After many years, Brown Bag have decided to leave the Oakwood Centre.
Weâll be sad to see them go, but we are delighted to welcome, in their place, local cafe specialists Crumbs!
To facilitate this change, the cafe at the Oakwood Centre will close on 22nd August at midday and will re-open on Saturday 7th September.
We have now published a report showing the responses to our WPLC Development survey.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond.
We received a total of 1,339 responses, of which:
You can view the full report HERE.
Please keep an eye on our website and social media for any further updates.
The events are part of a Council-led project to engage with Woodley’s young people in order to get their thoughts and ideas about our future youth provision offering.
Both events are open to young people aged 11-18 years old, are free, and there is no need to book. Please just turn up and enjoy, as well as taking the opportunity for young people to Have their Say on youth services in Woodley.
ð 20th August
â° 4-5.30pm
ðģ Woodford Park
ð 27th August
â° 4-5.30pm
ðģ Sandford Park
The events are being run by Berkshire Youth. For any enquiries, please email:
ð§ [email protected]
Each health check is completely free, carried out in private and takes around 30 minutes. The check will include measuring your height and weight, a blood pressure check, a cholesterol test and a blood sugar test. Those over 65 will also be told about symptoms of dementia to look out for.
As part of the health check, you will be offered advice and guidance to address issues that may be impacting your health. You will also be able to access help from Involve community services who can offer ongoing support and signposting on wider issues including mental wellbeing, finances and additional pressures like carer responsibilities.
To be eligible for a free health check you need to meet the following criteria:
Health checks are being offered at a variety of venues across the borough, with new appointments being released every month.
You can find out more about the Health Checks on the Joy App or book your appointment in advance on the Community Wellness Outreach webpage.
Depending on the number of pre-bookings some spaces may also be available to people dropping in on the day. However, this cannot be guaranteed, and people are encouraged to book in advance.
We will be closing the toilets from Monday 5th August, for approximately 4 weeks, while renovations take place.
Temporary toilets will be available, including accessible toilets; please follow signs in the centre or ask a member of staff for assistance.
Woodley Town Council Reception will be also closed from Monday 5th August for approximately 4 weeks, while the works take place.
Please ask a member of staff at the Oakwood Centre reception desk for help. If no one is at the desk, please call 0118 9690356 and someone will come to see you.
Thank you for your support and understanding while we make improvements.
Wokingham Borough Council have advised that they intend to close a section of the A329(M) between 7am and 4pm on Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 August 2024.
The closure will be in effect in both directions between the junction with Coppid Beach and the Winnersh Triangle interchange.
The reason for the closure is to allow WBC contractors to carry out multiple bridge inspections and routine maintenance works in safety.
The alternative route for all eastbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A3290 Loddon Bridge and The Bader Way Interchange, A329 Reading Road, A329 Shute End, A329 Rectory Road, A329 Wiltshire Road and A329 London Road.
The alternative route for all westbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A329 London Road, A329 Peach Street, A329 Broad Street, A329 Shute End, A329 Reading Road and A3290 Loddon Bridge and The Bader Way Interchange.
What would be the impact to you if Royal Berkshire Hospital moved?
The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is looking at options for a new Royal Berkshire Hospital as part of the governmentâs New Hospital Programme. The Trust have so far identified two sites which could be suitable and want to understand the impact for staff, patients and the wider community including residents and local businesses if the hospital moves.
The two potential sites they are seeking your views on are;
Thames Valley Park at the end of A329M â 2.2 miles north east of the current site between East Reading and Woodley
Thames Valley Science Park â 3.7 miles south east of the current site off the M4 near Shinfield
Please fill in the survey to have your say or email [email protected] with your feedback
For further details including a map of the sites please seewww.buildingberkshiretogether.co.uk/impact-assessment
Enthusiastic Year 1 pupils from Beechwood, Highwood, Rivermead, South Lake and St Dominic Savio primary schools recently spent the day at Waingels College, showcasing their creativity in a Tray Garden Challenge.
The morning was spent in workshops run by Waingelsâ Art Department, where the children made items to use to help decorate their gardens. In the afternoon, everything came together as they used those items, and a wealth of beautiful plants donated by Winnersh Garden Centre, to create gardens with an Olympic theme.
The gardens were judged by Woodley Mayor, Cllr Juliet Anderson, Deputy Town Mayor, Cllr David Bragg, Cassie King from British Garden Centres and Brenda Milton from the Woodley Flower Club.
They were all very impressed with the childrenâs creativity, the teamwork that they showed and their ability to confidently discuss their designs with the judges. All the children received a certificate for taking part, presented by the Mayor and Mr Hickey, Head of Highwood Primary School. While Winnersh Garden Centre donated seeds for all and prizes for the winners.
The wonderful creations were then on display for all to see during Woodley Carnival, alongside the incredible Woodley Flower Club exhibition.
The Tray Garden Challenge is one of four Challenge Days run for different year groups on an annual basis. The projects, initiated by Mr Hickey, Head of Highwood Primary School, bring together children and teachers from Woodley schools to collaborate on an activity that provides real benefit to the children.
âHosting the events at local secondary schools also introduces the pupils to the sights and sounds of their next educational step, helping to ease transition worries. These projects would not be possible without the generous donations from local companies and the funding awarded from a Woodley Town Council grant, for which we are very grateful,â commented a spokesperson for the Woodley Schools Cluster.
We were delighted to see Woodford Park filled with hundreds of people who gathered to remember those involved in the D-Day Landings 80 years ago.
The crowds were entertained by swing and jazz music from the era, played by The Hipcats, with circus entertainment for the younger ones from Circus Scene and face painting by Your Face or Mine?
The event was officially opened by Woodley Town Crier, Tony Roper, who welcomed everyone and read out the official Town Crier Tribute.
At 9pm, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Mr Richard Anderson, and Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Juliet Anderson, were accompanied on stage by the Wokingham Borough Mayor, Cllr Adrian Mather, Woodley Town Crier, Tony Roper, and Woodley Town Council Town Clerk, Kevin Murray.
âWhat a special day today is and what an amazing and special occasion D-Day was for the world because that was the largest armada that has ever been put together in the history of all of the countries. Iâm very fortunate that my father landed on Sword Beach D+ 30 minutes with the Canadians. He was in the Royal Artillery and, because of that, I have got his beret here and I am going to wear that right now,â said Mr Anderson. This was accompanied by a round of applause as he placed the beret on his head.
Also wearing his fatherâs medals, Mr Anderson then talked about a visit to Sword Beach with his father and some of the stories his father shared with him of the landings, including some very near misses from bombs.
Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Juliet Anderson, followed this by thanking Mr Anderson for his speech and commenting that, for her, the most moving aspect of the D-Day commemorations had been to hear so many personal accounts and stories.
Cllr Anderson also thanked the Town Crier for opening the event and also thanked the residents of Woodley for attending the event and being part of the community of Woodley.
âIt is a privilege to represent the people of Woodley as Woodley Town Mayor to honour those who sacrificed so much at the D-Day landings and beyond to end World War II.
80 years ago, on 6 June 1944, over 156,000 naval, airborne and ground Allied troops of many nationalities under British, Canadian, and American commands landed on the Normandy beaches. This marked the beginning of the liberation of France and the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany. The sheer scale of the attack and the loss of life is quite incomprehensible.â
Cllr Anderson also commented on Woodleyâs role in World War II: âWoodley had a pivotal role in World War II, as a base for Elementary Flying Training School courses. Indeed, there are several road names related to this, in particular, Bader Way, named after Douglas Bader who was a wartime pilot.â
âWe will shortly light the Beacon in line with others across the nation as a celebration of the Light of Peace that emerged out of the darkness of war, remembering and honouring those who fought at the D-Day landings and all of those who volunteered, sacrificed, served, fought and died for our freedom,â she added.
The speeches were followed by Mr Anderson and Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Juliet Anderson, lighting the Beacon at 9.15pm alongside the rest of the nation, representing the Light of Peace. This was followed by sounds of gun fire and the National Tribute, read by Woodley Town Deputy Clerk, Matthew Filmore.
We would like to thank everyone who came to the event to pay their respects and honour those who sacrificed so much for our freedom.
Our particular thanks go to Mr Richard Anderson, Cllr Adrian Mather and Tony Roper for their attendance and contribution.
We would also like to thank the food and drink stalls for providing delicious refreshments, alongside our entertainers and band.
Video footage of the event will be available on our YouTube channel.
We were also lucky to have Woodley Photographic Club in attendance taking photos. Thank you to the team for so many great photos. Here is a selection of them.
We were delighted with the attendance at our recent Annual Town Meeting, which was held in the Theatre at the Oakwood Centre on Thursday 23rd May.
The evening started with our newly appointed Town Mayor, Cllr Juliet Anderson, awarding local community heroes as nominated by the community of Woodley.
In summary:
Full details of the winners can be found in an article on our News Page.
Pictured with Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Juliet Anderson.
A presentation on Climate Emergency was delivered by Climate Officers Resh Thorpe and Mhairi Adams from Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) and Matthew Filmore, Woodley Town Council Deputy Town Clerk. The presentation provided an update on actions taken so far by the Borough and Town Councils and also focused on the importance of individual participation to help reduce carbon emissions.
Several members of the audience asked questions about climate issues in the Borough. These included how short car journeys to school could be addressed. WBC Officers advised that by 2025, all schools in the Borough will need to have an individual Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP).
A question was asked as to whether methane emissions from Ashenbury Park, which was once a landfill site, could be harvested. WBC Officers said that this comment would be passed on to the climate team at WBC.
A question was asked regarding how young people could be discouraged from discarding disposable vapes and drinks cans/bottles inappropriately. WBC Officers advised that this could form part of the discussion in schools and feed into their CEAPs. It was also noted that there was a planned campaign regarding the correct disposal methods for vapes.
A question was asked about the amount of waste generated by the Carnival and whether this was recycled. Cllr Anderson, as a member of the Carnival Committee, responded that some work had been done on this and the general waste bins this year will have recyclable materials separated by the waste contractor after collection.
The public were then invited to ask questions specific to Woodley Town Council. These included if whether a map could be produced showing the location of all publicly accessible defibrillators in Woodley. The Town Clerk agreed to look into this.
A question was asked regarding the Sunflower Hidden Disabilities Scheme and whether the profile of this could be raised in Woodley. The Deputy Town Clerk advised that Woodley Town Council had signed up to the scheme and the Town Clerk agreed to take the details of the resident and discuss this further.
A question was asked as to what happened to the old graffiti wall in Woodford Park. Cllr Baker advised that the wall was removed some years ago as it was old and in poor condition. He added that a suggestion had been made regarding the reinstatement of something similar but that this had yet to be formally considered.
A question was asked if more lighting could be installed in Woodford Park and whether the net on the basketball hoop could be replaced. The Town Clerk advised that the potential for additional lighting in the park would need to be carefully considered so as not to encourage people to gather in certain areas and that the damaged hoop basket would be removed.
A request was submitted to provide facilities for Padel Tennis at Woodford Park Leisure Centre. It was noted that this would be forwarded to the Town Council working group that was currently looking at future sports provision at the centre. The Deputy Town Clerk advised that there was currently a public consultation survey available for all users and non-users of the centre to feed ideas into, and that this had received around 1000 responses so far.
Cllr Baker rounded off the Q&A session by advising residents that if they wished to object to planning applications affecting them, they must respond to Wokingham Borough Council as the planning authority, and also to contact their Borough Councillor to request that the application be âlistedâ. This process means that the application will be considered fully by Borough Councillors, rather than simply decided by Planning Officers.
Other questions relating to areas covered by Wokingham Borough Council were recorded and will be referred to WBC. Full details of these and minutes of the meeting can be read here.
The evening concluded with a Cheese & Wine reception in the Carnival and Maxwell Halls at the Oakwood Centre.
ÂĐ Woodley Town Council 2025
