At the recent Full Council meeting, held on 6^th December, community grants were awarded to seven organisations, presented by Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel. 

Community Grants awarded

Berkshire Vision

£250 – To support the organisation to continue to offer a wide range of events and activities for visually impaired and blind people in Berkshire.

Three C’s Cafe at Emmanuel Church

£150 – To pay for refreshments and food items provided for by the free café to users, providing a place for those who may be lonely or need advice.

Woodley Adopt a Street Project (WASP)

£250 – To purchase additional equipment for volunteers, such as litter picker bag holders and Hi-Viz jackets.

Woodley United FC

£250 – To contribute towards the costs of additional volunteers required to support an increase to the number of female participants, including to pay towards DBS checks, safeguarding and coaching training and qualifications.

The following organisations were also awarded community grants but were unable to attend to collect.

Berkshire MS Therapy Centre

£250 – To help fund sessions to provide specialist therapies to MS sufferers.

Friends of Woodford Park

£250 – To restock shrubs and plants for Woodford Park.

Woodley Schools Cluster

£200 – To fund the purchase of materials needed to run two cluster projects for school students from within Woodley. Jackie Andrews sent a written thank you to be read out at the meeting.

Community Grants in Woodley

Community grants are available to community organisations based in Woodley, which act for the local good of the town or those that can demonstrate how they serve Woodley residents and whose membership is open to Woodley residents. 

Grants of up to £250 are available for one-off costs such as equipment, materials or building alterations or a youth (under 21) team/group attendance at county, regional, national or international level primarily within a sporting or cultural activity. 

More information can be found HERE.

We have installed two Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) outside the Oakwood Centre and Woodford Park Leisure Centre (WPLC). 

The defibrillator at the Leisure Centre is located on the rear of the building, opposite the 3G pitch, while the defibrillator on the Oakwood Centre building, is located on memorial ground side, across the field from Coronation Hall. 

24 hour access

The defibrillators have been registered with The Circuit, which is part of the British Heart Foundation and connected with the South Ambulance service. This enables them to be used by any member of the public to help someone experiencing a cardiac arrest.

Both defibrillators have 24/7 access via locked cabinets. When calling 999 in an emergency, the operator will give these locations and the code to unlock the box to access the defibrillator. The operator will then give instructions over the phone on how to use it, unless paramedics or other emergency services are on the scene and they will access the defibrillator. 

Premier League’s Defibrillator Fund

The defibrillator at WPLC was funded by the Premier League’s Defibrillator Fund. The Fund, set up by the Premier League, will enable more than 2,000 sites across the country to install an AED and is supported by The FA and Sport England and delivered by the Football Foundation. 

Defibrillator locations

Locations of defibrillators in the UK, including Woodley, can be found here: https://www.defibfinder.uk/.

On the 26th October 1972, the A329M bridge over the Loddon collapsed, while under construction. It tragically resulted in three deaths and ten injuries.

In honour of those involved, Woodley Town Council and Earley Town Council planted a Hornbeam (Carpinus Betulus) tree in Dinton Pastures, near the cafe.

Earley Town Mayor, Cllr Tahir Maher and Woodley Town Deputy Mayor, Cllr Kay Gilder, attended the memorial to unveil the tree and plaques.

Cllr Kay Gilder said: “I am privileged to represent the people of Woodley today alongside the people of Earley as represented by the Earley Town Mayor to honour and remember those who lost their lives, were injured and the impact it had on their families and the community. This tree represents a lasting memorial to all involved.”

“We are here, on this sad occasion, to remember three lives lost and ten injured on 24th October 1972, 50 years ago. The incident resulted from a collapse of ‘falsework’. These are plywood constructions into which concrete was poured. A construction of the size of the Loddon Viaduct, which was a substantial structure holding many tonnes of concrete. The practice of these large construction sites at the time allowed the sub-contractors to perform their tasks without any oversight from the main contractor.

“The consequence of this disaster was the ‘Bragg Report’, which introduced a responsibility for these construction sites to a named engineer working for the main contractor. This provided a hierarchy of responsibility and ensured that the responsible engineer agreed upon designs for falsework. This made the disaster a landmark in health & safety on large construction sites,” said Cllr Maher.

“The site of the disaster is exactly where the three civic parishes of Earley, Woodley and Winnersh meet. Before this tree-planting event, there has been no memorial to this tragedy,” he added.

Kay and Tahir were joined by Cllr Carol Jewell from Woodley Town Council, Cllr Nicola Brock, Cllr Alison Newton, Cllr Keith Yabsley, and Cllr Al Neal from Earley Town Council.

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We will remember

Thank you to everyone who attended our annual Armistice Day and those who laid a wreath.

Royal British Legion

Our thanks go to Trevor Knights, President of the Winnersh and District Royal British Legion, who read the Exhortation to the Fallen and recited the Kohima Epitaph. We also thank him for his help to organise the event.

Our thanks also go to Rosemary Edgington of the Winnersh and District Royal British Legion Women’s Section for her help in organising the event.

Woodley Town Mayor

Thank you also to Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, for her moving words, summarising the importance of Armistice Day.

“As we stand here in peace and safety, I would like to thank you for joining Woodley Town Council and the Winnersh and District Royal British Legion to pay our respects and remember all of those who have fallen; all of the wounded; and all who have served in conflicts and wars.

“Remembrance Day is the day we all remember the brave who have served and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace. We remember those who volunteered, sacrificed, served, fought and died for our freedom.

“I am honoured to represent the residents of Woodley today and I wear my poppy with pride as a symbol of remembrance and hope for a positive future and peaceful world. Thank you.”

Photos

Thank you to our photographer, Francesca Reed, a sixth form student at Waingel’s College.

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It is with great sadness that we announce Councillor Sam Rahmouni passed away last week. 

Sam was first elected to Woodley Town Council in 1999, when he stood for election in Coronation West Ward and remained for the duration of his time as a Town Councillor.

Cllr Rahmouni was an active member of the Town Council and was on several committees during his time including, most recently, the Planning & Community Committee.

He also served as Deputy Town Mayor for the Municipal Year 2017-18 and Woodley Town Mayor 2018-19.

Woodley Town Council Leader, Cllr Keith Baker, knew Sam for many years and comments:

“I have known Sam for over a decade and found him very much a man of the people. His passion for helping Woodley residents was second to none. As a Town Councillor he was always willing to offer his services to the Town Council in whatever capacity was required. During his career he was both a Borough and a Town Councillor reaching the pinnacle of being Woodley Town Mayor. His activities, on behalf of Woodley residents, was always carried out in a very quiet way shunning any publicity. 

“Outside of his political career, he had a passion for the pub, with many regulars of the Chequers knowing him well. The other passion was at Christmas time when he religiously created jars and jars of pickled onions, which were delicious. I will certainly miss him as a friend, a political colleague, a fellow pub goer and a provider of great pickled onions. He had a heart of good and will be greatly missed by all.”

Our thoughts are with his family and friends. 

Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, hosted a charity Afternoon Tea on Sunday 23rd October in the Miles Suite at the Oakwood Centre to raise money for her chosen charity, Keep Mobile.

Guests were treated to a delicious afternoon tea, served on vintage crockery. Live music was played throughout, followed by fund-raising activities, including an Afternoon Tea Quiz and a raffle.

Cllr Janet Sartorel was delighted with the event, particularly as afternoon tea is her favourite meal.

She thanked all of the guests who had bought tickets and came to support her charity event.  

“I hope you have enjoyed the afternoon as much as I have.  I’d like to thank you all from coming and help raise money for Keep Mobile. I’d also like to thank Woodley Town Deputy Mayor, Cllr Kay Gilder, for her supreme efforts persuading many local businesses to donate raffle prizes, which many of you are now the lucky recipients of.

However, my biggest thanks go to the Woodley Town Council staff who have worked so hard over recent months to make this event happen. Not only that, they have also given up their Sunday to get the tea together, decorate the tables, set up the flowers, organise the raffle, the quiz and then will need to return to their ‘proper’ jobs all over again tomorrow.”

“I’m proud to say that over £400 has been raised for Keep Mobile, a local organisation who  provide transport for the elderly and disabled in the area. Having attended their AGM last year, I was so impressed with the work they do that I chose Keep Mobile as my charity this Mayoral year,” added Janet.

Keep Mobile

Sally Gibson, Manager of Keep Mobile attended the event along with members of the board and the team. She sent us some very moving words following the event:

Thanks

We would like to thank all those who attended and all the local businesses who donated raffle prizes. Thanks also to Jamie Ledwith for his talented piano playing.

£20 voucher from Home & Gifts in Woodley Town Centre

£20 voucher from Woodley Pets in Woodley Town Centre

Coffee & Cake Deal voucher from Crumbs cafe in Woodley Town Centre

£40 voucher from Fireaway Pizza in Woodley

Free coffee EVERY DAY in November voucher from Brown Bag Café in the Oakwood Centre

Wine tasting & tour for 2 people from Stanlake Park Wine Estate in Twyford

£20 voucher from Maya’s Treats in Woodley Town Centre

Handbag from local boutique Lula Bula

Champagne and chocolates from Woodley Town Mayor

Bottle of Cava from Waitrose in Woodley

£25 voucher from Delightful Bites in Woodley – very generously gifted to the staff of Woodley Town Council for their hard work from the winner

Christmas Wreath voucher for 1 person from Polly’s Gardens in Wokingham

Plus various other prizes, including wine, jar of sweets, mugs, body lotions and hair products.

In memoriam to honour Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Woodley Town Council has planted an oak tree in Woodford Park near the lake.

Queen’s Green Canopy

The tree will be listed on The Queen’s Green Canopy map, in addition to the tree the Council planted for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June.

The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative has been extended to the end of March 2023, following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, and the wishes of The Queen’s Green Canopy Patron, His Majesty The King.

You can read more about the initiative HERE.

It’s that time of year again when we ask you to nominate your local heroes, whose good work benefits the community of Woodley. 

Perhaps it’s a neighbour who goes above and beyond to help others in Woodley, or the young child who picks up litter in their spare time. Maybe you know someone who gives up their time to volunteer and help others in need or someone who is championing charitable causes that benefit people in Woodley. Or perhaps they are championing climate change in Woodley.

Give them the recognition they deserve and nominate them now for one of our Community Heroes Awards.

The renamed awards are now divided into 6 categories:

Community Heroes – Neighbour of the Year – Awarded to an individual who has, independently (ie not part of a wider charity organisation) provided exceptional care and support to a Woodley resident or residents within their local community

Community Heroes – Volunteer of the Year – Awarded to an individual who has, as part of a voluntary or charity organisation, provided exceptional support to the activities of the organisation, making a difference to residents of Woodley

Community Heroes – Voluntary Group of the Year – Awarded to an organisation that has provided exceptional support and services to Woodley residents

Community Heroes – Climate Champion of the Year – Awarded to an individual, organisation or group that has made a significant contribution to fighting climate change and / or climate initiatives within the area

Community Heroes – Young Person of the Year – Awarded to an individual aged 19 or under who, through voluntary activities, has made an exceptional contribution to the Woodley community

Community Heroes – Mayor’s Outstanding Contribution Award – Awarded by the Mayor to an individual or organisation who they feel have provided an outstanding contribution to the community

Nominations

Nomination forms can be downloaded HERE, picked up from our office at the Oakwood Centre, or you can call or email us (0118 9690356/[email protected]) and ask for one to be posted to you.

Guidelines for nominating are also on our website. 

The deadline for nominations is 16th November so please hurry and get nominating! 

Awards Ceremony

The winners will be awarded at our Community Heroes Award evening on 24th February 2023, held at the Oakwood Centre. 

Today, Tuesday 20th September, Woodley Town Mayor led a two-minutes silence in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth

Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, welcomed the small crowd outside the Miles Suite at the side of the Oakwood Centre in Woodford Park and then gave a short speech before the two-minutes silence.

“Following Her Majesty’s funeral yesterday, today we come together in Woodley as the last official opportunity to mark The Queen’s passing and show our respects.

Thank you to those who attended the Proclamation in Woodley Town Centre last Monday. It was a very moving ceremony and it was an honour to read the Proclamation to the town of Woodley.

It has also been wonderful to see the lovely comments in our Book of Condolence, as well as the beautiful floral tributes. 

Please now join me in two minutes silence to mark the passing of our late Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.”

The Mayor and the crowd then observed two-minutes silence.

Janet thanked everyone for coming and reminded them that the Book of Condolence will close at 5.00pm today and all floral tributes will be collected this afternoon to be composted.

The Town Council will use the compost to plant an oak tree in Woodley in honour of our late Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth the Second. Further details to be announced.

The Mayor concluded the ceremony by declaring: “God Save His Majesty King Charles the third”.

Thank you to everyone who came. You can watch a video of the service on our YouTube Channel.

Woodley Town Mayor signs Woodley’s Book of Condolence and lays a floral tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Paying her respects to our late Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II, Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, wrote a personal message in Woodley’s Book of Condolence, which will be bound and sent to the Berkshire Record office, once the period of mourning has ended.

Message of condolence

I would like to extend my condolences and those of Woodley Town Council, following the passing of our late Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family and all those whose hearts she touched. Let us come together to remember with affection and gratitude the lifetime of service given by our longest serving Monarch. Cllr Janet Sartorel, Woodley Town Mayor

Floral tribute

Cllr Janet Sartorel also lay a bouquet of flowers for our late Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The Mayor wrote:

On behalf of all Woodley Town Residents, we offer our deepest condolences to King Charles III and his family following the passing of our late Sovereign Queen Elizabeth II. Cllr Janet Sartorel, Woodley Town Mayor

The flowers will be collected, along with the other bouquets, after the period of mourning has ended and will be composted and used to plant an oak tree in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 

The Book of Condolence and floral tribute area will remain open until 5.00pm on Tuesday 20th September.

The Book of Condolence is in the Miles Suite at the Oakwood Centre and is available for people to sign every day from 9.00am to 4.30pm until the day after the funeral at 5.00pm. Please follow the signs and enter the room from the outside, rather than via the main Oakwood Centre. Please remain considerate to others also paying their respects.