Xn November 2013

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For you, your community, your life

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN Advent comes alive!

WHAT’S ON

Packed with fireworks & family-friendly events

Diane-Louise Jordan and Tim Vine want to give thanks

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November 2013 Thames Valley region ISSN 2049-4971

Henley, Reading & Wokingham districts

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Make your Christmas countdown meaningful THE UK’s only Fairtrade charity Advent calendar with a free copy of the Christmas story in the box has gone on sale – and is set to raise £25,000 for The Children’s Society.

The Real Advent Calendar has a window for each day of December, behind which is a Belgian chocolate star and a line from the Christmas story.

“When you open the final, oversized window, a chocolate star and a beautifully-illustrated, 24-page copy of the Nativity story is revealed,” explained David Marshall, founder of the Meaningful Chocolate Company which makes the calendar.

The Advent calendar is the latest in a line of products from the company, following the success of the Real Easter Egg, launched in 2011. More than £100,000 has now been raised for charitable projects.

“Farmers in the developing world receive a good price for their produce,’ explained David.

“They also receive a premium cash payment to invest in their community – enabling them to buy everything from schoolbooks to solar panels.”

The Rt Revd Tim Thornton, Bishop of Truro with his Advent Calendar Photo: Paul Richards

Tesco is the only supermarket stocking the calendar this year.

“Supplies will be available in most Tesco stores. This is a very significant step and we hope people will support it,’” said David.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu said: “This is the first time

that a major supermarket has put the Christmas story so openly at the centre of their Christmas range.

“The copy of the Christmas story in each Real Advent Calendar allows people to read and see for themselves what Christmas is all about.

“The charitable element of

the product is a reminder of the ordinariness of the family Jesus Christ was born in to. The Fairtrade element is a reminder to the business world and consumers that we need to be responsible in the way we buy goods.

“Above all The Real Advent Calendar is a reminder that Christmas Starts with Christ.”

The Rt Revd Tim Thornton, Bishop of Truro and Chair of The Children’s Society’s Board of Trustees, said: “I encourage everyone to go and buy a Real Advent calendar this year. The proceeds will benefit The Children’s Society which works directly with some of the most disadvantaged children in the country – ensuring they are loved, valued and listened to.”

Churches, schools and groups can reserve and place orders with Tesco now, asking their local store to place a manager’s order for The Real Advent Calendar – product number 074819584.

To find the phone number of your local Tesco store call 0800 505 555 or visit the Tesco store locator www. realadvent.co.uk/shop v The Real Advent Calendar is also on sale in branches of Quench Christian Bookshops.

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NOVEMBER 2013 Thames Valley region

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ISSN 2049-4971

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

Xn is published by Xn Media.

ISSN 2049-4971 c/o Quench, 60 London Street, Reading RG1 4SQ www.xnmedia.co.uk Twitter: @xnmedia

Autumn wears 27 Sandcastles 15

Editor & publisher Phil Creighton editor@xnmedia.co.uk Distribution Judith Creighton judith@xnmedia.co.uk Contributors Lynda Bowyer, Michael Penny, Steve VaughanTurner, Sally Hamblin, Steve Prince, James Hern, Martin Ceaser, Jessica Hall, Vivienne Johnson, Barry Kirk, Magnus Smyly, Dave Prior Thanks to Quench, Michael Penny, Alan Magness, Louise Cole, Mary Brockington, Rob Wilson, Reading Family Church, Nick Crowder, Andrew Taylor, Reading Football Club, BBC Pictures, Sharon Elliott, Greg Beardsley Cover picture BBC Pictures To advertise Hinton Media Services Ltd 01932 888417 advertising@xnmedia.co.uk 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, 2013

Film

Concert 29 Champion 11 Fixed 14 From the editor

Phil Creighton ‘ We can all play our part in helping dementia sufferers’

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F THERE’S a theme to this month’s Xn it’s families and how we can help them.

Care For The Family is coming to Reading on November 23 for a special celebration. Part of the evening sees Tim Vine handing out special awards for the best grandparents. It’s a great idea!

Then, there’s a call from the NHS for you to get involved in how the local services are run, managed and paid for.

With meetings across the region, it’s your chance to have a say.

And there’s also an important call to get behind plans to make Reading a friendly place to be if you have dementia.

All three speak to me. This year, we’ve said goodbye to my wonderful father-in-law after a battle with cancer and have seen a close family friend succumb to the fog of dementia. It has not been an easy time – it’s heart breaking to see someone we love dearly struggle with hallucinations and memory loss.

But we can all play our part in getting involved and making life easier for dementia sufferers. Find out more on page 6. editor@xnmedia.co.uk

Contents 4 The main event 6 News 14 Business 16 News focus 18 Classified 20 What’s on Three pages of community events 23 Family circle 23 Sport Competition hots up in the League 25 Puzzles 26 Food Tips and advice for budgeting well 27 Ethical shopping Brilliant buys to help the planet 28 Arts New plays, concerts and films

Get in touch! email stories to editor@xnmedia.co.uk Deadline for December issue Thurs, Nov 15

the main event

Lest we forget ON THE 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, the First World War came to an end in 1918.

Now, nearly 100 years later, the country is preparing to once again remember that it must never forget.

A series of events across the Thames Valley will give everyone the chance to stop and pay their respects to so many.

They include short acts of remembrance outside war memorials, in services and some social gatherings to raise funds for the Poppy Appeal.

Here, we round up some of them.

Saturday, November 2 WINNERSH – Bearwood Theatre, Bearwood College. County Concert and Festival of Remembrance with Woodley Concert Band, Royal Military Wives Choir. £12. Details: 0118 976 2362 or berkshire@britishlegion.org.uk.

Saturday, November 9 READING – Madejski Stadium. Act of Remembrance outside the stadium from 10.30am. Wreaths to be laid, including one by club chairman Sir John Madejski. All welcome.

TILEHURST – Royal British Legion, Downing Road.

Poppy dance including a sausage and chip supper. £12 guests, £10 members. Details: www.trbl.co.uk.

Sunday, November 10 – Remembrance Sunday ALDERMASTON – St Mary’s Church. Following the Remembrance Sunday service at St Mary’s Aldermaston on 10 November there will be a special additional ceremony at 12.30pm in the churchyard at the grave of 3rd Air Mech.

94657 A. Scutter of the Royal Flying Corps who died on 16 March 1918 age 20. The Royal British Legion Standard Bearer from Mortimer will be supported by members of Aldermaston church.

BINFIELD – All Saints Church. Parade leaves shopping centre at 10.10am, service at church 10.45am.

BRACKNELL – War Memorial. Events TBC as we went to press, the 2nd Bracknell Scouts will be involved. Involves a two-minute silence at 11am.

CAVERSHAM – War Memorial, Christchurch Meadows. 11am service including a parade.

CAVERSHAM – St John’s, Gosbrook Road.

Remembrance Sunday all-age service. 10am.

Details: www.stjohnthebaptistcaversham.org. uk.

BRADFIELD – War Memorial. Act of remembrance.

3pm.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James’ Church. Service of remembrance. 10.50am.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – War memorial. Remembrance Day service. 3pm.

GORING – Free Church. Remembrance service.

10.45am.

HENLEY – Town Hall. Act of remembrance from 10.15am with Woodley Concert Band.

MAPLEDURHAM – St Margaret’s. Remembrance Day service by Second World War memorial gates. 10.40am.

READING – Reading Central Salvation Army, Anstey Road. Service of Remembrance with the Royal British Legion and the Revd Jamie Taylor from St Andrew’s Church, Sonning. 6.15pm.

Details: 0118 942 2130.

READING – Brock Barracks. Parade and service with two-minute silence at 11am.

READING – Greyfriars Church, Friar Street.

Remembrance Sunday service. 10.30am.

ROTHERFIELD PEPPARD – All Saints. Service of remembrance. 10.45am.

SANDHURST – Sandhurst and Yateley Methodist Church, Scotland Hill. Remembrance Serbice from 9.30am.

SANDHURST – Memorial Park, Yorktown Road. Civic service of remembrance from 10.45am.

SONNING – St Andrew’s Church. Remembrance parade with the Reading Central Salvation Amry band.

TILEHURST – Triangle. Act of Remembrance. Time to be confirmed. www.trbl.co.uk WARGRAVE – St Mary’s Church. Village remembrance service. 10am.

WOKINGHAM – Town Hall. Remembrance Day parade from the Town Hall to All Saints Church.

Service to start at 3pm. Details: www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – St Sebastian’s. All-age service 10am. 10.50am ceremony at the War Graves, followed by refreshments.

v We will update this guide on our website, xnmedia.co.uk

the main event

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.

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Take care!

Make the most of life with Philip Keohane

What can you do in 15 minutes?

Help make Reading dementia friendly

T

he media has been alive with news and debate on the subject of local councils commissioning care to vulnerable elderly people on the basis of 15-minute time slots.

First into the recent debate was the Leonard Cheshire charity.

They published a report which highlighted that in England, 60% of local councils commission the delivery of care in these very short windows. Their report is calling for an end to this method of commissioning with an increase to allow people to take more time with the people they are caring for.

On the other side of the argument sits the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS). Their president Sandie Keene suggests that :“It is totally wrong to believe that all tasks need more than 15 minutes to carry out”.

She feels that there are some tasks such as popping in to check that everything is OK and offering to make a drink or help with administering medication can be done satisfactorily in a quarter of an hour.

This discussion has led to examples given in the media of care staff leaving clients with mugs of hot drinks because they cannot afford the time to sit with the person while they drink it and stories of clients having to choose between having a wash or a meal because the schedule does not allow for both.

For my twopenneth worth I feel that a number of people, Sandie Keene included, are completely missing the point of providing care to someone in their own home. Invariably, providing care will include at some point having to undertake certain specified tasks on behalf of the person they are looking after. However, a programme for caring for someone should never be purely based on undertaking tasks for someone.

We are looking after people not robots. These people have good days and not so good ones; their emotional health and wellbeing is as important as their physical care. For this reason I will not enter in to local authority block contracts. I believe that they drive down the quality of care by forcing care companies to deliver short duration calls.

At Home Instead we have a minimum call duration of one hour as this enables our caregivers time to deliver person-centred care which focuses on the needs and dignity of the individual.

I firmly believe that our social and health care systems need to evolve to provide personcentred care that is both age and stage appropriate and which support healthy ageing and which takes a holistic approach to meeting people’s needs.

Yes there are obviously budget constraints. However, instead of adopting a one size fits all approach, our local authorities and providers should be working together with those in need of support and their families so that home care providers have the freedom to innovate and use budgets flexibly.

Philip Keohane is owner & director of Home Instead Senior Care in Reading

Picture posed by model of churches would be interested, please contact me.”

And the Alliance isn't just open to BUSINESSES, community groups, businesses – Moira wants everyone to get churches and volunteers are being involved. encouraged to work together to help “If individuals want to play their part, make Reading a dementia friendly town. they can too,” she says. “Alzheimer’s The new initiative, which is a partnership Society’s is aiming to recruit a million between Reading Borough Council and people to become Dementia Friends by The Alzheimer’s Society, is aimed at 2015. supporting the 1,412 people in the area “Dementia Friends attend an information who suffer from the disease. And by 2025, session to learn a little more about it is expected that the figure will have risen dementia and find out how they can turn by 23%. their newfound understanding into action.

Local businesses, community groups, Anyone can do it. To find out more go to faith groups, schools and colleges, dementiafriends.org.uk.” residential homes, charities as well as A town centre department store is being health and social care providers are all lined up to have staff members trained to being asked to sign up to the Reading be Dementia Friends: they will know how Dementia Action Alliance. to help customers who have dementia Actions can range from the simple, and give them the support they need. such as holding a dementia café or a Supermarkets can also establish ‘slow Songs of Praise-type event, to the more lanes’ to help people who need extra time involved including setting up a ‘no hurry’ and support while shopping. supermarket checkout lane, raising Rachel Eden, Reading lead councillor dementia awareness in customer-facing for Adult Social Care, said: “By becoming staff, or improving lighting and the use of more informed and making small changes, colour contrast in buildings. organisations can support people living One of the first companies to sign up with dementia and help them with for the Alliance is Reading Buses. Its chief everyday tasks. With an ageing population, executive James Freeman said: "As a it is more important customer-focussed than ever for the business we pride Council and community ourselves on going to pull together and that extra mile so look out for people with developing our 1. ‘Can I help you?’ and a friendly dementia.” team’s awareness of smile goes a long way to put Moira added: “It the needs of people people at ease. would be fantastic if with dementia is right 2. Be patient – give people time at the top of our list.” 3. Be clear – communicate clearly, use every faith group could be dementia friendly.”

Churches are also gestures and props to help, find a v If you think your encouraged to take quiet place to go church or community part. Moira Hemson, 4. Don’t make assumptions about the Dementia Action what someone may want or need – group can join the Alliance, or to find out Alliance Co-ordinator, be guided by the individual. said: “We definitely 5. Talk about dementia and remember more, contact Jocelyn on 07738 752669 or email do want faith groups the carer – you will be helping to to join the Alliance. If reduce the stigma around dementia berkshire@alzheimers. org.uk. ministers and leaders

By Phil Creighton

v Five ways to help people with dementia

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November 2013 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 01932 888417

v Corrections & clarifications

In last month’s Xn, we ran a story about Wesley Methodist Church in Reading helping to prepare shoeboxes packed with Christmas presents for distribution across the world

by Samaritan’s Purse.

We can now clarify the times that the sorting and collection will be held.

During November, 84 Queens Road will be open on Mondays from 2pm to 6pm, Tuesdays to Thursdays from 10am to 2pm and on Saturday, November 23 from 10am to 4pm.

You can drop your shoeboxes in between these time and, if you can, stay and help the team sort, check and pack up the boxes.

For details or to offer to help, e-mail pennyshaw@ hotmail.co.uk or call Julie on 0118 986 6765. v if you spot an error, please email editor@xnmedia.co.uk.

Prisoner pen pals needed

BY PHIL CREIGHTON THE Royal Mail once ran an advertising campaign that encouraged you to write a letter and put a smile on someone’s face. Now, you’re being encouraged to do just that by writing to a lonely and isolated person.

Volunteers are needed to pen letters to prisoners. To help get you started, a training day offering tips and advice is being organised for later this month.

Run by members of the Prison Fellowship, the scheme matches volunteers to a prisoner who has asked for someone to write to them.

A spokesperson for the Prison Fellowship said: “Our letter writing programme enables prisoners to feel valued and supported while in custody. Prisoners often feel extremely lonely and isolated, and many have lost touch with their family and friends.

“A letter might be the only communication a prisoner receives and can provide huge encouragement and a link to the outside world.”

The training will take place at Kerith Community Church in Bracknell on Saturday,

November 23. Starting at 10am, it continues until noon and everyone is invited to come along.

Melanie Woods, who is organising the scheme at Kerith, said: “We would love to have as many people as possible, whether they are totally committed or just wanting to find out a bit more.”

Anyone can get involved and Melanie herself realised how easy it is to encourage someone earlier in the year.

“Before the summer I was involved in leading a Bible study on the book of James and as part of that we had a ‘social action project’ each week,” she explains. “One week we asked everyone to write on a postcard a little message to a prisoner, just a note of encouragement, or their favourite Bible verse or something. We sent these off to Reading YOI and they were really well received so I then started looking into how we could do this on a day to day basis.”

The training day includes an opportunity to write a practice letter, sign up to the scheme and find out how to get ongoing support.

Refreshments will be provided. v For more details, or to book a place, email melanie.woods@kerith.co.uk or call 01344 862699.

Tables fill up fast, book yours in advance via email or text. You can pay for your table online (see details below)

2014 Dates

26th October 23rd November 21st December

25th January 22nd February 22nd March

Where: St Barnabas Church Hall, Elm Rd, Reading, RG66TS (Off Shinfield Road, opposite The Sportsman Pub car park) Book Email: events@creatingbetterfutures.org.uk OR Text: 0787 0783 259 Pay online www.tabletop-carbootsale.eventbrite.co.uk OR www.justgiving.com/creatingbetterfutures/donate

RESIDENTS from Reading’s twin town of Düsseldorf in Germany are preparing to make a visit next year – but they need a place to stay.

The visit takes place from August 9-16 and, if you want to show them the friendly face of Reading, a special information evening is being held on Friday, November 15.

Starting with a short, informal service at 7pm and followed by a bring and share supper from 7.30pm, organisers hope you’ll come along to find out more about the plans to welcome the European guests.

No knowledge of German is needed – just an interest in getting to know people from outside the UK. The evening takes place at St Michael’s Church, Routh Lane, Tilehurst. v For details, email RDchurches@BTinternet.com, or call Doreen Woods, on 0118 926 5672.

SKA band Sounds of Salvation helped fill The Pavilion with the sound of music for a charity show last month.

Network Vineyard Church, with support from Lifespring church organised the evening of talent at the Oxford Road, Reading venue on Saturday, October 19.

Also taking part were bands Broken State, Nuchapter and Rafael, as well as songwriter and vocalist Andrea Hull. v For more on this story, log on to our website, xnmedia.co.uk.

Picture: Lynda Bowyer Photography

Table Top / Jumble Sale

2013 Dates

v Twin town

Have a Phab time this Friday at drop-in FRIDAYS are Phab and that’s official!

Members of Berkshire Phab, a charity that helps disabled and non-disabled people socialise, has launched Phab Fridays. At the sessions, people with and without disabilities can enjoy arts and crafts, cooking, games, gentle exercise, or just relax with new friends.

It meets from 10am to 2pm at Park United Reformed Church, on the corner of Wokingham Road and Palmer Park Avenue in Reading. The cost is £8, and £3 for lunch. The venue has full disabled access.

“A number of our members have

told us there’s a limit to the activities available on Fridays for people with disabilities,” said Siân Hooley, Berkshire Phab centre manager.

“I’m delighted that we’re now able to provide our drop-in to people on Fridays now, in addition to our regular drop-in on Mondays to Thursdays.”

Berkshire Phab is also open Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm for adults and alternate Saturdays 9.30am to 1pm for ages nine to 18 at its purpose-built centre at the MAPP Centre, 22 Mount Pleasant. v For details, call 0118 916 8413 or email info@berkshirephab.org.

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Burst pipe floods 2 charities

BY PHIL CREIGHTON A FLOOD that has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to two local charities could have had catastrophic consequences.

The CCA Furniture Store on Silver Street, Reading, which is shared by ReadiFood, was flooded on Sunday, October 6.

A burst pipe on the mezzanine level flooded ReadiFood’s offices and the water had then cascaded into the middle showroom of the shop and directly down the stairs into the cellar. The cellar was filled to a level of around six inches.

In the process, it destroyed several thousand pounds worth of stock, food donations, ceiling tiles and carpets.

Thankfully, no one was in the building at the time and there was no damage to the electrics.

Thomas Wedd from CCA said: “A member of CCA staff noticed that the wheelie bin had not been put out for Monday as driving past, popped into the building and found a lot of water everywhere.

“If the water had been left undiscovered until Monday morning, the water could

have made contact with the three phase electricity switchgear in the cellar and have had catastrophic consequences.”

Thankfully, the building was insured and drying equipment has been installed.

Water from the basement has been pumped out.

Thomas added: “At the moment we have adequate buffer stocks in our warehouse, and as the sales floor area has been reduced temporarily we are not requiring additional donations to make up the shortfall. However, as the flood has

disrupted sales, any additional custom would be welcome.”

ReadiFood lost very little stock in the flood, but the damage to its office space has caused additional difficulties.

Malcolm Peirce, director of ReadiFood, said: “Our biggest challenge has been to keep up with deliveries while moving the food parcel packing area down to our other warehouse and operate from there.

“We are also in the middle of our busiest time of year as schools and churches donate their harvest food collections. The warehouse is looking nice and full, but all the food is unsorted so we need teams of people to come in to sort and date check.”

People have rallied round to help the charities as they seek to get back to normal.

Malcolm said: “We are very grateful to the response that came from the Radio Berkshire and South Today news items, even if we were not able to take up all the offers. The kindness and generosity expressed was heart-warming.” v For more on the CCA Furniture Outlet, log on to its website www. cca-furniture-outlet.org.uk v For more on ReadiFood, log on to its website www.readifood.org.uk.

v Find out more about Abraham WE KNOW from the old Sunday School song that Father Abraham had many sons, but what else do you know about him?

The Open Bible Trust is sponsoring a study aftenoon later this month that aims to unpack the man, his faith and his inspiration.

Michael and Sylvia Penny will be joined by William Henry from Glasgow for the event, which will be held at St Stephen’s Church Centre, Upper Basildon on Saturday, November 16 between 2.30pm and 6.30pm.

Refreshments will be served between the sessions.

There is no charge for the afternoon but there will be an opportunity to make a donation towards expenses. v For further details, log on to www.obt.org.uk or email admin@obt.org.uk or phone 01491 671357.

Garden’s award is no secret ONE of Wokingham’s secrets is raising the roof after scooping a prestigious award.

The Secret Garden, right in the heart of the town centre, has recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society as an area of Achievement.

It came as the Society awarded the town a Silver Gilt – one below a Gold standard – in its annual Britain In Bloom contest.

The society praised the Secret Garden which is accessible from Wokingham Methodist Church’s Bradbury Community Centre.

They said: “The lovely rear courtyard garden was a colourful and relaxing place for the community to enjoy.”

Although it’s been given the Secret name, the garden is not a secret to the many visitors to the Bradbury Centre entrance, which is off the Rose Street car park and footpath from Rose and Peach Streets.

The centre is open to the public

five mornings a week. The Meeting Place in the Centre is a buzz of conversation over coffee and homemade cakes.

On the first Thursday of every month (Farmers’ Market Day) proceeds pass to a Local Charity.

The Meeting Place is run by teams of volunteers from the church and local organisations.

Log on for more!

We can’t fit everything into the print edition, so log on to xnmedia.co.uk to get the latest news!

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Open Day Thursday 21 November Prep School: 9.15am - 11.00am College: 10.30am - 12.00pm To reserve your place at an Open Day please call admissions on 0118 966 1000 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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v Get on to the frontline YOU’RE invited to spend an evening finding out about life on your frontline.

Earley St Nicolas church is hosting an evening seminar on Thursday, November 7 aimed at finding out what your frontline is.

Hosted by the Revd Johnny Douglas, the event explores what a frontline is and its possibility and potential.

The free event starts at 7.30pm and is organised

by Churches Together in Earley and East Reading and the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity. v To reserve a place email: office@stnicolas.org.uk or call 0118 966 9080.

v Training day COUNSELLORS and those involved in pastoral care are invited to a day conference organised by The Phillippi Trust on Saturday, November 16 from 9.30am to 4pm.

It takes place at St John’s & St Stephen’s Church in Newtown, Reading. v For details, call (0118) 966 7422 or reading@philippi.co.uk

Leaders open up the windows

BY PHIL CREIGHTON COMMUNITY leaders from across the Wokingham Borough opened the window on a day of encouragement, information and inspiration.

Faith In The Community hosted the Windows of Opportunity conference on Tuesday, October 14 and welcomed guest speakers from the NHS, local government, Thames Valley Police and Christian social action initiatives.

Josie Wragg, head of community sustainability from Wokingham Borough Council, opened the day, which was held at the Oakwood Centre in Woodley.

In her session, she outlined some of the issues that are facing the Council as it is forced to make cutbacks in its budget.

"Collaboration and engagement is the name of the game," she said, adding that she was interested in exploring how community groups can help the Council as it seeks to deliver some of its services.

She was followed by Dr Stephen Madgwick, chairman of the NHS Wokingham Clinical Commissioning Group.

He made an impassioned plea for people to get involved in how the NHS is run in the local region.

"We're meant to put our heads together to establish what people need," he said, adding that he recognised the role that faith groups have had in

Speakers from the Windows of Opportunity conference, held in Woodley last month

reaching the needs of people. " Within faith groups, you are already supporting needs," he said, praising The Link, the local visiting scheme for the elderly. "It is highly respected."

Wokingham's Chief Inspector, Robert France, have a presentation about how the force is engaging with the community.

"A key to reducing crime in Wokingham Borough is communication and looking out for our neighbours and friends," he said.

Adam Dyer, an ambassador for the Cinnamon Network, gave a talk based on his own experiences at Yeovil Community Church, explaining how the church had gone from being a Sunday experience

Enjoy silk painting and help Still The Hunger

Still the Hunger We provide a non-residential programme, and support groups and individual sessions for those needing less intensive support 07733 300 705 | info@stillthehunger.co.uk www.stillthehunger.co.uk

IF YOU’VE ever wanted to try the fine art of silk painting, you should book Saturday, November 23 in your diary now.

Still The Hunger is teaming up with Yvonne Bell, who exhibited at New Wine conference this year, for a workshop day.

Beverley Hutton, who leads Still The Hunger said: “It’s an ideal opportunity to meet the team and find out a bit more about Still the Hunger for those who are maybe exploring what support is available, as well as for anybody wanting to see Yvonne at work and learn how to do silk painting.”

Places cost £40 and include all materials and lunch. Places are limited so people need to book early to avoid disappointment. v For details, visit www. stillthehunger.co.uk or call 07733 330705.

to something that met the needs of the community all week round. He revealed that Sunday was one of the quietest days in his church.

"If there is a church in the community, the community should be better for it," he said, adding: "The role of church in the community is to love unconditionally."

There was also a presentation from Danny Webster from the Evangelical Alliance and opportunities for groups to discuss a wide range of issues and ways in which churches and faith groups can meet them. v For more on Faith In The Community, log on to www.the-network.info.

Banker explores banking crisis

BY Magnus Smyly TRYING to diagnose the problems in the banking sector is a bit like trying to nurse an ill patient.

That's the verdict of a banker himself.

Jeremy Marshall, CEO of family-owned private bank C Hoare & Co, visited Reading on Friday, October 25, to try and answer the question, what's gone wrong in the City and how to fix it?

It took place at Greyfriars Church in Friar Street and was arranged by Reading Churches Men’s Group, Reading At Work and the Industrial Christian Fellowship (ICF).

Jeremy likened the problems in the banking sector to an ill patient and summarised three commentators’ diagnosis of what the cure should be: banks were too big, and need to be smaller; too short-term and need to look longer; and

Jeremy Marshall lastly, too complex, and need to be simpler.

Jeremy said these approaches would not resolve the underlying problem – we are human and innately sinful, and the mess we are in – whether financial or any other – needs the underlying sin to be addressed by Jesus.

The evening was concluded

by Jeremy responding to questions, cover topics like the Co-Op bank and how much the culture has changed since the banking crisis started. v For more about this event, or future events, email dave@readingatwork.org.

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Cheers for adoption champions

BY PHIL CREIGHTON TWO BISHOPS, an MP and a charity trustee have signed up to a scheme to promote adoption.

The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd John Pritchard; Bishop of Dorchester, the Rt Revd Colin Fletcher OBE, Reading East MP Rob Wilson and long serving PACT Trustee and Panel Member Diana Hasting have become PACT Adoption Champions.

They are among a diverse group of more than 20 adoption advocates supporting an awareness campaign by charity Parents And Children Together (PACT) for this month’s National Adoption Week.

Around 7,000 children are waiting to be adopted and last year PACT placed more than 100 of them, including many in sibling groups with local families.

People who agree to be

v Be crafty IF YOU want to make your own Christmas decorations , inspiration is at hand.

St James’ Church in Barkham is holding a women’s willow Christmas wreath making morning on Saturday, November 30 from 10am to noon. There will also be a mince pie tasting session. v For more details, log on to www.abch.org.uk.

v Question time The Bishop of Oxford, Diana Hasting and MP Rob Wilson are all PACT champions PACT Adoption Champions help to publicise the need for adopters.

The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd John Pritchard said: “PACT handles the adoption process so well and makes such a difference to so many young lives.”

PACT Trustee and Panel Member Diana Hasting, who lives in Sutton Courtney, said: “I’m a PACT adoption champion because of having been a single mother to four

young children,” Rob Wilson, MP for Reading East, said: “I support PACT projects and I’m passionate about giving children the best start in life.”

PACT is running a number of events around National Adoption Week for people to meet the team, hear from an adopter and find out more.

• Wednesday, November 6, 7pm- 8.30pm, PACT Oxford, CMS, Watlington Road, OX4 6BZ

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• Saturday, November 9, 4pm-5.30pm at The Brix, St Matthews, London SW2 1JF • Tuesday, November 12, Reading bus pop-up Adoption and fostering information stand, 10am–5pm, Broad Street, Reading, RG1 2BU • Thursday, November 14, 7pm–8.30pm, PACT Reading, 9 Southern Court, South Street, Reading. v For details or to register visit www.pactcharity.org/info or call 0207 592 3923.

SPORTS fans can test their knowledge at a quiz night taking place on Saturday, November 16.

Sindlesham Baptist Church is organising the event at Winnersh Community Hall from 7pm. Teams of up to 8 can compete and the evening includes a fish and chip supper and a cash bar. Tickets are £6.

For details, call David Adkins on 07791 463390 or email davidmarkadkins@ gmail.com.

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v Hoedown fun PUT on your cowboy boots and Stetson and come on down to Wokingham Baptist Church in Milton Road for the JAC Hoedown.

The fun event includes a live band, a hog roast and the chance to ride a rodeo bull.

All money raised will help the Just Around The Corner (JAC) project, which has recently built the Rehoboth Centre – see p15 for more. v Tickets cost £15 or £20 to include the hog roast. For details, email hoedown@ jacoutreach.org.

v Tree time A FESTIVE treat will be coming to Wokingham next month as a Festival of Christmas Trees returns. More than 50 festive firs will be on show and there will be live music and a Traidcraft stall.

It runs from 10am-4pm on Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7 as well as noon-4pm on Sunday, December 8. v For details, log on to www. wokinghammethodist.org.uk.

v Best of the web CAVERSHAM Baptist Church has been commended for having one of the best websites in the country. The church will find out if it’s a winner at the Christian New Media awards which take place on November 9.

Visit art show ... for their sake

An art exhibition to mark World Aids Day is taking place later this month. Here, NEIL WARWICK –vicar of St Nicolas, Earley – explains why it’s taking place

B

efore becoming a vicar, I worked for World Vision and had the privilege of visiting many communities living in poverty in Africa and Asia. It was a life changing experience, having never seen or experienced this before.

I was especially moved that, as well as living in poverty, some had the HIV/Aids.

For people living with the awful virus, prejudice and exclusion meant that they couldn’t be open about their infection or access the support they needed.

In Kitwe, Zambia, I met Fondness, sitting on the floor of her hut, with rain coming through the grass-thatched roof. Her possessions were just one pot and a small stool. She had contracted HIV from her husband who had died; she was completely marginalised by the village.

The one place she still felt loved as Fondness, the woman and mother, was the church choir.

That opened my eyes to the responsibility

of churches everywhere to be open and to see people as people, without labels, whatever their circumstances might be.

People ask what on earth does HIV/Aids have to do with Earley? Why each year do I talk to Year 6 children about HIV and Aids?

Every time I’ve done this in a church, people have walked in who are either living with HIV or have been affected by it, and have found great encouragement in what we are doing.

It’s brilliant to speak openly, honestly and appropriately with Year 6 children about poverty and prejudice, about how we can fight it.

One small example: the Year 6 children write letters to primary school children in Zambia.

Can you imagine that letter in the hands of child living in poverty in Zambia? Imagine too the positive impact that has on the child in Earley that writes the letter.

That is why we do it. That is why we are passionate about it. v As part of the church’s response, it is hosting an art installation from Friday, November 29 to Sunday, December 1 (World Aids Day). The Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley church is open every day from 9am to 5pm. There is no charge but you can buy a Red World Aids Day ribbon. v www.stnicolas.org.uk

Remember! Tell advertisers you saw them in Xn FREE MONEY FOR LocalGiving.com has £500,000 to giveaway to charities All you have to do is give £10!

Until all £500,000 is gone, Local Giving will match the first £10 of every one-off donation (and every new direct debit for 6 months) made through www.localgiving.com.

If you give Christian Cominity Action £10, LocalGiving will grow it to £20!

If you gift aid it, it becomes £22.50 Find Christian Comunity Action, click on “single donation” or “give monthly” and follow the instructions on screen.

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Contact 0118 966 7422 or reading@philippi.co.uk

v Angolian peace expert on retreat Decorations are in the shops, seasonal food is appearing the supermarket, Christmas is drawing near.

Before you rush headlong into the festive season, Christian Aid is inviting you to stop and take time to reflect at its Advent retreat, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, which will be held in Wokingham later this month.

Guest speaker will be Padre Pio (pictured) from Angolan Christian Aid partner Association for Building Communities (ACC). Padre is a leading specialist in peace building, conflict transformation and reconciliation in Angola.

ACC promotes respect for the dignity and sanctity of the human being. Building peace is not easy and Padro Pio and his colleagues have received repeated death threats, but they are convinced of the strength of non-violence as a means of changing society.

The retreat will be held from 10am-4pm on Thursday, November 28, at The Bradbury Centre, Rose Street, Wokingham. Suggested donation of £12.50, includes a light lunch. v To book or for more details, contact Jessica Hall at the Oxford Christian Aid office. Call 01865 246818, email oxford@ christian-aid.org or visit www. christainaid.org.uk/berks.

v Build for the future at forum IF YOUR church is considering a building project then a breakfast forum later this month will be just the ticket.

Bricks and Mortals is holding the 90-minute event on Saturday, November 30, from 8.30am. Food is included.

It’s a chance to network with those who have completed projects and discuss planning, executing and paying.

It takes place Argyle Community Church in Argyle Road, Reading. v To book: 0787 9644982 or info@bricksandmortals.co.uk.

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Red Cross to give out food parcels From left: the Revd Martyn Neads from Christ Church, Peter Munday from Woodley Pilot Light Trust, Jo Kay from Christians Against Poverty, Jessica Hall from Christian Aid, Rob Wilson MP and Beth Rowland, Berkshire’s Credit Union and also a local councillor

Join panel for poverty debate

BY PHIL CREIGHTON SIX experts including an MP will be coming together later this month to discuss issues of poverty in 21st century Britain.

The Woodley Poverty Forum will once again meet at Christ Church in Woodley on Thursday, November 11, for a session called Life On The Edge.

Guests are Reading East MP Rob Wilson, Christian Aid representative Jessica Hall, Berkshire Credit Union's Beth Rowland, Peter Munday from the Woodley Pilot Light Trust and Jo Kay from Christians Against Poverty. The host will be the Revd Martyn Neads.

The panel will be focusing on the issue of what we can do about poverty today.

Martyn said: “We are looking towards

the needs of the poorest people in our society – people who live on the edge and tend to be forgotten – and it is our Christian duty, our calling and our heritage to be thinking of them.”

Rob, who has recently been appointed to work for the George Osbourne in the Treasury, said in a response to a previous report about poverty: “I would like to assure you that fairness is at the heart of the Government’s reforms. Those who are vulnerable will not be stigmatised and will continue to receive Government support.”

Christians Against Poverty is one organisation that aims to help those who are struggling with their finances and a number of free money management courses are held across the county.

Jo said: “Poverty in the UK is real. Our surveys show that 72 per cent of CAP

Can you help tackle poverty?

RESEARCH by the Local Government Association estimates that as a result of welfare reforms, households claiming benefit in Reading will see their income drop by £1,665 a year.

Many affected are people who are in work but have incomes that cannot meet the rising costs of living.

And, to add to this, one in five children are deemed to be living in poverty in Reading.

How we tackle these issues

forms Reading Borough Council’s forthcoming Tackling Poverty In Reading conference.

Chaired by Professor Gavin Brooks, Pro-Vice-Chancellor University of Reading, speakers include Alison Garnham, CEO, Child Poverty Action Group.

It will be held in Reading Town Hall on Tuesday, November 19 from 5.30pm. v Entry is free and tickets can be reserved from the following link: goo.gl/lGw1zp.

clients have sacrificed meals due to debt before getting help. When people are in debt, their relationships are put under tremendous strain and their health often suffers.”

One of the reasons for the poverty forum meeting is the local angle and this is something that matters to Peter Munday who helps run the Woodley Pilot Light Trust.

He said: “We seek to play our part in East Reading and Wokingham District in helping support a healthy society underpinned with strong relationships in the family and across the community.” v The Poverty Forum meets Christ Church in Crockhamwell Road, Woodley from 7.30pm on Thursday, November 7.

Refreshments will be served.

For more details, log on to www.christ-church-woodley.org.uk.

Mary brushes up on her book A CAVERSHAM artist is celebrating after her diary has been turned into a new book.

Watercolours and Weevils has just been published and recounts the time that Mary Colbeck spent as an expat in the Philippines, Egypt and China with her late husband Pat. The book features extracts from her journal, which she regularly sent to her friends and family, as well as a collection of her paintings,

sketches and photographs, many of which are in colour.

Mary launched her book at St Anne’s Church in Caversham last month at a special event, surrounded by friends, family and interested local people.

The book costs £12 and is available from Mary or the publishers direct. v For more details, log on to www.scallopshellpress.co.uk. v For a longer version of this story: www.xnmedia.co.uk.

New figures released by The Trussell Trust have revealed that three times as many people are receiving help from Food Banks over the same period last year.

And the situation has got so bad that the Red Cross has teamed up with FareShare to distribute food parcels in the UK for the first time since the Second World War. Simon Lewis, Red Cross head of emergency planning and response, said: “Many people are struggling to cope in the current economic climate.

“As a humanitarian organisation, we are worried that vulnerable people such as the elderly and young children may not have enough nutritious food.”

The charities are teaming up with Tesco to arrange food collections which will take place on November 29, 30 and December 1. The food will then be packaged up into parcels that will feed 130,000 this Christmas.

FareShare estimates that an astonishing 5.8million people in Britain are struggling to meet the rising cost of living and can’t afford everyday essentials.

The Trussell Trust revealed that between April and September 2013, more than 350,000 people received a food parcel that would feed them for three days. That’s three times as many as the same period last year.

A total of 346,992 people received a minimum of three days’ emergency food from Trussell Trust foodbanks in 2012-13, compared to 128,697 in 2011-12 and up from 26,000 in 200809. Of those helped in 2012-13, 126,889 (36.6 per cent) were children. v For more on the food collections, visit www.foodcollection.tesco.com

Your invitation to join Reading Aglow Reading Aglow is a group for women and is affiliated to Aglow International.

Our Vision Statement is to carry the truth of the Kingdom that: • Restores people to a radiant place of relationship with God and one another • Breaks the tyranny of oppression • Brings freedom and empowerment We meet on the third Monday evening of every month (except August) at Southcote Christian Mission, Southcote Lane, RG30 3BL.

Meetings start at 7.15pm and finish by 9.30pm. Refreshments are available and we offer pampering hand massages during the “get to know each other” time at the beginning of each meeting.

We always have a time of worship and a guest speaker who shares her Christian testimony. The opportunity to receive prayer is offered at the end of every meeting.

This is an open invitation to any and all ladies (Aglow is not Church and being Christian is not a prerequisite) to come

and make new friends at Reading Aglow.

You will be warmly welcomed at any of our remaining meetings this year: • November 18 • December 16 (Open meeting for both men and women) Our first meeting of 2014 will be on January 20.

For more information please see our website www.readingaglow.org.uk or call / text Karen Allen (Corresponding Secretary) on 07747 636832.

Please leave a voicemail.

Indexed to 10 favourite hymn books (upgradeable)

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BUSINESS

Supporting the local economy together

Waitrose makes Christmas offer BRACKNELL-based supermarket Waitrose wants to team up with you to support elderly, homeless and vulnerable people this Christmas.

The retailer will help provide Christmas lunch events across the country for people who would otherwise be on their own on Christmas Day. Each of the retailer’s nearly 300 shops has an allocation of money and volunteering time to put towards community Christmas dinner events.

Waitrose is asking groups to apply for this support from their local branch if they are already organising – or thinking of organising – such a lunch.

Waitrose Community

Manager Tina Varns said: “As a food business we’re acutely aware of how important Christmas is to so many people. But for many it can be the most lonely time of the year.

“This new Isolation Campaign will complement the great work our shops are already doing in their local communities – and we’re excited about the difference it will make to so many people.”

People looking to connect with Waitrose to join in the Christmas scheme should contact their local store. The closing date is November 15. v To find your local branch, log on to www.waitrose.com/ branches.

Get training to watch your waste MONEY-SAVING tips and advice on how to reduce food waste is now available through free training for businesses, organisations and community groups.

It is estimated that UK households waste £12 billion worth of food and drink annually – costing the average family £680 a year.

Love Food Hate Waste training offers practical tips about saving food, from meal planning and food portioning to better food storage and using up leftovers.

Training sessions and times are flexible, can be tailored depending on the needs of each group, and include fun, practical activities.

BUSINESS

Organisations that have already benefited from the initiative include food banks, housing associations and disability support groups.

Cllr Angus Ross, Executive Member for Environment at Wokingham Borough Council said: “This engaging and fun training will help people plan their food shopping more carefully.”

Love Food Hate Waste’ is a joint initiative between WRAP, a not-for profit company and Re3, the recycling partnership between Reading, Bracknell Forest and Wokingham Borough Councils. v For details or to arrange training, email Emma Barnett, emma.barnett@wrap.org.uk.

Repair café is the business

Picture: Peter Ruczynski

By Vivienne Johnson SOMETHING old combined with something new last month as a new café was launched.

Transition Town Reading and Greater Reading Environmental Network teamed up for the first Reading Repair Café last month.

Organisers believe that ordinary people have amazing skills that they don’t realise are special. At the event, enthusiastic learners were taught how to repair broken items, make use of available materials, learn new skills and make a change to our throwaway culture.

The café was launched on Sunday, October 20 at Reading Voluntary Action offices, in Duke Street (above The Futon Shop). During the meeting, tools, materials and specialist help was available and volunteers had expert knowledge in electronics, computers, general technical know-how, sewing, bicycle repair, tool sharpening and draught proofing.

There was also a stall staffed by Greater Reading Environmental Network who answered questions from guests.

Rachel Miller of Transition Town Reading said: “The Repair Café is a simple idea, bringing people together. By having a range of skills available we were able to support people in avoiding throwing things out. This means less need to buy things both from a financial and environmental viewpoint.”

Organisers said that the Repair Café has tapped into a clear need with a very simple idea, and more than 50 people went away with fixed items that would otherwise have been thrown away and had to be replaced.

And people are welcomed even if they don’t have anything to repair.

“People can pop in on their own to have a cup of tea and a chat. This is an important aspect of the café too. It doesn’t matter if you have something to repair or not,” Rachel said.

Reading Repair Café was hailed as a great success and the next one is being planned. v If you have a skill or knowledge you would love to pass on or want to learn how to repair or recycle contact info@transitionreading.org.uk or find the Repair Café Facebook page.

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Oh, we do like to be beside the stables!

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v Be a catalyst A CHARITY that works across the world is holding a major event in Reading on Thursday, November 28.

BMS World Mission’s Catalyst Live event will be held in the Town Hall.

Speakers include Jurgen Moltmann and John Lennox.

There will also be a display from from the Methodist Art Collection, poetry and music. v For details, log on to www.bmscatalystlive.com

v Be a card

BY PHIL CREIGHTON This may look like people just horsing around building giant sandcastles, but they are helping to build a new equine therapy centre in Wokingham.

Volunteers from Thames Water and WIPRO mucked in using a ‘Time to give’ day on October 4, to help charity Just Around the Corner with its ongoing building project.

Staff from Thames Water are given

two paid days off each year – but they have to be used to volunteer their time and expertise to help a charity. A total of 57 Thames Water staff and contractors from WIPRO, gave up a day to help complete the centre which is situated on Forest Road.

Their efforts mean that horses were able to be moved in on October 23.

Thames Water media manager Stuart White said: "The volunteers really enjoyed the team building activity – it was very

hands-on but all the hard work was rewarding in the end. There was good atmosphere, competitive element and sense of achievement.

"The team were delighted to help the new equine therapy centre."

Although the work is nearly finished, the JAC team still appreciate help, particularly financial. v For more details, contact Sue Stevenson sue@jacoutreach.org or phone on 0118 944 1444.

A charity Christmas card shop will open at Elizabeth Court, Victoria Road, Wargrave on Tuesday, November 5 and Wednesday, November 6.

The shop in the Twyford URC schoolroom will also be open every Friday from 10am to 4pm and every Saturday from 10am to 1pm until Saturday, December 14.

Profits go to a range of charities.

READING HEXAGON SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2013 7 – 9.45pm Care for the Family is celebrating 25 years of supporting and strengthening family life across the UK. Join us for this one-off evening of inspiration, laughter and thanksgiving – surely a night to remember!

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The offensiveness of peace A star-studded event celebrates all that’s good about families – and you can be part of it.

Phil Creighton explains David Porter, centre, gave this year’s Beach Lecture at Newbold College

Does religion really cause all wars? A man who has devoted his life to peace has some of the answers. By Helen Pearson

C

onflict is about identity – and conflict will be at its worst when I negatively identify myself as ‘not like you’. David Porter, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Director of Reconciliation, spoke from personal experience as he presented the annual Beach lecture at Newbold College last month.

A mediator in the Northern Ireland peace process, David offered six lessons drawn from his experience in resolving deep differences between communities and building peace in religious contexts.

He began his lecture, held at the Binfield college on Tuesday, October 15, by making it clear that most conflicts described as ‘religious’ are conflicts about other things, particularly about power.

“The Islamic conflict in which the world finds itself now is a postcolonial political conflict,” he said. All conflict is also about identity – usually a distorted sense of identity as we struggle to maintain our own identity by destroying those who are ‘not us’.

In community, we also struggle to maintain our identity. “We create boundaries with other communities who are ‘not us’”, he said. “We create narratives in which the other is not included. We negotiate relationships within our community but not across boundaries. The boundary with other communities instead of being a source of curiosity becomes a source of conflict.”

Reconciliation, on the other hand, is encouraging negotiation with other communities to the point where my ‘enemy’ can tell my story in such a way that I recognise it.

David then described the way powerful people use religion to perpetuate conflict in the development of religious nationalism.

Sectarianism arises when religious people say, “God is on ‘our’ side rather than, ‘we are God’s people’... By claiming that God is on our side we create communities of exclusion rather than communities of embrace.”

Shared responsibility for conflict was the third of David’s concerns. As we divide the

world into allies and enemies, each of us has responsibility for conflicts in which we may not be directly involved. An uncomfortable question summed up in the situation, “You may not have pulled a trigger but did you point your heart?”

David referred to the offensiveness of peacemaking as another characteristic.

He described developments in the Irish peacemaking process when relationships changed.

There is something “deeply offensive about enemies becoming friends”, he said, while showing on the screen an iconic photograph of the Revd Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams sitting side-by-side in government after 40 years of hostility.

He said: “There is a profound injustice in making peace, in seeing those who have held out with the greatest intransigence becoming friends.” Accepting change is difficult but necessary.

In making his final point about the elusiveness of reconciliation, David warned against fake reconciliation which “ignores differences and forgets the past.” Instead we need to continue the quest for true reconciliation, “managing it, living with it, creating a space for it, moving between reconciliation and the deep ambiguity of our lives.”

Audience questions followed including one about the tension between evangelism and peacemaking. David, himself an evangelical Christian, had thought hard about the matter.

Though clearly concerned that, as he said, “a large number of people do not choose to follow Jesus”, he suggested that it is for Christians to recognise that Jesus does not come to us in a coercive way, and we have to do the same, learning to “hold in place our consuming passion” while we practise “incarnational belonging to people in their deepest need.”

His audience of 70, including Dr Bert and Mrs Eliane Beach, sponsors of the lecture, a small group of Baha’is and Christians from Bracknell and Wokingham left with much to think about for their own lives, for the world stage, and their own religious communities. v See more at: adventist.org.uk/news/2013/ 2013-buc/the-elusive-quest-for-reconciliation/ v A longer version of this article appears on our website, xnmedia.co.uk

T

HERE’S no one quite like Grandma. Or Grandad for that matter. And now, grandparents from across the country will be celebrated at a star-studded award ceremony which is coming to Reading later this month.

Cardiff-based charity Care For The Family is this year celebrating its 25th anniversary – and the party is being held at The Hexagon theatre on Saturday, November 23.

Hosted by ex-Blue Peter and Sunday Hour presenter Diane Louise Jordan, music comes from acclaimed singer/songwriter Graham Kendrick and comedian Tim Vine, who stars in Not Going Out, will be presenting the very special awards.

The charity’s UK director Katharine Hill will share some of her insights into family life in a session dubbed Lessons I’d Wish I’d Learnt Earlier.

And if that’s not enough, Care For The Family founders Rob and Dianne Parsons will go down memory lane with a nostalgic look back at the first 25 years of the charity.

Care For The Family was launched back in 1988 – Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister, the Beano cost 20p and Bros was the boy band of the day. It was the time when Harry Enfield’s character Loadsamoney (catchphrase Bosh, bosh, bosh, look at my wad, loadsamoney) epitomised the me-first culture in the age of the Big Boom, Thatcherism and Yuppies.

It was before the fall of Communism and the Berlin Wall - but the year of house price rises of 16.9%. If you had a mobile phone, it was the size of a brick and weighed 4kg.

You were more likely to have an electronic typewriter than a PC - and if you did buy one, you’d be looking at spending £3,000 (about £7,000 in today’s money).

It’s fair to say that times have changed – but Care For The Family’s mission has remained the same.

Rob launched the charity in 1988, leaving his job as a senior partner in a successful law practice to set up the family charity from a small office in a room at the back of a hairdresser’s in Cardiff. The first initiative in those early days was a series of marriage seminars.

Drawing from his own experiences of family life, and often joined by his wife Dianne, the events were the first of their kind and were immensely popular, encouraging and strengthening hundreds of couples. Now, a quarter of a century later, Care for the Family has become a national family charity running events and courses across the UK, and creating resources that are used all over the world.

Thanks to its strong team of 80, it runs courses and training in everything from drug proofing your children to being the best possible Mum or Dad you can be. These can be training events, celebratory gathering or even books and online resources - and they’re all accessible, friendly and based on real-life, devised by people who have been there, got the T-shirt and want to help.

It is currently running Mum’s The Word, an evening of encouragement, insight and inspiration for all Mums, including practical tips and reallife stories.

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November 2013

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Get ready to say thanks for the family!

Your hosts: Diane-Louise Jordan and Tim Vine Main picture: BBC/Jay Brooks

To help cope with the death of a loved one, Care For The Family also runs special events for bereaved parents and widows. They are designed to help you cope and meet with others who understand the heartache you are going through.

And with families very much in mind, Care For The Family organises holidays for single parents and also the 1-2-1 Challenge, exciting activities such as high ropes, bushcraft or canoeing that will build bonds between child and parent.

Add in marriage support sessions and you’ve got a great resource that every family should cherish. No wonder it’s celebrating its silver anniversary.

Rob said: “It’s our 25th anniversary and on November 23rd, we’ll be holding a very special evening to celebrate. We call it We Give Thanks.

“And as the evening comes to and end, I get to share my heart and vision for the future of this ministry. I honestly believe it will inspire and motivate us to work in our families and communities to make a difference together.

“Do join us if you can. A similar event earlier

this year sold out in two weeks. I look forward to seeing you there.”

The We Give Thanks event on Saturday, November 23 will see 900 people come together to celebrate all this work - and to look to the future.

It starts at 5.30pm with a chance to enjoy some pre-show coffee and anniversary cake in The Hexagon’s foyer (be quick, they’ll stop serving at 6.15pm).

Then, at 7pm, popular TV and radio presenter Diane Louise Jordan will announce the celebration open and act as MC for the evening. Graham Kendrick and his band will lead some singing, including his new song Give Me This Mountain, before Tim Vine presents the special awards to the winners of Care For The Family’s nationwide competition to find the UK’s most inspirational grandparents in the Supergrandparent Awards.

The awards are designed to tell the world just how much you love your grandparents and why they are so special. Nominees shared about the role their grandparents played in their family life, including their unconditional love and support, wisdom and kindness.

The award winners have been carefully chosen and the top grandparent on the night will enjoy a special celebration tea and a family portrait.

Runners-up will be able to share, as a family, a Hotel Chocolat hamper and all winners will receive a signed set of the popular Sixty Minute books written by Rob Parsons.

Care For The Family will also have a temporary

shop set up in The Hexagon, so you can tap into its resources to help you be the best family you can possibly be.

It promises to be an evening of inspiration, laughter and thanksgiving – and a night to remember.

Rob added: “I really hope you can make it.” v Tickets cost £10 in advance, for groups of two to four people, £9 in advance and five or more £8 in advance. All tickets are £11 on the night, if there are any left. To book or for more details, call 029 2081 0800, email shop@cff.org.uk or log on to www.careforthefamily.org.uk/wgt.

lyndabowyerphotography Lynda Bowyer is a British professional photographer whose work for commercial and private clients includes Portraiture, Landscape, Architecture, Events, Lifestyle, Maternity / Baby Bump and photo journalism.

Whatever your photographic needs, contact Lynda to find out how she can help.

www.lyndabowyerphotography.com (0118) 384 2129 @ellbphotography

conceptcreatecapture

18

CLASSIFIED

November 2013 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 01932 888417

Trades directory 6 MONTHS £75!

Every month, Xn gives you the chance to reach thousands of potential customers. Our service directory connects your business with our readers.

Book for 6 months for just £75 – that’s just £12.50 per month for up to 30 words, plus an insertion on our website.

To book, call Erica on 0118 328 2959 or email advertising@xnmedia.co.uk For more details, visit xnmedia.co.uk

v Relationships Christian? SIngle? Divorced?

Widowed? Call New Day Introductions on 01706 224049.

First match within a week. www. newdaydating.co.uk. Established 24 years

v Resources

BRINGING COMMUNIT Y TOGETHER To advertise in a similar feature call 0118 328 2959 v Help wanted WANTED – personal assistant/ mothers help/nanny.

A housebound mum with two school age children needs help four afternoons weekly from 3-6pm. Excellent rate of pay.

January 2014 start. Involves childcare with afternoon school run; cooking family meals; some housework; tasks for disabled mum. Needs to be reliable, uses own initiative, experienced with children. Contact Ju on 07805 252361.

v Counselling Philippi Trust Counselling and Training. Level 2 Introduction to Counselling courses. Starting dates November 2013, January 2014, May 2014 Contact 0118 966 7422 or reading@philippi.co.uk Loddon Counselling & Psychology Service. Accredited counsellors, supervisors, trainers.

Over 20 years experience NHS and other settings. CBT available.

07092 022294

v Wills & Lasting Power of Attorney OMEGA WILLS. We are a Christian, family run business providing a personal caring service at a fair price.

Home visits available.

For Further information call: 0845 040 5872 or e-mail: info@omegawills.co.uk.

v Situations vacant

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

Advertise from just £25! *

To promote your Christmas events in our December issue call Fiona on 01932 888417 or email advertising@xnmedia.co.uk *Special promotional rate

v Volunteers

Be part of the Xn story

Deliveries Volunteers needed to help us share our Good News!

Every month, Xn strives to bring the Thames Valley an inspiring and encouraging mix of news, features and information.

Administrator

Living life to the full

Based in Reading 18 Hours per week Salary: circa £7,000 p.a. dependent on background and experience

Support Workers

Prospects is a Christian charity working in partnership with over 200 churches £6.70 to £7.95 dependent on roles/service transforming the lives of people with learning disabilities so that they live their Reading (additional 25pMinistry per hour location allowance) lives to the full.

The Prospects Teampaid seeksas toamake the love of God known to the millioncharity peoplehelping with learning disabilities in the Thiswith is largely Prospects is a1.5 Christian to transform the lives ofUK. people achieved through awareness raising and equipping locallimit churches for effective Bible learning disabilities by breaking down the barriers that individual choice. We are entering a newand andsupport. exciting phase in our Reading based services as we open a teaching, worship new facility and refurbish existing buildings. Our services focus on the delivery of Prospects is seeking to appoint an experienced Administrator with a strong a Christian service, provided at the request of families and individuals who have Christian commitment, who can contribute to the vital prayer ministry of our small specifically chosen us as their provider. As an employer, we recognise and value team.

You will be responsible to the Leadto Administrator and lasting will support a network true potential - offering you the chance make a real and impact in what of church-based groups. will also be responsible for organizing and cois 200 a supportive, dynamic andYou empowering working environment.

We seek people ordinating Ministry Skills Development training days and Makaton training days. who will help us deliver a service which will include praying for, and with the people Additionally we support. you will answer correspondence and telephone enquiries including enquiries relating to DBS disclosures. A confident self-starter, with an eye for You will be supporting and encouraging the people in their everyday needs with a detail, you will be a good planner You will beinitiative, computerand literate with person-centred approach.

You willand alsoorganiser. be motivated, have preferably experience in using MS Office, databases and working with a website. have experience of working with people with learning disabilities, though this is notapply essential junior roles. will be an form, opportunity professional To for a for fullmore information pack There and application please for email Esther development through attaining QCF/NVQ qualifications.

Kuganja at estherk@prospects.org.uk or write to her at Prospects for People with Learning Disabilities, Honey aEnd Lane, Reading 4EL Contact Neil Jackson69, to obtain recruitment pack RG30 at: Prospects, c/o Prospects, 69 Honey End Lane, Reading RG30 4EL. Email: neilj@prospects.org.uk.

Closing Date for applications: Thursday 14th November 2013.

All posts areweek subject to an enhanced check byNovember the Disclosure & Barring Service.

Interviews: commencing Monday 18th 2013.

Noposts agencies please. to a check by the DBS. All are subject

We need your help to get the magazine into the community.

If you could spare a couple of hours once a month to help us deliver copies to a small cluster of venues it will help us – we can tell even more good news stories.

www.prospects.org.uk

Think you could help? Get in touch with us today!

For details, email judith@xnmedia.co.uk

Remember! Tell advertisers you saw their ad in Xn

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

To advertise call 01932 888417 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | November 2013

To advertise call 01932 888417 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 Double glazing

v Carpet cleaning Professional Carpet, Upholstery and Leather 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 Driving lessons ABBEY WINDOWS. Windows, composite, pvc, Bi Fold doors Featuring A rated Energy glass Trading Standards and Fensa approved. Also repairs to glass, locks, handles. Competitive prices 0118 956 6866 info@abbeywindows.co.uk

L

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 Plumbing

vC lothing alterations

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.

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.

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

v Funeral directors A.B. Walker & Son – Berkshire’s leading family funeral and masonry service. www.abwalker.co.uk MILES & DAUGHTERS. The family funeral service. All areas covered.

Owned and run by the Miles family. www.milesfunerals.com E SARGEANT & SON. Family orientated funeral directors of distinction. Serving Maidenhead, Slough, Windsor and surrounding areas since 1712. www.esargeant. co.uk.

v Marketing Creative thinker inspires results.

• Award winning copywriting • Business development • Creative network • Mentoring Contact Hyperbole.

0118 966 6600. john@hyperbole. co.uk

v Situations vacant

Do you relate wellDevelopment to young people? Would you like Local Officer to help them discover more about how to build [part-time] healthy relationships and families?

needed for educational charity

If so, you may be well suited to fulfil the role of

Explore is a registered charity that works in schools and youth establishments, young people to appreciate Adviserenabling Coach the life skills that produce healthy and enduring relationships, marriages.

EXPLORE is part of families a charityand dedicated to enabling young peopleBerkshire to explore Explore the experience of couples, friendly to help is looking married for a confident, gainindividual understanding long-term relationships andcommunication family life. withofgood administrative and skills to fill the role of part-time Local Development Officer.

We need Adviser Coaches to help run workshops and half-day conferences in a variety of local secondary schools in Berkshire.

We are looking forinformation good listeners, who are is able to empathise Further on Explore available on: with young people, and work with them to facilitate dialogues www.theexploreexperience.co.uk with married couples.

Forwith details of the role contact The role is voluntary, free training.

Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Martin Westacott: mkwestacott@swanlake.eclipse.co.uk

A Training Day has been arranged in Reading, on Saturday 8th June 2013 (10 am until 4 pm).

Closing date for applications: 16 November 2013

If you could commit to volunteering in schools twice a year (more if you prefer), and would like more information please EXPLORE contact:

Charity number: 1084226

Theresa Swan on: 07786 704473 Email: theresa.explore@yahoo.co.uk www.theexploreexperience.co.uk

19

Event Staff Wanted

Event Staff Wanted We are looking for event staff to join the LaplandUK team in Whitmoor Forest, Ascot and help make 2013 a magical Christmas. Full and part time jobs available for retail and catering staff as well as scripted acting roles (including Father Christmas!) during our Christmas season late November – December 2013. You must be aged 18 or over by 22 November 2013 to apply.

No experience required, full training given.

We are looking for event staff to join the LaplandUK team in Whitmoor Forest, Ascot and help make 2013 a magical Christmas.

Please apply via the website: www.laplanduk.co.uk/recruitment

The closing date is 6 November but please apply as early as possible.

Once applications have been reviewed interviews will be held in various locations in the Ascot area.

Full and part time jobs available for retail and catering staff as well as scripted acting roles (including Father Christmas!) during our Christmas season 30 November – 24 December 2013.

You must be aged 18 or over by 22 November 2013 to apply.

No experience required, full training given.

Please apply via the website: www.laplanduk.co.uk/recruitment The closing date is 6 November but please apply as early as possible.

Once applications have been reviewed interviews will be held in various locations in the Ascot area.

20

calendar

November 2013 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 01932 888417

WHAT’S ON FIREWORKS Saturday, November 2

BRADFIELD – Rushall Farm, Scratchface Lane. Carey Baptist Church presents fireworks, bonfire, burgers, sparklers, live music and more. 5.30pm-8pm. £5 adults, £2.50 under 15s. Don’t bring fireworks. Details: www. careybaptistchurch.org.uk.

EMMER GREEN – Abbey Rugby Club. Fireworks, bonfire, music and more. Family ticket (per car) £20. From 6pm. Details: 07760 198555.

HENLEY – Swiss Farm, Marlow Road. Henley Round Table presents a Firework Spectacular with hog roast, fairground rides, real ale and more. 5.30pm. £6, children £4, under fives free.

Details: www.henleyroundtable. co.uk

Keeping you in touch with each other

READING – Reading Town FC, Scours Lane. Reading Lions fireworks with fun fair. Families £12, adults £5, children £4 if booked in advance. Details: www. readinglions.org.uk WOKINGHAM – Grays Farm.

Firework display from 6pm.

Adults £7, children £5, £20 per family. Details: 01344 222508.

WOKINGHAM – Cantley Field.

Charity Fireworks spectacular.

6.30pm. £6, under sevens free.

Friday, November 8 EARLEY – Sol Joel Park. Star Works display in aid of Earley St Peters’ School parents association. Food from 6pm and display at 7pm.

Pre booked tickets are £5 per adult £2.50 for a child and £12.50 for a family. On day adult £6 child £3.

REGUlAR EVENTS Mondays

HENLEY – Baptist Church, Market Place. Teddies Music Group for under fives: songs, stories and instruments.

10.30am. £3, £2 for siblings. Details: 01491 577414.

HENLEY – Christ Church, Reading Road. Open house for coffee & teas. Lunch from noon.

11am-2pm. Details: 01491 577733.

HENLEY – YMCA Henley Pavilion. Nomad Henley presents Flying Frog after-school club for Years 5-7. £1.

4pm-5.30pm, termtime. Details: www. nomadhenley.co.uk.

Tuesdays CROWTHORNE – Methodist Church.

Coffee morning hosted

by Churches Together Crowthorne. 10am.

HENLEY – Baptist Church, Market Place. Knit:two Together. 11am-1pm.

Details: 01491 577414

Wednesdays CAVERSHAM – Baptist Church. Time 4U: coffee for parents, fun for pre-school children.

10am-11.30am.

Term-time. Details: www.caversham baptistchurch.org.uk.

HENLEY – Youth Centre.

Nomad Henley presents Flying Frog after-school club for Years 5-7. £1.

4pm-5.30pm, termtime. Details: www. nomadhenley.co.uk.

READING – Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square.

Coffee and Chat: drinks, cakes and friendly faces. 11am-12.30pm.

Free, donations accepted.

STOKE ROW – Independent Chapel.

Art painting group.

10am. Details: www. stokerowchapel.org.uk.

Thursdays HENLEY – Rugby Club.

Saturday, Nov 9 ALDERMASTON – Behind Padworth Village Hall. Fireworks display. £15 for family of four, £5 individual. Advance ticket sales only. No sparklers. Licensed bar, hot food. Details: pta@ aldermaston.w-berks.sch.uk.

PANGBOURNE – Primary School, Kennedy Drive. Fireworks, bar, barbecue and family fun. £10, primary school children free.

Details: www.fopps.org.uk.

SWALLOWFIELD – Swallowfield Park. Sparks In The Park. 6pm.

In aid of Farley Hill School Association. Tickets from Swallowfield Stores, Henry Street Garden Centre, Spencers Wood Post Office, Lockeys Farm Shop, Arborfield Stores.

Tickets on the gate subject to availability.

Nomad Henley presents football for Years 9-11, term-time.

4.30pm-5.30pm.

Details: www. nomadhenley.co.uk.

HENLEY – Baptist Church, Market Place. Teddies Music Group for under fives: songs, stories and instruments.

10.30am. £3, £2 for siblings. Details: 01491 577414.

SWALLOWFIELD – All Saints’ Church. Church open for visitors, 2pm-6pm. Until end of October.

TILEHURST – St Catherine of Siena, Wittenham Avenue. Thursday lunch club. 12.30pm.

Every other Thursday: Tea dance, 2.30pm4.30pm. Details: www. stcatherines-tilehurst. org.uk

Fridays

welcome.

CAVERSHAM – Baptist Church. Friday lunches: three-course lunch that won’t break the bank. 12.15pm-1.30pm.

All welcome. Details: www.caversham baptistchurch.org.uk.

HENLEY – Christ Church, Reading Road. Coffee morning. 10.30amnoon. Details: 01491 577733.

TILEHURST – St Catherine of Siena, Wittenham Avenue. Friday Friends: circle dancing, games, singing, tea and cake. £3.50. 2pm-4pm.

Details: www. stcatherines-tilehurst. org.uk

Saturdays LOWER EARLEY – Baptist Church. Saturday Morning Cafe.

10.30am-noon.

BRACKNELL – Methodist Church, Shepherds Lane. Coffee mornimg.

9am-12.30pm. All

Submit your events to editor@xnmedia.co.uk Saturday, November 2 EARLEY – Earley St Peter’s, Church Road. Men’s breakfast: Prehistoric Footprints on the Severn foreshore with Professor Bell. 7.45am.

Details: www.earley-stpeter.org. uk.

EMMER GREEN – St Barnabas Church.

Gratis Choir in concert: Cantatas and Coronation Anthems by Bach and Handel – free entry, retiring collection. 7.30pm. In aid of church’s organ restoration fund. All welcome. Details: www. gratischoir.org.uk.

GORING HEATH – Parish Hall.

Moonrakers in concert. 7.30pm. £10. Details: 0118 984 2056.

NEWBURY – Kennet Christian Centre, Enborne Road. Insight Into Addictions. 9.30am-noon. Details: Colin Powell, 01635 524730 or colin.glendale@gmail.com READING – St Luke’s, Erleigh Road. Coffee morning and book sale. 11am-noon. Details: www. lukeandbart.org.uk SONNING – Pearson Hall. Friends of St Andrew’s autumn fayre.

1.30pm-4pm.

Sunday, November 3 ALDERMASTON – St Mary’s. A Time To Remember: a special service to commemorate loved ones. 4pm.

All welcomed.

CAVERSHAM – Caversham Heights Methodist Church, Highmoor Road.

All Souls Service. 3.30pm. Details: www.cavhmc.org.uk.

READING – Deaf Centre, Cardiff Road.

Deaf church. 10.30am. Details: readingdeafcentre.org.uk.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James Church.

All Souls Service. 6pm.

Wednesday, November 6 READING – Argyle Community Church, Argyle Street. Knit and Knatter. 11am. Details: 0118 962 2550 or lynne@ argylecommunitychurch.com.

WOOLHAMPTON – St Peter’s Church. The Revd Patricia (Pat) Bhutta licensing service. 7.30pm.

Refreshments afterwards.

Thursday, November 7 BRACKNELL – The Old Manor, The Ring. Men’s curry night. All

welcome. 8pm. Details: 07749 713355.

CAVERSHAM – St Andrew’s, Harrogate Road. Eucharistic service with prayers of healing and wholeness and laying on of hands and anointing. 7.30pm. Details: www.standrewscaversham.org.

EARLEY – St Nicolas, Sutcliffe Avenue. Life On The Frontline with the Revd Johnny Douglas. All welcome. 7.30pm. Free. Details: office@stnicolas.org.uk or 0118 966 9080.

READING – St Barnabas Church, Elm Road. Singing workshop – all abilities welcome. Led by Tania Ognjenovic. 7.30pm. Details: www.saintapb.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street. Charity Coffee morning in aid of Berkshire County Blind Society. 10amnoon. Details: coffeehouse@ wokinghammethodist.org.uk.

WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road. Truth and Lies about Poverty - join the debate in the final of three meetings to explore the truth and lies beneath our thinking and policies. All welcome, 7.30 pm with refreshments. Details: 0776 187 8104.

Friday, November 8 CAVERSHAM – 97 Southview Avenue.

Traidcraft Sale: stock up on fair trade goods and presents. 9am9pm. Details: www.cavhmc.org.uk.

CROWTHORNE – Network Vineyard Centre, Wellington Business Park.

Ladies coffee morning. 10am.

Details: 01344 780087.

READING – St Laurence Chuch, Friar Street. Hello Chocolate!

Chocolatier Experience with Gill Lyth: wine tasting for chocoholics. £10. In aid of Reading-based youth projects. Details: admin@ saintlaurencereading.co.uk.

WOOLHAMPTON – St Peter’s Church Hall. Village quiz night in aid of the church. £8, including Ploughman’s.

Teams of up to 6. Details: www. awb.org.uk.

Saturday, Nov 9 BRACKNELL – Kerith Community Church, Church Road. Konnections Christmas craft fair. 5pm-8pm.

Details: www.kerith.co.uk.

CAVERSHAM – 97 Southview Avenue.

Traidcraft Sale: stock up on fair trade goods and presents. 9am2pm. Details: www.cavhmc.org.uk.

Take time out and enjoy a cuppa and a chat!

Come and join us on Wednesdays!

You can’t beat a good cup of coffee and a chance to chat – and that’s what you can enjoy at Coffee & Chat, a brilliant new coffee morning in Reading’s town centre!

• Meet old friends, make new ones • Everyone is welcome • Tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits all available • Wednesdays 11am-12.30pm

Abbey Baptist Church Abbey Square, Reading (behind Reading Central Library) (0118) 957 2197 www.abbeybaptistchurch.org.uk

CALENDAR CALCOT – Kennet Valley Free Church. Drama: the Gospel of Mark. 7.30pm. Free entry, refreshments available. Details: www.kvfc.org.uk.

CROWTHORNE – Woodmancote.

Network Vineyard presents Out To tea: for older members of the community. 2.30pm-4.30pm.

Details: www.wokinghamvineyard. org.

EARLEY – Earley St Peter’s, Church Road. Music for an Autumn afternoon: piano duets with Jonathan Cohen and Anne Nunn.

2pm. Details: www.earley-stpeter. org.uk.

LOWER EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close. Church fair and shopping event. Tables available.

1pm-4pm. Details: www. trinityearley.co.uk.

READING – English Martyr Church, Liebenrood Road. Cruse Bereavement Social group. 2pm4pm.

READING – Reading Central Salvation Army, Anstey Road. Remembrance concert with the Reading Central Band and Songsters. 7.30pm.

Details: 0118 942 2130.

RUSCOMBE – Vicarage. Benefice and LEP Bonfire and Firework. Bring one reasonably sized firework.

Soup, hot dogs and cake. 6pm.

TILEHURST – St Joseph’s Church. Quiz night. £5 adults, £2.50 children, includes ploughman’s supper.

In aid of Divine Mercy Centre in Cameroon. Details: www.stjosephs-tilehurst.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road. Reading Symphony Orchestra in concert. 7.30pm.

Details: www.stpauls-wokingham. org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – The Bridge, Kings Place, 9 Station Road. Craft day: come and craft, chatter and chill.

10am-4pm.

WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road. Church ramble. 10am. All welcome, come dressed for the weather. Details: www.christ-church-woodley. org.uk

Sunday, November 10 CALCOT – Kennet Valley Free Church.

Drama: the Gospel of Mark.

6.30pm. Free entry, refreshments available. Details: www.kvfc.org. uk.

To advertise call 01932 888417 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | November 2013

readifood ReadiFood are teaming up with Waitrose to collect food from local stores.

Volunteers are needed to help with the collections.

Oxford Road – Saturday, Dec 7, Sunday, Dec 8 Hourly slots each day from 11am onwards If you can help please ring or email the office.

For more collections, see ad on back page.

v For details, contact Alison Peyton on (0118) 987 2672. email readifood@fcg.org.uk.

Monday, November 11 BRIMPTON – War memorial. Act of remembrance. 10.45am.

BINFIELD – St Mark’s Church. Service of remembrance by War Memorial in church. 10.45am.

READING – Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square. Reading@Work prayer lunch. 12.30pm. Details: www.readingatwork.org.

Tuesday, November 12 BRACKNELL – Kerith Communiuty Church, Church Road. Discovery workshop: explore your gifts.

7.30pm. Details: www.kerith.co.uk.

READING – The Globe, Portman Road.

The BigChurchNightIn: Martin Smith and Leeland. 7.30pm. £12.

Details: bigchurchnightin.com.

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue. Over 50s group: Is help available? What funding is available to help with social services costs? With Tina Marinos from CAB. 2pm. All welcome.

Details: www.norreyschurch. org.uk.

Wednesday, November 13 READING – St William of York, Upper Redlands Road. The Meaning Of Advent, a talk and discussion.

7.30pm. All welcome.

STOKE ROW – Independent Chapel.

Wednesday@8 social group. Guest speaker: Steve Rock: Cycling from Goring to Nice. 8pm. All welcome.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT? Come and join us at Trinity Church Lower Earley on Sundays at 3pm and bring your friends.

Our new service provides the opportunity to worship our Lord through contemporary music and explore issues of faith in more depth and is designed particularly for young adults, but all are welcome.

It is an informal time that starts with coffee and often doughnuts!

Details can be found at www.facing-out.org.uk/edge

Details: www.stokerowchapel. org.uk.

Thursday, November 14 GORING – Oriel House, Thames Road.

The Crisis and CIRDIC ploughman’s lunch with piano music. Noon-2pm.

Friday, November 15 GORING – Canterbury Room, St Thomas of Canterbury Church. The Big Draw: try your hand or meet artist-in-resident Ann Spencer.

11.30am-4pm.

READING – The Warehouse, 1a Cumberland Road. Macmillian Coffee Morning. 10am-noon.

READING – New Hope Community Church, York Road. Book club. Just turn up. 7.30pm. Details: www. newhopeweb.org.uk.

TILEHURST – St Michael’s Church.

Reading Düsseldorf Churches Interchange service, buffet and information meeting. All welcome.

7pm. Details: (0118) 926 5672 or email rdchurches@btinternet.com.

WOKINGHAM – 5 Chetwode Close.

Traidcraft Open Day: fairly traded crafts, accessories and jewellery; foods, teas and coffees; recycled paper products and Christmas cards wrap and calendars. 9am9pm. Details: 0118 978 1756.

Saturday, November 16 BURGHFIELD – St Mary’s. Reading Male Voice Choir in concert.

7.30pm. £10. Details: 0118 327 7159.

CAVERSHAM – St John’s, Gosbrook Road. Christmas Fair: Books, Christmas decorations, jewellery, handicrafts and toys will be on sale. The home made cakes and preserves are always popular.

Try your luck on the tombola, buy some raffle tickets and then relax with a cup of tea or coffee. 2pm. Details: www. stjohnthebaptistcaversham.org.uk.

GORING – Canterbury Room, St Thomas of Canterbury Church. The Big Draw: try your hand or meet artist-in-resident Ann Spencer.

10.30am-5pm.

Lower Earley - Reading Lower Earley Salvation Army, Chalfont Close. Fourtissimo in concert. 7pm.

£5, under 16s free. Details: 07760 166165 or jason-todd@hotmail. com READING – The Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road.

Wokingham Choral Society in concert with Charivari Agreable orchestra, Kah Ming Ng, piano.

7.30pm. £17 (£5 under 18s and students, £15 over 60s).

Pre-concert talk at 18.30: A life fulfilled: Johann Sebastian’s B Minor Odyssey. Details: tickets@ wokingham-choral-society.org.uk, Information Centre, Wokingham Town Hall, Newbury Building Society, Wokingham, Bookends,

21

Wokingham, www.wegottickets. com.

Reading – St John’s & St Stephen’s church, Orts Road. The Healing God 9.30am – 4.30pm. A day conference for Christians involved in counselling, community service or pastoral ministry. Speakers the Revd Sarah Swift and the Revd John Ryeland from The Christian Healing Mission. Details: Philippi Trust 0118 966 7422 or reading@ philippi.co.uk THEALE – Holy Trinity Church.

Berkshire Brass Concert with Holy Trinity Singers. 7.30pm. Details: www.holytrinitytheale.org.uk.

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Junction Art Group

Christmas Fair Something festive for all the family Food, Fun, Games Laughter, Choirs Cakes, Brass Band And Christmas Hampers 30th November 2013 10.30am - 2.30pm www.parkurc.org.uk

Park United Reformed Church Palmer Park Ave RG6 1DN

WINTER EXHIBITION Come along to our exhibition featuring local artists’ work Reading Library, 2nd floor from Monday December 2nd, noon, to Saturday December 14th, noon Artwork for sale HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE

Coffee Morning Coffee Cakes & Sweets Bits & Bobs Cards & Raffle 15th November 2013 10am - 12 Noon The Warehouse 1A Cumberland Road Reading All proceeds go to Macmillan

22

calendar

November 2013 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 01932 888417

TILEHURST – United Reformed Church, Armour Road. Autumn Fair, 1.30pm.

Upper Basildon – St Stephen’s Church, RG8 8LS. Abraham in the Old and New Testaments and Open Bible Trust study afternoon.

2.30pm-6.30pm. No charge.

Details www.obt.org.uk WARGRAVE – St Mary’s Church.

Annual concert with Apollo5. £10, £2 children. 7.30pm. Details: andyferguson1@btinternet.com.

WINNERSH – Community Hall.

Sindlesham Baptist Church presents a sports quiz – teams of up to eight, fish ‘n’ chips, cash bar. £6 per person. 7pm. Details: 07791 463390 or davidmarkadkins@ gmail.com WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s, Reading Road. Autumn bazaar. Noon3.30pm. Entry 30p.

WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street. British Airways Band in concert. Details: www. wokinghammethodist.org.uk.

WOODLEY – St James Church Centre, Southlake. Craft Fair 10am-2pm.

Crafts from Asia, Africa and South America. Soup and cakes also for sale. Details 0118 966 2568.

Sunday, November 17 GORING – Canterbury Room, St Thomas of Canterbury Church.

The Big Draw: try your hand or meet artist-in-resident Ann Spencer. 2pm-5pm.

READING – Across town. Reading Inter-faith Open Day: 2pm-4pm.

Venues include: Reading Minster, Hindu Temple, Reading Synagogue, Reading Quakers, Sikh Gurdware, South Street Mosque and St James.

Details: readinginterfaith.org.

Monday, November 18 SOUTHCOTE – Southcote Christian Mission. Women Aglow meeting: an evening of inspiration and encouragement led by Karen Allen. 7.15pm. £3 on the door, first meeting free, light refreshments served. All welcome. 7.15pm.

Details: www.readingaglow.org.uk.

Wednesday, November 20 READING – All Nations Christian Centre, Berkeley Avenue. Women Under Siege: taking back control

from stress and anxiety with Cheryl Ridener from the Restoring Life Foundation. 7.30pm-9.30pm.

Details: 0118 950 5661 or www. allnationselim.org.

WHITLEY – Christ The King Catholic Church, Northumberland Ave. Tool Kit For a Holy Advent. 7.30pm.

Thursday, Nov 21 BRIMPTON – Brimpton Lodge, Wasing Road. Coffee morning and bring and buy sale. 10am-11.30am.

GORING – Canterbury Room, St Thomas of Canterbury Church.

Pick-A-Flick club screening of Annie. 10.30am-2pm. £3.

Transportation available. Details: 01491 872109.

READING – Christchurch Court, Christchurch Gardens RG2 7AQ. Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Café with homemade cakes and refreshments. Guest speaker: Camella Holdstock a Health trainer with Reading Borough Council.

2.30pm-4.30pm. Details: Jocelyn Andersson 0118 957 1183 or 07738 752669.

READING – Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square. The Julian Meeting for silence, reflection and contemplation. 10am-10.45am, followed by coffee. All welcome.

Friday, November 22 BEENHAM – The Barn, Lark Rise, Lambden’s Hill. The Little Christmas Fair: decorative antiques, festive gifts. 9.30am4pm. Details: 07932 185294.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James Church Centre. Men’s group wine tasting and quiz evening. 8pm. £10.

Details: 0118 973 0556.

GORING – Canterbury Room, St Thomas of Canterbury Church.

Scrabble club. All abilities welcome. 3pm-5pm. £2.50.

Details: 01491 872866.

Saturday, November 23 FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James Church.

Apollo5 in concert. £12, includes buffet. Details: 0118 973 0133.

LOWER EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close. Walking group meets: walks of about 4 miles.

Details: www.trinityearley.co.uk.

READING – Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square. Christmas fayre:

stalls, Santa and refreshments.

10am-2pm. All welcome.

READING – All Saints, Downshire Square. Christmas fair. 1.30pm.

READING – St Barnabas Church Hall, Elm Road. Table top and jumble sale in aid of Creating Better Futures. Sellers 9.30am, buyers 10am. Details: 0787 0783 259.

TILEHURST – Methodist Church, School Road. Christmas bazaar.

2pm.

WALLINGFORD – St Mary’s Church, Market Place. Langtree Sinfonia concert. £10, £5 students, under 16s free.

WOKINGHAM – WADE, Reading Road.

Christmas fair. 11am-2pm.

READING – Town Hall, Blagrave Street. Catalyst Live: BMS World Mission roadshow with Jurgen Moltmann, John Lennox.

9am-5.30pm. £29.95. Details: bmscatalystlive.com.

WOKINGHAM – The Bradbury Centre, Rose Street. O Come, O Come Emmanuel – Christian Aid advent retreat. 10am-4pm. Suggested donation £12.50, inlcudes lunch.

Details: 01865 246818 or email oxford@christian-aid.org.

Friday, November 29

GORING – St Thomas of Canterbury Church. Organ recital by Michael Howell followed by cake. 3pm.

Free entry, retiring collection.

STREATLEY – St Mary’s Church.

Gala concert by the Merry Opera Company. 7.30pm. £12.50. Details: stmarysconcerts@hotmail.co.uk.

READING – The Globe, Portman Road. The BigChurchNightIn: Stuart Townend and Philippa Hanna. 7.30pm. £12. Details: bigchurchnightin.com.

TADLEY – Methodist Church.

Christchurch Players present Sinbad, a panto. 7pm. £6, £4.

Details: 0118 981 6106.

TILEHURST – St Michael’s Church Hall, The Meadway. Continentalstyle Christmas market. 6.30pm9pm.

Monday, November 25

Saturday, Nov 30

ALDERMASTON – The Hinds Head.

Candle auction for letting of the church acre. 7pm.

BARKHAM – St James. Women’s Christmas wreath-making morning with mince pie tasting. 10am-noon.

Details: www.abch.org.uk.

CAVERSHAM – St Andrew’s Church, Harrogate Road. St Andrew’s Day Patronal Festival Eucharist followed by Regula’s Amazing Buffet. 7.30pm.

All welcome. Details: www. standrewscaversham.org.

EARLEY – Earley St Peters’ School, Church Road. Christmas Fayre including a visit from Father Christmas. 3pm-5pm. Details: www.espsareading.blogspot.co.uk.

EALREY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue. Autumn fair.

EMMER GREEN – St Barnabas, St Barnabas Road. Tapestry Choir’s candlelit concert. £5, under 10s free. Details: 0118 9784402 or jill.womack@btinternet.com.

GORING – Canterbury Room, St Thomas of Canterbury Church.

Christmas Fair. 11am-2pm.

READING – St Mark’s Church hall, Cranbury Road. Christmas Bazaar.

2pm.

READING – The Pavilion, Oxford Road. HisKidz: dads and lads session for under fives. £1 donation per family. 10.30am-

Sunday, November 24

Wednesday, November 27 EMMER GREEN – St Barnabas Church Centre. Alpha reunion evening: informal social event for past attendees and helpers from previous courses. Also a chance to learn more about The Alpha Course. 7pm. All welcome. Details: 0118 9475744 or 0118 9479708 or at alpha@saintbarnabas.org.uk.

Monday, November 25 ALDERMASTON – Hinds Head.

Aldermaston Candle Auction. 7pm.

BINFIELD – All Saints Church. The Julian Meeting: contemplative prayer. 8pm-9pm. All welcome.

Details: Elizabeth 07855 074594.

Thursday, Nov 28 HENLEY – D:Two, Henley Baptist Church, Market Place. Towards Recovery: creating a safe space for those in recovery from addiction.

Drop-in. 7.30pm-10pm. Details: www.towardsrecovery.co.uk.

12.30pm. Details: www.citylifecp. org.uk.

READING – Argyle Community Church, Argyle Road. Bricks and Mortals presents a forum for churches: Building Projects Large and Small. 8.30am-10am.

Booking helpful. Details: info@ bricksandmortals.co.uk or 0787 9644982.

READING – Argyle Community Church, Argyle Road. Swishing event: bring three items of clothing to swap. £3 on door. Details: www. argylecommunitychurch.com READING – The Hexagon. Reading Central Salvation Army carol concert. 6.30pm. Details: www. carolconcert.org.uk.

READING – The Well, Dawlish Road.

Sixties-themed fundraising night: karaoke, fancy dress, fun and more. £10. 7.30pm. Details: www. thewell-church.com.

READING – Park URC, Wokingham Road. Christmas Fair and tree festival. To be opened by Michelle Jordan of Heart FM. 10.30am2.30pm. Details: www.parkurc. org.uk.

READING – English Martyr Church, Liebenrood Road. Cruse Bereavement Social group. 2pm-4pm.

SHINFIELD – St Mary’s Church Hall.

Winter fayre including blacksmith’s demo, farm animals, stalls and more. Noon-3.30pm.

SWALLOWFIELD – Parish Hall. Bistro, Christmas market, lunch and bar.

10.30am-3pm.

TADLEY – Methodist Church.

Christchurch Players present Sinbad, a pantomime. 7pm. £6, £4.

Details: 0118 981 6106.

TILEHURST – St Catherine’s Church and Centre, Wittenham Avenue RG31 5LN. Christmas Fayre: stalls, games, Father Christmas and Ballet display by JG Dance. 50p, children free. 2pm-4pm.

WOKINGHAM – Baptist Church. JAC Hoedown with live band, country dancing, hog roast and more. £15, £20 including hog roast. Details: hoedown@jacoutreach.org.

Sunday, December 1 GORING – St Thomas of Canterbury Church. Come and Sing advent carols. 4pm. All welcome.

READING – Deaf Centre, Cardiff Road.

Deaf church. 10.30am. Details: readingdeafcentre.org.uk.

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community

To advertise call 01932 888417 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | November 2013

FAMILY CIRCLE

Keeping you in touch with each other

v Maurice Stanton-Saringer, the Rector of the Loddon Reach Benefice, has retired.

A farewell service was held at All Saints’ Church, Swallowfield on Sunday, October 20, followed by tea and cake.

23

The Royals’ Prince

At Reading FC with Steve Prince

The challenge of blending

v Beech Hill Baptist Church has changed the times of its services for winter. Morning meets are at 10.30am and evening services are at 4pm. v St Peter’s Church in Caversham will host a memorial service based on Fauré’s Requiem Mass in memory of Canon Richard Kingsbury on Sunday, November 10 at 4.30pm. He was Rector of Caversham between 1983 and 2007.

Former Caversham curate Archdeacon Christine Allsopp will preside at the service.

READING College now has its own chaplaincy. A number of church leaders from across the area are volunteering to help students and staff.

Michael Penny, chair of Churches Together Reading, said: “The chaplaincy has just

Christmas 2013 at St Nicolas, Earley Sunday 1 December 12.00 People, Prayers and Potatoes Christingle Service A relaxed service with craft, songs & Christmas stories Stay for a free jacket potato lunch afterwards Sunday 15 December 6.30pm Carols by Candlelight A beautiful & traditional service The Christmas story in words and carols Christmas Eve (Monday 24 Dec) 5.30pm Carols round the Crib With a special Nativity 11.30pm Midnight Mass Christmas Day 10.00am Christmas Celebration Worship Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley, Reading RG6 7JN www.stnicolas.org.uk 0118 966 9080

Advertise from just £25! *

To promote your Christmas events in our December issue call Fiona on 01932 888417 or email advertising@ xnmedia.co.uk *Special promotional rate

finished its first half-term, building up contacts with students and staff.

“Next half term we have a Remembrance Service on Monday, November 11 and are also planning a carol service.”

Picture: Jamie Thomas

v The Sir John Madejski Interviews EVERY Sunday at noon, Reading Football Club chairman and owner of Reading 107fm, Sir John Madejski talks to some of Reading’s most successful business people and community leaders. Here are this month’s guests: November 3 Sir Michael Parkinson November 10 Phil Vickery November 17 Sangeeta Bhabra November 24 Ian Waite

W

e are nearly a quarter of the way through the 2013/14 football season and the Royals are well placed in the promotion mix towards the top of the Championship table.

Nigel Adkins has proved to be unafraid of changing the team around to suit the needs of the next game. A big change this season has been the inclusion of our younger players – sometimes in the squad and even starting games.

It’s a courageous decision to blood younger players but at Reading our under 21s and Academy teams have been playing well and winning games, proving the quality that is coming through the ranks. I have witnessed first hand the encouragement and affirmation that our younger players get and this is really exciting for the future.

The real challenge that management have is playing a balanced side, a team blended with experience and gifting alongside youthful enthusiasm and energy. Of course, none of us can gain experience without someone taking the risk to release us into an appropriate context to learn and develop.

When younger players can get involved in a side that is gaining in confidence, this has to be good news all round. Good blending can and does produce outstanding results - provided it’s mixed with patience. Patience and football aren’t words that naturally fall into the same sentence but at Reading there are signs that they are turning into good twins.

GRACE

I lead a church as well as serve as the Royals’ chaplain. There are similarities in respect of the cross sections of people in most churches, except it’s still reported that in many churches young people are disconnecting at a rapid rate. Surely the answer lies in successful blending – releasing younger people into key roles alongside the experience and wisdom of older generations.

I often think there needs to be extra grace on the older generations if the younger are to be given the space to exercise their gifts, often in a style different to the usual traditions of church.

Another way the older and younger generations can blend together is to take part in an act of Remembrance outside the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, November 9, from 10.30am.

This will happen just prior to the televised game against Queens Park Rangers. Four wreaths will be laid during the short act, including one laid by club chairman, Sir John Madejski.

Let’s get fully behind the team, contributing the much needed support to whatever players are chosen for each game. We can play a massive part in helping to create and sustain the confidence our players need to perform at the very top of their game.

Come on URZ!!

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

24

SPORT

November 2013 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 01932 888417

Thames Valley Churches Football League

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

It may be early, but the title race is on!

BY James Hern

T

here have been some fantastic title races in the TVCFL over the past few years and this season looks to be shaping up to match them. If forced to sum up the season so far with a tired football cliché, it would be “there are no easy games at this level”.

Title Contenders

As we approach the end of the first quarter of fixtures, four teams look to be establishing a breakaway group at the top of the table.

Finchampstead free kick against Tilehurst Albion are currently top, having Greyfriars Picture: Martin Bamforth only dropped two points against fellow rivals and current league champions West with an outside chance for a top four finish.

Reading CFC. Bethel United have a history of starting Two other teams establishing themselves as being strongly before fading towards the end of the season, difficult to beat are Reading Saints and Norreys. something they will have to address if they are to Despite only picking up one victory in their five games claim their first league title. to date, Saints have pushed West Reading CFC, Bethel Brookside St Laurence let the title slip from their and Tilehurst Albion close, only losing by the odd-goal grasp last year, and despite a rocky start to the having been in match winning positions. They will season, remain unbeaten having scored two late goals certainly have a big say in who wins the league this in each of their three league games to snatch victory year, and will be looking to improve on their 7th place from the grasp of defeat. They will need to be on top finish last season. form in November, when they will be playing fellow Improvements title rivals Bethel United and West Reading CFC. Norreys too, have made huge improvements in their The chasing pack second season back in the TVCFL. Having only lost to a Based upon results from previous years, Kerith FC last-minute goal against Bethel on the opening day of and Wycliffe Wanderers are this season’s surprise early casualties. Kerith particularly have been off colour, although they recovered from a similar position last year to finish third and claim the Philmar Cup. Wycliffe have often had a slow start in previous years, and they will be looking to put together a solid run of performances throughout November to give them a chance of winning their first title in 20 years.

Greyfriars FC have reaped the benefit of a successful pre-season which has seen them finally start a season strongly. Their only defeat in six games came at the hands of Brookside St Laurence; although they came within eight minutes of securing a victory over a team they lost 17-3 on aggregate last year over three games. It will remain to be Norreys take the lead against seen how their season will develop, but given they Finchampstead Picture: Martin Bamforth traditionally improve with time, they could be in

FIXTURES KICK OFF 10.30am on Saturdays B’side St Laurence v West Reading v November 9

Greyfriars FC v Norreys10:30

Wycliffe Wanderers v West Reading

Bethel United v Finchamp’ Baptist

Kerith FC v Norreys

Reading Saints v B’side St Laurence

Greyfriars FC v Tilehurst Albion

v November 16

West Reading v Bethel United

Greyfriars FC v Kerith FC Finchamp’ Baptist v B’side St Laurence

Norreys v Reading Saints Wycliffe Wanderers v W Rdg Reserves

v November 23

Tilehurst Albion v Wycliffe Wanderers Bethel United v W’ Rdg Reserves

Reading Saints v Finchamp’ Baptist

Brentford v Wycliffe Wanderers Tilehurst Albion v W Rdg Reserves South Ealing v Kerith FC Bethel United v Norreys Reading Saints v Finchamp’ Baptist

v Nov 30 (Philmar Cup)

v December 7

Tilehurst Albion v Bethel United10:30 Wycliffe Wanderers v Kerith FC 10:30

W Rdg Reserves v B’side St Laurence

West Reading v Finchamp’ Baptist

Reading Saints v Greyfriars FC

the season, they succumbed to two late Brookside St Laurence goals the week after to be extremely unfortunate to remain pointless.

Having picked up three points against Finchampstead, they scored four against West Reading CFC, only to concede seven!

Finchampstead and West Reading Reserves have both had a difficult start to the season, although the fixture list has not been kind to them, as they have both had to play against three of the top four teams. Finchampstead have started to produce more fluent and positive performances towards the end of October, most noticeably against Greyfriars, only losing to a late long-range goal. They face another tough month in November, having to play Bethel United and Brookside St Laurence but will hope to pick up points against the teams around them.

After a tough first season last year, West Reading Reserves have struggled to find form early on this season.

If we have learnt anything over the past few years, it is that every team is capable of beating the other on their day. Expect the Reserves to be picking up points on a regular basis by Christmas.

Player of the month

Two players have been awarded player-of-theseason for October. Bethel United’s Danny Lynch has had an impressive month, coming off the bench on two occasions to earn his team important victories with goals and solid performances against Wycliffe Wanderers and Reading Saints.

Kerith’s player-manager Jonathan Horne has also impressed. He waited seven years to score his first goal for his team, and found himself with two goals in two games, despite have claimed at the start of the season to have retired due to a back problem.

Referees wanted!

The TVCFL are looking for referees from churches within the Thames Valley to help officiate games on a Saturday morning. If you’re interested, contact James: tvcfl.secretary@gmail.com

league TABLE P W D L F A W D L F A GD PTS Tilehurst Albion 5 2 1 0 17 3 2 0 0 9 1 22 13 West Reading 4 3 0 0 19 6 0 1 0 1 1 13 10 Bethel United 4 1 1 0 4 2 2 0 0 3 1 4 10 B’side St Laurence 3 2 0 0 7 5 1 0 0 4 3 3 9 Greyfriars FC 4 0 0 1 3 4 2 1 0 5 3 1 7

Kerith FC 5 2 0 1 13 6 0 0 2 4 9 2 6 Wycliffe Wanderers 3 0 0 1 2 3 1 0 1 7 5 1 3

Norreys 4 1 0 1 3 2 0 0 2 7 11 -3 3 Reading Saints 4 0 0 2 3 8 1 0 1 4 4 -5 3 Finchamp’ Baptist 4 0 0 2 1 7 0 0 2 1 9 -14 0 Reading Reserves 4 0 0 1 1 3 0 0 3 4 26 -24 0 Table correct as of October 23, 2013

top SCORERS Jamie Carstairs West Reading

Jake Nicholls Tilehurst Albion

10 8

William Day Kerith FC

Neil Healy Wycliffe Wanderers

6 6

James Murdoch West Reading 5

Jonny Hare B’side St Laurence FC 3 Jonathan Ellis Kerith FC

Sabeel Asghar Tilehurst Albion

3 3

Lee Berry Kerith FC

Danny Lawrence Tilehurst Albion

3 3

Matt Blake Reading Saints

3

3

Ian Golbourne Tilehurst Albion

LEISURE

To advertise call 01932 888417 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | November 2013

BREAK TIME

Pit your wits against our brainteasers

Codeword

Kakuro

25

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

STR8TS Str8ts

SUDOKU Sudoku

Easy

Tough

8

5

9 4

7

8 5 8 5 1 7

3

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

7 4

6 1

3 4 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.

3 5 3 2 2 1 1 5 4

© 2011 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

3 2

2 1 3

© 2011 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

3

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.

When the youth leader finds out you’ve used his clothes on the guy, there will be fireworks!

26

Food

November 2013 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 01932 888417

ADVANCE NUTRITION

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

v Breadline Britain: healthy eating on a budget With Christmas fast approaching many of us will be turning our attention to preparing festive food, and stocking up on treats to celebrate with friends and family. Yet at the same time many of us are struggling to put meals on the table. Christine has some tips

W

ith rising living costs and shrinking incomes families are experiencing what has been termed a “nutritional recession” by The Guardian in their Breadline Britain series.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) estimates that low-income households spend just £16.49 per person each week on foods buying frozen products and highly fatty, processed foods at the expense of fresh fish, meat, fruit and vegetables.

But is it possible to eat a healthy diet on a restricted budget? If you’re struggling to make ends meet, you may

not have the range of choices and support that others do.

So if we are to address this ‘nutritional’ poverty we also need to provide nutritional education and opportunities to learn cookery skills.

Eating healthily on a limited budget is possible but it requires planning and time to cook meals from scratch.

As a nutritionist and chef I am in a unique position to offer such support. Working with the Wokingham Health Improvement Officer at Wokingham District Council, we will shortly be running a range of hands on cookery courses for families and individuals in poverty who are relying on the local food bank to get by.

Healthy Cookery Workshops

With Nutritionist & Chef Christine Bailey Discover how to cook a range of nutritious and delicious dishes, treats and snacks with our cookery demonstrations and hands on courses Gluten Free Delights 24th November 11am – 4pm Raw Food Festive Food 7th December 11am – 4pm Hands on Festive Treats For Children 14 Dec 11am – 3pm Held in Wokingham, Berkshire PLACES LIMITED BOOK NOW!!

For details and bookings see www.advancenutrition.co.uk Tel. 01189262051

v Spanish baked eggs This recipe is taken from one of my recipe books Nourish: Cancer Care, written with the Penny Brohn Cancer Centre.

A rustic Spanish inspired dish with a delicious combination of antioxidant rich peppers and tomatoes studded with fresh herbs.

With minimal ingredients this is an easy and budget friendly dish.

Serves 4 2 tbsps of olive oil 1 red onion, finely chopped 1 red pepper, cut into strips 1 yellow pepper, cut into strips 2 garlic cloves, crushed ½ tsp Harissa paste or to taste ½ tsp smoked paprika 1 x 400g/ 14oz can chopped tomatoes 2tbsp lemon juice 1tbsp fresh parsley, chopped 1tbsp fresh chives, chopped 4 eggs Freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 160°C/ gas mark 3.

Warm the olive oil in a frying pan and add the onion, peppers, garlic and spices.

Cook slowly for 10 minutes until the peppers are soft.

Add the canned tomatoes and simmer the mixture for 1-2 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

Stir in the lemon juice and

But whatever your weekly budget there are lots of ways we can save on our food bills.

Here are a few tips: v Plan your weekly menus based on your budget and making use of store-cupboard ingredients you already have. v Before you shop make a list and stick to it. Try not to shop when you are hungry or tired as you are more likely opt for convenient, more expensive products. v Make use of vouchers, coupons and loyalty card points. v Buy in season – seasonal fruit and vegetables are fresher and cheaper. Avoid buying prepared vegetables and bags of salad – these are often more expensive and don’t last as long. v Make use of frozen vegetables. They tend to be cheaper than fresh and you can use them when you want and

in the amounts you need which cuts down on wastage. v Bulk up meals with canned beans and pulses, which are not only cheap but a good source of protein and fibre. v Buy dry goods like rice and pasta in bulk to save money and switch to wholegrain. v Spend time pre-cooking in advance and freeze in individual portions so that you have healthy food available when time is short. v Use leftovers. Toss cooked vegetables in to soups and stews. Freeze over-ripe fruit or poach them to make a simple healthy dessert. v If you like chicken buy a whole one and joint it yourself rather than buying separate portions. Use the bones to make your own chicken stock, which can be used to make homemade soups and stews. v Keep an eye on your portion sizes and try not to cook more

scatter over the herbs.

If the frying pan cannot be placed into the oven spoon the vegetable mixture into a shallow ovenproof baking dish or ramekins.

Make four dips into the mixture and break in the eggs.

Season with black pepper Bake in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes until the whites are fully set and the yolks still creamy. than you need. Measure out foods like pasta and rice before you cook rather than guessing portions. Not only will it help you to save money, but can stop you from over-eating v Make use of low cost nutritious staples – oats make the perfect morning porridge, cans of oily fish such as mackerel or sardines are ideal for a quick lunch with salad while eggs can be used in an array of simple dishes such as omelettes or frittatas. v If you’re looking for new recipe ideas then come along to my healthy cookery demonstrations and hand on days in Wokingham.

Gluten Free Delights is on November 24, Raw Food Festive Foods is on December 7, Hands on Cooking Day for Children – Festive Treats is on December 14. You can book via www.advancenutrition.co.uk.

FASHION

To advertise call 01932 888417 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | November 2013

ETHICAL LIVING

27

Changing the world, one purchase at a time

Apprentice contestant Susan Ma has teamed up with Lord Sugar to launch Tropic Skin Revive. This nourishing cream softens and protect the skin day and night and uses only natural ingredients. £20 for 50mls. Local stockist: www.janettehammond.co.uk

Stay warm this winter with a bespoke coat made by A Suit That Fits. Garments are made in factories that run under ethical conditions.

Prices start at £329 for a bespoke overcoat. Details: www.asuitthatfits.com

Buy British and stay warm!

Scarlet & Argent’s luxurious Yorkshire-made blankets and throws are available from Liberty, John Lewis and www. scarletandargent. co.uk

Give baby an ethical bodysuit! Superlove Ltd designs pure superfine Merino wool base layers and sleepwear for babies and toddlers.

The Merino comes from sustainable farms and the garments are manufactured in Fiji. For details – and to see the range – log on to superlovemerino.com

Nomad’s winter collection includes this Ella Coat, order code LL60, £125. Details: www.nomadsclothing. com

Christmas events

To advertise in our next issue email advertising@xnmedia.co.uk

CHRISTMAS AT TRINITY CHURCH, LOWER EARLEY 8 December 4pm Christingle 15 December 6pm Carols 18 December 2pm Nursery Service Nativity Christmas Eve 4pm Crib Service 11.15pm Midnight Communion Christmas Day 10am Family Worship

TRINITY CHURCH AUTUMN FAIR Saturday, November 9,1pm-4pm

Start your Christmas shopping in a relaxed atmosphere and enjoy a coffee, cake and chat.

www.trinityearley.co.uk

The York Nativity Play

 

St Mary the Virgin Aldermaston

       

Earley St Peter’s Church

Sunday 1st December Christmas12pm – Reading Campus Services Christmas Lunch Network Vineyard Church Christmas Services Sunday 1st December

12pm - Reading Campus Christmas Lunch A festive lunch following our morning service – everyone is invited!

Sunday 15th December

A festive lunch following our morning service – everyone is invited!

Sunday 15th December 10.30am – Reading Campus Family Service Sunday 22nd December 10.30am – Reading Campus Carols by Candlelight with mulled wine and mince pies.

6.30pm – Bracknell Campus Carol Service Reading Campus meets at Bulmershe Leisure Centre, Woodley, RG5 3EU Bracknell Campus meets at Farley Wood Centre, Bracknell RG42 1FW www.networkvineyardchurch.org.uk 10:30am – Reading Campus Family Service

Sunday 22nd December

10:30am - Reading Campus Carol Service with guest performance by Lifted Gospel Choir 6:30pm - Bracknell Campus Carol Service Reading Campus meets at Bulmershe Leisure Centre, Woodley, RG5 3EU Bracknell Campus meets at Farley Wood Centre, Bracknell. RG42 1FW

www.networkvineyardchurch.org.uk

Church Road, Earley, Reading RG6 1EY To find out more call 0118 966 8575 Principal Services for Christmas Sunday 22nd December 6.30pm Service of Nine Lessons and Carols Tuesday 24th December 4pm Crib Service—for all ages, but especially for the young and families Tuesday 24th December 11.30pm Midnight Eucharist (the choir will be singing carols from 11.00pm) Wednesday 25th December 8am Holy Communion Wednesday 25th December 10.00am Family Eucharist for Christmas morning

Everyone is very welcome to all our services © W.D. Watts

Christmas at Newbold

Newbold Church, Binfield will be an exciting place to be this Christmas!

In December Newbold Church and Newbold College are coming together to put tmas at Newbold on threeChris varied, family-friendly Christmas events for the local community: Newbold Church, Binfie ld will be an exciting place to be this Christmas! In Newbold Church and Newbold College are comin December g together to put on three family-friendly Christmas varied, events for the local comm unity:

Experience the Living Nativity Expe

rience the Living Nativ ity between 4pm and 7pm Sunday 8 December – come anytime When: Sunday 8 December come anytime between Where: 4:00p Newb and 7:00p old Church grounds, Road, Newbold Church grounds, Popeswood eld.m.RG42 4AN .m.

PopeswoodBinfi Entrance: Road, Binfield RG42 4AN No tickets needed – just come along dressed warm outdo as this is or exper No tickets needed – just come along dressed asly this isan ience which will take warmly about 30 minutes to enjoy .

Take an outdoor walk throu gh the an outdoor experience which will take about 30exper minutes to enjoy.

Christmas story and following the star, ience the living nativit marvel with the shepherds

y. Listen in as

the angel speaks to Mary, at the news the angels manger. There will be bring,the live Christmas wise men hearliving animals - a donke the heave Take an outdoor walk through the story experience nativity.

Listen in as theseeangel nly choir singin y, goatsand and sheep. Refreshmen g, and find the baby Jesus t stalls will serve Christ in the mas fayre. All proceeds New boldmen Celebrate go to charity. speaks to Mary, see wise following the star, marvel with the shepherds at the news the angels bring, s! …A Community Chris tmas When: Saturday 14 December hear the heavenlyWher choir singing, and find the 7:00p baby Jesus in the manger.

There will be live animals – m (door s open e: at 6.40p Newbold Church Centr m) e, Popeswood Road, Binfie Entrance: ld RG42 4AN FREE but by TICKET ONLY a donkey, goats and sheep.

Refreshment stalls –will fayre.

All proceeds go to charity. contaserve ct officeChristmas @newboldchurch .org or 01344 401792 A Community Christmas is a carol concert with a difference. One of the participated with a furthe area’s largest musical r 400 people gathering events, last year over to see in the festive seaso every generation. In additi 120 performers n together. Join us this on to traditional carols year for a programme with our orchestra there appealing to will be performances covering several music Charles Dickens’ “A Chris al genres. tmas Carol” When: Saturday 21 December - performances at 4:00p m and 7:00pm Sunday 22 December – performances at 4:00p Where: m and 7:00pm Moor Close, Newbold College, Popeswood Road, Entrance: Binfield RG42 4AN This is a “TICKET ONLY ” event. Adults - £5, childr en - £2.50, families (2 seniors (over 65) - £3 (all adults + up to 3 childr proceeds will go to charit en) - £12, y). Tickets will be availa office@newboldchurch ble from the Newbold .org 01344 401792 Church office.

“Once upon a time - of all the good days in the year, biting weather ....” on Christmas Eve - old Scrooge sat busy in his counting-house. It was cold, bleak,

Newbold Celebrates! …A Community Christmas

Saturday 14 December 7pm (doors open at 6.40pm) Newbold Church Centre, Popeswood Road, Binfield RG42 4AN FREE but entry by TICKET ONLY – contact office@newboldchurch.org or 01344 401792

A Community Christmas is a carol concert with a difference. One of the area’s largest musical events, last year over 120 performers participated with a further 400 people gathering to see in the festive season together. Join us this year for a programme appealing to every generation. In addition to traditional carols with our orchestra there will be performances covering several musical genres.

Charles Dickens’“A Christmas Carol”

Saturday 21 December & Sunday 22 December. Performances at 4pm and 7pm Moor Close, Newbold College, Popeswood Road, Binfield RG42 4AN Ticket only event. Adults £5, children £2.50, families (2 adults + up to 3 children) - £12, seniors £3 Tickets from the Newbold Church office: office@newboldchurch.org 01344 401792

“Once upon a time - of all the good days in the year, on Christmas Eve – old Scrooge sat busy in his counting-house. It was cold, bleak, biting weather ....”

www.newboldchurch.org

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LEISURE

November 2013 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 01932 888417

ARTS

Music, drama, comedy with a local perspective

v Christmas fairs v THE whole of Wokingham town centre will be turned into a winter wonderland later this month – and, appropriately for Doctor’s Who’s 50th birthday which takes place the day before – it’s a time travel experience as organisers take you back half-a-century.

The Swinging 60s Winter Carnival takes place on Sunday, November 24 from 11am to 5.30pm.

There will be entertainment for the whole family to enjoy including free fun fair rides, more than 100 food, craft and charity stalls and a wide range of free entertainment including including a magic show, Punch & Judy, comedy jugglers, clowns and live music.

The day climaxes in a fantastic carnival procession from 4pm.

For full details, log on to www.wintercarnival.org.uk. v THE Oracle shopping centre in Reading will switch on its Christmas lights on Saturday, November 16 from 7pm.

The event is so popular that entry is only by wristband, which can be collected from the shopping centre’s information desk from Friday, November 8.

Entry is free.

For more visit theoracle.com.

It is expected that the town’s Christmas lights will be switched on that day, but this had not been confirmed by the time Xn had gone to press. v WOODLEY town centre is holding its annual Christmas extravaganza over the weekend of Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1.

For full details, visit www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk. v TWYFORD will host a street fayre on Friday, December 6, from 6pm-9pm. For details, visit www.twyford villagepartnership.co.uk. v CROWTHORNE will have a late night Christmas shopping event, including carols singing and more, on Friday, December 6 from 5.30pm.

LIVE ARTS

Yule love these Christmas countdowns

BY PHIL CREIGHTON ONE of the most exciting things about the run-up to Christmas for any child is opening a new window on the Advent Calendar. What will be behind the door today? And, most importantly, will there be chocolate?

Treats of a different kind are on the cards in both Henley and Wokingham this year as the towns prepare for the return of their Living Advent Calendars.

The new tradition sees a live artistic performance take place at different venues each evening. In both towns, the performance starts at 6.15pm each evening, apart from Christmas Eve – but what will be behind the window will be kept a big surprise each evening.

Previous events in Wokingham have included performances by Wokingham Choral Sociey, a dance by students from Reading College, magic tricks and Russian folk music.

Actor Simon Williams read an Advent story last year in Henley Picture: Creative Commercial Photography In Henley, highlights last year included Santa Claus abseiling down the front of Henley Town Hall, the Shires Royal British Legion Youth Marching Band and young members from the Henley Music School performing carols.

Every evening is different from the last and not even we at Xn can get any details, so we

can’t give any hints!

At the end of each show, a collection is taken and, at the end of the 24 nights, will be shared among a range of charities.

Both Living Advent Calendars start on December 1 and run all the way through to December 24. The Saturday, December 21 event in Wokingham is a

Wokingham venues

Sunday 1 Wokingham Town Hall, Market Place

Monday 2 Wokingham Library, Denmark Street

Tuesday 3 Wokingham Train Station, Station Road Wednesday 4 Herrington Carmichael, 27 Broad Street Thursday 5 Rococo, 9 Bush Walk

Friday 6 Sanpa, 6 Peach Street

Saturday 7 Local Barber Shop, 31 Broad Street

Sunday 8 Morrisons, 10 Market Place

Monday 9 Oslars, 2 Denmark Street

Tuesday 10 H2O (Hair to Order), 5 Old Row Court, Rose St Wednesday 11 Christopher James, 24 Denmark Street Thursday 12 The Electric Tattoo Company, 31 Broad Street

Friday 13 Dolls House Boutique, 2 Rose Street Saturday 14 All Saints Church, Wiltshire Road

Sunday 15 Café Rouge, 30 Market Place

Monday 16 Clifton Ingram, 22 Broad Street

Tuesday 17 Kaanaanmaa, 22 Denmark Street Wednesday 18 Ruby Rose, 4 Rose Street Thursday 19 Antique Rose, 3 Bush Walk, off Market Place

Friday 20 Brown Bag, 5 Alexandra Court, off Denmark St Saturday 21 Live Nativity at Elms Field

Sunday 22 The Dukes Head, 56 Denmark Street Monday 23 Martin & Pole, 7 Broad Street Tuesday 24 Wokingham Baptist Church, Milton Road

Henley venues

Santa arrives at Henley Town Hall

Living Nativity, organised in Elms Field by Christ Church and starts at 4.15pm. In Henley, there will be carols in St Mary’s Church on Christmas Eve. v For more details, log on to www.wokingham-tc.gov. uk/advent/ for Wokingham and, for Henley, www. livingadventcalendar.co.uk. v Venues may change

Sunday 1 Henley Town Hall, Market Place

Monday 2 Henley Fire Station, West Street

Tuesday 3 Regal Picturehouse, 2 Boroma Way Wednesday 4 Hobbs New Orleans, Station Road Thursday 5 River & Rowing Museum, Mill Lane

Friday 6 Boutique, Thameside

Saturday 7 Leander Club, Leander Way

Sunday 8 Phyllis Court, Phyllis Court Drive

Monday 9 Stuart Turner, Market Place

Tuesday 10 Shaun Dickens Restaurant, The Boathouse Wednesday 11 Angel on the Bridge, Thameside Thursday 12 Best of Henley, Greys Road

Friday 13 The Communications Group (The Hub), Station Rd Saturday 14 Henley Youth Centre, Deanfield Avenue

Sunday 15 The Bull, Bell Street

Monday 16 Hotel du Vin, New Street

Tuesday 17 Henley College, Deanfield Avenue, Wednesday 18 Simmons & Sons, Bell Street Thursday 19 Delegate Office Services, Hart Street

Friday 20 Lovibonds Brewery, Market Place Saturday 21 Market Place

Sunday 22 Market Place Monday 23 Kenton Theatre, New Street Tuesday 24 St Mary’s Church, Hart Street

LEISURE

To advertise call 01932 888417 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | November 2013

LIVE MUSIC

Hear Noel’s Favourite Place

F

OR many people in Henley, d:two is one of their favourite places. Coffee shop and cafÊ by day, it’s also used by community groups for their meetings.

Now it’s being pressed into action as a concert venue, as the Market Place building welcomes Noel and Tricia Richards for an evening of music from their new album, Favourite Place.

The husband and wife team will be visiting d:two on Friday, November 15, ahead of a tour of Germany, and they will present an evening of acoustic music.

Noel needs very little introduction to many: he has toured the world and played everywhere from Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium to Berlin’s Olympic Stadium. He has also appeared on Songs of Praise and released numerous albums.

He has often come to Henley over the years along with fellow musicians Wayne Drain and Brian Houston as part of The Hudson Taylors band. As if that wasn’t enough, many of his worship songs are

sung in churches every Sunday.

His wife Tricia is a poet and musician and the pair frequently write and perform together – but Favourite Place is their first joint album.

The songs on the album are about faith, life, love and friendship, the things that matter most to them. Now you can hear some of them being performed live and get the chance to meet Noel and Tricia for yourselves.

The pair will be signing copies and chatting with fans after the show.

Dave Prior from d:two said: “To coincide with the CD’s release, they are embarking on a busy touring schedule in the coming months. Along the way, we are looking forward to welcoming them to Henley.â€? v Favourite Place starts at 7.30pm on Friday, November 15. Doors open at 7pm and refreshments will be available. Tickets cost ÂŁ7 or ÂŁ6 for concessions. They can be bought by from d:two’s bookshop or by calling 01491 635 733. For more details, log on to www.dtwo.co.uk.

CAROLS

Simon & Sangeeta sing up A STAR-STUDDED celebration of Christmas is coming to The Hexagon later this month.

Hosted by Meridian News’ Sangeeta Bhabra and Broom Cupboard staple turned weatherman Simon Parkin, the annual Salvation Army carol concert aims to be perfect entrÊe to the Advent season and promises fun for all the family, while also raising funds for local charities.

Joining Sangeeta and Simon on stage will be the Reading Central Salvation Army band and choir, its timbrelists and children who will re-enact the Nativity.

During the evening they will perform many favourite carols, share favourite readings and help get you into the Christmas spirit.

Special musical guests for the concert, which will be held on Saturday, November 30, include Anna Lamplough and vocalist Catherine Wyles.

Anna has performed all over the world and will be accompanied by her backing band. Catherine has been singing since she was two and

To advertise in XN, call 01932 888417

29

v Come and sing for your lunch SOME people sing for their supper, but for members of a new choir, they’re singing over lunch.

A new group has been lunched - sorry, launched - at Park URC in Palmer Park, Reading. Meeting from noon to 1.30pm on Wednesdays, the group sing for pleasure.

No auditions are required and a free taster session is offered.

Run by Amber Nunn, the group welcomes newcomers. v For more details, log on to readinglunchtimechoir. webstarts.com or call Jan Stone on 0118 954 2568.

v Choral Christmas HENLEY CHORAL SOCIETY – who are taking part in this year’s Henley Living Advent Calendar – will present its Christmas Concert at St Mary’s, Henley from 6.30pm on Tuesday, December 10.

The popular event is usually a sell-out. v For details, log on to www. henleychoralsociety.org.uk.

Favourite Place "O FWFOJOH PG TPOHT BOE TUPSJFT t 0G GBJUI MJGF MPWF BOE GSJFOETIJQ t 8ith Noel and Tricia Richards.

Friday 15th November 2013

at d:two, Henley-on-Thames Start 7.30pm. Doors open 7.00pm

Tickets £7 (£6 consessions students and oap’s) Simon Parkin will co-host the Salvation Army’s carol concert is coming to Reading from Glasgow, where she and her husband work for the Salvation Army.

The concert has been an annual tradition in Reading for more than 30 years and in that time has raised more than £220,000. Profits have always been shared among local charities, including the Reading Mayor’s. Last year, this was The Alzheimer’s Society and

Daisy’s Dream, as well as the work of the Salvation Army both locally and internationally.

There is just one concert this year, starting at 6.30pm on Saturday, November 30.

Tickets cost just ÂŁ9 and ÂŁ5 for under fives. v They can be bought by logging on to www. carolconcert.org.uk, calling 0118 954 3707 or emailing enquiries@carolconcert.org.uk.

Refreshments available

E UXP .BSLFU 1MBDF )FOMFZ PO 5IBNFT 3( "" t XXX EUXP DP VL t 5FM Sponsored by Henley Baptist Church and Springwater Church (Peppard)

F

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ARTS

November 2013 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise call 01932 888417

Christmas sorted at Quench

WITH Advent around the corner, many of us are looking for gifts and resources to help us prepare for Christmas.

Bookshop Quench has a great selection, including a wide range of Advent calendars to suit all ages.

People who like to burn an Advent candle will also find a good selection as well

as those who want to use Advent devotionals.

For those looking for Christmas decorations, there are a range of Nativity sets to choose from, great gift ideas for those hard-to-buy-for people and, for those who are looking ahead, a range of inspiring and fun calendars to enjoy too. v www.quenchshops.com

Log on for more!

Read exclusive interviews with Anne Graham-Lotz and Shack author Wm Paul Young at xnmedia.co.uk

ROUND-UP

A showcase of musical talent

Becca Marriott will sing in the Witt Studio Showcase later this month

v

A CHOIR that sings for fun will be having a blast when it presents its autumn showcase at the end of the month.

The Witt Studio will bring together more than 100 voices as well as some professional guest singers for its concert which takes place at Wesley Methodist Church, Queens Road, Reading on Friday, November 29.

Guests include Soprano Becca Marriott, pictured above, and the music features everything from Gilbert and Sullivan to Take That. Musicians covered include Adele, Dusty Springfield, Strauss and Duke Ellington.

Tickets are £12.50 or £10.50 for concessions.

For details, or to book, visit www.thewittstudio. com, call 07531 386 616.

v

St Mary’s Wargrave is gearing up for its annual concert, which takes place on Saturday, November 16 from 7.30pm.

Performers include Susie Buckle and Alan Baird on the clarinet. There will be a newly-formed music group and Various Darts will be singing, playing the trumpet and the piano and the organ will also be shown off to the full.

Also taking part will be local quintet Apollo5.

The first half will be more classical and the second half will contain popular and contemporary music.

Tickets cost £10 and £2 for children. For more details, log on to www.wargravechurch.org.uk.

v

FEELING a little chilly? Then make a date for Reading Festival Chorus’ Winter Warmer concert.

Dubbed Music To Kindle The Heart, the evening features music by Vivaldi, Haydn and Purcell.

It takes place on Saturday, December 7, from 7.30pm at Wesley Methodist Church in Queens Road, Reading.

Tickets cost £14, or £10 for concessions and £2 for under 16s. They can be reserved by calling 0118 983 4523 or emailing tickets@ readingfestivalchorus.org.uk

The Choir will be hosting a Come & Sing carols evening on Monday, December 11, from 7.15pm, again at Wesley Methodist. Everybody is welcome to attend for some festive tunes, mince pies and non-alcoholic hot punch. v For details, visit www.readingfestivalchorus. org.uk.

v

On Saturday, November 16, Wokingham Choral Society will perform Bach’s B Minor Mass at the Great Hall of the University of Reading, situated in London Road, Reading, Conducted by Alexander Chaplin, the group will perform with the Charivari Agreable orchestra, and Kah Ming Ng on piano.

A pre-concert talk takes place at 6.30pm and looks at the work to be performed.

Tickets cost £17, £5 for under 18s and students and £15 for over 60s. To book, call Alison Sears on 07721 330260 or email tickets@wokinghamchoral-society.org.uk.

v

ENJOY a night of fabulous music for free.

Chorate is a Reading-based mixed voice chamber choir who want to raise funds for good causes.

Its Advent-themed concert takes place at St James Catholic Church, Forbury Road, Reading on Saturday, December 7, from 7.30pm. Entry is free, but there will be a retiring collection for Reading charity Number 5 and the Mongu Project in Zambia.

For details, log on to www.chorate.org.uk.

v

BRACKNELL Choral Society presents its autumn concert on Sunday, November 10 from 7.30pm.

The programme includes Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine and Duruflé’s Quatre Motets & Requiem.

It will take place at at Newbold College Church in Binfield and tickets cost £13. Under 18s can enjoy the show for free.

To book, visit www.bracknellchoral.org.uk

What do you think? Have your say on our Facebook page or tweet @xnmedia

ARTS REVIEWS

To advertise call 01932 888417 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | November 2013

Moviewatch What time is love?

Energy, enthusiasm and gestures

Cinema with Martin Ceaser

Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra St Paul’s Wokingham, Saturday, October 18

Matt Damon (right) and Jose Pablo Cantillo in Columbia Pictures’ ELYSIUM.

Domhall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams have all the time in the world to fall in love

v About Time (12a)

Stars Domhall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Lindsay Duncan, Tom Hollander

W

Hat if, when you made a mistake, you could travel back in time and get things right?

That’s something a lot of us will have wished we could do, and its precisely that that Tim (Gleeson) can do. In fact, every man in his family has this gift.

Tim decides that this gift is best used in helping him find love.

He meets the beautiful Mary (McAdams), but after using his gift to help a friend that meeting is wiped out.

Several time-travelling first meetings later they meet again, fall in love, get married, and start a family.

Along the way Tim discovers he can use his gift to change things in his own life, but also that he cannot avoid the sorrows and difficulties that are part of everyday family life.

Written by Richard Curtis (Love Actually, Notting Hill, Four Weddings, Bridget Jones) and starring Bill Nighy as Tim’s dad, this is a

31

gentle, whimsical, moving comedy exploring the nature of family love, through the father-son relationship which Nighy and Gleeson portray brilliantly, but also the development and growth of Tim and Mary as they become parents themselves.

Much of the comedy is provided by the timetravelling as Tim tries again and again to get things just right, from his meeting Mary to his proposal to choosing the right best man; yet it also contains a serious message about life, and about making sure we live it to the full, because ultimately we will run out of time.

To quote Tim, “I try to live every day as if it were the final day of my extraordinary, ordinary life.”

Not so very far from Jesus’ words, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

The film throws up many “if only” and “what ifs” – it certainly makes us think about how we live life. It also makes us laugh. It may even make us cry; it is so much more than a “chick flick” or “rom-com”.

In fact, I would say it has a lot of the parable about it.

Thank you, Richard Curtis, thank you.

The Revd Martin Ceaser is minister of Crowthorne Baptist Church

SOLUTIONS

The APO is a Reading-based orchestra which meets for a couple of weekends to intensively rehearse the forthcoming concert.

Their recent concert highlighted the different sections of the orchestra with the Richard Strauss Suite for Wind, Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings, brass canzonas by Gabrieli and local composer Ken Moore, finishing with Sibelius’ Symphony No 7.

Conductor Andrew Taylor commanded the orchestra with energy, enthusiasm and some well chosen gestures and facial expressions.

The strings produced warm, rich sounds and there were some rare solo moments for the violas to shine.

The Suite for Wind contained drama and a variety of musical styles. The

wind section showed their versatility and did their best to portray the contrasts of this difficult piece.

The short, contrasting canzonas from the brass section provided light relief from the surrounding larger works and the trumpets used the bright acoustics to good effect. These were conducted by 17-year-old Will Padfield, a name to look out for in future.

The one-movement Sibelius was a chance for the orchestra to finally play all together and there was much attention to detail as the work changed in mood and style.

An evening with the APO always guarantees great music played with great enjoyment.

The Orchestra’s next concert will be at Reading Concert Hall on Saturday, January 18, 2014.The music includes Dvorak’s New World Symphony. v For more details or to book tickets, log on to www. aldworthphilharmonic.org.uk.

JUDITH CREIGHTON

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

Codewords

8 7 9 8 7 6 5 6 1 5

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

Str8ts Str8ts Solution

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

7 9 5 4 2 1 8 6 3

6 2 1 3 7 8 5 9 4

8 3 4 6 5 9 2 7 1

9 1 6 7 8 3 4 2 5

4 5 8 2 9 6 1 3 7

Suduku Sudoku Solution

3 7 2 1 4 5 6 8 9

2 8 3 5 1 7 9 4 6

1 6 9 8 3 4 7 5 2

5 4 7 9 6 2 3 1 8

Kakuro