A winner at Crufts, new owners for popular pub, and Sir John stands again
AS MARCH began, First Days Children’s Charity revealed that children of struggling families in the borough faced sleeping on floors, and asked residents to donate beds, cots, bedding and mattresses.
People responded with heart warming generosity.
In Hurst, households lost their internet connection for 11 days, as phone lines and broadband were affected by a car fire that police were investigating as arson.
And in a Twyford church, lawyer Iryna Shuhalieieva spoke through tears as she described the darkness faced by her fellow Ukrainians living in fear a year after the Russian invasion of her country.
Her story, at St Thomas
More Roman Catholic Church prompted people to contribute to a fund to buy generators for Ukraine.
Sir John Redwood was selected as the Conservative candidate for the new Wokingham seat in the next general election, the 10th he would contest.
He said that he was ‘delighted and honoured’ to have been chosen.
March was also a good month for pedestrians, who had every encouragement to get out and about, when research data revealed Wokingham to be the safest place to travel on foot in the
UK.
In memory of the late Queen, children from 28 borough primary schools performed their show, Happy and Glorious,
The 750 pupils sang songs from each decade of the monarch’s life, delighting audiences at Reading’s
Hexagon Theatre.
Hindus in the borough came together to celebrate the Holi festival of love Holi, with traditional food, fun, and lots of colours.
And Woodley recognised its community heroes, with TV personality Matt Allwright presenting awards to David Provins, the Woodley Volunteers, Carolyn Wildman, Lynne Shipton, youngster Dexter Rosier, and Rosemary Edgington.
Hurst locals were delighted that an ancient pub, The
Green Man, would soon be re-opening for drinks and food, after a six month pause for refurbishment.
Meanwhile, paws of a different kind stole items from a Woodley home, when a thief gained entry to a property through a cat flap, stealing money and jewellery in what police described as a ‘messy’ search.
Members of Wokingham Art Society shared pictures that they had created as part of a creative challenge to make a drawing or picture every day of the previous month, and pretty as a picture Wokingham pooch Maisie was best of breed at Crufts.
The long haired briard and her owner Pat Hartwell received a big yes from the judges, and her picture graced the front cover of Wokingham. Today.
But chicanes in Shinfield were given a big no, and firmly rejected by residents when a consultation revealed villagers’ anger about road calming measures.
More than 70% of respondents opposed traffic proposals put forward by Shinfield Parish Council.
And in Hurst, a scheme to build 200 homes on a green field site was turned down after 400 residents objected to the development.
Pleased with their victory, residents were hopeful that grazing ponies could continue to enjoy the land between Lodge Road and Tape Lane.
A Wokingham dentist reeled from shock when Peach Dental Care’s electricity bills shot up from £700 to £5,000 a month.
Owners Dr Sachin Dhuna and Dr Mishi Dhuna contacted the industry Ombudsman in a desperate bid to resolve the issue, and feared the business would not survive.
But cavities of a different kind troubled the rest of the borough, when a survey showed that Wokingham Borough Council would need £11m to plug every pothole in the borough.
Twyford, however, was all smiles as it celebrated its greatest citizens and community groups.
These were: Caroline Macaskill, Clara Steuart,
Debbie Martin, Understanding Dementia, The Cozy Nook, The Duke of Wellington, Emma Donald, Twyford District Youth & Community Centre, Alison Chaney, and Rural Pie Co.
In Wokingham, more than 100 people from 40 voluntary groups were recognised in the Mayor’s Honour Awards, at a ceremony held at the Oakwood Centre, Oakley.
At the close of March, Thames Valley chief constable John Campbell retired after 34 years of service, with Jason Hogg, deputy chief constable, taking over the role.
And finally, tributes were paid to the Revd Dr Leonard Onugha, 48, rector of the parish of Finchampstead and California, who collapsed and died unexpectedly at his home.