 Deadlines approaching for May elections
There’s not long left to register to vote in next month’s local elections.
If you’re not currently registered to vote, you must do so by midnight on 20 April, or you won’t be able to vote on 7 May.
19 seats on Wokingham Borough Council are up for election, alongside three seats on Wokingham Town Council and a referendum with Charvil residents on the parish’s Neighbourhood Plan. Full details are on our website.
On 7 May, borough residents aged 18 or over, who are registered to vote, can vote in-person or apply to vote by post or by proxy (when you nominate someone to vote on your behalf).
Postal votes must now be renewed every three years. You would have been contacted if your postal vote was not renewed by 31 January 2026. See your poll card to check your voting arrangements are correct.
Deadlines for May’s elections:
 Try the traders at Holme Grange Craft Village
Holme Grange Craft Village is a welcoming destination for discovering local independents in a characterful setting of converted barns and outdoor space.
With free parking on site and The Grange Cafe open seven days a week, it’s easy to pop in for a quick browse or settle in for a relaxed day out with friends.
You can now access the village and all neighbouring businesses from the south via Heathlands Road from Nine Mile Ride, or via Easthampstead Road from Old Wokingham Road. There you’ll find:
 Volunteers learn traditional hedge laying
This winter our Countryside Service Rangers have been teaching volunteers and students how to carry out traditional South of England style hedge laying at Hazebrouck Meadows in Arborfield.
The group learned how to use hand tools such as billhooks, coppiced stakes and willow binders to reshape an overgrown line of trees into a strong well‑structured hedgerow that will support wildlife and encourage healthy new growth.
A total of seventeen volunteers took part, along with students on work experience from St Crispin’s School and a placement student from Berkshire College of Agriculture.
The training helps build practical countryside management skills and supports long term care of the borough’s green spaces.
Work will now pause for bird nesting season and will continue in November when the trees are dormant.
 Get early support even if you're a 'quiet' carer
Less obvious forms of care still take energy, and you may not realise how overwhelmed you are until exhaustion sets in.
You may not think of it as caring - just keeping an eye on a parent, helping a partner manage their health or supporting a child who needs a little more from you.
But this can impact your routine, your work, your finances and your emotional wellbeing – and you don’t need to wait until it feels too much.
Local support is available right now to make caring more manageable and give you space to look after yourself.
Get support
 Kate Barker-Kite plans to spend her winnings on an entry to Reading Half Marathon and a holiday to Gran Canaria.
Spring boost for local lottery players
Lynn Smith was delighted to discover her win just in time for family celebrations.
“I was very surprised to see my winnings when I opened my phone to pay for a meal celebrating three birthdays and realised it was enough to cover it,” she said. Lynn uses her ticket to support the Link Visiting Scheme, where she volunteers, helping older people feel less lonely and stay independent.
Georgina Denton from Wargrave has played since the lottery launched last spring.
“I was totally shocked when I got the email,” she said. “I’m planning to buy wool and fabric and treat my family to coffee and cake.” Georgina supports SAFE, a local equine rescue charity.
Kate Barker-Kite from Woodley added: “Opening the email I expected free tickets, so seeing £250 was a total shock! I’ve put it towards my Reading Half Marathon entry and a holiday to Gran Canaria.”
Tickets for the lottery cost £1, with at least 50p going to a local good cause. You must be over 18 to play. Be Gamble Aware.
What you might have missed
Here’s all our email newsletters from the last week:
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