 Link Visiting Scheme nominated for two awards
Congratulations to The Link Visiting Scheme, which has been nominated for two Thames Valley Business and Community Awards.
The nominations are in the Charity of the Year and Outstanding Contribution to the Community categories.
For more than 25 years, the Wokingham charity has helped to reduce loneliness among older people across the borough through befriending, events and regular activities.
The Link said the nominations were testament to the hard work and dedication that staff and volunteers had put in.
The awards night takes place on Friday 28 February at The Hilton in Reading, celebrating the achievements of businesses, charities and entrepreneurs during the last 12 months.
 Did you see exposure incident?
Police are appealing for witnesses following an incident of exposure in Wokingham town.
It occurred at around 3.10pm on Friday 17 January, in the alleyway next to Copper Beech Place on Reading Road.
Two teenage boys were walking down the alleyway and saw a man touching himself inappropriately before entering the nearby car wash.
The offender is described as around 5ft 9ins tall, aged in his early to mid-twenties and Asian, with a short beard and wearing dark grey jeans and a black puffer coat.
Anyone with information can call Thames Valley Police on 101 or report online, quoting reference 43250026874.
 Enjoy the Lunar New Year safely
If you’re celebrating the Lunar New Year on Wednesday (29 January), make sure you do it responsibly.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging everyone to only buy fireworks from trusted sellers and ensure they’re marked with the British Safety Standard certificate.
They also strongly warn against flying lanterns, which can’t be controlled once they’re in the air and pose a serious fire risk to properties, woodland and livestock.
You should also:
- Follow instructions on fireworks, light them at arm’s length and stand well away
- Never return to a lit firework and never point them at other people or properties
- Keep children and pets at a safe distance and never give sparklers to children under five
- Always wear gloves when holding sparklers, and keep a source of water to hand
- Keep candles in a proper holder, on a stable heat-resistant surface and away from curtains, furniture, long hair and clothing
- Keep candles away from children and pets, and never leave them unattended or go to bed without putting them out
- Consider using safer electronic candles that don’t have a naked flame
If a fire starts, remember - get out, stay out and call 999.
Free parking at Lunar New Year event
Don’t forget we’re offering free parking for residents to join the Lunar New Year event at Wokingham Market Place on Sunday 9 February from 11am to 3pm.
The event, organised by Wokingham Town Council, marks the start of a new year in Chinese and many other Asian cultures.
Car parks available for free parking include:
- Carnival Pool multi-storey carpark
- Cockpit Path
- Denmark Street
- Easthampstead Road (East and West)
- Rose Street
- Shute End
Funding for this one-off offer was originally meant to support the Wokingham Winter Carnival on 24 November 2024. As the event was cancelled due to stormy weather, we've decided to extend the offer to an upcoming celebration in town.
People wishing to attend the event are encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport such as the bus and train. Denmark Street will be closed all day to allow for the celebrations. Denmark Street car park can only be accessed from the old library side on the day.
 New Parkinson's disease boxercise class
Place Leisure has recently launched a new weekly boxercise class, tailored for people with Parkinson’s disease.
Research has found that group-based boxing sessions, incorporating adaptable and varied exercise and social interaction, can be beneficial.
Sessions run from 1.15pm to 2pm on Tuesdays at Wokingham Leisure Centre at the Carnival Hub.
It is free for members to attend and £3.50 for non-members. Classes are suitable for all fitness levels and run by a qualified boxercise instructor, with specialist knowledge of the condition.
For more information and to book, visit the Places Leisure timetable.
 New airport coach service all set for take-off
You can now travel to and from Heathrow Airport by catching the RailAir coach at Winnersh Triangle.
The RA1 service from Reading now serves a new stop at Winnersh Triangle park and ride, next to the railway station.
It's been added to meet growing demand for a direct link to the airport for everyone who lives or works in the borough.
The journey, which you can book online, takes under an hour and arrives and departs from straight outside the terminal door.
It runs up to every 20 minutes, including early mornings and late nights, and coaches have air conditioning, wi-fi and USB charging.
What you might have missed
|
