Wokingham

Wokingham District Council’s chairman Cllr Iain Brown will meet some very special children and young people next week (Monday April 24) when he presents them with certificates for their creativity and work on some of the Wokingham Children’s Fund projects.

Wokingham Children's Fund is a government-funded project to help improve the lives of children and young people aged five to 13 years old across the Wokingham district. The money it receives goes towards providing new services and this is done substantially through voluntary sector organisations. The fund is managed locally by the Wokingham Children’s Fund Partnership Board, which is made up of representatives from statutory organisations including Wokingham District Council and voluntary, faith and community groups.

Areas of work are quite broad with some services being provided for the whole of the district whilst others are specific to wards within the district. Young people and their families have been benefiting from new initiatives such as kids clubs, homework clubs, safety issues and substance misuse education projects and teenage peer mentoring training.

Other services provided are:

* Assist – a district-wide outreach and support project for children with autism.

* Woodley Lookout / Family Link – support project for parents and children and offers a range of activities such as single parent group, craft club, money management scheme and a popular Family Fun Day.

* Effective Parenting Project – parenting projects and workshops take place around the district to support anyone looking after children. The aim is help parents, children and teenagers to be happier at home. Advice is offered on behaviour, arguments and other family issues.

* Rainbow Park Project – a community worker is based at Rainbow Park in Winnersh and offers a wide range of activities such as an out of school club, a breakfast club with walking bus to school, and youth clubs and groups. An activity club, known as POG Club, has also been set up for children aged between five and 13 years old.

* JAC (Just Around The Corner) – an outreach youth project based in Woodley offering children and young people support, workshops, residential outings and family days out and father and son outward-bounding games.

* The Base – based at Bulmershe School, this project is for youngsters aged from 10 to 13 years who persistently refuse to attend school. The project offers individual help to children across the district who would otherwise be out of school.

Information stands will be on show on Monday (April 24) to inform more people about the work of the Children’s Fund and in particular some of the projects named above. The programme in Wokingham started in April 2003 and is currently funded until the end of March 2008.

Wokingham District Council’s chairman Cllr Iain Brown said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to attend this special event next week to learn much more about some of the projects which the Children’s Fund has been involved with. This is an important initiative for children and young people within the Wokingham district. Over the past two years it has made a real difference to local people’s lives and I wish them continued success over the coming year.

“I am looking forward to meeting children and young people next week to present them with certificates for their hard work and dedication.”

Wokingham Children’s Fund programme manager Milica Sekulic said: “We have consulted with children, young people and their parents and carers about what we services we should spend the Children’s Fund on. The money from the fund helps children in lots of different ways.

“Next week will be an opportunity for the children from various Children’s Fund projects across the district to exhibit their work. It promises to be an exciting event with lots to see.”

Wokingham District Council

As Wokingham foster care fortnight gets underway across the country next month (May), Wokingham District Council is urging local people to think about fostering opportunities which can be a very rewarding experience.

Wokingham Foster carers are key to any fostered child’s future. They can and do make a real difference to children's lives by providing a safe family environment for children to live in.

There is an urgent need for new foster carers to be found in the Wokingham district especially if they are able and willing to take on teenagers and the district council is keen to hear from anyone who might be interested and urges them to get in touch!

This appeal is being sent out as part of the UK-wide campaign Foster Care Fortnight which is running from May 8 to 21, co-ordinated by the fostering charity the Fostering Network. During the two week campaign, Wokingham Family Placement Team, together with fostering services all over the UK, will be working to encourage more local people to think about fostering and to consider becoming foster carers.

Maeve Coupe, Wokingham fostering team manager, said: “We have 62 children currently being looked after in the Wokingham district. However, due to shortages of local carers many of these young people are not placed locally. This can create further difficulties in terms of young people not being able to continue in their school and maintaining contact with their families and friends.”

Anyone over 21 can apply to become a foster carer and there are many different ways to get involved. Maeve added: “Foster carers have a vital role to play in fostering brighter futures, and by giving children in care the best possible start in life. If you think you have got what it takes to become a foster carer, there are many different ways to get involved – it’s even possible to foster on a part-time basis.

“We are holding two information sessions on June 10 and 14* and local people are being encouraged to come and find out more,” said Maeve. If you would like to come along to either of these sessions please phone Wokingham Family Placement Team on (0118) 944 5468 to book a place.

In addition to the information sessions, local people can find out more information on fostering from displays at the civic offices in Shute End, Wokingham and Wokingham Library, Denmark Street, Wokingham. There will also be information stands Morrisons in Woosehill, Wokingham on May 19 and Woodley Children’s Fun Day on June 3. This is a great chance for local people to come along and meet some of the district council’s foster carers and members of the Wokingham Family Placement Team.

Alternatively, they can call (0118) 944 5468 and speak to a member of the Wokingham Family Placement Team.

Wokingham District Council

Free parking in Wokingham on Thursdays and Fridays could be on offer as Wokingham district council considers proposals to tempt shoppers to the town centre.

The town’s traders have asked Wokingham district council for help to attract shoppers to the market town at a time when the centre is quiet and free from traffic congestion.

Wokingham Chief executive Doug Patterson said: “We’re very aware of the difficulties being reported by traders at the moment, due to the closure of Finchampstead Road to allow vital work by South East Water to take place.

“We are keen to be able to help as much as we can and the council is set to consider a proposal to offer free parking in district council-owned car parks in Wokingham town centre on Thursdays and Fridays until mid-June as a one-off special case. The town’s retailers think that this will help to boost their trade and, should the proposal get the green light by councillors, I hope that they will see an increase in shoppers as a result.”

Water company South East Water has joined Wokingham district council to help fund the cost of the proposed free car parking. The offer would start from next week (Thursday April 27) and apply to the Paddocks (Elms Road), Rose Street, Easthampstead Road east and west and Cockpit Path car parks and the district-council run section of Denmark Street car park in Wokingham town centre.

Work by South East Water on Finchampstead Road began on February 27, 2006, to replace old water mains which are in a poor condition and increasingly prone to bursts and leaks. There have been in excess of 30 leaks over the last few years, causing disruption to traffic and residents and the work being carried out should prevent these from happening again in the near future.

Wokingham District Council and South East Water have worked together to ensure that the work is coordinated and that disruption is kept as low as possible. Evening and weekend work has been carried out by South East Water where appropriate and the council has timed its own resurfacing and drainage improvement works to coincide, meaning that the road will not need to be closed again in the near future.

David Shore, director of operations at South East Water, said: "The company is pleased to continue working closely with Wokingham District Council, and I was glad of the opportunity to meet again last week. This allowed us to offer an update on the scheme's progress and ensure the operational, timing and health and safety issues we need to comply with on this vital scheme were clearly understood.

"While we have clear legal obligations to upgrade our water supply network for the benefit of our customers in Wokingham and the surrounding area, we have sought to minimise any disruption caused during the closure of Finchampstead Road by working with the council.

"It's because of this close working relationship that we are pleased to have made a contribution to allow some free parking, for the remainder of the mains relaying scheme, which we hope will address the concerns of local traders."

The council has also been looking into what other assistance is available to businesses and is advising those directly affected by the work on Finchampstead Road that they can appeal to the valuation office for a review of their business rate listing. Where something such as road works adversely affect a business, the valuation office may consider grounds for an appeal. More information is available from the valuation office on www.voa.gov.uk or by calling (0118) 980 4800.

Time restrictions and associated penalties will remain in place in Wokingham town’s car parks. Anyone with queries should contact highways on (0118) 974 6302/6303.

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham Learning Disability Partnership Board is hosting a transition event ‘What Next:14+’ next month (May 23) in a bid to inform young people with disabilities and their families and carers about the choices that are available to them when they leave school.

The transition from school or college is a critical time for young people with disabilities and their families. It marks the move from school to adult life and from children’s to adults’ services. There are many options that are available to them as they leave school and venture into adult life and it is hoped that this event, being held at the Salvation Army Hall, Chalfont Close, Lower Earley, Reading RG6 5HZ, will offer them useful advice and information.

Two identical Wokingham sessions will take place – one between 4pm and 6pm and the alternative between 6pm and 8pm - and they are open to young people aged between 14 and 25 years old and their families and carers. To make the transition easier, a number of information stands will be on view and advice will be available on social care, day services, leisure, housing and benefits. Partner agencies such as Connexions, Mencap, local colleges and housing providers will also be on hand to offer advice, and keynote speakers will be giving short talks. Refreshments will be available.

Jane Andrews, transition worker at Wokingham District Council, said: “Young people thinking about the future and making plans can find it daunting, but for those with a disability and their families the transition from child to adult services can seem particularly confusing.

“Ensuring that the transition process and the changes in the provision of services run smoothly is important for all those concerned. Starting adult life is a time of opportunity for young people and should be a positive experience as they take steps towards adulthood. I hope that by attending this event, many young people with disabilities as well as their family and carers, will learn more about what services are available to them and guide them to where they can find more information.”

Other organisations who provide services to people with disabilities are more than welcome to have an information stand at this event and anyone interested should contact Jane Andrews on (0118) 974 6800.

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council is looking for more volunteers to join their team delivering library services to residents who are unable to visit or use their local library due to disability, ill health or frailty.

Wokingham Volunteers are matched to housebound readers by staff at their nearest library. They are given full training, support, and advice on choosing books to suit their readers. Volunteer mileage expenses are reimbursed, and there are regular opportunities to get to know other library volunteers.

Claire Tuckett, Wokingham volunteer service co-ordinator, said: “Volunteers make a huge difference by helping to bring library services to everyone in the district. Our housebound readers look forward to their regular delivery of books from their volunteer. We already have a dedicated team of experienced volunteers but now we need more to meet growing demand for home visits and other special library services.”

All new volunteers are required to undergo a screening process, as they will be visiting vulnerable adults in their own homes. If you have a few hours to spare every month, access to a car, and would like to help in your community, pop into your local library and pick up a volunteer pack. Alternatively, call Claire Tuckett on (0118) 973 7163.

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham Drivers are being warned of three level crossing closures scheduled in Wokingham for April.

Network Rail is undertaking vital maintenance work to the track and road and requires the off-peak closures of Star Lane (Easthampstead Road) and Waterloo Road level crossings. Wokingham Rail Station level crossing will be subject to work with ‘Stop/Go’ boards controlling the traffic flow.

The closures are overnight, in the early hours of the morning or on a Sunday, so disruption is expected to be minimal. Drivers are, however, being asked to plan alternative routes if they are affected. Diversions will be in place and clearly signed.

Details are:

* Star Lane (Easthampstead Road) level crossing closed 12.40am to 5.30am Wednesday April 19, Thursday April 20 and Friday April 21.

* Waterloo Road level crossing closed 11pm Saturday April 22 to 7pm Sunday April 23.

* Wokingham Station level crossing under Stop/Go boards 10pm Monday April 24 to 7am Tuesday April 25 and 10pm April 25 to 7am April 26.

Wokingham Traffic management team leader Kate Fuller said: “We are aware that we want to keep all alternative routes open whilst Finchampstead Road is closed, but Network Rail need to do this essential work to maintain safety. We have worked closely with them to come up with suitable dates and times and hope that the agreed closures will cause minimal disruption.”

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council is sending a clear message that residents and visitors to the district should continue to enjoy its country parks and nature reserves as usual but remain vigilant about dead or diseased birds.

After tests on a swan found dead in Fife in Scotland found the H5N1 strain of avian flu (commonly referred to as bird flu), Wokingham District Council is taking steps to reassure people and pass on the latest government advice.

Guidance has been clearly displayed on Wokingham district’s country parks and nature reserves notice boards.

Wokingham Countryside management team leader Chris Buggy said: “If residents find any dead swans, ducks or geese at our country parks or nature reserves, they should contact the countryside service immediately on (0118) 934 2016 or 0800 212 111 outside of office hours.

“We are keen to stress, however, that government advice clearly states that people should continue to enjoy feeding the ducks in the park or trips to the local countryside. They should just maintain their usual hygiene routines such as washing your hands thoroughly.”

The latest guidance and advice on avian flu is available on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) website at www.defra.gov.uk. This includes guidance on handling and disposing of dead garden and wild birds on private property. Anyone who finds a dead swan, goose or duck or three or more dead, wild birds together on private property in the same place should report it to Defra on 08459 33 55 77 (open seven days a week 6am to 10pm).

If anyone finds a single dead small garden or wild bird, there is no need to call Defra. Either leave it alone or follow the guidelines below for disposal:

* Avoid touching the bird with bare hands

* If possible, wear disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling

* Place the dead bird in a suitable plastic bag, preferably leak proof. Care should be taken not to contaminate the outside of the bag

* Tie the bag and place it in a second plastic bag

* Remove gloves by turning them inside out and then place them in the second plastic bag. Tie the bag and dispose of in the normal household refuse bin

* If disposable gloves aren’t available, a plastic bag can be used as a makeshift glove

* Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water and any clothing that has been in contact with the bird should be washed as normal

* Any contaminated indoor surface should also be thoroughly cleaned.

Wokingham Environmental health manager Steve Richardson said: “Residents should be reassured that plans are in place should any outbreak occur in the district. All relevant services and officers across the council have been fully briefed and we are working closely with our neighbouring authorities. We are carefully monitoring the advice being issued by Defra.”

Legislation requires all keepers of poultry with more than 50 birds kept for commercial purposes to register their flocks with Defra. Defra has also requested that those with fewer than 50 birds register (although there is no legal requirement to do so) calling 0800 634 1112.

More information is available on the Defra website www.defra.gov.uk. Alternatively, people can contact the council’s community resilience team on community.resilience@wokingham.gov.uk or (0118) 974 6766 / 6407.

Wokingham District Council

New Permanent Display Now Open

Open from Monday 1st May 2006

Out of the armoury and on display!

The REME Museum of Technology is proud to present its newest permanent display the ‘Armourers’ Hall’.

Over 100 weapons ranging from the gunpowder era such as the flintlock, as used during the Napoleonic Wars; the percussion musket, a type used in the American Civil War up to automatic weapons such as the Maxim Machine Gun of World War 1. Other weapons included are the Russian AK47 and the British Army’s SA80 as well as a selection of unique edged weapons from around the world.

Museum Opening Hours

Monday – Thurs 09.00 – 16.30
Friday 09.00 – 16.00
Sunday 11.00 – 16.00
Bank Holidays – Check in advance
Closed Easter, Christmas and New Year

Normal Admission charges apply

Adult £3,50
Child £2.50 ( Under 5s Free)
Family £10 ( 2 adults and up to 3 children)

For more details please call Rachel Claveau, Curatorial Officer on 0118 976 3384

REME Museum, Isaac Newton Road, Arborfield, Berkshire
RG2 9NJ

With the tenth anniversary of Real Nappy Week (Monday April 24 to Sunday April 30) fast approaching, more Wokingham parents are being encouraged to explore the benefits of real nappies with Wokingham District Council’s cash back scheme.

To mark the start of the week, Wokingham District Council is holding a special ‘Nappucino’ event from 10am to 12noon on April 24 when everyone from prospective parents to grandparents is invited to come along for a coffee and a chat to find out more about the benefits of real nappies. And at the event, the district council will be launching its cash back scheme, allowing parents living in the district to claim up to £30 from the council after they have spent more than this amount on real nappy products*.

Wokingham Waste and recycling manager Pete Baveystock said: “The council spends thousands of pounds each year disposing of waste in rapidly decreasing landfill space. The government sets very tight controls and, if we exceed these, the council has to pay money in fines.

“Therefore we are always looking at every opportunity to decrease the amount of waste we send to landfill and increase the amount that we recycle and compost. Real nappies are a great alternative to disposables, meaning less waste to landfill and often a saving to a parent’s pocket as well! We hope that this cash back incentive will help to introduce more families to real, washable nappies and mean less waste in landfill.”

Throughout the week there will also be displays at the civic offices at Shute End, Wokingham, Dinton Pastures Country Park in Hurst and The Ambleside Centre in Woodley. They will offer information about the practicalities of using washable nappies, the environmental benefits and the costs, as well as details of the styles available and where to find out more.

Around four per cent of household waste is made up of disposable nappies. That equates to approximately 8,000 tonnes a year in the Wokingham district going straight into limited landfill space.

Wokingham Council chairman Cllr Iain Brown, who will be attending the nappucino morning on Monday April 24, said: “The cash back initiative is intended as an extra incentive for those families thinking about giving real nappies a try. It will take a little bit of the sting out of the initial outlay and help families enjoy the savings that come over the months of using washable nappies.

“I would certainly encourage everyone to come along to the Nappucino event where people will be on hand to offer more information.”

The cash back scheme will cover the first 80 claims or until March 31, 2007, whichever comes first.

For more information about the events call waste and recycling manager Peter Baveystock on (0118) 974 6338.

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham town centre is basking in the peace and quiet now traffic is diverted away – and local traders report that it’s a prime time to shop.

“We would like to reassure everyone that the shops in the town centre are very much open and ready for business. The closure of the Finchampstead Road seems to have encouraged drivers to find other routes around the town, so there isn’t any congestion in the centre at all,” says Mary Piasecki of Hudson Bay Clothing Company in Denmark Street.

Mary Baker, proprietor of Chapter One children’s bookshop, Wokingham agrees that in fact there is less traffic in the town centre than usual – and plenty of space in the car parks. “One mother who came into my shop said she’s finding it a wonderful time to be shopping with toddlers,” says Mary. “It’s much safer at the moment because there is so little traffic in the town centre.”

Odile Noble of J’Ador, also on Denmark Street, Wokingham says she thinks the peace and quiet is a lovely atmosphere for shoppers and urges local people to come and enjoy the space.

“We look forward to seeing old customers return now that the traffic situation has settled. And maybe the traffic-free environment will even encourage some new shoppers to come and explore the town. It’s an ideal time to come shopping and make a day of it,” says Mary Piasecki.

Mary is concerned that widespread warnings of delays due to the closure of the Finchampstead Road may frighten people away. “People come to Wokingham because it is a pleasant market town with many independent shops,” she said. “It would be a shame if the warnings discouraged people from coming here. There is really no congestion. If people’s shopping habits are altered as a result of the scare, then Wokingham’s small independent shops, the very shops that people like best, will suffer the most.”

Wokingham District Council’s deputy chief executive Paul Turrell said: “The town’s traders are open for business as usual. We would urge local residents to support their local traders and come shopping in Wokingham.”

Shoppers are being reminded that they can take advantage of free parking at Wokingham council’s Shute End offices every Saturday with just a short walk to the town centre.

Water company South East Water is carrying out remedial work to a water main under the A321 Finchampstead Road, requiring road closures. Work began on February 27 and is set to continue until June 18.

Wokingham District Council

Parents, grandparents and anyone in the Wokingham district who looks after young children are being invited to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Real Nappy Week at a special Wokingham district council-organised ‘Nappucino’ event on April 24 at California Country Park.

To celebrate ten years of Real Nappy Week (Monday April 24 to Sunday April 30) - designed to encourage people to consider washable nappies as a very real alternative to disposables - Wokingham District Council is holding a special ‘Nappucino’ event from 10am to 12noon on April 24. Everyone from prospective parents to grandparents is invited to come along for a coffee and a chat to find out more about the benefits of real nappies.

Throughout the week there will be displays at the civic offices at Shute End, Wokingham, Dinton Pastures Country Park in Hurst and The Ambleside Centre in Woodley. The ‘Nappucino’ event and displays will offer information about the practicalities of using washable nappies, the environmental benefits and the costs, as well as details of the styles available and where to find out more.

Wokingham council is keen to highlight the benefits of washable nappies to people as around four per cent of household waste is made up of disposable nappies. That equates to approximately 8,000 tonnes a year in the Wokingham district going straight into limited landfill space.

Wokingham Council chairman Cllr Iain Brown, who will be attending the nappucino morning on Monday April 24, said: “The event will be an enjoyable way for anyone involved in caring for young children to learn about the alternatives to disposable nappies and at the same time meet like-minded people.

“Having helped my wife Carole with childminding, as well as being a parent myself, I know that it’s important to find nappies that are practical and easy to use, as well as being good for your child. Washable nappies have come on in leaps and bounds over recent years, and not only are they now much easier to use, I’m amazed to learn that they now come in all manner of designs!

“And you could save money too – a parent using washable nappies could save between £500 and £600 per child. So I hope that as many people as possible will take this opportunity to come and find out more about washable nappies.”

For more information about the events call waste and recycling manager Peter Baveystock on (0118) 974 6338.

Wokingham District Council

A well-deserved thank you was awarded to Tony Waring for his work in setting up an innovative older people’s initiative in Earley by Wokingham district council’s chairman Cllr Iain Brown last Friday (March 31).

The Wokingham chairman presents an award after each main council meeting to a person, group or organisation that has given good service to the community. To mark the council meeting in March, chairman Wokingham Cllr Iain Brown presented a civic shield and a bottle of gin to Tony during a special presentation on Friday.

After a conference held by Wokingham District Council under the Better Government for Older People Initiative, there were requests from many older people for localised forums, in addition to the district-wide older people’s forum. The council worked in conjunction with Age Concern Berkshire and the Voluntary Sector Forum to establish localised older people’s groups, and Earley was the first area to be targeted.

Tony offered his time and support to establish an Earley Older People’s Forum. Working with the CResCent Centre staff, Tony established a steering committee for the forum, which agreed to call itself SAGE - Senior Action Group Earley, and chaired the group’s monthly meetings.

“SAGE has now been established for more than two years and regularly attracts around 80 to 90 older people from the area. A variety of speakers from the council and other local agencies have attended, and the group has supported many local campaigns such as the proposed closure of the Maiden Place Post Office,” said Rose Green, community development worker, who nominated Tony for this award. “Councillors from both the district council and Earley Town Council attend regularly, and Tony has worked long and hard to make the group a success.”

After recent heart problems and an operation, Tony’s GP has advised him to cut down on his community work. He has therefore reluctantly resigned from the leadership of SAGE.

“The award is a tribute to the work he has done,” said council chairman Cllr Iain Brown, when he presented Tony with his award. “I wish him a very happy retirement from his duties. He has set up an extremely valuable service that I am sure will be developed and expanded by the older people of Earley for many years to come.”

Tony said: “This award has come as a complete surprise particularly as my tenure of SAGE has been curtailed at short notice. I would like to congratulate the council for taking up the Better Government for Older People Initiative and forming four local forums in the Wokingham district of which SAGE is just one.

“It has been a pleasure working to set up SAGE. There is an excellent team spirit and I regret having to resign prematurely. I would like to thank the chairman for his kind award and I am very proud to have received it.”

Wokingham District Council

Sunday 30th April
10.30 am – 12.30 pm or 1.00 – 3.00 pm.

Stuck for things to do now that Easter is over? Join us at the REME Museum for our new workshop where you’ll be able to make your own magic picture, construct a Secret Alarm Box and make a matchstick chest of drawers!!!

Make It ‘n’ Take It Club

In the Make It ‘n’ Take It Club (MINTI for short!) you’ll be able to take part in our two-hour workshops and make lots of different things to take home! The ‘Soldiers’ Secrets’ Workshop is the second MINTI Club Sunday Workshop this year.
? Every child attending a MINTI Club workshop gets a MINTI Club Reward Card. We’ll stamp your Reward Card at each workshop: collect 3 stamps for a MINTI Club certificate, collect 6 stamps and you’ve won a reward!

Places are limited and booking is essential.
Admission to Workshop: child £6, adults free (all children must be accompanied by an adult, younger children will need parental assistance with the activities).
Activities suitable for 5 – 12 year olds.

For more details about workshops and family events or to book places please call the Education Officer on 0118 976 3375. To find out about other forthcoming MINTI Club workshops and family events check out our web site at www.rememuseum.org.uk

REME Museum, Isaac Newton Road, Arborfield, Berkshire
RG2 9NJ

Pupils at The Holt School and The Forest School will be freewheeling home along improved cycle paths after Wokingham District Council’s decision-making executive approved a cycle scheme recommended by its highways consultative board. At their meeting last night (Thursday March 30), members of the executive agreed a scheme to redesignate parts of the footway along the A329 Reading Road as shared-use paths for both cyclists and pedestrians.

The north footway of the A329 Reading Road, between Holt Lane and The Terrace, is now to be redesignated as a cycle track along which pedestrians also have a right of way. It is a popular route for cyclists coming into Wokingham town centre from Winnersh, and for pupils at The Holt travelling to and from school. As the path is already wide enough to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians, the only cost is for new signs – a cost estimated at £500.

The south footway of the A329 Reading Road, between Winnersh Grove and a point opposite house 311 Reading Road, is also to be redesignated as a cycle track to be shared with pedestrians. This section links two existing lengths of cycle track along the road, providing an uninterrupted track along a route used by many cyclists to ride from Winnersh to Wokingham, as well as by pupils at The Forest School. The work will involve clearing some overgrown vegetation from the track and resigning it. The total cost of this is estimated at £500.

Corporate head of Wokingham environment services Mark Moon said: “This route is a popular one for cyclists, and the proposed improvements will improve the facilities for people travelling by bicycle, particularly pupils travelling to and from the Holt and Forest Schools. The scheme will link up existing facilities and should make life easier for cyclists and drivers alike.”

Wokingham District Council

Due to widespread interest, Wokingham District Council’s youth service is running a further Red Cross accredited babysitting course at Earley Centre Point Youth and Community Centre in Lower Earley.

The course, starting from Thursday April 20 between 6.30pm and 9pm, runs for 10 weeks. There will be 12 places available for young people wishing to gain this qualification and places are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The course costs £15 per person and they must be aged 13 years and over. All young people will need to complete an application form, which is available from the youth centre on Chalfont Close.

The course will involve working with Wokingham local youth workers and other outside agencies including qualified first aiders, health visitors and Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service. Following successful completion of the course and an assessment, young people will be awarded with a certificate.

Youth worker Rachel Robinson said: “Due to an overwhelming demand from young people in the local area, we’ve organised a further babysitting course. Upon successful completion young people will be able to prove to friends and parents of young children that they have undergone a comprehensive training course. Topics covered will teach youngsters about the law surrounding childcare, accident prevention, first aid and fire safety.

“Parents are often concerned about who they leave their younger children with and may worry about the ability of some youngsters when faced with challenging child care situations. This course will equip young people with the confidence and skills required to deal with potentially difficult situations should they arise, enabling them to take appropriate action if necessary.”

For more information, please contact Rachael Robinson on (0118) 9312951 or by email rachael.robinson@wokingham.gov.uk

Wokingham District Council,

Healthy, tasty and balanced food to get schoolchildren’s taste buds tingling is set to be considered tonight (Thursday March 30) by Wokingham District Council’s decision-making executive.

The Wokingham education catering services contract expires on July 31, 2006 and the ten-strong executive will consider tenders from a short-list of two companies. Proposals have been invited for a hot, fresh, cooked meal service. School meals will have an emphasis on healthy eating and Wokingham district council will be asking the new contractor to continue reducing the use of processed food and instead to use local and organic fresh ingredients and make general improvements to the overall quality of food on offer to schoolchildren.

Due to a central government grant ceasing and the cost implications of fresh ingredients in line with government standards, there will need to be a price increase which will be negotiated between the council and the successful contractor.

Part of the cost of a new menu will be funded by Wokingham District Council who are committed to providing healthy meals made from fresh ingredients as well as keeping the cost to parents at a minimum. The executive will be asked to consider subsidising the school meals contract through the direct support grant which will equate to £67,000 in 2006/07, rising to £100,000 in subsequent years.

Wokingham council has also consulted with schools, parents and children on what type of school meal they would like to see and what they would be willing to pay. Over 1300 responses were received.

Peter Watson, Wokingham corporate head of procurement, said: “The district council has undertaken a consultation with parents to ask them to consider what is a fair and reasonable price to pay for a school meal. We are particularly keen to keep the price increase at a minimum and we hope the executive will endorse this by agreeing to subsidise the contract.

“We have worked hard to develop a contract for school meals, which will bring nutritional benefit to all children.”

David Hawthorne, corporate head of Wokingham children’s services (education), said: “Following healthy lifestyles is one of the priorities in the district council’s plan for children and young people, due to launched in April. There is evidence that children’s social physical and academic performance is linked to what they eat. Improving the contract of school meals will help children’s development. As well as educational benefits, it will also help address childhood obesity. Healthy eating is important for everyone.”

Wokingham District Council

Officers from Wokingham District Council’s waste services team are set to gain new powers to help keep the Wokingham district clean and free of fly-tipping and abandoned vehicles. On Thursday March 30 the council’s decision making executive will consider adopting new powers offered by the Cleaner Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 (CNEA).

If approved, the proposals prompted by the CNEA will give Wokingham officers increased powers to:

* Take action against individuals placing vehicles for sale on the public highway, certain untaxed vehicles and abandoned vehicles

* Give fixed penalty notices for offences such as graffiting, abandoning of vehicles and fly-tipping

* Issue street litter control notices for litter and refuse to individuals or businesses creating litter problems under certain circumstances.

The CNEA also makes provision for councils to keep the receipts from fixed penalty notices issued for fly-tipping and other waste offences.

Should the above powers be taken on, the use of them will depend upon receipt of further guidance from DEFRA which may not be issued until late Spring/early Summer and therefore there will be a short delay before they become effective.

The Wokingham waste services budget currently includes £6,000 for the pursuit of fly-tipping enforcement cases and, if the new powers are agreed, it is proposed that this money is also used to pursue any unpaid fly-tipping fixed penalty notices. The ability to keep receipts from paid notices will also contribute to this budget.

Wokingham Team leader for waste services Yvonne Dawson said: “If agreed, the proposals will give us means to improve the appearance and environmental quality of the district. Use of the newly available powers and duties will provide an improved service to residents where the Council has been unable to take action previously.”

Wokingham District Council

School partnerships will climb to new heights in Wokingham next month – when one of the district council’s communications officers makes a seventeen-day expedition up Mount Everest.

Each month, emails from girls in Year 8 at The Holt School, Wokingham wing their way 4000 miles to a school in the Indian Himalaya, where they are eagerly received by pen-friends in the tiny mountain school of Lakshmi Ashram.

“The partnership with Lakshmi Ashram is extremely valuable,” says Jonathan Galloway, 8C’s philosophy of religion teacher at The Holt. “Making friends with other young people on the other side of the world really brings an international dimension to lessons and is pertinent to so many areas of the curriculum. But it can be difficult – Lakshmi Ashram only has one very old computer between all sixty girls. I would like more of our students to be involved and write individual letters, but I am anxious not to overload the Ashram’s limited capacity for communication.”

However, the poor IT provision at Lakshmi Ashram is set to change. Fundraisers Jenny Coates and her boyfriend Phil Larby, from Finchampstead, are about to undertake a high-altitude challenge to raise money for the partnership. At Easter, Jenny and Phil will be trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, the highest campsite in the world at 5600m. If they make it, they will have raised £5,000 in sponsorship for the Holt’s Himalayan partnership, to be spent on improving communications equipment at Lakshmi Ashram.

Jenny Coates, now communications and web officer at Wokingham District Council, set up the partnership between Lakshmi Ashram and The Holt after visiting Lakshmi Ashram in 2003 as a volunteer. “Of all the voluntary projects I took part in across Asia, the projects at Lakshmi Ashram impressed me the most. The school is full of innovations for new farming technology, and is educating the children of disadvantaged farming communities. When I got home I showed my photographs to several different schools here, because I wanted children in Wokingham to see what children in the Himalayas can achieve with so little,” she said.

“I was so pleased when The Holt decided to set up the partnership. It has been fascinating to see the girls comparing their lives.”

Since the partnership began, the girls have compared their daily lives, their homes and the festivals they celebrate. They have written reports to each other about major events – Christmas in the UK, and Shivaratri in India.

And now the girls of 8C at The Holt, Wokingham have made a DVD for their Indian friends to watch, so that they can introduce themselves in person. Jenny Coates will be presenting the film made by Class 8C, when she visits the Ashram after the fundraising expedition.

Girls at The Holt helped raise sponsorship for the expedition by selling raffle tickets. Local clubs and businesses have also made generous donations to the project, which has seen £5000 raised for computer equipment, to be donated when Jenny and Phil have completed their challenge.

After facing sub-zero temperatures and possible altitude sickness on their Everest expedition, Jenny and Phil will be visiting Lakshmi Ashram on the way home, to tell the children all about it. “I’m excited about our trek. Everest Base Camp is such a famous place, in such a beautiful part of the Himalayas.” says Jenny. “But I’m more excited about visiting Lakshmi Ashram afterwards – I can’t wait to show 8C’s video to the Ashram girls. They will be fascinated. We hope we can make a video of Lakshmi Ashram too while we are there, so that the Indian girls can show their mountain home to their friends in Wokingham.”

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council’s decision-making executive are set to endorse a number of recommendations at their meeting next week (March 30) on CRB checks.

The recommendations to be endorsed will include checking all those staff, governors and volunteers who, through their role in Wokingham district schools, care for, supervise, or are in sole charge of children, who do not have a Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) check, should have one carried out.

Despite national guidance from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) stating there will continue to be no compulsory requirements to obtain a CRB check on existing staff appointed before March 2002, Wokingham District Council’s ten-strong executive are set to advise all schools to carry out retrospective checks. If agreed, the district council will fund half the cost to schools for carrying out these retrospective CRB checks, equating to approximately £60,000.

Concerns about the comprehensiveness of checks in Wokingham district’s schools were originally raised last year by the Wokingham Local Safeguarding Children’s Board. The requirements with regard to checking the suitability of people working with children have changed over the years. CRB checks were introduced nationally in March 2002. Prior to that, teachers were subject to checks against List 99.

From 1986, teachers and caretakers were also subject to checks against police records, although this was not mandatory. At this time, it was also apparent that support staff, were not usually subject to these checks.

The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has made it clear in successive guidance that CRB checks are strongly recommended as part of the appointment process for new staff working in schools, and Wokingham district council has always reinforced this recommendation to its schools. The Secretary of State only announced in January 2006 that these existing arrangements are now compulsory.

It is estimated that about 870 teachers and 975 support staff in Wokingham District Council’s schools were appointed before March 2002 and therefore may not been subject to CRB checks. Whilst they may have had checks carried out, this has not been consistently recorded. Audits do indicate that schools have been seeking and recording checks in line with the CRB code of practice for staff employed since March 2002.

The DfES does not require school governors to be checked, however all local authority appointed governors in the Wokingham district, since January 2005, have had checks carried out. However, there are over 800 governors in the Wokingham district who are unlikely to have a check in place. Where these governors, as part of their role care for, supervise, or are in sole charge of children the recommendation will be that a check is carried out.

Mark Molloy, corporate head of children’s services, said: “The district council has a responsibility for the care and welfare of all children in council maintained schools. Whilst it is not a national requirement for any of our schools to do retrospective checks, the district council, along with the Local Safeguarding Board, feels it is now time to address this.

“Whilst in many cases the checks may well have been done, there is no evidence to support this and we feel this is not adequate. It is now time for us to address this to ensure that all those who work with children are suitable and I very much hope the district council’s executive agree to endorse these recommendations.”

Wokingham District Council

A milestone in green waste collection was celebrated by Wokingham District Council this week as it passed the 1,000 tonne mark of garden waste picked up for recycling and composting.

And, on Monday March 20, Wokingham council chairman Cllr Iain Brown joined pupils from Oaklands Infant School in Crowthorne to mark this achievement and learn about how the council’s green waste scheme works.

Wokingham district council was set a very tough target of recycling and composting over 30% of the district’s household waste by the end of this month (March). Although the district’s residents already performed well in terms of recycling, the council had to look at ways it could increase the amount of waste that people recycled or composted. In April 2005 the council launched its green waste scheme, allowing residents in the participating areas of the district to put green garden waste out for collection every fortnight on the alternate week to their black box recycling collection.

And now over 1,000 tonnes of green waste have been collected and sent for composting, helping to drive Wokingham district towards its target. To mark the occasion, waste and recycling manager Peter Baveystock joined council chairman Cllr Iain Brown on a visit to Oaklands Infant School, along with waste contractors SITA, to demonstrate how the green waste scheme works.

Peter said: “Younger people are always curious about how our waste schemes work, what happens to their rubbish after they’ve left it out for collection and how rubbish can be reused and recycled, and research shows that if you can get children interested in recycling and composting they tend to bring their parents along with them.

“I carry out a number of visits to schools across the district, explaining how the council’s kerbside recycling scheme works. On my last visit to Oaklands Infant School the children were extremely enthusiastic and I could think of no one better to help us celebrate collecting over 1,000 tonnes of green waste.”

Wokingham Cllr Iain Brown said: “We have to thank our residents for helping us to achieve this milestone. Every garden waste bag collected saves precious landfill space and is good news for the future of our district and the country as a whole.

“The pupils at Oaklands Infant School were extremely interested in the whole process of recycling and composting and were especially curious about how the waste collection lorry works. I hope that they will encourage their parents to join the scheme and help us grow our composting figures even further.”

The green waste scheme is operating in parts of Arborfield, Barkham, Earley, Finchampstead, Twyford, Winnersh, Wokingham, Wokingham Without and Woodley. Households in other areas where the scheme is not operating can still have one bag of garden waste per property collected free of charge each week. Alternatively, they can purchase blue garden waste sacks from the council at a cost of £1 each. Residents can also home compost or take their garden waste to the civic amenity sites in Bracknell and Reading.

Anyone with questions on the green waste scheme should call (0118) 974 6307.

Wokingham District Council

Would you like to put some of that new Spring energy into song and join Wokingham Choral Society for an exciting one-day Choral Workshop in May 2006?

Our venue will be the St Joseph's Convent School, Upper Redlands Road, Reading. There are excellent facilities and parking is available.

The day will include some work on vocal technique as well as brushing up our choral ensemble.

Music will be provided on loan, with the option, if you prefer, to buy at a reduced rate.
If you have some experience of choral singing, you will enjoy exploring new choral music, improving your technique and spending a day doing what you enjoy with fellow enthusiasts.
Programme

9.30-10.30 Registration/coffee
10.00-11.15 Session 1
11.15-11.45 Break
11.45-1.00 Session 2
1.00-2.00 Lunch
2.00-3.15 Session 3
3.45-5.00 Session 4

Music will Include

Choruses from Brian Kay's own 'The Greatest Choral Classics' which includes pieces such as
Elgar: Great is the Lord
Franck: Panis Angelicus
Handel: Zadok the Priest

Prices

The fee for the day includes tea, coffee and hire of music.
Full rate £22.50 (from March 1st 2006)
£2 discount for students and senior citizens

Cheques payable to 'Wokingham Choral Society'

For more information contact :
Kath Cox on 07941 161 641 or Jenny Eaglen on 0118 978 1260

Wokingham Choral Society

A night at the movies
Date: Sunday 23rd April 2006
Starts: 7.00pm
Venue:The Bearwood Theatre, Bearwood College , Bearwood Road , Bearwood, Wokingham. Berkshire, RG41 5BG
Tickets: Adults £10 / Under 16s £6.50 form 0118 926 4125

The now famous team from Cloudglider team offer you a dreamy night with the stars! Come and spend an evening listening to your favourite songs from films such as “Dirty Dancing”, “Meet Joe Black”, “Moulin Rouge” and “The Jazz Singer” to name but a few.

We are delighted to introduce you to Theresa Coligan and Tim Robinson, who will join Abigail Barnard, Ashton Collins, Laura Cooper, Jenny Mulot, Becky Nicklin, Mark Quirk and Yasemin Ucan to present a vibrant evening of popular songs.

This concert is in aid of “Sebastian’s Action Trust”, the chosen charity of Iain Brown, Chairman of Wokingham District Council, for the year 2005-2006. Money raised will be used to help build a holiday home for families of cancer sufferers enabling them to spend precious time together away from the hospital and punishing regimes that govern their lives.

So come and join us! Sit back, put your feet up, relax, sing along if you want to and let the Cloudglider team take you to a night at the movies.

Cloudglider ~ Wokingham

Following on from the success of last year’s series of leadership and management workshops, Wokingham District Council is joining forces with local education and business partners to offer a series of further workshops for small businesses.

Working in partnership with Bracknell and Wokingham College, Business Link and the Oracle Corporation, the district council is offering local businesses the chance to join a series of management development courses on a range of topics from team building to business development.

Designed for small and medium sized businesses in the Wokingham district, each half day workshop covers an essential management topic and provides an opportunity for existing, new and aspiring managers from local organisations to develop key skills within small groups of up to 16 attendees. Each course costs £45 plus VAT per delegate, and takes place between 9am and 1pm at the Oracle Corporation’s Headquarters at Thames Valley Business Park.

Selling skills (April 21) shows delegates how to grow their business by increasing sales. Wokingham Delegates will learn how to attract new customers, how to approach them with confidence and how to get an appointment with prospects. Top tips will also be given on the difference between how customers and salespeople think. Course tutor Bob Hazell is a successful salesperson and trains others to emulate his success.

Performance Management (May 16) covers key skills and techniques for performance management and how that fits in with the overall management process. Delegates will also learn how to identify the benefits of effective reviews, the dos and don’ts, and how to analyse personal strengths and areas for improvement.

Business development (June 15) covers generating business development ideas, the process of business development and why all staff have to be involved in this. Delegates will also be asked to plan and prepare their own business development strategy as well as considering the overall impact this change will have on their Wokingham business.

Team building (July 14) looks at how employees can work together towards achieving a common goal. However, pulling people together with a common goal will not automatically turn them into a team and this workshop provides useful tips on leadership skills, identifying roles of team members and explaining more about what team working is.

Chris Hamilton, corporate head of Wokingham cultural services and development, said: “Wokingham District Council is very pleased to be able to assist local small businesses with this programme, tailored to the needs of both employers and employers. I hope that local businesses will encourage their employees to join one of the workshops. Each one provides an opportunity to learn from working with peers, and information that delegates can use on a daily basis in their work environment - they learn new skills in the morning and put them into practice in the afternoon!”

If any local businesses would like to reserve a place, please contact Geraldine Grayson on (0118) 974 3709 or geraldine.grayson@wokingham.gov.uk for a booking form. Once completed booking forms should be posted to Geraldine Grayson, workforce development officer, cultural services and development, Wokingham District Council, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1BN or faxed to (0118) 974 6259. Alternatively, more information on the workshops is available from Geraldine Grayson on (0118) 974 3709 or geraldine.grayson@wokingham.gov.uk.

Wokingham District Council

Open Garden event, Finchampstead, Wokingham

Date: 07-MAY-2006
Time: 2.30-5.00pm
Cost: £3

Venue: Whiteknights, The Ridges, Finchampstead, Wokingham

Description:

Whiteknights is a private Wokingham 2.5 acre Garden consisting of a Japanese, Chinese and Mediterranean garden, gravel garden with cacti, dwarf conifers and herbaceous borders. There is also a fairy grotto and dolls house exhibition to keep the children happy.
Refreshments are available and there are many plants for sale.

Whiteknights, Wokingham is a private 2.5 acre Garden consisting of a Japanese, Chinese and Mediterranean garden, gravel garden with cacti, dwarf conifers and herbaceous borders. Two greenhouses, a lean-to and conservatory, organic vegetable garden and new Fairy Grotto all add to the interest. There are a number of Open Days throughout the year and the garden is also open for small groups by appointment.

Proceeds from the Sale of Plants and the Entrance Fee (if the garden is not open on behalf of another charity) goes towards our charity "Salt of the Earth". Through this charity, we have sponsored a village called Pattanamaruthur in the district of Tuticorin in India. The money goes towards Education, Health and Water projects. For more information, visit www.salt-of-the-earth.org.uk

Whiteknights, Wokingham

Residents across the Wokingham district are in line for a good read this week with the publication of Wokingham district council’s residents’ magazine WOKINGHAM DISTRICT NEWS, designed to give local people a clear account of how the district council has served them over the past 12 months.

Featuring important information on the council tax for Wokingham district, the magazine is being sent to residents with their council tax bills so that they can see where and how their money is being spent. The magazine shows how the council has managed to achieve a council tax increase of less than 3% for the second year running and, according to figures published in the national press*, one of the lowest for any unitary authority in the country.

As well as a round-up of key achievements in how Wokingham council is involving young people, working with older people, helping vulnerable people and making roads safer, the magazine also focuses on the way the council is protecting the district from over-development.

As well as highlighting achievements from 2005-06 and priorities for 2006-07, the eye-catching document also features special pages from three of the council’s key partners - police, health and voluntary sector. And it shows how Wokingham council is promoting community development and improving customer care.

There is a useful A-Z guide to council services to cut out and keep for future reference as well as a two-page performance review showing how the organisation measured up in 2005-06.

Anyone wanting to advertise in or comment on WOKINGHAM DISTRICT NEWS should email the editor Karen Jordan at karen.jordan@wokingham.gov.uk.

Wokingham District Council

“Wokingham town centre needs our help and we’re determined to see that it gets it!” That’s the message from Wokingham District Council’s executive member for community development Cllr Dianne King as the council gets set to consider a landmark memorandum of understanding.

At its meeting on Thursday March 30, the Wokingham council’s decision-making executive is being recommended to enter into a memorandum of understanding which broadly sets out the respective roles of the council and developer in the development process.

Wokingham district council recognises that the redevelopment of the buildings around Rose Street car park is key to Wokingham town centre’s future success, ensuring continued vibrancy for the years to come. “It’s important, however, that we get the right development for the town centre, and we’ve been working hard for a long time now to enable this to happen,” said Cllr King.

The proposed memorandum of understanding would set out what the developer is prepared to commit to (including timescales for development) should the desired planning permission be granted. Also, just how far Wokingham council is prepared to go to ensure that this development in the town centre is suitable and proceeds as quickly as is practicable which may include, if necessary, use of Compulsory Purchase powers. It would provide the framework for a formal development agreement that would flesh out the precise roles of the parties and crystallise their commitment to the scheme.

Developers Rock Investment Group Plc, who are a significant landowner in the site earmarked for development, have been working closely with Wokingham district council to discuss the right way forward for a proposed development of the buildings around Rose Street car park, looking to rejuvenate the street scene, attract new businesses and create a pleasant shopping and leisure area in this part of the town.

Proposals have now been extended to include the Marks and Spencer’s car park, allowing greater flexibility for any planned redevelopment. The store has affirmed its commitment to Wokingham town and is keen to be a part of any improvements to the town centre.

Current plans for the town centre include a mixture of shops, restaurants and residential units with a new pedestrianised street and small square.

Rock Investment Group will be drawing up more detailed plans for the redevelopment and carrying out public consultation in the coming weeks, prior to the submission of a full planning application.

Wokingham Cllr King said: “Compulsory purchase orders are always the last resort, and not a route that anyone wishes to follow. We have, however, said that we will consider exercising our statutory powers if it looks as though the future of our town centre could be threatened. We all agree that our market town desperately needs revitalising and we must be prepared to consider using all tools available to us as a council in order to make sure that this happens.

“Wokingham has a thriving community and we want to make sure that it has a town centre to match.”

Roger Smee of Rock Investment Group plc said: “We’re committed to making sure that Wokingham gets the quality development it deserves fitting to the town centre and want to make sure that the Wokingham community is involved in the process. We’re working closely with the council to draft up new proposals and will shortly undertake public consultation to gather comments and opinions.”

Rock Investment Group plc has made assurances to the council that it will submit a detailed planning application by May of this year, following public consultation on the proposals. The plans will then be subject to the usual independent scrutiny through the planning process including formal public consultation.

Wokingham District Council