Heart-warming story sees resident reunited with sentimental ring

Staff at re3 Recycling Centre have a truly heart-warming story to share with readers – just in time for the holiday season!

The team at the re3 Recycling Centres managed to recover a sentimental gold ring from one of the bottle banks.

A spokesman said: “The ring unfortunately slipped from the finger of a resident while recycling glass after a community event in Twyford. We are so pleased that the ring is now reunited with its owner!

“This wonderful story certainly gives us all a big smile and is also the perfect opportunity to remind you that the festive season is a peak recycling time for the glass bottles. Residents of Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham Boroughs can recycle their glass bottles and jars at the bottle banks located near parks, community centres or supermarkets.

To find the nearest banks, please check the re3 bottle bank map https:// bit.ly/re3banks

Vigil to end violence against women

WORDS BY JACKY HAYLER PHOTOS BY PAUL KING

On Saturday, Bracknell Forest Council, in partnership with local charities Berkshire Women’s Aid and Kaleidoscopic UK, held a vigil to raise awareness of the White Ribbon Campaign and the 16 days of activism to challenge violence against women and girls.

The vigil was an opportunity to reflect and remember those who have been lost due to gender-based violence, with a chance to write messages of hope. There were several speakers throughout the evening, including the Mayor of Bracknell Forest and the leader of the council.

In Bracknell Forest, there were 2,655 domestic abuse related incidents recorded by the police in 2022/23, this is an average of seven reports a day.

Cllr Naheed Ejaz, the Mayor of Bracknell Forest, has chosen Berkshire Women’s Aid (BWA) as the charity she will support for her mayoral year. BWA will receive any charity money donated between May 2023 and May 2024.

Cllr Ejaz said: “Berkshire Women’s Aid plays an imperative role in supporting women and children who are victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Each year it needs to raise over £1 million to continue to deliver its services. This is a huge task, but one I know the borough of Bracknell Forest can support them with.

“I hope that by raising money and awareness, it will help victims to know there is non-judgemental support out there for them, and they can contact BWA when they feel ready to talk.”

Alix Simpson, chief executive at Berkshire Women’s Aid, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as Cllr and we are extremely grateful for the continued support. In recent years, the need for domestic abuse services has increased. Our mission is to end the cycle of domestic abuse and provide survivors with practical and emotional support.”

The White Ribbon flag was raised above Wokingham Borough Council offices in Shute End, Wokingham, to mark White Ribbon Day and the beginning of 16 days of activism to end violence against women and girls (VAWG).

The council was delighted to be awarded White Ribbon Accreditation earlier in the month by White Ribbon UK, the leading charity engaging men and boys to prevent violence against women. This launches an organisational commitment to end violence against women and girls.

The white ribbon is a symbol for ending men’s violence against women and girls and White Ribbon Day is an internationally recognised day where men show their commitment and support to ending violence against women and girls.

The council’s three male directors,

Matt Pope Executive Director for Children, Adults and Health, Graham Ebers Director of Resources and Assets and Deputy Chief Executive, and Giorgio Framalicco Director of Place and Growth, have all made the white ribbon promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women.

The three directors will all be spearheading the creation of a three-year action plan to effect change under the four key areas of strategic leadership, engaging men and boys, culture change and raising awareness.

During the 16 days of activism, a vigil was held in Wokingham marketplace when people were invited to join the borough and town mayors to light up the town square with electric candles or torches in memory and support of those affected by VAWG.

Councillor Sarah Kerr, executive member for climate emergency and resident services, said: “Violence against women and girls is a fundamental human rights violation which harms the lives of millions. We all have our own stories, but the common theme running through all of them is that men are the perpetrators and women are de-humanised, treated as objects. And this stops women and girls living the lives they would choose for themselves.

“It is not all men. In fact it is not most men. But all men have a moral duty to be part of the solution. No more should we be requiring women to change their behaviours in order to avoid abuse and violence. We need men to actively call out misogynistic behaviours and toxic masculinity that are prevalent in society.

“White Ribbon is specifically about raising awareness of the role men play in eliminating violence against women and girls and is part of the wider VAWG agenda.”

White Ribbon Day (WRD) marked the start of the 16 days of activism for ending gender-based violence and ended on Sunday, 10th December.

Public Notices

Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence

Global Rail Construction Ltd

Your trading name (if any) untit 20, The IO Centre

Hearle Way

Hatfield AL10 9EW is applying to change an existing licence as follows

To keep an extra ___ goods vehicles and ___ trailers at the operating centre at

Wokingham Borough Council

Report potholes and road/footway damage

Urgent issues only

If you’re reporting an urgent issue that requires immediate attention, call:

9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 0118 974 6000 and select the ‘highways’ option

5pm to 9am Monday to Friday, 0800 212 111 weekends and public holidays

An urgent issue is defined as something that is very likely to present an imminent threat to life or serious injury or serious damage to property. We aim to respond to urgent issues within 2 hours. Report potholes, road and kerb damage

Former Eurythmics singer Annie Lennox was born on Christmas Day in 1954. The Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), Walking on Broken Glass and Here Comes the Rain Again singer is also an activist for female empowerment.

To add an operating centre to keep ___ goods vehicles and ___ trailers at

Network Rail P-Way Yard, Station Industrial Estate, Oxford Road, Wokingham, RG41 2YQ

To change existing conditions or undertakings applying at the operating centre at

To report potholes, road and kerb damage go to https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/roadworks-and-outdoor-maintenance/report-problem-roads-and-streets

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Planned Road Closure

Woodside Road, Winkfield in both directions outside of Deer house.

Date: closed on Monday 18 December until Wednesday 20 December.

Reason: public and worker safety while Affinity water install a stop tap boundary box.

Actress and Texas native Sissy Spacek was born on Christmas Day in 1949. The Carrie star has received six Academy Award nominations, earning her first Oscar in 1981 for her portrayal of Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner›s Daughter. Of all the birthdays in the world, Humphrey Bogart had to be born on December 25th, 1899. One of Hollywood’s great leading men, Bogie was known for iconic roles in such films as Casablanca and The African Queen for which he won a best actor Oscar.

Model Helena Christensen was born on Christmas Day in 1968 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The popular ‹90s supermodel appeared in fashion campaigns for Chanel, Versace and Valentino.

From

To

To remove the following conditions or undertakings which reads and which applies at the operating centre at

Diversion route: A332 Windsor Road, B3034 Lovel Lane and this route reversed. View works on one.network.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was born on Christmas Day in 1971. Trudeau, has been in office since 2015.

Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s office.

The equestrian world and Woodley community were shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Linda Ian from Lands End Equestrian Centre.

A statement read: “We are all devastated to inform you that Linda sadly and unexpectedly passed away on Monday afternoon. Our family is heartbroken and still in shock as we can imagine a lot of you will be too. “Linda was a huge part of the yard and gave her whole life to it. She was her happiest down there driving her quad bike or caddy around with her little companion Clio. She will be dearly missed by all of us and has left massive boots that will never be filled!” They will be holding a memorial for anyone that wants to pay their respects with a date likely to be early next year. Linda’s Funeral will take place on Thursday 14th December 10am at Easthampstead Crematorium, South Road, Bracknell, Wokingham RG40 3DW. The funeral is open to anyone who would like to pay their respects, and the dress code is casual as Linda would have wanted. Those wishing to can meet at the Heron on the Ford after the ceremony for a drink to catch up and celebrate Linda’s life.

Aged 53, George Michael’s death was confirmed by a statement from his publicist that read: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period.” Michael, one of the best-selling musicians of all time, died in the early hours of Christmas Day 2016.

Charlie Chaplin, one of the greatest stars of the silver screen and the silent film world, died on Christmas Day 1977 in Switzerland. He had been in ill health and died from a stroke in his sleep. Chaplin was 88 years old.

Swing singer, actor, and TV Host Dean Martin died on Christmas Day 1995 from acute respiratory failure. He was 87 years old at the time of his death.

Soul and funk icon James Brown died aged 73 of congestive heart failure on Christmas Day in 2006. His career spanned more than 50 years and he was one of the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in New York on January 23, 1986.