No one makes an ass of themselves at Donkey Derby

PHOTOS BY PAUL KING

The 1st Twyford Scouts Donkey Derby is one of the highlights in Twyford’s calendar and now in its 28th year, it co-insided with Father’s Day. To mark the occasion, there was the opportunity for visitors to name a donkey after their dad! It was also a week before Royal Ascot so visitors could get into the swing of betting on the races.

Scout group leader Tom Toy said: “It was a great day and proved very popular. There is a lot of preparation involved and although the weather forecast was poor it was actually better than expected. We were very pleased with how it went.”

The donkeys are brought in from the beaches at Weston-Super-Mare and are very used to giving rides. They are very well looked after with lots of shade provided for their comfort.

With six donkeys to a race some of the names included Hoof Hearted, Chelsea Bun and Sweet Suzanne. Races were sponsored and named after their sponsors including the Wentworth Stakes after the estate agent and Might Muscle Donkey Dash after Fit20 training sessions.

The day, which saw between 2,000 and 3,000 visitors, is to raise funds for the Scouts as well as bringing the community together.

Aside from the donkey races, there was a wide range of stalls supporting local organisations, charities and businesses, beverages and homemade cakes from the refreshment tents, the scouts’ BBQ, Maidenhead Concert Band and all the fun of the travelling fair.

The area’s newest care business had their official opening recently.

Local residents Preeti Kale and Sachin Raut own Guardian Angel Carers Reading, where their team of incredible Care Angels provide outstanding home care with a family feel.

Wokingham Mayor Beth Rowland was invited down to their base in Woodley to cut the ribbon and officially declare them open. During the launch there were speeches detailing the journey the couple had been on to get them where they are today. And Mayor Rowland spoke about how important home care is today, especially having seen people struggle during Covid. And then she cut the cake and toasted the couple.

Preeti said how happy they were that the mayor had been able to join them for their official opening.

“Our aim is to provide the best quality of care to people in their own homes. We don’t want our carers to feel like outsiders, so we match them to our client’s personality and characteristics so they feel like part of the family.”

Preeti added that they have built an excellent team of people around them who share their values and reflect their caring ethos. “They are well-versed in our values and mission statement and are fully trained, but the main priority is that they care for others.”

She added that with their own aging parents who increasingly need support, they have personal experience and hope that is reflected in the care that they offer others.

Formerly cabin crew with Emirates Airlines, Preeti became a stay-at-home mum looking after their twin boys aged six, before deciding to dedicate herself to the business, while Sachin splits his time between the business and work- ing for the Ministry of Defence.

“We know we are lucky to live in a beautiful part of the country, so we understand why people want to stay here. We can care for them where they are at their happiest, in the familiar surroundings of their own home.

“No matter what level of care you need, our team will be by your side.