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• Archive Index 2009

News Archive - Week Beginning 15th Mar 2009

Caversham People

Caversham-based Yasmina Siadatan, who with her brother Matt runs the Mya Lacarte restaurant in Prospect Street, is reported to be one of the contestants on the new series of 'The Apprentice'. The 'Post' contains a feisty photo of Ms Siadatan (against a City of London backdrop) looking very stern. We do know how Yasmina got on when pitted against siralan, but we'll say nothing other than that Caversham should be proud of her. (Reading Evening Post 19/03/09 p7)

Children

A major news feature describes how the Caversham Nursery's children and staff will move in April to new premises at Caversham Children's Centre in Amersham Road. Plans have been under way since 2006 to build the new £1.9m Centre, which would incorporate the nursery as well extended health, social and family services. Caversham Ward Councillor Andrew Cumpsty said "I think it's fantastic news for the whole of the Amersham Road estate area, which has got so few civic amenities". (Reading Evening Post 19/03/09 p8)

Festivals

The RBC announced last Monday night that the Heavenly Planet festival - which was to have been a free event in July - was being cancelled because of the recession. Caversham Ward Cllr Andrew Cumpsty paid tribute to the hard work of the festival organisers, but criticised the perceived lack of marketing for the event. A follow-up feature by John Howarth argues that the thinking behind the proposed "earth aware" festival of optimism/hope/joy (as variously described) was misguided, it was badly publicised, was far too politically correct in intent, and threatened to be a "family-friendly" rip-off. (Reading Evening Post 17/03/09 pp1, 3,6 Reading Evening Post 18/03/09 p15, Reading Chronicle 19/03/09 p5, Reading Evening Post 19/03/09 p18)

Schools

A recent OFSTED report on Caversham Primary has awarded the school outstanding marks in all categories. Lead inspector Mary Summers said in a letter to pupils "the people in charge are doing a great job of running the school. Your school is a really happy place". (Reading Evening Post 19/03/09 p8)

There is a Chiltern Edge school reunion for former pupils of the Sonning Common school who attended the school from 1984 to 1989. The 20-year reunion takes place on Saturday, June 6, from 9pm at the Riverside Restaurant & Bar in Caversham Road (near the southern end of Caversham Bridge). For details or to book, email Zoe Cooke. Separately, it is reported that Daniel Sadler will take over from Paul Leonard as the new headteacher at Chiltern Edge in the near future. (Reading Evening Post 17/03/09 p11)

Travellers

Three caravans of travellers set up camp in the Waitrose car park behind Church Street last Friday, March 13th. Having been evicted from the car park, the travellers moved just a short distance to pitch up next to Caversham Dental Clinic in Artchway Road. According to the 'Post', "they have since strewn the area with debris, petrol cans and discarded trolleys". Meanwhile, Caversham Ward Cllr Andrew Cumpsty said: "I've been working with the police and council to get them moved on as they are making quite a mess and it's not fair". (Reading Evening Post 18/03/09 p3)

Websites

The Reading Marketing Group (a subgroup of Reading UK CIC, the town's economic development company) has launched what is described as "the most comprehensive (web)site ever produced for the town". The new website concentrates on promoting the town centre - its shops and its facilities. (Reading Evening Post 18/03/09 p5)