All Woodley residents should have received their issue of The Herald. An electronic version is now available to download, along with past issues.

To access The Herald please click HERE.

Thames Valley Police is appealing for information following a distraction burglary in Woodley

At around 2pm on Tuesday (19/3) the victim, an 80-year-old man, answered his front door to three offenders in Shackleton Way. The offenders entered the property claiming to be checking seals around the windows.

One of the offenders entered the bedroom and later claimed to have repaired the window seal. The victim was asked to make a donation and entered his PIN number into a machine a number of times, without his bank card, before being told that the payment had been processed.

After the offenders had left, the victim discovered that a bank card had been taken from his coat in the bedroom. On contacting the bank, the victim was advised that a number of cashpoint transactions had been attempted using his card but were unsuccessful.

The first offender is described as a white man, around 50 years-old, approximately 5ft 9ins with stocky build and short dark hair. He was wearing thick dark clothes to keep warm.

The second offender is described as white man, aged between 30 and 40-years-old, around 5ft 9ins, clean shaven with slim build and brown hair. He was wearing dark trousers with a short sleeve top.

The third offender is described as a white man, approximately 50-years-old with stocky build and dark hair. He looked similar in appearance to the first offender and was also wearing thick dark clothes to keep warm.

Case investigator, Tina Neale from the Investigation Hub at Loddon Valley police station, said: “I would like to appeal for anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or can provide further information about the offenders, to come forward.

“You can help to protect your elderly or vulnerable family, friends and neighbours by making them aware of this form of distraction burglary.

“You can reduce the risk of becoming a victim as follows:
• Don’t open the door if you are not sure who is calling.
• Check the identity of the caller by calling the company they are claiming to be from and use the telephone numbers listed in your local directory – don’t use any telephone numbers provided by the caller.
• Don’t let them into your home until you are satisfied they are who they claim to be.
• If you are suspicious call the police on 101.

“Anyone with information should report the details on the Thames Valley Police website quoting reference 43190084257. Alternatively, you can call the non-emergency telephone number, 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

(L-R) Beryl, Vicki and Sandra from Christ Church pictured with Woodley Mayor Sam Rahmouni planting the donated tree

Christ Church in Woodley has donated a service tree to Woodford Park to commemorate its new Basingstoke and Reading circuits. Part of an initiative involving 26 churches, the tree was originally donated to Christ Church as a sapling in August 2015.

The sapling has been nurtured by Beryl Wootton, a member of the Christ Church congregation, for the past four years waiting for an opportune time for it to be planted. Beryl approached Woodley Town Council to offer the tree to plant in Woodford Park to not only commemorate the new church circuits but to also give church members and local residents the opportunity to visit the tree and watch it grow.

“I would like to say thank you to the Council for providing the space for the tree in Woodford Park. Unfortunately, the church garden is too small and it needs the space to grow and flourish,” said Beryl.

Woodley Mayor Sam Rahmouni attended the planting of the tree and thanked the church members in attendance, which included Beryl and church members Vicki and Sandra, for donating the tree to Woodford park.

“I was delighted to attend the planting of this tree and we are very grateful for the donation and look forward to watching it grow,” commented Rahmouni.

The tree has been planted on the Haddon Drive approach to Woodford Park Leisure Centre, opposite the pre-school. A member of the maple tree family, the service tree will be a delight to watch as its flora will change colour through each season.

The next Woodley and North Earley (WANE) Community Forum AGM will be held on:

Wednesday 10 April 2019 19.30-21.00

The Maxwell Room at the Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Woodley, RG5 4JZ

Chair: Mary Bather

AGENDA

1. Welcome, outline of structure of the meeting, introductions and apologies – 5 mins

2. Minutes of the previous meeting – 06.02.19 / matters arising not on the agenda – 10 mins

3. Chair’s Report – 5 mins

4. Vice-chair’s Report (finance) – 5 mins

5. Election of chair and vice-chair for 2019/20 – 10 mins
   • Elections
   • Volunteers for committee

6. Update from Neighbourhood Policing Team on recent reported criminal activity in the local area – 10 mins

7. Local policing priorities (30 mins) – Review of progress / agree actions with respect to:
   • Antisocial behaviour
   • Speeding

8. Future of the forum (20 mins)

9. Any Other Business (20 mins)

10. Date and venue of next meeting – 5 mins

(Provisionally – Wednesday, 17 July, 19.30 Maxwell Hall, Oakwood Centre)

As part of a borough-wide initiative, Woodley is taking part in the big tidy up campaign on Saturday 23rd March. Please come along and support the local community.

Centre Stage in Woodley Town Centre is now FREE to hire for 2019 to all bands, performers, community groups, charities and schools.

For more information contact: admin@woodley.gov.uk / 0118 9690356

(Please note that this offer is not available to businesses or any commercial use. For commercial enquiries, please contact the Town Centre Manager: towncentremanager@woodley.gov.uk)

Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr John Kaiser and headteacher Matt Hickey with pupils in one of the new classrooms

Wokingham Borough Mayor, Cllr John Kaiser, officially opened Wokingham Borough Council’s £3.25m expansion of Highwood Primary School in Woodley.

The improved facilities include a new entrance, increased capacity in the main hall, additional small group teaching spaces, a medical room, and a purpose built learning area for the children attending Highwood’s Developmental Language Delay Unit.

The work overall has increased the school’s capacity from one class to two classes in each year group, as well as doubling its nursery provision. The school is expected to be up to full pupil numbers by 2024.

The 18-month building project, which has transformed both the internal and external look of the school, was completed in phases allowing the school to remain open throughout.

“This is all about making sure local children have enough places at their local school, while also taking the opportunity to refurbish existing facilities to create modern and flexible learning and teaching environments,” said Cllr John Kaiser, Wokingham Borough Mayor, at the official opening.”

Matt Hickey, headteacher, said: “The school’s transformation during the expansion project has been amazing. The children, parents, staff and governors are all extremely proud of our new facilities.

“We look forward to the school filling up over the next few years, so that many more children can benefit from the opportunities we’re able to provide.”

Jacques Lherbier, Woodley Town Centre Manager

Jacques Lherbier has been Woodley Town Centre’s Manager for over 11 years and retires next month.

To read The Wokingham Paper’s article in recognition of his career in Woodley, please click HERE.

Did you know…?

One tonne of food waste generates enough electricity to power 0.092264017 homes. Wokingham Borough Council estimates if it collects 3,000 tonnes a year through its food waste collections, it would produce enough electricity to power 277 average sized homes.