Wokingham

Wokingham District Council will become a borough in March, following the sealing of the official charter by the Crown Office.

The Wokingham council voted in September 2006 to petition Her Majesty the Queen to grant a charter conferring the status of a borough upon the Wokingham district.

The council will officially launch and celebrate its new status at the Mayor’s Spring Civic Reception on March 9.

Wokingham Council chairman Cllr Angus Ross said: “I am delighted that the council’s petition has received approval. I look forward to seeing this council operate as a borough as I believe it will bring many benefits to the area. 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.

“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.

“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 are not significant. The council is in the process of securing commercial support for new civic regalia but we will not be seeking funding for a Mayoral car and chauffeur. The civic crest will remain unchanged and signage and stationery would be upgraded over a period of years, with old stocks being used up before any new supplies are printed. Signage will only be replaced when it is worn out or damaged.”

The cost to Wokingham council of becoming a borough is less than £1,500.

Cllr Ross added: “I believe in ‘invest to save’, and that would occur if, on just one occasion, we were to receive additional funding because we were recognised as a unitary borough and not mistaken for a district under a county.”

Wokingham District Council

At its meeting om January 25 Wokingham District Council’s decision-making executive gave its support to proposals to improve football facilities at Cantley Park in Wokingham.

The Wokingham development plan incorporates fencing off a single pitch, erecting a small stand accommodating a maximum of 254 seats (including wheelchairs), car parking, dug outs, turnstile or paybox and the conversion of the Ashridge Room into a clubroom available for all teams playing at Cantley Park. The council would maintain the same number of pitches, although one pitch may be moved within the Cantley site. The majority of Cantley would remain unchanged and accessible to all local residents.

To ensure issues raised by residents are further considered and legal and leasing conditions fully explored, a special forum comprising local residents’ groups, local councillors and other interested parties including Cantley House Hotel and Wokingham Theatre, will be set up next month (February).

The forum will meet before any planning application is submitted. Full public consultation would then take place as part of the normal planning process and the licensing committee would then have to consider the licensing application.

Subject to planning permission, the stand would be approximately 35 metres wide, three metres high and three metres deep, accommodating a maximum of 254 seats (including wheelchairs). The erection of this stand would enable Wokingham and Emmbrook FC to play up to Combined Counties’ or Hellenic League standard. The League rules stipulate that crowds of up to 1,000 must be catered for, so in theory, 750 people could stand on the other three sides of the pitch. In practice, however, spectators are expected to be far fewer than this. The Combined Counties’ Football League average attendance in 2006 was 71 (lowest 14, highest 205).

A traffic impact assessment would form part of the planning application, including a full analysis of the number of car parking spaces needed and any potential impact on parking in residential areas. At this stage, the council is aware that Cantley Park could accommodate at least another 40 permanent car parking spaces - extra parking which would benefit all users of the site.

Approximately half of the total cost (£261,000) would be provided through Football Foundation grants, the remainder being met by the council through S106 monies known as developer contributions.

Cllr Frank Browne, leader of Wokingham council, said: “The district council is committed to ensuring Cantley Park is enjoyed by local residents and all sporting clubs who use the facilities, making it a great sporting venue for all our residents and generating interested from our young people in sport.

“This youth involvement is a key strand of the council’s new leisure, sport and recreation strategy, which was launched in June 2006, and the council will work to develop more partnerships with teams across the district.

“It is important to stress that although the executive has supported this proposal, there will be a detailed planning and licensing process to follow where a number of specific and important issues will need to be addressed. And these statutory and detailed processes will be informed by the special forum which will hold its first meeting in February, before any planning application is submitted.”

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham residents are beginning to feel the benefit of a new Neighbourhood Crime Team.

The team has been set up to tackle priority issues such as burglary, vehicle crime and criminal damage and it is already proving successful.

It is made up of both Wokingham Neighbourhood and Response officers and it provides a dynamic and proactive approach to tackling and detecting crime and crime reduction.

Insp Jim Weems, the Deputy Wokingham LPA Commander, said: “This is very much a Neighbourhood Policing initiative and provides us with a dynamic response to localised issues like criminal damage, burglary and vehicle crimes.

“Basically, the team deals with the gritty side of Neighbourhood Policing and if an area is dealing with a particular problem we can send a large number of officers in to resolve the issue.

“The team is very flexible and allows us to react quickly to potential problems on a daily basis.

“They can patrol on foot, in vehicles and cycles and in either plain clothes or uniform at very short notice.”

The team started its work at the end of last year and has already made an impressive impact.

Insp Weems said: “Wherever we have put the team so far we have had good results. They reduced burglaries at the Lower Earley and Reading borders and they had a big impact on shoplifting when we sent them into Wokingham town centre in the run up to Christmas.

“They have also been involved in trap-car operations.”

The team also forms the front line in the area’s response to antisocial behaviour and criminal damage.

They form the majority of Operation Front which carries out high visibility patrols on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in ‘hot spot’ areas.

Wokingham Insp Weems said: “When you are trying to tackle antisocial behaviour and its associated crimes you need to have a body of officers which you can call upon, and that is what we have with this team.

“The team have made some excellent progress in terms of engaging with and moving on those groups of people that try to undermine the quality of life of entire communities.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Wokingham

Collaborative working between Wokingham District Council’s tenant services and members of the community safety team has brought a New Year’s gift to all council tenants in the district this month. New tenants’ handbooks, packed with information and advice about their how to make the most of the services provided by the council, have been prepared for all residents of council-owned properties.

“The first batch of handbooks went out on January 8 to a fabulous response - the tenants were thrilled to have a new handbook and the fact that the team were out in the rain wishing them a Happy New Year seemed to have even more impact!” said head of tenant services John Everett.

The new handbook has been developed by Wokingham District Council’s tenant services in collaboration with tenant representatives, so that it is comprehensive and contains the kind of useful information and detail that tenants really like to have. It is designed to help residents of council-owned properties make the most of the council’s tenant services – for example it explains what to do and who to contact about various possible maintenance issues, and gives drawings and information to help tenants if they face a problem in their home.

All Wokingham council tenants and residents of sheltered housing will receive the new book, which is being distributed to more than 2,800 homes during January by a team that included community wardens and housing officers. The distribution has also been an opportunity for officers to talk to residents about the new book.

“I am delighted with the new handbook and pleased that it has had the input of tenants themselves. With their assistance we can be sure that we are offering tenants the help they really want,” said Cllr Pauline Helliar Symons, executive member for social care and housing. “We would like to make Wokingham District Council the best social landlord in the UK by December 2008, and with that in mind I think the message to tenants during this project has been two-fold. Firstly, that the district council cares about helping them, and secondly, that we wish them a Happy New Year!”

Wokingham District Council

Teachers in the Wokingham district are being given a step onto the property ladder thanks to Wokingham District Council’s innovative housing scheme which looks set to welcome its first tenants later this year.

Since the first brick was laid in July last year (2006), construction work has been progressing well on the 22 eco-friendly flats at St Crispin’s School in Wokingham and the first tenants may move in as soon as April, at rents some 20 to 25% below market rate.

The Wokingham flats have a range of eco-friendly features and are expected to be the first in the district to achieve an Excellent EcoHomes rating. Working together with Home Group and Denne Construction, 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 surplus school land.

Solar thermal panels have been installed on the roof to provide up to 70% of the hot water needed with energy efficient combination boilers providing the additional hot water and heating. The materials and labour being used during construction of the Wokingham flats have been sourced locally where possible to reduce fuel consumption during transportation to the site.

The apartments have been designed by architects RBA to maximise natural light whilst solar shading will also be provided on the roof to ensure that during the summer months, the flats do not become too hot. The flats have been built using highly insulated timber frame construction and also include timber frame windows, which use less energy in manufacture than UPVC windows. Every flat has access to good storage facilities enabling key workers to recycle household waste and keep a bicycle to encourage more sustainable methods of transport.

And, water butts will be fitted externally (for activities such as watering plants and car washing) to reduce water consumption.

The parking area will be surfaced using a shallow dig construction method to ensure any potential root damage to existing trees is minimised. The surface will also be permeable to allow rainwater to drain back into the aquifers.

Executive member for Wokingham social care services and housing Cllr Pauline Helliar-Symons and James Lovelock, a teacher at Westende Primary School and prospective tenant, visited the site recently to check up on progress. Wokingham Cllr Helliar-Symons said: "I am very excited that work on this innovative scheme is now nearing fruition. Housing for teachers is desperately needed in this area and we need to do all we can to develop schemes that help to recruit and retain high quality teaching staff to maintain the district's excellent education standards."

James, who moved to the area from mid-Wales nearly three years ago, said: "I was really impressed by the size of the flats, particularly for the rent being charged. They will help teachers like me afford to live and work in this high cost area. The solar panels will also make the apartments cheap to run."

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

Wokingham District Council

• Sat 3 Aren’t Birds Brilliant RSPB walk. Morning stroll around Dinton Pastures, meet main car park at 9am. £1 each
  
  
• Sun 11 Highwood Work Party, Highwood, Woodley. Practical task on this Local Nature Reserve. Meet Kingfisher Drive,10am
  
  
• Sun 11 Friends of Lavell’s Lake Bird Walk . Come for a walk around this Local Nature Reserve, rich in bird life. Meet car park in Sandford Lane, opposite Sailing Club at 9am. Suggested donation £1
  
  
• Sat 17 Wildlife WATCH Group – Lanterns. Monthly club for 8-12 year olds interested in the environment. This month we’ll be making lanterns out of willow and tissue paper.
  
  
• Sun 25 Friends of Lavell’s Lake Work Party. Join the Friends of Lavell’s and rangers to do some practical conservation work. Meet car park Sandford Lane, at 10am.
  

Lynn Yardley, Countryside Ranger (Education and Interpretation), Wokingham District Council Countryside Service, Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst, Berkshire RG10 0TH. Tel: 0118 9342016

A display of winning entries and runners up from a Wokingham DC Countryside Service photographic competition are currently on display at the Civic Offices, Shute End. People were invited to send in shots taken within the Wokingham district of woodlands, wildflowers, lakes, landscapes and wildlife sightings. The competition was judged by staff at the Countryside Service who all voted for their top 5 pictures. The winning shot was taken at Dinton Pastures Country Park and is of a great crested grebe swallowing a fish.

The Mall Gallery, Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1BN. The display runs until Feb 22. However, if you are not able to get to the see the photos you will soon be able to view them online at www.wokingham.gov.uk/countryside

Wokingham District Council Countryside Service

There were smiling faces all round on Thursday January 11 when Wokingham District Council’s Mall Gallery hosted a private viewing for the People, Places and Faces art exhibition. The event celebrated the end of a month-long display of community artwork by residents of Gorse Ride, Wokingham.

The exhibition showcased three large murals featuring people and places from the Gorse Ride area, created by residents during a two-day community art project in August 2006. The murals used photographs taken by local artist Patrick Harte during a litter-picking day on the Gorse Ride estate. These images were put onto paper and boards and were then painted by the residents.

The event on Thursday was an opportunity for Gorse Ride residents to view the completed artwork and celebrate the successful completion of the project. Wokingham District Council chairman Cllr Angus Ross was on hand to congratulate the residents on their achievements, along with executive member for community development Cllr Dianne King and representatives from Wokingham District Council’s tenant services and cultural services.

The project was organised by Wokingham council’s tenant services to promote positive engagement and participation within the local community through art. The exhibition was sponsored by the Wokingham District Cultural Partnership.

Wokingham District Council chairman Cllr Angus Ross said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved for all their hard work in creating these wonderful murals. This project was an opportunity for the residents of Gorse Ride to come together again and create some truly unique artwork that shows the people, places and faces of their community. The experience was assisted by the artist Patrick Harte and also the cooperation and support of a number of services in the district council. It proves that art projects can make a difference to local communities.”

Claire Denham, Wokingham community development worker for the area, worked with the residents on the project. She said: “It is so encouraging to see members of the community working with the district council on such a valuable initiative. The project brought people together from all over the Gorse Ride neighbourhood and encouraged them to participate. Everyone worked non-stop all day to create artwork that really means something to them – anyone from the local area can look at the murals and see a place or face they know. I would like to thank everyone for making the project happen!”

Wokingham District Council

Event: An under 18s event to raise money for Cancer Research
When: Tuesday February 13, 2007
Time: 7pm to midnight
Where: Chameleon Night Club, Wellington Road, Wokingham

The Boobs and Balls event, being organised by members of the Earley Centrepoint Youth Centre, is aimed at raising awareness in young people about cancer, in particular breast and testicular cancer, hence the name.

The money to set up the event came from the Youth Opportunity Fund grant from Wokingham District Council’s youth service. The young people who came up with the idea applied for the money and were awarded a sum to help them hire the venue and produce publicity materials.

The organisers are regular members of the youth centre in Lower Earley and have families who have been affected by cancer. They wanted to raise money for Cancer Research UK whilst having fun at the same time during the half term holidays. As a result they decided to hold a party. It hopes to benefit from the success of the ‘Chaos’ under 18s night held already at Chameleon whilst adding an extra twist by being solely for the benefit of Cancer Research UK.

The event will be staffed by the young people’s organising committee, district council’s youth workers and voluntary youth workers, who have all offered to donate their time to the event. Support has been given by the council’s community wardens and Thames Valley Police. The event will consist of a resident DJ, soft drinks bar, raffle and music and dance performances from some of Wokingham district’s finest young groups.

The young people who are organising the event are also working towards their youth achievement awards.

It is hoped the organisers will raise a considerable profit for Cancer Research UK. Tickets cost £5 and can be purchased in advance only from youth centres, schools and voluntary youth projects across the district.

More information from Rachael Robinson, youth worker at Earley Centrepoint Youth Centre on (0118) 931 2951.

Wokingham District Council

A Valentine’s treat is in store for Wokingham youngsters when a nightclub hosts a special under 18s evening.

The Valentine’s Kaos party takes place on Thursday February 15 at The Chameleon nightclub in Wokingham town centre.

This event is the latest in a series of nights held at the club specifically aimed at 13-17 year-olds.

The first Kaos night was held in September last year and was organised by the Winnersh Neighbourhood Action group and Neighbourhood officer PC Emma Johnson as a way of giving youngsters a cool place to hang out in the evenings.

PC Johnson said: “I am delighted with the success of the Kaos nights so far and we are looking forward to holding may more throughout the year.

“They have been so well received by the youngsters in the area and there has been no trouble whatsoever.

“I hope everyone has a great time at the first Kaos night of 2007.”

The strictly no alcohol night is aimed at 13-17 year olds and is backed by the local schools, Wokingham District Council and the area’s youth workers.

Tickets will be priced at £4 in advance and £6 on the day and are available from the club itself and schools throughout the area. Tickets are selling fast so it is advisable to buy them in advance of the event.

Thames Valley Police ~ Wokingham

With just under a week to go, local residents are being reminded there will be an extravaganza of wild winter fun on Saturday January 27 at The Forest School in Winnersh, Wokingham.

The free event is being organised by Wokingham District Council’s early years and child care team, together with Winnersh Parish Council and the Winnersh neighbourhood action group and there will be an array of performers and displays for the local community to see.

The festival welcomes people of all ages and will include Indian dancers, wolves, a rodeo reindeer, stilt walkers, face painting, inflatables, choir singing and a simulator ride. Vouchers to use the simulator ride, and other activities, will be given to children and their parents in return for completing a short survey about what services they would like to see in Winnersh and what they think of the services that are provided to them currently.

Wokingham District Council’s chairman Cllr Angus Ross and Winnersh Parish Council chairman Cllr Judith Wilkins will officially open the festival at 12.15pm. Cllr Ross said: “I hope that many residents from Winnersh will come along to the festival to find out what is happening in their local community. As well as the fun activities there will also be an opportunity to view displays on a range of topics from teenage pregnancies to what the youth service has to offer local youngsters. There is something for everyone!

“It is good to see the district council working in partnership with the town council and local neighbourhood action team. It promises to be a great day!”

Coinciding with the festival, Winnersh Library, within the grounds of The Forest School, will be open until 4pm. Anyone who joins the library on Winnersh Festival day will be given two free DVD rentals. Other events at the library throughout the festival include:

-Winnersh Gaming Club taking place from 10.30am to 1pm

-Jo Jingles children’s music club taster sessions from 12.45pm to 1pm and 2.30pm to 2.45pm

-Family storytimes at 1pm and 3pm.

Also on hand will be learndirect who will be offering advice, information and course demonstrations on skills and learning opportunities to visitors over 16 years old.

Wokingham District Council offers the learndirect service through the district’s libraries. The main centre is located in Wokingham Library, with three outreach centres around the district at Winnersh, Lower Earley and Woodley libraries, plus services at Whitegrove library in Bracknell. Tutors are available on selected days to offer advice to learners, particularly to those who may find it difficult to get to the main centre in Wokingham. Learners are able to undertake their work online at any participating library or at home, at any time and pace. A wide range of courses are on offer, from basic literacy and numeracy skills to computing, either at a very low cost or, in many cases, free.

Wokingham District Council

New editions of Wokingham public transport information guides have been produced by Wokingham District Council, making it easier for residents to plan their travel and find information about public transport in their area.

The fold-out leaflet, ‘Wokingham District Public Transport Map and Guide’, contains a map of the district showing all bus and train routes, updated to show winter changes to these services. The leaflet gives details of bus and train operators and frequency of services, amongst other useful information such as school services and contact numbers for accessible transport services for older and disabled people.

And anyone wanting to know about public transport within a specific area of the Wokingham district can get hold of a copy of the council’s updated ‘Your Travel Guide’ series, with one edition covering Wokingham and another covering Twyford and Woodley. The booklets include up-to-date timetables of all buses and trains as well as other useful information to help residents plan their journey.

The updated leaflet and guides are available from the district council offices at Shute End in Wokingham, Wokingham Town Hall Information Centre and the district’s libraries. Anyone wanting copies to be sent to them should call the council’s transport team on (0118) 974 6472. Alternatively, they can be downloaded as .pdf documents from: http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/transport-roads-waste/public-transport

Cllr Anthony Pollock, executive member for highways and transport, said: “These leaflets are designed to make it easier for everyone to find out how to get around the Wokingham district by public transport, which is important to help reduce congestion on our roads. They have been updated to include the latest information on routes and timetables and I hope people find them useful when planning to get out and about.”

Wokingham District Council

Families visiting Wokingham district libraries can discover a world of reading this fortnight, at a series of special family storytimes. These special events for all the family are part of Family Reading Fortnight (January 8 to 20).

Parents and children of all ages can visit three of the district’s libraries to hear special bedtime themed stories. Wokingham, Lower Earley and Woodley libraries will be hosting these free events, which also include the chance for children to make their own picture book!

Every family who comes along will be given a free book by children’s laureate and popular children’s author Jacqueline Wilson. The book, entitled Great Books to Read Aloud, contains over 70 suggestions of books for families to read together and also includes tips to help get your family reading. It includes reviews and extracts from children’s favourites such as The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler and Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes.

The events take place at:
# Lower Earley Library – 10am to 11am, Saturday January 13
Call (0118) 931 2150
# Woodley Library – 2pm to 3pm, Sunday January 14
Call (0118) 969 0304
# Wokingham Library – 10am to 11am, Saturday January 20
Call (0118) 978 1368
All events are free but places must be booked by calling the numbers given above.

Wokingham District Council

Bright sparks at Wokingham district schools are celebrating today after they were ranked fifth in the country in a national league table.

Published January 11 by Department for Education and Skills (DfES), the achievement and attainment tables show Wokingham district’s pupils have once again been recognised for their hard work by being ranked fifth in the country for the national indicator in GCSE and equivalent for achieving five or more GCSEs A* to C grades including English and maths. Some 57.7% of pupils achieved this result compared with the national average of 45.8%.

Wokingham District Council's executive member for children’s services Cllr Frank Browne said: “2006 was another year of excellent pupil achievement in the Wokingham district at all key stages of education, with particular achievements at GCSE level.”

And girls also showed they are in the top three in the country for the national indicator in GCSE and equivalent for achieving five or more GCSEs A* to G grades including English and maths. Some 95.7% of girls achieved this, whilst 92.9% of boys achieved this indicator, placing them in sixth position. Both of these results were significantly above the national average (boys: 85.2% and girls: 90.5%).

Wokingham Cllr Frank Browne added: “The results are well above the national average which is a credit to the hard work of all those involved from the pupils themselves to their teachers, parents, governors, and non-teaching staff. I would like to pay tribute to their dedication and congratulate them all for some phenomenal results.

“However, there is no room for complacency. The council remains committed to ensuring we work hard with all the district’s schools to build on these improvements. We continue to raise our aspirations to ensure pupils have the best educational opportunities available to them.”

Wokingham District Council

No designer tracksuits – a cardigan will do! That’s the message to older people who want to keep fit, from Wokingham District Council’s Sports Development Unit. Every Monday and Friday afternoon, from Monday January 22, there will be light exercise sessions for over 50s at the Methodist Church, Rose Street, Wokingham, from 2pm to 2.45pm and from 3pm to 4.45pm.

And for those that find standing up difficult, there will also be seated sessions at the same times of day every Wednesday from January 24 (also at the Methodist Church), where older people can enjoy some light exercise in the comfort of a chair.

Sessions will cost £1 per person, and after each session there will be time for a chat over free tea and coffee.

“In your later years, it’s as important as ever to stay fit and healthy, and it can be fun too,” says champion for older people Cllr Bob Wyatt. “At Wokingham District Council we are very aware of the danger of falls and the need for older people to stay flexible and co-ordinated. I do hope that many people will take advantage of these sessions as a way to keep supple – and also as an opportunity to meet with their friends and enjoy a cup of tea!”

Anyone interested in joining in the exercise sessions can simply turn up to the Methodist Church – there is no need to book. For more information please call the sports development unit on (0118) 974 6264.

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council’s animal warden Mandy Dorman sees 150 stray dogs every year, and many are never identified. But this Christmas, Mandy had an opportunity to reunite one prized pooch with his very relieved owner – all thanks to a tiny microchip under the dog’s skin.

Kipper, a Patterdale terrier who went missing from his Dorking home in March, was handed into Wokingham police station by a member of the public. Police alerted animal warden Mandy, who scanned the dog and revealed his microchip, before taking him to the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home at Old Windsor. She then looked up Kipper’s owners on the register of microchipped dogs – and Kipper was able to go home after nine months away from his family.

“Kipper went missing in March 2006. I had tied him up outside my office, and I heard a car pull up outside and then drive away very fast. When I got outside he was gone,” says Chris Hulme, Kipper’s owner. “I knew that if he had been picked up by the police, someone could have traced him with the microchip. But I had given up hope of him being found.”

A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice, and is placed under the dog’s skin between the shoulder blades in a simple and painless procedure. The microchip carries an identification code that is held in a central database with the owner’s details, so that if the dog is found and scanned, it can be identified and reunited with its owner. Most rescue kennels, vets and dog wardens carry scanners to check for microchips.

“I was delighted when I found Kipper had a microchip,” said Mandy. “I knew I could almost certainly reunite him with his owner. And the microchip also meant that if anyone else came forward to claim the dog, I would know whether they were genuine, or someone who might have stolen him.”

Dog thefts are a growing problem, with hundreds of dogs stolen in the UK every year. Kipper himself had been stolen twice before, but both times he was found shortly afterwards.

“Kipper is a handsome dog and very friendly, so I suppose he is an easy target for thieves,” said Chris. “The second time he was stolen, the police asked me to get him microchipped, and I did, straight away. I’m so glad I did – I would never have got him back this time if I hadn’t. I’m really impressed at how well the microchip worked.”

Executive member for Wokingham community safety Barrie Patman said: “So many missing dogs never find their way home. It is really encouraging that sometimes the animal warden is able to trace an owner in this way. I do hope it will encourage more dog owners to have their pets microchipped.”

The Battersea Dogs and Cats Home at Old Windsor also recommend microchipping. They always have between 70 and 100 dogs at the centre whose owners cannot be traced and who are waiting for new homes.

Having your dog microchipped is easy and inexpensive. For more information about microchipping, and other tips on keeping your pets safe, please call animal warden Mandy Dorman on (0118) 974 6382 or visit www.wokingham.gov.uk/dogsafety for more information.

Wokingham District Council

Police are appealing for information to an assault outside a nightclub in Wokingham.

The 18-year–old victim was sat in a car in Alexandra Court, Wokingham, with a couple of friends, after visiting the Gig House. Their car had been clamped while they had attended the nightclub.

A group of five or six males then approached the car and ripped the ‘P’ plates off the vehicle without any provocation.

The victim got out of the car to confront the group and he was punched and head-butted.

He suffered a cut above his eye, which required six stitches, and a small cut to his left cheek. He was treated at the RBH.

The incident happened at 1am on Saturday.

PC Ben Beasley, from Reading police station, said: “This was an unprovoked attack which left the victim needing hospital treatment.

“I would urge anyone with any information about this assault to contact me urgently.”

The main offender is white, around 20 years old, 5ft10ins, stocky with short brown hair and he was casually dressed.

Anyone with any information about this incident should contact PC Beasley via 0845 8 505 505.

Alternatively, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Wokingham

On Friday January 9, 2032 a time capsule will be opened that was buried on Friday (January 5, 2007) by pupils, teachers and governors at the Hawthorns Primary School in Woosehill along with Wokingham District Council’s chairman Cllr Angus Ross.

Buried in the courtyard to mark the first 25 years of the Wokingham school, the time capsule contained a collection of interesting items including local and national newspapers, a commemorative mug, a calendar and a photograph of the whole school.

Painting a picture of what life is like for them in 2007, pupils included their own thoughts in the time capsule on their favourite food and drink, clothes, music, books, television programmes, films, actors and holiday destinations. They also included what they felt was the biggest problem facing the world at the moment.

And pupils looked into the future and gave their predictions for the next 25 years on a range of topics including whether they thought life would be discovered on another planet and if the internet will replace shopping centres. Other predictions included what the climate will be like in 2032 and how much a four-bedroom detached house might cost in Wokingham.

Stephen Hempson-Jones, headteacher of Wokingham Hawthorns Primary School, said: “This unique and symbolic event has inspired our pupils to think in challenging and creative ways about the present and the future. When the time capsule is unearthed in 25 years’ time, it will be fascinating for future generations at the school and will allow them to take a peek at the past. An interesting problem for everyone involved is where their invitations should be stored to remind them about Friday January 9, 2032.”

Wokingham Cllr Angus Ross said: “Projects like this show how imaginative our local schools can be. Hawthorns Primary School have taken a very interesting approach to thinking about life now and how it might be in 25 years’ time.

“Let’s hope some of the children who buried the capsule will attend the ceremony in 2032 and reflect on their predictions and share their memories of 2007 with the younger generations in the school community. I do hope that I will be able to join them, with the current headteacher, in 2032!”

Wokingham District Council

Nine voluntary projects and social firms in Wokingham have been boosted by funding of £62,000 from the Berkshire Community Foundation (BCF) in the last three years - thanks partly to the efforts of Wokingham District Council’s income generation team.

Income generation officers from Wokingham council have been advising and supporting local organisations in their bids for ‘global grants’ from the BCF – and, as a result, the amount of global grant funding channelled into groups in the Wokingham district has doubled in the scheme’s second three-year phase.

Global grants enabled smaller groups to apply for European Social Funding (ESF). Charities, voluntary and community groups and new social firms supporting people in Berkshire were able to apply. Global grants were intended to increase the provision of activities or services that will help people move towards employment, including:

· Activities that help to build confidence and self esteem
· Life skills, interpersonal skills, teambuilding courses / activities
· Training courses for basic skills, for instance literacy and numeracy
· New social enterprises and co-operatives.

The grants are intended to pay for the running costs of the project such as transport, childcare, tools and equipment, venue hire, publicity and promotion. More than £1,000,000 has been awarded across Berkshire since the scheme began in 2001.

“Global Grants have been fantastic for small groups and new community businesses that need practical and financial support to turn their ideas into reality,” says Carrie Guinan, Project Manager from BCF. The Global Grants scheme is now closed but there are other funding opportunities on the BCF’s website for groups with innovative ideas to address the needs of young children and older adults. Please visit www.berksfoundation.org.uk to find out more.

WDC’s Executive member for community development Dianne King said: “Global Grants gave us a massive opportunity to enhance the employment prospects of disadvantaged people in our district. There are many excellent voluntary groups in Wokingham helping people to gain the skills and confidence they need. I’m delighted that the council has been able to provide such a good support service to them in their applications for funds. This is exactly the kind of partnership working that Wokingham District Council likes to support.”

Wokingham District Council

Residents of the Wokingham district are being encouraged to recycle their Christmas trees through Wokingham District Council’s green waste collection scheme, at their local tip, or at specially arranged drop-off points. Residents participating in the Wokingham green waste collection scheme can put their trees out beside their green bags on their usual day for collection. For those residents not in the green waste scheme, the council has set up special collection points as follows, on Saturday January 27, 2007:

Parish Site Time
Wargrave Wyevale Garden Centre 8am to 11am
(Hare Hatch A4)

Wokingham Without Wyevale Garden Centre 8am to 11am
(Heathlands Road)

Earley Instow Road 8am to 11am
(by Woodchip Store)

Swallowfield Village Hall 8am to 11am

It is important that all decorations are removed and no artificial trees, or those used for trade or commercial purposes will be accepted at the special collection points.

Christmas trees can also be taken to the civic amenity sites at Longshot Lane in Bracknell, or Smallmead Reading, both of which are open, seven days per week from 8am to 6pm.

Wokingham Cllr Simon Weeks, executive member for environment services, said: “I really hope people will take advantage of the opportunities available to recycle their Christmas trees. The easiest way is to put it out with your usual green waste, but for those residents who aren’t yet benefiting from the recently extended green waste collection scheme, we’ve organised special collection points for Christmas tree recycling.

Wokingham District Council

Support Horizons, the Wokingham recruitment agency business that specialises in finding employment for support workers to work with people with learning disabilities, has won runner up in the national Community Care magazine awards, a leading magazine and website that specialises in social care issues.

Based in Broad Street, Wokingham, Support Horizons was set up as a joint project between Wokingham District Council, the Wokingham Disability Partnership Board and two other service providers. It is also part owned by local people with learning disabilities.

The nomination for Support Horizons was in the Learning Difficulties category and the high profile ceremony took place in the Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, London on Thursday December 14, 2006.

To enter for a Community Care award, entrants had to present extensive details of their work to the judges. In the case of Support Horizons, this included details of costs of induction training programmes and commercial accountability.

Since April 2006, when the business was registered as a community-owned, not for profit, social enterprise, in addition to its wider work in training and employer consultation, Support Horizons has successfully made many placements with local employers.

Tim Holland, managing director of Support Horizons, said: “Our nomination was very satisfying because it acknowledged that partnership projects like ours can succeed.”

Wokingham Cllr Pauline Helliar-Symons, executive member for social care services, said: “This sector of the economy is expanding a great deal and it’s very encouraging that a Wokingham-based enterprise is at the forefront. It’s super news for Wokingham and I hope that employers in the district will be encouraged to enquire about Support Horizons work. My congratulations go to Support Horizons, the council officers and everyone else involved in making this partnership a practical success.”

Wokingham District Council

There is extra time to nominate a project into the competition for recent good building design in the Wokingham district, now that the deadline has been extended until February 16, 2007.

Sponsored by chairman of Wokingham District council Cllr Angus Ross, entry into the competition is free and offers an opportunity to win valuable recognition. All buildings completed since January 2000 by anyone, including local residents, businesses or organisations, are eligible and can be entered into the following categories:

· single house or house extension
· development of two or more houses
· commercial development
· community development
· rural development, development in a conservation area or on a listed building
· environmentally friendly construction including use of renewable materials, energy sources and high spec insulation.

Wokingham Cllr Angus Ross said: “I believe that we must promote and celebrate good building design in the Wokingham district, in both urban and rural areas, so it’s important that we acknowledge the work of those who have made a vital contribution to our architectural heritage. Developers and architects have a major influence on quality of life and competitions like this can help enhance the reputations of those whose work is especially good. Equally, sensitive extensions to buildings must be encouraged. Finally we need to promote and support environmentally friendly construction, so this is an additional category into which we welcome entries.”

The judges panel will comprise of architects Andrew Plumridge from Peter Scott and Partners and Geoff Noble, head of design review at SE Regional Design Panel, along with with Cllr Angus Ross and the council’s historic environment champion, Cllr Annette Drake.

Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at a special ceremony at the Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham on April 3, 2007 followed by a display of the winning entries in the Mall Gallery and publication of a brochure to show the best building designs in the district since 2000.

Building developments nominated for the competition must be located in the Wokingham district and must have been completed since January 2000. Entry forms can be downloaded from the council’s website at www.wokingham.gov.uk or by calling the chairman’s secretary Ann Marie Bonwick on (0118) 974 6004. All nominees must provide a photo and, if possible, plans and a statement supporting their nomination. Current owners of the building or development must also be notified.

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council’s website at www.wokingham.gov.uk has been redesigned and restructured with less jargon and clearer page design. And on January 12, members of the council’s web team will be on hand at Wokingham library to explain the new features of the site and answer questions from users.

As well as providing information, the website is now more interactive and allows residents to do many things instantly, online, which would otherwise require a phone call, letter or even a visit to the council offices. Anyone who hasn’t got access to the internet at home can use the computers in the district’s libraries, or a computer in reception at the civic offices in Shute End, Wokingham, for free access to the site.

Users can go online to pay Wokingham council tax, submit comments on planning applications, renew library books and pay parking fines, as well as a host of other tasks, and can find information about waste collections, council meetings, school catchment areas and local clubs, among many other council services. There is also a brand new postcode search facility where residents can look up their property for links to useful information about property prices, council tax, waste collections, nearby doctors and other details of their immediate area.

Anyone who would like to see the new features in action, or find out how to perform a task online, can drop in at any time during the day to meet the web team and learn all about the new site or pass on their feedback.

Wokingham District Council

To mark the first 25 years of Hawthorns Primary School in Wokingham, chairman of the council Cllr Angus Ross will attend a unique event on January 5, 2007, when a time capsule containing a collection of interesting items will be buried in the courtyard of the school building.

Copies of local Wokingham newpapers, predictions for the future, data sheets, a commemorative mug, a school calendar and a photograph of the whole school will be placed in the time capsule and buried by staff, governors and pupils of the school.

25 years later, on Friday January 9, 2032, everyone involved will be invited back to the school, when the time capsule will be unearthed, so they can review the various items and how their thoughts and predictions have fared.

Predictions in the time capsule will include possibilities such as the discovery of life on another planet and internet shopping replacing shopping centres, as well as weather predictions and how much a four-bedroom detached house might cost in Wokingham. Data sheets will also be added, listing everyone’s favourite food, drink, item of clothing, activity, game or sport, music, TV show, film, actor/actress, holiday and opinion on the biggest problem facing the world.

Cllr Angus Ross said: “Projects like this show how imaginative our local schools can be in taking such an interesting approach to thinking about life now and how it might be in some time to come.”

Stephen Hempson-Jones, headteacher of Hawthorns School, Wokingham said: “This unique and symbolic event has inspired our pupils to think in challenging and creative ways about the present and the future. An interesting question for everyone involved is where their invitations should be stored to remind them where they should be on Friday January 9, 2032.”

Wokingham District Council