Wokingham Today October 14, 2021

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

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THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

Thursday, October 14, 2021

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

GET YOUR skates, elbow- and kneepads on for Wokingham’s first ever ice skating rink.

n To find out more about the Christmas Market, visit: www.wokingham.gov.uk

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BIG NEWS INSIDE

Borough’s first-ever ice skating rink is on its way Next month, the rink will debut in Cantley Park to turn the town into a winter wonderland.

It will be available for use from Friday, November 12, until Friday, January 7, and will include a changing area and skate aids.

Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure, said: “I am excited to announce that an ice skating rink is coming to Cantley Park – a first for Wokingham.

“Cantley Park offers the perfect backdrop to our festive activities, supported by the new leisure facilities we have recently opened to complement residents’ active lifestyles.

“Come and show us your figure eights and have fun dancing on ice – it really will be a white Christmas to remember.”

The synthetic ice rink is being provided by Chippa Events and tickets start from £7.50.

Each ticket grants one hour on the ice and Wokingham Borough Council is encouraging people to book in advance.

It will be closed on bank holidays including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Cllr Batth said there’s more to look forward to this Christmas, too.

“There’s plenty of festive activities happening at Cantley Park this winter including our very first Christmas Market which runs from [Wednesday], November 24, to [Friday], December 24,” he added.

“We will have outdoor huts adorned in festive garlands with festoon lighting, and a variety of local vendors selling arts and crafts, and delicious food.

“The event is free to attend, so save the date, pop down to shop for Christmas gifts and take to the ice.

“Everyone is invited, the more the merrier.”

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DON’T LET GO OF ART DECO Call to save historic Woodley Airfield building

EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today WOODLEY residents are calling for one of its remaining links with its history to be saved from the axe, after a planning application was submitted to redevelop parts of the airfield site.

Under the plans, the Adwest site off Headley Road East would be demolished and replaced with newer industrial units.

Part of this site is an art deco building dating back to the 1930s, the last link to the Miles Aircraft

Company. It was also home to the Miles Martin Pen Company, the first factory in the UK to create biro pens.

Since the application went live on Wokingham Borough Council’s planning website, residents have been uniting in a bid to see this building saved. n Continued on page 13

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New Lib Dem leaders highlight experience in bid to woo voters

By PHIL CREIGHTON pcreighton@wokingham.today THE NEW leaders of Wokingham’s Liberal Democrats have said they have an experienced team who would be good for residents if they voted them to run the council.

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Last week, Cllr Clive Jones became the group’s leader, and Cllr Steven Conway was made its deputy after Cllr Lindsay Ferris stepped down. He had led the group for five years, seeing the number of councillors grow from five to 18. In next May’s local elections, there is a possibility that the party could gain control of the council if residents elect more councillors.

Cllr Jones paid tribute to his predecessor: “He completely transformed the way the Liberal Democrats work. We now have a very strong and united group.

Trying to fill his shoes is going to be a big task. I’m excited and pleased to be given the opportunity.

“There was a huge majority in the group voting for Steven and myself, so we’ve got the confidence of them.

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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.

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

“I think we would do an extremely good job running the council – we have a lot of very experienced people who have gained their experience from their working lives.

It would be good for the residents if we had the opportunity to run Wokingham.”

One of the maxims of Cllr Jones’ opposite number – Conservative and council leader Cllr John Halsall – is that the council only exists to serve residents. It’s something that Cllr Jones agrees with, but feels isn’t followed through by the Conservatives.

“He’s telling residents that he and his group know best, and if you ask any difficult questions you’re just being awkward,” Cllr Jones said. “He is the sort of person who doesn’t want any scrutiny, who doesn’t want to be held to account and he doesn’t want open, democratic debate.”

As an example, Cllr Jones said that the Lib Dems would seek to find ways of increasing the number of council meetings and extending their running time to

include debating motions. “(The Conservatives) are more interested in finishing the meeting as soon as possible and then popping over to the pub,” he argues. “We would put motions above pints to ensure we were able to get to the majority of motions at every council meeting.”

He also cited the financial picture of the council, something that the Conservatives take exception to, as they feel the Lib Dems are misrepresenting the figures.

“We take seriously our responsibility to ensure the finances of the council are handled in a proper way; we’re very committed to good, sound financial management,” Cllr Jones said. “That’s evident from my wanting proper scrutiny of some of the big spending decisions that Conservatives seem to make in a very cavalier way.

“We really do want transparency.

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We should have been able to look at the budget for the solar farm, which started off at £5 million. When it came to full council, there was absolutely no explanation as to why it’s gone up four times. When we try to ask questions we just get shouted that we’re being difficult.

“The Conservatives just don’t want to be held to account; they don’t want to be transparent.”

Cllr Conway said he felt “very privileged” to be deputy leader and that Cllr Jones was “an excellent person to be leader”.

“My role will be to support him.

He knows the council very well, he knows council officers very well and he has got vast experience running his own business,” he added.

There is a stereotypical Lib Dem – all beards and sandals – but Cllr Jones feels that this was out of date by the 1980s, let alone the 2020s.

“It’s not something that is recognisable in the Liberal Democrats,” he said.

“We are an extremely credible alternative (to the Conservatives). We’ve got a lot of experience: experienced councillors who have been around a long time.”

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Care for a dance?

TEA DANCES are being held at Cantley Park.

On Monday, November 1, Wokingham Borough Council will host its monthly dementiafriendly event, from 12.30pm to 2pm. n To book a place call 0118 974 2728 or email preventionteam@ wokingham.gov.uk

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Thursday, October 14, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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CELEBRATION: Green Canopy plan to help commemorate monarch’s big milestone

Youngsters get planting to mark Queen’s Platinum Jubilee EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON pcreighton@wokingham.today A SHINFIELD nursery teamed up with a village care home to help launch celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

To help mark the 70th anniversary of her majesty’s reign, a call has been made for schools and community groups to plant more than three million trees across the country.

The scheme, called The Queen’s Green Canopy, has been devised by the Prince of Wales, working with groups, including The Woodland Trust. It is designed to leave a legacy in memory of the longest-serving monarch in British history that will last for many generations to come.

The tree-planting seasons run from October through to March, and again from October next year through to New Year 2023: the optimum times for the new arrivals to take root and flourish.

In Shinfield, Shinfield View residents helped Honeysuckle Day Nursery to plant a tree within its grounds. They also visited Shinfield Infants School and St Mary’s School.

The project has been supported

by The Berkeley Care Group and Freely Fruity, which runs community orchards in the borough, distributing the harvests to groups in need. This has included a Helping Hands Shinfield and a foodbank run and administered by Shinfield Baptist Church.

Jodie Whatmore, Shinfield View’s general manager, and Laura McSoley, events manager at the School Green home, said that it had been really great for the residents to get in to the local community and join forces for such a special occasion.

HELP OUT: Wokingham residents are being urged to collect food for people in need this Christmas Picture: Tesco

Join our food drive says Tesco

PLANT LIFE: Freely Fruity’s Matt Knight helps children from Honeysuckle Day Nursery and grown-ups from Shinfield View care home to plant an apple tree as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy Main picture: Phil Creighton “The project that we are working and rolled up their sleeves to dig and towards is planting new trees in get them in the ground last week.

“This initiative will not only our community this October to be able to revisit and see how much celebrate the Queen’s long reign but they have grown next year for the also have a positive impact on the environment and help to counter Queen’s Jubilee,” they said.

“We could not have done this the damaging effects of climate without the kind donations from change.”

The Woodland Trust is one of the charity Freely Fruity, who have given us baby apple trees to plant so the groups welcoming applications we haven’t just got new trees into for other groups to take part in The the community but also fruit which Queen’s Green Canopy. It is offering packs of trees that can see an area is amazing.

“A big thank you to one of the co- such as a tennis court covered. Its founders of this charity, Matthew largest pack would be 420 trees, the Knight, who came along to help dig size of a football pitch. the holes, and a huge thank you to n For more details, log on to all the children who got involved queensgreencanopy.org

University gives £50,000 to charities in new scheme

THE UNIVERSITY of Reading has awarded £50,000 to community projects in a new initiative.

The Community Fund, launched earlier this year, has been set up by the University, in partnership with the John Sykes Foundation.

It supports projects that benefit the people and community of Reading.

This is the first year of a twoyear pilot, with both organisations contributing financially.

University staff members were invited to apply for funding to support projects they are involved with either as part of their job, or as volunteers.

Some of the projects include a mixed ability rugby team, including those with disabilities, and a refugee football team.

Funding decisions were made by a panel, which included ViceChancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort.

He said: “It was great to see so many applications from such a wide variety of schools and functions across the University.

“It is testament to the commitment of our colleagues to their communities and our town.

“Our staff do so much for Reading, showing we truly are a university for Reading.”

Wokingham ends black box collections RECYCLING will not be collected from black boxes from November.

The borough council’s contractor Veolia will only be collecting recycling from the green waterproof recycling sacks from Monday, November 1.

Residents using their black boxes this week onwards will have a sticker placed on their boxes about the change.

Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure, said: “We are grateful to residents for their exceptional efforts in keeping their recyclables dry, as this has helped us recycle more and have less going to be incinerated.

“We made the switch to the green bags for practical reasons, but we know they have been well received by our residents as well.”

Residents can also have up to four more green recycling bags if needed. These can be collected from one of the council’s hubs at Shute End, Woodley Library, Lower Earley Library, Wokingham Library, and Earley Town Council.

Anyone who cannot collect the bags can have a neighbour pick them up, or have them delivered.

But this could take up to two weeks, due to the national shortage of HGV drivers, the council warned.

Black boxes can be reused for another purpose at home, or recycled at re3 centres. n For more information, visit: www. wokingham.gov.uk/rubbish-andrecycling

WOKINGHAM shoppers are being urged to join an army of volunteers this Christmas.

The Trussell Trust, which provides emergency food parcels to people in crisis, and FareShare, which provides food to thousands of frontline charities and community groups, are seeking volunteers to help during this year’s Tesco Food Collection.

The collection will take place across the country, including in the Finchampstead Road store from Thursday, November 18, to Saturday, November 20.

Tesco will top-up the collection with a 20% cash donation to help the two charities.

Lindsay Boswell, chief executive at FareShare, said volunteer presence during the collection has a big impact on the amount of food donated.

He encouraged people to get involved and warned that charities would be under extra pressure this winter.

“With many people still feeling the effects of the pandemic, and with the huge increase in heating bills and living costs coming in the lead-up to the cold winter months, we know that there will be many people turning to their grassroots organisations for support with food this Christmas,” he said.

“We would be hugely grateful to anyone who is able to volunteer at the Tesco Food Collection this year to encourage more shoppers to donate much-needed food to FareShare so we can continue to support those who need it most.”

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said people could make a real difference to their foodbank by volunteering at the store.

“Christmas can be an extremely difficult time for many people, but especially for families facing crisis,” she said. “We know that in Wokingham many people will be forced to use a food bank over the festive period because they are unable to afford the essentials.

“Supporting the Tesco Food Collection this November by volunteering could make all the difference to your food bank during this busy period.

“You could donate a couple of hours of time and volunteer during the collection or you could donate food to your local Tesco’s donation point.”

The Tesco Food Collection is the biggest of its kind in the UK. To date, customers have donated more than 40 million meals during the in-store collections to support their work. n To volunteer for the collection, visit: fareshare.org. uk/foodcollection or www.trusselltrust.org/getinvolved/tesco-food-collection

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 14, 2021

Wokingham Lions pub quiz goes live AN ONLINE pub quiz launched in lockdown is going live later this month.

The Great Woky Pub Quiz, run by Wokingham Lions Club, will be held in-person on Friday, October 22.

Doors will open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start at Wokingham Cricket Club.

Ian Grange, who ran the online pub quizzes during lockdown, will be asking the questions once again.

The Lion said: “There will be prizes for the winners, plus a raffle. We are looking for donations for raffle prizes, so please contact us if a local company would like to donate a service or product.”

He said the night promises to be a fun evening, with a chance to help causes in the community. Proceeds will go to charity.

Quiz teams are limited to eight people, attendees can come with their own team or join another on the night.

Tickets cost £14.15 and include dinner by Bears Burgers and Chicken, which operates out of the Cricket Club’s kitchen.

There’s a choice of beef, chicken and vegetarian burgers and chips.

Dietary requirements can be catered for, with advance notice. n For more information, or to book a ticket, visit: www.trybooking.co.uk/BHCN

Carers sent NHS survey in post CARERS across the borough have been invited to share their experiences.

The 2021-22 survey of adult carers in England is being carried out locally by the borough council on behalf of NHS Digital.

It asks carers their thoughts on the services they and the person they care for receive, as well as questions about quality of life.

There are more than 700 known carers in the borough, providing unpaid support to family members or friends.

A random sample of these people will be sent the survey via the post later this month, and responses must be returned by Tuesday, November 30.

Cllr Charles Margetts, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services at Wokinngham Borough Council, said carers play a valuable role in our community.

“The more people who take part, the more useful the results will be to help us assess and improve our services for carers,” he said.

OLD AND NEW: James Sunderland MP (right) visits the Finchampstead site

NEW BUILDS: Conservative MP, James Sunderland visits the borough council redevelopment scheme All pictures: Stewart Turkington

MP visits Gorse Ride redevelopment project A BOROUGH MP visited the Gorse Ride redevelopment site last month.

James Sunderland, whose Bracknell constituency includes Finchampstead, Crowthorne, and Wokingham Without, met with Cllr John Kaiser, the borough council’s executive member for finance and housing, to look at the new homes on Arnett Avenue.

The 46 finished homes at Arnett Avenue are managed by Loddon

Homes, owned by the council.

They are the first phase of the council’s Gorse Ride regeneration project.

The houses and flats are a mix of shared ownership, social rented and privately owned properties.

“It was great to be able to show James Sunderland just what’s been achieved at Arnett Avenue,” said Cllr Kaiser.

“It’s a real testament to the quality of what can be achieved by working

with the community and investing in the great housing they need.”

Cllr Kaiser said initial feedback about the homes has been fantastic.

“Our hope is that Arnett Avenue will help showcase the level of quality we aim to achieve across the next phases of the Gorse Ride regeneration as well as demonstrating our commitment to the community and to keeping them involved,” he added.

Steve Bowers is chair of the community steering group, lived in Gorse Ride and is now in one of the new houses on Arnett Avenue.

He said: “It was great to spend some time with James ... he was very interested in what was going on in the rebuilding of this community.”

Cllr Kaiser said: “We’re very thankful to the community, as the residents have continued to stay involved and work with us closely to get to this point.”

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today

working across the borough’s libraries.

Ms McDonald said there is a good selection of authors from all backgrounds, as well as a poet and an illustrator, who will also be talking about their work in the literary world.

She hopes children across the borough will see themselves in the books chosen, which also cover family make-ups and climate change.

The festival has been in the works since the start of the year, and Ms McDonald said she is happy

to be bringing a range of in-person and virtual events.

“This year, the in-person events you can also watch from home, as we will be live-streaming them,” she said.

“Having online talks also opens the opportunity to feature authors from around the world.”

One of those is Swapna Haddow, who will be tuning in from New Zealand to talk about the first book in her brand-new series, Bad Panda.

“It’s great Swapna can join us and inspire the children,” Ms McDonald added.

She hopes the event will encourage the joy and love for reading in children.

“We want to spark their imagination,” she said. “The more you read, the more you learn about things.”

She said the focus this year was to bring as much fun as possible, after a bleak year and a half.

The talk from Annabelle Sami, author of Llama Out Loud and Llama on a Mission, promises laughs, Ms McDonald said.

Ms Sami will also run an interactive “choose your own adventure” writing activity during the session, where the audience will help to plan a break into the topsecret Llama Headquarters.

Other authors at the event

include Benjamin Dean, who will be discussing London Me My Dad and the End of the Rainbow – his debut with LGBTQ+ themes of love and family.

Best-selling author Holly Webb will be exploring themes around environmentalism and friendship.

She will be talking about her Earth Friends books and explaining how small changes can make a big difference.

Winner of the Blue Peter Best Story Award, Kieran Larwood, will be talking about The Five Realms: Uki and the Ghostburrow. It is his sixth book, set in the world of Podkin One-Ear, which sees Uki and his companions attempt to save rabbit-kind from destruction.

Poet Joshua Seigal, winner of the 2020 LOLLIES, will be sharing poetry from his brand new collection, Yapping Away.

Hannah Lee will be hosting a funfilled and interactive event around her new picture book, The Rapping Princess. Children can learn more about fairy tales and the perfect ingredients to writing their own rap.

And Krina Patel-Sage will be reading from her book My Mindful A to Zen, as well as hosting a mindfulness activity.

Children’s Book Festival brings nine authors to the stage THE WOKINGHAM Children’s Book Festival is returning this weekend with a variety of events for all ages.

The two-day event is in its fourth year, and will be taking over the town hall, with in-person and virtual events.

Nine authors will be sharing their tales, hand-picked by children’s librarian Elizabeth McDonald.

The young people and families outreach manager has helped coordinate the event,

n For more information, or to book tickets, visit: wokingham-tc.gov.uk/ bookfest

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Big changes to your Wokingham.Today – hello Reading Today!

By STAFF WRITER news@wokingham.today

BIG changes are coming to your Wokingham.Today next week – including the launch of a new sister title.

Reading Today will be on newsstands across our neighbouring borough from Wednesday next week.

And Wokingham Today is having a makeover to celebrate.

From next Thursday’s issue, you will get three papers for the price of one.

Sports fans will make a beeline for Sport Today. Every issue will be packed with action pictures from sports from across Reading and Wokingham areas including big picture spreads for every Royals home game.

No-one else brings you such in-depth coverage and it’s all in Sport Today.

Our second new paper will be Leisure Today, a great round-up of what’s on. Expect big name interviews, amazing previews, a look at local groups, concert news, and details of what’s happening in the next 10 days.

Don’t forget, we’re also the place to go for music. Our

popular playlist will bring you 10 great tracks, all with a connection to the area every week, and Leisure Today will also have a comprehensive gig guide.

If you want to know what’s on, Leisure Today is a must.

Our third paper is Wokingham.Today – your favourite weekly read: news and views from every corner of the borough, plus our popular classified section.

Every week, our team bring you a host of exclusive news that you won’t find anywhere else, from the big political stories to the events that matter to you. No one can match our unrivalled coverage.

And from next week, Reading Today will provide the same top-quality journalism for Reading readers.

Our websites – Wokingham. today and readingtoday.online – will be updated across the week, bringing you the latest news as we get it.

It’s a hugely exciting time for local news, and it’s all from your local newspaper.

Over the summer, we have invested heavily in improving our newsroom to ensure we

can give you the best possible service. From next week, due to rising production costs, the price of your Wokingham.Today will go up to 90p.

We run a training programme for aspiring journalists, giving them vital experience. This is a mixture of short-term placements to on-the-job experience to obtain their NTCJ qualification. We are encouraging applications for the next candidates.

The two papers are edited

by Phil Creighton, who this month celebrates his 25th year in journalism.

“Wokingham.Today will really benefit from our new three-in-one approach,” he said.

“The new system we are using enables us to provide even more news to readers.

“While a price rise is never welcomed, we know readers value our quality, local journalism and support our investment.

“We are delighted to launch Reading Today, following demand from readers.

“It will be Reading’s new champion and we can’t wait for the first edition to hit the streets.”

BACK IN BLOOM: The Rose Inn will open to visitors on Monday. Picture: Oakman Inns

The Rose Inn will reopen next week A WOKINGHAM pub is reopening its doors next week following an extensive refurbishment.

The Rose Inn, on Market Place, has had a £2.1 million investment from new owners, The Oakman Group.

The Grade II Listed pub will open on Monday with a Mediterranean inspired autumn and winter menu.

Dishes will include a Côte de Boeuf sharer, Stone Bass, hand-

made, wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas and a range of vegetarian and vegan choices, all created in the open, theatrestyle kitchen.

General manager Will Upton said the pub has hired 30 new staff, who will be encouraged to develop their skills as part of the group’s award-winning training programme.

The Oakman Group’s CEO, Dermot King, said: “We are very proud of The Rose Inn and

Opening Hours – Mon-Sat 9am – 5:30pm and Sunday – 10am – 4pm General Enquiries – 0118 338 8760 Restaurant Bookings – 0118 338 8762

www.berkshiregardener.co.uk The Berkshire Gardener, Bath Road, Hare Hatch, Berkshire RG10 9SB

want to be right at the heart of the Wokingham community.

“It is a beautiful building, and we want to compliment such a wonderful venue with the highest standards of service and produce. The team are very much looking forward to opening and welcoming guests to eat, drink and have a wonderful time with us.”

The Rose Inn once hosted Barack Obama, who came to Wokingham for his half-sister’s wedding in 1996.

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ARE YOU LISTENING? 2021

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 14, 2021

Pictures: Dijana Capan

Now, that’s what Reading calls

Baba Ali at the Purple Turtle

Third Lung at Rising Sun

Crowds enjoying the fun at the Purple Turtle

Horse Rock at Oakford Social Club

Bull at South Street

Holly Shillitto at Milk

Inbetween bands at the Oakford

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Thursday, October 14, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Pictures: Dijana Capan

s great music

Horse Rock horsing around at Oakford Social Club

ARE YOU LISTENING? 2021

King Nun at the Face Bar

Billie Marten at South Street

Dolly and the Clothespegs unplugged Upstage Mini at the Roseate Hotel

Marisa Rodriguez from Marisa and the Moths at Sub89

By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today CROWDS flooded into Reading to watch a range of live bands and artists at Are You Listening? Festival 2021 last Saturday.

Musicians performed at venues across the borough including Face Bar, Milk, Oakford Social Club, Purple Turtle, Rising Sun Arts Centre, South Street Arts Centre, Sub89 and Upstage Mini, at The Roseate Hotel.

The festival raised funds for Mencap, a charity which supports people with learning disabilities.

Organiser Fearghal Conroy, at Heavy Pop, said he was “really happy” with how smoothly the festival went.

“With everything that’s happened in the last 18 months due to covid, to see crowds returning to Reading to enjoy great live music in some of the town’s best venues is amazing to see once again,” he said.

Reading-based grungeinfluenced band Marisa And The Moths took to the stage at Sub89, and band member Marisa Rodriguez said it was a “really great” atmosphere.

“Sub89 was rammed with

Audience at Dolly and the Clothespegs

people and it was amazing to interact with the crowd and hear them all singing along to our music,” she said.

The four-piece group played songs from their new album, which will be released later next year, for the first time in front of a live audience.

Marisa added: “Everyone really enjoyed the new songs.

It was nerve-wracking getting up on stage again but it was an honour to perform at Sub89, a venue I have always wanted to play at.

“There’s something about that moment of connection when you’re playing live to the audience – you can see how much it means to them.”

And Doops, a Berkshirebased three-piece band, showed off their hard beats and space riffs at Oakford Social Club.

Band member Andy Bingham explained it was nice to get back into live performances again.

“It was good that all of the bands and artists were dotted around Reading, because we also got to see others perform,” he said.

“We’ve got a wide range for a guitar band in terms of what we do. We play heavy stuff but also softer psychedelic music too so

for live shows audiences can engage with us.”

And Horse Rock also entertained the crowds at Oakford Social Club.

Reading-born acoustic singer Holly Shillito performed at intimate venue Milk.

“I’d done so many online gigs, and weekly Zoom open mic nights throughout lockdown the vibe isn’t the same as it is when singing to a live audience,” she said.

“The atmosphere at Milk was amazing, I wasn’t expecting many people to be there but all these people starting showing up, and it was great to have a full room of people listening to your music.”

Holly threw in one cover song in her set, which was Nsync’s classic hit, Bye Bye Bye. She said: “It was so cool to add in the cover, and to hear everyone singing along was such a nice moment.”

And Baba Ali rocked the house down at Purple Turtle as audiences poured in to sing along to his music.

A more chilled-out set was given by folk singer-songwriter, Billie Marten, at South Street Arts Centre later that evening.

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8 | NEWS

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 14, 2021

Newcomer Mumbai bids to be borough’s Curry King

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

A WOKINGHAM takeaway hopes its passion for flavour and drive to give back will see it crowned the borough’s first Curry King.

Last month, Wokingham.

Today asked for readers’ help to find the tastiest curry house in the area.

Mumbai Wokingham, a family-run street food takeaway on Peach Street, has since been nominated for the new award.

Managed by cousins Iftekar Rahman and Wahidur Rahman, the eatery launched in the midst of the pandemic to spice up Wokingham’s food scene.

“It all goes down to our roots,” Mr Rahman said.

“My father and his father have run restaurants across the UK, but we decided it was time for us boys to do something.

“We settled on the idea of opening a takeaway in Wokingham – but we wanted to make it different.”

Mr Rahman said Mumbai Wokingham decided to cook curry with a twist and offer street food and light snacks alongside takeaway favourites.

“We offer on-the-go food and it’s a fusion of new and authentic flavours,” he explained.

“We’ve got chicken tikka wraps, saag potato sandwiches,

OPENING: Mumabi Wokingham was opened by Wokingham Town Mayor Cllr Tony Lack in August last year Picture: Phil Creighton

and other options that weren’t available in Wokingham before.”

The firm also makes its own teas in house and offers a vegan menu.

The Peach Street takeaway opened its doors just over a year ago, in August 2020. Mr Rahman said since its inception,

Mumbai Wokingham has strived to support the borough community wherever possible.

“We’ve done a lot in 14 months,” he said. “We’ve worked with Nine Mile Ride Primary School and Friends of Finchampstead School Association.

“We also work with Wokingham In Need to support the homeless and most vulnerable in the area.

“We are very lucky to have a lot and want to reach people who don’t, to improve their livelihoods as well as provide good food.”

And Mr Rahman hopes Mumbai Wokingham will

become the next Curry King for its food, customer service, charity work and prize achievements.

“Our food talks for itself and our service talks for itself,” he said.

“We’ve got a five-star food rating and we’ve just been nominated for the English Curry Awards 2021.

“We also give back and we believe our meals have what it takes to satisfy everyone’s bellies.”

He thanks Wokingham.

Today’s readers for nominating Mumbai Wokingham for the Curry King competition.

“Thank you for your continued support,” he added.

“Without you, our business wouldn’t be possible.

“We hope you always come back and continue to support us in the future.”

Wokingham.Today’s contest is still ongoing and we are asking readers to continue nominating their favourite places to dine out.

Send us a message on Facebook or email news@ wokingham.today to tell us about your top curry house and why you think it deserves to become Wokingham’s next Curry King.

The winner will be crowned at the end of the year following a series of knock-out votes on social media.

Call to check smoke alarm batteries RESIDENTS are being urged to check their smoke alarms regularly.

The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is supporting this month’s Fire Kills smoke alarm testing campaign.

It suggests testing smoke alarm batteries once a week, and helping neighbours who are unable to test their

own.

Gail Muirhead, West Hub prevention manager, said: “I’d encourage our residents to make sure they get into the habit of testing their smoke alarms regularly as they can save you and your loved ones’ lives. In the event of a fire, working smoke alarms will give you the valuable time to

get out, stay out and call 999.”

Statistics show that 26% of all households who own a smoke alarm test them on a regular basis.

The service suggests having at least one smoke alarm on every level of the home.

They also suggest vacuming the alarm’s slots twice a year to remove dust.

PLAY AWAY: Groundbreaking work has started at Cantley Park. Picture: Wokingham Borough Council

Council starts work on new play area in Cantley Park WORK has started on a new play area in Cantley Park in Wokingham.

New equipment will replace the existing park close to the tennis courts, on the site.

It has been designed to encourage all children and families to play together, with inclusive play zones, the council said.

The project started by installing power for the new Yalp interactive equipment.

The interactive features are designed to make playing outside as addictive as gaming, but without the screen time.

They include an interactive DJ booth, dance arch and games wall.

Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure, said: “Cantley Park has

undergone so many exciting improvements in the last year and the new destination play area will be a great addition.

“The project team have created an amazing play area design with a focus on inclusivity for all children – there really is something for everyone.”

The play area is due to be finished by the end of the year.

It’s one of a number of developments being carried out at Cantley.

The sports facilities have been upgraded, with a new cafe and 3G pitch.

Wokingham Borough Council has also announced that there will be a Christmas market from next month, complete with ice rink, food stalls and festive offerings.

Nominate for awards ATHLETES, coaches and teams can now be nominated for the borough’s annual sports awards.

This year will be the first time the Wokingham Borough Sports Awards ceremony has been held face-to-face since 2019.

The council is calling for nominations for anyone who has produced outstanding performances in various categories since September 2019.

Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure, said: “We have so many talented sports people in our borough, and these annual awards usually attract some very high standard of entries.

“It has been a particularly difficult year for sport due to the pandemic, but many have still accomplished so much. I am delighted we

will be celebrating so many remarkable achievements in sport.”

The categories are: Senior School of the Year, Primary School of the Year, Services to Sport (club and individual), Coach of the Year, Service to Disabled Sport, Unsung Hero, Team Awards (male and female), Excellence in Sport, Courage, Spirit of Sport and Volunteer of the Year.

There are also individual awards for under 14s and under 18s as well as senior female and male.

The ceremony will be held on Friday, November 26, at Bulmershe Leisure Centre in Woodley.

The deadline for nominations is Monday, October 18.

n For more information, or to nominate, visit: www.wokingham. gov.uk and search ‘sports awards, funding and sponsorship’

9

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Thursday, October 14, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Action on 30mph Joy as Norreys mast plan rejected road where cars do 70mph EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today

TESTING: Hurst Parish Council chairman Wayne Smith, Twyford and Hurst neighbourhood police officer PC Adam Young and PC Darren Stone

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today POLICE swooped with their speed measuring laser gun on a residential road where cars have been hurtling past at more than 70mph.

The checks in Hinton Road, Hurst, last week resulted in five drivers being issued with penalty notices, said the village parish council chairman, Wayne Smith.

The limit on the area targeted is 30mph.

Councillor Smith said speeding traffic was the number one issue that residents complained to him about.

Hurst Parish Council has its own speed measuring device which had been in action before the police visit.

“The figures from our device were very high, some cars doing over

70mph in this road,” said Cllr Smith.

The average speed was well above the limit, 38.8mph.

He passed the speeds recorded to the police.

Those figures triggered the level at which the police can take their own laser gun speed device to an area.

The parish council’s device has now moved to Lodge Road, Hurst.

Hurst and Twyford neighbourhood officer PC Adam Young said: “We used our laser gun speed indicator device in other roads (in the area), School Road, on Hurst Road coming from Twyford and Wokingham Road.

“We did it for just 30 minutes in each location and got over five speeding vehicles each time.

“Residents feel speeds are increasing.”

PLANS for a 5G phone mast in Wokingham have been rejected, following a petition against it.

In August, mobile phone firm Three submitted a prior approval application for a 15m-high mast off Norreys Avenue, on Ashridge Road.

At the time, Cllr Rachel Burgess, Labour councillor for Norreys, said the location was inappropriate, being near two schools and hundreds of houses.

She told Wokingham.Today: “The mast is 15 metres tall and will totally spoil this area, overshadowing the houses and trees, and the base cabinets are extensive and take up a lot of children’s play space.”

The councillor teamed up with residents who were concerned the mast would overshadow their properties.

It has now been refused by the borough council for six reasons.

The planning decision states that the mast would have “a negative and over-dominant impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area”, and that this would be “oppressive” for residents who would have been able to view it from their windows.

The decision notice also said the mast location could reduce road safety, as drivers would have a limited view of walkers crossing the road.

“This would be a particular concern for children crossing the road, as some children will be smaller than the cabinets,” the notice said.

Concerns were also raised that

HAPPY: Pictured with Cllr Rachel Burgess (centre) are (from left) Georgia Watts, Adrian Salter, Matt Moore and Kiara Moore – all of whom live adjacent to the proposed mast site Three had not included evidence of consultations with organisations such as nearby schools.

The council also said there was not enough justification for why other locations have been discounted, and was concerned about the volume of the ground-based cabinets.

Georgia Watts, who lives adjacent to the proposed mast, organised the petition with Cllr Burgess. More than 100 people signed it.

“It seemed like we were being treated unfairly – other locations were rejected as the mast was too close to houses, but the mast at this location was even closer,” she said.

“I guess the difference is that this location is on a council estate and they

thought they could get away with it here.”

Cllr Burgess added: “I am delighted that the voices of Norreys residents have been heard. Often it seems like the council does not listen to people and makes the wrong decisions, but in this instance the Trees and Landscapes team and the Planning Team have made the right decision.

“Fighting an unwanted development is a lot of work. I am so pleased for all who helped and for my residents who have saved themselves from this blot on their local Norreys landscape.”

The developers now have six months to appeal. Cllr Burgess said: “We need to stay vigilant – but I would urge the developers to find an alternative site.”

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10 | BUSINESS

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 14, 2021

Got a business story? Email news@wokingham.today or write to: Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS EMILY HILL AND JOSH GRIMES

Business hub calls for more diverse networking

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

Graduates join Haslams TWO UNIVERSITY graduates are spreading their wings at Haslams Chartered Surveyors.

Josh Grimes and Emily Hill have joined the firm as surveyors, after graduating from the University of Reading earlier this year.

Mr Grimes will join the General Practice team, while Emily will join the commercial agency team.

They will now work towards becoming qualified chartered surveyors.

Conrad Hill, managing partner at Haslams, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome on board Emily and Josh.

“We have no doubt whatsoever

they will be an excellent additional to the team, continuing to strengthen our presence within the Thames Valley and beyond.

“We wish them both very well on their exciting adventure.”

Neil Seager, partner and head of commercial agency, said following the pandemic, Haslams needed to expand its team as the industrial and office markets bounce back.

“It was important we added to our team so are high standards are maintained,” he added.

“It is also exciting to have fresh faces in the office after what has been a challenging period for everyone.”

‘Make law more inclusive’ A THAMES Valley law firm has grown its team – and the new appointment wants to change the industry for good.

Boyes Turner has appointed Kim Milan as its new senior partner.

She has worked at the firm for 22 years and leads its personal-injury team.

Now, she is using her new role to call for law firms to be more inclusive.

“It is an honour to become Boyes Turner’s Senior Partner at such an exciting time for the firm,” Ms Milan said.

“The pandemic has shown us how special the culture at Boyes Turner is.

“Everyone has rallied around to help each other and our clients

[and] the future is bright for the firm.”

She said that as somebody from a working class background, she has battled prejudice throughout her career journey.

“I have been lucky enough to have had a fantastic support network of family, friends, teachers and colleagues, but it shouldn’t be down to luck, it should be equal opportunity for all,” Ms Milan added.

“Businesses that ensure they are opening vacancies up to people from different backgrounds will reap the rewards.”

Boyes Turner’s managing partner Jonathan Grigg, said Ms Milan will now be an asset to the management team.

Combatting climate change A LEADING planning firm has appointed a new director for the South East.

Faraz Baber is joining consultancy RPS as its operational manager for the region, as well as in the Midlands.

In his new role, he will support the company’s planning and environmental practice across the two areas.

With previous experience in chartered surveying and town planning, Mr Baber has worked across London boroughs throughout his career.

“I am both honoured and excited to be joining RPS,” he said.

“It’s arguably one of the only companies equipped with the knowledge and skills to help our clients respond to the challenge of climate change.

“I’m thrilled to be working with like-minded individuals to make a real difference in creating sustainable developments.”

He said he is excited to help clients deliver development opportunities, and offer strategic advice and intelligence.

Paul Wilmott, RPS managing director of planning, added: “Mr Baber’s appointment is a planned and significant step in our growth strategy, and central in our drive to provide market-leading value for our clients.

“His compelling experience, expertise and career achievements will not only provide valuable insight to our clients, but also support our planning teams to grow their careers.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with him in this exciting stage.”

A THAMES Valley business hub is hoping to increase diversity with its new networking class.

The Business Growth Hub, run by Thames Valley Berkshire, is launching a new ‘women in business’ group, as well as mixed cohort groups, to support the region’s small- to mediumsized companies (SMEs).

The initiative forms part of the Government’s Peer Networks scheme which has brought business leaders together up and down the country to discuss challenges and opportunities for SMEs. The Growth Hub will deliver the programme through six online group sessions where people can network and share first-hand experiences in their industry.

Julian Mobbs, from the Berkshire Growth Hub, said: “Diversity in business can drive growth and generate

new opportunities, which is why we are keen to attract business leaders from all industries, backgrounds and ethnicities.

“We are particularly keen to encourage more female business leaders to sign-up for the programme.

“We’d also like to see more applications from companies in the creative and digital

Earley’s big five

Top tier rank for Reading law firm

AN EARLEY business park has welcomed a whole host of companies to its grounds.

Suttons Business Park now includes Thermal Management Solutions, Hutchinson Stop Choc, Automotive Parks Distribution, BCB Service Solutions and Henley Raw Dog Food.

Neil Seager, partner at Haslams Chartered Surveyors, said: “We are very pleased to have secured the new tenants to the park.

“The flurry of deals confirms Suttons as one of the Thames Valley’s best for industrial and warehouse occupiers.”

He said with more lettings on the way, it could be fully occupied in a few months.

A THAMES Valley law firm has been named one of the leading teams in the region.

Blandy & Blandy was recognised as a “top tier” firm in 2022 edition of The Legal 500 - a publication which ranks law companies across the UK. The Reading-based group was highlighted for its work in 13 areas of law and was named “top tier” in four: ‘Family’, ‘Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate’, ‘Environment and Planning’ ‘Licensing’.

Nick Burrows, chairman of Blandy & Blandy, said: “Throughout what has been a very challenging year for everyone, colleagues have worked tremendously hard,

DIVERSIFY: The Business Growth Hub is launching a ‘women in business’ group to increase diversity in networking Picture: LinkedIn Sales Solutions from Unsplash tech sectors.”

Sabina Gonzalez-George, marketing director of CREAT3D in Winnersh, added: “Joining Peer Networks was an excellent way to schedule in time for wider business discussions and sound out ideas with other business leaders who face similar pressures and challenges as you.

often going the extra mile.

“We are very pleased that this collective effort has been recognised in this year’s Legal 500 rankings by our clients and others with whom we work.

“Well done to our team and thank you to all those who took the time to share their experience of working with Blandy & Blandy.”

The firm was commended for its “very good service” and “clear advice”.

Thirteen of its 15 partners were also individually recognised as experts in their field, including Sue Dowling in Licensing and Karen Jones in Environment and Planning.

“You can always learn something new, so the programme is a brilliant way to test an idea and gain objective feedback.”

The programme is open to SMEs with at least five employees and an annual turnover of at least £100,000. n For more information, visit: www.berkshirebusinesshub. co.uk

Get networking GET NETWORKING with Wokingham Positive Difference.

Tomorrow, it is hosting an Open Networking session to help borough businesses share their expertise and experiences.

At this event, the group will offer business, Government and community updates alongside “break out networking opportunities” so entrepreneurs can meet one another.

The Open Networking meeting will run from 8.50am and entry is free.

It will take place online.

For more information, or to book a space, visit: www. eventbrite.co.uk/o/wokinghampositive-differencenetworking-30745633370

Tech makes the world go around A BRACKNELL communications firm was a two-time winner at a prestigious award ceremony last month.

Content Guru, which develops cloud solutions, was awarded for its innovative work using technology to tackle the pandemic.

It was crowned number one in the ‘Best Use of Cloud in the Pandemic – Health and Social Care’ category at the Computing Cloud Excellence Awards.

It was also highly commended for the ‘Cloud Project of the Year’ award.

Martin Taylor, deputy CEO and co-founder of Content Guru, said: “We are thrilled to be recognised for our hard work in the healthcare sector through this prestigious award.

“Content Guru’s engineers have worked day and night to keep Britain’s healthcare organisations going through tough times, developing new and advanced solutions that

help improve patient safety and experience.

“We are proud that our commitment to innovation has had such a positive impact for millions of people during this most unpredictable of times.”

The industry awards were held to recognise how cloud technology can help companies adapt. The winners were revealed at a live event on Thursday, September 23.

Content Guru was praised specifically for its work helping

NHS 111 London scale its system to increase calls by up to 500% during covid.

It has also developed a video consultation service which has been used by GPs across the East of England to provide outof-hours services to 3.3 million people.

Earlier this year, the Bracknell firm partnered with Google to improve its customer engagement work, and expanded its work to Germany too.

11

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Thursday, October 14, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Parking fines dubbed a ‘money-making exercise’ EXCLUSIVE

What’s next?

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today

“W

DRIVERS in Shinfield are being hit with fines “out of the blue” when parked outside their houses.

Tom Silk said in the last week of September he was issued two fines – a day after each other – for leaving his vehicle in the street in which he lives.

He has now been asked to pay two £70 fines by Wokingham Borough Council, and he says he is not the only Shinfield resident to have this happen to them.

Cllr Jackie Rance, Conservative councillor for Shinfield South said she knows of at least 14 residents who have had parking fines in the last three months.

Mr Silk, who lives on Wheatfields Road, was parked in a layby when a parking attendant slapped a fine on his car.

He said the attendant told him he was more than 50cm away from the curb.

However his car was not obstructing traffic from moving along the main carriageway.

“There’s a process here that’s broken,” he said.

“Why is the council asking a parking attendant to come down a residential road?”

Cllr Rance said she has asked the council’s parking team why residential areas are suddenly being monitored in this way.

“I can’t get an answer as to why,” she said.

“The parking team don’t answer me.”

Mr Silk said he was told there was a complaint, but he said the car was not parked on the pavement or grass.

“Our neighbours have lived her for more than 30 years and have never had a ticket,” he said.

Mr Silk add that he felt it was “like a money-making exercise” by the borough council.

“If I was parked in an NCP in London, I’d get it,” he added.

Mr Silk appealed the tickets, but this was rejected by the borough council.

In a letter of reply, parking enforcement manager, Geoff Hislop, Mr Silk was told: “If you did not get a PCN before, perhaps it was because there were no civil enforcement officers nearby.”

Mr Silk said even if he was legally in the wrong, he feels as though the wrong process has been followed.

“Mr partner called Jackie Rance, and she came around within an hour [of the incident],” Mr Silk said.

“She agreed it wasn’t the right approach.

“It’s the principle, they need to look at the bigger picture. There are lots of people [financially] struggling right now. Get your priorities right — this is not a priority.”

Cllr Rance said a lot of residents in and around the Mimosa and Chrysanthemum estate have also been targeted by parking attendants.

However some have had their fines dropped.

Cllr Jim Frewin, independent councillor for Shinfield South said some of the PCNs were dropped when he and Cllr Rance approached the borough

TICKETED: Shinfield residents have been given fines for parking along Wheatlfieds Road Picture: Tom Silk council over the issue.

“From what I understand, the council is now applying some common sense to the Mimosa and Chrysanthemum estate,” he said.

“Some have had their penalties removed, albeit with a warning.”

The councillor said he is concerned that the “narrow” road layout in the estate is similar to many others areas in Shinfield, and could mean that parking attendants fine residents in other areas for similar issues.

Cllr Rance said Mr Silk’s neighbour is now “worried sick” he will get a ticket when parking in the opposite layby.

“There are laws under traffic provision but the whole thing has just come out of the blue,” she said.

“Residents in the Mimosa and Monarch estate have lived there for 12 or more years, and this has just happened in the last three months.”

Cllr Rance said she knew of one couple received a fine each Sunday for three weeks, while parked on their own land.

She said they appealed the PCNs and did not have to pay in the end.

She added that because the complaints system is anonymous, she has no way of knowing who raised the issues to the borough council, and added that she was sceptical whether anyone did.

“I feel this is possibly not the truth,” she said.

“The Wheatfields residents park in a layby, so were neither up on the kerb, nor causing an obstruction for other drivers or the bin men.

“These are the residents I represent and I have attempted to contact parking management on their behalf to no avail.

“I feel sorry for the residents because this is where they live,” she added. “They haven’t overstayed their time at a car park, or abandoned it somewhere. This is outside their homes.

“It’s a blight for Shinfield residents.”

A spokesperson for Wokingham Borough Council said: “We are aware of a residential area in Shinfield where several motorists were illegally parking on a raised junction, which is not allowed under the Highway Code.

“These motorists were parking in the junction and also partially blocking the footway, and so have been issued penalty charge notices.

“If a driver ignores the notice and continues to park illegally, they will receive more than one notice.

“If a motorist believes they should not have received a parking fine, there is an appeal process on the penalty charge notice and on the parking fine page on our website.

“We receive complaints from residents about parked cars blocking the footway as it makes walking difficult, particularly for the elderly, children and pedestrians with limited mobility.

“Enforcement officers respond in those locations where complaints are received.

“The council doesn’t target any individual for parking offences, but has an obligation to respond to specific locations when the most vulnerable members of our society raise their concerns over junction safety and obstruction.”

hat’s next for the property market?” is a question I have been asked repeatedly since the end of the Stamp Duty holiday.

The fundamental of any market is the relationship between supply and demand. The tax break reduced moving costs significantly so it was inevitable it would fuel demand, which when coupled with a pronounced shortage of housing stock, led to competition among buyers and price increases. Now the incentive is no longer in play, there has been a softening of the volume of new buyers registering, but demand is still extremely strong when compared to levels experienced in any ‘normal’ market. There are several factors behind this sustained level of demand. Firstly, Wokingham and the surrounding villages are extremely nice places to live.

Transport links, schooling and amenities are all excellent, which encourages local residents to stay in the area as well as drawing those from further afield.

Secondly, mortgage lending is widely available and banks are offering interest rates at the lowest levels seen in years with Hat and Home Founder, Ben Gee long term fixed rate products extremely competitively priced which means that there has never been a better time to borrow money.

It was widely expected that there would be a shortage of available properties for the remainder of this year and that has proved to be true. Instruction levels are lower than the seasonal average and in part influenced by the cycle of sellers not putting their house on the market until they have seen something they want to buy (you can see the problem there)! So despite the volume of buyers reducing, supply is severely restricted and as a result prices will remain resilient. Any reduction in asking prices is a reflection of the market re-calibrating rather than an indicator of values declining.

Interestingly, we have seen the return of first-time buyers to the market, especially for apartments and flats. This section of buyers have been largely absent for 18 months, but with job security strengthening and g reater certainty surrounding whether they will be working from home, confidence has grown and grown significantly.

We expect new instructions to remain stubbornly restricted until the New Year, but savvy sellers will seize the opportunity now to achieve an excellent price for their property whilst they have less competition from other owners.

Hat and Home is an independent Wokingham estate agency that gives a nod to tradition and a wink to nostalgia. Our mission is to make moving home a fantastic experience. If you need any help with your sale, purchase, let or rental, please just drop us a line.

12 | NEWS

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

Draft local plan consultation soon

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 14, 2021

ART EVENT TAKES OVER MARKET PLACE

CONSULTATION for the draft local plan update is expected to start next month.

Cllr John Halsall, leader of the borough council, said the plan is progressing and residents should expect to be consulted from mid-November.

“We’re really interested in the feedback from residents,” he said.

The consultation is expected to last until January.

It will decide the future housing strategy for the borough, including key sites for development.

Book for male voice choir show READING’S Male Voice Choir is to perform a 50th anniversary show in Maidenhead later this week.

The group will team up with two sopranos from Maidenhead Operatic Society for the concert on Saturday, October 16.

The event is to raise funds for the Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead branch of the Samaritans, and a charity that works with widows and orphans in rural Kenya.

It will be held at St Edmund Campion Church in Altwood Road, from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £12.

Now taking registrations

n For more details or to book, log on to www.rmvc.net

One of the finished pieces from The Chalk About It event ART TOGETHER: The Chalk About It event saw members of community come together to express feelings, hopes and desires through street art in Market Place. Pictures: Stewart Turkington

Chalk and talk for mental health event EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today AN OUTDOOR art event was held in Wokingham town centre, in the hope of spreading joy.

Organised by Wokingham Town Council, Chalk About It was

a way for residents to express their feelings, hopes, and desires through street art.

On Sunday, September 26, professional pavement artists Urban Canvas led the event.

Their project, Hive Minds, was a large piece of floor art linking into mental health and wellbeing.

It gave residents a chance to

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express their own feelings and thoughts within the design.

Urban Canvas said: “Art in a public place has the ability to slow down time and allow you to lose yourself in the moment.

“It’s a distraction from negative thoughts and food for the soul. Art can free you in some respects, allowing people to mix socially if they wish and take part in something bigger than yourself.”

Artists and health professionals were on hand during the day to chat with residents about their concerns.

A spokesperson for the town council said: “We know that many of our residents are dealing with a magnitude of thoughts and feelings that often feel difficult to overcome.

“We acknowledge that not everyone wants to talk, so we wanted to bring a creative activity into the town to try and help people express themselves.”

They thanked all that participated for creating a meaningful piece of artwork.

The Hive Minds piece gave residents a space to draw their own feelings

Sowing ideas and letting them grow through street art

Chance to have say on gun licensing RATED OUTSTANDING IN THE PAST THREE OFSTED INSPECTIONS

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Matthew Barber, the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner

RESIDENTS across the borough can have their say on potential changes to gun licensing.

Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, is encouraging people to participate in a survey in England and Wales.

The Association of Police and Crime Commissioner’s is considering the amount of scrutiny of medical records and social media posts that police should undertake when granting or renewing a license; and whether or not an applicant should pay the full costs of having their request processed.

Chair of the Association of Police and Crime

Commissioners (APCC) Marc Jones said: “We want to hear all from sides, including people who are, or have previously been, a registered firearms licence or shotgun certificate holder.

“The public may be surprised to hear that there are more than half a million licence holders in England and Wales, who legally own nearly two million firearms.

“We know the overwhelming majority do so safely and responsibly.”

The survey ends at 5pm on Wednesday, October 20.

n For more information, or to take part, visit: www. surveymonkey.co.uk

Thursday, October 14, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

13

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Call to save Woodley’s final remaining link to the airfields

n From front page

Polls on a number of social media pages show an overwhelming support for the building to be saved, even though it is not listed. And scores of comments have been uploaded to the council’s website, objecting to the plans.

One resident said it would be a sacrilege to pull the building down. “I am shocked that the developers are allowed to pull down a historically important building, the last link to Woodley’s aero engineering heritage.”

Residents’ concerns also include the new larger industrial buildings backing on to nearby housing, additional traffic concerns and noise and light pollution.

These views were shared

by Bulmershe and Whitegates ward councillor Shirley Boyt (Lab), who said that residents were concerned over the amount of lorries that the application could generate if passed, as well as the loss of the art deco building.

“I think there is a case (for saving it). It is the last remaining building from the old Woodley aerodrome days,” she added.

“The Miles aircraft factory was very, very important in aviation because they built aircraft

SAVE IT: The art deco building on Headley Road East that Woodley residents want to save from potential demolition Picture: Phil Creighton there, ran an RAF training school during the Second World War, and so on.”

Cllr Boyt said that she asked borough council’s planning department if they had prepared a heritage impact statement for the work, but was told that it was not necessary, and they would instead consult its conservation and urban design officer.

“The buildings might not be up to modern standards, but this frontage could be saved, or they could turn the space into

an art gallery with some history of the Woodley aerodrome.

Woodley hasn’t got much in the way of amenities for the size of it. Something like this could be made to be a great thing.”

Woodley Town Council leader Cllr Keith Baker (Con), was also keen to save the building if possible.

He said: “I think every opportunity needs to be taken to try and protect the heritage of Woodley with respect to the aircraft industry. The town council’s planning committee

will be looking at it.

“There is a fine balance between protecting our heritage and allowing appropriate change.”

Another person who wanted to save the buildings was Julian Temple, who has written the definitive history of airfield, Wings Over Woodley. It charts the story of the entire site including the buildings. He also helped in the creation of the Museum of Berkshire Aviation.

He is now an aviation heritage consultant.

Film society looks at Black Messiah

“There are a lot of aircraft enthusiasts who would like to see some of that site preserved, ideally the front office building to be retained even if it could not be officially listed.

“If demolition does go ahead, there will be nothing physically left of the old airfield. There’s not even a memorial or a plaque or anything, apart from the museum on the southern boundary of what was the airfield.”

He felt that keeping the art deco buildings would mean that Woodley residents would have a living monument to the town’s history.

“They certainly contributed a huge amount to the war efforts by a providing a large number of aircraft that the RAF desperately needed,” he said.

“When the war started, a lot of pilots were trained here.”

Mr Temple was unsurprised at the level of support the campaigns, which are in their infancy, have received.

“It’s gratifying there is public interest and support,” he added.

Cllr Boyt added a message to the developers: “Listen to the residents. Go back to the site, look into it and come up with a proposal for saving this building for alternative use, and recognise its importance to the community.”

TO MARK Black History Month, Wokingham Film Society is screening Judas and the Black Messiah.

The 15 rated film tells the story of William O’Neal, who is offered a plea deal with the FBI after infiltrating the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party in 1960s Chicago to gather intelligence on its chairman.

It can be seen from 7.30pm on Thursday, October 21.

Tickets cost £6.50 or £4 for members. n For details, log on to wokinghamfilmsociety.com

Singers warm-up A GROUP of singers at the Wokingham Choral Society are warming up their voices for their upcoming concerts.

To celebrate the club’s 70th anniversary, it will perform the Handel’s Messiah at Great Hall, in Reading, on Saturday, November 13.

The choir has kept busy rehearsing during the pandemic, thanks to online platform Zoom.

And it will be finishing the year with its festive Family Christmas Concert at St Paul’s Church, Wokingham, on Saturday, December 11.

n For more details, log on to: wokingham-choral-society.org.uk

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NOW OPEN: Jane Peters (Chair of Governors). the Venerable Stephen Pullin (Arch Deacon of Berkshire), Hester Wooler (Ex Head Teacher of Alder Grove School) Picture: Steve Smyth

Shinfield school celebrates its opening ... a year late thanks to covid IT’S officially open, at last.

One of the borough’s newest primary schools celebrated its launch with a celebratory fete … just a year later than planned.

Coronavirus put paid to the original plans to celebrate the launch of Shinfield’s Alder Grove Church of England Primary School, which started welcoming pupils in September 2020.

Lockdowns and other covid restrictions delayed any launch

events, but on Saturday, October 2, a ribbon cutting was finally able to be held.

Parents, carers and pupils were joined by guests, including members of Wokingham Borough Council and the Diocese of Oxford’s board of education, to watch Archdeacon Stephen Pullin and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Abdul Loyes, cut the ribbon.

Hester Wooller, the CEO of

The Keys Academy Trust and Executive Head of Alder Grove, said: “In a very short time, the head of school Philip Theobald has built strong relationships with the local community to establish Alder Grove at the heart of this new community”.

The official opening of Alder Grove was followed by a community fayre, featuring traditional games and workshops in drumming and yoga.

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 14, 2021

A Christmas Market comes to Cantley Park this winter.

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ET into the festive spirit as Cantley Park’s first Christmas Market, brought to you by Wokingham Borough Council, is set to light up the event field this winter.

The Christmas Market is free to attend and will take place in-person from Wednesday 24 November until Friday 24 December 2021. There will be outdoor market huts selling delicious food and festive drinks, plus a variety of gifts and experiences, offering borough residents the perfect opportunity to shop for seasonal presents, whilst supporting local businesses.

We would like local businesses to apply to run a stall, and for local residence to support small local businesses. Executive member for environment and leisure Cllr Parry Batth said: “As we approach the autumnal months, it’s time to start thinking about Christmas. The past eighteen months

have shown us the importance of shopping locally, and what better way to support growth in our local economy and help build business than by attending Cantley Park’s Christmas Market.

“Whether you are a baker, jewellery maker or Christmas gift designer, we want to see as many vendors as possible selling local gifts and produce at the Christmas Market. We are anticipating that there will be plenty of interest in exhibiting at the event, particularly helped by the increased visitors from the ice-skating rink, and I am encouraging vendors to book their market huts as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”

Last year’s Christmas Market took place virtually and was a huge success for both exhibitors and residents. This year’s market is expected to be twice as popular with the additional footfall from Cantley Park’s recently opened café, 3G sports

pitch and Wokingham’s first ice skating rink, which will be situated within the event field throughout the duration of the Christmas Market.

So, residents get your skates on as skating rink is debuting this November at Cantley Park! The ice-skating at the event field will open on 12 November 2021 until 7 January 2022, every day (excluding bank holidays) from 12pm to 8pm. The ice-skating rink is a ticketed event. An adult ticket costs £12, a child ticket costs £7.50 and a family of four ticket costs £30 (for families of four or more, it will be £5 per extra child). Each ticket allows entry onto the ice-skating rink for one hour. Due to the popularity of this event, advanced booking is advised. There will be some tickets available on the day, subject to availability. Tickets purchased through the Eventbrite website until 1st November will receive an early bird 10% discount.When using the phase ‘Earlybird’ in the discount box on Eventbrite.

Tickets can be purchased via the Wokingham Borough Council Eventbrite following this QR code or via the following link: https://rb.gy/efrmpd A series of creative workshops will be running at the Cantley Park Café in the Ashridge Room during the festive season.

There are opportunities to make your

own wreath to decorate your home in our Christmas Wreath Making workshop, and make your own personalised festive wrapping paper, cards, and gift tags in our Christmas Printmaking workshop.

You can also make personalised homewares and decorations such as hanging baubles, snowflakes and stars in our Christmas Crochet workshop led by Gaynor White. During the November lead up to Christmas we will be running a Jewellery making workshop with artist Janet Richardson which might be the perfect way to make your loved ones a thoughtful gift before the Christmas rush.

To book the Christmas Printmaking Workshop: shorturl.at/pCOP9 To book the Christmas Wreathmaking Workshop: shorturl.at/ityLQ To book the Christmas Crochet Workshop: shorturl.at/guyVW To book the Earrings Workshop: shorturl.at/fmGVZ To book the Ring Making Workshop: shorturl.at/jwzGY � For the full programme, visit the Wokingham Borough Council Eventbrite page or the WOCCA app. To access the WOCCA app, it is available to download on Apple and Android devices via the play store by searching ‘Wocca’.

� For any further questions or more information, please contact the Arts and Culture team on: artsandculture@wokingham.gov.uk

Thursday, October 14, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

NEWS | 15

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Poor children more likely to face mental health problems

By NIKI HINMAN Local democracy reporter

HEALTH: Children from households in the poorest areas of Wokingham, Reading and West Berkshire are four times more likely to experience mental health problems than those from the richest areas Picture: Pixabay

CHILDREN from households in the poorest areas of Wokingham, Reading and West Berkshire are four times more likely to experience severe mental health problems than those from the richest areas.

The Health and Wellbeing Board’s strategy report to 2030 says that inequities in the rates of mental illness observed across ethnicities and sexual orientations of children and young people also warrant urgent attention.

“As stated, we know that mental health conditions that start at a young age often persist into later life and limit opportunities to thrive in both education and in the job market,” the report stated.

“Closing the gap in children’s and young people’s mental health and wellbeing in Reading, West Berkshire and Wokingham will therefore be key to ensuring all have the best chance of making the most of the opportunities available to them and fulfilling their potential.

“We want to strengthen existing partnerships, increase collective action,

coordinate the management of common resources, share data and best practices and stimulate innovation at the local level.”

The report, for the combined area known as Berkshire West, outlined key pointers affecting the mental and emotional welfare of children and young people.

Namely, limited access to mental helath and prevention services, service cuts and the impact of the pandemic lockdowns to access services, and waiting times.

The health board has pledged to reduce waiting times and said it intends to expand trauma informed approaches with charities and voluntary organisations and improve the transition to

adult mental health services.

Its vision for Reading, West Berkshire and Wokingham over the next 10 years is that all people will live longer, healthier and more richer lives.

The key strategic direction involves reducing gaps in the differences of health outcomes between the richest and poorest parts of Berkshire West.

It wants to target children and young people at risk much earlier in order to provide focused support to prevent mental health issues from worsening as well as reduce waiting times.

Public consultation on the strategy involved asking focus groups for their views on mental health provision

for both children and adults.

There were some grievances over the lack of recognition of mental health issues to be treated equally as physical health issues.

This, said the report, is partly manifested in a very underresourced mental health service provision.

One respondent said: “When somebody is drowning/bleeding to death it is easy to see there is a problem. But with mental health you might not feel (or) acknowledge the problem and without the social interaction, there is no one to say: ‘You look like you are drowning, do you need a life jacket?’”

Respondents noted the difficulty in obtaining therapy and counselling, which could escalate to a crisis point before being seen.

Furthermore, some expressed that the current, limited provision of counselling sessions are not enough.

“Mental health counselling is limited on the NHS. I don’t understand why ... if you had a heart defect, you have treatment until it was fixed, why is this not the same for mental health?” said one.

SPRING AHEAD: Members of the Friends of Fox Hill at the planting session held on Saturday Picture: Steve Smyth

Fox Hill looks blooming lovely thanks to friends FOX HILL will be blooming lovely next year, thanks to a conservation group.

Friends of Fox Hill planted wildflowers throughout the woodland on Saturday, October 7.

The event was hosted in a bid to increase diversity in the area, and saw residents plant a range of bulbs including Wild Garlic, Bluebells and Wood Anemones.

Tim Lloyd, chair of Friends and Fox Hill, said: “We had a lovely time.

“It was a nice sunny day and people were happy to get down on their hands and knees to get planting.”

He said the session formed part of the group’s wider conservation work in the woodland.

“We’ve already been doing work to clear the Rhododendron and open up Fox Hill,” he added. “It’s all about

making the area more attractive.”

And Friends of Fox Hill is considering turning the activity into an annual event.

“We’re thinking of running it in the half term holiday next year,” Mr Lloyd added.

“Our aim is to promote the woodland and we’ve already been doing regular conservation activities.

“Now, we’re trying to think of more long-term, family friendly things we could do.”

Friends of Fox Hill is also hosting a conservation session on Sunday, October 17, to remove Rhododendron.

The group will meet on Dorset Way at 10am. n For more information, contact events@friendsoffoxhill.org

We changed our name Dabbawalla is now called

16 | NEWS

Music nights A DOUBLE bill of music is coming to Winnersh this weekend thanks to Wokingham Music Club.

Tomorrow night, the Royal British Legion Club will host Slim Chance, fearting sax, harp and whistle man Frank Mead.

Tickets for this concert cost £16.

And on Saturday, the Average Chalky White Band will perform, with tickets costing £18.

They are a 10-Piece band with horn section playing uptempo soul, funk, and rock.

Tickets are available in advance, log on to www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk for details.

Play away again A GROUP that aims to rekindle a love for performing music will be returning to Wokingham later this month.

You Too Music is a workshop aimed at people who used to play an instrument to Grade Three or Four or above and want to get back into the musical habit.

People taking part must have access to the instrument in question.

The sessions run from 9am to noon on Saturday, October 23, at Wokingham Baptist Church in Milton Road.

Places cost £20 per person and can be booked in advance. n For more details, log on to www.youtoomusic.org.uk

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 14, 2021

TWYFORD TOGETHER

Steve Smyth

Millie (2) with dad, Marc McIntyre Picture:

5K Fun Run finisher, Visually Impaired Runner, Clara Stewart with her guide Picture: Steve Smyth

Juanita Groenewald made sure everyone received their medal Picture: Steve Smyth

Picture: Steve Smyth

Emile (3) rolls a pumpkin with the help of dad, John Ricau

Twyford races to the finish line

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today TWYFORD’S annual Fun Run likely raised thousands of pounds for charity this year.

READING'S NEW CHAMPION

NEWS, SPOR AND WHATS T ON EVERY WEDNESDAY

5K Fun Run First Woman, Faye Bartlett and race winner Andrew Grenville Picture:

On Sunday, October 10, Twyford Together hosted a series of races and events to support Twyford Charities Together.

The group of six organisations, which includes Daisy’s Dream and Camp Mohawk, will now receive a share of the money raised.

Rob Yeadon, chairman of Twyford Together, said the day exceeded his expectations.

“It was a lovely day with a good turnout,” he said. “It was what we were hoping for and I think Gordon Storey would have been annoyed he wasn’t there – he would have loved it.”

The yearly event saw residents go head to head in a 5km (3.1 miles) adult Fun Run, and also hosted three running competitions for children.

It included a series of stalls and activities arranged by Twyford-based firms, too.

There were approximately 90 entrants in this year’s Fun Run – more than double those who signed up in 2019.

Twyford Together also held

a Fastest Street competition which saw Longield Road crowned victorious. Springfield Park came second and Jarvis Drive third.

As well as donating to Twyford Charities Together, the group will also give a portion of the funds raised to Twyford Parish Council’s tree planting initiative, which is taking place in November.

“We hope it will contribute towards a tribute to Mr Storey,” Mr Yeadon added.

“All in all, the Fun Run was a fantastic community event, very well organised by Emma Donald.”

Thursday, October 14, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

NEWS | 17

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TWYFORD TOGETHER New gallery opens in Wokingham town centre

Runners coming homew Picture: Steve Smyth

Start of the 5K Fun Run Picture: Steve Smyth

AN ART GALLERY has opened its doors in Wokingham to show off its range of work.

Richard Young, specialising in oil paintings, has built his own studio on Alexandra Court, in the heart of Wokingham town centre.

Some of his works are on display at the gallery, which is close to the new Outfield Brewery on the way to the Elms Field development.

Mr Young recently displayed his work at the Wokingham Arts Trail, which took place last month.

The gallery showcases the work of other artists as well as services including framing, scanning and printing.

Work on show includes sculptures and original paintings.

There will also be a selection of greetings cards for special occasions featuring prints of works on display.

The building is welcoming visitors who wish to purchase any work, or to just have a browse.

Creations include original painting and sculptures.

There will be an official launch event in the coming weeks. n For more details, visit ryoungart.com

Steve Smyth

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The Abbey invites you to our forthcoming virtual open events: Junior School - 10 November, 4.30 - 5.30pm Senior School - 8 November, 4.30 - 5.30pm Sixth Form - 3 November, 4.30 - 5.30pm

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18 | NEWS

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HELEPRS: NSPCC is recruiting local volunteers. Picture: Ollie Newport

NSPCC calls for support groups

Theresa May declares Citizen Advice’s new van officially open

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today

THE NSPCC is looking for people who want to make a difference to form volunteer fundraising groups in Wokingham.

Ramblers, exercise enthusiasts, artists and anyone with a passion for putting on events and activities is welcome to join.

Freya Hollingsworth, community fundraising manager for Thames Valley, said there is an unprecedented number of children and young people suffering from abuse, neglect, online grooming and bullying.

“Although figures from police forces and our own statistics have revealed some of the reality, there are still children suffering in hidden corners,” she said. “It’s time for us to work together and rebuild our society so it’s better for our children.

“With your help, we can combat child abuse and create a better and safer world for the next generation, because no child should be left to cope alone.” n For more information, visit: join-us.nspcc.org.uk

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 14, 2021

ONE OF the borough’s MPs cut the ribbon to open a new advice van last week.

Theresa May MP, whose constituency includes Twyford, welcomed the new vehicle on Friday, October 8, at the village’s Waitrose.

The van was launched by Citizens Advice Wokingham, in a bid to take its support into the community.

It was the brain-child of chief executive Jake Morrision, who said he has been wanting the £50,000 piece of kit for about three years.

He spearheaded the internal layout, which includes a consultation room kitted out with a laptop and printer.

The aim is that citizens Advice staff can complete a full assessment for someone while parked in a community centre or supermarket car park, or even in a residential street.

The van also has a hot water heater, for tea, coffee and biscuits, said Claire Oughton, advice and operations manager at the charity.

Mrs May said she was pleased to be at the launch and welcomed the idea of bringing advice directly to those who need it.

She said it would help many people in the community, whose “lives are difficult and may become more difficult over the coming months”.

She also praised the holistic approach to helping people, with

SHOW ON THE ROAD: Charity staff and volunteers celebrated the launch of the new Citizens Advice Wokingham mobile advice van. Picture: Jess Warren other charities included in the project.

It means staff from charities such as Home Start Wokingham District, Kaleidoscopic UK, a domestic abuse charity, and The Cowshed, can all bring their advice to the road as well.

Warren Buckley, chair of national

Citizens Advice was also at the launch, and congratulated the Wokingham team on the project.

He said: “What I love about this is it removes the barrier for people. A great thing about this is the privacy it offers, that is so important.”

Mr Buckley said he had not seen a Citizens Advice van “this well thoughtout” and said it would likely feature in the charity’s national conference in November, to share the concept with other groups across the country.

Emma Roberts, scheme manager at Home Start Wokingham District said she hopes the van will be able to come to some of the charity’s mum’s groups.

“Many of our families don’t have cars,” she said. “If it comes to them, they can get they help they need.”

She also hopes it will help raise the profile of Home Start, to let more people in the community know they are there for them.

Vickie Robertson, founder of Kaleidoscopic UK, said the van will help her charity offer discreet support to people who may be victims of domestic abuse.

“It’s bringing that outreach into the community, rather than people having to come find us,” she said.

This is particularly helpful for any victims of abuse who have their phones monitored, she explained.

She said having a full consultation may also flag up other concerns, with some people coming in to discuss their finances, and staff spotting the signs of financial or coercive control.

“There is a vast amount of financial abuse,” she said. “This means we can help delve deeper, without any fear, embarrassment or shame.”

“They can pop to the shops, and come see us,” she said.

Charities and council team up to fight poverty

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PRAISE: Matthew Barber has welcomed new tools that will help tackle speeding hotspots Picture: Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

PCC praises launch of Community Speedwatch A COMMUNITY Speedwatch scheme has launched across Thames Valley this week.

It builds on a pilot in small areas of Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

Championed by the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, trained Speedwatch groups are being invited to tackle and improve road safety across the region.

As part of this, they can borrow speed detection equipment and devices.

Matthew Barber, PCC for Thames Valley, said: “We’re delighted with how the pilots have gone and that we

can now open up this scheme to the rest of the Thames Valley.

“The data gathered by Community Speedwatch will now be immediately visible to officers policing roads. The results from this work will lead into enforcement action by the police, and even notify the DVLA of breaches that fall within their jurisdiction.”

He said the work of volunteers is helping to save lives and keep people safe.

PC Lee Turnham, Thames Valley Police Community Speedwatch co-ordinator, said it will be rolled out across the region within the next three months.

CHARITIES are teaming up with the borough council to help identify and alleviate poverty in the borough.

Cllr John Halsall, leader of the borough council, said the council has promoted Citizens Advice Wokingham to lead the voluntary response to poverty.

The charity’s chief executive, Jake Morrison, is the chair of the anti-poverty forum, and is working with other organisations and the borough council to identify and help residents in need.

“The ambition is to use our resources to target people who need help, and help them out of the position they’re currently in,” Cllr Halsall said.

He said that while the council cannot supplement social security it can work in partnership with other organisations and charities to support residents.

As part of this, The Wokingham Charity and Community Hub was established in Waterford House this year.

The Wokingham town centre building is now home to voluntary, charity and community organisations, bringing them under one roof to enable people to access the right services at the right time.

NEWS | 19

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Thursday, October 14, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

‘We need your blankets’ says charity ahead of winter

Nominations open for civic awards

APPEAL: First Days is collecting blankets to keep clients warm

THE SEARCH for Wokingham town’s unsung heroes has been launched.

Wokingham Town Council is searching for people and organisations from all parts of the community and of all ages, who have made an exceptional contribution over the past 12 months.

The focus is on people who have worked to make Wokingham welcoming and inclusive; provided exceptional service; added to the cultural life; or helped Wokingham be a more environmentally friendly and sustainable town.

Online nominations are open until Friday, November 26, and a ceremony will take place on Friday, January 21 next year.

Cllr David Lee (Chairman of Civic Committee) said: “Wokingham Town Council takes great pride in recognising those who have significantly supported our Wokingham community.

“I encourage you all to think of people you know who have helped others and nominate them to be considered for this important award.”

And town mayor Cllr Tony Lack

added: “I have met so many people in Wokingham who undertake such valuable voluntary work and this year continues to be exceptional, as so many have stepped up to help others.

“We would like your help to nominate these people so that Wokingham Town Council can thank them personally.”

For examples and full criteria see www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk/civic.

Alternatively, email civic@wokinghamtc.gov.uk or call: 0118 974 0882

www.st-cecilias.wokingham.sch.uk admissions@st-cecilias.wokingham.sch.uk

New School Opening in September 2022 EXCLUSIVE

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today “HELP US help those in need,” a Wokingham charity has urged, as it launches a new support scheme in time for winter.

First Days Children’s Charity is appealing to the public for new and barely used blankets to keep residents warm over the coming months.

It is working with Wokingham Borough Council’s community engagement team and SHARE Wokingham on the project.

The trio are asking people to donate any spare supplies, which also includes winter coats, which it will redistribute among vulnerable residents.

Emma Cantrell, CEO of First Days, said her charity is also urging the community to avoid using the heating too much as part of the programme.

“We’re not saying people shouldn’t put it on, but it’s extraordinary the amount of money they can save by using their heating slightly less and putting on blankets and jumpers,” she said.

“To facilitate this, we want to make sure we can give blankets and warm clothes to those who will struggle the most with the cost.

“We’re worried families and vulnerable, older people won’t put the heating on and become very poorly, and in extreme cases, they might not survive the cold.”

Ms Cantrell said it is “fantastic” to partner with the council and SHARE on this year’s project, but is worried about rising demand for her charity’s services.

She said as fuel and energy costs increase, and food prices are projected to rise, people could face “significant problems”.

“It’s a real nightmare, a perfect storm,” she explained. “Families have seen a loss in their income and no matter whether the universal credit increase was temporary or not, price rises and increased living costs will have a huge effect.

“Today, we are seeing families able to afford less and less essential items for their children.”

Ms Cantrell also fears fellow Wokingham borough charities will not be able to cope with a rise in need this winter.

“I don’t think any local groups are prepared for increased demand,” she said. “So if local people want to support us, financial donations are really important.

“I encourage everyone to choose a local cause and get behind it, to share some of that responsibility.” n To find out more about donating blankets and other ways to support First Days Children’s Charity, visit: www.firstdays.net

A new school with the capacity of up to 210 children aged between 4 and 11 with a 26 place nursery on the Matt tth hewsgreen development in Wokingham 



Apply for Reception places through your Local Authority

Apply for Nursery places through the school (via the website below)

Open Days Friday 15 October 2021 at 9am Thursday 4 November 2021 at 6pm Tuesday 30 November 2021 at 9:30am Monday 10 January 2022 at 9am

To find out more about this new school and to book your place on one of these sessions please email admin@st-cecilias.wokingham.sch.uk

www.st-cecilias.wokingham.sch.uk

20 | NEWS

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 14, 2021

CROWTHORNE&FINCHAMPSTEAD Right at Home owners from across the country met as a group for the first �me for a while recently, during which we all had a great opportunity to compare notes, learn from each other on great care �ps, and catch up on all the latest & greatest news and innova�ons within Right at Home and across the care sector as a whole.

Listening to presenta�ons and having informal conversa�ons with everyone from Right at Home UK CEO Ken Deary, to the equally inspira�onal Olympic champion athletes Roger Black & Steve Backley, and the other Right at Home owners and partner organisa�ons that we work with, had me reflec�ng on the last 3½ years of our service in Reading & Wokingham.

From day 1 we have built our service on a core belief that in order to deliver the best care, a care company has to also care for its carers. We invest heavily in hiring great people, and then also offering the best support, ongoing training, mentoring, career prospects and the feel-good factor of being part of a mul�-award winning locally owned & managed care company.

My own personal family experience of seeing the impact of great care and not so great care on not only the people being cared for, but also the carers themselves mo�vated me to start Right at Home in Reading & Wokingham. When thinking about what kind of care I’d want for my own parents (and one day, myself!), I carefully researched the care sector, and I soon realised that there are different approaches to care.

For example, a member of my family had worked as a carer for a care company near her home town, and while she absolutely adored the role and the people she would visit, ended up leaving care completely due to the stresses of the role – she was always rushed, never felt she had �me to actually care for her clients, was alone and felt unsupported by her management. A truly lovely person, and a credit to the caring profession, was no longer there to help the vulnerable people in her local area.

Around the same �me, my own mum was helping a close friend in his 90’s (an ex Naval officer) who had been discharged from hospital a�er a short illness. He had previous experience of a care company but had found it unsa�sfactory and was resis�ng the idea of any care at home – wan�ng to cope alone. My mum however was worried about him and felt that it must be possible to design a service for him that he would appreciate, while also keeping him safe. Together they found a local care company.

A few weeks later, at a family get-together I met him for the first �me in several months and could not believe the transforma�on in him. He looked amazing and his self-confidence had returned. I remarked to him how well he looked, and he immediately said to me “Yes, that’s because of my caregiver”. He explained to me that every morning she makes sure he has a fresh shirt ironed, his shoes polished, as part of ge�ng ready for the day. He spoke glowingly about how much he was enjoying the visits and the fun conversa�ons he had with his caregivers. The care company? Right at Home, in his home town near the south coast. They had arranged unrushed visits, understood what, as a Navy man was really important to him, and even managed to match a main carer who’s father was in the Navy.

This was a big part of what convinced me to open a Right at Home for our community, here in Reading and Wokingham District. My en�re team is dedicated to always going the extra mile and delivering the best care we possibly can. The accolades we have racked up since 2018 are testament to our amazing team: �Rated Outstanding for Caring by CQC �Rated 10/10 by our clients �Top 20 Most Recommended SE England 2019, 2020, 2021. �100% Client Sa�sfac�on in an annual anonymous survey, 2019, 2020, 2021 �5*Review status on Indeed (a leading recruitment website) �5*Star Employer Award 2019, 2020, 2021 If you, a friend, neighbour or family member would like to learn more about our care services, or about our career opportuni�es, give us a call or contact us via our website.

Kevin Lancaster

Right at Home Reading & Wokingham District

A vase of mixed garden-grown flowers - Sylvia Hawes

Six mixed fuchsia florets – Chris Spinks

Five tomatoes – Chris Spinks

Three types of vegetables – Margaret Wade

Four potatoes – Dick Hawes

Two Cucumbers – Margaret Wade

A good harvest, abet virtual, for California gardeners CALIFORNIA Gardeners’ Club members recently displayed their enthusiasm for growing by holding an online virtual autumn show.

Entry was via photograph and the quality of the vegetables and flowers shown was judged professionally.

Despite the difficult growing season this year, members showed they had been able to overcome it.

Some of the first prize winners are pictured on this page, complete with winners’ names.

For our October talk, we were very pleased to be able

Six fuchsia florets, the same variety – Mary Ede to return to meeting in person, with appropriate safety precautions in place.

Tony Weston gave us an interesting presentation on the history of Brownsea Island.

Our next meeting is on Monday, November 1, at 7.30pm. This will

also be together again at the Ratepayers’ Hall, Finchampstead with a speaker on the National Trust’s Nuffield House, near Henley.

If you are interested in gardening and growing, the natural world as well as places of interest, why not consider joining our friendly club?

We pride ourselves on the wide range of our talks and the social nature of our club. There is something for everyone.

Membership offers so much more.

We have a trading hut at reduced prices, an interesting newsletter, regular tips and

hints on gardening, a Facebook group, shows ... to mention but a few.

Membership is still free for the next few months, so why not come along to one of our monthly meetings to give us a try? You would be most welcome.

We meet on the first Monday of the month at the Ratepayers’ Hall, Finchampstead, RG40 3RL. Doors open at 7.30pm .

For details, email: californiagardenersclub@ gmail.com, or log on to www. californiagardenersclub.co.uk

JULIA GOODALL

to Event to help prevent Church help shoebox appeal domestic abuse EXCLUSIVE

By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today TO MARK Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a prevention convention will be held at Finchampstead Baptist Church next Thursday.

The event, on Gorse Ride North, will be hosted by domestic abuse charity Kaleidoscopic UK, on Thursday, October 21.

After last year’s event was cancelled due to covid, founder Vickie Robertson is looking forward to it going ahead this year.

Miss Robertson said: “We can all help prevent domestic abuse from happening, and we can all make an effort to make sure we are all as robust as possible.

“There’s so many different areas of abuse, no one is exempt from it, and we need to all be more aware of spotting the signs of it sooner.”

Visitors will be welcomed by BBC Radio Berkshire presenter, Michelle Jordan, patron of Kaleidoscopic UK. Speakers include Dr Jessica Taylor, Nicole Jacobs, Chris Green, Jennifer Gilmour, Lisa Lee, Jake Morrison, Karin Walker and more.

GUEST: Nicole Jacobs will speak at a domestic violence conference “With the prevention convention, we really want people to understand that abusers can be violent in so many different ways, so it’s important we all know what to look out for,” Miss Robertson explained.

The event is part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Miss Robertson is encouraging more people to talk about domestic abuse to each other.

“We need to get comfortable with the uncomfortable, and we need to start having those conversations where it’s OK to talk about domestic abuse,” she said.

“The subject is still very much taboo, so if we open up

those conversations so that it becomes normalised, we can start raising more awareness and supporting those around us.”

Miss Robertson added that the community can share Kaleidoscopic UK’s posts and campaigns to get people talking.

“There’s so many ways you can get involved with our charity, whether it’s volunteering for us or even just highlighting what we do for victims,” she said.

The event will run from 9.30am until 4pm.

Tickets cost £70, which includes a buffet lunch. n For more details, or to book, log on to: kaleidoscopic.uk

CROWTHORNE Baptist Church will be a drop off point for Samaritan’s Purse Shoeboxes.

It is part of Operation Christmas Child, which helps underprivileged children around the world. The charity encourages residents to create a box that filled with toys, school supplies or hygiene items.

The church, on Crowthorne High Street, is a drop off point on Wednesday, October 27, at 10am.

People can bring ready packed boxes of help pack others throughout the morning.

The church is open every weekday morning, as well as Sundays.

For more details, visit: samaritanspurse.org.uk

NEWS | 21

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Thursday, October 14, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

SONNING, RUSCOMBE, To advertise in this section, TWYFORD&HURST, NEWS REMENHAM & WARGRAVE call Claire on 0118 327 2662 Elowyn sets sights Hurst homes plan on on Paralympics SUPER SWIMMER: Elowyn Meeres has been selected for a training programme which could lead her to the Paralympic Games Picture: The Piggott School

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today A TWYFORD youngster has her sights set on competing in the Paralympic Games, after being recognised for her swimming prowess.

Elowyn Meeres, 12, from The Piggott School, was selected for the British Paralympic Youth Development squad last month.

The Year 8 pupil has since enrolled onto Swim England’s National Talent Development Programme to begin advancing her professional career.

“I was honestly [shocked] when I got the email,” Elowyn said.

“There were around nine people added [to the Talent Development Programme] this year from the whole of England.”

The youngster will now go to swimming camp to learn more about the sport and enter a series of competitive events up and down the country.

She is currently training for the National Para-Swimming Championships which will take place in December, after previously entering the contest last year.

Elowyn’s mother, Anna, said the family is “extremely proud” of her daughter’s achievements.

“It’s huge for her because for a change, she’s not seen as someone

with a disability,” Ms Meeres explained. “In the pool, she’s just Elowyn and is seen for nothing other than her swimming.”

Elowyn is the first in her family to become a professional swimmer.

“I’ve always loved [it],” the youngster explained. “It’s always been a part of me and I’ve been swimming for as long as I can remember.”

And Ms Meeres said it has been fantastic watching her daughter’s passion for the sport grow.

“Elowyn was born with no muscle build up and curvature of the spine so when she was baby, even just to feed was painful,” she said. “She was in a hydrotherapy pool from six months old, so she’s always been a water baby.”

The Year 8 pupil now swims with the Wycombe District Swimming Club five times a week.

“It’s such a supportive and encouraging atmosphere,” her mother added. “Watching her progress and grow as a person has been fantastic.”

Looking to the future, Elowyn said her goal is now to “get to [her] top level” and one day attend an international event.

“Maybe the Paralympics, but I know I’m getting way ahead of myself,” she said. “[But] I think working up the way I am will help me get there one day.”

ISOBEL JENKIN FROM TWYFORD VIEWS THE PLANS PICTURE: Sue Corcoran

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today

A company wanting up to 300 homes built on a green field has cut 50 homes from the plan and added a tennis court and outdoor gym.

But there are claims that an extra road into the site, added to the plan, could mean 200 more vehicles using narrow Tape Lane in Hurst. Tape Lane is an access only road used by children walking to school.

Residents protesting against the plan are not impressed by the changes and are keeping up their fight.

The two groups involved have different tactics though.

Protect Hurst Action Group had urged residents not to go to the Hurst Village Hall exhibition last Thursday which revealed the land promoters Mactaggart & Mickel’s changes.

PHAG said: “Unless you are emphatically stating you are against any development on this site, from past experience, any other comments made will be used

by Mactaggart & Mickel to imply your support when they submit their outline planning application.”

But Mactaggart & Mickel told people: “Any improvements you suggest will not be used to imply your support for the development.”

Hurst Village Society encouraged visits to the exhibition. Chairman Jo Newbold said: “It is only if we are all familiar with the proposals that we can make sure we act as one in raising issues in any subsequent planning application process.”

The 300 homes would have added about a third (34%) more homes to Hurst’s current 876. Cutting 50 would mean 28.5% more.

Protect Hurst Action Group said: “It does not matter whether it’s 250, 300 or 10 homes: the field should not be developed. That development would be contrary to policy and outside the development limit of Hurst. The field is part of the rural character of Hurst. It is a green field site.”

Mrs Newbold and HVS planning member John Osborne went to the exhibition. Mrs Newbold said: “While they have reduced the number of homes down to 250 it in no way mitigates the fact that HVS and we believe the majority of the residents of Hurst do not want this development, no matter how they present it.

“We are a rural village and that is how we would like it to stay. This is an ongoing process and therefore there is very little more we can add at this time until a planning application has been submitted.”

Conor Roberts of Mactaggart & Mickel said the biggest change as a result of their earlier consultation was the cut of 50 homes. “We have listened to people,” he said.

THERE’S still time for residents to have their say on a new development in Twyford.

Last month, Wokingham Borough Council launched a consultation on a 20 metre tower near Stanlake Park.

Proposed by EE, the lattice tower will be built on land off Waltham Road, adjacent to Stanlake Meadow Recreation Ground.

If approved. it would support six antenna and four dishes, and would be built with radio equipment cabinets within a fenced compound.

The consultation began on Tuesday, September 28 and will end on Tuesday, October 19.

For more information, visit wokingham.gov.uk and search for planning application number 213193.

n The exhibition is at Hurst Village Hall tonight, 3.30pm7.30pm. Details are at www. landeastoflodgeroad.co.uk

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Proms-style concert Twyford tower comes to Twyford consultation THE SOUND of music is coming to Twyford.

Thru-Christ is hosting the Christian Aid Concert to raise funds for the charity’s fight against global poverty.

It will feature performances from Reading Accordion Group and the Greyfriars Wind Quintet.

Music will cover a range of genres, from ragtime to military marches and Mozart to Andrew Lloyd Webber, with a note to Last Night of the Proms to finish.

The concert will take place in St Mary’s Church, Twyford, at 7pm on Saturday, October 23.

Tickets cost £3.17 and all profits will be donated to Christian Aid. To find out more, visit: www. eventbrite.co.uk/e/christian-aidconcert-tickets-170472393518

He said the company had been talking to Wokingham Borough Council. “Following their suggestions we have included an access for a limited number of units [homes] from Tape Lane.”

There are complaints about fast traffic in Tape Lane.

Mr Roberts said: “To reduce speed of traffic coming up Tape Lane we have included traffic calming on that new access road. The way the junction is designed will act as natural traffic calming.”

Asked about Tape Lane being an access only road, with the aim to cut traffic, he added: “Wokingham wanted more than one access to the [development] site.”

The new access road would not create a cut through the whole site, and details would be discussed with Wokingham. More trees would be planted than first suggested, with the site part of the Queen’s Green Canopy scheme.

At the village hall villager Eric Rockall, who is retired, said the plan would spoil the village.

“People would think they were moving out into the country. Instead country would be taken away from Hurst.

“Almost 100 cars could come out into Tape Lane and then onto Broadwater Lane.

It’s not the best of junctions.

Possibly 400 extra cars could come out of the Lodge Road access road. I’m not at all reassured by their changes.”

Isobel Jenkin of Twyford said “I’m keeping an open mind. We have to have a compromise. People need housing. I’m concerned about them building larger houses which people from London come down to buy. We need more key worker houses.

Hurst could provide them.

But I would like to see some countryside left.”

Mactaggart & Mickel wants residents’ views on the changed plan. Wokingham Borough Council will ask for comments on the eventual outline planning application.

Cllr Wayne Smith, executive member for planning at Wokingham Borough Council told Wokingham.Today: “The developer did meet with our highways team and were advised that due to the size of the proposed development that more than one access would be required. The location for the second access was not discussed, nor was the number of dwellings per access.

“Our highways team also explained that the proposed development would need to be assessed using our strategic traffic model. As with all sites, the access would need to be designed and be subject to a Road Safety Audit process.”

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22 | NEWS

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 14, 2021

To advertise in this section, call Claire on 0118 327 2662

WOODLEY&EARLEYNEWS Wellbeing fayre on Saturday A COMMUNITY and Wellbeing Fayre will be held this weekend.

On Saturday, the health and wellbeing team at the Earley+ Primary Care Network, which includes Brookside Group Practice and Wilderness Road Surgery, will host the event.

It will run from 12.30pm to 3.30pm at the Salvation Army, Lower Earley, and bring together organisations and charities who want to show how they can support people’s wellbeing.

There will be more than 12 stalls, including Citzens Advice Wokingham, CAP, Involve, The Link Visiting Scheme, The Friendship Alliance, Reading Men’s Shed, and Earley Help Hub. And refreshments will be provided by the Salvation Army team.

The afternoon event aims to build on support offered to patients, showcase support on offer and help residents feel connected with their community.

Organisers say the event will be fun, interactive and family-friendly.

Winter coat event next week A BOROUGH charity is keeping families warm this winter.

First Days Children’s Charity is holding a winter coat event on Wednesday, October 20.

It will run from 1pm to 4pm in Woodley Town Centre.

“We will be handing out coats for children and teens,” a charity spokesperson said.

Families can bring along any coats their children have outgrown, or drop them into the orange donation bin at Woodford Park Leisure Centre.

Coats must be clean and in good condition. n For more information, call: 0118 9219 338

Battle of the bees: Earley dad duo talk hives and honey

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today WHAT started with a love for the environment has spiralled into a battle of the bees in Earley.

Two urban bee-keepers are in the midst of a “merch war”, after igniting their competitive side.

Daniel Fryer, owner of Rainbow Hives, and Matt McTernan, owner of Earley Garden Bees, are trying to out-do one another on their best logo-printed merchandise, after deep diving into their hobby.

The competition started when Mr McTernan introduced Mr Fryer, fellow school dad, to the world of honeybees.

With hives of his own, he gave Mr Fryer his first colony.

Mr McTernan said Mr Fryer caught the bug for bee-keeping and went from one hive to eight within months.

That is when the competition began.

“It all started when I had a logo made for Rainbow Hives,” Mr Fryer said.

“It was coming up to Christmas, so I had hoodies made for my children with it.

“We rocked up at Matt’s house with the stuff, and his daughter

BUZZING: Daniel Fryer of Rainbow Hives and Matt McTernan of Earley Garden Bees.

Picture: Earley Garden Bees turned around and said ‘Dad, they’ve got merch’.

“It just escalated from there.”

Since then, the fathers have been trying to out-do one another, creating mugs, magnets, hoodies, badges and business cards.

“It’s all got a bit daft,” Mr Fryer said. “But I think Matt is currently the winner.

“When we had a stall at the Great

Big Green Week Fair at St Nicolas Church, he had flags made for us both. I’m going to have to think how we can ramp it up from here.”

The pair now refer to themselves as BBBFs — Best Beekeeping Buddies Forever.

“We’ve helped set up another urban bee-keeper in Woodley,” Mr Fryer said. “It’s so rewarding. The thing is with bees, they constantly

catch you unaware. You’re always learning with them.”

Despite not being a huge fan of honey, Mr Fryer said he is sitting on a glut this year.

One hive produced 50kg.

His other three produced 10kg between them.

“It can be completely different,” he explained. “It all depends on the colony. Their genetics can vary quite a lot.”

Mr McTernan said his bees have had their best year yet, producing 80kg of honey among them.

“There has been plenty for the bees to forage this year,” he said. “In an urban environment, there’s lots of plants in people’s gardens all year round.

“It’s a bumper crop.”

The duo both sell their honey at £5 per eight ounce jar, and have plenty left.

Mr McTernan also uses his honey to make lip balms, soap and hand moisturiser.

The pair even attempted making a honey gin this summer, which was enjoyed among family.

“Daniel’s was rubbish,” Mr McTernan said. “Mine was the best.” n The two bee-keepers can be reached at @RainbowHivesBees or @earleygarden on Facebook.

History of Woodley for sale in book RESIDENTS can learn some more about their area, with help from a new book.

A History of Woodley explores the town’s past, having grown from a clearing in the woods to a town.

Topics include urban development, street names, shops, pubs and accounts from the residents of the town during the Second World War and VE Day.

The book was researched and written by members of Woodley and District U3A, Reading U3A and Wokingham U3A. Copies can be bought for £10, in cash.

It is available at Woodley Town Council offices, Woodley News in Crockhamwell Road and Fourbears bookshop in Caversham.

No to homes plan THE PLAN to build a Lidl and 43 homes in Lower Earley has been recommended for refusal again.

Last month, developer Lower Earley Properties submitted a revision to the application at Swallows Meadow.

But Earley Town Council’s planning committee has recommended refusal a second time, stating that the developers “have not responded to any of the town council’s concerns”.

On Tuesday, October 5, the town council said that the development is inappropriate, would lead to the loss of wildlife and trees, and would get rid of a crucial environmental buffer between Lower Earley and the M4.

The advisory recommendations are sent to

the borough council.

After the meeting, Earley Town Council leader, Cllr Clive Jones, said: “Swallows Meadows is not an appropriate place to build 43 houses and a supermarket. It is a very important green corridor. That is how it should remain.

“It’s very disappointing that Reading University, who do so much good around our area, decided to try to make a few quid out of this land and sell it to a developer who’s trying very hard to squeeze in 43 houses and the supermarket.”

A spokesman for Lower Earley Properties said: “Given the level of public interest, it is only right that Wokingham Borough Council brings the application before its planning committee so elected members can make the final decision.”

Woodley and Earley Lions host firework night at Laurel Park FIREWORKS will be lighting up Lower Earley next month.

The Woodley and Earley Lions Club is organising a charity firework display on Saturday, November 6.

The event will be held at Laurel Park, with gates opening at 5.30pm for a 7pm firework display.

Club member Kim Oakley said the Lions are exited to host the event, after it was cancelled last year due to the pandemic.

Tickets cost £10 for adults, and £5 for children. n For more information or to buy tickets, visit: www.pta-events. co.uk

Thursday, 14, 30, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday,October September 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

To Toadvertise, advertise,call call0118 0118327 3272662 2662

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24 | NEWS

Honest motherhood Angela Garwood

Vegan cake and the joys of Audible

I

T’S my daughter Maia’s birthday this week. So, as usual, I am spending my nights going over “the list”.

It’s all in order and I’m nearly ready, but I haven’t fully recovered from the stress of preparing for Joel’s birthday.

Each year we say the same thing: “Can we just be normal this time, a couple of presents, I don’t have the time...”

Each year this intention goes down the drain.

My birthday comes first, in May, so he sets the bar. There’ll be giant helium balloons, large acrossthe-wall handmade bunting and far too many presents for a young adult.

Because he’s gone to all the effort, which is not easy with two young children, I cannot then disappoint with, in comparison, a measly card and a couple of gifts.

This year to make matters worse, he’d upped his game further and gotten creative.

One envelope contained a “token” for a year’s worth of online audiobook library Audible (something I’d been curious about) which meant he’d actually listened every time I complained that I don’t consume enough books and had taken the relevant problem-solving action.

(This and he got tired of me repeatedly proclaiming, “I want to listen to books on the go, in the in between moments, I’m going to get Audible”).

Well now, thanks to Joel, I have the delightful rich southern drawl of Matthew McConaughey accompanying me as I drive the children to their various activities. It’s brilliant, I feel almost productive, absorbing a book whilst taking Maia to Stagecoach. Win, win.

Joel had also put together a photo album (personalised, with “288 days of Leo” in gold down the spine) where he’d stuck (self-adhesive, not slide-in) around 50 – again well-chosen – of our happiest post-Leo memories, then written amusing captions beside each. It took him nearly four hours.

I know because I had the children.

Now I’ve always done photos albums for Joel’s birthdays but this one was another level of attention-to-detail. I was chuffed. But also slighted miffed because all of this meant it was on me to reciprocate. Which I did.

The freshly-painted bunting, usual albums and framed prints of Leo’s feet, check. Hip-hop artwork (he’s an avid hip-hop fan), vegan hamper (still a vegan, it has unfortunately stuck), theatre tickets (possibly more for me than him), check.

But this year I went the extra mile, pushed the boat out and attempted something I’d have previously thought impossible. I baked. I baked a perfectly edible, somewhat delectable actually, and even visually pleasing, VEGAN cake.

Joel claimed it was “amazing”, scoffing two generous slices a day until it was gone. I wasn’t so keen but rode the wave of pride that I’d been able to bake it, ice it, hide it AND clear away all hints of any baking activity.

He knew I was baking a cake but only because he asked 700 times whether I was and by the 100th I got annoyed and snapped “WHY DO YOU HAVE TO RUIN IT! STOP ASKING! THERE WILL BE NO CAKE.” By the end of his birthday I felt like I’d pulled off some huge complex event.

I’m doing it all over again this week. For a straight talking no-nonsense will-tell-it-like-it-isto-my-face soon to be eight-year-old.

I do hope she’s happy with her shop-bought Rainbow cake. This time I’m pouring my energy into wrapping her ridiculous number of presents.

Her bunting also needs painting. It is a lot.

Wish me luck.

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

Stuart gets £2,400 for the Wooden Spoon A WOKINGHAM man says completing the London Marathon was one of the best experiences of his life.

Stuart Hiscocks, 44, took up running three years ago and is member of Finchcoasters running club.

“The atmosphere was just brilliant – hearing your name being cheered and having my kids, my girlfriend, my parents, sister and her husband, and my niece and nephew all supporting me,” he says.

“The last five miles was hard as I had to dig deep, mentally, to overcome physical pain to carry on running and not walk.”

He completed the city’s event in four hours and 20 minutes, raising money for Wooden Spoon, a children’s rugby charity, in the process.

Stuart’s son plays for Bracknell RFC and his parents have been long-term supporters of the charity.

Barkham man com London Marathon

By Jess Warren jwarren@wokingham.today A BARKHAM man went it alone this year, as he completed the Virtual London Marathon in aid of a Woodley charity.

RUNNER: Stuart raised more than £2,400 for charity by completing the London Marathon. Picture: Stuart Hiscocks He raised more than £2,400, and says the whole day was amazing.

Wooden Spoon funds lifechanging projects that support children and young people with disabilities or living in disadvantage.

Harvest time with Freely Fruity Sunday, October 3 – 85.7kg, donated To Love My Neighbour.

This week’s harvest included: potatoes, carrots, spring onions, beetroots, radishes, cooking and eating apples, chard, spinach, kale, cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli, runner beans, French beans, leeks, marrows, pumpkins, butternut squash, chillies and peppers.

This week’s total – 85.7kg 2021 total to date – 1,535.6kg

‘The families we support kept me motivated’ A CHARITY founder says thinking about people in need kept her motivated at this year’s London Marathon.

Emma Cantrell, CEO of Wokingham-based First Days Children’s Charity, took part in the run on Sunday, October 3.

She raced to raise money for her anti-poverty charity – and says it was overwhelming to cross the finish line.

“It was very hard,” Emma says.

“Obviously it’s meant to be a hard event but it really was a challenge.

“I was just really proud to have finished it.”

Emma ran this year’s London Marathon alongside three other First Days sponsors. In total, they raised approximately £8,000.

“We’re really happy with that, and raising the money is what it’s all about,” the charity CEO says.

“As I was hitting the wall at 20 miles, I did think about some of the families we support and the difference the money would make, which was really motivating.

“It was really humbling.”

After completing the race in fiveand-a-half hours, Emma says it truly was a one in a lifetime experience.

“It was an amazing feeling to cross the finish line, but I won’t be putting my name down again,” she explains.

“But I’ve been really overwhelmed by people’s generosity – it’s very humbling.”

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 14, 2021

Chris Hunt, founder of a mind, body and life coaching company, The FUNdaMENTAL Coach, and former Royal Marine, was one of 10 fundraising for the Me2 Club.

The charity helps children with additional needs and disabilities join mainstream clubs and activities with the help of a buddy.

Chris says he was approached by the charity on the same day he was considering a new challenge.

“It was life fate,” he says. “Hours before, I had been chatting to a client about how I wanted to set myself a new target.

“Then I found out the marathon was on my birthday — I had to do it.”

Embarking on a 20 week training programme for long-distance running, Chris says the key to marathon success was consistency.

“When I was a marine, I did quite a bit of running, but not at this distance,” he says. “I made sure to get out and do my three training runs a week — a relaxed run, an interval run, and a longer distance run.

“When you have structure, you’re laughing.”

He says being a coach and talking to clients holds him accountable for the challenges he takes on, and adds that having a charity to fundraiser for gave him a reason to complete the distance.

But running the posed some challenges.

Two weeks before the big day, Chris sprained his ankle. With a red, swollen foot, he took a week off training and hoped it would not impact his performance too much on the day.

As it was the Virtual London marathon, Chris created the route himself, based off his own training runs,

MAN ON A MISSION: Chris Hunt, aka The FUN

Joanne raises over £2,500 for Ollie Young Foundation SUCCESS: The First Days team with their marathon medals The money raised will now be invested across First Days’ services to help families in need in Wokingham borough.

Emma says as demand for her charity’s services continue to rise, she is grateful for the support.

“When you run a small charity, knowing that people believe enough in you and the cause to put their hand in their pocket means a lot,” she says.

“We’re trying to meet the demand that has gone up substantially over the last year or so, and knowing the difference every single penny makes means this money will be a great help.” n To find out more about the charity and its ongoing campaigns, visit: www.firstdays.net

A WOKINGHAM runner has raised over £2,000 for the Ollie Young Foundation after completing the London Marathon earlier this month.

Joanne Lee, who completed the event on Sunday, October 3, supported the Wokingham-based charity as it has always been “close to her heart”.

“I always said that if I was lucky enough to take part in the London Marathon that I would support the Ollie Young Foundation,” Mrs Lee said.

“The atmosphere in London on the day was incredible and it was amazing having such a big crowd of supporters cheering you on.”

Having never done a marathon before, Mrs Lee had downloaded a training programme from the marathon website, to get her into gear ahead of the day.

She has raised £2,622 for the charity so far, which will provide vital funds towards brain tumour research in children.

She said she has been “blown away” by the support from the community.

“I initially had a target of £500, which I thought would be achievable, and it’s been amazing to raise so much more than that,” she said.

“The community are touched by the charity, Ollie was a classmate to my son and so many people have messaged me to say it’s great I’ve done this to support the Ollie Young Foundation.

“Seeing the donations flood in really helped me, especially on the long training runs, it pushed me through and helped me completed the marathon.”

Sarah Simpson, Ollie’s Mum who helps run Ollie Young Foundation, thanked Mrs Lee for supporting the charity.

“Huge congratulations to Joanne for competing the London

NEWS | 25

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Thursday, October 14, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

mpletes Virtual n on his birthday

Ben’s run was personal

FINISH LINE: Ben Gee celebrates running the London Marathon Picture: Ben Gee

NEXT WEEK

3 A WOKINGHAM business owner hit the streets of London earlier this month to support a very personal cause.

NdaMENTAL Coach, ran a virtual London Marathon to mark his big day and incorporating the Wokingham Half marathon route.

“I had my tracker on me so I knew how far I’d run,” he says.

He set off at 6.55am and returned home three hours, 52 minutes and 14 seconds later, coming in under four hours as he had hoped.

“My wife and kids cheered me as I was running back to the house,” he says. “It can be tough running on your own for that amount of time.”

He raised almost £800, with all 10 runners for Me2 Club raising a total of £9,794.

Liz McDaniel, fundraising manager at the Me2 Club thanked all of the runners for their support.

“We really do appreciate how hard this challenge was for those running without the normal roar of the crowds to keep them going,” she says.

Liz says the money will be used to help more children enjoy an activity safely and confidently.

“We’ll achieve this by recruiting and training even more specialist volunteers who can help a child to join in, and benefit from, the activity they enjoy,” she explains.

Liz says children and young people throughout Wokingham and Reading don’t need a formal diagnosis to access the charity’s support. n To find out more about the Me2 Club, visit: www.me2club.org.uk

FINISH LINE: Wokinghamresident Joanne Lee completed the London Marathon on Sunday, October 3, running in aid of the Ollie Young Foundation

Ben Gee, founder of estate agency Hat and Home, ran the London Marathon to raise money for Parkinson’s UK. It formed part of a year-long family fundraiser to support the charity after Ben was diagnosed with the disease last year.

And after his latest challenge, with a bit of help from family, friends and his own company, he has now raised more than £8,500.

“After I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I decided to raise money for the charity because it is so unbelievably underfunded, yet makes such a huge difference,” Ben says.

“I’ve met so many people affected by the disease that get support from the organisation and it’s humbling to see.”

Ben, who completed his marathon in five hours and 19 minutes, said running the race had been a lifelong goal.

“I probably didn’t do as much training as I should have done, and it was quite daunting,” he said.

“But running your own business

to support the Ollie Young Foundation along her journey and doubly grateful to her for raising over a whopping £2,500.”

n To donate, log on to: bit.ly/3letdrK

n To find out more about Parkinson’s UK, visit: www.parkinsons.org.uk

Walking through a woodland Bathed in autumn glow Scrunching through leaves, Breathing fecund, earthy fragrance.

I glimpse tiny berries, red, white, Sparkling like jewels In the late autumn sunshine.

I think you’re weeping really.

Crying out lost loves, disappointments, Past regrets, broken promises and dreams.

They all come silently, slowly down

WOKIN G

HAM TO

DAY

THE VO I OF THECE BOROU GH NEWS ,S WHAT PORT, AND MS ON ORE

DON'T MISS IT

POETRY CORNER Falling leaves, broken dreams

Then you capture my attention, Your size, your beauty, your majesty Your grace and your strength.

You shed leaves like soft, golden tears Fluttering gently to the ground, Letting go, just letting go.

Marathon,” she said.

“It was tough in both mind and body but what an awesome achievement for her.

“We are so grateful that she chose

puts pressure on the time available.

“The crowds were absolutely unbelievable though, shouting your name, willing you on and giving you so much encouragement.

“Given the fact I don’t find running particularly easy anymore, it was all about finishing the race for me, but I am pleased I did it in a sensible time.”

He said the experience has helped him realise how generous the people are around him, too.

“It makes you realise how much people care about supporting causes close to your heart,” Ben adds.

“But as much as this is a huge amount of money, it’s nowhere near enough.

“On Sunday evening, after finishing the marathon, I vowed I would never run it again but I entered the ballot again – so next year, we’ll set Hat and Home an even bigger target.”

In September, Ben’s wife, Jacquie, completed the Three Peaks Challenge for charity and their son, Austin, played football for five hours earlier in the year.

PAPERS IN ONE

Until you’re naked, boughs undressed, Stripped, sparse, empty, bare.

Seeming vulnerable, yet standing strong, Resilient and quietly dignified, Standing alone, yet deeply rooted, As you wait quietly for winter’s end, Knowing the lighter, warmer days will come.

Understanding that you had to lose and let go To grow stronger and more beautiful.

By Tina Cathleen MacNaughton From On the Shoulders of Lions (The Choir Press) www.writerhymespoetry.com

We love receiving readers’ poetry.

Email your submissions to letters@wokingham.today

- GOOD NEWS EVERY THURSDAY

PLACE A REGULAR ORDER VIA YOUR LOCAL NEWSAGENTS

26 | VIEWPOINTS

WOKINGHAM.TODAY THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

Protecting our heritage

EVERY town, village and city has reminders of time past.

They might be war memorials, village halls, ancient manors or castle ruins.

Each has a story to tell, a story unique to that area.

The art deco building in Woodley is one such place. Home to much activity from Miles as part of the aerodrome, it has had an incredible past.

Helping the Allies win the Second World War in the air; producing pens; manufacturing unique aircraft – the past is incredible.

And it is also the final landmark to Woodley’s proud heritage.

It is disappointing to learn that the building could go, lock, stock and barrel.

If it does disappear, like the needless destruction of East Reading’s Victorian swimming baths, a direct link to the past will be lost forever.

It is vandalism to consider taking away these buildings. The compromise – keeping the frontage – must be considered if the interiors cannot be saved. Let’s cherish the past.

CHURCH NOTES

Together for COP26

A

FEW weeks ago, Archbishop Justin, Pope Francis and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew issued a powerful and historic joint statement on the environment as part of the preparations for COP 26.

Their joint statement was followed on 4 October by a gathering of faith leaders from across the world in the Vatican and the issuing of a new joint statement by all the world’s religions: Faith and Science: an appeal for COP 26. The appeal was presented to COP26 President-Designate, the Rt Hon Alok Sharma, and the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Luigi Di Maio Again this is a remarkable common statement issued at a critical time. Leaders from the great faith traditions have recognised the crisis which faces our common home.

Together, the faith leaders have spoken to the whole world appealing for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; improve financial support for fighting climate change and preserving biodiversity.

The wisdom of the faiths is combined with the insights of the sciences. They call for great ambition at the COP 26 gathering, which is now just days away.

But the faith leaders are not simply asking governments to do something. They recognise that the followers of religious traditions have a crucial part to play in addressing the crisis of our common home.

So they commit to much more serious action and to recognising our obligation to future generations, to the poorest who are suffering most, and to young people: exactly the course we have set as a diocese.

Please take a moment to read the statement in full, and please continue to pray for COP 26 that it may truly be a turning point for the world.

The Rt Revd Steven Croft is the bishop of Oxford. This is taken from his blog at oxford.anglican.org

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Your letters Send your thoughts to letters@wokingham.today

Restore the Universal Credit cut MOST Wokingham residents are feeling the pinch right now, as wages stagnate, prices rise and shortages of everything from petrol to fresh vegetables start to bite.

While the government belatedly calls in the army to try to make up for its own planning failures, crops rot in the fields and produce is being thrown away because there are not enough people to pick, process and distribute it.

These were all widely predicted problems. The government should have launched a national training scheme for HGV drivers many months ago; having failed to do so they are blaming individual businesses.

With winter coming on and bills for food and heating spiralling ever higher, the government has chosen this moment to cut £20 a week from the incomes of those struggling to survive on Universal Credit.

For those already struggling to make ends meet, this is a devastating blow. Our Conservative MPs are suggesting that they can just make up the difference by working longer hours.

But over 40% of those receiving Universal Credit are already working full time jobs, and many have families and other caring responsibilities. How are they going to find the time and at what cost?

Where are they going to find affordable childcare to cover these extra hours?

Are we really asking those in poor health to work two jobs just to survive?

We shouldn’t forget that even for those who can work longer hours, any wage increase means less Universal Credit, making it even harder for people to close the gap.

The foodbanks are braced for another sharp increase in clients who would otherwise have to choose between heating and eating.

If you can help them – with money, time, or food donations – this will be a

I am saddened by Cllr John Halsall’s decision to indefinitely delay the development of Twyford library.

Providing a permanent, safe public space for the Twyford community is something that Lib Dem councillors Stephen Conway and Lindsay Ferris have campaigned on for many years. The Lib Dems will continue to campaign so that Twyford gets its library.

What was disappointing to read was Cllr Halsall’s comments in the paper relating to the Twyford library decision where he said that “projects that are unsupported which means they don’t generate an income, we have to review.”

It sounds like he’s saying that the council will only invest in services that generate income directly to the council. Measuring value by cost

and income generation alone is both short-sighted and dangerous.

Libraries may not ‘turn a profit’ but they provide many things that support local economies such as information and support for businesses, place-making, jobs and skills development, social support groups and other services that enable communities to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

By investing in library services, money is less likely to be spent elsewhere.

As the Arts Council articulates in their Evidence review of the economic contribution of libraries, “public libraries…contribute to long term processes of human capital formation, the maintenance of mental and physical wellbeing, social inclusivity and the cohesion of communities.”

lifeline to many in our community.

But the government needs to do more.

It’s their negligence which has led to the current misery of shortages and rising prices.

The Liberal Democrats are calling on them not to leave those on the lowest incomes to take the consequences.

The government needs urgently to restore the £20 they’ve taken from the poorest.

keep services running for customers, they also have a responsibility to restore them to their prior condition within 6 months.

Typically they would not immediately replace paving, as they need to ensure the work done has been completed successfully before replacing it.This can take time, but it’s necessary to avoid the disruption that rework would cause.

For example, there was disruption outside Waterstones some months ago where similar work was carried out, and the paving has since been successfully restored to its former state.

We can reassure ‘Despairing’ that we are keeping an eye on this and our excellent Town Clerk, Jan Nowecki, and her team has it under control!

Wokingham Borough Liberal Democrat Councillors

We don’t despair ...

‘Despairing of Wokingham’ (Letters, October 7) noted the unrepaired paving in the new Market Place, and accused the Council of ‘blindness or negligence’.

As councillors we share Despairing’s concerns, but are happy to reassure them that Wokingham Town Council is aware of this issue.

While utilities have wide powers to excavate roads and pavements to

Sir John Redwood

I

The film is a statement to the world that UK derived brands and cultural icons can fill cinema seats and entertain millions in many different cultures and countries.

I wish it commercial success as it helps the traditional cinema revive after lockdown.

What kind of image of the UK does it project? Whilst viewers would be wise to see it as drama not documentary and will appreciate many of the unrealistic conventions of the 007 genre, there will be those

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

Libraries are good for the Economy

Westminster Diary

WAS gripped by the latest James Bond movie through its action packed twists.

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 14, 2021

who take away a message about the UK from it.

I was surprised to be warned that the film contained moderate violence.

There didn’t seem to be anything moderate about a series of mass murders, mass sanctioned deaths of arms carrying criminals, the use of explosives to enter and control populated buildings and missile strikes on an inhabited island.

The story centred as before around the actions of the UK secret services on the world stage.

The Head of the service was happy to authorise killings anywhere in the world in pursuit of dangerous

Wokingham Town Councillors, Wokingham Town Council

Covid-19 impact As a Clinical Nurse Specialist on Breast Cancer Now’s Helpline, I’m acutely aware of the shattering impact global criminals.

There was no reference to the National Security Council and only once was it thought a good idea to mention to the PM some of what they were doing.

So it was clearly not a representation of the legal process, rule of law and democratic controls that apply.

Leaving aside the unrealistic idea that officials in the UK can authorise machine gun fights and dangerous car pursuits leading to the death of drivers in overseas countries, the film gave a very positive view of the UK in three crucial respects.

The senior officials were very loyal to our country. Our country stands for right and the defeat of evil worldwide criminal gangs throughout the movie. The officials could summon up precise force, equipment and clever innovations to win any war against a criminal gang however violent and resourceful they might be.

Whether it was in Scandinavia or near Japan, people could be quickly

The Arts Council specifically says that “libraries can…potentially [boost] the footfall, buzz, image and profile of a neighbourhood or area – particularly if the library is new, large and/or housed in an iconic building,” as the Twyford library would be in the old Polehampton school building.

My fear is that we have a Conservative administration who do not understand the true value of libraries. I also wonder how they plan to deliver on their promises around equalities and inclusivity if they don’t deem libraries as a suitable investment.

Let’s hope they quickly realise the error and perform a u-turn!

Cllr Sarah Kerr, Liberal Democrat member for Evendons ward, Wokingham Borough Council

of the COVID-19 pandemic on the emotional wellbeing of people with breast cancer. News of a diagnosis can be a lonely experience, and the pandemic has at times exacerbated this, denying people the chance to be with loved ones.

We’ve seen a sharp rise in calls to our Helpline and emails to our Ask Our Nurses service from people struggling emotionally – many say the loneliness they’ve felt living with breast cancer during the pandemic has been the hardest emotional impact to cope with, and that it’s negatively impacted their mental health.

As many of us look ahead to a ‘new normal’ beyond the pandemic, this World Mental Health Day, we must acknowledge the loneliness legacy facing people who’ve lived with breast cancer through the pandemic and commit to addressing it.

This Breast Cancer Awareness month, we want to remind everyone affected by breast cancer that we’re always with you, in every way we can. deployed. What’s not to like, unless you are a criminal.

Just as the film overdid the lack of legal restraints on UK counter action, so I fear it flattered government in its portrait of speed, resource and innovation. Let us hope our senior officials study the brave and inventive officials we see in the drama to see how we can increase our success in the struggle against violent serious global criminals within the rule of law.

In many ways the cars were the stars.

Aston Martin emerged victorious, though its vintage vehicles got lead roles and its latest machine a bit part.

Range Rover was present in force.

Shrewd product placement should help some UK brands in a competitive luxury market.

One of our naval Destroyers also appeared in action, reminding the world that the navy gives us the capability to intervene anywhere where there is a sea to sail.

Sir John Redwood is the MP for Wokingham

Thursday, October 14, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, our Online Support Services are one click away for anyone after a breast cancer diagnosis. Whether you’re a younger woman, adjusting to life after treatment, or living with incurable secondary breast cancer, our tailored support provides a confidential, safe space to connect with others and access specialist information.

Find out more about Younger Women Together, Moving Forward, Someone Like Me, and Living With Secondary Breast Cancer at: breastcancernow.org/online-services.

Jane Murphy, Breast Cancer Now Clinical Nurse Specialist

Help with arthritis Arthritis is the most common cause of pain and physical disability in the UK, with around 10 million people affected, often finding their lives changing enormously by the pain of inflamed joints.

Tuesday was World Arthritis Day, a global awareness day held to raise awareness of the condition. I would like to share with your readers a little about arthritis, and how the charity I work for, Revitalise, based in Chigwell, Essex, are able to support people living with arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, causing joint pain and stiffness usually developing over time and frequently seen in the hands, knees, hips, feet and spine. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease, mainly affecting joints and tendons, with inflamed joints appearing swollen and red. The disease usually starts in the wrists, hands or feet, and can spread to other joints and parts of the body.

Revitalise specialise in respite care breaks for people living with conditions related to arthritis and over 150 different disabilities. Our centres are purpose-built and fully-accessible and every aspect of our guests’ holiday

is tailored to their needs.

One of our guests, Tracy, was 27 years old when she noticed she was beginning to lose sensation and movement in both the left and right side of her body. Tracy was diagnosed with hemiplegic migraines and arthritis. Doctors recommended that Tracy exercise, and swimming at the Revitalise Sandpipers hydrotherapy pool really helps her muscles and arthritis.

Tracy said: “When my illness got a lot worse, I was in and out of hospital a lot and couldn’t go on holiday. I’ve now been using a wheelchair for the last two years. I wish I knew about Revitalise sooner. The main thing that I come away with is confidence. I don’t feel afraid or scared that I am disabled – instead I’m made to feel that I can achieve things. People accept me for who I am.”

Treatments for arthritis vary person to person, depending on the condition and focus on reducing

symptoms and improving quality of life. Many of your readers may find an accessible break with Revitalise to be a fantastic additional support and enjoy the varied activities and excursions we offer.

Revitalise have opened holiday bookings for 2022 which include exclusive Early Bird discounts, giving guests huge savings if they book early for Jubilee Lodge in Essex or Sandpipers in Southport. These breaks create a supportive but stimulating environment where carers and their loved ones can enjoy a quality break together alongside care support from the Revitalise team.

To enquire about the specialised breaks available at Revitalise, call 0303 303 0145, email bookings@ revitalise.org.uk or visit revitalise.org. uk/early-bird

I tried to impress this on the Director of Social Services, but was told the worth of preventative services could not be proven, that they were not cost effective, that they wouldn’t lower the numbers of service users and we therefore didn’t have money for such schemes.

These last few years I have again quietly championed the worth of the voluntary sector and preventative work and this time this has been well received by The Director of Adult Services.

A strategy has now come to Executive that encourages voluntary services and gives them all a minimum three-year funding window, meaning they can develop, expand and work with a certainty that their funding won’t rapidly be snatched away.

This strategy outlines the importance of prevention services to reduce, delay, divert or even stop people needing to access statutory care services.

The exceptional community services response to the Covid-19 pandemic showed the voluntary sector in a very positive, proactive, light.

This procurement will ensure security of funding for up to five years, and at least three years for all Voluntary Sector organisations working in the borough.

The grants or contracts will be awarded with a simple system that encourages voluntary services already working in the Borough.

This will bring stability to the market and support the sustainability of many Voluntary Service organisations which is a key priority of the Strategy.

In addition, Wokingham plans to increase overall financial investment in preventative services, initially focusing on services for people with dementia, especially those in the initial stages of that condition, when people need care and support as home.

The Director of Adult Services, Matt Pope, is also looking to create

a Voluntary services Hub, initially in Wokingham, to provide focused and affordable accommodation for voluntary bodies that also means cross agency co-operation.

He envisages other towns in the Borough having Hubs in time. The other area that is often a limitation to both voluntary and statutory services is transport.

It is hoped that there can be some voluntary service initiative to assist in providing transport, so that people can be transported to attend services outside their homes in an orderly and efficient way.

It is very pleasing to see something that I have championed for over 20 years being promoted in the Borough.

The voluntary services are essential as they work with the authority, to provide a preventative service, to assist people to enjoy life, to give people a better future and to ensure people who need Adult Care services are referred to the Borough before their condition gets too negative.

Berkshire communities.

Our specialist team provide services so that people with this progressive disease can maintain their skills, wellbeing, creativity, and a sense of purpose in their community.

We provide workshops and support to those with young onset dementia.

Some examples of workshops provided are art, walking, gardening, cooking, furniture restoration, choir, katakanuing across the working week.

We are continually adding to our range of workshops to meet the interests of those with young onset dementia.

We currently work with a small team of staff and are always looking for the help of Volunteers and welcome however much time they can offer to support our attendees at our workshop out in the community, across Berkshire.

arrival onsite of those coming for vaccination; ensure efficient patient flow to the clinical assessment, vaccination station, post-vaccination observation area and exit, ensuring speed, safety and security; addressing any issues that arise or escalate to a Healthcare Professional if needed and ensuring that visitors respect national guidelines such as social distancing and mask protection.

Volunteers must be a minimum of 18. There is no upper age limit.

Clinics we are supporting are be based in Wokingham town, Earley and Woodley. Most shifts will be Saturdays mornings and afternoons but some may be weekdays.

You do not need to commit to a regular slot every week, we will contact you when there is a clinic in need of volunteers and you can use our booking system to sign up. n If you would like to get in touch with us please call 0118 977 0749, email volunteer@wok-vol. org.uk or visit our website www. volunteerwokinghamborough.org.uk to find out more and have a look at all the roles we have to offer.

From the chamber

Cllr David Hare

Adult Social Care and Voluntary Sector funding When Wokingham Borough had just become a unitary authority and I was Lead Councillor for Social Services (as it was then) I believed that the authority should actively encourage and expand preventative work.

This work is mainly work done by agencies, often charities, not directly controlled by the Borough.

Wokingham Volunteering Helena Badger

www.volunteer wokinghamborough.org.uk

H

IGH Close School is a flourishing residential and day special school catering for up to 90 young people with a complex range of needs.

Our 120 dedicated and professional members of staff work across campus to ensure our students are supported and kept safe in order to thrive and reach their full potential. We are currently looking for community (co-opted) governors to join our committed and friendly team.

A community governor can be anyone with an interest in supporting a school and no prior experience is needed. A knowledge of financial management, human resources,

VIEWPOINTS | 27

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business, education or safeguarding will greatly improve the effectiveness of our governing board and have a positive impact on the education of our pupils. Anyone with an interest in wellbeing and health would also be very welcome to apply. Above all, however, we are looking for someone who is keen to be involved in the wider life of the school and to provide support and challenge to the leadership team of the school to ensure High Close is providing the best possible care and education for the young people. n Younger People with Dementia Berkshire supports those diagnosed with working-age young onset dementia (65 and under) across many

n The autumn booster vaccination programme has started and the Wokingham Volunteer Centre is looking for your help!

The role of Covid vaccination clinic marshal will include ensuring smooth

Rebecca Young, Revitalise Director of External Affairs www.revitalise.org.uk

Cllr David Hare is Wokingham Borough Council councillor for Hawkedon Ward and Opposition Lead for Adult Services

The climate emergency Cllr Gregor Murray

What could you do to start?

T

HERE is no one big thing that can be done that would cut each of our carbon footprints in half. We must do a lot of small things and let them add up to a big impact.

But knowing where to start can be confusing, and the perceived cost can be very scary. Here are some low or zero cost ideas of where you could start.

Why not try to eat a vegan or vegetarian diet one, two or three times a week? Meat consumption and the necessary farming are large causes of carbon emissions. Cutting fast food from your diet will also help.

Walk short distances where you can, cycle slightly longer ones. We have a beautiful Borough to discover with over 170,000 metres of path, cycleway, greenway and public rights of way. Set yourself a target to cut your driven road miles in half, then in six months try to do it again.

Shower for a minute less each day. When it’s cold reach for a jumper and a second pair of socks before you reach for the thermostat. That will help save you money as well as emissions, as will blocking draughts and making sure your house is fully insulated.

Install a smart metre in your house so you can track your energy consumption. Switch to a green energy tariff and install LED light bulbs around your house. Turn off lights when you’re not in a room. You could even add timers to your appliances to make sure that they’re not left running when you’re not likely to be using them. I once worked for a company that put all of their printers and desktop power plugs on timers so they all turned off at 6pm.

Wash your clothes on a colder cycle. Hang them out on the washing line in summer and during winter dry them when you also have your heating on. Don’t overfill your fridge.

A fridge or freezer with too much in it uses significantly more energy to keep the contents cool than one that is roughly two-thirds full.

Commute less where you can. The pandemic has taught us that many jobs can be done just as effectively from home. Ask your employer to do as few office days as possible and do as many meetings virtually as you can to save travel costs and emissions.

Shop local. Order as little as possible to be delivered to your house, and where you do need a delivery, combine as many items as you can. Buy less clothing and reuse the clothes you have for longer. At Christmas, cut back on sending cards, using wrapping paper and gifts made from plastic or sold in excess packaging.

Ban single-use plastics in your home. Use refillable products where possible. Recycle as fully as you can and make sure that nothing that could be recycled ends up in your domestic waste. Try home composting and growing your own. Use the bottle banks to ensure your glass gets reused as more glass.

Visit the recycling centres. 78% of items taken to the Re3 centres gets recycled. That’s 22% more than the Borough average. Get a waterbutt to recycle rainwater and use it to water the wildflowers and trees that you could plant.

Not all of these are achievable by everyone.

Your individual circumstances – whether your home doesn’t have a garden, whether your health is fragile, whether your employer won’t let you work from home – may mean that some of these are just off limits. But just some of these little steps would go a long way to saving the planet for generations to come.

Cllr Gregor Murray is executive member for resident services, communications and emissions on Wokingham Borough Council

No. 5383

Your weekly puzzle challenge TO ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE, CALL CLAIRE ON: 0118 327 2662

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Quiz Challenge

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5. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, swimmer Adam Peaty won gold for the 100m breaststroke and what other race?

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Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares.

As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

MAGIC SQUARE

PARROT STATES MOVE

A S U 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: 28 Good; 33 Very Good; 39 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 A through openings in the walls. The I first letter may appear in any chamber.

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ACROSS 5. Expel you and me in the book (4) 7. Maid arranged allowance out of respect (10) 8. On top of some of the covers (4) 9. Exercises done as part of the eleven-plus? (5,5) 12. Large number on platform first arranged the event (6) 13. Sailor to get under way, say, and let himself down the rock face (6) 14. Still crackling (6) 16. Piece on board that is for a beginner (6) 17. Magic words used to expose the plant (4,6) 20. Old Testament character found in a thesaurus (4) 21. Unorthodox Australian revelry (10) 22. UK marine detachment (4)

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Here are two miniature fivesquare crosswords using the same grid – but the letters have been mixed up.

You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.

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This puzzle page is supplied by Sirius Media Services Ltd. To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com

DOWN 1. Property to come down to earth (4) 2. Some limping Zulu warriors (4) 3. Transferred worker to editor (6) 4. One tucking into pie in the square (6) 5. Alert but stepping on another’s feet? (2,4,4) 6. Doubt whether Greek philosopher is a Frenchman (10) 10. The saint is converted by the opposition (10) 11. Coastal landmark that is highly visible (10) 15. Make new cart with ease, so to speak (6) 16. A sorry arrangement of a string of beads (6) 18. Rod left chopper outside (4) 19. Max returned to make point in test (4)

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction.

1 5 3 2 1 5 9 6 8 7 4

8 4 6 2 7 3 9 1 5

WORD PYRAMID: Cut and come again.

EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – multiply; add; divide; subtract.

Total: 8.

SOLUTIONS

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Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same.

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Hard

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6. For what crime were the Tolpuddle Martyrs transported to Australia in 1834?

7. What B is in the titles of a Supertramp album and a classic film starring Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly?

8. The small custard tarts Pasteis de Nata come from which country?

9. What was the origin of the phrase: “Those who are about to die salute you.”?

10. Tegucigalpa is the capital city of which country?

2. Alexei Sayle played eccentric landlord Jerzy Balowski in which classic sitcom?

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1. The Bradford Bulls compete in which sport?

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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

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CROSS CODE 18

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 14, 2021

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26. Ill (6) ACROSS 27. In this place (6) 1. Six-legged creature (6) 28. Light beer (5) 4. European sea (6) 29. Furrowed (6) 8. Edge (6) 30. Nautical (6) 10. Sailor’s song (6) 31. Leather worker (6) 11. Chosen path (5) 32. Astute (6) DOWN 12. Rotten (6) 1. Congenital (6) 14. Take into custody (6) 2. Filament (6) 16. Freshwater fish (4) 3. Clergyman (6) 17. Equipment (4) 5. Stick firmly (6) 19. Smelting waste (4) 6. Oil-carrying vessel (6) 22. Russian emperor (4) 7. Prairie wolf (6)

9. Went on horseback (4) 10. Male deer (4) 13. Wire (5) 15. Locating system (5) 18. Small tower (6) 19. Scandinavian country (6) 20. Claim (6) 21. Cheerful (4) 22. Those people (4) 23. Angel (6) 24. Vilify (6) 25. Plan (6)

QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Insect; 4 Baltic; 8 Border; 10 Shanty; 11 Route; 12 Rancid; 14 Arrest; 16 Dace; 17 Gear; 19 Slag; 22 Tsar; 26 Unwell; 27 Herein; 28 Lager; 29 Ridged; 30 Marine; 31 Tanner; 32 Shrewd.

Down – 1 Inborn; 2 Strand; 3 Cleric; 5 Adhere; 6 Tanker; 7 Coyote; 9 Rode; 10 Stag; 13 Cable; 15 Radar; 18 Turret; 19 Sweden; 20 Allege; 21 Glad; 22 Them; 23 Seraph; 24 Revile; 25 Intend.

QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Rugby League; 2 The Young Ones; 3 Lighting technician; 4 Numerator; 5 Mixed 4 x 100m medley relay; 6 Forming a FIVE ALIVE: trade union; 7 Breakfast (in America; at Tiffany’s); 8 Portugal; 9 The Roman gladiators’ address to their emperor; 10 Honduras.

(1) Across – Bends; Woven; Yolky.

Down – Bawdy; Naval; Sunny.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across – 5 Oust; 7 Admiration; 8 Over; 9 Daily dozen; 12 Staged; (2) Across – Hired; Vague; Ratel.

S L Q H U C K G A Y N R E 13 Abseil; 14 Static; 16 Rookie; 17 Open sesame; 20 Esau; 21 Down – Hover; Right; Dwell.

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Saturnalia; 22 Isle.

J M T W Z B P D O V X F I Down – 1 Land; 2 Impi; 3 Handed; 4 Piazza; 5 On one’s toes; 6 NONAGRAM: acetous; acute; affect; auto; cast; Scepticism; 10 Antithesis; 11 Lighthouse; 15 Create; 16 Rosary; caste; coast; coat; coset; cost; costa; MAGIC SQUARE: EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU 18 Axle; 19 Exam. post; over; seta; cote; cuesta; cute; east; facet; fact; tram. fast; fate; fatso; faucet; feast; feat; feta; fetus; oast; offcut; offset; oust; outface; sate; saute; scat; scot; scout; scut; scute; seat; sect; seta; soft; softa; staff; stoa; stuff; suet; SUFFOCATE; taco; teff; toea; toff; tofu; tosa; tufa; tuff.

NEWS | 29

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Thursday, October 14, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

INTHECOMMUNITY

News from your clubs & groups.

Email news@wokingham.today

Mike Harris looking at the Dahlias Colourful blooms entered into the show ON SHOW: Wokingham Horticultural Association held an autumn show. Janet Gordon and Pauline MacBrayne examine an entry Pictures: Steve Smyth

Sally Gordon and Ruth Lambert

I am a Paralegal in the Private Wealth & Inheritance Team at Herrington Carmichael LLP and I am also a mother of four children, two in Primary school and two in Secondary school.

From my role as a Paralegal and a mother, I understand the importance of making a Will and the benefits of Estate Planning to ensure that my children’s future and wellbeing is protected. Statistics show that most parents do not have a Will or a Lasting Power of Attorney.

Michaelmas Daisies

A splash of colour at autumn show

SATURDAY, October 3, saw members of the Wokingham Horticultural Association stage an Autumn Flower Show at their newly refurbished Trading Store at the Ormonde Road allotments.

Keen dahlia growers brought in their prized blooms and other flowers.

The 37 exhibits were judged at 12.30pm, after which exhibitors and visitors were able to inspect the results.

Terry Miller carried off two first prizes in the dahlia class and won with his chrysanthemums, while fellow allotment holder Paul Jarvis won both in the dahlia class and the

Janet Gordon and Pauline MacBrayne with the newly fitted trading area More Michaelmas Daisies

specimen bloom in his own vase.

WHA President entered a beautiful vase of bright flowers in the From My Garden class, and was awarded Best Vase of Flowers in the show.

The WHA’s next show at Ormonde Road is our Pumpkin Extravaganza on Sunday, October 31, to include decorated pumpkins as well as the one grown with the biggest circumference.

The fee to enter is 50p per class, which is waived for children’s entries. n All the details can be found on the WHA website www.w-h-a.org.uk.

I deal with probate and bereavement and I often witness first-hand the consequences of not planning ahead, and of not making a Will. These situations are often very stressful to those left behind, and often loved ones will incur unnecessary costs that could have been avoided.

When families are going through loss and bereavement it alleviates some of the stress if the deceased had organised their affairs during their lifetime.

What if I don’t have a Will?

The consequences of not making a Will are that close family members are left to try and understand the strict rules of Intestacy, which in some cases, it means that an Estate will not pass to those family members as initially intended by the deceased.

If you are a parent of minor children have you considered what will happen to your children if something were to happen to you and your spouse? Who would you trust to look after your children if you and your spouse are unable to do so?

Pauline MacBrayne Some of the entries

Atlantic rower Jo Blackshaw talks with Rotary WHAT a treat. What a challenge.

Easthampstead Rotary men and women were treated recently to a talk by Jo Blackshaw.

A mum with twins, Jo is training to row across the Atlantic Ocean in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Rowing Challenge which starts on Sunday, December 12.

The challenge is to row more than 3,000 miles from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean.

So not three men in a boat messing about on the River Thames, but four courageous women taking on ‘the world’s toughest row’.

Jo, together with Pippa Edwards, Felicity Ashley and Lebby Eyres, will get into their boat, The Mothership, alongside 35 other boats rowed by one-, two-, three- or four-person crews.

Jo says: “We’re doing this for slightly different reasons,

ESTATE PLANNING: THE BENEFITS – FROM A PARENT OF FOUR

READY TO ROW: Atlantic rower Jo Blackshaw’s boat, The Mothership

Intestacy Rules for unmarried couples The Intestacy Rules do not protect unmarried couples and therefore you partner could be left unprotected on your death. Would it not be better to have the opportunity to decide for yourself and to plan ahead by making a Will according to what is best for you and your family.

How do I begin to plan for the future?

Only you will know what is best for your family and therefore by making a Will you are ensuring that your loved ones are protected. Every individual’s needs are different and our professionals will assist you to planahead according to your family’s needs.

Lasting Power of Attorney or Court of Protection but as a team of women and mums we collectively want to both inspire our children and women of all ages, reminding them that the power of our gender has no limitations, and no challenge is too great to overcome, and also to raise funds for charities that are close to our hearts, delivering meaningful and transformational impacts to people who need it most.

“Noah’s Ark is a children’s

hospice in London offering vital support to families when they need it most. During the covid pandemic, their resources have been further stretched through welcoming children from London hospitals, overwhelmed by covid patients.

“The Felix Fund provides support to bomb disposal professionals injured in the line of duty, and their families.”

For any readers who would

like to know more, here are three useful links: n www.themothership.uk n taliskerwhiskyatlantic challenge.com n uk.virginmoneygiving. com/Team/TheMothership Easthampstead Rotarians meet fortnightly to have fun and progress their community projects. Come and join us. n For details, visit facebook. com/easthampsteadrotaryclub

Peter von Bergen

We can provide you with advice on Lasting Powers of Attorney, which are essential if you are unable to make decisions by yourself due to sudden illness or disability. Without a Lasting Power of Attorney your family would have to make an application to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order which are very costly and stressful to obtain.

Read our full article online at www.herrington-carmichael.com If you would like to know more about the above article then you can contact one of our specialists.

01276 686222

info@herrington-carmichael.com

www.herrington-carmichael.com

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 14, 2021

LEISURE |31

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Thursday, October 14, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

WOKINGHAMLEISURE A brief encounter at Watermill FULL casting has been announced for The Watermill’s upcoming production of Brief Encounter.

Adapted by Emma Rice, based on the 1945 film, the show will be performing at the Newbury-based theatre from Thursday, October 14 until Saturday, November 13.

Written by Noël Coward, the tale of happiness and heartache is reimagined for the stage in a new production of this love story.

The story follows Laura and Alec, who meet in a train station tearoom, leading to an impossible love affair.

Directed by Robert Kirby, the cast includes Laura Lake Adebisi, Oliver Aston, Charles Angiama, Max Gallagher, Hanna Khogali, Callum McIntyre and Kate Milner-Evans.

Mr Kirby said it’s a “delight” to continue to welcomes audiences to The Watermill.

“Although we know it as the film, Brief Encounter started its life as a one act play and, after many months of us leaning into our screens for entertainment over the pandemic, it feels like the perfect time to take it back to its roots and celebrate the theatrical heart of the piece,” he says.

“The intimacy of The Watermill’s auditorium provides a perfect setting to transport audiences to our tearoom at Milford Junction station while inviting them to feel the joy, excitement and heartbreak experienced by our characters.” n For more details, or to book tickets, log on to: watermill.org.uk

A flying visit

Behind the glitz and glamour of Marilyn Loved by presidents, the camera and moviegoers, Marilyn Monroe was one of the first megastars.

LAURA SCARDARELLA finds out how her life is coming to the stage

M

ARILYN Monroe’s life will go from page to stage as it heads to the Whitty Theatre next week.

Dyad Productions is presenting The Unremarkable Death of Marilyn Monroe at the Wokingham venue, on Luckley Road, on Tuesday, October 19 at 6.30pm.

And it’ll be on at The Haymarket in Basingstoke on Saturday, November 6.

Written and directed by Elton Townend-Jones, who has taken the play to Edinburgh Festival, St James Theatre and Greenwich Theatre, said there’s a lot to enjoy in this story.

Elton first became interested in the Hollywood icon where he was a schoolboy.

“I saw Some Like It Hot and read an article about Marilyn in a Sunday supplement that had

WANNABE LOVED

BY YOU: The Unremarkable Death of Marilyn Monroe will be performed at The Whitty Theatre on Tuesday

been left in the art room for use in making collages and ,” he said.

“From there, I read a few books and found myself identifying with the frailties of this fascinating and admittedly beguiling figure.”

The story explores what’s underneath all the glitz and glamour and how the real person seems to have been lost in all of that.

Elton added that it’s a play about love and how we express that emotion.

“It’s not just a focus on the female experience of life, but it’s about our private troubles, how we treat and are treated by others, kindness and how we don’t do enough of that, how we

grow, how we endure our pains and celebrate our pleasures,” he said.

He said Marilyn’s just an ordinary person living in extraordinary circumstances.

“It’s not her death that we should focus on – her life, her vivacity, her vulnerable but brilliant open-heartedness is bigger than that,” he said.

And he added how he wrote himself into the play.

He explained: “As Marilyn is burdened by the pain of her childhood, so am I; and this has resonated into our adult lives.”

Tickets cost £14 for adults and £10 for ages 13 to 17.

For more details, or to book, or log on to: dyadproductions.com

A ROYAL magical adventure will be coming to Maidenhead this October half term.

Award-winning family show, The Little Prince, will fly into Norden Farm from Wednesday, October 27 until Saturday, October 30.

The production, performed by theatre company Protein, tells the story of a stranded pilot in the desert.

He leaves behind his tiny asteroid and beloved rose as he journeys through the universe.

With an original score by Frank Moon, the tale will be brought to life using Protein’s mix of dance, humour and spoken word.

Based on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s story, artistic director Luca Silvestrini’s production won the Fantastic for Families’ Best Family Event Award 2020.

Performances starts at 11.30am and 3.30pm.

Tickets cost £12 for adults, £10 for under 16s and £40 for a family of four. n For more information, or to book, call the box office on 01628 788997, or visit: nordenfarm.org

Therapy on stage EXPLORING the issues on therapy, Ifeyinwa Frederick’s SESSIONS, is coming to South Hill Park later this month.

From Paines Plough and Soho Theatre, the production follows the life of Tune, a BritishNigerian 30-year-old rogue, who’s just started therapy.

The show embarks on an extensive small-scale tour in Autumn 2021 before playing at Soho Theatre, London.

The performance takes place on Wednesday, October 27 at 7.45pm in the Wilde Theatre.

Tickets cost £16.50 for adults, £14.50 for members and £10 for under 30s. n For more information, or to book, call the box office on 01344 484123, or log on to: southhillpark. org.uk

32 | LEISURE

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Departing Fri 18 Feb ‘22 Escape to the seaside and enjoy a relaxing break based in Bournemouth, a fantastic resort boasting seven miles of golden sands, a historic pier and magnificent gardens. From here we visit Poole with its nautical atmosphere and the traditional resort of Swanage.

Your break includes Return coach travel from Wokingham 3 nights at a selected hotel in Bournemouth with dinner & breakfast 2 for 1 bar (6pm-9pm) on selected drinks Excursion to Poole & Swanage Optional excursion to Dorchester & Weymouth (£10pp)

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Departing Mon 21 Mar ‘22 Join us on this lovely short break to beautiful Yorkshire, where we combine the rolling hills, panoramic landscapes and charming towns of the Yorkshire Dales with the historic city of York, famous for its glorious Minster and warren of narrow streets.

Your break includes Return coach travel from Wokingham 4 nights at a selected hotel in the Leeds area with dinner & breakfast 2 for 1 bar (6pm-9pm) on selected drinks Excursions to York, Skipton Market & Grassington Optional excursion to Knaresborough & Harrogate (£10pp)

Self Esteem’s Superbowl-level show on its way to Reading Make a date for pop star’s Sub89 show next month and hear tracks from her latest album, Prioritise Pleasure. JESS WARREN chats to the star

P

REPARING for the launch of her second album, musician Rebecca Lucy Taylor said her latest release tells a story of selfacceptance.

Performing under the name Self Esteem, her solo pop venture began in 2017, following a stint in Indie folk duo Slow Club.

The 11-track album, Prioritise Pleasure, is an evolution from her debut album, Compliments Please.

“I don’t think it’s a wild departure, I think it’s just a more galvanised, focused version of what Compliments Please was,” she told Wokingham.

Today.

The album features a female choir and quartet, bringing rich and textured tracks layered with meaning.

“I’m so inspired by group vocal,” she explained. “In my childhood I was obsessed with Sister Act 2. I like singing with a load of other people in harmony, that’s what I love.

“For the second record, I was like, I want every single person that’s ever sung with me to make up this organic choir.

“The girls that work with me are so talented and so incredible — I’m really lucky. You put it all together and it’s very special.”

In April, she released I Do This All The Time, the first single from Prioritise Pleasure, and was heavily featured on the BBC Radio 6 playlist.

It explores what it’s like to be a woman in your 30s, from everyday sexism, to marriage and friendships, with lyrics including “getting married isn’t the biggest day of your life, all the days you get to have are big”.

She said the first track on the new album, I’m Fine is one that she is really proud of.

“Trying to articulate something so s*** I went through. It was really tough, but a weight lifted, in a way.

“Everyone is like ‘I get the biggest goosebumps’, and people think I’m being very timely saying we’re scared walking home everyday of our lives, and my point is, I wrote this two or three years ago. This has been my life,

BIG GIG: Self Esteem is visiting Sub89 as part of her UK tour Picture: Olivia Richardson this has been our life forever.

“My agenda is to educate and not school, not chastise people and bully them into changing, it’s more like education about the female experience.”

And each song on the album shares a message.

“I feel personally very much in a place of self-acceptance, but knowing the job isn’t over,” she explained.

“I always expected one day something would happen to me, and I’ll be happy. When I’ve got the thing, that will solve everything.

“It’s always a journey, and if you’re lucky, it’s a journey that’s going upwards.”

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The album explores confronting your flaws, dealing with pain and trauma, tending to your own needs and being a woman in the 21st century.

“I write these songs for myself,” she said. “I know I’ll spend X amount of years touring them, so what do I want to do every night? It sort of starts in a selfish place.

“I devote my life to figuring out what might help, realising and accepting that it’s a journey.

“I almost feel like I’ve got a life hack cheat code, and I put it into my music to let others in on the secret.

“I’m just selfish, it’s just for me. It’s a form of repetition in a way, but then

I just cannot describe how amazing it is to see people who like Self Esteem getting what they get from it.”

Writing about big topics helps her feel less alone, she said.

“It’s an unbelievable bonus to feel like I’m helping people,” she said. “It’s not what I set out to do particularly, but of course it feels wonderful to do it. It’s authentic.”

She added: “I’m a people-pleasing Libra and this is a great big version of that. I think I can win at being a Libra if I can make this cult of self-care for everyone else.”

Transitioning from folk to pop artist has brought more joy, she explained.

“It’s just what I want to make, it’s what interests me. I guess it is pop.

I don’t really think of it as pop, it’s just what I like.

“I like just getting to the point quickly. I like to dance, and I like to feel things really deeply from my tummy, and I’m not very interested in subtlety.

I’m not really interested in stuff you can put on at a dinner party.”

Self Esteem is performing in Reading on Monday, November 15, as part of her UK tour.

“I’m so excited,” she said. “We’ve done festivals and it was amazing, but I’m so excited to go into venues of my fans, and see what happens.

“The album will be out, people will know the words.

“The venues are pretty small, and who knows if I’ll be in bigger venues next time, so we are all gagging to do it.”

Despite the size of the stage at Sub89, she is bringing it all.

“Because we’ve been so busy with promo, tour is actually quite relaxing,” she said. “My one job a day is to put on a show, which is the thing I’m best at.

“I knew starting a solo career would be back to the venues I’ve not been in, in quite a while, and I knew that I’d be on at festivals at midday.

“I thought, ‘what’s going to be interesting’, why not use the stage, the lights, the PA, like I would if I was doing the Superbowl.”

“No matter what size they are, they’re still a stage and I’m going to put a show on.

“No matter the venue, we will go for it. I’m giving to you and I’ll give you the best I can.”

Self Esteem will be live at Sub89, on Friar Street from 7.30pm to 11pm.

Tickets cost £16.80 with a £1.80 booking fee. n For more information, visit: sub89.com/event/self-esteem

Exploring the life of Anne Boleyn

5 Days by Coach

only £159

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 14, 2021

ON STAGE: Wokingham Theatre will present Anne Boleyn from next week

A HISTORICAL play will be presented by amateur repertory group Wokingham Theatre next week.

After its performance of Abigail’s Party last month, Wokingham Theatre will be sitting on the throne for Howard Brenton’s classic, Anne Boleyn.

Rummaging through the dead Queen Elizabeth’s possessions, King James I finds evidence that Anne was a religious conspirator, in love with Henry VIII and dangerous ideas.

She comes alive for him, a young confident woman whose marriage and death transformed England for ever.

First performed at Shakespeare’s Globe, London, in July 2010, Brenton’s script was Best New Play at the Whatsonstage.com Awards in 2011.

After it was revived at the Globe in 2011, it toured regionally in 2012 in a joint production between Shakespeare’s Globe and

English Touring Theatre.

And Wokingham Theatre cast members are now stepping into the roles as they take on this production themselves.

Performances run from Thursday, October 21 until Saturday, October 30.

All tickets cost £14. n For more information, or to book, call the box office on 0118 978 5363, or log on to: wokinghamtheatre.org.uk

LEISURE | 33

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Thursday, October 14, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

LIVEMUSIC

To advertise in this section, call Claire on 0118 327 2662

Wokingham Loves Music

IS THIS THE WAY TO WOKINGHAM: Tony Christie will be at Wokingham Music Club at the end of the month – and he heads up our hit parade this week

Chris Hillman

bit.ly/wokingham lovesmusic

B

IG NAMES are regularly coming to Wokingham – later this month it’s Tony Christie.

It’s the lure of Wokingham Music Club.

Always a terrific night out, it’s a chance to hear some musical greats and great music.

Stan Hetherington should be knighted for his work on getting the best acts around for our little borough.

Tony is just one of the many great acts on our playlist this week.

You can tune in for free, and hear 10 fantastic tracks. Just head to Spotify and search for Wokingham Loves Music – or log on to bit.ly/ wokinghamlovesmusic The playlist is more than just a bunch of tunes.

You can join in the discussion at www.facebook.com/ groups/wokinghamlovesmusicchat

GIG GUIDE

Thursday, October 14

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. The Lost Trades, The Gillies, Mandy Woods. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

Friday, October 15

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Rock Night: Dead Eyed Smiles, All Hail The Sabbath. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Peach. Details: 01344 303333.

EARLEY – The Roebuck, Auckland Rd RG6 1NY. Acoustic Night with Samuel Paul, Alex Martin and Dan Curtis. Details: 0118 966 7153.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Syn City Rockers. Details: 0118 957 6930.

WINNERSH – The Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Close RG41 5LP. Wokingham Music Club Slim Chance. Details: wokinghammusicclub. co.uk WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Side Hustle Rock.

Details: 0118 977 3706.

Saturday, October 16

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Myopia and Jack & Sally. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Ultimate Party Band.

Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. The Lord John Band.

Details: 01344 422622.

CROWTHORNE – Royal British Legion, Wellington

Road RG45 7LJ. Emma Baldwin. Details: 01344 772161.

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Heavy Pop presents John.

Details: 0118 956 8188.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Abba Magic.

Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Laura Marling. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Shooters Way, Select Car Leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. Madison Heights Soul and Motown Band. Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. The Echo.

Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Syn City Rockers. Details: 0118 957 6930.

TILEHURST – Royal British Legion, Downing Rd RG31 5BB. Gary Roman as Elvis.

Details: 0118 942 9606.

WINNERSH – The Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Close RG41 5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents The Average Chalky White Band. £16. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub. co.uk

Sunday, October 17 READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk singers night. Details: www. readifolk.org.uk READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. The Showhawk Duo. Details: 0118 959 5395.

SONNING – Mill at Sonning, RG4 6TY. Buddy Holly and the Cricketers. Details: 0118 969 8000.

Monday, October 18 NETTLEBED – Village Club, High Street

The Paradox Twin – Sea of Tranquility Following their recent live tour, which included Wokingham Festival, this Reading-based band released their eagerly awaited second album, Silence from Signal, from which this track is taken – https:// www.theparadoxtwin.com/

A Better Life (feat. Herica and The Wolf) – Dreaming of the Beach

This local artist has just released a wonderful lyric video for this beautifully chilled track from their Take A Deep Breath album – https://abetterlifemusic. com/

Hank Wangford – Perfect Day

And if you’re hosting a gig, or preparing to play for one, send an email to events@wokingham.today Next week, like Wokingham.Today, we’re mixing things up a bit, welcoming some Reading acts to the roster. Make sure you order your copy today,

Tony Christie – Avenues and Alleyways Tony is a legendary singer who has recorded million-selling albums and singles, performed in the RG9 5DD. Nettlebed Folk Club presents: Kathryen Tickell and The Darkening. Details: www. nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Open mic night. Details: 0118 958 0473.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Jason Donovan. Details: 0118 960 6060.

Tuesday, October 19

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch. New Music Tuesday. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

Wednesday, October 20

BRACKNELL – Koh-I-Noor, Priestwood Square RG42 1UD. Gary Roman as Elvis.

Details: 01344 869966.

Thursday, October 21 BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Apache Kites. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. The Bon Jovi Experience. Details: 01344 484123.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Eddie Martin.

Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Amy Macdonald. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Mellor. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Sub89. The Britop Acoustic: Mark Morriss, Nigel Clarke and Chris Helme. Details: 0118 959 5395.

Friday, October 22

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Starlite and Campbell Stripped Back. Details: theacousticcouch.co.uk

CHARVIL – Heron on the Ford, Landsend Lane RG10 0UE. Piston Broke. Details: 0118 934 0700.

EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports & Social, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club Hank Wangford and Brad Breath. £18. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub. co.uk READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Anything For Love – The Meatloaf Story. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Jazz at Progress presents Andrew McCormack’s Graviton. Details: www. jazzinreading.com READING – South Street Arts Centre, South Street.

Haiku Salut Lamp Show.

Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – Sub89. Pete & Bas. Details: 0118 959 5395.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, RG40 1AU. The Chestnuts. Details: 0118 977 3706.

Saturday, October 23

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Spriggan Mist’s Ghostly Tales 2021. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The Lee Aaron Band. Details: 01344 303333.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Andrew Browning as George Michael. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Corsairs. Details: 0118 957 6930.

TILEHURST – The Victoria, Norcot Road RG30 6BP. Nicole and the Papas.

Details: 0118 942 5550.

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAM.TODAY

world’s best-known arenas and festivals including Glastonbury and now he’s coming to Wokingham.

Tony will be live at Wokingham Music Club on Friday, October 29.

As well as his biggest hit (Is This The Way to) Amarillo, Tony has had many others including this one, which those old enough to remember will recall, was also the theme tune for the TV series The Protectors – https://www.tonychristie.com/

This is the opening song on UK Country/ Americana legend Hank Wangford’s latest album, Holey Holey’. We look forward to seeing him live at Wokingham Music Club (WMC) on Friday, October 22 – http://www.hankwangford.co.uk/

Ronnie Laine & Slim Chance – The Preacher

Here’s a classic from the past which is in the playlist as Slim Chance will be playing live at WMC on October 15, as they continue the legacy of the late great Ronnie Laine – https://www.slim-chance. co.uk/

One Last Day – Holding Onto Nothing

Split the Dealer – High Rockets

From a legendary singer we move to to a new rock band, as recommended by local rock photographer Andrew Merritt.

The band released a few singles this year, of which this is the latest, and they recently showcased their live sound to great effect at the Acoustic Couch in Bracknell (where some of the band members are from).

Next month they play in Kingston and Addlestone. Check out their powerful rock sound combined with emotion and melody – https://www. facebook.com/OneLastDayOfficial/

He was No.3 in our Best of 2020 with his Deva St.John duet on the XV single and since then Split aka Sam Brett has released more very good singles and this is his latest – https://www.facebook.com/ splitthedealer

Deva St.John – Pity Party The other half of that duet mentioned above also has a new single out. This is the latest of a string of quality singles from Deva, and it is a powerful rockpop dance anthem – https://www.facebook.com/ dayvasaintjohn

34 | LEISURE

Enjoy Oscar Wilde’s birthday IT’S OSCAR Wilde’s birthday this weekend and to celebrate there’s a chance to go on a special tour of Reading.

The Oscar Wilde Trail sees Ian Lowri unpack the life and times of the Victorian author who wrote the Ballad of Reading Gaol.

The tour will also look at his Irish heritage, London career and extravagant life.

There are two sessions, at 11am and 2pm. Places cost £10 each and need to be booked in advance. There is a maximum of 10 people per tour. n For more details, log on to whatsonreading.com

Sing along with Readifolk

AN OPPORTUNITY to sing and share creative pursuits is on offer in Reading this Sunday.

Readifolk is holding a singers night, and all abilities are invited to share a tune, a joke or a story ... or just sit back and enjoy the show.

The theme is seasonal songs: autumn, leaves and more.

The event takes place at the Community Hall in Watlington House at Watlington Street from 8pm.

Entry costs £2 and is payable on the door.

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 14, 2021

Carters vintage funfair is back

T

HIS week the brightly decorated vintage vehicles from Carters Steam Fair will arrive back at Prospect Park, Reading with a range of their vintage fairground rides and attractions.

The fair will open on Saturday and Sunday and include a free firework display over the fair on Saturday at 9pm.

Visitors can enjoy a range of rides suitable for toddlers, big kids, and anyone young at heart including their iconic set of beautifully restored British Galloper horses dating from the 1890s and their dodgems which have recently featured in an art installation at Somerset House in London.

The pandemic has meant that this is the first time the fair has been back to Reading since 2019 so the Carters team are looking forward to welcoming visitors back to their covid-secure fairground experience.

Fairground owner Joby Carter has put a lot of thought into ensuring the fairground experience is covid-secure.

He is giving free rides to those who book online and choose the day they want to visit as this enables Carters to monitor visitor numbers.

Around the fair there are hand sanitising stations, and the

MOVIETIME: Spiltmilk Dance will bring the best of cinema to life at South Street next month

A night at the movies, but not at the cinema RETURN: Carters Steam Fair will be in Prospect Park in Reading this weekend

rides are cleaned and sanitised at regular intervals. The rides are also laid out further apart to enable more space for visitors to social distance from others as they move around the fair.

He says: “It’s great to be out on tour again after a year in lockdown and I’m excited to set up the fair at Reading We are looking forward to seeing lots of smiles when people visit. ”Children have missed out on a lot of fun over the last year or so – some toddlers that have grown up

in lockdown haven’t had chance to visit a fair yet.

“We wanted to find a way to bring back the family fun and the smiles to children’s faces, but in a way that was as reassuring as possible for the parents. Our focus right now is on creating good old-fashioned fun for families in a covid-secure way. If you book your ride tokens online before you arrive, we give you extra free rides as a thank you.” n For more details, or to book, log on to www.carterssteamfair.co.uk

LIGHTS, camera and action!

Next month, two leading ladies will take on a century of cinema, reimagining, remaking and spoofing 90 of the most memorable movie moments of all time in just 90 minutes, taking on all the lead roles, stunts, and special effects.

From timeless classics to modern day marvels, Desert Island Flicks celebrates how iconic characters and thrilling plot twists have captured imaginations the world over, bringing people together to laugh, cry, and cheer along in a room full of strangers.

Somewhere between a dance performance, sketch show, a night at the movies and an epic game of charades, Desert Island Flicks shines a spotlight on life lessons learnt from the big screen, all set to a sensational soundtrack.

It’s from Spiltmilk Dance, which says they aim to stick a big fat ray of sunshine into the world of contemporary dance.

They will be at South Street in Reading on Thursday, November 4, from 8pm. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on 0118 960 6060 or log on to whatsonreading.com/ desertislandflicks

Spooky screening for Hallowe’en SET the scene for spooky season with the original horror film classic Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horrors (PG) on Thursday, October 21.

Nosferatu is arguably the film which gave birth to the horror genre. This creepy classic is screened at Norden Farm with a contemporary and unmissable twist – a new performed live by composer Chris Green.

Nosferatu is notably the first cinematic interpretation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Its combination of expressionistic acting and unforgettable images render it as powerful and unsettling today as when it first thrilled cinema goers almost 100 years ago.

READING'S NEW CHAMPION

NEWS, SPOR AND WHATS T ON EVERY WEDNESDAY

The accompanying score is composed by Chris Green. It was commissioned by English Heritage for a live outdoor screening of the film at Dracula’s spiritual home of Whitby Abbey.

The music created is a haunting blend of electronic and acoustic instruments. Combined with director FW Murnau’s iconic images, it makes for a genuinely remarkable and unique cinematic experience.

Composer Chris Green has worked in a variety of musical genres including folk, theatre and early music. He is a regular musician at Shakespeare’s globe

and performed music for BBC’s Poldark.

Chris has recently released his first solo album: Switched on Playford. It fuses 17th century dance music with electronica using a blend of early instruments, synths and loops.

This carefully crafted new score resurrects a classic horror film, bringing it back to life and offering the perfect Halloween Treat.

The screening starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £15 or £13 concessions. n For more details, call the box office on 01628 788997 or log on to www.nordenfarm.org

Cocktail bar to open in Gun Street DRINKS will be flowing as a new cocktail venue takes over a former ping pong bar in Reading.

The Cocktail Club is opening its doors at 5-6 Gun Street covering a two floored area.

Reading will be only the second spot outside of London to house the brand, which was originally set up by friends JJ Goodman and James Hopkins.

Dawn Donohoe, managing director of The Cocktail Club, said: “We are extremely excited to be bringing our distinctive brand and party vibe to Reading, only the second city outside of London to date to feature one of our bars as part of its nightlife scene.

“Reading was targeted as part of our expansion plans, not only for its accessible location in the Thames Valley, but also for its thriving business landscape, and popularity as a booming cosmopolitan consumer destination.” n For more information, visit thecocktailclub.com

LIFE | 35

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Thursday, October 14, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Leek & Cauliflower Soup In the Kitchen

Method

3. Reserving the cooking water drain the vegetables and allow them to cool a little 4. Place the vegetables, butter and a pinch of salt into a high speed blender with cooking water as necessary and blitz until very smooth 5. To reheat, put the soup into a large pan and place over a low heat, add the cheese a little at a time and stir until melted. Cover the pan as necessary to stop it spitting.

6. Serve hot with a drizzle of cream and a pinch of nutmeg if you like

1. Bring a large pan of water to the boil 2. Add the leeks and cauliflower and boil until very soft; about 15-20 minutes

Recipe by Charlotte Simpkins for Freely Fruity www.facebook.com/ freelyfruityuk

with Freely Fruity

I

Serves 4 as a light lunch

N October leeks and cauliflower are at their best.

A twist on leek and potato soup, using two vegetables that are silky smooth when puréed and perfect to warm up a cold autumn day; serve with your favourite bread.

Ingredients n 2 leeks, washed thoroughly and roughly chopped n 1 cauliflower, broken

into small florets n A knob of butter n Salt n 150g cheddar cheese, finely grated Options to serve n A drizzle of double cream n Pinch of nutmeg n Crusty bread

Plastic free home With David Lamont

Is Wokingham Borough Council talking rubbish?

O

N a recent family litter pick in our village, we noticed a waste bin outside one of the local shops that was overflowing with rubbish, mostly recyclable items like cans and plastic bottles.

It led to a brief conversation about how frustrating it is that away from home so much of our waste is not separated, with even those who actively want to recycle not given the opportunity to.

On the rare occasion that we buy, say, a drinks can when out and about (we always take refillable bottles with us), we will always take it home again to place in our recycling sack rather than simply putting it in the ‘bin’. But not everyone will be prepared, or think to do that, so we need to make it easy.

I was intrigued therefore to stumble upon an article in Wokingham.

Today later in the week, titled ‘Tories Reject Plans for Recycling Bins Across Wokingham Borough’.

At the recent Council meeting, Cllr Shirley Boyt (Bulmershe and Whitegates) said: “When I’m out and about in the Borough, I see overflowing litter bins which, on closer inspection, are almost always (full of) drink cans and plastic bottles.”

Seconding the motion, Cllr Rachel Burgess (Lab, Norreys), said that many residents would have expected the Council to have already addressed the issue, and added: “If we want more recycling, we need to make it easier for residents; this is an obvious example of how we can do that.”

Keen to find out more, I spoke with Cllr Gregor Murray (Con, Norreys), the executive member for emissions.

Setting the scene Cllr Murray said: “We aspire to reach 70% of our waste

BINGO: A set of recyling bins installed at Christchurch Green in Reading, offering people an opportunity to recycle plastic, newspapers and cans Picture: Phil Creighton recycled. To achieve this there is a number of actions we can take, each of which will come at a different cost and will deliver a different level of increase to our recycling rate.

“As our rate increases we start to see a diminished return for the cost we have to spend.

“We are currently working through all of these options and will deliver them to residents in the coming months via our new Waste Strategy.”

Discussing the motion brought

by Labour councillors, he said: “The challenges to this motion were that it was uncosted and unbudgeted; 2) there was no time frame applied to it; 3) it is not entirely in our control to deliver; and 4) compared to the cost, it would not deliver a big enough increase to our recycling rate at this time, and there are other things that could deliver a much bigger impact.”

Cllr Murray continued: “As these are outdoor bins they have to be robust, long lasting, meet specific health and safety standards, be fire resistant and be microbial resistant.

“As a result, WBC would need to buy bins costing circa £1,000 each.

In a community the size of ours we would require well over 1,000 of these bins, meaning that councillors would be voting to commit the Borough to in excess of £1million in spend, and potentially significantly more, without knowing exactly how much.

“As a fiscally responsible Council I simply couldn’t vote to do that.

“There is a second cost, which is the ongoing cost of collection. The rubbish from these bins is not always collected

by Violia, as per your household waste.”

It is also worth noting that town and parish councils assume responsibility for such matters in their respective areas, so some may choose to prioritise the issue.

So, “what next?” I hear you ask?

“Waste and recycling is high up the agenda and the new Waste Strategy will launch in the coming months,” explained Cllr Murray.

“This will lay out the roadmap to 1) reducing the total waste that

we generate as a community; 2) increasing our recycling rate to the maximum practically achievable; and 3) sending zero waste to landfill.

“We have a limited budget and have to make the biggest impact for our investment.”

Giving the introduction of new recycling sacks as an example, he said: “Based on the headline stats that I have seen, the impact the recycling sacks have had on reducing our wet recycling has been significant, which is great news.”

Last year, Wokingham Borough achieved the second highest increase in its recycling rate in England, boosting it to 50.3%, with the food waste scheme credited with playing a key role. Nationally England’s rate is 45.5%.

Progress then, with a hopefully clear and ambitious strategy imminent. But there remains a long way to go to hit the Council’s target of a 70% recycling rate by 2030.

Watch this space.

Created in 2018 by blogger and voluntary hack David Lamont, Plastic Free Home is an online community with over 32,000 followers that aims to seek and share ideas on how we can all live more sustainably. Visit www.theplasticfreehome. com or www.facebook.com/ plasticfreehomeuk

Go green to boost your wellbeing, says garden centre

A

S WOKINGHAM discovers the joy of houseplants, a garden centre has shared why they are the latest “must have” accessory.

According to Squire’s, which runs a store in Wokingham, owning and caring for houseplants is guaranteed to be a mood booster.

It says adding greenery to the home can improve people’s health and wellbeing, air quality and reduce stress.

Sarah Squire, chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres, says: “It is great to see customers enjoying houseplants and embracing them into their lifestyle, as tending to plants can have such a positive impact on your mood and wellbeing.

“Cacti and succulents are particularly popular at the moment, as are large-statement foliage plants which add gorgeous greenery to any room.”

According to Squire’s, potted plants can also make rooms appear “bigger, warmer and more inviting”.

But which houseplants should people buy?

The Garden Centre has weighed in with its top four trends: n Bold foliage, for example Swiss Cheese Plants or Rubber Plants n Attractive textures and colours, such as the Weeping Fig n Flowering houseplants, including Peace Lilies and Orchids n Small succulents, such as Aloe Vera and cacti.

36 | LEISURE

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, October 14, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE) (ENGLAND) ORDER 2015 NOTICE UNDER ARTICLE 13 OF APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION Proposed development at: 398, London Road, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1RE. Take notice that application is being made by: Mrs Rupal Pandit For planning permission to: Proposed single storey side extension.

Local Planning Authority to whom the application is being submitted: Wokingham Borough Council, Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1BN. Any owner of the land or tenant who wishes to make representations about this application, should write to the council within 21 days of the date of this notice.

Signatory: Mrs Rupal Pandit Dated: 14th October 2021 Statement of owners' rights: The grant of planning permission does not affect owners' rights to retain or dispose of their property, unless there is some provision to the contrary in an agreement or lease.

Statement of agricultural tenants' rights: The grant of planning permission for non-agricultural development may affect agricultural tenants' security of tenure.

'Owner' means a person having a freehold interest or a leasehold interest the unexpired term of which is not less than seven years. 'Tenant' means a tenant of an agricultural holding any part of which is comprised in the land.

This notice is for publication in a local newspaper.

37

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Thursday, October 14, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (UPPER CULHAM LANE, REMENHAM) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority proposes to make an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along: 1. Upper Culham Lane between its junctions with A4130 White Hill and Culham Lane.

2. Culham Lane between its junctions with Upper Culham Lane and Kenton’s Lane.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by these restrictions shall be via A4130 White Hill, A321 Wargrave Road and Kenton’s Lane or by this route in reverse.

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

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 1st November and 17th November 2021.

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Gigaclear contractors to undertake fibre optic installation, repair and maintenance works in safety.

Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times.

The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed.

The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 1st November 2021 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

Dated: 14th October 2021 Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

JOB VACANCY

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The ball is punted upfield

Crowthorne & Crown Wood Coyotes Pictures: Nadia Kruger Rams v Rosslyn Park Pictures: Paul Clark

Rams get over the line to score a try

RUGBY UNION

‘IT COULD BE RAMS’ BEST EVER PERFORMANCE ON THE PITCH’

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today

Rams 24 Rosslyn Park 21 SEB Reynolds hailed a ‘great advert for rugby’ after Rams held off a stunning Rosslyn Park fight-back to secure a battling 24-21 success at Old Bath Road on Saturday.

The hosts put in a magnificent first-half display to lead 24-0 at the break on the back of a brace of Henry Bird tries and one from Jamie Guttridge, along with nine points from the boot of returning fly-half Jacob Atkins.

However, the previously unbeaten Londoners put in a tremendous revival after the interval, Ben Howard, Phil Cokanasiga and captain Hugo Ellis running in tries converted

by Luc Smith during a 12-minute blitz which

turned the game on its head.

The away side continued to fire shot after shot at Rams during the final quarter, but a brave defensive effort ensured victory for the hosts.

Director of Rugby Seb Reynolds said: “It was similarly dramatic to the last time we played Rosslyn Park, but a very different game.

“It really was a game of two halves – we were completely dominant in the first half, playing some of the best rugby I’ve seen us play and it looked like it could be the best performance we’ve ever put in as a club.

“Then Rosslyn Park came back as we knew they would – they’re a really good side and full of pride. They came back well in the second half, but the boys wouldn’t be denied.

“They were really good in the final 10 minutes and our guts and determination to

Rams get over the whitewash to score

get that result meant I think we deserved the win.”

Leading from the front with a man-of-the-match display was vice-captain Tom Vooght, and Reynolds said: “He’s playing the best rugby I’ve ever seen him play – he’s a brilliant, brilliant open-side flanker.

“I’m really pleased for him and some of his turnovers in midfield were something to behold.”

And reflecting on the dramatic conclusion which saw Rams repel a number of attacks towards the death – a week after they had lost from the final play at Taunton – Reynolds said: “I felt we’d hold on – I thought we had enough gumption and attitude to stay with it even with a good side coming at us.

“It helped the crowd were superb. I think it’s down to the performances of both teams at the start of the

Rams v Rosslyn Park

season that we got so many along and we’re incredibly thankful to the supporters for coming out and cheering the boys on.

“It was a great day and a great advert for rugby – both teams put on a good show.”

After the first six matches of the league season, Rams are in second position with five wins and one defeat.

They are only behind league leaders Cinderford by three points, with the division’s top side currently unbeaten having won all six of their games.

Rams are on the road this weekend when they make the trip to face Bishop’s Stortford.

Saturday’s opponents have had a mixed start to their campaign in National Division One, with two wins, three defeats and a draw from their opening six matches.

CROWS COYOTES CELEBRATE SUCCESS IN DEBUT SEASON

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today CROWTHORNE & Crown Wood Cricket Club’s women’s team celebrated success after they were crowned champions of Berkshire.

The Crows Coyotes ensured that they capped off their first full season as a team with something to remember it by as they were victorious in the Berkshire Softball Finals Day. Competing against Sonning, West Ilsley and Slough, the Crows topped the table with nine points having won in all three of their matches.

“It was brilliant. It’s our first season as a new team so it was a real surprise to win the tournament,” said team coach Matt Jones.

“We went into the game wanting to do well and knew if we played some good cricket that we could aim to win at least one match, but to win all three was fantastic.

“We played against Sonning first, who are probably the best team, and we played out of our skin.

“Once we won that, I thought it could actually be our day.

“There are a few that have played a little bit of cricket before but most of them are new to the game and they have progressed really quickly.

“They are all so keen to learn and get better.

“It’s not just helping our team, but also helping to drive the sport forward as well.

This year we have seen big progress in the women’s game with double the amount of teams.”

Crowthorne & Crown Wood Coyotes Pictures: Nadia Kruger

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HOCKEY

RESULTS

SOUTH BERKS 1S HIT FAREHAM FOR SIX

Saturday, October 9 South Berks fight for possession against Reading

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

South Central Premier Division 2 SOUTH BERKSHIRE 1s put six past Fareham without reply in a spectacular performance.

Paul Kaplanski was in fine scoring form as he hit five goals, while Fox-Harvey added a sixth.

The win puts South Berks up to fifth after their second win of the season.

Thames Valley Premier League Finchampstead 3-1 Maidenhead Town Reading YMCA 1-2 Burghfield Wargrave 6-2 Reading City U23 Woodley United Royals 0-4 Windlesham & Chobham

SONNING 1s moved up to seventh with their first win of the season as they edged past Marlow 2s with a 2-1 success.

South Central North Division 2

South Berks Mens 1s in action against Fareham Mens 2s Pictures: Steve Smyth

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 2s were beaten by a solitary goal at Oxford University 3s.

SONNING 2s were defeated 2-1 away at Phoenix & Ranelagh.

South Central North Division 4

SONNING 3s took the points in an eight-goal game against READING 4s.

Sonning moved up to seventh with their first victory of the season with a 5-3 triumph.

SOUTH BERKSHIRE took three

points on the road against Banbury 3s.

Mike Longson scored twice, while Sam Coombes and Tom Pullen added to the score to secure a 4-2 win to put them up to third.

South Central Women’s Premier 1

SONNING LADIES 1s got the better of Maidenhead 1s with a

South Berks dribble forward with the ball

2-1 victory to put them in sixth position.

South Central Women’s North Division 1

SOUTH BERKSHIRE LADIES 1s were held to a goalless draw at home to READING 3s.

South Berks are in 10th, while Reading are in fifth after three games each.

TABLE TENNIS

HAT-TRICK HEROES: ROBERTS AND HURFORD WIN FOR SONNING

HAT tricks from Jason Roberts and Neil Hurford saw Sonning Common & Peppard A 9-1 winners at Kingfisher B in Division One.

Malcolm Gregory picked up two wins over KINGFISHER’S Stephen Leggett, while Neil Hurford only just got the better of Michael Stanners.

A good team performance saw Tidmarsh A defeat Sonning Common & Peppard C 6-4, Duncan Groves, Simon Barter and reserve Francois Durrand all winning twice, while Ed Lush managed a maximum for the Commoners.

KINGFISHER A’S hot streak continued as they beat club mates Kingfisher D 10-0, Hari Gehlot, Martin Adams and Darren Jones all with trebles.

Ian Cole’s hat trick helped Our Lady of Peace A to an 8-2 win at Kingfisher C, Ian beating Daniel McTiernan.

Despite a terrific win by Neil

Berks & Bucks Senior Cup Woodley United 1-1 Milton Keynes Irish (Irish win on pens) Combined Counties Division One Berks County 2-2 British Airways Eversley & California 1-2 Langley

South Central North Division 1

By NIGEL MALTBY sport@wokingham.today

FOOTBALL Combined Counties Premier North Hanworth Villa 4-0 Reading City Sumas 3-3 Edgware Town

Hurford over Dmitry Karkamov, Sonning Common & Peppard A’s two man team slipped to a 7-3 defeat at the hands of title chasing Kingfisher A. Despite a fine maximum from Graham Mendick KINGFISHER D lost 6-4 against club mates KINGFISHER C, Adrian Cretu just getting the better of Cath Venning and Emanuel Sandu edged out Jordan Haung.

Steve Murgatroyd’s hat trick proved the difference as OUR LADY OF PEACE A beat Sonning Common & Peppard C 6-4, Denise Weller beat Phil Davenport for the Commoners.

Alan Cumming got a treble as KINGFISHER B won 8-2 at Tilehurst RBL A, Michael Stanners managing a comeback win over Pete Bradley.

Despite being held to a 5-5 draw away to Tidmarsh B, OUR LADY OF PEACE B still topped the Division 2 table.

Ray Webb and Mike Aistrop scored two apiece for Tidmarsh, Francois Durand

aiding their cause with a single, losing in five games to Darek Kaminski, with Louise Forster also winning once and Alistair Richardson twice, for OLOP. A treble from Eric van Looy helped TILEHURST METHODISTS A secure their first win of the season, defeating Kingfisher G 7-3, Bill Stamatiou recording two wins and Masoud Ghabachi one win, although Kingfisher’s substitutes both won, Satej Jaywant winning twice and Huzeyfe Borazan once.

KINGFISHER F won 8-2 against club mates KINGFISHER E, Roger Pritchard and Ajai Kamath both scoring maximums, abetted by a single from Eapen John, who lost to Abhay Gore and Clive Gold but then defeated Andrew Adair, in his final set.

OLOP emerged as 7-3 winners, thanks to a treble from Binit Bhaskar, a double from Pradeep Desh and a single from Kaan Kitay.

South Berks dribble past an opponent

South Central Women’s Division 2

SONNING 2s were beaten for the first time this season as they lost 2-1 at Marlow 3s.

South Central Women’s Division 3 SOUTH BERKSHIRE LADIES 2s fell to a one-goal defeat at home to Milton Keynes 2s.

HOCKEY

HOLME GRANGE CROWNED BERKSHIRE CHAMPIONS HOLME Grange School have won the U16 Hockey Berkshire County Championships beating tough competition from around the county.

On Wednesday ,October 6, the girls from Holme Grange travelled to Bradfield College to compete in the tournament and played some outstanding hockey.

Starting with a 1-1 draw against St Mary’s Ascot, the girls then had another draw against The Abbey. Next the team safely negotiated two convincing wins against Pangbourne College (20) and Downe House (4-0).

A win against The Marist (2-1) meant facing The Abbey again in the final which was a close 0-0 draw.

The girls showed their resilience under great pressure. Holme Grange won on goal difference countback to see them through to the Regional South Central Finals and take home the silverware.

The team of 13 girls from Years 10 & 11 have made the Holme Grange community extremely proud.

“Their success is testament to their hard work at training sessions and their team spirit,’’ said Head of Girls Sport, Rebecca Fuller.

“Sport is integral to the daily life of Holme Grange pupils and with many girls playing for Berkshire County, the Holme Grange hockey community is going from strength to strength.”

Thames Valley Division One Eldon Celtic 2-3 Hurst Thames Valley Division Two AFC Winkfield 5-1 Hurst Reserves Windlesham & Chobham Development 2-2 Berks County Swords Thames Valley Division Four Berks County Rovers 0-2 Farnham Royal Mavericks Harchester Hawks 1-1 Finchampstead United Windlesham & Chobham A 1-2 Finchampstead Development RUGBY UNION National League One Rams 24-21 Rosslyn Park South West Division One Bracknell 41-3 Buckingham

Sunday, October 10

FOOTBALL Women’s Super League Reading 3-0 Aston Villa Southern Region Women’s Premier Division Woodley United 2-1 Wycombe Wanderers Southern Region Division One South Southampton Women Reserves 6-2 Eversley & California Thames Valley Women’s Division One Wargrave Women & Girls 0-1 Long Crendon Ladies Penn & Tylers Green 0-3 Tilehurst Panthers Women Thames Valley Division 3S Eversley & California Reserves 1-3 S4K Ladies

FIXTURES

Wednesday, October 13

Conti Cup Reading Women v Bristol City

Match report online at wokingham.today

Saturday, October 16

FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Reading v Barnsley Isthmian South Central Binfield v Westfield Combined Counties Premier North Sumas v Hanworth Villa Reading City v Spelthorne Sports Combined Counties Division One British Airways v Eversley & California Enfield Borough v Woodley United Hillingdon Borough v Berks County Thames Valley Premier League Reading City U23’s v Reading YMCA Richings Park v Finchampstead Woodley United Royals v Wargrave Thames Valley Division One FC Imaan Lions Hurst v Tadley Calleva Reserves Thames Valley Division Two Hurst Reserves v Maidenhead Town A Slough Heating Laurencians Reserves v Berks County Swords RUGBY UNION National League One Bishop’s Stortford v Rams

HOCKEY South Central Premier Division 2 Newbury & Thatcham v South Berkshire South Central North Division 1 Staines 2s v Sonning South Central North Division 2 South Berkshire 2s v Yateley Sonning 2s v Newbury & Thatcham 2s South Central North Division 4 South Berkshire 3s v Newbury & Thatcham 3s Oxford University 4s v Sonning 3s

Sunday, October 17

FOOTBALL Thames Valley Women’s Division One Tilehurst Panthers v Denham United Reserves Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S Wargrave Women Development v Caversham AFC Women Slough Town Ladies v S4K Ladies

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HARD EARNED POINT: WHITE AT THE COMBINED COUNTIES FOOTBALL

The Sumas were held to a high-scoring draw by Edgware Town on Saturday Pictures: Andrew Batt FootballinBerkshire

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today JAKE WHITE netted a brace as Wokingham & Emmbrook struck late to take a point in a six-goal thriller at Lowther Road against Edgware Town.

The Sumas twice had the lead as Nathan Mindomba netted the first goal of the game, and the scores were locked at 2-2 by half-time.

The visitors went ahead for the first time in the match in the second half but White came

up with a late equaliser to share the points.

Coming into the fixture with a desperate need to get points on the board, the Sumas knew they would be in for a tough test against a side in seventh before kick-off.

Edgware started well and created some early chances with the first two attempts at goal.

The visitors forward, Moe Khadum, cut inside from the left-wing and tested the gloves of Wokingham’s goalkeeper

Nathan Mindomba challenges for the ball

Sean Woodward. He rose to the occasion and held on to the ball.

He made another impressive stop at his near post to keep the game level after six minutes.

White had the ball in the back of the net for the Sumas – but the linesman had raised his flag for offside well in advance of his finish.

A minute later, the Sumas broke through to open the scoring as Harry Pearson combined with Mark O’Connell.

The cross was turned in at

the second time of asking by Mindomba from close range.

But the hosts weren’t ahead for long as Edgware responded with a leveller just four minutes later as Liam Magwood arrived at the back post unmarked to fire a shot past the keeper.

The visitors looked to pull ahead in the contest when Ofori broke behind the Sumas defence, but his attempt to dink the ball over Woodward was smartly read by the keeper who stood up tall and claimed the ball.

Both sides continued to trade chances in an end-to-end contest as Dan Carter tried his luck for the Sumas with a strong shot that was pushed behind for a corner.

Wokingham were beginning to find plenty of rhythm in their passing and looked threatening in forward areas as they sought to restore their lead, with plenty of positive link-up play from Pearson and Mindomba.

Just before the half-hour mark, the Sumas were rewarded for their attacking play as they

were awarded a penalty when White was fouled in the box.

Having won the spot-kick, the Sumas striker stepped up to take it and dispatched the ball low into the bottom right corner, beyond the reach of the keeper.

Edgware pushed hard to find another equaliser before half-time and thought they had when they blasted an effort at goal, but O’Connell was perfectly placed on the line to make a crucial block.

The frantic goal-mouth

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DOUBLE, BUT SUMAS HELD

From the middle

Dick Sawdon-Smith

A game of two halves, each of 30 minutes

R

action continued and the away side were rewarded for their tenacity with a leveller before half-time as Kahadum dribbled his way into the and curled a super effort into the top left corner.

The Sumas came out after the break and created some good chances as Mindomba worked tirelessly down the channel to win the ball and put in a teasing cross that was almost turned behind for an own goal.

The ball then fell into the path of Mindomba from a deflected effort, but the Edgware keeper was quick to react as he flew off his line to rush at the feet of the Sumas striker and make a smart save.

With both sides pushing hard to get in front, it was the visitors who got their goal.

In the 61st minute, Perry Price arrowed a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Having gone behind for the first time in the match, Wokingham responded strongly.

Jack Mullan burst down the leftwing and found himself through on goal but the opposing keeper made a crucial save to turn his poked effort behind for a corner.

The Sumas profited from the resulting corner as White latched on to the delivery on the volley as his shot looped over the keeper.

Both sides fought valiantly to find a winner throughout the final

15 minutes of the match, with several chances created at either end.

Woodward made a fantastic stop as Edgware got in behind with a long ball but were thwarted by the keeper.

Wokingham then got in behind the Edgware defence as White unselfishly looked to square the ball for a teammate arriving in the middle, but his attempted cross was cut out.

Woodward was called into action again with just a few minutes remaining on the clock as he flew to his right to make a stunning acrobatic stop.

Despite a tense period of stoppage time, the teams

couldn’t be separated as the entertaining game was brought to a close with honours shared in the Combined Counties Premier North.

The point moves Wokingham up a place in the table into 16th.

They are at home at the weekend when they host Hanworth Villa.

Wokingham & Emmbrook: Woodward, O’Connell, Tuttle, Carter, Cummuskey, Eagle, Pearson, Mullan, Mindomba, White, Noyes Subs: Clark, Burns-Peak, Squires Edgware Town: Anguzu, James, Magwood, Hill, Bitsindou, Sony-Bruce, Luke, Odusoga, Waite, Ofori, Khadum Goals: Mindomba 7’, Magwood 11’, White 27’ (pen), 75’, Khadum 42’, Price 61`

REACTION

WHITEHOUSE CALLS ON HIS SQUAD TO BEEF UP ITS DEFENCE

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK manager Eliot Whitehouse challenged his side to become more resilient in defence as they picked up a point against Edgware Town.

Despite a strong performance in attack, the Sumas boss is keen for his team to improve defensively.

There were some positives out of the game and also negatives from both teams,” said Whitehouse.

“We haven’t defended too well

today as you can see from the scoreline.

“In general, there are plenty of positives but also negatives, and that’s a good thing because we want to have things to work towards every week.

“Conceding three goals is the biggest negative because we want to be a team that doesn’t concede many.

“That has to be something that we pride ourselves on.

“We’re not a side that are outstanding at creating a great amount of opportunities so we’ve

got to make sure we protect our goal.

“We felt on four or five occasions that individual battle and one-onone defending at times wasn’t good enough and they managed to create opportunities from that.

“In that respect, we have to demand more from each other to be able to win individual battles.”

Whitehouse was quick to praise several individuals including striker Nathan Mindomba, Jack Mullan and goalkeeper Sean Woodward, who pulled off numerous excellent saves throughout the match.

“It’s a very similar case to what it was against St Panteilimon, the guys that are physically in a good space are able to give us the same quality from minute one to minute 90,” Whitehouse said.

“Nathan is a prime example, he doesn’t always need to have the best quality but will affect the game with his physicality and his fight.

“Nathan and Woody both had really good games and I’d also add Jack Mullan into that as well.

“Mark O’Connell also covered a lot of ground, there are also one or two more I could pick out.”

ECENTLY, I wrote about the suggestions from a number of people for a change in the way the duration of a match was recorded and the game was declared over.

What is probably little-known is there is a trial going on for a radical change to the duration of a match.

This is for a reduction of the length of each half from 45 minutes to 30 minutes.

BUT – and it is a big but – the watch will be stopped for every single stoppage or delay.

At present, the referee is told to make allowance for time lost for, substitutions, assessment and/or removal of injured player, wasting time, disciplinary sanctions (red and yellow cards) medical stoppages (drinks breaks, cooling breaks when agreed), VAR checks and reviews (where applicable) and any other cause where there is a significant delay to restart, such as goal celebrations.

You can see why 10 minutes can easily be added, such as at the Reading match against Cardiff.

The only occasion when the match can actually be extended after time is up is for a penalty to be taken.

Added time for every stoppage is already carried out in Futsal, FIFAs preferred indoor game, including whenever the ball goes out of play.

I went to Birmingham to watch a Futsal international against Greece and decided to check the actual length of the second half.

It was nearly 40 minutes – although the stipulated duration of the half was 20 minutes. This is the sort of extension that could happen if this proposal should be adopted for football.

Most major changes are trialled before being incorporated into the Laws.

VAR was trialled in six countries before being used at the World Cup in Russia.

However, just because a change is trialled, it doesn’t mean it will be adopted.

I remember watching an evening cup tie at Elm Park in the Watney Cup. The outer line of the penalty area was extended across the whole of the pitch and attackers could only be given offside if they were inside that 18 yards.

That disappeared, as do many of the other ideas that are trialled.

DON’T MISS NEXT WEEK

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Woodley United Ladies v Wycombe Wanderers (pictured left) Pictures: Andrew Batt FootballinBerkshire

Eversley & California v Langley (pictured right) Picture: Richard Milam

KESTRELS SOAR WITH FIRST WIN OF SEASON AGAINST WYCOMBE FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

of Southampton Women’s Reserves with a 6-2 loss.

Southern Region Women’s Thames Valley Women’s Premier Division Division One WOODLEY UNITED LADIES gained their first win of the season as they got the better of Wycombe Wanderers.

Maddie Sawyer and Mollie Haines were on the scoresheet for the Kestrels to see them to a 2-1 victory to see them move up to seventh in the table.

Southern Region Division One South EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA LADIES fell to their third defeat of the season at the hands

TILEHURST PANTHERS WOMEN are at the top of the table after they won on the road at Penn & Tylers Green.

Deanna Cane, Rhianna Langham and Lydia Vettese struck to put Tilehurst at the top with four wins from five.

WARGRAVE WOMEN & GIRLS suffered their first loss of the season with a 1-0 defeat at home to Long Crendon.

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S

S4K BERKS COUNTY LADIES soared to pole position after they beat EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA RESERVES away from home.

Ellie Messitt netted for Eversley, but a brace from Megan Cox and a goal from Charisse-Ellouise Tregear were enough to see the Fawkes to a 3-1 win.

Combined Counties Premier North READING CITY went down to league leaders Hanworth Villa as their opponents continued their unbeaten run.

The Cityzens conceded four without reply away from home which leaves them in 13th.

FA Trophy

BINFIELD progressed in the cup with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over North Leigh.

The Moles came back from two goals down as Jack Thomson-Wheeler and Callum Bunting brought them level to take the game to penalties.

Binfield goalkeeper Chris Grace produced heroics in the shootout as he saved two penalties to help the Moles to a 4-1 shootout win.

Berks & Bucks Senior Cup WOODLEY UNITED were eliminated from the cup after they were beaten on penalties

by Milton Keynes Irish.

The Kestrels fell behind but responded through Ciaran Carolan as the game finished level and went to a shootout.

But the visitors progressed after scoring a winner right on sudden death.

equaliser, earning a 2-2 draw.

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA drop down to ninth in the table after they were beaten 2-1 at home by Langley.

Combined Counties Division One

FINCHAMPSTEAD remain at the top of the table after they beat Maidenhead Town.

The game saw the sides in first and second coming into the match and goals from James Payne, Nick Payne and Callum Vallance ensured Finch’s place as league leaders with a 3-1 victory.

READING YMCA suffered a home defeat to Burghfield.

BERKS COUNTY are in fifth after they picked up a point against British Airways.

The Swords took the lead with a goal from Ebby Opoku-Ware, but Airways hit back with two goals in quick succession.

Berks ensured they got a point as they grabbed an

Thames Valley Premier League

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BASKETBALL

NO FLAKES: ROCKETS SCORE 99 AS THEY USE HOME ADVANTAGE OVER WARRIORS

By GARY JOHNSON sport@wokingham.today

Reading Rockets 99 Leicester Warriors 54 READING ROCKETS recovered from last weekend’s defeats with a resounding victory over Leicester Warriors.

In their first game back at the Rivermead, the Rockets brilliant defensive intensity and shotmaking in a dominant performance from start to finish.

An action-packed first quarter saw the Rockets jump to an early commanding lead. AJ Basi and Tyler Cartaino

got the scoring underway with a three and dunk respectively, establishing a five-point lead which would hold strong throughout the quarter.

With a 26-15 advantage, the Rockets were in great shape at the end of first and deservedly so, showing fantastic energy on both ends of the court.

The Rockets’ hustle was just as evident entering the second period, with stifling defence the order of the day from all Coach Pearson’s men.

Jaz Bains made backto-back threes early in the quarter to kickstart the offence.

More activity on the boards from Meshack late in the quarter gave the Rockets some easy buckets, ensuring that even a late three from Leicester’s Haggith couldn’t break the 20 point stranglehold which the Rockets had established.

A late bucket from Cartaino saw his point total rise to 17 for the half and put the Rockets at 53-30 going into the break.

KV Live maintained pressure on the offensive glass as the third came to a close, earning a putback for himself and a short jumper for Lufile, before both KV and 16-year-old Isaac Round hit their first threes of the

game to push the lead evercloser to 40.

Another Reis Pinnock three saw a dominant third quarter end with the Rockets cruising at 84-36.

Coach Pearson took the opportunity to throw all the Rockets’ young talent on the floor, with Ash Kitchen joining Ronnie Oguekwe, KV Live and Isaac Round on the floor alongside Reis Pinnock to marshal the team.

The confidence of the academy players, who

were each treated to considerable minutes in this game, was on show in the closing minutes and will give Coach Pearson great belief in the depth of the squad going forwards, with Ash Kitchen’s late contributions ensuring that all Reading players earned 10 minutes of time on the hardwood.

With a final score of 99-54, Reading put on a clinic in their first game at Rivermead this season.

MOTORSPORT

RACING STAR BOBBY SHORTLISTED FOR NATIONAL AWARD WOKINGHAM racing driver Bobby Trundley has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

Bobby, 22, from Wokingham has been shortlisted in the Young Person of the Year category of the Autism Hero Awards, organised by Anna Kennedy Online – a charity that works to raise awareness of autism.

Bobby is a driver for all-disabled team BRIT, which aims to be the first ever all disabled team to race in the Le Mans 24 hour.

He is currently competing in the Britcar Championship in an Aston Martin GT4.

He races in the final event of the year at Donington later this month and will be pushing for a championship podium finish, alongside his GT4

Bobb Trundley Picture: Darren Cook Scruffy Bear teammate Aaron Morgan from Basingstoke.

Bobby was diagnosed with severe autism at age four and faced the severe social and developmental challenges that are so common for

those living with the condition.

A chance invitation to a karting birthday party at the age of 10 changed his life and lit a fire in Bobby that has led to him becoming the most

successful autistic racing driver in the world.

Karting instantly changed his life and his natural talent for the sport made it clear that for Bobby, on the race track his autism is his superpower.

He went on to become a five-time karting champion before joining Team BRIT in 2019. In his first-ever year of car racing, he won four out of his five races and this year he is teamBRIT’s fastest driver and has been named within the pair that will step up to British GT in 2022, taking the team and Bobby just one step away from being able to apply for Le Mans.

Alongside his racing, Bobby is an ambassador for autism awareness, sharing his story to help and inspire others to believe that anything is possible.

WALKING FOOTBALL

SUMAS REACH SEMIS IN NATIONAL FINALS

Wokingham & Emmbrook walking football WOKINGHAM & Emmbrook Football Club’s over-50s Walking Football Team made it to the semi-final stage of last weekend’s Pharmacy2U National Finals.

Having struggled to find employment since qualifying in motorsports engineering, he has now secured a job as a driver for BT, which he carries out alongside his racing commitments.

Team BRIT Founder Dave Player said; “This is such fantastic news and exactly the kind of recognition Bobby deserves.

“We’ve seen Bobby turn from a shy, quiet young man who was lacking in confidence or self belief, to our most successful racing driver, competing against some incredible drivers and showing the world that autism – or any other disability – does not need to hold you back.

“Congratulations Bobby – we’re very proud of you.”

They lost to the eventual winners WestonSuper-Mare, having progressed from the group stages of the competition in Barnsley.

The team, all aged over 50, faced up against seven champions from other regions, including Everton, Blackburn and Norwich.

Wokingham & Emmbrook are no strangers to winning prestigious competitions. In 2020 they reached the semi-final stages of the same competition.

Mike Allpress, captain and player-manager of the Sumas, said: “We were incredibly disappointed. We were 1-0 up for the majority of the semi-final, and we should have scored a second goal.

“We made a substitute with seven minutes left and, in hindsight, it disrupted the balance.

We ended up conceding two silly goals.

He added: “It would have been nice to have beaten Leeds in the final. Next year, maybe?”

“It’s an interesting version of football, and it is still evolving,” He explained one of the reasons behind Wokingham & Emmbrook’s success.

“Some of our team, including myself, have been playing in various teams together since we first played for the St. Crispin’s School team in 1976.”

Such is the strength of walking football at Wokingham & Emmbrook that the club fields two teams in the Thames Valley Walking Football League’s over-50’s Premiership.

(54) and Ali Raza (43).

Banbury’s Ward finished the tournament with a total of 595 runs, which included 61 sixes and 39 fours.

Former Finchampstead captain Lincoln virtually matched him with 594 that contained 54 maximums and 40 fours. He also hit the only century, 105 not out.

The pair proved a glowing advertisement for the standard of Home Counties Premier League cricket.

Wokingham & Emmbrook walking football

CRICKET

BERKS BATSMAN LINCOLN STARS IN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

By DAVE WRIGHT

BERKSHIRE’S bold-hitting batter Dan Lincoln led the National Counties Cricket Association to glory in the inaugural Dream11 European Championship in Malaga.

The England representatives defeated Belgium by 10 wickets in the final of this 15-nation T10 tournament.

In addition to skipper Lincoln, the winning squad

also included Wokingham duo Andy Rishton and Max Uttley as well as Henley’s Euan Woods. They were coached by Berkshire performance manager Tom Lambert, assisted by former county player Richard Logan, the NCCA’s operations director.

They generally dominated the event, suffering only two defeats – against Italy and Belgium – in a busy programme of 19 matches.

Slough batter/ wicketkeeper Lincoln led from the front throughout the tournament, producing some venomous hitting and sharing matchwinning partnerships with Oxfordshire’s Harrison Ward.

The opening pair dominated the final held in perfect sunshine at the Cartama Oval, scoring an unbeaten 149 as they guided their side home with seven balls to spare.

Lincoln, who has played T20 cricket for Middlesex and for Kent in the County Championship in the last two seasons, struck six sixes and six fours in his unbeaten 80 from 31 balls and Left-hander Ward, who also plays for Sussex, made 61 not out from 24 balls, an innings that also included half-a-dozen maximums.

Belgium had earlier made 148-6 following a third-wicket partnership of 89 between Sherry Butt

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0800 30 50 30 Reading’s player of the match Natasha Dowie celebrates her first goal for the club

Didn’t have much to do at all after a busy opening four games where she has been excellent, but was protected brilliantly by her defence.

FAYE BRYSON

Helped out in attack when she could and defended well up against Villa’s tricky winger Alisha Lehmann who was limited to half chances.

DEANNA COOPER

A solid job at the back in a much more assured defensive performance having been forced off with injury against Everton.

GEMMA EVANS

Put in some crucial blocks and tackles to help limit Villa to zero shots on target throughout the match to earn a clean sheet.

TASH HARDING

The captain returned to the side and helped organise at the back having been injured against Everton.

Added experience in defence.

JUSTINE VANHAEVERMAET Her best performance for the Royals since joining in the summer.

Looked comfortable in the midfield alongside Chaplen and Rowe

BROOKE CHAPLEN

Had a good chance to score early on when she got on the end of Rose’s cutback but had her shot blocked.

Lively throughout in attacking areas.

AMALIE EIKELAND

An element of fortune about her opener which looked to be a cross but a well deserved piece of luck. An all round solid performance.

RACHEL ROWE

Reading’s top scorer last season got off the mark as she notched the second goal of the game with a tidy finish at the near post.

DEANNA ROSE

Showed her bundles of pace which will be a useful asset for the Royals. Helped to create several chances and set up Dowie’s goal.

NATASHA DOWIE

Got on the scoresheet with her first Royals goal as she lashed a superb strike into the top corner on the stroke of half-time.

SUBSTITUTIONS Emma Harries 6, Chloe Peplow n/a

FIRST HALF FLURRY SEES WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE

HOW THEY RATED

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READING 3 ASTON VILLA 0

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING FC WOMEN ended their run of four straight defeats as they produced a magnificent performance to beat Aston Villa.

Having waited more than four matches for a goal, the Royals scored a quickfire double as Amalie Eikeland and Rachel Rowe gave them the perfect start.

Natasha Dowie then netted her first Royals goal with a sumptuous strike on the stroke of half-time to put them three ahead.

Reading came into the match looking to turn their form around after a miserable start to the campaign as Tash Harding and Rachel Rowe returned to the starting line-up.

Meanwhile, the visitors had two former Royals players in their side as defender Maz Pacheco started at full-back and Remi Allen, who played 66 times in the league for Reading, was given the captain’s armband for Villa.

The Royals made a bright start to lift the home crowd as winger Deanne Rose showed her pace down the left touchline and placed a promising cut back into the box which found Brooke Chaplen in front of goal, but a Villa defender got her body in the way of the shot.

But having waited just over four games to score a goal, two came along in quick succession.

Eikeland opened the scoring in the 16th minute as the Royals burst forward on the counter attack and the Reading forward found the back of the net as her cross from the right looped up over the head of

Reading Women v Aston Villa Pictures: Neil Graham Villa keeper Hannah Hampton.

Just three minutes later, Reading doubled their advantage as Rowe got on the scoresheet just moments after the hosts cleared potential danger from a Villa corner.

Rose showed immense work rate to beat Hampton to the ball and recycled possession back out wide to find Rowe who arrowed a shot into the roof of the net at the near post from a tight angle.

With momentum now very much in their favour, Kelly Chambers’ team continued to look fluid in attack and test the Villa defence.

Full-back Faye Bryson fizzed a teasing ball into the area that just evaded the head of Rose at the back post.

Carla Ward’s team had plenty of chances from set pieces, winning six corners throughout the firsthalf, but they were unable to test Grace Moloney in the Reading goal.

With the game on the brink of half-time, the Royals added to their delightful opening 45 minutes with a third goal of the afternoon.

Rose picked out the run of Natasha Dowie who set herself before she lashed a shot from outside the box that flew into the top corner to cap off a stunning half for the hosts.

Rachel Rowe turns past her marker in midfield

MATCH STATS READING: Moloney, Bryson, Evans, Cooper, Harding, Eikeland, Venhaevermaet, Chaplen, Rowe, Dowie, Rose SUBS: Peplow, Harries, Woodham, Roberts, Lister, Stewart ASTON VILLA: Hampton, Mayling, Sergeant, Asante, Pacheco, Lehmann, Arthur, Petzelberger, Hayles, Allen, Boye-Hlorkah SUBS: Davison, Blindkilde, Ewers, N’Dow, Rogers, McLoughlin, Hutton GOALS: Eikeland 16’, Rowe 19’, Dowie 45+2’

The second-half was a much more balanced affair compared to the clinical opening 45 minutes from the Royals.

But they managed to sit on their three-goal lead and frustrate the away side to not allow them a glimmer of hope to get back in to the contest.

Chambers made her first change of the match in the 67th match as Rose was replaced after a lively display by Emma Harries.

Villa came close to grabbing a goal back in the 74th minute as Alisha Lehmann came forward on the left and hit a curling strike with her right-foot that clipped the outside of the far post.

Lehmann had another pop at goal just moments later but didn’t

REACTION

CHAMBERS ‘OVER THE MOON’ AFTER VILLA VICTORY READING FC Women’s manager Kelly Chambers was delighted after her side found their first win of the Women’s Super League season.

Having had four defeats on the bounce, the Royals lifted themselves off the bottom of the table with a convincing win over Aston Villa on Sunday.

“We knew we needed to get something to get ourselves up for the next few months of the campaign,” said Chambers.

“The girls were simply fantastic.

I’m over the moon.

“Look, we’ve had a tough start to the season in terms of the teams we’ve played, results and our performances not meeting the expectations we set ourselves.

“We had a solid week of training,

where the girls just wanted to be ready.

“The vibe in the camp this week has been incredible, and I can’t ask anymore from the girls today.

“I thought they were brilliant.”

The Royals boss hailed a strong sense of unity among the squad and the fans, which helped them to gain their first points of the season.

“Even coming into the stadium pre-match, the vibe was good, a strong essence of unity amongst the squad which gave us another edge,” Chambers continued.

“It was important to address the fact that we could have either sat and sulked about the start of the season or play with courage and set the stall out about us today.

“All the credit must go to them.

We made the game all about us and they did their jobs individually.

“I said to them if you execute your jobs, it’ll come together, and it came with that and a result.

Reading now have a break from league action with the next international break before they return to WSL fixtures against Birmingham City on Sunday, November 7.

“The result helps us for many reasons.

“It gives us a much better outlook on the next few games coming up in the league after the international break.

“It provides the players with a huge morale boost which only wins can give you.

“Plus it gives us some momentum to take into our next match.

“We’ll enjoy this moment, it’s what you need to do.

“The team has put so much into this week.

“We’ll be sure that we are all focused on continuing the high level of performance, so when we come back together in a few weeks, we will be ready to build on what we have started.”

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ROYALS ON TO A WINNER

From the Tilehurst End

By Olly Allen

What price to pay for success?

S Eikeland opens the score

Reading celebrate Eikeland’s opener get a good connection as her effort flew high over Moloney’s bar.

Reading thought they should have been awarded the chance for a fourth from the penalty spot when Harries looked to have been tripped

by Anita Asante in the box, but the referee waved the protests away.

The Royals held out to complete a professional performance in the second-half to earn their first win of the league campaign with a clean sheet.

Reading are back at home on Wednesday night when they host Bristol City in the Conti Cup. Reading midfielder Rowe, who scored the second goal of the game, was delighted with the result and is now determined for the Royals to push on and use their performance as momentum for the season.

“It was a big moment for us to end on a positive note,” said Rowe.

Brooke Chaplen “It’s nice to get three points on the table, it’ll give us a massive boost of morale in the team.

“We’ve got one more game now in the week before we break for the internationals.

“I’ve been out for a couple of weeks, so coming back in I wanted to influence the team in the best way possible.

“We’ve all got around each other this week, as it’s been a difficult start, but football is very emotional and you cannot get too emotionally involved at the start of the season.

“We’re only five games in, there are a lot more games to be played, points to be won and we’ve just got to keep that realism.

“Now we have our first win, first points on the board, we will build on this and get better and better each week.”

“I think my confidence has been

Eikeland celebrates her first goal

Rowe strikes Reading’s second goal

quite high recently.

“I like to take long-range shots in front of goal, it’s something I pride myself on, so I’m not too surprised that it went in, even though the keeper almost got there.

“For us, we were really clinical today in front of goal today, and took our opportunities, so Amalie, Tash, and myself will be thriving off that – as well as the whole team.

“But as well as our finishing, you have to give plenty of credit to the team for their defensive performance.

“Limiting Aston Villa to no shots on target is a great result and a deserved clean sheet for Grace who’s been epic for us this season already.

“Overall to get our first win, first goals, it will definitely get us into good flow going into our next game against Bristol City.”

Dowie celebrates

PREVIEW

ROYALS HOST STRUGGLING TYKES IN CHAMPIONSHIP CLASH READING’S men’s team are looking to build a winning run when they return from the international break to face Barnsley.

The Royals earned a smash and grab win away at Cardiff prior to the break, where just one short on target was enough to take the points as Junior Hoilett netted against his former club.

Having earned their first away clean sheet of the season in Wales, the Royals pushed themselves up to 10th in the Championship table as their impressive form of four wins from their last five helped to fix the damage of a disappointing start.

Meanwhile, Saturday’s visitors to the Select Car Leasing Stadium have had a dramatic fall from grace having been last season’s surprise package where they reached the play-off semi-finals.

Valérien Ismaël’s superb record with the Tykes didn’t go unnoticed as he was poached by West Bromwich Albion, who look to bounce back having been relegated from the Premier League.

Barnsley not only lost their manager, but lost one of their most influential players, Alex Mowatt, who linked up with Ismaël at Albion.

Barnsley have struggled to recover from the loss of two pivotal figures at the club and have endured a dismal start to the 2021/22 campaign.

They are currently in the relegation zone in 22nd place with eight points from 11 matches under new manager Markus Schopp who has managed just one win.

Barnsley’s only win of the season came on the opening day against Coventry City, but their form has been miserable ever since with five defeats and five draws in their last 10.

They are also the joint lowest

scorers in the division with seven goals in 11 matches, and have conceded 14.

Reading took the points on Barnsley’s last visit to the SCL in September 2020 with goals from Yakou Meite and Michael Olise giving the hosts a 2-0 win.

Meanwhile, the last meeting between the teams later that season ended all square as Alex Mowatt’s penalty cancelled out Ovie Ejaria’s opener. n NEXT WEEK’S NEW SPORTS TODAY PAPER WILL HAVE A FULL PICTURE ROUND-UP OF ALL THE ACTION

INCE the confirmation of the £300m Saudi-backed purchase of Newcastle United last week, I’ve done a lot of thinking about where I stand on the takeover’s moral spectrum.

On the one hand, I feel delighted for Newcastle fans who have endured Mike Ashley’s energy-sapping tenure over the last 14 years and should now see their club return to the high echelons of English football where history dictates they should be.

I fully expect the Magpies to be challenging for the Premier League title and competing in Europe within the next five years. It is what such a proud football city deserves.

However, not only will there be accusations that success has been ‘bought’, it will all simply form part of the ownership’s sports-washing plan.

Big-name players will arrive on Tyneside and trophies may follow, funded by Saudi money. However, Amnesty International catalogues a list of issues with the country’s ruling regime, including prohibiting homosexuality, and discrimination against women.

It has me wondering what price we are willing to pay for our team’s good fortune. Now, Reading and Dai Yongge and Newcastle and PIF are not comparable in any way from a moral standpoint. Questions do not need to be raised over Mr Dai’s background. However, his actions as owner have come at a cost and threatened the long-term future of the club.

Mr Dai clearly wants to improve Reading and is desperate to get into the Premier League.

Those are ambitions shared by all supporters.

But how far are we willing to go and what are we willing to risk to see such ambitions realised?

In 2019, there was mass excitement as Reading spent big in the last week of the summer transfer window, bringing in George Puscas, Lucas Joao et al.

Two years on, there is no tangible progress in the league to show for it and the club are set to receive a points deduction.

Certainly if Reading were to get promoted in the next few years, I would feel a lot more satisfaction if we did so in a pragmatic manner and had not put the whole club’s existence at stake in the process.

So, by all means enjoy watching Newcastle’s transformation over the next few years, but never lose sight of the full story off the pitch.

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By DAVE WRIGHT sport@wokingham.today FRANK Lambert has become the latest player to receive a scholarship from the Sand Martins Feel Inspired Golf Academy.

The scholarship programme from the golf club supports and encourages young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

The teenager was recommended by programme manager/ coordinator Alan Leason and assistant club professional Jamie Banning, with general manager Matt Short giving the final approval.

Frank’s inspiration to play golf comes from his cousins, uncle, dad and grandad who all play.

He started playing three years ago and lessons at the Wokingham club until health problems and GCSEs got in the way.

Leason said: “He really enjoys playing with the Feel Inspired Academy group at Sand Martins as he likes the routine of playing every week with a very supportive group.

“It is a great way to meet other people who are also interested in playing golf.

“He is looking forward to playing more golf now that he is a scholar with other members of the group and is planning to bring along his Granddad as his guest.”

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ROYALS WOMEN 3 VILLA 0

OVER THE MOON!

WINNING FEELING: Reading Women beat Aston Villa at the Select Car Leasing Stadium Picture: Neil Graham

WIN LIFTS TEAM OFF ROCK BOTTOM

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

READING FC women broke a run of four consecutive defeats on Sunday as they defeated Aston Villa 3-0 at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

The Royals had made a disastrous start to the new Women’s Super League campaign with losses against Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton leaving them at the bottom of the table prior to the weekend’s round of fixtures.

Not only were they without a point at the bottom, but they had yet to score a goal.

However, their misfortunes were put to bed on Sunday with a magnificent display against Villa as they found their first win and clean sheet of the season.

The Royals produced a first-half masterclass as they blew their opponents away to all but seal the points in the opening 45 minutes.

Amalie Eikeland got them off the mark in the 16th minute when her cross looped over the head of Villa goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and found the corner as Reading finally broke their run of four games without finding the net.

And they didn’t have long to wait for their next goal when Rachel Rowe fired into the top corner just three minutes later to extend the lead.

The half was capped off in fine

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style in stoppage time as new signing Natasha Dowie netted her first goal in a Reading shirt blasting an effort into the top corner.

The Royals will be keen to build on their form when they host Bristol City in the Conti Cup on Wednesday evening in their final match before the next international break.

Kelly Chambers’ side then return to WSL action on Sunday, November 7 when they travel to face Birmingham City.

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