Reading News Items in Reading

A new and exciting range of part-time adult learning courses is now on offer at Reading Central Library.

New Directions, Reading Borough Council’s learning and employment service, relocated its Central Reading Centre to the Central Library at the start of the New Year.

The new Reading centre offers a wide selection of part-time language and computer courses along with free employment support facilities and services.

Reading People hoping to head for the sun this summer can take advantage of the new language for holiday courses in French, Italian and Spanish.

These courses will concentrate on the kind of language holidaymakers will need for greeting people, using the currency, buying food and drink and finding their way around.

Those looking to build on their language skills in French, German, Italian, Japanese or Spanish, can enrol on an improvers or an advanced course.

New Directions will be running three short language and culture courses for adults during February. Workshops include, A Taste of Italy, Chateaux of Normandy and Gardens of the French Riviera.

For those looking to develop their computer skills and confidence using the Internet, email and MS Office applications, they can enrol on flexible Reading roll-on roll-off courses.

Courses include First Steps in IT for Complete Beginners, ICT Foundation Tier, European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) and Advanced ECDL.

New Directions computer courses and workshops are suitable for both complete beginners who are feeling left behind by information technology and those who wish to gain a qualification well regarded by employers.

Jon Hartley, Lead Councillor for Reading Education and Lifelong Learning said; "This is a great time of the year to learn a new skill or explore a new hobby. I would encourage local residents to explore all the opportunities and sign up to a course at New Directions and give adult learning a go."

New Directions has a total of four centres across Reading, providing a wide range of courses for work, leisure and life and free employment and job search facilities for those looking for a new job.

To request a free copy of the New Directions Course Guide for Leisure and Life call 0345 845 0012

Reading Borough Council

Thames Valley Police, Reading continue to appeal for witnesses to a fatal collision on the A329M om the 5/2.

At around 5.30pm, a blue Fiat Punto was travelling along the A329M towards Reading when it crossed the grass area and was in collision with a Ford transit van travelling southbound towards Bracknell.

The vehicle left the carriageway and the driver, a man in his twenties, from Wiltshire was pronounced dead at the scene.

Reading Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision or who saw the car prior to the collision.

Sgt James Atkinson from Three Mile Cross roads policing base said: “We are particularly keen to speak to any one who was travelling north bound on the A329M from Bracknell towards Reading.

“If you saw the blue Fiat Punto or witnessed the car cross the grass area and collide with the Ford transit van please contact us.”

Anyone with any information should contact Reading Sgt Atkinson at Three Mile Cross roads policing base, via 0845 8 505 505. If you do not want to speak to police or leave your name, call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Reading

A bumper week of events and activities are in store for families Reading during half term.

Reading Sports activities, crafts, comedy and workshops are taking place throughout half term week (February 15th-19th) at Reading Borough Council owned venues.

Whitley Arts Festival boasts many special events for Reading children to keep them amused, including fridge magnet, jewelry making and puppet workshops at Unity Community Centre, free DJ-ing sessions at Hexham Community Centre and fire fighting demonstrations at Whitley Wood Fire Station.

Reading Highdown Sports Centre meanwhile is running an ASA level 2 swimming teachers course during half-term week, offering free swimming lessons to anyone over the age of five.

Reading Museum and Town Hall has lots of colourful exhibitions and activities planned.

On Monday, February 15th, Reading families can join in and celebrate the venue’s contribution to the BBC’s History of the World project. Curators will be on hand to identify interesting objects and youngsters can take part in two free drop-in activities, including creating your own Dancing Dragons.

Activities will continue throughout the week; in Whizz, Bang, Wallop!, families will be shown how to make fun experiments with everyday materials. On Friday there will be inclusive craft sessions specifically aimed at children with additional needs.

Reading’s arts venues also have three really great family-friendly shows this half term.

Roald Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine comes to The Hexagon, between 17th-20th February, plus there are two performances of the Princess and the Pea on 17th February and two more for Peter and The Wolf on 18th, both at South Street Arts Centre.

The popular Annual Charity Pancake Race will take place on Tuesday, February 16th. Teams of four will race each other, flipping their pancakes, in Broad Street to raise money Sue Ryder Care.

There are lots of Skoot holiday activities at Reading’s various sports and leisure centres including mini soccer, soccer skills and tots’ time at Palmer Park Sports Stadium on 15th and 16th February, and diving and swimming courses throughout the week at Central Swimming Pool.

Graeme Hoskin, Lead Councillor for Reading Culture and Sport, said: "Im delighted that we’ve been able to put some much on for kids in Reading over the half-term holiday. There’s such a great range of activities going on around the town that I feel sure there’s something for everyone."

Reading Borough Council

Officers from the Special Constabulary are teaming up with the Central Reading neighbourhood team to hold a cycle safety and security event.

Reading Sgt Andy Miles is one of four Specials who have formed a Specialised Cycle Unit which is used to support policing operation across the area.

They are also keen to improve the safety of riders and the security of bikes and have organised an awareness event in Broad Street, Reading on Saturday (6/2).

He said: “We will be displaying a range of lights and locks, will discuss riding skills and can let people know whether their bike is safe. The Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust will be taking part in the event and we will also be supported by colleagues from the Central Reading neighbourhood team and PC Julian Weal, the area’s road safety officer.

“We will also be using the event to try to educate cyclists that they are prohibited from riding in Broad Street by making them aware of the dangers they pose for pedestrians.”

The event also coincides with National Specials Weekend and Sgt Miles will be able to discuss the benefits of the role.

Sgt Miles said: “Being a Special is a great way of giving something back and can provide a complete change from what you do on an everyday basis. Taking part on operations on cycles is a real bonus as well as we get to do what we all love.”

The officers can be found outside Marks and Spencers, Reading and the entrance to The Oracle between 9am and 4pm.

Thames Valley Police ~ Reading

Want to dispose of an old Reading washing machine or microwave, a redundant lawn mower or computer or an outdated TV, radio or phone? You can now have them collected on your doorstep for free thanks to a new council service.

Reading Residents wanting rid of old electrical or electronic items now need only phone a number, send an email, book online or even send a text, and a van will drop around and pick them up – at no charge to the householder.

Anything with a plug or that contains batteries will be collected and all items are recycled where possible.

The new initiative is the result of a tie up between Reading Borough Council and MIDEX Reverse Technologies Ltd – a commercial company who collect and recycle Waste Electronic & Electric Equipment (WEEE).

The new Reading service will save residents countless trips to the Household Waste Recycling Centre. And because all electrical or electronic items are recycled, the scheme will also provide a welcome boost to recycling rates, saving the Reading council-tax payer money as lower tonnages going to landfill mean lower landfill charges for the Council.

The list of electrical items that fall under the scheme is lengthy but includes washing machines, cookers, dishwashers, microwaves, stereos, DVD players, TVs, radios, telephones, computers, printers, lawn mowers and power tools. Scrap metal also falls under the scheme.

Residents can also leave any loose batteries with their electrical equipment and they will also be collected.

The free pick-up scheme is available for households with ground floor access only. In flatted developments all items must be removed to ground floor level for collection.

Fridges and freezers are not included in the scheme but the Reading Council can continue to collect these through its existing Bulky Waste service for a charge of £23 per item. Concessions are available to Senior Citizens and Your Reading Passport Holders.

Paul Gittings, Reading Lead Councillor for Environment and Sustainability, said: "This is an excellent opportunity for residents to recycle difficult bulky items free of charge and also do their bit to help reduce the amount that is sent to landfill."

Alison Hull, Account Manager at Midex, said: "We are delighted to have the support of Reading Borough Council. With their help, this new on-demand trial will enable us to retrieve and recycle larger volumes of WEEE per household than ever before. We have no doubt that the residents of Reading will rise to the challenge to make this a huge success."

Previously, MIDEX Reverse Technologies Ltd have been collecting electrical goods in other areas by distributing leaflets stating that collections in a location will be on a certain date. The Reading scheme differs in that this is the first time they have tried door to door collections on request, making it even easier for Reading residents to dispose of equipment.

Anyone living within Reading Borough Council is eligible to request free collection from their home during the trial period and residents do not need to be in for their WEEE to be collected, but do need to book ahead.

The easiest way to book collection is online at www.weeecollect.it/collection-request.php. Alternatively people can email: collect@midexcollect.it. Residents can phone 0871 2000 962 (Please note that calls to this number cost 10p per minute from BT landlines. Calls from other networks may be higher and from mobiles may be considerably more) or even text 07775 123 978 or fax 01252 338 415.

Reading Residents should provide their full address, name, contact phone number and a rough list of items they would like collected. This doesn’t have to be precise but just helps to allocate space on the van if there are large items. Midex will then contact people within 2 working days to confirm their collection date.

Midex is unable to remove items from inside residents homes. All items to be collected need to be left outside within the confines of the property, e.g. on a driveway. If people do require help removing large items, please contact Midex directly.

The teams drive very distinctive vans with the council logo showing and the trained collectors wear fluorescent yellow MIDEXcollect.IT tops. The drivers also carry identification, so if residents are in any doubt they should ask to see their ID card.

Residents can also continue to add WEEE, batteries and metals to their pile of items with no need to re-contact the company.

Reading Borough Council

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to a burglary at a house in Caversham, Reading.

The Reading incident happened at an address in Woods Road at around 7.30pm on Saturday (30/1).

The offenders, two white men wearing balaclavas, gained entry to the property by smashing a back door.

The occupants were at home at the time but were not injured in the incident.

Det Sgt Steve Jennings, from Reading CID, said: “This was obviously a distressing incident for the family but fortunately they were not injured.

“Some property was smashed inside the house but at this time it is not known if anything was stolen.

“I am keen to speak to anyone who saw any suspicious activity either immediately before or after the incident.

Anyone with any information about this incident should contact Reading CID via 0845 8 505 505.

Alternatively, please contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Reading

Reading’s hugely popular annual charity pancake race is to take place in the town on February 16th.

The event is organised by Reading Borough Council in partnership with the Reading Chronicle and is supported by Reading 107FM, John Lewis, Peter Green, The Oracle and the Bina Tandoori in Caversham.

Teams of four, from businesses and organisations in the town, are signing up to secure their place in this year’s Reading race.

Teams will be under starter’s orders from 12.30pm ready for the relay pancake-tossing race along Broad Street.

Proceeds from the Reading event will go towards this year’s chosen charity, Sue Ryder Care.

Companies which have already signed up to be in the race, doing their bit for charity, include Abbey Windows, Clas Ohlson, Oracle Corporation, Curves and Castle Vets.

Councillor Fred Pugh, Mayor of Reading, will kick off the proceedings by leading the procession of teams from the Civic Centre to Broad Street shortly after midday.

Graeme Hoskin, Lead Councillor for Reading Culture and Sport, said: "The pancake race is one of my favourite events of they year. It’s great fun as well as raising money for charity."

John Lewis will be providing the vital ingredient – pancakes. The winning team will get their hands on The Oracle Shield and will, able to celebrate in style with a meal for four at The Bina Tandoori.

The team who race in the best fancy dress will win £500 worth of Peter Green vouchers to share amongst them.

Reading Borough Council

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to a collision that occurred yesterday (27/1) in Reading.

At around 11.18pm a patrolling police vehicle saw a Ford Mondeo car drive through a red traffic signal at the junction of Castle Hill and the Tilehurst Road, Reading. Following the illumination of blue lights on the police vehicle the Mondeo accelerated away.

A short distance later, at the junction with Western Elms Avenue, the Mondeo collided with the rear of a blue Chevrolet Matiz, which had been travelling in the same direction.

This resulted in the death at the Reading scene of the occupants of the Chevrolet Matiz, a local man, aged 54-years-old and his wife, aged 49-years-old.

The driver of the Mondeo, a 31-year-old man, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and is in custody at Loddon Valley police station.

Next of kin have been informed and are being supported by family and a police family liaison officer.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission have attended the Reading scene and are currently assessing the incident.

Any witnesses to the incident are asked to contact Thames Valley Police on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police or leave your name, please contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Reading

Reading People who have made false housing and Council Tax benefit claims to the Council have been taken to task.

On Wednesday, January 20th, seven residents were found guilty at Reading Magistrates’ Court of defrauding the Council of thousands of pounds in benefits by making false claims for assistance.

Janusz Wicinski of George Street Reading, claimed £3,432 in housing benefit and was fined £75 by the court and instructed to pay £110 in costs.

Mr Wicinski had given the Reading Council false information about his wife’s employment and income on more than one occasion, over a period of four years.

Ingrid Doctrove of Northumberland Avenue, Reading falsely claimed £3,664 in benefits. She’d told the Council her only income was from job seekers’ allowance, but after investigation by Council officers, was found to be in employment.

She was instructed to pay £100 costs and was given an 18-month conditional discharge.

Horace Graham who had been claiming for an address in Cranbury Road, was overpaid £2,085 in benefit and handed a six month conditional discharge.

Mr Graham was claiming Reading job seekers’ allowance, which means he is automatically entitled to housing benefit and Council Tax benefit. Mr Graham had given false details of the home he was claming benefits against. When officers visited the property, they found it boarded up.

Lydia Ackah of Bourne Road, Swindon, was claiming a number of benefits before she contacted the Council requesting housing and council tax benefit to pay rent at her home in Reading.

After a tip off to the Reading Council’s anti-fraud unit, it was discovered the mother of three had let the property to a relative and had bought another house in Swindon.

She had claimed £3,889 in benefits and was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £250 in costs.

Keith Jones of Derby Road was fined £100 and £100 costs after being found guilty of giving the Council false information about his salary and other benefits he was receiving which would have affected his entitlement to housing and council tax benefits.

Ardita Kurtaj of, Rowdell Drive Reading was also ordered to pay £250 in costs after being found guilty of claiming £5,110 in housing benefit. She was also given an 18-month conditional discharge by the court.

Mr Kurtaj failed to declare income from student grants while studying at Thames Valley University.

Neriton Hoxha of Chester Street, Reading was given a six month conditional discharge after claiming 4,383 in benefits from the Council and giving false information about her monthly earnings.

Ms Hoxha’s salary was more than she had stated in her benefit claim form, meaning she was not entitled to receive as much benefit.

Jo Lovelock, Leader of Reading Borough Council, said: "It is simply not fair on the vast majority of people who do pay their way. The Council will always prosecute people who deliberately defraud the system. The benefit system is there to help people who have genuine difficulties and must not be undermined by fraudsters."

People caught cheating the benefits system can be fined up to £5,000 and be given a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment or both (in magistrates’ court).

If the case if referred to Crown Court, the penalties are more severe, where the maximum penalty is an unlimited fine or up to seven years imprisonment or both.

In addition to the fines and sentences imposed by the court, all of these residents will be required to repay the benefits falsely received.

Arrangements will be made between residents and the Reading Council to recover the overpayment of benefit.

If you suspect anyone of fraudulently claiming benefits, call the confidential hotline on (0500) 500 777

Reading Borough Council

The Whitley north Reading neighbourhood policing team wants residents to have their say about any issues in the area.

Reading Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Rebecca Wrigley is holding a street briefing at the junction of Corrine Way and Hartland Road, between noon and 1pm on Wednesday (27/1).

She said: “We want to hear what issues the residents have in their neighbourhood and this is the ideal opportunity for them to come along and raise any concerns with the team.

“We look forward to meeting as many people as possible on the day.”

The Whitley north Reading neighbourhood team can be contacted on 0845 8 505 505.

Thames Valley Police ~ Reading