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CELEBRATING THE BOROUGH OF WOKINGHAM

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Welcome To My Wokingham Your new community newspaper that serves all of Wokingham Positive About Wokingham Your free monthly paper serving the entire Wokingham Borough My Wokingham is printed monthly and delivered directly into Wokingham homes with a print run of 25,000. It’s also available throughout the borough from pickup points in Arborfield, Barkham, Crowthorne, Finc, hampstead,Sonning Hurst, Remenham , Ruscombe, Shinfield, Twyford, Wargrave, Winnersh, Spencers Wood, Wokingham Town and Woodley. We report on news and events across Wokingham borough creating trusted connections with charities and the local community. Our editorial ethos is positive, and we want to cele-

brate all the borough has to offer and help the community enjoy where they live. Online since 2022 at mywokingham. co.uk we see thousands of people every day enjoy our fresh approach and positive ethos about Wokingham. Supporting local charities Fundraising and raising the profile of our local charities is at the heart of what we do. In fact, that’s how we started and now provide an opportunity for our local charities to amplify their message via print, digital, social and live streaming events. What to expect Our team of local photographers and in-house journalists all live and work in the area. We cover local news, charity events. We will run regular features that appeal to wide audience from Home Improvement, Property, Senior Living Gar-dening, Hair & Beauty, Health & Wellbeing, Sport & Leisure Cleaning, Schools & Colleges to Kids and Family.

Easter and May half term football camps P4

How to holiday in 2023 P5

Free road closures to celebrate the coronation P8

Supporting our local businesses My Wokingham provides local business unbeatable coverage by combing print with digital ensuring they connect with a hyper-local audience.

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Get In touch To advertise Email: info@mywokingham.co.uk Phone: 0118 405 0228 Write to us: My Wokingham Media Group Ltd, Markham House, 20 Broad Street, Wokingham, Rg40 4ER. Publisher: My Wokingham Media Group Ltd Company Director: Nick Marr News Editor: Jacky Hayler Head Photographer: Paul King Multimedia Manager: Phil Gee Sports reporter: Andrew Batt

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My Wokingham is a member of the Love Paper global campaign promoting the sustainable and attractive attributes of print, paper and paper packaging. Our newspaper is printed on recycled paper which will be recycled again into new products. In fact 74% of paper and 83% of paper packaging is recycled into new products; one of the highest recycling rates of any material in Europe. Run by not-for-profit organisation, Two Sides, the campaign seeks to tell consumers across the world all the positive stories about paper, print and paper packaging from its environmental credentials to its ability to improve mental wellbeing, learning and enhance creativity. Even in today’s digital world, paper remains unique in its ability to touch our lives. Paper is renewable, recyclable and the natural support of new ideas and creativity.

Code of Practice My Wokingham aims to have the highest editorial standards in print and online. If we have made a mistake, please let us know about it. My Wokingham is a member of press regulator IPSO, the Independent Press Standards Organisation, which enforces the Editors Code of Practice. If you would like to make a compliant to us about a breach of the code please email nick@mywokingham.co.uk or write to: The Editor, My Wokingham, Markham House, 20 Broad Street, Wokingham, Rg40 4ER.

march 2023

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College classes help people on the road to recovery BY JACKY HAYLEY jacky@mywokingham.co.uk

he Wokingham Recovery College gives people with mental health problems the chance to access education, workshops and training programmes designed to help them on their road to recovery. The college helps people become experts in their own self-care and enable family, friends and staff to better understand mental health. Wokingham Recovery College offers free mental health and wellbeing courses, workshops and support groups. Whether you have never accessed support for your wellbeing or you have tried various services before, they hope that you can find something which empowers you to find new ways of responding to difficult experiences Wokingham Recovery College is a safe space where you can be yourself, free from judgement. Their courses are grouped into four main categories, which provides students with the option to focus on particular areas: Wellbeing – supports a better un-

derstanding of your mental health and teaches skills for self-management. Includes a support group for those who hear voices and a support group for carers of those with mental health needs. Life skills – aims to increase confidence in tackling issues from everyday life. Creativity – allows you to explore your creative side through various mediums. Next steps – for anyone wishing to explore moving away from services and/or into employment. Upcoming classes for March: Yoga for wellbeing – March 7, 10am to 11am Finding happiness and resilience* – March 7, 7pm to 8.15pm Living a more mindful life* – March 8, 15 and 22, 10am to 11.15am Hearing voices group – March 9, 11am to 12.30pm and March 23*, 11am to 12 noon Managing anxiety* – March 9,

Top Ten Wokingham Pets My Wokingham inspired pet lovers in Wokingham Borough to enter into a pet photo contest. Thousands of people viewed the 173 entries and it was left to the people of Wokingham to decide which pet photo they loved the best. The winner of the contest that included, Guinea Pigs, Chicken and some very cute dogs was a White Cat wearing a bow tie, the cat is called Snowy.Snowy is no stranger to the limelight with over 4000 followers on Instagram! Snowy’s owner Mary Musat from Woodley said “Wow Thank you so much! Thank you for organising this contest”, you can also follow Snowy @snowy_thewhitefloof The winning pet owners is going to receive a free pet portrait & walk pho-

tography session. The prize was provided by Arborfield photography company RTH Imagery. Owner Ryan Horners explains how the business started”What started off as just me messing around with friends riding bikes in the forest with my camera, soon turned into running my own mountain bik-ing photography business attending races and events, selling photos. now, I am proud to offer a range of photog-raphy options including pets, bikes, motor sports and portraits. having worked with formula 1 teams, profession-al cyclists, Youtube content creators with over 1 million subscribers, and hundreds of everyday people, I can certainly cater for whatever your needs”.

12.30pm to 2pm Recovering together – March 13, 20* and 27, 11am to 12.30pm Managing low mood – March 14 and 21, 1pm to 2.30pm Drop-in session – March 16, 10am to 12 noon Moving on with journaling – March 17, 24 and 31, 10am to 11.30am Improving self-esteem – March 22, 12.30pm to 2.30pm Paper crafts – March 28, 10am to 12 noon The Wokingham Recovery College accepts registrations from anyone aged 18 and over living in Wokingham Borough. To enrol in the Recovery College, complete an online registration form available at www.wokingham.gov.uk and email it to recoverycollege@wokingham.gov.uk. If you need help filling out the form, call (0118) 989 0707 and the Recovery College team will support you. *Online classes.

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march 2023

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FAMILY & KIDS

march 2023

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Reading FC to host children’s football camps at Easter and May half term

here’s good news for children aged five to 15 as Cantley Park in Wokingham will host a series of football camps during the Easter and May half-term school holidays.

Whether your child is a confident player or has never played before, the football camps offer an interactive and fun environment for children to develop their technique.

The camps are being run by Reading FC Community Trust and take place from 10am to 3pm on:

Each session costs £25 and there is an option to book all 12 sessions for £300 on the Reading FC website.

Monday, April 3 to Thursday, April 6 Tuesday, April 11 to Friday, April 14 Tuesday, May 30 to Friday, June 2 The sessions will be focused around enjoyment and participation with the coaches using fun activities and gamebased practices to develop and challenge the children.

Don’t forget, after you have dropped your child off to the football camps, you can pop in to the Cantley Park Café for refreshments, or a bite to eat. The menu includes hot and cold drinks, hot and cold sandwiches, cakes, pastries and snacks. The café is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm and Saturday to Sunday, 8.30am to 4pm.

Join Woodley’s women’s walking football team Woodley Walking Football Team are encouraging more women to join the club and participate in friendly sessions and social activities.Woodley Pensioners Walking Football Team have been going from strength to strength with numbers of members increasing to over 100. The players experience com-

radery and togetherness that’s sometimes missing as you get older. Players benefit from a fun social atmosphere that’s helps rekindle the passion for football that may have been played in younger years. It’s a good place to meet others get out the house and be social. The team work closely with

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Wokingham Borough Council Sports and Leisure Team. A new women’s team Walking football used to be a sport that was almost exclusively played by men, but that’s not the case anymore. Many clubs now run women’s teams and

some clubs are exclusively for women. Want to participate? If you are interested in women’s walking football, please contact Margaret for further details – enquirieswpwf@gmail.com Tel: 07764 450834

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HOLIDAY

march 2023

How to holiday in 2023

ven though we’re someway down the road from when Covid took our away our very basic freedom of movement, holidaying in these still uncertain times can feel somewhat daunting… not least when it comes to working out how much we should pay for our one or two-week jaunt to somewhere breathless and far-flung. In fact, the doubt is so great for some that we may choose to simply stay at home.

Yet as the saying goes: “he who dares, wins” (or in this case, ‘travels’, at least); and those willing to put the work in could end up with the holiday of a lifetime. There was a time when you could pretty much predict how travel prices were going to either wax and wane. You could expect to pay through the nose during the summer holidays and Easter; yet those willing to travel around Christmastime might enjoy a glorious sunny break in the Caribbean or Southeast Asia for a very pleasing rate. Booking very early or very late were also sure-fire methods of getting yourself a decent travel deal. Alas, then Covid came along and royally upset the applecart. These days it seems it is almost impossible to forecast how travel markets are going to go. Prices are unpredictable to the extent that there may be no real benefit in booking in advance. Equally, booking last minute offers far fewer exciting steals to unusual and exotic destinations. Presumably much of this is an attempt by the leisure industry to claw back as many financial gains as possible alongside a desire to insure against the fear of an already skittish sector falling further off the precipice. It’s also true that supply is down on previous years, meaning fewer bargains.

With this in mind, it’s worth investing as much as you can in your trip, both in terms of money and energy. Firstly, settle on a time to travel which is best suited to you and your agenda, and stick to it. With little to be gained from being flexible, it’s worth limiting the upset in your private life and removing any obstacles which may arise to thwart your plans. Once you have settled on ‘when’, working out ‘where’ becomes more straightforward. The next step is all about research. Have a good nose around online at all the places you would like to feasibly visit. Start tracking prices and be ready to pounce on any offers that are particularly tempting. With the economy fluctuating as it is, a deal which may once have seemed dubious is now likely to simply be a side-effect of a market trying to steady itself.

such as Quidco to save what can be a considerable percentage on the cost of your trip – anything up to 10%. When your trip is confirmed, it may be tempting to leave all the legwork to a tour operator, but it’s always worth checking direct costs of hotels, flights and day excursions yourself. See if there is a significant markup, thus providing leverage to negotiate a more reasonable fee.

Be sure to have comprehensive travel insurance in place in the event of any outside forces disrupting plans, and observe the currency exchange, being ready to respond in the event of a vulnerability in your chosen coinage. You can also save money by purchasing any holiday essentials in advance; for example, an end-of-summer clothing sale in provision of your winter sun vacation.

Once you’ve sorted all the basics, it is also worth watching over the finer details of your upcoming excursion.

In short, in 2023, the key to a happy, stress-free holiday, is to leave almost nothing to chance!

In 2023, it seems it is almost impossible to forecast how travel markets are going to go. Prices are unpredictable to the extent that there may be no real benefit in booking in advance, last-minute offers are few and far between, and overall supply is down.

little to be gained from being flexible.

of hotels, flights and day excursions yourself. And obviously, be sure to have comprehensive travel insurance in place in the event of any outside forces disrupting plans.

With this is mind, it’s worth investing as much as you can in your trip, both in terms of money and energy.

Remember too, referral sites such as Quidco can save you a considerable percentage on the cost of your trip – anything up to 10%. When your trip is confirmed, it may be tempting to leave all the legwork to a tour operator, but it’s always worth checking direct costs

With that in mind, use referral sites

How to holiday in 2023

Firstly, settle on a time to travel which is best suited to you and your agenda, and stick to it, as there’s

Next, have a good nose around online at all the places you would like to feasibly visit. Start tracking prices and be ready to pounce on offers that are particularly tempting.

You can also save money by purchasing any holiday essentials in advance; for example, an end-of-summer clothing sale in provision of your winter sun vacation. In short, in 2023, the key to a happy, stress-free holiday, is to leave almost nothing to chance!

RECIPES

march 2023

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Rick Stein’s potato and pea curry INTRODUCTION Aloo dum – or potato and pea curry! – is possibly the most common vegetable curry in India. Some complex recipes exist, but at its heart it’s easy to make. If I was describing it to someone I’d just say boil potatoes, fry them with garam masala, add some tomato, chilli, turmeric and salt and it’s done; then, if you like, throw in frozen peas just before the end. 1. Boil the potatoes in a pan of salted water for eight minutes until just tender, then drain well. Heat the oil in a heavybased saucepan or karahi over a medium-high heat, add the potatoes and fry over a high heat for 5 mins, or until just starting to colour. Add the turmeric and fry for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat. 2. For the sauce, heat the oil in another pan over a medium-high heat. Add the bay leaves and fry for 1 minute, then add the asafoetida and stir. Add the onion and fry for 5 mins; then add the garlic and ginger and fry for 5 mins, or until softened and lightly golden-brown. 3. Add the chilli powder, cumin, coriander, amchur, turmeric and salt and fry for one minute, then add the tomato passata, green chillies and 100ml water and stir together. Add the fried potatoes, reduce the heat to medium, cover the pan and cook for 10 mins, adding a splash of water if anything catches on the bottom of the pan. 4. Add the peas and garam masala and cook uncovered for 3-4 mins, or until the peas are cooked. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve. INGREDIENTS (serves 8) For the fried potatoes 1kg potatoes, peeled and cut into 3cm chunks 4 tbsp vegetable oil 1 tsp ground turmeric For the sauce 3 tbsp vegetable oil 2 Indian bay leaves ¼ tsp asafoetida 1 medium onion, very finely chopped 6 garlic cloves, finely crushed 5cm/2in fresh root ginger, finely grated 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander ½ tsp amchur (dried mango powder)

½ tsp ground turmeric ½ tsp salt 200g tomato passata 2 green chillies, sliced lengthways into thin strips, with or without seeds according to preference 150g frozen peas 1 tsp garam masala handful chopped coriander leaves, to finish

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BOROUGH NEWS

march 2023

Fare play for buses as government heeds calls for more funding

he Government’s support for bus services in Wokingham Borough and beyond has been extended for three more months after the council campaigned to ministers on the issue. The Department for Transport has agreed to invest another £155 million in its Bus Recovery Grant, Local Transport Fund and subsidised £2 cap on selected fares, so these are now available until 30 June to help operators recover from the impact of coronavirus. The council welcomes this as its leader Cllr Clive Jones and executive member for active travel, transport and highways, Cllr Paul Fishwick, recently wrote a joint letter to transport secretary Mark Harper, arguing the original deadline of 31 March was too soon to withdraw this vital support.

It has already extended its own financial support for the borough’s subsidised routes, which was also set to run out on 31 March, until 31 August so it can invite bids from operators to run these services in the long term, for a further three years. Why more funding was needed Although passenger numbers have increased since the height of the pandemic, they remain at about 80 per cent of pre-covid levels. At the same time, operators are facing spiralling costs like

fuel, staffing and maintenance as well as a national shortage of drivers. These have created an extremely tough environment, but the council is doing all it can to protect buses as it recognises their importance and strongly supports all types of active and sustainable travel. As well as reducing traffic congestion, public transport reduces harmful

emissions so it improves air quality and, along with walking and cycling, helps the council honour its pledge to address the climate emergency. It’s a healthier and cheaper way of getting around and a lifeline for reaching school, work or social appointments, so it supports the local economy. Keeping up the fight for survival With Government funding now extended, the council is putting the borough’s subsidised routes out to tender for three years from September. It’s hoped that contracts will be awarded in May, with extra costs partly covered by payments that developers building new housing are required to make towards local services. The council has also revised its Bus Service Improvement Plan, a strategic vision made up of various goals to attract more passengers by making services more reliable, accessible, clean and affordable. No funding is allocated for any of these improvements but by writing and publishing the plan, the council hopes to attract funding to make them a reality in partnership with local operators. Keeping the recovery rolling on Cllr Fishwick said: “When it comes to our bus services, we’ve put our money where our mouth is - so we’re delighted that the Government has followed suit by likewise extending its funding. “It’s still a tough time for services but we can’t let them fall by the wayside.

It will be far harder to try and revive routes if they’re allowed to fail than it is to support them through a difficult, but slowly improving, period. “We’ll keep fighting our corner and taking every reasonable step to keep the buses running, whether that comes from our own finances - though we must accept these are limited due to the many challenges we face - or applying for outside funding. “Residents can do their part by taking the bus wherever they can. The closer that usage can get to pre-pandemic levels, and the quicker this happens, the more likely these vital community assets are to survive.” Help us further by giving your views To respond, visit the Engage Wokingham Borough platform at engage. wokingham.gov.uk. For help completing this, call the council on 0118 974 6000 or visit one of the borough’s libraries.

BOROUGH NEWS

march 2023

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Apply for a free road closure to celebrate the coronation

t’s almost time for the biggest national event of the year which will see many borough residents and local communities throw street parties, decorate their homes with bunting and participate in various fun events to celebrate The Coronation of His Majesty The King. Wokingham Borough Council is making it easy for residents living in cul-desacs and roads to hold street parties by waiving road closure charges during the coronation bank holiday weekend of 6, 7 and 8 May 2023. Residents and community groups normally have to pay to cover the cost of road closures (for the signs, diversion routes and admin needed) but the council is dropping this fee for the coronation weekend. Executive member for active travel, transport and highways Cllr Paul Fishwick said: “We know that many borough

residents will be celebrating the coronation and we are pleased to confirm that we will be allowing people to apply for a free road closure.

“The coronation will be a memorable and historic occasion and we are encouraging as many residents and communities to get together to host street parties and events, put out some bunting and celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.” Downing Street confirmed an extra Bank Holiday on Monday 8 May, proclaimed in honour of the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, giving the opportunity for families and communities across the country to come together to celebrate the royal occasion. Borough residents who would like to close their road to hold a street party must make an application on the council’s website by 16 April 2023.

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FAMILY & KIDS

march 2023

Easter Sudoku

Easter Wordsearch

Spring Bunny Eggs Lamb Dye Sunday COLOUR ME IN

Candy Bonnet Basket Nest Chick Hop

MONEY

march 2023

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Dispelling common life insurance myths BY CRAIG MUTTITT

here are a million and one reasons why people DON’T think they need life insurance but are these myths or reality? A life insurance policy helps to protect your loved ones – ensuring they aren’t left with significant financial burdens after you’re gone. Makes sense doesn’t it? However, we’ve heard a million and one reasons why people DON’T think they need life insurance. Here at FOMO we wanted to identify the most common myths and help to dispel them. Prepare yourself for some serious reality checks! Myth 1 “It’s too expensive” With some policies starting at less than £5 per month (that’s cheaper than most streaming services!), life insurance cover certainly won’t break the bank for most people. Myth 2 “Life insurance never pays out” When applying for cover, if you answer all the questions truthfully there is

little reason why your claim should ever be denied. Myth 3 “I don’t have children so it’s not necessary” Having children is an important reason to get life insurance, but it’s not the only one. If you have a mortgage, but not life insurance, your partner – or those closest to you, might have to take on the payments after you are gone. Myth 4 “I’m young, fit and healthy so I don’t need cover”

Even if you’re young and are in good health, if something were to happen to you, your loved ones will still have to cover the costs or any outstanding bills, your mortgage or rent and your funeral costs. Plus, life insurance can be considerably cheaper when you’re younger. Myth 5 “I’ll need regular health checkups if I get covered” When applying for life insurance you’ll be asked a few health-related questions such as if you smoke, have any pre-existing medical conditions or whether

Advice Column from Craig Muttitt Craig Muttitt is the Managing Director of Maxim Financial Solutions Ltd, a mortgage and protection financial services brokerage that currently has over 8000 UK clients. Originally from South Africa, Craig studied Law and Business at the University of the Witwatersrand. Craig has been living in the UK since 2001 with his wife Natasha, daughter Ashleigh and son Wade. Craig has been involved in the mortgage and insurance industry for over 20 years and although the financial services industry has gone through a lot of changes and some challenging times over the years, Craig has loved every minute of it. any conditions run in your family. In certain circumstances, you may also be asked to provide a health report or undergo an initial medical exam. But, once your policy is in place you will not be required to provide or undergo any regular health check-ups!

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march 2023

MONEY

GARDENING

march 2023

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Greenfingers… the Alan Titchmarsh column

e’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist, and all-round horticultural inspiration. This month, Alan Titchmarsh discusses something in our gardens that dates right the way back to 1400BC, yet is as popular today than ever before. It’s the humble pergola. I was asked by someone the other day what my favourite thing was in my garden – a plant, a tree, perhaps something manmade.

While the belief is you’ll need a decent plot of land on which to place it, in truth pergolas can be built in a variety of sizes, shapes and materials to suit any garden style or size. They can be freestanding or attached to a house or other garden structure and will give you the necessary height that means you can experiment with vertical gardening – think climbing plants such as

vines, roses, and wisteria – without having to worry about awkward poles, wonky trellises and more! Mostly, a pergola provides a real focal point to the garden – I often think of mine as being akin to a church altar! It’s something that looks over an entire space with a sense of importance and prestige.

I guess the answer is really that while in one week I’m won over by the glory and spectacular appearance of some raised beds; the next maybe I’m in awe of an old stone wall that could report on the changing of the seasons for many decades further back than me, and so the deliberation goes on and on as the weeks and month go by. However, if I had to pin my colours to something, I would struggle to look past a pergola. And if there’s one addition you’re thinking of making to your outdoor space this year, consider one of these. They date right the way back beyond Roman times, though were popularised by Caesar and his chums.

On a practical level, pergolas are brilliant for shade and shelter. There are many plants that shouldn’t be in direct sunlight for the whole of the day, while having a shaded area that can be used for outdoor entertaining, dining or relaxing can transform an average afternoon, whether alone or with friends, into a glorious one. There’s also the privacy element, and the fact pergolas are generally low maintenance and can last for many years with minimal upkeep. As for cost, my advice is to shop around and see what you can get. From the very basic costing a couple of hundred pounds to elegant stone-pillared creations that go well into four figures, your budget and your personal taste can lead the way in creating for you a garden centrepiece that will evolve in the same way that your garden does. With good maintenance, your pergola has the ability to outlast the majority of other features in your garden… just ask the Romans!

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CHARITY NEWS

march 2023

WADE supported by this year’s Three Counties Bike Ride as enrolment opens P BY JACKY HAYLER

lans are under way for this year’s Three Counties Cycle Ride, due to take place on Sunday, June 4.

The bike ride offers three distance options – 15, 33 and 54-mile routes – through the picturesque countryside of Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire with some of the route taking in Twyford, Charvil and Sonning Eye. All routes are well signed and marshalled with the start and finish of all three routes is from Garth Hill College in Bracknell. On-line and postal entry rider fees aged 18 or older on the day of the event are £20 and £1 for under-18 riders. Provided you enrol on or before May 15 you will receive a complimentary T-Shirt. Entrance fees on the day are £25 for 18 or older riders and £1 for under-18s. This year there is an ‘early bird’ discount for all those enrolling in March when all those 18 or over will receive a 10 per cent discount and in April all riders 18 or over will receive a five per cent discount. Any under-18 riders will pay a flat fee of £1.

Since 1983 the Three Counties Cycle Ride (registered charity number: 1195713) has raised more than £500,000 for many local charities. The event is organised by the Rotary Club of Easthampstead, with the help of many volunteers.

This year the event is supporting the following three charities: WADE is a local charity offering support to anyone over the age of 60 in Wokingham and the surrounding areas. They provide a warm and friendly environment for members to mix and socialise. Some simply go along for lunch and a change of scene from their own home and the opportunity to see friends. Others have the early stages of dementia, and a day out in safe, caring and stimulating surroundings allows their caregivers some much-needed respite. Through the charity, they are able to offer subsidised day care.

The Rotary Club of Easthampstead is a member of Rotary International, the renowned, worldwide organisation dedicated to ‘Service above Self’ serving Wokingham, Ascot, Bracknell and the surrounding areas. They welcome men and women of all ages and backgrounds who are keen to contribute to the well-being of their community and participate in, or sponsor help to the less fortunate throughout the world. They seek to bring into membership people who have the drive and the spirit to help others and make a difference – in three words Service above Self’. The Wayz offers an exceptionally wide range of activities and projects for young people including evening and weekend clubs for juniors, inters and seniors as well as tailored sessions for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities; outreach and detached youth work in the surrounding areas;

social action projects; tiered volunteering opportunities; ‘day camps, trips and residentials during school holidays, a German exchange with Bracknell’s twin city of Leverkusen; community fun days; opportunities for those participating in the National Citizen Service; and much more. This provides an arena to help support young people gain the confidence and understanding when dealing with current issues and challenges in their lives. At the heart is the youth volunteering programme that provides a six-tiered volunteering programme starting with ‘community’ volunteers, rising through group leader’ volunteers through to ‘youth work volunteers. Young people can progress through the tiers as they get older and gain experience and training, including gaining accredited leadership qualifications. For more information, email committee@3ccr.org, call 07835 260107 or visit www.3ccr.org

Wokingham’s oldest family-run Indian restaurant, serving fine-dining dishes with a modern twist

7 Market Pl, Wokingham RG40 1AL

www.sultanindian.co.uk Phone: 0118 977 4397

CHARITY NEWS

march 2023

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Wokingham In Need is winning with the help of the local community BY SUE JACKSON

okingham is considered an affluent area but it is not immune to difficulties caused by financial, medical or mental health problems. There is a wealth of vulnerable people, young and old falling on hard times in our local area. They are in need as they are often not supported or able to follow regular channels resulting in homelessness and hardship. Identifying the need is where the seed was sown for what is not just a charity but a catalyst in uniting the local community. The beginning was inspired by wanting to help the homeless and a builtin-shower , kitchen and breakfast bar were funded and put in to the Salvation Army - Sturges Road which is a reactive premises providing assistance to the homeless. Moving on WIN raised monies for a Drop-In-Centre and obtained planning permission and the Wokingham Drop-In-Centre became a reality and is used every day by volunteers and groups in Wokingham to help those in need. WIN continues to support the Salvation Army and the Centre and has just completed another refurbishment of the kitchen and shower room.

two new projects with the hospital a Junior Ambassadors Project where 16 children were chosen to learn how the hospital works and another Project for the ICU Unit where noise cancelling headphones were purchased and donated to help in a pilot scheme whereby specific music is played to patients to assist in their recovery and help cut out the general noises that are inevitable in an ICU unit.

WIN also have a group of ladies called the Creative Nightingales who sew bags, theatre gowns, eye masks and more for general and terminally ill patients at the RBH. The comfort bags are filled with toiletries. In addition assistance is given with requirements for the Dementia and Children’s Wards. also supports adults with learn201503-CH-ad-935mmx138mm-wokingham copy.pdf 1 WIN 13/01/2022 16:16 Recently WIN have also embarked on ing disabilities and has raised funds

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spring cleaning

e wokingham@cleanhomeuk.com w www.cleanhomewokingham.co.uk

CLASP wanted to do a live Talent Show in front of an audience so that is just what WIN said they would do. It is an absolute pleasure to work with such a wonderful group of people.

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Another project is a Talent Show for Clasp members taking place at The Whitty Theatre which proved so popular tickets were all sold. Clasp came to WIN for assistance in putting this event on following an online talent show during the pandemic.

Caring is what it is all about. WIN also provide Mental Health Workshops for children and work together with Circus Scene to provide workshops to allow children to feel special, talented, brave and able. In addition, working with DrugFAM WIN organises workshops for secondary schools addressing drug and alcohol misuse.

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for a wonderful Sensory Garden at the Acorn Centre over £34K was raised to make a place where clients can enjoy the outdoors. Moving on WIN is about to start another project at Wokingham Hospital for a Sensory Garden for patients and staff.

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to assisting the younger children who have suffered due to the pandemic. Friendship Cafes are also supported by WIN. It is not only local causes that WIN get involved with, the charity is now looking to Wokingham and Beyond and are currently in discussion with groups to assists Ukrainian Refugees and projects they are trying to move forward with. This is in addition to a donation previously given to Wokingham Borough Council for Ukraine. So much to do. The WIN team (all volunteers) are helping with so many projects and causes in the local area it is impossible to mention them all in detail but rest assured WIN will continue to assist anyone who is vulnerable and in need. Why not get involved? From volunteer to simply joining in events contact us via website or social media. Financial help is always welcome via our donate button on Website/Facebook – cheques also welcome these can be dropped off at Prospect Estate Agents in Wokingham. Look forward to hearing from you. WOKINGHAM IN NEED – STRIVING TO HELP YOUR COMMUNITY

www.mywokingham.co.uk

HOMES

march 2023

A design for life… The Kevin McCloud column

esigner, writer and television presenter, Kevin McCloud leapt into our consciousness with his vastly successful Grand Designs show on Channel 4. This month, the affable architectural business owner returns to the subject of sustainability, both in terms of what we make our homes with, and what we place inside them.

To me, the relationship between making things and sustainability is essential, and I fear, as Western society, we’ve lost touch with the value of made things… with the value of raw materials, of the energy required. I don’t just mean fossil fuel energy, but also the human energy that goes into the process. I’m very struck by seeing people producing lighting out of bits of recycled industrial stuff, or those who can put together and sell furniture they’ve handcrafted in small workshops all over the country. A fabulous trend in the past couple of decades has been the encouraging of home production creation – everything from picture frames to jewellery – and how the internet has given these people a platform that is truly global. When you meet someone who has made something in their workshop, you get the opportunity to sample their passion, influences, their own inspiration for doing what they do. That notion even applies to a brand like Aga, for example, who make all their stoves in the UK in a foundry. It’s very exciting to see places of manufacture that are real and tangible to us – to me that gives so much added value that we will invest back into that oven, or bracelet, or chair. What goes in is normally a raw material, something dug out of the ground - rough and unprocessed. And what comes out is such beauty. A tree in one end, a table comes out the other; a lump of unrefined iron in one end, a beautifully wrought table or door handle out the other end. I am so glad and so grateful to the small producers who are doing this on a very local level because, generally speaking, we actually aren’t a ‘making society’ anymore, and we have lost a lot of that raw manufacturing spirit. People talk a lot about sustainability using words like carbon and energy consumption – all that technical stuff – yet sustainability also comes in

the form of the value of the objects we place inside our homes, and the value of the building’s materials. And this is a vital facet - the connection of all of us to the value of things. Once you’ve done that you then automatically start thinking about looking after things and not throwing stuff away. After all, we are five times less likely to throw away something we have made compared to something we have bought.

It’s also true that the longer we have something the less likely we are to bin it - there are records from the Seventies that I’ve still got; there’s a belt I’ve had all my life. We’ve all got stuff we love that we don’t want to let go of! Sure enough, when we see our friends we talk about these things, we share the stories. I can bore people into infinity talking about my belt, or my old leather chair, and that’s the ex-

citing thing: stuff as it gets older, gets better; it attracts more stories. What I’m saying is we need to continue to keep creating homes that are rich in their fabric, but that are filed with things of value as well, so that we can share those stories with people, make friends, and embed ourselves into a community. That to me is actually a big part of what sustainability is about.

NO.1 MARCH 2023

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SPORTS CELEBRATING THE BOROUGH OF WOKINGHAM

www.mywokingham.co.uk

Thames Valley Kings Home Ground in Finchampstead

hames Valley Kings are Berkshire›s oldest competitive wheelchair basketball club, regular Training session are held at: Kennet Leisure Centre Thatcham, Berkshire RG19 4LJ and FBC Centre Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 4ES They are currently run training at two locations and both locations have sessions that have been designed by coaching staff to allow progression through the sport.

Photos by Paul King

Beginners, Juniors and Casuals Designed for those just starting with the game or are developing their skills for the National League at Development League (Division 4) or Division 3 levels. The youngest guns that are looking to get started or ready for Junior League also have their own breakaway session to learn the basics as part of BWB’s FUNadmental course designed to get them nailing the basics fast.

Supporting WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK FC

South Berkshire Woodley United FC Ladies Winners Hockey Club

The Who’s Who at local football team Wokingham & Emmbrook 1St team Sumas Manager: Matt Cronan Assistant Manager: Dan Parsons Assistant Manager: Aaron West 1st Team Coach: Jamie Shepherd Physiotherapists: Erin Mcdanlad & Fin Ward Goal Keeping Coach: Dan Tillson

Congratulations to Woodley United Ladies FC for becoming football champions and winners of the Southern Region Women’s Football league

Finchampstead FC - Trophy Day takes place Sunday 14th May 2023

Reports coming from SBHC Chris Cook from Cantley Parks South Berkshire Hockey Club