Spring 2017 What a Team! It was inevitable that they should go on Tony Laithwaite started in the wine 'special offer' to their readers. Thus, the to have their own vineyards and now industry in 1969 but it is working in UK’s most successful wine mail-order have them in France, Australia, in partnership with his wife, Barbara, that service was born. Windsor, as tenants of the Crown Estate has brought about the phenomenal As the more organised of the two, and, of course, Wyfold. Tony is happy to success of their company. Tony claims Barbara took on the role of Managing share his wealth of knowledge of wine that it was he who had the bright ideas but Director, with Tony as Chairman. Shops growing: he will explain the impact of it was always Barbara who put them into and concessions followed and their different soils and climates on vines, action. expansion continued even further with even the impact on grapes of bush fires in Australia. He also believes that climate Back in 1965, he went off to Bordeaux in the advent of internet shopping. Their France for a student holiday job working turnover grew to £17 million in the first change is most definitely occurring – he in a vineyard. The owners, an elderly 15 years – it is now a staggering £350 says that wine growers are the experts as they have always kept records of couple, took a shine to Tony. They million with a large staff and buyers all ‘adopted’ him and proceeded to teach him over the world. temperatures and harvests. all about wine as well as making While Tony travelled the world, him improve his schoolboy Barbara not only ran the company French. In 1969, taking the name but also brought up their three sons. from a road sign, he set up All three, Henry, Will and Tom, Bordeaux Direct and started went to Peppard Primary school bringing wine back to the UK. and, with Henry’s two children as This was a time when wine was the latest family additions, they all now live reasonably near to their only sold by wine merchants and was not commonly consumed in parents in Peppard. During most households; wine discussions about the future, the boys, as teenagers used to tease merchants, and even wine waiters, were perceived as rather their parents: ‘One day we’ll just intimidating. There was simply sell up and buy a Ferrari each!’ not the choice available and Tony Happily, they have changed their views and are now all involved, one helped to change this. At the same time, Tony & Barbara Laithwaite in Wyfold way or other, in the industry. When, or British people started to travel and experi- Tony’s search for wines to bring to the ence wine drinking in casual, friendly indeed if, their parents do retire then all UK market has taken him much further three sons have stated that they wish to environments and wanted to imitate this afield. His travels have taken him at home. carry on with the family business. virtually all over the world in pursuit of Barbara is equally passionate about the In 1971 he re-met Barbara who he had good wine – to the US, Australia, New Wyfold vineyard and is rightly very known at university. Subsequently, he Zealand, South America, even India. proud of its award-winning sparkling lured her away from a very good job to Before the break-up of the Soviet Union, wines. According to Tony, she is help run his fledgling company and, of it also meant dealing with Eastern extremely rigorous in pruning the vines course, married her. They celebrated European governments to buy their in order to obtain the best possible grapes their ruby wedding anniversary two wines. With this expansion, it became – and will sacrifice the quantity produced summers ago. very apparent that the name Bordeaux to achieve this. First came a ‘lock-up’ under the railway Direct was no longer appropriate – and arches in Windsor. Then, fortuitously, 'Direct' became used by so many Now 70, Tony says that eventually the Tony spotted an item on wine fraud in the internet/mail order companies: it was ‘Old Man’ will have to learn to pull back Sunday Times that he very much agreed time for a change. With an unusual and from work a bit but in the meantime he with. He shot off a letter to the editor memorable name, it wasn’t difficult to says ‘Wine? Why would I want to give it up? I love it’. which generated a full mailbag of choose the company’s new name – enquiries, and was, in turn, invited to do a Laithwaite’s Wine. Rita Hadgkiss

Peppard News is a quarterly community newspaper published by Peppard News Publications with financial support from Rotherfield Peppard Parish Council, and is distributed free within the parish of Peppard. Views expressed are not necessarily those of Peppard News Publications or of the RPPC unless stated as such. e-mail: [email protected] www.PeppardNews.co.uk Contributions accepted via e-mail or post to Jennifer Smith, Molehouse, Church Lane, RG9 5JN Advertising: Ian Fraser - phone: 01491 629631 Printed by Herald Graphics Page 2 www.peppardnews.co.uk Our Schools Both new governors have daughters at the Peppard C of E Primary School Peppard Primary School school, Ruby Turner in Year 2 and Peppard Common RG9 5JU Work on our boundary is now very nearly Harriet Bowcott in Year 1, and both have Phone: 01491 628354 complete. Many thanks to Mr and Mrs a second child joining the school in Cuthbert for all their hard work Headteacher September. Mrs Turner also has an old demolishing the old fractured wall and Nick Steele connection to the school; her uncle was replacing it with new fencing. the Bishop of Oxford when Peppard Chairman of the Governors th Our Worship Council have worked very Christine Bradbury School celebrated its 125 anniversary in hard and have, with the help of Mrs Annie 1996. He presented the celebratory plaque Byron and Rev Stickings, put together our The school has swimming galas and that can be seen on the wall of the main Church Services, choosing hymns, read- cross country on the horizon and will be building. ings and writing their own prayers. Many sending teams of our best swimmers and When we asked them what they are most thanks to Ian Fraser and his team who athletes to take part. We have some looking forward to in the rest of the school arrange the refreshments in the Parish excellent young sportsmen and women year, Mr Bowcott said, ‘I’m looking for- Room after each service. This term, the so are hoping for success in both areas. ward to Sports Day the most. Last year school focus has been on Integrity with all We are also very pleased to announce was so much fun with so many races. This assemblies and Church services support- that we will be running another six week year some of the Dads are off on a 50 mile ing our thoughts. Next term we will be Kayaking course beginning in May with walk to raise some money for the school. focussing on Courage. At the end of last the help of Sabine Kirschstein Smith. More details to come!’ Mrs Turner said, ‘I term we were visited by Mr Richard Future trips will include the Natural love Sports Day and the Easter egg roll, Walker who came and gave a talk to the History Museum, The River & Rowing but it’s got to be the water fight on the children about The Home of Hope, a char- Museum and a trip to Oxford. common at the end of term!’ ity that supports an orphanage in Malawi. Fiona Hilton Finally, we always ask our interviewees To support it, the School Council held a New Governors what their favourite type of sandwich is. book sale in the playground last week and Mrs Turner said, ‘a cheddar and home- raised £50. The idea was for children to This year we have two new made chilli chutney sandwich!’ Mr bring in one book of their own which they governors at Peppard: Mrs Emma Bowcott said, ‘a club sandwich’. would like to donate for someone else to Turner and Mr Richard Bowcott. We enjoy…for the small price of 50p! interviewed them about their reasons for With people as passionate and committed becoming school governors. as these two as our governors, Peppard has We continue with our weekly trips to a bright future! Both new governors want to help our Sonning Common Library, each Year The Junior Peppard News Editors group taking a turn. It’s a fantastic local school to be the best it can be. Mrs resource that we should all use. The Turner said, ‘I was really keen to get Kidmore End Pre-School children are also enjoying their weekly more involved in the school This term we are going to read and ukulele lessons with our new teacher, community.’ Mr Bowcott said that he discuss the lovely book Owl Babies Darren Hillier, who is very impressed wants to ‘ensure its continued success.’ before moving on to The Three Little with their efforts. Mr Bowcott is a co-opted governor, Pigs. We continue to use Kennylands Gymnas- responsible, along with the rest of the It’s a term full of other celebrations too tics on a weekly basis. Our aim is to have board, for providing strategic leadership and we have things planned for Burn’s the most flexible children in Oxfordshire! and accountability for the school. Mrs Night and Chinese New Year. Coming up in March is the annual Henley Turner is on the Health and Safety Youth Festival with our children taking Committee. She said, ‘We help make For further information contact me on part in the usual variety of offerings sure that the school is a safe place for 0118 948 4985, e-mail enquir- including a production by the Young everyone to come and teach and learn [email protected] or see our website: Shakespeare Company, visiting the in’. Mrs Turner is following in her www.kidmoreendpreschool.co.uk or find Explorer Dome, and taking part in sport- mum’s footsteps who was also a us on our new Facebook page. ing events. governor at her primary school. Emma Hawker SPRUCE MAINTENANCE SERVICE

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LIZANNE SMITH Tel/fax 0118 972 4560 01491 572035 www.hobbsofhenley.com www.peppardnews.co.uk Page 3 Our Young Achievers Will Legg have also learned to cook for myself Award Winning Choristers which I am happy about!’ This 18-year-old Peppard Stoke Row Three girls from All Saints' Church Junior Richard Ashton Cricket Club teenager is enjoying the Choir have gained their Bronze Bishop’s opportunity of a lifetime playing cricket at Evie Paton Awards from the Royal School of Church the world-renowned Darren Lehmann Music (RSCM). Congratulations to 14 Evie, Year 4, has been very successful Academy in Adelaide, Australia. Having year old Charlotte Field, 13 year old Lally in her cross country. As she has worked scored more than 1,000 runs for PSR dur- Williams and 12 year old Susannah Field. hard and has been doing it for a long ing the past two summers, he went down- Lally has been in the choir for seven years time, we decided to interview her. under at the start of the year for a three- whilst Charlotte and Susannah joined month stint to further hone his skills. She has been running since Year 1 and around six years ago. Lally told me that her furthest distance is 5k. She has been Last year’s Oratory School 1st XI captain she was inspired to join the choir after she placed 1st—her best ever. Evie likes began in Group Two at the Academy – set had attended All Saints' Nativity play running in park runs or fields. up by current Australia national coach when she was six. She thought it looked Darren Lehmann - but quickly impressed Her sister started running first; her Mum like fun, thought the story was well told coaches including Australian and South wanted her to do sport too and Evie and enjoyed the singing. African internationals Mark Cosgrove and found that she liked cross country. Susannah loved singing with Rebecca Johan Botha. He has moved into Group Finally I asked her ‘What is your fa- Bell, Junior Choir Mistress, at school so One alongside England Under19 star vourite sandwich filling?’ and her reply thought joining the choir would be loads George Hankins and a selection of county was ‘salami’. of fun. After seeing their performance at -contracted players, including Somerset’s By Lois Powell, Junior Editor the Henley Choir Festival, her elder sister left-arm spinner Dom Bess. Legg’s room- Charlotte wanted to join too. All three mate, Arthur Godsal, was called up from Max Jelowitz girls had achieved their light blue and then the Academy by England Under19s for A recent Peppard School leaver and their dark blue choir ribbons before work- their tour of India late in January. Beech team captain, Max Jelowitz has ing towards their Bronze Awards. This The training regime is gruelling, focus- recently been selected for the U-12s was their first RSCM external exam. It sing on strength and conditioning, with London Irish rugby team. was a lot of work, including extra lessons to make sure they were thoroughly pre- players taken out of their comfort zone Max is a member of Henley Hawks doing activities such as boxing and the pared. They had to sight-read music, sing rugby club where he trains twice a week accompanied and unaccompanied and infamous ‘Snake Pit’ – a sand-based run- and was captain of the Gillotts U12s ning track where participants have to run answer difficult questions about the rugby team. He also trains once a church. Lally told me she could not read the final lap while carrying water in their month with London Irish and is cur- mouths. music when she joined the choir but is rently training to go on tour to Lyon, now working towards Grade Four in sing- Legg has been playing club cricket for France, in May where they are going to ing. Charlotte will be taking Grade Seven Brighton CC in the Premier Grade of the play some of the best French clubs. next term and Susannah Grade Six later Adelaide Turf Association competition, Last year he went on tour to the Isle of this year. They are all very impressive in and also replaced Hampshire’s Joe Wight: both Under11s Henley teams got their ability to play a range of instruments Weatherley in playing for the Academy to the final and had to play against each as well as having other passions, such as against Future Stars recently. He said: ‘It other. It was really, really tense. sport, dance and drama. They were pre- has been an eye-opening but wonderful He thinks the best things about rugby sented with their awards, along with 16 experience. It has been incredibly tough are the team spirit and the tours and one other junior choristers by the Bishop of work but I am sure I will see the benefits. day hopes to become an international Oxford in November last year. The girls The opportunity to play with professional player for Ireland! all wish to pay tribute to Rebecca Bell for cricketers has been incredible and the her enthusiasm, encouragement and Big congrats to Max! standard of coaching is exceptional, so I dedication which has resulted in their am hoping to have a really productive By Lily Jelowitz, Junior Editor success. Silver awards beckon! summer when I am back in England. I Sue Nickson Page 4 www.peppardnews.co.uk The Councils RPPC Council News Community Speedwatch Although the snowdrops are pushing Rotherfield Peppard’s Speedwatch pro- through, with temperatures hovering gramme is now underway. During January around zero coupled with a nice fresh Parish Council they actioned the first Speedwatch hour Easterly wind blowing outside, it is hard Chairman: Simon Crouch long session on Top Common. The team to believe that Spring is nearly with us. e-mail: [email protected] reported vehicles that were registered The Pavilion ‘Fitness for Purpose’ report Parish Clerk: Joanne Askin travelling between 36 and 51 mph in the has now been completed, and as expected, Orchard Gate, Plough Lane 30mph area. Registration plate numbers does not make for pleasant reading. Shiplake Cross, Oxon. RG9 4DE were recorded and our local Police Tel: 0118 940 6809 (Thames Valley) are writing to the In addition to the minor asbestos problems e-mail: [email protected] offenders. reported in the last issue (Winter 2016), it Website: www.rppc.org.uk states that a new roof is required, also a Speedwatch sessions are continuing every SODC Councillors: Charles Bailey fortnight (or so) and are co-ordinated with new window, with showers and changing [email protected] rooms both needing expanding and up- & David Nimmo-Smith TVP (who kindly provide the Speed detec- grading. In short, if we implement the [email protected] tion equipment). above and add the upgrades that are re- OCC Councillor: David Bartholomew As always, we need more volunteers to quired today to make access suitable for 07769 808773 enable more frequent monitoring. (Please wheel-chairs we will be looking at a fig- [email protected] contact our Parish Clerk on ure in excess of £100,000. Rotherfield Peppard Parish Council usually [email protected] ) The good news is that none of the issues meets on 2nd Monday of the month at 19.30 The message is clear – Please keep your identified above are critical or very urgent in the Pavilion. Parishioners may attend and speed down when driving through the observe, and may briefly raise issues of village! – we have some time to make plans for concern to them. All may attend the future. The Pavilion Sports and Field intermediate planning meetings as well - see Simon Crouch Committee, in unison with Peppard Stoke Diary for dates and times. Row Cricket Club, feel that a new Pavil- Great British Spring Clean ion is arguably the best path to follow: This year’s theme for cleaning our parish With a new Pavilion costing between lanes and verges is The Great British £300,000 and £400,000, a ‘new build’ will mately 75% of the Parish now has ac- Spring Clean. It is taking place throughout be eligible for several grants – such that, cess to speeds of 25 to 30Mbs. However, South Oxfordshire over the weekend of from parishioners’ points of view, it may this is of no solace to the remaining 3rd-5th March. well be more cost effective than repairing 25%! Let us say quickly that it is not the and refurbishing. responsibility of RPPC to ‘roll-out’ or For our Parish, the Spring Clean will take place on Saturday 4th March, and will start A purpose-built, modern Pavilion will deliver this service; the task falls to BBfO (Better Broadband for Oxford- outside the Unicorn Pub at 10:00. All serve the Cricket Club and other Sports equipment (gloves, bags, pickers and Pavilion users much more effectively. A shire) in turn part of Oxfordshire County Council. hi-vis jackets) will be provided. Last year new Pavilion will be much more energy approximately 20 people turned up. efficient and much warmer. Present con- Areas to the north of the Parish, i.e. struction of the walls is only ‘single-skin’ Kingwood Common and Wyfold, which This year we are hoping for 25, so please - very inefficient on energy consumption. constitute the 25% are worst affected, feel free to join. As for the rubbish we and are still awaiting Superfast Broad- collected, we stopped counting the large It goes without saying that the new Pavil- refuse bags after we reached 30. It is ion will need to fit in well with the rural band. BBfO confirmed at the Parish meeting on the 13th February that they always very worthwhile. surroundings and country setting. If, and Simon Crouch when, we move forward designs for the are currently working towards providing a service to these parish regions around new Pavilion will be made available to From John Howell, MP everyone. December 2017. The Government has dedicated a To reiterate, we have time to consider new Finally, on a very positive note, we wel- £1,315,000 pothole fund for 2017/18. It is plans – we believe this is a three to five come two new members to our Council part of a £1.2 billion fund for local roads year project. So, on this basis, we would team – Mrs Jennifer Wood (Councillor) that the government is allocating to coun- welcome parishioners’ thoughts, views and Joanne Askin (Parish Clerk). We welcome them and thank them in ad- cils to repair and rebuild our transport and comments on a new Pavilion. (Please links. contact our Parish Clerk on vance for their on-going contribution [email protected]). towards our Parish Community. The total allocation for Oxfordshire Simon Crouch comes to £19,409,000. For further infor- Superfast broadband is now very much in mation visit John Howell's website discussion within the Parish. Approxi- www.johnhowellmp.com. www.peppardnews.co.uk Page 5 Snippets Coffee and Cakes with Nomination for Local Peppard Unplugged Dr Burnett Crime Writer Peppard Unplugged is entering its third year, a very popular evening held in the Dr Burnett will be hosting a coffee morn- When Vera Morris, former headteacher Peppard War Memorial Hall on the first ing on Saturday 1st April from 10:00 to of Chiltern Edge School, had her crime Saturday evening every month starting at midday at Sonning Common Village Hall novel, Some Particular Evil, published 19:30. in aid of Sue Ryder. All are welcome. by Accent Press in 2016, she didn’t Dates for Peppard Unplugged: 4th Febru- envisage what would happen. th th rd st Egg Hunts ary, 4 March, 6 May, 3 June, 1 July. Accent Press have nominated it for the Please refer to the website In both Greys Court and Nuffield Place, 2017 Crime Writers’ Association www.peppardwarmemorialhall.btik.com the National Trust is holding Cadbury Crimefest eDunnit Award and, even for details of the April event nearer the Egg Hunts. Hunt for clues to win a more thrilling, many of her old pupils time. Cadbury chocolate bunny prize. Friday have made contact with her via Face- 14th- Monday 17th April. £3 per trail book. Said Vera, ‘I’ve heard from so Matters of Life and Death many Chiltern Edgers, details of their Nettlebed & District A Matters of Life and Death Open Day lives, it’s fascinating to find out what will be held at Sue Ryder hospice, in as- Commons Conservators has happened to them – it’s lovely to sociation with Sonning Common Health The Annual Friends of the Commons know they’ve remembered me’. Centre, on Wednesday 1st March, th meeting will be on Wednesday 15 The Ways and Means Trust 10:00-16:00 to provide information and March 19:30 at Nettlebed Community advice about advanced care planning. All Hall, Nettlebed School, High Street, Net- The charity will have stalls at Beanpole are invited to attend. The FISH minibus tlebed. Talk by Rod d'Ayala Our Wonder- Day at Caversham Court on Saturday will also pick you up from your home if nd ful Commons – a Haven for Wildlife. 22 April and Henley Allotment you do not have your own transport. See RSVP Liz Longley Tel 01491 641445 Association Sale in Henley Market Place our website, www.peppardnews.co.uk, th email [email protected]. on Saturday 27 May. Greenshoots will for more details. be open on 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th May and The Holiday Club 3rd June. For more information phone Walking Football @ Chiltern Edge 01491 628933 or email [email protected]. This is for anyone regardless of age or Childcare for 4-16 year olds. Easter: th th fitness. All rules are the same as Monday 10 April – Thursday 13 April. Skatepark Safety conventional football but players can only Summer: Monday 24th July- Friday 18th Users of the Bishopswood Sports walk. Designed to help people get fit or August. Weekdays 08:30-15:30 or 17:30. Ground Skatepark should have access to maintain an active lifestyle. Every Daily rate: 08:30-15:30 £30. 15:30-17:30 a mobile phone so that they can phone Wednesday 10:30, Bishopswood Sports £8. Contact the school for an application home or dial 999 in an emergency. Ground, Horsepond Road, Gallowstree form, 0118 972 1500 or e-mail theholi- Common. For further information contact The ambulance service has been [email protected]. Andy Tidswell Tel 07710 875728 or just provided with full details of the park’s turn up. Electricity Cuts – Priority location. The ambulances will carry bolt Services Register cutters so that paramedics can access the Sue Ryder Events site, if necessary. Anyone with a young baby, disability, There will be many events in aid of the Details on what to do in an emergency chronic illness or in receipt of the State Sue Ryder Nettlebed Hospice this spring. are posted at the park. The skatepark is Pension is eligible to join the SSE Priority These include getting sponsorship for an unsupervised and is used at people’s Services Register. For information and the outrageous hair style or colour, the Read- own risk. Any misuse, damage or registration form visit www.ssepd.co.uk/ ing Half Marathon and On Your Bike. PriorityServicesRegistrationForm or vandalism should be reported to Sonning phone 0800 2943259, mobile Common Parish Council on 0118 972 See www.sueryder.org or 03450721900 or text 0800 3165457. 3616 or Thames Valley Police on 101. www.PeppardNews.co.uk for details. Page 6 www.peppardnews.co.uk Our Village Dr Andrew Burnett Retires he has facilitated and created in Sonning Health Walks Common. Happy well-deserved retire- As I write it’s raining – again! If you Sadly this is the end of a great era with ment Andrew (at such a young age) and fancy a trudge in the mud, the current Andrew Burnett at Sonning Common do not go too far away! walks’ timetable continues until Easter, Health Centre. Dr Kim Emerson I first met Andrew at my GP interviews in after which the new summer timetable 1992 and was won over by his dry sense will begin. The current timetable is avail- of humour and relaxed but professional able from the library, the Health Centre approach. I first came to the practice for and the Herb Farm, or on the website at one month as a GP trainee and soon real- www.sonningcommonhealthwalks.co.uk/ ised how much I wanted to be part of the timetable. If you’d like to talk to someone fantastic team at Sonning Common. I then about the health walks, phone Colin spent two years working in hospitals but Davies on 0118 972 2527. Andrew kept me focussed on general Rosemary Dunstan practice and involved with practice Green Gym events. My year as a GP trainee was fan- tastic; Andrew made an excellent trainer, In one year’s time, the Green Gym move- pushing me to attempt things I was less ment will be 20 years old. Now there are than keen to do and stretching me to be 60 or more across the UK. Not bad for a independent and make difficult decisions. venture that started in Sonning Common. But then there’s a lot of satisfaction to be I have many fun memories of tutorials in gained from keeping fit while enhancing Andrew’s garden eating lollies on a our countryside. Friday afternoon, hilarious dinners in the ever-friendly Burnett household, Scottish During the next few weeks, we’ll be at dancing at New Year when heavily Ewelme Watercress Beds, Binfield Heath, pregnant, the odd Friday afternoon tuto- Bishopswood Sports Field, Greys Court, rial with Andrew nodding off to sleep, Nettlebed Common, Borocourt Wood and garden parties and, of course, lots of Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve, sharing of wisdom. and a number of other places. It’s always Dr Andrew Burnett nice to welcome new people, even if you I was delighted to be asked to join the Andrew came to the practice in 1985 to think you’re fit, just to keep our country- partnership after my training and have replace the retiring Dr Peter Hemphill side looking good. You’ll learn new skills, enjoyed the last 21 years beside who founded the Sonning Common meet a great crowd of people and do Andrew as a GP partner, where he has Practice. It was already well established, something really worthwhile. If you want gradually moved me from the trainer/ with a highly functioning team. So we more information, give us a call on 0118 trainee relationship to what is sometimes needed a young dynamic partner and 972 3528 or look at the website a role reversal and now, as he retires, to Andrew fitted the bill. www.sonningcommon.tcv.org.uk. becoming senior partner in his place. His major contribution in his early years John Hasler He has been a fantastic role model, was to take responsibility for fund- balancing good business sense with The Passing of Tim Norman holding; a new development which dedication and amazing commitment to enabled practices to have their own The many, many residents of Kingwood excellent patient care and being a suppor- budgets for placing hospital contracts for and Peppard Commons who came together tive employer. He has always been good such things as hip replacements and in 2002, and fought, with the support of at making firm decisions when needed. cataracts. As a result of Andrew’s grasp Prince Charles and our then MP, Boris He has had great ideas for development of the details, we were able to reduce our Johnson, to save, and re-open, the Unicorn and always pushed us to consider how we patients’ waiting lists for many pub, may be sorry to hear that our popular could improve further, even when the procedures. He was also intimately landlord, before and after the reopening, practice has been praised for its high involved in the extension of the Health Tim Norman, has died in hospital, of standards and excellence in patient care. Centre: it was originally only on one floor pneumonia. Tim, with his partner Steve, Andrew has always been very straight and and smaller than it is now. really enjoyed living in this area. Many ensured fairness prevailed, being happy to walkers, cyclists, FISH lunch parties, Andrew has made a major contribution to take on more than his share of work, with Peppard Lunch Club members and, of medical care in the village and we wish a positive air and outlook, despite some course, local residents will remember him him well in his retirement. trying times and disappointing political with fondness. Dr John Hasler, Former Senior Partner decisions. I will really miss his immense Rhona Ash support, good humour, optimism, positiv- ity and resilience and his attitude of ‘can and will do’, whatever is thrown our way. TANDOORI I will strive to ensure the practice contin- ues to flourish and maintain the high Connoisseur standards set by Andrew. He leaves huge shoes to fill and a great legacy of success An Emporium of Indian Cuisine and development to sustain and build Fully Air-conditioned upon into the future. Open 7 days a week, including bank holidays Andrew should be incredibly proud of all Take-away menu - prompt service 21 Wood Lane, Sonning Common - Phone: 0118 972 3104/1054 www.peppardnews.co.uk Page 7 Junior Peppard News

The Peppard Primary School children are back from their two week Christmas holiday. The children have had some amazing trips and topics, plus the Ofsted inspection, since their return. In this issue you will read about some of the most exciting things the school has been up to. So start reading now! The Junior Peppard News Editors

An Interview With Reverend James Stickings Another new face at Peppard School this year is the Reverend James Stickings. He has taken over our church services and is Greys Class enjoying their pizzas always a welcome and popular visitor to our school. We emailed him about his impressions of Peppard and got to know a bit about his background. Reverend James moved to Kidmore End with his wife and daughter in early September 2016 from Headington in Oxford where he was the Curate (assistant priest in training) at Holy Trinity Headington Quarry. He told us that this church was famous for being the church of C.S. Lewis, the author of the Narnia Chronicles and lots more. He likes the friendly and welcoming atmos- Corrections phere of our school, but his favourite church Peppard News apologises for service is a baptism. He says, ‘There’s a two misspelled names in the real sense of joy and fresh beginnings – previous edition. which is what the Christian faith is all The following corrections about’. apply: Laila Webb was the We asked him whether he spoke any other Peppard Class art competition languages and he speaks German from winner and Bethan Toward when he lived in Germany as a child and he was the Springwood Class art is learning Italian. competition winner. Reverend James talked about religion in the wider world and commented that ‘although the religions of the world are in some ways very different, in other ways there’s a lot of common ground, especially when you focus on what we can do to- gether, such as working for peace.’ When asked what his favourite church was Peppard School Young Musicians Reverend James said, ‘I love the Cathedral On Thursday 15th December five of our young musicians took part in the Henley Music of St John the Divine in New York City, School performance at Trinity Church as part of the Living Advent Calendar. While the which always moves me deeply. It’s still venue is advertised the performers are kept a secret so each night there is a surprise. unfinished, but it’s very beautiful.’ This performance included Benedict, Jemima and Jonty Hall playing Jingle Bells and And finally, we had to ask him what his Silent Night as part of the ‘cello ensemble. They have been learning the ‘cello with the favourite sandwich was, ‘Ah, that’s an easy Henley Music School since May last year and loved having the opportunity to perform in one. I love the Reuben sandwich, which front of an enthusiastic audience. Benedict said ‘I loved it, it was a great experience.’ isn’t something you often see here in the Sienna Keyte also played some Christmas music as part of the violin and strings groups UK. It’ consists of salt beef, sauerkraut, and while Francesca Keyte put in an outstanding performance of Frosty the Snowman and cheese on toasted rye bread. But if I can’t The Christmas Alphabet as part of the junior choir. The Junior Choir definitely brought get a Reuben, I’ll settle for chicken mayo on the house down as the final performance of a very enjoyable evening. a baguette…’ By Jonty Hall The Junior Peppard News Editors

Junior Peppard News is published by Peppard News Publications with financial support from Friends of Peppard School and Rotherfield Peppard Parish Council, and is distributed free to almost all households in the ecclesiastical and civil parishes of Peppard. It is also available by e-mail. Editors: Archie Croft, Lily Jelowitz, Lois Powell and Charlie Upsher, c/o Peppard C of E School, Church Lane, Rotherfield Peppard, RG9 5JU e-mail: [email protected] website:www.PeppardNews.co.uk Advertising: Ian Fraser - phone: 01491 629631 Printed by Herald Graphics Page 8 www.peppardnews.co.uk Junior Peppard News cont’d Young Voices 2017 Football Tournament After practising for five months, the In October Years 5 and 6 went to a football tournament at Bishopswood Sports Ground. Peppard school choir set off to London to They played other schools such as Kidmore End and Sonning Common in six aside take part in one of the world’s largest matches. The Peppard Team won two, drew one and lost two matches. school choir concerts. Once they had set James Edgell in Year 6 and Archie Croft in Year 5 were particularly strong goal keepers. off, they passed the time by singing, play- Jake Wilde and Joseph Biggin both scored a considerable number of goals. ing top trump cards and generally being Jake Y5 commented on the game ‘it was good fun’. Joe Y6 said ‘I liked it because we got excited for the night ahead. to the semi-finals’. Kits Y5 said that ‘the event brings all the schools together’. Olly Y6 commented that ‘it was good fun and we did well considering we are a small school’. James Y6 commented that it was particularly fun as the team was playing other schools’. By Archie Croft

Netball Tournament Recently, Springwood class went to Gillots secondary school to compete at a Netball tournament. There were two teams and they both did amazingly. They did brilliantly be- cause they all worked as a unit. Here are some quotes from the team players: ‘It was really fun and a great opportunity to meet new schools.’ said Amber-Lily, Yr 6. ‘We had a great time and it’s nice to play netball with other teams.’ Said Nina, Yr 5. It sounds like they really enjoyed it and are willing to do it again! By Lily Jelowitz

The Peppard School Choir

At around 12:00, they arrived at the O2. Thanks to the fact that they have been three years in a row, they were finding their seats and eating their lunch in no time. By the time everyone had finished, the other schools were making their way back in to the concert hall for the rehears- als. Once they were over, the children happily ate their delicious, but cold, tea. Eventually, the big show had arrived! All the adults were seated and the band was tuning their instruments. After what felt like hours, the compère waltzed on stage and A Victorian Classroom introduced the conductor. They sang some old classics like Bird- house In Your Soul’and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. Also they sang Welsh songs and a famous Scottish song. After three hours of singing, there came the finale, a Brazil new song that is going to be put forward During this term, Springwood class has been learning about Brazil. Everyone has enjoyed for a record deal. the activities and has learnt a ton of facts. The show finished at 21:00 and they slept In the first lesson, they learnt about the different climates and compared the Brazilian all the way back home (they got back to temperature to the English. There was quite a difference! school at 23.30!) Springwood class had more lessons on the subject: In conclusion, everyone enjoyed their ex- perience, and slept very well that night. Jessica Wilson, Year 6, said, ‘The fat king Momo, needs to be given a gold key before the By Lois Powell carnival started.’ Georgia Ruff, Year 5, said, ‘Ordem e Progresso, which is on the Brazilian flag, means order and progress in Portuguese’. Olivia Shepherd, Year 6, said, ‘I enjoyed it because it was very creative’. By Lois Powell

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Peppard Class Trip to See Ukulele and Recorder The Room on The Broom This academic year Years 3 and 4 are learning Peppard Class had a wonderful trip to the recorder with Mr Pip Marples. The Year 5 and Hexagon theatre to watch the show Room 6 are learning ukulele with on the Broom on the 31st January. They Darren Hillier. had been using this story in their Literacy It is good to learn an instrument. It takes time lessons. They had retold the story and and dedication to improve. changed some characters. The show The ukulele are all bright colours, red, blue, demonstrated how effective innovating a pink and green. These look quite a sight when story can be. The show inspired some the pupils all play in a group. We are learning lovely art work from the children. how to play You Are My Sunshine and Rip- Here are the children’s reviews of the Tide. Some students that play show. Ukulele gave some comments: Kits Y5 said, ‘I Annabelle said ‘My favourite part of Room love playing it’s a great experience’. Fran and on the Broom was when the frog sang his Matilda in Y6 said ‘Yes it’s great to play’. Jess song, it was so funny’. Y6 said, ‘Yes in my spare time. It’s brilliant’. Dexter said ‘My favourite part in Room on Pip Marples is a focused teacher of the re- the Broom was when the broom snapped corder. He has helped the Year 3 and 4 learn and all the characters fell off’. music. Year 4 know notes top D,C ,A,G F sharp, E and bottom D. While year 3 know Evie said ‘I loved it when the dragon was D,C, A and G. Freddie Y4 said he ‘really en- dancing with the witch and said ‘maybe joyed the lessons’. Dylan said he found it just once I will have Witch without chips ‘great fun’. for my tea.’ It wasn’t a scary dragon, it Ukulele lessons was someone dressed up’. Learning a musical instrument is great fun and we would recommend it to everybody! By Peppard Class By Archie Croft

Rapunzel - A Tangled Tale Two children from Peppard Primary School (Sienna Keyte Mrs Hall Interview and Charlie Upsher) took part in Rapunzel a Tangled Tale. Mrs Hall has started in Peppard Primary School as a TA The director and writer of the play was Muffin Hurst. After in Springwood class. She also helps out in the Peppard four months of tears, Junior News. We have asked her some questions: sweat and rehearsals the What's your favorite sandwich filling? ‘Egg mayonnaise first show came around. with cress.’ On the 30th December at 1:00pm the show began. Did you have a job before you were at Peppard? ‘I worked in IT for 11 years until I had children.’ Charlie Upsher’s view on the play: ‘I thought it was Have you so far enjoyed working at Peppard Primary? ‘I an amazing opportunity love working here its a great school.’ for all. I got to say a lot Do you think you are learning anything at Peppard? and sing with Rapunzel ‘There are things to learn everyday but I am particularly and two other singers! I enjoying learning the Ukulele.’ absolutely loved it! I can’t Whats your favourite thing about Peppard? ‘The fantastic, wait till the next perform- inclusive and caring environment.’ ance.’ Do you wish in any other time in your life to become a Sienna Keyte’s favourite teacher? ‘I am very much enjoying being involved in edu- bits: ‘I loved it when Hairy cation and I can imagine wanting to become a teacher in Clary Balding did an ‘I’m the future.’ watching you sign’ at the end. I also liked it when What's your favourite type of tea? ‘I love herbal teas, but everyone sang nettle is my favourite.’ ‘pantomime’ at the end of Do you like Fish ‘n’ Chips? ‘Of course I do, who doesn't?’ the play and I liked Sir Mrs Hall has been a great help in the school and we are Donald glad to hear she enjoys her job at Peppard. Trumpington’s accent.’ By Archie Croft and Charlie Upsher. All in all, the cast had a Charlie Upsher in Rapunzel great time and, I believe, the audience loved it too! By Charlie Upsher

Highmoor Nursery School Babes in the Wood Toddler Sessions Our private nursery is located in the rural village of Highmoor and  Stay and play group at Stoke Row Pavilion, RG9 5PS offers exceptionally high standards of childcare and education.  Three mornings sessions per week  Open Monday to Friday during term-time  Soft play, baby area, toys, books, music and outdoor activities  Full and part-time places  Fully government funded sessions available  Run by Highmoor Nursery School staff, paediatric first-aid  Children taken from age 2 trained and DBS checked Please send e-mail to [email protected] Please contact Gwen Pragnell for more information on or telephone 01491 642162 to arrange a show round. [email protected] or 01491 681837 Page 10 www.peppardnews.co.uk Our Village cont’d Mrs Mollie Walker's Library News later in the year. This vital local service th survives with the help of a team of volun- 108 Birthday! Children’s storytimes take place every teers; please support them and the Saturday at 10:00, and our next ‘special’ Belated best wishes to Mrs Walker from dedicated library staff, either by joining storytime will be for Mothers’ Day, on the Peppard News Team! Kingwood's FoSCL or simply by using the library. 25th March. On every 3rd Thursday of oldest resident remains well and living in Becoming a Friend is easy, pop into the the month, Age Concern holds a drop-in her own home with support from her library in Grove Road and fill in a form. session at the library from 10:45-12:00, daughter, Sheila, who lives locally, and Helen Fort her son who comes to stay one night a for all your age-related questions. Also week. Sheila tells me her mother received every Thursday from 10:00-12:00 we Nextdoor over 20 cards on her birthday earlier this have a Gadget Drop-in session, with Nearly 50 people have joined the Rother- month including one from the Queen. Mrs volunteers on hand to help with your field Peppard neighbourhood network on Walker enjoys the company of her dog smartphone/laptop/tablet related ques- www.Nextdoor.co.uk. We hope to help and going out shopping with her daughter. tions. This is proving to be so popular each other in a number of ways - sharing She normally cooks her own meals but on that it is advisable to book! recommendations on goods, services, her birthday took a break from cooking We will be closed on Good Friday, collaborating with information updates and enjoyed a roast prepared for her by Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, but and buying things like oil as a group to the Unicorn Pub. for the first time in living memory will th save everyone money. Do join online if Sue Nickson be open on Easter Saturday (15 April). this sounds helpful - or call me on 07785 We have a Scrabble Club every Friday 308378 if you would like to know more. Peppard War (except Easter) from 10:00-12:00. Rhy- George Elkington Memorial Hall. metimes for pre-school children and st rd In December we had an Open Morning babies are held on the 1 and 3 Peppard and Kingwood where the improvements undertaken to Mondays of each month at 10:00. Commons the hall and the refurbished Club Room Rosemary Dunstan A piece of good news: the Parish Council and the outside area, formerly the bowls Friends of Sonning is increasing its support for the commons. green, could be seen. Councillor Paul Top Common will now have two annual Harrrison, Chairman of South Oxford- Common Library cuts which will improve grass quality. In shire District Council, unveiled a plaque The Friends has recently been revived addition to the cut carried out by the naming all those over the last eight years and has held its first AGM. More than County Council, the verges that border who have helped with the hall renova- 80 people have now joined, paying an commons will be cut. Grass cutting is our tions. All the facilities are now available annual subscription of £10. We have largest single expenditure and the Coun- for hire including the Club Room for also received donations, including two cil’s contribution to this cost, together with smaller events. Alongside all of this, is very generous gifts from Sonning maintaining its grant for other conserva- the availability of the outside area for Common WI and Nottakwire. Cuts by tion activities, will be very significant, . summer parties, receptions, etc. OCC and the loss of the library’s The Council’s generosity We launched the idea of ‘Friends of the individual book fund have made this reflects recognition that the commons are Hall’ and a number of visitors signed up money vital for our survival; it will go at the heart of the parish and very much to this idea. We are looking for others so towards buying books and other define its character and charm. that in future we can email around asking Fly-tipping continues to be a problem with for volunteers to do odd jobs such as resources. We have also lost the mobile builders’ rubble being dumped on Top maintaining the planters in the open area, library, but it has not stopped Peppard Common. Whilst SODC quickly deals hedge cutting or outside decoration, etc. A Primary School pupils who now make with it, the culprits are rarely held to few hours is all we are asking for on an regular visits in their minibus. account. CCTV has been deployed at simi- occasional basis. We look forward to FoSCL wants to ensure that the library lar sites, and may be an option here. hearing from you, please email: remains at the heart of village life and [email protected]. are planning fund raising activities for Please contact our Clerk, Liz Longley, e- Clive Mills mail [email protected] if you www.peppardnews.co.uk Page 11 Peppard People think you would like to join the monthly Georgie Bird She has always enjoyed living in such an work parties. See www.nettlebed- attractive part of the country which has Georgie is the ultimate Peppard girl. commons.org for more information. given her opportunities to pursue her out- Now 20, she has lived in Peppard all her Tony Rancombe door interests. Georgie's love of sport and life and attended local schools. She fitness seem to make her ideally suited to went to Gillotts in Henley, then on to Greenshoots her future career choice as a sports physio- Henley College for A levels. Since Sep- therapist. We had record wreath sales before tember, Georgie has been on a course Christmas and our students really enjoyed for Allied Health Professionals at Read- In the meantime, with her ready smile and making them, especially trying their hand ing College, which she completes this engaging manner, she is making a major at a bespoke design or colour. We now summer. contribution to the well-being of local have some lovely pots of spring bulbs for youngsters as a Youth Leader. Peppard She combines this with running Club sale, which would be perfect for Mother’s can be proud of a young person who is SC, the youth club located in Chiltern Day or Easter presents. using her time to such good effect. Edge School, volunteering one morning The spring growing plans have begun - a week at Townlands Hospital Sue Nickson this week our students were making Physiotherapy Department, where she scarecrows ready for the annual pigeon helps to run a rehabilitation class for battle! If you are thinking about sorting people recovering from injury, working out your wardrobe or linen cupboard this at children's sports camps in the Reader’s Letter spring, we would really appreciate dona- holidays and a busy social life. She I recently came across Sue Nickson’s tions of pillow cases, sheets and old took a year out after A levels and ran the enjoyable book In Common Memory and clothes, so we can make some more. after-school sports club at a Reading many memories came flooding back. I primary school for several months, as The big news for us is that we begin our was born in Sonning Common in 1939 th well as doing bar and shop work, before 50 year birthday preparations this and was initially educated at Sonning February, so are busy planning some going travelling in March last year. Common County Primary school - we events for the next year to celebrate this She went to Australia, Thailand, lads spent much time on the two achievement. Don’t forget! – if you Cambodia and Vietnam but unfortu- commons, they were all part of the vast would like to volunteer, fundraise, or nately her trip was cut short, when she playground that we youngsters were able bring a group for a team build event, broke several bones in her foot and had to enjoy in those days. please call me on 01491 628933. to fly home for surgery at the Royal I subsequently attended Burford Grammar Frances Hill Berks Hospital in Reading. Her injury School and Seale-Hayne Agricultural and subsequent recovery has increased College. Apparently destined for a career KPCV her interest in making a career in in agriculture it all changed when I was We are a friendly group of conservation physiotherapy. She hopes to gain a conscripted in to the army in 1960. I volunteers who meet twice a month to university place to study physiotherapy obtained a commission in the Royal work on our commons. We are working in the future. towards a more open woodland on Artillery before transferring to the Georgie has had a lifetime interest in Australian Army in 1964. Kingwood Common, small glades with horse riding and had her own pony from I served in that Army until 1984 retiring healthy type/acid grassland plants under a a very young age. She played netball at as a lieutenant colonel having had post- light canopy of sparse trees. As we work school and Henley College and, follow- ings in various parts of Australia and Asia in a glade any cut material is stacked into ing her injury, is getting back to running including two tours in Vietnam. On retire- habitat piles to provide cover for reptiles and going to the gym again. and small mammals, etc. We will continue ment I took up a position with the Defence to maintain the glades and will re-use In September she took over as Youth Scientific and Technical Organisation existing habitat piles, so that nutrient Leader at Club SC which runs for two before retiring completely in 1994. I spent enrichment is concentrated; this is impor- evenings a week: Tuesday evenings are almost fifty years in Australia, returning tant for the type of habitats we want, i.e. for the older age group of 14-16 year to the UK only recently. I now live near very low nutrient grassland and heath. olds and Wednesday evenings for 11-13 Lymington in Hampshire. year olds. The older group consists of I am interested in re-establishing contact Volunteers are welcome, and we usually mainly boys at the moment, who enjoy with any locals who may remember me; break for coffee and cake at about 11:00. football, basketball and dodgeball and some of the ladies' Christian names in the Please see the Diary on the back page for for the younger group she has organised book are familiar but many surnames will work party dates. For more details, or to an animal road show, arts and crafts and have changed over the years. join our mailing list, please contact karaoke. A Youth Support Worker [email protected]. works alongside Georgie. Looking forward to any contact (via Sheri Kinghorn Peppard News). Sincerely, Gordon Pound Page 12 www.peppardnews.co.uk Clubs and Societies Peppard Revels Film Club Chiltern Players Circle Dancing The club continues to be popular and we Our next production in April will be If you aim to keep mind and body in good are regularly turning away people because Duets by Peter Quilter. condition there’s not much to beat dance th we are overbooked. On 24 March we’ll This is a funny comedy with four sets of and what better than to join with others in be screening that classic film – Chariots characters experiencing four crucial a relaxed setting where there are no of Fire – about the 1924 Olympics. After ‘life’ moments. They have to negotiate mistakes, only ‘variations’ and where no that we will be pausing as usual for the the bittersweet, quick-change comedic partner nor experience is needed? summer but we’ll be back again in Octo- complications of a blind date (again), Why not give us a try first Sunday of the ber when once again people will be able to sticking with an unpromising office month at Christ the King Hall, Sedgewell vote for the films they’d like to see next relationship, negotiating a divorce with Road Sonning Common 15:30 to year. The films for this autumn are The the help of Spanish cocktails, and 17:00. First time free to include refresh- Imitation Game and Paddington – dates getting married for the third time! ments to keep you going. Dates: will be announced later on the website and th nd th th See our website: 5 March, 2 April, 7 May , 4 email list and in Peppard News. www.chilternplayers.co.uk or the June. More details call 01491 874220. John Hasler Peppard Dairy (page 16) for details. Ros Jennings Peppard Stoke Row Geoff Stokes Cricket Club Peppard Tennis Club Sonning Common and The club will be holding their AGM on The club is gearing up for its biggest ever th summer of cricket. The club’s three Satur- Peppard Table Tennis Club Wednesday 8 March in the clubhouse day sides will be gunning for glory in the The club's 50th anniversary season in starting at 19:30: drinks and nibbles will Berkshire Cricket League Premier Divi- the Reading & District Table Tennis be provided. The club invites all members sion while the Sunday Unicorns are hav- League has been a good one so far. to attend to assist the committee with the on-going success of the club. ing a first ever crack at the National Vil- This season the F team’s Angus Jones is lage Cup. The Sunday Maharajas have an We will once again be holding our on particularly good form and the H th expanded fixture list with more than 20 team’s Gerry Bacon, Mike Casserely fabulous Open Day on Sunday 30 April, games. Midweek Twenty20 games will and Julian James are all hard to beat. with the festivities from 10:00 until 15:00. take place on Wednesday and Friday The club extends a very warm welcome to Finally in the G team, youngsters Oliver nights, meaning whatever standard you existing club members, new members and Sayers, Mikey Legg and Jamie Legg are play the club can offer something suitable. any first time visitors who would like to all getting some impressive results. Junior sides will run competitive league view and utilise the fantastic facilities The club was saddened to hear of the teams from U9-U19, with fun cricket on available. There will be a range of events recent death of one of its club stalwarts, Sunday mornings for U6-8 at Peppard and, of course, the renowned Chairman’s Albert (Shep) Shephard. Shep joined the Common. Girls of any age are welcome to BBQ. club a year after its formation in 1967 join. The club already has ten games in The popular club sessions continue to run and was a regular player until a few April starting on 9th April, and including a on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 18:30 years ago. He died in January and our first-ever three-day tour to Leamington at and also Sundays from 10:00. It has been thoughts are with his wife, Thelma. the end of the month. PSR are committed very encouraging, despite the tempera- to upgrading their off-field facilities and Anyone interested in joining the club tures, to see so many people braving the hope to buy a new roller and electronic next season can contact me at conditions and keeping their skills honed scoreboard before the start of the season. [email protected]. during the winter months - fortunately the If anyone is interested in joining the club The club also continues to run junior warmer weather is on the way! as a senior player, please contact chair- coaching sessions on Monday evenings - If you require any further information man Gerry Bacon on 07785 771847 or as contact [email protected] for please visit www.peppardtennisclub.co.uk a junior, Andy Watts on 07884 931906. further information. or call 0118 947 4051. Richard Ashton Nigel Maltby Richard Dilger

Rotherfield Peppard Educational Trust Fund for support of educational activities The Trust supports educational activities undertaken by under twenty- fives from Peppard. It can help with purchase of books, educational visits, special projects, and the like. If you may be eligible, or know of others who may wish to apply, please call: Sylvia Overbury (01491 628245) www.peppardnews.co.uk Page 13

Peppard Lunch Club We needed to have a lot of our paddock Recently a group enjoyed a visit to the Thank you to the children at Peppard fencing renewed as it had rotted so we Mill at Sonning for lunch and an excellent School who came and sang carols for us at have been saving money for this and the performance of High Society. I was a fan Christmas. Everyone enjoyed their sing- work is presently being carried out. Just of Bing Crosby in my youth so those ing. Welcome to our new members who before Christmas we took delivery of actors had a lot to live up to and indeed our new 4-wheel carriage which will be joined us at the end of last year and in they did! th able to carry a wheelchair. At the mo- th January this year. Our lunch dates are 15 In February we are celebrating our 98 th th ment all our driving volunteers are hav- March, 19 April and 17 May. birthday with a lunch at the Pack Horse. ing training with the new carriage which Betty Butler We will soon be making plans for the should be in action soon so you will see whole village to join us to celebrate our A Very Big Thank You from it around the village this spring. Do give Centenary in 2019. us a wave as we go by! Wyfold RDA We consider ourselves very fortunate that Gill Rushworth Our Christmas Fayre took place a number of men, husbands and friends on a cold, miserable, drizzly kindly help to prepare the hall and pack day but by no way did this de- away after our meetings - a job which ter our loyal supporters. They many of our members struggle to do. We also joined in the carol singing welcome men to join us at any meeting and bought when the talk is of interest to them and, of generously from our great se- course ladies, visitors and new members lection of stalls. Father Christ- are always made very welcome at mas and his reindeers eventu- Peppard. ally managed to find us and Irene Lindsay brighten up the day and he was kept very busy all afternoon. Sonning Common & District We were very grateful to The Tennis Club Hill Primary School Choir who Do you like the idea of keeping fit and came to sing carols and The new Wyfold RDA carriage having fun? Are you or your family new Christmas songs and there to tennis? Then why not give tennis a try was plenty of audience participation. The Peppard WI and come and join our club? event raised a wonderful £1,700 towards Our members are still finding reasons, or our funds. excuses, to celebrate: we welcomed We have two excellent quality tennis courts, in a wonderful setting and avail- Earlier in the week we had a spot at friends from other WIs in our new able all year round. Our membership fees Tescos in Henley and took £400 and also a Beechwood group and, of course, some are kept low so we are ideal for beginners night at The Henley Living Advent husbands to our December meeting. and families, and we are on your door- Calendar and collected £240. All this goes We enjoyed mulled wine with the back- step, located at the entrance of the towards our annual target of £40,000 ground music played by Tim Valentine. Bishopswood Sports Ground between which is what we need to raise to keep our Ruth Whitaker welcomed everyone and Gallowstree Common village and wonderful charity going. reminded members of forthcoming Peppard crossroads. Stop by when you We must also say a big thank you to all events. Tim led us in some well-known are passing and take a look. Tennis is a our local supporters who have given us carols and songs of yesteryear and great game and can be played by people donations over the Christmas and New everyone enjoyed the buffet. Father of all ages, young and old alike. For more Year period. These vary between £20 and Christmas arrived with a present for information call 01491 680324, e-mail £500 and we value every pound as just £5 everyone. After drawing the raffle, Ruth [email protected] or buys a bale of hay to feed our hungry wished us all a Merry Christmas and we visit our website: ponies over the harsh winter months. left the hall feeling we had had a most www.sonningcommontennisclub.org relaxed and enjoyable occasion. Dave Pinder

MR FIX-IT—Handyman Services Call Tony on 0800 025 70 80 (evenings on 0118 972 3004), or text 07794 464273 or e-mail [email protected] for a free quote and call out www.mrf1xit.co.uk Everything you need for your pets and wild birds Food & Accessories Friendly personal service with lots of parking Southlea House, Blounts Court Road Sonning Common Tel: 0118 924 2747 (Just at the top of Gravel Hill) Page 14 www.peppardnews.co.uk Our Churches The Annual Parochial Church meeting Rector: Rev’d James Stickings 0118 972 1459 All Saints’ will take place at All Saints’ on Tuesday th Church of England Churchwardens: Adrienne Heriot 01491 629254 25 April at 20:00. Finally, our Licensed Kathie Anderson 0118 972 2694 Lay Reader, Stewart Morgan, will be www.allsaintspeppard.co.uk ordained as Deacon at Christ Church Cathedral in the summer. This is a truly Dear Friends, From All Saints’ wonderful achievement. From the Christian perspective, thinking It was encouraging to see so many Jenny Wingrove about spring always involves thinking people in Church over Christmas week about Lent and Easter too. If you’re a and we have much to celebrate in 2017. Charlotte Starmer-Smith word buff like me, you may already know Our new Rector, James, and his family Award that our word ‘Lent’ comes from the Old have settled in and plans are under way This award was set up by the Starmer- English lencten which simply meant to find a new House for Duty Priest. Smith family in memory of their teenage spring or springtime. As the days lengthen Keith Atkinson has celebrated 50 years daughter who died of a rare condition. and the weather warms up (hopefully), we in the choir and at a special Festal It is made at the discretion of the Incum- will see the rebirth of nature mirroring the Evensong was presented with an RSCM Resurrection, which for Christians is, of bent or Lay Chairman of the Parochial Medal and Certificate for long service. Church Council in consultation with the course, the central fact around which Choir girl, Esther-Mae, was presented everything else revolves. But before we church wardens of All Saints’ Church and with Ancient & Modern Hymns for good is given to a young person (under 19 celebrate the Resurrection at Easter, we attendance throughout the year. will enter into the forty days of Lent. I years) who has participated in a combina- The Choir has sung Evensong for don’t think this is because the Christian tion of activities such as service to the Epiphany at All Saints’ and five mem- faith is about gloominess, but because all Church or choir, youth activities and sport bers joined the combined Choirs of of us in our own lives know that ‘the or charity work, etc. RSCM and Christ Church Cathedral, darkest hour is just before the dawn’, as Shortly before Christmas, Henry Bell under the direction of Stephen the proverb has it. Or, as Jesus put it, received the award for attendance at Darlington, for an Epiphany Festival ‘Unless a grain of wheat falls into the church, taking part in various church ac- service. The Choir also took part in the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it tivities, serving at Communion services, 8th Henley Choir Festival, at the end of dies, it bears much fruit’. reading lessons and raising money January. The main work was The through sponsorship while taking part in Do join us for our observance of Lent this Requiem by Fauré and a substantial sum year, when we will pray for this fruit to long distance swimming events such as was raised for the Henley branch of swimming across the Camel Estuary in appear in our own lives, as we journey Parkinson’s, UK. with Christ on the ‘Way of the Cross’ to Cornwall. Looking ahead, Mothering Sunday falls the joy and celebration of Easter Day. Adrienne Heriot on 26th March; during this Family This year there will be a Lent Group using Communion service there will be a Women's World the York Course entitled Receiving blessing of posies and the children will Christ. This will run at Christ the King at Day of Prayer hand them to all ladies in the congrega- 14:00, for five weeks starting on 8th This year it will be celebrated on Friday tion. March. If you would like to attend, please 3rd March at 10:30 at St John the Baptist do send me an e-mail to revjstick- On Good Friday, a Benefice Service will Church, Kidmore End. be held at St. John’s, Kidmore End. Sung [email protected], so we can order the This year's theme is ‘Am I being unfair to Eucharist for Easter Day will take place correct number of course booklets (for you?’ The service lasts about an hour at 10:30 on 16th April at All Saints’. We which there will be a small charge). All followed by refreshments. All local would love to see our beautiful Church welcome! churches are involved, everyone welcome, full, once again. It would be good if you God bless not just women. More information from could come. James Jane Starkey 0118 972 2741. Jane Starkey www.peppardnews.co.uk Page 15

Bread and Soup Lunches At each lunch there will be a presenta- about the work of the hospice. Finally, on tion from a different charity and an op- Wednesday 5th April: Oxfam’s James Last year's Lent lunches were a great suc- portunity to give a donation to that char- Webb will talk about its work in Syria. cess and we hope it will be the same this ity. Wednesday 8th March: Sue year. All will be held at Christ the King We hope you will join us. Come to all Hedger from Yeldall Residential Drug Church Hall. At all three lunches you will three or just one or two if you can't make and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre, be given delicious homemade vegetable them all. Wargrave., will talk about A Christian soup, bread, fruit and tea or coffee. Please Booking is essential, Tel Sue Nickson Response to Addiction. come at 12:15 on Wednesday 8th March, nd 0118 972 4520 or Ann Butler-Smith 0118 Wednesday 22nd March and Wednesday Wednesday 22 March: Lauren Kemp 972 1871. Lifts can be arranged. th 5 April. of the Helen and Douglas House Sue Nickson Children's Hospice, Oxford will talk

St Michael's now has daily Mass, John Vianney, Edith Stein, Mother Teresa St Michael’s Catholic Church usually at 09:30, but 12:00 on of Calcutta, Francis of Assisi. Starts on 8th Thursdays. Our Sunday Masses begin March. Father Michael Sharkey with the Vigil Mass at 17:30 on Our weekly newsletter is available on Deacon Brian Theobald 0118 972 2796 Saturday evening; then 09:00 and 10:30 our website: e-mail: [email protected] on Sunday morning. Lenten Talks on www.saintmichaelssonningcommon.org.uk Wednesdays at 19:45 in church. Lives Father Michael Sharkey of the Saints: John Henry Newman, St Michael's has a new resident parish priest. He is Father Michael Holy Week Sharkey. He has been transferred from Monday 19:30 Penance Service Lichfield where he spent the last 18 Holy Thursday 19:00 Mass of the Lord’s Supper years. Prior to that he had various other Good Friday Assemble 10:00 Walk of Witness Christ the King appointments including teaching theology 12:00 Children’s Stations of the Cross in the seminary at Oscott College, 11 15:00 Solemn Passion years in the Vatican, and four other parish 19:00 Stations of the Cross placements. Holy Saturday 20:00 Easter Vigil Easter Sunday 09:00 & 10:30 Mass

warm, friendly and welcoming environ- Springwater also periodically undertakes Kevin and Linsey Potter ment for parents with babies & toddlers workshops, over March and April we will 0118 972 4519 aged 0-3 (specifically up to the term run bread-making workshops in partner- www.springwaterchurch.org.uk after the child's 3rd birthday); Various ship with Compassionate Loaf, and all are prayer and bible studies are ongoing, welcome to attend. Please use the email please contact Springwater for more below for further information. You can be kept informed on any additional work- Currently there are several activities in details; The church community regu- shops and get the details of all the Blounts Court Road on-going during the larly meets on Sunday mornings from gatherings at Springwater by checking out week. 10:30 till noon and services vary in style. All are welcome and prayer is the new website Tuesday morning at 09:45: ASPIRE, a available for anyone who would like us www.springwaterchurch.org.uk, by women's group, meet to share life and to pray for them. emailing [email protected] discuss a topical book; Wednesday morn- or by phoning 0118 972 4519. ing at 10:00: THE ARK provides a safe, Kevin Potter PEMBROKE GLASS

UNIT 12, MANOR FARM, PEPPARD COMMON, RG9 5LA YOUR LOCAL GLASS AND GLAZING COMPANY CALL FOR ADVICE & FREE QUOTATION We also supply & install or supply only all types of windows, doors and conservatories in UPVC, hardwood, aluminium, etc. Tel: 01491 629901 Fax: 01491 629904 HAVING A CLEAR OUT? Kathryn Fell Photography Your local antique dealer is always keen to buy. Weddings, Family portraits, Pets, Clocks, watches, instruments, silver items, walking canes, jewellery and precious metals and all old and unusual items. Events, Product Pack shots, Food. Henley Antiques Mobile studio can come to you House calls by appointment www.kathrynfellphotography.co.uk 0118 924 2582 07768 918501 [email protected] 07958 371770 [email protected] Page 16 www.peppardnews.co.uk Peppard Diary MARCH Wed 1 Sue Ryder/Matters of life & death/10:00-16:00/01491641384 Wed 12 WI/Round Australia/PWMH/14:00 Fri 3 Women's Wrld Dy of Prayer/St John's KE/10:30/01189722741 Fri 14 Egg Hunts/Greys Ct/Nuffield Place Sat 4 Peppard Unplugged/PWMH/19:30/01189723609 SC Library closed Great British Spring Clean/Unicorn/10:00 Sat 15 Egg Hunts/Greys Ct/Nuffield Place Sun 5 Circle Dancing/Christ the King/15:30-17:00/01491 874220 Sun 16 Easter Day Mon 6 Kgwd Pepp Com Vols/09:30-12:30/[email protected] Egg Hunts/Greys Ct/Nuffield Place Wed 8 WI/Annual Meeting/PWMH/14:00 SC Library closed Lent Lunch/Christ the King/12:15/0118 9724520 or 9721871 Mon 17 Egg Hunts/Greys Ct/Nuffield Place Fri 10 FOPS Quiz Night SC Library closed Mon 13 RPPC Meeting/19:30/Pavilion Kgwd Pepp Com Vols/09:30-12:30/[email protected] Wed 15 Peppard Lunch Club/PWMH/12:00/01491 681780 Wed 19 Peppard Lunch Club/PWMH/12:00/01491 681780 Frnds of Cmms Annual Mtg/Nettbed Sch/19:00/01491 641445 Sat 22 RPPC Annual Parish Mtg/10:00/Pavilion Sat 18 Sue Ryder Sale/10:30-12:30 Kgwd Pepp Com Vols/09:30-12:30/[email protected] Kgwd Pepp Com Vols/09:30-12:30/[email protected] Greenshoots at Caversham Ct/01491 628933 Wed 22 Lent Lunch/Christ the King/12:15/0118 9724520 or 9721871 Mon 24 Peppard School Term begins Fri 24 Revels Flm Club/Chariots of Fire/PWMH/19:00/07747762871 Sat 29 Sue Ryder Sale/10:30-12:30 Sat 25 RPPC/Planning/10:00/Pavilion RPPC/Planning/10:00/Pavilion SC Library/Mothers' Day Storytime/10:00 Sun 30 Peppard Tennis Club/Open Day/10:00-15:00 Sun 26 Mothering Sunday MAY Thu 30 Chiltern Players/Duets/PWMH/20:00/0118 9722632 Sat 6 Peppard Unplugged/PWMH/19:30/01189723609 Fri 31 Chiltern Players/Duets/PWMH/20:00/0118 9722632 Sun 7 Circle Dancing/Christ the King/15:30-17:00/01491 874220 APRIL Mon 8 RPPC Annual Mtg/Council/19:30/Pavilion Sat 1 Chiltern Players/Duets/PWMH/20:00/0118 9722632 Kgwd Pepp Com Vols/09:30-12:30/[email protected] Dr Burnett's Coffee morning/SC Vill Hall/10:00-12:00 Wed 10 WI/Resolutions/Writing yr life story/PWMH/14:00 Peppard Unplugged/see PWMH website for details Wed 17 Peppard Lunch Club/PWMH/12:00/01491 681780 Sun 2 On your Bike/www.onyourbikesonningcommon.co.uk Fri 19 Woodlane Dentistry/Open Day/15:30-20:00 Circle Dancing/Christ the King/15:30-17:00/01491 874220 Sat 20 Sue Ryder Sale/10:30-12:30 Wed 5 Lent Lunch/Christ the King/12:15/0118 9724520 or 9721871 Kgwd Pepp Com Vols/09:30-12:30/[email protected] Fri 7 Peppard School Term Ends Sat 27 Greenshoots/Henley Market 01491 628933 Sat 8 Sue Ryder Sale/10:30-12:30 RPPC/Planning/10:00/Pavilion S Chiltern Choral Soc/Uni of Rdg/19:00/07500032840 Mon 29 Peppard School half-term Mon 10 RPPC Meeting/19:30/Pavilion FISH Office: 0118 972 3986 (Mon-Fri, 09:30-11:30) [email protected] SC Library/Age UK Drop-in/Thu 10:45-12:00/Gadget drop-in/10:00-12:00 Walking Football/Bishopswood Grnd – Wed 10:30/07710875778

Sunday Services MARCH APRIL MAY NOTES Church at All Saints’ 5 12 19 26 2 9 16 23 30 7 14 21 28 14th April – Good Friday: Services 09.00 Communion  X  10.00 Matins and Litany 10.30 Communion (sung)        B     14.00 Liturgy of Good Friday at Kidmore 10.30 Matins             End 10.30 Family Service             A Festal Evensong 10.30 Sunday School             X No service 18.30 Evensong  A  Spring Calendar Wednesday 1st March 20.00 Ash Wednesday Holy Communion Friday 3rd March 10.30 Women’s World Day or Prayer – Kidmore End Sunday 26th March Mothering Sunday Sunday 9th April Palm Sunday Sunday 16th April Easter Sunday Sunday 21st May Rogation Sunday Sunday 28th May 20.00 Ascension Day Holy Communion at Christ the King

Sunday Services at Springwater Mass at St Michael’s Roman Catholic Church (Peppard Congregational Church) Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 09.30 Thursday 12.00 Family Service: 10.30 - 11.45  Sunday School 10.30 - 11.30 Saturday 17.30  Sunday 09.00 & 10.30

Wall and Floor Tiling Specialist est. 1985 • Natural Stone, Porcelain, and Ceramic Tiles • Underfloor Heating Supply and fit, or Labour only. To arrange a free consultation and quotation call: Jamie on 07771 821596 Unabridged Articles ‘It has been an eye-opening but wonderful Our Schools Our Young Achievers experience. It has been incredibly tough work but I am sure I will see the benefits. Kidmore End Pre-School Will Legg The opportunity to play with professional Hello from the pre-school. We hope that cricketers has been incredible and the you have all had a very pleasant and standard of coaching is exceptional, so I restful Christmas and New Year. At pre- am hoping to have a really productive school, both children and staff were cer- summer when I am back in England. I tainly ready for the holidays after a busy have also learned to cook for myself final few weeks of the year but now we which I am happy about!’ are raring to start the new term, wrapped Richard Ashton up in big coats, woolly hats and gloves! As our topic of Baby Animals has Evie Paton proved so popular, we have decided to Evie, Year 4, has been very successful in continue with it for a little while longer. her cross country. As she has worked hard This term we are going to be reading the and has been doing it for a long time, we lovely book Owl Babies and discussing decided to interview her. owl habitats and all things owl, before She has been run- moving on to The Three Little Pigs ning since Year 1 where we will be discussing the differ- and her furthest ent houses and doing craft activities in- distance is 5k. volving the different types of housing She has been materials they used to tie in with the placed 1st—her story. When I was in pre-school the best ever. Evie other day, the children were loving Owl likes running in Babies and enjoying acting out the story This 18-year-old Peppard Stoke Row park runs or with Nicky’s beautiful soft toy owls. A Cricket Club teenager is enjoying the fields. wonderful log/branch had been fashioned opportunity of a lifetime playing cricket out of corrugated cardboard, and the chil- at the world-renowned Darren Lehmann Her sister started dren were enthralled! Academy in Adelaide, Australia. Having running first; her Mum wanted her It’s a term full of other celebrations too scored more than 1,000 runs for PSR to do sport too and we have things planned for Burn’s during the past two summers, he went and Evie found Night, Chinese New Year with our noodle down-under at the start of the year for a that she liked days and many other activities so that we three-month stint to further hone his cross country. shall not even notice if it is cold and grey skills. outside. Excitingly, the pre-school has Last year’s Oratory School 1st XI cap- Finally I asked now got a Facebook page. Do look us up tain began in Group Two at the Acad- her ‘What is your and like and share what you see. We’re emy – set up by current Australia na- favourite sand- hoping to reach lots of you with our news tional coach Darren Lehmann - but wich filling?’ and on a regular basis. quickly impressed coaches including her reply was ‘salami’. We are a small pre-school set in a rural Australian and South African interna- By Lois Powell, Junior Editor location, with session numbers limited to tionals Mark Cosgrove and Johan Botha. 14 children. We are always looking for He has moved into Group One alongside Award Winning Choristers new committee members, not necessarily England Under19 star George Hankins Three girls from All Saints' Church Junior with children still at the pre-school. If this and a selection of county-contracted Choir have gained their Bronze Bishop’s is something that you might be interested players, including Somerset’s left-arm Awards from the Royal School of Church in taking on – it’s not a huge time com- spinner Dom Bess. Legg’s room-mate, Music (RSCM). Congratulations to 14 mitment, but it is a really important con- Arthur Godsal, was called up from the year old Charlotte Field, 13 year old Lally tribution to the running of the pre-school - Academy by England Under19s for their Williams and 12 year old Susannah Field. please do not hesitate to let us know. We tour of India late in January. Lally has been in the choir for seven years would welcome the support. The training regime is gruelling, focus- whilst Charlotte and Susannah joined I do still have a limited number of spaces sing on strength and conditioning, with around six years ago. Lally told me that on the register so if you would like more players taken out of their comfort zone she was inspired to join the choir after she information about our wonderful pre- doing activities such as boxing and the had attended All Saints' Nativity play school, or you would like to add your infamous ‘Snake Pit’ – a sand-based when she was six. She thought it looked child to our waiting list, please do not running track where participants have to like fun, thought the story was well told hesitate to let me know. You can contact run the final lap while carrying water in and enjoyed the singing. me on 0118 948 4985 or e-mail enquir- their mouths. Susannah loved singing with Rebecca [email protected]. Please see our website at Legg has been playing club cricket for Bell, Junior Choir Mistress, at school so www.kidmoreendpreschool.co.uk for fur- Brighton CC in the Premier Grade of the thought joining the choir would be loads ther information or find us on Facebook. Adelaide Turf Association competition, of fun. After seeing their performance at Emma Hawker and also replaced Hampshire’s Joe the Henley Choir Festival, her elder sister Weatherley in playing for the Academy Charlotte wanted to join too. All three against Future Stars recently. He said: girls had achieved their light blue and then their dark blue choir ribbons before A recent Peppard School leaver and Matters of Life and Death Beech team captain, Max Jelowitz has recently been selected for the U-12s Open Day London Irish rugby team. Sue Ryer Nettlebed hospice is holding a Matters of Life and Death Open Day on Max is a member of Henley Hawks st rugby club where he trains twice a week Wednesday 1 March 10am-4pm, provid- and was captain of the Gillotts U12s ing information and advice about ad- rugby team. He also trains once a vanced care planning. month with London Irish and is cur- Advanced care planning is a discussion rently training to go on tour to Lyon, with loved ones and/or health care provid- France, in May where they are going to ers about wishes and preferences. This play some of the best French clubs. includes where you may wish to be cared Last year he went on tour to the Isle of for in your final days, who will speak for Wight: both Under11s Henley teams got you when you are no longer able to do so, to the final and had to play against each and learning more about your options and other. It was really, really tense. what services are available locally. He thinks the best things about rugby A recent survey from ‘Dying Matters’ are the team spirit and the tours and one showed 68% said they were confident in day hopes to become an international discussing these subjects, 36% had made player for Ireland! a will, 29% had let someone know about From left: Charlotte Field, Lally Williams their funeral wishes, 6% had written down and Susannah Field Big congrats to Max! their plans for when they were no longer able to make their decisions and 51% working towards their Bronze Awards. By Lily Jelowitz, Junior Editor living with a partner were unaware of This was their first RSCM external exam. their partner’s wishes. It was a lot of work, including extra les- st sons to make sure they were thoroughly Snippets The Open Day at Nettlebed Hospice on 1 March is in association with Sonning prepared. They had to sight-read music, Sue Ryder sing accompanied and unaccompanied and Common Health Centre and will offer answer difficult questions about the Fundraising Events various speakers, presentations, advice church. Lally told me she could not read The following events are for the Sue and informative stands about the impor- music when she joined the choir but is Ryder Nettlebed Hospice: tance of having plans in place. This in- now working towards Grade Four in sing- February - Hair-raising: ing. Charlotte will be taking Grade Seven get sponsored to try a hair next term and Susannah Grade Six later -raising style or colour. this year. They are all very impressive in Thursday 23rd February: their ability to play a range of instruments BBO Big Band Concert as well as having other passions, such as British Legion Club, Mar- sport, dance and drama. They were pre- low. sented with their awards, along with 16 th other junior choristers by the Bishop of Friday 10 March: South- Oxford in November last year. The girls ern Women of Achieve- all wish to pay tribute to Rebecca Bell for ment Awards - celebrat- her enthusiasm, encouragement and ing amazing women from dedication which has resulted in their across the region. success. Silver awards beckon! Sunday 19th March: Read- Sue Nickson ing Half Marathon - sup- port the hospice by joining the Sue Ryder Nettlebed Hospice Max Jelowitz team. Sunday 2nd April: On Your Bike - family cludes funeral directors, organ donation, cycle ride through Sonning Common solicitors, counselling, and religious and lanes. spiritual needs, to name a few. The Open Day is free to attend and will offer tours Friday 28th – Sunday 7th May: Dorches- of the hospice, hand massages, therapeu- ter on Thames Festival - Sue Ryder is tic seated yoga, and tea/coffee and snacks their chosen charity this year. Sunday will be available. 14th May: Walk with Me - a 26 mile If you or someone you know would bene- walk along the Ridgeway starting and fit, please do come along to Nettlebed finishing at Moulsford School, volun- Hospice, Joyce Grove, Nettlebed, Henley- teers always welcomed. on-Thames, RG9 5DF, anytime between If you might be able to help contact 10am – 4pm. Call: 01491 641384 for Margaret Thomas at Sue Ryder marga- more information. [email protected] or call on 01491 641384 ext 274. neighbourhoods had joined the website. for the next year to celebrate this achieve- Our Village It is designed to be used for a range of ment. Don’t forget! – if you would like to purposes from recommendations on volunteer, fundraise, or bring a group for a Peppard and Kingwood local services (restaurants, plumbers, car team build event, please call me on 01491 Commons servicing etc) through to organising 628933. events and sharing alerts on issues with A piece of good news: from this year, the Frances Hill local services, e.g. power cuts. In reality Parish Council will be greatly increasing members report it helps to supplement its support to the Conservators for Com- "traditional neighbourliness": if you mons’ maintenance and conservation. This Peppard People need help or advice it becomes easier will enable Top Common to be cut twice and quicker to ask 20-30 people from Georgie Bird annually, including collection of cuttings, your phone, tablet or computer. which will do much to improve and main- Georgie is the ultimate Peppard girl. Now tain grass quality. The network entered the UK last year. I 20, she has lived in Peppard all her life remembered reading about it when the and attended local schools. She went to Also, to supplement the single cut now electricity company warned us about a Gillotts in Henley, then on to Henley Col- undertaken by the County Council, an power cut one Sunday last month in lege for A levels. Since September, additional cut will be carried out on road- Church Lane. I believe having a side verges that border commons within local network would help us act the Parish. Grass cutting is the Conserva- as a more powerful community tors’ largest single annual expenditure ‘voice’, e.g. ‘Please do not cut within the Parish and, for its part; the power on xyz date because abc Council will now make a very significant elderly/vulnerable people will financial contribution towards this cost, be without heat’. Since then together with maintaining its grant for nearly 50 people have joined other conservation activities on Peppard the Rotherfield Peppard and Kingwood Commons. The Council’s neighbourhood on generosity reflects recognition that the Nextdoor.co.uk. Commons are at the heart of the Parish and very much define its character and We hope to help each other in a charm, and contribute greatly to its attrac- number of ways - sharing rec- tiveness as a place to live. ommendations on good ser- vices, collaborating with infor- Unfortunately, fly-tipping continues to be mation updates (e.g. "BT says a problem, builder’s rubble being the lat- Broadband is expected to be est thing dumped on Top Common. Whilst reconnected at 4pm today") and SODC quickly deal with reported tipping, buying things like oil as a group the culprits are rarely held to account. to save everyone money and CCTV has been deployed at similar sites, reduce congestion in the vil- and may be an option here. The annual lage. Georgie has been on a course for Allied meeting for the Friends of the Commons Health Professionals at Reading College, Do join online if this sounds helpful - or will take place at Nettlebed Community which she completes this summer. Hall on 15th March. Rod D'Ayala, our call me on 07785308378 if you would She combines this with running Club SC, Conservation Adviser, will be giving a the youth club in Sonning Common, vol- talk: The Commons, a Haven for Wildlife. Greenshoots unteering one morning a week at If you are interested in becoming a Friend Thank you to everyone who visited us Townlands Hospital Physiotherapy De- or just learning more about our conserva- before Christmas: we had record wreath partment, where she helps to run a reha- tion work, please contact our Clerk, Liz sales and our students really enjoy mak- bilitation class for people recovering from Longley, e-mail clerk@nettlebed- ing them, especially trying their hand at injury, working at children's sports camps commons.org, about attending the meet- a bespoke design or colour. We have in the holidays and a busy social life. She ing. Also contact Liz if you think you some lovely pots of spring bulbs for took a year out after A levels and ran the would like to join the monthly Peppard sale, which would be perfect for after-school sports club at a Reading pri- and Kingwood Commons work parties. Mother’s Day or Easter presents; home- mary school for several months, as well as See www.nettlebed-commons.org for made Seville marmalade is back in doing bar and shop work, before going more information. stock, alongside our regular jams and travelling in March last year. Tony Rancombe chutneys. She went to Australia, Thailand, Cambo- The spring growing plans have begun - dia and Vietnam but unfortunately her trip Nextdoor this week our students were making was cut short, when she broke several ‘Nextdoor.co.uk - why bother with an- scarecrows ready for the annual pigeon bones in her foot and had to fly home for other social network?’ battle! If you are thinking about sorting surgery at the Royal Berks Hospital in out your wardrobe or linen cupboard this Reading. Her injury and subsequent re- When we already have Facebook, Twit- spring, we would really appreciate dona- ter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, covery has increased her interest in mak- tions of pillow cases, sheets and old ing a career in physiotherapy. She hopes Strava, dating sites, sites for pets etc why clothes, so we can make some more. might we need another social network? to gain a university place to stud physio- The big news for us is that we begin our therapy in the future. Well, Nextdoor was founded in the US in 50th year birthday preparations this Feb- 2010 and within 4 years, 1 in 4 US ruary, so are busy planning some events Omitted Articles Georgie has had a lifetime interest in until a few years ago. He died in January Tennis for Teens horse riding and had her own pony from a and our thoughts are with his wife, very young age. She played netball at Thelma. Anyone interested in joining Are you over 12 and fancy giving tennis a school and Henley College and, following the club next season can contact Nigel try? Not played tennis before or perhaps her injury, is getting back to running and Maltby at [email protected]. just a little? We have new session starting going to the gym again. The club also continues to run junior on Wednesdays 18:00-19:00 at Peppard coaching sessions on Monday evenings - Tennis Club that will be ideal for you! In September she took over as Youth Not everyone has to start tennis very Leader at Club SC, located at Chiltern contact [email protected] for fur- ther information young and this session is perfect for keen Edge School. The club runs for two eve- beginners looking to learn our sport in a Nigel Maltby nings a week: Tuesday evenings are for comfortable environment. the older age group of 14-16 year olds and Wednesday evenings for 11-13 year olds. Teach Me Tennis run term-time coaching The older group consists of mainly boys at programmes all year round for children the moment, who enjoy football, basket- aged 3+ and adults, along with holiday ball and dodgeball and for the younger camps during the school holidays. Easter Camps are coming up, running from group she has organised an animal road rd st show, arts and crafts and karaoke. A Monday 3 to Friday 21 April for chil- Youth Support Worker works alongside dren aged 4+. Georgie. To register your interest for the new She has always enjoyed living in such an Wednesday junior session or to enquire attractive part of the country which has about term-time courses or Easter Camps given her opportunities to pursue her out- please call 01419 728080 or email door interests. Georgie's love of sport and [email protected] fitness seem to make her ideally suited to If you would like to see what Peppard her future career choice as a sports Tennis Club has to offer please pop along physiotherapist. In the meantime, with her to our Open Day on the afternoon of Sun- ready smile and engaging manner, she is day 30th April. A great chance to see the making a major contribution to the well- facilities, meet the committee and mem- being of local youngsters as a Youth bers of the club, have a game of tennis, Leader. Peppard can be proud of a young meet the coaches with sessions running person who is using her time to such good for children to try and enjoy some refresh- effect. ments! Sue Nickson More details will follow soon on www.peppardtennisclub.co.uk Clubs and Societies Louise Fry Sonning Common & Peppard Table Tennis Club The club's 50th anniversary season in the Reading & District Table Tennis League has been a good one so far. The A team are comfortably mid-table in Division 1, the top division. The B team are currently bottom but recently had the satisfaction of gaining their first point of the season after a 5-5 draw with Kingfisher C. In Division 2 the C, D and E teams all look set for mid-table finishes, as do the F team in Division 4, although they may yet fancy a late promotion push with Angus Jones in particularly good recent form. The H team are currently 3rd in Division 5, just a cou- ple of points off a promotion place with Gerry Bacon, Mike Casserely and Julian James all hard to beat. Finally the G team are mid-table in Division 5 with young- sters Oliver Sayers, Mikey Legg and Ja- mie Legg all getting some impressive results. The club was saddened to hear of the recent death of one of its club stal- warts, Albert (Shep) Shephard. Shep joined the club a year after it's for- mation in 1967 and was a regular player