 Image credit: ABL Photography/Twyford Together
Festive events coming up for your diary
With Christmas just a few weeks away, there’s a number of local events for your calendars.
Woodley Christmas Extravaganza
Woodley Christmas Extravaganza runs from 10am to 3pm in Woodley precinct on Sunday 1 December, with stalls, Santa and much more. Full event listing on the Woodley Town Centre website.
Free parking on the day in the Headley Road, Crockhamwell Road and Lytham Road car parks.
Free bus travel on the Orange 13/14 and 850 bus services, as part of our free festive bus travel offer.
Reading Toy Run
Reading Toy Run goes through the borough from 1pm to about 2.30pm on Sunday 1 December.
Hundreds of riders will gather in their finest festive attire for the charity event, which sees them ride from Thames Valley Science Park in Shinfield to High Close School in Wokingham, via Lower Earley and Winnersh.
Rolling road closures will be in place to support this event from 1pm to about 2.30pm. The riders will travel via the A327, Lower Earley Way, Showcase roundabout, Reading Road, Rectory Road and Wiltshire Road.
Twyford Christmas Fayre
The Twyford Together Christmas Fayre is expected to attract thousands of villagers for the annual event on Friday 6 December, running from 6pm to 9pm.
The main crossroads in the centre of Twyford will be closed from 3.30pm to support this event.
Free bus travel
If you board a bus in the borough on Saturdays leading up to Christmas, you won't need to pay.
All local services are included in the offer from providers Carousel Buses, Thames Valley Buses and Reading Buses.
You may need to pay for your return if your return journey starts outside of the borough.
 Residents’ Reception can help you this winter
If you’re finding you might need a bit of extra help this winter season, you can drop in to a Residents’ Reception sessions to find out about support options. They are run every Thursday at a different location across the borough.
Sessions, which all run from 10am to 1pm, before Christmas are:
- Thursday 28 November - Arborfield Green Community Centre, Princess Marina Drive, RG2 9NN
- Thursday 5 December – Woodley Library, Headey Road, RG5 4JA
- Thursday 12 December – PT:U Gym, Pinewood Village, Old Wokingham Road, RG40 3AQ
- Thursday 19 December – Swallowfield Parish Hall, Swallowfield Street, RG7 1QW
Sessions will give attendees a chance to meet the our Adult Social Care and Community Engagement teams, as well as gather information, resources and advice from various organisations including Involve's Community Navigators, Citizens Advice, The Cowshed, First Days Children's Charity and the our Community Wellness Outreach Team.
 Guides and Brownies learn about local government
Brownies and Girl Guides were taught how local government and elections work during a recent visit.
A mixture of 20 Brownies and 19 Guides from 3rd Wokingham attended the event, which was held in the council chamber at Shute End in Wokingham.
The children were welcomed by Borough Mayor Cllr Adrian Mather and Deputy Mayor Cllr Carol Jewell and got to take part in a mock ballot.
The Mayor spoke about his responsibilities and was followed by Maya Guelbert, the Youth MP for Wokingham, who talked about the Youth Council and why she was interested in getting involved in politics.
The functions of the borough council were then explained and the children were encouraged to contribute ideas about what they thought the council was responsible for overseeing.
 Countdown to get Winter Fuel Payment
You need to have signed up by 21 December for Pension Credit to get your Winter Fuel Payment for this winter, which is no longer being paid to all pensioners.
Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.
Hundreds of low income pensioners in Wokingham Borough are eligible for Pension Credit, but are not receiving this very valuable benefit, worth around £3,900 a year.
Go online or call the Pension Credit helpline to see if you're due.
If you’re struggling to pay for essentials like energy or food, remember you can apply to the Household Support Fund for help.
 Flag raised to mark White Ribbon Day
The White Ribbon flag has been raised above our offices in Shute End, Wokingham, by Cllr David Hare (pictured), executive member for adult services, health and wellbeing.
This is to mark White Ribbon Day and the beginning of 16 days of activism to end violence against women and girls (VAWG).
We were awarded White Ribbon Accreditation last year by White Ribbon UK, the leading charity engaging men and boys to prevent violence against women. This launches an organisational commitment to end violence against women and girls.
During the 16 days of activism, our libraries have resources available for those interested in different perspectives on VAWG, with a list of suggested resources available in the libraries and on the website.
A vigil will be held in Wokingham marketplace on Friday 6 December at 7pm to remember those whose lives have been taken or impacted by gender based violence, to shine a light together as there is no excuse for any form of abuse in our borough or beyond.
What you might have missed
- In the run-up to Christmas, we're excited to have Polly's Garden host its popular Christmas wreath making workshop at Dinton Pastures Country Park. The workshop will take place on Wednesday 4 December, from 6.30pm to 9pm, at The Coffee House located next to Dinton's main car park
- If you’re having a pre-Christmas clear out, use the online electrical recycling locator to find the nearest place to recycle, repair or donate your unwanted electrical items
- Citizens Advice Wokingham will be in Wokingham Market Place today (Tuesday 26 November) from 9am to 3pm offering free energy advice. Just drop by to get advice and support
- We’re advertising new roles in countryside, business support, highways and social care this week. Check our jobs board for latest vacancies
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