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Posted: Sunday, April 30, 2006

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 7th May - 13th May 2006

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 7th May - 13th May 2006
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

7th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:00 pm
The Merry Wife of Wilton

8th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Mark Thomas (Work In Progress)

9th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Tsotsi (15)

10th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Tsotsi (15)

11th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Celebrity Piano Recital: John Lill
* 7:45 pm
Wonky Beauty

12th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Walk The Line (12A)

13th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 11:00 am
The Dream Tree
* 3:00 pm
The Dream Tree
* 3:00 pm
Walk The Line (12A)
* 7:30 pm
Walk The Line (12A)

Posted: Saturday, April 29, 2006

'Extra' rail service is off track, say Maidenhead commuters

First Great Western "Transforming Travel" for Maidenhead

Angry commuters have branded a compromise deal from a rail firm as 'appalling' as the number of signatures on the Save Our Trains petition rose to 2,500.

Train users slammed First Great Western's offer to provide an extra service on the Maidenhead to London line after it initially decided to reduce the number of fast and semi-fast services from five to two when the new timetables comes into force in December.

The extra train will bring the number of services running between Maidenhead and London Paddington between 7am and 8am to three and will be timed to arrive at the latter station at 7.30am

But Graeme Wilcock, 32, who lives in Gordon Road, Maidenhead, was not satisfied and said: "It is appalling. I think the people who are deciding this ought to come down on to the platforms and see how many people are here. The demand is here to take on the passengers and I do not see many people standing at other stations."

Rail users travelling from Maidenhead were particularly concerned about the loss of the popular 7.27am service.

Andy Harvey, 38, who lives in Marlow, was considering getting the train from High Wycombe rather than Maidenhead if the new timetable came into force and did not think the extra train, which would leave Maidenhead at about 7.10am, was the answer. "It means I have got to be here earlier for a start - the 7.27 is the one that most people rely on."

And investment banker Peter Roe, 50, who lives in Cookham Dean, said: "I would not be happy to see fewer fast trains because they are already overcrowded, but it is no good if it is overcrowded and packed because there are few fast trains."

Last Thursday, Maidenhead MP Theresa May visited the Department for Transport to hand in the Save Our Trains petition, which has risen from just over 2,000 signatures at the start of the month to the current 2,500.

She said: "I am delighted by the response to the Save Our Trains campaign. Thanks to the strong support of the local community I have been able to drive this issue up the political agenda in Westminster and

I am extremely grateful to everyone who has added their name to the petition.

"The proposed cuts would have a devastating impact on our area and hit commuters hard; I am determined to ensure that they do not come into effect. "

But FGW spokesman Adrian Ruck said the service would be a 500-seater and would only run between Twyford, Maidenhead and London, so there would be plenty of seats because it would not have to make the previous stops that the current service, which runs from Reading, has to make.

He said the company had consulted rail passengers about the proposed timetable changes and was taking action to solve the concerns raised.

"We had 9,000 responses to that consultation, including the issues that we referred to in Maidenhead and we took action in consultation with them by providing this additional service in the timetable."

First Great Western has recently taken on the franchise for the area, but under the terms of its agreement with the Department for Transport it had to run the new timetable.

This involved the loss of the 7.27am service in favour of two trains at 6.49am and 7.12am.

ic Berkshire ~ Maidenhead

Posted: Thursday, April 27, 2006

Man sentenced for attempted Maidenhead burglary

A 39-year-old man was sentenced on Friday (21/4) at Reading Crown Court after being convicted of attempted burglary and public order offences.

Allan King was sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment for his involvement in an incident in Lock Lane, Maidenhead on 22 September last year.

At around 9.15am King entered a secure rear garden and attempted to gain entry through a double glazed ground floor window using a chisel. In his attempts to do so the outer pane smashed, which alerted the occupier of the house.

Police arrived at the scene and arrested King after the occupier of the house was confronted by King, who had armed himself with a screwdriver.

DC Hector MacAskill said “This sentence shows that burglary will not be tolerated in Berkshire East and that people who wish to carry out this type of crime will be punished. Burglary and robbery will continue to be a high priority for Thames Valley Police.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead

Posted: Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Police appeal for witnesses after incidents in Cox Green, Maidenhead

Police are appealing for witnesses following incidents in Wessex Way, Cox Green, Maidenhead, on Saturday (22/4) night.

Between 11.45pm and 1.00am, two flat windows above Maidenhead shops were criminally damaged and a bakery nearby was broken into. The front window of this shop was completely smashed.

A large group of youths were seen in the area that evening and spoken to. No arrests were made, however officers continue to investigate and would appeal for anyone with information who has not yet come forward to do so immediately. They are particularly keen to speak to those who have descriptions of those youths believed to be responsible.

PC Ken Hamblin, Maidenhead Community Beat Officer said: “These incidents are unacceptable and I want to organise a meeting which will enable residents to voice their concerns. It will also give me the opportunity to explain how the community can assist the Police in combating this anti-social and criminal behaviour”.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Graeme Guthrie via the 24 hour Police Enquiry Centre number on 0845 8 505 505.

Those who do not wish to speak to police or leave their name should call Crimestoppers on 080 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead

Badnell's Pit, Maidenhead - Initial Air Quality Survey Shows No Cause For Concern

Initial results from the Maidenhead Royal Borough-commissioned air quality survey in homes and gardens near Badnell's Pit, Maidenhead, show no cause for concern.

The precautionary study at four homes in and around Ray Lea Close, Maidenhead followed the identification of trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene in the soils at the pit edge and now the independent consultants' report gives the assurance that they are:

* well below the levels of concern and
* not likely to be of concern with regard to health.

Jonathan James, Maidenhead council's project manager for Badnell's Pit, said the results were as expected. He explained: "The council commissioned the study as a belt and braces approach to the safety of local residents after the substances were detected. Our consultants always considered the risk to be very low indeed but we wanted to take every precaution and to give residents the reassurance that their health is not in danger."

This week's report, presented to the Badnell's Pit consultative group this evening (Tuesday April 25), contains the results of the initial snapshot sampling. Small pen-sized pumps were used to draw air through testing tubes which were then sent for laboratory analysis. Some 14 samples were taken and the results in both homes and gardens showed very low levels of trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene and benzene.

To confirm these initial results a three-month air quality survey is also under way at all Maidenhead Ray Lea Close homes adjoining Badnell's Pit. Some 78 samples will be taken to give a measurement of the average levels of the chemicals over this longer period of time. The results will be available later in the summer.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Posted: Monday, April 24, 2006

Maidenhead Operatic Society present La Perichole by Offenbach

Maidenhead Operatic Society,
Desborough Suite,
Maidenhead Town Hall,
St Ives Road,
Maidenhead,
SL6 1RF.

A French Farce......Set in Peru.....Sung in English!

Maidenhead Operatic Society present
La Perichole by Offenbach
Desborough Suite, Maidenhead Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead
16-20 May

Tickets £11.50, discounts and group rates
Box Office 01628 671589
www.mos-uk.org

Maidenhead teenager charged with four counts of sexual assault

A 15-year-old boy from Maidenhead, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will appear before Maidenhead youth court next week (2/5) charged with four counts of sexual assault.

Three of the charges relate to incidents in Kidwells Park, Maidenhead, on the 9 and 27 January this year. The fourth relates to an incident at a school in Maidenhead last month.

The alleged sexual assaults were carried out on women between the ages of 21 and 45.

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead

Maidenhead Building Control Continues To Fly The Charter Mark Flag

Maidenhead Royal Borough's building control service continues to shine in the prestigious Charter Mark stakes after passing its first year review with flying colours – and retaining its status as the first building control service in Berkshire to gain the award.

Charter Mark – a national customer service standard which helps everyone in an organisation focus on and improve customer service – provides a framework for the public sector to improve and be recognised for giving high quality customer service. The award demonstrates a commitment to excellent service, flexibility, choice and value for money.

Certification is valid for three years and incorporates a mandatory review after one year to ensure organisations continue to meet the requirements of the Charter Mark standard.

The assessors review concluded: "Following an on-site review, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Building Control Consultancy were found to continue to be enthusiastically committed to the Charter Mark ethos and that progress has been made on the action plan developed after the first assessment." No further review assessments were considered necessary for the lifetime of the award.

Maidenhead Cllr Vicky Howes, lead member for planning, said: "We are delighted to be keeping up the good work and we are determined to continue to provide top quality services to the community. The successful review also means that we retain our position as the only building control service in Berkshire to have achieved the Charter Mark standard."

To gain the award the building control team had to satisfy the following criteria:
· set standards and perform well
· actively engage with customers, partners and staff
· be fair and accessible to everyone and promote choice
· continuously develop and improve
· use resources effectively and imaginatively
· contribute to improving opportunities and quality of life in local communities.

Maidenhead Royal Borough's Building Control Consultancy helps to maintain a safe and healthy environment in which to live and work by ensuring compliance with building regulations. Building Regulations Approval is required for the majority of construction work.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Posted: Sunday, April 23, 2006

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 30th April - 6th May 2006

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 30th April - 6th May 2006
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

30th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 11:45 am
Lunchtime Concert
* 3:00 pm
Brokeback Mountain (15)
* 7:30 pm
Brokeback Mountain (15)

1st May at Maidenhead

No events planned

2nd May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Memoirs of a Geisha (12A)

3rd May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 2:30 pm
Memoirs of a Geisha (12A)
* 7:30 pm
Memoirs of a Geisha (12A)

4th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Grizzly Man (15)
* 7:45 pm
Ever The Bull

5th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Mozart/ Mendelssohn Series 3
* 7:45 pm
The D-Word

6th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 2:00 pm
March of the Penguins (U)
* 4:00 pm
March of the Penguins (U)
* 7:30 pm
March of the Penguins (U)
* 7:45 pm
The D-Word

Posted: Friday, April 21, 2006

Maidenhead’s oarsome foursome


Four talented athletes from Maidenhead Rowing Club have been selected to represent Great Britain at a prestigious international event following an impressive showing at the GB spring trials.

Dave Jones, Carl Delaney, Louise Entwistle and Ally Brooks will all fill seats in the GB boys’ and girls’ quads at the International Junior Regatta in Munich on May 6-7.

The event is considered to be an important precursor to the Junior World Rowing Championships.

The Maidenhead club acutally sent six rowers – three boys and three girls – to the three-day trials at Nottingham’s Holme Pierrepont, the National Water Sports Centre, in early April. On the first day, the youngsters had to compete in singles in a time trial format over 1,500m, yet the Maidenhead youngsters excelled, despite a major crosswind. Jones finished first, Carl Delaney second and Phill Clapp fourth among the boys, while Entwistle was second, Brooks was just behind in third and Sophie Delaney was 12th among the girls.

Huw Jenkins of Maidenhead Rowing Club said this was the first time Maidenhead Rowing Club has seen its juniors fill 50 per cent of the seats in both the GB boys and GB girls quad. He added: “It’s a spectacular achievement for a small club and its team of coaches. “In particular, coach Tom Jost saw no fewer than three boys of his coaching charges finish in the top five at these GB trials.”

Maidenhead Advertiser

Posted: Thursday, April 20, 2006

Bisham Councillor Is Maidenhead Mayor-Elect

The honour of being the Maidenhead Royal Borough's first citizen looks set to go to a councillor representing the Bisham and Cookham ward.

Bisham resident Cllr Margaret Cubley has been named by the Maidenhead council as the Mayor-Elect for 2006/2007 to succeed Cllr Eric Wiles, who comes to the end of his second ‘tour of duty' in May.

Maidenhead Cllr Cubley was elected to the borough in 2003 and she will be in the spotlight from Tuesday May 23 when her fellow councillors will be asked to formally elect her to the office at the council's annual meeting in the Town Hall.

She will be supported throughout her year not only by her husband, Geoffrey – who will become Mayor's Escort – but also by Cllr Mike Scott (Park ward, Windsor), nominated to be the new Deputy Mayor who can draw on his own experience as first citizen in 1993/94.

A retired business studies lecturer, Maidenhead Cllr Cubley is currently chairman of Maidenhead council's rights of way and highway licensing panel and a member of Maidenhead development control panel. She is a former chairman of the Maidenhead rural parishes forum and has served on the overview and scrutiny committee. Cllr Cubley has also flown the council colours as its representative on a number of outside organisations, including the White Waltham Airfield consultative committee and the Local Government Association Rural Commission.

London born but a Berkshire resident for more than 20 years, she is an active member of Bisham Parish Council. Cllr Cubley is also involved in voluntary charity work, is chairman of Cookham and Bisham District CPRE and a member of the Cookham Society.

She has one grown up daughter, Bryony, a consultant surgeon at Basildon Hospital.

Cllr Cubley admitted she was "astonished and thrilled" to find herself facing a year as Maidenhead borough's first citizen.

She said: "When I was elected to represent the residents of Bisham and Cookham in 2003 I never for a moment expected to find myself as the borough's Mayor. It is a tremendous honour to be asked to take on such an important role and I will feel very privileged to represent Maidenhead Royal Borough during what I know will be a busy year of engagements.

"I will be particularly interested to meet the many people who give their time and talents to the voluntary organisations that play such a significant part in the day-to-day life of our communities. Their work, often unsung, makes the Royal Borough a better place for our most needy and vulnerable residents and I am looking forward to learning from them and, through the role of Mayor, increasing awarness about what they do so selflessly and well."

Cllr Scott, as nominee for Deputy Mayor, will take over the position from his fellow Park ward councillor, Cllr Beverley Green.

Elected to the borough in 1983 and a Justice of the Peace since 1985, Cllr Scott has vast council experience, having served on a wide range of council committees and panels. He is currently a member of the access advisory forum, the crime and disorder forum, the licensing panel, the overview and scrutiny committee, the visitor management forum and Windsor development control panel. He also represents the council on a number of outside bodies, including the Thames Valley Police Authority

During his mayoral year Cllr Scott was supported by his late wife, Britta, who brought elements of her native Sweden to the role of Mayoress. Her sudden death in 1999 was a tragic blow to Cllr Scott and their children, Paul and Kristen

Cllr Scott said: "My year as Mayor was one of the highlights of my council career and Britta and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities it brought to get to know our borough. I am delighted that my fellow councillors have agreed to put their trust in me once again and I will do my utmost to serve the borough with the dignity and ethusiasm this important position demands."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Posted: Sunday, April 16, 2006

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 23rd April - 29th April 2006

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 23rd April - 29th April 2006
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

23rd April at Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Themed Contemporary Exhibition

24th April at Maidenhead

No events planned

25th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Maidenhead Drama Festival

26th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Maidenhead Drama Festival
* Workshops and other events
* 7:00 pm
Reading Group

27th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Maidenhead Drama Festival
* 7:45 pm
Being Alive

28th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Maidenhead Drama Festival

29th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 11:00 am
Saville Magic
* 3:00 pm
Saville Magic
* 7:30 pm
Maidenhead Drama Festival

Posted: Friday, April 14, 2006

Maidenhead Maids let Chinnor off the hook

p>Maidenhead Maids let champions Chinnor off the hook when fading in the second half which allowed the Bucks side back into the game.

In a proverbial game of two halves, the Braywick side scored all their points before the break when they had a helping wind at the backs.

In was a different story in a stop-start second half which saw the balance shift gradually in the opposite direction.

The Maidenhead Maids pack coped well in the first session against Chinnor's usually dominant forwards who, on this occasion, were slow to take control.

But Maidenhead were guilty of not making all their opportunities count when they had the advantage, while Chinnor finished strongly after levelling the game at 13-13 with eight minutes to go.

Coach Simon Edwards said: "Our injury problems made the difference towards the end and they were able to capitalise.

"We had two or three injuries before the game and then lost Stuart Douglas with a ham-string with a quarter of an hour to go.

"Johnny Hammond, who was also suffering hamstring problems, had to be called off the bench. It was too hard in the last quarter and they scored two tries through our weakened middle.

"Chinnor had more to play for, and once they got their heads in front they saw their opportunity."

Maidenhead opened the scoring after 12 minutes through Danny Walton who, having taken over the place kicking duties from skipper Mark Ruddick, nailed an early penalty.

He added another four minutes later to boost Maidenhead Maids' confidence and they went on to score a try through man-of-the-match Simon Cripps after 27 minutes which Walton converted.

Chinnor had a chance to reduce the deficit with a penalty of their own, but missed and then had a player sin-binned just before the half-time whistle.

The second half was slow to ignite, but Chinnor got their first points of the game from the boot of kicker James Hewitt with 16 minutes of the session gone.

They added a try through winger Rewi Tolich in the 63rd minute, converted by Hewitt, who then slotted a penalty nine minutes later to bring the two sides level.

The defining moment came with four minutes left when Chinnor centre Rich Williams appeared to have knocked on when the ball was being fed along the line.

But the referee allowed play to continue and the flying Chinnor man went over to put his side ahead for the first time in the game.

Hewitt added the extra points, then kicked a penalty on the stroke of time.

With eight minutes of time added on, Chinnor put extra gloss on their victory when wingman Eric Brown crossed for another try.

Edwards gave credit to both sides for a good game of rugby.

He said: "Without doubt we gave them a hell of shake, and I think the better side lost.

"We played far better rugby in the first half than they did in the second. Although we are normally strong at the end, we tired in the wind with our injury problems. But we certainly gave them a real fright."

SOUTH WEST ONE Chinnor 30 Maidenhead 13

Maidenhead Maids: Plamus, Mackay, Douglas, Cripps, Walton, Ruddick, Edwards; Riley,Craig, Johnston, Gallina, Mueller,Lynch, Parkhouse, Jones. Subs: Hammond, Thomas, Cox.

ic Berkshire ~ Maidenhead

Posted: Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Borough 'Good Eggs' Can Make This A Cracking Maidenhead Easter

Good (green) eggs in the Maidenhead Royal Borough can help crack the local waste bill and prevent the council shelling out more than necessary on landfill tax.

This time of year gives Maidenhead borough residents the opportunity to make egg-cellent progress on recycling by:

* putting all cardboard packaging from chocolate eggs into the BLACK recycling boxes
* composting lawn clippings and other garden waste as the growing season gets under way.

Maidenhead Cllr Simon Werner, lead member for public protection, said: "Since the council's new recycling arrangements started last autumn we have seen increasing support for recycling, with 30% of our rubbish now being diverted from landfill – and Easter is a great time to spring into action to cut the waste mountain even further. Easter egg wrappings add up to more than 4,300 tonnes of waste across the country each year and we can all help make a huge dent in this by simply recycling. It couldn't be easier – just put them in black recycling boxes for weekly collection."

Maidenhead Cllr Werner underlined the financial incentive to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill sites. The government has increased landfill tax by a further £3 a tonne this year, so it now costs the council a total of £41 for every tonne of waste sent to landfill – more than £2 million in the year ahead unless the amount of rubbish put into wheelie bins is drastically reduced.

He added: "This is a massive burden on council tax but if all our residents become keen recyclers we can continue to make a real reduction in the waste bill."

More than 80 million Easter eggs are sold in the UK each year and Maidenhead Royal Borough's message is
Send packaging packing!

Foil wrappings should be saved and taken to one of the borough's eight bring sites which have distinctive yellow foil collection containers:

* 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 £6. Full details are in the spring edition of Around the Royal Borough, the council's magazine distributed to local households last month, or by calling the customer service centre. Information about composting is available on the council's website www.rbwm.gov.uk/waste_man/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.

Further information about recycling is available on 01628 683801 or on the council's website www.rbwm.gov.uk

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Borough 'Good Eggs' Can Make This A Cracking Maidenhead Easter

Good (green) eggs in the Maidenhead Royal Borough can help crack the local waste bill and prevent the council shelling out more than necessary on landfill tax.

This time of year gives Maidenhead borough residents the opportunity to make egg-cellent progress on recycling by:

* putting all cardboard packaging from chocolate eggs into the BLACK recycling boxes
* composting lawn clippings and other garden waste as the growing season gets under way.

Maidenhead Cllr Simon Werner, lead member for public protection, said: "Since the council's new recycling arrangements started last autumn we have seen increasing support for recycling, with 30% of our rubbish now being diverted from landfill – and Easter is a great time to spring into action to cut the waste mountain even further. Easter egg wrappings add up to more than 4,300 tonnes of waste across the country each year and we can all help make a huge dent in this by simply recycling. It couldn't be easier – just put them in black recycling boxes for weekly collection."

Maidenhead Cllr Werner underlined the financial incentive to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill sites. The government has increased landfill tax by a further £3 a tonne this year, so it now costs the council a total of £41 for every tonne of waste sent to landfill – more than £2 million in the year ahead unless the amount of rubbish put into wheelie bins is drastically reduced.

He added: "This is a massive burden on council tax but if all our residents become keen recyclers we can continue to make a real reduction in the waste bill."

More than 80 million Easter eggs are sold in the UK each year and Maidenhead Royal Borough's message is
Send packaging packing!

Foil wrappings should be saved and taken to one of the borough's eight bring sites which have distinctive yellow foil collection containers:

* 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 £6. Full details are in the spring edition of Around the Royal Borough, the council's magazine distributed to local households last month, or by calling the customer service centre. Information about composting is available on the council's website www.rbwm.gov.uk/waste_man/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.

Further information about recycling is available on 01628 683801 or on the council's website www.rbwm.gov.uk

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Posted: Monday, April 10, 2006

Royal Borough Steps In The Right Direction For Maidenhead Pedestrian Safety

Borough residents in several Maidenhead residential roads are enjoying a walk "on the safe side" following the repair of selective lengths of footway – and Windsor residents look set for the same "treatment" in the next few weeks.

The repairs carried out on pavements in five roads in Maidenhead – and scheduled for a further two roads in Windsor – form part of the council's annual programme of highway maintenance which also includes road resurfacing and street lighting. (In the coming year between 55 and 60 roads are scheduled to be resurfaced – and about 120 hazardous street light columns replaced.)

The £50,000 scheme has seen repairs to sections of the following roads in Maidenhead:
St Ives Road
St Marks Crescent
Courthouse Road
Cookham Road
All Saints Avenue .

Under way – and due for completion by the end of the month – are similar works in Barry Avenue at the junction with Goswell Road and part of King Edward V11 Avenue in Windsor.

Maidenhead Cllr Antony Wood, lead member for road safety, said: "The council is committed to the safety of our residents by ensuring that the footways around the borough are well-maintained on a regular basis – as well as providing a ‘greener' pedestrian alternative to the car.

"We carry out regular inspections and prioritise a number of footway schemes every year based on factors ranging from feedback from residents to technical assessments."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Posted: Sunday, April 09, 2006

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 16th April - 22nd April 2006

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 16th April - 22nd April 2006
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

16th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
The Red Shoes (U)
* 7:30 pm
The Red Shoes (U)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Themed Contemporary Exhibition

17th April at Maidenhead

No events planned

18th April at Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Themed Contemporary Exhibition

19th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Grumpy Old Women Live (Preview)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Themed Contemporary Exhibition

20th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Albrecht String Quartet
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Themed Contemporary Exhibition

21st April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:45 pm
Peter King with The Pendulum Quartet
* 8:00 pm
Paul Downes
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Themed Contemporary Exhibition

22nd April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Tony McPhee
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Themed Contemporary Exhibition

Posted: Friday, April 07, 2006

Council Moves To Unlock Potential Of Empty Maidenhead Houses

The Maidenhead Royal Borough is delivering a determined "double whammy" in the ongoing battle against empty and derelict properties with the first ever compulsory purchase orders on three borough houses.

Maidenhead Council officers have this week posted CPO notices on a property in Wellington Road, Maidenhead, which has been empty and deteriorating for the last 28 years, and on a pair of semi-detached houses in Exchange Road, Sunninghill which have been empty for seven and ten years respectively.

The Maidenhead CPOs are being issued under the Royal Borough's proactive empty homes strategy introduced just over a year ago which aims to reduce the blight of empty and derelict homes by working with owners to provide guidance, advice and encouragement to bring their properties back into habitable use.

The Wellington Road, Maidenhead house has been the subject of complaints ranging from slates falling from the roof, rubbish, litter, an abandoned vehicle left in the garden, infestations of rats and mice and the frustration of local residents who fear that their properties have been affected in terms of value and saleability.

An inspection carried out last year revealed substantial holes in the roof, collapsed ceilings, damp furniture and clothing and wet rot, with the potential for dry rot which could spread to the adjoining property.

Maidenhead Local ward councillor, Clive Baskerville, said: "An empty property such as this one has a huge impact on the whole community, and I have received many complaints from concerned neighbours worried about the dangerous state of the property and its potential for attracting vandals and petty criminals.

"The CPOs really are a last resort - we have made every effort to resolve this situation without compulsory purchase orders, but our action will now mean the end of a problem which has been blighting the people of Wellington Road and neighbouring roads for nearly three decades.

"I am delighted that we now have a housing projects officer working to implement our empty homes strategy and ensuring that we respond to the government's drive to tackle the problem of eyesore properties."

Compulsory purchases notices are also going up this week on the pair of semi-detached houses in Exchange Road, Sunninghill, which have suffered from subsidence and are regularly used for the dumping of rubbish and household waste.

Cllr Simon Werner, lead member for Maidenhead public protection said: "Our officers have been called to these properties on many occasions to deal with rats and mice, unauthorised acess, vandalism and overgrown gardens. I visited the properties recently and it certainly surprised me how much damage can be caused to a once-attractive pair of houses by just ten years of neglect, weather and vandalism.

"Strenuous efforts have been made to encourage and persuade the owner to bring the pair back into decent habitable use, but to no avail. The ultimate duty of a local authority is to serve and protect the whole of the community, and statutory powers are now being used as a last resort."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Posted: Thursday, April 06, 2006

Veggie Bus Makes National Green Debut In Maidenhead

Diesel's had its chips on one local bus route and there are more helpings on the way for other Maidenhead services which are funded by the Royal Borough and operated by Courtney Coaches.

On Saturday April 8 the borough's first ‘veggie bus' – an Optare Solo which runs on waste vegetable oil (supplied by a large crisp company) instead of diesel - will make its first appearance in Maidenhead town centre, introducing residents to the eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. And when it goes into operation on Monday April 10 it will be the first of its kind in the country to be in local public passenger service.

The route to reap the benefits of the bus's green credentials will be the Sainsbury's-sponsored park and ride shuttle from Stafferton Way car park to Maidenhead town centre, but Courtneys are ‘cooking' up a plan for their entire fleet to be converted by the end of the year – so it's a vegetarian menu for Maidenhead buses in the not too distant future.

Cllr Antony Wood, Maidenhead council's lead member for traffic and transport, said this was a very exciting step forward in helping to reduce pollution and conserve the earth's precious resources.

He said: "We are delighted that Courtneys have chosen the Royal Borough as the place to put their first veggie bus on the road. At a time when the council is actively seeking new ways to cut pollution and do everything we can to make services as green as possible, it is a very encouraging sign that council-funded bus services will be flying the eco-friendly flag. This is another reason for all of us to start considering the bus as a real transport alternative."

Jackie Matthews, Courtney Coaches Maidenhead contracts liaison manager, explained that three of their buses have so far been converted – one for trial purposes and another on a corporate contract in Oxfordshire. The park and ride shuttle is the first to go into public local service in the country.

She said: "We have a major commitment to making our buses as environmentally friendly as possible and we are investing in our fleet to make the conversion to vegetable fuel by the end of this year."

Henry Grala, project manager of Sainsbury's, Maidenhead said the company fully supported this innovative approach to green transport.

He said: "It sends out a positive signal to the community that Sainsbury's is committed to green initiatives and we are delighted that our park and ride bus is the first to offer this unique service to the local community."

As well as its green credentials the bus will be equipped with the latest ticket machine technology and will have CCTV for the protection of both passengers and drivers.

Vegetable oil is fast being recognised as a cheaper, more environmentally friendly alternative to expensive and dirty fossil fuels.

The conversion, carried out by regenatec in Abingdon, means the bus is fitted with an additional smaller fuel tank for diesel, used to start the vehicle in the normal way. After a couple of minutes the system automatically changes over to the veggie oil, drawn from the original fuel tank. The changeover is unnoticeable and is indicated only by an in-cab display for the driver. Regenatec say their customers involved in trials report a 15-20% fuel saving.

Notes:
Local buses operate in three ways:

* Run by operators on a commercial basis
* Partially subsidised by the Royal Borough (Sainsbury's for the park and ride)
* Fully subsidised by the Royal Borough where commercial services are not viable.


The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Posted: Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Buon Giorno To A Maidenhead Taste Of Italy

The tantalising tastes and smells of Italian food and produce will be wafting through Maidenhead High Street later this month with the arrival of the town's first Italian market.

On Friday and Saturday (April 21 and 22) the Maidenhead pedestrianised area will be transformed by the arrival of the green, red and white-themed stalls offering everything shoppers would expect from a traditional market in the hills of Tuscany or the streets of Rome.

Mouth-watering cheeses, cured meats and pasta, dried fruits and nuts, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, breads, focaccias and savouries will be jostling for attention and, for those with a sweet tooth, there will be a delicious range of biscuits, pastries and ice cream. Also on sale will be non-food products, such as hand-made soaps and jewellery.

Cllr Vicky Howes, chairman of Maidenhead Town Partnership, said: "Our policy of three visiting markets a year means that they retain a novelty factor and stay popular with the town's customers. We work closely with the shops in the High Street to ensure that local businesses can benefit from the increased footfall without being inconvenienced by their presence."

Martin Fletcher, Maidenhead town manager, said: "The French markets we have held in the past have always proved popular but a number of people told us they would like to have a taste of Italy for a change. I have been impressed by the range and quality of goods that this market sells and look forward to seeing their colourful stalls brightening up our town centre."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Posted: Monday, April 03, 2006

Top-Class Reference For Maidenhead Royal Borough Libraries

Bigger and better, and more easily accessible – it's top marks this week for the popular reference collection at Maidenhead Royal Borough libraries thanks to an innovative national libraries' deal making more reference titles available on-line.

Maidenhead Borough residents can now do more of their "homework" and access an even bigger range of reference books from the comfort of their armchairs – and reference titles previously only available in print at the two main libraries at Windsor and Maidenhead will now be accessible on-line at branch libraries.

This includes the world-famous Oxford English Dictionary, recently featured on the BBC's Balderdash and Piffle. It is the accepted authority on the English language, defining over half a million words. Providing the online version also saves precious library space – the full 20-volume print version would take up about five foot of shelving in each library!

To access these services from home visit the online library page@ www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/onlinelibrary.htm

More directories, dictionaries, encyclopaedias, newspapers and business information can now be accessed through the libraries' computer network and out-of-hours by library members using their PCs with their library card and library pin number as part of a national deal by the Museum, Libraries and Archives Council.

Maidenhead Cllr Richard Fagence, lead member for leisure and cultural services, said: "These are really exciting times for library users, enabling more and more people to have access to a wealth of information through a wider range of reference material at times convenient to them.

"By simply using their library card and PIN number they will be able to go on-line from the comfort of their armchairs and access even more titles and information. And for those people without a PC at home, even more information will now be available on-line at all the branch libraries rather than just the main libraries.

"This opportunity fits in perfectly with our ongoing aim of shifting the balance of our spending on reference material from print to electronic versions, while still maintaining a good stock of print material for those people who prefer their research the traditional way."

Mark Taylor, Maidenhead library and information services manager said: "The package deal to which we have subscribed represents really good value for money and allows us to buy new products at a better price - not only saving the borough just over £6,000 over two years, but also enabling us to buy more electronic titles which can be used by more of our library users."

The bigger and better deal – up and running at borough libraries from the beginning of the month - sees new additions of the Oxford English Dictionary On-Line, Grove Music On-line and Grove Art Online added to the existing collection of:
· The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
· Oxford Reference Books Online
· Online Newspapers (the last six years of many national dailies as well as local and international titles)
· XreferPlus – over 100 reference books such as Who's Who, dictionaries, thesauruses and crossword solvers.

Maidenhead Library chiefs are also looking into another national deal which would enable the purchase of licences to use up to 26 electronic titles published by 14 separate suppliers - and allow public libraries to benefit from access to electronic information currently only available at private libraries.

For further information about the new range of material contact Andrew Lewis, e-services officer, on 01628 796592 or Mark Taylor, library and information services manager, on 01628 796989 or e-mail libraries@rbwm.gov.uk.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Posted: Sunday, April 02, 2006

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 9th April - 15th April 2006

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 9th April - 15th April 2006
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

9th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 10:30 am
Youth Arts Festival
* 7:00 pm
Norden Dance
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Stage Lighting Workshop (ages 16+)
* 10:30 am
Annual Exhibition
* 2:00 pm
Scriptwriting (ages 16+)

10th April at Maidenhead

No events planned

11th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Photo-Journalism Around The World with Mike Maloney OBE, FBIPP, FRPS

12th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Good Night, and Good Luck (PG)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Themed Contemporary Exhibition

13th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Mrs Worthington and Friends - an evening of songs and sketches by Noel Coward and contemporaries
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Themed Contemporary Exhibition

14th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Match Point (12A)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Themed Contemporary Exhibition

15th April at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Bhangra Night
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Themed Contemporary Exhibition