16 | VIEWPOINTS
THE WOKINGHAM PAPER N E W S W I T H A H E A RT F O R T H E B O RO U G H
Three cheers for our borough’s libraries AS YOU might have guessed, we’re a little bit biased over the printed word. There’s something rather special about sitting down with your favourite newspaper or a book – it still beats looking at a computer screen. For those of us who remember the days of hot metal printing, there’s also something about the smell of the ink and the way in which the printed impression leaves a firm impression on the page. So it is a joy to read of the many things happening in our borough’s libraries this summer (page 14). All ages and interests are catered for, and there’s a Roald Dahl touch to the proceedings. As the younger ones make their explorations through the shelves, they’ll discover mind popping books that will enrich and enhance their lives. Across many parts of the country, libraries are under threat, an easy target for the Government’s self-inflicted and unnecessary austerity measures. It is not living within our means to view libraries as irrelevant or an easy target. Libraries cost public money because they are a vital public service. Wokingham Borough Council is bucking the trend, seeing footfall rise and making plans to expand open hours and services provided. There are not many councils that can boast that. And, as we reported last week, they are also looking at ways in which they can introduce selfscanning technology to make it easier for people to use its services. Yes, it’s costly, yes they’re looking for sponsors to come forward to help, but yes, it’s important. So three cheers for our borough council for making reading the printed word a priority.
CHURCH NOTES
The joy of God’s world
W
E live in a nice town that regularly comes near the top Best Places to Live surveys. Wokingham is a nice, comfortable and safe town. The town itself is very pleasant and there is plenty of wonderful countryside around and about. I find wandering in the countryside one of the best ways to appreciate the beauty of this world we live. Wherever you live in this country there are many beautiful places around, virtually everybody lives within a few miles of the coast, a river, some hills or other beautiful location. I find the countryside amazing for many reasons one of which is that it seems so still, but when you look closely there is a lot going on – animals and birds moving, the wind causing the trees and grass to wave in the breeze. On a walk in the woods I sometimes stop to examine the trees, seeing the lichen on the wood or stone, tracks of animals through the wood or field or the way the animals in the field stand and look at me. Even on a walk it is so easy to speed through the countryside without really noticing what is around you. Pease do so – you will reap the benefit. There is an almost infinite variety in nature. You can see great violence in a storm or total peace on a quiet winter’s day. All of this is a gift to us and appreciating this gift of so much beauty will bring many benefits to us. This gift is very rich and complex and has taken millions (or maybe billions) of years to prepare for us to enjoy. I take all of this as a gift from God, who has prepared this wonderful gift with all its complexity and given it to us to make what we want. Geoff Peck is a member of Woosehill Church and writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham
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Your views
THEWOKINGHAMPAPER Friday, August 5, 2016 We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relatingto the borough (in 250 words or less) to The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk We reserve the right to edit letters
Send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk
What happened to innocent until proven guilty? I am saddened by the opinion piece by your regular contributor Tony Johnson about the Council’s complaints system (Wokingham Washes Whiter, July 29). In it he appears to completely ignore the basic right of “innocent until proven guilty”. His examples are all based on complaints that did not go anywhere and the individual complained about was completely exonerated. The system, which he complains about guarantees anonymity for the person being complained about during the investigative process and definitely if they are completely exonerated. He implies that someone who has been found totally innocent of any allegations should be publicly outed which cuts right across natural justice. I find it interesting that he repeats an allegation about the by election which this very paper had publicised the outcome of that investigation, maybe he doesn’t read the paper he writes for? If he had he would not have used that as an example for his accusations about the process. It was reported as a violation of electoral law and was thrown out. More recently it was reported as a code of conduct violation and was thrown out. That is twice the individual, i.e. me, was completely exonerated. It did not even get to the committee to adjudicate on the basis there was no foundation in the allegations. Other allegations against the opposition were also thrown out at this stage as all parties are treated equally. I strongly believe in the protection of individuals on the basis of being innocent until proven guilty. It is a shame that this regular contributor to this paper thinks otherwise and wants to know everything about a complaint even though the accused is totally exonerated. While national papers have journalists who like to rake up potential “muck” I had hoped that local journalists would have much greater morality. I guess not when it comes to Tony Johnson. Cllr Keith Baker, Wokingham Borough Council Leader
Woodley Parking Restrictions alert I want to draw readers’ attention to Wokingham Borough Council’s proposed parking restrictions at the cul-de-sac end of Nightingale Road where it meets the footbridge over to Earley Station. This proposal is madness because it will make it harder to use the trains from Earley station. We all want to reduce traffic and pollution on the roads by encouraging the use of public transport. How are people to use public transport if they can’t park somewhere nearby? If these parking restrictions are implemented, less people will use the trains from Earley station. That adversely affects most of us, not just the local residents. Also, if these parking restrictions are implemented, most of the people who at present park there will just park on the nearby roads such as Bideford Close, Hazel Drive and Sycamore Close. The local residents will then have cars parked outside their front gardens, rather than where the cars park now, which is out of sight from the local houses. There are only two weeks to register your objections to this Prohibition of Waiting Order with Wokingham Borough Council, so if you don’t like the sound of it, raise your objections with the Council now. Rob Needham, Woodley
We must condemn intolerance EU citizens living in Reading and across the UK are understandably unsettled since the vote to leave the European Union. Likewise, UK citizens abroad. Contributing to this is a rise in hostility towards people of many backgrounds since the referendum. The government must do more to condemn intolerance and to reassure people that their rights will be protected. For now Europeans retain the same rights to work, study and travel as before the referendum. These rights should be unaffected until a new agreement is negotiated and the UK officially leaves the EU. But, it is natural that people are considering the long-term future, their job prospects, their children’s education. People’s lives must not be used as political
bargaining chips. The Government needs to send a clear message that we are grateful to these people, that they will continue to be welcome, and their rights will be unchanged. This long-term certainty is also vital for our public services which depend on workers from other countries. The Green Party has a proud history of standing up for migrants and we will continue to champion free movement whilst recognising that the benefits must be shared more equally. We need urgent long-term security for the millions of people who have made their lives in the UK and who contribute socially, culturally and economically to our society. Rob White Reading East Green Party candidate
Office workers exercise New research has revealed that office workers need to do twice as much exercise as other adults to reduce their risk of premature death – and has recommended walking more (Published in The Lancet medical journal, reported July 28). Environmental pressures, such as desk jobs, make healthy choices difficult. However, inactivity is making people unhealthy and unhappy; accounting for one in six deaths in the UK and costing the health service up to £10billion a year. One way or another, we need to introduce more activity into our lives – and walking is an easy way to do this. We want to create a walking nation. Just a 20 minute walk a day can provide noticeable physical and mental health benefits, reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, stroke and depression. Employers should ensure their staff feel able to go for walks and encourage them to do so. They will be rewarded with a happier and healthier workforce – bringing with it cost savings on sick pay, and employees who return from a walk feeling refreshed and motivated. Tompion Platt, Head of Policy and Communications, Living Streets
GOOD ADVICE
Thinking about joining, or are in, a Holiday Club?
B
UYING membership of a holiday club promises you the chance to buy cheaper holidays. However, often holiday clubs don’t live up to the promises they make. Here are some tips on what to think about before joining and how to avoid scams. n They don’t own any holiday accommodation and so no dates or destinations are guaranteed. Holidays are often not available when and where you want them n You might not save any money and could end up paying as much as High Street prices n You’re unlikely to be able to sell your membership n You’ll have to pay annual fees whether you use your membership or not n Some countries don’t have the European regulations that protect members in force. Presentations can be very high pressure. Watch out for techniques such as: n They’ve made you a special offer valid for that day only n You’re not left alone to discuss anything with your partner. You may be
kept separate from other couples and even discouraged from taking notes. n The presentation has lasted so long you’re tempted to sign because you’re desperate to leave However high pressure the presentation gets remember: n You can always walk out. No one can make you stay, no matter what the salespeople may try and tell you. If anyone tries to make you stay they are committing a criminal offence n However much pressure the sales people put you under, never agree to anything on the spot. Refuse to sign anything then and there. Take the documentation home with you and sleep on it n Don’t take your credit card or debit card with you to presentations. Before you sign an agreement: n Do lots of research – research the company and ask for references. Check other suppliers and compare prices n Make a note of everything you were promised, and make sure it’s in the agreement. If it’s not, refuse to sign n Ask about your cancellation rights
and get them in writing. If you’re signing in an European Economic Area (EEA) country, remember that timeshare regulations give you 14 days to change your mind n It’s a criminal offence for companies to request or take money from you during the 14 day cooling-off period n Ask for written proof of the security measures which are in place if the company goes bust during your membership n Ideally, get an independent lawyer to read the contract before you sign it. Agreements signed in an EEA country are protected by The Timeshare Regulations. For more advice on agreements signed in Europe outside the UK, contact the UK European Consumer Centre (ECC). They will help you try and sort out your problem with the timeshare company and can give you legal advice. You can call their consumer helpline on: 08456 04 05 03 Some holiday clubs are reputable but there are a lot of bogus ones out there: n Be very wary of letters, phone calls
or emails from companies you don’t know offering you business deals out of the blue n If you don’t want to discuss holiday clubs over the phone, you can end the conversation at any time n Be suspicious of people or companies who say you’ve been chosen especially, or that you’ve won something n Never give confidential personal information to cold callers n Beware of money-back guarantees as these could be difficult to claim in practice If you already belong to a holiday club, beware of companies who offer to buy your membership. You could end up losing money by making up front payments or with a second holiday club membership that you don’t want. n You can get help, information and advice from your local Citizens Advice or visit www. citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk or contact Citizens Advice Wokingham at Second Floor, Waterford House, Erftstadt Court, Wokingham RG40 2YF. Tel: 0300 330 1189. email: public@citizensadvicewokingham. org.uk