Wokingham Borough Connect
 Free badminton and table tennis to help mental health
Wokingham Leisure Centre at Carnival Hub is hosting free weekly sessions run by Sport in Mind, a mental health charity.
You can play badminton and table tennis every Friday from 2pm to 3pm and no experience is needed.
These sessions are open to anyone over the age of 17 who is experiencing low mood, social isolation, loneliness or has a diagnosed mental health condition.
The sessions are lots of fun and all about getting as active as you like in a safe and supportive environment. They are drop-in sessions, so there is no need to book and all equipment is provided.
New participants are asked to complete a short form before attending, which can be done online.
There are also sessions running every Monday from 12 noon to 1pm at Woodford Park Leisure Centre in Woodley.
 Rock anthems for a good cause at SindleFest '23
A live music event in aid of the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice is being held at Sindlesham Court.
Starting at 7pm on Friday 25 August, four local bands will be playing classic rock songs from the 1960s to the modern day for SindleFest '23.
Performing are The Undecided, Watershed, The Ties and Bang Out Of Order, with tickets priced at £5 online in advance or on the door.
All four bands are giving their time for free to help raise money for Sue Ryder, with the event due to finish at 11pm.
 Don't miss out on early bird discount for book festival
Although the Wokingham Children's Book Festival is not returning until October, early birds will receive a 15 per cent discount on tickets purchased by the end of August.
A total of 13 events are being held across the weekend of 14 and 15 October, with lots of award-winning authors and illustrators coming to town.
This year’s line-up includes Nick Sharratt, Holly Webb, Iszi Lawrence, Jane Elson and Clare Bevan. Each workshop is followed by a book signing and sessions are always interactive and family-friendly.
Children can meet their favourite authors, learn more about the creative process of coming up with characters and have a go themselves by taking part in drawing activities.
After the early bird offer ends, tickets will be priced at just £3 per person and can be purchased from the book festival website.
 Mountain biking, dog show and more at village fete
The seventh annual Twyford Village Fete takes place on Saturday (19 August) from 12 noon to 4pm.
Held at Stanlake Meadow in Twyford, this year’s main entertainment features Savage Skills Mountain Bike Stunt Team, the UK’s leading freestyle mountain bike stunt team.
The day, which helps to raise more than £2,000 for local charities, will also feature a classic car show, farm animals, a dog show, inflatables and tug of war.
There will also be food stalls, a bar and local crafts. Entry by foot is free of charge, while parking is a £3 donation to charity.
 Activities to improve your health and state of mind
The Mindset Unlimited Festival is set to return to Wokingham on Sunday 24 September.
A variety of stalls, tents and stages will be at Elms Field for the event, which raises awareness for practices and lifestyle choices that improve mindset, health and wellbeing.
Getting underway at 9am, the festival will be introduced by Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Beth Rowland. Sessions will include Pilates, meditation and yoga, including a guest appearance from X Factor singer Danyl Johnson.
Some activities are free, while other range in price from £5 to £30. To book in advance, visit the Mindset Unlimited website.
 Daughter of pioneer constable to give illustrated talk
The daughter of Berkshire Constabulary's first female detective is giving a talk about her mother's life next month.
Gwen Crockford, who previously served in Wokingham, had a pioneering career that inspired her daughter, Ruth D'Alessandro, to write a trilogy of books.
The second book, Calling Detective Crockford, was published in March and details Gwen's day-to-day crime scene investigations, using forensic techniques of the time.
In this illustrated talk, which is being held at Wokingham Library on Friday 8 September, Ruth will explore those techniques and read passages from Calling Detective Crockford.
Starting at 2pm, the talk is free to attend but registration is required. Ruth's books will be available to buy on the day and the talk is due to finish at 3pm.
 Make new friends at dementia friendly tea dance
Do you live with or know someone living with dementia?
Each month, our Sport and Leisure Team run a dementia friendly tea dance in the Ashridge Room at Cantley Park Café in Wokingham.
The next tea dances take place from 12.30pm to 2pm on:
- Monday 21 August
- Monday 11 September
The dances are available to all borough residents living with dementia and it’s a great opportunity to make new friends, sing along, dance and have fun, all while enjoying tea, coffee and a slice of cake.
For more information and to book a place, email preventionteam@wokingham.gov.uk or call (0118) 974 3728.
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