Wokingham Borough Connect
 Ways to celebrate 80th anniversary of VE Day
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, a celebration of 80 years of peace since the end of Word War Two in Europe.
Here are some ways you can get involved locally:
Wokingham
Join Wokingham Poppy Appeal, Barkham Hookers and Elusive Brewing in Market Place where there’ll be military vehicles, poppies and a special edition Elusive Brew on Thursday 8 May.
At 11am, the Town Mayor will be laying a wreath at the war memorial inside the Town Hall. Please feel free to attend and pay your respects between 10.30am and 2pm.
Shinfield
The parish council is inviting residents to come together on Thursday 8 May. Starting at the war memorial on School Green, there will be a wreath laying and short service of thanksgiving from 8.30pm.
There will then be a procession, led by Reading Scottish Pipe Band to the beacon, which will be lit at 9.30pm.
Riseley
Come to the recreation ground from 12 noon to 6pm on Saturday 10 May for a range of activities to celebrate VE Day. Entry is free and you can bring your own picnic, gazebo and seating.
There will be face painting, a cake competition, craft stalls, live music, tug of war, a barbecue and tombola.
Wargrave
A special service of remembrance is being held at St Mary's Church on Thursday 8 May from 6pm to 7pm in collaboration with the Royal British Legion.
Host an event with a road closure
If you are you thinking of hosting a community get-together for VE Day, we are waiving the normal fee for road closures for events held from 3 to 5 May.
Smaller gatherings on private property or in your front garden can be held without any closures, but if you’d prefer to close the road to traffic to create a larger, safer space, you’ll need to apply for a 16(a) Road Closure Order.
You’ll also need to get support from your neighbours, arrange public liability insurance and provide your own road closure signage.
To apply, visit our website and complete the form by 5pm on Friday 18 April.
 Arts project shining a light on environmental issues
Wokingham Borough Forest of Imagination is coming to Dinton Pastures Country Park in Hurst, open to all on 24 and 25 May.
The event is the culmination of months of workshops and events, with a weekend of nature-themed art and cultural experiences for people of all ages and from all walks of life.
We’ve have partnered with Bath Spa University, House of Imagination and Grant Associates to bring the award-winning Forest of Imagination to the borough.
This unique arts project, which started in Bath in 2014, has inspired people to explore environmental issues through creativity and artistic expression. Watch the video from the latest event in Bath to get an idea of what’s coming.
The full list of workshops, experiences and what you’ll find will be added to the Forest of Imagination website soon. It’s free to attend.
 Great British Food Festival returns to Dinton Pastures
There’s exciting news for food and drink fans as The Great British Food Festival returns to Dinton Pastures Country Park in Hurst over the weekend of 21 and 22 June.
The event is expected to sell-out, just like last year, and residents are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
People attending the event can expect a mouth-watering mix of the finest local and regional artisan producers, sizzling street food stalls, top chefs cooking live, a bar, craft and gift stalls, children’s entertainment, foraging walks and live music – all among the picturesque countryside.
Tickets are now available and there is currently a limited offer to purchase tickets at a discount.
Carers and children under five years old can attend for free, but must book their ticket on The Great British Food Festival website.
 Find your next career move with free job fair
Meet prospective employers at a free job fair on Monday 12 May.
The event is being jointly organised by us and the Department for Work and Pensions, giving people the opportunity to speak with employers from a range of different sectors.
It will take place at the Bradbury Centre in Wokingham from 10am to 2pm. There is no need to book, just turn up on the day.
Attendees will be able to speak to employers from construction, care, hospitality, local government, the film industry and more. They will also be able to access information on training and apprenticeships, as well as help with writing a CV and searching for jobs.
For more information or if you need assistance on the day, please email the council’s Economic Development Team.
 Improve your confidence with free 'My Way to 5K'
Places Leisure is offering a new My Way to 5K programme to help people gain confidence and improve their fitness.
Funded by Beat the Street and My Journey Wokingham, the personalised nine-week programme is a great option for new runners or those with previous experience.
You'll benefit from a tailored training plan, a weekly group run, a Parkrun on the eighth week and progress tracker.
These will be at Arborfield Green Leisure Centre, with two programmes starting from 30 April and 1 May, culminating in a joint Parkrun on 28 June.
It is completely free to sign up and you don’t need to be a member of Places Leisure to participate. To find out more and register, visit the Places Leisure website.
 Raising awareness for dementia support available
Events are being held as part of Dementia Action Week (19 to 23 May) to help people with dementia and their carers.
On Wednesday 21 May, there will be lots of dementia information and support from local charities outside Wokingham Town Hall from 9am to 3pm. There will also be fun and entertainment.
The next day, there will be a focus on dementia diagnosis at The Link Community Café at The Cornerstone in Wokingham from 10am to 2pm.
These events are being jointly organised by The Link Visiting Scheme, Age UK Berkshire and Understanding Dementia and lessening its impact.
 Create beautiful glass art with workshop
Enjoy a relaxing evening creating some beautiful fused artwork.
You'll be able to choose your own colours and designs and will be shown how to create your own unique glass artwork.
The glass workshop is being held at Dinton Pastures Country Park in Hurst on Thursday 15 May from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
No experience is needed and the workshop costs £30 per person, with a selection of soft drinks provided. Numbers are limited, so book soon to secure your space.
|
