Wokingham Town Centre regeneration – the future?

A few years ago I wrote to the then local paper regarding the town regeneration as per the copy below. My view has not changed:

Dare I suggest that because of years of delay and dithering our Council has missed the boat insofar as town centre regeneration is concerned. We are 20 years late!

Here we are, blissfully contemplating more shops, small and large including another, yes another, superstore while all around the UK high street shops are closing in record numbers.

This decimation of our traditional way of shopping can clearly be laid at the door of the growing popularity of internet shopping and out-of-town shopping centres.

It may be argued that by the time Wokingham regeneration is complete the recession will be but a memory but by then changed buying habits will have become more firmly established.

The high street will become even less attractive because undoubtedly the Council will be expecting to impose even higher parking charges which can only act as a disincentive, as will the considerably lower costs in both time and money offered by internet shopping.

What future? Paul C Groom, Wokingham

Talking up the town

It is hard to talk up a town which was once an excellent place to shop and visit tht has been completelly wrecked by a council which puts profit before residents and businesses Bill, via wokingham.today

Labour up to old tricks over car parking claims

In last week’s Wokingham Paper,

Labour councillor Andy Croy made the outrageous claim that Conservative councillors would be voting themselves a “car-parking bonus” at the next Council meeting – something I note he has also been repeating all over social media.

It is apparently necessary to point out to Cllr Croy a few issues which he is either unaware of or is deliberately omitting to the public.

Firstly, the changes to councillors’ allowances which he refers to have been proposed by a panel made up of people independent of councillors, not by any Conservative Members of the Council. This Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) makes recommendations based on the practices of other councils, interviews with councillors of all parties, and the panel members’ own expertise.

Secondly, if he felt so strongly about the issue of allowances relating to car parking, did he meet with the

IRP to specifically raise it with them? Interestingly, their report does not mention a councillor raising his viewpoint.

Finally, Cllr Croy cannot possibly know how Conservative councillors intend to vote on changes to allowances – unless he is clairvoyant – especially as the final report was not published in the Council agenda at the time Cllr Croy’s

letter was published.

In an era of fake news, I would urge Cllr Croy to check the facts before he puts out statements like this. Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor Leader of Wokingham Borough Council and the Conservative Group

Cllr up to usual tricks

It was interesting to see Cllr Croy up to his usual tricks of not telling residents the complete story (letters, November 9).

He paints an interesting picture about the Conservative Group voting themselves an increase in allowances as if they had created the proposals in the first place.

What he fails to tell residents that any proposals, including the ones he mentions are not the creation of local politicians but instead comes from the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP).

Readers will remember the fuss that Cllr Croy and others made of ignoring the IRP’s recommendations last year. In fact the complete IRP resigned as they had thought their work was worthless if the politicians did not listen to what they had to say.

Move forward 12 months and the new IRP is going to make a set of recommendations which the whole council will vote on.

So in this case he appears to say one thing last year – do not ignore the IRP recommendations – and another thing this year – please ignore the IRP recommendations!

Clearly some double standards are being played here.

Who knows what will happen on

the night of the full council meeting. But one thing is clear it is the Independent Remuneration Panel is making these recommendations and not any political party. Cllr Keith Baker Coronation Ward, Woodley

Processions, war and peace

Last weekend, the town’s annual fireworks display involved a band and torch-light procession, a fun-fair, a bonfire and enough detonations to start a minor war.

A week later and we learn that Wokingham Council can’t supervise a Remembrance Day service.

They can wreck the town’s traffic circulation for miles around but ask them to reroute the town’s commemoration of two world wars and that’s far too difficult. How sad is that?

It could have been the chance to put our town war memorial where everybody can see it and acknowledge it. Alas, an opportunity missed. Peter Stallwood, via email

Carnival Pool disabled parking is a joke

Re: the article that disabled people are discriminated against by the disabled parking arrangements at Carnival

Pool (a disabled person was ticketed for parking outside the centre despite there not being any double yellow lines).

The parking here is a joke.

It is too far away from the pool or the town centre.

The doors to exit the car park are far too heavy and would be impossible to open if using sticks or a wheelchair.

They are so useful you could park in any of the spaces as shown in the original article as it’s always empty.

Parking is free for 15 minutes. Where can you go in 15 minutes, there and back?

Let the gentleman park outside with his blue badge and stop this jobsworth. D Searl, Wokingham

Redwood must go

As an active member of Wokingham Green Party, I would like to add my voice to the many calls for John Redwood’s resignation.

His judgment has often been questioned in the past, but not his sincerity – we did at least give him some credit for actually believing in what he campaigned for.

Now, however, it appears that, like most of the most influential, highprofile Brexit supporters, he’s only in it for the money.

No doubt, if a hard Brexit turns this country into some sort of low-wage taxevasion playground for billionaires, he will be advising his clients to bring their funds back again.

It’s time we had an MP who actually represents the views of his constituents, the majority of whom voted Remain because they believed it would help them and their families.

Most Wokingham people don’t have offshore investments, just children (and maybe grandchildren) about whose future they care deeply, and for whom they are now very worried. Anthea West, via email

More Redwood views

Our website and Facebook page has been quite lively with your views on John

Redwood’s position: the majority view appears to be in favour of him stepping aside. Here is a selection.

Sadly despite the Wokingham voters voting to remain they still re-elected him by a landslide in the general election. Only themselves to blame for his continuing ineffectual performance and the state of Wokingham! Helen Thorndyke, via Facebook

I have to ask the question why on earth did the people of Wokingham re-elect this man on 8 June?

He patently works against the interests of his constituents.

Britain is facing economic disaster thanks to Brexit. Damage that will outlive our generation and impact our children and grandchildren.

Those who peddle the Brexit delusions must be challenged and opposed. The madness that is Brexit must be stopped.

Our political system must be overhauled and made fit for purpose. I will be celebrating the day Wokingham sack Redwood. Gavin Whitwell, Vice Chair, Berkshire for Europe

Hard Brexit? Not for professional international money man and hobby MP John Redwood!

The deeper the UK’s financial sector slumps, the more his sage words to abandon ship will be rewarded. “No deal” for us, but pacts-a-plenty for the oligarchs’ saviour. Paid on commission, are you, John? Richard Smith, via website

If his constituents voted to remain, is he not representing their views correctly immaterial of how the country voted? Gururaj Parvatikar, via email

The same people who vote for a council that builds houses before roads, and tries to kill the town off.

Even the simple thing of relaying a pavement outside the council offices created gridlock

and that has still not been finished. There must be lots of turkeys in Wokingham who like Christmas. You reap benefit of who you vote for! John BG, via Facebook

I’m no supporter of Redwood, but he’s elected as a representative, not a delegate.

He is entitled to pursue policies which he thinks are right for the constituency and the country.

Of course he’s completely wrong, and the remedy for Wokingham voters will present itself at the next election. Peter Bowyer, via Facebook

Sadly no matter what he says and does (in case anyone’s in any doubt as to the kind of person

we’re dealing with, he was singing Trumps praises not so long ago), the people of Wokingham vote him in time after time after time.

As someone who grew up in and currently lives in Wokingham, it’s genuinely depressing that this is the person who represents our constituency, and even more depressingly will most likely continue do for years to come.

Frustrating, and frankly shameful. Chris Hillebrandt, via Facebook A very hard working MP! Pat Tucker, via Facebook Working hard for himself? Rosie Billing, via Facebook

Remembrance today

I find myself unable to write about current and local issues this week. The cause of such reluctance is the letter below, published in a national newspaper last week, from a 10-year-old boy.

He shows integrity, understanding and compassion beyond compare, and almost foreign in today’s world. What a fine young man. – I only hope he retains his character as he grows up.

“Dear Soldiers, I am writing to tell that you haven’t been forgotten. I visited the memorial garden by the old runway.

The service started when RAF pilots marched in, wearing their medals with pride as the bugler played the Last Post and the flags

were lowered to half mast. We stood in silence.

I thought about what I had seen on TV, of the black and white images of planes dropping bombs and planes falling from the skies.

I thought how brave you all were. Were you scared? Did you think of yourself when you gave your life for me?

Then it was my turn. Stepping forward, gently carrying the posy of scarlet poppies, I bent down and placed it on the stone.

Taking a step back, I bowed my head while quietly saying ‘thank you,’ your bravery will always be special to me”

I hope it has some affect on readers – it certainly did for me. Reg Clifton, Wokingham

Support Cat League petition on air guns

In addition to the terrible human deaths and casualties that have been inflicted by indiscriminate use of air weapons, many pets have also been the unfortunate victims of air weapons.

Cats Protection’s air gun licensing petition has already received over 76,000 signatures and we would like to thank all of those who have signed.

Cats receive life-changing injuries from air guns such as limb amputation or loss of an eye. A 2016 Cats Protection survey of vets found that 46% of reported incidents result in fatalities.

We welcome the government’s intention to review the regulation of air weapons licensing.

Our monitoring shows nearly four cats a week are reported as killed or injured by an air gun in the UK – the actual figure is higher as many remain unreported.

We encourage those who haven’t signed up to show their support by going to our website: www.cats.org.uk/airgunspetition Jacqui Cuff, Advocacy and Government Relations Manager, Cats Protection

Adoption and marriage

Do your readers detect a homophobic backlash in the excessively harsh sentence given to child-killer, Matthew ScullyHicks? Life imprisonment – the same as that for mass-murder – and at least 18 years to serve!

Does the media coverage of the case suggest that Matthew ScullyHicks is a sadist – who deliberately conned the authorities into allowing him to adopt a baby – so that he could then torture, and kill, her?

No – because, if so, he could have abducted, and abused, a child – without going through all the complication of rigorous adoption procedures.

I get, instead, the impression of an inadequate neurotic – who hadn’t a clue about the strain and stress that a constantly screaming baby can impose.

He couldn’t cope, and flipped. It wasn’t necessarily because he

is gay, but it certainly was due to mental ill health!

He must have severe mental health issues – because anyone in a normal state of mind would simply conclude: ‘I am not equipped to cope with this child’ – and send her back to the Adoption Authorities!

Unlike natural parents, prospective adopters are allowed a trial period. We always discourage the mentally ill people who use our services from getting romantically involved with each other, and producing children.

If you can barely look after yourself, you will never cope with a screaming baby!

I recall that when having to nurse my screaming infant brother my solution was a dummy dipped in sweet condensed milk. This invariably produced a beatific smile, and instant peace – though I am not so sure, in retrospect, that it was the best thing for his emerging teeth!

Still, at least it wasn’t the gin or laudanum [heroin] – favoured by over-burdened Victorian mothers.

They couldn’t send the babies back. Matthew Scully-Hicks could have done so – if he had been in his right mind!

The Social Services have emerged, yet again, as their usual useless selves. Any prospective adoptive parents should be required to undergo a mental state examination by a Consultant Psychiatrist – to ensure that they have the stability, and the resilience, to cope with a child – who may be damaged, and difficult – due to the circumstances which made them available for adoption.

So, should gay couples be allowed to adopt? Adam and

Eve, Adam and Steve – the Lord God made them all, and He hath done all things well! Gay men and lesbians should have the same civil rights as everybody else.

In 1998, before such ceremonies were commonplace, we celebrated a gay wedding at the Crisis House – with all the traditions – wedding cake, presents, and a minister conducting the service, and assuring us that the Christian Church was blessing gay unions as far back as the fifth century.

The couple have just celebrated 25 together, and I send my congratulations through The

Wokingham Paper. No prejudice here!

A child needs both a mother, and a father. Can a man be a good mother? Can a woman be a good father? It is all right for rich celebrities – because they can afford both day-nurses and night-nurses – so they don’t have to do the mundane, and demanding, parenting – day and night! When required to do so, Matthew ScullyHicks proved tragically incapable. This case raises many questions about adoption, and about the need for mental health assessments for prospective adopters. Pam Jenkinson, The Wokingham Crisis House