Xn September 14 by The Wokingham Paper

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READING, WOKINGHAM & SURROUNDING AREAS SEPTEMBER 2014 ISSN 2049-4971

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‘You are there to offer people Christian hope’

At the heart of most funerals you’ll find a minister. Here JAMIE TAYLOR explains the privilege of his role

HE REVD Jamie Taylor’s first experience of death was in his late teens when his mother died. It was an experience that helped him at the age of 24 when he started taking funerals and helping the bereaved. “I have always felt a real empathy for those who have lost loves ones and that has only grown since I was ordained,” he says. “To me death is just a part of life.” Jamie is the vicar of St Andrew’s Church serving Sonning, Charvil and Sonning Eye. He has taken hundreds of funerals, but he still says each is unique. “You give of your very best,” he says. “You have to keep in mind with each funeral that here is one of God’s children who is loved and whose loss means so much to the people who are in front of you.” Jamie’s role often starts with a telephone call from a funeral director. He then visits the family at home to talk about the funeral service, to discuss the hymns and readings, and the family tributes and to talk

Funerals can often be a very difficult experience and the Revd Jamie Taylor knows that he had a part to play in helping the bereaved at their most difficult time

about the person who has died. “Sometimes you spend a lot more time sitting talking about how they are coping and trying to be a listening ear,” he says. When it comes to the funeral he is conscious that the family are looking to him to run the event. He does everything from leading the service and making sure the grave has been dug to supporting the family, comforting them for example when the hearse arrives and they see the coffin.

“This can often be a very difficult experience for people and you are there to help them at that most difficult time,” he says. He believes it is important that the family feel they have been consulted and listened to and also that the family listen to the clergy who are there to help. He also believes dignity is an important part of the funeral. “I think everything should be done decently and that you should also allow for the fact that people

want the funeral to be individual,” he says. “You also need the service to be uplifting. You are giving thanks for the person who has died and you want to send people out with a sense that this is not the end, that there is something else, and to try to get across the Christian teaching that their loved ones are at rest with God. “You are there to offer Christian hope.” Jamie is supported by an ordained colleague and a licensed lay minister who also take funerals. Burials are still taking place in the churchyard where people have been buried since the seventh century. If someone is buried in the churchyard Jamie is involved in approving the design of the headstone and the inscription. He also, if appropriate, continues to visit families after the funeral and is helped by a team of pastoral visitors. St Andrew’s has a bereavement group. “It is a privilege to be with people at such a difficult time,” says Jamie. “I have always found dealing with the bereaved to be one of the most rewarding aspects of my ministry. “You can see a real need – an acute need – and you can do your very best to try and help.”

This month

Festival 4

This is your magazine Contact us with your stories, email editor@xnmedia.co.uk write to Xn Media, Crown House, 231 King’s Road, Reading RG1 4LS. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Richard McCoull 0118 328 3108 richard@xnmedia.co.uk Xn is published by Xn Media. ISSN 2049-4971 c/o Crown House, 231 King’s Road, Reading RG1 4LS www.xnmedia.co.uk Twitter: @xnmedia Editor & publisher Phil Creighton editor@xnmedia.co.uk

Bully off 18

Memorial 13

Journalist Vivienne Johnson vivienne@xnmedia.co.uk Photography Lynda Bowyer lynda@xnmedia.co.uk Website Peter Bowyer peter@xnmedia.co.uk Distribution Judith Creighton judith@xnmedia.co.uk Contributors Michael Penny, Steve Prince, James Hern, Martin Ceaser, Chris Carter, Rosie Anstice, Matt Joyce, Jean Walsh, Ali Ceaser, Barrie Theobald, Elaine Watts, Sue Corcoran, Suea, Sue Cantwell Thanks to Alan Magness, Louise Cole, Mary Brockington, Andrew Taylor, Steve Curtis, Catherine Moor, Sedge Gooding, Sally Hamblin, Barry Kirk, Jeremy Sharpe, Sharon Elliott Cover picture Lynda Bowyer 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.

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Swim 21 Doctor Who 11 From the editor

ELCOME back! September can only mean one thing: summer is over and the nights are drawing in. As the schools go back for a new year, there’s a sense of new beginnings around. You’ll find that in our education special which starts on page 15. Also in this issue, we look forward to Phil looking back as memorial events to mark the centenary of the First World War continue. It’s been a busy time for many of us as we welcomed more than 90,000 people to the Reading Festival – you can find out more about that welcome overleaf, but there’s also some brilliant videos to watch on our website, xnmedia.co.uk. As usual, it’s a struggle to fit everything into the magazine, so do visit our website regularly. Enjoy your September!

Creighton

Concert 32

Contents

4 The Main Event 6 Excellent news 11 Interview Meet the new kid in the Tardis 15 Education options Special advertising feature 18 Reading Hockey Club 20 Sport 21 Your say 21 Recruitment 22 Classified 24 Family circle 26 What’s on Two pages of community events 28 Puzzles 29 Free time Our brilliant new leisure guide

GET IN TOUCH! email stories to editor@xnmedia.co.uk Deadline for Oct issue Friday, Sept 19

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E R T N E C

Reading welcomes

WORDS & PICTURES: LYNDA BOWYER

EADING was visited by around 90,000 rock lovers over the August Bank Holiday weekend – and to celebrate, they were given breakfasts, cakes, maps, soup and lots of love. Both on and off the Reading Festival site, Christians from across the town worked together to offer the warmest of welcomes to their guests. Churches near the Festival site opened their doors to offer clean toilets, charge phones, give out drinks, let people chill out and enjoy a cooked breakfast for a reasonable price. For the second year running, LifeSpring Church – based at The Pavilion on Oxford Road – offered free tea and toast to all who passed their doors, having first trialled this during last year’s Festival. A noticeboard outside invited people to try their newly-opened Café 12 which was open for business on Friday, the first day of the Festival. Offering a full range of sandwiches, baguettes, cake, snacks and drinks, Café 12 is managed by Claire Leonard. The café appeared to have provided support and refreshment to a steady stream of festival folks. “We’ve served over 60 people this morning,” Claire said, “and at one point we’d actually run out of bacon and had to send out for more!” In town, Greyfriars Church had fired up their barbecue and were selling gourmet sausages,

bacon butties, quarter-pounder beefburgers, vegetarian spring rolls and a range of drinks. Manning the barbecue tongs was Greyfriars Coffee Shop stalwart Pete Hannigan. Cook Caroline Obonyo staffed the servery and brought her own inimitable style of joviality, happiness and cheer to all who stopped by the stall. Members of Greyfriars Church Prayer Stop team were also outside the church, on hand to talk with people and discuss whatever problems they had, and to offer prayer and support either on the spot or inside the quiet and peaceful sanctuary of the Church.

Closer to the Festival site, Carey Baptist Church placed their information post along Caversham Road. Providing a service right through the Festival timetable, they provided Festival maps while their drinks stand provided a range of hot and cold drinks, lollies and badges. Advice and support was also on hand from stallholders to those festival goers who needed it. Thought-provoking question boards were placed around the stand offering opportunities for festival folks to talk and share, or perhaps go away with a thought or two to ponder over. Emmanuel Methodist Church, also on Reading’s Oxford Road, opened its doors for three days of cooked breakfasts. The building housed a chill-out zone and a much-needed vanity room for female visitors to freshen up before returning to the site. The team cooked up 1,051 breakfasts and raised £3,349.03 over the weekend. The money raised will go towards the church’s Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade companies. The Revd Andy Moffoot, minister of Emmanuel, said: “Some of the younger ones come to the festival for the first time and they come with this idea of this wonderful happy party all the time.

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festival fans

“If this is their first time, it can be a bit unnerving, so we’ve been a safe space for them to meet up with their friends.” Caversham Baptist Church also opened its doors for hungry festival goers, serving beans, spaghetti and cheese on toast, charging phones, offering fresh fruit and snacks and boasting spotless loos. It offered everything for free, although it welcomed donations. Suea, from the church, said: “It started with a few sandwiches and biscuits and it’s grown through the years. “The original people started it because they were in Iceland [in Caversham’s main shopping precinct]. “They came out and there was this long queue into the car park and went right the way down to the road. They asked people what they were queuing for – the toilets. “And they said to themselves we’ve got toilets in the church, why don’t we open it?” Inside the perimeter confines of the Festival site on Richfield Avenue, the Reading Central Salvation Army were providing a round-theclock service of soups, rolls, drinks, comfort and fellowship. The Army has had a presence on the Festival site for many years and are a welcome sight for many a hungry or weary reveller. Reading’s Street Pastors had a gazebo on site for the first time this year, and were on hand throughout the Festival to ensure people remained safe and secure. ADDITIONAL REPORTING: PHIL CREIGHTON

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v All change for HopeZone

v Walk round Dinton Pastures WINNERSH – A sponsored walk will take place in Dinton Pastures on Saturday, September 28. Organised by Curves Wokingham, the walk will help raise funds for Breast Cancer Care. It starts at 9.45am from Dinton Pastures Car Park and costs £10 to take part. v For details, call Curves Wokingham on 0118 977 5512.

v Family fun READING – St Barnabas Church in Elm Road is holding a free family fun day on Saturday, September 13. Starting at noon and running until 3pm there will be food, games and activities for children. v www.saintapb.org.uk

v Corrections A NUMBER of errors crept into the July/August issue, for which we apologise. Our report in the print edition about a sponsored walk in memory of Emily Cross, who died in tragic circumstances earlier this year, mistakenly said that she had fallen from a window. The online version was correct. We apologise for any distress to her family that this error may have caused. In our piece on the Wilfred Owen Association in Dunsden Green, we mistakenly said that he was born in 1987. This should have been 1887. The pictures for the preview of Wokingham Art Society’s annual show at St Paul’s Church in Wokingham said that the winner of the People’s Choice award was painted by Liz Seward. It was actually by Sue Smith. Apologies for the confusion. We strive for accuracy, but occasionally mistakes are made. v If you spot an error please let the editor know by emailing editor@xnmedia.co.uk.

Visit Xn’s website for even more to read!

Pictures: Lynda Bowyer

CROWTHORNE – A drop-in centre for secondary school children has announced plans for something exciting to brighten up Mondays. HopeZone, which runs from the Baptist Church in the village High Street, offers a safe and welcoming environment for anyone in that age group to play games, do homework or just relax and socialise. From this new term, it will open from 3pm to 6pm on Wednesdays, with the plans for October still to be announced as Xn went to press.

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Foodbank feeds 1,500 BY PHIL CREIGHTON A FOODBANK is marking its first anniversary with a miserable milestone – in the space of a year it has helped more than 1,500 people. The Wokingham Foodbank was launched in September last year and in July demand soared to the point that it reached the unwelcome figure. David Atkinson, the Foodbank’s co-ordinator, said: “The demand for our services continues to increase and we are now feeding about 65 families a month.” The Foodbank is run with the help of volunteers and helped referred clients by giving them an emergency food parcel which will last for three days. The parcels also include toiletries

Wokingham’s FoodBank has reached an unwelcome milestone

and sanitary items if needed. David said: “None of this would be possible without the help of the great team of volunteers, and of the people of Wokingham who support us so generously by their donations of food and funds. “At the recent collection weekends in May at Waitrose we collected 1.5 tonnes of food and at the more recent collection at Tesco

Take action on poverty

A NEW group that aims to tackle poverty will launch in Reading later this month. Church Action on Poverty will campaign at local and national levels. Any interested people in the area are invited to join the group at the launch meeting on Tuesday September 30 at 7pm. Group founder Salim Yakub said “I’m really excited about the launch of this group.” The first meeting will be held at Park United Reformed Church, Palmer Park Avenue – off Wokingham Road – in Reading. v For more details, or to join, contact Salim on 07837 400216 or email salimyakub0203@gmail.com v A longer version of this story is on our website. Log on to goo.gl/McxSF4.

we collected 1.2 tonnes. That’s equivalent to 6,900 meals.” The first anniversary was marked with a fundraising book and CD sale at the Bradbury Centre on Saturday, August 30, and a service of thanksgiving, held in the town’s Methodist Church on Wednesday, September 3. v For more ways to help, log on to wokingham.foodbank.org.uk.

ReadiFood needs drivers READING’S Foodbank has appealed for volunteers to come forward to ensure it can get food to people who are in desperate need. ReadiFood is asking for drivers and navigators to come forward and help get food delivered. Parent organisation FAITH Christian Group says that it also needs volunteers to ensure its Tea Bar can continue on Sunday evenings. Based in Hosier Street, Reading from 5.30pm, it provides hot drinks, sandwiches and chat to those who come along. Malcolm Peirce, director of FAITH, said: “We are in danger of not being able to run our Tea Bar on Sunday evenings due to lack of volunteers. Can you help?” v For more details, or to offer help, call 0118 987 2672 or log on to www.fcg.org.uk.

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Guides beat the loan sharks BY PHIL CREIGHTON TALENTED youngsters from Tilehurst have received Government recognition in their battle against loan sharks. Members of the 5th Tilehurst Guides scooped a national award for their campaign to raise awareness about Stop Loan Sharks. The campaign warns people away from borrowing money from dangerous loan sharks and helps them learn about payday loan companies with high interest rates. The Guides designed a badge and a booklet about savings, banking and safe places to borrow money. This has been used to educate young people and their families about effective budgeting and avoiding money lenders. Chosen by an online vote, the Guides are the national winners in the third annual Stop Loan Sharks Champions Awards. Their £1,000 prize was presented at a Parliamentary reception by Consumer Affairs Minister Jo Swinson MP.

Members of the 5th Tilehurst Guides receive their prize at the House of Parliament from Jo Swinson MP Picture: Department for Business Innovation and Skills She said: "These young women are rightly being commended for their innovative and determined efforts to prevent people becoming embroiled with loan sharks. It shows how Girlguiding is tackling modern issues and equipping girls with vital skills.” Ellen Mitchell, 16, a Young Leader with the 5th Tilehurst Guides and one of the project leaders, said: "We learned about the impact loan sharks were having in our area and we wanted to take action and raise awareness.

“I’m really proud that we have created such a fun and useful badge.” Kim Jakubiszyn, the Leader of 5th Tilehurst Guides said: “I have always been so incredibly proud of my small team of volunteers, our Guides and their achievements.” The 5th Tilehust Guides meet during term-time in St Michael’s Church Hall in Tilehurst. v A longer version of this story can be found on Xn’s website, goo.gl/yWNnmn

v Get on the bus A BUS that stops in Reading’s town centre is looking for people to ensure that its services don’t stop. The First Stop Bus parks up on Friar Street on Friday and Saturday nights to offer First Aid and help to clubbers. Along with Street Pastors, it needs volunteers. Training sessions start on September 13. v For more details, email Sally Leonard at reading@streetpastors. org.uk or call 07970 710080.

v Let’s be friends ENGAGE Befriending requires volunteers to visit older people living in the Reading Borough who are lonely or isolated. These visits are weekly or fortnightly and help transform lives of vulnerable and lonely people. The charity is seeking more befrienders and also someone who could design new leaflets as they seek to spread the word. v To offer help or for more information, contact Katherine Shepherd at engage@ themustardtree.org or call 0118 956 7000.

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v Hear how gangster went straight UPPER WOOLHAMPTON – A man who turned his back on a life of crime will share his story at Douai Abbey. Ex-gangster John Pridmore will talk about his chaotic life before a calamity made him decide that he needed to change direction. John will speak at a 9.45am and 11am mass to be held at Douai on Saturday, October 20 and everyone is welcome.

v Parenting tips TWO new courses aimed at helping parents will run at Wycliffe Baptist Church in east Reading this month. A course for parents of preschoolers will run on Wednesday mornings at 10.15am-11.15am from Wenesday, September 17. A course for parents of children aged five to 11 runs from 6.30pm7.30pm from Tuesday, Sept 23. v For details, or to book, call the church office on 0118 929 9911 or visit wycliffe-church.org.uk.

Cross a river for Jubilee day BY PHIL CREIGHTON A GOLDEN celebration will take place to mark 50 years of Zambia’s independence. Tyndale Baptist Church in Cressingham Road, Reading, will be the central focus for a special event organised by Zambians living in Berkshire. And they are hoping that everyone will come along and celebrate with them. The day starts at 10am and includes a service at 11am, with the Revd John Young as guest speaker. In the afternoon there will be plenty of food to enjoy. The Mayor of Reading, local MPs and representatives from the Zambian High Commissioner will be present. Entry is free and a collection will be taken for NGO (Gold), which aims to alleviate poverty in the country. v For details, call Pru on 07429 498824 or email gold4zambia@live.com

The house that love built

Members of the 2nd Reading Boys’ Brigade stand next to the house that they spent their summer holidays building. The lads had been taking part in ReBuild, a project run by Urban Saints. They flew out to South Africa for an 11-day experience building homes for families that otherwise couldn’t afford them. Vicki Emmett, spokesperson for the lads, said: “They all worked incredibly hard and had fun with the other group members and the locals. “The man in the middle of the photo is Petros and it was for him and his grandchildren that the house was built. As you can imagine he was overjoyed.” v For more on the company, log on to www.2ndreading.weebly.com.

Join us for

Many Rivers To Cross as we celebrate

ZAMBIA’S GOLDEN JUBILEE 10am-4pm | Saturday, October 18 | Tyndale Baptist Church, Reading

We are pleased to invite you to come and celebrate with us Zambia’s Golden Jubilee – 24th October 1964 – 24th October 2014. This will be held in partnership with Zambians and friends of Zambia in Berkshire (Zam – Berks) and elsewhere 10am-10.45am Tea and Coffee 11am-12.45pm Church Service 1pm-4pm Food, refreshments and networking

Our honoured guests for the day will be former missionaries to Zambia; the Revd John Young being our guest speaker. He was a missionary to Zambia in the 70s. We will also have a representation from various departments here in the UK. These will include The Zambian High Commissioner in London; The Mayor of Reading, Members of Parliament and others.

Food will be sold for fundraising purposes, but drinks (hot or cold) will be free of charge. A collection will be taken for the NGO (Gold). The vision for Gold is “Extreme Poverty Alleviation in Zambia; for Sustainable Development”. There will be information about NGO (Gold)’s work to take with you from the event.

PLEASE CONNECT US WITH ZAMBIANS & FRIENDS OF ZAMBIA THERE WILL BE SUFFICIENT ROOM FOR EVERY GUEST! Please contact Pru on 07429 498824 or email gold4zambia@live.com Tyndale Baptist Church, 2-4 Cressingham Road, Reading RG2 7JE

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O SA W LE O N !

Children search for treasure

Churches across the region held Holiday Bible Clubs during the summer, including a treasure hunt at Kennet Valley Free Church in Calcot. The club has been going for more than 10 years at the Church, and attracted between 130 and 150 children to the new church site at Ford’s Farm. The week-long club culminated with a special end-of-week fancy dress party. PICTURE: Lynda Bowyer Photography

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Join Bear Grylls on an epic mission BY VIVIENNE JOHNSON BEAR GRYLLS is throwing out a challenge to put on your walking boots, pump up your bicycle tyres and take to the open road. The adventurer is supporting Ride+Stride, an annual event organised by the Churches Trust, a national charity that promotes the repair and revitalisation of church buildings for the benefit of the local community. The day, held on Saturday, September 13, aims to get people using foot or pedal power to visit historic churches in the region. Participants are sponsored. Bear said: “Wherever you go, your Ride+Stride journey will help ensure that historic churches remain at the heart of our national heritage and the soul of local communities for generations to come.” Ride+Stride is the biggest single ecumenical event in England. The Rt Revd Andrew Proud, Bishop of Reading, is also supporting Ride+Stride.

He said: “It’s a no-brainer, really. “Cycling and walking are good for your health and wellbeing and to combine them with raising money for our beautiful Berkshire churches means everyone wins. “This is a really worthwhile thing to do and I encourage you to get your walking boots on or get on your bike and join in. Help us save part of our cultural heritage.” This year’s event is run in conjunction with sponsored bicycle rides and walks organised by County Trusts across the UK. Partipicants can organise their own route or get help from the website for Berkshire Churches Trust, where Peter Durrant, Chair of the Trust’s executive commitee has posted a walk around Reading’s churches. Money raised is split between the church of the walker’s choice and the Trust. v For details of the national event, visit www.rideandstrideuk.org v For the local event, visit www. berkschurchestrust.org.uk/ridestride

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v Value & Flog It! CAVERSHAM – A TV antiques expert is inviting you to get your items valued and, if you wish, auctioned. Thomas Plant, who appears on Flog It, will come to St Peter’s Church on Saturday, October 11, for the fundraising event. For £3, he and a team from Special Auction Services will value an item. Items that then be put into a forthcoming auction. Money raised will go to the church’s organ appeal. It takes place from 10am to 2pm. v To make an appointment call 0118 9479366 or 07557 049092 or just turn up on the day.

v Wheel marathon CALCOT –Thames Valley Kings Wheelchair Basketball Club will host a marathon on Saturday, September 13, at Kennet Leisure Centre. Running from 8am-6pm, teams can experience wheelchair basketball in special sports wheelchairs. v For more details or to register visit www.berkshire wheelchairbasketball.co.uk/ tournament.

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Looking back, looking forward Crowthorne Baptist Church is celebrating 100 years by building for the future. MARGARET KERFOOT sets the scene

014 is a signifcant year for many – it commemorates 100 years since the beginning of the First WorldWar. At Crowthorne Baptist Church we have been working towards a great weekend commemorating 100 years since a small group of people decided to start a Baptist fellowship in the, then, small village of Crowthorne. The celebration will take place on Saturday, September 6, in the Recreation Ground. Crowthorne was originally part of the Royal Forest of Windsor and I suppose many Crowthorners still feel more drawn towards the Bracknell side, being in the same county, but the founders of the Baptist Church were from “across the border” in Camberley.

Crowthorne Baptist Church as it was (above) and how it will be (below)

The first service was held in a village hall on September 6, 1914. From these humble beginnings in a hired hall, we have had various buildings of our own on the wonderful site in the middle of the High Street so we can truly call ourselves the church at the centre of the village. I have spent most of my life in this small and friendly village, having moved here when I was just nine. During that time, I have seen the church grow. As a little girl I remember being in Sunday School in the old tin hut behind the fairly new church

building which had been opened in 1954. In the early 1960s, the church decided to replace the old tin hut with a modern brick hall more in keeping with the church. My father undertook the project and it opened for our 50th anniversary. Now we face another buildings challenge – our biggest yet. There are ambitious plans to demolish both the existing church and hall and replace them with a purpose built 21st century three-storey building with rooms which can be used by and for the community. This, of course, will cost a lot of money – probably more than £2m. We have committed ourselves to a seemingly impossible task but we are sure that God is with us. I feel privileged to have been a part of this worshipping community who are taking big steps into its next 100 years. v A longer version of this article can be found at xnmedia.co.uk v Margaret is a member of Crowthorne Baptist Church

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Pilgrims ready to walk Spain BY CANON JOHN O’SHEA A GROUP of 34 parishioners from the Catholic community across Reading will follow in the footsteps of their medieval forebears as they go on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in north west Spain. Santiago is said to be the burial place of St James the Apostle, who was beheaded in Jerusalem on the orders of the Roman Emperor Herod Agrippa in the 1st century. In the Middle Ages pilgrims from all over Europe made their way to Santiago along well-known pilgrims’ routes to pray at the tomb of St James. These days, the ‘Camino’ or Way of St James is a very popular walking route; more than 200,000 people completed the walk last year. Reading also has a special connection to the Saint as the main holy relic in Reading Abbey was said to be the hand of St James, given to the Abbey by its founder, King Henry I. The modern day pilgrims will

start their journey from St James Catholic Church, in the Forbury, which stands within the ruins of the medieval Abbey. There they will each have their pilgrim’s passport, known in Spanish as a credencial, stamped with the symbol of the scallop shell, which is particularly associated with St James but has become the emblem of pilgrims everywhere. The group will then fly to Spain and journey from Sarria, a town 111km from Santiago. After walking for five days, spending the nights in pilgrims’ hostels and small hotels, they will reach Santiago on September 16. They will then join pilgrims from all over the world at a Mass for Pilgrims in Santiago Cathedral. Like pilgrims through the ages each person will have their own reasons for journeying to Santiago but all will give thanks for their safe arrival and hope to return home spiritually refreshed. Canon John O’Shea is the parish priest of St James, Reading

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Watch out for Remi in new Dr Who

v Curry night helps Iraq & Nigeria crisis

BY PHIL CREIGHTON LISTEN up – TV’s most popular Time Lord has a new star in the show. And he’s from Reading. Remi Gooding, a Year 7 pupil who is about to start at Maiden Erlegh School, will be seen assisting Doctor Who in a new adventure which will be screened on Saturday, September 13. The plot of the episode, Listen, is a closely guarded secret but sees the Doctor alone in his spaceship – what scares the ‘grand old man’ of Time and Space? Although Remi’s role is a mystery, the episode features ghosts of the past and future including a terrified caretaker in a children’s home and a little boy who doesn’t want to join the army. Remi was cast after a series of auditions, not long after Peter Capaldi had filmed his first scenes as the Time Lord. “I screamed when I heard I’d got the part,” he said. “I was so happy.” To film the role, Remi was in the BBC studios

“I really enjoyed working with them,” he said. The talented youngster has the acting bug. Along with his brother Emile, he will also be appearing in a major West End show this autumn. “I definitely want to carry on acting,” he said. For now though, he’s looking forward to September 13 and the world can see his work. “I’ll have a big party and invite most of my friends to watch,” he says proudly. Remi is definitely one to watch. v Doctor Who: Listen will be shown on BBC1 on Saturday, September 13.

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Supporting independent living

NEW and exciting venture for an ‘outstanding’ provider of care, Chrysalis Care has branched out to provide excellent care and support to older people and those living with disabilities, all provided in the comfort and familiarity of the client’s own home.

A family run business and established in 1997, Chrysalis Care at Home offer 24 hour live-in care as well as day, night, respite and emergency care. Based in Reading, it prides itsself on delivering dignified, personcentred care with compassion by a small consistent team of local carers. Chrysalis Care is registered and monitored by the CQC (Care Quality Commission) and has recently undergone an extremely successful inspection.

BEECH HILL – Following news of the atrocities in Iraq and Nigeria, Beech Hill villagers took action by holding a fundraising curry night. They gathered in St Mary’s Church in August for the meal, provided by Miah’s of Spencers Wood, and a talk given by Rob Shotliff from Open Doors. The charity helps provide advocacy services to persecuted Christians and churches worldwide. Organiser Rosie Anstice said: “Accounts of the horrors of persecution as well as the amazing bravery of individuals who facilitate communication between warring parties offered us the opportunity to ask how we could continue to make a difference in even a small way.” After the talk there was an auction, which helped raise £1,528 for the charity. Rosie said: “A vast amount of thanks to all who came and gave their money to do something to change a little bit of the horror that is going on in Iraq and Nigeria especially.”

Young Reading actor Remi Gooding joined Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman for a guest role in the current series of Doctor Who Picture: BBC in Cardiff and – as his Mum, Sedge, explained – he was treated like royalty. “It was amazing,” she said. “He was given absolutely outstanding treatment. He had his own trailer and he was even driven to the set to avoid the groupies!” Being on the set was an experience Remi will treasure. “I did see the Tardis,” he said – but remained tight lipped about whether the Daleks turned up. He did act alongside Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman.

It offers an all-inclusive service, providing holiday accommodation and social activities for its longterm clients. Hand-picked carers and nurses go through stringent checks, are qualified or NVQ trained and are continuously monitored to ensure first class quality care and support is provided. Recent comments received regarding care provided: “I would like to thank Chrysalis Care for giving my mother a whole new lease of life”. “The interest shown by carers is genuine and sincere”. Please call Rachael if you would like some advice, answer to questions or a no-obligation free initial visit to discuss how we can help you or a loved one: v Call 0118 942 9889 or log on to www.chrysaliscareathome.org.

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NEWS

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v Keep it in the family READING – If you would like to give a couple of hours a week to help a local family with pre-school children, contact Home-Start Reading. A new and fun 10-session training course will be held from September 16 at The Warehouse, Cumberland Road, near Cemetery Junction in Reading. It will run on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm, with a break for half-term. v For details, call Sarah or Marion at Home-Start Reading on 0118 956 0050 or email office@home-startreading.org.uk.

v Teens on course BRACKNELL – Parents looking for help with getting the best out of their teenagers can get tips from a new course taking place later this month. Kerith Community Church in Bracknell is the venue for the Parenting Teenagers course, which runs from Monday, September 15, from 7.30pm. It is aimed at any parents, step-parents, or carers of children aged 11-18. v For more details, log on to www.kerith.co.uk.

Weekend of climate change action BY JOHN WAKEFIELD PEOPLE hungry for justice and action on climate change are being encouraged to invite their local MP to visit them next month. Aid agency Christian Aid is organising the Hunger For Justice weekend over October 18 and 19 and is asking churches to join in. Organisers say that the event is a powerful moment for people to come together and speak out against the injustice of climate change and pray for change. Participating churches will invite their local MP to an event or service to speak about their commitments to international development, and to hold them to account for their party’s promises on climate change. Christian Aid say that the world’s poorest people – those communities who have done the least to cause climate change – are bearing the brunt of its chaos. It adds that ever more erratic weather

Christian Aid is looking for volunteer teachers to visit schools around the country and provide inspiring assemblies, lessons, talks and workshops on a range of topical global issues. They visit schools to help children understand more about the humanitarian work of the agency and appreciate the different challenges faced by poor people in other parts of the world. On Xn’s website, Reading-based volunteer Chris Gayford explains more about his role. For more details, or to book a volunteer teacher, contact Sarah Clay in Christian Aid’s regional office on 01865 246818 or sclay@christian-aid.org. is increasing the incidences of storms and droughts, ruining harvests and eroding gains made by poor communities as they try to work their way out of poverty. Jessica Hall, Christian Aid Regional Coordinator for Berkshire, said: “The Hunger for Justice weekend gives us the chance to stand shoulder-

Heal the emotional pain A COURSE aimed at healing the emotional pain of the breakdown of a marriage or other significant relationship marks more than 20 years’ dedicated work by an expanding charity. Divorce Recovery Workshop, is running the course at Brookside Church, Brookside Close, Earley on Friday evenings October 3 and 10, and Saturdays October 4 and 11. A parishioner at the church, John Kemp of Wokingham, attended what became the first Divorce Recovery Workshop in the UK in 1992. John, 61, an aftersales manager in the motor industry, found the course life-changing. “My wife and I had been married for 16 years and had two daughters aged 11 and eight when we split up,” he said. “I was devastated. I felt my world had come to an end. Going to the workshop helped me put things into perspective. It helped me understand how I was feeling and what my ex-wife may have been feeling as well. “It changed my mindset. I needed to work things through, see my future & not look back.” The 1992 workshop was run by Andrew Ball of Maidenhead. Andrew’s own marriage collapse sent him to seek a break with a cousin in California where Divorce Recovery Workshop already existed. Andrew found attending a course there hugely helpful. Inspired, he returned to run the highly successful Maidenhead workshop attracting 50 people. Andrew, John and others on the course pledged to start DRW in the UK. Around 7,500 people have since taken part, and it now runs from 16 centres in the UK.

More courses are being added all the time with Belsey Bridge in Suffolk being the latest and others starting in Wales and Cornwall. The workshop is run by volunteers who have previously attended for themselves and subsequently return to help facilitate a group. Videos are used to focus attention on the session topic which is then discussed in small groups. While everyone is encouraged to join in the discussion there is no pressure to do so. The sessions include: Is this really happening to me? Coping with your ex-spouse. Assuming new responsibilitites. Letting go and forgiveness. Family matters. Thinking about new relationships. A small fee covers the course, materials and refreshments. Whilst the courses are founded on Christian principals, they are open to people of any or no faith, and of any age, gender, sexuality or background. The course is not about religion and has no hidden agenda having very little direct religious content. At some locations, optional sessions are available for those struggling with faith issues in order to explore the Christian views and biblical references. Workshop details can be found at: www.drw.org.uk. John can be contacted at 0118 979 2770.

to-shoulder with sisters and brothers around the world, and encourages us all to take steps towards a safer, cleaner future.” v Find out more about taking part and urging your MP to act on climate change by visiting christianaid.org. uk/hungerforjustice or call the Oxford office on 01865 246 818 or email oxford@christian-aid.org.

Separated or Divorced? Are you asking yourself why it all happened? Asking why me? Struggling with the trauma? Feeling rejected? Feeling that nobody understands? At whatever stage of separation or divorce you find yourself, Divorce Recovery Workshop helps you make some sense of it all and helps you find ways of moving forward. The Workshop uses thought-provoking DVD material with small group discussions over 6 sessions

“You

can go through it or grow through it”

Next dates: Sat 4th & 11th Oct 2014 Local contacts: Kathy: 0118 978 5101 or 07785 223821 John: 07880 702337

www.drw.org.uk

0700 781889

FIRST WORLD WAR

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Commemorations continue Lord Remnant will unveil the plaque and a light tea will follow. A special memorial service will be held at Earley St Peter’s Church on Sunday, September 21 from 6.30pm. There will be readings, hymns and prayers with music from the Pangbourne Silver Band. To accompany the service, to which everyone is invited, there will be an exhibition in the church from 11am to 3pm on Monday, September 22 and Wednesday, September 24.

v Theale remembers THEALE – A series of special events will be held so villagers can mark the centenary of the First World War. A village fete will be held in the Recreation Ground on Saturday, September 13 from noon to 5pm. A 1914-style Choral Evensong will be held at Holy Trinity Church at 6.30pm the following evening. A concert will be held at the church on Saturday, September 20. On Sunday, September 28, the church’s war memorial will be rededicated by the Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Andrew Proud. It starts at 2.30pm. v www.holytrinitytheale.org.uk

All Saints Church in Dunsden Green held an exhibition to remember First World War solders including Wilfred Owen. A report is on our website, xnmedia.co.uk BY PHIL CREIGHTON COMMEMORATIONS to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War are continuing during September. In Wokingham a series of events will be centred on Sunday, September 14. The Town Hall will be launching a special War Memorial Trail as part of its participation in Heritage Open Days. The trail is an opportunity to explore the memorials throughout the borough, in different locations. These vary from external crosses and stained glass windows through to internal wooden memorials; all of which commemorate the sacrifice made by local individuals. The Town Hall will be open from 11am to 4pm and visitors can see a display of First World War memorials. A range of activities for children will also be available. To complement the open day, All Saints Church in nearby Wiltshire Road will be hosting a First World War themed concert

at 3pm. The Trinity Concert Band will be performing music from the era, based on a concert performed in Wokingham just before the war. Lasting around an hour, the concert will include readings from sources of the time. For more details log on to www. wokingham-tc.gov.uk/heritage St Paul’s Church in Reading Road has erected a special exhibition devoted to the soldiers listed in the church’s Roll of Honour and this will be on show during heritage weekend. Away from Wokingham, St Mary’s Church in Shinfield will holding a flower festival, Anthem for Doomed Youth, on Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7, from 10am to 5pm. The memorial festival aims to remember the people of Shinfield who died during the First World War. Residents of Knowl Hill and Warren Row are invited to the rededication of the War Memorial in the village hall on Sunday, September 7 from 3.15pm.

Join us on Sundays from 7th September 10am-12noon Hemdean House School Hemdean Road, Caversham no

perfect people allowed!

www.riversidechurchreading.co.uk

NEWS

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Animals, inflatables and ice cream at fun day

v Is business too tough? READING – With groups such as UK Uncut protesting against companies that don’t pay Corporation Tax and 11-year-old schallenging company bosses at AGMs about pay and conditions of workers, it may seem that business is hard-hearted. A talk taking place later this month aims to challenge that notion by asking whether business can have a soul. Led by Andy Freeman, who works as a Church Missionary Society Pioneer and an ICF (Industrial Christian Fellowship) fellow, the talk has been organised by Reading@Work, a group that exists to support Christians in the workplace. It will be held in Bill’s Restaurant in Chain Street, Reading from 7.45pm on Monday, September 22. Entry is free – and you can order food from the restaurant while listening to the talk. Places must be booked in advance. v For more details or to book, log on to www.readingatwork.org or www.icf-online.org.

v Grab a bargain at this autumn fair SANDHURST – Sandhurst and Yateley Methodist Church is holding an autumn fair on Saurday, September 13 at its Scotland Hill base. All funds raised will go towards improving the kitchen facilities. The fair will be a coffee and chat morning with stalls. v For more details, log on to www.sandhurstmethodist.org.uk.

EVERYONE in Lower Earley is invited to a spectacular fun day later this month. The events field in Kilnsea Drive will become a fairground on Saturday, September 13.

There will be a music and entertainment, stalls, live animals, ice cream, inflatables and more. It runs from noon to 4pm and entry is free and be opened by Earley Mayor, Cllr Linda Chambers.

The event has been organised for the community by Lower Earley Baptist Church. v For details, call the church on 0118 935 3598 or log on to www. lowerearleybaptistchurch.org.uk.

Philippa is a Precious guest BY PHIL CREIGHTON A TALENTED singer/songwriter is hoping girls will get Precious when she comes to tea later this month. Philippa Hanna will be the special guest at this year’s Precious Vintage Tea Party event, aimed at girls in school years Three to 11 and their Mums, Aunties and Grannies. The event will take place at the FBC Centre in Finchampstead on the afternoon of Saturday, September 27 and organisers Louise Harmer and Selina Webb are looking forward to it. “I’m so excited, I can’t believe she’s coming,” says Louise. “There’s been lots of smiles on people’s faces when we tell them.” Selina added: “It adds to the specialness of the event – and she’s looking forward to coming.” That specialness is something that runs through Precious like a stick of rock. Places are limited to 200 and there is something for the mums as well as the girls who come along, making the most of the vintage tea party. The emphasis is on a quality event as Selina

Selina Webb (left) and Louise Harmer are looking forward to welcoming Philippa Hanna (below) to their girlie afternoon Precious explained: “I’d rather do 200 [places] and do it well, rather than 250 and not do it well.” The afternoon is more than just tea, cakes, craft and live music. Precious’ slogan is ‘Be inspired to be the Girl God designed you to be!’ and the emphasis is very much on encouraging girls to eschew peer pressure and be themselves. “This is the next generation of women,” Louise said. “We want them to like what they see in the mirror and they know that beauty is beyond what they see in that mirror. “Girlyness is whatever is in you, do that in the right way.”

Louise added that the environment means that they can challenge stereotypes and encourage girls to see that “we’re not to be compared – we compliment each other”. The event includes afternoon tea served on vintage china, crafts and an inspirational talk. v A message from Philippa can be found at www.preciousministries.com. v Precious runs from 1pm to 5pm on Saturday, September 27 at the FBC Centre in Finchampstead. Places should be booked by Sept 22. For details, email preciousgirlsministries@gmail.com or visit the FBC Centre reception. v A longer version of this article can be found at xnmedia.co.uk

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WHEN an over 50s class was cancelled suddenly, its members decided that everything must stop for tea. Wokingham Borough Council’s Sports and Leisure department were forced to cancel one of its weekly classes due to August holidays. Members of the Movement to Music class for over 50s decided to hold a special tea party instead. The group meets at Earley St Peter’s Church Hall and decided to use the venue for a tea at the Ritz.

Out came bone china tea services and fancy tablecloths. Sandwiches were spread, cakes and scones were baked, ready to be topped with jam and cream. More than 70 people enjoyed the lavish tea party. Before tea was served, Bill Watts gave a presentation reflecting some of the activities that take place in the parish. The event was a great success and raised more than £300 for the Help for Heroes charity. BARRIE THEOBALD

EDUCATION OPTIONS

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EDUCATION SPECIAL

Luckley House celebrates its talented students

ALENTED students from Luckley House School are celebrating their impressive academic achievements in both A-levels and GCSEs. In A-Levels, the school was celebrating a pass rate of 98%, with 77% of the grades being A* to B. Delighted pupils included Verity Phillips who achieved three A* in Biology, Drama and Theatre Studies, History and an A in English Literature, which guarantees her a place at Bristol to study History. Jemima Knowlson achieved A* A and B in Art, Economics and Business Studies and Geography and is currently looking at her university options. Christina Li achieved 2 A* in Chinese and Maths with an A plus a B in Further Maths and Physics and will soon be going to Durham to study Mathematics. Headmistress Mrs Jane Tudor says: “There is a frisson of excitement every time a young person achieves a goal. This is exactly what we saw at Luckley House School.

Luckley House students Jemima Knowlson and Verity Phillips celebrate their A-level results

“The students have gained entry into a wide variety of university courses, from Engineering and Mathematics to Art, History and Philosophy. Over 90% have gained entry into their first choices at universities such as York, Durham, Birmingham and UCL (London). “At Luckley House School we encourage pupils to pursue their passions and to push the boundaries of what they think it is possible to achieve. “In doing so they achieved

excellence across the curriculum. The outstanding A Level results, 77% A* to B are testament to the hard work of the students, supported by high calibre teaching staff, and we are proud of all of them.” At GCSE level, 96% of the results were grades A* to C – and 79% were A* to B. Heading the pack was Amy Martin aged 16 from Wokingham. She achieved 11 A* grades. Lottie Boyd, 16 and from Hurst, had 9 A* grades and 2As.

Jane said: “These results are just an example of the achievements of all the girls being informed of the GCSE results. Outstanding results were seen in all subjects, highlighting excellence across the curriculum. “The young people of Luckley House School will now progress on to the next stage of their education with the assurance of sound foundations.” Luckley House School is based in Wokingham and built on the Christian foundations of love and service. It aims to enable its students to thrive in a secure and encouraging environment, thereby equipping each girl to be resourceful and resilient – ready to take on life’s many challenges and opportunities. You can see for yourself at its forthcoming open mornings, on Saturday, October 18, Tuesday, November 18. Alternatively contact the school to make an appointment. v For details, log on to luckleyhouseschool.org, email: Registrar@luckleyhouseschool.org or call: 0118 978 4175.

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NEWS/EDUCATION OPTIONS

Join Ken for night on the tiles with Byte BY PETER BOWYER A CHANCE encounter with a poster on the London Underground led to the foundation of one of the UK’s most successful public participation charity events. PR professional Ken Deeks was travelling by tube to one of his IT industry clients in 1998, when he noticed a poster promoting the Action For Children charity. He began to wonder that if the industry could put on such a blaze of publicity about the Millennium Bug issue, why couldn’t it do the same for a good cause? In that fleeting moment, Byte Night was born. Ken got a group of 30 colleagues together and slept out on a chilly November night in London to raise around £35,000 in sponsorship. Since then, Byte Night has grown to more than 1,000 participants, who in 2013 between them raised more than £1 million. This year’s Byte Night will take place on

Ken Deeks, organiser of the Byte Night Friday, October 3, across eight locations around the UK, many of them for the first time, with around 1,500 sleepers set to take part. The events will again see some of the country’s top business and tech executives from some of the UK’s biggest companies – including HP, RBS, Dell, Citrix, EY and KPMG – all signed up to sleep out. Ken is especially pleased that there’s a Byte

Night event in his home town of Reading. The participants will be sleeping out in a corner of Forbury Gardens, after a briefing to set the scene and remind them why they’re there. “People get a great deal out of participating”, Ken said. “There’s a great atmosphere and our sleepers have no problem raising sponsorship.” “The incredible support we receive from returning and new companies is what keeps us growing year-on-year, each time raising more and more money to help the 80,000 or so homeless young people in the UK. “I’m extremely proud to know we’ve provided so many young people with the space and security they need to work out what they want from their lives.” v Barclays, SAS, Genpact, Microsoft, Dell and EY have already signed up to take part in Byte Night Thames Valley on Friday, October 3. There’s still time to register a team for this year’s event – sign up at bytenight.org.uk.

EDUCATION SPECIAL

The Abbey School students celebrate another year of record-breaking results

The independent day school in Reading for girls aged 3–18

Come to an open event where our girls will show you round and tell you why they love their school

Senior School Open Evening

Thursday 18 September 5.30 - 8.30pm

Junior School and Nursery Open Morning Friday 26 September 9.15-11.00am

Visit our website for times of Head’s talks and further information. For enquiries please contact Admissions on 0118 987 2256 or admissions@theabbey.co.uk

www.theabbey.co.uk

STUDENTS and staff at The Abbey School are celebrating a superb set of examination results this year. At A Level 94% of entries were graded at A*-B and a record-breaking 78% of entries earned the top A* and A grades. More than half of the students in the year group achieved a clean sweep of A*/A grades in all their subjects, with five girls achieving three or more A* grades. Girls who studied the International Baccalaureate gained an average of 38 points, maintaining the school’s position in the top echelon of IB diploma schools worldwide. The girls were delighted to secure places on highly competitive courses at universities throughout the UK and overseas. The subjects chosen reflect the breadth of talents and interests at The Abbey, with everything from Architecture and Medicine

to Stage Management and Theatre Design selected as the starting points to exciting futures. At GCSE the girls gained the best results in The Abbey’s 127 year history. With 89% of papers graded at A*-A and more than half of the year group achieving a clean sweep of A*-A grades, the girls have excelled academically. Furthermore, they have learnt the important art of balancing their studies with the many extra-curricular activities in which they are involved, from DofE to sport, music and drama, and even volunteering to tutor children from Reading’s refugee families. v The Abbey’s new Head, Mrs Rachel Dent , is looking forward to welcoming prospective Abbey Families to the School at an Open Evening to be held on Thursday, September 18. For more information, log on to www.theabbey.co.uk

NEWS/EDUCATION

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Come to the Kitchen for a feast from Africa BY VIVIENNE JOHNSON

AN MP who opened a new restaurant said that it was “an honour” to do so. Alok Sharma, MP for Reading West, opened Faith Kitchen, a new African-themed restaurant on Reading’s Oxford Road. He said: “I was delighted to officially open Faith Kitchen. The delicious African menu will certainly fill a gap in the market for Reading’s African community. “It has a fantastic location in a vibrant community. I’m convinced it will put [African] food on the map.” The restaurant is the brainchild of Dr Elizabeth Omole, who moved to Reading from London less than a year ago. “We lived in London for about 20 years.” said Elizabeth. “I am a

Alok Sharma cuts the ribbon to open Faith Kitchen university lecturer and I used to come here with my husband to speak at conferences. “We’ve been coming to Reading for about 25 years and every time I come I realise there’s not a lot of

African food to eat. I thought of all the African food we can do and I thought, it’s worth trying.” Faith Kitchen is bright and friendly with a contemporary feel. “I want an atmosphere of

relaxation,” said Elizabeth, “where customers can relax and forget about what they are doing.” The menu offers a wide selection of East and West African cuisine with generous portion sizes. Appetisers start at £1.50 with lots to choose from including beef suya and fresh fish pepper soup. Main courses, including plantain with fish and meat, cost under £11 and a variety of side orders such as dodo, moin moin and beans mean there is plenty of choice. Faith Kitchen also offers a takeaway service and home delivery is available within a three-mile radius. A catering service is also available. It is open Monday to Saturday noon to midnight and from 2pm to 11pm on Sundays. v For more details, log on to www.faithkitchen.co.uk.

EDUCATION SPECIAL

Why send your child to a faith school? ANDREW COLPUS looks at the benefits of the right environment for your child’s education

For others, it can add a dimension to your child’s life that provides the foundation for them to achieve, in a

nurturing and inspiring environment. Andrew Colpus is the Headmaster of St Joseph’s College in Reading

HOOSING a school for your child, whether primary or secondary, can be a minefield. Considering factors such as academic results, wider social and moral education, ethics, school reputation, class sizes, peers, facilities – the list is endless and mind boggling. However, it can be argued that the most important thing is the environment that your child will be in. This is the heart of a school, the hub from which all other aspects radiate. Faith schools undoubtedly have a strong basis for this environment, an ethos that stems from the religious establishment. This ethos underlines everything that a faith school does – faith provides the bedrock and the backbone of school life. I believe a faith school should be open to and welcome pupils of other faiths, or indeed those with no faith. These schools should not be separatist or elitist – far from it – they should be the most inclusive of schools, welcoming to the whole community. Faith schools may have a tradition of collective worship

and prayer which serves as a reminder of the thread of spirituality that links pupils and staff. The value-added element in a faith school is faith itself, which brings with it all the other reasons parents choose faith schools – higher academic standards, better behaviour, dedicated staff and a spiritual environment. The evidence speaks for itself – data released by the Department for Education in 2013 revealed that of those schools with 80% or more of their pupils attaining five A* to C grade GCSEs, over half (53%) were faith schools, whereas faith schools only make up around 20% of the total. For some, the choice of a faith school is straightforward – it simply carries through the traditions and beliefs of the home environment.

Open Days College: Tuesday 16 September10.30am-12.00pm Thursday 2 October 6.30-9.00pm Prep School: Tuesday 16 September 9.15-11.00am Thursday 16 October 9.15-11.00am 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.

www.sjcr.org.u k

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NEWS FOCUS

Closing the gap to boost equality BY LYNDA BOWYER

UENTIN GUNDERSON is a phenomenal person and whose work has taken on a new purpose and progressed from career to a whole new vocation. Until last year, he was Headteacher at The Lighthouse Group Centre in Reading. TLG, as it is more locally known, is an independent school in Tilehurst which provides education for students aged between 12 and 16 who have been, or are at risk of being, excluded from other schools. It is this work with children who would have ordinarily dropped out of the educational system which has propelled Quentin’s desire to do more to help children from troubled or difficult environments, whether those issues are at home or at school. Cue (or should that be “Q”) a new approach to addressing inequity in educational attainment between those children and their regular peers – this is where Quentin’s new business steps in. He founded GAP Education and Training in 2013 with the aim of confronting these issues and whose aim is to eradicate the achievement gap. Quentin said: “Education is a human right. It should not depend on where you live or how rich you are. In the UK today, children from poorer backgrounds achieve significantly less in education than children from a more privileged upbringing. “ As many as one in four children in the UK are born into poverty according to 2009 figures

Quentin Gunderson wants all children to reach their potential, regardless of background Pictures: ©GAP Education & Training/Lynda Bowyer Photography from the Department for Work and Pensions.” He added: “Currently, the UK has one of the largest achievement gaps of any country in the world. Over the last decade, the Government has invested billions of pounds into our education system and as a result the gap has closed. However, it has only narrowed by 1%. GAP Education and Training works to unlock potential and close this gap. “We form associations with those who work with children, young people and families through our training programme to help those children reach their academic potential no matter what their starting point,” he says. It is clear from the results that Quentin has

achieved in his teaching career that he is an ardent supporter of there being an equal and fair system for all pupils to access the same educational support infrastructure irrespective of financial backgrounds. He has developed a 12-step programme which provides a complete service called the A+ Family Advocacy programme. Quentin says: “A recent study by Save the Children concluded that only 20% of the causes of the gap are school-based sources. “Home-based sources (80%) include parent availability and skill, TV habits, reading habits and nutrition. “The A+ Family Advocacy programme is a new approach to help disadvantaged children by working intensively with their family to help achieve stability and significantly improve educational outcomes. “Currently, research has found that less than 5% of the pupil premium is being used to engage directly with vulnerable families. “The A+ programme enables trained volunteers to effect positive and lasting change giving better value for money, and transforming the lives of children and families across the UK.” The approach taken by GAP Education and Training has been extremely well-received, and Quentin has had plenty of interest from schools and organisations signing up to the programme from all over the UK. v To find out more, visit www. narrowthegap.net or call, during office hours, 0300 3020520.

Liz Hunt and Emma Thomas are looking

The new season of sport is underway and Reading’s ladies hockey team has set its eyes on success. LYNDA BOWYER finds out more

HE LADIES 1st XI Team at Reading Hockey Club are revved up and eagerly awaiting the start of the new season, which begins this month. Many changes have taken place at the Sonning Lane-based Club; and pave the way for what may turn out to be a corker of a season for the Blues. During the early part of the summer the Club had a new artificial pitch laid which now brings the club infrastructure bang-up-to-date. Player and coaching changes mean that there’s almost a fresh team facing the new Investec season for 2014/2015. The team face their first game of the Investec League Women’s Premier Division season against current titleholders Surbiton, which is down on the card as an away fixture for Reading. The game kicks off at Surbiton’s grounds in Esher on September 13. It will be a fiercely fought match, since their last outing resulted in a 4-1 victory to Surbiton, such roasting rendering Reading

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Children at Oxford Road Community School, Reading were in for a big surprise when they went back to school – local artist and art teacher Marianne Fowler spent her precious summer holiday painting murals on the walls of the playground. Read the amazing story on our website: http://goo.gl/9nZ5Fd

forward to the new season of games for Reading Ladies Hockey Club

Jolly hockey tricks! to a third-place position in the Championships. Midfielder Emma Thomas, 27, is the Ladies 1st XI Team Captain. She said: “We’ve lost a few players to University, breaks from hockey and other clubs so there will be quite a change in the squad. “It’s exciting but also challenging because there isn’t much time to get to know one another and understand styles of play before the season starts, particularly since quite a lot of the squad will be taking a short break after the Commonwealth Games. “That probably means new or less experienced players having to step up and take responsibility, which is challenging but also exciting as change is how progress is made. “We’re really excited for the coming season, particularly after the success of the British teams in the recent Commonwealth Games. “Having not quite achieved our objectives last season, we are eager to start well and give ourselves the best possible chance of being in the mix come the business end of the season. “We are also competing in the top flight of the European Indoor Hockey in Lithuania in

February 2015, which is something we are really looking forward to, and will be working hard towards.” A new coach in the form of internationally-acclaimed Merijn van Willigen means the Ladies Hockey teams are serious about their game. Van Willigen joins Reading from Havant, where he was formerly the Director of Coaching. He has a string of successes to his credit, having coached Clifton and Trojan ladies’ teams through to promotion in addition to national coaching positions with the Welsh U21 womens’ and boys’ U18 squads and a number of regional teams. Van Willigen was also the assistant coach to the Welsh senior women’s team which won the bronze medal at the 2009 Euro Nations trophy in Rome. Of his appointment as Head Coach to the Ladies’ Blues, Emma added: “It’s great to have Merijn on board; he is a really experienced coach who has been very successful in the past. “He has a great vision for what can be achieved at Reading.” Reading Hockey Club has an active youth programme and is always seeking to bring new members into its ranks. v To find out more or to see fixtures, visit www.readinghockeyclub.org.uk. v The club is also at www.facebook.com/ readinghc and Twitter @readinghc

Customers from the Oxford Road branch of Waitrose generously donated £260 to CCA through its popular green token scheme. The money will help the charity build a new confidential office in its Oxford Road shop, enabling it to offer more help to the community.

SPORT/SUMMER

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Thames Valley Churches Football League

For more on the league, log on to tvcfl.footify.com or Twitter @TVCFL

A summer break from footie? Never! BY JAMES HERN, TOM HOWETT & JAMES McMAHON

ID YOU know that there was less than a four-week gap between Germany beating Argentina in the World Cup Final and Blackburn playing Cardiff to kick-start the football league? Supporters of the Thames Valley Churches Football League may believe that our players enjoyed a three-month gap between the end of the season and the September start of the 2014/15 season, but that’s far from the case. For many players and mangers, this summer may have been even busier than the normal weekly commitment. So what have our clubs been up to over the last few months?

Members of West Reading CFC celebrate winning a summer tournament held on the Isle of Wight

TVCFL Summer Tournament

TEN teams entered the TVCFL Fly Sports Summer Tournament at Goals Soccer Centre in Woodley on Saturday, July 5. The League has been looking to develop ties with Fly Sports Ministry over the past few years, following a visit to Reading by founder Manny Sharland. Manny played in the TVCFL for Greyfriars FC and Lifespring in the late 1990s, winning the golden boot and player of the season awards. In 2004, he returned to South Sudan to set up Fly Sports with the vision, through sport and particularly football, to impact the youth of this war-torn country with the Gospel. The 10 teams were split into two groups, and assigned a team name from the Fly Sports league in Mundri. In Division 1, Brookside St Laurence-Matara were unbeaten, finishing ahead of More-South Ealing. Greyfriars-Sata recovered from losing their first three games to come third, closely followed by Janga-Saints and Zal Zal-Bethel, who were eliminated having finished bottom. Division 2 was incredibly tight with only two points separating first from fifth. NorreysHai Baraka came out on top, while Tilehurst Albion-Leopards, Wycliffe WanderersMirimjo and Bethel-Nasir all managed to qualify for the Quarter-Finals on the same number of points. Brentford-Scorpions were unfortunate to finish bottom, knocked out by a last-minute Norreys-Hai Baraka goal in the last group stage game. In a strange twist, all four teams from Division 1 beat their opponents from Division 2 in the Quarter Finals. The results of the semifinals mirrored the group stages as Brookside St Laurence-Matara beat Greyfriars-Sata and More-South Ealing overcame Janga-Saints. The final was a battle of attrition, as both sides dragged their weary bodies around the five-a-side pitch. More-South Ealing proved to be the fresher side, managing a 4-0 victory over a tired looking Brookside St Laurence-Matara. Janga-Saints secured third place with a tight 1-0 victory over Greyfriars-Sata.

West Reading CFC Isle of Wight Tour

ON THE weekend of July 18-20, West Reading CFC and West Reading Reserves embarked on a team building tour to the Isle of Wight for the sixth successive year. Upon their arrival on the Isle, the team headed to Ventnor Football Club and set up their campsite on the pitch. On Saturday a six-a-side football tournament was held which included teams from West Reading, Ventnor FC and a local Ventnor church. The West Reading team’s performances were very different… West Reading 2 crashed out of the tournament early on, winning one of their group games. Despite losing their first group match and being on the verge of elimination, West Reading 1 made it to the final, defeating Ventnor 1 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 after extra time. After receiving the trophy, the whole West Reading squad headed out into the evening to celebrate and sample the best night life that the Isle of Wight has to offer. The team returned home late Sunday evening, tired, victorious and already looking forward to next year’s trip.

National Christian Football Festival

IN July, Newbury Churches entered a team in the National Christian Football Festival run by Ambassadors in Sport. This annual two-day event took place in Loughborough, and teams from all different parts of the country took part. On the first day, a new-look Newbury team struggled for form and lost their opening three games 3-2, 5-1, and 1-0. Day two was a new day though, and the arrival of Matt Bullock spurred the team on to better things. The team now had a better shape and Newbury grabbed their first point in a 1-1 draw against a side that had won all their games on the first day. Newbury then went on to win

their next game 5-1, and their final game 2-0, to remain unbeaten on the second day. Newbury finished a respectable fourth out of seven in their event. Hopefully next year the team can push for the title. Many thanks to Joel Gregory from the Glendale Church for organising the team’s participation in this event. Newbury YMCA have entered the TVCFL this year, with the team being made up from members of churches across Newbury. We’re very excited to have a new team in the league and wish them all the best in their maiden season.

Wycliffe Invitational Trophy

FOR most players, the summer offers an ideal opportunity to maintain and better fitness levels for the forthcoming season, with preseason friendlies being an ideal opportunity to impress managers. Wycliffe Wanderers added a twist to their pre-season by arranging a tournament with fellow TVCFL teams Brookside St Laurence, Kerith FC and Greyfriars FC with each team playing each other once over three weeks. With all games taking place at Wycliffe’s home ground at Bishopswood, near Peppard, there was a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, as teams were able to build friendships formed over the past few seasons. Kerith FC proved to be on top form as they came from behind to beat Brookside St Laurence in the first week. They held off a late Wycliffe Wanderers fight back in their second game and secured the Wycliffe Invitational Trophy with a final win against Greyfriars FC.

Final Countdown

WITH only a few weeks to go before the start of the 2014/15 season, the committee and managers are in the final stages of preparation. We are always on the look out for new teams and referees, so if you would like to find out more, contact the league secretary, James, via email: tvcfl.secretary@gmail.com.

SPORT

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Situations vacant Lower Earley Corps Central South Division

Stuart swims for Sonning

Children and Family Worker Salary - £18,200 per annum 2 years Fixed Term Contract, Minimum of 35 hours per week

AN EPIC swim across the English Channel has helped raised funds for a new hall in Sonning. Stuart Bowman set off from England at 4.25am on Tuesday, August 5 and took an impressive 15 hours and 24 minutes to land at Cap Blanc Nez in France. The swim is an amazing 21 miles and the first time that the father of one has attempted it. Stuart is raising money for a new £500,000 hall at St Andrew’s Church, Sonning. The hall will provide much-needed extra space for the community. It’s something that Stuart (pictured inset) sees as being a valuable asset and he is looking forward to his two-year-old son being able to make use of it. Stuart said: “There is a saying used among those who have successfully swum the English Channel – it is a simple task, you get in the water and just keep putting one arm in front of the

other until you run out of water. Hopefully Sonning will keep putting one arm in front of the other until the new hall is built.” The vicar of Sonning parish, the Revd Jamie Taylor, said: “This is an amazing achievement and we thank Stuart for his efforts in raising money for the new hall appeal. We have been astounded at the level of training, dedication and commitment that he has shown to be in a position to attempt the channel swim for the new hall and can’t thank him enough for the money that he will raise. “Stuart is making a real difference to the community.” v To make a donation, visit Cafdonate at goo.gl/ d0oYQp v For more on the hall plans, log on to sonningparish. org.uk.

YOUR SAY

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v Please sign up to support SARC plan

Thankfully most folk will never suffer the traumas (physical or mental) of sexual abuse and/or rape (but it does appear to be a growing problem) yet it does not take much imagination to realise the long ranging effects of such abuses. Imagine then how much worse the traumas would be if the victim of such abuse was a child or adolescent – current official estimates put the percentage of such victims at just over 5% of the total population of England’s under 18-year-olds. Your child or grandchild could become a victim, remember. Currently, at least locally, it seems because being sexually abused or raped as a child or adolescent “is not in itself a mental disorder” (to quote from a local NHS commissioned recent written response) almost no emotional/mental health help is given

to such young victims locally. Help for such victims needs to be ‘multi-agency’ help which could provide the whole range of support services needed and this can surely best be provided by the commissioning of a specialist SARC (Sexual Abuse and Rape Centre) for Berkshire, if not for Reading and every major town in the Royal County. With this in mind I have drafted the following for readers to sign and return to me (at the address below) which will be passed on to the relevant hierarchies: “I ask the commissioners of Berkshire’s Child and Adolescent Health Services to seriously consider commissioning a specialist SARC (Sexual Abuse and Rape Centre) for Berkshire’s child and adolescent victims of sexual abuse and/or rape which would need to be a multi-agency provider (providing both physical and emotional/mental health support services for these young victims)”

Location – The Salvation Army, Lower Earley Corps, Chalfont Close, RG6 5HZ This post at Lower Earley Corps has been created to develop and expand the work with Children and Families within the Corps and the local community. The successful candidate will plan, administrate and lead parent & toddler group sessions, liaise with local primary schools and develop new programmes for children and families, including children’s clubs and Messy Church. There will also be the requirement to assist with the management of Health & Safety, Safeguarding regulations, and developing new initiatives in response to community needs. The successful candidate will be able to work effectively with and relate to children of all ages, plan and lead various weekly programmes and accurately maintain records. Excellent communication skills are required (written and verbal), along with the ability to take initiative when required. The post holder will be required to manage and supervise volunteers. The post holder will be a practising Christian and willing to understand and be sympathetic to the Christian aims and ethos of The Salvation Army. For an application pack for this post, please contact Captain Sue Betts at The Salvation Army, Lower Earley Corps, Chalfont Close, RG6 5HZ Tel – 0118 975 7427 email - susan.betts@salvationarmy.org.uk CVs will not be accepted. Closing date: 20th September. Promoting equality in the workplace The SA is a Church and registered Charity No. 214779 and in Scotland SC009359

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Your name, address (including post code) and signature. Thank you. Paul Farmer, Flat 15, 72 Wensley Road, Coley Park, Reading RG1 6DN PS – if anyone wants to start up an online petition then please do so (I do not do the 21st century). Editor’s note – a SARC runs in the Royal Berkshire Hospital, but Paul is petitioning for one for younger people.

v A dream for a drop-in You may or may not be aware that the lease of the Reading Quench shop is up for sale. We have about two years to run on it, but things have become increasingly difficult over the last few years, and it is not possible to continue as we are. Of course, God may choose to bless us with a large donation of money – which would be fantastic – but we sense that it is time to move on...

Facebook: Xnmedia Twitter: @Xnmedia A few nights ago, I had a dream where a group of Christians from different churches came together to create a drop-in/coffee shop – with a pamper section, counselling service, and a small shop – stocked by Quench. I woke up feeling really excited by this, and felt that it was right to share it with you, so that you could stand with us in prayer. It would be fantastic if the shop could continue to be used for ministry purposes! Thank you for your support, and please do not hesitate to get in touch with me directly if you have any thoughts. You can email me at ali@quenchshops.com The Reading shop continues to be open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm (closed on Wednesdays) and our Wokingham and Maidenhead branches are open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm. Ali Ceasar, Quench Editor writes – what do you think? Write in and let us know!

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Trades directory

Creative & craft

BRINGING COMMUNIT Y TOGETHER To advertise call 0118 328 3108

House & home v Electrical

v Alarms

v Marketing CREATIVE THINKER INSPIRES RESULTS. • Award winning copywriting • Business development • Creative network • Mentoring Contact Hyperbole. 0118 966 6600. john@hyperbole.co.uk

v Resources FAITH IN THE COMMUNITY (WOKINGHAM) – helping Christians work together to transform their local communities. Phone Sharon Elliott 07843 091950

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Services v Picture framing

frame direct ltd • PICTURE FRAMING • CANVAS STRETCHING • MEMORABILIA FRAMED – MEDALS, HANDBAGS, FOOTBALL SHIRTS ETC • EXTENSIVE RANGE OF MORE THAN 1000 TOP QUALITY MOULDINGS TO CHOOSE FROM • 10% DISCOUNT IF YOU QUOTE XN AT TIME OF ORDERING FRAMING 25 High Street, Theale, RG7 5AH Email: phil@framedirect.co.uk Tel: 0118 930 2100 www.framedirect.co.uk

v Computer services SUPER IT. Computer repairs and maintenance. IT support for the home and office. Days, evenings, weekends. Reading and surrounding areas. Call Jason 07879 476 399 or 0118 967 7378. www.computer-repair-in-reading.com Email: support@computer-repair-inreading.com

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.

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

v Counselling PHILIPPI TRUST COUNSELLING AND TRAINING. Counselling offered for a variety of issues. Also Level 2 Introduction to Counselling courses starting in the Spring and Autumn. Contact 0118 966 7422 or email reading@philippi.co.uk

ADVERTISING WORKS!

“Our recent advert has been of great help over the last six months and therefore I’d like to renew for 2014 – We have been blessed with a church project, installing a corner kitchen area for a café project in Southcote.” Colman & Co – Trade Directory advertisers

Music

Financial

v Piano tuning

v Chartered Accountants

PIANO TUNING SPECIALIST. Member of Pianoforte Tuners Association, City & Guilds Part 1 & 2, Family trade for over 110 years. Contact: Mr S Benham, 0118 969 3729

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

Accountancy and tax for • Businesses, partnerships and companies • Individuals • Charities (Independent Examiner), • Ministers of Religion Please contact Simon Porter, Chartered Accountant, on simon@porter-co.com or 0118 9478158. www.porter-co.com

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

v Fitted bedrooms ANDREW LAKER – THE CABINETMAKER. We specialise in made to measure wardrobes. Choice of many different designs and finishes. We are cheaper than larger bedroom installers. www. andrewlaker.co.uk 0118 948 2021

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House & home 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 & 5% OF TOTAL ORDER GOES TO YELDALL MANOR

v Plastering M & J PLASTERING. 25 years experience. All types of plastering undertaken. Repairs & Re-skim Experts. No job too small. For free advice and quote call Mark on 0777 550 9955 or 0777 082 9683 MENTION XN & 5% OF TOTAL ORDER GOES TO YELDALL MANOR

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All Trade Directory adverts receive a FREE advert on the Xn website.

v Carpet cleaning PROFESSIONAL CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY CLEANING. Trained and fully insured. Free, no obligation estimates. A.G Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning (0118) 3779149 or visit www.agcarpetandupholstery.co.uk Member of Trading Standards Buy with Confidence scheme www. buywithconfidence.gov.uk MENTION XN AND 5% OF TOTAL ORDER GOES TO GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL

To advertise email richard@xnmedia.co.uk

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

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

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 Painting & decorating SUPERIOR DECOR. Interior and exterior decorating. “A professional job at a realistic price”. For a free quote call Mick on freephone 0800 084 2501. Reading and South East covered. www.fine-painters-and-decorators.co.uk Email: info@fine-painters-anddecorators.co.uk

Category for advert: Your name: Phone number:

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

Address:

Email:

Send your completed form, along with a cheque for £75 payable to Xn Media Ltd to: Trades Directory, Xn Media, Crown House, 231 King’s Road, Reading RG1 4LS Adverts will appear for 6 months. Standard terms apply. No firearms or pets.

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FAMILY CIRCLE

Keeping you in touch with each other Email your news to editor@xnmedia.co.uk

READING – An Open Networking Day will be held at St William of York Church, Redlands Road, Reading on Saturday, September 20. It takes the theme Living the Gospel. There will be a practical session on being a LiveSimply Parish, presented by members of St John Bosco Church, Woodley. There will be an opportunity to hear about justice and peace activities from groups around the country. Representatives of Christian agencies will report on their work and suggest practical ways of becoming involved in campaigning for social justice. Tea and Coffee will be provided; bring your own lunch. The day runs from 10.30am-4pm. For more details, call Ann Kelly on 020 7901 4804 or email: admin@justice-and-peace.org.uk

TILEHURST – Father John Nelson will be leaving the

COMMUNITY

v Farewell to Derek A SPECIAL celebration service was held at the end of June to commemorate the ministry of a retiring priest. The Revd Derek Spears stepped down from Earley St Peter’s Church after 20 years’ service to the community. Ordained in 1975, his first church was St Peter’s in Caversham, followed by 10 years at St Matthew’s in Southcote. v For more visit goo.gl/weOIFc

English Martyrs and St Joseph’s parishes after eight years service. A farewell Mass and celebration of his ministry will be held on Friday, September 12 at 7.30pm at Blessed Hugh Faringdon School. From mid-September Canon Michael Dennehy and Fr George Lyons will be covering the parishes of English Martyrs and St Joseph’s.

LEARNING TOGETHER A Two Day Bible Teaching Event for the 50+’s

Talks by Paul Mallard bringing to life the story of Elijah

WEDS & THURS 1ST & 2ND OCTOBER From 9.30am to 4.00pm Cost – £10 Held in the Kings Room at Wycliffe Baptist Church To book contact the Church Office on 0118 929 9911, or email office@wycliffe-church.org.uk

TILEHURST – The Governors of St Paul’s School have appointed Mrs Nuala Oster as its new Headteacher. She has already commenced her role.

INCLUDES:

Lunch provided

READING PASTORAL AREA – Catholic churches in the Reading Pastoral Area of the Portsmouth Diocese will come together for a special confirmation service next year. To be held at Portsmouth Cathedral on May 16, 2015, the event will be led by Bishop Philip Egan. It will be open to young Catholics in school years 8 upwards. For more details, contact your local Catholic church.

SONNING COMMON – Brian Theobald from St Michael’s Catholic Church was made a permanent deacon in a mass held at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Birmingham in July.

Following the success of our 2 day Bible teaching event last year, the Wycliffe PLUS Team is pleased to announce Learning Together 2014

Opportunities for prayer and fellowship

Paul Mallard is a challenging and very easy to listen to speaker. He is currently leader of a large church in Bath. His book Invest Your Suffering – Unexpected Intimacy with a Loving God, was published recently.

www.wycliffe-church.org.uk | hello@wycliffe-church.org.uk www.facebook.com/WycliffeBaptist | @wycliffechurch

WOODLEY – Graham Sumbler has started as Woodley Baptist Church’s new Youth and Children’s Worker. The church will hold a childfriendly induction service for him on Saturday, September 13 at 4pm. It will be followed by a barbecue.

READING – On Sunday, October 12 members of Reading Family Church will welcome Terry Virgo. The founder of the New Frontiers movement of churches will speak at the 9am and 11am meetings held at Reading Girls School and at 6pm at South Street Arts Centre in South Street.

SPENCERS WOOD – A new musical group will be starting at St Michael & All Angels’ Church in Spencers Wood on Wednesday, September 24 from 7.45pm. Guests can sing new and older songs and hymns. Musicians are welcome too. It will then run on the last Wednesday of each month. For more details call Phil 0118 988 2804 (evenings).

MIDGHAM – St Matthew’s Church will open its new kitchen and toilet with a special celebration on Sunday, September 21. From 4pm cream tea will be served, while a treasure hunt and other games take place. At 5pm, the church will hold a traditional service of Evensong to which all are invited.

Picture: Lynda Bowyer Photography

COMMUNITY ANYONE who has ever wanted to improve their listening skills and help others in the process can take part in a new counselling course. Run by the Philippi Trust, the course is open for anyone wishing to learn about counselling and develop their listening and

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Learn how to be a listening ear communication skills. No previous counselling training is required. Sessions run on Friday evenings and all day Saturdays from Sept 19-20, Oct 17-18, Nov 14-

15 and Jan 9-10. All four weekends must be attended. The course carries OCN (Open College Network) credits at Level 2. v For details, visit www.philippi.co.uk,

26 ways you can celebrate 21 years BY PHIL CREIGHTON A WEEK of special events will mark the 21st birthday of a valued community resource. St George’s Church in Owlsmoor opened its present building in 1993 and 26 events across the week of September 21-28 will showcase the very best that the church has to offer. The programme includes concerts, children’s events and tasters of regular meetings. It all starts at 10am on Sunday, September 21 with a service that includes Haydn’s Little Organ Mass. Then, soprano Katherine Walker teams up with pianist Judith Flint for a free lunchtime concert on Monday, September 22. On Tuesday, September 23, a free morning concert will feature

Gilbert & Sullivan tunes. Starting at 10.15am, it will be given by Margaret Walker and Judith Dodds. A children’s music workshop for under 11s takes place at 6pm. The Revd John Castle from St Michael’s Church in Sandhurst will give a trumpet concert on Wednesday, September 24 at 9.15am, while on Thursday, September 25 there is an organ recital by Adrian Cox at 1.30pm and 6.30pm. Friday, September 26 sees a free concert given by pianists Penny Hanlon and Yvonne Tozer at 6pm. A flower festival will be held on Saturday, September 27 from 10.30am to 5pm and includes a concert by St Michael’s Handbells at 11am. In the evening, a celebration supper evening

concert starts at 7.30pm, with tickets costing £8. The flower festival is also open from noon to 5pm on Sunday. The events conclude on Sunday, September 28, with services at 10am and 6.30pm and a concert for the flower festival at noon. The Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Andrew Proud, will be the guest speaker. Pat Rae, churchwarden for St George’s, said: “Our present church building is 21 years old this year and we are having a fantastic week of events. “Visit our church, step inside and join us for any of our services, free concerts and flower festival during the week.” v For more details, or to book, call Pat on 01344 771207.

v Free fun day UPPER BUCKLEBURY – Residents are invited to a fun day at All Saints Church on Sunday, September 14. Running from 12.30pm to 3pm, activities include a bouncy castle, Messy crafts and garden games. No booking is necessary. Laura Varey, from the church, said: “The day is to invite folk in the local community to come and meet with us, have fun and bless them with free food and activities.” v For more details, log on to www. 2bsd.org.uk.

v Coffee time WHITCHURCH – A community coffee morning is held every Tuesday morning during term time. Running from 10.30am-noon, the event takes place at The Old Stables Room and promises free refreshments and good company.

v Grab a bargain WINNERSH – St Mary’s Church Hall will hold a Good As New Sale on Saturday, September 27 from 1pm. Proceeds from the sale will go to SalGo Assist, which supporting the rural poor in South East India.

CALENDAR

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WHAT’S ON

Keeping you in touch with each other

THERE’S MUCH, MUCH MORE ONLINE!

We’re best for local events

We can’t fit everything into the print edition, so log on to xnmedia.co.uk for more events Sunday, Sept 7 BRACKNELL – Bracknell Methodist Church, Shepherd’s Lane. Church lunch. £3, children free. Details: www.bracknellmethodist.org.uk CAVERSHAM – St Andrew’s Church, Albert Road. Beating the Bounds followed by afternoon tea. 2pm. Details: standrewscaversham.org. CAVERSHAM PARK – Milestone Centre. Hymz and Cakes: an hour of favourite hymns with refreshments. 3.30pm. All welcome. Details: 0118 947 5152. CROWTHORNE – St John The Baptist Church, Waterloo Road. Mothers’ Union presents Streams In The Desert, a meeting on behalf of the Women’s World Day of Prayer. All welcome. READING – Reading Deaf Centre, Cardiff Road. Reading Deaf Church meeting. 10.30am. Details: www. readingdeafcentre.org.uk. SANDHURST – Baptist Church. Church lunch from noon. Details: www. sandhurstbaptists.org.uk. SHINFIELD – St Mary’s Church. Anthem for Doomed Youth: a memorial festival with flowers to remember the First World War. 10am-5pm. YATELEY – St Swithun’s Church. Farewell supper for Father Thom Amungwa. 7pm. Details: stswithunsyateley.org.uk.

Tuesday, Sept 9 FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James’ Church Centre. Fledgelings Baby & Toddler Group. 1.45pm. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St Mary & St John Parish Centre. Tea & chat. 2pm. READING – The Warehouse, Cumberland Road. 10-week Volunteer training course starting today for Home Start volunteers. Details: Marion Mortimer on 0118 956 0050. WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue, RG40 1YN. 50+ Group: Nuffield House – an illustrated talk about the life and home of Lord Nuffield, innovator and philanthropist by Tony Boffin. 2.15- 3.15pm. Admission free; refreshments provided at 2pm. Details: 0118 961 9821, or www.norreyschurch.org.uk WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Community Church. Alpha Course launch night. All welcome. 7.45pm. Details: elaine. steere@sky.com

Wednesday, Sept 10 READING – All Saints Hall, Downshire Square. Exploring Matthew’s Gospel. All welcome. 7.30pm.

Thursday, Sept 11 HENLEY – Badgemore Park Golf Club, Badgemore RG9 4NR. The Filling Station presents Richard Fothergill, founder of the Filling Station. 7.30pm. Details: henley@thefillingstation.org. uk or 07875 203409.

BRACKNELL – Bracknell Methodist Church. Together In Prayer meeting. 7pm.

Friday, Sept 12 READING – Broad Street, near Waterstones. Reading Central Salvation Army veterans’ band perform. 11am-12.30pm.

Saturday, Sept 13 ACROSS REGION – Ride and Stride day. Details: www.rideandstrideuk.org. BASINGSTOKE – St Bede’s RC Primary School, Popley Way RG24 9DX. CAFOD Portsmouth supporters’ meeting. 10am-1.3pm. Details, to book: 01252 329385 or email portsmouth@cafod.org.uk. CROWTHORNE – Woodmancote, Pinewood Avenue. Out To Tea: tea party for older members of the community. Transport available. 2.30pm-4.30pm. Details: www.wokinghamvineyard.org. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James Church Centre. Ladies breakfast. 9am. Details: parish.finchampstead.co.uk. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St Mary & St John Parish Centre. Messy Church. 11am. Details: parish.finchampstead.co.uk. HENLEY – Greenlands Farm. The Henley Show. Details: www.thehenleyshow. co.uk or 01491 413619. NEWBURY – St George’s Church, Newbury. Christians Together in the Newbury Area prayer breakfast: Christine Indge on Community Christmas. 8am-9.30am. Details: ctnablog.wordpress.com. READING – St Mark’s Church Hall, Cranbury Road. Jumble sale. 1.30pm. READING – St Barnabas, Elm Road. Barbecue and fun day. Noon-3pm. Details: www.saintapb.org.uk. SANDHURST – Sandhurst and Yateley Methodist Church, Scotland Hill. Sept fair. Details: www.sandhurstmethodist. org.uk. THEALE – Recreation Ground. First World War commemorative fete. Noon-5pm. TILEHURST – St Michael’s Church. Last Night of the Proms, with hot supper and Union Flag cake. 7pm. £7.50 or £20 for a family of four. Details: 0188 948 1082. TWYFORD – St Mary’s Church. Last Night of the Proms. £7 advance, £8 on door. Details: Brighton’s Newsagent, London Road or 0118 934 0642. WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road. Church ramble from car park. Come dressed for weather. 10am. Pub lunch after. Details: www.christchurch-woodley.org.uk.

Sunday, Sept 14 BRIMPTON – St Peter’s Church. Harvest Songs of Praise followed by afternoon tea. 4pm.

BUCKLEBURY –All Saints Church. Community arbecue. All welcome. HENLEY – Mill Meadows Bandstand. Marlow Town Band. 2pm-4pm. Details: 01491 576982. READING – Forbury Gardens. Goring and Streatley Concert Band. 3pm. Details: 0118 937 2771. READING – St Mark’s Church Hall, Cranbury Road. A Celebration of Music with Judy Vaughan. 7.30pm. £5, in aid of Cancer Research and St Mark’s. READING – University of Reading, London Road. Reading Guild of Artists annual exhibition. Free entry. Details: www.rga-artists.org.uk. WOKINGHAM – Town Hall, Market Place. Wokingham Heritage Day: Town Hall tours, homemade crafts market and more. Launch of Wokingham War Memorial trail. 11am-4pm. Free. WOKINGHAM – All Saints Church, Wiltshire Road. First World War memorial concert 3pm-4pm. Free entry. Church open from 2.30pm for people to visit War Memorial.

Monday, Sept 15 BRACKNELL – Kerith Centre, Church Road. ParentingTeenagers course. 7.30pm. Details: www.kerith.co.uk.

Tuesday, Sept 16 BRACKNELL – Kerith Centre, Church Road. CAP money management course over three weeks. 8pm. Details: www.kerith.co.uk. EARLEY – St Nicolas, Sutcliffe Avenue. Open – a six-week conversation on faith in today’s world. 7.30pm-9.30pm. Continues until October 21. Details: miriam@stnicolas.org.uk or 0118 966 9080. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James Church Centre. Fledglings toddler group. 1.45pm. Details: parish. finchampstead.co.uk. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St Mary & St John’s Parish Centre. Simple Lunch. Noon. Details: parish.finchampstead.co.uk. GORING – St Thomas of Canterbury Church. Pick-a-Flick film club for retired folk presents Bright Star, followed by a lunch. 10.30am-2pm. Transport available. Details:www. thomandmary.org.uk. SANDHURST – Sandhurst and Yateley Methodist Church, Scotland Hill. Prayer and Praise. 2.30pm. Followed by refreshments. Details: www. sandhurstmethodist.org.uk.

Submit your events to editor@xnmedia.co.uk Wokingham Music Club: Dani Wilde and Friends www.daniwilde.com. £10/£12.50 on the door. Details: Stan Hetherington 07831 130610.

Saturday, Sept 20 BINFIELD – Binfield Free Church. Ladies breakfast. 8.30am-10am. Details: www.binfieldfreechurch.com. BRACKNELL – Kerith Centre, Church Road. Alpha Course launch night with guest speaker Jo Gambi. 7.30pm. Details: www.kerith.co.uk. EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close. Open Saturdays: refreshments and drinks. 11am-2pm. Details: www. trinityearley.co.uk. EMMER GREEN – St Barnabas Church Hall, St Barnabas Road. Barn Dance with Howard Ballard and friends. £10, includes supper with soft drinks. Details: Alison 0118 947 5152 or email secretary@cpvc.org.uk. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James Church Centre. Beetle drive. £8 adults, £4 children or £20 for a family; with meal. Details: 0118 9730133. OXFORD – Across the city. The Grand Day Out: a farewell event for the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd John Pritchard involving 815 Anglican churches in the Diocese of Oxford. Guest speakers include Xn editor Phil Creighton. READING – St WIlliam of York, Upper Redlands Road, RG1 5JJ. Opportunity to hear about Justice and Peace activities from groups around the country. Please bring a packed lunch. 10.30am-4pm. Details: Ann Kelly, Tel: 020 7901 4864, Email: admin@justiceand-peace.org.uk. READING – Greyfriars’ Church, Friar Street. Alpha Course launch night: pub quiz special. 7.30pm. All welcome. Details: www.greyfriars.org.uk SILCHESTER – Methodist Church. Flower Festival on the theme of Unity. THEALE – Holy Trinity Theale. First World War commemorative concert with the Reading Phoenix Choir. 7.30pm. Details: www.holytrinitytheale.org.uk. TILEHURST – Methodist Church, School Road. 3Generate charity car wash. Details: www.tilehurstmethodist.org.uk UPPER WOOLHAMPTON – Douai Abbey. Come and hear the story of ex-gangster John Pridmore. 9.45am, 11am and take part in a Marian Procession, starting from the Douai Parish Church at 12.30pm.

Sunday, Sept 21 EARLEY – Earley St Peter’s, Church Road.

Memorial Service for the First World War. 6.30pm. MIDGHAM – St Matthew’s Church. Celebration service for new church kitchen and toilet. Cream teas from 4pm, treasure hunt. Evensong from 5pm. OWLSMOOR – St George’s Church, Owlsmoor Road GU47 0SS. Church building 21st celebrations: Eucharist with Haydn’s Little Organ Mass. 10am. SANDHURST – Sandhurst and Yateley Methodist Church, Scotland Hill. Sunday Soup Kitchen after morning service. Details: www. sandhurstmethodist.org.uk. SILCHESTER – Methodist Church. Flower Festival on the theme of Unity.

Monday, Sept 22 EARLEY – Earley St Peter’s, Church Road. First World War exhibition. 11am-3pm. OWLSMOOR – St George’s Church, Owlsmoor Road GU47 0SS. Church building 21st celebrations: Katherine Walker and Judith Flint in concert. 1.30pm. READING – Bill’s Restuarant, Chain Street, RG1 2HX. Reading@Work presents Does Spirituality Have a Place in Business? Can Business Have a Soul? A talk by Andy Freeman, Church Missionary Society Pioneer & ICF fellow. 7.45pm. Free entry, charge for food and drink (optional). Booking: www.readingatwork.org or at www.icf-online.org. Details: dave@ readingatwork.org. WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road. Tea With Toddlers for parents and their babies. 10am. Details: www. christ-church-woodley.org.uk.

Tuesday, Sept 23 EARLEY – Earley St Peter’s, Church Road. First World War exhibition. 11am-3pm. OWLSMOOR – St George’s Church, Owlsmoor Rd GU47 0SS. Church building 21st celebrations: Concert: Gilbert and Sullivan with Margaret Walker. 10.15am. Music workshop for under 11s. 6pm.

Wednesday, Sept 24 EARLEY – Earley St Peter’s, Church Road. First World War exhibition. 11am-3pm. OWLSMOOR – St George’s Church, Owlsmoor Road GU47 0SS. Church building 21st celebrations: Tea and Toast. 8.45am. John Castle in concert. 9.15am. Come and try Pilates. 10am. Teatime for parents with little people. 2pm. Table tennis. 6pm.

TUNE IN ON SUNDAYS!

Friday, Sept 19 READING – St James Church, Forbury Road. Reading Catholic Alpha Course launch night. 7.30pm-9.30pm. Continues for 10 weeks. Details: www. jameswilliam-reading.org.uk WOKINGHAM – Emmbrook Sports & Social Club, Lowther Road RG41 1JB.

Hear Xn editor Phil Creighton at 8.20am every Sunday on BBC Radio Berkshire Find out what’s happening in the week ahead by switching on Paul Coia’s show on BBC Radio Berkshire every Sunday morning from 7am. Phil presents his pick of the week around 8.20am.

CALENDAR SPENCERS WOOD – St Michael & All Angels. A worship evening combining both new and older songs/hymns to suit all, musicians from various local churches, everyone welcome. Refreshments. 7.45pm. Detail: Phil 0118 988 2804 (evenings). WOKINGHAM – All Saints Church, Wiltshire Road. Baroque Concerts presents Peter Wells and Maria Sanger on recorders and Richard Smith on continuo. 8pm. £12.50 advance, £14 on door. Tickets from The Cornerstone or on the door. Details: www. allsaintsmusic.org.uk.

Thursday, Sept 25 HENLEY – Market Place. Farmers’ Market, 8.30am-2pm, 07860 129508. OWLSMOOR – St George’s Church, Owlsmoor Road GU47 0SS. Church building 21st celebrations: Coffee time for parents with little people. 10.30am. Adrian Cox in organ concert 1.30pm and 6.30pm. Open choir practice. 7.30pm. WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road. Monthly quiz afternoon. 2pm. Details: christ-church-woodley.org.uk.

Friday, Sept 26 EMMBROOK – The Dog and Duck, Matthews Green Road. Joel Park Residents Association Coffee Afternoon. 1.30pm-3pm. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St Mary & St John Parish Centre. Wine tasting and quiz evening. 8pm. £10. Details/booking: 0118 973 0556 by Sunday 14th. OWLSMOOR – St George’s Church, Owlsmoor Road GU47 0SS. Church building 21st celebrations: Evening prayer. 5pm. Piano recital with Penny Hanlon and Yvonne Tozer. 6.30pm. READING – St Mark’s Church Hall, Cranbury Road. Macmillan Coffee Morning. 9am-noon. TILEHURST – St Michael’s Church, New Lane Hill. Patronal and Flower Festival to mark 825 years. Celebration concert in words and music. £7.50. Details: www.stmichaeltilehurst.org.uk. WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue. Big Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care. 10am-noon. WOODLEY – St John the Evangelist. Duggie Dug Dug Crazy Science Praise Party. For children aged 4-10, accompanied. 5.30-7pm. Free entry. Tickets/details: 0118 969 7956 or info@stjohn-woodley.com.

Saturday, Sept 27 ALDERMASTON – Village Hall. Barn dance with The Aldbrickham Band. £15, includes Ploughman’s Dinner. 7pm-11pm. Details: 0118 981 3371. EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close. Walking group with pub lunch. 10am from church car park. Details. www. trinityearley.co.uk. OWLSMOOR – St George’s Church, Owlsmoor Road GU47 0SS. Church building 21st celebrations: Acorn prayers. 10am. Handbell concert. 11am. Flower festival 10.30am-5pm. Celebration concert & supper. £8. 7.30pm. Details: 01344 771207. READING – The Great Hall, University of Reading. Trinity Concert Band autumn spectacular. 7.30pm. Details: www. trinityband.co.uk or 0845 226 3047. READING – Reading Central Salvation Army, Anstey Road. Walking group meets in car park. 10am. Walk no more than 4.5miles, avoids steep climbs. Details:

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PROMOTE YOUR EVENT IN XN FROM JUST £25!

EVERY ISSUE WE PRINT & DISTRIBUTE 15,000 COPIES Xn is a fantastic vehicle to promote any special events, concerts, gatherings or parties you are holding – and with adverts starting at just £25 for local, community groups and charities, it’s great value. For details email advertising@xnmedia. co.uk today

www.readingcentral.org.uk. TILEHURST – St Michael’s Church, New Lane Hill. Patronal and Flower Festival to mark 825 years. Coffee, light lunches, afternoon teas. Free entry, donations appreciated. 9.30am-5pm. Details: www.stmichaeltilehurst.org.uk. WINNERSH – St Mary’s Church Hall RG41 5LH. Good As New Sale proceeds in aid of SalGo Assist, supporting the rural poor in SE India. 1pm-3pm. WOODLEY – St John the Evangelist. An evening with Reading Community Gospel Choir. Light refreshments/ Collection. Evening performance. All welcome. Details 0118 969 7956 or info@stjohn-woodley.com. WOODLEY – Baptist Church, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. SCBA Safeguarding Training for adults working with children. 9am—noon: Level 2 Training (Children’s & Youth Workers) noon—12.45pm: Lunch. 12.45pm— 2.45pm: Level 3 Training (Minister, Managing Trustees (Deacons), Youth Leaders & the designated person for Safeguarding) (those attending Level 3 need to have attended Level 2 training) Cost: £5 pp Tea and Coffee provided. Please bring a packed lunch if staying for Level 3 Training. Details: 0118 969 9956. WOKINGHAM. Across borough. Wokingham Arts Trail. Details: www. wokinghamartstrail.co.uk. WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road. Church tower open day: discover more about bellringing. 2pm-5pm. All welcome.

Sunday, Sept 28 BEENHAM – St Mary’s Church. Harvest service followed by brunch. 9.15am. CAVERSHAM – Caversham Heights Methodist Church. Bring and share harvest lunch after morning service. GORING – St Thomas of Canterbury Church. Raphaela Papadaklis in concert. 3.30pm. Tea and cakes after. £10 in advance, £12 on door. Details: www.thomandmary.org.uk. HURST – Dinton Pastures. Breast Cancer Care Sponsored Walk around Dinton Pastures to kick-start Curves’ monthlong support for this great cause. Meet at 9.45am Dinton Pastures Car park for 10am start, £10 to participate Details: Curves Wokingham, 0118 977 5512. OWLSMOOR – St George’s Church, Owlsmoor Road GU47 0SS. Church building 21st celebrations: Eucharist with the Bishop of Reading. 10am. Concert. Noon. Flower festival. Noon5pm. Celebration service. 6.30pm. READING – Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square. Harvest thanksgiving followed by a lunch. 10.30am. All welcome. Details: 0118 957 2197 or www. abbeybaptistchurch.org.uk. ROTHERFIELD PEPPARD – All Saints Church. Harvest thanksgiving

and Patronal lunch. Details: www. allsaintspeppard.org.uk. THEALE – Holy Trinity Theale. First World War commemoration: rededication of village war memorial with the Bishop of Reading. 2.30pm. Details: www. holytrinitytheale.org.uk. TILEHURST – St Michael’s Church, New Lane Hill. Patronal and Flower Festival to mark 825 years. 1pm-5pm. Details: www.stmichaeltilehurst.org.uk. WOKINGHAM – Cantley House Hotel. Fawlty Towers evening. Dinner and entertainment £35. Details: 0118 978 9912. WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church. Ploughman’s harvest lunch. Details: www.wokinghammethodist.org.uk. WOODLEY – St John the Baptist. Harvest festival. Time TBC. Details: www. stjohn-woodley.com. WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road. Harvest festival. Games afternoon after service. Details: www. christ-church-woodley.org.uk.

Monday Sept 29Sunday Oct 5 HENLEY – Various venues. Henley Literary Festival. Details: www. Henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk or 0118 972 4700.

Monday, Sept 29 CAVERSHAM – Caversham Heights Methodist Church. Macmillan Coffee Morning. Time TBC.

Tuesday, Sept 30 FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James Church Centre. Christianity Explored course launch night. 7.45pm. Details: parish. finchampstead.com. SANDHURST – Sandhurst and Yateley Methodist Church, Scotland Hill. Rejoice: an hour of singing old hymns and learn new songs. 2.30pm. Followed by refreshments. Details: www.sandhurstmethodist.org.uk.

During October Black History Month.

| www.xnmedia.co.uk | September 2014

Friday, October 3 CROWTHORNE – Vineyard Centre, 25 Wellington Business Park, Dukes Ride. Ladies’ coffee morning. 10am. Details: 01344 780087. HARE HATCH – Yeldall Manor RG10 9XR. Celebration service for the work of Yeldall Manor. 7.30pm. Details: info@ yeldall.org.uk.

Saturday, October 4 EARLEY – Earley St Peter’s School Hall, Church Road. Barn dance with live music and caller from Kick Shins. 4-8pm. Advance tickets only. Licenced Bar. £10, £5 children. Fancy dress encouraged. Details & tickets: Earley St Peters Primary School Main Office. FINCHAMPSTEAD – St James Church Centre. Harvest supper. Details: parish.finchampstead.com. READING – Greyfriars Church, Friar Street. Peruvian Auction Dinner with a drinks reception and three-course waiter service dinner with wine. Lots include babysitting sessions and use of a holiday home. Dress smart. Tickets from Greyfriars Bookshop (£35). Details: www.greyfriars.org.uk. SANDHURST – Baptist Church. Musical evening and supper. 6.30pm. Details: www.sandhurstbaptists.org.uk.

CAVERSHAM PARK – Milestone Centre. Hymz and Cakes: an hour of favourite hymns with refreshments. Requests welcome. 3.30pm. All welcome. Details: 0118 947 5152. MIDGHAM – St Matthew’s Church. Harvest service with lunch at Midgham Park Farm. READING – Reading Deaf Centre, Cardiff Road. Reading Deaf Church meeting. 10.30am. Details: www. readingdeafcentre.org.uk. READING – Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square. Breakfast for students. 9am. All welcome. Details: 0118 957 2197 or www.abbeybaptistchurch.org.uk. WOOLHAMPTON – St Peter’s church. Harvest service, donated produce to be sold at the Post Office in aid of the Air Ambulance.

Monday, October 6 BRACKNELL – Kerith Centre, Church Road. Tearfund Conference: Pursuing Transformation with David Westlake, 9.30am-4pm. www.kerith.co.uk.

Tuesday, October 7 SANDHURST – Sandhurst and Yateley Methodist Church, Scotland Hill. Prayer Supper from 6.15pm. Details: www.sandhurstmethodist.org.uk.

Sunday, October 5

Thursday, Oct 8

ALDERMASTON – St Mary’s Church. Family harvest service with a choir from Cedars School. 10.45am. CAVERSHAM – St Andrew’s Church, Albert Road. Harvest lunch. Noon. Details: standrewscaversham.org.

HENLEY – Badgemore Park Golf Club, Badgemore RG9 4NR. The Filling Station presents Canon J John. 7.30pm. Details: henley@ thefillingstation.org.uk or 07875 203409.

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BRACKNELL – Kerith Centre, Church Road. Setting Healthy Boundaries, a one-day conference led by Dr Henry Could from Willow Creek. 9.30am4.30pm. Details: www.kerith.co.uk. READING – St Laurence Chuch, Friar Street. Older People’s Day: 10.30am3.30pm.

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Thursday, Oct 2 WOKINGHAM – Market Place. Farmers’ Market. 9am-2pm. Details: bgo@ wokingham-tc.gov.uk.

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LEISURE

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

BREAK TIME

Pit your wits against our brainteasers

Codeword

Kakuro

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.

Are you stuck?

SUDOKU

Sudoku

Tough

9 8 6 2 4 2

4 1

6 1 9

1 7

4 5 8

4 6

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.

2 7 8 6

9 2 6 5 3 2 2 1 1 5 4

3 1

3 9 8

8 2

Easy

8 9

6 7

STR8TS

Str8ts

The answers are on p34

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.

LEISURE

FREETIME

To advertise call 0118 328 3108

| www.xnmedia.co.uk | September 2014

Arts, leisure and hobbies – with a local perspective

From coconut cakes to Bake-Off star Martha Collison is a teenage sensation on The Great British Bake Off. She shares her love for cooking with LYNDA BOWYER

HE High Street of Sunninghill is peppered with voluminous hanging baskets overflowing with petunias in bright shades of cerise and purple. Small independent shops and stores do a bustling trade and a sense of calm is in the air as locals sit and chatter in a pavement café. How fitting that the very British picturepostcard Berkshire village should be the place to meet the English Rose-like talent in the form of 17-year-old Martha Collison. Martha is a current contestant in the BBC One series The Great British Bake Off, having beaten off more than 17,000 applicants to grab a slice of the action in the fifth series to become one of the 12 finalists. Tucked away in a corner of one of her favourite tea rooms, Xn caught up with Martha for an exclusive interview and photoshoot as the media frenzy over this blue-eyed Berkshire teen gathered ever-increasing momentum: “I love baking,” she said. “I think I always have. The first thing I ever baked entirely on my own was a coconut cake when I was about nine. “It was a strange thing,” she continued. “I’d put desiccated coconut into the mixture so as you can imagine, the cake turned out a bit gritty in texture. My parents still approved of it.” As you’d expect, Martha sipped her tea from a china cup with saucer. She told of her family’s support in making it to the final dozen in the show, a smile beaming from ear to ear. “When I auditioned I never thought I’d make it through,” she said. “With each round I managed to get through to the next stage, we’d all have a little celebration as a family. I had it in the back of my mind that there might be a ‘small’ chance I’d get through but then when it got right down to the final 50 I thought, ‘Well, there’s a 1 in four chance of it happening now’. “My parents have been so supportive and, like me, excited. They’ve also funded the cost of my ingredients which has been great, as it’s expensive to develop new recipes. We received four recipes a week from the BBC, so that takes some keeping up with.” At just 17, Martha is the youngest contestant in the show’s five-year history. Martha is aware of this and doesn’t shun away from the potential this opportunity provides for other young aspiring bakers out there. “I definitely think I’m up there representing the up-and-coming bakers of tomorrow,” she said. “I’m the youngest by almost 15 years; the next contestant in age to me is 31, which makes me feel incredibly young.” Martha adores baking. A current AS level

Martha Collinson is wowing audiences in the new series of The Great British Bake Off Picture: Lynda Bowyer student, she has ambitions of becoming a Food Scientist. Her heart overrules her head when it comes to food, as she explains: “I bake for the sheer enjoyment of it. I like the scientific aspect of it; how and why certain ingredients go well together but it has to be to enjoy the baking first and foremost. “I bake to eat, simple as. “The science part of it is secondary, but I’d love to work somewhere involving food – product development, for example.” The unique way Martha demonstrates her creativity was also a huge positive experience for her during the filming process. Martha said: “As viewers saw on the second show, it’s clear when there are things I’ve done which have been my favourites as I planned more readily for them. In the second show I spent the most time planning a 3D biscuit scene of a skiing village. “That was by far my most favourite thing to make on The Great British Bake Off.” Filming may have wrapped at the end of June, but Martha was astounded at the level of secrecy surrounding the show. “It was strange,” she said: “There I was – one moment in a huge tent in a field over at Welford Park on the outskirts of Newbury doing some filming for the show, and the next I was back in class with my friends, unable to utter a single word about what I’d been up to.” Martha knows what her favourite food is. “I love cheese,” she says. “Just as well, really, as I work on a cheese counter part-time. If I

had a preference I’d go for a really nice mature Cheddar or a ripe Camembert. “I love making cheese bread at home for the family. I stuff it with Camembert so it oozes out when you slice into the bread. “The family love it.” Apart from gaining a lot of attention from the show, what lies ahead for this gifted teen? “If the opportunity arose,” said Martha. “I’d love to do a book. Who wouldn’t want to see their name on the front of a recipe book? “It’s important to me that I do something with my baking for charitable causes. I’d also like to continue with the help I give at the After School Club where I study.” It is hoped that Martha’s Bake Off role will spark the imagination of other young bakers. Her advice for those aspiring to follow her? “Get stuck in,” she said. “Learn through practice and don’t be afraid to try out new stuff. Enjoy it and, most of all, have fun.” Is Martha a Team Mary or a Team Paul sort of girl? “Oh,” she said. “It has to be Mary. Don’t get me wrong; I love Paul, but I don’t know that much about him whereas my Mum and my Grandma had Mary’s books in the kitchen all the time. My family have grown up with Mary’s recipes so I have to choose her. “She’s a national treasure, isn’t she?” v The Great British Bake Off is on BBC One on Wednesdays at 8pm. For more, visit www. thegreatbritishbakeoff.co.uk. v A longer version of this article is on our website.

LEISURE

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

WHAT’S COOKING?

CAKES

Award-winning, artisan soup producer Tideford Organics has called on world renowned chefs to create three divine new soups. The organic and gluten free range comprises Mitch Tonks' Smoked Haddock Chowder with Organic Leeks and Peas, Mark Hix's Celeriac and Apple soup and Aldo Zilli's Tuscan Bean soup. For more details, visit www. tidefordorganics.com or call 01803 840 555

If you’re looking to add an exotic twist to your savoury snacks, then Alassala has just the thing you need. The Berber tribes’ answer to nut butter, Alassala’s Amlou Paste is a traditional Moroccan food that can be used as a spread or a dip for bread or crackers. The paste comes in two sizes: 226g with an RRP £14.99 and 113g RRP £7.99. For more details and to find local stockists, visit www.alassala.co.uk.

If you saw The Wild Peanut on Dragon’s Den, you’ll no doubt want to give the all-natural peanut butter a try. Now you can as the range has been picked up by Yumbles.com. Flavours include Chilli, Cinnamon, Honey, Chocolate and Banana. A 40g taster jar costs £1.50 while the 450g jar costs £4.20 with free shipping. A donation is made to global charity TREEAID for every jar sold.

SHOPPING LIST

Olly Murs is weaing some ethical specs as he takes to the airwaves. The singer is one of a number of stars to wear Colin Leslie Bamboo Eyewear. The ethical company makes the affordable, bamboo ethical eyewear range and uniquely fuses vintage designs with bamboo frames and recycled acetate. It’s all sourced ethically from China and Hong Kong. To see the range, log on to its website, colinleslieeyewear.co.uk.

Upcycling is in fashion and it’s all thanks to a girl with

beads! Rebecca Vorperian’s talent in designing unique pieces of handmade and recycled fashion has led to the launch of Girlwithbeads! Much of the materials are sourced from charity shops and each piece is carefully crafted and revived giving wearers unique one-off items. Check out the range for yourself at www. girlwithbeads. co.uk.

Bake a birthday surprise

REE CAKES for Kids is a network of people who love to bake. A group has just been established in Reading providing birthday cakes for children whose families find it difficult to afford the expense of a special cake. “I was a baker for the Hackney group for a couple of years,” said Jo Cordy, the Reading Co-ordinator. “I saw a poster advertising for bakers and thought, ‘I like baking’. “It seemed like a nice thing to do. “I baked quite a few cakes for them over the couple of years that I was there. We moved to Reading in February and I looked on the Free Cakes for Kids website to see if there was a group in Reading. There wasn’t so I thought that once we got settled in I’d start up a group and see how it went.” Vanessa Nelemans found out about Free Cakes for Kids through the Facebook group Caversham Gossip Girls. She said: “I love baking, I do voluntary work and I love the idea that I can fit it around my schedule. “I’m very much looking forward to baking for someone.” Vanessa feels that baking for children means you can be as creative as you wish. “You can do a Peppa Pig or a Lego cake,” she said. “You can use colours and creativity so that’s a nice part of it as well.” “The group works with partner organisations,” said Jo. “Children’s centres, women’s shelters or young carer groups. We will bake for anyone up to the age of 18.” While living in Hackney Jo made several birthday cakes for children. “I did a couple of Peppa Pig cakes, a Super Mario cake, a couple of girly flowery, sparkly cakes. I did Thomas the Tank Engine once as well. I’m storing up ideas for cakes for kids.” As the group had only just started when we met, none of the bakers has been able to bake a birthday cake yet. “I’m looking forward to there being cakes to bake,” Jo said. “We’re looking for people to volunteer to bake and it would be lovely to find people to bake for. “If anyone works with families who might not be able to provide their child with a birthday cake or works with young carers who get a bit forgotten on their birthdays, then please let me know.” If anyone knows of a child who needs a birthday cake or if you would like to join in the fun of baking, let Jo know.

FREE CAKES FOR KIDS – READING

Jo Cordy email: fcfk.reading@gmail.com Tel: 07590 662549 www.freecakesforkidsreading.org

FREE CAKES FOR KIDS – WOKINGHAM

Kate Harrison and Charlie Kuzniar freecakesforkidswokingham@gmail.com Tel: 0779 4113782 or 07731 014417 facebook.com/FCFKWokingham WORDS & PICTURES: VIVIENNE JOHNSON

LEISURE

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SCOUTS

Scouts need you for Japanese Jamboree

IVE Scouts from Reading have been chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime experience and are looking for help to get there. The teenagers have been chosen to represent the town at the World Scout Jamboree, which will be held in July 2015 in Japan. As part of their fundraising, a special jazz concert will be held at an Emmer Green church on Saturday, September 27. Featuring music from The Kings of Jazz, the evening will include classics such as In The Mood, Little Brown Jug and Mack The Knife. Funds raised will help send fund the trip, as well as giving St Barnabas Church’s organ fund a boost. The five Scouts are Laurence Martin, 14, Peter Drew, 15, Daniel Rumble, 15, Fergus Mander, 12, and Nick Moxley, 14. They will join 40 other Scouts from across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, and 3,500 from the rest of the UK. Rachel Ellis, an Explorer Scout leader at the 89th Reading troop in Caversham, will be travelling with them as one of three leaders for the Berkshire Unit. The group will join more than 30,000 Scouts from around the world for a 10-night camp in Yamaguchi. While there they will take part in charity events, water sports and cultural activities. Laurence, an Explorer Scout in Caversham, said: “This is an

The Reading team (back row) Explorer Scouts Daniel Rumble, Peter Drew and Laurence Martin; (front row) Scout Fergus Mander, Leader Rachel Ellis and Sea Scout Nick Moxley

amazing opportunity to visit a country I would probably have never gone to. “I am really looking forward to finding out about the Japanese way of life and meeting new people from around the world.” The Jamboree takes place every four years and sees Scouts from across the world come together. The Reading Central group are planning a number of events to raise money for their fees. Part of the fee paid by UK Scouts goes towards funding the cost for Scouts from less fortunate countries, allowing them to attend. Donations can be made by cheque to Berkshire Scouts Jamboree Unit. v For more details or to make a donation, log on to www.

CONCERTS

v Go out for a night on the couch A NIGHT of live music featuring talented local musicians will help raise funds for a youth counselling service. The Acoustic Couch is coming in October and the five acts will help rock Ascot while giving a helping hand to YouthLine. Organised by Jody Rule, the lineup will see the acoustic singer – and regular at Jagz – team up with Me & Matt Cooper, Paul Wilson, Room 6 and Hannah Mollie. In the event’s Facebook description, organisers promise “An affordable evening of music from some of the local area and much more. Bring a bottle, licensed premises, for consumption.”

Youthline provides a free, confidential counselling service for young people attending secondary school, and young adults up to the age of 25. It has been supporting young people in the Bracknell Forest area since 1988 and is a registered charity. It will take place from 8pm on Saturday, October 4 at Ascot Life Church in New Road, Ascot. Tickets cost £10 plus a £1.25 booking fee and include free nibbles. A raffle and ticket prizes will be available. They can be booked through the EventBrite website: visit goo.gl/hHA1LP . v For more details, search Facebook for “Youthline-theacousticcouch”.

berkshirescouts.org.uk/japan2015. php v The Jamboree Jazz concert will be held from 7pm on Saturday, September 27 at St Barnabas Church in Emmer Green. Tickets cost £10, £8.50 for OAPs and £6 for under 16s. To reserve tickets call Nic Drew on 07768 994914 or email nic@drews. uk.com.

v Listen up for the Kick Shins EARLEY – Kick Shins is not an instruction –t hey’re giving the instructions! The band will be calling the moves at a barn dance organised by Earley St Peter’s Primary School PTA on Saturday, October 4. Starting at the family-friendly time of 4pm and ending at 8pm, it will help raise funds for the school. Tickets cost £10 or £5 for chidlren and include a hot supper. Fancy dress is encouraged. v Tickets can be bought from the school’s main office. For details, call 0118 926 1657.

v Enjoy a knight out with a check, mate READING – Brave knights can team up with bishops and queens for a great night out. Reading Chess Club meets on Thursdays from 7.15pm on the first floor of New Hope Community Centre in York Road, Reading. The club welcomes all abilities for club and league matches. v For details, call the secretary, J Roper, on 0118 942 1262 or visit www.berkshirechess.org.uk.

LEISURE

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v Sounds of the valley come to town EMMER GREEN – A male voice choir from South Wales will be visiting Emmer Green next month. The Maesteg Gleemen Male Voice Choir will be returning to St Barnabas Church for the third time. At their concert on Saturday, October 11, they will perform a rich and varied programme in aid of the church’s Organ Restoration fund. Tickets cost £10 and include interval refreshments. v For details, call Sue Harper on 0118 947 0895 or log on to www. saintbarnabas.org.uk

v Raphaela to sing GORING – An afternoon concert will be held later this month. Young soprano Raphaela Papadakis will be accompanied by James Sherlock for a programme that includes songs by Schubert, Liszt and Britten. Tea and cakes will be served afterwards in the Canterbury Room, when there will be a chance to meet the performers. Tickets £10 in advance from Inspiration or £12 at the door. It will be held on Sunday, September 28 at 3.30pm in St Thomas’ Church, Goring.

v Sale for Helen & Douglas House SONNING – A charity sale in aid of Helen & Douglas House will take place next month. Rita Gulliver, who exhibits needlework, said: “I shall be having a stall at the sale. “The sale is usually very busy and last year made about £3,000 for the charity.” It will be held at the Pearson Hall from 11am to 4pm on Sunday, October 12.

v New community choir to launch HURST – A NEW community choir will launch next month. The St Nicholas Singers will be run by Alison Murray, music director of St Nicholas church. It will be open to anyone who loves to sing –there is no need to read music. It will meet on Wednesdays twice a month in St Nicholas School Hall from October 1. v To register your interest or receive more news email stnicholassingers@gmail.com or call 0118 979 6346.

FESTIVAL

Flower power for 825th birthday

N HISTORIC church is preparing to say it with flowers as it marks its 825th birthday in September. St Michael’s Church in Tilehurst was consecrated in 1189 and the current congregation is planning a special celebratory weekend from September 26-28. The celebrations coincide with the festival of Michaelmas – a feast held in honour of the church’s patron, Saint Michael. Celebrations will be centred around a two-day flower festival based on the theme of Celebration. Displays will be made by the church’s Flower Guild, local flower clubs and other churches. A spokesperson for the church said: “A flower festival is a very special event – the colours, the perfume and the artistry of the arrangements will be glorious – we do hope you will come to see for yourselves. “Entry is free but we would be delighted if you

could make a donation which will help support our church for another 825 years.” The festival will be launched with a concert, which will be held on Friday, September 26 from 7pm. It will be given by Jo Shepherd and Erica Eloff (pictured). On Saturday, September 27, the church will be open from 9.30am to 11.30am and 1pm to 5pm – a wedding is scheduled for lunchtime on this extra-special weekend. During this time a light lunch will be available and afternoon tea will be served later on. The church will open again on Sunday, September 28. A special service will be held at 9.30am, with the Archdeacon of Berkshire, the Venerable Olivia Graham, preaching. In the afternoon, flowers can again be viewed from 1pm-5pm, with afternoon teas available. v For more details, log on to the church’s website, www.stmichaeltilehurst.org.uk Erica picture by Sussie Ahlburg

LIVE MUSIC

Get ready for the super seven concerts!

SUPER seven series of concerts will give you the chance to experience music as it used to be, performed by some of the best musicians in the country – and all on your doorstep. The Baroque Concerts is returning for a new season later this month and the lineup features famous and rarely heard music performed on period instruments by talented people. It will take place at All Saints Church in Wiltshire Road in Wokingham and has been organised by the church’s director of music, Richard Smith. Sponsored by Wokingham estate agents Michael Hardy, the series of concerts starts on Wednesday, September 24, with a performance of 17th and 18th century recorder music by Peter Wells and Maria Sanger. The October 29 concert sees David Wright (pictured) perform a selection of music by Bach, Handel and Hayden on the harpischord. Then, on November 26, William Summers, Partricia Hammond and Jamie Akers will perform music from the 16th and 17th century with an emphasis on songs of love, loss, loyalty and devotion. The concerts take a break for

Christmas and the New Year. Returning on March 26, the first 2015 event recreates music from Shakespeare’s era, with a performance on the lute by Lynda Sayce. On April 29, talented violinist Beatrice Scaldini will perform some baroque string quartet music accompanied by Christiane Eidsten, Daniel Shilladay and Jonathan Rees. The May 27 concert sees Margaret Faultless team up with Terence Charlston to perform music by JS Bach. Finally, Kirsty Whatley will perform music on the baroque harp, bringing the season to a close on June 24.

It’s possible to save money with a season pass for £62 – allowing you to buy seven tickets for the price of five. As part of All Saints’ Church’s commitment to helping young people enjoy and learn about music, tickets for under 19s are free. They can be purchased from The Cornerstone or from the All Saints website. Some tickets may be on the door, if available. Alternatively, you can write, enclosing a cheque made payable to All Saints Music Fund, to Wokingham Concert Series, Tall Trees, Green Drive, Wokingham, RG40 2HT. v For more details, log on to www. allsaintschoirwokingham.org.uk.

HISTORY

Look back at Reading Gaol READING’S most famous jailbird will be paid tribute to at a special evening taking place next month. Oscar Wilde and Reading Gaol is a free exhibition launching at the Berkshire Record Office from October 22 to February 6 next year. It will showcase specially curated archive material related to the prison during the Victorian era. There will also be a display showcasing photographs taken the moment that

the jail was closed earlier this year. It will be open from 9am to 5pm Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9am to 9pm on Thursdays and 9am to 4.30pm on Fridays. Entry is free. To launch the display, Oscar Wilde’s grandson will talk about his grandfather. It will take place on Monday, October 20, at the Record Office, from 6pm. Entry is free. v To request a ticket email arch@reading.gov.uk.

LEISURE

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HISTORY

You can play the Father Willis!

F YOU’VE ever fancied playing Reading’s famous Father Willis Organ, now’s your chance. The mighty instrument, which dominates Reading’s Concert Hall, is marking its 150th birthday and there are opportunities for complete beginners to pull out all the stops and have a go. The celebratory season launches with a concert on Saturday, October 4. It includes the world premiere of a brand-new piece of music by Soosan Lolavar. Organist William Whitehead will team up with members of the Berkshire Maestros Academy on Sundays String Ensemble and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for the show, which also includes Stanley’s Organ Concerto in G. The concert is preceded by a talk by William McVicker and Soosan Lolavar. Tickets cost £13.50 and a VIP package, at £23, includes a centre balcony seat, a programme, interval refreshments and access to the post-concert reception. The organ lessons will be held over two Sundays – October 26 and November 2. Beginners lessons will run from 10.30am and 2pm for an hour, with sessions for pianists at noon and 3.30pm. Entry is free. On Saturday, November 15, Reading Town Hall Organ Curator William McVicker will give a talk about the history of the Father Willis Organ. Suitable for all ages, the 45-minute talk starts at 10.30am, 1.15pm and 4.15pm. Entry is free. On the same day, there will be a Big Pipe Busk: people can make their own plastic pitch organ pipe and then join in a busking session led from the Father Willis Organ. It starts at 3.30pm and the busk will be at 5.30pm. Entry is free. There are also lunchtime organ recitals on a bi-monthly basis, at the Concert Hall. They all start at 1pm and entry is £5. On Wednesday, September 17, Edward Reeve will perform, while on Wednesday, November 12 it will be Anthony Hammond. Then next year, Ben Bloor plays on Wednesday, January 21. v For more details, or to book, call Reading Arts on 0118 960 6060 or log on to www.readingarts.com.

MUSICAL

Join Joseph on Hexagon stage

v World premiere READING – A WORLD premiere will be heard later this month. The University’s Great Hall will be the venue for the Trinity Concert Band autumn spectacular, which includes the first-ever performance of Stephen Roberts’ Euphonium Concerto. Tickets cost £10 up to 24 hours before the concert or £12 on the door. Under 16s get in free. v For details or tickets, call 0118 969 0925 or log on to www.trinityband.co.uk.

v Singing workshop CROWTHORNE – The Thames Voyces choir is holding a singing workshop on Saturday, October 11 at St John The Baptist Church in Crowthorne. Focusing on voice production and improvement, and choral techniques, it will use movements from Mendelssohn’s popular oratorio Elijah. The day starts at 9.30am and end with a performance at 4pm. The day costs £16. v For details, call Alan Jackson on 01344 776663 or visit www. thamesvoyces.org.uk/workshop.

IT’S A star-studded autumn full of treats as Reading Arts brings a galaxy of stars to the town. The autumn season explodes into life with the arrival of the ever-popular Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The show will be at The Hexagon from Tuesday, September 9 to Saturday, September 13 and stars Danielle Hope, the winner of the BBC talent contest Over

The Rainbow. Also appearing, as Joseph, is Lloyd Daniels. There are matinees on Wednesday to Friday at 2.30pm and at 1.30pm and 4.30pm on the Saturday. Tickets cost from £23 to £30.50, with discounts and special rates for schools. v For more details, or to book tickets, log on to Reading Arts website, www. readingarts.com or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.

Come & hear this talented young Palestinian string quartet

ACTING

Your chance to join acting troupe A DRAMA group that has been performing for nearly 70 years is on the look out for new members, both on and off stage. The Triangle Players in Tilehurst are a local, community-based group performing two plays and a pantomime each year. The group welcomes everyone including under 16s who are encouraged to perform in the annual pantomime as a stepping stone to full adult membership when they can take part in the plays. It performs comedy, whodunits and those pantomimes, with an emphasis on entertainment.

The group also meets for a rash of social events. Organisers add that they want both actors and backstage crew to help with making props, costumes, lighting and sound. It meets in Tilehurst Methodist Church’s hall in School Road on Wednesday and Friday evenings. The gatherings start at 7.30pm. The group has just started preparing for its next production, a mystery play. v For more details, log on to its website, www.triangleplayers.co.uk or call Pat on 07703 905138.

A concert of Classical and Arabic music Followed by Q&A with Omar Sa’ad – conscientious objector to Israeli military service Free Admission, donations welcome

Wednesday 1st October at 7:30pm St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley RG6 7JN

LEISURE

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Cinema with Martin Ceaser

5 9 4 1 3 2 7 6 8

6 8 2 9 5 7 1 3 4

1 7 3 6 4 8 9 2 5

Kakuro

Moviewatch

Codewords

SOLUTIONS

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

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

Str8ts Solution Str8ts

2 3 4 1 9 8 6 7 5

3 4 5

Sudoku Solution Suduku

4 5 9 3 8 6 2 1 7

v Hector and the Search for Happiness (15) Stars Simon Pegg (Hector), Rosamund Pike (Clara), Stellan Skarsgard (Edward), Toni Collette (Agnes) and Christopher Plummer (Professor Coreman)

The greatest gift that I possess…

ASED on the French novel Le Voyage D’hector Ou La Recherche De Bonheur, this Anglo-German cooperation is Simon Pegg’s finest hour (two really) as he plays Hector. Hector is a psychiatrist who finds himself stuck in a rut seeing the same old people with the same old problems every week. He also feels like a fraud because his own life is so routine, both at work and at home. He is organised to the nth degree by girlfriend Clara – so much so that he feels smothered. One day he decides things have to change and sets out on a round the world trip to see if he can find out the true meaning of happiness. Pegg is superb in what is his most serious and grown-up role to date, showing depths of character and ability that we have not seen before. He also treats us to some deft comical moments as he travels the world, takig in China, Africa and Los Angeles. As he does he notes down insights before realising that the key to true happiness is ... well, that would be telling, wouldn’t it? Of course, the film raises many questions, suchas:

• Is happiness something we should all be entitled to? • Does it mean different things to different people in different places? • Should we even pursue our own happiness? • What if my happiness causes someone else unhappiness? • How is it that people in poorer countries often seem happier than those in richer ones? • What does happiness even look like, or feel like? • Even, dare I say, is happiness the ultimate goal that so many people seem to think it is … Or is there something deeper, more meaningful and lasting that we should be searching for? I think of the words of Jesus, who said: “I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). We learn in the Bible that He also taught that seeking the best for others, not ourselves, forms part of what it means to be truly human. And this is something that Hector, in a way, learns on his trek all the way round the world and back again. Well worth a look … and a think.

The Revd Martin Ceaser is minister of Crowthorne Baptist Church

REACHING YOUR POTENTIAL

Could you Foster and make a difference? Remember what it was like to be a teenager? a mix of possibilities, opportunities, hormones and boundaries, homework and exams, people to see and places to go. Learning to be independent can be hard enough. If a Young Person has had distressing or troubled early childhood experiences, it can just add more stress to an already emotional time. Foster carers for teenagers need particular skills to carry out what can be a very varied and challenging job - sensitivity to a Young Persons situation, patience, tolerance and understanding. A foster carer needs to provide stability, safety and secure boundaries to keep them safe, while also encouraging them to spread their wings and take their first steps towards becoming happy, responsible adults. Most importantly, you need to be there for them, have good communication skills, provide consistent boundaries, negotiate effectively when difficulties arise and have a sense of humour! We will provide support 24/7 and extensive training plus a financial package. Make a difference. Contact National Fostering Agency today.

www.nfa.co.uk

0845 434 5767 Or Text FOSTER5 to 88020 with your full name

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Opening times - Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8.30am-7.00pm • Tuesday & Thursday 8.30am-9.00pm • Saturday 8.30am-7.00pm • Sunday Closed These offers supersedes any other offer and cannot be used in conjunction with any offer; this promotion from Eden Motor Group Stock and is available whilst stocks last. Offer is subject to status, terms and conditions. Applicants must be 18 years or over. Offer applies to private individuals.. Models shown for illustration purposes only.