 Follow us for the latest on the local elections
Today is results day and we will be at the count at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre sharing the results from each ward as they come in. Our elections are done in thirds, with one seat being contested in 18 wards.
The wards involved in the borough council elections are: Arborfield, Bulmershe and Whitegates, Coronation, Emmbrook, Evendons, Finchampstead North, Finchampstead South, Hawkedon, Hillside, Loddon, Maiden Erlegh, Norreys, Remenham, Wargrave and Ruscombe, Shinfield South, South Lake, Swallowfield, Winnersh and Wokingham Without.
Parish council elections are also taking place in Remenham.
We will be sharing updates on the results as they are announced. Follow us on Twitter for the latest information.
 Country park café re-opens with bright new look
Jackson's Café by the lake at California Country Park has re-opened following a long-awaited refurbishment.
It's open every day and the Jackson family, who've run it for the past eight years, are looking forward to welcoming both regulars and newcomers.
Their menu includes a wide range of breakfast, lunch and main meal choices, with some exciting new additions including bagels.
The café specialises in fresh, locally-sourced produce and changes its menus seasonally to ensure there's always something different to try.
It's become increasingly popular, which is why the overhaul also included an extension to cope with the growing number of visitors.
All customers are seated on a first-come, first-served basis so large groups should arrive early to avoid disappointment.
There's also a large dog-friendly outdoor seating area, though please be aware that dogs aren't allowed inside.
Image courtesy of Jackson's Café.
 Go for a run - or put your feet up with a film!
Don't forget that the Barnes Fitness Summer Series races returns to Dinton Pastures for its 10th anniversary series on Thursday (12 May).
This friendly series of 5km and 10km runs is held on a beautiful, flat and traffic-free route around the park with its scenic lakes and wildlife. If you can't attend in person, you can still take part in a virtual run instead.
The dates - all Thursdays - are this week, 9 June and 14 July (all 7.30pm) and 11 August at 7pm. Find out more and sign up on the Barnes Fitness website.
Gocinemas' fantastic outdoor screenings will also be back at Dinton Pastures with an evening celebrating indie legends the Stone Roses on 21 May. This includes a live DJ set and screening of the documentary Made of Stone.
Also coming up are The Greatest Showman (30 July), Bridget Jones' Diary (13 August), Steven Spielberg's West Side Story (20 August) and a double-bill of Clueless and Legally Blonde (27 August).
Image courtesy of Barnes Fitness.
 Be part of a cause that helps reduce loneliness
The Link Visiting Scheme in Wokingham is actively recruiting volunteers to help people struggling with loneliness.
The charity runs a befriending service with the aim of improving wellbeing and transforming lives. If you can spare an hour or two each week, you could help people in the community who have become isolated.
Volunteers are matched to residents based on availability, location and interests and you would be provided with training and support.
Visit The Link Visiting Scheme website if you can help and request a volunteer pack. Once you return your application form, you will be contacted to arrange a date and time to talk through your role in more detail.
 Drivers warned to leave safe gap for cyclists
Motorists on a busy road in Wokingham town were taught a surprise lesson in overtaking cyclists safely as part of a joint initiative between us and Thames Valley Police.
Those spotted passing too closely were pulled over and advised to leave more room in future, or risk being fined and getting penalty points on their licence.
A police officer rode a bicycle along Finchampstead Road, just south of the town centre, while wearing plain clothes and equipped with body cameras facing in both directions.
If a motorist overtook without leaving a gap of at least 1.5m, while travelling at up to 30mph, he would radio a colleague riding a motorbike who would pull them safely off the road to offer advice.
Members of our My Journey Wokingham active travel team also offered road safety education while running a stall giving goodies like bike lights and high-viz gear to young cyclists as they passed on the school run.
 Warning issued amid Salmonella concerns
Shops stocking certain Kinder chocolate products are being urged to remove them due to the presence of Salmonella.
Following a national product recall of selected items at the start of April, further investigation has found that some smaller retailers may not have removed them from sale.
This has caused a number of young children to become seriously ill and many reported cases have been admitted to hospital.
Point-of-sale notices, which were previously issued to explain why items were recalled and what to do if you have bought the product, have been removed in many cases.
The affected products are:
- Kinder Surprise (20g): All dates up to and including 4 January, 2023
- Kinder Surprise (20g x 3 pack): All dates up to and including 4 January, 2023
- Kinder Surprise (100g): All dates up to and including 21 August, 2022
- Kinder Mini Eggs (75g): All dates up to and including 21 August, 2022
- Kinder Egg Hunt Kit (150g): All dates up to and including 21 August, 2022
- Kinder Schokobons (70g, 200g and 320g): All dates up to and including 4 January, 2023
If you have bought one of these products, do not eat it. Instead, contact the Ferrero consumer careline to receive a full refund.
What you might have missed
Here’s all our updates from the last week for you to check in on if you’re interested:
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