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News Archive - Week Beginning 26th Apr 2009
Bridges
Oxfordshire County Council is said to have 'pleasantly surprised' the RBC and Wokingham Borough Council by agreeing to consider proposals for a third Thames bridge for the first time. The Oxfordshire concession comes with strings attached - the proposals are for it to be exclusively for cyclists, pedestrians and public transport. RBC Labour Councillor Tony Page said: "this is not the final outcome... ...there is a lot, and I mean a lot, of talking to be done". (Reading Evening Post 28/04/09 pp1, 3)
Caversham History
The history of De Montfort Island / Fry’s Island on the River Thames between Caversham Bridge and Reading Bridge is described in a feature relating to the centenary of the Island Bohemian Bowls Club – which is based on the island. The island takes its name from Robert de Montfort, who fought a duel with Henry de Essex there in 1163. The duel, a ‘Trial by Combat’, was witnessed by Henry II - De Montfort won the duel and his disgraced adversary (who lived to tell the tale) became a monk at Reading Abbey. (Reading Chronicle 30/04/09 p18, Reading Evening Post 01/05/09 p19)
Clubs
The Island Bohemian Bowls Club (based on Fry’s Island on the Caversham stretch of the Thames) receives extensive coverage prior to the celebration of its centenary on Sunday, May 3rd. The club has in fact been in existence for longer than 100 years, changing its name from the Old Codgers Club to its current one in 1909. The bowls club is the only one of its type in the country that can only ever be reached by boat – it will be celebrating its birthday with a special Edwardian-themed May Day Fair (that will be open to the public) between 1pm and 4pm on Sunday afternoon. (Reading Chronicle 30/04/09 p18, Reading Evening Post 29/04/09 p34, Reading Evening Post 01/05/09 p19)
Crime
Two thieves armed with hammers robbed the Co-op branch in Henley Road at around 9.15am on Tuesday, April 28th. The thieves threatened security guards from a G4S Cash Services van, who were in the process of loading cash into the ATM outside the supermarket. Anyone with information should contact Reading CID on 08458 505 505. (Reading Chronicle 30/04/09 p5, Reading Evening Post 29/04/09 pp1,3)
The 'Post' reports that intruders to the New Bridge nursery school in Montague Street released pet hens on the night of Thursday, April 23rd that the children had raised from the egg. Two of the chickens were subsequently thought to have been eaten by foxes - leaving just one survivor, a hen called Lola. New Bridge headteacher Lisa Bedlow said "the children are absolutely devastated". (Reading Evening Post 28/04/09 p3)
Environment
A 600-ft long oak fence is being put up at Westfield Road recreation ground to protect the open space from travellers and their vehicles. The fence is being installed by offenders who are on the Community Payback programme as part of their court orders, and will also help prevent young children from running into the road. (Reading Chronicle 30/04/09 p28, Reading Evening Post 01/05/09 p10)
Planning - King's Meadow
A letter form Tom Iles responds to an earlier letter from Conservative Councillor Fred Pugh (Thursday, April 23rd) saying that Cllr Pugh must be naive if he thinks that the Askett Hawk proposal for the King's Meadow Baths "will end up actually saving the baths". Mr Iles goes on to say: "I didn't realise the brief stipulated the baths should be buried inside a high rise hotel". (Reading Evening Post 29/04/09 p6)
Public Order
In an interview, Caversham police sergeant Rob Pitman says "the latest crime statistics show that incidents of anti-social behaviour have increased compared to last year (in the three 'Caversham neighbourhoods') especially in Lower Caversham". He has received approval to place CCTV cameras at several additional sites in Caversham - "and we are already getting positive feedback from the residents to say that the cameras are making a difference to the neighbourhood". The 'Chronicle' does not detail the locations of the new CCTV cameras. (Reading Chronicle 30/04/09 p28)
Roads
80 year old Kay Everett, described as a Freeman of the Borough and an ex-Mayor of Reading executed her right and privilege as a Freeman to drive 40 sheep through the centre of Caversham and then over Caversham Bridge on Sunday, April 26th in what is described as 'part of an ancient ritual'. A not terribly amusing 'Post' write-up (full of unfunny puns) points out that the 'ancient ritual' brought local traffic to a standstill. Mrs Everett said "the aim is to get some good publicity for the Bounds of Berkshire Walks, which are all raising money for a very worthwhile cause". (Reading Evening Post 27/04/09 pp1,3)
Schools
The independent Chiltern College School in Peppard Road, which has about 60 pupils aged four to 11, has been bought by Essex businessman Ian Lawson and his wife Jacqueline (who is an experienced teacher and OFSTED inspector). The school, which had been threatened with closure, may now change its name to Caversham Prep School. (Reading Evening Post 01/05/09 p11)
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