Christmas Toys & Teens Appeal

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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Reading Family Aid’s Toys and Teens Appeal is back to put smiles on people’s faces in time for Christmas 2024!

Reading Family Aid is a local charity supporting disadvantaged children and their families. Each Christmas, the Toys and Teens Appeal helps guarantee that children who would otherwise not receive a single present have something to open on Christmas morning.

The Reading area seems so prosperous that many people might find it hard to imagine there are desperately deprived families here, but the cost-of-living crisis continues to hit families hard in so many ways and your support makes a real difference to every family.

Last year, more than 2,500 children received a gift at Christmas, thanks to the generosity of wonderful donors and supporters, but the charity needs your help again this year and there are two ways you can do this:

1. Donate toys at one of the donation points (or they will collect)
2. Donate money to the appeal, to go towards additional toys

If you are buying a new gift please try to limit the cost to a maximum of around £30 per item. Secondhand items must really be ‘as good as new’ so they must be clean, complete, working – good enough that the receiving family can’t really tell they are not new. Sorry, no soft toys, audio cassettes, computer games, DVDs or CDs, baby equipment or clothes.

Nothing electrical or rechargeable unless it is brand new still in its sealed packaging – if it has a plug on the end and is not new, the team are not insured to donate it.

Please make sure that all the pieces of a set are bagged up together and all the pieces of a jigsaw are together in the original box.

For details of how to donate toys, please visit Donate Toys – Reading Family Aid

To donate money, visit Reading Family Aid | Localgiving

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Windsor Local History Group open day

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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You’re all invited to find out more about this friendly group, between 11am & 4pm on Saturday, 2nd November

Now in its fourth exciting year, the WLHG’s annual open day offers visitors a valuable opportunity to engage with the remarkable heritage of Windsor and surrounding towns and villages.

This free event is open to everyone and will take place on Saturday 2nd November at Windsor Baptist Church, Victoria Street, SL4 1EH. Please tell family, friends, colleagues and any individuals who would enjoy learning more about the local area.

Maps, photographs, letters, videos and other artefacts provide fascinating cultural snapshots of these communities, some of which began as early as Saxon and Norman times.

++ Hot off the press ++!!

The latest edition (No. 38) of Windlesora, WLHG’s regular publication, is now available – still only £5! – and will be on sale along with past Windelsora editions, local reference books and other publications and materials. Please feel free to take along your own memorabilia too – the group would be delighted to hear your stories and learn about any research!

For more information, please visit Windsor Local History Group – a living resource

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Couple’s mighty cycle for local wildlife

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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Oxfordshire couple Richard and Sian Liwicki, aged 65 and 62 years, have just completed a month-long cycling trip along the longest river in France to raise funds for local charity Wild Oxfordshire

In spite of awful weather they pedalled more than 1,150km along the Loire, climbed a total of 11,200m, carrying all their belongings in paniers.

The couple planned the trip and organised all the logistics themselves. Richard says: “We had cycled the Rhine before so we knew what we needed to pack, and how to organise and navigate all the stages in this long trip. We trained for weeks. What we had not planned for was the wettest September in France in 25 years. We cycled through two icy storms and faced strong headwinds in the mountains. We regularly got wet so getting dry for the next day was an added challenge. However, we knew we could not stop and the French locals were incredibly helpful and kind. Motorists are used to a vibrant cycling culture in France.”

Sian who has been a supporter of Wild Oxfordshire for many years adds: “We wanted to really spend time getting to know this beautiful part of France and travel sustainability. We used public transport to get to the start and for our return journey. We wanted to raise funds for nature in Oxfordshire because we knew it would spur us on during this challenging trip. We were even more determined when we heard that Butterfly Emergency in September.

“Cycling is our way of experiencing and celebrating nature up close. We wrote a wildlife and travel blog along the way, and it was inevitable that we would make comparisons between our county along the Thames, and the Loire countryside.

“Our friends and family have been very encouraging and we are over half way to hitting our target of £7,000. We have just got to get around to telling everyone that we made it!”

Camilla Burrow, Cheif Executive Wild Oxfordshire, says: “As a long-term supporter of Wild Oxfordshire, we’re so delighted and grateful for Sian and Richard’s fundraising efforts. The funds will contribute towards our work enabling more people to take action for nature across Oxfordshire. Our sincere thanks to all those already contributing to nature’s recovery, and we look forward to working with even more people in the future.”

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Isaac’s hospice epic 100 sports challenge

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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Inspired by his grandma, Isaac Hay has set himself the challenge of trying his hand at 100 sports to raise money for Rennie Grove Peace

Movement coach Isaac is taking his love for exercise up a notch and has kicked off a challenge to try out 100 different sports in a year. He is using the challenge to raise money for charitable causes, including local hospice charity, Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care.

“I’m supporting Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care as one of my three chosen charities,” he says. “The organisation is close to my heart as its nurses cared for my grandma before she passed. My whole family has supported the charity since then, so I’m really please to be able to use this challenge to raise funds to support vital hospice care in the local area.”

Isaac’s challenge will run until September 2025 and will see him turn his hand to team sports like baseball, lacrosse and rugby. He will also attempt individual activities like boxing, ballet, pole vault and an ultra-marathon. While he’s tried some of the sporting activities before, many are completely new to him. To end his monumental challenge, he is taking part in an Iron Man event on 22nd September 2025.

The inspiration for the challenge came from his work as a movement coach where he noticed that a big barrier to people getting involved in new sports or physical activity is a lack of confidence or fear of the unknown. He hopes to show that trying new sports is fun and not scary.

Isaac says: “When thinking of a fundraising challenge I could have chosen one sport and trained really hard in it to do the biggest, hardest, most extreme version of it that I could. But that didn’t feel so accessible. I want people to see my challenge and think ‘I could do that’ without having a sports background or needing to train for years. I want people to see this and think ‘maybe I could give a new sport a go’. On top of the fundraising, that would be the best outcome for me!”

To sponsor Isaac visit Isaac Hay is fundraising for Rennie Grove Hospice Care (justgiving.com)

For more information on Rennie Grove Peace visit Home – Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care

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Volunteers needed for Phyllis Tuckwell shops

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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Phyllis Tuckwell needs your help at its shops to bolster its vital services for those in need

Phyllis Tuckwell’s vibrant retail team is in need of more volunteers, so if you’re looking for an interesting, fun and meaningful way to spend a few hours a week, this could be just the thing for you!

You can volunteer in any of Phyllis Tuckwell’s shops, but its College Town shop near Camberley is particularly in need of more volunteers at the moment, so if you were able to help out there, your support would be very much appreciated.

The hospice care charity has 17 shops across West Surrey and North-East Hampshire, which sell the quality second-hand items which its supporters so generously donate. The money that these shops raise helps to fund the vitally important supportive and end of life care that it provides for local patients and families who are living with an advanced or terminal illness, such as cancer or motor neurone disease.

As a retail volunteer, you will serve and chat with customers, use the till, take and sort through new donations, and price stock ready to be sold. You’ll meet new people every day and be part of a friendly and welcoming team, where your skills will be valued and utilised, and you’ll really feel that you’re making a difference to the local community.

“Our volunteers are so important to us, and bring so much to our team,” said Julia Morpeth, voluntary services manager at Phyllis Tuckwell. “They offer such a wealth of knowledge and experience to our organisation, and we are pleased to provide them with ongoing support and training to enable them to learn and develop within their role.”

Every day, Phyllis Tuckwell supports over 250 patients, relatives and carers, through medical and nursing care, therapies, counselling, social work advice and practical support, but as the Government/NHS only cover 25% of its costs, it has to raise over £25,000 every single day to offer all of its services, which are given free of charge to its patients and their families. Its shops are really important in helping it raise this money, and you could be part of that fundraising!

If you’re interested in finding out more, please contact its Voluntary Services team on 012252 729400 or email [email protected].

A new state-of-the-art hospice is being built on the existing site in Farnham, which will enable care for more people who need support. During the project, specialist services will be offered from alternative locations including The In-Patient Unit which will be temporarily relocated to a care home in Camberley.

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Step up for wildlife this month!

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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You’re all invited to create your own autumn fundraising challenge to help Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) restore our wondrous nature.

BBOWT’s Big Wild Walk aims to be the biggest yet to encourage wildlife lovers to raise money and help restore nature across its three counties.

Supporters can create their own challenge, whether a trek through town or a long-distance hike in the countryside, in any way that suits them. The funds raised will support wildlife recovery and contribute to BBOWT’s mission to see 30% of land well managed for nature by 2030.

Image: Zsuzsanna Bird

Image: Laura Snell

This autumn BBOWT is encouraging participants to nominate friends and family to get involved too, with #NominateForNature. A digital fundraising pack will support everyone by providing a sponsorship sheet, distance-tracking form and social media posts.

The Big Wild Walk takes place across from Monday, 21st October, to Sunday, 3rd November. It’s half-term for schools and a great time for all ages to enjoy the great outdoors. Sign-up at Big Wild Walk.

Liz Shearer, community engagement director at BBOWT, said: “This challenge is the perfect chance to plan your autumn adventure and take it at your own pace! I love nothing more than putting my boots on and exploring the outdoors, and there are some wonderful place across our counties to do this, including more than 80 nature reserves.

“While you’re on your walk, you can listen out for wintering birds and spot mushrooms growing among the trees, all against the orange, bronze and red autumn backdrop. It’s also a great opportunity to raise money for The Wildlife Trusts, including BBOWT, to help us create more nature everywhere, for everyone. What are you waiting for?”

Rhiane Fatinikun, founder of Black Girls Hike and ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts, said: “Dip your toes into the outdoors this autumn, and join me, as well as thousands of others, to experience the joy that nature can bring. Supporting children, families, and individuals to get outside is a cause which is so close to my heart, as well as an incredible opportunity to raise money for a WILDlife-changing charity. Sign up today to get involved with The Big Wild Walk!”

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Enjoy art by Didcot’s Charlie Davies

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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Charlie Davies’ paintings, inspired by following her husband’s epic UK bike ride, are on show at the Cornerstone until the end of October

Didcot locals might well be familiar with Charlie’s paintings of the iconic Didcot Power Station Towers, Nearly Home and You’ll Miss Us (below).

And now, in the Cornerstone Arts Centre foyer, you can admire more of Charlie’s work thanks to her latest exhibition, Artist in Transit – Land’s End to John O’Groats with Ride Across Britain,” Charlie explains. “I decided to join him on this epic adventure, challenging myself as an ‘artist in transit’ to paint across Britain. It took nine days and I produced nearly 30 paintings along the way. Since coming home I have produced a collection of etchings and some larger studio paintings as well as a book documenting our journey. All of these will be on show.”

Charlie is a plein air painter and printmaker who is inspired by nature and all its beauties and loves to capture light and moments in time in her paintings. She is a member of the Society of Botanical Artists, Oxford Printmakers and Oxford Art Society. Last year one of her etchings was exhibited and sold out the whole edition at the Royal Academy Summer Show.

“I paint using oils and adore the subtleties of colour and the effects of light, which can be achieved with this medium,” adds Charlie.

“I have won two People’s Choice awards for my artwork. In 2010 I won The People’s Choice Award for my painting of the Didcot Towers. Following that success I began to paint local landscapes, focusing on Wittenham Clumps. I have more time now, and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to indulge my passions and explore all these creative possibilities.”

Please visit Charlie Davies Designs

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Support Royal Surrey charity 15k walk

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

Karen Neville

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Help raise funds for the Rotary Cut Out Cancer campaign

Can you sponsor Colin Simmons as he pulls on the walking boots again to tackle a 15k challenge organised by the Royal Surrey Charity through the Surrey countryside on Sunday 6th October.

The route can be seen here – https://explore.osmaps.com/route/22776188/

This is part of the Rotary Cut Out Cancer campaign to raise funds to help the Royal Surrey County Hospital purchase high-tech equipment for their six new surgical and cancer wards they are building.

Colin says: “The Royal Surrey Charity have kindly allowed us to have a specific JustGiving page as part of their overall fundraising so that the sponsorship we raise will be ring-fenced for our Cut Out Cancer campaign.”

More details of the campaign can be found at Colin Simmons is fundraising for Royal Surrey Charity (justgiving.com)

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Focus on Alton Camera Club

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

Karen Neville

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Renee Smith from Alton Camera Club invites you to join the friendly group with your mobile phone, digital or film camera as their new season clicks into life

Alton Camera Club are looking forward to their 78th season of photography and are welcoming new and not-so-new members to an exciting programme ahead. 

What can we offer? The club is part of the Southern Counties Photographic Federation (SCPF) and has access to a wide range of judges and speakers, with presentations from experienced photographers. 

Practical workshops are held throughout the season, with hands-on demonstrations and expert advice on various techniques and genres of photography including (but not limited to) portraiture, macro, astro, wildlife, landscape and street photography. The opportunity to enter friendly club competitions every month, where digital images and prints are assessed by qualified judges who score and provide constructive feedback, ensures that your photography is continually improving and gaining recognition. We also enter images into regional SCPF competitions. We have a thriving bi-monthly Field Trip programme with past trips including Portobello Road Market, Brighton, Brookwood Cemetery and Autograss racing at Four Marks. We work closely with local initiatives including the Alton Arts Festival, Broadlands Riding for the Disabled, Alton Operatic & Dramatic Society and Holybourne Theatre. 

We have an exciting programme ahead for the 2024/25 season and began in September with natural history photographer, Peter Whieldon, who conducted a workshop and brought along his owls for us to photograph. Our September field trips included Romsey Show and Hollycombe Steam Fair, visits to Richmond Park for the deer rut and we have the Lord Mayor’s Show in London in November. Our competition season kicks off with a challenge competition, Song Titles, early this month. 

We meet every Wednesday from 7.30pm to 9.30/10pm at Holybourne Village Hall, GU34 4HD and offer a welcome to people of all ages and abilities whether you use a mobile phone, a digital or film camera. We normally repair to the village pub afterwards. 

To allow potential members to sample our club before committing to membership, up to three club evenings may be attended prior to joining. A £5 fee will be levied for practical and speaker evenings; this is refundable against future membership.

For further information and our full programme, take a look at our website altoncameraclub.org.uk and email [email protected] or [email protected]  

Follow us on Facebook facebook.com/alton cameraclub, Twitter @AltonCameraClub and Instagram @altoncameraclub 

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Well done to Wild Marlow’s winners 

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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The judges were impressed with the extremely high standard of entries in the recent photography competition   

Wild Marlow is a group of enthusiasts passionate about wildlife and protecting biodiversity in the Marlow area, engaging the local community through fun events, competitions, volunteering and work parties to raise awareness of the importance of a balanced ecosystem. 

This year’s competition winner in the junior school category is Theo Walker, with Imogen Bater coming a close second. 

The senior school winner is Ben Mills and runner-up Skylar Regan. 

The winner of the adults is Neil Richards, closely followed by Graham Parkinson.  

We love their efforts: what do you think? 

The best photos in each category will be featured at the 2024 Wild Marlow photo exhibition and in the Wild Marlow 2025 calendar, on sale soon. The winners will also take away a total of £300 in prize money. 

“We were impressed at the quality of the entries,” says Jon Perry of Marlow Camera Club. “It was a tough call! These photos demonstrate both the variety and beauty of the wildlife in and around Marlow, and the photographic skills of all the entrants.” 

You can all see the winning photos 10.30am-4.30pm on Saturday, 26th October, at All Saints’ Church Hall, where 12 photos to be featured in the calendar, along with the very best of the entries. The prizes for the winners of the three age categories will be awarded at the exhibition, and the new calendar will be on sale. Visitors will have the chance to vote for their favourite photo, The People’s Choice, on the day. 

Wild Marlow covers all areas of Marlow within the SL7 postcode, including Bisham, Great Marlow, Marlow Bottom and Little Marlow. 

To join visit wildmarlow.org.uk or email [email protected] 

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