Wokingham Today, December 16, 2021

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Thursday, December 16, 2021 No. 342 90p

Covid expert: Omicron wave will hit in New Year

PANDA KEEPS ON PEDALLING P29

EXPERT: Professor Ben Cowling

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today AS THE Omicron variant takes grip, Wokingham’s World Health Organisation covid expert is offering hope for the future.

Professor Ben Cowling, honoured by the Queen for his ground-breaking and life-saving Covid-19 work, has been speaking exclusively to Wokingham Today.

He thinks a major wave of Omicron in January cannot be prevented, but added: “It can be slowed down by the re-introduction of public health measures.”

Professor Cowling, from Sonning, has further hopes.

With millions seeking booster shots this week, he said that waves of the pandemic may not lead to swathes of hospitalisations.

He said: “It will depend on the virus, but hopefully with the immunity that’s been built up in the past two years we won’t see any further large waves of hospitalisations and severe cases.”

However the professor has doubts about a more normal Christmas.

“Omicron has come out of the blue,” he said. “I think many of us thought that the pandemic was coming to an end.

“I think with increasing case numbers, many Christmas celebrations will be postponed or cancelled.”

Looking to the future of Covid-19, Professor Cowling said: “Viruses can change in various ways, not necessarily becoming weaker, but over time population immunity will improve so that infections become milder on average because of better immunity rather than any change in the virus.”

JOLLY FARMER OPEN AFTER REFURB P4

SLEIGH: Reindeer spread cheer at Dinton Pastures • P3

DISNEY MOVIES WILL BE MADE IN SHINFIELD

The global media brand is set to make magic at new studios from next year

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today

ONE OF the biggest film companies in the world is coming to Shinfield.

Disney is the first client to be filming at Shinfield Studios, which is currently being developed off the M4.

With 18 sound stages, the site off the Eastern Relief Road will have span 85,000 square metres.

Four sound stages have already been built and are ready for operation, with a Disney

production confirmed to start next year, reported Screen Daily.

Four sound stages have already been built and are ready for operation, with a Disney production confirmed to start next year, reported Screen Daily.

Nick Smith, joint managing director of Shinfield Studios said: “Completing the first four sound stages already has enabled us to get up and running quickly and deliver a state-of-the-art studio space to meet Disney’s needs.” n Continued on page 7

MAN ARRESTED AFTER CRASH P2

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, December 16, 2021

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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 email Email news@wokingham.today Newsroom: 0118 327 2662 Advertising: 0118 327 2662 Write to: Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS Publisher • David Riley Editor • Phil Creighton Deputy editor • Jess Warren Reporters • Charlotte King, Laura Scardarella Sports reporter • Andy Preston Graphic designer • Charlotte Simpson The Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation. If you have a complaint about a Wokingham Paper Ltd publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance email: editor@wokingham.today. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk.

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Police appeal for CCTV from Wokingham shoe shop smash EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today POLICE are appealing for CCTV footage following the Wokingham shoe shop crash last week.

On Friday morning, shortly after midnight, a silver Mercedes E250 smashed into the Clarks store on Market Place.

The driver then reversed out of the shop and drove away towards of Bracknell.

The main doors were hanging into the road, a support pillar by the front door was destroyed and there was glass all over the pavement.

There were tyre marks on the paving slabs suggesting a vehicle hit the shop by force.

Shortly afterwards, officers in an unmarked police car discovered a heavily-damaged silver Mercedes stationary on the side of London Road. They arrested a 25-year-old

man, from Slough on suspicion of dangerous driving, drink-driving, driving without insurance and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.

He has since been released under investigation.

Thames Valley Police is now appealing for witnesses to the dangerous driving incident.

Investigating officer PC Peter Screen, based at Loddon Valley police station appealed to anyone who saw the crash or has CCTV that captured it.

“You can do so by making a report online or by calling 101, quoting reference number 43210556941,” he said.

Anonymous reports can be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Clarks store is part of the Silk Court development and there are flats above the shop floor.

As the main supporting pillar to the front of the buildings has not been damaged, it is not thought they are in any danger of collapse.

SMASHED: The Clarks frontage was destoryed after being hit Picture: Phil Creighton

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Reindeer visit Dinton Pastures FAMILIES met some of Father Christmas’ helpers at the weekend.

Reindeer from Riverways Farm in Twyford visited Dinton Pastures Country Park in Hurst over the weekend.

The farm has 15 reindeer, with two making guest appearances at the two-day Christmas event.

Beyond the four-legged creatures, families also enjoyed live music, mulled wine, mince pies.

SANTA’S HELPERS: Riverways Farm broughts its eindeer to Dinton Pastures over the weekend Pictures: Dijana Capan

Jasper lights up BT Tower with message of thanks for charity

By NATALIE BURTON nburton@wokingham.today A WOKINGHAM boy’s message of thanks to a volunteer who has supported his family throughout the pandemic lit up the BT Tower in central London this month.

Jasper’s message, which was displayed on the tower’s digital screen on Saturday, was: “Our volunteer plays Lego with us”.

It is part of the Make Nice Things Happen campaign, run by BT to celebrate the work of its partner charity, Home-Start UK. The messages of 12 children from across the country have been chosen to represent the work of the charity’s volunteers.

Jasper, 7, and his family were helped by Home-Start UK volunteer Louisa after Jasper was diagnosed with autism, ADHD and pathological demand avoidance last year.

His mum Nicky Wright realised that she needed help after she became overwhelmed by managing Jasper’s many conditions.

She said that he would often become upset, angry or violent as he finds it hard to process instructions or plans for the day. She was also struggling to keep on top of housework tasks and has another son, Hugo, younger brother to Jasper.

“I thought I wasn’t the kind of person to ask for help, but it was a very emotional time and I realised I needed some support,” Ms Wright explained.

After contacting Home-Start, a charity which has local community networks of trained volunteers volunteers, the family received the help of Louisa.

“She immediately bonded with Jasper and Hugo. By playing with them, she gave me a chance to catch my breath and and get some housework done. It meant the world to me,” Ms Wright said.

“I work in the evenings and sometimes feel like I am failing the boys. Louisa suggested I keep a diary – writing down one positive thing each day that I have done with each of the boys, which has helped me feel better about myself.”

“Louisa gave me the chance to not feel guilty. The biggest difference she has made is the reassurance she gives me that I am doing okay. She has given me back my self-belief. In what can sometimes feel like world war three, Louisa is a like a ray of sunlight in our home.”

Ms Wright said that seeing Jasper’s quote on the BT tower made her emotional.

Victoria Johnson, campaigns, charity and engagement director at BT, paid tribute to the work of volunteers and said: “It’s great to be able to share these thank you messages and show the impact these amazing volunteers have, particularly on children.”

Jasper’s message was displayed on Saturday, December 11. More messages will be displayed until Friday, December 17.

THANK YOU: Jasper’s message of thanks to his Home Start volunteer lit up the BT Tower in Central London

JAILED: Daniel Allaway must serve three years

Shinfield man jailed for three years following burglary A SHINFIELD man has been jailed for a burglary in Reading.

Daniel Allaway, 40, of Cirrus Drive, Shinfield, was found guilty of one count burglary, theft of a motor vehicle and theft at Reading Crown Court on Monday, December 6.

Following a four-day trial, the judge sentenced Allaway to three years’ imprisonment for burglary, three years for theft of a motor vehicle and one month for theft, all to be served concurrently, and banned him from driving for 10 months.

At the same hearing, Ryan Dye, aged 40, of Ambrook Road, Reading, was found not guilty of burglary, theft of a motor vehicle and theft.

On Monday, July 12, Allaway entered a property on Shinfield Road through the back door after the occupants, two men and a woman, went to bed at around 11.30pm.

Allaway took the keys to a Volkswagen Golf and a Bose speaker from the house as well as a gold watch from another car on the driveway, before driving off in the Volkswagen.

Police officers found the stolen car nearby shortly afterwards along with Allaway, plus the stolen watch and speaker.

CCTV footage showed Allaway discarding the keys to the stolen car. He was subsequently arrested and charged.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Rebecca Nichols, of the Priority Crime Team, based at Loddon Valley police station, said: “Burglary is a priority crime within the force and we are happy that this offender has been found guilty and justice can be given to the victims.

“This was a great joint effort from both teams in Reading and Loddon Valley.”

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, December 16, 2021

Hurst’s Jolly Farmer pub reopens after giant refurb EXCLUSIVE

By NATALIE BURTON nburton@wokingham.today

Sitting on the sofa watching Christmas reruns

P

ICTURE the scene- you’ve had a huge Christmas lunch, stuffed your face, twice, then you progress to the sofa to relax and prepare for turkey sandwiches in the evening.

Before you know it, 4 hours have gone, and you, and your bloated gut have not moved from the sofa! Not one bit! You try to get up, much like a beetle on it’s back and your back locks up! Clients come into the clinic saying “all I did was try to get up out of the sofa!” That’s cos you sat for too long on your butt and your back needs MOVEMENT!!

You can think about it much like a repetitive strain injury, where too much of one thing (sitting) fatigues your back so much so that it flares up. It’s a proven fact that your spine needs moving every 20-30mins whether you feel it or not……

My chiropractic tips are: � Get up every ad break, if there isn’t any ads then get up anyway! � Think about your posture when you do sit- your feet should be on the floor, your bottom placed right back into the back of the sofa, and your arms placed to your sides � No crossing legs or putting them to one side of you � Have several cushions to put behind you in the arch of your low back � Think about a recliner sofa if you do enjoy watching movies or lots of TV- this is much better for your back then sitting with your feet up in front of you on a coffee table or cushion � Breathe: when you don’t move your brain automatically has to work harder to get air in so practice doing diaphragm breathing (as you breath in let your stomach inflate like a balloon) � Don’t stress: although there is always loads to do, people to cater for, remember it’s a time to celebrate so practising gratitude is helpful to wash away the Xmas blues- send someone you love a text telling something you love about them, or write someone a letter (yes they still do those!).

So please don’t be one of those statistics that get back pain when getting up from the sofa. Learn from this blog and prevent it from happening in the first place. Then you can feel smug about it As always take care and merry Xmas!

A HURST pub has reopened its doors to thirsty punters following an extensive refurbishment by its new landlord.

Mike Cobb took on The Jolly Farmer on Davis Street for brewery Greene King in early November.

Since his arrival, Mr Cobb has invested heavily to renovate the pub’s interior, including the beer cellar room and kitchen.

“When I arrived it was dilapidated, a shell of a building really,” he said.

“There was nothing here at all, not even glass wear.”

He is no stranger to the task, having spent £80,000 when he took on The Emmbrook Inn, Wokingham, last November. Mr Cobb will remain landlord at the pub while overseeing his ambitious plans for The Jolly Farmer.

“I was attracted by the challenge and potential of the building,” he explained.

Now that work on the interior is largely finished, attention has turned to the large pub garden.

Plans include building an outside bar and barbecue area, with uncover and heated seating areas to extend the outdoor season. Work will be starting soon to level the car park and put in new outdoor lighting.

And the pub’s food offering is something Mr Cobb is keen to get right, using his experience at both the Bull at Barkham and The Emmbrook Inn. It is hoped that the kitchen will open with a limited menu before Christmas, ahead

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OPEN: Landlord Mike Cobb is holding a grand opening in the new year Picture: Natalie Burton of a grand opening in the new year.

“There will be an emphasis on doing traditional English pub food really well and we’ll include some of the Thai flavours from Emmbrook too,” he said.

Mr Cobb is joined at The Jolly Farmer by bar manager, Adam Maddox. He also comes from The Emmbrook Inn. He has already introduced a wine and cocktail menu, and hopes to expand the bar’s gin offering soon.

The choice and condition of beer is important to both men.

“All our beers are from the Society of

Independent Brewers, so we can have offer brews from Marlow’s Rebellion Beer Co and St Austell Brewery,” Mr Cobb explained.

Mr Maddox added: “The Heineken smart dispenser we use means that we can keep things just right.”

The men hope to create a welcoming atmosphere, which is both family and dog friendly, to take advantage of their location near to Dinton Pastures.

The Jolly Farmer, Davis Street, Hurst is open daily from noon until late.

n For more information, visit: thejollyfarmerhurst.co.uk

The Sultan re-opens after £100,000 refurbishment EXCLUSIVE

By ANDREW BATT news@wokingham.today ONE of Wokingham’s oldest restaurants re-opened this week for the first time in almost two years.

The Sultan in Market Place is welcoming customers again following an extensive £100,000 refurbishment.

Customers will be able to experience an exciting new menu created by new executive chef Kuldeep Singh.

He is an experienced, awardwinning chef and Indian cookery expert.

His tie-up with the Wokingham restaurant marks his first culinary venture outside central London, where he has gained a huge following.

His previous restaurants include Chowki, Three Monkeys, and Mela in Shaftsbury Avenue where he won the prestigious London Evening Standard Indian Restaurant of the Year.

Restaurant owner Raja Majid explained the new menu, created by Chef Kuldeep, will feature exciting new dishes alongside the Sultan’s traditional favourites.

He said: “I’m extremely pleased to welcome Chef Kuldeep to the team, and I’m really looking forward to

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Twyford volunteers make sure seniors aren’t forgotten this Christmas A GROUP of volunteers from Twyford gathered last week to pack gift hampers for older members of the community.

The hampers will be delivered to members of Age Concern Twyford.

Members of six Twyfordbased charities and businesses took part in the event, as part of the annual Be a Santa to a Senior campaign.

The group has organised Christmas parties in Colleton School hall for almost a decade.

Guests enjoy a bucks fizz high tea, a raffle and entertainment. There are visits from Theresa May and Father Christmas, and everyone leaves with a present.

Organiser Melissa Johnson, director of Home Instead Maidenhead, said that it was decided not to run a Christmas party for the second year running, as older people are

more vulnerable to covid.

“I’m really glad we took that decision with this new variant that has arrived over the past couple of weeks,” she said.

This year’s hampers were packed at Sheeplands plant nursery.

They include a Christmas pudding, tea, biscuits and a festive puzzle book produced

by Home Instead.

And each pack contains a card from children at Colleton School.

“It’s a lovely box of goodies,” Ms Johnson said.

“But the feeling that people are thinking of you at this time of year is what really matters.”

Companies and groups were Home Instead, The David Brownlow Charitable Foundation, Twyford Together, TimeFinders, Sheeplands, RG10 Magazine.

Waitrose gives a little love to Lavell’s OPEN AGAIN: Raja Majid from Sultan Balti House in Wokingham’s town centre Picture: Phil Creighton welcoming customers back to the restaurant.”

Chef Kuldeep explained how customers will be able to experience a wide variety of flavours from across India in the form of small plates and larger offerings.

New dishes on the everevolving menu will feature ingredients including

langoustine, duck and rabbit.

Memorable experiences for vegan and vegetarian customers are also at the forefront of the restaurant’s goals.

Customers are urged to book in advance to avoid disappointment, although walkins will be welcomed subject to available space.

The re-opening of the 50-cover upstairs restaurant comes ahead of a planned New Year opening of a new concept for the downstairs space at 7, Market Place.

Its associated takeaway operation, Sultan Express, has been operating throughout the lockdown. It has gained a loyal following of regular customers.

A NATURE reserve on the outskirts of Woodley has received a donation of £1,000 from the town’s Waitrose branch.

Lavell’s Wetland Trust (LWT) was chosen to receive the money from Waitrose Woodley’s Give a Little Love charity donation programme.

Dawn and Jackie, ambassadors for Waitrose Woodley, chose the charity for its environmental work.

Fraser Cottington, one of the charity’s trustees, said he was honoured and excited to receive the donation.

The money will be used to build facilities for LWT members.

“We will be building a mini bird hut in the north west corner of Lea Farm Lake to offer views over our newly created marshy corner,” he said. n For more information, visit: lavells.org.uk

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, December 16, 2021

GPs and hospital to help deliver booster jabs EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today GP SURGERIES will once again be giving out jabs in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19.

RIDING: Shane Carey sits on the back of Cllr Phil Cunnington’s bike for the Toy Run

Shane has Toy Run fun thanks to Twyford charity

A TWYFORD-based charity organised a unique Toy Run experience for one lucky man earlier this month.

Building for the Future Plus arranged for Shane Carey to ride as a pillion passenger on a specially adapted motor-trike for the annual event.

The Toy Run saw more than 1,000 bikers take to the streets on the first Sunday in December to donate toys to charities in Reading, Wokingham and across the Thames Valley.

Beneficiaries include Barnardo’s High Close School, Wokingham.

Mr Carey enjoyed taking part and said he would like to do it all again.

“Being on a trike for the first time was an amazing experience,” he said.

The driver and owner of the motortrike, Cllr Phil Cunnington, added: “It is such a rare and special experience to take part in the Toy Run, and Shane didn’t stop smiling and waving.”

Building for the Future Plus CEO, Jane Holmes, paid thanks to Cllr Cunnington.

He said: “It was brilliant to see Shane enjoying himself so much.

Finding opportunities such as this for young disabled adults is what we are about.” n For more information, visit: bftf.org. uk/bftf-plus

Cllr Charles margetts, executive member for health at the borough council, said that plans are evolving to open at least one GP surgery in each five primary care networks (PCNs) across the borough.

It means that residents should have more places they can go to receive a booster jab.

Cllr Margetts said that he hopes this will mean a “large chunk” of booster jabs can be administered before the end of the month.

He said plans are also being developed to open Wokingham Community Hospital as a mass vaccination centre again.

This, he said, could happen

by Monday, December 20.

He urged residents not to call their GP surgery but instead visit the national booking system, which will be updated as each PCN takes on the booster roll-out.

He said the borough council is continuing to push for the opening of a mass vaccination site in Matthewsgreen.

Earlier in the week, Cllr Margetts warned that there was not enough capacity for covid booster jabs.

Cllr Margetts wrote to Berkshire West CCG and the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care System (BOB ICS) calling for urgent action.

“It’s immensely frustrating,” the councillor said. “Politicians on the television are telling residents to go and get their booster jab, but they can’t.

There’s not enough capacity.”

Cllr Margetts belives that opening a mass vaccination centre in Matthewsgreen now would also help meet the demand. But this has yet to be confirmed.

“I’ve raised a formal complaint against the CCG to BOB,” he said.

He hopes that a meeting with Dr James Kent, chief executive of BOB ICS, on Friday will resolve some of the jab availability issues.

Cllr Margetts said that he is also concerned the wrong

BOOSTERS: Cllr Charles Margetts is calling for increased jab capacity advice is being given out to medical staff.

At the weekend, he went to the Broad Street Mall walkin centre to get a booster jab.

On arrival, Cllr Margetts said that he was told he couldn’t get a booster shot until six months after his second dose was given.

But on Wednesday, December 8, the national vaccine programme was extended so that all residents aged 40 and over, along with those in high risk groups, would be able to book in for their booster jab three months after their second dose.

When Cllr Margetts raised this, he said he was told that NHS staff at the walk-in had

not been told this, and that he could not receive a booster jab. Instead, he was turned away.

Cllr Margetts said that he is very concerned if residents do not have access to the booster jab before the new year, infection rates will not only overwhelm the NHS, but also impact the running of society, from bin collections to businesses.

Jabs are now being offered to all over 18s who recieved their second dose of the vaccine at least three months ago.

n To book a booster jab, visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/ coronavirus-covid-19/ coronavirus-vaccination/bookcoronavirus-vaccination

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Thursday, December 16, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

It’s a wrap for Giving Tree tag collections

PRESENTS: From left: Holly Langley and Talia Tighe-Neal with gifts donated

by Simply Commerce

EXCLUSIVE

By NATALIE BURTON nburton@wokingham.today THE FIRST phase of this year’s Giving Tree appeal has now been completed.

GLOBAL NAME: Disney is the first client to be filming at Shinfield Studios Picture: Scott Brownrigg

Disney comes to Shinfield n Continued from front page

Mr Smith said that he is incredibly excited about the potential for Shinfield Studios.

Ian Johnson, joint managing director at the company, added: “It’s well documented that there is an ever-growing demand for studio space in the UK and we’re thrilled to be able to take advantage of this and create a world class home for the film and TV community within Berkshire.

“Wokingham Borough Council and the community

of Shinfield have been incredibly supportive of this vision and we look forward to contributing to the employment and cultural opportunities in the local area.”

Adrian Wootton, chief executive of the British Film Commission, said that the demand for filmed content is growing exponentially.

“It is critical that we respond by supporting an increase in studios and stage space capacity, in tandem with significant skills development,” she said.

“Shinfield is an important new development, which will help considerably in continuing to draw production and investment to the UK.” The whole filming facility is expected to be finished by the end of 2024.

Once complete Shinfield Studios expects to generate total inward investment to the UK economy of approximately £600 million each year.

The site includes workshops, offices, and post-production and screening facilities.

All of the tags have been taken from Christmas trees which were placed in venues across Wokingham and the surrounding area.

The appeal sees tags replaced with gifts for youngsters who may otherwise go without. Each tag represents a gift requested by one number of local charities.

Organiser Gill Mckernan said that this will now be a busy period for the charities who benefit from the campaign. Gifts are wrapped by volunteers from each of the charities before reaching the child it was bought for.

“People have dug deep,” Ms Mckernan said. “Support this year has been overwhelming and the appeal has been successful, despite the challenges of covid.”

Children have also donated gifts to this year’s campaign.

Eloise Bidwell from Warfield decided that her Christmas wish this year was to be Father Christmas to others, as she has everything she needs.

Mum Emily remembered seeing Giving Trees a few years ago and

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asked about them on a Facebook discussion page. It was spotted

by Amanda Eversdon, Tesco Warfield community organiser, who made sure that kind hearted Eloise’s wish came true when she took part in this year’s appeal by taking a tag from the store’s tree.

Businesses have also been getting involved.

For the past few years, Wokingham-based recruitment agency Simply Commerce has taken part.

This year employees were able to place gifts under their office Christmas tree again.

Holly Langley, business operations manager, and colleague Talia Tighe-Neal took their donations to Transform Housing on Denmark Street, Wokingham, on Friday, December

10. Transform Housing act as the Giving Tree’s present sorting hub.

Ms Langley said: “We are thrilled to take part and help make Christmas special for local children.”

Charities that benefit: Barnardo’s Sebastian’s Action Trust Look Ahead Care Berkshire Women’s Aid Kaleidoscopic UK Transform Housing Home Start Berkshire Young Carers Dingley’s Promise The Cow Shed Building For The Future First Days Children’s Charity Berkshire Vision

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‘The hub of the family home’

Thefamilybathroomisthe‘hub’ofthehomeitisusedtoits entiretyduringthebusymorningandattheendoftheday.

Theroomhastoprovidefunctionalityandhardwearingfor themanyfootstepsthatpoundthroughtheroomevery day.That’snottosaytheroomcan’tdisplaysomedesign tastesbut,weneedtobemindfulthatthisroomisvery busy!

Thefunctionalaspect Thefamilybathroomhasto twopriorities.Onapractical level,ifthereisspaceinyour roomthentwobasinswould workwellasthereareusually oneormorechildrenwho needtogettothebasinat thesametime.Secondly, fromanadultperspective thereneedstohavesome kindofluxurywherethe roomcantransforminto relaxationattheendofalongday.A bathisessential particularlywithayoungfamilywithashowerattachment addedinthecornerofthebath.

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GRAND TOTAL: Runners raised £35,000 for the hospice while dressed for the festive season Picture: Thames Hospice

Council compulsory purchase order rejected for Gorse Ride EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today A PLAN to compulsory purchase homes in Gorse Ride has stalled after the order was rejected.

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HUNDREDS of Thames Hospice supporters donned fancy dress for the charity’s festive fun run, raising £35,000 along the way.

The Swinley Forest Santa Dash made a return on Sunday, December 5.

More than 600 dashers wearing a variety of Christmasthemed costumes took on one of three different routes.

Alison Evans, head of community and events fundraising, thanked The Crown Estate for allowing runners to use of forest.

“Our supporters are wonderful,” she said. “There was a fantastic atmosphere and the sea of red Santa suits was a sight to behold.”

She also thanked The Look Out and Coral Reef Waterworld for providing car parking and Jit Bedi from Bespoke Balloons for decorations. Ms Evans also paid tribute to all of the volunteers.

Last month, a planning inspector denied the borough council’s application made in February for a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) at the site.

It is planning to extensively redevelop the Finchampstead neighbourhood, creating 249 homes.

But two families living in Billing Avenue and Dart Close objected to the purchase order.

Both are home-owners and live in two of the 38 homes in the Gorse Ride South estate that were sold under ‘right-to-buy’ legislation.

By May, the borough council had re-acquired 20 homes by voluntary agreement with the owners, and terms had been agreed on a further five. This left 13 homes that had yet to be purchased.

The planning inspector, Mr Felgate, said in his report that the purchase infringes the human rights of the owners to the peaceful enjoyment of their possessions.

He said it would also interfere with the occupiers’ rights to respect for their private and family life, and that Compulsory Purchase Orders should only be made as a “last resort”.

In the report, Mr Felgate said the objectors felt that homes had been “well-maintained and are in good order”.

He said: “The objectors believe these properties to be physically sound, and no reason is seen as to why they should not last for at least 40 or 50 more years. In the objectors’ view, their homes do not have unduly high running costs or maintenance issues, and it is said that the homes have been rated

good for energy efficiency.”

One of the families replaced their original roof covering with new tiles to improve the building’s “thermal performance”.

Mr Felgate added: “Although much of the estate now has a rundown appearance, this is seen as largely a result of neglect by the council.”

He said that in recent years, home-owners had been deterred from investing in maintenance, due to the “blight” caused by the redevelopment proposals.

Mr Felgate said that the two objectors disputed whether the Gorse Ride redevelopment scheme benefits “would be as great as claimed.”

On inspecting the site, Mr Felgate said that there was a lack of evidence from both the council and objectors.

He added: “There is no evidence of widespread public support.

At best, it is considered that the benefits are over-stated.

“Reliance is placed on the alleged support of the majority of residents on the estate, and if this were substantiated I consider that this could potentially carry some weight.

But yet again no documented evidence has been produced.”

He added: “There is no actual documentary evidence as to their energy efficiency or running costs.

Nor are there any surveyors’ reports to confirm the properties’ structural soundness, or the feasibility of making any necessary improvements. However, neither is there any clear evidence on these matters from the council.”

Mr Felgate explained that a “compelling case” for a compulsory purchase order has to be made by the borough council, when a homeowner stands to lose their home, and human rights infringed.

He accepted that the confirmation of the purchase order would facilitate the complete demolition

and redevelopment of the estate.

Mr Felgate added: “[This would] have some benefits in terms of increased housing provision, open space and construction jobs.

However, these benefits are not so great as to justify the compulsory acquisition of the objectors’ properties at Dart Close and Billing Avenue.

“The redevelopment scheme would have the potential for some further benefits to the local community, but those are less tangible and less certain.

“The replacement of the existing dwellings might also bring sustainability benefits in terms of reduced energy use and emissions, but the extent of any such benefits is unproven and unquantified.”

He concluded that: “In the absence of any apparent consideration of alternatives, it has not been sufficiently demonstrated that the compulsory acquisition of the objection properties is necessary to achieve benefits of the kind sought.”

He added: “The sustainability benefits claimed by the council have not been substantiated; nor has it been shown that the demolition of the existing properties is the only or best way to achieve those benefits; nor that the inclusion of the objectors’ properties is necessary.”

Mr Felgate said that he has no doubt the council’s actions are “wellintentioned, and are motivated by highly respectable environmental objectives”.

He added: “I have no reason to doubt that the scheme that it seeks to promote would produce a reasonably high-quality development, securing the area’s long-term future, and making some contribution to sustainability.”

However, Mr Felgate felt that there was not a compelling enough case to force the purchase of the objectors’ homes.

David Auger, of Martin and Pole Estate Agents, was acting on behalf of the two objecting families.

He said that unless the borough council makes the home-owners an offer they are prepared to accept, the families do not have to move.

“If they want to stay there, they can,” he said. “For a lot of people, it’s not about the money, but the emotional side of the move.

“Lots of people moved in during the 1980s, and have lived there ever since.”

Mr Auger said it was not the end of the road for the borough’s council’s redevelopment plan, but the decision has given homeowners an opportunity to negotiate on the sale of their homes — if they want to move.

Cllr John Kaiser, the borough council’s executive member for finance and housing, said the borough council is considering applying for another CPO with more evidence attached.

He said: “CPO has always been viewed as our absolute last resort and we continue to work with owners directly, having already secured 29 properties through negotiation since we started the regeneration in 2018.”

Cllr Kaiser said that regenerating Gorse Ride is more than refurbishing a few properties.

“It’s about addressing historic issues with design and layout,” he said, “and about creating strong communities, with an increased number of affordable homes, a wider mix of houses and apartments and improved facilities such as new open spaces for all to enjoy.”

Cllr Kaiser said that the council is reviewing the overarching programme as there have been some issues with availability and cost of materials, as well as staff and the impact of Covid-19.

An update is expected next year.

Thursday, December 16, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

NEWS | 9

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Hurst Village Society suggests new measures to slow down drivers

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today

ROAD chicanes, humps, rumble strips, speed cameras and traffic lights are all ideas suggested for a village that feels plagued by speeding vehicles.

The ideas are for key routes through Hurst that connect to Wokingham, Twyford, Winnersh, Reading and the motorways.

Hurst Village Society (HVS) revealed its traffic calming framework to Hurst Parish Council and residents last week.

Society chairman Jo Newbold said afterwards: “We need to make Hurst a safer place for residents and road users and we hope this is the start of the wider conversation.

“We are taking a more holistic approach … and trying to ensure drivers get consistent and ever increasing messages that they’re entering a village as they get closer to the centre.

“We need to make Hurst safer for residents and road users and we hope this is the start of the wider conversation … If residents want it we will find a way of improving things.

It does come down to money but there are options. We’re not making proposals, it’s up to the village.”

GO SLOW: The suggestions aim to keep drivers to a low speed throughout the village Picture: Hurst Village Society Within an area a mile from the duck pond HVS believes that all roads could be 30mph, instead of 30, 40 and 60mph.

Three extra roadside entrance gates are suggested.

“Trying to change speed limits is horrendous, but it should not deter us as a village if the will is there for us to try,” said Mrs Newbold. “We’re not aware of a serious accident involving a pedestrian but we don’t want that to happen.”

Closer into the village centre ideas include single lane chicanes on the A321. Near the centre suggestions include rumble strips and a zebra crossing on the A321, humps on School and Orchard Roads, cameras on Lodge Road and the A321, and traffic lights to make Church Hill near The Castle single lane.

HVS hopes to publish examples of the ideas on its website before Christmas

Police launch drug diversion scheme A DRUG diversion programme has been launched in the Thames Valley to help residents break the cycle of substance misuse.

Police are working with Druglink to deliver a £75,000 programme based on education and support.

The force is funding the project via its Violence Reduction Unit, which has a priority to support efforts to tackle drug crime and its associated harm.

Under the Druglink programme, anyone possessing small amounts of illegal drugs, or where their offence is linked to substance misuse or addiction, can be referred to the charity’s education programme.

Tara Lock, the scheme’s training and diversion team leader, said she is delighted

to be working on the project and hopes it will help address underlying root causes of some minor offending.

“Druglink has more than 30 years of experience in the field, but in recent years, difficult times have led people in everyday situations to increase their consumption of substances,” Ms Lock said.

“The pandemic has had a hugely negative impact on mental health and well-being, a side-effect of this being an increased use of alcohol and other drugs.

“We know how easily these situations can get out of control and we are glad to be working alongside Thames Valley Police to help target harmful behaviour.”

Chief Inspector Jason Kew, of the Thames Valley Violence

Reduction Unit, said the force takes a strong enforcement stance against drug dealers and county lines gangs.

“Their evil trade bring misery to those struggling with addiction, those they exploit and communities blighted by the crime and violence fuelled by drugs,” he said.

“But we know that we must also support those who misuse drugs, alcohol and other substances so that we can prevent harm, stop the offending they commit and reduce the demand for illegal drugs.

“Our partnership with Druglink is another important part of our use of tailored interventions to help break that cycle of drugs and offending, to help people change their lives and behaviour.”

Live nativity event on Sunday FAMILIES are invited to take part in a special retelling of the Christmas story on Sunday.

Lower Earley Baptist Church is opening its gardens to all creatures great and small.

Little monkeys on their best behaviour for Santa’s visit can see animals featured in the Nativity story, such as donkeys and sheep.

Members of the Maiden Place church will be sharing the story of the first Christmas with storytelling sessions, and there will be craft activities too.

There are three bookable sessions – 2pm, 3pm and 4pm, all on Sunday, December 19. n For details, log on to: lowerearleybaptistchurch.org.uk

and will seek members’ and other villagers’ views. Society committee member Andrew Wilson studied villages across the country for the document.

HVS asked the parish council for its views by the council’s March meeting. But the council said that the document should go to Hurst’s Neighbourhood Plan team who produce reports on Hurst ecology, landscape, housing, highways and transport.

The team is seeking professional advice from highways and transport experts, said council chair Wayne Smith, after the council meeting. The plan will look at how to improve the village and keep its character.

All villagers would be asked what they think of the plan.

Later, they could vote in a referendum on it. It would then go to a government planning department inspector, he said.

Village society chair Mrs Newbold was concerned that the neighbourhood plan would not be finished until late in 2023, or possibly 2024. But she paid tribute to the parish council’s work.

“The parish council, Wayne and other members have spent a lot of time on the speeding issues,” she said.

“We don’t under estimate all the work that has been done.”

The parish council has its own speed measuring device.

Speeds recorded are sent to the police who do their own checks.

Cllr Smith took up residents’ concerns when a midnight hit and run driver hit cottages at Church Hill in August.

Cllr Mac Stephenson presented a petition signed by nearly 500 people to the borough council asking for better Church Hill safety.

Woodley awards £1,500 to six groups in community grants SIX GROUPS in Woodley have been awarded a grand total of £1,500 by the town council.

On Tuesday, November 23, the council’s strategy and resources committee meeting, grants of £250 were given to sporting and community groups.

Kick Twist Cheerleading was given the funds to buy air track equipment, which will be used for teaching the beginners teams.

Woodley Adopt a Street Project (WASP), was given the money for additional street cleaning equipment for its volunteers.

Wokingham Job Centre Support was supported with £250, which will be used towards the cost of providing internet access and training, as well as support on how to find and apply for jobs.

Funds were also given to Berkshire MS Therapy, which will use the money to fund exercise sessions for members.

And Berkshire Vision will use its £250 to support its monthly programme of activities for members.

Woodley United FC was also awarded a grant, which will be used towards the hire cost of additional training facilities.

Grants of up to £250 are available to organisations that act for the local good of the town.

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Weather forecasters to move to University THE HEADQUARTERS of the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts is set to move to the University of Reading.

The new offices will be on the current site of Reading School of Art, on the Earley Gate side of the Whiteknights campus.

It has been chosen because it is next door to the University’s Department of Meteorology. The department is home to several national weather and climate research bodies, including a section of the UK Met Office. According the university, the presence of ECMWF will create the largest cluster of research and operational weather forecasting organisations in the world.

The build will be fully funded by the Government through the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

George Freeman MP, minister for science, said that the move will ensure that the UK will lead in climate research.

“We are proud to continue to host the headquarters,” he said.

“The UK and the ECMWF have worked hand in hand for well over four decades and by investing in this crucial cluster, we are using UK science for global good to understand our climate.”

Dr Florence Rabier, director-general of ECMWF, thanked the Government and the university for their proposal, and member states for their approval.

“This is a very positive result for us and paves the way for a new headquarters building with sustainability at its core,” she added.

Reading School of Art will move into new space in and near the Polly Vacher Building, on the Pepper Lane entrance of the campus.

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, December 16, 2021

Wokingham’s Christmas Shop delivers festive magic again FESTIVE GIFTS: Georgina Hustler-Sutton has opened her Christmas shop again after being given permission by the borough council Picture: Dijana Capan

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today

A WOKINGHAM shop is spreading Christmas cheer after being given permission to open again this year.

Georgina Hustler-Sutton, owner of Wokingham’s Antique Rose and Maison Rustic, had previously been told that her Christmas shop would not be given permission to sell its feative wares.

Based in the old Wallis site at the end of Bush Walk, the shop had been left unoccupied after Ms HustlerSutton was asked to leave in August to make way for new tenants.

“My customers have been asking daily why we couldn’t use the space for a Christmas shop with some of them pretty angry that the space was vacant,” she said. “The Christmas shop is such a focus for the town in the run up to Christmas and to many it simply made no sense.

“I had pretty much given up all hope of being allowed to trade here again after several requests to the council, of which I receive no response.”

The self-professed high-street champion said that an eleventh-

hour decision by Wokingham Borough Council meant that she could open doors to the Winter wonderland again.

She had been allowed to use the site as a window display since the summer, but trading was off the cards.

Ms Hustler-Sutton has had shops in Bush Walk since 2010. Her Christmas Shop was open for seven weeks last year.

“All our customers loved the magical space we created, especially after the year we’d had due to

lockdown and covid restrictions,” she said. “They have been asking daily since the summer if we’d be having the Christmas Shop again this year.”

If not granted the former Wallis space, she was hoping to open in the former New Look premises, although this fell through.

“I’m not sure what or who changed the council’s mind, but I’m delighted about this last minute U-turn.

“It was a mad rush to open as we only had a week’s notice

and couldn’t move until after Wokingham’s Winter Carnival.”

Ms Hustler-Sutton said that her team created a magical winter wonderland in just two days.

“I’m over the moon and so are our wonderful customers,” she said.

“I want to thank everyone for their continued support, and I just hope everyone gets to visit the space before the big day.”

The Christmas Shop stocks a range of decorations and gift ideas, including trees, wreaths, lights, and garlands.

“Whatever your Christmas style, we’ve got it covered,” Ms HustlerSutton added. “From traditional and rustic, to colourful or subtle, there’s something for everyone.”

She said that this year, she has extended her popular festive Gonk Collection, which are now now available on a three for two offer alongside Christmas tree decorations.

The shop is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays, until Christmas Eve. Ms Hustler-Sutton said it open between Christmas and New Year if there is any stock left.

Sue Ryder launches tree recycling scheme RESIDENTS can recycle their Christmas tree for charity this year.

Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice is encouraging residents to recycle their real trees through its Christmas Treecycling service.

It will collect trees from people’s homes, before being chipped by G A Butler & Sons into mulch and recycled.

This can then be used for gardens, topping up garden or woodland paths, biomass fuel, or as surfacing for children’s play areas.

The initiative will raise vital funds for the charity, to help it continue offering its palliative care and bereavement support.

Residents are asked to donate in return for the collection.

Georgia Thornton, community fundraiser at the hospice said the service is a practical and green solution to disposing of real Christmas trees.

“Each Christmas tree we collect and each donation that is made will help us to continue supporting people to make the most of the time they have left – and filling their last moments with love and care.

“A special thank you to Just Helping, Arborfield Tree Care and G A Butler & Sons for their wonderful support.”

Luke Butler, director and contract manager at G A Butler & Sons, said that his company is delighted to help.

Residents who live in RG1, RG2, RG4 8, RG4 5, RG4 6, RG5, RG6, RG7, RG8 8, RG8 9, RG10, RG14, RG18, RG19, RG20, RG30, RG31 and RG40 postcodes will be able to have their Christmas trees collected from their homes between Wednesday, January 12 and Saturday, January 15. n To sign up, visit: sueryder.org/ doktrees before Sunday, January 9.

NEWS | 11

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Thursday, December 16, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Stall holders spread cheer at Cantley market

GIFTS: The Cowshed had a stall selling hand-crafted items created by its volunteers Picture: Dijana Capan

CANTLEY’S CHRISTMAS market is open to festivities.

Last week, the borough mayor, Cllr Keith Baker, cut the ribbon to open the event.

Running until Thursday, December 23, the market will have different traders each week it is open.

These include arts and crafts vendors, food and drink stalls, and charity stands.

Cllr Baker said that he was pleased to open Cantley’s first Christmas Market.

“There are some wonderful traders, with more lined up over the next two weeks,” he said.

“If you can, do pop down and support them.”

Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure, said: “After such a long period of uncertainty due to the pandemic, we wanted to put on a good, seasonal outdoor event that helps support growth in our community.

“The Christmas Market is free to attend and I am encouraging residents to come along, have a browse and support our wonderful local businesses.”

It is open from noon until 8pm Monday to Saturday, and noon until 6pm on Sunday.

Earley Town Council leader ‘pleased’ to see Lidl plan rejected EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today THE LEADER of Earley Town Council said he is very pleased that the plan to build a Lidl and 43 homes has been rejected.

Cllr Clive Jones, who is also leader of the Liberal Democrats in Wokingham, said that he would like to see Swallows Meadow returned to its former glory.

The site off Meldreth Way was subject to extensive tree felling in November last year, with some residents dubbing it “environmental destruction” at the time.

Cllr Jones said that the land was designated as amenity open space in the 1970s and should be maintained as such.

“Once you build on green space, it’s gone, and it’s gone forever,” he said. “There’s no getting it back.”

Cllr Jones said that he was pleased Wokingham Borough Council’s planning team fund many “substantial reasons” why the land should not be built on.

SHEEPLANDS

PLANT CENTRE - CAFÉ - FARM SHOP

There is also an application to establish public rights of way on the land, Cllr Jones said.

This, he continued, is because there is evidence of regular use by walkers for around 40 years.

Cllr Jones said that he would like to see the land given to the borough council, and said that surrounding land is already in its ownership.

From there, he would then like to see Swallows Meadow “re-wilded” and trees planted on the land, to replace those that were chopped down last year.

“It will take four of five years for the land to recover,” he added. “Let’s help by properly planting trees at the Bassett Close end.”

On Wednesday, December 8, the plan was considered by the council’s planning committee at a meeting.

It was rejected due to the loss of countryside and the impact the development would have on neighbours and local roads.

The plan was deemed “unacceptable in principle” and was refused unanimously by Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee.

During the meeting, speeches were made by Liberal Democrat ward councillors who have opposed the plan, neighbour Malcolm Gaudreau, and the developer Andy Jansons.

Mr Gaudreau said: “Swallows Meadow has always been an open green space, which was rich in plant and animal life.

“It has always been used by vast amounts of people for recreation over the 34 years that I’ve lived here.”

During the meeting, Cllr Jones said: “I live nearby the proposed development, it’s in my ward, my constituents never expected a development in the countryside which is their backyard.

“Views are not sacrosanct in planning law, but the proposal is overbearing.

“The store is a large high mass which will dominate the views of houses around the area.

“It will cause unacceptable noise throughout the day.”

Mr Jansons, the applicant, attempted to convince the committee to defer their decision so that “technical issues” such as the impact the plan could have on local roads could be addressed.

Responding to concerns about noise levels, he pointed out that the council’s environmental health officer has raised no objections to the plan.

But planning officer Senjuti Manna argued that deferral would be pointless, as she said the scheme was “unacceptable in principle”.

She did acknowledge that the Lidl store would bring economic benefits and employment, and 17 of the homes – 40% of the scheme – would be affordable.

But the benefits were outweighed by the loss of the countryside and the impact the development would have on neighbours.

During the committee’s deliberations, Cllr Carl Doran, Independent councillor for Bulmershe and Whitegates, said: “The site is clearly part of a green corridor. Here we’ve got a long green corridor that goes all the way from Showcase Cinema to Shinfield.

“Once we fill in one little bit of it, the rest is going to go.”

Cllr Doran added this was one of the most controversial applications he has ever determined.

Although 662 people showed

A FARM SHOP FULL OF CHRISTMAS CHEER

support for the plan, Cllr Pauline Jorgensen (Conservative, Hillside) pointed out that several of these supporters come from further afield.

Cllr Jorgensen said: “Either they’ve got no reason to be interested in this store, or they’re going to drive there from Reading, Guildford and Wokingham and gum the whole place up with additional traffic.”

The plan was refused in a unanimous vote of six Conservatives and two Independent councillors present at the meeting.

The developers have six months to appeal the decision.

After the meeting, Cllr David Hare, Liberal Democrat councillor for Hawkedon, said: “We’ve won the first battle, but we haven’t won the war.

“It will go to appeal, we’ve got to make sure people come out again and object to it, and give good planning reasons to object to it, because that is the only way we can have the appeal turned down.”

Cllr Jones echoed this sentiment, and said Earley Town Council would fight any appeal lodged.

Additional reporting by local democracy reporter James Aldridge

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WHAT’S BREWING

The sixties? Ye there, and he CAN

IN FINCHAMPSTEAD?

A

S it’s our last column before Christmas, let us take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy Christmas.

Whatever you celebrate or believe, the holiday season is one for coming together and being thankful.

After the last couple of years, we’re all so enormously grateful for the local support we receive, and to still be here as a community hub for people to come together and enjoy a beer.

With that in mind, check out the bottom of this column for a little thank you from us.

In the meantime, we wanted to let you know what’s on at both the Siren Tap Yard and our pub in Swallowfield, the George & Dragon.

The George & Dragon We’ll be open at the pub for as much as possible over the Christmas period, operating mostly to our normal schedule, which can be found on our Facebook or Instagram pages (@GeorgeDragonRG7), Google Maps listing or new website, listed below.

The only days we’ll be closed are Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Monday 27th and New Years Day… If it’s not one of those days, then come down to see us!

We’ve currently got a special Christmas menu, as well as an updated à la carte menu and some incredible new wines.

Visit georgedragonpub.com to find out more.

The Tap Yard It’s all go at the Tap Yard as we ramp up for Christmas. We’ve got some awesome gift ideas for those who are out of ideas or left it too late. We have a brand new selection of growlers (for take home, brewery-fresh keg beer!) available, including ‘MUM’S BEER’ and ‘DAD’S BEER’ versions, seen below.

To celebrate our new coffee setup, we’ve also got coffee bags from Climpson & Sons, Hard Lines and local heroes, Anonymous. There’s also chocolate, t-shirts, books and of course, gift packs of beers!

Whilst you’re on-site, you can enjoy some Mulled Cider at the moment as well, trust us - it’s delicious!

For our full Christmas opening hours, check the website - sirencraftbrew.com/tapyard Lastly - our Christmas thank you to you. Before our Christmas delivery cut off of 20th December, use code THANKYOULOCALS online for 15% when collecting, or, cut out and bring in this article for a free half Lumina at the Tap Yard.

Cheers, and Merry Christmas!

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

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, December 16, 2021

By JAMES HASTINGS news@rdg.today THEY say if you can remember the sixties, you were probably not there.

NOEL: Brian Pettifer gives Santa a helping hand

Look out for Santa – he’s quite busy in Warfield

SANTA is alive and well, and living in Warfield.

Well, one of his many alter egos.

Last year, we reported on the amazing story of Brian Pettifer, a granddad of three who lives at Berkeley Homes’ Woodhurst Park development.

Every year, he transforms his garden into a real winter wonderland for all ages to enjoy.

Children can post their letters, which are then sent on to the North Pole via Polar Express.

And on the day itself, Brian gets his red suit and big white beard

on to help deliver gifts to the development’s good boys and girls on Christmas Day. The not-so secret Santa is planning to give up his Christmas morning to spread some festive cheer among families in his community.

Brian, a member of the Woodhurst Park residents’ association, said: “Nothing brings me more joy than keeping the community spirit alive at Christmas. It makes my day to see the happiness it brings to the families here at Woodhurst Park.”

Wokingham crowned Chinese food capital WOKINGHAM customers are chowing down on Chinese cuisine in abundance.

New research from meal kit delivery service HelloFresh found that the town has ordered more Chinese food from them than any other area in the UK. HelloFresh studied online orders to find out which cuisines were the most popular with home cooks.

And Wokingham has been crowned Chinese food capital of the UK. It found that the top five cuisines this year were Italian, British, Fusion, Asian and Mexican.

The company reported that cooks have become more adventurous in their choices.

People are eating a variety of seafood dishes, with cajun prawn pasta seeing an 140% jump in searches.

And more people are including healthy carbohydrates in their diets.

Bulgar wheat and lentils are proving popular searches on its site.

Mimi Morley, HelloFresh recipe development manager, hopes that households to continue to be experimental in their c

Dennis Siggery, 75, certainly was there, and as his biography, Age Is Just A Number explains, he remembers everything from that decade.

It tells of a young Dennis growing up as a working-class boy from Reading’s east end, being bullied over his dyslexia and stammer, and working a series of jobs, from butcher to scaffolder.

It also recalls Dennis’ love of music, numerous fights as a Mod, owning a luxury home, running a successful business, walking out of a marriage, and ending up in a one-bedroom flat in Wokingham.

When he turned 50, a time when many men are settling into slippers and a comforting middleage spread, Dennis learned to play guitar and formed a band.

Since then, he has recorded more than 30 albums, which sell all over the world.

He is preparing to go on a European tour next year.

“People ask me if I should be doing this at my age and I tell them age is just a number,” he laughs.

“You have to do what you have to do whatever age you are. When I did my first gig, aged 50, I thought about where I’d be performing at 80, and I’m looking forward to that gig.”

Being a teenager in Reading at the start of the 1960s, Dennis was an easy target for bullies mocking his stammer.

“You quickly learn how to fight,” he explained.

“I found reading difficult. Back then nobody really knew or talked about dyslexia but it was something people made fun of.

“I did a lot of fighting, especially when I became a Mod. “My friends and I couldn’t afford our

BIOGRAPHY: Dennis Siggery, 75, remembers own mopeds so we drove around in an old car looking for Rockers to fight with.

“We always looked our best — smart and clean.”

If the 60s was the decade of free love and drugs, Dennis admits to freely helping himself to both: “I remember 1966 being a particularly busy year with women,” he smiles.

As he approached his 50th birthday, the successful businessman and father of two had a dramatic lifechanging moment.

It led to him to walking out of his marriage and job and deciding to become a musician.

“Many people live a so-called

Author uncovers Reading’s Scandinavian connection

IN DEMAND: Chinese cuisine was most ordered by Wokingham customers ooking habits next year.

“Vegetarian dishes used to be our least popular choice, but now most of our customers enjoy a combination of meat, fish and veggie dishes,” she said.

“We’re excited to see trends which embrace more adventurous and healthy eating habits.” n For more information, visit: hellofresh.co.uk/grocery-delivery/ food-trends

A WOODLEY author with a keen eye for detail has published a book about Danish and Norwegian prisoners of war in Reading.

The Gentleman Danes, by John Dixon, tells the story of how almost 600 Scandinavian men came to the town as prisoners between 1807 and 1814.

They were captured during the latter stages of the Napoleonic Wars, which saw the twin kingdom of Denmark-Norway side with the French Empire against a coalition of other European states, including Great Britain. This left Denmark-Norway’s sizeable merchant navy vulnerable to capture by enemy fleets.

John’s interest in the period came after he spotted a plaque on a wall of Reading Minster.

“I stopped out of curiosity to read it many years ago,” he explains.

“And I saw that it commemorates the life of Laurenthes Braag, a

26-year-old Danish merchant who died in 1808, while a prisoner of war in Reading.”

John had recently returned to the UK having lived in Denmark for six years.

“I guess with me being able to read Danish, this was a story waiting for me to come along and tell it,” he adds.

As he began to research how Braag came to be in Reading, John discovered that the town was unusual for receiving Danish and Norwegian PoWs during the wars. Most other towns received French men.

Crew captured from an estimated 1,400 Danish-Norwegian vessels would have been held on prison hulk ships. They had little chance of release. Those sent to Reading were privileged crew members; they were mostly high-ranking merchant navy officers or military officers.

“Prisoners considered to be gentlemen could live as free citizens

NEWS | 29

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Thursday, December 16, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

es, Dennis was N remember it all

Panda keeps on pedalling

Life of Brian Brian Hicks

Twins

T

HE idea of cities and towns partnering started after the Second World War to promote better international relations and mutual aid.

PEDAL POWER: The Earley Panda is cycling from London to Paris

everything from the 60s normal life but after they die who remembers them?” he asks.

“I will live on through my music.

It’s hard to describe what genre it is, so I say it is a mixture of blues and rock. I know that somewhere in the world someone is playing one of my songs and listening to one of my albums, and they’ll continue to do that long after I’m gone.

“The fact that I couldn’t play the guitar when I started wasn’t a problem. I just bought a book and taught myself.

“I also now play the harmonica.”

Dennis’ stammer does not affect him when he sings which is why, when his two daughters were married, he sang for them at their

weddings rather than deliver a traditional speech.

“I was really nervous about standing up in front of a crowd and trying to make a speech, so I asked if I could sing instead because music is about telling stories. Everyone loved it,” he recalls.

As he heads into his 76th year, Dennis has no desire to slow down: “I wrote the book during lockdown and now that’s done, it’s back to music.

“There is always something I want to do and if people question it, I tell them age is just a number.” n Age Is Just A Number by Dennis Siggery and Henry Smithson is available on Amazon as an e-book £2.99, or a paperback £6.99.

LOOKING BACK: John Dixon’s book tells the story of how almost 600 Scandinavian men came to the town as prisoners

in the towns where they were sent, they could even get jobs. They just weren’t allowed to escape,” John says.

In the course of his research, which took him to museums and archives in Denmark, Norway and the UK, John discovered the memoirs of Hans Birch Dahlerup in the Royal Danish Naval Library.

Dahlerup was captured and sent to Reading three times between 1808 and 1814. He later became a baron and an admiral.

“His memoirs have many anecdotes about what life was like for the PoWs in Reading,” John explains.

“For example, some formed a weekly dancing club with washerwomen’s daughters and a number of them married local women and stayed here after the war was over.” n The hardback book is based around Dahlerup’s memoirs. It costs £30 and is available from Reading Museum shop or soaringkite.co.uk

EARLEY’S peddling Panda is set to pound the roads again on his biggest challenge yet, writes James Hastings.

The furry one will join former Tour de France rider, Sean Yates, on a 300-mile charity trip from London to Paris.

The aim is to raise funds for Action Medical Research and its vital work into childhood diseases.

The Earley Panda will be part of a group of cyclists led by one time Yellow Jersey holder, Yates, on the four day trip which ends beneath the Eiffel Tower.

And he revealed his secret training sessions to get ready for the trip with one of the world’s other famous bears.

“As well as cycling around Earley, I have teamed up with Paddington Bear who is the official mascot for Action Medical Research,” said the Panda.

“We bears have got to stick together. I haven’t done such a long cycle before. Paddington has been giving me some tips especially on how to stay cool as we will be cycling to Paris in the middle of July when it gets quite hot.”

The Earley Panda is hoping there will not be too many hills on the route as he will be carrying 100 rocks with him to hand out.

POETRY CORNER Magpie Oh you naughty magpie I thought you were my mate If I saw you alone we’d sit together and we’d wait I’d say, ‘Where’s your buddy’ and it often wasn’t long till your love would come to join you in your quite distinctive song Then one day I watched you you searched for bugs with greed You seemed a bit distracted concentrating on your feed You didn’t see me salute or tell your buddies what you’d found You busily kept on pulling all the worms out of the ground It bothered me a little that you didn’t look my way I only realise now you had

“These are being donated by rock painters from the Facebook group, Earley Rocks, and will carry messages of hope and kindness.

“I will be leaving them in different places for people to find.”

The Panda’s pals have launched a Just Giving page which has already raised over 40% of the £4,000 target.

Donations will help Panda buy suitable items of clothing, a new Panda suit, bike upgrade and maintenance and contribution to upcoming charity rides.

Last month saw the mysterious cycling bear joined a special ride from Edinburgh to Glasgow as part of the Cop26 protests which he completed despite high winds and heavy rain on most of the route.

Last Sunday, eagle eyes spectators spotted the Earley Panda as a pillion passenger on the Reading Toy Run. “That was fun as I don’t normally cycle so fast and the few hills were so easy,” he smiled.

Panda will leave London July 14 next year and cycle to Southampton. After arriving in France, he will head to Paris, averaging around 90 miles per day.

n To support the Earley Panda, go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ earley-panda-london-to-paris a warning for my day Eventually your friends came down and then a few of mine But I guess I should have noticed when you gave your sorrow sign Later that day it happened my buddy left my side I guess that time had beaten us but we enjoyed the ride So now I’m on my lonesome but I have a pretty hew I’m bigger than the cute birds and my wings are floppy too But I’ve found I have the chat just like you and I am bold and I possess such treasure My loved ones are pure gold So next time please say hi Don’t feel mournful for my sorrow We’ll still be buddies magpie and salute a brighter morrow

Angie Shingleton

French partners have been most frequent, but countries farther afield have followed. I was brought up in the small Yorkshire town of Ilkley which was officially twinned with Coutances, Normandy, in May 1969. There is a road called Coutances Way in Ilkley and Rue d’Ilkley in Coutances.

The population of Ilkley is about 15,000 and Coutances some 9,000. The relationship proved an enduring one and 50th anniversary celebrations were held at Ilkley Manor House in 2019.

Many larger towns and cities have twinned with multiple partners. Wokingham signed twinning charters with the German town of Erftstadt in 1977 and there is an Erftstadt Court in the centre.

It also twinned with the French town of ViryChatillon in 1988.

Erftstadt twinned with Viry-Chatillon, in 1980, and has a Viry-Chatillon Platz. Wokingham has yet to name a street after our French partner, even though there is a Place Wokingham in Viry-Chatillon. There is plenty of scope to remedy this with all the new housing estates being built.

Or maybe it would prove just too difficult for Wokingham residents to get their tongues around the name.

I moved to Reading in 1983, and lived there for over 20 years. It is officially twinned with Düsseldorf, Germany (1988), Ireland’s cider capital, Clonmel (1994), Speightstown, Barbados (2003), and San Francisco Libre, Nicaragua (1994).

Why Barbados? There are about 3,000 Barbadians living in Reading, the largest community outside Barbados. Düsseldorf has over three times the population of Reading, whilst Reading is many times bigger than its other twins.

There is a Düsseldorf Way in the centre of Reading where there is a stunning statue of children cartwheeling (Radschläger), donated by the German city where this is a very old tradition.

After moving from Reading to Wokingham, I went to work in Düsseldorf for eight years.

Reading’s friendship with Düsseldorf dates back to 1947, when the town provided food, clothing and other help to the city on the Rhine that had been devastated by allied bombing.

Over the years all kinds of musical, theatrical, school, sporting and church events and exchanges have been developed. Next year will be the 75th anniversary of this special friendship.

Many events are being organised in both countries with Reading Council and the Reading Düsseldorf Association (RDA) playing key roles.

The RDA dates back to 1947 and recounts much of the history on its website.

Düsseldorf officially twinned with Reading, Haifa, Warsaw and Chemnitz (DDR) in 1988.

I attended the 30th anniversary celebrations in 2018 at Schloß Benrath, a beautiful palace by the River Rhine. There was an open-air concert attended by thousands.

In Düsseldorf city hall there is a brass plaque and commentary honouring Phoebe Cusden, who was the Mayor of Reading in 1947. Her children and grandchildren have continued the links. My Düsseldorf neighbour, Udo, eight in 1945, lost his father in the war. He remembers with great gratitude the help from Reading and became a member of the Düsseldorf equivalent of the RDA. As a consequence of Brexit, our links with European Union countries, towns and cities are diminishing. Twinning can help to strengthen these and to forge new understanding, friendships and mutual support. A lot of hard work and enthusiasm is needed to do this. There are many volunteers but more are always needed.

30 | VIEWPOINTS

WOKINGHAM.TODAY THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

We all need to play our part

SUNDAY evening’s address by the Prime Minister was sobering.

Leaving aside the anger we feel over his quiz show hostings for Downing Street parties, we have to focus on the new variant of covid.

It was always going to happen.

This is, after all, what viruses do, and why we have to have flu shots every year.

But it would have been nice if it had waited until after the festive season had been and gone.

Sadly, that is not the case and for the second year in a row, plans that had been made are being unmade, people are working from home, and we are watching the covid rates like a hawk.

It is always difficult to ask people to give up something they have been looking forward to all year.

It is always tough to have to make changes to plans at the last minute.

But we are dealing with a virus that is no respector of feelings, dates or festivities. It infects people, mutates, and spreads.

We all have a duty to look out for others.

That includes simple things such as wearing a mask, and limiting our contact with those outside our immediate sphere.

And we should do all we can to try and help NHS staff.

So, if you can, book a booster jab.

If you can, keep testing.

We will get through this, and brighter days will come again.

CHURCH NOTES

Don’t put it off any longer

A

RE you a procrastinator? Hmm. I’ll decide tomorrow!

A lot of us are very good at putting things off not until tomorrow but right up to the wire.

I, for example, am writing this the night before the submission deadline.

Of course, I can justify leaving it to the last-minute because of the myriad other deadlines I have had to meet prior to this one.

But some things we shouldn’t put off.

One of the things the pandemic has reminded us of is that life is very precarious: we can’t afford to go along putting off trying to heal damaged relationships, telling significant others that we love them rather than taking them for granted, forgiving hurts or asking forgiveness of others.

As we enter this last week of Advent let’s take the opportunity to prepare ourselves for Our Saviour’s birth by grasping the nettle and making that phone call, knocking on that door, sending that card – otherwise we risk another year going by when we could have made a huge difference to ourselves and others.

Don’t put it off to tomorrow - otherwise we risk tomorrow never coming.

Canon Simon R Thomson, Parish Priest of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Wokingham

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Your letters

Send your thoughts to letters@wokingham.today

Time to talk parties Last week’s letter ‘The local party has a real problem’ was really insightful of Wokingham politics, where ‘Party rules’ (not Christmas party rules) take priority over everything, including residents.

I agree with the writer that it’s “Time to purge the dinosauric old boy network that pervades the organisation” (local Tory party).

Democracy and residents come way behind in the ‘follow the leader’ culture that currently purveys.

The ruling Executive actually dictates answers prior to debate or consultation.

The November Council meeting saw a Cllr asking leaders which way they should vote as they stood at the microphone. Had they not listened to the debate or bothered to read the copious documentation supplied?

Another Cllr, obviously confused by the haphazard debate, was openly ridiculed for voting the ‘wrong way’.

Democracy?

The University of Reading openly state they have been working with Wokingham on the local plan for some time. Given recent planning history, hardly surprising. The cosy, first name terms, do whatever we can to help, relationship between the University and Wokingham planners is different from the planning experience of residents. Residents don’t even get given a name.

A resident recently told me ‘it was almost like they (WBC) went out of their way to make it awkward, it was a nightmare’.

Other resident applications have been refused on difficult to understand grounds. How many University applications have not been recommended? The local plan process has not engaged residents,

On Easter Day, I went to the Emmbrook Sub-Post Office (next door to the Rifle Volunteer Public House on Reading Road) and noticed that (thanks to the Barkham Hookers) the Post Box outside the Post Office had acquired a Flowerlike concentric set of coloured spots on it’s top, since Easter is commonly celebrated with flowers to symbolise “new birth” and “regeneration”.

Since then, the (mostly Red) sturdy cover on the top of the (Red) Post Box has reminded us of that occasion.

I went down to the Emmbrook Sub-Post Office on earlier this month and noticed that the top of the Outside Post Box had been given a White Christmas-themed makeover with a White Cover (for A Sort of White Christmas for everybody desperately trying to post their Christmas Cards in time at the outside Post Box).

On top of the White Covering were four symbols of Christmas in the UK (see the picture); from Left Parish Councils or other landowners in proposals. Why? The Local plan is an example of a few seeking to serve themselves and the party.

Just look at the imbalance of housing proposals, openly Nimby. Is it a coincidence that the local plan was published, after multiple unexplained delays, just after lead ‘dinosaurs’ had been up for re-election? No chance of any backlash there?

Cllrs of a certain persuasion have been strictly instructed NOT to talk to developers with alternative proposals to the local plan. Denying options, other than your own, the chance to

Helena Badger

T

We believe the best way to do that is through friendship and helping people feel connected to their community.

We rely on our volunteer Befrienders to improve and enhance the lives of older people.

We do this through quality time and focused attention; a chance to hear stories of days gone by and build a connection.

With the covid situation over the last 18 months, we have not been able to provide our normal face-to-face service, however now restrictions are easing we have now resumed this, and we would like to recruit and train new volunteers to help as we also start to resume some of our additional activities.

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

Christmas greetings

Volunteer corner

HE Link Visiting Scheme are a charity dedicated to reducing the serious impact of loneliness in Wokingham Borough.

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, December 16, 2021

We ask you to give one or two hours per week or per fortnight to visit and offer friendship and support.

Regular visits are our minimum requirement for at least six months.

We provide training before you start visiting and on-going training if you need it. We have a support structure in place so you can always call on someone if you have any questions or concerns.

We stay in touch regularly and put on events so you can meet other volunteers too. n CLASP and the Learning Disability Partnership Board have adopted Wokingham Train Station.

This is a very exciting project for us.

We are looking for an enthusiastic volunteer to work with us to bring this project alive.

SWR are keen for us to run various activities at the station including keeping it tidy, putting up information,

to Right; a well fed (nearly circular, Round ?) Robin bird, as seen on the front of many UK Christmas Cards, in the centre of the Post Box top a decorated Christmas Tree, a Santa Claus in the traditional Red and White costume and finally that

famous (or is it infamous?) symbol of Christmas in the UK, the Christmas Pudding.

Happy Christmas to all your Staff and Families and all your Readers and their Families.

Harry Atkinson, Wokingham

be explored is hardly meaningful consultation.

The ‘Enough is Enough’ consultation clearly set out Wokingham residents mandate. It has been ignored. Why? Just like current national politics, it is hard to believe anything said by some local parties. Multiple ‘party’ strap lines have been published about putting residents first. Are we really be expected to believe them?

For example, during a recent planning inquiry, Wokingham planners clearly stated a development in Shinfield would not be in the local plan. It is of course there with housing

density increased by over 40%. They simply cannot be trusted.

What Wokingham needs is a Council that truly puts residents first, not with meaningless words and strap lines but with action.

There are some excellent Councillors and Officers in Wokingham, who if freed from the ‘party rules’ would make Wokingham a truly great place to live. All we need to do is get rid of the ‘dinosaurs’.

making and tending flower boxes, using the station to run events around our charities.

An example is Addington School, who are part of our board, mend bikes, so they looking to have an open day offering to mend bikes for passengers.

CLASP sing in a choir, and we are hoping to do a sing out at the station.

The station manager and SWR will offer us support (and we can apply for grants if we need to invest in the station.)

However, we need someone to help us get this off the ground, support the activities and help us find our way. It is a wonderful opportunity for our learning disability community to make a positive difference whilst learning new skills, gaining confidence mixing with others, and being responsible for their station.

to support people when they are feeling vulnerable or alone through a holistic programme of support.

We bring people together to share experiences.

It’s essential that you will have had your own cancer experience. You will either be a cancer survivor or have cared for a close loved one in the past.

We are specifically looking for Cancer Champion Volunteers.

Volunteers offer direct support. This is currently via the telephone or may be in the home or an agreed location when we are more Covid secure.

You will lend a listening ear and offer emotional support. You will have an empathetic nature and understand the difficulties when someone faces cancer. You are asked to commit to a possible weekly session, but this may vary depending on individual arrangements.

Volunteers receive full training and will be asked for references and be expected to agree to a DBS reference check.

n The Cancer Support Network has been established to support people living in and around the Wokingham, Bracknell, Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead boroughs that are affected by cancer.

The aim of the network is to support people through their cancer journey offering, direct peer-to-peer voluntary support, monthly group meet-ups, an online chat facility, an information/signposting hub and health and wellbeing events. We aim

Cllr Jim Frewin, indpendent councillor on Wokingham Borough Council for Shinfield South

n These are just a few roles on our books. Visit our website www. volunteerwokinghamborough.org.uk to find out more and have a look at all the roles we have to offer. If you would like to get in touch with us please call 0118 977 0749 or email volunteer@ wok-vol.org.

Local plan fears

Finchampstead readers who have read the latest version of the neighbourhood development plan may have been struck by its very reasonable and constructive tone and the authors’ understanding, realism and cooperative spirit in working closely with, if not for, Wokingham Borough Council’s planners.

Imagine then their outrage and sense of betrayal in discovering, when Wokingham’s draft local plan was published recently, that all the while Wokingham Borough Council was planning to build 270 houses at Rooks Nest Farm, Barkham Ride, which stands just on the Barkham side of the boundary of the two parishes.

And not a word other than rumour to Finchampstead who developed and published their own proposals – including 70 homes on the opposite side of Barkham Ride – unaware that Wokingham was planning to dump it’s biggest proposed development on land it owns, not just in Finchampstead’s back yard but on its doorstep.

The irony is that although the Rooks Nest development is in Barkham, our friends there may be not be much affected by it. The nearest significant Barkham settlement is around the end of Bearwood Road about a mile away.

Not so Finchampstead. The houses start a stone’s throw from the farm, on and on both sides of Barkham Ride.

Rooks Nest might just as well be in Finchampstead for it is Finchampstead who will feel the brunt of it. Had Wokingham council’s leadership acted with the maturity and responsibility of the authors of the Finchampstead plan they would have ensured the Finchampstead planners were able to take the Rooks Nest proposal into account when formulating their own ideas. As it was they kept as silent as the Sphinx and as cynical as Machiavelli.

So all the more reason for the residents of Finchampstead to let Wokingham Council know exactly what they think of its proposal which will enrich the council at their expense. The first opportunity will be to respond to the Wokingham draft plan consultation between now and January 17.

The offer made by parish councillor David Cornish on the leaflet, Rooks Nest to become a Housing Estate ! about what needs to be argued, is extremely helpful which is more than can be said for the council’s website which seems designed to obscure and confuse.

If nothing else, just think of the traffic 270 homes will generate -probably at least 600 cars. Think of the pressure on Finchampstead schools and on its outstanding medical practice which is already absorbing the population of the new Aborfield.

And if Rooks Nest is lost, where next on that green and pleasant rural Ride.

In the longer term it is likely that opposition will be organised similar to that which saw off developers’ proposals to build at Woodcray and Sand Martins. In those cases, the council was an ally; in this they will be the perpetrators.

I gather to their credit that all our four Finchampstead councillors are dead against the development and that the parish council will be asked to support a campaign which will be long and probably expensive.

It will need all the support the people of Finchampstead can muster

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if the parish’s semi-rural character is not be damaged for ever.

Ray Little, Finchampstead

Families at breaking point For most of us the festive season is a happy time but there are children all over the South East who face a very different Christmas . After nearly two years of worry, isolation and poverty because of the pandemic, and with inflation now at its highest rate in almost 10 years, many families are now at breaking point, struggling to afford the basics like food, heating and clothes.

Recent research by us found almost a third of working parents in the South East said they are likely to take on extra work, or not take time off, to be able to afford Christmas. Of these, nearly nine in ten are likely to miss out on at least one key family moment like waking up on Christmas morning together or unwrapping presents together.

This Christmas looks especially challenging for working parents on Universal Credit following the £20-a-week cut in October. Many told us they are likely to cut back on heating, skip meals, replace some meals with breakfast cereal or seek help from a foodbank over the break.

Our frontline workers see the impact the pandemic and cost of living crisis is having on children and families every day. But we also see the difference that can be made – that’s why we’re asking your readers to help us make a life-changing difference to vulnerable children this Christmas and beyond.

I’m asking your readers to be a Secret Santa for these vulnerable children by texting CHILD to 70607 to donate £10 or by visiting iamsanta. org.uk Let them and their families know that someone is thinking of them this Christmas.

Kate Isham, South East operational director at Action for Children.

Happy ending YOU may remember the torrential rain which we had on Tuesday, 7th December. I’m sure that most of us who were caught out in it will have run for cover.

A little after 8pm that evening, a group of Lib Dem councillors who were leaving a meeting found a homeless man in wet clothes sitting outside the WBC council offices.

He told us that he had been living in a tent and had been flooded out by the downpour. On a very cold December evening, he had no way of getting dry or finding a safe bed for the night.

We won’t share any details to protect his privacy, but this is a man who has complex needs which were going to make it hard for him to resolve the issue himself, and who was clearly at risk of hypothermia.

It took a team of councillors several hours to get him help. WBC officers and the reception staff went the extra mile to get him into emergency accommodation and we are very grateful to them for working late into the night to do this.

This incident has uncovered some huge gaps in provision for rough sleepers in Wokingham Borough. Even in December, we cannot ensure that there is a bed for the night for someone in an emergency.

Help cannot be provided out of hours unless the rough sleeper has a working mobile phone. In this case, it was only

because a group of Liberal Democrat councillors stayed with this man for a couple of hours with their own mobile phones and because of the personal intervention of a WBC director that we were able to get him accommodation.

We need to do far more to ensure that we are caring for Wokingham Borough Council’s most vulnerable residents in an emergency.

The Borough is currently developing an anti-poverty strategy, a necessity that the Lib Dems have been campaigning and insisting on for over a year now.

We need to ensure that this leads to real, tangible action so that issues like this one can be tackled effectively.

No-one in Wokingham should ever again be faced with sleeping outdoors in wet clothes in December.

Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth

Help Sue Ryder this Christmas

As we approach Christmas I think back to last year when so many of us had to spend this special time away from the people we love the most. It makes me thankful for the time we will spend together this year.

For some people, however, this Christmas might be the most special one of all. Due to terminal illness, it may be the last one they have to spend with their loved ones.

The job of Sue Ryder Nurses like me is to put patients in control, help them make the right decisions and take away some of the pain and practicalities they’re dealing with – giving them more time to focus on the things that matter.

More time to spend with loved ones. To reminisce and retell old stories. To hold hands, hug close and say a proper goodbye.

Heartbreakingly, many families in this position are not receiving the care and support they need, as figures show every 4.5 minutes someone in the UK dies without specialist end-oflife care. This is why I am writing to ask your readers for their help.

This Christmas and during the year ahead, my Sue Ryder colleagues and I will be going above and beyond to make sure families in our care make the most of the precious time they have left together. But our care relies on the generosity of local people, communities and organisations raising vital funds for us.

Some recent research from Sue Ryder showed that palliative care is expected to grow by 55% in the coming decade. Sadly one of the knock on effects of the coronavirus pandemic is that people are being diagnosed with serious illnesses at much later stages. This means we are preparing for many more people to need our specialist care sooner than we expected.

We really do need people’s support now more than ever. To make a donation please visit: sueryder.org/ everymoment With your readers’ support we can be there for more families when it matters, helping them fill their precious last days with love and care.

Thank you,

Matthew Barker, Sue Ryder Nurse, Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice

Safety first with cats With online pet sales on the increase, Cats Protection would like to warn of the potential risk of buying an ill or diseased kitten.

This year the charity has heard of

many kittens that were taken from their mothers at too young an age and sold online for the sake of a quick profit. Kittens should be at least eight weeks old so that they are fully weaned and developing normally from a health and behavioural perspective.

Unsuspecting buyers did not realise that they bought a potentially sick kitten until after purchase which meant they were sometimes left with high veterinary bills, or in some cases, a kitten which tragically died.

Action Fraud also reports that there has been a six-fold increase in instances of kitten and cat fraud (1,146 in 2020/21 compared to just 190 in 2019/20), underlining the need for buyers to be vigilant.

Please visit www.cats.org.uk/eightweeks for advice on how to purchase a happy and healthy kitten or give a donation to help Cats Protection care for unwanted kittens.

Dr Maggie Roberts, Director of Veterinary Services, Cats Protection

Cancer and young people

Cancer can stop families spending Christmas at home together, but we know everyone needs somewhere to call ‘home’.

That’s why Young Lives vs Cancer, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, helps families to stay together over Christmas.

Young Lives vs Cancer has ten Homes from Home across the UK, where families can stay for free to be nearby while their child is having treatment.

When families facing cancer can’t be at home together at Christmas because of their child’s treatment, we arrange for them to stay in one of our free Homes from Home.

A place where they can celebrate that isn’t hospital, where their child can forget about cancer.

With the community’s support, donations will help fund Young Lives vs Cancer Homes from Home service, to help give families their Christmas back.

Please donate today to help keep families together this Christmas www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk/ join-our-fight/christmasappeal As well as donating, there are other ways the community in Berkshire can support Young Lives vs Cancer’s vital work this Christmas.

You can visit our online shop to buy this year’s Christmas cards and toys or to get one of our festive pin badges to show your support: www. younglivesvscancer.org.uk/joinour-fight/get-shopping Pin badges are also available at Morrsions and JDWetherspoon for a suggested £1 donation.

Locals could also become a Young Lives vs Cancer ‘Stamp Champ’ by collecting the stamps from Christmas cards and other mail and sending them to the charity: www. younglivesvscancer.org.uk/stampappeal I’d like to say a personal thank you to everyone in the community who has supported Young Lives vs Cancer this year.

Your help and generosity means Young Lives vs Cancer can continue to be there for more children and young people from Berkshire facing cancer.

Rose Bailey Fundraising Engagement Manager – Berkshire Young Lives vs Cancer

Spacephiller Phil Creighton

When children’s TV had a coven at Christmas

F

OR ME, Christmas doesn’t start until I’ve enjoyed a children’s programme where the plot revolves around disrupting a coven trying to kill a teenager in a midnight ceremony.

The leader is dressed as a goat, and has a very scary knife, and her henchmen like dancing round in a circle chanting the name of their deity.

They don’t make them like that any more.

Of course, those of you that have read my nonsense before (sorry) will know that I have more than a slight affection for the television adventure in space and time that is Doctor Who. And in 1981, for one night only, all my Christmasses came at once.

Doctor Who’s faithful sidekick, the tin dog and smug supercomputer, K9 had his very own festive special. And it really was about the black arts and also the PH of soil.

They really don’t make them like that any more.

Many, many moons ago, I was a TV critic. It was a job I thoroughly enjoyed – after all, who doesn’t like watching the idiot’s lantern and then telling people what you thought about it? Gogglebox has been a smash hit for years based on that formula.

There’s only so many times you can say telly was better in the olden days and not get bored.

It’s something that always springs to mind when the Christmas Radio Times comes out. It now costs an arm and a leg, and features none of the charm that made the 70s and 80s double issues legendary. No big tableau of the sitcom stars getting together for a festive knees up.

But then there’s no chance of the newsreaders popping up on the 21st century version of the Morecambe and Wise show, ready to do a song and dance number when you least expect it. And the nation needs to know whether Huw Edwards can do high kicks as well as Angela Rippon.

This year’s Christmas Day line-up is identical to last year’s for both BBC One and ITV. Only a few times have changed. ITV long ago gave up on the festive schedules, year-in, year-out it’s now extralong episodes of Emmerdale Farm and Coronation Street. As a ‘special treat’ it is frankly taking the proverbial.

Auntie is similarly stuck in a rut of Strictly / Call The Midwife / EastEnders / Mrs Brown.

Head back to the 70s, the 80s and the 90s, and there is a smorgasbord of treats, be it movie-length laughter-packed sitcom specials, a new series of the motorbike assault course Kick Start, special tinsel-strewn editions of Tomorrow’s World and Parkinson’s chat show. Chas and Dave used to hold a knees-up in a mockney pub. Game shows gave the prizes to children’s hospitals, even if the contestants didn’t do very well.

Then there was the children’s BBC beano, the All-Star Record Breakers, where our favourites from shows like Blue Peter and Screen Test would do a variety turn. Dedication, that’s what you need.

This year’s schedules are a paucity. Then again, what would a festive episode of Squid Game or Succession look like? Can you just imagine them cracking jokes and wearing crowns from crackers?

And not everything was great in the old days.

Which brings me back to K9 and Company.

It was an attempt at a spin-off series Sarah Jane Smith and K9 in one great detective show.

For some reason, they decided to set it in rural Rhubarbshire, and it sees K9 and Sarah Jane investigate said coven. The membership included half the village including the policeman and the local newspaper editor. Broadcast at teatime 40 years ago this Christmas, it was a different time.

We’ll watch it again, as we always do, on Christmas Eve. I’ll forget whodunit, I’ll hoot the bad acting that snuck in, and I’ll cheer when K9 sings We Wish You A Merry Christmas.

What could be more festive than that?

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A business park that is changing

Blandy & Blandy invites training

A LAW firm is inviting applications for its trainee solicitors placements.

Blandy & Blandy, which has offices in Reading and Henley, says the scheme starts in September next year, but the deadline is February 11.

Applicants must have completed - or expect to - the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and meet some additional requirements to be considered.

The company says it is recognised as a top tier firm in both Chambers UK Guide and The Legal 500, and the firm’s success has also been reflected through a series of awards.

Emma Ford, a current trainee solicitor at the firm, said: “I was attracted to the breadth of expertise that the firm has to offer, which would provide me with a well-rounded and high quality training experience.

“As a trainee, I have had hands-on experience in a variety of departments, undertaking a growing level of responsibility whilst under the supervision of very supportive colleagues.

“As I reach the final stages of my training contract, I can look back on a very rewarding period of training with Blandy & Blandy and I feel fully prepared for the next stage of my career as a solicitor.”

Fellow trainee solicitor Ed Giles added: “Blandy & Blandy is a truly full service firm which gives trainees the freedom to experience a wide variety of quality work.”

n For further information or to apply, visit www. blandy.co.uk

Wokingham-based estate agency wins three awards

By NATALIE BURTON nburton@wokingham.today AN ESTATE agency with branches in Wokingham and Crowthorne won three industry awards last month.

Hat and Home was awarded best marketing campaign of the year, new agency of the year and estate agency of the year – South East at The Negotiator Awards.

The agency was founded in February by Ben Gee. Their Wokingham branch was joined last month by a second, in Crowthorne.

Mr Gee had more than 20 years experience in the property sector, having worked for Romans, Foxtons and Marsh & Parsons, prior to setting up his own agency.

He was proud to have won three awards in his company’s first year of trading.

“It’s testament to the fantastic team of people who work tirelessly for our clients,” he said.

A panel of 21 judges described Hat and Home’s marketing campaign as “unique” and “ground-breaking.”

HAT TRICK: Hat and Home scooped three awards.

From left: Rob Beckett, Ben Gee, Leonard Grant Leonard Picture: Toby Smedley They also praised the agency for their “very clear vision.”

Hat and Home are known for their distinctive marketing campaign featuring a variety of hats.

The awards ceremony took place at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London on Friday, November 26.

Awards were presented by comedian Rob Becket and The Negotiator’s

managing director, Leonard Grant Leonard.

The Negotiator magazine is an online and print publication for residential agents.

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Honey Roast Ham • Falafel Cakes • Brie & Bacon • Sirloin Steak PUDDINGS Mulled Wine Poached Pear • Chocolate Delice • Sticky Toffee Pudding • Lemon Posset • Cheese & Biscuits In addition to our winter menu we also have our festive menu from the 1st to 31st December excluding Christmas Day Call us on: 0118 996 8567 Email us at: brotherton@thequeensoak.com

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SPECIAL VISIT: Alok Sharma visited Tower Cold Chain to learn more about its role in creating sustainable pharmaceutical logistics

Reading West MP praises Tower Cold Chain for sustainable logistics A THEALE-based pharmaceutical thermal protection specialist welcomed a visit from Reading West MP Alok Sharma last week.

Fresh from his duties as President of the COP26 summit, Alok Shama visited Tower Cold Chain to see first-hand the role it has played in transporting covid vaccines in a safe and sustainable way.

The company says Mr Sharma was able to witness the company’s developments

in robust, reliable, and reusable temperature-controlled pharmaceutical supply chain solutions.

The company says that its product range is all fully reusable, reflecting its global focus on promoting circularity in cold chain delivery.

This means they can be recirculated thousands of times in their lifetime, significantly minimising waste through longevity.

Mr Sharma said: “I was

delighted to visit Tower Cold Chain, who deliver sustainable pharmaceutical logistics which, during my visit, I heard includes the transport of vital vaccines to combat covid.

“As such they are playing their role in keeping people safe.

“It was good to learn that a local firm is now a leader in the pharmaceutical logistics industry, providing high value technical jobs and helping put Theale on the map.”

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Refugee charity holds extra special Christmas party

Council Christmas opening hours revealed

EXCLUSIVE

By NATALIE BURTON nburton@wokingham.today CARE4CALAIS Reading, which helps refugees in Reading and Wokingham, held a Christmas party in a Reading church earlier this month.

And it was extra special for some of the people who were there as it was one of the few times they had left their asylum hostel rooms since arriving.

Volunteers for the charity put on the party for 90 of the people they are currently working with. Supporters of the charity donated tombola items and presents from Santa to help give guests a festive experience. There was also an entertainer to amuse children and adults alike.

Sam Jonkers, Care4Calais regional lead for Reading and surrounding areas, said that the party was enjoyed by members of all faiths and none. She said asylum hostels, which are subject to Home Office contacts, are often very basic or remote.

“People often only have use of their own rooms, with no communal spaces and no access to outside spaces,” she said.

“Events like our Christmas party give children and their parents the chance

to step away.”

The charity runs a weekly drop-in session in Reading, a befriending service for coffee and chat, English classes, football groups and help with the asylum process.

Ms Jonkers added: “It can take up to a year, so people are often quite isolated and living in asylum hostels for months.”

The charity has seen an increase of refugees in the Wokingham area since the Afgan evacuation. They are appealing for volunteers to

Public urged to report unsafe areas to police A PILOT scheme to allow the public to report areas where they feel unsafe has been launched.

The StreetSafe project was announced earlier this year by the Home Office and the National Police Chief’s Council.

All Thames Valley residents, women and girls in particular, are being encouraged to pinpoint areas where they feel uncomfortable or threatened using an online mapping tool.

Information can be given anonymously.

It allows people to report areas which feel unsafe for a variety of reasons. These can include poor street lighting, abandoned buildings, and anti-social behaviours such as vandalism, being followed and verbal abuse.

It will then be used by Thames Valley Police and local authorities to improve safety. n For more information, visit: www.thamesvalley. police.uk/notices/street-safe

come forward to held set up a weekly drop-in session for Wokingham-based refugees.

“Our aim is to empower and integrate people into the community,” Ms Jonkers explained, “And we would really like to do more in Wokingham.”

Care4Calais Reading coordinate their efforts to help refugees in the area with Reading Refugee Support Group and the Red Cross.

n For more information, visit: care4calais.org/get-involved

FESTIVE: A Christmas party was organised for refugee families with presents for the children

THE BOROUGH council is altering its opening hours over the festive period.

Its Shute End offices will be open from 9am until 3pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. It will then be closed from Christmas Day through to (and including) Tuesday, December 28, due to bank holidays.

And it will shut again on New Year’s Day through to Monday, January 3.

It will be open from 9am to 5pm on Wednesday, December 29, and Thursday, December 30, and Tuesday, January 4.

The emergency out-of-hours telephone number during the holiday period is 0800 212 111.

And Social services emergencies out-of-hours telephone number is 01344 351999.

The telephone number for reporting out-of-hours general repairs to council properties is 0800 515 287 and 0800 389 8789 for heating repairs and gas servicing.

The community mental health crisis team will be providing out-of-hours urgent care service, available on 0300 365 9999.

Festive opening times for libraries READERS can now plan when to visit Wokingham Borough libraries over Christmas and New Year.

All Wokingham Borough libraries will be closed from Saturday, December 25 to Tuesday, December 28.

They will close again between Saturday, January 1 and Monday, January 3.

There are also changes to some other opening times on Friday, December 24 and Friday December 31.

Twyford library will close at 1pm on both Fridays.

Lower Earley, Winnersh, Wokingham and Woodley libraries will close at 3pm.

Wargrave Library will be completely closed on both dates.

Meanwhile, Finchampstead library will be closed from 1pm on Friday, December 24 and will reopen on Tuesday, January 4.

All other libraries will be open normal branch hours during the rest of the festive period. n For more information, visit: wokingham.gov.uk

Give your kitchen the WOW factor with new work tops

Woodley launches Citizens’ Awards

We can replace your existing kitchen work tops with new quar tz or corian, rejuvenating your kitchen and giving it a fresh new look.

“Perhaps you know someone involved in caring for children, the elderly, sick or disabled; or someone who went above and beyond in supporting others during the pandemic.”

Nominations are open until Friday, January 21, with a ceremony on Friday April 1, next year.

0118 976 2826

WOODLEY residents can now nominate their neighbourhood heroes for recognition.

Woodley Town Council is once again hosting its Citizens’ Awards to honour unsung heroes who significantly support the community.

A spokesperson for the town council said: “There are many people whose care and support work goes unrecognised, so if you know someone, young or old, who you feel is deserving

PICTURE: Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash

of recognition, we want you to let us know.

n Forms can be collected from the Oakwood Centre or downloaded from: www.woodley.gov.uk/civic/ citizens-awards

www.roktops.co.uk sales@roktops.co.uk

located within the Wokingham Borough

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St Teresa’s School is top of the tree Physiotherapy for the elderly in and around Berkshire

MANUAL /people /therapeutic handling training for formal and informal carers An important element of working in the care environment is being well educated in manual handling principles and practices. At Therapies on Thames, as a team of professionals we consider it to be very important to teach those involved in elderly care to carry out moving and handling tasks in the correct way to protect themselves and their clients.

We work in partnership with many care homes across Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Surrey and carry out staff training in the following areas: > Assist a client onto the edge of their bed. > Assist a client to stand. > Transfer a client on their commode. > Move a client up their bed. > Roll and turn a client.

Therapies on Thames provides therapy Lead ongoing or one-off training and support for those working in care environments.

Following training with Therapies on Thames the expected learning outcomes include: > Be able to confidently implement principles of moving and handling in daily practice . > Have experiential knowledge of how to reduce muscle work and effort during manual handling activities. > Could apply therapeutic manual handling tasks and activities to make them more comfortable for the client.

Having employees that are trained effectively in moving and handling reduces the risk of injury to both the employee and their clients. When employees feel that they are part of the solution to a problem, they are more likely to take responsibility for their actions and keep to the safety precautions which will in turn reduce the risk of workplace injuries and simultaneously educate other employees.

We have manual handling training room based at WADE day centre in Wokingham for any local training sessions. If you think your organisation and staff would benefit from manual handling training, then please get in touch with us to discuss. � For more information on the range of therapy services available from Therapies on Thames call 01189076345, email contact@therapiesonthames.co.uk or visit www.therapiesonthames.co.uk

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TREE-MENDOUS: St Teresa’s pupils show off their winning Christmas tree

A WOKINGHAM school has come out top for its Christmas decorations.

St Teresa’s Catholic Academy on Easthampstead Road, has won first prize in Squire’s Garden Centre’s Decorate A Christmas Tree competition.

Pupils designed and made their own tree decorations out of recycled materials, then hung them on a special tree at the Heathlands Road store.

Sarah Squire, chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres, said that all schools involved created beautiful decorations.

“We were very impressed with their skills,” she said. “It was a pleasure to have the children at Squire’s while they decorated their trees, and we will be rewarding the St Teresa’s Catholic Academy with a pre-Christmas treat of a festive goody bag each.”

Nikki Peters, the school’s headteacher said that pupils were delighted to crowned winners.

“Our children thoroughly enjoyed taking part,” she added.

Santa pays a visit to Hurst church’s Christmas Fayre EXCLUSIVE

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today DOZENS of children queued at a community fair to see Father Christmas earlier this month.

The man in red then disappeared up a chimney on his way back to the North Pole, and there’s a photo to show him starting off on his return journey.

The bearded chap was a big hit at Hurst’s St Nicholas Church Christmas fair which took on a new format this year.

One of the organisers, Becky Vaughan, said: “The fair went really well. We welcomed lots of visitors from Hurst and around who could enjoy a community event in a safe manner as most of it was outside.

“It was great to see the fair back this year, in its new format with an outside Christmas market.

“Father Christmas had a queue for most of the day and enjoyed

Woosehill WI plants trees for community

TREES have been planted in Woosehill to mark the Queen’s Green Canopy project.

Last month, the Woosehill WI planted 15 trees behind Windmill School and the Acorn Centre.

A spokesperson for the group said: “Our WI copse will be a big improvement to the austere view of the rear of both these buildings.

GOING HOME: Father Christmas makes his way back to the North Pole Picture: Sue Corcoran

meeting lots of children before going back to the North Pole to put his feet up.”

The fair raised funds for the church and also village groups.

Hurst Scouts ran a barbecue and Hurst Pantomime Group sold tickets for their show. There are special rates for the Thursday, January 20, performance.

Other stalls were run by the church, St Nicholas Primary and St Nicholas Preschool. Children could make Christmas tree decorations.

Talented crafters from Hurst and area sold their creations. Sue Cummings celebrated the first birthday of her business Wooded Hill Art Studio. She draws digital illustrations on her computer to create greetings cards.

Carina Disney of Hurst and her partner Jos Kerkvliet, who are both potters, sold bowls, mugs and sculpted clay work. Amy Simon’s stall included her decorated vases, coasters, and highly popular bird boxes.

“Our team of volunteers turned out in force, together with Cllr Imogen Shepherd-Dubey and Emma Pilgrim and Anne Millican of Wokingham Borough Council, to plant the trees. We all look forward to watching them flourish in the future.”

The trees were secured via a grant from the Woodland Trust.

Village halls celebrated in national Domesday Book VILLAGE halls across the borough have been added to a special record.

Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) has created a virtual Domesday Book for village halls to record the work they have been doing this year.

The charity hopes that the record will help make the case for sustained funding and support for village halls.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble, former parliamentary under secretary of state, said that village halls have been a crucial part of rural life for the past century.

“They provide a space for activities and events that bring people together, create a sense of community, reduce loneliness and

support local businesses,” he said.

“At a time when many village halls are closed because of coronavirus, it is especially important to recognise and celebrate the work they do.”

He encouraged anyone involved with a village hall to sign the Domesday Book and help create a record of the venue’s importance.

There are now more than 380 village hall entries, including Coronation Hall and Chapel Hall in Woodley, Twyford District Youth and Community Centre, St Sebastian’s Memorial Hall in Wokingham Without, Spencers Wood Village Hall, Hare Hatch Village Hall, and Arborfield Village Hall.

Thursday, December 16, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Council raises social housing rents by 4.1%

By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter

RENTS for council owned housing will rise by 4.1%, an increase that will affect more than 2,500 households in Wokingham borough.

The decision was made at a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council’s ruling executive, held on Thursday, November 25.

The rate is increasing by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which stands at 3.1%, plus 1%.

The CPI is a price barometer which measures inflation. It is closely related to the cost of living and is used by companies to set prices for goods and services.

The amount of the increase will vary across households because there are no flat rates for rents based on the numbers of bedrooms a council house has.

These homes have been divided by what council bank account they fall under. Of these, 2,552 pay into the council’s Housing Revenue Account, and 18 pay into the General Fund.

The policy was introduced by Cllr John Kaiser (Conservative, Barkham), the executive member for finance and housing.

He said: “The tenant and landlord improvement panel have

wholeheartedly agreed it. They were consulted on two occasions before and after it was implemented.”

The panel is run by tenants and four councillors and was set up to address issue face in the borough.

Cllr Kaiser added: “We’re very keen to maintain 100% decency with our social homes.

“The reason for the increase is to make sure we can continue to fund the decency of the homes and make sure their kept up to standard.”

The increase follows a decrease of 1% for social housing rents each year for four years, enacted in the Government’s Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016.

However, this decrease was ended in 2020, allowing councils to increase rents by one per cent plus the CPI, freeze rents or even reduce them.

Also at the meeting, the executive approved to install approximately 36 electric vehicle charging points, with the council borrowing £66,000 to roll out the project.

This spend would pay for 25% of project, with the rest being funded by the Government.

Cllr Laura Blumenthal said: “With 75% of the funding coming from central Government, it is a bargain.”

The executive also formally closed the old Farley Hill site.

NEWS | 35

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Ascot pupils take to the stage with The Little Mermaid production

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today PUPILS have been taking to the stage this month with their end of year shows.

Included in those is LVS Ascot, which delivered its version of The Little Mermaid earlier this month.

Senior school students at the independent school performed at its onsite theatre from Tuesday, December 2, to Saturday, December 4.

It was the first live performance for the London Road pupils since the pandemic. More than 75 students willed the cast, and the Infant Junior School pupils made light-up recycled plastic fish for the show.

Jessica Clark, head of performing arts and drama said that it was a joy to be back on stage.

“We had a fantastic cast and backstage crew of students from Year 7 through to Year 13 who were all phenomenal and I am very proud of all the hard work they put into the show,” she said.

“The rehearsal period was a challenging one, with many isolation periods and other obstacles but the resilience of the students was outstanding, and their performances were amazing.”

Ms Clark said that is was rewarding to see the rapport build among cast and crew.

“We have all made wonderful memories putting this production together and it is so fantastic to be back performing in front of full audiences,” she added.

LIVE: Sebastian the crab brings joy to the stage in his performance Picture: LVS Ascot

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News from your clubs & groups.

Email news@wokingham.today

INTHECOMMUNITY

How else do you mark the launch of the Good Beer Guide?

HOW ELSE do you celebrate the launch of a new edition of the Good Beer Guide?

Members of the Berkshire South East Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) got together at The Ship Inn last month to raise their glasses to its publication.

The book lists the best places to drink in the UK, and the members say they were delighted to find Wokingham borough well represented in it.

Their venue for the night has made the cut, along with The Crispin, The Queen’s Head and a newcomer, The Oakingham Belle.

A spokesperson said: “The book is the primary reference for anyone who wishes to find great beer in a decent pub.

“The beer at The Ship Inn was spot on, and all advance copies (we brought) sold out on CHEERS: Members of CAMRA at The Ship Inn with the new edition of the the night.”

Bumper prize pot for 150 draw ON FRIDAY, December 3, WADE held its latest draw in its 150 Club lottery and it had a bumper prize pot for the festive season.

The centre, on Reading Road, provides daycare facilities for the borough’s older residents, including hot lunches, entertainment and resources, and the fundraiser helps its activities.

Held monthly, there are three

prizes The more people who join, the greater they are.

First prize was £165, and went to member number 23.

Second prize was £99 was given to member 78. And the third prize was £66 and awarded to 51.

A spokesperson for WADE said: “Congratulations to our three December winners.

“Thank you once again to all

our members for your continued support.

“Please continue to spread the word so that we can increase the membership, and the winnings pot.” n For more details, call Jess on 0118 978 7025, email wade150club@wadecentre. org.uk, and log on to the group’s website, wadecentre.org.uk

Townswomen’s Guild meeting again WEST Forest Townswomens’s Guild have resumed their monthly meetings after an 18-month break due to Covid lockdown. We now meet on the third afternoon of each month in Emmbrook Village Hall.

It has been lovely to greet those members who felt able to join an indoor meeting though coffee mornings and teas had been held during lockdown but these were outside with limited numbers. Blankets and coats were essential.

Our first two meetings in July and August were purely social to enable members to gather but in September business got back to normal with an excellent speaker, Kamran Iran.

The title was Blood, Bikers

and Babies and we heard about the use of bikes to transport essential medical items like blood and breast milk to wherever it was needed.

This is a vital life-saving service.

At our October meeting, Rosemary Edginton accompanied by her dog told us about the use of hearing dogs for deaf people and the tremendous aid the dogs are in helping the deaf in their daily lives and giving them the confidence to venture out.

Needless to say we were all very much taken by the lovely dog.

Colin Oakes made our November meeting most enjoyable with his talk on Dickens and Christmas, an

appropriate subject. His knowledge and his acting ability brought Dickens to life for us all.

Our December meeting will be a social event with refreshments, games and a quiz among other items.

Small group activities have also resumed.

These are bridge, book club, Scrabble, film evening, social studies, needles and natter, coffee mornings and visits to Wokingham Theatre. All are well supported.

We are now looking forward to our Christmas lunch, this year at the Oakingham Bell and our visit to The Mill at Sonning for their production of Top Hat. Liz Shilham, chairman

Golden celebrations for Round Table A TWYFORD club has finally celebrated its golden anniversary a year later than planned.

The Twyford and District Round Table held a special formal dinner at Hennerton Golf Club, Wargrave, on Saturday, November 13.

The group is known for organising Twyford’s annual bonfire and fireworks event, as well as taking Santa’s sleigh around the streets during December. The events raise

thousands of pounds annually for nominated charities.

Chris Parker, chair of the club this year, organised and led the evening.

“All credit need to go to Chris for hosting such a memorable event,” said club member Neetan Kathuria.

The event doubled as an extra special induction for new Tabler, Tommy Eagles.

Two of the original founding members, Peter Moore and John Nagel, were

there to recognise the group’s achievements.

The group’s charter date, when the club was officially founded, is October 26, 1970.

Celebratory plans were delayed due to the pandemic.

The Round Table is a nonprofit organisation for men between the ages of 18 and 45.

There are also membership options for women and older men.

n For more information, visit: www.twyfordroundtable.org

DONATION: The Arts Society Wokingham presented a cheque to First Days Children’s Charity

Arts Society supports First Days appeal MEMBERS of The Arts Society Wokingham are continuing to support the First Days Children’s Charity.

Last Christmas they donated to its Christmas Appeal, and members also supported its Back to School project in July, Earlier this month, Alison Sanders, chair of the Society, visited the Christmas Presence community shop in Elms Field.

There she presented a £500 cheque to Jenny Westmoreland, head of fundraising at the charity, in support of this year’s Christmas Appeal.

Ms Sanders said: “Once again the very generous members of

The Arts Society Wokingham have supported the excellent work of First Days in helping local families. The Arts Society members are very keen to benefit their community at this special time of year.”

Ms Westmoreland thanked the society for its donation and said that the charity’s focus this Christmas is on giving lowincome families the dignity and power of choosing gifts for their children.

They are invited to book an appointment and come into the shop and chose from the selection of toys on offer.

She said: “Choice is so

important, especially at Christmas. Many of us are lucky enough to be able to choose presents for our children that we know they will love.

“You may have experienced that magical feeling of seeing your child’s face light up on Christmas morning, opening a present that you have thoughtfully chosen for them. This donation will enable us to extend that gift of choice. “ n To find out more about First Days Children’s Charity, visit: www.firstdays.net/christmas n For more information about The Arts Society Wokingham , visit: www. theartssocietywokingham.org.uk

Rotary Club presents prizes to Bracknell Together Walk winners PRIZEWINNERS at Easthampstead Rotarians’ Bracknell Together Walk 2021 received their financial rewards at the Club’s recent meeting.

The prizes were awarded to the local groups achieving the greatest impact by joining the 2021 Bracknell Together Walk which, due to the pandemic, had been postponed to a very wet Sunday, August 8.

Wokingham Foodbank, who fielded the biggest team, was represented by Linda Miller, and from Bracknell, the HomeStart and Promise Inclusion cheques were received by Sharon Kearins and Tracy Bradlaw.

A special prize was awarded to Youthline whose walkers came as a giant panda and koala bear.

“They were two very soggy, heavy-weight bears at the end,” said event organiser Mike O’Donovan.

The 66 walkers who braved the elements, raised more than £2,000 for their chosen charities, and thanked the Rotary volunteers for organising and marshalling the event.

It is planned to ‘run’ the next Bracknell Together Walk on Sunday, May 22. Details will be released in due course.

It is organised by

Easthampstead Rotary Club.

They meet fortnightly to have fun together, welcome guest speakers and progress their community projects, local and international.

They aim to make a lasting difference in Rotary International’s primary areas of focus which are: Preventing disease, Providing clean water, Supporting women and children, Peacebuilding, and Protecting our environment – topical in view of the COP26 just concluded in Glasgow. n For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/ easthampsteadrotaryclub

Peter von Bergen

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LEISURETODAY

16.12.21

Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham

Madness make a date for Windsor Racecourse T

HE NUTTY boys are coming back.

Madness have announced they will be performing at Windsor Racecourse next year, and tickets have gone on sale.

The ska-pop band, famous for hits such as Our House, and House of Fun, will play at an outdoor concert on Friday, August 26.

And the band are not the only acts on the line-up. Joining them will be Soul II Soul and The Dualers, with additional names to be announced.

Their Windsor date is part of its Ladykillers tour, and racecourse bosses are promising some of the finest soulful and ska-tinged sounds to

Next summer might feel like an age away ... but the orginal Nutty Boys are making plans for a great night of music, right on our doorstep. PHIL CREIGHTON is in the house of fun have emerged from London Town from the last four decades.

Madness are perhaps one of the most prominent and best-loved bands of the last 50 years.

Formed in Camden Town, London in 1976, their journey since has taken them from skaband upstarts to globally acclaimed superstars.

Finding initial success in the late 1970s and early ‘80s as frontrunners

of the 2 Tone Ska revival, the band would soon go on to find universal fame through a string of 15 UK Top 10 charting singles, with their crowning glory being the number one hit record House Of Fun. With a trademark “nutty” sound and lyrics that capture the very essence of British life, cuts like Baggy Trousers, One Step Beyond, Embarrassment, My Girl, Driving In My Car, and Our House and countless others have

transcended the generations and immortalised Madness as icons of popular culture.

A testament to their enduring popularity, Suggs and co. were invited to perform on top of Buckingham Palace as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and the London Olympics in 2012 to a global audience, while also setting the record for the biggest-ever viewing for the BBC’s live New Year’s Eve broadcast in 2018.

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of their landmark debut album ‘One Step Beyond’ last year, Madness remain one of the most exhilarating and entertaining prospects on record and the stage.

With a huge headline show at Windsor Racecourse now on the agenda for 2022, expect the finest music and plenty of madcap mayhem when the original “Nutty Boys” go one step beyond to make this an evening for the ages.

Tickets cost £40, and gates open at 5pm. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. n For more details, log on to www. windsor-racecourse.co.uk

14 | LEISURE

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, December 16, 2021

You can still see The Invisible Dress

There will also be special Companion Tours available for those that need it.

The event is organised in conjunction with Age UK Berkshire.

Booking is not necessary, but groups of four or more advance notice is requested. n For details, call, 0118 378 8660 or email merlevents@reading.ac.uk

THERE’S still time to see The Invisible Dress.

A Caversham venue is holding the exhibition that aims to show how scents complete our look and feel, triggering emotional responses that can recall decades-old memories.

The exhibition has been curated by E. Gabriel De Carvalho, HUMOS Head Perfumer, with Gabriel also designing the fragrances.

The flowers and exhibition decorations are by Wesley St Cyr and Wendy Whitehea of Blooming Ashley’s Flowers.

It’s on show at HUMOS in Church Road, Caversham until Wednesday, January 5.

It’s open 11am to 6pm Wednsdays to Saturdays and 11am to 4pm on Sundays. n For more details, log on to https://www. humos.co.uk/

Enjoy a night with the Queen’s singers

Enjoy a night of laughter on Friday LAUGHTER is in store to visitors to The Purple Turtle in Reading this Friday.

The Mates Rates Comedy Club is back, with four great gagmeisters serving up the funny.

Heading the bill is Live at the Apollo’s Stephen Bailey.

Also appearing at Pope Lonergan and Joe Jacobs.

The night is hosted by Carl Richard.

It starts at 7.30pm, with doors at 6.30pm.

Tickets cost £17.50 on the door or £14 in advance. n For more details, or to book, log on to: https://www.fatsoma.com/e/2zvgykhz/ comedy-at-turtle-with-headlinerstephen-bailey

Market marks Black Pound Day A SPECIAL market is coming to The Biscuit Factory on Saturday to celebrate Black Pound Day. The event, co-organised by RG2 Radio, will feature a range of fun.

There will be stalls to browse, including toys and dolls and cakes.

Caribbean food will be available to buy,

SANTA’S special helper Buddy is coming to the big screen in Reading this weekend.

Elf, the festive favourite starring Will Ferrell as an orphan adopted by Santa’s workshop, is to be shown at the Reading Biscuit Factory. there will be books and activities for children.

And the team from RG2 Radio will be DJing throughout the day.

The event runs from 10am to 5pm. n For more details, log on to https:// readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk/

Seasonal singalong with Readifolk A SEASONAL singalong is promised to visitors to Readifolk on Sunday.

The folk group will be meeting for its annual festive party.

Organisers want to hear seasonal songs from guests, although entry is open for people who just want to listen and enjoy some seasonal fare.

It takes place from 8pm at the

AT THE THEATRE

Every week, we bring you a round-up of all shows taking place in the region’s theatres.

It covers this weekend and next, so you can plan ahead and book tickets to the shows that you want to go and see.

As ever, coronavirus means that shows could be cancelled, postponed or rearranged at short notice. Check with theatres to avoid disappointment.

Bracknell – South Hill Park

www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 Cinderella. Until Jan 3.

Coach House Christmas Parties. Thurs, Thurs 23.

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Jack and the Beanstalk.

Until New Year’s Eve. We All Wobble. Sun.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud

www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Dick Whittington. Until Jan 9.

The Man In The Moon presents A Christmas Carol. Thurs-Sat. Mr Charles Dickens presents A Christmas Carol. MonChristmas Eve.

As a baby, Buddy crawls into Santa’s toy bag and grows up in the North Pole, before heading to the United States as a grown-up.

He meets his real Dad and discovers, well, he’s a bit of a Scrooge. Can Buddy turn his frown upside down and help community hall in Watlington House, South Street. Entry is £2. n For details, log on to www.readifolk.org.uk

Concert is sold out, but you can still see it A CHRISTMAS concert has been so popular that organisers have decided to livestream it for free.

Trinity Concert Band’s festive show takes place from 4pm at the Great Hall in Reading on Saturday. Tickets have sold out, not helped by the reduced capacity due to covid.

The event, called The Night Before Christmas, is a Christmas cracker of a show, featuring seasonal music including tracks from festive movies White Christmas, Home

Santa get the presents delivered on time?

The film is shown at 11.30am on Saturday and 2pm on Sunday.

Tickets cost £5. n For more details, or to book, log on to: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk Alone and Miracle on 34th Street.

The live stream is free and can be seen at http://www.trinityband.co.uk/ livestream A waiting list has been set up for the concert tickets, and proceeds from ticket sales will go to The Cowshed charity.

Cosy chat time thanks to MERL A CHANCE to chat is coming to a museum next week.

The Chatty Cafe will be held at MERL in Redlands Road from 2pm to 4pm on Tuesday, December 21.

The event is for caregivers and their loved ones to pop in and meet others, explore the museum and buy a drink from the cafe. Free cake is on offer when a beverage is purchased.

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan

www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Kipper’s Snowy Day. Until Dec 30.

Martin Turner, ex-Wishbone Ash: Wishbone Gold. Thurs.

The Albion Christmas Band.

Fri. The Vinyl Frontier: Your Favourite v My Favourite.

Fri. Elvis: One Night Only at Christmas. Sat. NEXT SHOW: Keith James in Concert: The Songs of Leonard Cohen.

Jan 29.

A WOKINGHAM pub is preparing for a host of music nights over the coming days.

The Hope & Anchor will hold a disco night with Ben on Friday. He will play a range of dance classics and singalong favourites.

On Saturday, the Heathrow Jets will be back, performing covers of punk and indie from the 70s to the present day.

Just before Christmas, on Thursday, December 23, The Chestnuts will be returning. The band have been charged with getting punters into the Christmas spirit.

And on New Year’s Eve, there will be a party on the theme of colourful, with a bottle of Champagne for the best dressed.

This event is ticket only, at £3, and there is no entry after 10pm. n For details, log on to hopeanchor.co.uk

Reading – Progress Theatre

www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 NEXT SHOW: Dark Sublime. Jan 17-22.

Henley – Kenton

Maidenhead – Norden Farm

Musical fun at the Hope and Anchor

NEXT SHOW: Lunchtime Organ Recital. Jan 17.

www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Peter Pan. Until Sun Jan 2. Soul and Motown Christmas Dinner Dance. Sat. New Year’s Eve Gala. New Year’s Eve.

www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050 Cinderella. Until Dec 30

IT’S SIX of one, and half a dozen of the same at Norden Farm next week.

The Queen’s Six will be performing a special concert on Thursday, December 23.

Based at Windsor Castle, the members of The Queen’s Six are Lay Clerks of St George’s Chapel, whose homes lie within the Castle walls.

This rare privilege demands the highest musical standards, as they sing regularly for the Royal family, notably the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as well as Prince Philip’s funeral.

This is their first time at Norden Farm and the event includes carols and festive cheer.

Tickets can be either in person or streaming at home, and cost £15 each.

For more details, log on to norden. farm

Newbury – The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 Cinderella. Until Sun, Jan 2.

Newbury – The Watermill

www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 The Jungle Book. Until New Year’s Eve.

Reading – South Street

www.whatsonreading.com

0118 960 6060 The Snow Queen. Until Christmas Eve.

Reading – The Hexagon

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Beauty and the Beast starring Justin Fletcher and Paul Morse (pictured).

Until Jan 3.

Reading – Concert Hall

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

Reading – Reading Rep Theatre

www.readingrep.com 0118 370 2620 NEXT SHOW: A Christmas Carol.

Until New Year’s Eve.

Shinfield – Shinfield Players

www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 NEXT SHOW: Snow White and the Four Swedish Popstars. Jan 14-16, 21-23.

Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Top Hat. Until Jan 8.

Windsor – Theatre Royal

www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Jack and the Beanstalk.

Until Jan 9.

Wokingham – Theatre

www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 The Government Inspector. Until Sat. NEXT SHOW: Apologia.

Jan 27-Feb 5.

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre

www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247 NEXT SHOW: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Jan 17-18.

Woodley – Theatre

www.woodleytheatre.org 07488337838 NEXT SHOW: Jazz Concert with the Martin Hart Trio. Sat Jan 22.

Thursday, December 16, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

LEISURE | 15

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Families invited to choir’s carol concert on Saturday

Thames Voyces Picture: Dawn Pickett

A

CAROL concert will take place in Binfield on Saturday, featuring seasonal music and readings.

Families will be welcome to the event, which is organised by Thames Voyces.

The concert will include carols from Medieval times, including some that have origins in mystery plays.

Some were devised by worshipful guilds within a town, hence one of the older carols is the Coventry Carol.

And there will be some more

modern items such as Jingle Bells and well-known carols that audiences will be invited to join in with.

The choir will be directed by Nick Austen and the accompanist is Ben Giddens It takes place from 7.30pm on Saturday at St Mark’s Church in Popeswood Road.

Tickets cost £12, £10 for concessions and accompanied under 16s can get in free. n For more details, or to book, call 0118 967 7319 or log on to thamesvoyces.org.uk

Have a glitterball with Windsor’s magic panto Jack and the Beanstalk Until Sunday, January 9 Theatre Royal Windsor theatreroyalwindsor. co.uk

H beans.

OW do you make magic from the same old, same old? Just take some

I don’t know what type Steven Blakeley has been nibbling on while writing Jack and the Beanstalk, but he’s hit gold.

This is a brilliant show that takes all the typical pantomime tropes and he makes them feel fresh and relevant.

Not only is he the writer, but he is also Dame Dotty Trott.

Now in his 13th year at the Theatre Royal Windsor, he is in complete command of the role, ensuring he has the audience eating out of his hands.

Joining him is Kevin Cruise as Simon Trott. Their enduring comedy double act shines throughout, particularly through the set pieces.

The messy slosh scene could go to pot in lesser hands, for example. Here the laughs keep coming, even after the gunge has hit the floor.

Also returning is Basil Brush, the fox who has entertained

The first meeting of the new South Hill Park ambassadors scheme

generations of children, their children and their children’s children.

He remains hugely popular with all ages and his residency in Windsor is once again a hit.

There are two other ‘star’ names: Shirley Ballas is the pre-recorded voice of the giant, allowing for much Strictly Come Dancing tomfoolery and dancing.

It’s a neat pirouette to see the giant as a woman.

It’s a trick repeated with Fleshcreep: veteran star Anita Harris takes on the role with aplomb.

She visibly relishes chewing the scenery, threatening the cast and playing against type.

It’s a terrific turn, soliciting boos and hisses in all the right places.

Alice Fillary is another returnee. In last year’s aborted run, she was Cinderella. This year she is Jill, the love interest to Jay Worley’s Jack Trott.

She has an amazing stage presence, gracefully lighting up the stage and with a terrific voice.

Jay matches her performance with his enthusiastic, friendly and heroic Jack. He was a delight to watch.

And Elizabeth Carter spreads magic as Fairy Daffodil, helping keep the show together and ensure there is a happy ending.

Sadly, the pandemic means the ensemble is limited to adult dancers. But given the extra space they shine, with several, rightful, moments in the spotlight.

The show moves at a fair pace, and the balance between song, comedy and action is perfectly pitched.

The 12 Days of Christmas routine received riotous applause, while Basil’s boom booms entertained throughout.

The Strictly leitmotifs run pleasantly throughout, there are jokes for all ages and the run time is enough to make you wish they’d keep dancing.

It’s a 10 from me, dah-ling.

PHIL CREIGHTON

Ambassadors meet at South Hill Park

A

NEW scheme aimed at boosting the profile of a Bracknell-based arts centre held its inaugural meeting last week.

South Hill Park launched its ambassadors programme to boost community engagement and serve its audiences better.

Founder of the scheme, South Hill Park’s marketing campaigns officer Katie Greet, said: “‘It was wonderful to get these passionate and experienced voices in a room together to talk about what we at South Hill Park need to continue doing, and what we can look at doing in the future to inspire more to take part.”

She added: “South Hill Park has so much to offer, and the ambassadors

are incredibly valuable not only to help us to share this, but to also learn about what we can do better.

“As an arts centre it is vital that we always look to grow and improve so everyone in our local community can discover the joy the arts can bring.”

The five ambassadors meet with members of staff from the arts centre three times a year, around the same time each new season of events is launched at South Hill Park.

The group will discuss the upcoming programme, feedback how the local community is engaging with the arts centre, and brainstorm ideas to encourage this engagement further. n For more details, log on to southhillpark.org.uk

16 | LEISURE

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, December 16, 2021

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Thursday, December 16, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

LIVEMUSIC

To advertise in this section, call Claire on 0118 327 2662

RaW Sounds Today

SOLID: Wille and the Bandits at Wokingham Festival Credit Andrew Merritt Photography

Chris Hillman bit.ly/ rawsoundstoday

T

HIS WEEK’S RaW Sounds Today playlist has another 10 great tracks for you to enjoy.

Every issue, we bring you a round-up of music from artists with a connection to the region.

And this week, we welcome a new entry from Wille and the Bandits, who wowed crowds at the Wokingham Festival back in August. Find out what all the fuss is about.

It is just one of 10 brilliant tracks you can listen to for free, thanks to our Spotify playlist.

The RaW Sounds playlist is a brilliant way to explore a wide range of brilliant artists, discover some new music and keep dancing.

To tune in, simply head to https://bit.ly/ rawsoundstoday and get ready to rock.

There’s also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap into. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will come up.

Wille and the Bandits – Solid Ground What a great live band this is, as evidenced by their brilliant headlining performance at Wokingham Festival on August Bank Holiday Monday.

Led by front person, Wille Edwards, the fourpiece band showed why they have built up a great reputation worldwide as they wowed the crowd with their dynamic and emotional sound. This beautiful epic song, with a wonderful soulful guitar solo, is from their new album, When the World Stood Still which gets a full release in January – https://www.willeandthebandits.com/

Rachel Redman (ft. Damian C Carruthers) – Obvious

Rachel is a local singer-songwriter who has appeared in our playlist previously and she has just released a new single co-written with another talented musician, Damian Carruthers and produced

by Rob Thom. A lyric video for the song has just been released and it has a wonderful winter feel which is well worth a look. Rachel plays live regularly so keep an eye out for her appearances and pop along to see her when you get a chance – https://www.facebook. com/rachelredmanmusic

facebook.com/OceanRuins

Beans on Toast – Humans Beans has just released his new album ‘Survival of the Friendliest’ and ‘Humans’ is a single from the album. He’s on an extensive UK tour at the moment which included a recent visit to Reading’s Facebar – https://beansontoastmusic.com/

Ocean Ruins – Teen Drama Here’s a melodic alt-rock band from Reading who have released a string of singles including this one. If you missed it then, it’s well worth a listen, with its uplifting sing-along chorus – https://www.

Spriggan Mist – The Portal Their live performances combine strong visuals with a magical mix of prog, folk & rock and you can check them out at their Enchanted Market event in Bracknell in February – https://www.sprigganmist. com/

Reading-based indie-rock duo, Valeras, with a single from their four-track EP, Tell Me Now. Following their Sub 89 show they appeared at Wokingham’s Beyond the Download ‘in store’ event on November 27 – https://www.facebook.com/ valerasband

Crooked Shapes – Appetite

Mordecai Smyth – Sinister Cyclist

This three-piece rock band with members from Reading and Wokingham have just released their debut self titled album ‘Crooked Shapes’. This track is their latest single and is one of 9 tracks on the album – https://www.crookedshapes.com/

Mordecai’s 2011 album, Sticky Tape and Rus on Wokingham based Mega Dodo Records, ‘has been re-issued as a special 10th anniversary two-CD. Psych pop with clever lyrics – https://www. facebook.com/stickytapeandrust/

Last Picture Show – The Joy and the Wonder

Hoopy Frood – Horse with No Name

Reading-based band, Last Picture Show, are interested in combining visual imagery with their music and that shows with the award-winning video they created for this single – http://www.lastpicture-show.com/

GIG GUIDE Wednesday, December 15

READING – Market Yard, Tessa Road RG1 8HH. Christmas Session, One and Only Adele Tribute.

Details: www.marketyard. co.uk READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Club Velocity presents John Otway annual Christmas knees up. Details: 0118 959 5395.

Thursday, December 16

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Coach House Christmas Parties. Details: 01344 484123.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. TJ Johnson and the Preachers. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – Market Yard, Tessa Road RG1 8HH. Christmas Session. Details: www.marketyard.co.uk WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Buzuki Serkan and Cem Iyibardakci. Details: 0118 969 2047.

Friday, December 17

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic

Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Graham Steel Music Company Christmas Party: Atomic Rapture and The Filthy Llamas. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The Take That Experience.

Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Lewis and the Sound of the Suburbs. Details: 01344 457318.

EARLEY – The Roebuck, Auckland Road RG6 1NY. Live music. Details: 0118 966 7153.

EMMBROOK – The Dog and Duck, Matthewsgreen Road RG41 1JT. Live music.

Details: 0118 978 0544.

EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports & Social, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club presents Kossoff … The Band. £19. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub. co.uk READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Will and the People.

Details: 0118 956 8188.

READING – The Jazz Cafe,

Shooters Way, Madejski Stadium RG2 0FL. The SoulTones Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Jazz at Progress presents Moscow Drug Club. Details: www. jazzinreading.com READING – Market Yard, Tessa Road RG1 8HH. Afterwork and Ultimate Power. Details: www. marketyard.co.uk READING – The Palmer Tavern, Wokingham Road RG6 1JL. Marvellous Fridays. Details: 0118 935 1009.

THEALE – The Fox and Hounds, Station Road RG7 4BE. Glo. Details: 0118 960 2295.

Saturday, December 18

BINFIELD – The Victoria Arms, terrane Road North RG42 5JA. MJX. Details: 01344 483856.

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Rock Night with Divide The Truth and Unrise. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Abba’s Angels. Details: 01344 303333.

READING – The Retreat, St John’s Street RG1 4EH. Rufus Ruffcut. Details: 0118 376 9159.

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Shooters Way, Madejski Stadium RG2 0FL. Chain Gang. Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING – Market Yard, Tessa Road RG1 8HH. Christmas Brunch, DJ. Details: www.marketyard. co.uk READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Marisa and the Moths.

Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Retreat, St John’s Street RG1 4EH. Rufus Ruffcut. Details: 0118 376 9159.

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. SOS Drag Night Christmas edition. Details: 0118 986 6788.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Bottle Kids. Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Funk Soul Brothers.

Details: 0118 957 6930.

READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1 4DX. Rocket Kings and DAP. Details: 0118 958 6048.

TILEHURST – The Royal

Valeras – Let Me Go

British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. Live music. Details: 0118 942 9606.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Heathrow Jets.

Details: 0118 977 0918.

Sunday, December 19

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Christmas party. Details: www.readifolk.org.uk READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. Chain Gang.

Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING – Market Yard, Tessa Road RG1 8HH. Christmas Brunch, East17 Live and guests. Details: www.marketyard.co.uk READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Bad Manners. Details: 0118 959 5395.

WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Tenor Ethem Demir, pianist Yunuscan Kaya.

Details: 0118 969 2047.

Monday, December

20

NETTLEBED – Village Club, High Street RG9 5DD. Nettlebed Folk Club presents: Beldshazzar’s Feast festive show. Details: www.nettlebedfolkclub. co.uk READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Symone: The Smooth Taste Tour..

Details: 0118 959 5395.

Tuesday, December 21

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Showcasing Pippa and The Players. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk READING – Market Yard, Tessa Road RG1 8HH. Christmas Session. Details: www.marketyard.co.uk READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Martin Kemp: back to the 80s Christmas party. Details: 0118 959 5395.

WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Ayce Abana and Yunuscan Kaya. Details: 0118 969 2047.

Wednesday, December 22

READING – Market Yard, Tessa Road RG1 8HH. Christmas Session. Details: www.marketyard.co.uk

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Here’s a Wokingham based band with a very cool cover of a classic 70’s hit by America.

It’s a great interpretation of the song with good grooves, strong vocals and even a guitar solo at the end – https://www.hoopyfrood.co.uk/

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. John Coghlan’s Quo Details: 0118 959 5395.

Thursday, December 23

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. The TR5S. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk READING – Market Yard, Tessa Road RG1 8HH. Christmas Session. Details: www.marketyard.co.uk

Christmas Eve, Friday, December 24 READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Corsairs. Details: 0118 957 6930.

Boxing Day, Sunday, December 26 READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Highwasters. 6pm-9pm.

Details: 0118 957 6930.

Tuesday, December 28

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Richard Digance.

Details: 01491 681048.

Thursday, December 30

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Cloudcat and support. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

New Year’s Eve, Friday, December 31

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Art New Year’s Eve Extravaganza. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk BINFIELD – The Victoria Arms, terrane Road North RG42 5JA. Majestix.

Details: 01344 483856.

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. !Daft!

Details: 01344 303333.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Paul Spittle. Details: 0118 926 5804.

TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. The Bootlegs Band. Details: 0118 942 9606.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Pinkfish. Black tie, ticket only. Details: 0118 977 3706.

26 | LEISURE

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, December 16, 2021

On t saick le ets nO w

A south hill park pAntomime

the stars of aladdin return JacquelinE tatE as Wicked stepmother

Faye EllEn as cinderella

Michael Ayiotis as Buttons

Writer Joyce Branagh Director adam stafford Beth Bradley as ugly sister Ben Featherstone as Prince charming Paul toulson as ugly sister ‘another christmas cracker of a show’ maidenhead advertiser on aladdin 2019

Fri 26 Nov 2021 — Mon 3 Jan 2022

Wilde theatre, south hill Park, Bracknell RG12 7Pa @southhillpark

/southhillparkartscentre

to Book visit southhillpark.org.uk

southhillpark

#shpcinderella

Box offiCe 01344 484123

Berkshire’s Centre for the Arts, Business and Community

Registered charity 265656 Please support the future of the Arts

No. 5392

Your weekly puzzle challenge TO ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE, CALL CLAIRE ON: 0118 327 2662

27

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Thursday, December 16, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

5392

Quiz Challenge

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1. Gentlemen Marry Brunettes was the sequel to which 1953 Hollywood film?

2. The Bismarck Sea is in which ocean?

3. Under the Dome, Carrie and Misery are novels by which horror writer?

4. In 1951, New Yorkers Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were sentenced to death in the US for what crime?

5. Complete this Meghan Trainor song lyric: I’m all ‘bout that bass, ‘bout that bass, no... what?

7 18

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10 9

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NONAGRAM

7

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N P E

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1

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R

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O

Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares.

As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

MAGIC SQUARE

PERSON EARNED CODE

R E T I

N T

How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found.

Guidelines: 35 Good; 41 Very Good; 48 Excellent.

Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary (Tenth Edition) is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).

Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which will fit in the grid to form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and vertically.

Spell out a 15-letter word or phrase by moving from one chamber to another within the pyramid. You may only enter each of the chambers once and may only proceed R through openings in the walls. The C first letter may appear in any chamber.

H E

RL

UE

AP

NF

PT

AI

HA

MA

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EU

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7 6

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1 2 8 2 3 2 1 9 6 7 1 5 4 1 3 9 5 8

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M

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Here are two miniature fivesquare crosswords using the same grid – but the letters have been mixed up.

You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.

SD

20

22

DOWN 2. Shelter on French shoreline (4) 3. Part of another marathon heat (5) 4. How one imagines one’s early days? (7) 5. The sort of place a ghost might frequent (5) 6. Radio operator initially to play guitar on the platform (7) 7. Ernie perhaps is a slave (8) 11. Not in the majority (5,3) 13. Somehow employ right synthetic compound (7) 14. Road up? (7) 16. Disheartened Danny is not well going round the charming scene (5) 17. One of Sheridan’s playful challengers? (5) 18. Burden on you and me (4)

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This puzzle page is supplied by Sirius Media Services Ltd.

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Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction.

© Sirius Media Services Ltd

18

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same.

To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com

19

20

ACROSS 1. Caledonian novelist is hard on pencils (8) 6. Deep red shrub you included (4) 8. The very thing to stifle in a bad way (6) 9. Such a hero has not been honoured (musically or otherwise) (6) 10. Most remain perplexed by economic policy (10) 12. Irritable or brittle? (6) 14. Churchgoers’ Book of Numbers? (6) 15. One responsible for the tolls (10) 19. Quietly substituted my call (6) 20. French wine joker was going round brandishing (6) 21. Burn ears terribly (4) 22. Ally is to become a supporter of the government (8)

F

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30 8 7 6 3 5 1 4 9 2

4 1 9 2 7 8 5 3 6

WORD PYRAMID: Freedom of speech.

EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – add; divide; subtract; multiply.

Total: 3.

SOLUTIONS

2 3 5 6 9 4 7 1 8

7 1 7 9 4 6

4

5 6 2 8 1 9 3 7 4

9

1 9 7 3

3

3 9 1 4 6 7 8 2 5

8

9 5

7 4 8 5 2 3 1 6 9

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8

6 2 7 1 8 5 9 4 3

1

2 7 3 9 7 1 2 4 4 2 8 7 9 9 3

1 8 4 9 3 6 2 5 7

1

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EQUALISER 3 12 5 4 3 0 3 6 2 9 1 1

Hard

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ES

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Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.

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FIVE ALIVE BA

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WORD PYRAMID

SUDOKU Easy

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD 1

6. Manchester City footballer Kevin De Bruyne comes from which country?

7. Actors James Nesbitt, John Thomson and Robert Bathurst play long-time friends in which popular comedy-drama TV series?

8. In Russia, who are known affectionately as babushkas?

9. Which territory is disputed between India and Pakistan?

10. According to the saying, many a true word is spoken in… what?

9 5 3 7 4 2 6 8 1

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PZ1P5392

CROSS CODE 21

26 28

24

24 25 29

31

22. Cereal (3) ACROSS 23. Slip sideways (4) 1. Reclaim (9) 27. Honourable (5) 6. Chum (3) 28. Spotted feline (7) 8. Astronomers’ theory (3,4) 30. Whichever (3) 9. Once more (5) 31. Rotating gate (9) 10. Shut up (4) DOWN 11. Type of lettuce (3) 1. Chafe (3) 13. Mown grass (4) 2. Heathen (5) 14. Bird of prey (5) 3. Drench (4) 16. Symbol (6) 4. Alcoholic drink (6) 18. Christian 5. Absorbent pad (4) festival (6) 6. Rustic person (7) 19. Social outcast (5) 7. Soviet name for 21. Balmy (4) St Petersburg (9)

10. Respiratory disorder (9) 11. Small acting role (5) 12. Wintry weather (5) 14. Slippery fish (3) 15. Listening organ (3) 17. Hotel employee (4-3) 20. Paleness (6) 24. Yellowish-brown (5) 25. Dexterous (4) 26. Promises (4) 29. Female deer (3)

FIVE ALIVE: QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Gentlemen Prefer Blondes; 2 Pacific Ocean; 3 Stephen King; 4 Spying; 5 Treble; 6 Belgium; 7 Cold Feet; 8 Elderly ladies, especially grandmothers; 9 Kashmir; 10 Jest.

(1) Across – Bluff; Tapas; Sided.

Down – Baths; Upped; Fused.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across – 1 Scottish; 6 Ruby; 8 Itself; 9 Unsung; 10 Monetarism; (2) Across – Arena; Pigmy; Lotus.

J M Y C R D E P U A O V H 12 Snappy; 14 Hymnal; 15 Bellringer; 19 Calmly; 20 Waving; 21 Down – Appal; Eight; Abyss.

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Sear; 22 Loyalist.

F K Z T S G B L X N W I Q Down – 2 Cote; 3 Therm; 4 Infancy; 5 Haunt; 6 Rostrum; 7 NONAGRAM: enprint; enter; entire; erne; inept; inert; Bondsman; 11 Under age; 13 Polymer; 14 Highway; 16 Idyll; 17 inner; intent; inter; intern; internet; neep; MAGIC SQUARE: EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU Rival; 18 Onus. core; open; read; nene; nerine; nerite; nett; nine; nitre; ends. peen; peer; penitent; penne; penni; pent; père; peri; pert; PERTINENT; peter; petit; petite; petter; pettier; pier; pine; pinene; preen; rein; renin; rennet; rent; repent; repine; rete; retie; ripe; ripen; rite; teen; tein; tenet; tenner; tenpin; tent; tenter; tern; terne; tier; tine; tinter; tire; titre; tree; treen; tret; triene; trine; tripe; trite.

QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Repossess; 6 Pal; 8 Big bang; 9 Again; 10 Pent; 11 Cos; 13 Lawn; 14 Eagle; 16 Emblem; 18 Easter; 19 Leper; 21 Mild; 22 Oat; 23 Skid; 27 Noble; 28 Leopard; 30 Any; 31 Turnstile.

Down – 1 Rub; 2 Pagan; 3 Soak; 4 Eggnog; 5 Swab; 6 Peasant; 7 Leningrad; 10 Pneumonia; 11 Cameo; 12 Sleet; 14 Eel; 15 Ear; 17 Bellboy; 20 Pallor; 24 Khaki; 25 Deft; 26 Vows; 29 Doe.

28 | LIFE

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Brussel Sprouts, Chestnuts & Bacon

Watch Wokingham Adrian Betteridge

In the kitchen

A year of WATCHing... what good has it done?

With Freely Fruity

O

Serves 4

PINIONS are certainly polarised when it comes to Brussel sprouts and perhaps much of it comes down to the cooking.

Here they are cooked quickly and retain their flavour, colour and nutrients.

You can also prep this in advance and heat through when ready to serve.

Ingredients

n 500g Brussel sprouts n 4 thick rashers back bacon, cut into strips n 100g pre-cooked chestnuts, broken up n 2 tbsp garlic oil

Method

1. Trim the base off the sprouts, half any large ones and remove any discoloured leaves 2. Fill a large pan with water and add a generous pinch of salt then bring to the boil. Add the sprouts and boil for 5 minutes then drain and submerge into cold water for a few minutes drain again and blot dry 3. Add a dash of the garlic oil to a large frying pan and fry the strips of bacon until crispy 4. Add the pieces of chestnuts and sprouts to heat through, finish with the remaining garlic oil and serve

I

Recipe by Charlotte Simpkins for Freely Fruity www.facebook.com/ freelyfruityuk/

HealthwatchWokingham Joanna Dixon

Trying to help the borough’s unpaid carers

I

N last month’s Healthwatch column we told you about the difficulties that unpaid carers in Wokingham had faced during the pandemic.

In summary, the main concerns emerging from our report were: the decline of those they look after, carer workload and lack of time away from caring responsibilities, and the impact on carers’ wellbeing.

Not all carers understood their rights. Not all carers knew that they could register as a carer. Direct payment users raised a specific complaint about lack of flexibility This month we would like to update you on our report recommendations and responses from service providers.

Healthwatch Wokingham Borough recommends that a collaborative campaign should be carried out by NHS Berkshire West, Wokingham Borough Council, Healthwatch, TuVIDA, and the local voluntary sector, where appropriate, to: n Identify ‘hidden’ carers and others who lack information and support n Review and improve Boroughwide GP surgery support for carers n Increase information and support offered to registered/known carers to address the challenges affecting them n Continue and potentially expand what worked well during the Covid period.

CCG Comment: We support the idea of a collaborative campaign on carers.

We suggest that Healthwatch Wokingham Borough present the

report to the Wokingham Integration (Leadership) Board to consider how this can be taken forward.

Wokingham Borough Council to publish written guidance for direct payment recipients who cannot spend their payments normally.

To be accessible via a link on their website and sent to those who aren’t digitally enabled. Training and monitoring to ensure staff apply it consistently.

Prioritise provision and take up of respite options especially for exhausted full-time carers looking after carees with the highest support needs.

Clinical Commissioning Group to consider updates to the carers information on GP surgery websites, including: n Providing more information about the benefits of registering as a carer with a GP practice.

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, December 16, 2021

n Include, on all GP practice web sites, links to other Carers services in the Borough, including but necessarily limited to, Wokingham Borough Council website relating to their carers offer and contact number for adult social care hub. Links to TuVida carers service, links to Crossroads Care. n Ideally create a Carers specific tab or tile on the home page of GP practice web sites so Carers information is quick and easy to navigate to.

CCG comment: Recently there has been a reorganisation of digital support to the CCG. I have reached out to the new programme manager to discuss these recommendations and how they can be taken forward.

However, I am cautious about the second recommendation, that links should not be limited to the Wokingham Borough website.

The CCG or practices do not have the resource to maintain and update a range of links and contacts across all our web sites.

It would be more straightforward to have the council site as the main repository of information for carers.

As a system, this would mean updates only need to be made once There is a disparity between the number of carers registered with GP surgeries (approximately 4,404) and those registered with Wokingham Borough Council (approximately 738).

In order that carers have the knowledge of the carers offer from GP surgeries and Wokingham Borough Council, create a process where GP practices sign post newly registered Carers to Wokingham Borough Council and their Carers offer and vice versa.

CCG Comment: The number of people registered as a carer with general practice increased by 10% between February and October 2021 (4,047 to 4,404). This may be attributable to carers being urged to make sure they are registered so they do not miss out on their invitation to get a Covid-l9 vaccination. n The full report can be viewed on our website.

How to get in touch with Healthwatch Wokingham

0118 418 1418 between the hours of 09:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday.

Healthwatch Wokingham Town Hall, Market Place Wokingham, RG40 1AS enquiries@ healthwatchwokingham.co.uk

T’S just over a year since we stopped moaning to each other about how hard it can be to walk or cycle in Wokingham Borough and decided to try and do something to improve it.

Two specific things in the second half of 2020 had spurred us into action.

Temporary Covid measures, intended to help, generally made things worse.

‘Improvements’ to the London Road created at least as many new hazards as they resolved.

When we looked at how we might help, we found there was almost no public information available on how things might improve in future.

Armed with passion, experience and a bit of knowledge we launched the Wokingham Active Travel Community Hub (WATCH).

We wanted to highlight the need for better, but also to help the council see things through the eyes of those who travel under their own steam, and those who would do so if it was safer and easier.

Our group has grown to over a hundred with a core of around 20 activists, including a number of transport professionals, and we believe we are making a difference.

The Council has welcomed and listened our input, including to the latest infrastructure plans.

The decision that future plans will follow the latest standards is welcome.

Planning and standards are great, but need to be backed up with adequate long-term funding which is still far from the case.

We also want to see the easy things that could make a difference now prioritised, such as school streets, filtering of traffic and appropriate speed limits.

We worry that continued high levels of investment in car travel risks undoing any progress that is made and we will continue to air our views independently and constructively in our column here, on radio and television, social media and in the Council chamber.

Much more is needed to get Wokingham Borough fit for the future.

We have to address climate change, air pollution and the health impact of inactivity and active travel needs to play a big role in this. n If you want to know more, or get involved, follow us on Facebook @watchwokingham

SPORT TODAY

WOKINGHAM EDITION

NO ONE CHRONICLES THE ACTION BETTER THAN US

16.12.21

RAMS CONQUERED AWAY

BEST FOR FOOTBALL

DISMAL DAY AT WEST BROM

ROSE HELPS READING RISE

DOUBLE BLOW FOR ROCKETS

BIRTHDAY GAME ON HOLD AFTER COVID TESTS READING FC has confirmed that Saturday’s fixture against Luton town has been postponed after several positive covid-19 tests at the club.

MAGNIFICENT

READING BAG CHELSEA WIN

Published by The Wokingham Paper Ltd, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Printed at Reach Watford © The Wokingham Paper Ltd, 2021

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING FC Women manager Kelly Chambers praised a ‘phenomenal’ performance after her side stunned Chelsea.

The Royals upset the odds in the early Saturday kick-off at the Select Car Leasing Stadium by denting Chelsea’s title hopes.

Despite being in a strong vein of form, Reading’s chances looked slim against the side who were crowned

as FA Cup champions the previous weekend and went into the match just a point behind league leaders Arsenal, looking to secure a second successive Women’s Super League title.

Deanne Rose netted the only goal of the match which came in the fourth minute when she enthusiastically took the game to the opposition by driving with the ball in her own half, and finished off the move with aplomb.

Reading had plenty of defending

to do to keep out the Blues, but did so resolutely with an e xceptional rearguard display, particularly from defender Gemma Evans who put in several critical blocks and tackles to maintain her team’s clean sheet.

The win is not only significant to keep Reading’s excellent run of form going, but was the first time in the club’s history that they have recorded a victory over Chelsea.

“Going into this month, we knew it was going to be tough

with both Chelsea and Man City,” said Chambers. “But throughout the week I’ve said to the squad we’ve got to believe that we can get the results, believe in our performances, and they showed that.

“You’ll reap your rewards from what you deliver out on the pitch, and they did that.”

Reading will be full of confidence with another tough challenge on the horizon when they face Manchester City on Sunday.

n Full match report on page 21

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The Championship fixture at the Select Car Leasing Stadium was due to mark the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations, with more than 20,000 tickets for the match sold.

However, the club has now confirmed that the fixture will be moved to a new date after there were several positive cases among the senior and U23’s squad.

The Royals will now celebrate their 150th birthday match in February against Coventry City.

A statement released on the clubs website reads: “The club informed the EFL this morning that, following the return of a significant number of positive PCR tests within our first team and Under-23 squads, we are unable to field a team capable of fulfilling the fixture on Saturday.

“In light of the increased rate of transmissions from the Omicron variant of Covid-19, the EFL will review the circumstances surrounding the postponement and work with affected clubs to assist them throughout this challenging period.

“A rearranged date for the fixture will be announced in due course.

“We apologise unreservedly for the inconvenience and disappointment this causes to both home and away supporters, who were understandably looking forward to attending this fixture.

“However, the health, safety and welfare of our players, coaching team and club staff remains of paramount importance and our primary concern now is to ensure the swift and full recovery of those affected.”

18

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, December 16, 2021

Our Woodley showroom is open 7 days a week

0800 30 50 30

From the middle

By Dick Sawdon-Smith

The goalkeepers’ control of the ball

S

OME years ago, I had a surprise telephone call from the producer of Match of the Day. He had read my criticism of the BBC’s use of controversial decisions to publicise Match of the Day. Earlier on a Saturday they would broadcast something like ‘Five controversial decisions at today’s Premier League, watch them on Match of the Day tonight’.

My point was that when these decisions were shown there was no one with a good enough knowledge of the laws of the game to discuss them, I suggested the use of a senior or retired referee.

Apparently, they had discussed my article at their Monday meeting and decided to ask Keith Hackett, then head of the PGMO, to come up with something, separate from the programme, to explain the relevant laws.

Keith Hacket told me some time later that it never happened.

I mention this because of the Leicester City v Aston Villa controversy, on Match of the Day 2.

No referee was called in to adjudicate but presenter Mark Chapman said that they had phoned IFAB for their views and Mark actually held a copy of the laws in his hands.

By coincidence I had already started to write this week’s column, discussing among other things, the goalkeepers control of the ball, This is important, for the laws say, a goalkeeper may not be challenged when he has control of the ball with his hands.

This is described as ‘the ball between the hands or between the hand and any surface (e.g. ground. own body), or by touching it with any part of his hands or arms except if the ball rebounds from the goalkeeper or the goalkeeper has made a save holding the ball in the outstretched hand, bouncing the ball on the ground or throwing it in the air’.

Leicester’s goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel, did make a save, knocking the ball down with his right hand and then firmly held it down on the ground with his outstretched left hand.

That’s when, the Aston Villa player kicked the ball into the goal.

I completely agree with Michael Oliver’s decision, prompted by VAR, that it was against the law.

But also I have sympathy with Mark Chapman, for I feel the mention of the ball rebounding and making a save was not only confusing but unnecessary.

If the ball has rebounded surely it is no longer under his control and if he has made a save either he still has the ball, which means he can’t be challenged, or he has knocked it away in which case it’s not under his control.

Let’s hope that IFAB will review this for next season’s changes to the laws.

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BASKETBALL

ROCKETS PIPPED TO POST BY DRAGONS

By STAFF WRITER sport@wokingham.today

IN almost a repeat of the previous evening’s semi-final defeat for Rockets, a treble with 15.8 seconds remaining on the clock provided Rockets with a second tough loss on the road up north over the weekend.

Jaz Bains hit a Rockets treble with 6.9 secs to go to get within a single point of Dragons but as Rockets had to foul to regain possession, Dragons hit a pair from the penalty stripe to take the win in a very competitive encounter at Dragons new venue, Calderdale College.

With Tyler Cartaino again proving Rockets highest points scorer, he again got Rockets off to a great first quarter start which ended with Rockets enjoying a 25-14 lead.

Lewis Champion drove to open Rockets scoring and Meshack Lufile rejected Dragons first offensive play

PREVIEW

IN-FORM ROYALS TRAVEL TO CITY

Tyler Cartaino strides forward before he hit three personal points.

A Cartaino treble, drive and finger roll was met with Dragons treble but excellent team play ended with Jaz Bains stroking a treble from out wide.

Reis Pinnock took a charge and academy star Ronnie Oguekwe gave

Lufile an assist for a slam dunk.

Oguekwe made a brace of other notable plays scoring from a Bains assist and then taking down a key offensive rebound which ended with Lufile adding to Rockets score and giving them a opening quarter lead of 11 points.

Dragons hit six unopposed points at the start of the second period before captain Ben Dixon scored with a lay-up.

Rockets found themselves in team foul trouble and the lead swapped hands and found themselves a single point adrift at 37-38.

Cartaino scored six unanswered points and Lufile made another rejection as Rockets drew level on 54, 56 and as the period ended on 63 a piece ensuring a tight finish again.

Lufile worked well inside to score and Oguekwe scored again though Dragons banked a treble to stay within a single point. Champion scored and took a charge, Cartaino

drained a treble and Sam Toluwase made a pair of easy scores and off an offensive rebound to see Rockets ahead 80-71.

Dragons scored from the free throw line quickly followed by the first of three trebles causing consternation for Rockets as only Bains could find the ring beyond the arc.

Dragons came back hard to take a 84-83 lead with a 13-3 run and the impetus from a Rockets team wearied after a very tough semi final the night before.

Nonetheless Rockets played to the bitter end as they hit a treble with just 6.9 seconds remaining and getting within a single point of Dragons.

However a brace from the free throw line saw Rockets travel back south disappointed but knowing ‘things can only get better’ as their injured players return.

Rockets are at home at Rivermead on Sunday against Worthing Thunder tipping at 5pm.

FOOTBALL

ASHRIDGE PARK THANKFUL TO BUSINESSES

READING FC Women will be out to upset the odds once again when they travel to face Manchester City.

The Royals shocked the current Women’s Super League champions Chelsea on Saturday with a remarkable 1-0 win.

The win lifts Reading up to eighth in the table, level on points with the two teams above them as they continued their excellent form that has seen them pick up five wins and a draw from their last six league games.

Sunday’s opponents Man City, were one of the teams expected to challenge Chelsea for their crown prior to the start of the campaign, but so far they have been well off the pace after an underwhelming start to the season.

They endured a punishing start to the season which saw them lose to Tottenham on the opening day before they were beaten 5-0 at Arsenal.

They have since recovered their form with four league wins, but a heavy 4-0 home defeat to Chelsea means they will be unlikely to mount a title charge after falling further behind the top two.

After nine matches, they are 12 points behind pace setters Arsenal.

Gareth Taylor’s team snatched a last minute victory away at Birmingham City on Sunday thanks to Ellen White’s 89th minute winner in a 3-2 victory.

The last time Kelly Chambers’ side faced Man City, they were defeated 1-0 away from home after Chloe Kelly broke the deadlock in the 87th minute to win City the points.

A football club is celebrating Christmas early, thanks to the generosity of local businesses.

Ashridge Park FC has secured no fewer than 13 new sponsors this season, ranging from a steel engineering firm to a local barber shop.

The grassroots club has 32 teams

from under seven’s to veterans.

Youth teams play in the East Berks League, with a growing number of Girls teams in the Berks County Girls League.

Club Chair, Ady Dolan, said: “Attracting sponsorship is really important for a club like ours.

“We were completely overwhelmed by the generosity of

Wokingham companies.

“Sponsorship covers the cost of kit provision, but having that financial foundation gives us the confidence to make investments in new goals and nets, and other improvements.

“It also allows us to keep our membership fees affordable, and provide access to football for all”

FOOTBALL

PRIZES ON OFFER IN COMETS RAFFLE TO FUND TOUR TWYFORD Comets FC are holding a raffle to fund the team’s annual tour.

Each year, the club takes its U13’s team to Ulestraten, Netherlands for a football tour.

The funds raised in the raffle will be used to cover the costs of travel to Ulestraten and the football

activities that the team will take part in while on the trip.

Raffle tickets cost £2 per entry and include prizes such as tickets to Oxford United v Wimbledon and tickets to watch Rams RFC. Other prizes that have been offered by local businesses

include meals at the Rural Pie Company, La Fontana, The Bull, Haweli and more.

The raffle will run until Monday, December 20 or until the last ticket is sold.

n To find out more, visit: https://bit.ly/3GIpoDh

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RUGBY UNION

ROTATED RAMS BEATEN AT CALDY

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today A VALIANT defensive effort from a much-changed and youthful Rams side ultimately proved in vain as Caldy ran out 20-3 winners in their National One clash at Paton Field.

With the wind at their backs and playing downhill, Rams made a bright start but suffered an early setback when Jak Rossiter was forced off which saw debutant Axel Kalling-Smith switch to inside centre, replacement Stevie Bryant to outside, first-time starter Will Janes to the wing and Drew Humberstone to full-back.

The first opportunity went to the hosts, but Ben Jones’ attempted effort from the 15-metre line on the left was pulled wide of the uprights.

However, the hosts did take a deserved lead midway through the half when Jones slotted a penalty earned at the scrum, Yet Rams rallied towards

Caldy v Rams Pictures: Tim Pitfield the end of the first period and levelled matters with a Humberstone penalty after Caldy infringed when trying to get a box kick away from their own 22.

The visitors came out flying after the break and tore into the opposition, Kalling-Smith, the excellent Max Hayman and Ross Crame among those to punch holes in midfield.

However, as the rain became increasingly heavier, handling errors inevitably came in and a couple of fumbles enabled Caldy to clear their lines.

And from 50 minutes onwards, Rams were barely able to exit their half as the hosts’ experience and forwards’ control began to tell.

Yet an unbelievable

defensive effort repeatedly repelled the home side, with Rams firstly holding Caldy up over the line before they forced a knock-on as a try looked almost inevitable.

However, the visitors posted their first try when they kicked to the corner and an overthrown line-out was hoovered up by Jack Parker, the prop barrelling over on the left.

Jones landed a brilliant conversion and then pushed his side further in front with a penalty enforced after Rams failed to roll away at the breakdown.

Caldy maintained their vice-like grip on the contest and grabbed a second try with the final play of the game when JJ Sanders went over from close range following a series of efforts.

Jones added the extras before the final whistle was blown, also ending Rams’ 152-match streak of scoring a try which dated back to a National Two South loss at Taunton in September, 2015.

REACTION

REYNOLDS ‘PROUD’ DESPITE DEFEAT ON THE ROAD DIRECTOR of Rugby Seb Reynolds admitted a sense of pride in defeat as his much-changed Rams outfit were overcome 20-3 in tough conditions at in-form Caldy.

Reynolds, who made nine changes from last week’s loss to Blackheath, said: “Danny Batty made the point you never want to be satisfied with losing, but sometimes there are bigger pictures at play and we wanted to give guys who’ve been performing well for the Titans an opportunity.

“We feel we’ve got good depth in the squad and some good young players who are starting to push, and the only way you get improvement from them is by challenging them.

“Caldy are a very, very good side, but I was really pleased with the way we stuck at it for the full 80 minutes – the players did very well.”

“There were a couple of defensive sets when we managed to push them back to the 22, but with inclement weather and against the wind in the second period we found it tricky to exit our half because Caldy played really good tactics and they deserved their victory.”

Caldy v Rams Pictures: Tim Pitfield “Experience does play a part because the cohesion and connection of your group isn’t there on the basis you’re bringing in new players.” n Rams host their first-ever Friday Night lights against Chinnor this week (8pm). Supporters are asked to prebook a ticket through the club website – www.ramsrugby.com – to ensure swift access to the ground.

RUGBY UNION

WOMEN’S WINNING STREAK CONTINUES

By ANNETTE TOMAS sport@rdg.,today

ABBEY Women continued their winning streak in an excellent victory over Richmond Women in testing conditions on Saturday, taking their home winning streak at home to an impressive 17 games.

Abbey’s forward pack was the star of the show as they showcased their dominant scrum, which saw them turnover balls against the head and even march it over the line for skipper Annabel Hawkins to dot down for her side’s second try.

It was a performance that oozed dominance and one that saw the whole team work for each other in both attack and defence.

Due to the conditions, much of the game was played in the middle of the pitch as kicks from both sides struggled to find touch as both teams acclimatised.

Richmond attacked well initially, with strong runs from Zoe Barber and Tatum Gabriel, but these were equally matched by strong tackles from Tori Kiff, Hannah Gale and Hawkins.

As Richmond threatened Abbey’s try line, aggressive

Debutant Alex Wilkinson watches her opposite number feed into the scrum Picture: Col Palfrey defence caused them to spill the ball, and Abbey escaped time and time again.

With second-row Hollie King winning an important turnover penalty, Abbey kicked for territory up the pitch until they were inside Richmond’s 22.

Then the tactic changed to utilising their dominant scrum

for penalties. Richmond’s Esme Newton saw yellow, and Abbey had the player advantage at set piece.

After two disallowed tries for King and prop Jess Potter, yet another excellent set piece platform allowed fullback Lou Pullan to run a hard line.

Outside backs Kelsea

Montgomery and Hayley Matthews added to the attacking pressure, before fly-half Bevan threaded a grubber through that centre Mia McCreesh managed to dot down in-goal, before converting her own kick. Half time and Abbey were 7-0 to the good.

The conditions did not improve in the second half, but Abbey adapted well – Pullan restarted with low kicks that were challenging for Richmond to gather and debutant scrumhalf Alex Wilkinson utilised quick taps well to keep her team on the front foot.

Simplified carries brought

Abbey huge success over the gain line and before long, they were back in Richmond’s 22.

Hawkins chose a scrum at a penalty and the front row of Gale, Stevens and Potter, supported by the rest of their pack, marched the scrum over the line for Hawkins to extend her side’s lead.

Credit to Richmond, they continued to play until the final whistle and Abbey’s defence was severely tested in the final quarter with Pippa Robinson and then Wilkinson both seeing yellow for respective foul play incidents.

Despite playing with 14 for the final 15 minutes, Abbey shut out Richmond’s spirited attack and kept a clean sheet in front of an enthusiastic crowd of supporters.

This was an important win for Abbey, who climb to sixth in the Championship South 1 table, and who have now won half of their games this season.

With one more game before the Christmas break, Berkshire’s leading women’s team will be looking to consolidate their mid-table position; the highest they have ever been in Championship 1.

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FUTILE ROYALS PUNISHED SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

Reading’s man of the match Luke Southwood

WEST BROM 1 READING 0 LUKE SOUTHWOOD

A confident display from the keeper who was kept busy all game by a dominant West Brom performance.

TYRELL ASHCROFT

A competent performance from the youngster on just his second league start for the club.

TOM HOLMES

Gave the ball away cheaply and should have been punished by Robninson but was bailed out by his goalkeeper.

LIAM MOORE

Some lackadaisical moments where he almost allowed Hugill through on goal and came close to slicing a clearance into his own net.

SCOTT DANN

Relaxed on the ball but it wasn’t his most impressive performance.

Suffered an injury at the end of the match and looked to be in pain.

BABA RAHMAN

Struggled to get forward and provide much in attack as West Brom pinned Reading back for the majority of the game.

DEJAN TETEK

Provided energy in the middle of the park but was sacrificed in the second-half when Paunovic looked for an equaliser.

JOSH LAURENT

Looks jaded given the amount of minutes he’s had to play , including his long term partner last season, Andy Rinomhota.

ALEN HALILOVIC

Tried his hardest to get the Royals going in the final third to create something and played a superb ball through to Dele-Bashiru.

TOM DELE-BASHIRU

Had Reading’s best chance of the match after a good burst up field but shanked a shot well wide of the target.

ANDY CARROLL

Battled well and made a heroic block off the line, but had limited service up front all afternoon.

Subs Junior Hoilett 5, George Puscas 4

7 5 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING dropped closer to the relegation zone after Callum Robinson’s second-half goal saw them defeated against West Bromwich Albion.

The Royals put up a resilient test for the Baggies to try and break down, but weren’t able to impose an attacking threat on many occasions.

Their resolve was eventually broken just after an hour, and Robinson’s goal proved to be the only goal of the game.

Reading are in 20th position in the Championship, just two points above the relegation zone after Peterborough United’s win over Millwall.

Veljko Paunovic made three changes from Reading’s draw last weekend at home to Hull City.

John Swift, Danny Drinkwater and Andy Yiadom joined a long list of senior injuries, which meant Liam Moore, Tyrell Ashcroft and Dejan Tetek made their way into the starting eleven.

Meanwhile, Felipe Araruna and Junior Hoilett returned to be named among the substitutes.

The odds were stacked against the Royals who haven’t recorded an away victory at the Hawthorns for 33 years, and were up against the only team in the Championship with an unbeaten home record still intact.

West Brom won the first corner of the game with two minutes on the clock when Jayson Molumby found Darnell Furlong with a precise crossfield ball, but Reading stayed organised to prevent falling

Tom Holmes wins the ball in the air

Tyrell Ashcroft is tackled

Josh Laurent picks a pass

MATCH STATS WEST BROM: Johnstone, Livermore, Bartley, Garner-Hickman, Furlong, Molumby, Mowatt, Reach, Robinson, Grant, Hugill SUBS: Button, Tulloch, Ingram, Ashworth, Fellows, Cleary

Carroll makes a heroic goal line clearance Taylor,

READING: Southwood, Rahman, Holmes, Moore (c), Dann, Ashcroft, Laurent, Tetek, DeleBashiru, Halilovic, Carroll SUBS: Rafael, Araruna, Bristow, Osorio, Camara, Hoilett, Puscas GOALS: Robinson 62’

behind early on.

Alex Mowatt had the first shot of the match, and he stung the gloves of Luke Southwood with a powerful drive from 30 yards that was palmed behind.

The Baggies’ early pressure saw Callum Robinson come close when he tried to break free of Moore but headed off target.

The Reading skipper then had to make amends for his own error when he let the ball bounce to allow Jordan Hugill a run at goal, but he

Dejan Tetek blocks a goalbound s recovered to take the ball from the forward.

Southwood then had to spare the blushes of Tom Holmes when his loose touch let Robinson through on goal, but the Royals keeper made a superb save.

Alen Halilovic picked up the first booking of the match from preventing the hosts from taking a quick free-kick as the Royals continued to weather a constant barrage of pressure from West Brom.

REACTION

PAUNOVIC: ‘WE HAVE TO BE CLINICAL AND MORE RUTHLESS’ READING manager Veljko Paunovic was disappointed with his sides output in the final third in their defeat to West Brom.

The Royals failed to register a shot on target in their 1-0 defeat to the Baggies.

“It was not a great first half although we had a big chance to take the lead,” said Paunovic.

“I didn’t like that we conceded that much possession and I didn’t like the fact we didn’t create more, but we still had a big chance and an unfortunate outcome.

“We have to be much more clinical and much more ruthless and focused when we have these kinds of chances to turn around the game.

“I wasn’t happy about the first-

half, but in the second half with the adjustments, we changed our mentality, got more into the final third and were more aggressive in winning our duels and second balls.

“We just made it too easy for the opposition to come into the final third and give away the goal.

“We didn’t put enough emphasis in the final third, didn’t do enough and didn’t have enough presence.”

Paunovic’s team were dealt yet another significant injury blow prior to the match as Andy Yiadom, John Swift, Femi Azeez and Danny Drinkwater all missed out on the trip to the Hawthorns.

He continued: “That was one of the key reasons for our lack of attacking power.

“We missed important players.

Four from the last game, Yiadom, Swift, Drinkwater and Azeez.

“And it just adds to our long list of injuries.

The adjustments we needed to do were later in the week but I’m still happy with the guys who showed up and gave their best.

“We don’t know how long Swift will be out.

He might be ready for Luton. It’s a soft tissue injury and a small grade so we expect he might be available.”

The defeat leaves Reading just two points above the relegation zone after Peterborough United closed the gap on the Royals with a win over Millwall.

“What I’m going to say is we will keep fighting and looking higher up on the table.

“That is where we have to project ourselves. There is no space or time for negativity nor am I going to answer this question now or in the future.

“We are where we are.

“We know why we are here and we are trying to fix it so we need positivity.”

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BY PROMOTION CHASHERS Tom DeleBashiru shoots wide

Tetek fights for possession Mowatt heads

Andy Carroll dribbles forward Carroll holds off a defender

shot in Reading’s defeat to West Brom Pictures: Steve Smyth

Alen Halilovic swings in a cross

More accustomed to doing damage in the opponent’s box, but Andy Carroll came to the rescue in his team’s box to prevent Robinson from breaking the deadlock.

Carroll first hooked a dangerous corner away from goal, and managed to untangle himself from the net to make a crucial block on the line to prevent Robinson’s effort from hitting the net.

Reading created their first and only chance of the half in the 44th minute when Halilovic released Tom Dele-Bashiru with a through ball, but after a promising drive at goal, he shanked a shot out for a throw in.

Callum Robinson scores for West Brom

The Baggies continued their front foot approach in the secondhalf and caused more problems when Taylor Gardner-Hickman flashed the ball across the face of the Reading six-yard box but to no avail.

The hosts were finally rewarded just after the hour mark for their attacking persistence when Robinson pounced from close range.

West Brom worked the ball smartly down the left before a low cross found the feet of Robinson and his shot looped up and kissed the bottom of the crossbar before it crossed the line.

Tetek was next to go in the book but was replaced moments later with Paunovic opting for an attacking change by putting Junior Hoilett into the mix.

Southwood got his glove to Robinson’s goal bound effort to make another pivotal save to prevent his team from going further behind.

Reading couldn’t create a chance to find an equaliser and were defeated for the 11th time in the league this season.

Reading are back at home next Saturday when they host Luton Town in a game that marks the 150th anniversary of the club.

PREVIEW

READING’S 150TH BIRTHDAY BASH POSTPONED BY COVID STOP PRESS: DUE TO COVID THIS GAME HAS BEEN POSTPONED READING were to welcome Luton Town to the Select Car Leasing Stadium in a momentous occasion that marks the 150th anniversary of the club.

Established in 1871, the Royals are one of the oldest club’s in the English football league and were due to celebrate the milestone this weekend.

One of Reading’s finest moments in their history came against Luton, when the Royals were crowned as the Simod Cup champions in 1988 with a 4-1 triumph at Wembley.

Reading have faced one of their most difficult season’s in recent memory in the Championship having been hit with severe injury issues, a transfer embargo and a six point deduction.

That leaves them in 21st position in the table, just two points above the relegation zone heading into this Saturday’s game after their defeat at West Brom last weekend.

Luton are smack bang in the middle of the league table in 12th, eight points above Reading.

The Hatters earned a credible draw on Saturday against league leaders Fulham with Elijah

Adebayo’s leveller cancelling out Aleksandar Mitrovic’s opener.

Despite that positive result, Luton are winless in their last four league matches which saw them defeated by QPR and Cardiff City either side of a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest.

Reading and Luton met four times last season with two league matches, while they drew each other in both domestic cup competitions Luton took the spoils in both cup fixtures with 1-0 wins in both.

Reading took three points in the Championship match at the SCL on

Boxing Day with goals from Tom McIntyre and Alfa Semedo.

The teams then took a point each in a 0-0 draw at Kenilworth Road in April.

Veljko Paunovic is hoping to have some senior members of the squad back for selection.

The Serbian boss said that he is hopeful that Swift, who is Reading’s top scorer with eight league goals and nine assists this season, will be fit for Saturday.

Adebayo has been Luton’s man of the season so far with 10 goals to his name putting him fifth in the scoring charts.

Meite has ‘date in mind’ for injury return READING forward Yakou Metie is hoping to make an instant impact when he returns from his long-term injury.

The Ivorian suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury which required surgery and has kept him out of the entire season as he plots his return to first-team action in the new year.

“I need to come back fit and as soon as I can,” said Meite.

“I’ve been working hard and its starting to pay. I don’t want to rush it, but I want to be in the best shape I can be when I come back.

“I’ve been outside with the physio.

“I have a date in mind, I have done since the start of my injury.

“I want to play this season, that is the target but I can’t tell you a date but I think I’m not too far but I still have a lot of work to do.”

Meite expressed the importance of remaining positive despite his injury and has been in attendance at matches supporting his teammates throughout his recovery.

He continued: “At the start it was tough to watch, now it is better, but I didn’t want to stay at home.

“I want to come and support the team but it was tough knowing I’d be out for quite a few months.

“It’s the first time I’ve had a long injury like this. It’s been tough, but it could have been worse.

“It’s been really difficult at the start with the problems we’ve had but now we’re in a position where we know what we need to do.

“Like the manager always says, we need urgency.

“I know we are better than where we are in the table and we lost six points as well.

“A lot of people expect us to change the team offensively when we’re back, me and Lucas (Joao), but they can’t forget we have both been injured for a long time so we need time to adjust.

“I want to be as fit as I can straight away from the first game back, that’s why I’m working so hard now and I know Lucas is the same.

“I want to be back helping the team, score goals and get my confidence back.

“I’m missing the feeling of scoring goals.

“The first two weeks were really tough. I was at home watching games and I knew it was only the start.

“I didn’t know yet if I wanted surgery or not, because I wanted to get back as soon as possible.

“But a lot of people advised me do it, because I’m still young and I don’t want to have this kind of injury again after this.

“Everyday I’m counting the days down.

Sometimes the time goes fast, sometimes it goes slow but now I am back on the pitch and it’s getting better and have been able to work on different things.”

Reading forward Yakou Meite

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Berks County v Egham

The Sumas fight for the ball against North Greenford Berks County exited the FA Vase against Egham Town Pictures: Andrew Batt

Berks County have a strike at goal

FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

BERKS COUNTY’S FA VASE JOURNEY COMES TO AN END

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

FA Vase BERKS COUNTY’S magnificent debut run in the FA Vase came to an end against Egham Town.

The Swords made a dream start when Luke Hayden found the net in the ninth minute.

They found a leveller in the 23rd minute to put the game on level terms at the break.

Harris made another vital stop to keep the score level just after the restart.

Egham pulled ahead in the 71st and held out to secure their place in the next round.

Isthmian South Central

BINFIELD dropped down to eighth in the table after a home defeat to Northwood.

There was just one goal in the game that separated the sides, which came the way

of the visitors in the 53rd minute to secure a 1-0 win.

Combined Counties Premier North READING CITY’S twogoal lead was undone as they suffered a loss to CB Hounslow United.

The Cityzens took the lead in the ninth minute through Joe Waight, and added a second in the 31st minute when Luis Le Paih found the net.

Hounslow hit back with an impressive second-half display with two qucikfire goals and found a winner in the 72d minute.

Combined Counties Division One EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA maintained their splendid form by putting another three points on their tally.

Ross McKernan ensured

Wargrave (red) up against Kennington

the Boars went into the break with a 1-0 lead when he scored with the final play of the first-half.

Grinder Hunjan doubled Eversley’s lead, and despite the hosts pulling a goal back, the Boars found a third from Farrugai to seal the game.

Thames Valley Premier League BURGHFIELD still lead the pack after their victory over Westwood Wanderers.

Burghfield scored three times in the final 10 minutes with goals from Adam Telford, Teoman Atik and Oliver Brown.

FINCHAMPSTEAD are just a point off the top after they secured victory against READING CITY U23’s.

Finch raced into a threegoal advantage with goals from Lewis Francis, Nick Payne and Aqeel Butt.

Reading fought back

valiantly and reduced the lead to 3-2, but Finch held on to the points.

WOODLEY UNITED ROYALS went down by eight goals in a heavy defeat to Maidenhead Town.

Southern Region Women’s Premier Division

WOODLEY UNITED stay bottom of the table after they lost 2-0 to Ascot United.

Thames Valley Women’s Division One TILEHURST PANTHERS are in second after they got the better of CAVERSHAM UNITED. Tilehirst broke the deadlock but Tiff Newland converted a rebound to level for Caversham.

Leah Why ensured Tilehurst took maximum points when she netted the winner.

Loxwood Rangers v Woodley United

FOOTBALL

SUMAS SUFFER LATE LOSS TO HIGH-FLYING GREENFORD

By ARTHUR STRAND sport@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK were narrowly beaten by high flying North Greenford United in the Combined Counties Premier North.

On an early occasion Clark had his shot saved by Sam House.

Greenford then sallied forth and were The first goal was from George Brown which put Greenford ahead in the 25th minute.

In the 38th minute, Brandon Curtis ran through and slotted a low straight shot past House to bring the scores level.

With the half time break imminent, a clash just inside the penalty area gave the visitors a penalty which Perry Price succeeded in scoring past

Woodward.

Sumas had worked into the Greenford penalty area but Greenford defenders hesitated and caused a foul in the penalty area, giving Jack Mullan the opportunity to level up the score line again. He did so by converting his penalty to make it 2-2.

In the 85th minute, the ball was with Shaffi on the left wing and he shot low beyond Woodward with O’Connell on the goal line, but he couldn’t quite reach the ball entering by the near post at an acute angle.

The defeat leaves the Sumas three places off the bottom of the table.

Wokingham & Emmbrook: 1. Woodward, (GK), 2.Carter, 3.O’Connell, 4 Mullan, 5.

Commuskey.(c), 6. C. Eagle, 7. Clark, 8.

Aklobessi, 9. Curtis,14. Pearson. 11. Shaw.

Subs: Badshah, Mindomba, Noyes, Robson.

Wokingham & Emmbrook v North Greenford United Pictures: Andrew Batt

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HOW THEY RATED Gemma Evans (left) and Justine

GRACE MOLONEY

Despite Chelsea’ dominance, she didn’t have too many saves to make but did everything right when called upon.

FAYE BRYSON

Put in some excellent tackles and blocks to keep Chelsea at bay for much of the match and limit their shots at goals.

JUSTINE VANHAEVERMAET Assured and composed at the back. Her interception and pass got the Royals forward in the move that led to the goal.

GEMMA EVANS

A quite outstanding display. Made a crucial clearance, some perfectly timed challenges and several important blocks.

NATASHA HARDING

A captain’s display from the Welsh international who filled in at centre-back in an unfamiliar role and did a fine job.

CHLOE PEPLOW

Had plenty of defensive work to do as expected but sat in front of the three centre-backs and played her part brilliantly.

AMALIE EIKELAND

Got booked fairly early on but stayed disciplined and manage to track back and help out efficiently.

LILY WOODHAM

Had a couple of bursts forward on the wing but was mainly required in the defensive third to limit Chelsea’s chances.

EMMA HARRIES

Worked hard for the team and made a few forays forward to get down the wing. Played her part in the goal with the pass to Rose.

NATASHA DOWIE

Isolated up front for much of the game but held the ball up well to take the pressure off her team and did a lot of unselfish work.

DEANNE ROSE

A menacing run which started in her own half and showed her clinical nature with the finish. Proving to be a great asset for the team.

7 8 8 9

Deanna Rose scores for Reading

WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE

The Royals shocked the current title holders with a win Pictures: Neil Graham

ROSE A THORN IN CHELSEA’S SIDE 8 AS ROYALS STUN THE CHAMPIONS 8 7 7 8 8 9

READING 1 CHELSEA 0

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING shocked Women’s Super League champions Chelsea as Deanne Rose’s early goal gave the Royals their first ever victory over the Blues.

The Royals made a flying start when Rose drove at the heart of the Chelsea defence and finished the move she started to give them a fourth minute lead.

Reading defended resolutely to keep the title holders at bay and earn an impressive three points.

“Simply put, phenomenal,” said Reading Women’s manager Kelly Chambers.

“I said to the girls after the game I’m proud of every single one of them.

“To adapt shape in just a week, due to people being away for the international, it’s just a credit to their mindset and abilities.

“Obviously, we changed shape to try and counteract Chelsea a little bit, and to then put in a performance like that.

“There was no hiding in the week building up to this game, we were going to be asked a lot of questions defensively, we practiced it a lot in training, but we didn’t also want to sit in.

“I know in the second half it fell into that, especially with the players they brought on at halftime, but credit to the players today, as I actually run out of words to explain how proud I am of them all

today.

“I have a fantastic group, not just what they all bring as individuals, but as a collective also.

“I think that’s what the start of the season was about, learning about each other, and I’ve got a bunch of winners which is something we’ve may not have had in the past so it gives us an extra edge.

“Aside from what you see on the pitch, they all get on with one another, which brings out the best in all of them and you could see that today when celebrating a tackle, a block, covering your team mate when they get beat, and then the final whistle.”

With the unorthodox time of a Saturday morning kick-off in the WSL, the Royals were in for a monumental challenge against the current league holders and newly crowned FA Cup champions after Chelsea’s triumph over Arsenal at Wembley Stadium last weekend.

However, it was Kelly Chambers’ team who flew out of the traps and got themselves ahead with the first chance of the match.

Justine Vanhaevermaet made an interception in the back and got her team on the front foot by playing the ball to the pacy Deanne Rose.

The Canadian forward drove with purpose at Chelsea from deep with a run that started from her own half. She rolled the ball out wide to Emma Harries and received a return pass into the box, took a touch to steady herself and fired the ball in at the near post.

Emma Hayes’ side looked to hit back with an immediate response and won a corner when Erin

Cuthbert’s long range effort was deflected behind.

The visitors won a succession of corners but Gemma Evans led the Royals backline brilliantly and put in a superb tackle to clear any danger.

The league’s top scorer, Sam Kerr, leapt well and had a free header from a corner but couldn’t direct the ball on target for Chelsea.

Evans continued to provide a resilient barrier in the Reading defence and made a crucial block on the line to get in the way of Millie Bright’s shot after Grace Moloney hadcome to claim a corner but didn’t get close enough.

The away side ramped up the pressure in search of a leveller but once again Evans proved to be too tough to get past.

She made another crucial block, this time from Bethany England,

MATCH STATS READING: Moloney, Woodham, Vanhaevermaet, Evans, Bryson, Peplow, Harding (c), Eikeland, Harries, Dowie, Rose SUBS: Stewart, Roberts, Woodcock, Lister, Baigent, MacDonald, Primmer, Poulter CHELSEA: Musovic, Bright, Carter, Eriksson (c), Cuthbert, Spence, Leupolz, Andersson, Fleming, Kerr, England SUBS: Berger, Fox, Nouwen, Kirby, So-Yun, Charles, Harder, Reiten, Ingle GOALS: Rose 4’

before she got quickly back to her feet and beat Kerr to the loose ball to prevent her from having a tap in.

The Royals impressive organisation saw them go into the half a goal to the good to put the Blues behind in a league match at the break for the first time in two years.

Hayes showed her discontent at Chelsea’s first-half performance and made a triple change as former Royal Fran Kirby came on alongside Pernille Harder and Guro Reiten.

Reading looked to hit Chelsea on the counter and did so when Natsha Dowie used her power to hold up the ball and played a long pass to find the run of Emma Harries, whose persistent work won the Royals a corner.

Moments after, Harries won her team another corner with a purposeful burst down the rightwing before her cross was blocked behind by Jess Carter.

Another outstanding piece of defending from Evans kept Reading in front on the hour mark when she made a last ditch tackle on Kirby when she looked to be thorough on goal.

Chambers made her first switch in the 72nd minute when Bethan Roberts replaced goalscorer Rose.

Two chances in quick succession for Chelsea went to waste when Harder had two aerial efforts but missed the target.

Reading continued to be on the back foot for the final 20 minutes but their sturdy defence provided too structured for Chelsea to break down as the Royals picked up a magnificent victory.

24 | SPORT

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GYMNASTICS

WALFORD WINS GOLD IN FAREWELL AS TEAM EXCEL

By GUEST WRITER sport@wokingham.today

The gymnasts were so excited to finally compete after having no physical competitions since 2019 due to Covid. All gymnasts performed exceptionally well coming home with a total of 42 medals between them across two pieces Floor and Vault.

“I am so incredibly proud of each and every one of my girls,” said head coach Hollie Cordery.

“It was so great to be back competing again, watching the girls do what they love and supporting each other.

“They have worked so hard considering the past few years and that definitely showed this weekend with amazing results.”

The competition marked an emotional farewell to one of Virtue’s longest standing members Emily Walford.

Emily has been with the club ever since it first opened back in 2016 and has progressed to a high standard not only as a gymnast but also as a young coach too.

Emily will be turning 18 in January and transitioning into non competitive adult gymnastic sessions.

She was over the moon that

Combined Counties Premier North Sumas 2-3 North Greenford United Combined Counties Division One London Samurai Rovers 1-3 Eversley & California Woodley United 2-2 Bedfont & Feltham Thames Valley Premier League Maidenhead Town 8-0 Woodley United Royals Reading City U23’s 2-3 Finchampstead

Virtue Gymnastics

Virtue Gymnastics

she could compete at one last competition before she retires as a competitive gymnast.

It was an incredible final finale for Emily performing a near perfect half on half off vault and showcasing a stunning floor routine which totally wowed the audience, she left the competition

with gold medals on both Floor and Vault.

Emily and her Virtue team mates showed an exceptional standard and came home with a haul of medals across all ages and categories.

The team will now be working hard towards their next

KINGFISHER EXTEND LEAD AT THE TOP

Martin Adams, Hari Gehlot and Darren Jones all with maximums.

Phil Mead managed a closely fought treble for KINGFISHER B as they won a tight match at SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD C 8-2, Phil winning his opener against Matt Stone 17-19 8-11 13-12 11-4 11-2. Nigel Keedy also picked up a maximum for the Kingfisher team.

A determined KINGFISHER D team out played SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD B to win 8-2, Graham Mendick with a hat trick that included a thrilling 12-10 9-11 11-7 14-16 11-8 win against Jamie Barlow.

Jamie hit back to win his other two for Sonning Common, beating both Jordan Huang and Julian Telford 11-8 in the fifth.

Although only three matches were played in

FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Reading

Isthmian South Central Binfield 0-1 Northwood

TABLE TENNIS

KINGFISHER A moved 16 points clear at the top of the division 1 table after a comfortable 10-0 win over Kingfisher C.

Saturday, December 11

Women’s Super League Reading 1-0 Chelsea

GYMNASTS from the Virtue Gymnastics squad excelled themselves at the Bulmershe Christmas Championships 2021.

By NIGEL MATLBY sport@wokingham.today

RESULTS

Division 2 this week, OUR LADY OF PEACE B regained top spot after drawing 5-5 with their club mates from the C team, while erstwhile leaders SONNING SPORTS A suffered their first defeat, losing 3-7 at Kingfisher E. Jan Polnik played up from Division 4, for OLOP B, his best chance for a win undoubtedly his contest with Kaan Kitay, which he lost 9-11 3-11 12-10 11-1 8-11, but no-one remained undefeated with his teammates Alistair Richardson and Darek Kaminski both winning twice, Alistair also losing to Kaan while Darek lost to Pradeep Desh.

The C team’s points were earned by Kaan and Pradeep, who each won twice, assisted

by Binit Bhaskar, who won once.

Stephen Leggett was the star for KINGFISHER E, winning all three, with teammates Andrew Adair and Clive Gold both winning twice, Andrew defeating Bob Woodmansee and Keith Machin while Clive Gold missed out on a maximum,

narrowly losing to Paul Savage 12-10 11-9 5-11 10-12 10-12.

TIDMARSH B recorded their best win of the season, beating TILEHURST METHODISTS A 10-0, Barry Carter not dropping a game all evening, Dale Ballard almost at the same level just losing one game to Bill Stamatiou, while Francois Durand lost a game to Jes Eassom and was made to work for his treble, defeating Bill.

Only three matches played this week in division 3 and the youngsters from KINGFISHER I had another good win over SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD E to push themselves right into the promotion race.

New signing Ryan Chung got his third maximum in a row and Ethan Zeng also got a maximum.

Skipper Anthony Reeve played well for SC&P winning a marathon set against Sahil Tekurkar 14-12 in the fifth and just losing out to Ethan Zeng 11-7 in the fifth.

Virtue Gymnastics competition which will be held at their own facility early next year.

Virtue recently opened a full time purpose built gymnastics and parkour facility in Tilehurst, Reading which will enable all members to achieve their highest individual standard.

HOCKEY

SONNING SMASH NINE PAST OXFORD South Central Men’s Division 1

SONNING smashed nine past Oxford 2s in an emphatic performance.

The 9-1 victory puts Sonning up to third in the standings with 21 points from 10 games.

South Central Men’s Division 2

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 2s picked up three points in their home fixture against Bicester 1s.

Just one goal was enough for South Berks to take the contest, with the win putting them up to seventh after 10 matches.

South Central Men’s Division 4

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 3s pipped by Aylesbury 2s in a seven-goal contest.

The points went the way of the hosts who took a 4-3 victory.

South Berks are in second, just three points off top spot after 11 games.

South Central Women’s Premier 1

SONNING went down to a heavy defeat to Oxford 1s.

The 5-1 loss leaves Sonning in eighth position.

South Central Women’s Division 1

SOUTH BERKSHIRE moved up to eighth with a triumph over Oxford Hawks 3s.

Emily York-Goldney netted twice and Kelly Hancock added a third to secure victory for South Berks.

Southern Region Women’s Division One South AFC Bournemouth Development 7-1 Eversley & California Thames Valley Women’s Division One Caversham United 1-2 Tilehurst Panthers Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S Taplow United 3-2 Eversley & California Reserves Yateley United 2-7 Caversham AFC

Tuesday, December 14

FOOTBALL Isthmian South Central Binfield 1-0 Tooting & Mitcham United

Wednesday, December 15 FOOTBALL FA WSL Cup Lewes L-L Reading

FIXTURES

Berks & Bucks Charles Twelvetree Cup Reading YMCA 0-2 Procision Wargrave 2-5 Kennington Athletic

Friday, December 17

Thames Valley Division One Eldon Celtic 2-2 Henley Town Goring United 1-1 Hurst

Saturday, December 18

Thames Valley Division Two Berks County Swords 1-2 Hurst Reserves Thames Valley Division Three Pangbourne 3-7 Reading City Development Thames Valley Division Four Finchampstead Development 0-3 Farnham Royal Mavericks Windlesham & Chobham A 6-3 Berks County Rovers RUGBY UNION National League One Caldy 20-3 Rams South West 1 East Sherborne 3-22 Bracknell HOCKEY South Central Men’s Premier 1 South Berkshire v Oxford Hawks 2s South Central Men’s Division 1 Sonning 9-1 Oxford 2s South Central Women’s Premier 1 Sonning 1-5 Oxford South Central Women’s Division 1 South Berkshire 3-1 Oxford Hawks 3s

Sunday, December 12

FOOTBALL FA Vase third-round Berks County 1-2 Egham Town Southern Region Women’s Premier Woodley United 0-2 Ascot United

National League One Rams v Chinnor

Sky Bet Championship Reading P-P Luton Town Isthmian South Central Guernsey v Binfield Combined Counties Premier North Reading City v Ascot United Hanworth Villa v Sumas Combined Counties Division One Berks County v Bagshot Chalvey Sports v Woodley United Eversley & California v London Lions B&B Charles Twelvetree Cup Long Wittenham Athletic v Finchampstead RUGBY UNION South West 1 East Bracknell v Windsor

Sunday, December 19

Women’s Super League Manchester City v Reading Cup Aylesbury United v Caversham United Wargrave v Bletchley Shamrocks Thames Valley Women’s Division One Carterton v Tilehurst Panthers Thames Valley Division 3S Caversham AFC v Goring United Eversley & California Reserves v Thatcham & Newbury Newbury Development v Wargrave Development Wallingford AFC v S4K Berks Count