Thursday, June 9, 2022 No. 367 90p
WOKINGHAM TODAY THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH
Wokingham’s Platinum Jubilee
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 9, 2022
BEACON LIGHTING LET THERE BE LIGHT: The mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, lights the beacon in Woodford Park, Woodley Picture: Phil Creighton
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Publisher • David Riley Editor • Phil Creighton Reporters • Daniel Blackham, Jake Clothier, Ji-Min Lee, Emma Merchant Sports reporter • Andy Preston Graphic designer • Charlotte Simpson The Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation. If you have a complaint about a Wokingham Paper Ltd publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance email: editor@wokingham.today. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.
Bel Canto Chorus lead singing at Woodford Park By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today WOODLEY residents came together on Jubilee Thursday to light a Platinum Jubilee beacon in Woodford Park.
The mayor of Woodley Town Council, Cllr Janet Sartorel, welcomed people to the short ceremony starting at 9.45pm, before taking the large taper to light the crown-shaped beacon. The crowds applauded as the Bel Canto Chorus sang the special jubilee anthem, A Song for the Commonwealth. Cllr Sartorel then joined the choir to lead everyone in the singing of the national anthem. Although this was the end of the proceedings, those attending stayed to chat with friends, take
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pictures of the beacon and enjoy its warmth. “It felt extremely special to light the beacon – I feel honoured,” said Cllr Sartorel. “I’m delighted to be mayor at this historic time.” She said she had enjoyed watching the Trooping The Colour ceremony from London, and the beacon lighting came at the end of a “wonderful day”. “The Bel Canto Chorus helped make the event, they’ve added to the occasion, and it felt quite moving to be with the choir singing the national anthem,” she said. “One of the main things was seeing how many people in Woodley turned out tonight, it’s been absolutely wonderful,” she added. “I think everybody enjoyed it very much.”
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BEACON LIGHTING
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Finchampstead join beacon lighting in church’s grounds
ON SONG: Pipe major Ron Paterson
By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today HUNDREDS of Finchampstead residents came together on Thursday evening to light a Platinum Jubilee Beacon.
The Revd Dr Leonard Onugha welcomed people to the ceremony which started just before 9.30pm at St James Church. Pipe Major Ron Paterson then performed Diu Regnare, a tune composed for the jubilee which was played by pipers around the country. The crowd joined together for a rendition of the national anthem before Cllr Simon Weeks, chair of Finchampstead Parish Council, raised a toast to the queen before signalling for the beacon to be lit. Cllr Weeks said: “It is fantastic to
see such a great throng of people here in the very special village of Finchampstead to mark this very special occasion.” The church’s choir and pianist then performed a number of songs including A Song for the Commonwealth and Jerusalem. Although this was the end of the proceedings, the hundreds attending stayed to chat with friends and take pictures of the beacon.
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 9, 2022
BEACON LIGHTING
Hurst lights up ... and Theresa May dances
Lucy Zeal lights Hurst’s beacon with help from John Jones, who created it
A JUBILEE beacon lighting ceremony was an emotional event for many of the 750 people who watched and took part, writes Sue Corcoran. Tears welled up as the Hurst beacon was lit and the St Nicholas Singers performed the jubilee song A Life Filled with Grace. A sliver of crescent moon looked down on the crowd in the community orchard opposite St Nicholas Church. Among those enjoying the DJ Paul Palmer’s music afterwards were local MP Theresa May and her husband Philip – who obligingly threw some shapes to dance for a young villager’s phone videos. The church led the evening last Thursday with jubilee crafts
for children, refreshments and red, white and blue flower arrangements on show. A large band of 14 took turns to ring the church bells. Two new ringers were Janice Howell of Whistley Green, Hurst and Angela Vickery of Winnersh. They had answered a call, backed by Wokingham Today, for more ringers for the jubilee. They said tower captain Graham Slade was a great teacher. Wokingham Rock Choir’s 80 singers performed. The Hurst Clangers played the national anthem with their hand bells. Reading bagpipe player Colleen Scott gave moving renditions of the jubilee bagpipe tune Diu Regnare
[Latin for Long to Reign] and other tunes. The beacon was lit by Lucy Zeal, Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire and John Jones engineer at Haines Hill Estate, Hurst. Mr Jones made the beacon which was the estate’s gift to the village. Hurst Parish Council chairman Wayne Smith told the crowd that Wokingham Today had been responsible for finding someone to make the beacon. Cllr Smith praised the Queen, saying: “It is just such a remarkable achievement by a very special lady.” The village’s packed four-day jubilee celebration was organised by Hurst Parish Council and many other helpers. Cllr Smith thanked the parish councillor (and DJ) who
had led the effort and done so much. “None of this would have happened without Paul ‘Jubilee’ Palmer,” he said. He also thanked Stanlake Wine Estate for their sponsorship and everyone who had taken part. He added: “We hope this celebration will remembered through many generations to come.” He was pleased that MP Theresa and Philip May had attended the beacon lighting. “Of all the places our MP could have gone, she came to Hurst,” he said. The next day Hurst enjoyed a sports day with events at the football and cricket grounds. Hurst Bowling Club encouraged visitors to have a go.
Abbey ruins venue for Reading ceremony By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@wokingham.today READING’S Mayor, Cllr Rachel Eden, was one of thousands to mark the Platinum Jubilee by lighting a beacon on Thursday.
Nearly 200 people gathered in Reading’s Abbey Ruins to watch as Cllr Eden ignited one of the 3,500 beacons which were lit across the globe as night fell. As well as those attending,
a group of around 30 formed behind the courtyard to watch the ceremony as it took place in the ruins of the chapter house. The event was also livestreamed on Reading Borough Council’s Facebook page. After a short address by the mayor and the deputy lieutenant, Felicity Rutland, guests were treated to a performance of Song for the Commonwealth by Reading Male Voice Choir.
The choir has also taken part in an international release of the song, which features vocal performances from groups across the commonwealth, where they were one of just 20 groups to appear in the video singing to celebrate the occasion. They where followed by Pipe Major Alan Vaugh, who played Diu Regnare on the bagpipes, and Cadet Freddie Shaw from the Berkshire Cadet Unit, who
marked the ceremony with a bugle call. At 9.45pm, Cllr Eden lit the beacon. She said: “I was a little nervous, to be honest, but it was such a moving moment. “And to be in such a beautiful part of Reading, surrounded by people, I think it’s a very special weekend.” She continued: “We’re celebrating, but it felt quite reflective. “It’s wonderful to think that as we were lighting the beacon, 3,000 other places are doing exactly the same thing. “We’re all distinctive, and we have our own traditions, but we all came together to mark that one moment. That was really special.” The lighting of the beacons was proclaimed by the town crier earlier in the day, following a 30-minute peal of the bells at Reading Minster of St Mary the Virgin, led by Steve Rossiter. Town crier Nigel Hopkins was joined by the Bishop of Reading, the Revd Olivia Graham, and two archdeacons, as he announced the event at 2pm outside the church.
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BEACON LIGHTING
Sonning gathers for its beacon lighting
Sonning’s Beacon lighting ceremony saw all ages come together Pictures: Steve Smyth By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today SONNING held a series of special events to mark the start of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
On Jubilee Thursday and Friday, the bi-annual scarecrow trail has been taking place with thousands of visitors admiring all kinds of witty tableaux,
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some with a royal theme (see page 10 for more). There is also a classic car show and some open gardens to explore. The village church, St Andrew’s, welcomed bellringers who rang out a full peal of Spliced Surprise Major. This piece of music lasts three hours and seven minutes. Helping the church with the peal where ringers from Reading,
Caversham, Wimbledon, Basingstoke and Bramley. And in the evening, attention switched from the village to the King George V recreation ground. From 7pm, Sonning Scouts served a barbecue, while younger people could enjoy a bouncy castle, a treasure hunt, cricket nets, and a penalty shoot-out. There was also a chance to buy ice cream, while the pavilion bar was
open for business. It was all a precursor to the village’s beacon lighting ceremony. Children were allowed to gather at the front of the crowds to ensure they could see, and the beacon blazed in the light of the crescent moon. The village’s festivities included a special church service and a street party on Sunday, held in Pearson Hall.
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 9, 2022
WOKINGHAM’S PARTY IN THE PARK
Circus fun for youngsters ADULTS weren’t the only ones who partied at Wokingham’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations on Saturday – there was fun for children to enjoy. Thanks to Wokingham Libraries, morearts and Circus Scene, there was plenty to do. Atrractions included a stilt walker blowing bubbles high above the visitors’ heads, and a rope bubble blower creating enormous bubbles for delighted children below. Entertainers from Circus Scene also performed for the crowds. And the group provided a free circus workshop where youngsters were able to try juggling, hula hooping, plate spinning and clown walking. There was a covered art station for children who needed a quieter activity. And for Wokingham Fire and Rescue Service brought one of their vehicles to explore.
Rock around the decades at Elms Field celebration concert By Phil Creighton news@wokingham.today SIX bands representing all seven decades of the Queen’s reign performed in Elms Field on Jubilee Saturday – and the town partied on.
From rock n roll to the present day, all genres of music were represented. The show kicked off with the sound of the 50s, courtesy of Peggy Sue & The Jukebox.
That was followed by some of the greatest Motown hits, thanks to the Midnight Soul Sisters. The 70s were represented by a tribute to Bob Marley and the Wailers, Trenchtown Experience. The band performed all of the Wailers’ greatest hits and encouraged the audience to join in. Well and truly warmed up, by the time Supersonic Queen took to the stage the dancing shoes were on, and
the crowds took to their feet as classics such as We Are The Champions and I Want To Break Free were heard. Spice! celebrated all things Girl Power, and the audience joined on the singing of top tunes including Mama, Wannabe, and Say You’ll Be There. The evening closed with everyone on their feet for Fully Funktional, playing 21st century musical hits. Thousands flocked to Elms Field for the event, the
first time it had been used in this way. Wokingham Town Mayor Cllr Maria Gee one of those in attendance. “It’s been really emotional seeing everybody together after such a terrible two years,” she said. “It’s just been brilliant – that community spirit, people enjoying themselves in groups, all ages have been here.” Highlights for Cllr Gee included seeing families
together, but also the signers who ensured the show was inclusive by signing each song for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. “I think, even if you don’t do sign language, their enjoyment of all the songs and everything, it just carried over into the crowd, it was so brilliant.” The event was organised by Wokingham Town Council, and Cllr Gee was full of praise for the staff who made the event happen.
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PLATINUM JUBILEE
Young riders take up donkey derby challenge AND THEY’RE OFF: A race gets underway
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RIDE ON: youngsters enjoy a ride on a donkey, just part of the fun at the Twyford Donkey Derby Pictures: Steve Smyth
EXCLUSIVE PICNIC TIME: Families came together to enjoy the day at the races
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today YOUNGSTERS were put under starters orders on Sunday as the Twyford Donkey Derby returned.
The popular event saw several heats take place, with competition almost as fierce as the horse racing. Organised by Twyford Scouts, the popular day took place on King George V Playing Fields for the first time since the covid pandemic. As well as the races, visitors could enjoy music from Maidenhead
Concert Band, a fun fair and plenty of side stalls. The Scouts also organised a bar, a tea tent, and a barbecue. More than 3,000 people visited.
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MEETING: Village groups and socities had information stalls
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 9, RDGTODAY Wednesday, 8, 2022
SONNING SCARECROWS PICTURES: STEVE SMYTH
The Fisher family pose with one of the scarecrows, based on Encanto St Andrew’s Church had some Simpsons stars
A family admire The Addams Family
TALES FROM THE RIVERBAND: There were all manner of creative scarecrows on show in
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SONNING SCARECROWS Aimee McCoubrey (5) as Max Hargrave looks on
A stick man with an unsual wig
Definitely made of straw Time for tea in this scene from Alice in Wonderland
Sonning over the Jubilee bank holidays
Maggie Hollidge with the Sonning Art Group scarecrow
Straw men draw in the crowds for village festival By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today THERE weren’t many birds in Sonning over the two Platinum Jubilee bank holidays, and it’s all thanks to the bi-annual Scarecrow Trail.
In all, 64 homes and businesses took part in the trail, creating fantastic effigies to delight the thousands of visitors across Jubilee Thursday and Friday. They included a recreation of The Addams Family, The Mill at Sonning’s nod to its famous director Brian Blessed, and several caustic displays mocking prime minister Boris Johnson over his law-breaking parties during the pandemic lockdown. One of the organisers, Barbara Carr, was thrilled with how the two-day event had gone – Sonning’s first for four years, after covid had nixed the missing show. “We are delighted with how it went,” she said, adding that the turnout was high. “We had no idea how many people would turn up when so many things were going on.” “We think we’ve made roundabout £12,000, which will be good for the village.” A meeting will be held next
month to determine how the proceeds will be shared among the Sonning community, with those involved in the festival having a say. Ms Carr, who has been involved with Sonning since 1968, was delighted with the quality of this year’s entries, adding that her personal favourite was one based on the Stick Man books. “People are wonderful with their ingenuity in what they come up with,” she said. “While some of them are topical, the whole thing is meant to be fun, they’re not politically motivated – the majority of child motivated.” The festival included displays based on Toy Story,
John Turney with his scarecrow
Harry Potter and Fireman Sam. “There is a lot of time and work put into them, they seem to spend ages doing them,” Ms Carr said. “It takes a long time to dry and everything, it’s amazing what people do.” As well as the scarecrows, there were classic cars to admire and some residents opened their gardens. An art exhibition took place in Pearson Hall. “People quite enjoy the afternoon out,” Ms Carr said. “The team behind the art exhibition were delighted because they sold more pictures than they’d ever sold before. “People were delighted to be able to do lots of different things.” Ms Carr remembers Sonning’s jubilees past, including a pageant with floats for the Silver Jubilee in 1977, and scarecrows for the Diamond Jubilee in 2012. “We’re never going to see a platinum jubilee again ... well, I’m not, and not many children around today will,” Ms Carr said. But one thing they will see is more scarecrows. Already plans are being made for the 2024 festival, but whether Boris Johnson will feature in the displays in anyone’s guess.
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PLATINUM JUBILEE
Scarecrows, teddies and a Spitfire on display in the Emmbrook Trail By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today
A CLEVERLY made model aircraft could be seen attached to a house in the borough.
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It was just one of the Emmbrook Trail creations placed by local residents in their front gardens for passers by to enjoy. Catherine Stott, event organiser, planned the week as a fund raiser for Emmbrook Infant and Junior Schools PTAs. There were several displays with ‘The Queen’ in various poses. In one garden she reclined on a royal deckchair, in another she enjoyed tea and cake with teddies, and in another she accompanied her grandson Prince Willbarrow. On the Wade Family’s front lawn, she was evidently ready for gardening, dressed in rubber gloves, wellies and wearing an appropriately royal blue top. Both Emmbrook Junior School and St Paul’s playgroup turned their front entrances into castles. In several homes, smiling images of the royal family beamed from downstairs windows. One family were evidently
Jubilee beer festival held – where else? – at The Queen’s Head
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hoping to post their garage, having fixed both a 1st and a 2nd class stamp on their garage door. A majestic oak wore a crown, the brownies cooked eggs, soldiers stood to attention, and one family even had a flypast in their garden. The Spitfire display was perhaps one of the more unusual ones. And its Jubilee connection? An intrepid corgi appeared to be parachuting to the safety of the front door step. The display caught the eye of one young trail hunter. Asked which of the exhibits he recommended, he said: “They’re all really fun, but the Spitfire is very clever. I liked that one best.” People were invited to purchase a map of the area for £3 to help them search for the 38 decorations, all of which had some connection to the Platinum Jubilee. To find them all took around three hours and gave seekers a chance to find the scarecrows and explore the local area. The event has raised nearly £1,000 for the Emmbrook Infant and Junior Schools.
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ON TAP: Queen’s Head landlady Carol Williams pours a pint of Monarch during its beer festival Picture: Steve Smyth WHAT has 12 real ales, two country ciders, live music and a barbecue? No, it’s not crawling up your leg, but a Platinum Jubilee beer festival that took place in Wokingham town centre. The venue is, appropriately enough for the celebration of 70 years of our monarch, The Queen’s Head in The Terrace. The pub started the event on
Jubilee Thursday, and it ran until Jubilee Sunday. There was live music on Friday night, with a barbecue, and the same on Sunday afternoon, all taking place in the garden The pub served burgers between 2pm and 7pm, and then hot dogs from 6pm. Beers in the garden included locally brewed offerings from
Bond Brews, Windsor and Eton, and Rebellion, while the Loddon Brewery created Jubilee specially for the occasion. The ciders included one from Tutts Clump. And there were real ales on sale inside, including Stardust’s Jubilee and Rebellion’s Smuggler. The beers could be bought in pints, halves or a paddle of three different ales.
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Osborne Clarke commits to reducing carbon emissions Blandy & Blandy re-accredited A READING-based law firm has shared its delight at being reaccredited as part of the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS). It provides assurance to clients, both individuals and lenders, that a firm has achieved the Law Society’s highest standards in residential conveyancing. Some lenders require firms to be a member of CQS before they are able to deal with any related mortgage. CQS requires all firms to re-apply to the scheme every 12 months to ensure that they continue to meet the high standards required, and Blandy & Blandy has had its applications accepted. Partner and head of the Blagrave Street-based residential property team, Manisha Bhula said: “I am very pleased that we have been successfully re-accredited under the CQS Scheme, a quality mark that we have held for over a decade. “It is a further reflection of the hard work and dedication of our team and our commitment to providing first rate legal services and client care.”
TARGET: Robert Wood, head of Osborne Clarke’s Thames Valley office Picture: Osborne Clarke
By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today A LAW firm has committed to targets as part of its net zero strategy.
Osborne Clarke, which has an office in Forbury Road, Reading, announced its decision to submit a near-term target to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in the lead up to Only One Earth World Environment Day, which took place on Sunday, June 5. The company’s near-term target is to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. The firm has also committed to setting a long-term target within 24 months, and to reach net zero carbon by 2050. Robert Wood, head of Osborne Clarke’s Thames Valley office, said: “We’re a socially responsible firm that cares about the impact we make in the world. “Building a sustainable business is something we’ve been passionate about for more than 20 years, and
investing in our net zero strategy was the next step in progressing our efforts. “We’re proud to be one of the first firms to make both near and long-term commitments to deep decarbonisation targets, meeting the needs of our clients, people and communities.” Having spent the last year undertaking forensic analysis of
its sustainability efforts, Osborne Clarke has produced a full carbon emissions baseline and assessed its preparedness for adopting and delivering the carbon reduction commitments. The firm has also strengthened its sustainability governance structure to support its efforts by establishing a Sustainability Steering Group.
The group is made up of partners and senior leadership and reports to the executive board. It is responsible for setting the firm’s strategic approach to sustainability and carbon reduction, monitoring and ensuring progress and performance. Osborne Clarke has also launched the #OCPlanet employee network. The network has a key role in shaping and delivering the firm’s sustainability and carbon reduction strategy, and represents the interests of employees as a stakeholder group. The firm has also created a new role and appointed Mary Lavin as a sustainability manager. Ms Lavin joined Osborne Clarke in 2021 to strengthen the firm’s capability to develop and deliver on its sustainability agenda. A spokesperson for Osborne Clarke said that being a responsible and ethical business and employer underpins the company’s business strategy.
That’s smart! Fashion sale will offer designer bargains FASHIONISTAS can pick up top brands including Boden, Crew Clothing and Whistles for as little as £5 at the Smart Works Reading Fashion Sale which is taking place on Saturday, June 11, at the Smart Works centre. Based on London Street, the charity helps to change the lives of women in the region by assisting them get back to work through providing interview outfits and coaching. The award-winning organisation was a recent recipients of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, and is looking to raise funds to help even more women by selling clothes, shoes and accessories from top brands at this weekend’s event. Labels on offer include Boden, Whistles, Reiss, Zara and Coast, as well as designer brands such as Escada and Amanda Wakeley. With prices ranging from £5 to around £50, they will also be offering a ‘buy one get one free’ on all shoes and bootss meaning you could pick up two pairs for only £20. Anna Fowler, Smart Works Reading’s development and fundraising manager, said: “Our fashion sales are a big hit with local shoppers with tickets always selling fast. “The events give people the chance to support the work we
The Abbey’s Human Intelligence initiative
BARGAIN: Smart Works Reading is holding a fashion sale on Saturday Picture: Smart Works Reading do and bag a guilt-free fashion bargain at the same time. “All proceeds from the sale go straight back into our service to support women in our community who need a helping hand when it comes to getting back to work. “ Founded in October 2015, Smart Works Reading works with more than 70 volunteers and 147 referral agencies to support women most needing practical support in their job search. Women can be referred to the organisation for a free interview outfit once they have secured an interview and one-to-one coaching session, to
build confidence and practical skills. The service can be accessed by anyone who identifies as female, is unemployed and is based in the Berkshire region. The ticketed event will be held at the charity’s town centre location in Enterprise House, London Street from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Entry is £5 plus booking fee, or £15 for early bird tickets. All items on sale will be brand new or lightly worn, with both cash and card payments accepted.
n To book, log on to: swrsummerfashionsale22. eventbrite.co.uk
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH
We will treasure these memories
HOWEVER you spent the Platinum Jubilee weekend, we hope you created memories that will last a lifetime. The borough has been abuzz with all kinds of activities, all designed to celebrate the amazing feat of Queen Elizabeth II being our monarch for 70 years. No other British king or queen reached this feat, so it was right and proper that we celebrated, commemorated and came together. And that’s exactly what happened. From Thursday’s beacon lighting ceremonies all the way through to Sunday’s big street parties, with concerts, and services in between, it has been a wonderful weekend. We hope this week’s special souvenir issue will be one you treasure for years to come (it’s worth buying an extra copy for your grandchildren), charting just some of the many, many, many creative ways in which we all came together to celebrate the reign of our queen. Yes, we partied Ma’am, thank you.
CHURCH NOTES
Where is your treasure kept?
F
OR many, the Antiques Road Show is compulsive viewing.
We watch thousands of people in a beautiful historical setting, armed with carrier bags and boxes containing their personal or family treasures. The picture, piece of porcelain or jewellery, the old first edition book, the elderly toy or article of furniture is then shown to one of a number of experts, who discuss and value it with the famous words: “I think if you took this to auction, it would be worth probably somewhere in the region of …” But then there is sometimes another surprise as the owner calmly says: “I’ll never sell it.” Jesus had a word to say about treasure. Find his words in Matthew, 6:19-21 and again in Luke 12:33-34. He talks about not putting too much importance on material goods: “where moths and rust destroy and robbers break in and steal”. That might sound a bit strange, but in the Middle East in Jesus’ time, a person’s wealth often consisted of fine clothes, or corn and grain stored in great barns, or of hoards of gold stored in flimsy clay jars. So there was always the risk of these things being lost, stolen, destroyed. Things are not that much different today; we might not hoard corn but many of us still go out and buy clothes, which fortunately for us, are less prone to damage by moths than in earlier times. Retail therapy – going shopping as a cure for feeling sad and miserable – is beginning to go out of fashion in these cash-strapped days. So perhaps Jesus’ next words are a useful lesson: “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven …” What might that mean? Enjoy free “treasures” – such as a sudden gloriously sunny day; a flush of early summer flowers; a walk in the park with a good friend; your football team finally winning a match; children’s pictures from school; remembering fun in the snow. Find riches too in a helping hand given and received; a kind word spoken; a joke shared; a family meal. “For,” said Jesus, “your heart will always be where your treasure is.”
Rosi MorganBarry from Wokingham Methodist Church, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham
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A voice for residents is brought back It was great to read Gary Cowen’s and Jim Frewin’s articles in Wokingham Today (May 26) and the Liberal Democrat’s view of the political situation in Wokingham. They have brought a voice back to the residents and broken the monopoly of the Tory machinery which has governed for so long, with an engraved electorate which previously just automatically voted Tory. They are to be applauded for fighting to bring back democracy and gaining those extra seats to get a hung council against such odds. One must now strive to get a majority at the next council election and get rid of party politics. As Jim Frewin said, there are a lot of good, dedicated officers on the council who should not be influenced by a particular party to take a different view to their own and use common sense. Unfortunately, there are some bad apples (particularly Highways) and the way the system is run. This is the reason why the roads are in such bad condition, especially in Woodley. What sort of tory council is it that refuses to return to site to put their own work right after the installation failed after six months when guaranteed for two years. They say the road is not dangerous. They send an engineer out to view the site who just laughs and says ‘all the streets are like that’ – goodbye. The fact we have had broken legs and damaged young children’s legs is of no importance on a busy school run but they just don’t care. They should be sacked instantly and ratepayers shouldn’t be paying for this sort of work behaviour to residents. It is no excuse to say we have no money. Ratepayers should not be paying one of the highest rate charges in the UK for this sort of service. The tory ideology on our society is destroying the UK and its residents.
THE Sue Gray report confirms that the Prime Minister repeatedly broke his own lockdown rules, allowing multiple rowdy parties in Downing Street whilst the rest of the country was in lockdown. Families were unable to make their final visits to dying loved ones; funerals were restricted to minimal numbers with no hugs or singing allowed; and thousands of families postponed weddings and missed out on celebrations. Businesses in the hospitality sector were lost through lack of custom. Many workers spent months at home missing the companionship of work colleagues. But at Downing Street there was a different culture completely. It was as if the rules did not apply to them. Boris Johnson has been fined for breaking the law and, despite having the final responsibility for the failures at Downing Street, he has refused to resign. We must not tolerate a Prime Minister who considers himself
above the law and does not care that he has insulted millions of lawabiding people by his actions. This is not a party political point. It is about decency and fairness in government. These are values we hold dear in Britain and what make our country a democracy worth living in and defending. We cannot tolerate a Prime Minister who trashes our democratic
values of decency and fairness. If Johnson will not resign, we must let the Conservative Party know loud and clear we cannot tolerate Boris Johnson any longer; and call upon Conservative Party MPs to do the right and decent thing and sack him.
from the Tories, even while licking their wounds.
It didn’t take long for Tory councillors to start bleating about the new arrangements for running the Council did it? After years of considering Wokingham their own little fiefdom where any type of opposition to their decisions was consistently pounded to smithereens, talk about a masterclass
in sour grapes and hypocrisy. The Lib Dems and others are fully entitled to exercise their democratic rights as a consequence of the local election results - that is the whole point of democracy - and the Tories would be doing no different in their place. My advice to them is suck it up, get on with whatever role your party now has and be grateful for it. The utterly spiteful attack on a long-serving and well-respected independent councillor with personal mobility problems in these pages last week serves to illustrate that the Nasty Party remains alive and kicking in Wokingham. And, incidentally, I vote neither Lib-Dem nor Labour but think the electorate is entitled to expect much better standards of professionalism
announcements last week that the Energy price cap is likely to rise by 46% - taking the average household bill to nearly £3,000 a year. Run-away inflation is also continuing to drive up the cost of food with shopping basked staples such as pasta jumping in price by 50%, minced beef and bread by 16% and breakfast cereals by 10% according to the Office of National Statistics. The squeeze on family finances is felt at the petrol pumps with Petrol being 46.9p per litre more expensive than a year ago and diesel is up by 52.9p per litre – and as a result the Government is
collecting record levels of VAT on petrol and diesel. The Government’s much trumpeted ‘oil and gas excess profits levy’ – which we are to believe was not just a tactic to distract from the Sue Gray report – will actually allow some oil and gas companies to reduce their tax because of new rules allowing any profit earmarked for future investment to be excluded from the calculations. The Chancellor’s new ‘levy’ is also not retrospective – meaning the billions in profits that have been made by oil and gas giants already will be entirely untouched. While the latest support offered by the Government is welcome, it will not be nearly enough to prevent the huge bills most people can expect this winter. And this is why the current furore around the Prime Minister’s lawbreaking and the culture he presided over in Downing Street is a problem. It seems that every minister, every cabinet member and those charged
with running our country and tackling the huge challenges we face are, instead spending almost all their on saving the Prime Minister’s job. Rather than getting a grip on the cost-of-living crisis or sorting the chaos in our airports, they’re busy working up their next scheme to convince their own colleagues that Boris Johnson is fit to be Prime Minister. Rather than working out how to tackle climate change or bring down crime, all energy is spent telling Conservative MPs and the general public that the Prime Minister is very sorry for the No 10 parties he attended and that we should all forgive him. The reality is that while Government remains paralysed by its own actions and with 148 Conservative MPs no longer having confidence in the Prime Minister, we will all pay the price and that simply cannot be allowed to continue.
At the same time, we have an unbalanced Prime Minister and present cabinet and we can only go downhill because of their method of governing. Thank goodness in Wokingham at last, the voice of the people can be heard and is a gift from Heaven which is ideally referred to in Wokingham Today each week.
Cedric Lander, Woodley
Bleating on
Matt Rodda
A
It provided, for some people, a four-day respite from the day-to-day challenges faced through the rampant cost of living crisis and job insecurity which show no signs of improving. But while we were able to laugh together and renewing bonds in our communities, the realities of the problems we face came back into sharp relief with
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
He broke the rules, he should go
Westminster diary
CROSS Reading, Woodley and Earley, the Jubilee spirit was in full swing and it was so lovely to see communities coming together and celebrating amongst themselves.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 9, 2022
The Revd Canon David Hodgson, Rector, Church of England Parish of Wokingham (All Saints)
Charles Leigh, via email
Tackling food waste Your article (26th May) covering the food waste initiative in Shinfield is spot-on. According to recent statistics, the UK food industry wastes 3.6 million tonnes that was originally intended for consumption. Meanwhile 7 million people across the UK are struggling to put food on the table. The country desperately needs mandatory disclosure of waste data from this industry so it will have an impact on the possible redistribution of food to the people that need it and not thrown in the bin. It should be a national legislative
Matt Rodda is MP for Reading East
initiative and not left entirely to local groups. John Redwood and James Sunderland – I hope you are reading this.
David Arnold, Finchampstead
Why I was at home Being called an armchair Councillor who rarely steps outside his door to meet his residents by Shinfield’s one and only remaining Conservative Cllr Jackie Rance I thought was really so low and despicable but then nothing the Conservatives do anymore surprise. Nastiness is in their their DNA. I wonder how long Shinfield will tolerate Cllr Rance from Lower Early after such a nasty personal remark on a fellow Councillor who cares about Shinfield as he does Arborfield. In 25 years as a Councillor representing the good residents of Arborfield I have attended hundreds of Parish Council and other meetings. I have had many one to ones as demand dictates. My record of Council meetings has been second to none until the Conservatives stopped recording attendances. Keeping in touch with Arborfield’s residents has always been my number one priority as their Borough representative. If I am an armchair Councillor – and Councillor Rance is from Lower Earley– how does it explain why a Conservative ex- Shinfield Councillor and a political heavyweight who stood against me last month only got 14% of the vote? Never in the history of Arborfield has a Conservative Candidate got such a very low vote. Being called an armchair Councillor needs an explanation. My Wife Katie of 57 years was diagnosed with a terminal illness seven years ago and given five years to live. I became her carer through those seven wonderful final years. We both had to shield also during the pandemic which thanks to great neighbours and the CAB we came through unscathed. Katie was admitted to the Royal Berks by ambulance for the third time on the October 9, last year but Katie came home on the 13th and passed away the following morning with two ambulance crews crews in attendance.
At least Katie passed away in her own home with myself and her beloved cats with her. None of her children were here as they live in France and could not travel. Katie did not die of Covid. The Ambulance crews and the police were all outstanding as were the Co-Op Funeral Undertakers in dealing with Katie. Although expected at some time or other it was still absolutely devastating and dreadful and a very sad moment when Katie passed away. Unlike partygate and multiple 10 Downing Street Parties during lockdown we had no funeral. Katie was cremated at Easthampstead Crematorium with no wake etc. but then we are not Conservatives who can party till the cows come home as to them rules do not apply. Thanks Jackie.
Cllr Gary Cowan, Independent Borough Councillor for Arborfield at Wokingham Borough Council
Sour note Just to pick up a point from Cllr Rance’s sour letter in your columns last week. I understand that Cllr Cowan – the ‘armchair councillor’ to whom she refers in critical terms without naming him – has been shielding throughout the pandemic. This strikes me as the sort of personally responsible behaviour of which Conservatives used to approve. And I note that Cllr Cowan trounced the Conservatives in last month’s elections. He must be doing something right. Anyhow, at least Cllr Cowan’s armchair is in the ward he represents. I hope to see many more letters in your columns from Mrs Rance. They give a fascinating insight into the mindset of the Wokingham Conservatives. And so very last year. We hope for better.
Richard Hoyle, Spencers Wood
Memory jog It is less than a month since the Conservatives lost control of Wokingham Borough Council, yet Cllr Pauline Jorgensen appears to have already forgotten that it
Volunteer corner
Helena Badger
T
HE British Dyslexia Association Helpline is a national free helpline service for people with dyslexia and those who support them. It offers confidential, impartial advice and information. We are contacted every day by people in need of help or guidance, including parents looking for information and advice on support in school, or employees looking to understand how to request reasonable adjustments in the workplace as well as students, adults with
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dyslexia, teachers and employers. We offer advice, empathy, information and guidance, to help our callers access the support they need. If you have a good knowledge and understanding of dyslexia, excellent listening skills and a friendly telephone manner, we’d love to hear from you. Please note: this role can be office-based at our offices near Bracknell or home-based. Full training and support will be provided.
was she, as the councillor in charge of Highways, and her Conservative colleagues, who closed the Thames Valley Park and Ride. In her comments on the park and ride in Wokingham Today she seems to want to blame the new Lib Dem-led administration for a decision which the Conservatives made well before we took over. Pauline is the new leader of the Conservatives on the council and this was her chance to show what she will be like. I am afraid it doesn’t bode well.
Cllr Prue Bray, Lib Dem councillor for Winnersh
How did you vote Sir John? This week the prime Minister survived a no confidence brought by his own MP’s three of whom are MP’s in Wokingham borough. James Sunderland the MP for Bracknell has said he voted in favour of Boris Johnson. Former Prime Minister Theresa May has refused to reveal which way she voted. In the circumstances I think most people will find this is acceptable. But, what of Sir John Redwood. He doesn’t seem to want to make it clear which way he voted. He says he wants some changes to the way Boris works. We can all agree with that, a good start would be to start telling the truth. But did Sir John support this lawbreaking Prime Minister or not. Many residents in Wokingham will want to know. Does the Prime Minister have the support of Sir John Redwood. Can we have an answer?
Clive Jones, Liberal democrat Parliamentary candidate for Wokingham.
Give a gift that lasts As head bookworm for the international disaster relief charity, ShelterBox, here’s a last-minute gift suggestion worth considering this Father’s Day. Instead of the usual dash for socks, beer, or hankies, why not consider something a little more alternative like a charity book club subscription? The gift of joining our growing online community of book lovers could be just the ticket and, better still, will help make a difference to people around the world uprooted from their
n Do you enjoy being outside and enjoying nature? Would you like to learn about conservation? Would you like to exercise without joining a gym? Why not get involved with conservation work in our local woodland, Fox Hill woods on the edge of Woosehill? Friends of Fox Hill is a community group with the aim of encouraging our local community to enjoy the woods and learn to appreciate the trees, plants, and wildlife. Our Conservation Group meets one Sunday morning each month. Activities include removal of rhododendron, coppicing, ditch clearing, litter picking, path restoration, tree and bulb planting. No previous experience is required and we welcome all adults. n Royal Berks Charity are based at the Royal Berkshire Hospital and are essential in supporting
homes because of disaster or conflict. ShelterBox Book Club focuses on international stories inspired by the communities we support. It works for those buying in advance, but it’s also the ideal purchase for people who wake up on Sunday, June 19, still wondering what to get. For a donation of £10 a month, members vote for the next title, receive their new book in the post and join an online discussion every six weeks. Gift membership is available in packages of three, six, and 12 months.
Catherine Thornhill, ShelterBox
Walk on
I wanted to make your readers aware that Bowel Cancer UK, the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity, are calling on everyone to Walk Together this June. Complete a five mile walk on Saturday, June 11, or another day in June that suits you, and ask friends, family and colleagues to sponsor you. All you need to do is raise a minimum of £100, which will go towards their vital services and lifesaving research. Walk Together is a great way to show your support for those undergoing treatment and also remember loved ones. My mum sadly died of bowel cancer when she was only 54, which had a huge impact on my life. Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer, but it shouldn’t be as it’s treatable and curable, especially when diagnosed early. Bowel Cancer UK are entirely reliant on the generous support of people like you. Your fundraising will help them save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. To find out more about Walk Together and sign up, visit Bowel Cancer UK’s website: www. bowelcanceruk.org.uk/walktogether
Sean Fletcher, Bowel Cancer UK ambassador and TV presenter
Due to space constraints caused by our Jubilee coverage, From The Chamber from both a Conservative and the Lib Dem view will be published next week
the work the NHS and the hospital does. We need help and have a number of roles available. Collector box volunteer- going around local areas dropping off and collecting Collection boxes. Events ambassador - assisting at our events throughout the year, assist on stalls or marshalling at challenge events. Charity ad hoc volunteers - that can help out in our office, assist with donations, ebay, foreign coins... the list goes on. We are looking for volunteers that can fit in with our small team and assist in anyway you can. n These are just a few roles on our books. Please visit our website www. volunteerwokinghamborough.org.uk to find out more and have a look at all the roles we have to offer. If you would like to get in touch with us, please call 0118 977 0749 or email volunteer@ wok-vol.org.uk.
From the leader
Cllr Clive Jones
The queen is an inspiration to us
I
T was tremendous to see so many people celebrating and enjoying the events over the Jubilee weekend.
On Jubilee Thursday, my wife and I went into London to see the Trooping of the Colour. We met people from all over the country, most of whom were under the age of 45. We stood in the Mall near to Horse Guards Parade. The crowd in front of us was 12 deep; luckily, we could still see a bit of what was going on. We were then able to get onto the Mall and be near to the Queen Victoria memorial to witness the flypast over Buckingham Palace which included the Battle of Britain memorial flight, the Red Arrows and the jets making a formation of 70 in the sky. It was all fantastic. Like so many other Jubilee events this was a real family occasion: not just for the Queen, who was surrounded by her family, but for many other people from all the corners of the United Lingdom, from the Commonwealth and indeed much of the world. On Friday, we watched on television the service from St Paul’s Cathedral. Then on Saturday I, along with several councillor colleagues, attended the Party on Elms Field provided by Wokingham Town Council. What a great event that was, there were some very impressive tribute acts from the decades of the Queen’s reign; I particularly liked the Bob Marley and the Supersonic Queen acts. I spoke to many local people who were all having a lovely time. Later on Saturday evening, we watched a recording of the concert outside Buckingham Palace. I enjoyed the performances of stars like Sir Rod Stewart and the scenes from British musicals. But the highlights for me were the speeches by Prince William and Prince Charles. Prince William showed us he is determined to carry on the work of his father and grandfather showing the need for us the take the climate emergency seriously, while Prince Charles told us what drives the Queen to get up in the morning, even at 96. It was her desire to continue her service to us, a promise she made when she was 21, 75 years ago and something that I am sure she will continue to do with the very close support of her family. Monday’s pageant was great fun, seeing Morris Minors, Dames in Jaguars and open top buses featuring entertainers, sportsmen and women and icons from the last 70 years brought back happy memories for many of us. I was amazed at the number of people took part in the pageant. The organisers who put so much effort into making this wonderful four-day holiday a success should be thanked by us all. We’ll never see this happen again. The bank holiday events were a fitting tribute to a queen whose sense of duty has won widespread admiration, from republicans as well as monarchists. Her sense of duty and commitment to public service should inspire us all, especially those who hold office in local and national government. They certainly inspire the new administration at Wokingham.
Cllr Clive Jones is the leader of Wokingham Borough Council
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 9, 2022
Celebrate women’s football
The play is performed outside in the amphitheatre at South Hill Park Arts Centre. Audiences are requested to bring a chair or cushion to sit on and to dress appropriately for the weather. In the event of extreme weather conditions these production may be relocated or cancelled. Ticket holders will be contacted. Twelfth Night plays on Tuesday, June 14 at 6.30pm. Tickets cost £16.50, members £14.50, under 18s £11.50, schools 10+ £9. n For tickets and information visit: www. southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on: 0134 448 4123
FUTURES Theatre celebrates the Women’s European Football Championship with its play Offside. Using storytelling, poetry and physicality, Offside reveals the experiences of four women drawn from across the centuries who all live, breathe, and play football. Each woman faces very different obstacles, and each knows that football may change their lives, and the world. Offside plays at The Mill Studio, at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford on Thursday, June 9 and Friday, June 10. It starts at 7.45pm and tickets cost £18. Concessions and discounts for members, Students/under 25s and access. n For tickets and information visit: www. yvonne-arnaud.co.uk or call the box office on: 0148 344 0000
Time for some pruning
Whodunit? Patrick Duffy knows...
SOUTH Hill Park is to host a nostalgic musical night. The audience will be able to release their inner hippy when California Dreamers play their sounds of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Classic songs by The Eagles, James Taylor, The Monkees, The Byrds, Joni Mitchell, Mamas and Papas, The Beach Boys, Carole King
IN THE Weeds, a theatre production currently touring the country, is coming to Maidenhead. Theatre company An Tobar and Mull Theatre present the gothic thriller. It follows the story of a Japanese marine biologist on a quest to find the sea creature that has killed his family. On a remote Hebridean island he meets a woman with an obsession for water. And there is something strange about the way the locals treat her. In The Weeds plays in the studio at Norden Farm Centre For The Arts, Maidenhead on Friday, June 10. Tickets cost from £15. n For tickets and information visit: www. norden.farm or call the box office on: 0162 878 8997
national tour which will continue until March 2023. He will be at the Hexagon, Reading on Saturday, June 11 at 8pm. Tickets cost £25. n For tickets, visit: whatsonreading.com or call the Hexagon box office on: 0118 960 6060
A night with the Ambassador
Choir to perform at Douai on Saturday
THERE will be gales of lachen when the ‘German Ambassador of Comedy’ comes to the Hexagon. Henning Wehn’s humorous take on the world will give everything a good rinse and he promises to wring sense out of the nonsensical. Henning’s recent BBC television and radio appearances include Have I Got News For You, Would I Lie To You, and Live At The Apollo. Henning visits Reading as part of his
READING Bach Choir sings music by two of the most significant English composers. What Lies Beyond Sense and Knowledge is the title of the group’s programme. It features William Byrd’s Gradualia Music for Pentecost, and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Mass in G Minor. Byrd was a devout Catholic, Vaughan Williams an atheist/agnostic, but both created inspiring music that can take an audience ‘beyond sense and knowledge.’
AT THE THEATRE
Bracknell – South Hill Park
www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 California Dreamers. Fri. The Comedy Cellar. Fri. Supreme Queen. Sat. Twelfth Night. Wed. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. Wed-Sat 18. The Chris Barber Big Band. Wed. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 17. Live Music on the Terrace. Sat 18. Raymond Burley: The Segovia Legacy. Sat 18. The Music In Me. Sun 19.
Camberley – Theatre
www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Housewives on Holiday. Thurs. Strong Enough: Cher. Fri. The Roy Orbinson Story. Sat. Down For The Count. Thurs 16. Babble. Sat 18.
Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Dead Lies. Until Sat. Offside. Thurs-Fri. Catch Me If You Can. Tues-Sat 18.
High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan
www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 The Ronnie Scott’s Story. Thurs. Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs. Oti Mahuse: I Am Here. Fri. Oye Santana. Sat. Russell Kane Live: The Essex Variant. Sat. Morgan and West. Sun. Menopause The Musical 2. Tues. Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. Thurs 16. Rumours of Fleetwood Mac. Fri 17. In The Night Garden Live. Sun 19-Mon 20.
and more, and will take the audience back to Woodstock days of flares and shades. With a mixture of live band and singers, and archive film footage Califormia Dreamers chronicle the events that inspired the songs that would become a soundtrack for a generation. Born on the West Coast of America, the Hippy movement quickly spread The choir is led by new musical director, Daniel Mahoney. The concert takes place in Douai Abbey, Woolhampton on Saturday, June 11 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost: £15, under 18s cost £5. n For tickets and information, visit: www. readingbachchoir.org.uk email: tickets@ readingbachchoir.org.uk or call: 01628 638847
Just a kind of magic at The Mill MAGICIANS Jamie Raven, Matt Daniel Baker and Etienne Pardier entertain with member of the Magic Circle, Dan Hudson, presenting. It promises to be an evening to amaze audience members, with a line-up of master magicians. Jamie Raven first found fame in Britain’s Got Talent. Matt Daniel Baker has been
Henley – Kenton
www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050 Howerd’s End. Thurs. Mark Watson: This Can’t Be It. Fri. Woodley Light Operatic Society presents Sister Act. Wed-Sat 18. The Princess and the Pea. Sun 19.
Maidenhead – Norden Farm
www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Flo & Joan: Sweet Release. Fri-Sat. In The Weeds. Sat. Everything Everywhere All at Once (tbc). Sun. Dean Owens with Jim Maving. Sun. Wild Men (15). Tues, Thurs 16. Veronica and Max. Wed. Avalon Preview: Ania Magliano and Jacob Hawley. Wed. Martin Speake Quartet: The Charlie Parker Legacy. Thurs 17. Never 42.
Thurs 17. Rich Hall’s Hoedown Deluxe. Fri 18.
Newbury – The Corn Exchange
www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 Fascinating Aida. Thurs. An Evening of Burlesque. Fri. The Rocket Man: A Tribute to Sir Elton John. Sat. RARE Productions: Hairspray. Thurs 16-Sat 18. London Rhymes: Summer 2022. Sat 19.
Newbury – The Watermill
www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 Bleak Expectations. Until Jul 2.
Reading – South Street
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060
around the globe, taking with it a powerful social and musical message and a unique new sound. The event takes place at The Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell. on Friday, June 10. It starts at 7.45pm and tickets cost £22. n For tickets and information visit: www.southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on: 0134 448 4123 performing mind reading for 20 years. Etienne Pardier has been welcomed into the Inner Magic Circle. The magic night takes place at the Mill at Sonning on Monday, June 13. The bar opens from 6pm, dinner is served from 6.15pm and the event starts at 8.15pm Tickets cost £46.50 and include a two course meal in the theatre restaurant before the show. n For tickets and information visit: www. millatsonning.savoysystems.co.uk or call the box office on: 0118 969 8000
Cycling for some Shakespeare THE HANDLEBARDS are cycling Shakespearean actors who pedal accessible Shakespeare plays across the UK. Their bicycle-powered, comedy production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night comes to South Hill Park.
SITELINES present The Final Whistle. Until Sat. These Hills Are Ours. Fri. IndePINTSdecne Day: 10 Years of Workin’ Man Noise Unit. Sat 18.
Reading – The Hexagon
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Whitney Queen of the Night. Thurs. Henning Wehn: It’ll All Come Out in the Wash. Sat. Alan Carr. Fri 17-Sat 18.
Reading – Concert Hall www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 NEXT SHOW: The Sixteen and Harry Christopher. Wed 29.
Reading – Progress Theatre
www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 Angels In America Parts 1 and 2. June 20-July 2.
PATRICK Duffy, Bobby Ewing from Dallas, and Linda Purl of Happy Days star in a murder mystery. When Inspector Levine is called to investigate the disappearance of newly wed bride, a baffling story unfolds. Catch Me If You Can is on at the main house, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre from Tuesday, June 14 through to Saturday, June 18. Tickets cost from £26, and concessions and under 25s/students cost £12. The event begins at 7.30pm each night. Matinees on Wednesday, June 15, Thursday, June 16 and Saturday, June 18 all start at 2.30pm. n For tickets and information visit: www. yvonne-arnaud.co.uk or call the box office on: 0148 344 0000
Big band special
CHRIS Barber and his band has been entertaining audiences for 60 years. He brings his Big Chris Barber Band to South Hill Park. The nine piece band will play material from Ellington to Miles Davies, as well as music traditionally played by a six piece ensemble. The night will include many of Barber’s hits and some of his personal favourites. The programme promises to appeal to both existing jazz fans as well as those new to the music. The band plays at The Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell. The event takes place on Wednesday, June 15 and tickets cost £23. n For tickets and information, visit: www. southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on: 0134 448 4123.
Reading – Reading Rep Theatre
www.readingrep.com 0118 370 2620 NEXT SHOW: Jekyll and Hyde. Oct 10-29.
Swing ‘N’ Sinatra. Thurs. Dreams of Fleetwood Mac. Thurs. Abba Forever. Fri. Pop Princesses. Sat. Beyond the Barricade. Sat. A Beautiful Noise: A tribute to Neil Diamond featuring Fisher Stevens. Sun.
Shinfield – Shinfield Players
Wokingham – Theatre
www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 The Beauty Queen of Leenane. Wed-Sat 18.
Sonning – The Mill
www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Busman’s Honeymoon. Until June 25. Big Girls Don’t Cry. Sun. Magic Night. Mon. Uptown Joel: The Hits of Billy Joel Live. Sun 19.
Windsor – Theatre Royal
www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888
www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 Stones In His Pockets. Until Sat.
Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre
www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247 Wokingham Music Club: John Coghlan’s Quo: The Final Tour. Fri. Wokingham Film Society presents Flee (15). Thurs 16.
Woodley – Theatre
www.woodleytheatre.org 07488337838 NEXT SHOW: Teechers. Sept 27-Oct 1.
WPR_2022-06-06_ReadingToday_33x2 (1)_Just Go
Reader travel TORQUAY, SOUTH DEVON & Dartmoor National Park
YorkStNicholasFayre&ChatsworthHouse_D.pdf
Departing Mon 22 Aug ‘22 With its palm trees and golden beaches, Torquay is the perfect location to enjoy a seaside getaway in the heart of the English Riviera. We explore this lovely landscape with a cruise on the picturesque River Dart and a scenic drive through Dartmoor National Park.
Your break includes Return coach travel from Reading 4 nights at the Tor Park Hotel, Torquay with dinner & breakfast Entertainment some evenings Scenic drive through Dartmoor National Park Cruise on the River Dart Excursions to Buckfast Abbey, Princetown, Tavistock, Dartmouth & Totnes Optional excursion to Brixham & Teignmouth (£12pp)
5 Days by Coach
only £324
Single Supplement £60
FLYING SCOTSMAN
on The Bluebell Line & London FlyingScotsmanSteamTrain&ClassicCambridge_D.pdf
Departing Thu 25 Aug ‘22 Magical London and the charm of the legendary Flying Scotsman await on this delightful summertime break! Come and join us for an unforgettable journey in the company of the nation’s favourite steam train, running on the heritage Bluebell Line in picturesque Sussex.
Rural Irish tragicomedy comes to Wokingham Theatre
S
TONES In His Pockets, what sort of title is that?
“A bit nondescript, isn’t it? Doesn’t tell you anything.” So says one of the characters in this play. How wrong can one be? Stones In His Pockets is anything but nondescript. It’s a fast moving rollercoaster of a play filled with laughs, rural intrigue, film set shenanigans, and cows. Written by Marie Jones in 1996, the tragicomedy is set in a small Irish village, somewhere in County Kerry. A huge Hollywood epic is being filmed there, and along with many other locals, friends Jake and Charlie are employed as extras on the set. Director Fiona Rogers explains: “When a huge juggernaut of a film comes to a small Irish village, the community is forced to rub shoulders with big Hollywood giants. “And when two wildly different worlds are thrown together, it can lead to some hilarious antics.” The play, currently being performed at Wokingham Theatre, primarily follows the joys and woes of Jake and Charlie. “You can’t help but fall in love with these two,” Fiona says. “The way their friendship develops is comedy magic.” But the play features a host of other characters too, all of whom lend charm and vitality to the play. There are around 15 of them, including a disaffected youth, a Hollywood star, an ancient villager, and a film director. The fact that every single one is played by a cast of just two makes this a remarkable artistic feat for actors Lloyd White and Dave Wood. “The multiple characterizations, and the speed at which you have to transition from one to another are what make this play so interesting, and such hard work,” says Lloyd.
RARING TO GO: Actors Lloyd and David break between rehearsals for Stones In His Pockets. Picture: Emma Merchant “The audience has to know instantly who we are portraying through our body language and voices.” “It’s an emotional rollercoaster,”agrees Dave. “One minute we can be laughing and the next we are crying.” “And then there’s the Irish dancing,” he laughs.. That’s been quite a challenge too. “We’re not classically trained Irish dancers, but we’ve had to learn,” says Lloyd, with a grin. Behind the laughter and the dancing, Stones In His Pockets explores the harsh reality that while the film costs millions of dollars to make, the village has not two stones to rub together. A film’s movie makers are capable
Your break includes
2 Days by Coach Single Supplement £35
Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd. Coach package holidays and short breaks are subject to Just Go! Holidays terms and conditions. Your booking is protected by Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT); this is a government approved consumer protection scheme. Tours offered subject to availability and government guidelines. Errors and omissions excepted. Prices per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. Calls to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.
For more information, or to book, please call
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of trampling not just fields, but communities too, in the race to grab a box office blockbuster. “It’s a wonderful, funny, clever play,” says Rogers. And I really must thank my lovely Irish mother-in-law, Joan, for introducing me to it. “She bought us tickets to see the play in County Kerry. “Straight away I fell in love with it and couldn’t wait for the opportunity to direct it. “I think people will be moved and fascinated as Lloyd and Dave create a whole community of people before their eyes.” Fiona was due to direct the play in 2020 but the pandemic meant that everything was put on hold. “Then, even after Covid, we
had problems getting a licence to perform because the play was touring professionally, and amateur rights were temporarily removed. “It feels like a very long time since we first started working together, but we’re thrilled finally to be here,” she says.. Audiences can see Stones In His Pockets at Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, Wokingham. The play runs from Wednesday, June 8 through to Saturday, June 18 with the exception of Sunday, June 12. Performances start at 7.45pm. Tickets cost £14. n For tickets and information visit: www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk or call the box office on: 0118 978 5363.
EMMA MERCHANT
Live music to return to Peach Place this summer
Return coach travel from Reading Overnight stay at a selected 3 or 4-star hotel with breakfast Train journey behind the Flying Scotsman on the heritage Bluebell Railway En-route visits to London & Royal Tunbridge Wells
only £159
LEISURE | 33
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Thursday, June 9, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
LIVE: The Skangsters will be performing this Saturday
SATURDAY music events are returning to Peach Place in Wokingham town centre. Organised by Wokingham Borough Council and Beyond the Download record store on Rose Street, the events were first held last summer. This year once again there will be free music, and space to dance. Ian Biles from Beyond the Download, said: “Last year’s events were a great success with businesses benefiting from the increased trade and more people discovering Peach Place. “People were calling the shop to ask if there was music on at the weekend and if yes, were booking tables in Peach Place establishments. “We’ve booked some great bands again this year, the format being main bands supported by local musicians.” The Saturday music line-up will include: n The Skangsters on June 11, 7.30pm to 10pm. n Funkin souled Out (plus support) on July 9, 4pm to 8pm.
n Siren (plus support) on August 6, 6pm to 10pm. n The New Highs (plus support) September 10, 4pm to 8pm. n And on June 25 there will be a special Festival For Ukraine, to raise funds for charities helping the country. Food and drink can be purchased from surrounding businesses such as Sit and Sip, Leafy Elephant, Hamlet bistro and Bombay story Indian kitchen and Bar. Cllr Clive Jones, leader of the council and executive member for business and economic development, said: “It’s great to be able to support Wokingham businesses and the community by hosting these events at the heart of Peach Place and the town centre. “I’d encourage people to come along, book a table at one of the fantastic businesses around the square or bring along a camping chair, and see for themselves just how great the town and Peach Place can be.” n For more information visit: www.wokingham.gov.uk
34 | LEISURE
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 9, 2022
LIVEMUSIC
To advertise in this section, call Claire on 0118 327 2662
RaW Sounds Today
Deva St John has released a new single, DIE
Chris Hillman bit.ly/raw soundstoday
W
Deva St.John – DIE! With that title you might think it’s a negative song but actually it’s not. As Deva says ‘This one is about fear, and doing something good, important or necessary despite
GIG GUIDE Thursday, June 9
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Folk/Americana double bill: Linda Moylan and Paul Alexander Low. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Club Velocity presents Millie Manders and The Shutup. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Mr Sango presents: Found Native. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING - The Hexagon, Queen’s Walk. Whitney: Queen of the Night. Details: 0118 960 6060.
Friday, June 10
BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Heathrow Jets. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. California Dreamers. 3pm. Details: 01344 484123. GRAZELEY - Gravelly Bridge Farm, Grazeley Green Road RG7 1LG. Reading Motorcycle Action Group presents the 2022 Lion Rally: bands, bikes and more. Details: www. lionrally.com READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – South Street Arts Centre. These Hills Are Ours. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP.
Transmission: The Sound of Joy Division. Details: 0118 959 5395. TWYFORD - Stanlake Meadow Recreation Ground, Waltham Road RG10 0AB. Twyford Beer Festival. Ticket only. £15 per person, accompanied under 18s free. Noon11pm. Details: www. twyfordbeerfest.co.uk WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Majestix. Details: 0118 977 3706. WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Music Club presents Andy Fairweather Low and the Low Rider. 7.30pm. £27.50. Details:www. wokinghammusicclub. co.uk WOKINGHAM - The Gig House, Erftstadt Court. Love Fridays presents Koho Funds live.
Saturday, June 11
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Punk Night: Who Killed Nancy Johnson, Punk Dylan Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The Soultones. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. Ear Candy. Details: 01344 422622. BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Supreme Queen. Details: 01344 484123. GRAZELEY - Gravelly Bridge Farm, Grazeley Green Road RG7 1LG. Reading Motorcycle Action Group
Leoni Jane Kennedy – Life Like This Leoni is a Blackpool-born, Guildford-based singersongwriter with a rock sound with progressive leanings and soulful vocals which she will be showcasing with her band at Wokingham Festival – https://www.leonijanekennedy.com/
Reliant – Heaven or Hell
E WELCOME back another two RaW Sounds Today playlist favourites this week, and you will love listening to them.
Deva St. John offers a reflective number looking at life, the universe and everything, and it’s a great single. And The Room are using their latest single to reflect on the plight of refugees. Look out for both on them during the summer festival season, which is just picking up steam. Don’t forget, our mission is to champion and showcase great music from acts that have a connection to Reading and Wokingham (that’s the RaW in our Sounds Today name). Here’s two great bands that prove just how brilliant our music scene is. To hear this week’s selection, simply head to https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday and enjoy the music. There is also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap into. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will come up.
She will be appearing at Wokingham Festival in August – https://www.katieellwood.com/
Here’s the new single from local favourite, Reliant, and it’s an exciting piece of powerful indie rock recorded at Generation Studio. Another band that will be at Wokingham Festival – https://www. facebook.com/WeAreReliant
Adomania – Heavy Rain it...We’re all going to die and, for all we know, we’ll only die once. Might as well make the ending a satisfactory one.’ As always, Deva gets you thinking and, with this positive message and her melodic indie rock sound, she’s created another great single. See her at Readipop in July and Wokingham Festival in August – https://www.devastjohn.com/
https://theroom.band/
The Room – It’s Not My Home
Third Lung – Ghosts
Here’s a band from our White Star Records label with a powerful epic from their Caught by the Machine album, which is very relevant as its subject matter concerns the plight of refugees. The Room are excellent live and have been invited to play some great festivals this summer which are all well worth a visit. They are at Cambridge Rock Festival on Friday, June 17, Alfold Rock & Blues Festival on July 3, and Wokingham Festival on August 29 –
It’s another quality single from playlist faves, Third Lung, who will be appearing live this summer at Readipop in July, Wokingham Festival in August and their own Loddfest in September – http:// thirdlungband.com/
presents the 2022 Lion Rally: bands, bikes and more. Details: www. lionrally.com PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. The Hawkmen. Details: 0118 969 98978. READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Plato and the Bees. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Dirtbag Live. Propa Ammo Presents Fabio, DJ Rap, Dope Ammo and more. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. The Flashback Band. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. The Corsairs. Details: 0118 957 6930. TWYFORD - Stanlake Meadow Recreation Ground, Waltham Road RG10 0AB. Twyford Beer Festival. Ticket only. £15 per person, accompanied under 18s free. Noon-10pm. Details: www.twyfordbeerfest. co.uk WOKINGHAM - Peach Place. The Skangsters and Guests live in Peach Place. From 6pm. WOODLEY – The Good Companions, Loddon Bridge Road RG5 4AG. The Junction. Details: 0118 969 3325. WOODLEY - Woodford Park. Woodley Carnival music night from 6pm: Mike and the Rockbelly, Chestnuts, The Echo, Vintage Sound Collective. Details: www. woodleycarnival.org.uk
Sunday, June 12
GRAZELEY - Gravelly Bridge Farm, Grazeley Green Road RG7 1LG. Reading Motorcycle Action Group presents the 2022 Lion Rally: bands, bikes and more. Details: www. lionrally.com READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: singers’ night. Details: www.readifolk.org.uk READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232. RISELEY – The Bull at Riseley, Basingstoke Road RG7 1QL. The B Side. From 1pm. Details: 0118 343 0565.
Tuesday, June 14
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music Tuesday. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. From Lindisfarne and Fairport Convention. Details: 01491 681048.
Wednesday, June 15
BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. The Chris Barber Big Band. Details: 01344 484123. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Trouble. Details: 0118 959 5395.
Mordecai Smyth – In Your Dark Place Here’s the opener from Things Are Getting Stranger On The Shore by local musician Mordecai Smyth. A great album of psych moods and melody on Wokingham’s Mega Dodo Records – https://www. facebook.com/stickytapeandrust
Katie Ellwood – Hour Glass Katie, from Wokingham who is studying at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, with a piece from her genre-defying debut album, Interference. Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Ruby Dawn and Genre-Defyin Progressive Duo Across The Sea. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Mr Sango presents: Found Native. Details: 0118 959 7196.
WINNERSH – The Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Close RG41 5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents True Gold. £19. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub. co.uk
Friday, June 17
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Missing The Scene, Crisis Averted, Reawaken. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Wow 80s tribute. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Live Music on the Terrace. 3pm. Raymond Burley: The Segovia Legacy. Details: 01344 484123. READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Summer Gothmas. Details: 0118 958 0473. READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Never Mind The Jubilee Here’s Punkfest 2022: The Sex Pistols Exposé, . Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Luther Vandross v George Benson tribute. Details: 0118 402 7800. READING - Palmer Park, Wokingham Road RG6 1LF. Stories in the Park festival. Includes Andy C, Sub Focus, Flava D, Patrick Nazemi, TS7, Zero, Nathan Dawe, Big Miz, Friend Within, George Mensah, Big Naz, Salute, Mason Collective, Zodiac, Rems, El Waz, Cryptik, Hotline. Details: www.
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Oasisesque. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Luther Vandross Solo and Motown tribute. Details: 01344 303333. BURGHFIELD – Burghfield Community and Sports Association, James Lane RG30 3RS. Shane & the Korrados: Elvis & much more. £12. Details: rock3rs.co.uk READING - Palmer Park, Wokingham Road RG6 1LF. The House & Garage Orchestra. From 3.30pm. Details: https://www. fatsoma.com/e/nremd3z4/ the-house-garageorchestra-live-frompalmer-park READING - Pentahotel, Oxford Road. The Cover Brothers and special guests. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. The Skavengers. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1 4DX. 25 For Life presents Trophy Jump with Burnt Tapes, Buds, Tape It Shut, Missing The Scene. Details: 0118 958 6048.
Thursday, June 16 BRACKNELL – The HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Saturday, June 18
Here’s a debut single from a new young Wokingham band. It has a vibrant enthusiastic feel with great melodies showing a band with great potential. We look forward to hearing more from them in future – https://www.facebook.com/ AdomaniaBand
Spriggan Mist – Remember the Day They just released their album, Isambard the Mechanical Dragon, and it’s their best yet. Following a successful appearance at HRH Prog, Spriggan Mist are back at Wokingham Festival in August – https:// www.sprigganmist.com/
Bex Ruth – Scratching my Head Bex is a singer songwriter from London who creates electronic soundscapes overlayed with soulful vocals. She visited Reading to perform at the Loddfest Takeover Show. See her at Loddfest in September – https://linktr.ee/bexruth storiesinthepark.co.uk READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Club Velocity presents Club Velocity presents Tomorrow Bird What Comes Next album launch party. Details: 0118 986 6788. READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. The Keynotes. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING - South Street Arts Centre. IndePINTSdence Day - 10 Years of Workin’ Man Noise Unit: Afterschool Teatime, Basic Dicks, Big Slammu, Cody Noon, HAQ123, Knifedoutofexistence, Stef Kett, Typical Hunks, Workin’ Man Noise Unit. From 3pm. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Wardour Street. Details: 0118 957 6930.
WOKINGHAM – Unit 3 & 4 South Barns, Gardeners Green Farm, Heathlands Road RG40 3AS. Bond Brews 7th anniversary beer festival. 1pm-7pm. WOKINGHAM - The White Horse, Easthampstead Road RG40 3AF. Fakestock - featuring The Small Fakers, Ready Steady Who and R’n’B Beatles starts at 7pm Tickets £11. Details: 0118 979 7402.
Sunday, June 19
READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Na-mara. Details: www. readifolk.org.uk READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Brother Strut Live. Details: 0118 959 7196. WOKINGHAM - The Leafy Elephant, Peach Place. Abi Powell. From 2pm.
FACKSTOCK TOP QUALITY 60'S TRIBUTE ACTS Saturday 18th June 3pm - late TICKET ONLY £11 WEGOTTICKETS.COM THE WHITE HORSE EASTHAMPSTEAD ROAD WOKINGHAM, RG40 3AF
0118 979 7402
No. 5417
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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
ENEMIES LISTEN OUT
G U M 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: 19 Good; 23 Very Good; 27 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 S through openings in the walls. The I first letter may appear in any chamber. D K
UP
AS
IO
IW
LN
EI
CA
RE
ER
AE
EU
4 2 5 9 6 5 7 3 2 9 8 2 9 7 8 6 4 2 3 6 4
16
15
11
12
R
E W
O
R F
I
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.
NL
13
18
14 16
17
19
23
DOWN 2. Write in with newfangled diet (6) 3. This error is staring you in the eye (7) 4. Try to equal another competitor (5) 5. Italian city first built on muddy lagoon (7) 6. Not suitable, having had insufficient exercise (5) 7. They leave the stage directions (6) 12. Harmonised with aunt Ted upset (7) 14. Fully clothed and prepared for cooking (7) 15. Sixties fashion designer did not quite go along with the board (6) 16. Summon to attend and brook no reverse (6) 18. Hebrew character broke the cable (5) 19. Wine in Rome doctor consumed (5)
QUICK CROSSWORD 2
3
4
5
5
6
7
8 9
10 11
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.
10
12
13
16 19
14 20
12
17
18
21
26
23
25 27
28
30
29 24
32
ACROSS 1. Sugar syrup (8) 5. ---- gold rings (4) 9. Colonnade (7) 10. Yawning (5) 11. Neither (3) 12. Channel island (6) 15. Foreign (5) 17. Among (4) 19. Niche (6) 22. Barren area (6) 24. Repast (4) 26. Trunk (5) 27. Average (6)
15
22
22 23
10
14
24
This puzzle page is supplied by Sirius Media Services Ltd.
© Sirius Media Services Ltd
7
21
1
Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same.
To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com
6
16
34 2 9 1 7 4 6 8 5 3
8 7 3 2 1 5 9 4 6
4 5 6 3 8 9 1 2 7
WORD PYRAMID: Firework display. EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – multiply; divide; add; subtract. Total: 10.
SOLUTIONS
6 2 9 5 7 4 3 8 1
9
1
1 4 7 8 3 2 6 9 5
8
6
3 8 5 6 9 1 2 7 4
9
3
9 6 2 1 5 7 4 3 8
7 1
5
13
ACROSS 1. Royal nipper? (4,4) 6. Addict is heartless doorkeeper (4) 8. Almost perfect notion (4) 9. If I lived corruptly I was disparaged (8) 10. Sort of illumination one needs for landing? (5,8) 11. Make a grand start in an Indian city (4) 13. Assistant has another 8 Across (4) 17. Easily made angry but moderated without delay (5-8) 20. Apt not to be on the level (8) 21. Advantage of an alcoholic drink (4) 22. Antenatal production area (4) 23. Making up one’s mind about diced gin sling (8)
EQUALISER 7 12 5 4 2 2 3 12 5 3 4 6
Hard
5 3 4 9 6 8 7 1 2
7 3
8 6 2 5 8 1 3 7 2 3 4 2 6 5 3 8 6 7 9 5 4 5 2 3 8
L
AO
RS
Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.
7
A
LS
SE
SUDOKU Easy
P
OA
BA
12
22
Y
NC
MO
5
20
FIVE ALIVE SM
5
9
17
10. What R is a salad ingredient and a type of spacecraft or military projectile?
WORD PYRAMID
D O G
8
4
10
9. The Toreador Song features in which famous opera?
5. Who wrote the poem The Owl and the Pussy-Cat?
10
3
8
8. TV presenter and comedian Stephen Mulhern also performs which other art?
4. Troops reported seeing the vision of an angel in the sky during which World War I battle?
2
8
7. The flags on the gate poles of a slalom skiing course are which colours?
3. What is the most populous city in Sri Lanka?
21
1
6. Which human cell has no nucleus and cannot replace itself, having to be made constantly in the bone marrow?
2. Which film won 2022 Academy Awards for best cinematography, editing, score, visual effects, production design and sound?
21
21
17
17
1. What does one litre of water weigh at 20 degrees Centigrade?
14
21
4
7 16
17
16
16
18 21
19
17
7 1 8 4 2 3 5 6 9
3
19
7
5 8 2 9 3 7 4 1 6
16
21
1
3 1 9 2 4 6 5 7 8
3
15
4
13
6 4 7 1 5 8 9 2 3
21
11
10
8 5 3 4 7 1 6 9 2
25
19
10
4 2 6 8 9 3 1 5 7
18
21
7 9 1 5 6 2 3 8 4
20
15
9 6 8 3 2 5 7 4 1
4
2 3 5 7 1 4 8 6 9
15
1 7 4 6 8 9 2 3 5
21
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
PZ1P5417
CROSS CODE 26
5417
31
33
31
35
30. 32. 33. 34.
Mineral (3) Inactive (5) Book collection (7) Ancient barbarian (4) 35. Abuse (8) DOWN 1. Be listless (4) 2. Big (5) 3. Boats (5) 4. Name derived from a person (6) 6. Picture to oneself (7)
7. Time without end (8) 8. Procession (6) 13. Cereal grass (3) 14. Comfort (4) 16. Squirming (8) 18. Lazy (4) 20. Accurate (7) 21. Even (6) 23. Glide on snow (3) 25. ------ Earhart, aviation pioneer (6) 28. First appearance (5) 29. Humble (5) 31. Blister (4)
QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Molasses; 5 Five; 9 Portico; 10 Agape; 11 Nor; 12 Jersey; 15 Alien; 17 Amid; 19 Recess; 22 Desert; 24 Meal; 26 Torso; 27 Median; 30 Ore; 32 Inert; 33 Library; 34 Goth; 35 Maltreat. Down – 1 Mope; 2 Large; 3 Ships; 4 Eponym; 6 Imagine; 7 Eternity; 8 Parade; 13 Rye; 14 Ease; 16 Writhing; 18 Idle; 20 Correct; 21 Smooth; 23 Ski; 25 Amelia; 28 Debut; 29 Abase; 31 Cyst.
QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 One kilogram; 2 Dune; 3 Colombo; 4 The Battle of Mons; 5 Edward Lear; 6 Red blood cell; 7 Blue and red; 8 Magic; 9 FIVE ALIVE: Carmen; 10 Rocket. (1) Across – Spawn; Nears; Easel. Down – Since; Amass; Nasal. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across – 1 King crab; 6 User; 8 Idea; 9 Vilified; 10 Strip lighting; (2) Across – Music; Libel; Rerun. J B I P R W A G Y S X Z C 11 Agra; 13 Aide; 17 Quick-tempered; 20 Inclined; 21 Sake; 22 Down – Molar; Sober; Colon. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Womb; 23 Deciding. M L T N D O Q E F V K U H Down – 2 Indite; 3 Glaring; 4 Rival; 5 Bologna; 6 Unfit; 7 Exeunt; NONAGRAM: aged; ague; agued; dame; deem; 12 Attuned; 14 Dressed; 15 Quango; 16 Beckon; 18 Caleb; 19 dégagé; DEMAGOGUE; deme; demo; MAGIC SQUARE: EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU Medoc. unit; nose; isle; doge; dome; edge; egad; egged; teem. gage; gaged; game; gamed; gauge; gauged; geed; geode; geum; gouge; gouged; made; mage; magged; mead; meed; mega; mode; moue; mugged; odeum; oedema; ogee; omega.
36 | LEISURE
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WHAT’SON Films at Reading Biscuit Factory
READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. They include Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (12a). Thurs. Top Gun: Maverock (12a). Thurs. Everything Everywhere All at Once (15). Thurs. Berman Island (15). Thurs. Jurassic World: Dominion (12a). Fri-Thurs. Keep It Cult III: The Evil Dead (18). Fri, Mon. Sundance 2022: Free Chol Soo Lee followed by Q&A. Sat. Sundance 2022: A Love Song followed by Q&A. Sun. Lightyear (PG). Fri 17-Wed 22. Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk
Thursday, June 9
EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org READING - The Jolly Anglers, Kennetside. Comedy club. £10. 7.30pm. Details: www. standanddelivercomedy. com READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Queen Victoria’s Daughters, a talk by Colin Parrish. Organised by the Berkshire Family History Society. 2pm-3.30pm. £5, £4 members. Details: 0118 950 9553. SPENCERS WOOD – Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting. Summer social. 7.30pm. Details: www. webcc.org.uk. WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Berkshire South-East CAMRA social night. 8pm. Details: 0118 977 0918. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Stones in His Pockets. 7.45pm. Details: 0118 978 5363
Friday, June 10
EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Ave RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org GRAZELEY - Gravelly Bridge Farm, Grazeley Green Road RG7 1LG. Reading Motorcycle Action Group presents the 2022 Lion Rally: bands, bikes and more. Details: www. lionrally.com KIDMORE END - Kidmore House, Garden and
Holding a community event? Email: events@wokinghampaper.co.uk
Vineyward RG4 9AR. 14 acre open garden for National Garden Society. 1pm-4pm. £6, children free. 1pm-4pm. Details: https://ngs.org.uk READING – South Street Arts Centre. Poets Cafe. 8.30pm. Details: 0118 960 6060. TWYFORD - Stanlake Meadow Recreation Ground, Waltham Road RG10 0AB. Twyford Beer Festival. Ticket only. £15 per person, accompanied under 18s free. Noon11pm. Details: www. twyfordbeerfest.co.uk WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Stones in His Pockets. 7.45pm. Details: 0118 978 5363 WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Music Club presents Andy Fairweather Low and The Low Riders. £27.50. Details: www. ticketsource.co.uk/ wokinghammusicclub WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk. WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org
Saturday, June 11
ACROSS WHITEKNIGHTS AREA. Whiteknights Studio Trail 2022. 11am6pm. Details: studiotrail. co.uk BEARWOOD - Primary School, Bearwood Roda RG41 5BB. Summer fete: barbecue, bouncy castle, splat the teacher and more. 1pm-4pm. Free entry. CAVERSHAM – Caversham Methodist Church Hall, Gosbrook Road RG4 8EB. Artists and Makers Fair. 10am. Free entry. Details: jean@alljazzedup.com or 07808 966928. GRAZELEY - Gravelly Bridge Farm, Grazeley Green Road RG7 1LG. Reading Motorcycle Action Group presents the 2022 Lion Rally: bands, bikes and more. Details: www. lionrally.com READING - RPlus, 2 Blagrave Street RG1 1AZ. Streetscapes photography exhibition. 10am-3pm. Free entry. Details: 0800 028 7338. READING - 7 The Knapp RG6 7DD. Open garden for NGS: mature suburban garden, surrounded by
trees and divided into rooms with lawns, island beds, mixed borders, gravel area, pond and an area with natural planting and beehives. 10.30am3.30pm. £4, children free. Pre-booking essential. Refreshments available. Details: https://ngs.org.uk READING - Reading Deaf Club, Cardiff Road. Reading Deaf Club celebrates 20 years of the club, and the Platinum Jubilee. Afternoon tea, games, raffle, Deaf Funny Way performance group. £7, £5 members, £3.50 under 16s. READING - Tilling Courtyard, Weldale Street RG1 7BX. Exhibition of proposals for a new public artwork. Noon-4pm. Details: ourdomain-reading.co.uk READING – Tutu’s Ethopian Table, Palmer Park, Wokingham Road. Poetry in the Park. 11am. READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Reading Swing Jam. 8pm. £5, £2.50 concessions. Details: readingswingjam. dancecloud.com SHINFIELD - St Mary’s Church, Church Lane. Blue Sky Big Band presents a Summer Evening of Jazz and Swing. 7.30pm. Details: Search eventbrite.co.uk for Blue Sky Big Band TWYFORD - Stanlake Meadow Recreation Ground, Waltham Road RG10 0AB. Twyford Beer Festival. Ticket only. £15 per person, accompanied under 18s free. Noon10pm. Details: www. twyfordbeerfest.co.uk UPPER WOOLHAMPTON - Douai Abbey RG7 5TQ. Reading Bach Choir presents: What Lies Beyond Sense and Knowledge: music by William Byrd and Ralph vaughan Williams. 7.30pm. £15, under 18s £5. Details: http://www. readingbachchoir.org.uk WHITCHURCH HILL - Off Hill Bottom. Stoke Row RG8 7PU. Steam Rally: steam engines, tractors, cars, trucks, military, motorcycles, plant machinery, food and bars, fair rides, craft tent, and more. Live music in evening. Camping available. £10, concessions £8, children free. Details: stokerowsteamrally.com WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Stones in His Pockets. 7.45pm. Details: 0118 978 5363 WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk WOODLEY - Woodford Park. Woodley Carnival. No procession.
Sunday, June 12
ACROSS WHITEKNIGHTS AREA. Whiteknights Studio Trail 2022. 11am6pm. Details: studiotrail. co.uk
EARLEY - Thames Valley Park. Rotary Club of Reading Matin’s presents annual charity bike ride. 5k route for ages six above 10am £5, 30k route for 12 above 9.30am, £20. Details: www. rotaryreadingmatins. org.uk GRAZELEY - Gravelly Bridge Farm, Grazeley Green Road RG7 1LG. Reading Motorcycle Action Group presents the 2022 Lion Rally: bands, bikes and more. Details: www. lionrally.com READING - The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Wokingham Area Schools Music Association concert: WASMA Afloat. 7pm. £10.50. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING - RPlus, 2 Blagrave Street RG1 1AZ. Streetscapes photography exhibition. 10am-3pm. Free entry. Details: 0800 028 7338. READING - Tilling Courtyard, Weldale Street RG1 7BX. Exhibition of proposals for a new public artwork. Noon-4pm. Details: ourdomain-reading.co.uk SONNING COMMON – Village Hall, Wood Lane RG4 9SL. Craft fair. 10am-4pm. Details: mumadoracrafts.co.uk TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Reading’s Indie Market. From noon-5pm. Crafts, food, and more. Oh, and beer. Details: doublebarrelled.co.uk WHITCHURCH HILL - Off Hill Bottom. Stoke Row RG8 7PU. Steam Rally: steam engines, tractors, cars, trucks, military, motorcycles, plant machinery, food and bars, fair rides, craft tent, and more. Live music in evening. Camping available. £10, concessions £8, children free. Details: stokerowsteamrally.com WOKINGHAM – Market Place. Wokingham vegan market. 9am-1pm. Details: sparkleveganevents.com WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk
Monday, June 13
ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table. 9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org HECKFIELD - Heckfield Place RG27 0LD. Open garden for NGS: 438-acre estate with walled garden and pleasure grounds, two lakes and an arboretum. Two-hour slots available hourly from 2pm-4pm (last entry). £8, children free, booking essential. Details: www.ngs.org.uk/events READING - RPlus, 2 Blagrave Street RG1 1AZ. Streetscapes photography exhibition. 10am-3pm. Free entry. Details: 0800 028 7338. WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh
Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. 1.30pm-3.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
Tuesday, June 14
EARLEY – Earley CResCent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Friendship table. 2pm-3pm. Details: linkvisiting.org. FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre Cafe, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. Friendship table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org HECKFIELD - Heckfield Place RG27 0LD. Open garden for NGS: 438-acre estate with walled garden and pleasure grounds, two lakes and an arboretum. Two-hour slots available hourly from 2pm-4pm (last entry). £8, children free, booking essential. Details: www.ngs.org.uk/events HENLEY - Stonor Park RG9 6HF. Open garden for NGS. 10.30am-5pm. £6.50, children free. Details: ngs. org.uk READING - RPlus, 2 Blagrave Street RG1 1AZ. Streetscapes photography exhibition. 10am-3pm. Free entry. Details: 0800 028 7338. WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. CLASP Wokingham cafe with Friendship table. 10am-noon. Every third and fourth Tuesday of the month. Details: linkvisiting. org WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY - Coronation Hall, Headley Road RG5 4JB. WISE Over-50s Forum’ - a short AGM, followed by: Peter Wilford from Royal National Lifeboat Institute, talking about the charity’s work. Souvenirs for sale. £3. Raffle. 2pm-4pm. Details: Woodleywise@ gmail.com or: 0118 969 6206.
Wednesday, June 15 EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm4pm. Details: linkvisiting. org READING - The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Berkshire Maestros Junior Music Festival. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING - RPlus, 2 Blagrave Street RG1 1AZ. Streetscapes photography exhibition. 10am-3pm. Free entry. Details: 0800 028 7338. SWALLOWFIELD - Parish Hall, Swallowfield Street RG7 1QX. Russell Players: A Collage of Comedy. Three half-hour plays. £12. 7.30pm. Details:
07710 500 491 or www. ticketsource.co.uk/ russellplayers WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Stones in His Pockets. 7.45pm. Details: 0118 978 5363. WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac with Friendship table. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Artisan market. 9am2pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk
Thursday, June 16
EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org READING - The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Berkshire Maestros Junior Music Festival. Details: 0118 960 6060. SPENCERS WOOD – Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Stones in His Pockets. 7.45pm. Details: 0118 978 5363 WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents: Flee (15). £6.50, £4 members. 7.30pm. Details: wokinghamfilmsociety.com
Friday, June 17
EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org READING – South Street Arts Centre. Poets Cafe online. 1pm. Details: 0118 960 6060. WINNERSH – Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Close RG41 5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents True Gold in concert. £19. Details: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ wokinghammusicclub WOKINGHAM - WADE Day Centre, Reading Road RG41 1EH. WADE Curry night. £15, children free. Booking essential. 6pm. Details: 0118 907 6345. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Stones in His Pockets. 7.45pm. Details: 0118 978 5363 WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 9, 2022 WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk. WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org
Saturday, June 18
CROWTHORNE - Waterloo Hall, Wellington Collge, Duke’s Ride RG45 7PU. Crowthorne Choral Society presents Oh, Happy Day! Music inspired by jazz, gospel and spirituals. 7.30pm. £12, students £2. Details: www. crowthornechoral.org.uk EMMER GREEN - Highdown School. 50th anniversary celebration and summer fair: entertainment, cream teams, stalls and more. 12.30pm-4pm. Details: highdown_pta@outlook. com GORING - Goring Primary School, Wallingford Road RG8 0BG. Summer fete. Noon-3pm. Details: 01491 872289. HURST - St Nicholas Church RG10 0SJ. The Walnuts with Bells On: An evning of Celtic and Americana msuic. Pre-concert drink in The Castle Inn, 7pm. Concert in aid of The DEC Ukraine Appeal, Launchpad (Reading’s Homeless Support Charity) and St Nicholas Church. £12.50, under 12s £5, family £30. Details: Search Eventbrite. co.uk for The Walnuts WIth Bells On. LOWER EARLEY – Events field, Kilnsea Drive. Lower Earley Baptist Church Family Fun day. 2-4pm. PANGBOURNE - Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel, RG8 8LA. Pangbourne Choral Society summer concert: Handel’s Zadok The Priest, Parry’s I Was Glad, Vaughan Williams’ O Taste and See, Faure’s Requiem and Cantique de Jean Racine. £10, under 18s £5. 7pm. Details: pangbournechoral.org.uk READING - Broad Street. Eat Reading presents Reading Chilli Festival. More than 40 stalls, pop-up pub, entertainment and more. 10am-5pm. READING - Minster Church of St Mary The Virgin, St Mary’s Butts RG1 2HX. Reading Phoenix Choir come and sing: Two Little Masses - Chillcott’s Little Jazz Mass and Haydn’s Little Organ Mass. £25 1pm-6pm. Performance 7pm, £5. Details: www. readingphoenixchoir.com. READING – Prospect Park, Liebenrood Road. Car boot sale. Sellers from 6am. Buyers from 7.30am. £10 car, £12 van. Details: 07773 539172. READING - St James’ Church, Abbot’s Walk, The Forbury RG1 3HW. Friends of Reading Abbey presents
The Dissolution and its impact on Reading, a talk by Professor James Clark. 2.30pm. Free entry, retiring collection. Details: readingabbey.org.uk SWALLOWFIELD - Parish Hall, Swallowfield Street RG7 1QX. Russell Players: A Collage of Comedy. Three half-hour plays. £12. 3pm and 7.30pm. Details: 07710 500 491 or www.ticketsource.co.uk/ russellplayers READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15amnoon. Details: www. thamesvalleyfarmers market.co.uk WARGRAVE - Mill Green, Station Road, Wargrave, RG10 8EU. Wargrave Bike Fest. 10am-2pm. 75km £25, 50km £20, 20km £10. Children free with adult. Child’s olympic challenge card £5. Details: www. wargravefestival.org.uk WOKINGHAM – Unit 3 & 4 South Barns, Gardeners Green Farm, Heathlands Road RG40 3AS. Bond Brews 7th anniversary beer festival. 1pm-7pm. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Stones in His Pockets. 7.45pm. Details: 0118 978 5363 WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk
Sunday, June 19
BINFIELD - Newbold Church RG42 4AN. Windsor and Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra - summer family concert. Rossini, Grieg, Smetana, Mussorgsky, Ravel. 4pm. £18, students £5. Cakes for sale by Venture Scouts. READING - Market House, Market Place. Father’s Day comedy club. 3.30pm. Tickets from £15. Details: www.matesratescomedy. co.uk READING – RISC, London Road. Reading Repair Cafe: “if it’s broken, bring it along and we are sure to have a go or at least provide some advice about what your best course of action might be”. 12.30pm-4pm. Free, donations welcome. TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Brewery Tours and Tasting: Father’s Day special. Booking essential. Noon and 3pm. Details: doublebarrelled.co.uk STREATLEY - Chaddleworth RG8 9PR. Open gardens for NGS. 10am-5pm. £4.50, children free. Details: 07711 420586. WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Minature Railway, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Pinewood Minature Railway running. £1.50 per ride, four rides £5. 1.30pm-4pm. Under threes free. Details: www. pinewoodrailway.co.uk WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk
Thursday, June 9, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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LYND MARY MAYNARD Deceased Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925 anyone having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of the deceased, late of 82 Bathurst Road, Winnersh, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 5JF, who died on 11/12/2019, must send written particulars to the address below by 10/08/2022, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests notified. Charlotte Woods c/o Herrington Carmichael LLP, Building 2, Riverside Way, Watchmoor Park, Camberley, GU15 3YL. Ref: SRS/MAY145/2
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PUBLIC NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE UNDER SECTION 17 OF THE LICENSING ACT 2003 Notice is hereby given that an application was made to Wokingham Borough Council for a Premises Licence under the above Act on the 1st June 2022.Applicant: Hatchgate Holdings Ltd. Address of Premises: H’artisan, 69-71 High Street, Wargrave, Reading, RG10 8BU. Proposed licensable activities: The supply of alcohol for consumption both on and off the premises. Proposed days and hours of licensable activity: Mon-Fri, Sat, Sun Supply of Alcohol 09.00-19.00 09.0018.00 10.00-17.00. The postal address of the Licensing Authority where the register is kept and the application may be inspected is: *Licensing Service, Wokingham Borough Council, Po Box 155, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1WW.Any person wishing to make representations on this matter shall give notice, in writing, stating the nature and grounds for making such representations to The Licensing Officer at the above address * within 28 days of the date of this notice – by the 29th June 2022. Further information is available on the web site www.wokingham.gov.uk following the links. It is an offence, under section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in or in connection with an application, and the maximum fine on summary conviction of such an offence is not limited. Licensing Solutions – duly authorised agents
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220581 Ashridge Farm, NOTICE IS HEREBY given that I/We Joannle Grace Warren House Building Peak applied on 25/05/2022 to Reading Borough Road, Wokingham Council in respect of the premises known as Christmas Market Bar, Outside Marks and Spencers, Broadstreet RG1 2BH. For the grant of a Premises Licence certification for the following:
Full application for the proposed conversion/ rebuild of existing barns/outbuildings to 5 no. dwellings with associated parking, bin storage and amenity space, involving the partial rebuild of outbuilding proposed as unit 1; erection of a single storey extension to existing brick barn proposed as unit 2 following removal of timber lean-to structure; rebuild/partial rebuild of outbuildings proposed as units 3 & 4 involving an increase in floorspace; changes to fenestrations; erection of detached car port; creation of an access off Warren House Road to serve a rear parking area (part retrospective - revised description)
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220582 Ashridge Farm, Works to Listed Warren House Building Under the provisions of Licensing Act 2003 (Premises READING BOROUGH COUNCIL Road,ACT Wokingham Licences Certificates) Regulations LICENSING 20032005 the above named person has applied for the GRANT of the NOTICE premisesPUBLIC licence or club premises certificate.
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that 7P APERITIVO LTD may do so Any person wishing to view this application appliedat onReading 8th April 2022 to Reading Council Borough Council byBorough prior arrangement in respect of thethe premises known APERITIVO between hours of 9am as to 7P 5pm please ring 0118 LTD, a room within, 27, Rose Kiln Lane, Reading, RG2 937 3762 to make an appointment or via email to 0JZ for the grant of a premises licence for the licensing@reading.gov.uk. following:
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Application for Listed Building consent for the proposed conversion/rebuild of existing barns/ outbuildings to 5 no. dwellings with associated parking, bin storage and amenity space, involving the partial rebuild of outbuilding proposed as unit 1; erection of a single storey extension to existing brick barn proposed as unit 2 following removal of timber lean-to structure; rebuild/partial rebuild of outbuildings proposed as units 3 & 4 involving an increase in floorspace; changes to fenestrations (part retrospective - revised description).
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Council, Licensing Section, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, No written representations will have personal details
of comments received weapplication do not provide individual Any person wishing to view this may do so it responses. removed unless the licensing authority deems at Reading Borough Council arrangement Date: 9th June 2022 appropriate to do so. by Anyprior request for personal details between hours of 9am to 5pm please to ring 0118 937 to the be removed should be notified the Licensing 3762 toAuthority make anat appointment or via email to the time of making the representation. licensing@reading.gov.uk It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with
Any person wishing to make representation this is unlimited. anapplication, the maximum fine for doing so upon summaryto conviction application must do so in writing within 28 days of the application, as detailed above to: Reading Borough Council, Licensing Section, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU. No written representations will have personal details removed unless the licensing authority deems it appropriate to do so. Any request for personal details to be removed should be notified to the Licensing Authority at the time of making the representation.
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Any comments must or before the 30th June 2022. Any comments made are not confidential and can be All representations arearrive open on to public inspection. Reading, RG1made 2LU. seen by anyone theyrelate form part of the public record. The comments, unless offensive, discriminatory and/or racist, will Representations (whichasmust to the Licensing appear on be themade Council’s website within 24 hours and include the submitted name and address. Due to the high volume Objectives) must by 6th May 2022
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BDT Transport Limited of Units 5, 6 & 7 Headley Park 8, Headley Road East, Woodley RG5 4SA is applying to change an existing license as follows: To keep an extra 10 goods vehicles and 0 trailers at the operating centre at Units 5, 6 & 7 Headley Park 8, Headley Road East, Woodley RG5 4SA. Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s office.
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Thursday, June 9, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
PLATINUM JUBILEE
Double celebration for Sonning
CUT: Deputy Warden, Sue Peters made the Jubilee Celebration Cake,
EXCLUSIVE By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today A DOUBLE celebration was held at a Sonning church on Jubilee Sunday.
Not only did St Andrew’s hold a service to celebrate Pentecost and 70 years of the Queen’s reign, but they also dedicated a new buggy which will be used to help parishioners with mobility issues get around the church grounds. The service featured a Scripture reading from former prime minister Theresa May, and an address by Lord Carey, a former Archbishop of Canterbury. Celesete Hexter, head chorister of the church and a pupil of St Joseph’s College in Reading, also gave a Bible reading, while the choir sang a number of anthems including a setting of Psalm 150, and a performance of Zadok The Priest, which was composed for the coronation of King George II in 1727, and performed at every British coronation since. Hymns included I Vow To thee My Country and Lord For the Years, Your Love Has Kept and Guided. The service concluded with the singing of the National Anthem. Afterwards, people headed to the church’s garden room, The Ark, for a drinks reception and the unveiling of the mobility buggy, which has been called Bertie. Funding was provided by Christina Goodacre, in memory of her late husband, Peter, and by Janet Robson, in thanksgiving for the work of the church.
MEET BERTIE: The unveilling of a golf buggy bought with donations to St Andrew’s Church in Sonning on Sunday Picture: Steve Smyth JOY: Lady & Lord Carey cut the cake to celebrate the Jubliee with the help of young Anya Nijjhar (3).
O
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ENGLISH WINE SINCE 1979
TEST DRIVE: The Revd Jamie Taylor looks on as Lord Carey and Theresa May MP sit in “Bertie”, the new buggy The parish vicar, the Revd Jamie Taylor, was full of praise for how the day – and the Jubilee celebrations – had gone. “The service was a wonderful celebration of our Sovereign’s 70 years of service,” her said. “To have her fifth Archbishop of Canterbury and 13th Prime Minister taking part was slightly surreal but also tremendous, and the significance of that was not lost on any of us. “Her Majesty’s unwavering devoted service is something that we can all be deeply thankful for and also, I believe, learn from, especially her devotion to Jesus Christ and her
willingness to share her conviction of faith with her people. “Her Christmas broadcasts have become increasingly more powerful in recent years as she has felt the need to speak up about her abiding faith in the King of Kings.” He continued: “After last Sunday’s special service, where we heard music from various Coronations and a sermon from Lord Carey, we hosted a drinks party at which Theresa May MP and Lord Carey unveiled a golf buggy which has been gifted to the church by two well wishers. “This new facility will benefit the
elderly and frail when they come to our Sunday services and all our outreach events in the week.” This includes the church’s Rendezvous senior citizens’ lunch club which meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Mr Taylor added: “We do have a very large churchyard and this will make a huge difference as the distance from the car park to the church and Ark is a real challenge for some of our more senior church members. “Mrs May named the buggy ‘Bertie’ in recognition of the Queen’s father’s nickname.”
Sheeplands’ Jubilee tea party helps CIRDIC A HARE HATCH-based plant nursery held a special Platinum Jubilee tea party on Thursday, and raised hundreds for charity in the process. Sheeplands served hundreds of scones to hungry visitors, while organising a feast of fun for youngsters. There was musical entertainment, and plenty of smiling faces throughout the event.
PE
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It was timed to include the Red Arrows flypast, on their way back to base after performing for the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Food was also provided by Cuzza Wallah, which specialises in homecooked Asian food suitable for supper clubs. The popular event raised £408.71 for the work of CIRDIC, which helps vulnerable people in the greater
CHEERS: Visitors to Sheeplands celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee Picture: Steve Smyth Reading area, including cooked meals, help accessing support services, and clean clothing. A spokesperson for Sheeplands
said: “Thank you to all those who very kindly attended our Jubilee Charity Afternoon Tea, it was a success.”
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WOKINGHAM’S STREET PARTIES
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Retirement home’s coffee morning
Spencers Wood’s
A RETIREMENT home in Wokingham has been celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Residents at the Acorn Drive Retirement Home, off Glebelands Road, marked the occasion with a jubilee coffee morning on Wednesday, June 1. It featured a range of sandwiches and sweet treats as they celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s reign. The room was decorated with red, white and blue flowers as well as a Union Flag on each table. Some of the residents also added some flair to their outfits with Union Flag inspired hats and braces.
By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg.today
COATS hold special lunches
A
CROWTHORNE centre for seniors has celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
SPENCERS WOOD residents were treated to a spectacular jubilee celebration on Friday afternoon.
ON SONG: Singers entertained the crowds in Woodley’s shopping precinct throughout the day Pictures: Daniel Blackham
Woodley town centre hosts a Big Jubilee Lunch WOODLEY celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with its own big jubilee lunch on Sunday. The event, organised by Woodley Town Council, saw plenty of people pitch up with their own tables, chairs and picnics to enjoy an afternoon of entertainment. Cllr Janet Sartorel, Woodley town mayor, addressed the crowd before the town crier called for three cheers to the Queen adding: “God bless the Queen”. Cllr Sartorel was joined at the main table by deputy mayor, Cllr Kay Gilder along with the winners of the town centre’s jubilee stone decorating competition.
There was a main stage with bands singing songs from the 1940s to the present day including the Bailey Dolls who performed a number of 40s and 50s classics. The eight-foot tall Professor Crump was on hand to entertain the crowds with jokes and cycling on-board his equally tall bicycle. There was also a petting zoo with children getting up close to rabbits, ducks, goats and ponies. Free ice cream was provided to all children by Mayas Treats. Cllr Sartorel said: “Thank you to everyone for joining me and my very special guests to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.”
The COATS Centre on Pinewood Avenue marked the occasion with celebrations over two days leading up to the bank holiday weekend. On Tuesday, they held a banquet lunch including the Platinum Pudding competition-winning lemon trifle dessert. On Wednesday, they held an indoor street party with traditional party food. There were photographs with Her Majesty The Queen, a photo booth and singing and dancing on both days. Each day concluded with a hearty singing of the national anthem by all the visitors. Around 50 senior citizens from Crowthorne and the surrounding areas attended on each day. The COATS Centre in Crowthorne is open to all senior citizens and operates each weekday between 10am and 3pm. They provide companionship, hot lunches, teas, cakes, entertainment and activities.
Foundation Stage Practitioner required at St. Dominic’s Pre-School, Woodley
DOGGY DAY CARE: Children pose in honour the annual Spencers Wood Carnival. “She couldn’t be here today, so I picked her brains and she said ‘Linda, make it free.’ And that’s what it’s been – it’s been wonderful.” Ms Gale was full of praise for the support the organising committee had received from local organisations. “The community around the three villages have been so generous to us,” she explained. “We were successful in securing grants from the Shinfield Parish and One Stop, and without them we would not have been able to put this event together.”
Three-into-one: Residents together for a bit of a do
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Visitors flocked to Spencers Wood Recreation Ground to enjoy the activities on show, as well as their own picnic lunches. With something for everyone, families came out in their numbers; face painting, balloon-making and a magic show all proved popular with the children. “It’s been a great day,” organiser Linda Gale said. “It’s been fantastic to see so many people enjoying themselves here.” The day included a rousing rendition of the national anthem, delivered with patriotism fit for the occasion. Visitors embraced the spirit of the day, taking part in a fancy dress parade, tug of war and raffle. The jubilee also served as a moment of reflection, with children learning about the significance of the day through Jubilee-themed games. Spencers Wood historians were also on hand to share their expert knowledge at one of the stalls. “I’m so blown away by the amount of people that are here,” visitor Rachel Walker said. “It’s really, really awesome.” “There’s such a strong sense of community spirit, I feel like everywhere I look there’s a familiar face.” Ms Gale said there were two main motivations for keeping the celebration free to attend. “First of all, it was being aware of the number of families, in this socalled affluent area, who are struggling to make ends meet, to just get by to feed their kids,” she explained. “I saw this first-hand from volunteering at Helping Hands [food share] at Shinfield Baptist Church.” “The second inspiration was a young lady who is usually very involved in
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THREE Wokingham streets came together for a giant party on Jubilee Friday. Residents of Erica Drive, Southlands Road and Gipsy Lane organised a celebration event for all ages. There was live music, a raffle, and a contest to find who had the best hat. And, of course, there was plenty of cake and scones. In all, there were 180 people gathered together for the Jubilee fun. The event was one of many taking place across the Platinum Jubilee weekend to celebrate 70 years of the Queen’s reign.
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Thursday, June 9, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
WOKINGHAM’S STREET PARTIES Street party takes over Pinewood Leisure Centre
big spectacular
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HAPPY DAYS: Raised glassed at the Pinewood Leisure Centre Street Party Pictures: Steve Smyth
of the Queen’s beloved corgis Picture: Ji-Min Lee
ALL AGES came together in Wokingham Without on Thursday for one of the first street parties in the borough. The Platinum Jubilee event was organised by Pinewood Bar & Cafe in Wokingham Without, and saw a section of the leisure centre’s car park closed to traffic so it could become party central. The cafe organised an afternoon tea, with children able to enjoy their own special meal. Entertainment came from Professor Crump, who dressed up as a Beefeater on stilts. And there was also a face painter. It wasn’t the only event held at Pinewood over the Jubilee holiday weekend. Wokingham Without Parish Council created a Corgi Trail in the
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woods surounding the play area. A free trail sheet was available to collect from the Pinewood Bar and Cafe over the bank holiday weekend. Families could go hunting for the missing corgis, and then claim a prize.
Shinfield’s fun-filled day SHINFIELD residents concluded their jubilee celebrations on a fun-filled Sunday. A morning service at St Mary’s church was followed by a picnic lunch and games. “It’s been a great weekend and today we’ve been able to celebrate both the jubilee and Pentecost at the same time in a service that wound both things together,” Revd Chris Leslie explained. “The children were involved with that and it’s always lovely seeing them coming to church.” Sunday morning’s service featured classic hymns such as To God Be the Glory, Colours of Day and Lord, for the Years. The reading was taken from John 14:1-7 and 25-27. A rendition of the national
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anthem brought the service to a close as visitors retired to the church hall. Families enjoyed jubilee-themed activities and food, with the church bringing out a Union flag cake to commemorate the occasion. Mr Leslie was full of praise for the impact the week’s festivities had had on the community. “Events like these are really important to enhance the sense of community here in Shinfield, bringing together the old and new communities together.”
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The Community Navigation Scheme
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 9, 2022
STREET PARTIES
Ever wondered where to find help, information or support? Are you interested in getting more involved in your local community? Community navigators can help you to gain access to local groups, activities and services that match your needs. By calling involve’s main number Monday to Friday 9.30 am-4 pm Community Navigation can help you to find ways to get connected with others, and access help that may be needed. Go to www.involve.community/communitynavigation or call 01344 304404
Picture: Daniel Blackham
Your parties to honour Queen
W
OKINGHAM residents held their own Platinum Jubilee celebrations over the four-day weekend. More than 85,000 big lunches were held across the country to allow people to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years on the throne with food, drink and games. Wokingham Borough Council had waived fees to allow residents
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to close streets for their events, while other gatherings took place in parks, gardens and homes. More than 8.5 million took part in the Big Jubilee Lunch for the Diamond Jubilee in 2012, and it is expected that similar numbers took place this time round. There were lots different parties registered with Wokingham Borough Council, some of them are pictured on these pages.
Picture: Nicki Ilbrey
The Street Party in Welby Crescent in Winnersh on Sunday.
Picture: Nicki Ilbrey
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The Street Party in Rose Street in Wokingham on Sunday.
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The Street Party in Rose Street in Wokingham on Sunday. Left: Collette Kos, Myra & Virginia Robins enjoy the day. 105 year old John Woodfield raising a glass to the Queen Ages 4-15 (from 3 at selected locations) Ofsted registered Locations across Berkshire
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The Street Party in Priest Avenue in Wokingham on Sunday. .
The Street Party in Priest Avenue in Wokingham on Sunday.
Columba Gardens street party Picture Hannah Stewart
Thursday, June 9, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
NEWS | 25
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STREET PARTIES The Pheasant in Winnersh held a party on Friday Picture: Phil Creighton
Picture: Nicki Ilbrey
Picture: Rebecca Flanagan
Picture: Rebecca Flanagan ParkView Drive South Street Party in Charvil on Sunday.
Columba Gardens street party Picture Hannah Stewart
ParkView Drive South Street Party in Charvil on Sunday.
Columba Gardens street party Picture Hannah
The Street Party in Priest Avenue in Wokingham on
Picture: Claire Mangers-Page
The Street Party in Tamarisk Rise in Wokingham on Sunday.
The Street Party in Priest Avenue
The Street Party in Bishops Drive in Wokingham on Sunday.
Columba Gardens street party Picture Hannah Stewart
The Street Party in Tamarisk Rise in Wokingham on Sunday.
The Street Party in Froghall Drive in Wokingham on Sunday.
Picture: Sarah Godwin
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To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today HONOURED: Prof Parveen Yaqoob has been appointed an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Picture courtesy of the University of Reading
Honour for university’s deputy vice-chancellor THE University of Reading’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor has been appointed an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Prof Parveen Yaqoob, who also serves as joint Pro-ViceChancellor for Research and Innovation, received the honour for services to higher education. “I am overwhelmed to be recognised for a job that means so much to me,” she said. “I grew up in a culture that actively discouraged education for girls, so I was really lucky to get the chance to go to university.” “Higher education has given me the opportunities that I could never have imagined, and so to pay that back in some small way means the world to me.” Prof Yaqoob is a champion of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) issues across the university. She is the first female Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading and currently chairs the national Athena Swan Governance Committee, which
manages transformation of the charter for gender equality. Prof Yaqoob directed the university’s response to Covid-19, overseeing student and staff safety, help by the NHS. The university’s ViceChancellor, Prof Robert Van de Noort was full of praise for his colleague, saying: “I would like to offer Parveen my heartfelt congratulations on the news of her appointment to OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.” “I could not be more pleased to hear that she has been honoured.” “We are extremely lucky to have such a committed academic and leader who applies her sound judgement and hard work to everything she does.” Prof Yaqoob has been at the University of Reading for 24 years, joining as a lecturer in human nutrition in 1998. She became Pro-ViceChancellor in 2018, taking on the additional role of Deputy ViceChancellor in 2020.
Council seeks views to tackle anti-social late-night car meets By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today
RESIDENTS have been invited to share their views on the rise in unauthorised car meets.
The online survey, set up by Wokingham Borough Council, is also an opportunity to give suggestions on how the council should respond. Car meets have been a growing source of nuisance to Wokingham residents in recent months, and are associated with dangerous driving, racing, and aggressive acceleration and braking. Residents have also been subjected to the sound of horns, loud music, bad language and threatening behaviour. Between January 2021, and January this year, 82 incidents were reported either to the council or Thames Valley Police. Most frequently they have taken place at the Carnival Hub car park in Wokingham, the Meroak Park and Ride near Three Mile Cross and supermarket car parks across the borough. And there was a protest held by residents outside
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CLAMPDOWN: Wokingham Borough Council is asking residents for their views on late-night car meets Carnival Pool multi-storey car park earlier this year to allow residents to express their frustrations over noise and speeding. A number of drivers also attended to hold their own counter demonstration, and meet with police officers. Adopting a Car Cruising Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is one way the council could respond, and this would give it greater power to tackle dangerous and anti-social behaviour. A PSPO would give the council power to respond to car
cruising, when drivers meet to race or show off their vehicles. The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 gives power to restrict an activity, such as car cruising, if it has a detrimental effect on resident’s quality of life, or is persistent or ongoing. Under the Act, the council can set blanket restrictions and requirements, restrict access to public spaces, and set targeted restrictions and requirements against certain behaviours. If a PSPO is created, anyone not complying could be fined
Shinfield cancer centre set to close after company folds RUTHERFORD Cancer Centre Thames Valley is set to close after its parent company announced it would be going into liquidation. Rutherford Health group revealed on Monday, May June 6, that the decision was taken due to a “critical lack of patient volume” and “cost of infrastructure”. An application will be made later this week to appoint a liquidator. Staff were informed beforehand, with arrangements being made to transfer existing patients to alternative facilities. Sean Sullivan, Chief Restructuring Officer and Interim CEO, said: “Covid has been particularly damaging for us as fewer patients were presenting with side effects during the lockdowns.” “As a result, cancer diagnosis has been delayed and sadly, in many cases, missed. This has meant fewer cancer patients have been presenting to our centres.” Since 2015, Rutherford Health has built a network of oncology centres in South Wales, Northumberland, Liverpool and their base in Shinfield.
Their facilities offered a range of advanced cancer treatments including high energy proton beam therapy, radiography and chemotherapy. “It was a very expensive business to set up, with over £240 million of capital expenditure to build and develop the cancer centres across the country,” Mr Sullivan explained. “Unfortunately patient numbers have not matched that.” According to Rutherford Health, a not-for-profit contract was offered to the NHS in an attempt to increase patient flow, but the offer was not taken up. “We made several offers to the NHS, and while we secured some contracts they were insufficient and we have not been able to secure mechanisms to expedite process,” Mr Sullivan said. “This added to severe financial pressures on the business and we had no option other than to place the Group into liquidation.” “We are very proud to have been able to serve the community and cancer patients across the country.”
up to £1,000 or receive a fixed penalty notice of up to £100. Cllr Ian Shenton, executive member for environment, sport and leisure said: “We want to ensure Wokingham Borough continues to be a safe place for our residents and the behaviour associated with these car meets completely goes against that. “Some of the people who attend these gatherings show little or no regard for the people around them and we want to send a clear message that we are serious about tackling this extremely anti-social behaviour.” The council proposes that all land maintained or managed by the local authority should be covered under the PSPO, as well as other public spaces. Some of the activities the order would prohibit drivers from doing include causing danger or risk of injury to road users, applying aggressive acceleration and racing. It would also prohibit playing loud music and using threatening or intimidating behaviour. It would also be an offence to promote, organise, publicise or attend an unauthorised car meet event. The online survey will run from Tuesday, June 7, to Sunday, July 19 and is available via the council’s online platform, Engage Wokingham Borough. n To complete the survey visit: www.engage.wokingham.gov.uk
New Woodley and Earley seat could be Labour’s
A NEW survey has predicted Labour would win the proposed new seat of Earley and Woodley, if boundary changes are implemented before the next general election, writes James Aldridge, Local democracy reporter. The seat changes are aimed at making constitutencies more representative of the communities they serve. Electoral Calculus looked at the new seats and projected the share of the vote. Under the proposals, there would be nine seats in Berkshire, and the Conservatives would hold six of them: Wokingham, Bracknell, Windsor, Maidenhead, Newbury and Berkshire Mid. Labour would win Reading, Slough and Earley and Woodley. The prediction depends on whether the boundary changes are implemented or not. The changes could benefit Alok Sharma, the Conservative MP for Reading West: last week, an Election Maps UK prediction suggested he would lose his seat to Labour. Electoral Calculus implies he would win with a majority of 3,678 votes. According to a wider Electoral Calculus prediction, Labour would win 393 seats and the Conservatives would get 101 if Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Greens cooperated.
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Dad’s Second World War past revealed in son’s new book EXCLUSIVE
By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today LIKE many of us, a son was left regretting not having proper conversations with his father about “what he had done in the war”.
But John Vimpany did not leave it at regrets. Instead, he and a friend have written a book revealing the Royal Air Force’s unsung heroes who “forced the enemy off the sea” in the Second World War. One of those heroes was his father Dick Vimpany, who later worked in civil aviation at Woodley aerodrome, living at Wargrave Road, Twyford. Dick was a navigator in a Beaufighter plane which used cannon, rockets and torpedoes to sink and damage enemy ships in the North Sea. He flew from RAF North Coates near Grimsby. North Coates was the first “wing” of planes to take part in RAF Coastal Command’s antishipping strikes from 1943 until 1945. The German ships were carrying iron ore from Sweden and Norway to go on barges down the River Rhine to Germany’s Ruhr area to make weapons.
AUTHORS: John Vimpany (left) and David Boyd with their book about the unsung heroes of the Second World War The book, To Force the Enemy off the Sea – the Story of the RAF’s North Coates Strike Wing, is being launched later this month at Hurst Cricket Club. Both authors, John Vimpany and David Boyd, live in Hurst and are amateur historians. They will talk about the book from 7pm, on Tuesday June 28. John said: “My father had written up a lot of notes about his time at North Coates. I had his photos he took on reconnaissance and also his log books.
“I just wanted to write something for my children and posterity. David thought it should be a book and it became a joint effort.”
Dick told a researcher in the 1990s: “We flew against the enemy convoys for one reason – to force them off the seas, which we did. Morale at North Coates was always good. There was sadness when our friends did not return, but we did as we were told.” Of the aircrew flying from North Coates in the strikes, 241 lost their lives. Dick was 20 when he started flying the raids. He later became a squadron leader. David said: “Everyone tends to know about the Battle of
Britain and Bomber Boys but few people know about the RAF’s anti shipping campaign. It was important. “In the book we ask: ‘If the strike wings had been deployed earlier and in greater numbers could that have made a considerable difference to how the war developed? There might for instance have been fewer bombing raids on German cities. We hope the book is accessible to any reader.” John added: “The book is about the North Coates strike wing. “My father’s experiences are an example of what others went through. The book is well researched. The many sources, including the National Archives, are listed. There are maps, diagrams and 60 photos, many taken by aircrew.” n Dick left the RAF in 1946 and flew in civil aviation, taking part in the Berlin airlift supplying food when the British, French and United States sectors of the city were cut off by the Soviet Union in 1948. He also helped fly refugees when India was divided into India and Pakistan. He rejoined the RAF in 1952 and was awarded the MBE (Military) for active service in Borneo. n The book costs £19.95 including UK delivery, for details, log on to: www.helion.co.uk
Toddlers group in Shinfield YOUNG families in Shinfield are invited to attend a weekly babies and toddlers group. Meeting at St Mary’s Church Hall, Church lane, the group allows both children and parents to relax and make new friends. The fun-filled sessions feature toys, painting, playdough, music and crafts. Recent creations have included ‘stained glass’ butterflies, and jubilee crowns. Prospective visitors are encouraged to get in touch to enquire about spaces. The group meets between 9.15am-11.30am on Fridays during term time. n For more information, email: nicolasangster@gmail.com
Male chorus open night
A CHANCE to sing with the Thames Valley Chorus is available for anyone attending an open rehearsal later this month. The group for male singers celebrates close-harmony singing, and meets on Tuesdays in the canteen of Bulmershe School in Chequers Way, Woodley. It will start at 7.30pm and conclude at 9.45pm, and the choir will provide music. n For details, log on to: www. tvchorus.co.uk or call: 0118 977 4257.
Customers blue as Wokingham bakery and cafe closes A popular bakery and cafe in Wokingham town centre has closed. On Monday, June 6, Blue Orchid Bakery owner, Elena, posted on social media to announce the decision. “It’s with huge amounts of sadness that Blue Orchid Bakery is officially closed,” she wrote. “I have made the difficult decision to close the cafe in Peach Place to focus on my passion of Wedding and Celebration cakes. “This hasn’t been an easy
decision and I will miss all our customers dearly. “The last three-and-a-half years have been truly amazing and full of ups and downs with the best staff by my side.” Elena continued: “We’ve won awards, came top 10% on Trip Advisor, and delivered all throughout lockdown. “We provided free school lunches when they were needed and delivered cupcakes every week to our NHS when covid was at its worst. “I want to thank all of you
for your custom and support, it’s truly appreciated and I can’t wait to share what the future holds.” The cafe opened in May 2019, making homemade, hand made cakes, brownies, and savouries and earned five stars on TripAdviser and Google. People are commenting on Blue Orchid Bakery’s Facebook page that they will miss the cafe and its team and wish Elena success for the future. It has not been possible to contact the cafe for comment.
READING residents will be able to take advantage of a drop-in liver check up, as one in five could be affected by liver disease. The British Liver Trust is encouraging people to come forward for a free health check as part of their new campaign, the Love Your Liver roadshow. Their campaign will see a mobile liver screening unit travel around the country, stopping in Reading on Wednesday, June 15. The service will be available outside Sainsbury’s on Broad Street between 10am-4pm. The British Liver Trust warns that one-in-five people may be suffering from liver disease without knowing.
It also notes that nine in 10 cases of liver disease are considered preventable. Pamela Healy, chief executive of British Liver Trust, said, “The Love Your Liver roadshow is a great opportunity for people to find out their risk of liver disease and the first one hundred people to attend will receive a free non-invasive scan. “Approximately 20% of the people we scan need to have further checks.” The campaign also focuses on three simple steps to promote liver health. People are recommended to drink within recommended limits of alcohol, and have three consecutive days off from
consuming alcohol each week. They are also encouraged to cut down on sugars, fats, and carbohydrates, as well as engage in more exercise. The BLT is also encouraging awareness of the risk factors of viral hepatitis, recommending that people get tested, and those at risk get vaccinated. Ms Healy said: “One in five of us are at risk of liver disease and the numbers of people being diagnosed have been increasing at an alarming rate. “Liver damage develops silently with no signs or symptoms and people often don’t realise they have a problem until it is too late.
Free screenings for liver damage
INVITATION TO A PUBLIC EXHIBITION
Proposals for Land at New Bath Road, Twyford David Wilson Homes Southern (DWH) would like to take this opportunity to invite you a Public Exhibition to view their proposals for a residential-led development and separate rugby club on Land at New Bath Road, Twyford. The exhibition will be held at:
Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road, Twyford, Reading, RG10 9JA on Wednesday 15th June 2022 from 1.30pm to 6.00pm In addition to holding a Public Exhibition, our dedicated project website www.NewBathRoadTwyford.co.uk will include a virtual exhibition section and online feedback facility available to view on the day of the event.
Contact us: Freephone 0800 232 1794 Info@NewBathRoadTwyford.co.uk Freepost LAND AT NBR CONSULTATION All feedback received will help inform the masterplan and a future outline planning application.
28 | NEWS
A Beer festival celebrates its seventh birthday BOND Brews marks the seventh anniversary of the Bracknell Ale and Cider Festival. Bond Brews beers, local cider, prosecco and soft drinks will be available for those wanting to celebrate. Food will also be available from Rural Pie Co, and there will be live music throughout the event. There is no need to book for the celebration, which takes place in the Tap Yard, Bond Brews on Heathlands Road, Wokingham, RG40 3AS. The event runs from noon until 6pm on Saturday, June 18. n For information call: 01344 775450,
A spicy evening at Wade Day Centre ORGANISERS are planning a curry night to raise funds for the day centre. As well as curries and soft drinks, there will also be a raffle during the event. The curry night takes place at the Wade Day Centre, Wokingham on Friday, June 17. The event starts at 6pm. Entry is £15, free for children. All money raised will go to The Wade Day Centre.
n For tickets and information call: 0118 907 6345.
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Charity that helps children read supported by caring, sharing Co-op
READ ON: Volunteer reading mentors at ABCto Read. Picture courtesy of ABC to Read.
By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today
CUSTOMERS and colleagues of Co-op stores in Berkshire and Surrey have been steadily raising money for local charities and good causes.
They raised more than £21,000, enabling 20 charities to receive at least £1,000. They included ABC To Read, a Reading-based charity that supports young readers get to grips with literacy. Every year, each of Southern Co-op’s local food stores choose a local partner which aims to create greener, safer, healthier or more inclusive neighbourhoods. Southern Co-op’s Love Your Neighbourhood programme also enables charities and local causes to apply for grants of up to £500 to help sow the seeds to a secure, stronger future for everyone. Local Co-operative stores that took part in the fundraising included Binfield’s Forest Road, Binfield’s Oakmede Place, and Wokingham’s Market Place. Holly Bramble, community lead at the regional, independent co-operative, said: “Local causes make a difference in their local community. “It is important to us, our
colleagues and our members to make sure we support them in their efforts, whether that is a local school working to be more sustainable, or a charity which cares for people in need. “So we’d like to thank every shopper who put their pennies in the collection pots and every colleague who organised a fundraising activity. “It’s been a tough few years but it is wonderful to see people continuing to support each other where they can.” ABC To Read comprises
volunteer reading mentors who work one-to-one with children to build their confidence and reading skills. It also provides support for schools and families to help young people for whom reading is a challenge. Marcia Rowlinson, CEO of ABC to Read, was thrilled with the support received from the Co-op. “It is absolutely crucial to address the education gap caused by covid, to improve the future prospects of our local youngsters.
Our volunteers are a critical part of the recovery process at this difficult time, bridging that gap and inspiring a love of reading, and we are grateful for the support from Co-operative funding in helping us impact as many Berkshire children as we can.” On average, 500 children are encouraged and mentored by ABC to Read volunteers every week, with 12,000 hours invested into improving not only their reading ability but their enjoyment of it.
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n For more information about training days or joining the scheme as a school or volunteer mentor, contact: info@abctoread. org.uk, or visit the charitiy’s website: www.abctoread.org.uk n For more information about Cooperative local funding and other support available, visit: www.
Youth group to perform
Hotel opens its gardens
n For more information or to book tickets, visit: www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk
n For more details, or to book, log on to: www.ngs. org.uk/events
BUDDING actors are gearing up to showcase their talents in a summer spectacle. Shinfield Players Youth Group are set to perform a dazzling production of Saturday Night Fever. The musical will be Robert Stigwood adaptation of the famous movie and story written by Nik Cohn. Vistors must note that the performance will contain strong language and themes of suicide and sexual violence The performances will take place at The Oakwood Theatre, Woodley, RG5 4JZ. There will be four showings at 7.30pm on Friday, July 8, 2pm and 7.30pm on Saturday, July 9, and 2pm on Sunday, July 10.
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ABC to Read is actively looking for new volunteers to take part in its training. Schools in need of additional reading support are also being actively encouraged to sign up for ABC to Read mentors.
IT’S JUST over the border, but a passport won’t be needed to visit. Heckfield Place is taking part in this year’s NGS open garden scheme. The hotel is part of a 438-acre estate with an original 1927 NGS garden, with walled garden and pleasure grounds, including two lakes and arboretum. The garden was created by Head Gardener William Walker Wildsmith in the 19th century, and has been restored. It will open on Monday and Tuesday next week, with two-hour sessions starting and 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. Afternoon tea is served from 4pm. Places need to be booked in advance and cost £8, children get in free.
Council launches borough information platform A NEW online platform has been launched by the council to make it easier for residents to access health and wellbeing information. The Wokingham Borough Observatory also includes data about the borough and its residents, including economic and employment data, environmental data and information directly related to health outcomes. It will also be the new home for the Joint strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) statutory document. This will be of interest to many users, including residents, businesses and service providers,
particularly those working in public health and social care. The JSNA is used by local authorities and clinical commissioning groups and to inform local decision-making. And it will be useful to people simply interested in Wokingham Borough and the services available in the area. Executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services, Cllr David Hare said: “I am delighted to announce the launch of the Wokingham Borough Observatory, the new home of Wokingham JSNA. “The platform is a valuable resource tool that is free for anyone to view.
“The observatory is simple to use and can provide useful information to a wide range of residents and professionals.” Wokingham Borough Council say the new site provides up-to-date and reliable data. It is designed to enable the easy download of reports, graphics, data and statistics. Users will be able to search for further statistics, filter their searches and make comparisons such as by local authority or borough ward and area. n To access the Observatory visit: www.wokingham. berkshireobservatory.co.uk
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WOKINGHAM
NO ONE CHRONICLES THE ACTION BETTER THAN US
09.06.22
BERKS PIPPED IN FINAL
WIN PUTS OAKS BACK ON TOP
SONNING MOVE ON UP THE TABLE
OAKS GROWING MIGHTY FINE
Royals keen on Rahman return as Chelsea defender seeks exit
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM CRICKET CLUB celebrated victory at the weekend with wins for their first, second and third teams.
The Oaks’ first-team ensured victory at home to Wycombe after they successfully chased down the first innings total of
TRIPLE DELIGHT FOR OAKS
205 set by High Wycombe. There were half centuries for Billy Rogers (51) and Imran Malik (78) who contributed heavily as Wokingham reached 209 with five wickets to spare after 46.2 overs. The win puts them up to fifth in the Home Counties Division 1 with three wins from their opening five matches.
Wokingham 2s were able to take the points on their trip to face Binfield in Thames Valley Division 2B. Anthony Clapham (76) and Jayden Bartson (62) batted brilliantly to elp the Oaks build a first innings total of 236. A spectacular five-wicket
haul from Jacob Clark helped to seal the win as Binfield were all out on 174, 62 runs short of the chase. The win puts Wokingham in second position, level on points with league leaders Reading, while Binfield are in sixth.
n Full cricket report and pictures on pages 21 & 22
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REPORTS have suggested that Reading FC are keen on bringing Baba Rahman back to the club this summer.
The Chelsea left-back spent last season on loan with the Royals and played 29 Championship games for the club as they narrowly avoided relegation. According to Ghanasoccernet. com, Reading are one of four clubs said to be interested in the Ghanian defender. They have reported that fellow Championship Middlesbrough, Greek side PAOK and German team Augsburg are all interested in the 27-year-old. Since joining Chelsea in 2015, Rahman has been a peripheral figure for the Blues and has made just 15 Premier League appearances. He spent three seasons out on loan at Schalke 04 before loan spells with Reims, Mallorca, PAOK and then Reading last season. Despite being part of a leaky backline that conceded 87 goals in the Championship last campaign, Rahman managed to endear himself to the Royals fans thanks in part to his social media interaction with the supporters. Any subsequent deal for the Ghana international is likely to be another loan move due to Reading’s financial constraints this summer, while they may face stern competition from the other interested clubs who may be willing to take Rahan away from Chelsea on a permanent deal.
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WOKINGHAM TODAY READING TODAY 0800 30 50 30 www.trademarkwindows.co.uk Berks in action in the County Championship final
RUGBY UNION
RAMS PROP GRABS WINNER AS BERKS BEATEN IN COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today
Berkshire 5 Oxfordshire 7
RAMS prop Ant Marris grabbed the crucial try with less than two minutes remaining as Oxfordshire beat a Berkshire side including 12 of his clubmates 7-5 to win the Division Three final of the Bill Beaumont County Championship on Saturday.
It was Berkshire who opened the scoring at Richmond with their only try arriving at the end of the first quarter, skipper Max Hayman peeling off the back of a maul before flicking a wonderful pass out of the tackle to free Maidenhead prop Elio Mandozzi to cross on the right. Louis Ellis was unable to add the extras, but his side still went into the break in front. The second half proved a pointless affair until right at the death, but it was the Rams’ Coaches’ Player of the Year, Marris, who burrowed over from close range to touch down under the posts. Oxfordshire’s James Miller landed a simple conversion to hit the front, and despite a couple of powerful charges from replacement Spencer Hayhow, Berkshire could not breach the defensive line and were eventually forced into touch to cue celebrations for their neighbours. Berkshire mens: (15-9, 1-8) Ellis (Rams), Yates (Bracknell), Souter (Barnes), D Thorne (Newbury), Manhardt, Nicholls (Rams),
Reading FC striker Lucas Joao Picture: Steve Smyth
READING FC
Joao emerges as target for several Championship clubs READING FC striker Lucas Joao is reportedly a transfer target of several Championship clubs this summer.
Rams’ Ant Morris celebrates winning with Oxfordshire
Berkshire in action Picture: @rugbygrandad
Berkshire Women’s team
Williams (University of Reading); Mandozzi (Maidenhead), Hayman ©, Lomas (both Rams), Westropp (University of Reading), Thomson, Goodison, Everitt, Crame (all Rams). Substitutes: Hayhow (Rams), Hicks (Newbury), Etwell (Rams), Jupp (Henley), Ellaboudy (Rams), T Thorne (Newbury), Wells (Maidenhead).
Berkshire 5 Leicestershire 40 BERKSHIRE Women put in a brave effort but were ultimately defeated 40-5 by Leicestershire in the Division One final of the Gill Burns County Championship
at Twickenham. The Royal County put in a brave display at HQ, but having slipped into the break 19-0 down, an Annabel Hawkins try was all they could muster in the second period as they had to settle for the runners-up medals.
The Royals may be tempted to sell the forward, who only has one year remaining on his contract, to help ease their financial troubles. According to footballleagueworld.co.uk, Joao is on the radar of Middlesbrough, Burnley, or newly promoted Nottingham Forest, among others. Paul Ince’s team will once again this summer be under a transfer embargo which will limit them to signing free agents and loans after the club breached EFL profit and sustainability regulations. Joao has become a pivotal figure in Berkshire since arriving from Sheffield Wednesday in August 2019 for around £5million. His first season at Reading was interrupted by injury but he managed to score six goals in 19 league games. The following season under Veljko Paunovic saw Joao flourish as his goals had the Royals in contention for the play-offs for the entire season, until they missed out late on. He contributed 19 goals in 39 Championship games in the 2020/21 season. A hip injury kept Joao on the sidelines for more than five months at the beginning of the 2021/22 season. But he returned from the long term injury and displayed excellent form to help the Royals in their fight against relegation. Joao netted 10 times in 21 games and was awarded the EFL Player of the Month award for February.
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‘IT’S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE COUPLE OF MONTHS’: RAE REFLECTS ON SURVIVAL
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
READING FC assistant manager Alex Rae reflected on a ‘challenging’ spell after he helped the Royals to Championship survival.
Rae joined the Royals on an interim basis as part of Paul Ince’s coaching staff after previous manager Veljko Paunovic was sacked in February. “It’s been an incredible couple of months, it’s been challenging,” said Rae. “Everyone was delighted that we got it done with a couple of games to spare. When you factor in some of the circumstances. “We’ve had an injury list that has grown so I’m pleased we got over the line.” Ince and Rae have committed their future to the club after being appointed on a full-time basis and are now preparing for what will be another difficult campaign under financial restrictions. He continued: “The earlier you can get your targets in and get a full pre-season in the better. If you can get that done and dusted with a tough pre-season under your belt, that stands you in good stead. “There’s a lot more intensity in the games, and having played a lot of my career in the championship, playing 46 games in the championship is so demanding
Alex Rae (pictured right) in Reading’s away trip to Barnsley last season Picture: Steve Smyth both physically and mentally. You have to be prepared for both challenges. “It will be a factor to try and get players in and get as full of a preseason as possible. Rae reflected on his thoughts when he was asked to take up the job as part of Ince’s coaching staff and was surprised by how quickly he became invested in the task ahead. “I keep an interest across all divisions and we saw the club was having a tough time. The previous manager managed to get an
important win before we came in the door. “It was important to try and get a run going over a five or six game period and thankfully that was the case. It was crucial to add the pressure on the opponents below us. “I’ll be honest, there was a game before the international break where we had just beaten Blackburn, and I said to Incey that I woke up through the night thinking that we were playing Barnsley after the break and thinking about preparation and being totally
invested in the challenge even though we had only been at the club for five minutes. “He said the same thing that he had been up at five and it was almost as if we were trying to beat each other at who had the most to worry about for the next challenge. “You get really invested and with the challenges the Championship poses with so many different styles and the analysis you have to do, you think about what frame of mind the players would be because the previous results weren’t great and with a lot of them out of contract but they were great. “Me and incey are very similar characters. When we met each other at wolves we didn’t have a great deal of time for each other, we had this rivalry. But then we became teammates and bounced off each other. “We knew what it meant to everyone surrounding the club and with it being the 150th anniversary and the ramifications relegation would have on so many people at the club, we knew that wasn’t an option. “It was important to make sure the players were aware of that. “The fightback against Swansea was incredible and it meant that the others had to win their remaining games. The manager drove us forward to keep us focused on the next game because the job wasn’t done yet.”
READING FC
ROYALS TO BATTLE BENFICA IN FRIENDLY
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
READING FC will face Portuguese side SL Benfica in a behind-closed doors friendly next month.
Paul Ince’s men are set for a week long training camp at England’s St George’s Park in June which will culminate in a friendly match against the Primeira Liga team. Benfica are under new management after they appointed German boss Roger Schmidt in May. Benfica ended the 2021/22 season in third place under caretaker manager Nelson Verissimo after previous manager Jorge Jesus left by mutual consent in December 2021. They finished a disappointing 17 points behind champions Porto in what was the club’s third consecutive season without silverware. Among Benfica’s ranks are three former Premier League players. Nicolas Otamendi who played for
Reading celebrate a goal against Swansea Picture: Steve Smyth Manchester City for five seasons, Jan Vertonghtne who spent eight seasons at Tottenham Hotspur and Adel Taarabt who starred for Queens Park Rangers. They also have rising star Darwin Nunez who is hotly tipped to make a big money move across Europe this summer after scoring 26 goals in 28 league appearances last season. Benfica enjoyed a good run in last season’s Champions League
which saw them progress through the group stages after finishing as runners-up behind Bayern Munich. They fought off competition from Barcelona and Dynamo Kiev as Benfica thumped Barca 3-0 at home and earned a goalless draw at the Camp Nou to finish in second on eight points, one above the Spanish giants. Benfica made it past Dutch champions Ajax in the round of 16 after they snatched a 1-0 away win at the Johan Cruyff Arena courtesy of Nunez’ second-half strike to complete a 3-2 aggregate win. They were eliminated in the quarter finals despite putting up a stern test against Liverpool where they eventually lost 6-4 on aggregate after another impressive showing from young forward Nunez who netted in both matches. Reading FC will face Portuguese side SL Benfica in a behind-closed doors friendly next month, Paul Ince’s men are set for a week long training camp at England’s St George’s Park in June which will culminate in a friendly
match against the Primeira Liga team. Benfica are under new management after they appointed German boss Roger Schmidt in May. Benfica ended the 2021/22 season in third place under caretaker manager Nelson Verissimo after previous manager Jorge Jesus left by mutual consent in December 2021. They finished a disappointing 17 points behind champions Porto in what was the club’s third consecutive season without silverware. Among Benfica’s ranks are three former Premier League players. Nicolas Otamendi who played for Manchester City for five seasons, Jan Vertonghtne who spent eight seasons at Tottenham Hotspur and Adel Taarabt who starred for Queens Park Rangers. They also have rising star Darwin Nunez who is hotly tipped to make a big money move across Europe this summer after scoring 26 goals in 28 league appearances last season.
READING FC
What does the future hold for Reading’s club record signing?
George Puscas: a Royal for how much longer? READING FC striker George Puscas looks set to depart this summer despite failing to help Pisa secure promotion to Serie A.
The 26-year-old striker spent the second-half of the 2021/22 campaign on loan with Serie B side Pisa where he netted eight times in 19 appearances. However, Pisa missed out on winning promotion to Italy’s top flight after they lost out 4-3 in the play-off final to Monza. It is believed that the Italian side had the option to purchase Puscas for €5million if they were promoted, however that figure has dropped to €2.5milion after they failed to go up. Hopes were high when the Romanian forward joined the Royals for a club record initial fee of €8million from Inter Milan in August 2019. Despite showing early promising signs after arriving in Berkshire, which included two goals on his home debut against Cardiff City and an astonishing quickfire five-minute hat-trick away at Wigan Athletic, things haven’t worked out as well as hoped. He ended his debut season in England with 12 Championship goals and 14 in all competitions from 42 appearances. However, in the next season under Veljko Paunovic, Puscas struggled for game time as Lucas Joao enjoyed an excellent scoring season. Puscas netted just four times in 21 league games in 2020/21 and scored once in 25 games in the first-half of the 201/22 season before being sent out on loan to Pisa. Having recovered his scoring touch in Italy, it now looks likely that Puscas will secure a permanent move away from Reading this summer.
20 | SPORT
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WOKINGHAM RECOVER TO RISE UP TO CRICKET
Callum Creighton bowling for Wokingham v High Wycombe (batting) Pictures: Steve Smyth By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Home Counties Division 1
FINCHAMPSTEAD put 20 points on the board with an away success at Henley. Gregory Smith top scored with 32 as Finch set a target of 144. Lewis Sharp enjoyed a remarkable spell with the ball as he decimated the Henley batting order with six wickets to bowl them all out on 85 to seal the win for Finch.
The umpires check the ball
WOKINGHAM are in fifth after they dealt defeat to High Wycombe. Wycombe made a strong start to their innings with their opening partnership as they put on more than 100 runs. Chris Peploe and Max Uttley picked up three wickets each as Wycombe finished with 205. Despite losing their opening two batsmen for a return of zero runs, the Oaks recovered brilliantly and batted efficiently to take the win. Billy Rogers hit a half
century and 78 from Imran Malik saw them get over the line with a five-wicket win after 46.2 overs.
in first position after four matches.
Home Counties Division 2
SHINFIELD are in fifth after they amassed 38 points against Ballinger Waggoners. Shinfield batted first and totted up 267 after a half century from Fakhir Ali. Ashiq Shah and Noel Joseph picked up three wickets each to help Shins over the line after they bowled Ballinger all out for just 63.
WARGRAVE lead the way despite losing out to Harefield in a top of the table clash. Having to chase down 245, Wargrave fell 100 runs short despite an impressive 71 from Rhodri Lewis. However, Wargrave still have a two point lead over Harefield
BCM Championship
CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD missed out on victory with a heavy loss to Holmer Green. Holmer totalled a huge first innings total of 351 and Crows fell 214 runs short of reaching the chase.
CMB Premiership EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD earned a convincing home win over Hurley. An outstanding batting
display from Andy Laznebury, who hit 207 runs from 121 without losing his wicket, contributed heavily to Emmbrook’s total of 333. The Bears bowled brilliant to skittle Hurley all out for 102 after three wickets from Andy Robertson to help them to a 231-run triumph.
BCL Premier Division FARLEY HILL sit proudly at the top after they picked up 39 points against Welford Park.
SPORT | 21
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FIFTH WITH HOME SUCCESS
HURST BREEZE PAST FLEET TO TAKE BIG WIN By ARTHUR STRAND sport@wokingham.today
A MARVELLOUS all-round display from Lewis Smith helped Hurst to earn victory over Fleet in Thames Valley Division 2B.
Excellent innings from Akeesh Khokhar (57), Peter Weston (88) and Ali Jalil (75) saw Farley put 288 runs on the board from 40 overs. Four wickets each from Lewis Hart and Kashif Ali saw Welford all out for 114 to seal a comprehensive 174-run success for the league leaders. SHINFIELD 2s added 37 points to their total with an away win at Sandhurst. Three wickets each from Pawan Tyagi, Agastya Pothapragada and Om Solanki helped to bowl Sandhurst all out on 117. Shinfield got over the line with three wickets to spare after 31.2 overs. WEST READING 2s added 35 points with a home win against Goring on Thames. A half century from opening batsman Haaris Mushtaq
contributed to the team total of 202. Goring were 66 runs short of the chase after their allotted 40 overs were up despite having two wickets left.
BCL Division 1A READING LIONS climbed up to fourth after they defeated Silchester. Three wickets from Vinoth Palanisamy helped to end Silchester’s innings on 216. Lions surpassed the chase to take the match after 36.5 overs with three wickets to spare. BERKSHIRE ROYALS lost out by one wicket in their contest against Checkendon. Berkshire set a total of 183 to win the game and Checkendon reached that in a tense finish with
just four balls and one wicket in reserve.
BCL Division 1B CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD 2s got the better of TWYFORD & RUSCOMBE with a comfortable victory. Super batting performances from Dan Finucane (60), Ravi Godbole (68*) and Mike Brundish (95) saw them surrender just three wickets on their way to scoring 282. Twyford were only able to field nine batters and were all out on 114
which gave the Crows a 168-run success to continue their reign at the top. Second placed RANGERS suffered defeat on the road at Warfield. Trying to chase down 119 to win the game, Rangers were skittled all out on 88. WOODLEY moved up to third with an impressive nine-wicket win over READING UNITED 2s. 59 from Daud Sardar helped Reading to put 192 on the board from the first innings. But Woodley breezed to victory, losing just one wicket.
GOLF
HENNERTON CELEBRATE SUCCESS AT SONNING LADIES INVITATIONAL By Eileen Holmes sport@wokingham.today HENNERTON Golf Club were well represented as they enjoyed success at the Ladies Invitation at Sonning Golf Club.
Sonning member, Karen Bradley, invited Karen Blossom for Hennerton who had a fantastic afternoon as the duo earned a first
placed finish. Other action at Hennerton included them hosting Berkshire county Ladies Golf Association for the spring meeting for the ladies in the second and third divisions. Congratulations go to Marion Armson, Barbara Landale and Sue Reid who came first, third and fourth in the second division with scores of 44, 43 and 42 respectively.
In the third division, Lucille Richards took the prize for the first nine and Elaine Elliman the prize for the back nine. Lady Captain, Liz Deaney, invited Ladies from neighbouring golf clubs to come to Hennerton for coffee, pastries and fruit; play a round of golf followed by the chance to view and purchase from a diverse mix of stalls, including glass ornaments,
jewellery, designer pottery, golf clothing and home-made cakes. Nearly 60 ladies joined the club for what was a beautiful, sunny day, and this year’s charity – Me2Club, was well supported. n For more information about Hennerton Golf club, please contact 0118 940 1000 or email admin@ hennertongolfclub.co.uk
Hurst were put in to bat first by Fleet skipper, Jake English, and made a slow start with a maiden over and only three runs scored from Muir and Simon. James Watt and Sam Warren were caught by Swaran bowled Muir for one in the third over. Lewis Smith, skipper, joined Warren but the next four overs produced few runs and Simon bowled a maiden over. The score reached 8-1 when Watt was bowled by Torrens Simon. It was a wicket maiden; 8-2; eight overs and in came Ashley Cupido to rescue the dire beginning with Smith. Swaran conceded a big six to Cupido but for the next four overs Smith hit a boundary each over. By over 22, Smith’s four brought up the century. Over 30 belonged to Cupido, who smacked three boundaries from Lysaght and with running a two at the end of the over the score reached 155-2. Simon had returned to bowl over 32 and over 34 saw Smith run a single first ball then Cupido hitting another four but, after a dot ball, Terrons Simon took his wicket when Jack Lysaght caught him for 88. Over 40 saw the score reach 222-3 and Udipi Diggavi came on to bowl over 42 and runs came from all six balls; two 4s and two singles to Smith. Smith added one more run from Muir then he bowled Lewis Smith who had notched With four balls left in the last over Lovegrove was caught Comfort bowled Muir for 10 and next ball Joe Warren was bowled first ball for a zero. Hurst ended with 312-6. Fleet opened the batting with Diggavi and Jake English facing Hurst bowlers, Ruddock and Joe Warren. Udupi Diggavi was caught Watt/Carroll bowled Joe Warren for one to make it 6-1 after seven overs. Hilditch was third in the batting order and faced Ruddock making a single from the last ball. Facing Warren in the next over English ran a two. English fell to Ruddock caught by Cupido for 16 in over 14 at 20-2. The 50 came up in over 22 but Hilditch scored six, including a boundary, in over 24 which was bowled by Lewis Smith. Hilditch scored a four from Lewis Smith but over 31 made a big difference when Lewis Smith dismissed Leavold caught by Lovegrove for 36. Hilditch took a run giving the strike to new batsman Torrens Simon who was caught Sam Warren bowled Smith for a zero on 97-4. Smith bowled a wicket maiden and the victim was Muir, bowled for six. Smith had bagged Jack Lysaght, caught Lovegrove for a zero on 106-7. Kayser dismissed Karthee Swaran, caught Watt for one and Fleet were all out for 123 as Hurst won by 189 runs.
22 | SPORT
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THAMES V ALLEY CRICKET
SONNING SINK EVERSLEY IN FIVE-WICKET WIN,
Raoul Harding batting for Sonning 2s (batting) v Eversley 2s.Pictures: Steve Smyth By Andy Preston apreston@wokingham.today
fourth in the table after five matches.
Thames Valley Division 1
Thames Valley Division 2B
EVERSLEY got back to winning ways and overtook Gerrards Cross in the process. Kyle Beinefeld collected 4-41 for Eversley while Cross set a challenging total of 243 to chase down. Eversley managed to take the victory with just one wicket to spare after an exceptional century from Sam Kennet. The win puts them up to
Ben Clark bowling for Wokingham
READING stormed to the top of the table after they beat Cove. G Ganagabalan totalled 76 to help his side to 253, while four wickets from M Khowaja contributed to bowl Cove all out for 221 to seal a 32-run win for the new league leaders. WOKINGHAM 2s moved up to second with an away win at
BINFIELD. 76 from Anthony Calpaham and 62 from Jayden Barson saw the Oaks record 236. Jacob Clark enjoyed a tremendous afternoon with the ball and picked up five wickets as Binfield ended all out on 174. FINCHAMPSTEAD 2s are up to fifth after they earned success against Sulhamstead & Ufton. Castens hit 77 runs after D Patel had collected four wickets in the first innings for Finch who chased down 181 to win
the game with just one wicket to spare. HURST got the better of Fleet by a huge 189-run margin to take the points. Lewis Smith smashed 114 runs and then followed up his batting display with a remarkable bowling spell by taking five wickets to bowl Fleet out on 123 after Hurst set a chase of 312.
Thames Valley Division 3A SONNING sit in second place
after they earned a triumph at Windsor. 87 runs from Kivatsha set Sonning on their way, while L Dean added a half century to see them set 268. In a close chase, Windsor were all out for 254 in a tense ending to the match. WARGRAVE got their second win of the campaign by beating Aldershot. Wargrave chased down 128 to take the points after 27.5 overs with six wickets left. WHITE WALTHAM dropped
down to ninth after they were beaten by Kidmore End. Ben Scarborough was one run shy of totalling a century for White Waltham and they were all out 38 runs short of the target set by the leaders.
Thames Valley Division 4A WOKINGHAM 3s made it four wins from five with a convincing performance against Henley 3s. A century from C Kulkarni saw the Oaks set a target of
SPORT | 23
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WHILE OAKS BEAT BINFIELD
HONOURS BOARD
Batting:
Andy Lazenbury – Emmbrook and Bearwood v Hurley – 207* Wes Roberts – Finchampstead 3s v Maidenhead & Bray 2s – 148* Lewis Smith – Hurst v Fleet- 114 Sam Kennet – Eversley v Gerrards Cross – 105 C Kulkarni – Wokingham 3s v Henley 3s – 100 Ben Scarborough – White Waltham v Kidmore End – 99 Mike Brundish – Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Twyford and Ruscombe – 95* Ashley Cupido – Hurst v Fleet – 88 Peter Wilson – Farley Hill v Welford Park – 88 Imran Malik – Wokingham v High Wycombe – 78 Castens – Finchampstead 2s v Sulhamstead & Ufton – 77 G Ganagabalan – Reading v Cove – 76 Anthony Clapham – Wokingham 2s v Binfield – 76 Ali Jalil – Farley Hill v Welford Park – 75 A Urath – Eversley 3s v Chalfont St Peter – 73 Gareth Fearon – Finchampstead 3s v Maidenhead & Bray 2s – 72 South – Eversley 2s v Sonning 2s – 69 Ravi Godbole – Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Twyford & Ruscombe – 68* Max Carroll – Hurst v Fleet – 64* Sushant Agarwal – Shinfield v Stallions – 62 Jayden Barson – Wokingham 2s v Binfield – 62 Aalok Sonwala- Shinfield v Stallions – 61 Dan Finucane – Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Twyford and Ruscombe – 60 Daud Sardar – Reading United v Woodley – 59 Akeesh Khokhar – Farley Hill v Welford Park – 57 Adil Pervaiz – White Waltham 2s v Kidmore End 2s – 54 L Beaven – Reading v Cove – 52* Billy Rogers – Wokingham v High Wycombe – 51 Fakhir Ali – Shinfield v Ballinger Waggoners – 51 Haaris Mushtaq – West Reading 2s v Goring on Thames – 51
224. C Ruane took four wickets to see Henley all out on 122. FINCHAMPSTEAD 3s climbed up to third after they got the better of Maidenhead & Bray 2s. A huge batting performance from Wes Roberts (148*) saw Finch record 232 and they then restricted Maidenhead to 239 to take victory.
Thames Valley Division 5B SONNING 2s got the better of EVERSLEY 2s by five wickets. Hugo South hit 69 in the first innings as Eversley tottalled 69, but 29 not out from Michael Longridge helped Sonning over the line after 32.4 overs READING 2s remain in second
after they earned their fourth win in five matches. They chased down the first innings target of 153 set by Bagshot with six wickets to spare to confirm the win. BINFIELD 2s remain in third after losing to Newbury by 52 runs. BRACKNELL are up to fourth after they got the better of FINCHAMPSTEAD 4s.
Thames Valley Division 6B Chalfont St Peter (150 all out) lost to Eversley 3s (154-6) Sulhamstead & Ufton 2s (234 all out) beat Wokingham 4s (160 all out) Theale & Tilehurst 2s (140 all out) lost to Yateley (143-3)
Bowling:
Thames Valley Division 7A
Thames Valley Division 9A
Kidmore End 2s (200 all out) lost to White Waltham (204-8) Wokingham 5s (104 all out) lost to Fleet 2s (105-0) Slough 5s (165-5) beat Hurst 2s (164 all out)
Eversley 4s (231-4) beat Finchampstead 5s (175-7) Wokingham 6s (89 all out) lost to Theale & Tilehurst 3s (285-2) Binfield 4s (204-6) lost to Maidenhead & Bray 4s (264-8)
Thames Valley Division 8A
Thames Valley Division 10A
Bracknell 2s (120 all out) beat Thatcham Town (80 all out) Binfield 3s (195-5) beat Kidmore End (155 all out) Sonning 3s (26 all out) lost to Reading 3s (29-1)
Bradfield 3s (157 all out) beat Eversley 5s (155 all out) Yateley 2s (45-0) beat Sonning 4s (44 all out)
CRICKET
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS BERKSHIRE SUFFER DEFEAT TO CORNWALL By DAVE WRIGHT sport@wokingham.today HOLDERS Berkshire lost to Cornwall by five wickets at Truro on Sunday in the second of their four Group 2 games in the NCCA Trophy.
Half-centuries from Dan Lincoln and Toby Albert took Berkshire to a useful 279-9 in their 50 overs, but Cornwall cracked 30 runs off the final two and a half overs to race home with three balls to spare. Put in to bat, Berkshire lost Savin
Perera for nine, but they soon got the scoreboard ticking over nicely, with Archie Carter making 30 off 29 balls, Euan Woods 32 (49), Albert 51 (73), Lincoln 64 (49). Rhodri Lewis 31 (38) and Andy Rishton 41 (35), the latter being dismissed off the final ball of the innings On Saturday evening, Albert had scored 23 not out for Hampshire (199-6) when they defeated Sussex (177-6) by 22 runs in the Vitality Blast. Openers Christian Purchase (63) and Chris Gibson (52) produced a
solid start for Cornwall with a stand of 92 in 13 overs. Berkshire brought themselves back into the game by taking four wickets to leave their hosts 151-4, but Paul Smith (49) and Max Tryfonos steadied the ship with a fifth-wicket partnership of 67. Tryfonos went on to finish unbeaten on 56 and Dan Lello with 26, the pair hitting 23 runs off the 48th and 49th overs bowled by spinners Lewis and Luke Beaven, leaving them needing seven off the
final over which came with a six and a single. Berkshire, with a superior net run rate, stay top of their group on two points, the same as Devon, Cornwall and Bedfordshire, but Cornwall have played a game less. Hertfordshire are bottom. Their next fixture is at Wargrave on June 19 when they host Beds, who last Sunday lost by 161 runs to Devon, who were bouncing back from their 10-wicket defeat by Berkshire at Henley last month.
M Hayman – Binfield 2s v Newbury – 6-20 Lewis Sharp – Finchampstead v Henley – 6-29 Phil Jones- Earley 3s v Woodcote 2s – 5-2 Lewis Smith – Hurst v Fleet – 5-26 Jacob Clark – Wokingham 2s v Binfield – 5-41 C O’Brien – Wokingham 4s v Sulhamstead & Ufton 2s – 5-43 Gary Shacklady – Earley v Farley Hill – 4-9 Suneet Basra – Rangers v Warfield – 4-13 Lewis Hart- Farley Hill v Welford Park – 4-17 Ashiq Shah – Shinfield v Ballinger Waggoners – 4-20 Kashif Ali – Farley Hill v Welford Park – 4-22 Sharaf Mohamed – Berkshire Royals v Checkendon – 4-24 C Ruane – Wokingham 3s v Henley 3s – 4-24 Deep Singh – Earley v Farley Hill – 4-33 Kyle Bienefeld – Eversley v Gerrards Cross – 4-41 D Patel – Finchampstead 2s v Sulhamstead & Ufton – 4-46 M Khowaja – Reading v Cove – 4-48 James Woodford – Finchampstead v Henley – 3-7 Hemant Mathur – Shinfield v Stallions – 3-8 Mahad Ahmad – West Reading 2s v Goring on Thames – 3-9 Andy Robertson – Emmbrook and Bearwood v Hurley – 3-12 J McDonald – Wokingham 3s v Henley 3s – 3-12 Kite – Finchampstead 2s v Sulhamstead & Ufton – 3-13 Om Solanki – Shinfield v Sandhurst – 3-16 Vinoth Palanisamy – Reading Lions v Silchester – 3-16 Pawan Tyagi – Shinfield v Sandhurst – 3-17 M Sohi – Wargrave 2s v Aldershot – 3-17 J Clark – Wargrave 2s v Aldershot – 3-19 Agastya Pothapragada – Shinfield v Sandhurst – 3-20 K Whiteman – Wargrave 3s v Chesham 3s – 3-22 Saif Khan – West Reading 2s v Goring on Thames – 3-26 Jamie Cable- Wokingham 3s v Henley 3s – 3-28 Vivek Sharma – Shinfield v Stallions – 3-31 Tom Andrews – Binfield v Wokingham 2s – 3-36 Max Uttley – Wokingham v High Wycombe – 3-38 Oli Parsons – Eversley v Gerrards Cross – 3-42 R Akram – Reading v Cove – 3-44 Michael Chapman – White Waltham v Kidmore End – 3-34
24 | SPORT
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CRICKET
FAMILY AFFAIR FOR CROWS TEAM By STAFF WRITER sport@wokingham.today
Home Counties Division 2 Harefield (245-9) beat Wargrave (145 all out) BCM Championship Holmer Green (351-6) beat Crowthorne & Crown Wood (137-9) Shinfield (267 all out) beat Ballinger Waggoners (63 all out)
Crowthorne & Crown Wood Sunday 2s
all out) beat Crowthorne & Crown Wood (231 all out) Family affair took a new meaning for Crows away at Mortimer West End. An incredible five Sunday debutants were on show, including a Crows first with an entire family in the same side. Economical bowling in the first 10 from Jake Gibbings and Matt Jones set us up nicely for the first bowling partnership of Finucanes.
Mother and daughter combo from each end applying ample pressure, and a maiden wicket to boot for both Gill Finucane and Katie Finucane. Then came the second Finucane partnership. Father and sons turn this time around. No wicket for young Joe, while Dan picked up two big scalps in the middle overs. Great death bowling from Gabi Jones amounted to another debut wicket, with Crows set 249 to
READING FC WOMEN
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE FOR READING FC WOMEN’S 2022/23 WSL CAMPAIGN By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today SEASON tickets for Reading FC Women’s 2022/23 campaign are now on sale for fans.
Kelly Chambers’ team will return to action in the Women’s Super League for their second season since moving permanently to the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Although it was an underwhelming end to the season for Reading, it was a season that was full of highs. Playing every single competitive game at the SCL for the first time, highlights included beating Chelsea for the first time in the club’s history as Deanne Rose’s goal proved to be decisive in a 1-0 victory. That momentous win would be just one of two Chelsea defeats in their entire league campaign as they went on to win the Women’s Super League title for a third consecutive
RUGBY UNION Women’s Division 1 County Championship Final Berkshire 5-40 Leicestershire
CRICKET Home Counties Division 1 Henley (85 all out) lost to Finchampstead (144 all out) Wokingham (209-5) beat High Wycombe (205-8)
Crowthorne & Crown Wood U11 Crocodiles beat Reading CC U11 Tigers
Mortimer West End (248
Saturday, June 4
Bill Beaumont Men’s County Championship Division 3 Final Berkshire 5-7 Oxfordshire
IT was another successful week at Crowthorne & Crown Wood Cricket Club which included a victory for the U11’s team and a family affair for the Sunday 2nd XI.
Sabres won the toss and decided to bat. Skipper Chloe arranged her fielding efficiently to ensure the Sabres were unable to score freely. Some exceptional fielding and backing up further suffocated the batters. An Amazing direct hit by Jacob and consistent tight fielding by Trish made it frustrating for the batters, limiting the opposition to 245. Bowler of the match for his tidy composed bowling was Will Taylor. Skipper selected Tav Nair as fielder of the match for his consistent chasing and backing up. Some beautifully timed sweeps by Ollie, solid batting from Charlotte, Chloe and Trish made it difficult to choose the batter of the match which went to Trish for top scoring (20). Sensible running between the wickets from Kai and Jacob took the Crocodiles to a solid 315 to cap a brilliant performance.
RESULTS
season under Emma Hayes. An incredible run of seven wins in eight matches saw the Royals rise up the table in the middle of the season and put themselves in the running for a top four finish. However, injuries and lack of squad depth cost the Royals of having a chance of competing with the teams above them as they went winless in their final nine league matches. They eventually finished in 8th position in the WSL on 25 points with seven wins, four draws and 11 defeats from 22 games. Reading netted 21 times in 22 games, while they let in 40 goals with gave them a goal difference of -19. Reading manager Chambers said: “What I’m excited about next season is there’s a big foundation of this squad that stay for next season. “And we’ve laid that foundation now and it’s for us, it’s kind of what’s next. “We need to look towards
next season and go right, this is us, how do we progress moving forward? That’s what excites me. “We haven’t got big turnovers and we’ve got a solid squad already, and if we can add a few to that we could be a little bit stronger.” The club are freezing prices for current season ticket holders at every age group. Adult season tickets will cost an average of £5 per match, while over 65s will work out at £4 per match. 18-24 will pay an average of £3.75 per match, while under 17’s will be an average of £3. The season ticket will see fans guaranteed 11 home league matches, while all FA Women’s Continental League Cup matches will also be included.
n For more information, visit: https://www.readingfc.co.uk/ news/2022/may/17/as-one-doorcloses--another-one-opens--women-s-season-tickets-nowon-sale-/
win on a batting deck with a fast outfield. Skipper Chris Emes and Dan Finucane set about the task, reaching 70 without loss, Emes retiring for 50 and D.Finucane amounting 41. Simon Sheppard played some lovely strokes to all parts to also retire in 50 with sterling performances from young J.Finucane and G.Jones, meaning Crows required 45 from the final four. But Crows fell 17 runs short.
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
SUMAS LADIES TO RETURN AFTER ONE YEAR BREAK WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK FC LADIES are returning for the upcoming season after a one year hiatus.
The Sumas were forced to fold their Ladies first-team for the 2020/21 campaign, however they are making a return for the 2022/23 season where they will compete in the Thames Valley Women’s Counties Football League. Wokingham played their league matches in TVCWFL Division 1 where they finished in seventh in the 2021/22 season. They picked up four wins, three draws and 11 losses which gave them 15 points from 18 matches where they competed alongside fellow local sides such as Tilehurst Panthers, Eversley & California, Caversham AFC and Wargrave. The team will be under the management of Stuart Greig and the Sumas are on the lookout to sign up new players for the squad. They are also looking to add to the management team and are keen to recruit additional coaches and assistants. The Sumas will be hosting a trial session at Emmbrook School 3G pitch for new players to try out. n For more information, please contact Stuart Grieg on ladies@wefc.club or 07982 236193.
CMB Premiership Emmbrook and Bearwood (333-4) beat Hurley (102 all out) BCL Premier Division Farley Hill (288-3) beat Welford Park (114 all out) Sandhurst (117-9) lost to Shinfield (118-7) West Reading 2s (202-9) beat Goring on Thames (136-8) BCL Division 1A Checkendon (183-9) beat Berkshire Royals (182 all out) Reading Lions (217-7) beat Silchester (216 all out) BCL Division 1B Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s (282-3) beat Twyford and Ruscombe (114 all out) Earley 2s (77-2) beat Farley Hill 2s (76 all out) Stallions 2s (166 all out) lost to Shinfield 3s (248-6) Woodley (192-1) beat Reading United 2s (191 all out) Thames Valley Division 1 Eversley (244-9) beat Gerrards Cross (243 all out) Thames Valley Division 2B Binfield (174 all out) lost to Wokingham 2s (236 all out) Hurst (312-6) beat Fleet (123 all out) Reading (253-7) beat Cove (221 all out) Finchampstead 2s (181-9) beat Sulhamstead & Ufton (178 all out) Thames Valley Division 3A White Waltham (264-9) beat Kidmore End (226 all out) Harpsden (399-7) beat Theale & Tilehurst (145 all out) Wargrave 2s (128-4) beat Aldershot (127 all out) Windsor (254 all out) lost to Sonning (268-6) Thames Valley Division 4A Finchampstead 3s (323-4) beat Maidenhead & Bray 2s (239-7) Wokingham 3s (224 all out)
beat Henley 3s (122 all out) Thames Valley Division 5A Wargrave 3s (73 all out) lost to Chesham 3s (193-5) Thames Valley Division 5B Sonning 2s (150-5) beat Eversley 2s (147 all out) Bagshot 2s (153 all out) lost to Reading 2s (155-4) Newbury (208 all out) beat Binfield 2s (156-8) Bracknell (193-4) beat Finchampstead 4s (189-7)
FIXTURES
Saturday, June 11
CRICKET Home Counties Division One Buckingham Town v Wokingham Finchampstead v Datchet Home Counties Division Two Thame Town v Wargrave BCM Championship Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Ley Hill Penn & Tylers Green v Shinfield West Reading v Holmer Green CMB Premiership Emmbrook and Bearwood v Pinkneys Green Chilterns Division Two The Lee 2s v Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s BCL Premier Division Shinfield 2s v Mortimer West End Stratfield Turgis v Farley Hill Welford Park v West Reading 2s BCL Division 1A Earley v Berkshire Royals Reading Lions v Peppard Stoke Row Stallions v West Reading 3s BCL Division 1B Farley Hill 2s v Woodley Rangers v Stallions 2s Shinfield 3s v Earley 2s
Thames Valley Division 1 Burnham v Eversley Thames Valley Division 2B Hurst v Finchampstead 2s Fleet v Binfield Wokingham 2s v Slough 2s Royal Ascot v Reading Thames Valley Division 3A Wargrave 2s v Thatcham Town Theale & Tilehurst v White Waltham Sonning v Bagshot Thames Valley Division 4A Finchampstead 3s v Peppard Stoke Row Falkland 2s v Wokingham 3s Thames Valley Division 5A Marlow 2s v Wargrave 3s Thames Valley Division 5B Bagshot 2s v Bracknell Reading 2s v Sonning 2s Eversley 2s v Royal Ascot 2s Binfield 2s v Finchampstead 4s