Community spirit comes to Winnersh

Community spirit was alive and well in Winnersh at the weekend when the parish council staged their summer fete.

Tucked nicely in between the two weekends with Woodley Carnival the previous weekend and Hurst Country Fayre the following weekend, hordes of people flocked to Bearwood Recreation Ground where there were activities galore.

Stalls featured local schools including Conkers Pre-school, The Greenwood Pre-school, St. Cecilia’s Primary and Winnersh Primary while Bearwood Primary ran a popular bottle tombola. Also present were Berkshire Bonsai, The Dance Zone, RNLI, and the Lions Club, while food on offer included samosas and fudge, candy floss, Mr Whippy ice cream and there was a barbecue available.

Fete volunteer and councillor Geoff Harper said the organisers were delighted with the turnout. “We are very pleased because a lot of effort goes into organising the day. It was started in 2008 because there was concern that Winnersh was losing its identity as a village. But we have got a good crowd today – you can always tell by how packed the car park is.”

He added that once again the Earley Air Cadets were doing a sterling job as they do every year as car parking attendants. “They always do a very professional job, and it goes towards their public service.”

He said they had received good support from local businesses this year which is very much appreciated as everyone is aware of how hard things are at the moment. “They have really stepped up with raffle donations and sponsorship from Roy Wood Transits, Legacy Law and South Western Railway. The parish council has a budget for the event so all money raised goes towards out two chosen charities which this year are The Link Visiting Scheme and First Days Children’s Charity.”

Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Beth

Rowland was invited along, and she presented the Winnersh Community Awards. These went to three people this year, Harry Peksa who has taken it upon himself to clear the streets of litter, Graham Clifford who has fought to resolve issues with the Hatch Farm development and Nadine Chapman Shave who is a stalwart of the local Beavers group. They each received a £30 gift voucher in recognition of their efforts.

With it being the year of the King’s Coronation, he added that they had put a new bench in the children’s play area to commemorate the coronation. And children from local schools had created some artwork that was on display. Each creation, by Winnersh Primary, Wheatfield Primary and Bearwood Primary would all be framed and put on display in the community hall. There was also lots to take part in including a tug-o-war, wheelbarrow races, archery organised by the Dinton Pastures Countryside team and a coconut shy.

“Mr Harper added: “This event really brings the community together and people always urge us to do it again next year”.