Reading Today, August 10, 2022

THREE GREAT PAPERS IN ONE: NEWS, SPORT & LEISURE

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

No. 42 90p

READING TODAY WWW.RDG.TODAY

READING’S NEW CHAMPION

Magnificent Mela

9 772754 278509

ISSN 2754-2785

Picture: Steve Smyth

32

Reading’s celebration of Asia returns CRIME

BUSINESS

CONTEST

Police seize drugs during campaign

Town pub set to close over rent hike

Woman’s bid to be Miss England

2 | NEWS

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Patisserie Valerie closes

WE COVER READING BOROUGH EMMER GREEN CAVERSHAM CAVERSHAM HEIGHTS LOWER CAVERSHAM TILEHURST

NORCOT

WEST READING SOUTHCOTE

READING COLEY

EAST READING

KATESGROVE

WHITLEY SELECT CAR LEASING STADIUM

In print

Order a copy from your newsagent every Wednesday – some even deliver

Online

Our website is updated seven days a week – bookmark it in your browser: rdg.today

FACEBOOK & TWITTER: RDGTODAY

HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US Due to the coronavirus, our offices are closed to the public. The best way to contact us is by email Email news@rdg.today Newsroom: 0118 327 2662 Advertising: 0118 327 2662 Write to: Reading Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS

Publisher • David Riley Editor • Phil Creighton Reporters • Daniel Blackham, Jake Clothier, Ji-Min Lee, Emma Merchant Sports reporter • Andy Preston Graphic designer • Charlotte Simpson The Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation. If you have a complaint about a Wokingham Paper Ltd publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance email: editor@wokingham.today. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk.

Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.

Help for people researching their family tree

PATISSERIE Valerie has closed its Reading branch.

The shop on the corner of Broad Street by The Oracle shopping centre has been closed permanently, and is just the latest in a number of branches to close.

It comes just three weeks after the Norwich branch closed, with another recently closed in Ipswich.

It also comes just three years after the firm collapsed into administration in 2019, when 70 of its nearly 200 stores closed immediately, leading to the loss of around 900 jobs.

Reading Today has reached out to Patisserie Valerie for comment, but is yet to receive a response.

GONE: The store is just the latest in a number of branches across the south to close.

Concerns over usage of Sidmouth St cycle lane

By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter A college in Reading has released photos of cyclists shunning a dedicated cycle lane in its formal objections to a council bid to make the cycle lane permanent.

Reading Borough Council recently launched a consultation into making temporary two-way cycle lane in Sidmouth Street permanent, which required the closure of the northbound lane to regular traffic.

The University College of Estate Management (UCEM) has officially objected to the proposal, with studies showing cyclists using the road, rather than the cycle path.

The images were taken in a transport study by KMC Transport Planning on behalf of UCEM, which was submitted to the council in February 2021.

A further study, conducted by Dr Graeme Larson, observed cyclists going down Sidmouth Street to get to Queen’s Road over a two-week period.

In the first week, more cyclists choose to use the cycle lane than the road - 103 compared to 55.

In the second week, 70 chose the cycle lane and 102 chose the road, meaning almost 60% chose the road instead of the cycle lane.

That study was sent to the council in December last year.

UCEM will submit both these studies to the current consultation, which closes on Wednesday, August 10.

A spokesperson for UCEM said: “We have already engaged with the council about this.

“Our argument is that these lanes are not safe for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers.

“These lanes appeared when the Government and the council were trying to encourage active travel, but this is not the best place for it.

“We are concerned about safety when we turn into our car park, we have to go across two cycle lanes and a stream of traffic.

“People who drive have to look both

ways and make sure no cyclists are coming in either direction before turning into the car park.”

They continued: “It’s increasingly difficult to get into the business.

A sandwich company had to stop delivering to us because the one-way system was delaying their delivery to other clients.

“Watlington Street is much better.

It’s on the national cycle network and links to Royal Berkshire Hospital and Queen’s Road, whereas Sidmouth Street has no link to other routes.”

In its own study, the council observed 76 cyclists use the cycle lanes over a 12-hour period.

Responding to the concerns raised, a council spokesperson said: “As per the public consultation details, if agreed for permanent implementation then reservations around connecting the Sidmouth Street cycle lane more widely will be resolved.

“We have committed to improving linking at both ends, and other strategies will also bring linking and greater strategic importance to this route, such as further active travel funding and Bus Service Improvement Plan.

“Reading Borough Council welcomes all feedback on the scheme to help create the most effective cycle network for users.”

HELP for people starting to research their family tree is on offer at a special session next week.

Members of the Berkshire Family History Society will be running an advice clinic for family and social historians.

It takes place at Reading Central Library in Abbey Square, where they run the Centre for Heritage and Family History.

Offering one-to-one sessions, advisors will help people make progress in their searches.

Booking is essential, but places are free.

As part of the registration process, people will be asked to provide additional information which will help advisors carry out some preliminary research.

Places must be reserved

by Thursday, August 11, and there are three 30-minute sessions available between 11am and 2.15pm.

For more details on the Family History Advice Clinic, log on to: https://berksfhs.org/

Dig in and enjoy Pangbourne Allotments open day TO MARK National Allotments Week, Pangbourne Allotments will be opening its gates to visitors.

The opening morning, on Saturday, will include tours of the various plots.

There will be talks on beekeeping, a produce stall, and refreshments available.

The event runs from 10am to noon, and entry is free, but there will be items to buy.

The gate at the bottom of the allotments opens onto the meadows near the Pang, and across to Sulham Woods.

Picnics are encouraged.

Limited parking will be available on Grahame Avenue and on to Kennedy Drive.

READING TODAY Family Notices Your wording

Classification (please tick) n Births n Birthdays n Engagements n Weddings n Anniversaries n Other n Death n In memory

YOUR CONTACT DETAILS Name Address

Advert sizes n 5cm by 1 column – 40 words £30 inc VAT n 3cm by 2 column – 50 words £36 inc VAT Postcode n 4cm by 2 column – 60 words £48 inc VAT n 5cm by 2 column – 80 words £60 inc VAT n 6cm by 2 column – 100 words £72 INC VAT Email n Photo – add £5 inc VAT (email only) DEADLINE IS MONDAY AT 5PM FOR THAT WEEK’S PAPER

Phone number

Send your forms to: Family notices, Reading Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Please enclose payment by cheque, made out to The Wokingham Paper Ltd. Payments may also be made by card over the phone.

3 | NEWS

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Wilma Fingadoo is a firm favourite at Reading Pride, and will be joining Nadine Coyle on the main stage

Pride announces main stage hosts

Yasmeen Mocharrafie with her craftwork at the Indie Market held at the Double Barrelled Brewery on Sunday

Kate Lowe of “Bagsy Me First” Pictures: Steve Smyth

Indies welcomed at market day

By Phil Creighton news@wokingham.today A TILEHURST-based brewery turned its taproom into a market place on Sunday.

Reading’s Indie Market was held at Double Barelled Brewery, giving customers the chance to buy unique items created and curated by local businesses.

The market first launched in 2018 to celebrate the Ding’s diverse range of creators, in a laid-back environment.

Stall can include food, drink, clothing, jewellery, stationery and homewares.

And being based in a brewery, well, it would be rude not to enjoy a beer while there.

The tap room served its beers made on site, including Parka, Through The Clouds and Kettle Sour Nature’s Candy.

And in the yard, food could be purchased from Fink Street Food.

The tap room, in Stadium Way, is open Thursdays to Sundays with catering available. There are 12 lines of brewery-fresh craft beer available as well as guest beers from other independent breweries.

This weekend, Fat Tabby Catering will be serving on Friday and Saturday, returning again on Friday, August 19. Dirty Snax will be serving on Saturday, August 20.

On Friday, August 26, Leona’s Global Catering will be attending, while Fink Street Food return on Saturday, August 27.

Double Barelled also runs brewery tours and tasting sessions at 1pm on Saturdays nad noon on Sundays. These need to be booked in advance.

n For more, visit: www.readingpride.co.uk

Claire O’Brien, Jenny Morgan and Mike Dabbs with their local honey

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

shopping stalls.

Organisers say it is the perfect way to round off the summer holidays.

The event attracts highprofile riders competing in national classes from BE100 to Advanced & FEI international ranking classes.

Entry is £19.50, £18 for

Sunday 14th August from 2pm

‘’G and Teatime’’

- Gin Tasting and Afternoon Tea Combine two quintessentially British classics; Gin and Afternoon Tea! This bespoke series of tasting is aimed at the real Gin enthusiast and afternoon tea lovers. Our guest speaker will guide you through two very different Altitude - French Alpine Gins from the mountains in a fun and didactic way.

At the end, pick up your favourite G&T and enjoy traditional afternoon tea, this is the perfect experience for gin enthusiasts.

Wellington Horse Trials and Country Fair to return IT’S THE horse of the year show. Well, kind of.

The Wellington International Horse Trials & Country Fair will take place over the August bank holiday weekend, with a number of contests for riders to take part in.

There will also be a range of family attractions, food and

READING Pride has announced its main stage hosts for this year’s Love Unites Festival.

The main stage features acts throughout the day, including live music, drag, and cabaret, featuring a number of performers from the the local community and the LGBTQ+ community.

After it recently took over B Radio to announce its headline act, Nadine Coyle, Reading Pride has now announced the 2022 hosts.

Reading Pride founding member Jamie Wake will be among those leading proceedings.

Jamie has performed as Sue Panover on the cabaret scene, and was crowned Mr Leather UK in 2017, and is now the CEO of Club FOD, which provides a regular, dedicated safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community in Reading.

He will also be joined by Dr Bev, a drag act hailing from Cardiff, fresh from Pride events in Malta and Doncaster.

Multi-award winning drag artist, Drag Idol 2011 champion, and equality activist Son of a Tutu will also be bringing her edgy, acidic energy to the event.

Pride mainstay Wilma Fingadoo will return to the event, with her cheeky, performances firmly established as an event favourite.

They will be joining Nadine Coyle, who has achieved 20 consecutive top ten singles in the UK, including four Number 1 singles, with Girls Aloud. Her solo work includes a Number 1 EP on the iTunes charts.

She’ll be supported by Lolly, who returns from her popular performance at Pride in 2021.

Rounding out the roster is Ring the Alarm, Carter the Bandit, Nicolette Street, Bentley Jones, Janethan, Sam Solace, and Danny Lampo.

Reading Pride’s Love Unites Festival 2022 takes place on Saturday, September 3, in Kings Meadow. The parade will set off from Reading Station at 11.15am, arriving at the festival at approximately noon.

concessions and free for under 12s.

It takes place from Saturday, August 27, through to Monday, August 29, at Highfield Farm, in Heckfield.

n For more details, log on to: wellingtonhorsetrials.co.uk, or call organisers on: 0118 932 6308.

Gin Selection Alpine Dry Alpine Strawberry Pink Welcome Cocktail Gin Tasting Afternoon Tea Gin and Tonic Guest Speaker

Priced at £32.95 per person

To book please call us direct on 0118 979 8805 or email us at enquiries@chalkrestaurants.com www.chalkrestaurants.com Chalk Restaurant, 31 Broad Street, Wokingham, RG40 1AU

4 | NEWS

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

SEND students secure work through supported internships programme SUPPORTED: The Route to Recruit students, including Tyrik and Lydia, all secured employment after their supported internships.

Picture: Activate Learning

By JAKE CLOTHIER READING College has announced that a group of students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have secured paid employment.

CHECK IN: Reading Buses group ticket allows four people to travel the borough for just £6 – and the tickets are available all day during the school holidays Picture: Reading Buses

On the dog and bone: Reading Buses puts group tickets on mobiles THERE IS another revolution on the buses, as new technology helps keep the borough moving.

Reading Buses has a special off-peak group ticket, allowing up to four people to travel across the simplyReading area for £6, or the simplyNetwork area for £10. And during the school holidays, it is available all day.

Tickets purchased through the app will need to be used before September 5, as they

won’t be able to be used on buses past this date.

The firm’s chief executive, Robert Williams, said: “The ticket is particularly appropriate at a time of staycation involving day trips to local attractions and is therefore a great way for families and friends to have days out together.

“It can still also be purchased with either cash or contactless card from our drivers on-bus.”

The students recently completed its Route to Recruit scheme, a supported internship programme which helps those with SEND requirements.

It helps students in their last year at the college using a workforce and career development model designed to benefit them as well as workplaces.

It involves the use of job coaching throughout the year, and continues to offer support while the students move into paid employment.

Five students took part in weekly sessions exploring the workplace, and up to four days a week gaining valuable experience in supported internships.

Kim Mead, intensive support advisor at Activate Learning, said: “We are really pleased for all five of our students who have secured employment – this is a great success.”

WE ARE

HIRING

BAR AND WAITING STAFF POSITIONS Full time & part time hours

If interested please enquire within Call us on: 0 1 1 8 9 96 8 5 6 7 www.thequeensoak.com Email us at: brotherton@thequeensoak.com

Church Lane, Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 4LS

“We are also proud of our students who have completed their supported internships and are now pursuing employment opportunities, and we wish them all the best for the future.”

Tyrik Thompson is one of the students supported by the internship scheme and has worked placements at Wokingham Borough Council, Great Western Rail, and in Royal Berkshire Hospital.

Mr Thompson said: “The best internship was with GWR because I received some training and I really enjoyed travelling on the trains. I would

love to work for a train company in the future.

“Doing supported internships has helped me by building my confidence, applying for jobs and going for interviews.”

He now works as a warehouse operative in Stevensons, Market Place.

“Doing my internship helped me to get my job at Stevensons because I was able to talk about my experience when I worked at Marks and Spencer where I had to carry some stock and products.

“I can take my experience that I’ve got from there and my

customer service experience, medical knowledge and all the stuff that I learnt from my work experience with Marks and Spencer and GWR and put them together to get things done in my job at Stevensons.”

Fellow student Lydia Mapley has undertaken two placements, the latest of which was at Royal Berkshire Hospital.

“I loved meeting all the different patients and welcoming them into the department and checking them in. On Fridays especially, it’s normally the same patients all the time so it’s very nice with those regular patients to get to know them.

“My daily duties included welcoming patients, scanning patients’ details on to patient records, checking in patients, doing referrals and letters, data entry, excel work.

“With the admin, I do a lot of paperwork so writing addresses on letters and writing emails that are posted to patients and GPs, referrals, lots of scanning of paperwork on to the computer.

“There’s really nice team of staff there as well and we always chat about different topics.”

She now works in administration at the physiotherapy and patient therapies department at Royal Berkshire Hospital.

Activate Learning is an education group which works across further and higher education, schools, apprenticeships and training.

Reading School plans to refurbish physics labs with £100,000 funding READING School has secured funds for a major refurbishment.

Independent education and research charity the Wolfson Foundation has awarded £100,000 to the school to undertake refurbishment of its three physics laboratories.

Ashley Robson, Reading School headmaster, said: “We are delighted to have received confirmation of funding for the much-needed refurbishment of our physics labs, in order to continue to meet our aims of continuing to be a flourishing institution which provides opportunities for all.

“It has been a team effort in order to secure the funding and we are thankful to the Wolfson Foundation for recognising the excellence within our school.”

As well as students of Reading School, the refurbishments will also benefit the students of other nearby primary schools, who also make use of the facilities through

BUILDING UP: The investment at Reading School will see the refurbishment of three physics labs. Picture: Courtesy of Reading School partnerships with Reading School.

Head of physics at Reading School, Paul Stromdale, said: “We believe the potential of this project to improve scientific learning and life chances are

enormous, not only for our students but also students from our partner primary schools, Reading Partnership trainee teachers and Inspire Lecture audiences, all of whom will also benefit substantially.”

Firecrews tackle blaze at Pangbourne outhouse FIRE CREWS were called to a blaze at an outhouse in Pangbourne last week.

The incident took place just after 6.30am on Wednesday, August 3, at an address off Reading Road.

Royal Berkshire Fire and

Rescue Service crews from Theale and Caversham Road fire stations attended, supported by crews from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Upon arrival, crews confirmed a fire affecting an outhouse attached to the property.

Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire using a hose reel, before clearing the remaining smoke using a high-powered fan.

Crews were on the scene for approximately two hours and 47 minutes.

NEWS | 5

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

Reading pub to close with farewell party planned

GOING OUT WITH A BAND: The Weather Station will hold a farewell party on Saturday, September 3, though Wild Weather Brewery will continue to operate. Picture: Jake Clothier

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

A READING pub is calling time, saying increases in rent meant it has to stop pulling pints.

The Weather Station in Eldon Square is to close on Saturda, September 3.

In a post on social media, the team said it was no longer viable to keep operating at the location.

The pub replaced The Eldon Arms. Wild Weather Ales, a brewery in West Berkshire, took over the venue in September 2019.

Now, three years to its opening date, it will hold a final day farewell party featuring bands that have played there during its time and invites regulars to come and share fond memories of the pub.

While the pub is being closed, the brewery will remain operational.

In the post, the pub’s team thanked those who had visited and supported them, vowing “this is not the end, we will return.”

Kane Preston, general manager of The Weather Station, said: “The landlord was looking for more rent, and we had a conversation,

OPENING: Alotta Teal led the reopening ceremony at The Body Shop in The Oracle with a ribbon-cutting. Picture: Jake Clothier

A new Body at last .. Oracle store opens after refurb but in the end he wouldn’t budge, “We’re both running businesses, so I can understand – the price of everything is going up.

“But we’re gutted, my managers and I are pretty heartbroken.”

Mr Preston said that the team had put “a lot of effort” into the pub.

“We kind of came into the venue when it was nothing, and built it over the three years or so into a kind of DIY punk music venue,” he explained.

“We’ve met some wonderful people, so it’s horrible to have to see it go.”

He says that they are looking for alternative venues and weighing up options to continue away from the brewery.

“We looked at new sites, including the old Pizza Express, and it’s not looking good.

“But we’ve got a couple of things on the cards.”

The Weather Station is one of the taproom venues of Wild Weather Ales, a brewery based in Silchester.

It was founded in 2012, and The Weather Station was one of just two dedicated outlets for their ales.

The on-site taproom at the brewery will be the only such outlet after the closure, and is unaffected by the decision.

The brewery’s collection of ales is still available directly through their website, with mini kegs, boxes, cans, and even merchandise available to order online.

The Weather Station will be open for its last day on Saturday, September 3, when it wil hold a farewell party.

EXPERIENCE THE EXPERIENCE! With The Holiday Inn Reading South

AN ORACLE store dedicated to health and beauty products has reopened after undergoing a transformation.

Last Thursday, The Body Shop unveiled its new look, as well as its new ranges of make-up, soaps, and health and beauty products.

It welcomed back customers with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by drag artist Alotta Teal.

Rachel Bushnell, store manager, said: “We’ve been going for a very long time, so it’s really exciting to see this new phase of The Body Shop.

“It’s so nice for the team to get together again and start welcoming customers through the door.

“It’s also great to see the products really brought to life – we’ve got some classic products and we’ve got some newer ones that our customers love.

“We’ve got our new limited edition passion fruit products, and we’ve also got our vitamin C range, which is being expanded into vitamin C serums, moisturisers, and masks.”

As well as the refurbishment works, The Body Shop has updated many of its product lines and ranges, including its make-up and cosmetic offerings.

“We’ve really expanded our make-up range – we’ve got 40 shades of foundation now, 20 shades of concealers, “And now it’s all got sustainable, recyclable packaging as well, which is really important to us.”

She says that it will continue to expand its ranges, too.

“The Body Shop has got lots and lots more to come.”

CELEBRATING CELEBRATING

25YEARS YEARS 25 WORLD WIDE WORLD WIDE

IMMERSIVE THEATRE AT ITS STARTLING BESTAT ITS IMMERSIVE THEATRE BROADWAY BABY STARTLING BEST BROADWAY BABY

top attraction of London’s theatre scene since 2012 and worldwide for over 25 years, this fully immersive, fantastically interactive show uses fantastic actors to put audiences right at the heart of the action.

A brilliant night is on the cards when the Faultys come to town. This is the show where you step inside the TV series and see it from the inside out. Highly improvised, highly interactive and fully immersive, audiences to join the action, becoming guests who play along with

A

SIDE-SPLITTING LAUGHTER GUARANTEED

SCOTTISH LAUGHTER FIELD SIDE-SPLITTING GUARANTEED

SCOTTISH FIELD

PERFECT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY TO ENJOY SEE DO EAT

PERFECT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY TO ENJOY SEE DO EAT

Basil, Sybil and Manuel.

With 5-star reviews from audiences and critics in 40 countries, and over a million seats sold around the world, this is officially the world’s most sought-after tribute to the BBC’s iconic Fawlty Towers. � For more information and to book tickets visit www.interactivetheatre.com.au/ events/uk-tour-events/fup220909holiday-inn-reading/

Holiday Inn Reading-South Basingstoke Road, Reading RG2 0SL

Friday 9 September 2022 The Terribly-Long-Named Hotel Doors open 7:00pm, show starts 7:30pm

pp, includes 3-course 1 meal and 2-hour interactive Saturday£42.50 31 August and aSunday September 2020 show 123 Street name, Hamlet name, City Name, 870482 XX1 2XX 01189 Includes drink on arrival, 3-course meal, 2-hour show, plus tea and coffee

12345 678 reservationsmgr@hireadingsouth.com 90123 | www.crazlylongURLwebsite.gov.uk/events

6 | NEWS

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

THE BEST PICTURES OF READING’S EVENTS ARE ONLY IN YOUR READING TODAY Many wore traditional henna designs on their hands for the feswtival. The Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band. Picture: Steve Smyth Crowds were wowed by traditional vocal performances, dances, and live music

Face painting at Reading Mela Festival

Mela returns with a taste of south Asia

R

EADING Mela, the annual south Asian festival, returned to Palmer Park on Sunday, August 7.

A young attendee parties in Palmer Park

A celebration of the culture, music, and art of south Asia, it featured live bands, dance performances, activities and events.

Among those on show were the Haji Ameer Khan Brothers, who performed Qawwali, a type of religious devotional singing.

Joining them were Compound Radius, an alternative rock duo hailing from London, The Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band, and Shoonya.

The stage was also lit up with dance sequences from the Kalakunj Bharatnatyam Group, the Drishhti Kathak Group, the Rachel Bennette School of Belly Dancing, My Dance Land, and Yoga Natyam.

Street dance, Bollywood, Bhangra, belly dance, and classical dance were all shown in demonstrations.

Headlining the festival were Hunterz, Sonia Chohan, H Dhami, Amrit Saab, Vish, and Sonia Walla.

As well as the entertainment, attendees had more than 20 stalls of all kinds to browse, with street food available from around the world.

Audiences were treated to a traditional dance performance

Guests bump shoulders on the dodgems

Youngsters were delighted by the traditional music and dance on display

Families could bring picnics, play games and enjoy street food

Hands (and a foot) in the air if you just don’t car

Nominate now!

A CELEBRATION OF THE EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE OF OUR TOWN WHO MAKE READING A UNIQUE PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK

Find out more at PORawards.co.uk

@PORawards #PORawards

2022

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

NEWS | 7

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

MELA 2022

Picture: Steve Smyth There was plenty of dancing as people enjoyed the mela

Crowds watched on as performers entertained

All ages took part in the musical entertainment

The Mela festival saw a range of traditional dances, including bhangra, Bollywood, and belly dance.

The Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band. Picture: Steve Smyth

The Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band. Picture: Steve

There was plenty for kids to do with a number of rides, events, and activities

Compound Radius took their performance on a bit of a tangent

Give your kitchen the WOW factor with new worktops

We can replace your existing kitchen worktops with new quartz or corian, rejuvenating your kitchen and giving it a fresh new look.

0118 976 2826 www.roktops.co.uk sales@roktops.co.uk

Compound Radius round things off on the stage

located within the Wokingham Borough

8 | NEWS

Book group to chew over texts READERS are invited to join in a creative book group taking place in a Reading town centre bar later this month.

Arts collective jelly is organising the event, held every six weeks, on Monday, August 15.

It takes place at Milk in Merchants Place, off Friar Street.

Entry is £2, and goes to a charity chosen by the group at the meeting.

There are also opportunities to donate to jelly.

The group has an Instagram page, @thecreativebookclub.

For more details, or to book a place, log on to: www.jelly. org.uk

Tea and cake CAVERSHAM Court Gardens is to be the venue for a very civilised fundraiser for Sue Ryder.

Its Duchess of Kent House is to be the beneficiary for the three-day event taking place in the gardens’ tea kiosk.

People can buy a cuppa and enjoy a slice of cake, all in aid of the charity’s palliative care work.

And they can also enjoy the riverside gardens at the height of summer.

The event runs from 11am to 5pm on Friday, August 12, through to Sunday, August 14.

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Tributes paid as former butcher from Whitley dies at 87

HONOURED: Charles Langham died at the age of 87 on Monday, August 1, after a “fulfilling and happy” life.

Picture: Lorraine Bilsby

By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg.today

WHITLEY has extended an outpouring of love following the death of a respected member of its community.

Charles Langham died at the age of 87 on Monday, August 1, after a “fulfilling and happy” life.

Mr Langham was the longtime owner of a butcher’s shop at 439 Basingstoke Road, and was well-known within the ward.

More than 150 people commented on a tribute posted on Whitley Community Museum’s social media page.

These messages were passed on to the Langham family.

One commenter said: “One of the nicest, friendly, caring guys I knew.

“So many fond memories growing up with Charlie around, especially after school [when] he would let us make sausages and take them home. Fly high Charlie.”

A former neighbour reminisced: “Charlie was a wonderful neighbour for 21 years.

“He’d often leave goodies from his allotment on our doorstep.

“He will be greatly missed by everyone.”

Another person wrot: “Fabulous guy and boss to have.

[Gave me] my first job during and after finishing school.

Taught me well and had a few chuckles on the way. RIP Charlie.”

David Turner, curator of the museum and long-time friend of Mr Langham’s, said: “Charlie enjoyed a happy and fulfilling life serving Whitley families over many decades from his butcher’s shop on the Basingstoke Road opposite Gillettes.

WOKINGHAM IN NEED PRESENTS

ART THEMEN & FRIENDS September 9th

WHITTY THEATRE, LUCKLEY ROAD WOKINGHAM RG40 3EU Doors open 6.30pm Performance starts 7.30pm Bar is open before, during interval and at the end.

“Charlie knew his customers by name and always asked after their families. He remembered your eating habits and always made the right suggestions for portion sizes. His banter also included cooking instructions!

“It was a very sad day when Charlie decided to retire. No fuss, just a note on the door addressed to his customers stating the shop was now closed due to retirement.

“No one saw [his retirement] coming, I remember being in the paper shop next door on

the Saturday of closure. The shop was busier than normal as customers of Charlie met to discuss and reminisce after reading the note on the door.

Many stories were shared that morning, an emotional morning.

“Although disappointed at the shop closure it was a unanimous opinion that Charlie should enjoy his retirement.

The Whitley Community Museum plays an important role in preserving the history of the ward, a place where

residents past and present can access and submit archived photos.

Mr Turner is sure the institution will see Mr Langham’s legacy continue.

“It is a fact that when any photograph is posted on the Whitley Community Museum Facebook page, it has a huge response. The museum has many photographs and related stories in the archive collection so for sure Charlie Langham the Butcher will always be remembered.”

Reading’s poets invited to join in

Ukrainian centre to hold collection

n For more details, log on to: whatsonreading.com/ performances_modal/206402

n For more details, log on to: https://www.rucc.uk/

BARDS, wordsmiths and scribes are invited to join in with an online poetry session.

The Reading Poets Cafe online, presented by Reading Stanza, will take to the online airwaves at 1pm on Friday, August 19.

Originally launched during the lockdowns, the event was so popular that it is continuing across this year.

The session will see people able to read a onepage poem in an open mic session.

Places are limited to just 20 people, and cost £4 each. Booking is essential, and the session will be held on the Zoom platform.

The evening event, held at South Street Arts Centre, takes place on the second Friday of the month

A COLLECTION for Ukraine will be held on Saturday, and only specific donations are wanted.

The Reading Ukrainian Centre will be welcoming people between 9am and 3pm at its Sidmouth Street base.

They are asking people to bring the following items only: full packets of rice, pasta, sugar, tea, coffee, snack bars, and tinned food – no glass jars.

They also need women’s sanitary products, nappies, and adult incontinence pads.

Donations of newly new sleeping bags and mats will be accepted, as will baby food.

It is also possible to make financial donations via the group’s website.

Two charged in connection with attempted murder and GBH

Tickets available from: ticketsource.co.uk/wokinghaminneed or call 07867 530 727 All proceeds raised from this event will go to Wokingham In Need for distribution to worthy causes.

Tickets: £20 Each Main Sponsor

Assisted by Easthampstead and Wokingham Rotary Club

www.wokinghaminneed.com www.facebook.com/WokinghamInNeed

TWO PEOPLE have been charged in connection with an attempted murder and GBH investigation in Reading.

A 17-year-old boy from Reading, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with one count of attempted murder.

Kayden Williams, aged 18, of Don Close, Tilehurst, has been charged with one count of Section 20 grievous bodily harm

without intent and assault by beating.

Williams and the 17-year-old boy have been released on court bail to appear at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday, August 16.

The charges relate to an incident at 5.45pm on Thursday, August 4, when a teenage girl was assaulted in Coronation Square, Southcote.

Then, at around 6.10pm, a second victim, a man aged in his late teens, suffered

serious injuries when he was struck by a van in Pierce’s Hill, Tilehurst.

Both victims remain in hospital at this time.

Two other men, aged 18, 20, both from Reading, who were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, have been released on conditional police bail until 1 September, along with a 38-year-old man, also from Reading, arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

Police op sees drugs seized and arrests made

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

A SPECIAL police operation in Reading saw officers confiscate 60 class A and B drug wraps, and make nine arrests.

Reading Borough Council teamed up with specialist teams for a 10-day campaign, which was launched as a response to violent crime.

Running from Friday, July 22, through to Sunday, July 31, there were several knife sweeps, some test purchasing operations, warrants executed and some high visibility patrols.

The focus was on the INVESTIGATION: Thames Valley Police carried out a 10-day operation Abbey and Battle wards. across parts of Reading Police said they made Ten out-of-court disposals said: “In Reading, as well as 52 stop searches, nine arrests across the Thames Valley, or voluntary attendances for were handed out.

Sixty wraps of Class A addressing violent crime is a drug and violence related offences, one arrest for and B drugs were seized, priority for us all.

“These 10 days of action possession with intent to three weapons seized, and supply and possession of more than £2,500 in cash have been really positive associated with drug dealing in terms of making arrests, class A and B drugs. protecting vulnerable people The suspect was was seized. blueprint_advert_190x137mm_TKT17746_advert-2-v03-PR.pdf 1 Sgt Victoria Blazsko, based and seizing drugs and cash charged for six drug related at Reading police station, associated with drug dealing. offences.

Showroom Opening Hours Friday 9-3 Monday to 10:30-2:30 on Saturdays

NEWS | 9

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

“During the week of action, there has been an increased police presence in our communities, with officers engaging with the businesses, young people and working in partnership to disrupt crime.”

She continued: “I would like to thank everyone who has supported this week of action and all those who continue to support us.

“We are committed to continuing the work with our partners and local residents to tackle violent crime and make our communities a safer place.

“If you need to report a knife related crime to the Police, please report it online via our website or by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency if there is an immediate danger to life.

“Alternatively, you can report information 100% anonymously to the independent 09:50 charity 29/07/2022 Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Dog walker attacked by gang A DOG walker was attacked by a gang of teenagers and police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The incident happened in Linear Park, Calcot on Tuesday, August 2, between 7pm and 7.30pm.

The victim, a man in his 50s, was with his partner on the footpath between the railway bridge and footpath bridge.

Thames Valley Police are treating the attack as actual bodily harm, and the victim did not need to be treated in hospital.

The offenders are described as four white boys and two white girls, all around 12 and 14.

The boys were tall, of slim build,

wearing dark shorts and light T-shirts.

The girls were both of stocky build. One girl was wearing black shorts and a black T-shirt and the other girl was wearing pale shorts and a white T-shirt.

Investigating officer PC Sara Holmes, based at Newbury police station, said: “I would like to appeal to anybody who may have been in this area during this time and witnessed anything to please get in touch.

“You can get in touch by either making a report online or by calling 101 quoting reference number 43220343435.”

Blue Collar seeks extension to opening hours THE team behind Reading’s street food venue have revealed plans for events and extended opening hours.

Glen Dining, the founder of Blue Collar Street Food, has applied to keep it open until 12.30am.

The team that runs the food market say longer hours would allow them to host events.

A spokesman for Blue Collar Street Food, said: “Blue Collar Corner opened in mid-March and since then it’s been demonstrably

successful.

“A lot of customers want to stay longer and enjoy the atmosphere later into the evenings.”

Mr Dining has applied to sell food from 11am until 12.30am seven days a week, with drinks available until midnight.

The application is for a variation to the current licence and has been submitted to Reading Borough Council. The deadline for representations is Wednesday, August 24.

Telephone: 0118 989 3438

Bedrooms, Home Offices, Media Units & Bespoke Furniture

www.blueprintfittedfurniture.co.uk

Email: enquiries@blueprintfittedfurniture.co.uk re fitted furnitu

Address: Unit 12, Metro Centre, Toutley Road, Wokingham, RG41 1QW.

Follow us at facebook.com/Blueprintfittedfurniture

10 | NEWS

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

THE BEST PICTURES OF READING’S EVENTS ARE ONLY IN YOUR READING TODAY

Daemons & Diseases were playing their cards right

Winona, 4, bring colour to the canvas in the sunshine

Slam (poetry) dunk: a member of the Dreading Slam Collective waxes lyrical

Aden Pearce performing on the Sun Stage Drag royalty Big Jay hosted as a number of drag performers graced the festival

Damian Passmore tickles the ivory in the sunshine

Bella, 6, taking part in the arts and crafts The festival lived up to its name, as revellers partied in the sunshine

Do you wish to remain as independent as possible, for as long as possible and still have a say in your well-being? Let me show you how you might be able to get regular financial assistance to help you remain independent in your own home and make your life easier.

After two years of night, Here Comes The Sun dawns once again

Attendance Allowance is a government benefit for those in receipt of the State Pension who have health issues or needs that cause difficulties or challenges in your day-to-day living. It is a benefit for those who need help with personal care.

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

Milo, 4, has a brush with his creative side

Helping the over-65s stay independent

There are two levels weekly rates of Attendance Allowance. A lower rate of £61.85 per week is paid if you need help during the day to maintain your independence. Should you have health issues that disturb your night, then the weekly benefit may increase to over £92.40 per week. The level you receive is determined by your circumstances.

You can claim this benefit even if you haven’t paid National Insurance and it is not means-tested, it doesn’t matter where you live or if you have savings. Attendance allowance is tax-free.

Are you or is someone you know eligible?

We offer an initial free 30-minute confidential consultation to allow us to assess whether we can help and for you to decide if you’d like help. If we both agree that claiming Attendance Allowance is right for you, then we will look after you every step of the way.

We complete all the necessary forms and explain the process of claiming in straightforward, plain English so that you understand everything and are in complete control. You may decide, after your initial consultation, that you’d like to continue as you are for now; that’s fine too. We’re only a phone call away if you change your mind, or would like to talk things through again.

07869 694501

Nigel Pearce AIPW Grey Matters Consultancy Wokingahm

grey-matters-consultancy.com/wokingham

EXCLUSIVE HERE Comes The Sun finally came back after a two year hiatus on Saturday.

The one-day festival returned to its home of the Rising Sun Arts Centre to shine on audiences once again.

This year’s festival was once again packed with live music and entertainment, all raising vital funds to support the independent arts venue.

Among this year’s offerings were the Rising Sun Drag Showcase, led

by Reading drag royalty Big Jay, the Dreading Poetry Slam Poets, folk musician Jamie Larbalestier, Jen Berkova, and Ellis Ballard.

Damien Passmore, one of the organisers, said: “It’s a real team effort and we did have to pick up a little bit more this year.

“This was the most diverse lineup we’ve ever had, which is always a challenge to find performers outside of your usual,

“Everybody loved steel percussion orchestra, which was just the perfect sound to be drifting out in the sunshine, and The Mark II also really brought the party atmosphere, so it felt like everybody just had the best time.”

Jamie Larbalestier, who performed at the Tree stage, said: “There was a lovely ambience to the whole thing–it’s the kind of place where wherever you go you’ll find someone doing something interesting and fun.

“My highlights would be watching Aden Pearce’s last minute set, including a banging tribute to Lee Switzer-Woolf, who couldn’t make it due to covid.

“Dakorra were great, as well – it was good to finally see them live – I’d play every year if they let me.”

The Silver Street-based centre hosts a number of events throughout the week, inclukding tap dancing classes, salsa and tango sessions, as well as poetry nights and live music.

On Saturday, September 3, it will host the Trans Pride after party. n risingsunartscentre.org

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

NEWS | 11

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

HERE COMES THE SUN FESTIVAL

Pictures Dijana Capan/DVision Images

Dreading Slam Collective brighten up the Sun stage

Ellis Ballard takes the tree stage back to its roots Nerves of steel: Reading’s All Steel Percussion Orchesta

Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra performs a striking set

Here comes the carnival giant

Your local care home

Parsons Grange, Shinfield Our highly trained care home teams are specialists in residential, nursing, dementia and respite care. With some of the highest care ratings in the UK, we’re here to help you and your family at every step of your journey.

Trusted to care.

If you’re considering care 0118 321 8917 claire.usher@careuk.com careuk.com/parsons-grange

12 | NEWS

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Sean thought it w he could be the P

Honest motherhood Angela Garwood

Highlights of the summer holidays

Y

OU know you’re having a great Summer when someone declares they need a “rest day” after one too many days out. We’ve had some gorgeous adventures and some very necessary down time.

Here is the highlight reel of our Summer so far: 1. My cousins coming to stay They bring all the joy. Everything is extra fun with them around.

2. The Aldershot Lido Nothing fancy, does what it says on the tin. Maia had a blast splashing around with us all. Leo - not so much.

In the end he had a long afternoon nap on a towel while the rest of us took turns watching him.

After a short while my cousin Rachel managed to persuade me to venture up to the slides.

“How fast are they exactly?” I asked the lifeguard tentatively.

“They’re pretty fast…” she said, amused.

Indeed, one minute my cousin was there right by me in plain sight, next she’s being launched into a pool of water 50ft below.

“NOPE not for me..” I announced.

I opted for the blue side. Designed, most likely, for mothers and babies.

“Do I have to go to the back of the line?” I queried.

“No just stand with me, the blue side will be ready in a minute.”

So there I stood, like a lemon, waiting in humiliation as one by one a gaggle of eight-yearolds flew down the fast slides.

The blue side was painfully slow and I spent most of it in hysterical laughter waving at my people while trying not to cry of embarrassment.

3. Beale Park Always a winner. Otters, zebras, and a pair of mating tortoises who seemed to go on forever. We stood and watched as passers-by laughed and commented: “Are they STILL at it?!”

“EY UP!” “The sound though.. those noises!!”

4. NT Live Prima Facie An incredible performance by Jodie Comer, I’d highly recommend this if you get the chance.

5. The Raver Tots Festival in Reading When Joel first mentioned this particular festival, aimed at children, I politely declined. Loud base-heavy music, long queues to expensive food and a bunch of rides? No, no. Surely we could think of a better way to spend our Sunday.

Apparently I couldn’t because two months later I’m sat sticking sparkly gems to my face in festivalprep mode.

Then we made it inside and all I could think every 10 seconds for those four hours was: “WHERE IS LEO?” Candy floss was bought, more glitter applied, rides ridden.

We raved inside the rave tent in short bursts as neither of the children were particularly keen.

6. The cinema This may seem mundane but the last time I went to the cinema was January 2020, so I was way overdue.

Joel and I hadn’t been since early 2019. Where the Crawdads Sing is not a film one can talk through, even us.

7. Taking Leo for his first haircut and passport photos Both went surprisingly smoothly.

8. A trip to London I met a friend for brunch then spent a while in Foyles.

Then there’s the play I’m going to see next week entitled Oh Mother, all about, you guessed it: Motherhood. Can’t keep away. n Angela blogs at: colourfulkind.com

The Reading Buses climate stripes bus at the University of Reading

Reading Buses teams up with uni for fresh bus WITH the long, hot summer showing little sign of ending anytime soon, there can be little doubt that the climate emergency is here. But when the temperatures drop and the rain falls (hello, August bank holiday), a reminder will be on the streets of Reading and Wokingham boroughs.

Reading Buses has teamed up with the University of Reading to transform one of its biomethanepowered single deck bus into a climate stripes bus.

Professor Ed Hawkins, a worldleading climate scientist from the university, created ‘warming stripes’.

They are a means of visually communicating rising temperatures and the threat of global warming for all of our futures. They have been displayed nationally and internationally.

And now they will be on one of

Reading Buses vehicles.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Robert Williams, said would ‘help to highlight the environmental benefits of travelling by bus, as well as raising awareness of the climate crisis.

“We are delighted to partner with the University of Reading to help highlight climate change,” he said.

“By covering a bus powered by biomethane gas with the climate stripes we are able to offer an extremely low carbon reminder of the climate emergency.

“This is also a reminder to people that using public transport is one of the easiest ways that they can help to cut emissions.”

He added: “We have even worked with our suppliers to source a new recyclable vinyl to keep the carbon impact of this project as low as possible for as long as possible.”

New look for museum VISITORS of a Reading museum will get a glimpse of ancient history through its new window display.

Last week, the University of Reading’s Ure Museum installed striking graphics, which feature artefacts currently on show in the facility.

The institution will celebrate its 100th anniversary this autumn.

Jayne Holly, assistant curator of the Ure Museum, said: “Our new outdoor displays look fabulous.

They do a great job of bringing some of the richness of our museum’s collections inside to people outside.

“We have a great location on the ground floor of the Edith Morley building at the University’s Whiteknights campus.

“While we are quite a compact museum, we have fascinating collections of ancient Greek, Egyptian and Roman artefacts, helping to bring history to life with stories of people and life in the ancient world.

The new decoration comes just in time for the summer holidays, when Ms Holly recommends visitors to drop by.

“We are open Tuesday to Thursday, and lots of people like to

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today SEAN Whelan from Electric Hair has been nominated as Employee of the Year, sponsored by Reading Buses

Sean was nominated by fellow employee, Amy, who said: “He does everyone’s hair in the town “Forever putting everyone else before himself and visiting clients going through chemo, deaths in the family.”

Sean works at Electric Hair in central Reading, after having started with the salon in Brighton, with more than 15 years of experience in the industry.

Mr Whelan said “I had absolutely no idea I was nominated– I thought my manager was pranking me.

“However, she wasn’t and I feel really privileged that she found the time to nominate me.”

“I’m a Brighton boy with a Birmingham accent, and I’ve had the opportunity to move wherever I want to.

“I came to Reading 9 years ago and never left, and as a hairdresser in Reading I must say it’s been the best yet.”

Sean says that for him it’s the clients who make the job.

“It’s the people, who became clients, who became friends,” and this, he says, was what has kept Electric Hairdressing “As a business through these difficult few years, we would, like so

NOMINATED: Electric Hair’s Sean Whelan has Electric Hair, Reading. many, would have not survived, but we have by being apart of Reading’s amazing community.”

“This town is so dedicated to looking after each other and rewarding to them, and I feel the POR awards is a huge part of the Reading culture.

“From big corporations, independent businesses to individuals, everyone has been involved and I believe it keeps the town focused and proud” Nominations for the Pride of Reading Awards 2022 are currently open. n To nominate a person or organisation, visit: www.porawards.co.uk

Annual Heritage festival returns this September IN PLACE: The University of Reading’s Ure Museum installed new external graphics last week, providing passersby a taste of what the building holds.

Picture: University of Reading combine a visit with a walk around the green trails across Whiteknights or a visit to one of the University’s cafes or bars for lunch, or just a coffee and an ice cream.

The museum was founded by Annie and Percy Ure in 1922.

Its centenary will be marked by a special exhibition exploring how approaches to archaeology and the curation of ancient artefacts has changed over the past 100 years.

Ms Holly hopes the exterior displays will help “set the tone” for the celebrations and reflections in the new academic year.

n To find out more, visit: www. collections.reading.ac.uk/ure-museum

THE ANNUAL Heritage Open Days festival returns to Reading in September.

For 10 days, the heritage of and stories from Reading’s history will be on display at a number of venues through a range of events and activities, from Friday, September 9, to Sunday, September 18.

This year’s festival is centred around the theme of “astounding inventions,” and will tell the story of local inventiveness.

It will feature two events focusing on Reading’s motor industry contributions, as well as its contributions to green power, water power, early photography, and Huntley and Palmers’ culinary history.

As well as events around the town, the festival is offering interactive online exhibits, such as a look at some of the artefacts held by local libraries, a video tour of the Berkshire Records

Office, and the hidden heritage of Thames Water.

Alex Brannen of Reading’s Economy & Destination Agemncy, who produce a guide to Reading’s Heritage Open Days events, said: “The fascinating history of Reading, its people, places and its famous innovations will take centre stage for ten days in September as part of the national festival of heritage, Heritage Open Days.

“We have more than 30 free events exploring everything from Reading’s car manufacturing heritage and historically important buildings to the stories of people who live locally, historic places of worship and everything you ever wanted to know about biscuits in Reading.”

Among the events put on in and around Reading is the Biscuits and Bricks exhibition at the Blake’s Lock Riverside Museum, which examines work from more than 30 local artists

NEWS | 29

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

was a prank, but Pride of Reading

Dexter’s Little Library to help children read

WPR_2022-08-08_ReadingToday_33x2 (1)_Just Go

Reader travel THE PEAK DISTRICT

Chatsworth & Crich Tramway Village ThePeakDistrictChatsworthHouse&CrichTramwayVillage_D.pdf

Departing Mon 10 Oct ‘22

READ ON: Dexter’s Littlle Library will stay in WCDA’s community cafe throughout the summer holidays. Picture: Samantha Rosier

s been nominated for employee of the year, sponsored by Reading Buses. Picture: Courtesy of

Reading Buses: Employee of the Year Award Reading Buses is sponsoring the Employee of the Year award at this year’s Pride of Reading Awards.

Laurence Jenkins, finance director at Reading Buses, said: “It’s something that we’re extremely proud to support, and we’ve sponsored the employee award for a number of years.

“We’re one of the biggest employers in the town, and we recognise that the amazing things that employees of various organisations and companies in the town achieve and deliver .”

The company was founded in 1901, and has come to be part of the town’s identity: “Reading Buses has been the heart of the community for over 100 years, now. We consider ourselves to be part of the fabric of Reading, so we love to support Reading and showcase it to the rest of the UK in the world.”

Reading Buses was given a Pride of Reading Award in 2017, winning the Business in Action award in recognition of its community work, charity fundraising, and focus on environmental targets.

“We love being here, keeping the town connected, keeping the key workers in the town connected.”

VISIT: Reading will see a number of in-person and online around Reading from Friday, September 9, to Sunday, September 18.

Picture: Jake Clothier

inspired by the 200th anniversary of Huntley and Palmers.

Tours of the Abbey Ruins, Reading Museum, and the Huntley and Palmers buildings, as well as personal walking tours with audio guides, are available throughout the festival.

Reading’s Heritage Open Days

events will take place at venues around Reading and online from Friday, September 9, to Sunday, September 18.

Please note, while many events require no booking, some events will.

n For a full list of events and venues, visit: www.heritageopendays.org.uk

A READING schoolboy has set up a mini-library to help children who don’t have access to books over the summer holidays.

Dexter Rosier, 10, installed Dexter’s Little Library at Whitley Community Development Association’s cafe on Tuesday, August 2.

Through his social media account, he said: “Back in January, I had an idea that I wanted to share my love of reading and books.

“I love books and reading. One of my favourite trips out is a visit to Waterstones to pick out new books to read. But not every child has this chance.

“I did some research and did you know at least 400,000 children in the UK don’t own a book and one in eight schools have no library. Can you imagine not owning a book or having access to a library?”

These statistics motivated the youngster to put together a

collection made up of his and eventually his friends’ old books.

They are housed in the community cafe on Northumberland Avenue on a shelf painted and designed by the 10-year-old himself.

Dexter is hopeful other young people will derive the same pleasure as he did from the books, while also promoting good mental health.

In a handwritten message left with the collection, he wrote: “I think books are magical and bring you anywhere from space to the sea.

“I really want to share the magic of books and make it available to all children.”

Dexter has made a name for himself by completing various fundraising and awareness projects for organisations such as Sport in Mind and the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

POETRY CORNER The fall of a tree

The seasons turned; from light leafgreen Of spring, through summer, autumn gold To winter cold, and gales.

The tree was lashed and beaten, scourged

Your break includes Return coach travel from Reading 4 nights at the Palace Hotel & Spa, Buxton with dinner & breakfast (all meals buffet style) Excursions to Bakewell, Chatsworth House, Matlock Bath & Crich Tramway Village Optional excursion to Eyam & the High Peaks (£10pp)

5 Days by Coach

only £379

Single Supplement £60

EASTBOURNE

& the Sussex Sunshine Coast Eastbourne&Brighton_D.pdf

Departing Thu 27 Oct ‘22 Sussex boasts one of Britain’s finest unspoilt coastlines, dotted with classic seaside resorts that offer a hint of nostalgia with their traditional attractions. We explore more of this picturesque coastline from our base in Eastbourne, including Beachy Head.

It stood tall once, stately, Proud of its immensity, its age.

Dominating the village green, Over-topping the small cottages Clustered under its wide-spreading Branches.

It was a king of trees, and stood As though it knew its status.

The villagers were proud of it.

‘Bin ‘ere since before the war,’ The oldest gaffer used to say.

‘Firs’ war that was. Me Granpa tells ‘Ow ‘e ‘n’ other lads gathered under it An’ marched off, proud, to beat the Hun. Then crawled back, two by three. An’ people Met, an’ stiffened up their spines To face a new world under that Ol’ tree.

Travel through grand landscapes of moorland, rivers and dales, as we explore the towns and villages of the Peak District. We also step back in time at the Crich Tramway Village and visit the exquisite Chatsworth House for a fantastic break in the countryside.

Your break includes

And whipped, until, giving in to age And feebleness – it fell.

Villagers mourned its fall. Then, practical, Gathered its branches to dry for firewood.

The last few feet of trunk left standing, Humbled.

Until the Carpenter, in kindly pity, Carved it into patterns of mice and bees, Birds and butterflies, woodlice and beetles, That once had made their home Within its welcome.

Rosi MB

We love receiving your poetry and print a selection every week. Email yours to news@rdg.today

Return coach travel from Reading 4 nights at the East Beach Hotel, Eastbourne with dinner & breakfast Entertainment some evenings Excursions to Bexhill-on-Sea, Great Dixter, Beachy Head & Alfriston Optional excursion to Rye & Hastings (£12pp)

5 Days by Coach

only £249

Single Supplement £60

Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd. Coach package holidays and short breaks are subject to Just Go! Holidays terms and conditions. Your booking is protected by Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT); this is a government approved consumer protection scheme. Tours offered subject to availability and government guidelines. Errors and omissions excepted. Prices per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. Calls to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.

For more information, or to book, please call

03332 342 527 Quote WPR

or visit justgoholidays.com/WPR 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.

30 | VIEWPOINTS

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

From the leader

Sidmouth St cycle lane debate

WHAT use is a cycle lane if no-one uses it?

It’s an interesting question.

The Sidmouth Street cycle lane, introduced during lockdown, has been a bit of a curate’s egg.

Some cyclists are using it, while some motorists see it as a barrier to smoother journeys.

There is no disputing that the lane it replaced was not a key route in and out of Reading, and losing one lane of traffic was barely noticeable, mainly due to the Kings Road bus lane that precedes it.

There can also be no disputing that Watlington Street already exists as a cycle route from Kings Road to London Road, and is part of a cycle network.

But if we are to become a cycle – or even motorised scooter – friendly town, we need more than one route to get about.

The Sidmouth Street cycle lane could probably be reduced in width to the extend that two lanes of traffic and the parking bays could be in place.

This will help some of the gridlock caused by cars waiting at the lights, and make things a bit easier for motorists.

It won’t impact on the cyclists too much and it will ensure their segregated lane is protected.

Whatever the solution we should embrace it – we need to make greener forms of transport as easy as possible.

This is a good way to do it.

CHURCH NOTES

Celebrating Inclusivity and Diversity

I

T will soon be festival season in Reading as we prepare for huge numbers of young people descending upon the town for fun, sun and top music acts.

Summer festivals can add vibrancy to our villages, towns and cities as well as an extra stream of human diversity to our everyday landscapes, even if for just a short period of time.

The diversity we experience in our encounters with one another often speak to me of the diversity of the all-inclusive God. This understanding of God might be best illustrated in the present day in the multi-coloured Pride flags scattered around our high streets, places of worship and shop windows.

As an Inclusive Church Reading Minster is looking forward to the Reading Pride festival in September, in which we will offer a welcome to all through hospitality, an Open Table service and just joining in with the joy of this festival.

The title for Reading Pride is ‘Love Unites’ and what better words to inspire us as people of faith seeking out the diverse and all-inclusive God on our doorstep this summertime.

Come and join us – all are welcome.

The Revd Sonya J Wratten, Vicar of Reading Minster, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Reading

Cllr Jason Brock

Funding will help Reading become a safer place

B

Y Cllr Jason Brock

Last week brought the welcome news that the Council has been awarded £429,000 for initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety of public spaces in the town centre and improving community engagement.

Together with additional top-up funding direct from the Council, the money will go towards targeting issues such as anti-social behaviour, theft-related crimes and violence against women and girls.

I am entirely sure that residents will welcome this new investment and it will lead to visible improvements in our town centre, including upgraded lighting and new CCTV. It will also be used to provide a new Community Safe Hub, which will operate both as a drop-in centre for help and advice as well as a new and permanent home for the first aid and welfare services which currently operate out of the Minster on Friday and Saturday nights.

Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for the Council’s community safety work, and we’ve been disappointed that the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner hasn’t made it one of his priorities too.

So, importantly, this funding will go beyond universal measures and provide targeted work to improve safety for women in Reading. This will include dedicated safe spaces, creating safer routes around the town centre, better and expanded training for staff in late-night venues, and work to support women who are victims of crime.

Similarly, we recognise that providing better opportunities for young people is an important part of enhancing community safety, so we’ll be working with voluntary sector organisations including Starting Point, No5 and Reading Football Club Community Trust. This is to ensure that young people aged 18 to 25 have a voice in developing safe

From the Chamber

Cllr Paul Carnell

Making Reading’s roads work for everyone

I

’M sure I’m not the only person who gets exasperated, annoyed and even infuriated by travelling around Reading.

Reading’s Labour administration want to encourage people to use more sustainable means of transport, but at times their approach seems to be nothing more than make driving so bad you will pick something different.

A stationary car is just a machine producing fumes, its not efficient or environmentally friendly. A Conservative administration would look at improving the ability of traffic to flow around the town. The resurfacing programme is to be applauded.

Largely funded by a £9 million grant from the Conservative government, this will make travelling around the town smoother and more fuel efficient.

But was the money well spent? I have received many complaints from residents right across Reading about the quality of the new surface.

A Conservative administration would have held the contractors to account much sooner.

Also the Labour administration is now looking at a new way of repairing

potholes.

The new system is four times as fast at the repair, meaning repairs cause less disruption to traffic. Unfortunately, the Labour administration isn’t so fast.

Conservative administrations up and down the country have been employing this method for years.

A smooth, more fuel-efficient road surface is only the start of making the highways work better. The traffic needs to be able to flow.

We have locations around the town where junctions are controlled by traffic lights where a mini roundabout would be more appropriate.

I often sit at a red traffic light watching a big empty space go by.

If the junction were a roundabout then I could have proceeded with due caution, and continued my journey.

A Conservative administration would start to address this. Where it’s required we would look at the use of part-time, peak-time traffic lights, a solution not uncommon outside of Reading.

Another particular bugbear of mine is the design of bus stops around Reading.

When a bus stops the traffic behind should where possible, be able to pass.

and inclusive spaces and community activities, in addition to expanding successful mentoring and outreach programmes.

As welcome as this funding is, and it will make a difference in the town centre, we have to set this in the context of the challenges that Policing and broader community safety work face more broadly. It will not surprise anyone to know that front-line and neighbourhood policing doesn’t have the resources that it had in the past.

Recent Government commitments to increase Police numbers don’t reverse the cuts made since 2010 and our Thin Blue Line, nationally and locally, is far thinner than it really should be.

More recently, the Police and Crime Commissioner opted to cut funding to Reading’s Community Safety Partnership by more than 50%, placing enormous strain on efforts to join-up the work that goes on in Reading to prevent and tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

Against that backdrop, the

Yet for so many bus stops the design makes the opposite true.

I can think of bus stops where the lay-by is not the full width of the bus and most of the time this causes an obstruction. I can think of one example where this is so close to a junction that the traffic is held blocking the junction.

Outside of the hospital is a bus stop which protrudes into the road.

This generally causes the bus to become a temporary roadblock.

No doubt the Labour administration would explain this away as allowing pedestrians to continue to use the pavement whilst people are waiting for a bus. This isn’t the highways working for everyone.

I’m sure everyone realises that all the improvements to the road network won’t solve all the problems of congestion.

We would still need people to look to alternative ways of getting around.

Walking is good for your health, both physical and mental. Yet often the pavement can be a deterrent. Uneven pavements. Protruding hedges and pavement parking can make the idea of walking uninviting or even impossible.

A Conservative administration would bring in a programme of pavement repairs and work with residents to make walking a more attractive proposition.

The thought of crossing a road, particularly a major road into Reading can be daunting. I am waiting to hear from the council regarding whether the Last Crumb crossroads, in Caversham, will include a pedestrian crossing in the proposed upgrade.

Caversham is a particular congestion hot spot, with its impact felt across both the Thames bridges.

The Conservative group on the

Partnership is currently consulting on its new strategy and I hope that residents will take the opportunity to feed into it as well as the Domestic Abuse and Safe Accommodation Strategy (both can be found online via consult.reading.gov.uk).

The Council will always do what it can to promote community safety and tackle crime, and we know that partnership working is integral to that effort.

We’re lucky to have local Police officers who are committed to that collaborative working too, alongside the Probation, Fire, and Health Services.

I dearly wish that Government would recognise the need to fund such vital work properly, especially if we want to continue to embrace a preventative – rather than a responsive and reactive – approach to tackling crime.

Cllr Jason Brock is the leader of Reading Borough Council and Labour ward member for Southcote

council have long supported a third Thames crossing. Unfortunately. I fear that is still some years away. In the meantime, a better bus service for Caversham would encourage people to use public transport to visit the town.

Even better a regular service from Caversham to the hospital, without the need to change. I regularly hear from residents, old and young alike, how poor the bus service is and how as a result it isn’t suitable for them.

The council has received a grant from the Conservative government to help it rebuild the bus service after the pandemic. To subsidise an improved bus service for Caversham would, no doubt, soon reap benefits.

We see an increasing number of cyclists using their bicycles to travel around Reading for business and pleasure.

The resurfacing programme also benefits them, but they are hindered by a cycle lane network which in parts is not fit for purpose.

I’m sure we all remember the farce of the short-lived Gosbrook Road cycle lane.

A Conservative administration would review the cycle lane infrastructure and begin the process of making any changes needed. We would also look to provide secure cycle storage within the town centre so people could ride into town safe in the knowledge that their bicycle will be there when they wish to return home.

A Conservative administration would make travelling around Reading easier for everyone.

Councillor Paul Carnell is the Conservative Group Transport Spokesperson and Member for Caversham Heights Ward on Reading Borough Council

31

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Out of her comfort zone, Rhianna is on a mission for good causes

By Phil Creighton news@rdg.today

A READING woman says she is pushing herself out of the comfort zone ahead of her 25th birthday – by taking part in this year’s Miss England contest.

Rhianna Davis, a talent acquisition coordinator, applied in May with no experience of a pageant.

But she has impressed judges and is taking part in the semifinals later this month.

“I turn 25 at the end of the year and I have given myself until then to push myself beyond my limits and live outside of my comfort zone,” she said.

“Having never competed in a pageant before or done any modelling, this is most definitely out of my comfort zone.

“I am hoping that this can inspire others to do something that puts them out of their comfort zone too.”

The heat will take place at the Taj Hotel in Buckingham Gate Suites in London on Monday, August 22. By the end of the day, 40 entrants will be whittled down to 15 for the final.

And it wasn’t the beauty aspect that drew Ms Davis to the contest. It was the opportunity to make a real difference. She says over the years, it has raised more than £1million for good causes and, had it just been focused on looks, she would never have entered.

“My second and most important reason for applying is because of the huge charity focus Miss England has,” she explained.

“As someone who is passionate about fundraising, at the time of applying, I thought competing would be

IN THE SEMIS: Rhianna Davis, a talent acquisition coordinator, is taking part in the semi-finals of Miss England great opportunity for me build on my fundraising history, and I have done just that already.”

She is attempting to raise

£500 for the charity Beauty with a Purpose, which supports and protects disadvantaged children worldwide.

“I am more than halfway there, but to exceed my target would be amazing,” she says.

“Now more than ever, due

to the rising cost of living across the globe, I believe it is s o important that we do our bit to help one another where we can.

“By donating, no matter how big or small, we can make a difference to someone’s life.”

She added: “As much as I would love to get to the final and be crowned Miss England, I would love nothing more than to win the Beauty with a Purpose Charity Queen title.”

This is not the only fundraising Ms Davis had carried out, supporting a number of different good causes over the past seven years, including a skydive for The Rosemary Appeal in 2018. S he says she has raised a combined total of more than £5,000.

“I fundraise every year because it is my contribution to the world and I get such pleasure from knowing I have made a difference to someone somewhere,” she said.

“To reach the final or to be crowned Miss England would enable me to do bigger and better things for charity, but with or without the title or crown, I am on a mission to top what I have previously done.”

Her inspiration comes from her family, including a severely autistic brother, and losing her grandfather to cancer in 2018.

I believe it is important to get across to people that the Miss England contest is more than just a beauty contest and the competition. If this was just a beauty pageant, I would have never entered myself. n Ms Davis has set up a donations page: www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/rhianna-davis1 n For more details on the contest, log on to: www.missengland.info

Extinction Rebellion protestors hold demo outside CLIMATE campaigners Extinction Rebellion held a protest outside the HSBC in Reading town centre when it reopened after a three month-long closure, writes James Aldridge, Local democracy reporter.

The HSBC in Broad Street reopening on Monday, August 1, and staff were met with an Extinction Rebellion protest, with campaigners claiming the bank helps fund oil and gas companies that are damaging the environment.

Protesters were seen holding mock police tape stating “climate crime scene” up to the building, as well as an End Fossil Fuels Now banner.

They also brought out mock HSBC advertising, stating “we are climate crisis” and “today, you’re ‘on mute’, tomorrow you’re on target for 3°C global warming.

Campaigners have cited

the Banking on Climate Crisis: Fossil Fuel Finance Report 2022 as proof of their concerns.

According to the report, HSBC invested $17.976 billion in companies involved in fossil fuel extraction in 2021.

Between 2016 and 2021, the report states HSBC invested $130.468 billion in “companies active across the fossil fuel life cycle”.

HSBC has also underwritten corporate bonds for energy companies

QatarEnergy, ExxonMobil, BP and Saudi Aramco.

Underwriting means to insure against a debt, in this context, to the financial risk of fossil fuel extraction projects.

HSBC is not the only bank to underwrite such bonds, with others such as Barclays and Lloyds doing the same.

The Broad Street-based bank has been closed for refurbishment for around three months.

It is understood the bank has downsized, with space it

used to occupy now available to another business.

Earlier this year, HSBC announced three steps it would be taking to get to net zero emissions by 2050.

It has committed to publishing a Climate Transition Plan next year outlining its strategy to reach climate targets in 2030 and 2050; committed to phasing down fossil fuel financing; and review and update its wider policies.

On financing fossil fuel companies, a statement on HSBC’s website reads: “We’re committing to a sciencealigned phase down of fossil fuel financing, in line with what is required to seek to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C. “We’ll engage with clients to review their transition plans for compatibility with our net zero 2050 target, and will assess whether to

continue providing financing for a client if no transition plans are produced.”

Celine Herweijer, the group’s chief sustainability officer, said: “HSBC understands that the sudden energy crisis that the world finds itself in will necessitate actions in the short-term around energy security.

“Our clients, like us, are operating in this new reality, but the longer-term imperative over the coming decades to transform business models for net zero remains unchanged.

“If anything, the current crisis should galvanise the need to supercharge investment into the clean energy transition.”

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has also requested a statement from HSBC on the refurbishment and address points raised by Extinction Rebellion.

Matchday buses for Reading FC Women’s games – but only if demand is there READING BUSES could lay on matchday services for women’s football games – but only if the demand is there.

Last week, the Lionnesses won the Euro championships.

The squad featured former Reading players Fran Kirby and Mary Earps.

And the team kick off their season on Sunday, September 11, with a game against Liverpool.

It takes place at the Select Car Leasing stadium.

Reading Buses currently runs well-used services for men’s games, but attendance for women’s matches is a lot lower, with average crowds being around 1,000.

The firm said it would be up for helping people get to matches by bus if customers called for it.

“We would love to support women’s football in any way we can, particularly following the amazing success of the England team at the European Championship,” a spokesperson said.

“While we are unable to speculatively start running football buses for Women’s Royals games, we do have an excellent relationship with Reading FC and the team at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

“Should there be demand for football services for these games, we would certainly consider it.”

32 | BUSINESS

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

association with BUSINESSTODAY InWinnersh Triangle

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Got a business story?

Email news@wokingham.today

A business park that is changing

Team’s expertise in supporting elderly clients THREE colleagues in a law firm’s Reading office have gained a nationally accredited award that recognises their expertise in supporting older and vulnerable people.

Partners Caroline Casagranda and Elizabeth Short, and solicitor Kirsti Harvey, from Blandy & Blandy’s Wills, Probate, Tax & Trust team have received the Older Client Care in Practice (OCCP) Award. It distinguishes lawyers who provide specialist legal care and support to older and vulnerable clients, their families and carers.

It also grants full accredited membership to SFE (Solicitors for the Elderly), an independent, national organisation of professionals, such as solicitors, barristers, and chartered legal executives, committed to providing the highest quality legal advice on specialist areas, such as wills, powers of attorney and elder abuse.

The achievement brings the number of fully accredited lawyers in the team to seven. They will work alongside Louise Nelson, Lisa Perry, Andrew Smith and Kelly Chandler.

Lakshmi Turner, chief executive of SFE, said: “We recommend people always use specialist legal advice when planning for later life, and SFE is the gold standard for solicitors and chartered legal executives advising on older client law.

“The OCCP Award ensures lawyers provide the best advice to older people and their families, guiding them through the different legal processes sensitively.”

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

South East office investment tops £1bn in Q2 2022

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today REAL ESTATE continues to be buoyant according to new market data.

New research shows that office market activity across the south east surged during the second quarter of this year to £1.06bn, with an emphasis on leasing and investment.

The figures have been compiled

by Knight Frank and represent a 215% increase in turnover from the £336 million recorded in the first quarter of the year.

And the firm says its total quarterly figure is 48% above the 10-year average.

Investor demand for life sciences-focussed office assets saw numerous big-ticket deals during the quarter, including Longfellow Real Estate Partners and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) buying Capital Park in Cambridge for £185m and Life Science REIT buying Oxford

ACTIVE: Real estate was a bouyant sector in quarter 2 of 2022 Picture: Michael Gaida from Pixabay Technology Park for £183m.

Rebounding occupier demand saw leasing levels reach more than 1m sq ft during Q2, the highest quarterly total since 2018, representing a 216% increase from the 316,269 sq ft leased in the first quarter of the year.

The increase was underpinned

by the conclusion of four transactions over 50,000 sq ft, including Unilever’s lease and funding agreement for its new 282,000 sq ft headquarters in Kingston.

Vacancy remained just above the long-term trend, with Grade B space accounting for 30% of total availability at quarter end, the highest percentage since 2014.

Knight Frank said this further demonstrates a continued flight to best-in-class offices, as occupier demand increasingly focuses on Grade A workspaces that meet the desired environmental criteria.

There is more new space in store. At quarter end, 1.8m sq ft of speculative space was under construction, with Kensington Olympia and White City accounting for 48% of this total.

This means that the broader South East market will see a staggered delivery of just 900,000sq ft over the next 36 months, less than the amount of space leased just this quarter.

Roddy Abram, Head of South East and Greater London Offices at Knight Frank, said the figures were due to “pent-up occupier demand”, and occupier confidence in the office market.

“Looking ahead, the severely limited development pipeline suggests that headline rent projection will continue to rise in the prime South East markets and incentive packages will start to tighten to pre-pandemic levels,” he continued.

“It is, however, those buildings that fulfil the ESG criteria increasingly demanded by occupiers that will achieve the best results.”

And his colleague, Simon Rickards, Head of South East Capital Markets said the life-science sector continues to attract global capital at record yields.

“The market for core-plus stock has proved extremely sensitive to the cost of debt and, as a result, we believe it is beginning to look very attractively priced,” he said.”

WPR_2022-08-08_TheWokinghamPaper_16x4 (1)_Just Go

WorcesterObserver

Reader travel

FOLKESTONE

NEWQUAY, EDEN PROJECT & Poldark’s Cornwall

NewquayEdenProject&PoldarksCornwall_F.pdf

& France Weekend Folkestone&FranceWeekend_F.pdf

Departing Mon 10 Oct ‘22

Departing Fri 21 Oct ‘22

Your break includes

Your break includes

Return coach travel from Wokingham 4 nights at the Pentire Hotel, Newquay with dinner & breakfast Entertainment some evenings Excursions to the Eden Project, Padstow & Charlestown

Return coach travel and ferry crossings from Reading 3 nights at the Grand Burstin Hotel, Folkestone with dinner & breakfast Entertainment every evening Excursion to Boulogne-sur-Mer & Canterbury

Optional excursion to Penzance & St Ives (£12pp)

349

5 Days by Coach only £ Single Supplement £60

174.99

4 Days by Coach only £ Single Supplement £45

Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd. Coach package holidays and short breaks are subject to Just Go! Holidays terms and conditions.

Your booking is protected by Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT); this is a government approved consumer protection scheme. Tours offered subject to availability and government guidelines.

Errors and omissions excepted. Prices per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. Calls to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.

For more information, or to book, please call

03332 342 527 Quote WPR

or visit us online at

justgoholidays.com/WPR

033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.

justgohols JGTravelGroup

NEW FACE: Lee Mildenhall is joining Winnersh Triangle’s Gather & Gather café, after working at Tom Kerridge’s famous Hand and Flowers in Marlow – the only UK pub with two Michelin stars

Winnersh Triangle welcomes new head chef A NEW head chef has joined a business park’s café team after working at Tom Kerridge’s famous Hand and Flowers in Marlow – the only UK pub with two Michelin stars.

Lee Mildenhall is joining Winnersh Triangle’s Gather & Gather café, and has also previously worked at the Halfway Inn, as well as for Vodafone’s UK headquarters, both in Newbury.

There are three Gather & Gather Cafés across Winnersh Triangle including The

Exchange co-working space, providing a vibrant atmosphere for breakfast, lunch or a quick coffee.

The menu includes salads, sandwiches, soups and a selection of healthy hot dishes and chef’s specials.

These are prepared daily on site from fresh ingredients.

Gather & Gather says it understands the positive impact great food can have on employee health, wellbeing and productivity so they have partnered with a number of the

Winnersh tenants to subsidise their employee’s lunches.

Eilidh McAllister, Senior Asset Manager at Winnersh Triangle said: “We are delighted to welcome Lee to the park. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and we know he has some great ideas.

“He’s been working with the team behind the scenes to ensure that the new menu is perfect for our occupiers, including the bi-weekly barbecues, and we can’t wait to find out what everyone thinks.”

NEWS | 33

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

Poets welcomed to Palmer Park

The best pictures of local events are only in your Reading Today

The event’s famous barbecue kept all who attended well-fed Lily Moss with some of the traditional clothes on sale

Record fair returns on Sunday

ALL SMILES: The fun day included plenty of activities for the children to enjoy, particularly the inflatables. Pictures: Steve Smyth

RECORD collectors will be able to fill in gaps in their collection this weekend, as a popular fair returns to Reading.

Rivermead Leisure Centre in Richfield Avenue is the venue for the vinyl fair, said to be the largest in the country.

The leisure centre will be converted into a record shack extraordinaire as dealers set out their stalls.

The event runs from 9am to 3pm on Sunday, August 14.

Entry is £4.

Unity on show at Kenyan fun day EXCLUSIVE

By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg.today RESIDENTS were treated to a fun-filled community event celebrating the town’s diversity on Saturday.

The latest Kenyans in Reading Family Fun Day delighted all who attended, featuring activities, competitions, collective spirit and a barbecue.

It was held at Bearwood Recreation Ground in Winnersh.

Organiser Ken Gathere was full of praise for the event’s success, saying: “When we started seven years ago, I never thought [the fun day] would get this big.

“It was meant to be a small barbecue gathering after my mother passed, but we picked up this August date annually and it’s just grown.”

“Our event especially gives less privileged kids who can’t

go on holidays the opportunity to go back to school and say they went for a fun day, enjoyed it and met loads of new people.”

The highlights of the event were the sports competitions, which saw visitors old and young compete for prizes in running and other athletic disciplines.

Food stalls provided a taste of Kenya and countries further afield in a true celebration of all of Reading’s many cultures. ]Information stalls featured Mojatu Foundation, Utulivu Women’s Group and Royal Berkshire Hospital’s patient experience engagement team, who conducted on-site health checks.

Mr Gathere said: “We were really excited to bring the community together and to interact with other communities.

“Through our event, we showed visitors what Reading is all about and how open and welcoming we are to visitors.”

Hannah, Liz and Dotty fundraising for Kevin Kararwa Leukaemia Trust

The organiser expressed his gratitude to those who made the event possible, particularly Wokingham Borough Council and Winnersh Community Centre.

He also thanked Thames Valley Police for attending, the surrounding neighbourhood for accommodating the event and gave a specific shout-out to Chris, the facility’s caretaker, who has helped out at the event since its inception.

“I can only say we felt humbled and the occasion will forever be ingrained in the Kenyan community’s hearts,” Mr Gathere said.

“We thank Reading and the country for sharing these opportunities.

“May God bless the Queen and the UK, we are so humbled.”

BUDDING poets are invited to enjoy a cuppa in a cafe.

Tutu’s Ethiopian Table in Reading’s Palmer Park is holding its latest Poetry in the Park event on Saturday, August 20.

Starting at 11am, the group welcomes people who want to share their verse, discuss other poems, or just listen.

It is organised by members of the Dreading Poetry Slam, which meets in the Rising Sun on the first Sunday of the month.

Entry is free.

For more details, search Facebook for Poetry in the Park.

DJ night planned for Ding pub (From left) Eva Karanja, Angela Gathu and Terry Njoki provided information on the Utulivu stall Sharon Herring from Royal Berkshire Hospital checks Susan Kariuki’s blood pressure on the NHS Meet Peet stand

A READING pub will be lubricating vocal cords of its customers.

The Foresters Arms is to hold a disco night on Friday, August 19, and people are sure to be singing along.

DJ Jacky D will be hitting the decks for a night of funk, soul and disco.

Entry is free, and the music starts at 7pm.

34 | NEWS

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

Burglars targeting Ding businesses BURGLARS have been raiding businesses in Reading in recent days, and police are warning companies to be on the lookout.

Most of the offences are taking place late at night or overnight, and different items are being taken.

Thames Valley Police has not released any further information, other than saying they are in commercial premises across the Reading area.

Anyone with information, doorbell or CCTV footage that could help the police investigation is asked to call 101, or log on to www. thamesvalley.police.uk.

The Turn to rock The Turks CLASSIC ROCKERS The Turn will be turning heads at a Reading pub on Saturday night.

The four-piece band will be performing in The Turks on London Road from 8.30pm.

The band say they play a well-known array of instantly recognisable ‘air guitar’ anthems by artists such as Thin Lizzy, Jimi Hendrix and AC/DC. Other songs on their set list include George Harrison’s While My Guitar Gently Weeps, and Prince’s Purple Rain.

Entry is free.

Council given more than £400,000 in safety funding

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

READING Borough Council has received more than £400,000 of funding from the government in a bid to improve safety.

In partnership with Thames Valley Police and the police and crime commissioner, the council has been given £429,000 to improve safety of residents in Reading.

It means that a number of initiatives will be moved forward by the council and the police.

A new community Safe Hub will be instated, including a permanent home for the first aid and welfare service First Stop, which will serve the town centre.

Key areas in Reading will be identified for improvements such as lighting and CCTV to improve safety.

The council is also seeking to create safer routes for women to travel home late at night and campaigns to help victims to report crimes.

A new partnership between the council and further education institutions to work with students and listen to their experiences regarding safety.

It is the second round of safety funding the council has received after being awarded £402,000 to tackle crime in 2021.

Karen Rowland, lead councillor for environmental services and community safety, said: “The award of this funding is great news for all who enjoy our vibrant town centre, as it means we can do more to improve safety and ensure our residents also feel safer.

“Focusing on the creation of a Community Safe Space Hub for the town centre and working with young people in developing positive outcomes will help to give residents an increased sense of security whilst taking advantage of all our town centre has to offer.

“We are committed to reducing crime and antisocial behaviour in our town through successfully applying

Your local in Winnersh HOMEMADE FOOD SERVED DAILY BEER GARDEN PRIVATE HIRE WEEKLY EVENTS

ALL DAY BREAKFAST SUNDAY ROAST

The Pheasant Bar and Restaurant

thepheasantwinnersh

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

355 Reading Road - Winnersh - RG41 5LR 0118 978 4529 info@the-pheasant-hotel.co.uk www.thepheasantbarandrestaurant.co.uk

for funding grants such as this through our Community Safety Partnership work.

She said also that the council is keen to hear from residents about their concerns and ideas surrounding safety and crime.

“I welcome all residents to take part in the two consultations that are currently live to help us best shape our Community Safety Partnership’s work on crime and anti-social behaviour, and domestic violence.”

Last week Reading Borough Council launched public consultations on its community safety, serious violence and domestic abuse strategies, where residents are invited to provide feedback to help shape future responses to crime and violence. n More information and links to the consultations can be found via: www.reading.gov.uk

PARTY TIME: Reading Biscuit Factory held a first birthday celebration, which includes a terrarium workshop Picture: Reading Biscuit Factory

First birthday party for Reading Biscuit Factory A NEW cultural venue in Reading town centre celebrated its first birthday by being the one to give out the presents.

The Reading Biscuit Factory is a three-screen cinema, and a live performance space with a bar, café and food available.

During its first 12 months, it has hosted comedy clubs, fairs, and become the new home for the Reading Film Theatre.

To mark its milestone, it held a special celebration day on Sunday, July 31, at its base in Broad St. Mall.

Presents included offering all cinema tickets for £3 per person, a series of workshops, and multiple musical performances.

A spokesperson said: “The first birthday events went really well.

There was a good turn out, and people made the most of the £3 ticket deal.”

The Reading Biscuit Factory is the second site from high street regeneration developer and operator Really Local Group, which aims to restore cultural infrastructure to create vibrant community spaces.

Rave-olucion de Cuba: Dachshund Cafe brings canine disco to town DOG-LOVERS and their four-legged friends are invited to a paw-ty at Revolucion de Cuba for its Dachshund Disco.

The Dachshund Cafe is bringing glowsticks, a lightup doggy dancefloor, disco balls, and music to the venue on Saturday, September 4.

Dachshunds and crosses, as well as their owners, are invited to let their fur down and let themselves off the leash at party.

The venue will be turned into a party where pooches can socialise and meet other dachsunds, sip free pupuccinos from the Pop+Bark mobile bar, and sample the treats from Rudi’s Doggy Bakery.

The event will also feature a menu of Cuban food, as well as coffees and cocktails, for the human attendees.

Guests are not required to bring a dog to attend.

The event will take place at Revolucion de Cuba from 12.20pm on Saturday, September 4.

I got Chilis, they’re multiplying .. New branch of Indian restaurant on course for opening in King’s Walk A new restaurant is to launch in a Reading mall, taking on a unit that has been vacant for nearly seven years, writes James Aldridge, Local democracy reporter.

The Art of Siam Thai restaurant closed down in The Village mall, better known as King’s Walk, in December 2015.

Since then, the space it occupied in the upper floor of the mall has been empty.

An Indian restaurant from Newbury is planning to take on the unit.

Krishna Vangala, the owner of Chilis at Station Approach in Newbury, will be open his second branch this autumn.

He said: “Renovation of the restaurant is going on at the moment.

“We’re hoping to open in September.”

In preparation for opening, Mr Vangala has submitted a licensing application to Reading Borough Council.

Chilis will be open from 9am to 11pm Monday to Sunday, with the application being to sell alcohol on

premises during these times.

Anyone who wants to comment on the application can do so by emailing licensing@reading.gov.uk.

This application is separate to a similar one submitted by Bombay Brothers, which is set to occupy Unit 4 of The Village, on the ground floor of the mall.

More and more restaurants have occupied The Village in recent years, with new additions including Ding Tea, My Warsaw Banh Mi QB, Ji The Chicken Shop and High Spirits Cocktail company.

35

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

Mum’s complaint against son’s specialist school place rejected

Council grants worth nearly £100,000 set to help marginalised residents

By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter

A Reading mum who complained that the council’s children’s services bungled her son’s move to a boarding school with special needs provision has had her claim rejected.

Problems began when her son’s condition deteriorated and he became unable to speak, which affected his education.

The boy had his education arranged

by Reading Borough Council’s children’s services which were handed over to the council owned company Brighter Futures for Children in December 2018.

Council planning for his education began in 2016 through an Education Health and Care plan (EHCP). Since 2019 he was attending a special school.

When his condition deteriorated, his mum called for an EHCP review, which Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) did in June 2020.

The mum complained that BFfC appealed the content of the EHCP and the school contained in it, which required costly legal action.

Her complaint was investigated by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGO), but the ombudsman ruled in the council’s favour.

The legal action the mum took was appealing to a Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) Tribunal, which mediates disputes between families and local authorities over special needs decisions.

During the process, children’s services and the mum agreed her son should attend a full-time residential placement, which was confirmed in the tribunal.

The mum had to pay for representation at the tribunal, and was hoping to recover costs in compensation from Reading children’s services.

She was also unhappy with a delay in the transition between his special school and the boarding (residential) school he eventually went to, stating that the childen’s service failed to arrange education provision for her son and the postponement of his start at his new school.

The ombudsman ruled that the delayed transition was not the fault of Brighter Futures for Children, as this was arranged between the two schools.

The ombudsman stated that they could not investigate the delay in

PICTURE POSED BY MODEL: Pixabay reviewing the EHC plan in 2019 and complaints about the lack of education during the tribunal process because the LGO cannot investigate cases which have already been appealed.

The mum received no compensation as a result of her complaints.

The child is now receiving education at the special needs boarding school.

A spokesperson for BFfC said: “We note the decision of the ombudsman in this case that there was no fault in how BFfC arranged the provision of the boy’s EHCP. “The Ombudsman found BFfC took reasonable steps to arrange the provision in the boy’s EHCP and that delays in his starting at the new school were not due to any fault on the part of the BFfC. “We always aim to work closely with parent carers, children and professionals to

Darts star Cool Hand Luke Humphries to take on challengers at Burghfield event A PDC darts star is looking forward to meeting fans at a special event to be held this weekend.

Luke Humphries – known as Cool Hand – is from Newbury, and this year has won four titles: the Czech darts open, the European darts grand prix, the European darts matchplay, and the German darts grand prix.

He was also runner-up in last year’s UK Open, beaten by James Wade.

On Saturday, August 13, he will pay a visit to the Burghfield Community Sports Association in James Lane, where he will play games against fans.

Tickets cost £10 each, and for every 10 sold there is a chance to meet the star before the event starts.

Doors open at 7pm, with Luke taking to the oche at 8pm. n For more details, log on to: burghfieldcsa.co.uk

arrange the best possible support for children and young people with SEND in Reading.

“Our focus in all cases is to ensure the needs of the child are at the centre of everything we do.”

READING Borough Council has announced that it has awarded £100,000 worth of grants to marginalised residents in Reading.

Twenty-five organisations supporting inclusion and connectivity for some of the town’s most marginalised residents are set to receive grants to help them with activities and day to day operations.

As part of the Small Grants Fund, the council invited bids for the grants based around communityled activities which break down barriers of prejudice, language, and culture.

The council is seeking to raise awareness and understanding of individuals and communities who may otherwise be overlooked.

The council received 70 bids from groups and organisations, with 25 being selected to receive funding either individually, or in partnerships with one another.

Organisations set to benefit from grants include the Bengali Cultural Society, which sought funding to support their 10th anniversary Autumn Festival.

Funding has also gone to Berkshire Vision, which will use it to fund a number of courses to dupport those newly diagnosed with sight loss.

Autism Berkshire, Progress

Theatre, RABBLE Theatre, Sport in Mind, Thameside Primary School, and the Weller Centre are also due to receive funding from the scheme.

Reading Council Leader Jason Brock said: “The range of groups and organisations across Reading which will benefit from this first phase of funding showcases Reading’s unique blend of diverse and thriving communities which make it such an incredible place.

“That’s something we are hugely proud of, but we also know diverse communities can have divergent challenges, which is why the Small Grants Fund is so important.

“The money will contribute towards breaking down the barriers which are sometimes evident in society.”

Liz Terry, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Corporate Services and Resources, said: “The list of projects and the benefits the funding will bring to both individuals and these communities across Reading is truly heart-warming and I really look forward to hearing more about the difference they have made to people’s lives over the months to come.”

A second round of applications is set to open for organisations later this year.

A CELEBRATION OF THE EXCEPTIONAL

Nominate now!

PEOPLE OF OUR TOWN WHO MAKE READING

A UNIQUE PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK Find out more at PORawards.co.uk @PORawards #PORawards

2022

36

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

Kennylands Place

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

SAT NAV RG4 9JS

Sonning Common, Berkshire, RG4 9JS

G IN M N O O C O S ENQUIRE TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION 01344 753110

A small select development of just fifteen 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes!

Kennylands Place is a beautiful development located in the sought-after village of Sonning Common. Every home at Kennylands Place is built with versatile living space and benefit from a south-facing garden. Enjoy the tranquil countryside location whilst being within close proximity to

First releases from £465,000

excellent commuter links into the busy business city. You'll be spoilt for choice with an array of retail and dining options close by from independent boutiques to high street names. Explore endless acres of the breath-taking countryside with Kennylands Place being close to both the Chiltern Hills and North Wessex Downs Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. *Please note that external images are CGI and internal image is for indicative purposes only.

For an appointment to view please contact Romans on

01344 753 110 romans.co.uk

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

37

38

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

Classifieds

PUBLIC NOTICE

READING BOROUGH COUNCIL LICENSING ACT 2003 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY given that The Atrium Reading health club ltd applied on the 21st July 2022 to Reading Borough Council in respect of the premises known as The Atrium health club, Scours Lane, Tilehurst, Rg30 6AY. List of licensable activities Provision of late night Refreshment

Days

Hours

Monday - Sunday

23:00 - 01:00

Events

23:00 - 03:00

Wednesday - Monday 24 hours of August Bank Holiday for workers at Reading Festival Sale of alcohol and provision of regulated entertainment

Monday - Saturday

06:00 - 01:00

Sun

08:00 - 01:00

Events

06:00 - 03:00

Wednesday - Monday 24 hours of August Bank Holiday for workers at Reading Festival

Advertise regularly and save ££££s Special rates for 4, 12, 26 and 52 weeks

Reach local people We cover the whole of the Reading Borough

Any person wishing to view this application may do so at Reading Borough Council by prior arrangement between the hours of 9am to 5pm please ring 0118 9373762 to make an appointment. The application can also be requested electronically by emailing licensing@reading.gov.uk

Get your business seen!

Email: advertising@rdg.today RECRUITMENT

MEDIA SALES PEOPLE > I wish I could choose what days I work. (You can!) > I wish I could choose my hours. (You can!) > I wish I could choose if/when to go to the office. (You can!) > I wish I could choose the home/office/patch split. (You can!) > I wish I could have a job where I’m in control. (You can!)

Friendly Service Email us today for a price

The valid application was received on 21th July 2022 The closing date for representations is 17th August 2022

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

For the latest news visit

WE ARE GROWING THE TEAM IN READING THE ROLES HAVE A SALARY, COMMISSION, BONUSES & PENSION).

Maybe you have caring responsibilities and need to fit the job around them or maybe you have simply had enough of the 5-day week.

For an informal discussion, call David Riley on 07860 462 882 or email at driley@wokingham.today

Representations must relate to the four licensing objectives and contain a full name and address. No written representations will have personal details removed unless the licensing authority deems it appropriate to do so. Any request for personal details to be removed should be notified to the Licensing Authority at the time of making the representation.

Dated: 10th August 2022

results. (You can!)

If you have some media sales experience and want CHOICE & FLEXIBILITY in your working life, call, WhatsApp or email me for a discreet discussion.

Any person wishing to make representation to this application must do so in writing to Reading Borough Council, Licensing Section, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU. Or via email to licensing@reading.gov.uk

The Licensing Act requires local authorities to provide to the applicant copies of all representations made in relation to an application. In some exceptional and isolated circumstances interested parties may be reluctant to make representations because of fears of violence or intimidation if their personal details such as name and address are divulged to the applicant. In these cases we would consider withholding people’s personal details. It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application, the maximum fine for doing so upon summary conviction is unlimited.

> I wish I could have a job where I’m paid properly for my

The Wokingham Paper Ltd Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS | 0118 327 2662 www.wokingham.today | www.rdg.today

Sell your items for free

READING TODAY

For up to date news in the borough follow us on

Sell your goods with a free adverts for items under £250 Having a clear out? Why not turn your treasure into cash with our free adverts? Sell your items without any fee with the aid of this coupon. Items* valued at up to £250 can be sold in these columns for free!Simply send us the details – maximum of 30 words – and post or email it and we’ll do the rest Write your advert in the box below, one word per box. Maximum 30 words.

@RdgToday

@RdgToday Category for advert: Your Name:

@readingtodaynews

Phone Number:

Send your form to Free ads, Reading Today, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

REMOVALS

39

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

TREE SURGEONS

ROOFING NEW ROOFS • ROOF REPAIRS • FLAT ROOFS REPOINTING FACIAS SOFFITS AND GUTTERING EX PAINTING

• NO JOB TO SMALL •

Free estimates and advice • all work guaranteed Tel: 0118 321 6558 Mob: 07459 815 365

Email: goldstarroofingandbuilding@gmail.com www.goldstarroofingandbuilding.co.uk

KITCHEN DESIGN & INSTALLATION

RECYCLING

PAINTING & DECORATING

GOODS WANTED

MOTORING

HEALTH, FITNESS AND WELLBEING

PHOTOGRAPHER

For the latest news visit

Summer

‘TALK TO AN EXPERT’

SALE CONSERVATORIES & ORANGERIES

SHOWROOM OPEN FOR PRIVATE APPOINTMENTS

plus...£1,000

RECEIVE CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS YOUR NEW LIVING SPACE OR £500 FOR WINDOWS & DOORS

EXTENSIONS & SOLID ROOFS

WINDOWS & DOORS

TradeMark have been proudly providing local homeowners with quality home improvements for over 25 years.

SHOWROOM OPEN FOR PRIVATE APPOINTMENTS – ALLOWING YOU TO ‘TALK TO AN EXPERT’.

TEL: 0800 30 50 30

WWW.TRADEMARKWINDOWS.CO.UK Published by The Wokingham Paper Ltd, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Printed at Reach Watford © The Wokingham Paper Ltd, 2022

LEISURETODAY

10.08.22

Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham

Female guitar prodigy to play in Newbury A

T 14, Chantel McGregor was told by major record labels that she had a ‘great voice but girls don’t play guitar like that!’

She ignored them, and went on to graduate from Leeds College of Music with a string of distinctions and a first class degree in Popular Music.

She is currently on touring the country, and will be visiting Newbury this September.

Her music covers a range of styles, so it is hard to categorise her work.

A talented guitarist, she punches a powerful blues rock as comfortably as she does an acoustic folk lament.

On guitar and vocals, she is joined by bass and drums.

“I’ve been really looking forward to this tour,” she says. “It’s good fun and great to play with other people.

“All the songs in the set are originals.

“There’s everything in there:

progressive guitar blues, rock, acoustic folk. And there’s a lot of improvisation too.

“When we break out of a song to play long progressive guitar riffs it can feel like you’re flying by the seat of your pants!”

How did covid and lockdown affect her?

“It was awful. I felt stifled, and it was difficult at first to connect with fans.

“But then I thought, ‘I can’t just stagnate for two years.’

Separated from other musicians, and from her fan base, Chantel decided to find a way to continue playing.

“Every Saturday I’d go to my shed, my studio in the garden.

“I’d play my music, and run a live session there each weekend.

How was it, playing alone?

“To be honest, playing to yourself in a shed, well it’s nice, but there’s just not that same interaction.

“It’s hard to keep up the banter too.

“So it helped when my dad decided to come down to the shed and join in.

“He was great at all the chat, and reading out fans’ comments.

“In fact I think he’s got a new calling!”

Chantel has been performing in concerts since she was 12.

Presumably, this was at school?

“Oh no, I kept it all secret from school,” she says.

“It was quite an academic place, and you either did that or sports.

“You didn’t waste your time with music. We didn’t even have GCSE Music.

“And when I said I wanted to be a musician at careers evenings, they told me that was ridiculous and I should be an English teacher or something.”

“I said, ‘But people do have careers in music, and they get there somehow.’”

So how did Chantel make her career?

“I’m quite driven. I’ve played the guitar since I was three,” she explains.

“I started playing with my Dad, and we’d jam together. It was a hobby at first, but I started to take it more seriously in my teens.

“I was playing with adults, very good musicians, doing gigs and playing four nights a week.

“I learnt my craft doing that. Then when I went to college I put a band together.

“That’s when I started building up a fan base, and things took off.”

Who is she influenced by?

“I listen to everything.

“Country - I don’t play it, but the song writing is very creative.

“Guitar music, Steve Vai, Fleetwood Mac, Jeff Buckley.

“But not rap - that’s just not my thing.”

What song would she like audiences to take away with them from her tour?

“That would be, Walk On Land.

“It has a slow build, and some funny time signatures.

“It’s a good song, filled with technical stuff.”

And how does it feel to be back?

“Being on stage, the music, how it feels when you play, it’s such an adrenaline rush.

“It’s about interacting with the crowd. If my music evokes emotions in people, then that means something.”

Chantel McGregor performs at the Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury. The event takes place on Friday, September 9 at 8pm. Doors open at 7pm, and tickets cost £17. n For more information and to purchase tickets log on to: www. chantelmcgregor.com

EMMA MERCHANT

14 | LEISURE

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

A fine romance, with a bit of Bollywood

First up are The Last Inklings, a duo who will perform with cello, mandolin, guitar, piano, strings, synth and percussion, with layered vocal harmonies.

Their vibrant back stories and songs rich with imagery and narrative, take a look at what it means to be human.

Lukas Drinkwater is next with original songs and some reworkings of traditional folk songs.

He has performed internationally, as a solo artist, jazz double basist and folk guitarist.

The event takes place at the theatre garden in Guildford at 7pm.

Tickets cost £20. n For tickets and information visit: yvonne-arnaud.co.uk or call the box office: 0148 344 0000

FOR A night of Indian style romance, audiences should head to Norden Farm Arts Centre.

Singing duo Bunty and Bubbly, will entertain later this month, with classic Bollywood romantic songs, as well as some newer hits.

They love the golden oldies by Lata, Rafi and Kishore, and grew up watching Hindi movies.

The pair promise to add a touch of Bollywood film drama to their programme of songs.

The event takes place on Friday, August 19 at 8pm.

Tickets cost £15. n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788977.

Lloyd Webber can go Whistle

Fab Four will be focus of Upbeat showcase AUDIENCES with a passion for the Fab Four will love the Upbeat Beatles.

This four-piece band will perform an evening of the Mersey band’s greatest hits.

The show takes a long and winding tour from early days when the Beatles played at Liverpool’s Cavern night club.

Expect to hear songs from the Beatlemania, America, Sergeant Pepper and Abbey Road eras, with narrative and full multi-media presentation.

The Upbeat Beatles are reputed to be among the best of the tribute bands.

To hear them, Beatles fans, and non Beatles fans, should head to Norden Farm Arts Centre.

The event takes place on Saturday, August 20 at 8pm.

Tickets cost £20. n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788977. n For information about the Upbeat Beatles log on to www.upbeatbeatles. co.uk

Get on the phone and dial M .. for murder

FOR A night of suspense, blackmail, lies and deceit, head to Windsor.

Martin Shaw stars in one of the most famous suspense thrillers of our time, Dial M for Murder.

Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 smash hit movie, originally starred Ray Milland and Grace Kelly, and follows the unravelling of a plot to kill.

Retired sportsman Tony and wealthy socialite Margot seem to have a happy marriage.

AUDIENCES are invited to bring a chair or a picnic blanket to Reading’s Abbey Ruins on Sunday.

Ophelia and Mercutio will be an atmospheric event performed on the main lawn against a backdrop of the architectural remains.

60 Hour Shakespeare, is a theatre company that takes only the scenes in which their chosen characters feature.

It uses them to tell a complete story, preparing from start to finish in just 60 hours.

Their intention is to limit their creative time to that which was available to Shakespeare and his troupe of actors.

But Tony has discovered an affair that Margot has been having with an American crime writer, and plans to have his wife killed.

For the perfect crime, head to Windsor’s Theatre Royal.

The play runs from Tuesday, August 16 through to Saturday August 27, except Sunday.

Evening performances start at 7.30pm, with matinées on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost from £23.50 n For tickets and information log on to: www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk or call the box office on: 0175 385 3888

Go behind the scenes and discover the past

FOR those that wonder who haunts the stage, and which famous visitors have graced the circle seats.

The Theatre Royal, Windsor is 200 years old, and filled with ghosts from the past.

This summer it is taking people behind

AT THE THEATRE

Bracknell – South Hill Park

www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 Live Music on the Terrace. Sun 14. Wilde Sundays: Cloudcat, Will Samson, Michael Tuffery.

Sun 21.

FILMS: Good Luck To You, Leo Grande. Thurs 11. Elvis. Fri 12Sun 14. Robust. Mon 15-Tues 16. Lancaster. Wed 17. The Railway Children Return. Fri 19-Sun 21.

Camberley – Theatre

www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Theatre In the Park: Catch That Beast. Thurs 11. Treasure Island. Sat 13. The Last Inklings and Lukas Drinkwater. Sat 20.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud

www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 I Love Musical Theatre. Mon 8-Thurs 11. The Play That Goes Wrong. Mon 8-Sat 13.

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan

www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever. Sat 13Sun 15. NEXT SHOW: Whitney Queen of the night. Fri 2.

Henley – Kenton

www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050 Tupelo To Vegas: A Tribute to Elvis.

Sat 13. Dreams Come True.

Sat 20.

the curtains.

Audiences can follow the building’s history, and get up close to the auditorium.

They will take a tour of the backstage areas, and when possible, see the view from the current production on stage.

The event takes in many different levels of the theatre, and involves the use of stairs.

There are three opportunities this month: Saturday, August 20, Thursday, August 25 and Saturday, August 27.

All tours start at noon and last for around an hour.

Tickets cost £12,50 per person. n For tickets and information log on to: www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk or call the box office on: 0175 385 3888

Last chance to go Barefoot in the Park

THE MILL At Sonning sees the last week of its run of Barefoot In The Park, which ends on Saturday, August 20.

Paul and Corrie are gloriously in love,

Maidenhead – Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Dave Gorman’s Powerpoint to the People. Thurs 11, Fri 12. Pigs and Bears Don’t Come In Pairs. Fri 12. Roger Beaujolais Quartet tribute to the vibraphone. Fri 12. The Studio Session. Sat 13. Bunty and Bubbly. Fri 19. Family Concertini with the Estrallas.

Sat 20. The Upbeat Beatles.

Sat 20.

Newbury – The Corn Exchange

In this double bill, Mercutio is set in the Kings’ Road, London in 1977 with punks rivalling Teddy Boys, while Ophelia is set in 1949, New York City.

All proceeds from ticket sales will go to New Beginnings, Reading a charity supporting the homeless in the town.

The performance will be filmed, with the audience featuring in the recording.

The event takes place on Sunday, August 14 at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £10, concessions cost £6. n For tickets and information log on to: whatsonreading.com and search for 60 Hour Shakespeare.

www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 NEXT SHOW: Black Is The Colour Of My Voice, a show inspired

by Nina Simone. Wed Sept 7.

Newbury – The Watermill

www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 Whistle Down The Wind. Fri 22-Sep 10

Reading – South Street

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 NEXT SHOW: A Show In A Week with First Impressions Theatre.

Mon 22-Fri 26.

Reading – The Hexagon

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 NEXT SHOW: The Magic of

and starting out marriage in a cramped top floor flat in Manhatten.

But Paul is an uptight lawyer who irons his ties, while his new wife is a joyful bohemian with the desire to jump right in to everything that life offers.

Can they make it work? And will Corrie’s mother and the wacky upstairs neighbour help or hinder?

Audiences can find out in this warm and funny production, sprinkled with songs from Simon and Garfunkel.

Tickets cost £67.50 and include a two course meal at the theatre restaurant before the show. n For tickets and information log on to: www.millatsonnng.com or call the box office on: 0118 969 8000

Folk on the terrace

THE audience is promised a delightful evening in the riverside terrace garden at the Yvonne Theatre on Saturday, August 20.

A double bill of multi-instrumentalist folk musicians will provide an evening of live music.

Motown. Sat 3.

Reading – Concert Hall www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 NEXT SHOW: Brindley Sherratt.

Sep 10.

Reading – Progress Theatre

www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 NEXT SHOW: Jeeves and Wooster.

Sept 2-10.

Reading – Reading Rep Theatre

www.readingrep.com 0118 370 2620 NEXT SHOW: Jekyll and Hyde.

Oct 10-29.

WITH music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Whistle Down the Wind tells the story of a young person growing up in the Deep South of America.

It’s the 1950s, the civil rights movement is growing and the golden age of television has begun.

On a farm in rural Louisiana three children are hoping for a miracle.

Then teenager, Swallow, discovers a man hiding in the family barn, and thinks he is Jesus.

The musical takes place in the Watermill Theatre, Newbury.

Performances are Mondays to Saturdays at 7.30pm, with Wednesday and Saturday matinées at 2.30pm Tickets cost from £15 depending on seating. n For tickets and information visit: www. watermill.org.uk or call the box office: 01635 46044

Rock and blues that’ll have you Cracking Up

A Reading pub is hosting a local band for a night of rock and blues.

Audiences can enjoy a pint while taking a line up of songs old and new.

With a core of drums, bass and two electric guitars, four piece group, Cracking up, also promises to sneak in a bit of harmonica, slide guitar, acoustic guitar and mandolin.

“People all over the world have problems,” the band says.

“And as long as people have problems, the blues can never die.”

Cracking Up will be appearing at the pub on Friday, August 19 at 8.15pm.

To hear them, rock up to The Castle Tap, Castle Street, Reading.

No tickets required.

Shinfield – Shinfield Players

www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 NEXT SHOW: Our House. Fri Sept 30-Sat Oct 1, Thurs Oct 6-Sat Oct 8.

Sonning – The Mill

www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Barefoot in the Park. Until Aug 20.

Windsor – Theatre Royal

www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Dial M for Murder. Tues 16-Sat 27.

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363

NEXT SHOW: A Bunch of Amateurs. Thurs Sept 8-Sat Sept 17.

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre

www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247 EBOS presents The 25 Annual Putnam County Spelling bee.

Until Sat 13.

Woodley – Theatre

www.woodleytheatre.org 07488337838 NEXT SHOW: Teechers. Sept 27-Oct 1.

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

LEISURE | 15

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Opera singer Brindley Sherratt to launch new album with help from Phoenix Choir

The Sensational Sounds of the 60s to make return

Bridley Sherratt will be singing songs from his new album Refuge at Reading Town Hall on September 10

A

N OPERA singer who created his latest album in Reading will be showcasing tracks from it in a special concert taking place next

IT WAS a seminal moment in music history: the innovations and inventiveness meant that the tunes created in the 60s endure today. And what better way to celebrate them by hearing them from their creators?

The Sensational 60s Experience is returning to The Hexagon next year, featuring some of the biggest names in the business.

The 2023 show will be an all-new experience and organisers say it will have a feelgood factor that will transport audiences back to the magical decade.

The line-up includes Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich.

Back in 1966, they were in the charts for 50 weeks out of 52, and their catalogue includes hits such as Bend It, Zabadak and The Legend Of Xanadu.

The Trems features former members of The Tremeloes, will perform hits such as Even The Bad Times Are Good, Do You Love Me, Call Me Number One and Silence Is Golden.

And Mike d’Abo, former frontman of Manfred Mann, helped the group perform hits such as Just Like A Woman, Semi-Detached Suburban Mr James and Mighty Quinn, before going on to his own solo career, which included penning songs such as Build Me Up Buttercup for The Foundations and Handbags & Gladrags, a massive hit for Chris Farlowe.

Birmingham-based band The Fortunes found fame in 1964 with their anthem to pirate radio, Caroline, as well as penning hits such as Storm In A Teacup, You’ve Got Your Troubles, and Freedom Come Freedom Go. Hippy Hippy Shake, You’re No Good, Good Golly Miss Molly and Don’t Make Me Over are famous songs, and The Swinging Blue Jeans, led by Alan Lovell, were behind them. Also in the line-up are Peter Oakman, Jeff Bannister and Graham Hollingworth.

Completing the very comprehensive bill for the Sensational 60s Show is Vanity Fare.

Formed in 1966, the rockers had hits with I Live For The Sun, Early In The Morning and the worldwide classic, Hitchin A Ride” which scored the band a number one on the Billboard 100 in the United States.

A spokesperson for the show said: “Step back in time to when pop music was at its very best.”

Curtain up is at 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 22.

Tickets for the show have just gone on sale, costing £26.50 and £29.50, with groups of 10 or more getting £3 off.

Brindley Sherratt will be joined by members of Reading Phoenix Choir and the Berkshire Youth Choir, fresh from their appearances at Edinburgh International Festival, and conducted by Christopher Hann.

It includes pieces from Refuge, as well as opera classics.

The album is a collection of songs inspired

by Brindley’s faith and in tribute to his parents, reflecting on his childhood singing in church choirs and with the Salvation Army.

Released on Citadel Promotions, the album was recorded in January, and features music that he says helped him through the pandemic. It includes works such as Deep River, He Hideth my Soul and The Lamb by William Blake, which features a new verse

written by the prolific Salvation Army lyricist, Peter M Cooke.

“This album takes me back to my childhood as a young lad growing up in a small town on the outskirts of Manchester,” he says.

“It’s a thank you to my mum and dad, who brought me up in a Salvation Army family where my Sundays started early, were very noisy, wonderfully musical, thoroughly exhausting, and above all else, fun. In April 2020 my and everyone else’s lives changed significantly.

“Covid caused opera houses and concert halls across the globe to close their doors. Our world was thoroughly shaken.”

He says that although he no longer attends the Sally Army, he still has a faith – “even if a wobbly one at times”.

“Some of the Psalms were particularly helpful during those scary nights when my wife and I both became very ill with the virus,” he explains.

“Two old songs from the Sally Army song book

my Dad used to sing from also became a comforting ear-worm: He Hideth my Soul in the Cleft of the Rock, and It is well with my soul.

“In this album we’ve included some of those old Salvation Army songs but given them a little 21st century shine, alongside other more recent songs that are sung in churches the world over which we’re presenting as new arrangements from Stephen Bulla.

“Some are tender and others we’ve given the full-throated operatic treatment. Some you may know, many you may not.

“Some are quaint, some sublime but whatever you think, I hope that maybe even one line might be your comforting earworm when it’s all a bit shaky.”

The show takes place at Reading Town Hall in Blagrave Street on Saturday, September 10.

Tickets cost £16 or £12. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on 0118 960 6060, or log on to whatsonreading.com

Open mic ready for first birthday

Nothing but the hits at the Legion

GET TECH SAVVY

month.

WITH PRATTS PODS WE ARE OFFERING “TECH SAVVY TUESDAYS”

AN OPEN mic night running from a town centre pub is to mark its first anniversary with a singalong party.

The Castle Tap has been welcoming people to its evenings of music for a whole 12 months.

The pub says its nights are a safe space for all, including the staff.

Slots for performances last 10 minutes and can be booked in advance, while five minute slots can be reserved on the day.

The event runs from 7.15pm to 9.30pm on Monday, August 22, at the Castle Street venue, and if the weather is fine, it will be held outside.

A DUO who aim to perform nothing but the hits will be coming to Tilehurst next weekend.

The Royal British Legion Club on Downing Road will be hosting Shaken Not Stirred.

Comprising Sue and Guy, the duo play music from the past 60 years, including pieces by Dion and the Belmonts, Elvis, Amy Winehouse, via Adele, Queen, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Tina Turner, Take That, Stevie Wonder and M People.

They have performed more than 200 gigs over the past seven years, and will be at the club on Saturday, August 20.

For more details, call the club on: 0118 942 9606.

FOR PEOPLE NEEDING HELP UNDERSTANDING THEIR TECH DEVICES. PROBLEMS WITH YOUR IP AD, PHONE OR LAPTOP? EMAILS NOT SENDING OR SENDING? OR SIMPLY NEED SOME TECH GUIDANCE? CLASSES 2PM EVERY TUESDAY AT WOKINGHAM LIBRARY

0118 304 7777

INFO@PRATTSPODS.CO.UK

16 | LEISURE

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

Silver band celebrates MEMBERS of the Pangbourne and District Silver Band are preparing to celebrate their 60th anniversary with a special concert.

The group will be teaming up with the Mid Michigan Brass Band for the evening of music, which takes place at the Falklands Memorial Chapel in Pangbourne College.

The concert starts at 7pm on Saturday, and tickets cost £10.

They can be purchased by searching www.ticketsource. co.uk for Pangbourne Silver Band.

Jimmy Lee and The Blue Coconut Orchestra FOLK stalwart Jimmy Lee is set to play ReadiFolk on Sunday, August 14.

Jimmy Lee was a part of the then-growing folk scene in the 1960s, and has now put together a new group of musicians.

The Blue Coconut Orchestra combines classical and traditional instruments to suit a variety of genres.

Jimmy Lee and The Blue Coconut Orchestra will be playing the ReadiFolk community hall, Watlington Street, on Sunday, August 14.

The show begins at 8pm, with tickets priced at £8 per person, available on the door,

Mother nature is coming to Bracknell

A

CELEBRATION of Bracknell’s forests was so successful that it is returning this summer, in a new, expanded format.

Last year, giant tree sculptures were placed around The Lexicon shopping centre, celebrating the heritage of the neighbouring borough.

And from Wednesday, August 24, the trees will be back along with two new giants and some special events.

The scheme runs until just before the schools start their new year - Thursday, September 4.

The new Forest Guardian area will host a Get Green and Active volunteer scheme, designed to encourage people within the borough to get outdoors and closer to nature.

Children will be encouraged to make their own conservation and wellbeing pledges under the watchful eye of new giant, Bracknell Forest Guardian, Elderma.

In Princess Square, adventurous giant Will Wildwood, will make his debut appearance. Standing at more than five metres high, this new giant boasts an integral slide, with a message for visitors to get active outdoors.

Cllr Marc Brunel-Walker, executive member for economic

BACK: The Bracknell Forest Giants are returning to The Lexicon Picture: Phil Creighton development and regeneration at Bracknell Forest Council, says: “The forest and green spaces within the borough are a fundamental part of what makes Bracknell Forest such a special place to live and work.

“Our Forest Festival has been created as a fun event but will also remind people just how easy it is to utilise these spaces and stimulate different ways that the local community can get involved.”

Also new for this year is The Night Forest theatre show. Using holographic technology, younger visitors can meet five nocturnal characters in an interactive show.

Pre-booking is recommended,

with fees going to The Lexicon Charity Fund.

Other Forest Festival activities include a Seedling Sprite Trail, a host of entertainers and a special The Lexicon Fifth Birthday Proms on Saturday, September 3.

Rob Morris, general manager at The Lexicon says: “There will be so much to do and see during the ten days of Forest Festival.

“A combination of our three returning giants, two fabulous new giants and all the surrounding activities will make this our largest event since we opened five years ago.” n For more details, log on to: www.bracknellforestfestival.com

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Beans means Face bar BE AWARE of the outlaw … he’s coming to town.

Beans on Toast, who describes himself as an outlaw folk musician, is preparing to visit Reading next spring as part of a “mahoosive ramble” across the country.

One man and his guitar, with songs to sing and stories to tell, he will be performing at 30 independent venues throughout February and March.

That includes The Face Bar in Ambrose Place on Friday, March 24.

Since 2005, Beans on Toast says he has written simple songs about complicated subjects.

Tackling the big issues of the day but doing so with his feet firmly on the ground, he’s become a people’s champion of the modern folk scene and amassed a huge catalogue of songs in the process.

He says he is an unrepentant optimist whose songs celebrate all that is wonderful about the human spirit.

As a result, he aims to make his live shows uplifting.

His first album, Survival of the Friendliest, came out at the end of last year, and was a hit.

RNR Magazine praised the lyrics that “shimmer with Beans’ trademark of truth and humour..

Captivating”, whereas Louder Than War hailed it as “the perfect antidote to re-energise us all”.

Beans on Toast is preparing to visit The Face Bar for an evening of music He is hard at work on the follow-up, which will be out in December.

Of the tour, Beans says: “Folk music is an age-old art form, and it’s more relevant than ever in these wild and crazy modern times.

“You can expect an inspiring and entertaining gig, a relaxed and fun affair that leaves you feeling like you’ve met up with an old friend, and you’re all the better for it.” n Tickets have just gone on sale.

For more details, log on to: www. beansontoastmusic.com

Audiences can waltz into cinema

WPR_2022-08-08_ReadingToday_16x4 (1)_Just Go

Reader travel

DELIGHTFUL DEVON

FOLKESTONE

Weekend

DelightfulDevonWeekend_F.pdf

& France Weekend Folkestone&FranceWeekend_F.pdf

Departing Fri 7 Oct ‘22 Your break includes

Your break includes

Return coach travel from Reading 3 nights at the Ashton Court Hotel, Exmouth with dinner & breakfast Entertainment some evenings Excursion to Exeter

Return coach travel and ferry crossings from Reading 3 nights at the Grand Burstin Hotel, Folkestone with dinner & breakfast Entertainment every evening Excursion to Boulogne-sur-Mer & Canterbury

4 Days by Coach only £ Single Supplement £45

144.99

174.99

4 Days by Coach only £ Single Supplement £45

Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd. Coach package holidays and short breaks are subject to Just Go! Holidays terms and conditions.

Your booking is protected by Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT); this is a government approved consumer protection scheme. Tours offered subject to availability and government guidelines.

Errors and omissions excepted. Prices per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. Calls to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.

For more information, or to book, please call

03332 342 527 Quote WPR

or visit us online at

justgoholidays.com/WPR

033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.

by André Rieu and Michael Wiseman.

Rieu will be joined by The Johann Strauss Orchestra and yet to be announced special guests.

His previous concerts have attracted thousands of concert goers.

The three hour concert will be performed live in Holland’s iconic Vrijthof Square, in the centre of Maastrict’s beautiful old town, on

two consecutive nights.

The event is being shown to UK audiences on the big screen.

It can be seen at Wokingham’s Everyman cinema on Saturday, August 27 at 7pm.

Tickets cost £23, with concessions costing £18. n For more information and to buy tickets log on to: www. everymancinema.com, or call 01233 555642.

Carnival of the World brings the sea giant to Broad Street

Departing Fri 21 Oct ‘22

Optional excursion to Sidmouth (£9pp)

MUSIC lovers will be able to enjoy Strauss, and many other musical greats at the Everyman.

From the comfort of the cinema they will see maestro André Rieu performing popular classics, show tunes and waltzes live from the Netherlands.

The violinist’s first concert in two years, Happy Days are Here Again!, will be an orchestral extravaganza, conducted

justgohols JGTravelGroup

THE CARNIVAL of the World will be returning to Broad Street on Saturday, August 13.

The free event will see theatre and performances from around the globe in a family-friendly festival extravaganza.

It will also see EKO the sea giant, a four-metre high puppet, which will promenade along Broad Street as part of an outdoor physical theatre performance called Out of the Deep Blue.

The performance will tell the story of EKO meeting Violet, after rising from the deep and encountering her on the shore, through dance, theatre, and movement accompanied by a musical landscape.

The Live stage will also see music from the Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra, followed by a host of guest artists throughout the day.

As well as the sea giant, the carnival parade will feature costumes, dancers, and percussionists to bring the global spirit of carnival to Reading The Carnival of the World was brought to the town by CultureNix Arts, Autin Dance, Reading Central BID, and Reading’s Economy & Destination Agency.

The parade will begin at noon on Saturday, August 13, on Broad Street, with the event closing at 6pm.

The event is free to attend.

For more information, visit ww.culturemixarts.co.uk

LEISURE | 25

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

LIVEMUSIC

To advertise in this section, call Claire on 0118 327 2662

RawSounds Today

The Dutch rock band who recently celebrated their 50th Anniversary will be headlining the Main Trademark Stage at Wokingham Festival on August Bank Holiday Monday.

You can read an interview with the band in the paper very soon and listen to this classic which, as well as being a hit in the 1970s, had renewed interest when it was used in a 2010 World Cup commercial – https://focustheband.co.uk/

Chris Hillman bit.ly/raw sounds today

E

Kepler Ten – A New Kind of Sideways

VERYONE loves a good conjuring trick, not least ones that contain the magic words Hocus Pocus. And we’ve got something rather magical this week…

Focus had a big hit with the song Hocus Pocus, and it will no doubt be heard at the Wokingham Festival later this month.

It’s just one of 10 fantastic tracks on the RaW Sounds Today playlist. We’re on a mission to champion and showcase great music from acts that have a connection to Reading and Wokingham (that’s the RaW in our Sounds Today name).

It’s an eclectic mix of stuff that will help you discover something new. All you have to do is find it on Spotify.

To hear this week’s selection, simply head to https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday and enjoy the music.

There is also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap into. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will come up.

Curved Air – Back Street Luv Here’s a song that reached Number 4 in the UK Singles Chart.

It’s from Curved Air the band, led by the iconic Sonia Kristina, who combine classic rock, prog, folk

This is the title track from Kepler Ten’s latest critically acclaimed album on our White Star records label.

They have only played songs from the album at one excellent show in their home town of Southampton so we are excited that we get the chance to see the band at Wokingham Festival – https://www.keplerten.com/

CURVED AIR AT WOKINGHAM MUSIC CLUB. PICTURE: Andrew Merritt Photography and classical elements to produce a unique sound which you can hear live when the band make a return visit to Wokingham Music Club on Sept 9.

They last played at the club back in 2017 and what a great night that was.

If you were there you’ll know how good they were and, if not, don’t miss the opportunity to see this legendary band – https://www.curvedair.com/

Focus – Hocus Pocus Talking of legendary bands, here’s another one.

They also had UK hits such as this one and are visiting us.

TRIM – Still Waters (Live) TRIM is a Reading-based band led by singersongwriter Chris Trim who perform original pop rock songs with a blues and folk feel.

The band will be making a welcome return to Wokingham Festival – https://www.facebook.com/ christrimmusic

Split the Dealer – Hard to Take (Live Lounge Acoustic Session)

It’s Reading-based Split the Dealer with an acoustic version of his 2022 single performed by Split and guitarist Rory Evans at Northbrook Met Studios in Brighton – https://www.splitthedealer. com/

GIG GUIDE Thursday, August 11

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Risking Nostalgia. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk READING – The Botanist, Kings Road RG1 2HB. Request night. Details: 0118 959 5746.

READING – The Corn Stores, Forbury Road RG1 1SB. Gini. Details: 0118 324 6768.

READING – The Facebar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. The Amazons. Details: 0118 956 8188.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Found Native. Details: 0118 959 7196.

Friday, August 12

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Sound Intentions. Details: 01344 303333.

READING – The Blagrave, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW. The Tim Kay Band. Details: 0118 958 6775.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open Mic Night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Facebar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Marc Valentine, Sonic Gypsy, Continental Lovers.

Details: 0118 956 8188.

READING – O’Neill’s, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Live music Fridays. Details: 0118 960 6580.

READING – The Oracle RG1 2AG. Live music at the beach: The Futuristic Gramophones. Details: 0118 965 9000.

READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1

4DX. Friday Blues. Details: 0118 958 6048.

YATELEY – The Cricketers, Cricket Hill Lane GU46 6BA. Gary Roman as Elvis.

Details: 01252 872105.

YATTENDON – West Berkshire Brewery Tap Room, The Old Dairy, Frisham Farm RG18 0XT. Friday night sessions.

Details: 01635 767090.

Saturday, August 13

BINFIELD – The Binfield Club, Terrace Road RG42 4HP. Leech. Details: 01344 420690.

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. NBS. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. Solace. Details: 01344 422622.

EMMBROOK – The Dog and Duck, Matthewsgreen Road RG41 1JT. Steve Brookes. Details: 0118 978 0544.

READING – The Facebar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Church of Madness v DJ: Traumahound and DJ Source. Details: 0118 956 8188.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. One Eye Man Official live show. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Corvid and support.

Details: 0118 958 0473.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Spandau Ballet Vs Duran Duran tribute.

Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – O’Neill’s, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Al Fresco

Music. Details: 0118 960 6580.

READING – Reading Railway Social Club, Station Hill.

The Pink Diamond Revue and Non-Drama.

READING – Revolution, Station Road. Revolution Saturdays: music, cocktails and more.

READING – Revolución de Cuba, Friar Street RG1 1EX. Club night with live music and DJ. Details: 0118 207 7016.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. DJ Pauly.

Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. The Turn. Details: 0118 957 6930.

WHISTLEY GREEN – The Elephant and Castle, Lodge Road RG10 0EH. The Beatle and Buddy Show. Details: 0118 934 0886.

WOKINGHAM – The Duke’s Head, Denmark Street RG40 3BQ. Abi Powell.

Details: 0118 978 0316.

Sunday, August 14

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Live music on the terrace. 2pm. Details: 01344 484123.

EARLEY – The Roebuck, Auckland Road RG6 1NY. Afternoon karaoke. 2pm.

Details: 0118 966 7153.

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Jimmy Lee and the Blue Coconut Orchestra.

Details: www.readifolk. org.uk READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2

7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232.

RISELEY – The Bull at Riseley, Basingstoke Road RG7 1QL. The B Side. Details: 0118 343 0565.

Tuesday, August 16 BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music Tuesday. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

Wednesday, August 17

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Moonlit Ocean. Details: 0118 959 5500.

WHISTLEY GREEN – The Elephant and Castle, Lodge Road RG10 0EH. Open mic night. Details: 0118 934 0886.

Thursday, August 18

READING – Bar 77, Kings Road RG1 3BJ. Jam Night.

Details: 7748@greeneking. co.uk READING – The Botanist, Kings Road RG1 2HB. Request night. Details: 0118 959 5746.

READING – Wild Lime, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Open mic: spoken word, music and vibes. From 6.30pm.

Friday, August 19

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Windsor Comes To Bracknell: Replicants, Euphoria. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Clique Duo. Details: 01344 303333.

CAVERSHAM – The Fox and Hounds, Gosbrook Road.

Hopfest the return: beer, music and food. www. thefoxcaversham.com GORING – Don Giovannii at The Leatherne Bottel, Bridleway RG8 0HS. Liza Marshall. Details: 01491 598622.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Cracking Up. Details: 0118 958 0473.

READING – The Foresters Arms, Brunswick Street RG1 6NY. DJ Jacky D. Details: 0118 304 3648.

READING – Hope and Bear, London Road RG1 5DE. Je’Zell. Details: 0118 935 4095 READING – The Oracle RG1 2AG. Live music at the beach: Fuse. Details: 0118 965 9000.

READING – O’Neill’s, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Live music Fridays. Details: 0118 960 6580.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Jason Stretch. Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1 4DX. Ghost Cat. Details: 0118 958 6048.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. The Gas Trick Band.

Details: 0118 977 3706.

YATTENDON – West Berkshire Brewery Tap Room, The Old Dairy, Frisham Farm RG18 0XT. Friday night sessions.

Details: 01635 767090.

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Saturday, August 20

BEECH HILL – Memorial Hall, Wood Lane RG7 2BE. Beech Hill Band Day: Rosedale, Lost The Plot, The Jeffs, The Turtles, The Encores. From Noon-6pm.

Details: bhmh.org.uk BINFIELD – The Binfield Club, Terrace Road RG42 4HP. Don’t Look Now. Details: 01344 420690.

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The Double Shots. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Full Flavour Band.

Details: 01344 457318.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. White Light. Details: 01344 422622.

CAVERSHAM – The Fox and Hounds, Gosbrook Road.

Hopfest the return: beer, music and food. www. thefoxcaversham.com CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. Utter Madness Duo. Details: 01344 530615.

EARLEY – The Seven Red Roses, Maiden Place RG6 3HA. Gary Roman as Elvis.

Details: 0118 935 4103.

PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Coda: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin. Details: 0118 969 98978.

READING – The Facebar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Caz and the Traitors.

Details: 0118 956 8188.

READING – O’Neill’s, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Al Fresco Music. Details: 0118 960 6580.

READING – Revolution,

Papa Truck – Million Miles Here’s a five-piece band from High Wycombe who perform their own original bluegrass songs.

This one is from their 2020 album By Your Side.

They will be live at Wokingham Festival – https:// www.facebook.com/papatruck

A Better Life – Take A Deep Breath Local producer and musician, Phil Daniels, who heads up this electronica collective says that this title track of their excellent 2021 album will be the last single release from that album with new material to come – https://abetterlifemusic.com/

The Telephones – Pale Saints Derby-based psychedelic pop rockers with a song from new album, Prosaic Turbulence, that has just been released on Billywitch Records, the offshoot of Wokingham-based, Mega Dodo Records – https:// www.facebook.com/TheTelephonesUK

Kindred Spirit Band – Kindred Spirit We go back in time with this song from Kindred Spirit’s 2015 album, Phoenix Rising, as they will be at Wokingham Festival following other successful festival shows this summer – https://www.facebook. com/KindredSpiritBand

Nora Mac – Dropping Out of Love Nora Mac is a talented singer-songwriter from Marlow who will be at Wokingham Festival.

Her band there will include Dean Nelson from Generation Studios and Robin Johnson from Kyros guesting with her – https:// noramacmusic.com/

Station Road. Revolution Saturdays: music, cocktails and more.

READING – Revolución de Cuba, Friar Street RG1 1EX. Club night with live music and DJ. Details: 0118 207 7016.

READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Bourbon and Blues: live music, funky cocktails and more. 1pm. Details: 0118 931 0232.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Goldtrax.

Details: 0118 926 5804.

TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. Shaken Not Stirred.

Details: 0118 942 9606.

WOKINGHAM – The Ship Inn, Peach Street RG40 1XH. Rhythm Hill. Details: 0118 978 0389.

WOKINGHAM – The White Horse, Easthampstead Road RG40 3AF. Caribbean

Festival. From 3pm.

Details: 0118 979 7402.

Sunday, August 21

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Live music on the terrace. 2pm.

Wilde Sundays: Cloudcat, Will Samson, Michael Tuffery. 2pm. Details: 01344 484123.

CAVERSHAM – The Fox and Hounds, Gosbrook Road.

Hopfest the return:. www. thefoxcaversham.com EARLEY – The Roebuck, Auckland Road RG6 1NY. Afternoon karaoke. 2pm.

Details: 0118 966 7153.

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Singers Night. Details: www.readifolk.org.uk READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232.

CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL

featuring a live Steel band and lots of enticing Caribbean food to taste

SATURDAY, 20 AUGUST 2022 AT 15:00 Tickets £8 wegottickets.com THE WHITE HORSE

Easthampstead Road Wokingham, RG40 3AF

0118 979 7402

26 | LEISURE

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

WHAT’SON Films at Reading Biscuit Factory

READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. They include Where The Crawdads Sing (15). Thurs 11. Minions: The Rise of Gru (U). Thurs 11. Bullet Train (15). Thurs 11. The Railway Children Return (PG). Thurs 11. Top Gun: Maverick (12a). Thurs 11. Elvis (12a). Thurs 11.

NT Live: Prima Facie (15).

Thurs 11. Nope (15). Fri 12-Thurs 18. Reading Film Theatre presents Jules Et Jim (12a). Wed. Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk

Thursday, August 11

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org READING – Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Rhymetime for under fives. 10.15-10.45am, or 11.15am-11.45am.

Booking essential, free.

Details: 0118 937 5103.

READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. The History of Reading’s Print Industry Talk – A talk

by Paul Joyce. Organised by the Berkshire Family History Society. 2pm3.30pm. £5. Details: 0118 950 9553.

SPENCERS WOOD – Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org TILEHURST – Library, School Road RG31 5AS. Rhymetime for under fives.

2.15pm-2.45pm. Booking essential, free. Details: 0118 937 5109.

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosaic lunch club with Friendship table.

Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Friday, August 12

BURGHFIELD – Burghfield Common Recreation Ground, Recreation Road

Holding a community event? Send your listings to events@rdg.today

RG7 3EN. The Bulging Sack In The Park: enjoy a drink with family and friends, and raise funds for Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

Food and drink available.

5pm-9pm. Details: burghfieldsantas.org.uk CAVERSHAM – Caversham Court Gardens, Church Road RG4 7AD. Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice tea and cake fundraiser from the Caversham Court Tea Kiosk. 11am-5pm.

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org THEALE – Library, Church Street RG7 5BZ. Play bridge. Suitable for beginners and experienced players. 10.45am-12.45pm.

No booking required. Free.

Details: 0118 930 3207, or: thealelibrary@westberks. gov.uk WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges 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, August 13

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Paws In the Park dog show and event day. 11am-4.30pm.

Free entry. Details: https:// pawsintheparkbracknell. co.uk/ BURGHFIELD – Burghfield Community and Sports Association, James Lane RG30 3RS. Burghfield Darts Events presents an evening with PDC

professional Cool Hand Luke Humphries. 7pm.

Meet and greet with Luke from 6.30pm. £10. Details: burghfieldcsa.co.uk CAVERSHAM – Caversham Court Gardens, Church Road RG4 7AD. Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice tea and cake fundraiser from the Caversham Court Tea Kiosk. 11am-5pm.

CAVERSHAM – Caversham Methodist Church Hall, Gosbrook Road RG4 8EB. Artists and Makers Fair.

10am. Free entry. Details: jean@alljazzedup.com or 07808 966928.

PANGBOURNE – Allotments, Grahame Avenue RG8 7LF. Pangbourne Allotments open morning. 10am-noon.

Free. Produce for sale.

PANGBOURNE – Falklands Memorial Chapel, Pangbourne College RG8 8LA. Pangbourne and District Silver Band 60th anniversary concert, with special guests Mid Michigan Brass Band.

7pm. £10. Details: www. ticketsource.co.uk, search for Pangbourne Silver Band.

READING – Bar 77, Kings Road RG1 3BJ. Reading’s Got Drag: The competition.

8.15pm.

READING – Broad Street.

Carnival of the World: live stage and parade.

Noon-6pm. Details: culturemixarts.co.uk READING – IKEA, Pincents Kiln Industrial Park, Pincent Lane RG31 7SD. Balloon artist and face painter for children. 11am5pm. Free. Details: www. ikea.com READING – Phantom Brewing, Meadow Road RG1 8LB. Brewery tour and tasting. Noon. Booking essential. Details: www. phantombrew.com READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre open day.

From noon. Details: www. progresstheatre.co.uk.

READING – Prospect Park, Liebenrood Road. Car boot sale. Sellers from 6am. Buyers from 7.30am. £10 car, £12 van. Details: 07773 539172.

RISELEY – Wellington Country Park, Odiham Road. Summer fun and bouncy castles

in the park. Details: wellingtoncountrypark. co.uk WOKINGHAM – Bond Brews, South Barns, Gardeners Green Farm, Heathlands Road. Bond Brew Tap Yard party. Noon-6pm. Details: bondbrews.co.uk WOKINGHAM – Elms Field, Elms Road. Kidical Mass family-friendly cycle ride.

2pm. Route will return to Elms Field. Details: Search Facebook for Kidical Mass Wokingham 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

Sunday, August 14

CAVERSHAM – Caversham Court Gardens, Church Road RG4 7AD. Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice tea and cake fundraiser from the Caversham Court Tea Kiosk. 11am-5pm.

CAVERSHAM – Waitrose Car Park, off Gosbrook Road. Caversham Artisan & Farmers Market. 10am3pm.

READING – Abbey Ruins, Abbey Street RG1 3BA. 60 Hour Shakespeare presents ‘Ophelia’ and ‘Mercutio’: The Shakespeare Theatrical Universe. £6. In aid of New Beginnings Reading.

Details: search https:// www.eventbrite.co.uk for 60 Hour Shakespeare.

READING – Eclectic Games, Union Street. Pokemon Sunday Standard Tournament. From 10.30am. £6. Details: www. eclecticgames.co.uk READING – Forbury Gardens, The Forbury RG1 3BB. Forbury Bandstand concert season: Woodley Concert Band. 3pm-4.30pm. Free.

Details. Whatsonreading. com

READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. The Sunday Alternative: a secular community of words and music. Coffee and catch-up.

10.45am-1pm. Details: sundayalternative.org.uk READING – Rivermead Leisure Centre, Richfield Avenue RG1 8EQ. Reading Vinyl Record Collectors Fair. 9am-3pm. £4.

RISELEY – Wellington Country Park, Odiham Road. Summer fun and bouncy castles in the park. Details: wellingtoncountrypark. co.uk SINDLESHAM – Reddam House, Bearwood Road RG41 5BG. Ollie Young Fun Day. 11am4pm. Free entry. Music, Licensed Bar, BBQ, Food, Stalls, Games, Activities, Inflatables and more.

WOKINGHAM – Market Place. Wokingham vegan market. 9am-1pm. Details: www.sparkleveganevents. com WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk WOODLEY – St James Church, Kingfisher Drive.

Messy Church goes to the movies: Moana. 4pm-6pm.

Bring own snakcs and drinks.

Monday, August 15

ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table.

9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org READING – Market House, Market Place RG1 2EQ. Rooftop Cinema Club: Licorice Pizza. 8.30pm. £5.

Details: 0118 216 1750.

READING – Milk, Merchants Place RG1 1DT. Jelly’s The Creative book club meeting. 7pm-8.30pm. £2.

Places limited, pre-booking essential. Details: jelly. org.uk WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges 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

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022 Baptist Church, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. 1.30pm-3.30pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org

Tuesday, August 16

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. linkvisiting.org READING – The Oracle RG1 2AG. Children’s activities at the beach. Free. Booking essentiall Details: www. theoracle.com READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. The Finches social club for people with or without autism. 7pm-9pm. Drinks and snacks available to buy. Music, and friendship.

Details: kingwood.org.uk WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org

Wednesday, August 17

BURGHFIELD – The Old Rectory RG30 3TH. Open garden for NGS. Four-acre gardens featuring tulips, a pool garden, woodland area and terraced lawns with mature trees. £5.

10.30am-12.30pm, 2pm4pm. £5, children free. Prebooking essential. Details: ngs.org.uk EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm4pm. Details: linkvisiting. org EARLEY – Earley Crescent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. MS weekly drop-in. 10.30am-1.30pm Details: 0118 921 0555.

READING – Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road RG1 5EX. Miller’s Ark farm at The MERL. Meet farm animals in the lovely MERL garden, drop-in. Donations towards costs welcomed.

10.30am-2.30pm. Details: 0118 378 8660.

READING – The Oracle RG1 2AG. Children’s activities at the beach. Free. Booking essential Details: www. theoracle.com WOKINGHAM – Bradbury

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

Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac with Friendship table. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table.

10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Artisan market. 9am2pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Thursday, August 18

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Family History Advice Clinic for family and social historians.

11am. Free. Details: 0118 950 9553.

SHINFIELD – Robyn’s Nest School Green, School Green Centre, School Green RG2 9EH. Story time with the elderly: a story read by a Shinfield View Care Home Resident.

11am. Stories suitable for preschool aged children.

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 Mosaic lunch club with Friendship table.

Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Friday, August 19

BURGHFIELD – Burghfield Common Recreation Ground, Recreation Road RG7 3EN. The Bulging Sack In The Park: enjoy a drink with family and friends, and raise funds for Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

Food and drink available.

5pm-9pm. Details: burghfieldsantas.org.uk EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10am-noon.

Details: linkvisiting.org READING – South Street Arts Centre. Poets Cafe online.

1pm. 0118 960 6060.

THEALE – Library, Church Street RG7 5BZ. Play bridge. Suitable for beginners and experienced players. 10.45am-12.45pm.

No booking required. Free.

Details: 0118 930 3207, or: thealelibrary@westberks. gov.uk WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges 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, August 20

READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15amnoon. Details: www. thamesvalleyfarmers market.co.uk READING – IKEA, Pincents Kiln Industrial Park, Pincent Lane RG31 7SD. Balloon artist and face painter for children. 11am5pm. Free. Details: www. ikea.com READING – Tutu’s Ethopian Table, Palmer Park, Wokingham Road. Poetry in the Park. 11am.

TWYFORD – Stanlake Meadow Recreation Ground, Waltham Road.

Twycord Village fete.

Noon-4pm.

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Ride For Autism: limited to large bikes due to route, not 125 friendly. 10.30am-2pm.

In aid of National Autistic Society. Details: www. supergood-ride-for-autism. com 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, August 21

CAVERSHAM – Waitrose Car Park, off Gosbrook Road.

Artisan & Farmers Market.

10am-3pm.

READING – Forbury Gardens, The Forbury RG1 3BB. Forbury Bandstand concert season: Waltham St Lawrence Silver Band.

3pm-4.30pm. Free. Details.

Whatsonreading.com SINDLESHAM – Wokingham Cricket Club, Sadlers End. Charity cricket match: Harry’s XI v Indian Tourist XI. From 4pm. Details: www.justgiving.com/team/ harrycricket WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Minature Railway, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Pinewood Minature Railway. Details: www. pinewoodrailway.co.uk WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

No. 5426

Your weekly puzzle challenge

27

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

TO ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE, CALL CLAIRE ON: 0118 327 2662

Quiz Challenge

20

19 8

17

5

17 9

13

17

1

15

15

21

23

12

22 10

1

15

11

11 17

21

26

26

11

12

1

24

22

1

11

26

26

14

7

11 15

14

5

11

1

10

7

11

12

21

16

16

23

4. Hannah Gordon, Anna Ford and Sue Lawley are all varieties of what?

12

5. Miles Teller plays fighter pilot Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw in which 2022 action film sequel?

12 25

17

11

1

26

3

4 9

3. Which animals were traditionally hunted by dachshunds in Germany?

7

14

NONAGRAM

11 7

11

R K I

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

L

E

J

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

I ARRAY DREARY AREA

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.

P E N

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: 30 Good; 35 Very Good; 41 Excellent.

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).

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 U through openings in the walls. The E first letter may appear in any chamber.

T H

NP

ET

DK

AI

UE

LN

LI

TI

NT

EH

TM

SUDOKU Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.

1 4 8 6 5 3 2 9 6 8 6 2 3 7 4 9 6 3 5 9 5 4 3 8 6 3 5 2 8 7

7 2 8 1 6 4

1 9

3 1

5

4 5 6 2 5 6 3

4 1 6 5 9 2

10 13 13

12

11

13

14

4

7

8

16

16

18 20

12

14 15

17 19

18

20

L B

ACROSS 2. For each of the campers included (3) 5. Disguised spy with revolutionary spirit (6) 7. Ring us before Edward is forced out (6) 9. For some birds a fish perhaps will suffice (4,3,4) 10. Priest enters the tabernacle rich (6) 11. One who tries out bed canopy (6) 13. Hazel and Megan showed spice (6) 16. Egg bistro cooked not right for member of the band (6) 18. Strictly directed at landlord (2,3,6) 19. In France you and bishop entering tower (6) 20. Make a mistake with insect wandering (6) 21. Cannot be considered back in the pavilion (3)

H

N

A T

C O

U

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.

SE

1

2

3

4

9

5

6

7

25

28

10 10

11

11

12

14 17

15 18

13

13

16 19

20

21

20

22

23

24

This puzzle page is supplied by Sirius Media Services Ltd.

© Sirius Media Services Ltd

5 8

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.

To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com

DOWN 1. Serviceable new fuels that include uranium (6) 2. Go with twitch that’s aiding digestion (6) 3. Rebel leader noted remarkable rat perhaps (6) 4. Ground grain that is maize (6) 6. Article more confusing about measuring instrument (11) 8. One who deals with complaints in the main (5,6) 10. Study carbon monoxide and nitrogen (3) 12. Rubbish found when mountain climbing (3) 14. It is dishonest to regret that another nut has been found first (6) 15. Get hot going round poor quarter (6) 16. Some lettuce inside egg dish (6) 17. Line of beans? (6)

QUICK CROSSWORD

26 28

30 3 7 6 4 8 9 2 1 5

9 1 4 3 2 5 8 6 7

5 2 8 1 6 7 3 4 9

1 5 3 2 9 4 7 8 6

6 9 2 8 7 1 5 3 4

4 8 7 5 3 6 1 9 2

WORD PYRAMID: The untouchables.

EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – subtract; multiply; add; divide. Total: 4.

SOLUTIONS

7

6

11

Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same.

8 3 9 7 4 2 6 5 1

5 2 7

8

5

9

EQUALISER 11 3 9 7 2 3 1 6 2 1 2 1

Hard

2 6 1 9 5 8 4 7 3

Easy

3

21

S

DI

YS

6

E

ET

FC

2

19

UE

IF

3

21

CR

PO

2

9

FIVE ALIVE SA

1

5

WORD PYRAMID

P A D

1

1

6. Who did Rafael Nadal beat in the final of the 2022 French Open tennis tournament?

7. What is the title of Jackie Collins’s most successful novel?

8. The letter U appears three times in the name of which South American country?

9. Which US alternative rock band formed in 1986 shares its name with small mythical creatures?

10. What was the vehicle innovation CVT, originally developed in F1 motorsport?

2. What is the main activity of the Sealed Knot Society?

1

2 17

1. Which Mediterranean island produces the dark sweet dessert wine called Marsala?

19

15

2

9 10

22

1 7

11 18

11

11 9

11

4 17

4

22

11 19

21

1

1 11

21

24 6

11

12

9 24

11

21

11

7

7 4 5 6 1 3 9 2 8

12

21

11

15

4 6 9 5 8 7 2 1 3

1

9

16

1 8 5 3 2 9 6 4 7

5

2

12

14

3 7 2 1 6 4 9 5 8

21

7

6 4 7 8 9 2 1 3 5

1

9

19

8 2 3 7 1 5 4 6 9

11

9 5 1 4 3 6 8 7 2

24

7 3 8 2 4 1 5 9 6

22

2 9 4 6 5 3 7 8 1

12

5 1 6 9 7 8 3 2 4

24

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

PZ1P5426

CROSS CODE

5426

ACROSS 1. Inherent aptitude (8) 5. Body powder (4) 9. Genial (7) 10. Sudden increase (5) 11. Medieval stringed instrument (5) 13. Mouth secretion (6) 15. Masculine (5) 17. Likelihood (4) 19. Fish eggs (3) 20. Strap for hawk (4)

27

29

31

21. Wearied by excess (5) 23. Menace (6) 24. Booth (5) 28. Banishment (5) 29. Artistic movement (3,4) 30. Indication (4) 31. First performance (8) DOWN 1. Irritation (4) 2. Woollen fabric (5) 3. In the same place (6)

4.

6.

7.

8.

12.

13.

14.

16.

18.

21.

22.

25.

26.

27.

Prison room (4) Flight company (7) Fissure (8) Test metals (5) Measure of gold (5) Glossy (5) Stronghold (8) Indicate assent (3) Beloved (7) Henry -----, American author (5) Pronouncement (6) Blockade (5) Just (4) District (4)

FIVE ALIVE: QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Sicily; 2 Re-enactments of English Civil War battles; 3 Badgers; 4 Rose; 5 Top Gun: Maverick; 6 Casper Ruud; 7 Hollywood Wives; 8 Uruguay; 9 Pixies; 10 Continuously variable transmission.

(1) Across – Spear; Elite; Nests.

Down – Skein; Epics; Reeds.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across – 2 Per; 5 Psyche; 7 Ousted; 9 Fill the bill; 10 Cleric; 11 (2) Across – Antic; Unfit; Thyme.

R H V W F K T Q A G E O Z Tester; 13 Nutmeg; 16 Oboist; 18 To the letter; 19 Turret; 20 Down – Adult; Toffy; Cutie.

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Errant; 21 Out. S I B U X P M L N Y C J D Down – 1 Useful; 2 Peptic; 3 Rodent; 4 Mealie; 6 Calorimeter; 8 NONAGRAM: akin; dank; danker; dark; darken; Ship’s doctor; 10 Con; 12 Rot; 14 Untrue; 15 Ghetto; 16 Omelet; dike; dink; dirk; drake; drank; drek; MAGIC SQUARE: EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU dray; rare; aria; year. 17 String. drink; inked; inker; irked; kadi; kepi; kern; kidnap; KIDNAPPER; kina; kind; kinda; kinder; kipped; kipper; kirpan; knap; knapped; knapper; knar; knead; naked; naker; nark; narked; nerk; park; parked; parkin; peak; pekan; perk; pika; pike; piked; piker; pink; pinked; pinker; prank; prink; prinked; rake; raked; raki; rank; ranked; rink.

QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Instinct; 5 Talc; 9 Cordial; 10 Surge; 11 Rebec; 13 Saliva; 15 Manly; 17 Odds; 19 Roe; 20 Jess; 21 Jaded; 23 Threat; 24 Kiosk; 28 Exile; 29 Art deco; 30 Sign; 31 Première.

Down – 1 Itch; 2 Serge; 3 Ibidem; 4 Cell; 6 Airline; 7 Crevasse; 8 Assay; 12 Carat; 13 Sleek; 14 Fortress; 16 Nod; 18 Darling; 21 James; 22 Dictum; 25 Siege; 26 Fair; 27 Zone.

28 | LIFE

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

Celebrating breastfeeding Healthy heart tip

R

ESEARCH has shown that women who have breastfed at some time in their lives are less likely to develop heart disease or stroke, compared to women who haven’t breastfed at all.

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year across the world from 1st-7th August, and aims to raise awareness about breastfeeding and its many advantages.

Here we explore some of them:

Any length of time is amazing!

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended until six months, but any length of time a baby is breastfed is a health benefit for Mum and baby.

There is a lot of evidence to show how beneficial it is to

breastfeed your baby, especially in the early weeks.

Health benefits Breast milk contains everything baby needs for the first six months of their life, in all the right proportions.

Breast milk is easily digestible, absorbed and loaded with antibodies.

Breastfeeding is recommended by the World Health Organisation for up to two years, and beyond, because the benefits are so vast.

Getting the hang of it

Feeding your baby can feel quite overwhelming at first – whether you are breastfeeding, bottle feeding with infant formula or a combination of both.

We know it can take time to get the hang of breastfeeding.

If you have any feeding worries or concerns, the best thing to do is speak to your midwife or health visitor for support.

The benefits of breastfeeding are so numerous, and it’s the best start you can give your baby, if you want to and you’re able. Plus, we can’t discount the big benefits for Mum, for health reasons and convenience. However, no matter what choice you make – you got this.

https://www.laleche. org.uk/ https://kellymom.com/

Reading Voluntary Action

A

SPIRE2’S mission is to empower children and families to access non-formal learning and enrichment activities that will enable them to gain skills to improve their engagement with their local community and their future.

Right now Aspire2 are seeking someone to join their Board of Trustees and help provide enrichment and extracurricular activities for disadvantaged children in Reading.

They are particularly interested in hearing from those with charity experience or professional skills in Fundraising, Digital or Marketing.

n For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at www. heartresearch.org.uk/ healthy-tips. n To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website: https://heartresearch. org.uk/heart-researchuk-recipes-2/ n Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK

A

NEW book featuring more than a year’s worth of nature walks is to be published next

Wildlife Walks covers the length and breadth of the country, giving people the opportunity to discover The Wildlife Trust’s numerous nature reserves and get to explore some hidden parts of the country.

In all, there are 475 walks to try out, covering forests, heaths, moors and woodlands, as well as scenic coastal locations.

Orgnised by region, there is everything you could possibly need to know including how to get to the site, what to expect when you get there, facilities available, and the walking time that the route will take.

And to help people get to grips with nature, it is packed with pictures showing species of special interest and other sights to look out for.

The book is by Charlotte Varela, a nature writer and naturalist.

She says she aims to be an ally for wildlife and a proactive voice in the world of conservation.

Through her work, she hopes to inspire others to discover and care for the incredible natural heritage on our doorsteps, promoting

Volunteer corner

Other useful resources:

Get back to nature with new book featuring 475 different wildlife walks week.

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

n Reading Blind Aid Society was formed in 1883 and then changed to Reading Association for the Blind in 1926 and has supported the sight impaired people of Reading ever since.

They currently need helpers at their Social Club.

They have arts and crafts activities where volunteers help members participate.

This would be a perfect opportunity for caring volunteers that happen to be creative.

These Social Clubs are held at Walford Hall and provide a safe, much-needed social environment for their members. 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.

They currently want to recruit a friendly volunteer to help a gentleman in their 40s get out and about more.

The Enrych Member has survived a Stroke.

Having somebody to go out walking with them would be incredibly helpful as that exercise is an important part of their rehabilitation. 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.

Charlotte Varela has curated a unique collection of wildlife walks that will keep everyone occupied novel ways to engage with our local landscapes throughout the year.

Her writing can be found in several publications including Wildlife Watch magazine, BBC Wildlife magazine and Bumble magazine.

The book has already received praise.

Rhiane Fatinikun, founder of Black Girls Hike, said: “I love this A–Z of our five-star UK nature spots, it’s given me so much to explore.

“If you’re a lover of discovery and

the outdoors, then keep this close.” n The book, Wildlife Walks, is published by Bloomsbury on Thursday, August 18. It costs £16.99, and its ISBN is 9781472986863. An ebook is also available, IBSN: 9781472986856

SPORT TODAY

READING

NO ONE CHRONICLES THE ACTION BETTER THAN US

10.08.22

HELEN’S TRIPLE GOLD

CRICKET ROUND-UP

NON-LEAGUE ACTION

ROYALS BEAT BLUEBIRDS

ROCKETS WELCOME NURUZADE BACK AS HEAD COACH READING Rockets Basketball Club have appointed Samit Nuruzade as their new head coach ahead of the 2022/23 season.

SHANE MARKS RETURN WITH GOAL

LONG TIME COMING

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

SHANE LONG marked his Reading FC homecoming with a goal as Tom Ince struck a superb winner to see the Royals earn a comeback victory over Cardiff City.

It was a disastrous start as Reading went behind just four minutes into their first home match of the season when Callum O’Dowda nodded the visitors in front.

But Reading regained control of the contest, got on the front foot and grabbed an equaliser.

Cardiff defender Nelson Curtis was fortunate to have not seen red when he hauled down Ince after he rounded the goalkeeper.

Long dispatched the spot kick in his first home appearance for the Royals in 11 years to level the game.

The Royals went from strength to strength in the second-half and Ince capped a fantastic team performance with an incredible strike to take all three points.

n Full match report, reaction and pictures on pages 22 & 23

Our Woodley showroom is open 7 days a week

WINDOWS

DOORS

CONSERVATORIES

After the departure of Dan Pearson who has taken up a coaching role in Germany, the Rockets have turned to Nuruzade who returns for his second spell with the Rockets.

Director of coaching Matt Johnson said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have Samit back with us in Reading and really looking forward to his tenure with us.

“He provides us with such a quality level of coaching and it was a no-brainer when we knew his services were available after Dan’s departure.

“He has an excellent technical and tactical brain and brought a lot to us in his previous spell.”

Nuruzade returns to Reading for his second spell at the club having left the Rockets in 2013 to take up the position as assistant coach of BBL franchise Leeds Force.

The former Manchester Magic player and coach has the second highest winning percentage of any Rockets coach behind Dave Titmuss and won five trophies in his three year stint at the Berkshire club including one league title, two play-off titles, and two national trophies.

Nuruzade said: “I am delighted to be returning to Reading to such a wonderful club and where I have already enjoyed three very successful years.

“I am especially looking forward to working with some of the very best youth/academy players as developing young, British talent is something I am very passionate about.

“The opportunity to work with Matt (Johnson) and Ben (Fisher) again is great and to also have such a legend of basketball in this country in Dave Titmuss.”

WOKINGHAM TODAY READING TODAY 0800 30 50 30 www.trademarkwindows.co.uk

18 | SPORT

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Our Woodley showroom is open 7 days a week

WINDOWS

DOORS

CONSERVATORIES

WOKINGHAM TODAY READING TODAY 0800 30 50 30 www.trademarkwindows.co.uk

WARGRAVE STAY IN TITLE HUNT DESPITE CRICKET

Wargrave bowling

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Home Counties Division 2

WARGRAVE remain in second place after they narrowly missed out in a top of the table clash against Harefield.

The visitors batted first and scored 229 runs from 58 overs, while Joe Priestley took three wickets for Wargrave.

In a closely fought contest, Euan Woods hit 73 runs for the hosts as they closed in on the target, but they lost their final

Wargrave try to limit Harefield’s runs

wicket after 49.3 overs on 215.

Home Counties Premier Division WOKINGHAM are close on the tail of league leaders Aston Rowant after they beat High Wycombe.

Wycombe batted first and were reduced to 120 runs after an exceptional bowling spell from Andy Rishton ended with him taking six wickets and three maiden overs, while Chris Peploe added three

wickets and eight maiden overs.

The Oaks took the match with four wickets to spare as Shaan Khan top scored with 53 not out to seal the points.

FINCHAMPSTEAD lost out at home by just 16 runs to Henley.

James Woodford collected three wickets as Henley scored 204 runs.

59 from Jed Crerar helped Finch progress towards the target and despite 36 not out from James Woodford, they fell just 16 runs short.

BCM Championship

SHINFIELD missed out on their away trip to Ballinger Waggoners.

Ballinger totalled 238 as Noel Joseph and Anuraag Shukla both ended with three wickets.

Shukla backed that up by top scoring with 39 but Shins were all out on 173 which saw them 65 runs short of the target.

CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD put 38 points on the board after their win against Holmer Green.

A half century from Gerhard

Kruger helped Crows to amass 162 before they were bowled all out.

Four wickets from Jeff Cluett and three from Sinith Chandran helped Crows to claim a 21-run win.

they batted their way to victory as Andy Lazenbury top scored with 87 not out to see them over the line after 40.1 overs with six wickets left.

CMB Premiership

FARLEY HILL collected 37 points on their travels to Welford Park.

A century from Michael Sheridan and 72 from Matt Jones saw Farley record 252 runs.

Welford ended on 182, 69

EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD are in third after their six wicket away win at Hurley.

Ollie Williams took three wickets for the Bears before

BCL Premier Division

SPORT | 19

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

Our Woodley showroom is open 7 days a week

WINDOWS

DOORS

CONSERVATORIES

WOKINGHAM TODAY READING TODAY 0800 30 50 30 www.trademarkwindows.co.uk

LOSING TO LEAGUE LEADERS

Honours board

BATTING

M Eldritch - Finchampstead 2s v Sulhamstead & Ufton - 107 Chris Winch - Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Twyford & Ruscombe - 107 Moshin Qureshi - Reading United 2s v Woodley - 105* Andrew Mills - Binfield 2s v Newbury - 105 Michael Sheridan - Farley Hill v Welford Park - 104 M Jones - Finchampstead 3s v Maidenhead & Bray 2s - 102 Sam Warren - Hurst v Fleet - 100* Zeeshan - Bracknell v Finchampstead 4s - 94* Z Mohammed - Sonning v Windsor - 91 Andy Lazenbury - Emmbrook and Bearwood v Hurley - 87* Adam Birch - Sandhurst v Shinfield 2s - 82 J Beaven - Reading 2s v Bagshot 2s - 78* H King - Finchampstead 3s v Maidenhead & Bray 2s - 76 Ashley Cupido - Hurst v Fleet - 73* Euan Woods - Wargrave v Harefield - 73 Rimzan Mohamed - Berkshire Royals v Stallions - 73 Upendra Deshpande - Rangers v Warfield - 73 Matt Jones - Farely Hill v Welford Park - 72 Adam Henley - Twyford & Ruscombe v Crowthorne & Crown Wood - 70 Oli Parsons - Eversley v Gerrards Cross - 69 S Khalid - Wokingham 2s v Binfield - 69 Raoul Harding - Sonning 2s v Eversley 2s - 67 Tom Surrall - Eversley 2s v Sonning 2s - 66 Ollie Williams - Emmbrook and Bearwood v Hurley - 65 Gerard Soames - Sonning 2s v Eversley 2s - 64 Harry Maxfield - Eversley 2s v Sonning 2s - 63 Jed Crerar - Finchampstead v Henley - 59 Abdur Raheem - West Reading 2s v Goring on Thames - 57 Gerhard Kruger - Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Holmer Green - 56 Vinoth Palanisamy - Reading Lions v Silchester - 55 Shaan Khan - Wokingham v High Wycombe - 53* Simon Hards - Sandhurst v Shinfield 2s - 50 Santhosh Kundar - Shinfield 2s v Sandhurst - 50 Prasad Kulkarni - Woodley v Reading United 2s - 50

runs short of the chase.

SHINFIELD 2s added 38 points on the board with a one-wicket victory over SANDHURST. Sandhurst totalled 255 from 40 overs after opening batsman Adam Birch totalled 82 runs.

Consistent batting throughout the innings saw Shinfield take the points as Santhosh Kundar top scored with 54.

WEST READING 2s lost out by just one wicket to Goring on Thames.

Abdur Raheem hit a half century for Reading, but Goring clinched the win with just one wicket left.

WALTHAM ST LAWRENCE remain bottom of the table after

they lost by just five runs to Woodcote.

BCL Division 1A READING UNITED stay top of the table despite losing out to EARLEY. Earley claimed an impressive 91 run success after they defended their total of 219 by bowling United all out for 128.

READING LIONS missed out on the chance to close the gap at the top after they lost to Silchester.

Shiva Aruna bowled excellently to take six wickets for the Lions, but they missed out by 53 runs.

BERKSHIRE ROYALS stormed to a 111-run away win at Stallions.

A 73 from Rimzan Mohamed

helped Royals to record 197 before they skittled the hosts all out on 86.

WEST READING fell victim to defeat at home to Peppard Stoke Row 2s.

Reading hit 163 runs, but the visitors surpassed the target with seven wickets in reserve.

Thames Valley Division 1 EVERSLEY dropped down to seventh after they were defeated by second placed Gerrards Cross.

Ben Salter and Eddie Campion both took four wickets for Eversley, but they fell 105 runs short of reaching the 309 target after they were all out after 44 overs.

Thames Valley Division 2B

WOKINGHAM 2s are the new league leaders after their five wicket win over BINFIELD. Binfield scored 191 from 51 overs, while Myles collected four wickets for the Oaks.

S Khalid’s 69 runs from saw Wokingham over the line with five wickets to spare after 28.2 overs.

READING are in third after they earned a convincing 112-run win over second placed Cove.

Reading scored 180 runs from 48.1 overs and then skittled Cove all out on 68.

FINCHAMPSTEAD 2s are in fifth after they picked up a 101run victory over Sulhamstead & Ufton.

CRICKET

OAKS TO RAISE MONEY FOR TEENAGE CANCER TRUST IN CHARITY MATCH

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM Cricket Club is to host a charity match to raise money for club member Harry Staples, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in March 2020.

The match will see Wokingham take on an Indian touring team in a T20 match on Sunday, August 21.

Money will be raised for both the Anthony Nolan Charity and Teenage Cancer Trust.

Harry was 21 when he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid

Leukaemia and has since undergone chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant.

Harry first joined Wokingham CC in 2012 as part of their under 12s team and has progressed through the age groups.

Fortunately, a donor was found by the Anthony Nolan Charity and he had the stem cell transplant in July 2020. The transplant went well, and Harry’s recovery proceeded without any major complications – he even managed to play a little bit of cricket for WCC in the 2021 season.

Unfortunately, Harry relapsed in July last year, and required more chemotherapy and a second stem cell transplant and he went back into hospital.

After spending five weeks in isolation in hospital, the Anthony Nolan Charity found Harry a donor.

He had his second stem cell transplant in December and made it out of hospital just in time for Christmas.

He is now over six months post transplant and has had a tougher time with recovery this time around.

Harry said: “Your kind donations will help both the Anthony Nolan Charity and specifically the Teenage Cancer Trust’s Young Person’s Unit at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham.

“I have also been supported by a specialist nurse for everything clinical and emotional. Without both of these amazing ladies I really don’t know how I would have got through the last two-and-a-half years.” n For more information or to donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/ team/harrycricket

BOWLING

Shiva Aruna - Reading Lions v Silchester - 6-25 Andy Rishton - Wokingham v High Wycombe - 6-41 M O’Donoghue - Finchampstead 2s v Sulhamstead & Ufton - 6-42 Pogson - Wokingham 3s v Henley 3s - 5-32 J Clark - Wargrave 2s v Aldershot - 5-51 Qaiser Butt - Waltham St Lawrence v Woodcote - 4-26 S Myles - Wokingham 2s v Binfield - 4-34 Jeff Cluett - Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Holmer Green 4-36 Tom Williams - Binfield 2s v Newbury - 4-47 Andrew Baines - Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s v Twyford & Ruscombe - 4-54 Ben Salter - Eversley v Gerrards Cross - 4-58 Dan Anderson - Sonning 2s v Eversley 2s - 4-73 Eddie Campion - Eversley v Gerrards Cross - 4-94 Moin Khowaja - Reading v Cove - 3-10 Craig Jorey - Farley Hill 2s v Earley 2s - 3-15 Karun Pathak - Rangers v Warfield - 3-15 Anuraag Shukla - Shinfield v Ballinger Waggoners - 3-16 Noel Joseph - Shinfield v Ballinger Waggoners - 3-30 Sinith Chandran - Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Holmer Green - 3-30 Chris Peploe - Wokingham v High Wycombe - 3-35 Ben Davison - Sandhurst v Shinfield 2s - 3-37 James Woodford - Finchampstead v Henley - 3-50

20

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Our Woodley showroom is open 7 days a week

WINDOWS

DOORS

CONSERVATORIES

WOKINGHAM TODAY READING TODAY 0800 30 50 30 www.trademarkwindows.co.uk

READING CITY

FA CUP

London Samurai Rovers v Eversley & California Pictures: Richard Milam

Ascot United booked their place in the next round of the FA Cup with victory over Cribbs P

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

FA Cup extra preliminary round FOOTBALL

KESTRELS MAKE WINNING START

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Combined Counties Division One WOODLEY UNITED made a winning start under new boss Jordan Blake.

The Kestrels went a goal behind but their keeper came up with a heroic double save to reduce the deficit by saving a penalty and then kept out the rebound.

Spartans Youth were reduced to 10 players after their forward received a red card for violent conduct in the 57th minute.

Woodley were level when Jaynesh turned past two players and fired home.

Blake’s team ensured they would go home with all three points when Sid was quickest to react to a loose ball and put his team in front.

Woodley manager Jordan Blake said: “Delighted with three points on the opening game of the season.

“At half-time I asked for a reaction after being 1-0 down and I totally got that. Second-half we showed quality and determination to get the points.

“We will now recover well and go again in a tough test away on Tuesday.”

BERKS COUNTY opened their account for the season with three points in a convincing win over Molesey.

The Swords will look to continue their momentum this weekend when they host British Airways.

SANDHURST TOWN smashed seven past Hillingdon Borough to get off to the perfect start.

Sandhurst got off the mark when Sani opened the scoring and Millo quickly followed with a second.

They were four in front by half-time as Sani and Millo both added another each.

Millo completed his hat-trick on the second-half as the hosts sealed an impressive 7-2 victory in their season opener.

Sandhurst travel to face Cove this weekend.

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA came away from their trip to London Samurai Rovers with a 6-2 loss.

The Boars went two goals down and pulled one back through Brad Brown’s penalty, but ivers restored their twogoal lead on the stroke of half-time.

Two quickfire goals saw the hosts race into a 5-1 lead before Brown notched his brace just before the hour mark.

Rovers added a sixth late in the game to seal the points.

Matty Angell has added to new players to his squad to bolster his options as Will Neville and Luis Emanuel have joined to take part in the 2022/23 season.

Eversley host Woodley United on Tuesday in their next fixture.

Meanwhile, the Kestrels host CB

Hounslow United at the weekend after their midweek fixture with the Boars.

Friendlies S4K BERKS COUNTY made a winning start to their pre-season campaign by beating ASCOT UNITED LADIES RESERVES. Ascot went in front at half-time, but the Fawkes pulled it back to take the win with goals from Kiah Owen and Megan Cox. BINFIELD got the better of Thame with a 1-0 win after Harvey Harry’s strike.

Moles co-manager Jamie McClurg said: “Pre-season done.

“I cannot wait to get going with this fantastic group and everyone involved.

“Surround yourself with good people and great things will happen.”

READING YMCA and READING YMCA DEVELOPMENT got more minutes under their belt with a double header at the Cauldron.

Reading YMCA’s first-team conceded two late goals to Holyport Reserves in a 2-0 defeat, while Reading YMCA Development were also beaten 2-0 by Henley Town Development.

FC BAPCO competed against Singh Sabha Slough FC in a match then ended in a goalless draw.

ASCOT UNITED ensured their place in the next round of the cup with victory over Cribbs on Friday evening.

Hosting their opponents at the Racecourse, Ascot broke the deadlock with 29 minutes on the clock through Usman Lalustani’s goal.

With just over an hour played, the Yellaman extended their advantage when Brendan Matthew scored.

The visitors went down to 10 players when Dan Hodgson was sent off.

However, Cribbs managed to pull a goal back in the 78th minute from the penalty spot to set up a nervy finish.

But Ascot held out to put their name in the hat for the next round.

Ascot will face an away tie to play Holyport in the FA Cup Preliminary round.

Ascot begin their Combined Counties Premier North campaign this coming weekend when they travel away to face Windsor.

Ascot United: Ashdown, Merrick, Masters, Ajanlekoko, Bailey (c), Tucker, August, Welch, Mealing, Matthew, Lalustani

READING CITY are safely through to the next round after they provided an upset by beating Highworth Town away from home.

The Cityzens went in front when they were awarded a penalty and captain Josh Baines fired it past the keeper to put the visitors ahead.

Reading found a second goal to put them in a commanding position in the tie when Baines’ 30-yard diagonal pass split the Highworth defence which allowed Tyler D’Cruz to race into the box and he crossed for Leyton Bastefield who scored on the volley.

The 2-0 success sees the Cityzens continue their journey in the FA Cup after their clean sheet victory.

The preliminary round will see Reading City face an away trip to either Royal Wootton Bassett Town or Windsor Reading City: York, Lazarczuk, Baker, Valentin, Veal, Cowd, Pilling, Davies, D’Cruz, Baines (c), Tanner, Subs: Waight, Basterfield, Bebb, Richardson, Young, Donville, Jabanda-Wilson

WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK were beaten right at the death in a frustrating cup exit to Ardley United.

Ardley raced into a quick lead after just seven minutes.

Both sides then traded chances as Ardley’s keeper kept out Webb before Sumas goalkeeper Sean Woodward made an excellent stop.

The Sumas responded well to going behind and levelled the game in the 22nd minute when Webb’s cross was met by the head of Allen Bossman to equalise.

Woodward made another important save before Eliot Whitehouse’s team ensured they went into the break in front when Bossman scored his second of the match with a curling finish.

It was a disastrous ending to the match for the Sumas which saw Ardley level the tie from the penalty spot in the 90th minute.

21

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

Our Woodley showroom is open 7 days a week

WINDOWS

DOORS

CONSERVATORIES

WOKINGHAM TODAY READING TODAY 0800 30 50 30 www.trademarkwindows.co.uk

THROUGH TO NEXT ROUND

FROM THE MIDDLE

Dick Sawdon-Smith

The rise of Women’s football

R Ascot United v Cribbs

Ascot keeper Jamie Ashdown

Pictures: Andrew Batt Olly Noyes and Musa Drummeh were brought on to bring some energy to get the Sumas over the line, but Ardley equalised when Ellis Riley was penalised for a strong tackle in the box.

Woodward was sent the wrong way and the tie looked as if it was going to a replay.

Will Shaw was sent off for Wokingham before Ardley snatched a winner in the ninth minute of stoppage time.

The Sumas now turn their attention back to league action in the Combined Counties Premier North.

They put a point on the board in their opening match in midweek when they hosted Wallingford & Crowmarsh in a game that ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

Ardley United v Sumas

Sumas goalkeeper Sean Woodward claims a catch Pictures: Andrew Batt

Sumas: Woodward, Shaw, Cummuskey, Eagle, Mullan (c), Riley, Linturn, Hannachi, Mindomba, Bossman, Webb Subs: Gaines, Goodwin, Drummh, Noyes

Sumas away at Ardley

FOOTBALL

ROYALS LEGEND LEIGERTWOOD TO PLAY FOR SUMAS IN NEW SEASON READING FC legend Mikele Leigertwood will be lacing up his boots once again to play for Wokingham & Emmbrook FC this season.

The former midfielder, who is currently the Reading FC under 18’s boss, has agreed to help out the Sumas this season as they begin their Combined Counties Premier North campaign.

Speaking to FootballinBerkshire, Sumas boss Eliot Whitehouse said: “It’s through our Reading links. My first-team coach is the under 16

academy manager there and we got talking with Mikele.

“He was keen to get his boots on again.

“His under 18’s play Saturday morning and he’s said if he’s available then he’ll come and support the club and hopefully play a few games for us.

“He’s been down to training a few times.

“You can see his influence rubbing off on people just with him being there.

“If the opportunity arises and

everything works out, we’ll get him on the Lowther Road pitch.”

The 39-year-old joined Reading in 2010 initially on a loan move from Queens Park Rangers.

After his loan spell, he was signed permanently by the Royals and made a huge contribution to help Reading win promotion to the Premier League in the 2011/12 season as they won the Championship.

Leigertwood scored the all

important goal that sealed Reading’s promotion in a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.

He played a key role throughout the promotion winning campaign, playing 41 league games and scoring five league goals.

The central midfielder then played 30 times and scored one goal in the Premier League in 2012/13.

Leigertwood also made 11 international appearances during his professional career for Antigua and Barbuda.

EGULAR readers of this column may remember that towards the end of last season’ I posed the question, ‘How often do you watch women’s football?

My guess is that the result would be much higher if I asked that question in future.

Nothing to do with my column of course, but with the UEFA Woman’s European Championships, which attracted a television audience of 17.4 million for the final, plus over 87,000 fans watching at Wembley.

I loved the competition slogan, but it took me a couple of games to work it out. Although not intentional, it was in fact a little criticism of my column title for it said, ‘Women play football not women’s football’.

In other words, women play to the same rules and regulations as the men, there’s no separate game called ‘women’s football’.

It’s not always realised that there is one ‘core’ set of laws, and then there are modifications, which groups such as youth, veterans, disability, and grassroots football may apply.

These are things like the size of the pitch, the ball, the goalposts, the duration of the game.

Also, permission can be given for return substitutes (where substituted players can return to the team), Sin Bins (temporary dismissals), which you won’t see in professional football.

Until 2017 women were also on the list for which modifications could be made, but no longer.

There have been however some calls for the size of the goal to be smaller in football played by women but this can’t be done.

After witnessing the excellent goalkeeping during the women’s Euros, I think some women goalkeepers might feel insulted by the suggestion.

I must congratulate those women referees who officiated at the games and that includes the assistant referees who I thought were superb. I only wished the VAR decisions had been a little quicker.

Like English women footballers, women referees in this country have had to do some catching up.

They weren’t allowed by the FA to become registered referees until the women playing restrictions were lifted.

I remember Reading’s first woman referee, Wendy Prior. She refereed in the Reading and District League.

As a referee mentor I watched one of her early games.

She was in complete control and when we had our end of match chat, the only advice I could give her was that she didn’t need to blow the whistle every time the ball went out of play.

The fact that England’s Elite FIFA referee, Rebecca Welch, was one of the referees at the Women’s Euros shows how far they have come since Wendy’s ground breaking days.

22 | SPORT

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Our Woodley showroom is open 7 days a week

WINDOWS

DOORS

CONSERVATORIES

WOKINGHAM TODAY READING TODAY 0800 30 50 30 www.trademarkwindows.co.uk CHAMPIONSHIP

How they rated

INCE STUNNER GIFTS ROYALS READING 2 CARDIFF CITY 1

Joe Lumley

Made an important save to deny O’Dowda moments after his first to keep Reading in the game. Quick off his line when required.

Tom Holmes

Fought hard to win his duels.

Relished the battle with Max Watters, largely containing the powerful forward.

Tom McIntyre

Settled into the first half after a shaky first 10 minutes. Made some vital defensive contributions while also coming forward when required.

Andy Yiadom

Another solid shift from the captain. Put in a sumptuous cross from the right which should have been converted by Guinness-Walker.

Junior Hoilett

Showed his intent from the getgo, making plenty of faurays down the right and putting in dangerous crosses.

Nesta Guinness-Walker

A much-improved display from his performance at Blackpool.

Provided an outlet on the left without neglecting defensive duties.

Tom Ince

Superb. Scored Reading’s second, an absolute pearler from 25 yards out. A constant thorn in Cardiff’s side all afternoon.

Tyrese Fornah

A positive performance. Showed composure on the ball. Reading will need to see the best of Fornah this season to stay competitive.

Jeff Hendrick

Lost his aerial duel at the back post for O’Dowda’s goal. Marshalled the midfield well and gained more confidence as the game went on.

Ovie Ejaria

Some moments of brilliance in a solid performance. Tempered his usual attacking tendencies for the better of the team.

Shane Long

Scored from the spot, firing into the bottom left. Did well with the service he was given. Got caught offside on a number of occasions.

SUBS

Kelvin Abrefa 5

Took an important booking to stop a dangerous Cardiff counter attack.

6 6 6 6 7 7 8 6 5 6 7

K Ehibhatiomhan 5 Came on with ten minutes ago in place of a tiring Long. Held the ball up well.

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING FC collected their first win of the new season thanks to a stunning strike from Tom Ince and a goal from Shane Long on his homecoming.

The Royals had to come from behind after going a goal down just four minutes in when Callum O’Dowda headed in.

Paul Ince’s men fought back when Ince was brought down in the box and Long converted from the penalty spot, while Curtis Nelson was fortunate to have not seen red.

With the game in the balance, Ince scored a goal worthy of winning any game as he smacked a fierce effort in from range to get the Royals off the mark.

In their first home game of the new Championship campaign, the Royals already had plenty of injury woes to contend with.

Shane Long came in to make his first start since returning to the club in the summer, while Yakou Meite missed out on the matchday squad with an injury.

The only senior player on the bench was goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis, while the rest of the substitutes were made up of under 23 players.

Meanwhile, former Royals academy graduate Andy Rinomhota was included in Cardiff’s starting line-up after making a summer switch to the Bluebirds.

Having made a slow start on the opening day last week against Blackpool, Reading once again fell victim to a sloppy start in their first home game of the season.

Ince wins a penalty

Ince and Long celebrate

Ince is hauled down

Match stats Reading: Lumley, Yiadom (c), McIntyre, Holmes, Guinness-Walker, Fornah, Hendrick, Ejaria, Ince, Hoilett, Long Subs: Bouzanis, Abrefa, Clarke, Holzman, Ehibhatiomhan, Leavy, Tuma Cardiff City: Allsop, Romeo, Wintle, Ojo, O’Dowda, Nelson, Collins, Sawyers, Kipre, Rinomhota, Watters Subs: Alnwick, Ralls, Etete, Sang, Denham, Philogene, Harris Goals: O’Dowda 4’, Long 27’ (pen), Ince 63’

Tom Ince finds the net with an unstoppable strike The Bluebirds were ahead with just four minutes on the clock when Callum O’Dowda was left unmarked at the back post from a freekick and nodded a controlled header into the far corner.

O’Dowda had a great opening to deliver Cardiff a second goal less than 10 minutes after going in front when he got into the box on the left and drove a powerful low shot at goal, but Joe Lumley got down excellently to get a strong hand to the ball.

The Royals got off the mark with

The Royals began to look more assured on the ball and started to create chances when Tom Ince spun away from two players on the half way line before his mazy run was halted by a foul.

Reading were then awarded a penalty when Ince raced onto Long’s flick on, rounded Ryan Allsop before he was hauled down

by Curtis Nelson.

Despite being the last man and almost certain to receive a red card as his punishment, much to the

REACTION

‘IT WAS A BLATANT RED CARD’: INCE BAFFLED AT DECISION READING FC manager Paul Ince believed that Cardiff avoided a ‘blatant’ red card in the Royals’ 2-1 victory.

Reading were awarded a penalty when Tom Ince was fouled in the box by Nelson curtis after he had rounded the goalkeeper.

But the Bluebirds defender escaped a red card and was instead given a yellow.

“The referee said that when he went round the goalkeeper he thought he went too wide and wouldn’t shoot,” said Ince.

“I said hang about, if he’s gone round the goalkeeper. then of course he’s going to shoot, he’s not going to juggle it for five minutes.

“It’s madness, he went round the

goalkeeper and Nelson has pulled him back.

“It’s a blatant, blatant red. There’s no if or buts about it. He made a mistake “Referees need to be made accountable and if they make a mistake we can live with that if they hold their hands up.

“You could make as many mistakes as you want but the major ones you need to get right. He had a good game apart from that.”

Despite the missed red card decision, Ince was delighted with the shift his team put in to claim three points.

He continued: “I was delighted. It was an extension of where we were against Blackpool, outstanding.

“I was disappointed with the first

goal, home fans and home start I wanted to start fast and get the crowd up but then we give a stupid free kick away and don’t mark our man.

“This group don’t give in, the response was brilliant, and we got them on the back foot.

“I’m delighted with Shane,” said Ince.

“He’s not even 100% fit yet so to do 80 minutes was amazing.

“He’s clever, he’s cute, you can tell he’s played in the Premier League the way he bumps

defenders and his retention of the ball.

“I was over the moon with him.”

Paul Ince was also praising of Tom Ince’s performance which he capped off with a tremendous goal.

He continued: “If you’re an under 23 player and want to watch on player as example, it’s him (Tom Ince).

“That’s not because he’s my son.

“For players to see what he does it’s amazing, he’s an example to every one of us.

“He deserved his goal. The kid is ultra talented.”

SPORT | 23

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

Our Woodley showroom is open 7 days a week

WINDOWS

DOORS

CONSERVATORIES

WOKINGHAM TODAY READING TODAY 0800 30 50 30 www.trademarkwindows.co.uk

VICTORY IN HOME OPENER Royals fan celebrate

Becky Jane Picture: Wikimedia, Katie Chan

Guiness-Walker goes close Tom Holmes

A scuffle between the teams Ovie Ejaria breaks

‘It feels like home’ Becky Jane rejoins Royals for second spell FULL-BACK Becky Jane has rejoined Reading FC Women on a one-year deal.

a win in their opening home game Pictures: Steve Smyth

Andy Yiadom fends off his

bemusement of the home support, the referee brandished a yellow card.

Long stepped up to the spot and stroked the ball into the bottom corner to make his home return with a goal.

The equaliser gave the hosts a spring in their step as they commanded much of the remainder of the half.

Their best chance to go ahead came in the 36th minute when Andy Yiadom’s fizzed delivery across the box fell to GuinessWalker who made contact but send the ball high over the bar from a few yards out.

Kelvin Abrefa

Reading had an appeal for a penalty turned down late in the half when Guiness-Walkers’ shot appeared to smack the arm of Shelvey Ojo, but the referee waved play on as the sides went in level at the break.

The first big chance of the second-half came the way of the visitors when Joe Ralls’ inswining free-kick evaded everyone and narrowly missed dropping in the far corner.

Cardiff escaped a scare when there was a goalmouth scramble following Ince’s free kick, but Yiadom couldn’t bundle the ball in.

Just a few moments later though,

Reading had the lead courtesy of a stunning strike from Ince.

The midfielder received the ball centrally and with the ball bouncing he sent a thunderous shot tinto the back of the net as it flew past the helpless Allsop.

Lumley kept composed in goal and did well to pluck a couple of crosses out of the air.

Reading controlled the final stages of the game comfortably and didn’t allow Cardiff to have any chances as they earned three points in their first Championship home game.

The Royals face an away trip to Rotherham United this weekend.

BRISTOL CITY 2-1 READING

WADE NETS ON ROYALS DEBUT IN PRE-SEASON DEFEAT READING FC Women were defeated

by Bristol City in their first preseason outing.

Up against Championship outfit Bristol City, Kelly Chambers’ Women’s Super League team featured some new signings that have been added to the squad this summer.

The first effort at goal saw the hosts hit a long range strike from Harrison which deflected into the arms of Grace Moloney.

Bristol came close again when Syme hit an effort that flew just over the top.

Reading began to create

opportunities but Amalie Eikeland couldn;’t pick out anyone in the middle with her cross.

Eikeland had a chance at goal but Bentley managed to clutch onto the ball.

The Royals went ahead with 35 minutes played when Lauren Wade marked her debut in a Reading shirt with a goal.

Fellow new signing Charlie Wellings countered at pace and threaded at pace through to Wade who beat a defender before she struck a low shot past the keeper.

Reading had an early chance in the second-half when Wade broke

down the left wing and placed a cross for Becky Jane at the back post, but she could only poke her effort wide.

Bristol were level just over 10 minutes into the second-half when Harrison received the ball from Morgan and hit a curling shot past Moloney.

The Royals came forward on a swift counter just after the hour, Wade picked up possession on halfway, found Bryson who carried forward. She slipped a pass towards Jane who tried to take it past Layzell but just ran out of pitch.

The hosts kept coming forward and Tiesar got on the end of a ball into the box and flashed her header across goal.

Reading probed for an equaliser as we headed into added time, Wade picked the ball up and found Eikeland in space at the back post, she struck it true forcing Bentley into a smart stop.

Reading Women: Moloney, Bryson, MeadowsTosun, Cooper, Evans, Woodham, Vanhaevermaet, Rowe, Eikeland, Wade, Wellings Subs: Balgent, Cox, Primmer, Wozniak, Jane, Annets, Rasmusse, Brame

Jane has rejoined the Royals after leaving Charlton Athletic where she becomes the second summer signing for Kelly Chambers’ team after American defender Brooke Hendrix signed last month.

The 30-year-old initially joined Reading in 2011 and made 112 league appearances for the Berkshire club where she scored 16 times.

She joined Liverpool in 2019 where she made 28 appearances in two seasons before a one year spell with Charlton.

“It feels like being home,” said Jane.

“The guys have been really welcoming, a lot of the same staff that were here when I was here.

“It’s a comfortable environment to come back into and one that I’m really enjoying.

“The coaching and the quality is fantastic.

It’s the best that I’ve ever had. I knew that coming back in that was always going to be a big factor of it.

“I know my role is slightly different this time around, but I’m relishing to opportunity to come back in, to be a part of the squad and to help the younger ones come through.

That’s a massive thing for me.”

Royals manager Kelly Chambers said: “For us we wanted to build more of a squad this season, and with the experience Becky offers us, it will be a huge boost.

“When I had the conversation with her, it was clear to me she still has the desire to win and feature in as many games as if it was back in 2012.

“It will also bring a competition for places which helps everyone raise their game and also our performances, as at times I think we struggled physically with tight schedules.

“Knowing the club inside and out as Becky does, she’s been able to throw herself in, so we don’t have that period of adjustment.

“She knows how I and all the coaches like to work, and she’ll no doubt be a huge influence on the younger players coming through.

“So I’m thrilled to welcome her back.”

24 | SPORT

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Our Woodley showroom is open 7 days a week

WINDOWS

DOORS

CONSERVATORIES

WOKINGHAM TODAY READING TODAY 0800 30 50 30 www.trademarkwindows.co.uk

ATHLETICS

HELEN TAKES THREE GOLDS AT BRITISH TRANSPLANT GAMES

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM resident Helen Wilson has once again tasted success at the British Transplant Games with three gold medals and a bronze.

The Westfield Health British Transplant Games, which took place in Leeds, have been running for more than 40 years and aim to raise awareness of the need for organ donation, encourage transplant recipients to lead active lifestyles and show appreciation for donors and their families.

There were more than 25 sporting events at this year’s games which took place over four days with more than 1000 participants all the way from toddlers to people in their 80s.

Helen performed superbly to take a gold medal in discuss, shot and javelin as well as a bronze medal in archery.

“I was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease in 2000 and reached end stage renal failure in December 2005,” said Helen.

“In 2006 both of my kidneys were removed and I went on to dialysis which meant being plugged into a machine at the hospital for five hours, three nights a week.

“This had a huge impact on my life as well as my family and friends.

Helen Wilson at the British Transplant Games “However, my amazing brother rang me one day to say that he wanted to be a donor and by giving me one of his kidneys,

affectionately named Sydney, in February 2007 he gave me my life back.

“All was well for a few years

READING FC WOMEN

ROYALS BOLSTER SQUAD WITH TRIO OF NEW SIGNINGS

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING FC Women have added Jacqueline Burns, Lauren Wade and Charlie Wellings to their squad ahead of the new Women’s Super League season.

Goalkeeper Burns joins on the back of a UEFA Euro 2022 campaign with Northern Ireland where she played all three group games against Norway, Austria and England.

Winger Wade signs from Northern Ireland side Glentoran.

Reading manager Kelly Chambers said: “We’ve been watching Lauren for a little bit and obviously I think the Euros she really stood out for Northern Ireland and for what this club is about and what we are as a team.

“I’m excited to bring her in and again to bolster the squad and make sure I’ve got a good depth for my squad this

season to have in a challenging environment.”

Striker Wellings has also joined Chambers’ side to bolster their options in attack.

Wellings has played previously in the WSL for Bristol City where she scored three times in 33 games.

She then joined Celtic in 20201 where she netted 40 times in 33 games to help them to a third place finish and qualify for the Women’s Champions League qualifying rounds.

Chambers continued: “I think Charlie’s shown in the last season that she’s a goal scorer, she scored 40 goals last season for Celtic” “I want to have a challenging environment, I want more depth, but also to have the quality to make sure that we’re competing in this league and Charlie definitely adds that but alongside that, she has experience in this league she’s been here she’s done it.”

“Now in terms of across that front line, hopefully she can come in and do what she’s been doing and again for us we want to work with her want to develop her and try and push her as much as possible.”

“The good thing is I’ve kept the majority of the squad, and I think that was one of our biggest targets during the summer, so it gave us something to build on.

“We obviously had our highs and lows last season, but I want to see an improvement in our consistency, and I think a big part of that was due to fitness and injuries which took over the squad.

“I feel with the introduction of these players we’ve confirmed today, plus Brooke [Hendrix] and Becky [Jane], we already have greater quality in depth, so I can protect the players better and avoid taking any risks.

“The luxury of having depth, is also providing competition for places.”

and then we discovered I also had a polycystic liver and I once again became incredibly sick.

“I was lucky and was put on the transplant list “In December 2013, an amazing donor family who had agreed to their loved one’s wishes enabled me to receive a new liver who I affectionately call Lionel.

“Considering not so long ago I could not walk far and definitely couldn’t have taken part in any sport, I am the fittest I have ever been and am having an incredible time and it is all thanks to my selfless donors, their families and the amazing people who work in the NHS. “Three people die in the UK every day waiting for an organ transplant and there are currently around 6,800 people waiting for that lifesaving call that I was lucky enough to receive.

“Please have the conversation, share your wishes and leave your loved ones certain about your organ donation wishes as you too could be a hero and save people’s lives.”

Helen will be competing at the European Games in Oxford in August and hopes to be selected again for Team Great Britain and Northern Ireland to represent at the World Games in 2023 in Perth, Australia. n For more information, visit www.shareyourwishes.co.uk/ and www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/

GOLF

Bearwood Lakes hosts thrilling Westcoast Pro-Am THERE was nothing to split professional golfers, Chris Gane and Simon Lilly who shared the record breaking first prize at the South Region PGA Westcoast Pro-Am, hosted at Bearwood Lakes Golf Club, Wokingham.

Gane and Lilly both played in the morning session, beating the blistering heat of the day, scoring an impressive -5.

It was a close finish with Matt Cort, Michael Bullen and Richard McEvoy all tied on -4.

The Westcoast Pro-Am, held at Bearwood Lakes always shines, with the highest first prize for a single day UK professional event; this year at £22,000.

The total prize fund of £40,000 makes this event the jewel in the crown of the stacked PGA calendar.

The amateurs however, did not miss out, with some great team prizes sponsored by the likes of Tag Heuer, Mizuno and Westcoast.

The players were treated to either breakfast or lunch before play and a gala lunch or dinner surrounded by large underlit ice sculptures.

The main carving featured a giant Westcoast logo with the two flanking pieces being delicate shell shapes which housed buffet items.

Gane and Lilly gave full praise to the Berkshire venue, Bearwood Lakes. Being one of the most exclusive clubs in England, expectation is always high and the course certainly delivered.

RESULTS

Saturday, August 6 FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Reading 2-1 Cardiff City

FA Cup extra preliminary round Ardley United 3-2 Sumas Highworth Town 0-2 Reading City Combined Counties Division One Woodley United 2-1 Spartans Youth London Samurai Rovers 6-2 Eversley & California Berks County 4-0 Molesey CRICKET Home Counties Premier Division Finchampstead (188 all out) lost to Henley (204 all out) High Wycombe (120 all out) lost to Wokingham (121-6) Home Counties Division 2 Wargrave (215 all out) lost to Harefield (229-9) BCM Championship Ballinger Waggoners (238-9) beat Shinfield (173 all out) Crowthorne & Crown Wood (162 all out) beat Holmer Green (141 all out) CMB Premiership Hurley (215-9) lost to Emmbrook and Bearwood (216-4) BCL Premier Division Goring on Thames (169-9) beat West Reading 2s (167 all out) Shinfield 2s (257-9) beat Sandhurst (255-6) Waltham St Lawrence (241 all out) lost to Woodcote (246-7) Welford Park (183-8) lost to Farley Hill (252-5) BCL Division 1A Earley (219 all out) beat Reading United (128 all out) Silchester (260 all out) beat Reading Lions (207 all out) Stallions (86 all out) lost to Berkshire Royals (197 all out) Thames Valley Division 1 Gerrards Cross (309-8 dec) beat Eversley (204 all out) Thames Valley Division 2B Fleet (214-7) lost to Hurst (215-2) Wokingham 2s (194-5) beat Binfield (191 all out) Cove (68 all out) lost to Reading (180 all out) Sulhamstead & Ufton (155 all out) lost to Finchampstead 2s (256 all out) Thames Valley Division 3A Aldershot (185 all out) beat Wargrave 2s (178 all out) Kidmore End (127-3) beat White Waltham (123 all out) Sonning (312-8) drew Windsor (185-9) Thames Valley Division 4A Maidenhead & Bray 2s (217-7) drew Finchampstead 3s (262-9)

Henley 3s (141 all out) lost to Wokingham 3s (144-9)

Sunday, August 7 CRICKET Home Counties Women’s League Finchampstead (137 all out) lost to Moreton (151 all out) Binfield (148-9) beat Henley (137-7)

Tuesday, August 9 FOOTBALL Carabao Cup first round Reading L-L Stevenage

Combined Counties Division One Eversley & California v Woodley United

FIXTURES

Saturday, August 13 FOOTBALL Championship Rotherham v Reading

Isthmian South Central Ashford Town v Binfield Combined Counties Premier North Edgware & Kingsbury v Sumas Ascot United v North Greenford United Combined Counties Division One Woodley United v CB Hounslow United Eversley & California v Hillingdon borough Cove v Sandhurst Town Berks County v British Airways CRICKET Home Counties Premier Division Datchet v Finchampstead Wokingham v Buckingham Town Home Counties Division 2 Wargrave v Thame Town BCM Championship Holmer Green v West Reading Ley Hill v Crowthorne & Crown Wood Shinfield v Penn & Tylers CMB Premiership Pinkneys Green v Emmbrook and Bearwood BCL Premier Division Farley Hill v Strafield Turgis Mortimer West End v Shnifield 2s Waltham St Lawrence v Goring on Thames West Reading 2s v Welford Park Woodcote v Sandhurst BCL Division 1A Peppard Stoke Row 2s v Reading Lions Reading United v Berkshire Royals West Reading 3s v Stallions Thames Valley Division 1 Eversley v Burnham Thames Valley Division 2B Slough 2s v Wokingham 2s Binfield v Fleet Reading v Royal Ascot Finchampstead 2s v Hurst