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News Archive - Week Beginning 12th Jan 2009

Buses

A long letter from Reading Buses CEO James Freeman replies to an even longer letter (published last December 30th) concerning bus provision in the town. He says "we do listen to our customers and most carefully". In the context of the recent consultation concerning Caversham's Premier Route 9 bus service he says that the bus company proposes in due course to increase the frequency of the service along the Shinfield Road to every 10 minutes at busy times. Double deckers may even be used on the route one day, "but the customer numbers don't justify that yet". (Reading Evening Post 15/01/09 p6)

Caversham Lock Island

A letter from Tom Iles asks the assistance of the 'Post' in "trying to obtain the truth about the future of Caversham Lock Island". His question arises from the fact that the marketing information issued by the agents representing the Environment Agency (EA) and the RBC clearly shows that the complete lock island is up for sale. However, both Reading MPs have confirmed that the lock house will be retained - "the answer will obviously have a dramatic effect on what use the island can be put to". (Reading Evening Post 12/01/09 p6)

Crime

A 35-year old woman was attacked in an alleyway off Wrenfield Drive (near Caversham's Hemdean Road) at 2.30am on Sunday, January 11th. She managed to break free from her attacker, who was described as white and in his late 20s, wearing dark clothing and a grey hoodie. Anyone with information should contact Sergeant Rob Pitman from the Caversham neighbourhood team on 08458 505 505. (Reading Evening Post 13/01/09 p4)

Using crime figures obtained under the Freedom of Information act, the 'Evening Post' has compiled a league table of Reading areas ranked by the incidence of cannabis factories discovered since December 2006. Caversham is ranked fourth, with 418 cannabis plants seized in the combined raids, whilst police raided just one cannabis factory in Emmer Green over the period. Whitley topped the list, with nine factories discovered over the last two years. (Reading Evening Post 15/01/09 p9)

According to Reading's Redlands Ward councillor Daisy Benson, police-initiated Neighbourhood Action Groups (NAGs) are in danger of becoming a dying breed due to the dwindling numbers of people attending from outside of the RBC, police and authorities. She advocates a budget for NAGs for publicity purposes, and in order to get them up and running. Lower Caversham NAG chair Jacquie Allan has agreed with the proposals, saying that the NAGs need to be restructured to keep them working. (Reading Evening Post 14/01/09 p13)

Health Care

A feature describes the work of Emmer Green resident Michele Page, who has set up a care group, 'Reading Autism Families Together' (RAFT), to raise awareness concerning autism. Her work follows on from her son being diagnosed with the condition. Further details concerning RAFT are available via Tel: 0118 954 3437 or email Michele@page22.wanadoo.co.uk (Reading Evening Post 14/01/09 p7)

The actions of an asthma and emphysema sufferer based in Emmer Green, Mrs Sylvia Cozens, who had threatened to sue the RBC under the Human Rights Act for "sweeping aside" concerns about her health when granting permission to redevelop the house next door to her in Rosehill Park into flats has led to a re-evaluation of procedures by the Council. Her husband has said he was considering taking action under the Data Protection Act following the RBC's publication of correspondence - including a doctor's letter - without the couple's identities being protected. (Reading Evening Post 13/01/09 p9)

Competitions

A Caversham author, Beth Elliott, has had her novel 'The Wild Card' nominated for the Romance Prize, sponsored by the Romantic Novelists' Association. She will find out if it has been successful following an award lunch on Tuesday, February 10th. (Reading Evening Post 13/01/09 p9)

Education

A league table of 150 UK local education authorities ranked by the 'A' level results achieved in Summer 2008 has revealed Reading to be at the top of the list, with the town's pupils performing best in the country at 'A' level. Results for the Caversham and Emmer Green schools of Highdown, Queen Anne's and Hemdean House are described separately in the context of a separate table. (Reading Chronicle 16/01/09 pp1,8)

Shops

Local shop owners in St Martin's Precinct have commented further to the 'Chronicle' about the announcement that the Marks & Spencer 'Simply Food' store in the precinct is to close. Caversham Café owner Ian Morris said that he'd like another supermarket to replace it, "but we already have enough Tescos... ...the last thing we need is an empty unit". Lynda Woods at nearby Terry's Discount Store commented further, saying that trade fell when M&S came to the precinct, compared to the Iceland that was there before it. She also would like to see another supermarket: "ideally Iceland re-opening would be good, or a Lidl or an Aldi or something like that". (Reading Chronicle 15/01/09 p16)

Crime - Tools

Thames Valley police are warning RG4 residents not to make life easier for burglars by leaving tools around that can be used to gain entry into properties, following a spate of local thefts. The full text of the police press notice can be read here.

Crime - Laptops

According to a report on the BBC web site, Thames Valley police are reporting that laptops are on the top of a burglar's hit list. This follows thefts from houses in Woodly, Wargrave and Charvil. They recommend using ultra-violet security pens, to use password protection on laptops, and to back up data too.