Reading Today, January 19, 2023

The Wokingham Paper Ltd

the Independent Press Standards Organisation. If you have a complaint about a Wokingham Paper Ltd publication

should, in the first instance email: editor@wokingham.today. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.

Bakery raided in lunchtime robbery

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a robbery in Reading.

At just after noon on Tuesday, January 10, an unknown man entered the Cake Box store in Wokingham Road.

He went to the front counter to access the store’s till and threatened the victim with an unknown weapon, before stealing the cash box and leaving.

The victim, a woman in her 30s, was not injured.

The offender has been described as a white man of slim build and of unknown age, wearing a dark blue zipped jacket and black trousers with a white stripe on either side.

He was also wearing black trainers, a baseball cap, and a black face mask, carrying a black rucksack with the word “Rascal” written on it in white letters.

Investigating officer PC Kelly Janaway, based at Reading police station, said: “This was an extremely frightening ordeal for the victim, who thankfully, was not injured.

“This incident happened just after midday on Tuesday, and it is likely that many people would have been in the general area of Wokingham Road.

“I am appealing to anybody who witnessed the incident, or who has dash-cam or CCTV footage to contact Thames Valley Police if you have captured anything that could help.

“Do you know of anybody who

owns a rucksack as described or recognise the description of the offender?

“You can provide any information by calling 101, quoting reference number 43230013517.

“Alternatively, for anonymity, you can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Survey to shape future of Royal Berks Hospital

RESIDENTS will be able to offer their views about the redevelopment or relocation of Royal Berkshire Hospital.

As part of the government’s New Hospital Programme, results from a public survey will help shape Build Berkshire Together’s business case application which will be submitted to the Treasury to secure the required funding.

The information gained from the survey designed by Healthwatch, local councils, the University of Reading, patient representatives and community organisations will provide the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust an understanding of preferred options.

Programme director Alison Foster said: “It is a complicated process to get to a shortlist and we want to make sure we have the

latest intelligence about what health services the local population would like to receive, where and how.

“We are working hard to reach every corner of Berkshire and South Oxfordshire to speak to communities who will use and benefit from a modern, fit for purpose, healthcare facility to deliver excellent clinical care in the 21st century.”

The Trust is expecting to learn about the nature of financial investment from the Treasury in an announcement next month.

The New Hospital Programme team is developing a national approach which looks set to reduce costs for all the new hospitals with standardised and centralised approaches to deliver economies of scale.

The survey is now open and will close on March 6.

In-person feedback sessions will take place in constituencies throughout January and February.

Findings will be published in the

summer and the Trust has assured stakeholders it will continue to work alongside them as the programme develops to ensure patient experience and public views are considered at every stage.

The New Hospital Programme is the biggest hospital building programme in a generation, looking to create world-class health facilities through innovation and collaboration.

It will deliver 48 hospitals by 2030, including eight previously announced schemes and 32 confirmed new schemes. Expressions of interest for eight additional schemes are currently being reviewed.

Replacing outdated infrastructure with modern and environmentallysustainable buildings, the programme will lay the foundation for intelligent systems, driving innovation and investment in new diagnostics.

n The survey can be found at: www. buildingberkshiretogether.co.uk/survey

Brickwork falls down

A STREET in the town centre was closed due to fallen brickwork last Friday.

At around 2.45pm on January 13, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to a chimney that had partially collapsed on Friar Street.

The road was closed in both directions, with the area deemed to be unsafe.

A number of bus routes were diverted as emergency services, including the police attended.

Members of the public posted photos to social media showing pieces of brick smashed on the road outside Lola Lo’s, Super Delight, and Sam Pound Stores.

While Friar Street has now been reopened to traffic, the pavement underneath the chimney, between Lola Lo’s and Sam’s store, was cordoned off.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service released a statement which said: “We received reports of a partial chimney collapse on Friar Street in Reading.

“A Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service crew from Whitley Wood Fire Station was sent to the scene alongside an Aerial Ladder Platform and an Officer.

“The roof is still deemed as unsafe and a cordon remains in place.”

It also said that crews were on the scene for around one hour and 45 minutes.

Road collision

EMERGENCY services were called to a road traffic collision in Reading earlier this month.

The incident took place in Berkeley Avenue around 9.46am on Saturday, January 7.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service crews from Wokingham Road and Whitley Wood stations were called to the scene.

On arrival, they helped free a person trapped inside one of the vehicles.

A crew from South Central Ambulance service then gave medical care.

Fire crews were on the scene for around 42 minutes.

Your wording

Mickey Mouse helps Disney-mad Lincoln have his wish come true

A YOUNGSTER with a rare genetic condition had a birthday to remember, with a bit of help from Mickey Mouse and his friends.

Seven-year-old Lincoln has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a genetic condition that causes painful fractures. As a result, many of his birthdays have been spent in hospital.

So to make his latest anniversary celebration extra special, children’s charity Make-A-Wish UK and Disney teamed up to make a dream come true.

Last autumn, he travelled to Hoar Cross Hall in Burton-Upon-Trent, the location of the Make-A-Wish UK Disney Wish.

Joining him was his Mum Amanda, Dad Matthew, and his two sisters Lily (15) and Annabelle (16).

During the two-day experience, they were able to immerse themselves into the universe of Marvel, Star Wars, Toy Story, Mickey Mouse, Winnie-the-Pooh, as well as meeting Disney princesses.

It was a trip to remember for the youngster.

“I just loved everything about it, I got to meet Mickey Mouse and do my Avenger training,” he said.

Mum Amanda also has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, and in December 2014, during her 18week scan, doctors discovered that Lincoln had the condition too.

“I could see him having fractures in the womb,” she said.

“I came out of the scan room and burst into tears. We thought up to then that he wouldn’t have it.”

Scans discovered that Lincoln already had five fractures across his body.

Due to his condition, Lincoln has had several surgeries with long recovery periods.

It was during his time in hospital that Lincoln’s family were made aware of Make-A-Wish UK, a charity that grants life-changing wishes to

children living with critical illnesses.

They received a referral from his community nurse and, before they knew it, his wish was granted.

But due to his condition, crowded spaces and long journeys would put Lincoln at risk of fracturing his bones, so heading to Disneyland abroad would be difficult. The UKbased Disney Wish offered the family the opportunity to experience Disney without the risk.

“The wish was amazing, when the UK version came up it answered all the boxes,” Amanda explained. “There was nothing Lincoln couldn’t do.”

That includes Avenger and Jedi training learning all the moves from his favourite superheroes and Jedi masters.

“It was such a privilege to get to know Lincoln and his family while helping to grant his wish, and I’m so delighted that they all had an amazing time,” said Amelia Burnard,

Tributes to headteacher of primary school

TRIBUTES have been paid to the headteacher of a Reading primary school who was also a pupil, writes James Aldridge, Local democracy reporter

Reading Borough Council and its children’s services company Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) have confirmed the tragic passing of Ruth Perry, the headteacher of Caversham Primary School.

In a joint statement from the authority, a spokesperson said: “Everyone at Reading Council and Brighter Futures for Children is shocked and saddened by the news that Ruth Perry has passed away.

“Our thoughts are with her family, friends, the whole school community, and indeed the wider Caversham community, at this extremely difficult time.

“Ruth was an integral part of the

school community for many years.

“She was hugely respected, experienced and a well-established figure at Caversham Primary where she took up the headteacher role in 2010, having previously been Deputy Head in 2006 and a pupil herself between 1973 and 1980.”

The statement added: “Caversham Primary was obviously a huge part of Ruth’s life and the news is therefore understandably distressing for everybody involved.

“BFfC Educational Psychology Team and other specialist staff are present at the school and, together, they are working with staff and pupils and will continue to offer support in the weeks and months ahead.”

The council and BFfC were informed of Mrs Perry’s death on Monday, January 9.

a Make-A-Wish employee who granted Lincoln’s wish.

Recalling his trip to his nurses offers a welcome distraction for Lincoln.

“He was able to have his leg plastered without screaming – it’s his happy place,” Amanda said.

“He’s missed out on so much, but a Disney Wish gave it back to him.”

Lincoln was thrilled with the big adventure.

‘I’ll never forget it,” his mum said.

“Seeing my family laughing with his children was amazing. I can’t thank Make-A-Wish and Disney enough. It meant the world to me, to see my family happy laughing and smiling. It will never leave us.”

n To make wishes come true for critically-ill children like Lincoln, the charity relies on donations. These can be made from its website. For more details, log on to: www.make-a-wish. org.uk/donate/make-a-donation to donate now

Plan to replace hotel rejected

A PROPOSAL to replace an east Reading hotel with two apartment blocks containing 14 homes has been rejected, writes James Aldridge, Local democracy reporter

The Tower House Hotel on Wokingham Road would have been demolished under the plans, which was turned down by Reading Borough Council’s planning department.

A plan to replace a hotel with views of one of Reading’s parks with 14 homes has been shot down by decision-makers.

If approved, the development would have involved the construction of two buildings: one four-storey building with eight flats and one three-storey building containing six flats.

Officers felt there would be some benefit, such as the provision of the apartments to assist with the borough’s housing targets.

But they concluded: “There are shortfalls, such as the proposed scale, massing and detailed design deficiencies which results in the proposals being harmful to the character and appearance of the area.

“In addition, there are significant concerns over the impact on the living accommodation of existing nearby occupiers.”

This is reference to neighbours in College Road, who felt the new homes would be able to see into their properties.

James Crosbie, the council’s assistant director of planning, wrote in a refusal letter the new buildings would be a “cramped overdevelopment” of the site which would harm the amenity of 1 College Road located nearby.

He also criticised the housing mix. The new buildings would have provided four one-bed, six two-bed and three three-bedroom apartments – it was felt the plan failed to provide enough three-bedroom flats.

The rejection of the plan means the 33-room hotel will remain, for now.

The developer was served with a refusal letter on Friday, January 6. He has the right to appeal the decision within 28 days of its issue.

The application can be seen on Reading Borough Council’s planning portal, reference 211714.

r ed s t Get ta

Docks inspiration for film screening

A FILM screening looking the impact the British Empire has over life today will be coming to Reading next week.

Boomerang uses the Liverpool Docks as a case study for changes to the economy.

It explores industrialisation, the legacies of the empire, and argues that they are having an effect on the country’s finances.

The film is shown at RISC in London Street from 7.30pm on Wednesday, January 25, from 7.30pm. Entry is free and donations are welcomed.

It is organised by the Reading branch of Climate Justice.

n For more details, log on to: globaljustice.org.uk/reading

New 5G mast plan for Tilehurst

THE company that owns Three mobile, has applied to build a 5G mast at the junction of Cockney Hill and Honey End Lane in Tilehurst, writes James Aldridge, local democracy reporter

The mast would be 15 metres tall, and come with ancillary cabinets.

The nearest home is six metres tall, therefore the mast would taller than it by nine metres.

The plan, submitted by CK Hutchison, can be seen on Reading Borough Council’s planning portal, searching for application 230011.

Hangar-on: climbing gym with a social side to open later this month

A BRAND new activity centre is due to come to Reading, offering the chance for people to hang around, literally.

The Climbing Hanger is due to open on Stadium Way with a number of new fitness and leisure activities.

It feature an indoor bouldering wall for budding and seasoned climbers, as part of the company’s aim to bring indoor climbing to a mainstream audience.

As well as the climbing wall, it will also include a fully equipped gym with weekly classes and events such as socials, screenings, challenges and competitions.

There will also be a cafe and restaurant serving gourmet coffee and freshly-made pizzas.

Hangar CEO Ged Mac explained that climbing is akin to “golf or dancing, where skill matters more than strength.

“Indoor climbing is all about body positioning and technique, you don’t need to be strong to start, although climbing does make you stronger.

“Place your hips in the right spot and you can literally defy gravity – it feels like magic and once you experience it, you’re hooked.”

He says that it is also a great activity for children, as

it “promotes resilience and mindset alongside fundamental movement skills.

“And it’s just as good for parents like me too.”

Former bouldering world champion and Hangar

ambassador Shauna Coxsey has trained in the company’s gyms for a decade and says: “Growing up as an aspiring athlete, I dragged my family to climbing centres all over the world.

HANGING AROUND: A brand new activity centre is due to come to Reading, featuring an indoor bouldering wall, a gym, and cafe and restaurant facilities.

onlookers, are happy, then I’m happy too.”

The gym will also focus on building communities, including sessions run by women for women such as its Hangar Women Rock climbing events.

Ms Coxsey said: “The climbing at the Hangar is so much fun, especially for beginners, but thanks to the restaurant and coffee shop you don’t need to climb to have a memorable time.

“The team work hard to make everyone feel welcome.”

Mr Mac explained: “A lot of us will be feeling the pinch after Christmas and might even need to make some tough choices on how we spend our funds.

“I don’t want anyone to have to choose between a working out or hanging out, with family and friends.

Don’t choose when you can do it all under one roof.”

The Climbing Hangar is offering a pre-launch exclusive membership for £14.99, which buys a month of unlimited climbing and early access to the venue for its VIP opening weekend which begins on Friday, January 27.

“In those days quality coffee and fresh food weren’t always on the menu – Ged and the Hangar team care deeply about the experience of everyone who comes through the door.

“And if my family, as

VIP signup closes that day, and are available via: theclimbinghangar.com/ reading.

The Climbing Hangar opens officially on Monday, January 30.

Thames Valley Chorus to hold an open rehearsal for new members

THAMES Valley Chorus is welcoming potential new members next week.

The choir has resumed rehearsals after a busy Christmas schedule in which they entertained audiences at six events across four counties.

As an all-male choir their

style of close-harmony, a cappella singing is always popular with audiences, and this Christmas period was no exception.

The guys in the chorus enjoy the festive period as they can mix their Christmas repertoire with some popular classics.

But after a festive break, TVC is now embarking on learning a couple of new songs for its national competition at Bournemouth in May.

For any men thinking about starting a new singing hobby, organisers say that this is a great time to come

along and give it a go.

While visitors are welcome at any time, the Chorus is holding an open rehearsal starting at 7.30pm on Tuesday, January 24.

Visitors will be able to participate in the session, giving them a chance to sing.

Organisers say that if you

can’t read music, don’t worry – many existing members don’t either, but they do have the benefit of specially-produced learning materials in the form of vocal teach tracks to help earn their part.

Fears over whether songs may be too low or too high can

be quashed: with four-part close harmony there will be a voice part to suit every male vocal range.

The rehearsals take place in the canteen at Bulmershe School, off Chequers Way in Woodley RG5 3EH.

n For more details, or to register, log on to: www.tvchorus.co.uk

Test your Friends at quiz

FRIENDS fans are being invited not to Central Perk, but to a Tilehurst brewery so they can show off their knowledge.

The 1990s sitcom has gained a new lease of life thanks to streaming services such as Netflix, giving it new fans.

And some older folk will have been there for you first time around.

Now, people can put to the test their ability to memorise plots, actors, situations and scenes.

Double Barelled Brewery in Stadium Way is holding the quiz night in conjunction with Squizzel on Thursday, January 26.

Starting at 7.30pm, entry is £2 per person.

n For more details, log on to: doublebarrelled.co.uk

Three-flat building planned for Whitley

AN APPLICATION has been lodged with Reading Borough Council to build a new three-flat building on Hexham Road, writes James Aldridge, local democracy reporter

The building would have nine bedrooms, with three bedrooms each across the three floors.

Each flat would also come with a kitchen, a dining room and shower and toilet facilities.

It would be sited on its junction

with Northumberland Avenue, on ‘redundant land’, currently secured by a wooden fence.

According to an Affordable Housing Statement submitted by the applicant, Mr Safdar, the aim of the development is to provide housing for his family and adult children.

The plan can be seen on Reading Borough Council’s planning portal, searching for application 221040.

Mental Health Support Team rolled out to Reading schools

EXCLUSIVE

A MENTAL health service for children and young adults in Reading is being expanded so more schools and colleges can benefit.

Brighter Futures for Children has announced that it is enhancing its mental health provision service to offer more young people support.

The service, currently in place in west Reading schools, provides mental health support to those with emerging or lowintensity mental health issues to avoid those issues becoming worse.

This includes helping with low mood, anxiety, emotional regulation, as well as those experiencing grief, academic pressure, and abuse.

Last week, it celebrated the expansion with a launch event at the University of Reading in January.

The event saw speakers from a number of senior team members at Brighter Futures for Children, as well as major stakeholders, including representatives from the Department of Education.

Dr Alec de Sausmarez, senior educational psychologist in the Mental Health Support Team, said: “Mental health services meet the needs of children who are already quite distressed.

“The mental health support team provides guided self-help to stop children getting to that level.

“So when their mental health needs are low or emerging we come in and work with them one-to-one and give them skills really to help out.”

He explained that the team

helps young people with self empowerment and guided self-help, which will give those kids skills – manage worries or low mood, for example – and hopefully what that’ll do is stop the mental health need becoming a real need.

“They can get that help and then use them whenever they need to throughout their life.”

The present roll-out will see services which are already in place in west Reading extended to schools in south and central Reading.

“If a child is in any one of our linked schools, anybody can do a referral on their behalf, and those in Years 13 or above can even refer themselves.

“Anyone can make a referral for any child, including schools or other professionals, and then managers at the team will look at the case application.

“From there, we can request more information or add it to the waiting list.”

Referrals can be made via Brighter Futures for Children’s website, which also provides

a number of resources for caregivers and young people.

Charlotte Morgan, head of campus – student experience at Reading College, part of Activate Learning, said that mental health was a “huge” concern for educational institutions, and that the move to expand the services would be “very welcome.”

“Schools and colleges are having to do more to support young people with mental illhealth than ever before.

“We know there are greater numbers of young people who are experiencing ill mental health and greater demand on our local mental health services.”

Ms Morgan, who is undertaking the Senior Mental Health Lead course at the University of Reading for Activate Learning, continued: “If we’re looking at statistics of one in six, or one in four, that’s a lot of people to support.

“So for us, being able to engage with the MHST has allowed us to offer more

Tilehurst man jailed for drug dealing

A TILEHURST man who was caught with crack and heroin has been jailed for nearly four years.

Darius Jagminus was sentenced for drug offences at a hearing in Reading Crown Court on Friday, January 13.

The 42-year-old from Kentwood Hill had pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, crack cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, heroin.

At around 4.30pm on September 22 last year, Thames Valley Police officers stopped Jagminus after a suspected drug deal at the junction of Little Johns Lane and Oxford Road.

He was found to in possession of 21 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin.

Thames Valley Police

carried out a search of his home, finding an additional 12 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin, along with more than £1,000 which is believed to be proceeds of crime, and mobile phones used in supplying drugs.

Jagminus has been jailed for

three years and 10 months.

Thames Valley Police’s investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Jon Nicholls, said: “Thames Valley Police’s Stronghold team pro-actively and robustly target offenders involved in organised crime.

“We use both overt and covert policing tactics to disrupt organised crime and the supply of drugs in the Thames Valley, this case being an example of that work.”

He continued: “Information from the public about drug dealing plays an important role to enable Thames Valley Police to build intelligence and proactive target organised crime gangs.

“If you have any information about drugs offences, we encourage you to report it to us by calling 101 or through the online reporting on our website.”

Fire crews tackle living room blaze

FIRE CREWS were called in to tackle a blaze in a living room.

“Which means in turn people are more honest with each other about their own mental health, too.”

Ms Morgan agreed: “It’s really helped to destigmatise mental health support, allowing everyone to be also as involved as they are comfortable with.

“It’s really important to acknowledge that some staff won’t want to necessarily be involved in many discussions around mental health, which could be because of their own

The incident took place around 10.26am at a home in Regis Park Road, off Wokingham Road, on Tuesday, January 10.

Crews from three stations attended: Wokingham Road, Wokingham, and Bracknell fire stations.

Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus put the fire out, before clearing the remaining smoke with a large, powered fan.

They were on the scene for broke into a car parked in Pangbourne last

Golf clubs stolen from parked car

The incident happened in Shooters Hill between 4am and 4.30am on Wednesday, Janaury

They targeted a Mitsubishi vehicle, smashing the rear window. A set of golf clubs was

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to Anyone with dashcam,

Changes made to flats plan for town centre building

CHANGES have been made to a flats plan described as ‘rabbit hutches’ by one councillor, who says they are still ‘substandard’.

A proposal to refurbish the building and add 38 apartments has been postponed.

In May last year, developers Tene Living won approval to convert Soane Point in Reading town centre from offices into 144 flats following an appeal to the Government planning inspectorate.

Cllr Tony Page (Labour, Abbey) said the plan was for “144 rabbit hutches”.

Tene Living submitting amendments to the approved conversion in November.

The changes involved relocating kitchens away from sleeping areas in the studio flats, adding servicing facilities such as cleaner’s store, and changes to the layout of the communal areas and lobbies.

These have now been approved.

Cllr Page remains critical saying the council have “no control” over office to home conversions since a 2013 rule change which allowed such conversions through permitted development rights and the approved conversion was poorly laid out.

“This highlights the gross deficiencies of the prior approval process and the fact that councils will be saddled with substandard accommodation,” he said.

“The amendments are on the whole improvements, and really underline the extent to which the original consent was unacceptable

“These are benefits which show just how inadequate and how disgraceful the prior approval regime is, that allows these to be even drawn up.

He added: “We have no control over standards and quality and that’s the legacy of a Tory coalition government that pushed this through.”

The changes were unanimously approved by the council’s planning committee on Wednesday, January 11.

However, Tene Living’s proposals for the exterior of Soane Point and to add 38 apartments has been put on hold.

Designs show the façade having red, dark grey, beige and light grey colouring.

While councillors praised

plans for changes to façade, with Cllr Andrew HornsbySmith (Labour, Church) calling them “a massive improvement”, concerns were raised about the plans for waste collection.

Councillors felt two bin stores on the lower ground level would not be enough for the new occupants.

For parking, 20 car spaces would be provided, with two reserved for electric vehicles, which Cllr Hornsby-Smith argued was not enough as there will be a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

The committee unanimously chose to defer decision on the façade changes and 38 flats addition, which would bring the total amount of flats to 182.

Plans for Soane Point were split into separate applications, which can be viewed by typing their references into Reading Borough Council’s planning portal: 221766 and 221446.

Narnia actor to make stage debut

FOLLOWING its festive revival of A Christmas Carol, Reading Repertory Theatre is beginning 2023 with a twist.

Reading Rep and queer theatre company A Girl Called Stephen are bringing a brand new spin to Frank Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler.

The production, adapted by Harriet Madeley, explores queer anger and suburban monotony through the eyes of the eponymas Hedda, the daughter of a general

As her new husband struggles grapples with former lovers and choices she has thrust upon her.

The production will star Anna Popplewell – best-known for playing the role of Susan Pevensie in Disney’s The Chronicles of Narnia franchise – as Hedda in her theatrical debut.

She is joined by Mark Desebrock as George, Ryan Gerald as Brack, Natalie Perera as Thea and Jessica Temple, who is playing Isla.

A Girl Called Stephen’s co-founder and artistic director, Annie Kershaw, is directing, with Amy Watts designing, Jamie Lu on sound design, Murong Li on lighting design.

Costume design will be provided by Fran Levin, and the production will be stage

Chalk is a new neighbourhood restaurant and bar based in the heart of Wokingham, only a stone’s throw away from the Town Hall

Chalk Restaurant offers residents and locals the perfect place to come together and catch up while enjoying a range of quality drinks or some food from our mouthwatering menu that focuses on simple fresh ingredients done well

www.chalkrestaurants.com

Chalk Restaurant, 31 Broad Street, Wokingham, RG40 1AU

event takes residents for a trip

retrospective ‘Way Back When’

Visitors will relive cherished memories through photographs give residents the opportunity to hear about the WCDA’s work and find out how they can get

The Mayor of Reading, Cllr

Rachel Eden, attended last year’s event and took in the artefacts on show.

She said: “It was lovely to see pictures and also just chat to people because Whitley has an interesting history and heritage.

“Knowing about our community’s background is really important in terms of our sense of community pride.”

The event offers visitors the ideal opportunity to share anecdotes with friends, as well as meet neighbours they never knew they had.

The Mayor also highlighted the key role the WCDA plays within the community.

“We’ve seen, especially over the last couple of years, how vital coming together as a community is and the WCDA

managed by

Burston. The production will be the third in a series celebrating Reading Rep’s 10th anniversary, with a season of five pieces with which the theatre will honour its roots and explore its future and collaborations.

As part of Reading Rep’s tenth anniversary season, 10% of all tickets to Hedda Gabler will be free for those who can’t afford them.

All general tickets are priced under £20 and 30 tickets for each performance during the show’s first week are priced at £5 for under 30s.

n For details or to book, visit: www.readingrep.com

WCDA to hold history event and AGM

has been a really important part of that in our community.” Cllr Eden said.

“It’s the nice things like the social club, it’s the difficult things like people needing food and particularly at the moment with all the pressures of the cost of living, this is not a problem that’s going to go away. We need to work together and the WCDA can be a really important part of that.”

The Whitley Community Museum boasts just under 5,000 followers on its Facebook page, where pictures showcasing the area’s past are posted daily.

The history event takes place from 10am-noon, after which the AGM will begin.

n For more information, search for Whitley CDA on www.facebook.com

H A L K

E S T A U R A N T , W O K I N G H A M

Paralympian cuts the ribbon to Palmer Park Leisure Centre

THE NEW leisure centre at Palmer Park was officially opened last week, with a famous face and poolside demonstration of the new facilities.

While the centre opened to the public in December, on Thursday, a ceremony saw the unveiling of a plaque for the new venue by Paralympic gold medallist Graham Edmunds, as well as the mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, and representatives from the council and site developers.

Cllr Eden said: “This new centre has still got what we’ve always had at Palmer Park – great athletics and cycling facilities – and that’s what made this original centre so special.

“But we’ve widened its appeal by adding a state-of-the-art gym and fitness suites, a family-friendly pool, soft play, party rooms, and the all-important cafe.”

She explained that it was part of the council’s continued commitment to “investing in improved leisure and sports facilities.

“It’s important to ensure that everyone in our community can access and participate and enjoy physical activity.

“So, accessibility is at the heart of the designs, and I was particularly delighted by the involvement of access and disabilities working group.”

She thanked the builders, Pelikaan Construction, and leisure partners GLL, before welcoming Graham Edmunds to speak.

He competed at the 2004 and 2008 Summer Paralympics in Athens and Beijing respectively, taking home a gold medal in freestyle swimming for each.

He has also competed as a member of the ParalympicGB team at London’s games in 2012.

He gave a short speech before unveiling the plaque which commemorated the ceremony.

This was followed by a demonstration by the Electric Eels, a swimming club for children with learning disabilities, who performed synchronised swimming as a sixperson team for the first time.

Members took to the pool to perform a routine along to Abba’s Souper Trouper, followed by a tour of the facilities.

Mr Edmunds, who was born

in Reading, said: “This place is amazing.

“I’m just so excited to be here, the outside is great-looking, and the inside is even better.

“I’ve been all over the world and I’ve seen some amazing state-ofthe-art places, and this is right up there with them.”

While he moved away to make use of other facilities while training for the 2004 Summer Paralympics, he says that the new centre provides for a range

Children’s home receives ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating

A READING children’s home has been categorised as “Outstanding” in a recent Ofsted judgment.

Cressingham Children’s Home, which provides short breaks for children with learning or physical disabilities or sensory impairments, was praised following a two-day inspection by the educational standards body.

Inspectors cited “highly effective services” and “significantly

improved outcomes for children,” and noted that staff: “love and value the children for their unique personalities.

“They know the children’s likes and dislikes extremely well and arrange activities to suit, such as visiting the beach.”

She praised the “long-serving, committed and skilled staff” for understanding children’s needs and vulnerabilities and helping them to

of people and circumstance.

“It’s not about necessarily doing sport but the level that I do, it’s not about elite – you’ve got that capability of the pool, it’s the right height for anyone who wants to learn to swim, it has the wheelchair assist if they need access to it.

“The gym has all the machines –when I had my motorbike accident, I had to learn to walk again, and I used venues like this to do that and to build my muscles back up.

grow in confidence and develop as independent individuals.

“Children are safe and are very happy visiting the home– they show this through their smiles and constant interaction with staff.”

It is the third consecutive “outstanding” rating the institution has been awarded under the oversight of Brighter Futures for Children (BFFC), Reading’s child services provider since 2018.

Di Smith, board chair of BFFC, said: “Congratulations to everyone at Cressingham for achieving this well-deserved ’Outstanding’ Ofsted rating.

“That was a massively important environment to my rehab and then my progression thereafter.”

Overall, he said that with the new facility: “They’ve got it right on every single level for me.

“The venue’s got everything you need, and being in the heart of the community here I’m hoping that people will come in and make use if its capability.

“I don’t know many places that have got facilities like this which are so all-encompasing.”

“We are extremely proud of the team for the care and commitment they show towards the children and young people who love visiting the home.

“It is a joy to read the inspector’s comments about her positive time at Cressingham, which mirrors the experience of the children and young people who visit.”

Brighter Futures for Children has said that new staff receive individually tailored induction and development to help them settle, with extra support from team members.

coach travel from Reading

Reading to hold service to mark Holocaust Memorial Day GWR, Network Rail, and spread cheer and bust

READING Borough Council has announced the details of its commemorative event for Holocaust Memorial Day 2023.

On Wednesday, January 25, the council will be holding its annual civic commemoration which will mark the day with an evening of reflection at the civic offices.

The event will follow the global theme of the day for 2023 of “ordinary people,” focussing on the ordinary people who actively perpetrated genocide as well as the ordinary people who were persecuted.

It is intended to prompt discussion of how ordinary people can play a bigger part in challenging prejudice.

A candle lighting and memorial ceremony will take place as well as a performance by the Maidenhead Synagogue Choir.

There will also be a speech on the current situation in the Ukraine from Mick Polleck of Reading Ukrainian Community Centre.

Viktoriia Lahodynska, a former teacher of school #70 of Kyiv City, Ukraine, will also give a speech.

Cllr Jason Brock, Leader of Reading Borough Council, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is an opportunity to reflect on the human tragedy of the Holocaust and genocides across

the world and remember those murdered.

“It is a vital opportunity to learn and raise awareness, just as it also offers a chance to reflect on how we might chart a way forward in seeking a common pursuit of a safer, better future.

He continued: “I’d like to encourage residents to join the commemoration online via our Facebook page, and if they are able, light a candle to illuminate the darkness, “Both to remember those murdered only for being who they were and to stand against prejudice and hatred in society today.

“There can be no room for intolerance or prejudice.”

Victor Koroma, general manager at the Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality (ACRE) said: “We are in

6.30pm

EXCLUSIVE

RAIL operators teamed up with a charity to tackle the myth of Blue Monday and help commuters foster positivity.

a phase of human relations when the concept of ‘Cancel Culture’ is a new meaning that fills one with a sense of foreboding.

“We must never forget the horrors of the Holocaust as an example of what happens when we lose sight of the need to protect democracy, individual, and group rights.

“Ordinary and well-meaning people, especially in Reading, have always stood up against extremism, and long may they continue to do so.”

The Holocaust Memorial Day commemorative event will take place outside the civic offices, Bridge Street, on Wednesday, January 25, from 6.30pm, and will be streamed on the council’s Facebook page.

Holocaust Memorial Day will be observed two days later on Friday, January 27.

Investigation launched after Reading Borough Council tenant ‘insulted’ by staff while seeking a larger home

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched over claims a father has ‘never been more insulted’ when he was allegedly ‘shamed’ for having children when enquiring about bigger council housing, writes James Aldridge, Local democracy reporter

David Birmingham, of Mayfair in Tilehurst, has been attempting to secure a larger home from Reading Borough Council as his family-of-five are currently forced to share two bedrooms.

Mr Birmingham, his wife, and his nine-year-old son share one bedroom, and his 18-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter share the other.

The 47-year-old father said for several years he had been trying to secure a larger home more suitable to his family’s needs.

But he alleges to have been met with an insult when enquiring about a new property in a recent phone call to Reading Borough Council.

Mr Birmingham said: “I’ve been fobbed off for seven years. Me and my wife share our bedroom with our nine-yearold son, which is unacceptable.

“I’ve been trying to get our housing situation sorted, but when I spoke to a housing officer about it, they said ‘it’s not my fault you have had children’.

“That’s disgusting, it’s totally unacceptable. I’ve never been more insulted in my life.

“I’m not just overreacting, what a terrible thing to say. I had these children before I moved in.”

Mr Birmingham has called on the council to apologise.

He said: “They can’t speak to someone like that. I’ve got kidney disease, I don’t need this.

“We would like a threebedroom property, according to the law we should have a threebedroom home, and Reading Borough Council talk like that.

“They said you’re down for low priority, then I get insulted for trying to sort it out.”

In a response to the claims, a council spokesperson said: “Staff are expected to communicate with residents and tenants in a respectful way at all times.

“We encourage Mr Birmingham to log a complaint directly with us, so that we

can follow the usual council complaints procedure and liaise with him to investigate this matter fully.”

Mr Birmingham says he did on Tuesday, January 3.

The council spokesman added: “Residents on the Housing Register can increase their chances of being successful by bidding on a wide range of different types of properties in different areas.

“Homeswapper (www. homeswapper.co.uk) is also an option for our tenants with mutual exchanges enabling residents to make a direct swap. Often people who are considering downsizing look for opportunities through this route.

“Private rented accommodation is a further option to all our applicants, providing an easily accessible choice that often enables residents to meet their housing need much quicker than via the Housing Register.

“Households may be eligible for our Rent Guarantee Scheme and can make contact with us about this by emailing housing. advice@reading.gov.uk or calling us on 0118 937 2233.”

Great Western Railway and Network Rail and Samaritans gathered at Reading Station for its Blueming Marvellous Monday campaign, which aims to dispel the idea that the third Monday of January is the most difficult day of the year.

Members of staff handed out blue wooden roses and asked customers what makes them smile in an effort to help people stay positive.

Colleagues also sang along to the Railway Mission Chaplain for south-west England, John Roe, who was playing piano on the station concourse.

They also took part in Samaritans’ own initiative, Brew Monday, which encourages friends and family to stay connected and nurture their mental health with a catch-up over a tea or coffee.

Lucy Shephard, wellbeing manager for Great Western Railway said: “Brew Monday is a Samaritans initiative to make us all have a cuppa and get together for a chat.

“We are myth busting this year because it has been often been reported that today is Blue Monday, but actually, that’s a myth was created for travel industry to make us buy holidays.

“So we’ve jumped on it and we’re turning it around completely.”

She said that the team had noticed the difference they were making: “We have had lots of interest, caused quite a stir, as it’s not quite what you expect on a Monday morning.

“But we want to surprise people and give them a different talking point– we want to remind people of the benefits of kindness, gratitude, and positive affirmation, especially at the start of the week.”

For those that struggle with mental health, she said: “We work with the Samaritans as well as British Transport Police, so I would signpost people to the Samaritans if they need help.

“There are also apps such as Guardian Angel, and the Hub of Hope, which signpost people to help.”

As well as the initiative, new artwork has been installed in the station, with a number of different pieces being added to the wall space in the foyer.

Karen Watts, Reading train station operations manager, said: “We want to uplift people in what can sometimes be a little bit of a dismal place.

“Before we had frosted glass,

but last week we installed new artworks to help people be more engaged.

“We’ve got placards underneath to show what inspired the artworks, and we thought we’d incorporate those.”

She said that Brew Monday is also about finding out what makes people smile, “so if this artwork can make people smile, if they think ‘that’s really nice,’ then we’ve done a good job.”

The artworks were brought together by the University of Reading, with the aim of celebrating the positive aspects

of the town and its cultural diversity.

Tina Jenkins, a lecturer at the University of Reading, said: “If you’re walking around the station, it can sometimes give you a bit of respite to see the artwork, a bit of a distraction.”

One of the artists, Jenna Fox, said: “With all of the vibrance and change which happens in Reading, we wanted to make those connections to the town.

“We’ve got one of the murals which says ‘Welcome to Reading’ in a number of different languages by Haya

Samaritans team up to the ‘blue Monday’ myth

PCC: ‘Councillors are confusing funding streams’

THE police and crime commissioner for the Thames Valley has responded to calls for more investment to tackle violent crime in Reading.

Matthew Barber came under fire after Reading Labour councillors complained of a reduction in Community Safety Partnership (CSP) funding.

CSPs comprise councils, the police and partner organisations that work together to prevent crime, with each receiving funded by the PCC. In Reading, this has been from £453,128 to £373,411 for the current financial year.

At a housing, neighbourhoods and leisure committee meeting on Wednesday, January 4, Labour councillors raised concerns such as the lack of neighbourhood police in the town, and the decline in funding for Reading’s CSP.

Mr Barber says the councillors have conflated the issues.

“The community safety fund covers all the non-policing work around prevention, with funding allocated based on a formula which takes into account population size and crime levels,” he said.

“I’d like to have more cash to give, if anyone has a better

way of dishing out that money I’m very open to views. That formula has been a very fair way of distributing funds over the last couple of years.

“Reading has got more money through other streams, such as the Safer Streets Fund.”

The Conservative continued: “They’re conflating these funding streams with police officer numbers.

“We have more police officers than ever before, and we have a target by the end of April of recruiting more than 700 more officers.

“The 2023/24 budget will secure additional officers to make sure we can increase police numbers as the population increases.”

Mr Barber said Thames Valley

Police has held a successful recruitment drives.

According to police statistics between April and September 2022, more than 1,600 police officer applications were received. Seventeen per cent of applicants were from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, and 38% were women.

Mr Barber added: “They’re saying we want more for Community Safety Partnerships, we want more on the ground and they are two different issues. It’s about getting a balance.

“The police are working with local authorities through community safety partnerships on the preventative work that local authorities can do, versus the issue of police numbers that are determined in the policing budget.”

As well as neighbourhood police specifically assigned in Reading, there are teams that work throughout Berkshire, such as the domestic abuse teams and roads policing officers.

Mr Barber said: “My team are working with the community safety partnership in Reading and are very keen to support that work.”

He is due to appear at a future Reading Borough Council policy committee meeting.

“There’s also a piece which is made of slogans which had been written on toilet walls up and down the line, although they had to edit some of those out, of course.”

Shona Gibbs, acting head of rail at Samaritans, said: “We’re so grateful to the rail industry for their support of Brew Monday again this year.

“At Samaritans we know there is no such thing as Blue Monday and people can feel

low at any point of the week or year.

“So, Brew Monday, combined with GWR and Network Rail’s idea of a ‘Blueming Marvellous Monday’ this January provides passengers with an extra portion of positivity.”

She said also that at Samaritans, “we want everyone to know that you are never alone and we’re encouraging them to check in with people they care about for a cuppa and a chat as talking can save lives.

“Our volunteers are available

clock to listen to anyone

needs support this Brew Monday and every other day of the year, 24/7.”

Samaritans has worked in partnership with the rail industry and British Transport Police to reduce suicides on the railway for more than a decade, including rail and BTP staff training for supporting vulnerable people.

n Anyone can contact Samaritans, free, any time from any phone on 116 123, via their website, www.samaritans.org, or by email via jo@samaritans.org.

Weekly coffee date for women

A CHARITY is hosting a weekly meeting for the community.

Utulivu Women’s group meets at its home at 344 Oxford Road.

All are welcome to the gettogethers with games of bingo, chess, Uno and Jenga available.

Utulivu Women’s Group looks to promote health and well-being, organising activities which address social issues primarily impacting women, children and black, Asian, minority ethnic and refugee (BAMER) communities.

The sessions take place between 11.30am-1pm on Tuesdays.

n For more information, visit: www.utulivu.co.uk

Uniform sale

A WHITLEY school is running a second-hand uniform shop.

Reading Girls’ School, Northumberland Avenue, is looking to promote sustainable usage of its own school uniform while helping parents save on new apparel by asking students to donate unwanted clothes.

The shop is accepting donations of good quality RGS blouses, trousers, skirts and PE kit that are no longer needed by their owners or that no longer fits.

n For more information, contact: selliott@readinggirlsschool.net

Proceeds from Rotary club’s art fair provides thousands of meals

HUNDREDS of packaged meals have been delivered to community support groups to help feed people across Reading and Wokingham.

Earlier this month, the Rotary Club of Maiden Erlegh took 240 meals to New Beginnings, the Whitley Community Development Association and Share Woodley.

This was the first batch of 2,500 frozen meals prepared by chefs from The Thomas Franks Foundation at Leighton Park School as part of its Feeding Communities project and the rotary club’s new initiative.

Funding came from the club’s Charity Art and Craft Fair, held at the end of October.

Scott Trathen, the club’s community service team leader, took part in the inaugural dropoff.

“I was overcome with the scale of it all, these organisations are really wellorganised and have so many people coming through the doors, mums with children, refugees, everyone,” he said.

“I’ve seen the best of people.”

“At Share Woodley, they even have a lunch brunch for kids during the holidays where they can do activities and eat food.

“The sense of community you see in places like the Whitley Community Development Association is amazing, especially with them having the cafe right next to their food surplus.”

He said working with The Thomas Franks Foundation in providing high quality food as ‘magic’, citing their willingness to go above and beyond as a key factor behind their positive working relationship.

Mr Trathen added that the hubs he visited are not just tackling food poverty but also food waste, obtaining items

from stores and distributors who would otherwise have thrown them away.

Throughout January, the Rotarians will continue delivering batches of food to the established distribution organisations the club has partnered with.

These include: Churches in Reading Drop-In Centre, Woodley Food Bank, Wycliffe Share, New Beginnings, Whitley Community Development Association, Ukraine Centre and Link Visiting Scheme Wokingham.

The Rotary Club is also

GRUB UP:

The Rotary Club of Maiden Erlegh visited Share Woodley on their first drop-off on Monday, January 9.

Picture: The Rotary Club of Maiden Erlegh

Foundation launched the Feeding Communities initiative in 2019 to help those struggling to access food in the UK and beyond.

Of the project, the Rotary Club’s president, Paul Cunningham, said: “This initiative will reach more people in one go than any other events we have organised so far.

“We are very proud to be working with The Thomas Franks Foundation and Leighton Park School to help those in need in our local community.

“We are also delighted to be working in partnership with the distribution charities who are doing such a brilliant job.”

working alongside SHAREs in Wokingham, Woodley, Shinfield, Finchampstead, Winnersh and Crowthorne.

In some cases, the meals will be heated and served to users at sit-down lunches and dinners. All packages are clearly labelled with ingredients and cooking instructions.

Distribution was scheduled for January to help alleviate the pressure of the cost of living crisis on individuals and families at a time when increased energy prices will have the greatest impact.

The Thomas Franks

For the past two years, the Rotary Club of Maiden Erlegh has worked to provide food to distributors on a smaller scale in an attempt to spread ‘love and support’.

According to Mr Trathen, the club received requests for food at the start of the pandemic, which led to them donating £300 to Wycliffe Baptist Church’s food share and Share Woodley.

Last year’s Art and Craft Fair provided the income required to establish the new and improved project.

n www.readingmaidenerlegh.org

School et to celebrate 60th Families’ forum to hold conference

SCHOOL in Tilehurst is celebrating 60 years of learning and is looking to hear from

Little Heath School was founded in 1963, and this year will be celebrating six decades of playing its part in the community, with the school set to hold number of events throughout the year.

One if its projects to celebrate the anniversary will be the “60 Voices” project, which will see Little Heath collecting soundbites, video footage, and written testimonies from those connected with the school in the last six decades.

If you have a connection to the school or are an alumnus and have interesting stories or memories to share and would like to get involved, contact: marketing@ littleheath.org.uk

READING Families’ Forum is holding a conference to help support families of disabled children and young adults.

Its annual SEND Conference: Towards Inclusion in Education takes place on Thursday, March 9, this year.

Visitors will be able to hear from three guest speakers during the remote event, which will happen over Zoom.

Steve Broach, barrister for 39 Essex Chambers and co-author of Disabled Children: A Legal Handbook, Brian Grady, director of education at Brighter Futures for Children, Reading, and Dr Ruth Moyse, research fellow, are set to feature.

A full timetable can be found on the charity’s website.

n For more information or to book spaces, contact: fran.morgan.rff@gmail.com

War of words for Whitley students

CHILDREN in South Reading will showcase their mastery of the spoken word in an exciting initiative this

Aspire2’s Public Speaking Competition 2023 will see students from Whitley Excellence Cluster schools battle it out to become the best speakers on the theme of ‘how I would save the world’.

There will be three categories available for KS2, KS3 and KS4 pupils to enter, and can do so by speaking to their teachers.

Participants will be required to discuss this title for three minutes in internal settings, with winners from each category qualifying for the final, which will be held at the University of Reading.

Charity development manager, Helen Bligh, said: “This competition gives children of all ages an opportunity to find their voice, and to develop confidence and oratory skills that will support them to be happy, successful adults.”

Aspire2 aims to provide

children in Whitley with equal access to enrichment activities which help develop skills outside of the classroom to lead fulfilling lives.

It organises a range of activities and trips which include visits to Ufton Court to explore outdoor education and outreach programmes with the University of Reading.

The final at the university will be held from 5.30pm-8.30pm on Tuesday, February 28.

n For more information, visit: www.aspire2whitley.com

A steam day out to Bath or Gloucester

The Bath & Gloucester Steam Express

Saturday 4th February 2023

From Reading. Enjoy a nostalgic steam journey reliving the Golden Age of rail travel with a choice of destinations – Bath or Gloucester. We shall steam along the Kennet & Avon canal, climb up to Savernake summit and steam on through the attractive Vale of Pewsey and pass the famous White Horse at Westbury.

You can choose to visit the Georgian city of Bath, renowned for its fine architecture, magnificent Abbey, Roman Baths, Pump House and small independent shops.

Alternatively, stay on board for Gloucester where you will find the 11th Century cathedral. Gloucester’s historic maritime connections are centred around Gloucester Docks home to the National Waterways Museum.

• Premier Dining £285 per person – price includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.

• First Class £185 per person – price includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

• Standard Class £115 per person – price includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

£10 per person discount quote: WEI

Steam to Cheltenham or Worcester The Cotswold Venturer

Saturday 18th February 2023

From Reading. Join us for a scenic rail tour by steam train through the beautiful Cotswold Hills with a choice of destinations – Cheltenham or Worcester. With our magnificent steam locomotive at the head, our train will travel through the Vale of the White Horse and along the Golden Valley line. You can choose to spend the afternoon at spa town Cheltenham enjoying the fine Regency architecture with its Pittville Pump Room. Alternatively, stay on board for the fine city of Worcester. Set on the River Severn, Worcester’s 12th Century cathedral is the resting place of King John. The final battle of the Civil War between Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II took place here and you can also find the Museum of Royal Worcester.

• Premier Dining £285 per person – price includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.

• First Class £185 per person – price includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

• Standard Class £115 per person – price includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

£10 per person discount quote: WEK

Honest motherhood

Angela Garwood

Happy happenings across 2023

WELL here we are, January 2023. Here in all it’s grey and rainy glory.

The holidays went far too quickly and Leo has only just stopped asking where his “tresents” (presents) are. Last week he woke from a nap sad and disappointed there was no “giant sock”.

Our cupboards are still overflowing with every form of leftover Christmas sugar imaginable. We intend to work our way through it. I’ve consumed over 500g of sweets (the jar is 1kg), which I consider to be a good effort. The same goes for two entire Yule logs. (No individual should be able to say that).

Suffice to say no-one is doing sugar-free January.

Though neither of us are big on resolutions, Joel is doing dry January so that sort of counts.

No major health commitments; no marathon training, no reducing of carbs, no veganism.

We won’t be purchasing a Peloton bike, or joining the gym. (I toyed with the idea but it’s almost laughable now. The thought of having the energy to go enough times to make the cost justifiable. I don’t know how mothers of young children do it. The school-run on foot plus the occasional jog will have to do for now.)

From all the things that won’t be changing, to a few things that will. Here are a handful of happenings I’m particularly excited about this year:

Leo starting nursery

His settling-in sessions went so well that on day two he didn’t want to leave.

“I want to go back!” He cried as I carried him home. His teacher had to pick him up and hand him to me as he simply refused to move. A good sign.

Friends having babies

I’ve waited a long time for my close school friends to join me in the trenches of motherhood. The year has finally come.

The twins are due to arrive in February, followed by another exciting arrival in May. I’ve known these women since we were at primary school so this is all rather surreal.

A solo adventure in February

Years before Leo was born, I went on a little solo trip around Europe.

I took myself away for 10 days, visiting Budapest, Prague and Copenhagen, staying in hostels and exploring the cities mostly alone.

It was one of the scariest and best things I’ve ever done.

I couldn’t leave the children for that long at this stage, though admittedly it is only the start of term, ask me again come Easter… I have however, planned three nights away.

When asked what exactly I plan to do on this holiday of mine: “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

No laundry, no food shopping, no cleaning… Nothing that in any way resembles a household task.

All the 30ths

I turn 30 this year. (Gulp). Thankfully I’m not alone. I’ll be enduring it with most of my friends. And it does mean people are going all-out for their Birthdays.

The arts

The usual consumption of theatre, art exhibitions and live music. Maia and I are off to see Lizzo and Joel’s got tickets to Glastonbury again, so between us we’re doing well.

Reading pubs to serve a taste of Scotland

A CELEBRATION of Scotland’s national poet will be held next week in not one, but two Reading pubs.

The Back of Beyond in Kings Road and The Hope Tap in Friar Street will adjust its menu to offer some delicacies from north of the border.

The meals at the two Wetherspoon pubs will help it mark Burns night on Wednesday, January 25.

The first is haggis, neeps and tatties, which is the traditional dish at any celebration of the poet, and costs £6.65 with a soft drink or £7.95 with a boozy one.

A smaller meal is available, for customers who want a smaller portion, priced at £5.15 with a soft drink, and £6.45 with a choice of an alcoholic drink.

The second item is a Caledonian Burger, comprising two 3oz beef patties, with haggis, whisky sauce, served with chips and six onion rings.

This costs £8.55 with a choice of

soft drink and £9.85 with a choice of an alcoholic drink.

Among the drink choices for the Burns’ event meal deals are Belhaven Robert Burns Ale (4.2% ABV), being served especially for the event, as well as Scottish gins, whiskies and beer.

They include two Scottish single malt whiskies, Glenmorangie and Glenfiddich, as well as Haig Club Clubman, The Famous Grouse and Bell’s.

Scotland’s BrewDog Elvis Juice and Hazy Jane craft beers, as well as Scottish gins Hendrick’s and Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb & Ginger.

There are also Scottish-themed alcohol free options.

The Hope Tap’s manager, James Harris, said: “The seven-day celebration is a great opportunity for our customers to sample some traditional Scottish food and drink and to celebrate for longer than just January 25.”

The event runs from Monday, January 23, through to Sunday, January 29.

Under 10s can eat Sri Lankan fare for free

FAMILIES can try Sri Lankan food for less this winter, thanks to a Reading town centre diner.

The Coconut Tree on Kings Road is offering free meals for children aged 10 and under, all the way through to March 31.

They have a special menu to choose from, with dishes tweaked to encourage young palates to try new food while also appealing to their taste buds.

They include a twist on its popular hopper, a type of pancake made from rice flour and coconut milk, and topped with melted cheese.

A Cheese and Tomato Roti Pizza, Crispy Chicken Nuggets and Egg Fried Rice also appear on the main menu, and are served with peas, carrots and cucumber sticks.

Rodrigo, The Coconut Tree CoFounder, said: “We understand that getting the whole family out to eat can be a challenge and so wanted to give families the opportunity to enjoy a visit with us for an even better price.

“We’re encouraging people to

try new, try fresh, try fun, try Sri Lankan.”

“Our children’s menu makes Sri Lankan food accessible for the little ones, and parents can enjoy a meal with the knowledge that their kids are being served delicious food that they’ll love.”

The free menu is available for a child accompanied by a paying adult.

Veganuary dishes thanks to

THERE’S a lot of talk about Veganuary – switching to plant-based meals over the course of the first month of the year – but new research suggests there’s some confusion over what can and can’t be scoffed.

Food delivery firm Deliveroo crunched the numbers, and found that a third of us aren’t sure what makes a vegan diet.

Deliveroo surveyed 2,000 Brits to find out what they thought being vegan really means – the data revealed that 18% (two in 10) of Brits think that vegans can only eat fruit and vegetables and 8% said that vegans couldn’t eat meat, dairy or eggs, but could eat fish.

But it was the Gen Xers – those aged 35 to 44 – who are most likely to know what the options are.

To help, Deliveroo is delivering some new Veganuary specials including wagamama’s Vegan ‘Chicken’ Kare Lomen (see below).

This is a perfect dish for those looking for a meat-free replacement. The fake meat is hard to distinguish from the real thing, while the noodles and sauce is delicious.

In all, there are more than 20,800 vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants on the app, a 17% increase from last year.

To help, Deliveroo has added a ‘Vegan’ category title to the app, making it easier for consumers to find or discover vegan products and dishes.

Elena Devis, Vegan Category Lead, Deliveroo, said, “On our fourth consecutive year celebrating Veganuary, we’re delighted to see the continuous development of the plant-based space across independent, national and grocery partners.

“As customers’ expectations around selection and value increase, we expect brands with exciting new launches, vegan meal deals, and

promotions to see better results.”

She promised to continue to improve the app to make it easier for people to find vegan options.

“We will work with the best local restaurants and grocers to ensure everyone can find food that suits their dietary needs for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”

Toni Vernelli, head of communications at Veganuary, said, “We’re delighted to have the support of Deliveroo for the fourth year running and so excited to see all the new vegan dishes being launched on the platform for Veganuary.

“Our job is to help people try vegan for January – whether for the

A CHAIN restaurant with a branch in Reading’s Oracle is currently serving a special Veganuary menu, while also donating up to a million meals to lowincome families.

wagamama’s kare lomen dish comprises udon noodles in a bowl of coconut broth with a chilli kick, and topped with vegan teriyaki ‘chicken’, coriander, beansprouts and cucumber.

And every meal sold will help the work of food charity The Bread and Butter Thing, which supports thousands of families in more than 80 locations in the north of England

This brings low-cost food to lowincome communities.

Those in need of support pay a fraction of the cost for food, which is sourced direct from manufacturers and retailers. It has over 40,000 members and redistributes to more than 5,000 families a week who typically pay £7.50 for £35 worth of groceries.

wagamama has already supplied food and bespoke recipes cards to The Bread And Butter Thing and the £25,000 wagamama donation will pay forf41 truck journeys with each able to carry 426 tonnes of food with each tonne equating to 2,380 meals – a grand total of just over a million meals.

wagamama CEO, Thomas Heier, said: “At wagamama we believe in the Japanese philosophy of seijaku; finding calm and tranquillity in the midst of activity.

“In these challenging times it is important that we all continue to nourish ourselves and our communities.

“Typically, every veganuary we like to surprise and delight our guests with a plant-based showstopper, but we know this veganuary is a little bit different for families across the UK, so it is a privilege this year to support local

dishes delivered Deliveroo

WHITLEY WAY BACK WHEN The ‘Pride of South Reading’ and its very own George Best

NORTHUMBERLAND

Holy Island & Alnwick Castle

planet, animals or their health – and Deliveroo’s commitment to catering for this growing number of conscious consumers makes our job much easier.”

The most popular vegan dishes ordered from vegan-friendly menus are: Bang Bang Cauliflower from wagamama, Vegan Royale Meal from Burger King, Vegetable Samosas from Dishoom. Chocolate & Hazelnut filled Cinnamon Churros from Tortilla, and Vegan Giardiniera from PizzaExpress

As well as wagamama’s new Vegan ‘Chicken’ Kare Lomen’, Crosstown Doughnuts have partnered with Deliveroo exclusively to deliver three limited-edition flavour doughnuts.

Available until the end of January, the flavours include a Rhubarb & Jasmine doughnut, Strawberry Cheesecake doughnut, Blood Orange doughnut and Pistachio & Raspberry dough bite.

And Ole & Steen has a Vegan Social (£3.95), a reinvention of its Cinnamon Social.

Other vegan items available include a Raspberry and Almond Swirl, No’duja Toastie and a ‘Feta’ Salad.

To mark Veganuary, some retailers will be offering 20% off orders until January 31.

n Customers can place orders directly through the Deliveroo app, or online at: deliveroo.co.uk

WHITLEY is known as the centre of football in Reading; the home of the Royals and John Madejski Academy.

But for 67 years, Robson Rovers dominated the Sunday league scene before relegation from the Senior Division saw them fold in 2009.

The Whitley Community Museum recently posted this photo of the team from the 1970s as they geared up for a semifinal showdown with Thatcham Reserves in the Berks and Buck Intermediate Cup.

Curator David Turner said: “Rabsons were known as The Pride of South Reading. When posting photographs from way back when you are inevitably going to receive comments that will highlight both good and sad times.

“This particular photograph provoked so many memories from school mates, team mates and close neighbours.

“Fashion is always a talking point, especially when it comes to hairstyles. There are some great samples of that in this photograph.”

POETRY CORNER

Four Way Traffic Control

Full of optimism I jump in my car

My journey won’t take long; I’m not going far

At least that’s what I thought when I started

And now I’m stuck here brokenhearted

Sitting here waiting in this queue

My life choices I’m beginning to rue

I should have heeded the Facebook posts warning

That traffic is going nowhere this morning

I could have had an extra hour in bed

Or done something radical like walk instead

Yes, they’re digging up the road again

The cut donned by manager Ron Grinham, pictured on the far right, earned him the nickname George Best. His wife, Ann, left a comment expressing how lovely it was to see faces she recognised from the past.

With over 4,600 followers on Facebook, the Whitley Community Museum is an accessible online and in-person resource.

The group serves as a platform for residents past and present to share memories through photographs and comments.

It also allows group members to reconnect, with members reacquainting themselves with friends and schoolmates from decades ago.

The museum held a Whitley Way Back When event at the Community Cafe on Northumberland Avenue earlier this year to showcase its photographs and exhibits inperson.

n For more information, search: Whitley Community Museum on www.facebook.com

Departing Mon 22 May ‘23 Join us to explore the best Northumberland has to offer. The rugged scenery and seascapes of this lovely region with its ancient castles, vast sandy beaches and rolling moorland are not only spectacular but some of the most unspoilt of coastal Britain. Your break includes

Return coach travel from Wokingham & Bracknell

4 nights at the Leonardo Hotel, Newcastle with dinner & breakfast

Guided tour of Hadrian’s Wall

Excursions to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Alnwick Castle, Hadrian’s Wall & Chesters Fort

Optional

by Coach

&

communities through our newly launched partnership with The Bread and Butter Thing.”

The team-up has been welcomed by the charity’s chief executive officer, Mark Game.

“wagamama’s philosophy of nourishment chimes exactly with The Bread and Butter Thing’s work to ensure that people in low-income communities can access healthy, nutritious food for their families.

“By providing both food and

funding to support the unseen but vital logistics that go into making The Bread and Butter Thing possible, wagamama will help us deliver over 1 million meals worth of food to our members who are making really difficult decisions between heating and eating, or even keeping a roof over their heads, in the toughest financial crisis of a generation.”

The Kare Lomen is available, in store and via home delivery firm Deliveroo, until the end of the month.

It’s enough to drive a person insane

And it’s four-way traffic control no less

No wonder everything is such a mess

Who decided equal time should be given

To random side roads rarely driven

And just when you think things couldn’t get any worse

They’re now all stuck on red as if possessed by some curse

What sort of diabolical mind could have conceived

That for four-way traffic control there’d ever be a need

Now with two or maybe three way I can just about cope

But four-way



Return coach travel from Crawley

4

Heritage

Excursions

excursion to York (£13pp)

We love receiving your poetry and print a selection every week. Email yours to news@rdg.today and we’ll do the rest

traffic control removes all hope

Of reaching your destination in a timely fashion

And when at last they are gone Don’t be fooled that they are done They’ve merely been moved to another location

Where should the hospital go?

READING is a town with a history. From beer, bulbs and biscuits, to The Blade, we have a heritage.

Part of that is in our imposing buildings. From the modern – such as The Hexagon – to the ancient, including the Town Hall, we have a skyline to be proud of.

The Royal Berkshire Hospital’s London Road entrance is testament to that. Imposing, it is a landmark to be proud of. But it was built for a time when the horse and cart ruled, not fast cars and automobiles.

It is right that the location of the hospital, as well as the buildings, should be explored. What is right for the 21st Century.

Our sister paper, Wokingham Today, broke the news that the RBH could move, and among the possible sites was Shinfield.

Is that right? You have the chance to have your say thanks to a consultation.

Take part at: www. buildingberkshiretogether.co.uk/survey

CHURCH NOTES

Keeping hold of hope when we feel small

ITHINK everyone might be tempted to lose hope when we look at the world today.

There is the continuing war in the Ukraine, the cost of living crisis, and workers on strike.

The daily news reports are enough to erode any hope we might be holding on to.

We live in a time when nothing feels constant. And yet, there is something deeper, someone, eternal and never changing, that offers hope that is not temporary or fleeting.

The hope I’m referring to is present throughout Scripture without even being mentioned by name; frequently, the psalmists encourage us to hope in God.

The Psalms are not talking about a hopeful feeling but an encouragement to choose hope. A hope that we capture when we gain or regain a sense of who God is.

The Message, a retelling of the Bible for today, takes the words of Psalm 36 and gives them a hope-filled equivalence, and it describes God like this…

“He is meteoric; He is astronomic; He is titanic; He is oceanic.”

This Psalm describes God as being bigger than anything we can imagine; yet in His largeness, nothing gets lost.

I have moments when I feel so small, and what’s before me feels too big. Psalm 36 reminds me that, however small I feel, there is a great, BIG God, and He is on my side.

Jesus is that great big God who came to make His home amongst us; He is known as Immanuel, which means God with us.

The Bible proclaims a hope-filled message to this world with all its troubles, reassuring us that God is with us and He will never abandon us. Hope is found in our great BIG God.

The NHS is in crisis

WE are only on the third week of 2023 and already Christmas feels like a distant memory.

In the last few days, residents have seen increasing pressure on our much-loved NHS, with a prolonged winter crisis affecting vital services in Berkshire and across the country.

The NHS is in crisis after 13 years of Conservative mismanagement, people are finding it impossible to get a GP appointment or an operation when they need one.

In an emergency, there’s no guarantee an ambulance will arrive on time if one arrives at all.

Twenty four hours in A&E isn’t just a TV programme, it is the grim reality for patients waiting in pain.

From the Chamber Cllr Rob White

The longer the Conservatives are in power, the longer patients will wait.

The Conservatives blame everything from the weather to the pandemic and even NHS staff.

But it is 13 years of their failure that has left the health service in crisis.

Now seven million people are waiting months and even years for treatment, held back from working and living their lives to the full.

We can’t build a healthy economy without a healthy society.

A Labour government will pull every available lever to get patients treated sooner, including using spare capacity in the private sector. But sticking plasters aren’t enough.

We have to grasp the root cause of the crisis in the NHS.

The next Labour government will train a new generation of doctors, nurses, and midwives to treat patients on time again.

Labour will double the number of medical school places, train 10,000 extra nurses and midwives every year, double the number of district nurses qualifying each year and create 5,000 more health visitors paid for by abolishing the non-dom tax status, because patients need treatment more than the wealthiest need a tax break.

Labour will put patients first and enable them to easily book appointments to see the doctor they want, in the manner they choose – whether it’s face-to-face, over the phone, or online.

We will make the NHS fit for the future, so it delivers better care for the patient and better value for the taxpayer.

Prevention is better than cure, so we shift the focus of care out of the hospital and into the community, reforming primary care so we can diagnose patients quicker and intervene earlier.

More doctors, more nurses, shorter waiting times, better care. That’s the difference a Labour government will make.

From

the

leader Cllr Jason Brock

Have your say on the RBH’s future

MOST of us will have had reason to visit Reading’s Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) at some point, whether for treatment or as a visitor.

When the time comes, it’s reassuring to know we do not have too far to travel and that we can get to it quickly and easily. Reading has been home to the RBH for more than 180 years now. It’s easy to take for granted that the region’s principal NHS hospital is located in our hometown.

We have known for a while now that Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is considering future options for the RBH, which include refurbishment and redevelopment of its current site, or relocation to a brand-new site outside of Reading. Every major organisation will periodically review its premises, but a major NHS hospital considering relocation is, I believe, an issue which should concern residents. Particularly those in the town it is considering vacating.

It is in that context that I want to draw people’s attention to a major consultation by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust currently taking place, and which you may not yet have heard about. You can find it at https://buildingberkshiretogether. co.uk/survey/.

Greens say: ‘Get your discount for gym and swim’

WITH the Labourrun council disappointingly outsourcing access to our gyms and swimming pools, prices have gone up considerably.

However, you can get a residents’ discount and stay healthy in 2023!

Green Campaigner Kate Nikulina says, “I’m not sure the council really want you to know about the discount card, given how hard it is to find, but you can get up to 30% off swimming and getting healthy at council leisure centres now run by Better/GLL.”

Go to my blog and follow the steps to get money off! https://bit. ly/rdgdiscount”

Green campaigner Sarah Magon tackling Wokingham Road rubbish

Green campaigner Sarah

Magon has launched a petition to tidy up the Wokingham Road shopping area opposite Alfred Sutton primary school.

Sign the petition here: www. bit.ly/wokyrubbish

Sarah said: “Opposite Alfred Sutton primary school waste is out of control.

“Often trade waste bins are overflowing and spilling out onto the road.

“The council’s bag collection system isn’t working well so waste from flats above the shops piles up.

“Despite the new bollards the area around the pedestrian crossing opposite the Crescent Road junction is chaotic.

“Reading Council please can you tackle these issues.”

Green councillor Doug Cresswell improving cycle lanes

We have been working to improve facilities for cyclists.

Unfortunately cars often park in the Whitley Street cycle lane outside the shops.

This forces cyclists out into the road to go out around the parked cars.

Katesgrove Green councillor Doug Cresswell has requested double yellow lines for this stretch of road.

Let me know if there are any other stretches of cycle lane that are blocked by cars.

Send a photo through with the exact location: rob@ readinggreenparty.org.uk

Greens are the second largest party in Reading

Fortunately, there’s now real, constructive opposition to Labour on Reading council.

Following the local elections in May there are now more Green councillors than Conservatives.

There is a growing team of hard-working Green councillors standing up for residents across the town.

If you’re keen on being part of the change in Reading, get involved and help us make Reading fairer, greener and cleaner: reading.greenparty.org. uk/get-involved

The Trust is in what the Government has called its (slightly misleading) ‘New Hospital Programme’ and the consultation is a precursor to a funding bid that will be submitted to the Treasury later this year.

The consultation is seeking views on how you use NHS services today so that they can plan both for tomorrow and for how they can best deliver services to the local population. I don’t think any of us would argue with that. Fundamentally, though, what is at the heart of this consultation is whether to keep the RBH in Reading or move it to a new location outside the borough.

Accessibility is key for those who require it, whether that is patients, staff, or visitors. In that respect, the possible alternative sites mooted – such as the Hall Road / Loddon Valley site, over four miles outside of Reading – leave an awful lot to be desired. They are in no way comparable to Reading, with its network of road, rail, and bus options.

While acknowledging RBH’s town centre location can bring challenges to residents, the other side of that same coin is that it benefits from our excellent, and already extant, local public transport provision.

The fact is that the Wokingham site, and indeed other sites outside of Reading, are nowhere near equipped enough to provide the level of accessibility needed for a major regional NHS hospital.

A huge investment in public transport would be needed to make that site a realistic and viable option for people. The alternative is a huge backward step in the accessibility of the region’s major hospital.

What does it say about Berkshire’s net zero carbon ambitions if the only realistic way for people to get to the RBH is to drive?

And then there is Reading’s population. Surely –and this is both a basic and powerful point – it makes sense to position the region’s main NHS hospital in the very town where most of its patients and staff live, as was originally intended?

While the decision on whether to stay or go doesn’t lie with Reading Council, nor with Wokingham or West Berkshire Councils, we all have responsibility to plan sensibly for the future.

The Trust’s survey is now live online and runs until Monday, March 6. Tell your friends and family, and tell them to tell their friends if they, like me, believe the RBH belongs in Reading, at the heart of the population it serves. The link is http://www. buildingberkshiretogether.co.uk/survey

Cllr

Jason Brock is the leader of Reading Borough Council and member for Southcote

CITIZENS Advice

Reading have been assisting local people with their problems since 1939. Their services are free, independent, confidential and impartial.

Right now they are seeking more Adviser Volunteers.

Advisers come from all sorts of backgrounds and you don’t need any particular qualifications or experience for this varied, interesting, rewarding role through which you learn a range of valuable skills.

You will be trained to interview clients, to research and provide initial information to clients backed up by an experienced supervisor and a very supportive team.

n The Royal Berks Charity is an NHS Charity that relies on donations to fund their work, which helps improve and enhance the experience of patients and staff across their sites at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

They want more volunteers to join them in order to assist with the distribution and collection of money boxes and buckets.

The role may need the use of a vehicle to transfer boxes about. The Charity will provide you with a branded T-shirt, volunteer badge and will reimburse you for your travelling costs.

n Age UK Reading is an independent local charity that has been working in the local community to help older people since 1976.

They want a very caring and understanding individual that could attend and help run the Dementia Club held on Fridays.

Volunteers would support a small group of elderly clients in early stages of dementia, helping set up the room, moving tables and chairs to set them up in a way conducive to easy socialisation and participation amongst all the clients and more.

n Take a look at our brand new Reading Volunteer Connect platform for details of these and many more opportunities to volunteer via our website, www.rgneeds.me. Want to get in touch? Drop us an email at volunteering@rva.org.uk or call 0118 937 2273.

Tributes paid to university scientist

ONE OF the University of Reading’s longest-serving and most influential scientists has died, aged 92.

Emeritus Prof Ian Mills OBE FRS, whose work led to a redefinition of the international standard units of measurement, was a member of Reading’s Department of Chemistry, specialising in infrared spectroscopy to study materials.

His work led to a redefinition of the kilogram, which had previously been based on the weight of a platinum alloy prototype to one based on a mathematically-defined constant.

Prof Robert Van de Noort, vicechancellor of the University of Reading, said: “I was saddened to hear that Ian Mills had died and I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends.

“Prof Mills was something of a Reading institution, a local boy who first studied here in the 1940s and whose life and career was almost as long as the University of Reading itself.

“His example shows us that through excellent scholarship, a practical approach to solving problems and a kind and thoughtful manner it is possible to make a significant difference to the world around us.

“He was firmly rooted in Reading, but his achievements continue to bear fruit in every corner of the globe.”

Prof Mills was born in 1930 in Reading, where his father was head of pathology at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

He grew up in Sonning and was educated at Leighton Park School.

He was a keen hitchhiker and, at 16, he walked across Scotland from east to

REMEMBERED: Professor Ian Mills OBE, who was 92

west accompanied by his sister.

Entering the University of Reading as an undergraduate, he initially studied physics, but switched to chemistry, a discipline he described as the “most interesting branch” of the physical sciences.

He graduated in 1951.

He went on to study a PhD at St John’s, Oxford, and adopt postdoctoral positions at the University of Minnesota in 1954, where he won the Optical Society of America Lomb medal for his work, and at Corpus Christi, Cambridge.

From 1957, Prof Mills spent the rest of his career as a lecturer at Reading.

He was one of the first recipients of a personal professorship at the university in 1966, as a pioneer in using computational methods to calculate line frequencies in interpreting spectra.

Notably, he was one of the first people to bring computers to the town.

But it was his later work on the standardisation of metric units that led to his appointment to OBE in 2015.

From a concern about nomenclature and metrology, the study of measurement, he was recruited to be one of the authors of the first editions of the IUPAC Green Book.

He became involved in the Bureau International des Poids de Mesures and was eventually appointed as president of the Comite Consultatif des Unites from 1995 to 2013.

This led to the acceptance of the scientific need to redefine the SI system of units.

As a student at Reading, he started a sailing club and forged friendships on the Oxford sailing team, some of whom became his longest-lasting set of friends.

After retiring, Prof Mills continued to sail and walk with friends, celebrating his 80th birthday by climbing the 1,959ft Haystacks in the Lake District.

He married his wife, Maggy, who he first met at a Scottish country dancing group in Minnesota. They had two children, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild born in August 2022. Maggy predeceased him by just a few weeks.

Prof Mills continued to manage his own household resolutely well into his 90s and died peacefully on December 23 due to heart failure, after a short illness.

BUSINESSTODAY

In association with Blandy & Blandy

ROCP invests in Readingbased measurable.energy as part of £4.5m fundraiser

SOME bright sparks are celebrating as their high-tech power sockets have attracted a significant investment to help it grow.

measurable.energy is an awardwinning start-up technology firm that designs and manufactures smart, machine learning-enabled power sockets that can reduce the energy costs of commercial buildings by more than 20%.

Customers include Kier Group, University of Reading, and Reading Borough Council.

Formed in 2018, the company aims to help reduce small power waste – energy not required by devices that are plugged in or directly wired, such as printers, AV equipment, chilled/hot water taps, monitors, and heaters, which are often left fully on or in standby mode overnight.

According to measurable. energy’s analysis, up to 40% of total electricity usage in most commercial office buildings can be attributed to this type of use.

The sockets automatically identify a device that is plugged in, monitor the device’s energy use, report granular real-time data, and can automatically turn the device off and on to avoid wasted energy.

To help measurable.energy expand, it has received a share of a £4.5million investment round from RO Capital Partners (“ROCP”), alongside Clean Growth Fund,

Vectr7 Investment Partners LLP, and MMC Ventures as part of a £4.5m Series A funding round.

They join existing investor Bonheur ASA, the Norwegian-listed holding company with interests in renewable energy and shipping.

Edward Rowlandson, Group Managing Director, the RO, said: “As a landlordm measurable. energy’s solution was immediately attractive to us.

Initially as an early customer of the business we are now delighted to have invested in measurable. energy, for two important reasons.

“Firstly, we are all facing alarmingly high costs of energy, and secondly we are acutely aware of the need to reduce energy use from an environmental perspective. measurable.energy’s solution is a step in the right direction on both of these fronts.”

Dan Williams, CEO and cofounder of measurable.energy, said the company offered a simple solution for office occupiers who want to reduce emissions.

“Our solution can pay back financially within two years and allows business customers to reduce their electricity bills by at least 20%,” he said.

“With the welcome support of our new investors, we are in a stronger position to accelerate our commercial sales in the UK and global markets, as well as plan our entry into the residential market.”

Rygor opens new stateof-the-art commercial vehicle dealership

A COMMERCIAL vehicle dealership in Reading has opened its new state-of-theart facility.

Rygor Commercials’ new £2 million home is located on Worton Grange Industrial Park, a short way from their existing Rose Kiln Lane site.

The new dealership offers increased space for manoeuvrability and modern facilities, for an improved customer experience.

There is also an increase in workshop bays and extended opening hours

Sean Joyce, aftersales director at Rygor Reading, explained that although some things have changed, the service will remain the same.

“What hasn’t changed is our amazing team,” he said.

“They are on hand – as always – to keep customers at the heart of everything they do, from first contact to the successful completion of a first-fix visit.

“Our whole team looks forward to welcoming customers to our fantastic new site.”

Andy Chaloner, parts manager at Rygor Reading, started at the company in 1988, and has seen them go from humble beginnings in Wokingham to playing a part in designing the new facility.

“We were in a single workshop with a small parts department in Wokingham.

“In 2008 we moved to our current Rose Kiln Lane site with two workshops and a much bigger parts department.

“This was a great improvement, but we outgrew the site, especially the parking,” he said.

“Our new site is bigger than both previous sites put together with much more internal space and parking.

“I was pleased our directors gave me the opportunity to use my 41 years of parts experience to design the layout of the parts department, in the footprint supplied by the architect.”

There is now a separate van and truck workshop

counter service, with a dedicated parts hub for Mr Chaloner and his team.

The dedicated truck workshop is able to fully maintain electric vehicles and it is complete with two separate pits, an ATF lane, tacho facilities and hard standing in the workshop area for larger trucks.

The site also features a specialist van workshop, so Rygor’s LCV customers will benefit from a bespoke MOT lane, and a ‘fast fit’ area focusing on express maintenance such as wiper blade changes, tyre tracking and wheel changes.

In addition to the aftersales and maintenance capability, those looking to buy a new or used MercedesBenz van will be welcomed

to the site’s new sales showroom.

John Keogh, Rygor’s new managing director, said: “Our new showroom in Reading is the perfect shop window for the impressive range of traditional and electric vans, and our expert sales team continues to work with our customers, to offer forwardthinking and value-added vehicle solutions to meet their business needs.

“I know our Reading team is really looking forward to the start of an exciting new chapter at this incredible new site, and we can’t wait to hear what they have to say about working there, and also what our customers have to say about visiting.”

n For more information, visit: rygor.co.uk

Business breakfast event later this month

A BUSINESS breakfast is taking place in Wokingham later this month.

Hosted by Wokingham Positive Difference, the New Year Strategy Focus will take place at the Wokingham Town Hall.

Janet Collyer, an advocate, mentor and driver of career promotion for women in engineering roles, has been confirmed as a keynote speaker for the event.

She also serves as a non-executive director at EnSilica and is an

experienced technology group director, leading teams globally, and driving the creation and execution

of bespoke approaches that deliver business revenue growth.

The morning includes open networking, a buffet breakfast, news updates from the team, local businesses and community groups.

The event starts at 8am and tickets must be booked in advance.

Admission for members cost £17 and non-members cost £22.

n For more information, or to book a ticket, visit: eventbrite.co.uk

Pangbourne Rotary plans busy 2023 schedule

MEMBERS of a group that tries to make a difference to the community and the world around them has announced dates for its major fundraising events across this year.

Pangbourne Rotary Club raises more than £25,000 every year for a variety of local, national and global worthy causes.

They range from individuals and groups in need, to disaster and emergency relief, and a long-standing campaign to help eradicate polio.

The club’s 2023 calendar starts with an art exhibition at Pangbourne Village Hall over the weekend of April 14-16.

The ever-popular dragon boat racing event, where teams take part in races on the river, will be held on Sunday, June 10 in Pangbourne Meadows.

Looking ahead to the festive season, Santa will be in his sleigh between December 4 and 23, visiting around 25 different locations and spreading some seasonal cheer.

And on Sunday, January 7 next year, the annual Woodcote 10k will return, again starting at Woodcote’s village hall.

Brian Davies, from the club, said: “We look forward to seeing you there and thank you for your generous support.”

n The club has a page on Rotary International’s website, https://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/ homepage.php?ClubID=1669

Family of six living in blackmould infested two-bed home

A family says they fear for their health because they live in ‘mouldstricken’ council flat in Whitley amid their plea to move out of the ‘overcrowded’ home.

Dan and Dorcas Boateng live in a two-bedroom home in Newcastle Road with their four sons and a daughter.

At the moment, the married couple sleep in one room with their 10-month-old daughter. Their four boys, aged 13, 12, 10 and six, share the other bedroom, which the couple says is ‘stricken with mould’.

Mrs Boateng (38) said: “Four of them are sleeping in the room, it’s making it a dump. I’ve complained to Reading Borough Council for a very long time but nothing has been done. They said keep on bidding (on properties) and nothing happened.”

The couple fear for the health of their sons. Last year, an inquest found little boy Awaab Ishak died in 2020, eight days after his second birthday, as a direct result of black mould in the flat he lived at in Rochdale.

Mrs Boateng said: “When I heard about the child dying I got worried. It’s a health hazard.

“We’ve been here for 12 years, when we arrived we only had two children We’ve been waiting to move since we had our fourth child, that was seven years ago.

“The room is not big enough. If it were a double room it may be big enough but it’s a single, it has no space in there.

“I hope that we can get a place to move, that’s my dream, that’s all I’m hoping for. I don’t mind a three-bedroom, that would be much better than what we have now.”

Cllr David McElroy (Green, Redlands) has been working with the Boateng family to raise the issue with the council.

“This breaks my heart. How can we let this sort of thing keep

happening? I thought we were meant to be a rich country,” he said.

“We cannot keep voting for tax avoidance, economic incompetence and sleaze. The rampant inequality is crushing us.

“The family has to stay in a two-bedroom flat because a threebedroom property is considered too small is just weird and depressing. RBC needs to sort itself out. And at least stick to their pathetically-low affordable housing targets instead of abandoning local families in favour of developer profits.”

A Reading Borough Council spokesperson said: “The mould issue raised by the tenant has been referred to our damp and mould team who have been in touch with the tenant and visited on Friday, January 6, to provide advice regarding heating and ventilation, appropriate cleaning options and order any remedial action where required.

“With regard to the overcrowding, we are aware of the family’s need and they are on our housing register for a four-bedroom property. However, demand for larger family sized homes outstrips supply which leads to a significant delay for many families that are overcrowded.

“We have recommended to the family that they apply through www.homeswapper.co.uk to register for an exchange, which often sees other tenants looking to downsize from a larger property and through this mutual exchange method they would be able to apply for a threeor four-bedroom property.

“Private rented accommodation is a further option to all our applicants, providing an easily accessible option that often enables residents to meet their housing need much quicker than via the Housing Register.

“Households may be eligible for our Rent Guarantee Scheme and we advise residents to contact the Housing Advice team on 0118 937 2165.”

The John Sykes Foundation celebrates

THE John Sykes Foundation, founded in 2014, has been benefitting local Reading based charities and organisations along with their service users since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The scheme, called the Covid-19 Relief Fund, was launched in June 2021 to help those groups who found it difficult to raise vital funds during the pandemic.

John Sykes, Founder and Chair of Trustees, explained, “When the pandemic struck, we recognised the devastating impact this was going to have on our community, and we wanted to help.

“Many charities were losing their revenue income with their services not being delivered face-to-face or important fundraising events not being held, as well as the number of service users increasing.”

The Foundation created a unique fund for local organisations to apply for a grant, initially open for one year, but due to its demand was extended until 31st December 2022.

A total of £50,000 was allocated to the Fund, with there being no set limit on each grant amount – to help as many organisations as possible, each was envisaged as being £1,000.

Mr Sykes said: “We were overwhelmed by the response and the diversity of the applications. Our Foundation was established to assist charities and organisations within a five-mile radius of Reading, and we are extremely proud to have been able to help those groups who required vital funding across various sectors.

“The Foundation’s key objective is to improve the lives and well-being of individuals and communities within the town where there is an element of disadvantage.

“I am hugely passionate and proud of Reading, the community spirit has always been such a great source of inspiration for me, and I am very humbled by the work that is carried out by Reading’s charities, many of which are run entirely by volunteers, and the amount of time and dedication they put into supporting the local community.

“They offer a valuable lifeline to so many in our community, including people who may have a learning disability, those who require a safe space to go for advice or friendship, and families who are struggling financially, not just at Christmas, but all year round.”

“I am looking forward to forging long-lasting relationships with the charities that we have awarded grants to from our Fund, and we are now working alongside a number of charities further to help deliver services in our community.”

We are delighted to share a round-up of some of those charities and organisations who were gifted a COVID-19 Relief Fund grant from the Foundation.

Reading Association for the Blind

The first successful recipient of a COVID-19 Relief Fund grant was awarded to Reading Association for the Blind (RAB), based at Walford Hall on Carey Street. The Charity

applied for funding to continue to run its outreach service which aims to assist those with sight loss to build the confidence needed to live an independent and meaningful life. Matthew Thomas, Fundraiser at RAB said, “This is an emotional and distressing time for many and requires a high number of hours of support. It will also help towards the cost of transporting those with sight loss to our Community Hall, where they will be able to socialise and build relationships with those in a similar position.”

No5 Young People for Mental Health

The Foundation were delighted to donate a Covid-19 Relief Fund Grant to No5 Young People in June 2021, which was utilised towards the charity’s 50th Anniversary project.

It provides free, confidential, and professional counselling and outreach to children and young people aged 11-25 suffering mental distress in the Reading area. They invited four young people on the counselling waiting list not assessed as critical – and therefore likely to wait the longest – to take part.

Carly Newman, Operations & Relationships Manager at No5, commented, “Without any support, these young people would be disadvantaged further, their symptoms likely to worsen, and wellbeing deteriorate.”

Whitley Amateur Boxing Club

Whitley Amateur Boxing Club is a charity established in 2015 by former professional boxer Nathan Ward, himself from Whitley. He strives to give back to his community by teaching kids the noble art of boxing and simultaneously doing his utmost to guard young kids from gangs and crime by keeping them off the streets and giving them a safe environment to learn the sport alongside respect and selfdiscipline.

Although the club was fighting to raise funds to enable them to secure a home for the boxing club and for the young people of Whitley both now and for the generations coming through, they also required essential equipment, including a new canvas for the ring which due to the Covid-19 Relief Fund has now been fitted.

Nathan said: “The gym keeps me sane, and seeing the kids winning and enjoying themselves puts a smile on my face, because most of the children who come to the club are not expected to achieve great things.

“When I first started the club, people said I was mad because of its location, but myself and the other coaches are just trying to do our bit to give back.

“Thank you for all of your help.” Coley Park Community Association (CPCA)

CPCA was awarded a COVID-19 Relief Fund grant in August 2021. The Charity, based at the Community Centre on Wensley Road in Coley,

serves as the designated area for various opportunities for locals.

Kirsty Charge, Chair & Trustee of Coley Park Community Association, said: “Over the past 18 months many people have been isolated and withdrawn from society, and had a real lack of engagement.

“The Association applied for a grant from the John Sykes Foundation to be used to create two events that will encourage people to get together and enjoy each other’s company in a fun setting.”

The Foundation were delighted to receive an update from Kirsty who advised that residents in Coley came together and spent a day at the beach; great fun was had by all with families sharing quality time building sandcastles and paddling in the sea.

Thames Valley Positive Support

Thames Valley Positive Support was the fifth recipient. The Charity provides emotional and practical support to those living with (or affected by) HIV in Berkshire. Running since 1985, they support over 700 clients, 300 of which are residents of Reading.

The grant, which was presented to Sarah Macadam, CEO of Thames Valley Positive Support, at The Warehouse on Cumberland Road, has been used to restart the weekly drop-in coffee morning sessions. These provide a safe haven for people to socialise, as well as being able to receive both one-to-one and peer support.

Berkshire Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Therapy Centre

Berkshire MS Therapy Centre received a donation of £1,000 to restart Oxygen Treatment, a vital service used by the Centre’s members to aid in their treatment.

The Centre supports the health and wellbeing of local people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) through specialist therapies, including exercise sessions, oxygen treatment, and counselling. They also give people with MS a chance to meet and support one another, helping to reduce loneliness and isolation.

Samantha Harper, Fundraising Manager, added, “The grant provided by the John Sykes Foundation will go towards providing oxygen treatment which had to be stopped for much of the pandemic.

“The grant has allowed us to cover the cost of running sessions which cannot be run at capacity due to Covid restrictions.”

Dingley’s Promise

Dingley’s Promise successfully applied for a grant in June. The Charity supports 60 children aged three months to five years with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities as well as their parents/ carers each year.

The donation from the John Sykes Foundation was used to fund 12 weeks of sensory activities.

Catherine McLeod said: “The donation provided sensory resources to fund sensory activities

at the Reading Centre, including sensory story massage, sensory circuits, cooking, sensory arts and crafts, alongside holding workshops for parents/carers to improve their understanding of sensory difficulties in children with SEND and to practice strategies and techniques to support their child’s sensory wellbeing at home.”

The Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice

The Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice on Liebenrood Road, which provides expert palliative care and support to people living with terminal illnesses, along with offering support for families, applied for funding to improve patient experience in the hospice.

Laura Kell of Sue Ryder’s Fundrasing Team explained, “As with many charities, fundraising has become increasingly difficult for us during the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re so grateful for this generous grant from the John Sykes Foundation which will help us to continue to improve our patient experience better, in particular for dementia patients.”

The Rising Sun Arts Centre

The very popular Arts Centre on Silver Street was presented with a cheque of £1,000 by the Covid-19 Relief Fund in November 2021 to assist in their fundraising project to install a new ventilation system to the Centre to provide a safe space for volunteers and the public.

Larry Watson, Manager of the Centre, explained, “This grant from the John Sykes Foundation has been a morale boost and re-energised our volunteer fundraising team, putting us within an achievable distance of our target.”

The Rising Sun team reached their target of £10,000, and opened up their doors safely to the public.

Brookfields SEN School

Brookfields SEN School is a maintained special school which offers an ‘Outstanding’ (Ofsted September 2019) education to 226 pupils of which have a learning difficulty and/or additional needs.

Due to Covid-19, Brookfields kept pupils and staff in very limited areas of the school, meaning many classes and activities were temporarily side-lined, pottery included. Unfortunately, this meant that the pottery kiln was inactive for a long period and required servicing, which the school were unable to fund.

“Bringing pottery back to life will make an enormous difference to our students. Servicing the kiln will transform unfired bone-dry clay from its fragile state to a porous and durable state, which allows one to safely do decorative work, apply underglazes and glazes on the piece without damaging or cracking it, and then glaze after firing” explained Charlotte Wilshire, Fundraiser at Brookfields.

The John Sykes Foundation donated the grant not only for the servicing of the kiln, but also to purchase a number of supplies.

celebrates its successful COVID-19 Relief Fund

Sadaka

Sadaka, a volunteer-led local charity, benefits disadvantaged residents of Reading by relieving food poverty, reducing social isolation, improving mental health, and changing living conditions.

Zobia Kalim, Treasurer at Sadaka, commented, “Our service users are local people of Reading, with a wide range of underprivileged backgrounds. Many are homeless and live on the streets or in temporary accommodation.”

Residents are served from Fairview Community Centre on Great Knollys Street every Saturday, without prejudice or bias, by serving 60-70 hot meals at a sit-down service and takeaway food bags.

The £1,000 donation was used to purchase ingredients.

Enrych Berkshire

Enrych Berkshire were 2022’s first recipient of a grant from the Foundation. The charity, based in Reading since 2008, assists disabled adults to access their own chosen leisure and learning activities through a friendly partnership with a like-minded volunteer.

Martin Jeffery, Chair & Treasurer, said: “Fundraising has been severely curtailed. We have made many applications to trusts and foundations in the last year but have not been successful, mainly because of the enormous increase (sometimes 300%) in the number of applications they are now receiving.”

Whitley Community Development Association

Better known as “WCDA,” the Whitley Community Development Association was awarded a £1,000 grant from the Fund to create a new group called the “Men’s Shed,” which will allow participants to exchange and gain skills, share life experiences, and communicate how they have been affected by events and circumstances they have found themselves in.

Imke Wilson, Vice Chair of Trustees of WCDA, said: “The grant will be used to provide a safe and warm environment for 12 weeks.”

The Engine Shed

The Engine Shed have been running since 2010 and are a special interest group for autistic children, young people, and adults with an enthusiasm for trains and railways. The organisation applied for a grant to raise necessary funds for a new van to continue to deliver the Reading sessions and to meet the demand for additional sessions.

Sarah Snow, Chair & Trustee, said: “For many families, The Engine Shed is one of the few places that they attend where their autistic children are absorbed in a stimulating activity with peers and where they have time to talk with others in a similar position.”

Parenting Special Children (PSC)

PSC offers specialist support to families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. They applied for a grant to go towards their Community Support Groups based in Whitley which were established four years ago

Ruth Pearce, CEO, said: “During Covid, due to increased needs of families, the Community Support Team provided weekly Zoom support groups and family events instead of monthly groups as more support was needed.

“Our personal experiences, as well as feedback from hundreds of families we work with, tell us that parents/ carers find great comfort and support from having regular contact with others similar. It gives them a collective voice and sense of community. The service will continue to offer support groups for families with similar circumstances.”

Reading Samaritans

Reading Samaritans was the next charity to receive a grant from the Fund. They offer support to those who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those who may be at risk of suicide by providing a confidential telephone and email service and face-to-face support.

Elizabeth Hayes, Trustee and Branch Coordinator, said, “The grant of £1,000 will be used to support continuous development for existing volunteers by hosting several training sessions featuring external speakers.”

Hope and Vision Communities

Hope and Vision were established in 2020 and provides specialist-supported move-on accommodation for people leaving treatment for addictions. The grant has been used to purchase a year’s supply of Drug Testing Kits.

Tony Attwood, Founder, said: “You often can’t afford to live alone and need to share a home with like-minded people who don’t risk your sobriety. If your home isn’t a safe place to live you can relapse, which often leads to reoffending and returning to jail.

“Each new property we take on is renovated by the men already in the programme - there’s a real camaraderie between our residents.”

Reading Rockets Basketball Club

A year into the Fund, the Foundation granted Reading Rockets, the town’s local basketball club, £1,000 towards a new set of equipment due to having to change venues to Loddon Valley Leisure Centre.

Matt Johnson, Director of Basketball, said, “The grant will help us to bring in new floor-mounted hoops and a scoreboard and bring excitement to Lower Earley and D1 professional basketball to the local families.”

Chemogiftbags

Chemogiftbags provides care package bags for breast cancer patients. They applied for a grant to raise the necessary funds for supplies for their bags. These items include stuffing for heart shaped cushions, which help relieve discomfort from surgery and chemotherapy, word search books to occupy long hours of treatment, and wool for their custom blankets.

Lynne Shipton, Founder, said, “Our bags provide support

in so many ways. They educate, and they also relieve some of the anxiety, we have done the thinking for them.”

Ridgeline Trust

The Ridgeline Trust were awarded a grant in June 2022; they help people living with either physical or learning disabilities or a mental health issue learn new skills, regain lost skills, and improve mental, social, and physical health through horticultural therapy in their beautiful garden in East Reading. The Trust applied for a grant to enable the Social Prescribing Project to continue on a weekly basis for 14 clients.

Ros Richards, Trustee, commented, “Being part of a gardening team working towards shared aims helps to create a sense of belonging, camaraderie, and achievement, all of which are found to promote positive mental health and wellbeing.”

Autism Berkshire

Autism Berkshire provides advice and support services for parents/carers of autistic children and young people, including a Helpline, workshops, a welfare benefits advice service, and various social and leisure activities.

They were awarded £1,000 to supplement two family fun days at the new Prospect Park Pavilion, to enable families to benefit from its improved play and activity facilities.

Jane Stanford-Beale said: “Prior to the Covid pandemic, we often received requests for more activities for autistic children during school holidays.

These requests have started to come in again this year, as families feel more confident about going out and about, but they want places to go that offer a supportive environment, where their children feel happy and safe”.

The grant for £1,000 was awarded to go towards a Hallowe’en party in October and a Christmas party in December.

Wyfold Riding for the Disabled (WRDA)

WRDA is an independent charity that provides horse

riding facilities for people with physical or mental disabilities within the South Oxfordshire and Reading areas. The grant was awarded in September 2022.

Diane Lee, Chairwoman, said: “WRDA provides disabled adults and children with the opportunity to ride and/or carriage drive horses to benefit their physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.

Our workforce of 7 horses and ponies give therapeutic riding and driving sessions to approximately 65 riders and carriage drivers each week. The activities take place in our purpose-built riding arena or on the all-weather track, with rides through beautiful woods and parkland.”

The £1,000 grant will be used to secure the day-to-day running of the yard, including purchasing feed.

Reading Family Aid

Reading Family Aid run the town’s annual Toys and Teens Appeal fundraiser and have been established in Reading for over 50 years. This year, 3,001 gifts were donated to children, up approximately by 500 on last year, as parents struggle to keep houses warm and feed their children.

Ruth Perkins explained, “We at Reading Family Aid were overwhelmed to receive the amazing news that we had been awarded £1,000 to buy toys for the Toys and Teens Appeal. There is evidently increasing levels of poverty in Reading which already has some of the most deprived areas in the country.”

Grassrootz Youth Club

Local youth club Grassrootz, founded in 2020, run five youth club sessions each week for the Reading community in Whitley, Caversham, and Coley Park, seeing youths from eight up to 16, with more clubs based in other areas of Reading on the horizon.

They were awarded with a grant of £1,000 to purchase a computer and DJ equ ipment.

Kelvin Husbands, Founder of Grassrootz, commented, “The money we have received is

going towards a new computer and DJ equipment, so the young people can produce music, do their homework, browse the internet, make art projects, and will help to take the club to a new level.”

Reading Mencap

Our last COVID-19 Relief Fund Grant was awarded to Reading Mencap who are using the grant to hold 2 events for unpaid carers in the local area.

The Charity, now celebrating its 60th year, provides family support, a weekly social and leisure club for adults with learning disabilities, a monthly disco, performing arts workshops, a community choir, and outings for young carers.

Marie-Claire, Fundraising Manager, added, “We would like to offer two events including a pottery painting session and an afternoon tea. Invitations to the events will be available to all unpaid carers within the newly formed partnership, not just carers of people with learning disabilities.”

From the John Sykes Foundation:

The John Sykes Foundation support a wide range of Reading-based non-profit charities and organisations.

The Trustees are flexible in their consideration of any grant application, however the key criteria is that your organisation will provide a direct benefit to individuals or a community within a 5-mile radius of Reading town centre.

Whilst the John Sykes Foundation will consider funding for day-to-day expenditure and capital projects, we are primarily seeking to support specific needs, projects and/or activities.

Although this particular fund has now ended, we love to receive grant applications and encourage charities in need to apply, which can be done via our website: www. johnsykesfoundation.org

Also, a new Cost of Living Crisis Fund has just been launched by the Foundation, which will run during 2023.

JAILED: Deron Anderson, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply a controlled class A drug, and was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday, January 4.

Reading man sentenced for drug offences

A READING man has been sentenced for drug offences following a Thames Valley Police investigation.

Deron Anderson, 20 and of Green Road, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply a class A drug, namely cocaine and heroin.

He was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday, January 4.

On Saturday, August 27 last year, officers attended an address in Green Road to make an arrest for an unrelated incident, where they found a holdall containing class A drugs, digital scales and grip-sealed bags, as well as a quantity of cash.

In total, officers recovered 1.24kg of heroin, 914g crack cocaine, and 234g of cocaine, with an estimated street value

of around £363,000 in the form of 11,091 individual wraps of class A drugs.

Investigating officer PC James Dunwell, based at Reading police station, said: “Our Stronghold team will proactively and robustly target and prosecute offenders.

“Our activity will be both visible and covert aimed at disrupting and pursuing offenders involved in the supply of drugs.

“The information from the public around the drug supply offences in Reading plays an important role in developing intelligence into a proactive investigation.

“If you have any information we would encourage you to report it to us by calling 101 or through the online reporting on our website.”

Food waste pushes Ding’s recycling rate to beyond 50%

READING is getting better at recycling according to new statistics released last week.

The borough council says that more than half of the town’s waste is no longer heading to landfill, an increase from its 2019 figure of 34%.

And the amount of food waste in the grey bins has dropped from 41% to 23%.

The news came as the council started work on expanding its food waste collection service.

Last summer, it commenced pick-ups from 950 flats, across 42 blocks.

By the time the roll-out is completed, 14,500 high- and low-rise flats will be taking part in the scheme. It is being implemented on a block-byblock basis.

Reading Borough Council says that since the food waste scheme launched in October 2019, it continues to grow in popularity, with an average collection per household of 2.5kg per week – the target was 1.4kg.

This is estimated to save

Cllr Karen Rowland, Reading Borough Council’s lead member for environmental services and community safety, said: “The people of Reading have done a great job of embracing food

waste recycling and helping us get the recycling rate up over 50% which is a laudable achievement.

“However, we will continue to increase that number as we bring food recycling to thousands more people who live in flats this year, where we know many residents are eager to get on board and do their bit.

“Working through the unique

Blade businesses make festive donation to town’s food bank

challenges of blocks of flats on an individual basis helps officers to tailor an approach and methods for collection that best fits each site and its residents.

“Officers look to speak with and engage with residents and management agents to provide guidance on using the new service as well as answering queries on its implementation and how it fits with the existing kerbside recycling scheme.”

She said she was excited at potential ways to increase Reading’s recycling rate.

“If you’d like to be even more engaged with helping Reading achieve greater heights with our recycling numbers, do access our recycling information on our website and the re3cyclopedia app to see how else you can maximise what you recycle,” she said.

Suggestions include using glass banks with lids and caps left on, and donating old clothes to charity shops or textile banks.

Small electricals such as toasters, kettles and hairdryers, can be left in a bag next to the red wheelie bin on recycling collection day.

Batteries and vapes should not go in recycling or general waste as they could ignite. Instead, they should be left in a carrier bag on top of the recycling bin on recycling collection day.

Soft plastics such as crisp packets, fruit and veg bags and carrier bags can be disposed of at many supermarkets.

Flooding support

DONATIONS to help with the rebuilding of Pakistan following fatal flooding has been sent by a day nursery and a Rotary Club.

A team from Padworth-based Jubilee Day Nursery made a donation, which was topped up by Pangbourne Rotary Club’s charity fund. In all, £2,700 was donated to the emergency fund.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported that 5.2 million people have been affected, with 436,000 houses destroyed by heavy rainfall and flash floods in September last year.

It is thought 1,200 people lost their lives and more than 4,900 were injured.

ONE OF Reading’s landmark buildings celebrated Christmas with a special giving campaign.

The Blade, which houses a number of business offices, supported ReadiFood’s Reverse Advent Calendar Campaign.

Businesses and staff took part by donating items in aid of the food bank which distributes food parcels to Reading residents over the festive period.

Participants donated a specified item each day, with all of the collected goods delivered to ReadiFood for Christmas.

The list included tea, coffee, soup, biscuits, tinned meals and

vegetable, cereals, rice, and pasta.

Nick Turner, Asset Manager at The Blade, said: “It’s very important to us to work closely with our local community, and sadly, given the current climate, more and more people in Reading are in need of our local food bank.

“Our occupiers have quickly embraced the opportunity to get involved and support local people by collecting donations for these festive food parcels.

“I’m really proud of the team here who co-ordinated donations on behalf of the business community at The Blade.”

To help people affected, Rotary International has been working with LIFESAVER to help provide clean drinking water.

Funds have been used to purchase 33 LifeSaver Water Cubes, which were delivered to the Rotary Club of Islamabad Metropolitan (Pakistan) for distribution to affected families.

This overseas branch is focusing on ways to ensure clean drinking water is made available to the most affected areas.

Brian Davies, publicity chair of Pangbourne Rotary, said: “This is another great example of Pangbourne Rotary getting aid quickly to those who urgently need it by working directly with local Rotary organisations.”

221940: 6 Crown Street, Reading, RG1

Street,

221879:

Hamilton Road,

221869: 5 Victoria Street, Reading, RG1

storey rear extension with rooflights and internal alterations.

221862: Osbert House, Notley Place, Reading, RG4 8PW - Maintenance work to boundary wall of listed building in conversation area.

221823: 25 Erleigh Road, Reading, RG1 5LR - Single storey extension to standalone building.

These applications can be viewed online http://planning.reading.gov.uk/fastweb_PL/welcome.asp

Anyone wishing to make representations can submit comments online or write, quoting the application number, to Planning, Reading Borough Council, Civic Centre, Bridge Street, Reading RG1 2LU.

Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham

‘I’m not quite a Spice Girl’

The Circle’s Tom Houghton talks comedy, reality, and taxidermy

COMEDIAN Tom Houghton has just starred in the latest series of the American version of Netflix’s reality show, The Circle, now in its fifth season.

He has also just begun his biggest live tour to date, with more than 60 shows lined up over the next couple of month – including two in Reading alone.

“Last year’s tour was 22 dates,” he says. “This one is 44 dates, and we’ve just added about 20 more.

“It’s very nice that I can now say it’s due to phenomenal demand–the words every every performer wants to say at one point.

“I’ve been absolutely blown away by the response, and we’re very proud.”

The tour kicks off in Reading with a now-sold-out show at South Street Arts Centre, but is set to return in June.

“Reading last year was one of my favourite gigs, and the audience were really positive.” Tom says.

“I remember it was an early gig last year, as well – I think it was probably the show where I first thought ‘Oh, that really feels like it’s clicked.’

“And when you get a good experience out of a place, you want to go back, so Reading was top of the list for venues I wanted to return to.”

Just as his tour is kicking off, The Circle is set to conclude.

The show saw Tom, along with fellow contestants, thrown into an apartment building in Salford and isolated for the duration of the show.

In the show, contestants only interact with one another through the social media of the The Circle itself, with each player uploading a profile and posting messages in group chats and private messages.

It gives many players the opportunity to hide who they are and catfish other contestants, or choose to be their authentic selves in a competition which sees the player voted most popular winning $100,000.

Speaking on the timing of the show airing, Tom says: “I’d love to say it was planned, but we filmed the show about a year ago.

“They filmed two series back to back, but the other one was pushed forward to have the Spice Girls on it.

“And I hope you won’t mind me saying – I can sell out Reading, but I’m still not quite a Spice Girl.

“So I have to thank Mel B and Emma Bunton, really, for helping me out.”

The Circle was originally broadcast by Channel 4 before spawning a number of international and celebrity versions.

While the UK version no longer airs, Tom took part in the US version.

“I thought because Netflix had bought it off Channel 4 I was being flown to LA and that I’d be having an amazing holiday.

“Turns out it’s cheaper for them to fly the Americans over here rather than recreate an entire hotel over there.

“So I was pretty gutted when I found it was in Salford – but it doesn’t really matter, since all you do is stay in a hotel room, you can’t go out.”

As a touring comedian, he says: “Thankfully, I’ve spent a lot of long dark nights of the soul in hotel rooms, normally crying with a takeaway, but this was a different vibe.

“The hardest thing about it as a comedian is that because you haven’t got an audience to interact with, you’re saying these lines and not getting any feedback, so you’ve got no idea if you’re what you’re saying is funny.”

Much like stand-up over Zoom during the lockdowns in the last few years, The Circle doesn’t entirely lend itself to nuanced performance.

“That’s the thing about comedy, even as opposed to being an actor in a play where the audience stares at you, whereas comedy you get reviewed every few seconds.

“Every time you tell a joke on stage there’s immediate validation, which is why I enjoy doing comedy, so it just means you second guess yourself in your head all the time.”

Speaking on whether his experience as a comedian gave him something of an edge in the show, he said: “It still throws curveballs at you.

“There were people like Brett who was in Big Brother, and Shooby was a previous contestant and he’s now come back on, so he obviously knows exactly what he was doing.

“But I’ve also appeared on TV with Comedy Central, and even some reality too – I’ve done First Dates, which is all about you being yourself in a live environment. But the situation is definitely unique.”

He says that he also brings a lot of himself to his stand-up: “My comedy is quite honest, it’s very much me.

“When you’re performing you can’t help but be a slightly performative version of yourself, and when you’re meeting new people in real life, I’d say most people slightly put on something or other.

“I would say that my my style of comedy definitely lends itself to being on reality TV, because I think it is essentially just me being honest and truthful.”

His upcoming tour, titled Absolute Shambles, is no different: “It starts just before lockdown is arriving, where I had a breakup with a girlfriend, my agent dropped me and my career got taken away.

“Obviously, tiny violins, I know that people had it way worse than me, but of course it’s all relative.

“But then after lockdown, after crying a lot and getting therapy, and things started to blow up, so it covers my recovery, and I think it can be quite therapeutic.”

He says that we can expect “quite a varied bunch of stuff” from the show.

“I think I’ll touch on The Circle, and there’s definitely a lot about taxidermy, if you’re into that– I don’t think anyone else is doing much taxidermy material.

“The nice thing about doing shows about living in the Tower of London is that if other comedians start doing bits about living in the Queen’s garden and next door to a beefeater, I can tell it’s been taken.”

n Tom Houghton: Absolute Shambles is showing at South Street Arts Centre on Thursday, June 22.

n For tickets and further information about the tour, visit: whatsonreading. com.

Wassail will see two bands come together

REVELLERS can enjoy a musical Celtic blessing of the fruit trees.

The Wassail sees two bands merge for a traditional night in praise of apples and pears, with a modern twist.

Two bands perform: Celtic-inspired psy-folk band Flautatious, and Spriggan Mist, folk rock band with sword wielding tribal belly dancers.

One or two other special guests are also expected to appear throughout the evening, which is hosted by Wokingham Music Club.

The celebration takes place at the Royal British Legion, Woodward Close, Winnersh.

Doors open on Friday, January 27 at 8pm.

n Advance tickets cost £16, and can be purchased by searching for Wokingham Music Club at: www.ticketsource.co.uk

Church group to swap pulpit for pantomime

A NEW year laugh will raise funds for charity.

Corpus Christi Parish Pantomime’s show, Jack and the Beanstalk, promises to put smiles on people’s faces.

It contains all the usual classic panto fun, with singing, dancing, goodies and baddies, a dame, and lots of slapstick and jokes to liven up the darkest month of the year.

Proceeds from the show will support First Days Children’s Charity.

Jack And The Beanstalk can be seen at Caudwell Hall Theatre, Holme Grange School, Wokingham, on Saturday and Sunday, January 28 and 29.

Performances are on Saturday at 3pm and 7pm, and on Sunday at 3pm.

Tickets cost £5.

n For tickets and information, visit: beanstalkpanto.eventbrite.co.uk

Heartbreaker with a violin

LADIES In Lavender is the poignant tale of two older spinster sisters who discover a young man washed up on a Cornish beach.

Nursing him back to health, they realise he is a concert violinist whose music can break hearts.

The play is performed at Wokingham

AT THE THEATRE

Bracknell –South Hill Park

Conservatoire: Oliver Nelson a nd Vasilis Rakitzis. Fri 20. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 20. Spirit Chasers Paranomral UK.

Fri 20. Wilde Sundays: Tim Shez, Laura Loh, Neil Wells. Sun 22. Teechers Leavers ‘22. Wed 25-Fri 27. Conservatoire: Yoon Chung. Fri 27. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 27. Iolanthe concert performance. Sat 28. South Hill Park tours.

Sun 29.

FILMS: Like Water For Chocolate. Thurs 19. Armageddon Time. Fri 20-Sun 22. Utama. Mon 23-Tues 24. The Crucible. Thurs 26. White Noise. Fri 27-Sun 29.

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600

Talon, the best of Eagles. Thurs 26. Go Your Own Way. Fri 27.

Performed

A mysterious coded message, a

Theatre from Thursday, January 19 through to Saturday, January 28, with the exception of Sunday.

Performances start at 7.45pm, with tickets available at £15.

n For tickets and information visit: wokinghamtheatre.org.uk, or call the box office on: 0118 978 5363

Teenage fame

SARA PASCOE wanted to be famous at 14.

Host of The Great British Sewing Bee, stand up star, writer and actor, and with books, shows series and podcasts to her name, she is probably ‘in her prime’.

Her show, Sara Pascoe: Success Story, is described as ‘winningly funny’.

Tickets are selling fast for this Hexagon show, which will be British Sign Language interpreted.

warning of

danger,

Evening shows are at 7.30pm, with matinées on Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost £25, £28 and £32 depending on location.

www.cornexchangenew.com, or call the box office on: 08455 218218.

Back to school for John Godber

John Godber’s play Teechers was a hit in the 1980s.

His updated version, Teechers Leavers ‘22, is to be performed by Blackeyed Theatre.

Described as hilarious, high energy and full blooded, it brings an array of terrifying teachers and hopeless pupils to the stage, in this world première tour.

Struggling academy Whitewall has failed its Ofsted, the bell’s gone and they can’t afford a new one in this comedy about education for the haves and the have nots, and a generation left behind.

Teechers Leavers ‘22 is at Bracknell’s South Hill Park Arts Centre, from Wednesday, January 25 to Thursday and Friday, January 27.

Performances are at 7.45pm, with a Thursday matinée at 1.30pm. Tickets cost £21, £18 for members, and £11 for school groups of 10 or more.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk, or call the box office on: 01344 484123

Performances are at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre from Thursday, Friday and Saturday, January 19, 20 and 21.

The Reading event is on Thursday, January 26 at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £26 and £23 depending on seats.

n For tickets and information visit: whatsonreading.com, or call the box office: 0118 960 6060

Movies brought to the concert hall

FOR A concert of movie themes and songs from films including Star Wars, James Bond, Lawrence of Arabia and more, audiences should head to Henley.

Multi-Instrumental vocalists Five Star Swing have played for Pinewood Film Studios, Whoopi Goldberg, Michael Winner, Jeremy Irons, and Michael Caine. They perform at the Kenton Theatre, on Thursday, January 27.

n For tickets and information visit: yvonne-arnaud.co.uk or call the box office on: 01483 440000

Doors open at 7.30pm, with tickets available at £22, and £20 for concessions.

n For tickets and information, visit: www. kentontheatre.co.uk, or call the box office on: 01491 525050

Circus of Horrors to stop off in Newbury

FANS of rock and horror can enjoy a show that mixes bizarre circus acts with an original rock score, in a story of witchcraft and magic.

Circus of Horrors reached the finals of Britain’s Got Talent.

Its show,The Witch, can be seen at The Corn Exchange, Newbury on Tuesday, January 24.

Doors open at 7.45pm with tickets at £25.25, and concessions at £23.25.

n For tickets and information log on to:

A celebration of Mozart at the Farm

Norden Farm’s annual Mozart concert features performances from young soloists.

Louise Fuller sings Exsultate jubilate, and Sarah Parkes Bowen performs the Flute Concerto.

Lithuanian pianist Ignas Macknickas, winner of several international competitions, plays one of Mozart’s concertos.

The performance given with St John’s Chamber Orchestra is conducted by Nigel Wilkinson.

The programme includes: Intrada Apollo & Hyacinth, K.38; Flute Concerto in G, K.313; Exsultate jubilate,K.165 and Piano Concerto No.19 in F, K.459

The event takes place at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead, on Saturday, January 28.

Doors open at 8pm with tickets costing £20.

n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm, or call the box office on: 01628 788977

Guildford –Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000

Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear. Until Sat 21. The Lavender Hill Mob. Tues 24-Sat 28. The Bobby Kennedy Experience. Thurs 26-Fri 27.

High Wycombe –Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000

Simon & Garfunkel Story. Thurs 19. Don’t Stop Believin’. Fri 20. It’s Not Unusual.

Sat 21. Spirit of the Dance.

Sun 22. Hellfire Comedy Club.

Thurs 26. Fanny’s Bingo Brunch. Sat 28.

Cirque: The Greatest Show. Fri 28-Sun 29.

Henley –Kenton www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050

The Simon and Garfunkel. Fri 20.

The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars present The Ronnie Scott’s Story. Sat 21.

Elvis The King Is Back. Wed 26.

Greatest Songs From The Movies. Thurs 27.

Paul Jones and Dave Kelly. Fri 28. Art Themen: Thane and the Villeins.

Sat 29.

Maidenhead –Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997

Andrew Rieu in Dublin. Fri 20.

Corsage (15). Fri 20. Steve Waterman (trumpet) The Latin Connection. Fri 20. The Total Who Show.

Sat 21. The Vinyl Frontier album championship.

Sat 21. The Band of the Household Cavalry open rehearsal. Tues 24. National

Theatre Live: The Crucible. Thurs 26. Flo Perlin, Daisy Chute and Fern Maddie. Fri 27. Tom Houghton: Absolute Shambles. Fri 27. Mozart

Birthday Concert with St John’s Chamber Orchestra. Sat 28.

Newbury –The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218

NT Live: The Crucible. Thurs 26.

Sweet Caroline: A Tribute to Neil Diamond. Sat 28.

Newbury –The Watermill www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044

NEXT SHOW: Notes From A Small Island. Fri Feb 3-Sat Mar 18.

Reading –South Street www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

Poetes Cafe online. Fri 20.

Off The Block #11. Fri 20.

Tom Houghton: Absolute Shambles. Thurs 26. Babtune Aleshe: Babahood.

Reading

Reading

Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 We’ll Always Have Paris. Until Mar 11. Genesis Connected. Sun 29.

Windsor –Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Arrival: The Hits of Abba. Thurs

19. Frankie. Fri 20. Some Guys Have All The Luck. Sat 21. Home, I’m Darling. Wed 25-Sat 4.

Wokingham –Wokingham Theatre www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363

Ladies In Lavender. Thurs 19-Sat 28.

Wokingham –The Whitty Theatre www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247

Wokingham Music Club: DS:UK A tribute to Dire Straits. Fri 20. Wokingham Film Society: Olga (15). Thurs 26.

Woodley –Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org 07488337838

Jazz Concert: Jo Fooks Tenor Saxophone. Sat 21.

Triumph and tragedy as orchestra duels with fate

A popular group of musicians is preparing for their first performance of 2023, with a concert laced with Greek mythology.

explains

AREADING orchestra is set to take its audience on a journey through Greek mythology in concert next month.

Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) will take to the University of Reading’s Great Hall to perform a repertoire linked by the theme of fate.

The first half of the concert will follow the struggles of two Ancient Greek protagonists.

Liszt’s Prometheus chronicles his harsh punishment from Zeus and sorrow at his fall as a Titan, but ultimately ends in triumph.

A more tragic fate awaits the mountain nymph Echo.

In 2008, APO commissioned British composer Graham Ross to tell her story, which ends with having her voice reduced to a foolish repetition of others’ words.

Her talkative character is brought to life by clarinet soloist Caroline Owen, with the music ending with her lamenting repetitively over a beautiful

Get Up and Go!: The Go! Team returns to Sub89

BRIGHTON indie outfit

The Go! Team will return to a Reading venue for the first time in 15 years.

Following of the release

orchestral realisation of Orlando Gibbon’s melancholic song, The Silver Swan.

After the interval, visitors will be treated to Tchaikovsky’s dramatic Fourth Symphony.

It opens with its famous theme about which Tchaikovsky wrote: “This is fate: that fateful force which prevents the impulse to happiness from attaining its goal, which jealously ensures that peace and happiness shall not be complete and unclouded.”

Although this dark and threatening theme dominates the symphony, batting back delightful dancing, rampantly

of their latest album, the second part of their Get Up Sequences project, due next month, the band is performing at Sub 89.

Their seventh studio album, Get Up Sequences Part Two will see the band touring for the first time in five years and returning to Reading for the first time since 2008.

The Go! Team first released

romantic and playful pizzicato in turn, it cannot overcome the ecstatic music of the finale. The piece ends with a display of celebratory musical fireworks.

Tickets are £15 for adults, £10 for under 18s and £7 for 5-15-year-olds.

As ever, APO’s famous ‘Concert Virgin’ scheme offers free tickets, no questions asked, to anyone who’s never heard a live orchestra perform.

The concert takes place at 7.30pm, on Saturday, February 11.

n For more information or to book tickets, visit: www.aldworthphilharmonic.org.uk

music back in 2000, when it was still formed of only its founder, Ian Parton, as the EP Get It Together saw the project rise to prominence.

The band’s first album, 2004’s Thunder, Lightning, Strike, also written solely by Parton, was nominated for a Mercury Prize.

Get It Together also

appeared in the video game LittleBigPlanet and featured heavily in the game’s trailers and marketing.

Get Up Sequences Part Two is due for release on Friday, February 3.

The Go! Team will perform at Sub 89 on Thursday, March 9, from 6.30pm. n Information and tickets are available via: www.sub89.com

Get into some Good Habits with folk gig

A FOLK duo are coming out of winter hibernation to showcase new material next month.

Good Habits will be appearing in Newbury, bringing with them some world-folk tunes.

Bonnie Scharwaz and Pete Shaw aim to mix vivid storytelling with eclectic sounds, drawing on their diverse musical tastes and weaving them into an action-packed narrative of folky goodness.

They were in New Zealand when the pandemic struck and spent two years touring the country.

Last year, they returned and won the Purbeck Rising competition, and performed across the country, including gigs at the Shrewsbury Folk Festival, Bristol Folk Festival, and Manchester Folk.

Now, they will showcase their new set, featuring Klezmer music, folk cello and more.

The gig takes place at the ACE Space on Friday, February 17, and they will be appearing with Steady Habits.

Tickets cost £16.50.

n For more details, log on to: www.acespace.org.uk

Rare UK gig from American artist Kristeen Young at The Face Bar

AN AMERICAN artist who can’t be compared to anyone else is coming to Reading next month, ready to wow music fans.

The Face Bar is the venue for a concert by hard-to-describe, multigenre artist, Kristeen Young.

Organisers say some people have tried to compare her to artists like Yves Tumor, Kate Bush, Diamanda Galas, but they are wrong.

Young is said to play piano/ keyboard in a dissonant bashing style, sing using a wide range of operatic vocals, and have lyrics that eviscerate in a playful way, like an afternoon with a Victorian child ghost.

The show will feature songs from her new self-produced album, The Beauty Shop. It is a song cycle based on the life of a serial killer, with each song representing a different major emotion.

“But, it’s really about how life kills our emotions,” she says.

The album’s lived-in imagery originates from the beauty shop her foster/adopted mom had in a room in the little St Louis house where she grew up.

Besides the audio of the album, Kristeen has also shot and edited six song videos for The Beauty Shop and plans to release a visual version of the album in 2023.

Never on a record label, or with management, continuously navigating on her own, she has always been the epitome of DIY.

Shortly after arriving in New York, where she now resides, she met

producer Tony Visconti, who brought David Bowie to one of her shows and ended up recording a duet with Kristeen, a song she wrote called Saviour.

She also toured several times as Morrissey’s opening act.

Dave Grohl discovered one of her songs on a mix tape and then contacted her… which lead to him to playing drums on her entire 2014 album, The Knife Shift.

Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) was guitarist for her 2017 album, Live at The Witch’s Tit.

Her first live show post-pandemic was Riot Fest, September 2021, following by her own curated night at SxSW 2022.

Since the June 2022 release of The Beauty Shop she’s been filling rooms in New York, San Francisco, St. Louis, London and Manchester…. touring on her own. She has a West Coast tour booked for early December 2022.

For the Reading gig, she will be joined by San Francisco post-punk band Strange Cities, which was formed from the ashes of several Bay Area bands.

Drawing on influences such as Echo and the Bunnymen, The Chameleons, and JAMC, Strange Cities’ sound also reflects the foggy, jagged, industrial landscape that inspired their name.

The band recently toured the western half of the US with Gene Loves Jezebel.

n

Kristeen Young’s visit to The Face Bar will be on Wednesday, February 22, from 8pm. Tickets cost £6.50, and available from www.wegottickets.com

Paul Page’s piano performance

A PIANO concert will take place in Streatley this Sunday.

Paul Page will be performing in an event called On An Overgrown Path.

The programme includes works by Janacek, Bach and Debussy.

It starts at 4pm and takes place at St Mary’s Church.

Tickets will be available on the door and cost £10, or £8 for concessions.

Tea is served afterwards for which donations are welcomed.

The venue is cash only.

n For more details, email stmarysconcerts@hotmail.co.uk, or text 07762 339853.

Ska night for Zoe

ONE OF Reading’s most recognisable venues is set to hold a ska-studded night of live music for a good cause.

The Help For Zoe Ska special will see five bands take to the stage in aid of the fund: the Erin Bardwell Trio, The Skavengers, Bricktop, The Ardliners, and the Skangsters.

DJ Tonic will also be bringing his Ska mixes to the venue to present the very best of Ska, reggae, and brit-pop.

The Help For Zoe Ska Special will take place at The Purple Turtle, Gun Street, on Saturday, January 28, from 4pm.

n Tickets cost £5, available via: whatsonreading.com

Chase away the January blues

PEOPLE wanting to chase away the January blues can enjoy a show that will raise both laughter, and funds for charity.

The Corpus Christi Parish Pantomime group presents Jack and the Beanstalk, and hopes that their work will put smiles on people’s faces this month.

The show’s director Martin Robins says: “This is our 18th pantomime, and we really looking forward to it.

“We’ve been working on it for months now and hope that you will join us in supporting a great local cause while having a laugh.”

Previous pantomimes brought to life by the group have been Alice In Pantoland, Cinderella, and George And The Dragon.

“We’re delighted to be able to perform at the Caudwell Hall Theatre – it’s such a fabulous venue for the panto,” continues Martin.

“It’s filled with all the all the usual classic panto fun – singing, dancing, goodies and baddies, a dame, and lots of slapstick and jokes.”

The group always perform their pantos in January, rather than December.

“It gives us more time to prepare, but it’s also a

chance for some light-hearted entertainment during what is the darkest month of the year,” says Martin.

The company starts writing their own scripts in March each year, with the whole operation taking around 10 months to prepare.

“It really gives us something lively and silly to look forward to when Christmas is over, and all the other pantos are finished.

“It’s fun and informal, and people always say that they enjoy it.

“And if anything goes wrong it’s even funnier.”

Proceeds from this year’s show will support First Days Children’s Charity.

The Wokingham-based organisation supports young people whose families are experiencing difficulties, equipping them with the essential items they need for their early years and at school.

Jack And The Beanstalk can be seen at Caudwell Hall Theatre, Holme Grange School, Wokingham, on Saturday and Sunday, January 28 and 29.

Performances are on Saturday at 3pm and 7pm, and on Sunday at 3pm.

Tickets cost £5. n For tickets and information, visit: beanstalkpanto.eventbrite. co.uk

Punk rockers Pets Needs set to play The Face Bar

A PUNK rock outfit is taking to the stage at The Face Bar in February as part of Independent venue Week.

Following their tour with Frank Turner last year, Pets Needs has added even more dates to their own headline tour this year.

They are also fresh from the release of their sophomore album, Primetime Entertainment, which was released less than a year after their debut, Fractured Party Music.

Pets Needs has fostered

a hard-driven punk rock sound with feedback-laden, acidic riffs.

Independent Venue Week sees more than 200 music and performance venues celebrated annually, including The Rising Sun Arts Centre and The Face Bar.

Pets Needs are playing The Face Bar on Wednesday, February 1.

n Tickets cost £10, available via www.wegottickets.com

Forget Downton Abbey, Singers will head to the riverbank

THE author behind Downton Abbey has turned his head to some tales from the riverbank, and it will be brought to life by a Readingbased amateur dramatics group this spring.

The Sainsbury Singers will perform Julian Fellowes’ take of Kenneth Grahame’s famous stories The Wind in the Willows.

Ratty, Mole, Toad and the gang will be brought to life in this show featuring music by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe (Honk!, Mary Poppins, Half a Sixpence).

The Singers say the show is packed with toe-tapping tunes, and lots of humour making it a real feel-good show for all ages.

It will be performed at The

Hexagon in Reading from Wednesday, May 17 to Saturday, May 20. Tickets cost £25, £22 for concessions, and £14.50 for under 14s, and some special offers available for group bookings.

n For more details, or to book, log on to: sainsburysingers.org.uk, or call: 0118 960 6060.

Final chance to catch The Bully Wee

IT’S hello-goodbye at the Nettlebed Folk Club next week, as the Bully Wee Band return.

It will be a bittersweet appearance as the group are visiting as part of a farewell tour.

Originally formed in the early 70s by brothers Jim and John Yardley, the Bully Wee Band successfully toured Britain, Europe and America through several line-ups until the last one of Ian Cutler, Fergus Feely, Colin Reece and Maartin Allcock finally called it a day in 1983.

They got the band back together in 2004, bringing their blend of acoustic folk and rock music to audiences once again.

It was a chance meeting between Messrs Cutler, Feely and Reece resulted in a spirited jam

session at Faversham Folk Club in Kent, and a subsequent decision to put a three-piece Bully Wee

member Jim Yardley.

Since then, the group of Ian Cutler from Feast of Fiddles, Hot Rats & The Wicker Man (fiddle, keyboard and vocals), Colin Reece (vocals and guitar), Jim Yardley (vocals, mandolin and whistles) and Fergus Feely from Sean Keane (vocals and mandocello) have performed traditional and original songs and tunes with a hint of witty banter thrown in. But this time round, their visit to Nettlebed will be their last.

Band back on the road in January 2004 “if only for the craic”.

The 2004 tour was repeated the following January, only this time with the addition of Bully Wee founder

It takes place on Monday, January 23, in the village club on Nettlebed High Street.

n For more details, or to book tickets, log on to: www. nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk

RaW Sounds Today

Chris Hillman bit.ly/raw sounds today

ONE of the best things about January is preparing for a wassail, an ancient ceremony that aims to have some fun while looking to the harvest ahead. And that’s what is on our mind with this week’s playlist. To whet your appetite for the forthcoming event, organised by Wokingham Music Club, we’ve got some music to enjoy.

As ever, we’re on a mission to champion and showcase great music from acts that have a connection to Reading and Wokingham (that’s the RaW in our Sounds Today name).

It’s a mixture that will help you discover something new. All you have to do is find it on Spotify.

To hear this week’s selection, simply head to https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday and enjoy the music. There is also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap into. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will come up.

Flutatious – Spacechick (Mitchell Mix)

Festival favourites, Flutatious, return to Wokingham Music Club on Friday, January 27, for a special doubleheader with Spriggan Mist.

It’s a Wassail event so, as well as music from these two great bands, you can expect appearances from

Thursday, January 19

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Gary Moore Blues Experience. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW. Karaoke. Details: 0118 958 6775.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Cool Hand Luke. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – Gun Street Garden, Gun Street. Playground.

READING - Lola Lo, Friar Street. Skint Thursdays: Skint Rock, pop punk and classic rock, plus house and techo. Details: Twitter @skintmondays

Friday, January 20

BURGHFIELD – Community and Sports Association, James Lane RG30 3RS. Reading Rock ‘n’ Roll presents Dave B’s Good Rockin’ Tonite. £12 Details: rock3rs.co.uk

READING - Hope and Bear, London Road RG1 5DE. Goldeneye. Details: 0118 935 4095.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Wickd Boy Friday. Details: 0118 959 5500.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Makeshifts. Details: 0118 977 3706

WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Music Club presents DS:UK. 7.30pm. Details:www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk

Saturday, January 21

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Moonage: The Best of Bowie Tribute Band. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The Trojan Beats. Details: 01344 303333.

CAVERSHAM – Caversham Park Village

Jadoo-Tribal Dance, OBJ Morris and Bang to Rites Drummers. It should be quite a night so to get us in the mood here’s one from Flutatious from their Fluctuations EP which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary since its release on our Magick Eye Records label.

This version was mixed by Reading super producer John Mitchell - https://www.flutatious. co.uk/

Cities in Dust – Tornado Road

They are performing at one of the Jamma in-store shows at HMV Reading on Saturday, January 21, and they will be at one of Club Velocity’s Independent Venue Week shows at the Rising Sun Arts Centre on February 3.

It’s Cities in Dust, an excellent band that combine electronica, pyschedelia and alternative rock to produce great indie guitar pop as evidenced on this single from last year - https://linktr.ee/citiesindust

Social Club, Northbrook Road, Caversham Park Village RG4 6PF. Details: 0118 334 1040.

PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Seventies Night. Details: 0118 969 98978.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Solar. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. Madison Heights soul and Motown band. Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Heisenbug. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Jazz night: Annie Parker flutes, Hugh Turner guitar. Details: 0118 931 0232.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. WATT4. Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. 10 Years of RUDNB: Sempra, Banditt, Visla, Klueless, Dewinder. Details: 0118 959 5395.

TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. The Skandal. Details: 0118 942 9606.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Heathrow Jets. Details: 0118 977 0918.

Sunday, January 22

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Wilde Sundays: Tim Shez, Laura Loh, Neil Wells. Details: 01344 484123.

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ.

Readifolk presents: theme nightAll Together Now. Details: www.readifolk. org.uk

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196.

Monday, January 23

NETTLEBED – Village Club, High Street RG9 5DD. Nettlebed Folk Club presents: The Bully Wee Band. Details:

www.nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk

READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Open mic night. Details: 0118 958 0473.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Acoustic Cafe. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 0918.

Tuesday, January 24

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music Tuesday. Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk

BAGSHOT – The Foresters Arms, London Road. Bracknell Folk Club. Details: www.bracknellfolk.org.uk

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Queen Extravaganza. Details: 0118 960 6060.

Wednesday, January 25

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Artist Link-up: networking for rappers, singers, producers, DJs, dancers and musicians. Details: 0118 986 6788.

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Burns Night. Details: 01491 681048.

Thursday, January 26

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. GSMC Music Awards Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk

READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW. Karaoke. Details: 0118 958 6775.

READING – Gun Street Garden, Gun Street. Playground.

READING – Hickies, Friar Street. Hickies Music - Live Showcase with The Meterologists, Amazing Tiger Band, Maddy Chelmis. Details: www.hickies. co.uk/live-lounge

READING - Lola Lo, Friar Street. Skint Thursdays: Skint Rock, pop punk and classic rock, plus house and techo. Details: Twitter @skintmondays

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. BBC Introducing: Munboi, Mackenzie, DoeBoyTheWriter. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Roseate, The Forbury. Heavy Pop presents The Roseate

Adomania – I Always Seem to Break Something (At The Party)

They released their debut single, Heavy Rain, in 2022 and it made our Top 5 of the year. Here’s their second single and it’s another good one - https:// www.facebook.com/AdomaniaBand/

Marisa And The Moths – Pedestal

An alt-rock anthem with powerful vocals from a band that will be live at Reading’s Purple Turtle on Sunday, January 29, as part of a UK tour to support their forthcoming Damned If I Do EP release - https://www.marisaandthemoths. com/

That Joe Payne – Dry January

How are you getting on with your Dry January? Here’s a song from That Joe Payne to help you through. It was actually included on Joe’s Christmas

album, Ding Dong but it is definitely relevant now - https://www.thatjoepayne.com/

Phantom Booth – Falling Asleep On Her Dreams

Following their energetic last single, Apparatus, this talented three-piece show another side to their artistic talents with this new single. It’s a melancholic but wonderful orchestral ballad - https://linktr.ee/ phantombooth

Darcy Hope – Landslide

Darcy, from Fleet, released this beautiful version of the Fleetwood Mac classic in November. She will be playing at Tom Webber’s Rising Sun Arts Centre show on Feb 4th - https://darceyhope.com/

Dandy Man – Annie Bonnie

Reading-based alt-indie outfit, Dandy Man released their debut album, Something I Have To Say in December and this is the uplifting opening track. Check out the video which was filmed at Pyramid Studios - https://dandymanmusic.com/

Selina and the Howlin Dogs – Who’s That Girl?

They were No 3 in our Top 20 of 2022 and they released this new single in December which features their trademark blues-rock sound combined with Selina’s distinctive vocals - https://www. selinaandthehowlindogs.com/

Jessie Smith – WKD

His voice is so good that he has been heard singing in the band on Strictly Come Dancing and now Jessie, who performed in his hometown of Reading at Third Lung’s Sub89 show, has released his debut solo single - https://www.jessesmithuk.com/

Sessions with Amya-Ray and James Kell. Details: whatsonreading.com

READING – The Walkabout, Wiston Terrace RG1 1DG. RSVP: Open Mic, A night of Poetry, Music and Vibes. Details: 0118 953 0000.

WARFIELD – Spice Lounge, Three Legged Cross, Forest Road RG42 6AE. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 01344 421673.

Friday, January 27

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Aqualine, Myopia, The Station, Indie rock night. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

CHARVIL – Heron on the Ford, Landsend Lane. Candy Rock.

EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports & Social, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club presents a wassail with Spriggan Mist and Flutatious. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk

READING – Blue Collar Dining, Hosier Street RG1 7JL. Crazy P (DJ Set). Details: www.linktr.ee/blue.collar

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Breaking Bass. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Lost In Music: One Night At The Disco. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Cellar X launch night: NBO residents and guests. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Bruce Juice. Details: 0118 959 5395.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. The Lord John Band. Details: 0118 957 6930

READING – The Victoria Cross, Basingstoke Road. RG2 Radio presents Caribbean After Work Jam: Ras Ecko, MC Napthali, Micky Roots, RG2 Radio Roadshow.

WINNERSH – The Phesant Bar, Reading Road RG41 5LR. Mood Indigo live jazz

night with Maxyne Ryan. Details: 0118 978 4529.

WINNERSH – The Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Cl, Winnersh, Wokingham RG41 5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents Spriggan Mist and Flutatious: The Wassail. Details:www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Good Times Five. Details: 0118 977 3706

WOKINGHAM – The Dukes Head, 56 Denmark Street RG40 2BQ. Stoney Lane.

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Unit 8 Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road. Reckless Blues Band. Details: 01344 778543.

YATELEY - The Royal Oak, Reading Road, GU46 7UG. The Tim Shez Band. Details: 01252 872459.

Saturday, January 28

BAGSHOT – The Foresters Arms, London Road. Utter Madness. Details: www. bracknellfolk.org.uk

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. The Bob Villains. Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk

CROWTHORNE – Royal British Legion, Wellington Road RG45 7LJ. Never Was. Details: 01344 772161.

HENLEY – Kenton Theatre, New Styreet RG9 2BS. Paul Jones and Dave Kelly blues night. Details: 01491 525050.

READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW. SaturGAY. Details: 0118 958 6775.

READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Cancer Research fundriaser gig. Details: 0118 958 0473.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. The Straights. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. A Song In A strange Land. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Pond House, Oxford Road. Far Away Trains.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. The Skavengers: Help For

Zoe Ska special. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Scarlet Vixens Puple Peepshow. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Retreat, St John’s Street RG1 4EH. The Definitive Collective.. Details: 0118 376 9159.

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Anita Oui’s Suspenders: drag night. Details: 0118 986 6788.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Full Flavour. Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Souped Up. Details: 0118 959 5395

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Turkish Deadlight.. Details: 0118 957 6930

WOKINGHAM - The White Horse, Easthampstead Road RG40 3AF. Reckless Blues Band. Details: 0118 979 7402.

Sunday, January 29

READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW. Sunday Karaoke. Details: 0118 958 6775.

READING – Blue Collar Dining, Hosier Street RG1 7JL. Peter Doyle presents … Songwriter Showcase: Helen Wren, Colours and Fires, Maija, Holly Shillito. Noon-5pm. Details: www.linktr.ee/ blue.collar

READING – HMV, The Oracle RG1 2AQ. Black Star Riders live. 2pm. Details: 0843 2210302.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Marisa and the Moths. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Retreat, St John’s Street RG1 4EH. Jazz with Stuart Henderson, Simon Price and guests. 3.30pm. Details: 0118 376 9159.

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: theme night Craig Joiner. Details: www. readifolk.org.uk

WHAT’SON

Thursday, January 19

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ.

Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Tap Yard, Alberto House, Marino Way RG40 4RF.

Siren Beer Discovery: An Introduction to Siren through the exploration of the various beer styles of the core range. Tickets from £11.37. 7pm-8pm. Details: https://www. sirencraftbrew.com/ READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ.

Family History Advice Clinic for family and social historians. 11am. Free. Details: 0118 950 9553.

SPENCERS WOOD –Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS.

Cafe Mosiac lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE.

Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting: talk by Benhamin Graham on Developing Personal Vision and Styling. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – The Three Frogs, London Road. ASD Family Help presents adult social group, for people with autism, learning disabilities, their partners, family, friends and carers. Free, registration for first timers required. Food and drink available to purchase. 7pm. Details: www. asdfamilyhelp.org

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Ladies in Lavender. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOODLEY – Tennis Courts at Woodford Park Leisure Centre, Haddon Drive RG5 4LY. Balance Bike Club for ages 2-4. 1.30pm2.15pm. Details: www. myjourneywokingham.com

Friday, January 20

BURGHFIELD – Community and Sports Association, James Lane RG30 3RS. Reading Rock ‘n’ Roll presents Dave B’s Good Rockin’ Tonite. £12 Details: rock3rs.co.uk

BRIMPTON – Village Hall. There Will Be … Murder in the Brimpton Ballet Compnay: an evening of comedy, murder and mystery. 7.30pm. £10. Booking essential. In aid of St Michael’s Hospice. Details: john.russet@ sky.com

EARLEY – Earley St Peter’s Church Hall, Church Road RG6 1EY. Reading

Guild of Artists presents: The Art of Framing with Ralph Spearpoint. 7pm. £8. Details: www.rga-artists. org.uk

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Welkin. 7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

READING – South Street Arts Centre. Poets Cafe online. 1pm. Details: 0118 960 6060.

SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane. Aladdin and the Valley of the Dragons. 7.30pm. £16, concessions £15, child £9. Details: www.shinfieldplayers. org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Ladies in Lavender. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe

Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE

Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s

Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH.

Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk.

WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR.

Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday, January 21

BRIMPTON – Village Hall. There Will Be … Murder in the Brimpton Ballet Compnay: an evening of comedy, murder and mystery. 7.30pm. £10. Booking essential. In aid of St Michael’s Hospice. Details: john.russet@ sky.com

CROWTHORNE – Royal British Legion, Wellington Road RG45 7LJ. Burns Supper. 7.30pm. Booking essential.. Details: 01344 772161.

DUNSDEN GREEN – Village Hall RG4 9QG. Flock

Comedy presents comedy night: Jonny Awsum, Rob Coleman, Samantha Day, Lovell Smith, Dan Evans. £15. Doors 7.30pm. Details: buytickets.at/ Dunsden

READING – Building L29, University of Reading, London Road RG1 5AG.

Jazz masterclass with Pete Long. From 1.30pm. £15, students £5. Booking essential. Details: https:// blogs.reading.ac.uk/music/ jazz-masterclass-feat-

Holding a community event? Send your listings to events@wokinghampaper.co.uk

pete-long/ READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15amnoon. Details: www. thamesvalleyfarmers market.co.uk

READING – Eclectic Games, Union Street RG1 1EU. Open board game day. 10.30am-5.30pm. Details: 0118 959 8250..

READING – Phantom Brewing, Meadow Road RG1 8LB. Brewery tour and tasting. Noon. Booking essential. Details: www. phantombrew.com

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Welkin. 2.30pm and 7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www. progresstheatre.co.uk.

SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane. Aladdin and the Valley of the Dragons. 2pm and 6.30pm. £16, concessions £15, child £9. Details: www. shinfieldplayers.org.uk

SINDLESHAM – Sindlesham Court, Mole Road RG41 5EA. Sindlesham Court Burns Supper with a piper and dancing to Six Bells Ceilidh Band. £43. Details: 0118 978 3902.

WINNERSH – St Mary The Virgin, Church Close RG41 5NA. Quintessential Brass presents a concert of light and popular music. 7.30pm. £10. Details: www. quintessential-brass.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Wokingham, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Reading Phoenix Choir: The Armed Man. Come and Sing from 1pm. Concert. £5, under 16s free. 6pm.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Ladies in Lavender. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org

Sunday, January 22

READING – All Nations Christian Centre, Berkeley Avenue RG1 6JE. The Way ministry presents a warm bank: Free hot meal, free fresh and frozen food from our community fridge. 4.30pm-6pm. Details: 0118 950 5661.

READING – Jelly, 1st Floor, Broad Street Mall RG1 7QE. Sunday Life Drawing with guest artist Pat Lewis. £12-£15. 11.30am-1pm. Details: www.jelly.org.uk

READING – Museum of English Rural Life,

Redlands Road RG1 5EX. Youth Workshop: Garment Upcycling for ages 14-18. 11am-4pm. Booking essential. Details: merl. reading.ac.uk

SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane. Aladdin and the Valley of the Dragons. 2pm. £16, concessions £15, child £9. Details: www. shinfieldplayers.org.uk

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, tables £8. Details: 07943 510108 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Monday, January 23

ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table. 9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org

CROWTHORNE – Baptist Church, High Street RG45 7AT. Coffee Stop for Ukrainian refugees and their hosts: socialise and take part in English lessons. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: 01344 761725.

READING – St Mary’s Church, Castle Street RG1 7RD. Berkshire Industrial Archaeology Group talk: A329(M) Berkshire’s Own Motorway, 50 Years Old. 7.30pm. £2.50 for refreshments. Details: http://biag.org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Caudwell Hall Theatre, Holme Grange School, Heathlands Road, RG40 3AL.Wokingham Rock Choir free taster session. 7.30pm. Booking essential. Details: https://www. rockchoir.com/join/ Wokingham_Late_Session

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe

Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE

Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. 1.30pm-3.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Tuesday, January 24

CAVERSHAM – Workhouse Coffee, Bridge Street RG4 8AA. Thames Valley Social Media Cafe presents Twitter & Mastodon Open House – a tweetup/tootup. #TVSMC23. 11.30am-2pm. Details: Search eventbrite for TVSMC January 2023

EARLEY – Earley CResCent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Friendship table. 2pm-3pm. Details: linkvisiting.org.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre Cafe, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES.

Friendship table. 10amnoon. linkvisiting.org

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Welkin. 7.45pm. £14,

concessions £11. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. The Finches social club for people with or without autism. 7pm-9pm. Drinks and snacks available to buy. Music, and friendship. Details: kingwood.org.uk

TWYFORD – Twyford Train Station, Station Road. MyJourney Wokingham presents Dr Bike Surgery. Free. From 4.30pm. Booking essential. Details: www. myjourneywokingham.com

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Ladies in Lavender. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Wednesday, January 25

EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL.

Progress Theatre presents The Welkin. 7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Wokingham Rock Choir free taster session. 12.15pm. Details: https:// www.rockchoir.com/join/ Wokingham_Morning_ Session

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Ladies in Lavender. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac with Friendship table. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe

Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Artisan market. 9am2pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Thursday, January 26

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Tap Yard, Alberto House, Marino Way RG40 4RF.

Siren Beer Discovery. Tickets from £11.37. 7pm8pm. Details: https://www. sirencraftbrew.com/

READING – 2 Blagrave Street, RG1 1AZ. Viewpoint Photography Exhibition, a touring exhibition. Under 18s must be accompanied. 10am-3pm. Entry free.

Details: 0800 0287338.

READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Five Generations at the Fairmile Hospital Talk. Organised by the Berkshire Family History Society. 2pm. £5, £4 members. Booking essential. Details: 0118 950 9553.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Welkin. 7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

READING – The Walkabout, Wiston Terrace RG1 1DG. RSVP: Open Mic, A night of Poetry, Music and Vibes. Details: 0118 953 0000.

SPENCERS WOOD –Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

TILEHURST – Hall behind Methodist Church, School Road RG31 5AN. Triangle Players presents Robinson Crusoe - the pantomime. 7.30pm. Details: www. triangleplayers.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting: SCPF Print Critique Evening. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc. org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents: Olga (15). £6.50, £4 members. 7.30pm. Details: wokinghamfilmsociety.com

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Ladies in Lavender. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac with Friendship table. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe

Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Friday, January 27

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

READING – 2 Blagrave Street, RG1 1AZ. Viewpoint Photography Exhibition, a touring exhibition. Under 18s must be accompanied. 10am-3pm. Entry free. Details: 0800 0287338.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Welkin. 7.45pm. Details: www. progresstheatre.co.uk.

READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor,

Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ.

Tour of Reading Minster Church. Organised by the Berkshire Family History Society. 2pm. Booking essential. Details: 0118 950 9553.

SPENCERS WOOD –Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

TILEHURST – Hall behind Methodist Church, School Road RG31 5AN. Triangle Players presents Robinson Crusoe - the pantomime. 7.30pm. Details: www. triangleplayers.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Ladies in Lavender. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE

Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk.

WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday, January 28

CAVERSHAM – St Andrew’s Church, Albert Road RG4 7PL. Clarinet and Cake: a celebration concert in support of Reading Bach Choir. 3.30pm. £15, under 18s £5. Details: www. readingbachchoir.org.uk

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Tap Yard, Alberto House, Marino Way RG40 4RF. Street Food Saturday: Funky Pickle. From noon. Details: www. sirencraftbrew.com

READING – 2 Blagrave Street, RG1 1AZ. Viewpoint Photography Exhibition, a touring exhibition. Under 18s must be accompanied. 10am-3pm. Entry free. Details: 0800 0287338.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Welkin. 2.30pm and 7.45pm. Details: www. progresstheatre.co.uk.

SONNING – Pearson Hall, Pearson Road. Woodley and Earley Arts Group presents Flowers in Mixed Media with Soraya French. 9.30am-3.30pm. Booking essential. £30. Details: https://weag.art/ TILEHURST – Hall behind Methodist Church, School Road RG31 5AN. Triangle

Players presents Robinson Crusoe - the pantomime. 3pm and 7pm. Details: www.triangleplayers.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – Caudwell Hall Theatre , Holme Grange School, Heathlands Road, RG40 3AL. Corpus Christi Parish Pantomime Group presents Jack and the Beanstalk. £5, in aid of First Days Children’s Charity. 3pm and 7pm. Details: http://beanstalkpanto. eventbrite.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Ladies in Lavender. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3LA. Reading Male Voice Choir in concert. £10. 7.30pm. Details: rmvc.net

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am-3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

WOODLEY – Online. Thames Valley Ancient Egypt Society presents: The Story of Tutankhamun, a lecture by Dr Garry Shaw. 2pm. Details: https://www.tvaes. org.uk/Talks.php

Sunday, January 29

PANGBOURNE – Village Hall RG8 7AN. Pangbourne Twinning Association French Film Night - ‘NonFiction’ (15), in French with English subtitles. Contains strong nudity. £6. 6.45pm. Details: 0118 984 4401.

READING – 2 Blagrave Street, RG1 1AZ. Viewpoint Photography Exhibition, a touring exhibition. Under 18s must be accompanied. 10am-3pm. Entry free. Details: 0800 0287338.

READING – All Nations Christian Centre, Berkeley Avenue RG1 6JE. The Way ministry presents a warm bank: Free hot meal, free fresh and frozen food from our community fridge. 4.30pm-6pm. Details: 0118 950 5661.

READING – The Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road RG1 5AG.

West Forest Sinfonia orchestral concert: Butterworth: Banks of Green Willow, Elgar: Enigma Variations, Panufnik: Katyn Epitaph, Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 4. 4.30pm, note time. £15, students £5. Details: 07977 050265 or email tickets@ westforestsinfonia.org

READING – Concert Hall, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Reading Chinese School presents celebration of Chinese New Year of the Rabbit. £4.50. 1pm-4pm.

WOKINGHAM – Caudwell Hall Theatre, Holme Grange School, Heathlands Road, RG40 3AL. Corpus Christi Parish Pantomime Group presents Jack and the Beanstalk. £5, in aid of First Daysy. 3pm. Details: beanstalkpanto.eventbrite. co.uk/

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

are two miniature five-square crosswords using the same grid –but the letters have been mixed up.

have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.

ACROSS DOWN

Must remove tail to put down a rodent (8)

Determined not to go straight (4)

Said Ivan was hiding a prima donna (4)

There can be no peace at all when this rages (5,3)

Difficult to find place to obtain money from a bank (4,2,3,4)

I sat reordering wine (4)

Long hollow body of unending potato (4)

Parts one gets after the break (4,3,6)

Dug up from the garden in the morning presumably (3,2,3)

Such a bird might be found flying at the end of the line (4)

Taken to inner part of the county (4)

How one body cast a shadow on another (8)

Agreement, but not harmony (6)

Trembling friends? (7)

Continue to perform on stage in west London (5)

The chat about a small axe (7) 6. Feel depressed downstairs (5)

Almost found some Norman earl yielding (6)

Strangely I belong, despite being of low birth (7) 14. Disintegrate at the end of term (5,2)

Maltreat us in vandalised semi (6)

Seat placed above starting place (6)

Call for dismissal after a request for silence (5)

Boy comes up after exercises using part of a bicycle (5)

Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares.

EQUALISER:

NONAGRAM

SUDOKU

you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them. How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found. Guidelines:

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD:

Beat the winter blues

Healthy Heart tip

BLUE Monday takes place on the third Monday of January – earlier this week.

The term is coined the most miserable day of the year due to various factors such as bad weather, debt following the expense of Christmas and failing to stick to those new years resolutions you may have made early January.

Winter, in general, can feel more doom and gloom than the brighter, warmer seasons. Here we share some top tips for beating the winter blues while prioritising your heart health.

Outdoor movement

It can be tempting to stay indoors during the colder months, when the weather isn’t as nice

and the days are dull and uninviting, resulting in us being less active.

Getting outside even for a short time, moving, and exposing our eyes to some natural daylight (even if it isn’t very bright) can instantly lift our mood. Try going for a daily walk or run, wrap up in appropriate clothing and get your heart pumping.

Prioritise a healthy diet

A healthy diet can boost your mood, help you maintain a healthy weight and give you more energy. Concentrate on including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, wholegrain carbohydrates such as wholewheat pasta, bread and brown rice and lean meats such as chicken and turkey.

Aim to eat two portions of fish each week, including one oily fish such as salmon, sardines, trout or mackerel. It can be helpful to opt for meals you can cook in a slow cooker, so you can prep them in the morning when your motivation is high, and they are ready when you’re tired at the end of the day.

Revisit your new year’s goals

If you have fallen off the ‘bandwagon’ with your new year’s resolutions, don’t beat yourself up about it.

Creating new healthy habits and changing old, less-healthy ones takes time. You are in a better position now than you were before you initially set your goals, as you now have some meaningful insight into what went wrong. Set your goals again and put things in place to support you where you fell off track last time.

n For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at www. heartresearch.org.uk/

healthy-tips

n To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website:

https://heartresearch. org.uk/heart-researchuk-recipes-2/ n Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled

Wondering if you might have ADHD? Here is what you should look out for

With celebrities like former Bake Off host Sue Perkins, Comedian Johnny Vegas and Loose Women’s Nadia Sawalha both recently being diagnosed with ADHD later in life, here are the traits you should look out for

SUE Perkins explained that since her diagnosis ‘suddenly everything made sense’.

This really resonated with Hester Grainger, the co-founder Perfectly Autistic, who was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 43.

With 3.1m hashtags for ADHD on Instagram and videos about ADHD traits all over TikTok, a lot of people are starting to wonder if they actually have ADHD, or if they are just easily distracted or impulsive.

ADHD is often seen as something that only naughty boys at school have. When it comes to adults with ADHD, it’s something that’s only been discussed in the last 20 years.

There are three main subtypes of ADHD – hyperactive, inattentive and combined.

Some typical traits that someone with hyperactive ADHD may have is fidgeting or finding it hard to sit still.

They may also talk a lot, interrupt others and blurt out answers.

When it comes to inattentive ADHD (formerly ADD) people may

make careless mistakes, lose things regularly, have difficulty following detailed instructions, or organising tasks.

Combined ADHD is a mixture of the two subtypes, so you may have all these traits and more.

If you are looking at getting assessed, read about Right To Choose and then book an appointment with your GP.

Ask for an adult ADHD assessment and then you will have the right to choose where you go for it.

with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers: https:// heartresearch.org.uk/ heart-research-ukcookbook

Côte launches menu to provide a taste of the Alps

ARESTAURANT with branches in Reading and Wokingham has launched a new Alpine-themed menu.

Côte will be celebrating ski cuisine until Thursday, March 2, with a range of traditional dishes.

Start keeping a note of things you may do, such as losing your keys and how often this happens, or times you were unable to concentrate during a meeting or when you’ve blurted something out you’d rather have not shared.

To be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, you have to have had a certain number of symptoms present and they also have to have been there, when you were a child.

Talking too much, regularly forgetting to unload the washing machine or finding some things overwhelming, like replying to emails or returning phone calls, doesn’t mean you have ADHD.

People with ADHD need to show a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity – impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.

Hester explains: It’s really great to see celebrities like Sue Perkins being open with their diagnosis, as this opens up the conversation about neurodiversity, which is always positive.

“When I received my official diagnosis from the psychiatrist, I felt a huge sense of relief.

“Looking back, I’ve been masking for years which is exhausting and I knew why I struggled in certain areas of my life. Now I understand why, and I feel OK about that.” n www.perfectlyautistic.co.uk

As news of snowfall in the Alps is eagerly awaited, those wanting the taste of the slopes but without the travel can enjoy a classic Tartiflette.

The dish, which was introduced to the menu last year and is back by popular demand, is a combination of Reblochon and Comté cheese, smoked bacon lardons and sliced potatoes served with a sourdough baguette.

A he Tartiflette Luxe, a grand Tartiflette to share, and is also available and will be additionally served with truffle saucisson, Bayonne ham, honey tomatoes and cornichons.

A Côte spokesperson said: “At Côte, we love to celebrate and explore the richness of France’s many regions, and this season we are inspired by the French Alps.

“This bubbling, baked dish is a staple of Alpine cuisine. No trip to the cold, crisp Alps is complete without indulging in layers of fluffy potatoes, smoked bacon lardons, caramelised onions, and rich Reblochon cheese.”

The menu also includes ‘Diots’, a traditional French starter of smoked sausage and cherry tomatoes in a white wine and caramelised onion sauce served with sourdough baguette.

In addition, the new Spiced Blood Orange Mule, a cocktail of spiced rum, Fever-Tree spiced orange ginger ale and blood orange, will warm up any winter chills.

For dessert, the Alpine specials are finished with an apple and blackberry crumble tart, with spiced apple and blackberry filling, served with cinnamon ice cream and winter berry coulis.

n For more information, visit: cote.co.uk

POINTS

ATHLETES ENJOY PROSPECT SUCCESS

READING

.

The rain stopped in time for the race but, in true Prospect style, it was extremely muddy, wet and hard going underfoot.

With a gradual downhill start, the race started fast, as always before the runners turned and completed two very hilly, muddy loops testing all those out on the course, before running round the park into the finish.

HENDRICK AT THE DOUBLE..

..BUT ROYALS LET THEIR LEAD SLIP

JEFF

The

Paul Ince’s side are just four points off the play-off places, and crucially 11 points above the drop zone, heading into their away clash at Stoke City before

they prepare for their glamour FA Cup tie away at Manchester United the following weekend.

Ince has called on his side to be more brave when defending their leads after their deep defensive line cost them at the weekend as Tyler Roberts scored a brace.

Ince said: “it’s about getting up the park. That’s the only reason behind it. You’ve got to be brave.

“We were passive in the second-half. We’ve got a tendency to drop deep and try to defend it and you can’t keep getting away with it.”

n Match report 23-24

First up the hill for Reading AC was U20 Mia Waldmann looking strong and confident working up the hill in the lead pack.

She kept her composure to finish an amazing personal best fourth position leading the team home.

Laurie Marlow closely followed continuing her excellent cross country form finishing an impressive personal best eighth position.

Completing the team with an excellent race return post baby was Anna Godfrey who looked strong and confident to finish in another personal best position of 21st.

Next home and the first vet lady was Helen Antrum in 40th who ran strongly and worked well with Shirley Ann Dix who had a brilliant race in 41st.

Completing the vets team Sue Francis and Lucy Daniels backed up their strong winter training with fantastic runs to finish 49th and 54th.

Next came Leanne James in 56th and Simran Dhillon in 57th who helped push each other all the way round, running well together.

A strong trio of smiling vets were next to complete the course with great runs from Elsa Curran in 68th, Kathryn Tolson in 77th, and Clare Mills in 83rd.

Another successful outing, with excellent performances to help the team finish fourth overall.

‘THE PACK TOOK CONTROL AND GOT US THE WIN’ ABBEY STAY STRONG TO BEST BLACKHEATH

A SUBLIME opening quarter fired RAMS to a bonus-point 26-14 home win against Bishop’s Stortford in a game which featured a remarkable seven yellow cards.

The hosts came flying out the blocks and took an early lead courtesy of a rampant rolling maul, Max Hayman the beneficiary for his 10th of the campaign.

Will Partington made no mistake with the conversion, and his side doubled their advantage shortly after when a ferocious charge from the outstanding Axel Kalling-Smith took RAMS into the Stortford 22 before man-of-the-match Dan Swain powered over.

Partington again bisected the uprights for 14-0, and things got even better when scrum-half Ollie

achievement in collecting his first for the club, the London Irish loanee hacking a loose ball forward before diving on it for the score.

Another conversion made it 21-0 to the hosts after 16 minutes, and the visitors then suffered a further setback when Will Rogers was yellow carded for illegally bringing down another maul.

The away side began to come into the contest in the second quarter, but with no further scores in the opening half, they received a second yellow when Harrison Langworthy was sin-binned for a no-arms tackle.

Harry Charter became the next visitor to leave for 10 minutes for again bringing down a maul, and RAMS wrapped up the bonus-point shortly afterwards when Charlie

Robson nipped over on the right.

Replacement Connor Lloyd converted his own try for Stortford on the hour-mark, but RAMS efficiently took the sting out of the game to ensure a comeback was never really on the cards.

The final 10 minutes became scrappy, with two mini scuffles resulting in a further four yellow cards, RAMS’ Sean McDonnellRoberts and visiting centre Austin Pope the first to go before Swain and Tom McCrone also finished the game off the field.

With both sides ending the contest with 13 men, it was the away side who had the final word as replacement hooker Alex Rayment crossed the whitewash, Lloyd again on target before the final whistle was blown.

Rams director of rugby Seb Reynolds said: “Two of

our stronger performances of the year have been against Stortford and it’s probably a compliment and credit to them that we’ve turned up and done well – it’s out of respect for what they’ve been doing.

“They were confident for the game and came here full of energy, it was potentially a very, very hard game, but our guys were superb in the way they dealt with it.

“The pack took control of the game and that was where the game was won. The physicality they showed and the set-piece execution was superb and got us the win.

“Our decision-making in the first quarter was outstanding.

“At the set-piece, the variety we showed was very good and while Stortford had a couple of purple patches which we knew they would, we did very well.”

ABBEY WOMEN brought home four points from their trip to Blackheath in their first match of 2023.

In what was Ben Radford’s first official game at the helm, a strong squad travelled to the South East London club

It was a frantic start for both teams: while Abbey enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession in the opening quarter, it was Blackheath who dominated the defensive sets, shutting down Abbey’s go-forward time and time again.

In the last quarter of a scoreless first half, Blackheath’s winger Opeyemi Oluwabumuyi made an incredible break down the wing, stopped only by an immense tackle from debutant Jess Gundry.

Williams was the last link in a fast-paced back line, allowing her to easily fend off her opposite number and score in the corner. Alice Denton-Rice converted to put Abbey 7-0 ahead.

A successful driving maul from the resulting lineout which saw hooker Claire Stevens break off and sprint towards the try line, scoring Abbey’s second.

With the final score 12 points to the good to Abbey, the visitors breathed a collective sigh of relief.

While starting the new year off with a win was to be celebrated, the team knew they had left some try-scoring opportunities out on the pitch.

The team now travel to London Irish this Saturday, before hosting Hove at home on Sunday, January 29.

ROYALS COME UNSTUCK AT TOFFEES DESPTE SECOND-HALF FIGHTBACK

EVERTON 3

READING 2

READING FC WOMEN produced another second-half fightback but it wasn’t enough to salvage a result away at Everton.

In their first outing of the year, Reading were punished inside the opening 10 minutes.

After surviving an early scare from Jess Park’s curling shot, Everton found their clinical edge with their next attack.

A ball into the near post was met first time by Katja Snoeijs who poked the ball past Jackie Burns to open the scoring.

The Toffees doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark when Park played a neat one, two and tiptoed into the Reading box before tucking the ball into the bottom corner.

After the restart, Kelly Chambers’ side got themselves back in the contest when Justine Vanhavermaet raced to the front post to power a header past the goalkeeper.

But the joy was short lived for the visitors as Everton scored directly from the restart when Gabby George thundered a shot into the top corner to restore her team’s two-goal lead.

Reading replied again just seven minutes later as the goals continued to flow when Deanna Cooper was

well placed to nod the ball in from close range.

Having shown plenty of fight in the second-half on numerous occasions in the league this season, Reading pushed hard for a leveller. But their persistence didn’t pay

off as the hosts held onto their lead to take the points.

Reflecting on the defeat, Reading manager Kelly Chambers said: “It’s a hard one to take as we needed to be better defensively and I think all three goals we had a part to play in.

“At half-time we knew not to panic, we’ve been in the position before, you just have to look at our game against Chelsea before the break.

“As well as giving us plenty of positives to work from, today highlighted some areas that we need to pick up in training next week. We need to be more alive to second balls, and make better decisions when creating chances.

“I feel as though we had the ball in plenty of positive areas, created enough, to come away with more than nothing so it’s disappointing. It’s almost easier to take when you don’t play well, and have zero opportunities.

“We’re disappointed not to come away with anything, but like I said we really gifted them their goals.

“I said to the girls I think they deserve to come away with something, but we were our own worst enemies.

“We didn’t have that cutting edge and now we have a big week coming up to improve ahead of a big test against United.”

EVERTON: Ramsey, Hope, Bjorn, Sevecke, George, Bennison, Holmgaard, Galli, Sorensen, Snoeijs, Park

Subs: Wheeler, Chirstiansen, Beever-Jones, Brosnan, Finnigan, Maier, Holmgaard, Stenevik

READING: Burns, Bryson, Cooper, Evans, Mukandi (c), Vanhaevermaet, Troelsgaard, Eikeland, Wade, Harries, Dowie

Subs: Moloney, Wellings, Hendrix, Caldwell, Jane, Poulter

Goals: Snoeijs 9’, Park 32’, Vanhaevermaet 60’, George 61’, Cooper 68’

‘IT WAS TOUGH — WE COULD HAVE WON’

BUCKINGHAM 5

READING 5

READING’S visit to Buckingham resulted in the home side deservedly picking up the points for a draw, thus ending a spell of 13 defeats on the trot.

With the soaked, heavy ground making open play difficult for both sides the defences held firm and, unusually these days, both sides managed just a single try apiece.

Buckingham had the advantage of a stiff breeze in the first half and used it well in attacking from the start but Reading’s defence was equal to the task and Reading began to probe the Buckingham defence in turn.

Alex Dorliac stood out with some piercing runs from deep while up front the forwards made progress with short passing and driving runs.

There were inconsistencies which affected Reading’s play, however. Having shown their power in the scrum they were

nevertheless penalised several times for scrum offences.

The lineouts also proved to be inconsistent in providing good ball.

On one occasion in the first half the Reading scrum drove their opponents back 25 yards to set up another scrum less than 10 yards out.

The scene was set for a pushover try but the ball squirted out of the scrum and was cleared.

Nil-nil at half time and with the elements now favouring them, Reading seemed set to take control.

They did indeed have the better of the third quarter of the game and in the 58th minute scored an opportunist try.

From a home scrum five metres out the Reading scrum drove their opponents back over their own line with the ball at their feet.

Quick thinking centre Tom Sharp raced in and dived on the ball over

the line at the back of the scrum –an unusual score well snapped up.

The home team responded positively and, with Borthwick in the sin bin, managed to drive their way over for an unconverted try.

With the scores level both sides had their moments of potential glory in the last ten minutes but the match ended in a draw,

Reading coach Lee Goodall said: “You can either count it as two points won or two points lost.

“We defended well, with some important tackles at the end. It was tough but we grafted well and could have won.”

Reading RFC:

Ben

WOMEN WELCOME TITLE CHASERS

Borthwick;

In their first home match of 2023, the Royals will face a stern test up against a United side who are looking to break the mould by challenging for top spot in the Women’s Super League.

Marc Skinner’s team have had an outstanding first-half to the season which has seen them keep pace with both Arsenal and defending champions Chelsea.

They are currently on 25 points having won eight of their WSL matches which puts them in second place, just three points behind league leaders Chelsea and with a game in hand to play.

The Red Devils made a spectacular return to action after the winter break last weekend by smashing six past Liverpool without reply.

United showed their ability to find goals from all around the park with five different goal scorers on Sunday with strikes from Lucia Garcia, Alessia Russo, Hayley Ladd, Martha Thomas and Rachel Williams.

The Manchester side have dropped points in just two games this season. They earned a point in the Manchester derby away at rivals Manchester City after Laura Coombs replied for City following Leah Galton’s opener.

Their only loss of the season came against current title holders Chelsea who took the points with goals from Sam Kerr, Lauren James and Erin Cuthbert in a 3-1 win.

However, United recovered from that disappointment with arguably their most impressive performance of the season which saw them take victory at the Emirates against Arsenal.

The Gunners looked to have completed a comeback after goals from Frida Maanum and Laura Wienroither cancelled out Ella Toone’s opener for United.

But the visitors came roaring back with an incredible late show which saw Millie Turner level in the 85th minute before Russo popped up with a dramatic winner in stoppage time to take the game 3-2.

Reading travelled to United on the opening day of the WSL season and suffered a 4-0 defeat.

After going down 4-0 after 35 minutes, Reading managed to stop the flurry of goals with an improved second-half display.

FAWKES ENJOY VITAL VICTORY TO

Thames Valley Women’s Division Two

S4K BERKS COUNTY climbed up the table with a stunning 4-0 victory over Barton United.

A brace from Megan Cox and goals off the bench from Grace Belstone and Kiah Owen ensured the Fawkes collected three points.

The win puts them up

to eighth in the table with nine points from nine games.

FA Trophy fourth-round

A stoppage time decider saw BRACKNELL TOWN continue their journey in the FA Trophy.

Welcoming National League South side Bath City to Bottom Meadow, the sides played out a tense cup encounter.

With the scores locked at 0-0 heading into the final moments of the match, the Robins found the most dramatic of winning

goals when Jack Dean popped up in added time to send the home crowd, players and staff into jubilation.

Isthmian South Central

BINFIELD collected three points on the road to close the gap on Chertsey Town.

The Moles broke through to score the opener after 14 minutes when Brad Pagliaroli got on the scoresheet.

The hosts found a leveller before the break, but Binfield

hit back just five minutes after the restart when James Beauchamp restored their advantage.

The 2-1 win leaves Binfield in seventh position with 34 points from 18 games.

Combined Counties Division One

WOODLEY UNITED made a disappointing start to 2023 with an away defeat to Rising Ballers Kensington.

The hosts raced into a four

goal lead at the break to all but seal the game before half-time.

The Kestrels replied with an improved second-half display after Jordan Blake made three subs five minutes after the restart.

Woodley got on the scoresheet when Dan Watkiss netted from the penalty spot to reduce the deficit to 4-1.

Thames Valley Premier League

FINCHAMPSTEAD lost

ground on league leaders YATELEY UNITED after suffering a 2-1 loss at home.

Nick Payne was on the scoresheet for Finch, but it wasn’t enough to dent Yateley’s stunning run of form in the league which has seen them win all 14 of their matches.

Finch are in second place in the table on 23 points, 19 points behind the runaway league leaders but five in front of third placed Slough Heating Laurencians.

TO CLIMB UP THE TABLE

BTC Senior Cup second-round BURGHFIELD flew through to the next round with an impressive five star showing at Maidenhead Town.

A brace each from Rhys Iremonger and Josh Howell was added to with a goal from Harvey Beales which helped the Fielders to a 5-0 success to continue their adventure in the cup.

Thames

Valley Division Two

BURGHFIELD RESERVES are the new leaders in the division after they defeated BERKS COUNTY SWORDS

A quickfire double at the start of the second-half from William Vallins and Lorenzo Medford put

FOOTBALL

the Fielders 2-0 ahead.

The Swords set up a nervy finish when Richard Cumner scored five minutes from time, but Burghfield held on to take the points.

Burghfield are one point ahead of second placed Reading YMCA Rapids who have two games in hand.

Southern Region Women’s Premier Division

ASCOT UNITED reduced the gap at the top of the table with a vital win away at first placed Abingdon Town.

Hannah Bennett opened the scoring after 11 minutes and Dominique Carrington sealed the points with a second-half strike in

the 53rd minute to help the Yellas to a 2-0 victory.

The win means that Ascot cut Abindgon’s lead at the top to five points and Ascot have a game in hand to play after picking up seven wins from 10 matches.

Southern Region Women’s Division One North

CAVERSHAM UNITED and EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA each took a share of the points.

After a goalless first-half, the Boars went in front from the [penalty spot.

But the Goats levelled the game up through Sam Thoreau to ensure they took a point in a 1-1 stalemate.

Eversley are in seventh on eight points from eight games, while Caversham are in sixth on nine points from 10 games.

KESTRELS KEEP HEAT ON LEAGUE LEADERS WITH HOME WIN

Woodley United 3

Long Crendon 0

WOODLEY United Ladies inflicted just Long Crendon’s second defeat of the season in a 3-0 victory.

The third meeting between the two team this season saw Woodley inflict only a second league defeat of the season on visiting Long Crendon in a match that the home team was good value for the three points.

The opening quarter of hour saw the home team enjoy the greater possession with Sarah

Lawrence denied the opening goal in the fourteenth minute when visiting keeper Amy Whale tip the ball over the crossbar.

Ellen Surtees took the resulting free kick, that Gemma Simms headed downwards in the visiting penalty area for substitute Lucy Routledge to steer the ball into the net with her first touch of the game on sixteen minutes.

Charley Evans made an excellent run from right back and her cross narrowly evaded the oncoming Mollie Haines as United pushed for the second, which they

scored four minutes from half-time from another corner kick, which was taken by Maddie Sawyer and headed in determined fashion into the net by Michelle Quinn.

A minute into the second half, Lawrence chipped the advancing Whale only to see a defender clear the goal bound effort.

Haines struck the crossbar from a Sawyer pass with the third goal coming in the 53rd minute following good play from Woodley’s goal kick that saw the ball passed to Sawyer to find the bottom

Berks & Bucks Women’s Trophy

WARGRAVE progressed to the next round with a penalty shootout victory at Buckingham United. After the encounter ended in a 1-1 draw, Wargrave held their nerve from the spot to take a 7-6 victory in the shootout.

TILEHURST PANTHERS ensured they put their name in the next round with a home win over New Bradwell St Peter.

Thea Wraight got Panthers off to an incredible start when she scored after two minutes.

New Bradwell scored two second-half goals to take the lead, but Tilehurst hit back with an equaliser in the 75th minute.

Tilehurst snatched the win in the 90th minute when Leah Why scored to make it 3-2.

YOU may have read the reports about a petition that was going around France after their national team lost the FIFA World Cup final to Argentina in Qatar.

The aim which was to get the final replayed was very well supported – the last figures I saw were over 250,000 signatures.

I have always found the French to be welcoming and generous people, but sadly this makes them sound like being ‘bad losers’.

So what is the basis of their complaint?

Refereeing errors, of course.

They claimed that Polish referee Szymon Marciniak had made mistakes that would otherwise have given France the title.

One was that the first penalty against France should not have been given.

Looking at the replay, this was awarded for a trip by a French defender in the penalty area.

It is something that happens dozens of times in the course of a season.

The French defender’s feet just caught the Argentine player’s ankle.

The contact was minimal but the referee took it as a trip, and as the Laws says: ‘The decisions of the referees regarding facts connected with play, including whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final’.

The major complaint was very different.

It was claimed that Messi’s second goal should have been disallowed, because there were Argentine substitutes on the pitch before the kick was taken.

There is some substance in this.

I have a copy of a photo showing two substitutes encroaching on to the pitch.

The first thing to understand is that substitutes, substituted players, sent off players and team officials are all under the jurisdiction of the referee, and should not enter the field of play without the referees permission.

If however, any of them should do so, the referee should not stop the game, unless there is an interference with play.

corner of the net from 25 yards.

Long Crendon’s best chance came from a free kick in the 69th minute which crashed of the home cross bar into play and cleared by the defence.

Lawrence saw another goal bound shot cleared by a defender as Woodley maintained the pressure on the visitors and saw the game to full-time and a six successive league clean sheet. Woodley United: Cheadle, Evans, Wilkins, Quinn, Simms, Surtees, Measham, (Routledge), Sawyer, M Haines (Slann, Messitt, Lawrence Sub not used: Benton Goals: Routledge, Quinn, Sawyer

If there is an interference with play, the referee should stop the game and award a direct free kick against the offending team.

There is one other clause that I think would skuttle the French claim.

If after a goal is scored, the referee realises before play restarts that an extra person from the goal scoring team was on the pitch, he should disallow the goal.

The photo shows that the referee was a good distance away from the substitutes, as was his concentration, so he was unlikely to have seen them, and anyway, they did not interfere with the play.

How they rated

Made two outstanding saves to deny Dykes and Laird from closerange. Could not have done anything about the two goals.

Run ragged by Paal and Willock in what was not his most comfortable afternoon. Things just didn’t seem to go the Canadian’s way.

Forced Dieng into the lacklustre save which led to Hendrick’s second goal. Caught out of position at times.

Put in a very competent display to nullify the threat of QPR’s dynamic frontline. Could have done better to prevent Roberts’ first goal.

His overall performance was somewhat improved, but has not looked himself since returning from injury.

Left to deal with Laird and Roberts on a number of occasions in the first half. Really struggled to deal with crosses aimed at the back post.

A so-so performance from the midfielder who wasn’t able to affect the game.

If his first goal was sensational, his second was simple, earning his side a point. Probably his best performance in a Reading shirt.

Outstanding. Put in another complete performance, showcasing his ability to carry the ball forward time after time. Set the tone.

Worked tirelessly in and out of possession, albeit without being able to fashion any openings of note.

Demonstrated a willingness to run and track back. Had a strong shout for a second-half penalty turned down.

HENDRICK BRACE NOT ENOUGH

A first-half brace from Jeff Hendrick, including his rocket to open the scoring, gave the Royals a two-goal advantage at the break.

But QPR hit back in the secondhalf with a double of their own through Tyler Roberts to ensure they took a point.

The result leaves Reading in 14th place in the Championship on 37 points from 27 games.

After beating Watford in the FA Cup third round and drawing Manchester United in the next round, the focus turned back to the Championship for Paul Ince’s side who made several changes

Ince was forced into an early switch just 15 minutes in when Sam Hutchinson went down to receive treatment and couldn’t continue.

The Royals boss opted to tinker with his shape, which saw Shane Long come on to replace Hutchinson and partner Carroll up top, while Tom Ince reverted to a slightly deeper role behind the two strikers.

The visitors looked to punish Reading on the counter attack when Ilias Chair and Chris Willock combined, but Willock couldn’t find a teammate with his clipped ball.

Former Reading player Dickie received the first yellow card of the game when he brought down Ince who was on a steaming run through the heart of QPR’s team.

REACTION

Match stats

SUBS: Bouzanis, McIntyre, Dann, Mbengue, Meite, Joao, Long

QPR: Dieng, Laird, Dunne, Dickie, Paal, Field, Iroegbunam, Roberts, Willock, Chair, Dykes

SUBS: Archer, Kakay, Clarke-Salter, Dozzell, Richards, Adomah, Lowe

GOALS: Hendrick 28’, 42’, Roberts 65’, 80’

Reading took the lead courtesy of a stunning strike from Jeff Hendrick.

The ball fell invitingly for the Irishman to run onto and he accepted the invitation and arrowed a pinpoint shot past the helpless Seny Dieng into the bottom left corner.

The hosts nearly doubled their lead quickly after when Junior Hoilett threaded the ball to Long who poked an effort at goal that was deflected behind for a corner.

CHAMPIONSHIP ‘IT WAS A BLATANT PENALTY’: INCE ANGERED BY REFEREE

PAUL Ince believes that his team were denied a blatant penalty in their draw with Queens Park Rangers.

With Reading 2-0 up after a Jeff Hendrick brace they had a penalty appeal on Shane Long turned down at the start of the second-half.

“It’s a blatant penalty to make it 3-0 and the games finished,” said the manager.

“Another poor decision again, we had it at Burnley.

“Referees have tough jobs, but Shane (Long) has run across him, he’s knocked him over and that would be game over.”

Despite the penalty shout being turned down, Ince was disappointed in the manner Reading surrendered a two-goal lead.

He continued: “We were passive. I wasn’t really pleased with the first-half to be fair even though we were 2-0 up. We didn’t keep the ball how I wanted.

“We made some silly mistakes but created enough chances to put the game to bed.

“We have a tendency to drop deep and defend it and defend it. We’re inviting pressure and you can’t keep getting away with it.”

Ince felt the team were defensively poor in the second-half, citing a lack of communication and positioning. He also felt some in the squad had not been putting themselves in the right spots and winning headers.

“We’ve got enough experience at the back,” he continued. “I get it in

the last five minutes to sit deep but not when you’re 2-0 up at the start of the second-half. You’ve got to try and put the game to bed.

“It’s where you need leaders and voices.

“There was no pushing our midfield up to get to theirs.

“We take the point because it could have gone either way. We had a greater chance with Lucas (Joao) but it’s another point closer to where we want to get to.

“You have to be brave.

“You can’t allow teams to keep

Rangers went agonisingly close to pulling back a leveller when a low cross was flicked cleverly by Dykes with a backheel that trickled inches wide of the far post.

Carroll showed his value at both ends of the pitch when he stooped low to make a vital headed clearance from a QPR free-kick.

Reading took advantage of that and doubled their lead with their next attack. Andy Yiadom hit a fierce shot at goal that was parried away from Dieng, but only up in

attacking you for 45 minutes.”

Ince was also quick to praise double goalscorer Hendrick, despite his goals not being enough to win the game.

He continued: “You know what you get from Jeff. There are some people who have too much to say about him but he is one you can trust.

“He gives you six, seven, eight out of 10.

“He’s not a glamorous player by any means but you get what it says on the tin, and if you add goals to his game, then you’ve got a very good player.”

ENOUGH AS RANGERS FIGHT BACK

the air and Hendrick was perfectly placed to poach from two yards out to tap the ball in.

Five minutes after the restart there was a claim of a penalty for the hosts. Long managed to wriggle past Dickie in the box and went down seemingly under some contact, but the referee was not interested and waved play on.

With a free kick 25 yards from goal, Chair had a chance to reduce the deficit and went close when his curling effort bent just wide of Joe Lumley’s post.

With QPR increasing their intensity to try and get back in the contest, Ince made a double change

after the hour mark: McIntyre and Scott Dann replaced Mamadou Loum and Hoilett.

Neil Critchley’s side found the goal they were craving in the 65th minute when Roberts shifted the ball out his feet and tucked the ball into the far corner with a neat finish from a narrow angle.

QPR cranked up the pressure another notch and would have been on terms had it not been for a superb save from Lumley who threw himself in the way of the ball to prevent Dykes converting from six yards out.

Carrolll had to be withdrawn

for the final 15 minutes after picking up a head injury and he was joined by Long, replaced by the duo of Lucas Joao and Yakou Meite.

QPR were rewarded for their attacking persistence and grabbed an equaliser. Lumley made another spectacular stop to keep out a header, but Roberts was on hand to put the rebound in from close range.

QPR pushed on to try and find a winner throughout six minutes of stoppage time, but Reading held on to ensure Rangers couldn’t complete what would have been a remarkable turnaround.

ROYALS SEARCH FOR POINTS AT STRUGGLING STOKE

The Potters have picked up just one point from their last four Championship matches which has them hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone.

Going into the contest, Stoke are seven points and six places behind Reading in the table.

With three defeats in their last four, Stoke collected a point away at Rotherham United on Boxing Day, but have now lost three games on the bounce against Burnley, Preston and Sheffield United.

Their third consecutive defeat occurred at the weekend against promotion chasing Sheffield United who took the points with a brace from Jayden Bogle and a goal from Iliman Ndiaye despite Nick Powell’s strike for Stoke.

A string of bad results means that Stoke are just four points above the relegation zone in a tightly contested section of the table.

Stoke are currently under the management of Alex Neil who decided to depart from fellow Championship club Sunderland earlier in the season despite

winning them promotion the previous season.

Sunderland, who are now managed by Tony Mowbray, are in 10th position and eight points above Stoke.

Paul Ince’s team were the victors when the teams met in September at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Lucas Joao netted after just two minutes and after Ben Wilmot had equalised for the visitors, Joao found his second of the match from the penalty spot which was enough to give Reading three points.

Reading lost out 3-2 on their last away trip to Stoke

which came in August 2021.

John Swift and Liam Moore scored on that day for the Royals, but Sam Surridge scored the decider with five minutes to play.

Reading’s last away success at Stoke came in October 2005 in their historic season on the way to clinching the Championship title and consequently promotion to the Premier League for the first ever time.

Dave Kitson scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot which stretched Reading’s unbeaten run to 16 games under Steve Coppell.

MBENGUE EXTENDS ROYALS DEAL

AMADOU Mbengue has signed a contract extension to keep him at Reading FC.

The 21-year-old defender joined the Royals in the summer on a free transfer on a short-term deal after leaving French club Metz.

However, after impressing during his short time in Berkshire, the club has rewarded him with a contract that will keep him at the club until the end of the season, with a view to extending.

Mbengue has made a strong impression during his debut season in England and netted his first professional goal last month in Reading’s 1-0 win over Coventry City.

Reading FC’s head of football operations, Mark Bowen, said “Amadou has been such a valuable addition to our squad this season and has impressed whenever he has been called upon.

“He has shown himself to be very capable of playing at this level and he is a player upon whom the manager knows he can rely.

“I’m delighted we have been able to sign him up and, in the discussions I have personally had with the player over the last few weeks, he has shown he is ready to commit the next few years of his career to this club.

“I am sure he will have an important part to play in the second half of this season and I’m very pleased to get the deal over the line.”

Royals boss Paul Ince said: “Amadou arrived here as a young man, coming to another country without speaking much of the language, and yet he fitted in immediately.

“As a player, he is versatile, he’s got pace, tenacity and a hunger to be the best he can be.

“As a person, he’s hard not to love; he’s always got a smile on his face, he enjoys coming into training and the culture we are creating here.

“I’m delighted he has agreed to stay with us.”

SOUTH BERKS 4S MAINTAIN TOP SPOT

South Central Men’s Thames 1

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 4s stretched their run at the top of the league after they defeated Newbury & Thatcham 4s.

South Berks ensured they took their ninth win in 11 matches to maintain their status as league leaders with a 4-2 success.

South Berks have lost just one league match this season and have 28 points from 11 games which gives them an eight point lead over closest rivals Wycombe 3s who have two games in hand.

South Central Men’s Premier 2

SOUTH BERKSHIRE dropped down to fourth place after they lost at home to table toppers Oxford Hawks 2s.

The 4-1 defeat leaves South Berks in fourth on 21 points from 11 matches.

South Central Women’s North Division 1

SOUTH BERKSHIRE picked up one point from their double header weekend.

South Berks lost out on their away trip to Newbury & Thatcham

to a solitary goal before they drew 1-1 at Leighton Buzzard with a goal from Chloe Willoughby.

South Berks are in second position on 25 points after winning eighth games from 11.

READING 3s continued their spectacular league form to make it 11 wins from 12 matches.

Reading kept a clean sheet and hit three past PHOENIX READING without reply to continue their reign as league leaders.

Reading are currently eight points in front of second placed South Berks who have a game in hand to catch up on.

South Central Men’s North Division 1

SONNING collected a point away at PHOENIX READING in a 2-2 stalemate.

Sonning are in third place on 21 points, while Phoenix are in eighth on 14 points.

South Central Women’s Premier 1

SONNING added three points to their tally with a successful away day at Trojans 2s.

The win, which is Sonning’s third of the season from 11 games, lifts them up to ninth in the table.

READING GAIN VITAL WIN TO BOOST SURVIVAL HOPES

A MICHAEL CHILDS treble gained Reading FC a much needed win as they beat SONNING SPORTS A 6-4 to keep themselves in touch with the other relegation strugglers.

Sonning Sports’ four points saw them creep ahead of KINGFISHER C who replace them in the bottom two.

In a match brought forward KINGFISHER B managed a 6-4 win at SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD B thanks to doubles from Nigel Keedy, Alan Cummings and Theo Knip. Ed Lush managed a good treble for Sonning Common.

KINGFISHER A continued their league domination into the new year with a 10-0 win over SONNING COMMON AND PEPPARD A

Neil Hurford performed well to go 2-0 up on Hari Gehlot who then made amends by winning the remaining ends

11-3 11-3 11-4. Darren Jones and Ross Saxby completed the rout.

The second placed trio from OUR LADY OF PEACE A, Justin Mead, Ian Cole and Mo Cook, also won convincingly 9-1, only dropping the doubles against TILEHURST RBL A

KINGFISHER D kept up their challenge for a podium place with a 7-3 victory over TIDMARSH A who could only muster up two players.

The pick of the ties was Kingfisher’s Ethan Zeng narrowly losing out to Anthony Baker 8-11 11-6 6-11 11-4 9-11.

Triples from both Paul Savage and Dave Croucher as well as a welcome maiden victory for Bob Woodmansee enabled SONNING SPORTS A to a handy 8-2 win against struggling KINGFISHER C

SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD D kept their narrow lead at the top of division two with a 6-4 win at the improving KINGFISHER E

Danny Dockree got his

customary maximum for SC&P although he was pushed all the way by Clive Gold before winning 11-8 in the fifth.

Second placed SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD C had a good 7-3 win at OUR LADY OF PEACE B with Brian Meheux returning to form with a very good maximum which included beating Dave Godfrey 11-8 in the fifth.

TILEHURST RBL B and OLOP C had a hard fought 5-5 draw with Kate Maksimenko getting yet another maximum for Tilehurst.

Binit Bhaskar and Pradeep Desh both won twice for OLOP and the highlight was Pradeep’s recovery from two down to beat Nick Lean 11-9 in the fifth.

In their second match of the week OUR LADY OF PEACE B had a hard fought draw against TIDMARSH B

Barry Carter was the star for Tidmarsh with a maximum including beating the tricky Darek Kaminski in five.

BANSHEES HOST FIRST OF TWO TASTER SESSIONS

Seventeen people took part in the two-hour session, which included children with physical, learning or neurological conditions as well as their siblings and parents.

The second session will take place on Sunday at Reading Blue Coat School.

The club, which was founded in 2017, has an established adult team for players 16 and over, men and women and currently has 22 registered players.

Banshees are now looking to expand their club by venturing into youth rugby where they hope to set up a new side who will play alongside the adult team with the goal of transitioning the players into the adult team.

The club are inviting students to attend free taster sessions at Reading Blue Coat School on Sunday, January 15, and Sunday, January 22, who would be interested in trying out for the team.

Alongside their delivery partner CH Rugby, the club is delivering six-week wheelchair rugby sessions in both mainstream and SEND schools such as Addington, Brookfields and The Avenue.

Players do not have to be in a wheelchair to take part. Wheelchairs, gloves and bibs will be provided along with coaching from qualified individuals.

RESULTS

Saturday, January 14

FOOTBALL Championship Reading 2-2 QPR

Southern League Premier South Bracknell Town 1-0 Bath City

Isthmian South Central Chertsey Town 1-2 Binfield

Combined Counties Division One Rising Ballers Kensington 4-1 Woodley United

Thames Valley Premier Finchampstead 1-2 Yateley United

BTC Senior Cup Maidenhead Town 0-5 Burghfield

RUGBY UNION

National League One Rams 26-14 Bishop’s Stortford

South West Regional 2 Buckingham 5-5 Reading

London & SE Regional 1 Bournemouth 23-17 Bracknell

HOCKEY

South Central Men’s North Division 1 Phoenix Reading 2-2 Sonning

South Central Women’s Premier 1 Trojans 2s 0-2 Sonning

South Central Men’s Premier 2 South Berkshire 1-4 Oxford Hawks 2s

South Central Women’s North Division 1 Newbury & Thatcham 1-0 South Berkshire Sunday,

January 15

FOOTBALL

Women’s Super League Everton 3-2 Reading

Southern Women’s Premier Abingdon United 0-2 Ascot United

Southern Region Women’s Division One North Caversham United 1-1 Eversley & California Woodley United 3-0 Long Crendon

Berks & Bucks Women’s Trophy

Tilehurst Panthers 3-2 Procision Oxford Buckingham United 1-1 Wargrave (6-7 pens)

Thames Valley Women’s Division Two

S4K Berks County 4-0 Barton United

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S

Eversley & California Reserves 9-1 Burghfield

Yateley United 2-2 Wargrave

FIXTURES

Saturday, January 21 FOOTBALL Championship

Sunderland v Reading

Southern League Premier South Hayes & Yeading v Bracknell Town

Isthmian South Central Binfield v Hanworth Villa

Combined Counties Premier North

Hilltop v Ascot United Reading City v Windsor Sumas v Oxhey Jets

Combined Counties Division One

FC Deportivo Galicia v Berks County

Molesey v Woodley United Rising Ballers Kensington v Eversley & California Sandhurst Town v Bedfont

Charles Twelftree Trophy Saxton v Finchampstead

Thames Valley Premier League Reading City U23s v Burghfield

Cup Yateley United v Wargrave RUGBY UNION

National League One Darlington v Rams

South West Regional 2 Reading v Devizes

London & SE Regional 1 Bracknell v London Welsh

HOCKEY

South Central Men’s North Division 1 Sonning v Oxford 2s

South Central Women’s Premier 1 Sonning v Amersham & Chalfont

South Central Men’s Premier 2 Fareham 2s v South Berkshire

South Central Women’s North Division 1 South Berkshire v Oxford 2s

Sunday, January 22

FOOTBALL

Women’s Super League Reading v Manchester United

Southern Region Women’s Division One North Eversley & California v Kidlington Youth Penn & Tylers v Woodley United

Thames Valley Women’s One Tilehurst Panthers v Ascot United Reserves Wargrave v Slough Town

Thames Valley Women’s Two Easington Sports v S4K Berks County

For more information, contact Craig Hunter by emailing: chrugbyltd@gmail.com

n

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S Burghfield v Taplow United