Twyford

Are you interested in being part of a group creating a community orchard of 40 to 50 fruit trees in Stanlake Meadow, Twyford?

The Community Council for Berkshire (CCB) have been successful in their application to the Big Lottery Fund’s Local Food Scheme. Local Food is a £57.5 million programme that will distribute lottery grants to a variety of food-related projects to help make locally grown food accessible to local communities.

‘Fruitful’ is a project that will establish community orchards in Twyford, Wargrave and Swallowfield. The scheme involves volunteers from the community, especially families with children, working together with their local Parish Council to take responsibility for the planting, maintenance and harvesting of the fruit trees. They will be supported by staff from Wokingham Borough Council and CCB.

The overall aim of the Twyford project is to provide free access to locally grown food and support a link with healthy lifestyles – which is why the involvement of children is such an important factor.

Orchards have great historical significance to Twyford and Ruscombe. In the 1840s John Treacher established extensive orchards, running a market garden from “Somercroft” at the junction of London and Ruscombe Roads. (Hence the name of Orchard Estate). In the 1920s, yet more extensive orchards were planted, beside the London Road in Ruscombe, by the nurserymen John Waterer, Sons and Crisp Ltd. Their apple store (holding 500 tons in gas storage), packing sheds and office on London Road were very modern at the time. The orchards were, sadly, grubbed up in the 1970s, and burnt (The black scorch marks are still visible on the ground). But a new apple variety developed there in the 1920s, the “John Waterer”, is still in existence.

The re-introduction of orchards would be of great strategic benefit to the Twyford locality, particularly in reviving old apple varieties with local significance

The Twyford community orchard will be open to all and you are invited to:

• get involved and learn about fruit growing from planting to picking and eating.
• take responsibility, as a family, for individual trees under a free ‘Adopt a tree’ scheme
• learn about the history of Wokingham’s orchards, local varieties and more…

The Twyford project will start with a day of tree planting (followed by refreshments) in late October or early November, and we would welcome volunteers to join in this activity.

If you wish to participate in this project please contact Twyford Parish Councillor Mrs Lesley Jarvis via e-mail: lesleyajarvis@talk21.com or phone: 0118 9342374.

Henley Regatta attracted large crowds this year for the five day event, especially on Saturday. Although busy, it was a successful event all-round.

Saturday night was a busy night and around 30 arrests were made, bringing the overall arrest total to 45. Compared with last year there was an increase in public order offences but a significant reduction in more serious crimes which we believe is largely down to positive policing by the officers in the area.

The Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) was used around 35 times between Wednesday and Friday but extensively from Saturday afternoon onwards as the numbers of people increased – around 1000 cans and bottles were seized from around 700 people.

Crime in Twyford, Charvil, Sonning and Hurst: There has been one report of Theft from motor-vehicle in Twyford, two burglary non dwelling in Charvil and Hurst, criminal damage in Charvil and a theft of a moped in Hurst.

There have been reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB) from Sonning Cricket and Hockey Club where youths are causing damage by playing on a fenced area of astro turf and one report of ASB in Charvil.

PCSO Nicola Shepherd & PCSO Jackie Daniels attended a Neighbourhood Watch Meeting in Chaseside Avenue and answered questions from the local residents. They also presented a Community Policing Talk at the United Reform Church in Twyford.

Twyford PC Giles Murphy & PCSO Jackie Daniels attend a ‘Have Your Say’ at Elizabeth Court Sheltered Housing in Wargrave.

Twyford PCSO Jackie Daniels has joined PCSO Susie Carr (Rural and GRT Specialist Officer Wokingham LPA) in handing out and advising our local farmers in Smartwater property marking

PCSO Nicola Shepherd worked with the local Duke of Edinburgh youth group run by Wokingham Borough Council on a practise weekend where the groups tested their map skills and route cards.

The Twyford team will be attending an open event; called ‘Twyford turn up and try it’, with Reading College where young persons aged between 16 and 18 can come and discuss work experience, get help with job and college applications. It is held at the Twyford Youth Club, London Road between Monday 25th and Thursday 28th July. For more information please contact alexis.smith@reading-college.ac.uk

Community Messaging

Community Messaging is a free service which provides information to subscribers about crime and police activity in their area via phone or email. It also includes information on what we and our partner services are doing to bring offenders to justice or combat anti-social behaviour.

Contact us

If you want any advice or would like to contact the neighbourhood team you can call us on the police non emergency number 0845 8 505505 but if your call is an emergency then dial 999. You can also contact us via email: TwyfordGroupNHPT@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk – please note this email address cannot be used to contact Thames Valley Police to report crimes or for any urgent matters. If you have information about crime or Anti Social Behaviour in your area but you do not want to speak to the police, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Twyford

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after a pregnant woman was allegedly assaulted during an incident in a supermarket in Twyford yesterday (1/8).

An altercation occurred at Waitrose supermarket in London Road, Twyford at 5.53pm, in which the victim, a 36-year-old woman who is eight months pregnant, was punched in the jaw and pushed.

Although the Twyford victim suffered some bruising, she did not require hospital treatment.

PC Simon Reed, based at Loddon Valley, is appealing for witnesses to the altercation to come forward.

If you can help, please call Twyford Thames Valley Police’s 24-hour Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police or leave your name, call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Twyford

Starting on Monday August 1, 2011 essential roadworks will take place from 7pm to 7am in Wargrave on the following sections of roads:

# A321 High Street, Wargrave (from a point approximately 240m north of the Wargrave Hill junction to a point approximately 25m south of the Station Road junction)
# B477 School Lane (from the High Street junction to a point approximately 50m east)
# Station Road, Wargrave

The Wargrave works will include resurfacing of the carriageway and the replacement of the traffic sensor loops. Also as part of these works the parking restrictions will be changed in the High Street and a new layout of road markings will be implemented.

The road works are programmed for completion in four overnight phases beginning on Monday August 1 and will take four nights to complete under overnight (7pm to 7am) road closures of the A321 (between the A4 and Kenton’s Lane). The diversion route for through traffic will be signed along the A4130, A404, and the A4.

The four Wargrave phases will be:

Phase one – Beginning on August 1, resurfacing the A321 Wargrave Road carriageway from the Wargrave Hill junction (including the junction) to a point approximately 240m north.

Phase two – Beginning on August 2, resurfacing the A321 High Street carriageway from the Wargrave Hill junction to the Church Street junction including resurfacing of B477 School Lane from the A321 junction as far as the Council’s car park.

Phase three – Beginning August 3, resurfacing the A321 High Street carriageway from the B477 School Lane junction to a point approximately 25m south of the Station Road junction.

Phase four – Beginning August 4, replacement of the traffic sensor loops on the A321 High Street, B477 School Lane and Church Street carriageways including overnight resurfacing of Station Road (between High Street and St Mary’s Church).

There will be additional parking restrictions on the A321 High Street with all parking suspended between 7pm and 7am from August 1 until August 5.
Bus service

The 850 bus service leaving High Wycombe at 6.15pm and leaving Reading at 6.55pm will be allowed through the Wargrave road closure.

However the service leaving Reading at 7.45pm will need to be diverted via the A4, A404 and A4130, and not serve Wargrave.

The first services of the day (leaving High Wycombe at 5.45am and leaving Reading at 6.34am) will also need to follow the diversion during the closure.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

Wokingham Borough Council ~ Wargrave

Here is the latest Twyford neighbourhood update from PC Giles Murphy.

Crime update

Remenham – a number of offences have been reported over the last couple of weeks in the Remenham area from criminal damage to vehicles, theft and sheds/outhouses/stables being broken into. Patrols have been increased in these areas and Smartwater has been issued.

Twyford and Ruscombe – there have been three burglaries across central Twyford and Ruscombe. Method of entry is to use a ‘Zbar’ which is an implement used on UPVC front doors by putting the implement through the letterbox and pulling down the handle. It is really important that residents who have UPVC front doors make sure that the door is double locked at night and when they are not at home. Please double lock your door and remove keys from the lock. You will reduce your chance of becoming a victim of burglary.

Protect your home and prevent crime

One third of burglaries involve sheds and garages – burglars often use garden tools such as ladders and spades from sheds to break into people’s homes.

What can you do?

Sheds

Build your shed where you and your neighbours can keep an eye on it. Put all tools and equipment away and keep your shed locked when it’s not being used. Secure valuable property inside your shed, e.g. chain bicycles, lawnmowers and power tools to a strong anchor point. Lock away tools and ladders, as these can be used to break into your house. If your shed door has exterior hinges, replace the screws with security screws or coach bolts, which can’t be unscrewed once in place. Fit a strong pad-bar or hasp and staple with a close-shackled padlock; this will secure your shed door properly. Shed windows are made of thin glass; fit windows with a grille fixed to steel plates inside the shed or use chicken wire for a low-cost alternative. Install security lighting, this will increase visibility at night and stop a burglar visiting your garden and consider a shed alarm; battery operated alarms cost around £10.

Garages

Secure ‘up-and-over’ garage doors by using padlocks through the inside runners or by fitting padlocks with a hasp and staple on either side of the door. Double wooden garage doors are often fitted with a rim latch. To make the doors more secure you should also use a mortise deadlock and the door which closes first should be fitted with strong bolts both top and bottom

Anti-social Behaviour (ASB)

There have been reports of ASB in Highfield Park Wargrave, School Road Hurst, Longfield Road, Pennfields and Sonning Reading cricket and hockey club. We ask that residents call the non-emergency number if you are suffering from ASB. Operation Lion cub is still running every Friday and Saturday night.

Offenders bought to justice

PC Harrison arrested two eastern European males on June 1st at London Road for being drunk and incapable. One male, aged 45 yrs of Napier Road, Reading-dealt with by way of penalty notice. The second male from Victoria Road, Tilehurst was charged and remanded to court.

At the same time PC Butler from the Woodley team also arrested a 45 year old male of Oxford Road, Reading for being drunk and incapable. He was dealt with by a fixed penalty notice.

On June 2nd PC Harrison arrested a juvenile male from Twyford for two matters of racially aggravated public order against the same victim. He has been bailed for further enquiries to reappear at Loddon police station on July 4th

On June 8th PC Harrison arrested a male resident of High Street, Wargrave for harassment. He has been bailed for further enquiries to re-appear on July 9th at Loddon valley police station

On 14th June PC Murphy arrested an 18 year old male for criminal damage caused to one of the shops in Pennfields. He admitted to the offence in interview and is paying for the damage.

On June 18th PC Harrison arrested a 16 year old male from Highfield Park, Wargrave for a public order offence committed on May 20th and on suspicion of criminal damage to a motor vehicle – he has been bailed to re-attend Loddon valley police station on July 30th.

A second 17 year old male from Highfield Park, Wargrave was arrested and bailed for the same offences.

On June 25th PC Murphy carried out four searched on individuals and 2 cars in Remenham and as a results of what was found issued an official cannabis warning to one of them.

The Twyford neighbourhood team attended the Woodley Carnival on the 11th June which was enjoyed by everybody.

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Nicola Shepherd and PCSO Dominick Perera attended the Multi-activity day at Dinton Pastures with the Police van, ‘Have Your Say’ gazebo and literature on crime prevention and community messaging. Lots of freebies were given away and the kids loved trying on the police hats and pressing all the different buttons in the van.

PCSO Nicola Shepherd attended a meeting at the Starlings children centre on the 27th June.

The team attended a very wet Donkey Derby on the June 5th.

On June 16th PCSO Jackie Daniels attended a ‘Walkabout’ in Highfield Park, Wargrave with Wokingham Borough Council and a number of residents (who didn’t mind getting very wet in the pouring rain!) to discuss the local issues.

On the June 22nd the team joined the Community Wardens at Polehampton Court Twyford for their Coffee morning to discuss local issues and to pass advice on various issues.

On June 12th the team held a (very wet!!) ‘Have Your Say’ meeting with the Victoria Road allotments holders – this was in response to a recent spate of theft of strawberries from a number of plots.

Parking

There has been an increase in complaints regarding parking all over the Northern Parishes. The team have been out patrolling the areas and have issued a number of fixed penalty notices and will continue to patrol these areas. Every vehicle we see parking illegally will now be issued a £30 FPN and photographs are also taken of the offending vehicles.

Hot-spot areas for parking offences in Twyford are;

•Station Road

•Station Terrace

•Springfield Park

•Hermitage Drive

•Lansdowne Terrace

•The Grove

If you want any advice or would like to contact the neighbourhood team you can call us on the police non emergency number 0845 8 505505 but if your call is an emergency then dial 999. You can also contact us via email: twyfordgroupnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk – please note this email address cannot be used to contact Thames Valley Police to report crimes or for any urgent matters. If you have information about crime or anti social behaviour in your area but you do not want to speak to the police, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Twyford

Thames Valley Police is appealing for information after a Twyford cyclist was punched in the face and had his own bicycle thrown at him.

At about 8.44pm on Tuesday (21/2), a man was cycling a pink and purple Fusion Universal ladies bicycle in Church Street, Twyford. As he turned into High Street, he was blocked by a man who punched him in the face. The man threw the cyclist’s bicycle at him, causing a cut to the cyclist’s hand.

As the Twyford cyclist made his way to a nearby phone box, the man followed him and took the phone from him before making off.

The man had been sat on a bench on the corner of High Street and Wargrave Road, Twyford prior to the incident and he is described as white, 6ft 3ins, average build, in his mid-thirties, and has a local accent. He has medium length, straight, black hair and was wearing a black top, trousers and black shoes.

If you have any information about the Twyford incident, contact PC Peter Jones at Loddon Valley police station via the Thames Valley Police 24-hour enquiry centre on 0845 8 505 505 or if you don’t want to talk to police or leave your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Twyford

Anyone wanting a one-stop-shop for outdoor activity and adventure need look no further than the Hurst Family Fun Weekend at Dinton Pastures’ Multi-Activity Centre on Saturday June 25 and Sunday June 26.

The Hurst centre offers everything from canoeing to climbing and sailboats to Segways and the Fun Weekend is the ideal time to have a taster of all the activities. There are also pedalos to try, along with a bungee run, thanks to Winnersh Scouts. And for those who fancy a more relaxing time, there’s the chance to just enjoy a barbecue in the wonderful setting of Dinton Pastures Country Park.

Special events being held just for the weekend include a display of classic cars and a demonstration by Newfoundland rescue dogs.

Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Dianne King, who will be attending the Hurst event, said: “This is the first major event at the new Multi-Activity Centre and I know the team are really looking forward to showing off the vast range of activities available. If you’re looking for something different to do with the family, it’s the ideal day or weekend out – and it’s right on the doorstep!”

With the weekend designed to introduce everyone to just what is on offer at the new Hurst centre, costs are low at just £1 a go for each activity. The day runs between 10.30am and 4.30pm.

The Hurst Centre is fully affiliated with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and the Adventures Activities Licensing Authority, offering water sports activities for all ages and abilities with accredited trainers. It caters for individuals and groups (social and corporate) and offers one-off visits as well as membership for those wanting to use it on a regular basis.

Wokingham Borough Council ~ Hurst

When Hare Hatch Sheeplands in Twyford opened an indoor children’s play area nearly four years ago Amanda Philp and daughter Alice were the first people through the gate to make use of the facilities.

Since then they have been Twyford regular users, with Alice’s younger brother Monty also enjoying the delights of the bouncy castle and other activities.

So it was appropriate that Amanda, Alice (4) and her brother Monty (2)were asked to perform the official opening of an adjoining Twyford outdoor play area on Saturday morning.

Thankfully the downpour of the previous evening was long gone and bright sunshine welcomed the Philps and the crowd that had gathered to witness the ceremony.

In traditional style Alice and Monty cut a ribbon across the entrance and visitors were then able to find out for themselves what was on offer.
Primarily a grassed area, where children can run around and enjoy fresh air, it is provided with toys, benches and umbrellas for the adults to enjoy a coffee and cake or sandwich while keeping an eye on the youngsters.

Amanda, who comes from Twyford, said “We love coming here and used the indoor facility from the moment it opened. Now it’s wonderful that we have this outdoor area to enjoy as well.

Hare Hatch Sheeplands,London Road, Hare Hatch, Twyford

Crime:

Twyford & Ruscombe

Twyford has had a relatively quiet month with just three reports of burglary and two reports of criminal damage to vehicles. There was a bicycle stolen from outside Waitrose; so please make sure you lock up your bikes securely round the frame and wheels and if you can, remove the seat and any other objects that could be easily taken. There are locks available with alarms that sound if the lock is being tampered with.

Charvil, Sonning & Hurst

There has been one report of an attempt burglary in Old Bath Road, Sonning. There have been two thefts from vehicles along Sonning Lane and one report of criminal damage. Please do not leave any valuables in your car, remove everything from sight including coats. Sonning lane is a very busy road and not very well lit so we ask you to take extra care when leaving your car there for any length of time.

Lead has also been stolen from Reading Cricket and Hockey club. There is a product on the market which is specially made for lead using forensic marking called SelectaDNA™, please have a look on the internet. There has been one report of theft of car from the Hurst area and one report of a shed break in Charvil.

Wargrave & Remenham

There were two reports of theft of lead; one in Remenham and the other the lead was stolen from the roof of the scouts hut in Wargrave. There has also been a report of criminal damage to a fence along Victoria Road in Wargrave and similar criminal damage in Remenham.

Neighbourhood Priorities

Speeding

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Nicola Shepherd and PCSO Jackie Daniels carried out a speed survey along Hurst road where there has been a recent change in the speed limit from 40mph to a 30mph. The majority of drivers were speeding. Please be aware that the speed limit has changed.

We have also conducted a number of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operations along the A4 corridor.

Anti-social behaviour (ASB)

There have been reports of mopeds being ridden across the recreation grounds in Twyford. This park is for walking and riding bikes, if you see a moped being driven across the park please call 0845 8 505 505 to report it. Please do this sooner rather than later so we have more of a chance of catching them. If you can, try to get as much detail as possible about the rider and the moped, including the number plate and direction of travel. There have also been reports of a go-kart racing around East Park Farm in Charvil.

It was reported to us that people have been using the children’s play area in Dinton Pastures to have a drink. Unfortunately, they have been smashing the bottles once they have finished with them. We patrol all areas of Dinton including the bird hides.

There have been reports of ASB in Wargrave where youths have been letting their football hit resident’s cars. Please take care to keep clear from cars.

Parking

Parking continues to be a problem in the centre of Twyford, especially around the residential areas near to the station. We continue to patrol and issue tickets as and when we can. PC Murphy has been in consultation with the schools in relation to action that we can take together and how best to tackle it.

Partnership activities

PCSO Jackie Daniels and PCSO Nicola Shepherd attended the drop in session at Starlings Children centre.

PC Murphy, PCSO Nicola Shepherd and PCSO Jackie Daniels attended a ‘have your say’ meeting at Twyford youth centre.

PCSO Nicola Shepherd met with the Community Wardens from Wokingham Borough Council for a walk about around Charvil.

PC Harrison, PCSO Jackie Daniels and PCSO Nicola Shepherd met with the community wardens at the Wee Waif for a ‘have your say’ meeting.

The team held a ‘have your say’ meeting in Twyford Police Station, we hold these regularly; please check the website for dates and times.

PCSO Jackie Daniels & PCSO Nicola Shepherd are attending the open day of the new Multi Activity Centre at Dinton Pastures on Sunday June 26th.

On Saturday 21st May the team attended Crazies Hill Primary School Fayre to celebrate their 150 year anniversary which was officially opened by Teresa May.

The team have also been actively patrolling the many churches in the area to boost confidence and to maintain hi-visibility within the community.

PC Murphy has been working with Mark Green to re-activate the Sonning, Charvil and Hurst Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) within the next few months. Members of the NAG meetings will be able to assist in tacking issues that are important to people within the community.

Patrols have been carried out along Pond Lane, Hurst and individuals have been caught with small amount of cannabis. These people have been given a cannabis caution and the cannabis seized and destroyed. We need everyone to stay vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the police.

Five people were arrested in Knowl Hill following allegation of drug possession, illegal immigration and prostitution. The investigation is still on going.

Summer crime prevention advice

Wokingham area has a low crime rate however this is the season for shed breaks on allotments.

General crime reduction measures can be;

1 – Secure valuable property inside your shed, e.g. chain bicycles, lawnmowers and power tools to a strong anchor point

2 – If your shed door has exterior hinges, replace the screws with security screws or coach bolts, which can’t be unscrewed once in place.

3 – Fit a strong pad-bar or hasp and staple with a close-shackled padlock. This will secure your shed door properly

4 – Shed windows are made of thin glass. Fit windows with a grille fixed to steel plates inside the shed.

5 – Consider a shed alarm.

Community Messaging is a free service which provides information to subscribers about crime and police activity in their area via phone or email. It also includes information on what we and our partner services are doing to bring offenders to justice or combat anti-social behaviour.

If you want any advice or would like to contact the neighbourhood team you can call us on the police non emergency number 0845 8 505505 but if your call is an emergency then dial 999. You can also contact us via email: twyfordgroupnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk – please note this email address cannot be used to contact Thames Valley Police to report crimes or for any urgent matters. If you have information about crime or anti-social behaviour in your area but you do not want to speak to the police, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Twyford

Garden enthusiasts from Twyford are this month (May, 2011) being invited to sign up for a coach trip organised by a garden centre in the county.

Wyevale Hare Hatch Garden Centre is offering Twyford customers the chance to visit Abbey House Gardens in Gloucestershire on June 24 accompanied by members of staff from the garden centre.

Matt Bament, Manager of the garden centre on Floral Mile in Hare Hatch near Twyford, said: “Abbey House Gardens is the home of Ian and Barbara Pollard and their family.

“The couple, who made the gardens famous with their naked gardening and a subsequent book entitled ‘The Naked Gardeners’, bought Abbey House in 1994 and decided to create a garden to attract visitors from around the world.

“These picturesque gardens provide visitors with five acres of colourful plants. They also feature a herb garden, topiary displays, beautiful double herbaceous borders and the country’s largest private collection of roses.”

The coach will leave from Wyevale Hare Hatch Garden Centre, Twyford on Friday, June 24 at 9am and will return at around 6pm.

Matt added: “The price of the trip includes tea or coffee at Wyevale Hare Hatch Garden Centre from 8.30am, prior to departure.

“I will be going on the trip to Abbey House Gardens with my colleague Shirley Jones, who is a Horticultural Advisor. We will be on hand to answer any questions people may have while walking around the gardens.

“We hope that lots of people join us for what looks set to be an inspirational day out.”

Tickets, which must be purchased in advance from Wyevale Hare Hatch Garden Centre’s Twyford customer service desk, cost £30 per person and include coach travel, entry to Abbey House Gardens and tea or coffee prior to departure.

For more information, please call Wyevale Hare Hatch Garden Centre, which is located on Floral Mile in Hare Hatch near Twyford, on 0118 940 3933