Recent News:
January 2012

Caversham People

A feature describes the first novel by Caversham writer Kate Poels, 'Isn't Life Strange', which has just been published for Kindle, Smartphone or Tablet. The novel is described as belonging to the 'chick lit' genre. (Reading Post 18/01/12 p59)

Children

Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) Statistics show that on a Ward-by-Ward basis, one in five Reading children are living in poverty. The 20% across the RBC area is defined as being slightly below the national average. In the RG4 area, 3% of children are deemed to be in poverty in Thames Ward, just 1% in Mapledurham Ward and 6% in Peppard Ward. There is however a 23% rate in Caversham Ward (encompassing lower Caversham). Whitley Ward has the highest percentage in Reading as a whole, with 31%. (Get Reading 20/01/12 pp1,3)

Politics

The Conservatives in Reading have announced their shadow cabinet team, following on from Cllr Tim Harris becoming the newly elected opposition leader on the RBC. The Tories' front bench is almost entirely composed of RG4-based councillors, with Cllr Jeanette Skeats as deputy leader, Cllr David Stevens (finance and property). Cllr Richard Willis (strategic planning and transport and chief whip), Cllr Mark Ralph (children, education and school improvement), Cllr Tom Stanway (transformation policy co-ordination and scrutiny), Cllr Isobel Ballsdon (environment and housing), Cllr Dave Luckett (community care and health) and Cllr Emma Warman (culture and sport). (Reading Post 18/01/12 p8)

Roads

The introduction last December by the RBC of parking restrictions along the full stretch of the St Barnabas Church side of Grove Road in Emmer Green is said to be 'causing uproar' among businesses, residents and local church goers. Double yellow lines have replaced free on-street parking as part of an 18-month experiment to improve the flow of buses, but the new restrictions are alleged to be hurting local businesses. RBC 'spokesman' Oscar Mortali said that the RBC had received 'many representations over a number of years regarding inconsiderate parking in Grove Road', but acknowledged that the new restrictions will be reviewed after six months. (Reading Chronicle 19/01/12 p31)

Schools

The RBC has approved plans from Highdown School to build four 15m high floodlights around its hockey pitch - despite receiving 11 letters of objection. Councillors said the lights must be switched off by 8pm Mondays to Fridays and by 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays. (Reading Chronicle 19/02/12 p17)

Students at Highdown School and the Caversham-based Brookfields Special School will join counterparts at other Reading schools and colleges to take part in a 'Tree of Light' project initiative on Tuesday, July 10th, involving a dancing performance to mark the Olympic Games. (Reading Chronicle 19/01/12 p20)