Wokingham Job Support Centre advice

Karen Neville

Berkshire

Wokingham Job Support Centre provides free support and guidance to people looking for a job or considering self employment. Volunteers with experience across different industries work 1-2-1 with clients. Brian Stainton shares his story as an advisor

Finding yourself out of work and facing pressures from finances and family can be very tough. Often, there is no-one close to you with the practical knowledge and skills to help and finding who to turn to can be equally confusing. There are offers and adverts from unknown organisations, many online, but who should we trust?

The need is to find someone who has the time to sit, listen and offer guidance as to what to do. Give a clear helping hand in areas where skills might be limited such as online job applications or creating a great CV.

WJSC Advisors are a team of very experienced people in recruitment and employment drawn from a wide range of industries and organisations. We have seen first-hand the difficulties that job seekers face and we can offer free simple pathways setting out a way forward.

Our clients might be seeking confirmation that they are on the right path, or may be looking for much more detailed support. Our approach is different with every client to ensure that we give the support that matches their needs.

Having been an Advisor for six years, no week is the same. I sit with clients and we work our way through the job seeking pathway at the speed suitable for them. This comes as a surprise to many but we encourage people to take their time. It is a free service and there is no limit on the number of meetings offered.

Today, some challenges are familiar, like getting a good CV or practicing interview skills whilst others are new. Job applicants are facing more online profiling tests, online interviews and the ever-increasing influence of AI, all of which can remove the human touch.

Being an Advisor, I find that I can be that ‘touch point’ for a client as they take on these challenges. I’m someone to turn to and just check that they are doing ok. There is real pleasure in seeing a client grow in confidence, understanding what to say and do, realising their own value and what they can offer a potential new employer.

Recently, I have been working with a client who wants to be a self-employed Virtual PA. This requires setting some sensible goals in a business plan, marketing, legal matters and many other steps along the way. My client lacked knowledge and was very uncertain on many aspects. We jointly prepared some notes for our sessions that helped to set out their actions for the coming weeks. We are well along the pathway now but I will continue to support the client until they are successfully established.

With WJSC, I find that using my relevant expertise combined with many years of experience helping others, very enjoyable. There is another plus too, sometimes a successful client comes back to meet us, always a big smile: worth every moment. 

Next time YOU need help, book a time to meet an Advisor – face to face and virtual meetings are available. Visit Wokingham Job Support Centre – WJSC to find out how they can help you. 


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Brontë fan’s sisterhood of shopping goodies

Liz Nicholls

Berkshire

Rosalia Ferrara’s capsule collection of colourful organic totes, tea towels, cards, T-shirts & more is a tribute to literary legends

Brontë Bitch is a collection celebrating the legacy of the iconic Brontë sisters and their family.

It’s a homage to the literary trailblazers who shaped English literature with their powerful narratives and complex characters.

Brontë Bitch offers an array of beautifully illustrated designs featuring iconic quotes from their best sellers, that resonate with fans of the sisters and literature enthusiasts alike. The collection includes colourful tote bags, organic T-shirts, premium hoodies, tea-towels, greeting cards, key-rings all adorned with creative designs & quotes that reflect the spirit of the brand.

Amongst the standout items is the must-have popular hoodie, available in three colours, perfect for those chilly days spent reading or exploring the moors that inspired the sisters’ works. Prices for these original pieces range from £4 to £55, making it easy for anyone to own a piece of Brontë-inspired merchandise.


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Celebrate Greenham and Crookham Commons

Karen Neville

Berkshire

Image: Matilda Larking

Photography competition to showcase the history and wildlife of Greenham and Crookham Commons open for entries

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Greenham and Crookham Commons reopening to the public, the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) is running a photography competition for all ages to showcase the site’s wildlife and history.

Image: Paul Brennan

Image: Rob Appleby

The overall winner will receive a motion-activated trail camera. These are designed to capture the hidden lives of local wildlife without disturbing their activities. They are the perfect tool for aspiring young Attenboroughs and seasoned wildlife photographers alike.

Greenham Common has a rich history for people and wildlife. Situated on a plateau formed at the end of the last ice age, it has been the home to an abundance of wildlife, as well as being common land for farmers to work on.

In the 20th century, it was repurposed as an RAF airfield and later turned over to the US Air Force. During the Cold War, Greenham Common hit the headlines when thousands of women gathered to protest about the nuclear weapons at the American military air base here. Peace camps were set up at gates around the fenced air base. The Blue Gate peace camp was finally disbanded in 1994.

In 2000, 1.2 million tonnes of concrete and gravel from the old runway were removed, fences came down, cattle and ponies returned to graze freely and the site was reopened to the public.

Today, Greenham Common forms the largest area of lowland heath in West Berkshire. This fragile and threatened habitat is full of special wildlife. Walking around you may be lucky enough to hear nightingales and skylarks, spot over thirty species of butterfly, and see the rare spectacle of hundreds of autumn lady’s-tresses orchids in late-summer, flowering into a snowy white bloom.

In honour of the 25 years since its reopening, BBOWT’s photography competition will celebrate the site’s cultural and environmental heritage.

There are four categories to enter:

• Children (ages 6-11)
• Teens (ages 12-17)
• Wildlife
• History

Photos must have been taken at Greenham and Crookham Commons and must be submitted by Friday 28th February. Winners will be notified in March, and the winning photographs will be announced on 8th April at the 25th anniversary celebrations. The competition is free of charge, and open to all. Enter at Greenham & Crookham Commons 25th Anniversary

BBOWT’s Events Manager, Serena Millen, said: “We take great pleasures in being able to celebrate the beauty of Greenham and Crookham Commons today, 25 years on from its reopening to the public. The site provides a safe home to an abundance of wildlife, as well as being an invaluable outdoor space for our community. This photography competition is an opportunity to showcase the site’s history and wildlife, people’s memories of it, and hopefully to inspire possibilities for what is yet to come!”


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Ipsden art installation offers head space

Liz Nicholls

Berkshire

Hayley Trezise tells us about her new, permanent art installation set within the ancient beech tree woodland of Ipsden Estate where she also lives

This installation is a long-term project that’s very close to my heart,” Hayley tells us. “Every detail has been crafted to create a sacred space where visitors can connect with nature, themselves, and everything around them.  

“It’s a healing space, offering people the opportunity to belong, reflect, confess and heal in a setting that encourages profound personal insights. The experience, even in the silence of sitting face-to-face with one of the sculptures, offers visitors a sense of peace and wisdom.”  

Hayley is an intuitive multidisciplinary artist. She is also a fashion designer and shamanic practitioner. A true rule breaker and self-taught fashion rebel, her journey began with crafting clothes and rapidly evolved into the establishment of her own fashion brand. Today, she intertwines the diverse threads of her life into a colourful tapestry that encompasses these various realms. Rejecting artificial divisions, she firmly believes in the inherent connection between art and all aspects of existence, even wearable creations. 

This installation is part of national project, Time to Connect, led by renowned photographer Alistair Morrison (Alistair Morrison).  

At the core of Hayley’s process lies the exploration of liminal realms, a journey that comes to fruition through her mixed media creations. Infused with elements of healing, shamanic journeying, and intuitive expression, Hayley’s art serves to bridge dimensions. 

Her artworks exude a sacred essence, stemming from their ritualistic origins. Every piece has an innate healing quality, extending an invitation to viewers to embark on their own journey — “a voyage into uncharted territories” and an embrace of boundless possibilities. 

From fabric to machinery, paint and pencil to clay and concrete, Hayley creates intricate art forms, each with the potential for narrative interpretation. The stories encapsulated within these pieces remain open, as Hayley’s intention is to allow personal meanings to unfurl naturally, to awaken curiosity, raise an eyebrow in wonder, spark inquiries, and rekindle memories… As she says on her Instagram (@hayleytresizeart) “Let’s embrace every moment, notice every breath, cherish every interaction, and recognize every opportunity.” 

You’re welcome to visit the installation in Ipsden Woods (what3words: resonates.awesome.trickles). For more info about Hayley & her work visit Hayley Trezise


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Swan Lake at the Hexagon

Karen Neville

Berkshire

Daniela Dimova, artistic director of Varna International Ballet, shares her thoughts ahead of Swan Lake and The Nutcracker at the Hexagon in February

Founded in 1947 and renowned for their award-winning soloists and magnificent corps de ballet, the Varna International Ballet team have been delighting audiences for decades at home in Bulgaria and aboard with quality performances.

Led by artistic director Daniela Dimova, with music director and chief conductor Peter Tuleshkov, Varna International Ballet presents much-loved classics to charm audiences who are new to ballet and balletomanes alike.

“Ballet is a universe where roles constantly change,” Daniela tells us. “Without an audience, a ballet performance cannot take place. The audience with their applause feed the artists with positive energy, which gives strength for new achievements.

“Varna International Ballet is a troupe that is young, energetic and have lots of performing experience, with a long history. Sixty years ago, the world’s first international ballet competition was held in Varna, which immediately made this city one of the ballet capitals of the world.

“The National Opera and Ballet Theatre in Varna has been trying to keep the ballet bar high. Thanks to Bulgaria now being within the European Union, it is possible to invite talented dancers from all over the world more actively, and nowadays the company includes dancers from 10 counties.

“Today Varna International Ballet is one of the most active and creative European companies, with seven ballet premieres in the last year. All three productions the company is bringing to the UK (Swan Lake, Romeo & Juliet and The Nutcracker) are audience favourites and all three of them have a special place in my heart.”

Shakespeare’s tale of primal passion and timeless tragedy Romeo and Juliet is set to Prokofiev’s soaring score, with emotionally charged choreography by Sergey Bobrov and Bakhytzhan Smagulov that befits the world’s greatest love story. From the grandeur of the masked ball to the intimacy of the lovers’ balcony, this story of duels, bitter family feuds and love that cannot be is unmissable.

“Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet has a powerful music score and original choreography,” adds Daniela. “We follow activity and new productions of ballet companies worldwide with great interest. We are thrilled to be bringing our highly talented company of dancers and musicians back to the UK. We can’t wait to perform for the British audiences again and to bring these magical ballets to life on stage.”

The Nutcracker is on at 2.30pm & 5pm on 2nd February, and Swan Lake 7.30pm on the 3rd. Book your tickets for this & more at What’s On at The Hexagon | What’s On Reading


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One to watch: musician Baby Maker

Liz Nicholls

Berkshire

Millie Deere interviews Oxford alt-indie musician Baby Maker who will star at Common Ground on 14th March

“Moody” alt-indie musician Baby Maker released his first album last year: From the Desk Of. Dry-wit lyrics toying with evocative rhymes make him one to watch on Oxford’s up-and-coming music scene.

Q. Your SoundCloud profile tells us you “cherry pick and prod at the carcass of influence”. Where do you look to find your influence in your music?
“I think I had a few jobs doing gardening and stuff, where I was just mowing lawns; I could just have albums on all day. And there’s that book: One Thousand and One Albums Before you Die. There’s a website version of it; it auto-generates a new one each day if you just listen some randomly. Also, I was just a big history music buff growing up I suppose, reading a lot of Wikipedia articles.”

Q. Do you have a favourite line of lyrics that you’ve written?
Full Metal Jacket; I quite like that song. It’s story-esque, rather than just verse-chorus-versus. The lyric in that I like is: An old flame burned eternal entwined within his tribal sleeve.”

Q. Watching you perform, I really enjoyed those tinges of that dead-pan British delivery. In your music, how important are lyrics and their meaning?
“It’s definitely not an afterthought; I like good lyricists. It’s a good way that you can conjure up a world or a different take on stuff. And I get a bit of a kick out of trying to come up a cool stuff. It’s just nice hearing people mess around with words and come out a bit off the wall, essentially.”

Q. Tell me a bit about your writing process.
“It varies. I’ve had a baseline going around for a while that I like, and I want to try and finish it. I do all of it recorded at home, make it myself. My brother and I did a lot of the drums on the first album that’s out. He’ll come down and just record a bunch of stuff randomly and then I’ll sample it in a sense. Sometimes I like writing to like drum grooves, rather than sitting down with an acoustic guitar, ‘four chords and the truth’.”

Q. Has Oxford influenced your music at all?
“Wherever you live I think it’s gonna be an influence. There’s a couple that I’ve done about stuff that has happened to me in Oxford. But yeah, one hundred percent, I’ve been there a whole Olympic cycle now.”

Q. How has your relationship with your past work changed?
“I mean it is what it is, I suppose. I think it’s nice to have even if you’re not mad on it. It’s a nice snapshot of where you were… if you have stuff to look back on. And it’s nicer to have something to look back on than nothing at all. I listened to The Blindboy Podcast with Johnny Mar from The Smiths. He was saying that a lot of people’s musical identities are forged when they’re fourteen. And what you liked then will echo throughout the rest of your life.”

Q. What are you listening to right now?
“I took this straight off The Guardian’s top albums of the year list, but Cindy Lee. The album’s called Diamond Jubilee. They’re a bit of an outsider artist. I think it’s like the drag persona of this person. If you hear me crying is really good. It sounds like girl groupy stuff from Motown. It’s thirty-two tracks, so it’s a bit of an opus.”

Baby Maker will be in Common Ground on 14th March.

Spotify: Baby Maker | Spotify
SoundCloud: Stream Baby Maker music


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Go wassailing at Jealott’s Hill

Karen Neville

Berkshire

Claire Wallen, a director of Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare, explains a very ‘south of England tradition’ of blessing apple trees to ensure a good harvest with just a touch of ‘weirdness’ thrown in. Join the wassailers in Warfield

Have you heard of traditions that include hanging toast in a tree and shooting a robin? They are just one part of the traditional apple wassail ceremony that dates back to the 16th century. It traditionally occurs on twelfth night, the 5th or 6th of January.

The word wassail is descended from the Anglo Saxon ‘waes hail’ meaning ‘be well’. The ceremony is very much a south of England ritual and was designed to ensure a good apple harvest for the cider makes.

So what does it involve? It’s a bit bonkers, actually. There is singing, a ceremony and cider drinking. The idea is to bless the apple trees and drive away evil spirits in the hope of a bountiful autumn apple harvest.

The ceremony usually starts with singing of traditional songs. Then a holly king and oak king are nominated. A wren, which symbolises the Holly King (who rules to mid-winter), is then hunted down and shot (metaphorically of course) as part of the handover to the Oak King (who rules from mid-winter to mid-summer). The ceremony continues by choosing a Queen of the Bean.

Now comes the really weird part! The robin, which represents the Oak King is the guardian of the trees. The Queen of the Bean buries the poor little robin under a chosen apple tree. Then a piece of toast is placed in the tree and cider poured over the tree roots.

More singing ensues. Then in order to scare away evil spirits everyone starts banging trays and pots, blowing instruments and shouting loudly. Off go the evil spirits. And then it’s time for apple juice and cider drinking.

There has been a bit of a revival in wassailing in recent years and you can find events around Berkshire in January to enjoy this unusual tradition. One of the best ones is held at Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare in Warfield (North Bracknell) which has an apple orchard of over 300 trees, quite rare these days.

Maidenhead Morris group Ellington Morris (Ellington Morris) have carried out the ceremony at Jealott’s Hill for quite a few years. This year the event is on Sunday, 19th January from 1pm. More details via the website, Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare – Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare.

Please do come along and join us for the ceremony – we will have pumpkin soup made with our site grown pumpkins, hot apple cup, home-made cakes and children’s activities – it’s a great thing to do in the depths of winter. And it will help us reap a good harvest.


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Chattertots children’s charity

Karen Neville

Berkshire

Thanks to an amazing local charity, children with Down’s Syndrome can enjoy therapy sessions here in Woodley

Chattertots is the wonderful Berkshire-based charity whose team support children with Down’s Syndrome.

The charity has recently relocated its weekly pre-school speech and language therapy sessions in Woodley, making these essential services more accessible to local families.

Chattertots, which supports about 30 families across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, provides specialist speech and language therapy through weekly sessions delivered by experts from Symbol UK, recognised leaders in supporting children with Down’s Syndrome.

“We’re excited to bring our services to Woodley,” says Clare McIntosh, chairman of Chattertots. “This move allows us to reach more families in the area while continuing to provide the high-quality, specialist support that’s so crucial for early development in children with Down’s Syndrome.”

The weekly sessions, which take place during term time, focus on developing essential communication skills through speech sounds, Makaton signing, vocabulary building, and oral motor skills. For many families, these sessions provide vital early intervention that isn’t readily available through standard NHS services.

One parent, whose child has been attending Chattertots sessions since September 2022, said: “Our son has made incredible progress, learning over 50 Makaton signs and mastering 31 speech sounds. These sessions have been transformative for our whole family.”

Chattertots, established in 2015 and registered as a charity in 2022 (charity number 1198362), has seen significant growth in demand for its services. The move to Woodley represents an important step in the charity’s development, allowing it to better serve families in the local community.

The charity also provides educational consultancy, school starter boxes, summer camps, and social activities, all designed to support children with Down’s Syndrome in reaching their full potential.

Families interested in Chattertots’ services or local groups who might want to help with fundraising can contact Clare by emailing [email protected]. You can also visit Chattertots for more info.


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Historic but modern Castle Hotel Windsor

Round & About

Berkshire

The Castle Hotel Windsor, which dates back to 1528, welcomes tourists from all over the world, including the Leaf restaurant’s afternoon teas

Once upon a time (in 1528 to be exact), The Castle Hotel opened its doors, albeit as The Mermaid Inn – humbly brewing beer and cider for the people of Windsor which, at the time, was a small town of just 1,000 people.

During the 1700s, innkeeper Richard Martin was awarded the first of the hotel’s eight Royal Warrants – to provide horses and carriages for the royal household. By the 19th century, The Castle Hotel had solidified its reputation as the connoisseur’s choice of accommodation.

And today the four-star hotel, occupying one of Windsor’s most opulent buildings, still offers the same fairytale feel, with an array of fabulous rooms, many overlooking the walls and turrets of Windsor Castle, which is a honeypot for tourists from all over the world. Even if you’re more of a republican at heart it’s hard not to feel childlike glee when the changing of the guard soldiers march right past the hotel’s windows, accompanied by rousing drums, overlooking the Prince Harry pub.

With eight Royal Warrants, The Castle Hotel, which has 108 rooms, is a dream destination. The historic hotel offers quiet luxury and all mod cons including tea & coffee making facilities, hair dryers, free Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs, 100 Acres toiletries and more. What’s more, it’s studded with details that bring its royal links to life, including busts of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert that hark back to the tale of a birthday gift from the Queen to her consort. All of this makes for a right royal treat for visitors… and their consorts!

The vibey downstairs Leaf restaurant and bar offer superb breakfast all week as well as brunch, afternoon tea and all-day dining, 12-9pm. The menus showcase the finest locally sourced produce from trusted suppliers, promising visitors a tantalising tour of the globe. A popular choice is the Royal Afternoon Tea, served in the quintessentially English lounge, and rightly considered one of the best afternoon teas in Windsor (£40pp adults, children’s afternoon tea £22pp).

The Castle team, whose smiling service is second to none, also pride themselves on the Sunday roast (until 5pm) when diners can choose from beef topside, half roast chicken, seared Scottish salmon and vegetarian wellington on offer; two courses for £27pp, and three courses at £32pp.

A classic room starts at £209 per night including breakfast. To book a stay or a table to eat at the Leaf restaurant, please call 01753 252800 or visit The Castle Hotel Windsor | Boutique Hotel in Windsor, Berkshire


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Pangbourne Art Therapy Group

Karen Neville

Berkshire

Chrissie from Pangbourne Art Therapy Group invites you to join them in 2025 – whatever your artistic skills may be and brush up your wellbeing

In 2021 a group of about 10 women and men began meeting at Pangbourne village hall every Tuesday. All of us were dealing with challenges in our lives.

Some had experienced serious illness and were finding it hard to get back into the swing of life. Others suffered from anxiety or other mental health issues, lack of self-confidence, loneliness, isolation etc etc. We learned to use informal art and the group itself to help us get through life. Who knew how calming paint and a paintbrush (or a pair of scissors) could be?!

Three years later we are a really happy group and a laugh a lot! But we also support each other in those moments where it all gets too much. And we now have space for a couple more people to join us.

The level of our artistic ability ranges from nil or slight to medium! None of us are, nor aspire to be, real artists. However we do have a lovely professional artist who facilitates the group and guides us through a variety of mixed media techniques – as well as supporting our wellbeing.

Occasionally we have attempted some traditional art but more often we try more unusual abstract techniques such as bubble art, spray inks, painting on coasters, stained glass effect painting on acetate, galaxies and planets, basic pottery, marbling, birthday cards etc. All in a supportive and relaxed environment. It’s more like going back to a happy childhood than “proper art”!

We would love you to join us. The charge is £10 per person per week (payable as £40 per 4 weeks in advance). Alternatively, if space is available, a one-off attendance would cost £15 per session. That money pays for the hall and the artist. We are completely non-profit making so if there is any surplus it goes back into the group.

We meet every Tuesday afternoon from 1.30-3.30pm in Pangbourne Village Hall. The hall is wheelchair accessible.

If you would like to learn more or consider joining us then drop us an email at [email protected] or call Caroline on 07882 340058


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