A twenty-seven year old man has been treated for minor burns after a fire at DW Young Dental Laboratory in Grovelands Avenue in Winnersh, near Wokingham.
Firefighters spent over an hour tackling the flames, which was restricted to one room in the laboratory; they wore breathing apparatus to prevent them from inhaling toxic fumes.
Staff working in the neighbouring building were evacuated as a precaution.
Firefighter, Paul Keen, said that the fire had caused damage to the equipment in the laboratory but most of the damage had been caused by smoke.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
August 29, 2011 | editor
Wokingham Arts Trail 2011 will be held Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September. This year 40 local artists will show their work at 18 venues throughout Wokingham Borough.
Wokingham Arts Trail is organised and co-ordinated by local artists supported by More Arts. Over a weekend, artists practising in and around Wokingham Borough open their studios, homes and temporary arts spaces to give you the chance to see what amazing talent there is on your doorstep.
More Arts is part of The Cultural Partnership registered charity number 1129471 and aims to increase and promote local arts & cultural activities and events.
More info: www.wokinghamartstrail.co.uk
August 24, 2011 | editor
Wokingham Borough Council chief executive Susan Law has resigned.
Law, said she is going back to her native New Zealand: “I have enjoyed my time at Wokingham Borough Council and particularly working with a dedicated team of officers and members.
Law, announced her decision to staff on Friday, citing family reasons. She will leave at the end of January and the council are seeking a replacement. Law, took up the post in 2007.
August 24, 2011 | editor
West Berkshire and Wokingham Trading Standards Service has awarded several more Wokingham Borough-based traders ‘Buy with Confidence’ status. In the last year, awards have been granted to:
Debonair Décor – decorating and handywork carried out by women.
G A Carpentry and Building
Geoff Keep – painting and decorating services
K W Stokes Plumbing and Heating
Little Knocks – car body repairs service
R F Communications – Aerials and satellite installation service
Michael Noone Electrical and Mechanical Services
The following companies have recently renewed their membership for a second year:
1-Fix Limited – IT Support Company including services relating to computer repairs.
A.P. Faulkner (Heating) Ltd – Complete Central Heating Service
Band Systems Ltd – providers of intruder alarms
The process includes checks on trading terms and conditions, business documentation, website, insurance, insolvency and criminal record checks for those working in and around the homes of customers. References are also taken from existing and previous customers. Whilst the scheme is no outright guarantee as to workmanship, it is designed to offer consumers reassurance that a member business is operating within the law. There is ongoing monitoring through feedback from customers using feedback cards.
Buy with Confidence Website
August 24, 2011 | editor
Reports of suspected vulnerable adult abuse in Wokingham, Berkshire have increased by 80% in the past year, a council report shows.
Wokingham Borough Council’s annual report showed there were 380 referrals between April 2010 and 2011, compared with 211 the previous year.
Alleged perpetrators include 92 care staff and 65 family members.
Social services director Stuart Rowbotham said the rise was probably due to an awareness campaign.
The report states that 72% of reported cases have been substantiated.
August 23, 2011 | editor
Mobile Phones Direct a Newbury based company who have a shop at 14 Peach Street, in Wokingham have gone into liquidation. The company also has shops in Bath, Camberley, Slough and Southampton.
Mobile Phones Direct was set up by CEO Karl Borges in 1992. Borges is also CEO of the online business mobilephonesdirect.co.uk, which is based at the same address as the liquidated company in Newbury. The online business mobilephonesdirect.co.uk continues to trade.
August 23, 2011 | editor
Reading Police are seeking a man who posed as a plumber to gain access into a pensioner’s Southcote home. The man gained entry by claiming to be from the “water board.”
After he left the householder realised he was missing cash, old military discharge papers, a silver cigarette box and six campaign medals.
The suspect is 5ft 8ins, slightly heavy build, broad around the shoulders, with black wavy hair. He is in his mid-thirties and possibly spoke with a northern accent. He was wearing blue and brown faded trousers and what looked like a leather jacket.
Det Con Tony Tuson, from Reading police station, said: “This was a cowardly theft committed against a vulnerable elderly man and I am appealing for anyone who was in the area who noticed any suspicious activity at the time of the incident or anyone who recognises the E-fit of the man we would like to speak to, to come forward.”
Anyone with information should contact Det Con Tuson on 08458 505 505 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
August 22, 2011 | editor
people in Woodley have one less place to stop off when caught short after a cafe withdrew from the town’s Local Loo scheme, reports the Reading Chronicle.
“Cafe Pandilla, in the precinct, has closed its toilet facilities to the public after signing up to the scheme when it was launched two years ago.
It was one of three areas that initially agreed to open its facilities for the Wokingham Borough Council initiative after cuts led to the closure of the town’s public toilets.
Robert Hamilton, manager of the cafe, said: “We chose to withdraw because we had a lot of problems with people who were not our customers leaving the loos in a mess and we even had one instance where the mirror was vandalised.””
August 22, 2011 | editor
Reading University’s DofE group is opening its doors to participants from across Wokingham Borough.
Reading University DofE group and Wokingham Borough Council are excited to announce that any participants aged 18 or over and looking to start their DofE programme, at either Bronze or Gold level, can now do so through the DofE group which runs from Reading University.
The agreement was struck when it was discovered that participants who are aged 18 or over may not have access to the DofE in their area or feel comfortable working with younger participants.
The Co-ordinator for Reading University DofE group, Philip Pitcher, says: “We worked closely with Wokingham Borough Council to see how our DofE group could make closer links with the community […] We have access to some useful resources here at the University of Reading and felt it was only right to allow others benefit from them. I would like to thank Nigel, Noel & Liz at Wokingham Borough Council for their time, energy and enthusiasm for making this happen.”
To take a look at what Reading University DofE group (RUDE) are offering, see their website: www.rudofe.org being launched on the 15th August 2011 or alternatively email: [email protected]
August 22, 2011 | editor
Earlier this month, Wokingham Borough Council’s community wardens responded to complaints of dog fouling in East Park Farm and Vale View in Charvil by spraying it bright pink.
In response to complaints from dog walkers, football teams and children playing, community wardens Emma Bacca and Susie McIntyre spent the day spraying dog foul with a bright pink luminous spray to highlight the problem.
The spray is environmentally friendly, not harmful to animals or wildlife and washes away over time. In addition, they picked up 64 bags of dog foul in the hope that it will encourage more dog walkers to do the same and make the area more pleasant to use and environmentally friendly.
At the same time the community wardens distributed dog fouling bags and information regarding the dangers of not clearing up after their canine friends to any dog walkers they met.
August 21, 2011 | editor
