Reading Today, March 23, 2022

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Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Tilehurst Library receives £62,000 in funding

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SPRING FORWARD!

Don’t forget, to change your clocks this weekend

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today TILEHURST library has been granted £62,000 by the Arts Council as part of a £48 million investment.

The funds have been allocated through the council as part of the department for digital, culture, media, and sports’ cultural investment plan.

The investment fund plans to improve access to arts facilities and support cultural assets.

Planned upgrades to the library include improved CCTV, systems improvements, and lending services for tablets and computers.

The plans also seek to make the library easier to hire for community groups.

Cllr Karen Rowland, lead councillor for culture, heritage, and recreation said: “The funding will mean so much to the local community, library members, and our staff.

“The past two years have shone a light on just how much people value their local library as a real community gathering space and a place to provide learning.

“We look forward to improving the environment for our customers, expanding digital lending and assistance for our communities.”

The cultural investment fund will distribute £48 million to 63 organisations, with £28.8 million going to the museums estate and devleopment fund, and £5 million to the libraries improvement fund.

Darren Henley, chief executive officer, Arts Council England, said: “Our artists, arts organisations, museums and libraries are experts in making villages, towns and cities better places to live, work, visit or play.

“This investment means they’ll be able to help more people across England to lead happier, more creative lives.”

CELEBRATION: RAMS captain Robbie Stapley with his daughter Eden. He became a Dad for a second time on Friday morning after his partner gave birth, before playing a key role in the Sonning club’s derby win over Chinnor in the evening Picture: Paul Clark Photography

From birth partner to hat-trick hero

RAMS skipper has a day to remember with new arrival and epic victory

By RICHARD ASHTON news@wokingham.today

A RUGBY skipper had a day to remember last Friday – not only did he lead his team to victory in the first match to be webcast live, he became a Dad for the second time.

RAMS RFC’s Robbie Stapley triumphed on the pitch, scoring a hat-trick during the National League One game against Chinnor.

His on-the-pitch success came

hours after his partner Emily gave birth to their second child, Arlo.

And to cap it off, the captain of the Sonning-based rugby squad was awarded the man-of-thematch honour in the 38-22 derby match, the first game livestreamed by the National League Rugby website.

With supporters watching online from Australia, Dubai, South Africa and St Lucia, captain fantastic Robbie – who has been n Continued on page 10

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Cab driver guilty of unbooked fare

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A WHITLEY cab driver who took a fare without a booking has been given more than £1,000 of penalties.

At a hearing at Reading Magistrates Court on Friday, March 4, Omer Malik, of Lamerton Road, was found guilty of illegally plying for hire and operating without insurance.

The incident took place on March 8, 2019, and saw Malik agree to take a fare worth £6 from a council officer.

His cab was licensed to South Oxfordshire District Council, and he was ordered to pay a total of £1,130 in financial penalties, including a £100 fine, legal costs of £1,000, and a £30 victim surcharge. He also collected six points on his licence.

Cllr Tony Page, Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Planning

FINED: A private hire cab driver who picked up a fare without a prior booking has lost his appeal Picture: Reading Borough Council

and Transport for Reading Borough Council, praised his licensing team for bringing the prosecution.

“This is another great result from the Council’s licensing team, who work hard to ensure

regulations are in force to protect the travelling public,” he said.

“If a licensed private hire operator picks up a customer without a prior and formal booking they are not insured for the journey, and are acting illegally.”

Times with the Golden Touch: gaming centre seeks longer hours

By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter A GAMING centre in Reading town centre wants permission to open 24 hours day.

Based in West Street, The Golden Touch has a mixture of fruit machines and a casino game, and is currently able to open from 9am through to 10pm dailys.

In September 2016, Reading Borough Council approved plans for the premises to be converted from a hair and beauty salon to an adult gaming centre on the condition it could only operate during these hours.

Its owners want to change this.

A previous attempt to allow Golden Touch to open 24 hours a day was refused in May 2017, and the gaming centre’s agent withdrew another bid in April the following year.

Now it has been resurrected.

The plan was refused in 2017, over fears it would cause unacceptable noise and disturbance to the residential

amenities of the nearby area.

In a report for the withdrawn application in 2018, a council planning officer wrote: “There is no reason to believe that the situation has changed since the condition was applied, therefore no justification to remove the condition.

“There are a number of residential properties on West Street situated above the shops, and these residents are likely to be disturbed by noise from people coming and going from the premises, and possible congregation of people outside, including smoking, if this occurs late at night.”

In its new application, Golden Touch owners Southern City Leisure Ltd, say no neighbours or residents have complained about either the activity inside or any disturbance.

A planning agent pointed out neighbouring businesses have made no complaints, and the Bay’s Peri Peri takeaway, a few doors down, is allowed to open until 4am.

The planning agent also says there is a precedent for 24-hour gambling in the area, citing the nearby Admiral Adult Gaming Centre and the Little Vegas games centre, both in Friar Street.

Golden Touch would have its own conditions imposed, which state that a maximum of 12 customers will be allowed between midnight and 6am, and that a minimum of two staff members will be working during that time.

Also, they propose closing the front door between midnight and 6am, with customers only being allowed in by a staff member, who would greet each customer to ensure quiet entrance and exit.

The application can be search by searching for reference 220128 in Reading Borough Council’s website: planning.reading.gov.uk/ fastweb_PL/welcome.asp

Man in his 60s left with significant facial injuries after attack on way home from Reading club A MAN in his 60s was assaulted as he walked home from a Reading club, suffering significant facial injuries.

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to the incident, which took place on Saturday, March 19, to come forward.

They said that the victim had left the Reading Irish Centre on Chatham Street around midnight.

He walked along Malthouse Road, turning right onto Charles Street and into Caroline Street.

He was then found on Great Knollys Street with the injuries at around 12.30am.

Between these times, two unknown men approached the victim in the area of William Street, demanding money.

When the victim refused, they attacked him, and he suffered a fractured eye socket and significant cuts and bruising to his face.

The men, described as young, then left the area in an unknown direction.

The victim was taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital for further treatment but has since been discharged.

Detective Constable Jennifer Cox, based at Reading police station, said: “I am appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this assault or have information about it to please get in touch.

“I am particularly keen to speak to a woman on a push bike wearing a hi-vis jacket who assisted the victim afterwards.

“Also, if you have any CCTV footage along this route or any dash-cam footage if you were in the area around the time, I’d also ask that you check any recordings in case it has captured something that could assist our investigation.

“You can make a report by calling 101 or via our website, quoting reference: 43220121528.”

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Gumtree fraud: CCTV released

Some of the art that is going on show in the Oxford Road gallery this week Pictures: Daniel Blackham

Artists unite for Ukrainian refugees

By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today A READING art gallery is hosting an exhibition to support refugees fleeing Ukraine.

The unique initiative is being coled by artists at the University of Reading and from Reading town.

The exhibition features donations from more than 50 international artists as well as from members of the Reading art community.

This includes work by Ukrainian artists who are displaced or currently sheltering such as Lada Nakonechna, Zhanna Khaderova, Nikita Kadan, Jury Leiderman and Pavlo Makov.

The gallery also features work from UK based artists, students, graduates, and staff from Reading

School of Art who have come together to support the cause.

All funds from the exhibition will go directly to supporting ‘Kuhknia’ (Kitchen) a private network of artists and activist volunteers who are cooking meals, sourcing medicine and other vital supplies and arranging temporary accommodation for refugees stranded in Western Ukraine.

So far more than £5,000 has been raised in support of the cause.

A special preview and emergency art sale is being held on Thursday, March 24, at 571 Oxford Road Gallery, Reading, RG30 1EG. The event will start at 6.30pm and finish at 11pm n For more information, to purchase tickets or make a donation, visit: artistsforukraine.org

Buyer demand for chain-free homes is at bursting point as value rises 43% THE HIGHEST demand in the property market is for chain-free homes, with sales increasing year-on-year across the south east.

Property purchasing specialist, HBB Solutions, says that while the UK’s property market is booming, kick-started by the Covid-19 pandemic, buyers are clearly happy to pay a significant premium for a fast, efficient purchase.

It says that chain-free purchases take 60% less time to complete than one with a chain involved. This, it adds, can lead to a 43% increase in sales value.

UK chain-free property transactions were £28.8 billion in the past year, £8.7 billion, or 43%, higher than 2020.

This increase has been created by the sheer volume of chain-free transactions increasing by 29% in the past year.

And in the South East, the value increase is 55% and transaction count is up 37%, according to HBB Solutions.

The firm’s managing director, Chris Hodgkinson, said: “It’s clear that buyers are all too aware of how competitive today’s housing market is.

“Such heightened market activity alongside stagnant supply is not only driving house price growth, but it’s overloading the market and we’ve seen the time it’s taking to sell increase considerably during the pandemic, with the level of sales falling through

also on the up.

“Chain-free homes provide an opportunity to avoid this lengthy transaction timeline and while they’ve always been popular, buyers are currently grabbing the chance of a chain-free purchase with both hands.”

He continued: “This high demand coupled with the promise of a smoother, quicker transaction means that chain-free homes command a significantly higher asking price.

“As a result, we’ve seen both an increase in chain-free transactions, and a hike in the price paid for these properties, contribute to a significant increase in the total value of chain-free homes sold across the market.”

THAMES Valley Police has released CCTV images of a man officers would like to speak to in connection with a fraud investigation in Tilehurst.

At approximately 8.15pm on Tuesday, January 18, a man attempted to purchase an item from the victim through Gumtree and arranged to give cash on collection.

The exchange took place, but it emerged that the cash that was given was counterfeit.

A similar circumstance occurred in Leicester, which is believed to involve the same suspect.

Investigating officer PC Georgina Chandler, based at Newbury police station, said: “The victim in our investigation had arranged to sell an item and unfortunately, the money that he was given was not genuine.

“I am releasing these CCTV images as I believe the person pictured may have vital information that can assist me in this investigation.

“The man in these images spoke with a deep voice with a strong Leicester/Midlands accent and is believed to be in his early to mid-20s.”

She has also reminded members of the public who sell items using cash to check notes are genuine.

“The new polymer notes in circulation can only be checked for authenticity under ultraviolet light, and the pens that people often use are not able to ascertain whether cash is genuine,” she said.

“If you have any concerns that the cash you are being offered is counterfeit, please do not accept it, unless you have been able to confirm its authenticity.”

Under a UV light, a genuine note will show a bright number in red and green which matches the cash value on the front where it says Bank of England.

Anyone who recognises the man in the images is aksed to call Thames Valley Police on 101, quoting reference number 43220025882.

Reports can also be made online.

For 100% anonymity, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

n For more information on how to check new and old notes, visit: bankofengland.co.uk/-/media/boe/files/ banknotes/take-a-closer-look.pdf

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Road repair backlog is now £3 billion

By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today

THE backlog of road repairs in the South East would cost £3 billion to clear.

According to this year’s Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey, repair costs have been compounded by rising inflation.

The survey highlights the scale of the issue faced by highway engineers who have to make the choice of keeping roads open and safe, versus improving conditions.

Despite a reported increase in highway maintenance budgets in the region, the backlog of repairs has increased by 52% on last year’s figure to £3 billion – almost a quarter of the total for England as a whole, excluding London.

Rick Green, chairman of the Asphalt Industry Alliance which published the survey, said: “Local authorities have a legal responsibility to keep our roads safe, but do not have the funds to do so in a cost effective, proactive way.

“While they report some slight improvements in surface conditions, the overall structure of our roads continues to decline.

“Although surface repairs

SURVEY: A backlog of road repairs would cost £3bn to fix Picture: Phil Creighton have a part to play in extending the life of local roads, short-term fixes, including filling potholes, is indicative of a network that is ‘on the edge’.”

The ALARM survey, which relates to the 2021/22 financial year, reports local roads funding and conditions based on information provided by local authorities.

Findings from this year’s survey show local authorities needed £217.6 million extra just to reach their own target road conditions and it would take 12 years to clear the backlog of carriageway maintenance if adequate resources and funding were available.

The report also shows roads are resurfaced, on average, once every 105 years whereas one

pothole is filled the equivalent of every two minutes.

Commenting on the findings, Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said: “Local and national governments must get round a table and create a fully-funded plan to help make our roads safer.

“Each year the debate around road maintenance turns into a blame game between local authorities and government as each claims it is the other’s responsibility to resolve.

“There is now a need to focus available road funding on the most basic need, fixing the roads for the benefit of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

“Despite talks of levelling up, road users would simply like the roads levelled out.”

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A PEST controller has put out an appeal to sponsor a Reading Half Marathon runner and donate a generous sum to their chosen charity.

The catch? The runner will be pounding the roads dressed as a rodent.

Michael Sewell, 31, from Caversham, who runs Full Guard Pest Control, said he had been thinking of creative ways to donate to charity, while supporting the efforts

of the community in the Reading Half Marathon.

He said: “I wanted to inject a bit of extra fun into the half marathon but also donate £1,000 to a charity supported by the runner and myself.

“I came up with the idea of a rat costume because rats are one of the pests I deal with most often, and you don’t tend to get rodents running a half marathon – you see

rhinos and elephants, but not rats.”

He added: “I’d personally like to donate to St Mungo’s and help with the ever-growing homeless epidemic in our town, but I’m happy as long as the money goes to a good cause.”

With just a few weeks to go until the half marathon kicks off on Sunday, April 3, Mr Sewell has put out an appeal for any runners who are game for a laugh to get in touch. n Contact Mr Sewell on 0118 405 0156, or via www. fullguardpestcontrol.co.uk

Churches team up for sciencethemed Easter holiday club A SPECIAL science-themed holiday club will take place in Caversham during the Easter holidays.

Organised by Churches Together in Caversham, the event is for secondary school-aged children.

The club will include opportunities to learn about the different ways in which Christians understand the relationship between science and religion, and as well

activities such as drumming and circus skills.

It will also include opportunities to relax and socialise with people their own age.

It runs from 10am to 3.30pm from Monday, April 11, through to Wednesday, April 13.

Events include a trip to Rushall Farm on the Tuesday, with an expected return time of 5.30pm.

Sessions take place at

St Andrew’s Church Hall in Caversham Heights.

To book, search Eventbrite for “Easter Holiday Club for secondary school aged pupils”.

The fee is £15 per participant, and this includes meals, with a pizza promised for the final day. Funded places available for those who cannot afford the cost. n For more details, email: holidayclub.Caversham@ yahoo.co.uk

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Charity receives £1,000 in aid for children from deprived

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today A READING-based charity has secured £1,000 of funding to help deprived children.

The funding was awarded in the form of clothing and energy vouchers, which Sadaka will distribute to families who struggle financially.

Sadaka exists to provide help to people in Reading who have needs, be it food, groceries or training skills.

It holds weekly drop-in sessions in central Reading for the people it supports.

Though the charity is independently funded, Reading Borough Council offered the funding which had been left over from Christmas allocations.

Zobia Kalim, the charity’s treasurer, said that the opportunity was: “Too good to miss.”

The charity is currently unable to offer its services to children directly due to practical constraints.

Despite this, the charity reached out to guests to find children in need of the help.

Ms Kalim said: “Since we couldn’t accept children at

READY TO HELP: The team from Sadaka will be handing out clothing and energy vouchers to help families across the Reading area the charity, there were some parents who couldn’t attend.

“Many of them were refugees from domestic violence, and so we approached them to see if they could use the help.

“Sadly, it was easy to find the 31 children that we’re going to be supporting with the funding.”

The charity will spend the weekend distributing the aid to the chosen recipients.

“We share the same agenda as the council when

it comes to helping those who need it in the area, but we’ve built trust with the community.

“The council doesn’t always have the direct access to the community that charities like us have, and we were honoured to be able to help out and take part.”

Sadaka has been providing food, essentials, and activities for people in need of help since 2017.

Shazia Fazal, a volunteer at the charity, said: “We’ve been giving food handouts

to those who need them every Saturday since 2017.

“When we started, we had 20 to 30 people each time, but now we get 60 plus.

“We want to continue to provide for those who needs us, but we are volunteers so we can always use more funding.”

Ms Kalim said that the charity would be interested in working with the council further in the future.

It’s currently working with the EU Social Fund and

Education and Skills Agency to provide mental health training to its volunteers.

“We’d like to be able to put on creative activities, like knitting or crochet, as well as mental health support facilities, and even skills support, for both our volunteers and our guests.”

“We continue to aim to provide a safe space for our guests, with no questions asked and no judgments made.”

The Step Up sessions also offer help to guests with improving their language skills, confidence, problem solving, and social skills, as well as community book clubs and IT lessons.

Ms Fazal said that when you don’t know a person’s situation, especially a child, you don’t know what difference a donation or support can make.

“But even something small can mean a smile, which is such a bonus – and that’s what we’re all about.”

Sadaka provides free food distribution, as well as its Step Up sessions, every Saturday at Fairview Community Centre, Great Knolly’s Street.

Police release CCTV of man in connection with thefts from motor vehicles THAMES Valley Police is releasing CCTV images of a man officers would like to speak to in connection with several thefts from motor vehicles in Reading.

At around 3.30am on Monday, March 7, the offender entered a car park in Fobney Street before searching multiple vehicles and stealing various items.

Investigating officer PC Matthew Fairman, based at Reading police station, said: “We would like to appeal to anybody who recognises

the man in these images to please get in touch as we believe he may have information in connection with this incident.

“You can get in touch by either making a report online or by calling 101, quoting reference number 43220100864 “Alternatively, for 100% anonymity, you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

To make a report online, visit www. thamesvalley.police.uk

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Beer club meets for a tasting A READING town centre shop specialising in craft beer is holding a tasting event this Sunday, March 27.

The Grumpy Goat on Union Street is holding its monthly beer club between 6.30pm and 8.30pm.

The club is an opportunity to sample new releases and discuss them with the Grumpy Goat team and a guest brewer.

Andy Barnes from Woodleybased small batch producers Dolphin Brewery will lead this session.

Limited places are available.

Tickets cost £20 and snacks will be provided. n For more information, visit: thegrumpygoat.co.uk

Thief takes bike from shed

Now taking registrations

A THIEF broke into a bike shed and helped themselves to the two-wheeled transport.

The incident took place between Thursday, March 10, and Sunday, March 20, in Havergate Way, Kennet Island.

Thames Valley Police are keen to trace the culprit, and are appealing for anyone with information, dashcam or doorbell footage to call them on 101, quoting reference number: 43220121585.

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Leading high street expert to share tips with Reading’s businesses EXCLUSIVE

By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today A LEADING high-street expert is coming to Reading to share some of his wisdom.

Graham Soult will be hosting a free live workshop and networking event on Tuesday, March 29, aimed at providing online marketing basics for your business.

The session will provide advice for businesses on how to create a good website, use images and video to promote their business online, and effectively showcase what they do on social media.

It follows on from two sessions he has run online, and Mr Soult can’t wait to come on down and share his expertise with retailers and businesses.

“Reading is a vibrant town with many fantastic independent businesses, and I’m looking forward to paying a return visit and sharing my tips and insights,” he explained.

“Whether a business is already confident in its brand and marketing, or needs some help getting started, my workshops are designed to be full of practical tips that retail and hospitality businesses can start acting

BUSINESS TIPS: Business expert Graham Soult is running a free workshop session on Tuesday to help Reading businesses bounce back from the pandemic upon straight away.”

Mr Soult believes every business should develop its digital footprint with a website and social media often crucial to making a great first impression.

He said: “Many potential customers encounter a bricksand-mortar business for the first time online, so it’s important to ensure that your brand makes the best possible online impression

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freedom to implement his ideas, he welcomes people from larger stores to attend as well.

He said: “Businesses which implement a ‘one size fits all’ method to marketing are finding it difficult to maintain a connection with the community, especially following the pandemic.

“Larger organisations which have given more freedom to its stores and staff have found it to be successful.”

n To sign up for the workshop, email HSHAZ@reading.gov.uk

Sales of fruit and veg in Reading Tesco will fund meals for children

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“A big theme for all talks is to ask businesses to be creative with what they do on social media.

“Throwing money at boosting posts is often not as successful as a well thought out social media post or campaign which is usually free.”

The session will recognise a range of businesses and cover as many industries as possible.

Although independent retailers will have the most

Speaking ahead of Mr Soults visit, Cllr Karen Rowland, Reading’s lead councillor for culture, heritage and recreation, said: “We are honoured that Graham is able to come along to share some positive and practical advice that local businesses can learn from and use.”

And Alexa Volker, head of operations at Reading Central and Abbey Quarter BIDs, which is helping to promote the session, added: “I’ve followed Graham on social media for some time, and it’s a pleasure to be able to bring one of the country’s foremost high-street champions to Reading.

“From hearing Graham speak before, I know his workshops are enjoyable, engaging and useful, and I would encourage all BID businesses to take advantage of these free sessions.”

Funding for the session comes from Reading Borough Council’s High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) – a heritage-led regeneration partnership that brings together Historic England and the Council.

The session is open to all retail, hospitality and other interested businesses across the town.

TESCO customers buying fruit or vegetables from its Reading stores over the next fortnight will be helping to support children living in food insecurity.

Until Sunday, April 3, Tesco will give a donation when customers top up their trollies with healthy fruit and vegetables in store or at Tesco.com during the supermarket’s Buy One to Help a Child event.

A 2p donation will be made from sales of fresh fruit and vegetables, and excludes prepared, dried, frozen or tinned fruit. As well as on packs, the donation applies to purchases of single pieces of fruit and veg, for example an avocado.

The cash donated by Tesco from sales of all types of fruit and vegetables will enable its food redistribution charity partner FareShare to help thousands of children’s charities who rely on regular donations to help families and young people in communities get the food and help they need.

Last summer, the Tesco Buy One to Help a Child event saw many customers supporting the campaign by buying produce every time they shopped.

Across the county the campaign saw 11,902 meals’ worth of food donated, supporting 17 frontline charities working with children and families.

SUPPORT: Children will benefit from a new healthy promotion at Tesco stores in Reading

Lindsay Boswell CEO of FareShare, which has worked with Tesco since 2016 to redistribute over 130m meals of the supermarket’s surplus food to date, said the donation would make a real difference to frontline charities working with children, and thanked Tesco customers.

He added: “The Tesco Buy One to Help a Child campaign makes such a difference to us because it helps us to support children and families in Reading during the school holidays.

“So many of the children we provide food for would normally rely on free school meals during term-time, but they do not get access to this support during the holidays.

“Supporting the needs of children early in their life is very important to FareShare as we see what a difference access to healthy food can make in young people’s lives. In our 10th year of

partnership, we are very grateful for Tesco and their ongoing commitment to help FareShare redistribute good-to-eat food to thousands of charities across the UK.” Jason Tarry, Tesco UK and ROI CEO, said: “FareShare do amazing work supporting frontline charities, and the food they distribute is making a real difference to young people and families in every part of the UK. “Every time Tesco customers put a piece of fruit in their basket until April 3, Tesco will make a donation to FareShare, giving a little extra help to support them in their vital work, ensuring even more children can enjoy healthy and nutritious food.”

Tesco is a member of the Child Poverty Task Force, formed by Marcus Rashford, and continues to support his campaign for free school meals for every child who needs them, at any time.

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Ministry duo prepare to give a fond farewell to their parishoners

WORKING TOGETHER: The Revds Dr Philip and Hannah Hobday have led a joint ministry at Earley St Peter’s. The husband and wife team will move on this summer, leaving with them fond memories of initiatives such as these handmade flowers posted outside the church

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

A HUSBAND and wife ministry duo are preparing to move on from the parish they have served for seven years.

The Revds Dr Philip and Hannah Hobday are set to leave Earley St Peter’s this summer.

Earlier this month, the pair announced their forthcoming departure, and said they had been glad to share life with the church and the community.

Both vicars will be taking up new positions at other churches, with Dr Hobday becoming a residentiary canon at Wakefield Cathedral, and Mrs Hobday becoming a priest for three churches in Wakefield.

But they are intending to make the most of their final months with the parish.

“We’re not going just yet,” Dr Hobday said.

“We’ve got the jubilee and the church’s Easter celebrations still to come.”

Dr Hobday also said that they both had mixed feelings about moving on from the parish.

“We’ve been given opportunities that we’d love to take on, such as working in a cathedral.

“But its sad to have to leave a community of caring, vibrant,

and welcoming – and is still growing.”

Both expect to finish their work at the parish by the end of July, when they’ll begin the moving process.

Dr Hobday spoke of the many memories they’d made at the parish, and of the things they’d learned during their time at St Peter’s, including during the pandemic.

One of his stand-out memories was when more than 200 people from across the community contributed drawings of flowers to display on the church fence last Easter.

“We had children from Earley St Peter’s Primary School, people from other churches, people of different faiths and no faith all contributing.

“It felt like a moment of hope in a community that was going through some really troubled time.”

He also spoke of the parish’s visit from the previous bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Andrew Proud, shortly before his retirement.

“We celebrated with him, since it was his last visit before he retired, and it was church at the very best it could be.”

“We’ll also remember the couples we married, those little encounters and connections.”

Mrs Hobday added: “We’ve been welcomed and accepted by the community, and that’s helped us to welcome and accept others into it too.”

The couple have served the parish together, and said that the joint leadership had been a gift to them both.

“We’ve learned from it – it reminds you about perspectives you might have overlooked.

“It also reminds you that leadership is not necessarily about having a strong leader,

its more about the sharing and consideration of perspectives.”

The pair said that they would miss the parish, but that the lessons they learned would stay with them however the future looked.

They said: “We have, together, seen our church family grow during difficult times, and are grateful particularly to our ministry team, churchwardens, and parish staff who always go the extra mile to help.”

“We’re pleased to be able to celebrate the Jubilee and Easter with the parish before we go.”

Free concert brings sunshine A FREE lunchtime concert will take place in Shinfield next week.

Members of vocal trio Belle Canto will perform Celebrate, with a mixture of favourites such as Bring Me Sunshine and Putting on the Ritz.

The music starts at noon on Saturday, April 2, and lasts up to an hour. It takes place at St Mary’s Church in Church Lane.

Afterwards, there will be light refreshments.

A retiring collection will be made for the church’s organ fund.

The concerts run on the first Saturday of the month. n For more details, log on to loddonreach.org.uk

Attempted break-in A BURGLAR attempted to break into a home on a busy Reading road, and police are appealing for witnesses.

The incident took place around 4.15am on Sunday, March 13, at a home on Kings Road.

Thames Valley Police said that the unknown offender attempted to gain entry to the property via the front door.

However, they left emptyhanded, as no entry was gained and nothing stolen.

Anyone with information, or doorbell footage, can call them on 101, quoting reference number: 43220111243.

Windrush Alliance Steel Band to offer free advice reopens weekly this Saturday workshops THE Reading Windrush Alliance is hosting an information and assistance session on Saturday.

The event will aim to answer any questions, offer free legal advice and provide assistance to anyone who needs a bit of support.

People who arrived in the UK from any country before 1989, and have lived here continuously since then, may be eligible for the right to live and work in the UK without the fear of deportation.

The Alliance can also offer advice and assistance on gaining British Citizenship for Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK up to 1973, and have lived here since.

The session will start at 4pm on Saturday, March 26, at the Atrium Health Club, Scours Lane, Reading, RG30 6AY. n For more information visit: svgareading.org.uk

A READING steel band group has opened workshops to the public for its third run.

The Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra invites attendees to try out steel pans at their beginner sessions.

Families and players of all abilities are welcome, including absolute beginners, and all instruments and equipment is provided.

Attendees will learn about steel pans, develop skills and playing technique, and even provide opportunities to join the orchestra for skilled players.

The run follows a series of workshops in February and March which also familiarised attendees with steel instruments.

The RASPO is holding weekly workshops every Tuesday, from 5:30pm-6:30pm, at the CultureMix Arts and Music Centre.

Workshops run until Tuesday, May 10. n To book spaces, visit www.eventbrite.co.uk and search for Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra.

Haber-bash-ery: Ta-ra to Fabric Land A CRAFT and haberdashery shop is closing down with one last hurrah.

After more than 25 years serving Reading’s fabric needs, the shop announced that this Saturday – March 26 – would be its final day of business.

The store made the announcement and thanked the customers who had supported them for 25 years with a sign posted in its front window.

Jelly, a creative arts charity

based in Broad St. Mall, is throwing a celebration day in honour of the store.

Fans are invited to celebrate the store’s long history and say farewell at the store in Cheapside, from 2-4pm.

The gathering will feature a performance by the Reading All Steel Pan Orchestra.

Fabric Land has placed a 20% reduction on all items.

Matt Hulse, an associate artist at Jelly, posted to social

media inviting attendees to don costumes and work they’ve created with fabric Land supplies.

He also plans to focus on the shop as part of an upcoming documentary film.

Though the Reading branch is closing, customers will still be able to order fabric and other haberdashery online.

n For more details on Saturday’s events, log on to: www.facebook. com/TheJellyReading

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Cephalopod emerges from the deep A SILCHESTER brewery is set to launch a new edition of a popular ale this Saturday.

Wild Weather Ales’ annual batch of honey Imperial Stout Cephalopod emerges from the deep to be served up at The Weather Station from 2.30pm.

The 12% brew is fermented on honey to give a full-bodied floral taste.

It will be available on keg and cask or in can.

The Weather Station taproom can be found on Eldon Terrace in Reading. n For more information, follow The Weather Station Reading on Facebook and Instagram.

Break-in, but nothing stolen

A THIEF broke into a property on Home Farm Close in Whitley by forcing open a side door.

Thankfully, nothing was stolen in the raid.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward. The incident took place between 11am and 6pm on Tuesday, March 15.

Anyone with information, dashcam or doorbell footage to call them on 101, quoting reference number: 43220114332.

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Readipop unveils line-up, with focus on local and big names

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

Air Circus Forje Lilac Mike Wagner Skills C

NEW acts have been announced for the Readipop Festival lineup as tickets go on sale.

A total of 27 new names were revealed on Monday, and they including hip-hop legends Sugarhill Gang, British soul and trip hop pioneers Morcheeba, and Mercury Music Prize winner Badly Drawn Boy. The festival takes place in Christchurch Meadows from Friday, July 8, through to Sunday, July 10.

Headlining Readipop Festival 2022 (the festival’s 5th anniversary) will be Hip hop legends Sugarhill Gang (with Melle Mel and Scorpio from Furious 5), Morcheeba, British soul and trip hop pioneers with over ten million global album sales & Mercury Music Prize winner Badly Drawn Boy. The bill includes a diverse array of new and established artists including Michele and Romeo Stodart from The Magic Numbers, BBC 6Music championed Liverpudlian electro-pop trio Stealing Sheep, Grammy nominated indie/dance innovators Jesus Jones, world and dance music fusionists Transglobal Underground, Nigel Clark frontman of Britpop favourites Dodgy and turntablist DJ Format.

Saturday, July 9 (1-11pm)

TOP OF THE READIPOPS: Readipop will be returning this summer Picture: Charlie Woodward The Saturday is focused on Reading-based talent thanks to Readipop’s AAA Takeover. This will include an In Conversation session featuring Stephen Morris from New Order/Joy Division, amd Richard Jobson from The Skids. These take place in the Purple Turtle tent.

BBC Introducing in Berkshire has selected the opening acts for our mainstage on both Friday and Saturday.

And on the Sunday, BBC Introducing in Berkshire takes over the Readipop tent for the entire day, presenting

South Chiltern Choral Society presents ~

70th Anniversary Spring Concert

live shows from nine up-andcoming local acts.

Readipop’s family area will be open on the afternoons of Saturday and Sunday featuring craft, music and dance workshops, story telling, immersive performances and other fun activities with arts and music organisations including Jelly, Dance Reading, Annual Daydream Harvest, Tankata Percussion and more.

Reading’s indie Market also come to the site on Saturday and Sunday bringing their stalls full of festival-friendly arts, crafts and clothes stalls. Purple Turtle bars serve local craft beer and real ale all weekend alongside a selection of lagers, ciders, spirits and wine.

Readipop Festival which takes place by the banks of the River Thames in Christchurch Meadows.

Limited first release day tickets are available now and start from £18, while second release weekend tickets (which give access to all three days) are currently £49.50.

Accompanied under 14s can enjoy free tickets.

Every penny raised from the festival helps support Readipop’s charity work, which provides access to music for vulnerable young people and other underrepresented communities locally. n For more details, log on to: readipop.co.uk

The line-up

Friday, July 8 (6-11pm) Morcheeba Jesus Jones Sunscreem King Kuda Amya-Ray The Skandal

Bikers cause a nuisance in West Reading Fauré ~ Requiem Debussy ~ La Mer Nielsen ~ Helios Overture South Chiltern Choral Society Parenthesis Reading Symphony Orchestra Conductor ~ Stefan Hofkes

Sunday, July 10 (noon-9pm) Badly Drawn Boy Transglobal Underground Nigel Clark (Dodgy) Brother Zulu OSP Jnr Watson + Reading Reggae Collective 4Fingaz Beatroots Corvid Darcey Hope Danny Lampo doops Du’val Elucidate Hoopy Food No Feathers Split The Dealer Surya Tea & Jam Third Lung Wynona

Indie Market gives it both barrels READING Indie Market returns on Sunday, April 3. Double-Barrelled brewery is to open its Taproom to market stalls and food vendors, as well as selling its beer straight from the source.

Stalls features art, homeware, and even jam, with more than 15 vendors.

Previous markets have included work from artists such as James Taylor, whose photo prints of Reading locations have become well-known.

The Fat Tabby will also be providing burgers and pizza, with cake and soft drinks from Anonymous Coffee Co. Double-Barrelled is a Reading-based brewery run by partners Mike and Luci Clayton-Jones since 2016.

The Reading Indie Market takes place at Double-Barrelled Brewery, Stadium Way, on Sunday, April 3, from noon-5pm.

Discover the story of the Great Train Robbery at museum

Saturday 2nd April 2022 at 7.30 pm Concert Hall, Blagrave St, Reading RG1 1QH Tickets £23.50 £20.50 £15.50 Students under 25 £10 whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

www.southchilternchoralsociety.org.uk

SCRAMBLERS have been causing a nuisance in West Reading and police are keen to catch the culprits.

The West Reading Neighbourhood Policing Team said on Monday they had received a number of reports of the motorbikes have been seen in the Southcote and Norcot areas.

The anti-social behaviour had annoyed residents, but so far police have been unable to catch the riders, so no bikes have been seized.

They ask that if anyone sees motorbikes or vehicles being driven anti-socially or has information, CCTV, doorbell cameras or dashcam footage that could help, to report it via 101, or on line: www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime

Sugarhill Gang + Grandmaster Melle Mel & Scorpio (Furious 5) Stealing Sheep Romeo & Michele Stodart (The Magic Numbers) DJ Format In Conversation: Stephen Morris (New Order/Joy Division) & Richard Jobson (The Skids) The Drop Hatty Taylor Readipop AAA Takeover w/ K.Kayne & more Alive By Night Deva St John Imogen Halsey Jess Tuthill Shard Project

Registered Charity no. 297583

IT WAS the raid that transfixed the nation, and made household names out of thieves such as Ronnie Biggs and Bruce Reynolds.

And now it is immortalised in a display.

The Great Train Robbery in 1963, saw a gang of 11 men take up to £2.6 million – £56

million in today’s money – from a locomotive heading between Glasgow and London.

The story continues to fascinate today, and is one of the star attractions at the Thames Valley Police museum in Sulhamstead.

There are also displays telling the story of the police in

the Thames Valley.

The venue is now reopen following covid closures.

Visitors can attend on Wednesday mornings from 10am to noon.

Entry is free, and the museum is located in The Thames Valley Police Training Centre.

Wednesday, March 23, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

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Where’s there’s trash, there’s cash: £50,000 raised from recycling

COMMUNITY CHAMPION: Ali Chaney from Three Mile Cross has been collecting people’s hard to recycle packaging for nine years, including from these special bins installed at Alder Grove Primary School in Shinfield.

Her work has now raised £50,000 for charity

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today A RECYCLING champion has hit the top of the pile after raising nearly £50,000 for charity through litter collection.

Ali Chaney, from Three Mile Cross, has been collecting waste which is deemed ‘hard to recycle’, and sending it to specialist recycling centres.

The waste is not collected by the council since it is deemed too expensive or difficult to recycle.

These items include rubber gloves, sweet wrappers, and empty hygiene and beauty products, which are either sent to landfill or incinerated.

However this waste can be used by companies such as TerraCycle who work with other brands to recycle the waste.

TerraCycle allows bundles of collected waste to be traded for points which can be redeemed as monetary donations to charities, schools, and non-profit organisations.

Ms Chaney said that the company allowed manufacturers to be more proactive about hard to recycle waste, and more accountable when they have options such as TerraCycle.

She has been collecting waste for nine years, raising close to £50,000 for charitable causes, and saving around five million pieces of litter from landfill or incineration.

Ms Chaney said: “It’s rewarding, but sorting, clearing, and boxing it all up is tiring.

“It keeps me very busy,” she said,

adding: “my house looks like a bit like the tip.

“But if I didn’t work, I think I’d be happy to do it all the time – it’s a bit of a stress buster, sometimes.”

She has also created numerous drop off points for hard to recycle waste around Reading, such as Swallowfield Pre-school, Pink Hippo Self Storage, and Budgens in Three Mile Cross.

Of the nearly £50,000 raised, proceeds have been given to charities such as Babies in Buscot Support.

She said: “Babies in Buscot Support is a fantastic charity which has been a tremendous support to me and my family.

The money we donate is used for

state of the art equipment and smaller items such as baby clothes.”

As well as Babies in Buscot Support, proceeds from the collections have also gone to more than 30 other charities, including Thames Valley Animal Welfare, and The Cowshed “I’ve basically reached all of the charities I already support, though I’d like to support more animal charities.

“All of the causes have been very grateful.”

In 2020, she received Wokingham Borough Mayor’s Roll of Honour awards for outstanding commitment and contributions to the area.

Ms Chaney also co-ordinated a scheme with Alder Grove Primary

School, Shinfield, to bring collection points for hard to recycle waste to the school gates in September 2020.

She said that even more could be done with more ‘drop points’ like these, where people in the community could dispose of the waste in convenient places.

“The council do what they can, and it does cost, unfortunately” Ms Chaney said.

“Reading and Wokingham take more than a lot of other places, so really it’s about people following the rules and doing what they can.”

n For more details, search for Ali’s Recycling for the Local Community on Facebook

Broad Street Mall COVID vaccine centre Open every day 9am-7pm No appointment needed VACCINATION IS THE BEST PROTECTION CORONAVIRUS Information

Free cheers: raise your glasses to special offer for charity PUBBGOERS can enjoy a special buy one, get one free on drinks – but they have to be quick as the offer ends this weekend.

Running until Sunday, pubs across Reading are offering customers a twofor-one deal on selected drinks as part of the Here’s to the Pub campaign.

Customers download a voucher from the Great British Pubs website.

Some of the profits from the campaign will also go towards supporting the Marmalade Trust, a charity which is combating loneliness.

Nick Light, managing director of Stonegate Pub Partners, said: “We are delighted to be running our free drinks campaign on an exciting and wide range of products, including from the low and no category.

He said that Stonegate was also pleased to be working with the Marmalade Trust.

“Over the past couple of years, loneliness has become more prevalent than ever,” he explained. “Our pubs are not only social hubs for people to come together but they are often lifelines for those who live alone or in need of company.”

Pubs taking part in the scheme include the Pond House, Oxford Road; the Prince, School Road; the Queens Head, Christchurch Road; and the Butcher’s Arms, Lower Armour Road. n www.great-british-pubs.co.uk

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Save the date for the Summer Fete BERKSHIRE Hospitals Summer fete is back for another year, returning on Saturday, June 18.

The fete will be taking place Victoria recreational Ground.

The event is organised by the Friends of Berkshire Hospitals, and 2022 marks 65 years of the League of Friends supporting the hospital.

The ward’s first major project to support the hospital in 1967 raised £2000 towards developing patient rooms for burns cases and overnight stays.

Big day for RAMS skipper n From front page

Pre-loved sale and craft market BIRCH Copse School is opening up for craft and market stalls at its sale for baby and children’s items.

The market will host crafts, and activities for children of all ages, and pre-loved clothes and toys.

Stalls are also available for booking, with pre-loved stalls and craft or business spaces available.

Entry is £2, though children are admitted for free, and all profits going towards raising money for the school.

The market is being held at Birch Copse Primary School, Wittenham Avenue, from 1pm4pm on Saturday, April 2. n To book a stall, contact bcptafundraising@gmail.com.

GOING, GOING: Reading’s gas tower fades away Picture: Phil Creighton

It’s the end, but the moment has been prepared for IT’S FADING away ...

Reading’s gas tower is in the process of being demolished, great chunks of our past detaching themselves like melted icebergs.

Specialist teams are on the site carefully removing great chunks of the metal reminder of the gasworks that led on to the Huntley and Palmer’s factory.

Work had been planned for last year, but it was delayed after falcons started nesting there.

SGN is removing gas tower number four - the final one remaining - so 130 flats can be built on the site instead.

The tower’s cast iron column base structure dates back to 1887, and it is hoped that its remains can be reused in the future.

As the tower has been taken down, Newtown residents have been taking selfies and celebrating its silent neighbour.

But as the days go on, the skyline is looking that little bit emptier.

Our picture shows work taking place last week, during a misty morning, creating the illusion that the tower is indeed fading away.

at the club for more than a decade and played in excess of 175 games – produced an adrenaline-fueled display on the back of less than three hours sleep to lead his side to glory.

Following a superhuman effort, he said: “It’s been a long and great 24 hours.

“I had two hours sleep from 10pm till midnight, then Emily’s waters broke and she gave birth at about 3.15am. “(Things went smoothly from there) and I then got about a 20-minute or half-hour nap and then straight up to the game.”

Several of his teammates and management suggested it could have been his greatest-ever performance in a career which has seen the club rise from obscurity to just two divisions below the Premiership, and joked

he should try and make it a regular pre-match warm-up.

But Robbie emphatically admitted: “I will never do this again – it’s not going to become a routine, I promise you.

“It’s not going to happen – Emily wouldn’t allow it.”

And while Robbie accepted it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, his Director of Rugby, Seb Reynolds – a former teammate of the skipper in their younger days – had no doubt something special was in the offing when he received the call confirming his leader would play.

“I sort of knew he’d play well – it’s one of those events and occasions in life where something massive happens and it probably relaxes you – he’s probably just thinking ‘I might as well go and play some rugby’ and you go on adrenaline,” he said. n Match report in Sport Today

Ceremony thanks police and public for doing their bit Spoil someone you love this Mother’s Day

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By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

A SPECIAL ceremony took place in Reading last week to thank people who had gone above and beyond in the fight against crime.

The Commanders Commendation took place on Wednesday, March 16, at Reading Police Station, with awards being presented to officers and the public to thank them for the contributions they had made to the community.

Thames Valley Police said that some of the work undertaken by police staff includes efforts to reduce the exploitation of children in county drug lines and protecting vulnerable people.

Problem Solving Team 2 were commended for their part as a team that seized and dismantled 10 Cannabis factories, along the way arresting, charging and remanding offenders in an organised crime group.

A Police Constable was commended for her work on

an investigation involving a violent offender.

It was a complex investigation and the force said that she demonstrated force principles in taking pride in delivering a high-quality service, the offender received a custodial sentence.

Two Police Constables and one Special Constable were commended for consistently demonstrating the force principle of taking pride in delivering a high quality service.

A Police Constable was commended for making an outstanding contribution to the Smarter Resolution Team, ensuring an exceptional service is provided to the public.

And members of the public were also recognised for their actions, including saving lives and bringing offenders to justice.

The included a man who was commended for assisting officers by identifying himself as an off- duty SCAS paramedic and helping a patient who needed medical attention.

The patient was abusive, but they built up a rapport with them and waited with the patient and officers for further assistance.

He showed complete selflessness in his actions.

Staff from a shop in Broad Street, Reading, were commended for helping an elderly man who collapsed in their store.

The man suffered a cardiac arrest and the quick actions of the team, by providing first aid and CPR; assisted in the preservation of this man’s life.

Reading LPA Commander, Supt Raffield, said: “I am proud to be able to recognise the outstanding hard work and achievements by those I work alongside and members of the public.

“The awards that have been presented this evening show the pride and responsibility that people take on in their role within the community of Reading and I would like to say thank you to them all.”

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Ukrainian centre continues work to prepare the way for refugees WORKING TOGETHER: Reading Borough Council leader Jason Brock with Reading East MP Matt Rodda and Reading Ukrainian Community Centre chairman Tony Gresko Picture: Phil Creighton

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

WORK towards homing Ukrainian refugees has “just started”.

That’s the view of Tony Gresko, the chair of the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre.

Based in Sidmouth Street, the centre has been the focal point for Reading’s response to the Russian invasion of our European neighbour.

And in addition to preparing to welcome refugees fleeing the invading troops, the centre also wants Reading residents to head to London this weekend to take part in a solidarity march.

Taking place from Park Lane on Saturday from 2pm, it will head to Trafalgar Square for a vigil, which will run from 3pm to 5pm.

The march will go via Piccadilly Circus, where Yoko Ono’s IMAGINE PEACE artwork, commissioned by CIRCA in collaboration with Serpentine, will be displayed on Piccadilly Lights.

“We urge people to attend the solidarity march, to show that London, and the country, still stands with Ukraine, and is still ready to help,” Mr Gresko said.

For more details on the event,

search social media for London Stands With Ukraine.

When the invasion of Ukraine started, the Ukrainian centre became a collecting point for aid, including warm clothes and medicine, which has been transported to transit camps where it can be shared with people in need.

However, the focus has now shifted towards helping people coming to Reading, to ensure they can settle in.

A financial appeal has been launched by Reading mayor Cllr Rachel Eden (see below).

This aims to support the

team at the centre as it seeks to provide support, shelter and basic necessities for those travelling to the UK. Mr Gresko said the centre was ready to help, and welcomed support from the Reading community.

“Right now, we’re about to speak with the council about how we’re going to coordinate with them to re-home refugees, as the first families are starting to come over,” he said.

“Currently, continuing to donate to the Red Cross, to the Disaster Emergency Committee, and to #HelpUkraine, as well

Mayoral appeal for Ukrainian refugees CLLR Rachel Eden, mayor of Reading, has called for financial donations to the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre as they support people caught in the conflict.

She is asking Reading to help the centre as it prepares for the arrival of refugees.

She said: “The generosity of people in Reading has once again shone through in recent weeks, which is absolutely no surprise.

“The Reading Ukrainian Community Centre has been quite taken aback by the sheer scale of physical donations, so much so that they had to temporarily ask people to stop bringing items.”

Cllr Eden explained that shipments of donated items are becoming more difficult and dangerous to deliver. This means that financial donations allow support groups to be more flexible in how they provide aid.

And at a meeting of the council held last night – after we had gone to press – council leader Cllr Jason Brock set out the council’s agenda for Ukraine and support to refugees.

The council discussed making a formal condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine by Putin’s troops, the ear-marking of £25,000 to

support organisations who help refugees, and an application for council of sanctuary status.

Cllr Brock said: “In the short term, the best way Reading can help is to make a financial donation via the mayoral appeal.

“The money will be put to valuable use by the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre.

“Reading has always gone above and beyond in providing support for people who are seeking refuge from conflict, and we will again in terms of providing a home for refugees from Ukraine.”

Cllr Eden said that Reading stands ready to welcome people.

“We are a City of Sanctuary not only in name, but in our actions.”

The council meeting was also expected to approve a plan to work with the RUCC, who they thank for the leadership the centre has shown during the crisis.

“Reading stands with Ukraine now and in the difficult months to come,” Cllr Eden said. n Donations to the Mayoral Appeal can be made by visiting: www.reading.gov.uk

Man dies following collision A MAN in his 60s has died following a road traffic collision in Tilehurst.

The incident happened just after 8pm on Wednesday, March 16, at Sulham Hill, and involved the man and a single vehicle.

Emergency services attended, but were unable to save the 62-year-old, who lived locally.

Thames Valley Police said that his family are being supported by specially trained officers.

Now the force is appealing for witnesses to come forward, with a

particularly appeal to anyone who saw a large, blue estate car.

Senior Investigating Officer Sergeant Gary Doughty of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: “We are in the very early stages of investigating this tragic incident which has seen a local man lose his life as a result of this collision.

“We have spoken to a number of witnesses and are in the process of obtaining information from them.

“If you were at the scene and have not yet given details to police, please get in touch with us, either online or by calling 101, quoting reference number 43220115995.”

He added: “Additionally, if anybody saw a large blue estate car in the area or has any dashcam footage that might assist our investigation, please do contact Thames Valley Police.

“We do not believe any other vehicle was involved.”

as showing your support at the march, is the best way to help Ukrainians right now.”

Mr Gresko said that though the volunteers at the RUCC were tired, “We look at our friends and family in Ukraine, the people of Mariupol, and we know they have it a million times worse.

We won’t complain.”

Reading and surrounding areas continue to show support for Ukraine in other ways, with fundraising events taking place.

Next week, Henley’s Kenton theatre will be the venue for a star-studded concert organised

by Purdy.

The line-up includes Nick Heyward and Carol Decker. Full details are in the leisure centre.

Reading Lions is holding a fundraising quiz on Friday, April 1.

This takes place at the Tilehurst British Legion on Downing Road, from 7pm.

Tickets cost £15, and include a fish ‘n’ chip supper, with alternatives available.

Proceeds will go to Lions International Charities or Ukrainian Community Groups.

For details, log on to www. readinglions.org.uk A NOSH for Ukraine commmunity lunch will be held at All Saints Church Hall in Downshire Square on Sunday from 1pm.

Organised by Unicef NEXTGeneration London, tickets are available on Eventbrite.

And homes and civic offices continue to either fly the Ukrainian flag, or light up in the blue and yellow colours to show their support. n Online donations can be made to the Disaster Emergency Committee at www.dec.org.uk and to the Red Cross at donate. redcross.org.uk. n Donations to the Help Ukraine appeal can be made at www. helpukraine.center

Pocket money treats for Mum at Morrisons A SUPERMARKET chain is encouraging children to treat their mums without breaking the piggy bank this Mother’s Day. Morrisons has launched a new pocket money menu in its Reading Whitley Wood and Wokingham Woosehill cafés.

Every item is priced at 99p or less and treats on offer include tea, coffee, toasted teacakes and crumpets.

And doughnuts are on the menu for 35p.

According to family banking app RoosterMoney, the average pocket money for four to 10 year olds is £4.12 per week, making it affordable for little shoppers to spoil their mum.

Head of café at Morrisons, Ali Lyons, said that she hopes the menu helps children to show their mums some appreciation.

“We also hope that families can spend some quality time together,” she added.

The supermarket has also brought back their feed the family for £10 offer in our cafés this week, which includes a main course and a drink.

Meals on offer for adults include lasagne, jacket potatoes and fish and chips, while the kids can choose from favourites such as chicken nuggets and macaroni cheese.

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Volunteer corner

Just how chatty is Reading?

New survey reveals all

Reading Voluntary Action

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, March 23, 2022

People of Oxford champions acc

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today READING has been caught on canvas in a thrilling new exhibition currently on show in the town centre.

IT’S GOOD TO TALK: A new survey looks at how long people are on the blower for Picture: Pixabay

R

EADING Mencap is a local charity that was founded in 1962 with the aim to provide support so that individuals with learning disabilities and their families might lead a full and active life in their community.

They are seeking a Transition Club Assistant Volunteer.

Their Transition Service and Clubs is to support members who are aged 16-25 and their families prepare for adulthood.

Volunteers will provide assistance to the club leaders and assist with set up of activities, refreshments and more.

Volunteers with experience of working with older children or young adults with learning disabilities in either a care and/or educational setting is desirable.

However, the right attitude and approach is much more important to them. n Enrych Berkshire is an organisation that provides people with disabilities extra support to help them to enjoy hobbies, interests and activities of their choosing.

Right now they hope to recruit a friendly volunteer to assist an Enrych member that is visually impaired with getting out and about.

This member wants to increase social activities such as attending pub quizzes, as well as having additional support to be able to enjoy walks.

This particular member also works full-time.

So they would appreciate your support in the evening or on the weekend.

n Starting Point supports young people aged 11-25 through various mentoring programmes and they want to recruit more passionate and emotionally robust volunteers to join their team as mentors.

Mentoring at Starting Point takes a relational, tailored, and holistic approach.

By taking time to get to know mentees and taking a genuine interest in them.

The young person is treated as an individual and supported accordingly.

With your assistance you can help boost areas such as confidence, self-esteem, aspiration and more in young people around Reading. 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.

THE old adage time is money has been put to the test with a new Chattabox Index.

It aims to find out who thinks it’s good to talk when getting down to business.

Set up by cloud-based business phone system CircleLoop, the index analyses the length of phone calls its customers made, to determine who stays on the line for longest.

While Watford wins the title of chattiest town overall for business calls, Reading came in 29th.

However, this doesn’t tell the whole story.

Businesses in Watford have an average call duration of 108 seconds, or one minutes and 48 seconds.

Reading is just behind this, at 102 seconds, or one minute and 42 seconds.

What puts Watford ahead is that 21% of all calls made in the area where business-related, compared to Reading’s 5.7%.

The Chatterbox Matrix also finds that Swindon businesses spend the longest amount of time chatting over the phone despite fewer calls being made, talking for two-and-a-half minutes

(150 seconds) on average.

Damian Hanson, co-founder and director of CircleLoop, said: “It was really interesting putting The Chatterbox Matrix together.

“The pandemic’s disruption of day-to-day business highlighted the importance of ‘anywhere, any time’ communication.

“As we emerge from that disruption, our data shows that UK businesses have really embraced cloud-based communications in a way that, pre-covid, would have been unprecedented.”

He added: “I think the call volume data is particularly interesting. Seeing that a fifth of all calls in Watford are made by businesses is significant and a really positive sign that businesses big and small are bouncing back after a very challenging few years.

“At CircleLoop we want to support chatty businesses doing what they do best and celebrate it right alongside them.”

CircleLoop’s Chatterbox Matrix analysed data from approximately 4,000 businesses across the UK over the last six months.

n For more details, log on to: www.circleloop.co.uk

Recycle your plant pots A GARDEN centre chain has launched a new recycling scheme to help gardeners be even more environmentally friendly.

Dobbies has partnered with sustainable gardening plastics brand elho to provide recycling bins at all of its stores, including Hare Hatch and Shinfield.

Neither Wokingham or Reading borough councils’ kerbside schemes currently recycle plant pots or trays.

Chris Buck, northern account manager for ehlo, said that the ELHO, ELHO, ELHO: Dobbies has scheme will make it easier to teamed up with Elho to launch a plant avoid sending discarded containers pot recycling scheme to landfill.

The survey was based on “The scheme will give plastic responses from 2003 UK adults a second lease of life. including 307 from the South East.

“It is simple and convenient — Marcus Eyles, horticultural when visiting the garden centre, director at Dobbies Garden Centres return your old pots.” said that whilst pot-recycling has elho’s sustainability efforts been encouraged in stores for a include its wind-powered factory number of years, the new bins send in the Netherlands which last year a clear message. turned more than 13 million kg “We are always looking for of recycled plastic into pots and ways to embed sustainability other garden sundries. into our operations, and this is And research carried out for a positive step forward in our Dobbies earlier this month shows #SustainableDobbies journey,” that 36% of gardeners in the South East want to recycle more of their he added. garden waste products this spring. n For more, visit: dobbies.com

Caroline Streatfield is one of the artist whose paintings, showcasing scenes of every day life in the town’s Oxford Road, are available to view.

Called People of Oxford Rd, it is part of a project aimed at engaging with the communities that make up one of the most interesting and diverse parts of Reading.

It also explores the effects of the immigrant population on Reading.

Ms Streatfield, who taught at Reading College for 20 years, says that the project was all about accessibility.

“The whole premise of the project was that art is accessible for all.”

She said that this was also why the HolyBrook Gallery in Reading Central Library was the perfect exhibition space.

“It’s central, and what better place for a community project?”

As well as painting five life-sized portraits, Ms Streatfield also ran workshops for children, adults, and a number of multi-ethnic communities The 12 workshops were also opened up to speakers of English as a second language, and those with special educational needs from Oxford Road School.

Ms Streatfield said that the workshops she ran helped groups who can struggle with maths or English, “but with art they came alive.”

ON SHOW: Caroline Streatfield’s People of Oxf Capan/DVision “They’re young and fresh, so they notice things you’ve never noticed before, and I think it really meant a lot to them.”

Members of the workshops produced self-portraits, and children from the Oxford Road Community School created a group portrait.

Now Streatfield’s five portraits are joining the self portraits of the community in an exhibition celebrating their identities and exploring the rich diversity of culture in Reading.

“I’ve lived in Reading since I was 12,” Ms Streatfield says, “and we need more

Man’s epic 24-hour workout to raise money for Readingbased hospice in memory of his mum ON FRIDAY, a Dad from Torquay will to break a sweat to help out the work of a Tilehurst-based hospice.

Ben Pountney is to complete 24 workouts in 24 hours at his local gym in a fitness challenge that aims to raise funds for Sue Ryder, as a way of thanking the team for their care they gave to his mum at the end of her life.

He is hoping to raise £3,000 during his challenge.

The 39-year-old already has the fitness bug and is preparing to run the London Marathon for the first time later this year.

Ben’s Mum Jill Clark passed away on Christmas Day in 2018. She had breast cancer.

Talking about the care she received from Sue Ryder, father-of-three Ben said: “Mum lived with her partner in Reading for more than 15 years, and received amazing support and respite care from the Duchess of Kent Hospice while she was ill, before then spending her final weeks there.

“It was a very difficult time – especially as I was living almost 200 miles away in Devon – and the nurses were amazing in ringing me daily to keep me updated, as well as being so accommodating when I came up to visit.

“I can’t speak highly enough about them; nothing mum required was ever too much trouble and their kindness and care was a great support to me and my family.”

He continues: “After mum passed away, I used Sue Ryder’s free Online Bereavement Counselling Service, which was really significant and helped me no-end in dealing with my grief. It was there when I needed it most and it’s another reason why I want to do my bit to raise funds for the charity.”

Ben’s gruelling 24-hour exerciseathon starts at 3pm on Friday, March 25, and will see him complete 24 separate classes ranging in length from 30 minutes to 45 minutes, including rowing, cycling, HIIT (highintensity) as well as a combined 15 miles of running.

Throughout the day and night he will be joined by coaches and fellow members of the gym for encouragement and moral support.

He said: “A 24-hour workout followed by my first-ever marathon later this year sounds like a lot, but in truth it doesn’t compare to what my mum went through, and the inspiration given to me by her strength and courage will

d Road exhibition cessibility in art

ford Road exhibition is at the HolyBrook Gallery until Thursday, March 31. Picture: Dijana spaces, more studios, and of course more funding.

“Art brings people together, because it is all about community.”

The paintings were first toured along the Oxford Road, stopping at Battle Library and the Biscuit Factory, before settling at the HolyBrook gallery.

The works are a mixture of self-portraits by attendees of the workshops and portraits of residents of the Oxford Road.

Subjects include a worker at the pharmacy, a hairdresser, and an assistant at a menswear shop.

Ms Streatfield says that there has always been an elitism in the art world, but that people are taking control of it.

“Anyone can be an artist, and I want to break down any barriers early on.”

Ms Streatfield also says that the project feels like a shift in her own work.

“I used to paint my own past, but in this project I’m portraying the people of this town as they are right now.

“Before, I was painting ghosts.” n The People of Oxford Road exhibition will be showing at the HolyBrook Gallery in Reading Central Library, floor 2, until Thursday, March 31.

EXCERCISE WITH A CAUSE: Ben Pountney, pictured with his Mum Jill and partner Lauren at the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, is undertaking a 24-hour sponsored gym session to raise funds for the hospice, which looked after his Mum during her final days

get me through it and she will be with me every step of the way.

“I am determined to give something back and say thank you to the hospice that cared for her so well.

I’m so grateful to Ross and the team at Diverse Fitness for really embracing my fundraising idea and supporting this amazing charity, which is so close to my heart.”

And his efforts are appreciated by the Liebenrood Road hospice.

Its senior community fundraiser, Tom Horsfield, said: “We are absolutely in awe of Ben for taking

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Wednesday, March 23, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

on this incredible challenge to boost his marathon fundraising efforts for our hospice.

“Every pound will help our teams continue to go above and beyond, filling last days with love and helping to give families a better goodbye.

“We are so grateful for his support.”

n To support Ben, visit: justgiving.com/ fundraising/Ben-Pountney n For more information about Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, visit: sueryder.org/duchessofkent

Emma’s art is a vision

SHOWCASE: A special event at St Nicolas Church launched new books by Emma Major featuring her poetry and artwork. Emma (centre) is with the Revd April Beckerleg (left) and her dad, Bill Wyley, and husband, Mike Major. Picture: Steve Smyth

A CHANCE To see the world in a different way has been made by an Earley church, thanks to its secondever art exhibition.

The showcase features 50 paintings created by the Revd Emma Major, who has branched out into the world of art and poerty in recent years.

There are landscapes and architectural views in Reading, a rendition of the venue, St Nicolas Earley, and paintings from Emma’s published works, Dormiveglia and Lights Stuck On Red. Emma creates her art digitally before it is printed, a process she started using in 2021, while recovering from Covid-19.

She said: “Lights Stuck on Red represents my journey through the pandemic and speaks about the mental health challenges I survived.

“The architectural paintings are a celebration of places we might have taken for granted before the pandemic and will hopefully appreciate more going forward.”

She had tried a number of techniques to continue producing art after losing her sight.

Emma said: “Over the seven years since losing my sight I’ve challenged myself to try many different types of art from sketching to abstract paintings, creating mosaics to needlefelting, rock painting to resin pouring.”

Emma released two collections of poetry and art, with each focusing on different effects of covid.

Lights Stuck on Red is a collection of work from lockdown experiences between January 2020 and June 2021, and Dormiveglia focuses on the effects of long covid, as well as ME, Fibromyalgia, and other illnesses.

“My love of God, and his love of me, inspire and encourage my creativity.” She said.

“I pray and paint every morning, allowing my prayers for the world to inspire my creativity.”

Emma’s first exhibition focused on the COP26 climate conference, and was the first to be displayed at the church’s gallery space.

“To me, each painting is a hundred (or thousand) smaller paintings which together form the one picture you see,” she said.

“I never see the whole as you do, but then perhaps none of us see any painting exactly the same way.”

Emma’s books, Dormiveglia, and Lights Stuck On Red: Inner Travels in Lockdown, were launched at the exhibition

n The gallery at St Nicolas Church, on Sutcliffe Avenue, is open 9am until 5pm daily, with card prints, mini prints, and copies of Emma’s books available to buy.

POETRY CORNER The Giggles

Our Teacher growls with rage and pain “WHO has let us down AGAIN !”

I try to show I’m not to blame, BUT

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Our Teacher grumbles, starts to glare, I try to concentrate, but there A Spider swings above her hair, AND I gulp. I gasp. My body wriggles, I itch, I twitch...I’ve got the GIGGLES. Our Teacher groans, she gazes round, But no one else has made a sound...

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Letters We must keep our Email news@rdg.today

net zero focus

IT’S ALWAYS the little things that add up.

You’d never think that collecting empty (and clean) crisp packets, and other very hard to recycle items would net £50,000, but that’s exactly what one woman has done.

Ali Chaney has been a 21st century womble, collecting the things we have left behind and turning them into cash.

Not only are local charities and good causes benefiting, but it is also helping us all to make the planet a greener place.

Her work is an inspiration to us all, and also an encouragement.

There has been a lot of talk in recent days of abandoning net zero pledges because of the rising cost of living.

That would be a folly.

Ensuring we are working towards sustainable, eco-friendly and renewable lives is something we need to take seriously. We can’t take our foot off the gas just because fuel has gone up.

Ali has been helping us do it, one crisp packet at a time.

Thank you for all your hard work Ali, you are an inspiration.

CHURCH NOTES

Love wins through

L

AST week, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was released after six years’ detention in Iran.

She in now home with her family and it is hard for us to understand the full extent of emotions and challenges she will be facing.

But we know that her loving family are standing beside her and that they will do all in their power to help her move forward and make a new life, a happy and whole life despite the complications of separation and loss that have been so keenly felt.

Are there times when you have faced unimaginable problems and challenges? Are there times when you have wondered if you will make it through to see a better brighter future?

With the restrictions of covid, the horrors of war in Ukraine and the ever present stress and busyness of life we can feel that it is all too hard and our hopeful future is evading us.

But taking a lesson from the tenacity and struggle of both Nazanin and her loving family we can take heart – and we too can overcome in the most difficult of times. Love wins through.

The Christian faith teaches us to hold on to our faith in the overwhelming love of God, to the promise that there is a future for those who will put their faith and trust in the living God. We have a large and vibrant Christian family, who love and care and support us in times of crisis and difficulty. These are the loving ones who can help us through.

In the Bible, we read of God’s good plans for those who believe and trust in Him. “We know that in all things God works for good of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28) Would you like to reach out and receive that help from God, from your Christian family? Now is a good time.

The Revd Judith Wheatley is the minister of Anderson Baptist Church, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Reading

Stamp duty

As if things are not already bad enough for households, the price of postage stamps is set to rise again, by 10p for First Class.

Worse still, from January next year, older first and second class stamps will be invalid, and will need to be replaced by ones with a QR code.

We have more than 300 older stamps, about five years’ worth.

Exchange by post is too risky unless we use special delivery, both ways, which will wipe out much of the savings made.

The temptation for Royal Mail to stall, and to say they have ‘gone missing’ is obvious.

I believe this is a convenient wheeze to apply a retrospective price rise to fleece those of us who stocked up when prices were lower.

We should be able to exchange stamps at a post office, but will we get the same number of stamps in return?

Perhaps I should stop sending Christmas cards?

Most of us are not interested in gimmicks that send video greetings.

We just want a delivery service at reasonable prices.

Royal Mail must not be allowed to get away with this.

The national press may have

From the Chamber

Cllr Jenny Rynn

The warmest Reading welcome

E

VERY day for a month we have watched with absolute horror and universal condemnation the wanton destruction of the private homes of so many ordinary Ukrainians as the unprovoked barbarity of Putin’s war has targeted residential areas across their country without mercy – a war crime committed with every shell that hits civilian areas.

Conversely, we’ve also seen the best of humanity, with the huge outpouring of compassion from people across Europe who’ve offered immediate shelter and food for the millions of Ukrainian refugees continuing to flee such brutality – and the people of Reading have been no exception in opening their hearts and their doors to them.

On Tuesday night at Reading Borough’s Full Council, the Conservatives supported a motion, not only condemning the illegality of the aggression

by Putin’s invading troops but also making it clear that Reading stands ready to offer sanctuary to as many Ukrainian families as possible when they reach the UK. Housing is in our political DNA in Reading, not just because ours is such a popular, beautiful town beside the Thames with people from all over the country wanting to live here. We also have a vibrant economy and the people of Reading are unfailingly welcoming.

Like all towns and cities, however, we also have problems with supplying long-term housing for all who apply. The criteria for joining the council’s housing list

is to have lived in the borough for at least three years. At the end of January there were 4,650 families on Reading’s housing list.

We believe that people born and bought up in Reading should be the priority. If not they could be forced out of their home town to live somewhere cheaper.

People who decide to come and live in Reading can’t expect to be automatically housed by the council or otherwise the local authority would be overwhelmed.

So, the housing challenges facing Reading are immense and varied. There are currently 196 families in temporary accommodation with an average waiting time living in temporary accommodation of just under 10 months. One resident, for example, is in a bedsit with her 11-year-old son waiting to be housed. The mother works fulltime. She and her son have to share the same bedroom.

RBC has a system whereby if a council property has become too large for tenants’ needs because family members have grown up and moved out, then the tenants can apply to be moved to a smaller home thus freeing up a family home for an applicant on the housing list.

Of course, people who’ve lived in their house for many years are reluctant to move as the area is all that they have known.

The council has 5,600 properties to keep in good order, with a budget of £34 million to spend over five years to update essentials such as windows, heating systems and roofing. For the benefit of these updates, all that tenants are asked is to keep the houses neat and tidy.

The council also has a

lost interest in this scandal, but the public won’t forget.

Don’t even get me started on the scandal of BT and landlines.

Name and address supplied

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, March 23, 2022

From the Chamber Liz Terry

Covid tests As volunteers we have worked throughout the pandemic supporting our NHS. In order to do so, we have been directed to lateral flow test twice a week.

It would appear that as volunteers we have now been abandoned as access to test kits appears to have been removed.

We have been trying for the past 10 days to get test kits with the same result.

Without volunteers our NHS would have struggled even more than it did.

Have we been abandoned?

Name and address supplied monumental task in provision as only between 350-400 houses are due to be built by 2026.

We do need more affordable family homes, but land remains at a premium in Reading and, although we are fortunate to have green space surrounding us, we as a Party are opposed to unsustainable developments such as the recent approval by RBC’s Labour administration of 223 new homes in Emmer Green in the face of huge opposition by local residents.

As Conservatives we will always seek to protect our green and open spaces and argue that Reading’s brownfield sites should be prioritised for new, affordable homes notwithstanding remediation costs.

More positively, 40 modular homes have been built for Reading’s rough-sleepers, giving them access to psychiatric and medical help to assist them back into society.

It’s a great achievement by RBC’s housing department and our officers are to be congratulated over it. The Government has also awarded some councils £25,000 to help plan regeneration of their housing stock. This, too, will help make sure that houses are up to standard.

Finally, a major problem the council still faces is anti-social behaviour by those few tenants who cause absolute misery for others.

While it may sound harsh, when you have so many people desperate for a home, the council can evict nuisance tenants who then have to wait five to 10 years before applying for another council property. Personally, I don’t believe they should qualify for a council property again.

Despite all these housing issues on our own doorstep, one thing is certain; those Ukrainian refugees who are fortunate enough to make it to our town will be welcomed to their new, temporary home deep in the safety of Berkshire with the most compassionate Reading welcome.

Cllr Jenny Rynn is member for Kentwood Ward on Reading Borough Council and the Conservative spokesperson on housing

Cost of living is becoming a crisis

L

AST October, at a meeting of the full Council, I raised concern that the government had ended the £20 per week uplift in universal credit (UC).

Over 40% of UC claimants are in work.

I pointed out that the future of the country was being negatively affected when so many children are living in poverty given the potential harm this is likely to cause to their health, well-being, and economic potential.

The number of children living in poverty was already 4.3 million and was expected to grow by up to 290,000.

The rise in the cost of living was already beginning to hit with the choice of eating or heating a reality for many. It’s now becoming a crisis.

Now the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) are saying that, with benefit levels set to rise by 3.1% (a real terms cut when inflation is forecast to hit 7% by April), a further 400,000 people will be pushed into poverty.

All this coming just as energy costs and food costs are set to rise, alongside the Tory government’s big increase in National Insurance contributions.

A separate analysis the New Economics Foundation in March 2022 found that over a third of households, 23.4 million people, will be unable to afford the cost of living by April 2022.

This figure includes nearly half of all children and almost all (96%) children living in families out of work as well as eight in 10 in single-parent households and four in ten in working families.

The impact on so many children is a big concern for me.

There is no direct correlation between being in poverty and children coming into care, but it is clearly a factor that can increase the pressures on life at home whatever the make up of your family.

Society must take responsibility for at least ensuring that children have access to a home, food, health services and education – that is why we all pay our taxes.

I take my role as lead councillor for children’s services very seriously and work with Brighter Futures for Children to safeguard children from harm, neglect, and abuse, to support families who are struggling and need help to parent their child or children, particularly where that child may have additional educational needs and/or a disability.

This is made more difficult when basics needs are not being met.

Things have been made worse by the impact of covid. The Council has provided more funding to Brighter Futures for Children to address these issues and the Council has looked to do what it can to help with food vouchers, extra money for heating costs and additional council tax support but more needs to done by this government.

As the JRF suggest, it could choose to increase benefits by 7%, which would cost £7.5 billion – a great deal of money, but remember the government spent £37 billion just on test and trace.

The government could delay the National Insurance rise, it could cut VAT on fuel, it could collect a windfall tax from energy companies, but so far it is resisting these bigger answers and is instead just cutting £150 for some council taxpayers – which I welcome, even though it is poorly targeted to help those who need it most.

The energy cost loans will just make things worse for the less well-off in our society. Radical thinking is needed.

Cllr Liz Terry is ward councillor for Minster Ward, and lead for children’s services on Reading Borough Council

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Reading College officially opens its applied sciences centre OPEN: Alison Webster, chief exective of Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, cuts the ribbon to Reading College’s new applied sceince centre watched by, among others, mauor of Reading Cllr Rachel Eden (wearing a pink jacket) Picture: Jake Clothier

By Jake Clothier jclothier@rdg.today

READING College has officially opened its applied science centre.

The launch was attended by the mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, and chief executive of Thames Valley Berkshire LEP, Alison Webster, who cut the ribbon to formally open the centre on Thursday, March 17.

The new facilities, which now form part of the pure sciences and digital building, were fitted with teaching labs and a multi-function room for flexible use, such as forensic studies.

They provide access to specialist equipment as well as dedicated space for applied science studies.

Attendees were shown around the new facilities, where they were given short demonstrations by students of Reading College.

Cllr Eden said that it was part of vital investment in the next generation of students.

“This kind of facility will give young people aspirations as well as skills they need, and we can get them ready to go and get those vital jobs,” she said.

After a securing a bid from successful Thames Valley

Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Reading College worked with Bayer and RSSL to build the new centre.

The Local Enterprise Partnership is a governmental initiative which seeks to cooperate with businesses and institutions to drive economic growth in Berkshire.

Alison Webster, chief executive at Thames Valley Berkshire LEP, said that the scheme aims to support businesses and students directly, but also by contributing to growth and development in Berkshire.

She said: “12% of jobs in Berkshire are in the science

Horseshoe Bridge closed for cleaning THE historic horseshoe bridge at the Kennetmouth has been closed for cleaning.

Work to remove graffiti from the bridge began on Monday, and is expected to be completed next week.

The work will also see the community plaque affixed to the bridge taken down and kept in storage by the council.

Network Rail contractors will begin by cleaning graffiti from the bridge before repainting it.

Tony Page, the council’s lead councillor for strategic environment, planning and transport, said that the works were long overdue.

He said: “The Horseshoe Bridge is very well used by the local community, but is now almost completely covered in graffiti and tags, and the paintwork is flaking and in

need of a refresh.

“Sight lines are also poor as pedestrians cannot see around the corners as they approach the down ramps of the bridge.

The closure is the first stage of works, with a second stage set to replace the bridge’s wooden panels with mesh.

The second stage could also add a community mural, though listed building consent would need to be secured.

This second stage is expected to begin later this year.

Cllr Page said: “All graffiti will be removed and the bridge will be repainted as part of the first phase of works, which will immediately improve the feeling of safety for users.

“Replacing the wooden panels with wire mesh

will improve sightlines immeasurably and will mean the historic adjoining brick railway bridge will be visible from the ground rather than screened off.”

The bridge is a listed structure dating back to 1892, and is adjoined to a rail bridge built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

It is a key route for people living in Newtown to access Christchurch Meadows and the Tesco store.

With the footpath closed, pedestrians are being diverted under the Napier Road tunnel instead.

This diversion continues on to Kenavon Drive, Liverpool Road, London Road, and then into Thames Valley Park.

The Kennetside footpath will also be closed eastbound from Cumberland Road.

Witness appeal to bike incident THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a public order incident in Reading.

Police said the victim, a man in his sixties, was driving along the A4 Bath Road at around 4.40pm on Sunday, March 13, when a group of offroad motorbikes surrounded his vehicle near the junction for Mill Lane.

The motorbike riders then

hit and kicked the victim’s vehicle, causing damage to the bodywork.

Police say the victim tried to drive away but the riders followed him and continued to damage his vehicle.

The incident continued down Burghfield Road until the victim turned down Southcote Lane.

PC Benjamin Cunningham, based at Reading police station,

said: “I am appealing for any witnesses of this incident to get in touch.”

Anyone with information, CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage is asked to contact the police via 101, or online, quoting reference number: 43220110831 Anonymous reports can be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

or technical sectors, and employers want science and bioscience students in their workforces.”

Zahra Akbari, a chemistry student at Reading College, said “I come from a country where science teaching is almost entirely academic, but here you can do it in the

real world, and you can do it yourself.

“Not only does it feel more satisfying, but it gives you confidence in your field.

“It helps you make sure you understand, and often it can be the thing which gives you inspiration to do something further.”

Drag Queen Bingo night planned DRAG Queen Bingo is calling to the Market House Hotel for its monthly event on Wednesday, March 30.

Last month’s event was hosted by Wilma Fingadoo, and featured an ABBA medley.

The event holds 13 separate games, hosted by drag queens, including a jackpot game with a grand prize of £150.

Other prizes include bar tabs at the Market House venue worth up to £50, shots, and cash.

Drag Queen Bingo takes place on the last Wednesday of every month at Market House, Market Place.

Doors open at 6.30pm on Wednesday, March 30.

Water Fest back READING Borough Council has announced that Water Fest is back on Saturday, June 4.

The event will feature as the flagship event for Reading’s celebrations of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in the Summer.

The festival will take place at Forbury Gardens, the Abbey ruins, Chestnut Walk, and Riverside Walk, and coincides with the jubilee bank holiday weekend.

There will be stalls, boats, entertainment and plenty of fun.

The event will run from 11am to 5pm.

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A business park that is changing

Reading is one of best places in country for business growth PLACE FOR GROWTH: A view from The Blade building in Reading, Berkshire Photo by Dijana Capan; DVision Images

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today READING is one of the best places in the country for business growth according to a new survey.

Reading-based law firm proud to be ‘bucking trend’ when it comes to equality

A READING-based law firm says it is proud that the majority of its partners are women, following on from International Women’s Day earlier this month.

The 2022 report for the Solicitors Regulation Authority looking at diversity found that, on average, only 35% of partners in all law firms in England and Wales are women.

However, it’s a different story at Blagrave Street-based Blandy & Blandy.

Its chairman, Nick Burrows, said: “We are very proud of the fact that nine (55%) of our 16 partners are women and to buck what remains a disappointing trend in 2022.

“This balance has not come through design but instead reflects Blandy & Blandy’s longstanding support for women in business, with many of our female partners having progressed into partnership over time, reflecting their significant contributions to the sustained success of our firm.

“Two thirds of our current senior associates and associates are women, as are over 60% of our management team.”

And Mr Burrows was appointed in 2016, succeeding Blandy & Blandy’s first female chair.

n For more details, log on to: www.blandy.co.uk

The Demos-PwC Good Growth for Cities Index places the town in fourth place, when assessing public priorities for growth.

The rankings of the 50 largest cities in the UK assesses 12 key economic wellbeing factors, including jobs, health, income and skills, as well as work-life balance, house affordability, travel-towork times, income equality, environment and business startups.

Two new indicators – safety and high street and shops – have been added to the index. The separate GVA analysis included in the report takes into account a city’s sectoral make-up, the impact of the use of the furlough scheme to protect jobs, and rates of Universal Credit claims, Covid infection rates and mobility data to estimate GVA growth for 2021 and 2022.

Oxford is first, with Bournemouth and Swindon in second and third places.

The report shows provincial cities are expected to show stronger economic growth than those that are larger and more metropolitan and there is an increased focus from the public on wellbeing, the environment and income distribution.

Cities in the South East are expected to show an average GVA growth rate of 7.9% for 2021 – above the 7.3% UK average.

Keith Harrington, South East Regional Market Leader at PwC said: “As we look forward it’s

encouraging to see so many of our cities performing well in the Index, particularly in terms of their expected economic growth as we move beyond the pandemic.

“It’s clear that inequalities still remain within regions and we need to address this.

“The progress we’re seeing in these areas, along with the changing priorities among the public, have presented a window of opportunity that won’t be open forever. It is important that we address the areas in which our region falls down, such as in house price to earnings and income distribution.”

He continued: “This report sets out a series of recommendations for policymakers and businesses which includes developing skills and investments to deliver green growth in a sustainable and fair way.

“It’s more important than ever for local governments, businesses and communities to work together to address some of these key issues. At PwC, we recognise the huge opportunities that the region brings, and all of us within the region have a role to play in contributing to the future success and growth in the South East.”

Of the 12 variables included in this year’s index, the biggest driver for improvement for cities over the last three years has been better work-life balance.

Broad improvements in the skills of older workers, as well as income distribution and life expectancy, have also helped the gap narrow slightly between the highest and lowest ranked cities.

Justin Martin, devolved and local government lead for PwC, said: “We’re emerging from the pandemic with a new set of priorities, largely focused around fairness, the environment and work-life balance.

It’s likely that the way we have lived over the past two years has led to people reflecting on what they value the most.

“This appears to be having a significant impact on the fortunes of different places, with the cities that perform well not only having strong local authorities but also being characterised by strong environmental and safety credentials.

“While the vision set out in the Levelling Up White Paper centred primarily around geographic inequality, it did recognise that there are multiple societal disparities which affect people

and could hinder the economic recovery.”

He continued: “We know from our research that women and people from minority ethnic backgrounds are the most likely to have been negatively impacted as a result of the pandemic.

“Central government, local government and businesses all have a role to play in developing localised plans to address not only the regional inequalities but the societal gaps that also exist within their cities, towns and communities.”

Nigel Horton-Baker, executive director of Reading UK, said: “Reading has bounced back quickly from the impacts of the pandemic and is showing strong signs of growth just months after the most recent and hopefully final upsurge in covid numbers.

“It is heartening to see the rising number of employment opportunities which underlines the confidence and quick recovery of Reading businesses.

“The fact that Reading has an amazing array of high-growth businesses stands us in good stead and, as the report highlights, changing working practices in search of a better work-life balance may mean fewer commuter trips to London for Reading residents.

“This trend will provide benefit to the Reading economy.

“With Reading Borough Council and our industry, education and training partners, we will be planning how we can help people in Reading access jobs locally and gain more time for enjoying Reading and spending in their local economy.”

A taste of Malaysia as Wokingham businessman opens new warehouse A WOKINGHAM-based businessman is celebrating after opening a new warehouse aimed at bringing Malaysia that bit closer to home.

Simon Suresh has taken over the 10,000sq ft space in Leicester. The site includes refrigeration facilities so he can now offer a wider range of authentic and traditional Malaysian food products.

They include nasi lemak, kerepek basah, ketupat, lemang and pineapple tarts.

Items can be ordered for home delivery, and is perfect for the 75,000 Malaysians living throughout the UK, and those looking to broaden the international outlook.

His firm, OMalaysia has created four jobs in the process,

and it is hoped that by having the UK-based warehouse, they will reduce shipping costs and speed up delivery.

And Mr Suresh said that the warehouse, which opens in time for Ramadan on Saturday, April 2, will strengthen trade and business connections between between Malaysia and the UK. He said: “Building the Malaysia brand in the UK has been a long-time vision for me and I am delighted that OMalaysia is able to bring more of Malaysia to the UK. “Working with the Malaysian International Trade Departments, we want to continue to grow Malaysia in the UK and share its products, culture

and all the delights it has to offer.”

As part of this, Mr Suresh attended a recent lunch at the Oriental Club in London with the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, HE Charles Hay, and the visiting delegate team from Invest Selangor.

He said that he was enthused that there are more opportunities for Malaysian businesswomen and businessmen in the UK. Away from the business, Mr Suresh has regularly organises Meredeka Day celebrations for his neighbours to enjoy. Taking place around August 31, it is the day that Malaysia celebrates its independence.

n For more details, log on to: www.omalaysia.com

OPEN: Simon Suresh with staff at the opening of the new OMayalsia warehouse in Leicester

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Wednesday, March 23, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

Safeguarding concerns for Reading Festival raised by councillors

By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter

READING Borough Council is concerned about drug testing, safeguarding and abandoned tents at Reading Festival.

The council received a presentation from the organisers, Festival Republic, following last year’s festival at a housing, neighbourhoods and leisure committee meeting on Thursday, March 10.

At the meeting councillors questioned the organisers’ handling of tents left behind, an issue which was highlighted by a photo showing thousands discarded by festival-goers.

Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward, lead councillor for neighbourhoods and communities, said Festival Republic had a “carrot” approach to the issue.

“Maybe it’s time to use more stick,” she said.

Cllr Barnett-Ward also asked: “I’m wondering what you can do to compel people to take their tents home?”

Victoria Chapman, head of sustainability for UK and Ireland at Live Nation, overseeing environmental sustainability at the festival, said creating a deposit return for tents would be a huge logistical exercise.

Ms Chapman added that a “heavy handed” approach to

ALL CHANGE: Reading Festival Picture: Phil Creighton encouraging tents to be taken back would not work either.

The festival has been working hard to improve its sustainability with an aim for it to be powered by renewable energy by 2030.

Single-use plastics were also avoided by the organisers and attendees were encouraged to bring their own water bottles to restrict waste.

Cllr Meri O’Connell, Liberal Democrat group leader for Reading, queried the professionalism of security at the event.

Ms O’Connell referred to a reported incident where a group of 16-year-olds were escorted out of the site and deposited in the Oxfordshire countryside, rather than a safer location.

Noel Painting, a Festival Republic representative, said: “We did have challenges with various teams during the 2021 festival as a result of covid.

“We struggled for security staff and we had several teams that came in quite late and, while we vet teams, there were people we certainly won’t be employing again.

“Once we found out what happened and who was responsible, they ceased to work with us, but I’ll have to fact check that.

“I was horrified when I found out, and I dealt with it.”

Mr Painting advised the council that a safeguarding group was created in 2018 to coordinate responses to issues between the festival team, Reading Borough Council, the South Central Ambulance Service, Thames Valley Police and Brighter Futures for Children.

At the meeting, Mr Painting also said the festival had a back-of-house testing for drugs.

This system allows the organisers to test the drugs confiscated from festivalgoers for potency and harmful substances.

This method is more restrictive than front of house testing, where attendees themselves go to have drugs tested for the same reasons.

Cllr Graeme Hoskin, the council’s lead for wellbeing and sport, said the issue of drug use had been “skirted over”.

He said: “I think the history of young people and drugs shows that kids will take drugs at festivals, and what we need to be about is providing the messaging and support that has

been put in place.

“Also there’s a lot of evidence that front of house testing can have a significant and major impact in reducing risks and deaths at festivals.”

Mr Painting said the organisers are happy to look into implementing front of house testing s, but argued it could give off “a false sense of safety”.

The presentation also confirmed the economic benefits to the town with £8.5 million being spent in Reading, according to Festival Republic’s data.

Last year’s festival provided more than 4,000 jobs, with 500 jobs given to people from Reading Looking forward to 2022, the two main stages will continue following their success last year.

Festival Republic replaced the BBC Radio 1 Stage with another main stage as it felt it could accommodate more fans.

Organisers are concerned by the loss of the Rivermead car park due to construction works The site is usually a park and ride for festival-goers from Reading train station.

There was also confirmation the orange gate at Wigmore Lane will be for ticket holders who arrive by coach only.

Open mic comedy will be Raw MATES Rates Comedy is bringing a new open mic night to Reading.

The new night, called Raw, will see five new acts take up the mic at The Outlook.

The first show will take place on Monday, April 4, from 7.30pm-9.30pm.

Raw will then take place every first Monday of the month at Outlook, Kings Road.

Wannabe comedians are also invited to attend the event, where they can sign up to perform at future shows.

Tickets are £5 on the door, with early bird tickets at £1.50, and advanced tickets at £2. n To book tickets, visit www.fatsoma.com

Bee friendly READING rock ‘n’ rollers Plato and the Bees are set to play the Whitley Social Club.

With crisp, effortless vocals and hard rock sensibilities, the band will be bringing the sounds of Led Zeppelin, Primal Scream, Nirvana, and Oasis to the stage.

The four-piece cover band will be at the Whitley Social Club, Northumberland Road, from 9pm on Saturday.

Tickets for non-members of the social club are £2 and are available on the door. n For membership details, call 0118 374 0052, or email info@ whitley-cda.org

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NEW LEASE OF LIFE: The empty home of the Handmade Burger Co could once again be filled with food, after a licencing application was made to Reading Borough Council Picture: Local Democracy Reporting Service

Empty burger restaurant could have new filling as application submitted AN EMPTY restaurant on The Oracle’s Riverside could soon have a new tenant, writes James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter.

The Handmade Burger Co, right at the edge of the run of restaurants in the town centre venue, left its unit in January 2020, after the chain went into administration.

All 18 branches were shut down, and the unit has been vacant ever since.

Alphadean Ltd has applied to

Reading Borough Council for a licence to sell alcohol and other late night refreshments, including hot food and drinks. It also seeks permission to play music daily from 10am until midnight.

The application does not go into detail as to what type of venue it will be: restaurant or bar, chain or independent, however Alphadean is registered on Companies House as licensed restaurant business with its registered offices in

Grantham, Lincolnshire.

The Oracle has been contacted for more information about what will occupy the unit.

After all its restaurants were closed in 2020, the Handmade Burger Co brand was resurrected last year, with branches opening in Sheffield and Lincoln.

Before The Oracle unit was The Handmade Burger Co, it was a branch of the LSQ2 restaurant, which was open from 2009 to 2012.

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Portrait of Reading-born royal goes on display

By NATALIE BURTON nburton@wokingham.today A PORTRAIT of a Reading-born royal is on display in Berkshire this week.

The photograph shows HRH Duchess of Cambridge seated and gazing to the left, and is one of three taken by Paolo Roversi to celebrate her 40th birthday last year.

It is on show at St James the Less Church in Pangbourne from until Tuesday, April 5.

Reading Museum will then display the portrait between Thursday, April 7, and Saturday, June 4.

The duchess chose the locations because she has connections to both.

The Middleton family are parishioners of St James’s, and the museum is close to the Royal Berkshire Hospital where she was born.

Paolo Roversi’s other portraits will be displayed at the University of St Andrews, where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met while studying, and Anglesey’s Oriel Môn, where they lived in the early years of marriage.

The series was inspired by 19th century photography, which was the subject the duchess’s undergraduate thesis at university.

The images were acquired by the National Portrait Gallery and are touring the UK as part of its Coming Home project.

The NPG is currently closed for redevelopment, and is lending portraits of well-known individuals to places with which they are closely associated.

St James’s will be 10am to 4pm daily.

Entry will be restricted between 10am and 11.30am on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays as services will be taking place.

The church will open between 7pm and 9pm on Thursday, March 24, and Thursday, March 31.

Entry to both locations is free.

POTRAIT: Paolo Roversi’s portraits of HRH Duchess of Cambridge will be displayed at two Berkshire locations

As clocks go forward, police warning over thefts WITH the clocks going forward this weekend, Thames Valley Police is warning residents to be on their guard for thieves.

They say that with the warmer weather, more people will leave windows open and unlocked while they are in their gardens. This puts them at a higher risk of being burgled.

They encourage people to ensure their homes are securely locked before leaving them.

Expensive garden equipment should always be locked away in a safe and secure location when not in use, the same goes for bikes, which prove to be a tempting target if left unattended and unsecured.

Other tips include:

n Lock your doors while working in the garden. n Close your windows that in areas that are accessible to a thief, such as from a flat roof or from standing on garden furniture. n Close ground floor windows and doors whenever leaving your home, n Keep an eye on neighbours’ homes. If you have a trusted neighbour consider asking them to open and close curtains, pick up parcels, post, when you go away on holiday, and offer to do the same for them.

n For more ideas, log on to: www. thamesvalley.police.uk/advice/ protecting-your-home-andbelongings/burglary

Children’s charity is on the trail of fun with Easter Hop

FIRST Days, a Wokingham-based charity which works towards ending child poverty, is raising funds with Easter activities at Dinton Pastures.

The event includes a 2km trail, word puzzles, Easter eggs, and online competitions.

Families can take part in guessing the name of the mystery bunny, finding the giant egg, and guessing the number of chocolate eggs in the jar.

Winners can take home a craft gift bag as well as the chocolate eggs.

Maps of the trail will be available to buy to follow along with.

First Days Children Charity support children and families living in poverty in Berkshire.

They provide much needed supplies including books, toiletries, school uniforms, and baby care essentials. All profits from the event will go towards the charity.

The Easter Hop takes place at Dinton Pastures Country Park from Monday, April 4, to Friday, April 22. n For details, visit: www.firstdays.net

35

36 | NEWS

Bingo player wins £50,000 jackpot A BINGO player from Reading received an unexpected prize last week The anonymous winner is a regular at BJ’s Bingo in Basingstoke Road, and scooped £50,000 on Friday, March 18, on the National Bingo Game.

Chandra Mekala, assistant manager at BJ’s Bingo who was there that night, said, “Our lucky winner is a regular at the club, who loves a bit of bingo.

“When the winner made their claim so early in the game lots of people were expecting it to be a false claim, they were wrong.

“When the caller validated the claim, confirming that they had won not only the club prize but also a £50,000 jackpot prize, applause erupted, with people shouting and cheering, congratulating the winner.”

Alastair Stewart, head of commercial operations at the National Bingo Game, said: “We are thrilled for our lucky National Bingo Game £50,000 Jackpot winner at BJ’s Bingo Reading and hope that they enjoy their winnings.”

To mark the occasion, BJ’s Bingo will be celebrating with a winners’ party on Friday, March 25, with a special price bingo at £15 for 20 games. n For more information visit: bjsbingo.co.uk

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, March 23, 2022

SOUTHCOTE COMMUNITY EVENT

Free bike checks were provided ON YOUR BIKE: The Southcote Community Day gave people a chance to try out some special bikes Pictures: Dijana Capan / DVision

Wellbeing event champions Southcote

By Phil Creighton pcreighton@wokingham.today A WELLBEING day took place in Southcote on Saturday, featuring a range of local groups.

It included stalls from organisations such as Citizens Advice Reading, Reading Voluntary Action, Berkshire

Vision and Southcote Alive.

The aim was to provide Southcote residents with information, advice, and support.

This included details of courses available from Reading Borough Council’s New Directions adult education college, advice from the Brighter Futures For Children team and youth services, and

details about welfare rights.

And there was a range of support to tackle underlying causes of stress and isolation.

As part of the day, there were demonstrations and refreshments.

The event took place at the South Community Hub in Coronation Square.

Southcote councillors Jason Brock and Deb Edwards

Opportunities to try making things was a key part of the day

A walk-in covid vacination clinic was open for jabs

Anything grows for Growallot Community Allotment

The planting sessions take place every Saturday at Florian Gardens, from 10am-1pm.

Picture: Kurt Bouda via Pixabay

A COMMUNITY garden has reopened for weekly public sessions.

Southcote’s Growallot Community Allotment is once again hosting free sessions at Florian Gardens to welcome the spring.

Attendees will be invited to learn about, plant, and harvest fresh flowers and vegetables.

Craft projects and cake will also be offered to those attending.

The events are part of the Reading GrowAllot project from Food 4 Families, which supports community gardens across Reading.

The project is run entirely by volunteers, who created the project in 2011 when they transformed an unused piece of land behindflats in Southcote.

It will take place at Florian Gardens allotment every Saturday, from 10am-1pm, from March until October. n To register an interest in attending, search for Southcote GrowAllot Community Allotment on Facebook

Wednesday, March 23, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

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We are particularly keen to increase diversity in our newsroom and offer opportunities to those who may not have felt able to break into the media industry.

We are open-minded about whether we take on an apprentice or trainee; what is more important to us is finding somebody who recognises how local news can help inform and improve lives and who wants to get involved and support the communities we serve.

For up to date news in the borough follow us on @RdgToday

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LEISURETODAY

23.03.22

Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham

Adele in April A

N EASTER parade of entertainment is promised by a Bracknellbased arts centre, thanks to a mixture of theatre, music, dance and more.

South Hill Park will be welcoming audiences back in April with a variety of productions, promising there will never be a dull moment.

The Wilde Sundays event on Sunday, April 3 sees award-winning acoustic harmony duo Dragonfly Sky perform.

Joining them are Union Blue, an acoustic duo playing a wide range of music from Blues through Country to light Rock.

Also on the bill is The Grand Old

Uke of Dork, who brings a recipe of irreverent original songs, a side of covers and just a dash of stupidity.

Bracknell Jazz brings Trish Clowes – My Iris to South Hill Park on Friday, April 8.

My Iris is an imaginative and thrilling band that represents the front rank of UK jazz bringing a unique platform for individual expression.

Everyone’s favourite ogre is back this Easter in South Hill Park’s hilarious stage spectacle, based on the Oscarwinning smash hit film and Broadway musical.

Bringing all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage, Shrek The Musical, running from Mon,

April 11 through to Monday, April 18, proves there’s more to the story than meets the ears.

On Wednesday, April 20, the Cellar Bar will be open for a Folk Night with Antoine, Owena and Guests.

Combining original material with their own take on some traditional songs, this duo delivers an eclectic mix of songs and tunes which enthuse and entertain.

Katie Markham leads a supertalented six-piece band through favourite Adele hits in the internationally acclaimed show, Someone Like You – The Adele Songbook, on Thursday, April 21.

1, 2 Step Dance Academy presents

their biennial showcase of dance, Celebrating 15 Years, over the weekend of April 23-24.

The show will explore a variety of dance styles with fabulous costumes and creative choreography as they revisit their shows through the years.

The Studio Theatre Company are back with their next show Salomé running from Wednesday, April 27, through to Saturday, April 30. Set on the terrace of Herod’s palace in 30AD during one of the Tetrarchs illustrious banquets, Oscar Wilde’s extraordinary early work, tells the story of Salomé the beautiful and seductive stepdaughter of Herod.

Mary Rose on Thursday, April 28, will leave you spellbound by its mystical nature and moved by its deepest yearnings to be reunited with the ones we love, and offering a message of hope.

Following a sensational sell out run at Edinburgh Fringe, Back To Black: The Music of Amy Winehouse, takes you on a moving yet energising journey through the career of a modern legend on Saturday, April 30.

And across the month, there will be a range of screenings in its cinema, including family-friendly treats, and some of the latest releases. n For more information, log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk

14 | LEISURE

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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Piano recital from talented youngster

brilliant vocals and superb musicianship.

Now in its 35th year, the feel good show takes to the stage at 7.30pm on Tuesday, March 29.

Tickets are priced from £25. n For more details or to book, log on to: whatsonreading.com or call the box office on: 0118 960 6060.

A TALENTED young pianist will play in Bracknell this Friday evening.

South Hill Park’s conservatoire international concert series presents Antoine Préat in the Recital Room from 7.30pm.

Antoine has performed in prestigious venues across the UK, Europe and the US, including the Wigmore Hall, Salle Gaveau, Salle Cortot, Paris Beaux Arts Museum and Frederyk Chopin Institute.

His programme of music from the 18th to 20th centuries will include pieces

by Bach, Schubert, Debussy, Liszt and Albeniz.

Adult tickets priced from £14.50, under 18s £5.50. n For more details or to book, log on to: southhillpark.org.uk or call: 01344 484123.

Broadcasters spill the beans TWO VETERAN broadcasters spill the beans on their careers at the Wycombe Swan on Sunday.

Bob Harris and Danny Baker have experience of witnessing the great names of modern music up close.

They have been backstage, front stage, at home and on the road with virtually every legend in the business.

Fortunately they both have great memories, in both senses of the phrase, and will share stories from the golden age of rock and soul music.

Tickets for Harris and Baker’s Backstage Pass are priced from £36.50.

The show begins at 7.30pm. n For more details or to book call the box office on: 0343 3100060 or visit: wycombeswan.co.uk

Will clowns around

MUSICIAN Will Young makes his debut on stage at Windsor’s Theatre Royal from Tuesday, March 29.

He is starring in an adaptation of Herb Gardner’s comedy-drama A Thousand Clowns until Saturday, April 2.

It is part of the Windsor on Air season, which sees a number of plays presented in the style of a vintage radio production.

Don’t miss the train now arriving...

He’s taking it personally...

THE LAST tickets remain to see comedian Nish Kumar in Reading next month.

The Your Power, Your Control tour reaches the Hexagon on Wednesday, April 6.

Set in 1962, Uncle Murray Burns is endeavouring to rear his precocious nephew in New York City.

When social services arrive on the scene to ensure that the nephew is receiving a proper upbringing, he finds himself solving their problems and mayhem ensues.

Evening performances are at 7.30pm, with matinees at 2.30pm.

Tickets from £24.

For more details or to book, call the box office on 01753 853888 or log on to: theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

UK Cinemas in support of Ukraine NORDEN Farm in Maidenhead is taking part in UK Cinemas in Support of Ukraine

It’s been a period of upheaval and uncertainty with covid and the political situation.

Yet Nish has an amazing capacity to somehow take all these things personally.

Nish Kumar is the host of The Mash Report on Dave and was named as one of The Guardian’s top 50 comedians of the 21st century. on Tuesday, March 29.

Olga tells the story of a talented 15 year old Ukrainian gymnast exiled in Switzerland, who dreams of Olympic gold. As she prepares for the European Championship, the Ukrainian people stage a revolution.

Olga is left a powerless, distant bystander as her mother, an investigative journalist, faces danger as she challenges the brutal regime.

Can she reconcile her personal goals with the history unfolding in her homeland?

Elie Grappe’s multi-award winning drama is a subtle, tensely handled tale of exile reflecting the pressure on young athletes, the clash between the personal and the political and a young woman’s search for who she is and what she’s prepared to sacrifice.

AT THE THEATRE

As ever, coronavirus means that shows could be cancelled, postponed or rearranged at short notice. Check with theatres to avoid disappointment.

Bracknell – South Hill Park

www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 Buddy Holly and the Cricketers.

Thurs. Conservatoire International Concert Series: Antoine Preat. Fri. The Comedy Cellar. Fri. Youth and Community Dance Galas.

Sat-Sun. An Evening With Pam Ayres. Fri 1. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 1. Wilde Sundays: Dragonfly Sky, Union Blue, Grand Old Uke of Dork.

Sun 3.

FILMS: The Souvenir Part II. Thurs.

Save The Cinema. Fri-Sun. Flee.

Mon-Tues. Ali & Ava. WedThurs 31. Death One The Nile.

Fri 1-Sun 3. Coppelia. Sat 2.

Camberley – Theatre

www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Ed Byrne. Thurs. The Real Magic Show. Sat. Baby Ballet. Sun. Herman’s Hermits. Thurs 31.

Terri Jayne Theatre Arts. Fri 1-Sun 3.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud

www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Private Lives. Until Sat. An Evening With Carol Klein. Sun

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan

www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Blood Brothers. Until Sat. Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs. Harris and Baker’s Backstage Pass.

Sun. The Drifters. Thurs 31.

Lost In Music. Fri 1. Big Girls Don’t Cry. Sat 2. That’ll be The Day. Sun 3.

Henley – Kenton

www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050 The Three Degrees. Thurs. The Bob Dylan Story. Fri. Ben Hart: Wonder. Sat. The Art Themen Trio: Thane and the Villeiins.

Sun. Concert for Ukraine with Nick Heyward, Carol Decker, Jesse Smith, Jazz Morley, james Carrington, Purdy and special guests. Thurs 31. The Comedy Network. Fri 1. The Searcher and Hollies Experience. Sat 2.

Scenes From Famous Ballet, Musicals and More. Sun 3.

Maidenhead – Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Taming The Garden (15). Thurs.

The Beatles: get Back The Rooftop Concert. Fri. Dire Streets. Fri. A Night at the Movies. Sat. Junior Youth

Theatre Sharing: Alice in Wonderland. Wed. Senior Youth Theatre: Showcase of a Modern teen. Wed. Lou Sanders One Word - Wow. Wed. Disraeli: Queen Victoria’s Favourite Prime Minister.

Thurs 31.

Newbury – The Corn Exchange

www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 Iain Stirling: Failing Upwards.

Thurs. Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through Menopause. Sat. Oh … And Another Thing … An Evening with Su Pollard. Thurs 31.

Seven Drunken Nights: The Story of The Dubliners. Sat 2.

Newbury – The Watermill

www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 The Wicker Husband. Until Sat. The Girl of Ink and Stars. Thurs 31-Sat 2.

He has also been on the BBC’s Live at the Apollo and Channel 4’s Taskmaster.

The gig starts at 7.30pm and tickets are priced at £22.

Suitable for an audience aged 18 years and up. n For more details or to book, call the box office on: 0118 960 6060 or visit: whatsonreading.com Certificate 15. Tickets cost £10.50, £9.50 concessions. n For more details, or to book, log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788997. n The film is also being screened at the Reading Biscuit Factory on Thursday, March 24, at 9pm. For details, log on to: / readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk

It’ll be next Tuesday

A MUSIC tribute show rocks up at The Hexagon next week.

That’ll Be the Day is an unashamedly nostalgic rollercoaster ride through four decades of musical genres.

Starting with the beginnings of rock and roll in the 1950s, through the fab 1960s, glam 1970s and pop of the 1980s, the cast promise to entertain with their

Reading – South Street

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Peter Knight and John Spiers.

Thurs. Heidi Talbot. Thurs 31. Heavy Pop presents Melt-Banana. Fri 1. Chris McCausland. Sat 2.

Reading – The Hexagon

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour. Thurs.. The Bootleg Beatles in Concert. Fri. That’ll Be The Day. Tues. Eric and Ern. Fri 1. Omid Djalili: The Good Times Tour. Sat 2.

Reading – Concert Hall

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 South Chiltern Choral Society and the Reading Symphony Orchestra. Sat 2.

THE PLAY which inspired the classic film Brief Encounter is returning for another run in Sonning.

Still Life, by Noel Coward, tells the tale of the forbidden love between Laura Jesson and Dr Alec Harvey.

Their meeting at Milford Junction railway station in 1936 will be recreated in the Waterwheel Bar of The Mill theatre from Wednesday, March 30, until Friday, April 8.

Audience members will join the couple for an immersive theatrical experience, complete with live music and steam train effects.

Tickets are very limited and cost £25.

Refreshments will be available.

There are no performances between Saturday, April 2, and Monday, April 4.

For more details or to book, call: 0118 969 8000 or visit: millatsonning.com

Mums night out

FANS of the best selling Why Mummy… series of books can enjoy an evening with the author at the beginning of next month.

Gill Sims is on stage with her show Tits, Gits and Little Sh*ts for two nights at Norden Farm, Maidenhead.

She will read extracts from her books and be interviewed by Jo Middleton, author of Playgroups and Prosecco and creator of Facebook page Slummy Single Mummy.

Together they will take what they promise to be a hilarious look at the changing face of motherhood as children grow from toddlers to teenagers, including relationships and the highs and lows of the school gate.

Shows are on Tuesday, April 5, and Wednesday, April 6, at 8pm.

Tickets cost £22.50. n For more details or to book, call the box office on: 01628 788997 or visit: norden.farm

Reading – Progress Theatre www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 Yous Two. Tues-Sat 2.

Reading – Reading Rep Theatre

www.readingrep.com 0118 370 2620 NEXT SHOW: National Theatre Connections. Mar 16-18.

Shinfield – Shinfield Players

www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 NEXT SHOW: Our House. Apr 29-30, May 5-7

Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 The House on Cold Hill.

Until Sat. Still Life.

From Wed-April 8.

Windsor – Royal

www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Windsor on Air: The Unexpected Guest. Until Sat. Windsor on Air: A Thousand Clowns.

Tues-Sat 2.

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 Hobson’s Choice. Until Sat.

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre

www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247 Wokingham Film Society: A Promising Young Woman (15). Thurs. ISA Drama Competition. Tues-Wed.

Woodley – Theatre

www.woodleytheatre.org 07488337838 NEXT SHOW: Jazz concert with the Martin Hart Trio. Sat May 28.

LEISURE | 15

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Wednesday, March 23, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

With a bit of help from our That’s a Purdy good friends: society’s big bash line-up for Ukraine The South Chiltern Choral Society is marking its 70th anniversary this season, and it starts next month with a speical concert.

PHIL CREIGHTON finds out more

E

ARLY next month, Reading’s Concert Hall will be filled once again with the sound of music.

It is something that has been rarely heard over the past couple of years, as covid precautions meant choirs fell silent.

The South Chiltern Choral Society is teaming up with Parenthesis and the Reading Symphony Orchestra for their first public performance since the pandemic.

With nearly 100 voices in the society, it will certainly be a sound to enjoy.

The programme includes Faure’s Requiem, Debussy’s La Mer and Neilsen’s Helios Overture, each designed to showcase the strengths of the groups, and make the most of the sound that the concert hall provides.

The concert provides the society the chance to reflect and move forward.

The group’s chair, Richard Larkin, says: “Until last September, we were rehearsing using Zoom. It was amazing how keen people were to sing, even in that rather constrained environment.”

A visit to Waterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire last September provided them the chance to sing for the first time in 18 months.

“That was a brilliant thing to do, everyone enjoyed that immensely,” Richard says.

“It was just nice to sing again.”

That was the starting point for resuming in person

South Chiltern Choral Society presents ~

70th Anniversary Spring Concert

Fauré ~ Requiem Debussy ~ La Mer Nielsen ~ Helios Overture South Chiltern Choral Society Parenthesis Reading Symphony Orchestra Conductor ~ Stefan Hofkes

Saturday 2nd April 2022 at 7.30 pm Concert Hall, Blagrave St, Reading RG1 1QH Tickets £23.50 £20.50 £15.50 Students under 25 £10 whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

Registered Charity no. 297583

www.southchilternchoralsociety.org.uk

South Chiltern Choral Society will be back in action rehearsals at Chiltern Edge School, something they do on Mondays and they welcome new members. But covid rules meant they were socially distanced. Well anti-socially for a choir, as Richard explains: “The school assembly hall had poor acoustics, it was very flat. It’s so much better to be a closer together, you can hear the parts so much better, whereas you are in a bit of a vacuum (spaced apart).”

The group have been rehearsing together since January, but it won’t be until this week that they get together with Parenthesis and the Symphony Orchestra, and Richard can’t wait to be in the Concert Hall, in Reading’s town centre.

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“It’s a great place to sing.

It’s a splendid outlook from the bench seats where we sit, looking into the auditorium,” he explains.

The Father Willis Organ, the centrepiece of the hall, is a bit redundant this time, as they are bringing in a separate organ that has all the right stops and the sound they need.

The programme has been chosen by the society’s conductor, Paul Berg – “he has wonderful experience in choosing music”.

Richard said they had considered Beethoven’s Ninth, but Richard’s research found that another choir was planning to perform it.

“We put our hats on again, and we thought about what we

have enjoyed singing together in the past. Fauré is absolutely top of the list. It’s such a beautiful, evocative piece, and it’s gorgeous to sing.

“I think the audience also enjoy it, it creates this beautiful image of peace and tranquillity which is very special. I like French music very much, it fits my personal taste as well.

“La Mar was chosen by the orchestra, and it fits again with the French connection.”

This concert is also part of a celebration: one that was delayed by the virus.

“We meant to have our 70th anniversary last year, but it just wasn’t feasible due to covid,” Richard says.

Sadly, it will be without a mainstay of the society: Gwyn Arch, a former musical director, died last year. He had been awarded the OBE for services to music in Berkshire back in 2006.

“He was our musical director until 2014,” Richard says.

“He was the South Chiltern’s persona for 49 years, so it’s with a touch of sadness that we come this anniversary.”

One senses that he would have approved of the society’s continuing mission to present high standards of music wherever they perform and, all being well, that includes tours to France and Belgium in the next two years.

“I’m currently trying to see if we can sing in the Sunday Mass at Bruges Cathedral,” he says.

For now though, it’s not so much about crossing the sea, but ensuring smooth sailing over La Mer. The concert takes place on Saturday, April 2, at Reading’s Concert Hall in Blagrave Street from 7.30pm. The conductor will be Stefan Hofkes, and Ian Westley will be the organist.

Tickets cost from £15.50, with student seats £10. n For more details, or to book, log on to whatsonreading.com or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.

Purdy has organised a concert for Ukraine at the Kenton Theatre on Sunday, March 30

M

USIC legends Chris Difford, Nick Heyward and Carol Decker are among a glittering array of artists who will be raising the roof while raising funds for Ukrainian refugees at a special evening of music.

The Concert for Ukraine will take place on Sunday, March 31, at the Kenton Theatre in Henley-on-Thames, and has been organised by singer Purdy.

She said: “To see people suffering through no fault of their own is heartbreaking. If it was happening to my loved ones and countrymen, I would hope that the rest of the world would reach out to us too.

“We live in an affluent country which offers us safety and security so I think we have a duty to help where we can. The best way I know how is through music.”

Purdy, whose high-flying career has seen her perform on hit Netflix series The Crown and at the Royal Albert Hall, pounded her book of contacts to see who she could get on the bill at short notice.

Eighties popstars Heyward and Decker, and legendary Squeeze cofounder Difford jumped at the chance to help out.

Nick said watching the bombardment of the Ukraine was “heart-breaking”, and added: “At least we can do our bit to sing and raise money to help in some small way.

“So, please come to the Kenton and help with us.”

Rock god Jesse Smith, who hails from Reading, is also on the bill, fresh from touring with the Classic Rock Show and ahead of some exciting shows with the Led Zeppelin Symphonic.

He said: “I’m absolutely honoured to be part of this fundraiser for Ukraine.

“I spent a week in Kyiv in 2017 and the artists I worked with were some of the most talented and beautiful people I’ve ever worked with.

“It breaks my heart to see what’s happening in Ukraine.”

The line-up so far, with more artists to be confirmed, is: Nick Heyward, Chris Difford, Carol Decker, Jesse Smith, Jazz Morley, James Carrington, and Purdy.

All the proceeds raised from the £30-a-ticket concert will go to the Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal, led by the Disasters Emergency Committee. n Visit: https://www.purdymusic. co.uk/purdys-popup/ukraine for more information and tickets

Mates Rates Comedy Club is bringing Live Stand-Up Comedy to Reading W h e t h e r i t i s TV n a m e s o r n u r t u r i n g n ew ta l e n t a t t h e g ra s s ro o t s , i f yo u l ove s ta n d-u p co m e d y, M a te s Ra te s Co m e d y h a s a s h ow fo r yo u !

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Craig David to play Newbury Racecourse

C

RAIG David will headline the Newbury Racecourse Party in the Paddock event this summer.

The musical star has sold more than 15 million albums, and a host of top 10 hits.

Now, he’s preparing for his Berkshire date, four years after he last performed there.

The date is Saturday, July 16.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing you all in July and having a great night like last time… great vibe, great night, time to party.”

The event is one of a number of live music and racing days planned by the racecourse, and it is exciting its staff.

Harriet Collins, the racecourse’s marketing director, said: “Craig David is no stranger to the Party in the Paddock stage at Newbury, having first played here in 2018 to an almost sell-out crowd of over 20,000.

“He put on such a memorable and upbeat performance and we are absolutely delighted that he has agreed to come back again this year on Super Sprint Day and perform live after racing.

“As Spring starts to make an appearance and the days are getting longer, we are already looking forward to a fun summer filled with brilliant racing action and live music.”

Craig David will be at Newbury Racecourse this summer Craig recently enjoyed a daytime residence at the Ibiza Rocks Hotel, and teamed up with Big Narstie to record the single When The Bassline Drops.

He also released two albums: Following My Intuition, and his latest, The Time Is Now. Tickets will be on sale to the

general public from 9am on Monday, March 21.

There will be an early bird presale offer available from Friday, March 18. Tickets will be priced from £33.75. n For more details, visit newburyracecourse.co.uk or call 01635 40015

RABBLE prepares to bring four new plays (prepped in a day) to The Blade ON FRIDAY, theatregoers will feel like they are on top of the world, thanks to a special performance.

RABBLE is switching its production venue from auditoriums such as Reading Minster church, the Gaol and Reading Abbey.

Instead, they will be on top of The Blade, offering stunning views as the sun sets … all from the Thirteenth Floor.

The show will help mark the group’s 10th anniversary, and is called Off The Block. All four plays being performed have been written this week.

And early on Friday, 16 actors, four directors, four composers, two technicians, four work experience people, and the RABBLE team arrive.

Scripts are released at 7.30am and the first show goes up at 7.30pm.

During the day, lines will be learnt, the soundtrack prepared, and the show complete. It will be alright on the night…

Due to its special nature, details are being kept secret other than being a celebration of new writing talent.

However, once stepping out of the great glass elevator, attendees to the exclusive, onenight only event will be welcomed by a complimentary glass of Organic Fizz, donated by Vintage Roots Organic Wine suppliers, and some gorgeous canapes, before taking

A CHORAL society is preparing to perform its spring concert.

Haydn’s Nelson Mass is the title for the evening of music from Yateley Choral Society.

The music is one of 14 masses from the composer, and was written towards the end of the 18th century, as Nelson won an historic victory over Napoleon, during the Battle of the Nile.

music by Jeanine tesori

originally produced on Broadway by dreamWorks theatricals and neal street productions

Brad Clapson as Shrek

poppy ridell as Donkey

ashleigh Wells as Lord Farquaad

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI Europe www.mtishows.co.uk

Mon 11 – Mon 18 april 2022 Wilde theatre, South hill park, Bracknell rg12 7pa box office 01344 484123 · Southhillpark.org.uk @southhillpark

/southhillparkartscentre

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their seats for the show.

Toby Davies, co- artistic director and founder of RABBLE, says: “Theatre isn’t a building.

Theatre is story-telling and the joy of living through a shared experience and if that experience happens to be on top of a skyscraper, then we think that’s pretty exciting” And Nick Turner, from supporters Northwood Investors, says: “We’re delighted to be

working with RABBLE, who have done so much to bring cultural identity to Reading.

“Their work in the Abbey and efforts to save the gaol haven’t gone unnoticed by us and we’re excited to welcome them into our space. It should be a fun night.”

The event takes place from 7.30pm on Friday, March 25, and tickets cost £40. n For more details, log on to: rabbletheatre.com

The programme includes Handel’s Zadok the Priest, and Nisi Dominus, Boyce’s The King Shall Rejoice, and Mozart’s Laudate Dominum.

Directed by Quintin Beer, the singers will be teaming up with the West Forest Sinfonia.

Also joining in the evening are soprano Tamsin Raitt, mezzosoprano Sarah Champion, tenor Jonathan Hanley, tenor; and bass Charles Cunliffe.

The event takes place from 7.45pm at St Swithun’s Church in Yateley, on Saturday, April 2.

Tickets cost £15, £5 for students and free for accomanpied under 16s.

They can be bought on the door, or in advance from St Swithun’s parish office, Yateley Town Council offices, or from Discoveries. n For more details, log on to: www.yateley-choral.org.uk

That’s All Folkies! Farewell concerts

Based on the dreamWorks animation motion picture and the Book By William steig

georgie Banks as Princess Fiona

The Blade is the venue for RABBLE’S Off The Block night

Nelson’s Mass will be performed

a South hill park production

Book and lyrics by david lindsay-abaire

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Registered charity 265656 Please support the future of the Arts

AFTER almost 30 years making music and performing together, this year will see the last Belshazzar’s Feast tour around the UK, and it’s coming to South Street.

“You’ve already had too much of a good thing,” the duo say. “We’ve long outstayed our welcome in the travelodges, service stations and garden centres of the world, so it’s high time we headed for new pastures/were put out to grass.

“Catch us while you can.”

The tour is based on their final album, released just before Christmas. It is called, appropriately, That’s All Folkies!, features new music plus fresh arrangements and recordings of the duo’s favourites from their previous nine albums.

Audiences can look forward to an inspired mix of songs

and tunes, both modern and traditional), which combine to create a heart-warming, beautiful and frequently hilarious evening of music and entertainment.

Acclaimed musicians Paul Sartin (oboe, violin, swanee whistle and vocals) and Paul Hutchinson (accordion) have entertained audiences across the UK, Australia and beyond with their eclectic and eccentric mix of tunes, songs and humour that

aims to send audiences home with a smile.

As Belshazzar’s Feast, they have previously released nine critically acclaimed albums across their twenty five-year career.

Their first winter-themed album, Frost Bites, earned them a nomination for Best Duo at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

Their previous album, The Whiting’s On The Wall is “one of the most intimate and entertaining live albums I’ve heard” according to the Songlines reviewer. n Tickets cost £18.50, and the gig takes place on Thursday, May 5.

For more details, or to book log on to: https://whatsonreading.com/ venues/south-street/whats-on/ belshazzars-feast or call the box office on 0118 960 6060. n For more on the group, log on to: www.belshazzarsfeast.com

LIVEMUSIC

Focus at Wokingham Music Club Picture: Andrew Merritt

RaW Sounds Today Chris Hillman

Focus – Sylvia

bit.ly/ RawSoundsToday

W

to enjoy.

E’RE really excited about the line-up for this year’s Wokingham Festival, there really is something for everyone

And one band we’re thrilled to be welcoming is Focus.

Our focus is this week on one of their most popular songs - we’re sure you’ll love it too.

It’s just one of 10 tracks in our RaW Sounds playlist, a terrific way to explore a wide range of brilliant artists, discover some new music and keep dancing – make sure you bookmark the Spotify page.

To hear this week’s set, simply head to https://bit. ly/rawsoundstoday and pump up the volume.

There’s 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.

LEISURE | 25

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, March 23, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

Exciting news that legendary rock band, Focus, will be headlining Wokingham Festival this year.

The band, who recently celebrated their 50th anniversary, played a brilliant set at Wokingham Music Club in 2018 to a sell-out crowd, so we can’t wait until their return to the area for day three of this year’s festival on August Bank Holiday Monday, August 29.

This song is taken from their Focus 3 album and, when released as a single, it reached No.4 in the UK singles chart – https://focustheband.co.uk/

The Go Go Cult – Town Called Sorrow Club Velocity is celebrating an impressive 19 years of putting on events with a Birthday Party Gig at the Rising Sun Arts Centre, Reading on Friday, March 25. The gig features Abrasive Trees, This, and headliners The Go Go Cult.

Check out this great song from those headlining psychobilly punks which is taken from their latest EP, Tarantula, and pop along to the show.

We hear that there will be cake too. Three bands

To advertise in this section, call Claire on 0118 327 2662

and cake. What more could you want? – http:// www.thegogocult.com/

with Brother Zulu and Hatty Taylor – https://www. facebook.com/ospmusicuk

Wishbone Ash – Sometime World

My Darling Clementine – I Lost You

It’s from the band’s classic album, Argus, and Martin Turner Ex-Wishbone Ash are returning to Wokingham Music Club on Friday, April 1, to perform the album in full, as well as their Wishbone Four album – https://www.martinturnermusic.com/

This duo have become part of the country and Americana landscape with their wonderful songs and live shows and they visited the area to play at Wokingham Music Club on March 18 – https:// mydarlingclementinemusic.co.uk/

Rachel Redman – You Set Me Free

Grandad – About Him

Rachel is a singer-songwriter from the local area and she’s recently released this wonderful new single. It’s another well crafted song with Rachel’s distinctive country pop feel – https://www. facebook.com/rachelredmanmusic/

Here’s a new band from Bracknell with a single taken from their debut EP. The alt rock four-piece have a grungy shoegaze style overlaid with melodies – https://www.facebook.com/wearegrandad

Third Lung – Laura This is the band’s first release of 2022 and they are certainly showing that they can maintain the quality of their previous excellent single releases. It’s from their forthcoming album, Gameplay. We’ll look forward to that. – http://thirdlungband.com/

OSP – Breathe Here’s the debut single from Reading based rap collective OSP. They were live at Readipop Festival’s Launch Party at Purple Turtle on March 19, along

Reliant – Pain of It All They made our Top 10 of our best of 2020 list and now they are back with a new single. It’s another uplifting powerful indie rock anthem – https://www. facebook.com/WeAreReliant

Steve Anderson – Coda Steve, from The Room, has just released his solo album, Journeyman’s Progress – Part One which is a wonderful album of instrumentals showcasing Steve’s skills as a guitarist and musician – https:// journeymansprogress.co.uk/

GIG GUIDE Thursday, March 24 BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. The Rag and Moan Men. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Buddy Holly and the Crickters.. Details: 01344 484123.

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Tailgunner and special guests. Details: 0118 956 8188.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Amapiano Afrohouse Afrobeat. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – South Street arts centre. Peter Knight and John Spiers. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Altered Images. Details: 0118 959 5395.

WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Ayce Abana and Yunuscan. Details: 0118 969 2047.

Friday, March 25

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Ditch The Demon and Solcura. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. I Got Soul: B Funkt. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Newtown Pippin, Ralphs Ride RG12 9LR. DisCover. Details: 03144 426298.

CHARVIL – The Heron On The Ford, Lands End Lane, RG10 0UE. Monkey Shock.

Details: 0118 934 0700.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Hexagon. The Bootleg Beatles in Concert.

Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Housebase. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Club Velocity 19th Birthday Party: The Go Go Cult, Abrasive Trees, This. Details: www. risingsunartscentre.org READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Stoney Lane. Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Evil Scarecrow. Details: 0118 959 5395.

READING – Zerodegrees, Bridge Street RG1 2LR. Stephen Roper. Details: 0118 959 7959.

RISELEY – The Bull at Riseley, Basingstoke Road RG7 1QL. Tequila Chase.

Details: 0118 343 0565.

WINNERSH – The Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Close RG41 5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents Women In Rock. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub. co.uk WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Neon Daze Live.

Details: 0118 977 3706.

Saturday, March 26

BINFIELD – The Binfield Club, Terrace Road RG42 4HP. The Shelf Side. Details: 01344 420690.

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Kintek Takoever Drum and Base Extravaganza. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Solid Groove Foundation.

Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. White Light. Details: 01344 422622

BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Little Eden. Details: 01344 457318 CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. Live music. Details: 01344 530615.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Swallow. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Nasty Fishmonger. Details: 0118 958 0473.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Bottomless Magical Brunch. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. 4Ever80s.

Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING - The Spread Eagle, Norfolk Road, RG30 2EG. The Midnight Rebel Band.

Details: 0118 957 4507.

READING – The Retreat, St John’s Street RG1 4EH. The Sidemen. Details: 0118 376 9159.

TILEHURST – The Victoria, Norcot Road RG30 6BP. The Junction. Details: 0118 941 5064.

WHITLEY – Whitley Social Club, Northumberland Avenue RH2 7QA. Plato and the Bees. Details: 0118 374 0052.

WOODLEY – The Good Companions, Loddon Bridge Road RG5 4AG. The Beatle and Buddy Show.

Details: 0118 969 3325.

WOODLEY – Bull and Chequers, Woodley Green RG5 4QP. Paddington.

Details: 0118 969 9756.

YATELEY - The Dog and Partridge, Reading Road GU46 7LR. Neil Samuels.

Details: 01252 870648.

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Singers Night. Details: www.readifolk.org.uk READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232.

WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Ayce Abana and Yunuscan. Details: 0118 969 2047.

Sunday, March 27

Thurdsay, March 31

EARLEY – The Roebuck, Auckland Road RG6 1NY. Afternoon Karaoke. 2pm..

Details: 0118 966 7153.

Monday, March 28 NETTLEBED – Village Club, High Street RG9 5DD. Nettlebed Folk Club presents: Feast of Fiddles. Details: www. nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk

Tuesday, March 29

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music Tuesdays. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk NETTLEBED – Village Club, High Street RG9 5DD. Nettlebed Folk Club presents: Feast of Fiddles. Details: www. nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. That’ll Be The Day. Details: 0118 960 6060.

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Moscow Drug Club. Details: 01491 681048.

Wednesday, March 30

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Enola Gay. Details: 0118 956 8188.

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Funky Natures and

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Hurley Burley. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk CAMBERLEY – Theatre, Knoll Road GU15 3SY. Herman’s Hermits. Details: 01276 707600.

READING - Bar 77, Kings Road RG1 3BJ. Singer Soup Kitchen: Music mixed to perfection.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Therapy?

So Much For The 32-Year Plan. Details: 0118 959 5395.

READING – South Street Arts Centre. Heidi Talbot.

Details: 0118 960 6060.

WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Ayce Abana and Yunuscan. Details: 0118 969 2047.

Friday, April 1

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. The Daybreakers and Dr Satso.. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. 21st Century Abba. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Lewis and the Sound of the Suburbs. Details: 01344 457318 EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports & Social, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club presents Martin Turner, ex-Wishbone Ash Vintage Albums: Back To Back Tour. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub. co.uk READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Bass Kingz: Back With A Bang. Details: 0118 956 8188.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Motley

Cruide and Poizon. Details: 0118 959 5395.

READING – South Street Arts Centre. Heavy Pop presents Melt-Banana.

Details: 0118 960 6060.

Saturday, April 2

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. The Scarlet Vixens. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Vintage Sound Collective.

Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. Ear Candy. Details: 01344 422622 CAVERSHAM – The Travellers’ Rest, Henley Road RG4 5DL. Groovin’ with DJ Jim The Syrip Day, Everything Soulful and Ray Goodridge. Details: 0118 947 9441.

CHARVIL - The Wee Waif, Old Bath Road RG10 9RJ. Karaoke and disco.

CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. The Cherries. Details: 01344 530615.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS.

Hard Times. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Noasis. Details: 0118 956 8188.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Jewels and the Jacuzzis.

Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Jazz at the Queen’s Head: Claire Jones Quintet.

Details: 0118 931 0232.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Arachana. Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. The Bootlegs Band. Details: 0118 957 6930.

READING – Up The Junction, London Road RG1 3NY. Bounce and Step. Details: 0118 926 0544.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. Glenn Miller Orchestra. Details: 0118 969 8000.

THEALE – Social Club RG7 5AS. Audiotonic. Details: audiotonic.co.uk TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB.

The Salty Dogs. Details: 0118 942 9606.

YATELEY - The Dog and Partridge, Reading Road GU46 7LR. David Julien.

Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, April 3

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Wilde Sundays: Dragonfly Sky, Union Blue, Grand Old Uke of Dork..

Details: 01344 484123.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232.

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Theme Night: But Is It Folk?. Details: www. readifolk.org.uk SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. Smon and Garfunkel.

Details: 0118 969 8000.

WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Ayce Abana and Yunuscan. Details: 0118 969 2047.

THE CHRISTIANS

By Arrangement with Selective Agency and Club Velocity presents

Friday April 15th 2022 - Doors 7:00pm Advance tickets £25.00

www.wegottickets.com / www.seetickets.com / www.eventbrite.com

Sub89 110-117 Friar Street Reading RG1 1EP 0118 959 5395

26 | LEISURE

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

WHAT’SON Exhibitions

READING – Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road RG1 5EX. Community Voices A series of displays showcasing responses to The MERL’s collections. Open daily except Monday. Details: 0118 378 8660.

READING – Edith Morley building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 6AA. The Ure Musuem presents: iscover the beauty of Etruscan pottery. Tuesdays to Thursdays. 9am-4.30pm.

Free. Details: 0118 378 6990.

READING – Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. People of Oxford Road, an exhibition by Caroline Streatfield. Until March 31. Free entry. Mon 10am-5pm, Tues 10am7pm, Wed Closed, Thurs 10am-7pm, Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-3pm. Details: 0118 937 5950 READING – Reading Museum, Blagrave Stret RG1 1QH. Reading Musuem presents Collected: 150 Years of Reading FC. Tues-Sat 10am-4pm (Sat 5pm). Free, suggested donation of £5.

Details: 0118 937 3400.

Films at Reading Biscuit Factory this week

READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. They include Ukraine Fundraiser Screening: Olga (12a). Thurs. The Phantom of the Open (12a). Thurs.

The Batman (15). Thurs.

The Duke (12a). Thurs.

Ali & Ava (15). Thurs. Red Rocket (18). Thurs. Keep It Cult:Clerks (15). Fri. Keep It Cult: Fight Club (18).

Mon, Fri April 1. Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk

Thursday, March 24 READING – 571 Oxford Road Gallery, 571 Oxford Road, RG30 1EG.Artists for Ukraine Emergency Art Sale: special preview and emergency art sale includes work from over 50 international artists including work by Lesia Khomenko, Oleksiy Sai, Nikita Kadan, Pavlo Makov. 6.30pm. Details: artistsforukraine.org READING – Reading Central

Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Berkshire Family History Society presents: 150 years of Reading Football Club, an online talk by David Downs. 2pm.

Booking essential. £5, £4 BFHS members. Details: berksfhs.org

Friday, March 25

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org SILCHESTER – Village Hall, Little London Road RG7 2ND. Silchester Players present: Aladdin A Panto.

7.30pm. Tickets: £7, £8, £9. silchesterplayers.org WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Hobson’s Choice. 7.45pm. Details: 0118 978 5363 WOKINGHAM – Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. CLASP scam awareness training: how to avoid being scammed.

10am. Booking essential.

Details: 07780 749453 or wokinghamclasp.org.uk WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table.

10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk.

WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon.

Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday, March 26 READING – Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square.

The Friends of Reading Abbey spring lecture: The Reading Abbey Formulary,

by Dr Frederica Teale.

2pm. Free. Details: www. readingabbey.org.uk READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW. Club FOD’s

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Holding a community event? Send your listings to events@wokinghampaper.co.uk TV Characters, an LGBT+ night. 8pm.

READING – Reading Museum, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Abbey Quarter tours: explore the heart of medieval Reading led by trained volunteer guides.

Ninety-minute tour from 11am. £10. Booking essential. Details: www. readingmuseum.org.uk READING - St Joseph’s College, Upper Redlands Road RG1 5JT. Reading Haydn Choir spring concert: Mozart’s Requiem and short works by Bach and Bruckner. 7.30pm. £14, £12 concessions, £1 discount for advance bookings. Under 19s £5, under 19s free. Details: www.haydnchoir.org.uk SILCHESTER – Village Hall, Little London Road RG7 2ND. Silchester Players present: Aladdin A Panto.

2.30pm, 7.30pm. Tickets: £7, £8, £9. Details: silchesterplayers.org TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Brewery Tours and Tasting. Over 18s only. Booking essential.

1pm. £13.50. Details: doublebarrelled.co.uk TWYFORD – Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road.

Twyford and Ruscombe Horticultural Association spring show. 2pm. Raffle and awards, 3.30pm. £1.

Details: trhamembership@ gmail.com WINNERSH – St Mary’s Church Hall RG41 5NA. FROM 10AM -2.PM. A Grand Sale , raising funds for 2 orphanages in S India Charity SalGoAssist supporting the rural poor in Bapatla WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Hobson’s Choice. 7.45pm. Details: 0118 978 5363 WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Crockhamwell

Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Sunday, March 27

BRACKNELL – The Lexicon.

Bracknell Vegan Market.

11am-4pm. Details: www. sparkleveganevents.com READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. The Sunday Alternative: a secular community of words and music. Listening To The Young. 10.45am1pm. Details: www. sundayalternative.org.uk TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Mates Rates Comedy presents Comedy at the Taproom: Steve Hughes, Sarah Callaghan, Tadiwa Mahlunge and Carl Richards. Doors open 4pm, show. 6.30pm-8.30pm.

Details: doublebarrelled. co.uk WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road, RG5 3LA. Games afternoon.

2pm. Cafe praise. 6.30pm.

Details: www.christchurch-woodley.org.uk WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Monday, March 28

ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table.

9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org CAVERSHAM – Caversham Park Bridge Club, Milestone Centre, RG4 6PF. Face to face duplicate bridge, computer dealing & scoring. 7.30pm. £3.

Details www.bridgewebs/ cavershampark EARLEY – Earley Crescent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Group interview skills course.

9.30am-12.30pm. Free, booking essential. Details: 0118 921 0555.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Yous Two. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road

RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table.

10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. 1.30pm-3.30pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons Art and Crafts.

Try something new, relax, enjoy tea and biscuits. £3 per craft, materials supplied. 1.30pm-3.30pm.

Details: 0118 969 9956.

Tuesday, March 29

EARLEY – Earley CResCent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Friendship table. 2pm-3pm. Details: linkvisiting.org.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre Cafe, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. Friendship table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Yous Two. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

WOKINGHAM - The White Horse, Easthampstead Road RG40 3AF. Beer, Bubbles, Banter. 6.30pm.

Details: 0118 979 7402.

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org

Wednesday, March 30

EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe. 2pm-4pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org EARLEY – Earley Crescent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. MS weekly drop-in. 10.30am1.30pm Details: 0118 921 0555.

EARLEY – Earley Crescent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB.

Is volunteering for you?

9.30am-12.30pm. Free, booking essential. Details: 0118 921 0555.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Yous Two. 7.45pm. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. Coffee morning. 10am-noon.

Details: 0118 969 9956.

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac with Friendship table. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table.

10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road, RG5 3LA. Wesley Guild: History of Woodley. 2pm. Details: www.christ-churchwoodley.org.uk WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Artisan market. 9am2pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Thursday, March 31

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. Stand and Deliver comedy club. Over 18s only. £8. 7pm Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Yous Two. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

READING – Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Berkshire Family History Society presents: one-to-one family history advice session on Merchant Navy. 1pm-3pm.

Online, booking essential.

Details: berksfhs.org READING – Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Berkshire Family History Society Reading branch presents:Trade

What’s What’s on on event event submission submission form form Holding a community event? Running a fun day? Organising a concert? Planning a friendship group? Get it listed in our what’s on guide by sending information to us. Use this form or email events@wokingham.today. Please note this service is for community groups,

Name Name

charities and not-for-profit activities. We cannot guarantee inclusion.

Address

Date of event: Venue of event: What will happen:

Address

Postcode Email Postcode

Time of event: Contact number for readers:

Send Emailyour forms to: What’s On, Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS

and occupation sources: where and how to find them. 7.45pm-9pm. Online, booking essential. Details: berksfhs.org SPENCERS WOOD – Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac lunch club with Friendship table.

Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Friday, April 1

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10a Details: linkvisiting.org READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Yous Two. 7.45pm. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

TILEHURST – British Legion, Downing Road Rg31 5BB. Reading Lions presents a quiz night for Ukraine, includings fish n chip supper. £15. 7pm. Details: www.readinglions.org.uk WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table.

10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk.

WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon.

Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday, April 2

CROWTHORNE – St John The Baptist parish church, Waterloo Road RG45 7NT. Thames Voyces in concert: Dixit Dominus.

7.30pm. Details: www. thamesvoyces.org.uk.

READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15amnoon. Details: www. thamesvalleyfarmers market.co.uk READING – From Palmer Park. Kidical Mass family bike ride. Meet by Tutu’s, enjoy short, slow ride to Forbury Gardens, with other families, followed by a picnic. 11.30am.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Yous Two. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

READING – Reading Museum, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Abbey Quarter

tours: explore the heart of medieval Reading led by trained volunteer guides.

Ninety-minute tour from 11am. £10. Booking essential. Details: www. readingmuseum.org.uk READING - St Joseph’s College, Upper Redlands Road RG1 5JT. Reading Youth Orchestra spring concert with Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra.

6pm. Details: www. readingyouthorchestra. co.uk/future-concerts READING – The Warehouse, Cumberland Road. Charity art and pre-loved sale in aid of Ukraine. 10am-2pm.

SHINFIELD – St Mary’s Church. Lunchtime concert with Belle Canto. Free entry, followed by light lunch. Retiring collection in aid of church funds. Details: www.loddonreach.org.uk SHINFIELD – The Michael Malnick Centre, Leighton Park School, Shinfield Road RG2 7DE. Trinity Concert Band spring concert: Song and Dance.

7pm. £14, students £7, under 16s free. Details: 0118 449 2099.

TILEHURST – Birch Copse School, Wittenham Avenue RG31 5LN. Baby and children’s pre-loved sale and craft market.

1pm-4pm. £2 Details: bcptafundraising@gmail. com WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org YATELEY – St Swithun’s Church, Firgrove Road GU46 6NH. Yateley Choral Society present’s Haydn’s Nelson Mass. 7.45pm. £15, students £5, under 16s free. Details: www.yateleychoral.org.uk

Sunday, April 3

ACROSS READING – Reading Half Marathon. Road closures will be in place.

BURGHFIELD – St Mary’s Church.Crafty church Easter fun. 10.30am-noon.

Free. craftyeasterfun. eventbrite.co.uk READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Dreading Poetry Slam.

7.30pm. Details: www. risingsunartscentre.org TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Reading’s Indie Market. From noon-5pm.

Crafts, food, and more.

Oh, and beer. Details: doublebarrelled.co.uk WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. South Berkshire Singers. Free.

7pm. Details: 01344 779979.

No. 5406

Your weekly puzzle challenge

27

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Wednesday, March 23, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

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Quiz Challenge

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NONAGRAM

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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.

MAGIC SQUARE

DELTA JET AIRLINER

Spell out a 15-letter word or phrase by moving from one chamber to another within the pyramid. You may only enter each of the chambers once and may only proceed R through openings in the walls. The E first letter may appear in any chamber.

S S

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: 31 Good; 37 Very Good; 43 Excellent.

DB

ON

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).

Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which will fit in the grid to form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and vertically.

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SUDOKU Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.

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Here are two miniature fivesquare crosswords using the same grid – but the letters have been mixed up.

You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.

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DOWN 1. Discuss what to do if you have an aching tooth (4,2,3) 2. Only confused over name for synthetic material (5) 3. Man currently going round? (4) 4. Frenchman to speak, but indistinctly (6) 5. Hollow warning by revolutionary leader with common sense (9) 6. A plot of land, one that’s about right (4) 10. One with designs on buildings from the Arctic (9) 12. Will met Ed possibly – that was opportune (4-5) 15. Channel taking middle course (6) 17. It’s a practical joke to place a tool under the house (4) 19. Sign of butter (5) 20. Head Office accepts a learner in the circle (4)

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To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com

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EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – subtract; divide; add; multiply.

Total: 4.

MAGIC SQUARE: jilt; idea; leer; tarn.

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© Sirius Media Services Ltd

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QUICK CROSSWORD 1

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.

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ACROSS 1. Fast walk by demonstrators (6,5) 7. State another detail and confirm (8) 8. Number two’s sin? (4) 9. Island in fashionable setting (4) 11. Not many with a high temperature first used this medicinal plant (8) 13. Lightweight cat? (5) 14. Type of support found in a fable (5) 16. Cultivator takes a short time to produce a sensational story (8) 18. Sat around with 50 in the cellar (4) 21. Peel fruit, say (4) 22. Giant takes one uncertain metallic element (8) 23. Elementally disturbed in the main? (5-6)

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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.

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EQUALISER 6 9 11 3 2 2 3 2 1 2 1 1

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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD 1

6. If you visited Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia Cathedral, what city would you be in?

7. In literary terms, if women come from Venus, where do men come from?

8. In the nautical world, for what achievement is the Blue Riband awarded?

9. Lord George Bentinck was a noted innovator in which sport?

10. Ferengi, Vulcans and Romulans are alien species in which sci-fi film franchise?

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PZ1P5406

CROSS CODE 7

5406

ACROSS 1. Remorseless (8) 8. Admission token (6) 9. Outdoor function (4) 10. Beverage (3) 11. Sufferer (6) 12. Witty retort (8) 15. In a single direction (3-3) 16. Jewish greeting (6) 20. Misprints (6)

31

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24. Prizes (6) 27. Ball game (8) 28. Senseless (6) 29. Flightless bird (3) 30. Jealousy (4) 31. Holy Land (6) 32. Gently (8) DOWN 2. Inconsistent (6) 3. Donkey’s bray (3-3) 4. Existence (6) 5. Musical lines (6) 6. Shrub (6)

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Breed of sheep (6) Stray (4) Fruit (4) Rave (4) Cut down (4) Entice (4) Muddle (4) Ceremonial (6) Entreaty (6) Fervent (6) Season (6) Stick (6) Slaver (6)

Storm-tossed.

NONAGRAM: Down – 1 Have it out; 2 Nylon; 3 Eddy; 4 Mutter; 5 Cavernous; 6 acer; acre; acute; aperçu; cape; caper; Acre; 10 Architect; 12 Well-timed; 15 Medium; 17 Hoax; 19 Aries; caperer; capture; capturer; care; career; 20 Halo. carer; caret; carp; carper; carpet; carr; cart; carte; carter; cater; caterer; cere; cert; crape; crate; crater; create; creature; creep; crêpe; crept; cruet; curare; curate; cure; curer; curt; cute; cuter; écarté; ecru; epact; erect; pace; pacer; pact; peace; puce; race; racer; react; recap; RECAPTURE; recur; retrace; teacup; terce; terrace; trace; tracer; truce.

QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Ruthless; 8 Ticket; 9 Fete; 10 Tea; 11 Victim; 12 Repartee; 15 One-way; 16 Shalom; 20 Errata; 24 Awards; 27 Rounders; 28 Stupid; 29 Emu; 30 Envy; 31 Canaan; 32 Tenderly.

Down – 2 Uneven; 3 Hee-haw; 4 Entity; 5 Staves; 6 Acacia; 7 Merino; 12 Rove; 13 Pear; 14 Rant; 17 Hewn; 18 Lure; 19 Mess; 21 Ritual; 22 Appeal; 23 Ardent; 24 Autumn; 25 Adhere; 26 Drivel.

M 13 Ounce; 14 Moral; 16 Thriller; 18 Salt; 21 Pare; 22 Titanium; 23

QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Alcoholic content of liquids; 2 Australia; 3 Six; 4 Whale; 5 Mace; 6 Barcelona; 7 Mars; 8 Fastest Atlantic crossing by a FIVE ALIVE: passenger ship; 9 Horse racing; 10 Star Trek.

(1) Across – Video; Tinge; Samba.

Down – Votes; Denim; Omega.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE Across – 1 Hunger march; 7 Validate; 8 Vice; 9 Iona; 11 Feverfew; (2) Across – Orbit; Ideal; Nudes.

Down – Onion; Bread; Talks.

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28 |

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SPORT TODAY READING

NO ONE CHRONICLES THE ACTION BETTER THAN US

23.03.22

ROCKETS NET PLAYOFF PLACE

SCRUM ON DOWN FOR FRIDAY FUN

SUMAS BEATEN ON THE ROAD

THAT’S THREE PRECIOUS POINTS LAURENT HITS A STUNNER

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

JOSH LAURENT picked the perfect time to notch his goal of the season which helped Reading to earn three invaluable points on Saturday.

Up against promotion-pushing Blackburn Rovers, it was set to be another tricky test for the Royals

in the midst of a difficult run of fixtures.

But using their momentum from their midweek-draw against secondplaced Bourmouth, the Royals put on a positive display.

The home side had the better of the game and chances throughout the first-half.

Blackburn replied with an improved second-half, but the

Royals managed to shut them out to keep a rare clean sheet in goalkeeper Orjan Nyland’s home debut.

Laurent capped off the performance with a sublime strike in the 78th minute that flew above Rovers’ goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski and dipped at the precise moment to kiss the underside of the crossbar on its way in.

It was a goal worthy of winning

any game and may just prove to be the most important goal of Reading’s campaign so far as it moved them five points clear of the relegation zone.

Paul Ince’s men face another huge test after the international break when they face relegation rivals Barnsley away from home on Saturday, April 2.

n Full report and pictures inside

RANGERS TO FACE SUMAS IN TROPHY HUNT BRACKNELL RANGERS booked their place in the Bracknell & District League Sunday Senior Cup final with victory over William Twigg.

Rangers made a quick start to their semi-final contest against Twigg by opening the scoring just four minutes into the match when Nick William slotted in.

Bracknell used the momentum from their fantastic start to double their lead in the 18th minute to put themselves in a commanding position in the cup tie when William grabbed his brace by converting from close range.

Twigg weren’t able to reply in the second-half as Rangers managed to keep a clean sheet and hold on to their 2-0 advantage to progress to the final.

Bracknell’s win sets up a final date against Wokingham & Emmbrook on Sunday, May 8 where the two sides will battle it out for the silverware.

The Sumas’ Sunday side are currently sixth in the Bracknell & District Sunday League Premier Division, while Bracknell Rangers are third in the same division.

Thirteen points currently separate the teams in the table as Bracknell have six wins from 10, while the Sumas have won two of their 11 league games.

When the sides last met in the league in October, Bracknell ran out as 3-1 winners. n Full football round-up and pictures on pages 20 & 21

18 | SPORT

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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Stevie Bryant is held up over the line

Robbie Stapley is tackled Drew Humberstone with ball in hand

Ollie Cole marshalls his troops

RUGBY UNION

FRIDAY NIGHT DELIGHT: CAPTAIN STAPLEY SCORES SUPERB TREBLE

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today

Rams 38 Chinnor 22

CAPTAIN Robbie Stapley celebrated the birth of his second child in the morning by scoring a stunning hattrick as Rams won a brilliant derby 38-22 at home to Chinnor.

Under the Friday Night Lights, the two old rivals produced yet another classic to add to their storied history, sharing nine tries in an entertaining contest at Old Bath Road.

It was the home side who made the initial breakthrough, hooker Ben Henderson throwing a dummy and showing a

Ben Henderson on the charge

change of pace any fly-half would have been proud of to race over from the edge of the Chinnor 22.

Drew Humberstone landed a regulation conversion, and after James Bourton missed a chance to reduce the deficit by pulling a penalty wide, Rams moved further ahead when Stapley opened his account by touching down at the back of a rolling maul.

Chinnor got themselves on the board quickly, however, a string of strong pick-andgoes eventually led the ball to be spread wide for Kieran Goss to touchdown on the right.

Hosts’ centre Stevie Bryant was then held up over the line, but after Ben Glynn was yellow carded for the away side as they illegally

stopped a series of mauls, Stapley grabbed his second in carbon-copy fashion to his first.

A Bourton penalty proved the last action of the opening period, but Rams wrapped up the bonus-point when a minibreak from Michael Dykes led to Jak Rossiter touching down on the left in the 50th minute.

A wonderful touchline conversion from Humberstone made it 24-8, but Chinnor turned the game on its head with two quickfire seven-pointers.

Firstly, replacement Keston Lines burrowed over from close range within a minute of coming on, and then Bourton also added the extras to a score from himself which came at the

end of a lightning counterattack.

Yet Rams knuckled down, and with their scrum in the ascendancy and James Baker in destructive form, settled the ship and moved further in front with a crucial fifth try when Stapley completed his hat-trick from close range.

And while Chinnor battled to the end, Rams finished with a flourish as another slick backs move ended with Henry Bird touching down in front of clubhouse corner for his 10th try of the campaign.

The final word went to debutant Sam Nicholls, who came on against his boyhood club at fly-half to land the conversion and send the majority of the 1,000-plus strong crowd home happy.

The hooker touches down

REACTION

REYNOLDS HAILS SUPPORT IN ENTERTAINING DERBY CLASH

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today DIRECTOR of Rugby Seb Reynolds hailed a wonderful game of rugby after the hosts picked up a marvellous 38-22 derby day victory against Chinnor in the first National One Friday Night Lights game at Old Bath Road.

“We gave the fantastic support an entertaining game of rugby,” said Reynolds.

“Chinnor came back really well in the second half and they’re a quality side, they’ve got great players, made excellent line breaks passing back to the inside and they’re also very good when they get into the 22.

“Their pick-and-go game is very powerful and they’re hard to stop, but I was really pleased with the

Seb Reynolds Pictures: Paul Clark

way we wrestled back control and played some strong rugby – we started the game well and finished very strongly.

“Credit to them the way they came back hard and played so well, but our guys I just don’t think were going to be denied – they really deserved it.”

“They’ve grafted all year and earned their spots – there was a really nice balance there with Vinny at the breakdown superb, he got some really good turnovers and also held his width in attack as well.

“James is ever-present in attack and defence, he’s full of energy, vocal and had a good impact on the game.”

“I think James is one of the best tight-heads in the country in terms of scrummaging – I’ve not seen better.”

BERKSHIRE U20’S 41-19 SURREY

BERKSHIRE U20’s BOOK SEMIFINAL SPOT WITH SURREY WIN BERKSHIRE Under 20s marched into the semi-finals of Division Two of the Jason Leonard County Championship with a comprehensive victory against Surrey.

Yet things did not start well for the home side, a beautiful tippass from Surrey full-back Ben Mackenzie freeing the speedy Corum Nott to race away and score.

A try combined two Rams on the pitch – full-back Charlie Robson produced a terrific off-load for Adam Porter to cross on an angled run from right to left.

A lovely inside ball from another Ram, Henry Lenthall, set-up Bracknell No. 8 Josh Riles to cross.

Prop Harry Etwell, touched down before Andrews slotted the conversion and kicked a penalty to send the hosts into the interval with a 22-7 advantage.

Captain Spencer Hayhow collected a pass on the left wing before the hooker sprinted in from some 50 metres out.

Robson brilliantly picked up a pass around his ankles before darting over in the left-hand corner.

SPORT | 19

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BASKETBALL

ROCKETS QUALIFY FOR PLAY-OFFS

By STAFF WRITER sport@wokingham.today READING ROCKETS eased through to the playoff quarter finals in a triumphant double header weekend.

Spencer Hayhow touches down for Berkshire U20’s Picture: Tim Pitfield While the conversion drifted wide, Berkshire again had a 20-point lead, and they added a sixth try late on when replacement George Makepeace-Cubitt grabbed a brilliant try with a searing break.

Berkshire’s reward for their victory is an Easter Sunday trip to Durham in the semi-final, while in the other tie, Essex clash with Northumberland.

They exploded from the tip with a 13-3 run causing an early time out by the visitors.

A Danny Carter assist to Sam Toluwase gave the forward a slam as Rockets moved to a 21-3 before a brace of trebles gave the Lions some heart though they finished the opening exchanges 23-10 adrift.

Then Lions took the second quarter 24-23 with Elijah Maynard hitting 19 of their 24 points as he lit up the response even though a Jaz Bains treble was quickly followed by a Bains assist to Reis Pinnock to also score a treble and see Rockets 29-11 ahead.

Some great team work saw Carter send an assist to Tyler Cartaino score and convert the extra free throw before he helped Meshack

Reading Rockets have made the quarter finals Lufile to an inside score seeing Rockets 34-14 ahead causing yet another Lions time-out just three minutes into the period.

Pinnock and Bains stroked trebles leaving the home team with a reduced advantage of 46-34 at the interval.

Cartaino hit 10 personal points as he drove determinedly on four occasions drawing fouls

twice and finishing on another occasion and hitting a pair of free throws on the fourth.

Toluwase was enjoying himself with yet another slam dunk and Carter completed Rockets scoring with an inside move, score and extra point from the penalty stripe leaving Rockets comfortably ahead 73- 51.

Jaz Bains hit three trebles

in the last quarter to become the games second top scorer with 20 points, thanks mainly to an assist from Carter and a pair of assists from Cartaino though Bains returned the favour for Cartaino to drain a treble.

Cartaino continued his display with awesome assist and steals as he gave Rockets big man Lufile a slam dunk.

The 30-point lead was the trigger for Head Coach Dan Pearson to release three of his academy boys onto court and how well they responded to the opportunity.

Isaac Round stroked a treble which Ashely Kitchen matched moments later before Round finished Rockets scoring with a floater. It eased Rockets into the play-offs in a season plagued by serious and long injuries to the team.

Depending on the result of Rockets appeal, victory could give Rockets seventh place in the league and a likely away tie against Thames Valley Cavaliers in April.

National League One Rugby returns to Old Bath Road on Saturday 2nd April 2022 K.O. 3.00pm BARS OPEN from 12.30pm 1st XV v Birmingham Moseley RFC A Pie ‘n Pint or a pre-booked sit down meal in the clubhouse? The choice is yours! Contact steven@RAMSRUGBY.com to book a pre-match two-course meal and experience game hospitality with us!

E tickets can be pre-purchased via our Ticket Office at: Entry is £15 for over 18s for non-season ticket holders, FREE for under 18s.

FREE Park and Ride available for this fixture.

Rams Rugby, Old Bath Road, Sonning, Berkshire RG4 6TQ © RAMSRUGBY 2022

160mmx8 columns (265mm) Bham Moseley Home -02nd April - Wokingham and Reading Paper 23-24.03.22.indd 1

21/03/2022 12:49:14

20 | SPORT

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BRACKNELL RANGERS SET UP SENIOR SUNDA FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

Tadley Calleva v Wokingham & Emmbrook Pictures: Andrew Batt

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Combined Counties Premier North READING CITY climbed up to eighth after they completed a magnificent comeback to beat Edgware Town.

The visitors went in front from the penalty spot just four minutes into the game and doubled their lead in the 22nd minute.

The Cityzens got back into

William Twigg v Bracknell Rangers Pictures: Andrew Batt

the game to inspire a comeback when Josh Baines smashed a shot into the top corner in the 34th minute.

With just over half an hour to go, Tyler D’Cruz put Reading level and City then grabbed a winner with 10 minutes left when Dan Davies converted from a corner to complete the turnaround.

WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK went down to a third successive defeat to Tadley Calleva.

The Sumas conceded two first-half goals which

condemned them to a 2-0 loss and leaves them 16th in the table after 29 games.

Combined Counties Division One EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA maintained their push for the play-offs courtesy of a hat-trick from Jamie Griggs.

The Boars got off to a quick start when Griggs headed in from Connor Allston’s throw in with six minutes gone.

Shortly after the restart,

Griggs had his second when Brad Brown set up Griggs who showed ocomposure to strike the ball into the bottom corner.

Griggs sealed his treble and three precious points for Eversley when he found the net with a bullet header.

Eversley are in fourth on 60 points with just eight league games left to play.

BERKS COUNTY lost out in a local derby clash at home to SANDHURST TOWN. Sandhurst had a two goal advantage going into the break

that was pegged back when the Swords scored in the 73rd minute.

But Sandhurst managed to score again to take a 3-1 win.

WOODLEY UNITED fell to defeat against league leaders Hilltop.

Hilltop extended their lead at the top of the table with a 3-0 victory to leave the Kestrels in 18th from 29 matches.

Thames Valley Premier League FINCHAMPSTEAD

missed

out on the chance to close the gap on league leaders BURGHFIELD after they drew to Windlesham & Chobham.

Ryan Finch and Dylan Chaffin netted for Finch to help them earn a point in a 2-2 stalemate.

Finch are five points adrift of Burghfield, but still have three games in hand in what is set to be a tense title battle.

BURGHFIELD weren’t able to extend their lead at the top after they were held to a 3-3 draw by WARGRAVE. Tom Adams, Teoman Atik

Wednesday, March 23, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

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AY CUP FINAL DATE WITH SUMAS

From the middle

Dick Sawdon-Smith

Pulling opponents’ shirts is no child’s play

O

and James McClellan were on the scoresheet for the Fielders.

READING YMCA moved up to ninth with victory over Wraysbury.

James Boazarth opened the scoring and a brace from Pele Hagger helped YMCA add three points with a 3-1 triumph.

READING CITY U23’s fell to a 2-1 defeat away at Westwood Wanderers, while WOODLEY UNITED ROYALS lost 2-0 at home to Marlow United.

Thames Valley Women’s Division One TILEHURST PANTHERS produced a five-star display to beat Carterton First.

The 5-0 win means that Tilehurst closed the gap on fourth placed Carterton to just one point.

CAVERSHAM UNITED picked up a point on the road against Mortimer.

Goals from Freya Jenkins and Caitlin Levy but Mortimer hit back late on to share the points.

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S CAVERSHAM AFC took maximum points in a nine-goal game against WARGRAVE DEVELOPMENT. Eva Fa Matos scored twice and Tina Leahy scored for Wargrave but they lost out 6-3.

Wargrave are one place off the bottom, while Caversham are sixth,

S4K BERKS COUNTY capped off their title winning campaign in style with an away win.

A brace from Megan Cox and goals from Claudia Mulvey and Kiah Owen ensured a 4-1 success in their final league game over Thatcham & Newbury Town.

The Fawkes end the season as champions with 46 points, winning 15 of their 18 matches.

Reading & District Sunday League

Senior: FC Sporty 3-1 AFC Bradfield, Maiden Place 3-0 Englefield Eagles, Mortimer 3-0 Tilehurst, Twyford Comets 1-3 Woodley Wanderers One: Caversham United 2-1 Berkshire Dons,

Emmer Green 3-0 Burghfield Reserves, GC Utd 1-2 Loxwood Park, Give Back 7-1 Woodley Saints Hobnob Two: Barton Rovers 2-1 Burghfield A, Southbank 5-1 Caversham Three: Burghfield B 1-2 Royal Albion, Racing Club de Woko 2-2 New England, Sanctuary Strikers 4-0 Hurst Four: Brothers Utd 2-2 Core, Hype Train 4-0 Barton Rovers Reserves

Bracknell & District Sunday League

Cup: Bracknell Rangers 2-0 William Twigg, Panthers 4-1 Freeman Royals Premier: Finchampstead Athletic 3-2 Wokingham & Emmbrook TMW One: Winnersh Rangers 1-2 AFC Dukes, Woodley United 1-2 FC Showcase Two: Bracknell Cavaliers 0-1 Ashridge Park Royals,

FOOTBALL

KESTRELS BEATEN BY RUNAWAY LEADERS Hilltop 3 Woodley United 0

WOODLEY UNITED went down to defeat away at runaway league leaders Hilltop.

Playing the table toppers on a very bobbly pitch with a cross pitch wind, Woodley got off to another slow start and found themselves pinned into their own half from the Hilltop kick off.

They were a goal down after four minutes when their back line was caught square and flat allowing a pass into the penalty area to be

easily converted by the unmarked Michael Panford.

Woodley responded with Archie Swell forcing a corner a corner kick two minutes later but the opening 20 minutes belonged to the home team as they moved the ball well on the difficult surface using both wings to stretch United’s midfield and defence.

Slowly Woodley began to find a second wind, having played three games in the week, forcing a couple of corner kicks and Swell finding debutant Kai Stubbs-Alleyne in who fell under pressure in the Hilltop

penalty area only for play to be waved on.

United’s resolute play was undone in the 38th minute when a cross from Hilltop’s right went over Stuart Birkett’s head and in turning, the defender conceded a penalty.

Hussein Mahdi fired it into Walker’s top left hand corner.

It needed a good low save to his right by Walker to concede a corner to prevent a third goal a minute before half time.

Notwithstanding Kaylum Barlow clearing off his own goal line,

Woodley started the second half positively.

Rafa Brando’s 49th minute cross was cleared by the home defence, a Stubbs-Alleyne low free kick agonisingly evaded the unmarked Jordan Sykes while Stubbs-Alleyne saw another penalty appeal turned away on the hour mark.

However, Hilltop made the game safe when Qusey Yislam’s free kick from the edge of the Woodley penalty area found the back of the net with eight minutes of time remaining.

NE of the most annoying and childish fouls I think. is pulling an opponents’ shirt to stop him getting away with the ball.

One thing I should point out is that pulling opponent’s shirts, does not appear anywhere in the Laws of the Game.

It does however fall under the heading of holding an opponent, which has a number of punishments. some of which can have a huge effect on a game.

It is a direct free kick offence, which means that it would be a penalty if committed inside the home penalty area.

If it broke up a promising attack it would warrant a yellow card and if it denied a goal scoring opportunity the player would be sent off.

There is one other punishment I would like to see added. This is where the back of the shirt collar is pilled, rather than the back or front of the shirt itself.

We saw this in the Euro 2020 when the shirt was grabbed at the back of the neck and the player running forward could have been strangled, a yellow card was shown, probably for unsporting behaviour or dangerous play, but it certainly didn’t seem severe enough.

The question may be asked, why isn’t shirt pulling always penalised?

There are a couple of reasons at least for this, one is a note that appeared a couple of seasons ago in the Laws of the Game book.

It wasn’t in the Laws but in one of a number of sections in the back of the book.

It’s called the Glossary of Football Terms and says, ‘A holding offence only occurs when a player’s contact with an opponent’s body or equipment impedes the opponent’s movement’.

For pulling shirts, this means if the opponent is still able to run on unencumbered or can carry out doing what he intended to do.

This slight relaxing of the Law did well in the Euros 20/20. Don’t stop for every little infringement.

The other reason it goes unpunished is that the referee may be unsighted.

We can take the example of Newcastle’s match against Chelsea.

Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah clearly pulled the front of Jacob Murphy’s shirt in the penalty area, but both players had their backs to the referee.

A penalty could have given them a point, so no doubt Newcastle manager, Eddie Howe, was thinking, where is the VAR when you need him?

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LAURENT’S SCORCHER KEE SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

How they rated

READING 1 BLACKBURN 0 ORJAN NYLAND

Made two excellent saves to keep a well deserved clean sheet on his Royals home debut. A safe pair of hands in his opening two games.

ANDY YIADOM

Defended strongly down the right hand side to limit Blackburn’s hopes and stayed disciplined after picking up an early yellow.

MICHAEL MORRISON

Never comfortable with the ball as he looked to go long on a few occasions, but did what he’s good at and put in plenty of blocks.

TOM HOLMES

An improved display that saw him make some good tackles and win plenty in the air.

TOM MCINTYRE

Came close to scoring when he hit a low drive into the corner but the keeper came up with an important save.

DANNY DRINKWATER

Misplaced a few simple passes, one of which could have played Swift through for a big chance.

ANDY RINOMHOTA

Forced off after 30 minutes with injury and was replaced by John Swift.

JOSH LAURENT

An outstanding display topped off with a magnificent strike to win the game as he curled the ball into the top right hand corner.

TOM INCE

Put in a big shift on the right.

Almost opened the scoring when he brought down the ball brilliantly from McIntyre’s cross.

OVIE EJARIA

A positive first-half performance, showed some flashes of attacking impetus and linked well with others in attack.

LUCAS JOAO

Had one big chance in the firsthalf that he should have put away but headed straight at the keeper.

SUBS John Swift 7, Junior Hoilett, Yakou Meite

8 7 7 7 7 6 5 8.5 6 6 6

By Andy Preston apreston@wokingham.today READING took a step towards Championship safety after Josh Laurent’s wonder strike gave them three points against promotion battling Blackburn Rovers.

With 78 minutes on the clock, the Royals midfielder curled a beautiful effort beyond the reach of Thomas Kaminksi to hit the winning goal.

The Royals had several chances throughout the first-half but couldn’t break the resilience of Rovers’ keeper.

The second-half told a different story as Reading had plenty of defending to do and had to thank goalkeeper Orjan Nyland who came up with two excellent saves to keep a clean sheet on his home debut, before Laurent’s goal gave them all three points.

Blackburn had the better of the ball in the early proceedings without creating much in the way of chances.

They often looked to play fast and direct into the box to find the aerial threat of Sam Gallagher in the box.

The first good chance came for Rovers after 13 minutes when Ryan Giles got into the box on the left hand side and fired a cross-shot that drifted wide of Nyland’s far post.

The Royals responded instantly with an even clearer opening.

After some nice link up down the left from Ovie Ejaria and Tom McIntyre, the Reading defender clipped a ball into the box that was excellently taken down by Tom

Michael Morrison smacks the ball clear

Laurent looks to push his opponent off the ball

Laurent slides in with a tackle

Match stats Reading: Nyland, Yiadom, Morrison (c), Holmes, McIntyre, Laurent, Drinkwater, Rinomhota, Ejaria, Ince, Joao Subs: Southwood, Dann, Dele-Bashiru, Swift, Barker, Hoilett, Meite

Blackburn: Kaminski, Lenihan (c), Van Hecke, Wharton, Giles, Travis, Rothwell, Buckley, Khadra, Dolan, Gallagher, Subs: Pears, Brown, Pickering, Johnson, RankinCostello, Dack, Hedges

Goals: Laurent 78’

Orjan Nyland makes a crucial save Ince who tried to then knock the ball past the keeper, but Thomas Kaminski made a smart save.

Reading grew into the half and had by far the better chances to break the deadlock.

After a long ball found Ovie Ejaria, he cut it back for Joao who shifted it onto Andy Yiadom who forced another important stop at the near post from Kaminski with a powerful hit, Swift’s influence on the game made an immediate impact to

The Royals celebrate Josh Lauren quicken the pace of Reading’s attack and a big chance fell the way of Joao he headed down an inswinging cross, but couldn’t direct it either side of the keeper who parried it out.

Ejaria closed down a short back pass and tried to knock the ball past Kaminski, but the Rovers keeper made a vitally timed tackle and did well not to give away a penalty after being put in jeopardy by his defence.

Kaminski was called into

REACTION

INCE ‘PROUD’ OF PERFORMANCE AS ROYALS GO FIVE CLEAR READING FC manager Paul Ince said he was ‘proud’ of his team after they earned three points against promotion battling Blackburn Rovers.

The Royals continued the momentum from their draw at Bournemouth by beating Blackburn thanks to Josh Laurent’s superb strike.

“It was an amazing goal, a wonder strike from Josh (Laurent),” said Ince.

“Defensively we were outstanding, the keeper made some great saves and we had to defend, because at times it was nervy.

“Apart from the chances we missed in the first half, it was the perfect performance but we

have to be more ruthless.

“We kept a clean sheet which is very important.

“It was so important to get something with the Derby and Barnsley results.

“It’s been a great week but Thomas (Ince) is a bit gutted because everyone was talking about his Bournemouth goal, but that from Josh has surpassed it.”

Ince’s men now head into the international break five points clear of the Championship relegation zone prior to a monumental match away at Barnsley in a six-pointer.

Ince continued: “We’ve got a long way to go and a massive game in a couple of weeks at Barnsley.

“We’ve got a five point gap but there is still a long way to go.

“We saw a different side today where we had to dig in, put our bodies on the line and fight.

“There is a sense of fight, togetherness and spirit.

“We’ve got something going and have momentum.

“The draw at Bournemouth gave us a lot of confidence then we backed it up.

“We want to keep playing, but the lads are on the floor after such a hard week with three games in a week.

“I was thinking after the goal, there’s another 10 minutes to go so it was a case of focusing, concentrating and getting over the line.

“But we’ve got nothing to celebrate at the moment, I’ll celebrate when we stay up.

“We’ll enjoy this moment and then concentrate on Barnsley.”

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EEPS THE DREAM ALIVE

From The Tilehurst End Olly Allen Ovie Ejaria goes down in hope of winning a penalty

Tom McIntyre rises Ejaria

Lucas Joao goes close John Swift bursts forward with Ince in support

nt’s winner to give them a precious win Pictures: Steve Smyth

Tom Ince battles down the wing

action once again to make a super stop after Swift flicked the ball in the path of Josh Laurent who blasted an effort at goal only to be thwarted.

The final chance of the half came for Joao who opened up on his right foot and tried to bend the ball inside the far post but missed the target by a few inches.

Rovers created a chance within 30 seconds of the restart when Tyrhys Dolan was released on the right, but he spurned the opportunity to test Nyland with a wayward hit.

The hosts continued to be frustrated by Kaminski who pulled off another excellent stop by Tom Holmes heads clear

getting down low to his left to get a glove to Tom McIntyre’s low drive that looked destined for the bottom corner.

Nyland then had to be alert at the other end when he flew to his left to reach John Buckley’s strike to tip it over his crossbar to prevent Rovers going in front.

Blackburn dominated proceedings for much of the second-half in hope of finding a goal to strengthen their promotion push.

They came close when Bradley Dack broke through one-on-one, but Nyland got in the way to make his second pivotal save of the game

before Morrison hacked clear any danger of Blackburn latching onto the rebound.

Ince’s second change of the match saw Junior Hoilett replace Ejaria for the final 15 minutes.

With just over 10 minutes to go, Reading broke the deadlock when Laurent hit a wonderful strike to beat Kaminski.

The midfielder picked up the ball from range and hit a beauty that curled into the top corner.

Reading face a huge relegation six pointer after the international break away at Barnsley on Saturday, April 2.

READING FC WOMEN PREVIEW

ROYALS HOPE TO BREAK POOR FORM WITH TRIP TO VILLA READING FC WOMEN are aiming to get back to winning ways in the Women’s Super league against Aston Villa.

The Royals have endured a tough run of fixtures, including games against Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City in which they lost all three matches.

Kelly Chambers’ team are seventh in the WSL after City opened up the gap between the teams with their 2-0 victory over the Royals Reading’s form has waived in

recent weeks with just one league win from their last six matches seeing them slide down a couple of places in the WSL table.

Sunday’s opponents, Aston Villa, have managed to claw themselves out of a potential relegation scrap by picking up points to create a gap between them, Leicester City and their city rivals Birmingham City.

Villa are currently in 10th on 16 points, four above Leicester and they now have a sizeable lead of 12 points on bottom placed Birmingham who

looked destined for life in the Championship next season.

When the teams met in October, the Royals headed into the match in dreadful form that has seen them lose their opening four games of the season without scoring a goal.

However, the Villa match proved to be a turning point in the season as Chambers’ team got their campaign up and running and allowed them to build an impressive unbeaten run.

Reading flew out of the traps and were 2-0 in front after 19 minutes with goals from Amalie Eikeland and Rachel Rowe.

Natasha Dowie got on the scoresheet on the brink of half-time to consolidate a magnificent 45 minutes at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Reading shut Villa out in the second-half, not allowing their opponents a single attempt at goal which gave them a much needed win to kickstart their season.

Renewed hope after positive week

T

HE saying goes that a week is a long time in football and if ever evidence was needed of that, then you need look no further than Reading’s final seven days before the international break.

Following a 4-0 away defeat at Nottingham Forest – in which the team showed all the traits of a side bereft of confidence by conceding after just 17 seconds and then capitulating in the second half – the club seemed to be staring down the barrel of relegation.

Yet here we are now, enjoying the luxury of the international break and feeling much more optimistic about the chances of survival after drawing away at Bournemouth and winning at home to Blackburn.

Reading’s five-point gap to the bottom three is in fact only one point greater than it was after the defeat to Forest, but taking points off two top six sides in the space of four days can do a lot for morale.

Both results – 1-1 against Bournemouth and 1-0 against Blackburn – were exactly the sort you need in a relegation battle and exactly the sort Reading have not had enough of this season.

It was only the third time this season that Reading have conceded first away from home and taken something from the game. Picking up solitary points in matches can often be the basis of a strong survival bid.

To say that Reading have taken four points away from home against the Championship’s top two this season but only one point away at the bottom two proves just how Jekyll and Hyde this side are.

When they fancy it, they can compete with anyone and their quality shines through. When they don’t, they are one of the worst teams in the division.

Fortunately, that quality came to the fore again against Blackburn, specifically Josh Laurent’s sensational looping strike to win the game.

It was Reading’s first clean sheet under Ince and their first 1-0 victory since the middle of October. Limiting Rovers to just one shot after going in front in the 78th minute was the sort of game management we’ve rarely seen this season.

It would be naïve to say that Reading are a side transformed because it is impossible to know what sort of performance they will put in every game. But we know they have it in them to get over the line.

Reading v Blackburn Rovers

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HOCKEY

RESULTS

SONNING 2S STAY IN TITLE HUNT

Friday, March 18 National League One Rams 38-22 Chinnor

Sonning 2s took the win over South Berks 2s in a local derby Pictures: Steve Smyth

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

South Central Men’s Division 2 SONNING 2s took the bragging rights and points in a local clash against SOUTH BERKSHIRE 2s.

The 3-0 triumph for Sonning outs them in second, level on points with leaders Yateley on 39 points with three league games left to contest.

South Berks are in seventh on 23 points.

Women’s National Division 1 South READING remain as league leaders after they picked up an away point at Slough.

The goalless draw leaves Reading

Sonning 2s and South Berks 2s battle for the ball with a six-point lead over second placed Sevenoaks with just two matches remaining in the league season.

A draw in their next fixture would secure their status as league champions.

South Central Men’s Division 1 SONNING earned an emphatic away victory at Milton Keynes 2s.

They smacked seven past their

South Berks get forward

opponents without reply to seal a convincing win.

The victory leaves them in sixth position after 18 games on 33 points.

South Central Women’s Premier 1 SONNING stay one place off the bottom of the table after they lost 2-0 to Fareham.

South Central Men’s

Sonning go on the attack

Premier 2

SOUTH BERKSHIRE lost on the road in a heavy defeat at Marlow.

The league leaders hit five past South Berks which leaves them in seventh position on 26 points from 19 games.

South Central Women’s Division 1 SOUTH BERKSHIRE added a point to their tally away at Maidenhead 2s.

TABLE TENNIS

TWO MAN KINGFISHER A TAKE VICTORY

BY NIGEL MALTBY sport@wokingham.today TWO man KINGFISHER A still managed a 7-3 win over Kingfisher B with trebles from Hari Gehlot and Darren Jones.

Darren held off Alan Cummings to win 10-12 11-4 9-11 11-9 11-7.

KINGFISHER D moved back up to third place after cruising to a 10-0 win at TILEHURST RBL A, Julian Telford, Graham Mendick and Yugo Yick all getting 3-straight maximums.

SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD A managed a 7-3 win over two man Tidmarsh A thanks mainly to a Gary Morgan treble while SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD B beat SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD C 6-4.

Simon Berry and Brian Meheux both won twice for the B team, while Tim Raby had an excellent night for the C team earning an 11-5 15-13 11-6 win over Simon Berry and beating Nigel Maltby 11-9 11-5 10-12 11-9 in the final set of the night.

In Division 2, KINGFISHER F lost 3-7 to TILEHURST METHODISTS A, Theo Kniep playing up from Division 3 recording two wins after losing his opening set to Eric Van Looy 11-5 7-11 1-9 7-11 9-11.

Ajai Kamath defeated Masoud Ghabachi for his win, while Eapen John had no joy, despite all of his sets going to five games, none closer than his loss to Eric 6-11 5-11 13-11 14-12 9-11, after his fight back from 0-2 down.

For the Methodists, Eric was undefeated on the night with all four of his sets requiring five games to decide the winner, his doubles partner Bill also winning two singles, while Masoud defeated Eapen 6-11 11-8 11-9 8-11 11-8 for his one win.

Relegation seems likely for TIDMARSH C, following their 4-6 defeat by KINGFISHER G, for whom Neil Dellar and Satej Jaywant both scored maximums, their teammate Hamid Mohseni losing to all three Tidmarsh players, Ian Wu, Simon Craig and David Sheppard, although his loss to Simon was by the narrowest of margins, 11-9 12-10 5-11 7-11 10-12.

Despite fielding just two players, SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD D won 6-4 away to Kingfisher E, thanks to a doubles win, a treble from Danny Dockree and a double from Jon Abbott, who defeated Andrew Adair and Luca Bianchi but missed out on a treble when he lost to Stephen Leggett.

OUR LADY OF PEACE C won 7-3 against Tidmarsh B, Pradeep Desh recording a treble, Binit Bhaskar a double and Arun Rajagopal a single, Tidmarsh’s points earned by a double from Barry Carter and a single from Mike Aistrop, with Chris Webb still looking for his first win, although he was again close to a win in his final set, eventually losing to Binit 4-11 11-7 11-8 5-11 8-11.

SONNING SPORTS A returned to the top of the division following their 8-2 victory over OUR LADY OF PEACE B, aided by their opponents having a late withdrawal due to covid. Nick

FOOTBALL Women’s Super League Aston Villa v Reading

Isthmian South Central Tooting & Mitcham United v Binfield

Combined Counties Premier North Reading City 3-2 Edgware Town Tadley Calleva 2-0 Sumas

Combined Counties Premier North Sumas v Reading City

Thames Valley Premier League Finchampstead 2-2 Windlesham & Chobham Reading YMCA 3-1 Wraysbury Wargrave 3-3 Burghfield Westwood Wanderers 2-1 Reading City U23’s Woodley United Royals 0-2 Marlow United Cup Twyford & Ruscombe 2-1 AFC Winkfield Windlesham & Chobham A 1-0 Finchampstead United HOCKEY Men’s National Division 1 South Reading 0-1 Southgate Women’s National Division 1 South Slough 0-0 Reading South Central Men’s Premier 2 Marlow 5-1 South Berkshire

Sears and Paul Savage were both undefeated on the night, Keith Machin losing tough match-ups against both Darek Kaminski 9-11 5-11 9-11 and Chris West 10-12 11-9 8-11 9-11.

Hat tricks from John Willcocks and Kate Maksimenko kept TILEHURST RBL B on course for promotion from division 3 after they won 9-1 at OUR LADY OF PEACE D, Linda King adding a useful double. PANGBOURNE WMC saw their chances of going up dented by a 6-4 defeat to Springfield, Jason King, Peter Gurney and Rob Wilkie all winning twice with wins over both Leroy Wilson and Clive Taylor. John Simmons was unbeaten for Pangbourne.

KINGFISHER I’S march to the title continued after they won 9-1 against Milestone A, Theo Kniep, Ethan Zeng and Sahil Tekurkar all getting impressive maximums against a useful Milestone trio of Sachin Mundra, Oliver Bonser and Zoltan Keleman.

TILEHURST METHODISTS B beat Sonning Sports C 9-1 in division 4, Steve Christelow and Patrick O’Sullivan both hitting trebles. SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD F went down 8-2 to leaders Sonning Sports B for whom Harry Brough hit a maximum while OUR LADY OF PEACE F maintained their promotion push by beating a 2 man Kingfisher J team 9-1.

SONNING SPORTS B played bottom side Milestone B in a re-arranged fixture and won 10-0 with hat tricks from Cris Reynolds, Himanshu Pasbola and Harry Brough. In the near top of the table clash TILEHURST ROYAL BRITISH LEGION C beat READING FC B 6-4 mainly thanks to a Paul Treadgold maximum.

Saturday, March 26

FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Reading 1-0 Blackburn Rovers

Combined Counties Division One AFC Hayes 0-3 Eversley & California Berks County 1-3 Sandhurst Town Hilltop 3-0 Woodley United

Men’s National Division 1 South READING’s lead at the top was cut after they were defeated by Southgate.

They lost 1-0 at home in their fifth defeat of the season.

That means that they are now level on points with Canterbury on 33 from 16 matches.

Reading host Canterbury next Sunday in a game that is likely to prove pivotal in deciding who wins the title.

Saturday, March 19

Division One Challenge Cup Rayners Lane v Berks County

South Central Women’s Division 1 Maidenhead 2s 1-1 South Berkshire South Central Men’s Division 1 Milton Keynes 2s 0-7 Sonning South Central Women’s Premier 1 Fareham 2-0 Sonning

Sunday, March 20 FOOTBALL Thames Valley Women’s Division One Mortimer 2-2 Caversham United Tilehurst Panthers 5-0 Carterton

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S Caversham AFC 6-3 Wargrave Development Thatcham & Newbury Town 1-4 S4K Berks County

FIXTURES

Tuesday, March 22

FOOTBALL Combined Counties Division One Woodley United v British Airways

Combined Counties Division One Berks County v Cove Eversley & California v Hillingdon Borough Woodley United v Enfield Borough Thames Valley Premier League Reading City U23’s v Woodley United Royals Cup FC Imaan Lions v Finchampstead Windlesham & Chobham v Wargrave Yateley United v Hurst Burghfield Reserves v Windlesham & Chobham Development Hurst Reserves v Taplow United Reserves Robertswood v Reading YMCA Rapids Berks County Rovers v Henley Town Development Harchester Hawks v Farnham Royal Mavericks RUGBY UNION National League One Cinderford v Rams South West 1 East Bracknell v Marlborough HOCKEY Women’s National Division 1 South Surbiton 2s v Reading South Central Men’s Division 1 Sonning v Reading 3s South Central Women’s Premier 1 Sonning v Marlow South Central Men’s Premier 2 South Berkshire v Havant 2s South Central Women’s Division 3 South Berkshire v Wallingford

Sunday, March 27

FOOTBALL Southern Region Women’s Premier Division Oxford City v Woodley United Southern Region Women’s Division 1 South Bournemouth Sports v Eversley & California Thames Valley Women’s Division One Caversham United v Stonesfield Strikers Wargrave v Tilehurst Panthers HOCKEY Men’s National Division 1 South Reading v Canterbury