Wokingham Borough Connect
Schools - Air Quality Project
Car Bumper Sticker Competition
Congratulations to the year 6 pupil from Ascot Heath Primary School for their winning design in our car bumper sticker competition.
The competition was open to all local primary schools in the Public Protection Partnership area covering our borough, Bracknell Forest and West Berkshire. The children were asked to design a car bumper sticker to discourage anti-idling of car engines near schools.
We’re asking parents and residents to pop one of the stickers on their car’s back window. Visibility of the stickers will hopefully help us reduce the number of cars left with their engines idling, in particular around schools.
You can order your free sticker by emailing: ehadvice@westberks.gov.uk
Hand Held Air Quality Monitors
In December the My Journey Wokingham Air Quality Officer carried out some monitoring outside four of the borough's air quality schools with a hand held monitor. She stood at the school gates and walked a short distance away from the main entrance to measure levels of nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant found in vehicle emissions, at peak drop-off and pick-up times. Always remember to switch off your engine for cleaner air. Find out more on our website.
Schools - Modeshift STARS and Competition
Primary Pupils Light Up High-Vis Competition
A pupil from Wheatfield Primary School in Winnersh was chosen as the winner of our Be Bright Be Seen competition, which closed just before Christmas.
Children were asked to design an image to be printed on the back of high-vis jackets for their whole class. The winning design was chosen as it was very inventive and highlighted the need to wear bright clothing during the dark winter months.
There were also two runners up - a pupil from Aldryngton Primary School in Earley and a pupil from St Dominic Savio Primary School in Woodley who each won some My Journey branded items.
Congratulations to our winner and runners up!
Wescott Infants Earn Silver STARS
The School Travel Officer and Active Travel Officer visited Wescott Infant School in Wokingham on 7 January to present them with their silver Modeshift STARS award in assembly.
The school has achieved silver accreditation by completing over 30 initiatives, including special assemblies, Walk on Wednesdays (WoW), Bling Your Scooter and social media campaigns. The school also talks about active travel during parents’ evenings. This has resulted in big increases in pupils cycling and scooting, as well as using park and stride.
Congratulations to Wescott Infants School!
Modeshift STARS to lead School Travel Plan Training Webinar
On Tuesday 1 February at 3.45pm, schools are invited to log onto an online training webinar on how to start using the Modeshift STARS travel planning platform. The webinar will introduce the platform to those schools that have not used it before and provide a useful refresher for those that have. Further details and how to book can be found on our website.
Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel
Booking for Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel is now open. The challenge will run for 10 days from 21 March to 1 April 2022 and is open to all primary and secondary schools in the UK, including SEN schools. On each day of the challenge schools compete to see who can record the greatest number of pupils walking, using a wheelchair, scooting or cycling to school. Please visit Sustrans website to find out more.
New Podcast from Intelligent Health!
Movement is Life is a brand-new podcast series from Intelligent Health, the company behind successful physical activity programme Beat the Street. This podcast will focus on the importance and benefits of physical activity and active travel. In our first episode host, Bethany is joined by Ros Crowder, a trustee from Sport in Mind, and Dr. William Bird, CEO of Intelligent Health. They discuss RED January and how you can stay active through the winter. Listen to the first episode here.
RED January
RED January is a nationwide movement empowering people to move every day, to beat the winter blues away. Visit RED January's website to find out more.
Highway Code updates are coming
Changes to The Highway Code are set to come into force at the end of this month, with the focus being on introducing a new hierarchy of road users.
The hierarchy will rank road users by their level of vulnerability, with pedestrians considered most vulnerable and large vehicles such as buses and HGVs least vulnerable.
With the new hierarchy comes new road priorities, for example a pedestrian waiting to cross on a junction takes priority over any road user turning in to the junction.
Keep up to date with changes and refresh your knowledge on The Highway Code website.
Regular Cycle Training and Events
- Bikeability Learn to Ride sessions (£6) at FBC in Finchampstead (Wednesdays) and Woodford Park Leisure Centre (Thursdays) in Woodley
- FREE Balance Bike Clubs both at FBC (Wednesdays) and Woodford Park Leisure Centre (Thursdays)
- FREE Bike checks at Woodford Park Leisure Centre (Thursdays)
- Bikeability Level 1/2 course (£20) at Woodford Park Leisure Centre on 22 and 23 February
- Bikeability Learn to Ride (£6) at Woodford Park Leisure Centre on 25 February
Further information and how to book can be found on our website.
Competitions and Half-Term Activities
Dog Puzzle
It's the last few days to enter our Dog Puzzle! Please visit our website to download the entry form and match the breed of dog with the picture. Entries should be emailed to us at: myjourney@wokingham.gov.uk before the end of Friday, 28 January to be in with a chance of winning a prize! There are two My Journey goody bags to be won.
Half-Term Activities
We are in the process of preparing some cycling and walking trails for you to take part in during February half-term week. Look out on our website and social media pages for details of these shortly.
Learn to Ride Assistant
We are looking for a Learn to Ride Assistant to help our instructor teach children aged 4-8 to cycle. The sessions take place at Woodford Park Leisure Centre on Thursdays between 4-5pm during term-time only. The pay is £15.00 per hour.
Training is available before start and will continue on the job to give you the confidence and skills to assist the instructor with delivering the session.
For further information please contact us: myjourney@wokingham.gov.uk
Bikeability Instructor Training
Are you interested in becoming a Bikeability Cycling Instructor?
Avanti Cycling will be running their next training course on 14, 18, 21, 23 and 25 February at the Weller Centre in Reading. You could be eligible for a bursary.
You’ll be able to work part-time and be paid to instruct children in schools, give families the confidence to cycle or teach adults how to ride a bike for the first time.
Register your interest or find out more by emailing: info@avanticycling.co.uk
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