Wokingham

Residents across the Wokingham district are guaranteed a good read with the latest edition of the council’s very own newspaper Wokingham District News, which will be landing on doormats over the next two weeks.

The autumn 2006 Wokingham edition includes a mixture of news, information and local interest stories, including a colourful spread on the council’s children and young people’s plan, an article introducing the district’s new community safety manager and front page news on the derelict bike sheds which have been demolished to make way for teachers’ housing.

Also on the front page is inspirational teacher Shelley Upton who was crowned teacher of the year (south east) in the 2006 national teaching awards. Inside pages give a glimpse of the proposed new Addington Special School and the new community centre for local people with learning disabilities which is set to open its doors in the spring.

The newspaper also urges people to ensure they are registered to vote, and there is a useful guide to local Wokingham councillors to cut out and keep for reference.

The newspaper informs residents on how they can get help if they or their family are affected by drugs, how they can discover and celebrate culture and how they can become green and clean, as well as a whole host of other initiatives and news such as:

* The royal visit to Westcott Infant School to celebrate its 100th birthday
* The council’s national success in meeting revenue and benefits targets
* The free assistance for national sportspeople scheme launched by Double Olympic Gold medallist and Team B&Q Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes
* The GP exercise referral scheme
* The campaign to lick unsafe drivers

Readers are also urged to have their say on Wokingham council services in the autumn when the council will be sending out satisfaction surveys to some 10,000 local residents. Carried out by every local authority in the UK every three years, these in-depth surveys give the council the opportunity to look at how well it is performing against other councils and the basis on which to make improvements. All households should receive a copy of Wokingham District News by Monday September 18. Anyone without a copy by this time, or wanting to advertise in the next issue should contact its editor, Karen Jordan, head of communications, on (0118) 974 6009.

Speaking on the newspaper, Karen said: “I very much hope the district’s residents will find Wokingham District News an interesting and useful read. We are trying out a new, cheaper distribution system this time, so please bear with us while the new delivery people get to know the district.”

Wokingham District Council