Afternoon everyone 😊

Since we've joined Reddit, we've mostly been talking about how we work day-to-day, and often how it directly affects you, but today we thought we'd share a nice human interest piece (and a link if you want to know more!)

For Black History Month, which ran throughout October, we invited local Black residents to share their experiences, achievements and hopes for the future as part of our Honouring Our Communities photography exhibition at Wokingham Library.

This was produced with Voice of Inclusion and Equality (VINE) and can be seen for the rest of this week during normal opening hours.

Here are just four of their stories - you can read them all on our website:

Rachel "Ray" Hassan grew up in Tiger Bay, Cardiff, one of the UK’s oldest multicultural communities. Whether spending time at Dinton Pastures with her family and dog, or supporting local people as chief executive of Citizens Advice Wokingham, she enjoys being part of a strong and caring community. Her message to future generations is to believe in their worth and never give up on their ambitions.

Thanda Mhlanga, a proud resident of Charvil, is guided by Ubuntu - a Nguni African philosophy and the idea that “I am because we are”. Through his NHS career and volunteering, he helps organisations remove barriers and create opportunities for people from all backgrounds. He encourages young people to stay curious, embrace education and have the confidence to challenge injustice.

Jacqui Mukono founded Project Salama to support survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and trauma. She is a passionate advocate for inclusion and believes strong communities are built through kindness, courage and people standing alongside one another. Jacqui has helped build connections through initiatives such as Chai & Chat sessions.

Francis Mbiye Kaninda was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and built a career in technology after moving to the UK. He now works for us to help local people access opportunities and services. His message is simple: never let your circumstances define your potential, and use your success to help others. 

Welcome to the strange and wonderful world of... your food waste.

Halloween is creeping closer, so if you’re carving a pumpkin, don’t forget about the good stuff inside.

The flesh can go into soups, curries or cakes, and the seeds can be roasted. Once Halloween is over, remove any decorations and the rest can go in your food waste caddy. 🎃

And that’s where our banana comes in. 🍌

Earlier this year, we followed one particularly brave banana skin from a kitchen caddy onto the food waste lorry and all the way to an anaerobic digestion plant.

What followed was an adventure involving machinery, brown soup, billions of microbes and, eventually, energy for the grid and fertiliser for farmers.

No Old Gregg on this occasion, sadly/fortunately.

Watch our banana skin’s journey on YouTube

And, r/wokingham, with pumpkin season nearly upon us, what do you actually make with your leftovers?

Soup, roasted seeds, curry, cake or have you got a better idea?

Email: rweventsandsecurity@mail.uk

Instagram/LinkedIn/Facebook: @rweventsandsecurity

Hi everyone! We’ve got lots of plans in the pipeline for Wokingham Borough and we’re asking your views on five proposals covering:  

• caring for adults who need it 
• new and safer speed limits 
• helping people get more active 
• creating community-led library services 
• how the borough should develop and grow over the next 15 years 

Some of these are draft strategies, meaning your feedback will help develop the final approach.  

Supporting people’s dignity and independence 

Firstly, we’re developing a new Adult Social Care Strategy and want your views to ensure it works for everyone. 

Adults may need social care because of age, illness, disability or other needs. We currently support about 2,000 people with things like home help, equipment or adaptations, carers’ support, supported housing or residential care to help everyone live the life they choose. 

The strategy will set our priorities for the next five years. It’s been shaped by more than 1,300 survey responses and over 400 conversations, workshops and meetings with residents, carers, staff, providers, community organisations and partners.  

Have your say by Wednesday 28 October. 

Lower limits proposed for safer streets 

We’re proposing to reduce speed limits in five areas, using a mix of 20mph and 30mph limits depending on the location. 

Lower speeds can reduce serious accidents and make it safer and easier for people to get about on foot and by bike. They can also reduce congestion, noise and emissions.  

The proposals cover Wokingham town centre and Norreys Avenue, Twyford, Finchampstead village, the Silverdale Road area in Earley and Hare Hatch. 

This is the first phase of our Safer Streets programme and was guided by more than 1,900 suggestions from residents. 

Give your views by Monday 9 November. 

Writing the next chapter for our libraries 

We’re developing a new libraries strategy to create community-led services that bring people together, support learning and make the most of local partnerships. 

As well as offering books, libraries are essential hubs where everyone can learn, meet others, get digital support and enjoy activities. 

More than 1,300 residents responded to our previous survey, telling us how they use libraries and their views on the service, which helped shape the draft strategy. 

Almost 90 per cent were library users, so we’d also love to hear from people who don't currently use libraries to ensure this works for everyone. 

Have your say by Tuesday 10 November. 

Are we moving in the right direction? 

What helps you stay active and what gets in the way? Earlier this year, almost 750 residents told us about getting and staying physically active. 

This helped us develop a draft 10-year Physical Activity Strategy. If agreed, it will aim to give everyone in the borough more opportunities to be active. 

Now we want to know whether this works for you. Have we chosen the right priorities? Is anything missing? 

Have your say by Sunday 15 November. 

A great borough to live, work and study 

Finally, we’re starting work on our new Local Plan 2045, which will guide how Wokingham Borough grows and develops over the next two decades. 

It will look at where new homes, jobs and services should go, what infrastructure is needed and where development should not take place so important natural and historic features can be protected. 

At this early stage, we’re asking which issues, opportunities and priorities the plan should address. We aren’t consulting on specific policies, sites or strategies, as that will come later. 

Share your early views by Monday 16 November. 

Want regular updates? 

To stay up to date with opportunities to have your say and find out how feedback is used, you can subscribe to our Consultation Newsletter. 

It comes out every two weeks and the next edition is due out next Wednesday, 21 October. 

As you may know, the number 3 can't go down its usual route because of roadworks. The 3z serves stops from woosehill Lane to the stop next to edneys Hill. That's free. For your information the vehicles reg plate is AA12 ROW. Now, the number doesn't serve stops from ratepayers Hall to Robinson crusoe. but how does it stop at the bull still?Well, it does the route backwards from Barkham Road shops until Arborfield green, where it does a loop and goes on its way towards reading,only 2 mins behind schedule. Your welcome.

We love sharing all the great and good things happening in Wokingham Borough, thanks to the hundreds of charities and voluntary groups there are. 

Below is a snapshot of recent stories we’ve loved. Enjoy and find out how to get these updates directly down below! 

Nailed it! Funding to help women and girls learn DIY 

Nail It DIY, which already runs practical DIY workshops across Wokingham and the surrounding area, has secured funding from Wokingham United Charities to expand opportunities for women and girls across the borough next year. 

The community interest company offers hands-on sessions covering everything from home maintenance and repairs to tiling and woodwork, helping women build practical skills and confidence in a supportive environment. 

The new funding will support a dedicated programme of DIY workshops for women and girls across Wokingham Borough. It will also help Nail It DIY develop a more joined-up referral and booking process and strengthen relationships with local support organisations, enabling it to reach more people and better respond to local needs. 

Sarah, co-director of Nail It DIY, said: “One of the things we love most about Nail It is seeing the change in confidence that can happen when women are given the opportunity to learn practical skills in a friendly, supportive environment. It’s not just about learning to use a drill or put up a shelf; it’s about coming away thinking, ‘Actually, I can do this.’” 

New trail helps residents explore Lower Earley 

A new waymarked walking route is making it easier for residents to discover some of Lower Earley’s most attractive green spaces. 

The 3.5-mile Lower Earley Green Corridor Trail has been signposted by Loddon Valley Ramblers, creating a mostly traffic-free route stretching from Loddon Bridge to Shinfield Road. The trail passes through woodland, meadows and parkland, including Pearman’s Copse, Swallow’s Meadow, Wood of Eagles and the Loddon-side path between Sindlesham and Loddon Bridge. 

The project was made possible through funding from Earley Town Council and support from volunteers from the Earley Environmental Group, who installed waymarkers and trail markers during summer 2026. Thanks were also given to Wokingham Borough Council, the University of Reading and local land managers for enabling the route to be signposted. 

With public transport links available along the route, the trail is designed for both leisure walks and active travel, helping more people enjoy and connect with the area’s natural environment. Directions are available through the Loddon Valley Ramblers website. 

Sign up for regular updates 

Our Community Matters newsletter is where we celebrate the great people and organisations supporting residents across the area.  

Every fortnight, you’ll find volunteering opportunities, things to do and information about support available in the borough. 

It’s a council newsletter… not about the council (which is why you might like it!). 

Our next Community Matters newsletter is due out next Wednesday (14 October) and you can sign up to receive it here: https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/newsletter  

Dear all,                      

We're looking for volunteers to take part in a study exploring the effect of prebiotic supplementation on sleep, mood, cognition and the gut microbiome.

To participate, you must:

• Be 25-50 years old
• Have some mild sleep disturbance
• Not have a diagnosed sleep disorder or major health problems

What’s involved?

• Four visits to the University (less than 3 hours each)
• Completing cognitive tests, mood, sleep and food questionnaires
• Finger-prick blood samples
• Two stool samples
• Wearing a sleep tracking watch for 4 weeks total

How do I find out more?

To find out more, please contact Gregory Patient at [g.s.patient@pgr.reading.ac.uk](mailto:g.s.patient@pgr.reading.ac.uk).

Alternatively, please follow this link to find out more information: REDCAP link 

This study has received ethical approval by the University of Reading Research Ethics Committee, project UREC 26/16, end date 20-05-2027

Thank you.

🤜🤛 why not do both?

Twyford Halloween bonfire & fireworks 2026 🎉

📍 king George V recreation ground from 6.30pm

Early discounted tickets available
---> DISCOUNTED TICKETS <---
£8 adults (save 33%)
£6 youth (12-16) / seniors (save 33%)
£2 children (under 12)

This is a community event.
All money raised will be going to local charities

JOIN US FOR:
🎆 Spectacular fireworks display (8pm)
🔥 Traditional bonfire (7:30pm)
👻 Halloween and fancy dress
🎡 Pelham's far far
🌭 BBQ and hot food
🍺 Licensed bar
☕️ Hot drinks and treats
✨ Glow sticks and stalls

Twyford, Wokingham
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/twyfordroundtable/2412678/r/social-reddit-26

Hi everyone!  

With Halloween just around the corner, we want to let you know what’s happening at Dinton Pastures Country Park in Hurst.  

There’s something for everyone including a pumpkin fair, Halloween trails, a night run and a laser light show. Whatever you’ve got planned, we’d love to see you and wish you a fantastic spooky season.  

Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November, 9am to 4pm - Pumpkin and Phantoms Halloween Trail  

Hunt down pumpkins and ghosts, created by local schools and groups, around the country park.  

Trail maps are £2.50 per person (adults don’t need to book) from the Dinton Activity Centre reception or online, with small prizes up for grabs. 

This hunt is just under 2km long and should take about 45 mins, and all paths are wheelchair and buggy accessible. 

Sunday 25 October, 11am to 3.30pm – Pumpkin Fair  

JL Events are back with a Pumpkin Fair at Dinton’s Davis Street entrance, featuring: 

• Children’s donkey rides and petting farm 
• Food, drinks, sweet treats and gift stalls 
• Children’s rides, bungee trampolines and indoor soft play 
• Crafts and more 

Entry is £2 (children under 12 free) and dogs on leads are welcome. Please note this is a fair, not a pumpkin patch. 

Saturday 31 October – Dinton After Dark 

Join us if you dare for a family-friendly Halloween adventure, After Dark, as Dinton Pastures Country Park comes alive.  

This two-part event includes a spooky trail (book here) (4.30pm to 6.30pm), followed by a Barnes Fitness 5km night run (book here) at 7.15pm. You can enjoy just one or both! 

Spooky trail - this spooky (but not scary!) trail includes friendly characters from Reading Rep Theatre and marshmallow roasting, with food and drink all evening (additional charge applies). 

Tickets are £9 (18 and over), £4 (three to 12) and free for under-threes, and include parking. 

Night run – You can take part in your spookiest costume – though head or chest torches are compulsory, and warm clothing and sturdy footwear is advised. 

It’s open to everyone aged 11 and over, of all abilities, and it’s filled with surprises. Not all marshals may have your best interests at heart! 

Finishers (or survivors?) get a glow in the dark medal, with prizes for the best-dressed runners and free photos to download. Tickets are £22 (18 and over) or £17 (11 to 17). 

Sunday 1 November – Laser light show, 5pm to 8pm 

The fun continues as Dinton turns into a magical, illuminated Laser Show (book here) spectacle, in partnership with JL Events and LDLS Lighting and Sound. 

LDLS have worked with top artists including Kylie Minogue, Muse, Raye, Fred Again, Bring Me the Horizon, Rushil Ranjan and AR Rahman, Fat Boy Slim and Empire of the Sun. 

This is a great alternative to a traditional fireworks night with no smoke, debris or loud bangs, featuring: 

• Laser light show with a Hollywood Under The Stars theme, celebrating classic family films (25 to 30 minutes) 
• Live music and entertainment from Saxcellerate and a local brass band 
• Character walkabouts 
• A barbecue, bar, sweet treats and more 
• Rides, themed children’s activities and stalls (illuminated LED wristbands £3.95) 

Tickets are £9.95 (adults), £5.95 (children) and £7.95 (carers), including discounted £5 parking for pre-booking. No tickets will be available on the gate. 

Unfortunately, due to capacity limits and low lighting, dogs aren’t allowed for their own safety.  

Hi everyone!

I'm looking for volunteering opportunities around Wokingham and wondered if anyone might know of any. I have a full-time job (8–5), so I'd be looking to volunteer in the evenings and/or on weekends. I'm open to any kind of volunteering work.

Thank you!

Hi everyone! I’m looking for some honest parent experiences of St Teresa’s and Wescott School.

My daughter is currently in Year 2 at another local school, but I’m not completely happy with some of the changes that have been made recently, so I’m starting to look at other options.

I’d love to hear from anyone whose children currently attend or have attended either school particularly your overall experience, how happy your child is, the teachers, atmosphere and communication with parents.

If you’ve experienced both schools, even better! 😊

Thanks!

Hi everyone!

There’s quite a lot happening in the area between Barkham, Arborfield and Finchampstead, so we thought this map might help join the dots. Literally, in some cases!

First up, we’ve signed the contract to build Barkham Solar Farm, with construction set to start in November and the site expected to go live next year.

Once operational, its 43,000 solar panels are expected to generate enough renewable electricity to power around 9,400 average UK homes.

The project is also expected to generate more than £1 million a year for the council, helping us support local services at a time of significant financial pressure.

Not just solar panels: improvements to countryside

A new Greenway through the solar farm will provide a traffic-free walking and cycling link between California Country Park and the proposed extension to Rook’s Nest Wood, with a new signal-controlled crossing where the route crosses Barkham Ride.

The wider solar farm site will also include new woodland, meadow grassland, hedgerows and tree planting.

Meanwhile, we’re proposing to more than double Rook’s Nest Wood from 18 hectares to more than 50 hectares.

The plans include new and improved paths, a circular walking route, wildlife ponds, 11 hectares of new woodland and 14 hectares of species-rich wildflower grassland.

These are still proposals, with a planning application to follow.

It’s part of our wider plans for renewable energy, more accessible green space, better habitats and safer links between nearby communities. You’ll also note the area for a future SEND school (due to open in 2028) and the recently opened Covid Memorial Woodland.

Questions welcome. As always, we’ll do our best to answer, but may need to check the more technical ones with the project teams!

We’ve recently opened nominations for the Mayor’s Honour Awards 2027 and are looking for individuals and groups that YOU believe have gone above and beyond. 

One of the award categories is for young people aged under 18. We usually receive few nominations in this category, but this year we want to shout from the rooftops about how great our younger population is. 

Take Jake for example. Last year, aged 11, he received an award for the support he provides to his local repair café. He spends his weekends calculating how much waste the group is saving from landfill while helping and reassuring older visitors. 

Former Youth MP Maya Guelbert won her award for representing young people locally and nationally, working closely with schools, youth groups and council officers. 

In earlier years, children have been nominated for helping their siblings and for milestone achievements in performing arts. 

There are up to six youth awards up for grabs and no deed is too small! 

We’re also looking for nominations for groups, whether they are charities, voluntary groups or other organisations, as well as individuals who are making a difference. 

Nominees should either live, work or volunteer in Wokingham Borough. 

To make a nomination, you'll need to provide some details about yourself and the person or group you're putting forward, along with an explanation of why they should be considered for an award.  

Nominations close on 31 December. The winners will be chosen by Wokingham Borough Mayor, Cllr Rob Comber, and honoured at a ceremony in spring 2027.  

To make a nomination, or find out more, visit: https://engage.wokingham.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/celebrating-community-champions-with-the-mayor-s-honour-awards  

Hey everyone,

We moved in at the start of August and have had major issues with how bad Home telecom and City Fibre are. Their communication between themselves are crazy bad and it's causing massive delays for us.

Long story short, our Internet went down 11 days ago (for the second time) and it was working. HT doesn't even think we had Internet. And CB says they can only come in OCTOBER to come fix it.

Are there any other ISPs and fibre installers we can use who are actually quick and won't make us wait a month? And have good customer service.

Thanks everyone.

We've recently marked the opening of Wokingham Borough's Covid Memorial Woodland, located near California Country Park in Finchampstead (for the exact location, you can use the what3words /// enjoy.seated.rungs to find it).

The idea behind the project was to create somewhere people could remember loved ones, reflect on the impact of the pandemic, or simply spend some time in nature.

Over the past couple of years, residents, volunteers, schools, community organisations, charities, partners and council teams have all played a part in creating it. Hundreds of local people joined community planting sessions and more than 6,700 trees have now been planted across the site, alongside orchard trees, grassland and wildflower areas.

The woodland is still very young and has had a challenging start with two exceptionally hot and dry summers, but it's already beginning to take shape.

It's connected to California Country Park by the accessible paths and is now open to visitors.

Has anyone from r/wokingham visited yet? It'd be interesting to hear what you think of it so far.

If you'd like to read more or have a look through photos from the opening event, we've put together a news article.

We know roadworks are a constant topic of discussion around the borough, and with the schools now back we've written a guide explaining how we manage them.

We do all we can to minimise the disruption that roadworks cause, but they're often unavoidable for all sorts of reasons.

Most of the works on the network aren't actually ours - well over half are by utility companies carrying out repairs, upgrades or maintenance on essential supplies.

We can sometimes negotiate changes like revised working hours or alternative ways of managing traffic, but legally we have to support any work that needs to be done.

At the same time, there are lots of reasons why we need to work on the roads ourselves.

Sometimes that's repairs and routine maintenance, and sometimes we're working on major projects that support the borough's growth.

It's a complicated and constantly shifting picture but we're always working to keep things moving, even if that work isn't necessarily visible.

For regular updates on what we're doing, you can sign up to our weekly Moving Around the Borough newsletter or other newsletters.

For the latest travel information, see the roadworks list on our website or check the One Network interactive map for a more long-term view.

You may have seen others posting about it already, but just a reminder that the M4 is closing between junction 10 and 11 in a few weekends' time.

It'll be shutting in both directions from 9pm on Friday 18 September until 6am on Monday 21 September, with a diversion through Wokingham Borough.

This is so that Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks can restring high voltage lines (more detail on their website) after a tree fell onto a pylon in February.

They've rebuilt the pylon but now they need to join it to another one on the other side of the motorway.

Hatch Farm Way in Winnersh will also be closed, as it runs alongside the M4 where the new wires are being suspended.

The work needs to be done before the nights start drawing in, as the teams need to work in daylight for safety reasons.

Traffic will be diverted in both directions via the A329M, Winnersh Triangle, Showcase roundabout, Lower Earley Way and B3270, as per the diagram above.

Journeys are very likely to take longer than normal, so plan ahead now.

Hi! I’m an automotive enthusiast in my early 20s and I’m looking to create a new local car community aimed at enthusiasts in their 20s and 30s.

The idea is to organise casual meets and roadtrips, make some new friends, share car knowledge and generally have a group of like-minded people to enjoy the hobby with — whether you own a classic, modern, modified or slightly questionable project car!

I currently daily a Porsche 924, so I’m wondering if anyone here has spotted me around 👀

Are there any other younger car enthusiasts in the area? Drop a comment below and, if there’s enough interest, I’ll get a WhatsApp group started!

Surely I am not hearing Reading Festival from Lower Earley, is there something else going on?

Please someone explain to me how it's designed, if you're going into town there are two lanes which looks like it goes down to one. If there are two cars going at the same time which is pretty common if there's a little bit of traffic, one is forced to mount the weird raised part. I don't understand why it couldn't be a normal roundabout which has space for two cars

I'm not saying it's as bad as the California cross junction but it still just feels wrong

Morning everyone,

Next month we'll be opening the first new units as part of our multi-million pound SEND* investment programme for 2026 to 2029.

Historically there's been a shortage of provision locally, and that's meant some families have had to travel to placements further afield.

That's disruptive for them, and the cost isn't sustainable for us, so we're building up provision within the borough. This is also a requirement of the funding we get from the Government.

The initial investment will save money in the long run and will create new provision for all age groups including over-16s.

Our aim is that every child has their SEND needs met locally where that's the best option, though some might still need to go elsewhere for more intensively specialised support.

The programme includes:

👉 new and extended provision at dedicated special schools

👉 more facilities to allow pupils with SEND to attend mainstream schools

👉 three post-16 training and support hubs

👉 an early years provision to help families with very young children

You can see a summary on our website or visit our SEND investment hub where we've outlined the full programme.

Locations for some settings are still being finalised, and this will be updated as the programme moves forward.

Feel free to ask questions and we'll do our best to answer them, but might have to go back to the project team for an informed steer in some cases!

🧑‍🎓 Beyond the bricks and mortar, you can see our SEND Local Offer page for more about the services available or how you can get support.

\special educational and needs and disabilities*

Hey everyone,
I’m a guy living in Wokingham (19) and I’m looking to connect with some down-to-earth lads around my age (18 to 21ish) to build a solid group of mates.
To be completely honest, I’ve never actually been part of a proper group of guy friends before, and I really want to change that. I was walking around town earlier tonight, saw some guys out having a laugh together, and realized how much I want to experience that!
I’m down for pretty much anything—whether that's gaming, watching football, or just casual day-to-day stuff. I'm definitely looking for mates who want to hang out in the evenings too, whether that's catching a drink at the pub, or just chilling and chatting around town.
I know Wokingham is a smaller community, but I'm hoping there are a couple of guys out there in a similar position If you're up for starting a group chat or meeting up for a casual chat, drop a comment or send me a DM. Cheers!