Twyford

Swine flu may become a pandemic in the UK over the coming months, so now is the time to choose your Twyford ‘Flu Friends’.

Relatives, neighbours and friends can all be ‘Flu Friends’ who will collect medicines, food and other supplies if you get swine flu so that you do not have to leave home. Preventing Twyford people with the virus from going outdoors will help restrict the potential spread of flu.

It is a good idea for each Twyford person to identify up to five ‘Flu Friends’ because an ill or unavailable ‘Flu Friend’ cannot help you, but having at least one is very important.

In addition, you could consider becoming a Twyford ‘Flu Friend’ to a neighbour who may live alone, family members that might need help, or offer yourself as a ‘Flu Friend’ through networks that may be set up by local organisations, such as churches or parish councils.

What to do now?

• Identify your Twyford ‘Flu Friend(s)’ and check that they are happy to help you.
• Download and complete the ‘Preparing Your Home’ form now and keep it in a safe place e.g. on the fridge or by the phone.
• Anyone collecting antiviral drugs will need to produce some identification. A list of what is acceptable can be found here along with more information about making the most of ‘Flu Friends’
• Make sure you know where your ID (see list of options on the ‘Flu Friend’ form) is located in case your flu friend needs to collect medicines for you.
• Think about Twyford neighbours who may live alone or family members that might need help and offer to be their ‘Flu Friend’

If you have flu like symptoms, stay at home. If you can go online, check your symptoms on the NHS Choices website or the NHS Direct website, then call your GP or NHS Direct 0845 46 47 if necessary. Do not go to A&E.

NHS Berkshire West ~ Twyford

Rule 244

You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it. Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs.

[Law GL(GP)A sect 15].

As can be seen it states that you must not park on the pavement in London and should not elsewhere. There is specific legislation which covers Greater London that unfortunately we do not have the benefit of in our Twyford area.

In our Twyford area we have to rely on laws relating to vehicles causing an obstruction. This basically falls into two categories, either wilful obstruction or unnecessary obstruction. The problem with this legislation is that to prove the obstruction offences it has to be shown that the vehicle was causing an actual as opposed to a potential obstruction. There is stated case law to support this. I have personally also lost a case in court where I could not prove that the vehicle I had dealt with was causing an actual obstruction.

The comments from the police office would appear to be derived from this because as a rule of thumb if a double buggy or a wheel chair is able to pass then it will inevitably be seen by a court not to be causing an obstruction. The vehicle is essentially an annoyance as opposed to an obstruction. In these circumstances it is often the case that the driver or the owner of the vehicle is spoken to in order that they can be advised not to park in such a manner.

Where a vehicle is blatantly causing such an obstruction that safe passage by pedestrians, wheel chair users or pram users is hindered then we can use that fact as the necessary evidence to issue a fixed penalty notice and if necessary prove the case in court.

Please also note the information I have given applies to cars. Vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are subject to slightly stricter laws regarding parking on the pavement. It must also be borne in mind that the rules of the Highway Code are not in themselves laws but can be used as support in proving a breach of relevant legislation.

As you can see each case must be judged on it’s owns merits.

Mark Smith
PS 3786
Neighbourhood Sergeant
Thames Valley Police
Woodley, Twyford and the Northern Parishes.

Parking on the pavement or double yellow lines can be reported to the Police via the non emergency number 0845 8 505 505. If it bothers you, report it!

Work by Wokingham Borough Council to revamp a play area in Twyford into an all encompassing multi-play park will begin next week and will be ready for children of all ages to enjoy during the school summer break!

The Waltham Chase, Twyford play area will have a host of new equipment installed to make the play area accessible for of all ages and abilities. The play area will be closed throughout the refurbishment, which started yesterday (July 6) and will re-open on Tuesday July 14.

The improvements will be made as part of the borough council’s play area review. During the review the Twyford toddler park at Waltham Chase, which had been closed due to health and safety reasons, was removed and grassed over.

Cllr Simon Weeks, executive member for Twyford environment, said: “The play area will be a great asset to the community once it’s up and running. Incorporating the junior and toddler play park into one play area will not only improve the park for children and their parents, but also will create an open green space perfect for jogging, picnics and walking.”

The new Twyford play area will feature traditional swings and slides but will also include toddler equipment suitable for very young children, trailblazer play equipment for older children and equipment for children who might not be able to use physically demanding play equipment.

Cllr Rob Stanton, executive member for Twyford children’s services, said: “It’s important that children have the ability to play happily and safely and this improved play park will mean more exciting play equipment is available and that children of all ages can have fun together. It will also mean that parents with children at various ages will be able to spend time at one single play park rather than dividing their time between several parks.”

Wokingham Borough Council ~ Twyford

Bargain hunters can pop along to Dinton Pastures, Hurst for some cut-price wares on Saturday July 11 when a car boot sale will be hosted by Wokingham Borough Council’s countryside service.

The Hurst car boot sale will be open from 7am to anyone wanting to sell off some of their household treasures with pitches costing £8 for cars or £12 for vans or cars with trailers. Buyers can then start hunting for a bargain from 8am until 12.30pm.

Rebecca Walkley, countryside ranger, said: “If you’ve recently had a clean out at home or have some goodies that you’ve been meaning to sell for a while then why not come along and join us at the car boot sale? Pitches start from as little as £8 and buyers can come along for free.

“What with the current economic climate, everyone is on the scout for a good deal so now’s the perfect time to get rid of some of your unwanted household goods or to come along and look for some hidden treasures.”

As well as providing a great Hurst bargain hunting ground the car boot sale will also give people the chance to recycle some of their old and unwanted household items – meaning that fewer goods will be put out as rubbish!

Entrance for buyers is free but the usual car parking charges will apply. For more details or to book a pitch call the countryside service on (0118) 934 2016 or email: countryside@wokingham.gov.uk

Wokingham Borough Council ~ Hurst

Fri 10 Moth Night
Join the experts to set some light traps and learn more about the moths at Dinton Pastures.  Meet in Loddon room just after dark.

Sat 11 Moth Morning
Come along to see which moths have been trapped overnight and to identify and release the captives. Loddon Room, 9.30am

Sat 11 Car Boot Sale

Dinton Pastures Country Park. 8am-12.30pm. Free entry for buyers.

Sun 12 Friends of Lavell’s Lake Bird WalkMorning stroll around Lavell’s Lake. Meet Sandford Lane car park at 9am. £1 per person

Sat 18 Junior Rangers Wildlife Watch Group
Mini-beast Hunt and Wildlife Survey. 10am-12pm. Booking essential.

Sun 26 Lavell’s Lake Work Party
Practical conservation experience. Meet Sandford Lane car park at 10am.

Mon 27-Fri 31 Tri Golf at Hurst Golf Course
Mini version of golf with games and challenges for 6-11 year olds. 9am-12pm. Booking essential: call Sports Development Unit on (0118) 974 6264

Wed 29 Treasure Hunt at Dinton Pastures Country Park
Fantastic family nature trail with crafts and games.  Pick up your clues from the café between 1pm and 3pm.

Fri 31 Mini-beast Hunt at Dinton Pastures Country Park
Go on a mini safari, catching the beautiful beasties in the woods and meadows at Dinton. 11am-2pm, meet in café garden. 5yrs and over. Booking essential.

For more information please contact: Countryside Service 0118 934 2016, countryside@wokingham.gov.uk

Lynn Yardley
Countryside Ranger (Education and Interpretation)
Wokingham Borough Council Countryside Service, Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst, Berkshire RG10 0TH
Tel: 0118 9342016, Fax 0118 9341987
Taking Care of Your Countryside

Wyevale Hare Hatch Garden Centre in Twyford, Berkshire is hosting a Shed Weekend on July 11 and 12, 2009.

The Twyford event links in with National Shed Week, which starts on July 6 and runs until July 11.

Martin Lines, Manager of the Twyford garden centre, which is located on Floral Mile in Hare Hatch, said: “People are buying garden buildings for several reasons, but mainly to create an extra room, perhaps for an office or to have more storage space.

“Buying a garden building for many people is a cheaper option and it can be easier to improve your home rather than move house.

“A few years ago the garden shed was viewed simply as a refuge for gardeners and a dumping ground for unwanted pots and tools, now they have a life of their own.”

The garden centre’s team will be on hand during the Shed Weekend on Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12 to give people free advice about the best garden building to suit their needs.

Staff at Wyevale Hare Hatch Garden Centre are also running a competition and want to hear from people who are proud of their garden sheds.

Martin added: “We would like people to bring in a photograph, which will go on show from July 11 until July 19, of their garden shed.”

Anyone wishing to enter the competition is asked to write their name, address and contact number on the back of their shed photograph and hand it in to a member of the team at the garden centre during normal opening hours. The closing date for entries is 4pm on July 19.

The Twyford garden centre will select a competition winner – the photograph that illustrates the most interesting shed – on Monday, July 20. The winning entrant will receive a solar shed light worth £19.99 donated by Luxform.

To find out more about the event, please call Wyevale Hare Hatch Garden Centre, which is located on Floral Mile in Hare Hatch, Twyford, on 01189 403 933