All other dates open as normal

Covid-19 testing (Lateral Flow Testing)

Free Covid-19 testing for everyone

All residents across Wokingham Borough can now access free, regular, rapid Covid-19 tests. These are for people with no Covid-19 symptoms.

This is important for identifying cases of Covid-19 that we would otherwise not find, as 1 in 3 people who are infected with the virus won’t have any symptoms, meaning they’ll spread it to others without realising.

Getting into the habit of regular testing will help to keep everyone safe. 

If you have Covid-19 symptoms

Please book a test through the Gov.uk website if you have symptoms of Covid-19.

Lateral Flow Testing

The rapid Covid-19 test used for people with no symptoms is called a Lateral Flow Test. It delivers results within 30 to 45 minutes. Read Wokingham Borough Council’s Lateral Flow Testing Frequently Asked Questions (PDF document) to find out more. 

Getting a negative Lateral Flow Test result does not give you immunity to Covid-19. 

Where to get your test

Walk-in appointments are available the week commencing 13 December, at the following sites:

Shute End Test Centre (Civic Offices, Shute End, RG40 1BN):

• Open 8.30am to 3.15pm, Monday to Saturday
       

Mobile testing units:

• Woodley Library (RG5 4JA), Monday 1.30pm to 4.30pm
• Finchampstead Baptist Centre (RG40 4ES), Monday and Tuesday 1.45pm to 3.30pm
• Twyford Library (RG10 9RP), Monday 10am to 12.30pm, Wednesday 10am to 4pm, Thursday 10am to 1pm
• Finchampstead Library, FBC (RG40 4ES), Monday and Tuesday 9am to 1pm, Thursday 9am to 12.30pm
• California Ratepayers Hall, Finchampstead (RG40 3RL), Tuesday and Friday 8.45am to 12.15pm
• Asda Lower Earley (RG6 5TT), Tuesday 2pm to 4pm
• Lower Earley Library (RG6 5HZ), Wednesday 9am to 4pm
• British Legion, Arborfield (RG2 9PR), Thursday 2pm to 4pm
• Cantley Park Christmas Market (RG40 5DQ), Thursday 2pm to 5pm, Friday 1.30pm to 4pm, Saturday 12pm to 5pm
• Woodley Town Centre, Friday 9am to 3.45pm
  
  

Please note, the above sites are closed on Bank Holidays. Mobile sites can only operate if the temperature is above 10 degrees, and locations can change at short notice.

Home testing kits

You can also access home testing kits by ordering them through the Gov.uk website, collecting them from a local pharmacy, or collecting them from one of the static or mobile test centres.

There are no changes to rubbish and recycling collections this Christmas and New Year.

Our normal hours are: M-T: 09.00 – 16.30 F: 09.00 – 16.00 (closed 12.00-13.00)

From today, Wednesday 15 December, you will need to show your Covid Pass in certain places where large crowds gather.

This includes nightclubs, indoor unseated venues with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people and any event with more than 10,000 people

It’s part of Central Government’s ‘Plan B’ measures to tackle the spread of the Omicron variant

The Covid Pass shows your vaccination details or test results. Find out how to get yours HERE.

Woodley Town Council is delighted that ReadiBus has won an award for pandemic service provision

ReadiBus is judged at the CT Awards to have been the best community transport service in England (and a runner-up in the entire UK) for its service provision during the pandemic.

The CT Awards in November 2021 named ReadiBus as the best community transport service in England – and a runner-up for the whole of the UK – for its service provision during the pandemic. The award was in the headline category of ‘Community Transport Provider of the Year’ and the ceremony highlighted the service provided during the last 21 months by community transport organisations throughout the length and breadth of the country.

The ReadiBus service in Woodley is funded by Woodley Town Council and Wokingham Borough Council. ReadiBus General Manager, Peter Absolon, commented: “Our grateful thanks to Woodley Town Council and Wokingham Borough Council and our other funders for the amazing support that has enabled us to keep the service available for vulnerable residents in Woodley during the pandemic.”

Woodley Town Council Leader, Cllr Keith Baker, is thrilled that ReadiBus has won the award and is very proud that the Council continues to support this vital service. 

“It is with great pride that I speak on behalf of the Council congratulating ReadiBus on winning an award acknowledging the very important service that it provides, which has been in even greater demand during the Covid 19 pandemic. The staff and volunteers have gone above and beyond in helping the elderly, disabled and clinically or extremely vulnerable people of Woodley to make essential journeys safely during the pandemic, such as for attending GP and hospital appointments, food shopping and respite. Thank you for supporting the residents of Woodley.”

Bill Freeman, Chief Executive of the Community Transport Association, which held the CT Awards, offered his “huge congratulations for the incredible work over the last year and a half”, adding, “our judges were impressed”.

Helping those most in need

Throughout the pandemic, the ReadiBus service has provided a safe means for elderly, disabled and clinically extremely vulnerable people to make essential journeys, whether this has been for food shopping, medical appointments, respite or any other reason; and ReadiBus worked side by side with the South Central Ambulance Service to enable local people to safely get to non-Covid-related hospital appointments, such as for cancer treatment and dialysis, helping people when they were most in need. 

“I am delighted that our team have received this recognition at the CT Awards”, added ReadiBus General Manager, Peter Absolon. “There are hundreds and hundreds of community transport service providers in the four nations of the UK, all doing wonderful work, and for the ReadiBus team to be recognised in this way for service provided during such a challenging time as this pandemic is quite something. ReadiBus staff showed great commitment to keep the service available and to ensure that it was safe, especially during the first lockdown. People needed a safe means of getting out, whether that was to get food, to attend a medical or hospital appointment, for respite, whatever the reason. I am so proud of what we did and what we achieved together.”

Thanks from passengers

Those who relied upon the ReadiBus during the lockdowns were also very grateful. For example, Mrs Markham from Woodley commented during the first lockdown back in May 2020: “I know I’m safe travelling with you”.

The Chief Executive of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Steve McManus, wrote in a letter to ReadiBus at the end of the first lockdown (June 2020) that ReadiBus’ support “has been truly outstanding’ and that the service ‘has been a life-line for many”.

In total, over 60,000 safe essential journeys have been made on ReadiBus across the whole operation since the start of the first lockdown, including over 2,000 journeys during that first lockdown in 2020.

Peter Absolon, further added: “In the first lockdown, journeys had to be provided one at a time, for social distancing, with a deep clean after every journey in order to keep the travelling environment safe. It was difficult to source enough PPE at the outset but the ambulance service were great and helped us with that and we always had just enough for what we needed each day. We were very strict in our procedures – our team were determined to keep the virus out and to keep safe both ourselves and everyone who needed to travel. Some staff teams rotated to get breathers but the service itself remained available every day. It was exhausting – but it was what was needed.”

As well as giving people the means and the confidence to make the essential journeys that they needed to make, the ReadiBus team also made hundreds of calls to people who were on their own who were not making journeys, to check they were OK. The comments that the team received from those contacted included, for example, “It’s so nice to talk to someone rather than myself”.

From today – 14 December – if a close contact tests positive for Covid 19, you must take daily lateral flow tests, even if you are double vaccinated.

Find out how to get test locally here: http://wokingham.gov.uk/community-testing

The Royal British Legion and Woodley Town Mayor thank the residents of Woodley for their generous donations to this year’s Poppy Appeal

Woodley Town Council has received a letter from The Royal British Legion thanking the Council and the residents of Woodley for raising £7522.06.

Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, also wanted to pass on her thanks to the residents of Woodley for their generous donations.

“I would like to thank the residents of Woodley for their very generous donations to this year’s Poppy Appeal. Donations enable the Royal British Legion to help members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families,” she said. 

For more information about The Royal British Legion, which celebrated its 100th Anniversary this year, please visit its WEBSITE.

The UK Government has introduced new Covid rules in England from tomorrow, 10th December (2021).

😷 Face coverings required in most public indoor venues, other than hospitality from 10th December

🏠 Work from home if you can from 13th December

📜 Covid passes will be mandatory in certain settings (nightclubs and settings where large crowds gather)

Find out more HERE

Woodley Town Mayor helps Christmas festivities get underway in the town centre

Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, helped to start Woodley Town Centre’s Christmas festivities by turning on the Christmas lights on Saturday 27th November, along with Christmas poster competition winners Coco Mead (8) and Jocelyn So (6).

A long-time Woodley resident herself, Cllr Sartorel told the crowd that the lights switch-on and carol concert always marks the beginning of Christmas for her. 

Christmas Fayre – 25th Anniversary

The following weekend (Sunday 5th December), Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel opened the 25th Woodley Christmas Fayre, which had been cancelled last year due to the Covid restrictions.

Cllr Sartorel was joined by MP for Reading East, Matt Rodda, MP for Maidenhead, Teresa May and Leader of Woodley Council and Wokingham Borough Mayor, Cllr Keith Baker.

Matt Rodda praised Woodley for being a “fantastic, vibrant place” and told the crowd to “enjoy Christmas, spend lots of money and support local businesses”.

Teresa May wished everyone a Merry Christmas and hoped they enjoyed the Fayre.

While, Cllr Keith Baker thanked Woodley Town Centre manager, Brian Fennelly for his hard work to get the event together, particularly praising the street entertainers.

Cllr Sartorel was delighted with the turnout at the Fayre and thanked the crowd for coming and supporting the fantastic community of Woodley on the Fayre’s 25th Anniversary.

Cllr Sartorel wished everyone a wonderful day and hoped that they purchased some special Christmas gifts before declaring the Christmas Fayre officially open.

 There were many stalls at the Fayre, including a range of charities and craft stalls. Entertainers included the Starlet Dance School, Pauly Zarb, Anything Goes Theatre, Steppin Out Stars of Tomorrow, the Rock Choir and Woodley’s songstress Charis-Anne. Circus Scene entertainers, Sister Ruth on her motorised piano and R&R Fisher wandered around entertaining the town.

There was also a guest appearance of Santa in his sleigh!

Community Grants awarded at recent Council Meeting

At the recent Strategy & Resources Committee meeting, held on 23^rd November, the following community grants were awarded:

Kick Twist Cheerleading

£250 – To purchase air track equipment to aid the teaching of beginners’ teams.

Woodley Adopt a Street Project (WASP)

£250 – To purchase additional street cleaning equipment for volunteers.

Wokingham Job Centre Support

£250 – To help towards the cost of providing internet access and training / support on how to find and apply for jobs.

Berkshire MS Therapy

£250 – To help fund exercise sessions for members.

Berkshire Vision

£250 – To help fund a monthly programme of activities for members.

Woodley United FC

£250 – To contribute towards the hire cost of additional training facilities.

About the grants

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. 

For more information, or to apply, please click HERE or email: Matthew.filmore@woodley.gov.uk.