Newsletter of the Sonning & Sonning Eye Society • SummerIssue 2017 51 5 years in the making! Mike Hart, Chairman We are pleased to report that the ‘from time to time’, to review 2017 Sonning Conservation Area the boundaries and to formulate Appraisal (SCAA) was adopted proposals to preserve and by Wokingham Borough Council enhance their special historic and (WBC) at their meeting on 7 April architectural character. and became effective on 19 April Since 2012 the Council has been 2017. working with the Parish Council and The aims of the SCAA are to Sonning & Sonning Eye Society in the define the historic and architec- production of an appraisal document tural character and appearance of for Sonning CA. The Parish Council Sonning; identify what is worthy of and Sonning & Sonning Eye Society conservation; and to encourage pro- have carried out the research and tection of the area and to safeguard produced the draft document. This its character. was passed to the Council to final- The WBC recommendation ise and consult on. A 6 week public Once designated, the LPA has a to adopt the SCAA included the consultation has been undertaken duty to have special regard to the following background explanation: and amendments have been made to the appraisal to reflect consulta- desirability of preserving or enhanc- “Conservation areas (CA’s) are tion responses. It is now proposed ing the character or appearance of areas of special architectural or that the document is adopted by the their conservation areas in undertak- historic interest. Local Planning Council and will constitute a material ing their planning duties. In provid- Authorities (LPA’s) have a duty to planning consideration in assessing ing an up to date assessment of the designate these areas under the planning applications. character of the conservation area, Planning (Listed Buildings and this Appraisal is a material planning The Appraisal assesses the special Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and consideration.” architectural and historic significance There is a link where you can of the conservation area through download your own copy of the considering issues such as the layout, open spaces, trees and landscape, final SCAA on the Society’s website focal points and important build- www.sonning.org.uk. ings. The Appraisal identifies both The Society would like to thank positive features and those which all the volunteers who comprised are considered to detract from the teams who went round the vil- its special interest of the area. It lage to record the details that were also highlights vulnerabilities to define the important features and opportunities for enhance- that make Sonning special. ment. The designation of a conser- Bridge is the newsletter of the vation area gives the LPA addi- Sonning & Sonning Eye Society tional controls over the demolition Published by the Education & Social Panel of unlisted buildings and works to email: [email protected] trees, restricts some permitted devel- web: www.sonning.org.uk opment rights and tightens regula- Printed on paper from responsible sources by a tions on advertising. company supporting the Woodland Carbon Scheme

Bridge newsletter • Issue 51 • Summer 2017 1 Executive Committee & Panels Patrick Hamblin, Planning & Traffic Panel

>>Eye on Sonning Planning applications Sonning Bridge a view from the Bridge The Planning and Traffic Panel The bridge, a Grade II listed struc- continues to meet monthly. There ture, was recently damaged by a Mike Hart, Chairman have been 21 applications reviewed at vehicle and the Society is monitoring We are delighted to report that a the three meetings held since the last its repair. new audio-visual system has been edition of Bridge. installed in Pearson Hall comprising Letters of objection were sent to Traffic a permanently fixed high defini- Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) The joint working group consisting tion projector and large electrically relating to the application to vary a of representatives from the S&SES operated screen. The system, which condition of planning consent to al- and SPC have had discussions with can be operated from a laptop low for up to 825 pupils to be enrolled local businesses and others relating computer, will greatly enhance the at Reading Blue Coat School, the to traffic issues. A meeting was held visual aids for future talks and even demolition and replacement of Pool at the end of May between the RBCS allow us to show films in the hall. Court, the provision of a car park in Headmaster and representatives Our thanks go to the Fire Brigade Sonning Field, the replacement of the of WBC Traffic Team, SPC and the Trust who generously covered all existing property at 12a South Drive Society. WBC will be taking over the the supply and installation costs. with a much larger property and the responsibility for enforcing parking installation of an artificial grass pitch restrictions later this year and will and floodlighting at Old Redingensi- consider extending the yellow lines ans Sports Ground. A letter express- along Sonning Lane. ing our concern with the long-term use of the land to the west of Orchard Lodge, Sonning Eye as a car park was sent to South Oxfordshire District Council.

We are pleased that our talks and Sonning Parish Council Planning walks are so well attended and with Committee meetings the new audio-visual system in The Society has been represented at place we can now cater for a bigger all the above meetings since the last audience in the hall. We welcome edition as an observer. A digital speed indicator has been the new members who have joined installed by SPC in Pound Lane near us and we are planning on launch- Local Plan Update: the school entrance. ing a new initiative to welcome No changes have been made to the even more Sonning newcomers to Cycle racks join the Society. list of sites for updating the local plan that will guide development in the A cycle rack has now been installed In this issue of Bridge we are Borough for the next 20 years and in the St George’s playing field. The pleased to include an article from also the gypsy and traveller local plan Society thanks Brian O’Callaghan Lesley Green summarising the since its publication by WBC. 7 sites for donating the cycle rack and to the after-dinner talk on her memories are listed in Sonning. The Society is Scarecrow Committee for funding the as headteacher of Sonning Primary continuing to monitor the list. installation costs. School that she gave at the AGM last November as well as an article >> Membership news from David Woodward, the Chair- We do hope you like the new format of our quarterly newsletter. We man of the Eye and Dunsden Parish wanted to have more room to allow for the occasional in-depth piece Council, on the recently issued and also to be able to do justice to the photos that accompany the articles. interactive Oxfordshire flood map. If you have any comments or suggestions about Bridge then do let us know I would remind you that we by emailing the editorial team at [email protected] and please, if welcome comments or suggestions you have any ideas of articles of local interest that you’d like to read about for future issues of Bridge to any or better still to contribute we’d love to hear from you! of our editorial sub-committee (Jeremy Gilmore (IT), Lesley A warm welcome is extended to the following new members: Heaney (distribution), Pauline Ms Simmons & Mr Keeshan Ms Hulett & Mr Sherwood Simmonds, Annabella Marks, Mr & Mrs Goddard and Family Mr and Mrs Smyly Bob Hine, Andy Bell, Joyce Reed Welcome packs for new residents are available from Lesley Heaney, our or myself) or email the team at Membership Secretary (0118 969 7231). [email protected]. Bridge newsletter • Issue 51 • Summer 2017 2 Memories of: A Primary School Headteacher

Lesley Green, Headteacher of Sonning School, 1999-2015

I always wanted to teach and graduated in 1978 from oldest pupils were tour guides and it made me so proud Bulmershe College in Woodley. Twenty years were when visitors gave such positive feedback…. it endorsed spent in various schools, including six as a Deputy that we were getting it right. My introduction of the Head before becoming the new Headteacher of Son- ‘Golden Flames Awards’ was popular and celebrated ning CE Primary School in 1999, whilst still completing how children had ‘shone’ each half term …their reward my Masters Degree - even though tutors had advised was a special tea party with me! not to take on anything new in the final dissertation The local community were kept updated through my year! Headship was a path I never actively planned for contributions to the Parish Magazine and we enjoyed but opportunities come along when you least expect our involvement in a range of activities such as the them. village show, the scarecrow trail, visits to Ali’s Pond, In the beginning I enjoyed some teaching but as the the Art club competition and visits with our twinned school expanded my priority was spending more time community of Liguge. I also enjoyed being part of the monitoring the teaching and learning. I also discov- Village Voices Oral History project which helped our ered that my new role involved lots of talking, listening pupils learn more about the history of our school and and meetings! I had a great staff team who embraced local community. There were some amazing staff and changes and challenges together. Whilst meeting the I very feel proud two are now headteachers. I tried to statutory curriculum requirements our guiding prin- be accessible for those ‘have you got a moment’ occa- ciple was flexibility; the children told us what they sions and always enjoyed hearing laughter from the enjoyed so we structured teaching in response to this staffroom at lunchtime. with opportunities to extend, challenge and adjust to Support came from various sources including the Gov- meet differing abilities. Our successful themed weeks ernors; Local Authority and Oxford Diocese. I especial- and days were testimony to this. When homework ly valued my cluster headteacher colleagues for their was under the spotlight, we renamed it ‘ homelearning’ friendship, advice and humour. Theresa May, our own to enable children to meet more open ended tasks using MP, not only visited the school on several occasions their individual skills and talents. but also attended some cluster meetings to hear about Assessments are important and are an indicator of how the issues facing school leaders which we very much well pupils (and the school) are doing but I was pleased appreciated. to see some changes in my latter years with greater There were many memorable incidents such as the un- involvement of pupils in the process …… knowing how expected end to my first half term. The phone call tell- well they were doing and how to further improve. ing me to close the school was not, as initially thought, Pupil ownership of their learning journey was much a new headteacher initiative test or wind up but due to more important than being ‘done to’. an unexploded WW2 bomb nearby. Another was the We were responsible for developing the whole child – car wedged in the school gates by Beech Lodge polling academically, socially, emotionally, physically, spirit- station one election day - the children had to climb ually, culturally and morally with some aspects less through the car at hometime! tangible to measure. During our open mornings our Continued on page 7 --» Clockwise from left: Lesley with Alice Wilkinson (Chair of Governors) and Theresa May MP; The Green Room; Election Day protest - car wedged in the school gates; 50th birthday celebration balloon release for Sonning Primary School.

Bridge newsletter • Issue 51 • Summer 2017 3 Floods: Threats & Prevention Spring rainfall was sparse in 2017 but it wasn’t always that way and won’t be in the future. Sonning Eye is at risk.

David Woodward, a resident of Sonning Eye and Chairman of Eye and Dunsden Parish Council, gives his views It seems appropriate that in the Eye suffer; it seems difficult arately upon his back, walking year of the 70th anniversary of the to believe that either the local on planks down our drive. The great floods of March 1947, Oxford- authority or the landlords have planks were resting on bricks. shire has chosen to launch a new done their duty by these people; People were very perturbed as online ʽFlood Toolkit’ to assist those callous neglect stares one in the the water kept rising. Father exposed to flood risk. It aims to face on every side. Now that prayed and God answered...’ provide a suite of solutions to help the war is over, such conditions Today the best opinion of cli- communities like Sonning Eye to must no longer be tolerated’. mate change experts is that global better prepare for a major flood. 1947 has become a benchmark warming is worsening Thames In times past such sophistication against which all other floods are flooding, so how does Oxfordshire was unimaginable, but in spite of judged. A rapid thaw and high rain- County Council’s new initiative this, the realities remain much as fall caused rivers like the Thames to shape up? they always have been. rise by a foot an hour. Over 100,000 For individual householders, a In the March 1947 issue of the properties were flooded nationally series of flood mitigation measures parish magazine, Canon Groves – far worse than any 21st century are proposed. These begin with wrote: flood event. Over 1,600 homes were simple external work to help keep ʽWe are all deeply concerned flooded in Caversham, making it water out, extending to complete as to the sorry plight in which a once in 200 years flood event. internal tanking and permanent the Sonning Eye folk have been Canada sent food parcels and in barrier systems costing many tens plunged by the floods and to a Gloucester the Australian Red Cross of thousand pounds. helped out. lesser degree by the gale, and For communities such as ours, can only hope that by the time Even worse were the floods in a raft of ten strategies are intended these words reach your eyes the 1894 when the daughter of the man- to make them more flood resil- waters will have gone down and ager of Sonning Mill wrote from the ient. These begin with community the houses be once more dry Barn House in Sonning Eye of their flood risk and mitigation reports and clean, and habitable—but neighbours: which lead to the preparation how many houses in Sonning ʽin much trouble with rooms of community emergency plans. Eye are really habitable? This flooded and furniture floating, These schemes require the work disaster has shewn up afresh so Mother and Father decided of dedicated volunteers, many of the lack of decencies, not to to invite three people into our whom are already over-committed. say the amenities of life, from house. Mr Greenfield brought Scottish and Southern Energy offer which our parishioners in the his wife and little girl Amy, sep- grants of up to £20,000 to support Bridge newsletter • Issue 51 • Summer 2017 4 Clockwise from above: Map from Oxford- shire’s Flood Toolkit showing areas that are at risk of flooding from rivers and from surface water. Courtesy of www.oxfordshirefloodtoolkit. com; January 2014: Sonning Bridge; February 2014: Milestone Avenue; March 2007: The flood plain behind the French Horn doing its job; 1947 issue of the Sonning Parish magazine; Feb. 2014: Thames overflows footpaths; some houses on Thames Drive are built on stilts. community resilience projects in over which the rising Thames can their areas. The money can be used spread, averting the worst conse- both for flood prevention measures quences of flooding. Any changes as well as to provide for emergency to that floodplain, such as building response kit. New technology is works or the new gravel extrac- also increasingly being used to col- tion and landfill works about to lect better information about flood begin, are likely to have an impact and rain levels in ways that can help on flooding which even the best predict severe flooding with greater experts find it hard to precisely accuracy. quantify. Those that love living here Aside from these grand and pos- must decide for themselves if the sibly impractical schemes, what is risks are counter-balanced by the the reality for Sonning Eye? Many joys of living on the edge of Old resent any publicity which draws Father Thames. attention to flood risk in their area, fearing a detrimental impact on Oxfordshire’s Flood Toolkit Website house values. In fact that risk is https://www.oxfordshirefloodtoolkit.com/ well-known, even if only crudely documented by the national flood 1947 UK River Floods Retrospective mapping system. The majority of houses in Sonning Eye lie just above http://forms2.rms.com/rs/729-DJX-565/images/fl_1947_uk_river_floods.pdf the functional floodplain’ for a one in 30 year flood event. Those at risk Climate Modelling are keenly aware that local flood http://www.climateprediction.net/human-influence-on-climate-in-the-2014- patterns are complex and likely to southern-england-winter-floods-and-their-impacts/ be influenced both by ground and surface water levels and that no matter what, water will eventually rise of its own accord beneath their Auction of Promises homes. To support Dunsden Village Hall Saturday 10th June at 7.30pm at the Loddon Brewery The lush water meadows around https://auctionofpromises.com/DunsdenVillageHallAuction us have for centuries provided land

Bridge newsletter • Issue 51 • Summer 2017 5 Exploring our past: MERL & Berkshire Medical Museum Pauline Simmonds, Education Panel

At the end of April eighteen Society There was a surprising amount of members enjoyed a private visit to interesting information, many could the Royal Berkshire Medical Muse- have stayed longer but another treat um on London Road. Housed in the had been arranged - to the Victo- hospital’s ‘listed’ laundry to the left rian library across the courtyard, of the main entrance, the exhibits an area rarely open to the public. included an iron lung, a well-used On display were several rare 18th dentist’s chair, a selection of glass century books illustrating some eyes, some old photos and a great fine anatomical drawings of the variety of medical memorabilia, all human figure and studies of horses, reminders of wartime medicine, by the artist George Stubbs, all still traditional nursing and pioneering used, we understand, by research surgery. students today. Again, a fascinating collection and well worth a longer look. Members then walked to the Muse- impressed by the clear layout, new um of English Rural Life in Red- technology and extensive displays. lands Road. The red brick building, Our Sunday afternoon visit was designed by Alfred Waterhouse as brief but very enjoyable. It was a home for the Huntley and Palmer good to see that our heritage, at family, had recently been extended both museums, was being well pre- and given a £3m refit, and all were served and many plan to return. Exploring our village: Local events Heritage Open Day Village Walks led by experienced guides Wildlife walk along the Thames with Ali Driver HERITAGE OPEN DAYS were established in 1994 and for many years WALK ON now our Society has organised a ‘Village Walk’ to support this important Heritage THE Festival. Events are held up and down WILDSIDE the country giving everyone a chance Organised by the Sonning & to explore buildings normally closed to Sonning Eye Society the public, join a guided tour, or just learn more about their local community. A GUIDED WALK ALONG THE RIVER TO THAMES VALLEY PARK WETLANDS SUN 9TH JULY

Walk Led By Prof. Alastair Driver MEET OUTSIDE THE BULL AT 2.00pm Alastair Driver was appointed as the first If you are new to the area or interested conservationist for the River Thames in WALK LASTS APPROX in history do join our experienced 1984 and led on the conservation of this 2-2½ HRS guides on an “Architectural and world famous river and its tributaries for Numbers are limited so Historical Walk” around Sonning in 18 years before becoming national Head please phone Penny Feathers September. The walks start at 2 pm in of Conservation for the Environment (Tel. 0118 934 3193) the Churchyard near The Bull and last Agency. He recommended the creation to book your place about 2 hours on the following dates: of the Thames Valley Park wetlands in Thursday 7th September the late 1980s and has advised on the Friday 8th September management of the site ever since. He Sunday 10th September has also led many guided nature walks Numbers are limited so booking is here for local organisations. During this essential. Email Diana Coulter on walk Alastair will point out wildlife as we [email protected] or telephone go, catch insects to show in the hand, 0118 969 2132 for more details. and explain the history of TVP.

Bridge newsletter • Issue 51 • Summer 2017 6 >>Bridge Ends Notes and queries

CAGE celebrate Gladman defeat we hope to have an article on this The Parish Council are looking subject in our next issue. for volunteers to help re-launch There was jubilation in Dunsden the HGV Watch. After the blitz when South Oxfordshire District Henley Rd Roadworks in 2012 the number of HGVs Council’s Planning Office crossing Sonning Bridge reduced announced that they will be Coincidentally work has started significantly, partially as a result of refusing the application to build on the subsidence of the A4155 improvements to satnav systems. 245 houses adjoining Emmer near the Flowing Spring. It is The situation is now deteriorating Green. We take heart in what thought that the road will need to and the subsidence on Henley Road they have accomplished and that be completely closed for about two will only make matters worse. they have showed that dedicated months over the summer while the Please contact Trefor Fisher campaigners do have an affect. shoring up works are carried out. ([email protected]) Our congratulations to David if you are willing to take part. Woodward and the “Campaign against Gladman in Eye & HGVs and Sonning Bridge Dunsden” - CAGE. Replacement of Street Lights Wokingham Borough Council Sonning Quarry are set to replace some of the old lampposts with more TARMAC held an “Information environmentally friendly LED Day” in May to alert residents that varieties. There has been a delay the next phase of the extraction while they source a special was imminent. 1.86 million tonnes “Heritage” variant suitable for the of sand and gravel will be extracted Conservation Area but the search is over 12 years! Which means a complete and you should see work steady stream of HGVs from 7am to underway over the summer. 6pm Mondays to Fridays and until 1pm on Saturdays. This will be an important feature of our lives and

--» Memories of a Primary School Headteacher (continued from page 3)

I have wonderful memories of the school’s 50th birthday celebrations including our open day welcoming past pupils, our special anniversary clock - kindly funded by the Sonning Fire Brigade Trust and our balloon release preceded by a hail storm! There was also ‘Mrs Green day’ in my final week and my own Golden Flames tea party on the playground - how all the tables, chairs and children got there without me knowing I will never know! The final surprise was having a teach- ing room named after me! I hope I made a difference during my headship at Sonning School, steering it through a period of growth with new classrooms and facilities. Retirement has been incredibly busy and I am grateful that my years as head gave me skills I now use as churchwarden of St John’s Church in Woodley. I also continue my association with Sonning as Chair of the Twinning Association ……..and now I can enjoy the joys of term time holidays!

Above right: Lesley in July 2015 with two pupils, Archie and Louise, and their father, Steven Povey. Lesley’s career had gone full circle - she taught Steven in Tilehurst in 1990, and Louise was also leaving Sonning School that day! Right: Plaque from the 50th Anniversary Clock Bridge newsletter • Issue 51 • Summer 2017 7 Dates For Your Diaries The events that are organised by the Society are shaded in brown but we now include other events within the environs of Sonning & Sonning Eye which we hope will give a more complete view of village life. If you are the organiser of a forthcoming attraction that you would like to see included in this list please contact us and email the details to [email protected] Future Events 14 June - 7.00pm S&SES Executive Committee meeting in the St. Sarik room Members of the Society are very welcome

17 June RNLI Summer Garden Party Tickets are £15 and available from David 6.30-8.30pm Bates on 0118 969 7753 28 June - 2 July Henley Royal Regatta www.hrr.co.uk

1 July Sonning Elegant Picnic in support of the Sonning Festival and Scare- Tickets from £15 per head available from 7.30pm crow charity the sonningfestival.co.uk website or phone 0118 969 2206

6 July The Mill First Night: Agatha Christie’s Spider Web Performances until 9 September 8.15pm Directed by Brian Blessed Tickets available from millatsonning.com

9 July Walk On The Wildside This event is FREE but the numbers are 2.00pm A guided walk along the Thames from The Bull to Thames Valley limited. Tickets available from Penny Park, conducted by Ali Driver, the walk is for about 2½hours Feathers, please phone on 0118 934 3193

16 August - 7.00pm S&SES Executive Committee meeting in the St. Sarik room Members of the Society are very welcome

7-10 September Architectural and Historical Walks around Sonning as part of This event is FREE but the numbers are 2.00pm Heritage Open Days. limited so tickets available from Diana Walks start in the churchyard by the Bull and last for about 2 hours Coulter telephone 0118 969 2132 or by email to [email protected]

16 September Sonning Village Show 2.00-5.00pm Held in the grounds of Sonning Primary School 28 September The Mill First Night: Perfect Wedding Performances until 18 November 8.15pm Directed by Ron Aldridge Tickets available from millatsonning.com

18 October - 7.00pm S&SES Executive Committee meeting in the St. Sarik room Members of the Society are very welcome

18 October Berkshire Gardens Trust’s Autumn Lecture at Grazley Village Hall More information from their website: Richard Bisgrove on William Robinson berks-gardens-trust.org.uk

18 November 7.00pm S&SES AGM followed by a Supper, in the Pearson Hall Tickets will be available closer to the date

23 November The Mill First Night: My Fair Lady Performances until 27 January 8.15pm Directed by Joseph Pitcher Tickets available from millatsonning.com

6 December - 7.30pm S&SES Executive Committee meeting in the St. Sarik room Members of the Society are very welcome

The Sonning & Sonning Eye Society is affiliated with other relevant organisations and, in the case of the Berkshire Gardens Trust, members of S&SES are able to attend their events. You should contact them directly for booking information.

Bridge is the quarterly newsletter published by the Sonning and Sonning Eye Society email: [email protected] web: www.sonning.org.uk Bridge newsletter • Issue 51 • Summer 2017 8