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• Archive Index 2009

News Archive - Week Beginning 28th June 2009

Crime

Thames Valley Police statistics show that although the numbers of reported burglaries in Reading have dropped by more than 32% from May 2008 to the same period of 2009, Caversham has been identified as a burglary ‘hotspot’. Police have launched ‘Operation Eyewitness’ to tackle burglaries in Reading during the summer months. (Reading Evening Post 01/07/09 p4)

Planning

A revised planning application for the £400m redevelopment of Station Hill in the centre of Reading, including “striking, tall buildings” (three landmark office towers that will be clearly visible from Caversham) was submitted by Sir John Madejski’s property company Sackville on Friday, June 26 th. The Station Hill 2 application will be put to the RBC planning committee in the autumn, and, if granted permission, Sackville will begin work at the site in 2011. There’s more information available on this web site (Reading Post 01/07/09 p2)

The RBC has decided not to reopen Caversham Court Gardens to the public on Wednesday, July 8th, as had previously been announced. The decision means that the St Peter’s and St Margaret’s Churches joint fete will now take place at Westfield Road Recreation Ground on Saturday, July 8th. A revised reopening date for the Gardens has yet to be set. (Reading Chronicle 02/07/09 p30)

Pubs

Two Caversham pubs that closed in recent months have reopened: the Prince of Wales in Prospect Street, which has been taken over by father and son Mike and Nick Cobb, and the Red Cow in Star Road (which dates back to 1830), which is now being run by Andy Taylor and Sharron Griffiths. (Excellent – go). (Reading Chronicle 02/07/09 p16)

Roads

Caversham campaigners ‘young and old’ are calling for a crossing to be installed at the junction of Kidmore Road and Oakley Road, which they claim is an accident hotspot. The campaign has won the support of local councillors and Reading East Conservative MP Rob Wilson. (Get Reading 03/07/09 p4)

Senior Citizens

Elderly residents of the Mander Court sheltered housing scheme in Caversham are taking legal action at the Royal Courts of Justice in order to retain an onsite night warden. The legal action has also won the support of the Conservative MP Reading East, Rob Wilson. The James Butcher Housing Association, which runs Mander Court, said ‘like many other housing providers, we are moving away from appointing resident scheme managers. Meetings with residents were held in April and May to inform people of this change…’ (Reading Chronicle 02/07/09 p2)

Schools

Highdown School in Emmer Green is to request £4.3m from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in order to build a new Sixth Form block, potentially providing 150 extra places at the school. The request is being made via the RBC cabinet, and the Council hopes the cash will be approved by October so that the block can be completed by July 2010. (Reading Chronicle 02/07/09 p8, Get Reading 03/07/09 p6)