• Archive Index
• Archive Index 2010

News Archive - Week Beginning 2nd May 2010

The editors say: The election's over, the people have spoken and, for our region at least, all they've said is 'more of the same please'. There's been little change at all (local or national), apart from a hugely increased majority for MP Rob Wilson. We do think that's only fair - it certainly seems to us he's been a very active consitituency MP.

Buses

Reading Transport Limited (RTL) has appointed a new finance director, Greg Chambers. The 42-year-old accountant was previously finance officer for the M4 Junction 11 project, and is described by the bus company as ‘invaluable’. (Reading Post 05/05/10 p35)

Crime

Caversham police have reissued an appeal to find the would-be murderer of local resident Stuart Purser, who was shot at his Mead Close home on May 5th, 2008. Mr Purser lost an eye in the incident (and has undergone several operations), but ‘there are currently no active ongoing lines of enquiry’. (Reading Post 05/05/10 p7)

Elections

Caversham’s Rob Wilson (Conservative MP for Reading East) was returned to the Commons following Thursday’s General Election with a greatly increased majority - up from just 475 in 2005 to 7,605 this time (effectively making the constituency a safe Tory seat). His 21,269 votes were 42.6% of the total cast. Gareth Epps came second for the LibDems with 13,664 votes (27.3% of the total) and Anneliese Dodds cane third for Labour with 12,729 votes (25.5% of the total). The turnout for Reading East of 66.7% was similar to the national turnout of 65.1%. (Get Reading 07/05/10)

In the local elections for the RBC on May 6 th the Conservatives retained the RG4 seats that were contested – with David Stevens winning Thames Ward, Mark Ralph winning Peppard Ward and Andrew Cumpsty winning Caversham Ward. Further details can be found on our 'Politicians' page. (Get Reading 07/05/10)

Environment

A letter from Anne Jessel of the King’s Meadow Campaign urges the public to visit the campaign’s website and to contribute to the efforts to restore the open air swimming pool there. Her letters says: ‘the pavilion and new changing facilities for sports users on the meadow is the first priority, plus a café and restaurant for Reading people, our tourists, cruisers and walkers’. (Reading Post 05/05/10 p13)

Festivals

A feature that begins by describing the CAMRA Reading Beer & Cider Festival (held at King’s Meadow over the Bank Holiday) as ‘a huge hit’ says that crowds were down on last year because of the weather. There were queues to the festival on Saturday (and on Friday evening, we were part of it) owing to the site reaching capacity. (Reading Post 05/05/10 p5

Police

The Caversham police team is reported to have visited 300 homes in Lower Caversham to offer householders anti-burglary kits and give other anti-burglary advice. In the words of crime reduction adviser John McNicholas, “although the numbers of burglaries in in Caversham is relatively low of late, this type of crime can have a severe effect on the victim in both emotional and financial terms”. (Reading Chronicle 06/05/10 p9)

Public Order

In what has been described as a ‘mass brawl’, three (non-local) men were attacked outside the Island Bar on Piper’s Island, Bridge Street shortly before 3am on May 3rd, Bank Holiday Monday. Five men have been arrested and bailed in connection with the incident. (Reading Chronicle 06/05/10 p3)

Pubs

Refurbishment work at the Griffin pub in Church Road finishes this week, with the pub reopening on Thursday, May 12th. (Get Reading 07/05/10 p9)

Schools

The 40 th anniversary of Caversham Park Primary School takes place in June – and past pupils, parents or members of staff are being invited to join the school for the celebrations, which will take place from Thursday June 10th to Saturday June 12th. For further details, call the school office on 0118 937 5433 or email them. (Reading Chronicle 06/05/10 p18. Get Reading 07/05/10 p30)

Shops

Reading’s first True Food Co-op Community Shop is scheduled to open in Grove Road, Emmer Green with a special launch party on Saturday, May 15th. The not-for-profit shop sells produce including fruit, vegetables and cheese that are obtained from local sources where possible. (Get Reading 07/05/10 p10)