Wokingham

Pupils from across the Wokingham borough are celebrating some of the best key stage 3 results across the country– after being ranked fifth nationally overall, based on an average point score taking into account English, maths and science.

Results released this week by the Department for Children, Schools and Families for exams taken at the end of key stage 3 (11 to 14-year-olds), show that pupils in the Wokingham borough achieved high levels, with many achieving above the national level 5 benchmark.

The Wokingham borough’s pupils were ranked as the top performing across the country in maths at level 5, with results putting them as first in the national league table. In both English and science they were ranked third at level five.

At level six, which represents academic understanding and attainment above the national average, the borough’s pupils were ranked fourth for maths and science and ninth for English.

At level 7, a new level which is awarded for academic excellence in the three subjects, saw the borough’s schools ranked fifth for both science and maths and 11th for English when compared to other education authorities across the country.

The results reflect the exams sat by year nine pupils last summer and continue to put the council among the top performing education authorities in the country.

Cllr Norman Jorgensen, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “These results reflect a lot of hard work by pupils and teachers, whose dedication and commitment to achieving excellence has really paid off. This high level of attainment will stand pupils in good stead for the future.

“To be ranked first for maths at level 5 in the country at key stage 3 is a real triumph for the borough’s schools. And to come third nationally for results in English and science is also fantastic news and shows the true quality of teaching and learning that we have in schools across the Wokingham borough.

“Year on year results at key stage 3 have continually put us as one of the top perfoming authorities across the country. Maintaining high levels at key stage 3 helps provide our schoolchildren with the best possible start for their GCSEs, and I hope this will ensure even more pupils will be successful as they continue their education.”

Wokingham Borough Council

Landlords of Wokingham properties with three or more storeys are being urged to make sure they are not putting their tenants’ lives in danger by obtaining the correct license.

Homes that are privately rented out across the Wokingham borough, which are three or more storeys in height, may require a licence from the council so that tenants’ health and safety is not put at risk.

Wokingham Borough Council wants to hear from any landlords that think they may need a licence and from tenants who think the property they are living in should have a licence, but currently doesn’t have one.

It is a legal requirement that a licence must be obtained for privately rented homes which:
· Are three or more floors in height, this includes town houses and properties that have shops or offices occupying one or more floors
· Have five or more people living in it, who are not related to one another
· And share communal facilities like kitchens, bathrooms and lounge areas.

A licence is necessary in properties with more floors because there is a greater risk in an emergency to tenants’ safety and wellbeing. For example if there is only one smoke detector on the ground floor, tenants living on the third floor may not hear the alarm and other tenants may not be aware of who else is at home.

The licence ensures that risks to the health and safety of all tenants is minimised by checking that equipment, precautions and procedures to safeguard their wellbeing are in place.

It is a legal requirement that landlords apply for a licence from the council if they rent out a property as set out in the criteria above. Failure to apply for a licence could result in a fine of up to £20,000.

Mary Glomé, principal Wokingham environmental health officer, said: “Landlords must ensure they are providing a safe environment for their tenants to live in. It is imperative that a licence for specific properties is granted by the council to certify large groups of tenants in bigger properties are as safe as possible.”

Cllr Barrie Patman, executive member for Wokingham community safety, added: “There is a duty of care that all landlords have to ensure their tenants are safe and at as minimal risk from harm as possible, this is why licences for certain properties are in place and need to be applied for.

“Landlords are responsible for applying for a licence and so I’d urge anyone who thinks they may need to obtain one to contact the council as soon as possible. Tenants who have concerns about whether the property they are living in needs to be licensed should also get in touch.”

The cost of a licence depends on several factors. Landlords or tenants wanting more information should call the council’s environmental health team on (0118) 974 6382 or email environmentalhealth@wokingham.gov.uk

Wokingham Borough Council

Dog walkers are being asked to keep pets on a lead or under close control while enjoying a stroll around the Wokingham borough’s countryside parks or nature reserves

An increase in the number of complaints about unruly dogs jumping up at people and causing park users to fear they may be attacked, has prompted Wokingham Borough Council’s countryside service to ask all dog walkers to be as responsible as possible when enjoying the numerous parks and nature reserves in the area.

Many of the complaints have been cases of dogs running around parks without close supervision. However, there have been reports of dogs being let off the lead and attacking other dogs as well as swans. One swan at Heathlake Nature Reserve in Crowthorne was attacked so badly it died from its injuries. No complaints about dogs attacking children or adults have been received.

Dog owners have a responsibility to take control of their pets and use leads where appropriate and close supervision at all times. Although popular with dog-walkers, the borough’s country parks and nature areas are for the whole community to enjoy, where everyone is welcome.

There is an even greater need for dog walkers to be as responsible as possible over the next few months as March 1 marks the start of bird nesting season, which runs until the end of July.

Nesting birds and their young are particularly vulnerable to disturbance from dogs, especially around lake edges at sites including Dinton Pastures Country Park in Hurst, California Country Park in Finchampstead, and Heathlake in Crowthorne.

Lucy Harris, Wokingham countryside ranger, said: “The vast majority of visitors with dogs to our country parks and nature reserves are very responsible owners. We are very fortunate to have more than 300 acres of wetlands and meadows in the borough, where dogs can be exercised, however dog owners must keep an eye on their pets at all times.

“We are particularly concerned this year as there have been two attacks on swans over the last few months. One of these was at Heathlake Nature Reserve, where a dog was off the lead and ran off from its owner and attacked the bird. Sadly it later died from its injuries.”

Cllr Simon Weeks, executive member for Wokingham environment, added: “The last thing we want to do is discourage any dog walkers from using our parks. They are a great place for exercising pets, but we do want people taking their dog for a walk to act responsibly, so everyone can enjoy our parks and open spaces.

“It’s extremely sad that one of our swans died following a dog attack, but these attacks are rare. To make sure it doesn’t happen again and that our parks remain a safe and enjoyable place for all adults, children and wildlife I’d urge all dog walkers to keep their dogs on a lead or under close supervision.”

Wild birds and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and it is an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird. It is also an offence to take, damage or destroy their nest (while being built or in use) or eggs.

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, states that anyone unable to keep a dog under proper control, especially in a public place, could face a fine of up to £5,000 or be sent to prison for up to six months.

Wokingham Borough Council

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, Wokingham Borough Council is asking mothers to spare a thought for those children and young people who cannot currently live with their own families.

Being a Wokingham foster carer is challenging but rewarding in every sense of the word and a carer can make a real difference to a child’s life. Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the happiness foster carers can give looked-after children.

One foster care success story in the Wokingham borough has been Claire and Ron who have been foster carers for 15 years. During this time they have looked after 23 children, ranging in age from one day old to 17 years-old.

Currently living with Claire and Ron is 10-year-old Molly, who cannot live with her own family at the moment. Molly is a quiet child and although not unhappy, she spends time reading or drawing on her own. She doesn’t willingly take part in family activities and since living with them, hasn’t referred to Claire and Ron by name.

Claire and Ron have spoken at length with their supervising social worker about different ways of encouraging Molly to participate more in family and school activities. Therapeutic support has helped Molly and Claire talk, especially regarding Molly’s feelings about adults. Although this has been hard work for Claire, she believes she is seeing the first signs of a breakthrough with Molly. This was reinforced earlier this month when Molly arrived home from school, came into the kitchen, put down her bag and gave Claire a hug and said “hello mum, I’ve had a lovely day.”

Suzanne Fallon, head of Wokingham specialist services, said: “This success story shows that our foster carers can make a real difference to a child’s life. And, this Mother’s Day why not bring some happiness to one of the borough’s looked-after children? If you think you have got what it takes to be a foster carer, please get in touch with us.”

The Wokingham council offers a comprehensive training and 24-hour support package and actively welcomes foster carers from all walks of life. All that is asked is that foster carers have patience, understanding and a genuine desire to help a child who, for that particular time in their life, needs a family. This will help them to return back to their own family or to a permanent suitable home.

Full training support is given and generous fostering allowances up to £450 paid per week per child. All foster carers are subject to criminal record bureau checks.

Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer can contact the fostering team on (0118) 974 6204 or by email: fostering@wokingham.gov.uk

Cllr Norman Jorgensen, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “We want to hear from anyone who thinks they have got what it takes to be a foster carer. We need local families for our local looked-after children. Their lives can be significantly improved if they are able to be cared for closer to their family home. They are able to stay at the same school and maintain the continuity of their education and friendships. The rewards of fostering are right in front of you.”

Wokingham Borough Council

There is still time for residents to discuss how the Wokingham borough should be shaped in the future by signing up to take part in this year’s Wokingham Borough Community Conference.

Wokingham Residents will be joining community, voluntary, public and private sector organisations next month, when the conference is held, to discuss how the borough should be shaped in the future. There are still approximately 20 places left as more than 80 residents have already signed up to take part.

Anyone who wants to get involved in working together for a better future in the Wokingham borough is welcome to attend the conference on Friday March 7.

The conference is organised by the Wokingham Borough Strategic Partnership (WBSP), which is made up of a range of organisations from across the borough including the borough, town and parish councils, police, fire service, health services, voluntary, community groups and the chamber of commerce.

The conference will be called ‘Shaping Wokingham Borough’ and will take place at Sindlesham Court Conference Centre and it will include:

· A discussion on the community’s priorities
· A debate on the state of the Wokingham borough
· Information how residents can get involved further
· A showcase of what the WBSP does

The WBSP will use the comments raised to shape the Local Area Agreement – which is three-year plan to improve the quality of life for everyone who lives, works and visits the borough, agreed by key community representatives, which are responsible for delivering services.

Anyone can attend the free conference, which will offer the chance to thrash out what should be prioritised through a series of short workshops, including:

· Dealing with anti-social behaviour
· Promoting healthy lifestyles – reducing obesity and the harm caused by alcohol
· Supporting and engaging older people
· Greening Wokingham borough - how you can play your part
· Developing culture in Wokingham borough
· Sustaining economic prosperity in Wokingham borough
· Supporting vulnerable children and their families

Input from the Wokingham community is invaluable to the WBSP so that it can continue to ensure it is addressing the most important issues for the borough.

Sue Roberts, policy manager, said: “The community conference is all about getting your voice heard so that we can ensure the Wokingham Borough Strategic Partnership is working towards the right targets. We have a good idea of what is important to the local community but this is the time to put forward any suggestions and ideas on how everyone can get involved. “

Cllr Dianne King, executive member for Wokingham community development, added: “The conference has been running for several years and is an invaluable way of getting the community to tell us what is important to them and what we need to explore further so we can improve their quality of life.

“A good representation from the community is important and I would urge anyone who would like to join the discussions to sign up to join us on March 7 as soon as possible.”

For more information on booking a place at the conference, which will run from 9.30am to 3.30pm and will include lunch please call Jane Harvey on (0118) 974 6008 or email jane.harvey@wokingham.gov.uk

Wokingham Borough Council

A new website making it easy for people with disabilities in the Wokingham Borough area to find things to do close to where they live will be officially launched next week.

www.wow4me.org.uk is short for ‘What’s on in Wokingham 4 Me’ and uses maps of the borough to signpost local activities and events, including places to eat and drink, enjoy drama, music, sports and leisure and find learning opportunities.

The website has been created by members of Wokingham Learning Disability Partnership Board working with local self advocacy group CLASP and community owned company Support Horizons which employs adults with learning disabilities and will maintain the website.

Website visitors can also post adverts on its Community Contact forum to get in touch with others sharing the same interests and hobbies. Staff from wow4me will moderate the website.

Internet access provided at the launch will enable people to try out the website for themselves and give feedback. Plus there will be a large screen showing people how to make use of its features.

Valuing People Project Manager Matthew Pope, said: “This is a great opportunity for people to find out places to go and things to do. All those involved in creating the website want it to become a favourite among people with learning disabilities. We are hoping to generate lots of feedback as the more information people share with us, the better the website will be for everyone.”

Wokingham Borough Council

Whether you need help to stop smoking or want to find out more about complementary therapy, your local Wokingham library will be the place to be in March when, as part of the New Year New You promotion, borough’s libraries will be focusing on health and wellbeing.

The Wokingham Complementary Therapy Clinic will be running drop-in sessions at Wokingham Library and Lower Earley in the first week of the month and there will be stop smoking information in all the borough’s libraries from Friday March 8 to Saturday March 16.

There will also be an advice session run by the Wokingham borough council’s falls advisory service and Woodley Age Concern run at both Woodley Library - on Thursday March 13 from 10am to 12 midday - and Lower Earley Library - Friday March 28 from 10am to 12 midday - and staff from Curves women’s gym will be at Wokingham Library to talk about health and fitness on Saturday March 29 from 10am to 1pm.

The terrible impact drugs can have on a family’s life will be revealed by local author Elizabeth Burton-Phillips when she discusses her book Mum Can You Lend Me Twenty Quid? What Drugs Did To My Family. Mrs Burton-Phillips’ twin sons were both drug addicts and the addiction eventually cost one of them his life. She will be talking at Wokingham Library from 7.30pm to 9pm on Tuesday March 18 and places can be booked from the library on 0118 978 1368.

In addition to these ‘healthy’ events, Wokingham Library will be running a workshop on how to use the online auction website eBay on Friday March 28 from 10am to 1pm. The library is also running an evening book group on the first Thursday of each month and will be hosting one of its regular Berkshire Family History Society drop-in sessions on Tuesday March 25 from 2pm to 5pm.

Executive member for Wokingham community development Cllr Dianne King said: “A healthy mind and a healthy body are two of the most important things in life and the borough’s libraries will be the places to go for help with both in March. Hopefully all residents will be tempted into the library by one of them.”

Wokingham Borough Council

Maisy Mouse-themed parties for under-fives to mark World Book Day and Manga workshops for teenagers are among the highlights for young people in the Wokingham borough’s libraries in March.

World Book Day is on Thursday March 6 and the event will be celebrated at Woodley Library from 2.15pm to 3pm and at Lower Earley Library from 2.30pm to 3.15pm with Maisy Mouse-themed parties. Maisy Mouse is the star of a series of popular children’s books by Lucy Cousins and the parties will give her young fans a chance to join in plenty of Maisy fun and games. The parties are free for under fives and parents but call the libraries – Woodley: 0118 969 0304 and Lower Earley: 0118 931 2150 – to book.

The Maisy theme will continue in the Wokingham borough libraries’ regular storytime sessions, many of which will feature stories and crafts based on the popular mouse’s adventures. The Maisy-themed storytimes will be at Wargrave, Wokingham, Arborfield Container, Twyford, Spencer Wood and Maiden Erlegh libraries. There will be regular storytime sessions at Woodley Library.

In March there will also be a chance for dads to join in the fun at dads and children storytimes, where under tens and their dads can enjoy fun stories and crafts together. These will be at held at Twyford, Wokingham, Lower Earley, Spencers Wood, Winnersh and Woodley libraries.

Young Wokingham children will also be able to enjoy the Chatterbooks family reading groups that will continue in March. They are for seven to ten-year-olds and parents and are held at Woodley Library and Lower Earley Library every three weeks. The next sessions will be at Lower Earley Library from 4pm to 4.45pm on Monday March 10 and Woodley Library from 5.30pm to 6.15pm from Thursday March 13. Places are free but call the libraries to book.

Wokingham Library’s Manga Club - for teenagers interested in the Japanese cartoon drawings - meets every third week and the next meeting is on Thursday March 13 from 4.45pm to 5.45pm. Places are free and to book call the library on 0118 978 1368.

As well as these activities, Wokingham, Woodley and Lower Earley libraries will be hosting their regular Get Arty and Baby Rhymetime sessions in March. Get Arty will be at Wokingham Library on Saturday March 15 from 10.30am to 11.30am; Woodley Library from 11am to 12 midday on Saturday March 1 and 22 and at the same time and dates at Lower Earley Library. The Baby Rhymetime sessions will be at Wokingham Library from 10.30am to 11am and 11.30am to 12 midday on Tuesday March 4; Woodley Library from 10.30am to 11am on Tuesday March 11 and Lower Earley Library from 10.30am to 11am and 11.30am to 12 midday on Tuesday March 18.

Wokingham Borough Council executive member for community development Cllr Dianne King said: “The idea of dads and children storytimes is a great one and they should be a good opportunity for dads to spend some fun time reading with their children. With a range of activities from Manga to Maisy Mouse, there should be something for all young people at the borough’s libraries next month.”

Wokingham Borough Council

Improvements to facilities at Cantley Park in Wokingham are a step closer after getting the green light from Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee last night (February 20).

Subject to a number of conditions and agreement by the Environment Agency, approval was given by the Wokingham committee for a small football stand accommodating 250 people, flood lighting, 59 extra parking spaces and improved walkways at Cantley Park.

Since May, the Cantley Park Forum, comprising local Wokingham residents’ associations, current sport users, local councillors and other interested parties, has met regularly to discuss the proposals. A number of issues have been discussed at the forum meetings including funding for the project, car parking and traffic, pedestrian access, noise levels from the PA system, potential light nuisance and adequate match-day marshalling. There have also been separate meetings with the residents of Glebe Park in Wokingham to discuss parking issues.

The full Wokingham scheme will see football pitches at Cantley Park being upgraded with drainage being improved and the current astro-turf pitch replaced. The existing Ashridge Room will be converted for use as a small social club run by Wokingham and Emmbrook Football Club in the evenings and weekends and by the council and community during the day. Changing rooms and toilets will also be upgraded. There will also be an improved referees changing room and a medical room benefiting all users of the site.

The project proposal incorporates screening off a single premier-level pitch for use by Wokingham and Emmbrook Football Club. There will be training benches, pay boxes, floodlighting, PA system and a hard standing area, measuring one metre around the whole pitch.

Improvements for pedestrians will also be made with a path from Twyford Road through the site, and there will be additional parking and a drop off area to help alleviate off site parking at peak times.

Plans were presented on two occasions at the Cantley Forum meetings, once with the initial project plan in June 2007 and again in September 2007 when the planning application was being prepared. Consideration was given to requests and comments made by forum members in formulating the plans.

Cllr Dianne King, executive member for Wokingham community development, said: “The Cantley Forum has met frequently for almost a year now and has helped the council develop the planning application. We have listened to the comments and requests made by forum members. This has helped us develop the proposals and their concerns are covered by conditions to the planning approval. I am pleased agreement has been given to the plans and we can now move forward to make these leisure facilities even better. Cantley Park is a great venue and we are very much committed to ensuring it is enjoyed by local residents as well as all the sporting clubs who use the facilities.

“This project is not just about providing a premier pitch for Wokingham and Emmbrook Football Club; it is about improving facilities for all sports in the borough. As set out in the council’s sport and leisure strategy, we want to expand sporting programmes for all sports and to encourage our residents to become more physically active. I very much look forward to the project moving to the next stage.”

The Wokingham council has been preparing bids for Football Foundation funds to improve the current pitches, improve car parking and pedestrian access as well as bidding for a Football Stadia grant to construct the premier pitch and stand. The planning committee’s decision to approve planning permission subject to meeting the Environment Agency requirements and conditions means that the council can now submit these bids to the Football Association.

Wokingham Borough Council

Next time an under-age Wokingham drinker asks you to buy them alcohol, do them - and yourself - a favour and say no.

That is the ‘message in a bottle’ from Wokingham Borough Council’s community safety and licensing teams, who have joined forces with Thames Valley Police to put a stop adults buying booze for young people.

The Wokingham council has produced posters for off-licences around the borough warning adults that buying alcohol for under-age drinkers not only puts the young people in danger but could also hit them in their pockets. Buying alcohol on behalf of under-18s is a crime and anybody caught doing it could be handed an on-the-spot £80 fine or end up in court, where they could be fined up to £5,000.

Off-licences in the borough will also be given small information cards to hand to customers warning them of the possible fines if they buy alcohol for under-18s.

Wokingham Borough Council executive member for community safety Cllr Barrie Patman said: “If under-age drinkers are denied the chance to buy alcohol by vigilant off-licences, their next step is often to try to get an adult to buy it for them – and that is much harder for off-licence staff to identify and stop a sale. The important message we need to get across is that it is illegal to buy an under-age person alcohol. Also, while it may seem as though you are doing the young person a favour by buying them alcohol, you are not – you are actually hurting them by exposing them to the health risks of drinking too much and the potential danger of being drunk and vulnerable on the street.”

When young people drink they are not just harming their bodies, but are also exposing themselves to greater risk of violent and sexual attacks and increasing the chance of committing crimes - such as criminal damage or affray - themselves.

If you are asked to purchase alcohol on behalf on somebody who is underage, or witness a young person asking other people to do so, please call Thames Valley Police on 0845 8 505 505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Please give as much information as you can, including the date, time, location and descriptions of those involved.

Most off-licences in the Wokingham borough operate a Challenge 21 or Challenge 25, which means if somebody looks under that age, they are challenged to produce appropriate ID before purchasing alcohol.

Wokingham Borough Council

Residents in the Wokingham Borough have been invited to give their views on alcohol misuse and how it can be tackled in a debate being run across West Berkshire.

The Drink Debate is being coordinated by Berkshire West Primary Care Trust and supported by Wokingham Borough Council and other authorities. The debate aims to establish the local population’s views on subjects such as alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour, the amount or advice and information provided on alcohol, the size of wine measures offered in pubs and whether alcopops and alcohol advertising should be banned. Results from the questionnaires will be used in the production of the new Berkshire West Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy.

Wokingham Borough Council executive member for community safety Cllr Barrie Patman said: “Many people enjoy a drink, but there are also an increasing number of people who cause problems to themselves and others with the amount they drink. Alcohol is the cause of many health and relationship problems and it is also a major factor behind a huge number of crimes. It is important that as many people as possible in the Wokingham Borough take part in this debate and help tackle this growing problem.”

Details of The Drink Debate and the questionnaire can be found at www.berkshirewest-pct.nhs.uk and copies of the questionnaire are also available on request through the Public Health Directorate at the PCT on 0118 982 2890.

Wokingham Borough Council coordinator for the health of young people Jane Wood, who has worked with the PCT on the project, said: “This debate will enable the PCT to get a picture of people’s perception of alcohol and the problems it can cause. It will be interesting to see the results, which will be very useful in forming future policy.”

Wokingham Borough Council

Flower-powered Wokingham residents and green fingered local businesses are invited to take part in Wokingham Town Council’s annual competition for all amateur gardeners within the town boundary.

This year has an additional category of ‘best commercial floral display’ for retailers, restaurants and public houses. The four other categories will be best front garden, best back garden, best window boxes and containers, and disabled gardeners’ best window boxes and containers.

Wokingham Gardens and displays can be nominated or gardeners can enter themselves. Entry forms will be available from the information centre at the Town Hall or by downloading an entry form from the website at www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk.

Judging will take place in the first two weeks of July by members of Wokingham Horticultural Association. Winners of each category will receive a trophy and £50 prize money. There will also be prizes for second and third places in each category. Winners will be featured in The Wokingham Times and will be invited to attend a presentation evening at the Town Hall in September where the Mayor and sponsors will present the awards.

Wokingham town centre manager Brian Newman said: “We are currently seeking additional sponsors for all categories and would be pleased to hear from any interested parties. The competition was extremely popular last year and I think the beautiful gardens really encourage people to come to the town. It’s a pleasant place to walk round, especially in the summer.”

Champion for town centres Cllr Julian McGhee Sumner said: “I am really looking forward to the blazing colours we see in the town’s gardens during the spring and summer months and I am hoping that the new category for businesses will make the gardening competition a better celebration of our lovely town centre than ever before.”

Wokingham Borough Council

Wokingham town centre manager Brian Newman is hoping that shoppers will soon bag more than just the bargain they came to buy – by purchasing the town’s new eco-friendly reusable shopping bag.

After he was asked by several local Wokingham businesses to investigate the possibility of reusable shopping bags which could be sold to customers, Mr Newman had a sample bag made from calico and is very pleased with the result. He hopes to have the must-have new bags on sale by the end of February.

Mr Newman said: “The bag will cost £2 and I hope that it will not only promote the town but will also support reusable merchandise.”

Champion for town centres Cllr Julian McGhee-Sumner said: “The council is very keen to promote any initiative which will divert disposable items from landfill, and reusable bags will help with the council’s message that people should reduce or reuse items before they resort to recycling. Better still, it could be a great advert for our lovely market town if people are carrying bags to promote it!”

Any business interested in selling the bags should contact Mr Newman to see samples of the bag. A discount may be possible for bulk orders.

Wokingham Borough Council

Every day three young people die in traffic collisions on Britain’s roads - and one in three newly qualified drivers will be involved in a collision within their first two years of driving.

But young drivers in the Wokingham Borough will have a ‘Motorvation’ to be safe this half term. They can learn how to minimise the risks associated with their first few years behind the wheel thanks to a free day workshop provided by Wokingham Borough Council and highway consultants Mouchel, in conjunction with the Berkshire Association of Clubs for Young People, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Highways Agency.

On Wednesday February 20 from 9.15am until 3.45pm, Motorvation workshops will be held at Woodley Airfield Youth Centre, Hurricane Way, offering information and practical advice for young people learning to drive or newly qualified.

The day will cover the hazards facing new drivers, the legal requirements when using a motor vehicle on public roads, the effect on family and community when a young person is involved in a traffic-related incident and the issues that can arise when purchasing a second hand vehicle. There will also be a presentation from the Highways Agency about motorway driving, which is a recent addition to the Motorvation programme.

Wokingham Road safety officer Katie Webb said: “The workshops offer young people a lot of valuable help. They include an opportunity to experience first hand what it is like to operate a motor vehicle in controlled safe surroundings - the first opportunity that many participants will have to drive a real car.

“There are also photographs and video footage of road traffic accidents in the workshops which can be a little shocking. Life is precious and needs taking seriously, this can only be achieved if we demonstrate how fragile we as human beings are. A car weighs on average one tonne and can wipe out whole families in one go. Road users need to appreciate that to own a motor vehicle is to be handed a huge responsibility.”

Wokingham Participants also learn basic first aid skills and what to do if they are first at the scene of an accident. And the session on second-hand cars helps participants to find a car’s Vehicle Identification Number, spot cut’n’shuts, recognise when a vehicle has been involved in an accident, recognise heavy use and make better judgements on what is a genuine safe vehicle.

Another session looks at how drink and drugs affect driving, both for a driver and a passenger, and the problems of peer pressure whilst driving. This workshop suggests solutions for coping in situations where passengers are difficult to control.

Executive member for Wokingham highways and transport Cllr Keith Baker said: “This workshop will equip the participants with the necessary confidence and awareness that could help save a life in the event of an accident. But I hope it will go further than that and prevent some of these accidents from happening in the first place, by raising young people’s awareness of what is involved with being responsible for a car and its passengers. I urge young people who want to drive to get in touch and take advantage of this excellent workshop.”

Anyone aged 15 to 19 years old can attend Motorvation. To book a place please contact road safety officer Katie Webb on (0118) 936 7301 or at katie.webb@mouchel.com

Wokingham Borough Council

Wokingham Borough Council’s long-term vision to work with its partners to make the borough ‘a great place to live and work, where residents feel valued and the council promotes economic growth with good quality of life and opportunity for all’, is set to be given the green light by the decision-making executive next week.

At their meeting on Thursday February 21, the executive members will also consider the high level priorities that the council will need to pursue with its partners in order to turn the vision describing the sort of place it wants the Wokingham Borough to be in 10 to 20 years’ time into reality.

The proposed Wokingham priorities are:

· Sound finances and value for money
· Excellent children’s services and skills for all
· Better health for all and support for vulnerable people
· A cleaner and greener local environment
· Keeping the borough moving
· Sustainable, quality development
· Safer and stronger communities
· Keeping the customer satisfied

Wokingham Chief executive Susan Law said: “Much has been written about the importance of a powerful organisational vision and the way in which it can inspire high performance and help to recruit and retain key members of staff. The vision is a high level document and has been written to reflect the council’s role in delivering with our partners on the emerging Community Strategy and new Local Area Agreement. The themes within the vision will also provide a framework for the council’s strategic financial and service planning and provide clarity for members, officers and key stakeholders about the challenges we face and the action we will take to improve the quality of life of all our residents.

Mrs Law added: “It is very important for the council to be clear about its direction and what we want the Wokingham Borough to be like in the future. We are not going to manage to be all things to all people and we cannot do everything. But through discussion with our partners and previous general consultations we believe that the priorities set to be agreed next week by the executive are the most important for our residents.

“Once agreed, we will be able to channel our energy and resources into achieving these priorities which will guide our work into the future. And over the coming years, residents will be able to see appreciable progress on each and every one of these priorities.”

Council leader Wokingham Cllr Frank Browne said: “Successful organisations in the public and private sectors invariably have a clear long-term vision which is shared by all the key stakeholders. The council’s proposed vision sets out the sort of place we want the borough to evolve into and how we will tackle the key challenges facing us over the next 10 to 20 years. It will be a key step in the development and modernisation of the council.”

Wokingham Borough Council

Over a third of a million pounds in grant funding for the voluntary sector is set to be considered by Wokingham Borough Council’s decision-making executive at their meeting this month (February 21).

The ten-strong executive will be asked to approve £344,550 worth of grants for 2008/09 to organisations dedicated to helping people in the Wokingham Borough. These go to small community organisations such as local support groups as well as larger charities that operate locally such as the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and Wokingham Volunteer Centre.

The annual voluntary sector grants are part of the overall package of support Wokingham Borough Council gives to local voluntary and community groups in recognition of the considerable work they do in providing a wide range of services to local communities. The council has discretionary powers to direct resources to supporting local voluntary and community sector development, including annual revenue grants, service level agreements, economic development work, accommodation grants and discretionary rate relief. For 2008/09 this will equate to more than £2.2million.

The council’s financial support for the voluntary and community sector highlights its commitment to the Voluntary Sector Compact between the council, Berkshire West Primary Care Trust and Voluntary Action Wokingham Borough, which was agreed at last year’s community conference. The compact sets out a framework for how agencies should work together more effectively and followed extensive consultation across the local community.

The Wokingham executive will also be asked to consider £54,935 grant to Voluntary Action Wokingham Borough for one year. If agreed, this would be subject to further work being carried out with the organisation over the next six months to identify key outcomes and performance indicators in relation to the local area agreement and comprehensive area assessment processes.

Wokingham Cllr Dianne King, executive member for community development, said: “The council fully recognises and appreciates the key role the voluntary sector play throughout the Wokingham Borough in providing much-needed services to the local population. We continue to invest in our relationship with the voluntary sector and support a number of local organisation, projects and services.

“If approved, it would be pleasing to be able to maintain the level of grant funding plus inflation wherever possible; a move that increases support to the voluntary sector at a time when we particularly need its help.”

Wokingham Borough Council

Wokingham Choral Society
Carl Orff: Carmina Burana
Jonathan Dove: The Passing of the Year
Maurice Ravel: Mother Goose Suite
Edvard Grieg: Choral Suite
Conductor: Alexander Chaplin
Soprano: Helen Massey
Counter-tenor : Robin Tyson
Baritone: Grant Doyle
Children's Choir: Spelthorne Young Voices
Piano: Eileen Broster & Christopher Cromar

Eton College School Hall, High Street, Eton SL4 6AN

Tickets: £17 balcony, £14 (£12 concessions) stalls available from Sue Bryant 0118 934 0283 tickets@wokingham-choral-society.org.uk , Bookends Peach Street, Wokingham Information Centre, Choir Members.

Wokingham Borough Council’s decision-making executive is set to boost the borough’s economic development later this month (February) with a contribution of almost £87,000 to five local organisations.

At its meeting on February 21, the Wokingham council’s ten strong executive will consider allocating a share of £86,940 to Wokingham Job Support Centre, Woodley Town Centre Management Initiative, Twyford Village Centre Management Initiative, Social Enterprise Berkshire and Wokingham Town Centre Steering Committee.

Wokingham Job Support Centre provides a service for job seekers in Wokingham including advice and guidance from trained volunteers on all aspects of employment from finding job opportunities to assistance in developing CVs and preparing for job interviews. They are set to be allocated £16,200 for contribution to services.

If the grants are approved, Woodley Town Centre Management Initiative would be awarded £14,560 as a contribution for events and activities in the town. Woodley town centre regularly holds popular farmers and continental markets which brings additional trade to the town. The grant would also be used to help fund the town centre manager.

A grant of £22,500 is set to be awarded to Wokingham Town Centre Steering Committee to fund the employment of the Wokingham Town Centre Manager, which is a joint agreement between Wokingham Town Council and the borough council.

Twyford Village Centre Management Initiative is set to be re-launched this year and the grant of £4,690 help support events and activities involving both businesses and the wider community. Subject to approval, Social Enterprise Berkshire’s (SEB) grant would contribute to part funding one advisor. SEB provides information, advice and support services for the development of social enterprises and for voluntary organisations looking at developing sustainable income generation.

The economic development grants are part of the overall £2.2million package of support Wokingham Borough Council gives to local organisations, voluntary and community groups in recognition of the considerable work they do in providing a wide range of services to local communities.

Cllr Dianne King, executive member for community development, said: “The council is pleased to offer its support to organisations who influence the economic well-being of the Wokingham Borough. These grants continue our partnership working with local organisations and also demonstrate our support to the borough’s town and village centre management initiatives.

“It would be pleasing to be able to maintain the level of grant funding plus inflation wherever possible and I do hope the executive support the proposals.”

Wokingham Borough Council

Are you a keen Wokingham reader who’s stuck at home because of illness, disability or lack of mobility? If so, or if you know somebody who is, Wokingham Borough Council’s Home Library Service wants to hear from you.

The Wokingham Home Library Service - formerly the Homebound Delivery Service - is manned by volunteers coordinated by Wokingham Borough Council and currently delivers books and spoken word cassettes and CDs to 140 readers who are unable to visit their local library because of illness, disability or lack of mobility. The books are collected and delivered by trained volunteers.

And now, thanks to having taken on and trained more volunteers, the service is looking for more residents to help.

Wokingham Borough Council’s volunteer service coordinator Claire Tuckett said: “Our brilliant volunteers currently deliver books to 140 readers in day centres, residential homes and their own homes. And now we would love to hear from more homebound residents who would like to join the scheme. It is free and a great way for those who struggle to get out keep up with their reading. If you feel you could benefit from the service, or know anybody else who might, please get in touch.”

The service also received a boost from Waitrose in Wokingham, which contributed to the cost of 50 strong, environmentally-friendly jute bags that will help volunteers carry more books to their readers.

Wokingham Borough Council executive member for community development Cllr Dianne King said: “This is a good example of a local business helping an important local service and I am delighted Waitrose has agreed to support the home library service.”

Application forms for the home library service are available from all Wokingham Borough libraries or by phoning Wokingham Library on 0118 978 1368.

Wokingham Borough Council

A bereaved mother who lost one of her twin sons to drug addiction and the daughter of an alcoholic spoke of their personal experiences at a public Wokingham meeting last week.

Elizabeth Burton-Phillips, whose son Nick hanged himself in 2004 after years of heroin addiction and Emma Spiegler, who is the daughter of an alcoholic, have both set up support groups to help people in similar positions and have also both written books on the subjects. And, at a Drug and Alcohol Evening Address at Wokingham Borough Council’s Shute End offices in Wokingham on Wednesday February 6th, they told how drugs and alcohol could take over people’s lives.

Wokingham Borough Council Mayor Cllr Annette Drake opened the evening and those attending also heard from Jane Wood, coordinator for the Health of Young People for the borough council, John Howard, manager of charity Reading User Forum and Wokingham Area Chief Inspector Tony Ismay.

Jane Wood said: “The evening was emotionally draining but put real people and the effects on their lives in the place of the statistics seen in the media.”

Anybody concerned about drug or alcohol issues can contact Jane Wood, coordinator for the Health of Young People on 0118 974 3795 or Laura Fairbairn, drug action team officer on 0118 974 3795.

Wokingham Borough Council

Former IT professional Paul Cockayne has turned his back on the nine-to-five world of 3M in Bracknell, where he worked for 25 years, to pursue a solo Wokingham music career playing the vibraphone. Since leaving his job in May, Paul has made an album, Sticking With It, a title which refers to his use of a sensational four-mallet technique which was originally perfected by vibes legend Gary Burton in the 1960s.

“I’ve always been a fan of jazz and spent more and more time playing vibes as part of a band and solo, until it reached the point where I had to just give in and do it for real!” Paul explains.

Vibraphone is often used as an alternative to piano or guitar but has an unusual ringing quality. As well as an established repertoire, Paul enjoys improvising, which means he can create unique pieces when he plays at special events such as weddings and parties.

“Audiences enjoy listening carefully, especially when the music is being composed specially for them, but vibes can also provide terrific background music on occasions when people are chatting,” Paul reveals. “I quite like the challenge of giving them music to swing to as well as music for murmuring.”

As well as making the most of music, busy Paul has also been a relationship counsellor in Berkshire since 2004. “I suppose that was when I started to want a change. This is all very different to the years I spent in an office,” Paul laughs. “My New Year resolution for 2007 was to do something different – I certainly stuck to it this time,” he says.

Paul Cockayne, 37 Windmill Ave, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 3XA. 0118 979 2875

In its latest national assessment, Wokingham Borough Council has been rated as a good council that is continuing to improve.

The Wokingham borough council’s comprehensive performance assessment (CPA) for 2007 by the Audit Commission gave it a three out of four star rating, meaning it is defined as being ‘good’ and that its services are ‘improving adequately’. The council has some ‘high performing’ services, ‘provides good value for money’ and is ‘performing strongly in the use of resources’. Educational achievement remains high and services to children and young people have improved. Planning applications are being decided faster and waste recycling rates are good and continue to improve, making the council one of the top recycling authorities in the country.

The CPA is an inspection by the Audit Commission to assess how well local authorities provide services and serve their communities. The authority’s overall rating is made up of individual assessments for the way it uses its resources and delivers services as well a corporate assessment that looks at the quality of the council’s leadership and plans for the future.

The Wokingham borough council scored a top four out of four in the use of resources category (which examines how the authority ensures it is providing the highest possible service standards at the lowest possible cost) putting it in the top ten per cent of all councils in the country.

The council scored three out of four for both its environment services and benefits service. Its revenues service has continued to improve the proportion of council tax collected, up to 99.2 per cent in 2006/07, which was the second highest level of performance in the country.

The Wokingham Borough continues to perform strongly in education, with the 2007 annual performance assessment carried out by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) finding that the council has made significant progress with good capacity to improve even further.

Whilst many services continue to improve, some areas require development. Adult social care, for example, is assessed as adequate with uncertain capacity for improvement, while elements of housing management need to improve. Community safety is assessed as fair with uncertain prospects for improvement. Action plans are, however, in place to address the areas identified by the Audit Commission.

And the Wokingham council is improving its performance management arrangements and becoming even more efficient. The scrutiny committee is moving in the right direction to improve its contribution to the way the council works and the council is working with partners to agree a new community strategy and Local Area Agreement that will sustain focus on improving outcomes.

Wokingham Borough Council

Wokingham borough residents are being urged to say good riddance to all scam mailings.

Wokingham Borough Council’s Trading Standards team has joined forces with the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to crack down on scam mailings circulating in the area, by asking all residents to put any potential scam mail into a Scamnesty Bin.

The specially marked Scamnesty Bins are located at Wokingham Borough Council’s Civic Offices in Shute End, Wokingham and at all Wokingham Borough Council Libraries.

The Scamnesty campaign, will be running from February 5 to 27 and is part of Scams Awareness Month, which will run throughout February across the country.

Wokingham Borough Council’s trading standards team are frequently alerted to potential scam mailings. Nationally scam mail costs residents, businesses and organisations £3.5billion a year.

Mass mail scams are usually in the form of lotteries, deceptive prize draws, fake psychics, get-rich-quick schemes, sweep-stakes and miracle health cures. They are usually sent through the post but can be made via email or over the phone and target elderly or vulnerable people.

Research by the OFT suggests that only five per cent of scam mailing is reported to Trading Standards so the leaflets and other mail shots collected in the special bins could provide essential information in catching scammers and preventing other people from becoming a victim.

Cllr Barrie Patman, executive member for Wokingham community safety, said: “Mail scams are a particularly cruel way of getting vulnerable or elderly people to part with their cash for a service which is either non-existent or not what is advertised.

“If we all bin these leaflets it will give us the opportunity to crack down on those people preying on the vulnerable.”

Mike Haley, OFT Director of Consumer Protection, added: “We want to empower the public to help beat the scammers by participating in the Scamnesty campaign. Any scam mailings that are dropped in the bins could be vital in gathering intelligence on the latest scams and in stopping the worst offenders from continuing to bring misery to thousands of vulnerable people each year.”

Wokingham Borough Council

Wokingham borough is now on the map thanks to exciting new developments on Wokingham Borough Council’s website www.wokingham.gov.uk.

The new interactive Wokingham maps at www.wokingham.gov.uk/maps allow visitors to look at different layers of information on the maps of their local area, including schools, local nature reserves and rubbish and recycling collection days.

The maps have a new, simpler layout and, in response to public request, there are now a number of new information layers available, including mobile telephone communication masts, cycle lanes, bus routes and secondary school designated areas.

The design falls in line with other mapping websites such as ‘Multimap’, with similar controls and zoom options so that users will find the tools familiar. Visitors can search for individual addresses and points of interest and can even find local services with a ‘find my nearest’ search tool. Layers can also be turned on and off, so the map being viewed is tailored specifically for the visitor’s needs.

In addition to the new interactive maps, people can now access population, housing and ethnicity data from the 2001 census. This data is displayed on interactive ‘thematic’ maps, which are colour coded to show the distribution of data. These can be seen at: www.wokingham.gov.uk/thematic-maps

The new interactive maps and census data web pages add to an array of map facilities already available on the Wokingham Borough Council website, including the street light fault reporting and ‘My Wokingham’ tools.

Champion for information and communications technology (ICT) Cllr Philip Mirfin said: “Wokingham has one of the highest rates in the country for residents using online tools and finding council services through the internet.

“Therefore as part of the new Customer First programme to improve customer service we are paying particular attention to our web-based services and making sure our online customers are well catered for. An efficient, user-friendly map system is an excellent additional service for us to offer which will be highly useful to many people. Residents with little time for searching through printed literature or visiting council offices will welcome a clear and quick map reference to local services that they can access online.”

For more information, please contact the council’s GIS central team at giscentralteam@wokingham.gov.uk or on (0118) 974 6650.

Wokingham Borough Council

Plans to revamp a Finchampstead Country Park, Wokingham are now more than just California dreaming, after the project received a boost from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) earlier this month.

Wokingham Borough Council’s countryside service is looking at ways to improve California Country Park, to ensure that it meets the community’s needs and is a bustling park with activities available all year round.

An application to the HLF to upgrade the park, through its Parks for People scheme, has passed the first hurdle, after the Wokingham borough council’s preliminary bid to help plan the project was approved earlier this month.

The council’s countryside service will now use this £13,500 grant to conduct visitor surveys and ask the community what it wants to see at the park. With the help of local residents, community groups, local councillors and businesses the project board will then pull together a vision for the park and submit it to the HLF for full funding.

The vision for the park could include improving transport links, developing the cultural history of the park, improving recreational opportunities, installing new play equipment and improving pedestrian access to the country park in Nine Mile Ride.

A stakeholder group, including community and business representatives will be meeting regularly to help drive the vision forward and to promote public consultation.

If the project bid passes the next stage of the application this autumn a second stage with further detail would take place in 2009. The HLF would then make a decision in 2010 and if successful, work would be completed by summer 2011.

Cllr Simon Weeks, executive member for Wokingham environment, said: “Gaining funding to outline an upgrade of California Country Park is great news, as it means we can really push on with creating a vision for the park that makes our community proud.”

“It is a long process that relies on the Heritage Lottery Fund approving the scheme and releasing full funding, but if we do get the grant it could mean a whole host of improvements are put in place at the park, which the community has told us it wants to see there.”

Wokingham Borough Council

After four years’ hard work, the expansion of Maiden Erlegh School is now complete thanks to a £7.5million investment from Wokingham Borough Council.

And to celebrate, headteacher Dr Peter Thomas and Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for children’s services Cllr Norman Jorgensen, will attend a special ceremony on Tuesday (February 5) to mark the occasion.

The school in Earley has been expanded to offer extra places and more choice and has seen the school transformed with new facilities including a sixth form block, all-weather sports pitch, business studies centre, additional classrooms as well as an extension of the dining room.

The final phase of the Wokingham project has seen the construction of a single-storey science and mathematics block, four spacious classroom areas and three science laboratories and pupils are already benefiting from the new facilities this term. The former science and general purpose building – a temporary structure - has now been removed. The playing field will also be extended and there is a new wildlife area including a pond, within the school grounds, meaning pupils can be taught in a dedicated outdoor area.

Headteacher Dr Peter Thomas said: “The new facilities are already having a significant impact on learning and teaching and I am delighted the building works have come to fruition. I am grateful to the council for this investment as we can now provide education in facilities fit for the 21st century.”

Wokingham Borough Council

Sports enthusiasts are being treated to another major event at one of Wokingham Borough Council’s parks next weekend.

The Wokingham Half Marathon will be putting runners through their paces on Sunday February 10. Athletes from around the south east will be taking part in the gruelling 13.5-mile race – which starts and finishes at Cantley Park in Twyford Road.

Runners will be pounding the Wokingham borough’s pavements and returning to the finish line at Cantley Park.

The annual race is the second sporting event to take place in one of the borough council’s parks over the past month, as on Sunday January 20 the final round of the Wessex Cyclo Cross League was held at Ashenbury Park in Woodley.

The council’s parks and open spaces team is keen to get even more people to use parks maintained by Wokingham Borough Council, like Cantley Park and Ashenbury Park, for sporting, social and corporate events.

Cllr Simon Weeks, executive member for Wokingham environment, said: “I’m so pleased that so many people gather at Cantley Park to start and finish the race. It’s a really worthy race that makes a lot of money for charity and tests lots of sporting men, women and children to the physical limit. I hope many people go along to the park next Sunday to cheer on the runners.

Wokingham Borough Council

There will be more serious matters on the table than fortune cookies and chop-sticks when the Wokingham borough’s very first food safety conference in Chinese languages is held later this month.

Wokingham Borough Council’s environmental health team will be hosting a special Safer Food Better Business course on Monday February 25, aimed at giving food business managers, staff and proprietors, whose main language is Cantonese or Mandarin, advice on food safety, standards and management.

The Wokingham course has been offered to English speakers already and has been successful in educating food business mangers on a variety of food-safety topics. However, because the borough has a number of Chinese restaurants it was decided to offer the course in Cantonese and Mandarin for people whose first language wasn’t English, but would benefit from the course.

Emily Chan, an environmental health officer form the London Borough of Wandsworth, will be leading the course in the two languages, with help from the council’s own environmental health team.

Topics covered throughout the day will include:

· Cross contamination
· Cleaning
· Cooking
· Chilling
· Management skills

Advice on the day will help businesses comply with laws introduced in January 2006, which stated all food businesses had to have a food safety management system in place – this involves businesses examining all food operations, identifying where risks may occur and reducing those risks.

The Wokingham council already helps businesses through offering guidance and prompting the Food Standard Agency’s Safer Food Better Business packs, which are available in Chinese and Indian languages and cover all the key points needed for a solid food safety management system.

Peter Haikin, environmental health manager, said: “It’s important that we help as many members of the food business community as possible to get a good food safety management system in place, which is why we’re offering this course in Chinese languages.”

Cllr Barrie Patman, executive member for Wokingham community safety, added: “Not only is it a legal requirement to have a food management system in place, it is also a way of making sure that restaurants, take-aways, cafés and pubs take food hygiene, safety and management seriously.

“ We’ve provided a course in Chinese languages to ensure that those people who would benefit from this information but would find it difficult to understand in English, have the opportunity to learn about the importance of food safety, so the borough’s restaurants remain safe places to eat.”

Wokingham Borough Council

Wokingham Mums and dads are being given the chance to make sure their tots are sitting correctly in the car through a series of free seat checks next week.

Research shows that more than 80 per cent of infant car seats are fitted incorrectly, which can contribute to injuries and death in car collisions. Therefore to ensure the safety and wellbeing of tots across the Wokingham Borough a free car seat checking service will be available for concerned parents.

The checks have been organised by Wokingham Borough Council, its highways consultant Mouchel, and the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service. Parents can pop along to two sessions on:

· Thursday February 7 from 9.30am to 2.30pm at Morrisons supermarket in Woosehill
· Friday February 8 from 9.30am to 2.30pm at Asda in Chalfont way, Earley.

Under laws introduced in 2006 all children up to 135 cm in height and under 12 years of age must have a correctly fitting child seat restraint every time they travel in a car. As well as providing the child seat checks the team will be able to offer advice on how to keep all children safely seated while travelling.

Katie Webb, Wokingham road safety officer, said: “Checking the fitting of all child car seats is extremely important because in the event of a collision they could prove life-saving. These checks are absolutely free so I’d urge all parents to pop down and see us next week.”

Cllr Barrie Patman, executive member for community safety, added: “ All parents want to make sure that their child is safe wherever they are. This is a way of helping parents throughout the borough ensure that their children are safe in the car every time they travel.”

Wokingham Borough Council

There will be a host of new things to discover in the Wokingham Borough’s libraries next month.

The theme of events at Wokingham borough’s libraries for the first three months of the year is New Year, New You and, for February, it is New Discoveries that are taking centre stage.

There will be a chance to discover new books at a monthly evening book group being launched at Wokingham Library on the first Thursday of every month from Thursday February 7. It will be free to attend and there is no need to book. The group will meet from 6.30pm to 7.45pm.

There will also be chances to pick up some new skills and hobbies at the borough’s libraries. Anybody interested in digital photography should go to a workshop - with their cameras and manuals - at Wokingham Library from 10am to 1pm on Friday February 8. Places can be booked by calling the library on 0118 978 1368 or people can just drop in on the day. Anybody interested in family history can go to a drop-in session to pick up expert tips from members of the Berkshire Family History Society at Wokingham Library between 2pm and 5pm on Tuesday February 26.

And those interested in general local history will be able to discuss their memories with local historians at a drop-in session at Twyford Library from 3.30pm to 5pm on Tuesday February 12 or could book a place at a session at Woodley Library from 2pm to 4pm on Wednesday February 27 – this session in Woodley will include a talk by an expert from the Berkshire Record Office. Call Twyford Library on 0118 934 0800 or Woodley Library on 0118 969 0304 to book places.

Football fans will want to get to Twyford Library from 10.30am to 12 midday on Saturday February 9 when author Stuart Roach will be talking about his book about Reading Football Club, Reading Between the Lines: A Season of Dreams.

Executive member for Wokingham community development Cllr Dianne King said: “They say you are never too old to pick up new skills or learn new things and these activities at the Wokingham Borough’s libraries give residents a chance to prove that. They are for adults of any age and offer a good range of options to tempt people to pop in to a library.”

The New Year, New You promotion was launched this month with the January theme of New Adventures and the theme for March will be New You and will focus on health issues.

Wokingham Borough Council

February’s theme at the Wokingham borough’s libraries is New Discoveries and there will be a chance for dads to discover the joys of baby rhymetime sessions.

The dad and baby rhymetime sessions will offers dads the chance to sing songs and nursery rhymes with their babies on Saturdays – in the past the sessions have only been held during the week and have been largely used by mums and babies.

The dad and baby sessions will be launched at Lower Earley Library on Saturday February 2, at Wokingham Library on Saturday February 9 and at Woodley Library on Saturday February 16. All the sessions will run from 10.30am to 11am.

Executive member for Wokingham community development Cllr Dianne King said: “It is a great idea to organise these rhymetimes on a Saturday as the fact is that most dads cannot make the weekday sessions and so they miss out on the fun.”

As well as these new sessions, Wokingham Library will also be inviting the winners of the book competition that is being run in the borough’s schools to meet Joshua Doder, author of A Dog Called Grk. The competition is part of the Booked Up campaign to encourage year seven pupils -aged 11 or 12 - to read for pleasure and to enter pupils must come up with a name and book cover design for a new Grk adventure. All the winners will be invited to meet Joshua Doder at Wokingham Library on Wednesday February 27, when they will also be given a tour of the library and have the chance to tell staff what facilities they would like to see in libraries.

From Saturday February 16 to Sunday February 24 there will also be half term jamborees at each of the Wokingham borough’s nine libraries. These will be open to children aged 13 and under as well as their families and will include family stories, crafts, music and rhymes. They will be free and visitors are welcome to drop-in any time during the events.

As well as these event, the Wokingham Borough’s libraries will be running their usual range of fun family events for babies, children and teenagers throughout February, including the recently launched Manga - Japanese cartoon artwork - club for teenagers and the Chatterbox family reading groups – also launched in January.

Wokingham Borough Council

The second annual Wokingham Food and Drink Festival will feature a mouth-watering mix of flavours from around the world – and plenty from close to home as well.

Last year’s festival was a triumph despite some atrocious weather and this year’s event has been moved to an earlier date to try to avoid a repeat of the downpours – the dates for all foodies’ diaries are Friday September 5 to Sunday September 7.

Places for Wokingham traders and exhibitors are already filling up and Wokingham’s town centre manager Brian Newman has secured one of the big names of the food world – The Festival of Food – for this year’s event. The Festival of Food is a roadshow that visits many of the most prestigious festivals in the UK with a marquee packed with fare from top producers, cooking demonstrations and samples to taste. Among the exciting exhibitors it will bring to Wokingham will be quality cheeses, sausages and toffees as well as an authentic Indian cooking demonstration.

Town centre manager Brian Newman said: “Securing The Festival of Food is proof that Wokingham Food and Drink Festival is firmly established on the map, as they tend to go to the big events such as Badminton Horse Trials and the Royal Highland Show. Last year’s Wokingham festival was a success despite the weather and this year – with more money, time and experience behind us – it is set to provide visitors with a spectacular event.

“Traders who took part last year are already signing up again, which is always a good sign, but we have space for others, and would love more local exhibitors to take part. Wokingham town and the surrounding area is home to many wonderful pubs, restaurants and other food business and the festival is a great opportunity for them.”

Among the local exhibitors already onboard for 2008 is Neil Bardo, head chef at the Cantley House Hotel, who gave a very popular cooking demonstration last year and will again be wowing the crowds with his culinary skills this year.

Mark Ashwell, chairman of the Wokingham Town Centre Steering Group, said: “The festival is great fun for visitors and a high-quality addition to the town’s calendar of events. It is both an entertaining few days and an opportunity for local business to get a boost. Last year’s success and the fact that we have some extra publicity funding this year means there will be hundreds of food lovers enjoying Wokingham over the weekend – and I would encourage all local food businesses to take advantage of their presence.”

Businesses wanting to take part in the Wokingham Food and Drink Festival can find an application form on Wokingham Town Council’s website: www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk.

Wokingham Borough Council

Wokingham’s town centre manager is urging wannabe restaurateurs to prove to celebrity chef Raymond Blanc that they’ve got the recipe for success.

Producers of the BBC show The Restaurant have asked Brian Newman, Wokingham town centre manager, to throw down the gauntlet to all aspiring restaurant owners in the town and across the borough, to see if they can take on the culinary and business challenges of the infamous chef during the new series.

The show will be returning for its second series later this year and will focus on the trials, tribulations and traumas of several couples, who have just eight weeks to turn a restaurant into their dream place and open it to the paying public.

Mr Newman is hoping that Wokingham’s reputation as a place with many fine eateries will encourage secret-restaurateurs, or people already in the food-business to come forward and be selected for the challenge.

He said: “The producer of The Restaurant spoke to me earlier this week and was very keen to get someone from the area involved in the new series. We are fortunate to already have very good restaurants in the town, and it would be great to get a world-renowned chef to see exactly what we do have to offer, before helping a new fledging restaurant open up.

“Of course the BBC would have to select someone from the area first, but the challenge is there for the taking. If anyone does want to take part they should apply today.”

Applicants need to be couples over the age of 18 but can be married, friends, siblings, relatives, partners or colleagues. Application forms for the show are available by visiting www.bbc.co.uk/restaurant and must be received by the BBC by Wednesday March 12.

Wokingham Borough Council

Spider men, aliens, bears, cats and fairies took The Wokingham Brambles Children’s Centre by storm on Saturday (January 26) when they enjoyed activities to mark the official opening of the borough’s second children’s centre.

Some 40 families with children aged under five joined in the activities at The Brambles Children’s Centre in Wokingham, including badge-making, smoothie-tasting, pebble painting and drawing. The centre was full of toys for children to play with, provided by the Lend and Play Toy Library and Scrap Store. Children were also entertained by two story-time sessions run by the borough council’s library service and sporting activites also ran throughout the day. The council’s family information service and community wardens were on hand to offer advice and support.

With £2.3million having been allocated from central government’s SureStart programme, which aims to deliver the best start in life for every child by bringing together early education, childcare, health and family support, The Brambles Children’s Centre is one of eight scheduled to be up and running in the Wokingham Borough this year.

Children’s centres are a new way of supporting families with children aged under five. The centres will make it easier for families to get advice, help and information they need all in one place, closer to their homes. Services will be developed for each individual centre according to demand, and local need will also determine the frequency and timing of activities.

Wokingham Parents could be looking for a childminder or nursery place for their child. They might need help with a health issue or could be thinking about training or returning to work. Children’s centres can give information on a range of family support services that are available either in the centre or within in the local area. A variety of drop-in sessions will also run including stay and play activities and health sessions.

The Brambles Children’s Centre, located in Budges Gardens in Wokingham, has been offering services to the local community since the end of November and received official seal of approval from SureStart on December 17.

Tea, coffee and juice were available throughout the day provided by Colours Café, a group of volunteers from Rainbow Park Community Centre. Hot food was also served free of charge for anyone who completed a questionnaire on what they services they would like to see at The Brambles. And following on from feedback received, the council will be exploring the possibility of Saturday sessions to support working parents.

Belinda Barrett, Wokingham children's centre co-ordinator, said: “We are very excited about our new children’s centre, which has been designed with the needs of local children in mind. We already have had many children and their families visiting and look forward to welcoming many more in the coming weeks. The family fun day lived up to expectation and everyone had a great time! As well as lots of fun they also found out what’s on offer at this new centre.”

Wokingham Mayor Cllr Annette Drake officially opened the centre. She said: “Children’s centres are an exciting initiative in the borough. The centre is a one-stop shop for families with young children offering them support, help, training and social activities. It was a delight to see so many children enjoying the fun activities that were happening at the launch and for their parents and carers to learn more about the services on offer to them.”

Wokingham Borough Council

On Friday (January 25) Wokingham Borough Council celebrated the achievements of children in its care and care leavers at a special awards ceremony held at The Ambleside Children’s Centre in Woodley.

Held for the very first time, the Wokingham awards ceremony recognised educational and other achievements of children who are looked after by the council. As well as awards for education such as improving reading, spelling and receiving an excellent college report, there were awards for areas such as building positive relationships, living independently, gaining a swimming award, finding and keeping a tenancy for a flat and impressing at county football trials.

All Wokingham children and young people were presented with a certificate for their achievements as well as a prize worth up to £10, which they chose themselves, ranging from vouchers, puzzles, soft toys, and books. And joining in the celebrations was Reading Football Club’s central defender Alan Bennett who gave an amusing speech and spent time signing autographs, talking to the young people and having his photo taken.

The awards ceremony started with a chance for the children and young people to try out their circus skills before testing their general knowledge with a quiz, with the winner joining Alan and members of the council’s corporate parenting panel to cut the achievement celebration cake at the end of the night.

The corporate parenting panel’s chairman Cllr Chris Edmunds, said: “As the children and young people’s corporate parent, the council wanted to tell them how very proud we are of their achievements over the past year. Many of the youngsters have overcome a number of difficulties and challenges which makes their achievements even more impressive. We are committed to supporting these young people and I would like to congratulate them on their achievements.”

The Wokingham council currently looks after 67 children, some of whom are fostered, on behalf of the council, by local families. The council is looking for special people to become foster carers – foster carers can come from all walks of life and it makes no difference whether they are married or single, own a home or live in a council or rented property.

Advice, guidance, training and 24 hour support is always available for foster carers plus a generous weekly allowance of up to £450 per child! We would love to hear from anyone who thinks they have got what it takes to be a foster carer. Contact the council on 0118 974 6204 or by email fostering@wokingham.gov.uk. All foster carers are subject to checks including health and criminal record bureau checks.

Wokingham Borough Council