The Wokingham Paper, April 8, 2016

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Pay to pray: parking fees an ‘insult’ to churches Charges force parishioners to count cost of Sunday worship

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By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk A DECISION to start charging drivers to use borough car parks on Sundays has been called an “insult” to churchgoers in Wokingham.

Last Wednesday, the borough council’s executive committee agreed to a controversial plan to introduce fees in car parks for evening, weekends and bank holidays - although Woodley’s car parks will eschew the fees in exchange for a 10p per hour rise in daytime rates.

Under the plans, car parking charges will remain as normal from 8am to 6pm, at other times it will be a flat rate of £1, with nightly season tickets costing £292 being made available.

The decision goes against a consultation that saw the vast majority object to the plans, with some respondents warning that Wokingham will become a ghost town if the plan goes ahead.

It means that people who attend services on Sundays will now have to pay to pray, something that churches criticised during the consultation period.

The decision, made as the council broke up for the forthcoming local elections, has since been called in by the Liberal Democrats. This means that they have asked the council’s Overview and Scrutiny committee to hold an inquiry into the decision. n Continued on page 4

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FAMILY NOTICES

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 8, 2016

Rotary clubs team up with bikers for Easter treats Children from Addington Special Needs School in Woodley receiving their Easter eggs from the Rotary Club of Loddon Vale

v Deaths Joan Alexandra WOOD 06.03.1941 – 26.03.2016 In loving memory of Joan who will be sadly missed by family, friends and all who knew her.

The funeral will take place on Thursday 14th April 2016 at 12.45pm at Reading Crematorium, West Chapel.

Donations to: Sue Ryder Care Charity.

All enquiries c/o the Co-operative Funeralcare, 572 Wokingham Road, Earley, Berkshire RG6 7JD. Tel: 0118 966 7922

Share your family news Shop local at Town Hall craft fair in The Wokingham Paper I s 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.

Send us your wedding pictures

If you’re getting married over the next few weeks, make sure you include us in your plans.

Simply send us a picture of the happy couple and tell us a little about the day and we’ll print it free of charge, when space permits.

Share your bundle of joy!

Have you heard the pitter patter of tiny feet? Has the stork brought you a special delivery? We’d love to share your good news with our readers.

Simply send us a photo of the new arrival and tell us a little about them and we’ll print it free of charge, when space permits.

For more details...

Email announcements@wokinghampaper.co.uk or, to place a paid notice, call 0118 960 6060.

THE WOKINGHAM PAPER

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A CRAFT fair takes place in Wokingham this Saturday.

At the event, there will be a selection of stalls including candles, crochet, jewellery, soaps and stationery.

There will be face painting for the children.

It will be held at Wokingham Town Hall in Market Place from noon to 3pm.

For more details, call 07790 830382.

Head shave raises £2,500 for charity A WOMAN who shaved her hair for charity is celebrating after raising almost £2,500.

In February, Philippa Stephens had her locks removed at The Dog and Duck in Emmbrook.

The event was in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, as a way of saying thank you to the charity when they looked after her family.

Her target was £1,000, but she raised £2,477.

Writing in the church magazine of St Paul’s in Wokingham, she said: “Thank you for helping me make this event such a success.”

Invite to women’s roadshow event THE Berkshire Federation of Townswomen’s Guilds will be holding a roadshow in Reading this Saturday.

Visitors are welcome to come along and find out more about the Guild, including the Wokingham Evening

THOUSANDS of people have been eggstatic thanks to kind-hearted bikers.

On Good Friday, the Thames Vale Vultures held their annual Easter egg run, bringing more than 2,600 chocolate treats in the process.

The group had also been collecting eggs in the run-up to Easter, including a collection at Asda’s Lower Earley branch.

In total, 10,560 eggs were donated for deprived or disadvantaged children and elderly citizens of Berkshire.

Over Easter week, six local Rotary

clubs were given the task of delivering the eggs.

A spokesperson said: “We’re delighted to have helped in the delivery of a record number of eggs.

But, it wasn’t all plain-sailing because The Vultures made the last tranche of 2,600 available to Rotary at the Good Friday Rally – the special needs schools had closed for Easter and many care homes wouldn’t allow any access over the Easter Bank holiday weekend.

“Despite this Rotary in Reading used

its depth of contacts in the Berkshire Community to deliver almost all the 2,600 eggs within a week of the Rally.”

The happy egg-eaters ranged from the Special Needs children at Addington and Avenue schools to the elderly residents of the Age Concern Day Centres at Woodley and Twyford.

The spokesperson added: “The Reading Rotary Clubs have thoroughly enjoyed working with the Thames Vale Vultures in this very eggciting project.”

Townswomen’s Guild, and enjoy demonstrations and a fashion show.

The event will be held at the Novotel Hotel in Friar Street from 10.30am to 3.30pm. Entry is free and all are welcome.

Refreshments will be available, along with a raffle, tombola and some items for sale.

Doors open at 2.30pm, with prize giving at 4pm, followed by an auction.

Sessions run from 10.30am to 12.30pm and booking is essential.

For more details, call 0118 977 0517 or email jobsearch@wjsc.org.uk.

Gardeners’ world of colour at show SPRING will have well and truly sprung at the California Gardeners’ Club Spring Show on Sunday.

Celebrating their first show of the year, the club will be displaying a huge range of flowers and plants at the Ratepayers’ Hall in Finchampstead Road.

There will be classes for floral art, and domestic classes for cakes and marmalades.

Young exhibitors will be able to exercise their imaginations in the handicraft, photography and poetry categories.

CV and interview advice at job club A LOCAL job support centre is hosting two workshops this month, aimed at helping people get back to work.

The first, on Tuesday (12) is for people ages 50 or over, and will help people explore the potential of their transferable skills in a relaxed and informal small group.

Then on Monday, April 18, a special one-on-one interview workshop will be held, giving participants the chance to try out tricky questions and practice responses.

Both events are run by the Wokingham Job Support Centre in The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue.

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.

Flower guild needs new arrangers A CHURCH’S flower guild is appealing for new members to freshen up its bouquet.

Members of All Saints Church in Wokingham’s town centre want to find anyone aged 15 or over who is interested in flower arranging to join its team.

The group helps arrange flowers in the Wiltshire Road church and the group also takes part in outings such as a trip to the Royal Horticultural Society Malvern Spring Show in May. For more details, call Hazel Matthews on 0118 978 6700 or Gail Houghton on 0118 977 5530.

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Friday, April 8, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Manny goes walkies and ends up being taken for a train ride

Family reunited with medals found in river

Oliver Dunn-Hipp holds up his ancestor’s war medal found in the River Loddon Picture: Gemma Davidson

EXCLUSIVE

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE owner of a dog who made his way on to a train in Wokingham has spoken of her relief at having him back safe and sound.

Manny, a seven-year-old British Bulldog, went missing from his home in Barkham Road on Tuesday morning without owner Roxzann Weston realising.

She said: “We’re on the school holidays this week so I was getting ready to take the kids out for the day, put the recycling bin out and that’s when he must have got out.

“I didn’t even realise he was gone until my friend messaged me to say he was all over Facebook.”

At first Roxzann couldn’t believe the pictures were of her dog until she went to check his bed and realised he had gone.

South West Trains raised the alarm by tweeting a photo of Manny shortly before 10.30am. The photo was quickly shared on social media, including The Wokingham Paper’s website, where it made its way to the Wokingham Gossip Girls Facebook group. A friend of Roxzann saw the photo and called her.

She said: “I suppose it’s my fault really because I often walk him without a lead, so he’s used to walking on his own, but he’s never done anything like this before.

“I went to the local shop where we often go and

asked the shopkeeper if they had seen him, and they said that he’d been in 20 minutes before. He just wandered in, had a look around and then left.

“How he managed to get on a train I don’t know, it must have just been timing and he got there just as a train pulled up.”

Roxzann said the dog, who she has had since a puppy, is scared of bicycles and usually runs away when he sees them.

She said: “He is very friendly and so initially I was worried that someone might have patted him on the head or given him some food and that would have been it, he would have gone off with them for good.

“Thankfully the man who caught him saw him trying to get off the train at Winnersh, he put a scarf around him and took him to Reading where he handed him to the police. Manny is microchipped so they quickly found me.

“Unfortunately Manny is moulting at the moment so he made a mess of the poor man’s scarf.

I offered to cover his dry cleaning bill but he refused.

“Manny’s a very clever dog, he and his brother Monty, also seven, manage to get their food out of the cupboards and make their way through the front door.

“One time he did manage to make his way into my son’s primary school playground.

“We’re not sure how he did it, but the next day we dressed him up in the school’s uniform.

“It seems that he’s become a bit of a local celebrity!’

We recreated Manny’s epic walkies … the friendly pooch went shopping in the Barkham Road Nisa store before walking on to Wokingham Station and catching a train to Reading Pictures: Gemma Davidson

Man’s death was due to heart condition, not murder THE FAMILY of an Irish man who died at a hotel in Earley last week have said that he died of an historic heart condition.

Declan Walsh, 41, who was originally from Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, died on Wednesday, March 30, and two men from Reading were initially arrested on suspicion of murder but were later released without charge.

But Mr Walsh’s family released a statement last week to confirm that he had died of natural causes.

The statement said: “Declan collapsed and died on Wednesday morning from an historic heart

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condition. He had been living in Reading for 10 years since emigrating.

“According to initial reports, Declan’s death was being investigated as suspicious and involved the Serious Crimes Unit of the Thames Valley Police.

“Two men were arrested, questioned and later released without charge.

“Following a post mortem the family are now reassured that

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Declan died from natural causes.

“The Walsh family are recovering from the recent death of Declan’s father, retired Garda Joe Walsh, and are once again devastated at this tragic loss of their son, brother and dad.

“The family wish to thank the local Gardai, the Department of Foreign Affairs in both Dublin and London, Thames Valley Police and, especially, the support from the

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Det Chief Inspector Kevin Brown, of Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit, said: “As a result of the post mortem and the enquiries to date we are no longer treating this as a murder investigation, unless any new evidence comes to light.

“We will continue to conduct a thorough unexplained death investigation on behalf of the coroner, to determine how Declan Walsh died.

“Our sincere condolences and thoughts are with Mr Walsh’s friends and family at this extremely difficult time.”

THE FAMILY of a First World War hero whose medals were found in the River Loddon have spoken of their delight after being reunited with them.

Oliver Dunn-Hipp and his mother Janet travelled from their home in London to Swallowfield on Saturday to meet the people responsible for finding their great-great-uncle Oliver Read’s medals.

As reported in The Wokingham Paper last week, fishermen Martin Moore and Russ Hatchett discovered the medals in a metal box while clearing the river during the local litter pick on March 19.

Once they opened the box and found what was inside, the men cleaned up the medals to reveal the name O. J. Read inscribed on the reverse of one of them.

Photos of the medals were posted on the parish council’s Facebook page and, within hours, had been shared across the country, with one woman from the north east of England, Debbie Cameron, tracking down the naval officer’s relatives.

Mr Dunn-Hipp, who has been studying his family history for years, said it was an incredible story. He said: “It’s amazing that the medals were found in the first place, but thanks to social media they were able to trace us so quickly. It really is incredible.

“We know quite a lot about our family history, we believe some of the medals are Oliver’s from the First World War, and some were awarded posthumously to his son, Rupert, who died during the Second World War. “We are just so thankful to have them back in the family, and now we are determined to find out more, and exactly how they came to be in the river in Swallowfield.”

Fisherman Russ Hatchett said he was pleased to see the medals reunited with the family. He said: “The main thing is they are back where they belong, but it would be really nice to keep in touch with the family to continue the story.”

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4 | NEWS Toilet twin plan for church community centre TOILETS in a popular community centre will be twinned with others in developing countries if a collection raises enough funds to do so.

The twinning scheme is run by national charity Tearfund and aims to help those in desperate poverty to have access to a proper latrine, clean water and the information they need to be healthy.

During May and June, special collection pots will be placed in the Parish Rooms of St Paul’s Church in Reading Road, to help raise enough money to twin the toilets.

Sketch up! New cartoon drawing night launched BUDDING cartoonists are invited to get scribbling at Wokingham Library next week.

The Denmark Street facility is holding a comic drawing evening on Thursday aimed at anyone who wants to tell their stories in pictures.

Participants are invited to bring their drawing supplies and come and work in a supportive atmosphere.

The event runs from 5pm to 7pm and entry is free.

For more details, call 0118 978 1368.

Enjoy a cuppa and buy a jigsaw for Mencap THE next charity coffee morning at the Bradbury Centre will be in aid of Mencap.

The monthly event takes place on Thursday (14) at the Rose Street community centre.

Coffee and cakes will be on sale, as will a selection of jigsaw puzzles, with all proceeds going to the charity which works with people who have learning disabilities.

Helping the church’s usual rota of volunteers will be members of the Trefoil Guild.

It runs from 10am to noon and entry is free.

For more details, call 0118 977 6898.

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 8, 2016

Car park weekend fees plan is ‘insulting’ to churchgoers n Continued from front page The party said that they had “significant concerns” over the decision making process and that the new charges cannot be introduced until after the review has taken place.

Councillor Lindsay Ferris, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “We haven’t seen any detailed evidence to support the claim that it can raise £150,000 a year. And there is no analysis of the different parking needs in different parts of the Borough or the impact that charging will have on the different local areas. It is just not good enough.”

Local church leaders have also expressed their concerns over the charges and want to meet with the council to explore exemptions.

The Revd Nick Hudson, minister of Wokingham Baptist Church, said: “This change will affect our congregation because we rely on signposting our people to the Council car parks on a Sunday when they come to worship. I know it affects other churches too.

“It would be good to explore with the Council whether there could be some form of dispensation for people attending places of worship on a Sunday, and I wonder if the Council might consider that.”

The Revd Catherine Bowstead from Wokingham Methodist Church, which backs on to Rose Street car park, said that the decision was “disappointing”.

She said: “Our buildings are heavily used each day of the week by a wide variety of community groups, and people have appreciated the free parking available in the Borough Council car parks in the evenings and on Sundays.

“A £1 parking charge is a small price to pay for such convenient parking but it’s disappointing that the Council have introduced these charges when so many local people opposed them.”

In the consultation documents, All Saints Church in

Wiltshire Road also criticised the plans, saying: “Many of the people who come to church are in considerable need – frequently emotional. The fuss about parking charges will be upsetting and often financial. The charge will discourage them from seeking help from the church at a time when they most need it.”

And a member of Kings Church said: “Churches provide thousands of hours of free hours community service every year.

Charging worshipers to park on a Sunday would be the ultimate insult.”

Wokingham Borough Council argued that the fee is for the car park, not why people have chosen to park there.

Matt Davey, head of highways and transport for Wokingham Borough Council, said: “These are charges for using the car park, not for the many reasons why people park in them on Sundays and in evenings. Because of budget cuts – we’ve lost 50% in our main grant and remain the lowest funded local authority in the country – our car parks as highways assets must play their part towards paying for road projects across the borough.”

Leader of Wokingham Borough Council, Cllr Keith Baker, told The Wokingham Paper that a compromise could be reached.

“We are one of the wealthiest areas probably in the country. We have an awful lot of wealthy people,” he said. “I would question whether they could afford the price of a third of a cup of coffee. Are they really not going to go to church because of that?”

“I’m sure my lead member [on transport] would be willing to have a meeting to discuss a season ticket that could be purchased, that could potentially be negotiated with the church. That would bring the pound down to a lower number.” n We will have a longer interview on the car park charges with Keith Baker in next week’s paper

Woodley argues successfully to have its own parking rates ONLY one part of the borough will be exempt from the new evening, weekend and bank holiday parking charges after successfully lobbying the council for an exemption.

At the executive meeting last week, Cllr Richard Dolinski spoke on behalf of Woodley Town Council, saying that the flat rate of £1 “will not achieve the additional income required from Woodley’s town car parks to balance Wokingham Borough Council’s books”.

It also argued that any changes to the current charging periods would “deter visitors to the town centre”.

The Woodley Town Centre Management Initiative suggested that the daytime hourly rate be 80p and no fees added at evenings and weekends. This trial will last for 12 months.

Speaking to The Wokingham Paper immediately after the meeting, the Woodley town council deputy leader said: “It was encouraging to know that the consultation demonstrates yet again that the views of businesses and residents are listened to and valued.

“We wanted to push for it because the town centre is changing. It’s clear that the restaurants and bars are actually doing very well there so we don’t want to penalise them with evening chagres. The Oakwood Centre is doing very well in the evenings, it’s got a thriving theatre we’ve got a new catering firm and we’ve got more clubs coming in and using the facilities so we didn’t want to penalise them.”

He also felt that Woodley gained the concessions through its lobbying.

“I don’t want to think it’s special treatment, we are very pro-active in Woodley working closely with residents and traders and the clubs,” he said. “We as a council have taken their voice to Wokingham.

“I would say it’s because we’ve been very well organised, we’ve represented our views in a fair, reasonable and responsible way.”

Dog requires stitches after attack by an off-lead rottweiler

Raise your hand for charity bridge drive

ANOTHER dog has been injured while out for a walk in Crowthorne, just days after a similar attack.

The pet was bitten by a rottweiler and was taken to a vet for stitches afterwards.

A friend of the owner was walking the dog in Crowthorne Woods, off Forresters Way, when the incident happened.

They did not wish to be identified.

They said: “I was out with a friend’s dog when a bloke came past with four rottweilers, none of which was on a lead.

“My friend’s dog stayed close to me.

“Three of the rottweilers passed by but one stopped and got that ‘aggressive’ look and went for her.”

The man said he managed to hold the rottweiler off using a ball throwing stick, protecting ‘his’ dog until the rottweiler’s owner came up and then “beat it with a lead”.

He added: “I actually felt sorry for the dog until, about 20 minutes later, I noticed ‘my’ dog was bleeding. She had been bitten in the attack.

“I took her to vets where she was sedated and had the wound stitched.”

The incident took place just after noon last

A LOCAL choir is inviting card game fans to take part in a charity bridge drive.

Members of the Twyford Singers are holding the afternoon event to raise funds for musicians and soloists for their concerts and to purchase new music scores.

The bridge drive will be held on Friday, May 13 at Charvil Village Hall.

It lasts about three hours and includes a break for an afternoon tea of sandwiches and homemade cakes, which are included in the price of £32 for a table of four players.

There will be prizes and a raffle.

The Singers assure players this will be a lucky date.

To book a place or find out more, email Margaret Jackson at home@njdriving.co.uk

A rottweiler (posed by model, not actal dog) Picture: Leandro Gomes Moreira/freeimages.com

Friday, April 1. Now the dog walker wants to warn people about the quartet of dogs, all of which were being walked off the lead.

He said: “Why does one person need four rottweilers anyway?”

The attack follows a similar incident last month, which saw a dog killed in Bramshill Forest. A Japanese Akita dog was said to be responsible for that attack and police are appealing for witnesses.

Drawn to Dahl – art night to celebrate British author TO MARK the centenary of one of the country’s best-loved authors, a life drawing session with a difference will take place in Woodley next week.

Art Macabre is hosting a Dark Dahl Drawing Salon at Woodley Library.

The event invites participants to sketch scenes and models inspired by classic Roald Dahl tales. As well as the popular children’s

books, Mr Dahl wrote Tales of the Unexpected, had a hand in a James Bond film and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Art Macabre are a London-based group who organise theatrical death drawing events, making this one of the most unusual events hosted by Wokingham Borough Libraries.

There will be curious costumed characters

and a musical soundtrack inspired by books, rhymes and films of Mr Dahl.

Places should be booked for the event, which takes place on Friday, April 15 from 7pm. It costs £8 and participants should bring an easel or something to lean on.

For more details, call 0118 969 0304 or email libraries@wokingham.gov.uk

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6 | NEWS

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Thieves sick as a parrot after pet shop raid fails A PET shop in Lower Earley was targeted by wouldbe burglars this week.

The offenders attempted to break into Just For Pets, in The Square off Chalfont Way, between 8pm on Monday and 11am on Tuesday.

They tried to force the door and remove security bars from the window but they were unable to break in and made off empty-handed.

If anyone has any information which could be helpful to police they should call 101.

Suit runner is a record breaker

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk

A RUNNER from Spencers Wood is celebrating after becoming the the fastest person to complete a half marathon in a three piece suit.

Scott Forbes, 41, of Hill View, completed the Reading Half Marathon on Sunday in an incredible 1:18:13 – beating the official record by more than six minutes.

The British Airways pilot, who is used to running 80 to 100THREE rescue ferrets stolen from mile Ultra Marathons, said the a family in Cockpole Green are challenge was a lot more difficult being traced by police. than he had expected.

The two albino castrated He said: “I run half marathons males (similar to the one quite regularly as training so it pictured right) and one should have been quite easy, but polecat female were stolen as I sweated the suit began to from an address in Hatch stick to my knees, making it hard Gate Lane between 6.30pm and to move my legs. About halfway 7pm on Thursday, March 17. round the course I started to The family are said to be ‘extremely sad’ and feel like I was running through would like to be reunited with their pets. treacle.

Anyone with any information, or who may have “It was also one of the hottest been offered ferrets matching their description for days of the year so far, so blueprint_advert_190x137mm_TKT5119_07B_PRINT_READY.pdf sale, should contact PC Laura Wright at Loddon standing on the start line with all Valley Police Station via 101. these guys dressed in shorts and

Family upset after thieves steal albino ferrets

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vests, I got a few laughs.”

Scott, who has overcome several major injuries including breaking his neck in a car accident, said it was particularly poignant to break the record on his home ground.

He said: “It made sense to go for the record at Reading, I know the course, it’s fast, and I needed it to be an officially recognised race for it to be counted by the Guinness World Records.

“I submitted my claim over the weekend and they have said that they see no reason why it shouldn’t be mine.

“It was a fantastic feeling because about a mile or so from the end I started to feel tired, I wasn’t sure I was going to make it, but when we made it up the ramp into the Madejski Stadium, and I saw my family and friends and realised that I had done it, it was such a great feeling.

“I was the first ‘fancy dress’ runner back too so there was a loud cheer as I made it into the stadium.”

It is not the end of the story for

the suit, which was purchased from Moss Bros in Reading, as offers have begun flooding in asking to display the blue set.

Scott said: “It’s funny because I approached a few people ahead of the half marathon asking if they would be interested in sponsoring, but they weren’t, but now I’ve actually done it everyone wants a piece of the suit.

“It’s currently being drycleaned, but Moss Bros have said that they might like to have it in their store on a mannequin with a little sign that says ‘World’s Fastest Suit’.

“The record is quite a popular one for some reason, it’s being broken all the time, in fact someone broke it two weeks ago in New York with a time of 1:18:41, but he hadn’t submitted his claim by the time I ran mine.

“I know it will be broken again but for now it’s mine.”

Left: Scott Forbes with his winning medal – and wearing his record breaking suit

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Crisis House story celebrated in silver book

Pervert vicar who groomed teens jailed

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Pam Jenkinson, deputy town mayor Cllr Gwynneth Hewetson and long-time supporter of Crisis House, Lady Elizabeth Godsal Picture: Gemma Davidson

A BOOK documenting the 25-year history of an independent mental health centre in Wokingham has been launched this week, writes Gemma Davidson.

Triumph and Tragedy 1991-2016 by Pam Jenkinson charts the ups and downs of the Wokingham Mental Health Association drop-in centre at Crisis House, opposite Wokingham Railway Station. They include receiving the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award in 2003 and coming under threat of closure in 2013.

Speaking at the official book launch on Tuesday morning Mrs Jenkinson said: “When we first decided to open up an independent service we did so in the hope that we could act as a template for other services across the country.

“What makes the Crisis House different from other

mental health services is our approach to the individual: we think about our clients as people, not numbers, and we offer them a place where they are always welcome.”

Deputy town mayor Councillor Gwynneth Hewetson said: “[The book] is full of little stories and titbits and I am sure it will be an enjoyable read. I have only just found out that all the renovations of the building were done by the charity themselves so I am very impressed and wish them all the success for the future.”

Triumph and Tragedy 1991-2016 is published by The June Press, RRP £11.99. To order a copy send your name, address and postcode, along with a cheque made payable to The June Press, to The June Press, PO Box 119, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 7WA, or email info@junepress.com.

The book is also available to buy on Amazon.

Make a date for May Fayre THIS year’s May Fayre will be the last in its current format and organisers are urging people to make a date and enjoy the day.

Taking place on Monday, May 2, the annual event will make use of Elms Field for traditional May Day events such as maypole dancing. However, with planning permission granted for the regeneration of the town centre green space, next year’s event could be very different.

Alan Rouse, from Wokingham Lions which organises the event, said: “This is the last year in its current format. We don’t know what will happen next – we’ll have to make some changes next year.

We’ve been talking to the Council about how to do it.”

The hugely popular event attracts an estimated 40-50,000 people over the course of the day and includes all manner of events and attractions.

“It’s a very high turnout,” Mr Rouse said.

A main stage in Market Place gives local musical groups the opportunity to showcase their talents, while stalls help local groups raise money for their own good causes.

Mr Rouse added: “The May Fayre is a wonderful day out for families and people of all ages.

“There are charity, craft and trade stalls, and a chance to win a prize at some competitions.

“Among the many activities this year are Punch and Judy shows, a petting zoo, climbing wall, ferret racing, assault course, ski slope, crazy golf, barrel organs, fire engine and train rides.

Plus the tea tent, of course.”

The event runs from 10am to 5pm on May Day, Monday, May 2. Entry is free. n For more details, log on to www,wokinghamlions.org.uk/upcomingfund-raising-events/may-fayre/

Families invited to farm’s lambing weekends AN OPPORTUNITY to meet new lambs is on offer this weekend and next.

Lockey Farm in Arborfield is hosting its popular event from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Earlier this year, the farm revealed that it had brought in two Kerry ewes in a bid to

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Friday, April 8, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

host different breeds. They join North Ronaldsay brown sheep, which is on the rare breeds list and originate from the Orkneys in Scotland.

The farm has a special farm park which includes play equipment for children as well as an opportunity to get up close to the animals. It

also boasts its own farm shop and a cafe serving breakfasts, lunches and children’s tea parties.

The farm is on Sindlesham Road, opposite The Bull pub.

The sessions run from 10am to 4pm each day.

For more details, call the farm on 0118 976 1063

A VICAR from Spencers Wood who preyed on vulnerable young girls has been sentenced for sexual offences involving minors.

The Revd Pete Jarvis will spend the next 15 months in jail after pleading guilty to two charges.

He will also be on the sex offenders register for the next 10 years.

In February, during a retrial at Winchester Crown Court, Mr Jarvis (pictured) pleaded guilty to two charges of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity of trust and nine months for one count of possession of indecent images of children. The incidents took place before he joined the Loddon Reach benefice of churches, which includes Spencers Wood.

He was accused of grooming the victims, plying them with gifts and allowing them to smoke before sexually abusing them for his own gratification.

He was sentenced on Tuesday and the two sentences will run concurrently.

The 51-year-old has previously been cleared, at Reading Crown Court, of a range of accusations, including: n Three counts of adult abuse of

Police suspect van thefts are linked A SPATE of thefts from vans in Wokingham are believed to be linked, Thames Valley Police has said.

Between 11.30am and 11.45am on Thursday, March 31 three vans parked in Baker Crescent and William Heelas Way, in the Montague Park development, were targeted by thieves.

A number of tools were stolen from the vehicles and police are asking anyone with information to come forward.

They are particularly keen to speak with anyone who may have seen a black people carrier near the Loch Fyne restaurant in London Road around the time.

Investigating officer, PC Paul Bentley from the Neighbourhood policing team based at Wokingham police station, said: “We believe that these incidents are linked and are keen to hear from anyone with information that could assist us with our investigation.

“I would particularly like to speak to anyone who may have seen a black people carrier, believed to be a Ford S-Max, in the London Road area near to Loch Fyne restaurant between 11am and noon on Thursday last week.

“If you have any information about the incident please contact me via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.

“If you don’t want to speak directly to police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.”

position of trust – inciting sexual activity with a boy aged 13 to 17. n One count of adult abuse of position of trust – inciting sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 17. n Causing or inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity. n One count of offender 18 or over causing or inciting a boy 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity. n Four counts of offender 18 or over causing or inciting a girl 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity. n One count of offender 18 or over engaging in sexual activity with a boy 13 to 15.

Chief Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Adrian Foster said: “This case involved sexual activity, between a vicar, who is now 51-years-old, and two schoolgirls, aged 14-15, between June 2008 and May 2012, in Thatcham.

“Mr Jarvis abused his position of trust and took advantage of his status as a school counsellor to prey on vulnerable young girls, befriend them and sexually abuse them for his own sexual gratification.

“Despite his pastoral responsibility towards them, he had an inappropriate sexual interest in them, encouraged them to participate in sexual acts with others while underage, met them

after school and at weekends, allowed them to smoke and bought them gifts.

“It is only due to the great courage of the victims that the despicable behaviour of this man has been exposed.

“I would like to pay tribute to them for their strength and tenacity in coming forward.

“Jarvis denied any sexual wrongdoing or inappropriate conduct, but on February 4, 2016, at Winchester Crown Court, on the third day of his trial, he pleaded guilty to two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity by a person in a position of trust, and possession of indecent images of children.

“The emotional impact, on the victims and their families, of the abhorrent actions of this man is impossible to quantify. I hope that the convictions and sentence give some small comfort to them. Our thoughts are very much with them all at this time.”

Speaking in February, on behalf of the Diocese of Oxford, the Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Andrew Proud, said: “These are serious sexual offences and we are profoundly shocked and saddened.

“The Diocese of Oxford takes safeguarding, especially of children, young people, and vulnerable adults very seriously.

We expect the highest standards of conduct from all of our clergy.”

8 | NEWS

Parish noticeboard Tuesday April 12 Sonning Parish Full Council Meeting. 7.30pm. Sports Pavilion, King George V Playing Field, Pound Lane, Sonning Wokingham Town Council Annual Town Meeting.

7.30pm. Wokingham Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham Woodley Town Council Community Services meeting.

8pm. The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Headley Road, Woodley, RG5 4JZ

Wednesday, April 13 Finchampstead Main Council Meeting. 7.30pm.

Parish Office, FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North, Finchampstead RG40 4ES

Thursday, April 14 Crowthorne Parish Council CPC/WWPC liaison meeting. 7.30pm. Crowthorne Parish Hall, 48 Heath Hill Road South, Crowthorne RG45 7BW

Saturday, April 16

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk A MAN from Wokingham has pleaded guilty to stealing a wax jacket from Marks & Spencer.

Tony Francis Cook, 51, of Budges Road, admitted stealing the jacket, worth £80, from the Wokingham branch on October 11 last year.

Mr Cook was fined £140, ordered to pay compensation of £80, a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £85 when he appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on February 22.

A 22-year-old man from Earley has been given a conditional discharge for possessing cannabis.

Alexander Emile Roberts, of Sidmouth Grange Close, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on February 22 where he pleaded guilty to possessing a controlled drug of Class B. He was given a conditional discharge for six months, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £15 and costs of £85.

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A TEENAGER from Barkham has pleaded guilty to possessing a class B drug.

Sheik Muhammed, 19, of Sandy Lane, admitted having a quantity of cannabis in his possession on August 28 last year.

He was given a conditional discharge for six months, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £15 and costs of £85 when he appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on February 22.

SEARCH FOR WOKINGHAM PAPER

A MAN from Wokingham has been handed a community order for stealing a bank card and PIN number.

Martin John Stimson, 42, of Longs Way, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on February 22 where he gave an

Wokingham Town Council Councillors’ surgery. 10am.

Wokingham Town Hall, Wokingham

Monday, April 18 Wargrave Parish Council Full Recreation and Environment meeting. 7.45pm. Old Pavilion, Wargrave

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 8, 2016

From the courts

indicated plea of guilty for one count of theft and one count of fraud.

The charge relates to an incident on or about October 6 last year when he stole a bank card and a letter containing a PIN belonging to someone else.

Then, between October 6 and October 9, he dishonestly made a false representation, intending to use the card and PIN to gain cash or items.

Mr Stimson was also charged with two further charges of failing to surrender to custody.

Mr Stimson was ordered to undergo supervised rehabilitation of up to 20 days by February 21 2017, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £60 and costs of £85.

A MAN from Wokingham has been fined more than £2,000 for driving

while over the alcohol limit without insurance.

Steven Walkinshaw, 34, of Oakey Drive, pleaded guilty to driving a Honda Motorcycle in Wellington Road on February 1 this year while over the alcohol limit. He was also found not to have insurance.

Mr Walkinshaw’s breath test recorded 107 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, three times the legal limit.

He was fined £2,245, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £120 and costs of £85, and banned from holding a licence for 26 months.

A WOMAN from Wokingham is due to appear in court charged with driving offences.

Brydie Maria Green, 24, of Outfield Crescent, denies taking a Mercedes car

without the owner’s consent; failing to stop when required by a uniformed constable; and failing to stop at a red light.

Miss Green admitted driving without a licence and insurance. All charges relate to an incident on October 15 last year.

She will appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court for trial on May 6.

A WOMAN from Winnersh has been ordered to undertake treatment for alcohol dependency after pleading guilty to two counts of assault.

Tamsin Sarah Srokos, 39, of Azalea Close, admitted beating a man and a woman in Wokingham on January 1 this year.

She appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on February 23 when she was given the community order, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £60 and costs of £85.

A MAN from Woodley has been given a curfew with electronic monitoring for six months after pleading guilty to assault and criminal damage.

Thomas Spires, 27, of Keats Road, admitted beating a man in Wokingham on September 15 last year and causing damage to an Audi S1 to the value of £500 belonging to a woman.

Mr Spires was ordered to adhere to the curfew, which requires him to be at his home address between 7.30pm and 5.30am daily. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £60 for the assault, and compensation of £600 and costs of £400 for the criminal damage.

Mr Spires was present for the hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court on February 25.

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Village festival tickets go on sale

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk TICKETS for this year’s Twyford Festival have just gone on sale.

The annual event offers three weeks of great entertainment for all ages, with activities including the Donkey Derby, a beer festival and sporting events.

It launches on Friday, May 27, with Friday Night Live at the Twyford Palladium, a comedy night featuring gags from Tucker, impressionist Danny Postjill and comedy jugglers Steve and Jay Rawlings.

Also on the bill will be circus-style cabaret act Inspiral and contortionist Orissa Kelly. She will wow audiences with her unique handstand foot archery act.

Sport forms the main focus for the opening weekend, with a five-a-side football tournament planned for Saturday, May 28, and a triathlon and tennis tournament on the Sunday. A disco takes place on Saturday, with Twyford’s Got Talent shows on Sunday evening.

Bank Holiday Monday sees several big events take place – a colour run, family sports day, a cricket match between Twyford and Knowl Hill and a teddy bears picnic take place in the day, followed by a classical concert in the evening.

On Tuesday, May 31 there is a poker night, while Wednesday, June 1 is given over to a treasure hunt, golf tournament and a comedy night.

Bingo and a junior golf tournament is the fun for Thursday, June 2.

Music is the focus for Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4. The first night sees The Wurzels perform, while the second is band day with Jesus Jones headlining.

The annual donkey derby takes place on King George V memorial field on Sunday, June 5, bringing to an end the first fortnight of fun.

Twyford and Ruscombe Theatre Group will perform a stage adaption of the popular BBC TV sitcom ‘Allo ‘Allo from Thursday, June 9 to Saturday, June 11, while the closing event is the now annual Twyford Beer Festival, offering a fusion of real ales and ciders and live music.

Twyford Beer Festival organiser, Ian Wisdom and his wife, Sue at last year’s event. Picture: Steve Smyth

Beer festival to return

The Wurzels (top) and Orissa Kelly are two acts at this year’s TwyFest

There will also be darts and snooker tournaments taking place.

The majority of events take place in a special marquee that will be erected in garden of the Duke of Wellington pub in Twyford’s High Street.

Last year, the event raised £45,000 for local and national charities.

Paul Williams, who helps organise the event working with the Twyford Village Partnership, said: “It’s a fantastic event and ticket sales for this year are going really well.

“We’re looking to appeal to everyone and there are more sports events this year. Having a junior triathlon is a first for the village. There’s some great line-ups for the evenings too.

“Over the course of the two weeks, we expect some 4,500-5,000 people will take part across all events.”

Mr Williams organises the festival with a team of volunteers including his wife Karen who helps book the acts. One that she’s booked is indie band Jesus Jones, who will headline the band day.

“I was a big Jesus Jones fan back in the 90s,” Mr Williams says. n For more details or to book tickets, log on to www. twyfest.co.uk .

A friend in need is a friend indeed

It may be a worthwhile friendship renewed, a new relationship built, or the discovery of a new activity or hobby.

To become a career care worker means putting this principle into practice in a professional way, by serving others and being rewarded, not only financially but also through being part of a well trained, supportive team.

At Bridges Home Care all the carers are well trained both in theory and practical skills. The training is ongoing, so each individual is regularly given the opportunity to grow in their own qualifications and aptitude.

Bridges Home Care is assessed regularly by Quality Assurance Agencies and also through User Questionnaires.

Through their User Guides, agency transparency and proactive relationships

are developed. The User Guide is a very good indication (80 - 90% positive responses) that Bridges is an excellent agency whose professional carers deliver excellent support to those in need, not only in the practical sense but in the quality of their attitude to the client and their family.

One service user said: “We have been greatly impressed by the professionalism, technical ability, kindness and cheerfulness and interest in us of all the carers who have attended to our needs.”

The team are well supported by the directors and managers who have many years of professional care experience between them. If you would like to receive real reward for being a friend to those in need, contact Bonny at Bridges today.

Join a wildlife safari A WILDLIFE safari will take place in Twyford later this month.

The event is aimed at young families and offers a chance to explore the Loddon Nature Reserve with an expert guide. Tours last an hour and there are fun activities dotted around the safari trail.

It is being organised by the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust.

The events take place from the Duke of Wellington Pub in Twyford High Street from 11am, noon and 1pm on Saturday, April 30. It costs £6 per family. n For more details, log on to www.bbowt.org.uk or call 01635 874381.

Could you help others in need?

T

here is a story of three Russian workers who were walking home together.

The winter weather got worse and worse until one of the companions collapsed from the cold, and was unable to continue the journey.

One of his companions said “Oh let’s leave him, we hardly have enough strength to get home ourselves”.

But the other one picked up his friend over his shoulders and continued slowly homewards carrying the sick man. He progressed more slowly but moved steadily forward through the snow and ice. After a while he came across the other traveller, who had succumbed to the extreme cold and lay frozen to death at the side of the road.

Still carrying his ailing companion, the caring man eventually reached safety and was able to summon help for his friend.

Those who attended the sick man said, “He has kept you warm on your journey, without his warmth you probably would not have made it home either!”

The moral of the story, of course, is that when we help others who are in need we often help ourselves without realising it.

One of the best ways to alleviate sadness, grief or depression is to think about others, even better to do something positive to show that we care. Sending a greetings card, making a visit to one in hospital or driving a frail person to an appointment, are all really positive actions that we can all accomplish in our daily lives.

Often when we set out to help another, we discover great benefit for ourselves.

TWYFORD Beer Festival will be back for its seventh year at the end of the TwyFest.

Once again, it will take place on King George V Playing Field offering more than 40 beers, real ales, ciders and perries at £3 a pint.

Throughout the day there will be live music from eight different acts. Although the programme is under wraps, last year’s event included the Reading Scottish Pipe Band, local singers and a disco from Kak FM. All money raised will go to Orchid, a charity devoted to helping men fight cancer.

The event takes place from noon to 9pm. n For more details, log on to www.twyfordbeerfest. co.uk.

Become a Home Carer ▶

full or part-time guaranteed hours ▶ in your local area ▶ paid travel time ▶ paid training and professional development job satisfaction guaranteed

please contact Bonny on 01491 578758 or email bonny@bridgeshomecare.co.uk www.bridgeshomecare.co.uk

10 | BUSINESS

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Business

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 8, 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

Brighter bowling thanks to club’s new sponsors

Bewley the dog meets his namesake A NEW Guide Dog is learning the ropes, after a community fun day helped provide the funding for it.

Bewley, a four-month-old puppy, is being trained up by Guide Dogs for the Blind association. He is named after Bewley Homes, which held the fun day at Cavendish Park last summer.

The property company first teamed up with the charity in 2014, following the purchase of the charity’s training ground by Bewley.

Last week, the Bewley Homes headquarters were in a frenzy when Bewley the puppy dropped in. The four-legged visitor is quickly developing the skills required to be placed with a blind or partially sighted person.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association said that it helps almost two million people who are living with sight loss and with this figure estimated to increase to four million by 2050.

Andrew Brooks, managing director of Bewley Homes (pictured left with Bewley the dog), said: “We are absolutely thrilled to partner with such a meaningful charity that is so important for the blind and partially sighted community in the UK and we‘re delighted we could help with the sponsorship of Bewley.

“Meeting Bewley was a lovely treat for us all and we are confident he will grow to become a dedicated guide dog.” n For further information, log on to www.bewley.co.uk.

By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokinghampaper.co.uk ONE of the borough’s sports clubs has announced two big name signings ahead of the new season.

Three Mile Cross Bowling Club, which is based at Fords Forge in the village, has teamed up with Taylor Wimpey and Shinfield Lodge Care – the people behind the new Shinfield View, residential home which has just opened in School Green.

The club said that the partnership will help maintain its position within the local community and are delighted that the companies, which are driving forces behind the borough’s regeneration, are helping out.

Neil Argyle, the club’s secretary, said: “The partnerships with the two main sponsors would help achieve the aim of being an integral part of the community and ensure the ongoing success of the club.

“The club is extremely grateful for the support and generosity of two such prestigious companies who have a major presence in the local area.”

One of the first events under the partnership is a special coffee morning later this month, which will allow residents to see the facilities on offer. Then early next month it will hold an open weekend, giving people the chance to try bowling for themselves. Both are planned to coincide with the development of thousands of new homes in and around the village, and with it an influx of residents looking for fun

Pictured above are Elaine Knight, general manager of Shinfield View, Raynor Coster deputy manager, with Three Mile Cross Bowls Club chairman Ian Clarke (centre).

Pictured right are Sarah Street sales executive of Taylor Wimpey with Neil Argyle, club secretary

activities to take part in.

The two sponsors are just as delighted that they have been able to help out.

Emma Jones, sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey West London, said: “As a considerate, responsible local housebuilder we are keen to do what we can to support the communities where we work.

“We are currently building high quality homes at our Croft Gardens development in the area, and we are only too happy to be providing sponsorship for Three Mile Cross Bowling Club in 2016.

We wish the club all the best for a successful year.”

Elaine Knight, general manager of Shinfield View, added: “We are delighted to be associated with

Three Mile Cross Bowling Club.

Over the course of developing our new home we have been inundated with kind comments and positivity from local people, clubs and businesses about what we are doing and the Bowling Club have been no different.

“There is obviously a strong local spirit in the local area and we are delighted to be part of it.

We also look forward to watching and supporting the Bowling Club too.”

The coffee morning runs between 10am and noon on Saturday, April 16 and the open weekend runs from Friday, May 6 to Sunday, May 8. This will be from 6 to 8pm on the Friday evening and from 10am to 1pm on both the Saturday and Sunday.

Bus company’s Michelle is a star A MEMBER of company’s payroll team is officially a star.

Each month, Reading Buses recognises employees who demonstrate the key values of the company and awards them with the Star of the Month award.

Senior payroll administrator Michelle Westwell, was nominated after the company’s software crashed.

March 3​ 2016 rd​

The Winnersh woman, who joined Reading Buses just over a year ago, noticed that all the payroll information that had been inputted had been deleted.

Being so close to pay day, Michelle realised that this could affect whether the employees would be paid or not.

The company said that Ms Westwell (46) opted to stay late to work with the supplier of the system to see if there was a

way to recover the data – and she then came in early the next day to ensure that everything was in place and working.

Reading Buses’ chief executive officer Martijn Gilbert said: “Michelle worked at getting a resolution to this externally created problem with creativity, tenacity and a large helping of self-sacrifice.

“She showed the values of unrelenting customer focus, doing the right thing and of, course, being caring.”

Welfaux Materials Handling: awarded Forklift Truck Dealer Of The Year 2016

Welfaux forklifts up national award Welfaux Materials Handling are delighted to announce that they have won the prestigious Forklift Truck Dealer Of The Year award at the FLTA Fork Lift Truck Awards for Excellence 2016.

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 COMPANY that specialises in Simon Moody forklift trucks has lifted a very special of Welfaux trophy.

Materials Wokingham-based Welfaux Handling Materials Handling scooped the (second left) Forklift Truck Dealer Of The Year receiving the award at the recent FLTA Fork Lift Dealer of the Truck Awards for Excellence 2016. year award Presented to the fork truck from Gyles dealership deemed to have provided Brandreth (far the most innovative or appropriate right), along solution to a customer’s particular with Martin materials handling requirements, the McVicar (far award recognises the team which has left) and Chris best demonstrated a commitment Welsher to service; putting the customer (second right) at the heart of its business, and The award also recognises that needs always come first. embodying the FLTA’s core principles Simon Moody of Welfaux Materials Handling (second left) receiving the Dealer of the year award from Gyles Welfaux embodies the Association’s “ Welfaux have been dedicated to of productivity, integrity and safety.

Brandreth (far right), along with Martin McVicar (far left) and Chris Welsher (second right). core principles of integrity, customer service since we started The FLTA said that Welfaux productivity and safety.

30 years ago, and this award is clear Materials Handling, which is based Presented to the fork truck dealership deemed to have provided the most innovative or appropriate solution to a Andy Welsher, managing director recognition of that fact.” on Toutley Road, has demonstrated customer’s particular materials handling requirements, this Award recognises the team which has best at Welfaux Materials Handling said: The award was collected by Area a sincere commitment to service demonstrated a commitment to service; putting the customer at the heart of its business, and embodying the “We are really honoured by this Sales Manager Simon Moody along throughout the year, and has FLTA’s core principles of productivity, integrity and safety. with Chris Welsher from Gyles provided customers with particularly recognition.

Previously known as the Customer Focus Award, the Dealer of the Year award recognises the work that “The entire company have strived Brandreth during a ceremony at the innovative and appropriate solutions Welfaux has put into placing their customers at the very heart of the business. to make sure that our customers International Centre in Shropshire. for specific tasks.

The award is not designed to simply recognise the biggest dealer or the largest volume of sales; instead it’s about good old­fashioned, high quality customer service.

The FLTA recognises that Welfaux Materials Handling has demonstrated a sincere commitment to service

Networking event night THE next meeting of a business networking club takes place on Monday.

Loch Fyne in London Road, Wokingham, will be the venue for the event which is organised by the Real Business Club.

The session runs from 6pm to 8pm and costs £12.

For more details, call 0118 968 0813.

Birthday honour A NEW retirement complex is to be named, appropriately in the Queen’s 90th birthday year, Queen’s Gate.

McCarthy and Stone announced the name for the site, built on the old Cantley Lodge Hotel, earlier this week.

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12 | NEWS Collision traps injured woman in her car A WOMAN suffered serious, but not life-threatening injuries during a two-car collision in Twyford on Sunday morning.

The incident happened on the roundabout which connects the A4 Bath Road with the A321 Wargrave Road just after 11am, with South Central Ambulance Service sending an officer and ambulance to the scene after receiving reports of two casualties when the alarm was raised.

Thames Valley Police were also in attendance, who closed off part of the roundabout and adjacent lanes so the matter could be dealt with safely.

While one driver was treated at the scene, it was quickly realised the other was trapped, so assistance from firefighters was called for.

Pumps from both Wokingham and Wokingham Road fire stations were dispatched to the incident, where they would use cutting equipment to release the woman, who was promptly transferred to the Royal Berkshire Hospital for treatment.

A Ford Fiesta and Audi A3 were the vehicles involved. They were recovered from the just before 2pm.

Tree fire behind food store suspected to be arson A TREE fire in Woosehill on Monday night is being treated as a suspected arson attack.

The blaze was spotted on land behind Morrison’s by a dog walker just after 9.30pm, who alerted the emergency services.

A crew from Wokingham Road Fire Station answered the call and would discover a fire inside the trunk of the tree upon arrival.

Using a hose reel, those in attendance spent around 20 minutes attending to the incident, which firefighters believe was started deliberately.

No-one was said to be hurt.

Masons to hold open day in Wokingham temple AN OPPORTUNITY to learn more about the work of Freemasons in the borough takes place tomorrow.

A special open day is being planned at the group’s base in Reading Road, near Station Approach.

The hall will be open from 11am to 4pm and includes tours of the building, visits from other lodges and presentations to charities – the group has raised £4,000 for local causes.

The Mayor and Mayoress will also be visiting during the course of the day.

In addition to the visit, the Masons will have a gazebo in Market Place outside Specsavers, giving shoppers an opportunity to ask questions and find out more.

For more details, log on to www.berkspgl.org.uk.

Roadworks to close two roads in Emmbrook MOTORISTS in Emmbrook are being warned to expect delays as roadworks on two major routes begin next week.

From 9.30am on Monday until 1pm on Saturday, April 16 Matthewsgreen Road between Clifton Road and Twyford Road will be closed to allow Bovis Homes’ contractors to undertake essential foul sewer connection works to the new housing development.

The diversion for this closure will be via Clifton Road, Jubilee Road, Jubilee Avenue and Milton Road, or by this route reversed.

The following week, from 9.30am on Monday, April 18 and 1pm on Saturday, April 30, Toutley Road between Matthewsgreen Road and Emmbrook Vale will be closed, again to allow contractors to carry out sewer works.

The diversion for this closure will be via Emmbrook Road, Commons Road, Old Forest Road and Toutley Road (northern section), or by this route reversed.

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 8, 2016

Royals visitor for Waitrose THREE of Reading FC’s brightest stars visited a supermarket in Wokingham this week to challenge shoppers to a keepy-uppy competition.

Jake Cooper, Stephen Quinn and captain Paul McShane popped into Waitrose in Peach Street on Thursday afternoon to test out customers’ football skills.

The players invited shoppers to do as many keepy-uppies as they could in 60 seconds. The two people with the highest scores won tickets to see the Royals take on Preston Northend in their last home game of the season on Saturday, April 30.

Those in third and fourth place then went head-to-head for a chance to win the final pair.

Reece Smith, 13, won the competition with 100 points and wowed the players with his impressive freestyle skills. Harrison Frewin, 10, came second with 20 points, and Adam Taylor came third with nine.

Adam Benson, Commercial Director at Reading FC, added: “We’re very proud of our eight-year relationship with Waitrose and it’s great for the players to come and meet members of the community while they are out and about doing Waitrose branch manager Duncan Robertson with Reading FC players Paul McShane, Jake Cooper their shopping.” and Stephen Quinn and some of the children who took part Pictures: Gemma Davidson

Harrison Frewin has a go at keepy-uppy watched by Reading FC players

Reese Smith attempts to win the contest

Foodbank demand means search is on for larger premises

By GEMMA DAVIDSON gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk A WOKINGHAM charity is appealing for help in securing a new premises after outgrowing its old venue.

Thanks to the generosity of Wokingham residents, Wokingham Foodbank is looking to move from its current location in Rose Street to a larger, more suitable premises once its lease expires in September.

Foodbank manager David Atkinson said that the current space, while convenient in its town centre location, is now far too small to cope with the amount of donations received.

He is now looking for a larger venue which not only has a warehouse, but offices where clients can be consulted with in private, and a kitchen to provide hot drinks to clients and volunteers.

David said: “The space in Rose Street is so small that we currently have to rent two additional storage warehouses for our stock, and this means that we have issues with transporting food to and from the Foodbank.

The foodbank in Rose Street is too small for the charity’s needs and it is looking for larger space

“We have no space where we can mentor clients in private, this can be embarrassing for them and means that we don’t really get to the bottom of the causes of their food poverty so that we can signpost them to people who can help.

“Our wonderful volunteers do not

have sufficient space to prepare the food parcels we distribute, nor do we have any room to store emergency parcels that could be distributed outside of normal Foodbank hours.

“We don’t have facilities to make a drink, either for our volunteers who spend two hours per session helping

others, or for the clients that come to see us, and sometimes that small act eases what can be difficult conversations.

“All of these add up to our need for larger premises, and the end of the lease is really a blessing in that it has made us look for premises better suited to our clients needs.”

The charity is now appealing for help in securing a new premises that has a reception area, one or two private offices for consultation, a kitchen, a room for preparing food parcels, and a warehouse, adding up to approximately 1,000 square feet.

David said: “Current commercial rents for warehouse space in Wokingham is £12.50 to £20 per square foot per year, so a suitable space could cost us between £1,000 and £2,000 per month, which is more than we can really afford, so we are hoping that we can find a landlord sympathetic to our aims who will be generous.”

If anyone is able to help the Foodbank call David on 07914 405553 or email manager@wokingham.foodbank.org.uk.

£160,000 will help borough fill in 3,000 potholes WOKINGHAM is to receive cash to help fill in the 3,000 potholes in the borough’s roads.

The £159,000 grant, announced yesterday, is part of a £50million fund released by the Government to enable councils to patch up the roads.

It is the third highest figure in the region, behind Milton Keynes and West Berkshire.

The borough also has the third highest number of potholes in the area.

The funding has been made available as part of the £250 million Pothole Action Fund included in last month’s Budget, which will fix over four million potholes by 2020/21.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “The government is giving councils in the South

East £8.3 million specifically to tackle the blight of potholes in their area.”

In total, the government is spending £6.1 billion nationwide on local highways maintenance between 2015/16 and 2020/21.

However, the news has been labelled a sticking plaster by an industry body dedicated to roads.

Alan Mackenzie, chairman of the Asphalt Industry Alliance, said that the announcement might seem like good news, but it does nothing to address “decades of underfunding”.

He said: “The most efficient way to deal with the problem of our failing roads is to fix them properly and stop potholes forming in the first place.

“Poorly maintained roads simply cannot withstand the combination of severe weather and increased traffic, which is why potholes form, and which will, in time, undermine the entire structure of the road.

“Our research has shown that an invest-to-save approach pays dividends with every planned investment providing long-term savings of more than twice the amount spent. Throwing money into potholes is complete madness.”

NEWS| 13

Friday, April 8, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Town Mayor Cllr Philip Mirfin (second left) with his team (from left), Cllr Nick CampbellWhite, former Borough Council leader Cllr David Lee and former town mayor Cllr Martin Bishop Pictures: Alan Rouse

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Watch the birdie! Charity golf helps mayor’s fund GOLF was the word, as the town mayor hosted a special charity tournament.

Taking place at Downshire Golf Course, the day was an opportunity to enjoy a round while raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Care, the chosen charity of Councillor Philip Mirfin, Wokingham Town Mayor.

The day – which took place in warm spring sunshine – started with a bacon roll in the clubhouse, before the teams went round the 18-hole course, returning in time to enjoy a two-course carvery lunch.

There was also a raffle, further boosting the coffers of the mayor’s fund, and prize giving to participants.

REPLACEMENT ROOFS

The event, held last Friday (April 1) raised an impressive £1,627 for Macmillan Cancer Care.

Cllr Mirfin said that he enjoyed the day and wanted to thank everyone for taking part.

He said: “The total profit made for Macmillan Cancer Care was £1,627 which is a tremendous effort and will be a valuable contribution towards the great work that they do.

“Thank you also to those of you who donated raffle prizes, this really was appreciated.

“And finally a big thank you to Gerry Mortimore [from the Unicorns] and his team for managing the whole event on the day.”

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Regeneration could mean end of town centre plant sale A POPULAR plant sale for the borough’s gardeners is under threat, thanks to the town centre regeneration.

The Rose Street Gardeners, who attend Wokingham Methodist Church, have run the Saturday morning stalls for years outside the Bradbury Centre in Rose Street car park. But with the area due to become Peach Place, organisers say that this year’s events could be their last.

The sale returns to The Bradbury Centre on Saturday, April 16 for the first of four dates announced so far.

On offer will be plants such as foxgloves, fuchsias, sweet peas and yellow daisies.

The green-fingered gardeners will also offer seedlings of vegetables such as broad beans and garden peas, tomatoes for greenhouses and sensitive plants such as courgettes, chillis, cucumbers and peppers.

Writing in the Methodist church’s newsletter, the Rose Street Gardeners noted: “If the threatened town regeneration takes place by spring of next year as planned, then by April 2017 our church could be sitting in the middle of a building site and this year’s plant sales could well be our last.”

Sales are planned from 10am to noon on Saturdays April 16 and 23, May 7 and 14.

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Firewalkers wanted for NGHAM marathon fundraiser

S&&LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPING

Teachers planning to spend their holidays teaching in Uganda

RUNNING the London Marathon isn’t enough for one dedicated fundraiser – he’s planning to walk across hot coals too.

And he is inviting you to join him in the walk, which will raise thousands for charity.

Tel: Nick Boyle is hosting the0118 firewalk9733414 at Victory Hall

By GEMMA DAVIDSON in Farley Hill on Saturday, 16. 524500 gdavidson@wokinghampaper.co.uk Mob:April 07920 The event starts at 5.30pm with an inspirational Email:fire wokinghamdriveways@gmail.com walkers briefing before the walk itself at 7.30pm.

TWO teachers from a school in Woodley Afterwards, there will|be food and a bar. 3RB have been chosen to spend the summer d Road | Wokingham Berks | RG40 Entry for firewalkers is £47, while spectators pay holidays helping to train teachers in DRIVEWAYS & LANDSCAPING £13 or £7 for children - food is included in the ticket Uganda. price.

Sophie Bartlett, 23, and Claire Mr Boyle’s firewalk is part of his efforts to raise Southerton, 28, who teach years five £2,000 for ActionAid, a charity that works with and six at Rivermead Primary School, people who live in extreme poverty. As well as the in Loddon Bridge Road, have been Tony Sarin Tel: 0118 9733414 . PATIOS . planning . TURFING walk, he is to run the Marathon FENCING & London GATES accepted to take part in the Limited Mob: 524500 on Sunday, April 24, attempting to beat his07920 previous . SHED . BLOCK-PAVING Resources Teacher Training (LRTT) BASES Email: wokinghamdriveways@gmail.com time of 4 hours 40 minutes and 59 seconds. programme this August. . REPAIRS ORor DRIVE EXTENSIONS For more details, sign up to the firewalk, log 3RB Under the scheme, they will visit 436 Finchampstead Road |toWokingham | Berks | RG40 on to.firewalkbarefoot.eventbrite.co.uk. remote communities in the African GARDEN MAINTENANCE ngs country and help pass on British ways . PROFESSIONAL DRIVEWAY CLEANING of teaching.

Sophie (pictured right) said: “LRTT’s DRIVEWAYS &&LANDSCAPING DRIVEWAYS LANDSCAPING aim is to empower teachers in lesscal illness & income protection plans economically developed countries cal illness & income protection plans through the short, medium and long BOSSES who help run Woodley’s n the convenience of your home town centre will n the convenience your home meeting.

Sarin term and, through this, hopefully see Tel: 0118 9733414 .Tony .of . TURFING next week hold their quarterly PATIOS FENCING & GATES gs & child trust funds Mob: 07920 524500 a genuine impact on the educational The Woodley Town Centre Management Initiative gs & child trust funds . SHED BASES . BLOCK-PAVING Email:residents wokinghamdriveways@gmail.com erformance analysis is inviting the town’s to come along to the . erformance analysis REPAIRS OR activities DRIVE EXTENSIONS 436 Finchampstead Road | Wokingham | Berks | RG40 3RB future will be discussed. market meeting, options where . GARDEN MAINTENANCE market options The meeting will be particularly pertinent as it . PROFESSIONAL ensions Life assurance, critical illness & income protection plans CLEANING comes a fortnight after DRIVEWAY Storm Katie saw scaffolding Life assurance, critical illness & income protection plans ensions Financial reviews in the convenience of your home collapse in the town centre, propelling the shopping . . nning @googlemail.com wokinghamdriveways.co.uk Financial reviews the convenience of your524 home500 0118 in973 3414 07920 nning precinct savings into the&pages national Investments, child of trust funds newspapers.

Investments, savings & child trust funds sfers It takes place at The Oakwood Centre from 6pm on sfers With profits fund performance analysis Independent financial advice With Wednesday, profits fund performance analysis Independent financial advice April 13.

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 8, 2016

WOKINGHAM

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outcomes of students in remote areas of the world.

“Claire and I saw an advert which was asking for teachers who wanted to go on safari, and we became interested and we wanted to find out more.

“We both had a telephone interview and a few weeks later we were told we had been accepted.

“I am still quite new to teaching so it will be really interesting for me to see how teaching differs between the UK and Uganda.

“From what I understand, they don’t have many qualified teachers and often children of all ages are taught

in the same class by a member of the community. I imagine they will have a lot to teach us as well.”

The women, along with 18 other teachers from across the UK who they have never met, will travel to Bwindi in

south west Uganda where they will live with host families for a month.

Sophie said: “Claire and I will know each other so that will be nice, but it will be really interesting

to meet the other teachers and get to know them over the month.

“I don’t know much about Uganda so don’t really know what to expect, and other than the usual vaccinations and malaria tablets we will need to take, there isn’t much that I am apprehensive about.

“I am really looking forward to getting into the classroom, meeting the children and teachers. I am only in my second year so I am sure there is a lot that I can learn.

“It will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the both of us and I can’t wait.”

Sophie and Claire have set up a fundraising page to cover the £2,000 costs of the trip, which include flights, insurance and living costs.

To donate visit www.gofundme.com/ teachinginuganda.

For more information about the LRTT programme visit www.lrtt.org.

Rock around the shops

Tony Welsh

Green light for Shinfield’s good neighbourhood plan

Investments, savings & child trust funds Investments, savings & child trust funds With profits fund performance analysis With profits fund performance analysis Annuities & open market options Annuities & open market options Personal & group pensions THE GO-AHEAD to a new community centre was Authorised and regulated by the FSA Personal & group pensions Authorised and regulated by the FSA . wokinghamdriveways.co.uk Inheritance Tax planning wokinghamdriveways@googlemail.com given at a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council’s Inheritance Tax planning ISAs & ISA/PEP transfers lasttransfers Thursday.

ISAs &320430 ISA/PEP Mobile executive 07768 Email tony@independent-ifa.co.uk

eof Susan Fleck Associates Ltd dent Financial Adviser Welsh of Susan Fleck Tony Associates Ltd

Mobile 07768 320430 Email tony@independent-ifa.co.uk 8978 Mobile 07768 320430 Shinfield Parish Council the proposal to Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 6HS presented Wokingham Rock Choir performed at Hare Hatch Sheeplands Picture: Brian Roach Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 Tony Welsh of Susan Fleck Associates Ltd Independent Financial Adviser build the facility onSusan the6HS former Royal British Legion Tony Welsh of Fleck Associates Ltd nywelshifa.co.uk site.

Tel/Fax 01344 466173 Mobile 07768 320430 Email tony@independent-ifa.co.uk

Tony Welsh Authorised and regulated by the FSA

Authorised regulated by the FSA Tel/Fax 01344 402 4661738978 Mobile 07768 320430and Email tony@independent-ifa.co.uk Tel 0118 07768 320430 ThePaddock, £2.2m projection will be funded

by Section 106 SHOPPERS, families and care home Address 5 The Crowthorne,Mobile Berkshire RG45 6HS Address 5 The Paddock, Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 6HS residents all enjoyed a special surprise contributions from local developers and when built Email tony@tonywelshifa.co.uk last weekend as a local choir toured the

operated jointly by parish and borough councils.

Tony Welsh of Susan Fleck Associates Ltd Independent Financial Adviser Tony Welsh ofthe Susan Fleck Associates Ltd borough to raise money for charity.

Work expected to start Tel/Faxis 01344 466173 Mobile 07768 next 320430year.

Email tony@independent-ifa.co.uk Tel/Fax 01344 466173 Mobile 07768 320430 Email tony@independent-ifa.co.uk Tel 0118 402 8978 Mobile 07768 320430 Members of Wokingham Rock Choir, Address 5 The Paddock, Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 6HS At the same meeting, executive Address 5 The Paddock, Crowthorne,the Berkshire RG45 6HS agreed to the who hold weekly sessions at Wokingham Email tony@tonywelshifa.co.uk Shinfield Neighbourhood Plan be approved after a Methodist Church and St Paul’s Parish six-week consultation period.

The plan covers the regeneration of the village and Rooms, entertained families enjoying the glorious sunshine in Dinton Pastures drised regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority biodiversity and and includes regulated byhousing, the Financialinfrastructure, Services Authority, registration no. 447018 risedRoad, and regulated byKent the Financial registration no. 447018 on Saturday, before heading down to ville Maidstone, ME14 2BJServices Authorised and regulated byAuthority, the Financial Conduct Authority Registration Number AJW00121 leisure facilities.

Susan Fleck Associates Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, registration no.

447018 ville Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 2BJ Susan Fleck Associates Ltd is authorised and regulated byKent the Financial Head Office: Granville House, Granville Road, Maidstone, ME14 2BJServices Authority, registration no. 447018 Holme Grange Craft Village, Hare Hatch Registration Number AJW00121 It also looks atRoad, broadband Head Office: Granville House, Granville Maidstone, Kentprovision.

ME14 2BJ Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Sheeplands in Twyford, and Sainsbury’s in Registration Number AJW00121 Winnersh.

The tour also extended to Tesco in Wokingham, Wyevale Garden Centre in Winnersh and the Henry Street Garden Centre in Arborfield where the choir entertained shoppers and collected Aerial, satellite and home entertainment donations for Mencap, a local charity for installations and servicing people with learning difficulties.

Small Local Company Choir leader Glen Harvey came up Small Local Company Small Local Company Bad reception problems solved Multi television points with the idea for the tour, leaving the choir  Bad reception problems solved Network/data cablesolved Flat screen TV mounting Bad reception problems Multi television points members themselves in the dark as to  Multi television points Susan Fleck Associates Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, registration no. 447018 Susan Fleck Associates Ltd is authorised and regulated byKent the Financial Head Office: Granville House, Granville Road, Maidstone, ME14 2BJServices Authority, registration no. 447018 Head Office: Granville House, Granville Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 2BJ

where their next performance would be.

Choir team leader Sarah Washington said: “We surprised many unsuspecting shoppers and we’re very grateful to all the local businesses who allowed us to perform.

“One lovely lady at Wild Acres Care Home very much enjoyed Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now – it’s been a memorable day.”

Team leader Lesley Daniow added: “Rock Choir is so much more than singing.

We’re a wonderful family and today we have raised lots of money for a great cause.”

Hare Hatch Sheeplands owner Rob Scott said: “We were very pleased to support the choir’s campaign to raise funds for Mencap.”

At the time of going to press the donations were still being counted. n For more information on Rock Choir visit www.rockchoir.com or call 01252 714276

Wokingham Rock Choir also sang at (from top) Henry Street Garden Centre, Sainsbury’s Winnersh and Tesco in Wokingham Pictures: Wokingham Rock Choir

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A CAR park has been brought back into public use while others have been closed.

Wellington House car parks in Elms Road – opposite Carnival Pool – were reopened on Monday as temporary short stay public car parks.

The borough council said that the car park will help provide additional town centre parking for when the existing Carnival Pool car park closes in June to allow for the building of a new 529 space multi-storey car park.

It also helps with temporary parking squeeze caused by the closure of Wokingham Station’s car park while a new two-storey facility is built.

Bernie Pich, head of town centre regeneration at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “Although we have delayed the start of major works on the Carnival Pool site until June to help keep the existing carnival car park open and offset the additional demand caused by the station car

park closure, the borough council decided to go ahead with the works at Wellington House as originally planned.

“By opening these car parks now, we can help offer additional short stay spaces for the town centre whilst demand levels are higher over the next few months. It will continue to be used as temporary parking until the new multi-storey car park is completed next spring.”

The Wellington House car park site

features two areas, upper and lower, and will be managed and charged in line with other short stay pay-anddisplay car parks in the town centre.

The lower car park will be open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The upper car park will be available to the public Monday to Friday from 3pm onwards, and all day on Saturday and Sundays.

Both car parks are limited to a maximum parking period of three hours.

15

Friday, April 8, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

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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

Parking fee plan is the wrong decision ONE of the most common complaints about any administration is that it is failing to listen to the people that elected it.

It is boiled down to that simple cliche, “Let them eat cake!”, ascribed to Marie Antoinette implying that she had no grasp on the living standards of her poorer subjects.

It can also be an unfair complaint, especially here in Wokingham. Many leaders take their duties incredibly seriously, wanting to work for good of the people. But sometimes, it can be like shooting fish in a barrel.

The recent decision to start charging for parking in borough car parks on evenings, weekends and bank holidays is very good example.

Rarely has a consultation come back with the public’s view being so clear. The vast majority said the same thing: “don’t do it, it’s a very bad idea”. If you read the documents considered by the executive last week, you will see that only a handful of respondents backed the plans to start charging.

Instead, the feedback warned that the fees would damage the nighttime economy, hit people going to church and stop people from nipping to the shops to buy a newspaper or get a takeaway.

So it’s with utter dismay that the executive last week voted through the plans with one concession – Woodley is to get its own parking zones, creating a two-tier borough and more confusion on charging.

When the public speak so clearly about the direction they wish their leaders to move in, it is wrong to completely ignore their views and do the opposite.

These parking charges are wrong and the decision must be reconsidered.

CHURCH NOTES

Well, that wasn’t part of the plan…

I’VE had so many ‘well, that wasn’t part of the plan’ moments in my life, as I’m sure you have too.

Some have been unexpected yet amazing and some have been just as unexpected but not so amazing.

The plan for my life is something I’ve been thinking about a lot recently as I stand on what feels like the edge of a vast ocean full of choices about everything from what I have for breakfast to which university I apply for.

There’s been so many times I’ve been told God has a plan for my life, a plan to prosper me, a plan for hope and a future which I’ve never really found that reassuring.

It’s always just caused me to think ‘Is this the plan?’

‘Am I following the plan?’ ‘Which of these options is God’s plan for me?’ ‘Well THIS better not be part of the plan, God?!’

In our society we find it very hard to hand over control and let God take the reins to carry out his amazing plan for us.

Maybe there isn’t just one plan, maybe there’s several paths for us that are just as fulfilling, rewarding and empowering as each other.

The thing that we can be reassured by, is that the Bible never once says ‘figure it out’ but over and over again it says ‘trust in God’ because he already has it all figured out.

Wherever you are in life, whether it feels like you’re following His plan or you couldn’t be further away from it, may you be patient with God because he’s not finished with you yet.

He’s still longing to guide you on your journey and he definitely hasn’t brought you this far to abandon you.

Isabel Green is from Wokingham Baptist Church in Milton Road

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 8, 2016

Your views

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

My disgust at Hare Hatch Sheeplands’ treatment I write to express my utter disgust at the way our Mayor, Cllr Parry Batth, acted when presented with the Hare Hatch Sheeplands (HHS) Petition at the Council meeting on March 24.

Cllr Batth claims in his own words to be ‘a charming, highly motivated and target driven individual with strong interpersonal and communication skills. I am an adaptable, ambitious and a natural leader with immense ability to engage with people and encourage and deliver working as a team’.

Clearly on this occasion he did not live up to his own claims which makes one wonder if the Council do not want to accept the views of 8,000+ supporters of HHS. Patrick Heather, who presented the Petition on behalf of these supporters, was not allowed by 5-10 seconds to fully complete his presentation. This I consider wholly inappropriate when on many other occasions he has allowed people to go over their allotted one minute timeslot.

Mr Heather is a highly respected member of the community in Twyford having been for several years Chairman of Twyford Village Partnership and is currently Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Age Concern Day Centre. The way he was treated by the Mayor can only be described as totally unacceptable.

To treat Mr Heather and the 8,000+ signatories in this manner is an insult to democracy.

I can only trust that the Council will heed the wishes of 8,000+ members of their public and have a full debate to find an amicable answer to the ongoing planning saga with Hare Hatch Sheeplands. This company is an asset to the area, employs many people, and is clearly wanted by the public.

Frank Moore, via email

An ode to Winnersh

SO glad you kept up the old tradition of April 1, I would love to see horses and traps trotting along the A329M. I expect some people were fooled.

Also, congratulations on your newsy paper.

Whilst writing, I wonder whether you might like to print a little poem I did some while ago?

WINNERSH A lane ran through our village many years ago Farm cottages with doors open, down both sides in a row Post Office, butcher, chemist, baker and general store Paraffin, fish, milk and bread delivered to our door Now we have a wide road with traffic so busy Some people think these changes are such a pity Many homes have been replaced by apartments all new At the crossroads they’re tall and give a good view A Church, two stations, two schools and a pub There’s plenty to do, perhaps join a club Halfords near Wickes and a Cinema too The Garden Centre’s cheerful if one’s feeling blue

Hare Hatch Sheeplands supporters outside Wokingham Borough Council handing over a petition signed by more than 8,000 people backing the garden centre.

Frank Moore says Patrick Heather’s treatment when presenting the petition was wrong There’s a Community Centre with office, hall and bar You can have a drink and make friends, it isn’t very far My husband’s employers caused many a tear but now I’m glad that we settled down here.

Angela Adams, Winnersh

Horse play for real

I read with interest the plan to introduce horse and trap taxis on the A329M. This is a brilliant idea and I look forward to using it.

Your interesting article made no mention of when the service is due to start. Please can you keep readers in touch with the plans?

David Agnew, via email

Horse play for giggles

n Brilliant transport article ref the A329M Nick Crowson-Towers, via email n Hard to work out which WDC initiative is an April Fools Day joke. This one, The Elms [Field decision], the incessant house building or the car park charges. This council should do stand-up.

Robert Briggs, via Facebook n I loved this story! Well done for making me laugh.

Tracey Abbott, via Facebook

Help with tax credit freeze

The four-year freeze to working-age benefits and tax credits, which starts this week, will no doubt add to the pressures that millions of families already face in meeting everyday costs.

Whilst not a direct cut, the freeze essentially erodes the value of benefits and is set to affect a large number of claimants – many of whom are on the lowest incomes.

As a charity supporting people in financial hardship, we know that other significant benefit changes taking place this month and beyond

are also likely to cause confusion and concern.

This includes a change in the tax credit ‘income rise disregard’ – the amount a claimant’s income can increase in-year without seeing a reduction in tax credit entitlement. The disregard is being reduced from £5,000 to £2,500 – the same level as when tax credits were first introduced, with an estimated 800,000 people seeing their tax credit entitlement reduced as a result.

April also brings changes to support for housing costs, a reduction in Universal Credit Work Allowances and the introduction of a new single tier state pension.

We urge anyone who is worried to visit Turn2us.org. uk where they can find further information on the changes and check their current benefits entitlements.

Anyone who thinks they might see a reduction in their income as a result of the changes can check if they’re entitled to any extra help through our Benefits Calculator, and also use our Grants Search to see if they might be eligible for a charity grant or other support.

Alison Taylor, director of Operations, Turn2us 200 Shepherds Bush Road, London W6 7NL Tel: 0208 834 9200#

We need decent bus services

With elections coming up in Wokingham, the public need prospective positive candidates that want to be good councillors with an aim to attain and achieve a good complete bus services that run regular.

In fact it is time to keep cars off the road with the way forward is to invest in good bus services in Wokingham and Berkshire areas, for our future and the future of the next generation.

The public need to vote for better councillors this time that support good bus services and abandon cuts.

Cuts to bus services is negative and destroys all communities for ever, that is not what people want.

Victor Rones, Bracknell

GOOD ADVICE

Time off work for training Some people have the right to ask for time off work to study or do training

E

VEN though you may have the right to ask for time off, your employer doesn’t have to give you this time off.

If they do give you the time off, they don’t have to pay you for it.

You can ask for time off to do any training that would help you be more effective at work, and improve the performance of the business you work for.

The training can be training that leads to a qualification, or that helps

you develop skills at work.

There’s no time limit on the amount of time you can ask for.

You have the right to ask for time off for training if you are an employee, your organisation has more than 250 employees, you have worked for your employer for more than 26 weeks and you don’t already have a legal right for paid time off to study or train

(you might have this if you are aged 16-18).

You should follow your organisation’s rules to ask for time off.

If there aren’t any you can write to your employer saying it’s a request ‘under Section 63D of the Employment Rights Act 1996’ with the following details: n the date n the subject matter of the study or training n where and when it would take place n who’ll be providing the training; the name of the qualification you could get - if any n why you think this study or training

will help you do your job better and help the employer’s business n if you’ve made a request before and when.

Your employer doesn’t have to consider the request if all this information isn’t included.

Employees can only make one request a year. 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

To advertise call 0118 328 2959

Friday, April 8, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

NELLIE KNOWS

Celebrating your photography

Nellie Williams www.nelliepompoms.co.uk

I

T’S BEEN a strange week as I’ve been at home with one child whilst Big Welsh has been skiing with the other two.

Well, I say skiing as poor Mook has done her ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) so has been hobbling whilst Big W and Laree skied, nonetheless they’ve had a good time and we have too, mostly in the West Country.

Alarm clocks The joy of not setting alarm clocks was short lived as it would seem my body clock wake up is at least an hour earlier than the alarm, but at the weekend I needed to be up and out in good time so I welcomed the inevitable and got going.

Loops and I pootled off to see mum (for those who remember her she’s very well, has given up politics and taken up art) for breakfast before heading off to Bath for lunch.

Happy times in Bath

We’re now in nesting season and everywhere you’ll find birds making a home for themselves ahead of new chicks appearing. This week’s picture is a reminder of the beauty to come –a graceful swan gliding across the lake in California Country Park. It was taken by Caroline Bennell and we thank you for sending it over. 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 Election nearing

T

HIS year, we’re not so much having a vote on which members of parliament we want, as voting on which parliament we want to be members of.

This is of course the referendum in June. News reports this week allege that the Should We Stay campaign is being funded by central government to the tune of £10million of taxpayers money.

That’s our money, which in this Borough equates to over two years of Council Tax rises to pay for it.

Meanwhile the Should We Go campaign is sending out emails asking for donations from members of the public, as it has a legally enforceable cap of £7million for its campaign.

What’s that?

Unfair did I just hear?

Not a bit of it – here at Brexit Busters (Number 10-and-a-half Dowding Street) – we’re proud that our “Stay” campaign is only projected to go 50% over what’s legally allowed for the other lot. After all, most Government projects go two, three or even five times over budget don’t you know?

Plus, we’re pretty pleased that our Glossy Dossier looks so much slicker than that Dodgy Dossier from Feb 2003. So let’s have a bit less of the critique on the “facts” we’ve bunged in, some of them took us almost 10 minutes to make up research. And it’s really green too – loads of recycled rubbish in it.

Anyhow, we’ve got a country to get on and ruin sorry run, must dash.

Meanwhile, back in the Self-Dependency of Middle Berkshire, on May 5 there are not one, not two, but up to three elections that you can vote for (plus one you can’t).

For many, it’s the unelectable chasing the unwinnable, with “the usual suspects” standing again – so that they can sit.

On the council that is.

HAVE YOUR SAY:

So who’s standing?

Borough Councillors, Commissioner of Police plus, if you live in Charvil, Finchampstead, Hurst or “Ruscumbe” (according to WBC’s website) you’ll have Parish Councillors as well.

But the closing date and time for candidates to put their names forward was five hours after the Editor would’ve cut off my subscriptions for not getting this article finished.

So what are they standing for?

Tricky, but if the past few years are anything to go by, if we keep on voting the way we’ve always been voting, we’ll keep on getting the results we’ve always been getting.

So, before the department of dirty tricks gets its act into gear again, here’s a few “election promises” for things to come: n Huge housing developments as 13,000 swells to nearer 30,000 n More accidents and incidents on our narrow roads from construction/HGV traffic n Section 106 Infrastructure Monies siphoned off to “Secure the Regeneration” n Motorway chaos, created by HE (who shall be obeyed) and which HE hasn’t fixed n Longer traffic jams from new junctions, roundabouts, lights, cycle lanes and rat-runs n Council tax hikes, compensating in vain for past decisions to ignore inflation n Inadequate social housing provision and new rental homes going up for sale instead n Ever higher parking charges n Fewer Council services n Borough Councillors who vote themselves higher allowances n Neither the budget nor the enforcement ability to make the borough a safer and nicer place to live And this is just a sample. A modern “Baker’s dozen” if you’ll forgive the pun.

There should have been 13, but because of central goober-mint backstabbing cutbacks, two of the election promises had to be “rationalised”.

So why vote? After all one vote won’t make a difference will it?

That’s what some would like you to believe.

Particularly if they’re making incorrect or untrue claims which they’re then forced to retract (but only after the political damage is done).

Most of the current administration (aka the government we deserve) were elected on less than 25% of the Electorate’s votes. A minority of the total number of votes cast by the 30-40% who actually voted.

However, if the oppositions to our one-party borough ever get their act together, you might just be surprised. You’ll discover your vote can make a difference.

I’d love to believe that all you’re given during the campaign will be the truth, but my birthday wasn’t April 1st.

So if you’re given something dodgy or downright misleading – send it to us and we’ll send it up. Or you could send your concern to Wokingham Borough Council. Directly.

Complaints about Councillor’s behaviour, including misleading election materials which bring the council into disrepute, may be made by writing to Andrew Moulton, Monitoring Officer, Democratic Services, Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1WH. Alternatively, email to democratic.services@ wokingham.gov.uk or log on to www.wokingham. gov.uk/council-and-meetings/councillors-andmps/complain-about-a-councillor/ All complaints are subject to WBC’s Member Code of Conduct process (WBC Constitution sections 9.1 and 9.2).

FACEBOOK.COM/WOKINGHAMPAPER

@WOKYPAPER

I’m very fond of Bath, my grandparents lived there so we spent many happy times with them as children before finding our own feet.

If you’re heading that way then pop to Found (www.foundbath.co.uk)

by Pulteney Bridge which is a bright and refreshing shop, nip into The Makery (Themakery.co.uk), say hello to Bertie and Jack (www.bertieandjack.co.uk), browse Rossiters and approach the hottest chilli at the chilli stall (justchillies.ecwid. com) with caution!

Of course, Bath being a World Heritage site is bustling with the every day, school trips and tourists but oh so worth a visit.

If you want any hints and tips do let me know (Nellie.pompoms@gmail.com).

After enjoying the hustle and throb of the city we then headed to Pythouse (www.pythousekitchengarden.co.uk) near Tisbury to meet up with my friend Harriet of huntergathereruk. info for afternoon tea, we left it too late to pop in to see Clem and her fantastic shop (www.clementinesshop.com) but the popular Compton Marbling Fair is on in a few weeks so we’ll see her and a whole array of brilliant exhibitors then.

Then it was back to mum’s to be reunited with the dog for supper and a night in a strange bed.

Home, not flown On Sunday we left Wiltshire and headed to Somerset for lunch with Georgie who runs Common Farm Flowers which is one of my happy places.

Georgie grows seasonal flowers which are then sent out all over the UK to arrive the next day as fresh as on the day they were cut.

I’m very vocal about British Flowers and the whole grown not flown ethos. Yes, they may be more expensive but they’ll arrive fresher, will last longer and they’re by far the best quality I’ve seen.

Georgie also runs a host of courses, has written two books The Flower Farmer’s Year and Grow Your Own Wedding Flowers, can often be heard giving talks and she also makes the best risotto according to my lot.

Goats cheese After lunch we headed to Dorset to see Fiona at Bere Marsh Farm (www.beremarshfarm.co.uk) and chuckled at the antics of the kids.

I do like goats, their eyes are a bit strange but I find them very amusing and I am rather partial to goats cheese.

I’ve yet to try kid meat but I am partial to slow cooked mutton which I must pick up from Jennings in Hurst and prepare Sunday lunch for my weary travellers before we start a new term.

Oh school run, I’ve not missed you!

Have a great week, I’m going to be Spring cleaning and heading to the loft.

18 | VIEWPOINTS

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Jessica scoops top Olivier award A playwright from Winnersh scooped a top theatre award on Sunday. SUE CORCORAN finds out what the win means to Jessica Swale –and what it was like to meet Eddie Izzard

Gemma Arterton stars as Nell Gwynn in the Olivier-award winning play of the same name, written by a former pupil of St Nicholas School in Hurst, Jessica Swale, pictured inset left with her partner Michael Wharley on the red carpet Main picture: Apollo Theatre/ Tristram Kenton

Y

OUNG playwright Jessica Swale won a Laurence Olivier Award for best new comedy during a sparkling red carpet night at the Royal Opera House.

Jessica, was brought up in Winnersh where her family still live.

On Sunday, she collected the award for her play Nell Gwynn, about the orange seller who became Charles II’s mistress. One critic dubbed the play as “ripe and juicy as the fruits its heroine hawks.”

The Olivier awards are seen as the British theatre’s most prestigious and fellow winner was Dame Judi Dench collecting her eighth Olivier award, this time for best supporting actress.

Jessica, 34, a former pupil at St Nicholas Primary School, Hurst, described the amazing evening which she shared with partner Michael Wharley, a photographer.

She said: “There’s been a rapturous reception for Nell Gwynn, but the play was up against brilliant contenders. When you don’t know if you have to make a speech, it’s nerve wracking.”

Her speech went down well.

She thanked the Nell Gwynn team and revealed a coincidence.

“It was 351 years to the day that Pepys first mentioned Nell in his diary: ‘Saw pretty, witty Nell at the theatre.’ The performance he saw was just metres from the Opera House. That felt a very special moment,” she said.

Eddie Izzard presented her award.

She said of her star encounter: “His was the first stand-up comedy I watched: it was really marvellous meeting him.”

Jessica has close links with Wokingham Theatre’s artistic director Nicky Allpress. Jessica’s play Blue Stockings, about Cambridge University’s women students’ struggle in 1896 to graduate, is being staged at the theatre June 16-25.

She has been invited to talk to the actors and also, post show, to the audience.

Blue Stockings was only the second play by a woman to be staged at the Shakespeare’s Globe theatre in London in 2012.

Jessica, who is also a theatre director, feels a keen responsibility to help inspire other people.

Nell Gwynn was one of the London’s first female actors. The Daily Telegraph wrote of Jessica’s play:

“With much bawdy song and dance, Swale bangs a playful feminist drum about the marginalisation of women; you don’t feel hectored, though.”

A minority of playwrights and directors are women.

“I feel very strongly that young people need to be inspired by role models like them. Kendrick School which I attended was a hugely inspiring place: at 14 I had the chance to direct plays.”

She now visits the school to talk its students.

She is also grateful to St Nicholas Primary.

Jessica said: “Being part of drama activities and creative days certainly piqued my interest. Our teachers enjoyed inventing novel themed activities on different topics or events like the Olympics or the Boat Race.

“I worry now that the national curriculum for schools is so restrictive it gives teachers much less opportunity to share their own creativity with their students. We frequently took a day or afternoon out of normal lessons to do something in response to an idea. I don’t think that’s possible anymore.”

Robin and Jill Swale still live in Jessica’s childhood home at Winnersh. Retired Kendrick

VOLUNTEER CORNER n Pavilion Youth Club runs a drop-in youth session every Friday evening from 7pm9.30pm based in Spencers Wood.

Their current age range is from 11 to 17. It is a safe place for young people to come and socialise/relax with their friends, find support when needed and get involved in activities and the opportunities we provide.

The volunteer will be working alongside the Youth Support Workers and be involved with the organisational aspects of running the session including taking in subs, registering, running the tuck shop, setting up and supervising activities/games as well as chatting and interacting with the young people.

Being able to interact, communicate

English teacher Jill said: “We’re incredibly proud of her of course. Her award is well deserved.”

Robin, a retired software engineer, believes a key influence was what Jessica did as a child. He says it is important that parents encourage children’s creativity.

Jessica had plenty of informal dressing up clothes. “When really small she made up little plays for herself and her brother,” said Jill. “She showed interest in writing from early on.” Robin encouraged her interest in music.

Jessica later went to drama classes at Wokingham’s Italia Conti drama school and Emmbrook School drama weeks. She got a first in drama at Exeter University.

After a Masters in directing she started directing and writing plays in small theatres in London.

To finance this she worked part time, in cafes and once as a witch for a department store.

Jill added: “At one time she had to sell her car to finance a play. A lot of people would have given up to find more certain pay. Jessica though is tenacious. Her breaks came when theatre director Max Stafford-Clark took her on as an associate director, and later when she was asked to direct at The Globe.”

With Helena Badger and relate to young people today is important and some experience of being around young people would be preferred.

This position does not require the volunteer to attend every Friday but could be one or twice a month, so in that respect would look for two or more volunteers depending on their availability. n Wokingham Borough Council run sessions across the borough to promote and enhance mental wellbeing using physical activity and sport as a tool.

They are looking for various volunteers to help with different sessions at different times throughout the week (not weekends).

If you have some experience at

playing or coaching sports, that would be beneficial. The sessions include; Tuesdays, noon-1pm, helping with Badminton at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre; Wednesdays noon-1pm, helping with Volleyball at Loddon Valley and 6pm-7pm helping with football at the Goals Centre in Woodley and Fridays 1.45pm-3pm helping with table tennis at St Crispin’s Leisure Centre Wokingham.

Thrive isalso looking to recruit Volunteer Speakers for External Talks. These talks will take place on an ad hoc basis – preference can be made for weekdays, evenings and weekends.

The volunteers must be excellent communicators, IT literate, flexible and be enthusiastic about the work that Thrive do.

n Thrive is the leading charity in the UK using gardening to change the lives of disabled people.

Thrive uses gardening to bring about positive changes in the lives of people living with disabilities or ill health, or who are isolated, disadvantaged or vulnerable.

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

OH, MR SMITH!

A wry look at life Picture: Marko Malca/freeimages.com

Wokingham’s people

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 8, 2016

Abolish Father’s Day

T

HERE’S still time as it isn’t until June 19.

Perhaps I can escape the country, just to avoid Father’s Day. Is it internationally celebrated?

I don’t need the flowers, my waistline doesn’t need the chocolates and my fragile psyche doesn’t need the sentimentality.

It seems like only yesterday it fell to me to exert some authority in controlling high spirited kids.

Now two are married and all are carving a path through the workplace.

We enjoy loving but, at times, robust relationships.

That is a result isn’t it?

So why subscribe to the costly business of celebrating it every year?

Mind you, I told my youngest daughter when she was at primary school that I would be quite happy with a DIY item from the pound shop. And that’s what I continue to receive.

What worries me, as I mentioned previously, is that gender-balance change in the work place mean Father’s Day is more meaningful as the new Mother Day. What is going to be even more confusing is the quiet drift into a gender neutral age that has already begun.

There is some concern in high places, or so it seems, about public insensitivity towards the gender confused.

CONFUSED I suspect this is driven by closeted academics who never experience real life and are trying to foist ‘gender fluidity’ on us and allowing you to be anything you like.

Apparently it is becoming ‘hateful’ to hold any views on there being a gender difference between a man and a woman. Gender may well be an irrelevant factor in the workplace but if I decided to sign up to Tinder I think I might like to know the gender of the person I was meeting.

Oops, just in case the wife reads this I have no intention of signing up to Tinder.

There is so much concern for the gender-confused that the Commons Women and Equalities Select Committee have produced a report to protect them.

This is at the cost of the rest of society being coerced into agreeing that gender can change.

There was a time when I would expect a Commons Women and Equalities Select Committee to fight for gender equality but now that is achieved vested interest groups such as this one need to find a new frontline.

What better way to emasculate men than through the idea of gender fluidity?

So presumably a man can become a woman and when this gets a tad boring she can become himself again until the desire to be a woman returns.

I am definitely not signing up to Tinder.

For a nanosecond I thought about experimenting with gender fluidity but I think the wife might put her foot down where it hurts – just to remind me of my inescapable manhood.

If you feel like experimenting write to letters@ wokinghampaper.co.uk TOM SMITH @WRYLIFEtomsmith

WELLBEING | 19

Friday, April 8, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Good health

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

You won’t believe your eyes when you see the bill … you pay what you want

Need to budget for regular dental visits?

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.

£21 a month

What is included?

• 2 Examinations (including x-rays) • 2 Hygienist visits • Accident & Emergency Insurance • 15% member discount on treatment

Need to budget Need to bud for regular budget for regular dental visits?dent (excludes specialist and implant treatment)

Need to regular dental visits?

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 Bryony You do notfor need to be dentally fit to join Allen, Senior butaa new patienta examination onlyforBMS £21 month Optometrist Our membership scheme is available only £21 month is at Leightons Opticians and Hearing fit to join Care

You do not need to be dentally 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.

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

visit our website at www.beechcroftdental.com call into is needed during the 12 monthor contract member discount of 15% is given.

Beechcroft Dental Practice, 32a Station Road, Wokingham, RG40 2AE and speak with one of our team.

A new way to cover the cost of your eye test has been launched – pay what you think it’s worth. GEMMA DAVIDSON explains

A

N OPHTHALMIC centre in Wokingham is trialling a new campaign to encourage more people to get their eyesight tested – by paying only what they think the test is worth.

Leightons Opticians and Hearing Care Practice, in Peach Street, is launching the Pay What You Want campaign to encourage more people to try out their ultimate eye exam, which uses specialist OCT technology that can detect some eye conditions, such as glaucoma, up to five years before a traditional eye test.

The test, which lasts 45 minutes, checks for various eye conditions and other health issues, including cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetes and high blood pressure, and patients pay what they think the test is worth at the end.

Ryan Leighton, CEO of Leightons Opticians and Hearing Care, which has 34 practices throughout the

South of England, helped devise the campaign as part of the company’s For Life ethos.

He said: “We believe great eyesight and strong health is priceless. We truly believe in our For Life philosophy where we care for people’s sight and hearing so they can live life as fully as possible.

So, that is why we can stand by our Pay What You Want campaign.

“This is not about giving away something for free, it’s about raising awareness of the importance of eye health and in our case providing people with the opportunity to experience the Ultimate Eye Examination but in a way where they get to choose to pay what it’s worth.”

Bryony Allen, senior optometrist at Leightons Opticians and Hearing Care, said she believes once people have tried their ultimate eye examination they will realise the value.

She said: “We want more people to recognise that we offer something different and more thorough.

This is about all-round health and wellbeing and not just getting your eyes tested for a new prescription.

“Eye exams are not just about vision. The most important part of an eye examination focuses on your both your eye and general health. Regular

comprehensive eye examinations can be sight and even life saving.

“We use state of the art technology in our eye examinations, including Optical Coherence Tomographers (OCTs), which work a little like ultasound for the eye.

“It shows us beyond the retinal surface into the tissue behind – allowing us to spot some conditions up to five years before a traditional test.

“OCT not only detects various eye conditions including, glaucoma and age-related macular Our membership scheme is available for a month degeneration. It can pick-up health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure and vascular What is included?

You do not need to be dentally fit to join disease.”

The ultimate eye examination normally costs £69 • 2 Examinations (including x-rays) BMS but a new patient examination is for private patients and a £40 upgrade for from the • 2 Hygienist visits required before signing up. If treatment free NHS-funded eye test. The Pay What You Want • Accident & Emergency Insurance needed duringthe thewhole 12 month contract Campaign willis run throughout of April and • 15% member discount on treatment is available to anyone overdiscount 18 within a member ofparticipating 15% is given. (excludes specialist and implant treatment) Leightons stores.

Leightons Opticians in Crockhamwell Road, Woodley is also participating in the scheme.

For more information or toinformation, book an appointment For more please contact us on 0118 978 3815, call 0118 978 6744 (Wokingham branch) or 0118 969 our website at www.beechcroftdental.com or call into 1139 (Woodleyvisit branch).

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,

| HERITAGE 20 Friday, August 21, 2015 TheWokinghamPaPer

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WokinghamRemembers

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 8, 2016

HERITAGE | 17

In association association with with In

Exploring Exploringour ourheritage heritagewith with wokinghamremembers.com wokinghamremembers.com

The amazing history of Littlecourt, now home to WADE REVIEW

The past which has shaped our present...

WADE on the Reading Road is an amazing building – and its story has been researched by the History of Buildings Group of Wokingham U3A (University This week MikE ChuRChER reviews of the Third Age). the Wokingham Here, they tell theRemembers fascinatingarticles story of Littlecourt. of the past four months and discusses PADDY CLEARY is your guide some of the factors which contributed is found until 1832, when the electoral RIVE into Wokingham from to the making of new Wokingham and its gives the owner as William register Reading near the junction Charles Lamplow Of Exmouth Devon. with Station Approach and you environment.

D O

will pass, on your right, Littlecourt VER the past months the – the WADE (Wokingham and District Wokingham Remembers page has Association for the Elderly) day centre. been providing an early picture The white gable end you see from the of how a small market town and a road is a Victorian extension but the main few villages on the edge of a forest is today house building dates from the late 16th ranked as one of the country’s leading century, being part-timber framed with communities. brick infill, part-brick, and part-painted Education, religion, industry, transport, render.

Over the centuries it has been social structures, national politics and owned and occupied by many influential local government are all important people of Wokingham and is a Grade II* pieces in building the great Wokingham listed building. jigsaw. Here now is a summary of our Paddy Cleary, a member of the U3A contributions to date and a few ideas on History Group, recounts the results of his the next round of articles. researches.

Education, Education, Early History Education The first record we found was a deed

Today’s is renowned as of sale datedWokingham 1671 when Richard Palmer, oneand of the centres of late excellence son heircountry’s of Richard Palmer, education; this partly due to strong offor Wokingham, and is William Marlow school and motivated who wasperformance then living in thethe house, sold live in one of brewer the most itparents for £131who to Abell Bradley, of highly educated communities in the UK. Wokingham.

If we look into the of the Richard Palmer hadhistory inherited Wokingham’s we can see Luckley estateschools in Wokingham and the howCourt education woven into its DNA. East estateisin Finchampstead from Prior to the Great Wokingham his father who diedWar, in 1670. was surrounded by manor houses and Abell Bradley was Alderman (Mayor) members of theinlanded gentry who for Wokingham 1668 and 1675.

He died to be to the levers power; inwanted 1677 and hisclose will shows that heofleft the royal households ofthe Windsor. ai.e. house named the Rose in town of In turn these upper echelons Wokingham and two other houses to his possessed serious sense of duty son and heira also called Abell. and a responsibility ensure This Abell Bradleyto was the their community received at least a basic Recorder for the Wokingham education. Wokingham had a Corporation from 1693 toalso 1724. powerful a strong He died in professional 1726. It is notclass, known community the nonifchurch the house was still(including in his conformists) they shared possession butand if ittogether was it would a strong belief in the have passed to his sonimportance and heir of teaching. Bradley who was Dennington The in result with the skills, elected 1719was as Town Clerk and the motivation and theHefinance available, Clerk of the Peace. was also there developed a culture of education appointed one of the Masters which still holds strong to this day.

Extraordinary of his Majesty`s High Court of Chancery.

Wokingham transport InTransport 1734 he appointed is probablyhis the single nephew, Edward Wise, as most important factor to in act Wokingham’s his deputy as Town Clerk in his development, in both its rail and road absence. systems.

Future articles will look at the The 19th Century introduction of theofrailways and the No other record the house

The electoral register at the Berkshire major impact they had on the town and Records Office does not go further we have already made a start with the back than 1832 but William Charles road system by mapping out the course of Lamplow probably owned the house the old Forest Road. some time before then as his father’s will While the building of the M4 had a of 1792 shows that he bequeathed all major influence on the introduction of the his household goods from his house in high tech businesses which now surround Wokingham to his wife Lucy for life.

Wokingham, it is the A329M which The All Saints church records show in 1975 cut off the Forest Road and its that Lucy Lamplow died in 1819 at Shute natural connections between Emmbrook End. The will was made in 1781 and his and the villages of Hurst and Binfield. The executors wererelationship his wife, Lucy Lamplow, love and hate with our rail and Jeremiah Crutchley.

The will and roads continue to this day! was witnessed by Charles F. Palmer, James Wokingham’s military Webb and Edward Wise.

All these people were among the “The heritage Good Great” of contemporary Asand 2015the is the bi-centenary of the Wokingham society.there have been a Battle of Waterloo, Charles Palmer had inherited number ofFyshe articles commemorating this the Luckley and East Court estates to world changing event. theThe south of has the town. area alwaysJames been Webb noted was for the main brewerto inthe Wokingham at the its contribution nation’s military time and Alderman seven times.

Edward capability, with Arborfield’s REME, Wise wasRemount the nephew and son-in-law RFA and connections and the of Dennington He had married Sandhurst andBradley.

Wellington Colleges all Margaret Bradley in 1763. situated very nearby.

We know that William Charlestook to Even the Duke of Wellington Lamplow also inherited sixth today part ofis living in Stratfield Saye, awhich Beeches Manor inaway Wokingham from his only 30 minutes from Wokingham’s grandmother town centre. Ann Marsh who with her five sisters had inherited it from their Wokingham’s uncle Richard Hawe in1727. benefactor culture Jeremiah Crutchley became joint The area around Wokingham was surrounded by many remarkable individuals and they were instrumental in building the much needed infrastructure which underpinned the establishment of a strong community.

We will later be telling the story of the Walter family and their contributions to the building of Wokingham but in April first weekly issue, we told the story of the much loved Arthur Hill, the 6th Marquess of Downshire.

Although one of Britain’s wealthiest landowners, Arthur Hill doubled as the chief of the local Fire Brigade and was a major financial contributor to this part of Wokingham’s public services.

Later articles will illustrate the demise of these great manors and their incumbent social system and the rise of

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

its replacement: local government.

historians, Sarah Huxford, also took

Before we believe too much in the idea that Wokingham’s was a owner of this sixth development part and the enclosure solidly sedate experience, article map of 1817 , below, shows May’s the land as told thebystory of the and rioting in the town owned Crutchley Lamplow.

This is centre timeside of the 1857 General the landduring on thethe north of the Reading Election.

Road opposite present day Littlecourt.

Suchsixth events were a common sightwas in This part of Beeches Manor the town and and bloody battle sold in 1871 bythis Annshort Lamplow and Percy between the Whigs and the Tories also Crutchley to John Walter of Bearwood. highlighted the Bush and Rose hotels in William Charles Lamplow died in 1850 Market Place as the headquarters of these and Littlecourt, then called Woodlands, two feral groups. passed to his wife and, at her death The story was also able to reflect in1855, to his daughter Ann. upon the national scene and the corrupt Heelas Connection natureThe of general elections before the The 1861 electoral introduction of the private register ballot. shows Woodlands was owned Future articles will include furtherand tales of anarchybyand revelry in this old of occupied John Wenham Lewis market town.

Westerham, Kent. The 1871 register gives the owner as John Wenham Wokingham at War Lewis it was occupied There arebut watershed momentsbyinJohn Heelas father of John history whichjunior markwhose the moment great Heelas and uncle Heelas change in a society andDaniel the Great War of wereisdrapers in time. the town and also 1914-1918 one such foundeda the department store in Therefore number of centenaries Reading. between 2014 and 2018 will John Heelas junior wasof war commemorate the great losses whichAlderman scarred the of Wokingham forpeople Wokingham in for the1865, rest 1873 of the 20th century. and 1880.

He lived in May’s edition followed the story Woodlands until 1883. of two brothers from Wenham Langborough In 1879 John Lewis died Road in Wokingham One and Woodlandstown. passed to of hisour son

reflects only a microcosm of the losses Charles Edward Wenham Lewis and he around the county of Berkshire, but owned it until his death in 1886. affirms the importance of the wars in the The Titanic Connection development of our local character.

In 1891, Littlecourt’s owner was Wokingham and Richard Sanderson. He established the the Royal Sanderson andForest Son shipping line in New Looking today’s community, it is York and hisatson Harold Arthur Sanderson difficult the to visualise just how rural became general manager of thethe area once and partHarold explains the a White Starwas Line.

In in 1899, became sometimes fragileImrie relationship between partner in Ismay, and Company, the the oldStar and owners. new Wokingham; few owned White The company areas in theand UK the havecrew witnessed the Titanic list for such her extraordinary growth and in built, the voyage from Belfast, wherechange she was profile of its population. to Southampton is headed “Registered Although Wokingham’s history Managing Owner.H.A. Sanderson.” hasFortunately always been heintertwined left the shipwith in the surrounding villages by providing Southampton and did not sail with her on a market place for agricultural and her fatal voyage, but his partner Mr Ismay commercial produce, it was also a Forest did. Ismay was a survivor although it was Town. The term ‘forest’ did not mean a commonly felt at the time that he should cluster of trees, but a system of laws laid have gone down with his ship as the down by royalty for the protection of captain had done. their hunting grounds.

The 20th Century These onerous rules restricted local people fromWoodlands using largewas parts of thebyland In 1900, owned for sustenance andBurns, in partthe ledwidow to the of Jemima Georgiana rise of local and general Gilbert Burnshighwaymen of Knockmaroon, Castle lawlessness.

AsShe a result, the subsequent Knock, Dublin. died at Woodlands Black Act of the 1723house camepassed down heavily in 1906 and to her on these ‘Wokingham andMary resulted daughters Mary andBlacks’ Isabella. diedin in eitherand their transportation 1926 Isabella in 1929. or execution.

The story was told in June, and also

The home of WADE (Wokingham and District Association the Elderly) a number of owners during the years.the Here it is pictured in 1976 commemorated 800th anniversary us on afor journey to thehas oldhad battlefields Wokingham’s wild side when it was Littlecourt. Picture: Berkshire Records Office And inset left: The houseThis salestory particulars in theof1930s Picture: Carta, WADE signed at nearby the Magna in search of their graves.

Runnymede in 1215.

From 1930-1931 Arthur John Neville Shining a Dorothy light on and his wife lived there and in 1934-1935, Mrs Clarice Lung Ages’ did.

Wokingham’s ‘Dark In bring 1937, the owner wasthe theAugust Hon Charles To us up to date Melton are Astley and he the name articles focused onchanged the kids who are of the house to Little now entering into theirCourt. summer holidays.

A yearbetter later,way the ownership What to use this passed month’sto Lt editions thanRonald to tell the storiesDeane of theand Col Geoffrey Hawtrey Romans, the Celts and the Saxons his wife Sylvia. influence area before Wokingham In 1960on it the belonged to John Leslie was even a twinkle in old Wocca’s eye?

Charlton.

David Nash provided a set ofby In 1970, theFord house was acquired articles and puzzles which makes Berkshire County Council, presumably history for the youngby and doubt becausefun it was blighted thenothen will also catch the interest of the parents proposed Wokingham Inner Distribution who will be looking over their child’s Road. (Interestingly the one section of shoulder. this scheme remaining in the plans for Here’s to the next round of articles! the Town has now been constructed as Thanks go out to our contributors: Steve StationJim Approach.)

Bacon, Bell, David Nash Ford, Sarah In 1974 Littlecourt passedOttlewski to the Huxford, Roger Long, Trevor Wokingham and District Association and Peter Shilham for all their continuing for the Elderly, a registered charity, contributions. founded JeanisDavy, a former Mayor of All thisby work provided by our Wokingham. local historians free of charge and Day Centre Littlecourt canThe be found on theatfront page ofwas the opened in 1974.

Wokingham Remembers website www.wokinghamremembers.com n This U3A group is most grateful to the Thanksand also to Mark Ashwell at for Trustees management of WADE TradeMark supporting the paper’s allowing us for to visit and photograph the commitment to this project. fabric of the building.

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

Unit 20, Headley Park 10 (next to Screwfix), Woodley RG5 4SW 0118 9699322

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.

College training rated highly TRAINING provided by a local college is top of the league in new ratings released this week.

On Wednesday, the Government shared the latest employer satisfaction ratings for the training provided by Colleges, Local Authorities and Independent Training Providers.

Bracknell & Wokingham College topped the region’s training deliverers with a score of 8.7 (out of 10) compared to a national average of 7.9.

The College supports the training of over 200 employers of all sizes – ranging from very large employers, such as South West Trains through to smaller local firms such as Wokingham-based garage Citroemech.

Marc Sellis, Head of Training and Development at South West Trains said,

“I am glad to see Bracknell & Wokingham College gain the recognition they deserve from the employer satisfaction survey.

“At South West Trains, we have built a close working relationship with the college over several years. The college team have worked tirelessly to understand our business and have made the delivery of apprenticeships for our Train Drivers and Guards a seamless process.”

Citroemech owner, Ray Cook, said, “A huge well done to Bracknell & Wokingham College — Citroemech is delighted with the Apprenticeships that the college delivers.”

College principal, Campbell Christie (pictured), said: “I am delighted to see the hard work of my staff recognized and rewarded in this fantastic achievement.”

We’re going to Wembley!

Members of Steppin Out Stars of Tomorrow theatre school will be performing at Wembley Stadium next weekend

MANY children dream of performing at Wembley Stadium and for pupils of a local theatre school next weekend that dream will become a reality.

Thirty pupils from Steppin Out Stars of Tomorrow will join a 1,000-strong dance troupe to provide half-time entertainment at a championship Rugby game became Saracens and Harlequins on Saturday, April 16.

EDUCATION | 21

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Friday, April 8, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

“It will be an incredible experience,” said theatre school owner Shelley Fitzgibbon. “To perform in front of that many people at such a tender age is going to be so exciting.” n Steppin Out is running a free taster session for children on Friday, April 22 or Saturday, April 23. To book, call Shelley on 07970 034488 or 0118 977 4258 or email shelley@steppinoutstars.co.uk

Ascot’s appliance of science

By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokinghampaper.co.uk SPRING term ended with a bang for bright sparks at a local school as it celebrated Science Week.

LVS Ascot said its the week provided a whole host of opportunities for its pupils to explore and learn – and with a school that ranges from children aged four to young adults aged 18, that’s a lot of learning.

The timetable included human and animal visitors along with the chance to find out more about futuristic gadgets and vehicles.

Brave students were able to handle snakes and reptiles, while those that like their animals a bit more cuddly were able to meet and learn about alpacas and pygmy goats.

It wasn’t just students being wowed by science though, with parents – and teachers – road tested some Tesla high performance electric cars and learnt how cutting-edge science and engineering can combine to develop some of the world’s fastest and most desirable vehicles.

The junior school pupils were able to spend time in the newly refurbished senior school science laboratories to undertake experiments and the week concluded with an Open Day for their parents, allowing children to demonstrate their knowledge and learnings and complete tasks as a family.

Parent Mr Baines said: “It has been really interesting to sit in on lessons and experience what the pupils are learning.

It is a nice way to interact with them and means my daughter and I can follow on from the school work we have done together today at home.”

Guests included Nigel Revell, director of the Teenage Cancer Trust, who talked

Clockwise from left: LVS Ascot Junior School pupils prepare for experiments; a student holds a pygmy goat during Science Week; A Tesla electric car gets a thorough examination from Junior School pupils at LVS Ascot’s Science Week Inset: Pupils could handle reptiles

about dealing with the disease, and Gareth Evans, a production sound engineer from LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art) who created practical on-stage experiments with students including modelling sound in air during his Sound In Science Fiction presentation.

LVS Ascot Principal Christine Cunniffe said: “We always aim to inspire pupils to be passionate and enthusiastic about their education, and

seek to provide positive role models and engaging subjects.

“With the STEM subjects providing key core skills for students in life beyond the school, Science Week provided a great way for pupils to find their areas of interest and set their sights on the future”. n The science theme continues at LVS Ascot in a fortnight, when the school invites people to a free lecture titled How To Explore The Universe by Andy Newsam, Director of the National Schools’ Observatory. The lecture is on Thursday April 21 at 7pm in the LVS Ascot Britvic Theatre.

Concert celebrates artistic talent A CELEBRATION concert brought this year’s Woodley Festival to a close last month.

The evening, held at the Oakwood Centre, saw performances from all five sections of the annual contest: piano, vocal, choirs, instrumental, speech and drama.

During the evening, Nidilan Srikajanan won the Brian Telfer Trophy, with his memorable rendition of the Cheshire Cat’s speech from Alice in Wonderland It brought together some of the 2,140 performers, with just 17 of them shining in the finale spotlight from the Year 1 Choral Verse group from Dolphin School to the more mature performance from the Clarinet Ensemble of the Bracknell and Wokingham Community Band.

There were 800 performers in the choir section alone, divided between 28 school choirs and four adult ones.

A further 470 entrants performed in the speech and drama classes with 170 more in both choral verse and instrumental classes. Then there were 150 vocal solos and duets and a stunning 380 piano solos and duets.

The Festival ran from March

Woodley Mayor Cllr Dave Mills and his deputy, Cllr Jenny Cheng, present awards to Woodley Festival winners

5-20, over four venues: as well as the Oakwood Centre and Bulmershe School in Woodley, Emmbrook and St Crispins Schools in Wokingham were used to help create more than 130 hours worth of classes all carefully watched over by seven visiting adjudicators, and three official accompanists.

The finale was watched by Woodley mayor Cllr Dave Mills and his wife and deputy mayor Cllr Jenny

Cheng and at the end of the night, they were presented with flowers, as was sponsor Ann Manning and President Gillian Reid.

Plans are already being made for next year’s Festival, which will run from March 4-19. The syllabus will be published in October with entries for all classes except the choirs due in by mid-January. n For more details, log on to www.woodleyfestival.org.uk.

When dinosaurs ruled the imagination!

Talented five-year-old Joseph sent us this fantastic dinosaur collage he’d created, picturing what life was like when dinosaurs roamed the earth. It includes an exploding volcano and a pterodactyl. Well done for such a splendid picture Joseph. We love receiving your pictures, stories, poems and reports for our Press Pack page. Send your items to news@wokinghampaper.co.uk or write to The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS.

Your weekly puzzle challenge

22 | LEISURE

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Quiz Challenge

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1. In which classic movie does Joseph Cotton play a character called Holly Martins?

2. Whose first UK No 1 hit single was I Should Be So Lucky in 1988?

3. The football club Atalanta play home games in which Italian city?

4. Which English king had a mistress named Dorothea Jordan, who bore him ten illegitimate children?

5. What is the surname of the family in the BBC sitcom Outnumbered?

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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

POPE TO AXE DEBATES

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 C through openings in the walls. The I first letter may appear in any chamber.

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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: 30 Good; 36 Very Good; 42 Excellent.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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ACROSS 1. Quickly have two cuts of meat (4-4)

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Hard

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

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FIVE ALIVE

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

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

6. The Old Codgers replied to readers’ letters in which newspaper from 1936 to 1990?

7. Jules Winnfield and Vincent Vega are two hitmen in which 1994 film?

8. What is the title of Paolo Nutini’s third album, which reached UK No 1 in 2014?

9. In 1968 a bronze statue of which person, sitting cross-legged, was unveiled in Tavistock Square, London?

10. According to a government poster campaign after the Second World War, what are the two things that ‘spread diseases’?

WORD PYRAMID

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

T

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 8, 2016

8. Water that can be found in drains (4) 9. Left at sea by the end of the Suez Canal, we hear (4,4) 10. Slot upper join into place to power aeroplane (3,10) 11. By way of a polar explorer (4) 13. Boat coming from way back on the left (4) 17. Runners may be trained in this ground (7,6) 20. Not much of an attempt at old Cambridge examination (6,2) 21. A let-out when overdue (4) 22. Turkish governor with five in his harem? (4) 23. Made rare concoction using sugar (8)

DOWN 2. Lift northwards to the skies (6) 3. Peter has work before second half of July on a suit of armour (7) 4. Large animal contracted into a ship possibly (5) 5. According to the panel this crime was committed (7) 6. Some confusion about second prophet (5) 7. Rod ran round the old Welsh county (6) 12. One cannot stand going in here at the pool (4,3) 14. Sing before end of summer, bird (7) 15. Perfect to have a meal about six (6) 16. State of confusion about boxer’s weight (6) 18. Like Tom perhaps – spiteful (5) 19. Greys first appear indistinctly in the partial darkness (5)

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

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17 22

18

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ACROSS 1. Large marine fish (6) 4. Empty (6) 8. Elder (6) 10. Advisor (6) 11. Stoneworker (5) 12. Spiral-bladed drill (6) 14. Insidious (6) 16. Traditional learning (4) 17. Dried up (4) 19. Drains, enfeebles (4)

22.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

Pace (4) Lavatory (6) Narrow passage (6) Single thickness (5) Seem (6) Reason for action (6) 31. Move unsteadily (6) 32. Grief-stricken (6) DOWN 1. Wretchedness (6) 2. Hire (6) 3. Chemical compound (6) 5. Wide street (6)

6.

7.

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10.

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Shrewd (6) Objective (6) Uncommon (4) Flowerless plant (4) Ethical (5) Prickly shrub (5) Sea channel (6) Elementary (6) Animal’s coat (6) Celestial body (4) Stalk (4) Monarch’s seat (6) Constabulary (6) Bear witness (6)

6 2 9 4 8 7 5 1 3

4 1 3 2 5 6 9 7 8

5 7 8 9 3 1 4 2 6

1 4 2 8 6 5 3 9 7

8 3 6 7 4 9 1 5 2

9 5 7 1 2 3 6 8 4

3 8 1 6 9 2 7 4 5

2 9 5 3 7 4 8 6 1

7 5 8 9 2 3 6 1 4

7 6 4 5 1 8 2 3 9

EASY SUDOKU

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15 2

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CROSS CODE

Z

9 2 4 6 8 1 5 7 3

3 1 6 5 4 7 2 9 8

5 7 1 3 6 4 8 2 9

6 3 2 1 9 8 7 4 5

8 4 9 2 7 5 1 3 6

4 6 3 8 1 2 9 5 7

1 9 7 4 5 6 3 8 2

2 8 5 7 3 9 4 6 1

HARD SUDOKU 17 4

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19 6

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20 7

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21 8

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22 9

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WORD PYRAMID: Earning capacity.

EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – multiply; subtract; add; divide. Total: 12.

MAGIC SQUARE: beat; expo; apse; toed.

N

23

R

10

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E

11

M

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Radnor; 12 Deep end; 14 Warbler; 15 Divine; 16 Welter; 18 Catty; deign; DESERVING; design; designer; ding; dirge; diverge; dreeing; edge; 19 Gloom. edger; edgier; engird; geed; gender; gene; genie; genre; gird; girn; girned; give; given; giver; greed; green; greisen; grid; grieve; grieved; grin; grind; redesign; reding; reeding; reeving; reign; reigned; resign; resigned; ridge; ring; ringed; sedge; seeding; seeing; serge; serving; severing; siege; sign; signed; signee; signer; sing; singe; singed; singer; veering; verge; verged.

QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Marlin; 4 Vacant; 8 Senior; 10 Mentor; 11 Mason; 12 Reamer; 14 Subtle; 16 Lore; 17 Sere; 19 Saps; 22 Step; 26 Toilet; 27 Throat; 28 Layer; 29 Appear; 30 Motive; 31 Teeter; 32 Bereft.

Down – 1 Misery; 2 Rental; 3 Isomer; 5 Avenue; 6 Astute; 7 Target; 9 Rare; 10 Moss; 13 Moral; 15 Brier; 18 Strait; 19 Simple; 20 Pelage; 21 Star; 22 Stem; 23 Throne; 24 Police; 25 Attest.

Down – Spans; Image; Gamut.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Chop-chop; 6 Mark; 8 Rain; 9 Port side; 10 Jet (2) Across – Darts; Dogma; Yarns.

Down – Dodgy; Roger; Swabs. propulsion; 11 Byrd; 13 Yawl; 17 Kitchen garden; 20 Little go; 21 Late; 22 Bevy; 23 Demerara.

NONAGRAM: Down – 2 Heaven; 3 Panoply; 4 Hippo; 5 Perjury; 6 Moses; 7

QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 The Third Man; 2 Kylie Minogue; 3 Bergamo; 4 William IV; 5 Brockman; The Daily Mirror; 7 Pulp Fiction; 8 Caustic Love; 9 Mahatma Gandhi; 10 ‘Coughs and sneezes’.

(1) Across – Sling; Alarm; Sweet.

FIVE ALIVE:

LEISURE | 23

To advertise call 0118 328 2959

Friday, April 8, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Leisure

Your guide to what’s happening around Wokingham

REVIEW

PREVIEW

Explore the dark side of the internet

A crazy kind of love Last of the Red Hot Lovers Mill at Sonning Friday, April 1

Imusic

T’S ALWAYS a bit tricky when two theatres put on the same show in the same season.

The comparisons are bound to be there, looking hard for the differences, and scoring points off both performances.

Wokingham Theatre staged Neil Simon’s comedy Last of the Red Hot Lovers in September, but seeing The Mill at Sonning’s offering is like seeing a completely different show.

Directed by Robin Herford, 1960’s-set ...Lovers focuses on fish restaurant owner Barney Cashman, played by Stuart Fox, happily married to Thelma for more than 20 years, but desperate to have an affair.

He secretly arranges to meet his would-be conquests at his mother’s apartment – while she is out volunteering at the local hospital – in a bid to seduce his way into the sexual revolution.

His first attempt, with serial-cheater Mrs Elaine Navazio, ends in disaster as he tries too hard to build a relationship with her in the space of three hours. His incessant talking and finger smelling (years of working in a fish restaurant have taken their toll) leave her just about ready for bed, but not in the way Barney was hoping.

Ditzy and drama-prone wannabe actress Bobbi Michele is the next woman to make it to the apartment. Unaware of Barney’s intentions, she is there to repay him the $20 he lent her for an audition, and proceeds to

Wokingham

Wokingham

club

music

club

Wokingham Laura Doddington plays all the female roles alongside Stuart Fox in The Mill at Sonning’s new version of The Last of the Red Hot Lovers

regale him with all the sordid dalliances of her young life. Shocked and realising he is out of his depth, Barney tries to get her to leave, but the pair end up falling about on the sofa smoking marijuana.

Barney’s third and final attempt at adultery is with Thelma’s best friend, Jeanette. Having sidled up to her at a cosy dinner party the previous week, Barney is expecting an afternoon on unbridled passion, but when a

manically-depressed Jeanette walks through the door his hopes are dashed.

Funny and fast-paced, ...Lovers is everything you would want from a comedy, with witty one-liners to slapstick silliness.

The star of the show is Laura Doddington who effortlessly plays all three female characters, swapping accents and hairpieces with ease between scenes.

The chemistry between Doddington and

Animal Corner 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

lead, and is so eager to please and earn the praise and love she hasn’t received in the past.

Rhubarb has a lot of love to give to someone who can sympathise with her situation, give her lots of attention and cuddles.

As she is still a youngster she could benefit from more training.

We don’t know much about her history so wouldn’t want to place her into a family with young children.

RHUBARB

OKRA This three-year-old neutered female is a very sweet girl who loves a cuddle!

She was rescued from a dog pound so not much is known about her background.

She is great with other dogs, and very friendly towards people but as we don’t know a huge amount about her we wouldn’t want to place her into a family with small children.

Okra can be viewed at DBARC, but will need to be adopted through The Border Collie Spot in Binfield.

Fox is fantastic, their interactions within every scene are perfectly timed and well executed. Keeping the audience’s attention through long monologues can be a challenge, but these two make it look like child’s play. n Last of the Red Hot Lovers is at The Mill at Sonning until May 7. Tickets start at £43.50 which include dinner and a programme. To book visit www.millatsonning.com.

GEMMA DAVIDSON

Wokingham

with Gemma Davidson

One-year-old Rhubarb is a sweet little girl, but is also quite timid.

We don’t think she had the very best start in life, as she was brought to the shelter by an animal warden.

Rhubarb is friendly once you get to know her, but can come across as quite shy around new people.

She is great with other dogs, but doesn’t get on with cats and is unlikely to get on with other small animals.

She walks really well on the

WOKINGHAM Theatre is back in action next week with two one-act plays.

Ben Ockrent’s Hactivists and Enda Walsh’s Chatroom both look at times when internet use turns sour.

The plays were originally staged by the National Theatre and tackle an issue that will be pertinent to teenagers.

Hacktivists asks what happens when a group of school computer club geeks have to choose between legal and illegal use of the internet.

Chatroom is a funny, compelling and uplifting play that tackles teenage life head-on.

The plays are performed at the theatre from Tuesday, April 12 to Saturday, April 16. It is not suitable for under 13s.

Tickets cost £10 for adults and £5 for under 18s and students.

For more details, call the box office on 0118 978 5363 or log on to www. wokingham-theatre.org.uk.

BARNEY Barney is another collie who is currently staying at DBARC while The Border Collie Spot in Binfield recovers from storm damage.

He is two-years-old but quite a small chap who is very bright and lively. He loves other dogs and is very playful and friendly.

We think he may not have had much life experience as he is quite unsure in new situations.

He is looking for a kind, sensible, collie-savvy owner who has the time and experience to introduce him to the delights of home life and maybe even a dog sport.

NOVA Stunning three-yearold huskie Nova was found wandering with a rope tied around her neck, with another dog we assume to be her adult son. She is a lovely girl, quite petite but very friendly.

Nova is good with other dogs, but

not much more is known about her.

Huskies are very lively, active dogs so would need an owner who could keep up with her. Nova is available for viewing at DBARC, but being homed through The Border Collie Spot.

KAISER We think Kaiser is Nova’s son, they were found together and get on really well.

He is a husky collie cross, and while much bigger than his mother, he is just as friendly and lively.

We think he would make an ideal candidate for a doggy sport like flyball or agility. View Kasier at DBARC and re-home him through The Border Collie Spot. 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

music

club

music club

24 | LEISURE

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

What’s on Friday, April 8 FINCHAMPSTEAD – Library, FBC Centre RG40 4ES. Rhymetime for under fives.

11am. Details: 0118 908 8176.

LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Parcord weaving workshop for ages 6 upwards. £5 per bracelet.

10.45am-noon. Details: 0118 931 2150.

MAIDEN ERLEGH – Library, off Silverdale Road RG6 7HS. Get Arty: Shakespeare and rabbit-themed crafts for ages 4-12. 2.30pm-3.30pm, £1.50. Details: 0118 966 6630.

LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Pass The Book Club. 10.30am11.30am. Details: 0118 931 2150.

WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Local history surgery: dropin advice with a local expert.

10am-noon. Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOKINGHAM – The Two Poplars, Finchampstead Road RG41 2NU. Quiz night and raffle in aid of Hope For Children. From 8pm.

WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Get Arty: Shakespeare and rabbitthemed crafts for ages 4-12.

2.15pm-3.15pm, £1.50.

Details: 0118 969 0304

Saturday, April 9 ARBORFIELD – Lockey Farm, Sindlesham Road RG2 9JH. Lambing day. 10am-4pm.

Details: 0118 976 1063.

EARLEY – Our Lady of Peace Social Club, Wokingham Road RG6 7DA (entrance off Aldbourne Avenue).

Race night. Details: 0118 935 2927.

HURST – Emmbrook Room, Dinton Pastures Country Park RG10 0TH. Berkshire Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers exhibition.

10.30am-4.30pm. Details: www.bswd.org.uk.

LOWER EARLEY – Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way RG6 5HZ. Dad and Baby Rhymetime. 10.30am11am. Details: 0118 931 2150.

READING – Novotel, Friar Street RG1 1DP. Berkshire Townwomen’s Guild Roadshow. Free entry.

Fashion show, makeover, and more. 10.45am-3.30pm.

Details: 0118 952 2600.

WARGRAVE – Val Wyatt Marine, Willow Lane RG10 8LH. River and boating open weekend: vintage tea room, Prosecco bar, farm shop and barbecue. 10am-4pm.

Details: 0118 940 3211.

WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Teen writing group for ages 11-18. 10.30am-noon. Dad and Baby Rhymetime for up to 18 months. 10am10.30am. Poetry Writing Group for adults. 10am11.30am. Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOKINGHAM – Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS. Craft fair. Noon-3pm.

Free entry. Details: 07790 830382.

WOKINGHAM – Masonic Hall, Reading Road. Masonic open day. 11am-4pm.

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Opera at Bearwood: Recital by Erica Eloff. 8pm. £12.50. Details: 0118 966 5414.

WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Children’s art workshop with Lisa Marie Gibb: The Bird That Flew Away And All That He Saw. Booking essential, £1.50. 10am-noon. Saturday storytime for parents and children. 11am. Adult art workshop with Lisa Marie Gibb. Booking essential, £3.

1pm-3pm. Details: 0118 969 0304.

WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre, Headley Road RG5 4JZ. Thames Valley Ancient Egypt Society lecture: Beth Asbury on General Pitt River’s interest in Egypt, his pioneering research, and some of the Egyptian gems on display. £3. 2pm-4.30pm.

Details: 01491 838803.

Sunday, April 10 ARBORFIELD – Lockey Farm, Sindlesham Road RG2 9JH. Lambing day. 10am-4pm.

Details: 0118 976 1063.

GRAZELEY – Village Hall. Car boot sale. 9am-1pm, £7

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

The best guide for local, community events across Wokingham borough outside sellers, £9 inside stalls, Free parking. Details: 0118 983 3132.

HURST – Emmbrook Room, Dinton Pastures Country Park RG10 0TH. Berkshire Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers exhibition.

10.30am-4.30pm. Details: www.bswd.org.uk.

EARLEY – Harris Gardens, University of Reading RG6 6UD. Open gardens in aid of British Red Cross. 2pm-5pm. £3, under 12s free. Details: 0118 935 8221.

WARGRAVE – Val Wyatt Marine, Willow Lane RG10 8LH. River and boating open weekend: vintage tea room, Prosecco bar, farm shop and barbecue. 10am-4pm.

Details: 0118 940 3211.

WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. French Conversation Club for those with basic French knowledge. 2pm-3pm.

Details: 0118 969 0304.

Monday, April 11 BRACKNELL – Bracknell Open Learning Centre, Rectory Lane RG12 7GR. Bracknell Camera Club meeting: iPhoneography to Fellowship: My Continuing Journey. 7.30pm. Details: www.bracknell-cameraclub.co.uk.

HURST – Emmbrook Room, Dinton Pastures Country Park RG10 0TH. Berkshire Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers exhibition.

10.30am-4.30pm. Details: www.bswd.org.uk.

MAIDEN ERLEGH – Library, off Silverdale Road RG6 7HS. Colouring For Adults.

2.15pm-3pm. Details: 0118 966 6630.

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 12 BEECH HILL – Memorial Hall, Wood Lane. Beech Hill Parish Council annual meeting.7pm. Details: www. beechhillvillage.co.uk.

HURST – Emmbrook Room, Dinton Pastures Country Park RG10 0TH. Berkshire Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers exhibition.

10.30am-4.30pm. Details: www.bswd.org.uk.

SHINFIELD – John Heggadon Room, Shinfield Parish Hall, School Green RG2 9EH. Shinfield and District Local History Society presents: project discussion evening.

7.45pm. Details: 0118 988 3580.

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. 50+ Group: Railway enthusiast John Soer will recall the history of the Midland Railway, illustrated by advertising posters, postcards and views from the train. All over 50s welcome. Refreshments from 2pm, 2.15pm start.

Free. Details: 0118 961 9821 WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Parish Rooms, Reading Road. Welcome Club presents My Day as a Zoo Keeper with Jean Vaughan.

2pm. Details: 0118 327 8739.

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UE. Wokingham Job Support Centre: Over 50s workshop.

10.30am-12.30pm. Details: 0118 977 0517.

WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Storytime: rhymes and stories for ages 3-5. 2pm2.30pm. Children’s origami club. 4pm-4.45pm. 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.

WOKINGHAM – Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents Hacktivists and Chatroom. 7.45pm. £10, under 18s and students £5.

Details: www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk WOKINGHAM – Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS. Annual town meeting. 7.30pm.

Details: 0118 978 3185.

WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Crochet Group with Gaynor White from Barkham Hookers. All abilities welcome. Noon2pm. £4. Rhymetime for under fives. 10.30am. Crafts and Laughs. 2pm-4pm.

Details: 0118 969 0304.

Wednesday, April 13 HURST – Emmbrook Room, Dinton Pastures Country Park RG10 0TH. Berkshire Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers exhibition.

10.30am-4.30pm. Details: www.bswd.org.uk.

WINNERSH – Library, The Forest School, Robin Hood Lane RG41 5ND. Colouring For Adults. 11.45am1.15pm. Details: 0118 979 7519.

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Alzheimer’s Cafe. 2pm.

Details: 0118 977 6898.

WOKINGHAM – Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents Hacktivists and Chatroom. 7.45pm. £10, under 18s and students £5.

Details: www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. National Careers Service. Advice for your CV and career planning. 10am-5pm.

Details: 0118 969 0304.

Thursday, April 14 HURST – Emmbrook Room, Dinton Pastures Country Park RG10 0TH. Berkshire Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers exhibition.

10.30am-4.30pm. Details: www.bswd.org.uk.

WINNERSH – Library, The Forest School, Robin Hood Lane RG41 5ND. Keep Calm and Fly Casual: Club for players of the X Wing Miniatures Game, Star Wars and Armada. Age 16 and over. 5.30pm-7.45pm. Book Group. 7pm-8pm. Details: 0118 979 7519.

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East

Berkshire Camera Club (WEBCC) meeting: Photoshop elements basics and macro photography.

7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 5670.

WOKINGHAM – The Bradbury Centre, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Coffee morning in aid of Mencap. 10am-noon.

Details: 0118 977 6898.

WOKINGHAM - Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Beading Group.

10.30am-12.30pm. Comic drawing event. 5pm-7pm.

National Careers Service.

Advice sessions to help you with career planning, CVs and interviews. 9.40am to 3.40pm. Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOKINGHAM – Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents: The Lady in The Van (12a). £6.50. 7.30pm. Details: wokinghamfilmsociety.com WOKINGHAM – Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents Hacktivists and Chatroom. 7.45pm. £10, under 18s and students £5.

Details: www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk WOKINGHAM – Market Place.

Arts and crafts market.

Friday, April 15 EARLEY – Our Lady of Peace Social Club, Wokingham Road RG6 7DA (entrance off Aldbourne Avenue).

Reading and Wokingham Spanish Circle meeting: Madrid, Segiovia y Toledo, en Tren with John Rosam and Liz Manley. 7.45pm. £3.

Details, 0118 977 2569 or 0118 979 2458.

EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports and Social Club, Lowther Road. Wokingham Music Club presents The Fliks: 60s girl group sounds. £10. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk HURST – Emmbrook Room, Dinton Pastures Country Park RG10 0TH. Berkshire Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers exhibition.

10.30am-4.30pm. Details: www.bswd.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40

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

Name Address

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:

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 8, 2016

Postcode Email

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

2BB. Crochet Group with Gaynor White from Barkham Hookers. All abilities welcome. 9.30am11.30am. £4. Cribbage and card games club. 10.30am.

Wokingham VIP group: book group for visually impaired. 2pm-4pm. Local history surgery: drop-in for advice. 10am-noon. Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOKINGHAM – Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents Hacktivists and Chatroom. 7.45pm. £10, under 18s and students £5.

Details: www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk WOODLEY – Library, Headley Road RG5 4JA. Art Macabre presents a Dark Dahl Drawing Salon to honour Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday.

7pm-9pm. £8. Booking essential. Bring an easel or something to lean on.

Details: 0118 969 0304.

WOODLEY – The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road RG5 4JZ. Woodley and Earley Arts Group exhibition.

Free entry. Details: www.facebook.com/ woodleyandearleyartsgroup

Saturday, April 16 ARBORFIELD – Lockey Farm, Sindlesham Road RG2 9JH. Lambing day. 10am-4pm.

Details: 0118 976 1063.

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.

CROWTHORNE – The Old Gym, Wellington College RG45 7PU. Crowthorne Symphony Orchestra spring concert. £13, £15 on door.

Details: 0118 972 2164.

EARLEY – University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 2AH. Magic Band night in aid of an orphanage in Tanzania.

Tickets include two-course meal. 7pm. £25, £15 students, plus booking fee.

Details: http://tinyurl.com/ mbmojos FARLEY HILL – Victory Hall, Church Road RG7 1TR. Firew walk barefoot charity event. 5.30pm, walk from 7.30pm. Details: firewalkbarefoot.eventbrite. co.uk HURST – Emmbrook Room, Dinton Pastures Country Park RG10 0TH. Berkshire Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers exhibition.

10.30am-4.30pm. Details: www.bswd.org.uk.

SHINFIELD – St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Lane RG2 9BY. Dads and Kids fun day: Spring into Action. Details: 0118 988 5923.

WINNERSH – St Mary The Virgin, Church Close RG41 5NA. Table top sale. 2pm4.30pm.

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Rose Street Gardeners plant sale. 10am-noon.

Details: 0118 977 6898.

WOKINGHAM – Library, Denmark Street RG40 2BB. Teen writing group for ages 11-18. 10.30am-noon.

Wokingham Writers Group for adults. 10am. Details: 0118 978 1368.

WOKINGHAM – Theatre, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Theatre presents Hacktivists and Chatroom. 7.45pm. £10, under 18s and students £5.

Details: www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Reading Symphony Orchestra family classics concert. 7.30pm. £15, £13 concessions, £5 students and under 18s.

Details: 0118 986 0707.

WOODLEY – The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road RG5 4JZ. Woodley and Earley Arts Group exhibition.

Free entry. Details: www.facebook.com/ woodleyandearleyartsgroup

Sunday, April 17 ARBORFIELD – Lockey Farm, Sindlesham Road RG2 9JH. Lambing day. 10am-4pm.

Details: 0118 976 1063.

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.

HURST – Emmbrook Room, Dinton Pastures Country Park RG10 0TH. Berkshire Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers exhibition.

10.30am-3pm. Details: www.bswd.org.uk.

HURST – Dinton Pastures Country Park RG10 0TH. Global Dogs unite: a celebration of Guide Dog charities from across the world. From 10.30am.

Details: www.guidedogs. org.uk/dogs-unite or 0118 983 8315.

SWALLOWFIELD – From car park of All Saints’ Church. Parish walk around Swallowfield led by Graham Symonds. 2pm.

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Choral Evensong sermon series: Horrible Heresies: Why What We Believe Really Matters.

Guest speaker Father Richard Lamey: being certain about everything.

6.15pm. Details: 0118 979 2122.

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Minature Railway Society, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Pinewood Minature Railway . 1.30pm-4pm. £1 per ride, buy 5 get 6th free. Details: www. pinewoodrailway.co.uk WOODLEY – The Bulmershe Auditorium, Bulmershe School, Woodlands Avenue RG5 3EU. Brass For Africa concert. 2.30pm. £10, under 18s £5. Details: buytickets. at/brassforafrica.

OPERA

LEISURE | 25

To advertise call 0118 328 2959

Friday, April 8, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

MUSIC

Erica’s arias to sound out St Paul’s

Let’s hear it from the girls – 60s pop treat in store

A BAND that rocked Wokingham A SPECIAL charity concert will take place is making a triumphant return next in a Wokingham church tomorrow night. week.

Opera at Bearwood is hosting a Recital The Fliks headlined the by professional soprano Erica Eloff.

Wokingham Festival last August, The evening will feature excerpts from bringing the popular outdoor music her lieder and operatic repertoire. and food event to an end.

Over the past 10 years Ms Eloff has The female-fronted group become a regular on the concert circuit, performed a mixture of 60s songs and is now a much sought-after soloist and including hits originally made recitalist. famous by The Supremes, The She has been widely praised for her Ronettes, Tina Turner, and Dusty vocal authority and technical control, Springfield. and is a passionate and deeply musical Now they’re coming back to the performer. Erica has recently received Wokingham Music Club next Friday particular praise in the national press night. for her 2015 performances in Pergolesi’s Organiser Stan Hetherington Adriano in Siria. said: “They closed Wokingham She performed with Opera at Bearwood Festival last year in such style we early in her career, taking lead roles in had to get them back.”

The Magic Flute (2005), La Traviata (2010), The group will perform at the and Eugene Onegin (2011) – now she is Emmbrook Sports and Social Club returning for this special benefit gig, which in Lowther Road, Emmbrook. will help the local group.

Tickets cost £10 and must be She will be accompanied by pianist booked in advance.

Joanna Miller-Shepherd.

For more details, log on to www.

The concert takes place at St Paul’s wokinghammusicclub.co.uk.

Church in Reading Road from 8pm tomorrow. Tickets are £12.50 and can be at St Luke’s Church in Erleigh Road, ordered by calling 0118 966 5414 or from Reading. Registration is from 10am, and www.operaatbearwood.org.uk. the day will end with the performance somewhere between 6.30pm and 7pm.

SINGING For more details, or to book a place, log on to www.readingfestivalchorus.org.uk.

Come and have a go at Queen Mother’s requiem

A LOCAL choir is inviting people to come and have a go at singing a requiem written in memory of the Queen Mother, who died 14 years ago.

The Reading Festival Chorus is hosting a free singing workshop on Saturday, April 16. Participants will spend the day learning Christopher Wood’s Requiem, culminating in an informal performance at 6pm, which is open to the public.

Organisers say that the Requiem was written to commemorate the death of the Queen Mother and is tuneful and traditional in style.

To take part, singers need to be able to read music.

The event runs from 10.30am to 6.30pm

EXHIBITION

Artists showcase their work at Oakwood Centre MORE than a hundred exhibits created by local residents will go on show next week.

The Oakwood Centre in Woodley will host the annual display from members of the Woodley and Earley Arts Group.

The original paintings and crafts cover a wide range of subjects in a range of media, including oils, acrylics, watercolour and pastels.

There will also be a diverse range of crafts such as jewellery and greetings cards, all of which will be for sale.

production by Reading Operatic Society and has been created by Stephen Schwartz, who also wrote Wicked and Godspell.

The show looks at the story of Creation and Noah’s Ark based on the Bible book Genesis.

The show is rarely performed, but next week will be at the Kenton Theatre in Henley from Wednesday, April 13 to Saturday, April 16.

The show fuses large choral numbers with solo songs that riff on Carribean music, jazz and gospel.

Tickets cost £18 for adults, £16 for concessions or £15 for the Saturday matinee.

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

ORCHESTRA

A symphony of spring music in Crowthorne

The exhibition takes place on Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16. Entry is free.

This is the group’s 24th year and welcomes artists of all abilities.

Its club meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month at the Oakwood Centre.

For more details, visit www.facebook. com/woodleyandearleyartsgroup

LIVE MUSIC

Family classics at orchestra concert A NEW concert from Reading Symphony Orchestra will put the focus on the family.

The musicians will be at St Paul’s Church in Wokingham for the Family Classics concert on Saturday, April 16.

The programme includes Mussorgsky’s Night on a Bare Mountain, Ravel’s ballet Mother Goose and Artie Shaw’s Clarinet Concerto.

Joining in the orchestra will be clarinet virtuoso Nicholas Shipman.

Every piece has been chosen for the way in which the music tells its own story and which showcases how the orchestra can be used to create different sound worlds and to capture emotions.

The concert takes place at the Reading Road church from 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £15, £13 for concessions and £5 for students and under 18s.

To reserved them call the RSO Box Office on 0118 986 0707 or 0118 973 5517 or log on to www.wegottickets.com/ event/340842.

MUSICAL

Back to the beginning for Reading Operatic A MUSICAL being performed by a local theatre group aims to take audiences right back to the beginning of time.

Children of Eden is the latest

MUSIC from Sibelius and Benjamin Britten will be on the programme of Crowthorne Symphony Orchestra’s spring concert next weekend.

The group will be performing at The Old Gym in Wellington College on Saturday, April 16.

As well as Sibelius’s Swan of Tuonela and Britten’s Violin Concerto, the programme includes Aaron Copland’s Billy the Kid ballet music.

The soloist will be Elizaveta Tyun.

Tickets are £13 in advance, or £15 on the door and include an interval drink.

For details, call 0118 972 2164 or visit www.crowthorneorchestra.com

CHARITY

Concert for Africa THE Brass for Africa Brass Band is returning for a fundraising concert.

The afternoon event takes place from 2.30pm on Sunday, April 17 at The Bulmershe School in Woodley – and it will be broadcast live in Africa.

Money raised from the event will support the charity’s life-transforming music programmes in Africa.

Tickets are £10 or £5 for undeer 18s and available from buytickets.at/ brassforafrica

At the theatre Basingstoke – The Anvil

www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 Mission ImPUDSEYble. Fri-Sat. National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain.

Sun. Philharmonia Orchestra. Wed. Tell Me On A Sunday. Thurs. Benjamin Folke Thomas. Thurs. Sean Lock. Fri 15.

An Evening With Aggers and Tuffers.

Sat 16. Diana Jones. Sat 16. Choir of the Year 2016 Auditions. Sun 17.

Basingstoke – The Haymarket www.anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 Mark Steel. Wed. Hot Club of Cowtown.

Fri 15. IJO Big Band. Sat 16.

Bracknell – South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk (01344) 484123 Oliver! Until Sat. The Lamellar Project.

Until Sat. Bracknell Jazz: Lee Goodall.

Fri. The Comedy Cellar. Fri. Artree Live: Folk and Roots Music. Sat. West Forest Sinfonia Chamber Concert CANCELLED. Sun. Mission Improvable.

Sun. Wilde Sundays. Sun. Creative Control Band Night. Sun. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 15. Lift Off Youth and Community Galas. Sat 16. The Cat In

The Hat. Sun 17. Creative Control Band Night. Sun 17.

FILMS: Concussion. Fri. The Big Short. Fri, Sun. Alvin and the Chipmonks: The Road Chip. Sat-Sun. The Assassin. Mon. 52 Tuesdays. Tues .A Bigger Splash.

Wed. Freeheld. Thurs-Fri 15. Youth. Fri 15-Sun 17.

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Baroque Theatre Company presents: Kindly Leave the Stage. Sat 9. Saba Douglas-Hamilton - A Life With Elephants. Tues. Ian Shaw: The Theory of Joy. Wed. Pasha. Thurs. DJ and Broadcasting Legend ‘Diddy’ David Hamilton’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Back The Years. Fri 15. Jay Rayner: A Night of Food and Agony. Sat 16. Immersion Theatre presents Rapunzel. Sun 17.

Didcot – Cornerstone www.cornerstone-arts.org 01235 515144 Backstage in Biscuitland. Fri. The Importance of Being Earnest. Sat. Annie. Thurs-Sat 16.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000

Invincible. Until Sat. Rehearsal For Murder.

Tues-Sat 16.

Henley – Kenton Theatre www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 575698 Pop Factor The Concert. Fri. Romesh Ranganathan. Sat. Children of Eden.

Wed-Sat 16. Rob Beckett - Mouth of the South. Sun 17.

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 The Magic of Motown. Fri. Louis Pearl: The Amazing Bubble Man. Sat. Celebration of John Denver. Sat. Richard Herring.

Thurs. Blood Brothers. Mon-Sat 16.

Ruby’s Vintage Fair. Sat 16. Some Guys Have All The Luck. Sun 17.

Maidenhead – Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Friday Night Flamenco. Fri. Foil, Arms and Hog: Skiddlywup. Fri. Card Ninja. Sat. Strictly Laurie Holloway and his Big Band. Sat. Tankus The Henge. Sun. In Voices and Verse: Shakespeare in Song. Thurs.

Vaisakhi celebration. Sun 17. Gein’s

Family Giftshop’s Trophy Collection.

Sun 17.

FILMS: Goosebumps. Fri. A Bigger Splash.

Fri. Spotlight. Tues. Hail Caesar! Fri 15.

Newbury – The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 The Wizard of Oz: Newbury Musical Theatre Society. Until Sat. Craig Campbell. Sat. Bolshoi Live: Don Quixote. Sun. ROH Encore: Giselle.

Tues. Safe. Wed. Rob Beckett: Mouth of the South. Thurs. The Fureys. Fri 15.

Forever Jackson. Sat 16.

FILM: Eddie The Eagle (PG). Until Thurs.

Carthy. Thurs. Third Friday Blues Club: Michael Roach. Fri 15. Los Pacaminos.

Sat 16. The Musical Bear ‘Records’ Live Review. Sat 16.

Reading – The Hexagon www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Banff Mountain Film Festival. Fri. Boot Led Zeppelin. Sat. The Simon and Garfunkel Story. Tues. Sean Lock: Keep It Light.

Wed. The Mayor’s Dance Showcase.

Thurs. An Audience With Ian Waite and Natalie Lowe. Sat 16.

Reading – The Concert Hall

Newbury – The Watermill

www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 The Songs of Hollywood. Fri.

www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 The Railway Children. Until Sat. One Million Tiny Plays About Britain. TuesSat 23. Plundered. Sat 16. An Audience With Christopher Eccelston. Sun 17.

Reading – Progress Theatre

Reading – South Street

Shinfield – Shinfield Players

www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060 Backstage In Biscuit Land. Sat. Ukuele 101.

Tues. The Ex Plus Support from Sun Skeletons. Tues. Swing. Wed. Martin

www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 NEXT SHOW: Frozen Sing-a-long. Sat 23.

Acting, Singing and a Shot of Whisky.

April 28-30.

www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 Stones In His Pockets. Mon-Sat 16.

Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Last of the Red Hot Lovers. Until May 7.

Glyn and Elaine. Fri. The Definitive Rat Pack. Sun.

Windsor – Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Save The Last Dance For Me. Until Sat. Buddy Holly and the Cricketers. Sun. Death Toll. Mon-Sat 16.

Woking – New Victoria www.ambassadortickets.com 0844 871 7645 The Bodyguard. Until Sat. Nederlands Dans Theater 2. Tues-Wed. The Mousetrap. Thurs-Sat 16.

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 Hactivists/Chatroom. Tues-16.

Woodley – Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org 07939 210121 NEXT SHOWS: Raving: CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS. April 19-23. Troubled Times. May 18-21.

26 | LEISURE

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Gig guide Friday, April 8 BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, Market Street RG12 1JG. T & The Mugs. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Funklab. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Crown Wood, Opladen Way RG12 0PE. Ash Lee. Details: 01344 867374.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Bracknell Jazz: Lee Goodall. Details: 01344 484123.

CAMBERLEY – The Royal Standard, Frimley Road GU15 2PP. England’s Dreaming. Details: 01276 27641.

CAMBERLEY – The Four Horseshoes, Frimley Road GU15 3EQ. Platinum Floyd.

Details: 01276 63842.

FARNBOROUGH – The Alexandra, Victoria Road GU14 7PH. Mike Hughes.

Details: 01252 519964.

FLEET – The Fox and Hounds, Crookham Road GU51 5NP. Leech. Details: 01252 663686.

HENLEY–ON–THAMES – The Queen Victoria, Market Place RG9 2AG. Wardour Street. Details: 01491 412667.

LITTLEWICK GREEN – The Novello, Bath Road SL6 3RX. Lea Lyle Quartet.

Details: 01628 825753.

READING – The Concert Hall.

The Songs of Hollywood.

Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Somerset Slim. Details: 0118 957 6930.

READING – The Red Lion, Southampton Street RG1 2QL. Open Mic Night.

Details: 0118 958 2797.

READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Scat.

Details: 0118 958 6692.

SANDHURST – The White Swan, Swan Lane GU47 9BU. In Too Deep. Details: 01252 872444.

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. It’s King Loud. 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 9 ASCOT – The Cordes Hall. The Vo-De-O-Do Orchestra: a night of twenties music.

7.30pm. Details: 01344 772351.

BINFIELD – Binfield Club, Forest Road RG42 4DU. Uptown Traffic. Details: 01344 420572.

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. DeLorean. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Boot Inn, Park Road RG12 2LU. Stone Thorn. Details: 01344 454532.

BRACKNELL – Warfield Park Community Centre, Warfield Park RG42 3RJ. Any Buddy Out There. Details: www. anybuddyoutthere.com BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. Artree Live Folk and Roots Music. Details: 01344 484123.

BRACKNELL – Crown Wood Community Centre, Openladen Way, Crown Wood RG12 0PE. Murphy

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 8, 2016

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAMPAPER.CO.UK James. Details: 07707 681202.

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, Market Street RG12 1JG.Four Play Prog Rock Fest from 5.30pm: Spriggan Mist, Kindred Spirit, The Far Meadow and Quiet Wish. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. From The Ashes. Details: 01344 422622.

BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Hog Wild. Details: 01344 457318.

CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. Highside.

Details: 01276 32691.

CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. The Originals. Details: 01344 530615.

FARNBOROUGH – The Ivy Leaf Social Club, Cove Road GU14 0HF. Red Herring.

Details: 01252 542962.

FARNBOROUGH – The Alexandra, Victoria Road GU14 7PH. Bright Shadows. Details: 01252 519964.

FARNBOROUGH – The Ivy Leaf Social Club, Cove Road GU14 0HF. Red Herring.

Details: 01252 542962.

FARNBOROUGH – York Road Social Club, York Road GU14 6NG. The Lord John Band. Details: 01252 501809.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – The Queen’s Oak, Church Lane RG40 4LS. Flick. Details: 0118 973 4855.

FLEET – The Falkners Arms, Falkners Close GU51 2XF. !daft!. Details: 01252 811311.

FRIMLEY GREEN – The Rose and Thistle, Sturt Road GU16 6HT. The Serial Thrillers. Details: 01252 834942.

FRIMLEY GREEN – Frimley Green Working Mens Club, Sturt Road GU16 6HX.The SkaSouls. Details: 01252 835322.

PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Stand-up comedy night. Details: 0118 969 9878.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Albie J. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Hexagon. Boot Led Zeppelin. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – RISC, London

Bricks Build Houses will perform at The Hope and Anchor on Saturday, April 16

Street RG1 4PS. DJ Dom. Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Steve Morano. Details: 0118 957 6930.

READING – The Red Lion, Southampton Street RG1 2QL. Jazz evening with Ma Bessie, Wayete Pilgrim Garrett and Marie Soyinka.

Details: 0118 958 2797.

SANDHURST – The Rose and Crown, High Street GU47 8HA. NRG. Details: 01252 878938.

SANDHURST – The Wellington Arms, Yorktown Road GU47 9BN. The Sinners Lounge. 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 Capo Thieves.

Details: 07946 342551.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. The Replays. Details: 01276 858501.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. The Gas Trick Band.

Details: 0118 978 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights.

Details: 0118 979 5790.

WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Essential Saturday. Details: 07415 354056.

YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, The Green GU46 7LR. John James Newman and Sandy Newman. Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, April 10 BRACKNELL – Crown Wood Community Centre, Openladen Way, Crown

The BROAD ST TAVERN

LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT APRIL 8

APRIL 14

IT’S KING OPEN MIC LOUD NIGHT FIRST GIG IN WOKINGHAM!

WITH SIMON WILLIAMS

APRIL 15

FAT MEN IN THE BATHTUB ROCK/POP DUO

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

Wood RG12 0PE. Murphy James. Details: 07707 681202.

PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Flowing Spring Classic car and Bike Breakfast Club.

9.30am-11.30am. Details: 0118 969 9878.

READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Readifolk: Jez Lowe. Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. American Old Time Picking from 2pm.

Readirock Revolutions. 5pm.

Details: 0118 958 6692.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning RG4 6TY. The Definitive Rat Pack. Details: 0118 969 8000.

TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. The Jukesters. Details: 07946 342551.

Monday, April 11 EVERSLEY – The Golden Pot, Reading Road. Live Music Mondays: Steve Brooks.

Details: 0118 973 2104.

Tuesday, April 12 READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. The Mark Burton Quartet. Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – South Street.

Readipop: Ukulele 101 - Macdevitts.

Doubledotbash?! Presents The Ex plus The Sun Skeletons. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Hexagon. The Simon and Garfunkel Story.

Details: 0118 960 6060.

SANDHURST – Community Hall, Yorktown Road.

Yateley and Crowthorne Big Band Society: The Golden Age of Swing. Details: 01252 661037.

Wednesday, April 13 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead. EP launch with Samuel Jackson. Details: 01344 484123.

READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Folk at Global. Details: 0118 958 6692.

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. John Etheridge and Vimala Rowe. Details: 01491 681048.

TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road RG10 9EG. Open Mic night with Damian Delahunty. Details: 07946 342551.

Thursday, April 14 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road.

Platform Live acoustic night.

Details: 01344 878100.

CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. Jam Night.

Details: 01276 32691.

CROWTHORNE – The Prince, High Street RG45 7AZ. Dan McHugh. Details: 01344 772241.

HENLEY – Magoos, Hart Street. Stars In Their Minds karaoke. Details: 01491 574595.

FLEET – Propaganda Music Canteen, Fleet Road GU51 3BU. Karizma. Details: 01252 620198.

READING – O’Neill’s, Blagrave Street RG1 1DB. Open mic night. Details: 0118 960 6580.

READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. PPI. Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – The Hexagon. The Mayor’s Dance Showcase.

Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – South Street.

Martin Carthy. Details: 0118 960 6060.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Open mic night with Simon Williams. Details: 0118 978 0918.

Friday, April 15 ASH VALE – The Old Ford, Lynchford Road, North Camp GU12 5QA. The Firm.

Details: 01252 544840.

BAGSHOT – The Cedar Tree, High Street GU19 5AG. Jump The Gunn. Details: 01276 473160.

BINFIELD – Binfield Club, Forest Road RG42 4DU. Tumbleweed. Details: 01344 420572.

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Tom Jones. Details: 01344 303333.

CAMBERLEY – The Four Horseshoes, Frimley Road GU15 3EQ. The FBB Band.

Details: 01276 63842.

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

This Saturday @ 9pm

THE GAS TRICK BAND Rock, indie, pop and ska!

WEY Saturday, April 16 LIVE Bricks Build Houses MUSIC Acoustic guitars and strong vocals Coming next

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

CAMBERLEY – The Royal Standard, Frimley Road GU15 2PP. Bitter Blues.

Details: 01276 27641.

EMMBROOK – Sports and Social Club, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club presents The Fliks. Details: wokinghammusicclub.co.uk FARNBOROUGH – The Alexandra, Victoria Road GU14 7PH. Will.I.An. Details: 01252 519964.

FARNBOROUGH GREEN – The Fox, Chapel Lane GU14 9BN. Ash Lee. Details: 01276 34735.

FLEET – The Fox and Hounds, Crookham Road GU51 5NP. Malarky. Details: 01252 663686.

READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. DJ Adrian Pye. Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – South Street.

Michael Roach. Details: 0118 960 6060.

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. Fat Men In The Bathtub. Details: 0118 978 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights.

Details: 0118 979 5790.

WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Frisky Fridays.

Details: 07415 354056.

YATELEY – The Cricketers, Cricket Hill Lane GU46 6BA. The Turn. Details: 01252 872105.

Saturday, April 16 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road.

In Too Chic. Details: 01344 878100.

BRACKNELL – The Green Man, Crowthorne Road RG12 7DL. Off The Record.

Details: 01344 423667.

BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Blind Man’s Buff. Details: 01344 457318.

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Heathrow Jets. Details: 01344 303333.

CAMBERLEY – Mr Bumble, GU17 9AP. Finish On 2.

Details: 01276 32691.

CROOKHAM – The Black Horse, The Street GU51 5SJ. Creme Freche. Details: 01252 616434.

FARNBOROUGH – The Alexandra, Victoria Road GU14 7PH. Steve Conway.

Details: 01252 519964.

FLEET – The Falkners Arms, Falkners Close GU51 2XF. Moonfly. Details: 01252 811311.

FRIMLEY GREEN – Frimley Green Working Mens Club, Sturt Road GU16 6HX. Lady Blackwell. Details: 01252 835322.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN.

The Soulstar. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Highwasters. Details: 0118 957 6930.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. DisCover.

Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – South Street. Los Pacaminos. Tme Musical Bear Records Live Preview.

Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Hugh Turner Heavy Quartet.

Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – O’Neill’s, Blagrave Street RG1 1DB. Replica Rockaholics. Details: 0118 960 6580.

SANDHURST – The Rose and Crown, High Street GU47 8HA. Solace. Details: 01252 878938.

SHINFIELD – The Bell and Bottle, School Green RG2 9EE. England’s Dreaming.

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. Said and Done. Details: 07946 342551.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. The Danny Lee Band.

Details: 01276 858501.

WINDLESHAM – Windlesham Club, Kennel Lane GU20 6AA. Southern Knights.

Details: 01276 472210.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Bricks Build Houses.

Details: 0118 978 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Molly Millar, Station Road RG40 2AD. 70s, 80s night with DJ Mally. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WOKINGHAM – The Red Lion, Market Place RG40 1AL. Ultimate Party Nights.

Details: 0118 979 5790.

WOKINGHAM – Spin Nightclub, Alexandra Court RG40 2SL. Essential Saturday. Details: 07415 354056.

YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, The Green GU46 7LR. Murphy James. Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, April 17 ASCOT – Jagz, Station Road.

Vasilis Xenopoulos and the Nigel Price Trio. From 12.30pm. Details: 01344 878100.

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: Singers Night. Details: 0118 958 6692.

READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Dreading Poetry Slam. Details: 0118 958 6692.

WEST END – West End Social Club, High Street GU26 9PL. Open Mic and Jam Night. Details: 01276 858501.

LEISURE | 27

To advertise call 0118 328 2959

Friday, April 8, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

AT THE CINEMA

The acoustic couch

A grittier ET for the 21st century

did good A new Storey for the couch You Heather!

Upcoming music with Jody Mc

Our vision has always been to help people create music and with thanks to drummer James, that’s going to be a reality. JODY Mc explains

The Voice reaches its final this weekend, but without one very talented local singer. JODY Mc pays tribute to Heather Hayes

J Stars: Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst and Adam Driver

A

CTOR Michael Shannon and director Jeff Nichols have a symbiotic relationship. You might call the enigmatic screen star his muse – he’s appeared in every one of Nichols’s four features to date, and will also appear in

his fifth.

What he brings is something that arguably no other actor can impart. His intensity and indefinable magnetism are integral to the Mud and Take Shelter director’s latest – a minimal science fiction chase thriller that’s moody in tone and ambiguous in meaning.

Nichols assembles his story with an unravelling-mystery structure, but not only is he economical with his storytelling, he also holds back on character revelations – back story and all.

Adding to the hypnotic intrigue and muted sullenness, this approach means Nichols is in danger of withholding the life from his characters, which can be frustrating in an arena where we’re used to overdosing on exposition.

Midnight Special is basically ET – a grittier, more menacing version, mind.

It starts with news stories of a little boy (Jaeden Lieberher) having apparently been snatched; we see him holed up in a darkened motel room with two men.

One of these men (Michael Shannon) is his father. It’s unclear who the other (Joel Edgerton) is. It soon becomes apparent, however, that all is not as it seems and that there’s something unusual about this little boy.

It emerges that they’re on the run, not only from the religious cult they were involved with but also from the FBI. A race against time ensues, with the trio hooking up with the boy’s mother (Kirsten Dunst) to get the boy to a certain location at a particular time, all the while with nefarious individuals hot on their tails.

There’s an unmistakeable touch of Spielberg in Midnight Special, not only in the ET similarities but also in its parallels with Close Encounters of the Third Kind and the director’s focus on people.

Although back stories aren’t explicitly filled out, there’s something very real and everyday about each of the main characters that gives them an unspoken roundness.

There’s plenty to read into this film if you’re prepared to work; it has lots to say, albeit in whispers. Moments of brutality are a sucker punch amid the film’s more frequent low-key, mundane elements, which is jarring and wincingly powerful.

Nichols says that Midnight Special is the film he wanted to make, despite it being a studio movie. To know that he hasn’t compromised – a Hollywood rarity – should be enough to make you want to see this latest project from a promising talent.

The new face at the courch – drummer James Storey

and self-belief, hard work and dedication you can achieve.

With the sort of attributes james poses the world is his oyster.

So what’s next for James? He is impressive in his achievements to date, where is his next road taking him? I’m glad you asked.

Theacousticcouch would like to welcome the newest member of the family.

In recent weeks James has been slowly easing himself into couch life as he helps me move the venue forward.

My new business partner will be largely responsible for the running of four new rehearsal rooms that are being custom built within the venue.

Exciting times for us all as we move into the brighter time of year and the sun starts staying out later.

Drum lessons and many other instruments will be available soon.

STR8TS Medium

Previous solution - Tough

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

2 3 4 5

9 6

1 3 2

1 5 7 9

7 4

8

9

7 1

We’re also planning to get a radio station off the ground. The creative writing will become structured and grow and borrowedbeats by Theacousticcouch will reignite (more on this soon).

Keep your eyes peeled on our website www.theacousticcouch. co.uk and join our community on Facebook where you can share stories and music and introduce to us all things unsigned. You can even submit a story for our weekly column.

Come meet my new partner in crime this Friday at our free live music event at 11 market street Bracknell. We have the best parking and great public transport accessibility.

Come support #communitythrumusic n www.facebook.com/ Theacousticcouch

L

SUDOKU

No. 276

4

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

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

Midnight Special (12a) «««««

AMES STOREY is quite an impressive young man. A drummer of 10 years playing for Miss Maze, Days Remain and Caliber.

Like most musicians James honed his craft on the open mic scene before hitting the circuit.

In recent years James has turned his skill to session work. With the vibrancy James brings to any room he quickly found his network growing and banging opportunities arising.

A symbol of his hard work into his artistry the young drummer was able to snare the opportunity to travel with his kit, heading to places as beautiful as Budapest (and even appearing on television).

Recalling on the occasion James told me: “Budapest was amazing, the people I worked with were so inspirational. But it wasn’t always 5*, I spent two weeks sleeping on a fold-up bed that somehow lost its mattress. Thank the Lord for cardboard is all I’m saying.”

For a man in his 20s the experience was invaluable.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention James is only 23.

As a hobby James and his family are very fond of driving. The faster the better really (on a race track, of course) and this hobby afforded James one of his most outrageous dream jobs – driving with the Top Gear Live stunt team, namely the Paul Swift Stunt Experience.

I said he is only 23 didn’t I? Personally I think that is a classy resume growing right there.

It shows with drive, passion

AST Saturday’s semi-final of The Voice was to be the final week for 17-year-old Heather Hayes.

The young clever starlet and inspirational quirky character has certainly done herself, friends and family proud.

The whole of Bracknell Forest, if they didn’t know her before, definitely know her now.

Originally selected by team Boy George (the flamboyant, unique star who once brightened up the music industry with Culture Club), Heather blew us away with her take on the David Bowie’s sublime song Life On Mars.

When the battle rounds came came it was a no contest who was going through.

Nothing Compares To You was her song, but everything leant towards Cody (my other favourite in truth), the new and mini Boy George.

Both girls were superb but you knew there would only be one outcome rightly or wrongly.

Thankfully Paloma stepped in with a steal and Heather was kept in the contest, abet with a new team leader.

If you’ve been watching The Voice then week after week you have not been let down by the super teen who, by the way, is still studying for four A-levels (one being music) and also writing for Mensa!

I know, not only can she sing and play piano so elegantly but it’s been suggested the girls got a noggin that’s up there with Einstein and Hawking... ERRRRR WOW, she is a young genius.

Whatever happens next, I wish Heather well in her exams, in her music and in her life in general.

9 8 5 7 6 1 2

5 3 6 4 1 8 9 7

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

No. 276

8 5 1

Medium

Previous solution - Easy

7 5 3 8 2 9 4 1 6

6 4 7 1 6

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

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.

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

Kim Taylor-Foster

6 2 9 5 4 1 7 3 8

4 1 8 3 6 7 2 5 9

2 8 5 4 7 3 9 6 1

3 4 1 9 8 6 5 7 2

9 7 6 2 1 5 3 8 4

5 3 2 1 9 8 6 4 7

1 6 4 7 5 2 8 9 3

8 9 7 6 3 4 1 2 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.

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ELECTRICAL

A local family business established for 30+ years, we guarantee customer satisfaction with our highly professional and personal service.

Book keeper We provide all aspects of internal We are a firm of Managing Agents based in Wokingham with a fast growingand portfolio of properties throughout the Thames Our external painting and Valley. decorating, expansion means that we are looking to recruit a Book Keeper.

Accounting skills and experience are and desirablecommercial, but so is the ability to domestic work in a small and friendly team. You will have responsibility for all accounting aspects a portfolio of properties and beand expected to plusof artexing, coving tiling. deal with clients, Solicitors & Accountants.

In the general first instance please email yourand CV to: allied work.

Also building susan@cleaverproperty.co.uk or alternatively send to Free estimates and advice Mrs Susan Cleaver, Cleaver Property Management Ltd, Ascot House,

Father-and-son business established for 40 years

• Seven-day call-out service • No job is too small • Part P registered with NAPIT and a JIB approved electrician • Approved member of Wokingham Trading Standards Service • Age Concern registered and CRB checked

Tel: 0118 978 6753 Mobile: 07768 914303 Email: davidelgood1@gmail.com A satisfied customer is a good advert.

See our reviews at www.littlegreenbook.co.uk

SERVICES If You're Looking For A Professional, Reliable, Friendly Mobile Disco & Dj Service, Then Look No Further..

Our Dj's Can Cover Any Event, Playing Music From The 1950's To Today!

Call Phil Now On 07946-624307

www.hotspotproductions.co.uk Making Your Night One To Remember.

Ghostwriter available

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Annual report? Whitepaper?

Let me do the work – you take the glory I’ll create a compelling read and memorable message.

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RECRUITMENT

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Finchampstead Road, Wokingham, RG40 2NW.

Mobile: 07966 551698 Phone: 0118 973 3537 Email: trevor@quality-decorators.co.uk Website: www.quality-decorators.co.uk

TUITION 11+ (CEM) Tutor

For Reading, Kendrick and Slough Grammar Schools.

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quality decorators

Would you like to find out more about Your Town Council?

You are invited to come to the Annual Town Meeting on Tuesday 12 April 2016 at 7.30pm upstairs inside the Wokingham Town Hall

Reach local people

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 8, 2016

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During March and April you can advertise your recruitment posts for FREEBook in Thekeeper Wokingham Paper.

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Book keeper We are a firm of Managing Agents based in Wokingham with a fast growing portfolio of properties throughout the Thames Valley. Our expansion means that we are looking to recruit a Book Keeper.

Accounting skills and experience are desirable but so is the ability to work in a small and friendly team. You will have responsibility for all accounting aspects of a portfolio of properties and be expected to deal with clients, Solicitors & Accountants.

In the first instance please email your CV to: susan@ cleaverproperty.co.uk or alternatively send to Mrs Susan Cleaver, Cleaver Property Management Ltd, Ascot House, Finchampstead Road, Wokingham, RG40 2NW.

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, July 24, 2015

Keep those special moments forever

NOW YOU CAN ORDER PHOTOS ONLINE

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

Now we’re delighted to say – due to the popular demand – that you can now buy a copy to keep forever.

We’ve teamed up with industry experts newsprints.co.uk to offer you the ability to order prints and digital copies of the pictures that we take. So far, more than 1,400 pictures have been uploaded and that figure is growing daily.

Have look through, browse our archive, place an order with our secure checkout and wait for the pictures to be delivered to your door.

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www.edenwokingham.com This promotion is available on Eden Wokingham stock only. Cars must be registered before April 30th. Finance is subject to status, terms and conditions apply. Deposits may vary. Applicant must be 18 yearsor over. A guarantee and/or indemnity may be required. Finance provided by Peugeot Finance, a trading style of Peugeot Finance UK Limited. Trading as Peugeot Financial Services. Quadrant House, Princess Way, Redhill RH1 1QA For further details please contact your local Eden Wokingham branch.

WOKINGHAM SPORT

Unrivalled coverage of sport in the Borough

RAMS WIN AGAIN: Side

all but Bury relegation fears after latest success

— Page 35

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

East Berkshire makes the cut with GolfMark award

By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk

MEMBERS of East Berkshire Golf Club are celebrating making the cut after receiving a national award.

England Golf has issued the Crowthorne course GolfMark status, a seal of approval which recognises clubs working to develop the game in four particular ways.

This is through: attracting new members and encouraging existing ones to play more; using practical business planning to develop the club; offering coaching and playing opportunities for all golfers and ensuring the necessary safeguarding policies are in place.

East Berkshire is a private members’ club comprising an 18-hole course, practice ground and clubhouse.

It is now also the first within the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxon (BB&O) fraternity to be handed the accolade.

Barry Slater, the junior organiser who helped secure GolfMark, said: “East Berkshire Golf Club is a great club, it’s very friendly, welcoming and forward-thinking.

“This award helps us to spread that message and to tell people that children are safe and secure here and that we understand about beginner golfers.”

Dean Newbold, county development officer for the Berkshire County Golf

From left: Brad Chard (general manager), Barry Slater (junior organsier), Kate Newman (club captain), Nick Smith (club president), Jason Brant (East Berks’ professional) and Dean Newbold from the BB&O with the GolfMark award)

Partnership, presented the award.

“I’m delighted that East Berkshire has achieved GolfMark and that its efforts to grow the game can be nationally recognised,” he added.

Developed by England Golf, the award also integrates Sport England’s Clubmark award, a national standard for quality sports clubs recognised across the country.

With it comes a number of benefits, which include the raising of awareness, access to funding, business and marketing support, as well as training opportunities for staff and volunteers.

Clubs with GolfMark have seen membership rise by some 40%.

For more information visit www. golfmark.org

BASKETBALL

Fully-fit Rockets out to Trailblaze way to final READING ROCKETS head into this weekend’s Play-Off semi-final with Derby Trailblazers boasting a clean bill of health.

Coach Manuel Pena Garces takes his side to the East Midlands on Saturday looking to make the final of the English Basketball League (EBL) Division 1 competition for the first time in three seasons.

And they head to the Noel Baker School in confident mood having disposed of Essex Leopards in the quarter-finals last weekend, where Rockets racked up an impressive 40 points in the final session alone, which helped them to a 102-84 triumph.

Derby meanwhile, who pipped Reading to the runners-up spot in the league by the faintest of better records in the head-to-head, outscored Lancashire Spinners 91-61 to set up this showdown on Saturday (7.30pm tip-off).

The two sides line up against one another having each won one of the two games contested in the league this season. They both also finished the domestic campaign with identical records of 19 wins and seven losses.

The aggregate score from the two matches, however, went the Trailblazers’ way by a swing of just six points, meaning it was they who finished second behind champions Manchester Magic.

Both previous meetings went the way of the home side, so Rockets will need to buck such a trend if they are to make it through to the final.

Derby, though, are yet to be beaten on

home soil in 2015/16.

“I was absolutely delighted with last Sunday’s win against Essex and how we came back from a deficit and especially our fourth quarter performance,” said Pena Garces.

“It was a real battle against a very good team who fought us all the way, but my players showed some great character and made some big plays to enable us to keep our season going and keep up the really good momentum we have shown of late.

“I feel we are in a good moment, but this week it is important to work harder than ever and prepare thoroughly for one of the toughest games of the season.

“Despite beating Derby two weeks ago, they are unbeaten at home and have had a really good season under the guidance of Coach Matt Shaw, who will no doubt have his team ready with both teams having a chance of making the final and claiming the final piece of silverware of the season.”

The Spaniard added: “Can we beat them? Yes, of course because our team is talented and has worked especially hard to get where they are today, but it will be a hard game and this week’s preparation, focus and discipline are going to be key to try to do this.”

Derby took the points when defeating Rockets on their own court back in January, winning 83-68.

The latter, though, cancelled out the victory when battling to a 85-76 success at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre just last month.

HOCKEY

Barlow and Taylor net, but beaten Wokingham 2s need a favour

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk

GOALS from John Barlow and Matt Taylor were not enough to pull Wokingham 2s away from relegation bother after losing 4-2 at home to Aylesbury 2s.

Wokingham remain just outside the bottom three of MBBO Division 3 and have now completed all their scheduled fixtures but could still be caught by West Hampstead 4s, who play their game in hand on Saturday.

But it was also disappointment for Neil Bennett Aylesbury who, despite hit the goals from Dan Best, Dave winner for How (2) and Dan Inkley to Wokingham beat Wokingham, ended the Men season in third and missed out on promotion on goal difference.

Meanwhile, WOKINGHAM 1s completed their campaign of likely relegation with a tight victory over Oxford Hawks 3s.

Already assured of a bottom three finish, Wokingham at least ended on a positive note as Tom King took his season’s tally in Regional Division 2 to 15 goals with a brace.

That cancelled out Tim Chilvers and Oliver Lovibond Oxford goals while Neil Bennett’s strike secured a 3-2 Wokingham victory.

The 3S did not enjoy the same joy as they were thrashed 8-1 at Wallingford 4s.

The defeat sees the 3s end the Division 7 season in 10th as Wallingford leapfrogged them with that victory.

Sonning Hockey Club JAMES MANSER struck twice as Sonning 2s wrapped up their season with an impressive 4-2 victory over third placed Ramgarhia 1s.

Knowing they would finish sixth in MBBO Division 1 regardless of this result, Sonning went into the off-season on a high as Manser, Edward Squire and Huw Thomas all netted.

Ramgarhia hit back as the league’s top scorer Prabjot Hunjan rattled in his 30th goal of the season while Sandeep Girn also scored, but Sonning ran out winners.

The 1S finished fifth in Regional Division 2 after losing out 3-2 to Aylesbury 1s on the final day.

Austin Greenlee, Dan Lindars and Andy McIntyre all netted for Aylesbury while Ian Gallagher and Adam Pusey’s goals came in vain as Aylesbury secured the title.

It was a day to forget for both the 3s and 4s as they succumbed to heavy losses.

In Division 2, already relegated SONNING 3s felt the wrath of promotion chasing Leighton Buzzard 1s, losing 6-0 with Josh Farnfield, Sam Gale, Jack Gorton, Alex White, Joe Giltrow and Tom Lakins all finding the net.

The 4S did not fare much better in Division 4, losing 6-2 at home to Henley 3s.

It has been a desperate season for Sonning, ending the campaign bottom of the league with just three points but Chris Stone did at least bag a couple of goals to add to his personal tally.

SONNING 5s missed out on promotion from Division 8 West with defeat to Reading Rovers.

Knowing victory would secure a top two finish, Sonning were beaten 2-1 and that, coupled with a 4-0 win for Bracknell Terriors saw them promoted ahead of Sonning.

And the 6s could not rescue a disappointing day for Sonning hockey, forced to settle for a fourth placed finish in Division 9 West as they lost a third placed showdown 5-2 against Henley 4s.

Wokingham finished a challenging season on a positive note Tom King scored twice against the Hawks

Pictures: Steve Smyth

34 | SPORT

To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk Stalwarts Neil Doody, left, and Denis Maynard pulled the first pints at the club back in 1966

CELEBRATIONS

Doody, Maynard and Finchampstead Sports Club close in on a half century FINCHAMPSTEAD Sports Club is preparing to celebrate 50 years since it was first opened back in 1966, writes TOM CROCKER. After an initial meeting in February, the club opened its doors on June 10, 1966 with Neil Doody and Denis Maynard pulling the first pint of ale to mark the beginning of the new club, with the two men still heavily involved to this day.

The area was discussed as the perfect place to enhance sport in Finchampstead as early as 1947, but it took almost 20 years before a permanent pavilion was put in place, which has since seen various extensions.

Football, netball and cricket all take place at the club with the side’s 1st XI cricket team set to compete in the top division of the Home Counties Premier League this summer to cap off this honour in style.

The pair, holding the minutes book, are still involved with the club today

COUNTY CRICKET

Berkshire edged out by Middlesex, but Morris pleased with what he saw BERKSHIRE were edged out by the narrowest of margins by a young Middlesex side in their pre-season friendly at Falkland CC on Sunday, writes DAVID WRIGHT. In a match reduced to 40 overs a side, the visitors reached their target of 215 off the final ball with their last pair at the crease.

The hosts finished on 214-9 after skipper James Morris (Datchet) had elected to bat first.

Reading’s Martin Andersson, who is also on the books of Middlesex, top scored for Berkshire with 41 off 60 balls.

Openers Michael Roberts (Henley) and Waqas Hussain (Slough) made 34 and 28 respectively, while Brandon Gilmour (Downend) belted 26 off 21 deliveries.

Jack Bruce was the pick of the visitors’ bowlers with 4-43 off six overs.

Middlesex made a slowish start and were 77-2 at the halfway stage of their innings.

But former Falkland player Ryan Higgins, with 59 off 57 balls, and Dan Manuwelge, with 57 off 70, accelerated the run rate, helping to take their side to 207-5 in the 38th over.

Berkshire then captured four wickets in the space of five runs to set up a tense finish.

Bruce hit the winning run off the final delivery to earn a one-wicket victory though the batsman was not far away from being run out Of the six bowlers used by Berkshire, five took wickets with Hussain (2-25 off six overs) and Finchampstead’s Callum Gregory (2-45 off eight) the most successful.

Nugent had economical figures of

LONDON IRISH

Laidlaw: Exiles’ bid for Euro glory a welcome distraction HARLEQUINS v LONDON IRISH EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP – QUARTER-FINAL TWICKENHAM STOOP SATURDAY, 8.05PM

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk CLARK LAIDLAW says Saturday’s European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Harlequins is a “welcome distraction” from London Irish’s faltering league campaign.

Following last weekend’s defeat against Sale, Exiles now have just three games to save their Aviva Premiership lives with a huge clash against second bottom Newcastle Falcons on the horizon next week.

But the focus for now leaves that struggle, switching firmly to a huge derby clash against Quins with Irish bidding to go one further than their controversial defeat at this stage last year against Edinburgh.

And Laidlaw feels that while there could be a few changes to the side, the game has come at a good time for the club.

“We’ve played 25 games on the bounce so probably some people will be looking for a rest,” the assistant coach admitted to The Wokingham Paper.

“But we’ve got a reasonably large squad and we’re able to use a few more players and it’s probably a welcome distraction.

“We can switch off from the Premiership and attack the Harlequins game with fresh impetus.”

It is an achievement in itself for Irish

London Irish assistant coach Clark Laidlaw has suggested changes could be made for Saturday’s clash with Harlequins Picture: London Irish/Pinnacle

to reach this stage given the predicament they found themselves in during the pool stage.

Following a home defeat to Grenoble on matchday five, Exiles looked all but out of Europe for another year, only for a remarkable swing of fortunes on the final day which saw Tom Coventry’s men squeeze through on points difference as one of the best second placed sides to set up this Quins clash.

“We played quite well in the European

1-25 off seven and Andersson 0-33 off eight.

Berkshire used 13 players during the game and Middlesex 12.

County skipper Morris said: “This pre-season game served its purpose as it gave us an opportunity to learn a bit about certain individuals like Ollie Smithson (Datchet), Billy Rogers and Dan Marles (both Finchampstead) and they all did good jobs today.”

Berkshire will complete their pre-season fixtures a week on Sunday, April 17, when they take on Wiltshire at Calne in their annual Marlborough Cup fixture.

Sukhi Kang, who kept wicket for Berkshire, has joined Finchampstead from Reading.

“I felt I needed a fresh challenge,” he said.

Andy Rishton made a similar move a few weeks ago, while another Berkshire player, Matt Carter, has switched to Finchampstead from Henley.

games earlier in the year, especially at home,” said Laidlaw.

“And against Edinburgh and Grenoble away we put in a couple of decent performances.

“The boys are pretty excited.

“We’ve recovered well from the weekend and now we’re looking forward to Harlequins.”

After two tight pre-season losses against Harlequins, London Irish fared no better when the first competitive fixture between the two rolled around.

The last time Exiles travelled to the Stoop back in December they were soundly dispatched 38-7 and that, combined with the fact Quins ran in 46 points last weekend and that Irish have no wins in five at the Stoop since 2009, this represents the most difficult of challenges for Coventry’s charges.

“It’s going to be tough,” acknowledged Laidlaw.

“They can score a lot of points quickly.

“They’ve got game breakers all over the field both with their loose forwards as well as their backs, so we’re going to have to be on the money around our defence.

“We’re going to have to try and create pressure and slow the ball up at times because if they get on the front foot and get a lot of possession, then they’re going to build up a score pretty quickly.”

He added: “We’ve had a settled back-line for the last two or three weeks but we’ve picked up a couple of knocks and there’s a couple of guys cup-tied that can’t play in Europe, so we’re going to have to change again this week.”

Irish sunk by Sharks and poor decisions London Irish 15 Sale Sharks 30

Dan Marles was one of four Finchampstead players representing Berkshire last weekend

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 8, 2016

TOM COVENTRY slammed two “obvious” errors from the officials as his London Irish side lost for just the second time in six games at Madejski Stadium to keep them rooted to the foot of the Aviva Premiership table, writes TOM CROCKER. Leading through an early Sean Maitland try, Irish were made to rue both missed opportunities and breaks going the way of the visitors and trail 16-8.

But Coventry’s men rallied to within a point with 15 minutes to play, yet two late Sale tries, including one from star man Danny Cipriani, left the Exiles with no points from a gruelling contest.

“I thought there were two massive moments in the game,” said head coach Coventry.

“One came off the forward pass from Cipriani and the other came from a hands in the ruck incident that were both missed by the officials, which led to points.

“They’re telling.

“I thought they were pretty obvious for everyone to see and we need those sort of things to go our way.”

He continued: “I’ve been pretty steady and made a conscious effort this year to stay away from getting stuck into officials but where we are in the season and what’s been going on with results, we’re just not a good enough team that we can go through a game and let those sort of opportunities go by.”

“We need everything to go our way.”

After a third minute Cipriani penalty put Sale ahead, Irish levelled up through Greig Tonks before Maitland crossed the whitewash to round off a classy try.

sealing score and leave London Irish four points adrift of Newcastle Falcons.

“It’s deflating but what do you do?” said Coventry.

“You can’t sit around and dwell too much because you’ve got to get these guys up for a European quarter-final and then up to Newcastle.

“The next three or four weeks are pretty massive for London Irish.”

Johnny Williams dabbed down for Irish Picture: Steve Smyth

But perhaps a sign of things to come arrived on the back of that score when Tonks inexplicably sliced his conversion from underneath the posts against the face of the upright.

With Cipriani clinical with the boot, the hosts desperately needed a try to get back into the contest and they got that just past the hour mark when some good hands worked the ball to Johnny Williams to burst through.

But there was to be no bonus point thanks to replacement TJ Ioane dabbing against the base of the post before a late cross-field Theo Brophy Clews pass was intercepted by Cipriani to run in the

LONDON IRISH: Maitland, Fowlie (Brophy Clews 60), Hearn, Williams (Mulchrone 78), Fenby, Tonks, Steele (McKibbin 55), Court (Smallbone 40), Paice (Cruse 60), Aulika (Halavatau 55), Sinclair (Sexton 64), Symons, Narraway (c), Cowan, Treviranus (McCusker 38).

Tries: Maitland (15), Williams (64) Pen: Tonks (8) Con: Tonks (65) SALE SHARKS: Haley, Addison, James, Tuitupou (Brady 66), Edwards, Cipriani (Ford 77), Stringer, Lewis Roberts (Harrison 55), Taylor (Briggs 66), Mujati (Cobilas 7-13, 51), Evans, Ostrikov (Mills 66), Neild, Seymour (Lund 77), Easter (Ioane 51).

Tries: Haley (36), Ioane (71), Cipriani (76) Pens: Cipriani x3 (6,25,62) Cons: Cipriani x3 (38,72,77) Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys Attendance: 5,541 Score sequence (Irish first): 0-3, 3-3, 8-3, 8-13, 8-16, 15-16, 15-23, 15-30.

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

AVIVA PREMIERSHIP P W D L F 19 14 1 4 492 19 13 0 6 490 19 13 0 6 503 19 12 0 7 421 19 10 0 9 388 19 9 1 9 479 18 9 2 7 369 19 8 1 10 381 18 7 0 11 334 19 7 0 12 349 19 4 1 14 315 19 4 0 15 285

A 331 318 326 396 328 474 383 375 363 469 506 537

BP 9 12 10 7 11 12 6 7 9 6 4 2

PTS 67 64 62 55 51 50 46 41 37 34 22 18

NATIONAL LEAGUE 3

Safety is secured for Ap Daffyd and his Bracknell side Gravesend 10 Bracknell 18

IAN BURCH and captain Jonny Mirza scored the second-half tries which secured Bracknell a comeback victory at Rectory Field.

In claiming the win over struggling Gravesend, the Lily Hill men confirmed their place in National League 2 London and South East for next season, sending the opposition down in the process.

And they would also record the four vital points under the watchful eye of Dan Ap Daffyd, who has been named the club’s interim head coach after the departure of Rory Greenslade-Jones.

Ap Daffyd would witness his side get off to a good start, with Lachlan Valentine kicking over a penalty won by Burch on the 15 minute mark.

The Kent side, however, soon stormed back and would snatch the lead when Zac Lewis scored from a catch and drive over in the corner.

The conversion was missed.

Grasevend thought they had extended their advantage when Rhys Betts crossed the line.

But the celebrations were cut short after referee Ben Wilde stepped in and deemed a forward pass had been made during the build up, so the score was ruled out.

Still, Bracknell went in at the break trailing 5-3, and they would find themselves under immense pressure once again after the restart as the opposition looked to build on a slender lead.

A penalty offered some respite, but back came the hosts and would this time make their offensive work count, with Betts again going over, which this time counted.

But failing once again from the tee would prove costly.

This is because a steal from man-of-the-match Liam Goodison would send Burch on his way, where the winger broke several tackles as he drove in from the halfway line to grab a stunning try.

Kicking responsibility now belonged to replacement Lewis Dennett, but he too was unable to clear the posts.

Yet he was lining the ball up once again soon after, and made no mistake.

On this occasion Dennett was improving the five points Mirza added to the board for a 15-10 Bracknell lead.

Recycling the ball presented the skipper with an opening, and he would power himself over the whitewash.

The win, and safety, was wrapped up when Dennett improved his, and the side’s, tally by a further three points when banging over a penalty awarded after Gravesend were caught offside.

BRACKNELL: Pickett, Silvester, Mirza (c), Bailey, Wright, Field, Goodison, Valentine, Walton, Conway, Yates, Faamatuainu, Brember, Burch.

Reps: Elliott, Williams, Miranda, Dennett.

n AP DAFFYD’S men are away at relegated Westcliff on Saturday (3pm).

National League 3 London and South East P W D L F A BP L.I Wild Geese 23 19 3 1 705 366 15 Tonbridge Juddian 23 19 1 3 734 330 18 East Grinstead 23 17 1 5 608 305 15 Hertford 23 16 0 7 649 384 13 Westcombe Park 23 15 1 7 616 379 15 Guernsey 23 14 0 9 582 526 12 Shelford 23 12 0 11 516 475 15 Wimbledon 23 11 0 12 582 453 11 Chichester 23 10 0 13 436 520 9 Colchester 23 10 0 13 487 540 8 Bracknell 23 8 0 15 428 608 10 Westcliff 23 4 0 19 376 730 7 Grasvend 23 3 0 20 325 713 6 Eton Manor 23 0 0 23 240 955 5

PTS 97 91 85 77 77 68 63 55 49 48 42 23 18 5

SPORT | 35

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Friday, April 8, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

NATIONAL LEAGUE 2 SOUTH

Tewkesbury praises his defence as Rams all but Bury relegation fears Bury St Edmunds 28 Redingensians 31 IN-FORM Redingensians celebrated a seventh win on the spin which all but secures their status in National League 2 South for next season.

Midtable Bury became the latest victims to be pushed aside by the steam train that is the Rams, although a late rally did leave the visitors hanging on at Southgate Green.

But Mike Tewkesbury’s men held out and secured victory courtesy of George Drury, Conor Corrigan, Robbie Stapley and Tom Vooght tries, with the deadly accurate Spike Chandler converting the lot.

“It was a really competitive contest,” said the coach.

“Both sides contributed and it was a great advertisement for the game. Overall our defence was good and I felt our back row was outstanding.”

The deadlock over in Suffolk was broken in the 13th minute.

Stapley was the architect, for it was a searing run from the No.8 which Corrigan carried on before Drury finished off the move.

Chandler, now with 1,000 league points to his name for the club, added the extras from out wide.

Things were to get even better for the away side just two minutes later when some good driving play from the backs allowed the influential Corrigan to go over.

Chandler secured the additional two points and Rams were 14 points to the good.

The latter would extend the advantage even further when nailing a penalty later in the half.

Bury, however, would be no pushovers, and their first points would arrive just before the break and through and unconverted Sam Sterling try.

It was a slight setback for Tewkesbury’s charges, although

And such determination would set up a grandstand finish, with Will Affleck dabbing down before a penalty try from Scott Lyle moved Bury to within three points of the Rams.

Such momentum, however, was stopped by the clock, much to the relief of Tewkesbury and his side.

The five points moved Redingensians up to seventh, yet they could still mathematically go down.

But with nine places separating them and the drop zone, it now appears unlikely the club’s debut season at this level will end after just one campaign.

Redingensians’ Robbie Stapley bagged a fifth try in four games over in Suffolk Picture: Emma Sheppard

REDINGENSIANS: Foxley: Corrigan, Bryant, Barnes, McDermottroe; Chandler, Drury; Steadman, Henderson, Weller, Bryson, Kerschbaumer, Kharbouch, Vooght, Stapley.

Reps: Crame, Smith, Amor, Guttridge, Richardson.

protecting the lead looked to have become that little bit more testing when Samir Kharbouch was punished for coming in at the side and was promptly sin-binned.

The hosts duly proceeded to pin the opposition back on their own gain line, but it was at the other end where the next score was to arrive.

Winning turnover ball would see Vooght carry the ball to the halfway line, where Corrigan took over and gained further territory from where Stapley would help himself to a fifth try in four games.

Bury would respond on the hour mark when a Mark Kitson try made it 24-14 – only for Corrigan to help nudge the visitors further ahead 10 minutes later.

He went charging off down the wing before off-loading to Vooght, who strolled over to secure the bonus-point, with

Chandler again clearing the posts from the tee.

Despite boasting a 17 point lead, all was not quite yet over as the home side began chipping away at the deficit.

National League 2 South P W D L F Cambridge 26 22 2 2 870 Old Albanians 26 21 1 4 818 Bishop’s Stortford 26 18 1 7 734 Redruth 26 19 0 7 609 Taunton Titans 26 17 0 9 776 Barnes 26 10 4 12 602 Redingensians 26 12 0 14 583 Old Elthamians 26 12 2 12 571 Clifton 26 11 1 14 650 Bury St Edmunds 26 11 0 15 622 Canterbury 26 11 0 15 584 Chinnor 26 10 0 16 625 Worthing 26 10 1 15 524 Dorking 26 9 0 17 513 Southend Saxons 26 7 3 16 518 Launceston 26 0 1 25 260

A BP 448 21 409 22 395 22 454 16 525 19 671 16 606 15 625 11 630 14 632 16 750 14 682 18 584 13 691 14 709 11 1048 8

PTS 113 108 96 92 87 64 63 63 60 60 58 58 54 50 45 10

Rams’ impressive winning streak is likely to come under close scrutiny.

Up next is the visit of league leaders Cambridge (2pm) on Saturday, and the home side will go up against the table toppers without Vooght.

He broke a bone in his hand late on in Bury and is ruled out.

The back division remains unchanged, but Tewkesbury will leave it late before naming his forwards.

Cambridge put 109 points on bottom side Launceston last weekend, 78 of which arrived before the break.

Rams, though, took a losing bonus when the sides last met back in December, a game the title contenders fought back to win 38-23, and should provide sterner opposition.

“They are a good side, but we will be giving it a crack and with home advantage, hope to create an upset,” added Tewkesbury, who went on to praise his side for the impressive turnaround they have produced in recent weeks.

“The players, coaches and support staff have put in a lot of effort.

“It looked bleak when we lost our first four matches and were hit by injuries.”

BB&O PREMIER DIVISION

Carney grabs a try, but Crowthorne lose at leaders Gosford All Blacks 33 Crowthorne 5

CROWTHORNE’S pursuit of a top four finish suffered a setback after the side suffered their heaviest defeat of the season away at the runaway Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier Division leaders.

A second half Rhys Carnie try was nothing more than consolation for Alex Stewart’s men, who remain fifth in the standings.

But they fell further behind their closest rivals for fourth place, Abingdon, who picked up a bonus point from a 19-16 loss at Slough.

The Crows also had the chance to open the scoring early on, but the usually reliable Doug Chalmers shanked a penalty wide of a post.

It would prove costly, too, as just moments later winning a scrum against the head would result in Liam Donnelly setting up Harry Sutton to grab the opening try of the game following an arcing run.

Chris Bennett belted over the

Crowthorne’s Doug Chalmers missed an early penalty Picture: Steve Smyth

conversion for a 7-0 lead.

This was extended when Will Watts exploited the space in front of him to dart over the whitewash, with Bennett again improving the score.

Gosford, though, had to be thankful to Rob Woods for helping double the side’s

tally, for the scrum half hacked the ball away on no fewer than three occasions to foil the visitors’ way back into the game.

The hosts would have to play out the latter stages of the first half a man light after Dan Hughes was shown the yellow card following a high tackle.

Yet try as they might, Crowthorne remained unable to find a breakthrough.

But they would work the scorers shortly after the restart.

Centre Carnie made light work of the All Blacks’ defence, sweeping past a number of attempted tackles before dabbing down for what turned out to be an unconverted try.

Just moments later, though, and the side would lose Carl Crosby to the sin-bin, and with his departure went any hopes of pulling off a comeback.

Gosford needed little time at all to exploit their advantage, with Miles Johnson rattling over to grab a third try of the afternoon for his side, which Bennett again bettered.

Rob Woods and Watts combined to set up Sutton to secure the bonus point and

his second try of the day, although the extras were not added on this occasion.

Wrapping up the win was Johnson.

Collecting a loose ball, the winger ventured out of the hosts’ 22-metre line before heading off down the touchline, leaving defenders in his wake before darting over the gain line.

Normal service resumed for Bennett and the victory margin was a healthy 28 points.

Crowthorne return to action on April 16 when Hungerford are guests at The New Nest in Arborfield Garrison for the penultimate match of the season.

Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier Division P W D L F A BP Gosford All Blacks 20 19 0 1 729 199 17 Milton Keynes 19 17 1 1 760 230 13 Tadley 19 16 0 3 669 262 12 Abingdon 20 12 0 8 537 365 13 Crowthorne 20 11 1 8 292 290 9 Chesham 20 7 0 13 237 503 7 Slough 19 6 1 12 422 533 8 Chipping Norton 19 6 2 11 289 478 5 Hungerford 20 6 1 13 319 512 10 Alchester 20 5 0 15 290 437 10 Risborough 20 6 0 14 199 626 2 Wheatley 20 4 0 16 188 496 6

PTS 93 84 72 61 57 35 34 33 26 25 22 12

36 | SPORT

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 8, 2016

READING FC

Forest felled by Norwood’s netbuster Reading 2 Nottingham Forest 1 IN OLIVER Norwood, Reading have a player tipped for a bright future.

That is according to his manager, Brian McDermott, who lauded the midfielder after he capped off a fine performance with a super 20-yard strike which sealed Royals a comeback victory on Tuesday night.

His winner, which was helped home by a post, also secured the hosts successive league triumphs.

There was a welcome goal too for Matej Vydra, who touched home another Norwood drive just minutes after stepping up off the bench, with the Czech ending a wait of some five months to notch in the league, which cancelled out Ben Osborn’s 41st-minute opener for the visitors.

But the night belonged to Norwood, whom McDermott feels is benefitting from a recent spell out of the side.

“It was a terrific goal and I thought he played really well tonight,” said the Royals boss.

“I think Oliver Norwood is a great lad.

I left him out of the team for a couple of games, but he reacted in the right way and I thought some of his play tonight was excellent.

“He can score, he can pass, tackle, he is only young still and has played 200-plus games and is only 20-odd years of age.

“He has got a lot in front of him.”

Although Reading had to claw back a deficit before going on to take all three points, in reality they should have won this more comfortably, with countless opportunities coming and going.

Four of these would fall to Yann Kermorgant, but the Frenchman’s wait to break his duck at Madejski continues after his headed attempts were either wide, saved or cleared off the line.

Yet it was the away side who would go close to breaking the deadlock early on, but Henri Lansbury was denied by Ali Al Habsi from close range.

Reading, though, were soon setting the tone, and through making gains down the flanks would result in numerous chances

Danny Williams looks to try and get away from Forest’s Bojan Jokic

Pictures: Steve Smyth

Matej Vydra struck his first league goal since November

Lucas Piazon looks to pull the trigger Royals celebrate Norwood’s winner

to go in front.

Kermorgant saw his first opening, when meeting a Jordan Obita centre from the left, hooked off the line by former Royal Matt Mills.

It was from the same scenario just moments later when another goal-bound header was acrobatically

palmed away by Dorius De Vries in the Forest goal.

Simon Cox, the one change from the side which won 1-0 at Bolton Wanderers last Saturday, replacing Vydra, would also go close, but he could only turn the ball into the side netting when meeting a Chris Gunter cross, although with his back to goal the chance was a difficult one.

Danny Williams and Norwood, meanwhile, would also see strikes blocked by a Forest side set up to soak whatever the hosts could throw at them and then push out on the counter, while Paul MacShane was just over when attacking a corner.

And through this Osborn would try his luck from some 25 yards.

His strike looked to be dropping under the crossbar – only for Al Habsi to palm the ball away at full stretch.

It was clearly a warning sign, because just minutes later – and again against the run of play – Forest were taking the lead.

And from the Reds’ perspective, it was all too easy.

From a David Vaughan pass, Lansbury had all the time in the world to spot the run of Osborn and slide the ball between McShane and Jake Cooper, with the midfielder waiting for Al Habsi to commit himself before netting with a low finish.

It was an advantage Paul Williams’ men would hold going into the break, and then try to protect in the second half.

Yet Reading continued to ask the questions, but the answers would come in the way of Kermorgant putting two headers wide, with Cox looping another opportunity into the welcomed hands of De Vries from a corner.

Williams would then drag another opening wide before Forest broke forward and almost bagged a second.

Osborn was again the man on target, but Al Habsi would win this particular battle, palming his rising drive away for a corner.

With things not quite clicking up top, McDermott made changes, with Vydra and Saturday’s match-winner Ola John replacing Cox and Lucas Piazon respectively.

The manager had leaped to the defence of the Czech following his penalty miss at The Macron, and his faith was rewarded somewhat when he managed to divert a Norwood drive into the corner.

How much Vydra knew about it remains unknown, but he was claiming a first goal in the league since netting against the same side back in November.

While deserving, it was probably the little bit of luck Royals needed given their earlier shortcomings.

The onus was now on the Royals to find the winner, but with Forest dogged in defence, it was either going to come in a fortuitous manner or via something special.

And in Norwood, the club have someone capable of producing a moment of magic.

Stealing in to win the ball back would present the 24-year-old with a sight of goal, and within a flash of pulling the trigger, the playmaker would see his shot rattle the inside of a post and drop into the opposite side of the net.

A heart-in-mouth moment, though, would arrive late on when Osborn was again set up to shoot, but thankfully for those in the blue and white hoops his low drive flashed past an upright.

“We were good value for the win, no doubt about that,” added McDermott.

“How we have gone 1-0 down at half time I do now know. We have created numerous chances and then they have scored, but we just had to keep going and we kept going and managed to turn it around and win the game 2-1.”

READING: Al Habsi, Gunter, McShane (c), Cooper, Obita, Norwood, Quinn, Williams, Cox (Vydra 61), Kermorgant, Piazon (John 61) Subs not used: Bond, Taylor, Evans, Hector, Ferdinand Goals: Vydra 68, Norwood 81.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST: De Vries, Jokic, Cohen, Wilson (Fox 32), Mills, Vaughan, Osborn, Lansbury (c) (Tesche 74), Gardner, Blackstock, Burke (Ward 68).

Subs not used: Macheda, Evitmov, O’Grady, Grant.

Goal: Osborn 41 Booked: Gardner Referee: Dean Whitestone Attendance: 15,678 (826 away).

PREVIEW

‘We’re better than a mid-table finish’ claims ambitious Obita READING V BIRMINGHAM CITY SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP MADEJSKI STADIUM SATURDAY – 3PM

Jordan Obita

JORDAN OBITA says the quality of Reading’s squad should have seen them sitting in a playoff spot by this stage of the season, writes TOM CROCKER. Royals season is set to end with a midtable finish after back-to-back victories eased any lingering relegation fears to leave them 14 points clear of danger but still 16 points off the top six with only seven games to go.

And as Reading prepare to take on play-off chasing Birmingham City on Saturday at Madejski Stadium, Obita feels it should have been them battling for promotion.

“Given the expectation of us, where we are is not where we wanted to be,” said the leftback.

“We need to win every game and try to get higher up the table because I feel like with the squad we have, we should’ve been higher anyway.”

He added: “We should’ve been doing better than what we have.

“It hasn’t worked out this season but as a club and as players, we know we should be in the play-offs.

“There’s teams in the play-offs that are good but we believe we’re better and should’ve been swapping places with them.”

After a spell playing understudy to loanee Andrew Taylor this season, Obita has wrestled back his left back spot and shone in recent wins over Bolton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest.

And the youngster admits his form has been helped by being given more freedom by Brian McDermott, who took over the club in December following the sacking of Steve Clarke.

“Last year and the start of this season I was told to just pick my times when to go forward,” Obita explained.

“But since I’ve been back in the squad, Brian has told me to get forward and put crosses in the box because that’s my strengths.

“Me just picking my timing to go

forward once or twice a game isn’t me, but the manager told me to get forward and I was up and down the whole game (against Nottingham Forest) and also last Saturday against Bolton as well.”

He added: “Steve (Clarke) got me to defend much better probably than I had done and his way of playing was different to the manager now. “(McDermott) knows my strengths and he knows me from a youth team player and he wants me to get forward so that’s what I’ve got to give him.

“I was enjoying it (under Clarke) but me attacking is making me happy and it’s probably showing.”

Royals last played Birmingham on the opening day of the season, losing 21 at St. Andrew’s and Obita is expecting a similar type of gameplan from the Blues again this weekend.

“I’m expecting them to counterattack,” he said.

“They’ll wait for us to slip up and try to take advantage of it.

“They’re very good at defending as we found out at the start of the season.

“It was very tough. I expect us to have a lot of the ball but we’ve just got to make sure we expose chances that we have against them.”

Burnley Middlesbrough Brighton Hull Sheff Wed Derby Cardiff Ipswich Birmingham Preston QPR Wolves Reading Brentford Leeds Blackburn Nottm Forest Huddersfield Fulham Bristol City Rotherham MK Dons Charlton Bolton

Sky Bet Championship P W D L 40 21 14 5 39 23 7 9 40 20 15 5 39 20 9 10 40 18 14 8 40 18 13 9 40 16 15 9 40 16 12 12 39 15 11 13 40 14 14 12 40 12 16 12 40 13 13 14 39 13 12 14 39 14 7 18 39 11 15 13 40 11 13 16 40 11 13 16 40 12 9 19 40 10 14 16 40 11 11 18 40 12 7 21 40 9 10 21 40 8 12 20 40 4 14 22

F 63 54 56 54 59 56 51 46 43 39 50 48 45 54 39 39 35 52 61 41 47 34 36 37

A 33 25 38 27 37 37 42 44 39 38 47 52 44 60 48 40 41 57 66 63 64 55 70 72

Pts 77 76 75 69 68 67 63 60 56 56 52 52 51 49 48 46 46 45 44 44 43 37 36 26

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Friday, April 8, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

THAMES VALLEY LEAGUE

Ola John was Royals match-winner at The Macron Stadium Picture: Steve Smyth

Ray is the leading light as Woodley set up final date

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk

What a G-Ola! Visitors Trot off with the points thanks to John’s late stunner Bolton Wanderers 0 Reading 1

OLA JOHN stepped up off the bench and hit a last-minute winner to secure Reading just a fourth league triumph on the road this season.

And it was a strike worthy of settling any contest, with the Dutchman hitting the top corner of Ben Amos’ net from 30 yards out.

John would snatch all three points for a Royals side which had, up until this point, been left frustrated against struggling opposition who had to play around three-quarters of the fixture with 10 men after Rob Holding was dismissed for a foul on Matej Vydra.

With the Czech upended in the box the away side were also awarded a penalty, but the striker’s effort from 12 yards lacked conviction and was easily saved

by Amos.

Brian McDermott’s side would see a hatful of chances come and go before John rattled in the only goal of the game with just seconds remaining, bringing much relief to a side which climbed up to 13th in the Championship table with this triumph.

“I had a little bit of space, and sometimes that is all you need,” said the on-loan Benfica man afterwards.

“A few weeks ago against Huddersfield I did the same and it gave me confidence to try again.

“It’s a big relief for us; we didn’t give up and you saw what happened in the last few minutes. You always have to keep going and keep trying to the very last second of the game.”

Royals made the trip up the M6 odds-on favourites to both win the game and taste victory for the first time in five games against opposition almost certain to be playing League One football next season.

McDermott, though, made four changes to the side which drew 1-1 with Cardiff City prior to the international break, with Jordan Obita, Oliver Norwood, Lukas Piazon and Vydra all handed starts.

Out went Andrew Taylor, the injured Hal Robson-Kanu, Michael Hector and John.

It was all one way traffic during the opening exchanges, yet the visitors were unable to capitalise, with Williams off target with a volley before Vydra was unable to keep a header down from the closest of ranges.

Then came a potential turning point in the 22nd minute. A Yann Kemorgant flick-on sent Vydra on his way towards goal, only for Holding to intervene, illegaly. A red card was his punishment, with the former awarded a shot at goal from 12 yards.

Vydra’s record from the spot has not been great this term, and he was to do his stats no favours either when producing a tame effort for the corner, which Amos watched all the way before palming the ball to safety.

Amos would thwart the same player when a Paul McShane header sent him through on goal again, meaning the sides would go in at half time on level terms.

A Bolton side now set up to try and contain the opposition would register their first shot on goal minutes after the restart, but the highy-regarded Zach Clough failed to trouble Al-Ali Habsi, who was back on familiar territory at the Macron Stadium.

But normal service was soon resuming, although Kermogant was wide with two headers which fell his way in quick succession.

Norwood would have Amos scrambling across his line when letting fly from 25 yards, and the Northern Ireland international was only just over.

The contest was now some 80 minutes old and the score still remained at stalemate, although McShane did try and force the issue, only for a combination of David Wheater and the post to keep his header out.

Stephen Quinn did then rattle an upright as Royals remained camped in enemy territory, but it was from way further out when the away side would finally break the deadlock.

John had no right to shoot from where he did having worked his way into space, but when opening up the result was a brilliant dipping effort which had Amos beaten all ends up.

“It was quite a tough game – people would think when you have a one man advantage it makes the game easier, but it is the opposite,” added the matchwinner.

“After we missed the penalty we had a lot of good chances, but their coach changed the tactics, he made it really tight and hard for us to find opportunities.

“In the last minute of the game I took a chance and the shot went in. I think we deserved the win, but it’s not always that easy.”

BOLTON WANDERERS: Amos, Moxey, Vela, Clough (Heskey), Osede, Pratley (c), Dobbie (Trotter), Woolery (Danns), Wheater, Holding, Maher Subs not used: Rachubka, Davies, Wilson, Samizadeh Booked: Pratley Sent off: Holding READING: Al Habsi, Gunter, McShane (c), Cooper, Obita, Norwood, Williams, Quinn, Piazon (John), Vydra (Cox), Kermorgant Subs not used: Bond, Taylor, Evans, Ferdinand, Fernandez Booked: Gunter, Quinn, Kermorgant, John Goal: John 90 Referee: Geoff Eltringham Attendance: 13,469 (440 away)

ALEX RAY bagged a brace as Woodley United A booked their place in the BTC Junior Cup final with the 5-1 thrashing of Shinfield Rangers Mens.

Woodley, who play their football in Division Three of the Thames Valley League, made their quality show against a side two leagues below with Chris Burt, Samuel Mallows and Sam Skehan also on target.

Callum Finlay netted a consolation for Shinfield, but it is Woodley who progress to meet either Harchester Hawks or Hurst Reserves, who meet in their semi-final this weekend.

Meanwhile, in league action, FINCHAMPSTEAD RESERVES kept their slim Division 3 title hopes alive with a 3-1 win over WARGRAVE RESERVES. Sitting in third, five points off the leaders with just two games to play, Finch will need all results to go their way to have a chance of walking away as champions but second half goals from Nicholas Payne, Richard Johnson and James Payne cancelled out Jason Heath’s strike to keep them in with a chance.

And Wargrave slipped second bottom of the table on Wednesday night after handing high-flying SRCC an away walkover victory.

A Marvin Hinds hat-trick plunged 10-man WOODLEY UNITED RESERVES deeper towards relegation danger in the

James Payne was on target for Finchampstead Reserves during a 3-1 win over Wargrave Reserves in Division 3 Picture: Vivienne Johnson

Premier Division.

Hinds’ treble, combined with an own goal and Zac Pettifer strike, saw Taplow United run out comfortable 5-1 winners while Joseph Danelian’s goal came in vain.

Jack Waller did not help his side’s cause by being sent off following two

yellow cards as Woodley slip to 11th, now below Taplow.

In the same league, relegation-threatened Unity picked up three vital points thanks to a brace from substitute Prince Massaquoi in a 2-0 win over BERKS COUNTY. ASHRIDGE PARK had a midweek to forget as their game in hand ended in an 8-0 mauling against new league leaders Westwood United Reserves.

Ashridge, who sink to the foot of Division 2 below SONNING with this result, could only watch on as Chris Bark (3), Thomas Bullion, Nikos Chrysikopoulos, Dean Hughes (2) and Daniel Rolfe all found the net.

On Saturday, BARKHAM ATHLETIC completed their season with a 2-0 defeat against second placed Eldon Celtic thanks to goals from Omar Carrington and Luke Cox. A hat-trick from Gene Da’Breo saw BERKS COUNTY RESERVES’ title hopes ended after a seven-goal thriller in Division 4.

Needing a win to keep their chances alive, Berks fell foul of Da’Breo and a Jamal Acard penalty to stay second having now completed all their fixtures.

In the same division, goals from Thomas Crouchman, David Worley and substitute Chris Tanner could not prevent HURST RESERVES from losing 5-3 against Rotherfield United Reserves, who had a Michael Simpson hat-trick to thanks for their success.

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

Defeat to Black Cats ends FA Cup dream for Jones and Reading Sunderland Ladies 3 Reading Women 0

STAND-IN striker Nia Jones believes facing Sunderland twice in as many weeks hindered their chances of reaching the FA Cup semi-finals, writes TOM CROCKER. Royals picked up their first point of the WSL 1 campaign away to the Lady Black Cats last weekend and were drawn to face them again in the cup just eight days later.

But they ultimately fell well short second time around thanks to goals from Beth Mead, Victoria Williams and Brooke Chaplen.

And Wales international Jones, who usually plies her trade at centre-back, believes the lack of a shock factor contributed to their chances of a Wembley appearance disappearing for another year.

“It is disappointing,” she said.

“We had our sights set on the semi-finals, that was our target.

“We proved last week when we played them in the league that we could compete and we came away from that game ruing not taking the three points.

“We did our homework, we just didn’t execute our game plan in the first half and that is what has let us down.”

She continued: “I don’t like to speak for Sunderland but they didn’t know a lot about us and I think we caught them by surprise last week.

“We’re known for our work-rate and intensity here and I think that hit them, but they were much more prepared this time around.”

Kelly Chambers made three changes from the side which drew in this fixture the previous weekend as Jade Boho

Nia Jones Picture: Nigel Hoyle

us and we can concentrate on that now.

“We need to keep working and improving.”

Reading have three weeks off before travelling to face Notts County Ladies on April 24.

READING: Earps; Jane, Bartrip, McGee, Rowe; Hines (Estcourt 24), L. Roche, Bruton; Ward, Follis (Scott 35), Jones.

Subs not used: Moloney, Cox, Walkley.

SUNDERLAND: Laws; Holmes, Bannon, Williams, Sjoman; Johnston (S. Roche 74), Staniforth (McDougall 80), Furness, Joice (Ramshaw 69), Chaplen; Mead.

Subs not used: Olson, Potts.

Goals: Mead (35), Williams (41), Chaplen (90).

Referee: Shaun Hudson Attendance: 407

Sayo, away on international duty with Equatorial Guinea, Charlie Estcourt and goalkeeper Grace Moloney dropped out with Jones, Lauren Bruton and debutant Mary Earps coming in.

Sunderland started brightly and finally beat Earps on 35 minutes through a close range Mead finish.

Moments later Emma Follis became the second Reading player of the afternoon, alongside Kayleigh Hines, to be forced off through injury and by half-time the visitors had a mountain to climb after Williams lost her marker to turn in from a free kick and double the advantage.

Royals battled hard after the break with Jones and Helen Ward going close, but the win was sealed in stoppage time through a clinical Chaplen finish.

“Going in 2-0 down at half-time isn’t good enough,” admitted manager Chambers.

“But the league is the main focus for

Woodley United Ladies 1 Marlow 4 THREE quick-fire second half strikes condemned Woodley to a resounding defeat at home against title-chasing Marlow.

Katie Hudson’s goal was all that separated the pair going into half-time of the Southern Region Women’s Premier League clash after Sab Kulan’s back-pass was intercepted.

But the game was as good as over just 12 minutes after the restart.

First, Grainne McNally headed in before Olivia Hall rattled in a third.

Marlow ensured there would be no way back for Woodley on 57 minutes when Abi Ganvin beat goalkeeper Emily Sherwood to the ball to turn home.

Ellen Surtees and Olivia Hazel went close for the hosts, who did at least manage to find the net through Rosie Paige-Smith, who put previous misses behind her to notch a consolation and take her tally for the season to 15.

Woodley have a week off now before returning to action against Oxford City on April 17.

38 | SPORT

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THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, April 8, 2016

HELLENIC DIVISION 1 EAST

MIDWEEK ROUND-UP

United’s Green shoots of recovery Woodley United 2 Finchampstead 1 UNITED’S late resurgence continues after Luke Nichols and Tim Green fired the side to successive league victories for the first time this season.

Both struck in the first half of this borough derby at Scours Lane, which was enough to see off an out-of-sorts Finchampstead, whose winless run in all competitions stretched to eight games.

In fact, their last win was the 5-1 thumping of the same opposition back on Boxing Day. Jon Laugharne’s men were then sitting among the top four in Hellenic Division 1 East, but a season of promise now threatens to flitter out in mediocrity.

Buoyed by recording a first win in the league since November when securing a 1-0 success over Didcot Town Reserves last time out, Woodley would open the scoring on 11 minutes.

The goal came about when Tom Peterson, matchwinner the previous weekend, saw a shot blocked – but the ricochet kindly fell to Matt Lambert, whose cross from the byline was headed home by Nichols.

In reply, Luke Axton-Hall would twice go close for Finchampstead, both of which were headers.

The second of these was well saved by a diving Ben Hitchins in the United goal.

The shot-stopper would also deny Freddie Barron later in the half.

Woodley continued to carry a threat, too, with Peterson again seeing an attempt at goal blocked by an opponent when attacking a corner.

But on the half-hour mark the lead was doubled – and in some style.

Peterson was again involved, as it was his pass which allowed Green to burst forward, where he would go on and beat Finch ‘keeper Tom Bryant via a lofted finish.

In doing so, the player would record his first goal for the club.

The away side would have two more chances to get off the mark before the break, but both were from distance and off target.

Yet they were also lucky not to go in at the interval 3-0 down, although credit must go to Bryant for rushing

The rivals become involved in an angry exchange

Above: Woodley’s Oli Bridges gets away from Luke Axton-Hall as David Ingram and Swabey battle for possession, left Pictures: Steve Smyth and Peter Toft

Sumas ‘deserved a draw’ – Eggleston

resulting in two players from each side picking up a yellow card for their involvement in the fracas.

Peterson had put another chance over the bar before the altercations, while team-mate Nichols would spurn a glorious chance to put United out of reach on the hour mark.

Bryant again came darting off his line to try and deal with a loose ball, but got nowhere near it.

This presented the striker with an opening, but in attempting to make it 3-0 he failed to produce the necessary connection and would send the ball wide of a post.

Peterson’s frustrating time in front of goal continued when off target with another opportunity, while up the other end captain Brad Hoy put his body on the line to prevent a Harry Swabey drive reaching its intended destination.

Finchampstead’s Scott Hunter then failed to trouble Hitchins moments later.

Further chances would fall the way of the visitors, too, with Hitchins keeping out another Swabey effort before Axton-Hall and Sam Green were wide with respective headers.

The guests were now laying siege on the United goal, but with debutant Curtis Robertson producing an assured performance alongside Hoy at the back, the opposition were equal to anything thrown at them.

However, Woodley would have to endure a nervy conclusion to the game when Swabey finally broke the barricade, reacting quickest to divert a Barron cross and give the side a glimmer of hope.

And opportunities to grab an equaliser would arrive in stoppage time, but Axton-Hall’s luck remained out, with the midfielder unable to convert when twice connecting with crosses from both flanks.

WOODLEY UNITED: Hitchins, Ahmed (Bridges), Brookling (Ingram), Robertson, Hoy (c), Lambert, Green (Mowat), May, Douglas, Peterson, Nichols FINCHAMPSTEAD: Bryant, Pople, Abbot, M.Wright, S.Green (c), Axton-Hall, Barron, Hunter, Swabey, Rolls, J.Wright.

Finches Harry Swabey pulls a goal back

off his line to thwart Nichols, who was clean through, but not helped by some awkward bobbles on an uneven surface.

The hosts would make a change during

CHALLENGE CUP

the break, with Mark Ingram replacing Matt Brookling at left back.

The half, though, would begin in an angry manner with a coming together

Woodley return to action next Tuesday when they host Henley Town.

They then bring the season to a close with a basement battle with Old Woodstock Town on Thursday, April 14.

This also takes place at Scours Lane.

Both games kick off at 7.45pm.

COMBINED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Herridge and Moles cop yet more Flack Griffiths starts another late comeback Flackwell Heath 3 Binfield 0

FLACKWELL’S stronghold on Binfield continued in the Bluefin Sports Hellenic Challenge Cup at the weekend.

The record for Roger Herridge’s men against their league rivals now reads played four, lost four this season after this reverse at Wilks Park.

Through a Joe Gritt goal and Dan Molloy brace the hosts booked their place in the semi-final of the competition.

Binfield boss Herridge said earlier in the week this game took priority during a backlog of fixtures for his injury-ravaged side.

And had it not been for former Moles’ shot-stopper Dan Weait his side could well have got something for the tie, if not to make the final result a little less unflattering on his charges, In frustrating the visitors, Weait produced a fine stop to divert an ambitious Jean-Claude Etienne effort on

to the crossbar.

He would also turn a late Chris Dean strike on to a post and preserve his clean sheet.

Binfield went into the game against the reigning Premier Division champions buoyed by the 4-0 thrashing of Ascot United a few days earlier.

But after an even start to the contest would fall behind on 29 minutes when Gritt squeezed the ball home.

Bradley Brown would send a header wide early in the second half in what was the away side’s best chance of grabbing an equaliser.

Yet they would have their work cut out when Molloy beat Charlie Lusty in the visitors goal with a header from a Dan Rapley cross on 64 minutes.

Just 60 minutes later and the same player put Flackwell out of reach when finishing off good work from Joe Blount.

Molloy, though, was denied a hat-trick when Lusty palmed away his goal-bound free-kick late on.

Eversley and California 2 CB Hounslow 2

EVERSLEY needed a late comeback for the second weekend running to secure a share of the spoils.

But the Boars’ promotion push continues to stutter and it’s now three games without a win for Phil Ruggles’ men.

The manager, though, will no doubt have been pleased to take something from the runaway Division 1 leaders.

Just like the game with South Park Reserves last time out, the home side found themselves trailing by two goals.

Hounslow took the lead early in the second half before stretching the advantage on the hour mark.

Matthew Griffiths, though, would cut the gap 15 minutes from time, yet it looked as though the away side, who boast the meanest defence in the league having conceded just 22 times this term going into the game, had done enough to hold out for the win.

With just seconds remaining, however, the home side levelled matters.

Although the point was a welcome one, results elsewhere mean Eversley slip five behind the top three.

They entertain another side with promotion aspirations, Banstead Athletic, on Saturday (3pm).

Combined Counties League Division 1 P W D L F A CB Hounslow Utd 28 20 5 3 64 24 Abbey Rangers 28 18 19 3 6 65 Bedfont & Feltham 26 18 2 6 66 36 Worcester Park 27 16 5 6 66 31 Eversley & California25 16 3 6 71 37 Banstead Athletic 25 15 5 5 66 39 Dorking 27 13 1 13 50 45 Cobham 29 12 3 14 52 61 Ash United 29 10 7 12 51 56 Staines Lammas 28 11 3 14 51 52 Frimley Green 27 10 3 14 41 48 Sandhurst Town 27 7 6 14 44 77 Sheerwater 28 7 3 18 44 62 South Park Reserves25 5 5 15 36 65 Farleigh Rovers 25 6 1 18 24 69 Dorking Wand Res 25 4 6 15 26 54

Pts 65 60 56 53 51 50 40 39 37 36 33 27 24 20 19 18

Bracknell Town 2 Wokingham and Emmbrook 1

MATT EGGLESTON felt his Sumas deserved a point after being edged out by their local rivals last Thursday.

Goals in both halves from Seb Bowerman and former Wokingham and Emmbrook striker Adam Cornell saw Town to the points at Larges Lane, stretching their unbeaten run to 10 games in the process.

Jordan Rowland would halve the deficit via a stunning 25-yard free-kick, but his strike in stoppage time would arrive too late to mount a comeback.

Frustratingly for Eggleston’s side, Bracknell would have to play out the second half with 10 men after Carl Davies was dismissed for a professional foul on Luke Scope, but Wokingham were unable to capitalise.

“I look at what I had out there today, a mixture of first team and reserves, and not one of them let me down,” said the boss, who was back in the dugout having returned home from holiday just hours before the game.

“I thought the sending off helped our cause – for me it was a straight red, he was the last man and if Luke Scope gets through he is one-on-one with the goalie.

“I thought we had our chances in the first half, and they had their chances as well, but for me I thought a draw would have been a fair result.”

Bowerman broke the deadlock when running the ball past Sean Woodward in the Wokingham and Emmbrook goal and knocking it into an unguarded net.

He then laid on Cornell to double the advantage, with the striker stroking a tidy shot into the corner 11 minutes from time.

Rowland pulled a goal back deep into stoppage time, but the effort was nothing more than consolation.

Nowell about that!

Toby fires Binfield to impressive win Binfield 4 Ascot United 0

A BRACE of Toby Nowell goals on his first start helped Binfield to an emphatic victory over their neighbours at Hill Farm Lane.

Michael Walton also scored twice as the Moles put their high-flying guests to the sword on Thursday night.

Former Reading Town man Nowell only had a substitute appearance to his name for the club prior to the game, but he would get the home side off to a great start when racing away to convert a Josh Howell pass on 19 minutes.

The midfielder thought he had a second later in the half, only to see his strike met by a linesman’s flag.

Just the one goal, therefore, would separate the rivals at the break, but Binfield cranked up the heat in the second half.

Walton extended the lead to 3-0 when heading home Alex Luis and Howell crosses within two minutes of each other just past the hour mark.

Nowell would cap off a thoroughly enjoyable evening for the patched-up side moments later when confidently skipping past Chris Grace in the Ascot goal before stroking the ball into an empty net, rounding off a devastating six minutes for Binfield in the process.

SPORT | 39

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Friday, April 8, 2016 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

Etienne on target as Highmoor are put to the sword

HELLENIC PREMIER DIVISION

Deabill deals Wokingham and Emmbrook a late and cruel blow Kidlington 1 Wokingham and Emmbrook 0 SUBSTITUTE Jimmy Deabill broke Wokingham and Emmbrook hearts – and their brave resolve – when hitting a late winner at Yarnton Road.

Deabill would edge Hellenic Premier Division leaders Kidlington three points closer to the title when scoring from close range in the 77th minute.

When the sides last met in February, the Oxfordshire side struck three times during the opening 10 minutes in a 4-1 triumph.

But there was to be no repeat on Tuesday night as the relegated Sumas did the club proud.

Not only were they dogged and resolute, but would also produce the hosts with a few scares along the way too.

“All you can ask is your team to give you everything,” said joint-boss Dan Bateman afterwards.

“Today (Tuesday) they did that and narrowly lost to the champions in waiting.”

All of the early chances would fall to the league leaders, where Sean Woodward in the Wokingham goal would deny Anaclet Odhiambo, with Lewis Coyle unable to keep the rebound down.

Ryan Brooks sent another chance into the side netting before Woodward turned an Eric Odhiambo drive around a post.

Further opportunities would fall the way of Kidlington, but they almost found themselves behind when Luke Scope powered his way into the box.

A first real opening would almost lead to the first goal, but a deflection on the shot

would divert the ball on to the crossbar.

Wokingham continued to stand up to their hosts, but they too were fortunate not to see the deadlock broken against them just before the break when Odhiambo also rattled the frame of the goal, although it did look easier to score on this occasion.

Kidlington would be denied by the woodwork once again minutes into the second half when an audacious Kristian Thomas chip bounced back off the bar.

Choosing to stay up when a corner had been cleared looked to be the right call by captain Tommy Franklin, but when the ball was recycled and pumped back into the box, the defender could only send his header wide.

It was around this time when Deabill was introduced from the bench, and the decision to bring him on proved to be an astute one.

He had only been on the field a matter of minutes when a blocked Coyle attempt sat up nicely for him to sweep home from three yards out.

It was a touch cruel on the away side, but they would have Woodward to thank for preventing Kidlington hitting a second when producing three impressive saves in quick succession to deny Odhiambo and Deabill.

And because of this the Sumas were still in the game, and an opportunity to snatch a point would fall their way late on.

Elliott Rushforth was the player to go close, but he was unable to get the better of host ‘keeper Sam Warrell, who would keep the effort out.

In holding out, Kidlington now need only three points to lift the title, and could do so

Highmoor Ibis 1 Binfield 4

Wokingham and Emmbrook’s Luke Scope went close at Yarnton Road, hitting the crossbar.

Inset: Boss Dan Bateman

with victory over Lydney Town on Saturday.

For Wokingham and Emmbrook, a short trip to Highmoor Ibis awaits (3pm).

WOKINGHAM AND EMMBROOK: Woodward, Carter, Broadhurst, Day (c), Parsons (Eggleston), Duffelen (Greenhaugh), Collier, Rushforth, Scope, Bateman, Wheeler Sub not used: D.Bateman

n WOKINGHAM and Emmbrook Reserves, meanwhile, resume duties in Division 2 East of the Hellenic League next week.

Clive McNelly takes his charges to Bottom Meadow for a game with near neighbours Sandhurst Town on Tuesday (6.30pm).

Hellenic Premier Division P W D L Kidlington 35 29 3 3 Thatcham Town 36 27 5 4 Flackwell Heath 36 26 4 6 Ascot United 36 21 7 8 Highworth Town 35 19 5 11 Thame United 37 18 7 12 Binfield 34 18 5 11 Brimscombe & Thrupp 33 18 3 12 Longlevens AFC 36 17 2 17 Highmoor-Ibis 36 16 3 17 Oxford City Nomads 35 15 5 15 Lydney Town 36 13 10 13 Royal Wootton Bassett 37 12 5 20 Bracknell Town 34 10 9 15 Ardley United 34 12 2 20 Brackley Town Saints 36 10 5 21 Tuffley Rovers 34 7 7 20 Milton United 37 6 9 22 Abingdon United 36 6 3 27 Wokingham 35 3 3 29

F 110 97 96 70 82 57 74 60 61 56 59 60 50 57 60 61 55 44 41 36

A 29 43 42 41 41 46 54 52 66 59 61 63 83 69 75 85 81 90 104 102

Pts 90 86 82 70 62 61 59 57 53 51 50 49 41 39 38 35 28 27 21 12

HELLENIC DIVISION 1 EAST

Pople and Finch pay the penalty as Penn win big Penn and Tylers Green 4 Finchampstead 0

Freddie Barron rattled a post at French Green Meadows

JAMES POPLE missed a penalty as Finchampstead’s wretched run of form showed no signs of improvement, going down 4-0 to title-chasing Penn and Tylers Green.

Only able to field 10 men against a side sitting second and fresh from back-to-back victories was always likely to be a tough task and so it proved for Jon Laugharne’s men as their sequence extended to nine Hellenic Division 1 East matches without victory.

The deadlock was broken on 14 minutes when Dan Jordan burst down the flank and fired across goal into the bottom corner.

But the visitors were handed a golden opportunity to level the contest.

Opting mainly for a long-ball approach, one paid off as Nathan Onreat-Wells was fouled in the box.

Up stepped Pople but his resulting spot kick lacked pace and was saved by a diving Sam Southerden.

And things went from bad to worse

for Finch on the half hour mark as George Weller doubled the tally, leaving the 10 men with a mountain to climb.

The match was as good as over five minutes later as the visitors’ luck took another turn for the worse when Ben Winship conceded a penalty, which Dan Jordan tucked away.

Finches would not go down without a fight, though, and went close through Onreat-Wells, Matt Wright and Pople but could not find the breakthrough before Freddie Barron saw his effort clip Jon Laugharne Southerden’s post.

Hellenic Division 1 East To rub salt in the wounds, P W D L Penn and Tylers Green Bicester Town 22 16 3 3 substitute Lee Thompson Penn & Tylers Green 21 15 4 2 slotted in a fourth goal to Henley Town 21 13 3 5 heap misery on Finch, who Headington Amateur’s 24 13 3 8 stay eighth in the table.

Rayners Lane 22 9 7 6 Next up for Laugharne’s Chinnor 21 10 3 8 22 9 4 9 charges is a trip to struggling Holyport 21 7 7 7 Wantage Town Reserves on Finchampstead Chalfont Wasps 20 5 5 10 Saturday (3pm kick-off).

FINCHAMPSTEAD: Bryant, Pople, Winship, M. Wright, Green, Barron, Barton, Axton-Hall, Rolls, Onreat-Wells.

Didcot Town Res’ Wantage Town Res’ Old Woodstock Town Woodley United

21 21 20 22

6 5 4 3

2 3 2 2

13 13 14 17

A FIRST goal for Jean Claude Etienne helped Binfield to another impressive win on the road.

Danny Horscroft got the ball rolling at Palmer Park on Monday night, as further strikes from Michael Walton and James Knight saw the Moles to an 18th win away from Hill Farm Lane this season.

Playing a third game in five days may have thrown up some potential issues with fatigue for an away side already riddled with injuries.

But this proved not to be the case as Roger Herridge’s men produced a fine performance to see off Highmoor Ibis.

Horscroft opened the scoring in the 28th minute, but the hosts were soon back on level terms.

Hitting the equaliser was Anthony White, who was to get the better of Nathan Silver, back in the Binfield goal having missed Saturday’s 3-0 loss at Flackwell Heath, with a header.

There would be nothing to separate the two sides until the early in the second half, where Walton was on hand to make it 2-1.

It was the midfielder’s third goal in as many games, having notched twice during the 4-0 rout of Ascot United last Thursday.

Highmoor would have their moments to peg the opposition back once again, but the game was wrapped up on 83 minutes when recent signing Etienne hit a third for the visitors.

With their tails up and the points in the bag, Herridge’s men would cap off a fine night when Knight (pictured) flashed in a fourth on the stroke of full time.

BINFIELD: Silver, Carlisle, Luis, Dean, Leonetti, M.Walton, Horscroft, Knight, Howell, Etienne, O’Connell Subs: Vaughan, Adams, Gibbs, May, B.Brown

Binfield will be looking to record a third league win on the spin when they travel to Brimscombe and Thrupp on Saturday (3pm).

YOUTH FOOTBALL

Waddock to visit Pinewood FC

F 53 60 57 51 45 41 38 37 32 31 24 15 16

A 31 12 29 29 30 31 39 28 52 56 50 52 61

Pts 51 49 42 42 34 33 31 28 20 20 18 14 11

GARY WADDOCK is to take part in a special training day which is being hosted

by Pinewood FC later this month.

The former Queens Park Rangers player and manager and UEFA B coach Sean Faulkner are to front up a ‘coach the coaches’ event being held by the club on Sunday, April 17.

Held in conjunction with Pro Ambition Soccer, it is hoped the occasion can help take the coaching provided by Pinewood up a level.

Both Waddock and Faulkner, who also works in fitness and conditioning, will work with club coaches who, in turn, can pass on improved knowledge and experience to the players.

Between them the pair, who have been involved in elite level and professional football for many years, aim to engage and inspire young players who are keen to progress to as high a standard of football as possible.

WOKINGHAM SPORT

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

Royals duo set to return for Birmingham clash

By TOM CROCKER tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk

BRIAN MCDERMOTT is set to be boosted by the return of both Deniss Rakels and Garath McCleary from injury for this weekend’s visit of Birmingham City.

Latvian international Rakels has missed the last three games with a hamstring complaint while McCleary (pictured right) has been sidelined since the end of March with a calf problem.

But it is not all positive news for Royals fans as it remains unclear whether Hal Robson-Kanu will be fit enough to return before the end of the season, opening the possibility he may have played his last game for the club.

The Wales international has been involved in the first team set-up at Reading for seven years but is yet to

HOW IT ALL STARTED desperate to try and get back before sign a contract extension with his 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.

I moved to Reading 30 years ago and to my disappointment was not to find is a restaurant that served the food26-year-old I loved most. picked up the The And while theable winger expected My dream was to open a steakhouse in Reading that would serve the quality of steak I had experienced all those years back. during the 1-1 draw with Cardiff to return to fitness time for thisin Readinginjury Finally, I had the opportunity to buy Colleys Supper Rooms, a restaurant that hadin been established for over 20 years in a beautiful City onand March 19help andofhas European Victorian building that I had always admired. I knew I hadsummer’s the chance to achieve myChampionships, dream. I opened Barts in Feb 2011 with the my not featured fantastic team we have been serving exceptional steaksMcDermott in a great environment since.

The décor and atmosphere continually evolving for clubisor country since – pulling admitsever he is unsure thanks to our loyal patrons. The menu has grown since we first opened and I am proud to say that the quality of food has only got better. out of the recent Wales friendlies whether the 26-year-old will be Northern clubthebetween now aroundagainst Here at Barts, we bring together dishes inspiredavailable by cuisines for fromhis all over world but centered our renowned steaksIreland and Ukraine and seafood. We specialise in offering youMay. the steaks of the highest quality, provided by local butchers, respectively. and aged for a minimum of 28 days, grilled for superior taste and succulence.

It isflame understood he is suffering from n FOUR youngsters have extended their loan deals away from Reading a calf problem, although his boss was Jamshed Miah welcomes you to Barts Grill & Restaurant until the end of the season. unclear of the actual prognosis.

Dominic Hyam will continue his “I have no idea,” said the manager. spell at League Two Dagenham and “Hopefully he’ll get some time for Redbridge, where he has made 10 us and then be ready for the Euros. appearances so far, while in the same “I really don’t know, I haven’t put a division Rowan Liburd will stay at time frame on that at all.”

Wycombe Wanderers until May. He continued: “He’s getting George Legg has extended his deal treatment at the moment.

“You can tell me better than anyone at Gosport Borough while Liam Kelly remains at Bath City. (what’s wrong with him) because I’m not good with injuries. n For more Reading FC news, turn to “Knowing him as I do, he’ll be pages 36 and 37.

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Sumas’ bosses are set for talks on their futures, SUNDAY ROASTbut Eggleston insists...

‘The rebuilding work starts now’ AVAILABLE 12:00 - 17:00 Roast Beef 8.95

By LEWIS RUDD lrudd@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE REBUILDING work at Wokingham and Emmbrook following their relegation from the Hellenic Premier Division starts now, Matt Eggleston has said.

But whether he and fellow manager Dan Bateman will be responsible for restoring the club’s fortunes remains to be seen, as the pair intend to sit down with the Sumas’ hierarchy and discuss their futures.

The duo have been in the hot-seat since 2013, and during this time have taken Wokingham and Emmbrook back up to Step Five football, as well as twice winning the Reading Senior Cup. But their first jaunt in to the Premier Division has been largely one to forget, with the side expected to finish bottom of the standings with just three games left to play.

While things have not gone to plan on the pitch, off it uncertainty continues to surround the club’s work to bring Lowther Road up to the required Football Association (FA) standards.

A planning application to build a stand and add floodlights at the Emmbrook Sports and Social Club (ESSC) venue has been filed with Wokingham Borough Council and is expected to be discussed in the near future.

But not everyone is happy with the plans, with Wokingham Town Council raising objections which could scupper the project.

Yet all is not doom and gloom.

The Sumas were last night out at near neighbours Bracknell Town looking to book their place in the semi-final of the Hellenic Supplementary Cup, while on April 18 they resume their defence of the Senior Cup when away at Binfield in the quarter-finals.

And Eggleston also explained how the signs within the squad also appear positive, but is mindful of how volatile this level of football can be, especially during pre season.

“We haven’t done everything we should have done this year,” said the co-manager.

Overnight marinated beef, served with sauté mixed vegetables (Baby Carrots, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Green Beans), oven roasted potatoes, honey glazed roasted parsnips, cannot blame injuries and cannot Yorkshire pudding, topped withwe Barts homemade gravy. Accompanied by horseradish sauce.

“We blame officials, sometimes you have got to say Roast Lamb 8.95 we weren’t good enough.

Overnight marinated lamb, served with sauté mixed vegetables (Baby Carrots, Broccoli, “I cannot fault these players, Cauliflower, Green Beans), though. oven roasted potatoes, honey glazed roasted parsnips, Yorkshire topped homemade “Conversationspudding, need to be with hadBarts with the mint gravy. Accompanied by mint sauce. club. Myself and Dan are trying to get a TAKE THE DAY OFF FROM THIS WEEK AND TREAT YOURSELF, FAMILY OR meeting with the committee, butCOOKING thick and FRIENDS A SUPERB fast games every two days don’t help,TObut we SUNDAY ROAST will sit down with the committee and have a chat with them and find out where they want to go and where we want to go.

“Going back to Lowther Road will be the WWW.BARTSGRILL.COM choice.

0118 966 2268 “We have been relegated, we will go down and we will rebuild.”

Eggleston went on to say how he is confident of Wokingham’s chances of securing promotion from Division 1 East next season, adding: “We’re good enough for Division 1 East, easy.

“We’re good enough for that and we had proved it over the past two years and speaking with the players everyone wants to stay, but you just don’t know.

“Pre-season people come sniffing and offering a bit of money and we’re probably the only club in that league not paying any money.”

But in order for the club to grow and flourish in the future, Wokingham and Emmbrook need a stable home and not to be lodging elsewhere, just like they are at present with Henley Town, says Eggleston.

“A club like us cannot afford to keep paying out to places like Henley and not make any Matt Eggleston and fellow joint boss Dan Bateman are keen to sit money behind the bar. down with the committee at Wokingham and Emmbrook following “That is what keeps these club’s going and the club’s relegation Picture: Vivienne Johnson when you have fans in the clubhouse buying beers it keeps the club going.

Published by Xn ISSN 2058-5268 “Then maybe we can look to help out Media Ltd, Crown 14 House, 231 Kings players with travel costs and things, but at Road, Reading RG1 the moment it is coming out of their pockets, 4LS. Printed at Newbury Weekly it comes out of myself and Dan’s pockets, the News, Newspaper chairman’s, treasurers, etc.

House, Faraday Road, Newbury, Berkshire “People do it for the love of the club.”

RG14 2DW .© Xn n FOR more local football news, turn to Media Ltd, 2016 9 772058 526009 pages 38 and 39.

DRIVEN BY QUALITY At Barts, we specialise in steaks of the highest quality from top butchers, aged for a minimum of 28 days, flame grilled for taste.

Visit us and find out just how good our food is!

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