Wokingham

Wokingham District Council’s chairman Cllr Angus Ross joined corporate head of strategy and partnerships Keith Burns on Friday (July 21) at a volunteering day to improve the local environment for residents on the Norreys estate in Wokingham.

After a successful Wokingham volunteering day in 2005, Keith Burns decided to get into the spirit again this year and volunteer his services to the community during the two-day session. Keith was joined by Cllr Angus Ross and a band of over 40 willing helpers - made up of staff from tenant services, community safety, council contractors who also volunteered alongside Keith and local residents.

The merry band of Wokingham volunteers set about clearing Eustace Crescent of old furniture and over- grown shrubs and weeds. In all, two and a half tonnes of waste were disposed of, which has greatly improved the area and removed the eyesores for local residents.

Keith said: “During the two days many local residents approached us to thank us for the work that was being carried out. They told us that it would make a real difference to the area and I was pleased to be able to do something that would improve their lives. It makes it all worthwhile when you receive such positive feedback.

“It was hard work for two solid days and the heat was immense making it even more difficult for the volunteers. But, everyone did a really good job and it was enjoyable. It was great to see everyone in the community – young and old – joining in to make such a difference.”

Wokingham Council chairman Cllr Angus Ross said: “After school, some children came out to volunteer their services by picking up litter and sweeping away the dirt. I would like to say a very big thank you to the residents, contractors and council staff who joined in particularly as it was very hot on these two days.

“I would also like to say a special thank you to our contractors CTS, Continental Landscapes and Flow Drains, for their hard work and commitment. It was a good job well done by all the volunteers.”

Wokingham District Council

Residents are being ‘canvassed’ on their ideas for new a mural in Norreys Estate, Wokingham, as the district council and Churches of Wokingham’s Big Idea initiative join up to give the area a splash of colour.

The Wokingham Big Idea is a concentrated series of special events on the themes of social action, community and searching issues, with eleven churches in Wokingham taking part. And Big Idea volunteers have teamed up with Wokingham District Council to bring the action to the Norreys estate.

Between August 21 and August 25 a team of Wokingham volunteers will be out and about in the estate, having a general clear up. They will also be running a series of events such as a community event at Palmer School, and a special youth event at Howard Palmer Gardens.

And, to give the area something special, children and young people are being asked for their ideas to contribute to a mural to be painted at Eustace Crescent. Winning entries will be included in the final mural design and will receive a gift certificate of £15.

The competition is open until Friday August 11 and has two age categories: seven to 11 years old and 12 to 15 years old. All entries should be submitted to Hannah Linder, Wokingham District Council, Tenant Services, Waterford House, Erfstadt Court, Denmark Street, Wokingham RG20 2YF.

The competition follows hot on the heels of a two-day clean up by council officers, councillors, residents and volunteers on Thursday July 20 and Friday July 21.

Executive member for community care services and housing Wokingham Cllr Pauline Helliar-Symons said: “This is a great opportunity for people in the Norreys area to get involved in a grass-roots community project and make a real difference to their surroundings.

“I encourage as many young people as possible to submit an entry and perhaps see their design work on a wall near them soon.”

Karl Relton, Big Idea planning team co-ordinator, said: “We are delighted to be working with Wokingham District Council’s tenant services and local residents to help create a mural and contribute to the Norreys area.

“Over 60 volunteers a day, all from Wokingham churches, are taking part in Big Idea projects across the town as part of the initiative to love and serve the community.”

Wokingham District Council

Everyone with an interest in the future of the Wokingham district is set to be asked for their views as Wokingham District Council’s decision-making executive considers initial options for allocating sites for future development in the district at its meeting on Thursday July 27, 2006

Wokingham council is currently developing the Local Development Framework (LDF) – a set of documents that will guide development in the district from 2006 to 2026, replacing the current Local Plan. The process involves extensive public consultation, and this latest round, set to take place between August 30 and October 11, 2006, will ask people to consider:

* A list of sites submitted to the council as being suitable for future development
* Potential settlement, green gap, wedge and Green Belt boundaries
* Additional information to inform the council’s final preferred option for the LDF

Under the LDF process everyone in the Wokingham district was invited to submit any ideas they have of land where development might take place during this period. All of these proposals are set to be published at the July 27 meeting of the executive and will be subject to consultation as outlines above.

Any proposals to develop land will, of course, be subject to the usual planning process. Sites submitted under the process - by anyone, whether the council, other landowners, developers or independent individuals and groups - are not a commitment to development, but an exploration of options for the future that may or may not be realised.

Each of the Wokingham sites submitted will be tested against national planning policy along with any comments received during public consultations. Only those sites that best meet national policy and the views received will be chosen as part of the final preferred option.

The executive will also be asked to consider the LDF’s sustainability appraisal which aims to ensure that all plans take into account economic, environmental and social matters. The aim is to make sure any future developments have good access to the services they need (for instance transport links, retail centres and health facilities).

Executive member for local and regional planning Wokingham Cllr Gary Cowan said: “The council remains committed to protecting the district and controlling the amount of development, having made strong representation to the government to keep future housing numbers for the district as low as possible.

“We have to accept, however, that there will be some further development in the district and it is vital that people take part in the LDF process in order to make sure that we have a robust strategy in place for securing the highest quality development possible.

“Our aim is to work to meet the aspirations of our residents within the framework set by government and so we are asking that people let us know what they think of the initial options for allocating sites.”

If the initial Wokingham options are given the green-light by the executive, people can make their views known by emailing policyandplans@wokingham.gov.uk, faxing (0118) 974 6385 or by post to Development Plans Team, Strategy and Partnerships, Wokingham District Council, PO Box 157, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WR. People can also submit their views online at the council’s website: www.wokingham.gov.uk. All comments must be received by 5pm on October 11. Anyone with questions should contact the development plans team on (0118) 974 6478.

Wokingham District Council

Some 28 Wokingham teaching assistants were celebrating last week after they became the first to gain the higher-level teaching assistant (HLTA) status in the Wokingham district.

HLTAs are teaching assistants who have developed their skills against a set of national professional standards set by the Training and Development Agency for Schools and they have undergone assessment to attain the HLTA status. Achieving HLTA status demonstrates to headteachers, teachers, governors and parents that teaching assistants can make a positive contribution to pupils’ learning and achievement.

Wokingham Teaching assistants with HLTA status work in schools alongside teachers providing support for teaching and learning activities. They may be working across the curriculum or working on specialist subjects such as information and communication technology, music or helping those pupils with special needs. They are a key group in central government’s drive to raise standards in schools and to reduce teacher workload.

The assessment process is a rigorous one. To achieve the status, candidates are required to demonstrate they have sufficient knowledge and understanding to help pupils make progress with their learning. They have also been developed to support smooth progression to qualified teacher status if teaching assistants wish to become a teacher.

The teaching assistants from Wokingham district’s schools were presented with their certificates by David Hawthorne, corporate head of children’s services (education), at a celebration held on July 11. David said: “It is important that we recognise the achievements of these teaching assistants who have put in a lot of hard work so they can make an even more valuable contribution to improving standards in schools. I was delighted to be able to celebrate their success with them and present them with certificates for their achievements.”

Cllr Frank Browne, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “Achieving the HLTA status is a celebration of the vital contribution teaching assistants make to the quality of teaching and learning in our schools. I would like to extend my congratulations to them all.”

Wokingham District Council

The case for a reduced level of house building for the Wokingham district is continuing to be made by Wokingham District Council. It still, however, has to accept that some development will take place and, whilst arguing for a lower number of houses, legislation requires the council to plan for the future housing growth set out in the Berkshire Structure Plan.

After several rounds of consultation, Wokingham council officers have produced the Local Development Framework core strategy setting out a broad approach for where future development should go. And at its meeting on Thursday July 27 the council’s decision-making executive is being asked to approve the document for final consultation and its submission to government.

The Local Development Framework is a series of documents that will guide development in the district from 2006 to 2026, replacing the current Local Plan. This process involves extensive consultation and community feedback has been used to amend and develop early ideas.

The core strategy has been designed to protect key features of the district’s landscape, ecology, heritage and environment. It also aims to ensure that everyone has good access to services such as schools, health and community facilities.

Therefore, it proposes that residential development should be concentrated in those towns and villages that either have an existing significant range of those services, or it is envisaged that they will have in the future (over the 20 year period of the plan).

In general, the core strategy states that major development would be acceptable only where there is an existing population over 10,000 or where there is reasonable access to a current or planned town or district centre. Limited development may take place where there is a shop selling convenience goods, or a primary school.

Whilst Wokingham council is continuing to make a strong case for reduced housing numbers, the scale of development set out in the emerging South East Plan cannot be accommodated within existing settlement boundaries without harm to the character of the district. Consultation has also shown that there is community support for major growth in a few locations rather than distribution of development across the district.

Consequently, the core strategy suggests five strategic locations where residential development is most likely to be concentrated: Arborfield including the garrison, Shinfield/Spencers Wood/Three Mile Cross, north Wokingham, south Wokingham and south west Winnersh.

Other development is likely to occur in and around the established settlements of Earley, Twyford, Winnersh, Wokingham and Woodley. The council will look to improve the sustainability of all locations identified for development so that they can include the necessary services, amenities and infrastructure required for the period covered by the plan. Without these improvements, the areas would not be suitable for further development.

The core strategy states that all such improvements (including increased choice in the modes of transport available to the community) will need to be made before significant development proposals are completed.

Executive member for local and regional planning Wokingham Cllr Gary Cowan said: “Whilst we continue to fight excessive development at every opportunity, the council has to be realistic and accept that new homes will need to be built over the next 20 years. It’s a difficult job trying to balance this requirement with the aspirations of our communities, which is why the extensive consultation we have undertaken is vital.

“We have taken people’s views into account in this core strategy and, should the executive give it the green light, people will have another opportunity to comment on the document before it is considered by a government-appointed planning inspector at an examination in public scheduled to take place in February/March 2007.”

If the core strategy is given the go-ahead by the executive and subsequently full council, this further consultation is likely to take place from August 30 to October 11, 2006.

The core strategy will be available on Wokingham council’s website at www.wokingham.gov.uk or at the district’s libraries and the library in Crowthorne. Comments can be submitted online, emailed to policyandplans@wokingham.gov.uk, faxed to (0118) 974 6385 or sent by post to Development Plans Team, Strategy and Partnerships, Wokingham District Council, PO Box 157, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WR. All comments must be received by 5pm on October 11. Anyone with questions should contact the development plans team on (0118) 974 6478.

Wokingham District Council

Green fingered gardeners from the Wokingham ‘Growing Places’ horticultural therapy project won prizes for perfect plants on Friday June 30. The ‘Thrive’ Trunkwell Garden Project held its annual flower show at Beech Hill, which this year received nearly 300 entries from 22 horticulture projects across the South East. And a group of gardeners with learning disabilities from Growing Places Berkshire, the horticultural project operated by Wokingham Resource and Opportunity Centre (WROC) went along to show off the flower arrangements and garden ornaments they have been making.

“It was a wonderful sunny day,” said Growing Places therapist Margaret Larby. “The gardens looked delightful and made a perfect setting for the show. There were stalls, refreshments and a steel band providing live music. But all our eyes were on the exhibition tent, waiting to see what the judges thought!”

There was no need for nerves – the Wokingham Growing Places team carried off a host of prizes. Peter Waite and Ellen Allwood both won gold medals, Peter for a wildlife photograph and Ellen for an arrangement of home grown summer flowers in a vase. Liz Cayzer and Iain Baines both won silver, Liz for a decorative garden ornament made from recycled materials, and Iain for a wildlife photograph. Nigel Roffe and Melvyn Allwright both won bronze medals, Nigel for his arrangement of home grown summer flowers, and Melvyn for his floral table decoration. The group as a whole also took a silver medal for their name plaque made of mosaics.

Executive member for Wokingham community care Pauline Helliar-Symons said: “Growing Places is a wonderful project. Gardening involves lots of creative skills and can really give people confidence – especially when their beautiful creations win prizes! Trunkwell Flower Show is a very popular competition and the Growing Places participants should be very proud of their achievements there.”

The Growing Places team have been hard at work growing plants to sell, and their next plant sale in the Mall at Wokingham District Council’s civic offices in Shute End will be on Thursday August 3. If you would like to know more about Growing Places Berkshire please visit http://www.growingplaces-berkshire.co.uk/ or email Julie.stevens@wokingham.gov.uk

Wokingham District Council

With the hottest day of the year so far recorded this week, Wokingham District Council has set out common sense advice about how to protect elderly and vulnerable groups in the extreme heat.

The advice has been issued in response to soaring temperatures which could hit 39°C (102°F). The two most common forms of hyperthermia are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat stroke is especially dangerous and requires immediate medical attention. Key advice from the Department of Health aimed at preventing hyperthermia includes:

Helping others
• If anyone you know is likely to be at risk during a heatwave, help them get the advice and support they need. Older people living on their own should be visited daily to check they are Okay.

Keep out of the heat
• Try to plan your day in a way that allows you to stay out of the heat.
• If you can, avoid going out in the hottest part of the day (11am – 3pm).
• If you must go out, stay in the shade. Wear a hat and light, loose-fitting clothes, preferably cotton. If you will be outside for some time, take plenty of water with you.

Stay cool
• Stay inside, in the coolest rooms in your home, as much as possible.
• Close the curtains in rooms that get a lot of sun.
• Keep windows closed while the room is cooler than it is outside. Open them when the temperature inside rises, and at night for ventilation. If you are worried about security, at least open windows on the first floor and above.
• Take cool showers or baths, and splash yourself several times a day with cold water, particularly your face and the back of your neck.

Drink regularly
• Drink regularly even if you do not feel thirsty – water or fruit juice are best.
• Try to avoid alcohol, tea and coffee. They make dehydration worse.
• Eat as you normally would. Try to eat more cold food, particularly salads and fruit, which contain water.

Seek advice if you have any concerns
• Contact your doctor, a pharmacist or NHS Direct if you are worried about your health during a heatwave, especially if you are taking medication, or have any unusual symptoms.
• Watch for cramp in your arms, legs or stomach, feelings of mild confusion, weakness or problems sleeping.
• If you have these symptoms, rest for several hours, keep cool and drink water or fruit juice. Seek medical advice if they get worse or don’t go away.

Wokingham District Council’s champion for older people Cllr Bob Wyatt said: “Although it is nice to have some hot weather, it is very important for everyone to take care in extreme conditions. And we must all be very mindful of the extra strain on vulnerable groups such as older people. Hopefully by following these guidelines we can all enjoy the summer safely and help our older friends and relatives to stay cool.”

Wokingham District Council

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16 Jul - 3 Sep

Summer Treasure Hunt Spot all the money hidden in the museum displays! Price included in the Admission Charge.

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Sun 20 Aug

Make it ‘n’ take It (Minti) Club
Wacky Vehicles Make fast cars, build a DUKW, a wind powered dodgem; make moving pictures and a vehicle mobile Craft workshops
10.30 am – 12.30 pm or
1 – 3 pm

Each child £6
Parent or carer Free

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Tue 22 & Wed 23 Aug

Eats Sleeps & Shoots
A day in the life of a soldier Taste rations.
Bed down in a Basher.
See what’s in a Bergen.
See a weapons demonstration. Price included in the Admission Charge.
Demonstrations from 11 am till 12.30 pm

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Wed 30 and Thu 31 Aug
Build It Workshop Design and build a vehicle in our children's workshop. Price included in the Admission Charge

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Adult £3.50, Child £2.50, Family £10 (2 adults & up to 3 children) under 5s FREE.
Opening times:
Monday to Thursday 9 am to 4.30 pm, Friday 9 to 4 pm, Sundays

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

Local Wokingham adults with learning disabilities who attend the Wokingham Resource and Opportunity Centre (WROC) have been involved every step of the way in designing and equipping their brand new centre, which is set to open its doors in spring 2007.

Consultation with Wokingham service users and their families and carers on how the proposed new community resource centre and facilities could be developed and fitted out to best meet their needs has been under way for several months now as part of an overall six year consultation programme on service modernisation.

And clients have had their say, from helping with the design to naming the building and choosing which bathroom equipment to fit. The name chosen by clients is the Acorn Community Centre. WROC members also named the centre’s coffee bar - The Rainbow Café.

The winning centre name was put forward by WROC member Derek Mackenzie who said: “I feel marvellous, really good that I did what I did, helping to name the new centre. The name came to my mind as I know Wokingham has a lot of history with oak trees.”

With planning permission given in April 2006, the brand new £1.25million centre in Woosehill is being built on Wokingham council-owned land ear-marked for community development near to Morrisons.

David Baker, whose son is a member of WROC, said: “As a parent with a son who has learning difficulties I am very excited about the move to the new centre at Woosehill. Having seen the plans, I am very confident that it will allow the more able clients to integrate more into the community whilst at the same time ensuring there is a secure environment for those who need more supervision and protection. I am sure that this will be a great improvement on the facilities at the current centre.”

Wokingham Cllr Pauline Helliar-Symons, Wokingham District Council’s executive member for community care and housing, said: "I thoroughly enjoyed being involved with people who use the centre and their parents and the staff in deciding on a name for the new building and the coffee bar inside it.

“A specialist-designed building at the heart of the local Woosehill community will help us to provide more responsive, better quality, locally-based services that give our clients greater choice and involvement in mainstream activities such as education, preparation for employment and leisure and social activities.

“Some people may be concerned that people with learning disabilities might not want to be more involved with the community but this is what they themselves have asked for; they want to integrate, and we must help them to fulfil their potential.

“Those with profound disabilities will have their own secure area - off limits to other people – as well as being able to access other areas with support from staff. I am really pleased at how the service users and their parents and carers have all been involved in designing their building. They are genuinely excited about it and their enthusiasm is infectious! And our expert staff, who know the service users they work with well, have been especially conscious of how to build in proper safety and security measures,” added Cllr Helliar-Symons.

Services are being developed in line with the national policy ‘Valuing People’, which sets out how the government will provide new opportunities for people with learning disabilities and their families to live full and independent lives as part of their local communities. The new Woosehill building will also provide specialist dedicated facilities for those people who have the most profound disabilities.

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council as corporate parents recently organised a fun day for its looked-after children and care leavers and it proved to be a huge hit with the youngsters!

The fun day was also an opportunity for the Wokingham children’s rights service to carry out consultation, via a questionnaire, with young people to find out what they think about council services and whether they are getting the services that they really need.

And, as Wokingham council is also keen to help looked-after children and care leavers celebrate their achievements on a regular basis, the questionnaire asked them how they would like to celebrate! Their achievements cover a wide range of things, including doing well at school, achievements in sport or drama, overcoming fears and successfully moving to independence, to name just a few.

Over 60 people visited the Wokingham fun day including 17 looked-after children, four care leavers and two looked after-children who live in the district but are the responsibility of other local authorities. They all completed a questionnaire. They also had the chance to enjoy a bouncy castle, learn circus tricks and take part in an art workshop.

Competition was in the air when the youngsters enjoyed five-a-side football, before playing each other at garden Jenga, chess and Connect Four! There was a free tombola and a ‘guess the weight’ of the cake competition, kindly donated by Waitrose. And if that wasn’t enough to keep the visitors entertained there was a ‘guess the name of the elephant’ and ‘guess the number of sweets in a jar’ competition!

Attending the fun day was Wokingham Cllr Annette Drake, vice-chairman of Wokingham District Council and chairman of the corporate parenting panel, and she said: “As a corporate parent, the council has a responsibility for looked-after children and this day allowed us to show to our looked-after children, and those who are about to leave care, that they are thought about and cared for.

“Opportunities for looked-after children to enjoy themselves are very welcome and of great importance. I would like to say thank you to everyone who has made this event possible and such a resounding success!”

The council will now be sending a questionnaire to all of the district’s looked-after children to gain their views.

Wokingham Cllr Drake added: “It's very important that the council recognises their achievements and we are keen to hear how they would like us to do this. We value all our looked after children and want to celebrate their achievements."

Wokingham District Council

Palmer C of E (Aided) Junior in Wokingham is celebrating once again after triumphing in the Syngenta Young Scientists Project – an honour they first took three years ago!

The school entered the competition three years ago and won the top award and the following year they finished second. This year, Wokingham pupils from year six were determined to regain pole position and their hard work paid off! Their experiment was to test household substances as rocket fuel. They tested fruit juices and vinegar to find out which would fire a cork rocket the furthest. The children had to deal with safety issues and organise the experiments themselves.

Four Wokingham pupils from year six - Harry Gowers aged 11, Luka Price aged 11, Marcus Dean aged 11 and Saskia King aged 11 – made a presentation and answered questions on their project asked by scientists from Syngenta. When judging had been completed the team from Palmer C of E (Aided) Junior School were awarded first place by the judging panel, who said: “It was an outstanding piece of work!” The judges also praised the pupils for their use of information technology, graphics and raw data.

The Syngenta Young Scientists Project is a competition that aims to encourage schoolchildren to take up and enjoy science. The well-established event is open to children from primary and secondary schools in the Berkshire and Surrey areas.

Wokingham Pupils received commemorative awards and also won a cash prize of ₤250. Headteacher Ann Davis said: “Palmer C of E (Aided) Junior School is very proud of the year six achievement. Science is an exciting subject to study and we thank Syngenta for giving them the opportunity to have such an enjoyable and interesting project to work on. Year six teacher Nicholas O’Connell was very pleased with all the children's efforts. The prize money will be used towards an addition to our adventure playground.”

David Hawthorne, corporate head of Wokingham children’s services (education), said: “The determination of the pupils from Palmer C of E (Aided) Junior was clear when they set about to win this prestigious award. They all worked extremely hard and impressed the judges with their creative experiment. I would like to extend my congratulations to the whole school.”

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council’s Countryside Service is pleased to welcome the Distraction Theatre Company to Dinton Pastures for their hilarious reworking of Chaucer's most famous tales ‘The Miller’ & ‘The Wife of Bath’, on Friday July 28 at 8pm in the Café Garden.

Set in a Canterbury tavern in the Middle Ages but with a modern twist, this new stage version brings to life a mad miller, a handsome scholar, a beautiful tart and an East End bad boy, weaving a plot of betrayal, lies and bigamy. The play is rewritten in modern language and uses a combination of original live music and well known songs.

Wokingham Dinton Pastures Country Park is a beautiful setting for a theatrical performance. And theatre goers might also enjoy a walk on their summer evening out – Dinton Pastures is the largest of all the council’s country parks at just over 335 acres and offers seven lakes, two rivers, and meadows to explore. Three public bird hides provide secret viewing of the waterfowl, with one specially adapted for wheelchair users.

A free leaflet is available at the reception area at the cafe, which has several circular footpaths and trails illustrated, ranging from 1.5 km (1 mile) to around 5 km (3 miles).

Executive member for Wokingham environment services Simon Weeks said: “This promises to be a wonderful evening. Dinton Pastures is such an atmospheric place for a play. I do hope many residents will come along and enjoy the entertainment, and see the country park in all its glory as well.”

Tickets to the Canterbury Tales production are £10 (£7 under 16s and students). For more information and tickets, contact the countryside service on (0118) 934 2016 or countryside@wokingham.gov.uk

Wokingham District Council

It’s hot, hot, hot! That was the message from the Wokingham Discover Culture festival event in Wokingham on Saturday (July 15) when the town centre, town hall and library were filled with arts, crafts, dance and music and hundreds of visitors enjoyed the festivities!

Discover Culture is a continuing programme of cultural events produced and supported by Wokingham District Council through the Wokingham District Cultural Partnership. Launched last month (June), the festivities started in the district’s schools some months ago and continued with the unveiling of the Arena for the Arts exhibition in June and an open-air festival in Woodley town centre on July 8.

Highlights of the Wokingham event included Italia Conti dancers, Berkshire Maestro electric string quartet and singers from the Cloudglider group who entertained the crowds with jazz and reggae numbers. And, the ‘Blue Jam’ jazz quartet from Maiden Erlegh School played a rousing set whilst the crowds also enjoyed the beats of Pan Everest Steel Pans Band and West African drummers. The Indian Community Centre also put on a fine Bharat Natyan dance display before streetdancers from Silverdale Youth Centre took to the stage.

Wokingham District Council’s vice-chairman Cllr Annette Drake said: “This unique festival was a huge success and I was delighted to see so many people come along and enjoy the festivities which showcased the very best of culture in our district. The council, along with its partners, have worked hard to build and develop the festival over the last year and hope that it will continue to be an annual event that will go from strength-to-strength on the council’s cultural calendar.”

A whole host of workshops saw young and old testing their artistic skills by drawing portraits, trying out yoga, enjoying Indian head massages, making puppets and learning more about photography. They also helped the Millennium Volunteers create a mural. The district council’s community wardens had an information display and they were joined by St John Ambulance, Bracknell and Wokingham College, the Arts Forum and Berkshire Costume Service.

The Arena for the Arts exhibition will be on show throughout the summer in partnership with Churches Together in Wokingham, at St Paul’s Church in Wokingham from July 24 until August 18. The artwork also forms part of a ‘Trail of Belief’ around churches in the Wokingham district during THE BIG IDEA week in August (20-27).

A whole host of activities is planned for the year and full details can be found at: http://discoverculture.wokingham.gov.uk

Wokingham District Council

Children in the Wokingham district are on a mission this summer and their target is a reading challenge at their local library.

Organised by Wokingham District Council’s library service, the reading challenge aims to get more children and young people to read and enjoy books and this year’s theme is ‘reading mission’ focusing on spy stories. The reading challenge starts this coming Saturday (July 15) in all the district’s libraries and runs throughout the summer holidays.

Cllr Dianne King, executive member for Wokingham community development, said: “The Reading challenge is a fun way for children and young people to read their way through the summer holidays. Their mission is to get through six books, collecting stickers and spy cards along the journey. All those who complete the mission, will receive a certificate as well as some surprise goodies!”

And that’s not all that is happening this summer in a library near you! Author Joe Craig will be on hand to talk about his books for teenagers at Wokingham and Lower Earley libraries on Monday August 7.

The district council’s libraries are teaming up the physics department at Reading University to offer Science of Slime workshops. Dr Averil Macdonald will be showing the children how to make slime, and then they will be given a chance to put the chemistry to work to make some slime themselves. This workshop will take place at Wokingham and Winnersh libraries on Wednesday August 16 and is suitable for 8-11 year olds.

All the district’s libraries will be hosting a themed monkey story time session for the under fives. The sessions are based on the Curious George books by Margaret Hey and children will also have the opportunity to make a monkey mask to take home with them.

All branches will also be hosting a fairy and wizard party for five to nine year olds. This is a chance for them to come dressed as their favourite fairy or wizard, hear some funny stories and make a magical wand to take home!

A Manga drawing workshop will be coming to Wokingham and Maiden Erlegh libraries and illustrator Sonia Leong will be encouraging youngster to create comic masterpieces on Monday July 31. Manga is the Japanese word for comic book and is a type of graphic novel.
The workshop will discuss what Manga is and will give an overview of the art and its style. This event is open to children and young people aged 10 years and older.

Lower Earley and Woodley libraries will be having a book debrief session. Young people can come along to hear spy and detective stories and discuss favourite book characters. This ties in with the film release of the Anthony Horowitz film Stormbreaker and is suitable for nine to 12 year olds.

All events are free to attend but places must be booked in advance by contacting the appropriate library. For more information including details of dates, times and how to book, please check out the council’s website at: www.wokingham.gov.uk/arts-leisure--libraries/libraries/childrens-zone/events

Wokingham Cllr King added: “It is important that we encourage children and young people to read and enjoy books. This reading challenge is a great chance for them to visit the library this summer and bring their parents and carers with them. Whilst they are at the library they can take part in themed story-time sessions and meet guest authors face to face plus much, much more. I hope that lots of children and young people will get involved.”

Wokingham District Council

After the success of last year’s project, Wokingham District Council’s youth service is once again offering young people the chance to attend a summer scheme programme of challenging outdoor activities at the YMCA’s Fairthorne Manor.

Located on the banks of the River Hamble near Southampton, Fairthorne Manor will see young people from Wokingham and surrounding villages taking part in a range of activities including abseiling, climbing, archery, orienteering, raft building and kayaking. All activities are supervised by youth workers and fully qualified instructors throughout their visit.

The summer scheme is organised by Wokingham District Council’s Wokingham Youth Centre and the Villages Youth Project. The two residential sessions run from July 24 to 28 (for young people aged between 13 and 19) and August 21 to 25 (for young people aged between 11 and 14). Day visits for young people, aged between 13 and 19, will also take place between August 7 and 11.

Richard Ferguson, senior youth worker at Wokingham District Council, said: “Last year’s programme was immensely popular with the young people. They took part in a number of team building exercises, which were designed to be fun, build confidence and raise self-esteem. In addition to the wide variety of outdoor activities, young people were encouraged to participate in other themed activities such as conflict resolution and anger management workshops.

“This year we will be focusing on the theme of ‘healthy lifestyle’ which is part of the Every Child Matters initiative. The entire programme has been designed with the aim of providing a positive experience that will help young people on their journey from childhood to adulthood.”

The cost of the residential course is £80 per person which will includes all activities, transport, accommodation and food. Day visits will cost £10 per person including transport and activities. With only a few places left, applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve a place contact Candice Wright on (0118) 979 7915 or email candice.wright@wokingham.gov.uk. A £10 non-refundable booking fee is required for the residential scheme and a £5 booking fee for the day visits.

Cllr Malcolm Bryant, champion for Wokingham youth and leisure, said; “It promises to be a great summer for the district’s young people. Many of the district’s youth centres are offering summer schemes including residential trips, football tournaments, BBQs and much, much more.

“And, over 2,500 children and young people will also be taking part in the sports development unit’s summer holiday programme which will include multi-sports courses, football competitions, play schemes, athletics, tennis and ‘kwick’ cricket courses. There is something for everyone this summer!”

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council’s revenues and benefits team have been working harder than ever this year, bringing significant service improvements that have placed Wokingham council at the forefront of revenues and benefits’ performance in the UK. Their achievements this year include:

* Improving the speed of benefit payments from 46 days to 27.
* Improving the accuracy of benefit payments to 98.8%.
* Meeting challenging Public Service Agreement targets with this performance, to achieve the maximum reward grant from central government (almost £200k).
* Increasing the percentage of council tax collected to 99.1%, making Wokingham District Council the highest performing unitary authority in the country, and generating an additional £300k for council services.
* Collecting an impressive 99.7% of business rates, making Wokingham District Council one of the highest performing unitary authorities for this service in the country.

The Wokingham team also met the 12 key targets in their own service plan, and last week (June 23) they were proud to receive a special award recognising all their achievements from the council chairman Cllr Angus Ross.

The ‘Chairman’s Choice Award’ is the council’s monthly award designed to thank nominated staff for going the extra mile in their job and helping others within the organisation. The award is presented by council chairman Cllr Angus Ross and chief executive Doug Patterson, to staff members nominated by their colleagues.

Corporate head of Wokingham finance Graham Ebers nominated the revenues and benefits team for the award. He said: “I felt it was important that the significance of what has been achieved in revenues and benefits is properly recognized. These achievements are down to the combined work of staff dealing with revenues, benefits, cashiers, customer services and investigations.”

The performance of the service - which includes council tax and business rate collection and the processing of housing and council tax benefit claims – had suffered when it was outsourced to a private sector contractor on August 1 1999. The revenue and benefits service was subsequently brought back in-house in July 2002.

Since then, Wokingham staff have worked very hard to stabilise and improve the service that they took back from the private sector. They quickly cleared the backlog of revenue cases and have gone on to turn the service into one of the best performing revenues and benefits teams among unitary authorities in the country.

Cllr Ross said: “This team has turned the service around and achieved significant milestones in generating income for the Council, whilst ensuring that the money collected is made available quickly to those that need it, and tackling fraud. They are a credit to the organisation and I am delighted to be able to thank them for their work.”

Wokingham Deputy chief executive Paul Turrell, attending the presentation on behalf of Doug Patterson, said: "The revenues and benefits service is of utmost importance to the district. On the revenues side it collects the cash to pay for such vital services as education and care homes, whilst the benefits service helps many of the most needy in our community. Our goal is that the service to our customers meets the highest standards. It is not an easy service and the team deserves all our congratulations for their continuous improvement over the past three years.”

Wokingham District Council

A sleek new computer aided design (CAD) suite has been opened at Wokingham District Council Waingels College by Tanya Budd, a former student and Young Engineer of the Year.

Tanya, who left Waingels College, Wokingham sixth form last year, was awarded ‘Young Engineer for Great Britain’ in September 2005. Part of Tanya’s prize money was allocated to the college and as a result they have been able to build a new computer-aided design suite, which Tanya officially opened at a special ceremony at the end of June.

Tanya also entered for the IKB competition, sponsored by Brunel University, and won two prizes - one for engineering and another for innovation. She also recently went to represent Great Britain in the ‘World Engineering’ Competition and was awarded fourth prize out of 1,500 students. She was given a special award by the US coast guards for designing a life-saving device. This is an award normally only given to US citizens.

To encourage GCSE and A Level students to follow in Tanya’s footsteps, the Wokingham college will in future present the Tanya Budd Technology Awards to those who have excelled in design technology. The first round of these awards was presented during the opening of the new CAD suite, by Stuart Ellins, young engineer director at Young Engineer Enterprise. The award winners were:

* Richard Masey, 17, from Woodley – A2 Resistant Materials
* Patrick Townson, 18 from Woodley – A2 Graphics
* Anna Minchinton, 17, from Woodley – AS Resistant Materials
* Vistral Giga, 17, from Woodley – AS Graphics
* Joe Zalinski, 15, from Woodley – GCSE Resistant Materials

Executive principal Richard Green said “Waingels College is very proud of Tanya. Inspired by her success, this year some 10 students from our college will be entering the Young Engineer of the Year Award. The new CAD suite will really help them to maximise their potential.”

Wokingham District Council’s executive member for children’s services Cllr Frank Browne said: “This is an outstanding achievement, and I would like to congratulate Tanya on this and all the other accolades she has collected. I hope that the new equipment she has won for her former school will inspire other students there to follow in her footsteps.”

Wokingham District Council

The summer holidays are fast approaching and Wokingham parents will be starting to dread those inevitable choruses of ‘I’m bored!’ and ‘there’s nothing to do!’ The strain of trying to keep your little, and not so little, ones entertained can be exhausting, not to mention expensive for families!

And that’s why Wokingham District Council’s children’s information service (CIS) is here to help! The service has put together a summer activities newsletter which is packed full of information on courses, workshops and activities that are running throughout the Wokingham district and surrounding area this summer. There is also information available on local Wokingham parks and playgrounds, as well as a days out guide for places to visit, such as theme parks and leisure attractions.

For those parents who unfortunately have to work during the summer holidays, the CIS can provide information on all registered childcare in the Wokingham district, including holiday schemes and childminders who are willing to provide holiday care.

The Wokingham CIS is open to members of the public and they can visit Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm. The service is located at the Ambleside Centre, Ambleside Close, Woodley (behind Woodley Library). Alternatively, you can telephone them on (0118) 935 2255 or email CIS@wokingham.gov.uk . For registered childcare, visit www.childcarelink.gov.uk

Cllr Frank Browne, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “The summer can be a stressful time when you have children to entertain over the long school holidays! Parents and carers often have enough to juggle without having to go searching for the activities and information they need. I hope they will find the children’s information service’s newsletter useful this summer in keeping their children entertained! Information is only one call away and the service can provide you with all the contacts and details on facilities and activities available in the district.”

Wokingham District Council

Police in Wokingham are warning teenagers to stay on the right side of the law as schools prepare to close for the summer.

The long summer holidays are a time when police across the country often see an increase in unruly behaviour and criminal damage.

But Wokingham officers are determined to ensure the holiday passes off peacefully in their district.

Wokingham LPA Commander Ch Insp Tony Ismay said: “Wokingham in common with other areas across the force has seen a rise in the number of criminal damage offences this year.

“Although we have recently had successes against three graffiti ‘tag’ artists in the area a significant number of offences are vehicle related, carried out at certain times of the week by predominantly teenage offenders.

“Now that schools are due to close for the summer we will be increasing patrols and visibility at key times to prevent any further increase in this area.

“Additionally we shall, with our partners and other agencies, be facilitating a joint approach to the criminal damage problem.”

Wokingham LPA has seen a small but significant rise in criminal damage offences since April this year and statistics show that there is traditionally an increase in criminal damage to vehicles in the month of August.

Ch Insp Ismay says that there is no excuse for youngsters carrying out criminal damage and those caught will be dealt with positively.

Speaking directly to the young, he said: “We can all remember getting bored from time to time during the long summer holidays, but that is not an excuse for damaging vehicles and property.

“There are plenty of activities available for young people as an alternative to just hanging around.

“We don’t want to stop anyone’s fun, we just want to ensure that youngsters stay on the right side of the law this summer.”

Cllr Barrie Patman, executive member for community safety at Wokingham District Council, said: “While Wokingham district is one of the safest places in the country to live and work, we have seen a small rise in criminal damage offences. The council along with its partners are committed to ensuring that these figures do not rise and we have a number of measures in place to deter and tackle crime and anti-social behaviour on the streets of the district.

“The district’s youth centres are offering summer schemes including residential trips, football tournaments, activity days, BBQs and much, much more.

“I hope that many young people will check out what is happening at their local youth centre this summer. It promises to keep them entertained over the long school break.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Wokingham

Wokingham District Council’s ListenUp! project is holding an end of term and beginning of the summer holidays BBQ for young people aged between seven and 19 years old to thank them for all their hard work over the past year.

Last year, Wokingham district council set up a new project called ListenUp! The project works with children and young people across the district to find out what they think about the area in which they live, and to make sure their ideas are being listened to when the council makes decisions about the area in which they live, work and study.

The BBQ has been organised to kick start their summer holidays - it’s taking place on Tuesday July 25 between 1.15pm and 3.15pm at 50 Reading Road, Wokingham (opposite Wokingham Youth Centre) and places are limited. Anyone interested in coming along, should contact Auma Obama-Manners on (0118) 974 6180 or txt her on 07944 615623. You can also email Auma at:
auma.obama-manners@wokingham.gov.uk.

There will be a BBQ, team building exercises and a tug of war. And there will be a creative workshop where the young people will be asked to design a poster for the ListenUp! project to use.

Auma Obama-Manners, children’s trust participation coordinator, said: “We want young people to come along, have fun, meet other young people and participate in lots of activities. It’s a chance for them to be updated on the ListenUp! project and hear about how they can make a difference to the services that the council provides. It will be a good chance to shake off their end of term blues. If you want to come along, book your place now!”

Wokingham District Council

New kitchens, bathrooms and central heating systems are on offer to Wokingham council tenants in Woodley after Wokingham District Council launched the second phase of its ‘Decent Homes’ work last week.

On Tuesday July 4, over 100 Wokingham tenants visited Christ Church on Crockhamwell Road, Woodley, to see the choices that are available to them under the scheme. Tenants were able to view displays of kitchens and bathrooms on offer through the scheme as well as ask advice and information from council contractors CTS and Preheat who will be carrying out the work.

Wokingham District Council is carrying out work on some of its homes to bring them up to the required ‘Decent Homes’ standard as required by central government. The government has said that a ‘decent’ home is one that:

* Is in a reasonable state of repair
* Has reasonably modern services and/or facilities
* Has a reasonable degree of thermal comfort (efficient heating and effective insulation)

Council homes in the Wokingham district are in a relatively good position already, with a survey in 2004 showed that approximately 30 per cent of the council’s housing stock needed work to bring them up to the required standard. Substantial work has already been completed on homes in The Courts in Winnersh, and work in Woodley marks the start of the second phase of the project. In total, the project will see some £2.7million invested in council-homes in Woodley.

The launch event saw head of Wokingham tenant services John Everett offer information on what the project would involve and, as a community event, Thames valley Police’s crime prevention officer name, was on hand to answer questions.

Head of tenant services John Everett said: “The launch was very successful with many tenants commenting on how they welcomed being involved right at the start of the project. Several tenants also expressed an interest in forming a residents’ association, something that is actively encouraged and supported by the district council. All in all it was a very positive day for all involved.

“I would like to thank everyone who turned out on such a searing hot day and the Rainbow Café for looking after everyone so well.”

Executive member for community care and housing Wokingham Cllr Pauline Helliar-Symons said: “The Decent Homes project sees major investment in order to keep up the very high standard of housing that Wokingham Council has always set.

“Tenants’ involvement in the project is vital, ensuring that they get a say in how their homes are improved. The day was a great success and I’m thrilled that so many people turned out.”

Wokingham District Council

Over 100 school governors from the Wokingham district came together last month (June 14) at their annual conference, making it their most inspirational and successful ever!

Held at Easthampstead Park, the theme of the conference was ‘The best for every Wokingham district child’ and governors had the chance to network and meet key officers and members from Wokingham District Council to discuss future projects and initiatives.

Wokingham Governors also had the opportunity to listen to keynote speakers including Sir John Jones, a former headteacher and governor. He currently teaches on the Masters course at Liverpool University specialising on the leadership of change and is a member of the leadership and development unit, sponsored by the National College of School Leadership. Sir John in his own inimitable style spoke about his experiences with children, young people and educational professionals he has worked with over the years. His overall message to all the school governors was that the positive attitude of people working with children can change lives and shape their future prospects regardless of their background.

The governors also attended three workshops including one on extended services in schools and children’s centre. A presentation was given by Mike Welsh, a headteacher from Swindon, who described how his school successfully integrated a children’s centre and he explained about lessons they had learnt whilst developing this project. Wokingham Governors were also informed of plans to create children’s centres in the Wokingham district.

Another workshop looked at the challenges governors face in developing the school curriculum. Council officers gave governors a guide to understanding how they can provide more talented pupils with a more tailored curriculum. The final workshop saw a presentation on the remodelling of children and young people’s services within the district, which will include neighbourhood teams.

Wokingham Cllr Frank Browne, executive member for children’s services, said: “It was the most successful conference that we have held and that was down to the very informative keynote speaker and useful workshops. Many found it truly inspirational, entertaining and thought provoking.”

Fran Cooke, governor, said: “It was very refreshing to spend time in the company of so many people who understand the importance of education in everyone's life. Being a
governor involves you in learning all the time, and the conference was an excellent opportunity to learn, and gave us all the message that we have something to contribute. It also gave us the chance to consider how to improve the input governors can provide to the schools they support.”

Wokingham district council currently has a number of governor vacancies in the district’s schools and is keen to hear from anyone who may be interested in volunteering for one of these positions.

Cllr Browne added: “We need people to become governors as they play an important part in the lives of the district’s pupils to ensure they received the best education possible. The district council welcomes volunteers from all backgrounds and walks of life.

“Being a governor is demanding, but worthwhile. But it is an opportunity for people to have their voice heard and influence the future of education in their area. Working as part of a team towards a common goal is also something that governors find rewarding. We are keen to hear from anyone who may be interested.”

If you would like further information please contact the governor services team on (0118) 974 6165 or by email at: school.governors@wokingham.gov.uk

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham Families getting hot and bothered in the recent heat wave are being encouraged to keep cool at California Country Park as Wokingham District Council opens the children’s paddling pool early.

Each year Wokingham council opens the popular open-air paddling pool just before the summer school holidays, providing a safe and friendly environment in which families can enjoy some summer fun. And this year, mindful of the particularly warm weather – almost bearing comparison with the other California! – Wokingham District Council has decided to open the pool several days ahead of schedule.

Head of the Wokingham countryside service Chris Buggy said: “Every year we prepare the padding pool a week before the beginning of the school holidays. This year, we’ve installed a new system in the pool which needed testing and so we’ve filled the paddling pool earlier than usual. We’ve therefore sped up the opening process and are pleased to have it open this week, before the school holidays start.

The paddling pool is open from today (Tuesday July 11). It will now be open every day between 12pm and 5pm until the school holidays start. From Saturday July 22 the paddling pool will be open from 10am to 5.30pm.

Executive member for environment Wokingham Cllr Simon Weeks said: “This is great news for families, particularly during this hot weather. Anyone getting hot and bothered can take time out to visit California Country Park and chill out in the cool waters of the padding pool.

“And, after the car park getting packed full last year, we’ve created some extra parking spaces. However, we would still ask people to park sensibly in the designated car park and bear in mind that the children’s pool and recreation areas at the park do have limited capacity. Once the car park is full, so are they!”

Wokingham District Council

Woodley town centre came alive on Saturday (July 8) when crowds of people were entertained by the fabulous, fantastic and free Discover Culture festival.

Discover Culture is produced by Wokingham District Council and is sponsored by the Wokingham District Cultural Partnership. The daylong spectacular involved lots of fun, with dancing and singing, and also saw lots of people taking part in arts and crafts workshops. The highlights of the day included Senegalese drummers Bucarr, Gamelan drummers and the Silverdale Youth Club’s street dancers.

Pupils from the Piggott, Waingels and Maiden Erlegh schools also worked together on a fusion dance display whilst the crowds also enjoyed the beats of steel and jazz bands.

Wokingham District Council’s chairman Cllr Angus Ross said: “Now in its second year, this successful event encompasses the whole community and everyone really enjoyed themselves. Woodley town centre came alive with so many professional and amateur performers, some even as young as five were taking part and entertaining the crowds. It was good to see many of the district’s schools taking part in the festivities along with many young people from the district’s youth centres.

“The festival brought together local artists, performers and schools to celebrate, demonstrate and promote the value of arts and culture in our district. It certainly was a festival to remember!”

A whole host of workshops saw young and old alike learning circus skills, trying out henna hand painting, enjoying Indian head massages and learning more about photography. The district council’s community wardens also had an information display and they were joined by St John Ambulance, Bracknell and Wokingham College, the Arts Forum and Berkshire Costume Service.

Discover Culture festival 2006 has also seen taster workshops in local libraries this week (July 8 to 15). And, the festivities will close with a festival in Wokingham town centre on Saturday July 15 between 10am and 4pm when everyone is welcome to get with the rhythm of world music and join in a whole host of creative workshops. On stage will be dancers from Italia Conti and Cloudglider Singers will be performing a range of jazz, pop and reggae numbers. The Berkshire Maestros, an electric string quartet, will also play classical and pop music. The sizzling samba rhythms of Maiden Erlegh School will bring Wokingham town centre alive with the sound of the Brazilian-style street-music.

Wokingham Cllr Ross added: “And if you enjoyed the festivities in Woodley, why not come along to a similar event being held this coming Saturday in Wokingham? There is a host of entertainment planned to suit all ages and there will be something for everyone to enjoy. We hope that the Discover Culture festival will be as popular in Wokingham as it was in Woodley. They are important events on the council's calendar and this year there is a fantastic programme for all ages!”

There will also be puppet shows, wax art techniques workshops and face painting. Local residents can also browse at the many information stands.

As part of the district council’s on-going commitment to Discover Culture, the festivities started in the district’s schools some months ago and the year-long programme of cultural events was launched last month with the unveiling of the Arena for the Arts exhibition. A whole host of activities is planned for the year and full details can be found at: http://discoverculture.wokingham.gov.uk

Wokingham District Council

Town centres across the Wokingham district have a new representative to help drive forward their development and prosperity after a new champion was announced by Wokingham District Council.

Cllr Chris Bowring has been announced as Wokingham council’s champion for town centres, looking at how the council can best support traders, residents and town centre visitors so that the district’s town centres prosper in years to come.

“I’m delighted to be helping and supporting the decision-making executive with town centre initiatives. Our town centres are vital to the district’s appeal, both for businesses and residents, and I will be looking at all the ways the council can support them,” said Cllr Bowring.

And one of Wokingham Cllr Bowring’s first priorities is moving forward the council’s high-profile Key to the Gateway project.

“This is a vital project looking at the future for Wokingham town centre and how we can best utilise land close to the heart of our town,” he said.

“I’m very keen to get the most widespread response possible to our consultation on the development of the Elms Field area in Wellington Road. And, with less than a week to go for people to send in their ideas, I really would like to appeal to residents and businesses to have a think about what sort of area they’d like to see at the southern end of the town.

“Nothing is decided yet and all views will be seriously considered. Please contribute to the consultation if you can.”

Displays explaining the Key to the Gateway initiative can be viewed at the council’s Shute End offices, Wokingham Town Hall and Wokingham Library, where leaflets are also available. Alternatively, information is available on the council’s website at www.wokingham.gov.uk.

Wokingham council is calling for strong, well-thought out ideas that feature a balance of uses. In order for ideas to be progressed, they will need to be self-financing, viable, sustainable and meet identified needs of the community.

Ideas should be submitted by July 17, 2006, to ‘Key to the Gateway’, Property Services, Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WH. Alternatively, ideas can be emailed to keytothegateway@wokingham.gov.uk

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council is good to visit, according to 88 per cent of the people who came to the civic offices between June 5 and June 9. For one week all visitors to Wokingham District Council’s Shute End offices were asked for their views on how well the council meets their expectations.

Around 420 Wokingham visitors were asked to rate their visit in terms of the efficiency of staff, how well their enquiry was dealt with and their overall impressions of customer service at the council. In addition visitors were asked to comment on wider areas of improvement that they thought the council should be focusing on.

Almost all visitors welcomed the opportunity to pass on their views and talk about issues that mattered to them. The surveys were carried out by staff from different service areas and, as well as getting answers to important questions, it was a good opportunity for members of staff to interact with residents.

More than 88 per cent of visitors rated their overall experience of visiting Wokingham Council as either very good or good. Only 1.5 per cent said that it was poor or very poor. And more than 90 per cent of visitors were happy with the length of time it took to be seen and with the service they received from staff.

Every comment, service improvement suggestion, complaint and compliment has been recorded and will form part of a report on customer service improvements for the council’s corporate management team and elected members to consider. It is hoped that this feedback will inform the decision makers and help ensure that the council continually improves its service to customers.

Sarah Barrow, Wokingham council’s corporate complaints and customer care manager, said: “The survey was an excellent opportunity to find out what our customers really think of us. We were able to resolve some residents’ concerns straight away and give advice on other issues. Some of the suggestions for improvement were very sensible and we will be looking at how these ideas can be implemented.”

Anyone with a view on how the council can improve its customer service is invited to email sarah.barrow@wokingham.gov.uk or call (0118) 974 6026.

Executive member for corporate services Wokingham Cllr Rob Stanton said: “We are always trying to find ways to improve our service and I am delighted that we have this opportunity to learn about what the public really wants to see from us. It is also encouraging to see that most people are already very happy with the service. Clearly we are moving in the right direction. And now with this feedback we can make even more improvements.”

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council came up trumps in the Good Communications Awards when it scooped the top prize in the IT Partnership Award category.

The Good Communications Awards recognise excellence in the public sector and the district council was awarded the top prize for demonstrating an effective partnership approach to delivering IT related services, which has resulted in better value for money for our residents.

Wokingham district council forged a partnership with specialist company Digica in 2000 when they outsourced the IT contract. The contract included all aspects of ICT support for the council including technical support, service desk and IT operations.

In 2004/05, the district council’s IT contract came up for renewal and Digica developed a proposal that would include the creation of a strategic board and the joint development of improved IT governance. The partnership has been so successful that the council’s bill for Digica’s services has been reduced by 15%, which has meant that the council has saved £590,000 over the three-year period of the contract.

Andrew Moulton, corporate head of Wokingham IT, said: “The district council has achieved a £590,000 saving over three years and we anticipate making further savings in the future as a direct result of the partnership. This partnership has evolved over the years and we now work very closely together. There have been a number of other significant benefits from the partnership, not least of which is the strategic and general input received from Digica. Our services have become more integrated as a result.”

Digica is also benefiting from the contract. Wokingham District Council is an excellent reference site, and the ability to show the partnership model in its fully working form is important to the company's business strategy as it seeks to develop further in the public sector. This was a significant contributory factor to enabling Digica to win the Winchester City managed ICT service contract recently.

The judges said: “Wokingham recognises the value of an open relationship. Over time they have moved from a nuts and bolts contract to a much more strategic engagement. But Wokingham also stands out as an example of a relationship that combines significant cost-savings with increased benefits to local citizens and businesses.”

Cllr Philip Mirfin, champion for Wokingham information and communication technology, said: “We were delighted to have been short listed for this award, and even more so when we picked up the top prize! The council entered into an IT outsourcing contract with Digica in 2000 and we firmly believe this has now developed into a ‘true’ partnership between both organisations.

“We have worked hard with Digica to ensure that we have a cost efficient system that does the business for our residents. I hope that the partnership will continue to be built on this success over the next few years.”

David Lewis, account director for Digica, said: “ ICT partnerships between local authorities and private sector organisations can sometimes lose integrity, often because of a lack of focus on the overall business goals. Wokingham District Council and Digica have developed a true partnership, built upon a framework of openness, honesty and joint responsibility with a clear focus on the district council’s business. I believe this contributed significantly to the council’s drive to modernise the delivery of services giving better value to the public.”

“I am absolutely delighted with the IT partnership of the year award, not only because is testament for what a public/private sector partnership has achieved at Wokingham District Council , but it is recognition by the industry that real partnerships have the ability to help local authorities streamline their business.”

Wokingham District Council

In July 2005 it was announced that the 2012 Olympics would be held in the UK. And one year on, young sportsmen and women from across the Wokingham district have scored a round of successes at their own Olympic-style event – the Berkshire Youth Games in Bradfield.

The Berkshire Youth Games were held at Bradfield College on Sunday July 2, where the opening ceremony in the Greek amphitheatre included guest appearances from England Netballer Karen Aspinall and a local break-dance team who have recently become national champions. Representatives from the six local authorities involved, as well as officials of the tournament, gave an Olympic-style oath to play fair throughout the games.

Over 3,000 children aged between eight and 16 from six local authorities across the county, including 250 children from the Wokingham district, competed in two-year age groups at sports including indoor athletics, basketball, hockey, netball, tag rugby, football and ‘Kwick’ cricket.

Teams from Wokingham district schools scored many successes at the games. Year seven and eight pupils from The Holt School won the girls’ tag rugby, while girls from year seven at The Piggott School won the girls’ basketball. Year seven boys from The Forest School took second place in the boys’ basketball, and a mixed team from St Dominic Savio Catholic Primary School came second in the ‘high five netball’ competition for years four and five. Many other Wokingham district teams were highly placed in the games, and all participants had opportunities to take part in exciting new activities – rowing and orienteering were among the sporting challenges offered at the event to encourage young people to try new things.

The Wokingham district heats for the games took place in April with over 230 pupils from across the district taking part in netball and tag rugby matches. Teams were selected through Wokingham District Council’s sports development team and The Bulmershe Schools Sports Partnership, who also organised the Wokingham district heats in partnership with Berkshire Sport and Wokingham District Sports Council.

Wokingham District Council’s sports development manager Beverley Thompson and Nicola Hopper, partnership development manager at the Bulmershe School Sport Partnership, worked with schools and sports clubs to select the squad and arrange coaching sessions.

Cllr Malcolm Bryant, Wokingham champion for youth and leisure, said: “More than 700 young people took part in these games and I was delighted to see so many enjoy themselves so much! The Berkshire Youth Games has been very well supported in its first year and Wokingham district’s young athletes have shown excellent sportsmanship and skills. The tremendous facilities at Bradfield College and all the dedicated officials, as well as all the young athletes, have come together to make it a resounding success. Well done to all of them!”

Nicola Hopper, partnership development manager at The Bulmershe School Sport Partnership, said: “The Berkshire Youth Games are an opportunity for young people to participate in their chosen sport and represent their district rather than their school, which can really build their confidence and will hopefully encourage them to take part in sport for life.”

Wokingham District Council

Robert Drinkwater from Winnersh, Wokingham is celebrating this July, as he begins his first permanent job as an administrative assistant – in spite of physical and learning disabilities which, in the past, have made it difficult for him to find paid employment.

This year Robert joined the Wokingham District Council’s ‘It’s Working’ scheme and found out how to unlock his own potential. ‘It’s Working’ is a supported employment scheme, based at Wokingham Resource and Opportunity Centre (WROC) in Woosehill Lane. The scheme enables job seekers with a disability, who need extra assistance, to succeed in work. All service users are matched with a district council job coach, who provides them with support during the search for a job. Once paid employment is secured, the job coach will work with the individual in their job until they are able to work independently. There is no time limit for this and it is very much a service that is based on a person’s individual needs.

Through ‘It’s Working’ Robert was offered a work experience placement as a general assistant at Wokingham District Council. With support from job coach Tony Bland, Robert has adjusted quickly to the demands of working as an employee and has mastered a number of different tasks in the council offices. And this week, his search for a permanent job succeeded when he was offered the position of administrative assistant at Support Horizons in Broad Street, Wokingham.

Support Horizons is a community owned company providing trained temporary workers in the social care sector, primarily in the area of learning disabilities. The company also provides genuine employment opportunities for adults with learning disabilities, both within the business itself and as consultants who are available for help with training, awareness of disability issues, quality auditing and recruitment.

“During my work experience, I have learned many new skills and I have had successes and failures,” said Robert. “I feel prepared for a permanent job now.”

Tony Bland, Robert’s Wokingham job coach, said: “’It’s Working’ is about giving people with disabilities an opportunity to learn the skills they need for success in a working environment, and to gain the self-esteem that comes from having a role to fulfil and the respect of your colleagues. Robert has gained an enormous amount of confidence during his work experience with the council. He used to dwell on his difficulties and his mistakes. But now he focuses much more on his many successes.

“The offer of a permanent job just goes to show how much he has developed, and how valuable the scheme has been for him. ‘It’s Working’ really does work! I am delighted.”

Facilities manager at Wokingham District Council Peter Richardson said: “Robert has been a great asset to the office. We have tried to give him a variety of tasks and situations to tackle and he has certainly risen to every challenge. I am confident he will enjoy his new job and be very successful in it.”

Tim Holland, Robert’s new employer at Support Horizons, said: “We are pleased to be able to offer a job for Robert in this exciting new venture. As a community owned social enterprise Support Horizons is committed to providing employment opportunities to local people with learning disabilities in all aspects of our business.”

Wokingham Cllr Pauline Helliar-Symons, the council’s executive member for social care services and housing, said: “Searching for a job can be a daunting task for anyone, even without the additional difficulty of a disability. The ‘It’s Working Scheme’ is providing invaluable support to many people who are extremely capable but who perhaps lack the confidence and experience that most employers want to see. I would like to congratulate Robert on his new job and wish him every success.”

Wokingham District Council

The first brick laid at St Crispin’s Secondary School in Wokingham, brings a step closer Wokingham District Council’s innovative housing scheme that aims to help stop teachers and other key workers from being priced out of working in the Wokingham district by the high cost of housing.

Work began at the Wokingham school in May, clearing land which is currently unused by the school and seen as an eyesore by some local people. And the first brick was laid by the council’s executive member for community care and housing Cllr Pauline Helliar-Symons, helped by headteacher Alex Biddle, Warden Housing’s Christina Appleton and Louise Strongitharm, the council’s senior housing strategy and development officer.

Wokingham Cllr Helliar-Symons said: “I am delighted that construction work on this innovative scheme is now well under way, building much-needed housing for new teachers. Since these homes are available at a much lower rent than can be found in the private sector, it will make it easier for new teachers to start to save something towards buying their own house. I also hope it will encourage good teachers to come to Wokingham and stay in our schools."

Some 22 flats are to be built on the school site and could be ready for occupation at the start of the 2007-08 school year. Priority would be given to teachers but if there proved to be insufficient teacher demand for the St Crispin’s homes then the council would offer them to other criminal record-checked key workers, such as police officers, nurses and social workers. The flats would be let at 20-25% below normal rent levels on short-term tenancies.
Working together with Warden Housing, this pilot project could mean that Wokingham District Council is one of the first in the country to build much-needed key worker accommodation on unusable or surplus school land.

Christina Appleton, Wokingham project manager, Warden Housing said: “We are very pleased to be working in partnership with Wokingham District Council on this exciting development. It makes excellent use of a disused area of land and will provide high quality accommodation for the key workers who work in the local community.”

St Crispin’s headteacher Alex Biddle said: “I am pleased to see the project now firmly under way. It is absolutely vital that we do all we can to attract and retain the best teachers into the district's schools: the governors and I are delighted that we are able to contribute to this goal.”

Anyone wanting further information should contact Louise Strongitharm, Wokingham senior housing strategy and development officer, on (0118) 974 6779 or louise.strongitharm@wokingham.gov.uk

Wokingham District Council

Some 71 teachers from 59 schools in the Wokingham district will come together tomorrow (July 7) when Wokingham Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) unveils its new look Religious Education (RE) syllabus.

Teachers from Wokingham district schools will be joining their colleagues from Bracknell Forest for a one-day course, led by RE consultant Jo Fageant, lead author of the syllabus. This will provide them with the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the new syllabus and prepare for implementing it in September 2006.

Every five years, SACREs have to review the agreed syllabus. Coming to fruition, the new syllabus will be unveiled on Friday and is the result of a nine-month project involving SACRE and teachers across the district who helped to write and also gave comments on the draft document. The syllabus has been developed in partnership with neighbouring authorities: Bracknell Forest, Reading, Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead, and West Berkshire.

The new syllabus aims to allow children and young people to explore some of the big questions in life and help prepare them for life in a diverse society.

Wokingham Teachers will be joined by Cllr Frank Browne, executive member for children’s services; David Hawthorne, corporate head of children’s services (schools) and the chairman of Wokingham SACRE, Reverend Colin James.

Cllr Frank Browne, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “Many people have been involved in the development of this syllabus from officers and elected members of the council as well as representatives from all the main faiths in the Wokingham district. It has been a collaboration that has involved the thinking and writing skills of people from all local authorities in Berkshire.”

Helen Currie, adviser for minority ethnic achievement, said: “The hard work has paid off and as a result we have an exciting new-look syllabus, which we hope will inspire teachers to put Religious Education and spiritual development at the heart of their thinking and planning for the personal development of every child.”

The Oxford Diocese will be recommending that all C of E schools in the Wokingham district use this new syllabus when planning their RE work for the new school term. A copy of the syllabus can be found on the council’s website at www.wokingham.gov.uk/re

Wokingham District Council

People, groups and organisations across the district are being reminded to get their ideas for unlocking the potential south of Wokingham town centre with less than two weeks left in the ‘Key to the Gateway’ project.

Wokingham District Council’s ‘Key to the Gateway’ initiative to open up the Wellington House and Elms Field area and make it the southern gateway to Wokingham town aims to develop and revitalise the south of the town, significantly contributing to the vitality of Wokingham town centre.

Before the council goes ahead and develops a vision for the south of the town centre it wants everyone to submit their ideas to guide how the project moves forward. And with 11 days left until the closing date of July 17, people are being urged to let the council know their ideas.

People can view displays on the project at Wokingham District Council’s Shute End offices, Wokingham library and Wokingham Town Hall. Leaflets are also available from these locations as well as on the district council’s website at www.wokingham.gov.uk.

“We really want to encourage local people and organisations to let us have their ideas and suggestions. We want to know what people think the area needs and what would suit the site,” said chief executive Doug Patterson.

“This area could be a strategic entrance to the town centre providing much wanted facilities and a welcoming gateway to visitors from the south side of the town. In order to get it right, we want the public to kick off the ideas which we can then take forward to make this concept a reality.”

Some ideas were already discussed at the project launch on Monday June 5 when topics covered included the best use of valuable green space in the town centre; how to best engage the private sector; how to consider potential plans in line with development proposed for other areas of the town centre and achieve a balance of uses; traffic and transport links to the town centre; how to best utilise car parking; creating cultural spaces to complement the town centre and involving both young and older residents and visitors.

Other ideas submitted to the council include retail complementary to the existing town centre and communal facilities for older people.

Feedback forms should be returned to ‘Key to the Gateway’, property services, civic offices, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WH. Alternatively, ideas can be emailed to keytothegateway@wokingham.gov.uk.

The area set to become the gateway to the south of the town encompasses Wellington House, Elms Field, the Paddocks car park and the nearby open space - all of which are in the single ownership of the council.

Opportunities exist to re-plan and redevelop this area, whilst still maintaining the unique character of Wokingham town. Wellington House is becoming unsuitable for delivering council services and plans are being drawn up to vacate the building. Some of the existing open space is low quality and under-used.

The council is calling for strong, well-thought out ideas that feature a balance of uses including business, leisure, residential, community and green space that complement the town centre and make it a place for everyone to enjoy. In order for ideas to be progressed, they will need to be self-financing, viable, sustainable and meet identified needs of the community.

Wokingham council will then use these ideas to bring forward a comprehensively planned and self-financing scheme at no additional cost to the council taxpayer.

The ‘Key to the Gateway’ initiative is open to all - local residents, business, health care providers, local developers, local councillors, local groups - everyone. The closing date for ideas to be submitted to the council is July 17, 2006.

Wokingham District Council

Have you ever been caught out by a ‘free’ offer that turned out not to be free at all? Surely there’s nothing that’s really, truly free? For one dedicated week, from 20 to 27 August, the churches in Wokingham hope to persuade you there is such a thing as a free lunch – or at least free snacks – and more.

Come along to a Wokingham Big Idea event near you, for entertainment, music and family fun – nearly all of it absolutely free.

Tuesday 22 August from 3pm – Norreys Community event at Palmer School, Wokingham featuring craft demonstrations, games, sideshows, fire and rescue demonstrations and music.

Wednesday 23 August 11.00–19.00 - Divine Innovation! Youth event at Howard Palmer Gardens, with skateboarding, street art, café and DJ workshops.

Thursday 24 August from 3pm – Woosehill Community event at Chestnut Park, Wokingham featuring craft demonstrations, games, sideshows, fire and rescue demonstrations and music.

Friday 25 August 8pm – an evening with Syd Little at The Holt School, Wokingham. Hear how faith has shaped the life of half of the famous ‘Little and Large’. (This is the only event of The Big Idea that isn’t free – tickets are £2.50, and available by calling 0118 977 2814.)

Saturday 26 August 3pm til late – Central Community event at Elms Field, featuring craft demonstrations, games, sideshows, fire and rescue demonstrations and music. A free evening concert features Revelation Rock Gospel Choir.

Sunday 27 August from 3pm – The Big Idea ends with a celebratory ‘Last night at the proms’. Prayer, praise and picnic at Cantley Park.

During The Wokingham Big Idea week, teams of volunteers from Wokingham churches will tackle a number of projects to beautify and help the town – these range from cleaning up unsightly areas to decorating a school, and supporting local charities.

Co-ordinator Karl Relton commented,

“The whole Big Idea is to celebrate God’s love for the people of Wokingham, in some practical as well as fun ways. The events will be a great opportunity for people of all ages to get together in a friendly, family atmosphere. Together with other events at churches this summer, there is something for everyone – and nearly everything is free.”

For further information, please call Karl Relton on 0118 977 2814 or see www.the-big-idea.org

The Wokingham Big Idea

At 70 years old, Emmbrook resident Mary Maslin has won an award for her twenty years of hard work as a Wokingham foster carer. Mary began caring for young people in 1986 when she and her husband provided care as supported lodgings carers. They were approved as foster carers in 1990 and continued to care for teenagers. Since her husband died in 1999, Mary has cared for younger children, aged up to twelve years, by herself.

Mary is valued as a carer for providing a nurturing family environment to girls, and is currently approved by Wokingham District Council foster panel to care for one or two children over five years on a short term basis.

Cllr Angus Ross, Wokingham council chairman, usually presents a small gift and a plaque each month to an individual or group that has given good service to the community. Mary has cared for almost 60 children and young people during her time as a foster carer and is coming to the end of her fostering career. She was nominated for the chairman’s award by Lee Lindsey of Wokingham council’s fostering team, and was presented with flowers and a commemorative plaque on Friday June 30 in recognition of her hard work for the children of the Wokingham district over the last twenty years.

Mary said: "This award is for my husband as well as for me. We had so much fun with the children we have fostered over the years. When my husband died I had two foster children with me and they helped me so much at a really difficult time. I am so pleased to receive this award; I am looking forward to hanging my lovely plaque up at home and to enjoying the beautiful flowers."

The Wokingham chairman said: “Mary has been a key figure in the lives of so many children in the district. I am sure none of them will ever forget the support she has given them and I am very pleased to be able to thank her for this work. Carers like Mary are in very short supply and her contribution to the cause has been absolutely invaluable.
“I am also pleased that some of Mary’s family and members of the council’s fostering team have been able to come along to the presentation.”

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council should seize the opportunity to reduce the number of houses being squeezed into existing towns and villages, say the local Lib Dems.

The Wokingham council is currently reviewing its strategy for deciding where it should locate the new housing that the government insists that we should take. The Lib Dem opposition on Wokingham District Council believes that the best option is to build a new settlement in the south of the district, on the site of the Arborfield garrison. The garrison is due to be vacated by the army soon, and could accommodate a sizeable chunk of the district’s housing allocation.

A new settlement on the Arborfield garrison site would relieve the pressure on the towns and villages throughout the district, which have been subject to much infill and backland development in recent years. And a new settlement gives us the chance to make the developers pay for the infrastructure needed to support more houses – such as transport, schools, and health provision.

Piecemeal development of the kind we have been suffering provides insufficient infrastructure, and consequently more congestion on the roads, and more pressure on school places and the overstretched health service.

Lib Dems

There were plenty of prizes on offer at St Sebastian’s School Wokingham Summer Fayre on Saturday June 24. And the chairman of the council, Wokingham Cllr Angus Ross, was on hand to congratulate the winners enjoying the summer sunshine.

One of the most colourful competitions was certainly the fancy dress parade, but art competitions, face painting and magic tricks all added to the fun of the fayre, as well as stalls, performances from the choir, and an opportunity to see the head teacher in the stocks.

St Sebastian’s School is a small Church of England primary school on the borders of Crowthorne and Wokingham with 120 pupils aged from five to 11. The school’s active Parent Teacher Association (PTA) holds a number of events throughout the year to raise funds for the school and develop the close community of children, parents and staff.

The chairman of the council formally opened the St. Sebastian’s School Summer Fayre and also judged some of the competitions. He said: “St Sebastian’s School always has a very lively programme of events, made even more impressive by their small size. The PTA should be very proud of the support they are bringing to the school with all this hard work – as well as the lovely day they have given us all. It’s been great fun.”

Head teacher Colin Rouse said: “The fayre went really well, with about 70 families attending, which is great considering we only have 82 families at the school! We made a profit of just under £1,000 which everyone was very pleased with. It was lovely of Cllr Ross to not only open the fayre, but also spend lots of time there chatting to people and judging competitions.”

Wokingham District Council

Carers across the Wokingham district have extended their celebrations of National Carers’ Week (June 12-18) by attending a coffee morning and seminar organised by Wokingham District Council.

On Thursday June 29 at the Salvation Army Centre in Lower Earley, more than 40 carers joined Wokingham district council community care staff at a seminar aimed at carers of adults.

Opened by Wokingham Cllr Bob Wyatt, champion for older people, the morning seminar included a presentation by Janet Brown of the Princess Royal Trust Carers’ Centre updating carers on the ‘Back Me Up’ campaign. This campaign highlights the need for further support for carers in an emergency.

Carer Irene Flen of Woodley shared her own experiences as a carer and Liz Siggery of MENCAP spoke about the role the organisation plays in supporting carers. Everyone then took part in workshops to plan breaks for carers, who often need assistance just so that they can grab a well-earned break or time to themselves.

After feedback sessions, the morning concluded with a lunch, offering everyone the chance to mingle and chat.

One attendee said: “I really enjoyed this event. I came along today to support my mother who cares for my father who is physically disabled. We weren’t sure what to expect, but everyone has been really friendly and it’s been so useful to find out what’s being done by Wokingham District Council for carers and where to find out about more information.”

Wokingham Cllr Bob Wyatt said: “I was delighted to see so many carers at the seminar. Not only did the event offer support, advice and information, it was also a great opportunity for carers to see that they are not alone, and many others experience the same challenges as they do. Often, just recognising that you aren’t the only one is a vital step to feeling supported in the vital work people do as carers.”

Workers from Age Concern Woodley and carers’ organisation Crossroads also attended the morning.

The seminar followed hot on the heels of a very successful carers’ lunch on Thursday June 15 at the CResCent Centre in Earley, when some 70 carers got together to chat, share stories, thoughts and ideas, enjoy a meal and take the opportunity to experience face, neck and hand massage (including aromatherapy). A free blood pressure check was also on offer to make sure that the district’s carers are being cared for themselves.

Chairman of Wokingham council Cllr Angus Ross attended the lunch to welcome carers. He said: “The afternoon was a great success with people getting the chance to relax. It’s not often that carers themselves get the chance for a treat, so it was wonderful to see so many enjoying the pampering opportunities available.

“This annual event grows more and more popular. I was delighted to have the opportunity to attend and to meet and chat to so many carers,” he said.

National Carers’ Week in the Wokingham district also saw an informal coffee morning for carers at Westmead Day Centre in Wokingham.

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council’s chairman Cllr Angus Ross and vice-chairman Cllr Annette Drake were showing off their shades on Friday (June 30) and it was all for a good cause! They joined council staff in supporting The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association's Shades for a Day.

And, staff at Wokingham district council have never looked so cool! By wearing their sunglasses on Friday, staff raised over £450 for the worthwhile charity, and learnt more about eye care, particularly in the sun. And special guests at the Wokingham district council’s Shute End civic offices for the fundraising event were trainee guide dog Deeva and her instructor Frances Reeve and trainee guide dog Andy and his instructor Adrian Purchase.

Wokingham Cllr Angus Ross said: "When sight loss takes away a person's freedom of movement, guide dogs are there to help.

"The Shades For A Day Campaign is a fantastic way to promote an awareness of eye health and also to have some fun along the way whilst raising much needed funds for this very worthy cause. I was delighted to be able to take part in the campaign this year and to raise over £450, which is a record for us at the council. My thanks to all those members of staff for digging so deep this year."

Jacqui Chapman, local corporate fundraiser for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, said: “We would like to thank the employees of Wokingham District Council for taking part in our national eye care campaign Shades Day.

“Sunglasses have long been an essential fashion accessory, but there is a serious message behind wearing them. Wearing sunglasses actually protects your eyes from long-term sun damage and potential sight loss. By supporting the campaign staff are raising awareness of eye care in the sun and raising valuable funds towards ophthalmic research into causes of visual impairment and the prevention of sight loss.”

Wokingham District Council

Former chairman of Wokingham District Council Cllr Iain Brown raised a staggering £14,500 for Sebastian’s Action Trust and he presented a cheque to Jane and Michael Gates, at a special presentation evening held last week (Tuesday June 27).

It is traditional for the Wokingham chairman to support a charity during his term in office. Sebastian’s Action Trust, a local charity, was formed in memory of Sebastian Gates who tragically died of cancer at the age of nine, after a two and a half year battle against the illness. His last wish was to build a holiday home where children suffering from life-threatening illnesses could go with their families to spend time together away from hospital and the punishing regimes that govern the lives of cancer patients. The charity has already raised £480,000 for the holiday home.

Wokingham Cllr Brown said: “One of the first jobs I had to attend to some 13 months ago was to select a charity for my civic year and it was a difficult task and probably the one that I gave the most thought to.

“In my view the charity had to be local, involving children and young people, and one that had an achievable objective. And so it was that I came to find out about Sebastian’s Action Trust. Sebastian was a boy I would love to have met. What guts he had knowing that he was dying and then making plans about how he was going to do something about making life more tolerable for others suffering from similar life-threatening illnesses. What vision he had to have a realistic project in mind. How proud his mother and father must now be, despite losing a much loved son.”

Cllr Brown hosted a number of events during his Wokingham year in office, including a spring dinner dance held at St Anne’s manor, which raised £3,500. The Wokingham Half Marathon also raised £1,250 whilst the annual fireworks’ display organised by the Unicorns raised £300. Other highlights of the chairman’s civic year included the annual carol concert at Loddon Valley – a very enjoyable evening which raised £3,800 for the charity.

Sebastian’s mother Jane Gates said: “It has been a real pleasure working with Iain and Carole over the past 12 months.

“We at Sebastian’s Action Trust truly appreciate the time, effort and commitment they have both made to raising the profile of the Trust and to generating much-needed funds.

“The £14,500 raised during Iain’s year as chairman is a fantastic achievement and testament to their efforts on our behalf. The contribution has brought us even closer to achieving our first financial target of £500,000, which is the sum needed to build Sebastian’s House.

“We hope that once we come through the planning process we will be able to open the doors to Sebastian’s House in the next 12 months. We feel both honoured and proud of Iain and Carole’s association with our cause and look on them as personal friends of the Trust.”

Wokingham Cllr Brown added: “Just because my chairmanship is over, doesn’t mean that my interest in Sebastian’s Action Trust will be diminished. I very much am looking forward to construction actually starting and I hope this contribution will bring that start day closer. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone across the whole district who has supported my chosen charity and dug so deep into their pockets for such a worthwhile cause.”

Wokingham District Council

More than 40 go-getting members of Wokingham District Council's social services staff who have achieved nationally recognised qualifications over the past 12 months are to be recognised at a special achievement ceremony to be held next week.

Thursday July 13 will see Pat Brecknock, corporate head of Wokingham community care, Keith Burns, corporate head of strategy and partnerships, and Mark Molloy, corporate head of children services, present certificates of achievement to this contingent of hardworking staff. Between them, they cover almost the whole spectrum of social services work.

Among those set to receive certificates at this celebration of achievement are Wokingham home care and residential care workers, staff working with people with sensory needs, those providing services for children and young people and staff who help people with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities.

The qualifications they have attained in the past year range from NVQs in promoting independence and care, degrees in health and social care, post qualifying awards in childcare and awards in management qualifications.

In addition, there will be special achievement awards for teams and individuals.

Speaking on behalf of all three managers, who are delighted that so many of their Wokingham staff are achieving such a broad range of academic qualifications, Pat Breknock said: “I am pleased that our staff are always so keen to undertake new training, as this is one of the reasons why they are able to give such a good service to the people they work with. I am also very proud of them as it is not at all easy to study while you have a full time job, and some of these are very high-powered qualifications indeed. I congratulate them all, and thank them for their dedication. It is because of staff like this that Wokingham Social Services has such a good reputation.”

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council members have asked education officers for a report on the future of Ryeish Green School for consideration at the executive meeting in July.

Falling pupil numbers at Ryeish Green School in Shinfield, Wokingham have raised concerns about the viability of the school. For several years, the school, with the support of the local authority, has been working to raise standards, improve its reputation in the community and attract more pupils. Although there has been progress, pupil numbers have continued to fall over recent years, particularly in the last two years when there has been a significant decline.

At their meeting on July 27, the ten-strong executive will hear from Wokingham education officers how the school’s pupil numbers have fallen over the last five years (from 904 in September 2002 to an anticipated 740 in September 2006) creating a question mark over the future viability of the school.

The school’s official admission number is for 210 pupils every September but the school has a planned intake for September 2006 of only 103. The outcome of this is that the school now has in excess of 25% surplus capacity / places. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) requires local education authorities to take action if schools get into a position where there is 25% or more surplus capacity.

The fall in pupil numbers at the Wokingham school is also putting extreme pressure on the school’s finances. The school is in a deficit budget position for 2006/2007, with projected figures indicating increasing deficit in 2008/2009.

Nearly 60% of the pupils who live in the catchment area of the school choose to go to other schools. Consequently, places are taken up by pupils from outside the district, mainly from south Reading, where the new Madejski Academy School opens in September 2006. It is anticipated that many of the Reading pupils will in future be going to the Academy, thus reducing the numbers at Ryeish Green even further.

Cllr Frank Browne, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “Education officers have been asked to present a full report to the executive members who will consider the details very carefully. At this stage however, it is difficult to see how the school can continue to be viable when so few parents are choosing to send their children there. We have a duty to take a strategic view for education across the district whilst at the same time meeting our responsibility to look at all the options when schools have significant surplus capacity.”

Parents, staff and governors at the school are currently being informed, via a letter from Wokingham council, of the executive meeting in July. If the executive decides to go for consultation about the future of the school, then the formal consultation process would begin in October, and would include full consultation with governors, staff, pupils, parents, prospective parents and the wider community. Any decision about the future of the school would not be taken until June 2007. Throughout the whole process, the needs of pupils and their continuity of education, as well as the well-being of staff, will be paramount.

Wokingham District Council

Woodley’s early birds will be able to catch the bookworm from next week (July 4) as Wokingham District Council launches a new early-morning pilot to encourage more visitors to the already popular library.

The library, located on Headley Road, will open an hour earlier at 8.30am on Tuesday mornings to try and encourage people on the way to work, or those taking children to school, to come and visit it.

The library aims to recruit new members and increase the number of people visiting. There are extended opening hours at several library branches in the Wokingham district including later evenings, Wednesdays and Sundays but no other library opens early in the morning. This pilot will run for six months.

Wokingham Cllr Dianne King, executive member for community development, said: “Woodley Library is an ideal location for early opening hours as it is situated next to a school and is very close to the shopping precinct. For a while now we have noticed that a number of people congregate near to the library and we are keen to encourage them to step through the door and discover more about what’s on offer at their local library.

“We are keen to recruit new members as well. And if there are many visitors during this six-month pilot, the district council will consider making it a permanent arrangement. I hope that many people will take advantage of this pilot.”

Wokingham District Council

“Get on the dog and bone and let me know about lost and found animals!” That’s the message from Wokingham District Council’s animal warden as she reminds people about the vital role she can play in helping to reunite lost animals with their owners.

Wokingham Animal warden Mandy Dorman said: “Many people don’t realise that they can notify their local authority animal warden when their dog goes missing; nor do many people realise that they have a duty to contact the council if they find a stray dog. I am able to check against a database and scan for identity microchips, giving the best possible chance of reuniting a dog with its rightful owner. I also have links to other organisations across the area and the country as a whole, forming a network of people who can help to trace owners and pets and reunite them.”

This role is set to become even more important later this year as, under proposed new government legislation, local authorities will become the only recognised body with responsibility for dealing with stray dogs. (The police will continue to deal with dangerous or stolen dogs.)

And Mandy can help Wokingham district’s residents with all sorts of other animal-related queries. For instance, anyone dogged by problems with disruptive barking will be pleased to know that Mandy is just a phone call or email away with help and advice.

Encouraging responsible pet ownership within the Wokingham district, Mandy is often out and about offering advice on everything from the legal responsibilities of a dog-owner to how to keep your pet safe. For instance, on Sunday July 9, Mandy will be at the Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre (DBARC) Fun Day at Cantley Park, handing out pooh bags and dog treats to encourage responsible dog ownership. And she’ll be visiting Windsor Great Park on Saturday August 5 for the Wag and Bone Show.

Mandy said: “Whilst hugely rewarding, owning a dog is not as straightforward as some people seem to think. Firstly, as soon as you buy a dog you have a number of legal responsibilities. These include making sure your dog wears identification on its collar when in a public place, as well as ensuring your dog doesn’t behave dangerously. Failing to comply with these responsibilities can result in prosecution and fines of up to £5,000. In addition, the council can issue fixed penalty notices if a dog owner fails to clear up after their dog has fouled in a public area.

“Owners also have a welfare responsibility towards their pet. Puppies should always be given the necessary inoculations and all dogs should have regular check ups at the vet, as well as regular worming and de-fleaing. And a healthy diet and regular exercise are as important for your dog as they are for you!”

Mandy picks up about 150 stray Wokingham dogs per year. Stray dogs can cause accidents and damage and their owner may be financially liable. They may also harm themselves, other animals or people and foul public places. Owners are responsible for keeping their dogs under control and preventing them from straying.

Once a stray has been picked up by Mandy it is kept for seven days. If, during that time the owner collects their dog, a statutory fee of £25 and all other expenses (for example kennelling fees, police costs, veterinary costs) must be paid before the dog can be returned to the owner. At the moment, strays may also be taken to the local police station, where their owners can also claim them. Unclaimed dogs are sent to animal welfare organisations for re-homing.

Mandy would advise every Wokingham dog-owner to explore the option of having them microchipped, a simple procedure meaning that if your dog is picked up, it can be easily identified. It may also help to prove ownership in any dispute, or after a theft of an animal.

“Recently I have had some successes in reuniting pets and their owners. For instance, two Yorkshire Terriers that were stolen during a burglary were recently re-united with their owners after a five-week absence. In November last year, two Jack Russell Terriers were returned to their owner after a week because they had been microchipped.”

Help and advice on responsible pet ownership is available by phoning (0118) 974 6382/6765 or by emailing environmentalp&h@wokingham.gov.uk. More information is also available on the council website at www.wokingham.gov.uk – look under Public Protection / animals.

Wokingham District Council

Sunday 16th July - Sunday 3rd September 2006

Hunt for hidden treasure in the REME Museum! Find all the Euro notes and coins hidden all around the Museum displays. Complete the quiz sheet and enter the draw to win our bucket full of treasure! There is a prize for every child.

The Treasure Hunt is on all summer. Sunday 16th July till Sunday 3rd September, Monday to Thursday 9 - 4.30 p.m.; Friday 9 – 4 p.m. and Sunday 11 – 4 p.m.

Admission charge: Adult £3.50, Child £2.50, Family £10 (2 adults and up to 3 children), under 5s free. Suitable for children aged 5 – 12 years. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

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

Wokingham Discover Culture Festival 2006 is coming to Woodley and Wokingham town centres next month (July) and there will be something for everyone as the district council continues its year-long programme of cultural activities.

Wokingham Discover Culture Festival 2006, is an outdoor spectacular taking place in Woodley on July 8 and Wokingham on July 15 and is being sponsored by the Wokingham District Cultural Partnership with support from the Wokingham District Sports Council. It will be a showcase of music, dance, painting, health and well-being activities and story-telling as well as workshops, which promises to keep the crowds entertained. And key to this is everyone’s participation and the district council hopes that many people will join in! There will also be a week of taster workshops in local libraries.

Cllr Dianne King, executive member for Wokingham community development, said: “Culture includes the arts, learning, leisure and sports and provides us with the chance to discover more about each other. It is an essential step towards a healthier and well-educated community and the festivals are a great opportunity for everyone to come together, have some fun and maybe even try out a new activity such as henna hand painting. There is a fantastic array of musical talent performing in Woodley and Wokingham as well as a whole host of dancers keeping us entertained!

“I am delighted that a number of our schools are taking part in the festivals as well as many other young people from our youth clubs too. I hope that many local people will come along and enjoy the festivities. Remember participation is key – this is a great chance to discover more about yourself!”

The celebrations will begin in Woodley town centre on Saturday July 8. The town centre will be brought to life with world music and dancing and the district’s residents are being asked to join in with the festivities between 11am and 4pm. Silverdale Youth Group will be showing off their street dance skills, whilst pupils from the Piggott, Waingels and Maiden Erlegh Schools will be working together on a Fusion dance display.

The town will also witness African drumming, whilst enjoying the beats of the steel and jazz bands, to name just a few.

A whole host of workshops will also take place from 10am including circus skills, henna hand painting, Indian head massages and photography. The district council’s community wardens will also have an information display and they will also be joined by St John’s Ambulance, Bracknell and Wokingham College, the Arts Forum and Berkshire Costume Service.

The week of festivities will close with a festival in Wokingham town centre on Saturday July 15 between 10am and 4pm, and everyone is welcome to get with the rhythm of world music and join in a whole host of creative workshops. On stage will be dancers from Italia Conti and Cloudglider Singers will be performing a range of jazz, pop and reggae numbers. An electric string quartet, The Berkshire Maestros will also play classical and pop music. The sizzling samba rhythms of Maiden Erlegh School will bring Wokingham town centre alive with the sound of the Brazilian-style street-music.

Weaving and spinning taster-sessions will also take place, along with puppet shows, wax art techniques and face painting. Local residents can also browse at the many information stands.

As part of Wokingham district council’s on-going commitment to Discover Culture, the festivities started in the district’s schools some months ago and the year-long programme of cultural events was launched yesterday (June 26) with the unveiling of the Arena for the Arts exhibition.

A number of workshops will also be taking place in libraries throughout the Wokingham district between July 8 and 15. Full details can be found at: http://discoverculture.wokingham.gov.uk

Wokingham District Council

Arena for the Arts 2006, an inspiring collection of children and young people’s art, dance and music, opened with an exhibition yesterday (Monday June 26), which was unveiled in the newly refurbished Mall Gallery at the Wokingham civic offices.

This event launched Wokingham district council’s year-long Discover Culture initiative which will see a whole host of events taking place in celebration of cultural activities with something for everyone.

Arena for the Arts, which is now in its fourth year, has seen children and young people exploring the theme, ‘Belief: inspiration, vision, faith & trust’ through a variety of media including painting, collage, sculpture, pottery and textiles. Some 30,000 pupils have been involved in the project since it started in 2003 and have been busy for two terms creating their own artistic masterpieces.

Aimed at giving pupils and young people the chance to develop their artistic skills and enthusiasm for the arts, the Arena for the Arts exhibition was unveiled on Monday by Wokingham district council chairman Cllr Angus Ross. Members of the public can also visit the exhibition from today (Tuesday June 27) until Saturday July 15.

Schools taking part this year’s Arena for the Arts are: Arborfield Newland and Barkham Junior, Hawkedon Primary, Hawthorns Primary, Hillside Primary, Lambs Lane Primary, Loddon Junior, Maiden Erlegh, Nine Mile Ride Primary, Palmer CE (Aided) Junior, St Teresa’s Catholic Primary, Shinfield St Mary’s C of E, The Coombes Infant and Nursery, Waingels College, Walter Infant and Nursery and Whitelocke Infant and Nursery.

Arena for the Arts will also exhibit throughout the summer in partnership with Churches Together in Wokingham, at St Paul’s Church in Wokingham from July 25 until August 28. The artwork will also form a ‘Trail of Belief’ around churches in the Wokingham district during THE BIG Idea week from August 20 to 27. Visit www.the-big-idea.org for more information.

Performances will also take place at Waingels College in Woodley on July 5 and 6. Pupils have teamed up with a variety of different artists and arts organisations and are hard at work creating their own artistic representations of the theme using a wide variety of techniques.

Wokingham District Council’s chairman Cllr Angus Ross said: “Arena for the Arts goes from strength-to-strength each year and I am impressed with the range of artistic pieces which were unveiled last night. It is an inspiring collection of art using many techniques which highlights the talent of the district’s children and young people. I hope that many people will take time out to come along and view these creative pieces of art – I am sure they will be as impressed as I am.

“The exhibition launches the year-long Discover Culture festival of events to celebrate culture in the Wokingham district. With two festivals taking place next month, as well as a series of events in the libraries, it promises to be a great summer with something for everyone!”

Arena for the Arts exhibition is part of the district council’s on-going commitment to Discover Culture. Next month (July) sees Discover Culture Festival 2006 coming to Woodley town centre (July 8) and Wokingham town centre (July 15) where a showcase of music, dance, painting, workshops, health and well-being activities and story-telling will keep the crowds entertained.

A number of workshops will also be taking place in libraries throughout the Wokingham district between July 8 and 15. Full details can be found at: http://discoverculture.wokingham.gov.uk

Wokingham District Council

People across the Wokingham district are being asked ‘Are you height aware?’ as Wokingham District Council joins a national campaign to warn of the dangers of working at height.

Officers from Wokingham District Council have joined the national Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to highlight the risks involved in working at height and reduce the number of work-related injuries caused by falls from height.

“Many people don’t realise that falling from height is the most common cause of workplace deaths in the UK with 53 people dying from a fall at work and 3,800 being seriously injured in 2004/2005,” said senior environmental health officer Mary Glomé. “And height doesn’t have to be 20 foot in the air – 60 per cent of these were a result of people falling from below head height.”

As part of the campaign, Wokingham district council officers have produced leaflets and flyers that detail the precautions that should be taken when working at height. They will also be carrying out workplace inspections.

Falls from ladders and stepladders account for about a quarter of all injuries and it is estimated they cost the UK economy £60 million each year.

As part of the campaign, officers are asking people to:

* Plan properly
* Avoid ‘work at heights’ where possible
* Select the right equipment and people
* Train those doing the work
* Inspect and maintain
* Supervise and monitor

Executive member for community safety Wokingham Cllr Barrie Patman said: “Falling can be a major risk at work. Often the work at height is not the main task in hand, but a ‘one-off’. This means the risks are not properly assessed and so the proper precautions are not taken.

“This campaign aims to raise awareness of the risks posed and reduce the number of injuries caused by falls at work.”

The height aware campaign has five fact sheets to offer information covering all of the above topics, also available on CD-rom. These are available from the Wokingham council’s consumer protection team by calling (0118) 974 6400, or emailing mailto:environmental.health@wokingham.gov.uk.

Further information is available on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/falls or the information line on 0845 345 0055.

Wokingham District Council

Two teachers and one headteacher from the Wokingham district have been short-listed for a major national teaching award.

Keith Quine, headteacher at The Forest School in Winnersh, Wokingham has been nominated for the Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School, whilst Shelly Upton, head of performing arts and also a drama teacher at Maiden Erlegh, Wokingham has been nominated for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School. David Cheetham from The Forest School has been nominated for Teaching Award for Enterprise.

And, on Monday July 3, Keith, Shelly and David will be attending the South of England regional finals of the prestigious Teaching Awards 2006 at Wellington College in Crowthorne.

Wokingham District Council’s executive member for children’s services Cllr Frank Browne said: "We have many excellent teachers working in the district’s schools and I am delighted that Keith, David and Shelly have been nominated for such a prestigious award. It is teaching staff like these three who make a real difference to the lives of the district’s children and young people. I would like to wish them good luck at the awards, and I hope their enthusiasm and commitment is formally recognised through these awards.”

The Teaching Awards 2006 is sponsored by BT, the Guardian, the Department for Education and Skills, Innovation Unit, Promethean, the Training and Development Agency for Schools and the Royal Air Force. Winners from each of the 11 regions across England, as well as those from Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland will be invited to attend the Teaching Awards 2006 National Ceremony, which will be held on Sunday October 15, 2006, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London.

Wokingham District Council

Young Wokingham people looking to get motoring are once again being asked to get in gear for ‘Motorvation’, Wokingham District Council’s annual free pre-driver training event.

This will be the sixth time that Wokingham district council has held the event which this year is taking place at Woodley Airfield Youth and Community Centre, Hurricane Way, Woodley, on Wednesday July 26 and Wednesday August 23.

The day-long Wokingham courses for 16 and 17-year-olds aim to raise road safety awareness before the young people even get behind a steering wheel. The courses will cover all aspects of driving theory, using mock tests and video footage, and will culminate in a driving lesson for all participants.

With four one-hour, hands-on, intensive workshops, the day will teach participants about:

* Road safety - This session will ask what factors cause road traffic accidents and why do so many young drivers, and in particular young men, make up increasing statistics regarding serious injury and death on roads? Discussions will cover drink driving, speed, driving whilst tired, using mobile phones, seat belts, driving without insurance and obtaining and keeping a driving licence.

* ‘Honest Arry’s’ – Buying a second hand car. This workshop is divided into halves, the first looking at what types of car to purchase and the second inspecting a vehicle offered for sale. It covers finding the vehicle identification number, spotting cut ‘n’ shuts, recognising when a vehicle has been involved in an accident and recognising heavy use.

* First at the scene of a crash - This workshop is delivered in partnership with the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service and aims to raise awareness of how an accident can affect the lives of not just those involved, but those of friends, family and the wider community. The session looks at how it is for the emergency services and what it is like for them to drag bodies from wrecked cars and how they cope with informing relatives. The session also offers basic first aid skills and essential knowledge on raising the alarm to get help to victims as soon as possible.

* Steetwise – This workshop is based on a board game modelled around a year in the life of a new motorist. It is played in teams and the aim is to reach the end of a game with a clean licence, some spare cash and more knowledge about being a safe road user.

The final part of the day - and, at previous events, the most popular - is a driving practical in which every participant will have the chance to drive a dual-control vehicle in a controlled environment.

Executive member for highways and transport Wokingham Cllr Anthony Pollock said: “Educational activities such as this are essential to improving road safety awareness and reducing traffic accidents. They aim to start people off with good habits at an early stage and reinforcing the road safety message by looking at the actual effects of an accident. Hopefully this will encourage a generation of well-informed and safe road users.”

Motorvation is just one part of Wokingham District Council’s ongoing programme of road safety education, through consultants Mouchel Parkman. One in three newly qualified drivers are involved in an accident during their first two years of driving. Since the New Drivers’ Act 1997, over 41,000 new drivers have had their licences revoked. In the Wokingham district, 24% of speed related injury collisions involved drivers between the ages of 17 and 21.

The Wokingham courses run from 9am to 4.40pm and places are free, but need to be booked in advance and are limited in numbers. For more information or to book a place, contact Mouchel Parkman’s road safety officer Maureen Lockwood on (0118) 936 7307 or email maureen.lockwood@mouchelparkman.com

Wokingham District Council