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MARCH 2014 ISSN 2049-4971

This month

Peace 12

This is your magazine Contact us with your stories, email editor@xnmedia.co.uk write to Xn Media, 60 London Street, Reading RG1 4SQ. We look forward to hearing~ from you!

Promise makers 25

To advertise:

Richard McCoull 0118 328 3108 richard@xnmedia.co.uk Xn is published by Xn Media. ISSN 2049-4971 c/o Quench, 60 London Street, Reading RG1 4SQ www.xnmedia.co.uk Twitter: @xnmedia Editor & publisher Phil Creighton editor@xnmedia.co.uk

Builders 10 Zandra 27

Writer Vivienne Johnson vivienne@xnmedia.co.uk Photography Lynda Bowyer lynda@xnmedia.co.uk Website Peter Bowyer peter@xnmedia.co.uk Distribution Judith Creighton judith@xnmedia.co.uk Contributors Michael Penny, Steve Vaughan-Turner, Steve Prince, James Hern, Martin Ceaser, Chris Carter, Jonathan Brown, Emma Major, Michael Johnson Thanks to Quench, Alan Magness, Louise Cole, Mary Brockington, Nick Crowder, Andrew Taylor, Kirsty Watkins, Steve Curtis, Lynne Colman Cover picture Newbold College Printed by Polestar Xn is an independent publication that aims to reflect community and Church life without bias. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Every care is taken to ensure that the contents of the magazine are accurate but the publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements, the publishers cannot accept any responsibility for any resulting unsatisfactory transactions. They will, however, investigate any written complaints. © Xn Media Ltd, 2014

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Railway 31 Grand opening 13 From the editor Phil Creighton ‘ What if you spent your Lent journey counting your blessings instead of giving things up?

AVE YOU ever thought about giving up giving up? For years, I stopped eating chocolate between Pancake Day and Easter Sunday. It was, for any young chocoholic, a supreme act of denial. But what if you spent your Lent journey counting your blessings instead? That’s just what Christian Aid would like you to do as you go from Ash Wednesday to Easter – its handy guide is inserted inside this issue. If you take part in the challenge, do let us know how you get on. It’s another packed Xn – so many more great stories are going up on our website. Do pay it a visit! We’re looking to expand what we do, and welcome your contributions. After all, this is your magazine. Finally, last issue I boldly promised to run Reading’s Half Marathon this March. Sadly, illness and wet weather mean my training regime barely got off the starting blocks. Next year! editor@xnmedia.co.uk

Haggis 14 Contents

4 The Main Event 6 News 12 Education 16 News focus 18 Business 20 Classified 22 What’s on Two pages of community events 24 Sport All the latest from the Football League 25 Family circle 26 Food Cooking with children 27 Ethical shopping Brilliant buys to help the planet 28 Puzzles 29 Arts New plays, concerts and films

Get in touch! email stories to editor@xnmedia.co.uk Deadline for April issue Friday, March 21

the main event

Horse play marks the

A Reading school is leading the way to a cross cultural future with a celebration of all things Chinese. WORDS: VIVIENNE JOHNSON PICTURES: LYNDA BOWYER

eading Chinese School said goodbye to the sneaky snake and hello to the heroic year of the horse at their Chinese New Year Party at Highdown School, Emmer Green on Sunday, February 2. Mr Alok Sharma, MP for Reading West, was among the dignitaries in attendance along with Councillor Marian Livingston, Mayor of Reading. In his speech Alok Sharma said: “In my opinion, I think Chinese should be a basic subject in schools across the country. This is an economic argument, we all recognise that the Chinese economy is heading towards being the biggest in the world.” Alok praised Reading Chinese School for being part of the work in integrating the UK and China. He said: “Culture, trade and family are massively vital and part of that is the work that you do here at the school.”

The New Year party started with workshops and demonstrations. Douglas Elson of the Chen Academy, Oxford gave lessons in Kung Fu and T’ai Chi explaining how you need power, flexibility and balance. For those who didn’t want to be quite so energetic you could learn Chinese calligraphy or origami. There were also Chinese Tea Ceremony demonstrations. Original artwork was on display with paintings by Mr Zhemin Cheng. Mr Cheng has been painting in the traditional Chinese style for 40 years. His daughter Yao, a teacher at the school, was delighted to be presenting his art. She said: “I’m so proud of my dad’s paintings, I am very excited.” The noisiest part of the occasion was the Lion Dance. The

lion danced and jumped to drums, gongs and cymbals, finally showering the audience with green leaves symbolising a fresh start. Everyone joined in with performances ranging from the reception class to adults. From the youngest children and their ribbon dance to the teachers who did a dance with traditional fans, along with music, poetry and plays we were allowed behind the scenes at the school. There was a lovely atmosphere at the party. The children performed with confidence, enjoying the experience as much as their parents. Reading is fortunate in having a Chinese school and is leading the way in the sort of cross cultural education that Alok Sharma is asking for.

the main event

Chinese New Year

Esther’s Latin adventure

v Go on, count your blessings Count Your Blessings 2014

christianaid.org.uk/lent

Make Lent count

Instead of giving up treats this year, why not make Lent count in a different way with this Count Your Blessings calendar. Throughout Lent, these bitesize reflections will inspire you to give thanks for the blessings in your life, and enable you to help change the lives of poor communities around the globe.

Free app Forty daily reflections and actions, complete with inspirational photos from our partners around the world, delivered straight to your smart phone, iPad or iPod touch. Available for free from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Cou You nt Blesrsing s

2. Count your blessings by recording your response in the space provided.* 3. Pray for the people, countries and issues mentioned here and give thanks for the blessings in your life.

* The daily giving amounts are suggestions only. Please give what you can.

‘This is a wonderful thing – it makes giving fun,

and certainly focuses your thoughts on the many problems faced by the world’s poor.’ Mrs Mary Tarling, Wales

Thank you to all those who counted their blessings last year. Your generous offerings raised more than £300,000 for Christian Aid’s work to eradicate poverty.

visit: christianaid.org.uk/lent email: orders@christian-aid.org phone: 0870 078 7788 Please quote code: A018091 A special version for 16-25 year olds is also available online or as an app – have a look at christianaidcollective.org to find out more.

Zanan Bchuk’s story, and those of other communities also trying to build a safe place to live, will be explored in Christian Aid Week this year. To order your resources, go to caweek.org

INCLUDED in this issue of Xn is a special Lent challenge from Christian Aid. The Count Your Blessings campaign encourages people to take time in the run-up to Easter to count the blessings in your life. Instead of giving up treats this year, Christian Aid is encouraging you to find ways to give thanks for the things that make your life special – and to help change the lives of people living in poverty across the globe. Every day there is a different action for you to complete – and an opportunity to make a donation to Christian Aid. v For more details, log on www.christianaid.org.uk. 5-9 March

Wednesday 5 Ash Wednesday

A week for people and planet

Climate change hits the poor the hardest. Changing weather patterns put crops and livelihoods at risk, and poor communities are especially vulnerable when floods strike or rains fail. Has the weather disrupted your normal routine this year? Give 50p.

Friday 7

At the current rate of deforestation, the world’s rainforests could completely vanish in 100 years. Give 20p for every sheet of paper you write on today.

BY VIVIENNE JOHNSON

How to count your blessings 1. Read the daily reflection.

4. After Easter, send your total gift to Christian Aid with the form provided. You can also donate online at christian-aid.org.uk/lent

Get the whole family involved with a children’s version of Count Your Blessings, or order more copies of this version for your church:

Week one

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March 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

Weekend 8 & 9

Climate change is a major concern for the people of Zanan Bchuk, a small pastoral village in northern Iraq. Desertification affects an estimated 39% of the country, and a further 54% is at risk. Families from Zanan Bchuk used to have to leave the village and travel for water in the driest times; and yet on the other hand they feared their crops would not survive the often sudden and harsh rains. Christian Aid partner REACH helped the community to build a reservoir to collect water to see them through the dry periods. Give 15p for every time you turn on a tap today.

Give an additional 50p if you managed to cope with it.

Thursday 6

Areas of Zimbabwe suffer from worsening droughts and more and more erratic rainfall. Farmers here find it hard to grow enough food even to feed their families. Go to christianaid.org. uk/actnow to demand climate justice for the world’s poor.

Like many teenagers Esther Chevassut, 19, decided to take a gap year before going to university. What she decided to spend her time doing during that year is a little more unusual. Esther is travelling to Peru where she will help on two building projects with the charity Latin Link. Latin Link’s Step Programme send teams of seven to 10 volunteers to Latin America. “When it came to a gap year before going to university the Step Programme seemed to fit perfectly with me,” said Esther. The first project Esther will be working on will be just outside Arequipa. “It’s the second largest city of Peru, with one million inhabitants and a popular tourist centre,” explained Esther. In Arequipa she will be helping to finish the construction of a church building. “Apparently they currently have walls but are in need of a roof,” she said. “We’ll learn the necessary skills from our supervisor, and will

be working with others from the community.” After a week’s break, Esther’s team will travel to Profam, north of Lima. There she will be gathering materials and brick laying to help in the construction of another building. She said: “I’ve spent the first section of my gap year working, which has been a great experience and helped raise some funds for my travels.” “As well as doing a few odd jobs, I’ve planned a sponsored 100-length swim as a fundraising event on Monday, February 24.” Esther’s fundraising page is http:// uk.virginmoneygiving.com/EstherChevassut, if you are interested in learning more about her trip with Latin Link or would like to support her. £400 of the money she raises will go directly to the two projects. “I know it will be challenging in many ways” said Esther, “but I know I will get so much out of it as well. It should be a really rewarding experience. “I think I will learn a lot through the trip, both about myself, God and facing new cultures and challenges. I’m sure I’ll look back with fond memories and take back even more than I put in.”

Log on for more!

v Play on for Easter Organisers of a Good Friday pageant are looking for your help in making it a superb Friday event. Churches Together in Wokingham is once again teaming up with local theatre company Stage-Fright and arts group More Arts to organise a community play to celebrate Easter. As in previous years, the play will be performed in Market Place to an audience of thousands as the town gets together to remember the events of the first Easter. Plans are already in place. David Atkinson, convenor of Churches Together in Wokingham (CTW), said: “We need as much input, ideas, suggestions and help as we can possibly get from you.” The play will be performed from noon on Friday, April 18. v For more details, or to get involved, email goodfriday@ stage-fright.org.uk or call 0118 979 0098.

We can’t fit everything into the magazine, so log on to xnmedia.co.uk to get the latest news, videos, picture stories and much more!

Will you volunteer to help Prospects?

CHARITY store in Reading is hoping YOU will be able to help them as they seek out further volunteers to help run

the shop. The Prospects Charity Store supports Prospects’ ministry for people with learning disabilities. For more than 30 years, the charity’s ministry has worked to enable the local churches and communities to become more accessible and inclusive for people with learning disabilities. However, we need YOU to help us. All we’re asking for is half a day of your time every week (or even every other week!) to help with the running of the store. Prospects has had a difficult year, with

The Charity Store in Oxford Road is a great resource, but it needs your help

the austerity measures making a big hit on the gift income received by Christian charities especially. This is why Prospects is looking for more volunteers and more customers to come along to the store, near Tesco just off the Oxford Road in Reading, to boost sales and raise money for the Christian charity. All money raised goes towards the ministry work of Prospects, who run workshops, lead accessible celebrations, and create accessible resources for people with learning disabilities. If you can volunteer half a day each week, please contact Erica on ericac@ prospects.org.uk, or telephone her: 07803 623361.

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March 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

v Cross purposes VOLUNTEERS are need to pick up their cross and carry it around Wokingham. As part of the town’s Good Friday activities, churches and schools are being invited to welcome a large wooden Cross in services and assemblies as part of an ongoing journey around the town. Several churches and schools have already signed up and organisers are looking for volunteers to carry the cross, go into schools, and to pray. v To help, contact John Tuck or Michael Johnson by emailing goodfriday@stagefright.org.uk.

v Enjoy a taste of Ireland A TRIP to the Emerald Isle is on offer later this month. St John The Bosco Church in Woodley is hosting an Irish night on Saturday, March 15. The event includes Irish entertainment and coffees. Tickets cost £7, £4 for adults and £20 for families. v For more details or to book tickets, email stjohnbosco@ portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Engaging the Council’s support BY VIVIENNE JOHNSON Reading Borough Council are so impressed with the voluntary and community groups in the town that they will be giving them over £3 million. This is the same amount budgeted as last year – even though the Council have had their funding cut for the fourth year running. Reading Borough Council leader Cllr Jo Lovelock said: “We are extremely fortunate in Reading to have such an active and committed voluntary and community sector. These groups play a vital role in the life of the town, including supporting vulnerable people.” The Mustard Tree Foundation, based in London Street, Reading, is one of several organisations to benefit. They will receive £5,000 for their project Engage Befriending. “Engage Befriending supports isolated elderly people in the Reading area, connecting them back to their local community“, explained Lorraine Briffitt, CEO of the Mustard Tree Foundation. Befrienders make home visits to people who are feeling particularly isolated or lonely. This could be because of illness, bereavement or disability. They may help their friend get out of the house by taking them to a club or event or just going for a cup of tea and a chat in a café. From a small start last year Engage

Engage Befriending helps isolated elderly people and is run by Jennie (West and South Reading co-ordinator), Katherine Shepherd, project manager and Sheila Cox (North and East Reading co-ordinator) Befriending now has a project co-ordinator. “We also have two regional co-ordinators who have feelers in the local community” said Lorraine. “They do the facilitating of meeting the elderly person first who are then matched with a volunteer who has the same interests, hobbies and experiences.” The prized grant will be spent on training for volunteers, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks (formerly CRB) and ensuring that all records are held securely.

As well as Engage Befriending, Mustard Tree Foundation looks after four other projects. Let’s Grow, a horticultural project for 16- to 25-year-olds who are not in employment, education or training (NEET). Based in Whitley, South Reading, the project helps build self-confidence in young people, equipping them for life, the world of work, and potentially further education. Lifeline offers counselling for postabortion, post-miscarriage and post-baby loss, and also crisis pregnancy advice and support. The Rahab Project supports anyone who has been exploited in the sex industry for instance through prostitution, trafficking or sex work. This ranges from prison visiting, health or drug appointments’ to delivering food or clothes parcels. Starting Point is a one-to-one mentoring service for 16- to 25-year-olds who are NEET. Each young person is matched with a mentor who takes them to interviews or helps with application forms. The biggest value is often a listening ear for the young person. Lorraine is delighted with her volunteers – “they are gold dust” she said. “If you are interested in being a befriender, or volunteering on another project, phone Mustard Tree for a chat.” v Mustard Tree Foundation can be contacted by calling 0118 956 7000 or by logging on to www.themustardtree.org.

Egyptian women lead the prayers WOMEN across the Thames Valley are invited to gather together with women from across the world for a special day of prayer later this month. The annual Women's World Day of Prayer takes place on Friday, March 7 and the international, interchurch event will be held at a number of locations in the area. This year's theme is Streams In The Desert and uses material that has been prepared by Christian women who live in Egypt. The annual day starts as the sun rises over the island of Samoa and continues with events in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas, coming to rest in American Samoa some 36 hours later. More than 170 countries will be celebrating the event. The Mayor of Reading, Cllr Marian Livingston and Jill Johnson, Mothers' Union representative for the Diocese of Oxford will be the special guests at Reading's service, which will be held at 10.30am at the Polish Church of the Sacred Heart, Watlington Street. The speaker will be Major Alison Hudson from the Reading Central

Salvation Army. St Michaels Church in Spencers Wood also holds a service at 10.30am, as does St John The Evangelist in Woodley. In Rotherfield Peppard, Springwater Congregational Church in Blounts Court Road will see churches from Peppard and Sonning Common gather for a soup and roll lunch at 1pm and a service at 2pm. St Peter's Church in Church, Road, Earley also hosts a service at 2pm, while St Joseph's Catholic Church, Tilehurst will hold its meeting at 7.30pm. Christ Church Centre in Henley will hold its service at 1.30pm, as does St Mary's Church in Streatley. In Wokingham, the Baptist Church will host a café style service from 7.30pm and in Sandhurst, the Methodist Church in Scotland Hill is the host for a service that starts at 10.30am. All women are welcome to these special services. Entry is free. v For more information on the day, log on to wwdp.org.uk.

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To advertise call 0118 328 3108 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | March 2014

It takes a village to raise a child BY VIVIENNE JOHNSON

Jermaine is a happy eightmonth-old boy who has lots of friends he’s never met. They are people who heard about the plight of his Mum and Dad, Sammy, 26, and Jamaine, 33, and did something to ensure he had the best possible start in life. Sammy and Jamaine were thrilled when they found out that Sammy was pregnant, but then came the fears that the baby would be taken from them by Social Services. They were drug addicts when Sammy fell pregnant and both remembered the pain of losing a child. Sammy’s daughter had been taken into care six years ago and Jamaine’s daughter had passed away. Their love for each other and their unborn child gave them strength to find help and get off drugs. “It’s not a good life,” explained young dad Jamaine. “It’s too chaotic. Sammy fell pregnant and that gave us even more of a boost to get off drugs.” Sammy said: “I knew that if I didn’t sort it out soon then I would end up dead.” The couple were going through a tough patch when they walked into a drop-in café

Cancelled race? That doesn’t stop marathon man Tony BY STEVE CURTIS

Proud – and grateful – parents Sammy and Jamaine on Oxford Road in Reading run by Argyle Community Church. Lynne Colman, 45, Community Worker at the church, remembers it well. She said they “came in and Sammy said ‘we need prayer’. “It had got to the stage where they had nowhere else to turn.” Jamaine found a flat for them “so while they were in rehab we took a team over from the church to clean and decorate,” explained Lynne. “We phoned B&Q to ask for help. They donated £350 worth of paint, grouting and tiles.”

Lynne called Mothercare and they happily donated a cot mattress and sheets. Other people heard about them and gave money and items for the baby and flat. Through the support of Social Workers, Drug Workers, family and friends from Argyle Community Church the family are growing stronger every day. “We couldn’t have done it without the support of the church” said Sammy. Jamaine agrees, “If you want support it is out there. It’s hard work but you get there in the end.”

A 66-YEAR-OLD man has run the length of a half marathon, despite the official event being cancelled. Tony Phelps-Jones planned to run in the Wokingham Half Marathon on Sunday, February 9 – but the race was cancelled due to a flooded track. That didn’t stop him – he simply devised his own marathon route. Tony, having run miles and miles through ankle-deep mud, said afterwards: “I reckon my run today was much harder than the official course would have been!” He set off on Sunday morning, taking in Castle Bottom, Bramshill plantation, Eversley and Finchampstead churches. He returned home via Finchampstead Ridges and Horseshoe Lake, where the Blackwater had overflowed its banks again. At the time of writing, Tony has raised £1,907 for his exhausting, dirty and lonely run, with all sponsorship going towards Prospects for people with learning disabilities; his initial target was £100 for each year of his life. v You can still sponsor him (and congratulate him) by visiting www. justgiving.com/tonyp-j. v For more information about Prospects, head to http://www. prospects.org.uk.

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March 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

Will you help African adventure? Every doodle dog has its day BY PHIL CREIGHTON A GROUP of teenagers are appealing for sponsors as they seek to build a house together. Nine members of Wycliffe Baptist Church's 2nd Reading Boys' Brigade are planning an 11-day trip to South Africa this summer so they can help build a home for a family that cannot afford it themselves - but to get there, they need to raise more than £12,000. The young builders say that the trip will be tough mentally and physically because they will be seeing at first hand the poverty that people live in, while also working to transform lives through their hard labour. It's not just building works. The team will get involved with running a club for children in the village, giving them fun activities to enjoy. The trip is planned in conjunction with Urban Saints' Rebuild programme. Volunteers are expected to build a whole house from the foundations upwards. It's not all work – the teenagers will enjoy a visit to an animal sanctuary, seeing lions and rhinos first hand. They

will also visit an orphanage. Jeff Lewis from 2nd Reading Boys' Brigade is excited about the trip and what it will do for the group. He said: ”We’ve been working with this group of lads for over five years and it’s been fantastic to see them mature and develop together. “Rebuild South Africa 2014 provides the opportunity to help develop the character of these young men – to grow good and noble hearts – coupled with boy friendly and hands on practical way of doing good for others.” v The group has a fundraising page where you can leave donations: mydonate.bt.com/teams/ wycliffesouthafrica. They will also be holding a number of fundraising activities.

Luckley House School has launched a new website, to accompany its new contemporary image. The Wokingham-based school says that visitors to the website are in for a real treat, with the chance to watch five dynamic films about different aspects of school life. The videos include an introduction from Jane Tudor, Luckley House’s headmistress, as well as themed films about the creative arts, sport, academics and boarding, all featuring current pupils and staff talking about their own experiences and views about Luckley. Parents considering senior schools for their daughters will be able to get a real flavour of life at Luckley, both from the films and from the comprehensive information available on the site. There is also a fun element to the site for the younger visitors. Children will love the Doodle film entitled Oscar’s Day at School. This film uses cutting-edge technology to show a moving doodle sketch of a fictional day at school, with the Headmistress’ Labrador puppy, Oscar. The mischievous puppy goes

from class to class, having fun and getting into all sorts of trouble! Mrs Tudor said: “To our knowledge, ours is the only school website to feature a Doodle Film, so we are really excited about the launch. “The new site offers prospective families a wealth of information about the school, but it does only scratch the surface. I hope it will tempt them to visit us to find out more.” v The school is holding Open Mornings on Tuesday, March 18 and Thursday, May 8. To book or for more details, email Registrar@luckleyhouseschool.org or call 0118 978 4175.

Luckle HOUSE SCHOOL

INDEPENDENT CHRISTIAN DAY & BOARDING SCHOOL FOR GIRLS AGED 11-18

OPEN MORNINGS Tuesday 18 March 2014 Thursday 8 May 2014 Contact the Registrar to book Bursaries and Scholarships available

Luckley House School, Wokingham Tel: 0118 978 4175 Email: Registrar@luckleyhouseschool.org www.luckleyhouseschool.org

NEWS

To advertise call 0118 328 3108 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | March 2014

Bless this class

v A Good start A NEW school is celebrating after receiving an excellent report from Ofsted. Trinity Christian School, which opened in September, has received its first markings by the school inspectors – and everything was rated as good. The report is full of praise, noting that “Good and often outstanding teaching ensures pupils make good progress” and “the school has established a caring and nuturing ethos through the positive direction of the headteacher”. The school is based in Glebe Road, Reading and is looking for larger premises from September2014 so it can expand quickly. It is aimed at children aged four to eight and run on a Christian ethos. v For more, or to offer the school a home, visit www. trinitychristianschool.org.uk.

THE BISHOP of Reading was on hand to bless new classrooms and other facilities at New Christ Church Primary School in Reading. The school held the service on January 21 to celebrate the completion of a new extension. For the opening, the Milman Road school welcomed the Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Andrew Proud, officers from Reading and Hampshire councils and representatives from building contractors Feltham Construction Ltd. Acting headteacher Alice Boon said: “The new classrooms have been designed to improve the learning experience of the children, and are temperature controlled and have specialist lighting.” v For more on this story, visit xnmedia.co.uk PICTURE: LYNDA BOWYER

Open Morning Thursday 20 March

Prep School: 9.15am -11.00am, College: 10.30am -12.00pm The College Open Morning commences with an address by the Headmaster To reserve your place at the Open Morning please call admissions on 0118 984 6910 or email admissions@sjcr.org.uk Alternatively you can book online at www.sjcr.org.uk/opendays

www.sjcr.org.uk

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March 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

v If you’re thinking of stepping out A SPECIAL evening aimed at anyone who is considering a short-term mission placement will take place in Calcot this month. Step Out – Your Time In God’s Service is aimed at people of all ages, be they looking for a post-exam challenge, a career break, a gap year or early retirement. Taking place at Kennet Valley Free Church on Sunday, March 9, the evening will feature representatives from charities including Latin Link, Interserve and YWAM. It starts at 6.30pm and entry is free. v For details, contact Orla McBride by emailing t2orlamcb@gmail.com.

Meet the peacekeeping supergran BY VIVIENNE JOHNSON Reading granny Lindsey Sharpe, 61, is a retired English teacher who wants to do more with her new found time than walk the dog and play with her grandson. Next month, Lindsey will go to the West Bank where she will stand at checkpoints within the West Bank and at gates of the separation barriers. “It’s on the basis that people tend to behave better if they’re being watched,” said Lindsey. The supergran will be working with a team from all over the world in a World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme (EAPPI). In the UK, EAPPI is run by the Quaker Peace and Social Witness project. “It’s not an organisation

that takes sides,” said Lindsey. “We’re pro-justice. “It takes a position of principled impartiality, which means it doesn’t take sides but it’s for human rights.” Lindsey’s first experience of the region was in her youth when she went to Israel with friends to work on a kibbutz. “I saw all of the problems very much from the Israeli side then because that’s who I was mixing with,” she said. “Later on, my husband, a GP, had the opportunity to do a sabbatical in Nazareth. The whole family went. We began to see it differently because Nazareth is an Israeli/Arab town. We began to see another side to what was going on.” Lindsey continued to return to the area, to visit her daughter who was teaching in a Palestinian music school and to work with the charity Amos Trust.

“Over the years I’ve gone out there and I’ve made friends and I really respect the people,” said Lindsey. “Whenever Israel and Palestine are mentioned, whenever I see anything about it on the telly, whenever we pray about it at church it always makes me cry. I always think I want to be there I want to do something. I want to stand with these people.” Lindsey is hopeful about the changes she can make as one person standing at a checkpoint. “We’re part of a well-thought-out band that’s been there for years and unashamedly, the aim of the programme is to bring an end to the occupation. “That might sound very ambitious but if you think about say 25 years ago, you’d never have thought that the Berlin Wall would have come down would you?” v www.eappi.org

God and the Problem of Suffering, Newbold’s annual Bible Conference Newbold College of Higher Education’s annual allday Bible Conference will be held on Sunday 6 April, featuring five speakers who will address the theme God and the Problem of Suffering. Here is an overview of the sessions: The Point of Pain: All of us have experienced that sharp point of pain which comes when we lose someone or something which is truly important to us. What is the point of such widespread and deep human suffering? Is it worth our while as Christians trying to understand what that point might be? Maybe so – but we need to consider what the real options are and where the dangers lurk. Human Suffering in the Book of Job: Does the Book of Job provide any hope for humanity on the complex issue of suffering, which has been causing severe and devastating damage to the minds and bodies of human beings for centuries? Dostoyevsky in his novel The

Brothers Karamazov asks probably the most difficult question: ‘And what about the children?’ What is their guilt? Is there such a thing as innocent suffering and, if so, why does it exist?’ The ‘Book of Job’ may offer some solid answers. Ambiguous Suffering in the Apocalypse of John: What is the function and theological significance of suffering in Revelation? Particular attention will be paid to the Seven Trumpets of chapters 8 to 11 and the way in which John undermines the reader’s ability to identify the origin of suffering. John portrays suffering as resulting from either divine judgments or demonic activity. How should believers respond to such ambiguity? Acknowledging Suffering in our Worship: The Book of Psalms contains numerous examples of suffering worshippers who take their personal doubts and questions about God straight to him. Their psalms

blend faith in God’s goodness with reservations about his faithfulness. What use can we make of this neglected biblical practice? When God is Silent, What Should We Say? In times of suffering many feel that God is far away and doubts enter their minds. Others feel closer to God than before. How can we as Christian friends care for, support and help those who are struck by the injustices of life? Newbold College of Higher Education is a Seventhday Adventist tertiary institution located in Binfield, Berkshire, that offers undergraduate degrees in Business, Theology, Religious Studies, and Liberal Arts as well as shorter Certificate programmes in History, English Literature, Media, Performing Arts, Health and Wellness and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). For more details, log on to www.newbold.ac.uk.

For more details or to book a place, log on to www.newbold.ac.uk/bible-conference

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Students take pride in The Big Tidy-Up

BY KIRSTY WATKINS IF YOU’VE noticed that the Bracknell area is looking tidier, thank some university students. Students and staff from Newbold College of Higher Education in Binfield participated in Bracknell Forest Council’s recent Take Pride campaign, an initiative that supports the UK-wide The Big Tidy Up and encourages local voluntary organisations to clean up their neighbourhood and set a positive example. Through the Newbold Voluntary Service (NVS), groups of students have been heading out into the community each Friday afternoon to take part in projects such as raking leaves, cleaning residential areas for elderly people who need assistance, and, most recently preparing the ground for a wheelchair access ramp at the Jealotts Hill Community Landshare project – a six acre tract of land donated by agriculture research and technology company Syngeta for community use. NVS coordinator Snezana Kordovan said that students loved putting on wellington boots and getting muddy to work on this latest project.

Students and staff from Newbold College get stuck into tidying up their neighbourhood “There is always a lot of laughter and enthusiasm, no matter how physically hard the work is, demonstrating the benefit they are getting from spending time out doors and knowing that they are volunteering their time to benefit others,” she explained. “Even though digging the ground was hard and most of our students have never done any physical work of this kind before, they have all asked

to go again. Surprisingly, three of our gentlest female students who have never held a shovel before were the most enthusiastic diggers of all at this weeks project!” Rossindra Davis, projects officer from Bracknell Forest Council Environmental Services said that Newbold’s community work has definitely been noticed in the Council. “Volunteers, councillors and parish and

town councils are starting to appreciate and acknowledge what Newbold College has done.” In addition to the recent Take Pride initiative, around 50 Newbold students volunteer every week in projects with the local Beech House Care Home, Bracknell Forest Youth Services, Newbold Church, Newbold School and the Royal Voluntary Service. “At Newbold we are committed to providing opportunities for our students and staff to serve, and we encourage participation wherever possible. We are very happy to see the wholehearted enthusiasm our students show for these projects,” said Snezana. v For more details on Newbold College of Higher Education, log on to www. newbold.ac.uk

BAKE WITH THE MASTERS Our Masterclasses have been developed for individuals to experience a truly hands on approach to baking.

Holocaust survivor Zigi Shipper shared his story at a special event organised by Reading Borough Council to remember victims of the Holocaust. Community groups, businesses and College students came together for the evening, held on Wednesday, January 21. For more pictures and the full story, log on to xnmedia.co.uk PICTURE: LYNDA BOWYER

Go to Douai for some Spiritual Direction DOUAI ABBEY is to be the venue for a course that aims to help people’s skills and confidence. Introduction to Spiritual Direction is a daytime course run by

the Spiritual Direction (SpiDir) Network for Berks, Bucks and Oxon. It is ecumenical and sessions will be held at the Upper Woolhampton abbey between Septem-

ber 2014 and June 2015. For details, log on to www.soulfriend.org.uk or contact Sue Sheppy by emailing susan.sheppy@ btinternet.com or calling 01235 521092.

During these fun & lively sessions our bakers impart their experience and knowledge to you throughout the experience, showcasing skills and techniques we have used for generations. All our Masterclasses are £99 and include Masterclass of your choice Warings family Master Bakers Embroidered Masterclass Apron Recipe cards & Afternoon Tea Plus all the product you make Call 0118 945 6688 www.waringsbakery.co.uk

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v Easter fun GET ready for Easter with a special fun fayre taking place later this month. Grange United Reformed Church in Southcote is holding the event on Saturday, March 29. Starting at 2.30pm and running until 4pm, there will be stalls, raffles and a tombola. To get people into the mood for Easter, there will also be a chance to win an Easter Bunny, take part in an Easter Egg Hunt and help Winnie The Pooh to find his honey. Entry is by buying a lucky number programme for 40p and the church is on the Number 26 bus route, stopping at Circuit Lane.

v Quiz night AMNESTY International is busy preparing the questions for a fun quiz night. To be held at The Warehouse in Cumberland Road on Saturday, March 1, the event costs £10 and includes a fish and chip supper (veggie option available). It starts at 7pm. v For more details or tickets, email amnesty.reading@ googlemail.com.

A year of celebration for St Paul’s BY PHIL CREIGHTON A CHURCH that was built 150 years ago kicked off its anniversary celebrations with the help of a very special visitor. St Paul’s in Reading Road, Wokingham, held a special Choral Evensong on Sunday, January 19, led by the Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Andrew Proud. It was the first of nine special Choral Evensong events led by visiting guest preachers. The second was held on Sunday, February 16 and saw the Revd Roy Burgess, Vicar of Owlsmoor, and formerly Assistant Priest at St Nicholas, Emmbrook, in the Parish of St Paul’s. St Paul’s dates back to 23 July, 1864, when the then Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd Samuel Wilberforce led a service of consecration. The church was built at the request of, and endowed to the people of Wokingham in memory of his first wife, Emily, by Mr John Walter III of Bearwood – barrister, MP and proprietor of The Times between 1847 and 1894.

The Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Andrew Proud, leads the first of nine special Choral Evensongs to celebrate St Paul’s Wokingham’s 150th anniversary year

A number of celebrations will be held throughout the year, starting with an open weekend on March 15 and 16. Activities include a soup lunch and an evening party on the Saturday and special Choral Evensong led by the Venerable Norman Russell, formerly The Archdeacon of Berkshire on the Sunday. A patronal weekend will take place on June 28 and 29, a Foundation Weekend with an emphasis on Love Wokingham

will be held on July 19 and 20 and a church family weekend, designed to tie in with the Big Draw Art Weekend, will be held on October 18 and 19. Bishop Andrew was delighted to be part of the launch celebrations. He said: “150 years of witness to the resurrection at St Paul’s and its rich choral musical heritage continues to inspire Anglican worship today and is a testament to the peace and love of God.”

He added that he looked forward to St Paul’s continuing to build “God’s Grapevine” over the next 150 years as the church, now part of a larger parish including Woosehill Community Church and St Nicholas, Emmbrook, works to bring the good news of the gospel to a wider community. v For further details, visit www.stpauls-wokingham.org. uk or call 0118 979 2122. v For more on the anniversary, log on to www.xnmedia.co.uk

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FRIENDS of Scotland celebrated the nation’s favourite poet at a special Burns Supper. Held at St Andrew’s United Reformed Church in January, the evening included a feast of haggis, neeps and tatties, speeches and a bravo performance of Burns songs by Colin MacBean.

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Could YOU YOU help better help the next generation get a better understanding of the realities of lasting lasting relationships? relationships?

First, the the bad bad news... news... First,

The TheCharity, Charity,EXPLORE, EXPLORE,was wasset setup upinin2000 2000 help people. young people. to helptoyoung ragically,the theUK UKhas hasthe theworst worstdivorce divorce ragically, ItIt works workslike likethis: this: rateof ofany anycountry countryininEurope Europe and rate and if if Explore takes married couples in into to share Explore takes married couples that were not bad enough, also the worst that were not bad enough, also the worst their actual experience married life in schools to share their of actual experience rateofofteenage teenagepregnancy. pregnancy. rate response to life questions posedto byquestions students, of married in response financialterms termsthe thecost costofoffamily family InInfinancial posed by students, between 14 and aged between 14 andaged 17 years. breakdowntotothe the public purse is breakdown public purse is calculated 17 years. At this stage of their education they have at a£46 staggering £46year, billion atcalculated a staggering billion per in At this in stage of their education they classes PSHE (personal, social and have per year, in social work, court time, social work, court time, healthcare, housing classeseducation). in PSHE (personal, social and health Although there is healthcare, housing and so on. Almost and so on. Almost as much as in fact, it health education). Although therethese is provision for ‘relationships’ within as much as in fact, it costs to run our costs to run our Armed Forces! provision for 'relationships' within these studies, teachers recognise that the subject Armed Forces! teachers recognise that the subject However this, of course, takes no account isstudies, difficult, if not impossible to teach. this, ofcost course, takesbreakdown no account is difficult, if not impossible to teach. ofHowever the emotional of family What EXPLORE addresses is the concept of of the emotional of family upon people, most cost especially uponbreakdown young What EXPLORE addresses is the relationships. In a controlled environment upon people, most especially upon people. It is widely recognised that divorce concept of relationships. In a controlled with a facilitator present, and usually a young people. It is widely recognised environment with a facilitator present, is probably the most traumatic experience that divorce is probably the most teacher, a group of twenty or so of students and usually a teacher, a group twentyis any child will ever have to live through and traumatic experience any child will ever invited to ask the they wish or so students is couple invitedanything to ask the couple the negative after effects are frequently have to live through and the negative after about their marriage. Students normally anything they wish about their marriage. proven befrequently long lasting. Currently, effects to are proven to be long see two couples, onesee after thecouples, other, inone a Students normally two some 3,000 children a week on average lasting. Currently, some 3,000 children a after the other, in a session. session. are suffering the misery of theirthe parents’ week on average are suffering misery Since Since2005, 2005,EXPLORE EXPLOREhas hasworked workedwith with divorce. of their parents' divorce. 49schools schoolsininBerkshire Hampshire involved 13 andand involved over InInaarecent survey, 89 per cent of people recent survey, 89 per cent of people over 16,000 are youngyoung people.people. ResultsResults are measured agree have any hope of of 4,000 agreethat that‘if'ifwe wewant wanttoto have any hope measured by asking each student to by asking each student to complete a form mending our broken society, family and mending our broken society, family and complete a formseeking after the session seeking after the session their reactions, parenting got toto start’. parentingisiswhere wherewe’ve we've got start'. theirinviting reactions, and inviting and them also to statethem whatalso theyto state what they feel helped them. Their feel helped them. Their replies are not only replies are not only extraordinary but extraordinary but show how inspired they show how inspired they are by what the are by what couples say. comment; Most students couples say.the Most students

...and ...and now the good news! news!

comment; “we to were able to have dialogues “we were able have dialogues with the couples could had with with the we couples wenever couldhave never have our less withless ourwith teachers”. had parents, with ourmuch parents, much our Around 90% of the90% students the rate teachers”. Around of therate students sessions as good, veryvery good, or or excellent. the sessions as good, good excellent. EXPLORE forcefor forgood! good!And Anditsits EXPLORE isisaaforce methodology works,time timeand andagain. again.ItIt methodology works, shows young people peoplehow howrelationships relationshipscan shows young can be formed and last, with give and take be formed and last, with give and take on on both sides, through life-long marriages.

both sides, through life-long marriages.

As we expand in the Hampshire area, As we expand in the Berkshire area, we we need couples prepared to volunteer need couples prepared to volunteer to join to join us.

us.

Be Part of this Force Be Part of this Force for Good!

for Good!

If you are reading this and feel you If you are and feel you might be reading able to this participate as amight be able tocouple, participate a married married weas would be couple, delighted todelighted hear from you. from you. we would be to hear

is is The only only qualification qualificationaacouple coupleneeds needs a willingness to to share share their theirexperiences experiences of the ups ups and and downs downsof ofmarried marriedlife lifeand and they have together. how how they have stayedstayed together. There is no There no formal butopportunity there formalistraining but training there is an is an opportunity to meet experienced to meet experienced volunteers to learn volunteers, usually over a meal, to learn more about what is involved. There is then more about what is involved. There is an opportunity to observe a session at a then an opportunity to observe a session school. at a school. Experience shows Experience showsclearly clearlythat thatthe thestudents

are fascinated about how you deal students are fascinated about howwith you disagreements and rows,and when you when first deal with disagreements rows, you long you've beenand met,first howmet, longhow you’ve been married married and all related – yes, all related matters – yes,matters and those too!and those too! Frankness and honesty really Frankness and honesty really appeal to appeal to theand students and appreciate they truly the students they truly appreciate this aspect of the sessions. this aspect of the sessions. This often This often dominates the replies on dominates the replies on our post-session our post-session forms. forms.

The couples too are invited to record their The couples too are invited to record their reactions after taking part in EXPLORE reactions after taking part in EXPLORE workshops, and here are just a few of their workshops,–and here areofjust a few of say: their comments all typical what most

comments – all typical of what most say:

• We couldn't believe how polite and •courteous W e couldn’tthe believe how polite were. and young people

courteous the young people were.

• We could not believe how thoughtful •they W e could not believe how thoughtful they were.

were. • We felt that our own marriage had •W e felt that our own marriage had been been enriched by taking part in enriched by taking part in the process. the process. We are not asking couples to volunteer We are not asking couples to volunteer for for more than two or three events a year. more than two or three events a year. You Youalways can always do more if you wish. Nordo can do more if you wish. Nor do we couples attendschools schools in in the we askask couples totoattend the immediate area live. immediate areawhere wherethey they live.

WHAT WHAT TO TO DO DO NEXT? NEXT? *• Look ourWebsite. Website. Look atatour

Talk ititover your husband or wife. *• Talk overwith with your husband or wife. Please get us us via via email. *• Please get in intouch touchwith with email.

Explore. The charity. For more information, please visit:-

www.theexploreexperience.co.uk and email to

laura@theexploreexperience.co.uk

Talks and courses for Lent BY CHRIS CARTER Catholic churches in Reading are repeating their popular series of public talks with three sessions devoted to Scripture in the Liturgy and the Church. The events are rotated between three churches on Wednesdays. March 12, 19 and 26 as part of the preparations for Lent. As with previous years’ talks, the Liturgy series will interlink and refer to each other over the three consecutive Wednesday evenings. Day One will tackle the modern view (held in some circles) that the Old Testament can simply be ignored in favour of the New; it will explain how the Old is critical in terms of informing and explaining the New. Day Two looks at the narrative power of the Old Testament, and how the understanding and concepts of God developed over the course of the story. Day Three brings the issue closer to home, looking at the interpretations of Scripture, how it is presented in the Liturgy, and how it impacts on the daily lives of Christians. On March 12, the venue for Talk One will be

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TO CELEBRATE Lent in Crowthorne, churches are gathering together for some special services. Held every Sunday in the run-up to Easter, each week a different church will host the gathering. The first event will be at Crowthorne Methodist Church from 6pm on Sunday, March 9. On Sunday, March 16, it will be held at St John’s Parish Church in Waterloo Road. St Sebastian’s in Wokingham Without will welcome people on Sunday, March 23, while The Church of the Holy Ghost is the venue for Sunday, March 30. St James’ Church in Finchampstead is the final venue on Sunday, April 6 and, in true ecumenical style Crowthorne Baptist Church’s

You’ve got a The Dementia Action Alliance wants to make Reading a great place to live – thanks to businesses, faith groups and individuals stepping up to help. PHIL CREIGHTON explains more

St Anne’s in Caversham, on March 19 it will be Our Lady of Peace in Earley. The final talk on March 26 will be at St Joseph’s in Tilehurst. The talks all begin at 7.30pm and end at 9pm. After the presentation, there will periods devoted to reflection, discussion and prayer. The events are open to all, and refreshments will be available. v More information may be obtained by contacting the Parish Office at St John Bosco in Woodley on 0118 969 3423 or by logging on to www.stjohnbosco.co.uk. pastor – and Xn film reviewer – the Revd Martin Ceaser will be the speaker.

CHURCHES in Ascot will be joining in a four-week study course at St Francis Church. Starting on Tuesday, March 11, the Lent group will explore Evangelii Gaudium, The Encyclical of Pope Francis. Sessions run from 7.15pm to 9pm. To book a place, call 01344 620591 or log on to www.stfrancisascot.co.uk.

ST MICHAEL’S in Tilehurst will use material from The York Courses for its Lent study. The title is Build on the rock – Faith, Doubt and Jesus.

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OU’VE Got A Friend In Me is the song made famous by the animated film Toy Story. Now a Berkshirebased alliance is hoping that you’ll be joining in the song. The Reading Dementia Action Alliance was launched late last month with a special event at Reading’s Town Hall. The scheme’s aim is simple: to transform the quality of life of people with dementia. And to help them reach that goal, the Alliance is looking for businesses, faith groups, voluntary sectors and individuals to sign up and play their part. To get the Alliance off to a flying start, Reading Borough Council pledged its support by committing to training all of its frontline staff. It is currently running Dementia Friends information sessions across many of its customerfacing departments. They will all be given a better understanding of dementia issues and to support those affected by the condition so that if they meet someone with dementia in distress they feel better prepared to offer their help and support. Now The Alliance, which is spearheaded by the Alzheimer’s Society, is looking for more businesses and people to join up. Moira Hemson, Dementia Action Alliance Coordinator for Alzheimer’s Society said: “It’s vital that people living with dementia should still be able to enjoy all Reading has to offer. “Many people with dementia have reported feeling trapped in their own homes and let down by their communities, with one in three only getting out once a week and one in 10 only manage this once a month. This is simply unacceptable. “The Reading Dementia Action Alliance aims to address the isolation that many people living with dementia can feel and we are delighted to see so many of Reading’s greatest attractions and

services committing to helping people in the community live well with dementia.” The campaign is backed by David Cameron, the Prime Minister. In 2012, he gave his personal commitment to improving the lives of people affected by dementia. He followed this up with a speech at a G8 Dementia Summit held in London last December. He said: “No-one here is in any doubt about the scale of the dementia crisis. “A new case every four seconds; a global cost of $600bn a year. And this is to say nothing of the human cost. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re in London or Los Angeles, in rural India or urban Japan - this disease steals lives; it wrecks families; it breaks hearts and that is why all of us here are so utterly determined to beat it.” As part of its activity, the Dementia Action Alliance wants to encourage people in Reading to step up to become Dementia Friends. Anyone of any age can sign up. Once signed up, people attend an information session lasting around an hour. In it, you’ll learn more about dementia and how you can help create dementia friendly communities. As part of this, they are encouraged to turn their new understanding into action. Actions can be as simple as helping someone find the right bus to spreading the word about dementia on social media. They could also be as simple as behaving patiently with someone showing the signs of dementia, spending more time with those affected by the disease, fundraising and volunteering to help dementia-related causes. Actions can be recorded on the Dementia Friends website, helping create an overview of what people are doing – and where. So far, more than 900 organisations across the UK have

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friend in me!

Take care! Make the most of life with Philip Keohane

Raising the awareness of Dementia in Reading

The Dementia Action Alliance sees young and old stand together to support those affected by the disease. Picture posed by models. signed up to be part of either a local or national Dementia Action Alliance, including Reading Borough Council. Xn is a member of the Reading Steering Group which includes Home Instead Senior Care, Reading Citizens Advice Bureaux, Royal Berkshire Fire, Pembroke Care and Rescue Service and Reading Buses. The more organisations that sign up, the better the Alliance will be and the more Dementia Friendly Reading and the surrounding area will be. Graham Stokes, DAA’s national Co-Chair said: “With a diagnosis of dementia doors should not close but should be opened. Opened to opportunities to have a life that is meaningful and rich in prospects.” Reading’s Lead Member for Adult Social Care, Cllr Rachel Eden said: “There are 800,000 people with dementia in the UK and this number is set to grow to over one million people by 2025. “Dementia raises issues that need to be tackled by the whole of society, and all of us can play a part in helping people with dementia to lead safe, supported and meaningful lives. “The Dementia Action Alliance is working to make Reading a Dementia Friendly town, and the Council is committed to supporting people with dementia to live fulfilling lives as part of the community.” v For more details, to learn more about becoming a Dementia Friend or to sign up your group, venue, church or business to the Alliance, call Moira Hemson, the Dementia Action Alliance Co-ordinator on 07803 115542 ormail:moira.hemson@alzheimers. org.uk. v This article was written before the Dementia Action Alliance launch was held. We’ll have an update on Xn’s website, including pictures and a video news report. Log on to www.xnmedia.co.uk.

HE word dementia describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. These changes are often small to start with, but for someone with dementia they have become severe enough to affect daily life. A person with dementia may also experience changes in their mood or behaviour. Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or a series of strokes. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia but not all dementia is due to Alzheimer’s. The specific symptoms that someone with dementia experiences will depend on the parts of the brain that are damaged and the disease that is causing the dementia. Dementia is a growing concern for our ageing population. Currently there are over 800,000 people in the UK who are diagnosed with some form of dementia with over 100,000 new cases having been discovered in the last year alone. Currently there is no cure for this condition. Medical research has resulted in drugs coming to the fore which will help to stabilise the condition slowing down the progressive effects of the condition which will ultimately lead to the person’s death. A sad by-product of the disease for sufferers is that their world can quickly close in around them as they find it increasingly difficult to interact with people socially within the local communities. The confusion and mood swings can make it difficult for carers of people that have dementia to take them to places outside of the home for fear that the experience will be a troubling one. As mentioned elsewhere in this edition of Xn Magazine, community and business groups within the Reading area have formed a local Dementia Action Alliance to help make Reading a more accessible place for people that live with Dementia. This is part of a growing national initiative aimed at encouraging dementia sufferers to stay integrated within their local communities. I for one am delighted to be throwing Home Instead Senior Care wholeheartedly behind this initiative. Our goal is to increase awareness of the changing behaviours of dementia sufferers and to offer free training and counselling to those family and friends of people with dementia to better equip them to support their loved one. We started over a year ago by offering our staff the opportunity to enter into further study into managing our growing number of clients that suffer from dementia. We have now developed a course of workshops which can be accessed directly through me and which are available to everyone locally in the community. If you would like some more details on the help and support you can get, please contact me either directly or via the magazine. Philip Keohane is owner & director of Home Instead Senior Care in Reading

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BUSINESS Taste the Cinnamon

Supporting the local economy together

Airport chief lands at brekkie

CINNAMON has a distinctive taste – and for people attending a special BY CHRIS CARTER networking event early this month, it could be very sweet. Leadership, faith and the ethics of Brookside Church in Earley will be business were the interrelated themes welcoming The Cinnamon Network on explored by Colin Matthews, Chief Tuesday, March 4. Executive of Heathrow Airport, at a talk The afternoon event aims to inspire to local men on February 8. delegates and give resources to help Addressing nearly 100 attendees faith-based groups deliver community of the Reading Christian Men’s transformation Group (RCMG) breakfast meeting, initiatives. It Colin described the relevance of will be hosted faith to leadership of a high-profile by Laurence business. Fundamental to this was the Singlehurst acknowledgement of an individual’s (pictured) and personal value, regardless of position includes details of or hierarchy. how microgrants “We are all made in God’s image, of up to £2,000 yet we are all flawed,” he said. “This can be obtained. means that everyone should expect to The Network wants to make it as be afforded dignity and respect, and easy as possible for local churches Colin Matthews addresses the audience at the Reading Christian Men’s Group breakfast that no leader is perfect.” to serve people most at need in their He then outlined his three key communities. As a man grappling with issues “Jesus was a great leader” said Colin, truisms for business leadership The event aims to be practical, of such national importance and “The leaders of today will do a better – authenticity, integrity and offering details of community sensitivity, how does Colin Matthews job by following his example.” projects already running which can communication. make time to nurture his beliefs? In contrast to the more macho be replicated. There will be resources “There are as many types of “I like to be busy, and work is what language of previous decades, humility Ø Are you losing valuable resources through high costs? × to share with church congregations, successful leader as there are types I do to get paid,” he said. “But as you is a word used in management circles and a special session looking at how of people,” he said, “but these are have to give up some things, you need today. The philosophy of continuous Prelco Consulting is a Christian-based consultancy churches can work together and with attributes they share.” to stick with the things that matter improvement successfully pursued by and can help – atInno costexamples, to you local authority bodies such as the providing he spoke most in life. Family is one of these, and companies around the world accepts council and the police. of the instinctive distrust we feel faith is the other.” that no-one is perfect, and that The event runs from 12.30pmencountering people who are v The next RCMG breakfast meeting everyone is capable of improvement. Ourwhen services include: 3.30pm and a packed lunch is neededØ Free insincere andyour untrue to themselves. celebrates the 20th anniversary of Economics drives an organisation, audit of telecommunications - but drinks will be available. Entry is Ø Free Andaudit integrity, he said,electricity was not simply the group, and takes place on 14th and waste is wrong, so there is always of current and/ free, places must be booked. Tel:but 0118 996 8171 passive avoidance of lying, but a June. The talk, to which ladies are also a need to produce more for less. oragas contracts It takes07974 place at003312 Brookside Church in matter of being pro-actively honest, Mob: invited, will be entitled Christianity in Yet Colin was adamant that a Ø Easy to understand comparative Earley RG6paul.elford@ 1BU. even if the message to be delivered a Collapsing Culture. The speakers company was wrong to make promise e-mail: quotations v For more details, log on to www. will be Lyndon and Celia Bowring was an unwelcome one, and a prelco.biz Ø Professional management of future contractsto people it could not deliver. It must cinnamonnetwork.co.uk/event/ of Christian Action, Research and instead do all it could to develop its willingness to speak up when things cinnamon-network-regional-events/ Education (CARE). skills and equip them for the future. are not right.

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The Rainbow Cafe in Christ Church, Woodley is celebrating another successful year – by giving away its profits. The Community Interest Company raised £1,000 which it has donated to the charity, Action for Children. A longer report is at xnmedia.co.uk.

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Reading ready to mark 10 years of Fairtrade BY VIVIENNE JOHNSON Reading will be celebrating its 10th anniversary as a Fairtrade Town with two weeks of activities between February 25 and March 10 coinciding with Fairtrade Fortnight. Reading was one of the first 10 places in the UK to become a Fairtrade Town. “I think there are over 500 now,” said Bente Madeira, Events Co-ordinator for RISC and member of Reading Fair Trade steering group. “We were in the forefront of that. “At the start only Global Café and Café Iguana (now sadly closed) used Fairtrade products. I think there are well over 50 now”, Bente contnued. “Reading Borough Council has also worked hard for fair trade. They had passed a resolution long before we got our status.” It should come as little surprise that this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight will include lots of celebrations. “I think the big event will be here at RISC with Zaytoun, who are our suppliers from Palestine,” said Viviana Conti, Intern at RISC. This takes place on Friday, March 7 with a tea party from noon to 2pm and a talk with wine at 7pm.

Sunday, February 23 EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Ave, Earley, RG6 7JN. Church service with video link to Jubilee Centre in Ndola, Zambia. 10am. Details: 0118 966 9080. READING – Greyfriars Church and Bookshop, Friar St, RG1 1EH. Fairtrade Focus and sale. 10.30am. Details: 0118 951 6703.

READING – Civic Centre RG1 7AE. Reading Fairtrade Fortnight Launch of Exhibition. 10am. Details: davidsutton@gn.apc.org or debi.daniels@reading.gov.uk. READING – Palmer Building, University of Reading. Fairtrade Debate: supermarket premiums on Fairtrade products. 6.30pm7.30pm. Details: Oli Balmford 07702 277916 or oliver. balmford@gmail.com.

Tuesday, February 25 Road, off Shinfield Road, is holding The Big Brew on Saturday, March 8. At it, people can buy Traidcraft goods and hear a speaker from Community Savings and Loans, Berkshire’s Credit Union. You can sign up to the Union on the day: just bring along proof of address, a photo ID and £5 and you can join the credit union. There will also be special services at churches, tasting sessions and even a pancake party. v Entry to most events are free. For details, log on to www.readingfairtrade.org.uk.

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Find out about the truth behind Fairtrade roses – and go bananas for Fairtrade at xnmedia.co.uk

Speakers announced for Gathering SPEAKERS have been announced for The Gathering camp, which will be held this August at Reading Rugby Club. Organied by the Barnabas Network of Churches, the fourday event will see talks from Michael Maiden, who will be travelling from Arizona. Also travelling to Reading will be Eric and Pat Whittaker, who live in Grantham.

v Fairtrade Fortnight at a glance

Monday, February 24

“Zaytoun’s director will explain how hard growers have to work to produce their olives and oil.” Other events include Just Trade Jewellery story told by Laura Cave founder of Just Trade on Saturday, March 8 in the World Shop. You can also learn how farmers in Columbia stopped growing coca and started growing fruit which is now dried and sold as Fairtrade produce. This event takes place on Wednesday, March 12 at 7.30pm, again at RISC. St Barnabas Church in Elm

Local speakers include Yinka Oyekan, John and Liz Omole and Alastair Mitchell-Baker from Reading Community Church, Keith Dolding from The Well, Ann-Marie Patterson from Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Chris and Mags Lewis from Springwater, Crispin Fairbairn from Grace Church Caversham and Lynn Chetcuti from Network Vineyard.

Worship will be led by In-vigor8 and there will be activities for children to enjoy. The event will be held from August 4-8 at Reading Rugby Club. Activities include a big family barbecue and a games afternoon. v For more details or to book, log on to www.barnabasengland.org.

READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Fairtrade Breakfast tasting session. 8.30-10am. Details: 0118 958 6692 silvia@risc.org. uk or bente@risc.org.uk.

Friday, February 28 WOODLEY – St John Bosco Church, 56 Western Avenue, RG5 3BH. The Big Brew: Fairtrade Tea and coffee served. 10am-noon. Details: 0118 969 3423 or stjohnbosco@ portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.

Saturday, March 1 READING – Oxfam Bookshop, 8 High Street, RG7 5AN. Oxfam Fairtrade Tasting. 10am12.30pm. Details: 0118 939 3868. READING – From Dolché Vita Cafe, University of Reading. Fairtrade Café Crawl to the Global Cafe on London Street. From noon. Details: 0118 958 6692 ame@ risc.org.uk.

Sunday, March 2 CAVERSHAM – St John’s Church, Gosbrook Rd/St John’s Rd, RG4 5AN. Fairtrade church service. 10am. Details: The Revd Jeremy Tear 0118 946 2884 revjtear@ btinternet.com. READING – Park United Reformed Church, Palmer Park Ave, RG6 1DN. Morning worship with Focus on Food & Fairtrade 10.30am. Details: 0118 926 5003 or minister@ parkurc.org.uk.

Monday, March 3 READING – Kennet Room and Mayor’s Parlour, Civic

Offices, RG1 7AE. Civic Reception for San Francisco Libre: a celebration of Reading’s twin town in Nicaragua, hosted by the Mayor of Reading, with special guest Jimmy Zamora from San Francisco Libre. All welcome. Fairtrade refreshments. Free. 7.30pm. Details: davidsutton@ gn.apc.org or debi.daniels@ reading.gov.uk.

Tuesday, March 4 READING – University of Reading Chaplaincy Centre, Park House Lodge, Whiteknight, University of Reading RG6 6AH. Fairtrade Pancake Evening. 5pm-7pm. Details: Mark Laynesmith chaplaincy@reading.ac.uk.

Friday, March 7 READING – Palmer Building, University of Reading. Lunchtime talk with Tayhir Abasi from the Palestinian Fairtrade olive company Zaytoun. Followed by a tea party. Noon-2pm. Details: Oli Balmford 07702 277916 or oliver.balmford@gmail.com. READING – RISC Conference Room, 35-39 London Street RG1 4PS. 10th Anniversary Celebrations of Reading’s Fairtrade Town. Free, donations welcome. Details: Bente Madeira 0118 958 6692 bente@risc.org.uk.

Saturday, March 8 READING – World Shop, 35-39 London St, RG1 4PS. Celebrating Women’s Day with Just Trade jewellery. 3pm. Details: Bente/ Silvia 0118 958 6692. READING – St Barnabas Church, Elm Road (off Shinfield Road). The Big Brew with focus on the work of the Berkshire Credit Union. 11am. Vernon Welch 0118 987 3163.

Sunday, March 9 READING – Park United Reformed Church, Palmer Park Ave, RG6 1DN. Morning worship with Focus on Food & Fairtrade 10.30am. Details: 0118 926 5003 minister@parkurc.org.uk.

Wednesday, March 12 READING – RISC, 35-39 London St, RG1 4PS. Colombian Fruit Trade: Sowing peace and sustainable development with Enrique Duarte. 7.30pm. Exotic Fairtrade Cocktail Night @ The Global. From 6pm. Details: 0118 958 6692 bente@risc. org.uk.

v The Fairtrade Events Programme can be downloaded from www. readingfairtrade. org.uk.

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For more information or a quote call Lee NOW on Mob: 0788 411 5707 or Tel: 0118 941 3187 www.burdenelectrical.co.uk enquiries@burdenelectrical.co.uk

v Carpets callaghan carpets and flooring. Home pattern service from a reliable family company. Carpets, vinyls & commercial flooring 40 years’ experience. www.callaghanflooringandcarpets. co.uk or (0118) 962 8527. Mention Xn and 5% of total order goes to YeLDALl manor

v Carpet cleaning Professional Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning. Trained and fully insured. Free, no obligation estimates. A.G Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning (0118) 3779149 or visit www. agcarpetandupholstery.co.uk Member of Trading Standards Buy with Confidence scheme www. buywithconfidence.gov.uk Mention Xn and 5% of total order goes to GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL

v Building solutions Colman and Co. Building Solutions. All aspects of building work undertaken: • Kitchens / Bathrooms • Loft Conversions / Extensions • Free Estimates and Planning www.colmanandco.com Telephone Darren on 07799 613892.

v Plastering

v Plumbing Patterson Plumbers. Bathroom installations, heating installations, plumbing repairs, free quotes, no job too small, over 60’s discount. Professional, reliable & honest. www.pattersonplumbers. co.uk 07921 572652 info@ pattersonplumbers.co.uk.

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v Gardens New Leaf Gardening. Looking for a gardener? 25 years Horticultural Experience, Hedge Cutting, Lawn Care, Fencing, Planting, Pruning, Gutters Cleared, Odd Jobs Considered, No job too small. Fully Insured, Call Mark on 07944 290837

All Trade Directory adverts receive a FREE advert on the Xn website. To advertise in our next issue email richard@ xnmedia.co.uk

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repairs-upgrades-servicing-Advice M & J Plastering. 25 years experience. All types of plastering undertaken. Repairs & Re-skim Experts. No job too small. For free advice and quote call Mark on 0777 550 9955 or 0777 082 9683 Mention Xn and 5% of total order goes to YeLDALl manor

v Property services Chambers Property Services. Offering a wide range of building services including electrics, decorating, general repairs and renovations. Quality work, professional & value for money. Free quotes. www. chamberselectricalservices.co.uk 07760122129 chambersrg10@ gmail.com

v Window cleaning STANDARD AND BAPTIST WINDOW CLEANING. Windows, Frames, uPVC, Solar Panels, Conservatories, Conservatory Rooves. A one off or regular, town and country service for 20 Miles around Reading. (0118) 954 7238 paul@standardandbaptist.co.uk

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To advertise call 0118 328 3108 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | March 2014

Creative & craft v Marketing

v Clothing alterations

Creative thinker inspires results. • Award winning copywriting • Business development • Creative network • Mentoring Contact Hyperbole. 0118 966 6600. john@hyperbole. co.uk

v Resources Faith in the Community (Wokingham) – helping Christians work together to transform their local communities. Phone Sharon Elliott 07843 091950

DOES THAT DRESS NEED TO BE MADE WEARABLE? I can help. Also to shorten trousers, jeans, shirts, jacket sleeves, replace zips. Anything else? Contact me! Awesome Alterations. 0118 926 0603.

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Advertise in our trade directory

Music v Piano accompaniment EXPERIENCED PIANO ACCOMPANIST available for music exams and recitals. Judith Creighton www. judithcreighton.co.uk or 07957 193366.

v Help wanted Guitarist seeks female vocalist for acoustic duo. Should have dedication and be willing to sing old jazz, pop and original songs. Please contact Andy, telephone 0118 947 1413.

We’re a brilliant way to promote your business to thousands of readers every month. To advertise in our trade directory, call Richard on 0118 328 3108 email richard@xnmedia.co.uk, or use this form

Trade directory

Write your advert in the box below, one word per box. Use another sheet if necessary.

Life events v Funeral directors A.B. Walker & Son – Berkshire’s leading family funeral and masonry service. www.abwalker.co.uk

Tuition

v Counselling Philippi Trust Counselling and Training. Level 2 Introduction to Counselling courses. Starting dates March 2014, January 2014, May 2014 Contact 0118 966 7422 or reading@philippi.co.uk

Property

v Driving lessons

Driving Tuition. Lessons for beginners or those who are test ready. Pay as you go or get discount for block booking. Over 4 years experience. Contact Robin Gowers by txt on 07973730990 or email: robin.gowers@ntlworld.com

v Home wanted Apartment wanted from end of March. 1 bedroom or studio apartment unfurnished. All necessary kitchen appliances. Not DSS. Parking appreciated. Please call Jamine 07973 960559.

Category for advert: Your name: Phone number: Address:

Email:

Send your completed form, along with a cheque for £75 payable to Xn Media Ltd to: Trades Directory, Xn Media, 60 London Street, Reading RG1 4SQ Adverts will appear for 6 months. Standard terms apply. No firearms or pets.

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March 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

WHAT’S ON

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We can’t fit everything into the print edition, so log on to xnmedia.co.uk for more events For space reasons, regular events can be found on our website, xnmedia.co.uk Saturday, March 1 CROWTHORNE – St John The Baptist Church, Waterloo Road. Thames Voyces in concert: Elgar, Bruckner, Cole Porter & more. 7.30pm. £12, £10 concessions, under 16s free. Details: thamesvoyces.org.uk. READING – Argyle Community Church, Argyle Road. Sat Caf: community cafe with tea, coffee, cakes, friendship and games. 10.30am-12.30pm. Free, donations welcomed. Details: www. argylecommunitychurch.com. READING – The Warehouse, Cumberland Road. Quiz night in aid of Amnesty International. 7pm. Tickets £10, including Fish and Chips (E-mail for vegetarian options). No bar – please bring your own drink. Details: Peter Howe amnesty.reading@gmail. com. READING – Reading Museum, Blagrave Street. Study Day: Making Faces, Great Portrait with Elaine Blake, Sandy Gardner and Audrey Gregory. 11am-3pm. Booking essential. £20. Details: 0118 937 3400 or www.readingmuseum. org.uk.

Sunday, March 2 EASTHAMPSTEAD – Baptist Church, South Hill Road, RG12 7NS. Songs of Praise Plus. 4pm. Details: 01344 487744 or ebc-bracknell.org. READING – Reading Deaf Centre, Cardiff Road. Reading Deaf Church meeting. 10.30am. Details: www. readingdeafcentre.org.uk. READING – ACROSS TOWN. Reading Half Marathon. Check for road closures.

Tuesday, March 4 READING – Broad Street. Launchpad Pancake Race: teams of 4, with prizes for top three teams and best fancy dress. £35 per team, in aid of Launchpad. Details: www. launchpadreading.org.uk. WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road. Pancake Party. Full details to be announced. Details: 0118 926 8143. READING – Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square, Reading, RG1 3BE. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Party at

7pm. Come along and eat pancakes and listen to the Revd Colin Norris, Regional Minister for Southern Counties Baptist Association. BEENHAM – The Victory Hall, Beenham. Benefice Pancake Party, 7pm. Pancakes and party games for the young (and young at heart). Bring your own drink and glasses, bring a palm cross (if you have one) from last year to make some ash for Ash Wednesday. Donations in aid of Christian Aid. SILCHESTER – Silchester Methodist Church, Pamber Road, Silchester, Reading RG7 2NY. Pancakes at Silchester, 6pm – 8.30pm. Donations for church funds READING – St Giles Vicarage, Church St, Reading, UK, RG1 2SB. Shrove Tuesday festivities: for pancakes and sausages from 6.30pm.

Wednesday, March 5 BRACKNELL – Kerith Centre, Church Road. Alpha Course launch night, continues over 10 weeks. 10am or 7.30pm. Details: www.kerith.co.uk. BRACKNELL – Kerith Centre, Church Road. Freedom In Christ course launches: continues over 13 weeks. £20 per person to cover course costs. 7.30pm. Details: www. kerith.co.uk. READING – Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square. Coffee and Chat: drinks, cakes and friendly faces. 11am-12.30pm. Free, donations accepted. READING – Wycliffe Baptist Church, King’s Road. Jacket potato café. 11am-2pm. TWYFORD – Loddon Hall. Twyford Folk Music Workshop, 8pm. If you play an acoustic instrument and can read music then contact Colin 0118 934 0300. WOODLEY – St John the Evangelist, Church Road RG5 4QJ. Ash Wednesday Service. 8pm. Details: 0118 969 7956 or www.stjohnWoodley.com

Friday, March 7 EMMER GREEN – St Barnabas Church Hall, St Barnabas Road RG4 8RA. Living With Loss group for people who have lost a loved one. 2pm3.30pm. Details: Gillian Wilson 0118 947 8772. HENLEY – Christ Church Centre, Reading Road RG9 1AG. Women’s World Day of Prayer service: Streams in the Desert. 1.30pm. Details: www.christchurchhenley. org.uk.

PEPPARD – Springwater Congregational Church, Blounts Court Road. Women’s World Day of Prayer lunch 1pm, followed by a service 2pm. WOODLEY – St John’s, Church Road. Women’s World Day of Prayer celebration: praying for the people of Egypt. Everyone is welcome. 10.30am. STREATLEY – St Mary’s Church, Church Lane, High Street, Streatley, RG8 9HU. Women’s World Day of Prayer. 1.30pm.

Saturday, March 8 ALDERMASTON – Primary School. Family-friendly treasure hunt, starting and ending at the school. More details to be announced. Details: www.awb.org.uk. EMMER GREEN – St Barnabas Church, St Barnabas Road. Reading Central Salvation Army band in concert in aid of the church’s organ appeal. 7.30pm. Details: www. saintbarnabas.org.uk. LOWER EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Magic Band dinner dance in aid of Console Foundation orphanage project in Mwanza, Tanzania. 7pm. £20 and booking fee. For tickets: www. tinyurl.com/codd2014. READING – Reading Museum, Blagrave Street. Talk: Life in Tudor and Stuart Berkshire with Joan Dils. 2pm-3pm. £8. Details: 0118 937 3400 or www.readingmuseum. org.uk. SONNING – Pearson Hall. 1st Sonning Scout Group fundraising quiz night. 6.30pm. £6, includes food. Bar available. Adults only. Details: Mike Watts 07889 080134 or quiz@ sonningscouts.co.uk TILEHURST – Methodist Church Hall, School Road. Indoor crafts market: cakes, jewellery, sweets, toys and more. Free entry. 11am3pm. READING – St Barnabas Church, Elm Road, Reading. RG6 5TS. 10-00 to 12-30pm. The Big Brew with a speaker from Community Savings and Loans. To join, bring identity documents (photo ID eg passport or driving licence, proof of address eg bank statement or utility bill [less than 3 months old) and an initial deposit of not less than £5.

Sunday, March 9 ARBORFIELD – Arborfield Church, Church Lane. Passion For Life week: Doesn’t science rule out

Submit your events to editor@xnmedia.co.uk miracles? 10am. Details: www. abch.org.uk or call 0118 976 0285. CALCOT – Kennet Valley Free Church, RG31 7YT. Step Out – Your Time In God’s Service: an information evening aimed at people looking to take part in short-term mission. Free entry. 6.30pm-8.45pm. Details: Orla McBride, t2orlamcb@ gmail.com.

Tuesday, March 11 ASCOT – St Francis Church. Lent study course launches: Evangelii Gaudium, The Encyclical of Pope Francis. 7.15pm-9pm. Details: 01344 620591 or www. stfrancisascot.co.uk. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James’s Church Centre. Lent Lectures. Pilgrimage to Iona – a presentation by Cathy Clayton. 8pm. Details: 0118 973 0133. WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. 50+ Group meets: London’s Underground by Tony King. Admission free. 2.15pm. Details: 0118 977 2457 or www. norreyschurch.org.uk.

SHALFORD – Shalford Farmhouse, (opposite the T junction at the west end of Wasing Lane). Simple soup lunch . Also on March 12, 19, 26. 12.30pm Donations for the Consortium for Street Children.

Thursday, March 13 ARBORFIELD – Arborfield Church, Church Lane. Passion For Life week: Curry evening. Details TBC. Details: www.abch.org.uk or call 0118 976 0285. READING – Across town. Reading RESCUE: local community, neighbourhood and business clean-up of town’s rivers and environmental spaces. Details: www.readingrescue.org.uk or 0118 937 2100.

Friday, March 14 HARE HATCH – Yeldall Manor RG10 9XR. Celebration service for the work of Yeldall Manor. 7.30pm. Details: info@yeldall.org.uk.

Saturday, March 15 ARBORFIELD – Arborfield Church, Church Lane. Passion For Life

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Wednesday, March 12 Finchampstead – Memorial Hall. The Churchyard Trust – Spring Tea, from 2.30pm. Everyone welcome, no need to book. With delicious home-made fare to sample, bric-abrac, raffle and plants stalls. READING – Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square. Coffee and Chat: drinks, cakes and friendly faces. 11am-12.30pm. Free, donations accepted. READING – Wycliffe Baptist Church, King’s Road. Jacket potato café. 11am-2pm.

week: Women’s breakfast. Time TBC. Details: www.abch.org.uk or call 0118 976 0285. FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre. Naturally Supernatural training sessions with leaders from St Thomas Church in Sheffield: how can we learn to hear God’s voice? Lunch provided. Booking essential. Donations welcome. 10am-3.30pm. Details: www. finchampstead.com. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Methodist Church. Reading Phoenix Choir in concert in aid of Men of Rose Street Charity Fund. £10. 7.30pm. Tickets: www. readingphoenixchoir.com.

calendar Sunday, March 16.

ARBORFIELD – Arborfield Church, Church Lane. Passion For Life week: How can God allow suffering? 10am. Details: www. abch.org.uk or call 0118 976 0285.

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Monday, March 17 SOUTHCOTE – Southcote Christian Mission, RG30 3BL. Reading Aglow Encounter Night: Claire Paye. A business woman and former Christian youth worker, Claire is a spokesperson for the campaign and support group Mothers at Home Matter. £5 on the door, first meeting free, light refreshments served. All women welcome for friendship, encouragement and healing. Bring a friend. Pampering hand massages available. Details: www.facebook.com/readingaglow

Tuesday, March 18 ASCOT – St Francis Church. Lent study course launches: Evangelii Gaudium, The Encyclical of Pope Francis. 7.15pm-9pm. Details: 01344 620591 or www. stfrancisascot.co.uk. BRACKNELL – Kerith Centre, Church Road. Discovery Workshop: free training course to help you to discover your spiritual gifts, passion and personal style. 7.30pm. Details: www.kerith.co.uk. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James’s Church Centre. Lent Lectures. Singing the Lord’s song in a strange land – Dr Ann Holt of Bible Society explores the power of the Bible to transform our materialistic society 8pm. Details: 0118 973 0133.

Find out what’s happening in the week ahead by switching on Paul Coia’s show on BBC Radio Berkshire every Sunday morning from 7am. Phil presents his pick of the week around 8.25am. Road. Word And Worship: a Unique Women’s event. Details: www. kerith.co.uk. READING – Central Library, Abbey Square. Birds and Bees poetry reading for National Wildlife Week. 3pm. Free. WINNERSH – St Mary’s Church, Robinhood Lane RG41 5NA. Auctioneer Valuation day. 2pm6pm. £2 per item, maximum two items. In aid of SalGo Assist. WOKINGHAM – Maiden Erlegh School. Advance Nutrition Children’s Cookery Day. 11am3pm. £90. Details: www. advancenutrition.co.uk. SILCHESTER – Silchester Methodist Church, Pamber Road, Silchester, Reading RG7 2NY. Quiet Day, 10am to 3pm, Cost £6, Bring lunch, drinks provided. To reserve a place phone Angela on 01256 850432 before 17th March

by Martin & Pole of Wokingham

To be held at St Mary’s Church, Robinhood Lane, Winnersh, RG41 5NA on Saturday March 22nd March from 2pm – 6pm. Admission £2 per item (max 2 items). Refreshments available. In aid of SalGO Assist (regd. Charity No. 1101811) supporting an orphanage, schools and other projects in Andhra Pradesh, south India.

READING – Green Park. Green Park Triathlon in aid of Sport Relief. Details: www.greenparktriathlon. co.uk SANDHURST – Upper Room, St Michael’s Church, Lower Church Road. CAP Money is a free money management course launch. 8pm. Details: 01344 77713.

Friday, March 21 WOKINGHAM – Emmbrook Sports & Social Club, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club: Never the Bride www.neverthebride. com/ £10/£12.50 on the door. Details: Stan Hetherington 07831 130610.

Saturday, March 22 BRACKNELL – Kerith Centre, Church

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Wednesday, March 19

Sunday, March 23 CAVERSHAM – Christchurch Meadows. British Heart Foundation London to Reading bike ride from Kempton Park Racecourse to Christchurch Meadows. Ages 14+. £15. Details: www.bhf.org.uk.

Tuesday, March 25 ASCOT – St Francis Church. Lent study course launches: Evangelii Gaudium, The Encyclical of Pope Francis. 7.15pm-9pm. Details: 01344 620591 or www. stfrancisascot.co.uk. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James’s Church Centre. Lent Lectures. Credit Unions and Foodbanks – why Christians should pioneer such initiatives (speakers tba). 8pm. Details: 0118 973 0133.

HENLEY – Christ Church Centre, Reading Road RG9 1AG. Teddy Praise: story and singalong for little ones followed by fish finger sandwiches. Bring a teddy. Free. 11.30am. Details: www. christchurchhenley.org.uk.

Wed, March 26 EASTHAMPSTEAD – Baptist Church, South Hill Road, RG12 7NS. Messy Church: drinks, snacks, messy fun and a cooked dinner. 3.30pm-6pm. Details: 01344 487744 or ebcbracknell.org. READING – The Hexagon. Let’s SIng, Reading! finale of the Mayor’s choir competition, in aid of the Mayor’s fund. £9.30, £4.30 concessions, families £21.20. Details: 0118 960 6060 or www.readingarts.com.

Saturday, March 29 LOWER EARLEY – Lower Earley Baptist Church, Maiden Place RG6 3EH. Greg Valerio and Andy Flannagan in concert for The Making Trouble Tour. 7pm. Details and tickets: www. lowerearleybaptistchurch.org.uk/ Mortimer Common – St John the Evangelist Church. Reading Haydn Choir perform Hymn of Praise. 7.30pm. Details: www.haydnchoir. org.uk READING – The Pavilion, Oxford Road. HisKidz: dads and lads session for under fives. £1 donation. 10.30am-12.30pm. Details: www.citylifecp.org.uk. READING – Reading Central Salvation Army, Anstey Road. Walking fellowship meets: walk of no more than 4½ miles, avoiding steep climbs. Come dressed for the weather. 10am. Details: Michael Bennett 0118 984 4818. READING – Greyfriars Church, Friar Street. Reading Festival Chorus concert: Bleu, Blanc, Rouge – French Sacred Music. Featuring Bizet –Te Deum, Duruflé – Motets, Duruflé – Requiem, Poulenc – Gloria. Conductor: Edward-Rhys Harry. 7.30pm. £14, £10 concessions, £2 under 16s. Details: 0118 983 4523 or tickets@ readingfestivalchorus.org.uk. SOUTHCOTE – Grange United Reformed Church, Circuit Lane. Easter Fayre. 2.30pm-4pm. Entry 40p. All welcome.

Sunday, March 30 FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James’ Church. Mothering Sunday services 9.30am and 11am. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St Mary & St John’s Church. Mothering Sunday 9.30am Holy Communion

Tuesday, April 1 ASCOT – St Francis Church. Lent study course launches: Evangelii Gaudium, The Encyclical of Pope Francis. 7.15pm-9pm. Details: 01344 620591 or www. stfrancisascot.co.uk. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James’s Church Centre. Lent Lectures. Insights from Mityana, Uganda – Rev Hugh Wakeling on his recent visit to help the Mityana Charity.

8pm. Details: 0118 973 0133.

Wednesday, April 2 TWYFORD – Loddon Hall. Twyford Folk Music Workshop, 8pm. If you play an acoustic instrument and can read music then contact Colin 0118 934 0300.

Saturday, April 5 TILEHURST – Methodist Church Hall, School Road. Indoor crafts market: cakes, jewellery, sweets, toys and more. Free entry. 11am-3pm.

Sunday, April 6 EASTHAMPSTEAD – Baptist Church, South Hill Road, RG12 7NS. Songs of Praise Plus. 4pm. Details: 01344 487744 or ebc-bracknell.org.

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SPORT

March 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

Thames Valley Churches Football League

For the latest, log on to tvcfl.footify.com or follow on Twitter @TVCFL

Rain 1 Thames Valley Football 0

demonstration to the league that Bethel are truly in the title race. Bethel were able to leapfrog Tilehurst Albion as the latter were held to a 2-2 draw by West Reading CFC. Tilehurst started the stronger and raced into a 2-0 lead, both goals coming from set pieces. West Reading’s James Murdoch pulled a goal back just before half-time, while in the second half they continued to improve and had a great opportunity to equalise when a penalty was awarded for handball; Chris Gibby stepped up but sent his spot kick over the bar. The equaliser eventually came when a well worked move sent skipper and centre back Alex Higginson through to slot home. Both sides pressed for a winner, but neither side could find a decisive goal as the pitch deteriorated. In the only other match to survive the wet weather, Reading Saints beat West Reading CFC Reserves 4-0.

By James Hern & Chris Barltrop

n a slight change from previous seasons, the wet weather held off until January before playing havoc with fixtures. With flooding dominating the news, it’s no surprise that since the beginning of January, 16 out of 25 games have been postponed due to waterlogged pitches – and 10 games in February looking likely to fall foul of the weather. Of the few games that have been played in 2014, Bethel United have benefitted the most. They currently sit top of the league, one point clear of Tilehurst Albion who have played a game less. Bethel would appear to be Albion’s closest rivals at this stage of the season, with only West Reading CFC or Brookside St Laurence having a chance of dragging themselves back into the title race. Bethel have been in similar positions in the past few years only to fade away in the second half of the season, so they will be hoping that they can manage to sustain their challenge. With Wycliffe Wanderers looking secure in fifth place, the battle for sixth is heating up. Norreys currently occupy that position after good results against their rivals. Kerith FC have made some big strides forward after a poor start, while Greyfriars and Reading Saints remain in the mix and will be wanting to improve on their finishes last year. At the bottom, West Reading Reserves and Finchampstead are both putting in some fantastic performances, but not yet seeing the rewards. West Reading Reserves did put in a convincing display in the Quarter-Finals of the Colin Lowery Trophy, which saw them beat the Wycliffe Youth side 6-0. They will be hoping that this result will kick start their season … if it ever stops raining!

FIXTURES

Agar’s return inspires Kerith On Saturday, January 11, in his first game back at Kerith FC after transferring from Norreys, Barry Agar scored one and picked up the manof-the-match award in his side’s 5-4 victory over title-chasing Brookside Saint Laurence. It was their first win since early November. William Day scored a hat-trick for the hosts, his fourth treble of the season and Stuart O’Brien added the other. That result enabled Bethel United to move into second place, after they beat Agar’s former side Norreys 2-0. Kingsley Goodridge and Daniel Priest scored the goals. West Reading CFC stay fourth after a comfortable 7-0 victory over their own Reserves squad. This match is always eagerly anticipated by both squads and is often a hard-fought game. The reigning champions started brightly and never looked troubled by their “hosts”. In the final match-up of the weekend, Greyfriars FC and Wycliffe Wanderers battled to a 1-1 draw, with both teams’ goalkeepers earning plaudits for some excellent saves.

Last-gasp Bethel grab top spot

Bethel United scored with the last kick of the game to win 3-2 and take over the lead in the TVCFL on Saturday,

KICK OFF 10.30am on Saturdays Fixtures may be cancelled due to flooding

v March 1 W Rdg Reserves v Greyfriars FC Bethel United v B’side St Laurence Reading Saints v Kerith FC Wycliffe Wanderers v Finchamp’ Bap’ Norreys v Tilehurst Albion

v March 8 B’side St Laurence v Reading Saints West Reading v Wycliffe Wanderers Norreys v Kerith FC Finchamp’ Baptist v Bethel United Tilehurst Albion v Greyfriars FC

v March 15 Philmar Cup: ties TBC v March 22 Reading Saints v Norreys Kerith FC v Greyfriars FC B’side St Laurence v Finchamp’ Baptist W Rdg Reserves v Wycliffe Wanderers Bethel United v West Reading

v March 29 W Reading Reserves v Bethel United Wycliffe Wanderers v Tilehurst Albion Finchamp’ Bap’ v Reading Saints West Reading v B’side St Laurence Norreys v Greyfriars FC

January 18. It was a little harsh on opponents Greyfriars FC who had battled back from two goals down and given as good as they got. Bethel took the lead from a wonderful Stuart Newton thunderbolt from 30 yards and doubled their advantage when Joshua Thomas-Lamerton profited from a defensive mistake to head home: his first for the club. Although Bethel had a lot of possession, Greyfriars kept trying to play themselves, and reduced the arrears before half-time when captain John Ellaby exchanged passes with Jonny Lowe and hit a low right-foot shot past the fingertips of Bethel’s keeper. Greyfriars dominated the early phase of the second half and equalised when Ellaby burst through on the right and hit a rasping shot which, although deflected, always looked like it was going in. Bethel, regrouped and applied lots of pressure as the match wore on, creating several chances – but the home side defended well and responded with fluid attacks of their own on a difficult surface. With time running out a throw in was flicked on and the ball found its way to the feet of substitute Scott Shepherd who smashed it home from 6 yards; cruel on Greyfriars but a clear

Six is the magic number

The TVCFL teams took a break from league action on January 25 – but only three quarter final matches over two competitions survived the wet weather. In the Philmar Cup, Brookside Saint Laurence FC were comprehensive 6-0 winners over Brentford, dominating from the first whistle. Tilehurst Albion also won comfortably, 9-2 over Finchampstead Baptist Church. Jake Nicholls scored four of them while Charlie Baines grabbed two. Sabeel Asghar, Jack Peedell and Steve Hannah also managed a goal apiece. In the Colin Lowery Trophy West Reading CFC Reserves secured a first victory this season, and in some style, over a mixture of young talent and eager veterans representing Wycliffe Youth. Dom Howard and Jack Malpass each scored a hat-trick as the league’s basement side won 6-0, and the squad hope that this can be a turning point in their season.

league TABLE P W D L F A W D L F A GD PTS Bethel United 12 4 1 0 11 2 5 0 2 16 11 14 28 Tilehurst Albion 11 4 2 0 28 6 4 1 0 23 3 42 27 West Reading 12 5 2 0 31 12 2 1 2 15 13 21 24 B’side St Laurence 11 3 0 2 14 10 5 0 1 30 15 19 24 Wycliffe Wanderers 11 4 0 2 20 12 2 2 1 14 8 14 20 Norreys 11 2 0 1 6 3 3 0 5 24 26 1 15 Kerith FC 11 4 0 3 21 18 0 1 3 6 14 -5 13 Greyfriars FC 12 1 2 4 16 25 2 2 1 8 8 -9 13 Reading Saints 11 3 0 4 18 19 1 0 3 7 10 -4 12 Finchamp’ Bap’ 10 1 0 4 4 16 0 0 5 1 21 -32 3 W Rdg Reserves 12 0 0 4 7 28 0 0 8 7 47 -61 0 Table correct as of February 13, 2014

top SCORERS

Jamie Carstairs Jake Nicholls Neil Healy James Murdoch William Day George Weeks James Hern Matt Blake Ben Sheppard Michael Bembridge Courtenay Isaacs Ian Golbourne

West Reading Tilehurst Albion Wycliffe Wanderers West Reading Kerith FC Norreys Greyfriars FC Reading Saints B’side St Laurence FC Wycliffe Wanderers B’side St Laurence FC Tilehurst Albion

17 13 13 12 11 9 9 9 8 7 7 6

SPORT/community

The Royals’ Prince

At Reading FC with Steve Prince

Healthy culture and positive values

To advertise call 0118 328 3108 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | March 2014

FAMILY CIRCLE

Keeping you in touch with each other

878 years of marriage celebrated!

That’s a lot of happy couples! 29 marriages were celebrated in Sandhurst as part of the Big Promise

fter a difficult Christmas the Royals have enjoyed a good sequence of results and a recent series of games when we were scoring an amazing number of goals. The difficult thing about football is that success very quickly raises expectations and so all us fans who were at the Sheffield Wednesday game expected another goal-fest. The sending off of Alex Pearce and ensuing penalty jolted us back into reality and a home defeat followed. The January transfer window came and went with no activity due to uncertainties off the pitch but the great news has been holding on to key players despite interest from other clubs. Despite a significant list of injuries and speculation about ownership of the club, we remain competitive in and around the play-off zone. It was great hearing the chairman, Sir John Madejski, tell everyone that he is back in control at the club and that it was him who rebuffed offers for some of our players. I recently saw an article in one of the national newspapers that listed 10 chairmen you wouldn’t want running your club and so it was great to hear Brian McDermott talking about what a great person Sir John had been to work for.

Healthy

Ultimately the person overseeing the life of a football club or any other organisation determines the culture that people experience as they engage with it. Establishing and sustaining a healthy culture with positive values creates an environment that can bring success. I have now been the chaplain at Reading FC for 10 years and we have enjoyed most of our best success in this period – no link, I am sure! I am convinced this success has come directly out of the positive and healthy culture there is around the club and my hope is that this will continue under any future new ownership. As the pastoral prayer team meets weekly to pray at the Madejski, we are continually praying for the whole environment to continue to be positive and healthy. Finally, I have been busy with quite a number of committals in the garden of remembrance recently. Every time I lead a committal I remind families and friends that every one of us will come to this place when our lives end and ask if are we ready to meet our maker. The world of the football club chaplain spans such a wide range of experiences and emotions, both on and off the pitch.

Come on URZ!!

Steve Prince is Reading FC Chaplain AND THE Pastor of Brookside Church

y Rebecca Brown B & Karen Allen On Saturday, February 8, 29 couples in Sandhurst took part in the Big Promise. The national event saw couples across the country renew their wedding vows simultaneously at 5.15pm in an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record. At St Michael’s Church, Lower Church Road in

Sandhurst, those taking part enjoyed an afternoon tea followed by a very special service. The church was beautifully decorated for the occasion and the event included the renewing of wedding vows. Then in true wedding style there was a celebration party with a ‘wedding breakfast’: bubbly, wedding cake, toasts and dancing. It was a very memorable

A CHURCH in Aborfield is gearing up to show its neighbours just how passionate it is about them. Arborfield Church, which meets in at St Bartholomew’s Church, is holding a Passion For Life week from March 9-16. Events include a curry evening on Thursday, March 13 and a Women’s Breakfast on Saturday March 15. They will also ask Good Questions in its Sunday services on March 9 and 16. The first is Doesn’t Science Rule Out Miracles? and How Can God Allow Suffering? v For more details, log on to www.abch.org.uk or call 0118 976 0285.

PLANS are being made for a popular golf day. The annual event, held in aid of CAFOD, will take place at the Royal Winchester Golf Club, Sarum Road, Winchester SO22 5QE, on Tuesday, May 20. It is for teams of four but individual applications are welcome. For more information or an application form contact the CAFOD Portsmouth office: portsmouth@cafod.org.uk or 01252 329385.

The Wokingham Area Schools Christian Worker Trust (WASCWT) celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, a party is being held at the FBC Centre in Finchampstead on Sunday, March 2.

day and lovely to see recently married couples, young couples, couples with families, retired couples and well as two couples who had been married for 63 years all joining together to celebrate a total 878 years of wedded bliss. The church would like to thank everybody who helped make this day such a fantastic and worthwhile occasion. v www.stmichaels-sandhurst. org.uk

For more information on the Trust and its work, log on to www.wascwt.org.

To remember a loved one, St Paul’s Church in Wokingham is planning to decorate its building with lilies this Easter. Each lily, which costs £2.50, will be placed to remember a loved one. Bookings need to be with the church office by the end of March. For more details, call the office on 0118 979 2122 or log on to www. stpauls-wokingham.org.uk.

A WOKINGHAM Church is appealing for nearly new books and toys that can be used in its children’s activities. Wokingham Baptist Church is looking books of Bible stories and toys that can be related to Bible stories. For more details, call the church office on 0118 978 7174.

Wokingham Methodist Church hosted a Big Breakfast on Tuesday, February 18. The morning meeting saw members of CLASP, a group of adults with learning disabilities, create tasty meals for hungry guests. They took over the Bradbury Centre’s kitchen for the morning, making full cooked breakfasts, both meaty and vegetarian, for £5. All proceeds went towards the Just Around The Corner (JAC) project, which has recently built the Rehoboth equine learning centre.

Food

March 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

ADVANCE NUTRITION

ptimising health , vitality & wellness with Christine Bailey, O nutritionist, chef and food/health consultant

v Treat your children to a hands on healthy cookery day You’re never too young to learn how to make tasty – and healthy – dishes. Nutritionist Christine Bailey explains

ith our hectic lifestyles and constant demands on our time, setting aside time to cook with your children may not be top of your ‘to do list’. Yet if we’re looking to encourage a generation of healthy children its important we not only teach them cookery skills but how to prepare nutritious, healthy meals too. I am running a hands-on cookery day sharing some of my favourite Easter recipes with budding young chefs. I have fond memories as a child cooking at home. My Grandmother, a vicar’s wife was always baking delicious treats to share with anyone who would drop by. For me licking the bowl, watching expectantly as cakes rise

through the oven door or seeing the delight in people’s faces when they tried the final products brought real joy. Now, as a nutritionist and chef, my focus is still on creating delicious food – but they also need to be nutritious and healing to the body. Eating nutrient dense food is particularly important for children. What you feed your child can have a profound effect on their brain function, behaviour and intelligence. Making the right food choices can help improve their thinking, enhance memory and develop concentration and attention. Choosing the right foods and avoiding harmful ones are key to making the most of your child’s potential, both mentally and physically. Poor nutrition can not only

Children’s Cookery Day Healthy Easter Treats With Nutritionist & Chef Christine Bailey

22nd March 2014 11am – 3pm A fun filled Easter inspired cookery class for children* Gluten Free Easter Treats Maiden Erlegh School, Wokingham, Berkshire PLACES LIMITED BOOK NOW!! * children must be accompanied by an adult. A list of ingredients to bring will be provided

Book via www.advancenutrition.co.uk Cost £90 (incl. VAT)

v Cinnamon Chia Granola Bake up a batch of this granola and store in an airtight container as a healthy snack or breakfast option. Chia seeds are an excellent source of omega 3 essential fats important for healthy cell membranes and neurotransmitter function. Serve with milk or almond milk and top with berries if desired. 115g/4oz gluten free porridge oats 2 tbsp chia seeds 30g/1oz shelled hemp seed 60g/2oz sunflower seeds 60g/2oz pumpkin seeds 2 tsp cinnamon 2 tbsp honey or coconut syrup 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted 3 tbsp apple juice Preheat the oven to 160°C/ lead to ill-health but unhealthy children generally are more likely to have problems behaving well, learning and performing to their optimum. While there are many factors, which can influence your child’s learning and achievement including a wide range of social, educational and cultural factors one of the key ways you can influence your child’s development and potential is through what they eat everyday. The brain for example is composed of 60% fat – but not just any type of fat. If you want your child to develop and perform to their optimum ability they need the right types in their diet and in the correct balance. These essential omega 3 and 6 fatty acids the body cannot make and so they must be obtained from the diet. They are particularly crucial to brain development and function. Deficiency in these essential fats have been linked to learning difficulties, attention deficit disorder,

gas mark 3. Line a baking tray with non-stick parchment paper. Combine the oats, seeds and cinnamon in a bowl and stir. Mix together the honey, oil and apple juice. Stir the honey mixture into the oats dyslexia, depression, memory difficulties, behavioural problems and poor development. Most children’s diets are low in omega 3 fats (found in oily fish, flaxseed, chia, hemp seed, walnuts) yet with simple tweaks to their diet you can help optimise their intake. Government health surveys highlight a range of common nutritional deficiencies in children’s diet. Often this is due to a lack of variety, low intake of unprocessed foods, fruit and vegetables and lean protein. Getting your children involved in cooking is a great way to introduce them to new foods, flavours and textures. By involving them in the preparation and cooking they are also more likely to try new dishes so if you’re struggling with a fussy eater bringing them to a cookery day may instil healthier tastes. Cooking with children takes time. Don’t worry if your recipe diverges from the book. You are not aiming for perfection.

and coat thoroughly. Spread the mixture onto the baking tray. Place in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes until golden and crisp. Stir occasionally during cooking. Allow to cool before serving. Cooking is a time to relax and enjoy the experience rather than getting hung up on doing things perfectly. Working with other children is a great way to learn life skills and maintain social interaction. Don’t be tempted to leap in and take over – children are often more capable than we think. My Cookery Day is held at Maiden Erlegh School, Wokingham. Each child has their own kitchen bay and will create an array of delicious healthy treats. Recipes will include raw homemade chocolates and cake. Parents stay with their children helping them as needed while Christine demonstrates each recipe and creates an array of delicious dishes to taste on the day. All recipes are gluten and dairy free making them ideal for children with allergies or coeliac disease. v Places are limited to just 10 children so hurry and book your place today. Book via www. advancenutrition.co.uk.

SHOPPING

To advertise call 0118 328 3108 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | March 2014

ETHICAL LIVING

Changing the world, one purchase at a time

Zandra’s frocks rock! Fashion guru’s fairtrade vision Zandra Rhodes is teaming up with fairtrade fashion specialists People Tree for a brighter future. Rebeca Lovato gives us a sneak preview

he future is looking bright for the sustainable and Fairtrade fashion company People Tree. They have partnered with top fashion designer Zandra Rhodes to make a range of beautiful, fluid and colourful dresses in organic cotton. In creating the ethical clothing collection, Zandra Rhodes and People Tree founder and CEO Safia Minney, went to India to see how their clothes are made. As part of their trip, they visited farmers and saw the organic cotton used in the dresses growing in the fields. It’s grown using sustainable methods that take the toxic impact out of production ensuring a healthy and sustainable future for farmers and their families. The pair then visited the factory where their cotton cloth is printed and the tailors who skillfully turn Zandra’s sketches into clothes. The employees are paid 30% to 40% more than industry standard and staff enjoy good working hours. People Tree works with the Indian employers to train people so that skills grow and are maintained at levels expected by the Western market. “This was the first time I’ve seen where my clothes are made,” said Zandra. “It’s not that easy travelling around from small town to small town in developing countries, but the experience was brilliant.” She added: “I could see the difference the products make in the lives of real peoples.” The collection is a treat for People Tree too. Its CEO and founder Safia Minney said: “Zandra and I worked together to bring some of her graduation prints from the 1960s into fashion for the first time ever! “These modern shapes are easy to wear and celebrate womens’ empowerment and freedom. Zandra’s fairtrade collection for People Tree will go on sale in June. v For more, log on to www.peopletree.co.uk/ designers/zandra-rhodes

The new Zandra Rhodes collection from People Tree includes (from left): Stars bodycon dress £55, Man & cubes tunic £48 and this Wave stripe tee £40. All are made of organic materials and go on sale in June

LEISURE

March 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

BREAK TIME

Pit your wits against our brainteasers

Codeword

Kakuro

Answers are on p31

Place 1 to 9 in each white cell. To choose the right number you need to work from the clues in around the edge. The numbers below the diagonal lines are the sums of the solutions in the white cells immediately beneath. The numbers above the divide are the sums of the solutions immediately to the right. Rows and columns do NOT have to be unique. Thus, if a 3 is shown as a clue there will be two cells waiting for you to put the digits 1 and 2 in them – the only possible sum that will equal 3. The final rule is that no number may be repeated in any block. For example, if the clue is 4, the only possible solution will be 1 and 3 (or 3 and 1), never 2 and 2.

Numbers are substituted for letters in the crossword grid. Below is the key with two letters solved. Try to complete the first few words to give you more letters, or look for a frequent number that might reveal a common letter. As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid. Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

Steve Vaughan-Turner www.drawingfromexperience.blogspot.com

SUDOKU Sudoku

Easy

5 1 6 4 3 9

7 9 7 1 6 1

7 8 7

9 2 8 5

How to beat Str8ts – Like Sudoku, no single number 1 to 9 can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. 2 1 4 Each compartment must form a straight 6 4 5 a set of numbers with no gaps but it can be 4 5 in any order, eg [7,6,9,8]. Clues in black cells 4 3 6 2 remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. 3 5 2 1 Glance at the solution to see how ‘straights’ 2 1 3 are formed.

9 3

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

3 2

6 8

Tough

9 3

1 5

7 5

8 1

9 7 7 8

STR8TS Str8ts

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 for Sudoku and www.str8ts.com for Str8ts. If you like Str8ts and other puzzles, check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.

We have Mardi Gras and you have … er … pancakes. It must be an English thing, yes?

arts

ARTS

To advertise call 0118 328 3108 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | March 2014

Music, drama, comedy with a local perspective

DANCING

v Come on and make trouble

Sign up for a magical evening CURRY and dancing will combine for a magical evening of music for Mwanza later this month. Trinity Church in Lower Earley is the venue for a fundraising dinner dance on Saturday, March 8 from 7pm. It’s all in a great cause: funds raised will help the Console Orphanage in Mwanza, Tanzania. Music will come from The Magic Band, and be a selection of pop music classics from the last few decades. The band includes members of Trinity Church. Accompanying them will be Meg ‘n’ Pete, who will perform songs they have written themselves and are members of the church’s youth band. The food will be a buffet with three choices of curry, as well as rice and naan bread and made by Miah’s Heavenly Indian Cuisine restaurants.

Curry and dancing are on the menu at a fun fundraising event in Lower Earley this month

Cameron and Cath Spence, who are organising the night, visited the Console Orphangae School in 2011 and saw the inadequate and leaking building that the children met in. A new school building had been started but there were insufficient funds to finish it. Since then, the pair have been committed to raising the necessary money to both complete the works, furnish it

EASTER PLAY

Spend a night at the hospital MOST people wouldn't want to spend their evening in casualty, but for one theatre group that's exactly what they're hoping you'll do. Parabolē Productions is turning The Hexagon theatre into its hospital for one night only next month as it presents an Easter story with a difference. The Casualty is a play that aims to give a fresh take on the familiar Easter story, known as a Passion play. Instead of being set in 1st century Jerusalem, the action takes place in a hospital after a terrible car crash. Following surgery after the accident, Joe is befriended by a hospital volunteer who shares with him stories of hope and joy. Director Derek Lindo said: “The aim of the play is to present this Gospel story in a fresh and interesting way. “We hope to entertain as well as inform and perhaps leave the audience with a different perspective of God and the relationship He wants to have with us.”

The play is being performed at The Hexagon in Reading on Saturday, April 19 – the day before Easter. Lydia Lindo, director at Parabolē Productions, added: “Our aim is to reach out to schools, colleges, businesses and community leaders to reignite the spirit of Easter and to unite the community through a compelling story presented in a way we can all understand.” Parabolē Productions is a Reading-based theatre company. It is sponsored by Parkside SDA Community Fellowship in Reading, which meets at Park United Reformed Church in East Reading. The company has been producing and performing original drama for the past four years. Tickets are £11.20 including booking fes or £9.70 for concessions. They can be bought by calling the Reading Arts box office on 0118 960 6060 or Parabolē on 07941 540047. v For more details, log on to www. facebook.com/paraproductions

with books and pencils for the children and ensure that the teaching can continue over the coming years. Although tickets may be available on the door, only tickets bought in advance will include food as numbers need to be catered for. Tickets cost £20 plus a booking fee. For more details log on to www.tinyurl.com/ codd2014.

MUSIC and jewellery will come together to Make Trouble later this month. Singer Andy Flanagan and fairtrade jeweller Greg Valerio will be visiting Lower Earley Baptist Church to share songs and inspiring stories about how we can change the landscape of the British Isles. Greg has been campaigning for justice in gold and diamond mining while Andy is a popular musician. Their tour will come to the church on Saturday, March 29 from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £8 if ordered before March 15, or £10 after, with concessions at £6. v For more details or to book, log on to www. lowerearleybaptistchurch. org.uk.

ARTS

March 2014 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 0118 328 3108

Carollers raise cash for Brass

Forget muck, the saying should be where there’s music there’s brass. Brass For Africa was one of the charities supported by Wokingham Borough Council’s annual Carols In The Mall. At the event, music was performed by the Berkshire Maestros Youth Brass band and carollers donated to both the Mayor’s and Maestro’s chosen charities, one of which is Brass For Africa. The Wokingham-based charity was founded in 2009 when it donated 30 secondhand brass instruments to an orphanage in Uganda, and also started a music project. Since then, it has donated more than 200 instruments in to orphanages in Uganda and Liberia. It

works with local people, teachers and organisations, music programmes and humanitarian projects for disadvantaged children and their communities. And to help get more instruments out there, Borough Mayor, Cllr UllaKarin Clark, presented a cheque for £50 to the charity’s representative Jim Trott at the Council offices on Friday, February 7. He was delighted to receive the money and said: “The opportunity to play music with others is incredibly empowering, giving individuals and their communities new found self-belief, self-worth and confidence. v For more, visit its website www.brassforafrica.com.

ROUND-UP

Lent, France and Beethoven

Cantemus Chamber Choir will be performing in Upper Basildon later this month

LENT is the theme for a concert taking place in Upper Basildon this month. Cantemus Chamber Choir will be performing music by Britten and Rutter at its Lent – The Season of Bright Sadness event on Saturday, March 15. Starting at 7.30pm, the performance will be held at St Stephen’s Church in Upper Basildon. The programme features Five Flower Songs by Benjamin Britten, The Sprig of Thyme by John Rutter and Bob Chilcott’s Requiem. Tickets cost £10, or £8 concessions, and under 16s can get in free. They will be available at the door. v For more details or to book tickets, log on to www.cantemus-newbury.org.uk

NEWBURY’S Choral Society will use the beautiful Douai Abbey as the venue for its spring concert. Taking place on Saturday, March 22 at 7.45pm, the focus is on Sacred Music throughout the ages. It will feature music by Monteverdi, Victoria, Palestrina, Bach, Purcell, Mozart, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Faure, Parry, Poulenc, Tavener and Eben. Tickets cost £15, or £5 for under16s and can be reserved from www.newburychoral.org.uk.

SHIPLAKE’S Memorial Hall will be full of the sounds of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 2 on Sunday, March 2. The concert will be given by the Langtree Sinfonia Orchestra as it presents a workshop. The group is looking for string players and there may be gaps in the woodwind and brass sections. It costs £10 for the day which includes drinks and biscuits. For more details, call Chris Winch on 01865 340339 or Nick Kiff on 01491 833515.

READING’S Youth Orchestra will be focusing on Beethoven for its concert on Saturday, March 8. Held at Greyfriars Church in Friar Street, Reading, the group will perform the Overture from The Creatures of Prometheus and Romance in F major. Tickets will be available on the door for £6, £4

concessions, £2 children and £14 for families. v For further details about Reading Youth orchestra visit www.readingyouthorchestra. co.uk or like facebook.com/reading.youth. orchestra

South Berks Concert Band will be performing Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals at a charity concert next month. The 45-piece windband will be at Kennet Valley Free Church in Calcot on Saturday, April 5 for the evening of music which will raise funds for Launchpad Reading and The Childrens’ Society. It starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £10 or £8 in advance. v For more, visit www.southberksmusic.org.uk.

The Reading Phoenix Choir will be presenting a programme of music to suit all tastes at Rose Street Methodist Church in Wokingham on Saturday, March 15 at 7.30 pm. Tickets are £10 and include refreshments. Proceeds will go to The Men of Rose Street Charity fund. v For more details, log on to www. readingphoenixchoir.com/

FANCY an evening of channel hopping? Well, switch off your TV and make a date for Saturday, March 29. Reading Festival Chorus’ Gallic-themed evening focuses on music from the other side of La Manche and features works by Bizet, Duruflé and Poulenc. Bleu, Blanc, Rouge – French Sacred Music will be held at Greyfriars Church from 7.30pm. The concert will see the singers perform Te Deum by Bizet, Duruflé’s Motets and Requiem and Poulenc’s Gloria. Tickets are £14, £10 for concessions and £2 for under 16s. They can be bought by calling 0118 983 4523, emailing tickets@ readingfestivalchorus.org.uk or logging on to www.readingfestivalchorus.org.uk.

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ARTS REVIEWS

To advertise call 0118 328 3108 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | March 2014

Moviewatch A lesson in forgiveness

A new take on Oscar’s famous poem

Cinema with Martin Ceaser

The Ballad of Reading Gaol by Oscar Wilde

Illustrations by Peter Hay Paperback, Two Rivers Press £8.95, ISBN 978190167775-

Colin Firth plays a survivor who seeks forgiveness

v The Railway Man (15) Stars Colin Firth, Jeremy Irvine, Nicole Kidman, Hiroyuki Sanada

ric Lomax (Colin Firth) is a survivor from the Death Railway built by British and Allied Prisoners of War under the savage supervision of Japanese soldiers. The Railway Man flicks between then and now, giving us a picture of the level of suffering and despair that he encountered during his captivity. For the flashbacks Lomax is played by Jeremy Irvine, superbly cast both in appearance and mannerisms seen in his older self. Lomax is one of a group of survivors who still meet together regularly but he in particular is unable to speak about his treatment.

Then he meets Patti (Nicole Kidman), who is determined to get him to open up and so free himself from the pain of his past. Poignant, moving and chillingly realistic in parts, the film shows Lomax’s journey from hatred of the Japanese and his torturer Nagasi (Hiroyuki Sanada), and a desire to get revenge, through to his return to the site of his suffering and his offering of forgiveness because, as he says, “the hating has to stop sometime”. Only when he forgives can he finally lay down the pain and bitterness that had been crippling him for so many years. What makes the film even more powerful is that it is a true story of the power of hatred to cripple lives, and the power of love and forgiveness to set them (us) free. The Revd Martin Ceaser is minister of Crowthorne Baptist Church

Magnificent Mandela is a must-see v Mandela: The Long Walk To Freedom (12a)

If you haven’t seen it, make every effort to on DVD/Bluray when it comes out, or Netflix or whatever you watch. Idris Elba is Nelson Mandela – mannerisms, posture, looks, and especially that voice – it’s a long way from London’s maverick Copper Luther. Naomie Harris puts in a stirring performance as the increasingly embittered and

Stars Idris Elba Naomie Harris How was this film NOT nominated for a BAFTA? Stunning, stupendous, magnificent, awesome, brilliant.

hate-filled Winnie Mandela. If you have a group that likes watching, and discussing, films, this one is a must, with so many issues to reflect upon – equality, loyalty, the nature and cost of leadership, sacrifice, suffering and the question of forgiveness, are presented brilliantly. v For Martin’s full review, log on to www.xnmedia.co.uk

SOLUTIONS

The Oscar Wilde that wrote The Ballad of Reading Gaol was a very different man to the one who had written the farcical comedy The Importance of Being Ernest only three years before. The Ballad of Reading Gaol was written by Wilde when he left prison in 1897. The hard prison life had affected his health badly and on his release he left England to spend his last three years in French exile. Convicted of gross indecency he had to endure two years of hard labour. You get a hint of what life was like when he wrote “We tore the tarry rope to shreds with blunt and bleeding nails” or “We sewed the sacks, we broke the stones, We turned the dusty drill”. The experience of prison shattered him

and he was never the same. Wilde has the narrator of the poem telling the story of a soldier who murdered his wife and is now to be hung. The Two Rivers Press edition has two stanzas to a page, each accompanied by a strong image. Peter Hay’s simple, caricature linocut-style illustrations are like gargoyles on the page, grabbing your attention. This is a much loved poem as Peter Stoneley, Professor of English at the University of Reading points out in the specially commissioned afterword. The Ballad of Reading Gaol was February’s book of the month for Two Rivers Press which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. To honour the occasion it is offering a 20% discount on one of its books each month if you order via its website. v For more details, log on to tworiverspress. com VIVIENNE JOHNSON

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