No 645 Caversham Bridge www.cavershambridge.org Price 40p November 2018 The SSAFA Reading Gurkha Project – update 2018
he SSAFA (The Armed Forces Charity) which has grown out of the Soldiers, confidence in the town - so different Seaman and Air Force Association has a local presence in its Berkshire from the rather withdrawn, sad, quiet branch. The SSAFA helps veterans and service personnel, and their families, ladies of the past. As their confidence in the local community and relies on public donations to continue its work. has grown, they no longer need a man SSAFA has a commitment to provide support with experienced, non- to accompany them and they love Tjudgemental and friendly advice, as well as a variety of practical services which cover a their new freedom. We hear that the range of social, family and financial issues. One of the main local activities supported community is having to get used to the is the SSAFA Reading Gurkha Ladies Project which supports women in the Nepali women’s new attitude! community and provides opportunities All of this is due in no small part for developing literacy and for facilitating to the enthusiastic volunteers who community integration. work with them each week increasing The last week in September is the first their ability in the English language, Sharing a group activity week of term for the SSAFA Reading understanding, cultural awareness and so much more. Many volunteers have been Gurkha Ladies Project. The volunteers with the project since it started seven years ago, most of whom read about it in have returned from their holidays fresh, the Caversham Bridge, so this publication can really feel some responsibility for its energetic and ready to go. The ladies success. However, we could not manage without the continuing support of Joanna have also returned after their summer Lumley who constantly encourages us in all we do. She visited us last year to see break with their huge enthusiasm and how things were going and was, as are most other people, amazed at the wonderful appetite for more learning absolutely atmosphere of joy in watching the ladies acquiring something so precious - literacy. undiminished! From being unable to hold Such is the success of the Project that we teach 100 ladies on Tuesdays and 50 The sharp end of the learning interface pens they have moved on to having their on Thursdays. We are now in a position where we have to operate a waiting list, own notebooks, in which they carefully which is disappointing for potential newcomers who desperately want to join. make notes during teaching sessions, then passing them to their ‘teacher’ with great Our ‘Reception‘ group is at capacity, despite having three volunteers and a Nepali pride waiting anxiously for a tick and ‘very good’ written at the end of their work. A speaker allocated to the group. When they have been assessed, they gradually move reading scheme used in primary school has been established and is run by qualified on to an established group, leaving a space for one of the eager newcomers on the experienced teachers often assisted by students from Reading College. The more waiting list. advanced students are reading fluently and the others are delighted to recognise and Some of our volunteers are qualified teachers, but other excellent volunteers are read key words. simply very good with people. Everyone loves coming, enjoying the company of the Their first lesson of term is always ladies and the other volunteers - it is great fun and Gurkhas have a wonderful and ‘Revision’ when they are questioned on infectious sense of humour, which starts us all off! such essentials as days, months, years, If you would like to come along and see if you might like to join us, we meet seasons, telling the time, identifying and at Wycliffe Church (on the 17 bus route) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Tuesday counting money, colours etc etc. They are group is split into two groups, one from 12.00 until 1.30 p.m. and the second from always rather proud when demonstrating 1.30 p.m. until 3.00 p.m. The Thursday group starts at 12.30 until 2.00 p.m. If you are that they have retained what they were or have been a teacher, have experience in working with people in learning situations taught last term and are ready for new or would just like to be involved, we would love to see you. If you speak Hindi or work. any other language close to Nepali you would be especially welcomed. We would During the holidays some of the groups also love to have more volunteers who would be happy to operate the lap top and met with their teachers for tea, for a walk projector for power point presentations - training could be given for anyone keen or for a visit to the post office, to Forbury Very attentive learners with to learn. Gardens and the Abbey ruins and MERL their tutor If you would like further details, please email [email protected]. If you ( Museum of English Rural Life).They are interested to learn about British history and don’t have e-mail, please get in touch with Caversham Bridge or SSAFA 0118 95 especially the history of their adopted home in Reading. You will recognise ladies 73393 (answerphone) mentioning the Gurkha Project and leaving your contact from the project around Reading: they are often with a friend or alone shopping with details.
Talking point ...... page 2 Riverate ...... page 7 Elizabeth Franklin ...... page 3 The Polygon ...... page 8 Remembrance ...... page 4 Mapledurham Playing Fields ...... page 9 INSIDE Harvest Festival ...... page 5 Clubs ...... page 10 History of Reading Society ...... page 6 Our Lady at St Anne ...... page 10 Page 2 CAVERSHAM BRIDGE, NOVEMBER 2018 Caversham Clergy SUNDAY ANGLICAN TALKING POINT SERVICES St Barnabas by Dereby Dr Alison Johnston Chandler ANGLICAN Revd Derek Chandler, 20 St Barnabas Road. St Peter’s, St Peter’s Hill Tel: 947 8239. 8.00am Holy Communion – BCP (first, second and fourth Sundays) www.saintbarnabas.org.uk We are in November again a time that is very special to a number of us, a time to Matins – BCP (Third Sunday) St Andrew remember and reflect on the duties undertaken for Queen and Country in the recent past. 9.30am Holy Communion (second, third and fourth Sundays) Revd Nigel Jones, St Andrew’s Vicarage, Service of the Word (First Sunday) But still we find in Church that our duty to lead a service is much tougher than some 6.30pm Holy Communion with Healing Prayers usually 1st Harrogate Road. Tel: 947 2788 of the duties undertaken on active service, as Remembrance Sunday is a challenge for Sunday, Evensong (usually Choral on second Sunday) www.standrewscaversham.org those of us taking a service where children are present. Many people in the congregation St John’s, Gosbrook Road St Peter’s, St Margaret’s, St John’s have no experience of living through a war; while at the same time there will be of 9.30am Holy Communion (first, third and fourth Sundays) Revd Mike Smith, The Rectory, 20 Church Road, 9.30am All Age Worship (second Sunday)) course a mix of members of the church family for whom this can be a very poignant and Fifth Sunday – Parish wide service (check website for details) Caversham RG4 7AD Tel: 9479505 emotional occasion. Increasingly such services include mention of wars more recent [email protected] St Margaret’s, Mapledurham than the two major world wars of the 20th century, Falklands, Yugoslavia, including 11.15am Holy Communion (first, second and fourth Revd Marion Pyke Tel: 947 5834 present-day fighting in the Middle East. It also includes prayers for those members of Sundays) Morning Worship (third Sunday) Revd John Dudley Tel: 9470265 the armed forces, who are part of peacekeeping initiatives in a number of world trouble Fifth Sunday – Parish wide service (check website for details) Revd Penny Cuthbert Tel: 07825 331810 spots. Although it is called Remembrance Sunday there is also an increasing desire to St Andrew’s, Harrogate Road Revd Judith Ryder Tel: 9473783 8.00am The Eucharist complement the looking back with prayers for peace in the future. 10.00am Parish Eucharist (Sung) CAVERSHAM PARK CHURCH (LEP) For a lot of children Remembrance Sunday will be identified most easily as Poppy First Sunday, Family Eucharist (Anglican, Methodist, Baptist and URC) Sunday. Both in church and perhaps in school at the 11th hour of the 11th day of 11.30am The Eucharist first Sunday BCP Contact: Dr Alison Johnston the 11th month and the two-minute silence to remember those who died during wars. St Barnabas, Grove Road, Emmer Green Tel: 0118 947 5152. www.cpvc.org.uk 8.00am Said Communion (BCP) Thankfully at least two generations in this country have not been part of a war that 9.30am Parish Communion METHODIST TEAM MINISTRY affected lives as directly as did the First and Second World Wars and therefore it is useful 9.30am COGS for all ages (1st Sunday of Month) Revd Jenny Dowding, 72 Highmoor Road. to direct their thoughts and prayers towards the theme of ‘making peace’. I can say that Tel: 947 2223 Riverside Church(Reading) through God’s grace and from personal experience that great friendships are born out Meeting at Hemdean House School, Hemdean Road, Caversham Revd D Jenkins Tel:0118 327 1592 of getting to know former foe after hostilities ended and we now share experiences and 10.00am Morning Worship & Teaching CAVERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH look forward to a peaceful and long-lasting future in friendship and regularly meet at this CAVERSHAM PARK ECUMENICAL PARTNERSHIP Revd Colin Baker time of year alternately in each other’s countries. Meeting at Caversham Park School Church office tel 0118 954 5353 11.00am Holy Communion (1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays) Many see the poppy as a sign of hope, inspired as it is by the poppy fields in Belgium, Email: [email protected] Morning Worship (2nd and 4th Sundays) where the flowers grew on the very land that had during the First World War been All Age Worship (at Festival Times) RIVERSIDE CHURCH (Reading) battlegrounds. From this we got to know the traditional poem ‘they shall not grow old’. CAVERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH South Street www.riversidechurchreading.co.uk We can supplement this very special poem with a few words from the Bible for example 10.30am Morning Worship each Sunday 6.30pm House of Prayer (praise and prayer) – GRACE CHURCH as from Psalm 46: 9-10: 2nd Sunday each month (formerly Caversham Hill Chapel) (It is God, who)... makes wars to cease to the ends of the earth. 3.45pm Messy Church – for all the family www.gracechurchcaversham.org.uk Tel 9474529 He breaks the bow and shatters the spear. Fourth Sunday of the month ROMAN CATHOLIC He burns the chariots with fire. GRACE CHURCH Old Peppard Road Our Lady and St Anne’s Be still and know that I am God. 10.30am Worship and Ministry, Children’s Church Mgr Patrick Daly, The Presbytery, I am exalted among the nations. I am exalted in the earth. THE METHODIST CHURCH IN CAVERSHAM 2 South View Avenue. Tel: 947 1787. As for us as Christians each Sunday is a Remembrance Day. It is the day when we Caversham Heights, Highmoor Road remember the sacrifice of Jesus, who won for the entire world a different and deeper 9.00am (first Sunday), 10.30am St Michael’s 6.30pm (second and fourth Sundays) kind of peace. God’s peace gift to us is Jesus. He is God’s gift to all who will receive Fr Michael Sharkey, St Michaels, Gosbrook Road Sonning Common Tel: 972 3418 Him. Jesus makes peace with God for us and as we learn how to pass this gift on, we 10.30am become peacemakers and peace-givers too. He empowers us to be peace-bringers. ROMAN CATHOLIC NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH OF GOD When generally we think of peace we think of peace with the other side, but there is a Our Lady and St Anne’s, Southview Avenue Revd H R Gayle Tel: 946 3009 battle here at home, here around us. It is one undertaken by former service personnel Saturday 5.30pm, who gave everything for their country and after being injured physically or mentally and Sunday 10.00am and 6.30pm Mapledurham House 6.00pm Mass (last Sunday of the discharged are left abandoned, without recognition. So, on this Remembrance Sunday A community newspaper produced by Caversham Christian month) may your prayers of peace be for all in need. Prince Harry gave us the Invictus Games News Ltd on behalf of the Churches of Caversham St Michael’s, Sonning Common which has highlighted the need and brought peace to those who have been given a 5.30pm Saturday EDITORS: Dr Alison Johnston, Mrs Janet Offord, Mr Alan chance. What can you do to be a person of peace and as we learn from Matthew 5: 9 9.00 and 10.30am Monday Bradbury, Mr Stephen A Roberts, Mrs Heather Gale. c/o Church House, 59 Church Street, Caversham. RG4 8AX ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.’ SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (Quakers) Tel: 947 1703. Email: [email protected] Dr Alison Johnston Church Street, Reading Caversham Park Church 10.30am (House study groups Sept-June Tel: 9475783) ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER: Mr A Wright, Tel: 947 6958. NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH OF GOD Email: [email protected] Church Street, Caversham 9.30am Sunday School CIRCULATION MANAGER: Mrs Carol Moloney. 11.00am Divine Worship Tel: 947 1370. Email: [email protected] 6.00pm Evening Service COMPANY CHAIRMAN: Mr Colin Ferguson. COMPANY SECRETARY: Mr Tony Holland. Caversham Bridge Contributions for the December 2018 issue should be sent to COMPANY TREASURER: Mrs J Belcher. Tel: 947 4772 the Caversham Thameside and Mapledurham Parish Office by Email: [email protected] Are you a people person? Monday 5th November.The date for the January issue is Monday 26th November. POSTAL SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER: Mrs D. Moore. Caversham Good Neighbours is a group formed to Tel: 947 3713 Email address is: [email protected] offer essential transport to the elderly and disabled Advertising copy for the December 2018 issue should be sent The Editors wish to make it clear that the views expressed in in our neighbourhood. If you would like to Mr A. Wright, Twigmoor, Upper Warren Avenue, Caversham by this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Friday 2nd November. The date for the January issue Friday 23rd board. to give to the community by joining November. Email address is: [email protected] us as a volunteer driver or helping The Editors also would like to bring to readers’ notice that the inclusion of advertisements in this paper does not mean an in our office, then please do get in PARISH OFFICES endorsement of the products or of the services offered. touch with us. PARISH OF CAVERSHAM THAMESIDE AND MAPLEDURHAM Published by Caversham Christian News Ltd, Church Street, www.cavershamgoodneighbours.org.uk St Peter, St Margaret, St John Caversham, Reading RG4 8AX Tel: 0118 947 1703. Church House, 59 Church Street, Caversham RG4 8AX 0118 948 3466 Tuesday and Friday 9.30am to 2pm Typeset and layout by RP Character Graphics, Tel: 947 1703 email: [email protected] Tel: 07949 980 982 Monday to Friday 9.30am –11.30am ST BARNABAS St Barnabas Centre Printed by: Mortons Print, Media Centre, Morton Way, Church House 59 Church Street Caversham RG4 8AX Tuesday and Thursday 8.30am-10.30am Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR Tel: 947 6310 Website: www.saintbarnabas.org.uk
13.01New ad.indd 1 16/03/2015 17:39 CAVERSHAM BRIDGE, NOVEMBER 2018 Page 3 Elizabeth E.A. Franklin: can you help? Kehinde Adeyemi has contacted Caversham Bridge in the hope that we might publicise her quest to find out more about her childhood carer Elizabeth E. A. C. Franklin. Elizabeth Franklin grew up in Bath near the Pulteney Bridge, before moving to Goring and Streatly where she worked with and for the international philanthropist Patricia Brenninkmeyer from the early 1980’s at Warren Farm. Patricia Brenninkmeyer herself trained as a social worker in England and in the 1960s began work in Africa, in the newly-independent state of Uganda. She founded three charities in the fields of education and agricultural innovation, all of which still exist and which helped Ugandans to help themselves amid civil war. Elizabeth also lived in Caversham in 1984 as confirmed by post cards in Kehinde’s possession and an address at 326a Hemdean Road was given as a new contact address. Unfortunately Patricia Brenninkmeyer suffers from Alzheimers and can no longer remember where Elizabeth is now. Elizabeth was a professional child minder and possibly cared for the elderly as well. Elizabeth had long brown waist length hair as can be seen in the photos. Kehinde herself is in the photos as a child with her brother. When Elizabeth worked at Warren Old School Farm: Elizabeth Franklin with Farm she lived at Rectory Road in Goring. It children appears that Elizabeth’s mother moved to Weymouth in Dorset and was a churchgoer there in Baptist or family congregation. READING If anyone recollects Elizabeth herself or PLUMBING & HEATING knows about her life situations, Kehinde would be very grateful to find out more about ALL ASPECTS OF PLUMBING, HEATING these and to make further contact if possible. AND GAS WORKS UNDERTAKEN. Contact Kehinde Adeyemi by email: kind_ OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. Warren Farm: Elizabeth referees the tug o’ war [email protected] ALL WORK GUARANTEED. DISCOUNT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS. 111613 Have you been a Victim of crime or abuse? MOBILE: 07702556790 Being a victim or witness of a crime can be an emotional and A Victims First officer can discuss any EMAIL: [email protected] difficult experience. emotional or practical needs you may have and Victims First provides free emotional and practical support to all will work with you to put a tailored support !"#$%&'"()*+,$%)-,.+/&)01/2+.3) victims and witnesses of crime or abuse, as well as for family members plan in place. This could involve referring you of victims. The service is available across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire to a specialist service such as those for victims 0.4)"4,)5%1$4,+6)$7$%21&$)2+"&&$&)58%)($4)"4,)98($4)":$,);<=) and Oxfordshire, and can provide help regardless of whether or not of sexual violence and domestic abuse. >?@AB-C))D*EFGFHA) the crime has been reported to the police. The types of assistance available include D1+$&/84$)!$4/%$I)F8%/'3%88J)E8",I)!"#$%&'"()K"%J)L1++":$I)EHM);K0) Helping victims find out about Victims First is very important, so a telephone and face to face support, advocacy scheme called Victims First Connect has been developed. Victims First and therapeutic counselling. Victims First can )NOMP"()Q)R wwwww.swt.eepalbsteepalbatathrhrooms.cooms.coo.u.ukk 0118 947 6958 [email protected]@btinternet.com Page 4 CAVERSHAM BRIDGE, NOVEMBER 2018 ARUM TREE SURGEONS Living well: staying healthy in TREE WITH OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE WORLD body and mind SERVICES OF TREE CARE • Tree removal, tree pruning • On Tuesday morning, 18th September, Balmore The next speakers, Fiona and Matt from Age UK and Park’s Patient Participation Group held a workshop in Michelle Berry, the Neighbourhood Co-ordinator for • Trees supplied and planted • Caversham Heights Methodist Church on Living well: Well-being Services for Reading Borough Council, then • Hedge work • staying healthy in body and mind. The church was busy talked about the variety of services and activities Age • Stump Grinding • with about 75 attendees and 7 speakers. The setting UK and RBC provide for the community. These range FULLY INSURED, NPTC QUALIFIED was informal with people sitting in groups around from activities like Walking Football, Adult Jigsaw Tel/Fax: 0118 971 2224 tables. There were displays from the speakers, and Clubs, Befriending Services, Lunch Clubs, Money Mobile: 07876 232282 handouts to take home. Entertainment was provided Matter sessions for Older People, Dragon Racing, Pop- CALL NOW FOR A FREE by Tea & Jam an over 60’s ukulele group and part of in Coffee mornings, and affordable Foot-care at Happy QUOTATION the local music charity Readipop. The group meet every Feet sessions. Stable’n’Able is a new Posture, Strength Thursday morning for 2 hours of practise and finds it and Balance class, focusing mainly on seated exercises, very sociable, brain-stretching and great fun. is to start on Monday afternoons at Caversham Heights Dr Tom Back from Balmore Park Surgery introduced Church hall from 1st October – more details from Lucie the subject. Well-being could be defined as the state of on 07843 652 754. being comfortable, healthy or happy. There are many Web and Email Hosting, VPS and dedicated challenges for well-being and health with an ageing During the interval for refreshments, there were servers, Websites and domain names. population. With increasing physical health problems, opportunities to network and find out about the Low cost packages available it is harder to look after oneself, difficult to make Caversham Belleplate Ringers, playing croquet and to Also available a range of Two-way radio positive lifestyle choices and to mix and interact with chat to the speakers. equipment and Church AV equipment. others. As a result people get lonely, anxious and lose >> Carter Electrical their confidence. These problems are not just restricted In the last session members of Reading Voluntary Call 0118 954 5368 Email: [email protected] to ageing; they often happen at times when people’s Action talked about their work in the community lifestyle changes, such as moving home, starting new helping to manageCarter the Social Electrical Prescribing service and www.apj1.org jobs, coping with young children on your own, or later their partnerships between statutory agencies and when they grow up and leave home. charities whichInstallations aim to improve the lives of people Dr Tom ended with suggesting five ways to promote in Reading. TheWho group would also help ever connect have people thought who Amy’s Property Maintenance wellbeing: want to volunteer with charities seeking assistance. To & Clearance Service CONNECT … BE ACTIVE … KEEP LEARNING … TAKE conclude the session,that being the speakers an electrician moved aroundCaversham would the Bridge – 2 cols x 6 = 16.50/month for 12 months – Total £198.00 NOTICE … GIVE. tables answeringhave questions. put you at the forefront Start January 2018 Chimney Sweep, Gutter Cleaning, Fence Erecting, of modern innovative Tree Work, House Clearance, Demolition, technology? For many years, Remembrance 2018 Concreting, Garden Maintenance, Garden Welding, being a sparky meant fuses, General jobs around the House. This year at Remembrance, as always, we will remember Caversham Library, will turn into Wolsey Road and march all those who lost their lives or suffered as a consequence to Christchurchwires, Meadows sockets where they and will plugs dismiss. but All work considered, Skilled tradesman, of any War or conflict. 2018 is especially poignant as, Orders of Servicenow, will and be distributed Jon Carter at the is Service, but Registered Waste Carrier. whilst remembering all those who died or suffered in the if any Group wishestestament to have them to this,in advance the theygreen will be First World War, we also celebrate the ending of this War available from the end of October. Gabriele Scicluna CITY & GUILD MECP & EITB (ENG) - the War that was meant to end all Wars. revolution has swept through For any Group wishing to lay a Wreath these will also Tel: 07778 340 444 / 0118 947 3560 Caversham’s Service of Remembrance will take place be available fromthe that industry date. and shows no [email protected] at our War Memorial in Christchurch Meadows by signs of abating. Caversham Bridge at 10.50 am on Sunday 11th November. Contact Pauline - email: [email protected] The President of Caversham Royal British Legion, Mr. Ron Or phone 0118Jon Carter,947 5345. along with his brother Matt and father Michael run Carter Electrical Installations and, like his father before Jewitt, will welcome those present and the Service will After the Servicehim is extremely and Parade,keen on maintaining Royal his British company's Legion be conducted by the Chaplain of the branch, Dr. Alison Members will bereputation at the for Prince excellence. of The Wales old fashioned public notion house of in Johnston. Caversham to celebratebrilliant customer the 100th service with Anniversary a friendly face of wit theh an end of World War affordable One. Brakspear’s price tag holds true, Brewery but now, have the firm donated can offer so Those Associations (all welcome) who wish to attend much more. The latest innovations in renewable energy such should assemble, with their Leaders, in Christchurch beer for the occasion,as Photovoltaic there cells willand air be source light heat refreshments, pumps are being Meadows at the Wolsey Road entrance and parade a raffle and variousembraced Poppy with gusto items by the available. authorities. AndIt bywill Cart beer 100 along to the War Memorial. At the end of the Service minutes, to markElectrical 100 Installations.years, with Jon 100 has been pints awarded at 100 the MCSpence. Anyone will be accreditationswelcome. that are needed to be able to install PV Why should you they will assemble under the supervision of the Leader systems in your home. If you use him, you can be absolutely of the Army Cadet Force in Caversham, proceed along All profits will be going to the Poppy Appeal in install Solar PV? sure that all of the work will be done to the highest ‘‘ ‘‘ Bridge Street and Church Street then, after the salute, at Caversham. standards and using the best possible equipment and PV You can achieve cells. While these systems are not cheap to install, they will payback of 12% from your investment save you money and will lead to a return on your investment. Remembering a loved one at a timeYou payof now Remembranceand get money back for the lifetime of the system. And they are incredibly simple. With no moving Two Caversham churches are inviting people to come and remember a lovedparts, one they needin a minimalpeaceful servicing service and will of enhance prayer the and reflection. On Sunday November 4th St John’s Church on Gosbrook Road andvalue St of Peter’syour home. on It's The like havingWarren your ownwill privarememberte power loved ones who have died. The St John’s service starts at 3.00pm while the supplyservice attached at St to Peter’s your house. is at 6.30pm. All are welcome on a day called All Souls in church calendars. As well as this new age of renewable technology, Jon carter A week later, on Sunday November 12th St Peter’s and St John’s will markand his Remembrance team remain as skilled Sunday, as ever at with the tradi servicestional side of things. As Jon says: “If it's got wires, we can fix it. And 0118 967 7033967 7033 beginning at 9.30am and ending in time for worshippers to join the ceremony at the Caversham war memorial. Our that goes for wireless technology as well!” For a better look [email protected] .co.uk sister church St Margaret’s, in Mapledurham, will mark Remembrance withat athe service company starting and how they at 10.50amcan help you, at visit the war www.carter-electrical.co.uker-electrcail.co.uk memorial. www.carter-electrical.co.uk www.roundandabout.co.uk RG9 R&A � 29 CAVERSHAM BRIDGE, NOVEMBER 2018 Page 5 ! Exhibition at The Caversham Picture Framer ! "#$%&!'%()*(!+!,%! ! ,-.()*(*/!011%2&).&)3! Hannah Elizabeth is a Reading-based design studio. It was launched in 2017 by illustrator Hannah McCague whose love of the natural world and the !!!!!!•!"#$%!&''#''(#)*!!!!•!+,'-)#''#'! local environment inspired the collection. !!!!!!•!./(01)-#'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!•!2&34!5167/$$! Hannah Elizabeth graduated with a degree in Illustration from Bristol in 4%(!.!%&*!-%2(!5(**!&%6%78#9.)#%&!1-.):! 2007. Since then she has been working freelance as an illustrator as well as teaching art. Her work is produced digitally using a drawing tablet, providing 1.88!"#$%&!'%()*(!4,0!%&! ! a contemporary twist to a popular art form. Through her artwork, Hannah !"#$%&&'$()*$'&+'$ !,#$%*'*-$-)-..($ hopes to encourage others to connect with wildlife that surrounds them and ! the places they love. A selection of Hannah’s prints illustrating Reading and ;!'(%3<*1)!")(**):!,.=*(3-.$:!>?@!ABC! CAVERSHAM BRIDGE, MARCH 2016 Page 5 the surrounding areas will be on show at The Caversham Picture Framer from ! 17th November to 24th December 2018. Location: 7, Church Road, Caversham (Across the road from The Griffin public house). Should Easter be fixed? STOP PRESS Date for your diary: Harvest of the Seasons at Gosbrook Road Caversham Heights Methodist Church TheIn Harvest the UK, Festival Easter theme is the this only year bank was holidayGod’s whichFor the has Summer different table dates there in wereeach tinsyea r of. All other bank holidays occur Holiday at Home 2016 Giftson tofixed us throughout dates (Christmas the year. Peopleday, Boxing were asked Day , Newcorned Y beefear) or and on Spam, the nea peanutrest Monday butter and to a fixed date (May day, late May 31st – June 3rd Details to follow. to Spring,provide itemsAugust). for theEaster food Sunday boxes for falls Readifood. on the firstother Sunday fillings after that the couldfull moon be used (the Paschalto make a Full Moon) following the The21st idea Ma beingrch thatspring food equinox. items would The be date placed of Easteron picnic. Sunday may vary between 22nd March and 25th April. This year it Caversham Library News: anis appropriate quite earl tabley, falling for each on season.March 27th. The Autumn table had tins of soup, tinned Everybody welcome to Adult’s Board There were four tables at the front of the meat pies, pot noodles and spaghetti to name In addition, Easter usually, but not always, coincides with the Feast of the Passover, which is the religious Games session on Fridays at 10:30. Some church, for Spring, but a few. board games are on hand in the library but festival that celebrates theSummer, deliverance Autumn of andIsrael from slavery under the Egyptians. Finally [It beginsthe Winter on thetable 14th had ofall Nisan the things and attendees can bring their own favourite traditionally continues forWinter. eight Eachdays. In table the Hebrew calendar, Nisan is theto first make month a nice of warm the ecclesiasticalstew, tinned steakyear and game. Also tea or coffee refreshments are the seventh month (eighth,was in decorated leap years) in the of the civil year. It lasts for 30 days,kidney and pies, corr meatballsesponds to and a curries.period in March/ provided free of charge. April.] traditional colours: The Gosbrook Road Art group provided 43 It was announced in JanuaGreen ry that for the Spring; Archbishop of Canterbury is workingpaintings with other on the Christian Seasons chu theme,rches which to ag theree Yellowon a forfixed Summer; date forOrange Easte forr. AutumnThe announcement and White was made after a meeting incongregation Canterbur y enjoyed between looking Archbishop at after Justin the with sparkles on for Winter. service. The paintings fitted the theme well, WItemselby such and asprimates tins of from peaches, the pineapple,Anglican Communion. and with beautiful daffodils, snowdrops, ducklings, and boxing hares included in E.L.P. Electrical Services Ltd chocolateIn the biscuits, UK, werean act put of on Parliament the Spring table. passed in the1928 Spring allowed category. for Easter Summer Sunday had gardens,to be fixed on the first Sunday after Electrical Installation Contractors the second Saturday in April, but this has neverboats, been activated sea scenes, and andEaster “gone has remained fishing”. variable, occurring on a date determined as above. In 1990, the Vatican approvedAutumn a broughtproposal a forvariety a fixed of beautiful date, which trees, was subject to agreement with E Established .L.P. El Electricalectric aInstallationl Serv Companyices L td with an Excellent Reputation other Christian churches and governments. Agandreement cornfields. has not Winter yet wasbeen well reached. represented Electrical Installation Contractors Ashworth Plumbing & A fixed date for Easter would be welcomedwith by amany snowy o sparklingrganisations, church, in robins,particular icicles, many businesses and schools. It Commercial and Domestic Installations Heating Specialists Established in Electrical Electrical Installation Testing, Company would mean that school terms would be of consistentsnowy post lengths boxes andin all squirrels. years. The Revd. David Shaw led the service )DXOW'LDJQRVLVDQG5HFWL¿FDWLRQwith an Excellent Reputation TheBoilers/Bathr archbishopooms/Breakdowns said that he had been in talks with Pope Francis, Coptic leader Pope Tawadros, and the leader of combining the theme by choosing hymns from Fire Commercial and Intruder and DomesticAlarm Systems Installations the OrthodoxGas chusafer ch,registered Patriarch Bartholomew. He hoped the change would happen “in between five and ten years all the seasons. David spoke about clearing up plastic at the beach where he Planned, Specialists Preventative in Electrical and Testing, time”.Caversham Based/No Call Out Fee/ spent a holiday week, and concern for our planet. Global warming will have a Reactive Electrical Maintenance Ex Military “I would love to see it before I retired”, hemarked said, a lthoeffectug onh heall ourwa rlives,ned theand fiasrst Christians attempt weto makeneed to such do what a ch weange can was to Fully Fire andNIC Intruder EIC Accredited Alarm Systems All forms of debit/credit cards accepted in the 10th Century. An Anglican source said thathelp theto reversere had thebeen damage 15 attempts already todone. agree a common date since then. As Planned, Preventative and Call Ben today for a free quotation! E.L.P. Electrical Services undertake all aspects of electrical mentioned above, Easter can be celebrated on a AfterSunday the servicebetween the 22 congregation March and joined 25 April.with Caversham Howeve Heightsr, the O Methodistrthodox installationReactive work Electrical from new consumer Maintenance units to full rewires, including Church for a ‘bring and share’ lunch which was a very pleasant sociable occasion commercial electrical projects. We even install an extra socket or 2. Tel: 07738 631 294 church follows the Julian calendar, and hence Fully NIC EIC Accredited and enjoyed by all who attended. Eunice Cooper has later Easter celebrations compared with E.L.P. Electrical Services undertake all aspects of electrical installation work from new consumer units to full rewires, including those of Western Christianity, which is commercial electrical projects. We even install an extra socket or 2. another obstacle to be overcome if a fixed JOHN WOOLDRIDGE 01189 790171 Dry Carpet,Easter isUpholstery ever to become a reality. & 07909 434515 PLUMBING & HEATING What do you think? Do you support the [email protected] www.elpelectrical.com ENGINEER Hard Flooridea ofCleaning a fixed Easter, or are you happy with 01189 790171 Over 25 years experience the variability associated with the current 07909 434515 Competent tradesmen will undertake central heat- Specialistssystem? [email protected] ing, bath/shower room installations & general www.elpelectrical.com plumbing and repairs large or small. Spills & spots - gone Smells & odours - removed 112 MAYFIELD DRIVE, Deep cleans & lifts carpet pile CAVERSHAM RG4 5JT (0118) 948 2584 Leather Cleaning Get Main Room Cleaned Specialists save Restoration & Recolouring 50% Open 9.30am to 2.00pm on Tuesdays on all further rooms Locally based family run business. Call us for free on elecical 0800 180 40 45 Tel: 0118 907 6266 zerodrytime.com www.alanwarddecorator.co.uk Email: [email protected] Page 6 CAVERSHAM BRIDGE, NOVEMBER 2018 ONE TO ONE History of Reading Society: M. D. Howlett computer architectural consultant training Amelia Dyer and the Baby Farm Murders (0118) 947 7117 for all ages & abilities 20 years experience in all aspects of using your own The subject of the September talk was Amelia Dyer and the Baby Farm Murders. The speaker domestic and commercial computer, was Angela Buckley who, after a career in teaching modern languages, is now a writer on the architecture, including designs, local laptops or tablet Anne Garrison subject of crime history. A keen family historian, she is the Chair of the Society of Genealogists. authority applications and contract 0118 947 4244 At Reading on the 30th March 1896 a administration gruesome discovery was made in the river AnneGarrison.co.uk Thames when bargeman Charles Humphreys and a colleague noticed a suspicious object Caversham Osteopathic Clinic PIANO LESSONS floating in the water near the Clappers Weir Available from an Richard Weatherall BSc OST footbridge at Caversham Lock. Humphreys experienced teacher , managed to fish the object out of the river and REGISTERED OSTEOPATH ex-concert pianist . on closer inspection it was revealed to be a Treating many conditions All levels taught . brown paper parcel tied with string. Contained For more information or to book an appointment Your house or mine within it was a brick and the body of a baby: 0118 947 5775 (Steinway grand) ‘Caversham Lock and Lock Keepers cottage’ the body was wrapped in newspapers and had 07885 454 092 Anna: 07568 377731 a cord tied tightly around the neck. Humphreys left his mate at the Lock with the parcel and ran to the Borough Police Station at the foot of London Street to report what he had discovered. Later, Humphreys returned to the Lock with a police constable to collect the package and deliver it to the town mortuary. The mortuary surgeon, Dr William Maurice, examined the infant, a girl aged between 6 months and a year, and concluded she had died of strangulation. A murder investigation was launched by the police; it was led by Superintendent George Tewsley assisted by DC James Anderson and Sergeant Harry James. After a search, more bodies ‘The Clappers weir looking west’ of babies were found in the river at Caversham. An important clue was discovered on the parcel paper: it bore the faded stamp of the Midland Railway Company with the date 24-10-95 Bristol Temple Meads and was addressed to a Mrs Thomas at Piggott’s Road, Caversham. Detective Constable Anderson took the parcel to Reading Railway Station where a clerk remembered it and knew the recipient’s real name to be Mrs. Dyer who had moved to Kensington Road, Reading. Dyer’s home was put under observation and enquiries with the neighbours revealed that one had given some string to Dyer on the same Is your Garden in a Mess? Does it need an Overhaul? day as the child’s body was found. On the 3rd Are you Bored with your Borders? Like to Re-plan and Re-plant? April, police arrived at the small terrace house in Reliable Service Kensington Road to arrest Amelia Dyer. A search • One-off jobs: Gardens overhauled, major cut back or pruning. was made by officers who found: string that was • Plants for places advice and lists. Plants supplied and planted out. • Design service - for more details please telephone to discuss. ‘Turbulent water downstream of the identical to that used to tie the package; the Clappers weir’ same cord that was used to strangle the child; Call: Alex Lowth, mobile: 07769 974 729, answer phone: 0118 947 2307 a box that bore traces of having contained a corpse; and letters from parents who had put up their children for adoption by Dyer. Dyer’s principal source of income was to care for the children of parents forced to give them up for adoption, usually those born out of wedlock; she received a fee of £10. Many of the children in her care were allowed to die of malnutrition, later, she turned to homicide as a means of disposing of them. Since 1968, GardinerFor 50 years,’s hasGardiner’s supplied Homecare experienced has provided and Amelia Dyer was sent for trial at the Old Bailey in London where domiciliary care in the local area reliable nurOur sesexperienced and and care friendly workers team are passionate to support about our care clients at home in their she was charged with the murders of Helena Fry, Doris Marmon services, helping others & supporting them to continue independent and and Harry Simmons. The investigating detectives, after reading the own homes.fulfilling lives in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes. letters found at Kensington Road, concluded that the first body found at Caversham Lock was probably Fry’s; she was the illegitimate Please call one of our Care Managers if you are looking for someone to We are recruitingprovide company for and aexperienced little help in the house, care or assistance workers with personal to join daughter of a domestic servant. After the judge’s summing up the care or medication. jury took just five minutes to reach a verdict of guilty and she was our professional and friendly team. We offer excellent sentenced to death. Amelia Dyer was hanged at Newgate Prison on ‘Amelia Dyer’s home at Telephone 0118 947 6666 www.gardinersnursing.co.uk pay, generous mileage10 Church and St. flexible Caversham RG4hours 8DZ to suit. 10th June 1896. Kensington Road, 51 Reading’ 10 Church Street, Caversham,Reading, RG4 8DZ Telephone: 0118 947 6666 www.gardinersnursing.co.uk CAVERSHAM BRIDGE, NOVEMBER 2018 Page 7 Rivarate, a decade of making music in Caversham Rivarate is a well-known choir in Caversham, which originated in Sonning where it had been a popular Hemdean House School for many years as a ladies only ensemble. Then, in 2008, the Sonning choir, in effect, closed down. However, Caversham a number of committed members wanted to continue singing together and, as many of these were from the Caversham area, they convened a meeting at The Griffin public house in Church Street. A member from Independent Primary School Highdown School suggested that her music teacher might be interested and so began Alison Golby’s enthu- for boys and girls, age 5 to 11 siastic and visionary relationship with Rivarate. A radical decision taken at this meeting was to invite men to join in future. The first man to enlist was Roger Hartley-Booth, who still sings with the choir today. Highest placed local Independent Primary School in Thanks to Alison’s energetic recruiting drive, forty people attended the first rehearsal in St. Andrew’s The Sunday Times 2016 Top 100 Primary & Prep Schools Listing Church on the first Tuesday of September 2008. Thus was Rivarate in Caversham born. Rosie Parker agreed to be the accompanist but her work commitments meant a successor soon had to be found. Alison ap- proached Pam Asbury, a talented pianist and singer, well known to music lovers in Caversham. And so began a magnificent partnership between Director and Accompanist. By the end of the second year, the choir had grown to seventy five members, with some twenty-five men and, by the summer of the third year, the choir held its first public concert. Alison’s connection ended in 2015 when she and her family moved to Devon. By good fortune, another, gifted musician was attracted to Rivarate and so Sarah Scotchmer became the second Director of Music. As a student, Sarah had studied music at Bristol University and at The Royal College of Music and had recently retired as Head of Music at The Holt School in Wokingham. So began a new blending of vision and leader- ship between Sarah and Pam. The choir now meets at the Methodist Church in Highmoor Road, on Tuesday evenings. It is an inclusive, secular choir which incorporates in its repertoire modern and traditional songs and also familiar sacred pieces. There are no formal auditions but prospective members should be able to sing in harmony and School Tours sustain a musical note. The choir recruits new members at this time of year and has a number of places for all four voices. Prospective male members may feel encouraged to apply, knowing that there are currently twenty- Available Everyday six regular tenors and basses. The next concert will be on Saturday 17th November, followed by a free Christmas concert on Tuesday 11th December, both at the Meyhodist Church Caversham Heights. Details Hemdean House School of these performances are on the Rivarate website, as well as information for prospective members who are Hemdean Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire RG4 7SD encouraged to come and observe at a rehearsal before making up their minds about joining. The website is: Tel: 0118 947 2590 Email: enquiries @hemdeanhouse.co.uk www.rivarate.org.uk www.hemdeanhouse.co.uk OBITUARY Robert (Bob) Aggiss: memorial Robert Aggiss, a well-known local gardener, died on 17 September at the age of 95 years. Bob was born on 7th July 1923 in the village of Binfield Heath and attended Shiplake School. He went to work for Wessex Electricity (later Southern Electricity) as a junior clerk but when war broke out he enlisted in the army and joined the Tank Regiment. With his country background Fine handmade and second hand his was the only tank that kept chickens for fresh eggs and a turkey for Christmas! jewellery Bob returned home to his job and soon after met åså2OLEXåSERVICINGåAGENCY åPLUSåPRESTIGIOUSå his future wife Gwen. They married in 1953 and moved to Caversham where they brought up their two boys, David and Peter. Bob was a good sportsman and makes played football for Shiplake and Cricket for Southern Electricity. He was also a keen gardener and was very åså0ROBATEåVALUATIONS successful in Shows and became a pivotal member of the Caversham Allotment Association. He became a åså%XCELLENTåJEWELLERYåREPAIRåSERVICE well respected Judge specializing in Chrysanthemums and would give talks to garden societies, Women’s Institute and church groups. åså0URCHASERSåOFåOLDåGOLD åPLATINUMåANDåSILVER Bob and Gwen attended Binfield Heath Congregational Chapel where Bob was treasurer for many åså!NTIQUEåANDåUNUSUALåPIECESåALWAYSåWANTED years. He stood-in as organist when required and also looked after the grounds. He retired in 1986 having completed 46 years with Southern Electricity and spent his spare time gardening. Bob reluctantly gave å"RIDGEå3TREET å#AVERSHAM å2'å!! up his allotments four years ago when his wife was diagnosed with dementia and he looked after her at 4ELEPHONEååå home until she had to go into care. His own health deteriorated this year and Bob was recently admitted to Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice where he passed away peacefully in his sleep. Bob was a popular man, kind and well-loved. He will be sadly missed. GOSBROOK ROAD Choose METHODIST CHURCH Caversham CHRISTMAS FAIR The website for Caversham includes information on: y News Saturday, November 24th y Events y Business listings 2.00pm to 4.00pm y Jobs y Clubs Cakes, Jams, Books, Gifts, Toys, Knitting, Raffle, Linen, Cards, y Schools Tombola, Bric-a-Brac, Refreshments Brought to you by www.ChooseCaversham.co.uk ENTRANCE FREE Page 8 CAVERSHAM BRIDGE, OCTOBER 2014 BRITISH LEGION Royal British Legion – Caversham Branch • Most makes repaired 2014 – a very poignant year • Ex Indesit & S. Common Electrical Engineer This year marks many anniversaries, including many related to past conflicts. As November and Remembrancetide fast approach, it is worth remembering all the notable anniversaries that the Legion • Electric cooker, dishwasher & tumble dryer has marked this year. repairs too. May 8th – The anniversary of VE Day - the end of the Second World War in Europe was marked by the president, • 27 years experience / guaranteed work accompanied by members of the branch, laying a wreath at our War Memorial in Christchurch Meadows and then one in • Caversham based the military section of Henley Road, Cemetery May 18th - Kohima Day – a service was held in Forbury Gardens, by the Burma Star Memorial, to mark the 70th Contact Andy on: Anniversary of the Burma Campaign. 07773 750321 daytime work hours June 6th – 70th Anniversary of D-Day 0118 947 1929 evening & for queries/information August 4th – The day World War One broke out 100 year ago. For more information, updates & price examples A well attended service at our War Memorial was held to mark this occasion and to remember the untold horrors that Page 8 please visit my website: www.awmronline.com CAVERSHAM BRIDGE, NOVEMBER 2018 were about to face the world. On this day the branch launched its own ‘Field of Remembrance’ in the Military Section of the Henley Road Cemetery. This is to encourage people to make a donation for a wooden cross in memory of a person who served in WW 1 (or any ENVIRONMENT MOBILE MOWER SERVICING other conflict) and to place it amongst all the others. (The branch would like to thank ‘Choose Caversham’ for informing E. H. HAMLEY & SON its members and to all the outlets who are making these crosses available throughout Caversham). Professional and Domestic machines These two events were filmed live by BBC South. Buildersserviced and/ repaired Decorators at your home or workplace This year’s Poppy Appeal will hold a very special significance. Caversham is always generous - let’s hope that this year Repairs and Roof Work a Speciality will again exceed all expectations. If you want to help in any way please contact the Poppy Appeal Organiser (Pauline) on The Polygon CollectionEstablished & Delivery over 100 service years Cavershamalso available based 0118 9475345. In March last year, I wrote about a café in Please ALL MAKES contact: – ALL0118 MODELS 957 3894 Caversham Road called The Pagoda. This 07743 929649 turned out to be what is now called The Email:Over [email protected] 20 years experience Caversham Royal British Legion Parade and Service of Remembrance, Sunday 9th November Gorge, and is on the corner of Richfield Contact: Adrian Davies All participants should assemble at Westfield Park by 10.15am (or earlier if advised by Group Leaders), and the parade Avenue, opposite the Crowne Plaza Hotel. 0118 375 9815 / 07598 800298 will march off at 10.25am This month I am writing about another café Footwww.montysmobilemowers.co.uk Health Practitioner The salute will be taken on the library steps on the way to the War Memorial, where the service will take place with two with a strange name, The Polygon. Patricia Spender MCFHP MAFHP minutes silence at 11am. The Salvation Army Band will be in attendance. When I came across this photograph, I Member of the British Chiropody & Podiatry Assoc. Dismissal of the parade will occur immediately after the conclusion of service, when personal tributes may be laid on asked about it in my local Caversham pub, PaintingFoot Health and careDecorating in your the memorial.. and people of my age and above remem- Fencing, Gardening, Last year there was a really moving end to the Service when a very large number of the children went up to the memorial, own home quite spontaneously, and left their poppies, orders of service or other personal messages. As this is a very important year bered it well, and remembered exactly Corns,General callus, ingrown Property and involuted Maintenance nails, specialised to remember it is hoped that even more will make this gesture as they where it stood. The building was one of nail cutting, fungal nails, athlete’s foot, verruca’s, care The Polygon Café: a lost landmark of theLocal diabetic references high risk foot available and general foot think about the sacrifices made by their ancestors. those demolished in the 1960s to make maintenance See all your Bible Friends in Last year a long held tradition, where the parade processed to and from way for St. Martin’s Shopping Precinct. manufacturer of wrought iron. No. 31 was the Polygon Café. At ForPhone: a free mobile quote 07733 contact 320702 or Alan 01189 Smith 841132 The Big Bible Storybook the War Memorial, had to be broken. While a very sad change, it was Its unusual wedge shape was necessitated first, the café was run by Mrs. Maud E. Holloway, and after 1947 by Email:07958 [email protected] 788552 188 Bible Stories to enjoy together found to be necessary. The numbers in the parade have escalated over the by the site, which was on the corner of a Mrs. D. Maynard. available at years from a few dozen to well over 1000, and whilst Caversham is very pathway called The Cutting. It ran from Beyond The Cutting were S. H. Ware and Company, flooring Wordplay 18 Prospect Street lucky to have a police escort, many of the parents and the young contractors, and S. R. Barrance, wholesale drapers, in the building Caversham RG4 8JG organisations leaders, such as the Guides and Brownies, thought that the Church Street to Promenade Road, and the or online at control at the end of the parade, because of the slowness of the end of it nearest the river is still there. In which had once been the Caversham House Academy. Then came www.scriptureunion.org.uk/shop youngsters marching back to Westfield Road, was a potential danger. the 1950s there was a large house set in its the Regal Cinema, which opened in 1938, and closed in 1958. After own grounds called Abbotsmead on one side, it closed, the large building, known as Regal House, was occupied and there were allotments on the other. by the wholesale sweets and tobacco warehouse of Alfred C. Drew. F r o m Today, the land on either side has been The Waitrose supermarket was built on the site, opening in 1984. T h e Praying as Jesus did B i g redeveloped, and runs by the apartment Fraser and Robinson occupied the three-storey building which B i b l e Jesus’ friends wanted to pray just like Jesus did! But they were S blocks known as Abbotsmead Place. is now Waitrose’s beer, wines and spirits section, which many will t o r y b k never sure what to say to God. So one day they asked, “Jesus, how The Polygon Café existed from around remember as a shop selling beds. Next came Edward Morgan’s TUESDAY SPECIAL should we pray?” © Seniors One Course Lunch 2 0 6 1940 to around 1963. The reason I have to chemist’s shop, now a gent’s hairdressers. “I’ll help you,” Jesus told them. So Jesus’ friends sat down with him £6.00 and listened. say “around” is that old street directories in There is a well-known French saying that goes, ‘Plus ca change, S c r i p t u r “When you pray,” Jesus said, “talk to God in just the same way FISHERMAN’S FRIDAY e the Central Library have been used to find plus c’est la meme chose.’ This means something like, ‘The more things U n i o as you’d talk to someone who loves you and cares for you – a 12-3pm change, the more they remain the same.’ I am not at all sure that this is mother or father or someone else who looks after you. You out how long the business was going, and Choice of fish dishes I l u s t r wouldn’t worry about talking to your dad or your mum. Just say the information in a particular directory always so, but in this case it is. Standing on the site of The Polygon a t i o n how you feel. Ask for things you need. Tell God you love him. Café today, is another café - a branch of Costa Coffee! SUNDAY LUNCH © may well have been gathered in the year 2 0 6 Thank him for what he’s given you. You can say you’re sorry too Happy Wanderer 12-3pm before its publication. M a r k for anything you’ve done that was wrong. Your Father in heaven In the 1950s, if you were to walk from Non-members welcome & loves you and knows just what you need.” A n a Enquiries: 0118 947 8600 / [email protected] And Jesus taught them a prayer the Crown pub in Bridge Street round the CADRA C a r p e n t Caversham Heath Golf Club, Chazey Heath, Mapledurham to say. It begins, “Our Father in corner into Church Street, the first building www.cavershamgolf.co.uk e r heaven…” in Church Street would have been the Matthew 6:8–12 florist’s shop of Wise Brothers, followed by the Caversham Telephone Exchange. The Caversham & District Foot Health Practitioner Residents’ Association More about Jesus’ prayer in the next florist’s shop is long demolished, and its Patricia Spender MCFHP MAFHP issue of Caversham Bridge site is now the yard beside the exchange. OPEN MEETING Member of the British Chiropody & Podiatry Assoc. After that came Frank Dunster’s shoe The changing River Thames Foot Health care in your shop, the house of a Mrs. Hill at No. 27, own home Speaker: Terry Marsh, Honorary Fellow of and No. 29, occupied by J. G. Brooks, a Corns, callus, ingrown and involuted nails, specialised the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford nail cutting, fungal nails, athlete’s foot, verruca’s, care of the diabetic high risk foot and general foot maintenance Phone: mobile 07733 320702 or 01189 841132 Email: [email protected] K W Stokes Plumbing & Heating Engineer 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE – GAS SAFE REGISTERED Tuesday 6 November 2018 Full Central Heating Systems and Boiler replacement specialists All Boilers fitted meet latest Energy Efficiency standards 7.45pm Boiler repairs, Maintenance and upgrades. Thameside Primary School, Harley Road Bathroom design and installation All general plumbing work ALL WELCOME Free & unbiased advice offered Tel: 0118 986 9488 Mob: 07768 512060 aversham, Reading RG4 5DG www.kwstokesplumbingandheating.comer-electrcail.co.uk www.cadra.org.uk 947 1851 CAVERSHAM BRIDGE, NOVEMBER 2018 Page 9 Clive The Handyman Mapledurham Playing Fields: 35 years experience in the building trade an archaeological update Full painting and decorating Patch plastering / Tiling Gutter repairs, Fascias, Repointing Archaeological surveys have been carried pre-development work, will inform the planning submission for the future Woodworking / Small plumbing jobs out at Mapledurham Playing Fields over the landscape works agreed by the Sub-Committee. General Household Repairs summer, as part of preparation work required Separate to the Council’s archaeological work, the ESFA is expected All work guaranteed and fully insured for landscape improvements at the site, and to begin its own archaeology investigation work on the footprint of the have continued into October. proposed school site in late 2018. Please call: 01491 411321/07766 540117 In June, the Mapledurham Playing Fields Cllr Debs Edwards, Chair of The Mapledurham Playing Fields Trustees Trustees Sub-Committee approved a Landscape Sub-Committee, said: “We are working proactively with Berkshire Masterplan for the site, at the same time as Archaeology, the statutory planning consultee on archaeology matters CURTAINS, BLINDS, PELMETS, TIE BACKS ETC ALL AT COMPETITIVE PRICES CALL CAROLINE ON 0118 954 2448 OR 07815 610 007 CAVERSHAM BRIDGE Advertise your Business or Event in this space for £8.80/month Contact our Advertising Manager RICS compliant – clients money protected for further details 31 Great Knollys Street +44 (0)118 950 8611 Reading, Berkshire RG1 7HU Fax: +44 (0)118 950 5896 0118 947 6958 Website: www.tsauction.co.uk Email: [email protected] [email protected] Page 10 CAVERSHAM BRIDGE, NOVEMBER 2018 CLUBS Probus Eventually the Mexicans took the Alamo, and around the month, at 7.30 in the evenings – which helps avoid child-care issues. There The speaker at the September meeting of the 200 Texans died in the battle, along with several is nearby parking and a lift to the first floor meeting room at Church House, Reading and District Probus club was Brian Skillen hundred Mexican troops. Brian told us of many of Prospect Street. More details can be found online at https://tinyurl.com/hwzj6zy whose subject was A Line in the Sand – the Fall the personalities involved, of whom probably the or search for Caversham WI. of the Alamo and the Rise of Texas. The Alamo has most famous was Davey Crockett. For enquiries please contact our Secretary, on 0118 947 5176. been the subject of two films, in 1960 and 2004. After the battle, the Texan army rose up and The Alamo in San Antonio in Texas was originally defeated the Mexicans, and Texas became built in the mid-18th century as a Roman Catholic independent of Mexico and later joined the Union. Caversham and Chiltern Flower Club mission, which closed in 1793. It later became a The Alamo was used by the U.S. Army until 1877, We are pleased to announce that on Wednesday 14th November at 6.30 pm military stronghold, but at that time Texas was part when it was abandoned. The remains are now we will be holding our open meeting at Caversham Heights Methodist Church, of Mexico. The Texans sought independence from preserved as a museum. Highmoor Road, Caversham, RG4 7BG with our guest, the National Flower Mexico, and wished to join the United States. In This was a very interesting illustrated talk, in Demonstrator, Gill McGregor. The demonstration is called Christmas Sparkle. 1836 the Mexicans invaded, and a siege followed which Brian, an obvious enthusiast for, amongst This is the highlight of our annual calendar and what better way to start the which lasted from late-February to early-March. other subjects, the American Civil War, gave a Christmas season of festivities than with inspirational floral designs and some colourful description of the events of the time. refreshments. Probus is a club for retired men, who enjoy a We would love to see all of our members, regular attendees and some new meal once a month in the congenial company of faces. GUTTERS, SOFFITS other retired men. Lunch is followed by a talk on a Tickets are £12.00 in advance or £15.00 on the door, and the ticket price AND FASCIAS variety of interesting subjects. The club meets at the includes a light supper. • Full Replacement • Guttering and Downpipe Repairs Caversham Heath Golf Club. Please Tel 0118 947 8967 for tickets. • Clearing and Cleaning • Guaranteed for 10 years For further information visit the club’s website • Full Public Liability Insured • Police Checked www.probusclub-reading.org.uk New members are welcome; if you are interested in joining, please Caversham Horticultural Society contact the secretary David Laird on 0118 947 Caversham Horticultural Society’s November talk will be given by Nikki Gammans of Bumblebee Conservation on the subject of ‘Best Plants for Bees’. I welcome inspection of previous work 0709. [email protected] This talk will be held on Wednesday 14th November at 7.45pm at Caversham 0118 329 0175 or 07974 089978 Primary School, Hemdean Road. Cost to non-members £3.00. Light refreshments for a free estimate Chazey WI available after the talk. St. Andrew’s Church Hall was the new venue for the September meeting of Chazey WI. It was very successful with some new faces attending and CAVERSHAM BRIDGE some previous members returning. In place of a TRAIDCRAFT SALE Would you like to have this paper delivered to you speaker there was a photo competition ‘How well do TRAIDCRAFT SALE monthly? you know Reading’ which members enjoyed. Our tea Email us at: [email protected] hostesses were kept very busy with refreshments. 9am – 9pm & 9.30am – 2pm giving your name and address. 9am – 9pm & 9.30am – 2pm It was announced that the WI diaries for 2019 97 SOUTH VIEW AVE, CAVERSHAM SHOP97 AT SOUTHLEISURE FOR VIEWFAIR TRADE AVE, GIFTS, CAVERSHAM JEWELLERY, CARDS, WRAPPING PAPER, Alternatively copies of this paper can be purchased had been collected by Julie and were available for SHOP AT LEISURE FOR FAIR TRADE GIFTS,FOODS &JEWELLERY, CHOCOLATES CARDS, WRAPPING PAPER, from: collection, or will be available at the next meeting. Tea & coffee, FOODShome made & jam,CHOCOLATES chutney & cakes - Proceeds to Water Aid Caversham Thameside Parish Office Church Street, Social dates to note are as follows: a day out at the Tea & coffee, home made jam, chutney & cakes - Proceeds to Water Aid Caversham Library and from Woodcote Way News Milestone Museum Basingstoke on 7th November; a Pam & Phil Chatfield Tel – 0118 947 2444 email:[email protected] visit to the National Needlework Archive at NewburyPam & Phil Chatfield Tel – 0118 947 2444 email:[email protected] to see the BFWI Centenary Needlework Exhibition Order from us & avoid postage: www.traidcraftshop.co.uk or phone 0191 491 0855 for free catalogue (date to be announced); and a visit to the Order Mill at from us & avoid postage: www.traidcraftshop.co.uk or phone 0191 491 0855 for free Sonning to see Guys and Dolls over the Christmas Soft Furnishings, ! catalogue period. ! Loose Covers, Curtains, For more information on Chazey WI please! email: Drapes, Re-upholstery [email protected] ! John Kitcher & Son Caversham WI Our September meeting was an informal occasion, 55 Gatehampton Road, following the summer break. Over the summer, two Goring, Reading RG8 0EN Shiplake Church of England Primary School members hosted garden parties (both were very and Shiplake Village Nursery lucky with the weather!) and we also helped out Headteacher : Mrs Katherine Page-Howie MA.Ed, BA (Hons), PGCE, NPQH Tel: 01491 872103 with the Caversham Court Gardens tea kiosk. The Are you looking for a Reception Class place for September 2019? food theme was carried over, and we celebrated the end of the summer season with home-made apple We provide a rich and exciting curriculum to develop the confidence and enthusiasm pies and a harvest auction of fresh fruit, vegetables for learning in all subjects. Our learning environment is supportive, stimulating, and a few special extras – including a beautiful challenging and fun. cake and delicate herb bouquets. We caught up on Please call us to make an appointment to come and visit us all the newly organised days out and upcoming WI Looking for a place in another yearS group? Please contact us for up-to-date availability. activities, and discussed what we can do for World Kindness Day on Saturday 3rd November. Looking for a place in another year group? Please call for up-to-date availability `The school’s ethos and values of ‘mutual respect, good behaviour and high academic standards within a Christian and moral At our November meeting we will be hearing culture’ are borne out in all aspects of your work. Consequently, pupils are highly motivated, keen to learn and achieve well’ Ofsted December 2016 about the Thames crossings. And we look forward to welcoming back a couple of ladies that came to All Types of Roofing Shiplake, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 4DN visit us for the first time in September. Tel: 0118 963 9456 Ladies are very welcome to visit our friendly Email: offi[email protected] group. We hold meetings on the third Thursday of telephone: 0118 940 2024 www.shiplakeprimary.org.uk CAVERSHAM BRIDGE, NOVEMBER 2018 Page 11 MAPLEDURHAM PARISH HALL Aid to the Church in Need: breakfast meeting TRENCH GREEN (RG4 7UA) Good size hall for hire with stage, kitchen & at Our Lady and St Anne storage facilities Rural setting with parking close to Mapledurham village With a view to developing a series of talks and a chance to take on some physical nourishment before moving to the Can accommodate for example: • Children's parties / Family celebrations discussions at Our Lady and St Anne (OLASA) spiritual. Edwin Raj as co-ordinator of the event introduced Nick Fogg MBE, •Classes / Meetings / Sales & Exhibitions in Caversham, a breakfast meeting was held who is involved with ACN as the Diocesan Secretary and is by profession a •Drama & Music Groups on Saturday 15th September from 0800am to journalist, writer and consultant as well as being active in many community One off occasions or multi bookings 0930am.The invited presenter was Nick Fogg focused projects as a Councillor for Wiltshire Council. For further enquiries contact Jane Bowen MBE who is a representative of Aid to the Church Nick’s talk set out to provide an orientation to the work of ACN which 0118 9722978 in Need (ACN). He took as his theme the idea of was founded in Germany in 1947 by the Norbertine priest Father Werenfried ‘5,000 reasons to hope’. ACN has a global remit van Straaten. ACN is a Pontifical Foundation of the Roman Catholic Church to support Christian communities in parts of the and supports Catholics and other Christians wherever they are persecuted, world where their existence is challenged. OLASA threatened, undermined or destroyed and suffer need as a result. In the M.J. GODDARD already has a Friends of the Holy Land (FHL) group early days of ACN the focus was on supporting the Church behind the Iron so an opportunity to hear about the wider field Curtain. In the modern era persecution continues in many forms and ACN of operations of ACN is always welcome and has responded by supporting thousands of projects since its foundation. Builder and Decorator instructive. Both FHL (within Palestine and the Like Christian Aid and Cafod, the ACN has a global reach. It works across the West bank and Gaza) and ACN (more widely, but Middle East too which is the historic homeland of the Christian Church and FREE ESTIMATES also very active in the Middle East) complement it is in this region that its interests intersect with those of the FHL whose each other, so the theme of the talk was relevant target is the surviving Christian communities in the Palestinian West Bank, 18 GOSBROOK ROAD for both perspectives. Gaza and Jordan. Nick talked about some of his experiences in the Middle CAVERSHAM The meeting started with a continental East region and provided thoughtful insights to all those concerned about READING breakfast in the Cenacle giving those attending the welfare and future of Christian communities in that region. Iraq, Syria and Egypt are all countries where the church suffers from persecution. As BERKSHIRE Telephone 947 5582 the FHL seeks to foster the welfare of Christians in the historic core of St John’s Christmas the Holy Land we all must be aware and vigilant of the condition of those Fair and Fun communities elsewhere and of whatever Christian denomination. St John’s Christmas Fair and Fun is to be held Monies raised from the meeting have gone to support the parish on Saturday 17th November 2018, from 2 p.m. conference of the Society of St Vincent Paul. Meetings such as this one to 4.pm. at St John’s Church, Gosbrook Road, provide another means of linking the parish community to the wider world Caversham. Stalls will be selling homemade cakes and to more awareness of highly relevant themes. (Stephen A. Roberts) and preserves, toys, jewellery and books, and THE FUNERAL PEOPLE there will be a tombola. There will be a raffle, SERVICE, QUALITY AND BEST VALUE and you can relax afterwards with a cup of tea St Peter’s Christmas Market FROM A PROFESSIONAL INDEPENDENT This year St Peter’s Christmas Market will take place in the church on or coffee. New this year, there will be games and FIFTH GENERATION FAMILY BUSINESS Saturday 8th December from 10.00 a.m. until 12.30 p.m. to support the craft activities for all the family in Caversham Hall SINCE 1826 DEC Indonesia Tsunami Appeal. There will be wonderful handcrafted gifts - nearby. Admission is free. ideal for presents, homemade foods - cakes, puddings and pies, biscuits and www.abwalker.co.uk chutneys as well as wreaths and table decorations. Enjoy mulled apple juice CAVERSHAM 0118 947 7007 and coffee with seasonal refreshments in the Vanderstegan Cafe. There will READING 0118 957 3650 also be Sideshows for children, a Raffle, a Quiz, Tombola, ‘Guess the weight HENLEY 01491 413434 Building and Roofing Specialist of the Cake’, Hoopla, Buzzwire, Treasure Island and more. Caversham Through Tel:Building (0118) 947and 3503 Roofing Mobile 07944Specialist 272804 the Year calendars will be available. PLEASE COME, bring your friends and FREE ESTIMATES & QUOTES family, and help to rebuild the shattered lives of the people of Indonesia. COMPETITIVE PRICES NO JOB TOO SMALL. ALSO UNDERTAKEN SMALL BUILDING JOBS REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE A.F. JONES CAVERSHAM BRIDGE MASTER Would you like to have this paper Free Estimates MASONS delivered to you monthly? COPSE ELECTRICAL SERVICES Email us at: [email protected] Craftsmen in Stone giving your name and address. All Domestic Electrical Work undertaken Alternatively copies of this paper Part P registered & certified BEDFORD RD can be purchased from: READING Caversham Thameside Parish Office Tel: 0798 3627742 / 0795 6811443 For a Clinic appointment please call Telephone Church Street, Caversham Library 0118 957 3537 and Woodcote Way News TOMALIN & SON • Premium Amtico Retailer Funeral Directors • Independent family run business A Family Owned Funeral Service • Top brand name flooring at the lowest price • Samples to view in your home/office • Free advice / free quotes Tel: (01491) 573370 • Old flooring uplifted & furniture moved • Fast turn around on fitting if required ANDERSON HOUSE, 38 READING ROAD, HENLEY-ON-THAMES, OXON, RG9 1AG Tel: 01189 580 4455 Golden Charter & Help the Aged 10a Richfield Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 8 EQ PRE-PAID FUNERAL PLANS [email protected]/www.richfield flooring.co.uk Page 12 CAVERSHAM BRIDGE, NOVEMBER 2018 www.caversham.org.uk Kentwood Garden Services Have your Garden maintained Weekly ~ Fortnightly ~ Monthly THE source online Neglected Gardens cleared ;fd\jk`Z#:fdd\iZ`Xc >Xi[\eNXjk\ for RG4 news, For free advice and estimates ?flj\&Cf]k:c\XiXeZ\ call Kevin on >XiX^\&J_\[:c\XiXeZ\ events, eating out, 0118 967 8840 or 07980 915944 places to go, local Turfing Fencing Hedge-cutting Patios C`Z\ej\[NXjk\:Xii`\in`k_ Zfdd`kd\ekkfi\ZpZc`e^ history and more. The best place on J\im`e^:Xm\ij_XdXe[jliifle[`e^Xi\Xj 1Electrics =Xjk#]i`\e[cp i\c`XYc\j\im`Z\ the web to look for information about Caversham Electrician =fiX]i\\effYc`^Xk`fehlfk\#gc\Xj\ZXcc1 All your Electrical requirements '((/*+/(,,*&'./(/'**-), Caversham and nnn%XccilYY`j_Zfcc\Zk\[+L%Zf%lb beyond. For a free quotation Phone 07771 798485 or 0118 954 6338 st 1 Berkshire Roofing & Property Services Domestic & Commercial Cleaners of Caversham & Reading 30 years experience/Free estimates/No job too small CLEAN Slate & tile roofs, flat felt & lead roofing repairs GREEN Shed roofs re-felted; Chimneys re-pointed LIVING UVC fascias and cladding repaired/renewed We use only 100% natural Gutters cleaned, repaired/renewed; Moss removal ingredients Gardens tidied & cleared; Fencing repaired/replaced in our cleaning products. Painting & decorating internal and external 07487 254018 / 07487 262810 WWW.CLEANGREENLIVING.CO.UK Call Jim Long – 0118 327 4783/07570 079700 Steve Daniels JWS CHAUFFEUR & EXECUTIVE SERVICE Painting and Decorating jws 25 years experience Formerly known as Noble Chauffeur Service City and Guilds qualified For a professional job and free quote ring: Be driven in comfort, luxury Mercedes Home: 0118 961 3218 Airports : Weddings : Special occasions Mobile: 0791 710 6164 Sea Ports for Cruises Reading based - reliable service Jimmy Wharton Phone: 975 2241 / 07801 937876 Proprietor Email: [email protected] NETLEY LANDSCAPES Established 1986 Bedrooms – Studies – Alcoves www.jwsexecutivetravel.co.uk Bespoke Storage Solutions Garden design and construction Hugh Netley, NDLC PATIOS, FENCING, NATURAL STONEWORK, WALLING, PLANTING, SHRUB AND Will Writing and Lasting Power of Attorney TREE CLEARANCE, WATER FEATURES, ETC, ETC. BOILER REPLACEMENT (LPA) specialists. 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