A READING man has been jailed for manslaughter after a punch led to the death of his victim.
The incident happened outside the then BP petrol station in Chalfont Way – opposite the Asda complex –in Lower Earley on March 31, 2021.
Sabeur Trabelsi was working at the store as a security guard, and was involved in an altercation with 51-year-old Jason Page.
He punched Page, who hit his head on the ground as he fell, causing a fatal injury.
Trabelsi, 45 and of Kings Road, was arrested the following day, and then charged with manslaughter on May 18, 2022.
At a trial at Reading Crown Court, he was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict of a count each of manslaughter and perverting the course of justice.
On Monday, June 12, he was jailed for six years.
Investigating officer Detective
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Sergeant Victoria Hunt, of the Major Crime Unit, said: “Trabelsi was working as a security guard at the time of this tragic incident.
“While confronting Jason, he made
a fateful decision to punch him, causing him to fall to the ground.
“Whatever the reason for this confrontation, the violent punch was completely unnecessary and tragically, Jason struck his head on the ground, which caused unsurvivable injuries, despite the best efforts of medical professionals.
“This case has brought into focus the tragic and devastating consequences that can occur as a result of one punch.”
She continued: “Jason’s family have shown tremendous patience and dignity throughout the course of our investigation and subsequent trial, and I would like to pay tribute to them for putting their trust in us to investigate the circumstances of Jason’s death.
“I hope that this sentence and conclusion of our investigation will bring some solace to Jason’s family and his friends, and our thoughts remain with them.”
LOCAL television service That’s Thames Valley will continue to operate for another 10 years subject to the outcome of a public consultation.
Last week, the government announced its intention to extend licences until 2034, once an Ofcom review of their output has been undertaken, in a bid to ensure they meet audiences’ needs.
When he was culture secretary, Jeremy Hunt announced the plans to allow a network of local stations to be set up across the country from 2013. They include Mustard TV in Norwich, London Live, and the That’s TV brand which has since become the dominant player.
The broadcast via channels 7 or 8 on Freeview, and they are required to show a set number of hours’ worth of local programming on a daily basis.
Under Ofcom’s rules, it must run 15 hours a week of local progamming,
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of which 10 hours should be broadcast between 6pm and 10.30pm. From the third year, this requirement is halved.
It must also broadcast 13-and-ahalf hours of news a week, including a magazine programme on weekday evenings. This reduces to seven hours a week from the third year onwards.
The rest of the time, it is showing repeats of comedy programmes from the 1970s including The Benny Hill Show, Till Death Do Us Part, and The Kenny Everett Show. It also features music videos from the 1960s and 70s.
However, the stations have not always found it easy to generate stable revenue streams, and therefore fund local content. It is with this in mind the government is running a consultation.
Media minister John Whittingdale said: “Local TV stations from Belfast to Birmingham help to support local journalism, drive the creative economy and foster pride in communities.
“We want to see this continue, so we’ve set out plans for Ofcom to review all services to ensure they’re well positioned to continue serving
local audiences with trusted and distinctive content for years to come.
“Ofcom will review each station’s proposals for the decade ahead to ensure they can maintain their current service and continue making distinctive shows which meet the needs of the local area.”
If a station does not wish to renew its licence, Ofcom will offer the station in what the government says is a competitive process.
The license terms say a station should produce content that provides benefit to the community, caters to the taste and interests of those they serve and increases the amount of programming made in the area.
Participants will be invited to submit innovative suggestions relating to how local TV could be used to enhance local journalism and democracy across the UK.
The consultation closes on August 30. Subject to the outcome of consultation, the government plans to move forward with the necessary secondary legislation later this year.
THREE men has been seriously injured and are in hospital following an incident in Reading town centre.
Thames Valley Police are appealing for witnesses to what they are calling disorder that took place in Station Road between a group of men at some point between 3.30am and 4am on Sunday, June 11.
It is not clear what happened, but police said it is believed that a white Nissan Qashqai was involved.
The three injured men have been taken to hospital where they are receiving treatment.
Four people have been arrested on suspicion of assault and violent disorder.
Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Alexander Willis, of Reading CID, said: “We are appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident or who has information about what happened to please get in touch.
“We’d also ask anyone who may have mobile phone, CCTV, or dash-cam footage of the area around the time of the incident to please report this to us.
“You can make a report by calling 101 or via the Thames Valley Police website, please quote reference 43230255926.
“Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.”
THE OWNERS of a Reading cinema and arts centre wants permission to install three illuminated poster boxes. The Really Local Group runs Reading Biscuit Factory in Broad St Mall, on the site where the Argos store used to be. It is at the corner of Friar Street with Queens Walk.
The proposed poster boxes will promote film screenings, and replace the existing set-up which sees posters on display inside the venue.
The application can be viewed on Reading Borough Council’s planning website, searching for 230728.
READING Climate Festival has officially begun, with the Gaia Exhibition taking pride of place in the Concert Hall in the town centre.
On Friday, nembers of Reading Borough Council were joined by representatives from Reading Business Improvement District (BID), Reading’s Economic and Destination Agency (REDA), and Professor Ed Hawkins on Friday when the exhibit was unveiled.
Luke Jerram’s artwork features a globe constructed with the use of high-resolution NASA imagery, totalling around seven metres in diameter.
It also includes a bespoke, surround-sound composition by BAFTA award-winning composer Dan Jones, creating an immersive experience.
It has been described as the centrepiece of the festival by Tracey Rawling Church, co-chair of Reading Climate Change Partnership, with a range of debates, activities, and events taking place throughout the town.
Professor Ed Hawkins, whose work at the University of Reading has included the creation of the now world-famous Climate Stripes, said: “It’s just incredible to see the Earth hanging there in space.
“You see all the amazing complexity in the clouds, the blue ocean, the amazing colours on the land – it’s extraordinary.
“There’s a lot of science going on in this exhibit, we’ve spent many years trying to understand that, but it’s also amazingly beautiful at the same time.”
Professor Hawkins’ Climate Stripes have come to exemplify the power of artistic visualisation of scientific understanding, particularly in climate research.
Of the stripes, he said: “The power is in the simplicity, the starkness of the changes in colour, which starts that conversation and draws people in, rather than being just a lecture.
“Climate studies can feel pretty remote, sometimes– a big global thing which we all talk about– but it affects us here and now.
“This kind of exhibit brings it home and makes you realise the amazing things going on on our planet.”
Reading Borough Council leader Cllr Jason Brock said: “It’s amazing to be here and to see it in the beautiful setting of a concert
READING Borough Council is celebrating the launch of its new, green waste collection vehicles.
With five electric refuse collection vehicles being introduced to the council’s fleet of lorries, residents are being invited to submit their most creative – and clean – ideas for what they will be called.
Waste collection lorries have their names printed on them, with many of the names chosen by children from schools in the area.
Reading’s first electric lorry was introduced in 2021 – the first in Berkshire – and has now added four more to its waste collection services.
The council estimates that the switch from diesel vehicles to electric ones will save 32,200kg of greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to global warming
It follows the naming of new recycling bin lorries which were introduced last July, one of which drew the attention of comedian Ricky Gervais, after whom one of the winning entries was named.
it’s certainly far more impressive than the globes we had at school.
“It’s a good opportunity to precipitate a conversation among people in Reading as they come to visit – it’s already been tremendously popular and so many tickets have been sold.
“On the one hand,” he explained, “we discuss often the science around climate change and it’s part of our policy-making here at the council.
“But actually being able to project something in an artistic way helps to make it more engaging and more comprehensible to different audiences.
“It’s important that we find different ways to have those conversations so we can engage with everyone in our community–it’s never going to be sufficient if we just reel off the list of facts.
“So I think it’s a wonderful piece sitting at that nexus point between art and science when it comes to questions about the climate.”
Alexa Volker, manager of the Reading Central and Abbey Quarter Business Improvement Districts, said that being in the room with the exhibition: “Is more inspiring than I could
have imagined – it’s beautiful.
“The BID is here to make Reading a place where people want to come and live and work and play and all of the businesses in the town centre contribute to having something like this here, along with the university and the council.
“Coming from Africa, which was right in front of me on the exhibit as I entered the room, I can see how far away from there I am, and I think a lot of people will feel the same when they see it.”
She continued: “We have a strong cultural heritage as well as the university’s efforts, showing that scientific data can be made beautiful, as Professor Hawkins did with the climate stripes.
“It shows that art and science can sit together so beautifully.”
Nigel Horton-Baker, chief executive of Reading’s Economy and Destination Agency, said of the exhibit: “We’re seeing the world as the astronauts see it.
“This exhibit has been all over the world, and it shows that Reading is a global destination which welcomes people from around the planet to live, work, and visit.
“People come here to go to
university and educate themselves as well as enjoy the arts, heritage and culture here.
“I think it is going to help us keep going with our aspirations for Reading’s vision to be a smart and sustainable place with our 2050 City Vision.”
He explained: “We’re going to have the biggest concentration of climate scientists in the world based on Reading University, mapping the world’s climate.
“And then just down the road or the cost of the creative side, we’ve got Shinfield Studios, new film studios being set up, which will be as big as Pinewood.
“So we’re seeing here in Reading how the creative meets the scientific and it’s amazing.”
n The Gaia installation will be open to visitors in the Town Hall until Sunday, June 18. The festival will culminate in a climate parade through Reading’s town centre on Saturday, June 17, before Show Your Stripes Day on June 21.
n Reading Climate Festival takes place between Saturday, June 10, and Friday, June 21. Full details of all of the events and how to book tickets are available via: whatsonreading.com/readingclimate-festival-and-gaia
It prompted Mr Gervais to tweet: “Is there any greater honour than your hometown naming a garbage truck after you?” ‘His’ lorry was named Ricky Gerwaste.
It also comes as Reading Climate Festival begins across the town, filled with exhibitions, debates, and installations exploring the climate crisis and sustainability.
From Monday, June 5, residents can submit names for two of the electric vehicles, with the other three open to competition from schools in the borough.
The winning names will be printed on the vehicles.
Cllr Karen Rowland, lead member for environmental services and community safety, said:“Reading boasts the 4th largest cut in its carbon footprint of all 374 local authority areas in the UK
“I’m delighted that we continue to lead the way in making crucial changes to continue responding to the climate emergency.
She explained: “Our residents are really contributing to the cause by recycling more and engaging with food waste recycling, and now we want their help to name our expanding fleet of electric refuse vehicles that are doing such a good job of reducing vehicle emissions on Reading’s roads”.
The competition to name Reading Borough Council’s new electric bin lorries runs from Monday, June 5, to Monday, June 26.
Only Reading residents or students at Reading-based schools are eligible to enter.
n Entries can be submitted via: self.reading.gov.uk
OFSTED has laid out a series of changes to its operation following months of criticism which followed the death of Caversham head teacher Ruth Perry.
The headteacher at Caversham Primary School for 13 years, died by suicide back in January – just days before the school was due to be downgraded to an “inadequate” Ofsted rating.
Her death sparked widespread criticism of Ofsted reporting and the methods of maintaining educational standards, with the inspectorate’s one-word ratings coming under fire for being reductive and simplistic.
Among those criticising Ofsted’s work is Ms Perry’s sister, Professor Julia Waters, who said that the one-word ratings given to schools put schools and teachers under “intolerable pressure.”
Matt Rodda, MP for Reading East added that Ofsted needed to “rethink” its single-word assessments, “which seemed to
be very harsh and inaccurate in this case.”
Reading Borough Council also penned an open letter to the educational standards body which said that they had “serious questions” to answer regarding their practises.
Now Ofsted has reported it is making changes to how it communicates with schools ahead of inspections and will receive follow-up visits if they fail in certain metrics.
Proposals will see more notice given to schools about when their inspections are taking place, though the actual date of the inspection taking place will still be at short notice.
Schools will be informed what year their inspections will take place, but only 24 hours’ notice will be given before the inspection day.
Schools who fail on safeguarding alone will receive a follow-up visit three months after the initial inspection to see if changes have been made.
This is due to safeguarding being a limiting metric of the
inspections, meaning that a failure in that category leads to an “inadequate” rating in most cases.
Only around 12 schools across the country are thought to have been judged poorly in safeguarding alone in the past 18 months.
Ofsted has also announced that it will offer “greater clarity” on what the thresholds of effective and ineffective ratings are through its inspection handbook and engagement events.
The inspectorate’s own figures show that only 1.3% of all state schools are currently being judged as “ineffective” in safeguarding.
Ofsted is also overhauling its complaints process, with the internal reviews process being dropped altogether, and schools will be able to lodge a formal complaint immediately.
Plans are seeking to “depersonalise” discussion of weaker areas of performance, referring to schools as a whole rather than individuals.
However the proposals have not gone far enough, according to Ms Waters: “My sister, Ruth, was an excellent headteacher who was much loved by her family and friends and hugely respected by her colleagues and pupils.
“Her tragic, senseless death leaves a terrible gap in our family and in the lives of so many.”
She explained: “The changes announced today are a start
– I welcome any changes that ease some of the burden on headteachers undergoing what can feel like inescapable, ritual humiliation, but these changes do not yet go far enough.
“Parents, pupils and teachers deserve an inspection regime that they can trust and which supports schools to do the best for every child – ‘Trial by Ofsted’ must end.”
She continued: “Having listened to the outpouring of anger, distress and outrage towards Ofsted’s current inspection regime in the past couple of months, since we first spoke out about what happened to Ruth, I do not believe these proposals adequately address the many problems that the system creates.
“I am encouraged from recent discussions with the Secretary of State that she has been listening to my family’s legitimate concerns.
“I believe that she recognises the need for urgent, significant reform of the current inspection system.”
Ms Waters said, however, that more work was still to be done: “We will continue to work with the Secretary of State and anyone who is committed to bring about a thorough yet compassionate and supportive schools inspection system that is fit for purpose.
“Ruth was not the first headteacher or teacher to take her own life following an Ofsted inspection – I am determined that she should be the last.”
SOUTH READING residents will be able to take their physical and mental health to the next level through a new weekly initiative.
Organised by the Whitley Community Development Association, sessions take place on Tuesdays until July 11.
Featured activities include cardio to music, strength with pilates, stretching, and breathing, meditation and mindset, with the sessions’ mantra being ‘Keep fit, have fun, relax’.
The project is one of a number of ways the WCDA is trying to keep its community active and healthy. Its food surplus, Whitley researchers and well-being Wednesdays programmes ensures users receive the support they need.
Sessions run from 11am-noon at the South Reading Community Centre, Northumberland Avenue.
A recommended donation of £2 will be collected at sessions.
n For more information, search: Whitley CDA on www.facebook.com
A WEEKDAY closure for an east Reading road could become permanent due to the success of a School Street trial, writes James Aldridge, Local democracy reporter.
For the past 16 months, part of Crescent Road, at its junction with Hamilton Road and Wokingham Road, is closed during school drop-off and pick-up times to help students at three schools get to and from lessons safely.
Volunteers divert traffic and ensure safety of the children attending UTC Reading, Maiden Erlegh School in Reading, and Alfred Sutton primary school.
Launched in February last year for the morning school run, it was extended to afternoons in November.
Reading Borough Council’s traffic management sub-committee met yesterday (Wednesday) to consider a recommendation to make the scheme permanent.
It follows a consultation showing two-thirds of respondents want this outcome.
A NEW series of childrens role-playing activity events is coming to Tilehurst.
Tiny Town sees regular sessions providing dress-up and imaginative role-playing activities for young children where they can play as police officers, firefighters, doctors, and a number of other roles.
Field-related, ageappropriate toys are laid out in different sections with scene boards and props including
pop-up vehicles, grocery tills, toy diggers, and a full wardrobe of costumes aimed at encouraging creativity and imagination.
There’s a separate gazebo with softer lighting and sensory toys where younger children or those with additional needs, as well as a more private space for breastfeeding.
The sessions were set up by organiser Louisa as she
struggled to find ways of entertaining her two children who were close in age.
Following the success of regular sessions at Shiplake Memorial Hall in Henley, Tiny Town Role Play is now set to begin regular sessions in Tilehurst’s St Joseph’s Church every Tuesday from July 20. Sessions are open to babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers.
n For more details, log on to: tinytownroleplay.com
Professor Julia Waters has called for reforms of Ofsted’s inspection practises since her sister, Caversham headteacher Ruth Perry, took her own life back in January Picture: Jake ClothierA SUPERMARKET in South Reading has been targeted by shoplifters ‘for three years’, leaving residents fearing for the store’s future.
According to customers individuals conduct thefts regularly at a branch of the Co-op – the chain has asked us not to name the location.
Shoppers say they have called for help from the police, and one councillor thinks the store could lose up to £20,000 per month in stolen goods – a claim Co-op has denied.
And Reading Today has seen mobile phone footage that appears to show a customer attempting to stop someone from helping themselves to the contents of one of the store’s fridges, filling bags with cuts of meat.
The alleged thief is seen throwing as much as they can into a bag while others try to prevent them from doing so.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “The shoplifters are doing it for drugs. It happens four or five times in the morning before midday.
“They go to the meat section and just sweep them into big bags – sweets, chocolates, they even go to the wine and champagne sections.
“They do it in front of everyone, kids as well. The staff are telling them not to, but you can’t blame the staff, they’re just doing their day job.
“About six months ago, I saw a member of the public wrestle someone who was trying to steal.
“We’ve got two grandchildren so we won’t go in there anymore.
“These things affect people’s mental health.
“We’ve spoken to the police and they came to the store, but only stayed outside. They couldn’t be bothered to tell them how to fill out the incident reports but they use the excuse saying it’s not being done.
“We’ve lived here in Whitley for 40 years – we’d leave it if we could, but part of us feel it’s our duty to make sure this gets solved.
“We’ve heard that the store might close.”
He added that shelves are
Whitley residents have expressed concerns over shoplifting in a south Reading branch of the Co-op, saying the store is targeted several times a day Picture: Co-op
there are no plans to close the store.
A Co-op spokesperson said: ‘Shoplifting is an ongoing challenge across all retailers and protecting the safety of colleagues is our clear priority. As we know, shoplifting can also be a flashpoint for violence against shopworkers, which no one should have to face when going about their job.
“We work closely with the police and have successfully campaigned for stricter sentences for violent incidents against retail workers.
THE owner of a home in Priest Hill, Caversham has applied to build a fitness studio in their garden, writes James Aldridge, local democracy reporter.
A planning document submitted to Reading Borough Council states the studio is required for one-to-one training.
It would be in the rear garden of the property, with operating hours running from 6am-3pm and 5pm-8pm on weekdays, and 7am-11am on Saturdays, which would only be occasional.
The application can be viewed on Reading Borough Council’s planning website, searching for 230662.
regularly ‘virtually empty’, which could have an impact on residents who aren’t able to access other stores easily.
Residents have spoken to representatives from the police and contacted Reading West MP Alok Sharma.
Despite assurances, they claim that the issues persist.
On Friday, June 2, Whitley councillor Micky Leng tweeted: “Robbed twice again this morning. [The store is] losing up to £20,000 per month.”
This figure was rejected by the Co-op, who also confirmed
“Co-op uses a wide-range of security measures across its stores including interactive CCTV; body-worn cameras, communication headsets for all frontline colleagues and, covert and non-covert guarding and security”.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “Thames Valley Police takes all reports of shoplifting seriously and we will always respond to incidents that affect our communities the most, particularly where threat, harm and risk is at its greatest.
“We continue to work with local businesses to prevent such offences and investigate where evidence is available.”
SOUTH Reading residents are invited to take part in friendly weekly bingo games.
The Whitley Community Development Association’s new initiative will take place on Mondays.
Taking place at the community cafe on Northumberland Avenue, visitors will be able to take advantage of the various food and drink options available at reasonable prices.
The events run from 1pm2.30pm.
n For more information, search: Whitley CDA on www.facebook. com
BERKSHIRE rail enthusiasts and bemused commuters were treated to a rare sight last Wednesday.
The Flying Scotsman, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, passed through Twyford (pictured) and Reading on its way from Paddington to Cardiff.
It shot to fame in 1934 when it became the first steam locomotive to record a speed of 100mph
The Flying Scotsman is set to be seen against in Berkshire next week when it hauls the Salisbury Express through the royal county.
Network Rail have stressed the importance of remaining safe.
A spokesperson said: “Seeing The Flying Scotsman is an exciting event for many people and we want everyone to be able to enjoy the occasion”.
The hot weather meant people needed to enjoy some cooling drinks, so where better to get them but the bar?
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg,.today
READING’S floatiest festival was back in style on Saturday, as WaterFest
took up residence in its usual home in the centre of town. In the shadows of both the historic Abbey Ruins and the newly-refurbished Maiwand Lion in Forbury Gardens,
hundreds flocked to the waterside in a summer celebration of the rivers and waterways for which Reading has been famous.
BAR & RESTAURANT
The Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra were swiftly followed by Praise Lubangu’s strong vocal performance, with the Bengali Cultural Association closing the stage with their usual flair and panache.
4Fingaz brought a hint of attitude with his performance, before The Bulmershe Ensemble and Limpopo Groove gave uplifting group performances.
The Hugh Turner Jazz Quartet, Live Looper, The Stretch, and Sounds of Ukraine made a splash on The Floating Stage, which floats atop the water of the Kennet Canal.
To book a table: www.thepheasantbarandrestaurant.co.uk 0118 9784529
355 READING ROAD, RG41 5LR, WINNERSH, WOKINGHAM
The event also saw an immersive experience take place on the inside of a giant inflatable whale, with attendees venturing under the sea in a sensory attraction. There were also a number of workshops from artists around Reading and further afield, including cartography, photography, fabric work and sewing, and vinyl-printing artwork, courtesy of arts charity Jelly.
A RESTAURANT chain hoping to open in the town centre has submitted a fresh planning application to the council, writes James Aldridge, Local democracy reporter
Fat Hippo has branches London, Birmingham, Newcastle, Cardiff, and Glasgow, and has set its sights on the Jackson’s development on Kings Road.
Its initial application was rejected by Reading Borough Council’s planning department. It wanted to replace the green and gold Jackson’s Corner branding with its own, but officers felt this would fail to integrate with the rest of the development.
Issues were also raised over the noise disturbance generated by a kitchen extraction unit that Fat Hippo would need, as apartments will be above the restaurant.
Following the refusal in February, Fat Hippo has submitted a fresh plan for the unit including submission of a noise assessment for its proposed extraction unit.
The installation of a branded awning remains, with the shopfront painted black and existing tiles retained.
The refused application is number 221373, while the new submission is 230574, and both can be viewed on Reading Borough Council’s planning website.
TRIBUTES have been paid to a Reading councillor who died at the weekend.
Colette Dennis was rushed to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford last week after suddenly being taken ill.
The 60-year-old was initially taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital on Wednesday, June 9, before being transferred.
Cllr Dennis was the wife of deputy mayor, Cllr Glenn Dennis, and has two sons and two grandchildren.
First elected to represent Norcot ward in May last year, she was re-elected in last month’s local elections.
This was the second time she has held the role of deputy mayoress, as her husband had previously served as deputy mayor in the municipal year 2017-18.
Cllr Jason Brock, leader of Reading Borough Council and Reading Labour, said the thoughts of everybody at the Council are with her husband, her family and her close friends.
“Colette was not only a colleague, but a friend,” he said.
“Her unexpected and untimely passing will be felt
very deeply in the Labour Group, across the Chamber, and across the whole Council.
“She was passionate about her ward and a real champion for her local community in Norcot. Colette was a regular at the Mission Church lunch club, Dee Caf, and the Oaktree Care Home.
“She was a great advocate for more community activities and resources in Dee Park, working hard with partners to secure
benefits for residents.
“On the Council, Colette was an important member of many committees and forums and showed a particular interest in helping to improve the lives of those who faced challenges and experienced inequities in our town.
“My own thoughts, and the thoughts of everyone at the Council, are with Glenn and the family.
“We will, of course, do all we can to support them at this impossibly sad time.”
Tributes have also been paid from across the chamber.
Councillor Clarence Mitchell, the Conservative Group Leader, on Reading Borough Council said: “This dreadfully sad news has come as a complete shock to everyone in the Chamber regardless of their political affiliation. But that surely is nothing compared to the grief that her husband Glenn, her immediate family and her friends must be feeling.
“Colette was the best sort of Councillor, a real hard-working champion for her community in Norcot, doing all she could to improve the lives of residents wherever and whenever possible.
“Our thoughts within the Conservative Group are very much with Glenn and the family at this awful time.”
The leader of the opposition, Reading Green Party’s Cllr Rob White, said: “I was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Councillor Colette Dennis.
“Green Party councillors would like to pass on our condolences to the family.”
Tilehurst councillor Anne Thompson spoke on behalf of
Reading’s Liberal Democrats.
“We share the shock and sadness of our colleagues across the Council at the passing of Colette Dennis, Councillor and Deputy Mayoress,” she said.
“Colette was a lovely lady and we were enjoying getting to know her.
“Her concern for the residents of Reading, and Norcot ward in particular, shone through her contributions to meetings and forums.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Deputy Mayor Glenn Dennis and all Colette’s family and friends.
Reading East MP, Matt Rodda, said: “Colette was a wonderful person, who was dedicated to helping others and who was committed to supporting diversity and social inclusion.
“She was having a significant impact in her role as a councillor in Norcot Ward and was respected for her hard work for local residents and on issues across the town
“I would like to offer my deepest condolences to her family and friends at this very difficult time.”
In a statement, Reading Borough Council said it will announce further arrangements when they have been confirmed by the family.
WINNER: Ellie Pascoe will represent the University of Reading at the National Student Awards final in September.
Picture: University of Reading
THE UNIVERSITY of Reading will be represented at a national final later this year, after an architecture student’s cutting edge design won plaudits at a regional awards ceremony.
Ellie Pascoe, who studies architecture at Reading, was one of three budding stars to win the South East regional Women in Property National Student Awards in May.
Her submission, a concept for a live-work space for an imagined creative designer repurposing leftover festival tents, was described by the judges as having
‘very strong graphics’ and being ‘very engaging and thoroughly researched’.
Of her creation, Ellie said: “Sustainability is a big priority at Reading so I wanted to include this theme in my design.
“My project was based on an infill site in central Reading and featured floors suspended from a network of multicoloured cables.”
She will represent the south east at the national final in London on September 21.
Reading was also represented at the regional ceremony by
second-year construction and management student Jessica Collins, who received the Chancellor’s Award in her first year for achieving the highest grade on her course.
She submitted a presentation based on the installation of fire safety systems within a proposed floor plan for a high-end hotel building located in Helsinki, Finland.
Jessica said: “It was great to represent the University alongside Ellie and I hope we made our lecturers and coursemates proud.”
Colette Dennis died at the weekend after a sudden illness Picture: Reading Labour
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today
READING Borough Council has opened its latest round of funding applications for community group activities and projects.
The council is seeking bids for funding to deliver local activities from grassroots and community groups, particularly to parts of town which are most in need.
The Small Grants Fund sees £200,000 to share: those chosen receive £5,000 for individual groups and £10,000 for partnership bids.
Bidding closes on Sunday, July 23.
While bidding criteria is nonprescriptive to encourage a variety and range, groups are asked to demonstrate key elements of the council’s Tackling Inequality Strategy.
These include enabling everyone in Reading to share in the town’s success; driving attainment in skill, education, training and access to employment; and supporting people in areas of the town where need is greatest.
Previous rounds of funding saw support for Children with disabilities and sensory needs through Berkshire Deaf Children’s Society, which received funding to provide British Sign Language
Interpreters for its events last year.
Assisting Berkshire Children (ABC) to Read received funding to train and support 10 new oneon-one mentors for literacy and confidence tutoring.
The Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality has been given support for its Reading Windrush Festival.
Cllr Jason Brock, Reading Borough Council leader, said: “Reading is known for the huge variety and depth of grassroots and voluntary sector groups in the town.
“The Council has once again set aside funding this year to ensure they are able to deliver a range of activities which make a real difference on the ground, particularly in communities where people may not always have the same life chances as others.
“It is difficult to put a price on the incredible array of activities which were delivered as part of last year’s Small Grants Fund and the difference they have made in local communities and to people’s lives.
“The bidding window is now open to groups across the town, whether they have previously been awarded funding or not.
“I’m certain our amazing voluntary sector will come to the fore once again.”
READING’S oldest producing theatre is kicking off its summer season with Silence of the Sea, writes Jake Clothier.
The play by Jean Bruller follows a family in occupied France during the early 1940s as they are forced to take in a German officer.
They stage their own resistance by refusing to communicate with the officer, but it soon becomes clear that he is a former composer, deluded by Nazi propaganda.
Silence of the Sea itself was published secretly in Paris while under German occupation, with Bruller assuming a nom de plume, and the work became a symbol of resistance during the Second World War.
It was later adapted for theatre by Peter Cheeseman, who worked with Bruller, and the production is directed by Dorothy Gilbert, a Ukrainian actress fleeing war in her own country.
The Silence of the Sea
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to a road traffic collision which left a man with serious injuries in Earley.
A black Hackney Carriage taxi and a pedestrian, a man in his sixties, were involved in a collision on Wokingham Road, near Maiden Erlegh Drive, at around 12.20pm on Friday, June 2.
The incident left the pedestrian with serious injuries, and he remains in a stable condition in hospital.
No arrests have been made.
is performed at Progress Theatre, The Mount, from Monday, June 19 to Saturday, June 24.
Progress features a number of accessible show dates, including socially distanced performances.
Relaxed performances are adapted to make provisions for those with additional needs.
n Accessibility information and tickets are available via: progresstheatre.co.uk/2023silence-sea
Investigating officer PC Thomas Dickinson, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: “This collision, which has left a man seriously injured, happened in the middle of the day on a very busy main road so I am sure there were many witnesses who we are yet to speak to.
“I would appeal any witnesses or anyone who may have dash-cam or CCTV footage to contact us by calling 101 or reporting via our website, quoting reference number 4323024202.
“You can also upload any footage that might help to this dedicated online portal.”
PIECE DE RESISTANCE: Silence of the Sea is showing at Progress Theatre from Monday through to Saturday, June 24. Pictures: Progress Theatre
By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg.today
A FIVE-METRE tall mechanical puppet made from wheelie bins, a dinosaur and a firebird wandered the roads of South Reading on Sunday afternoon.
These impressive creations were joined by hundreds of representatives from arts clubs, schools, performance groups and members of the public for the inaugural Whitley Carnival.
Two parades, starting from Reading Girls’ School and Ridgeway Primary School, met at John Madejski Academy, where visitors were treated to an action-packed fun day.
Organised by charities Aspire 2 and the Whitley Community Development Association, the event looked to showcase the best the ward has to offer, and did so on what proved to be a warm afternoon – which just missed the evening showers.
Newly-appointed Mayor of Reading Tony Page was in attendance, alongside Reading East MP Matt Rodda
and Whitley councillors Alice Mpofu-Coles and Micky Leng.
Cllr Page said: “It’s very important for communities like Whitley to have the opportunity for everybody to come together and appreciate the diversity of talent that exists here.
“We’ve been gifted by the weather, it’s a bit humid, but great that it’s dry. Hopefully it will encourage thousands of people to come through.
“It’s very good to see the diversity in age and also in ethnicities that exist within Whitley. I’m delighted that, after many years attending it on and off, I’m able to in my mayoral capacity.”
At the fun day, food stalls, activities, games and information stands all contributed to a busy afternoon. Younger members of the community were able to flex their creative muscles for the Whitley’s Got Talent competition.
WCDA trustee Paul Childs explained: “Whitley CDA is the heart of Whitley. This [event] is just about bringing something back to the community, and bringing that feeling back.”
And as to the number of visitors: “We’re rushed off our feet at the minute. We don’t have enough staff to cope with, we’re shocked at the number of people who have shown up.”
CLLR RACHEL Eden took on the role of mayor of Reading in November 2021, having acted as deputy for 18 months, and has now handed over the golden chain.
Now that Cllr Tony Page has been elected as her successor, Cllr Eden said of leaving the role: “I’ve got really mixed feelings.
“On one level, of course, I will miss it; It’s a fantastic position to hold and a huge privilege.
“Everything from the trappings of the chain, which has such history to it, to the opportunity to meet so many different people and do so many different things, it’s been amazing.”
She said each mayor brings their own style: “actually it’s nice to hand it on knowing the next person’s going to be ready to take on the challenge.”
Cllr Eden said she was warned by previous mayors the role is to serve the needs of the town, and a prospective or incumbent mayor may not know what those could be.
“So I was told not to be too set in my ideas, but I did have five priorities that I would particularly focus on.
“I wanted to promote equality and diversity because we are such a diverse town and I’m really proud of the range –in every sense – of lifestyles, beliefs, cultures, and origins stories. We have an amazing town for that.”
She says also that prospects for young people in Reading was another of her priorities: “I wanted to really focus on how we give our young people the best start in life, but I also wanted to bring a little bit more to the conversation about end of life care.”
This is one of the reasons she chose The Duchess of Kent Hospice Care as one of her mayoral charities, which also included Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), and Parenting Special Children.
She also wanted to prioritise sustainability through the role, too: “So seemingly little things like having vegetarian or vegan food as an option when I was on mayoral duties.
“I’m not vegetarian or vegan myself, but when there was the option I wanted to create more awareness around that.”
As for stand-out moments, Cllr Eden said that there were two categories: “There were positive things which were just
joyous, such as the Mayor’s Walk – two days walking 35 miles around the boundaries of Reading.
“It’s a privilege to be the mayor, and a real opportunity to highlight parts of Reading which often don’t get attention as they’re on the edge.
“At points we had more than 30 people joining me, and it was just wonderful to feel so together and join in with so much of Reading’s community.”
She also said that visiting Reading’s young communities was another highlight:
“Whether they came to visit the parlour, or visiting schools, Cubs, Brownies…
“It gave me so much hope; when I’m an old lady and they’re running the world, it’s going to be a better place.”
The other category of standout moments, she explained, were not always purely positive, but more serious despite being a privilege to take part in.
“When I first agreed to be deputy mayor, and with the expectation that might become mayor, I wasn’t expecting to still be mayor by the time of the Jubilee.
“None of us were expecting the death of the Queen – she felt like she was immortal – but that was an immense privilege and a very solemn duty to ‘announce’ the news to the people of Reading, although they knew already, of course, and that we had a new King.”
Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, Cllr Eden said: “It was one of the most difficult things, but I was also privileged to be able to work with the Ukrainian community
“The people of Reading wanted to show solidarity, and immediately after that full scale invasion started people were leaving flowers outside the Ukrainian Centre, people were donating items in their droves.
“The Ukrainian community was overwhelmed, and I realised that people needed an outlet.
“So I started a second appeal through which I’ve really come to know the Ukrainian community – not only the many new arrivals but also people who have been here their whole lives.”
“As mayor,” she explained, “you’re the outlet to some extent, and you’re also there to welcome people and show them that we want them, that we’re proud to house them, and proud to welcome them.
“That has been an immense privilege. I know any mayor would have done that and it’s been very lucky that has been my duty.
“I felt very proud, as the town should, of how Reading reacted to that.”
Speaking on whether she thought that the role of mayor had been made more relevant during her tenure, she said: “No, I don’t think that was specific to me.
“I hope I didn’t do badly, but I think it’s important that when we’re going through turbulent times where every day life is difficult for people, that we can be there for people.
“Being there for people and also telling Reading’s story back to itself – we seem to be blocking out in our minds how disruptive Covid was, the impact it’s had on everyone’s lives.”
“So,” she continued, “we need to tell our story to ourselves; we need to remind ourselves about what Reading is.
“What are we about?
“What are we for as a community? I think the mayor can tell that story, and that’s really special.”
As for tips for Cllr Page: “I wouldn’t dare tell my successor how they should do it, as we all do it our own way and I’m sure my successor will bring their own fantastic style.
“But I think the two things you do need; the first thing is that you want to embrace it and try everything.”
She continued: “You don’t realise at first as mayor how much your presence means to people – not because it’s you, but because of the chain and because of the history.
“We’ve had 800-odd mayors of Reading, and so when you turn up you’re not just there as yourself, so make that moment.
“Because that is a really special moment for people; you know, if I walk down to The Co-op as Rachel, no one blinks.
“But If I walk through Tilehurst or Whitley wearing the chain, people think something special is happening, so enjoy that and embrace that privilege.”
And secondly: “Be flexible: about what you’re going to eat, what you’re going to do that day, what you’re going to be asked to do when you get to an event.
“Reading is an amazingly big-hearted, generous town-you’re going to find that you’re going to do things you never imagined, even if you have been a councillor for a very good time.
“Even if you’re incredibly experienced, you’ll learn something new as mayor.”
“You’re always going to be surprised, so roll with the lunches.”
Speaking about her successor, Cllr Tony Page, she said: “Tony, I would say, is one of the most well-known politicians in Reading, and has contributed a huge amount of our town over the decades.
“It’s really special that he is taking it on in his 50th year as a councillor, I think it he will bring something special to the role.
final message for the people of Reading in her role as mayor: “I think we sometimes underestimate ourselves, we don’t see ourselves as others see us.
“I’ve had the opportunity to see us as some other people see us – we are a big hearted, open town and you can be anyone and anything in Reading and you’ll be embraced.
“There is so much potential: we can do more, we can get better, and I really I’m always trying to look for the next thing we can do.
“But we should also be really proud of who we are – we’ve got an incredible history and heritage that we don’t always shout about because we’re quite at ease with it.”
She said that Reading would have an exciting future, too: “There’s so many things coming down the track that we can be excited about, and we’ve got, a wonderful community.
“We should we should embrace and be proud of that, and not ever be satisfied and or rest on our laurels.
“But I think we also need to look at ourselves and actually just be aware of how amazing a community we are.”
“Reading is a town of bridges, not walls; new citizens and arrivals are our bridges to the rest of the world, but we’re also bridges to each other and between communities, at our best.”
Speaking more personally, she said: “I’ve seen my role as to being a friend to everyone in Reading – I wanted to be a mayor that children would want to come up and hug, that people felt was a friend to them, and anyone who is trying to make Reading a better place.
“I was particularly touched that the chair of Reading’s Ukrainian Community Centre described me as a sister Ukrainian.
“Being a sister, showing solidarity, and being an ally to people who need it is important when you’re in a privileged position.
“There are so many people who don’t have privilege at the moment and if you’re in a position of privilege, you want to use that.”
With some speculating as to what Cllr Eden’s future ambitions might be, she concluded: “I’m not done.
“There are so many things about the world that I want to change and so many things about Reading that I think could be improved even further.
make a reservation, please call 0118 977 4397.
“And life is so difficult for people at the moment: from the health service to just going to the shops and being amazed by the price of yoghurt or something like that.
“But also we’re all a link in the chain, and I think he’s incredibly proud of and passionate about Reading, to which he’s dedicated his life.”
Cllr Eden also had one
“What exactly that position will be I can’t tell you because I don’t know myself.
“But not only will have more time for Whitley, my ward, my family, and my work, but there’s also going to be more time for politics.”
Cllr Rachel Eden in the mayoral parlour before she stepped down as mayor last monthAS RABBLE begins the run of shows for its latest production in Reading, an adaptation of Henry I, it is also celebrating the launch of a new beer.
To mark the production, the company teamed up with Elusive Brewing in the creation of a new golden ale, Chaos of Succession, launched with a party at The Grumpy Goat on Friday last week.
A light ale of just under 4% volume, Chaos of Succession is described as having citrus and blackcurrant notes and is made from a mix of UK-grown Admiral and Mystic hops.
It will be sold at the bar for performances of the play, which are taking place in Reading’s historic Abbey Ruins, as well as at a number of venues around the town.
Toby Davies, artistic director at RABBLE, says the beer came about after he was approached by Colin Pearson, a long-time follower of the company’s work with the idea.
“Colin approached me and asked if we’d ever thought about creating a beer to sell at our bar, and then he very kindly put us
in touch with The Grumpy Goat and Elusive Brewing.”
Henry I centres on the titular king, who has a number of connections with Reading, and is also thought to be buried here, though the location is disputed.
“Henry I is buried here, and it felt like a good subject matter for the collaboration – it’s a really nice lighter ale, and it’ll taste great in the sunshine at the show.”
Ruth Mitchell, managing director at Elusive Brewing, said: “Colin is a big fan of RABBLE’s
theatre and suggested that it would be a good partnership, and we were delighted to be involved.
“So with Chaos, it’s a slightly more traditional ale than our usual range. We wanted it to have a wide appeal where traditional tastes won’t find it scary, and non-beer-drinkers will still find it interesting.”
She explained: “Elusive is very collaborative – close to 50% of our beers are collaboration of some sort. We’re always happy to get involved with other businesses and bring some-thing
to a diverse range of people.
“The whole sector is being affected by all sorts of things, including Brexit, and the industry isn’t getting the support that it should do.
“It’s difficult, and everyone is struggling, so we try, as small businesses to support each other. More support from those in power would be a great thing.”
Colin, a retired engineer, is the man behind the original idea, and has been living in Reading since the early 80s.
“I enjoy the theatre, and when I heard about RABBLE I jumped at the chance of going to see them back when they were ‘Reading Between the Lines.’
“They’ve got a strong local connection and put on some great productions and do some good work; Toby put on a talk at the town hall, which we attended, promoting the production.
“The idea just came to me of a special beer for Henry I; but I know that there are other people more expert in brewing choices.”
As for his verdict on the beer: “I think it’ll be very popular, and it pleases old people like me.”
Chaos of Succession is available at all of the performances of Henry I in Reading’s Abbey Ruins, which runs until Saturday, July 1.
It is also available via Elusive Brewing’s website and at their taproom in Finchampstead’s Hogwood Lane, The Grumpy Goat in Smelly Alley (Union St), and in venues around Reading.
n Details about Elusive are available via: elusivebrewing. com/
READING BOROUGH COUNCIL wants to demolish an unused day care centre, as well as its former offices for protection and planning so the site can be redeveloped, writes James Aldridge, Local democracy reporter.
The land, on Amethyst Lane off Liebenrood Road, is being considered for a development comprising 21 homes and a sixbed day care centre.
It was originally proposed the site would house 38 homes, but planners changed the proposal to provide a care facility there instead.
The application can be viewed on Reading Borough Council’s planning website, searching for 230613.
A RETROSPECTIVE application has been made for signs already installed on a pizza takeaway in Tilehurst, writes James Aldridge, Local democracy reporter.
Vesuvio Pizzeria has opened on the site of a formal Coral bookmakers on Norcot Road, and wants permission from Reading Borough Council.
Earlier this year, the owners won permission to serve food and alcohol until 11.30pm, with deliveries until 2am.
Saturday 22nd July, 12th August and 16th September 2023
From Slough and Reading. Enjoy a day out departing from Slough or Reading to the Bristol Channel coast by train featuring two historic steam locomotives.
This seaside special will be hauled by a magnificent steam loco along the scenic Kennet & Avon Canal and through the pretty Vale of Pewsey. Our train will join the West Somerset Railway and a WSR steam loco will take over for the stretch past Dunster Castle and into the resort of Minehead, where you can enjoy the sea and sand.
Price
• Standard Class £115 per person – includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.
• First Class £185 per person – includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.
• Premier Dining £285 per person – includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.
per person discount quote: DHU
He said at the launch party:
The new application can be viewed on Reading Borough Council’s planning website, searching for 230742.
Sunday 30th July 2023
From Slough and Reading. Step on board at Slough or Reading to enjoy a day out to Cornwall. We shall be joined by a magnificent steam locomotive at Bristol for an exhilarating run beside the Exe Estuary and along the famous Dawlish sea wall.
The Royal Duchy will stop at Plymouth, where you can explore the Hoe, ancient Barbican, seafront or National Marine Aquarium. Alternatively, stay on board for Cornwall to Par, where you can visit pretty seaside village Fowey or Charlestown, home to the Shipwreck, Rescue & Heritage Centre.
Price
n Details about Henry I performances and how to get tickets are available via: whatsonreading.com 01553
• Standard Class £134 per person – includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.
• First Class £209 per person – includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.
• Premier Dining £309 per person – includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat. £10 per person discount quote: DHV
FOR THE KING: Elusive Brewing’s managing director, Ruth Mitchell, with Kane Preston from The Grumpy Goat at the launch party on Friday Picture: Jake ClothierHave a great day – The Safe Way – your welfare is our priority. Our travel procedures are available to view on our website. Refreshments available to purchase on board. Tables for two can be guaranteed in First/Premier for a £30pp supplement subject to availability. Junior and family fares available. Organised by The Railway Touring Company. The Railway Touring Company’s standard conditions of booking and travel apply – see website.
BUS SHELTERS at Jackson’s Corner in Reading town centre could be moved as part of plans to revamp the historic area to accommodate new housing, writes James
local democracy reporter
Flats are currently being constructed on the historic Reading landmark, which closed as a retail store in 2013.
The ground floor level of the former Jackson’s store will be divided into retail units and to help Reading Borough Council is considering relocating the bus stops outside so that a loading bay can be created.
Under the plans, which were considered last night – after we had gone to press –at a meeting of Reading Borough Council’s traffic management subcommittee, the bus stops will be moved to outside Reading Central Library.
Next to the library, the traffic flow in Abbey Square could be changed from its existing counter-clockwise direction to clockwise.
These changes can only be made following a statutory consultation which has to be launched by Reading Borough Council.
If there are no objections, the council’s assistant director of legal services will be given the power to seek a traffic regulation order needed to implement them.
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.todayA READING-based pilot with type 1 diabetes has been sharing the technology that enables him to soar in his career.
His secrets come during Diabetes Week, which runs until Sunday.
In it, Chris Wilkinson will share how he can manage his type 1 diabetes, to enable him to leave a normal life.
Type 1 diabetes is a serious condition which occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. This means the cells in the pancreas can no longer produce insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels.
Chris Wilkinson was diagnosed with the condition four years ago, and immediately lost his Pilot Medical which not only allowed him to fly aircrafts, but enabled him to pursue a part-time job of teaching student pilots to fly.
The 43-year-old has since regained it and is now sharing his experience to help raise awareness of the importance of access to diabetes tech.
He said: “In June 2019, I started to feel ill. I was running
Coast & Swanage Steam Railway
Departing Mon 28 Aug ‘23
Your break includes
Return coach travel from Reading
4 nights at the Leam Hotel, Weymouth with dinner & breakfast
Heritage train journey on the Swanage Steam Railway
Excursions to the Jurassic Coast (Lyme Regis, West Bay & Abbotsbury), Lulworth Cove & Corfe Castle
Optional excursion to Dorchester Market (£11pp)
to the toilet to wee six times a night and one particular morning I woke up and could not see correctly in my right eye, I had a constant dry throat and I couldn’t quench my thirst. I started to think something was really wrong.
“I was initially given a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and was put on Metformin. It was such a shock. Over the next
& Nene Valley Railway
Departing Mon 11 Sep ‘23
Your break includes
Return coach travel from Reading
4 nights at the Ibis Hotel, Stevenage with dinner & breakfast
Heritage train journey on the Nene Valley Railway
Excursions to Ely, Cambridge & Stamford
Optional excursion to Cambridgeshire Villages (St Ives, Huntingdon & St Neots) (£13pp)
5 Days by Coach only £369 5 Days by Coach only £319
Single Supplement £60
Single Supplement £100
couple of months I kept going back to the GP. I couldn’t get my blood sugar levels in range.
“Within three months I’d lost three stone and was feeling very ill.
“In August 2019, I finally got referred to the diabetes clinic in Reading. The consultant ran all of the usual tests and then confirmed I actually had type 1 diabetes, rather than type 2.”
He immediately called his Civil Aviation Medical Examiner to share the diagnosis, and was told his Pilot Medical would be withdrawn.
“I was heartbroken,” Chris said. “Luckily, I had a very supportive Aviation Medical Doctor who pushed the Civil Aviation Authority to put me forward for the process to get
my Pilot Medical back.
“This involved cardio fitness tests, seeing the Professor of Diabetes from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, providing up-to-date blood results for the last six months, and seeing a Professor of Cardiology who had to check that I was fit enough to complete a cardio fitness test.”
Eight months later, he got his wings again. He needs to check his blood sugar levels 30 minutes before flying, every hour while in the air and 30 minutes after he lands.
He uses a continuous glucose monitor – a sensor that is worn on the body and reads sugar levels 24 hours a day, and the information is sent to a mobile phone, or other device.
“I was offered CGM on the NHS, but I need a specific brand so that I can follow the required procedures that enable me to fly, and this type of CGM isn’t available on the NHS, so it’s not a cheap option for me,” he said.
“It costs me £159 a month but having access to this tech has been life-changing. I never want to be back in a position where my medical is taken away from me.
“I’m now one of only 60 pilots in the country who has type 1 diabetes and holds a Pilot Medical and can still fly as a solo pilot.”
As part of Diabetes Week activity, Diabetes UK has also launched its Diabetes Tech Can’t Wait campaign, which aims to ensure everyone living with diabetes has fair and equal access to the diabetes tech they’re eligible for.
Phaedra Perry, Head of Diabetes UK – south west and south central, said: “Living with diabetes can be a constant juggling act but having the tech you need and are eligible for can help make your life that little bit easier.
“As Chris’ story shows, having access to tech means you can live well and embrace your hobbies and passions. Diabetes shouldn’t stand in the way of living life to the fullest.”
Chris added: “Don’t let diabetes run your life, live the life you want. It can take planning, it may take longer than you want to get there, but you can do it and it will be worth it.”
n For more details, log on to: www.diabetes.org.uk
NEIGHBOURS have expressed concerns over potential disturbances if a café restaurant in Caversham gains an alcohol licence, writes James Aldridge, Local democracy reporter
The Pasibrzuszek Polish Cousin Restaurant in Hemdean Road opened earlier this year, taking over a former hair salon.
Its menu includes dumplings, soups, stews and continental meats.
The owners want to sell Polish beers as well as food and drink between 11am and 11pm, Tuesday to Sunday, and submitted an application to Reading Borough Council in April.
Those opposed have expressed concerns that late night customers leaving the premises would cause disturbance for the restaurant’s neighbours.
One wrote: “Residents of this neighbourhood have
daytime jobs and live in this area because it’s a calm and peaceful neighbourhood … This risk of giving out a license for selling alcohol will create a public nuisance when guests are in the restaurant until 11pm and drinking alcohol.”
Another had concerned over rats, adding: “The advertised late opening hours go way beyond what should be allowed for a business on a residential street, especially one would be having customers visit until late at night, with the inherent noise and disturbance this will create.
“Having a food business in a location so close to its attached neighbouring terraced residential properties is inappropriate for reasons of inadequate and dangerous food waste storage and disposal facilities, offensive cooking smells and vermin
that it will inherently bring to the area.”
The licensing bid has also been opposed by all three Caversham councillors: Labour’s Jan Gavin, Jacopo Lanzoni and Matt Yeo, who said Pasibrzuszek currently closes at 6pm on Tuesdays and 8pm from Wednesday to Sunday, and does not cause a disturbance. This would change if the licensing application was approved.
There were also concerns about the bright lights currently being used at Pasibrzuszek disturbing neighbour’s sleep.
The licensing application for the restaurant will be discussed at a licensing applications sub-committee meeting on Thursday, June 15.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service called the Pasibrzuszek restaurant. A man answered and said he does not speak English.
UP, UP AND AWAY: Reading-based pilot Chris Wilkinson will share how he can manage his type 1 diabetes, to enable him to leave a normal life Picture: Diabetes UK
EMPTY plastic bags, crisp packets and chocolate bar wrappers could soon be collected from doorsteps in Reading so they can be recycled, as part of a £200,000 trial, writes Nick Clark, Local democracy reporter
The initial scheme will see 5,000 homes take part, then expanding across Bracknell Forest and Wokingham borough councils next year.
Under the scheme, people will also be able to recycle plastic sleeves, bubble wrap, cling film and net bags. They will go into a blue single use bag which re3’s refuse collectors will send to a national processing centre.
Not all plastics can be taken: straws and cutlery, pills and tablets blister packs, disposable masks, and foam or polystyrene are excluded, while bottles and ready meal trays will continue to be placed in red wheelie bins as usual.
The Ding has been chosen for the national trial, with the government indicating it could make it mandatory for all councils from 2027. It could start from Monday, July 10, with blue bags and information leaflets sent out ahead of launch.
On Thursday, June 15, a meeting of re3’s governing councils - Reading, Bracknell Forest and Wokingham borough – will be held, where councillors are expected to formally approve the scheme.
ART LOVERS were treated to the sights and sounds of the Whiteknights Studio Trail, as 37 creators showcased their work at 27 venues.
The weekend exhibitions featured media such as video, painting, prints, glass making, carpentry and sound, and visitors were able to observe artists working in their own studios.
Centred on the theme of sustainability, it was somewhat fitting that the event ended with people trying to avoid the showers as the heavens opened on Sunday evening.
Jenny Halstead, trail coordinator and founding member, said: “It was another very successful Whiteknights Studio Trail – our 23rd, which this year embraced Reading Climate Change Festival
“A tropical storm made a very dramatic and theatrical ending to this wonderful weekend
ONE OF Reading’s summer festivals is setting up for a return, celebrating diversity and community.
East Reading Festival is returning to Palmer Park on June 25, bringing with it a day of family fun, festivities, and friendship.
This year’s festival will see the return of the Give Speech A Chance stage, which will see a full roster of spoken word performances including poetry and readings after its introduction at last year’s event.
It joins the Main Stage in bringing diverse and creative acts to the day, including a costume display from the TEMPO MAS Carnival Costume Band.
Building on previous years, the festival is championing sustainability and is actively encouraging people to walk, bike or take public transport on the day.
Secure bicycle parking is available at Palmer Park and a number of buses, including the number 17, pass directly by the park.
The festival committee has also announced that Paul Childs – Keller Williams estate agency will be continuing as the headline sponsor for the 2022 festival.
Agency owner Paul Childs said: “As a Reading resident and local business owner, supporting East Reading Festival is vital for the community.
“This is why I wanted to align Paul Childs - Keller Williams as their local independent property expert.”
Matt Foster, committee member and festival volunteer, said:“After a successful relaunch last year, we’re really excited to be welcoming people back to East Reading Festival 2023.
“We received some
wonderful feedback from last year’s festival and hope to build on that success this year.
“We have been the grateful recipients of some community funding from Reading Borough Council and The Earley Charity and will be using this to support the festival this year and secure its future moving forward.”
Organisers also thanked volunteers and organisations who make the festival possible, as well as sponsors, who this year include Five Rivers, My Dance Land, Palmer Park Bowls Club, The Quran Project, RG Spaces, The Aurora Family and Reading University.
East Reading Festival is a free-to-attend event taking place in Palmer Park from noon-6pm on Sunday, June 25.
n For more information on this year’s festival, please visit www. eastreadingfestival.co.uk or find the event on Facebook.
enjoyed by hundreds of visitors.”
Jenny welcomed visitors into her own garden to enjoy The Butterfly Effect, a community art installation made from up-cycled materials.
Hope for the Planet was hosted by one of the UK’s top 100 environmental professionals, Jonathan Dewsbury.
Participating artists highlighted the role young people play in the battle against climate change through artwork hangings and maps.
The scheme is part of a national research trial run by FlexCollect, backed by the government. The project asked re3 to be part of the trial because of Reading’s urban nature.
It will come with £200,000 worth of funding to cover the costs of implementing the scheme. Documents say taking part in the trial could give the three councils a head start in preparing for mandatory flexible plastics recycling.
Re3 is not currently prepared to process flexible plastics itself as it says converting its recycling plants could cost “upwards of £2 million”.
WHEN my daughter was born, back in 2001 with severe disabilities, my biggest worry was curing her so that she could walk.
She had profound feeding difficulties and was tube fed so I wanted to make that better too.
Oh the wisdom of hindsight!
Now, at 21, she has still never walked nor eaten anything orally but I realise that those physical differences are of very little consequence. In short, disability doesn’t matter.
There is nothing wrong with it and it is not a bad thing, It’s just different. When we’re at home with the right support in place, we barely notice it.
What is often wrong and bad though, is society’s reaction to disability. Of course, there are kind people and, in general, we are warmly welcomed. But I think most parents of disabled children would agree with me, when I say that if I had to sum up the experience in one word, it would be ‘fight’.
This is what people don’t see. They see disabled people being given benefits or being members of the Motability scheme and assume we’ve got it made.
Ever since the Government announced benefit cuts for disabled people back in 2010, there has been a discernible shift in society’s perception of what disabled people should or shouldn’t be entitled to.
What hasn’t changed though is the constant battling we have to engage in with the various service providers in order to get what our children really need. I sometimes wonder whether those providers we hassle day in, day out, think we enjoy it.
As if spending time chasing people up hour after hour, day after day is something we do as a relaxing hobby. Or perhaps they think that our Machiavellian strategies or our issuing of high-handed threats in order to get our children’s basic needs met is what we do to while away the boredom of full-time caring.
If there’s one thing we ask people to understand, service providers or the general public, it’s that we are not on the scrounge for the sake of it.
We do not have time to waste and in many cases, carers are pushed to the absolute limit. Fighting for support on top of caring is really, really difficult. Those that don’t complain are not all finding life easy, they are just finding it too impossible to fight.
Disabled people are not a drain, they are not a nuisance, they are not taking money away from anyone else. They are living in a country that has committed to supporting them properly and in return they will enhance our society by contributing wisdom and a depth of experience rarely found anywhere else. They keep our values sound, challenging our preconceptions. They are important and to be valued. They just need to be given a chance.
According to Government statistics, 22% of our population is disabled. More than half of us will end up disabled before we die.
We are fortunate that we live in a country that has pledged to support us. As a society we need to do everything we can to make sure that happens, for all our sakes.
Jane Holmes is the CEO and founder of Building for the Future, a Wokinghambased parent-led charity for children with additional needs, offering activities, support and therapies. For more, log on to: www.bftf.org.uk
A WOMAN who offers free photo shoots to cancer patients, and is now suffering from the disease herself, has been nominated for The Inspiration Award in the Pride of Reading Awards.
Leanne Robinson was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2021 and dedicates her spare time to offering free photoshoots, with all photos edited and given free to people affected by cancer.
Her nominator said: “She is one of the most selfless people I know. She works tirelessly to bring joy to others
IT DELIGHTED audiences in Reading, now it’s heading to the world stage. It’s certainly a potion that’s causing a commotion. Reading Rep Theatre last autumn featured Gary McNair’s adaptation of Jekyll & Hyde.
Directed by Michael Fentiman (Amélie, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe), it starred Audrey Brisson in the title role.
And from January, it will be performed at Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum Theatre.
Paul Stacey, founding artistic director of Reading Rep Theatre, said it was wonderful news.
“It’s lovely to know that more people will be able to see this bold one-woman adaptation which breathes new life into this classic,” he continued.
“Being able to share the work of Reading Rep with the rest of the country is a great step in helping shine a positive light on Reading and placing Reading on the map as a cultural powerhouse.”
And David Greig, the artistic director of the Royal Lyceum
Edinburgh, said he had been wanting to bring a Jekyll and Hyde adaptation to Scotland for a long time.
“I was really thrilled when I saw that Gary McNair, who’s one of my favourite Scottish playwrights, had done a one-woman version of that story – a very good version as well – which premiered in Reading last year,” he said.
“I think it will be the perfect palette cleanser after the festive season - an antidote to saccharine Christmas - an eerie, spooky, wintery story.”
Casting for the production will be announced at a later date, but tickets are already on sale.
Reading Rep is based on Kings Road in Reading, and has just completed its 10th anniversary season.
Next month, it will welcome Make/Sense Theatre with a production of Yankee Doodle Doo. n For more details, log on to: www. readingrep.com
n Ticket information can be found at https://lyceum.org.uk/whats-on/ production/jekyll-and-hyde
ANYONE heading to Glastonbury music festival later this month don’t have to be part of the great unwashed at the end of it all.
A Reading hotel is offering free showers.
The Ibis on Friar Street is the place to head, along with sister hotels in Bridgwater, Bristol and Bristol Temple Meads Quay, but only on Monday, June 26.
And if you think Reading is too far to go for a wash and brush-up, there are 200,000 people departing Worthy Farm, meanings Reading on the route home for many.
Ibis says the showers will be free of charge, but there is a limited capacity at each hotel and slots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, between 9am and 3pm.
Hotel spokesperson Chris Timbs said: “Glastonbury is famous for the best music and mud in the world!
Always one of the highlights of the UK’s summer with an incredible lineup of musicians, whether it’s
the up-and-coming artists or global superstars you’re there to see. After the mud and partying, festival-goers will be in need of a warm refreshing shower and we’re here to help.
“We’re passionate about music and hospitality, so a quick shower en route home from arguably one of the best festivals in the world is our way of making the weekend even better for music fans.”
To secure a shower time slot, email ibisglastoshowers@accor.com before noon on Wednesday June 21, providing a preferred hotel.
“Her photos are just incredible, she can see the light from any angle. She is a true inspiration that such an awful disease can hit someone and she can turn it all into a positive.”
Leanne, who specialises in family and newborn photography, is in hospital where she is still capturing images of nurses and other patients. Her nominator added: I cannot believe how she can see the light in every dark moment.”
Leanne’s Instagram account is Captured by Leanne Photography (@ capturedby_leanne).
The Inspiration Awards sponsored by McDonald’s
McDonalds is once again lending its support by sponsoring The Inspiration Award, recognising someone who has inspired a community initiative or helped others to do so, and provided as role model for the town’s young people.
Richard Forte has worked with McDonalds for more than 20 years, including as a chief operations officer, and is now the franchisee and business owner of 30 restaurants in the south.
Mr Forte said: “This category was decided upon with Hilary and Sally when we started supporting the awards four years ago.
“We wanted to find something which would recognise role models who are doing fantastic jobs and making a difference in people’s lives, and this category was right for that.”
FAST ACTION by an eight-year-old boy may have saved his little brother’s life.
Oscar Almel has been nominated in the Child of Courage category of the Pride of Reading Awards.
The youngster and his four-yearold brother Oliver went to bed as usual one night last month. Thirty minutes later Oliver was struggling to breathe. He was having a severe asthma attack.
Oliver climbed down from the top bunk, pulled his brother to the floor and put him in the recovery position, He checked Oliver’s airway is clear then alerted his parents who called the emergency services.
His nominator said: “Oscar has shown bravery and quick thinking at eight years old. His selfless actions saved his brother’s life.
“That night could have ended very differently if not for his quick thinking. Oliver is now home and recovering. He is proud of his big brother for stepping in, everyone who surrounds Oscar is incredibly proud.” Child of Courage, sponsored by IQVIA
IQVIA is back to sponsor the Child of Courage Award, recognising courage in young people.
The award is given to those under-16s who have become heroic lifesavers, battled illness, or fought through difficult circumstances.
Sharon Jhheent, global training manager at IQVIA the healthcare data technology company, has received an award of her own following her fundraising efforts back in 2016.
HORROR TALE: Reading Rep kicked off its 10th anniversary season with a chilling, stripped-back production of Jekyll and Hyde. Picture: Reading Repertory Theatre The Reading Ibis hotel is offering free showers to people attending Glastonbury this year Picture: PixabayOscar’s quick actions helped save his brother’s life
JUST
INSPIRATIONAL:
Leanne Robinson, who offers free photo shoots to cancer patients, and is now suffering from the disease herself, has been nominated for The Inspiration Award in the Pride of Reading Awards.
A SOUTH Reading ward holds a subtle bond to the picturesque beaches, cliffs and national parks of Devon.
Unbeknownst to some, Whitley’s link comes through some of its street names, which appear to have been named after locations in the county in southwest England.
Some may not have noticed, but this link is not lost on Whitley Community Museum’s curator David Turner.
“For some years now I have been curious as to why road names in Whitley are named after Towns and Villages in Devon. The council made the decision after counsellors thought it was a good idea. No other reason,” he said.
“Brixham Road for instance, which was constructed when the estate was being built in the 1930s was originally called Brixton Road. It became apparent however that this name would be associated with an area in London. It was then decided to make the change to Brixham Road.”
He added that Cressingham Road had previously been called Grosvenor Road, which was changed due to confusion with a road in Caversham which goes by the same name.
“The name Whitley derived from the word meaning ‘whitewood or clearing’, as the area way back when was predominantly forest land,” Mr Turner explained.
“Since 1997, Whitley Suburb has been included in the Borough of Reading and was one of the largest suburbs. The main estate build did not commence until the 1930s, although in the late 1800s there were a few houses beginning to appear, along with pubs.
“Following my interest in road names it is amazing what local history has been uncovered. For instance, my own house which was built in 1900 is in an area of Whitley that was once an oak forest.
“In my research of the house I found a document that confirmed an agreement to cut down 300 oak trees for use in Reading Abbey.”
With more than 5,000 followers on Facebook, the Whitley Community Museum is an accessible online and in-person resource.
The group serves as a platform for residents past and present to share memories through photographs and comments.
It also allows group members to reconnect with friends and schoolmates from decades ago.
The museum held a Whitley Way Back When event at the Community Cafe on Northumberland Avenue earlier this year to showcase its photographs and exhibits inperson.
n For more information, search: Whitley Community Museum on www.facebook.com
He explained: “The nominees don’t do it for the limelight; they want to make a difference.
“This provides a platform for the recognition they deserve, and personally speaking to inspire others to emulate the great work they do in our society.”
The Pride of Reading Awards annual lunch hosted by Chris Tarrant will be held in October where shortlisted nominees, guests and sponsors are invited and winners celebrated.
He said also: “I was born here in Reading and I’ve been fortunate enough to buy businesses and grow my business within reading owning the McDonald’s restaurants.
“It just feels natural to want to put something back into sponsoring a platform that gives people that spotlight.”
Organisers would like to hear who you think should win recognition in the awards.
To nominate a person, business or organisation, for to www.porawards.co.uk where there is information on categories and sponsors.
Please send 100-200 words on your choice to win an award.
The time of your flight has changed, Please ring our customer team ... but just trying to get through to them was like a lengthy-swim-upstream.
Eventually I did get through and Then came the second blow ... Very softly-spoken with an accent: Merging words in a side-to-side flow.
She said that one hour fifteen wasn’t Enough time between my flights, And I hastened to agree with her ... No ifs, buts, maybes or mights.
So she had a look at her system, And came back with this reply: Travel eight and a half hours earlier And pay an extra £700 to fly.
Apparently no economy seats going On that one hour connecting flight, Against the rules to swap the date, But it seemed neither fair nor right.
I asked to speak to a supervisor, But I was told that I could not, This was supposed to be the Australian airline ... not some low-budget lot!
She said: “We’ve been support the Pride of Reading Awards for a number of years, and we’ve always supported the Child of Courage Award.
“Children are our future,” she explained, “and they’re really inspirational, so its the right thing to do.
“We’re a locally-based company dealing with health care for a better world, so we decided to choose our
Ms Jheent said: “I’m a local, and have been fortunate to come to the Pride of Reading Awards as a winner myself.
“It’s a fantastic event which is just so prestigious; it’s great to be involved in, to be a part of, and to have had such a long-standing relationship with the awards.”
At this point the call stagnated, Bearing in mind the huge sum ... Until she said I could keep my flight But I would have to properly run.
I said I can’t really cope with that ... It would cause me massive stress, But if I could get airport assistance, It might see me out of this mess.
LLANDUDNO & the Snowdon Mountain Railway
So she said she’d request that, And I asked for an email to confirm, She said it would take a few minutes, But it never showed ... short or longterm.
So I kept on phoning them back, All throughout a very long night ... Their computer system had crashed So nobody could look at my flight.
But next morning on the way back from a drop-off at the station, I had a sudden brainwave which Turned into a bit of a revelation ...
I logged onto the Qantas website, And I had a look what I could see ... I found several Qantas-owned Jetstar flights to suit my itinerary.
Loads of seats in economy ...
So I paid £70 for my ticket but I thought I’d better ring them back .. “Oh no ... you can’t use that flight The system can’t cope with that.”
“And you’ll have to pay to cancel the original seat .. that’s how it works.” “Ok ... so I wont bother to cancel it ... My brain ... was starting to hurt.
I must have worn her down ... She booked me a free Jetstar flight So although I’d broken the rules In the end it turned out all right.
Pam SkiWe love receiving your poetry and print a selection every week. Email your verse to poems@wokingham.today
Departing Fri 25 Aug ‘23
Experience the rugged landscapes of North Wales on this brilliant three-day break where we enjoy a wonderful rack railway journey on the Snowdon Mountain Railway and time in the lovely seaside resort of Llandudno.
Your break includes
Return coach travel from Reading
2 nights at the New Loretta Hotel, Llandudno with dinner & breakfast
Entertainment every evening
Train journey on the Snowdon Mountain Railway
Free time in Llandudno
Excursion to Betws-y-Coed
3 Days by Coach only £199
Entertainment Weekend
Departing Fri 1 Sep ‘23
Scarborough is the perfect destination for a long weekend away, beloved for its pretty beaches, fabulous attractions and classic charm! On this break, we also venture to the seaside town of Whitby and have the chance to visit the historic city of York.
Your break includes
Return coach travel from Reading
3 nights at the Grand Hotel, Scarborough with dinner & breakfast
Entertainment every evening
Excursion to Whitby
Optional excursion to York (£11pp)
4 Days by Coach only £199
Oscar Almel and brother Oliver, whose life may have been saved by Oscar’s fast actionsWe love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to Reading Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: news@rdg.today
We reserve the right to edit letters
THE GAIA exhibition in Reading town hall has to be seen to be believed.
Thoughtfully put together, beautifully composed and sensitively accompanied by carefully chosen music, this is a chance to feel like we’re in outer space, looking in, without leaving the town.
It has been wowwing audiences across the week, as it is appears for the Reading Climate Festival.
Sometimes it is good to be reminded of how small we are.
Seeing the world as a giant sphere means we can glimpse all four corners in a way that still images and NASA’s finest cannot fathom.
It is also a challenge to us, as this is snapshot of the world today. The world now.
Coming during a heatwave, with temperatures on the warm side of things, the climate festival is a reminder that we all have a part to play in tackling the climate emergency.
We applaud the vision for bringing this wonderful exhibit to Reading – it is a welcome addition and a shame it is not here for longer.
MY mother used to encourage us out of bed in the mornings with a brisk opening of the curtains and the words, “Rise and shine” and it took me a long time to discover that she was quoting the Bible; Isaiah 60:1: “Arise, shine, for your light has come.”
I’m one of those who find rising and shining to be somewhat tedious effort in the winter. I would happily hibernate until the longer, warmer days of spring. I’m guessing that it’s how ancient people felt, as they struggled through the dark and cold months, conserving food and energy as much as they could.
Light brings blue skies and sunshine, warmth, activity, productivity, creativity. There is work to do, food to grow, fun to seek out; festivals and fairs, holidays and outings.
No wonder so many spiritual metaphors use the image of light or enlightenment, of shunning darkness, embracing knowledge and wisdom, or looking for new hope. God is light; to be without God is to be in the dark.
And just as the sun and rain are there for the good and the bad (Matthew 5:45), God’s light shines for all.
Isaiah’s words came to people who had lived for many years in the shadow of military defeat and oppression; he encouraged his audience to look for God in the darkness and to look forwards in hope.
Change was coming.
Perhaps those are words we all need sometimes.
Arise. Shine.
Light is here.
Kim Tame is a member of Wokingham Methodist Church, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham
Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper Send
My thanks to all those who supported my recent fundraising in aid of the Alexander Devine Children’s hospice services.
Together, we raised £360, an amazing amount given the current cost of living crisis.
My fundraising for the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice has been going on since 2007 – before the centre was even built. It led me to write the following:
They say time is a healer and that everything has a reason.
That there is a purpose behind all things
And that nothing happens without good reasons.
But, I have to admit my heart often rebels
Against these things my head knows
For instance, to me,
It defies all rhyme and reason
That so many children
Are chosen to flourish and flower
For just a short season
Struggling to grow like sunflowers in the snow
Special gifts, each one,
But too precious to live (like us, to grow old)
Lent to us with love for the briefest of seasons
Then taken back, too soon, seemingly without reasons
And yet … and yet …
Maybe we are wrong to grieve
When they seem no longer here
For perhaps, like the breeze, They are actually everywhere
Still sharing our every second
Until it is time for our own painless new lives to receive
These things I cannot prove
But in them I truly believe.
Paul Farmer, Reading
LOOKING for a fulfilling way to spend your free time and be in the great outdoors?
Ufton Court Educational Trust is seeking gardening volunteers to help maintain their beautiful grounds, including the restoration of their Tudor Herb Garden.
They are looking for someone who, has a passion for gardening and a willingness to learn. Has a few hours or a day a week to give and can travel to Ufton and is physically able to perform gardening tasks such as weeding, pruning, and planting.
This is a great opportunity to work alongside a friendly and dedicated team of volunteers and staff member whilst learning and sharing gardening skills and techniques.
This Father’s Day (18 June), I’m thinking about the happiness that being a dad brings me.
One of my favourite things about having two little ones is seeing the joy they get from the simplest of things. Two-year-old Thomas and eight-month-old Mary Anne love a trip to the local park, and they can’t get enough of peek-a-boo!
Thomas was given a toy kitchen around the same time I was doing some DIY in my own kitchen, and now he loves to play at ‘fixing’ his kitchen. Another amazing part of being their dad is watching how much joy they get from learning from what’s going on around them.
Sadly, for little ones in some of the world’s poorest countries, there isn’t the same opportunity to experience these simple joys of childhood and learning.
But, through my work at Mary’s Meals, I know the difference a daily school meal can make to change the story for these children.
Mary’s Meals feeds more than 2.4 million hungry children every school day in 18 countries around the world. The promise of a nutritious meal attracts these children into the classroom.
This month, the charity is offering a range of beautiful gift cards for Father’s Day that will feed a child for a whole school year for just £19.15.
These gift cards are a special way to put a smile on dad’s face, while helping to give a hungry child the chance at joy that every little one deserves. To order yours, please visit marysmeals. org.uk/shop.
James Farrell, Data Analyst, Mary’s Meals
Cllr Jason Brock
n Parents and Children
Together (PACT) are seeking a Reception and Admin Volunteer to join their team and be the first point of contact for visitors at their Head Office in South Street, Reading.
Volunteers provide a warm and friendly welcome, ensuring all staff and visitors sign in. They will also make refreshments for visitors, open and distribute the post, ensure stationery and catering supplies are adequate and the reception area is clean and tidy.
This is a great opportunity to volunteer for a worthwhile and award-winning charity, becoming part of a friendly and helpful team.
Summer is well and truly on its way, which means more opportunities to be outside with friends and family and listen to live music.
In all of the fun, we sometimes forget to look after our hearing health and how loud sounds are.
A live concert or festival can often reach levels of 110 decibels.
Repeated or long exposure to sounds at 85 decibels or above can cause hearing loss so it is important that whilst you are sipping that overpriced beer and singing along to your favourite artist you take care of your ears.
The good news is that there are some easy ways you can still enjoy yourself and keep your hearing protected: Carry earplugs with you and use them, the reusable kind designed for clubbers and musicians don’t muffle sound, just make it a bit quieter and can protect your ears.
Stay away from the speakers –the closer you are, the greater the risk of hearing damage.
And take regular breaks from the loudest areas to give your ears a rest.
We want everyone to have a great summer – and at the same time keep your hearing healthy for the future.
It is important to check your hearing regularly so join over 250,000 people and take the free, online Hearing Check by visiting rnid.org.uk
Crystal Rolfe, Associate Director for Health at RNIDn ENRYCH Berkshire believe that someone with a disability should not be prevented from living the life they want to live.
They work with individual people, regardless of their disability, to enable them to enjoy hobbies, interests and activities of their choosing, and to develop their skills and knowledge through learning opportunities.
They are seeking a volunteer to support a lady who is visually impaired. She would love to have somebody to help her at her allotment as she is struggling more with her sight.
Would be happy if the volunteer wanted to work at the allotment for themselves too.
No prior experience of growing produce required.
n Take a look at our brand new Reading Volunteer Connect platform for details of these and many more opportunities to volunteer via our website, www.rgneeds.me. Want to get in touch? Drop us an email at volunteering@rva.org.uk or call 0118 937 2273
NEXT week the Council will publish its latest draft Local Transport Plan (LTP), which sets out a vision for transport in Reading for the period up to 2040.
As far as lengthy strategic Council documents go (and I’ve seen a few), it’s an important one. In it is a range of possible schemes and initiatives to combat the congestion and poor air quality which blight parts of our town.
Much of it is subject to funding of course, but without giving too much away, you won’t be surprised to know the focus is on promoting sustainable transport options as a realistic alternative to the private car. It also explains how these schemes, if delivered, can help us create a healthier and more equal town.
More on the detail next week, but I wanted to set the record straight in advance on the contentious issue of congestion charges.
Let me be very clear: there is no proposal to charge Reading residents or Reading businesses for entering a cordon, whether that be inside the IDR or anywhere else.
What we do want to explore, is how we might deter the many thousands of daily vehicles, including heavy lorries, who have no origin, no destination, and no purpose in Reading. Put bluntly, these vehicles continue to use the town as a rat run, polluting our air and damaging the health and well-being of our residents.
As a Council, we believe it is essential that Reading remains a place people choose to visit, and we do not intend to do anything to jeopardise that. Yet Reading’s location, a big part of our success, also causes issues.
The only thing vehicles passing through Reading without stopping contribute to is congestion and poor air quality. It is Reading residents who have to breathe that polluted air and compete for limited road space with these drivers.
In that respect, while the soon-to-bepublished LTP talks about the possibility of ‘potential demand management measures such as congestion charging’, what we are really talking about here are exploring options to dissuade drivers using Reading as a short cut.
Not too many years ago, and pre-pandemic when congestion levels were slightly higher, it was projected that around one in three vehicle trips made in peak periods could avoid using the IDR as a through route if better orbital routes were provided. Those figures are out of date now, with working patterns shifting post-pandemic.
Reading’s new LTP contains a great deal more than just demand management measures. It is made up of a package of public transport enhancements providing attractive, reliable and affordable alternatives to the private car; priority measures – both bus and rail – on key corridors linked to hubs on the edge of town; developing a network of segregated cycle routes and enhanced pedestrian facilities to encourage more walking and cycling; more efficient management of the road network; and improving cross river travel options to mitigate the impacts of the limited existing crossings.
Our town’s challenge remains successfully absorbing the growth in housing, jobs and commuting in the future whilst protecting the wellbeing and health of local residents. What we are not prepared to do is sit idly by while Reading chokes on vehicles using our streets as a rat run.
Cllr Jason Brock is the leader of Reading Borough Council and ward member for Southcote
EMPLOYEES at a vehicle leasing company played out a hard-fought charity match at the home of Reading Football Club.
Select Car Leasing, the club’s principal partner, fielded two sides of staff in a thrilling 2-2 draw, which was ultimately decided by penalties.
Leasing consultant Aleksey Storchak scored the winning spot-kick to earn victory for the team captained by co-founder Mark Tongue.
The match also featured former Newcastle United and Republic of Ireland star Alan O’Brien, who is now a Swindonbased Select specialist.
All proceeds from the event will be split between Readingbased charities – the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice and No.5.
Mr Tongue said: “This was a fantastic chance for us to indulge in two of our passions: supporting local charities while also getting to pull-on that famous Reading FC shirt.
“Many of the members of staff here at Select have been personally touched by the incredible work carried out by both Sue Ryder and No.5, and
we’re humbled and privileged to be able to make a contribution to their efforts.”
The Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, located in Southcote, offers expert palliative care to people across Berkshire living with a lifelimiting condition and supports their families.
Select’s relationship with the charity goes back to 2014.
The hub’s team of nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, family support and befrienders collectively provide a Hospice at Home service, day service and care coordination, and advice line.
Jenn Patient, senior community fundraiser at Sue Ryder, said: “We’re very grateful to the team at Select Car
THE UNIVERSITY of Reading is seeking participants for a study into the relationship between diet and mental health during pregnancy.
The investigation is exploring the ways that diet, mental health, and cognition can all affect one another during the perinatal period.
The study is seeking
care and bereavement support that we are so well known for in the local community.”
No.5 Young People was founded in 1971 and offers free, confidential mental health support, counselling and outreach for those aged from 11-25 who live, work or study in the RG postcode area.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “We were absolutely delighted to have been chosen as one of the local charities to be supported through the Charity Football Match.
“With more than 900 young people currently waiting for help with their mental health, it is support like this from our local community and local businesses that means we can provide the help they need as quickly as possible.
A FREE study event will take place in Upper Basildon this August, organised by the chair of Churches Together in Reading and Berkshire.
Michael Penny will be joined at the event by WM Henry to explore two temples of the New Testament in the Bible.
The first session will look at Herod’s temple, including its different sections, what happened in it, and why.
The second will explore how Christians see the human body as a temple in itself.
The event takes place from 2pm to 5.30pm on Saturday, August 5, at St Stephen’s Church.
Leasing for hosting this charity football match to raise funds for Sue Ryder.
“As a charity, we are reliant on the support of individuals, groups and businesses generously donating and fundraising for us, so we can be there when it matters.
“The money raised from the match will help us to continue providing the expert palliative
“This funding will directly pay for counselling and outreach for local young people in need, and we are so grateful to everyone for their support, donations and for taking part.”
A JustGiving charity page for the event is still live and donations are welcome. Select has raised £1,298 so far. n To donate, visit: www. justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ select-carleasing-charity-football
Entry is free, and there is an opportunity to make donations towards its costs.
Refreshments will be served between sessions, and there will be parking in the church.
Mr Penny is a member of the Open Bible Trust, which is sponsoring the event.
n For more information about the Two Temples event, call Mr Penny on: 01491 671357 or email: admin@obt.org.uk
participants in their second or third trimester (under 36 weeks), who will receive six visits from a researcher during the three months before giving birth and the three months after.
Researchers will conduct questionnaires, set cognitive tasks, and record blood pressure levels, as well as
completing a personalised dietary assessment for each participant.
Those taking part will be financially compensated, and the study has been approved by the University of Reading’s School of Psychology Ethics Committee.
n For details, email: r.colombage@pgr.reading.ac.uk
A READING private hire driver has been ordered to pay more than £3,700, and given points on his licence for a series of offences during last year’s Henley Regatta.
Sakhawat Mushtaq, 35 and of Callington Road, was found guilty of illegally plying for hire, driving without insurance, failing to wear his councilissued badge, and failing to display the council-issued vehicle plate, following a joint operation between Reading Borough Council and South Oxfordshire District Council licensing officers in July last year.
Officer were conducting patrols in Henley where they saw Mr Mushtaq’s car parked illegally on double yellow lines outside the Relais Hotel.
An officer approached Mr Mushtaq and asked if he could take them to Reading Railway
Station. He replied saying he was available and could do the journey immediately for £40.
Upon further investigation, it was found Mr Mushtaq was licensed with Fareham Borough Council, and only insured to carry out pre-booked work through a licensed private hire operator.
He was not permitted to pick up passengers off the street without a booking being in place.
At a hearing at Reading Magistrates Court on May 12,
Mr Mushtaq pleaded not guilty to three offences of illegally plying for hire, driving without insurance and failing to wear his council-issued badge. Magistrates disagreed.
Mr Mushtaq was convicted by magistrates on four counts, and hit with financial penalties of £3,744, including fines of
£1,960. He was also given six penalty points and ordered to pay a £784 victim surcharge.
The verdict pleased Cllr John Ennis, Lead Member for Climate Strategy and Transport at Reading Borough Council, who said it was a great result and down to the diligence of the council’s licensing team working with their counterparts from South Oxfordshire.
“Unfortunately, we do come across some private hire drivers who think they are above the rules and keen to make a quick profit, I sincerely hope the outcome of this case will serve to further deter any drivers from contravening the law,” he said.
“Such illegal activity will not be tolerated and our team of licensing officers will continue to maintain their vigilant enforcement activities.”
ON THE PITCH: Staff members from Select Car Leasing had the opportunity to don full Reading strips during their charity game held at the Seclect Car Leasing Stadium Picture: Select Car LeasingFORGET California and forget dreaming – this is Reading, and this is real. Marks & Spencer has launched a new partnership with Mamas & Papas, with the Ding one of the first locations.
The Broad Street clothing retailer is welcoming the nursery brand, with more than 700 different products in stock. The range includes pushchairs, car seats and nursery furniture.
Dedicated staff members with specialist knowledge will be able to help with one-to-one Buying for Baby appointments and car seat consultations.
It is one of four locations, and sees Mamas & Papas return to the town for the first time in eight years. They previously had a branch in The Oracle, but it closed in 2015.
James Devlin, the Marks & Spencer Reading store manager, said: “We’re delighted to have been chosen as the latest store to welcome a bespoke Mamas & Papas shop-in-shop, complementing our baby and kidswear offer.
“Families are such a big part of our community and we’re proud to be able to offer them a bigger, better shopping experience.
“We know how daunting welcoming a new addition can be, and we can’t wait to see customers faces when they visit and find everything they would expect at a Mamas & Papas store, with the added value of shopping at their local M&S.”
And Nathan Williams, chief executive officer at Mamas & Papas: “We are proud to be continuing to grow our partnership with the Marks & Spencer family as a Brand at M&S. With their focus on supporting customers throughout life’s firsts, the synergy with Mamas & Papas, as we support families through their important milestones along the parenting journey, is a perfect match.
“With our goal to be the most accessible nursery brand on the high street, we’re demonstrating our commitment to investing in bricks & mortar stores by expanding our successful concession business and, in doing so, make the positive step in supporting M&S on their journey into the nursery category.
“We’re excited to have opened our fourth M&S concession in the Reading store and to support local parents-to-be and their families.”
The 1,625 sqft store is open in the Broad Street branch of M&S from 8am-8pm Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm on Saturday and 11am-5pm on Sunday.
AN ESTATE agency has announced its new signing, as it seeks to improve its service.
Reading FC legend Mick Gooding runs Gooding & Co, and is welcoming Nicky West as a sales manager. She has been tasked with taking the business to the next level.
Mick needs little introduction to any Royals fan: a key player on the pitch, a stint as manager, and now a valued part of BBC Radio Berkshire’s commentary team.
Nicky has worked in real estate for 18 years, including with Rightmove, OnTheMarket and online agency Strike.
Now she’s turning her attention to the area where she was born and raised.
“When the chance arose to join Gooding & Co, I jumped at the opportunity to be part of a local and strong customer-focused business,” she said.
“One of the reasons we know the local market so well is because we all live in Reading. We’re very proud of our town and care about our
community so it is a real privilege to be able to sell our neighbours’ homes.”
Mick launched Gooding & Co in January 2021, and says he brings a fresh approach to estate agency, combining flexibility that comes from being a small independent firm with high-quality service.
“Despite the risk and challenges involved in setting up a business
during lockdown, Gooding & Co has continued to grow,” he said. “I’m incredibly happy that we are going in the right direction, and of what we have achieved in such little time. I am very positive about our future.
“During my time as a professional footballer, I moved around the country with different clubs and bought and sold many
properties. I came across some very poor estate agents.
“When I started my own business, I was determined to deliver a fresh approach and strive to be the best.
“Our core values are honesty, hard work and giving our clients an excellent customer service/ experience.
“Our job is to get the best possible price for our sellers, from the best buyer available.”
He says that this approach is what is helping him receive fivestar reviews from clients. These are posted on the allagents.co.uk website, and has seen the firm awarded silver in the Best Estate Agent in the RG2 postcode area.
Mick, who is currently enjoying the off-season, said: “We have always known that the key to our success at Gooding & Co is the customer service we provide our clients, which is why we are so thrilled to have Nicky on board.
“Her ethos is based on exceptional customer service and her extensive experience and proven track record in the industry make her the perfect candidate to help us grow the business.”
A PLATINUM jubilee planting session took place in Earley earlier this month to mark our former monarch.
Seventy birch trees were installed at Thames Valley Park to honour the Queen.
They have been installed at four roundabouts across the campus as part of the national Green Canopy scheme that formed part of her celebrations this time last year.
Seven species of birch tree, which originate from around the globe, have been selected to mark her reign and to symbolise the Commonwealth.
Each group of trees has unique characteristics and is being underplanted with UK native wildflower meadow grass.
Jonathon Adey, Thames Valley Park’s on-site ecologist, said: “We have been thrilled to see so many volunteers from businesses throughout Thames Valley Park come forward to do their part to support this fantastic initiative.
“Thames Valley Park is a real haven for nature and is becoming a diverse home to so many of our species of plants and animals.
“These new birch trees will not only enhance the park’s natural beauty while celebrating the late Queen’s 70 years on the throne, but as they mature will help to absorb 10,500 kg of harmful carbon dioxide emissions from traffic driving on nearby roads.”
The project supports the Wokingham-borough-placed business park with its ongoing strategy to better connect workers throughout the campus with the natural world.
And plans are also in place for further enhancements to Thames Valley Park, which will provide the business community and members of the public with a range of new features and amenities.
DIG IN: Some of the tree planting party from Thames Valley Park Picture: Stewart Turkington / www.stphotos. co.uk
The planting at Thames Valley Park comes after King Charles III expressed his gratitude to all those who have taken part in The Queen’s Green Canopy.
“This project has shown how simple, practical and positive gestures can make a big difference, and I can think of no more fitting tribute to her late Majesty’s 70-year reign,” he said.
Laughs are in store, with slapstick, larger-than-life characters and comic timing, all thanks to Ding Dong –and there’s a chance to take home the perfect souvenir afterwards
WOKINGHAM Theatre’s latest light hearted French farce promises to ring bells, open doors, and may even sell you a new piece of furniture.
Ding Dong, by Marc Camoletti and Tudor Gates, is set in early 1990s Paris.
Like every good farce, it involves a ludicrous story, infidelity, cover-ups and mistaken identity as characters weave webs around each other at breakneck speed.
Wealthy Bernard discovers that his wife is having an affair with Robert, and invites the man and his spouse to an awkward dinner, with comic complications galore.
There are countless comings and goings, spit takes (the act of spitting out a drink when hearing something surprising), blackmail, and plenty of ringing doorbells.
Hence, the title.
“I have long been a fan of the author Marc Camoletti,” said director Fiona Rogers. “I was thrilled to get the opportunity to direct Ding Dong.
“Bedroom farce is a challenging genre to get right.
“It requires a very fast pace, and specific physical comedy skills.
“There are lots of slapstick moments, doors slammed in faces, and larger-than-life characters, all of
which require perfect timing.”
The play is set in Bernard’s very plush Paris apartment.
“Bernard and his wife are a very successful, wealthy couple, so the set had to demonstrate opulence,” continued Ms Rogers.
“We needed a sofa, but we couldn’t just bring any old piece of theatre furniture out of the theatre storeroom.
“This one needed to look amazing,
and had to be robust enough for the action that would take place on it.”
The company bought a new sofa specially for the production.
“We intend to sell it at a reduced price after the show,” said Ms Rogers.
“The price tag’s still on it, and it will only have two or three weeks of wear, so if anyone wants to buy it afterwards, just let us know.
“Directing Ding Dong has been a joy. I have been very fortunate to work with a very talented cast.”
Ms Rogers says that while the story may at first appear quite misogynistic in a 1970’s way, she has enjoyed being able to hand over much of the power to the women in this production.
“They know exactly what they are doing, and it is they who are leading the action, “ she said.
Audiences can expect an evening of laughs, and possibly the purchase of a new piece of living room furniture.
Ding Dong runs at Wokingham Theatre until Saturday.
Performances are at 7.45pm every night, with tickets available for £15. The production contains scenes of an adult nature.
n For tickets and information call the box office on: 0118 978 5363 or visit: wokinghamtheatre.org.uk
A SUMMER concert will feature music from the composer of The Snowman.
The Reading Haydn Choir will be performing in Tilehurst Methodist Church on Saturday, July 1. Called Summer Cocktails, organisers are promising a mixture of traditional and lesser-heard folk songs, as well as some jazzy 20th-century pieces from the likes of Cole Porter and George Gershwin. The programme will also include a cantata by Howard Blake, The Song of St Francis. In this, the composer of The Snowman took early Italian words and turned it into a four-part chorus.
Joining the choir will be trombonist Sue Addison.
The event starts at 7.30pm at the School Road church. Tickets cost £15, £13 for concessions and £5 for under 19s, with a £1 discount for adult tickets bought in advance.
n For more, log on to: www.haydnchoir.org.uk
AN EVENING of jive and swing is coming to Sonning this weekend, thanks to The Jive Aces. The band, who have previously performed on Broad Street as well as the Britain’s Got Talent stage, will be at The Mill at Sonning on Sunday, June 18 –Father’s Day.
Performing in yellow suits, their set list includes tunes of the swing era to the glitz of the Rat Pack with a dash of classic rock ‘n’ roll, with covers of artists such as Elvis, Louis Prima, Bobby Darin, Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis Jr and Ella Fitzgerald.
And they even have their own compositions. The show starts at 8.15pm, with a two-course meal available from 6.15pm. Tickets cost £53.50, which includes the food.
n For more details, log on to: millatsonning.com, or call the box office on: 0118 969 8000.
A POWERFUL courtroom drama that inspired a multiOscar nominated film starring Paul Newman, is set to thrill theatregoers next month.
The Verdict tells the story of Frank Galvin, a washed-up veteran lawyer and an alcoholic. He is presented with one last chance to redeem himself when he is given an open-and-shut medical malpractice case that no one thinks he can win.
Up against the establishment, he refuses an out-of-court
settlement, believing it is negligence that has condemned a young mother. Smelling a coverup, he instead takes the case – and the entire legal system – to court…
It has been described by critics as ‘compelling’, ‘superb’ and ‘captivating’, and has a 15-strong cast, including Jason Merrells, who has appeared in Agatha Raisin, Emmerdale, Casualty, Waterloo Road, and Nigel Barber, Richard Walsh, Reanne Farley, Vincent Pirillo, Okon Jones,
Michael Lunney, Sarah Shelton, Jason Wilson, Teresa Jennings, Holly Jackson Walters, James Morley, Bruce Chattan, Anna Arthur and Dave Speck.
It will be performed at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford from Tuesday, July 4, to Saturday, July 8. Tickets cost from £28, with concessions from £12. n For more information or to book, log on to: Yvonne-Arnaud. co.uk, or call the box office on: 01483 440000, from 10am to 5pm daily except Sundays.
bit.ly/raw soundstoday
CAN YOU believe we’re nearly halfway through the year? Doesn’t time fly. Our playlist this week includes a track that will help you get ready for the midpoint in the year (and sadly, it’s all downhill from here when it comes to daylight).
It’s just one of 10 great tracks for your aural pleasure, and it’s available for free on Spotify. Our playlist is a mixture that will help you discover something new.
To hear this week’s selection, simply head to https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday and enjoy the music.
There is also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap into. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will come up.
With the Summer Solstice being next week it’s a good opportunity to feature a song from this local musician’s Solstice EP that was released last year.
One Eyed Man, aka Stuart Hutton, is a very good indie folk singer-songwriter who has been going down well at festivals and gigs throughout the country. That’s no surprise with songs like this one and the others on the EP.
There’s a chance to see him live at Wokingham Festival in August so don’t miss that – https://www. facebook.com/TheOneEyedManOfficial
Here’s one of our fave artists from the local area. Actually Angus Trott, aka The Wave Machine, currently lives in Cornwall but even though he’s far away from his home town you can hear his joyous sound of the sun and the sea in his music.]
This is his new single and it’s another good one.
There is something about the Wave Machine’s music that brings a smile to your face and makes you feel good. This new single certainly does that. He will be playing locally soon – https://linktr.ee/ thewavemachine One
As well as being an exciting rock band, One
Purple Grace
A good new indie rock band from Reading. They will be at Wokingham Festival in August – https:// www.facebook.com/purplegraceband
Picture: Andrew MerrittLast Day show that they can also perform well acoustically with this new version of a song that was originally on their debut EP.
The band is building a good reputation with their live shows and recordings like this which should only enhance that. There is a chance to see a stripped-back acoustic performance from the band not too far away, at High Wycombe HMV on June 24, and their rock set at Wokingham Festival in August – https://linktr.ee/onelastday
The Two Ton Shoes – Weight of a Stone
This Reading-based trio’s debut single is an excellent slice of blues-based riff-laden rock. Watch out for more from them later in the year when they plan to release a full EP – https://linktr.ee/ thetwotonshoes
Echo Chambers – Lawnmowers of Suburbia
A blast of excellent anthemic melodic punk from another Reading band – https://linktr.ee/ Echochambersrdg
Leoni Jane Kennedy – Tears
Leoni was so good last year on Wokingham Festival’s second stage that she has been invited back to play the main stage this year. Here’s one of her wonderful versions of a Rush classic – https:// www.leonijanekennedy.com/
The Salts –Haul Away for Rosie
They played a great show at Norden Farm, Maidenhead last week. This is from their Brave album which was released on our Wokingham-based Braccan Records label – https://www.thesalts.co.uk/
Caravan –
In the Land of Grey and Pink
Title track of one of the best progressive rock albums. Caravan headline Wokingham Festival on August 28 – https://officialcaravan.co.uk/
Savour the Flavour –
Fish and Chip Song
They have released their new album Crikey! It’s Savour the Flavour and they will be live this Saturday 17 at a special gig in Wokingham’s Beyond the Download record store – http://www.flavoursong. co.uk/
The George and Dragon Church Road, Swallowfield RG7 1TJ 0118 988 4432
www.georgedragonpub.com
ASWALLOWFIELD pub has launched a new summer menu, which is perfect for well, any occasion really.
The George and Dragon, a familyowned, independent country pub, is a great base for country walks.
Dating back to the 17th century, it boasts many original features, including low beams. It has served many purposes over the years and is now an excellent gastropub, with fabulous gardens. This means it has a strong following from the village and attracts foodies from all over.
At the heart of any good pub is its beer, and here the anchor is a range from Finchampstead-based Siren Craft Brew.
My husband was recommended a Siren Ricochet, a crisp pilsner inspired by fresh lagers being produced in California.
From the cocktail menu, my entree was the Chambord Bramble cocktail. This is a fresh and fruity berry liqueur combined with gin and lemon to create a refreshing twist on this deliciously sweet and sour cocktail.
Garnished with freeze-dried raspberries, it looked beautiful and went down very well indeed.
For its food menu, The George uses local, organic ingredients where possible, with meat sourced from a Yateley farm.
For starters, the Baked Maida Vale Cheese is made in Swallowfield and is served with sourdough bread and
chutney. It’s £15.95, and is for two to share.
Utterly decadent, this is a rich creamy cheese, with a kick from its rind, which is washed with IPA soundwave ale. It was peppery and much more flavoursome than baked Camembert.
My son’s crispy fried chicken wings came from a new set menu, which offers two courses for £20 or three for £24. This was highly flavoursome, with tender meat.
Other starters include Siren steamed mussels, with garlic, cream, herbs and burnt lemon (£8.25), and Macadamia Nut parfait with a chicory beetroot puree and a black olive crumb (vegan and glutenfree) £8.50.
For my main course, from the specials menu came Flame Grilled Monkfish (£19). This was served with redang potatoes, lime creme fraiche seasonal green with a pineapple and tomato salsa.
This is really something special: the monkfish was perfectly cooked, meaty and tender with a delicious flame-grilled taste.
The new potatoes were spicy with an incredible aroma, and the seasonal greens were served al dente, counterbalanced with the sweetness of the pineapple and tomato salsa. This dish really did make my taste buds dance with joy.
My husband opted for the chicken burger (£15) with panko breadcrumbed chicken breast, crispy lettuce, garlic mayo and fries.
The airy, crispy breadcrumbs sealed in the juices of the tender chicken. The chips were lightly seasoned.
My son chose the 7oz fillet steak (£36.95) from the a la carte menu. It has been matured for 28 days and served
with loaded fries, salad and peppercorn sauce.
It was a tender, lean cut of meat, smooth and juicy, and everything a great steak should be. The skin-on fries were dusted in cajun seasoning and topped with a cheese sauce and green salad.
Other options on the a la carte menu include a Superfood Salad Bowl (£15.95), served with spiced butternut squash, and pomegranate, and Berkshire Venison (£19.85) served with crushed potatoes, black pudding, raspberry port sauce and crispy kale.
The children’s menu is two courses for £8.85, and my daughter opted for a dryaged burger with fries. This was a large portion, which delighted her.
The George & Dragon also has a terrific range of desserts.
From the set menu, we shared the Apple and Raspberry crumble with vanilla ice cream. The fruit made this moist and flavourful, while the topping was crunchy and crumbly.
The other sweet we tried was a Lotus Biscoff cheesecake. The base is made of crushed and caramelised biscuits.
On it was placed a smooth and creamy
cheesecake, which was rich without being too sweet. And the topping? A caramelised spread sprinkled with lotus biscuits. It was accompanied by a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream nestled in a shortbread crumb. Dessert heaven.
We all left George and Dragon feeling full and very satisfied. The setting, the service and of course the food were all first-class and highly recommended. The pub is open Tuesday to Saturday from noon to 11pm, and noon to 5pm on Sundays. For now, it is closed on Mondays.
1. Astraphobia is a fear of what?
2. The stringed instrument known as a bouzouki originates from which country?
3. How many square metres are there in a square kilometre?
4. Which Italian dessert of sweetened cream thickened with gelatin is known for its ‘wobble’?
5. What, in terms of human medicine, is a renal calculus?
6. What is another name for the fodder plant lucerne?
7. In March 2023, Calvin Harris and which female singer had a UK top 10 hit with the song Miracle?
8. What name is traditionally given to the leader of a group of Cub Scouts?
9. Actress Nicole Kidman was born in which US state in 1967?
10. What is a rorqual?
Here are two miniature five-square crosswords using the same grid –but the letters have been mixed up. You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.
1. Agree to attend school periods (4,2,5)
7. No tears at not having to pay for accommodation (4-4)
8. Girl taken in by a real man (4)
9. Welsh actor produces a resounding noise (4)
11. Entrance to close? This should prevent it happening (8)
13. Last without the right to bestow (5)
14. The werewolves hid a chopper (5)
16. African left one from southern Europe (8)
18. It is not us in the Marines (4)
21. Drink – if small, it’s unimportant (4)
22. I’d moved alongside harsh area (8)
23. Does it only flow for three months of the year? (11)
Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same.
Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction.
1. Wretch with ale spilt while doing gymnastics exercise (9)
2. Heavenly food mother gives girl when getting up (5)
3. Some flight of fancy for a well-dressed person (4)
4. Right to come up more confused by the vibration (6)
5. Sent mates round for an official enquiry (5,4)
6. A doctor with nothing in the pulpit (4)
10. Not the best cheese for catching vermin (9)
12. Limiting factor is the normal amount on a measuring device (9)
15. Robin’s girl will ruin a Scotsman (6)
17. Dies curiously in the middle of March (4)
19. Call to stop first lift (5)
20. The way we upset cook (4)
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 12345 D 6 L 78910111213
141516 A 17181920212223242526
Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares.
As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.
Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.
tart; tiro; torii; torn; tort; train; trait; trap; trio; trip; triton; trot.
73 9 42 2 9 8 59 3 8 7 5 6 8 342 937 268 5 3 7 4 2 5 5
EQUALISER:
How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found.
Guidelines:
25 Good; 30 Very Good; 35 Excellent.
ACROSS 7341
Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary (Tenth Edition) is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).
IN the lead up to Father’s Day in the UK, we wanted to shine the spotlight on the heart health of the men reading our tips, or the men in your life.
Coronary heart disease generally affects more men than women and it’s important to be aware of this.
It’s common for men to not prioritise their health until it stops them from living their life.
This Father’s Day, why not make a commitment to yourself or support a father figure in your life to take positive steps that contribute to the health of their hearts? Here are some ideas!
A heart-healthy breakfast
Treat yourself or the fatherly figures in your life to a heart healthy breakfast. Instead of a greasy fry-up why not provide a breakfast full of omega-3 such as poached egg, smoked salmon and avocado on multi-seeded toast. It’s easy to make, healthy and delicious!
A healthy gift
Father’s Day usually means buying gifts which tend to be not so heart healthy, like chocolates and alcohol. Choose a heart healthy gift option like an active day out such as paintballing, paddle boarding or even a set of cooking classes you can attend together to inspire you both to cook more from scratch.
Take up a healthy hobby together
Use Father’s Day as an opportunity to engage your dad or fatherly figure in a healthy hobby together, this could be walking, running, sailing or even climbing.
Everyone can benefit from being more active and you could buy lessons for an activity as a gift and make it something you do together long-term, which will also benefit
THE HUNT is on for the best amateur gardeners from Reading and Wokingham boroughs.
Dobbies garden centres, which has branches in Hare Hatch and Spencers Wood, is inviting amateur gardeners, of all ages and backgrounds to enter its annual Not Your Average Gardener Awards.
A panel of horticultural and wildlife experts will crown four winners in the contest.
Dobbies’ senior houseplant buyer and recently appointed Royal Horticultural Society Chair of Assessors, Claire Bishop (pictured), will join Dobbies’ horticultural director and seasoned judge, Marcus Eyles, to crown the new Creative Indoor Gardener and Little Eco Gardener categories.
“It’s a real honour to be part of the Not Your Average Gardener Awards for its fourth year and I can’t wait to see the talent from our houseplant enthusiasts in Reading and Wokingham,” Ms Bishop said.
the Wildlife Friendly Garden category.
And social media gardening expert, Michael Griffiths, aka The Mediterranean Gardener, joins the panel to judge the Plant to Plate Gardener category.
your heart health.
n For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for weekly healthy tips at: www.heartresearch. org.uk/health-tips
“The awards have been designed with full inclusivity in mind, so we’re looking for people of all ages and skill levels to get in touch and tell us about their vibrant green space that they have a real passion for.”
RePollinate, a charity that conserves and enhances the UK’s threatened pollinators, will judge
Each winner will receive a £1,000 giftcard to spend in a branch of Dobbies, and the firm says team members will be on hand to help winners select the best sustainable products and plants for their space.
Entries close on Friday, June 30, with winners announced in early August n For more details, log on to: https:// www.dobbies.com/
By STAFF WRITER sport@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK
LADIES FC returned to the field with their first pre-season match as they gear up for competitive action.
The newly reformed team has been training since last October with a handful of players and has seen the squad grow considerably since its inception with a squad of 19 players, which is expected to increase when two further players join once they finish university in the summer.
The squad has an age range between 16 and 40, and is made up of one current W&E U17 player, with the rest of the squad split roughly in half between ladies playing football for the first time ever and the other half being players who are returning to the sport after anywhere between three and 18 years away from it.
As well as the current U17 player, one other player came through the youth section at the club, with the two due to join from university, also being former club youth players.
Showing there is now a way forward for girls currently playing in the youth section, to carry on their football journey within the club.
The team now prepares for their next friendly match in a couple of weeks time away at Wraysbury Village.
The side is managed by Stuart Greig, who is being assisted with the coaching by Shai Humphries, who was the first player to come along to the introduction sessions last summer and has gone on to recently complete her first coaching badge.
By ANDREW BATT sport@wokingham.today
More than 1,000 youngsters descended on Wokingham last weekend for the annual Ashridge Park football tournament.
Players from more than 220 teams battled for honours at what is the club’s most important fundraiser of the year.
Among the teams competing throughout various age groups included: Ashridge Park FC, Woodley Saints, Eversley & California, Finchampstead and FC Bracknell.
Despite the heat on Saturday and the curtailment of Sunday’s matches due to storms, the event was hailed as a great success.
Speaking to Wokingham Today, a spokesperson for the club expressed thanks to the sponsors and supporters, and to the many referees who took part.
n To view a full gallery of pictures from the tournament, visit wokingham.today
DEFENDER Naby Sarr has left Reading FC to join Qatari team Al Markhiya just one year after signing a four year contract with the Royals.
The 6ft 6in centre-back joined Reading last summer on a long term deal after leaving Huddersfield Town at the expiration of his contract.
However, after just one season in Berkshire, Sarr’s spell with the club ends after making 24 Championship appearances as the Royals were relegated from the Championship in the 2022/23 campaign.
Sarr said: “Thank you everyone at Reading for welcoming me and for everything. Sorry that it didn’t work the way we wanted to but I would like to wish the club all the very best for the future. I have no doubt that success will be back for the Royals.”
After a long saga that saw Sarr’s transfer to Reading delayed by the EFL for several weeks, he made a strong impression on his debut as he scored in a 1-0 win away at Millwall.
Sarr struggled with injuries throughout the campaign which meant that his game time was limited after making a promising start.
He picked up form towards the end of the season, but was unable to prevent the side from being relegated to the third tier.
Reading are still on the hunt for a new permanent manager with Chris Wilder strongly linked with the position as the club prepares for life in League One.
Meanwhile, Sarr’s new team finished in seventh position in the Qatar Stars League last season.
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
FINCHAMPSTEAD had to settle for a draw in their high scoring home fixture against Slough.
Finch opted to bat first and lost their first wicket with 17 runs on the board when Tommie Predgen fell for 13.
The next dismissal came around quickly when Ben Moffat was removed on six which saw 22-2 on the scoreboard.
Having lost their opening pair, Finch recovered to make their total look much healthier with the partnership of Chris Britz and Gregory Smith at the crease.
Britz picked up 22 runs, while. Smith lasted 99 balls and put 67 on the board.
Wicket keeper Jed Crerar managed to match Smith’s total as he also scored 67, while useful contributions from Zac Leonard (29) and Lewis Sharp (31*) ensured that
the hosts moved onto 264 runs before their 64 over innings came to an end.
Looking to defend their score, Finch picked up the first wicket of the second innings when Rahim Akhtar was out LBW from the bowling of Liam Bulteel.
Bulteel claimed his second wicket with Slough on 51 when Taran Sohi was caught out by Smith for 19.
Bulteel picked up his third wicket of the match to see Slough on 61-3, but the visitors then proved to be a tough nut to crack as Wajid Shah built up an impressive total.
Slough’s number three batter collated 105 runs, while Lesbourne Edwards hit a half century.
With Finch unable to bowl Slough all out, the match ended in a draw with the away team on 262-5 from 54 overs.
The result leaves Finch in ninth position in the table on 38 points from their opening six matches, just one place off the foot of the standings.
WOKINGHAM stay in third position after they were dealt defeat for the first time this campaign at Aston Rowant.
Aston decided to bat first and built a sizeable first innings total of 306 from 61 overs before they decided to declare with three wickets remaining.
The Oaks knew they had to maintain a high run rate to try and clinch the win and started brilliantly with the opening pair of Andy Rishton and Imran Malik. Rishton top scored with 73, while wicket keeper Sukhmeet Kang contributed with half century. However, Wokingham fell short as they were all out on 228 which gave the hosts victory.
WARGRAVE remain at the bottom of the table after they lost for the third time in six matches.
Euan Woods took three wickets as Banbury scored 167 in the first innings. However, Wargrave were 61 runs short of taking the win as they were removed for 106 after 33.3 overs which gave Banbury victory.
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.todayTWYFORD AND RUSCOMBE lost out for just the second time this season which means they stay in third position.
In a tight contest, Twyford missed out by just 27 runs.
Outlaws batted first and scored 223 before they were all out after 39.5 overs as Twyford bowler Sathesh Polepaka picked up five wickets with a stunning performance.
Twyford ran their opponents close as scores of 75 from Ankush Jain and 47 from Polepaka helped them to creep up to the first innings total.
However, they suffered a narrow defeat as they finished on 196 from 40 overs.
EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD stay top of the table despite losing out in the league for the first time this season.
Ollie Williams (61) and Jason Middleton (70) totalled strong scores to help the Bears score 266 in the first inning.
Despite four wickets from Middleton, Penn & Tylers were able to seal the win after 42.5 overs with three wickets in reserve.
SHINFIELD moved up with a 35-point triumph away at CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD.
The Crows were all out on 165 before Shinfield managed to surpass that total after 29.1 overs with five wickets left.
BCL Premier Division
CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD
2s sit at the top after their three wicket success at Peppard Stoke Row 2s.
Andrew Baines bowled tremendously to take five wickets before 65 from Amit Puri made sure the Crows reached 198 to take the win.
READING UNITED amassed 38 points with a 76-run triumph over FARLEY HILL.
Suman Ganguly top scored for Reading with 84 runs to see them onto 216 and he then claimed four wickets to help his team to victory.
SANDHURST took the share of the points with a four wicket success over WEST READING 2s Sandhurst chased down the first innings score with four wickets to spare.
SHINFIELD 2s lost out at home to Stratfield Turgis by just two wickets.
BCL Division One
WALTHAM ST LAWRENCE are in fourth position after they missed out by 36 runs against Calcot. Waltham were skittled all out for 80 after Calcot’s first innings score of 116.
EARLEY totalled 35 points with an away success at Silchester.
Srini Yella collected four wickets before a century from Aravind Gururajan and a half century from Vish Shende ensured they surpassed the total with seven wickets left.
WEST READING 3s were beaten at home by four wickets against Checkendon.
Thames Valley Division One
EVERSLEY sit in pole position after they racked up an impressive
Olliver Thilo: Finchampstead 2s v Harpsden – 5-17
Luke Beavan: Reading v Binfield – 5-32
Sathesh Polepaka: Twyford and Ruscombe v Outlaws – 5-36
Andrew Baines: Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s v Peppard Stoke Row 2s – 5-37
Devesh Gauchwal: Shinfield v Crowthorne & Crown Wood – 5-41
Noah Vojinov: Eversley v Henley 2s – 4-9
Suman Ganguly: Reading United v Farley Hill – 4-13
Marvin Vohel: Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Shinfield – 4-23
Qaiser Butt: Waltham St Lawrence v Calcot – 4-26
Srini Yella: Earley v Silchester – 4-27
Haris Lone: West Reading 2ss v Sandhurst – 4-30
Jason Middleton: Emmbrook and Bearwood v Penn & Tylers – 4-33
Phil Higgs: Hurst v Sonning – 4-33
Ashish Singh: Reading 2s v Newbury – 4-35
Thomas Williams: Wokingham 5s v Maidenhead & Bray 3s – 4-35
Girish Nandwani: Earley 2s v Mortimer – 4-36
Prasad Mokashi: Woodley v Farley Hill 2s – 4-41
Lewis Hart: Farley Hill v Reading United – 4-44
Hugh Doyle: Wokingham 4s v Finchampstead 4s – 4-49
James Bozarth: Theale & Tilehurst v Windsor – 4-58
Cloudesley Long: White Waltham v Purley on Thames – 4-62
Andy Rishton: Wokingham v Aston Rowant – 4-69
Arvind Bhat: Wokingham 5s v Maidenhead & Bray 3s – 3-13
Connor Simpson: Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s v Haprsden 2s – 3-14
win over Henley 2s.
The Boars batted first and amassed a huge total from 47 overs, which included a astonishing double century from Oli Parsons not out.
Harry Maxcield and Tom Nichols also scored half centuries before Noah Vojinov (4-9) bowled excellently as Eversley had Henley all out for 86 to seal a 265-run triumph.
WOKINGHAM 2s are still waiting for their first win after they drew with Boyne Hill.
Boyne scored 258-4 from 52 overs before the Oaks totalled 160-7 from 48 overs which meant Wokingham picked up six points.
Thames Valley Division 2B
READING made it four wins from six matches as they defeated BINFIELD by seven wickets.
Reading bowler Luke Beaven managed to take five wickets.
EUAN Woods scored a century but it was all in vain as Berkshire’s NCCA Trophy Group 2 game against Cornwall at Slough last Sunday had to be abandoned following heavy rain.
After the defending champions had posted 319-7 from their 50 overs, the visitors were 52 without loss when the players were forced off.
Woods reached his 100 off 111
balls with the help of 10 boundaries, only to be caught off the next delivery he faced.
The Wargrave all-rounder was well supported by Dan Lincoln with a quickfire not-out 65 and Archie Carter with 61.
Carter, however, was feeling well and, after more than an hour at the crease, he was forced to retire.
The Henley batter shared a third-wicket stand of 155 with Woods in 25 overs. Chasing a challenging target, Cornwall made a bright start with Chris Gibson and Ben Seabrook taking 52 runs from the first 34 balls of the innings.
But then down came the rain that left puddles on the Upton
Court Park ground, preventing any further play.
Berkshire stay third in the group behind Herefordshire and Cornwall, but have played a game more than their rivals and currently have an inferior net run rate.
With three points from three games, they must win their final group fixture away to Bedfordshire on Sunday, June 25 and hope other results go their way if they are to stay in the competition.
Santhosh Kundar: Shinfield 2s v Stratfield Turgis – 3-14
Liam Bulteel: Finchampstead v Slough – 3-17
Lewis King: Binfield 2s v Bracknell – 3-20
Pavan Deol: Wokingham 4s v Finchampstead 4s – 3-22
Saad Jaffary: Waltham St Lawrence v Calcot – 3-26
Harsha Gopal: Shinfield 3s v Mortimer West End 2s – 3-30
Oli Parsons: Eversley v Henley 2s – 200*
Matt Furness: White Waltham v Purley on Thames – 111*
Aravind Gururajan: Earley v Silchester – 108*
Jeremy Wing: Royal Ascot 2s v Henley 3s – 101
Simon Longfield: Farley Hill 2s v Woodley – 94
Shiva Aruna: Reading Lions v Welford Park – 93
Rehan Hassan: Theale & Tilehurst v Windsor – 92*
Prasad Kulkarni: Wokingham 5s v Maidenhead & Bray 3s – 91*
Peter Emes: Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Shinfield – 85
Suman Ganguly: Reading United v Farley Hill – 84
Amol Lotke: Woodley v Farley Hill 2s – 84
Mac de Souza: Wokingham 3s v Boyne Hill 2s – 83
James Watt: Hurst v Sonning – 79
A Urath: Eversley 2s v Slough 4s – 79
Chris Metherell: White Waltham v Purley on Thames – 78
Mark Richards: Wargrave 3s v Thatcham Town 2s – 77*
Salman Hamidi: Bracknell v Binfield 2s – 76*
Ankush Jain: Twyford and Ruscombe v Outlaws – 75
W Reis: Eversley 2s v Slough 4s – 74*
Andy Rishton: Wokingham v Aston Rowant – 73
Jason Middleton: Emmbrook and Bearwood v Penn & Tylers – 70
Gregory Smith: Finchampstead v Slough – 67
Tajdar Jawaid: Woodley v Farley Hill 2s – 67
Michael Cowdell: Wokingham 2s v Boyne Hill – 65*
Amit Puri: Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s v Peppard Stoke Row 2s – 65
Fakhir Ali: Shinfield v Crowthorne & Crown Wood – 64
Harry Maxfield: Eversley v Henley 2s – 63
Jordan Thomas: White Waltham 2s v Sulhamstead & Ufton 2s – 62*
Jack Fisher: Wokingham 3s v Boyne Hill 2s – 62
Ollie Williams: Emmbrook and Bearwood v Penn & Tylers – 61
Imran Zaman: West Reading 3s v Checkendon – 60*
Naveed Naseer: Shinfield v Crowthorne & Crown Wood – 60
G Loveday: Finchampstead 3s v Cove 2s – 57
Vish Shende: Earley v Silchester – 57
Harry King: Finchampstead 4s v Wokingham 4s – 57
Tom Nichols: Eversley v Henley 2s – 55
Kishore Naha: Reading 2s v Newbury – 52
Bobby Malik: Sonning v Hurst – 51*
Sukhmeet Kang: Wokingham v Aston Rowant – 50*
Satesh Poledaka bowling Outlaws at the crease against Twyford & Ruscombe Abhishek Mankar batting Ankush Jain bowlingWOKINGHAM racing driver Bobby Trundley has kickstarted a new season of racing across Europe as part of Team BRIT.
Bobby, who was diagnosed with severe autism as a child, is a driver for Team BRIT which is the world’s only competitive team of all-disabled racing drivers.
In a change to the planned season, Bobby and his teammate Aaron Morgan are now competing in the McLaren Trophy Europe Series, with races taking place at European tracks throughout the year.
In the first race of the season held at Paul Ricard Circuit in France on June 3 and 4, the pair secured their first silverware of the season, taking second place in their class in both races.
The 23-year-old was diagnosed with severe autism as a child and went on to become a five-time national karting champion before joining Team BRIT in 2019. 31-yearold Aaron broke his back in a motocross accident when he was 15 and was the youngest ever disabled person to achieve a national ‘B’ race licence when he got back into motorsport following his accident.
Bobby and Aaron race the team’s Mclaren 570S GT4. The car is fitted with the team’s world-leading hand controls which enable Aaron
to drive with Bobby and on equal terms with his competitors.
After the first round of the championship, a decision was made to move to the McLaren Trophy Europe Series to provide a level playing field with classes specifically for the McLaren 570S.
Bobby said: “This is the first year of McLaren’s championship so it’s
incredible to be a part of it and to have the chance to race at these amazing European circuits.
“Despite taking home two P2 trophies, we’re actually disappointed we didn’t secure a win. We know we have the pace and the confidence, especially after qualifying for pole position in race two.
Saturday, June 10
CRICKET
Home Counties Division One
Aston Rowant (306-7) beat Wokingham (228 all out)
Banbury (167 all out) beat Wargrave (106 all out)
Finchampstead (264-8) drew Slough (262-5)
BCM Championship
Crowthorne & Crown Wood (165 all out) lost to Shinfield (168-5)
Penn & Tylers (268-7) beat Emmbrook and Bearwood (266-9)
BCL Premier Division
Peppard Stoke Row 2s (194 all out) lost to Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s (198-7)
Reading United (216 all out) beat Farley Hill (140 all out)
Sandhurst (168-6) beat West Reading 2s (161 all out)
Shinfield 2s (157 all out) lost to Stratfield Turgis (159-8)
BCL Division One
Calcot (116 all out) beat Waltham St Lawrence (80 all out)
Silchester (235 all out) lost to Earley (239-3)
Welford Park (231-8) beat Reading Lions (220 all out)
“A technical issue meant we lost a lot of time, so it’s all credit to the crew who worked their hearts out to get us back in the race, and to my teammate Aaron Morgan who drove fantastically well again.”
Bobby races again for Team BRIT at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium from Thursday, June 29- Saturday, July 1.
BERKSHIRE RFU and Rams
Chairman Andy Lynch has expressed his dismay at London Irish entering administration but is hoping to ensure a pathway for talented youngsters.
The Exiles were suspended from league competition by the RFU last Tuesday after a proposed takeover by an American consortium fell through, and worse was to follow a day later as the club went into administration. Having been based in Berkshire since their move to the Madejski Stadium in 2000, Irish have done a huge amount in nurturing players on behalf of the RFU’s Development Player Pathway (DPP) before returning to the capital at Brentford FC in 2020.
Chairman Lynch is hopeful a way forward can still be found.
He said: “Everyone at Rams
was deeply saddened to have seen the news about London Irish earlier this week.
“We as a club have enjoyed an excellent relationship with Exiles in recent years and have been delighted to be involved with the development of the likes of Ollie Allan (Hungerford), Lucas Brooke (St John’s Beaumont and Wellington College), Michael Dykes (Bracknell RFC and Maidenhead), Tarek Haffar and Caolan Englefield in the past two seasons, while further back, the likes of Jacob Atkins (Forest School) and Chunya Munga (Reading Abbey and Leighton Park) have also pulled on the Rams shirt.
“These young men were absolutely first class during their time at Old Bath Road, and our thoughts go out to them as well as all the other players, coaches, matchday staff, offfield employees, supporters, and everyone else involved with the club at this horrible time.”
He continued: “Irish retained a place in the heart of Berkshire through the youth set-up, offering hundreds of children outstanding coaching as part of the Player Pathway programme.
“There will undoubtedly be questions about what lies ahead for these kids, but I will be doing my best as Berkshire chairman to ensure all the clubs in the county work together, in conjunction with the RFU, so no youngster, particularly those in state schools, is left behind.”
Rams CEO Gary Reynolds added: “As a boyhood Wasps fan, it was hard to see what happened there, but this is even harder as we know people, young lads, who are going to lose jobs at Irish.
“They are two great clubs who have both been going more than 100 years and it’s been a dreadful year for the sport.
“Hopefully lessons have been learnt.”
READING City Football Club has announced a new charity partnership with Launchpad who will become the club’s first official charity for the 2023/24 campaign.
Launchpad is Reading’s leading homelessness prevention charity, providing vital information and support for individuals, couples and families who don’t have a stable place to live, or are at risk of losing their home.
For every season ticket, membership, or general admission ticket the club sells, their online ticket partner Ticketpass will donate 50% of their booking fee to Launchpad.
Ryan Sheehan, Head of Marketing, Communications & Engagement at Reading City Football Club said: “As a club we’re really looking forward to our partnership with Launchpad.
“I’ve personally supported Launchpad in the past through volunteering and participating in their Big Sleep Out event so I know just how hard they work.
“At a time where the number of people in the community suffering from homelessness is sadly going up, we felt that we had to do our bit to help and following positive discussions with Launchpad we’re delighted to formally announce them as our first ever official charity.”
Theale & Tilehurst 2s (137-1) beat Bagshot 2s (135 all out)
CRICKET
Home Counties Division One
Harefield v Finchampstead
Wargrave v Aston Rowant
Wokingham v Datchet
BCM Championship
Emmbrook and Bearwood v West Reading
Ley Hill v Crowthorne & Crown Wood
Shinfield v Barywood
Chilterns Division One
Winchmore Hill v Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s
BCL Premier Division
Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s v Shinfield 2s
Farley Hill v Peppard Stoke Row 2s
Goring on Thames v Reading United
Stratfield Turgis v Sandhurst
West Reading 2s v Woodcote
BCL Division One
Earley v West Reading 3s
Reading Lions v Rangers
Waltham St Lawrence v Silchester
West Reading 3s (243 all out) lost to Checkendon (180-6)
Rangers (206 all out) lost to Maidenhead Royals (207-1)
Thames Valley Division 1
Wokingham 2s (160-7) lost to Boyne Hill (258-4)
Henley 2s (86 all out) lost to Eversley (351-3 dec)
Thames Valley Division 2B
Hurst (213-8) drew Sonning (224-7)
Reading (149-3) beat Binfield (145 all out)
Harpsden (84 all out) lost to Finchampstead 2s (86-3)
Thames Valley Division 3A
Wargrave 2s (200 all out) lost to Falkland 2s (257-8 dec)
Windsor (203-4) beat Theale & Tilehurst (199-9)
Royal Ascot (162 all out) lost to Fleet (200-8)
Thames Valley Division 4A
Boyne Hill 2s (282-7 dec) beat Wokingham 3s (186-7)
Finchampstead 3s (195-9) drew Cove 2s (270-8)
Newbury (139 all out) beat Reading 2s (128 all out)
White Waltham (231-2) beat Purley on Thames (227-9)
Thames Valley Division 5B
Thatcham Town 2s (291-3 dec) drew Wargrave 3s (215-9)
Henley 3s (217-5) beat Royal Ascot 2s (213 all out)
Eversley 2s (287-9) lost to Slough 4s (288-6)
Sonning 2s (287-6 dec) beat Yateley (239-7)
Binfield 2s (143 all out) lost to Bracknell (144-7)
Thames Valley Division 6B
Sulhamstead & Ufton 2s (2249) beat White Waltham (198 all out)
Wokingham 4s (173 all out)
lost to Finchampstead 4s (243-9)
Thames Valley Division One
Eversley v Falkland
Thames Valley Division 2B
Sonning v Reading
Binfield v Harpsden
Sulhamstead & Ufton v hurst
Finchampstead 2s v Cove
Thames Valley Division 3A
Theale & TIlehurst v Bagshot
Peppard Stoke Row v Wargrave
Aldershot v Royal Ascot
Thames Valley Division 4A
Wokingham 3s v Finchampstead 4s
Reading 2s v Boyne Hill 2s
Thatcham Town v White Waltham
Thames Valley Division 5B
Wargrave 3s v Henley 3s
Royal Ascot 2s v Eversley 2s
Yateley v Thatcham Town 2s
Bracknell v Sonning 2s
Slough 4s v Binfield 2s
Thames Valley Division 6B
White Waltham 2s v Purley on Thames 2s
Finchampstead 4s v Aldershot 2s
Bagshot 2s v Wokingham 4s
Boyne Hill 3s v Theale & Tilehurst 2s
Thames Valley Division 7A
Wokingham 5s v Bracknell 2s
Binfield 3s v Slough 5s
Thames Valley Division 8A
Thatcham Town 3s v Theale & Tilehurst 3s
Eversley 4s v Fleet 2s
Royal Ascot 3s v Sonning 3s
Cookham Dean 3s v Reading 3s
Sonning Common, Berkshire, RG4 9JS
In the sought-after village of Sonning Common, an enviable quality of life awaits at Kennylands Place!
Built by award winning developer Shanly Homes the homes at Kennylands Place enjoy peaceful south facing rear gardens and a high specification finish throughout Have the peace of mind of knowing your home is energy efficient with sustainable energy sources whilst enjoying newly installed high specification kitchens and bathrooms Make the most of your leisure time with the friendly village of Sonning Common boasting a primary school, cafes, pubs, shops and sports facilities, everything you need is close by Enjoy life close to nature surrounded by relaxing countryside, with woodland walks and cycle rides in the nearby Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Excellent road and rail connections make commuting simple with picturesque Henley-on-Thames and bustling Reading just minutes away by car Reading Station is just a 12-minute drive from Kennylands Place providing direct services into London Paddington in 24 minutes
*Please
Prices from £845,000
NOTICEISHEREBYgiventhatEuroDeliappliedon 27thMay2023 toReadingBoroughCouncilinrespect ofthepremisesknownas:EuroDeli,185OxfordRoad, Reading,RG17UZ.
ForthegrantofaPremisesLicenceforthefollowing:
Listoflicensableactivities Days Hours
SellingofAlcohol
MondaySunday 10+ pm
UndertheprovisionsofLicensingAct2003(Premises Licences&ClubPremisesCertificates)Regulations 2005theabovenamedpersonhasappliedforthe GRANTofthepremiseslicence.
Anypersonwishingtoviewthisapplicationmaydosoat ReadingBoroughCouncilbypriorarrangement betweenthehoursof9amto5pmpleasering 0118937 3762 tomakeanappointmentorviaemailto licensing@reading.gov.uk
Anypersonwishingtomakerepresentationtothis applicationmustdosoinwritingwithin28daysofthe application,asdetailedaboveto:ReadingBorough Council,LicensingSection,CivicOffices,BridgeStreet, Reading,RG12LU.Nowrittenrepresentationswillhave personaldetailsremovedunlessthelicensingauthority deemsitappropriatetodoso.Anyrequestforpersonal detailstoberemovedshouldbenotifiedtotheLicensing Authorityatthetimeofmakingtherepresentation.
IcertifythatacopyofthisNoticewasdisplayedatoron thepremisestowhichtheapplicationrelates,whereit couldbeconvenientlyreadfromtheexteriorofthe premisesforaperiodof28daysuntil 29thJune2023
Itisanoffencetoknowinglyorrecklesslymakeafalse statementinconnectionwithanapplication,the maximumfinefordoingsouponsummaryconvictionis unlimited.(Inthecaseofapremisescoveringanareaof morethan50sqmetres,afurthernoticeinthesame form,mustbedisplayedevery50metersalongthe externalperimeterofthepremisesabuttingany highway)
TheLicensingActrequireslocalauthoritiestoprovide totheapplicantcopiesofallrepresentationsmadein relationtoanapplication.Asstandard,nowritten representationswillhavepersonaldetailsremoved unlessthelicensingauthoritydeemsitappropriatetodo so.Anyrequestforpersonaldetailstoberemovedand thejustificationforsucharequestshouldbenotifiedto theLicensingAuthorityatthetimeofmakingthe representation.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,please contact licensing@reading.gov.uk
Dated15thJune2023
ORDER 2023
Reading Borough Council intend to make an Order in accordance with section 14(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. The effect of which will be to temporarily introduce the following restrictions:
• Introduction of parking bay suspensions 169 – 175 Wokingham Road.
• Introduction of temporary no stopping, waiting or parking, outside 169 - 175 Wokingham Road.
• Introduction of temporary no stopping, waiting or parking between Holmes Road and Early Hill Road. If made, the Order will come into force from 26 - 28 June 2023. Should the works take longer than expected the restriction will remain in force until the works are completed with a maximum order duration of 18 months. The Order is required for excavations and installation of new ducting and chamber.
DATED: 15 June 2023
Legal and Democratic Services, Reading Borough Council, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading RG1 2LU
READING BOROUGH COUNCIL
AnyrepresentationsaboutorobjectionstotheOrdermaybesentinwritingtotheMrFletcherortheundersignedno
laterthan31stJuly2023beingnotlessthan42daysfollowingthedateofthisnotice.Pleasestatethegroundsupon whichtherepresentationsorobjectionsaremade.Pleasenotethatobjections/representationsreceivedcannotbe treatedasconfidentialandmaycomeintothepublicdomain.Copiesofanyobjectionsorrepresentationsmaybe disclosedtointerestedparties,includingtheSecretaryofStateforEnvironment,FoodandRuralAffairsshouldthe Orderbereferredtoitfordetermination.
whichtherepresentationsorobjectionsaremade.Pleasenotethatobjections/representationsreceivedcannotbe treatedasconfidentialandmaycomeintothepublicdomain.Copiesofanyobjectionsorrepresentationsmaybe disclosedtointerestedparties,includingtheSecretaryofStateforEnvironment,FoodandRuralAffairsshouldthe Orderbereferredtoitfordetermination.
Ifnosuchrepresentationsorobjectionsaredulymade,orifanysomadearewithdrawn,WokinghamBoroughCouncil mayconfirmtheOrderasanunopposedOrder.Ifobjectionsarereceivedandarenotwithdrawn,thentheOrdermay besenttotheSecretaryofStateforEnvironment,FoodandRuralAffairsforconfirmation.IftheOrderissubmittedto theSecretaryofStateforEnvironment,FoodandRuralAffairsthenanyrepresentationsorobjectionswhichhavebeen dulymadeandnotwithdrawnwillbesentwithit.Ifyourequirefurtherinformationpleasecontact AndrewFletcher at Andrew.Fletcher@wokingham.gov.uk or 01182378717
Ifnosuchrepresentationsorobjectionsaredulymade,orifanysomadearewithdrawn,WokinghamBoroughCouncil mayconfirmtheOrderasanunopposedOrder.Ifobjectionsarereceivedandarenotwithdrawn,thentheOrdermay besenttotheSecretaryofStateforEnvironment,FoodandRuralAffairsforconfirmation.IftheOrderissubmittedto theSecretaryofStateforEnvironment,FoodandRuralAffairsthenanyrepresentationsorobjectionswhichhavebeen dulymadeandnotwithdrawnwillbesentwithit.Ifyourequirefurtherinformationpleasecontact AndrewFletcher at Andrew.Fletcher@wokingham.gov.uk or 01182378717
ModificationofDefinitiveMap
SCHEDULE-PARTI
Descriptionofpathsorwaystobeadded
ModificationofDefinitiveMap
AbridlewaycommencingattheboundaryoftheWokinghamBoroughCouncilownedlandknownasFoxHill(PointA, GridReference478915,168352),andproceedinginannorth-westerlydirectionoveraditchtofor2metrestopointB (GridReference478914,168353)beforeturninginasouth-westerlydirection122metrestopointC(GridReference 478835,168294)andcontinuinginagenerallysoutherlydirectionfor260metrestopointD(GridReference478726, 168309)andturninginasouth-easterlydirectiontotheboundaryoftheWokinghamBoroughCouncilownedland knownasFoxHill(PointEGridReference478970,168069)
Descriptionofpathsorwaystobeadded
AbridlewaycommencingattheboundaryoftheWokinghamBoroughCouncilownedlandknownasFoxHill(PointA, GridReference478915,168352),andproceedinginannorth-westerlydirectionoveraditchtofor2metrestopointB (GridReference478914,168353)beforeturninginasouth-westerlydirection122metrestopointC(GridReference 478835,168294)andcontinuinginagenerallysoutherlydirectionfor260metrestopointD(GridReference478726, 168309)andturninginasouth-easterlydirectiontotheboundaryoftheWokinghamBoroughCouncilownedland knownasFoxHill(PointEGridReference478970,168069)
ModificationofDefinitiveStatements
PARTII
ModificationofDefinitiveStatements
Variationofparticularsofpathsorways
READING BOROUGH COUNCIL
ThefollowingdescriptionshallbeaddedtotheDefinitiveStatementfortheParishofWokingham:
The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) Order 2015 Notice of applications for planning permission under Article 15 of the Order
APPLICATION FOR MAJOR DEVELOPMENT
THE BOROUGH OF READING (KATESGROVE) (TEMPORARY ROAD
RESTRICTIONS) ORDER 2023
WokinghamFootpath40
From: FoxHill,N,SW,S,SE
To: FoxHill
All comments must be received within 21 days and will go on public view.
LegalWidth: 2metres
Limitations: None
MapRef: SU76NE
230612: Dwyer Road, Reading - Redevelopment of the Site at Dwyer Road to deliver 31 new homes comprising 16 two and three storey houses and 15 flats in a 4-storey apartment block, alongside new access, soft and hard landscaping, parking and ancillary works.
NOTE:ALLLENGTHSAREAPPROXIMATE
Dated:15thJune2023
230613: Amethyst Lane, Reading - Demolition and redevelopment of the Site at Amethyst Lane to deliver a new respite care facility alongside 21 new houses, soft and hard landscaping, parking and ancillary works.
APPLICATIONS AFFECTING LISTED BUILDINGS AND/OR CONSERVATION AREAS
All comments must be received within 7 days and will go on public view.
FrancescaHobson AssistantDirectorEnvironmentandSafety WokinghamBoroughCouncil CivicOffices ShuteEnd Wokingham RG401WL
230498: 19 Oaklands, Reading, RG1 5RW - Remove the existing patio door and windows due to excessive wood rot and replace with new patio doors and windows to match existing.
230579: 109B Oxford Road, Reading, RG1 7UD - Replacement shopfront, signage, and front forecourt modification.
230614: 13 Heritage Court, Castle Hill, Reading, RG1 7RP - Replacement of 1 window. These applications can be viewed online http://planning.reading.gov.uk/fastweb_PL/welcome.asp
Anyone wishing to make representations can submit comments online or write, quoting the application number, to Planning, Reading Borough Council, Civic Centre, Bridge Street, Reading RG1 2LU.
Reading Borough Council has made an Order in accordance with section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended, because works are being or are proposed to be executed on or near the road. The effect of the Order will be to temporarily suspend parking and introduce a no waiting and/or no loading at any time on Katesgrove Lane outside 7 – 14, 1 – 3 and 52 – 66. The Order will commence on 21 – 23 June 2023 between 0930-1530hrs daily. However, should the works take longer than expected the Order will remain in operation until the works are complete for up to 18 months. The Order is necessary for relining of sewer.
DATED: 15 June 2023
Legal and Democratic Services, Reading Borough Council, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading RG1 2LU
Please
It’sgoodnewsforeveryone
We are looking for an enthusiastic Learning Support Mentor to support students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMH) to reach their full potential. You will be part of a dedicated and passionate team offering a dynamic learning experience via individual timetables.
We are looking for an enthusiastic Learning Support Mentor to support students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMH) to reach their full potential. You will be part of a dedicated and passionate team offering a dynamic learning experience via individual timetables.
To be successful in the post/s, you will be able to build good relationships with students, support them in all aspects of their learning and personal development and enjoy working in a positive and supportive team. You will enjoy working holistically, making a difference and being part of an organisation that values student’s achievements academically, personally, and socially.
To be successful in the post/s, you will be able to build good relationships with students, support them in all aspects of their learning and personal development and enjoy working in a positive and supportive team.
You will enjoy working holistically, making a difference and being part of an organisation that values students’ achievements academically, personally, and socially.
As part of the team, you can expect
* to access our pension scheme
As part of the team, you can expect:
* flexi start/finish times to support work/life balance – norm 37.5 hrs but will consider part-time
• to access our pension scheme
* paid school holidays
• flexi start/finish times to support work/life balance – norm 37.5 hrs but will consider part-time
* personal development opportunities
• paid school holidays
* a comprehensive induction
• personal development opportunities
* a competitive salary – Up to £25,000 DOE
• a comprehensive induction
*loyalty Scheme
• a competitive salary – Up to £25,000 DOE
• loyalty Scheme
Salary: Up tp £25,000 per annum depending upon experience and skills being offered (Term Time Only + INSET + 2 additional days / Actual Salary / will consider part time)
Salary: Up to £25,000 per annum depending upon experience and skills being offered (Term Time Only + INSET + 2 additional days / Actual Salary / will consider part time)
To start asap
To start asap
Further information, including Job Description, Person Specification and Application forms can be found on our website www.engagingpotential.com or email admin@engagingpotential.com
Further information, including Job Description, Person Specification and Application forms can be found on our website www.engagingpotential.com or email admin@engagingpotential.com
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. An enhanced DBS check is required. Engaging Potential aspires to equality of opportunity in its recruitment and professional practices.
Progress House, 79 Gaywood Drive, Newbury. RG14 2PR
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. An enhanced DBS check is required. Engaging Potential aspires to equality of opportunity in its recruitment and professional practices.
Progress House, 79 Gaywood Drive, Newbury. RG14 2PR
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Trundley started the new season in style with a podium finish with Team BRIT.
The year started with the
READING FC’s head of scouting Jared Dublin is set to depart the club after just five months in his role.
Dublin joined as part of the hierarchy in a summer shake up last year that saw Mark Bowen return to the club as head of football operations and Brian Carey as director of recruitment.
However, Dublin is reportedly close to joining Championship side Stoke City after being approached by the Potters.
The Championship club are confident of having him in place as their new head of recruitment if he can secure a work permit.
The Potters finished in 16th place last season under manager Alex Neil who joined the club early last campaign after leaving Sunderland, who finished in the play-offs.
pair entering the British GT Championship, a series they made history in last year as the first ever all-disabled team to compete and finishing an impressive second in class.
Bobby said: “Wow, what a year it’s
been already. It’s been amazing to be part of the British GT Championship and we hope to return, but racing as part of the McLaren Trophy Europe Series is yet another privilege.”
Bobby and racing partner Aaron Morgan will be competing across
Europe this year in the McLaren Trophy Europe Series.
The Team BRIT pair next race between Thursday, June 29- Saturday, July 1 at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium.
n Full story on page 28
The American joined Reading’s recruitment team after a five-year spell with Sheffield United which saw him work alongside rumoured Royals managerial target Chris Wilder.
Reading are still seeking to appoint a manager as the club prepares for life in League One after relegation from the Championship last season.
