Wokingham

The roots of the Wokingham district’s green waste scheme look set to spread even further as Wokingham District Council’s decision-making executive considers proposals to expand the scheme to a further 30,000 properties.

At their meeting on Thursday September 28, members of the executive will consider proposals to extend the scheme using a DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) grant, bringing the total number of households able to take part to 50,000. Having met its government-set recycling and composting target of 30% of household waste for 2005/6, the council is looking at ways to increase this still further.

The scheme allows Wokingham residents to put their green garden waste out for collection in a large reusable green sack (provided by the council). This garden waste is then collected every fortnight, on the same day as their normal household rubbish and on the alternate week to their black box recycling collection.

In order to improve the district’s already excellent recycling levels and to meet the government’s increasingly stringent targets, the Wokingham council had to look at additional options to the popular kerbside recycling scheme already in place and garden waste was identified as the material that could potentially contribute most to this target. The pilot green waste scheme was introduced in April 2005 and rolled out from an original 10,000 properties to the 20,000 properties now eligible to take part in the scheme. In its first year, the scheme saw just over 1,000 tonnes of green waste collected.

Should the executive give the proposals to expand the scheme the green light, the DEFRA grant of £328,000 would allow Wokingham council to purchase a third vehicle to collect the green waste, allowing the scheme to be extended to further properties. The extension to the scheme would take place in two phases - November 2006 and April 2007.

In November, the areas (all or part of) which are likely to benefit from the proposed extension to the scheme are: Earley, Finchampstead, Shinfield, Sonning, Twyford, Wokingham, Wokingham Without and Woodley.

It is then proposed that in April 2007 the scheme expand to all or parts of the following: Earley, Hurst, Winnersh, Wokingham and Woodley.

Executive member for environment services Cllr Simon Weeks said: “Many residents of the Wokingham district are already very enthusiastic in their recycling and the council wants to do what it can to help them. Adding garden waste to our collection scheme allows households to divert even more of their waste away from ever diminishing landfill space.

“I hope that the executive will agree to this substantial extension of the scheme to allow us to improve on our already impressive recycling record. I know residents are keen to help us grow our composting figures and will take advantage of the extended scheme.”

Those Wokingham households in areas not taking part in the scheme will still be able to have one black sack of garden waste per property collected free of charge each week. Alternatively, residents not taking part in the scheme can purchase blue garden waste sacks from the council at a cost of £1 each. The council also encourages people to home compost – more details are available by calling 0845 130 6090. Garden waste can also be taken to the civic amenity sites in Bracknell and Reading for composting.

The council’s waste team is happy to answer any queries on the green waste scheme and can be contacted on (0118) 974 6307.
Wokingham District Council

Getting your bids in is child’s play! That’s the message from Wokingham District Council as it has been awarded just over £240,000 by the Big Lottery Fund to allocate to projects in the district, which provide children’s play activities.

Wokingham district council has to submit a portfolio of projects for consideration by the Big Lottery Fund. Statutory, voluntary and community organisations have until October 20, 2006 to submit their bids to the council. Bids will be welcomed from statutory, community and voluntary organisations from across the district, which have a constitution and a bank account. Informal groups, individuals and for-profit commercial bodies are not eligible to apply. It is likely that the council will be informed in February if the bids have been successful.

The district council wants to see projects with innovative ways of capturing the playful imagination of children and young people to make a big difference to the way children play in the Wokingham district.

Cllr Dianne King, executive member for Wokingham community development, said: “The district council must submit a portfolio of projects and we are inviting applications from eligible organisations for their projects to be included in this portfolio. All applicants will be considered and will be judged on strict criteria and all projects must meet the needs of the children’s play strategy. We will submit our bid in November.

“It is important that any interested organisation gets their bid in on time and I would encourage them to take up this opportunity. This is a real chance to improve play activities for children of all ages and abilities in the district.”

Projects must deliver self-directed, creative and fun play opportunities for children and young people resident in Wokingham district. Organised sport or youth work projects are not eligible.

Guidance explaining the application process and the criteria that groups must meet to qualify for funding, as well as application forms are available on the council’s website (www.wokingham.gov.uk/community-living/grants/childrens-play) or from Caroline Holden on (0118) 974 6043 and Sarah Clarke on (0118) 974 6144.

Wokingham District Council

The success of Wokingham District Council’s legal team has been recognised with Lexcel - the Law Society’s coveted quality standard.

This follows a rigorous assessment by a team of independent experts who highlighted that ‘the service has demonstrated a sound understanding of the requirements of Lexcel. Systems have developed which the keen and knowledgeable staff have put into action. The system is a good interpretation of the Lexcel standards and therefore certification is recommended.

The prestigious Lexcel Quality Mark is only awarded to legal practices that have successfully met stringent practice management standards covering good customer care, case management, office administration, financial management and risk assessment. The Law Society introduced the scheme in 1998 to give customers a standard by which they could judge the quality of the legal services they require.

And to celebrate its achievement, on Wednesday September 20 the Wokingham legal team was presented with its official certificate by council chairman Cllr Angus Ross and executive member for corporate services Cllr Rob Stanton.

Cllr Angus Ross said: “I am delighted that the council’s legal team have been awarded with this achievement. This will give the council and those who we deal with even greater confidence in our legal services.”

Cllr Rob Stanton, executive member for Wokingham corporate services, said: “This award is a significant achievement for Wokingham District Council’s legal team. It is a reflection of the hard work and public service given by members of staff who are working for the people of the Wokingham district. I would like to thank the whole team for their efforts. The Law Society’s Lexcel standard is a quality mark that the public can trust.”

Wokingham District Council

Bulmershe students are on their bikes now Wokingham District Council has teamed up with sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, to improve the cycle path network surrounding the school.

A brand new cycle path has been built by Wokingham council, starting at the top of the B3350, Pitts Lane, by the Crossing and continuing on the east side of Pitts Lane to connect with the Town Lane cycle path. The town lane path cycleway ends just before the road junction with Grays Crescent. The whole cycle track is now approximately 650m long, and the Pitts Lane footway has been widened from two metres to three-and-a-half metres. The Town Lane path has also been resurfaced with improved drainage down the centre.

The work is part of the Sustrans/Cycling England Links to Schools Programme, a nation-wide scheme, in partnership with local authorities, to connect schools, colleges and communities to the 10,000 miles of the National Cycle Network. A grant of £27,904.65 covered half the cost of the new scheme, which was completed earlier this year at a total cost of £55,809.31. The new cycleway gives many students of the Bulmershe School, in Chequers Way, Earley a safe and easy route to school.

Sustrans Regional Manager in the South East, Simon Pratt, and David Wallis, the Sustrans Area Manager, were invited to visit the new cycle path on September 15 to see how successful it is proving, along with Wokingham District Council chairman Cllr Angus Ross, the Earley Town Mayor Cllr David Chopping and Deputy Head of Bulmershe School Merv Boniface.

Mr Boniface said: “We are very keen for students to have the safest and healthiest possible choices for getting to school. Cycling is good exercise, good for the environment and gives young people more independence. We are extremely glad to see the Council and Sustrans providing more paths so that cycling to school is made safer for students.”

Simon Pratt of Sustrans was once a student at the Bulmershe School. He said: I well remember cycling to the school from my home in Twyford and it is great to see so many of the current students cycling to school. We expect the new facilities to enable many more students to walk or cycle to school, thereby replacing some car journeys, with all the related benefits for students' health and the environment."

Wokingham Cllr Angus Ross said “This cycle path follows a much-used route and will be beneficial to many cyclists in a wide area, especially students going to and from Bulmershe School. I am excited to see increased cycle provision in our district, especially where it benefits students at our schools and helps them become more independent. I would like to thank Sustrans for the grant they have provided which has made this scheme possible.”

Wokingham District Council

Residents in Finchampstead could soon be a step-closer to seeing a brand new, purpose-built community and sports hall, coffee bar, crèche and youth loft if Wokingham District Council agrees proposals going before its decision-making executive on Thursday September 28.

The Wokingham executive is set to consider proposals to work alongside Finchampstead Baptist Church and Finchampstead Parish Council to develop a new community centre on council-owned land at Gorse Rise, Finchampstead (currently occupied by the Rides Community Association building). The proposals being put forward for the development include:

* A sports hall that would provide full facilities for a range of indoor sports and that would double as a large meeting/function room. On Sundays the hall would be used by the Baptist Church as their place of worship
* A coffee bar or café
* A crèche
* Office and meeting room space
* A youth loft, offering space and facilities for work with the area’s young people

The proposal could also see a separate sports pavilion being built to provide changing facilities for the existing football pitches and a room for post-match refreshments or other community purposes. The site may also include a ‘multi-use games area’, if funding can be secured through the Football Foundation, or other external funding bodies.

And Wokingham council is exploring the possibility of using the proposed new facility to host part of a multi-agency children’s centre, as well as a library – all subject to funding being available.

The council has been working closely with local bodies to gauge the level of support for the proposals. Finchampstead Parish Council has already formally supported the proposal, in addition to widespread support from the local community including the Neighbourhood Action Group, Gorse Ride Residents’ Association, local schools and a number of users of the existing community hall. The Residents’ Association carried out a survey of local people and, of 300 people asked, 94 per cent expressed their support for the proposed new facility.

The council is also hopeful that the proposals will go-ahead with the support of the Rides Community Association. Officers will continue to consult with the Association as the proposals for new community and sports facilities move forward.

Executive member for corporate services Wokingham Cllr Rob Stanton said: “Should the executive agree to the proposals, all parties involved will have a firm foundation for moving this exciting project forward.

“I look forward to working further with both the parish council and the Baptist Church, as well as the Gorse Ride and wider Finchampstead community.”

Should they proceed, all proposals will be subject to the usual planning process, and the planning consultation process will offer residents the normal opportunity to comment.

Wokingham District Council

Paul Rickson from Earley always wants to help others with learning disabilities like his own, and make sure that their views are heard. And now Paul, a service user at Wokingham District Council’s Wokingham Resource and Opportunity Centre (WROC), has climbed the ranks of local and regional self-advocacy groups representing people with learning disabilities, and will soon represent the whole South-East region at a national conference.

Paul was a founder member of WROC’s Caring, Listening and Sharing Partnership (CLASP), a self-advocacy group that was set up after asking people with learning disabilities in the Wokingham district what kind of advocacy service they wanted.

As a member of CLASP, Paul joined the South-East regional group of the national forum for people with learning disabilities, and attended a conference which inspired him to stand for election as co-chair of the Wokingham Learning Disability Partnership Board (WLDPB). Paul won the vote and now co-chairs WLDPB meetings.

But local and regional work wasn’t enough for Paul. He has now been elected to represent the South-East Regional group on the national forum, and has just attended his first national conference in Loughborough (September 19).

The national forum collects the views of people with learning disabilities throughout England, and tells central government what they think about the services and policies that affect their lives.

Paul said: “I was quite nervous about going to the national forum. It was a very important job and there were a lot of people there. But I enjoy my work. I get to help people with their needs. Everyone has different needs and I get to hear them all.”

Executive member for social care services and housing Wokingham Cllr Pauline Helliar-Symons said: “I am really proud of Paul, and proud of the Council's staff who helped him achieve this very important position. I would always encourage people in our district with learning disabilities to make full use of the opportunities on offer to speak up about their needs and hopes. Groups like CLASP are invaluable for helping to focus services and resources where they will be most useful. To see Paul go on to represent more people is wonderful – his dedication and confidence are to be applauded and I am delighted to see him taking this opportunity to maximise the impact of his work.”

CLASP is looking for ground floor office space in Wokingham town centre. If you can help, please call Julie Stevens on (0118) 979 2588.

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council chairman Cllr Angus Ross stirred himself into action on Thursday (September 14) when he invited local residents to join in the fun at the Wokingham launch of the world’s biggest coffee morning. And over £550 was raised for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Cllr Ross and vice-chairman Cllr Annette Drake hosted their own coffee morning in The Mall, at the Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham. He was joined by Earley resident and new mum Clare Lagan, who was recently diagnosed with cancer just eight weeks after she gave birth. It was a difficult time for Clare who had to cope with a new born baby whilst undergoing treatment and she is being supported by Macmillan nurses.

The monies raised from coffee mornings being held throughout the Wokingham district will be used to assist Macmillan Cancer Support in setting up a new benefits advice service in the new year, which will be based at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. This new service will inform cancer patients of grants that are available to them and will offer advice on how to access them.

Wokingham Cllr Ross said: “I was delighted to host a coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and I was pleased that many local people and staff at the district council came along to support such a worthy cause. And I hope that it will encourage many more residents across the district to hold their very own coffee mornings in celebration of the world’s biggest coffee morning.

“The charity does such splendid work and makes a real difference to the lives of people, like Clare Lagan, with cancer. I am delighted that we raised lots of money for Macmillan and especially for their new benefits advice service at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. It was a great morning for friends and colleagues to chat and enjoy a cup of coffee and a piece of cake all for a good cause!”

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council last week (Tuesday September 12) received a planning application from Bovis Homes and Persimmon Homes to develop land in Winnersh known as Hatch Farm Dairies. The council has now validated the application and is beginning the statutory consultation process.

In February this year (2006), Wokingham council sent a leaflet to all households in the area informing them of the developer’s approach to the council, and the likely implications of any proposed development on the site.

The Wokingham District Local Plan was adopted in March 2004 after a public inquiry by the government inspector. The plan includes the Hatch Farm Dairies site and states that it is suitable for housing development. The plan also indicates that any such development would require significant improvements to the local infrastructure, namely roads and schools. When considering the application for development, the council will have to carefully consider these issues, amongst others.

New development would obviously mean an increase in school-age children in the Winnersh area, which the Local Plan indicates the council should seek to address with a new primary school to be provided as part of the development.

Should the development go ahead, in order to build on the school’s success and in light of the planning application, Wokingham council would propose to move Bearwood Primary School to brand-new, purpose-built facilities at the Hatch Farm Dairies site. Any such move would look to develop the current ethos of the school, whilst replacing 19th century buildings and facilities with those fit for the 21st century.

Wokingham council is aware that a development at Hatch Farm Dairies would result in increased traffic in the area and significant road improvements would be needed to alleviate this. The Wokingham District Local Plan states that any development of this site would require a new road to serve it, and this would be constructed between Lower Earley Way and A329 Reading Road. The developers’ application includes a proposal for a road running adjacent to the site and, should the development go-ahead, the council would look to extend this road to Lower Earley Way, providing a Winnersh relief road. The council will seek to secure the funding for this through developer contribution (section 106 money). Any proposals for such a road would be subject to further public consultation.

The application will now run through the usual planning process. Residents within a 200 metre radius of the site will receive the normal notification and opportunity to comment. Details will shortly be on the council’s website at www.wokingham.gov.uk and comments can be made online or in writing. The application will be judged on its individual merits and against national planning policy in the usual manner and will go before the council’s Planning Committee.

Wokingham District Council

A group of five Bearwood, Wokingham pupils will compete in the “Small Ships Race” a youth event organised by the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO).

The pupils’ boat, Sunfast 37, will compete in a course circumnavigating the Isle of Wight. The Bearwood, Wokingham crew start their training early in September under the watchful eye of Ed Cherry, Bearwood’s RYA instructor and Ray Kay, Yacht Master Instructor, and embark from Portsmouth for the race itself on 6th October. Fifteen to twenty yachts will be participating in the race, with crews aged fifteen to twenty five years old.

Crew member Mark said: “This is such an incredible opportunity for us and we will learn so much from competing at this level.”

Mr Stephen Aiano, Headmaster at Bearwood College, Wokingham adds: “Not only will the pupils develop their sailing skills, but such an experience will enhance their confidence and self-esteem. The teamwork and sense of responsibility that comes with competing in such a high profile event will develop skills that can be transferred across all areas of their lives in the future.”

The school is very grateful to the Old Royals Association, Bearwood’s Alumni, for their support for the Bearwood pupils participating in the ASTO Small Ships Race.

With a 50 acre lake on campus, all Bearwood pupils can learn to sail and kayak, and sail-training in the Solent is popular. Bearwood College, Wokingham is a registered RYA centre offers day and coastal skipper courses to pupils and to the general public.

Participating pupils are: James Etherington, Mark Ince, Martin Pulman, Christopher Saunders and Philip Tattersall

We wish them fair winds!

Bearwood College, Wokingham

A new group of teachers in Wokingham district have been welcomed to the profession by Wokingham District Council. Around 100 new teachers started their careers in the Wokingham district this month and were given a warm welcome by council officials at two special ceremonies held last week (September 12 and 13).

The ceremonies were held this week at Wokingham District Council’s Professional Development Centre to introduce newly qualified teachers (NQTs) to Wokingham local education authority (LEA), which will be supporting them during their careers at the district’s schools.

During their induction period, they develop their teaching skills and benefit from the support of their colleagues and from officers at the district council. That support helps them become integrated into school life. It is necessary so that today's new teachers are able to take on the demands and responsibilities of teaching. The Wokingham teachers will soon become familiar faces to pupils after starting at the district’s nine secondary schools, one special and 27 of the district’s 53 primary, junior and infant schools, where they will all have a senior member of staff as an induction tutor or mentor.

The ceremonies were a chance for the NQTs to meet each other, plus advanced skills teachers from across the district and key officers at the district council. They heard presentations on further development opportunities available to them as well as teaching regulations and their entitlements.

Wokingham District Council’s teacher recruitment task force has a website and attends recruitment fairs at colleges across the country to spread the word about the benefits of teaching in the Wokingham district.

Wokingham District Council’s chairman Cllr Angus Ross, who welcomed the new teachers, said: “I am pleased to welcome all the newly qualified teachers who have joined us this year. Good teachers make lasting differences to our children's lives. That's why the council is committed to attracting high-quality people to the Wokingham district and this will help us maintain our position as one of the top education authorities in England. Every one of these new teachers has a key role to play in our schools and our children deserve the best. I wish them every success in the future.”

Wokingham District Council

Fishermen from Earley made a good haul on Saturday September 9, when the Earley Town Council’s annual fishing competition raised £152 for the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust. Wokingham District Council chairman Cllr Angus Ross attended the competition, and assisted in the presentation of the prizes. Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust is Cllr Ross’s nominated charity during his year in Wokingham office and he was delighted with the money raised.

Wokingham Cllr Ross said: “I would like to congratulate all the winners of the fishing competition for their excellent catches! I would also like to thank those who have worked hard to make the day a success and to raise this valuable contribution to the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust.”

Some 23 fishermen took part in the competition, which was won by Alan Silvey from Earley, for the largest catch by weight. Doug Shelton of Earley came second for his catch and Dave Botting, also from Earley, came third. Dave also won the prize for the largest fish. Mark Lee won the Keith Robinson Memorial Cup for the biggest roach caught on the day.

The competition has been running for several years and each year a charity is nominated by the town council. This year the air ambulance was chosen because the husband of a town council staff member had benefited from the services of the air ambulance last year.

The Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust is a charity funded by the businesses and people of the Thames Valley. The yellow Bolkow 105 helicopter carries life-saving equipment and is crewed by a pilot and two paramedics. The paramedics are provided by the NHS but all other costs are funded by the Trust. The helicopter is operated in daylight hours and is on call seven days a week. To date, the helicopter has answered over 8,000 emergency calls within the Thames Valley area, saving many lives.

Town mayor Cllr David Chopping, who welcomed the chairman to the event, said: “I am delighted that we were able to raise this £152 for the Chairman’s charity.”

The town mayor and Wokingham district council chairman jointly opened some new disabled fishing bays on the day. The bays have been designed to allow physically disabled people to access the lake more easily. The town council received funding of £2,500 from the Environment Agency to install the new bays.

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council’s youth service has been busy over the summer ensuring that young people are involved in deciding how the Youth Opportunity Fund is allocated and local groups now have just over two weeks to get their bids in for the latest round of bidding.

The new Wokingham grant system is used to deliver more things to do and places to go for young people aged between 13 and 19 years. This innovative grant scheme places trust in young Wokingham people who have the responsibility to decide what activities they need and they will allocated funds for submitted projects. The young people in the Wokingham district have been allocated £147,000 each year for the next two years.

A group call Y10 has taken on the task of managing the Youth Opportunity Fund. Y10 is a group of young people from across the Wokingham district, supported by the district council’s youth service, who are interested in encouraging everyone in the community to have a say. Led by Wokingham youth MP Michael Burgess and deputy youth MP Hattie Stockley, Y10 has recruited a number of young people from across the district to work together to decide how to allocate these funds.

Although an adult signatory is required on all application forms as the signatory on the bank account the grant is to be paid into, the whole grant process is designed to be led by young people. Any forms, which Y10 receive that they feel have been written or led by adults they will investigate further by interviewing the young people named on the application form. Letters signed by Y10 chairman and youth MP Michael Burgess go out to all the successful young applicants and the group plans to allocate one Y10 member to each successful grant to monitor its progress.

Work started back in June, when the group developed criteria that groups must meet to qualify for funding as well as user-friendly application forms. Both of these can be found on the council’s website at: www.wokingham.gov.uk/youthservice.

The group has also received training on how to assess applications, as well as how to consider evaluation of the projects. All projects need to meet one or more of the five themes set by Y10: be healthy, stay safe, enjoy life / learn skills, contribute to society and achieve economic well-being.

Despite the short timescale, Y10 piloted this new scheme by allocating £12,000 for some eight grants for summer holiday activities. Projects ranged from a churchyard clear up, refurbishment of a youth club, music project and development of a cricket project.

A group of young people from Shinfield were successful in bidding for funds to refurbish their youth club. The parish council, which owns the building, has just completed an internal redecoration. With money awarded, members of the youth club were able to replace furniture and buy new equipment to get the club ready for reopening in September. The young people were involved in costing the project as well as debating activities for the autumn term, including what equipment and resources would be needed.

Young people from Lower Early made a bid for cricket equipment whilst a group of young people from Wokingham, who organise the annual youth service pop idol contest, has been working with staff at Wokingham Youth Centre to develop a dance and music project. They were successful in achieving funding for stage and amplification equipment for their new Monday evening arts, dance and music group.

Another project to benefit was Silverdale Cycles, the community cycle project based at Silverdale Youth Centre. The young people who run the project said much of their equipment was worn out and formed a proposal to modernise the room and equipment as well as train more young people to help take the project forward over the coming year.

Michael Burgess, youth MP and the chair of the grant- giving panel, said: “This is a real chance for us to make things happen for ourselves. We want to get the news out to all young people and especially those who don’t have activities to do at present. If you haven’t got someone to help you with the application then contact the youth service and they will get someone out to help you with your ideas and the application. I want to see all the money spent so get applying now.”

Wokingham Cllr Malcolm Bryant, champion for youth and leisure, said: “This is a fantastic project for the young people to get their teeth stuck into and expand the range of activities that are on offer in the Wokingham district. This influx of money should help us to greatly improve youth facilities throughout the district and this project is about empowering young people and giving them more choice and influence over provision and facilities in their area. I very much look forward to hearing their ideas.”

The deadline for the next round of applications is Friday September 29 and applications will also be considered throughout the year. Applications will be welcome from any group of young people aged 13 and 19 which will improve things to do and places to go in the Wokingham district. Wokingham Cllr Bryant added: “Young people have just over two weeks to get their bids in. If you think something is lacking in your area, then pick up an application form from your local youth centre and get bidding!”

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham Activity Group,
Youth & Community Centre,
35 Reading Road,
Wokingham.

We are a self run club and everyone is welcome.
When: Thursdays term time 09:30 until 11:30am
Where: At the Youth & Community Centre,
35 Reading Road, Wokingham.
We Cater For All Ages Creche Provided

Autumn Term 2006

Sept 07 Welcome Back, Pot Luck Quiz!.(Short! EGM to change the constitution to have AGM in Sept) & Sales Table

Sept 14 Ways To Save Water With Ian Gough

Sept 21 Home Imagination, Caroline will give us ideas from her shop

Sept 28 Macmillan Coffee Morning & Agm. & Sales table
(Please bring cakes etc, sales table in aid of Macmillan)

Oct 05 Wokingham Theatre, Come and hear more

Oct 12 RNLI, Tony Houghton talks about the wonderful job the RNLI do

Oct 19 Wokingham Volunteers

Oct 26 Half Term

Nov 02 Card Making For Christmas, with Mandy Payne & Sales table

Nov 09 Party Lite, Candle Demonstration

Nov 16 Biscuit Tasting, can you tell your McVities from your supermarket own

Nov 23 RSPB Ian Paine talks about the rarer birds in Berkshire

Nov 30 Grandiflora, a local florist talks about the flowers

Dec 07 Grand Sale

Dec 14 Christmas Party, Mince Pies & Father Christmas

Please note programme is subject to change!

Admission £2.00 Annual Membership £5.00 per Annum
Visitors £2.50 (1st visit FREE)
Crèche £2.00 1st Child, £1 each extra child

For More Information Please Contact Mandy On 0118 962 7260

Wokingham Activity Group

This month sees Wokingham District Council holding a special council meeting to consider whether it should seek to change its status from a district council to that of a borough.

All 54 councillors will be invited to attend the special council meeting on Thursday September 28, 2006, at which they will be asked to consider the passing of a resolution to petition Her Majesty the Queen to grant a charter conferring the status of a borough upon the Wokingham district.

Cllr Angus Ross, chairman of the Wokingham council, said: “Being granted the status of a ‘borough’ and thereby having a ‘Mayor’ would bring us into line with the majority of Berkshire unitary authorities. It would help us to enhance our corporate image and create a stronger unity across the district whilst also generating greater civic pride and a real identity for the authority. We are officially recognised as a good council – this would further enhance our standing as a council.

“The title ‘borough’ has played an important role in British constitutional history for more than 500 years and is synonymous with civic pride, tradition and loyalty to the Crown which non-chartered authorities may not possess in the minds of the public and civic authorities.

“Indeed, it has become clear over the years that many people get confused over the role of the ‘Chairman’ of the council but they understand the functions of a Mayor. Many past chairmen have indicated that there would be much more clarity over their ceremonial role - being the ‘first citizen’ of the district and when representing the authority outside the district - if they were known as Mayor rather than chairman. Their opportunities to raise the district’s profile by acting as its public voice to project its work and achievements would also have been greater if the authority had been a borough instead of a district. My experience fully supports this.

“There is no doubt that there is more prestige and standing in being a borough and having a Mayor, and that in many people’s eyes, a council with this status is looked on as a higher authority than a district with a chairman.

“Wokingham District Council is the largest unitary council in Berkshire in terms of population and the district is nationally recognised as one of the best areas of the country in which to live. The added status of being a borough would help the council to forge better links with business, further strengthening the local economy. The recognition of a borough would also help us to gain an enhanced reputation for excellence in all the council does and could also help us in the many discussions we have with central government, particularly in relation to finance.

“The costs of becoming a borough and the subsequent name change would not be significant. We would not seek funding for any ‘trappings’ such as a Mayoral car and chauffeur or ceremonial items such as robes and a mace. The civic crest would remain unchanged and signage and stationery would be upgraded over a period of years.”

If the Wokingham council agrees to the lodging of the petition, the application for the charter would be formally published by the Privy Council Office and individuals or organisations given the opportunity to comment at that time. “Local residents, town and parish councils and neighbouring authorities are, however, very welcome to share their views with us now,” said Cllr Ross.

Councillors will also be asked on September 28 to consider whether it is appropriate to officially change the name of Wokingham District Council to reflect its new status should the charter be granted.

Any costs associated with the proposed status or name change to leaflets, stationery and signage would be kept to an absolute minimum and found from existing corporate budgets. All old stocks of leaflets, stationery, signage and so on would be used up first before any new supplies are printed.
Wokingham Cllr Ross said: “I strongly believe that is important to create a clear identity with our residents, our neighbouring authorities and the local government world as a whole. Our current status doesn’t achieve this. The implementation will be as near to cost-neutral as possible and will be borne by existing corporate budgets.”

Anyone wanting to share their views on the proposed status and name change should write to
Cllr Angus Ross, chairman of the council, Wokingham District Council, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1WQ.

Wokingham District Council

‘Wokingham District Council will now challenge Reading Borough Council’s plans for a one way Inner Distribution Road (IDR), unless Reading can give the assurances the council is looking for around the traffic model and agree remedial measures for those areas that are adversely affected by the proposed changes.’ That’s the view of Wokingham District Council following Reading Borough Council’s green light to the IDR proposal last night.

“We remain extremely concerned about the scheme’s impact on the roads in neighbouring towns and parishes – particularly Woodley, Earley, Sonning and Shinfield, and extending as far as Winnersh and further afield – and have yet to be reassured that Reading have taken account of this. We welcome their decision to extend the consultation period to September 25 and look forward to working with them, but we need up-to-date information on traffic flows and specifics on how and where they intend to tackle congestion problems that will inevitably result in the bordering town and parishes,” said executive member for highways and transport Cllr Anthony Pollock.

Wokingham District Council originally (March) objected to the proposals on the following grounds:

* More detailed and updated information and assessment is required to establish the impacts of the scheme upon the traffic in the Wokingham district during the morning and afternoon peak hours.
* No assessment has been completed as to the likely impact of the scheme outside of the morning and afternoon peak hours.
* Without the information required above, Reading Borough Council is unable to demonstrate that it can satisfy the duty imposed by Section 16 of the Traffic Management Act (TMA) 2004 in ‘facilitating the expeditious movement of traffic on road networks for which another authority is the traffic authority’.

A meeting took place between the two councils last week (Thursday August 31) at Wokingham’s request to allow councillors, officers and neighbouring parishes to find out this information but they remain concerned on the following issues:

* Further information is required to assess the full impact of the scheme on the Wokingham district highway network.
* Lack of consideration by Reading Borough Council regarding the impact of the scheme.
* Lack of consideration of the scheme within a wider strategic context of traffic management measures, such as a Third Thames Crossing. The proposals as they stand would indicate a significant increase in traffic on Sonning Bridge.
* Refusal by Reading to consider a local/public inquiry for a fair and transparent assessment and decision-making process.
* Continuing concerns over the validity and robustness of the Reading Transport Model baseline and forecast data.
* No consideration of future development within the Wokingham district and surrounding areas.
* Lack of consideration of the Environmental Statement responses.
* Lack of assessment outside of a.m. and p.m. peak hours.
* Detail on the remedial measures for those areas adversely affected is needed.

And last night (Thursday September 7), at a special meeting of its decision-making executive, Wokingham District Council agreed to make the funding available to make a legal challenge to the IDR proposal if necessary.

Wokingham Cllr Pollock said: “I’m pleased that Reading have allowed for extra time for us to talk to them about our concerns. We want to see clear, up-to-date traffic modelling on areas outside the town centre and at times outside of peak morning and afternoon hours. In addition, we would like to agree with Reading what particular areas are going to be affected, how this can be mitigated and the funding available from Reading to do this.

“Everyone wants to see this issue resolved. If, however, Reading are unable prove to us that this proposal won’t have a significant detrimental impact on the Wokingham district, then the district council is ready and willing to make a legal challenge.”

Wokingham District Council

The Wokingham district has been praised recently (August 22) by children, young people and families minister Beverley Hughes MP for its success in working with young people to bring down rates of teenage pregnancy.

A new analysis of figures published by the national Teenage Pregnancy Unit shows that although numbers are relatively low in Wokingham the district has had one of the biggest declines in teenage pregnancy rates in the country since the start of the national teenage pregnancy strategy.

The Wokingham district is making good progress in reducing teenage pregnancies since a
local strategy was developed in 1998 to address this. For the past six years, health, social care and education professionals, to name just a few, have been working hard to reduce the rate.

And the good news is, the hard work has paid off with the Wokingham district reducing teenage pregnancies by 29.4% and now having the second lowest rate in England. And the district has the ninth highest reduction over this six-year period (1998 to 2004). When the government launched the national teenage pregnancy strategy, it set a target for all local authorities to reduce the under-18 conception rate by 15%, which the Wokingham district has achieved by almost double.

Georgina Clarke, teenage pregnancy co-ordinator, said: “The number of teenage pregnancies are low in the Wokingham district but we must not be complacent despite the fact the figures have fallen. The rate is significantly lower than England and the South East, and this is very much welcomed, but we need to ensure this rate is maintained.

“Work is continuing across the district to build on this positive start since the strategy was introduced in 1998. This has been achieved by strengthening the partnership working between health, social care, education and the voluntary sector and by ensuring that all agencies provide good sexual and emotional health services to young people.”

The work of the Wokingham district Teenage Pregnancy Board has been instrumental in bringing down the rates in the district. The strategy focuses on providing professional advice for young people making decisions and the development of creative methods of encouraging young people to wait before having sex and to make confident choices. Research published earlier this year, highlighted that many young people wish they had waited longer before having sex.

Health services for young people are currently being developed across the district and they will be able to access a range of services, treatments and confidential advice on a range of issues, including sexual health, at a number of youth clubs, schools and community venues. Young people will be involved in the design of these new services. Currently there are health drop-in sessions at all the youth clubs across the district. Information ‘credit’ cards, which they can carry around with them, have also helped young people providing useful information and telephone numbers and the district council is keen to expand this in the future.

A young person’s health worker has started work in Wokingham schools with the healthy schools co-ordinator to offer advice on sex and relationships and provide support for professionals on sexual health. A health visitor and nursery nurse has been appointed to work directly with young parents addressing their needs.

Dr Liz Ollerhead, head of public health and health equalities at Wokingham Primary Care Trust, said: “Supporting young people to make informed choices for their relationships and sexual health is a priority. We remain committed to ensuring the district’s young people have access to good sexual and emotional health services as we continue to address this issue.”

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council has this week unveiled its ambitious children and young people’s plan, which promises to put the child at the heart of all that the council does.

The Wokingham district council, along with its partners in the health service, the police and the voluntary, community and independent sectors, has developed a multi-agency plan to share priorities and improve the lives of all the children and young people in the district. The plan outlines what life is like for children and young people in the district and sets out what the council and its partners will do over the next three years to make things better for them.

The plan is a major initiative from Wokingham district council’s newly formed children’s services, which brings together education and children’s social services as a single new service to work in partnership with other partner agencies.

As the backbone to the plan, the district council and its partners agreed five core outcomes, which will help achieve the priorities set out in the plan. They are:

* Staying safe - preventing and protecting children and young people from harm and neglect.
* Being healthy - helping children and young people to have good physical and mental health, and to live healthy lifestyles.
* Enjoying and achieving - helping children and young people to get the most out of life and develop the knowledge and skills they need for adulthood.
* Making a positive contribution - encouraging children and young people to become involved in their community and help us shape our services to better meet their needs.
* Achieving economic well-being - making sure that children and young people can enjoy a standard of living, which makes the most of their life chances and choices.

The council and its partners aim to integrate services and transform their delivery to more effectively meet the needs of Wokingham children, young people and their families, as they deserve the best possible services fit for the 21st century.

The council also has key aspirations for vulnerable groups including looked after children, those with learning difficulties and disabilities, those from minority ethnic groups and teenage parents.

Underpinning the whole plan is a proposal to remodel services. The council will create a network of accessible, early intervention and preventative family support services in the local community, centred around seven neighbourhoods. To achieve this will require a shift in the way the council and its partners work but it will be achieved through existing resources.

The council has listened to Wokingham children, young people, their parents and carers and is responding to what they have said and will provide support near their homes and integrated services. Extended services at schools and children’s centres are key to achieving this.

Cllr Frank Browne, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “One of our challenges is to ensure that the district’s children and young people have the self-confidence, ability and ambition to achieve their full potential in order both to benefit from these and in turn to contribute to their local communities.

"We are committed to providing the highest quality, effective services in the district for children and young people to maximise their chances in life. The new children and young people's plan brings together our strategic vision for how we can achieve this over the next three years."

Wendy Woodcock, corporate head of Wokingham children’s services, said: “Children are at the heart of all that we do in children’s services and they represent the future of our district. By developing this plan, and with the effort and commitment of our partners, the council intends to help all children, young people and their families to access the best services possible.

“We want to ensure they stay safe and healthy, enjoy and achieve to the best of their ability, make a positive contribution to their community and enjoy economic well-being. The job for all of us now is to make sure we work closely with our partners to achieve our aims.”

The summary is being widely distributed to schools, libraries, and health service outlets throughout the district. You can also download it from the council’s website at: www.wokingham.gov.uk/cypplan.

Wokingham District Council

Open Morning
Wednesday 4th October,
9.30am - 11.30am.

Waverley School, Waverley Way,
Finchampstead, Wokingham,
Berkshire, RG40 4YD.

The Open Morning will be for the School and to launch our new nursery provision.

We are launching new nursery provision at the school, which is available to all and offers completely flexible sessions 8-6pm each weekday.

The Chairman of Wokingham District Council, Cllr Angus Ross, will be there to open the Nursery and cut a cake at the launch.

There will be activities for parents with young children to include a Bouncy Castle, Locomotive ride-on train and bubble machine, balloons etc.

At the event the Wokingham Holiday Club will be promoted and there will be an opportunity to receive a discount for those bookings taken on the day.

Waverley School, Waverley Way, Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 4YD.

“Reading Borough Council’s plans for the Inner Distribution Road (IDR) may solve some traffic problems for the immediate Reading town centre but it will have a massive knock-on effect on surrounding roads and districts. They have only considered the scheme in isolation – there has been no consideration for neighbouring areas.” That’s the view of Wokingham District Council following a meeting with Reading Borough Council last week.

The meeting had been received as a welcome step forward, but Wokingham district council and neighbouring parish councils remain extremely concerned about the impact Reading’s plans for the Inner Distribution Road (IDR) will have on their roads.

On Thursday August 31, officers from Reading Borough Council and their transport consultants visited the district council’s offices in Wokingham to present their latest traffic modelling. Woodley and Earley Town Councils and Sonning and Shinfield Parish Councils - which all share their border with Reading - also attended to find out more about the proposals as did representatives from Winnersh Parish Council and Oxfordshire County Council.

And MPs Theresa May, John Redwood and Rob Wilson were also present to quiz the transport officers.

Wokingham District Council originally (March) objected to the proposals on the following grounds:

* More detailed and updated information and assessment is required to establish the impacts of the scheme upon the traffic in the Wokingham district during the morning and afternoon peak hours.
* No assessment has been completed as to the likely impact of the scheme outside of the morning and afternoon peak hours.
* Without the information required above, Reading Borough Council is unable to demonstrate that it can satisfy the duty imposed by Section 16 of the Traffic Management Act (TMA) 2004 in ‘facilitating the expeditious movement of traffic on road networks for which another authority is the traffic authority’.

The meeting with Reading was organised at Wokingham’s request to allow councillors, officers and neighbouring parishes to find out this information but they remain concerned on the following issues:

* Further information is required to assess the full impact of the scheme on the Wokingham district highway network.
* Lack of consideration by Reading Borough Council regarding the impact of the scheme.
* Lack of consideration of the scheme within a wider strategic context of traffic management measures, such as a Third Thames Crossing. The proposals as they stand would indicate a significant increase in traffic on Sonning Bridge.
* Refusal by Reading to consider a local/public inquiry for a fair and transparent assessment and decision making process.
* Continuing concerns over the validity and robustness of the Reading Transport Model baseline and forecast data.
* No consideration of future development within the Wokingham district and surrounding areas.
* Lack of consideration of the Environmental Statement responses.
* Lack of assessment outside of a.m. and p.m. peak hours.

Executive member for Wokingham highways and transport Cllr Anthony Pollock said: “I’m pleased that Reading took the time to come and speak to us, but we still have some very real concerns about Reading’s proposals.

“We know that our towns and parishes are also very concerned about the increased level of traffic that could potentially be coming their way. We will be discussing this further on Thursday and a legal challenge to Reading’s proposals remains a very real possibility.”

The district council will make a decision on its further response to the IDR proposals after the decision by Reading Borough Council on its Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) on Thursday September 7.

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council chairman Cllr Angus Ross will be stirring himself into action this month (September) when he invites local residents to join in the fun at the launch of the district’s activities for the world’s biggest coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Cllr Ross and vice-chairman Cllr Annette Drake will be hosting their own coffee morning between 9.30am and 1pm at The Mall, Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham on Thursday September 14. He will also be joined by Earley resident and new mum Clare Lagan, who was recently diagnosed with cancer just eight weeks after she gave birth. It was a difficult time for Clare who had to cope with a new born baby whilst undergoing treatment and she is being supported by Macmillan nurses.

The monies raised from coffee mornings being held throughout the Wokingham district will be used to assist Macmillan Cancer Support in setting up a new benefits advice service in the new year, which will be based at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. This new service will inform cancer patients of grants that are available to them and will offer advice on how to access them.

Cllr Ross said: “I am delighted to be hosting a coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and I hope that many local people and staff at the district council will come along and have some fun whilst raising money for a great cause. We will be trying to encourage more people in the district to hold their own coffee mornings.

“The charity does such splendid work and makes a real difference to the lives of people, like Clare Lagan, with cancer. I hope that the coffee morning at the district council will raise lots of money for Macmillan and especially for their new benefits advice service at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. And, what better way to raise funds for them by meeting friends and colleagues for a chat and a cup of coffee and a piece of cake!”

Any residents who would like to donate cakes for the coffee morning should contact chairman’s secretary Sonia Lawlor on (0118) 974 6004.

Wokingham District Council

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wokingham District Council

Following on from the summer of Big Idea activities, churches across Wokingham are providing free courses for people who wish to explore the Christian faith, find out about it, and find out what it means. These courses are designed to suit people even if they have no prior knowledge of the church or the Bible. They are also friendly & relaxed, and questions are welcome and encouraged - no matter how small or large the question may seem.

Alpha courses are running in several Wokingham churches, and are now known right across the country. These often start with a meal to allow people to get to know each other, before hearing a talk or watching a video, and then discussing issues that arise. There are four courses starting this month:

* Wednesday 13th September, at St. Sebastian's Parish Centre (Nine Mile Ride, Wokingham, located next to the church), at 7.30pm.
This will be an introductory evening – the actual course evenings will then be run on nights suitable for those who wish to attend the course.
Contact St. Sebastian's Parish Office on 01344 761050 for further details or book your place.

* Thursday 14th September, at Woosehill Church (Chestnut Avenue, Wokingham ), at 7.30pm.
The course will then run on successive Thursday evenings at the church.
Contact Elaine Steere on 0118 962 9031 for further details or book your place.

* Saturday 23rd September, at Kings House (Shute End, Wokingham ), at 7.00pm.
This will be an introductory evening – the actual course evenings will then be run on nights suitable for those who wish to attend the course.
Contact Kings Church office on 0118 961 9876 for further details or book your place.

* Wednesday 27th September, at Wokingham Baptist Church (Milton Road), at 7.30pm.
The course will then run on successive Wednesday evenings at the church.
Contact Karl Relton on 0118 977 2814 for further details or book your place.

Alpha is not the only course on offer, however. There is also a shorter course called Journeys which using videos looks at the lives & stories of several modern day Christians, and how their faith has impacted their life. This will run on Tuesday mornings at Wokingham Baptist Church - please call Karl Relton on 0118 977 2814 for further details. In addition All Saints will be running a series called Eureka, which starts with free meal and a talk called Finding Faith on Saturday September 30th, at 7.30pm at The Cornerstone. Please call 0118 979 2797 for further details.

All the above courses have no obligation - they are simply provided for you to have a chance to explore and discuss the Christian faith, with the extraordinary claims of Jesus Christ.

The Big Idea karl@the-big-idea.org
Wokingham Churches Serving Wokingham www.the-big-idea.org

Next month (September), Wokingham District Council will be launching its annual grant funding scheme (2007/08) for local community and voluntary organisations that work hard for the residents of the Wokingham district.

Community and voluntary organisations can apply for a grant from September 1, 2006 and they have until October 31, 2006 to submit their bids. Bids will be welcomed from community and voluntary organisations from across the Wokingham district who provide a range of services, from giving advice or looking after people’s welfare, to sport, culture, social services, education or leisure services.

And this year, applying is even easier! There is a new application form and electronic bids will also be accepted. For those bids for £500 or under there will also be a shorter application form to be completed.

Each year Wokingham District Council allocates a specific amount of its budget to support voluntary work in the district. Decisions will be reported to the voluntary groups early next year and, if successful, they will receive their grant at the beginning of the next financial year.

Executive member for community development Wokingham Cllr Dianne King said: “The district council recognises the importance many of our local voluntary and community sector groups play in our community. They provide a valuable service often complementing services provided by the council and share the same community ambitions as we do.

“The council does have a limited budget, but it is important that any organisation that may be eligible under the grants scheme gets their bid in on time. We can then take the very difficult decisions on how the budget can best be allocated and we will fund projects or activities that are run for the benefit of residents in the district.”

Guidance explaining the application process and the criteria that groups must meet to qualify for a grant as well as application forms are available on the council’s website (www.wokingham.gov.uk - under community and living) or from Sue Roberts in the council’s strategy and partnerships unit on (0118) 974 6016 or by email: sue.roberts@wokingham.gov.uk. Further information is also available from Community Voluntary Action (CVA) Wokingham-District on (0118) 984 6884.

A workshop, giving local groups the chance to find out more about the process and have the opportunity to ask questions, as well as learn about other possible funding opportunities, is being held on September 26 between 6.30pm and 9pm in the council chamber, civic offices, Shute End in Wokingham. Any of the district’s community and voluntary organisations are welcome to attend this workshop.

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham youngsters will soon have a cool new place to hang out thanks to a new venture.

Police and The Chameleon, in Wokingham town centre are organising the area’s first under 18s night next month and if that trial goes well they are planning to make it a regular event.

The night, which will be called ‘Kaos’, is aimed at 13-17 year-olds and is being backed by local schools, Wokingham District Council and the area’s youth workers.

It will be a strictly no alcohol night aimed at giving the youngsters a great place to hang out with their friends for a few hours.

The idea was first suggested at a Winnersh Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) meeting as a way of providing the youngsters in the area with something to do and it has grown from there.

Winnersh neighbourhood officer PC Emma Johnson, who has been heavily involved in organising the night, said: “People often complain about youngsters hanging around on street corners, but don’t come up with any solutions to the situation.

“What we are trying to do is give them somewhere safe and warm to hang-out with their mates, where they can have a really good time and where their parents don’t have to worry about what they are up to.”

Gavin Vidler, general manager of the Wokingham nightclub, added: “It is going to be like a normal nightclub evening but with no alcohol on sale.

“We are providing them with a safe environment but also somewhere cool and trendy where they can have fun with their mates – that has to be more interesting than hanging around on the streets.

“We will have our normal door staff on duty and they will ensure that no alcohol is taken into the club and if anyone is suspected of drinking beforehand they will be denied entry.”

PC Johnson and Mr Vidler attended an under 18 night at nightclub in Woking, Surrey, on Friday to get some more ideas for their own event.

PC Johnson said: “It was a fantastic night. We took four 17 year-olds from Wokingham with us and they really enjoyed it. If we can create something similar in Wokingham I think it will be a great success.”

The first under 18 night will take place on September 29 between 7pm and 10.30pm. Tickets will be priced at £3 in advance and £5 on the day and are available from the club itself and schools throughout the Wokingham area.

PC Johnson said: “Ideally, we would like people to buy tickets in advance so we have an idea of how many are coming. We also want to hear from youngsters who want to have an input into the event because it is their night and we want to make it as appealing for them as possible.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Wokingham

As increasing numbers of Wokingham people become interested in alternative forms of energy, in particular solar heating systems, Wokingham District Council would like to remind residents to be vigilant when choosing a company to install new systems in their homes.

Thames Valley Energy offers advice on reputable providers of solar heating systems and other alternative energy technologies. Any of the Wokingham district’s residents who are considering installing alternative energy systems should consult Thames Valley Energy when choosing a company to install the system, so that they can be sure the work will be done to required standards and at a reasonable price.

Contact Thames Valley Energy on (01635) 817420 or at www.tvenergy.org

Wokingham District Council