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BRILLIANTLEISURETODAY PAPERS IN ONE SPO
30.03.22
Your guide to what’s on
PACKED WITH NEWS, WHAT’S ON AND SPORT
SPORT NO ONE CHRONICLES THE ACTION BETTER THAN US TODAY
across Reading and Wok ingham
READING
23.03.22
SOUTH BERKS 3S: CHAMPIONS
BOARS CELEBRATE FUN IN THE SUN
KESTRELS KEEP A CLEAN SHEET
ILS SHARED IN DERBY CLASH POINT EACH FOR SUMAS & CITY
ROCKETS
FIRE UP FOR COVERING WOKINGHAM, FINCHAMPSTEAD, EARLEY, WINNERSH, SHINFIELD, WOODLEY, TWYFORD & SURROUNDING AREAS
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UPDATED DAILY AT WWW.WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Leaders clash over Laurel Park 3G pitch proposals
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
THE POINTS were shared after Wokingham & Emmbroo k and Reading City couldn’t be separated in a local clash.
The visitors, Reading City, came into the game with more points on the board and above Sumas in the table, however the it was
S
HE is a musical legend, one of the best songwriters around , and going to be bringing a touch she’s York to Reading this summe of New
r. Suzanne Vega needs little introduction, and is heading to The Hexagon for a special summer headline show.
has released An Evening Of New York Songs and Stories, a celebration of the city that never sleeps. “I recorded these songs at the Café Carlyle in New York City,” she says. “It’s a small, exclusive club that has hosted legends from Eartha Kitt to Judy Collins, and is
Viva la Vega! also known to be the place where Jackie Kennedy met Audrey Hepburn. “I love it for its bohemian old-world glamour.” She adds: “I included songs that were inspired by New York City or for which New York provided the backdrop, including Walk on the Wild Side by my late, great friend, Lou Reed — a song I rarely
heard him sing himself.” The album was recorded in those prelockdown days, and includes old favourites such as Luka, Tom’s Diner, Frank and Ava, and Ludlow Street. Suzanne is one of those artists that need little introduction.
Wokingham who claimed maximum points with a 3-2 victory when the teams met at the Rivermoo r Stadium. Simon Johnson’s team took a onegoal lead into half-time courtesy of Dan Davies’ volley. Jack Mullan ensured the game was levelled from the penalty but the Cityzens reclaimed spot, their lead when Davies went down in the box,
and the referee awarded the second spot-kick of the match. Josh Baines took responsib ility and scored to put Reading in front again. The scoring wasn’t done and the Sumas made sure that they added a point to their tally by finding second equaliser in the game a when Toby Raggett scored. The Sumas are still in the midst of
a relegation battle where they have a three point lead over Holyport and a four point advantage and a game in hand over bottom side CB Hounslow United. City sit comfortably in midtable in ninth with 37 points from 30 games, while both teams have four games left.
n Full football round-up on pages 20 & 21
ONE LAST TIME AT RIVERMEAD
READING ROCKETS earned victory in their final match at the Rivermead Leisure Centre by scoring 101 points against Team Newcastle University. The Sunday afternoon fixture was the Rockets’ final game at Rivermead after 25 years of playing there. With the Rockets already poised to face the first-seed Team Solent Kestrels in the playoffs, this matchup offered Reading a chance to continue their strong form and build momentum ahead of the postseason. It was a chance that they took with style, putting on a great in front of a lively Rivermea show d crowd and earning a command ing 101-82 victory. Yet another thrilling dunk Cartaino, assisted by Meshack,by continued the Rockets’ strong inside scoring. Jaz Bains and Meshack both scored inside through cuts to the basket and free throws and the Rockets went into the final three minutes with a 14-point advantage. The Rockets capped off a dominant display with a pair of Toluwase dunks in the dying minutes. Reis Pinnock got himself one last layup with the last play, earning himself a triple-dou ble and pushing the Rockets to triple-digi t scoring to give Rivermea d a memorable send-off.
She was a leading figure in the folk revival in the early 1980s, before going to perform at sellout concerts all over the world. More recently, she was in the cast of the Off-Broadway production of Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. Now she’s preparing for a Reading date, which will take place at The Hexagon on Friday, June 24. Tickets have just gone on sale, and cost £34.50 or £39.50. A maximum of six tickets per order, and they must not be resold. n For more details, or to book, log on to www. whatsonreading.com or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.
Thursday, March 31, 2022
No. 357 90p
CITIZENS HONOURED WITH AWARDS P2
EXCLUSIVE By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today THE LEADER of Wokingham’s Liberal Democrats has been accused of misleading residents over his support for plans to build a 3G football pitch in Lower Earley – something he denies.
At last week’s council meeting, Wokingham Conservatives leader Cllr John Halsall revealed an email sent by his opposite member, Lib Dem Cllr Clive Jones, on December 8, 2020. It was sent to a council officer after plans for revamping Cantley Park were revealed. Cllr Jones wrote: “How are discussions going with them about Laurel Park? It would be great to have something similar there?” Following the meeting, Cllr Jones hit back. “This isn’t saying we want something similar (to a 3G pitch), it’s asking to have a conversation about what is being planned,” he said. “Our Focus leaflets said we would like improved sports facilities. It didn’t say at Laurel Park, it didn’t say a 3G pitch.” He also expressed concerns about how Cllr Halsall had brought up the email, which was his response to a councillor’s question. Due to the format of council meetings, Cllr Jones was unable to respond. “This isn’t Prime Minister’s Questions,” he said. But Cllr Halsall said: “It is quite clear Clive Jones was promoting Laurel Park as the site for a new 3G pitch. “The officers did a really good job getting interest from the Football Association’s Football Foundation for a 3G pitch in Earley, Cllr Jones was extremely excited about this, which is clear from the correspondence. “They were actively promoting Laurel Park.” Cllr Halsall said that their view changed when residents expressed their concern over the proposal. “Having discovered that it was unpopular, rather than say, ‘Oh, I’m terribly sorry we were promoting it’, they said it was the council. n Continued on page 2
CASH TO TREASURES AT CHARITY SALE P8
ROCK ON: Drumathon will help Ukrainian refugees • p10 SPECIAL REPORT
Cost of living crisis deepens
Inflation, tax rises, rising energy bills, & petrol costs hit consumers in the pocket
EXCLUSIVE By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today AS THE energy price cap rises tomorrow, the cost of living crisis is set to continue to deepen across Wokingham.
With national insurance rising from Wednesday and inflation hitting a 30-year high of 6.2% in February, residents are having to pay more. Shoppers have been warned the average annual food bill
could increase this year by £180, according to consultants Kantar Energy bills are also set to rise on Friday, April 1, when the change in energy price cap comes into force. Families on standard tariffs will see an increase of £694, from £1,277 to £1,971 per year. The bill for prepayment customers will go higher, rising from £1,309 to £2,017 – an increase of £708. Inside, we reveal how the council and charities are preparing to help.
How Wokingham is responding – see p4--5
BISHOP VISITS P12 RESTORED CHURCH
SCIENCE WEEK AT HURST SCHOOL P6
YOUR BIG WHAT’S ON GUIDE Leisure ISSN 2634-8330 13
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