RG10 Jul/Aug 2020

inside | Local news | Features | Puzzles | Food and Drink | Competition

Moving forward In February I wrote ‘Hopefully everything is getting back to normal’ after the havoc wreaked by storms Brendan, Ciara and Dennis. How much has changed in just four months…

Coronavirus Covid-19 sweeping aside pretty much everything we knew as everyday life.

Having to adjust to long periods at home.

Taking protective measures when going out that feel alien to us as social beings.

In such circumstances it could be easy to feel isolated. All the more important to join in the swell of national pride for Captain Tom and key workers everywhere, to applaud the volunteers looking out for the vulnerable, to celebrate the strength of our local communities and the resilience of our small businesses.

Also to recognise any positives that have emerged unexpectedly from living through a pandemic. Perhaps an increased appreciation for nature, exercise, the outdoors, leisure time, a family member or a neighbour.

I hope this bounce-back edition of RG10 magazine does justice to some of these themes.

Thank you to all our readers and advertisers for supporting this small business and others as we pick up the pieces.

In place of my usual headshot, I thought I’d share a recent photo of me and my lovely mum on the occasion of my birthday barbecue!

Contents Community, hope and inspiration 6 7 8–9 24–27 32 35 36 41

Coronavirus support for residents Message from Revd Anna Harwood Jules Lang: Thanks to our army of volunteers Local news Thames Valley Police: Community update Twyford Together news Coronavirus: Make your own face mask Divorce Recovery Workshop: Couples locked in

Business 13 15 16 17

Starfish Acccounting: Coronavirus support Liz Balmford: Hope for your business Five tips for working from home Your local economy needs you!

Nature and environment 22 44–45

Lavell’s Wetland Trust: News from the nature reserve Climate change: Changing our ways

Family, children and later life 20 21 28–29 31

Ageing alone: Support is available Understanding Dementia: Explaining Covid-19 Summer fun ABL Photography: Free family photo shoot!

Homes and property 19 43 48–49

Floor Store: Show your home some love Blandy & Blandy: Housing market recovery Spotlight: Kevin of Twyford Windows

Time out 37 38–39 46 47

Children’s puzzle page Su doku, Word search, GK crossword Puzzle solutions Competition: Recovery Raffle

Food and drink 51 52–53

Recipe: Home-made burgers and halloumi fries News and local availability

Index 54 Jul/Aug 2020 Issue 83

Advertiser information RG10 is a bimonthly magazine reaching 7,500+ homes and busineses in Twyford, Ruscombe, Charvil, Hurst, Wargrave and Knowl Hill.

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5

community

Coronavirus support for residents Stronger together The main support group to have emerged in the RG10 area in response to the coronavirus pandemic is Twyford Covid Community Support, which was launched by Microsoft executive Sam Bramwell as early as mid-March.

In the first ten weeks an army of well over 300 volunteers responded to more than 500 requests for help, supporting elderly and ‘shielding’ residents by shopping, collecting prescriptions, walking dogs, checking in with regular phone calls and a lot more besides.

The group is very well organised, with volunteers operating in zones, street champions acting as eyes and ears and a contact point for neighbours, zone coordinators allocating requests from the inbound phone calls and emails, and a core team overseeing everything. The core team works closely with other organisations such as Wokingham Borough Council, taking referrals from their Community Hub programme. The group’s core area covers Twyford, Ruscombe and Charvil, sometimes extending on request into Hurst, Woodley and Wargrave.

Communication between the network of volunteers is via closed WhatsApp groups, enabling rapid sharing of information and prompt responses to requests from residents. Volunteers adhere to a set of protocols devised to ensure a consistent and safe approach, including training

in safeguarding and infection control.

Deservedly, Sam Bramwell has been nominated to receive a Pride of Reading Award this November.

She explains that rallying community support to respond to the Covid-19 crisis has been a very rewarding experience for herself and other volunteers. ‘Despite the challenges imposed by the lockdown, running the community support group has allowed residents to connect with one another like never before and spread kindness and support around the villages. We’ve all created some lovely friendships that I hope will continue into the future. It’s made us all value the community and each other more than I could ever have imagined. It’s lovely to be able to cherish our older neighbours and take the time to talk and listen to them.’

Twyford Covid Community Support plans to offer services for as long as the pandemic continues.

There are examples of community support across the RG10 area, often through a local village Facebook group, and within each of these are countless individual accounts of neighbours helping each other and reaching out to the vulnerable. However, it’s always possible that some people still feel isolated and need support.

If that’s you or you know of someone, please don’t hesitate to ask for help, whether you need something delivered or just for a friendly chat.

TWYFORD COVID COMMUNITY SUPPORT

WOKINGHAM COMMUNITY HUB

Helping residents of Twyford, Ruscombe and Charvil.

Services facilitated by many organisations coordinated by Citizens Advice Wokingham.

Helping residents across the Wokingham borough.

Mon–Sat 9am–5pm.

Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 10am–2pm, voicemail on Sundays.

Email: Twyford_Covid_Help@outlook.com Phone: 07377 226835

Visit: www.citizensadvicewokingham .org.uk/coronavirus Phone: 0300 330 1189 (entering 0118 978 7258 if prompted)

6 rg10 July/August 2020. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email nikki@rg10mag.com

community

Hope and inspiration From Revd Anna Harwood Vicar of Ruscombe, Twyford and Hurst

I have always loved the Paddington bear stories.

In recent years, largely thanks to the film versions and world events, I have reconnected with Michael Bond’s central theme around the acceptance of Paddington into the Brown family despite being a bear, so notably different from the rest of them. In becoming part of the loving, caring and fun family, Paddington finds home and a place of safety and belonging.

We have all spent much of our time at home over the last few months. For some that has felt like a place of love and safety, but I know for others it has been a quite different experience. This pandemic has caused uneasiness and a sense of loss as we reflect on all that we enjoyed before lockdown.

In the stories, Paddington finds comfort in being accepted into a family group, reminding us of the support and care we gain from our friends and family. This is why lockdown has been so difficult for many of us, being physically separated from the people we love.

When all this is over, we will inevitably have big questions to ask and may need to find a safe place to go and share them. Together we’ll seek a renewed sense of community and connection with each other and our loved ones. I suspect many of us will need to cry but also some will want to give thanks. We will collectively need a safe place to

call home, where we can mourn those we have lost or shout, question and let out our frustration and confusion at all that has happened.

I boldly suggest that the Church can and does provide such a space for all of this, whether the doors to our buildings are open or closed. During the coronavirus lockdown we have been active on YouTube every Sunday at 11am. When our doors are open wide once more, come and let the emotions out: join us to cry, laugh, pray, question, and find a place to call home.

The heart of the Christian story is rooted in the one who knew what it meant to be fully human and whose arms are big enough to hold you in a love that is without limit. The Lord Jesus Christ cried for his lost friend, lived in an uncertain and volatile occupied country and knew the love of a human family. Jesus came to show the world God’s love in action and point us to the God who knows us and can hold our questions and hurting hearts – giving us a safe place to call home.

So why not join us online on YouTube in the knowledge that when our doors reopen we will be ready, as in centuries past during uncertain and difficult times, to welcome you all in Jesus’ name.

You’ll find a safe place to call home within a caring community ready to listen: come and be with us just as you are.

The THRU-Christ benefice is now on YouTube!

Subscribe to our channel to access live streams and recordings of our weekly Sunday services and regular stories from members of our Children's Church. @THRUchrist.org.uk www.thru-christ.org.uk Please mention rg10 when responding to advertisements

7

community

Hope and inspiration Thanks to our army of volunteers

by Jules Lang

“We make a living by what we get.

We make a life by what we give.”

Winston Churchill The words of the British Prime Minister during the Second World War when the world was fighting against a most pernicious enemy. We find ourselves in a similar position over 70 years later fighting together to defeat another enemy, this one unseen and cunning. Churchill’s words have never rung more true than when we look at the community spirit that has arisen since the coronavirus lockdown in response to the threat to our daily lives.

You may have spotted Jerry the T Rex. He spent his permitted daily exercise roaming his favourite haunts of Twyford and Hurst, even popping into the well-stocked Hurst Stores for a dinosaur snack. Those lucky enough to spot him donated £1 to The Alexander Devine Hospice: appropriate payment in return for spotting an extinct species.

Nowhere is this indomitable spirit more evident than in the communities of our own county. Since the end of March, I have been broadcasting ‘Make a Difference’ bulletins for BBC Berkshire, aiding efforts to pull together the help and support both needed and offered.

I have been humbled by the things I’ve seen and said.

From the smallest acts of kindness to the huge charity fundraisers, it’s been uplifting and inspiring to see everyone unite in a mutual act of support. The help has been both practical and emotional.

Our amazing community hubs run by a phalanx of unyielding volunteers have shopped for the vulnerable and collected and distributed donations given freely by willing locals. There has always been a friendly and comforting voice or a virtual hug from an empathetic member of the local Covid-19 support group, ensuring our physical and mental wellbeing.

8

People sewing surgical scrubs have been integral to supplying vital PPE to our key workers. The Berkshire For the Love of Scrubs group has over 1,200 members. Andria Edworthy of Oh Sew Creative redirected her talents to help, as did Shirley Pearce with the local Scrub Hubs group of ‘rag trade professionals’.

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The mysterious Masked Activity Maker shall remain a local legend. She suffers from complex mental health difficulties and autism, yet her purpose over the last few months has been to help others by creating activity packs for adults to help them cope with anxiety and stay busy.

There’s Jane Holmes who crowdfunded pamper packs for care home staff and Nicola Howard who’s been co-ordinating and delivering weekly treats for ICU staff at the Royal Berks Hospital.

What about young Oliver Hitchings (below) and friends Oliver and David, who have made over a thousand face shields using 3D printers?

They have supplied shields to care homes, pharmacies, hospices, physios, midwives, the diabetes team, in-house carers and Twyford Surgery, which received the first and the thousandth shield produced.

There have been myriad online activities to take part in, offered by people generous with their time and kindness – free Mandarin lessons, yoga, art and music, to name a few.

Woodley local Chris offered virtual PE lessons every Thursday (at 2pm, so as not to step on Joe’s toes).

It’s an impossible task to mention every single soul who has contributed to the community effort over these last few difficult months.

They are all heroes. The true measure of a hero is that they get the undivided attention of all of us by causing change, yet do not seek the credit.

I leave the last word to Churchill: Sean Jones and his Bracknell Forest Runners ran a virtual dawn to dusk relay to raise money for the NHS, and Shannon shaved her head both to raise money for cancer research and show solidarity with her friend whose treatment was interrupted by Covid-19.

“One always measures friendships by how they show up in bad weather.”

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business

Coronavirus support Help your business survive and come out stronger

by Georgi Rollings of Starfish Accounting

It’s rare to find a business that hasn’t been impacted by coronavirus. Most of us have seen our income reduced, some more dramatically than others, and some have had to shut their doors and stop trading.

Since June the government has been relaxing some of the lockdown measures. Now that businesses are tentatively ramping up, how can you put yourself into the best position?

Take advantage of coronavirus measures The government has put a range of measures in place to help businesses survive. If you employ staff then perhaps you have taken advantage of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and furloughed some or all of your team. Even if returning employees to work isn’t possible right now, the scheme is shifting from July onwards to support bringing employees back part time.

If you’re self-employed then you will know whether you were eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, and you should already have received the initial grant. The scheme is being extended, with a second grant to be paid in August.

This second grant is capped at £6,570 and is based on 70% of earnings (the earlier grant was based on 80% of earnings). Don’t forget that the grants are taxable, so if possible, put some aside to cover your future tax bill.

Make a plan Life isn’t going to return to normal any time soon.

Your business may have to cope with lower volumes, or different ways of working. You may have to change your workplace to make it Covid safe. If you haven’t already done so then you need to sit down and start to make a detailed plan. What costs will you have to cut to stay profitable with lower sales?

How much will you have to spend to adapt your workplace? How are you going to let customers know when you re-open? Are you going to have to sell last season’s stock at a discount? Forecasting your cash flows will be critical.

Come back stronger Take advantage of life being quieter to get some of those important, but not urgent, jobs done. Finish your website. Document your processes. Design that new product. Adapt how you sell. Move some of your business online. One thing most of us have more of right now is time. Use it wisely, and you will help your business to come out stronger on the other side.

One of the easiest ways to access extra funding is to take out a Business Bounce Back Loan. You can borrow up to 25% of your sales, from £2,000 up to a maximum of £50,000. You won’t have to make repayments for 12 months, and interest is 2.5% per annum. You are also protected as the loan is 100% backed by government. This is likely the cheapest borrowing you will ever be able to access for your business.

Alternative business grants There are other organisations such as Salesforce with Enterprise Nation, Facebook, and the Arts Council that are offering small business grants.

Check if you meet the criteria.

For more information visit: www.starfishaccounting.co.uk/coronavirus-support Please mention rg10 when responding to advertisements

13

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business

Leadership and confidence Hope for your business

by Liz Balmford

Hasn’t the response to the current crisis from businesses been amazing? Coaches and therapists offering free programmes to get people through these tough times, companies switching to the production of PPE, lots of fundraising and innovation... I just want to breathe that in and acknowledge the beauty, resilience and generosity of the human race.

I’ve also noticed some reluctance to make sales offers, people holding back on launching a new service, and a sense of shame for even considering charging for work. Yet people still need what you offer. Many are lucky enough to have support from government or their employer – or have saved for this rainy day.

Consider all the things you usually spend money on, the products and services you buy and the businesses you support with your custom. If your own business closes or your income dries up, so does theirs. Like a global energetic downward spiral, things contract through fear.

Photo: La Miko from Pexels

So, is it ok to continue to promote your business during this time? Only you can answer that question for yourself. My answer is: yes. Yes to making considered sales offers, yes to keeping the economy going, yes to keeping the energetic flow of giving and receiving.

Your assignment: 1. Write down all your thoughts and feelings about promoting during this time. This might include, but not be limited to: • There’s not enough • I’m taking from others if I charge for my work • I know people who need and have money for my services, but I feel embarrassed / ashamed to be making offers right now • What if people reject my offer?

• If I promote, I’ll seem desperate...

2. Ask yourself: is this true? Can I be categorically, 100% SURE this is true? What might be a different perspective on this?

3. Think about all the ways you could make sales offers more relevant and in service of what people need right now.

4. Think about creating opportunities to work with you at little or no cost – keeping that spirit of generosity – at the same time as offering premium products or services to those in a position to spend more.

Above all, remember you’re not forcing anyone to buy from you. If someone isn’t ready or can’t afford it right now, that’s ok, right?

What if we take a moment to breathe... and trust... and continue to run our businesses?

Possibly this will be in a different way in response to this crisis, but doesn’t the world NEED your business to thrive right now? Might that contribute to a global energetic upward spiral, with things expanding through love and hope?

Liz Balmford is a Leadership Communications and Confidence Coach. Visit lizbalmford.com for free resources and ways to work with her.

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15

business

Working from home

Our top five tips Thousands of people have been working from home in recent months, often for the first time. Here are five tips to boost efficiency and keep spirits up.

1. Dress the part Whilst the prospect of staying in pyjamas all day may seem appealing, it will do no favours for your productivity. Going through the motions of washing and dressing for work prepares you psychologically to tackle the tasks needing your attention.

Talking of children, set the ground rules: make sure they understand when you are not to be interrupted and what they must not touch. Build trust with a positive pattern: turn off the computer and tidy away your papers to give them your full attention at the time promised.

4. Take regular breaks

There’s no need for stiff jackets, tight waistbands and killer shoes to look professional. Choose what suits you and makes you feel good, and that confidence will shine through on those video calls.

Working from home does not mean you have to stay cooped up indoors all day – unless of course you are self-isolating or have Covid-19 symptoms. At the very least take regular screen breaks: get up from your desk and move around, just as you would in an office. This enables a bit of a stretch, rests the eyes and prevents monotony setting in.

Changing into something else when you clock off for the day is also a good idea, helping your brain to switch off from work.

Consider replacing the daily commute with a walk or cycle ride to get some fresh air, or fit one into your lunch break.

2. Designate a space

Research has found that several short breaks throughout the day are more beneficial for health, concentration and performance than one longer break.

Set aside a space for work rather than sofa surf with your laptop or phone around the house. Having a dedicated place for work is key for increasing productivity.

Ideally, set up a workstation that is ergonomically kind to your body: take into account the height of your screen and chair, avoid tight angles for elbows, hips and knee joints, and ensure your back is supported.

3. Establish boundaries Keep to your employers’ set hours or, if you are self-employed, decide decide in advance when you will start and finish your day – taking into account other responsibilities such as childcare.

5. Pick up the phone When you’re at the office you’re able engage with colleagues, so working from home can feel isolating.

Avoid spending the whole day without speaking to anyone, relying on emails and instant messaging.

Make some time to pick up the phone and have a real conversation – you’ll feel better for it!

Chances are the way we work will have changed for good, so it’s important to adopt good habits for home working – not only for productivity but for our own health and wellbeing.

Try this: Many home workers recommend the Pomodoro Technique, a method of time management which breaks down your working day into 25-minute chunks. Each chunk is followed by a five-minute break.

16 rg10 July/August 2020. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email nikki@rg10mag.com

Shop local

Your l cal economy needs YOU! One positive to come from the coronavirus lockdown has been the way so many small local businesses have been able to adapt to challenging circumstances and keep trading.

Sure, we all need to put food on the table, but we also care passionately about what we do. We have a desire to continue serving our communities whilst maintaining our relationships with customers and suppliers in preparation for better days ahead. And those we serve appreciate it: who hasn’t been moved by the outpouring of appreciation on social media for the efforts of small local businesses such as our village convenience stores?

We have seen many businesses embrace change almost overnight: restaurants and food suppliers implementing delivery or collection services, small retailers developing new online stores, fitness instructors switching to live video, hairdressers growing a YouTube following, and professional people sharing their expertise in webinars.

Yet countless more businesses will struggle to recover from the Covid-19 fallout, which will have a detrimental effect on local economies for a long time to come. What will our villages and town centres look like in a year’s time – or in five, ten years?

Demand for goods and services continues even during times of crisis, but lockdown saw us diverting more of our expenditure to large online retailers.

Now that some restrictions have been lifted enabling more businesses to reopen, let’s all ‘support local’ as small businesses form the backbone of any thriving community. Here are five reasons to support a healthy mix of local enterprise.

WHEN YOU BUY FROM A

SMALL BUSINESS AN

ACTUAL PERSON ~ DOES A LITTLE ~

HAPPY DANCE

1. Build communities and strengthen local economies When you buy locally, you are supporting your friends, family and neighbours. The availability of local services is especially important for the elderly, vulnerable, young people and those without access to private transport. The income to councils in rent and rates determines the level of future spending available for local infrastructure and public services.

2. Give character to towns and villages It’s the small independent retailers, salons and cafés that determine the feel of a town centre or village, differentiating it from other high streets. They bring a breath of fresh air and offer an alternative experience to the large chains.

3. Create job opportunities and encourage entrepreneurship A successful local retailer or service provider is more likely to recruit staff from the local population as they grow. Their success will in turn encourage others to pursue their own ideas for new enterprise.

4. Personalised service Local business owners are more likely to be friendly and engaging, get to know their customers and provide more tailored advice.

They value your custom: their survival depends on their good reputation and level of repeat business. They can often adapt their products to suit your requirements or source something bespoke for you.

5. Better for the environment Shopping locally means lower car usage and CO2 emissions. The supply chain of local providers is more likely to include locally sourced goods and services, supporting the local economy and reducing their carbon footprint.

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17

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homes

Floor Store Show your home some

love after lockdown We’ve all spent way more time at home in recent months. No surprise, then, if we’ve become more aware of areas that could do with some TLC to enhance our living space – or, indeed, our working space, now that so many of us are working from home.

We are lucky to have in our area not only a great choice of expert tradespeople but also several specialist retailers and suppliers to help with home improvements.

One such business is the Floor Store, which reopened its showroom in the centre of Twyford in mid-June. I caught up with owner Rob Bushnell the week before…

Great news that the Floor Store is opening its doors again. What are you most looking forward to?

I’m really excited to be reopening. My business depends on face-to-face contact with customers, and after over 40 years in the flooring trade that’s the part that I’ve missed the most. This is my community and I love to serve it: I grew up on the Orchard Estate in Ruscombe and attended Polehampton Boys’ School, then Wargrave Piggott School.

A true local boy! What about the showroom: have you had to implement any changes?

I will be following all the guidelines, such as wearing gloves when handling the product samples, washing hands frequently and making sanitizer available. I’m also happy to wear a disposable mask on request to give extra reassurance. In the meantime I’ve been busy adapting the showroom to allow visitors more space for social distancing.

You have always been known for your excellent customer service, and part of that has involved making home visits. Will that have to change?

I think it’s really helpful for people to be able to view a range of colours and styles in situ – it’s often a completely different story from what they think in the showroom! So I will still offer that service for those comfortable to accept the opportunity – still practising good hand hygiene and social distancing of course.

What would you say to anyone who is nervous about coming in to visit the Floor Store?

I would invite them to telephone in advance: I can give them a dedicated appointment and close the door to other visitors, eliminating the risk of accidental proximity to other people.

On behalf of the local community, we wish you and other local businesses all the best to make a full recovery from the enforced downtime of recent months.

I’d like to thank the community for all their support over the years. I look forward to resuming the same level of service with just a few necessary differences to the practicalities!

0118 934 3328 | 07872 468491 7 High Street, Twyford, RG10 9AE

robert@thefloorstorecompany.co.uk www.thefloorstorecompany.co.uk Please mention rg10 when responding to advertisements

19

later life

Ageing alone Support is available Life through the coronavirus pandemic has been an unsettling experience for just about everyone.

We know that for the older generation especially, there may also be feelings of increased isolation due to the length of time spent apart from loved ones – all the more so if they live alone.

It’s been heartening since the start of the crisis to observe countless kind neighbours and volunteers checking on older residents in our local communities and offering support.

But what about the rest of the time – what services are available to reduce loneliness?

Befriending Organisations dedicated to reducing social isolation in older people, such as Reengage, the Link Visiting Scheme, Age UK and the Campaign to End Loneliness had to suspend their face-to-face support during the coronavirus lockdown. They switched their energies into matching people with volunteers who then phone them regularly for a friendly chat. There is also The Silverline, a 24-hour phone service set up by Esther Rantzen to receive calls from older people feeling alone.

Advocacy Being an advocate for someone means being empowered to act in their best interests. It is often only at moments of crisis that families learn of their limited ability to influence the medical and care decisions regarding their loved ones.

A Health & Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document granting a family member (or trusted friend) the authority to represent an individual in discussions with medical and social services should they lose capacity.

What if someone is ageing alone, or does not want to burden family or friends with the responsibilities of the Health & Welfare LPA? The new Advocacy Service introduced recently by TimeFinders offers a legal alternative to Health & Welfare Attorneyship, providing reassurance, practical help, emotional support and protection for older people and their families as they navigate changing circumstances.

Useful contacts Reengage

0800 716543

Link Visiting Scheme

0118 979 8019

Age UK

0800 169 6565

The Silverline

0800 470 80 90

Care visits

Right at Home

0118 207 0600

Even if daily medical care is not required there can come a point when it becomes helpful having someone pop in to assist with washing, dressing, meal preparation, errands or housework. Care providers with branches covering our local area include Right at Home (Twyford), Home Instead (Ruscombe) and Bluebird Care (Woodley).

Home Instead Senior Care

01628 299097

Bluebird Care

0118 986 3552

TimeFinders Senior Life Specialists

01672 890801

TimeFinders, a company supporting older people across the south with a range of services, has also spent much of its time on phone calls to clients they have no longer been able to visit. Their work involves reducing anxiety and providing conversation and stimulus to people either living independently or in care homes, including those with dementia.

Understanding Dementia Explaining Covid-19

by Shirley Pearce BSc MRCOT

Everyone is different, and we need to tailor our responses to individual circumstances. In most types of dementia, the storage of new facts in the person’s memory becomes increasingly patchy.

However, their memory still retains the feelings that went with those missing facts. This means that if you tell the person something alarming, they may register the alarm without the message, so repeatedly trying to explain the details may be unhelpful. Dementia causes anxiety, and stress interferes with memory function, so that makes things worse.

A local day centre, befriending scheme or other group who knows the person should be the first point of contact when seeking practical help for a loved one with dementia. You can also refer to the Wokingham Borough Council Covid-19 leaflet, or equivalent schemes in other areas.

As an Occupational Therapist specialising in working with people with dementia, and founder of the charity Understanding Dementia, I am often asked for advice. Here are a few questions that have come up in recent months.

Q. I’m self-isolating after contact with Covid-19.

Mum has carers but I want to keep in touch.

A. Try to check in at least once a day by phone or video call via Facetime, Skype etc. Perhaps say ‘I’d like to practise using this new toy – will you help me?’ Ask the carer or a volunteer to help set it up.

Q. Grandad lives with us and keeps forgetting the precautions and getting flustered. How can I make him remember?

A. Try to find other/additional reasons for making changes that make more sense to him. Repeatedly threatening dire consequences may just ramp up his anxiety.

Q. Dad keeps saying it’s ‘just Asian flu’ and he’s ‘had worse’, so he won’t listen to the advice.

A. ‘Covid-19’ may not mean anything but ‘pneumonia’ may give a better idea of how serious this disease can become.

Q. Auntie’s care home is closed to visitors. She keeps asking why we’ve stopped coming to see her.

A. Whether you are self-isolating or social distancing, ‘quarantine’ will be a more familiar term from scarlet fever outbreaks in the past. Ask the home about their arrangements for ‘virtual visiting’. See John’s Campaign for how care homes can keep clients in touch with their families: www.johnscampaign.org.uk.

Q. My neighbour lives on her own and goes out several times a day. We tried to explain but she just got upset and went out anyway.

A. Her anxiety may have driven her to go out in search of comfort and reassurance. A notice inside her front door may help: Most shops are closed today. Ring ____ if you need anything.

If anyone comes to the door, don’t let them in or give them anything. Ring ____

Registered charity 238331

Understanding Dementia offers online training and information sessions and has published a booklet of practical tips. Face-to-face presentations and fundraising events are currently suspended. For further advice and information, to request a copy of the booklet or to be informed about future events, contact us on 07743 501149 or visit www.understandingdementia.co.uk.

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21

nature

Lavell’s Wetland Trust News from the nature reserve With it being so warm the water level at Lea Farm Lake is perfect: the shallows and exposed mud have attracted early Green Sandpipers, with Little-ringed Plover, Redshank and Lapwing all hoping to make a late attempt at nesting if they can pair up and shake off the Jackdaws.

Lea Farm Lake, SW corner The best bird sighting back in spring was a pair of Cattle Egret that flew over two mornings in late April and were also seen wandering around the Shetland ponies at Hurst Green.

The very warm spring allowed many birds to thrive, making the most of a largely undisturbed opportunity to get on with life. Across the Dinton Pastures Country Park there are families of Mute Swans, and goslings are everywhere.

Here in our nature reserve, Oystercatchers bred on Goat island in Black Swan Lake and Sand Martins are using both our walls. Also the Teal scrape wall is being used for the first time in ten years, with significant numbers of 40+ pairs.

Skylarks have bred on the landfill, and in mid-June we found Gadwall with two young on Lavell’s Lake. Thanks to some great timing the second raft went out at exactly the right time and we have about 23 pairs of Common Tern nesting happily.

Grey Wagtail bred along the Loddon, where Kingfisher are around as usual and Little Egrets never stopped visiting. A good smattering of Swifts visit each day over Black Swan Lake.

By late June and into July we stand a good chance of seeing Black-tailed Godwits, Wood Sandpiper, Black Terns and Greenshank – there are always surprises in store. Once we complete the digging for the Network Rail funded project to expand the reed beds and marshes at Lea Farm Lake, I know the birds will be quick to take a look.

No doubt due to Covid-19, we have seen the previous increase in new membership stall and a minor drop in renewals. The level of average donation per head is now lower overall. However, the drop in regular income has been offset by a few larger donations from other sources: retailer token schemes, talks I have done, and a generous grant from Hurst Parish Council.

As lockdown continues to ease I will be ramping up our use of social media to highlight the Network Rail project due to start in August. I am hopeful we can re-open the Ron Bryant Hide very soon: Government rules mean we will have to issue sensible guidance to our members around safe distancing, the carrying and use of hand sanitizer and the wiping down of all handles and surfaces after use. We expect this will mean limiting access to three members at a time for a maximum of 30–45 minutes on weekends to make it fair for everyone.

Fraser Cottington Chief Visionary Officer

Do you enjoy nature and wildlife? Please visit, follow, subscribe to Lavell’s Wetland Trust.

Website: Social media:

www.lavells.org.uk facebook.com/groups/1662435990723770 twitter.com/LWTLatestNews

Fraser’s wildlife videos:

youtube.com/channel/UCEElyVlyaSBYA51Z9U1YYAw

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Your local mortgage adviser Speak to Paul Duffield for free, friendly, expert advice on the most appropriate mortgage and insurances to achieve your aims.

Proud to be a member of

Call: 07920 066174 Email: paul@vickersyoung.co.uk

www.vickersyoung.co.uk

A mortgage is a loan secured against your home. Your home is at risk if you do not keep up the payments of a loan secured on it.

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23

Local news What’s everyone been up to?

What a resilient local community we have!

Bowed, but not beaten. Look at all the fabulous local events that have still been available to enjoy, despite everything, albeit in a rather different format than we are used to.

In May many artists due to open their studios for the Henley Arts Trail invited us to view their work online, enjoy virtual tours and interact with them via social media. It’s well worth following the Henley Arts Trail on Facebook or Instagram – they are always posting new and interesting content!

Incidentally, we also featured three local artists on the first episode of The RG10 Podcast! (Big thanks to Sally Castle, Este Macleod and Rosemary Harper.) Yup, we launched something new in lockdown too… The podcast has five episodes to the end of June with a new release every fortnight. Other guests have included a fitness instructor, the chair of a community organisation, a sports reporter, and an expert in dementia. Tune in and enjoy the show – you can subscribe to The RG10 Podcast on Apple, Spotify or Soundcloud, or head to the dedicated page on our website. The podcast is hosted and produced by a local resident: Ben Whitmarsh of Awesome Panda Productions.

Hurst villagers were connecting through lockdown thanks to virtual pub quiz nights held via a local Facebook group.

Twyford & Ruscombe Horticultural Association have been taking entries by email for their Virtual Summer Show inviting photographic entries by email. Alongside the traditional classes for produce of flower borders and veg plots, there were plenty of fun categories too, including for children. www.trha.org.uk

Twyford is on the point of launching something similar but on a larger scale, open to the wider RG10 area. See the Twyford Together page later in this edition for news of the Virtual Twyford in Bloom 2020!

Twyford Parish Council launched a new initiative in May: TwyForward is conceived as a portfolio of memories recording this strange time. Residents can submit their own contribution for others to enjoy on the council website and potentially at an exhibition to be held later.

The content can take any form, whether a poem, piece of art, photo or video, such as a performance of music or dance. www.twyfordparishcouncil.gov.uk The Hurst Show & Country Fayre is traditionally a huge event held over the last weekend of June, which normally raises tens of thousands of pounds for local good causes. With the physical show cancelled, organisers still wanted to engage the community and do as much fundraising as possible. Some popular sections of the Hurst Show were still going ahead in ingenious new ways, including a Virtual Hobby Horse Competition and a Virtual Classic Car Show! There was also the church book stall and a virtual market of stallholders, and plenty of fun planned such as a show-themed quiz night, Stanlake Park wine tasting, online disco, and a Garden Gate Arts Trail. Villagers were also looking forward to the safe collection drive-through for paella, hog roast rolls and drinks provided by the Castle Inn and Vintage Hog Roast. Take a look at the madness on the FFacebook page – and please consider making a donation to help Hurst Show reach its fundraising target. www.facebook.com/HurstShow

Meanwhile the Hurst Horticultural Society invited residents of the village and surrounding areas to send in up to three photos by the end of June for an informal garden contest. www.hursthorticulturalshow.org 24 rg10 July/August 2020. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email nikki@rg10mag.com

Local news (continued) Twyford & Ruscombe Horticultural Association TRHA would like to thank all their members for their continued support after this year’s activities had to be suspended from the Spring Show back in March.

The good news is that the THRA Trading Store reopened in mid-May, offering members a wide range of horticultural goods at trade prices. The shop by the allotments in Loddon Hall Road, Twyford, is open on Sunday mornings from 9.30 to 11am, with new ‘stay safe’ procedures in operation.

Knowing members had been working hard in their gardens and on their crafts for many months, since June TRHA has been running a Virtual Summer Show inviting photographic entries by email across a number of fun categories. Everyone is invited to take part in the judging from the start of July, with the results being announced on 13 July.

If you have acquired a new interest in gardening this spring and summer, consider becoming a member of THRA. It costs only £7 for the year or £6 if over 65. Benefits include access to the Trading Store, monthly newsletter packed with useful tips and news, advice from experienced volunteers, occasional evening talks and social events when permitted, 10% discounts in local garden centres, and eligibility to enter three shows a year (including children’s sections).

For more information visit www.trha.org.uk, email TRHAmembership@gmail.com or follow THRA on Facebook @gardeninginTwyford or Twitter @trhaengland.

Twyford Library update At the end of February, councillors at Wokingham Borough Council agreed to dedicate £720,000 from its capital programme to create a new library and other community amenities on the site of the the Old Polehampton Boys’ School in Twyford.

This is the result of a long-running local campaign to find a way to protect the grade 2 listed school building, which has deteriorated considerably over the years, and to relocate the well-supported local library from pre-fabricated premises nearby.

As the owner of the school site, the Polehampton Charity is now seeking changes to its ‘objects’ from the Charity Commission to enable certain aspects of the project to go ahead.

These include being permitted to lease the building to Wokingham Borough Council for the refurbishment and conversion, and to extend the remit of the charity to benefit the community of Charvil.

Since the charity is required to show that there has been consultation with interested parties, please view the Public Notice explaining more on the website: www.thepolehamptoncharity.co.uk.

Spoon family outside The Colleton School, Twyford

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25

Local news (continued) Waltham Place

from the car park. Email as above to register for the Waltham Place newsletter which includes information about the veg boxes.

Customers do not need to enter the building as collection is from the car park and contactless payment is offered via a mobile card terminal. Boxes are priced at £15 each and contents change weekly. Also available is a range of homemade preserves and organic meat from the freezer.

Twyford & Ruscombe Theatre Group The cast of Ladies’ Day have been working hard throughout lockdown to put together an audio performance of the Amanda Whittington play that was due to be staged at Loddon Hall in late spring. The production will be released at 8pm on Friday 3 July and will be available for 24 hours.

This biodynamic farm estate in Church Hill, White Waltham recently restarted its garden tours accompanied by one of the knowledgeable gardeners. Garden tours are held each Wednesday at 11am and 2pm in small socially distant groups of up to five people. Tours cost £7.50 per person and must be booked in advance.

Ladies’ Day is a very modern comedy with added pathos, following the lives of a group of fish plant workers as they take a day off to visit Royal Ascot at York. Tickets cost £2 per person and can be booked via www.ticketsource.co.uk/twyrusdrama.

Booking fee applies.

Private garden tours are also available for groups of up to five people. These are held on Fridays at a cost of £37.50 per group and can be themed to your area of interest. Waltham Place has guides skilled in biodynamic gardening, invertebrates and children's activities.

To book a garden tour or request a call back to discuss your requirements, please email education@walthamplace.com.

The Waltham Place farm shop operates a weekly box scheme of seasonal biodynamic vegetables, for collection on Friday afternoons 26 rg10 July/August 2020. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email nikki@rg10mag.com

PACT adoption events PACT Parents And Children Together is one of the UK’s leading adoption charities, working with hundreds of families every year. They are currently unable to offer face-to-face information events but urgently need more people to come forward for assessment and approval as new adopters. Sadly, children are continuing to come into care throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

PACT has therefore developed remote alternatives to all parts of the adoption process and is welcoming new enquiries from prospective adopters. A programme of virtual information events is in place, enabling participants to join by video call (using Zoom) and hear from a PACT social worker and an adopter about all aspects of adoption. There is the opportunity to ask questions throughout.

Forthcoming virtual information events are as follows: Tuesday 23 June

5.30–7.30 pm

Monday 6 July

1–3pm

Thursday 16 July

5.30–7.30 pm

Thursday 30 July

6–8pm

If you would like to take part, call 0300 456 4800, email enquiries@pactcharity.org or complete the form on the website www.pactcharity.org to request a call back.

That’s all for now However please keep in touch – your help is greatly appreciated for updating our events calendar!

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27

fami ly

Summer Fun week for your own relaxation, exercise or interests. It’s important to have the opportunity to focus on your own things, avoid overwhelm and recharge the batteries.

If you’re on your own with the kids, no doubt you’re following the latest official guidelines and will take the earliest opportunity to introduce someone else into your ‘social bubble’.

Fun outdoors Hats off to parents everywhere: nobody can pretend it’s been easy stepping up to the plate with home schooling. Also a big round of applause to teachers who have had to adapt to online education for the majority and/or teaching with social distancing for children of key workers.

Just a few months ago, normal family life was turned upside down for everyone. Each parent has experienced their own highs and lows since then.

Whether you’ve had a child back in school or not, the ‘summer holidays’ are imminent. With zero prospect of a break away, here are some tips to maintain a sunny disposition on the home front – for everyone!

Be a reassuring presence Children pick up on when we’re anxious. The initial excitement when schools closed back in the spring probably wore off quickly and they soon began to miss the daily routine and interactions with their friends. They may be scared about things seeming different at home and in the world, and anxiety can lead to behavioural issues over time.

Children need to feel that whatever’s going on right now, they are safe and loved, and that everything is going to be ok. Normal things like stories, games, sofa snuggles and watching TV together can be very reassuring.

Limit stress It can be tough to set boundaries but this is important: know what they are and try to communicate them clearly, calmly and consistently. Play your part by engaging fully with the children when you have promised to.

If there are two of you at home, agree each half day whose turn it is to prioritise work and who will be the go-to adult for anything the children need.

You should also each schedule in some time each

Get the children busy with some paper and crayons taking ‘rubbings’ of any trees, stone walls or other interesting surfaces available.

If you have a garden with somewhere appropriate, bury a time capsule made out of a waterproof container such as a tin with a lid. The children could write a letter introducing themselves to people of the future, include a drawing, and cut out a newspaper article about the world today.

Write down or draw any wildlife you see: birds on a feeder, insects among the plants, bugs in the grass, anything special that may occasionally snuffle, creep or hop by.

Hold your own sports day: think three-legged race, egg-and-spoon, leapfrog and hopping in a pillow case.

Get out the favourite soft toys and all the bits and bobs necessary to host the perfect Teddy Bear’s picnic.

Even if you don’t have a garden you may have a window ledge or corner available where you could plant up some seeds of herbs in a few small pots.

Most children enjoy nurturing something and watching it grow.

Use the home and outdoor environment as a ‘living school’ Just like a child, adopt a curious attitude and try viewing anything – household items, food, road signs, nature, buildings, street furniture – as something weird and wonderful that needs figuring out. Dream up some questions… What’s it for? Who uses it? Where in the world did it come from? How was it made? Can I draw it?

To create motivation for them and yourself, try keeping a scrapbook or photographic record of what they’ve done, learned or discovered. This will also help convert a difficult period into memories of precious learning together.

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Use free activities online

structure and learning and may be keen to do any activities offered by their school or clubs. Others, with a little help, will take care of themselves.

Every child is different.

Thank goodness for the internet! Screen time needn’t mean watching back-to-back shows.

Check out some of the entertaining, active or educational sites listed on this page.

Keep up the great work and wishing you an enjoyable summer.

Also if your child is a member of any clubs check whether they are running any activities or competitions online, or enable members to keep in touch with each other through Facebook or WhatsApp groups or even Zoom meetings.

Above all, be kind to yourself You are, and always have been, your child’s main educator. Let your children bake, play in the garden or build Lego if they are not in the mood for a class you may have had in mind. They will learn transferable skills whatever they are doing, and all learning is valuable.

Remember that whatever you do, it’s ok – whether you do a little or a lot. Some children need more LETS’S GO LIVE with Maddie & Greg

Daily science fun at 11am on YouTube

Change 4 life & Disney -

10 minute themed activity games at www.nhs.uk/10-minute-shake-up

PE with Joe Wicks

9am Monday to Friday on YouTube

Maths with Carol Vorderman

Making maths fun for 4–12-yr-olds: www.themathsfactor.com

White Rose Maths

Videos, worksheets etc for year groups up to year 8: www.whiterosemaths.com

Twinkl

Usually for teachers, the site now has a home learning hub with loads of free downloadable resources for activities: www.twinkl.co.uk

The World of David Walliams

Audio stories and plenty of activities based around the output of the author: www.worldofdavidwalliams.com

BBC Bitesize and BBC Teach

Amazing resources covering all subjects and interests: www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize | www.bbc.co.uk/teach

Free ebooks and activities

Tablet-friendly resources for reading, English and maths searchable by age and key milestones. Also activities complementing daily BBC Bitesize lessons: https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk

Arts and crafts

Ideas for art projects at home: www.artfulparent.com

Kids Yoga

Yoga, mindfulness and stories: www.cosmickids.com Please mention rg10 when responding to advertisements

29

family

ABL Photography

Free family photo shoot!

Asya Barskaya-Lebed’s images have frequently graced these pages. The Twyford photographer has often been on hand to capture local events and create a lasting record of community life.

In work mode she specialises in fun, relaxed and natural portraits for families and businesses. All that came to a halt when lockdown began, but Asya took the opportunity to switch to photographing flowers and the natural world while out on her daily walk.

Then, true to her strapline: Photographs that spark joy! she shared the captivating images freely on her Facebook page and YouTube channel, bringing pleasure to many.

Encouraged by the beautiful spring weather, Asya also started offering free outdoor family photo shoots for individuals, couples, children and pets.

As you can see, she has an infectious sense of fun and encourages her subjects to relax – or even let loose with fancy dress!

The good news is that Asya’s offer continues to the end of the year.This is an opportunity to work with a professional photographer for an hour’s shoot, including the ability to choose one fully retouched high-resolution digital image – for free!

Contact Asya now to book your free outdoor family photo shoot – and give yourself something joyful to remember from 2020.

Asya Barskaya-Lebed

0779 393 7192 asya@ablphotography.co.uk www.ablphotography.co.uk/free-family-photo-shoots-2020-questions-and-answers Please mention rg10 when responding to advertisements

31

thames valley police

Community update Keep your home safe through the summer Ensure sheds and garages are fully secured, and security mark and register tools and other items you have stored there. Padlock items such as bikes, lawnmowers and even BBQs. Think about chaining items to secure shelves and installing anchor points to which motor bikes or bicycles can be padlocked.

A reminder of other measures that can help protect your home from burglary:

With so many of us having been ‘locked down’ in our homes, the number of house burglaries has dropped over recent months. However, thieves are still out and about, and have been taking advantage of open doors and windows or poorly secured garages and sheds.

Whether you leave your home to go to work, pop to the shops, get some exercise in the fresh air or even if you are working in your back garden, you should take steps to make your home look occupied and ensure any doors are secure as well as all accessible windows (meaning reachable, not just ground floor).

Please lock all doors and windows at night. If you have a UPVC door, remember to lift the handle and lock it with the key.

Keep all valuables and keys, including car keys, out of sight and out of reach of windows and letterboxes. Double check your vehicle is locked and store keyless fobs in a suitable security pouch.

Ensure side and rear gates are in good condition and locked to prevent access to the back of the property. Move bins away from side walls and fences.

Keep ladders and gardening tools locked away securely. Don’t leave them outside where they could be used to break into your home.

• Cut back your shrubs and hedges to aid visibility.

• Consider a timer switch for your radio and lights.

• Service and maintain your burglar alarm.

• If you go out in the evenings don’t leave your home in darkness.

For more advice visit our website: www.thamesvalley.police.uk/cp/crimeprevention If you have any information regarding burglary or anyone committing offences, please report it online via at www.thamesvalley.police.co.uk or call 101. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on free phone 0800 555 111.

You can email your local neighbourhood team on TwyfordNHPT@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk – please note this address cannot be used to report crimes or for any urgent matters.

Facebook: TVP Bracknell & Wokingham Twitter: @TVP_Wokingham You can receive free information updates from Thames Valley Police by registering for Thames Valley Alert at www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk

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Ruminating on Retirement?

We have found several of our clients have started to rethink their future during lockdown. If you have, too, and would like help understanding your pension arrangements, we can discuss your goals and plans via a phone or video call.

verb 1. think deeply about something 2. (of a ruminant) chew the cud

I provide a comprehensive wealth management service, offering specialist face-to-face advice tailored to you.

My services include: • Investment Planning • Retirement Planning • Intergenerational Planning For further details please contact:

Josephine Blythe 17 Sheeplands Farm Wargrave, Berkshire RG10 8DL

Proud to be a member of

Tel: 0118 313 0270 or 07956 277750 Email: josephine.blythe@sjpp.co.uk www.josephineblythe.co.uk Josephine Blythe is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group's wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group's website www.sjp.co.uk/products.

20 rg10 July/August 2020. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email nikki@rg10mag.com

34 rg10 July/August 2020. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email nikki@rg10mag.com

twyford together

News update There are three categories (Flower, Flower Bed, and Garden or Local Nature), each divided into three age groups (Under 11, 11–17 and Adult).

Entries will be accepted until the end of August.

We’ll then get a panel of judges together to award Gold, Silver and Bronze in each category.

The winning entries will receive garden vouchers and may also have their image chosen to feature in a 2021 calendar that will be sold to raise funds for local charities.

Business support New website!

The Twyford Together website has been re-launched with a slick and contemporary design by Ginger Stag. The new site at www.twyfordtogether.org celebrates Twyford's residents, businesses and groups coming together.

Get the latest on local businesses re-opening as lockdown eases, find out about projects happening now to boost our community, and discover new Twyford Together events. Plus, you can look back at the impact we've had in the village since 2001 and explore our growing community directory reflecting the wonderful range of businesses and groups in Twyford.

There's also an opportunity to get involved, submit ideas or request a listing.

Plans for the future include a crowdfunding platform for projects voted on by residents, so watch this space!

Virtual Twyford in Bloom Attention gardeners! In the absence of any ‘official’ Britain in Bloom contests this year, we thought it would be fun to have a ‘virtual’ one for residents of Twyford and surrounding villages in RG10.

It’s already up and running: all you need to do to take part is upload up to three photos showcasing your green-fingered skills via the dedicated form on the website: www.twyfordtogether.org.

We know that the past few months have been difficult for people across RG10, with the lockdown preventing us from seeing family and friends, enjoying the summer events, and carrying out many everyday activities.

For our businesses, many had to close their doors to customers and staff, often at a great financial cost. With restrictions gradually being eased, a number of shops and other businesses have re-opened. Twyford Together, working alongside Twyford Parish Council, Twyford Covid Community Support and Wokingham Borough Council, have produced a series of posters, banners and other materials to help keep people safe. You may already have seen examples around the centre of the village.

Twyford Together will continue to work to help local businesses thrive in these challenging times. Throughout the summer, we will be supporting a Shop Local campaign to encourage residents to stay safe yet support local businesses.

In Twyford, we have an array of quality shops and businesses that support our community, providing essential local services and sponsoring events and initiatives, all of which help make Twyford a great place to live. Undoubtedly many of these businesses need our support now, more than ever.

Wishing everyone a wonderful summer.

Rob Yeadon Chair

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35

health

Stop the spread of coronavirus Make your own face mask The use of face masks in public is becoming more widespread as a way to slow the spread of coronavirus. It is already compulsory to use face coverings on public transport and when visiting hospital.

With demand soaring for disposable face masks and orders often taking weeks to arrive, washable fabric masks are gaining in popularity. Whilst face coverings can be made from bandanas, scarves and upcycled T-shirts, research has found the most effective material against coronavirus droplets is a double layer of good quality (quilters’ type) cotton.

Step 3: Run a 20cm length of elastic (or string or cloth strip) through the wider hem on each side of the face covering. These will be the ear loops. Use a large needle to thread them through and tie the ends tightly. (If not using elastic, make lengths long enough to tie behind your head instead.)

Here’s how to make a simple sewn face mask.

Step 4: Gently pull on the elastic tucking the knots inside the hem. Gather the sides over the elastic, adjusting the covering to fit your face. Then securely stitch the elastic in place to keep it from slipping and use the loops to go around the ears.

Step 1: Cut out two 25cm x 25cm squares of cotton fabric. Stack the 2 squares on top of each other.

Step 2: Fold over one side by 0.75cm and hem, then repeat on the opposite side. Make 2 channels by folding the double layer of fabric over 1.5cm along each side and stitching this down.

Like other coronaviruses, Covid-19 is transmitted from person-to-person via airborne droplets when an infected person breathes out, coughs or sneezes. A person may be a carrier without realising, or they may have no symptoms for 14 days after becoming infected.

A mask can stop virus particles spreading from an infected person. It is less effective as protection for the wearer. Although face coverings can slow the spread of the virus, the most effective actions are to avoid being exposed to the virus, maintain social distancing and wash hands regularly.

Wash your hands just before fitting and just after removing any face covering, taking care to avoid touching either side of it. Masks should only be worn for short periods of time to limit the spread of infection where others are present. Avoid touching the mask while wearing.

After use, disposable masks and gloves should be bagged and placed in a rubbish bin (NOT in the recycling). Fabric masks should be bagged until they can be washed prior to wearing again.

Sources: UK Government, World Economic Forum, World Health Organisation

36 rg10 July/August 2020. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email nikki@rg10mag.com

Sudoku

Level - hard Each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the numbers 1 to 9 just once.

This can be done by applying logic - you don’t have to guess!

38 rg10 July/August 2020. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email nikki@rg10mag.com

General Knowledge Crossword 1

2

3

7

4

5

6

8

9

10

11

12 13

14

15

16 19

17 20

21

23 ©puzzlepress.co.uk

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Across 1 Unaffected by strong emotion or prejudice (13) 7 Flow in a circular current, as of liquids (5) 8 Tomboys (7) 9 Gas formerly used as an anaesthetic (5) 11 Fires from a job (5) 12 13 Word formed from the initial letters of a multi-word name (7) 17 Fail to include (4) 19 Brightly coloured tropical 20 22 23 24

18

Country in which Mumbai is situated (5) One of the three superpowers in Nineteen Eighty-Four (7) Indian side dish of yogurt and chopped cucumbers (5)

Down 1 London thoroughfare associated with the UK government (7,6) 2 Pivot (6) 3 Muslim name for the one and only God (5) 4 Homer’s epic poem (7) 5 Business that serves other businesses (6) 6 Compass point at 112.50 degrees (4,5-4) 8 Instrument played by blowing into the desired holes (9) 10 Drink made by infusing dried leaves (3) 14 Lessons (7) 15 French word for ‘me’ (3) 16 Deprive of food (6) 18 Relating to the sea (6) 21 Order of Greek architecture (5)

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39

Boiler installation, Servicing and repairs, Fireplaces and cookers, Landlord certificates, LPG, Oil boilers Proud to be a member of Twyford Together and an approved contractor for John Lewis Home Solutions

PLUS: Boiler maintenance contracts for premises in RG10

Call 0118 938 0372 or 07796 955731 Or email sgreenplumbing_heating@hotmail.co.uk Based in Twyford

40 rg10 July/August 2020. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email nikki@rg10mag.com

charity

Divorce Recovery Workshop Help for couples locked in during lockdown Imagine your relationship has broken down and you and your partner are on the point of separating. Then the coronavirus lockdown comes along, effectively forcing you to stay together for an extended period.

‘Couples whose relationship is in difficulty may have been feeling locked in as well as locked down during the pandemic,’ says Seamus Jennings, a volunteer for the charity Divorce Recovery Workshop.

He adds: ‘Covid-19 has changed our lives. It has created a kind of intensity to parts of our lives and relationships. When a relationship is in difficulty that intensity can be very hard.’

Seamus, who works with children in the borough of Wokingham, is standing by to explain to anyone experiencing the pain of separation or divorce how DRW’s course can help. This is open to anyone, whether divorced long ago or just facing separation now. The charity hopes to run the next course in Earley in September or October. In the meantime you can email Seamus at reading@drw.org.uk or phone him on 07887 800521.

‘I kept myself busy in ways that would have been impossible in lockdown. Just meeting a friend for coffee was an enormous help.’

DRW’s course is held over two weekends, on the Friday evenings and during the day on both Saturdays. Michelle liked the sessions being in small groups and that there was no pressure to talk. And she valued the videos which prompted discussion.

‘It was good talking to people who understood how I felt,’ she explains. ‘I learned it was all right to cry, to look after myself and also to look forward to things.

‘We also laughed during the workshop. I feel like a different person now because of all the support.

My group continues to support each other.’

Michelle Leder, an administrator, says DRW threw her a lifeline after her 20-year relationship came to an end. DRW’s course had such a strong impact on her that she’s helping to run the next one.

‘I had my work routine to keep me focused through the turmoil of separation and divorce,’ recalls Michelle. ‘Some couples in the throes of separation a few months ago would have been stuck together working from home or not at all, and unable able to find separate accommodation.

I’d have found that very, very difficult.

Michelle Leder

The workshop costs £80 including lunch, teas and coffees. The fee can be discussed with DRW. The venue is usually Brookside Hall, Earley – venue and dates to be confirmed later in the summer.

For a friendly chat contact Seamus on 07887 800521 or Jane on 07747 607861, or send an email to reading@drw.org.uk.

For more information visit www.drw.org.uk.

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41

Proud to be a member of

Over 20 Years Experience Design and Construction ●

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Patios Decking Complete garden construction Turfing Garden lighting

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Fencing Fully insured Block paving Ponds

Call Andy Ward Tel: 07957 386008 Office: 0118 376 1467 Email: twyfordlandscapes@gmail.com 42 rg10 July/August 2020. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email nikki@rg10mag.com

property

Blandy & Blandy Solicitors Survey gives confidence in housing market recovery A survey conducted in May by a leading Thames Valley law firm showed that the region’s estate agents believe that the housing market will recover strongly by early 2021.

Blandy & Blandy, which has offices in Reading and Henley-on-Thames, surveyed 26 estate agents covering the Thames Valley and found that while only 42% expected property prices to rise or remain unaffected in the next six months, with 58% predicting a fall, 71% of agents felt that prices would either hold firm or increase in the next 12 months.

amenities, mean that we would expect to see a quicker and stronger recovery here than perhaps in certain other areas of UK. ‘We are fortunate to enjoy excellent relationships with leading estate agents in the area and we look forward to working closely with them to ensure that our mutual clients’ moves happen as smoothly as possible in the months ahead.’

For further information or legal advice, please visit www.blandy.co.uk.

Estate agents felt strongly that market activity would remain affected in the short-term, with 78% anticipating a fall in the number of property moves taking place and just 22% forecasting an improved or unchanged position. However, 79% predicted that the number of transactions taking place would increase or return to normal levels within the next 12 months.

With the reopening of many building sites, 88% of estate agents expected that the number of new build homes coming onto the market in the next 12 months will rise or remain unaffected.

Manisha Bhula, head of Blandy & Blandy’s award-winning Residential Property team, said in May: ‘The Centre for Economics and Business Research recently predicted that nationally property prices could fall by 13% in 2020, as uncertainty and economic factors have an effect on both supply and demand, but other leading research has suggested a far lesser impact. This month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) temporarily suspended its UK house price index due to inactivity and therefore a reduction in market data.’

There are, however, reasons for ‘cautious optimism’ according to Ms Bhula: ‘The Thames Valley region remains a fast-growing economic area with a typically buoyant job market. These factors, coupled with fantastic infrastructure and Please mention rg10 when responding to advertisements

43

environment

Climate Change Harnessing our rekindled love of nature to change our ways

by Dave Lamont ‘There has never been a time when more people are out of touch with the natural world than now,’ said Sir David Attenborough in January 2019.

Just 18 months later, look where we are. In the midst of a global pandemic that many experts have attributed in part to our ‘lack of respect for nature’ and to the ‘wilful destruction of our planet’. And, they warn, there will be more to come. Renowned naturalist Jane Goodall warned recently that ‘humanity will be finished’ if we do not change our ways. Planet Earth is sick, and we humans are the virus.

Has the river always been that clear? Is the sky bluer than it was before? Are the birds and bees louder than normal? Questions that many of us will have posed or been asked while enjoying time in the garden or a relaxing walk in recent months. For the best part, the answer is that nature is as it was. Beautiful. Breathtaking . But fragile. The difference is that we have been afforded (or taken) the time to notice it.

One of May’s highlights for us as a family of four was watching the blue tits nesting in our garden, feeding and taking flight for the first

time. A precious moment we’d almost certainly have missed in an unchanged world.

Similarly, I was reminded of the strange new normal we have all had to get used to when standing on our doorstep and looking out just a few weeks ago. Something caught my eye in the sky... It was a plane. I stood for a moment and stared. I realised that it was the first one I could remember having seen in perhaps two months. An everyday event had become an extraordinary one.

As the Covid-19 crisis began gathering pace back in January, the environment was the dominant topic at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The likes of Earth Day, World Environment Day, World Wildlife Day, Global Recycling Day, World Water Day, 30 Days Wild and even Bat Appreciation Day (a tougher sell this year) have since come and gone. And the Cop26 climate talks, due to be held in Glasgow, have been postponed until 2021.

The crucial question is whether the past three months have taught us a much needed lesson, bringing things to the fore in a way that the above events could never hope to? Have we begun to reconnect to and fall back in love with nature?

Research shows that many more people are walking, cycling, visiting green spaces and gardening now than prior to lockdown. We are of course travelling far less and differently, swapping far-flung holidays for time at or close to home, shopping locally and learning to appreciate what we already have as opposed to (often) buying what we don’t need. Fast fashion has slowed, factories have stood still and new car sales have plummeted, with oil prices reaching historic lows.

44 rg10 July/August 2020. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email nikki@rg10mag.com

environment

Local update ing waves. 2020 will undoubtedly continue to teach us much about ourselves and about what really matters.

It is our collective responsibility to do our homework, to further embrace these lessons and new habits, and to leave old ones behind as normality gradually remerges.

We are a long way off turning the tide in the fight against climate change but let us hope that we have begun to dip a toe in the retreat-

Sir David recently expressed hope for the longer term, saying he felt that ‘the nations of the world are beginning to see that our survival depends on co-operation.’ He tempered this by pointing out that the pandemic has ‘swept climate change off the front pages’ and that ‘we’ve got to get it back there’.

Let’s make that happen.

Dave Lamont is the founder of Plastic Free Home, a not-for-profit online community focused on environmental issues. Follow www.facebook.com/plasticfreehomeuk for news, ideas, debate and more.

The complete accounting solution for growing businesses Xero migration specialists

Tel: 01628 828855 www.starfishaccounting.co.uk info@starfishaccounting.co.uk Please mention rg10 when responding to advertisements

45

Puzzle solutions

Crossword

Children’s page

Across:

Uh-Oh!: Dinosaur Riddle Time: Incorrectly Number Square:

1 Dispassionate, 7 Whirl, 8 Hoydens, 9 Ether, 11 Sacks, 12 Nile, 13 Acronym, 17 Omit, 19 Tetra, 20 India, 22 Eurasia, 23 Raita, 24 Treasure chest.

Down: 1 Downing Street, 2 Swivel, 3 Allah, 4 Odyssey, 5 Agency, 6 East south-east, 8 Harmonica, 10 Tea, 14 Classes, 15 Moi, 16 Starve, 18 Marine, 21 Doric.

1 2 8 3 7 0 2 23

Wordsearch

Su doku

L O I K D P O B R D O N B

I G G E C Y E L L O W J R

F I R S Y B F A A U C A O

Y D E O A C R P C A E D N

R N Y R N E R O P H R E Z

R I S E M I R I W Y I G E

E E V E C A N C M N S I W

B H L O N K C T O S E E H

P S T G R E E N E P O B I

S U E A U Y T E A L P N T

A L C B B L A C K L O E E

R B I E Y O T A U P E I R

8 1 6 1 2 3 9 30

4 3 4 2 7 9 2 31

8 8 2 0 2 4 4 28

2 5 3 9 2 3 0 24

7 2 2 6 3 0 1 21

5 2 3 5 3 7 2 27

A Z U R E X A M B E R S V

Hidden phrase: Life is like a box of crayons – John Mayer

46 rg10 July/August 2020. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email nikki@rg10mag.com

1 5 1 6 3 7 9 32

2 3 8 2 0 7 1 23

38 31 37 34 29 40 30

Competition Roll up, roll up for the

Recovery Raffle!

Help us to help local businesses back on their feet – many have had a real kicking from Covid-19 and could use a helping hand from the community. During recent months I’ve seen community raffles being run successfully in other areas and I thought with your help, we could do something similar.

Here’s the idea for the RG10 Recovery Raffle: • We commit to buying great prizes from a range of businesses around the local area (RG10 and surrounds, eg Wokingham/Caversham/Henley/Maidenhead). Minimum value £30.

• Over a 6-week period this summer members of the public buy tickets for a chance to win a prize.

Just £1 a pop!

• Prize details will be released one at a time as ticket sales cover the cost of the previous prize.

• Prizes will be allocated to winners by random draw at the end of the competition.

• From the start of July, follow the Recovery Raffle event via our Facebook page @RG10mag for full details of each prize as it is announced.

We’ll start things off with the first prize: A £30 voucher to spend in H F Newberry, Twyford, on their full range of high quality greetings cards and gifts.

What’s in it for the businesses?

Get lots of publicity, get paid for a prize – no catch!

What’s in it for the public?

For just £1 you could win a prize worth at least £30 such as a beauty treatment, delicious meal, gift hamper or more.

What’s in it for us?

Lots of hard work setting up the raffle, sourcing the prizes and promoting online ticket sales – but with the satisfaction of galvanising the community and making a small but positive difference to businesses.

Is it legal?

Yes! We’ll use the established platform Raffall to host the prize competition, handle ticket sales and draw the winners at the end. Winners will need to confirm they accept their prize, Raffall then release the total raised (less 10%) enabling us to purchase the prizes from the businesses. For more details see https://raffall.com/about.

Guarantee I personally promise we will not make a profit nor pass on Raffall’s 10% commission to the businesses providing the prizes; instead we will seek to sell enough tickets to cover the fees as well as the full cost of the prizes.

Finally, do let me know your suggestions for any great prizes from local businesses. Email me at nikki@rg10mag.com. Thank you for joining in – let’s show them some love!

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47

spotlight

Twyford Windows

A window into Kevin

Kevin Brown, also known as ‘Kevin Windows’, is the owner of Twyford Windows. He wanted to use these pages to celebrate his appreciation that ‘life is good’ and to let everyone know that he’s available to anyone that needs a helping hand.

So, here’s a flavour of how he’s been enjoying lockdown and what’s been on his mind.

TWYFORD WINDOWS N EWS

High Street Sh owroom To Re main Closed Business Con tinues To Be R un From Hom e Planning To R eopen In A Ne w Location

miliar Kevin has become a fa g sight to walkers passin in through Church Lane Ruscombe. (Don’t be s you surprised if he engage s in conversation from hi front garden!)

48 rg10 July/August 2020. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email info@rg10mag.com

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49

Need an emergency plumber or heating engineer?

Call Chris on 07909 937419

See website for more information

walterworksplumbingandheating.com 50 rg10 July/August 2020. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email nikki@rg10mag.com

food and drink

Recipe Beautiful home-made burgers If you’re barbecuing this summer, try making your own burgers. They are not only healthier but tastier too!

Ingredients - Serves 8 1kg minced beef 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 red chilli, finely chopped (optional) 4 tbsp fine breadcrumbs 1 tsp salt Black pepper to taste 1 tsp mustard or horse radish sauce 1 egg, lightly beaten

Method 1. Break up the beef in a large bowl, add the remaining ingredients and combine evenly.

2. Divide the mixture into eight or ten portions.

Using clean hands, form each into a ball, then flatten into a burger shape about 2.5cm / 1 inch thick, patting in the edges to hold it together.

Halloumi fries These are a cinch to make and a treat to eat.

Ingredients - Serves 4 1/2 cup plain flour 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 1 teaspoon black pepper 225g block of halloumi cheese Oil for frying

Method • Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl – no need for salt with this cheese.

• Cut the halloumi into sticks, then toss in the flour mix and remove with a shake.

• Heat oil to medium hot in a non-stick frying pan, then carefully add half the fries and fry for a few minutes each side until golden brown and crispy. (They brown fairly quickly, so keep an eye on them and use tongs to remove.)

• Remove to a serving plate, add the remainder after cooking and serve warm with your favourite dipping sauce – eg sweet chilli, Greek yoghurt or sour cream.

3. For best results, cover and chill for at least an hour in the fridge before using.

4. Preheat your barbecue to medium (or griddle pan / non-stick frying pan if using the hob). Brush with a little oil if necessary.

5. Cook the burgers for about 5 minutes on each side, pressing down with a spatula regularly and turning them once. They should be cooked through with no pink meat.

6. Serve in a good quality bun with a side salad and relish. Don’t forget to add a slice of whatever takes your fancy – tomato, onion or maybe a slice of cheese. (Stilton takes them to a whole new level!)

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51

food and drink

News Available locally Now that lockdown is easing it’s time to treat ourselves to a takeaway, get wise to local suppliers and avoid supermarket queues, and maybe even book a caterer for a special meal.

Here are our tips for local businesses offering great options to tantalise our tastebuds!

Opening times and days of service are not included as subject to change. Please check directly and kindly email updates to nikki@rg10mag.com.

KEY: S = Shop in person, C = Order & collect, D = Deliveries, V = Delivery only for elderly/vulnerable For latest information search @ name on social media.

Food suppliers Hare Hatch Sheeplands, Hare Hatch Farm shop, butcher, groceries

@sheeplands harehatchsheeplands.co.uk

0118 940 1600

SCD

Riverways Farm, New Bath Road, Twyford Free range eggs

@riverwaysfarm riverwaysfarm.co.uk

07958 743258

S

CA Belcher & Son Range of fresh produce and pantry boxes

@cabelcherson cabelcher.f4food.net

0118 975 2466

D

Waltham Place, White Waltham Veg boxes

walthamplace.com

farmshop@walthamplace.com

C

Nyama Catering Range of fresh produce boxes *

@nyamacatering nyama-catering.co.uk

01491 873560

D

0118 934 1011

SCDV

Hurst Village Stores Groceries Nisa Local, Charvil Groceries

S

Knowl Hill Stores, Choseley Road Groceries

01628 822579

SV

A&I Store, Victoria Road, Wargrave Groceries

0118 940 1611 psreemurthy@hotmail.co.uk

SCD

Londis, Longfield Road, Twyford Groceries

0118 934 4975

SV

* NEW! Nyama Catering is now offering the opportunity for you and your neighbours to book a cocktail van to visit your street for an hour – ideal for socialising at a safe distance. Cheers!

52 rg10 July/August 2019. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email nikki@rg10mag.com

News Takeaway or delivery services NEW! The Bia Hub Cycle Café, Twyford

@biacycling

0118 929 1004

Thai Elephant, Twyford

@thaielephanttwyford

0118 934 9651

CD

Oriental Wok, Twyford

orientalwoktwyford.uk

0118 934 1384

SCD

La Fontana, Twyford

lafontanatwyford.com

0118 934 2698 / 934 3073

C

0118 934 5591

S

The Fat Fish, Twyford

S

Haweli, Twyford

hawelitwyford.co.uk

0118 932 0939

CD

Gaylord, Twyford

gaylordtandoori.co.uk

0118 934 5511

C

The Mita’s, Twyford

themitas.co.uk

0118 934 4599 / 934 4586

C

Weir Grove, Wargrave

@weirgrove

0118 940 1836

C

Heron on the Ford, Charvil

@heronontheford

0118 934 0700

C

The Castle Inn, Hurst

The-castle-inn515033781900257

07968 771836 / 07900 602092

C

The Elephant & Castle, Hurst

@elephantcastlehurst

0118 934 0886

C

The Bell, Waltham St Lawrence

@bellinnfood

0118 934 1788

C

The Beehive, White Waltham

thebeehivewhitewaltham.com 01628 822877

C

The Shurlock Inn, Shurlock Row

@theshurlockinnberkshire

0118 934 9094

C

Rural Pie Co, Woodley

@ruralpieco

07754 470416

CD

Catering esaville72@googlemail.com

D

Save Thyme Cooking

@savethymecooking

07811 121408

D

Louis’ Home Cooking

@louishomecooking

07768 022806

D

Stanlake Park Wine Estate, Twyford Wines, beer, cider, crackers, preserves, chocolates

@stanlakepark stanlakepark.com

0118 934 0176

SCD

Binghams Brewery, Twyford Locally brewed cask ales

@binghamsbrewery binghams.co.uk

0118 934 4376

D

Emma’s Kitchen

Drinks

Hot off the press: The Rural Pie Co. is coming to Twyford!

They will be opening in September at Apsley House, Twyford – the site formerly occupied by Emma’s Kitchen.

Follow them @ruralpieco.

Please mention rg10 when responding to advertisements

53

Index Accounting 13, 45 Starfish Accounting

Electricians 5 Westgate Electrical Services

Advertising and marketing 14 RG10 Marketing Arts and crafts 10 HaaHoos Painting & Party Centre

Finance, insurance and legal 11 Benedict Charles Financial Planning 12, 43 Blandy & Blandy Solicitors 33 Josephine Blythe 23 Vickers Young

Boats 23

Food and drink 52-53 Suppliers, takeaways, catering

Val Wyatt Marine

Building services 4 Boce Developments 45 Just Brickwork 1 The Loft Access Company Care providers 55 Bridge House of Twyford

Gardens and landscaping 10 Cartmell Gardens 42 Twyford Landscapes Health and wellbeing 50 The Vale Clinic

Carpets and flooring 19 The Floor Store

Kitchens and bathrooms 18 AHM Installations 30 Kitchen & Bathroom Place

Charity 41 21

Painting and decorating 10 Cox Decorators 12 PB Decorating

Divorce Recovery Workshop Understanding Dementia

Coaching 15 Liz Balmford

Photographers 31 ABL Photography

Cleaning 4 All and Good House Cleaning Services 12 Oven Clean 40 OvenU

Plumbers 40 18 34 40 50

Coronavirus 6 Support for residents 23 NHS testing 36 Make your own face mask Community 22 Lavell’s Wetland Trust 32 Thames Valley Police 7 THRU-Christ 2 Twyford Parish Council 35 Twyford Together Dressmaking and alterations 18 Can’t Sew

ADD Plumbing JJ & SJ Plumbing Parsons Plumbing S Green Plumbing & Heating Walterworks Plumbing & Heating

Self storage 4 Sheeplands Farm Windows, doors and conservatories 48–49 Twyford Windows

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

54 rg10 July/August 2020. To advertise please call 0118 907 2510 or email nikki@rg10mag.com

MOVING ON UP

Post Lockdown, Mullie Ltd holds the key to getting the market moving.

As a small family company, we are here to help and guide you.

Bracknell

£500,000

Beenhams Heath £600,000

Twyford

£550,000

Twyford

£850,000

Woodley

£500,000

Woodcote

£750,000

Waltham St Lawrence Under Offer

Wargrave

Under Offer

Hare Hatch

Under Offer

Residential sales and lettings T 0118 934 2470 E mullie@mullie.co.uk W www.mullie.co.uk