Woodley Town Mayor enjoys Woodley Concert Band’s first performance since the pandemic
Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, had the pleasure to attend Woodley Concert Band’s recent performance at Woodley Baptist Church on Saturday 9th October.
Janet really enjoyed the event and commented: “Together with the Mayor and Mayoress of Wokingham, my husband and I were treated to a fabulous evening of music from Woodley Concert Band. It was clear to see that they were excited and enthusiastic to be playing after such a long absence. The music ranged from Queen and ABBA to Sinatra and Beauty and the Beast. The audience could be heard joining in with a bit of impromptu singing! The musical director Claire Lawrence kept us informed and entertained throughout the concert.”
The Band were thrilled to be able to perform again, as the Chair, Phil Graham, commented. “After over 18 months, it was fantastic to finally return to the concert stage and we were thrilled by the enthusiastic reception we received from our sold-out audience. We’ve had some wonderful feedback from those that came along and we really enjoyed showcasing our programme of musical favourites including the likes of ABBA, Frank Sinatra and Queen. We were particularly pleased to welcome Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Sartorel, to the performance to help mark this celebration of the return of arts events in Woodley. We’re now looking forward to the switching on Woodley town centre’s Christmas lights on 27th November and our Christmas Concerts on 12th December. There’s always something special about creating a bit of festive sparkle to kick-start the Christmas season!”
To find out more about the Band’s Christmas Concerts (including a special family-friendly performance) on Sunday 12th December, at Woodley Baptist Church, please visit: www.woodleyconcertband.org.uk/.
If you would like to invite the Town Mayor or Deputy Town Mayor to an event, please email: [email protected] or fill out our online form HERE.
Woodford Park flies the flag as one of the country’s best parks
As the Green Flag Award scheme marks its Silver Jubilee, Woodford Park in Woodley celebrates for the third year running
Woodley Town Council is delighted to announce that Woodford Park has again been awarded Green Flag status, retaining its title for the third year running. It also remains the only park in the Wokingham Borough area to receive Green Flag status.
After 18 months 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 the Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the grounds team and volunteers that make the green space a great space that everyone can enjoy.
Commenting on the news that Woodford Park has achieved the Green Flag Award standard, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making Woodford Park worthy of a Green Flag Award.”
Woodley Town Council leader, Cllr Keith Baker concurs: “To meet the requirements demanded by the Green Flag scheme is testament to the hard work of the Council’s staff and the volunteers of the Friends of Woodford Park who do so much to ensure that Woodford Park has high standards of horticulture, safety and environmental management and is a place that supports people to live healthy lives.”
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the UK and around the world.
We are delighted to be selling A History of Woodley from the Town Council offices. The book was researched and written by members of Woodley and District U3A, Reading U3A and Wokingham U3A.
Copies are available priced at £10.00 (cash only).
The book can also be bought at Woodley News in Crockhamwell Road and Fourbears bookshop in Caversham.
Many of the articles from the book can also be read on our website. Please click HERE.
Woodley Deputy Town Mayor joins Me2 Club at fundraiser in Woodley town centre
Deputy Town Mayor Cllr Kay Gilder with members of Me2 Club (photo: Aimee Vickery)
Woodley Deputy Town Mayor Cllr Kay Gilder joined local charity Me2 Club at its toy sale on Wednesday 11 August held at Centre Stage in Woodley town centre.
The club was delighted to smash its fundraising target by raising £487.64.
A spokesperson for the club said: “Raising this amount of money is such great news for our first community fundraising event since the start of the Covid 19 pandemic.”
Speaking of the event, Cllr Gilder said: “I enjoyed meeting some of Me2 Club’s volunteers and supporters and learning more about the charity. Me2 Club is a vibrant charity doing vital work in bringing the whole of the local community together.”
Funds raised will go towards its newly launched Pandemic Recovery Appeal which will continue to help and support children and families with a wide range of additional needs and disabilities.
Woodley Town Mayor Cllr Janet Sartorel opening the new restaurant Adda Hut
Woodley Town Mayor and Deputy Town Mayor had the delight to officially open a new Indian restaurant in Woodley town centre last week.
Adda Hut will specialise in Kolkata street food and is based in the town centre at 101 Crockhamwell Road.
Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel said: “It was a pleasure to welcome a new eatery to Woodley town centre. I was very pleased to sample some of the dishes, which were delicious.”
Deputy Town Mayor, Cllr Kay Gilder agreed: “It’s wonderful to see another new restaurant in our thriving town. The dishes were very enjoyable and it was a pleasure to be invited to the opening.”
Woodley Town Mayor Cllr Janet Sartorel and Deputy Town Mayor Cllr Kay Gilder and guests enjoying the food at Adda Hut
If you would like to invite the Town Mayor or Deputy Town Mayor to an event, please email: [email protected].
Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel opened a new branch of Travis Perkins in Woodley last week, marking the occasion with a ceremonious ‘ribbon cutting’.
Ribbon cutting with, Samantha Nice, MP Matt Rodda, Woodley Town Mayor Cllr Janet Sartorel and Louise Lister at Travis Perkins, Woodley
The brand new Travis Perkins branch features a new plumbing and heating showroom and a tools and plant hire section which includes diggers and dumpers. With over 25,000 products in branch and online, it offers a fast and convenient one hour click and collect service and next day delivery.
Louise Lister and Cllr Janet Sartorel
“I am delighted to attend the opening of the Woodley branch of Travis Perkins on behalf of the residents of Woodley. It’s wonderful to welcome a new service provider to our town. The new employment opportunities are an added bonus to our thriving community,” said Woodley Town Mayor Cllr Janet Sartorel.
Cllr Janet Sartorel, Louise Lister, MP Matt Rodda, Samantha Nice
Matt Rodda MP, who also attended the opening, said: “I was delighted to visit the new Travis Perkins Branch in Woodley. It was interesting to meet managers and staff and to hear about the business and the opportunities it is providing through apprenticeships and its efforts to attract a wider range of people into the building industry. I was also interested to hear about the firm’s commitment to selling sustainably produced timber and its work with its suppliers”.
Janet Sartorel, Samantha Nice and MP Matt Rodda at Travis Perkins Headley, Reading, 19th July 2021
Branch manager Samantha Nice said: “This new state-of-the-art branch provides a one-stop shop for all building and construction needs. It is twice as big as before, with a stunning new plumbing and heating showroom and is in a much more prominent and visible location in Headley Park.
“With demand for construction and building at an all-time high, the opening of our new branch couldn’t come at a better time.”
Cllr Janet Sartorel and Louise Lister
If you would like to invite the Town Mayor or Deputy Town Mayor to an event, please email: [email protected].
Town Mayor of Woodley presents Mini Medics certificates to students at Bulmershe School
Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, had the privilege to recently award Mini Medic certificates to students at The Bulmershe School.
The students had learnt how to deal with a casualty not breathing, choking, allergies, recovery positions, talking to the emergency services and how to be Covid safe and still treat someone who is ill or injured. All of the students did remarkably well, particularly during the recent challenging times of the Covid 19 pandemic.
“It was a privilege to watch the first aid skills that had been learnt and I was very impressed with the knowledge and proficiency of the students. Their confidence really shone through,” said the Town Mayor.
Medical Lead at the school, Mrs Gaetan, praised the students for all the hard work they put in, despite the disruptions throughout the pandemic, particularly focusing on how resourceful they had been and the hard work they had put in to catch up and complete the course.
The Town Mayor further commended the students for their hard work.
“I would like to congratulate the students for their focused team-work, helping each other in different first aid situations, demonstrating skills that they will be able to carry on outside of school and support the wonderful community of Woodley. I hope you are all very proud of yourselves.”
If you would like to invite the Town Mayor or Deputy Town Mayor to an event, please email: [email protected].
Woodley Town Elector’s meeting highlights the outstanding and sometimes challenging help received by residents during the Covid 19 pandemic
The Town Elector’s meeting followed a new format this year, where participants shared and celebrated how the community of Woodley had come together during the Covid 19 pandemic, with presentations from organisations the Council supports sharing stories of how they had worked with local residents.
Following the Town Mayor Cllr Janet Sartorel’s welcome, presentations were heard from:
Jake Morrison, CE of Citizens’ Advice Bureau Wokingham
Peter Absolon, from Readibus
Marjie Walker, from The Link Visiting Scheme
Jayne Streak, from The Friendship Alliance
Richard Davies, Woodley Food Bank
Tracy Wand, Woodley Volunteer for Covid 19 Facebook Group.
Highlights of the presentations were:
Citizens’ Advice Bureau Wokingham
Jake Morrison highlighted that during the period 2020-21, 750 people in Woodley were supported; a 48% increase on the previous year. He talked of several case studies, including helping a resident with mental health issues to access the service, a resident who was supported to resolve a debt issue with their water and energy companies and a couple to access food support during the pandemic, as well as arranging for them to obtain a specialised bed due to illness.
Readibus
Peter Absolon shared stories of some of the residents who had used the Readibus service during the pandemic, many who described the service as a lifeline and how safe it made them feel, taking the worry out of travel. One local resident who had lost her husband during the pandemic, relied on the service as her only means to get out and expressed her thanks to Woodley Town Council for supporting the Readibus service.
The Link Visiting Scheme
Marjie Walker noted that the service which supports those isolated or lonely, grew from supporting 350 people to just over 700; 78 of which lived in Woodley. The organisation also joined with other local charities and Wokingham Borough Council to form the Community Response Team. 556 people in Woodley were supported and following referrals from Adult Social Services, a further 25 individuals within Woodley during the second lockdown.
The Friendship Alliance
Jayne Streak talked about how an online café was set up during the lockdowns, with people meeting for two hours every Wednesday via Zoom. Following the relaxation of restrictions, the group has been able to meet twice in Woodford Park for a walk followed by a coffee. The project is now seeking to set up in-person Friendship Tables.
Woodley Foodbank
Richard Davies told of how the pandemic created a significant increase in demand for support from people who had traditionally not needed support; this included the clinically vulnerable, as well as those who were cautious, shielding, furloughed, newly unemployed or unable to work. He added that the community support during the pandemic had been outstanding with a tremendous team effort of the community supplying the food and volunteers packing and delivering.
Woodley Volunteer for Covid 19 Facebook Group
Tracy Wand explained that, after two individual groups had initially formed at the start of the pandemic, a combined Woodley Volunteer for Covid 19 Facebook Group was set up with membership now at around 1,500 members. The group helped with a variety of support across Woodley, from gifts for those struggling financially, to distributing bottles of water and snack bars to key workers. They also arranged an out of hours collection point for the Food Bank and helped to link residents needing support with the organisations and volunteers who could help them.
Woodley Town Council
Following these presentations, the Woodley Town Council Town Clerk provided an updated on the Council’s activities over the past year, and its response to the pandemic.
Highlights included that by April 2020, the Town Council had set up new ways of working, including home working, Covid risk assessments, and buildings had been adapted to meet Covid guidelines. The Council was also able to continue providing space at the Oakwood Centre for blood donations and family support sessions, which have continued during lockdown, as well as more recently for Covid vaccinations.
The Town Clerked thanked the Friends of Woodford Park for managing the flower beds, which have looked amazing during the year, and to all colleagues who have kept services running in the face of ever-changing guidelines.
Looking ahead, during the next year, there is a project to install a new play area in Woodford Park and the Council is seeking views from members of the public on the three possible designs. Other projects include removing the algae in the lake at Woodford Park using barley sausages, completing the refurbishment of the Maintenance Depot, replacing the low fencing in Woodford Park, restricting unauthorised access to Malone Park and putting pathways into the little play area, and developing a SLA to support Young People in Woodley.
The year also sadly saw the passing of two serving Councillors; Jon MacNaught and Dave Mills, who was the serving Mayor. The Town Clerk expressed her appreciation for all their work and stated that the Council’s and residents’ thoughts go out to their families.
We received a few questions and suggestions from the public; two of which were answered at the meeting discussing the town centre garden and youth provision support in Woodley. Both issues are actively being actioned by the Council.
Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel
Closing the meeting, Town Mayor Cllr Sartorel said: “I’d like to thank those who have taken part and shared stories of help and hope. I am humbled and moved by each and every one. I’d also like to thank those residents who have attended or viewed the meeting.
The Council hopes to expand on the format of this meeting next year, and to continue to celebrate the wonderful town of Woodley.”
We are delighted to announce that Cllr Janet Sartorel has been elected to Woodley Town Mayor and Cllr Kay Gilder to Woodley Deputy Town Mayor for the year 2021-22.
This is Cllr Sartorel’s first Mayorship and will be Cllr Gilder’s fifth time as Deputy Mayor.
Cllr Janet Sartorel, Town Mayor & Cllr Kay Gilder, Deputy Town Mayor
At the recent Strategy & Resources Committee meeting, held virtually on Tuesday 27th April, the following community grants were awarded:
First Days Children’s £250 – to fund the set-up costs for a new school uniform ‘hub’ in Woodley Friends of Woodford Park £250 – to purchase plants for the annual planting of the beds in the Memorial Ground
Me2 Club £250 – to recruit and screen five new volunteers who can be matched to children in Woodley requiring support
Promise Inclusion Ltd £250 – to help towards the costs of running a Youth Group at Addington School for young people with learning disabilities/autism
Woodley Festival of Music £250 & Arts – to help towards the costs of running a virtual music and arts festival, providing young people in Woodley with the opportunity to perform and entertain
South Lake Primary School £250 – to help towards the costs of purchasing new PTFA reading books for the school which reflect an improved level of diversity
Individual – Holly Smith (Ballet) – £100 Towards the cost of new pointe and ballet shoes to ensure attendance at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts.
We are very sorry to announce the passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Woodley Town Council and the Woodley Town Deputy Mayor mourn the passing of the late His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Following the passing of the late His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, 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 the Duke of Edinburgh.
Due to Covid 19 restrictions and guidance, we will not have a Book of Condolence available to sign. However, the Royal Family website is accepting and encouraging members of the public to sign its online Book of Condolence, which can be found on its website: www.royal.uk.
In accordance with public health advice during the current Covid 19 pandemic, local residents are asked to continue to follow the current Government guidelines, particularly on avoiding meeting in large groups and on minimising travel, to keep themselves and others safe. We therefore please ask not to gather or leave floral tributes locally. Instead, local residents may wish to consider donating to a charity of their choice, or one of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Patronages in memory of His Royal Highness.
The Deputy Town Mayor Cllr Anne Chadwick will send a letter of condolence to the Private Secretary of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh to pass on the town’s condolences to the family.
“His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh will be remembered with great affection for his support to Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II, Great Britain and the Commonwealth, and for his many public roles. Our thoughts are with the Royal family as they grieve the loss of a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
“I would also like to thank the residents of Woodley for continuing to respect the Covid 19 restrictions and guidelines during this period of mourning.”
The funeral of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh will be held on Saturday (17 April) at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle and there will be a nationwide minute’s silence observed at the beginning of the service at 3pm. We ask our residents not to travel to any Royal Residences or gather in large crowds, and mark this safely in their homes instead.
It is with great sadness that we announce that Councillor Dave Mills passed away this week.
Dave was first elected to Woodley Town Council in 2007, when he stood for election in Warren Ward and where he remained for the duration of his time as a Town Councillor.
Cllr Mills was on several committees, including the Town Council’s Planning & Community Committee, Strategy & Resources Committee, Risk Management Working Party, Standing Orders & Financial Regulations Working Party and its Urgency Committee.
He also served as Town Mayor on two separate occasions during 2015-16 and 2020-21.
Cllr Jenny Cheng said: “Serving the residents of Woodley was very important to Dave. His pride of joy, however, was while in the position of Town Mayor of Woodley, which he held to be an honour. I worked with him for many years and I know he was always willing to help anyone. We shall all miss him.”
Our thoughts are with his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.
