The Wokingham Paper March 26, 2020

COVERING WOKINGHAM, FINCHAMPSTEAD, EARLEY, WINNERSH, SHINFIELD, WOODLEY, TWYFORD & SURROUNDING AREAS

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Thursday, March 26, 2020 No. 254

Bin it safely Pledge from hospital chief over coronavirus to prevent virus spread

‘WHEN YOU NEED US MOST, WE’LL BE HERE FOR YOU’

A CALL has gone out to residents to bin their waste safely during the coronavirus pandemic.

The aim is to make it as safe as possible for refuse crews to collect rubbish safely, and also avoid spreading the virus further.

New guidance asks households who have confirmed cases of the Covid-19 – or suspect they have – to take extra precautions.

These include placing contaminated waste such as: tissues, cleaning cloths, wipes and masks in a plastic bag or bin liner.

This should then be tied at the top to prevent escape of the material.

This bag should then be placed inside another bag and tied securely.

And this bagged waste should then be stored separately for at least 72 hours (three days) in a place that cannot be accessed by other people or pets.

The bag should then be put in the blue bags, wheelie bin or communal bin for safe collection by the crews.

For more information about the waste collection during the COVID-19, visit wokingham.gov.uk or use re3cyclopedia app.

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SPRING FORWARD Don’t forget to add an hour this weekend

EX-FOREST PUPILS STUCK IN PERU P3

Royal Berkshire Hospital’s chief executive Steve McManus and his team have made plans to help keep people safe during the pandemic

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THE CEO of Royal Berkshire Hospital has announced the next stages in a plan to support patients, staff and the community amid the coronavirus crisis — and it starts at home.

Building on the work already in place at the Hospital, Steve McManus said that it is hoped the fourpart plan will reassure people that everything possible is being done to

keep them safe and well during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The plan aims to reduce the number of people – patients, visitors and staff – on hospital sites, increase RBH’s capacity to treat patients, reduce demand — the focus is on the patients most in need of help, and look after hard-working staff, ensuring they have the equipment and facilities needed.

Some measures have already started, with more people being offered virtual outpatient clinic appointments

over the phone or via a laptop.

In the building, the hospital layout has been changed to create separate zones to keep everyone safe, and visitors have been restricted to one per patient, per day.

All elective surgery has been suspended, and staff are being trained in other, more urgent departments. And there are 20 more intensive care beds, bringing the total to 34. Now, begins the next phase of changes. � Continued on page 4

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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 emailing us.

Newsroom: 0118 327 2662 Advertising: 0118 327 2662 Write to: The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS

Email news@wokinghampaper.co.uk Editor • Phil Creighton Reporter • Jess Warren Sports reporter • Andy Preston

FAMILY NOTICES WWW.ABWALKER.CO. UK

SMITH Mary Sadly but peacefully passed away on Sunday 8th March 2020 at home, aged 87.

Much-loved mum and friend to many.

Funeral to be held at Easthampstead Park Crematorium on Wednesday 1st April at 1.30pm.

Family flowers only.

Donations in memory of Mary to Thames Valley Air Ambulance can be made via www.memorygiving.com/maryloviesmith All enquiries to A. B Walker, Tel: 0118 9784040.

WWW.ABWALKER.CO. UK

GRAY Majorie Passed away peacefully on 12th March 2020 at Lakeside Care Home, Reading.

Widow of Donald and much loved mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Majorie will be sadly missed by her family and friends alike.

Due to the current Covid 19 situation, a private committal will take place on 31st March 2020 at Easthampstead Park Cemetery.

It is planned to hold a service of thanksgiving to celebrate Majorie’s life later in the year.

Enquiries to A. B Walker, Tel: 0118 978 4040.

WOKINGHAM.TODAY / THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, March 26, 2020

Five years on, our commitment to you is as strong as ever THIS WEEK, The Wokingham Paper turns five.

Instead of celebrating our anniversary, we are publishing a newspaper that is reduced in size as the impact of the coronavirus is felt.

It is just a few weeks since we reported on Willow Bank infant school having to close to allow staff to selfisolate. Now, all our schools, libraries and leisure centres are shut and many of our businesses have sent staff home.

These are exceptional times.

Over the past few weeks, we have been working around the clock to bring you the latest news as it unfolds. But we’re a hyperlocal newspaper and have no backing other than you, our trusted readers and advertisers.

Thank you for your support.

And as we publish on our fifth anniversary, our commitment to you is stronger than ever.

As key workers in your community, we need to continue providing essential, verified and trusted information to help you make sense of what is going on, but we need urgent intervention by the government.

Local news is under threat as a result of the coronavirus and unless emergency funding can be secured to support small news publishers at this time, communities across the UK will lose their independent press at a time when they need it most.

Yesterday, Emma Meese, director of the Independent Community News

Move key safes to avoid burglaries warn police A CALL has been issued for residents to move key safes following a spate of burglaries over the past few months.

Thames Valley Police says that homes in Sandhurst, Crowthorne and Easthampstead have been targeted by thieves who use the key safes to get into properties, stealing car keys, cars, jewellery, money and bank cards.

Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Terry Dixon, of Loddon Valley police station, said: “We are urging anyone living in the targeted areas to check their CCTV or dash-camera footage and get in touch with us if they have recordings of suspicious behaviour or of the potential offenders.

Our officers are patrolling the affected areas and providing support and advice to the local community.

“Please speak with them about any concerns you may have or if you have information that can support these ongoing investigations.

“If you have information which could help, you can also contact the nonemergency number 101 or make a report online, quoting reference number 4320003242.

“If you would like to remain anonymous you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Network (ICNN) published an open letter.

All members printed it, including The Wokingham Paper. You can read it on our website.

The group is to lobby government and thirdparty organisations to provide urgent financial assistance to members of ICNN – without it, we might not survive.

In our first issue, I urged you all to realise just how precious local news is.

In a vacuum – or on social media – fake news can quickly spread.

During the coronavirus pandemic, we will continue to publish, albeit in a reduced form, your favourite local newspaper. For those that can’t get to the shops, we will publish a digital version.

But now, more than ever, we need your support – the best way to do that is to commit to buying The Wokingham Paper each week.

Why not ask your local newsagent to deliver?

Phil Creighton, editor

Residents use mobile Post Office

EARLIER this month, a mobile Post Office started in Winnersh and Wargrave.

Created as a temporary solution to residents’ postal needs, the van runs a one hour slot in each location.

The scheme has already proved popular, with 12 Winnersh

residents queing up to use the service this morning.

The van parks in the layby outside the shops on Sherwood Road, Winnersh, with two sessions a week: Monday and Thursday, 9am until 10am.

The Wargrave service runs on Wednesdays and Fridays, also

from 9am until 10am.

The van parks on Victoria Road, outside the village shop.

Staff at the Post Office confirmed that the service will continue to run as usual, unless a member of staff is forced to selfisolate or Government advice changes.

Town Council announces New Wokingham Mayor THE WOKINGHAM Town Council have announced the next Town Mayor.

Cllr Tony Lack, and his wife Claire Lack will become the next Wokingham Town Mayor and Mayoress, appointed later this year.

A spokesperson from the town council said: “Cllr Lack has been a Town Councillor since 2015, representing the ward of Evendons West.

“Since this time, Tony has been Vice-Chairman of the Planning & Transportation Committee 2019,

Chairman of the Elms Field Working Party and he is also our

current Deputy Mayor.

“Congratulations Tony and Claire.”

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STRANDED IN PERU: Wokingham backpackers plea for help amid military enforced lock-down

‘We just don’t have a clue when we will be coming home, it’s a logistical nightmare’ EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk

AFTER a military-enforced lockdown was announced in Peru, travellers from Wokingham and Reading are nervously waiting to be evacuated by the UK Government.

Connor Cummings and Stephen Hunt were travelling around South America when they got stuck in a military-enforced lock down in Huanchaco (right), northern Peru.

terminals and commercial transport networks closed or under military control, Mr Edgar is frustrated at the lack of communication from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

“On Tuesday, Dominic Raab answered questions in the House of Commons about the challenge of repatriating stranded citizens in the more remote areas of the country,” he said.

But they haven’t been told by the FCO or the British Embassy in Peru about how those stranded across the country are expected to reach Lima to board one of the emergency flights.

Over the past few days, increasing pressure has been placed on the British Ambassador to Peru, Kate Harrisson to provide details for people stuck in towns, villages

Foreign and Commonwealth Office statement On Wednesday, March 25 a spokesperson from the FCO said: “We have chartered a British Airways flight departing Lima for London Heathrow today.

“We are prioritising places for vulnerable British nationals most at risk from the effects of coronavirus on this flight –namely elderly people and those with underlying health conditions.

“We continue to work around the clock with the Peruvian authorities, international governments and airlines to arrange further flights to the UK for remaining British nationals.’’

and jungles on how to reach Lima safely. But these calls have not been met with answers.

Among the hundreds stuck in Huanchaco are two exForest School pupils.

Connor Cummings (22) and Stephen Hunt (21) have been travelling across South America since November, but are now stuck in a crammed hostel in Northern Peru.

Mr Cummings said: “It was all very sudden. We had been planning a trek for the following day when we found out through a friend about the lockdown.”

Melanie Eaton, Connor’s mother, told Wokingham.Today about the duo’s decision to act quickly and find emergency accommodation.

“We had a message from Connor to say they have 12 hours to find accommodation

and must prepare to lockdown for 15 days.

“Peru shut down so quickly, nobody had a chance to organise getting out. So they raced down to the coast to try and stay in one of the places they had already visited.

“When they arrived in Huanchaco, armed police escorted them to their hostel.”

Mr Cummings said: “It was mayhem, full-blown panic stations. The atmosphere was crazy. “The Peruvian Prime Minister announced the lockdown at 8pm, with quarantine starting from 8am the next day.

“There were people running across the streets frantically buying food and 100-metre queues for the ATMs.” Mr Cummings explained that 45 foreign nationals from the UK, US, France and

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On Sunday, March 15, the President of Perú Martín Vizcarra declared a sudden nationwide State of Emergency in efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19.

This includes a complete restriction on national transport via land, air, sea and rivers for all Peruvians and foreign visitors.

Now, there are 663 British and Irish citizens stranded across Peru, including NHS staff, environmental workers, teachers, holiday makers and gap-year travellers.

Last week, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office announced that they are working to secure rescue flights from Lima to the UK, the first of which left Heathrow at 10am on Tuesday, March 24.

Caversham resident, Thomas Inch is hoping to board one of the repatriation flights soon.

After his flight was cancelled one day after a lockdown was announced, he was left scrambling to find last minute accommodation.

He is now waiting in Lima to hear about the incoming flights.

But others are not so lucky.

Stuck hundreds of miles from the Peruvian capital, 413 British and Irish citizens are scattered across jungles and mountains, with military-enforced curfews keeping them on lockdown.

Among them is Marcus Edgar (48), from Reading, who is stuck in Huanchaco, a beach town in Northern Peru — 468 miles from Lima.

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Switzerland flocked to the hostel rooms. Currently, none of them are showing any symptoms of the coronavirus.

“The hostel owner goes out each day to buy food for us all, but in a small town, buying 50kg bags of rice and 100 rolls of bread gets a few dodgy looks from locals.

“It’s a tough one, the locals are helping to carry bags full of food to our hostel, when they can’t afford to buy food in such quantities, or even at all.

“We’re not buying anything luxury, we’re living off bread and eggs for breakfast, rice at lunch and pasta for dinner. But

it’s really tough to see.”

Mr Cummings said that everyone at the hostel is starting to feel anxious about how they will get home — and when they will hear from the Government.

“Initially, we didn’t hear anything for a long while. We registered with the embassy, FCO and other charities trying to help repatriate us.

“But it would be more helpful to have regular updates, the last thing I heard from them was three or four days ago.

“We just don’t have a clue when we will be coming home. And trying to get down to Lima is impossible, it’s a logistical nightmare and at least a day’s worth of travel.”

Mr Edgar hopes that repatriation flights can take-off from a large international airport in Trujillo — 10 minutes from Huanchaco.

“There used to be regular scheduled flights from Lima to Trujillo with local airlines, but civilian airspace is now closed, although we have seen military aircraft taking off.

“It would make sense for those in the North to use Trujillo as a rallying point and then fly to Lima to catch repatriation flights that the UK Government has said will commence this week.

“The flight time is around 1 hour.

But by bus it would probably take 8 to 9 hours due to the checkpoints.”

Hoping for answers, those stuck in Peru have been uniting through a social media campaign using the hashtag, #UKstuckinPeru.

But until the FCO answers their calls, there is no clear picture about how and when the 413 will return.

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CORONAVIRUS LATEST RBH urge visitors to stay home and free up resources for the most vulnerable � Continued from front page

To reduce the number of people visiting the hospital, children under 12 will not be allowed to visit other patients.

There are also plans to increase the intensive care beds to 56, and health managers are talking to independent hospitals about moving urgent surgery there.

Although demand in A&E has fallen, CEO Steve McManus said more needs to be done to ease the pressure on staff, so an ‘Ask A&E’ online helpline service is now being explored.

The new phase places a heavy focus on staff welfare, with senior management looking to help ease the unprecedented demand on all staff — from clinicians to cleaners, porters and admin staff.

Trust chief executive Steve McManus, said: “While we’re all in very new territory with this virus we have a huge amount of tried and tested experience of planning for and dealing with major outbreaks like this.

“There are national and regional systems in place to support us and this, coupled with the work we’re doing at the Trust, is all aimed at keeping everyone safe and making sure we can sustain this level of care for the period of this outbreak.

“We all know now that this is a marathon, not a sprint, and it’s crucial we plan and operate in a careful, measured way over the next few weeks and months so our resources, both staff, equipment and facilities, are able to continue providing exceptional

standards of care.

“We have amazing staff with many, many years of expertise, experience and knowledge behind them and I want people to know they are in safe hands.

“This incredible wealth of healthcare expertise is being enhanced by the really outstanding support from our local communities and partners and we can’t thank them enough for all their on-going support.

“We recognise we’re asking a lot of people, often at very difficult times in their lives when they are unwell or wanting to be with people who are ill.

“Our staff too are facing all sorts of difficult day-to-day issues and this is why the support and understanding we offer to each other is so important.

“With this in mind, I really do hope people will appreciate why we’ve had to take some of the decisions we have taken, for example around visiting family and loved ones in hospital.

“I know this will be extremely hard for some people but we can’t say it enough - If we are to successfully deal with this virus, stop its spread, treat those affected and free up the hospital’s resources to do so, then we have to take these sort of serious steps now.

“So my message to them is please think again just how much they really do need to make that visit. Can they keep in touch with their loved one over the phone for now?

“By choosing not to come into the building they are doing a huge amount to help our staff.”

WOKINGHAM.TODAY / THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, March 26, 2020

First week of Give Help, Get EXCLUSIVE

By ANGELA GARWOOD news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

LOCAL charities and churches have been working together with Wokingham Borough Council to coordinate the most effective response for borough residents to the coronavirus crisis.

Last week, we joined the call for volunteers to step forward to ensure every vulnerable resident got the help they needed.

Since then, there has been an outpouring of help.

The Give Help Get Help campaign has seen organisations such as Citizens Advice, The Wokingham Volunteer Centre, Involve Community Services, The Link Visiting Scheme, First Days, Wokingham Foodbank and Age UK Berkshire join forces, adapting their way of working to support the community in the safest ways possible.

It has been a mammoth effort and is paying dividends, with the launch of a new community hub and councillors and political supporters volunteering to deliver leaflets to every home in the borough. They were all wearing disposable gloves to minimise risk of spreading the virus.

For those needing help, Citizens Advice Wokingham are able to point people in the right direction and connect

them to the most appropriate organisation to help.

Jake Morrison, the charity’s chief executive, said: “We are the One Front Door, if someone has a problem we’re the first port of call.

“We look at as many avenues as possible to support people and are flexible enough to look at what people actually need.

“We are reviewing daily how we’re getting on and working with the Wokingham Borough Council, making sure what we’re doing is suitable for people’s requests.

“We want people to know their community is full of organisations that want to make sure they are supported.

“Everyone has rallied round. We’ve even had three re-deployed Council staff come and work with us which has been really useful.”

Citizens Advice spent last week training their staff and volunteers, who have never worked in this way, to be able to work from home. They have mobilised their service and can now be logged in from anywhere.

Mr Morrison said: “They’ve all been raring to go, we have a morning briefing to catch up with each other and there is a video conference on throughout the day so we can still offer volunteers support.

“All calls are still recorded for quality and training purposes. We’ve helped more than 120 people since

Thursday, March 19 on issues related to the Coronavirus.”

Citizens Advice is able to help with a range of issues from benefit and employment enquiries to food shortages.

For those that have lost their jobs or think they might, they can help with information on entitlements.

“For some people, they can afford to buy food, so the Wokingham Foodbank is not appropriate, but because they are self-isolating they need someone to go out and get the food.

“We can help with that.”

The organisation asks people not to wait until they are at rock bottom before calling for help. If they are struggling with their mental health, the Samaritans have a helpline and the charity Mind have some helpful advice on their website, all details below.

As part of the joined-up approach, Emma Cantrell, founder of children’s charity First Days is currently running a food-distribution hub, based at St Paul’s Parish rooms.

From today, collections have moved to St Crispin’s Leisure Centre, London Road — which has a larger capacity for donations.

The community hub is

taking donations of both fresh and non-perishable food, toiletries and other living essentials such as nappies.

She explained: “Demand and supply is changing dayto-day. We need people to donate when they’re on their way back from work or from the supermarket. Ideally, everything we get on the day is then delivered on the same day.”

A contactless system is in place where donations can be left in boxes outside the Parish Rooms on Reading Road.

These are then sorted through and distributed to anyone in the borough who is vulnerable, isolated or elderly, and to families in need.

Working together has been beneficial, Ms Cantrell said.

“Everyone has put their own agendas aside to work together to achieve this collective aim of helping as many people in the community as we can,” she explained.

“We’ve had many many conference calls, it’s been brilliant working closely with Citizens Advice, Link and the Wokingham Borough Council, to help people at such a unique time. Everyone is working really hard, it’s really

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Help is big success Volunteers at St Paul’s Parish Rooms sorting through donations to the community hub. The site moved today to St Crispin’s Leisure Centre.

Picture: Stewart Turkington

heartwarming.”

For more information and the latest updates visit www. f ace b o o k .co m /wo k i n g h a m communityhub/.

Volunteers step up The Wokingham Volunteer Centre is currently focusing on helping people get their prescriptions from pharmacies.

Helena Badger, Volunteer Development Coordinator, said: “As the weeks go by, older people in particular will be

needing their medication. We get requests through Citizens Advice for people who need their prescriptions collected. We then coordinate our volunteer drivers to do this.

“Volunteers have been trained to be very careful when delivering medication not to have any physical contact and to knock on the door then step at least two metres back.”

The organisation is amazed with the response they’ve had and are delighted that so many

people want to help make a difference in the community.

Because of the nature of the work at the moment, they do have enough volunteers, but will update Wokingham.Today when more roles become available.

On the phone The Link Visiting Scheme has adapted their way of working to support the community in the safest way by converting to a telephone buddy system, where volunteers chat to their buddy over the phone, several times a week.

Marjie Walker, manager at Link said: “We are for anybody who needs social support at this time, not just the elderly, we don’t discriminate. These people can fill out a referral form on our website or ring Citizens Advice.” � If you need support, contact Citizens Advice on 0300 330 1189 (entering 0118 978 7258 if prompted) Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Or visit citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk/ coronavirus/ and complete the online form. � For more information on the Link scheme visit linkvisiting.org. � For mental health support contact The Samaritans helpline on 116 123 or visit www.mind.org.uk.

How to get help:

How to help:

To access the ‘One Front Door’ service, call Citizen’s Advice on 0300 330 1189 Those calling from a mobile phone should enter if prompted: 0118 978 7258

� Sign up to volunteer by calling 0118 977 0749 or visiting wokinghamvolunteercentre.org. uk/covid-19/ � Cut out and send the note below to your neighbours

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Re3 centres closed THE two recycling centres used by borough residents are to be closed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Onb Monday night, the Government announced new curbs on people’s movements, banning all non-essential travel and urging families to stay at home.

As a result, re3’s sites in Reading and Bracknell have closed their doors to the public and will no longer accept waste, garden refuse and other recyclable materials while the order is in place – at least three weeks. Kerbside collections are currently unaffected.

The re3 sites are run on behalf of Wokingham Borough Council and its counterparts in Bracknell Forest and Reading Borough.

A statement said: “Following Prime Minister’s announcement on strict restrictions on movement and

non-essential gatherings, re3 has taken the decision to close the recycling centres in Bracknell and Reading.

“This decision has not been taken lightly, but we must now all play our part, stay home to save lives and protect the vulnerable, elderly and the NHS. “re3 will work with its contractor to redeploy staff and maintain effective receipt of waste from collection services and operate as efficiently as possible.

“We will review this decision after the initial three-week period, taking into account the Government advice at the time.

“During this time, we are asking residents to maximise the kerbside collections and hold-on to any inert waste they may have. We are grateful to all residents for their understanding.”

Play parks out of bounds PLAY PARKS across Wokingham borough are closed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

There have been concerns raised that by letting children play in the popular parks such as Dinton Pastures or Elms Field, there is an increased risk of transmission of the Covid-19 virus.

As a result, signs will be placed at each of the parks warning parents and carers that the play areas have been shut and reminding them of the need to follow social distancing guidelines.

Where possible, play areas will be locked.

And the council is hoping that drinking fountains will be switched off and any gathering that could bring people together will be postponed or cancelled.

A statement placed on the council’s social media pages said: “In order to support social distancing to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 virus, we have decided to close all of our play areas.”

There are more than 100 play areas across the borough.

Lions make tough decision to cancel 2020 May Fayre

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

ORGANISERS of the Wokingham May Fayre have decided to cancel the special VE Daythemed event.

Last week, the Wokingham Lions had hoped that the annual fundraiser would go ahead as planned on Friday, May 8.

It would have raised thousands of pounds for chairties, with the main beneficiaries being Thames Valley Air Ambulance and JAC In A Box. It has been held annually in the town centre since 1995, and attracts thousands every year.

But the Lions said that it had to cancel the event “with considerable regret”.

Ian Grange, organiser of the May Fayre,

said: “It is with considerable regret that the Wokingham Lions Club has decided to cancel the annual May Fayre on Friday 8th May, due to COVID19.

“This is following advice from both local government partners and the Lion’s UK organisation, regarding large public gatherings.

“Our primary concern is for the health and safety of the public. We greatly regret having to cancel our biggest fund-raising event of the year. We had hoped to run an event that not only supported local charities and community groups, but also provided a showcase for local talent on our stages and for local businesses.”

The charity group said they will investigate the possibility of remounting the Fayre later in the year, if the situation improves.

“Failing that, we look forward to welcoming everyone to next year’s event, currently scheduled for Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May, 2021,” Mr Grange added.

“We would like to thank the Wokingham Town Council, all of our sponsors, local charities, and community groups for their tremendous support. We hope to contribute to our named beneficiaries, Thames Valley Air Ambulance and JAC in a Box, later this year, and/or following the 2021 May Fayre event.”

Lions president Lyn Baily said: “I’d like to thank the community for their support for this event, both this year and in the past. Our efforts will continue for future events, and all the other things we do to support local people, both now and in the future.”

For more information, email mayfayre@wokinghamlions.org.uk or call 0345 833 7384.

New schedules for Radio Berkshire BBC Radio Berkshire has a new schedule as the broadcasting corporation reacts to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Changes have already been announced to the television schedules, including a One Show that will now focus on health and well-being advice, keeping fit and healthy eating tips.

Other plans include a Question Time being broadcast on Thursdays at 8pm without a studio audience and a daily educational programme for children, broadcast on BBC Red Button and on demand on BBC iPlayer.

Now, Auntie has revamped its schedules across all local radio stations, so they follow the same pattern.

BBC Radio Berkshire has a roster of popular presenters including Sarah Walker, Phil Kennedy, Bill Buckley, Paul Coia and Debbie McGee. Every local radio station is sharing details of volunteer groups to help elderly,

house-bound or at risk in the area under their Make A Difference scheme.

Schedules which previously varied from station to station, have been standardised to protect the workforce and limit footfall into the studios.

Across all 39 stations the schedule will start with a news-focused breakfast programme 6am10am, lunchtime 10am-2pm, afternoons 2pm-6pm, evenings 610pm local then back to the usual night programmes.

Weekend programmes will scheduled in a similar way. All shows will be presented by each local radio station’s regular roster of presenters.

Chris Burns, BBC Head of Audio and Digital, said: “This is a constantly

evolving situation and we are adapting quickly to provide the best programming we can for our audience and ensure the welfare of our teams.

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the way in which initiatives like Make a Difference have been able to help communities.

“Every day we are speaking to people on air, making sure they are heard connecting elderly people with volunteers to help with their shopping, putting people in touch with local services when they’re panicking and not sure where to turn.

“We will provide a truly local service supporting our audiences every step of the way over the coming days, weeks and months.”

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CORONAVIRUS LATEST LEADER: This is an unprecedented international emergency

‘Biggest challenge since the Second World War’

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

“THIS is the biggest challenge the country has faced since the Second World War” – that’s the verdict of the coronavirus crisis from Wokingham Borough Council leader Cllr John Halsall.

He made the comments in a statement that would have been made at tonight’s council meeting. It has been postponed due to government advice over mass gatherings.

And Cllr Halsall has set out the council’s eight-point pledge to residents during the pandemic.

Measures include continuing to deliver the council’s statutory health responsibilities; working to protect those at greatest risk if they catch the virus; co-ordinating the borough’s response; supporting businesses and keeping residents informed at every stage.

He also praised those Wokingham residents who want to help the vulnerable and isolated.

“We have had an unprecedented response from people wanting to volunteer,” he said. “The most basic thing we can do is to look after each other – if there are people self-isolating or vulnerable groups living near you, put a

note through their door to offer help. Or, if you are fit and well and have any time to spare, please contact one of our community and voluntary sector groups that we are working with to provide support.”

Cllr Halsall also said: “We are living in the shadow of Covid-19, an unprecedented international, national and local emergency.

“Already many people are suffering from Coronavirus and people have died across the country. Tragically, this will increase significantly over the coming weeks.

“We must face that reality without self-deception: this is the greatest

challenge the country has faced since the Second World War. “However, it is a challenge for which we have prepared. We have well established emergency plans in place with our Public Health colleagues. Our technology is robust; our staff are resilient and determined to provide the services people rely on. We are meeting daily to oversee response and are working closely with our partners and providers.

“Our response will be defined by kindness, professionalism and robustness. It will be focused on those who most need our support and on providing the essential services that nobody else can offer. We are fortunate in Wokingham Borough that we have communities that will, with our support, take care of each other and it has been inspiring (although I would say not surprising) to see how people have rallied to support neighbours and to join community and voluntary sector groups to help.”

The council is planning on keeping its community facilities open as long as possible, but with enhanced hygiene measures in place. Some classes and groups will be postponed, but libraries, leisure centres and community centres will welcome visitors.

Warning over coronavirus scams THE Public Protection Partnership warned borough residents to stay vigilant for coronavirus scams.

The Public Protection Partnership (PPP) for Wokingham, Bracknell Forest and West Berkshire warned that reports are being made for a number of coronavirus-related scams targeting individuals and industries.

It said: “In common with most other crisis situations, criminals are using emails, text messages, social media posts, online advertisements and phone calls to defraud their unsuspecting victims.”

They warned that cases include cures, tax refunds, online adverts for hand sanitiser and masks, as well as door-todoor tests and offers of help.

These can come in the form of:

� Click here for a cure – emails are being sent purporting to be from a doctor claiming to have details about a vaccine being covered up by the UK and Chinese Governments. You will be taken to a fake web page.

NEVER click on links in emails. � Covid-19 Tax Refund Email – this has links to access a refund and you will be asked to put in all of your financial information. The HMRC will never advise you of a tax refund in this way. � Fake Online Advertisements including protective masks, sanitising gel, vaccines (these do not currently exist) and appeals from fake charities � Criminals are also knocking on doors selling fake Coronavirus tests. � Offers of help to get shopping from knocking on door - criminals are knocking on

doors of elderly and offering to get some shopping for them.

Leaving with their bank card or cash and not returning.

The PPP said: “Please be aware, although there are genuine offers of help from the community, always go through a known channel or charity.

“Never give your card or cash to individuals you do not know.

No matter how charming they appear.

“Don’t get tempted into ordering any of these items – it is unlikely that you will receive your product.

“Don’t believe everything you read – for accurate and up to date information use reliable and official sources such as the Government Official website and the NHS.” Anyone who becomes aware of a scame is asked to report it to Citizens Advice.

Residents association to go online A RESIDENTS’ association has become the latest victim of the coronavirus pandemic.

Meetings of the Maiden Erlegh Residents’ Association (MERA) has been suspended to ensure members can follow Government guidelines on gatherings and social distancing.

As a result, its forthcoming AGM is cancelled for the moment.

The committee will conduct its work online instead of faceto-face meetings so that business can continue.

And MERA’s Chairman, Colin Mair, has authorised new arrangements to ensure that its members continue to receive the same services as before, with two-way communications available through its website and by email.

A statement from the group

said: “This will come as a disappointment to residents, who were looking forward to an address by Robert Williams, CEO of Reading Buses, on the future of bus services operating in Earley. However, members have been reassured that the AGM will be re-arranged after the emergency and that the speaker has agreed to give his presentation at the postponed meeting.

Vegan market cancelled THE WOKINGHAM vegan market has been cancelled for next month, but the Town Council have confirmed other markets in the town centre will continue for the time being.

Last week, Wokingham Vegan Market announced on social media that the event planned for Sunday, April 12 will no longer go ahead.

In a statement, event founder Sarah Zeneli said: “We apologise for the disappointment and inconvenience this causes, but Wokingham Town Council are closing their facilities due to the current situation; and the health and safety of our visitors is our utmost priority.

“This is an unsettling time for us all, not least for those in the events and retail industries, including our fantastic stallholders running their small businesses.

“We are keeping a close eye on guidance from Public Health England and the World Health Organisation, and we look forward to returning with a bang as soon as possible. Thank you so much for your continued support.”

However, the Town Council were quick to reassure shoppers and traders that general markets and monthly farmers market will continue for the moment.

Stalls will be limited to food, other grocery items and take-away food.

These are independent, self insured traders and it is their choice to come

to the markets.

The traders are treated the same as supermarkets or take-away restaurant.

A spokesperson at Wokingham Town Council said: “We will be continuing with the general market on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, as well as the monthly farmers market.

“At this time, we believe it is the right thing to do to support the community. So we will still provide pitches for those traders that wish to attend.”

They added: “To safeguard our staff, we have decided to no longer provide physical support in terms of duty personnel on the weekends — which the Vegan Market falls under, as it is on a Sunday.”

The Town Council said they will continue to review the market operation, in line with latest Government advice.

A similar situation is in place in Woodley.

The Wednesday artisan market is suspended, but the intention is to maintain a limited Saturday market.

A statement on its website said: “The Market will be limited to stalls selling essential foodstuffs only ( Fruit and Veg, Meat, Eggs and Bread ) “We have reviewed the layout of the market and will be marking the ground in front of each stall to ensure the the two metre social distancing rule is adhered to.”

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Crossrail works on hold due to virus WORK on the already behind schedule Crossrail has been halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The scheme, which has added Twyford and Reading to the tube map, had hoped to launch Trial Running, in the autumn as the central sections of the line neared completion.

This would see multiple trains operating in the tunnels to simulate the Elizabeth line timetable.

When completed, it will see trains running from Reading and Heathrow in the west to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east.

However, to help prevent the spread of the virus, work has been temporarily halted.

Mike Brown MVO, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: “The Government and the Mayor have given clear instructions to stay safe and to stop travelling in all cases other than critical workers making absolutely essential journeys.

“In line with this, TfL and Crossrail will be bringing all project sites to a temporary Safe Stop unless they need to continue for operational safety reasons. This

means that work on all such projects will be temporarily suspended as soon as it is safe to do so. Essential maintenance of the transport network will of course continue.

“This is being done to ensure the safety of our construction and project teams and also to further reduce the number of people travelling on the public transport network. It is vital that the transport network is only used by critical workers.

“As we work through these issues with our supply chain, consideration will be given to the impact on workers, particularly those who are on low incomes.”

Coronavirus blamed for cancellation of County Show

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

IT’S the biggest celebration of the contribution that farmers in the Royal County make to the economy and now, thanks to the coronavirus, it’s off.

The Berkshire Show had been booked for September 19 and 20, at its usual home of the Newbury Showground, but organisers have announced that it will not be held this year.

A statement on its website said: “With great regret, after careful consideration and due diligence, our Board of Trustees and Society Leadership have taken the decision to cancel The Royal County of Berkshire Show 2020.

“This decision was a difficult one and made with a heavy heart, but a decision made for all the right reasons.”

It said that by taking the action now, it would help mitigate the commercial risks with show preparations and ease the pressures of members, volunteers, contractors and supply chains.

“We are acutely aware of the impact of every decision made in our operating environment and the challenges faced

across our industry for shows countrywide - we’re mindful of our responsibility and duty of care to one another,” it added.

And the decision has been supported by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents thousands of landowners, farmers and rural businesses in Berkshire and across the region.

The group’s regional director, Michael Valenzia, said: “The Berkshire County

Show is a flagship event in the agricultural calendar and to hear that it won’t go ahead in September as planned is sad to hear, but entirely understandable given the current national situation with the coronavirus outbreak.

“The health and safety of everyone involved must come first.

“Many rural businesses rely on the show as an opportunity to demonstrate their fantastic products and services to thousands of people in the region.

“The CLA is supporting its members, who are a range of farmers, landowners and rural businesses, through this difficult time with the latest advice and information regarding coronavirus. We are also holding regular calls with government officials and lobbying on issues the industry needs to be reviewed to support them through these uncertain times.

“The rural sector is exceptionally resilient however, having faced more than its share of adversity in the past. I have every confidence the Berkshire County Show will bounce back and we can’t wait to be part of it once again.”

Gin bar and bowling for The Deck TWO new names have been announced for a new development planned in Wokingham’s neighbouring shopping centre.

The Lexicon is to welcome Hollywood Bowl and gin specialist The Botanist.

The two leisure outlets will be moving into a new development called The Deck, which replaces the former Bentalls site into a public space with food and retail units. It will connect the southern area of The Lexicon with Princess Square.

Hollywood Bowl is already part of Bracknell – it will be moving from its existing home at The Point.

The new centre will have 20 lanes available for bowlers.

The Botanist will boast a roof terrace area as well as a serving

a wide range of cocktails.

In a statement, Rob Morris, general manager at The Lexicon, welcomed the first t w o names for The Deck “ We a r e really excited to announce two hugely popular brands to The Lexicon,” he said.

“The Deck will provide a different dimension to The Lexicon, adding more vibrancy to our evening offering and completing the full connectivity of the town centre.”

And Cllr Marc Brunel-Walker,

Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration at Bracknell Forest Council, was equally pleased.

“I’m delighted The Botanist and Hollywood Bowl are the first names to be announced for The Deck as they will bolster what’s on offer in our town centre during the evenings, which is what our residents and visitors have told us they want,” he explained.

“I’m sure news that these two entertainment brands will soon be part of the borough’s social and cultural heart will be greatly welcomed.”

Virtual meet for networking group HOW do you bring like-minded business people together when you can’t have meetings of more than two people?

Virtual technology.

Thanks to the magic of the internet, a business networking group will still hold its April meeting – but from the comfort of people’s homes.

As the nation undertakes a stay-at-home policy in a bid to combat the spread of the

coronavirus, Wokingham Positive Difference is turning to the Zoom video conferencing app to allow its members to catch up with each other through these difficult times.

The first meeting will take place on Friday, April 3, and include a session from local financial expert Ray Best, who will look at the current economic climate.

There will also be an opportunity for guests to raise their own issues, all with a focus on pinpointing local needs and issues, hints and tips to survive and thrive in difficult times.

For more details, or to book, log on to: www.businessbiscotti. co.uk/all-gold-events/ wokingham-positivedifference.html

Thursday, March 26, 2020 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER / WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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Grief charity awarded £400 at soup event

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk

LAST MONTH marked the third successful Wokingham Soup event, where borough residents voted on community project funding.

Organised by social care provider, Optalis, the event works by attendees voting on their favourite community project, pitched to them Dragon’s Den style.

On Wednesday, February 26 Grief and a Cuppa — who support bereaved people to talk about their loss — were voted as the winners, taking home £400.

Funding at each event is secured from each guest who is served soup, bread and refreshments for a £5 donation.

The February event raised £200, and Optalis matched the donations, raising the total to £400.

Soup events have been introduced to over 60 communities across the UK as a crowdfunding event for local people and local causes.

The event also works as an opportunity for networking, and builds community connections to local projects in the Wokingham area.

Founder of Grief and a Cuppa, Lucy Herd was also approached with offers of support on

Founder of Grief and a Cuppa, Lucy Herd smiles as she is presented with £400 to help take the charity on the road. Picture: Optalis

the night.

One attendee offered to create marketing material for the charity and another guest volunteered his charity development experience.

Ms Herd hopes to use the donation to take Grief and a Cuppa on the road, and increase their reach.

She said: “I plan to buy a gazebo and coffee making facilities so that I can create pop-up events for the wider community.

“We are really thankful for everything that Optalis has done to help Grief and a

Cuppa grow.”

Jodie Reichelt, head of engagement and customer experience at Optalis, said: “We are delighted that it was such a successful evening, which enabled three fantastic local groups to raise awareness of the work they are doing and share community-building ideas.

“Thank you to everyone who came along and supported the event, it’s great to see people coming together to create positive change.”

For details about the nect Wokingham Soup event, visit optalis.org/wokinghamsoup

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY / THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, March 26, 2020

FROMTHECOURTS � A MAN who attempted to pay for goods with a stolen bank card has been fined £150.

Audley Wallace, 59 and from Wokingham Road, Reading, carried out the fraud at 6.34am on December 22 last year, at the Loddon Bridge Services on Wokingham Road.

Reading Magistrates Court heard that he tried to use the bank card to pay for goods worth £19.30.

In addition to the fine, Wallace must pay £19.30 compensation, £50 costs and £32 to victim services. � A WOMAN from Wokingham was found guilty of assaulting a police constable.

Angelika Ziarnik, 35 and from Potter Crescent, had pleaded not guilty to the assault and to a second charge of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Both incidents took place in Reading on August 29, last year.

Reading Magistrates Court heard her case on February 14 and found her guilty, fining her £200, and ordered her to pay £150 costs and £30 compensation.

Cases heard in Reading and Slough Magistrates Court in recent weeks food worth £89.96 from a branch of the Co-op in Hungerford. For this he had been given a conditional discharge.

As part of his punishment, Manning must also undertake a drug rehabilitation course.

� A CROWTHORNE woman has admitted breaching the terms of her community service.

Faith Christina Nahaboo appeared before Reading Magistrates Court on February 17, after failing to appear for unpaid work sessions on January 5, 12 and 19, and statutory office appointments on January 8 and 14, as ordered

by Berkshire Magistrates Court on June 3 last year.

Magistrates found she had also failed to provide evidence of a reasonable excuse.

Nahaboo, 25 and from Fincham End Drive, is also known as Faith Christina, Faith Harris, Faith Nabutu and Faith Nahboo. She was ordered to undertake 130 hours’ unpaid work within 12 months, continue her rehabilitation activity and pay costs of £60 at a rate of £20 per month.

� A MAN who stole three joints of lamb and a range of alcohol has been given a community order.

Neil Joseph Manning, 36 and from Crest Close in Twyford, changed his plea to guilty when he appeared before Reading Magistrates Court on February 18.

He had taken the lamb worth £78.51 from Waitrose in Wokingham on May 30 last year, and £40 worth of gin from the Waitrose branch in Woodley onJune 11.

On July 11, he also stole alcohol worth £141 from the Woodley branch of Waitrose.

He was ordered to compensate Waitrose for its losses to the total value of his basket.

Manning was also fined £50 for an offence committed on September 9, 2017: he stole

� A DRINK driver has been banned for getting behind the wheel for 17 months.

Glenn Coles, 26 and from Butchers Row in Twyford, pleaded guilty when he appeared before Reading Magistrates Court on February 19.

He had been stopped on London Road, Reading on November 17 last year.

A breath test revealed that he had 175 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

Coles’ ban will be reduced by 17 weeks on completion of a safe driving course.

He was also fined £411, ordered to pay £85 costs and £41 to victim services. � A 20-YEAR-OLD from Crowthorne has been sent to a young offenders’ institution for eight weeks for driving while disqualified and under a community sentence.

Jamie Drablow, from Princess Court, Dukes Ride, was stopped on Greenhow, Bracknell on January 17, for driving while disqualified from holding a licence and driving without insurance.

For these offences, he was also ordered to pay £122 to victim services.

Drablow denies five further charges and has been remanded on unconditional bail until April 17 for a trial: � Driving while disqualified on Evendons Lane, Wokingham on September 11, 2019 � Failing to give information to the identification of the driver of the vehicle on September 11, 2019 � Failing to drive with due care and attention on Evendons Lane, Wokingham on September 11, 2019 � Using a vehicle without insurance, on Evendons Lane, Wokingham on September 11, 2019 � Driving while over the alcohol limit on Evendons Lane, Wokingham on September 11, 2019.

A breath test of 57 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath was allegedly recorded by officers.

� AN EARLEY woman has been given an interim driving ban after pleading guilty to drink driving.

Annika Louise Johnston, 39 and from Freshers Grove, appeared before Reading Magistrates Court on February 20, where she admitted to being behind the wheel in Woodlands Avenue on February 5.

A breath test revealed that she had 131 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

She will be sentenced on May 14. � A 60-YEAR-OLD man from Reading has been banned from getting behind the wheel for 18 months.

Alfred Jideofor Okolonji, from Prospect Street, was stopped by police on Old Wokingham Road in Crowthorne on February 6.

Police found that he did not have insurance or a licence.

He also admitted failing to provide a breath test when in custody at Loddon Valley Police Station.

He was banned from driving for 18 months, fined £250 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and £32.

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TREE-MENDOUS SUCCESS: Bid for community trees approved

Resident ‘delighted’ with 210 trees for Winnersh EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk

A COMMUNITY-MINDED resident has secured 210 tree saplings to be planted in her neighbourhood.

Kirsty Ross, from Winnersh applied for the young trees from the Woodland Trust, and was told last week they have been given the approval.

“I didn’t expect to get a response so quickly,” she said.

“The Woodland Trust said I might not hear back until June, but I’m absolutely delighted they said yes.”

Ms Ross was inspired to apply for the community trees after watching Network Rail fell hundreds of trees along the railway line.

“Winnersh is becoming a bit of a concrete jungle now,” she said. “Originally I applied for 400 trees, and asked that some could go in people’s back gardens which overlook the railway line, but unfortunately, the Woodland Trust couldn’t approve those.

“So we have 210 tree saplings for community spaces, and they suggested two varieties that would work in our area.”

The community trees will be delivered in November, but Mrs Ross is already planning their locations.

“I’ve already got backing from Prue Bray, one of our local councillors. She doesn’t think there will be much problem getting approval to plant them.

Kirsty Ross showcases the tree that her family has nurtured in their garden for many years

“I’ve had about 20 people get in touch with me and suggest planting locations, but I am looking for as many as possible in case some locations aren’t approved.”

Once Mrs Ross has a full list of proposed sites she will pitch the plan to the Winnersh Parish Council.

If approved, she then hopes to work with the leisure and amenities group to organise planting.

“We could even do a big planting day, when they

arrive in November.

“The Woodland Trust has information on their website about organising a day to plant all of the trees, it would be a great community event.”

Winnersh councillor, Prue Bray was happy to hear about Mrs Ross’ success in her bid for the trees.

She said: “All three of the Winnersh councillors are in full support of Kirsty and her project.

“When it comes to organising a planting day, we

can help to organise volunteers if needed, and as a Parish Council, we have plenty of land that trees could be planted on in community spaces.

“It will take a little bit of time to organise, but we should be able to do it. We just need to get the Borough Council’s permission too.”

Winnersh residents who would like to suggest a planting location should email kirsty.ross@me.com with their idea.

17.5 metre-high phone mast approved for Arbor Lane site despite protest

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk

A PHONE mast met with hordes of objections has been approved for a residential road in Winnersh.

After concerns were raised about the radiation emitted from the mast, local residents gathered to protest the proposal at the Arbor Lane site.

Resident Kirsty Ross who lives in Arbor Lane said that the plans made her “furious”.

“I have three young children, they play in the back garden,” she explained. “The mast will be overlooking them. I have the worry in the back of my mind of health issues are they are growing up. I don’t think that’s fair.

“This is the home we chose 13 years ago to bring up a family and no mast was here.

I don’t ever want it to be here. It’s not the right place for it.”

At the protest on Saturday, March 7 councillors spoke to Wokingham.Today about the mast being built in a different spot.

Cllr Rachelle

Shepherd-DuBey, Lib Dem councillor for Winnersh said: “We’ve found an alternative site, at the back of the Forest School playing field. It would cause less problems for everybody – it’s an area that’s not next to houses, it’s not next to the school.

“It would be a much better site as far as this goes.

“There would be a few lads who are playing on the field there occasionally, but not on a regular basis and not directly under the mast; it wouldn’t be next to the school where the children are actually on a regular basis.”

But despite Winnersh councillors

contacting the chairman of BT asking them to move the mast to an alternative site, the plan has been approved by the Borough Council.

In a post on social media, Cllr Prue Bray said: “I have disappointing news I am afraid. The council has approved the application for the phone mast on the corner of Bathurst Road and Arbor Lane.”

Cllr Bray also explained that after reaching out to BT — the parent company to EE — they have not had a reply, and may not get one.

“EE themselves have not responded to my efforts to contact them,” she added.

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY / THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, March 26, 2020

WHAT’S BREWING Shinfield villages could be placed PLANS: Council updates area to include Grazeley and Spencers Wood

IN FINCHAMPSTEAD?

W

HAT a surreal time we’re living in right now. None of us can quite get our heads round how this is all playing out.

At the moment, we’re having daily meetings to try and tackle problems that we just don’t know enough about.

However, as a team we have rallied, pulled extra shifts and dedicated to securing the long term survival of the brewery.

A case in point with this is that I started writing this on Monday late afternoon.

Now it’s Tuesday morning and I’ve had to start again - things change that quickly.

As of last night, we’re now on lockdown.

This means that the Siren Tap Yard has now had to close. Whilst we’re sad about this, it’s a very important step and the right thing for the Government to do at this time.

We all need to take this seriously and follow guidelines.

However, we can’t stop the flow of beer to you, the people. Whilst a pint in the pub might be the light at the end of the tunnel, some great beers at home are the lights along the way.

For the time being, our webshop remains active for home delivery. This is something that we will attempt to keep running as long as possible.

At the moment, we have a shop stocked with loads of amazing beers, including the likes of ‘Futurist’, a gluten-free session IPA and Pompelmocello, our juicy grapefruit sour IPA, and many many more!

You may remember us talking about our anniversary barley wine blend, Maiden ‘19.

Freshly wax-sealed bottles of Maiden ‘19 are also now available, perfect to sip away those long evenings, or keep stored as something to look forward to when all this is over.

Before we go, we just want to give a huge thank you for everyone who’s been coming to the Tap Yard or placing web orders. It’s a turbulent time and we’re truly humbled by the way everyone has rallied to support us.

Wokingham Paper readers can now get 10% off the Siren Craft Brew webshop using code WOKINGHAM10 at checkout!

Stay safe, stay home and keep washing those hands.

SIREN CRAFT BREW 18 Marino Way, Hogwood Lane Industrial Estate, Finchampstead RG40 4RF 0118 973 0929

sirencraftbrew.com

in new AWE emergency zone

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

AN EXPANSION to an emergency planning zone around AWE’s sites will see parts of Shinfield parish included, but there is no greater risk to the public according to West Berkshire Council.

They say that the new, enlarged Detailed Emergency Planning Zone (DEPZ) around the AWE Burghfield Nuclear Licensed Sites is due to new legislation and not due to any changes of activity on the site.

A statement from the council, published last week, said that the Zones were updated because of changes introduced as a result of the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019 (REPPIR 19).

The DEPZ creates a definitive area for the Council and other emergency responders to develop a detailed emergency plan, so that those living and working in the area can be protected and supported as quickly as possible in the unlikely event that a radiation emergency should ever occur.

This is the first time that the Council has had responsibility for determining the DEPZs, a role previously undertaken by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).

The revised zone includes all of the proposed Grazeley development, parts of Spencers Wood, Three Mile Cross and Shinfield. It also includes parts of Green Park and the Madejski Stadium.

AWE’s site in Burghfield is a former munitions factory where warheads are assembled and maintained while in service, and decommissioned when out of service.

It is one of four sites run by AWE. The company’s website says that “safety and security remain paramount to our operations and the way they are implemented and managed is kept under constant review”.

A factsheet produced by West Berkshire Council says that there is no need for concern.

“It means that in the very low likelihood of a radiation emergency happening and the radiation affecting areas outside the AWE site, you need to know what to do whether for yourself, your family, your home or your business,” it reads.

It adds that residents would not necessarily have to evacuate in case of a radiation emergency, but instead to stay inside for up to 48 hours.

“You would need to shelter inside a building whilst the situation is brought under control and no more radioactive material is being released.

“You will need to stay inside and tune in to local radio, TV channels, news websites, the AWE website and Twitter account @AWE_plc which will give further information and instructions, including updates on schools.”

The proposed new exclusion zone includes parts of Shinfield parish including the land allocated to the Grazeley Garden Town, should it be adopted in the local plan update. Below: A booklet sent to homes affected by the plans

It adds: “You will be advised whether it is safe to come out and go about your normal business or whether you have to be evacuated in a controlled and safe way to another location.”

A statement from Cllr Lynne Doherty, Leader of West Berkshire Council, said: “While I recognise that this does mean an adjustment in the size of the Burghfield zone, I must stress that the updates do not reflect any additional risk at the sites and are simply the result of changes in legislation.

“The safety of our residents is paramount, and a clearly defined area is required to inform local emergency planning to ensure that the public would be protected in the unlikely event of a radiation emergency.

We have existing emergency plans which are currently being updated in consultation with the other emergency responders and local partners to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place.

“We are also producing an information booklet that will be sent to all properties in the Zones to make sure that residents and businesses are well informed about the changes.

“In the meantime general information is available on our website.”

A post on the Shinfield Conservatives Facebook page yesterday appeared to welcome the DEPZ. However, it refers to an executive meeting of Wokingham Borough Council which has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and did not take place.

It read: “It was discussed last evening at an executive briefing at Wokingham Borough Council that the proposals for Grazeley Garden Town are completely redundant.

“It is now impossible to build due to AWE B u r g h fi e l d increasing their evacuation zone and encompassing the whole proposed site.

“This will come as a huge relief to thousands who felt the plans were flawed and would have caused untold disruption on all neighbouring areas. We are extremely relieved - good news at such a difficult time.”

Independent councillor for Shinfield South, Cllr Jim Frewin, said that communication of the proposals could have been better.

“It’s unfortunate timing, at the moment, people in Shinfield are thinking about the coronavirus,” he said.

“If what the Shinfield Conservatives have put out there is true, then it raises a number of questions about how it’s been managed.

“The whole thing could have been handled so much better.

“If it’s true and Grazeley is withdrawn from the Draft Local

Plan, then we are back to redrawing it up.

“It is also, perhaps, an indication of behind closed doors decision making by one party.

“And to put something out there without checking the facts, is disgraceful.”

He added that the plans to expand the DEPZ will make little difference to most residents.

“Nothing has really changed,” he said.

“AWE are not planning to do anything different and I don’t think there’s any increased risk.”

A spokesperson for Wokingham Borough Council said: “We are aware of the increase of the Detailed Emergency Planning Zone (DEPZ) around AWE Burghfield.

“We will work with West Berkshire Council, which is the lead local authority for emergency planning for AWE Burghfield, and partners to mitigate risk and ensure that an adequate off-site emergency plan is in place.”

All households and businesses in the public information areas of the AWE sites will receive an updated booklet from West Berkshire Council with this information shortly. � The outcome of the review of the DEPZs and an interactive map is available along with some FAQs at www.info.westberks.gov.uk/awe.

Thursday, March 26, 2020 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER / WOKINGHAM.TODAY

NEWS | 13

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Borough council decide affordable homes are ‘not viable’ for Carnival Pool site COUNCILLORS at this month’s planning meeting took their opportunity to criticise the council over failure to build affordable housing at the Carnival Pool redevelopment site.

In February 2018, an application to build 55 homes at the Carnival Pool redevelopment site was approved.

However due to slight changes in the design, an amendment was brought to the planning committee for approval on Wednesday, March 11.

Councillors at the meeting used this as an opportunity to challenge the borough council over the decision to not include any affordable homes on the site.

Liberal Democrat councillors Andrew Mickleburgh and Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey both spoke about their concern.

Cllr Mickleburgh said he believed the borough council should set a high standard for issues such as affordable housing and renewable energy, and asked why there was no immediate commitment from the council to provide a carbon neutral development, after declaring a climate emergency last year.

But case officer, Nick Chancellor explained that currently, planning policy only required a 10% renewable energy source for such a development, and that the plan exceeded this considerably.

Cllr Shepherd-DuBey echoed the thoughts of Cllr Mickleburgh, stating that the council should be setting a high threshold for developers when it came to affordable housing and combating the climate emergency.

Although 55 new homes will be built at the carnival Pool site, the council have decided it is not financially viable to provide any affordable housing there. Picture: Wokingham Borough Council

The decision to not include any affordable housing was made in the viability assessment, but this was not being made available for public viewing.

Cllr Carl Doran asked why this was hidden, when guidance states that such viability assessments should be made publically available unless there were exceptional circumstances.

Mr Chancellor explained that it had not been made available due to commercial sensitivity.

He added that the assessment deemed that affordable housing was not viable for this development.

The changes in design include a flat roof, and David Smith from the borough council explained this would provide space for solar panels, which would increase the use of renewable energy at the site.

The previous application also

granted permission to fell 33 trees, and plant 36 new trees.

R Collard site expansion approved despite objections DESPITE hordes of resident objections, R Collard were granted permission to expand their Finchampstead site at a planning meeting earlier this month.

At the planning meeting, the decision was made to approve site expansion for R Collard operations at 78 Reading Road and to the rear of 80 Reading Road.

The application had been taken to the January planning committee, but a decision was postponed until a site visit could be conducted.

Since November, the application prompted more than 30 objections from local residents, whose main concerns

Wokingham dancers win top places at national ballet competition

By DAISY HANSON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

FOUR WOKINGHAM teens took home silver and bronze at the national Cecchetti Children’s Choreographic Competition earlier this month.

On Sunday, March 8, Madeline Box and Poppy Holman performed their first senior duet, and Mark Crawley and Emily Munier competed solo — all were awarded top places.

Madeline (15) and Poppy (14) danced a combination of ballet and contemporary to impress the judges.

The contest invites young dancers to try the Cecchetti form of ballet, or tackle any other style, as a solo performer, duet, or group.

Madeline and Poppy have been training for 11 years at The Lewis Academy of Dancing in Wokingham, and were ranked bronze.

Emily (14) performed also travelled a solo piece was about climate change, and Mark (18) performed a solo, slapstick, contemporary dance, which won silver.

Madeline said: “Winning bronze gave me a lot of confidence in my choreography, and helped me realise that you don’t have to be the most incredible dancer to win a competition - some big ideas and dreams are good enough”.

Madeline's father, James Box, added: “As parents we put in a lot of time taking the girls to lessons three times a week, and both of them are also helpers in the classes for younger girls”.

Mark said: “All four of us hope to continue dancing and choreographing in the future, and hopefully our time spent in social isolation will lead to more creative exploration”.

included road safety and access, hours of operation, site s u s t a i n a b i l i t y , inappropriateness of industrial use in a residential area and failure to comply with previous enforcement notices.

However, the expansion of the R Collard site was approved at the planning meeting, with some additional conditions added.

During the meeting, one of the main concerns discussed was a vehicle weight limit for the access road.

Previously, the site had a 3.5 tonne weight limit imposed.

This meant that vehicles no larger than a 17-seater minibus could reach the R Collard site.

However, the application to expand the site entrance for two-way traffic would mean that the previous weight restrictions were removed.

Judy Kelly, highways development manager

explained that theoretically this would allow a vehicle weighing 44 tonnes and 16.5 metres long to use the track.

Cllr Gary Cowan proposed an additional condition that the new application also include a reasonable weight limit. This was seconded by Cllr Pauline Jorgenson and passed.

Other resident concerts about operating times were also revised. The site previously allowed work to start from 7.30am, but this was revised to 8am for the benefit of neighbours, and a two-metre high boundary fence added as another condition for planning approval.

that a range of activities would be hosted on site, including flower shows, children’s activities, community events and Twyford in Bloom.

Local resident, Frank Moore spoke in support of the application. He said that the site is a benefit to the community, and the application was fully in line with Wokingham Borough Council’s vision of enabling strong and vibrant communities to thrive.

Permission for the change of use was granted with very no objections at the meeting.

Events area approved for Hare Hatch Sheeplands

Squires Garden Centre were also granted permission to extend their existing cafe terrace and built a new kitchen.

Martin Breddy from Squires Garden Centre explained that the larger kitchen would improve staff conditions, and the canopy would improve the customer dining experience.

The application faced no objections and was approved.

Also approved at the meeting was an application by Hare Hatch Sheeplands to change the use of three glasshouses into an events area.

At the meeting, Alyson Jones, agent for the proposal explained

Garden centre expands cafe facilities

Approval was granted to extend the width of the road to reach R Collard's Finchampstead site.

14 | VIEWPOINTS

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER NEWS WITH A HEART FOR THE BOROUGH

Stand together as we stand two metres apart FEW of us watching footage of people enjoying a jolly day out at Skegness could have done so with a smile on our faces.

After having been told to stay at home, thousands ignored the advice. The result was packed car parks, and people ignoring the regulatory 2m distance from each other.

The advice from the government is there to save lives.

It was given in the same way that schools have been closed and public transport reduced: keeping away from others helps stop the spread of the virus.

We now have a weird existence. Millions of us are at home, some working and some having a furlough. Some will be attempting to home school their youngsters (top tip: don’t stress over it, instead let the children go at their own pace).

But also life goes on. The arrival of buds on trees, the sight of daffodils in the parks and verges, and the warmer sunshine are all reminders that spring is coming.

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe talks of it being always winter, never Christmas. Now it feels like eternal Twixmas – that period between December 25 and 31 – and never a new year.

But that day will come, and life will start to return to normal. It starts with your support. Let’s stand together – just 2m apart.

CHURCH NOTES

How to have peace of heart and mind

T

HE Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right – think about such things. And the God of peace will be with you.”

The Bible

We are living in worrying times. We are deeply concerned about peoples’ lives and livelihoods, ourselves and our loved ones.

And yet in the Bible, St. Paul exhorts us not to be anxious. Jesus himself famously said ‘Do not worry about tomorrow’. How is that possible? I think both Jesus and Paul recognise that we do and will worry, but they are helping us to manage our worries. They want us to have peace of heart and mind. How can we do that? � Remember ‘The Lord is near’. God is right here with us in this. As we lean on Him in these days, we will find help and strength from beyond ourselves. � Don't focus on your fears: Let’s get well informed by a reliable news source…and then switch it off. The bombardment of information only raises anxiety levels. But instead of focusing on fears, we are encouraged to… � Pray: We’re encouraged to tell God about the things we’re worried about. If we can regularly pause from our activity, reconnect with God, reflect on what we’re thankful for, and lift our requests to Him, it will do us a world of good. � Pursue good things: let’s focus instead on things that are good and constructive. How can I use this time of enforced confinement positively?

Can I make something, do something that benefits me or others? And how can I help others in greater need than me?

As we focus regularly on these things, we will find a God-given peace of heart and mind that will see us through.

The Revd Nick Hudson, minister of Wokingham Baptist Church, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham

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Your letters

WOKINGHAM.TODAY / THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, March 26, 2020

Send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk

We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper

We’re grateful to you for your coronavirus help Please may I say, in this open letter, how thankful we are for all the help and support myself and my son have received during this Coronovirus crisis?

I am differently-abled and my son, Colin has a serious illness, so we have understandably felt very vulnerable and afraid these past few weeks. But we have been so pleasantly surprised to see so many people pulling together, and giving us food and even much needed over the counter medication.

Even shop keepers, who we have come to know well over the years have kept their ears to the ground to make sure we were able to access much needed supplies.

Neighbours have knocked on our door asking if we need anything, and sharing whatever they had.

Although I am not old enough to remember the War, this feels like history repeating itself.

Everyone pulled together then, and shared whatever they had. They all looked out for their neighbours then, and are doing so again now.

Yes, there have been displays of panic buying, verging on greed in some cases.

This has instigated fear amongst the vulnerable, who only want half a dozen eggs and a pint of milk!

So thank you to all those people who have helped us, it has moved me to tears.

It has also brought back smiles!

It has given us hope for what at present looks like a murky future. Bless you all.

Lynne and Colin Antink, Wokingham

You’ve been warned!

Two weeks ago, I might have argued that the terrible toll of the Coronavirus in Italy, would not be repeated in the UK. After the manic crowds in at least two supermarkets in Wokingham last week

Many moons ago, when I was a wee lad in short trousers and long socks, I used to visit, from time to time, the home in Shebbear, Devon, of a Mrs Slewman who lived in a west Country thatched cottage.

Cosy, with an inglenook fireplace, resident crickets, a chiming grandfather clock and where, in spite of wartime rationing, a cup of tea and a slice of homemade cake was always provided.

At the end of her garden stood a rather ramshackle wooden privy (outside toilet) which, after dark, one reached, by negotiating with the aid of a paraffin storm lantern, an uneven path in order to carry out the what came naturally.

I mention this merely, in the light of the current apparent obsession of some with the humble

Climate change (alleged) toilet roll, creating in them at the briefest glimpse of this increasingly precious commodity, the urge to snap them up before anyone else can get their hands (or any other part of their anatomy) on them.

Returning to the subject

and on Saturday last, I have witnessed the truth to come.

Apart from the aforementioned crowds, the management of these stores did nothing to control shopping to reduce the risks of infection – maybe soon? – but just how many individuals may have been contaminated?

That includes me, although needing tissues and wipes in one store, I did not hang around and kept moving!

Having found the items, I then was told to join a 10-yard queue of closely (unspaced) individuals to check out.

of the delightful Mrs Slewman’s privy.

On a nail driven into the back of its door was to be found, strung with coarse twine, lovingly cut in measured squares, sheets of newspaper provided for those attending the establishment, the means

Not wishing to commit suicide, I quickly returned the items to their shelf and rapidly walked out of the store.

The second near disaster was at one of the smaller stores.

Nearly the first to enter, I toured the store that I know well, and collected items I needed that they actually had, and proceeded to checkout – only one of course manned.

The queue was growing at a fast rate, but rapidly extended to about 20 yards “down the store”.

Being an irate health and safety

by which to complete the purpose of their visit.

As coronavirus tightens its grip, the moral of this tale should perhaps be: Keep calm, carry on and improvise.

JW Blaney, Wokingham

adviser, I tried to get additional staff put on the tills, but it was long after the virus catching time that a second till actually opened.

It was my opinion that the store should have been closed, as the so-called management obviously were totally ignorant of the presence in this country of the deadly virus, or what their duties were towards the public.

The earlier mention of Italy, is related very sadly to their society, the core of their country being Family – they of all countries do not deserve this disease.

James Sunderland

Let’s hope this time passes quickly

T

championing a range of important issues.

I have met with Minister Nick Gibb about the shortages in Early Years Funding for pre-schools in Bracknell and he has acknowledged that a review is needed.

I have met too with Minister Liz Truss about advancing free trade agreements for employers, urged the new Chancellor to increase the provision for Special Educational Needs and continued to champion veterans’ issues in the House.

Following visits to Elusive Brewing and the Siren Craft Brew in Finchampstead, I have also asked for minor adjustments to the tapering of small brewers’ relief in order to boost business growth, new jobs and exports.

It is not easy to get behind every cause but I am keen to listen to constituents when they contact me and to support those that are most of concern to local people.

My role is ultimately to champion Bracknell constituency in Westminster.

Committee work is the most effective way of doing this and I am pleased to report that I have been elected to the Procedure Select Committee, which will review a range of processes in Parliament.

I have become Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Armed Forces Covenant and continue to serve as Vice Chair for the APPGs on South Western Railway, Veterans and Special Educational Needs.

I am also closely involved in the APPGs for Homelessness, IR35, Loan Charge and International Trade. Having recently met too with key officials both Bracknell Forest Council and Wokingham Borough Council, I am fortunate to be kept abreast of local council issues as they arise and will do

I am someone who has worked all of their life.

Most of the time holding down two jobs, and paying the appropriate taxes, to provide shelter, food, clothing, heat and transport for my family.

I will take no lectures from anybody protesting about climate change in any time other than their own time. Time which I am not paying for as a taxpayer.

I expect them to always hold their protests in China and Russia and to walk there to protest.

I also expect, from now on, that these "protesters" (skivers) only ever use their own two feet for transport (unless disabled).

To turn off their heating each and

what I can to represent their interests both in the House, notably in terms of legislation.

As I write, the Covid-19 pandemic is taking hold and the next few weeks promise to be very demanding.

This is a worrying time for all of us and my heart goes out to everyone who is already directly affected.

My advice is simply to watch the news, follow the advice on the gov.uk website and observe NHS guidelines.

Please do what you can to stay safe by regularly washing hands for 20 seconds, taking reasonable precautions, minimising unnecessary physical contact and self-isolating as advised.

I wish you all the best for the oncoming weeks and urge you to stay calm and pragmatic at all times - Let’s hope that it passes quickly so that we can all get back to normal.

every winter. Go without anything other than the bare necessities to sustain life so as to "save the planet".

If you are not prepared to do these things then stop lecturing me. This is because the nuclear war, meteorite strike or disease pandemic will kill you before any "climate change" which has been occurring on earth for billions of years.

Paul Clarke, Wokingham

Inflated prices Having read your article in Thursday's paper, I wanted to say I'm appalled that some people are selling items like hand sanitizer on eBay at inflated prices.

This is morally reprehensible and profiteering, in my opinion. Perhaps I'm just old fashioned but I felt it needed saying. I'll stop there.

Thanks for keeping us informed.

Kathy Taylor, Wokingham

Yes, carrying on I refer to my letter – ‘Strictly Carrying On’ – [The Wokingham Paper – 5th March]. With the current, corona virus, crisis – talk about having quite enough to do, with solving the problems of today!

At present, the crisis house drop-in centre, is staying open on its normal, three days per week. Numbers attending, will be reduced, of course – as some of our elderly, and, physically vulnerable, members, need to self-isolate.

But our younger members, in particular, are, mentally, rather than, physically, vulnerable, and we don’t want to see a spate of suicides – caused by, unnecessarily enforced, social isolation.

It now looks as though, my belief, that our services can continue, without me, is to be tested, rather sooner, than I anticipated.

If I have to self-isolate, I have arranged for two of our charity’s Trustees, to hold the fort.

I have suggested, that they try it out, for one day, per week, at first.

Then, if this goes smoothly, progress on, to two, or to our, three, normal days

of opening.

One Trustee has been with us for 21 years, and received a Wokingham Town Council Civic Award, for his work at the crisis house.

The second Trustee, has been with us for 13 years, and has the advantage, of being young. He is aged, only 36.

We also have a young volunteer, and car driver, aged only 32, who is on standby, to collect, and deliver, shopping, and medication, for any of our members, who are vulnerable. She will also offer any other help that may be needed.

We shall be keeping in touch with selfisolating members, by telephone.

In extreme circumstances, I have also made arrangements for the crisis house animals to be looked after – during what is, undoubtedly, one of the biggest crises, ever to strike the crisis house!

Pam Jenkinson, The Wokingham Crisis House

Affecting us all The coronavirus outbreak is affecting all of us on a very personal level and it will undoubtedly provide significant challenges for many rural businesses over the coming weeks and months.

During this adversity, it is likely that many of our members, who are a range of farmers, landowners and rural businesses, will need the support and services of the CLA and others more than ever.

As a nation we have never been faced with a challenge quite like this. It is important for all businesses to be contingency planning and I would hope that the majority are already some way along this process.

Diversified rural businesses such as those in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors for example are being hit by a wide-range of cancellations and postponements. With social distancing now encouraged, it is making life increasing difficult for everyone from a personal and business perspective.

We are monitoring announcements of

business support from the government very closely and lobbying hard to ensure rural businesses get the support they need.

Businesses in any sector of the economy who pay little or no business rates because they can claim small business rate relief or rural rate relief have not been overlooked. They can apply for a one-off grant of £10,000 each from their local authority to assist with ongoing business costs. You should contact your local authority if you have any questions about your eligibility for these, and other potential reliefs.

We don’t know how long the coronavirus outbreak will continue to impact on every element of society. We must protect rural businesses through these very difficult weeks and months ahead to ensure we can sustain a vibrant economy once the risk and uncertainty begins to subside.

Michael Valenzia, CLA regional director

Frightening times What can I say that you won’t already have heard at this frightening time?

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is facing a very real concern that we will not be able to continue supporting families with a terminally ill child.

We urgently need your help.

The families we support are already facing the unimaginable thought that their child may die before them. Now, they are also experiencing enormous Coronavirus fears.

We desperately need funds in order to keep Rainbow Trust going. 98% of our income comes from the generosity of the public and all our fundraising events for the foreseeable future have been cancelled or postponed.

I implore you to give whatever you can at this frightening time, so that families caring for their seriously ill child can still be supported. Please visit rainbowtrust.org.uk/donate Zillah Bingley, Chief Executive Rainbow Trust Children's Charity

BRIAN HICKS ONDAY 30 March is World Bipolar Day (WBD), although few people know about it in the UK and Europe, not even my psychiatrist.

It is an initiative of the International Bipolar Foundation, San Diego, the International Society for Bipolar Disorders, Chicago, and the Asian Network of Bipolar Disorder, Hong Kong.

The date of March 30 was chosen as it is the birthday of the Dutch painter, Vincent van Gogh, who was retrospectively diagnosed to have had this disorder by various psychiatrists.

The first World Bipolar Day was celebrated in 2014.

Van Gogh was born in 1853, but only lived to be 37. On July 27, 1890, he walked into a wheat field and shot himself in the chest with a pistol. He died a few days later.

In van Gogh’s time, there was no access to any medication to alleviate his condition. If there had, he might have left a much greater collection of masterpieces. A high proportion of bipolar sufferers commit suicide, as much as 15%, and many others attempt it.

Those with bipolar are often very creative individuals who contribute a lot to society. Examples include Stephen Fry,

Mel Gibson and Frank Sinatra. The aim of WBD is to increase awareness of bipolar disorder and to eliminate social stigma, as well as informing the world about it.

Bipolar is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels and the ability to carry out everyday tasks.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe and different from the normal ups and downs that everyone experiences.

An estimated 1.3 million people in the UK suffer with bipolar, previously known as manic depression, according to the charity Bipolar UK. Diagnosis is not easy and can take up to 10 years or more.

Most are diagnosed in their late teens or early twenties. There are two main forms, Bipolar I and Bipolar II, with the latter having less extreme bouts of mania.

About 5% of Bipolar I sufferers only experience manic episodes and do not get depressed. What causes bipolar is unclear although genetic and life circumstances play a role. Some women can suffer from it after childbirth.

The Australian researcher John Cade had the first paper published in 1948 showing that lithium carbonate is an effective mood stabiliser and anti-manic agent.

Angela Garwood

HONEST MOTHERHOOD

Mothering Sunday in isolation

I

T’S Motherng Sunday.

I had plans to go and visit my Mum today, maybe head out somewhere for lunch. But of course, this will not be the case.

No unnecessary family visits.

And no where to go for lunch anyway.

We’re on lockdown, and those words are just as dramatic as they sound.

It’s a strange and scary time and no one has all the answers, not even the scientists.

We can’t control the situation, but we can control the small but powerful part we each play in it.

It’s amazing how in a crisis, we see this shift in people, and all the things that don’t really matter fall away, until we’re left with what truly does.

This is all a rather stark reminder of our common humanity. How we are only human, and how we can’t survive without each other.

The definition of the word compassion is literally “to suffer together”.

Now while having to stay at home hardly equates to suffering for most of us, we don’t know what “self-isolate” might mean for some people.

For those suffering domestic abuse who have nowhere to go, for the elderly who rely on a sense of community to keep them going, for those in frontline jobs that can’t go home to their spouses with chronic-illnesses.

The list goes on.

I miss seeing my friends and I know it’s going to be challenging home-schooling Maia whilst trying to work, but I’m one of the lucky ones.

Reflection

Marking World Bipolar Day

M

WESTMINSTER DIARY HANKFULLY re-invigorated after the short Parliamentary recess in February, I have focused in the past few weeks on getting to grips with constituency issues and supporting as many events as I can.

Unbelievably, I have received more than 2,000 personal letters and emails from constituents since January, and while my team cannot promise to wave a magic wand, we are of course prioritising our workload, helping where we can and attempting to respond to every enquiry.

I have run five successful surgeries to date and spent most of my spare time in the local area – It has been huge privilege to get to know you and we are learning the ropes fast.

Thank you to everyone for your warm welcome and patience.

In Westminster, we are have been

As a general rule, they do not rid themselves of the old and infirm, but look after them ‘till us do part’, led by Mama as head of the family.

The result of their togetherness and friendly society, has encouraged the rapid spread of the virus. They love to congregate, chat etc., and meet relations.

I wonder how many readers have visited towns and villages where early evening, residents gather every day?

Contrast that with the disgraceful behaviour of our self-centred society, who ‘congregate only to gain’. But be fully aware that the risks of crowds in any internal confined space, have been defined by our government experts and greedy supermarkets should have interpreted the requirements for their businesses. We must now have enforceable laws, e.g. as the French now have.

I cannot close this letter without mentioning that we still have some lovely caring people – grownups and youngsters who, given the chance, will help others. But all of us must ensure such people do not suffer threat because of the ignorance of others.

Lord, deliver us from this evil, we pray.

Reg Cliﬞon, Wokingham

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Thursday, March 26, 2020 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER / WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Danish researcher Mogens Schou subsequently confirmed the efficacy of lithium in further research and it was introduced into psychiatric practice. It became widely used from the late 1960s, although doses have reduced somewhat.

It is not effective for everyone and can also affect thyroid and kidney function.

Studies in Texas, Austria and Japan have found that high lithium levels in the water supply correlated with lower suicide rates in the populations.

Long-term exposure to lithium increases grey matter, which is generally better for the brain, and also possibly helps with dementia.

Professor Allan Young, Chair of Mood Disorders at King’s College London says there is no doubt that lithium prevents recurrence of manic episodes. It is less effective against acute depression.

He is working on better lithium formulations with less potential damage to kidneys. Professor Young commented that current treatments with lithium and other products show nowhere near the efficacy and selectivity of cancer treatments and this is something that needs to be rectified.

Current research efforts focus on biological causes, new targets for drug treatment, better treatments, better

diagnosis, genetic components and strategies for living well with bipolar disorder.

Some 300 delegates attended a conference organised by Bipolar UK in London on November 17, last year, over half of whom were bipolar.

There was a panel session, which was also filmed by BBC TV’s Horizon for a future programme about the comedian, Tony Slattery, due to be broadcast this year.

The panel of four, including Slattery, debated whether they would prefer to remain bipolar or turn it off and eliminate the condition permanently. All four acknowledged that they owed their careers and creativity in part, at least, to being bipolar.

Bipolar UK took a poll of 85 bipolar attendees before the conference took place. Some 76% replied that they would turn off their bipolar if they could.

In a poll at the end of the panel session, some 65% of bipolar attendees indicated that they would prefer to eliminate their bipolar condition.

This suggests a substantial minority of sufferers sees their condition as providing something positive for their lives, despite the considerable drawbacks that come with it.

Whilst this is not an easy time, I do think it is a time for reflection, for counting our blessings, for having compassion for the vulnerable. It’s stopping to think whether there’s anything we can do for someone else, albeit from a distance.

One small act of kindness.

This will all be over eventually, we’ll slowly pick up the pieces and move on with our lives, but will we have learnt all that we can from it?

Will we see things a little differently?

Will we remember what’s really important?

I like to think perhaps many of us will learn to be a little less selfish at times, less self-centred, myself included.

Looking outward, will we learn to appreciate and take better care of our beautiful planet?

Will we remember what the natural environment did for us during this time?

I’ve never been more grateful for a walk in the woods with the sun shining. We can’t pile into pubs and restaurants at the moment, but we can spend time in nature for free.

Will we continue to destroy our planet at the rate we have been?

I hope we can look back on this time as a period of growth and change. A wake up call, that the way we are living has to change.

As for Mother’s Day, I received some gorgeous flowers, a wonderful handmade card and some Mini Eggs.

The sun shone and Maia played happily with her rainbow balloon in the garden for a while before we all got into bed together and watched Friends, munching on said Mini Eggs.

In those moments, isolating with my people, I definitely felt like one of the lucky ones.

As a general rule, they do not rid themselves of the old and infirm, but look after them ‘till us do part’, led by Mama as head of the family.

The result of their togetherness and friendly society, has encouraged the rapid spread of the virus. They love to congregate, chat etc., and meet relations.

I wonder how many readers have visited towns and villages where early evening, residents gather every day?

Contrast that with the disgraceful behaviour of our self-centred society, who ‘congregate only to gain’. But be fully aware that the risks of crowds in any internal confined space, have been defined by our government experts and greedy supermarkets should have interpreted the requirements for their businesses. We must now have enforceable laws, e.g. as the French now have.

I cannot close this letter without mentioning that we still have some lovely caring people – grownups and youngsters who, given the chance, will help others. But all of us must ensure such people do not suffer threat because of the ignorance of others.

Lord, deliver us from this evil, we pray.

Reg Cliﬞon, Wokingham

Climate change (alleged) I am someone who has worked all of their life.

Most of the time holding down two jobs, and paying the appropriate taxes, to provide shelter, food, clothing, heat and transport for my family.

I will take no lectures from anybody protesting about climate change in any time other than their own time. Time which I am not paying for as a taxpayer.

I expect them to always hold their protests in China and Russia and to walk there to protest.

I also expect, from now on, that these "protesters" (skivers) only ever use their own two feet for transport (unless disabled).

To turn off their heating each and

every winter. Go without anything other than the bare necessities to sustain life so as to "save the planet".

If you are not prepared to do these things then stop lecturing me. This is because the nuclear war, meteorite strike or disease pandemic will kill you before any "climate change" which has been occurring on earth for billions of years.

Paul Clarke, Wokingham

Inflated prices Having read your article in Thursday's paper, I wanted to say I'm appalled that some people are selling items like hand sanitizer on eBay at inflated prices.

This is morally reprehensible and profiteering, in my opinion. Perhaps I'm just old fashioned but I felt it needed saying. I'll stop there.

Thanks for keeping us informed.

Kathy Taylor, Wokingham

Yes, carrying on I refer to my letter – ‘Strictly Carrying On’ – [The Wokingham Paper – 5th March]. With the current, corona virus, crisis – talk about having quite enough to do, with solving the problems of today!

At present, the crisis house drop-in centre, is staying open on its normal, three days per week. Numbers attending, will be reduced, of course – as some of our elderly, and, physically vulnerable, members, need to self-isolate.

But our younger members, in particular, are, mentally, rather than, physically, vulnerable, and we don’t want to see a spate of suicides – caused by, unnecessarily enforced, social isolation.

It now looks as though, my belief, that our services can continue, without me, is to be tested, rather sooner, than I anticipated.

If I have to self-isolate, I have arranged for two of our charity’s Trustees, to hold the fort.

I have suggested, that they try it out, for one day, per week, at first.

Then, if this goes smoothly, progress on, to two, or to our, three, normal days

of opening.

One Trustee has been with us for 21 years, and received a Wokingham Town Council Civic Award, for his work at the crisis house.

The second Trustee, has been with us for 13 years, and has the advantage, of being young. He is aged, only 36.

We also have a young volunteer, and car driver, aged only 32, who is on standby, to collect, and deliver, shopping, and medication, for any of our members, who are vulnerable. She will also offer any other help that may be needed.

We shall be keeping in touch with selfisolating members, by telephone.

In extreme circumstances, I have also made arrangements for the crisis house animals to be looked after – during what is, undoubtedly, one of the biggest crises, ever to strike the crisis house!

Pam Jenkinson, The Wokingham Crisis House

Affecting us all The coronavirus outbreak is affecting all of us on a very personal level and it will undoubtedly provide significant challenges for many rural businesses over the coming weeks and months.

During this adversity, it is likely that many of our members, who are a range of farmers, landowners and rural businesses, will need the support and services of the CLA and others more than ever.

As a nation we have never been faced with a challenge quite like this. It is important for all businesses to be contingency planning and I would hope that the majority are already some way along this process.

Diversified rural businesses such as those in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors for example are being hit by a wide-range of cancellations and postponements. With social distancing now encouraged, it is making life increasing difficult for everyone from a personal and business perspective.

We are monitoring announcements of

business support from the government very closely and lobbying hard to ensure rural businesses get the support they need.

Businesses in any sector of the economy who pay little or no business rates because they can claim small business rate relief or rural rate relief have not been overlooked. They can apply for a one-off grant of £10,000 each from their local authority to assist with ongoing business costs. You should contact your local authority if you have any questions about your eligibility for these, and other potential reliefs.

We don’t know how long the coronavirus outbreak will continue to impact on every element of society. We must protect rural businesses through these very difficult weeks and months ahead to ensure we can sustain a vibrant economy once the risk and uncertainty begins to subside.

Michael Valenzia, CLA regional director

Frightening times What can I say that you won’t already have heard at this frightening time?

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is facing a very real concern that we will not be able to continue supporting families with a terminally ill child.

We urgently need your help.

The families we support are already facing the unimaginable thought that their child may die before them. Now, they are also experiencing enormous Coronavirus fears.

We desperately need funds in order to keep Rainbow Trust going. 98% of our income comes from the generosity of the public and all our fundraising events for the foreseeable future have been cancelled or postponed.

I implore you to give whatever you can at this frightening time, so that families caring for their seriously ill child can still be supported. Please visit rainbowtrust.org.uk/donate Zillah Bingley, Chief Executive Rainbow Trust Children's Charity

BRIAN HICKS

M

Mel Gibson and Frank Sinatra. The aim of WBD is to increase awareness of bipolar disorder and to eliminate social stigma, as well as informing the world about it.

Bipolar is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels and the ability to carry out everyday tasks.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe and different from the normal ups and downs that everyone experiences.

An estimated 1.3 million people in the UK suffer with bipolar, previously known as manic depression, according to the charity Bipolar UK. Diagnosis is not easy and can take up to 10 years or more.

Most are diagnosed in their late teens or early twenties. There are two main forms, Bipolar I and Bipolar II, with the latter having less extreme bouts of mania.

About 5% of Bipolar I sufferers only experience manic episodes and do not get depressed. What causes bipolar is unclear although genetic and life circumstances play a role. Some women can suffer from it after childbirth.

The Australian researcher John Cade had the first paper published in 1948 showing that lithium carbonate is an effective mood stabiliser and anti-manic agent.

Angela Garwood

HONEST MOTHERHOOD

Mothering Sunday in isolation

I

T’S Motherng Sunday.

I had plans to go and visit my Mum today, maybe head out somewhere for lunch. But of course, this will not be the case.

No unnecessary family visits.

And no where to go for lunch anyway.

We’re on lockdown, and those words are just as dramatic as they sound.

It’s a strange and scary time and no one has all the answers, not even the scientists.

We can’t control the situation, but we can control the small but powerful part we each play in it.

It’s amazing how in a crisis, we see this shift in people, and all the things that don’t really matter fall away, until we’re left with what truly does.

This is all a rather stark reminder of our common humanity. How we are only human, and how we can’t survive without each other.

The definition of the word compassion is literally “to suffer together”.

Now while having to stay at home hardly equates to suffering for most of us, we don’t know what “self-isolate” might mean for some people.

For those suffering domestic abuse who have nowhere to go, for the elderly who rely on a sense of community to keep them going, for those in frontline jobs that can’t go home to their spouses with chronic-illnesses.

The list goes on.

I miss seeing my friends and I know it’s going to be challenging home-schooling Maia whilst trying to work, but I’m one of the lucky ones.

Reflection

Marking World Bipolar Day

ONDAY 30 March is World Bipolar Day (WBD), although few people know about it in the UK and Europe, not even my psychiatrist.

It is an initiative of the International Bipolar Foundation, San Diego, the International Society for Bipolar Disorders, Chicago, and the Asian Network of Bipolar Disorder, Hong Kong.

The date of March 30 was chosen as it is the birthday of the Dutch painter, Vincent van Gogh, who was retrospectively diagnosed to have had this disorder by various psychiatrists.

The first World Bipolar Day was celebrated in 2014.

Van Gogh was born in 1853, but only lived to be 37. On July 27, 1890, he walked into a wheat field and shot himself in the chest with a pistol. He died a few days later.

In van Gogh’s time, there was no access to any medication to alleviate his condition. If there had, he might have left a much greater collection of masterpieces. A high proportion of bipolar sufferers commit suicide, as much as 15%, and many others attempt it.

Those with bipolar are often very creative individuals who contribute a lot to society. Examples include Stephen Fry,

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Danish researcher Mogens Schou subsequently confirmed the efficacy of lithium in further research and it was introduced into psychiatric practice. It became widely used from the late 1960s, although doses have reduced somewhat.

It is not effective for everyone and can also affect thyroid and kidney function.

Studies in Texas, Austria and Japan have found that high lithium levels in the water supply correlated with lower suicide rates in the populations.

Long-term exposure to lithium increases grey matter, which is generally better for the brain, and also possibly helps with dementia.

Professor Allan Young, Chair of Mood Disorders at King’s College London says there is no doubt that lithium prevents recurrence of manic episodes. It is less effective against acute depression.

He is working on better lithium formulations with less potential damage to kidneys. Professor Young commented that current treatments with lithium and other products show nowhere near the efficacy and selectivity of cancer treatments and this is something that needs to be rectified.

Current research efforts focus on biological causes, new targets for drug treatment, better treatments, better

diagnosis, genetic components and strategies for living well with bipolar disorder.

Some 300 delegates attended a conference organised by Bipolar UK in London on November 17, last year, over half of whom were bipolar.

There was a panel session, which was also filmed by BBC TV’s Horizon for a future programme about the comedian, Tony Slattery, due to be broadcast this year.

The panel of four, including Slattery, debated whether they would prefer to remain bipolar or turn it off and eliminate the condition permanently. All four acknowledged that they owed their careers and creativity in part, at least, to being bipolar.

Bipolar UK took a poll of 85 bipolar attendees before the conference took place. Some 76% replied that they would turn off their bipolar if they could.

In a poll at the end of the panel session, some 65% of bipolar attendees indicated that they would prefer to eliminate their bipolar condition.

This suggests a substantial minority of sufferers sees their condition as providing something positive for their lives, despite the considerable drawbacks that come with it.

Whilst this is not an easy time, I do think it is a time for reflection, for counting our blessings, for having compassion for the vulnerable. It’s stopping to think whether there’s anything we can do for someone else, albeit from a distance.

One small act of kindness.

This will all be over eventually, we’ll slowly pick up the pieces and move on with our lives, but will we have learnt all that we can from it?

Will we see things a little differently?

Will we remember what’s really important?

I like to think perhaps many of us will learn to be a little less selfish at times, less self-centred, myself included.

Looking outward, will we learn to appreciate and take better care of our beautiful planet?

Will we remember what the natural environment did for us during this time?

I’ve never been more grateful for a walk in the woods with the sun shining. We can’t pile into pubs and restaurants at the moment, but we can spend time in nature for free.

Will we continue to destroy our planet at the rate we have been?

I hope we can look back on this time as a period of growth and change. A wake up call, that the way we are living has to change.

As for Mother’s Day, I received some gorgeous flowers, a wonderful handmade card and some Mini Eggs.

The sun shone and Maia played happily with her rainbow balloon in the garden for a while before we all got into bed together and watched Friends, munching on said Mini Eggs.

In those moments, isolating with my people, I definitely felt like one of the lucky ones.

1 | XXXXXX 16 | NEWS

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Air Ambulance Be fearless when it come first to be rated as outstanding Plant-free cooking can seem daunting, but that’s where Jen Roach comes in – from her home kitchen, she can share some of her delicious recipes. CLAIRE WORSFOLD gets a taste

M

By ANGELA GARWOOD news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

THAMES Valley Air Ambulance has become the first such service in the country to be rated as ‘outstanding’ by healthcare regulators.

Earlier this month, the emergency service received the highest possible ranking from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), joining the 5% of health and social care services rated ‘outstanding’.

As part of their inspection, the CQC checked facilities, reviewed documentation and spoke to staff and patients who have been helped by the service.

The patients interviewed said staff treated them and their families with compassion, kindness and respected their dignity and privacy.

They said the charity went above and beyond expectations to meet their individual needs and wishes.

The report demonstrates the charity’s commitment to delivering the highest standard of hospitallevel care to the people living within the Thames Valley.

It noted that critically-ill and injured patients had timely access to urgent treatment, vital for the best possible chance of survival and recovery.

Amanda McLean, Thames Valley Air Ambulance chief executive, said: “I am delighted with the CQC report and incredibly proud of the fabulous team that delivers this vital service across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

Chance for companies to support schools

By DAISY HANSON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

A BARKHAM company launched by teenagers is appealing to businesses in Berkshire to support schools in their communities.

“Patient care and safety is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re delighted that the CQC recognises this.

“We will continue to develop our service through innovative technology and research to further enhance the care we are able to provide.”

The service operates for 19 hours, every day of the year, staffed by paramedics, doctors and pilots.

The road vehicles – known as Critical Care Response Cars – carry the same equipment as the helicopter.

Fully funded by the community, it costs approximately £10 million each year to run the emergency service.

Mrs McLean added: “The result of this CQC report would not be possible without the amazing fundraisers, volunteers and members of the public who support us every day.

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the communities that we serve and now as the UK enters its most serious healthcare crisis for generations, we want to thank every person and organisation that is raising donations for us.

“As we move forward, they will be needed more than ever, and we are committed to finding new ways to raise money and ensuring that every penny spent enhances the critically important service we provide.” � For more information visit www.tvairambulance.org.uk or call 0300 999 0135.

Companies can use the LetsLocalise platform to give resources such as books, meal tickets and electronics to support education.

Schools can then use the website to ask for volunteers and resources, this request is then made visible to local businesses and people, who can pledge to help.

The Wokingham-based organisation was founded last year with the help of two Reading School students – Dhruv and Mehul Garg, aged 15 and 12 – who noticed their school was struggling.

They wrote an article, expressing the need to channel the goodwill of the community to support education, which won a community award.

The boys then pitched the idea to

Y CHILDREN don’t thank me for it, but experimenting with healthy recipes is one of my favourite things.

Trying to encourage them to expand their palettes and enjoy some plantbased meals can be hard work, but thankfully some inspiration is on hand thanks to Jen Roach.

The Warfield-based chef runs her own cookery school, Fearless In The Kitchen.

One of the sessions is a four-hour vegan cookery course. Sessions are held – coronavirus permitting – in Jen’s fouracre home. In the grounds, she boasts an orchard and a vegetable garden.

There’s also a selection of beautiful edible flowers that make her food look even more colourful and tantalising.

As you drive towards Jen’s house you feel a sense of calmness and serenity. I pulled up outside her beautiful cottage and was met with a warm hug and a lovely cup of tea, before being taken into Jen’s very spacious kitchen.

The sessions run in small groups so that Jen can share her knowledge.

There were four other lovely people in the group, all attending for different reasons.

One was a strict vegan looking for inspiration for recipes and had been bought a voucher for the course for Christmas, another was looking to blog about the course, and the other two wanted to add more plant-based recipes to their diet.

Originally from Australia, Jen has been 100% vegan for the past 15 years.

She is also passionate about cutting back on processed sugar.

Jen said: “My vegan period was actually in the 80s and 90s, back then though there weren’t the vegan products that we have now.

“I turned to a lot of Middle Eastern and South Asian cuisines such as hummus, tahini, lentils, dukkah and miso.

“My Mum wasn't the greatest of cooks so I developed a love of cooking at a very young age.”

She continued: “I had a corporate

their father, Gaurav Garg, who went on to found the company.

Mehul designed the company logo, and his brother Dhruv creates the written content, surveys and polls.

LetsLocalise has gone on to build a digital platform, which currently helps ten local schools get the tools they need.

Gaurav said: “We felt that the

career and took early retirement to escape the rat race and decided to follow my passion in developing wholesome food with beautiful flavours and amazing health benefits.

“I have been running Fearless in the Kitchen now for four years and have loved every minute of sharing my wealth of knowledge and enthusing others.

“What we eat is key to our health and wellbeing.”

Jen began by introducing the class and what we would expect from the day.

She made us aware that there would be lots of tasting as we went along, and everything we made we would get to take home, that’s a win-win in my eyes.

She explained that if we were going totally vegan then that would mean cooking a lot of meals from scratch to ensure we get freshness and the right amount of nutrients.

She explained that “you need to know the plant-based sources of protein that can replace meat and dairy”.

The first recipe was a Super Eggy Tofu Scramble.

Tofu is a good source of plant protein and an excellent source of iron, calcium, copper, zinc, vitamin B1 and all of the nine amino acids.

The recipe included silken tofu, extra firm tofu, vegan butter, nutritional yeast, garlic, paprika, Dijon mustard, black salt and turmeric to add colour.

I was very pleasantly surprised at just how much it resembled egg in looks and taste.

Now it was our turn. We were handed aprons and allocated a workspace.

We started with Baked Aubergine and Cardamon Date Butter.

The date butter was made with saffron, cardamom pods, vegan butter, dates, garlic, chilli and ginger, and simply made by grinding, chopping and blitzing to make a paste.

We then roasted tomatoes with garlic, onion and thyme and cooked some lentils with barley. Next, we scored the aubergine, placed the date mix on top and laid on the bed of roasted tomatoes, lentils and barley and roasted in the oven.

When it had cooked we were all given a chance to taste from our own trays.

I loved this dish, I think it may even turn convince the "aubergine" haters out there to give it a go.

All the time Jen’s assistant whisked

community was broken, we are trying to use the schools as linchpins to make people come together to fix this.

“Now they can use our services to request what they need, and local businesses and parents can help.”

“We are working out deals with Amazon and Tesco for online textbooks and meal coupons, but we want more local businesses to get involved.”

our used utensils away to ensure we always had a clean workspace and clean apparatus.

Recipe number two was the delicious Buddha Bowl.

Jen showed us a basket brimming with salad and vegetables while we were to decide which ones to use. This recipe is made from a portion of grain, and I opted for Quinoa.

I added an assortment of chopped sweet potatoes, broccoli florets, carrots, red and yellow pepper and red onion.

We roasted this in the oven.

In the meantime, we were divided into two groups, one to make the Teriyaki Marinade/sauce and the other to make the sesame Miso peanut sauce.

When the vegetables were ready we added the quinoa, roasted curried chickpeas, spring onion and drizzled over the sauce.

LetsLocalise has had to digitise their content to adapt to school closures, he added: “In the last three months we have sent 30 experts to schools – including army veterans, business managers and careers consultants – but that is just not feasible anymore because of social distancing caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“We have started a YouTube channel so the pupils do not miss out on this.”

Independent teachers and companies are offering online classes, on music, maths and poetry through the platform to help the transition to online education.

To pledge resources, visit www.letslocalise.co.uk, or email: gaurav.garg@letslocalise.co.uk.

Thursday, March 26, 2020 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER / WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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es to vegan cooking

Ofsted’s highest praise awarded to children’s home

By ANGELA GARWOOD news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

A CHILDREN’S home in Wokingham has been rated outstanding by Ofsted in a recent inspection.

The Dingles residential home, which had a full inspection on January 29 and 30 of this year, has been acknowledged for its “highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good” for the second year running.

Rachel Redgwell, managing director of Calcot Services for Children said: “We are exceptionally proud of the achievement and progress The Dingles have made to be graded as Outstanding by Ofsted in the most recent inspection.

“The high standards of care afforded to young people was clearly evident and confirmed

by Ofsted.

“It is a wonderful achievement for the team and young people in the home, led by a committed manager Pat Soroczynska.

“We would like to thank all those who support The Dingles to include the community of Wokingham who have welcomed and supported us since 2003.”

The Ofsted report acknowledges the success of the

Clockwise from left: Claire Worsfold with Jen Roach from Fearless in the Kitchen; the course participants explore Jen’s garden; creating meals in the kitchen; and course participants have the opportunity to help each other out Pictures: Steve Smyth

To garnish, Jen’s garden provided some edible flowers.

Jen then demonstrated how to make a Sunflower Ricotta with Tomato and Caper Dressing which we all sat down to eat for lunch, accompanied with Jen’s Sunflower Seed and Rosemary Crackers.

For dessert, we were presented with beautiful individual vegan cheesecakes to taste.

“You can enjoy delicious vegan desserts,” said Jen, adding that they don’t need to have any artificial additives or saturated fats.

This was a real game-changer for me, especially as I have a sweet tooth. I can now enjoy the pleasure of a natural vegan, processed sugar-free cheesecake knowing its actually a healthy treat.

After lunch, recipe three was a Coconut, Spinach and Red Lentil Dahl.

I loved the simplicity of this wholesome recipe, packed with fibre vitamins and minerals.

Jen then demonstrated making a vegan white sauce with soaked cashew nuts and cauliflower.

This was amazing and I prefer it to traditional white sauce.

Since the course, I’ve used Jen’s recipe in a lasagne and my family didn’t even notice the difference.

Jen’s Fearless In The Kitchen courses are perfectly balanced between hands-on, demonstrations and, of course, getting to taste our creations.

It was easy – and right – to feel proud of the lessons that Jen teaches, showing how easy and satisfying it is to make highly nutritious vegan meals for the family: mine enjoyed the dishes that came home with me.

Fearless In The Kitchen also offers courses in Healthier Baking, Gut Health including fermenting, and Meat-free Cooking.

Places cost £90 per person and discounts are available for groups. They are currently on hold due to the new laws on social distancing, but it’s worth registering an interest now.

For more details, call Jen on: 07470 431280 or log on to: fearlessinthekitchen.co.uk

CCTV issued over bike thefts POLICE have issued a CCTV image after two bikes were stolen from a home in Earley.

The incident took place between Saturday, February 22 and Monday, February 24.

The thief broke into a conservatory of a home in Compton Close and took the bikes.

Thames Valley Police said that nothing else was stolen during the raid.

The CCTV image shows a man who could help police with their search.

Investigating officer PC Kerrie King, based at Loddon Valley Police Station, said: “We would like to speak to the man in this image as he may have vital information that could help our investigation.

“If you recognise this man, or believe it could be you, please get in touch.

“If you have seen these or have any information you can make a report online or by calling 101 and quoting reference 43200063776.

“Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

The team from Dingles residential home

home and the positive impact it is having on children’s lives.

The report states: “The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

“The children benefit from the high level of care and attention provided by the staff.

Consequently, the children have developed trusting relationships, from which they feel comfortable to explore their past experiences.

“Staff see the children’s education as a priority and place high value on the children’s academic achievements.

“All of the children are doing exceptionally well.

Two children, who previously had not attended schools for over a

year, have reintegrated into their respective schools and have been transferred to more academic classes.”

The home provides yearround care and accommodation for looked after children who have complex emotional, social and behavioural difficulties.

Children at the home may be at risk of absconding, sexual exploitation, offending behaviours, non-engagement in education and self-harming.

They may in their past have been subjected to, or witnessed physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect and domestic violence. Staff apply therapeutic approaches within their daily interactions with the children, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, task- centred practice and crisis intervention to help support them.

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At school? This is the page you can write! We welcome your articles, poems, pictures and stories for this page. Send your articles to news@ wokinghampaper.co.uk

News from schools | Stories from pupils

Exam cancellations

By INDIA PLUVES

AMID the current chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK government took the decision to close schools and cancel GCSEs and A-levels this academic year as of Friday, March 20.

This leaves many young people in an unpredictable, nerve-racking situation.

While some may see this as an opportunity to decrease the amount of stress felt by these teenagers during this time of crisis, it is becoming clear that these young people are struggling with the terms at which they will be leaving their schools.

Some have spent up to seven years studying in their school and many are being forced to abruptly leave their friends and teachers and, until recently, without any knowledge regarding how they will receive their qualifications.

On March 21, it was announced that teachers are to estimate the grades they believe their students should have received, had the exams gone ahead.

Many students have expressed

a sense of relief about how the situation will be handled as postponing the exams would have shortened their reward of a long summer or intervened with their later studies.

However, others have shown that they feel frustration toward this decision because it means they will “never have a chance to prove they can be better” than what their teachers expected of them.

Moreover, students in school years 11 and 13 have been made to say goodbye to friends whom they may never see again.

Others may be able to meet up again in the future, but not until it has been declared completely safe to venture outside of our homes and not contract the virus.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson explained that “cancelling exams is something no Education Secretary would ever want to do”, but it is clear that this decision was vital in the country’s efforts in slowing the spread of the virus and crucial to protect the more vulnerable groups in our community.

HARRY’S WORLD Harry Bradley School’s out … until who knows when?

J

UST like that, school is out.

Not for Easter or the Summer. Just out … until who knows when.

For lots of us, especially older students, three months away from school could be a good thing; a chance to catch up on areas of our courses that we didn’t understand first time around.

And of course, we’re not really off school as we’ve still got a term of work to do so lots of new content to learn, virtually.

Virtual school has become a reality and, while we’re all connected – with each other and our teachers via our computers, apps and phones – the time spent at home will be lonely.

School acts as a focus point for social activity every day, and the time away from that will have a large impact on our social lives.

So it’s time to set some goals and self-motivation will play a big part.

For me, I will try to use the time effectively. Rereading and making notes on parts of my A Level Economics course that I’ve struggled with,

reading books to work towards my English course, and working out via online gym classes, all from the comfort of my own home.

I may even learn Spanish, because yes, there’s an app for that!

BENNY’S CONFLICT

By James Lomax Part 10 of 26 So Benny has yet again gotten himself in a bad situation. This time, he’s decided to quit his task of killing a moderately innocent woman named Shana Vees, and plans to be collected by his crew after his conversation with her is over.

However, Shana Vees is actually an alien known as a Gorgon, which might complicate Benny’s already flawed and hastily developed plan…

B

ENNY suddenly remembered he hadn’t really thought about what Vees would say when she met him, due to the fact that he wasn’t going to meet her to join her cause, as he had told the teenagers.

In fact, she might act hostile towards him. He guessed not many people knew the location of this secret base.

The Gorgon named Shana Vees stared at Benny like she was looking directly into his soul, and a mixture of emotions went over her face. After a few seconds, Vees looked over at the teenagers, and told them to leave, before looking back at Benny.

Surprisingly, the Gorgon spoke in perfect English, not even with any accent, “You’re a strange case, Benny. It must be hard for you to juggle so much.”

This confused Benny.

How did the Gorgon know all

his juggling in his head?

The Gorgon seemed to know he was thinking that, “Oh, all Gorgons are telepathic. I always forget to say that…”

This had officially freaked out Benny, “How much do you know?”

“Probably more than you realise, and I have to say you’ve really made a mess of everything with all that lying. If even one of those was seen through you’d be done for. You’re walking a very fine tightrope here.”

“So … um,” Benny stuttered, “What about now?”

“Why shouldn’t I just kill you right now? After all, you came here to kill me, didn’t you?”

Benny hunched over the table, defeated, “You were my only hope of getting onto that prison planet.”

“Oh, I see now. Your thoughts betray you. Well I might be your only ally in the entire universe.

Thankfully, there is something you’re doing that’s of interest to me, so let’s think this over.

“Well your crew should almost be here, and once they arrive they’ll have questions. Questions that you can’t answer. Then of course there’s Izen, and without evidence of my death he won’t help you get onto that prison planet, which means you can’t get Carlos there. And if you can’t get Carlos there then your crew will start to question you more, and when they find out you lied to them and

Teenagers get a hard time for the amount of time they spend online, on computers, gaming, chatting to friends.

I think our online life might just keep us sane, and educated over the next few months.

Apps like Zoom and Skype have already become a great way for my family to keep in touch.

Most of my family are up north and at the weekend we hosted an online quiz, something that will no doubt be a tradition from now on, maybe even after the crisis.

But right now, I’m in a household with dual home workers and dual school workers.

My main fear isn’t so much the virus, it’s surviving for three months with my family and I all under the same room.

Wish me luck! helped a fugitive, you might get in trouble with the law. What I’m saying is, Benny, most of this could have been reversed if you’d been more honest. And because of your untruthfulness, you’re in a bad situation that you won’t be able to get out of easily.”

It was incredible. Vees had just explained every worry Benny had in his head. But Benny was comforted, surprisingly, that he wasn’t harbouring all those worries alone. He had someone to share it with, and someone to figure out a plan with. And he knew Shana was his only hope, after all she knew every detail of what he was thinking.

The Gorgon smiled, “I do have the base of an idea, but it does have some flaws. You must have had a plan as well?”

Deep down, Benny knew this wasn’t true. He’d been thinking about this plan while he was on the train, and he hadn’t thought too hard and in too much detail about the finer points due to his panicking. “I see. First of all,” The Gorgon stated, “We need a top priority. Something you have to do above all else.”

It didn’t take long for Benny to think of an answer, “I want to help Carlos. If that means losing my crew, so be it. I can’t see a way out without doing it. But I’ll help Carlos.

Enough with the abandoning him.”

The Gorgon – no, Shana – nodded, “Very well, Benny. I’ve been trying to get on to that planet for years. This could work for both of us. I’ll help you help Carlos.”

To be continued…

Thursday, March 26, 2020 THEWOKINGHAMPAPER / WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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INTHECOMMUNITY

News from your community groups, clubs and societies Send your reports to news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Getting fit? Anytime for Sarah

A

Wokingham woman has been awarded for services to the community through her commitment to promoting health and wellbeing.

Sarah Sylvester is inspiring others to don their running shoes and open up about mental health. The fitness enthusiast has been awarded the Anytime Fitness Member of the Year award.

The accolade celebrates Sarah’s willingness to share her story and encourage others to do the same.

Sarah is part of the gym’s Real People, Real Reasons campaign, which motivates people to use their personal struggles as a spark to develop a healthier lifestyle.

Those commended have experienced various health difficulties from surviving cancer to battling anxiety and depression.

“I’ve been running for seven years now,” she explains. “When I started I was hoping to lose weight.

“I lost six stone purely as a result of a healthier lifestyle, but I became obsessed with running and would get anxious and depressed if I didn’t hit my targets. It was a very solo-thing.

“But then I joined Anytime Fitness, and if I wasn’t sleeping well, I was able to get up at 4am and go and work out.”

With its close proximity to her house, 24-hour opening hours and sense of community, Anytime Fitness became the perfect fit for Sarah. The gym has helped her rediscover a healthier love for running as she plans to run six 10km runs in six different Anytime Fitness locations.

Sarah suffered a breakdown in July last year, but says running helped her recover: “I could barely get out of bed, I had my trainers by my bed, so they were the first thing I saw, and would put them on before my brain got into gear.

“Running has saved my life, and I don’t say that lightly. It’s given me intention, purpose, and a sense of belonging.”

With that in mind, Sarah joined Run Talk Run, a community weekly 5km run.

Founded by Jess Robson in 2017, the group’s mission is to make both running and mental health support less intimidating and more accessible. It’s aimed at those

who feel they need a safe space to talk.

Sarah explains: “It’s not about the running, it’s about the chat. We run at the pace of the slowest runner.

“I found a nonjudgmental community, a tribe, a safe place and shared it with my husband.

“Showing up to support both the Bracknell and Oxford runs within the Thames Valley expanded my tribe and gave me the courage to become a Run Leader for Wokingham, a final pivotal moment.”

On top of being a Run Leader, Sarah also founded It’s About Time, a mental health community drop-in which is held twice a week at the Bradbury Centre in Rose Street – it is currently on hold due to the coronavirus.

“The first step is always the most daunting, you don’t have to be a certain way or feel obliged to talk, some people do just sit and listen.”

Sarah is grateful to be acknowledged for her hard work, but emphasises why she is doing it:

Daffs down for Marie Curie “It’s a lot to take in, I’m overwhelmed.

“It’s all about inspiring others, to take control of their own thought processes. I just want people to know it’s okay not to be okay, but it’s not okay to stay that way. It’s about thinking “what am I going to do, to not stay this way”, whether that’s going for a run, coming along to a drop-in session at It’s About Time, talking to family members or just being yourself at work.”

And what advice would the runner give to someone thinking of going for a jog?

“First of all, buy yourself a decent pair of trainers. If you’re a woman, get a decent sports bra. Treat it as one foot in front of the other. Reward yourself, be kind to yourself, before you know it, you’ve run 5K.” When the coronavirus pandemic is over, Run Talk Run will be held on Thursdays, meeting at 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start at Nuffield Health and Wellbeing. � www.runtalkrun.com

A growing therapy Ridgeline Trust helps people with health issues to enjoy some time in the great outdoors. ANGELA GARWOOD finds out more about its work

A

CHARITY based in Reading is offering horticultural therapy sessions to help people with various health problems.

Ridgeline Trust supports people with a range of mental health and learning difficulties, physical disabilities, and other health issues.

The organisation provides structured gardening sessions for up to 10 clients a day, who are supported by staff and volunteers.

The award-winning therapeutic garden is accessible for people with mobility issues, and sessions are tailored to the abilities and interests of the people who attend.

“It’s an oasis close to the centre of Reading, a calm place surrounded by suburbia,” says Siân Hooley, development manager at Ridgeline Trust.

“What we do has a significant impact on wellbeing, it’s hard to measure, but being outside, in nature and working as part of a group gives people a feeling of self-worth.

“People enjoy group activities, different people doing different tasks but working together to produce a common aim.”

Through various tasks, clients are able to learn new skills, regain lost skills and improve their mental and physical health.

Activities vary according to the weather, but include sowing, growing and maintaining flowers, vegetables and other plants in the garden or greenhouse, mowing the lawn, craft projects and cooking vegetables grown in the garden.

The garden has a huge impact on clients’ wellbeing, Siân Hooley explains: “We have one client with learning disabilities and respiratory problems. He’s recently been digging lots, he loves it, he gets covered in mud. That’s probably the only exercise he does all week.

“Another client with learning difficulties and high levels of anxiety has said she feels calmer after being here.”

Other clients say the garden helps give them a sense of routine, and allows them to feel part of the community.

"I enjoy making a contribution and feeling I've made a difference, I enjoy the exercise." says a former business manager who is no longer able to work following a head injury.

Founded in 2003, Ridgeline Trust is open to the residents of Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire.

All levels of gardening experience are welcome and tools and equipment are provided.

Sadly, sessions are on hold right now due to the coronavirus. � For more details, visit www.ridgelinetrust.org.uk

SOCIETY | 19

A NATIONAL charity has cancelled its upcoming collections across Wokingham and the rest of the UK, estimating a loss of £1 million.

Marie Curie has suspended its Great Daffodil Appeal, which runs throughout March. It has already seen hundreds of volunteer collectors visiting Wokingham supermarkets, distributing yellow daffodil pins for donations.

The decision is estimated to lose £1 million in donations — with further losses coming from many other cancelled fundraising activities and events.

The charity said this loss will impact its work, which they believe will be “more important than ever over the coming months, as the NHS focuses on the coronavirus.”

Instead, Marie Curie is asking people to get involved in the appeal by donating online or by text.

Meredith Niles, executive director of fundraising and engagement at Marie Curie, said: “It is with great disappointment that we have decided to cancel all of our Great Daffodil Appeal public collections due to COVID-19 as well as a number of other fundraising events that were due to take place over the coming weeks and months – a decision which has not been

taken lightly.

“The health and safety of our dedicated volunteers and staff is of utmost importance. We are extremely grateful to the thousands of people who signed up to collect for us, without whom the Great Daffodil Appeal would not exist.

“Where possible, we hope to be able to reschedule collections and events for later in the year, and would like to thank all our volunteers, supporters, corporate partners and staff for their ongoing support at this challenging time.”

The Great Daffodil Appeal helps Marie Curie provide expert care to people with terminal illnesses, as well as support for their loved ones — helping them to make the most of the time they have together.

The appeal also helps the charity provide practical information and support, fund research and campaigns for more people to have access to high quality, personalised care wherever and whenever they need it.

Those who want to donate to the appeal can do so online at mariecurie.org.uk/donate or can text DAFF to 70111 to donate £5* *Texts cost £5 plus your standard network rate. Marie Curie will receive 98% of your donation.

20 | LEISURE

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Ava (6) from Woosehill busy drawing her rainbow

22 | LEISURE

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY / THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Thursday, March 26, 2020

IN THE KITCHEN

The Plastic Free Home DAVID LAMONT

Gavin McArdell www.CurryFrenzy.com

Nasi Goreng

What a difference a month makes

I

N 2018 Sir David Attenborough declared that we had “lost all touch with the natural world”.

This year began with some of the worst wildfires in Australian history and record-breaking river levels and flooding here in the UK. Throw in the worst pandemic in at least the last century, and it makes depressing reading.

Some say nature is staging a fightback, but whatever you think about that, the past month or so offers a stark reminder of our impact on planet Earth.

Satellite imagery from the likes of NASA and the European Space Agency has shown the impact of an industrial slowdown, fewer cars and flights, among others, on air pollution levels around the world.

Paul Monks, a professor of air pollution at the University of Lancaster, labelled the accidental bi-product of recent events “the largest-scale experiment ever seen”.

Levels of Nitrogen Dioxide, which spills out of everything from our cars to power plants, are up to 30% lower in some areas of China, including in the now infamous city of Wuhan.

In Northern Italy, levels are down around 40%, while we’re

also seeing a significant drop in the UK. In Venice, an abundance of wildlife has been spotted in the city’s canals, with birds feeding on the fish that aren’t normally visible due to the pollution caused by motorised river taxis.

In the busy port of Cagliari, popular with cruise ships, dolphins have returned.

The airline industry has been left reeling by the crisis, with many carriers demanding billions from their country’s government to bail them out. The worst

affected countries, like Italy and China, have seen 70-80% reductions in flight numbers versus the same period last year.

Globally, the International Air Transport Association conservatively predicts at least a 20% annual fall.

With an estimated 40.3 million flights previously expected in 2020, that could mean nearly eight million fewer planes in our skies this year, equivalent to a reduction of 20,000 flights daily.

Worldwide, flights produced

For more tips and advice, join the online group at www.facebook.com/plasticfreehomeuk Got a comment or question? Email plasticfreehome@gmail.com

Petsandvets With Michael Morrow

915 million tonnes of Carbon Dioxide in 2019, so we could see a year on year ‘saving’ of nearly 200 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. That’s the same amount produced by over 30 million Britons (around half of UK’s population) in a 12-month period.

So what is the verdict?

When these difficult times are hopefully one day over, we undoubtedly must invest in our NHS and its staff, strive to find better treatments and cures for everything from cancer to COVID-19, and better prepare as a country for such crises.

But we should also reflect on what really matters, and remind ourselves of the other, even greater and far less invisible threat, that awaits us: Climate change.

If 2020 teaches us one thing, it will be that we can and really should make a difference.

N

ASI Goreng translates as fried rice which is an Indonesian dish which probably originated from southern Chinese fried rice and developed from there.

There are many versions of this dish and I kind of feel like it really lends itself equally as a way to use up leftovers as it does to being a dish made meticulously from scratch with contrasting and harmonising flavours and textures.

Ingredients serves 2 � 1 Tsp Turmeric Powder � ½ to 1 TspChilli powder to taste � ½ Tsp Black Pepper Powder � 600g Cooked and cooled basmati or long grain white rice � 200g Cooked chicken shredded or chopped � 200g Small peeled cooked prawns � 4 Tbsp Dark Soy Sauce � Sunflower Oil � 2 Small Onions chopped in thin slices � 2 Eggs

Providing personal care for all your pets

� 1 TBSP Garlic paste or puree � 1 TBSP Ginger paste or puree � Handful of green beans in 1 inch lengths, blanched

Method Mix the spices, soy sauce, garlic and ginger puree with enough oil to make a thin paste.

Stir fry this in a hot pan to release the aromas.

Add the onions and four table spoons of oil and stir fry until the onion softens.

Add the chicken, beans and prawns and stir to coat with the spices for a

couple of minutes then add the rice and combine well. Stir regularly but not constantly until the dish is piping hot. Lower the temperature and prepare to cook the eggs.

These can be whole fried eggs or as an omelette cut into strips.

Plate the spiced rice mix and place the egg on top.

Garnish with any or all of the following: Thinly sliced mild chillies, Spring onions, tomato slices, cucumber slices and chopped peanuts.

Have extra soy sauce on the table if desired.

Gavin McArdell www.CurryFrenzy.com

Trusted by you to provide personal care for all your pets since 2005

Offering emergency care – but we can also order medication Oaklands Park, Wokingham RG41 2FD

F

OLLOWING Monday evening’s announcement that people should stay indoors to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the advice we have been given is that we should provide emergency care only.

This is an unfolding situation, and can change at short notice.

For us, it is too soon to have exact definitions of what would qualify as emergency care only, but I will look at every case personally and decide on the appropriate course of action for you and your pet.

I do encourage you to call us to discuss any concerns you may have.

We as veterinarians have a duty to treat animals that are ill or injured, in pain or distress and I will continue to do so unless advised otherwise.

This is an unprecedented and fast-moving scenario which we all need to adapt to as it develops.

The most recent advice received from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the British Veterinary Association was sent out earlier this week, we are awaiting developments and will communicate these with you via our website and Facebook page.

“Urgent update following Prime Minister’s statement: “The RCVS and BVA are seeking urgent advice from Government.

“Current advice is that veterinary practices must reduce face-to-face contact immediately, switching to providing emergency care only, fulfilment of urgent

0118 979 3200

During the coronavirus shut down, St Vincents can order medications for your pets and deliver. Call us for more details

Providing Please call us for any queries or to discuss your personal individual circumstances.

We also ask that you order medication in good time and we are taking care payment over the phone for allfor these.

We are also able to deliver essential medications to all clients. Again, please call us for details – please note your pets that a fee may apply depending on distance but in most

prescriptions and maintaining the food supply chain.

“The RCVS is looking at revised guidance on the use of technology.

“Meanwhile for those of you wondering if you should go into work or not, the message from the Prime Minister was travel to work is acceptable, providing it is absolutely necessary and if work cannot be done from cases we are doing free deliveries. home, but bear in mind general advice around limiting These are extraordinary times, but be assured contact with other people.”

Oaklands Park, Wokingham RG41 2FD we are doing everything we can to look after your pets, At St Vincents, we are still available to advise clients as safely as we can. on veterinary advice and care by phone or email. � Michael Morrow owns and runs St Vincents Please bear in mind, it is vital that we keep our staff Veterinary Surgery, an independent family owned healthy so we can continue to look after your pets in practice providing personal care for pets in and those emergency situations.

0118 979 3200

Oaklands Park, Wokingham RG41 2FD

0118 979 3200

around Wokingham since 2005. Well-known for his love of animals and interacting with clients, Michael has been looking after pets in Wokingham for more than 20 years. Should you have any concerns about your pet please call the practice on 0118 9793200 or visit www.stvincentsvets.co.uk to find out more about the practice.

Trusted by you to provide personal care for all your pets since 2005 Oaklands Park, Wokingham RG41 2FD

0118 979 3200

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PUBLIC NOTICES

FOR SALE

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (VARIOUS ROADS, WOKINGHAM BOROUGH) (SCAPE PROGRAMME)

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (POUND LANE, HURST) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2020

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING AND 30MPH SPEED LIMIT) ORDER 2020 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 23rd March 2020 Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority made an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) and 15 (2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is to prohibit any vehicle: 1. From proceeding along Old Forest Road, Wokingham between its junctions with Toutley Road and Commons Road.

2. From proceeding at a speed exceeding 30 mph along the section of Old Forest Road between the junctions with Toutley Road and Commons Road.

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 23rd March 2020 Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority made an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is to prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along: 1. Pound Lane, Hurst between its junctions with Nelsons Lane and Broadcommon Road.

3. From proceeding along Toutley Road, Wokingham between its junctions with Old Forest Road and Queens Road.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Nelson’s Lane and Broadcommon Road, or by this route in reverse.

4. From proceeding at a speed exceeding 30 mph along the section of Toutley Road between the junctions with Old Forest Road and Queens Road.

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 30th March and 3rd April 2020

5. From proceeding along Reading Road, Wokingham between its junctions with Pheasant Close and Woosehill Spine Road.

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Thames Water contractors to undertake New Connection work in safety.

6. From proceeding at a speed exceeding 30 mph along the section of Reading Road between the junctions with Pheasant Close and Woosehill Spine Road

Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times.

The alternative route for all southbound vehicles affected by item 1 above shall be via Toutley Road, Queens Road, A321 Twyford Road, A321 Milton Road, A321 Glebelands Road, A329 Rectory Road, A329 Wiltshire Road, A329 Peach Street, A329 Broad Street and A329 Reading Road.

The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed.

The alternative route for all northbound vehicles affected by item 1 above shall be via A329 Reading Road, A329 Shute End, A329 Rectory Road, A321 Glebelands Road, A321 Milton Road, A321 Twyford Road, Queens Road and Toutley Road.

The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 30th March 2020 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

The alternative route for all eastbound vehicles affected by item 3 shall be via Old Forest Road, A329 Reading Road, A329 Shute End, A329 Rectory Road, A321 Glebelands Road, A321 Milton Road, A321 Twyford Road and Queens Road.

Dated this 26th March 2020

The alternative route for all westbound vehicles affected by item 3 shall be via Queens Road, A321 Twyford Road, A321 Milton Road, A321 Glebelands Road, A329 Rectory Road, A329 Wiltshire Road, A329 Peach Street, A329 Broad Street, A329 Reading Road and Old Forest Road.

The alternative route for all eastbound vehicles affected by item 5 shall be via King Street Lane, Bearwood Road, B3349 Barkham Road and Station Approach The alternative route for all westbound vehicles affected by item 5 shall be via A321 Station Road, B3349 Barkham Road, Bearwood Road and King Street Lane.

The restriction for item 1 will take place between 8th May 2020 to 30th July 2020 and 1st May 2021 to 30th July 2021.

The restriction for item 2 will take place between 30th March 2020 and 15th March 2022 The restriction for item 3 will take place between 1st August 2020 and 30th April 2021.

The restriction for item 4 will take place between 30th March 2020 and 15th March 2022 The restriction for item 5 will take place between 4th May 2021 and 8th May 2021 between 20:00-06:00 and 1st September 2021 and 15th March 2022 between 20:00-06:00.

The restriction for item 6 will take place between 30th March 2020 and 15th March 2022 The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Wokingham Borough Council contractors to undertake new bypass work in safety.

Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times.

The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed.

The Council is satisfied that the works will take longer than 18 months to complete and therefore the restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 30th March 2020 and shall continue in force until the works have been completed.

METAL. Shed base.

Unused 6 x 8. £26 ono.

Details: 0118 978 8495.

GENTS. Trouser press. £20 ono. Details: 0118 978 8495.

GENTS. Bike Raleigh Knight. 1960’s. £50.

Details: 0118 978 8495.

PLANK. For Ladders. £5.

Details: 0118 978 8495.

OPEN. Top P.V.C. Garden compost bin. £3. Details: 0118 966 7940

Mark Cupit Assistant Director Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL MATTHEWSGREEN ROAD, WOKINGHAM (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2020 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 23rd March 2020 Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority made an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is to prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along: 1. Matthewsgreen Road, Wokingham between its junctions with Clifton Road and A321 Twyford Road.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Toutley Road, Queens Road and A321 Twyford Road or by this route in reverse.

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 30th March and 3rd April 2020.

Dated this 26th March 2020

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Hope and Clay contractors to undertake resurfacing work in safety.

Mark Cupit Assistant Director Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times.

The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed.

The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 30th March 2020 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

Dated this 26th March 2020

WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL PLANNING APPLICATION The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 AND/OR Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990 The following application(s) have been submitted and are advertised for the reasons below:

Application Address 200236

Reasons for Advert Description

The Pilgrims, (Affect setting of) Thames Street, Listed Building Sonning

Householder application for the proposed erection of a single-storey outbuilding following demolition of existing garage

The application is available to view online at wokingham.gov.uk � Planning � Search planning applications and typing in the application number above. All libraries in the Borough have internet access in order to view this page.

Comments on the application can be made online from this web page.

Any comments must arrive on or before 16th April 2020. Any comments made are not confidential and can be seen by anyone as they form part of the public record. The comments, unless offensive, discriminatory and/or racist, will appear on the Council’s website within 24 hours and include the submitted name and address. Due to the high volume of comments received we do not provide individual responses.

Date: 26th March 2020

Mark Cupit Assistant Director Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

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PUBLIC NOTICES ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (B3350 ELM ROAD, EARLEY) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2020 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority proposes to make an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along:

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SERVICES

Antiques valuations Saturdays: 10am-1pm at Wokingham Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AP

1. B3350 Elm Road, Earley between its junctions with Elm Lane and Langdale Gardens The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A327 Shinfield Road, B3270 Lower Earley Way, Beeston Way, Rushey Way, Chalfont Way and Elm Lane, or by this route in reverse.

Works requiring this restriction will take place on 14th April 2020 between 09:30 and 15:30.

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Thames Water contractors to undertake sewer cover replacement work in safety.

Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times.

The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed.

The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 14th April 2020 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

Dated this 26th March 2020 Mark Cupit Assistant Director Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

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Tuesdays: 10am-1pm at Holme Grange Craft Village, Heathlands Road, Wokingham RG40 3AW Thursdays: 10am-1pm at White Lion Antiques, Hartford Bridge, Hartley Wintney RG27 8AE No appointment necessary: our team of Valuers and Specialists are on hand to offer free verbal valuations and offer advice for sale. We cover silver, jewellery, gold sovereigns, furniture, clocks, ceramics & glass, paintings, Oriental items, and vertu.

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Donnington Grove team with their prizes presented by Theale Club Captain, Kris Hallett (far right).

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READING FC

Royals fans complete 120-mile football ground charity walk A GROUP of Reading supporters from the ‘106Chat’ Royals podcast have completed a 120-mile charity walk from Madejski Stadium to Derby County’s Pride Park.

The walk had been due to take place between the Royals’ home match against Stoke City, with the hosts walking from RG2 up to Pride Park in time for Reading’s next scheduled game, against Derby County.

Despite the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak halting football, two of the podcast presenters still took on the challenge and succeeded in completing a challenging route for good causes.

The Royals supporters have raised money for Cancer Research UK, Mind and Prostate Cancer, with all

charities being picked due to personal significance.

“It’s something that we have collectively been putting a lot of work into for near enough a year now,” said Tom. “From constant preparatory training walks that have seen us cover routes such as Maidenhead through to Reading, to walks from ground-to-ground across the entirety of London, we’re making sure that this is something we’ll all be more than prepared for come the game against Stoke City in March!”

“From day one it was definitely a wise move to not take the Thames path to Wallingford which had flooded, but we were absolutely drenched on day two, regardless!” Said Hugh

van-de-L’Isle, who completed the challenge alongside Chris Reinholter – both of whom are hosts on the podcast.

“We really struggled on day three and had reached our hotel in Nuneaton at 8.30pm, which is quite a bit later than initially hoped.

“We stuck the TV on upon arrival and a Cancer Research advertisement was on – this really reminded us of why we were doing the walk, and was a bit of an emotional moment when it had popped up. We truly believe it kept us going for the final day.”

You can donate by following this link: virginmoneygiving.com/ 106Chat

READING FC

Reading donate 100kg of food to feed homeless

READING FC Conference & Events have donated almost 100kg of fresh fruit and vegetables to the local branch of Salvation Army, located at Willow House in the centre of Reading.

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Reading FC Community Trust, the charitable arm of the football club, have ensured that food has not gone to waste by delivering food from Conference & Events to Salvation Army.

Among the

donation of fresh fruit and vegetables are potatoes, leeks, mushrooms, peppers, carrots, melons, pineapple and broccoli.

In addition, over 1,000 eggs and 36 litres of milk have been donated.

"When we talk about our club’s identity being entrenched in community, this is what we mean. And this is when community matters,” said Reading Chief Executive Nigel Howe.

"We’d also like to

encourage all supporters of Reading Football Club to consider how they might be able to help others. For many fans, Reading Football Club is a second home, an extended family. And, even when we are apart, we have to stick together.

"This is what being a community club means.

“It is extended family, coming together. And we want our family, our fanbase, to pull together right now."

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READING FC

‘We will come back stronger’ vows Royals skipper

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Reading captain Liam Moore in action for the Royals. Picture: Steve Smyth

THE ROYALS first-team captain Liam Moore sent a message to Reading fans describing the current situation as ‘something way, way more important than football.’

The skipper addressed fans in an unorthodox version of the captain’s ‘programme notes’ . The Championship season has currently been suspended until April, 30 with the situation being monitored for further review by the authorities.

“Covid-19 has taken everyone in the world by surprise. But we’ve got good people in charge here, we’ve got an unbelievable NHS and we’re getting clear messages on how we can fight this. We need to listen to that advice.

“Yes, not having football isn’t enjoyable at all – but

this is way bigger than football and any other sport.

So, if we can all stick together, follow what we’re being told as closely as we possibly can and respect the situation we’re in, then I believe we can come out of this stronger.

“On the footballing side of things, up until this point, we’ve been able to continue as normal – which sounds crazy, considering there are no games at the end of the week. With everything that has been printed and spoken about football, it is hard to go on as normal, but the coaching staff here have done a great job.

“We’ve been in training as we would have been for two Saturday games, getting some good work in during the week. They’ve made it as fun as possible, but we’ve been working towards a target as if we were playing

READING FC

on April 3rd. Now, that’s changed. We know now the earliest we’re going to play again will be the end of April, which again, is disappointing – but as I said earlier, the most important thing right now is fighting this virus.

“Things might change, our plans might change. We’ve just been given a few days off to self-isolate as best we can, and we’ll be following all the messages and advice given by the Government.

“But the work doesn’t stop. We’ve all been given individual training plans to complete to the best of our ability, involving a lot of body-weight exercises from home, muscle strengthening and maintenance work.

“It sounds like a cliché to say that we need to try and make the best of a bad situation, but we’ve got a really good group of lads

here who are trying to do that.”

The Royals skipper told fans that the side will be prepared once the football season restarts.

“When we do get back on the pitch, we’ll be firing physically and mentally.

We’ve just got to look forward to that now, so when the time comes, we’ll be ready. ”I'm really looking forward to seeing everybody back at the Madejski, hopefully to finish off the 2019-20 season as strongly as we possibly can, which will hopefully set us up strongly to move forward together.”

The full statement from Moore can be read at: readingfc.co.uk/news/2020/ march/-some-words-fromour-captain-during-uniquetimes

WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK FC

Royals gift programmes to older Sumas team makes fans from ‘match that never was’ food bank donation ANDY PRESTON

ANDY PRESTON

apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk

apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk

READING FC have ensured that all season ticket holders over the age of 70 will receive a free copy of the programme from Reading’s scheduled match against Stoke City that never took place.

The game, scheduled to be played on Saturday, March 14 was suspended due to thecoronavrius with the EFL suspending on Championship games until at least April, 31.

However, due to the late suspension, a programme for the match was still produced, with the club deciding to post a free copy to every season ticket holder over the age of 70 to help Reading fans stay engaged while the football season has been suspended.

Amid the current league suspension, and having followed new government advice, all Reading players and staff are now self isolating away from the training ground after the team had continued training at Hogwood Park the week before.

Speaking to BBC Radio Berkshire at the weekend, Reading manager Mark Bowen said: “We’re all worried about our health and our families. But the players, the staff, the fans, everybody is in this together.

“And together we’ve just got to fight our way through it. Hopefully things will get better sooner rather than later and football gets underway again. And with performances and results we can get our fans smiling again and forgetting the troubles of the world.

“We found that the game last Saturday

Wokingham & Emmbrook Under 15 Oranges team has donated over £100 to the Wokingham Food Bank.

The team were due to donate to the food bank at the end of the season, donating £2 for every goal scored throughout the season, which was organised at the start of the 2019/20 campaign.

However, with all football activities currently suspended, and with it currently being unknown whether the season can be completed, the team brought forward the date of their donation at

against Stoke City was postponed and then over the weekend we lost two or three players to self isolation.

“All were precautionary but they were both told to stay at home.

“Everybody knows that physical health takes preference over everything,” Bowen continued.

“But from a football point of view, of course if we can get the season done, if we can draw a line under it and move on, then there is no confusion on the outcomes.

“If you can get those nine games in three or four weeks, behind closed doors

or whatever it might take, then we can get the season done.

“We have worries, but our worries are nothing compared to those who might lose their jobs, lose their business, not have enough money in their pockets.

“We are in the football industry and are very privileged. Compared to many, our worries pale into insignificance.

“People look forward to watching football.

“And if football is being played it gives people a focus. That is why I hope we can back out there to help our fans through these difficult times.”

such a difficult time for so many in the community amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The Sumas have scored 27 goals this season, with the team choosing to double their donation to £104 which was given to the Wokingham Food Bank.

“It is something that we put in place at the start of the season and accelerated the donation after the season was suspended and their need for it right now.

“It’s great for a local team to be able to support a local charity, helping those in need,” said a parent of the team.

For the latest sport visit

Just not cricket: Leagues halt plans for summer season THE Berkshire Cricket League, Thames Valley Cricket League and Chilterns Cricket League have suspended all activities with immediate effect due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

RACING BOBBY IS ‘LIVING THE DREAM’ EXCLUSIVE

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk

WOKINGHAM racing driver Bobby Trundley ’living the dream’ as he is gearing up to break new barriers with Team BRIT in 2020.

The 20-year-old who lives with autism has been announced as part of the all-disabled team’s driver line up and will race in the Britcar Endurance Championship, driving the team’s Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4.

Bobby will be the only autistic driver racing in the UK at GT4 level this year, having stunned the industry with his driving last year.

“Team BRIT has changed my life massively,” said Bobby.

“It’s hard for me to explain, but I feel more confident when speaking to people. Before I was shy, but now I’m talkative and love speaking to fans and sponsors, without them I don’t think I would be able to talk to people normally.

“Motorsport helps my head clear.

When I put the helmet on, it’s like my autism fades away because on the track it’s a level playing field whether you have a disability or not.“ Despite the disrupted start to the season which was due to start in April but has been pushed back to

June 30, by Motorsport UK, Bobby is ensuring that he maintains his high performance levels ahead of the new campaign.

“Driving the Aston Martin has been brilliant, it’s a massive step up for me. I was driving the BMW 116 last season and to make the step up to drive a proper G4 race car.

“It’s such an honour and it’s amazing that the team believes in my ability,” said Bobby.

“I’m looking forward to the race season starting, the first race in the Aston will be mega and I just can’t wait for the next chapter.

“You have to get used to arriving into corners at a much higher speed, it’s phenomenal to drive.

“I have a race simulator at home that I’ve set up and I’ve been doing things on video games , such as IRacing which has helped me to learn the tracks.

“It’s a great training tool, you’re able to learn the braking points, the race lines and that is really helping.

It all really helps with my race craft and it is what every racing driver uses.”

Team BRIT aims to be the first British all-disabled team to race in Le Mans, and supports people with physical and psychological challenges in accessing motorsport through its Racing Academy.

Bobby was diagnosed with autism when he was four and first sat in a

cadet go-kartwhen he was 10, igniting his passion for the sport.

He soon found that it helped him manage the challenges that autism brings.

“When I was eight I got invited to a go-karting party in Woodley.

“When I got there, because I’m autistic, I didn’t like the noise, the smell and the environment of the crowds, so I ran out the building crying my eyes out, I’ve come a long way since then!

“When I finally got out on track, it instantly clicked and I realised this is where I belong.

He has won many karting titles and is the reigning Dmax champion.

He has been awarded a wealth of trophies, and has taken part in charity events such as the Damon Hill Kart Challenge in aid of the Halow Project and the Back on Track Charity Kart Race.

Bobby has also been awarded the Anna Kennedy OBE, Autism Hero Award for outstanding achievement in sport and was awarded the ANCA World Autism Festival Excellence in Sport Award 2017.

Racing in the Gaz Shocks BMW 116 Trophy he won four out of his five races.

“In our first race that we entered, I started second and finished first in my first ever car race,” continued Bobby.

“Our next race, I qualified in pole.

Unfortunately I lost a couple of positions in my class but thanks to a great strategy from the team and a couple of brave overtaking moves, we managed to win the race by 30 seconds.

“Our next race after that I qualified in fourth and by the end of the race I finished three minutes ahead of second. That was definitely the highlight of the year.

“I want to do the best that I can next season and enjoy the challenge along the way. It should be really fun. I want to impress and I can’t wait to race alongside my teammates.”

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The coronavirus pandemic has forced many sporting fixtures to be postponed, with the English Cricket Board the latest to announce their contingency plans with the ongoing situation.

A statement released by the ECB reads: “We are undertaking a number of steps to prepare for potential outcomes that an ongoing situation with Covid-19 might bring for the cricket community here in England and Wales.

“In conjunction with our partners across the network, we are building contingency plans across a number of possible eventualities.

“Our main priorities are to ensure we scope out the landscape for financial, logistical and scheduling implications.

“It is difficult for us to be sure of what outcomes the game might be expected to deal with. Therefore, we will continue to plan for the expectation that the season proceeds as normal, but in parallel prepare for a range of scenarios.

“These could include the possibility of playing matches behind closed doors, or potentially postponing or cancelling elements of the season.”

Summer season left uncertain The Berkshire released their own statement in full support of the ECB’s decision: “Berkshire Cricket Foundation fully support their decision and have suspended all of our programmes with immediate effect.

“In such uncertain times and circumstances we will, in due course, be looking at possible options for the summer.

“We appreciate that there will be many questions around specific issues, please rest assured we are working closely with the ECB and other bodies, and will be in regular communication with clubs and leagues over the coming days and weeks.”

Meanwhile, the Thames Valley Cricket League released a separate statement: “The current Covid 19 health emergency is resulting in unprecedented action being taken by HM Government. It is fair to say that no one has experienced anything like this before.

“We have received a number of requests from member clubs for information regarding our plans for the coming season.

“This is understandable, but currently government advice is changing daily and we do not know what the situation will be in early May. “We will follow Government’s and ECB’s advice regarding the provision of amateur sport, but the health and safety of players and officials in the TVCL will be our priority, as it will no doubt also be for our member clubs.”

Published by The Wokingham Paper Ltd, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Printed at Trinity Mirror Watford © The Wokingham Paper Ltd, 2020