Maidenhead & Windsor

No-one will be hiding behind the sofa in Cox Green, Maidenhead on Saturday April 8 when the community library opens its doors to a Dr Who Invasion.

Children and adults alike will be heading for the Maidenheadlibrary on Cox Green School campus to welcome a life-size Dalek on a special mission to exterminate the usual library Saturday programme and bring fun for all the family.

The remote-control alien will be accompanied by Professor Kevin Warwick, Professor of Cybernetics at Reading University, who will officially open the new library before giving everyone the opportunity to see Dr Who's deadliest enemy in action.

Prof Warwick is also expecting to face the full force of a mini army of Dr Who characters when he judges the Maidenhead themed children's fancy dress competition.

To get local youngsters in party mood for official opening day, two competitions are already under way. Under-eights can enter for the Maisy colouring competition – winner receives a goodie bag with a Maisy soft toy – while the over-eights have the Design-a-Monster challenge to keep them busy for a Dr Who Easter egg prize. Entries should be returned to the library before April 8, when the winners will be announced.

On official launch day there will also be children's craft activities and a special storytime with the chance to meet children's book favourite Mog the Cat.

Maidenhead Cllr Richard Fagence, lead member for leisure and cultural services, said: "The new Cox Green library, which replaces the old container library, offers many more services to the local community, including enhanced ICT, DVDs, magazines and more new books to borrow. The Dr Who extravaganza will be a really fun day and a great way to encourage people of all ages to come along and see this new facility for their community."

Timings:
10am -1 pm Various children's craft activities including making Easter cards and a space display with spaceships, aliens and planets.
11am Prof Warwick cuts the ribbon and demonstrates Dalek. Mog The Cat will appear and the winners of Maisy and design-a-monster competitions announced.
11.30am Mog The Cat storytime.
12pm Dr. Who fancy dress competition judged.
12pm Free refreshments - tea, coffee, squash, biscuits and a celebration cake.

Cox Green library, Highfield Lane, Maidenhead – which opened its doors in November – is the result of a successful Royal Borough partnership with the parish council, Cox Green School and local community organisations. It incorporates a parish council office, community surgery office and First Stop Shop for council information.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Windsor and Maidenhead town centres have been given good bills of health in an important new retail and leisure study.

The study, commissioned by the council to inform future planning decisions and to feed into the Local Development Framework (LDF), was approved by cabinet meeting on Thursday March 23. It confirms that:

Windsor town centre:

* is healthy and vibrant with a good quality shopping offer and an above average number of multiple chain shops (although it recognises the closure of Caleys as a loss to the town)
* has a high quality environment with good levels of vitality and viability
* has considerably lower than average vacant units – just 3.6% compared to the national average of 10.1%
* has public transport facilities that are relatively well-located in relation to the town centre shopping area.

Maidenhead town centre:

* is a vibrant centre with a good level of multiple chain shops and a strong level of demand from retailers wishing to set up shop there
* has increased in attractiveness thanks to recent town centre improvements – and will be further enhanced when the Sainsbury's development is complete next year
* has shop unit vacancies at 9.6% for the town centre as a whole – below the national average
* features a range and quality of retail, service and leisure facilities appropriate to meet most needs of residents.

In fact, the most up-to-date information on the two town centres shows that:

* In Windsor's busy Peascod Street there are just five units available, with one under offer and another already let, while the others are being actively marketed; only two are available in the King Edward Court shopping centre, which is undergoing major redevelopment.
* In Maidenhead there are only two vacant units in the pedestrianised High Street, while in Nicholsons Shopping Centre a major refurbishment will provide new larger retail units to be ready by the summer.

The retail study report also covers Ascot and Sunningdale as district centres for residents' shopping and leisure activities. Again it confirms their vibrancy, with appropriate ranges of goods and services.

Maidenhead Cllr Vicky Howes, lead member for planning, welcomed the report as an independent assessment of how the town centres are performing.

Maidenhead Cllr Howes said: "We commissioned this report to give us an unvarnished appraisal of our town centres and I am gratified to find that it shows they continue to perform well and provide a good level of services for borough residents. The report recognises that there is work to do and more that can be achieved but, overall, our towns and district centres are facilities to be proud of."

The report covers a wide range of leisure and retail issues, including an assessment of the suitability of sites for future development. It identifies that there is capacity for both comparison and convenience floorspace, particularly in Maidenhead, but recommends that this should be reviewed in the next two to three years once the new Sainsbury's and Waitrose stores in Maidenhead and Windsor respectively have opened and when trading patterns have settled.

The report also identifies sites for further study to determine their suitability as retail floorspace for the future.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

It's Maidenhead success "at the double" for the latest group of budding young sports and arts personalities to receive Maidenhead Royal Borough bursary awards.

This week's bumper crop of talented youngsters will double the "previous best" Maidenhead record for the number of awards, with a total of more than 40 bursaries - twice as many as in previous years.

And doubling up in the sporting celebration stakes are two pairs of siblings each receiving bursaries – the badminton-playing Bailey sisters, Emma and Zoe, from Ascot, and budding tennis-star brothers Daniel and Oliver Brown from Windsor.

The talented duos join the rest of the latest contingent of up-and-coming youngsters who will receive their awards at the ceremony to be held on Tuesday March 28 at the Town Hall, Maidenhead, from Cllr Richard Fagence, lead member for leisure and cultural services.

The double celebration of sports and the arts* will see young people representing sports ranging from hockey and rowing to netball and ice skating line up alongside violinists, ballet dancers and a sculptor to receive bursaries to help with travelling costs, coaching fees and equipment.

Rowing and sculling top the list of sports with the most bursary recipients:

Ben Firminger (Old Windsor) – winner of nine prestigious rowing events, Ben aims to win all three national rowing events this year
Philip Jupp (Eton Wick) – bronze medallist at the National Rowing Championships in 2005, and recently-elected as vice captain of Windsor Boys' Boat Club
Thomas Skelton (Windsor) (sculling) – silver medallist in national schools' quads, Thomas trains and competes in single, double and quads for Windsor Boys Boat Club
Aimee Campbell (Windsor) – twice gold medallist at the national championships, and hoping to win a place in the Great Britain team for the match against France
later in the year.
Jamie Watson (Windsor) – winner of the British indoor rowing grand prix in 2005 and 17th in the first set of international sculls trials
Katy Lion (Maidenhead) – with several gold medals under her belt, Katy is on track to represent Great Britain by 2007 at under-16 level
Krystal Arbery (Old Windsor) – British champion in her age group and aiming to represent Great Britain in 2006 at outdoor sculling
Laurian Pepper (Maidenhead) – sculled for Scotland last year, and currently ranked in the top quarter of the Great Britain junior squad
Martin Haymes (Reading) – already accepted for the Oxford Brookes university team ahead of his hopeful start at the university in October, Martin is a regular competitor at the Henley regatta and holder of several gold medals at national and European championships.
Tennis:
Ben Williams (Windsor) – a member of the Berkshire county tennis team, he was recently selected and took part in the 18-and-under boys county tennis cup in Sheffield
Brothers Daniel and Oliver Brown (Windsor) – Daniel was an under-12 semi-finalist at the Windsor Junior Open tournament and Oliver was the winner of the 2005 under-10 Windsor Junior Open. Together they were semi-finalists in the Eastleigh Grandprix.
James McWalter (Windsor) – ranked 4th in Berkshire in under-12s mini tennis and 142nd nationally
Nail Pauffley (Maidenhead) - ranked 2nd in the county , 6th in the country and number 82 in Europe at under-16.
Badminton:
Sisters Emma and Zoe Bailey (Ascot)– Emma was gold medallist in the Berkshire team at the national doubles tournament in 2005; Zoe is a member of the Berkshire under-13 squad and was in the winning Berkshire team at last year's national doubles tournament.
Hockey – Andrew Watts (Maidenhead) – Andrew has represented Reading Hockey Club in local and European matches and has represented England at under-16, 18, 21 and England B-team level
Swimming – Jonathan Nalsh (Maidenhead) – a freestyle and backstroke swimmer, Jonathan came 14th in his age group at last year's national championships.
Alice Gent (Maidenhead) – holds several silver medals and currently swims just outside national qualifying times
Ice skating – Yuen Tung Chiu (Maidenhead) – competes in British and international championships, she was 3rd in the international in Croatia in 2005
Laura Connor (Ascot) – Laura has skated in the national team challenge for the last four years, achieving silver last July
Running – Lewis Sloan (Old Windsor) – fifth in the county for the 1500m track event last season and is currently 7th in the Chiltern League cross-country under-13s
Cricket – Oliver Jordan (Old Windsor) – one of the highest wicket takers in the Berkshire Under-10s, 11s and 12s squads
Cycle racing – Robert Jackson (Ascot) - Robert specialises in pursuiting and road racing, and has had one British Schools Cycling Association win and various national medals.
Netball - Stephanie Essex (Sunningdale) – recently selected for the England under-19 team to play at the European Championships as well as selected to play for Team Bath Youth Superleague squad
Sailing – Adrian Clay (South Ascot) – with a national ranking of 7th in Great Britain, Adrian is aiming for selection to the GB team for the European championships.
Basketball – Daniel Carter (Windsor) – a member of the England basketball squad and the English Basketball League division one, Daniel aims to train to professional standard in the coming year.
Artistic Gymnastics – Jessica Hawkins (Ascot) - a member of the national squad. Her aim is to be ranked sixth in the country for her age group (14-15 years).
Sports aerobics – Lauren Gillard (Maidenhead) – bronze British medallist and gold Welsh medallist last year in sports aerobics, a potential Olympic event.
Talia Katz – selected for the 2006 GB national squad competing in the World Championships in China in May.
Pole vault – athletics – Steve Walker (Bray) - gold medallist at last year's national young athletes auxiliary finals, Steve is the current south of England under-17 champion.
Eventing – Victoria Samways (Windsor) – competes in Eventing which includes dressage, showjumping and cross-country and qualified for the British Championships in her first season.

There are even more "doubles" in the arts bursaries contingent which features another duo of recorder-playing sisters, two violinists and two ballet dancers.
Recorder – Alison and Caroline Hopper (Maidenhead) – Alison is holder of Maidenhead Music Festival's Outstanding Instrumentalist Cup for her performance in the intermediate recital class, while sister Caroline won the Recorder Cup at the same festival and has just auditioned for the National Youth Recorder Training Orchestra.
Vocal and instrument (violin)
Catherine Al-Ghabra (Maidenhead) – a member of the Berkshire Youth Choir, Youth Orchestra and East Berkshire Chamber choir, Catherine helps in choirs and orchestras at Newlands School.
Natalie Earl (Maidenhead) – Newlands School pupil Natalie is productions manager for Newlands Records as well as playing in the school orchestra, singing in the school choir and is also a member of several local choirs.
Ballet dance
Grace Horler (Windsor) – has just been accepted into The Royal Ballet (securing one of 12 places internationally); and has successfully auditioned for the National Youth Ballet.
Stephanie Joyce (Maidenhead) – a full-time student at London's Central School of Ballet, Stephanie is now aiming for a place in a touring dance company.
Clarinet
Sarah Lewis (Maidenhead) – a member of several ensembles and orchestras, Sarah plays solo clarinet in the Zephyr wind band
Oboe and piano
Carla Matthews (Maidenhead) – piano accompanist for school choirs, church music group, festivals and instrument groups – oboe member of the East Berks Youth Orchestra and the Zephyr wind band
Viola
Rachel Sweeney (Maidenhead) – principal viola player with the Reading Youth Orchestra and a member of the Berkshire Youth Orchestra, Rachel composes as well as performing.
Art, sculpture and painting
Matthew Townsend (Eton Wick) – his art includes photo realism, drawing, painting and sculpture – and he is soon to exhibit a piece at a London exhibition.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead,

Maidenhead Police are hunting a young woman who snatched a mobile phone from a teenage boy as he walked in a park in Maidenhead.

At about 5.45pm on Friday 24 March, a 16-year-old boy was walking with his friend in Oaken Grove park, Maidenhead when a young woman called out to them.

The boys stopped and the woman spoke to them. She asked the 16-year-old to show her a mobile phone that was in his pocket, but when he did so, she grabbed it and ran off.

The thief was a white woman aged about 18, 5ft 6ins, slim with a round face, prominent eyes, pale spotty complexion and dark-brown shoulder-length straight hair. She was wearing a waist-length Puffa-style jacket, cropped jeans and trainers, and had a chunky white-metal chain round her neck. She also had a golden retriever dog with her.

The stolen phone was a silver Nokia 6630.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who recognises the above description, is asked to contact the investigating officer, PC Cora Clouden, on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police or give your name, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 2nd April - 8th April 2006
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

2nd April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
Young Pianists' Concert
* 8:00 pm
Metamorphosis
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Annual Exhibition

3rd April at Maidenhead

No events planned

4th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 11:00 am
In One Ear
* 2:00 pm
In One Ear
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Annual Exhibition

5th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 11:00 am
In One Ear
* 2:00 pm
In One Ear
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Annual Exhibition

6th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 10:30 am
Youth Arts Festival
* 7:00 pm
Junior Norden Lights
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Stage Make-Up Workshop
* 10:30 am
Annual Exhibition
* 2:00 pm
Film Workshop

7th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 10:30 am
Youth Arts Festival
* 7:30 pm
Odyssey
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Helping Hands
* 10:30 am
Annual Exhibition
* 2:00 pm
Helping Hands

8th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 10:30 am
Youth Arts Festival
* 2:30 pm
Norden Lights (10-12) and Norden Lights @ Cox Green
* 7:30 pm
Norden Lights (ages 13-15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Puppetry Workshop (ages 6-9)
* 10:30 am
Annual Exhibition
* 2:00 pm
Historical Costumes Workshop (ages 6-9)

Help us make sure the Maidenhead doors are open when YOU want to visit

That's the invitation to all Maidenhead Royal Borough residents this week as the 2006 library opening hours survey goes into local homes.

The aim is to get library users – and potential users – to indicate the opening hours that would be most convenient for them and their families, and then the information will enable the Maidenhead council's library and information service to make adjustments wherever possible.

Maidenhead Cllr Richard Fagence, lead member for leisure and cultural services, urged everyone to take part in the consultation.

He said: "Borough libraries are central points for information, entertainment, education and recreation. They provide an invaluable service for people of all ages and we want them to be open at times that best suit the needs of local people.

"Many different factors, including changes to the ways people work, study, enjoy their retirement, organise child care and spend their leisure time, influence when they visit libraries. This survey wants to get an up-to-date picture of the times customers either use libraries already or would want to use them in the future. In that way we will be able to adjust opening times to make them more accessible and convenient."

Since the last review of library opening hours three years ago many local libraries have extended their hours, with a 20% overall increase from 255.5 hours a week in December 2002 to 308.5 in December 2005. This includes the opening of two new libraries last year at Datchet and Cox Green, Maidenhead.

The opening hours survey is contained in the spring edition of Around the Maidenhead Royal Borough – the council's magazine for all residents which is delivered to local homes by Royal Mail. It is also available in libraries (the mobile is not included in this survey), leisure centres, first stop shops and council offices. The survey can also be completed on-line at www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/library_news.htm

Residents who return their survey form will have the opportunity to enter a prize draw for a month of free swims at either the Magnet Leisure Centre in Maidenhead or Windsor Leisure Centre. There is also a free voucher which entitles all survey participants to borrow a CD, DVD, video or audiotape FREE from their local library.

Current library opening times are available at www.rbwm.gov.uk or by calling Maidenhead Library on 01628 796969.

Closing date for survey returns is Tuesday 18 April 2006.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Maidenhead Over 60s are set to get the "freedom of the road" from April 1 as the council sets the wheels in motion for all-day, every-day free bus travel both in the borough and to a wide range of other areas.

The Maidenhead Royal Borough's free Advantage Card bus pass scheme is even better than the new national requirements – retaining the off-peak and cross-boundary travel that local bus pass holders already enjoy. And, from next month, instead of paying half-price fares they will enjoy their bus travel absolutely free

Maidenhead Cllr Antony Wood, lead member for Maidenhead transport, paid tribute to council officers and the bus operators for negotiating a bus pass deal that would make public transport free and easily available for people over 60 and those with disabilities.

He said: "The new free travel scheme announced by the Chancellor in his last budget covers off peak and inside-the-borough only. However, we were determined to ensure that our residents would not only benefit from free travel but also retain the freedom of the Royal Borough's current scheme which allows them to travel on any local bus at any time and to a wide range of destinations outside the borough.

"That's why the council agreed to increase its funding for concessionary fares and, coupled with the goodwill and cooperation of the bus operators, we have come up with this fantastic new scheme. I am sure this will be appreciated and welcomed by residents who were concerned that their bus travel from April 1, although free, would have had inconvenient time and travel restrictions."

Existing Maidenhead Advantage Card half-price bus passes can continue to be used for the new free travel arrangements until the end of June so that all customers have plenty time to get a new pass.

There is good news too for many residents who enjoy the Royal Borough's own local taxi voucher scheme, which enables taxi travel for those eligible for bus passes but who cannot use buses because of their age or disability.

From April 1:

* There will be a simpler issuing system for taxi vouchers, with the abolition of the Maidenhead council's £10 administration fee. Qualifying residents will be given £90 worth of vouchers instead of the current system of receiving £100 of vouchers and then paying the £10 fee.
* The well-being pilot project, currently for the over 85s, will be extended to residents aged 75 and over.

The well-being project offers older people a cash alternative to taxi vouchers so they have more flexibility for their individual transport needs. To receive the cash alternative, qualifying residents are provided with a well-being assessment which gives them access to a range of information, services and benefits with the potential to make their lives a lot easier, more healthy and more comfortable. These include the SMILE exercise programme, benefits advice, home energy efficiency, community safety and referrals to GPs and social services.

Maidenhead Cllr Pam Proctor, lead member for social services, said the new concessionary fares arrangements offered the borough's older residents a better and more flexible transport deal.

She said: "By providing all-day, every-day free bus travel, making taxi vouchers simpler and opening up the well-being project to even more people, we are giving older residents the freedom of the road and, for the over 75s, access to information and services with the potential for improving their quality of life. This is a good deal all-round."

Leaflets explaining the new Maidenhead Advantage Card free bus pass arrangements are available from all council offices and libraries. Information is also available on the council's website www.rbwm.gov.uk or on the Royal Borough transport helpline 01628 796666. Information about the taxi voucher scheme is available from the customer service centre on 01628 683868.

CONCESSIONARY FARES FOR Maidenhead RESIDENTS OVER 60
AND THOSE WITH DISABILITIES
At-a-glance guide to the scheme from April 1 2006

* Bus passes
All bus companies operating in the Royal Borough will accept bus passes for FREE travel on any local bus route.
* Bus passes can also be used for direct travel to and from places outside the borough (i.e. without changing), including Bracknell, Heathrow Airport, High Wycombe, Slough, Staines and Reading.
* First (formerly Beeline) will accept passes on almost all of its local routes serving the whole of Berkshire.
* Passes are also valid for Green Line services 700, 701 and 702 to/from London and services 3 and 8 to Wexham Park Hospital.
* Passes can be used at any time (with the exception of the Green Line to London which will accept the pass after 9am Monday – Friday; there are no time restrictions at weekends or on public holidays).

Royal Borough taxi vouchers
A local scheme operated by the council, taxi vouchers for £90 of travel are available for residents who, because of their age or disability, are unable to use buses.

* There will no longer be a £10 administration fee for the issue of the vouchers – residents will receive £90-worth of vouchers (instead of the previous £100 with a £10 admin fee).
* The well-being scheme, currently for residents aged 85 and over, will be extended to the over 75s and will entitle those who qualify for taxi vouchers to a cash alternative to give them more flexibility in making their travel arrangements.

Concessionary fares for the over 60s and people with disabilities are operated through the Royal Borough's Advantage Card scheme.

Bus Pass Advantage Cards are issued free at borough leisure centres (on production of proof of age and residency).

From 18 April Advantage Cards/bus passes will also be available from the customer service centre in the Town Hall, Maidenhead, and at York House, Windsor.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

A football match between Maidenhead police officers and local youngsters will be going ahead on 2 April, after it was postponed due to problems with the pitch.

PC Greig Williams, one of the local beat officers for Pinkneys Green, Maidenhead has organised a football match between a team of his fellow officers and young people from the area known locally as the ‘Bomber’ estate.

The match, which was originally planned to take place in January, will now be held on Sunday 2 April at Maidenhead Football Club in York Road, Maidenhead. Kick-off is scheduled for 1pm.

“Maidenhead United FC has kindly allowed us to use their pitch,” said Greig. “The club will be opening all its facilities, including the tea bar and clubhouse, and they have said that everyone is welcome to come along. Refreshments will be available, so it should be an enjoyable afternoon.

”Youngsters from the estate will be using this event as a fund raiser for a teen shelter to be put up in Oaken Grove park, and we are hoping for donations from people attending the match.”

PC Williams has put together a team of 18 officers, including PC Andy Amor, who has recently joined him in the local beat team that covers Pinkneys Green, Maidenhead. They will play a full 11-a-side game against the ‘Bomber’ team, who are aged from their mid teens to early twenties.

“Although there have been some issues with anti-social behaviour in this part of Maidenhead in recent months, most of the young people who live there do not cause problems,” he said. “We want to find ways of engaging with the youngsters and encouraging them to use their energies more constructively.

“Previous football matches organised between police officers and youngsters in Britwell, Slough, as well as the ‘Kick out racism’ football tournament in Maidenhead in October last year, have had a very positive impact on relationships between police and the community.

“We’re hoping that this match will have a similar effect, and that plenty of families, friends, neighbours and colleagues will come along on 2 April to support both teams.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead

Altwood Church of England School, Maidenhead has just undergone OFSTED inspection and we are delighted to share the extremely positive outcome of this inspection.

‘Outstanding' was the word used by inspectors to describe a number of key features of the school and its work such as:

* the Headteacher's leadership

* the curriculum offer

* the care, guidance and support available for students

* the effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation

* the progress made by students who find their work more challenging

* the monitoring, evaluation and improvement of the school's performance to meet challenging targets.

All other areas of the Maidenhead school's work was judged to be a least ‘good', with the overall judgement of the inspectors being that:

"Altwood is a ‘good' school with some very strong features.
It is on track to become an ‘outstanding' school"

Clearly all members of the Maidenhead school community are delighted by this acknowledgement of the high quality of educational experience on offer at Altwood. This OFSTED endorsement is also great affirmation of the progress and achievement that has been taking place within the school community.

Our Mission as a school is to be a high achieving learning community where all feel valued and secure and all are enabled to fully develop progress and attain. We believe we realise those goals day-on-day and are extremely pleased that HMI and OFSTED agree with us.

There is very much to celebrate here at Altwood and we look forward to going from strength to strength in all aspects of our work for the benefit of our young people. The young people of Altwood can be assured of the highest standards and the best opportunities to thrive and achieve.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Cox Green School,Maidenhead is making improvements and this has been recognised by inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) who spent two days with the pupils and staff at the beginning of February.

Their report points to the significant improvement in the quality of teaching since their last visit and gives a "good" rating to the sixth form, with praise for its teaching and learning, leadership and management and the progress made by the students.

The report also commends the curricular provision in the Maidenhead school, mentioning especially that for pupils with particular literacy needs and the increasingly-wide range of vocational opportunities for older pupils, including work-related courses. There is also good provision to support students' future economic well-being and there are "positive changes" since the school achieved specialist status for performing arts.

The inspectors say they are satisfied with pupils' personal development and praise the Cox Green approach to the care, guidance and support it provides for them. They also highlight the leadership and management of the school, with headteacher Ian Hylan having a "sound understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses". Governance is "sound overall".

To support the Maidenhead school's continuing improvement, the report sets out areas for particular attention, including further development of good teaching and quality of learning, improving attendance and punctuality and ensuring that religious education provision meets the required levels.

Peter Powell, chair of governors, has written to parents and pupils to let them know about the outcome of the inspection and commented: "We are pleased the inspectors graded the sixth form as good and that they recognised the progress the school is making. We recognise that there are areas for improvement and the governors and I will be working with Mr Hylan and the school staff to make sure that this progress continues."

Mr Hylan said: "The new Ofsted inspections are tougher than in the past and we are pleased that the inspection team has taken on board everything we are already achieving at Cox Green. Our progress towards further improvements is well established and the entire school community will be involved as we move forward. We are confident of further progress."

The Royal Borough (the local education authority) is supporting Cox Green on its improvement path. Jeff Smith, head of learning and achievement, said: "The LEA is committed to working with Cox Green to implement the improvements which will aid its further development. We have strong relationships with the school which is moving forward very positively in the best interests of the pupils, both now and in the future."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 26th March - 1st April 2006
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

26th March at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
Mrs Henderson Presents (12A)
* 7:30 pm
Mrs Henderson Presents (12A)
* 7:45 pm
The Visit

27th March at Maidenhead

No events planned

28th March at Maidenhead

No events planned

29th March at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
The Constant Gardener (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Annual Exhibition

30th March at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
The Constant Gardener (15)
* 8:00 pm
Lost Property
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Annual Exhibition

31st March at Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Annual Exhibition

1st April at Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Annual Exhibition

Maidenhead Trading standards officers are continuing to clamp down on under-age sales of cigarettes across the Maidenhead borough with two more undercover operations earlier this month.

Officers visited 12 Maidenhead premises on two separate occasions, and specially trained young people aged 13 and 14 attempted to buy cigarettes while being secretly monitored by trading standards staff.

Only one Maidenhead sale was carried out, and officers are now considering what action to take against the offending trader. All the other 11 retailers asked for ID or proof of age – complying with the Maidenhead council's strong message to always ask for proof of identity such as driving licence or passport.

Officers are continuing to support the government's ongoing No ID – No Sale campaign with further test purchases on underage sales of alcohol planned for later in the year.

Steve Johnson, trading standards manager, said: "Whilst any sale is a cause for concern, we are pleased that the overall message seems to be getting through to retailers that they must always ask for proof of age and must refuse to sell age-restricted products to minors.

"If anyone suspects that retailers are selling cigarettes, alcohol or any other age-restricted product to children then they should report them to trading standards on 01628 683802."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Easter waste is no yoke! Don't chicken out - now's the time to crack the Maidenhead recycling habit and make this an egg-cellent Easter for the borough's black recycling boxes.

And, as Maidenhead borough gardeners venture out with shears and lawnmowers, it's also a great time to start composting.

Maidenhead Cllr Simon Werner, lead member for public protection, said: "Thanks to growing support for recycling in the Royal Borough, we are making positive progress in changing the way local people deal with their household and garden waste. We want our residents to stop and think green before they throw rubbish in their wheelie bins.

"Thinking green means recycling wherever possible so we are urging residents to make this their Easter resolution. Spring is a time of new beginnings so it's the ideal time to start recycling or if you are already a recycler, to look for even more ways to do it.

"We have a real financial incentive to reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill sites. The government has increased landfill tax by £3 a tonne. This means we will pay £18 for every tonne of waste we send to landfill – more than £1million in the year ahead unless we cut the amount of rubbish we put into our wheelie bins. This is a massive burden on council tax but if all our residents become keen recyclers, we could make a real reduction in the waste bill."

How to boost Maidenhead recycling this Easter

Send packaging packing!
The council's simple instructions for Easter eggs:
1. Unwrap egg.
2. Put cardboard packaging in your black recycling box.
3. Save any foil wrappings to take to one of the borough's eight foil collection points.
4. Eat egg!

The eight bring sites with distinctive yellow foil collection containers are:

* Grange Car Park, High Street, Ascot
* Cookham Railway Station
* Shopping Parade, Wessex Way, Maidenhead
* Magnet Leisure Centre, Maidenhead
* Civic Amenity Site, Stafferton Way, Maidenhead
* Sutherland Grange, Maidenhead Road, Windsor
* Windsor Leisure Centre, Stovell Road, Windsor
* Tinkers Lane, Windsor.

Consider composting
Composting is nature's own way of waste disposal, using leaves, grass, shrub clippings and a wide range of household waste. It makes an excellent soil conditioner and mulch, which helps to make gardens grow in the future.

Composting at home couldn't be simpler these days with bins designed to help the process by retaining heat and keeping piles of material tidy in the garden.

To promote composting, the council is currently offering subsidised composting bins from as little as £9.95. Full details are in the spring edition of Around the Maidenhead Royal Borough, the council's magazine which is being distributed to all households this week, or by calling the recycling helplines. Information about composting is available on the council's website www.rbwm.gov.uk/environment_planning/wm_home_composting.htm

Alternatively, residents can:

* take green waste to the household recycling centre at Stafferton Way, Maidenhead
* arrange for green waste to be collected. This is a free appointment service which can be booked on 01628 796844.

Maidenhead Cllr Werner said: "By recycling as much as possible, all residents can play a significant part in cutting the borough's waste bill and helping the environment."

Further information about recycling is available on 01628 796156 or 796146.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Maidenhead History lovers are invited to take advantage of the new Cox Green library with three local history talks.

Thursday March 23 – A History of White Waltham and Shottesbrooke
Luke Over, local historian and author, will give a talk on the history of the area.

Thursday March 30 – Who's been living in my house?
(extracts from a house detective's notebook).
Chris Atkins, local history librarian and house detective, will describe the rich and colourful history of a 1930s house in Maidenhead.

Thursday April 6 – Lord Desborough: Man for Maidenhead and Olympian Hero
Angela Bolger, curator of Taplow Court, will highlight the extraordinary life of local hero Lord Desborough – sportsman, politician, Mayor of Maidenhead and organiser of the 1908 London Olympic Games.

All talks start at 7.30pm at Cox Green library, Highfield Lane, Maidenhead (next to Cox Green School).

Chris Atkins, Maidenhead local history librarian, said: "We're very pleased to make the most of Cox Green's new public library with talks on such a wide range of different topics – there should be something for everyone!"

Tickets are available in advance for £3.50 (£3 for Advantage Card holders) from Chris Atkins at Maidenhead library on 01628 796969, or direct from Cox Green library.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Celebrate the arrival of Spring with an afternoon singsong at Maidenhead Braywick Nature Centre later this month.

Adult music lovers are invited to the singing workshop on Sunday March 19, from 2 to 5pm, to learn songs from around the world inspired by nature and the seasons.

The songs will be easy to learn, taught by ear in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere – no ability to read music is necessary, just a real enjoyment of singing.

Becca Flintham, Maidenhead countryside ranger, said: "If the cold grey days of winter have dragged on leaving you feeling blue then an afternoon singsong will be just the thing to welcome in Spring and brighten your spirits. You don't need to be a pop star – complete beginners and experienced singers are equally welcome. So just come along and enjoy yourself!"

The session, at Braywick Nature Centre, Hibbert Road, Maidenhead, costs £5 per adult (£4.50 with Advantage Card) and refreshments will be provided. Places must be booked in advance on 01628 796227 (weekdays 9am – 5pm).

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

They're under starters orders for this year's new look Maidenhead Berkshire Youth Games taking place in July.

It's all change in the local youth sporting arena as the new games – the successor to the Thames Valley Youth Games hosted for the last three years by the Maidenhead Royal Borough – kick-start into action this week with the first of the local qualifying events.

The new-look Berkshire-wide games – to be held at Bradfield College in West Berkshire on Sunday July 2 – will see schools from each of the six unitary authorities competing in nine different sports – athletics, basketball, cricket, hockey, netball, football, rugby, rowing and orienteering. Also included in the games will be boccia (similar to French boules), football and athletics for young people with moderate learning difficulties.

In the local qualifying events beginning on Wednesday, teams from local schools will battle it out at a series of festivals and sporting sessions for the honour of representing the Maidenhead Royal Borough at the prestigious event.

Organised by the Charters and Windsor School Sport Partnerships and the Maidenhead Royal Borough's Sports Development team, the qualifying events already scheduled are:

Wednesday March 15 2 – 4pm, Charters School – high fives netball (mixed five-a-side, Years 4 and 5)
Thursday March 23 4 – 6pm, Dedworth Middle School (girls' football, five or six-a-side, Years 7 and 8)
Tuesday March 28 2 – 4pm, Windsor Boys' School (mixed tag rugby, Years 3 and 4)
Tuesday March 30 4 – 6pm, Altwood School (boys' hockey, Years 7 and 8)

Maidenhead Cllr Richard Fagence, lead member for leisure and cultural services, said: "We were very privileged to be able to host the Thames Valley Youth Games for the last three years, and we are equally delighted to be involved in these new-style games.

"Although the format is new, the ethos is the same – to give young people the opportunity to take part in a range of sporting activities and to encourage them to develop links with sporting clubs across the borough and further their interest in sport. And of course to promote a real enjoyment of sport and all the benefits it brings. I would like to wish all the participants the very best of luck!"

For further information about the qualifying events and the games in July, contact Nichola Tomkins, Maidenhead school sport development officer, on 01628 796136.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

19th March at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
A Cock and Bull Story (15)
* 7:30 pm
A Cock and Bull Story (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
The Colour of Ideas

20th March at Maidenhead

No events planned

21st March at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Great Expectations
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
The Colour of Ideas

22nd March at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Breakfast on Pluto (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
The Colour of Ideas
* 7:00 pm
Reading Group

23rd March at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Mervyn Stutter in An Evening of Comedy and Song for Menopausal Flower Children
* 7:45 pm
The Visit
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
The Colour of Ideas

24th March at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Joanna MacGregor - American Journeys North and South
* 7:45 pm
The Visit
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
The Colour of Ideas

25th March at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Charleston Chasers
* 7:45 pm
The Visit
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
The Colour of Ideas

A Maidenhead Resident is calling for action to be taken against drivers whose haphazard and illegal parking puts lives at risk.

Tim Boissaud-Cooke said this week: "It is only a matter of time before someone is injured because of an illegally parked car or lorry."

Among the abuses he highlights are Maidenhead motorists parking in loading bay areas forcing lorry drivers to mount the pavement when they park in the east side of Queen Street.

He said: "On occasions I have seen mothers with pushchairs forced to walk in the road because there was insufficient space for them to pass between the trucks and shop fronts."

Mr Boissaud-Cooke, who lives in Clare Road, Maidenhead, works as a sound recorder on the hit BBC TV series Holby City.

He said: "I have a period of a fortnight between recording sessions and during these periods I have noticed the building up of traffic problems in the town."

Married with two grown-up children, Mr Boissaud-Cooke said that drivers visiting Maidenhead town centre chose to park in restricted areas - often with scant regard for for the allocated periods. They often park there past the half an hour that is allowed, sometimes as long as an hour.

Mr Boissaud-Cooke said this worsened the congestion caused by the bus stop at the junction of Providence Place and the High Street.

He said Queen Street and the east end of the High Street, Maidenhead and St Ives Road seem to be the worst affected.

Mr Biosssaud-Cooke said that drivers leave their cars on double yellow lines in Clare Road, Kings Grove and Laburnham Road.

He siad: "This blocks the view of pedestrians and make it hazardous when they are trying to cross the road."

Antony Wood, Maidenhead royal borough lead member for traffic and transport said: "At the moment parking in the centre of Maidenhead is essentially a police matter.

"The only way this could change is if the borough took on responsibiliy for enforcing parking, which would mean parking would have to be decriminalised."

ic Berkshire ~ Maidenhead

The Maidenhead Royal Borough is moving towards its longer-term aim of filling in the "missing link" in a popular riverside footpath which runs alongside the Thames at Maidenhead.

Maidenhead Plans to join up the existing "gap" in the Thames Path National trail at Ray Mead Road, Maidenhead were approved by the borough's rights of way and highway licensing panel on Monday (March 6) – subject to the availability of sufficient funding either through Section 106 money or from external sources.

Members supported an application by the Maidenhead borough to be registered as the owners of the short strip of unregistered land - currently forming the concrete landing steps opposite the Thames Hotel and Bray Boats boatyard - to help join up the path and create a continuous route along the riverside.

Walkers using this stretch of the Thames Path currently have to cross Ray Mead Road to use the footway on the opposite side of the road before crossing back again to re-join the riverside path.

In response to requests from both the East Berks Ramblers Association and the River Thames Society, proposals have been drawn up to provide a new stretch of footpath either by infilling the row of steps or constructing a raised walkway and installing railings above the steps.

In addition to the application to the land registry, Maidenhead panel members also approved a public path creation order under Section 26 of the Highways Act 1980 – and members agreed to work closely with the Environment Agency on the design of the proposed new structure.

Maidenhead Cllr Margaret Cubley, chairman of the panel, said: "It is very important at this stage to stress that these proposals are entirely dependent on the availability of sufficient funding to finance the project.

"Therefore the works themselves are still likely to be some way off but we are taking positive action to ensure that we are well-placed when funds are available.

"We appreciate that the Thames Path is a very popular and well-used route along some of the most picturesque stretches of the river, used by both local residents and visitors to the area – and we do want to do everything we can to create a safe and practical link to the existing path for walkers to enjoy.

"By creating a new stretch of footpath – and closing the existing gap in the path – we would hope to be able to make the route more convenient and enjoyable for users by eliminating the need to cross and re-cross Ray Mead Road. It will also improve and enhance the appearance of that stretch of the riverbank.

"We have consulted widely on these proposals with local ramblers groups, Bray Boats who use the river mooring at the bottom of the steps, the Environment Agency and with ward members."

For further information about the land registry application or the public path creation order, contact Anthony Hurst, principal public rights of way officer, on 01628 796407.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

A spate of complaints about property letting agents has prompted the Maidenhead Royal Borough's trading standards service to issue a warning to tenants to be on their guard against unscrupulous practices.

The complaints form a "worrying trend" of reports about letting agencies taking a large up-front deposit for rental property and then failing to refund the deposit after the property is vacated.

Various unsubstantiated reasons are given for not refunding the money, including: the property not being cleaned adequately, items missing from the inventory, utility bills not being paid and bank payment details being insufficient.

Steve Johnson, Maidenhead trading standards manager, said: "There are many reliable and trustworthy letting agents but this kind of behaviour from their more unscrupulous colleagues is letting the side down! We have had concerns, and complaints, over a number of months about this sort of practice and a worrying trend is emerging.

"When someone has a problem with a rented property it is important that they get proper advice. For instance, if the property agent has authority to deal with all contractual matters on behalf of the owner then the tenant may be able to sue the agent for any breach of contract. However they may also have the right to sue the owner – if they can be identified. In one particular case, we are currently considering whether legal action is appropriate."

Maidenhead Trading standards would like to hear from anyone who has recently encountered problems with letting agents unjustifiably withholding deposits. Call 01628 683802.

Anyone seeking general advice about housing related problems should contact the Maidenhead Royal Borough's housing options team on 01628 683676 or 683685.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Maidenhead Commuters facing savage cuts to rail services were dealt another blow when it emerged that their Reading neighbours stand to gain from their misery.

Timetable proposals for 2007 show significantly reduced services from Maidenhead to Paddington during peak hours.

The draft timetable slashes the number of fast trains leaving Maidenhead station between 7am and 8am from five to just two. Peak services in Slough are also set to be slashed with existing fast trains to London due to make additional stops along the way.

But ten miles up the line, in Reading, the future looks a lot rosier with peak services set to increase by 20 per cent.

Deputy leader of the royal borough Cllr Simon Werner [Lib Dem: Pinkneys Green] described the news as "another punch in the face of Maidenhead commuters".

But train operator First Great Western (FGW) says it is not to blame for the disparity.

FGW claims that it offered to substantially increase the number of fast trains leaving Maidenhead when it submitted its bid for the new franchise.

But the proposals were rejected by Network Rail and the Department for Transport (DfT) who thought the improvements would upset the timetable in Reading, it said.

The news of the beefed-up Reading timetable emerged at a cabinet meeting held last Thursday evening.

The meeting was attended by Richard Rowland, general manager of Thames Trains at First Great Western, who gave a presentation outlining the proposals ahead of the March 3 deadline for objections. He admitted that Maidenhead commuters had drawn the short straw.

"The draft proposals contain plusses and minuses. For Maidenhead there are some minuses, but if you get further out there are plusses," he said, mentioning Reading.

After an ear bashing from members of the council, Mr Rowland promised FWG would go back to Rail Track and the DfT to argue the case for saving Maidenhead's peak services.

Cllr Malcolm Beer [OWRRA: Old Windsor] told the meeting: "The timetable will push traffic back on to the M4.

"The trains have been improving, numbers have been pushed up, and now they are trying to take it all away again."

ic Berkshire ~ Maidenhead

National Science Week gets off to a flying start with a special kite-making workshop at Maidenhead Braywick Nature Centre next week.

During the Maidenhead workshop on Saturday March 11 the Braywick boffins will explain how kites fly – and why some don't! – before helping avid aviators make their own colourful kite to take home.

Trevor Smith, senior Maidenhead countryside ranger, said: "Kites were invented after watching birds and then planes were invented after kites so they have played a really important part in our aviation history. At the workshop we will have lots of fun making great kites that really will fly, wind permitting of course!"

Adults and children over seven years old are invited to the centre in Hibbert Road, Bray, Maidenhead from 10.30am – 12.30pm. The workshop costs £4 (£3.50 with Advantage Card) and places must be booked in advance on 01628 796227. All children must be accompanied by an adult but adults can come on their own. Everyone is asked to bring a large ball of strong string.

National Science Week (10-19 March) is organised by the British Association for the Advancement of Science – the UK's biggest mass participation scientific event – to give people the chance to participate in science activities, experiments and discussions in their local area. The aim is to communicate the wonders of science to everyone and help people appreciate the role that science plays in their daily lives.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 12th March - 18th March 2006
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

12th March at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
Shopgirl (15)
* 7:30 pm
Shopgirl (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
The Colour of Ideas

13th March at Maidenhead

No events planned

14th March at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Ha Ha Ha
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
The Colour of Ideas

15th March at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Tickets (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
The Colour of Ideas

16th March at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Evgeny Soifertis
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
The Colour of Ideas

17th March at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:45 pm
Dave Cliff and the Pendulum Quartet
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
The Colour of Ideas

18th March at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
It's a Plot! David Benson's Conspiracy Cabaret
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
The Colour of Ideas

It will be an evening of "firsts" as the Maidenhead Royal Borough celebrates its latest Duke of Edinburgh's Award successes in gold-star style next week.

Fittingly in the year that the popular award scheme celebrates its landmark 50th anniversary, Maidenhead Royal Borough youngsters have for the first time notched up a record-breaking 175 awards – surpassing the previous best tally of 150.

Presenting the Maidenhead awards for the first time will be the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Mr Philip Wroughton – and the new venue of St Mary's School in Ascot rounds off the hat-trick of "firsts".

The high-profile Maidenhead event will see the record-breaking crop of young people from schools and youth groups across the borough line up to receive their awards from the Lord Lieutenant at the school on Wednesday March 8 at 7.30pm.

Collecting their bronze, silver or gold certificates will be young people from:

Maidenhead:
The Outdoor Education project, Castle Hill, Maidenhead – 25 young people receiving bronze, silver and gold
Cox Green Explorer Scouts, Maidenhead – four sectional awards at bronze, silver and gold levels

Windsor:
Churchmead School - eight young people receiving sectional certificates (this is the first time Churchmead pupils have been part of the awards presentation)
Windsor youth and community centre – one bronze award

Ascot:
Charters School – 15 bronze and silver awards
Hurst Lodge – 22 bronze and silver awards
St George's School – seven awards
St Mary's School – 79 bronze and silver awards.

For the first time this year a small number of Access certificates will be awarded to young people who have completed individual sections of the award as they work towards the full award.

Maidenhead Cllr Richard Fagence, lead member for leisure and cultural services, said: "What better way to celebrate the Duke of Edinburgh's award golden anniversary than with a record-breaking number of awards. All the young people involved have demonstrated terrific commitment and enthusiasm and should be justifiably proud of their achievements – as should the people who give up their time to help them reach their goals.

"The Duke of Edinburgh's Awards provide a truly unique opportunity for young people to develop and grow in confidence as they learn new skills and make new friends at the same time. Long may they flourish!"

Entertainment will be provided by St Mary's School choir, Hurst Lodge pupils who will sing and dance, and award winners who will recount their expedition experiences.

For further information about the Maidenhead Duke of Edinburgh's Award contact Award Co-ordinator Catherine Hurst on 01628 796478.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Guests at the Maidenhead Mayor's Charity Dinner last Friday (February 24) dug deep in their pockets and helped raise around £3,000 for the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust.

The black-tie event, held in the newly-refurbished Desborough Suite in the Town Hall, Maidenhead attracted guests from across the borough and beyond – all of them generously supporting a raffle of top quality prizes donated by local businesses.

Maidenhead Cllr Eric Wiles, Mayor of the Royal Borough and host for the successful evening, thanked everyone for their wholehearted support for such a good cause. He added: "The air ambulance provides an amazing service for our community and I am delighted that we will be able to make such a handsome donation to their funds, thanks to the generosity of our dinner guests."

The evening started with a drinks reception, followed by a three-course dinner and afterwards there was music by the BBO Big Band.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Maidenhead Royal Borough is ready to take action in support of Defra should a case of bird ‘flu occur in the Maidenhead area – but Maidenhead council has urged local residents not to be panicked by national newspaper headlines.

David Perkins, Maidenhead head of operations and emergency planning, said: "While the prospect of bird ‘flu hitting our shores is a cause for concern, it is important to keep things in proportion and to appreciate that there are robust plans in place for dealing with the situation if it arises."

The lead organisation is the Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra). Maidenhead Royal Borough trading standards department has been working with Defra officials and they have confirmed that the council is well equipped to act in support should the need arise.

Steve Johnson, Maidenhead trading standards manager, said: "If there is a disease outbreak, trading standards has the responsibility for ensuring that people comply with all disease control restrictions and assist the state veterinary service (SVS) in an eradication campaign. There is a national contingency plan in place and we are well prepared to play our part should the need arise.

"In the meantime, anyone who keeps poultry or other domestic birds should remain vigilant for signs of the disease and all keepers should maintain a high level of biosecurity to reduce the risk of introducing the disease."

The advice from Defra is that anyone finding a dead bird should not touch it and call the following numbers:

* 08459 335577 - dead wildfowl (ducks, geese, swans etc)
* 0118 939 2505 – all other types of birds.

Duty vets will be able to offer advice about what to do.

Outside office hours the contact number is 0118 959 6695, which will provide contact details for the duty vet.

More information can be found on the government's website at www.defra.gov.uk, which is regularly updated with guidance and advice on control measures and the latest situation.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The search is on once again for more enthusiastic and committed local Maidenhead residents to become school governors – inspired by the example of a group of long-servers being awarded top marks for "attendance" next week.

As the 94 Maidenhead high achievers in the long-service stakes line up to collect their awards – marking a total of more than 1,500 years service – the Maidenhead Royal Borough is teaming up with the national School Governors One-Stop Shop to launch a campaign to recruit new governors to fill the current shortfall of about 100 of the total of 950 at borough schools.

The challenge is to "make a lasting difference" to children's lives by volunteering to work in the increasingly-autonomous school environment. The qualifications are enthusiasm, commitment and the time to attend meetings and become involved in every element of school life from finance to site management, human resources to marketing and pupil welfare to curriculum development.

Maidenhead Cllr Cynthia Pitteway, lead member for education, said: "It is very fitting that we are officially acknowledging the hard work and loyalty of our longest-serving school governors as we launch this search for new volunteers to this important role.

"Let's hope the dedication of these award-winners will be a real inspiration to others – and we can encourage more people to join them to make a lasting difference to our children's lives by volunteering to become a school governor.

"We really want to hear from anyone who is genuinely interested in the education of our next generation and in making a contribution to the community. Schools are right at the heart of our communities, and by becoming a governor people can have an influence on how the school is run and how decisions are taken by representing the views of that community. We also provide new governors with the training and the skills to make a really worthwhile contribution to the running of our schools."

Jo Buchanan of the School Governors One-Stop Shop, said: "No one should be deterred from being a governor by thinking they have to be experts. Volunteers do not need to be parents, have special skills or detailed knowledge of the education system – just a willingness to make a contribution to the excellent work that goes on in schools."

The Maidenhead borough's long-serving governors – the second group this year to be awarded under a new scheme recognising governors commitment and loyalty – will receive their awards from Cllr Eric Wiles, Mayor of the Royal Borough, at a special ceremony in the Town Hall, Maidenhead, on Wednesday March 1.

There are 72 Maidenhead awards for continuous service (8 – 15 years); 18 for exemplary service (16 – 29 years) and four distinguished service awards (30 years and above, including one posthumous award for 50 years service to Charles Waltham on behalf of his late wife Joyce, a former governor at Trevelyan Middle School in Windsor).

For further information about the awards evening, or about becoming a school governor, contact Maidenhead Royal Borough governors' services on 01628 796960. Governor packs containing information for individuals, schools and employers are available from the School Governors One Stop Shop (SGOSS) on 0870 241 3883, email info@schoolgovernors-oss.co.uk or visit their website at www.sgoss.org.uk

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

President Alan Fergusson's county bowlers suffered another Courtenay Cup defeat when they travelled to Maidenhead.

The Hertfordshire Indoor Bowls Association lost by 10 shots over six rinks to Berkshire at the Desborough club, Maidenhead to collect just four County Friendly League points, despite winning on four rinks.

Hatfield bowler Mick Wood was a member of the Herts rink that won by 27 shots to 13.

Herts 24 ~ Maidenhead