New multi-use hall opens at The Piggott School
The completion of the hall is the last part of a phased, expansion project at the school. The project allows an additional 230 pupils, with enhanced sixth form facilities.
The hall includes a main hall and dining area, plus a dedicated working space and staff office. It is used for collective worship every morning for assemblies.
From 8am to 2pm, the hall transforms into a spacious dining hall for all students to enjoy breakfast, break time, food and lunch.
The school is one of many secondary schools we’ve invested in recently.
Previous phases included a modular four classroom block for Religious Education (completed in September 2021), alterations to the science department and extension of the lab (completed in October 2024) and the installation of four floodlit all weather netball and tennis courts (completed in Spring 2025).
 Garden waste subscriptions are now open
Subscribers have been sent a renewal message. If you have already renewed, you do not need to do anything. If you did not receive your renewal email, you can still renew using the link below.
This year, there are no stickers and crews will check subscriptions electronically, making the service simpler for you.
Your brown bin holds up to 240 litres of garden waste and is collected every two weeks. It is an easy way to manage your grass cuttings, leaves and prunings without trips to the recycling centre.
If you do not wish to join the service, or if you need extra capacity at busy times, you can buy brown garden sacks.
The annual cost is £99 and covers you until Wednesday 31 March 2027, so you get best value by signing up early.
The overnight works at the junction of Finchampstead Road and Molly Millars Lane in Wokingham, which were due to be finished by this morning (Friday 20 March), have been delayed and will now be finished by the morning of Wednesday 25 March. The junction is fully closed on the affected nights from 8pm to 6am, but will be open this weekend.
Provider appointed for new Post-16 SEND hub
The decision was approved last night (Thursday 19 March) by our decision-making executive.
The new project will see the upper floor of the former Wokingham Library in Denmark Street transformed into a state-of-the-art learning environment, supporting up to 40 young people aged 16 to 25 years old who:
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have an Education, Health and Care Plan
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are moving into Year 12 and may have faced additional barriers to education or future opportunities for training and employment
- need extra support to build their skills and reach their potential and to prepare for adulthood
Capital funding for the redevelopment of the former library site, where the hub will be located, has already been approved by our executive. £1.5 million for this project will be funded through the Department for Education’s SEND Capital Grant.
Initial works onsite, started last month and the new hub is expected to open this September.
 Historic town centre shops refreshed
We’ve started work to improve the shops fronts at Bush Walk in Wokingham.
The listed buildings are having the window frames restored or replaced, as well as general maintenance work to the roof, chimney and render of the building.
More than £400,000 is being spent to ensure the historic buildings are looked after and an important part of the town centre is maintained.
Work started on Monday (16 March) and should take about three months. We’re working with businesses to minimise disruption.
The shopping arcade was the site of a former inn and hotel, which dates back to the late 1500s.
We bought the shops and other units at Bush Walk in the 2010s as part of the wider regeneration of Peach Place. It links Market Place to Peach Place and is home to a variety of independent businesses.
 Library relocation project moves forward
Winnersh Library is moving from its current site in The Forest School to a temporary base at Rainbow Park Community and Children’s Centre while the plan for a more permanent home at Winnersh Community Centre is developed.
Public engagement has highlighted the importance of an easily accessed local library and we have worked with a community focus group including Winnersh Parish Council and the school to plan the move.
The change will allow the library to extend opening hours that have been limited by the safeguarding need for students to have sole access during school hours.
The move to Rainbow Park will take place during the Easter school holidays (28 March to 13 April) and was agreed by our decision-making executive last night (19 March).
 Let’s tidy up Wokingham Borough together
The annual litter pick is back this weekend and everyone is welcome. There is no need to book or sign up, just turn up, take part and help to make your community shine.
Litter picking sessions are taking place across the borough, with clean‑ups in: Arborfield, Barkham, Charvil, Earley, Finchampstead, Remenham, Shinfield, Sonning, Swallowfield, Twyford, Winnersh, Wokingham and Woodley.
These are being run by town and parish councils, as well as local volunteer groups, giving you plenty of opportunities to join in close to home.
Our team will pick up the bags afterwards, so every bit of effort makes a difference. Every bag of litter removed helps protect wildlife, keeps our streets, parks and green spaces looking their best and supports pride in the places we live.
Keephatch gains Local Nature Reserve status
Their persistence ensured the application stayed on track despite earlier delays.
Residents have also played their part by helping to restore Willowherb Pond, while children from Westende Primary School have done tree planting and a nature walk.
Keephatch’s ponds, woodland, grassland and historic features make it a valuable place for learning and nature.
We will continue working with the Friends group, schools and volunteers to enhance and protect the site in Wokingham.
What you might have missed
Here’s all our email newsletters from the last week:
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