RG10 Jan/Feb 2015

Happy New Year!

I hope you had a great Christmas. It was certainly a busy December: see the report on the early Twyford Living Advent Calendar events. Congratulations to everyone involved, and thanks to both ABL Photography and Sports-alive Photography for their photos.

I’m delighted to welcome back coach Stephanie Smith, fitness expert Jacqui Watts and style guru Karen Xavier with plenty of inspiration to get the year off to a good start.

New Year’s resolutions for some really are life changing: sadly it’s when some couples decide their relationship has irretrievably broken down. If this is you, do read the article about the Divorce Recovery Workshop. It’s there to help anyone facing this path.

In this edition we find a connection between Andrew Marr and a local artist, give the lowdown on the panto season, publish information about local parish councils, and hear how the Twyford Comets got on in Holland.

We also have plenty of new advertisers offering a wide range of services: arts and crafts, building, music tuition, creative workshops, nutrition, education …

I would like to thank Claire Page of the Lilly-May Trust for her input to the article about defibrillators and for sharing the tragic story of her daughter.

Any of us could one day witness someone having a sudden cardiac arrest, so it’s good to know how to make a huge difference to their chance of survival.

Please take the time to look at the list of where to find easy-to-use public access defibrillators in the local community.

Finally, after 5 years I thought it was time to tell you a bit about myself: largely because our long-term advertiser Photos by Pennie recently took some headshots that made me look half decent!

Contents Business 7 23

Distilled wisdom: 8 steps to success Meet the publisher: The face behind RG10

Community pages 24 26–27 28–29 30–31 36–37

Twyford Comets: Dutch tour Parish councils overview Local news What’s on TVP Twyford Living Advent Calendar

Family 16–17 45

Pantomime choice Days Out: National Trust London

House and garden 38

Twyford Tradesmen Together

Life 10 13 19 34 41

Health: The benefits of physical activity Art: The Big Draw with Andrew Marr Style: Sales shopping tips Community defibrillators Charity: Divorce Recovery Workshop

Puzzles 24 42 43 44 48

Children’s page Su doku, Honeycomb, Step on it Crossword Wordsearch, Lineup Solutions

Food and drink 51 52–53

Recipe: Roasted acorn squash Pubs, restaurants and cafés

Index 54 January/February 2015 Issue 51 Advertiser information RG10 is a bimonthly publication reaching 7,000 homes and businesses in Twyford, Ruscombe, Charvil, Hurst, Wargrave and Knowl Hill.

Copy deadline for pre-booked advertising is 1st of previous even month. rg10 also offers screen based advertising at Twyford Surgery and an online directory at www.RG10mag.com.

Sign up to newsletter for special offers at www.rg10mag.com.

Contact information t 0118 907 2510 e info@RG10mag.com w www.rg10mag.com Join us at Facebook.com/RG10.Magazine Follow me on Twitter @RG10mag Sign up to my small business newsletter at www.RG10mag.com

Graphic design pulsefreelance t 01922 421140 e pete@pulsefreelance.co.uk

Disclaimer Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this magazine is accurate, the publisher cannont accept liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from any cause.

The publisher does not endorse any advertiser featured. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior permission of the publisher.

To all our readers and advertisers, thank you for your support in 2014.

Happy New Year 2015 Making your business everyone’s business

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business

Distilled wisdom: Eight steps to success

by Stephanie Smith Good news! Blinkist, a company that distils key insights from “outstanding non-fiction”, has identified eight common themes contained within the world’s best-selling self-help books! So, if you don’t have time to read them all, take ten minutes now and see what you can do to make this year a success.

7. Be imperfect (you are human!)

1. Find your “Why”

Change one small thing TODAY and feel what a difference it makes. It’s not always about the big stuff. Take a walk in the middle of the day or give a genuine compliment. It might be the best thing you do all day, so why put it off?

This is the reason you get up in the morning. When you know the “why”, it will help you prioritise and set goals that are meaningful. NB Think your “Why” is about money? Consider what money represents and you’ll be closer to your real “Why”.

2. Practise and learn from others

Once you have the “why”, you can focus on the “what” and “how”. You’ll have expertise in some areas but others will take time to develop. Try things out, practice and learn from others who you think do it well so that you can avoid the preventable pitfalls!

Be aware of your “buttons”. Understand what pushes them. Devise ways of noticing what’s happening so that you (rather than your emotions) determine how you will react in a situation. NB this is about using them to best effect, not ignoring them!

8. Start small. Start now.

Not sure where to start?

Or have you triggered some thoughts and ideas that were dormant until now? If you’d like to spend some time focusing on your most important asset, you, then please get in touch. Mention “RG10” and you can book a trial session for just £25 in January or February 2015.

3. Make failure your friend

Successful people keep trying until they succeed.

Lessons learned from failures can help us innovate and grow. So, to stay motivated in the face of failure, remember that it is part of the learning process. As Albert Einstein said, “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”

4. Focus

Have you ever tried holding a conversation with your partner or child while reading an email? Multitasking is ineffective! Be effective at fewer things. Prioritise based on your “why”. Give something or someone your FULL attention for at least five minutes and you’ll soon notice the difference.

5. Maintain a positive mindset

The way you think impacts how you feel and how you behave. Worrying is natural, but if it stops you making a decision or taking action, it’s getting in the way. Consider the facts (not assumptions) and imagine the best outcome for a more balanced perspective.

6. Co-operate

Neither a doormat nor a dictator, a co-operator builds relationships and a positive reputation because of who they are, what they say and what they do. Play fair and be the person others want to work with or for.

Stephanie Smith works with intelligent individuals on personal impact, choice and change. Find out more and book a sample session at: www.stephaniesmithcoaching.co.uk Please mention rg10 when responding to advertisements

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health

Let’s get moving The benefits of physical activity January is here and you’ve made your New Year resolutions. Does that include losing weight? Have you resolved to start exercising?

Yes? That’s great! But there are many more health benefits to regular physical activity than just helping you to lose weight.

So what are these benefits?

Regular physical activity can reduce your risk of developing some diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. It helps you to build and maintain a healthy skeleton – crucial for those who may otherwise be prone to develop osteoporosis. Physical activity places an increased demand on your heart, which makes it stronger, larger and more efficient.

If you strengthen your core muscles and key stabilising muscles, you will improve your posture. Improved posture increases further if you also follow a balanced resistance training programme.

Regular physical activity can help you maintain your ‘functional’ strength, which makes everyday activities easier. And the fitter you are, the more likely you are to maintain your fitness throughout your senior years.

It is not just our hearts and muscles that can benefit. Research has shown that regular physical activity can result in improved brain and nervous system function, better mental health, an improved ability to cope with stress and a lower risk of suffering from depression or an anxiety disorder. It can also help to prevent the development of certain dementias and Alzheimer’s disease in old age.

Guidelines tell us we should aim for a total of 150 minutes of physical activity per week. But you don’t have to do your daily activity in big chunks – you could do two 15-minute sessions per day if you prefer. For some this may be easier to do than 30 minutes in one go.

Physical activity does not have to mean running a marathon or becoming an Olympic weight lifter!

Even small changes can make a difference. So if you take the bus to work, get off one stop earlier and have a brisk walk. Or park on the far side of the car park at the supermarket.

Sitting for long periods isn’t good for any of us, so aim to get on your feet for around 10 minutes in every hour to keep your joints moving and blood flowing. And if you spend a lot of time on the phone, stand up and walk around while you are talking.

Use your ‘core’ muscles when you walk – engage your abdominals and gluteal muscles (bottom) to help improve your core strength.

Finally, add regular resistance training and you will quickly find your fitness levels improve and everyday activities become easier – giving you the energy to enjoy your leisure activities and get the most out of life! And, coupled with a sensible diet, you will lose weight as well.

Jacqui Watts Fit4Anything Personal Training jbwatts1929@live.co.uk 07976 811053 Jacqui is a local personal trainer offering one-to-one or small group training in clients’ homes. She helps them to achieve their fitness or weight goals by creating personalised programmes using fun and interesting techniques and including nutritional advice.

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art

The Big Draw

The art of politics and the ?uestion Mark Creative Challenge favourite past-time, setting up an easel and canvas outdoors and painting with oils. However, he plans to find somewhere suitable indoors to start creating big abstract pictures. “I’ve got them in my head,” says Marr, “I just need to find a place to go and do them.”

According to Marr, “You need something creative in life to express yourself, and the great thing about drawing for those who have spent their time in a literary profession like me is that it’s non-verbal; it uses a different part of the brain.”

TV journalist Andrew Marr is one of the most recognisable commentators covering UK politics.

Over the past 20 years he has been a trainee reporter, political correspondent, newspaper editor and broadcaster, yet despite being a household name, few people are aware of his secondary love: art. When the suffered a debilitating stroke to the left side of his brain in January 2013, he returned to drawing to aid his recovery.

“To draw something is a way of meditating in front of reality, and I find it a very important way of expressing the way I’m alive," says Marr. "I’ve loved it all my life.” These days, Marr has reduced his media commitments, giving him time to draw at least once a week. “It connects me to the world around me,” he explains.

Last autumn Marr joined up with other artists including illustrators Quentin Blake and Posy Simmonds to promote The Big Draw, a UK wide campaign that encourages people to take up drawing.

“It’s a campaign for what I’d call the primal way humans have communicated with each other, even before language - think of cave paintings,” says Marr.

Marr's art therapist at Charing Cross Hospital was integral to his recovery, helping to channel his creativity in new ways following his stroke. He regrets no longer being able to manage his

For Marr, art is not only a coping mechanism, but a way of life. And while the effects of his stroke may be an ongoing battle, Marr is looking upwards and onwards. “It makes you appreciate and reconsider life. I was always a very hurried and rushed person, but I have to move a lot more slowly now, and that’s a good thing in itself.”

Charvil based artist Este Macleod has always been keen to help people celebrate their creativity.

Attending a talk by Marr last October inspired her to get involved in The Big Draw. She launched the ?uestion Mark Creative Challenge via the Big Draw website and her Facebook page, attracting involvement from six local schools and others from across the UK and Europe – even Tasmania, Argentina, Russia and Israel.

The challenge involved using a question mark “doodle” as the catalyst for over 1,000 drawings and collaborative artworks relating to “Our World”. The results are being curated into an exhibition due to be held on 2-12 January 2015 at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead.

Andrew Marr is a patron of The Big Draw, the world’s largest drawing festival. www.thebigdraw.org Este Macleod is a painter and applied artist and England Arts Council adviser who facilitates projects to promote art in the community. www.estemacleod.com Please mention rg10 when responding to advertisements

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family

Pantomime choice

It’s a panto, Jim, but not as we know it Presented by Twyford and Ruscombe Theatre Group at Loddon Hall, Twyford, 15–17 January When Snow White encounters the Wicked Queen, the seven dwarves prove to be no help at all. Enter Captain Nerk of the Starship Centipede, ready to save the day. Our hero goes boldly forth on a quest to find a handsome prince to break the spell. With the help of Mr Knock (who has rather pointy ears), a large quantity of mice and the Starship’s hapless cook, he finds Cinderella and the two ugly sisters. Surely a prince can’t be far away!

This is a wonderful pantomime with a clever mix of tradition and some strangely familiar space travellers. It is the first production for Twyford and Ruscombe Theatre Group in their Golden Anniversary year. As always, their January pantomime promises to be great fun and suitable for all ages.

The group is already planning other events to celebrate the 50th anniversary in 2015, including a variety show in May followed by a play in October.

It’s a panto, Jim, but not as we know it will be performed at Loddon Hall in Twyford from 15 to 17 January, with a matinée show on the Saturday.

Tickets are £8 on Thursday (£7 concessions) and £8 or £9 on other days. Performances start at 7.45pm on Thursday and Friday and at 2pm and 7pm on Saturday.

Book your tickets online via www.twyrusdrama.org.uk or call the box office on 0118 328 2825.

Twyford and Ruscombe Theatre Group was founded by local resident Sybil Stephenson in 1965 and has a strong membership of around 70 people. They are a very social group; apart from entertaining others they also have a lot of fun. They consider themselves lucky to be based at the former Polehampton Boys’ School in Twyford where they rehearse, but they do dream of one day having their very own theatre!

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Cinderella!

Presented by Hurst Panto Group at Hurst Village Hall, 15–17 January Hurst Panto Group has built a sparkling reputation for fun, invention and tradition in its 12-year history. Their seventh pantomime will be Cinderella!, with an updated interpretation of the familiar story.

writer created this panto especially for us. The 40-strong cast is backed by dozens of helpers.”

As co-producer Franny Lawrence explains: “It’s Cinderella with a modern twist. We’ve moved a little from the classic tale of girl meets Prince Charming, they fall in love, there’s a few hiccoughs, they live happily ever after. Our Cinderella has more backbone and brain. She is a genuinely nice girl who really falls in love with a prince, but they have to work for their happy ending. There’s nothing shallow about them.”

Cinderella! will be performed at Hurst Village Hall on 15–17 January at 7.30pm and 2pm on the Saturday. Prices range from £7 to £9 for seniors and under 16s and from £10 to £13 for others.

Joe de Mounteney is directing following his Peter Pan success in Hurst two years ago.

Book your tickets online at www.hurstpanto.org.uk.

The lead role is taken by Olivia Arnold and, as is traditional, the prince is played by a woman, Clare Bray, and the ugly sisters by men, Philip Payne and John Lawrence.

“Olivia has a beautiful voice,” says Franny, “and the ugly sisters are brilliantly funny. We’ve got a cheeky fairy godmother, me, and a wickedly cackling stepmother, Sarah-Jane Briggs.”

The songs range from Pharrell Williams’s Happy and Love is an open door from the film Frozen to rock and roll.

“There’s classic audience participation and lots of clever special effects,” adds Franny. “A talented Please mention rg10 when responding to advertisements

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style

Tips for shopping in the sales by style expert Karen Xavier

Everywhere you look there are windows enticing shoppers with the lure of grabbing a bargain. Yet all too often I come across a wardrobe with clothes still bearing price tags! Part of my job as a personal stylist is to conduct wardrobe weeding sessions: visiting clients in their homes and going through their wardrobes to help them identify the clothes that are out of date, too shabby or don’t fit. Often there are items that are still new, because they don’t coordinate with anything or don’t suit the person.

That often happens when you buy clothes in the sales.

looks for day and night. High fashion pieces will normally only last one season, so think twice before making an impulse purchase that you might only wear once and later regret.

Coats are a great buy in the sales; shops such as Jigsaw and Hobbs have a wide selection of good quality wool infused coats that not only ooze style but keep you snug as a bug against the cold.

Bargain hunting at its best is finding designer footwear at half price or that must-have handbag.

You don’t have to head to Selfridges for your sales fix: many high street shoe shops slash their prices by half in January to make way for the new collection.

It's always better value to stock up on one or two pairs that will last several seasons than on numerous skyscraper heels that you'll only be able to walk in for five minutes.

Tip One: Make a list of the items you need to complete outfits in your wardrobe, or classic staples that you are lacking, or accessories to update them.

This is where a personal stylist can help!

Tip Two: Don’t buy high fashion items that you will probably only wear once; they are in the sale because no-one else wants them!

How many times have you spotted a bargain and snapped it up before considering where, how and when to wear it? Then you go home and store it in the back of your wardrobe to become yet another lost cause. Beware the impulse buy: most commonly affecting women, but also a surprising number of men!

Spending a day at the sales has always been great retail therapy for most ladies and some lads, but the key is to remain focussed. Hunt out the investment pieces that you had your eye on pre-sales, such as a good quality structured blazer or a cashmere jumper.

These items will remain timeless classics that can form the basis of your wardrobe for years to come.

Selecting the right cut is key, and that is why the perfect jacket will look just as fabulous worn with a pair of smart jeans as with a dress or skirt – giving you far more value for money with three different

Tip Three: 70% off sounds like a bargain but that doesn’t mean you have to buy it. Ask yourself if you really need it and whether you can afford it. Also, time your shopping to maximise the interest-free credit period on your card to make sure a bargain doesn’t become a burden.

Happy hunting!

Karen Xavier is a former TV stylist and fashion researcher, now offering her expertise as a personal stylist and colour consultant based in Berkshire.

Find out more at: www.yourshoppingfriend.com

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meet the publisher

The face behind RG10 A Q&A with Nikki Ochtman, owner-publisher – and not before time!

Q: When did you start the magazine, and why?

A: I set up the business in September 2009 and got the first issue out by December. The idea came from reading one day about the rise of community magazines; I suddenly realised that creating one for our area would be right up my street!

Q: What prior experience did you have?

A: My background was in administration for corporates, but after years spent working silly hours in the City I set myself up as a freelance proofreader and copy-editor for businesses. I suppose it was this that got me interested in marketing and how businesses present themselves.

Q: So it’s all about the advertising, then …

A: It’s about offering an effective and affordable means for businesses to advertise their services locally, via a community magazine that residents should like receiving, want to read and find useful. I enjoy the dual purpose of serving two groups: our readers and our advertisers.

They’re connected – and not just because many of our advertisers live within our distribution area! The more interesting the magazine, the more likely advertisers will have their message seen and get a good response.

Q: It’s now been going five years. Have things worked out as you expected?

A: Happily RG10 quickly established itself as a proper local magazine respected by both residents and businesses. But I had no idea how much work it would involve! It’s not just the magazine: within a few months I responded to demand by launching the RG10 website and starting leaflet services. Then came the Facebook page, the new logo, our digital screen in Twyford Surgery, and ever-increasing involvement in helping to

publicise and sponsor community events.

I’ve ended up working harder than ever before, but I have no regrets. It’s been a privilege to get to know so many of the fantastic people who make the communities of RG10 the special places they are.

Q: What do you do when you’re not working?

A: Most likely walking the dogs – two energetic Labrador crosses – or playing golf.

Actually it’s more often organising than playing! I’m a past Lady Captain of Castle Royle Golf Club in Knowl Hill, only responsible now for one of our scratch league teams, but have recently taken over as Berkshire ladies 2nd team captain.

Q: Do you have any other interests?

A: Years ago I would have said languages and piano – but all in need of improvement these days (especially French, as I have two French sisters-in-law!). My main interest has to be family. I am happily married to a Dutch tech entrepreneur, I have a wonderfully supportive mother who proudly keeps a copy of every edition of RG10, and a much-loved brother who I don’t get to see enough of as he works in the Middle East. I am also interested in dementia issues, since we looked after my mother-in-law for over three years. I’m now a Dementia Friend and will be involved in the Twyford initiative to become a dementia friendly community.

Q: What are your plans for 2015?

A: I’ve recently joined the Association of Independent Magazine Publishers and am enjoying sharing ideas with and learning from other people in a similar field. I’ll be following a business planning programme with other publishers that will help me set goals and measure progress. It’s so easy to get bogged down in the race to get the next magazine out or screen update done, but it’s important to plan ahead.

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twyford comets

Dutch tour

Twyford Comets Football Club ‘went Dutch’ in October obligatory pitch dive toward the fans, then posed for a nice mixed team photo of both clubs.”

The touring Twyford team enjoyed a busy tour schedule, including visits to a theme park, a coal mine and a war cemetery, a tour of PSV Eindhoven’s stadium and a visit to the club’s training ground, where they met Dutch World Cup star Memphis Depay.

Comets enjoyed another hugely successful exchange tour for the 33rd year in succession with RKUVC Ulestraten in the Netherlands.

The club’s under 14 boys travelled to Ulestraten for a five-day trip, culminating in the annual challenge match that sees the two sides compete for the Windsor Cup. Sixteen Comets players and seven adult helpers made the journey by coach a few days ahead of a small army of family and friends, who travelled over by car or Eurostar to lend their support for the big match.

In a competitive game, the sides were locked at 0–0 at half-time, but a strong Dutch team eventually ran out 4–1 winners. Late goals ended a spirited Twyford challenge that left coach Mark Nolan proud.

“Our team were a real credit to Twyford Comets and the boys couldn’t have tried any harder. Along with the other parents and my co-coach Richard, I am really proud of their performance on the night and throughout the whole trip. They have been great ambassadors,” said Nolan.

He added: "Despite the loss, the boys quickly recovered and they were all pals after the game.

Our lads followed the Dutch boys with the

They also played several other games during the trip, including a narrow 1–0 defeat against a very strong Meersen side.

The club had to raise more than £7,000 to fund the trip, which was made possible through parental contributions, fundraising events and support from local businesses including Waitrose, FSN Doors and Millgate Homes.

“Twyford Comets want to thank everyone involved in making the trip possible,” said Nolan, who is also the club secretary. “The boys have had a genuine opportunity of a lifetime and will look back on it with great memories.

“We are privileged to have this opportunity to stay with Dutch host families, experience Dutch culture and make new friends. This is a really special event that the villages of Twyford and Ulestraten manage year after year.”

After the match, presentations were made to the Thefamilies Dutch Exchange between Comets and the host and the Comets formally invited RKUVC 1982, when tworematch air traffic Dutch sidestarted back toinTwyford for the in controllers October 2015.from Heathrow and Maastricht got into a conversation about boys' football and challenged each other to a match in Ulestraten. Comets won that first encounter 4–1, but RKUVC’s triumph this season means the Dutch club now has the edge in the head-to-head at 16–15 with two draws. www.twyfordcomets.com Please mention rg10 when responding to advertisements

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community pages

Parish Council overview Parish councils are the first tier of local government, responsible for looking after civil parishes (not to be confused with Church of England parishes, which are administered by parochial church councils).

Parish councils represent the local community, deliver services to meet local needs, and work to improve the quality of life for residents. Duties and powers vary but may include providing and maintaining allotments, footpaths and bridleways, burial grounds, bus shelters, car parks, open spaces, community transport schemes, community safety and crime reduction measures, traffic calming measures, events and festivals, leisure facilities, litter bins, public toilets, planning, street cleaning and lighting, youth projects ‌ the list goes on.

Councillors are unpaid volunteers, elected to serve four years. Small rural communities may just have parish meetings instead of a full council, or they may be combined with one or more neighbouring civil parishes to come under one joint parish council.

Which parish councils cover which communities in RG10?

Name of village/hamlet (in descending order by number of properties)

Local Authority 1

Parish Council

Parish Plan, if applicable

Twyford

WBC

Twyford PC

Twyford 2020

Wargrave

WBC

Wargrave PC

Charvil

WBC

Charvil PC

St Nicholas Hurst

WBC

St Nicholas Hurst PC

Ruscombe

WBC

Ruscombe PC

Ruscombe Village Design Statement

Waltham St Lawrence

RBWM

Waltham St Lawrence PC

Hurley and the Walthams Neighbourhood Plan

Knowl Hill

RBWM / WBC 2

Hurley PC / Wargrave PC 2

Hurley and the Walthams Neighbourhood Plan

Shurlock Row

RBWM

Waltham St Lawrence PC

Hurley and the Walthams Neighbourhood Plan

Hare Hatch

WBC

Wargrave PC

Whistley Green

WBC

St Nicholas Hurst PC

Warren Row

RBWM

Hurley PC

Crazies Hill

WBC

Wargrave PC

Cockpole Green

RBWM / WBC 2

Hurley / Wargrave 2

Hurley PC / Wargrave PC 2 Kiln Green

WBC

Wargrave PC

Upper Culham

RBWM

Hurley PC

West End

RBWM

Waltham St Lawrence PC

Hurley and the Walthams Neighbourhood Plan

1

Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) or Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM)

2

Knowl Hill and Cockpole Green straddle the boundary between the two boroughs. Properties may fall under the responsibility of either Hurley Parish Council or Wargrave Parish Council.

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How to contact your Parish Council and when it meets Parish Council

Clerk contact information

Parish website if available

Meetings 3

Twyford 4

Lucy Moffatt – 0118 934 5444

Wargrave

0118 940 6084

www.wargrave.org.uk

1st & 3rd Monday

Charvil

Miranda Parker – 0118 901 7719

www.charvil.com

3rd Monday

St Nicholas Hurst

Maria Bradshaw – 0118 979 8914

www.hurstpc.org.uk

1st Monday

Ruscombe

Sally Richards – 0118 932 1273

www.ruscombeparishcouncil.co.uk

1st Tuesday

Hurley

Michael Kiely – 07799 302998

www.hurleyparish.org.uk

3rd Thursday

Waltham St Lawrence

Sally Burtenshaw – sally.burtenshaw@ tescomobile.com

www.walthamstlawrence.info

1st or 2nd Tuesday

4th Tuesday

3

Usual days of the month for full council meetings. Check website or with clerk for location, time, exceptions on dates and for details of any subcommittee meetings. Two items of general interest for Twyford residents:

4

Twyford Parish Council “Meet your councillor” at Waitrose Café, 3–4pm on Saturday 10 January, 14 March, 16 May, 11 July, 12 September and 14 November 2015

Where to find information about parish plans and local community organisations Village organisations and plans

Website

Twyford Village Partnership

www.twyfordvillagepartnership.co.uk

Twyford 2020 Parish Plan

www.twyfordvillagepartnership.co.uk/twyford-2020-54.html

Ruscombe Village Design Statement

www.ruscombeparishcouncil.co.uk/ruscombe-villagedesign-statement-vds

Knowl Hill Village Association

www.khva.org

Hurley and the Walthams Neighbourhood Plan

www.hurleyandthewalthams.org

Hurst Village Society

www.hvs.webeden.co.uk

I hope you find this article useful. The information was taken from various online resources and checked past the parish councils, so it should be correct. However, should any inaccuracies come to light please let us know at RG10: call 0118 907 2510 or email info@RG10mag.com Nikki Ochtman Publisher, RG10 Please mention rg10 when responding to advertisements

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Happy Hours Pre-School’s Big Build

Attention also turned in the autumn to upgrading various elements of the site. In November a number of corporate community days were held, including work teams visiting from Johnson & Johnson and LDC. The volunteers’ time and efforts enabled significant progress to be made on a number of projects.

I witnessed a previous corporate community day involving staff from Interserve, which has its headquarters in Ruscombe. It’s truly amazing how much project manager Matt can achieve in one day: thanks to military precision advance planning he gets the most out of the eager volunteers arriving for a day’s activity out of the office!

Staff, children and parents were delighted to welcome Theresa May MP on a visit to Happy Hours Pre-School in Twyford in November. The Home Secretary appeared to enjoy meeting the children and learning about the Big Build. This is the school’s two-year-old fundraising campaign for replacing or significantly refurbishing its old prefabricated building located in the grounds of Polehampton Infant School.

The third annual Big Build Family Fun Day will be held on Saturday 21 March. The first two were hugely successful in terms of both providing enjoyment for visitors and raising money towards the project. The day will be packed with fun activities: games, children’s tombola, raffle, craft table, face painting, cakes, hot dogs and much more. Good news: special guest Bob the Builder has promised to drop in again this year!

Camp Mohawk update

The two Christmas parties held on 13 and 14 December were fully booked well in advance. Staff are looking into getting extra funding in order to be able to hold more in 2015 in order to meet demand. They also plan to expand the successful after-school sessions during term time.

The Camp Mohawk website has had a welcome facelift and is now more intuitive and in keeping with the charity’s woodland ethos. There is a new interactive calendar and a live Twitter feed for up-to-date news. Visit www.campmohawk.org.uk.

Twyford and Ruscombe Horticultural Association The THRA’s monthly programme has been finalised for 2015, with meetings taking place at 8pm on the last Thursday of the month from January to April and from September to November.

The meetings are held at St Mary’s Church Centre in Twyford and usually include a talk by a visiting expert. Details will be published on the association website at www.trha.org.uk and are included in our What’s On guide at www.RG10mag.com.

Wargrave charity Camp Mohawk ended the year with a busy few months.

Preparations for bonfire night included the Camp Mohawkers turning the dining room into a massive art room. A wonderful dragon emerged later, which took to the skies and flew around camp for the evening.

The first event on 29 January is not a talk but a horticulture-themed quiz night: a special evening with cheese and wine to start the gardening year.

Members, friends and visitors are all welcome and the cost is just £5. Meeting fees for the rest of the year are £2 for members and £3 for visitors.

28 rg10 January/February 2015. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email info@rg10mag.com

New edition of Thomas Hardy poems illustrated by local artist Twyford artist Sally Castle – creator of the Twyford village sign – has had many of her linocut prints, watercolour paintings and lettering grace numerous book covers over the years.

Head of English Literature at the University of Reading and Literary Editor of Two Rivers Press.

The company has been publishing in and about Reading since 1994.

And the Hardy connection? He was the creator of the lightly fictionalised region of Wessex, where Reading features as Aldbrickham.

Two Rivers Press has recently put out a new collection of verse by Thomas Hardy entitled Places and Other Poems, sensitively illustrated by Sally.

Thomas Hardy: Places and Other Poems is available for £8.95 from www.tworiverspress.com or by calling 0118 987 1452.

Twyford Snooker Club The Snooker Club held a successful open day on 14 December as part of the Twyford Living Advent Calendar programme. Over 50 visitors called in to the hall on Wargrave Road, including four who signed up as new members. Many were interested to look around the building, view the WW1 memorial boards and learn about the fundraising appeal to refurbish the premises and protect this important part of local heritage.

The appeal, launched in August, has generated donations from members, local residents and businesses. Put together with a loan from Twyford Parish Council, there are now enough funds to carry out urgent repairs to the roof this winter. Club secretary David Page is very grateful, but is surprised that more donors did not take the opportunity to have their name, or that of a loved one, inscribed on one of the new slate roof tiles.

Donors that would like to take up this option should get back in touch via the website www.helpourhall.co.uk.

The contract for repairs has been awarded to Tracy Averies Building Works of Purley. Ms Averies has declared a soft spot for old buildings and is looking forward to helping to restore the hall.

Whilst paying close regard to the importance of places to Hardy, who explores their significance according to the personal impressions they create and the stories they witness, she adds a third dimension giving the artist’s response to both place and poem.

The poems were carefully selected with an explanatory afterword by author Peter Robinson,

The committee is continuing the fundraising campaign as there are many jobs to carry out once the roof is sound, including plastering, electrical and plumbing work. Offers of any help from local tradespeople would be very welcome! The plan is to be able to rededicate the refurbished hall, a former Wesleyan chapel, in the year 2019 – one hundred years after the vicar of Twyford gave the building to the men of Twyford following the first world war.

community pages

What’s on January Thu 1

New Year’s Day holiday

Mon 12 Twyford and Ruscombe Local History Society talk 19:30 Restoration of Kennet and Avon Canal: Piggott School Library, Wargrave

Sat 3 RSPB guided walk 9:30–12:30 Meet in the main car park, Dinton Pastures

Mon 12, weekly to 9 Feb Folk Singing Course for female voices - 20:00-21:30 Call Suaan on 0118 934 0589 to book, Charvil Village Hall

Sat 3 Saturday Storytime 10:30–11:00 Stories, rhymes and crafts for under 5s and parents at Wargrave Library

Tue 13 Twyford Tuesday Reading Group 14:30–15:30 Themed book discussion at Twyford Library

Mon 5 Author book group 14:30–15:30 Twyford Library Mon 5 and 19 Wargrave Writers’ Forum 10:30–11:30 Wargrave Library, Church Street, Wargrave Mon 5 Monday Bookworms 14:15–15:15 Book group at Wargrave Library, Church Street, Wargrave

Wed 14 and 28 Knit Wits 14:00–16:00 Knit and crochet at Wargrave Library, Church Street, Wargrave Wed 14 Reading Jazz Club 19:30 for 20:30 Monthly live traditional jazz night at Reading Rugby Club, Holme Park, Sonning Thu 15 Knowl Hill CAMEO 15:00–16:00 Come And Meet Each Other at Knowl Hill Village Hall

Mon 5 Hurst Parish Council meeting – www.hurstpc.org.uk 19:30 Hurst Village Hall committee room

Thu 15–Sat 17 (plus 14:00 Sat) Cinderella!

19:30 By Hurst Panto Group at Hurst Village Hall

Tue 6 Reminiscence Club 10:30–12:00 Discuss memories of days gone by at Twyford Library

Thu 15–Sat 17 (plus 14:00 Sat) It’s a Panto, Jim, but not as we know it 19:45 By Twyford and Ruscombe Theatre Group at Loddon Hall, Twyford

Tue 6 Thames Valley Police ‘Have Your Say’ 14:00–15:00 Meet the neighbourhood policing team, Waitrose car park, Twyford Tue 6 Ruscombe Parish Council meeting – www.ruscombeparishcouncil.co.uk 19:30 William Penn Room, Loddon Hall, Twyford Wed 7 and 21 Crafts and Laughs 13:30–15:30 Wargrave Library, Church Street, Wargrave Wed 7 and weekly Charvil Art Group 19:30–21:30 Jubilee Hall, Park View Drive North, Charvil Wed 7 Folk Music Workshop 20:00 Loddon Hall, Twyford Thu 8 and 22 Carers’ Coffee Mornings 10:30–12:00 For all carers and those for whom they care, at The Twyford Centre Thu 8 and weekly Bridge group 14:00–16:00 Tutor led session at Wargrave Library, Church Street, Wargrave

Sun 18 Sunday Club – www.ageconcerntwyford.org.uk 14:00–17:00 Offering older people company, tea and a good film at The Twyford Centre, Polehampton Close Mon 19 Twyford and Ruscombe Women’s Institute meeting 14:00–16:00 Visitors welcome, St Mary’s Church Centre, Twyford Mon 19 Woodclyffe Book Group 17:30–18:30 Reading group at Wargrave Library, Church Street, Wargrave Mon 19 Charvil Parish Council meeting – www.charvil.com 20:00 Charvil Village Hall Tue 20 Knit and Natter 14:00–15:00 Drop in for knitting and a chat at Twyford Library Wed 21 Woodley Farmers’ Market 9:00–13:30 Woodley town centre Sat 24 Craft Market – www.harehatchsheeplands.co.uk 9:00–16:00 Hare Hatch Sheeplands

Fri 9 Rhymetime 10:30–11:00 Songs and rhymes for babies up to 18 months at Twyford Library

Mon 24 Twyford and Ruscombe Art Group 14:00–16:00 Winter subjects pt 2: St Mary’s Church Centre, Twyford

Fri 9 2FM Breakfast Club 7:15–8:30 Business networking at the Golden Cross, Twyford (NB new venue)

Tue 27 Twyford Parish Council meeting 19:45 Loddon Hall, Twyford

Sun 11 Friends of Lavell’s Lake bird walk – www.foll.org.uk 9:00–12:00 Meet in the Sandford Lane car park, Woodley

Thu 29 Twyford and Ruscombe Horticultural Association 20:00 Quiz night with wine and cheese: St Mary’s Church Centre, Twyford

Sun 11 Maidenhead Farmers' Market 10:00–13:00 Grove Road car park, Maidenhead

Thu 29 Pots and Pinot evening 18:00 Adult pottery painting with wine at HaaHoos in Twyford

Mon 12 Twyford and Ruscombe Art Group 14:00–16:00 Winter subjects: St Mary’s Church Centre, Twyford

Sun 25 Lavell’s Lake work party 10:00–14:00 Help the Friends of Lavell’s Lake manage this Local Nature Reserve, Sandford Lane, Woodley

Mon 12 and weekly Storytime [NB moved from 5th] 16:00–16:30 Stories and rhymes for under 5s and parents at Wargrave Library

Sun 25 Legendary Twyford Blues session 20:30 Featuring Jive Alive plus special guest at the Waggon and Horses, Twyford

30 rg10 January/February 2015. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email info@rg10mag.com

February Mon 2 and 16 Wargrave Writers’ Forum 10:30–11:30 Wargrave Library, Church Street, Wargrave Mon 2 Monday Bookworms 14:15–15:15 Book group at Wargrave Library, Church Street, Wargrave Mon 2 Author book group 14:30–15:30 Twyford Library Mon 2 and weekly Storytime 16:00–16:30 Stories and rhymes for under 5s and parents at Wargrave Library

Tue 10 Twyford Tuesday Reading Group 14:30–15:30 Themed book discussion at Twyford Library Wed 11 and 25 Knit Wits 14:00–16:00 Knit and crochet at Wargrave Library, Church Street, Wargrave Wed 11 Reading Jazz Club 19:30 for 20:30 Monthly live traditional jazz night at Reading Rugby Club, Holme Park, Sonning Fri 13 2FM Breakfast Club 7:15–8:30 Business networking at the Golden Cross, Twyford (NB new venue)

Mon 2 Hurst Parish Council meeting – www.hurstpc.org.uk 19:30 Hurst Village Hall committee room

Fri 13 Rhymetime 10:30–11:00 Songs and rhymes for babies up to 18 months at Twyford Library

Tue 3 Reminiscence Club 10:30–12:00 Discuss memories of days gone by at Twyford Library

Sun 15 Sunday Club – www.ageconcerntwyford.org.uk 14:00–17:00 Offering older people company, tea and a good film at The Twyford Centre, Polehampton Close

Tue 3 Thames Valley Police ‘Have Your Say’ 14:00–15:00 Meet the neighbourhood policing team, Waitrose car park, Twyford

Mon 16 Oliver and the seawigs 14:00–14:45 Story and crafts for children aged 6–11 years at Twyford Library

Tue 3 Ruscombe Parish Council meeting – www.ruscombeparishcouncil.co.uk 19:30 William Penn Room, Loddon Hall, Twyford

Mon 16 Twyford and Ruscombe Women’s Institute meeting 14:00–16:00 St Mary’s Church Centre, Twyford

Wed 4 and 18 Crafts and Laughs 13:30–15:30 Wargrave Library, Church Street, Wargrave

Mon 16 Woodclyffe Book Group 17:30–18:30 Reading group at Wargrave Library, Church Street, Wargrave

Wed 4 and weekly Charvil Art Group 19:30–21:30 Jubilee Hall, Park View Drive North, Charvil

Mon 16 Charvil Parish Council meeting – www.charvil.com 20:00 Charvil Village Hall

Wed 4 Folk Music Workshop 20:00 Loddon Hall, Twyford

Tue 17 Knit and Natter 14:00–15:00 Drop in for knitting and a chat at Twyford Library

Thu 5 and 19 Carers’ Coffee Mornings 10:30–12:00 For all carers and those for whom they care, at The Twyford Centre

Wed 18 Woodley Farmers’ Market 9:00–13:30 Woodley town centre

Thu 5 and weekly Bridge group 14:00–16:00 Tutor led session at Wargrave Library, Church Street, Wargrave Sat 7 RSPB guided walk 9:30–12:30 Meet in the main car park, Dinton Pastures Sat 7 National Libraries Day 10:00–12:00 Coffee morning at Wargrave Library, Church Street, Wargrave Sat 7 Saturday Storytime 10:30–11:00 Stories, rhymes and crafts for under 5s and parents at Wargrave Library Sun 8 Friends of Lavell’s Lake bird walk – www.foll.org.uk 9:00–12:00 Meet in the Sandford Lane car park, Woodley Sun 8 Wokingham Half Marathon 10:00 Road closures around Cantley Park and part of Hurst Sun 8 Maidenhead Farmers' Market 10:00–13:00 Grove Road car park, Maidenhead Mon 9 Twyford and Ruscombe Art Group 14:30–17:00 Birds and animals: St Mary’s Church Centre, Twyford Mon 9 Twyford and Ruscombe Local History Society talk 19:30 The Edwardians: Piggott School Library, Wargrave

Wed 18 Oliver and the seawigs 9:30–10:15 Story and crafts for children aged 6–11 years at Wargrave Library Thu 19 Knowl Hill CAMEO 15:00–16:00 Come And Meet Each Other at Knowl Hill Village Hall Sun 22 Lavell’s Lake work party 10:00–14:00 Help the Friends of Lavell’s Lake manage this Local Nature Reserve, Sandford Lane, Woodley Sun 22 Legendary Twyford Blues session 20:30 Featuring Jive Alive plus special guest at the Waggon and Horses, Twyford Mon 23 Twyford and Ruscombe Art Group 14:30–17:00 Birds and animals pt 2: St Mary’s Church Centre, Twyford Tue 24 Twyford Parish Council meeting 19:45 Loddon Hall, Twyford Thu 26 Pots and Pinot evening 18:00 Adult pottery painting with wine at HaaHoos in Twyford Thu 26 Twyford and Ruscombe Horticultural Association talk 20:00 Introduction to Naturalistic Gardening: St Mary’s Church Centre, Twyford Sat 28 Craft Market – www.harehatchsheeplands.co.uk 9:00–16:00 Hare Hatch Sheeplands

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Sports and Event Photography Specialists We also provide these services:

• • • •

360° Virtual Tours Commercial and Product Photography Corporate and Social events - awards and parties Social, Family and Corporate portraits Mobile studio, On-site viewing and printing

Contact:

Gareth Jones 07870 667671 www.sports-alive.com info@sports-alive.com

Find us on facebook: sportsalive

32 rg10 January/February 2015. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email info@rg10mag.com

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33

health

Community defibrillators

Helping to survive cardiac arrest Wokingham Borough councillors have recently given their unanimous support for making defibrillators available to every school. Over the last couple of years many different campaigns set up by families devastated by the sudden death of a loved one have helped to raise awareness and funds to increase the number of defibrillators installed in schools and other places where members of the public can access them in an emergency.

One such campaign has been led by Claire Page from Woodley, whose five-year-old daughter Lilly-May collapsed and died just as she was collecting her from school last May. The likely cause was Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome. Claire presented a petition to the council with nearly 5,000 signatories calling for defibrillators for all schools, and she spoke before the vote at the November council meeting.

The council will not have the power to force schools to have defibrillators, but will find ways to facilitate them, such as bulk buying to lower the cost (around £1,200).

In the UK approximately 30,000 people suffer a cardiac arrest outside hospital each year, including around 270 in schools. Defibrillation involves giving a high energy electric shock to the heart, which can restore a more stable rhythm in some types of cardiac arrest. The first and most urgent response to help someone who may be having a sudden cardiac arrest is to call 999 and start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while another person locates the nearest defibrillator. Those installed in the community are often housed in a briefcase-sized box fixed to a wall and are marked as an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) or PAD (Public Access Defibrillator).

Having access to a defibrillator could raise the survival rate following sudden cardiac arrest from six per cent to 74 per cent. Each minute of delay before defibrillation results in a 10% reduction in survival rate. Automatic defibrillators are simple to use and require no training because once removed from their casing they give clear spoken instructions. They are also completely safe to use and can only help the patient, so members of the public should not be nervous about stepping in to help. Once in position the defibrillator detects the heart’s rhythm and only delivers a shock if one is needed. Obviously if a Community First Responder or other person with training is available, they should take the lead to minimise the risk of any delay before defibrillation.

The Lilly-May Page Trust is happy to hold awareness sessions including brief training for any groups interested in learning more about sudden cardiac arrest, CPR and using defibrillators, in return for a donation in support of the trust. Contact them via www.facebook.com/lillymaypagetrust.

Sources: Twyford Advertiser, Henley Standard, South Central Ambulance Service, British Heart Foundation, Resuscitation Council UK.

Defibrillator locations in RG10 • • • • • • • • • •

Twyford Dental and Implant Centre, 3 Church Street,Twyford RG10 9DN – suite 2 Shine Dental Clinic, 3 Wargrave Road, Twyford RG10 9NY – reception Twyford Surgery, Loddon Hall Road, Twyford RG10 9JA – reception and nurse’s treatment room Interserve plc, Ruscombe Business Park, Ruscombe Lane, Ruscombe RG10 9JU – reception Polehampton Junior School, Kibblewhite Crescent, Twyford RG10 9AX The Piggott School, Twyford Road, Wargrave RG10 8DS – outside wall Castle Royle Golf and Country Club, Bath Road, Knowl Hill RG10 9XA – office in health club reception The Mount Nursing Home, School Hill, Wargrave RG10 8DY Hennerton Golf Club, Crazies Hill Road, Wargrave RG10 8LT – pro shop in main building Crazies Hill Village Hall, Crazies Hill RG10 8LY – outside wall

Defibrillators are also available in Sonning, Woodley and Burchett’s Green. For a map showing all locations visit www.southcentrambulance.nhs.uk and click on Start a Heart.

Anyone with a smartphone or tablet can download the free AED locator app available for Apple and Android devices. This uses GPS to identify the nearest AED locations.

34 rg10 January/February 2015. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email info@rg10mag.com

www.haahoosceramics.co.uk 0118 932 1441 19 Church Street, Twyford, RG10 9DN

The Painting, Pottery and Party Centre in Twyford

HaaHoos’ Fantastic January Offer!

Come and paint at HaaHoos to get over the January blues!

And if you spend £30 on pottery painting (including the studio fee) then you can paint a mug or plate (worth £10) completely free!

Offer runs for the whole of January only and must be redeemed in one visit to HaaHoos.

Also look out for our Weekend Workshops starting from the new year...

Visit www.haahoosceramics.co.uk for more details.

Unlock your potential Promote your business in our magazine, on our wide screen at Twyford Surgery, and via our website

ed free every Magazine deliver 7,000 homes 2 months to over and businesses Making your business everyone's business Call 0118 907 2510 | Email info@rg10mag.com | Visit www.rg10mag.com

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35

twyford village partnership

Living Advent Calendar 2014 Lights, cameras, action!

Lights because that was the start of it all: Theresa May MP switching on the Christmas lights.

Cameras because local photographers Asya Barskaya of ABL Photography and Gareth Jones of Sports Alive Photography were on hand to capture scenes from many of the events.

Action because the Twyford Living Advent Calendar was packed with events every day from 30 November to 24 December, all organised by local businesses, schools, churches and other organisations.

This was the second year for the Twyford Living Advent Calendar. The driving force behind it is TVP’s Gordon Storey, organiser of the business forum.

This edition of RG10 went to print less than a fortnight into advent, but Gordon took time out from dashing between events to report things had got off to a great start. This is Storey’s story …

Stanlake Wine Estate hosted a shopping evening on the 3rd and owner Daniel Goss-Custard said it was a lovely event, with Kran Sondh of The CookCurry Club offering her delicious Indian snacks to visitors.

© ABL Photography Then came the start of the four-day Victorian-themed Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s. The church provided a beautiful setting for 70 trees decorated by local organisations and hosted a variety of entertainers including the Waltham St Lawrence Silver Band, Berkshire Recorder Consort, Twyford and Ruscombe Theatre Group, and magician Mark Shortland.

Organisers Paul and Pam Bromley were delighted that visitor numbers were up to nearly 3,000 this year. Exhibitors and visitors contributed foodstuffs that were later donated to the charity Readifood, which delivers around 100 emergency food parcels a week to families and individuals throughout the Reading area.

© Sports-alive.com Theresa May MP switched on the lights in the company of about 300 local residents gathered at Bell Corner. The main Christmas tree was supplied

by Twyford Windows. All agreed it was the best yet – just as owner Kevin Brown promised! Theresa was helped by the four winners of Polehampton Junior School’s tree painting competition, and the group OSP – stars of Twyford’s Got Talent – performed “Turn them on”, a brilliant Christmas rap song specially written for the occasion! Parkers estate agents provided wonderful drinks and nibbles.

Gordon urged everyone to “Spend it in Twyford” to support the many local businesses this Christmas who have really made the village buzz this year.

December 1st was “Go potty” at HaaHoos, with the pottery studio full of families painting their own decorations and enjoying a drink and mince pies.

On the 2nd St Thomas More church organised a Christmas quiz for children, and organiser Jane Kelly said it was even better than last year.

© Sports-alive.com The Twyford Christmas Fayre was held on Friday 5th and organiser Neil Cartwright declared it “the best ever”, attracting around 3,000 people. There was great entertainment, a wide range of stalls, Father Christmas on his sleigh, and real reindeer provided

by Andrew Cardy of Riverways farm – who also gave out free eggs! The weather was perfect and local charities were able to raise awareness and much-needed funds.

36 rg10 January/February 2015. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email info@rg10mag.com

As for the Santa Dash on the 7th, the sun came out after the early rain (thank you Father Christmas!) and local children enjoyed taking part in several races, looking fantastic in their festive gear. Several hundred pounds was raised for Camp Mohawk, the charity of the day, represented by Luke Jansen who was raising awareness for this woodland day centre for young people with special needs.

The much-anticipated “National Theatre of Ruscombe” event at Burattas on the 9th did not disappoint. The pub was the inn in Bethlehem, landlord Stefano was both God and the innkeeper, the three wise men came by train from Paddington and the donkey was played by a real miniature Shetland pony! The inn was indeed full, and a further £220 was collected for Building For The Future.

© ABL Photography

© Sports-alive.com Robert Bushnell had about 60 people turn up on the 8th for the Christmas sing-along at his Floor Store shop, with a raffle raising £?? for Building For The Future, much to the delight of Jane Holmes representing the disabled children’s charity that she set up.

On the 11th 150 older residents of the Twyford area enjoyed a Christmas tea party at Hare Hatch Sheeplands. Staff worked together with Home Instead Senior Care, Age Concern Twyford and District and Twyford Village Partnership to make it happen as part of the “Be a Santa to a senior” initiative. Guests enjoyed a feast and entertainment from singer Darren Hillier and a small choir put together by Alan Gwynn from St Mary's church, Twyford. Father Christmas even took time out from his heavy schedule to pop in. On departure each guest was given a hamper full of food items and more hampers were due out for delivery by Twyford Round Table.

Even excluding the Tree Festival and Christmas Fayre, attendances at other Living Advent Calendar events in the first half of the programme must have exceeded 1,000 and raised around the same amount for local charities.

Thank you Twyford, and a very Happy New Year to everyone.

For more photos from the Twyford Living Advent Calendar visit: https://ablphotographyuk.wordpress.com

© ABL Photography

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Twyford Tradesmen Together

01288 331805 or 07958 762226

JJ & SJ PLUMBING LTD Gerry Jones Tel 0118 903 4020 Mob 07973 173872

Call Andy Ward 0118 348 6040 07957 386008 Design, Construction and Maintenance

twyfordlandscapes@gmail.com

Westgate Electrical has done an amazing job fitting out our new build.

Dave’s advice and knowledge have been invaluable to us as well his flexibility.

We believe in providing a friendly, professional service and delivering excellent results at a fair price.

We are proud to support the local community through our membership of Twyford Village Partnership.

We are a group of independent tradesmen serving RG10 and surrounding areas.

We operate separately but have no hesitation in recommending each other’s services to our customers.

No commission is involved.

Renovate

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38 rg10 January/February 2015. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email info@rg10mag.com

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39

40 rg10 January/February 2015. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email info@rg10mag.com

charity

Relationship broken down?

You can go through it or you can grow through it Some people will have made momentous New Year resolutions which knock losing half a stone or stopping smoking into the shade.

New Year is a peak time for couples to decide their relationship has finally broken down. Those who are married may be summoning the resolve to get divorced. Many involved will be seeking the courage to face an uncertain year.

Fortunately the Reading area is served by an active branch of Divorce Recovery Workshop, which offers help to heal the emotional pain of divorce and relationship collapse.

The registered charity is based in Wokingham and run by volunteers who know that pain first hand.

These volunteers run DRW’s regular courses. The next local course is being held over two weekends in March at Brookside Hall in Earley.

The sessions include: • • • • • •

Is this really happening to me?

Coping with your ex-spouse Assuming new responsibilities Letting go and forgiveness Family matters Thinking about new relationships

People attending are helped to: • Find a new way forward and accept some inevitable results like moving house.

• Recognise their role in the breakdown, which can help the healing process.

• Unscramble emotions that may include loss of self esteem, and find they are not alone in their feelings.

• Build a new kind of relationship with their ex-partner, especially where there are children involved.

• Learn to be single again and believe in themselves.

• Learn to accept the situation and regain control over their lives.

• Accept that divorce and separation are never fair.

Charity chair John Kemp, of Wokingham, said: “Christmas is not fun for everyone. For some couples it’s the final straw, being thrown together for a long period. After the holiday is a peak time for seeing a solicitor about getting divorced. Solicitors tell us they can help legally, but clients also need emotional support.”

DRW helper Anne, of Reading, said: “DRW has a proven track record of helping people through a very difficult time. If you are now planning your life apart, your New Year’s resolution could well be to sort your life out. We are here to help.

“After my divorce I struggled to come to terms with bewilderment, loss, anger, bitterness and betrayal.

It’s a horrible, tough, awful time for you, your family and spouse. DRW showed me a way through. Now I am living life to the full: I never imagined it possible.

People attend the courses in the throes of separation or many years after divorce. It is never too late.”

• Look forward to a rosy future.

DRW is for people of any or no faith and of any age, gender, sexuality and background. There is a small course charge, with an early booking discount.

Details of the next course: Friday evenings 6 and 13 March and Saturdays 7 and 14 March at Brookside Hall, Brookside Close, Lower Earley, RG6 7HG

For more details relating to DRW activities in the Reading area: Contact John on 0118 979 2770 or Kathy on 07785 223821 or 0118 978 5101.

Visit DRW’s website at: www.drw.org.uk.

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41

Puzzled Pages...

42 rg10 January/February 2015. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email info@rg10mag.com

Crossword

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43

Ferrets furry creature, the ferret makes for a fairly high maintenance (but fun) pet when they are awake (they sleep for between 14—18 hours per day!)

your pet is safe when doors open and close since they prefer to have the run of the house rather than being permanently caged. This does mean you have to accept as they go.

A ferret will live for between five and eight years. They like being handled but will give you a nip if they’re not happy so

these animals as they are closely related to polecats and as such there have been cases of polecat-ferret hybrids which

44 rg10 January/February 2015. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email info@rg10mag.com

days out

National Trust Top winter wonders in London The days and weeks following the anticipation, excitement and festivities of Christmas and New Years Eve can feel a little flat. Perhaps you want to burn off the Christmas calories and kick start your New Year’s resolutions. Help is at hand from the National Trust to get outdoors and enjoy an exhilarating walk.

Many of the beautiful gardens and countryside spaces the National Trust cares for in London are open from Boxing Day onwards, offering the perfect opportunity for winter walks in picturepostcard landscapes. So, wrap up warm and experience some outdoor delights, from avenues of frost-covered topiary to ice-rimmed lakes, slow misty rivers to high energy sports challenges To help you decide where to visit, we’ve come up with our top winter wonders in London: Join in a park run at Osterley Park in Isleworth.

Taking up running is the ultimate New Year’s resolution. The 5K park run at Osterley takes place every Saturday morning. It’s free, open to everyone and takes place on safe, car-free pathways around the National Trust park, with beautiful views of the mansion and lake. If you prefer cycling, then take part in the Evans Cycles Ride It! which sets off from Osterley Park on 11 January. The gardens, parkland and café are open everyday at Osterley, with a natural play area for kids in the grounds. So if your other half is more into fitness than the rest of the family, come and treat yourselves to some lovely family time, while they wear themselves out. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley-park Go on a romantic winter walk at Ham House and Garden.

This Stuart palace near Richmond has formal gardens, topiary and tree lined arches that look magical in the frost, especially with the grand backdrop of the house and the river Thames. The atmospheric cellars of the house are open and you can warm up with a hot drink or lunch in the Orangery café, or pick up some gifts in the shop.

The garden, below stairs, café and shop are open 7 days per week and the house is open for tours from 23 February. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ham-house

Claremont Landscape Garden - National Trust

Get the family out of the house at Morden Hall Park, near Wimbledon.

There comes a time in the winter when you can’t snuggle up on the sofa any longer and you just have to get out, whatever the weather. Morden Hall Park, near Wimbledon, has free entry and paths running through a large countryside estate in the heart of South London. Try going out for a gentle jog whilst the kids scoot or cycle, then warm up in the café afterwards with a hearty stew or soup.

There are also pocket-money priced gifts in all our shops and little bags of old-fashioned sweets, in case any extra incentives are needed. The café at Morden Hall Park is open daily. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/morden-hall-park Meet up with friends for a walk around the lake at Claremont Landscape Garden, near Esher.

See the island and pavilion, grotto and many viewpoints and vistas. There are hidden features to enjoy such as the children’s play area and the thatched cottage. Don’t miss the Camellia Terrace, which is a mass of blooms from December to May. Claremont Landscape Garden and its tea room are open every day in January and February. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/claremont-landscapegarden The National Trust is an independent charity and all profits generated by visits help to pay for the care and conservation of some of the country’s most beautiful and historic places. For further information about days out with the National Trust, please see: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/southeast Please mention rg10 when responding to advertisements

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46 rg10 January/February 2015. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email info@rg10mag.com

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Call Iain Tel: 01189 Mob:

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50 rg10 January/February 2015. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email info@rg10mag.com

food and drink

Recipe

Roasted acorn squash

Ingredients 1 large acorn squash ½ tsp smoked paprika 2 cloves garlic (minced) Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper ½ tsp mustard powder ¼ tsp onion powder 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp unsalted butter ½ red onion 1 tbsp olive oil 2 oz (60 g) soft goats cheese Small handful fresh mint Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 400F/200c 2. Cut the squash into 6 wedges leaving the skin on.

Remove the seeds and place onto a baking sheet skin

side down with the flesh facing up. Drizzle the wedges with olive oil and add the butter then sprinkle over the paprika, garlic, mustard and onion powder and season well.

3. Cover the tray with foil and make sure that it is pressed down well so that the wedges are sealed in.

Place the tray into the oven to bake for 45 minutes; they will actually be steaming in their own juices at this point.

4. Meanwhile slice the onion and place into a frying pan with the olive oil, gently sauté the onion slices on a medium low heat until they are caramelized, set to one side.

5. After 45 minutes of cooking remove the squash from the oven and remove the foil cover, place back into the oven for 10 minutes to roast, after ten minutes top each wedge with caramelized onions and some crumbled goats cheese and place back into the oven for a further 5 to 10 minutes until golden brown.

6. Remove from the oven and transfer to a serving plate, sprinkle with freshly chopped mint and serve.

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food and drink

Local pubs, restaurants and cafés Twyford and Ruscombe

The Sheeplands Café at Hare Hatch Sheeplands garden centre.................... 0118 940 1600 www.harehatchsheeplands.co.uk

The Duke of Wellington (Brakspear) 0118 934 0456 find us on facebook

The Restaurant at Wyevale garden centre ...................................................... 0844 288 5107 www.thegardencentregroup.co.uk

Buratta's at the Royal Oak .................. 0118 934 5190 www.burattas.co.uk

The Fat Fish takeaway.......................... 0118 934 5591 La Fontana Italian restaurant .............. 0118 934 2698 www.lafontanatwyford.com The Golden Cross........................ find us on facebook Gaylord Tandoori.................................. 0118 934 5511 www.gaylordtandoori-berkshire.co.uk Haweli Indian restaurant .................... 0118 932 0939 www.hawelitwyford.co.uk

Hurst

The Castle Inn........................................ 0118 934 0034 www.castlehurst.co.uk Dragonfly Café ...................................... 0118 932 1071 The Elephant and Castle ...................... 0118 934 0886 www.theelephantandcastlepubhurst.co.uk The Green Man (Brakspear) ................ 0118 934 2599 www.greenmanhurst.co.uk

The Mita's Indian restaurant .............. 0118 934 4599 www.themitas.co.uk

The Jolly Farmer .................................... 0118 934 1881 www.jollyfarmerhurst.com

Ocean City takeaway............................ 0118 934 1384

The Wheelwrights Arms (Wadworth) .. 0118 934 4100 www.thewheelwrightsarms.co.uk

Sebastian's Café .................................... 0118 934 4214 www.sebastianscafe.co.uk Thai Elephant restaurant...................... 0118 934 9651 www.thaielephanttwyford.co.uk

Waltham St Lawrence and Shurlock Row

The Bell .................................................. 0118 934 1788 www.thebellwalthamstlawrence.co.uk

The Waggon and Horses...................... 0118 934 0376 www.waggonhorsestwyford.com

The Shurlock Inn .................................. 0118 934 9094 www.shurlockinn.com

Charvil

Wargrave

The Land's End (Brakspear) ................ 0118 934 0700 www.thelandsend.co.uk

The Bull (Brakspear) ............................ 0118 940 3120

The Wee Waif (Greene King/ Hungry Horse) ...................................... 0118 944 0066 www.hungryhorse.co.uk

Haweli Indian restaurant .................... 0118 932 0939 www.haweliwargrave.co.uk

Hare Hatch and Knowl Hill

The Bird in Hand Country Inn.............. 01628 826622 www.birdinhand.co.uk The Horse and Groom.......................... 0118 940 3136 www.brunningandprice.co.uk The New Inn Spanish and Italian restaurant ................................................ 01628 822552 www.newinnknowlhill.com The Royal Oak ........................................ 01628 822010 www.theroyaloak-knowlhill.co.uk The Floral Café at Ladds Garden Centre........................................................ 07580 226061 www.laddsgardenvillage.co.uk

The Greyhound .................................... 0118 940 2556

The Old Post Office café ...................... 0118 940 4800 find us on facebook The St George and Dragon .................. 0118 940 4474 www.stgeorgeanddragon.co.uk Spice Lounge Indian restaurant .......... 0118 940 4036 www.spiceloungewargrave.co.uk

Warren Row and Crazies Hill

Hennerton Golf Club ............................ 0118 940 1000 www.hennertongolfclub.co.uk The Horns (Brakspear) ........................ 0118 940 6222 www.thehornscrazieshill.co.uk The Snooty Fox ........................................ 01628 825861 www.thesnootyfoxwarrenrow.com

52 rg10 January/February 2015. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email info@rg10mag.com

British Curry Awards Congratulations to Haweli for being nominated once again in the British Curry Awards, a lavish event that was held on 1 December at Battersea Evolution with VIP guests including the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary.

We caught sight of team Haweli and their party of local supporters that afternoon, looking resplendent in black tie as they boarded their coach up to London.

We gather everyone enjoyed the occasion known as the ‘Curry Oscars’.

Haweli won Best Curry Restaurant in the South East in 2011 and 2012 and was nominated one of the top 40 in the country in 2013 and 2014. They were also mentioned in the Daily Telegraph’s Top 20 Indian Restaurants in July 2014.

Burns Night For the best celebration around of the Bard’s Life and works, be sure to book a table at the Bird in Hand for their Burns Supper on 25 January.

Valentine’s Day If you are planning a meal out to celebrate with your special someone on 14 February, why not be adventurous and try somewhere you are not familiar with from the list opposite?

Dragonfly Café Did you know that this fabulous café at Dinton Pastures Country Park stays open all through the winter serving delicious hot drinks, lunches and cakes?

You can find it off the main car park in Davis Road, Hurst. With plenty of tables and a woodburning stove, it’s the perfect place to warm up after a wonderful country walk!

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Index Advertising 35 RG10 Arts and crafts 11 Art for Art’s Sake 15 BethyBoo Beads 35 HaaHoos Painting and Party Centre 4 Robin’s Nest Gallery Beauty and wellbeing 15 Bella Beauty Building services 12 Bondright Roofing Service 9 South Build Roofing and Building 47 Twyford Roofing and Building Care providers 33 Bridge House 9 Gardiners Nursing and Homecare Carpets and flooring 39 Floor Store Charities 41

Divorce Recovery Workshop

Cleaning 8

Home is

Coaching 7

Stephanie Smith Coaching

Computer services 18 1-Fix 22 TW Computer Services 32 Village IT Service Domestic appliances 22 Domestic Appliance Care and Repair Dressmaking and alterations 40 Can’t Sew Electricians 15 PJC Electrical Services 1, 5, 38 Westgate Electrical Services Energy 40

Synergy EPC

Entertainment 16 Twyford and Ruscombe Theatre Group 17 Hurst Panto Group Estate agents 1, 56 Mullie Fashion 20, 35

Your Shopping Friend

Gardens and landscaping 46 AMB Landscapes 39 Clear Cut Tree Care 46 Primrose Nursery 6 Twyford Landscapes Health and fitness 6 Applies to Zinc Nutritional Therapy 32 FastTrack Fit Camp 10 Fit 4 Anything 21 Tai Chi for Wellbeing 12 Twyford Therapy Home décor and accessories 49 Country Mouse 21 Neptune Home Hotels 14

The Bird in Hand

Music 11 39 6

Drum All Stars Little Bear Music Windsock Music

Painting and decorating 49 Cox Decorators 9 PB Decorating Pets 50

The Veterinary Centre

Photos, pictures and video 4 ABL Photography 21 Century Framing 11 Photos by Pennie 32 Sports-alive Photography Plumbers 50 12

ADD Plumbing S Green Plumbing and Heating

Property maintenance 38 Twyford Tradesmen Together * Schools and tuition 22 Ladybirds Pre-School 46 Madelaine Kelly School of Dance 50 St Nicholas Pre-School Security 40

Earley Locks

Sports and social clubs 55 Castle Royle Golf and Country Club 25 Twyford Comets Windows, doors and conservatories 2 Twyford Windows

Financial advisers 19 Josephine Blythe

* Denotes grouping of several businesses

Food and drink 18 Binghams Brewery 53 The Bird in Hand 53 Dragonfly Café 49 The Elephant and Castle 53 Haweli Restaurant 52–53 Pubs, restaurants and cafés *

For more local services see our online directory at www.rg10mag.com

54 rg10 January/February 2015. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email info@rg10mag.com

Castle Royle Golf & Country Club

Our fantastic facilities include: Gym • 2 Studios (offering aerobic & holistic classes) • Spin Studio Swimming Pool • ASA Swimming Lessons • Sauna, Steam Room & Spa aura Health & Beauty • Sunbed • Crèche • Pulse Bar • Terrace 18 Holes of Championship Golf • Practice Range • Practice Putting Greens Golf Tuition • Buggies • The Club Shop • Restaurant/Conservatory

Family and Individual Memberships Available

CALL 01628 820 700 Castle Royle Golf & Country Club

Bath Road, Knowl Hill, Reading, Berkshire RG10 9XA email info@theclubcompany.com • www.theclubcompany.com Terms & conditions apply. Administration fee and monthly subscriptions apply.

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