Hundreds gathered in Woodley Town Centre today to hear Woodley Town Mayor read the Proclamation.

Today, Monday 12th September, the Town Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Shadi Brindley, made a statement at Centre Stage in the town centre to mark the formal Proclamation to the people of Woodley and the beginning of our new King’s reign, followed by the Proclamation, which was read by Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel.

Cllr Shadi Brindley and Cllr Janet Sartorel were joined at Centre Stage today in Woodley by other members of the Town Council, Woodley Town Clerk and Woodley Town Deputy Clerk.

The ceremony was introduced by Town Crier, Tony Roper, followed by a speech from Cllr Shadi Brindley.

Deputy Town Council Leader’s speech

“We come together this afternoon following the passing of our late Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth the Second. Our sadness at this time is shared by people across the globe, as we remember with affection and gratitude the lifetime of service given by our longest-serving Monarch. But the basis on which our Monarchy is built has ensured that through the centuries the Crown has passed in an unbroken line of succession. Today’s ceremony marks the formal Proclamation to the people of Woodley and the beginning of our new King’s reign.

“On Saturday 10^th September, the Accession Council met at St James’s Palace to proclaim our new Sovereign. The flags which had flown at half-mast since The Queen’s death were raised briefly to their full height to mark the start of His Majesty’s reign. 

The Accession Council also made an order requiring High Sheriffs to cause the Proclamation to be read in the areas of their jurisdiction. It was that task which the High Sheriff of the Royal County of Berkshire discharged yesterday and with my humble duty I now call on the Mayor of Woodley, Councillor Janet Sartorel to read the Proclamation to the people of Woodley.  Ladies and Gentlemen, the Proclamation of the Accession.”

Proclamation

Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, then read the Proclamation to the town of Woodley.

She then announced: God Save The King, to which the crowd replied: God Save The King.

National Anthem

The Town Crier led the crowd with the National Anthem, followed by three cheers for His Majesty King Charles III.

Thanks

We’d like to thank everyone for joining Woodley Town Council and the Woodley Town Mayor to mark this occasion.

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You can watch the Proclamation on our YouTube Channel HERE.

Woodley Town Council and Woodley Town Mayor join the rest of the country in mourning following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Following the passing of our late Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II, we would like to share our sadness at this time with the local residents of Woodley, as we remember with affection and gratitude the lifetime of service given by our longest-reigning Monarch. 

Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, said: “On behalf of the residents of Woodley and the staff and members of the Council, I would like to express my deepest sorrow at the death of our esteemed Monarch Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”

Floral Tributes

Floral tributes may be laid outside the Miles Suite at the Oakwood Centre, adjacent to the fenced area until the day after the funeral. Please lay flowers without any cellophane as they will be composted. We have placed signage to indicate the area.

Book of Condolence

A Book of Condolence has been opened at the Oakwood Centre in the Miles Suite and will be available for people to sign every day from 9.00am to 4.30pm until the day after the funeral at 5.00pm. It will then remain in the Council’s archives. 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.

If anyone would like to share a message of sympathy and is unable to get to the Council’s office, they can email their message to [email protected] and it will be printed and included in the condolence book. Alternatively, a hand-written message can be sent to the Council office for inclusion. Please send to: Woodley Town Council, Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Woodley, RG5 4JZ. Messages must be received by the day after the funeral.

Members of the public may also sign The Royal Family’s online condolence book, which can be accessed on their website: https://www.royal.uk.

Union Flag

The union flag will be flown at half-mast until the morning after the funeral. The flag will be raised to full mast on Saturday 10^th September to mark the Proclamation of His Majesty King Charles III. This will be returned to half-mast at 1.00pm on Sunday 11^th September. 

Proclamation

On Monday 12^th September, the Town Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Shadi Brindley, will make a statement at Centre Stage in the town centre at 12.30pm, followed by the Proclamation, which will be read by Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel.

Funeral

There will be a two-minute silence at 11.00am on the day of the funeral, which will be a public holiday. The Town Council offices will be closed. 

Woodley Town Mayor Cllr Janet Sartorel will also hold a separate two-minute silence the day after the funeral,outside the Miles Suite, at the site of the floral tributes. 

Letter of Condolence

The Town Mayor Cllr Janet Sartorel will send a letter of condolence to the Private Secretary of the new Sovereign, King Charles III. 

Tree to honour The Queen

Woodley Town Council will also plant an oak tree in honour of our late Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II. Further information about this will be made available in due course. 

Updates

All Council events and meetings will be postponed or cancelled during the period of mourning. 

All information will be updated on our website: www.woodley.gov.uk and social media pages: @WoodleyCouncil on Twitter and Facebook.

Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, mourns the death of The Queen.

21st April 1926 – 8th September 2022

We are very sorry to announce the passing of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II.

We would like to extend our condolences to His Majesty The King and the Royal Family.

We will issue further information regarding the opening of a book of condolence and the appropriate location for those who wish to lay floral tributes in due course.

Residents can keep up to date with further announcements via the official website of the Royal Family.

The public toilet in the town centre is now open.

Plaque unveiled at ceremony to honour the late Cllr David Stares

The sensory garden in the new play area at Woodford Park was planted in Cllr David Stare’s memory and a plaque commemorating David was unveiled today by the Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel.

Cllr David Stares was chairman of the Leisure Services Committee when the new play area in Woodford Park was first suggested and was at the forefront of driving the project forward. 

The event was attended by his family, councillors, local residents and members of the running club Reading Roadrunners of which David and his wife Diane were members.

“David was kind and caring and always wanted to do the very best for the local residents of Woodley. He would have been delighted to see so many happy children playing in the new play area. I am honoured to unveil the plaque, dedicating the sensory garden to David,” said Janet. 

David and his wife Diane were a huge part of Reading Roadrunners and were always helpful, working together to raise money for charities, volunteering to help,” said one Reading Roadrunners member.

“David was always happy to help. I can remember us working together as marshals at the London Olympics 10 years ago for the men’s and women’s marathons and road cycling events. It was a memorable time and an example of how David was always happy to volunteer,” said Carl Woffington, Reading Roadrunner member. 

“I’d like to thank everyone who came today to commemorate David. It was a pleasure to work with him and it is especially touching to have a permanent memorial for him in the play area that he was so instrumental in getting off the ground. He has left a wonderful legacy for the residents of Woodley,” said Woodley Town Council leader, Cllr Keith Baker. 

Woodford Park is proudly raising its prestigious Green Flag Award for the 5th year running

Woodley Town Council is celebrating after receiving a Green Flag Award for Woodford Park as one of 2208 UK winners. Woodford Park was awarded the coveted Green Flag Award for the fifth year running, officially recognised as one of the country’s best parks and the only park in the Wokingham Borough area to have this status. 

“After two years that have seen our parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news that Woodford Park has achieved and maintained its Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that make the green space – and all the Woodley Town Council managed parks – such a great space that everyone can enjoy,” said Cllr Keith Baker, Woodley Town Council Leader. 

“We are all very proud of the park and its most recent addition of the new play area, which is continually filled with the laughter and happiness of children. It really is a destination park with so many areas to enjoy,” added Cllr Baker. 

Commenting on the news that Woodford Park has met and maintained the Green Flag Award standard, Keep Britain Tidy’s Accreditation Manager, Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making Woodford Park worthy of a Green Flag Award.

“Woodford Park is a vital green space for the community in Woodley. This award is testament to all the hard work of staff and volunteers, who do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.” 

“The award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces and I am so proud of the team for their hard work and dedication to ensure that Woodford Park has kept this status for five years running. Each of them always goes above and beyond and I’d like to thank them and also thank The Friends of Woodford Park for the wonderful work they also do in the park,” said Kevin Murray, Woodley Town Council Deputy Clerk. 

Woodford Park has many areas for residents to enjoy, including the lake and boardwalk, the grass areas, two play areas, an outdoor paddling pool, the Garden of Remembrance, the Rotary Garden, the Memorial Ground and beautiful planting by The Friends of Woodford Park. 

We will be celebrating the park and all of the parks and green spaces which we manage during Love Parks Week, which starts on 29^th July. 

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Over 600 people attend the opening of the new play area in Woodford Park

Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, officially declared our new play area in Woodford Park open yesterday at an opening event attended by over 600 local residents.

Inclusivity

The new play area has been designed specifically with inclusivity in mind, and will offer a stimulating, exciting play experience for children of all abilities. 

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It includes a double cableway, a sensory area, a wheelchair accessible play mound, an agility trail, a 7m tall canopy trail, seven types of swings and much more. 

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Climate change

We have also received a certificate offsetting our carbon footprint in the making and installation of the park, which is in line with our climate change policy to be carbon neutral by 2030. 

Jubilee tree & stones display

The play area also contains our Jubilee Tree planted for the Queen’s Canopy and Jubilee Stones display to commemorate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

A commemorative plaque will be installed in the next few weeks. 

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Memorial in sensory garden

The sensory garden has been planted in memory of Cllr David Stares, who was Chairman of the Leisure Services Committee when the new play area was first suggested and was instrumental in driving the project forward.

We will be putting in a plaque citing this in the next few weeks. 

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Archway to the park

The Mayor cut the ribbon across the bespoke archway, which was designed and made by Hannah Morris-Coole from Omna Studios. The crowds clapped and cheered as Janet declared the park officially open.

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Free ice cream, goody bags and lots of fun

The contractor, Proludic, provided 100 free goody bags and free ice cream for the children, provided by Sir Whippy.

The event was filmed by 7 Video Company and we will add the footage to our website and YouTube channel once we have received it.

Here are a few photos from the opening. We will add more as we receive them.

Thank you to everyone who attended the event. We hope you continue to enjoy the park for many years to come.

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Thank you to everyone who visited our stall and admired the moon and the astronaut!

Here are a few photos from the day…

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*Photos: Paul King

Over 1000 people attended Woodley’s Big Jubilee Lunch

Woodley’s Big Jubilee Lunch was opened by the Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, welcoming over 1000 local residents to the event.

Janet introduced her special guests at the Top Table:

“May I please introduce my special guests, who are the winners from the Town Council’s Jubilee Stones competition.  Edward – who won the under 5s category with his wonderful design of The Queen wearing her crown.  Abhyuday – who won the 6-8 years category with his very detailed design marking 70 years of Her Majesty’s reign. Abbey – who won the 9-12 years category with her contemporary and colourful silhouette of Queen Elizabeth the second.  I am also joined by Woodley’s Deputy Town Mayor, Councillor Kay Gilder and our consorts.”

The day started with the Bailey Dolls singing songs from the 1940s and 1950s, followed by Pauly Zarb and his band playing songs up to the present day.

Children were entertained by Professor Crump who mingled in his stilts and assorted costumes, including taking children for rides on his scooter.

Children also had the opportunity to draw with chalk around the precinct and make royal crowns.

Maya’s Treats in the town centre provided free ice cream for hundreds of children, while Basil & Crew came with a small petting zoo. 

Woodley Town Council and the Woodley Town Centre Partnership would like to thank everyone who came to Woodley’s Big Jubilee Lunch.

The Jubilee Stones will be unveiled on 16th June at the opening of Woodford Park play area.

Selection of photos from the day

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Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, lit the Queen’s Beacon on Thursday 2nd June at 21.45 in Woodford Park, lighting the skies across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth to commemorate Her Majesty’s 70 year reign.

Hundreds of local residents and Woodley Town Councillors joined Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, as she lit the Queen’s Beacon to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Janet told the crowd in Woodford Park that she was honoured to light the Beacon on behalf of the people of Woodley, welcoming and thanking those who attended the historic event.

“I am honoured to light this Beacon on behalf of the people of Woodley, as Beacons are lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories and within each of the Commonwealth Countries to commemorate Her Majesty The Queen’s 70 year reign,” she said.

As the Beacon lit up the night sky, local choir, Bel Canto Choir sang ‘Song for the Commonwealth’ as a musical tribute to Her Majesty The Queen, filling Woodford Park with the sound of music and song.

The song had been written by Atueyi Vincent Chinemelu, from Nigeria and Lucy Kiely from Australia, the winners of a worldwide competition coordinated by Alison Cox OBE from the Commonwealth Resounds.

The Mayor then joined the choir to lead the crowd in the singing of the national anthem.

You can view the event on our YouTube channel HERE.

Motor Sport and Planting Trees – 5,700 Miles, 1.74 Tonnes of CO2, £100 for the planting of Trees

On Sunday 22^nd May, the locally based Hants & Berks Motor Club, who celebrated their seventy fifth anniversary last year, ran their annual Early Bird Classic Car Tour, an 85-mile scenic tour starting at Woodford Park in Berkshire as guests of Woodley Town Council and taking the event participants via a pre-arranged road route to the Amberley Museum in West Sussex.

The thirty-six cars were flagged away from the start by Woodley Town Mayor, Councillor Janet Sartorel.

This was the first ‘green’ event organised by the motor club since the recent updating of its Environmental and Sustainability Policy. The club is not new to the world of reducing carbons, it organised the UK’s version of the annual Mobil Economy Run back in the 1950 – 1970s, which was all about gaining the maximum mileage from a tank of petrol, hypermiling. Each year, the 1000 mile road routes were designed to test the ability of drivers to minimise their cars petrol consumption over the most challenging roads with plenty of hills to climb in England, Wales and Scotland.

The event involved an estimated total of 5,700 miles including participants travelling to Woodley, the event and the miles returning home. It also included the miles travelled by the event marshals and organisers. The fuel used was equivalent to about 1.7 tonnes of CO2. To balance this the Club has donated the costs of tree planting to one of the leading conservation groups in the UK, Forest Carbon who are planting millions of trees aimed at increasing the UK’s ability to capture carbon and balance the generation of CO2.

This is in line with its motor sports governing body Motorsport UK’s policy, who are actively encouraging member clubs to each do their bit towards slowing down the rate of global warming, enabling the club to continue with its sport and at the same time balance its production of carbons that enter the atmosphere.

Club Secretary and the events organiser, Woodley resident Bill Bonney, said: “We are delighted to be adopting this policy and proud to be one of the first local motor clubs to be involved with the carbon capture initiative and although our contribution is small it demonstrates the willingness to move forward in a positive direction.”

For more information please contact: Hants & Berks Motor Club Ltd: 0118 969 7591 / [email protected].