes, how they had made their journeys and the appalling and unhygienic conditions where they are presently living. To help, the Dolphin School pupils decided to support the charity with its work, by making hygiene packs containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb, a roll-on deodorant, a small pack of baby wipes and a

small bottle of hand sanitiser, together with a note of encouragement from the children for the refugees. The children and their parents have been overwhelmingly supportive of the cause and have together made up more than 200 packs to support the refugees. Ms Curtis-Talbot thanked Dolphin School children for their support. “This is a complex problem which needs to be sorted out by politicians and governments but while they do that, we can make a difference to the lives of those who are stuck in limbo, living in terrible conditions and uncertain about their future,” she said. Tom Lewis, Head at Dolphin School said, “Ruth’s first-hand account of the conditions in the refugee camps really struck a chord with our children who were only too keen to help.”

Lia tumbles to the championships

Out Stars of Tomorrow! and, by their accounts, it was an amazing time. Olive Piff, who has been a member of the school for six years, was thrilled to be performing at Disneyland Paris. He said: “The Disney experience was a dream come true for me. I had so much fun performing with the Steppin’ Out crew and to be in Disney was just

the icing on the cake.” The school took to the main stage and played to family friends and children and families who were at the park. “The weekend was a huge success,” said school principal Shelley Fitzgibbon. “We will certainly be doing it again.”

A PUPIL from Holme Grange School in Wokingham is celebrating after qualifiying for the British Gymnastic Championships. The gymnast will take part in the tumbling section of the contest, which will be held in Liverpool in July. A spokesperson for the school said: “A massive congratulations to Lia who has just qualified for the British Championships. “We wish her the very best.” The event will be held at the Echo Arena from July 28-31. Lia prepares to take a tumble in a gymnastic contest

24 | LEISURE

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Leisure

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 22, 2016

Your guide to what’s happening around Wokingham

Animal Corner with Gemma Davidson CAN you offer these adorable animals a loving forever home? Each week, we team up with the folk at Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre in Nelsons Lane, Hurst, to try to find new homes for the animals currently in their care TALA

LOTTIE AND BABY

Lottie, a white guinea pig, is around five to six-months-old, and her baby girl is only about six weeks old. They are looking for a home together, could you give this cute mother-daughter duo a forever home?

Award-winning harpsichord tutor Pawel Siwczak will perform with students from the Royal Academy of Music in Wokingham next week

A musical treat and unique collaboration THE Royal Academy of Music will be showcasing some of it's toplevel international students in a concert in Wokingham next week. The event is a unique collaboration between the Wokingham Candlelit Baroque series and one of Europe's leading

conservatoires, offering a glimpse into their astonishing work with some of the most talented young musicians in the world. Harpsichord tutor and winner of the Broadwood Harpsichord Competition Pawel Siwczak will accompany violinists Dominika

Feher and Rebecca Windram, viola player Matyas Csiba, cellist AnneLinde Visser and flautist Anesha Dexter in a programme of Bach, Telemann and Purcell. The concert starts at 8pm on Wednesday, April 27 and will last for around 75 minutes.

It takes place at All Saints Church in Wiltshire Road, Wokingham. Tickets cost £12.50 and are available from The Cornerstone, on the door, or online from www. wokinghamconcerts.co.uk. Entry is free to under 19s.

Taliban victim focus of Film Society meeting A FILM season focusing on women’s rights continues with a special screening followed by a question and answer session. Wokingham Film Society will show He Named me Malala (12a) when it meets on Thursday. The documentary focuses on Malala Yousafzai who, aged 15, was severely wounded by a Taliban gunshot returning home on her school bus in Pakistan’s Swat Valley.

She had been singled out for advocating for girls’ education – and the attack sparked an outcry around the world. She miraculously survived and is now a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and a leading campaigner for girls’ education globally. At the showing, there will be an introduction by Arifa Nasim, founder of Educate2Eradicate, a group that teaches people about issues such as forced marriage, female genital mutilation and

honour abuse. After the film, she will then give a talk and answer questions from the audience. Wokingham Film Society has moved and now meets at the new Whitty Theatre in Luckley House School. The screening starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £6.50. There is no need to book in advance – just turn up. n For more details, log on to www. wokinghamfilmsociety.com

At the theatre

Basingstoke – The Anvil www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 Orchestra Of the Age of Enlightenment. Sat 23. Nicola Benedetti and Armonico Consort. Sun 24. Jethro. Wed. Back to Bacharach. Fri 29. Hampshire County Youth Orchestra. Sat 30.

Basingstoke – The Haymarket www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 Father Brown. Until Sun. Warsaw Village Band. Fri 29. The Bootleg Shadows. Sat 30.

Bracknell – South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk (01344) 484123 The Comedy Cellar. Fri. Creative Control Band Night. Sun. Invicible. Tues-Wed. The Echo. Wed. Shakespeare Untold. Thurs. Anatomy of Shakespeare. Fri 29. Stones In His Pockets. Fri 29. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 29. FILMS: Zoolander 2. Fri. Trumbo. Fri-Sun. Lucia Di Lammermoor. Mon. Titus. Tues. Romeo and Juliet. Wed. M. Thurs.

Desert Dancer. Fri 29. Hail, Caesar! Fri 29-Sat 30. Anatomy of Shakespeare. Fri 29. Miss Potter. Sat 30.

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Rick Wakeman. Fri. Basil and Co - The Comedy Dinner Show. Fri. Soul of Santana. Sat. Graffiti Classics. Thurs 28. Camberley Comedy Club. Thurs.

Didcot – Cornerstone www.cornerstone-arts.org 01235 515144 Rory McGrath. Fri. Stones In His Pockets. Sat. Rob Auton: The Water Show. Fri 29. The Birthday Party. Sat 30. FILM: Brief Encounter. Wed.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Travels With My Aunt. Until Sat. ROH Live Screening: Lucia Di Lammermoor. Mon. Bad Jews. Tues-Sat 30.

Henley – Kenton Theatre

FLUFF AND TABS

One-year-old Tala has found herself at DBARC for rehoming after not getting on with another dog in her home. She had only been there a week. She is a typical lovely young German shepherd, very bouncy and energetic. She will need experienced dog owners to adopt her, she is definitely not a firsttime dog. She has missed out on a lot of early training, but is housetrained and not destructive. She is fine with other dogs out and about, but we feel she would be best suited as the only dog in her new home so she can have 100% of the attention.

www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 575698 Next show: Pinocchio Ballet. Sun May 8.

Newbury – The Corn Exchange

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Sean Lock: Keep It Light. Fri. The All-Star Stand-up Tour. Sat. BNU Dissertation Performance Pieces 2016. Mon-Tues. Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs. Ed Aczel: The Random Flapping of a Butterfly’s. Fri 29.

www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 Vin Garbutt. Fri. The Real Thing. Sat. Shakespeare Live! From the RSC. Sat. ROH Live: Lucia Di Lammermoor. Mon. New Music Showcase. Mon. The Joke. Tues. Cafe Concert: Heavenly Duets. Fri 29. Barb Jungr’s Blue Hours. Fri 29. Jongleurs Comedy Club. Fri 29. Nick Cope: Family Music. Sat 30. Barry Steele and Friends: The Orbison Story. Sat 30.

Maidenhead – Norden Farm

Newbury – The Watermill

www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Partick Monahan - The Disco Years. Fri. Sounds Echoed The Paul Jordanous Jazz Ensemble. Fri. Dire Streets. Sat. The Vinyl Frontier. Sat. Shakespeare Untold. Wed. Mixed Doubles. Thurs. Hat Fitz and Cara. Fri 29. The Studio Session. Sat 30. FILMS: Anomalisa. Fri, Sun. Chronic. Sun. Hitchcock/Trauffaunt. Thurs. Marguerite. Thurs, Fri 29. High-Rise. Sat 30.

www.watermill.org.uk. 01635 46044 One Million Tiny Plays About Britain. Until Sat. Box Theatre Company presents The Sea. Wed-Sat 30.

Reading – South Street www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Dane Baptiste: Reasonable Doubts. Fri. Are You Listening? Festival 2016. Sat. Tom Adams: Howl at the Moon. Thurs. Reading Between

The Lines: Off The Block. Fri 29.

Reading – The Hexagon www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra presents Noisy Kids. Sun 1. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Khatia Buniatishvili. Sun 1.

Reading – Progress Theatre www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 Jazz at the Progress: Georgia Mancio and Quadro. Fri. NEXT SHOW: Suddenly Last Summer. May 16-21.

Reading – St Barts www.stbartstheatre.org 07737 477193

Shinfield – Shinfield Players www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 Frozen Sing-a-long. Sat. Acting, Singing and a Shot of Whisky. April 28-30.

Sonning – The Mill

This brother and sister pair sadly ended up at DBARC after their owner passed away. They are both seven-years-old and are both neutered. Fluff is tortie and white, while Tabs is tabby and white. They are a gorgeous pair and have been through a very sad time, so we hope they find their forever home soon. n Could you offer a forever home to any of these animals? If the answer is ‘yes’ then please get in touch with the centre on 0118 934 1122 to make sure the animals have not already been reserved. The centre is open everyday between 11am and 1pm, and 2pm and 4pm. For more information, and to view other animals in need of a home visit www.dbarc.org.uk

www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Last of the Red Hot Lovers. Until May 7. Glyn and Elaine. Fri. The Glenn Miller Orchestra. Sun. Comedy Night. Mon.

Windsor – Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Jungle Book. Until Sat. You’ve Got A Friend: The Music of James Taylor and Carole King. Sun. Twelfth Night. Tues-Sat 30.

Woking – New Victoria www.ambassadortickets.com 0844 871 7645 Goodnight Mister Tom. Until Sat. Derren Brown: Miracle. Mon-Sat 30.

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 NEXT SHOW: God of Carnage. May 5-14.

Woodley – Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org 07939 210121 NEXT SHOW: Troubled Times. May 18-21.

Friday, April 22, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

LEISURE | 25

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Previewing play, please send Scotch Shinfield Players will give Disney and Broadway songs a twist of whisky for its new show. GEMMA DAVIDSON explains

WO local actresses will be heading behind the scenes to direct the latest show by the Shinfield Players next week. Nancy Msiska and Laura CurtisDagg, who both perform with various groups around Wokingham, co-wrote Acting, Singing & a Shot of Whisky which opens for a three-day run on Thursday – it’s the first show either have directed. Laura said: “It’s really different from being on stage because you need to focus on what everyone is doing, and you need to think about the costumes and the lighting and the sound. As a performer you tend to focus on what you have to do, but as director you need to focus on everyone.” Nancy said: “We wanted to put a show together that featured songs from Disney and Broadway shows that everyone could come along to and have a good time. “We came up with the idea about 18 months ago and had a list of songs that we wanted to include, but the copyright on certain Disney songs changed so we had to completely rewrite the script, but it’s actually

turned out to be a lot better. “We found that as we began to write the characters started to come to life, and we would start to think ‘oh they are like such and such’ on television and the script began to flow from there.” The show focuses on an amateur dramatics group whose theatre is threatened with closure unless extensive renovations take place. Having been in his family for generations, Alexander is desperate to save the theatre and do whatever he can to raise the renovation funds, even if it does mean working with diva Maria, her shy but supportive other half Jack, and the quirky Willow. Alexander must learn to work with these three different personalities to pull off a stage spectacular like never before, but will they all agree on what the show should be? Laura said: “It’s a feel-good show, we have the four principle characters and a chorus of seven or eight who act out their imaginations. It features a lot of well-known songs which we hope people will recognise.” n Acting, Singing & a Shot of Whisky runs from Thursday, April 28 until Saturday, April 30. The show starts at 7.45pm at the Shinfield Players Theatre in Whitley Wood Lane. Tickets are £12, £11 for concessions, £6 for children up to 16. For more information visit www. shinfieldplayers.org.uk.

Get ready to go on the arts trail

Members of Saint Sebastian Brass Band with their regional trophy

Final countdown for brass band A BRASS band from Wokingham has made it through to the finals of a national competition for the first time in its history, writes Gemma Davidson After coming second at the regional contest in March, Saint Sebastian Wokingham Brass Band are now looking forward to competing in the national finals at Cheltenham in September. The band took to the stage in Stevenage along with 15 other bands from across the south east to each perform Philip Harper’s The Mermaid of Zennor, taking home prizes for best brass section and second place overall. Musical director Lee Woodward said after the performance: “Our performance was fantastic. [The band] did everything that I asked; the quality of our

sound, dynamics, soloists and our prize winning basses was outstanding. [Their] discipline and musical quality shone through. “As we finished, the emotion of the performance got to me and my initial reaction was: that was damn good. “The comments from the adjudicators were great and it was wonderful to have our hard work recognised. “We have created history, the highest placing that the band has achieved in its 85 years, take pride in that, I certainly do.” n For more information on Saint Sebastian Wokingham Brass Band visit www. wokinghambrassband.org.

VENUES across the borough will be taking part in this year’s Henley Arts Trail. The annual event runs over the May Day holiday weekend and features original work by local artists. Visitors get the chance to meet the makers and discover a range of new works. There are 25 venues on the trail, with the majority clustered around Wargrave, Twyford and Henley. Charvil, Waltham St Lawrence and Shurlock Row are also taking part. Venues include the Old Smithy Studio in Wagrave which will host paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs, textiles and pottery. In Ruscombe, Sally Castle and Christine Brewer will showcase their printmaking, illustration and basket work. The Royal Oak pub, also in Ruscombe, will showcase Steve Batty’s pastels and Jennery Buratta’s paintings, ceramics and painted furniture. In Henley itself, there will be a large exhibition in the Old Fire Station Gallery in Upper Market Place, and it hosts a grand opening event tonight (Friday 22) from 6pm. Opening times for each of the venues on the trail varies. n For full details and to download a map, log on to www.henleyartstrail. com.

26 | LEISURE

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Gig guide Friday, April 22 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road. Hundred Seventy Split. Details: 01344 878100. BAGSHOT – The Three Mariners, High Street GU19 5AW. Glo. Details: 01276 473768. CAMBERLEY – The Four Horseshoes, Frimley Road GU15 3EQ. The J45s. Details: 01276 63842. CAMBERLEY – The New Inn, Hawley Road GU17 9ES. Jamie Sinatra. Details: 01276 32012. CAMBERLEY – The Royal Standard, Frimley Road GU15 2PP. The Shockz. Details: 01276 27641. FARNBOROUGH – The Alexandra, Victoria Road GU14 7PH. Gronya. Details: 01252 519964. KNOWL HILL – The Bird In Hand RG10 9UP. Gary Roman is Elvis. Details: 01628 826622. READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Kamikaze Test Pilots. High Grade Dub and Roots. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. UK Subs and Anti Nowhere League. Innovation: Guv, Subzero, Blackley, Nicky Blackmarket, Evil B, Azza, Grima, Dom Antix, Dbee, Grevious. Details: 0118 959 5395. READING – The Hexagon. Bellowhead Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. SoundJam. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Jazz at Progress: Georgia Mancio and Quadro. Details: 0118 384 2195. READING – The Red Lion, Southampton Street RG1 2QL. Open mic night. Details: 0118 958 2797. READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1

1PZ. Darklands. Details: 0118 959 4267. SANDHURST – The White Swan, Swan Lane GU47 9BU. Fat Men In The Bathtub. Details: 01252 872444. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Live in the Watermill Bar: Glyn and Elaine. Details: 0118 969 8000. WINNERSH – The Pheasant Inn, Reading Road RG41 5LR. Stars In Their Minds karaoke. Details: 0118 978 4529. WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Live Music. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548. WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights. Details: 0118 979 5790. WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Frisky Fridays. Details: 07415 354056. WOKINGHAM - Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Soul Dance Party DJs. Details 0118 978 3023. YATELEY – The Cricketers, Cricket Hill Lane GU46 6BA. Jukebox Junkies. Details: 01252 872105.

Saturday, April 23 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road. Face In The Crowd. Details: 01344 878100. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Peach. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Bridge, Wokingham Road RG42 1PP. Creme Freche. Details: 01344 862912. CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. From The Ashes:

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 22, 2016

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAMPAPER.CO.UK 01276 32691. CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. NRG. Details: 01344 530615. FINCHAMPSTEAD – The Queen’s Oak, Church Lane RG40 4LS. The Broken Stones. Details: 0118 973 4855. FARNBOROUGH – The Alexandra, Victoria Road GU14 7PH. Miss Lady Blackwell. Details: 01252 519964. FARNBOROUGH – The Ivy Leaf Social Club, Cove Road GU14 0HF. Uptown Traffic. Details: 01252 542962. FARNBOROUGH – The Plough and Horses, Fleet Road GU14 9RG. Gigabit. Details: 01252 545199. FLEET – The Falkners Arms, Falkners Close GU51 2XF. The Mays. Details: 01252 811311. FLEET – The Harlington, Fleet Road GU51 4BY. The Kast Off Kinks. Details: 01252 811009. FRIMLEY GREEN – Frimley Green Working Mens Club, Sturt Road GU16 6HX. Remix. Details: 01252 835322. HURST – The Wheelwright’s Arms RG10 0TR. Mini Scratch Acoustic Duo. Details: 0118 934 4100. READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. The Funk Soul Rebels. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – South Street. Are You Listening? Festival 2016. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Are You Listening? Festval. Annie MacDetails: 0118 959 5395. READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Are You Listening? Festival: Steve Lamacq, Big Deal, Inheaven. Details: 0118 959 4267. READING – The Hexagon. Tap Factory. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Are You Listening? festival. Speakbeats: Lateisha Davine Loveface Hanson and Curmiah Lisette. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – The Jazz Cafe, Shooters Ways, Madejski Stadium RG2 0FL. The Ultimate Live Soul and Motown Band Madison Heights. Details: 0118 968 1442. READING – The Turks, London

Road RG1 5BJ. The Start. Details: 0118 957 6930. SANDHURST – The Rose and Crown, High Street GU47 8HA. Happy Daze. Details: 01252 878938. SANDHURST – The Wellington Arms, Yorktown Road GU47 9BN. The Lee Aaron Band. Details: 01252 872408. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Live in the Watermill Bar: Tim Valentine. Details: 0118 969 8000. TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. The Bullfrog Band. Details: 07946 342551. WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Tribute to Rock n Roll Greats. Details: 01276 858501. WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. The Hot Plates. 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. WOKINGHAM – The Ship Inn, Peach Street RG40 1XH. St George’s Day celebrations. Details: 0118 978 0389.

Sunday, April 24 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Creative Control Band Night. Details: 01344 484123. BRACKNELL – The Crown Wood, Opladen Way RG12 0PE. Jam session: Martin Deadman acoustic. Details: 01344 867374. READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Readifolk: Pete Morton. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Hair of the Dog comedy night Details: 0118 959 4267. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. The Glenn Miller Orchestra. Details: 0118 969 8000.

Monday, April 25 EVERSLEY – The Golden Pot,

Reading Road. Live Music Mondays: Reflections. Details: 0118 973 2104. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Three Trapped Tigers with Tiny Grant. Ticket only. Details: 0118 959 7196. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Comedy Night. Details: 0118 969 8000.

Tuesday, April 26 READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Jamie Howell’s Evidence Bass. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – Speakeasy Cocktail Bar, St Mary’s Butts RG1 2LG. Open mic night with Scott Lewis and guests. Details: 0118 957 3500. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Whitecliff –Flashfires. Details: 0118 959 7196. WINDLESHAM – The Sun, Chertsey Road GU20 6EN. Bracknell Folk Club presents: Jim McLean. Details: 01276 472234.

Wednesday, April 27 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. The Echo. Details: 01344 484123. READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Berkshire Jazz Jam with Ken Thompson. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. BBC Introducing LIVE: The Bay Rays, Mellor and Minor Mountains. Details: 0118 959 7196. STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Nine Below Zero. Details: 01491 681048.

Thursday, April 28 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road. Platform Live jam night. Details: 01344 878100. CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. Jam Night. Details: 01276 32691. HENLEY – Magoos, Hart Street. Stars In Their Minds karaoke. Details: 01491 574595. READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Silver Heels. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Fab Fish Fry with the Ding Dong Daddios. Count Skylarkin

This Saturday @ 9pm

WEY HELP FOR HEROES LIVE AT THE HOPE MUSIC Food, music & more from noon Coming Sun May 1

Station Road, Wokingham RG40 2AD 0118 978 0918 www.hopeanchor.co.uk

Friday, April 29 ASCOT – The Rose and Crown, Woodside Road SL4 2DP. Marky Dawson. Details: 01344 882051. CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. The Lord John Band. Details: 01276 32691. CAMBERLEY – The Four Horseshoes, Frimley Road GU15 3EQ. Dukes of Rock. Details: 01276 63842. CAMBERLEY – The Royal Standard, Frimley Road GU15 2PP. Four Minute Warning. Details: 01276 27641. CAMBERLEY – The Crown and Cushion, Minley Road GU17 9UA. Elvis Night. Details: 01252 545253. CAMBERLEY – The Carpenters Arms, Park Street GU15 3PE. Bluehayz. Details: 01276 63676. FARNBOROUGH – The Alexandra, Victoria Road GU14 7PH. Steve Brookes. Details: 01252 519964. FARNBOROUGH GREEN – The Fox, Chapel Lane GU14 9BN. Dan McHugh. Details: 01276 34735. FLEET – The Harlington, Fleet Road GU51 4BY. The Stevie Wonder Experience. Details: 01252 811009. FLEET – The Fox and Hounds, Crookham Road GU51 5NP. The Lee Aaron Band. Details: 01252 663686. READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Cat Brookes and Laxmi. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. SUBFACTORY: Drum & Bass. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. CUBED with Bondax, Twin Sun, Whitake, Foe Sheikh and Endorphon. Dream Men Reading.

The BROAD ST TAVERN

HOPE & ANCHOR Free entry, fantastic beers & a great night out!

THE HOT PLATES Gritty blues and jazz to make you dance

One. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – South Street. Howl at the Moon. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Indie night: MySpace Tom, Where Art Thou?. Details: 0118 959 4267. READING – O’Neill’s, Blagrave Street RG1 1DB. Open mic night. Details: 0118 960 6580. SHINFIELD – Magpie and Parrot, Arborfield Road RG2 9EA. Lea Lyle Quartet with Robert Otwinowski. £5. Details: 0118 988 4130.

LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT APRIL 22

THE GRAFTERS MORE GREAT LIVE MUSIC

APRIL 29

THE NINE MILE RIDERS BACK AGAIN!

COME AND JOIN US! 29 Broad Street, Wokingham RG40 1AU 0118 977 3706 WWW.BROADSTREETTAVERN.CO.UK

Details: 0118 959 5395. READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1 1PZ. Pay Day Disco. Details: 0118 959 4267. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Live in the Watermill Bar: Glyn and Elaine. Details: 0118 969 8000. WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. The Nine Mile Riders. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548. WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights. Details: 0118 979 5790. WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Frisky Fridays. Details: 07415 354056.

Saturday, April 30 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road. The Old Avengers. Details: 01344 878100. BAGSHOT – The White Hart, Guildford Road GU19 5JW. The Triple Aces. Details: 01276 473640. BINFIELD – Binfield Club, Forest Road RG42 4DU. Blue Haze. Details: 01344 420572. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Soul’d Out. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Cannie Man, Hanworth Road RG12 7WX. Uptown Traffic. Details: 01344 307620. BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. The Miller Family. Details: 01344 457318. CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. England’s Dreaming. Details: 01276 32691. EARLEY – Earley Radstock Social Club, Radstock Lane RG6 5UL. Dirtbag. Details: 0118 931 3965. EVERSLEY – The White Hart, The Street RG27 0PJ. Malarkey. Details: 0118 973 2817. EVERSLEY CROSS – The Frog and Wicket, The Green RG27 0NS. After The Masons. Details: 0118 973 1126. FARNBOROUGH – The Alexandra, Victoria Road GU14 7PH. Colin Santana. Details: 01252 519964. FINCHAMPSTEAD – The Queen’s Oak, Church Lane RG40 4LS. Adele tribute. Details: 0118 973 4855. FLEET – The Falkners Arms, Falkners Close GU51 2XF. Groove Republic. Details: 01252 811311. MYTCHETT – The Miners Arms, Mytchett Road GU16 6EZ. The Casinos. Details: 01252 503088. READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. LouisLouise and Mano Piano 3. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Scarlet Vixens: Teasing The Turtle Red. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street RG1

1PZ. Girls To The Front: DJ Zoe Anee. Details: 0118 959 4267. READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Mo-Sound Sisters. Details: 0118 402 7800. READING – The Jolly Anglers, Kennetside RG1 3EA. The Lee Aaron Band. Details: 0118 376 7823. READING – The Red Lion, Southampton Street RG1 2QL. Autumn Enigma. Details: 0118 958 2797. READING – O’Neill’s, Blagrave Street RG1 1DB. White Light. Details: 0118 960 6580. SANDHURST – The Rose and Crown, High Street GU47 8HA. T Roze and Co Details: 01252 878938. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. Live in the Watermill Bar: Tim Valentine. Details: 0118 969 8000. TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. Flick. Details: 07946 342551. WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Soul Rites. Details: 01276 858501. WOKINGHAM - Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Creme Freche. Details 0118 978 3023. WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Live music. Details: 0118 978 0918. WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548. WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights. Details: 0118 979 5790. WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Essential Saturday. Details: 07415 354056.

Sunday, May 1 BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. MAYhem at the BEECH. Details: 01344 303333. HURST – The Wheelwright’s Arms RG10 0TR. Jazz at the Wheelies. Details: 0118 934 4100. READING – RISC, London St RG1 4PS. Poetry Slam. Details: 0118 958 6692. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. DOOPIN: MayDay Courtyard Reggae Party: Jah Lion, Soundsysten, Reggae Rockers and Mr Bob Trombosis. from 2pm. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Prospect Park, Libenrood Road RG30 2ND. Tilehurst Festival 2016 From noon. Details: www. tilehurstfest.co.uk. WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Open mic/jam night. Details: 01276 858501. WOKINGHAM – The Duke’s Head, Denmark Street RG40 2BQ. Stone Thorn. Details: 0118 978 0316. WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Help For Heroes charity day. Details: 0118 978 0918.

LEISURE | 27

To advertise call 0118 328 2959

Friday, April 22, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

AT THE CINEMA

The acoustic couch

What can you expect from Everyman?

Time For T puts me in musical heaven

Upcoming music with Jody Mc

Here’s a band that enraptured JODY Mc with their amazing sounds. Here, he explains why he’s gushing with praise

Film buffs And it will offer quite a lot for film buffs of all ages. When it opens in Wokingham, it will bring with it some of the special events and services that it has in other areas as well as the latest releases. Next month, it will run a Music and Film festival, which includes a special celebration screening of Kidulthood in the presence of the original cast, as well as other musical-film related showings. Special live broadcasts from big theatre and opera companies mean that visitors can watch works by groups such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, Glyndebourne, the Royal Opera House and the National Theatre. And that’s not all: there’s a special silver screening, aimed at over 55s. This is a matinee showing of a recent release and the ticket price includes refreshments: a free hot drink and a slice of cake or a cookie. A Morning Matinee season is specifically aimed at film-lovers living with dementia and their family and carers, showing classic films such as Passport To Pimlico or The Ladykillers. Like South Hill Park, it offers a baby club which is for parents or carers of children under 12 months. At weekends it runs special screenings for accompanied under 14s at its Children’s Club. Cinema fans who want to ensure a comfortable viewing experience will be reassured with the selection on offer: it has standard seating or premier seating which it promises is “a mixture of luxury armchairs and sofas”. Premier Gallery seats are situated on a mezzanine level, offering a range of sofas and armchairs with a unique view of the screen. In the Hampstead branch, the chain has special two-seat sofa booths with footstools offering, it says “a more intimate seat with a fantastic view of the screen”. And Everyman also offers concessions for students and senior citizens at off-peak periods. KIM TAYLOR-FOSTER IS AWAY

Time For T are a sublime band to listen to –and given their upcoming concert list, they’re also a band in demand

STR8TS Medium

Previous solution - Easy

6 5

8 1

1 3 2 7

9 3

3 1 2

If you think you have an opinion on this superb coming together of musical chemistry or any other unsigned act get in touch through Facebook – www. facebook.com/Theacousticcouch You can leave your opinion on our wall as well as talk about all your favourite unsigned acts so others can disover them and enjoy. It’s #communitythrumusic. Let's try something new: if you want to hear any unsigned act at your Berkshire community arts centre then get to Twitter, Facebook or Instagram tag us and add #communitythrumusic and #timeforT or the act you’d like us to get in touch with. Make your post stand out with a picture and make it creative. But please keep it clean. The best will get a mention on this very page.

SUDOKU

No. 278

Would you like to hear this band play in Berkshire?

It makes me glow from the inside out. The ease the Brighton band seem to have in capturing your attention from the first note is something I wish I could bring to my music personally. As you listen in you'll notice a fine balance of funky Afro beats, hints of reggae, folk-like story lines and rock riffs, all on point and creating a stage for the front man Tiago Saga to recite such beautiful music and indulge everyone with genius diversity. The stories will entertain you, maybe even inspire the inner dreamer in you. Tiago, Joshua Taylor, Martin Lollyman and Oliver Weder make up this stellar act and I urge all to listen and offer your thoughts. The self titled album Time For T is available on Spotify and my favourite website, tradiio, where you’ll find some of the best in unsigned music. You’ll find the guys on all main social media sites... Happy listening.

7 9 8

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

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

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

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

No. 278

Very Hard

9 2 3 1 8 6 8

2 4 7 1 6 8 5 9 3

3 8 5 5

6 4 8

3 7 1

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.

4 9 6

Previous solution - Tough

3 1

2 3 7 6 1

VERYMAN Cinemas is not necessarily a cinema chain you will have heard of before. The group has 16 sites across the UK, including Birmingham’s Mailbox and London’s Canary Wharf. They recently acquired sites from Odeon and have been growing over the past couple of years, with a view to “spearheading the revival of independent cinema in the UK”. They will be bringing a three-screen cinema to the centre of Wokingham, complementing the borough’s other cinema - the larger Showcase Cinema at Winnersh. The company aims to provide “a unique experience” and its website includes a quote from Roman Polanski: “Cinema should make you forget you are sitting in a theatre”. This Everyman attempts to do by ensuring all of its cinemas have a unique bar or foyer space and its staff attempt to “create a truly memorable experience that exceeds expectations and reaches the highest standards possible in comfort and entertainment”. Wokingham Borough Council’s Bernie Pich said that the company had been chosen because of its offering. He said: “Everyman prides itself on an exceptional film watching experience, from great design and service, to comfortable seating and good atmosphere. It will offer something for everyone, with a programme which balances blockbuster movies with more select films, alongside live screenings of theatre and opera from some of the leading performance venues in the world.”

The cinema for the new Elms Field was announced this week. PHIL CREIGHTON looks at what’s in store

'M MIXED with emotion. I'm being bamboozled by a new band. Think of sucking on the sourest sweet you had as a kid and times it by 10. Or have you seen the raucous result of a pack of Mentos and a soda bottle? (if you haven’t, it creates an exploding fountain. Don’t try it indoors — Editor) That’s my head. My heart is throbbing one second, before the start of a rollercoaster of subtle tempo changes. Then next it’s being cradled softly by the guitar riffs and the vocals numb my ears and melt my eyelids. I'm not kidding I'm in musical heaven. Time for T where have you been all my life? I am closing my eyes at moments and imaging myself discovering a piece of my Dad’s vinyl, something I used to do a lot. As I listen on, the fresh sophisticated tones that are thumping in my ears wear a certain vintage swag. This band is dreamy. Long Day Home is the first track played from their album while on shuffle and has my ‘old man’ ear hairs bouncing to the beat. I feel my brain shouting at my vocal chords because I can't join in with the song. I'm hypnotised by some of the most sexiest and potent melody changes I've heard in quite some time. Then I actually feel like I’m getting a warm wet slobbery kiss with ‘free hugs’ during the next stand out teaser track. The class, chemistry and professionalism of each individual served up like fine cuisine.

5 3 8 4 7 9 1 2 6

6 1 9 5 3 2 8 7 4

7 2 4 8 1 3 6 5 9

9 8 5 6 2 7 4 3 1

1 6 3 9 5 4 2 8 7

8 5 1 7 9 6 3 4 2

3 9 6 2 4 5 7 1 8

4 7 2 3 8 1 9 6 5

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

IN A BAND? HOLDING A GIG? HEARD SOME GREAT MUSIC? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! E-MAIL NEWS@WOKINGHAMPAPER.CO.UK

28 | LEISURE

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What’s on Friday, April 22 KNOWL HILL – Bird in Hand, Bath Road RG10 9UP. Elvis night. Details: 01628 826622. READING – Wesley Methodist Church, Queens Road RG1 4BW. Witt Morgan Chorus presents So Far From Home. 7.30pm. £14, £11 in advance, £18, £15 on door. Details: 0333 666 3366 or www.wmmusicventures. com. WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UE. All Saints Flower Guild presents a special evening to celebrate the memory of Gill Jones: flower demonstration, quiz and light supper. 8pm. Details: 0118 978 6700 or 018 962 7207. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Crochet Group with Gaynor White from Barkham Hookers. All abilities welcome. 9.30am11.30am. £4. Local history surgery: drop-in for advice. 10am-noon. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Vintage patterns workshop with Sally Richards. 1.30pm3.30pm. Booking essential. £32. Details: 0118 969 0304.

Saturday, April 23 BRACKNELL – Bracknell Drama Club, Charles Square Car Park, The Ring, RG12 1BW. Stand-up comedy night. 7.30pm-midnight. £8, £5 concessions. Details: 07743 552594. BRADFIELD – Rushall Farm, Scratchface Lane RG7 6DL. Bluebell walks and lambing weekend in aid of MS. Treasure hunt, family fun, woodland walks, home made cakes. Suggested donation £5, children £3, under threes free. 11am-5pm. Details: www.msreading.org.uk or 0118 961 6107. CHARVIL – Village Hall, Park Lane RG10 9TR. Singing afternoon for female voices with Suzanne Newman. £10. Details: 0118 934 0589. EARLEY – Earley Home Guard Social Club. Star tribute:

60s/70s music. £8. Details: www.ehgsc.co.uk or 0118 926 5936. KNOWL HILL – Bird in Hand, Bath Road RG10 9UP. St George’s Day celebration. Details: 01628 826622. PINGEWOOD – Island Sailing Club. Island Sailing Club family open day. 11am-4pm. Enjoy a trial sail. SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane RG2 9DF. Frozen singalong: come dressed as favourite character. 3pm SOLD OUT or 7pm. Details: www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk or 0118 975 8880. SPENCERS WOOD – Village Hall. Baby and Children’s Sale in aid of Chapel Lane pre-school. Sellers £10, entry £1. Details: donna049@hotmail.com WINNERSH – Holiday Inn, Winnersh Triangle RG41 5TS. Dental implant free patient event. 10am-3pm. Details: 0118 966 5656. WINKFIELD – Carnation Hall, Chavey Down Road RG42 7PA. Cats Protection League Bracknell and Wokingham Districts Branch Spring Fair. 1pm4pm. Entry £1 or a tin of cat food. WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Rose Street Gardeners plant sale. 10am-noon. Details: 0118 977 6898. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Introduction to crime writing with Melanie McGrath and Laura Wilson. 10.30am-noon. Booking essential. £5. Teen writing group: Read Out Loud. For ages 11-18. 10.30am-noon. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOKINGHAM – All Saints Church, Wiltshire Road. Trinity Concert Band present a St George’s Day concert. 7,30pm. £10 in advance, £12 on door, under 16s free. Details: 0845 226304 or www.trinityband. co.uk WOKINGHAM – The Ship Inn, Peach Street RG40 1XH. St George’s Day celebrations. Details: 0118 978 0389. YATELEY – St Swithun's Catholic Church, Firgrove Road GU46 6NH. Yateley Choral Society spring concert: Faure’s Requiem. 7.45pm. £12, students £5,

Cats Protection Bracknell, Wokingham & Districts Branch

Spring Fair

Saturday, 23rd April 2016, 1pm - 4pm Carnation Hall, Chavey Down Road, Winkfield RG42 7PA Entrance Fee: £1 per person or a donation of cat food

There’s plenty of fun to be had including Cats Protection goods, cat collectables, toys, books, bric-a-brac, raffle, tombola, jewellery, membership stand, delicious cakes and goods, free parking and cats, cats, cats, looking for homes!

T: 03453 714 212 E: readingeastcp@hotmail W: www.cats.org.uk/Bracknell

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

The best guide for local, community events across Wokingham borough under 16s free. Details: 01276 682749.

Sunday, April 24 BRACKNELL – Jocks Lane Recreation Ground, Jocks Lane, off Binfield Road RG12 2BH. Woodland event: meet your local PCSO. Barbecue. Miniature Railway. Birds of Prey. Launch of Bracknell in Bloom 2016. Launch of new tennis facilities. 10.30am2.30pm. Details: 01344 420079. BRADFIELD – Rushall Farm, Scratchface Lane RG7 6DL. Bluebell walks and lambing weekend in aid of MS. Treasure hunt, family fun, woodland walks, home made cakes. Suggested donation £5, children £3, under threes free. 11am-5pm. Details: www.msreading.org.uk or 0118 961 6107. SWALLOWFIELD – Parish Hall RG7 1QX. The Iranian Feast, a play about family, food, neighbours and secrets. 7pm. £10. Details: 0118 988 5989. WINNERSH – Hatch Farm, off Gurnsey Way. Hatch Farm archaelogical excavations open day. Wear strong, outdoor footwear. 10am3pm. Details: 0118 926 0552. WOKINGHAM – Cantley House Hotel, Milton Road RG40 5QG. Wedding fair. 11am3pm. Details: www. berkshireweddingfairs. co.uk. WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. French Conversation Club for those with basic French knowledge. 2pm-3pm. Details: 0118 969 0304.

Monday, April 25 BRACKNELL – Bracknell Open Learning Centre, Rectory Lane RG12 7GR. Bracknell Camera Club meeting: Biennial Prestige Lecture: Martin Parr. 7.30pm. Details: www.bracknellcamera-club.co.uk. MAIDEN ERLEGH – Library, off Silverdale Road RG6 7HS. Colouring For Adults. 2.15pm-3pm. Details: 0118 966 6630. SHINFIELD – The Bell and Bottle, School Green.

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 22, 2016

Shinfield Association meeting. 8pm. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Knit, Stitch and Natter. 2pm-3pm. Children’s Book Group: Kate Greenaway Shadowing Group. For ages 6-9. Booking essential. 3.45pm-4.30pm. Details: 0118 978 1368.

Tuesday, April 26 EARLEY – Palmer Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 2AH. Reading Film Theatre presents: The Big Short (15). 8pm. £5 members, £8 non-members, £7 concessions. Membership £20. Details: 0118 378 7151 or readingfilmtheatre.co.uk. WOKINGHAM – All Saints Church, Wiltshire Road. Come To The Source: space for silent meditation and prayer. 8pm. Details: 0118 979 2797. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Storytime: rhymes and stories for ages 3-5. 2pm-2.30pm. Family history drop-in with Berkshire Family HIstory Society. 2pm-5pm. National Careers Service: Advice sessions to help you with career planning, CVs and interviews. 9.40am-3.40pm. 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. Crafts and Laughs. 2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 969 0304

Wednesday, April 27 READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. AGM of Berkshire Credit Union. 6.30pm. Details: 0118 958 5083. WINNERSH – Library, The Forest School, Robin Hood Lane RG41 5ND. Rhymetime for under fives. 10.15am-10.45am. Colouring For Adults. 11.45am-1.15pm. Details: 0118 979 7519.

The Big Short is shown at the Reading Film Theatre on Tuesday WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UE. Mothers’ Union meeting: Old Tyme Cinema, a talk with Peter Wiggins. 7.45pm. Details: 0118 979 2797. WOKINGHAM – All Saints Church, Wiltshire Road. Wokingham Concerts presents Royal Academy of Music Showcase. 8pm. £12.50. Details: 0118 979 2797. WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Alzheimer’s Cafe. 2pm. Details: 0118 977 6898. WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Contact friendship group presents: The Sights and Sounds of India, a talk with Kalpnama Majithia. 8pm. Details: 0118 977 6898. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Shared Aloud Reading Group for adults. 10.30am. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. National Careers Service. Advice for your CV and career planning. 10am-5pm. Details: 0118 969 0304.

Thursday, April 28 EARLEY – Palmer Building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 2AH. Reading Film Theatre presents: Marguerite (15). 8pm. £5 members, £8 nonmembers, £7 concessions.

Membership £20. Details: 0118 378 7151 or readingfilmtheatre.co.uk. SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane RG2 9DF. Singing, Acting and a Shot of Whisky. 7.30pm. Details: www. shinfieldplayers.org.uk or 0118 975 8880. WOKINGHAM – Baptist Church, Milton Road. Wokingham Literary Society AGM. £2.50 non-members. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 978 6782. WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club (WEBCC) meeting: joint photographic clubs of Reading meeting. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 5670. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Shared Aloud Reading Group for adults. 10.30am. Archaeology Finds Surgery. 10am-noon. An Evening of Spoken Word with Steven Camden (aka Polarbear) and AF Harrold. Booking essential. 6.45pm-8pm. £4. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOKINGHAM – Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents:He Named Me Malala. £6.50. 7.30pm. Details: wokinghamfilmsociety.com WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Reminiscence Club: discuss days gone by. 10.30am-

noon. The First Editions book group. 6pm-6.45pm Details: 0118 969 0304. WOODLEY – The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road RG5 4JZ. Woodley and Earley Arts Group meeting: Phil Biggs - Watercolour, winter landscapes. Details: 0118 969 3461 or 0118 969 3311.

Friday, April 29 SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane RG2 9DF. Singing, Acting and a Shot of Whisky. 7.30pm. Details: www. shinfieldplayers.org.uk or 0118 975 8880. WOKINGHAM – Baptist Church, Milton Road. Wokingham Literary Society annual dinner. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 978 6782. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Crochet Group with Gaynor White from Barkham Hookers. All abilities welcome. 9.30am11.30am. £4. Local history surgery: drop-in for advice. 10am-noon. Details: 0118 978 1368.

Saturday, April 30 EARLEY – Earley Radstock Social Club, Radstock Lane RG6 5UL. Dirtbag. Details: 0118 931 3965. FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre RG40 4ES. Baby and children’s market. £1.

What’s on event submission form Holding a community event? Running a fun day? Organising a concert? Planning a friendship group? Get it listed in our what’s on guide by sending information to us. Use this form or email events@wokinghampaper.co.uk. Please note this service is for community

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groups, charities and not-for-profit activities. We cannot guarantee inclusion.

Date of event: Venue of event: What will happen:

Time of event: Contact number for readers:

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Send your forms to: What’s On, The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS

2pm-4pm. Details: 07809 628701. LOWER EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Church walk - around four miles, with optional pub lunch. Come dressed for weather. 10am. Details: 0118 931 3124. MAIDEN ERLEGH – Library, off Silverdale Road RG6 7HS. Children’s Writing Group for ages 9-12. 2pm-2.45pm. Details: 0118 966 6630. SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane RG2 9DF. Singing, Acting and a Shot of Whisky. 7.30pm. Details: www. shinfieldplayers.org.uk or 0118 975 8880. SHIPLAKE – Shiplake College RG9 4BW. Henley on Food festival. All day. Details: 01491 575 948. WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Teen writing group: Read Out Loud. For ages 11-18. 10.30am-noon. Shakespeare Play Reading morning: Twelth Night. Booking essential. 10am-noon. Free. Details: 0118 978 1368. WOODLEY – 2nd Woodley Scout Hut, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Drive RG5 4EA. Indoor sale: furniture, CDs, DVDs, ornaments, glasses, crockery and more. 10am-4pm. Details: 0118 969 4184.

Sunday, May 1 ACROSS REGION. Henley Arts Trail: 25 venues from Bix to Charvil and featuring more than 150 artists. Opening times vary, average 9am-6pm. Details: www. henleyartstrail.com SHIPLAKE – Shiplake College RG9 4BW. Henley on Food festival. All day. Details: 01491 575 948.

May Day Holiday Monday, May 2 ACROSS REGION. Henley Arts Trail: 25 venues from Bix to Charvil and featuring more than 150 artists. Opening times vary, average 9am-6pm. Details: www. henleyartstrail.com KNOWL HILL – Bird in Hand, Bath Road RG10 9UP. Dog show and family fun day in aid of Twyford Charities Together – Age Concern, Daisy’s Dream, Building for The Future, Camp Mohawk and The Piggott School. Details: 01628 826622. SHINFIELD – School Green. May Day event. 9am3.30pm. SHINFIELD – School Green. Reading Roadrunners Shinfield 10k race 9.30am. Under 7s 11am, Under 10s 11.30am, Under 13s noon, Under 16s noon. Details: www.readingroadrunners. org. WOKINGHAM – Town centre. Wokingham May Fayre. Free entry. 10am-5pm. WOODLEY – Shopping precinct, Crockhamwell Road RG5 4JZ. Flower and gardening day plus ice cream, bouncy car and light entertainment. 11am-3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

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PUBLIC NOTICES Wokingham Borough Council Licensing Act 2003 S17 Application for Premises Licence NEWSPAPER NOTICE Marvellous Festivals Ltd of Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst, RG10 0TH proposes to carry on the following licensable activities at the above premises: Licence is sought for these premises for three days in July for the purposes of open-air festival entertainment. To include the following licensable activities: Live Music — Fri-Sun 12:00 to 24:00 Recorded Music — Fri-Sun 12:00 to 24:00 Performances of Dance — Fri-Sun 12:00 to 24:00 Supply of Alcohol — Fri-Sun 11:00 to 23:30 Representations may be made in writing by any responsible authority or interested party in the vicinity of the premises to the licensing authority – Licensing Team, Wokingham Borough Council, POB 155, Shute End, Wokingham, RG401WW or by email to licensing@wokingham.gov.uk All representations made are open to public inspection Representations to be made by May 10th, 2016 (28 days from day after day on which application given to the licensing authority) This application has been made to the Licensing Team at Wokingham Borough Council where a register of applications is kept and a record of the application may be inspected. Contact 0118 974 6358 or www.wokingham.gov.uk Under S158 of the above act, a person commits an offence if he knowingly or recklessly makes a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale Dated 12/04/2016

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CLASSIFIEDS | 29

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TUITION

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GOODS VEHICLE OPERATOR’S LICENCE Sandhurst Marquees of Unit 3, Birchin Inhams Farm, Heathlands Road, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 3AP is applying for a licence to use Unit 3, Birchin Inhams Farm, Heathlands Road, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 3AP as an operating centre for 3 goods vehicles and 0 trailers. Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s office.

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Catering Manager – School Term Time We now need an enthusiastic and creative Catering Manager to meet the challenge of developing, leading and delivering a nutritional catering service. The ideal candidate will have a background of catering experience. 30 hrs per week, term time only plus 3 cleaning days Salary: Up to £13,492 p.a. The application form and job description can be found on the school website www.emmbrook.wokingham.sch.uk under ‘Our School – Vacancies’. Please email your application form to vacancies@emmbrook.wokingham.sch.uk The Emmbrook is committed to proactively safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils and all posts are subject to Disclosure and Barring Service clearance (previously CRB clearance). Closing date: Noon Friday 29th April 2016

Advertise your job vacancy for free! During March and April you can advertise your recruitment posts for FREE in The Wokingham Paper. We’ve put together an amazing offer for you – a free linage advert of up to 30 words for your vacancy. There’s no strings and no catch. Just email your wording to advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk and we’ll insert your job vacancy in our next available issue. Please note, we can only accept these adverts by email. You can pay a little and include your company logo, a box or convert it into a bigger advert – for more details email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk. Please note: offer is limited to one advert per company and is only open during April 2016. We will place your advert only when there is space. For upgrade prices, please contact us. For multiple inserts or vacancies there will be a charge. We reserve the right to decline an advert.

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 22, 2016

Friday, April 22, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 22, 2016

WOKINGHAM SPORT

CROWS’ TOP FOUR FIGHT: Win over Hungerford means it is all to play for — Page 35

Unrivalled coverage of sport in the Borough

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

Willis wins in Glasgow to secure his Olympic spot ANDREW WILLIS admitted to feeling ‘great’ after a stunning swim saw him win gold in the 200m breaststroke at the British trials and secure a place at this year’s Olympic Games in Rio. The Bracknell and Wokingham Swimming Club ace, 25, saw off a competitive line-up to touch the wall in an impressive time of 2:08.08 last Friday and take top spot at the British Championships, which were held in Glasgow. Willis, who trains at the National Swimming Centre in Bath, beat Craig Benson into the runners-up spot, while Commonwealth Games champion and pre-race favourite, Ross Murdoch, was back in third. “It means so much to me, in that field, it is certainly a positive,’ said Willis, who clocked a winning time quicker than the consideration one of 2.08.52 set for the Olympics. “I don’t know what to think really. I wanted it, I knew I had to stick to my own plan so I’m dead happy.’ Willis, who also swam for Team GB at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, joined Adam Peaty, Hannah Miley, James Guy and Max Litchfield in booking their seat to Brazil. The rest of the squad was announced on Thursday morning. “I wouldn’t count anyone out,’ added

Andrew Willis has secured a place at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio Picture: Wikipedia

Willis. “I really like Craig (Benson), we’ve always got on and I knew he was having a great year. “There were definitely a few up front there so you just can’t take anything for granted. “It’s great to beat those guys. I thought Ross (Murdoch) might be a bit closer near the end, but it is so hard.” He added: “It is such a great feeling and that is only going to help us, especially as a nation to progress

at the big meets as well.” The full squad is as follows: James Guy, Adam Peaty, Max Litchfield, Jazz Carlin, Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, Andrew Willis, Hannah Miley, Chloe Tutton, Ross Murdoch, Stephen Milne, Robbie Renwick, Duncan Scott, Craig Benson, Fran Halsall, Molly Renshaw, Chris Walker-Hebborn, Tim Shuttleworth, Aimee Willmott, Eleanor Faulkner, Georgia Coates, Camilla Hattersley, Georgia Davies, Cameron Kurle, Ieuan Lloyd, Daniel Wallace.

BASKETBALL

Pena Garces hoping Rockets can pull off a piece of Magic and win play-offs MANUEL PENA GARCES is eyeing the perfect end to a “really tough season” when Reading Rockets face Manchester Magic in the NBL Division One Play-Off final on Sunday (4pm). Magic have been in dominant form this campaign, charging to the league title, National Trophy and National Cup treble and will be favourites going into the clash at Belle Vue, despite losing 89-83 to Rockets last month. The North West outfit are on course for a famous quadruple, which has not been achieved since Rockets managed the feat during their unbeaten 2008/09 season and Pena Garces is well aware of the challenge his side face. “The Magic have done so well this season, claiming all three trophies so far and being one of the best teams,” said the Spaniard. “They have some great players and coach Paul (Middleton) has nurtured them over the last couple of years into a formidable team. “Any number of players can cause problems and this is something that, bit by bit, we have prepared for and will be ready for on Sunday.” He continued: “Despite their weapons and the previous results, we believe we can win this game. “But it will take a lot of effort and execution on the day itself and if we can be focussed and disciplined in the difficult moments and draw on all of our experiences from this season then I think we will be in a really good position.”

Rockets are set to boast a fully fit squad for the trip to Basketball England’s newest venue in their search for a first trophy since winning the league in 2013/14. Reading reached the play-off final having finished third in the table, beating Essex Leopards 102-84 in the quarter-finals before surviving a late scare to see off Derby Trailblazers 72-69 in the semis. And Pena Garces, who has reached six finals in his three-year tenure, is quietly confident his charges can end the campaign on a high note. He said: “I am really happy for my players, staff, supporters and the club that we have been able to reach another final and rest assured we have been working so hard to prepare for this game. “We have had a really tough season behind the scenes but have kept working on and off the court to be better and put ourselves in a position to win the final piece of silverware on offer this season. “I feel we are in a really good moment and we are ready to take on the big challenge that is Manchester.” He added: “I am really looking forward to the game as it should be a great spectacle with some great basketball played, I am just hoping that on Sunday it will be our day because we deserve this.” n ROCKETS LADIES will also be in action on finals weekend, taking on Southward Pride after edging past Essex Blades 69-66 in the semis.

JUDO

CRICKET

Golden boy Olly is a British Champion

Berkshire Wilt to defeat, but can make amends in Unicorn Trophy

OLLY YOUNG fought off a strong field to be crowned a 2016 British Schools Champion. The Forest pupil and Pinewood Judo Club representative came out on top in a competition boasting some 750 entrants, with Young winning the Under-42 kilogram category. Olly came out of the competition in Sheffield unscathed and with a 100 per cent record, having won all five bouts on his way to landing the gold medal. The Year 7 pupil has been training with Pinewood for almost four years, where he continues to learn the sport under the tutelage of Sensei Mark Fricker, who was beside the mats when Young struck glory up in Sheffield.

By DAVID WRIGHT sport@wokinghampaper.co.uk

BERKSHIRE suffered a 37-run defeat by Wiltshire in their annual challenge match for the Marlborough Cup. The hosts, having won the toss, elected to bat first at Corsham last Sunday and made 235-8 in their 50 overs. Tom Morton top scored with 69 before being caught by wicket-keeper Stewart Davison off the bowling of Martin Andersson, while Ashur Morrison remained unbeaten on 43. Henley paceman Tom Nugent had Berkshire’s best bowling figures of 10-3-39-2, while new club colleague Euan Woods also finished with an impressive 10-1-29-2. The rest of the bowling was: Andersson 10-1-51-1, Chris Peploe 10-1-50-1, Euan Brock 4-0-20-1, Waqas Hussain 3-1-18-0, Callum Gregory 3-0-21-0. The other wicket to fall came from a run out following a direct throw by Michael Roberts. In reply, Roberts made 11 and fellow opener Hussain six, but

Berkshire lost three wickets with the total on 24 with Andersson and Brandon Gilmour both out for ducks. A stand of 84 between skipper James Morris and Woods put the visitors back in the game before Morris was out for 59 with the sixth wicket falling on 132 in the 33rd over. Andy Rishton made 14, Davison nine and Peploe five. Woods was last man out for 62 after he and Henley team-mate Nugent (10no) had added 29 for the 10th wicket. Berks were all out for 198 in the 46th over. Berkshire commence their Unicorns Trophy campaign this Sunday (11am) when they play Dorset at Falkland CC. The 12 players selected for Sunday’s game against Dorset are: Roberts (Henley), Hussain (Slough), Andersson (Reading), Richard Morris (Henley), James Morris (capt, Datchet), Rishton (Finchampstead), Woods (Henley), Peploe (Datchet), Davison (wktkpr, Henley), Nugent (Henley), Gregory (Finchampstead), Akbar (Slough)

34 | SPORT

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 22, 2016

Narraway commits his future to Irish with contract extension

LONDON IRISH

Luke refusing to accept Exiles’ fate Newcastle Falcons 13 London Irish 6 “WE WILL continue to fight for our survival.” That was the message from London Irish captain Luke Narraway after the Exiles moved to the brink of a first ever relegation from the Aviva Premiership with defeat at fellow strugglers Newcastle Falcons. Once again Irish were left ruing missed opportunities as their former winger Marcus Watson’s breakaway first-half try proved to be the only time either side dabbed down in a low scoring affair, with Falcons’ 13-6 victory taking them seven points clear with just two games to play. The Exiles, who have only won four league games all season, will now have to beat both Harlequins and Wasps to stand any chance of staying in the top flight, but Narraway insists they will not give up the fight just yet. “We thought we were good enough to win the game from that second half showing,” he said. “I think if we had got over the line once, then we probably would have got over the line two or three more times but that’s been the story of our season. “Inaccuracy and composure has cost us and I think that’s down to the fact we are lacking in confidence due to the pressure that the situation brings. “There’s still 10 points to play for and until it’s mathematically impossible we will continue to fight for survival.” Tom Coventry welcomed back Alex

“Our supporters turned up in their numbers and they greeted us on arrival with a guard of honour, waving their flags and banging their drums. “I’m just really disappointed that we couldn’t get the win for them against Newcastle. “Hopefully we can repay them by getting back on the horse and putting in a shift at home to Quins.”

Lewington from injury but there was still no Ben Franks, who continues his spell on the sidelines. And, following news that Topsy Ojo is set to miss four months after dislocating his shoulder against Worcester Warriors last month, losing both Greig Tonks and Ciaran Hearn to first half injuries deepened Irish’s woes. Despite that, they went into the break well in the game thanks to a brace of penalties from Tonks, but one of the fly-half’s last acts before being forced off was to see his cross-field pass intercepted by Watson to charge away and score under the posts.

Exiles enjoyed waves of pressure in the second period but could not find a way through a resilient Falcons defence with replacement Aseli Tikoirotuma passing up the clearest chance while the ball would not quite fall for Andrew Fenby after a clipped kick from Shane Geraghty. The loss does not officially end Irish’s 22-year stay in the Premiership, but defeat against rivals Harlequins on May 1 will seal their fate. “People are going to write us off now and it’s important to come out fighting against Harlequins and Wasps,” said Narraway.

LONDON IRISH: Maitland, Lewington (McKibbin 72), Hearn (Tikoirotuma 24), Williams, Fenby, Tonks (Geraghty 34), Steele, Court (Smallbone 40), Paice (Cruse 68), Aulika (Halavatau 64), Lloyd (Sexton 67), Symons, Sinclair (McCusker 62), Cowan, Narraway (c). Pens: Tonks x2 (8,18) NEWCASTLE FALCONS: Hammersley, Tait, Tiesi (Harris 40), Socino, Watson, Delany, Young (Takulua 69), Vickers, McGuigan (Lawson 69), Vea (Cusack 69), Green (Hogg 69), Robinson, Wilson, Welch (c), Latu. Reps not used: Rogers, Botha, Willis. Try: Watson (25) Pens: Delany (11), Socino (44) Con: Delany (26) Referee: Wayne Barnes Attendance: 7,756

Saracens Wasps Exeter Leicester Northampton Sale Sharks Harlequins Gloucester Bath Worcester Newcastle London Irish

AVIVA PREMIERSHIP P W D L F 20 15 1 4 514 20 14 0 6 557 20 13 0 7 499 20 13 0 7 451 20 10 0 10 412 19 10 2 7 398 20 9 1 10 491 20 9 1 10 397 19 7 0 12 351 20 7 0 13 384 20 5 1 14 328 20 4 0 16 291

A 343 361 334 420 358 400 496 384 392 523 512 550

BP 9 11 13 7 12 7 12 7 9 7 4 3

PTS 71 67 65 59 52 51 50 45 37 35 26 19

LUKE NARRAWAY has signed a new one-year contract to extend his stay with London Irish. Narraway, who has stood in as captain this season due to the ongoing injury concerns of skipper George Skivington, joined the Exiles in 2014 from French side Perpignan. News that the 32-year-old is set to stay at Madejski Stadium is a welcome boost for Irish fans after they were all but relegated from the Aviva Premiership with defeat to Newcastle Falcons last week, with the hope that a number of other players with international pedigree may follow suit. Narraway has played 45 times for Exiles and has seven caps for England since his debut in the 2008 Six Nations. “This season has not gone the way that anyone involved in this organisation expected it to,” said the forward. “I will be doing my utmost in the next few weeks to ensure we give ourselves a fighting chance of survival.”

Stevens to up sticks and return to Nottm JIMMY STEVENS will re-join Championship side Nottingham for the 2016-17 season, writes TOM CROCKER. The London Irish hooker, 25, moved to the club from Leicester Tigers in 2013 and has played 42 times for Exiles, scoring three tries. Following their defeat to Newcastle Falcons, Irish look set to join Nottingham in the second tier next season. Stevens spent three years on loan at the Midlands club from Leicester between 2010 and 2013 and the versatile forward has struggled for game time under Tom Coventry this season.

NATIONAL LEAGUE 3 LONDON AND SOUTH EAST

Lily Hill men see home campaign end in defeat Bracknell 14 East Grinstead 24

Bracknell Under-18s celebrate winning OBB Division 1

Picture: Simon Roberts

COLTS RUGBY

We Maid it! Colts seal Championship glory DEFEATING closest rivals Maidenhead 19-10 on their own turf saw Bracknell Under18s crowned OBB Division 1 Champions. This may well have been a Jekyll and Hyde type of performance from the visitors, who had only lost once all season, but they were clinical when it mattered most and fought back brilliantly from 10-0 down to secure the victory which clinched top spot for the colts. This was both a mental and physical task for the Lily Hill men, but courtesy of second-half scores from Ally Walton, Luke Fisher and Tom Furmedge, it was one the talented crop of youngsters would pass triumphantly in the end. Maidenhead put the first points on the board through a move engineered by their No.10, who also

converted the score for a 7-0 lead. Losing Matan Sayegh to the sin-bin for seven minutes for an illegal challenge did not help Bracknell’s cause, but they did manage to hold out until the break without conceding again, although the hosts did miss a penalty. Appreciating an improvement was needed, the visitors strived to approach the second half in a relaxed manner, but conceding another penalty shortly after the restart, which was this time put between the posts, did not help matters. The comeback, though, would begin on 50 minutes when Walton reached for the line amid a probing run. Things got better when Fisher zipped in from down the blindside to tie up the scoring before Sam

Dunks banged over the conversion from out on the touchline to put Bracknell in front for the first time in the contest. The momentum had now shifted, but the away side still had a job on their hands, although tireless work from Dunks at the restart, who was also the catalyst for each fresh attack, helped retain this slender lead. And though this the decisive moment would arrive on 67 minutes. Elliott Madison tried to make his way to the corner, only to be held up. But in picking up a loose pass some 15 metres out, Furmedge charged through a gap and skipped past several attempted tackles before stretching for the line. Tonks added the extras and the celebrations could begin.

recovering a loose ball, the hosts would go on to play some neat phases through the hands before laying on Mackay to go over. Valentine knocked over the extras and Bracknell A TRY each for Stuart Mackay and Chris Brember could not stop Bracknell’s mini resurgence under were ahead, 7-5. But they would not be in front for long. Losing interim coach Dan Ap Dafydd from coming to an end another player, Leo Bailey, to the sin-bin would against high-flying opposition. prove costly, as Faatuata helped Back-to-back wins put himself for another try and paid to any feint threats of National League 3 London and South East swung the contest back in relegation, but the side did go P W D L F A BP PTS L.I Wild Geese 25 20 4 1 755 413 15 103 Grinstead’s favour. down to defeat on what was Tonbridge Juddian 25 20 1 4 790 384 20 97 The conversion was again their final home game of the East Grinstead 25 19 1 5 653 334 16 94 missed, but not that it would season. Hertford 25 17 1 7 689 419 14 84 hurt the visitors, as Faatuata Ap Dafydd was unavailable Westcombe Park 25 16 1 8 675 402 16 82 was soon extending the for the visit for third-placed Guernsey 25 15 0 10 637 556 14 74 advantage once again. Prescott East Grinstead, so the mantle Shelford 25 14 0 11 588 522 17 73 this time had the range from was temporarily handed to Wimbledon 25 12 0 13 615 483 12 60 the tee and Colchester 25 11 0 14 543 598 11 55 chairman of rugby, Martin Chichester 25 10 0 15 473 566 13 52 promotion-chasing Grinstead Radford. Bracknell 25 9 0 16 458 639 10 46 were 17-7 ahead. He was able to call upon Westcliff 25 5 0 20 424 779 8 28 Radford’s charges now had the services of Brember, fit Gravesend 25 3 0 22 360 785 7 19 their work cut out, yet they did again following a recent Eton Manor 25 0 0 25 265 1045 5 5 reduce the deficit significantly illness, and Ian Burch, while when captain Jonny Mirza Tom Williams started the slipped in Chris Brember to dot down. fixture at tight-head prop. Valentine again had the accuracy with the But Radford could only watch on as the visitors conversion and now only three points separated from Sussex took the lead inside the opening the two teams. 10 minutes. Engineering the score was former The contest was firmly in the balance, but Bracknell player Liam Prescott, whose cross kick hopes of either going on to topple their guests or was touched down by James Faaatuata. hold on for a losing bonus point were both cruelly The winger would keep the scorers busy, as he dashed when Esera Faaofo secured victory for East went on to grab a hat-trick. Grinstead late on. East Grinstead were dictating the play, but the Prescott once again reminded the home faithful Lily Hill men stood up to all what was thrown at of his kicking abilities when improving the score, them through some stout and stubborn defending. leaving his former club with nothing to show for a Their cause, though, was not helped when valiant effort in the process. Lachlan Valentine was deemed guilty of one transgression too many and shown the yellow card. Bracknell, however, dug in and saw themselves to the break trailing by Faatuata’s unconverted try. They would emerge for the second half galvanized and were celebrating taking the lead just moments later. Started by Jasper Miranda

BRACKNELL: Mirza (c); Silvester, Williams, Bailey, Wright, Deveraux, Goodison, Valentine, Walton, Conway, Mackay, Brember, Yates, Burch, Slade. Reps: Rice, Miranda, Bayliss

n BRACKNELL, who will finish the season in 11th place, bring their campaign to a close away at fifthplaced Westcombe Park on Saturday (3pm).

SPORT | 35

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Friday, April 22, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

BERKS, BUCKS AND OXON PREMIER DIVISION

A feast of tries keep the hungry Crows in hunt for a top-four finish Crowthorne 29 Hungerford 3

Berkshire battle. Crowthorne now need to better Abingdon’s result on what is the final round of matches this Crowthorne show no signs of letting up during the 29-3 victory over Hungerford weekend. On paper, the George Watson crashes down to add Oxfordshire side, who another score to the hosts’ tally, who celebrate another score, below currently occupy fourth Pictures: Steve Smyth place, have the easier of the two matches, as they are guests of bottom side Chipping Norton, while Stewart takes his charges to Milton Keynes, the runnersup to league champions Gosford All Blacks. Rhys Evans kicks for posts Kick-off in Buckinghamshire is 3pm.

THE BATTLE for a fourth place finish will go down to the wire. Helped by Jake Lovelock’s two tries, Crowthorne disposed of lowly Hungerford at the New Nest and picked up a bonus-point victory which moved Alex Stewart’s men level on points with Abingdon, who went down to a 10-8 defeat against Tadley on the same afternoon. Man-of-the-match Jake Mollett also went over for the Crows, as did George Watson. The win moved the side on to 62 points in what has been a successful season for the hosts following their promotion to the Premier Division of the Berks, Bucks and Oxon league last term. Mollett and Watson’s scores were improved by the boots of Josh Roberts and Rhys Evans respectively. While comfortable winners in the end, Crowthorne did lose both Greg Redpath and Karl Crosbie to yellow cards, but not that either incident would matter in the end as the hosts cruised to victory in this

Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier Division P W D L F A BP Gosford All Blacks 21 20 0 1 788 204 18 Milton Keynes 21 18 1 2 782 257 14 Tadley 21 18 0 3 706 292 12 Abingdon 21 12 0 9 545 375 14 Crowthorne 21 12 1 8 321 293 14 Chesham 21 8 1 13 237 503 7 Alchester 21 6 0 15 321 455 11 Hungerford 21 6 1 14 322 541 10 Risborough 21 6 0 15 199 626 2 Slough 21 7 1 13 464 576 9 Wheatley 21 4 0 17 193 555 6 Chipping Norton 21 6 2 13 301 502 5

The hosts ran in four tries in a bonus-point win

PTS 98 90 80 62 62 40 30 26 22 14 12 8

DARTS

NATIONAL LEAGUE 2 SOUTH

Confidence boost for Rams after Bishop’s battering Bishop’s Stortford 53 Redingensians Rams 5 MIKE TEWKESBURY has challenged his Rams to be “confident and positive” when Chinnor head to Old Bath Road on Saturday (2pm). The head coach could only watch on helplessly as his side suffered their heaviest defeat in some 12 years at Silver Leys, where promotion-chasing Bishops Stortford ran in eight tries against opposition beaten for the second game in succession. Redingensians, who have lost their way a little after a seven-game winning streak saw them climb away from trouble, are not yet mathematically safe, but it would take a complicated and unlikely scenario of results to send the side plunging through the trap door. You would have to go back to 2004 to recount Rams’ previous heaviest defeat, a 77-8 reverse over at Dorchester. But CEO Gary Reynolds is backing the side to come good when they welcome Oxfordshire opposition to their Sonning home this weekend. “We’ll have men back from injury and unavailability for the home derby against in-form Chinnor,” said Reynolds. “It’s easy to see why Bishop’s Stortford have beaten National League 2 South leaders Cambridge twice this season and have the best defence in the league.” The contest in Hertfordshire was barely 10 minutes old and the visitors already had their work cut out.

Ollie Taylor grabbed a consolation try for Rams Left: Mike Tewkesbury

A catch-and-drive try from Rory Young was soon followed up by Sam Coleman, who capitalised on some sloppy defending from a line out to put Bishop’s 10-0 in front. Things could have been even worse for the shellshocked Rams, but two further

scores were thankfully ruled out because a foot was in touch on both occasions. The onslaught, though, continued – although Redingensians did managed to find some much-needed resolve, although this was breached just before the break when the hosts forced a penalty try, which George Cullen quickly improved with a penalty. Matters had not been helped by losing Olly Taylor to a yellow card for not rolling away from a tackle, and when the half time whistle was blown, Tewkesbury’s men were 20-0 down. The break was of no help to the away side either, as normal service for the day was resumed after the restart when Baxter Wilson twice crossed the line. Team-mate Rory Bates then got in on the act on 64 minutes before Taylor made up for his earlier sin-binning when reducing the arrears via an unconverted catch and drive effort. Rams were now probably wanting to be put out of their misery, but Bishop’s were in no mood to ease up, and would work the scorers again twice more when Joe Clarke dabbed down twice, with a fifth conversion of the afternoon for Cullen bringing up the half century of points. REDINGENSIANS: Foxley; Corrigan, Barnes, Bryant, Duffelen; Flower, Drury; O.Smith, Henderson, Steadman, Bryson, Taylor, Guttridge, Wood, Stapley.

Reps: Knowles, Crame, J.Smith, Amor, Richardson

Another stern test is likely to await Rams on Saturday, as they host a Chinnor side who sit sixth thanks to a run of seven wins from their last eight games. Rams, however, won the reverse fixture, a high-scoring affair, 41-39 just before Christmas, and they will be boosted by the return of James Baker, Matt Weller, Kieren Ball, Tom Vooght and Spike Chandler to the squad. Gareth Sims is also set for a call up from the club’s Colts section, with the 18-year-old back-row expected to be handed his first-team debut from the bench. “We have to be confident and positive,” said Tewkesbury. “We must concentrate on our own game and not worry about what other clubs in the relegation zone are doing.” National League 2 South P W D L F Cambridge 28 24 2 2 939 Old Albanians 28 23 1 4 903 Bishop’s Stortford 28 20 1 7 843 Redruth 28 21 0 7 685 Taunton Titans 28 19 0 9 839 Chinnor 28 12 0 16 736 Bury St Edmunds 28 12 2 16 663 Old Elthamians 28 12 2 14 616 Canterbury 28 12 0 16 642 Barnes 28 10 4 14 620 Redingensians 28 12 0 16 600 Clifton 28 11 1 16 687 Worthing 28 11 1 16 577 Dorking 28 10 0 18 564 Southend Saxons 28 7 3 18 548 Launceston 28 0 1 27 270

A BP 475 23 439 24 407 24 497 18 561 20 685 20 674 17 715 12 818 16 739 16 692 15 703 16 638 13 738 16 772 11 1179 8

PTS 123 118 106 102 96 68 65 64 64 64 63 62 59 56 45 5

Trio put the ‘win’ in Winnersh as Legion triumph LEE HUSSEY, Matty Wilson and Jonny Watson all picked up two victories as Winnersh British Legion secured a league and cup double with a 6-3 win over Elephant and Castle B in the KO Cup final. Having already wrapped up the Wokingham Independent Darts League Division One title, Winnersh set about on adding the cup to their list of honours and got off to the perfect start. Pairings of Garry Ellis and Hussey and Wilson and Watson cruised to wins without dropping a leg to open up a 2-0 lead. Sean Kerry and Joel Moorcock pulled one back for Hurst-based Elephant and Castle while Kerry also won his singles clash to level up the contest. But victories from Keith Townsend and Hussey, who scored a 180 along the way, put WBL to the brink of the trophy. The gap was closed to 4-3 thanks to captain Rich Saunders’ win but Wilson and Watson secured the success with their respective wins. In the Plate final, Crowthorne RBL A overcame The Crispin with Lee Lenthall’s first 180 the highlight as Crowthorne took a 4-0 lead. Crispin staged a mini fightback but Chad Birch’s single win secured victory.

36 | SPORT ACADEMY

U18s are dealt a Hammer blow West Ham United U18s 1 Reading U18s 1

SAM SMITH’S first half strike earned Reading Under-18s a point at bottom-placed West Ham United in Premier League Group One. The pair went into the game with just one win between them since the tournament split into its final play-off stage and a draw did little to aid either side’s ambitions of progressing further. West Ham had the first chance of the contest when Idris Kanu met a Vashon Neufville cross but his header was held by Royals goalkeeper Luke Southwood. And it was down the other end where the first goal of the contest arrived on 20 minutes as keeper Nathan Trott failed to deal with a high ball, allowing Smith to poach the opener. The Reading striker had chances to double his and his side’s tally but fired over before seeing an effort saved by Trott. And those misses proved costly as the Hammers equalised on the hour mark when Joe Powell showed good footwork before teeing up Anthony Scully to level. Royals have two games remaining, starting with a home game against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

READING: Southwood, Howe, Richards, Bennett, Vancooten, Andresson (c), Frost, East, Smith, Loader, Davis. Subs: Medford-Smith, Tupper, Denton,

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 22, 2016

READING FC

We need a strong finish, says Yann QUEENS PARK RANGERS V READING SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP LOFTUS ROAD SATURDAY – 3PM

Yann Kermorgant is looking to end a memorable week for the striker with a win at Loftus Road. Picture: Steve Smyth

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk YANN KERMORGANT says Reading cannot afford to lose for a fifth straight game this Saturday, insisting a strong end to the campaign is vital to their chances of success next season. And Kermorgant is certainly a man to listen to when it comes to trying to get out of the Championship, having won the title with Bournemouth just last season. The French striker, 34, says the strong ending to the Cherries’ campaign the previous term set them on the path for glory a few months later and he believes Reading cannot afford to let these three remaining games pass them by. “When I first signed (for Reading), I felt I was in the same situation as when I first signed for Bournemouth,” he said. “I said to the lads, it’s really important to finish well even if you think you have nothing to play for. “It’s important to finish strong because the way you finish the season generally gives you more confidence and a boost for the start of the next one with a few additions and a good pre-season and hard work. “At the moment it is not the best situation because we are in a bad run. “We are not playing so bad, so it is not dispiriting but we just need to turn the results in our way because we cannot afford to lose the next three games.

“Hopefully on Saturday we get another good performance but with the three points this time.” Tuesday night’s defeat to Hull saw Kermorgant return to the squad, after he missed the trips to Middlesbrough and Leeds awaiting the arrival of his baby daughter. And that clash with the Tigers marked Madejski Stadium’s lowest attendance for a league game in 12 years of just 12,949 but Kermorgant can accept the fans’ frustrations and decision to stay away. “The fans will turn up if we have a good result and if we are high in the table,” he said. “That is always the same. “You haven’t got many clubs where the

fans will always be here even if you are down the bottom. “I think the fans have been disappointed, which I can understand because they want to see Reading fighting for promotion. “At the moment we don’t play like a relegation team but the results at the moment look like we’re going down the table. “Even if we are safe that is not what we want to see and even now the fans would like to see some hope for next season.” Meanwhile, as speculation mounts as to who will be coming into the club during the summer, Brian McDermott revealed he spoke with Thai owner

Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth, known as Tiger, following the defeat to Hull. “I had a really good meeting with Tiger,” he said. “A good conversation. He’s a good man. “He was here to watch the game and he flew back on Wednesday. “He’s very supportive, we had a really good conversation. “It was really encouraging.” n READING WOMEN are back in action this weekend as they resume their WSL 1 campaign with a trip to Notts County on Sunday (5pm). Kelly Chambers’ charges then host Arsenal Ladies in the league at Adams Park on Wednesday night (7.45pm). Middlesbrough Burnley Brighton Hull Derby Sheff Wed Cardiff Ipswich Birmingham Preston Leeds QPR Brentford Wolves Reading Huddersfield Blackburn Nottm Forest Fulham Rotherham Bristol City MK Dons Charlton Bolton

Sky Bet Championship P W D L 43 26 8 9 43 23 15 5 43 23 15 5 42 22 10 10 43 21 13 9 43 18 16 9 43 16 16 11 43 16 14 13 43 16 12 15 43 14 16 13 43 14 15 14 43 13 17 13 42 16 8 18 43 13 14 16 43 13 12 18 43 13 11 19 43 11 15 17 43 11 15 17 43 11 15 17 43 13 9 21 43 12 12 19 43 9 12 22 43 8 13 22 43 4 15 24

F 60 67 67 60 64 61 53 49 49 42 46 52 60 50 49 57 40 37 64 52 48 35 37 39

A 28 35 39 31 40 42 46 49 45 42 53 52 63 56 53 60 43 44 73 65 68 60 73 78

Pts 86 84 84 76 76 70 64 62 60 58 57 56 56 53 51 50 48 48 48 48 48 39 37 27

Lowest crowd of season see Royals slip to fourth-straight loss Reading 1 Hull City 2

By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk

BRIAN McDERMOTT admitted his Royals have lost that winning feeling after a late Andrew Robertson strike stretched his side’s losing streak to four matches on Tuesday night. An already frustrating season for Reading is now threatening to end on a whimper, with the club left with just three games to try and address a wretched recent run of results. Yet the hosts were more than a match for a Hull side which secured at least a play-off place with this scrappy victory, only for indecision and the lack of a cutting edge which has plagued the team far too often this term to rear its ugly head once again. Royals were also not helped by a confusing moment early in the second half when referee Fred Graham appeared to award the side a penalty when Deniss Rakels went to ground under a heavy-looking Harry Maguire challenge. However, this was overturned following a discussion with his assistant over on the far side, where a corner was eventually given instead. And to add insult to injury, switching off at the vital moment allowed Tigers’ full back Robertson to run into acres of space before hitting the winner with a low strike on 79 minutes. “It has mirrored the last two games (defeats to Middlesbrough and Leeds) and we have got no points again,” said manager McDermott afterwards. “It is a horrible run at the moment, the last four games, and I cannot believe we

Jake Cooper opened the scoring against Hull

haven’t got anything out of the last four games and it was a big decision on the penalty. “The referee has given it, but the linesman hasn’t, so that was a tough one to take and if we go 2-1 up it might be a different game, but we haven’t got that winning feeling here and we haven’t had it for a couple of years now and in the summer we need to get that back.” McDermott would witness his side make a fine start to the fixture and nudge themselves in front inside the opening three minutes. Simon Cox would spurn an opportunity when played in by Matej

Vydra, but just seconds later the deadlock was broken. Terrible City defending was punished by Jake Cooper, who would jump unmarked to powerfully head home Oliver Norwood’s free-kick whipped in from over on the left touchline. Hull did show signs of recovery through half-chances for Abel Hernandez and captain David Meyler, but they were back on level terms in the 18th minute when the latter pounced to hit his 19th goal of the season. A Tom Huddlestone ball over the top saw Cooper and Hernandez embark on a foot race, which the latter won before beating the outrushing Reading ‘keeper Ali Al Habsi to tie up the scoring. Rakels, one of two changes from the side beaten at Leeds United last Saturday – Anton Ferdinand was the other – and Hernandez traded missed opportunities before Norwood worked Hull ‘keeper Allan McGregor into a smart stop diving to his right. The midfielder sent a half volley from some 25 yards in the direction of the bottom corner, only for the shot-stopper to beat it away for a corner. The players sacrificed for Rakels and Ferdinand were George Evans and Lucas Piazon. Just before this, a calamitous moment within the Hull defence almost resulted in an own goal when Curtis Davis clattered a clearance straight into Maguire, with the ball only just rolling wide of a post. While tidy and confident in possession, Reading sliced the opposition open on countless occasions, but would be let down by a final poor touch, the lack of team-mates in the box or passing up the

opportunity to shoot. But working the ball forward early in the second half would yield a pivotal moment in the match. Rakles and Maguire became involved in a tangle which saw the former go to ground and a penalty awarded. However, the decision was followed by confusion, and it was not until a further chat with his assistant when it became clear he was actually signalling for a corner, much to the disgust of those up in the stands. Shorty after the incident Rakels was unable to convert when set up by substitute Yann Kermorgant, with Stephen Quinn going close soon after, but an opportunity to net against his former club was foiled by McGregor. Kermorgant would also go close when meeting a Garath McCleary cross with his head, but the chance was easy pickings for McGregor. Up until now Hull had offered very little going forward, but introducing on-loan Arsenal forward Chuba Akpom from the bench offered another threat going forward, and with his arrival came a spell of pressure which would witness the winner. Robertson was given the freedom to venture forward and would remain unchallenged when darting into the box before drilling a low effort across the reach of Al Habsi and into the corner. Norwood would screw a late chance wide as Reading pushed for an equaliser, but it was another difficult evening for the side. “We started well and could have been one up before we scored; Coxy (Cox) has shot and Coops (Cooper) has got a great goal,” added McDermott.

“But we have conceded a soft goal and the left back has run a long way to score the second. Hull of got a lot of nous, you can see that and they are used to winning and they are going to be in the play-offs and are going to be a force. “It was an open game of football and it is a tough one to take, but out of adversity I am sure good things will come.” The contest, meanwhile, was watched on by a gate of just 12,949, the lowest in the league this season and for many a year, something which is a concern for the manager. He said: “We have always had a winning mentality at Reading and we need to get that back, and once you get that winning mentality and you have got a run of results the fans will turn up, no doubt about that. “You don’t want to have crowds of 12,000 or 13,000 at Madejski Stadium. It is a concern because you want to put something on and get wins for the fans. “But we are where we are now and we have to build something and we have to build a squad which is capable of being in the top six of this division.” READING: Al Habsi (c), McCleary, Cooper, Ferdinand, Taylor, Norwood, Hector, Quinn, Vydra (Kermorgant 54), Rakels, Cox (John 72). Subs not used: Bond, Evans, Piazon, Watson, Barrett Goal: Cooper 3. HULL CITY: McGregor, Odubajo, Davies, Maguire, Robertson, Huddlestone, Snodgrass (Akpom 67), Maloney (Clucas 83), Hernandez, Meyer (c) (Hayden 55). Subs not used: Jakupovic, Bruce, Aluko, Elmohamady. Goals: Hernandez 18, Robertson 79. Booked: Hayden. Referee: Fred Graham Attendance: 12,949.

Wood wins it for Leeds as boss curses bad luck Leeds United 3 Reading 2

READING must get better at “the ugly stuff” if they are to start picking up more victories, according to manager Brian McDermott. His comments came after Royals’ third loss on the spin as Chris Wood’s late strike handed Leeds United all three points in a 3-2 win at Elland Road. Having gone into half-time in the lead thanks to Michael Hector’s strike, the hosts turned the game on its head through goals from Toumani Diagouraga and Wood. Reading battled back and looked well set for at least a point when substitute Deniss Rakels turned in from close range but back came Leeds, with Wood latching onto a long ball and profiting from a Jake Cooper slip to tuck past stand-in captain Ali Al-Habsi. “I think I must be trying to use all my bad luck up at once in these last few games,” said McDermott. “When we came back to 2-2, we all thought we were going to win the game, but it was the same sort of thing as at Middlesbrough. “We had a chance to win it there and ended up managing to lose it and the same thing happened at Leeds. “It was just a long ball down the middle, Wood got in and scored. It’s one of those things.” McDermott, who spent a year as Leeds boss before being sacked in 2014, was forced into numerous changes from the side which lost at Middlesbrough. As well as injuries to full-backs Chris Gunter and Jordan Obita, both Danny Williams and Paul McShane were also ruled out after being banned by the FA following their altercation at the Riverside. That meant recalls for Garath McCleary, Andrew Taylor, Michael Hector and George Evans while youngsters Aaron Kuhl, Tennai Watson and Josh Barrett were named among the substitutes. Chances came and went for both sides early on with Cooper on hand to hack clear a Mirco Antenucci effort off the line while at the other end Simon Cox fired straight at Marco Silvestri. But Royals did go into the break ahead when Oliver Norwood’s deep free-kick was met by Hector to volley in at the back post. The hosts wasted little time in equalising after the break when

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Friday, April 22, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Royals’ Michael Hector broke the deadlock at Elland Road Picture: Vivienne Johnson

Diagouraga headed in before New Zealand striker Wood got his first of the afternoon with 20 minutes to play, heading in via a post. However, Reading did not buckle and got their equaliser. The chance seemed to have gone when Cox hammered an effort against the crossbar but Stephen Quinn put the ball back into the box for Rakels to tuck in his second goal for the club. But there was to be one last twist as a long goal kick deceived Cooper, who slipped to allow Wood in and the big forward made no mistake. “We’re giving goals away a little bit too easily,” admitted McDermott. “We couldn’t stop the cross for the second for example. “It’s the ugly stuff we need to be better at, and the ugly stuff we’ve struggled with as a club in the last four years or so.”

READING: Al-Habsi (c); McCleary, Hector, J. Cooper, A. Taylor; Piazon (John 78), Evans (Rakels 71), Norwood, Quinn; Cox, Vydra. Subs not used: Bond, Ferdinand, Watson, Kuhl, Barrett. Goals: Hector (39), Rakels (81) Yellow cards: Evans (35), McCleary (65), Norwood (79) LEEDS UNITED: Silvestri, Berardi, Bellusci, L. Cooper (c), C. Taylor, Diagouraga (Phillips 66), Murphy, Cook, Antenucci (Erwin 80), Dallas (Coyle 90+2), Wood. Subs not used: Wootton, Botaka, Sloth, Peacock-Farrell. Goals: Diagouraga (48), Wood x2 (69,85) Yellow cards: Antenucci (65), Cooper (89) Referee: Jeremy Simpson Attendance: 20,881

YOUTH FOOTBALL

Blue Coat’s trophy triumph THE WALSH Cup sits proudly in the trophy cabinet at Blue Coat. It was won, and then lifted, by the Sonning school’s Under-18s first XV, who defeated rivals Reading School 4-2 at Thatcham Town’s Waterside Park on Tuesday. This follows up winning the Thames Valley League earlier in the season. All six goals would arrive in an action-packed second half, where Blue Coat’s Callum Brighton broke the deadlock from a free-kick. Substitute Tom Halson made it 2-0, only for Reading to halve the deficit. Luke Hayden and Michael Green, however, would each notch to put the eventual winners out of reach, as a late second for the opposition was nothing more than consolation. “They were a good team who we drew with earlier in the season, but I think this time we wanted it more and the team played really well,” said captain Louis Drake. It has been a fabulous season for Blue Coat, with the U18s also in with a shout

Reading Blue Coat pose with the Walsh Cup. Right: Captain Louis Drake

of completing a treble of trophy wins when up against John Hampden in the semi-final of the Gibbs Cup, a competition contested by schools in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, on Monday. Director of sport, Bill Voice, who is responsible for the first-team affairs having replaced Derek Cottrell, who looked after the side for some 40 years before retiring last year, added: “They’re a terrific group of players and they know

their jobs, so my job was to organise them well. “We have won the Thames Valley League, we now have the U18 Walsh County Cup under our belts and the team have earned the right to dare to dream of a treble. “Regardless, it’s been a great season and well done to all of them. “I hope I have maintained the tradition of Derek (Cottrell), helping to make a team of players better than the sum of its parts.”

Romanski’s rocket seals dramatic cup win for Eversley U16s EVERSLEY and California Under-16s have added another trophy to the club’s cabinet this season after defeating Marston Saints 2-1 to win the Oxford League Cup. But the Boars needed a stunning last-gasp free-kick from Joseph Romanski to settle the contest, with the player slamming the set-piece into the top corner with his left foot to complete a league double for the season. This is having lifted the Hampshire County Cup just last month. With the hill on their side during the first half, Eversley were quick to take advantage, with just 10 minutes of the contest played when Jack Weatherley pounced from close range. But with the pitch cutting up in the wet conditions, both sides struggled to find any particular rhythm, although it was Eversley who continued to ask most of the questions. But the Saints would march right back into the tie after break and were on level terms midway through the half. Extra time was now looming as neither side looked able to find a winner, but Romanski would put paid to the additional 30 minutes when popping up with a goal worthy of winning any competition.

Eversley and California U16s were winners of the Oxford League Cup

Under-15s CALUM WOODFIELD saw his 27th goal of a profitable season cancelled out as Wokingham and Emmbrook Blacks and Didcot Town shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Woodfield broke the deadlock in this East Berkshire Football Alliance (EBFA) Division 1 fixture when burying Amir Idjer’s through ball. Didcot would push hard for an equaliser, but found Sumas’ ‘keeper Ellis

Wisdom in fine form. Wokingham too had their moments to stretch the lead, with Woodfield and Idjer both hitting a post. And they would be left to rue these missed chances when Town did get the better of Wisdom 12 minutes from time. Another chance would fall Idjer’s way late on, but an upright again intervened, which was hit a third time from a free-kick. Defender Ryan Annets (pictured) was named man of the match.

THAMES VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Finlay’s just two good as brace lifts Shinfield Men up to second CALLUM FINLAY bagged a brace as Shinfield Rangers Mens jumped up to second place in Division Five with a thrilling 4-3 win over Woodley United B, writes TOM CROCKER. In a repeat of their BTC Junior Cup semi final earlier this month in which Woodley won 5-1, Shinfield exacted their revenge with Jonah Vaughan and Owen Thomas also on target. The hosts, who sit seventh, more than made a game of it with Conor Creegan, Callum Fox-Spence and Grant Oxlade all finding the net, but it was Shinfield who took the spoils. WOODLEY UNITED RESERVES had a week to forget as they slip closer to relegation from the Premier Division. The troubles started on Monday night

when goals from Marvin Hinds, Jordan Jawandha and Jack Shea earned Taplow United a 3-0 win. And Woodley suffered another home loss on Wednesday as Rotherfield United turned the screw, running out 5-0 winners. The losses leave Woodley now second bottom, but still only three points off ninth with a game in hand. HURST are not yet safe after a disastrous pair of games against Taplow United and Reading YMCA. A Hinds hat-trick and Henry Jones strike cancelled out Daniel Townson’s effort as Taplow won 4-1 on Saturday, and that was followed by a 7-1 thrashing at title challenging Reading YMCA on Wednesday with Adam Frewin netting

the consolation. BERKS COUNTY are still looking over their shoulders after going down 2-1 against Rotherfield United. A first half goal from Patrick Gardner and a strike on the hour mark from substitute Omar Cofie, who had only come on a minute earlier, settled the contest. An Adam Williams hat-trick helped SRCC on their way to the Division 3 title with a 4-2 win at WOODLEY UNITED A. Joe Cripps and Samuel Mallows bagged the goals for Woodley but Williams’ treble and a Jordan Sawyer strike guided SRCC to victory, and they won the league four days later with a win over Baughurst AFC. Dan Leather’s second half strike

could not prevent 10-man HARCHESTER HAWKS from falling to a 3-1 loss at Maidenhead Magpies Reserves in Division 4. Harchester, who wrapped up their season with the loss, had an uphill task when Harry Shelton was shown a red card in the 40th minute for two bookable offences. Despite a goal from Leather, David Eales, Nathan Lishman and David Olver sealed the win for Maidenhead. Elsewhere, a Nikos Chysikopoulos hat-trick helped Westwood United Reserves to a 5-2 win over WARGRAVE. Roger Humphreys and Thomas Bullion also found the net for the hosts while Richard Bookless and Marc Jones scored for Wargrave.

Reading and District Sunday Football League – Results April 14-20

PREMIER DIVISION: DC Steamers 1-3 The Tilehurst Club, Woodley United 2-1 Roebuck DIVISION 1: The Pub 1-0 116 Exiles, 116 Exiles 1-2 Mortimer, Woodley Wanderers 8-1 The Pub, 116 Exiles 1-2 AFC Burghfield DIVISION 2: Arborfield 1-2 Emmbrook Inn, Athletico Forest 2-1 Loxwood Park Rangers, Pangbourne and Basildon Barbarians 1-1 Wokingham and Emmbrook, AFC Pangbourne 4-1 Athletico Forest, Emmbrook Inn 4-7 Imaan, Wokingham and Emmbrook 0-3 Arborfield, Athletico Forest 3-3 Emmbrook Inn, WS Hobnob 1-3 Loxwood Park Rangers Fixtures: April 24 PREMIER DIVISION: Burghfield v Woodley United DIVISION 1: Woodley United v 116 Exiles DIVISION 2: Athletico Forest v AFC Pangbourne, Loxwood Park Rangers v Le Galaxy, Warwick Arms v Emmbrook Inn DIVISION 4 WEST: Kennet Valley v 116 Exiles A

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HELLENIC PREMIER DIVISION

Elliott’s strike is unable to spark late goal Rush Wokingham and Emmbrook 1 Lydney Town 2

SECOND-HALF strikes from Kerry Hale and Liam Sheppard saw Wokingham and Emmbrook bow out of the Hellenic Premier Division on a disappointing note. Elliott Rushforth sparked hopes of a late comeback when cutting the arrears six minutes from time, but the contest would end in an all too similar scenario for the relegated Sumas this season. Mid-table Lydney would create the greater number of the chances witnessed during the first half, but it should have been the hosts celebrating the opening goal when Sam Whiting burst forward. But with only Town ‘keeper Richard Thomas to beat, the midfielder screwed his shot wide. Whiting would go close again early in the second half. His strike was this time on target, but Thomas was equal to the effort. It was just not his day, nor would it be the team’s either, as their resistance at the other end was broken on the hour mark when Lewis Halford, whose pace and direct running had been causing problems all afternoon, crossed for Hale to break the deadlock with a volley. With nothing more than pride left to play for, bosses Dan Bateman and Matt Eggleston urged their team to push forward, only for the call to backfire. Pressing for an equaliser would leave gaps at the back, but it was from a loose back pass which allowed substitute Matty Timmins to nip in and lay on Sheppard to double the lead. Wokingham would finally get the goal their endeavour deserved when Rushforth popped up with a tidy finish. But no dramatic finish was

WEEKEND ROUND-UP

Finchampstead beaten as Tylers Penn title success

Elliott Rushforth netted for the Sumas

forthcoming, and Lydney should have restored the two-goal cushion when Dan Morgan charged down the left and picked out Sheppard, but with an open net at his mercy, the player proceeded to put the ball over the bar. WOKINGHAM AND EMMBROOK: Woodward, Narraway, Day, Charlton, Duffelen, Rushforth, Stewart, Whiting, Parsons, Pearson, S.Bateman (Greenough) Subs not used: Hammerstone, Eggleston, D.Bateman Hellenic Premier Division P W D L F A Pts Kidlington 37 31 3 3 115 30 96 Thatcham Town 37 27 6 4 98 44 87 Flackwell Heath 37 26 4 7 96 45 82 Ascot United 38 23 7 8 75 42 76 Thame United 38 19 7 12 58 46 64 Brimscombe & Thrupp 35 20 3 12 68 54 63 Highworth Town 37 19 5 13 85 47 62 Binfield 36 18 5 13 75 60 59 Longlevens AFC 37 18 2 17 62 66 56 Oxford City Nomads 36 16 5 15 62 63 53 Highmoor-Ibis 37 16 4 17 56 59 52 Lydney Town 37 13 10 14 61 65 49 Ardley United 36 14 2 20 65 75 44 Royal Wootton Bassett 37 12 5 20 50 83 41 Bracknell Town 36 10 10 16 58 71 40 Brackley Town Saints 37 10 5 22 62 89 35 Tuffley Rovers 36 8 7 21 57 83 31 Milton United 37 6 9 22 44 90 27 Abingdon United 38 6 3 29 42 109 21 Wokingham 37 3 4 30 36 104 13

Super sub Jean-Claude ensures the Moles end season on a winning note Binfield 4 AFC Longlevens 2

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 22, 2016

result in Welch tying up the scores after the break. Yet they were not prepared for the introduction of Etienne, and the powerful forward was soon making his presence count, popping up to put the hosts 3-2 in front with his very first touch of the game before wrapping up the points with his second of the afternoon on 89 minutes.

JEAN-CLAUDE Etienne stepped up from the bench and scored twice to help Binfield secure an eighth place finish in this season’s Hellenic Premier Division. Liam Ferdinand and Brad Brown were also on target for the Moles, but both efforts were cancelled out by BINFIELD: Silver, Bradley Martin and O’Connell, Horscroft Jonty Welch as (Luis), Withers, A.Walton, Longlevens fought Leonetti, Broome back admirably. (M.Walton), Howell But any hopes (Etienne), Ferdinand, B.Brown, Knight of holding out for a n ALEX LUIS has point were dashed become the latest when Etienne fired the hosts to victory. Mole to be named the Alex Luis was named Binfield’s Player Binfield got off club’s Player of the of the Month for March to great start, with Month. Picture: Colin Byers the contest just six Leading by minutes old when example and showing Ferdinand broke the deadlock. the desired effort and commitment Longlevens levelled things up levels saw the captain, who started all through Martin later in the half – only eight matches either as centre half or for Brown to restore parity on 37 full back, scoop the supporters’ award minutes. for March. The visitors from Gloucester, however, Luis is quickly closing in on making have impressed upon their debut season 100 appearances for the first team too, at Step Five football, securing a top 10 although racking up the century will not finish, and such battling qualities would take place until next season.

Garry Callaway (No.5) is unable to stop Finchampstead from conceding a goal to champions-elect Penn and Tylers Green Pictures: Steve Smyth

Finchampstead 0 Penn and Tylers Green 2

A FIRST-HALF Danny Jordan penalty and Adam Davis strike nine minutes later saw Penn and Tylers to the victory needed to lift the Hellenic Division 1 East title. Defeat ended Finchampstead’s home campaign on a disappointing note, although they did have their chances to try and take something out of the game, only for their luck to be out in the final third. The visitors won the reverse fixture 4-0 just a few weeks ago, and it was they who would go close to breaking the deadlock early on, but the crossbar would come to the aid of the hosts, with ‘keeper Tom Bryant swallowing up the loose ball. Nathan Onreat-Wells would work Sam Southerland in the Penn goal up the other end soon after, but when a Green player was tripped up inside the box on 12 minutes, Danny Jordan would make no mistake from the spot. Things would get even better for the away side soon after when Davis popped up to make it 2-0 as the party began to warm up. Finch now had their work cut help, but their cause was not helped when

Finchampstead’s Daniel Blatchford wins this battle for possession

Freddie Barron limped off with a hamstring problem. Martin Dixon was his replacement. A late chance would arrive for Harry Swabey just before the break, but he was unable to reduce the deficit. Dixon was over with another opportunity in the second half and Danny Blatchford was denied by Southerland from a free kick as Jon Laugharne’s men continued to knock at the door. Garry Callaway, up from the back as

Nathan Onreat-Wells tries to work his way out of a tight situation

Finchampstead continued to look for a way back into the game, meanwhile, was unable to keep a late header down on an afternoon which belonged to the opposition.

FINCHAMPSTEAD: Bryant, M.Wright, Winship (Pople), Callaway, Green (c), J.Wright, Barron (Dixon), Blatchford, Swabey, Axton-Hall (Rolls), Onreat-Wells.

Robinson’s double rallies United to a comeback victory Woodley United 3 Old Woodstock Town 2

A CURT ROBINSON-inspired comeback saw United end their season on a high with a third win in four games. The centre back scored twice – including a late winner – after the break to help Woodley recover from 2-0 down and defeat fellow strugglers Old Woodstock Town at Scours Lane last Thursday night. Jock Mowat’s men, however, finish the campaign bottom of the Hellenic Division 1 East table, although the resurgence in recent weeks should offer some encouragement going forward. A loss by more than two goals to Holyport at the weekend would have seen the two sides swap places in the

standings, but Town ran out 3-1 winners. Woodstock were playing a third game in six days, but any possible signs of tiredness were not forthcoming as the side quickly took control of the contest within the space of three first-half minutes. The deadlock was broken just before the half hour mark when Tom Woodbridge put a strike from 30 yards straight into the top corner. Things got even better for the Oxfordshire side moments later when Patrick Bedford beat Ben Hitchins in the United goal with a cool finish. The visitors held the lead going in at the break, but would have to try and withstand a barrage of Woodley pressure after the break as the hosts tried to grapple back a grip on the game.

Chances came and went, but when Robertson popped up to net amid a goalmouth scramble just after the hour mark, the fightback was on. And with the blue touch paper now lit, it was all square just three minutes later; Matt Lambert making it 2-2 when drilling home a shot from the right side of the penalty box. With Woodstock now struggling with fatigue, the opposition went for the juggler, and with just seconds remaining and with a point already in the bag, the hosts would trade it for three when Roberston won it when netting from a Hitchins free-kick. WOODLEY UNITED: Hitchins, Ingram, Brookling, May (Anderson), Hoy, Robertson, Lambert, Douglas, Nichols (Mowat), Herbert, Green (Limbu). Subs not used: Ahmed, Szram

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HELLENIC DIVISION 1 EAST

Harry hits the equaliser as Finch avoid being stung by Wasps Chalfont Wasps 1 Finchampstead 1

HARRY SWABEY cancelled out Fred Tripp’s stunning opener to secure Finchampstead a share of the spoils from their final outing of the season. A victory would have moved Jon Laugharne’s charges up to seventh, but this result means they finish the year eighth in Hellenic Division 1 East on 32 points. Finchampstead would have to travel to Spratley’s Meadow, the home of Amersham Town, for this rearranged fixture, and it was ‘keeper Tom Bryant who was the busier of the two shot-stoppers during the first half. He would make an early save before denying both Thomasz Siemenczuk and Nick Ball in quick succession as Chalfont asked most of the questions. Up until this point any attacking forays by the visitors would break down, but one move would see James Pople slip in Nathan Onreat-Wells, only for the forward to miss the target. Onreat-Wells and his team-mates would

be left to rue the miss, as not long after Tripp was breaking the deadlock with an effort from outside of the box which flashed past Bryant and into the net on 26 minutes. In reply, the visitors would put another opportunity over the bar. However, when the game approached the 40 minute mark, the scores were level. Swabey (pictured) was the man celebrating the equaliser, although he was to benefit from the help of Gerry McGinty in the Wasps’ goal, for he would fumble the forward’s attempt, with the ball spilling out of his grasp and over the line. With nothing more than pride and a token three points for these mid-table sides to play for, both had a good go at each other in what became an open game after the break. Trip would be presented with two more openings, one of which he put over before rattling the crossbar with the other. Bryant was then required to tip over a Ben French free-kick, with Chalfont captain Ryan Sweales turning a shot wide from the resulting corner. Up the other end and Martin Dixon could

only fire straight at McGinty before Luke Axton-Hall did get the better of the ‘keeper – but would see his header from an inviting Onreat-Wells cross strike an upright. But back came the Wasps and Siemienczuk would have another go at goal, only to again be thwarted by Bryant, who was having a fine night between the posts. Sam Green, the Finchampstead skipper, was out of luck when trying to net the winner while Axton-Hall was unlucky with a second headed opportunity as both teams would shake hands on a draw. FINCHAMPSTEAD: Bryant, Pople, Winship (Barton), Dixon, Green (c), Blatchford, J.Wright (Callaway), M.Wright, Axton-Hall, Onreat-Wells, Rolls. Hellenic Division 1 East P W D L F A Pts Penn & Tylers Green 24 18 4 2 72 12 58 Bicester Town 24 18 3 3 67 31 57 Henley Town 24 14 4 6 63 37 46 Headington Amateur’s 24 13 3 8 51 29 42 Rayners Lane 24 10 8 6 47 30 38 Chinnor 24 11 5 8 47 35 38 Holyport 24 10 4 10 44 43 34 Finchampstead 24 8 8 8 41 31 32 Chalfont Wasps 24 5 7 12 38 64 22 Wantage Town Res’ 24 6 4 14 30 58 22 Didcot Town Res’ 24 6 2 16 31 75 20 Old Woodstock Town 24 5 2 17 21 62 17 Woodley United 24 4 2 18 20 65 14

COMBINED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Stamp’s milestone strike in vain Worcester Park 3 Eversley and California 2

MATT STAMP’S 100th goal for the club was overshadowed by a lastgasp defeat which all but ended Eversley’s faint promotion hopes. Monday’s loss at the Leg of Mutton Field leaves the Boars trailing Bedfont and Feltham in third by four points, but the latter have a game in hand. In reaching the milestone, Stamp would break the deadlock on 35 minutes, but the lead was wiped out early in the second half by a Park side jostling for a top four finish with the opposition. Worcester would then turn the contest on its head just a minute later when going 2-1 in front, yet they too were unable to hold out, with Twinks levelling up the scores with a little over 10 minutes remaining. Eversley needed all three points to keep up their outside chances of gatecrashing the top three. But they would finish the game with nothing after conceding a third

in the final few seconds, with the result confirming promotion for both league leaders Abbey Rangers and CB Hounslow United, who sit second, to the Premier Division. Last Saturday Eversley did their best to keep up the heat on the leading pack when grinding out a 2-1 win away at Epsom Athletic. Eversley are on the road again this Saturday, where they are guests at Ash United (3pm). Combined Counties League Division 1 P W D L F A Abbey Rangers 31 22 3 6 71 32 CB Hounslow Utd 29 21 5 3 67 25 Bedfont & Feltham 29 21 2 6 81 38 Worcester Park 31 18 5 8 76 36 Eversley & Calif 29 18 4 7 80 44 Banstead Athletic 28 15 6 7 68 44 Cobham 31 14 3 14 56 63 Dorking 30 14 1 15 57 53 Staines Lammas 30 12 3 15 53 54 Ash United 30 10 8 12 53 58 Frimley Green 29 10 3 16 43 54 Sandhurst Town 29 7 8 14 47 80 Sheerwater 29 8 3 18 48 65 South Park Res 28 6 6 16 44 74 Dorking Wand Res 28 5 7 16 31 60 Epsom Athletic 27 5 4 18 34 79 Farleigh Rovers 28 6 1 21 32 82

Pts 69 68 65 59 58 51 45 43 39 38 33 29 27 24 22 19 19

READING SENIOR CUP

Etienne ends Sumas’ four-year stronghold Binfield 2 Wokingham and Emmbrook 1 IT WAS not the fairy tale ending Dan Bateman and Matt Eggleston would have been hoping for. The pair brought their three-year reign as joint managers of the Sumas to an end shortly after this last-gasp defeat to near neighbours Binfield on Monday night, with both taking the decision to stand down from the role. And with their departure also came the end of Wokingham’s recent stronghold in the Reading Senior Cup, a trophy the club’s name has consecutively adorned the past four years. Bateman and Eggleston had lifted the silverware two seasons running, with Binfield boss Roger Herridge winning it the other two times prior to his switch to Hill Farm Lane back in 2013. Visits to the Madejski Stadium, therefore, had become a regular date in the Wokingham calendar, but a fifth successive outing will not be happening in 2016. This is because a goal two minutes from time from substitute Jean-Claude Etienne saw the hosts to a semi-final clash with Highmoor Ibis, which takes place on Saturday week. And it was some finish from the Frenchman, too, who showed great composure when winning a foot race with James Charlton to a long ball over the top before steadying himself and burying the ball in the far corner. “I thought we deserved to win that game,” said Herridge afterwards. “I thought we started really, really well, but our final ball probably let us down a bit, but I thought at 1-0 in front we have got them (Wokingham) where we wanted them and if we scored a second goal when on top in the first half I think we would have gone on to win the game more comfortably. “But they get themselves an equaliser and it becomes a different game. And what I can say about them is they (Wokingham) have got a lot of players in there I have known for a long while and they stick together, work hard and make

Jean-Claude Etienne (No.12) hits a late winner to secure a 2-1 victory for Binfield

things difficult for you. “They defend well and I thought they hung in and had chances on the back of great balls in from (Josh) Pearson – I thought he gave them great quality – but what a great time to score (the winner).” A game between two rivals playing their second game in the space of three days and fourth in a week struggled to get going during the early exchanges – and it was from the first real opportunity of the night when the deadlock was broken on 24 minutes. Scored in a similar fashion to Etienne’s winner, another ball over the top caused

Luke Scope fires Senior Cup holders Wokingham level just before the break Pictures: Colin Byers

James Charlton and Liam Ferdinand (left) compete for the ball

the visitors problems. The returning Charlton was this time hustling with Liam Ferdinand and would again come out second best, with the striker going on to power his way past the defender and Sean Woodward in the Wokingham goal before notching into an empty net. In reply, the guests saw Charlton head narrowly wide from a corner and Pearson drive a shot straight into the welcoming hands of

Binfield ‘keeper Nathan Silver. But a Wokingham side looking to end the year on a high following relegation from the Hellenic Premier Division have a real weapon in Luke Scope, yet up until this point had seen very little of the game. It was, however, the powerful striker who would level things up just on the stroke of half time – but not before running the Binfield back four ragged. Scope’s power and pace pulled the opposition this way and that and also yielded a chance which he put over and another which Silver did well to block. Wokingham were now asking the questions and would go close to levelling things up again when Elliot Rushforth

pulled the trigger from the edge of the box, but Silver this time producing a smart stop and turned the ball out for a corner. But the Sumas would be contained no more and squared things up on 43 minutes. A Sam Bateman knock on was lobbed by Jake Butler in the direction of Scope, who used his strength to get the better of Alex Luis inside the box and create the opening needed to drill a low shot beyond Silver and inside the near post. In looking to capitalise on a strong finish to the half, the visitors sacrificed Bateman for Jake Wheeler during the interval, but an extra injection of pace up top failed to produce the desired affect. This was more down to the fact the second session became a war of attrition, although Wheeler almost cashed in when a Pearson cross caused panic in the Binfield box, only for Silver to do enough to put the replacement off when trying to pounce on a loose ball. In trading missed opportunities, Josh Howell was unlucky not to put the hosts back in front with a curling effort following a driving run inside from the left flank. There was nothing to separate the sides in terms of effort and determination as the game neared extra time, although Binfield were beginning to up the ante – and it was here when Etienne would strike the decisive blow. “On Saturday (against Longlevens) Ferdinand, Brad Brown and him (Jean-Claude) all scored so it was difficult to know who to start,” added Herridge. “(Wokingham) have had a bit of a stranglehold on this competition and in the final last year (a 2-1 defeat) we were absolutely mugged, so maybe this was a little bit of payback.” BINFIELD: Silver, Broome, Luis, Withers, M Walton, Leonetti, Howell, Gibbs, Ferdinand, B Brown (Etienne), Knight Subs not used: Adams, Horscroft, Davis, Vaughan WOKINGHAM AND EMMBROOK: Woodward, Carter, Parsons, Day (c), Charlton, Pearson, (Broadhurst), Whiting, Rushforth, Scope, Butler, S.Bateman (Wheeler) Subs: Wheeler, Broadhurst, Stewart, McNelly

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READING FC FC READING Everything about this place is great – McNelly McShane and charged for Boro bust-up Royals duo setWilliams to return for Birmingham clash

CLIVE McNELLY believes he is the right man to take Wokingham and PAUL McSHANE believes writesTuesday’s LEWIS Emmbrook forward, By TOM CROCKER on-pitch bust-up with Danny RUDD. tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk Williams has been “blown out But the new first-team manager of proportion” despite the BRIAN is taken set on to be insists heMCDERMOTT would–not have pairrole being charged by boosted by the return ofthe both Deniss the had departing bosses Dan FA, writes LEWIS RUDD. Rakels and Garath McCleary Bateman and Matt Eggleston not from Theto Royals captain injury foroffer this weekend’s agreed moral support. visit of and team-mate Williams Birmingham McNelly isCity. part of the furniture at became involved uglyrewarded Latvian international Rakels hasfor the Sumas and hasinbeen scenes during the partwith missed the last three games a his such loyalty with alatter promotion from of the contest at The while Riverside hamstring McCleary current jobcomplaint of looking after the Reserve Stadium, a game the visitors lost (pictured right) has been sidelined team – who defeated Stokenchurch after Adam struck since the 1-0 endForshaw of March with calf Reserves last weekend toaabook 94thplace minute problem. their in winner. the final of the Hellenic Both beennews for But it players is not positive President’s Cup.allhave reprimanded and fined Royals fans as itmain remains Although his aimunclear is to try by the the case whether Hal but Robson-Kanu will be fit and get club, Wokingham and Emmbrook has not to yet been closed,Division enough return before the end of promoted from Hellenic 1 the withnext theopening FA charging the season, the heismay East season, thepossibility incumbent pair with violent conduct on the have played his last gamefor for theclub. club. predicting a bright future Thursday. Thesaid: Wales international hastaken been He “I would only have The players until set-up 6pm on involved in the have first team at Saturdayfor toseven respond. If found guilty, Reading years but is yet to FOOTBALL both could face three-match bans

Bateman FOOTBALL FOOTBALL

the job on if I knew Dan and Matt were Premier Division, with the club only will be looking to strengthen.” going to be around in the background able to play at this level in 2015/16 due Sumas chairman Graham Tabor, blown out ofthanked proportion.” moment, saying: “It wasHenley madness (on IT ALL STARTED Frustrations came a head when HOW to support me and helptome. to a aground share with Town. meanwhile, McNelly’s desperate to try and get back before sign contract extension with his McShane went on towork explain Wednesday) and I could not believe Royals defended a the throw in,iswith “Everything about club This would secure the club’s future predecessors for their overhow the My first job was helping out in a local steak restaurant where I learned to select and cook what I think the perfect theisend of thesteak. season.” current deal set tohow expire this summer. there isI no illmost. feelings between the two thethe reaction it was he said the I moved toskipper Reading appearing 30 years ago to andnudge to my disappointment was not togetting,” find athe restaurant that servedpast the food loved looking positive. in while onis pitch three years. The 26-year-old picked up the Andborough, while theable winger expected who are both expected to be hours before the association head intosaying was to are open aWilliams’ steakhouse that serve the quality of be steak I had experiencedplayers, all He those years back. “AMy lotdream ofhis people to usinitReadingto itjust is would hoped will boosted also believes club have during the 1-1 the draw with Cardiff return toMcNelly fitness time for thisin Readinginjury Finally, I had the before opportunity tolatter buy Colleys Supper a restaurant hadin been established for over 20 years in aReading beautiful make the trip involved when stepped in. that the reacted byRooms, is a step backwards going down and by a number of first-team regulars made the right call in appointing Clive, City on March 19 and has not featured summer’s European Championships, Victorian building that I had always admired. I knew I had the chance to achieve my dream. I opened Barts in Feb 2011 and with the help of my to Elland Road a game with Leeds “It was just oneimmediate of those things pushing his colleague in leaving thewegroundshare at Henley committing their futures to atmosphere saying: “He is afor good motivator fantastic team have been serving exceptional steaksMcDermott in a great environment ever since. The décor and continually evolving for clubisor country since – pullingand admits he is unsure United on Saturday (3pm). where me andand Danny hadtoa say word thepatrons. face. thanks to ourcome loyal The menu hasRoad, grown sincethe we cause. first opened I am proud of food has only gotbits, better. Town and back to Lowther we love him to so we are looking of the recent Wales friendlies whether the 26-year-old will be that the qualityout Due totothe proximity of fixture, on“Ithe pitch andall wethe areplayers both very Both apologised tothree one but I Here see it as one step back to go am hoping will forward next season, bigthe time. Northern Ireland and Ukraine available for his clubthebetween now aroundagainst at Barts, we bring together dishes inspired by cuisines from all over world but centered our renowned steaks both are expected beEggleston) available took passionate and had a sort another after the game, steps forward, with the lighting andin offering stay as steaks thereplayers are lot ofwe boys who “They (Batemanto and and seafood. We specialise youMay. the of theahighest quality, provided by local butchers, respectively. and despite the FA charge. of coming together and maybe has it going was not enough to aged a minimum of 28have days, grilled for superior taste everythingbut else on atfor the club. been with me since the and ageitsucculence. of six non the partnership a couple of years FOUR youngsters have extended It isflame understood he is suffering from supposeayou have to say sorry spilt overso a little bit, butme then it and was “It is satisfy a greatBrian place McDermott, to be at the who seven, they know ago“Iand season last for their loanhad dealsfantastic away from Reading aorcalf problem, although hiswell boss was that couple ofcompliment seconds where it got out time to get back into position and he held talks with the players on Miahhopefully Jamshed welcomes you tocan Barts Grillthem & Restaurant moment.” we get to stay,” season. They one another. until the end of the season. unclear of the actual prognosis. of hand,” centre back. carrying on with the game. Wednesday, While McNelly will where be busythey trying added. “Thereadded isHyam a bigthe difference between Dominic will continue his “I have no idea,” said the manager. “But we’re “But Danny a passionate player were return both hittoinStep theFive pocket to plot the side’s “I have hadhe’ll aisbrief chat with Division 1 Eastboth andpassionate the Premierplayers spell at League Two Dagenham and “Hopefully get some timethe for and wantwith to doathe best for Reading and Iand lovethe hisgeneral passionconsensus and it wasisjust reminded of playing their football nextand term, he is also boys Division, lot fixtures and a where he of has made 10 us and then be ready for the Euros. that Redbridge, Football Club andThey at least we’re one of things it spilt over responsibilities to boththe the an integral part in trying to secure they arethose alldon’t going to where stay, which would lot of travelling. have families appearances so far, while in the sameto “I really know, I haven’t put a showing weand were not letting the and it was because we wanted to win club and needed its supporters. planning permission to install be great. think about we wish all the division Rowan Liburd willthem stay at time frame on that at all.” season peter out. the“But game - itthings wasn’tcan as ifhappen we were Reactionat toLowther the incident a stand and floodlights then and best. Wycombe Wanderers until May. He continued: “He’s getting “We have five games to play goingclubs up there just toto make up the on social media was mixed, Road. other “They are got still to beleft involved George Legg hasgoing extended his deal treatment atare thegoing moment.talk to them, and we want to finish the season on a numbers. but Republic of Such requirements areIreland needed without anytell shadow of a than doubt. they areBorough both Sumas through and while Liam Kelly “You can me better anyone at– Gosport high and try and get some momentum “It was one of those heatstay of the we international has since if they are to returnMcShane to the Hellenic “But hopefully through.” remains at Bath City. (what’s wrong withthey him)will becauseand I’m going into pre-season.” moment sort of things and it was all had his say on the altercation, which not good with injuries. n For more Reading FC news, turn to n FOR more Reading FC news, turn done and dusted after the game and he put down to two passionate players “Knowing him as I do, he’ll be pages 36 and 37. to pages 36 and 37. there was nothing in it – it was totally becoming embroiled in the heat of the

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and Eggleston bring three-year reign as Sumas bosses to an end Sumas’ bosses are set for talks on their futures, SUNDAY ROASTbut Eggleston insists...

Our sadness at stepping down Future of Sumas duo is decided ‘The rebuilding work ...But whether Eggleston and Bateman stay or starts go is yet to benow’ revealed

By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk

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By RUDD ByLEWIS LEWIS RUDD enjoyed it.“We DAN BATEMAN admitted he was “We never gave up. There were lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk blame officials, sometimes “Things haven’t gone as well asyou we have got to say struggling to hold back the tears when times, particularly around Christmas, Roast Lamb 8.95 we weren’t good enough. expected, but this clubOvernight is strong and announcing his decision to stand marinated lamb, served with sauté mixed vegetables (Baby Carrots, Broccoli, when I could have walked away – a THE at Wokinghamand and there is some THEREBUILDING FUTURE work of Wokingham “I cannot fault these players, Cauliflower, Beans), oven roasted potatoes, honey glazed roasted parsnips, Yorkshire good players atGreen this club though. down as Wokingham and Emmbrook Emmbrook theirMatt relegation from theand I hope“Conversations lot of managers in our position would pudding, topped with Barts homemade mint gravy. Accompanied by mint sauce. Emmbrookfollowing joint-bosses Eggleston need to be had with the they stay and I hope they joint-manager earlier this week. Hellenic Division starts Matt want toclub. have walked away. and DanPremier Bateman will not be now, revealed Myself and Dan are trying to get a put it right.” Both he and Matt Eggleston brought Eggleston hasof said. “But we were determined we were TAKE THE DAY OFF FROM COOKING THIS WEEK AND TREAT YOURSELF, FAMILY OR until the end the season. meeting with the committee, but thick and Since taking up the reigns in 2013, their three-year reign in the Sumas’ FRIENDS TO A SUPERB SUNDAY ROAST But whether he the andpair fellow manager Danthe pairfast going to see this out for the club and Talks between and the games every two days don’t help, but we have taken the club back up to hot-seat to an end on Monday night, Bateman will be responsible for the every fixture we had to fulfil. We had Sumas’ took place atrestoring the willfootball sit down with the committee Step Five and have twice won and have a with thecommittee pair breaking the news to club’s fortunes remains toasbetoseen, as the pair scratch sides out at times, Matt has weekend and a decision whether chat with them and find out where they want the Reading Senior Cup. the squad just moments after the intend to sit will down the Sumas’ hierarchy Lifting or not they bewith tasked leading played three or four times and I almost to go where want to go. theand latter for awe fifth season 2-1 Reading Senior Cup losswith to near and discuss their futures. the club again next season has been “Going back to Lowther Road will be the got on the pitch a couple of times. running is not out of the question, neighbours Binfield. The but duo ithave in the hot-seat made, has been been agreed thebeensince either, with WWW.BARTSGRILL.COM choice. “I am proud we managed to do it. Wokingham and The hierarchy, however, have 2013, and will during this time have taken 0118 966 2268 outcome bethe kept under wraps for “We been down “Last year (2014/15) was my best Emmbrook sethave to put the relegated, defence ofwe will go swift to appoint duo’s replacement, Wokingham and Emmbrook back up to Stepthis crown the time and we willline rebuild.” season in football ever and anyone on the when away at with club being. stalwart Clive McNelly FiveWokingham football, as and well as twice winning the Binfield inEggleston went on to say how he is the competition’s would go a long way to beat it because stepping up from hisEmmbrook’s current position Reading Cup. Premier Division return toSenior the Hellenic confident of Wokingham’s quarter-final on Monday (7.45pm).chances of securing it is my club. as Reserve team boss. But theira first jaunt in to thehas Premier following two-year promotion from Division 1 East next season, Before this, however, the Sumas “I gave it my heart and soul.” Although intendingabsence to stay on Division has beenrelinquishing largely onethe tohis forget, withhave one been a disastrous one, with club adding: “We’re good final chance to tryenough and for Division 1 And in McNelly, the club could not in some capacity, the side expected finish bottom winning just three times farforof the improve East, easy. their points tally in the league Dan Bateman (left) and Matt Eggleston havehave spoken with the Sumas’ committe anyone more suited to the about role, role represents thetoend of thus an era standings withhas just three left during a season which will seeofthe “We’re enough forwith that and wetheir futures, which will be unveiled at the end outgood of the division of the season Picture: Phil Creighton according to the departing Bateman, Bateman, who been a games part the to play.when bowing While things have gone to plan on the side finish bottom of not theyears, table holding and proved it over the Town past two years and a homehad game against Lydney club’s fabric for some 15 who will be there for the new manager pitch, off it continues relegated touncertainty Division East. speaking with theTriangle players everyone wants for this to league, you know how many only justhe back from another knock, at the Invesco Perpetual on positions such as boss1of the Alliedto surround anytime needs him. the Whether club’sside, work to bringand Lowther Road Eggleston Bateman stay, but you just don’t know. games you play and if you do well (3pm). needed stitches a wound Counties assistant manager and up Saturday “Clivefive is more thantocapable ofjust doing to theeither required (FA) will pay Football the price,Association choose to step “Pre-season people come sniffinginand the cup then that is one of those The fixture is the fourth Eggleston below he suffered when first-team manager. the job.the Heeye, is a which lovely guy,” he added. standards. down or be given shot at trying offering(left) a bitand of money and we’re probably things. and depleted charges will DanBateman’s Bateman Matt Eggleston enjoyed three successful years as Wokingham competing in anhave aerial challenge, Naturally, it wasanot easy for to “The players been with usand for a A planning application a stand secure promotion remains tobuild be seen. the in that league not paying“We anyplayed Saturday-Tuesday right face the only spaceclub of just nine days. andin Emmbrook managers . Inset: Clive McNelly Picture: Phil Creighton it is expected willgot beinvolved rested inat order Bateman to step aside, butto has done so and long time and he Clive the add floodlights atafter the Emmbrook Sports and It has But speaking Tuesday’s money.” up to Christmas, but for some reason been a similar scenario in order to spend more time with2-0 his to trytime and get fit for tripbeen to Hill same as me, so the he has here Social (ESSC) venue has been filed with loss toClub Ardley United, Eggleston But order the club to grow Division, and we stopped playing for others in the division that is where Iin need to for be –as and want where theyTuesday finished nights bottom young family, something which iswas not Farm Lane. an awful long time. Wokingham Council and is expected farbefrom shyBorough when admitting the past theto future, Wokingham and and amassed now everyone playing Saturday, Hellenic bossesin look complete a to be. flourish and just 13ispoints, the pair to begrudged. Eggleston said: “Hopefully hehim will be “Players will want to play for to be in the near future.to say nine months have been difficult a stable home not look to beback Tuesday, Thursday, congested of fixtures due “It is Emmbrook onlybacklog fair to need the club and to the andcan fondlySaturday. on their time in It isdiscussed a similar situation for alright for Monday. and that is what we want. The club is not too, everyone happy with the plans, theBut least. league need to look lodging elsewhere, like they arecharge. at“The present to postponements over thejust winter lads to say I cannot commit now while Since replacing RogeratHerridge Eggleston, while is both have “Obviously the Binfield game does in very good hands. with Wokingham Town Councilsat raising “Myself and Dan (Bateman) themselves, are theunder only league itmonths. looks with to goHenley forwardTown, and itsays wasEggleston. not an back in 2013 they the Sumas, their at have priority, purely because the recently been handed promotions in “I’m not stepping away, so I will help objections could the project.easy downrespective withwhich the committee on Saturday. thispaying level that finish at the “A club like useye cannot afford With more than one clearly on to keep decision, guidance, twicedoesn’t won the Senior Cupend their day jobs.scupper league has down and we Clive out asgone, muchwe’re as I can, and I know There is a plan, we have agreed we Yet all is not doom and gloom. of April and they are asking people out to places like Henley and not make any the Binfield clash, Eggleston admitted “When telling the lads after the at Madejski Stadium and secured “My family and job need to come will finish bottom.” Matt will do the same.” Matt Eggleston and fellow joint boss Dan Bateman are keen to sit will keep itmoment,” in were houselast until theout endatofnear game The Sumas night to play fourfrom games in nine days. I just he would be ‘happy’ Wokingham money behind the bar. andand promotion I had a lump inifmy throat Hellenic Division 1 first at the said Bateman news, n FOR FORmore more localfootball football news, with the committee at Wokingham and local Emmbrook following the season, but decision has been neighbours Town looking to booktears don’tinunderstand where the mentality Emmbrook did not have toclub. contest isI what keeps thesethe club’s East going and in my“That eyes. love the 2014/15 asdown champions. shortly afterBracknell the the side’s four-year 37-39. turn to pages 38 and 39. the club’s relegation Picture: Vivienne Johnson made. their place in the Hellenic of But the league is.” Lydney game. when you have clubhouse buying “I have been with thefans clubin15the or 16 as stronghold onthe thesemi-final Senior Cupofcame to Published Published by by XnXn “This a great club, thisonclub has Supplementary Cup, while April 18 theyyears Jake Butler The League sooner it keeps thefinishes club going. – beers IHellenic am Wokingham through and Bateman an end atisHill Farm Lane. Published by Ltd, Xn Media Crown ISSN 2058-5268 ISSN 2058-5268 Media Ltd, Crown ISSN 2058-5268 been well supported spectators resume their defence of the Senior Cup when could the than most at this level within the maybe we can look out missthe Media Ltd, Crown House, 231 Kings through, I “Then am a one-club man and amto helpexplained, “The second half ofby the season has 15 16 House, 231 Kings 14 House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 and they gostruggle to all away games away Binfield inthe the quarter-finals. non-league – hence theand busy game with Lydney Road, Reading RG1 players travel costs but at not going to pyramid putwith another tracksuit onthings,rigours of Step been aatreal and my job andand Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Printed 4LS. Printed at at weAnd know, the players, myself andhow Dan few weeks for most itclubs – and the aspockets, hefootball recovers Eggleston also explained the moment is coming out of theirFive elsewhere. 4LS.Newbury Printed at family have really suffered because ofthe signs Newbury Weekly Weekly Newbury Weekly News, Newspaper have club down. called for some fromtheir athe head within squad also appear positive, but isjoint-manager comeshas out of the myself and Dan’s pockets, News, Newspaper “I willitsupport from sidelines took toll it, andlet itthe isthe the same with Matt. News, Newspaper House, Faraday House, Faraday Road, haven’t shown what we can common sense to be shown. etc. injury mindful ofgot how volatile this level of football treasurers, and helpchairman’s, out where I can.” on bothsustained the “I“We have a three-year-old boy House, Faraday Road, Road, Newbury, Newbury, Berkshire Newbury, Berkshire do in the league and hopefully next Berkshire RG14 “Everyone has been moaning in the loss to can be, especially during pre season. “People do it for the love of the club.” Although the final season for management at home who I don’t see very much RG14 2DW .© Xn RG14 2DWLtd, .© 2016 Xn Media Media season that happen. about theand amount of games,” added Ardley. “We haven’t done we shouldBateman n FOR more local football turn to because I amwill out twoeverything nights a week Eggleston ended with news, and team. MediaLtd, Ltd,2016 2016 9772058 772058 526009 526009 9 9 772058 526009 “It has been a challenge, but I have Eggleston. “But when you sign up The midfielder, haveI done this year,” said the co-manager. pages 38the andHellenic 39. and need to concentrate on that, and relegation from Premier He added:

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