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News Archive - Week Beginning 29th Mar 2009
Caversham History
A feature by David Cliffe, a librarian at Reading Central Library, discusses the work of the local surveyor William Wing, who was responsible for deciding where new Caversham roads should be situated one hundred years ago (the same period in which Caversham was subsumed into Reading). Mr Cliffe is currently writing a history of Caversham Heights Methodist Church, which celebrates its centenary in 2009, and he points out that the adjoining Highmoor Road was known as St Andrew's Road at the time of the church's construction. (Reading Chronicle 02/04/09 p36)
Caversham People
Extensive coverage of Caversham restaurateur Mina Siadatan's progress in the BBC's 'Apprentice' programme includes report on how she led the girls' team to victory in the second episode of the new series. Meanwhile, a letter from a Caversham resident reminds the rather over-excited 'Post' that the TV series was in fact filmed months ago. (Reading Evening Post 01/04/09 p1, Reading Evening Post 03/04/09 pp5,9)
King's Meadow
The 'Post' devotes its letters page to three letters that oppose the RBC culture and sport scrutiny panel's decision of last week to recommend (to the Council's cabinet) that plans by the developers Askett Hawk to build a hotel on the King's Meadow should be approved. An excellent letter from Val Harding provides an informed critique of the "fundamentally flawed" hotel proposals, suggesting that (at very least) the developer's current plans are over-ambitious. A separate letter from Tom Iles again challenges the allegedly unrealistic costs of the hotel plan, and poses the question "do we really need another... ..expensive hotel?" The final letter of the three makes the simple point: " ...another multi-storey car park and multi-storey hotel on one of the remaining bits of green space given to the people of Reading...". (Reading Evening Post 31/03/09 p6)
The 'Chronicle' follows up last week's announcement concerning the RBC culture and sport scrutiny panel's recommendation that proposals by the developer Askett Hawk for a hotel at King's Meadow should take precedence over the proposals by the King's Meadow Campaign (KMC) to redevelop the open air pool there. Caversham GLOBE have said the hotel plan would "destroy the ambience and ecology of the area". (Reading Chronicle 02/04/09 p33)
Planning
An investigation has been launched into what has been described as "a massive cock-up" by the RBC, which has led to Vodafone being allowed to put up a mobile phone mast at the junction of Westdene Crescent and Woodcote Way in Caversham. The phone company had originally applied to erect the mast in September 2006 - because the RBC did not register its intended opposition to the application within the legal timeframe of 56 days, the proposals for the phone mast have now won automatic approval, and building is going ahead. There is extensive local anger resulting from the decision, and the RBC has (lamely) said it will review procedures to prevent a similar situation happening again. (Reading Evening Post 30/03/09 p4, Reading Chronicle 02/04/09 p33)
An RBC meeting last Tuesday, March 31st is said to have shown an "unusual degree of unity" in opposing proposals for a third runway at Heathrow - saying that it would hugely increase noise and pollution in Reading and should not go ahead. RBC deputy leader Tony Page told the Council he felt "profound scepticism about the case for expanding Heathrow". (Reading Chronicle 02/04/09 p2)
Restaurants
The Alto Lounge café / bar (part of the Loungers Ltd chain of similar venues) opens in Church Street next Wednesday, April 8th. The Lounge will stay open from 9am - 11pm throughout the week, and utilises reclaimed furniture and fittings - including a bar which was formerly the front of a choir stall. (Reading Chronicle 02/04/09 p33)
Schools
The primary school 'key stage 2' results for Reading schools are summarised by the local papers - including results for Caversham and Emmer Green schools. The results are described as the "best we have had" - with local primaries in the main performing well. (Reading Chronicle 02/04/09 pp4,5 Reading Evening Post 02/04/09 pp4,8)
Shops
Two hairdressers from the Zappas hair salon in Prospect Street are to compete in the regional final of the L'Oreal Professional Colour Trophy in London on Monday, April 6th. Their work will be judged by "some of the most successful names in British hairdressing" before the overall winners are announced in the Grand Final at Earls Court a week later. (Reading Evening Post 03/04/09 p12)
Waste Disposal
In what is billed as a 'Chronicle' exclusive, it is revealed that anti-terror surveillance powers (via the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act) are being used in Reading to tackle "dirty dogs, street traders and fly-tippers." The Act has been used 39 times in the past five years, on each occasion authorised by mid-level managers rather than senior directors. The figures were uncovered by RBC Lib Dems - Labour RBC leader Jo Lovelock said "we are using the powers appropriately... ...we've never had any complaints that I know of." (Reading Chronicle 02/04/09 p1)
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