Woodley Town Council is very proud of the two new flag poles in Woodford Park by the War Memorial.

Woodley Town Council flag flying high

Woodford Park Woodley, Green Flag flying high

Woodley Town Council Mayor presents Community Grants to recipients

 At the Full Council meeting held on 11 November at the Oakwood Centre, Woodley Town Mayor, Sam Rahmouni, presented community grants to several charities and individuals.

The community grant recipients included seven community organisations and two individuals.

• Berkshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre received a grant to help fund a range of treatments.
• Home-Start Wokingham District received a grant to help towards the cost of running a 10-week training course for at least 12 new volunteers.
• Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice received a grant towards the cost of providing palliative care either at the hospice or at the patient’s home.
• Wokingham Job Support Centre received a grant towards the cost of providing internet access, training and support on how to find and apply for jobs.
• Wokingham Volunteer Centre received a grant for its ‘Green n’ Tidy’ gardening service, which tends the gardens of 26 vulnerable elderly Woodley residents, as well as finding volunteers for several local charities.
• Woodley Adopt A Street Project (WASP) received a grant to purchase equipment for the volunteers to use.
• Woodley and North Earley Community Forum received a grant towards the cost of producing and distributing information leaflets, particularly aimed at local vulnerable and elderly residents.

The individual grants were awarded to two Woodley-based young gymnasts.

• William Cowen, a gymnast in the GB Tumbling Squad, received a grant to help purchase a GB kit and fund travel and accommodation costs for the World Championships in Russia.
• Rosie Cowen, tumbling gymnast, received a grant to help the cost of attending regional training through the year and the cost of squad kit.

(L-R TOP): vice-chair Mike Evans and chair, Mary Bather, of Woodley and North Earley Community Forum, Shelagh Flower from WASP and Emma Roberts from Home-Start (L-R BOTTOM): Rosie Cowen, Steven Polak from Wokingham Job Centre, Woodley Town Mayor, Sam Rahmouni, Laura Kell from Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice and William Cowen

Woodley residents pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday

Over two thousand local residents gathered at Woodley Memorial Recreation Ground on Sunday 11 November, to commemorate 100 years since the end of WWI and to remember those who have fallen.

Woodley Town Council and St John the Evangelist Church led a commemoration service and were joined by Woodley Army and Air Cadets and the 5^th Woodley Scouts, who all marched to the Memorial across Woodford Park.

The Exhortation to the Fallen was read by a member of the Army Cadets, while the Kohima Epitaph was read by Town Councillor Brian Franklin. The Rolls of Honour of both World Wars were read by St John’s parishioner David Crane, followed by a prayer led by Rev Eddie Márquez-Picón, of St John’s. The laying of wreaths was led by Woodley Town Mayor, Councillor Sam Rahmouni.

Following the commemoration, tea, coffee and cake was served in the Oakwood Centre by Woodley Central WI, with cakes donated by the team, Addington School and Richard Lloyd Funeral Services. Music, poetry and footage from WWI, as well as a display of WWI images provided by Museum of Berkshire Aviation was also available at the Centre, alongside work from local schools and local Girl Guides. Woodley Flower Club donated beautiful flower displays, while Woodley Carnival Committee provided additional support.

The Council has been delighted to receive very positive feedback about the day and would like to extend its thanks to all those who attended and contributed.

Woodley schools’ memorial ceremony

Prior to the event, local Woodley schools held a memorial service at the Woodley Memorial Recreation Ground on Friday 9 November, accompanied by Woodley Town Mayor Sam Rahmouni and Deputy Mayor David Stares.

MP Matt Rodda pays his respects

Separately, MP for Reading East, Matt Rodda paid his respects at Woodley’s Memorial on Tuesday 13 November, joined by Woodley Council Leader Keith Baker. Unfortunately, Mr Rodda had been unable to attend the memorial in Woodley on Sunday 11 November due to a prior commitment at the remembrance event in Reading.

Woodford Park Lake Regeneration

We are carrying out works to improve the habitat/ecosystem and amenity value of Woodford Park lake. This work will include the creation of a shallow, planted wildlife area at the eastern end – using silt from other parts of the lake, to encourage insects and invertebrates, a boardwalk with pond dipping platform, establishment of reed beds and flowering native plant species, wild flower area and the repair of damaged bank edges and paths. The mechanical work to move the silt and the construction of the boardwalk will be carried out from September 2018 into Spring 2019.

Bank at the eastern end

In the meantime we have removed the overgrown hedge along the mound at the eastern end of the lake and are installing a retaining wall (approx. 1m height timber sleepers/retaining stones). This bank will then be planted with low-level shrubs creating a nice feature while retaining open views across the lake.

New wildlife pathway

We have also marked out the route of a lakeside path along the northern bank. This accessible pathway will be a hogging / compacted gravel path with the lake on one side and wildflowers on the other and provide a pleasant alternative route around the lake. This path will be completed once the machinery work in the lake is complete.

More information on the project is available on the Town Council website – woodford-park-lake

Woodley deputy Mayor delights at the Prom

Woodley’s Deputy Mayor David Stares attended Addington Proms Week in July.  An annual celebration of music from across the area at Addington School, it is an opportunity for musicians of all ages and abilities to share their music. There were four concerts daily, which were filled with class performances from Addington pupils and additional performances from instrumental ensembles, soloists and students who have instrumental lessons. Groups from the community, primary and secondary schools were also invited to be part of Proms Week, as performers, workshop leaders or audience members.

Deputy Mayor Stares was delighted to attend the event and see the variety of musical ability and style. “It was wonderful to see such a happy mix of students and community members experimenting with music and performing,” commented Stares.

Woodley Town Council is delighted to announce that Woodford Park has received Green Flag status amid high commendation from the judges and is recognised as one of the UK’s best green spaces.

Woodford Park is the first park in the Wokingham Borough area to receive Green Flag status, and joins other green spaces awarded recognition across the UK.

The park is among a record-breaking 1,883 UK parks and green spaces that have received a prestigious Green Flag Award – the mark of a quality park or green space.

Green Flag award

This international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Town Mayor, Sam Rahmouni, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award for first time. We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, and this award celebrates the dedication that goes into maintaining Woodford Park to such a high standard with Woodley Town Council and the Friends of Woodford Park’s support.”

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme, with more Green Flags awarded this year than last year. Each flag honours the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. We are proud to have so many wonderful green spaces in the UK for people to enjoy, and hope that next year, we award even more flags.”

Commendation

The judges were particularly delighted with the changes made from last year’s visit to Woodford Park and commented that “it was a privilege to judge this site on their second year of judging”. Key areas highlighted include the entrance to the park with the decorative gates, memorial and decorative beds being welcoming and inviting, as well as the new signs in the park.

Healthy, safe and security was also commended, alongside how well-maintained and clean the park is, with very high standards for litter and dog waste.  Woodford Park was also applauded for how the environment is managed with minimal chemical use and also the investment in the park’s biodiversity landscape; particularly the regeneration of the lake and the further work planned.

“This site really delivers a great amount for the community as a resource.  It is really well used by a wide range of community groups, some of whom organise regular events that provide a focus for community spirit in Woodley and enhance the area as a place to live and play. Really impressed with the Friends group and other community groups who are positive, enthusiastic and make a real contribution to the standard of the park. The paddling pool is an excellent facility for small children. The youth centre and skate ramps cater for young people. Provision for active sports is good. There are lots of benches for the elderly,” the report cited.

Proud team

Bill Soane, Chairman of Woodley Town Council’s Leisure Services Committee comments: “We are delighted with the Green Flag award and it has been many years of hard work from the team and I would like to thank our previous Head Groundsman, Kevin Weller for his work towards this award during his nearly 40 years of service, our current Grounds Maintenance Manager, Terry Gough, his team and the Friends of Woodford Park who have all contributed to create such a wonderful green space and put Woodley firmly on the map.”

Woodley Town Council will be displaying the flag in the park in the near future.

Public toilet

Following the 2015 Woodley Resident’s Survey, conducted by HMR, an independent research and consultancy service, Woodley Town Council has responded to local resident requests for a public toilet and works to install it are currently underway. The unit is due to arrive on 30 July; however, electrical and water connections will need to be completed.

The decision to spend funds on a public toilet in the town centre were a result of the independent survey.

Resident’s Survey

Conducted both as a doorstep survey and as an online self-completion survey, it received feedback from over 924 local residents, and 18 users of Woodley facilities who did not live in Woodley. Over 60% of respondents wanted a public toilet to be provided.

62.9% asked for a public toilet in Woodley, 29.8% said no and 7.3% responded with ‘don’t know’.

Comments made during the survey were frequently based on people’s feelings about the needs of people with health conditions, disabilities, or people with young children who needed to have easy access to a toilet.

While Woodley Town Council is aware that the installation of the toilet will not please everyone, its responsibility is to the local residents and, in this case, the majority of residents requested a toilet.

The public toilet will be positioned in the southern area of the town centre, near to Waitrose car park.

Full details of the survey can be accessed on the Woodley Town Council website: www.woodley.gov.uk

Mayor attends art viewing – Unmasked

On Thursday 5^th July, Woodley Town Council Mayor Sam Rahmouni attended Waingels School’s annual Year 13 Art Private View, ‘Unmasked’; a celebration of very talented Art & Photography student’s coursework and exam pieces.

One of the students, Zoe Binden, looked at the history of pattern in her coursework project. She studied the work of William Morris and even took a trip to the John Lewis heritage centre to observe first hand some of the iconic prints and patterns we have furnished our houses, hotels and even the Titanic with over the years. She has created a modern approach to wallpaper using traditional repeating methods as well as printing processes to digitally compose her beautiful final pieces.

Another Waingel student, Samson, spent his Photography coursework project looking at the idea of ‘Destroy’. He took his photographs in a variety of venues including bomb shelters along the coast in France and old abandoned outhouses. There was something sad he noticed about the way we so quickly disregard objects, buildings and landscapes once they are no longer used. Samson spent a long time ‘destroying’ the frames he presented his work in – using charring methods as well as physically building the frames himself from scrap materials.

Mayor Sam Rahmouni had the opportunity to see these and other unique pieces of art created by the Year 13 pupils and was very impressed with the dedication and the design process the students used and explored.

Mayor presents mini medics at The Bulmershe School with awards

At a recent presentation at The Bulmershe School in Woodley, Mayor Sam Rahmouni presented certificates to Year 9 students who had participated in and been awarded for First Aid in the Community.

“Over the past term a group of our year 9 students have been carving out their place in the community by becoming fully trained ‘Mini Medics!’,” commented Katie Gaetan, First Aid Trainer and member of the school inclusion team.