 Nature park and other green spaces to be adopted
We're now in talks to take over management of the nature park at Buckhurst Meadows off William Heelas Way, which lies on the Montague Park development in the borough's major new community at South Wokingham.
Once this is agreed, we would also adopt other green spaces and the four play areas on the estate, all of which were built by housing developers under legal agreements as part of their permission to build new homes.
Buckhurst Meadows is one of several nature parks across the borough which we're looking to take charge of this year, including another at Parklands in Shinfield parish, and we're hoping to share more news about this in the next few months.
It's well worth a visit if you haven't been already, with features including a community orchard, a reed bed that's home to a wide variety of wildlife and a striking statue of a butterfly by sculptor Thrussells, of Cornwall.
There's plenty of space for dogs to roam and a small amount of free parking on the main road, including a disabled space.
It's also due to be extended to the north and east under plans for more housing at South Wokingham to the south of the railway line, which the council's planning committee has approved subject to legal agreements for suitable infrastructure.
 Don't just flutter by meadow sculpture...
The large sculpture on Buckhurst Meadows, which depicts a giant butterfly perched on the edge of a stylised reed, was installed about five years ago to draw attention to the area's natural beauty and encourage an interest in wildlife.
It's one of three public artworks in Montague Park and the second to feature a butterfly - the other being a more abstract design called New Beginnings, which was installed at the entrance to the estate off London Road.
The third, called Windows, was unveiled at the neighbourhood centre off William Heelas Way earlier this year and depicts scenes from Wokingham town's past including its historic links to the silk trade.
All three were created by Thrussells, a family-run studio which specialises in metalwork and has created more than 150 public artworks nationally, and were chosen from a shortlist with input from the community.
We're keen to raise awareness of the natural world's importance as we've declared a climate emergency and pledged to do all we can to help make Wokingham borough a net-zero carbon producer by the end of the decade.
Photos: Thames Basin Heaths Partnership
 Help us to help you walk and cycle more
We’d like to hear your thoughts on our proposal to make walking and cycling around Wokingham borough safer and more accessible.
Until 19 August, we’re seeking people’s views on our draft Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) – a strategic document which suggests improvements around the borough to help people walk, wheel, scoot or cycle and will be used to apply for funding for them.
The draft will be finished in the autumn but will always be open to updates and new ideas. It will outline the most beneficial active travel routes and propose specific measures in places where the community wants them.
Examples in South Wokingham include a redesigned junction where William Heelas Way meets London Road to protect cyclists from turning vehicles, provide more pedestrian crossings and reduce the number of crossing stages.
Suggestions for the Easthampstead Road area, in southern Wokingham town, include improving and widening pavements, new zebra crossings and reducing speed limits to 20mph in certain areas.
Increasing cycling and walking can help us tackle some of society's most challenging issues – improving air quality, combating climate change, improving health and wellbeing, addressing inequalities and tackling congestion on our roads.
With the increasing cost of fuel, walking and cycling are likely to become more attractive for short journeys. We want to enable this by providing facilities that are safe, comfortable and inclusive for everybody.
 Cycling nine to five, what a way to make a living...
Our My Journey Wokingham active travel team is supporting Cycle to Work Day on 4 August, which encourages riders of all ages and experience levels to saddle up for their daily commute - and make it a habit if they can.
It doesn't matter if you haven't cycled in years or you've never done it all - just get on your bike and give it a go! We're also supporting the Cycle September initiative this year and offer cycle training for all ages to help people feel more confident.
We've provided walking and cycling routes in South Wokingham and this will continue in years to come, with active travel at the forefront as we strive to ensure this community grows sustainably, in a way that genuinely meets local need.
Future improvements will include a greenway, part of a wider and generally traffic-free network of routes serving key destinations in the borough, running from Wokingham town centre and through South Wokingham to Arborfield via Barkham.
These routes are being rolled out over the next decade or so and have a level, permeable surface to ensure easy use in all weathers.
 Heatwave warning - stay safe this week
We’ve issued an emergency alert update this week due to the extremely hot weather that's expected. These updates are only sent during extreme weather and emergency incidents in the borough, giving you key updates and safety information.
If there’s major disruption due to snow or another emergency, this will be where to get updates. If you’re not signed up already, click the button below.
 Inspiring a passion for protecting the planet
Pupils at Floreat Montague Park Primary School, off William Heelas Way, have been enjoying lots of exciting activities to teach them to care for the environment.
They've learned about sustainability practices in different countries, hosted a visit by a beekeeper and their hive and even built an electric go-kart called Fast 'n' Floreat. This was put this to the test at the Greenpower Gathering of Goblins, a racing event for electric vehicles held at the Goodwood circuit in Sussex.
The children have monitored their food waste at lunchtimes, competing to produce as little as possible and encouraging each other to only take what they need. This is an important way that residents of all ages can reduce their carbon footprint and fight rising global temperatures, which pose a threat to all life on Earth.
They've also enjoyed rides on My Journey's "smoothie bike" Pedalicious, which can whip up a sweet and tasty treat using a pedal-powered blender attached to the handlebars and pops up at events across the borough.
We're delighted that the school shares our commitment to reducing waste and carbon emissions, promoting more active and sustainable forms of transport and protecting our planet for future generations.
 Fighting for fairer housing numbers
We've stepped up our campaign to change how housing is planned nationally - and reduce the number of new homes which the Government is forcing us to take. The council's new leader Clive Jones is meeting local MPs to drum up support and ensure that your voice is heard at Westminster.
He is also calling on Greg Clark MP, who is responsible for the planning system as housing minister, to honour his predecessor Michael Gove's recent promise to visit the borough and discuss the matter personally.
Wokingham MP Sir John Redwood has raised the matter in Parliament since meeting Cllr Jones - who has also met James Sunderland and Theresa May, respectively MPs for Bracknell and Maidenhead.
Under the current formula, set by the Government, we've got to plan for 781 new homes per year. Cllr Jones says this is unreasonably high, not based on true need and puts undue pressure on both our infrastructure and the environment.
Newly released 2021 census figures show the borough’s population has risen by about 15 per cent since 2011 – the largest increase in Berkshire and among the country’s biggest increases against a national average of 6.6 per cent.
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