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No. 368 11 October 2012

It was in 1796 that Robert Piggott endowed a School for the ‘instruction and clothing of 20 boys and 20 girls of the parish of Wargrave’. Although there have been Piggott Schools in Wargrave for over two hundred years, it was not until 1862 that the present Junior School on School Hill opened. At this time the School housed both the Infant and Junior departments until, due to growing numbers, a separate Infant School was started in 1908. The present Infant School opened in 1963. It is therefore the 150th Anniversary of the Junior School as a place of primary education in our village. We intend to mark this achievement with a week of celebrating school life through the ages and an exhibition about the history of the school on Friday 9 November from 3.30pm to 6.00pm. We would be delighted if the community could support and participate in our celebration by sharing memories

of life at the Junior School whether as a pupil, member of staff, governor or parent. If you have any relevant photos, we would love to borrow them for our exhibition. We would also appreciate it if people would lend us artefacts from the last 150 years to help us with our learning about life in the past. All artefacts will be carefully looked after and returned to their owners after the exhibition. For those of you who would like to send the Junior School a message of goodwill, a ‘Blessing & Memory Book’ will be available in St Mary’s Parish Church, Wargrave for written prayers and memories. The ‘Blessing and Memory Book’ will also be in Wargrave Library for the last two weeks of October. If you have any memories or artefacts you would like to share with us please call into the Junior School office or telephone Mrs Jane Miller on 940 2645. Sally Ann Akers

Robert Piggott CE Junior School 150th Anniversary

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The Big Book Drop Piggott students responded enthusiastically to the ‘Big Book Drop’ appeal for unwanted children’s books. A car load of books was

collected by Heather Key of Interserve, Twyford who are leading the initiative, as Literacy for Life is their chosen charity this year. ‘Big Book Drop’ aims to send books to the Philippines, South

Africa, India and Chile to improve and encourage children’s literacy. Interserve Twyford have been very supportive in sending HR staff to help with mock interviews for Year 11 students, so the school was very keen to reciprocate and support this worthwhile appeal.

European Day of Languages Phrases of various European languages could be heard at lunchtimes at The Piggott School, as students celebrated European Day of Languages. During assemblies Year 7 and 8 watched a short performance by some of the 6th form students, which showed the advantages of knowing a language. This was followed by short sessions at lunchtime when they could learn a few phrases. Even the staff in the canteen participated and continued with the theme by serving a European menu. The most successful session was the one led by students, who shared their mother tongue with others. All students at the school study at least one foreign language to GCSE.

The Piggott School

The 2012 Village Firework Display will be held on Saturday 3 November at the Recreation Ground, organised once more by the 1st Wargrave Scout Group. Refreshments will be available from 5.30pm, with the bonfire lit at 6.00pm and the firework display from 6.30pm. Admission is by donation at the gate – a minimum of £5 for up to four people, please. This gate money will be used to purchase fireworks for next year’s display, so please be generous. We hope that you, your family and friends will come along and enjoy this annual event which still retains its family village atmosphere. For your personal safety, we ask you not to bring sparklers to this event. Pete Fry

Village Firework Display

Peter

Please can you change the e mail address to gdaygardeners@btinternet.com

email: gdaygardeners@btinternet.com

Cards for Good Causes The charity Christmas Card Shop, staffed by local volunteers, will open at Elizabeth Court, Victoria Road, on Wednesday 7 November from 9.00am to 7.00pm and on Thursday 8 November from 9.00am to 5.00pm. Come and buy your Christmas cards and support your favourite charities at the shop which is held in the Residents’ Lounge. Everyone is invited and we are very grateful to the chairman and committee for allowing us this privilege and to Mrs Sue Saunders for her help. More than 25 national and local charities are represented, including the Thames Valley Air Ambulance and Parkinson’s UK.

Cards for Good Causes Limited (CFGC) is a non-profit making multi-charity organisation. All costs are kept to a bare minimum, so that the participating charities (or their trading subsidiaries) can receive at least 75p in every £1 from their card sales, less the VAT payable on the amount retained by CFGC. The retained amount covers CFGC’s costs of running its temporary charity Christmas card shops. In addition to these costs, the participants have to pay for the production and distribution of their own cards.

If you are unable to visit the shop in Wargrave on those days, the shop in the Twyford URC schoolroom (next to the United Reformed Church, by Twyford traffic lights) will also be open every Friday from Friday 26 October from 10.00am to 4.00pm and every Saturday from 10.00am to 1.00pm until Saturday 15 December. Small gifts, wrapping paper and other Christmas goods will also be available. The Wargrave and Twyford shop is one of a national network of shops. For more information visit www.cardsforcharity.co.uk.

Helen Perry

Come celebrate the season! Charvil Voices invite female singers aged 10 to 100 to come and join them singing six seasonal songs

Come Celebrate The Season

Snow Is Falling

All Alone Beneath The Mistletoe

Issay Issay!

Away In A Manger

Rockin' The Baby

The event will take place on Monday 17 December from 7.00pm to 9.00pm at Charvil Village Hall, Park Lane, Charvil. The cost is £10.00 to include a copy of the music to keep and refreshments. The evening is being led by Suzanne Newman, Musical Director of Charvil Voices and Jewel Tones and will be accompanied by Mary Daniels.

To book a place, please phone Suzanne on 934 0589 or e-mail suzanneynewman@btinternet.com.

This year’s card is another design by Don Robinson. His work has been very popular in the past so we hope you will buy this one and help support the work of the Heritage Trust.

Ten cards cost £3.90 from Wendy Smith, 2, Langhams Way, phone 940 2920.

Wendy will also be bringing them to the Cards for Good Causes Sale at Elizabeth Court on Wednesday 7 November and Thursday 8 November .

Rosemary Gray

Wargrave Heritage Trust Christmas Card

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Woodley Light Operatic Society presents

West End Comes To Woodley

An evening of song and dance from the West End

Tuesday 4 to Saturday 8 December

Oakwood Theatre, Woodley

Performances start at 7:45pm 3.00pm matinee on Saturday

Tickets £10 and £12 (concessions available) from

woodleylightoperatic.ticketsource.co.uk or 07528 337924

More information at www.wlos.co.uk

The Royal British Legion, Wargrave We enjoyed a fine day on 28 September at Hennerton Golf Club for our annual tournament and prizegiving dinner. Committee members David Smith and Colin Dean once again came up trumps with the organisation of the event, which was well supported by 30 entrants. Prizes were awarded as follows:

Individual Ladies’ Champion Golfer: Liz Wilsey (40 points) Individual Men’s Champion Golfer: Colin Dean (39 points) Team Winners - 18 hole Match: Philip Waldman, Hylda Freeman, Brian

Jales (76 points) Team Winners - 9 hole Match: Mike Dudley, Marilyn Dudley, Sylvia

Dean (37 points) Nearest the pin - 3rd hole, Men: Ian Prosser Nearest the pin - 5th hole, Ladies: Liz Wilsey Nearest the pin – 14th hole: Philip Waldman Nearest the pin in two shots – 10th hole: Peter Darwent Future events Fish and Chips and Lecture evening – we may still have a few tickets available at £12.50 each for this event, to be held in the Woodclyffe Hall on Friday 19 October at 7.15pm, when this month’s Wargrave News is distributed. Tim Clayton, the highly acclaimed author, researcher and historian, will speak on The Battle of Trafalgar and the dreadful experiences of the ships and men involved in the action. Please contact Geoffrey Nugus on 940 3398 for information.

Remembrance Weekend - our entire year of events and fundraising activities culminate in our commemoration of Remembrance and thanksgiving for those who gave their lives in the first and second world wars and the many conflicts thereafter up to the present day. We start with the Poppy Appeal collection programme which once again is masterminded by Barbara Pitcher, our official Poppy Appeal Organiser. Barbara will distribute well over 100 collection boxes to the many static points and volunteers who carry out house to house collections. We are ever grateful to all those who assist Barbara in this way and trust we can rely on their support once more this year.

On the afternoon of Friday 9 November the Branch will be represented at The Piggott School for their own Remembrance service when they honour the memory of former students of the school who gave their lives in the first and second world wars. Later that day we will hold our Branch Remembrance Dinner in the Woodclyffe Hall. This ever-popular event is always well supported and this year we are pleased to announce that the chief guest and speaker will be John Thornhill, the outstanding and well-respected deputy editor of the Financial Times, who has worked across the paper and world-wide in his time with the newspaper.

Remembrance Sunday on 11 November will be recognised in the usual way with the parade of members accompanied by representatives from all the young people’s organisations in the village, together with our own firefighters and traffic control officers. We will march from Church Street to St Mary’s Church for the main service where the preacher will be Colonel Edward Armistead CBE of the Coldstream Guards. A strongly Christian family man, he retired from active service in 2001 following a wide range of duties which took him to all parts of the world, and we look forward to hearing him on the day.

Finally, we thank all those who have helped us throughout the year in making our events and activities so successful. It is your continued support that gives us the encouragement and enthusiasm to develop a link between the Legion and the caring attitude of the members, their friends and indeed the entire village.

Geoffrey Nugus 940 3398

In last month's Wargrave News I made a typing error and reported that Primary pupil James received a Merit for his exam taken in the summer. In fact he was awarded a Distinction and is therefore the proud recipient of a Gold medal. Very many congratulations James.

We started the new school year with a flurry of activity and a great deal of enthusiasm. Our freshers are well settled and our long standing pupils are back into the stride of things. Teachers are coping and enjoying the new syllabus for Grades 1, 2 and 3 introduced by the Royal Academy of Dance, but it is causing some disruption as the old syllabus is not phased out until the end of this coming December.

We are happy to accept new pupils into the school at any time during the term and also to arrange free trial lessons. For details of all classes please contact me on 940 3978 or e-mail hatatwargrave@tiscali.co.uk

Hilary Thomas

Wargrave Ballet School

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Bend It Like Beckham in Rural India Football became part of my life after the age of 59. My old school pal, Lucy Mathen saw to that! Lucy first went into television, gave it up to train as a doctor then went on to found Second Sight, a charity that has given sight to thousands suffering from cataract blindness in the poorest part of India. The AJEH hospital in Bihar cured 50,000 in 2011 and aims to cure 100,000 a year by 2015. So how do I and football fit in? Two years ago Lucy phoned me out of the blue and asked me to come with her to India to teach English. Mad keen on football, she had started a scheme that swapped child marriage and a spiral of bad health with football, food and a future as ophthalmic assistants at the hospital. The girls board at the hospital, get an education, an opportunity to play football, escape childhood marriage and take up a skilled job. Several are training to become doctors themselves. Medical exams are in English so the girls need English teaching. I was dragged onto the pitch by Lucy and the girls

and have never looked back! Another dragged onto the pitch but with far superior skill is Permi Jhooti, the girl who defied her parents to play football inspiring the film Bend it Like Beckham. Permi is also a Second Sight volunteer when not being a Fifa ambassador.

Lucy has made a magical film about this inspiring success story - A Junction for Having Fun. This is a warm and uplifting film that transports you to the Indian countryside in all its beauty. It has been submitted to the IDFA, London Lift-off and Sundance Film Festivals. You can preview it at An Indian evening at the Woodclyffe Hall coming in the New Year.

The evening will include a screening of the film, Indian snacks and a bar, followed by a Question and Answer session hosted by Second Sight founder, Lucy Mathen, volunteers Andy Richards, ophthalmologist and Sheila Brockelbank, teacher.

email sheilabrockelbank@mail.com

We all feel suitably rested after the summer and are ready to get back into the Autumn term. We are pleased to welcome some new children, the first half of term we welcome Poppy Ellis-Jones, Rubyann Spiers, Aleksandra Carne-Ross, Jake Carter, Mattia Simmons, Samuel Piercy, Megan Eglington, Elizabeth Candler, Barnaby Winters, Jack Forsaith, Jocelyn Evans, Mia Gupta and Oliver Meen.

Later during the term we will be welcoming Maia Millward, Isabella Davies, Thomas Davies and Logan Giebfried-Nietzard. We hope you all settle in and have a happy time while you are with us at the pre-school.

This term we are focusing on The Farmyard exploring all the different aspects to farm life from chickens and ducks to different crops. It is a very popular subject and we are sure the children will have great fun. The children play inside and outside whatever the weather and enjoy a wide range of different games and toys.

If you are a prospective parent and would like to visit the Pre-School, please telephone 940 3127 on weekday mornings. The Pre-School benefits from very favourable adult to child ratios, a caring and fun environment, a wonderful setting within the recreation ground and a lively social scene.

Denise Askew

Wargrave Pre-School

Sheila Brockelbank on the pitch with hospital staff

Lucy Mathen with Permi Jhooti

Sheila Brockelbank and Lucy Mathen in action

Girls and hospital staff

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Annual Concert at St Mary’s

Saturday 17 November at 7.30pm Save the date !! My very first visit to St Mary’s was for the launch of the St Mary’s refurbished organ, last year in November, a concert brilliantly organised by Patsy Roynon and Tony Elliot. It was a great success and we had the idea to establish an annual concert every year around the same time. Well, time flies, and this year the date falls on Saturday 17 November. The difference will be in the balance of the music. Whilst there will still be some organ music, to show the organ is still producing a really good sound, there will be contributions from other musicians based in and around Wargrave. We have already secured Virginia McMurtrie (‘Cello) and Susie Buckle (Soprano), a local ‘a cappella’ group called Apollo5 and many others. The first half will be classical; after the interval light and contemporary. The St Mary’s choir will also lead some rousing singing from the audience! It will also be a social event, with some local wine and nibbles available in the interval and we do hope as many people from the Wargrave community and nearby will support the event. Tickets, priced £5 and £2.50 (children) are available from Andy Ferguson. (andyferguson1@btinternet) For details please see the Church Website. Please buy early – we are expecting the concert to sell out in advance! Peter Dart, St Mary’s Music Director.

Henley Choral Society Two Lovely Concerts in December Henley Choral Society gets their 40th Anniversary Season off to a cracking start in December when they present Benjamin Bevan, (Baritone) and Susannah Wapshott, (Piano), in a beautiful lunchtime recital of English Song featuring songs both elegiac and pastoral from the early part of the 20th century. The concert is at 12 noon on Saturday 1 December at St Mary’s, Henley. Tickets £10.00 (under 18s FREE). At 8.00pm on Tuesday 11 December at St Mary’s, Henley, the Choral Society invite you to their much-loved traditional Carol Concert featuring audience participation; the children of St Mary’s School; readings from ‘A Christmas Carol’ to celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens; a retiring collection in aid of the Footsteps Foundation which helps children with disabilities to take their first steps, plus wine and mince pies. A great way for the whole family to start the Christmas season! Tickets £12.00 (under 18s £8.00) from Ticket Secretary 01491 572795 or Gorvett & Stone, Duke Street, Henley-on-Thames.

Littlewick Green Art Exhibition

There will be an exhibition of paintings, pictures and

ceramics at: Gilchrist Thomas Village

Hall, Littlewick Green on

Saturday 13 October and

Sunday 14 October 10.00am to 4.30pm

Macmillan Coffee Morning

The Macmillan Coffee Morning held recently at Elizabeth Court raised the magnificent sum of £205. Thank you to everyone who came to support this worthwhile cause.

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phone Stuart07758 957455

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pressure washing etc

References and recommendations available Internal and external work

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Anthony McKay

0118 934 0950 07809 624 495

Painter and Decorator City & Guilds Qualifications

30+ years experience Local Tradesman

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We also were honoured to have been involved with The Olympic Games - as Ambassadors for the Eton Dorney rowing and canoeing events. After various training sessions and assessment days of duty at Windsor Horse Show, Queens Armed Forces Muster and the Torch Relay we were pleased to be awarded an NVQ Level 2 in Crowd Safety. (“You can include it on your CV you know” Quite why at the ages of 65 and 73 we will need a CV again we have not yet worked out!) We were issued with our pink uniforms, which caused mirth especially with the male volunteers and was constantly part of the good-humoured banter, which epitomised all our interactions. We knew from first volunteering that we would be working outside the venue and much preferred our pink to the purple and orange outfits of the Games Makers. In all we worked for 15 full days. Our main role was meeting and greeting visitors, either in Windsor town centre or at Maidenhead Station and Braywick Park and Ride, but for most of the time from 6.30am at the Transport Hub at Windsor Racecourse – the only way into the venue. We had a thoroughly rewarding and enjoyable time and met some amazing people, fellow volunteers, transport organisers and bus drivers and around 25,000 spectators each day. In addition to meeting and greeting from the shuttle buses, we helped with photography alongside mascot Wenlock, with getting mobility buses for those for whom the mile plus walk to the venue was going to be too much, with first aid and generally interacting with supporters from many parts of the world. Everyone was happy, courteous and outgoing and contributed to the euphoric atmosphere. At the end of it all we felt that, although exhausted, our lives had been enhanced by the experience. The way that Royal Borough manager Julia White and staff from Sports Solutions received our efforts and cared for us was inspiring as well, and we have been happy to remain on a register for future events. If we then see some of the action that will be a bonus, but WE WERE PART OF THE OLYMPICS AND PROUD OF IT! Margaret Campbell and Sue Everitt

Don’t Let Others Choose for You. Drop in at Knowl Hill Village Hall

Thursday 25 October

Any time between 6.00pm and 9.00pm What is the Neighbourhood Plan? The Neighbourhood plan is a new way for our community to help guide development in our area. Through the plan our community can ensure that development occurs in a way which meets the needs of our residents and businesses whilst protecting aspects of our area which are important to us. We now have our chance to tell our local council, The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, what we would like to see in Hurley and The Walthams and have our say on the way our area could change in the next 10 to 15 years. This will be our plan created by you and put together by local residents who have volunteered to help. How will it happen? It will happen because you tell us what matters to you in Hurley. Drop in for 5 or 50 minutes and make a difference. (We’ll even have a complimentary cup of tea ready and waiting for you!) • Housing – Is there a need for more housing and what type? • Environment. How you would like your area to be? • Community. How do you view your community? • Transport. Are there problems that can be amended with our plan? • Business. Would you like to see more businesses in the area, small or large? These are just some of the questions you can answer or discuss. We need your help. After we hear all your ideas we will create and deliver a survey to every household so that everyone has the opportunity to say how important the issues are. It is your input at these drop in events and your response to the survey that will be used to create our Neighbourhood Plan. If you are unable to make this meeting please call in to the event at: Burchetts Green School on Saturday 20 October from 9.00am to 12 noon. Gilchrist Hall at Littlewick Green on Wednesday 24 October from 6.00pm to 9.00pm. The Church, Warren Row on Tuesday 30 October from 6.00pm to 9.00pm. For further venues and times visit www.hurleyandthewalthams.org Maureen Hunt Chairman, Steering Group for Hurley and The Walthams Neighbourhood Plan

Our Olympics

Hurley and the Walthams

Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None

Performed by WTW’s WEDGE in the Woodclyffe Hall at 7.30pm

Thursday 22 November Friday 23 November

Saturday 24 November.

Tickets £8 or £6 concessions Orders for tickets can be made by calling 07760 665112

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Retirement Fair A retirement fair of interest to people of all ages is being held at Hare Hatch Sheeplands in Twyford on Saturday 13 October. Organised by Twyford Village Partnership’s Health and Wellbeing Group, the fair is being targeted at a wider audience than those who are already retired. The fair will allow visitors to seek advice on many subjects as early as possible in order to plan their future.

This is the first time Twyford Village Partnership has organised a fair of this sort and visitors will find a wide range of information on offer from relevant businesses and support services. Experts will offer advice on pensions, mortgages, wills and inheritance tax.

A specialist physiotherapist from Fit and Able will be present, as will Pilates experts. Alison Hesketh from Timefinders, a specialist in downsizing, will offer practical advice to people who are starting to find their home too large to cope with. In addition Hare Hatch Sheeplands plans a range of special offers for visitors. Admission and parking is free and the show runs from 9.00am to 4.00pm.

Brian Roach

Mill Green Wargrave WI Jackie and Mark Bloomfield, professional wildlife photographers gave us a fascinating talk about the Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya. The highlight of a visit to this game park is to see the annual migration of thousands of wilderbeast. The migration takes a whole year starting in December from the Serengetti in Tanzania, to the Masai Mara in Kenya and back. As wilderbeast only eat grass, they spend 10 to 14 days in one place before moving on to find fresh food. Once the rains start in July they should have reached the Masai Mara, having crossed several crocodile-infested rivers. There are also more than 2000 lions in the game reserve. They sleep 20 hours out of 24, hunting late at night or in the early morning. Leopards sleep high in the trees away from predators such as hyenas and store their food safely.

Ann Richmond

Berkshire Dental Care and Wellness Centre

Berkshire Dental Care in the High Street, Twyford, has recently undergone a refurbishment and added a new range of wellness services, including chiropractic and physiotherapy.

To celebrate this fantastic upgrade and change of name to Berkshire Dentalcare and Wellness Centre, the team is offering all readers the chance to come and see a Chiropractor for a full consultation (including x-rays if required) for the special introductory price of just £20 instead of the normal £95, thereby saving £75.

Please cut out the voucher which was printed on page 31 of the September issue of Wargrave News and call the front desk on 968 0863.

The new wellness services are operated by the well established Halsa Care Group, which owns and operates large wellness clinics in Bracknell, Windsor and Burnham. You are free to transfer care to any of these practices at any time. For more information and to discover what the team can offer you, please visit www.halsacare.info.

Don’t forget to mention the Wargrave News when booking your appointment. If you are suffering from back pain, neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, joint swelling, sciatica, or simply need some rehabilitative care, please call.

Lauren Dougall

Letter to the Editor Dear Editor,

I would like to vent my frustration with regards to the number of times I am having to remove dog waste from the footpath at the front of our property.

On numerous occasions dog owners are allowing their dogs to foul the footpath without taking the required steps to clean it up. We live on Victoria Road close to the convenience shop, a regular walkway for many people. Not only is it unpleasant should you have the misfortune to tred in it, but its also a health risk to the many children that use the route to and from school and to access the local recreation ground. So along with the shop CCTV system, I will be adding my own in-house equipment to pass any future failings of dog owners to the police. Signs at the top of Victoria Road state that fouling the footpath carries a fine of up to £1000. If you own a dog, please respect the village and fellow villagers by cleaning up. It’s not difficult to do, I should know I’ve done it many times on YOUR behalf already!

Your sincerely,

Name and address supplied

Increase the Speed of Wargrave Broadband In order to ensure that all in the county of Berkshire has a chance of getting some of the fastest broadband speeds in the country, Berkshire is running a sign-up campaign to get households and businesses to register their support for an improved service. Visit www.superfastberkshire.org.uk for details on how to register and to see lots useful information and updates on the project. There is also a broadband speed checker and an opportunity to comment on both the current service and the level of service to which users would like access.

Maureen Hunt

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I wanted to echo the sentiments of the article, Exercise Caution … Please that appeared in last month’s edition of Wargrave News, and provide some practical tips that might help you become more active without injury. A good warm up The purpose of the warm up is to prepare your body for exercise. It increases the temperature in, and blood flow to, your muscles. It also elevates your heart and breathing rates, mobilises joints and mentally prepares you for exercise. A good guide is to warm up until slightly out of breath and just starting to sweat, this usually takes 5-10 minutes. This is particularly important as the weather gets colder because you are more likely to injure cold muscles. Walking or marching on the spot with exaggerated arm swings is a great

way to warm up. Don’t do too much too soon Start slowly, don’t be tempted to push yourself too hard too soon and listen to your body. To begin with, be careful with high impact moves such as jumps, sprints and hops as these put your body under a lot of strain. Focus on technique If you are in the gym, remember that equipment is set up for ‘Mr Average’ so you will need to adjust it to suit your body. If in doubt ask someone to help you. If you are doing bodyweight exercises, for example squats or press ups, make sure your technique doesn’t suffer as you get tired. Of key importance is to ensure that the muscles of your midriff are working to maintain a good posture and that the muscles around your joints are working to provide good stability. Make sure your knees don’t wobble when doing a squat or your lower back sag when doing a press up. Cool down and stretch The purpose of this is the opposite to that of the warm up: to return your body to a pre-exercise state and to stretch muscles to help relaxation and recovery. Hold a stretch for about 20-30 seconds just at the point before it becomes uncomfortable, don’t bounce but maintain a consistent, even pressure. Repeat 2 to 3 times. Have a look at the ‘Winter Warmer Warm Up’ on my web-site for a good whole body warm up routine and ‘General Stretch’ for a generic stretching routine. Jennifer Hoodless, www.livelypt.co.uk

The new football season is now well under way for Wargrave Girls’ Football Club. Most of the teams have begun league campaigns and are tussling it out against competition from other clubs in the area. Training is now taking place under lights for most teams, with the younger age groups still training on Saturday mornings at the Recreation Ground. At the younger end of the club, a group of Under 9 girls made their 'competitive' football debut on Saturday 22 September at a mini-festival in Reading. A very excited team played four matches in all, winning one, drawing two and losing one, which was a very commendable performance. Most importantly, the girls gained experience and enjoyed themselves. With an influx of new players at Open Mornings, the Club's playing membership now exceeds 100. This is an amazing feat, making Wargrave one of the biggest girls' clubs in the region. There are eight teams, from Under 9 to Under 18, and the Club is always eager to welcome more girls willing to give football a go. As mentioned in the last report, our eyes are cast to the skies seeking favourable weather conditions to encourage growth at the new Kings Field pitches. While we await the capacity provided by these new pitches, the Club would like to say a particularly big “thank you” to groundsman Martin Woods. Martin is being very patient and working hard to juggle all the requirements for pitches. He does a great job at the Recreation Ground, and his work is really valued. The Club is receiving valuable support from many local businesses. No overt plugs, but a big thanks to: The Abbey Clinic, Anvet Memec, CIPHR, Haweli Restaurant, The Head Partnership, Hobbs of Henley, Masters Bookbinding, QLogistics, Resolve and Spacers Flooring. Their support is very much appreciated. For more information about the club, visit www.wargravegirlsfc.co.uk Joe Hanley, Under 9 Coach 940 2495

Exercise… Proceed With Caution Wargrave Girls’ Football Club

World's Biggest Coffee Morning for Mcmillan Cancer Trust I would like to say an enormous thank you to our customers, local businesses and staff for making our charity day on 28 September at The Old Post Office a great success. Through very generous donations we managed to raise nearly £2,500 for Mcmillan Cancer Trust which is a really great achievement. It was a fabulous day with so many people from the local community coming to support the event. Thank you again. Tony Colborne

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Mixed Doubles winners Steph Ashton and

Jeremy Morgan, with supporters

Eilish MacBean, Chris Dickenson, Annie Moore and Paolo Pederola, Presidents’ Finalists

Wargrave Lawn Tennis Club photographs, for which there were 39 competitors.

Despite the inclement weather, the Club has been very busy with members playing the President’s Tournament on 2 September, followed by the Senior Club Finals on 16 September. The players were split up into two groups for the mixed doubles; group winners Eilish MacBean and Chris Dickenson playing Annie Moore and Paolo Pederoda in the final. Since Annie and Paolo only dropped five games in their group, they were going to be very hard to beat and this proved to be the case! Annie has won the cup quite a few times and Paolo was very happy to win his first ever President’s Tournament.

The Final’s day was very exciting with many matches having to be played; because two players, Steph Aston and Jeremy Morgan reached three of the finals, two of their matches were played earlier. Steph won the ladies’ singles championship, whilst Jeremy won the men’s doubles with Charles Freeman. The first final was the men’s singles played between Tim Janisch and Jeremy Morgan. It was a hard-fought contest, with Jeremy emerging as the men’s champion this year. The winner of the Plate was Artur Stankiewicz, who beat Alex Alexander.

In the ladies’ doubles, favourites Steph and Sue Gutierrez were outplayed by cunning tactics used by Annie Paddison and Clare Belton. The final two matches saw Julia Freeman winning the ladies’ doubles plate with Eilish MacBean, beating Sheena Darke and Sue Jones, and the mixed doubles plate with Alexis Alexander, beating Simon Pickup and Juliet Flann.

All that was left was presentation of the prizes by club chairman, Sheena Darke, and consumption of the excellent barbecue cooked by organiser and chef, Dave Smith, ably helped by sous chef, Graham Jones.

Wargrave Lawn Tennis Club AGM Wednesday, 7 November, 7.30pm

Old Cricket Pavilion

Wargrave Lawn Tennis Club Congratulations to all the winners and many thanks to all who helped make this a memorable final’s day. See www,wargraveltc.co.uk for full details and great photos.

Congratulations also to Derek Collins, who celebrated his 80th birthday in September. He has been a member for over twenty years; we look forward to playing with him for a further 20!

The club held a very successful coffee morning and Bring and Buy sale on behalf of the Macmillan Cancer Charity on Friday 21 September, raising over £180. Thanks for your continued support.

Don’t forget the AGM at the Old Cricket Pavilion on Wednesday 7 November at 7.30pm. All are very welcome to come along, get involved and air views and suggestions. See you there!

Selina Avent

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Skiff Regatta The WBC Skiffing Regatta was held on 22 September in glorious sunshine. This event is contested between individuals belonging to the various skiff clubs on the Thames. Racing skiffs are lightweight versions of the traditional wooden Thames rowing boats which were particularly popular in Victorian and Edwardian times. In total there were 43 races throughout the day on the 500 metre course. Skiffers from Wargrave won three events - Jonny Casey (Junior Senior Singles), Susanna Hanks & Helen Casey (Ladies Novice Restricted Doubles), and Hal Stephenson & Jonny Casey (Gentlemans Junior Doubles). Many thanks to Beverley Davies for co-ordinating the event and to all those who helped make it such a success.

Rowing The rowing section goes from strength to strength and the nine new rowers who did the training course have now joined the other regulars. A fun Sunday morning is planned for the end of September when the skiffers and rowers will be trying out each other’s boats…. River Swim Well done to all the children who successfully swam the river on 9 September – you did really well considering the strong current.

Wargrave Boating Club News - September September has been a busy month at the Boating Club.

It kicked off in style with the Rag Regatta and Blues Evening both taking place on the first of the month.

Strong currents and heavy rain had caused the 'Rag' to be postponed from its traditional July date, so all were delighted to see the sunshine. Watching the Olympics certainly motivated everyone and it was great to see competitive instincts combine with fun in the varied events. Competitors ranged from Boat Club coaches to young children and novice adults and it was good to see lots of new families this year. Thank you to Jane Swift, Charlotte Taylor, Camilla Cook and their team of umpires and boatmen who organised such a slick programme of events. The Social Committee had done an excellent job of co-ordinating the barbecue and tea and there was a delicious array of home-made cakes. The trophies were presented by Jane and Peter Jordan in recognition of their tremendous service to the club over the years. Many returned in the evening for the 'Blues at the Boathouse' event organised by Tim Hodges - an idyllic Indian Summer's evening on the riverbank listening to the music of Brighton-based band, 'Goofer Dust'. The event raised money for WBC and a cancer charity and was a big success.

Kayaking Many kayakers have enjoyed the faster flowing river this summer and are looking forward to the Surf Weekend and River Dart trip. Joe Langham is organizing winter training for those keen to become instructors as junior and adult kayak courses continue to be very popular. End of Season The main boating season is drawing to a close and it would be good to see as many volunteers as possible down at the club for TLC Day on Saturday 13 October from 9.00am. The Laying Up Supper on Saturday 1 December has a ‘Going for Gold’ theme and tickets are available in person from Susanna Hanks or Lisa Taylor or email social@wargraveboatingclub.co.uk.

Sue Gutierrez

The Anne Reid Enduro (Under 18 Kayak)

Junior Dongola

Punting

Adult and Child Canadian Canoe

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WBC Rag Regatta Results Side by Side Dinghy (U12) Anna Gutierrez and Aggie Wildgoose, Mara Branet (cox)

Dinghy Race (U12) Eleanor Blois-Brooke

Dinghy Race (U15) Henry Blois-Brooke

Traditional Skiff Race (8 and over) Nicolas Pierro, Matthew Hunt, William Denham (cox)

Traditional Skiff Race (U18) Maisie Wildgoose, Henry Blois Brooke, Thomas Vonka (cox)

Adult and child (U9) Canadian Canoe Dave and Scarlett Corke

Child (9-14) Canadian Canoe Lucas Coleman and Anna Gutierrez

Scratch Dongola Race (U18) Team E (Chris Jennings, Jack Masters, Neve Edwards, Izzy Devine-McGovern, Thomas Vonka, Sally Kunzig

Scratch Dongola (18 & over) Team B (Peter Hanks, Sharon Tubb, Jane Swift, Nicolas Pierro, Andrew Wayland, Matthew Hunt)

The Bull Enduro (18 and over kayak) Dave Corke and Belinda Corke

The Anne Reid Enduro (U18 kayak) Alex Leigh and Isabella Taylor

Classified and Drawn Punt Marcus Chew and Henry Blois-Brooke

Double Punting in Canadian Canoes (open) Julian and Sean Sutcliffe

Sit-on Kayak Race (Adult &Under 10) Roger and Jack Masters

Sit-on Kayak Race (Age 10-15) Jack Daisley and Hannah Masters

Sit-on Kayak Race (age 16 & over) Chris Jennings and Martin Pennock

Planning and Enforcement The single biggest doorstep issue in Wargrave is the protection of the environment and the maintenance of the Green Belt. The recent government pronouncements have yet to be explained but are not encouraging. It is an irony of democracy that those who care about how and where they live must be active registering concerns. Unless a complaint is registered, the assumption is that there is nothing to complain about. Planning policies have a general presumption of permissiveness, which means that landowners should be able to do what they want unless otherwise prohibited: if they have done what they want for a number of years, even if initially prohibited, they should be given the right to continue to do so.

Recently, there has been an epidemic of applications for certificates of lawful use, which will be hard to resist. If there has been little history of complaint during the recent past, it is likely that there has been no enforcement. This is not because WBC is incompetent or uninterested, but it is limited in what it can do or know about. Very rarely will its priorities coincide completely with those of the residents. Seldom will it have an intimate knowledge of the local circumstances.

The only way for the local authority to prevent planning abuses is for residents, neighbours and parish councils to be very active in reporting abuses prior to the established period (four years) expiring. The apparent iniquity in planning law is that unless those opposed to a condition continue to be very energetic, a dedicated applicant will eventually succeed. Refusal can occur frequently but the applicant only needs one acceptance.

Council Tax Benefits From April 2013, local authorities will have a duty to create and manage their own Council Tax Support Scheme. The Government will make a fixed annual grant at least 10% less than now. Creating

Wargrave Borough Councillors a local scheme with a reduced grant and within government constraints will be a challenge. The constraints are as follows: that pensioners should not see any change in the current levels of support they receive as a result of this reform; local authorities should consider how they can support other vulnerable groups; and local schemes should support incentives to help and encourage people to move into work and away from welfare benefits.

Annual Accounts The annual accounts have been published. They are complicated as they now revalue assets and liabilities annually. Essentially the accounts reveal a small deficit after massive movements on loan accounts, provisions to account for the transfer of council house stock (£95m) which in financial terms WBC already owned, the transfer of schools to academies (£60m), and a change in valuation of future pension liabilities (£52m).

John Halsall, 01491 576190 cherwell@btinternet.com

Bob Pitts, 07768107070 bob.pitts@wokingham.gov.uk

Community Matters for the Toddlers We are very excited that Wargrave Baby and Toddler Group has been chosen for Waitrose’s Community Matters in Twyford During October. We hope as many people as possible will post their green tokens into the box by the store exit, as the more tokens we get the bigger our share of the £1,000 monthly donation. Our weekly subs only just cover basic running costs so the money received will help pay for essentials like insurance as well as allowing us to run special events such as our Christmas party.

Sarah Davies setwell@hotmail.com

NB 23 October Cake Sale

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courage of Parkinson’s sufferers, who only too often endure many bad days which are physically and mentally draining until they hit a “good” day.

And he hasn’t been deterred. As an ambassador, he plans to encourage and train others to get on their bikes to ride for Parkinson’s.

“When people see me and others out cycling in the blue, black and white Parkinson’s colours, I want them to know what it means and start thinking how they could help,” he said.

If You’d Like to Help… While you might not be inclined to get on your bike for Parkinson’s, it’s not too late to help Joseph hit that £6000 target. To support his efforts, go www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com and search for Joseph Giret. If you need further encouragement, check out his website, www.giret.co.uk where there are some great blogs and fabulous photos of his experience.

Joseph and son Pascal at the finish

What a Difference 20 Years Makes This month marks the twentieth anniversary of the opening of Hennerton Golf Club by former Ryder Cup Captain Bernard Gallacher. At the same time, Crazies Hill resident Joan Morley unveiled a portrait of her late husband actor Robert Morley, which still hangs in the bar.

Much has changed at the club since Gallacher stepped up to the first tee way back in 1992. Initially a nine-hole course, Hennerton developed into a challenging 18 holes in 2006, and the four bay driving range was extended to seven. The tiny original clubhouse can now hold a championship worth of golfers and what was a small duck pond on the ninth hole is now a beautiful lake with an attractive water feature. Indeed, Hennerton Golf Club has a reputation for being one of the most picturesque courses in the area.

Barrister Turns Ambassador for Parkinson’s UK

A Crazies Hill barrister, who swapped silk for lycra last month to complete two gruelling cycling challenges in order to raise money for Parkinson’s UK, has fallen short of his target but is still hoping to raise more.

Joseph Giret QC, 57, who lives at Holly Cross, raised just under £5,000 after undertaking not one, but two, gruelling rides in the space of just three weeks. He’s still hoping that he can increase that total to £6,000, which would trigger an additional large donation to the charity from one of the event organisers.

Admitting to some disappointment that his self-funded efforts have so far failed to hit his financial target, Joseph said he had nevertheless achieved his main objective – to increase awareness of Parkinson’s and to show support for those who suffer from the crippling disease. Now, having visited the headquarters of Parkinson’s UK, he has decided to become an ambassador for the charity, whose slogan is “Change attitudes. Find a cure. Join us”.

Joseph’s former wife Jane was diagnosed with Parkinson’s seven years ago. He is driven by the belief that a cure could be just around the corner, but believes the lack of sponsorship exists because giving money to research doesn’t provide the immediate results that are seen with some other charities.

At the beginning of September Joseph, a member of GS Henley Cycle Club, was one of only seven amateurs chosen to cycle for charity alongside former and current GB professionals on the infamous alpine Haute Route. In seven days he cycled 780km from Geneva to Nice, crossing 19 mountains and ascending 21,000m. Just a week later, he was back in France, cycling in the Alpine Challenge, a four-stage 320km mountain ride which starts at Annecy.

Undoubtedly fit – a former England Schoolboy rugby international who twice sailed across the Atlantic and a member of Leander Club and Upper Thames Rowing Club – he found the Haute Montagne challenge particularly tough. What kept him going was recognising the

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As it has grown in size, Hennerton’s importance in the community has grown too. The club now offers junior golf scholarships to schools and is used as a venue for local societies and clubs as well as for parties and business meetings. It also plays host to the Wargrave Festival Golf Tournament.

In the name of the Club members have raised money for numerous local charities such as CLIC Sargent, Daisy’s Dream, Twyford Adventure Playground, Twyford Age Concern, Camp Mohawk and Chiltern Air Ambulance. They have also supported many national charities, including Lupus UK, Guide Dogs for the Blind, DEBra and Macmillan Nurses.

Despite all of the changes over the past 20 years, though, some things never change: there’s still the same welcome and still those breath-taking views.

Happy Anniversary, Hennerton!

The Hearn Family would like to thank everyone, particularly past and current members, who have supported the golf club over the past 20 years, without whom it would not be the success it has become.

Terrific Triglav: What a Team! Many, many congratulations to Team Triglav, who pushed the boat out in last month’s Commando Challenge to take another major step towards their target of raising an incredible £100,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Amazingly, the group of parents from Crazies Hill Primary School completed the Lake District challenge - to canoe, climb and cycle 46km within 12 hours - in just nine hours and 20 minutes.

This impressive achievement has pushed their fundraising total to more than £92,000 and they are determined to hit their target by the end of the year. Jo Taylor, a member of Triglav whose battle with cancer has been the inspiration for the team’s fundraising, joined the crew in their canoes to start and finish the challenge. Fellow member Susie Wingate praised her courage and said that without Jo’s inspiration and driving force the team could not have raised so much.

Fortunately it was a lovely sunny morning when they launched their challenge by canoeing across Ullswater, spotting an otter on the way. They then climbed Helvellyn and crossed Striding Edge (challenge to beat all challenges for those without a head for heights, apparently) before cycling 20km to Derwentwater.

Exhausted but delighted that they had all finished together, they arrived back to find their support team taken by surprise at the speed of their return.

Cheered on throughout the day by well-wishers, the icing on the celebratory cake came when a

fellow diner in the restaurant where they were toasting their success - a Scotsman no less – made an additional and very generous donation.

Team Triglav celebrate their success

Typically, Team Triglav are already considering their 2014 challenge but in the interim plan to give their children a taster of what it’s all about by climbing Mount Snowdon.

That’ll be Tiny Team Triglav then.

Join the Party . . . Team Triglav will be celebrating their success on Thursday 25 October at The Horns and everyone is welcome to join them. (Readers will be pleased to know that, following refurbishment, The Horns should be open again by mid-October.)

Triglav’s fundraising page (www.virginmoneygiving) is still open and all donations, large or small, will be gratefully received.

Let’s get Quizzical Undoubtedly, most of you will have been in brain training since the shock news in the last issue that the Residents’ Association is holding a quiz night on Saturday 10 November.

Worry not. This is a family quiz for teams of up to eight, designed for fun not failure and includes a two course meal to fuel our frazzled brains.

There will also be a paybar, but for those thinking of turning to early drink, note that the prize for the winning team will be vouchers towards a meal in the restaurant at Hennerton Golf Club. The club has also donated a bottle of wine for each winning team member, for all of which, many thanks.

Village Hall doors open at 7.30pm and the quiz starts at 8.00pm prompt, so don’t miss that all important first round - it’s usually the easiest!

Tickets are only £10 for adults and £5 for children under 12. Naturally they are selling fast, so call me now on 940 2269 to secure yours.

Tess Dixon

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however, oversee the work of designing and making the Sparrowhawk for Fred Miles to use in the King’s Cup in 1935. Miles aircraft came first, second, third and fifth that year. Among the ladies who learnt to fly at Woodley were Pauline Gower and Dorothy Spicer, both daughters of wealthy MPs. They were among the nine lady fliers in a race to mark the opening of the Woodley Aero Club - others including Amy Johnson and Winifred Spooner (who had not only the fastest lap time, but also the highest handicap). Pauline became the head of the women’s section of the Air Transport Auxiliary in 1939.

Wargrave Local History Society September’s meeting of the Wargrave Local History Society was an illustrated presentation by Geoff and Val Beckett on Berkshire’s Lady Fliers. Geoff recounted the history - punctuated by contemporary quotes about the fliers read by Val - from balloons to Spitfires. The hot air balloon was re-invented by a Berkshire man, Reverend John Bacon, Vicar of Cold Ash, in 1902. Reverend Bacon’s daughter, Gertrude, also became a balloonist. On one occasion, having left Newbury, they became concerned that they could hear the sound of the sea, so descended rapidly - landing just clear of the Bristol Channel. Another of the early Berkshire lady fliers was Violet Kavanagh, who flew from Maidenhead where she lived. She made over 300 balloon flights and went on to become one of the first women to fly an aircraft. Then, from Wokingham, came Winifred Spooner. She was a well-known flier before Amy Johnson, having gained her licence in 1927 (only the 16th woman to qualify for one). She set up an air taxi business, was one of the founder members in 1928 of the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Flying Club and she was considered a better pilot and navigator than Amy. Winifred was elected to the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators in 1930, the same year as she received the Freedom of Wokingham for her gallantry in saving another after an air crash at sea. Her aim had been to ‘show that a woman could be every bit as good a pilot as a man’. Sadly, she died in 1933 from influenza. Winifred had flown in the King’s Cup Air Race, flying a Southern Martlet aeroplane. Maxine Freeman-Thomas, known as Blossom, became the ‘mother of the company’ at Miles Aircraft. However she probably did not pilot a plane much, if at all, having lost the sight of one eye in an accident some years previously. She did,

Wellington from there to Little Rissington; a Spitfire from there to Wales and then a Mosquito to Ford (in Sussex). An hour’s wait whilst a Mustang was prepared was the only break in the day, before she took it (a type never flown before) to Lichfield, picking up an Anson to fly to Castle Bromwich, before another Wellington to White Waltham. Joan Hughes became the only woman qualified to instruct on every type of aircraft. A diminutive lady, she was the first to fly a Stirling bomber - Lettice being the first woman to fly a Halifax. All this work was done without radio or radar; they navigated with just a map, watch and their eyes. After the war, Joan Hughes became an instructor at White Waltham and

later chief instructor at Booker. Some of the aircraft used in the film Those Magnificent Men and Their Flying Machines were built at White Waltham - one was too small for any of the men to get into, so Joan did the test flight and, dressed as an amorous Frenchman, did all the flying scenes in the film. Extracts from Geoff’s book Brushes With Aviation, which includes many of his illustrations, can be found at www.geoffbecket.com. The book also includes stories

about Berkshire’s gentlemen fliers, its airfields and the aircraft built in the county. The Society’s next meeting takes place on Tuesday, 13 November when Clive Williams will speak on The Nabobs of Berkshire - the merchants of the East India Company who subsequently returned to Britain and mostly settled in the Thames Valley in large mansions, many of which still survive. The Society will hold its Christmas Party on Tuesday, 11 December. Our meetings start at 8.00pm in the Pavilion on the Recreation Ground. For more information, please visit www.wargravehistory.org.uk or contact me on 940 3121. Peter Delaney

Among the pilots she recruited was Joan Hughes - who had first flown an aircraft aged 15 (although a minimum age of 16 applied to get a licence). Initially the ladies were only supposed to fly Tiger Moths, but eventually they flew all types of aircraft, including the heaviest of the bombers, delivering them from factories to RAF squadrons or maintenance bases. Lettice Curtis, generally accepted as the best ATA pilot, male or female, was another local flier. The variety of work the women undertook is apparent from just one day in Lettice’s log book - an Anson from White Waltham to Brooklands; a

A Spitfire

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Wargrave Gardeners’ Club Located close by is Trebah Gardens, more densely planted and considered by the speaker to be better than Glendurgan, causing a stir of controversy amongst the audience! A slide of a Ceanothus, from California, flowering in February at Trebah was evidence that the season starts up to two months earlier in Cornwall, something to bear in mind when you plan your visit to these unmissable gardens.

The final garden of the journey was Tresco Abbey, actually in the Isles of Scilly, which has plants from Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. There is a wide range of Echinas here, including rare specimens from the Canaries, that Michael illustrated with a head-spinning slideshow to complete his talk.

Our next talk will be Herbs and Their Uses on Wednesday 31 October at 8.00pm in the Hannen Room.

Ian Bradley

On Wednesday 19 September, President Adrienne Rance welcomed members before introducing guest speaker Mrs D Warnock who gave an interesting, illustrated talk entitled What the Bride Wore, focussing on royal and aristocratic weddings. Marriages before the 1400s were purely civic affairs, nothing to do with the church or necessarily in white; in fact dresses were all sorts of colours, including black. Marriages were often arranged to link powerful families together. Cicely Neville, Henry VII’s sister, was betrothed at the age of nine to Richard, Duke of York, whom she married in 1429; she was the mother of Edward IV and Richard III. Henry VIII used his younger sister, Mary Tudor as a political pawn, betrothing her to King Louis XII of France, who was more than 30 years older.

‘Love is blind, but marriage restores its sight’

Georg C. Lichtenberg

The Wargrave Gardeners’ Club members met in the Hannen Room on the

last Wednesday of September to be treated to a fascinating talk about selected gardens of Cornwall by Dr Michael Keith-Lucas. Dr Keith-Lucas explained that due to the frost-free weather and benign microclimates of the gardens it would also be a journey to countries with a Mediterranean climate such as Spain, the Canaries, South Africa, Argentina and Chile.

The tour began with the Eden Project, more of a botanical garden and one that Dr. Keith–Lucas was closely associated with due to his work at the University of Reading. He explained the planting involved in the tropical and Mediterranean ‘Biomes’ there and how the number of visitors and popularity of the project exceeded all expectations. The Cornish gardens with their milder climate all have specimens of plants that would never survive

elsewhere in the UK.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan near Mevagissey were the next stop. They were rescued after 100 years of neglect and consequently have rhododendrons that have grown larger than anywhere else. Statues are a feature of Heligan and Dr Keith–Lucas’ slides reinforced his opinion that sculpture is an important part of a garden.

Next was Trewithen at Truro with its superb hydrangeas and collection of plants that are pollinated by humming birds in their native South America. This is signified by the flowers pointing downward. In the UK bumblebees do the job of the birds as they will visit such flowers whereas our other bees generally prefer flowers pointing upwards.

The garden at Glendurgan, Falmouth, also has plants from South America as well as South Africa, the palms being particularly spectacular.

Fashions changed over the centuries; for example, in the 1700s dresses were flat at the front and very wide at the side (mantu style), whilst in the 1950s shoulder pads were in vogue. The traditional white wedding was made fashionable by Queen Victoria when she married Prince Albert in February 1840. Until then, creating a white gown to be worn for just one day was thought to be very extravagant. Victoria wore a crown of orange blossom, a tradition handed down through the centuries as symbol of purity.

The wedding of her daughter, Elizabeth, to Prince Philip in 1947 was a wonderful highlight as England was struggling in the aftermath of war. Like many other wartime brides, Elizabeth had to save up ration coupons for material needed for her gown. Members were delighted to see so many colourful illustrations of the different bridal dresses created over the centuries. A delicious tea was then served by Ann Whittaker and Maureen Fennemore. The competition for a memento from a wedding was won by Averil Parton. The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 17 October at 2.30pm at Crazies Hill Village Hall, when Mr V Shaw will give an illustrated talk about Basildon House. If you are interested in attending, please ring me on 940 3426. Selina Avent

Cockpole Green WI Report

Another royal first was the public wedding of the marriage of Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother), in 1923 in Westminster Abbey.

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Home Start Wokingham District

Home-Start Wokingham District is a voluntary organisation which supports young families which have at least one child under five years of age who are experiencing difficulties and live within Wokingham Borough. Volunteers visit families in their own homes once a week for up to three hours to provide practical help with children and emotional support and friendship to the parents. Volunteers can be a listening ear and direct families to other organisations that can help with specific issues. They can help families with medical and other appointments and help a family take the children out to the park or play with the children in the home whilst the parent attends to household chores or gives individual attention to other children in the family. Home-Start supports families with a wide range of issues including mums with post-natal depression, families with a child with additional needs, the long term illness of a parent or child, families that are isolated from their extended family or have moved to the area or from another country. It also supports single parents and families that have multiple births or several children under five. Home-Start volunteers come from all walks of life and are a variety of ages. They are all parents themselves and understand the stresses and strains of bringing up young children. They are not there to tell parents how to bring up their children but to be alongside them giving them the support they need to enable parents to enjoy family life. Volunteers attend a 40 hour training course held over ten weeks. They are then carefully matched to families and receive regular supervision and support from the Scheme staff. If you are a parent who feels you could help a young family then Home-Start Wokingham District would love to hear from you.

Our next Volunteer Preparation Course is due to start soon. If you feel you would like to be involved please contact Lindsay or Mandy for more information on 988 8025 or email admin@home-startwd.org.uk Lindsay Browne Scheme Co-ordinator

Pop-In Club Once again through the generosity of the Hennerton Old Golfers Society (HOGS) the Pop-in Club and the Luncheon Club were invited to tea at the club. It was a lovely sunny afternoon and there was a delicious spread of sandwiches and cakes. Those who wanted to were taken on a golf buggy tour of the course. We are very grateful for the hospitality and friendship shown to us and would like to say a big thank-you to all those involved. We had a flower arranging morning which is always popular. Members could choose either yellow and white or pink and white flowers and there was ample foliage. The arrangements produced were most attractive and showed skill and imagination. The September outing was to Longbridge Mill, at Sherfield-on-Loddon. There is an extensive dining area but all the old mill machinery is still in working order and once a month corn is ground and the flour produced is sold. The portions provided for lunch are generous to say the least and this is another favourite venue for an outing. There are some interesting events planned for the rest of the year so if you would like to join us on a Monday morning at the Bowls Club and see what is on offer do please contact the following: Ann Holland 940 3582 Pat Jones 940 2267

Wargrave Theatre Workshop Pantomime Auditions Announced The Wargrave Theatre Workshop’s January 2013 pantomime will be the story of Dick Whittington, Lord Mayor of London Town, and his faithful cat Tom. Aided by the Good Fairy Bow Bells they hope to defeat King Rat and rid London of his evil menace. If you are interested in being part of the pantomime please come along to the reading on Thursday 18 October, and to our open auditions on Sunday 21 October at 7.00pm and Thursday 25 October at 8.00pm in the Green Room, Woodclyffe Hostel. If you would like to be involved but can’t make these dates please let me know at Linda.Daman@btinternet.com.

Tickets will be available from early December and the show will take place 17 to 20 January 2013 and you will be able to purchase online through our website www.wargravetheatre.co.uk. Linda Daman

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Alison Mercer - Thursday 15November Please book your place for a visit by Alison Mercer on Thursday 15November at 7.45pm for 8.00pm in the Sansom Room. There will be a charge of £5.00 which will include a glass of wine. Alison will be talking about writing her debut novel, Stopthe Clock. The book contrasts the lives of three women and their life choices. This will be a great opportunity for any ‘want to be’ novelists to find out how to get started on a writing career and how to get published.Chapter One Bookshop from Woodley (an excellent local independent bookshop and ‘friend’ to Wargrave Library) will be selling Alison’s book which I’m sure she will be pleased to sign for you. Please book your place now on 940 4656.

Coffee Mornings We are very sorry to report that Sue Sedden (from Butterflies in the High Street) has decided to hang up her tea towel and is retiring from volunteering at our Coffee Mornings. I have done my best to refuse to accept her resignation, so I’ve agreed to let her have a break. In all seriousness, Sue has been absolutely brilliant and we don’t want to lose her but we completely understand her reasons. We’ve so appreciated her hosting the Coffee Mornings; encouraging new people to come along and to giving people support when they’ve needed someone to confide in. I’m also encouraging her to join in with ‘Knit the Village’ so we won’t lose touch. Coffee Mornings will still continue to run on the second Wednesday of the month from 9.30am to 1.00pm. You may have to resort to making your own tea and coffee occasionally but you’ll be most welcome to come and see what the library has to offer. I

know we are competing with the ‘Wednesday Bus’ and the gorgeous Coffee Shop up the road but we are always pleased to see new faces in the library.

Knit the Village Knitting Project – Knit Wits Thank you to everyone who has

signed up to join us. You’ll be amazed how many items we have already accumulated. We have garlands, knitted paper chains, flowers, crocheted spiders

webs, athletes, a couple of pigeons and a mouse to name just a few. If you are not sure what this is all about pop into the library and I’ll show you a beautiful piece of work that has been put together by Sue Emms (who is at the heart of this project and got it off the ground). You’ll soon see that knitting items really can transform into art. We’d love anyone that has ever knitted, crocheted or done anything to do with a needle to join in. Even if you just knit a square you’ll be joining in with a great village project. We are planning to leave some knitting needles and wool around the village so that you can knit a couple of rows while you’re chatting. And don’t think you chaps can’t have a go too. Join us at the Library on Fridays between 2.00pm and 4.00pm and we’ll even give you a cup of tea. There are sessions throughout the week, just ask for more information.

Speed Dating – Knitting Style, Knit Wits too If you don’t feel confident enough about your knitting skills or you want to learn to crochet, why not join us on Saturday 27 October in the Hannen Room from 10.00am until 3.00pm. You’ll get the chance to have a go at six different skills and I’ll blow the whistle when it’s time to rotate to a new activity. Should be good fun and you’ll meet lots of new people. This is also a great chance to learn a new skill and we are also busy recruiting people who are willing to ‘teach’ as well as learn. Please bring along a packed lunch but we’ll have plenty of tea and coffee available.

Thrive Just to let you know we had a bit of a hiccup with starting our latest group of Thrive (eight week gardening course) sessions. It has been delayed slightly and will now be starting on Wednesday 17 October. The sessions are held in the library between 2.00pm and 4.00pm. They are free of charge and aimed at people who are over 50 years of age. Call in if you would like to join us.

Bridge Lessons Bridge with John has returned to the library for a new term. We hold sessions for beginners and improvers on alternate Thursday afternoons between 2.00pm and 4.00pm. We are always pleased to hear from anyone who would like to join us. We are very lucky to have a small group so you get plenty of support and John is the most patient person I’ve ever met – thank goodness.

Libby the Library Bear’s Adventures Hi Children, Don’t forget to say hello to me next time you are in the library. I get a bit lonely sat on the shelf and I’d like a bit of a cuddle. The leaves are starting to fall off the trees so it must to getting towards Autumn. I’m expecting Ros and Chris to turn the display board into a new picture and have pictures of bonfires and fireworks any minute now. Please feel free to nag them; sometimes they can be a bit slow. Join us on Wednesday 31 October for a morning of Halloween Activities and enjoy some Trick or Treats from 9.30am until 1.00pm.

Storytime Storytime is held every Monday from 4.00pm until 4.30pm. Sometimes the library is fit to burst so we have decided that we may hold some of these sessions upstairs in the Sansom Room. It will really depend how many people turn up. Please can I come up with you? Ros & Chris

940 4656

Library Matters

Bruce Glasby

Fire alarms

Emergency lighting

Reactive maintenance

Monthly building checks

Testing and Inspections

Data cabling and networking

BGElectrical & Mechanical Ltd

All commercial & domestic electrical work carried out to electrical regulation BS7671

Telephone: 0118 9406076 • Mobile: 07740 870398Email: bruce.glasby@tiscali.co.uk • www.bgelectricalservices.co.uk

Carol’s Cat Care, Dog Walking, House and Pet Sitting Service

We are a husband and wife team who have retired from professional jobs. We visit or stay while you’re away!

Many years of experience with animals. Honest, reliable and trustworthy. Excellent references,

police checked, vet approved and fully insured. Carol on 0118 901 6590 or 07888 614 840 Emailcarol@carolscatdogcare.co.uk www.carolscatdogcare.co.uk

Bob Woodmansee

Financial Consultant

e-mail: robert.woodmansee@btinternet.com

phone: 0118 9401354 or 07901 553441

website: www.woodmansee�inancial.co.uk

32

Wargrave Surgery Patient Participation Group Wargrave Surgery Patient Participation Group (PPG) was set up by the Wargrave doctors in 2007. Now most of the 14 practices in the Wokingham area have similar patient participation groups, and these are working cooperatively through a forum that meets regularly with the Wokingham Clinical Commissioning Group (WCCG). Under the new NHS regime CCGs throughout the UK are due to replace the existing Primary Care Trusts in April 2013.

The Wargrave Surgery PPG has eight members drawn from the patient list who meet the doctors and practice manager every three or four months. The objective is to act as a channel of communication between the public and the surgery and so help the surgery to provide the best possible service. To communicate with patients the Wargrave PPG has enrolled a Patients’ Panel, which now consists of over 650 patients representing nearly 10% of Wargrave patients, who are willing to respond to questionnaires. The Wargrave PPG has, over time, issued four questionnaires to its Patients’ Panel, the last one at the end of 2011, and a fifth one is planned for later in 2012. In order to obtain the views of younger patients, who are under-represented in the Patients’ Panel, the PPG also carried out a separate survey with the Wargrave Piggott School sixth formers in October 2011.

The Wargrave Surgery PPG’s questionnaires have covered a range of issues that are important to patients such as the level of satisfaction with the appointments system, the availability of extended opening hours, the out-of-hours service, the service on repeat prescriptions and the views of patients as to routine medical services that they might receive “closer to home” rather than at the Royal Berkshire or other acute hospitals; and the next questionnaire will follow up on some of these issues and will also be seeking views on the availability of personal medical records online.

From 2013 groups such as the Wargrave PPG will have an increasingly important part to play as the NHS struggles to meet increasing demand with completely new administrative structures and with budgets that are diminishing in real terms.

The Wargrave Surgery PPG is keen to recruit more members to its Patients’ Panel (or “Patients Reference Group”), especially in the youger age range, and patients may sign up to join this online at www.wargravesurgery.org.uk.

T R Berman

Chair, Wargrave Surgery PPG

Time for Tiny Toes Tiddlers, toddlers, pre-school children and their carers meet on a Monday morning when it is time for Tiny Toes. We are a small, lively group that meet in the comfort of the Sansom Room which is above the library.

The class begins with a warm-up, before percussion instruments, hoops and soft balls are used. There is also the children’s favourite, the parachute. Adults and children work together throughout the class and we finish with a quiet time sitting together and singing some favourite children’s songs. In between there are sections where the children move in an imaginative way but still working with their carer.

Tiny Toes has been running for some years now and is a lovely time for the young and adults to work and play together at the start of the week. At present our boy members outnumber the girls, which is unusual but very encouraging.

For details regarding Tiny Toes please contact Hilary Thomas on 940 3978 or email hatatwargrave@tiscali.co.uk.

Hilary Thomas

Hoops, instruments and parachutes at Tiny Toes

Fun times at Tiny Toes

D M King Plastering All types of plastering undertaken

25 years experience Walls and ceilings re-skimmed Skimming over artex Rendering Pebble dashing Plastering repairs Tacking Coving

Tel 0118 944 2067 Mob 0778 053 7845

Have you ever wanted to have fullaccess to the River Thames atWargrave? It’s not always easy to finda place to enjoy messing about on theriver or even launch a boat. If youalso want to store your gear, enjoy teaand cakes on the lawn in the summer,gaze out over the sunset from adouble glazed panoramic bar, feed thechildren with a barbecue, enjoy thesimple pleasure of an overnight camp,a spot of fishing, slip off to theregattas or Henley Festival and still

have time for a dash of competitivedinghy sailing then we’ve got news foryou. There is such a place, and it’salmost on your doorstep, downWargrave’s Willow Lane at HenleySailing Club.

Henley Sailing Club is one of theoldest recreational sailing clubs in theworld. It was founded on 1 August1896 by Dr WH Macpherson and afew other gentlemen who met atCordrey’s Boat Yard, Shiplake. It wascalled the Henley and Shiplake SailingAssociation and had 22 members. In1897 it changed its name to theHenley Sailing Club and took over theburgee of the defunct Erith YachtClub. The club was almost exclusivelydedicated to fast but tricky sailing

punts but gradually mixedclasses of dinghies wereintroduced. Races were heldeither at Shiplake near to theThames Conservancy Ferry(opposite the currentclubhouse) or on a coursebetween Henley Bridge andTemple Island. One of themost famous sailors andboat builders of all time, UffaFox, was associated with theclub and took forward thedesign of a 12-foot boatsuitable for river conditionsthat became the National 12.This boat, in a variety of itshistorical forms, is still racedon the Thames but now overthe river in Wargrave.

Times have changed since1896 and the club is nowfamily-oriented with an emphasis onenjoying the great outdoors with somekeen sailing to get the adrenalinpumping. The Commodore no longerneeds to wear a peaked cap andsmoke a pipe (she’s quite pleasedabout that).

Although competitive sailing is still thethrill that ticks most of the boxes,there is a full programme of fun sailingwhere everyone can join in and try outthe selection of club boats of Lasers,Topper, Enterprise, Pico, N12 andOptimist. For the less windy daysthere is space to store kayaks,Canadian canoes, skiffs, punts, smallcruisers and rowing boats for quick (orslow) trips up and downstream or alazy paddle round the Hennertonbackwater. As a member you have apersonal key and can come and go asyou please and enjoy the river or theclub’s facilities for as long as you like.

The facilities are blessed by naturewith two acres of grounds, aclubhouse in the Art Deco style of the1920-30s, a bar, lounge, kitchen andwindows overlooking the river.

There are two boat stores, boatparking (wet and dry), two car parksand the chance to hire out the club foruniquely-sited wedding receptions,

other family celebrations and social orbusiness meetings.

A highlight of the summer is tea andhome made cakes on the lawns everySunday. We have an active socialevents list as long as a yard arm andthose with a desire to exhibit theirculinary skills have the chance toshow off by cooking three-coursedinners for 30 guests on six differentoccasions throughout the year. We’vesampled everything from grey squirrelstew to nettle gnocci and Hawaiiannights to Irish nights with severalhilarious fancy dress themes inbetween. Not only that but currynights, horse racing nights, quiznights, talks, music and generalfrivolity including the spectacularlydressy Annual Cocktail Party with aposh picnic and dancing on the lawn.

If you never knew all this washappening within a couple of miles ofwhere you live, come to our open dayon Saturday 13 June 2009 between2.00pm and 5.00pm. If you can’tmake it on the day, pop down anySunday afternoon and have a chatwith the sailors or the Commodore ifshe’s not on the water! Our website isat www.henleysailingclub.org.uk.

Duncan Mackay

Welcome to the Henley Sailing Club,

Wargrave’s Riverside Secret

34

Grease is the Word in Wargrave Friday 21 September saw an influx of “pink ladies” and “beauty school dropouts” to a Grease Singalong film night at the Woodclyffe Hall. This sellout event, organised by a group of mums from the Robert Piggott Infant School, raised over £1,000 for the Infant and Junior Schools.

The evening started with a fancy dress competition and warm-up dance routine, and then the audience sang and danced the night away to the well-loved movie. Guests were served popcorn and pink fizz by the “T-bird” bar staff and the evening finished with a Grease-themed disco. The event organisers, Georgina Kelly, Caroline Meader, Lucie Matthews and Zanna Jeary, were inspired to put on the show in Wargrave, having attended a similar event at the Hexagon earlier this year.

Caroline Meader commented “ We all love a good singsong and Grease is one of those classic feel-good films that you cannot help but join in with. It was great to see everyone dressed up and enjoying themselves and the fact that we were able to raise such a lot of money for the schools was an added bonus. We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who came and gave their time and expertise to make the event such a success.”

The X-mas Factor Two Night Extravaganza at Woodclyffe Hall Friday 7 December at 8.00pm Christmas party and variety show. Mulled wine, mince pies and Christmas fare with music, sketches and songs to start the Christmas season. Saturday 8 December at 8.00pm Carry on the party spirit with Rockeoke featuring Big Daddy and YOU! Ticket includes curry. £15 a ticket for one night, £25 for both nights. Tickets on sale from Thursday 1 November. All profits will be distributed among local children's groups and charities. Performers wanted! If you are interested contact xmasfactor@hotmail.co.uk or on Facebook.com/thexmasfactor

The organisers of Grease Singalong are pictured above - from left to right: Lucie Mattews, Caroline Meader, Georgina Kelly and Zanna Jeary

35

SPRING MEADOWS AT HIGHFIELD FARM

OFFICES to Let on our Rural Business Centre

GIBSTORE AT CRAZIES HILLLockable dry heated STORAGE

Various sizes of secure areas available for household or business

Call Dick Bush 0118 940 1205 (office)

NIKKI’SKITCHEN

Nikki Alston Professional Caterer 07776 342837 0118 940 3788 nikki.alston@googlemail.com

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36

We are delighted that the internal building work of our new extension has now been completed. This has long been a vision for the school and after many years of designing, planning and a huge amount of patience, we now have a fabulous new build. Children in Remenham now have a large, bright and airy classroom which provides fantastic opportunities for playing, learning and having fun – all part of the Early Years Curriculum. They still have their wonderful outdoor area to further enhance their experiences. The school offices have also been greatly improved. Mrs Laverty now has a fit for purpose working space which enables her to tackle all the demands of a busy school office, without people walking through to the rest of the school. My own new office has space to meet visitors, parents and children as well as hold meetings. We have a separate Finance Office, which is a huge step up from the work-top in the staff room that Mrs Ginman used for many years. Now we have a room that provides the privacy and confidentiality that fits the role. All of these new areas have a very positive impact on the rest of the school. The library area is no longer being used for Remenham coats, book bags and dressing up; the ICT suite is not required for meetings and reviews and members of staff have their own staff room which is not also used as on office. All in all it is a great success! This project would not have happened without a number of key people. The governors’ ‘Futures’ sub-group has been on the case from the outset. Phillip Cooper and Matt Kitson used their specialist experience to drive the proposed plan and Trina Noyes (Chair) has been a major contributor to the smooth running of it all. Several members of staff took on the role of furniture removers and Mrs Laverty was an enormous help during the summer holiday in communicating with contractors to ensure we finished on schedule. Thanks must also go to our near neighbours for their patience during the process; I hope it wasn’t too disruptive for you. Finally, I must add that this project has been fully funded by the school. We received no financial support from WBC for the works; we have targeted our capital budget (which can only be used for such projects) towards this extension for several years, so we can truly say that it really is all our own work!

Eileen Holmes, Headteacher

The new reception classroom

Crazies Hill CE Primary School’s Extension

What Has Happened to Luncheon Club? Having just embarked on my year as leader of Wargrave Luncheon Club, I was astonished to discover that over 30 willing volunteers provide delicious home-cooked meals once a week to a group of pensioners who number fewer than 20! This I find very puzzling. Operating a six-week rota, we have teams of really good cooks giving their time and skill to present a hot two-course meal followed by tea or coffee. We send our guests home with flowers from our own gardens. And for all this good company and scrummy food, we currently charge £3.00! For about 40 years the senior citizens of Wargrave have waited patiently for a place at our tables. Now, suddenly, we wonder if we have the support to keep going.

We meet for a couple of hours every Thursday in the little room at the back of the Woodclyffe Hall. Transport is provided door-to-door by Readibus, free with a bus pass. We can cater for most dietary requirements, with notice. All pensioners living in the village will be warmly welcomed, on a regular basis, either alone or as a couple.

So why not join us? Ring Sue Mackenzie on 940 3383 or me on 940 3602 to find out more.

Patsy Roynon

Thank you to everyone who came to my coffee morning on 5 October in aid of Parkinson’s UK. I was overwhelmed by the response and generosity of you all. I would like to thank Sue Chandler for bringing her beautiful Soy candles, everyone who baked the delicious cakes and biscuits and my family for supporting me, helping me decorate the house and welcoming everyone who came. We raised £401.60 for this important charity. I feel so lucky to live in such a generous and caring community. Susanna Farrow

Kentwood Garden Services

Garden Maintenance & LandscapingRegular Maintenance & Clearance Visits

Fencing Turfing Paving Hedge Cutting

Fully Insured Free Estimates

A member of Checkatrade.com

All Garden Waste is Recycled

212 Kentwood Hill, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 6DP

email kevin.kgs@btinternet.com

Tel 0118 9678840 Mobile 07980915944

Wokingham Borough Councillors A river pageant in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and 4,000 Jubilee garden party guests took place at Henley Business School on 25 June. A significant proportion of the 4,000 guests at the garden party were selected by public ballot and they joined representatives of voluntary

organisations and charities, together with civic, community and business leaders. The garden party and river pageant were organised by the Lord-Lieutenants of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. I was proud and honoured to have been invited; it was a glorious day. WBC has signed up to the Government’s Troubled Families programme by launching the local Family First programme. 110 families in the Borough will get extra help to change their lives for the better and to help them get children into school, reduce youth crime and anti-social behaviour and put adults on a path back to work. WBC is firmly committed to enabling residents who rely on council support to become self sufficient and self reliant. The Family First programme is a combination of intensive support and challenge to help those families to make lasting changes, which improve outcomes for them and for the communities in which they live. The scheme is being run on a payment-by-results basis with up to £4,000 available for every family successfully turned around. This means that up to £366,667 will be available to Wokingham Borough over the next three years if the council is successful in improving school attendance, reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and moving families off benefits and into continuous work. WBC has successfully prosecuted two residents for not completing and returning their annual canvass forms for the 2011/2012 Register of Electors. It is a legal requirement to return the annual canvass form. As well as not being able to vote, not being on the Register of Electors may also lead to difficulty obtaining credit. Prosecution for not returning the form could lead to a criminal record and a fine of up to £1,000. The Council met with residents of Twyford Orchards to discuss proposals to expand and refurbish the existing Traveller site on London Road, Twyford. It is hoped a planning application will be submitted early this summer; local residents and interested parties will have the chance to comment during the formal public consultation period. Bob Pitts has been appointed to Deputy Chairman of the WBC Conservative Group, in addition to being a non Executive Director of Optalis, a member of the Board of Governors at Royal Berkshire Hospital Foundation Trust, Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Corporate Parenting Board, the Planning Committee and the Berkshire Museum of Aviation. My primary duty will continue to be to represent the residents, but I have joined the Audit Committee and the Piggott Trust.

John Halsall 01491 576190 cherwell@btinternet.com

Jack the Ripper

A musical play by Ron Pember and Denis de Marne

10 – 13 October 2012

Woodclyffe Hall

Directors: Joe Haynes, Clive Dow Musical Director: Rod Murray

Choreographer: Madelaine Kelly

What A Life! 1880s Whitechapel was no picnic. Money was hard to come by, and it was never enough for your food and shelter. At least everyone was in it together, and you all looked forward to Half A Dozen Pints at the local ale house on a Saturday Night. Everyone hoped that things would get better when there was work in the docks, on the day the Boat Comes In.

Join us in October as we relive the horror and humour of the times in our musical production of Jack the Ripper. The show brilliantly captures a mix of emotions with a wonderful story based on actual events with great comedy and memorable songs. Despite the dark undertones, it will be a very entertaining evening.

The Woodclyffe Hall will become the ‘Steam Packet’ Music Hall where the Chairman will lead the cast and audience in an evening of drama, songs, dances and mystery.

Rehearsals for this major production are now underway and we have an experienced cast offering a great blend of singing, acting and movement skills.

Tickets will be on sale from Saturday 1 September via the Wargrave Theatre website www.wargravetheatre.co.uk or by phone or information 07876 532716 (no booking charge).

Tickets for all performances will be £10.00 (£9.00 concessions).

Maria Hackemann

38

Robert Piggott C of E Schools’ Website We are pleased to announce the launch of our new joint school website for both Infant and Junior Schools. On our new site you will be able to find key school dates, copies of the latest newsletters, the curriculum overview, information about school clubs, the PTA and the Governors and much more! The single website can be accessed through either

www.robertpiggott-jun.wokingham.sch.uk or www.robertpiggott-inf.wokingham.sch.uk Our new website would not have been possible without the support of a number of local sponsors – the Hall Hunter Partnership, The Greyhound, Photos by Pennie, Tim Hodges Photography - and the time and creativity of a working team of school governors, school offices and IT support teams. We thank them for their efforts. Please take time to take a look at the new site and remember to bookmark it for future use! Terri Walsh

Your South Central Ambulance Service Foundation Trust Public Governor My name is Gary Clark and I am one of three appointed Public Governors in Berkshire for the newly formed South Central Ambulance Foundation Trust, as well as being a member of a local Community Responder Group in Swallowfield. What is a Foundation Trust? Foundation Trusts are still part of the NHS, but unlike ordinary NHS trusts, they have thousands of members and a Council of Governors (of which I am one) who form an integral part of the governance structure that exists in all NHS FTs. NHS Foundation Trusts (FTs): are free from direct central government control and are able to decide how to improve their services. retain any surpluses they generate to invest in new services, and can borrow money to support these investments. are accountable to their local communities; local people can become members and governors.

These freedoms mean that together they can shape our ambulance service around local needs and priorities. Benefits at a glance Real opportunities to be involved in developing health services, which meet the needs of local people. Opportunities to be involved in decision making in areas of particular interest to them. Greater access to more in-depth information about the workings of the Trust and its future plans. More control for the Trust over the pace of change in terms of local target setting and meeting contracts . More stability resulting in less workplace stress. To provide health services and employment opportunities to a local population which has significant health and social needs? We feel that, as an NHS Foundation Trust, we can play a much greater role in supporting the ongoing development and success of our local communities . To expect that our members and Council of Governors will challenge them to improve health and healthcare for local people. The meetings are public, anyone can attend and I can assure everyone that the Governors mean business and are not afraid to challenge or ask questions. I am convinced that as the Foundation Trust finds its feet, it will start to reap the benefits of being a Foundation Trust. As your public governor I am here to listen to your views and take them forward to the main Board so that your voices are heard in the shaping of the Trust. As a Foundation Trust, the Board is accountable to all of its key stakeholders and that most definitely includes you – the public. I am interested in any views that you have on the service or any questions that you want answered. I can be contacted via :FAO Company Secretary, Gary Clark, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, 7-8 Talisman Business Centre, Talisman Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 6HR. You can send me an email directly via gary.scasft@gmail.com Foundation Trust also needs members. By becoming a member, whether you are a member of the public, work for a partner organisation or an employee of the Trust, you are able to have more say in how things are done in order to achieve the best possible quality of care. Membership numbers are increasing all the time, strengthening the link between your local ambulance service and the local community. It is voluntary and free of charge and obligation. Members are able to give their views on relevant issues for Governors such as myself to act on. I would urge you to join the Foundation Trust by applying on line at www.southcentralambulance.nhs.uk/foundation-trust/becomeamember.ashx. Every member of the household is eligible to register and we need to ensure that we have as many members of the public signed up as we can. If you have any questions about membership then please send them to: Getinvolved@scas.nhs.uk. I look forward to hearing from you. Gary Clark

39

October Notice board

News e-mail: editor@wargravenews.co.uk Advertising e-mail: advertising@wargravenews.co.uk

Editors: Mal Evans 940 3173 Sue Ferguson 940 3032 Sue Chamberlain 940 3648 Silvia Fidler 940 2031 Cath Forsaith 940 1895 Sharon Hewitt 940 2909 Shirley Coward 940 3171

Website: Cath Forsaith 940 1895 Advertising: Sue Ferguson 18 Ridgeway 940 3032 Noticeboard: Cath Forsaith 940 1895 Distribution: Chris and Helen Perry 940 3017 Printed by: Higgs Group 01491 419429

Management Committee: Chairman: John Ratings 940 1363 Treasurer: Graham Jones 20 Ridgeway 940 6613 Secretary: Sue Ferguson 940 3032

The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, unless signed by them.

The Wargrave News cannot accept responsibility for products or services advertised in this paper. The publication of adverts is at the discretion of the editors.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior permission of the editors.© Wargrave News 2012

TWYFORD WARGRAVE AND DISTRICT VOLUNTEER CENTRE

VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY NEEDED FOR

DRIVING AND OFFICE DUTIES

TO OFFER OR ASK FOR HELP TELEPHONE

934 3010

PARKING SPACE NEEDED

Retired, disabled Nursing Sister is looking for a secure place to park a small car, such as a garage, off road place or driveway near School Lane.If you are able to help please phone Ros on 940 3658.

Urgent childcare needed!I am looking for childcare for my 3 year old daughter and require at the following times:

Monday 7.30am to 9.15am

(Pre-school from 9.15am to 2.45pm / Drop off & collection needed) 2.45pm to 7.00pm

Tuesday7.30am - 9.15am

(Pre-school from 9.15am to 2.45pm / Drop off & collection needed) 2.45pm to 7.00pm

Wednesday7.30am to 9.15pm

(Pre-school from 9.15am to 12.15pm / Drop off & collection needed) 12.15pm to 7.00pm

If you can assist please contact me directly on 07525 850447.

Theresa May MP to speak at Heritage Trust’s October meeting Our local MP and Home Secretary will be the guest speaker at the Wargrave Heritage Trust meeting at the Woodclyffe Hall on Friday 26 October at 8.00pm. The talk will have an autobiographical theme and there will be an opportunity for questions. Wine and soft-drinks will be available. Unreserved tickets at £10 are available from The Old Post Office Coffee Shop in Wargrave High Street or from Peter Halman on 940 4500 or Wendy Smith on 940 2920. Come along and enjoy what promises to be an interesting and popular event.

Contact Peter Halman on 940 4500 or email prh@vinery.co.uk

or Neill Pitcher on 940 2424 nep@wargraveonthames.demon.co.uk

Wanted for reasonable price Small Basic Electric Sewing Machine Straight & Zigzag Stitch for son who wishes to mend own jeans! Phone 940 2788

40

Wargrave Village Diary October/November 2012 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

15 October 16 October 17 October 18 October 19 October 20 October 21 October 9.30am Pop-In Club Bowls Club 4-4.30pm Storytime Library 5.30-6.30pm Woodclyffe Book Club Library 7.45pm Parish Council The Old Pavilion

10-11.30am Baby and Toddler Group Woodclyffe Hall 8pm Womens’ Club The Old Pavilion

9.30-11am Butterflies & Rhymetime Hannen Room 2.30pm Cockpole Green WI Crazies Hill Hall

12.30pm Luncheon Club 2-4pm Bridge Library 2pm Bridge Drive Crazies Hill Hall

2-4pm Knit Wits Library 7.15pm RBL Fish and Chips Lecture Woodclyffe Hall

10am-2pm Wargrave Apple Day Kings Field Orchard 10am 5 Mile Walk NT Car Park SL6 6QE

22 October 23 October 24 October 25 October 26 October 27 October 28 October 9.30am Pop-In Club Outing 4-4.30pm Storytime Library

9.15am Baby and Toddler Woodclyffe Hall

12.30pm Luncheon Club Woodclyffe Hall 2pm Cockpole Green WI Bridge Drive Crazies Hill Village Hall 2-4pm Bridge Library

8pm Heritage Trust Talk by Rt Hon Theresa May Woodclyffe Hall

Half Term Begins 10am - 3pm Knitting Together

29 October 30 October 31 October 1 November 2 November 3 November 4 November 9.30am Pop-In Club Bowls Club 4-4.30pm Storytime Library 5.30pm Warg Prof Business Network Hennerton Golf Club

10am-12.30pm Mice Bus Recreation Ground Car Park 10-11.30am Baby and Toddler Group Woodclyffe Hall

9.30am-1pm Hallowe’en Activities Library 8pm Gardeners’ Club Hannen Room

10am 5 Mile Walk Warfield RG42 6EN 12.30pm Luncheon Club Woodclyffe Hall 2-4pm Bridge Library

5.30pm Firework Display Recreation Ground

5 November 6 November 7 November 8 November 9 November 10 November 11 November 9.30am Pop-In Club Bowls Club 4-4.30pm Storytime Library 7.45pm Parish Council Old Pavilion

10-11.30am Baby and Toddler Group Woodclyffe Hall

9am-7pm Cards for Good Causes Elizabeth Court 9.30-11am Butterflies Hannen Room 1.30-3.30 Crafts & Laughs Library 7.30pm Mill Green WI Hannen Room 7.30pm Tennis AGM Bowls Club

9am-5pm Cards for Good Causes Elizabeth Court 10.30am 5 Mile Walk Littlewick Green SL6 3QU No dogs 12.30pm Luncheon Club Woodclyffe Hall 2-4pm Bridge Library

3.30-6pm Exhibition Junior School RBL Remembrance Dinner Woodclyffe Hall

Crazies Hill Harvest Supper & Quiz Village Hall

10am Remembrance Service St Mary’s 10am 6½ Mile Walk SL8 5PS

12 November 13 November 14 November 15 November 16 November 17 November 18 November 9.30am Pop-In Club Bowls Club 4-4.30pm Storytime Library

10-11.30am Baby and Toddler Group Woodclyffe Hall 8pm Local History Society Rec Ground Pavilion

10am–12 noon Coffee and Cakes Library

10.30am 4½ Mile Walk Dew Drop Inn SL6 6RB No dogs 12.30pm Luncheon Club Woodclyffe Hall 2-4pm Bridge Library 8pm Author Alison Mercer Sansom Room

7pm RNLI Antiques Evening Woodclyffe Hall

7.30pm Annual Concert St Mary’s

The next village diary will run from Monday 19 November to Sunday 16 December Please e-mail event details by 6.00pm on the copy date to editor@wargravenews.co.uk.

Friday 2 November is the copy date for the November Wargrave News Friday 23 November is the copy date for the December Wargrave News

Friday 1 February 2013 is the copy date for the February Wargrave News