Thames Water’s FREE priority service

Thames Water offer a freePriority Service to customers who find themselves in vulnerable circumstances.  By registering for this service Thames Water aim to provide free support in the unlikely event you have no water, by prioritising the most vulnerable first.

Thames Water can tailor their services to meet customers’ needs, from using their preferred means of communication to delivering water to their door, giving them peace of mind at a time when they need it most. Financial support is available too.

Thames Water work with electricity network operators to help customers benefit from support during both power cuts and water supply interruptions. Amongst the eligibility criteria are poor mobility, sight or hearing loss, using medical equipment at home, speech or hearing difficulties, mental health issues.

For more information, email ecs@thameswater.co.uk, call the Extra care Team on 0800 0093652 option 3, or visit www.thameswater.co.uk/priorityservices. Financial support is available as well: search ‘help paying your bill’ on the Thames Water website.

Wokingham Volunteers need you! 

Wokingham Volunteers is holding its next Volunteer Recruitment Fair on Saturday 28^th September, 10.00 – 13.00, at Wokingham Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham RG40 1AS

Volunteering is a fantastic way to make a difference in your local community!  With local groups working with children, young people, the elderly, education including literacy/numeracy, people with mental and physical health issues and disabilities, gardening, transport schemes, befriending and environment/conservation, there really is something for everyone.  Added to that, there are well researched health benefits to volunteers, who tend to have a greater sense of wellbeing and live happier and longer!

If you can’t come on the day, there are loads of ways to get information on volunteering – try the new volunteering portal, www.volunteerwokinghamborough.org.uk, email or phone to book an appointment to chat face-to-face at the Volunteer Centre.

Christine Knox, Manager of the Centre, says: “Some volunteers are passionate about a certain cause.  Others see a need for their help or particular expertise and go where they are needed most.  Whatever your motivation and availability, we can help you find the right role for you.”

Contact Christine or Helena at The Wokingham Volunteer Centre on 0118 977 0749, email at volunteer@wok-vol.org.uk or visit its website www.wokinghamvolunteercentre.org.uk or the volunteering portal, www.volunteerwokinghamborough.org.uk.

Thames Valley Police has published a warning to be aware of potential Doorstep Rogue Traders and Cold Callers in the Woodley area

You may receive a cold call knock at your door from someone claiming to be a tradesman working in the area. They will call unexpectedly, offering services or goods you had not asked for. Those who accept work often find the price increases or the work is left unfinished.

The usual type of work offered includes pressure washing driveways, garden clearance, chimney repairs, replacing loose tiles, repairing leaking roofs or guttering and driveway work. If you accept work from a doorstep trader you’re very likely to pay much more than the price initially agreed for very poor, unnecessary and sometimes dangerous work and you are likely to be targeted by them again in the future. They often target the older generation, who are often more trusting and vulnerable to falling victim to these types of traders.

Doorstep traders rarely provide paperwork so they can’t be traced once they’ve left your home. Names, addresses and business details are often false and telephone numbers are not answered. They have no interest in doing work properly, their only concern is getting the cash and disappearing before Trading Standards or the Police can catch up with them.

Cold Calling can also be a cover for persons planning more serious offences, such as burglaries, to see if houses are occupied. Cold Callers might also commit Bogus Official offences where they gain entry to the house by deception in order to steal, whilst the occupant is distracted.

Please pass on this advice to friends and neighbours who might not receive Thames Valley Alert emails or texts. Genuine reputable local tradesmen do not need to find work in this way.

You should never feel pressured to accept any work or service you do not want or need. It is your home and your right to say NO. If you suspect a crime is in progress, or about to occur, please note any descriptions and contact police on 999.

Download your FREE Home Security Guide from the Thames Valley Police website: https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/police-forces/thames-valley-police/areas/advice/home-security-guide/

Please can we remind all residents and visitors to Woodley town centre that cycling is not permitted in the precinct.

This is to protect the safety of everyone and particularly those who are vulnerable or have mobility issues.

We appreciate your cooperation.

Woodford Park in Woodley has been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as one of the very best in the world. The Park joins other green spaces awarded recognition in Berkshire and remains the only one to be awarded Green Flag status in the Wokingham Borough area.

Woodford Park is among a record-breaking 1,970 UK parks and green spaces and 131 in thirteen other countries around the world, that has received a prestigious Green Flag Award – the mark of a quality park or green space.

This international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

“We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award for the second year running.  We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, and this award celebrates the dedication that goes into maintaining Woodford Park to such a high standard by staff and volunteers,” commented Woodley Town Council Leader Keith Baker.

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “It’s fantastic that we have more Green Flag Awards in the UK than ever before, joined this year by 131 International winners.

“Each flag honours the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. We congratulate each and every winner on their fantastic achievement.”

Woodford Park Leisure Centre Clubs for children start next week on Wednesday 24th July, kicking off with Crazy Football Camp and Monster Madness Blast Camp.

For more details please click HERE.

Work to expand Addington School is set to begin this summer, with a contractor now appointed by WOkingham Borough Council for the £4.4 million expansion of the Woodley school.

Modular construction specialists Reds10 will complete the project, which will see the existing sensory garden and two multi-use games areas (MUGAs) at the Wokingham Borough Council school relocated on the site to make way for the new block and parking areas.

The garden and sports areas will be completed this summer so students have all the facilities they are used to when they return to the Ofsted rated outstanding school in Woodlands Avenue in September.

Work will then begin on the new single-storey building, which will be on the site of the old MUGAs. The new block will include four classrooms, a café and social/breakout areas.

Sixty to 70 per cent of the building work for the new block will be completed modularly offsite, a decision made to reduce disruption to the school and its students.

The expansion, which all takes place within the school’s boundary, will allow 50 more local children with special educational needs and disabilities to be educated closer to home, with the school’s capacity boosted to more than 250 students due to the extra space.

About 130 Wokingham Borough children needing a special school place are currently educated outside the borough, which is disruptive for the children as well as being expensive.

As part of the plans the car park will be extended to accommodate 30 additional spaces, which will be required for additional staff at the school. The boundary of the car park will see additional planting around its border, including evergreen plants to provide screening all-year round.

“The council is delighted this exciting project which will benefits dozens of children from the Wokingham Borough has taken another step forward,” said executive member for children’s services, Cllr UllaKarin Clark.

“Addington is an outstanding school which provides world-class education for SEND children from the area and beyond. Now we have planning permission we will be able to commence the project to invest in the school’s facilities, which will make children and their families’ lives easier by offering more young people a school place closer to home. This will save them time with shorter journeys and reduce travel costs for the council.”

“Everyone at Addington School is excited to see this project coming to fruition,” said Addington School head teacher, Sara Attra. “The expansion of the school means our outstanding staff will be able to support even more children to get the education they need.

“We are already looking forward to seeing the brand new building in action with the range of classrooms and other exciting teaching areas available to our students from September next year.”

Woodley Town Council hosted, alongside Spriggan Productions, an afternoon of entertainment and live music at Centre Stage in Woodley town centre on Saturday

Local residents were treated to an afternoon of live music from three local bands, dancing acts and circus entertainment. Held in the town centre at Centre Stage, the event started with entertainment from five dance acts, ranging from American Tribal Style bellydancing to dancing with fire. Jadoo’s Jingles, Trish Marriot as Aradia, Sandy Maya’s Belly Fairies, the Salome Sisters, Rachel Bennett’s school of bellydance and Julie Bellyfire all entertained Woodley residents throughout the four hour event, with costume changes, props and innovative and unique dance sessions, some of which were purposely non-choreographed.

Some of the lovely dancers

The first band to hit the stage were the Hedge Inspectors. A husband and wife duo who performed their own original songs, many of which with entertaining lyrics about family life. For a taste of one of their songs, CLICK HERE.

The Hedge Inspectors

The crowd was then entertained by further dance performances before the Nefarius Picaroons came on stage with original and cover songs.

Nefarius Picaroons

While sound checks were in progress for the final band – Spriggan Mist – the crowd was once again entertained by the dancers, while the younger crown continued to be entertained by Mark’s Magic Mayhem.

Belly dancing entertainment

Mark’s Magic Mayhem

Woodley Town Council Leader Cllr Keith Baker and Woodley Town Mayor Cllr Kay Gilder both attended the event, alongside other Woodley Town Councillors. Cllr Baker was very impressed with the quality of the bands and that the Council was able to host a free event for the people of Woodley and commented on how many positive comments he was receiving from residents at the event. Cllr Gilder also mentioned the positive response from local residents.

Woodley Town Council Leader Cllr Keith Baker Woodley Town Mayor Cllr Kay Gilder

Spriggan Mist, a local progressive rock folk band then performed their original songs, filling Woodley town centre with a blast of spriggery entertainment!

Spriggan Mist

Woodley Town Council would like to thank all those involved in making it such a fun and successful event and to all those who attended. A date for Woodley’s 2nd Street Concert will be announced soon.