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News Archive - Week Beginning 14th June 2009

The editors say: The deadline for comments on the council's housing strategy looms. Housing (and thus population levels, traffic, roads, etc) is the key issue for everyone's quality of life. It's a brave soul who blindly trusts any council to get it right, so whatever your view, get involved.

Caversham People

Caversham Park resident Geoff Bell, who was responsible for co-ordinating the Environment Agency's response to potential flooding in Reading in 2007, has been made an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours. He says of his role: "it has been an interesting job dealing with either too much water or too little". (Reading Evening Post 17/06/09 p2, Reading Chronicle 18/06/09 p18)

Churches

The Bishop of Buckingham, The Right Reverend Alan Wilson,opened St Barnabas Church Parish Centre in Emmer Green on St Barnabas Day - Thursday, June 11th. The £350,000 Centre's opening coincided with the 80th anniversary of the dedication of the current church building, and was followed by a pirate-themed afternoon of fun the following Sunday. (Reading Chronicle 18/06/09 pp3,29)

Caversham Heights Methodist Church at the corner of Woodcote Road and Highmoor Road celebrates its centenary on Tuesday, June 23rd. A number of celebratory events have been taking place over the last few months to mark the occasion under the auspices of the Reverend Dr John Ogden, who leads the church. (Get Reading 19/06/09 p17)

A centenary history, 'Praise in the Heights: the centenary history of Caversham Heights Methodist Church', is a new illustrated book detailing the history of the church. It has been written by David Cliffe, local studies librarian at the RBC - copies are available by emailing Mr Cliffe.

Consultations

There is still time to comment on the RBC's new housing strategy, as detailed in the draft strategy document 'Firm Foundations - Reading's Housing Strategy 2009-2014', which is due to be published in the autumn. The draft strategy is available on the Council's website (where comments can be left online). The deadline for public feedback is Tuesday, June 30th. (Get Reading 19/06/09 p6)

Crime

A family home in Ian Mikardo Way, Caversham, was 'completely gutted' by fire in an arson attack on the morning of Saturday, May 30th. As a result of enquiries, police are looking for a group of three or four teenagers who were in the vicinity of the road at the time the fire was first noticed (11.25am). One of the teenagers is described as a mixed-race boy, aged approximately 15 to 16, with mid-brown, short, curly hair with a star pattern shaved into it on the right-hand side. Anyone with information is urged to call DS Jennings at Reading CID via 08458 505 505. (Reading Chronicle 18/06/09 p3, Get Reading 19/06/09 p31)

Festivals

A 'Get Reading' feature previews the forthcoming Real Ale & Jazz Festival (RAAJ), which takes place in Caversham's Christchurch Meadows between Thursday, July 16th and Saturday, July 18th. It is the 22nd annual event of its type, and will feature more than 30 beers and a wide range of jazz bands. The event is organised as a fund raising event by members of Reading Hockey Club and cash raised helps to maintain and improve the playing and changing facilities at Sonning Lane. There are more details concerning the festival on our events page. (Get Reading 19/06/09 p16)

Roads

The RBC has closed Gravel Hill to motor vehicles, except for access, on an experimental basis for six months from Wednesday 17th June. The action has been taken to address a variety of problems, including for environmental reasons and because of residents' concerns about speeding traffic. Access to properties will still be possible from the eastern end of the road. There are further details on the closure, which forms part of a Council consultation, on the RBC website. All objections and comments concerning the six-month closure will be referred to the Council's Traffic Management Advisory Panel in January 2010, for consideration. The Panel can then decide to modify, withdraw or make the order permanent.

Environment

The RBC has joined the 2M group, which is campaigning against the expansion of Heathrow Airport. The all-party alliance is concerned with the environmental impact of a fifth terminal, and takes its name from the two million residents in the original 12 local authorities to launch the campaign. (Reading Chronicle 17/06/09 p14)

Police

PC Debbie Smith from the Caversham neighbourhood police team was among police officers who were commended at the Berkshire West Basic Command Unit (BCU) awards at Reading Police Station recently. She received her award as a result of her work relating to an investigation into a string of indecent exposures last year. (Reading Evening Post 17/06/09 p14)

Schools

The RBC is hosting three consultation meetings to allow local residents to have their say on primary and secondary education in Reading. The first meeting will be at Highdown School in Emmer Green at 6.30pm on Monday, June 22nd, and will detail proposals to expand Highdown by 40 places in Year 7. There are also proposals to move a primary school onto the Highdown site, or else build a new one. Full details are available on the Council's website or from Zenab Shah, Tel: 0118 939 0114. (Reading Evening Post 17/06/09 p4, Reading Chronicle 18/06/09 p8)

The RBC Planning Committee has approved an application to build new changing rooms at St Anne's Catholic Primary School in Washington Road. The 130 sq metre brick building will accommodate up to 40 children, and will be shared with the community, including football team AFC Caversham. (Get Reading 19/06/09 p3)