Maidenhead & Windsor

They're more usually found working behind the scenes, cast as the unsung heroes and heroines of the caring profession – but from this month the role of Maidenhead foster carer is well and truly "up in lights" for all cinema-goers to see!

Their uncharacteristic starring role is part of an innovative recruitment drive which sees the work of Royal Borough foster carers firmly in the celluloid spotlight at Maidenhead's Odeon cinema for the next 12 months.

A 15-second advertisement is being shown seven days a week at each of the eight Maidenhead cinema screens before every film, specifically targeting the need for foster carers for teenagers, young people with disabilities and youngsters needing respite care - and posing the question "Could you care for us?"

Taking the credit for the innovative recruitment drive is the borough's fostering, adoption and respite care team based at Marlow Road, Maidenhead, who have created a digital slide highlighting the work of foster carers to get across the recruitment message.

Maidenhead Cllr Kathy Newbound, lead member for children's services, said: "There is always a need for foster carers to undertake the task of providing a secure and caring environment for children and young people who are separated from their own families for any length of time.

"The Royal Borough currently has more than 40 foster carers working selflessly and tirelessly to look after young people in need of care, but we do specifically need to recruit carers for teenagers and disabled young people as well as providing occasional respite care to give permanent carers a well-deserved break.

"We are constantly looking for different ways to recruit carers to fill these vital roles, and to reach people who may not even be aware that the need exists – and we hope the cinema advertisement will help to increase that awareness."

The current recruitment drive follows hot on the heels of Maidenhead Foster Care Fortnight in May, during which the borough's fostering and adoption team ran a series of information sessions and displays at venues across the borough on the theme of 'fostering brighter futures'.

For further information about fostering contact Ros Whittaker, team manager, fostering and adoption team, on 01628 683138.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 6th August - 12th August 2006
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

6th August at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
Wah-Wah (15)
* 7:30 pm
Wah-Wah (15)

7th August at Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Dance Week

8th August at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Paradise Now (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Dance Week

9th August at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
36 (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Dance Week

10th August at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
36 (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Dance Week

11th August at Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Dance Week

12th August at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
The Wind that Shakes the Barley (15)
* 7:30 pm
The Wind that Shakes the Barley (15)

The Maidenhead Royal Borough has once again demonstrated its vital role in spearheading the continuing battle against the threat of more night flights at Heathrow.

This week's news that the government appears to have finally "buckled under pressure" in its battle to do away with a movements limit on night flights at Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports has been greeted with delight by Maidenhead Royal Borough councillors and officers.

The government climb-down comes in the wake of a long-running campaign led by the Royal Borough against a clause in the Civil Aviation Bill in which the government sought to remove restrictions on flight numbers between 11.30pm and 6am.

This week's news, detailed in a letter from Aviation Minister Gillian Merron, revealed that the government will not try to reinstate the clause – twice defeated in the House of Lords - when the bill returns to the Commons for the last time in the autumn.

Maidenhead Royal Borough councillors and officers rallied support from the 12 boroughs around Heathrow airport and urged Peers and MPs to oppose plans to remove the restrictions – and last month stepped up the pressure by joining in the rallying of local authority troops at a European Day of Action* procession and mass rally near Heathrow.

Maidenhead Cllr Antony Wood, lead member for traffic and transport said: "This is terrific news for all those of us who have fought long and hard on behalf of our local residents to keep a limit on the number of night flights – and of course a major relief for the residents themselves.

"The government has finally buckled under the combined pressure of a huge army of voices speaking out against their plans – and we in the Royal Borough are incredibly proud to have taken the lead and spearheaded the campaign to make the government listen to those
voices.

"But we will not stop here – we will continue to keep a very close watch on government plans for Heathrow to ensure we safeguard the quality of life for our residents as far as possible."

Cllr David Eglise, chairman of the Windsor Area Aviation Action group (WAAAG) said: "We are absolutely delighted that the government has listened to the voices of our local communities and has decided not to fight for the removal of the limit on numbers of night flights.

"With the threat of an increase in night flights now removed – and the limit set at 16 - at least our residents can look forward to some degree of certainty. This is truly encouraging news for everyone who has worked so hard to reach this stage."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Families are invited to 'travel back in time' at a free family event at Braywick Nature Centre, Maidenhead this Sunday afternoon (July 30) to discover the stories of people who lived and worked in the area more than 100 years ago.

The Braywick Victorian Family Day, which has been organised by Braywick countryside rangers in conjunction with Windsor & Maidenhead Royal Borough Museum, will also include a guided walk to find out about the amazing explorations of Victorian plant hunters and some history about Mr Hibbert's estate.

There will be a demonstration on how a wooden spinning top is made, a memory corner and a traditional pole-lathe woodturning display. Visitors can have a go at some old-fashioned games, try dressing up in Victorian clothes and make their own Victorian cardboard toy to take home.

There is no need to book in advance, simply turn up any time between 12 noon and 5pm on Sunday – or why not take a picnic and stay all afternoon?

There is no cost but donations will be welcomed.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Vacant shops in Maidenhead town centre could be made more attractive, if owners and letting agents join the town partnership's drive to improve the appearance of local streets.

The partnership – a joint initiative between local Maidenhead businesses and the Royal Borough – has commissioned window posters from a local design company with the aim of putting them in the windows of vacant shops to make them look better.

The full colour posters with the slogan: Maidenhead – making a good town GREAT should start to appear within the next few weeks.

Initial contacts with agents involved in letting vacant shops have been very encouraging and the partnership is keen to get the scheme started as soon as possible.

Maidenhead Cllr Simon Werner, partnership chairman, said: "Unfortunately, you will always have empty shops in a town centre. Either they are between lets or there may be plans to demolish a block and rebuild, which can mean the shops will be vacant for quite a long period. But it is important that these empty shops do not look tatty.

"We've chosen the slogan Maidenhead – making a good town GREAT because we firmly believe that Maidenhead has a lot going for it and, with all of us working together, we can sort out the issues that people are concerned about and make our town even better."

Jane Wright, vice-chairman, said: "The partnership believes that by introducing bright, attractive posters for display in the shop windows it will not only brighten up the appearance of the premises but also give the letting agents the opportunity to put forward their messages in dedicated sections of the posters."

The 2 x 2 metre posters, designed by Eureka Design in Maidenhead, feature a shopping scene from the town centre and will be available by the end of the month for display in vacant shop windows.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Summer comes to Maidenhead town centre on Friday July 28 with four hours of things to see and do – and to help get everyone into the mood for holidays and the great outdoors.

Maidenhead Town Partnership has teamed up with popular local radio station Time fm to bring its roadshow into town for four hours of music, chat and summer fun with Adrian Brookbank, who will be presenting his daily mid-morning show live from High Street between 10am and 2pm.

With Time fm getting out and about, the partnership felt this was a good opportunity to give Maidenhead residents and shoppers the opportunity to explore different events and activities scheduled for the summer – so the town will be buzzing with demonstrations, information stalls and people to speak to about what's in store.

Linking with the Maidenhead Royal Borough's summer activity programme for 13-19-year-olds, there will be demonstrations of sports and leisure activities being held in leisure centres, sports grounds, parks and open spaces. Fitness instructors from the Magnet Leisure Centre's BodyZone and from the David Lloyd centre will be on hand to give advice about exercise and health.

For people who are pondering a summer time career or training change, the Centre for Developing Connections will be on hand to give advice about training and development opportunities. And, thinking about reducing summertime crime in the town centre, there will be information about how businesses help the police tackle anti-social behaviour and criminal activity.

Jane Wright, partnership vice-chairman, said this event would be a great way to kick off the summer in Maidenhead. She said: "Schools will have finished up earlier in the week and most people won't be heading off on their holidays just yet – so here's a terrific opportunity to come into Maidenhead for Friday morning shopping and enjoy the entertainment."

Cllr Simon Werner, Maidenhead partnership chairman, added: "The town partnership is keen to promote more activities and events in the town centre and this is the first of what we hope will be an exciting programme starting in the autumn.

"Everyone's invited to the summer party in Maidenhead on Friday July 28. Turn up and enjoy the fun."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Bishop Centre, Taplow, Maidehead has free live music from Backbeat 56 and Jensen from noon to 4pm on Saturday 5th August.

The live music is part of an ‘Amazing August’ at The Bishop Centre. Habitat is offering 15% off all products during August. Other stores have up to 10% off as The Bishop Centre continues to bring a great summer to its visitors.

In July, The Bishop Centre, Taplow, Maidehead hosted a traditional French produce market. A Continental Market is planned for the Autumn.

Backbeat 56 is great four-piece band consisting of piano/vocals, double bass/vocals, guitar and drums playing classic Fifties music. They will be covering all the classics by artists such as Elvis, Eddie Cochran, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Bill Haley and many more.

Jensen play brilliant indie pop and they will be launching the live music at noon on the Bandstand in The Bishop Centre.

The line up:
Backbeat 56, Classic Fifties Music: 1pm-2pm & 3pm-4pm
Jensen, Pop Rock: 12pm - 1pm & 2pm - 3pm

The Bishop Centre, Bath Road, Taplow, Maidehead, Berkshire, SL6 0NY

Maidenhead Borough residents and businesses on the move are benefiting from better and safer roads and improved bus services – and the council is well on track for delivering more of the same in the future.

A report going to Thursday evening's Maidenhead cabinet meeting (July 27) will ask members to agree the five-year review delivery report of the Local Transport Plan 2001-2006 (LTP) to be submitted to the government by the end of this month.

This is the final review delivery report on the borough's first LTP and it shows how Maidenhead council has made a difference to people's lives by:

* continuing to maintain the roads that carry most traffic – 87.4% of principal roads now meet the national standard and at the end of the LTP period the council was 0.6% (the equivalent of just 400 metres of road) away from achieving a 'good condition' rating – the 400 metres (and more) have since been achieved! Also, 84% of B roads now meet government expectations.
* making roads safer by reducing the number of people killed or injured on borough roads – the total number of deaths and serious injuries has been cut by 46% (the national target is 40%) and the number of children killed or seriously hurt has also been reduced by 53%, putting the borough in the top 25% of local authorities for road safety in 2004/05
* increasing bus passengers in Maidenhead by over 10% since 2003/04* – this has been achieved by supporting services in areas that are not commercially viable and working in partnership with bus operators to provide efficient, reliable, clean, safe and branded buses; it also bucks the national trend outside London which has seen a 7% decrease in bus usage over that period
* promoting cycling and providing facilities for cyclists – there has been a 14% increase in cycling journeys since 2000 which, although lower than the council's target, is still a good result against the national background of declining cycle use
* working with employers and developers, including Ascot racecourse, to develop green travel plans to help reduce peak time congestion
* introducing one of the first construction travel plans in the country to ensure the site traffic generated by major developments does not clog up local roads
* strengthening bridges to keep them up to modern standards, including the historic Windsor, Cookham and Marlow bridges (the latter in conjunction with Buckinghamshire County Council) and Baldwin's (Barnespool) Bridge, Eton.

Building on the success of Maidenhead buses, the council is now working in partnership with the First Group in the Windsor area and will be introducing a fleet of modern buses in the autumn, along with electronic information at bus stops to give real time updates on bus arrival times.

The LTP review also highlights that Maidenhead council achieved it targets for limiting the growth of traffic on key roads – measured at permanent monitoring sites across the borough. Over the past five years the national target was to limit traffic growth by 6%. Here in the borough the growth was just 1.3% in Maidenhead, 3% in Windsor and 3.1% in the rest of the borough.

Cllr Antony Wood, lead member for Maidenhead traffic and transport, said the review gave a clear indication of very positive achievements which were continuing as the borough approached LTP2 (2006 – 2011) – including carrying forward the programmes to maintain both main roads and B roads and exciting developments ahead for buses in Windsor.

He said: "This was the council's first attempt at a Local Transport Plan covering five years and, now in its final year, we can demonstrate the many ways we have contributed to a better quality of life for local residents.

"Unfortunately, the government's way of assessing our performance against the LTP – by looking only at capital spending on roads – meant our annual progress reports did not reflect the standards being achieved, despite meeting a high percentage of our performance targets. Had the government taken revenue spending into account we would have warranted much higher ratings than the records show. I'm glad to say this system is changing in the future and I believe it will lead to a much more accurate assessment of our progress.

"We have achieved a lot so far but there is much more to be done, and already there have been encouraging comments from the government and GOSE about LTP2."

The cabinet report explains that government assessment of the council performance on transport affects the size of the annual settlement. However, this has been of no tangible benefit to the Maidenhead Royal Borough since most of it is in the form of borrowing approvals, not direct cash.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Budding Maidenhead environmentalists can join in a range of exciting adventures at Braywick during the summer holidays. There are activities planned for children from six to 14 years, from an eco-challenge to crazy collage. All events run 2pm to 4pm.

Environmental Playscheme for 11-14 years

Braywick Eco-Challenge
Young teens are invited to join the Maidenhead countryside rangers on outdoor adventures to try out their wildlife conservationist skills while exploring Braywick Park's wildlife habitats. All will be revealed about the underwater world of ponds and the secret life of insects. Places must be booked in advance on 01628 796227. Sturdy shoes and sensible clothing should be worn. Cost: £4 or £3.50 with Advantage Card.
Friday July 28 and Friday August 11

Environmental Playschemes for 6-10 years

Minibeast Monsters
Maidenhead Countryside rangers will take youngsters on a close-up encounter with some of the most fantastic creatures that live on the planet, and help them make their own model of a monstrous minibeast to take home. Places must be booked in advance on 01628 796227. Participants should take an empty cardboard egg box. Cost: £4 or £3.50 with Advantage Card.
Tuesday August 1 and Thursday August 10

Dippy Discoveries
Children will have the chance to discover who lives in Braywick Park's pond, through pond dipping with countryside rangers and making a magnetic fishing game to take home. Places must be booked in advance on 01628 796227. Participants should take an empty cardboard egg box. Cost: £4 or £3.50 with Advantage Card.
Thursday August 3 and Tuesday August 15

Crazy Collage
An afternoon of creative (and messy) art fun. Children will spend an afternoon in Braywick Park, Maidenhead making works of art and then create their own crazy collage to take home. Places must be booked in advance on 01628 796227. Cost: £4 or £3.50 with Advantage Card.
Tuesday August 8 and Thursday August 17

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

One of the country's most experienced providers of care services – Care UK – has been appointed to the Maidenhead Royal Borough's newest care home, Clara Court (formerly 21 Courthouse Road).

Maidenhead's Clara Court – a 76-bed care home commissioned by the council and developed by the Housing Solutions Group, will offer high standards of accommodation for the older people of the Royal Borough. It is anticipated that the first residents will be admitted in the early autumn.

Cllr Pam Proctor, the Maidenhead council's lead member for social services, said she was confident that the partnership between the Royal Borough, Care UK and the Housing Solutions Group would provide high quality care and support services to meet the specialist health and social care needs of the Royal Borough's older people for many years to come.

Maidenhead Cllr Proctor added: "When the council embarked on this exciting new project we had a vision to give vulnerable older people access to the highest possible quality of accommodation and care. The Housing Solutions Group is delivering a flagship building and Care UK will bring their vast experience to the provision of care for residents. Together, they will add up to a centre of excellence that we can all be proud of."

For Care UK, development director Richard Pearman said: "We are delighted to be working with the Royal Borough and the Housing Solutions Group. Clara Court is a very impressive care home and will be an invaluable resource for the older people of the borough in the future."

The contract with Care UK, an experienced provider of 2,500 care home places across the country, is for a 10-year period.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

A man who stepped in to help during an incident in Maidenhead was assaulted.

The Maidenhead Good Samaritan went to the aid of a group of people who were being targeted by a man, who was being abusive towards them. The incident occurred at about 10.50pm on Friday (21/7) in Desborough Crescent.

After trying to help, the samaritan became involved in an argument with the offender, who appeared to be drunk.

The victim, aged 30, was then assaulted by the offender with a bottle, causing him cuts to the head and side of his body.

The Maidenhead victim consequently received hospital treatment for his injuries, which required stitches.

His attacker fled the scene by running through a garden, climbing on to a garden shed and getting over a fence.

Det Con Amanda Winterbourne, Maidenhead officer investigating, said: “This was a cowardly assault on a man who had tried to help a group of people.

“Witnesses to the incident, or anyone who knows the identity of the offender, should contact police.”

The man is white and has a tanned complexion. He is 30 to 40 years old, approximately 5ft 11ins and has short, dark hair which was scruffy.

He is stocky and heavily tattooed on both arms. At the time of the incident, the man was bare-chested and wearing dark coloured three-quarter length shorts.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Det Con Winterbourne via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. Those who do not want to talk to police or leave their name can phone the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead

Two more Maidenhead Royal Borough villages are leading residents and visitors "up the parish path" with the latest colourful information leaflets for guided walks and cycle routes around the borough.

Holyport has taken the lead in the Maidenhead Royal Borough's healthy living stakes with its innovative health walk leaflet which sets out the benefits of walking alongside a step-by-step half-hour guided walk around the village – and Datchet's leaflet details all the public rights of way around the parish for both cyclists and walkers.

They follow in the footsteps of Sunningdale's popular self-guided walks leaflet, first produced in 2003 and reprinted last year, and Bray village rights of way map – both of which have helped walkers to safely explore some of the more scenic areas of the borough.

Holyport's health walk leaflet reminds walkers of the British Heart Foundation's recommendation of the benefits of a 30-minute brisk walk five times a week – reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis and many other conditions – as well as being "simple and free".

Its self-guided walk takes ramblers on a 1.7 mile route around the village, starting and finishing at the Memorial Hall in Moneyrow Green and walking via Holyport Street, the village pond and war memorial, over the River Bourne and Bartletts Lane and back to the car park.

Datchet's leaflet gives walkers a brief history of the area - (including reference to the Royal Stag pub and its reputation as a haunted house, and the ferry service which carried horse and foot traffic across river to Windsor Castle before it was replaced in 1706 by a bridge) – as well as providing a detailed map of the network of rights of way and footpaths criss-crossing the parish.

Both leaflets reinforce the importance of the Country Code:
· be safe – plan ahead and follow any signs
· leave gates and property as you find them
· protect plants and animals, and take your litter home
· keep dogs under close control
· consider other people.

Maidenhead Cllr Mrs Margaret Cubley, chair of the rights of way and highway licensing panel, said: "Walking and cycling are great ways of getting out and about and enjoying some of the more beautiful parts of our picturesque and historic borough.

"These new leaflets reinforce the council's commitment to safe cycling and walking by pointing walkers and cyclists in the right direction – with very clear, easy-to-read maps and instructions – as well as highlighting the health benefits of taking regular exercise. So come on everyone, make the most of the lovely summer weather to learn more about the fascinating area we live in."

Both leaflets have been produced by the Maidenhead Royal Borough's Parish Paths Initiative in conjunction with the parish councils – with contributions from Holyport resident Martin Cox in the preparation of the Holyport leaflet and from Rob Gordon and Janet Kennish in Datchet's leaflet.

Two more parishes – White Waltham and Waltham St Lawrence – are currently preparing similar leaflets.

The Holyport and Datchet leaflets are available from parish council offices, as well as the Town Hall, Maidenhead Library and Braywick Nature Centre.

For further information contact the public rights of way team on 01628 683800.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Maidenhead Residents directly affected by the planned decontamination work at Badnell's Pit will be taking part in a new monitoring group to keep a watch on the work and help make sure it is carried out to the proper standards.

A report to next week's cabinet meeting (Thursday July 27) proposes the new group should meet on a regular basis once the two-year contract is underway.

Cllr Simon Werner, lead member for Maidenhead public protection, said the monitoring group will play a key part in making sure this controversial decontamination is done in the best interests of the local community.

He said: "We were bitterly disappointed by the inspector's decision to let the decontamination go ahead but now our main concern must be to make sure the project is carried out in the proper way.

"Public safety remains top of our agenda and there is no better way of getting it right than by having residents keeping watch. There needs to be constant vigilance and while there will be a council officer and an independent advisor on the site at all times, we must have local people as an integral part of the monitoring process."

Cllr Werner paid tribute to those who had already played a significant part in the Badnell's Pit story and he stressed that Maidenhead monitoring group meetings would be open for anyone to attend. He added: "The essence of the monitoring group must be openness and flexibility. While the people living nearest the site will be invited to be group members, there will be every opportunity for the wider community to be involved, hear what's happening and have their say."

In light of the technical and highly complex nature of the decontamination, the monitoring group is likely to be chaired by a Maidenhead council environmental health expert. However, it will be independent of the council, non-political and have its own terms of reference.

It is understood that the work at Badnell's Pit could start in about a year's time and the monitoring group is likely to meet at least every two weeks or more frequently if needed. It will also be attended by representatives of the council and its advisors, the contractors and the site owner to give residents a comprehensive view of site activities.

The group will be supported by the council's public protection team, who will be involved in monitoring the site. They will help ensure that on-site information is passed quickly to residents to keep them fully informed.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 30th July - 5th August 2006
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

30th July at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Nylon Soundz

31st July at Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Circus Week

1st August at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
The Double Life of Veronique (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Circus Week

2nd August at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Friends with Money (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Circus Week

3rd August at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Summer Concert Series 2: Alexandra Wood and Huw Watkins
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Circus Week

4th August at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
The King (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Circus Week

5th August at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
Wah-Wah (15)
* 7:30 pm
Wah-Wah (15)

Maidenhead Royal Borough residents are set for even better facilities in Maidenhead town centre if cabinet gives the go ahead for improvement to the register office and further work on the Desborough Suite.

A report to next week's cabinet meeting (July 27) recommends that:

* the registrars' suite should be refurbished
* a second phase of improvements should go ahead in the Desborough Suite and
* the Desborough garden area in Park Street should re-landscaped.

The proposals are part of Maidenhead council's continuing programme to upgrade facilities that are heavily used by the public and are an integral part of the town centre environment.

Cllr Vicky Howes, lead member for Maidenhead property, said she was delighted that the council's residents and customers would once again benefit from better facilities.

She said: "The Desborough Suite and the register office are well used by local people and while we have already carried out improvements to the performance hall, we need to upgrade the register office to make it a light, spacious and welcoming place for our residents, who come to the office at significant times in their lives.

"Once again we have consulted the users of the Desborough Suite to make sure their needs are taken into account in the second phase of the refurbishment and, if cabinet agrees, we would aim to have the work finished in plenty of time for the start of the autumn season"

Front-of-house improvements were completed last autumn and the phase 2 contract will concentrate on backstage facilities and an electrical upgrade.

The Maidenhead registrars' suite will be extended and redecorated to make the area more comfortable and inviting for both customers and staff, with the ceremony room getting a completely new look to make it more attractive for weddings, civil partnerships, baby-namings and citizenship events.

Work is scheduled to start in October and temporary arrangements will be put in place to ensure registrars' business can continue uninterrupted throughout the three-month contract and with the minimum inconvenience to customers. Superintendent registrar Clair Williams has been closely involved in planning the refurbishment and she and her staff will use two adjacent ground floor meeting rooms as their reception area and offices, while the first floor council chamber will be used for ceremonial occasions.

The proposed re-landscaping of the garden area in Park Street will create a more attractive entrance to the registrars' suite – particularly for wedding and civil partnership photographs. It will also contribute to the improvement of the town centre as a whole.

The scheme will remove the raised lawn and flowerbed and 'open out' the garden. It will also allow the Bridge that Gap community café to develop a continental-style pavement café with tables and chairs in the garden during the summer.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Getting a better deal on its 'shopping' bill is already resulting in significant savings for the Maidenhead Royal Borough – and the aim is to make even more efficient use of council money in the future.

A new Maidenhead procurement strategy is on its way to next week's cabinet meeting (Thursday July 27), setting out how the council will build on the savings successes so far and continue to broaden its buying power – in conjunction with other local authorities, partner organisations and the voluntary/community sector – to bring about even more efficiencies in the future.

Cllr David Eglise, lead member for Maidenhead resources, said: "The council spends over £86 million a year on buying the goods and services we need to deliver continually improving services to local residents. By using innovative procurement methods we can make our available funds work harder for us to get the best possible value for money.

"This doesn't necessarily mean always taking the lowest price. We are mindful that we are providing services people depend on so we need good quality, but at a price that gives us best value for money. That's why our work with other councils and organisations to increase buying power is an important part of our procurement strategy.

"Improving the way the council procures goods and services is one of the key elements of our Delivering Excellence programme, with the added benefit of making more money available for front-line services."

The report to cabinet shows that since the setting up of the procurement unit and the introduction of the first procurement strategy last year Maidenhead council has seen significant savings – over £1.5 million so far.

Initially work concentrated on contracts for goods such as stationery, computer products and paper – but even more efficiencies are now emerging through acquiring services from outside providers, such as social care and some school transport services.

Almost all of Maidenhead council's managers have an on-line purchasing system 'marketplace' for ordering items like stationery and ink cartridges straight from their desks – at discount prices.

Now an integral part of the council's financial planning, the procurement strategy promotes a council-wide approach to buying that reduces bureaucracy and form-filling and also uses new electronic techniques to buy on-line (e-procurement). In fact the borough's head of procurement, Gary Richardson, is taking the e-procurement lead in the South-East Centre of Excellence (SECE), which represents 74 local authorities. The borough is also leading a joint project to procure a common IT system for libraries.

Maidenhead Cllr Eglise added: "The Royal Borough's approach to procurement is quickly becoming recognised for its excellence and has attracted funding to lead on joint arrangements for all 74 councils in the south east – many councils are now looking to our methods as examples of best practice."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Ever wondered what it would be like to be an intrepid explorer travelling in far-off lands and discovering amazing new wildlife?

Countryside rangers at Braywick Nature Reserve, Maidenhead are giving 11-to-14-year olds the chance to find out closer to home. They have issued a challenge to youngsters to test their skills on an outdoor adventure while exploring Braywick's wildlife habitats.

'David Attenboroughs-in-training' will discover the underwater world of ponds and the secret life of insects. They will also need to solve some ingenious challenges to see if they have what it takes to become a wildlife conservationist.

There are two 'expeditions' taking place, on Friday July 28 and Friday August 11, both from 2pm to 4pm. Places must be booked in advance on 01628 796227 and cost £4 (£3.50 with an Advantage Card).

Sturdy shoes and sensible clothing should be worn.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Maidenhead Royal Borough has scored a major success by helping to persuade Crossrail to change or abandon controversial elements of its construction plans in Maidenhead.

As a result of constant lobbying and just as Maidenhead council was about to continue to give evidence to the parliamentary select committee yesterday (Tuesday July 18), Crossrail announced it would make significant concessions in favour of the borough.

This means that:

* Guards Club Island Bridge will NOT be used in connection with the construction work – barges on the river will be used instead to deliver materials and access the works
* Guards Club Park will NOT be used to site the contractors' depot – they will use land owned by Railtrack instead.

And, in a major turn-around, Crossrail has agreed to help with site acquisition and provide part-funding for a new multi-storey car park at Maidenhead station to provide additional parking spaces. Prior to the council's representations, Crossrail had maintained that more parking provision would be unnecessary.

The borough had submitted substantial evidence in support of its petition to parliament about the lack of sufficient parking and interchange facilities in the proposed Maidenhead station redevelopment and also objecting to the proposed worksite at Guards Club Park and the use of the island and footbridge for access.

Cllr Antony Wood, lead member for traffic and transport, said he welcomed the climb-down on parking with open arms.

He said: "This was a disaster waiting to happen if the parking issue had not been sorted. Crossrail had its head in the sand when it maintained that this £12 billion scheme would not result in more passengers in Maidenhead with all their attendant parking needs.

"However, yesterday's announcement just as the council was about to give evidence to the select committee, shows that Crossrail has done a reality check – and it is vindication of the council's view that current parking provision could not cope with future demand. This is an excellent result."

Maidenhead Cllr Vicky Howes, lead member for planning, said the news was like having Christmas in July.

She said: "There has been strong local opposition to a number of the construction proposals, particularly using the conservation area at Guards Club Park as a builders' depot and the use of the historic listed footbridge to transport equipment to the railway viaduct.

"This is an amazing turnaround by Crossrail and it demonstrates what can be achieved when the council works with, and on behalf of its community, to put forward views held strongly by local people. A great deal of hard work has gone into this issue, including by the civic society and individual residents. I would also like to thank the council's planning policy manager, Peter Hitchen, whose input has been phenomenal."

Cllr Mary Rose Gliksten, council leader, commented: ""Crossrail has the potential in ten years' time for bringing tremendous benefits to Maidenhead – if it is handled properly. The council's job is to ensure that the needs of our residents are met and, as yesterday's announcement shows, we are already having considerable success. We will continue to keep a very close watch on Crossrail proposals and act in the best interests of our residents."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Maidenhead Flying High Playscheme – which has been described as a 'lifeline' for families with disabled children – is running again over the summer holidays with an action-packed programme of events.

To allow families to meet the staff and raise awareness of the scheme, an open afternoon is being held on Thursday July 27 from 2.30-4.30pm at Larchfield School, Maidenhead. This will also tie in with the launch of the revised Disabled Children's Database, a voluntary register of information about disabled children in the Borough.

Flying High Playscheme is a Maidenhead holiday playscheme for children and young people aged five to 16 with disabilities or additional requirements that make it difficult for them to attend mainstream playschemes.

The playscheme was set up last year and proved a success over the summer holidays and again at Easter this year. Activities planned for this summer include swimming, bowling, trampolining, visits by animal handlers, music workshops and much more.

Anthea Neads, Flying High Playscheme co-ordinator at the Maidenhead Royal Borough's Early Years & Childcare Service, said: "We aim for the playscheme to be a very child-centred environment, where the children and young people are provided with as much choice as possible over the free play and activities they take part in.

"Flying High is a play setting – we recognise that informal learning and development take place through play and this is very child-led, hands-on and exploratory at Flying High."

The open afternoon, which will give parents and children a taster of the activities, will also feature free play, art, crafts, music, face painting, a bouncy castle, an animal handler, refreshments and the chance to meet the staff.

Maidenhead Social Services Disabled Children's Team will launch the revised Disabled Children's Database between 3.30-4pm and will be available to provide information throughout the afternoon. The database is a voluntary register that will allow accurate information to be collected about disabled children, and will help identify the needs of such children living within the Borough.

Anyone wishing to attend the open day should call Susan Kay on 01628 781430 to book. Also call her for general enquiries about Flying High Playscheme or if you wish to join the Flying High mailing list. For enquiries about the Disabled Children's Database, call the Disabled Children's Team on 01753 638637.

Volunteers are needed at the Maidenhead Flying High Playscheme for summer 2006 and beyond. To arrange a volunteer interview, call Anthea Neads, Playscheme co-ordinator, on 01628 781430.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

As one of summer's least welcome visitors returns, Maidenhead Royal Borough has advised householders to take care in tackling the problem.

Wasps are on the rise as the eggs, which the queens started laying in May, hatch into the unpopular black and yellow striped insects.

Gillian Taylor, Maidenhead environmental health manager, said: "As expected, over the last few days we have seen a considerable rise in the number of wasps' nests reported to us.

"The queen wasps come out of hibernation about May, and start their nest by laying a few eggs. At this stage the nest is only the size of a golf ball, and is attached to places such as the branch of a hedge, the ceiling of a porch or a rafter in the loft.

"As the eggs hatch into wasps they forage for food and begin to enlarge the nest. By late summer the nest may contain 5,000 wasps and be the size of a football."

Wasps are beneficial insects as they attack and kill many small insects around the garden. But they are also a nuisance and can inflict a painful sting if provoked. In late summer and autumn they often come into the kitchen looking for sweet sugary foods.

Gillian said: "Tackling a nest can be dangerous work if you are not fully protected and experienced. There are many aerosol cans of insecticide available from supermarkets if you decide to tackle the job yourself.

"However the council advises it is best left to a professional pest controller who has heavy-duty protective clothing, specialised equipment and the most effective insecticides."

The Maidenhead council provides a domestic service for residents using a professional pest control contractor at a subsidised rate, with further discounts for those in receipt of benefit.

To book an appointment for this or any other Maidenhead pest problem please contact SDK (Kilsyth) Ltd on 0845 130 8621.

Appointments for treatment can normally be offered on a next-day basis.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Part of Maidenhead council's major restructuring to put a renewed focus on the needs of residents and customers, the new directorate brings together a wide range of services that local people use on a daily basis, including highways, planning, property, leisure and libraries.

Maidenhead Cllr Mary Rose Gliksten, council leader, said she was delighted to announce David's appointment as another step forward in his long and distinguished career with the borough.

She said: "David has been a valued and highly-respected member of staff for many years. His vision, fairness, and thoroughly professional approach have earned him the esteem not only of colleagues inside the council but also of our partner organisations and the wider community.

"His vast knowledge and wide experience will be immensely valuable as we move forward with our Delivering Excellence programme. The restructuring gives us the opportunity to group customer-facing services together and we are confident that David will provide positive and constructive leadership to the new directorate as we move forward with plans for making our services even better in the future."

Originally from Cambridgeshire, David's background is in property and he is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. He joined the council in 1977 as chief assistant valuer and was appointed head of property in 1983 – a role later expanded to include responsibility for economic development and visitor management. In 1996 he was the project manager for the council's successful £64 million housing stock transfer and a year later also played a key role in Maidenhead borough's campaign for unitary status during the local government review.

In 2001 David was appointed director of leisure, cultural and property services and last summer was acting chief executive during David Lunn's absence through illness.

Earlier this year David was asked to take over as acting director of planning and environment, pending the restructuring. His new directorate encompasses many of the services covered by his two previous directorates.

David said: "I am very pleased to be taking on this new role at a particularly exciting time for the council and delighted that elected members and staff colleagues have confidence in me to take the directorate forward.

"I am very lucky to have talented and dedicated staff across all the services for which I am now responsible and any future success in this job will be largely due to their hard work and support. We have many challenges ahead – both in meeting the needs and aspirations of local residents and meeting national targets – but I have talented teams to rely on and, working closely with elected members, together we will aim to give Royal Borough residents continually improving services throughout our community."

David is married to Dee and they have two teenage children – Edward and Elizabeth.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

With school holidays about to kick off, Maidenhead young people won't have time to get bored, thanks to a packed programme of places to go and things to do in the council's summer scheme for 13-19-year-olds.

For five weeks from Monday July 31 the message is : Get Out…Get Active…Go to… literally hundreds of events, sports and activities across the borough in leisure centres, youth clubs parks and open spaces – and for young people living in Windsor and the southern parishes there will be no excuse for missing out on the fun because of the FREE summer holiday activities bus running on 11 different days during the scheme.

The bigger-than-ever 13-19 programme will see everything from football and fishing to canoeing and kayaking, taking in swimming, basketball, skateboarding, archery, fencing, trampolining and go-karting, fun days and the opportunity to get fit using the borough's mobile gym.

Maidenhead Cllr Richard Fagence said his only regret was that he was marginally over the age limit for joining in!

Cllr Fagence added: "This is one of the best summer programmes I've seen. The council's youth and leisure staff have brought together a fantastic range of activities to suit young people's interests, talents and energy and give them the opportunity to improve their fitness and health at the same time. Young people taking part just won't have time to be bored during the long summer break and I think parents too will reap the benefits of having tired and happy children at the end of each day."

For young people in the Windsor and Ascot areas – and all points in between – there will be new opportunities for taking part in the full range of summer activities, thanks to the free bus service running from Eton Wick to Sunningdale on Mondays August 7,14 and 21, Wednesdays August 9, 16,23 and 30, and Fridays August 11, 18 and 25 and September 1.

Starting at Eton Wick Youth Club, the bus will stop at Datchet Youth Centre, Windsor Leisure Centre, Alma Road (at the police station for the Vansittart skatepark and Windsor Youth Centre), Old Windsor (outside the Toby Inn, Straight Road) and Sunningdale (for Charters Leisure Centre and Charters Youth Centre).

The bus is available to all residents (not just 13-19-year-olds) and is free for everyone.

The summer programme includes swimming at the Magnet and Windsor leisure centres for just 50 pence (for all yellow Advantage card holders) and £1 access to the BodyZone gyms at the Magnet, Windsor and Charters.

The borough's two skateparks – at Kidwells Park in Maidenhead and Vansittart Road in Windsor – will be staffed every day from 11am to 8pm and football and basketball sessions will be held at the new hard play courts at Desborough Park (Maidenhead) and Foster Avenue (Windsor).

Full details of the programme are available on the council's website at
http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/13-19_summer_activities.htm>

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

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

23rd July at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
Ballets Russes (PG)
* 7:30 pm
Ballets Russes (PG)

24th July at Maidenhead

No events planned

25th July at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Lost Embrace (15) (El Abrazo Partido)

26th July at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (15)

27th July at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Hell (L’Enfer) (15)
* 7:45 pm
Body Language - a work in progress

28th July at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Jimmy Carr: Work in Progress

29th July at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
The Laurie Holloway Trio

Five more Maidenhead Royal Borough schools have gone to the top of the class in their bid to tackle the problems of the daily school run.

The latest five recruits bring to 13* the growing tally of local schools to successfully apply for government funding to set up and implement their own School Travel Plans to address a range of issues and concerns affecting travel to and from school.

Top of their timetable of issues came the high level of car use across the Maidenhead borough at the beginning and end of the school day, the resulting traffic congestion and poor air quality, as well as road safety concerns for those walking and cycling to school.

The five – Furze Platt Senior School, Maidenhead; Holy Trinity Primary School, Cookham; Trinity St Stephen Primary School, Windsor; Windsor Girls' School and Wraysbury Primary School - worked with the council to submit their action plans to the DfES in April, and have just been awarded a total of £33,400 between them to begin to implement measures to tackle their individual problems.

Each school will decide how to spend its share of the grant on improvements such as:
· cycle parking
· storage lockers
· new or revised access arrangements
· walking or cycle routes within the school grounds
· on-site waiting shelters for parents and pupils
· on-site bus facilities (eg turning circle, drop-off or collection point
· new/improved CCTV.

School Travel Plans are part of the Maidenhead council's School Travel Strategy to address the problems of the school run. The other elements of the strategy are:
· road safety education and cycle training for children to give them the skills to walk and cycle to school safely
· safer routes to school, which involves making physical improvements to routes used by pupils to walk or cycle to school.

Cllr Antony Wood, lead member for Maidenhead road safety, said: "This is really good news, and shows that schools are actively responding to the council's ongoing encouragement to set up Travel Plans as part of our wider strategy to tackle problems associated with the school run.

"The Royal Borough has one of the highest levels of car use for school trips in the country and we work closely with schools to encourage walking and cycling to school to tackle problems of childhood obesity and reduced levels of fitness.

"These grants to our schools are the first step on the road to addressing some of the problems, and I'm delighted to report that another half dozen local schools are currently working towards submitting their plans to the DfES and getting the funding to enable them to implement their School Travel Plans."

For further information on Travel Plans contact Gordon Oliver on 01628 796097 or Jessica Nash on 01628 796170.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

World cup fever goes into extra time in the Maidenhead Royal Borough this week as service users from two day centres kick-start their traditional English open day with a timely five-a-side football tournament.

The official World Cup might be well and truly over but staff and service users from the centres – Brunel in Maidenhead and Oakbridge in Windsor - are continuing to fly the English flag as they throw open their doors on Thursday July 13 for a peep behind the scenes at the Brunel Centre in Brunel Road, Maidenhead.

The whistle goes at 1.15pm for the start of the football tournament – and the traditional action continues throughout the afternoon with maypole and Morris dancing displays from pupils of Maidenhead Furze Platt Junior School, stalls and sideshows, cream teas, and a barbecue in the evening starting at 6.30pm.

Two presentations will take place during the afternoon:

· Roger Preedy of Maidenhead Golf Club will present a cheque for £3000 to the two centres on behalf of the golf club

· Cllr Pam Proctor, lead member for Maidenhead social services, will present a cheque for £900, the result of sales of art work done by service users at the centres and exhibited recently at Norden Farm Centre for the arts.

Visitors will also be able to learn more about the successful buddy scheme, running for the last three years in Windsor, and now being launched in Maidenhead. The scheme recruits volunteers to befriend a service user at one of the centres and enjoy days out and shared activities.

Maidenhead Cllr Pam Proctor, lead member for social services, said: "This open day will be a great opportunity for people to find out more about the very valuable work that goes on at both Brunel and Oakbridge day centres on a regular basis.

"Service users at the centres already enjoy a wide range of activities aimed at developing both their practical and social skills. The buddy scheme is proving to be a huge success in Windsor and we now want to launch it in Maidenhead to provide even more opportunities for their personal development.

"I hope as many people as possible take advantage of the summer sunshine to come along to Brunel and join in the fun!"

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

People who own or manage Maidenhead bedsits or shared houses are reminded of the recently-introduced regulations that mean houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) must be licensed.

To help Maidenhead owners and landlords get to grips with the changes and because some of the information was late arriving in the borough, the council has decided to extend the deadline for applications until October 6 – giving an additional three months after the original July 6 deadline. This means the council will give immunity from prosecution until October 6 – but the message is: Get your licence application in as soon as possible.

The Housing Act 2004 says that properties requiring a licence are three or more storeys high and let as rooms, bedsits and/or flats to five or more people who share a kitchen or bathroom. Anyone who doesn't comply with the law could end up with a fine of up to £20,000. Local authorities and tenants will also be able to claim back rent and housing benefit paid while the property was operated without a licence.

Information packs are available from Maidenhead Royal Borough, aimed at ensuring that everyone living in an HMO has a safe, secure home which does not adversely affect their health and welfare

Gillian Taylor, Maidenhead environmental health manager, said: "The application forms we've received so far have been completed to a high standard, with the help of the guidance notes in the information pack – so landlords' fears that the process would be too complicated have proved unfounded.

"Remember, not having a licence could be a very expensive mistake; you could be fined, your tenants could get back their rent, you might have to repay housing benefit and you could be barred from holding a licence on any property in the future. It makes sense to apply now."

To get an application form and information pack call 01628 683820 or email customer.service@rbwm.gov.uk A five-year licence costs £600 for a five-bedroom property and £25 per extra bedroom.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Maidenhead Royal Borough libraries have set a challenge to youngsters for the summer holidays – and offered a reward of spy cards, secret message pens, bookmarks and stickers along the way and a 'mission accomplished' medal and certificate when they achieve their goal.

The Maidenhead youngsters' challenge is to read six books during the summer. The Reading Mission – as this year's Summer Reading Challenge is called – themes in with the release of the film Stormbreaker which is based on the best-selling book by Anthony Horowitz featuring teenage spy Alex Rider.

The Summer Reading Challenge is a national scheme, organised by The Reading Agency, to encourage children to use their local libraries and read books during the break from school.

Children can sign up from July 15 and can join at any point until the challenge ends on September 9, by going to any of the Maidenhead borough's libraries.

When they sign up they will receive a special mission pack in which to record the details of the six books as they read them.

For every book read they receive either a sheet of Reading Mission stickers or a Reading Mission spy card. There are also bookmarks and secret message pens (which write in invisible ink) to collect along the way.

When they have reached their sixth book they become a special reading agent and will be presented with a 'mission accomplished' medal and certificate.

Katie Farrell, Maidenhead young people's librarian, said: "Last year 1,047 children took part in the borough's Summer Reading Challenge and we are hoping many more children will join in this year."

The challenge is free of charge and all children aged four to12 years old are invited to join in.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The success of a Maidenhead Royal Borough schools project to tackle teenage boys' underachievement in English is being celebrated at a special presentation in the Town Hall this week.

Countrywide, 66 per cent of girls achieved grade C or above at GCSE in 2005, compared with 50 per cent of boys, a difference of 16 per cent. The challenge is to find teaching methods that target underachieving boys without having any negative effects on girls.

Nine local secondary schools have risen to the challenge by taking part in the Raising Boys' Achievement in English Project. Since January teachers have been researching the impact of using new and exciting ways of engaging pupils in English.

Maidenhead Cllr Kathy Newbound, lead member for children's services, said: "It is so important to find ways of helping boys reach their potential, while ensuring it is not at the expense of the girls. This project has been a great step forward in discovering effective teaching methods that achieve this goal."

At the presentation – on Thursday July 13 at 3.30pm in the Maidenhead Council Chamber – the pupils' work will be on display around the Council Chamber and a number of schools will present film clips, multimedia shows and Powerpoint presentations on what they have been doing.

Cllr Newbound will say a few words, and the event will be attended by Georghia Ellinas, who represents the Department for Education and Skills and the Secondary Strategy for School Improvement, and Karen Butler, senior adviser, English, for the Royal Borough.

Karen said: "The Raising Boys' Achievement in English Project follows on from the excellent work already done in some of the borough's primary schools on the use of visual stimuli to improve boys' achievement in literacy.

"One important aspect has been to look at how English teachers engage the pupils in learning. As with the visual literacy project in primary schools, many of the secondary English teachers have seen the impact of using images, sounds and various objects as a stimulus to discussion and extended writing."

Schools taking part are: Altwood, Churchmead, Cox Green, Desborough, Furze Platt Senior, Windsor Boys', Dedworth Middle, St Peter's CE Middle and Trevelyan Middle.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

A 25-year-old man will appear before Reading Crown Court next week charged in connection with an incident, involving a young girl, in Maidenhead.

Asim Zulqurnan, of Ellington Park, is charged with one count of assault on female aged 13 and over, and one count of engaging in a sex act with a girl 13-15.

Zulqurnan was arrested by officers on Friday (7/7) and later charged.

He appeared before Reading Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (8/7) and has been remanded in prison to appear before Reading Crown Court on 17 July.

The charges are in connection with an alleged incident which occurred in an area near to car park, Pinkneys Drive in Pinkneys Green, Maidenhead, during the early hours of Monday 26 June.

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead

Maidenhead Royal Borough trading standards officers are getting out their shades and preparing for their annual summer sortie help guard the public against rogue traders and rip-off retailers and manufacturers who aim to fleece them while the sun shines.

Steve Johnson, Maidenhead trading standards manager, said: "When the sun's out and people are relaxed, it's a good time for the counterfeit brigade to try to palm off fake designer sunglasses, clothes and other seasonal goods – so we want to remind people of the dangers of being ripped off and to be sensible in the sun."

Maidenhead Trading standards SUN sense advice

SUN glasses
Second-rate fakes are often touted in streets, market places and shops. When the sun comes out, so do the criminals. How do you know you've got the real designer brand or a retail rip-off? The best sign is the price. If you're asked for £10 - £15 for a designer name pair, they are likely to be fake. Other signs include blurred printing on boxes or packaging, plain pouches/cases, poor finishing or quality. The lenses will not be as precisely prepared, likely to be plastic and may not offer the same levels of UV protection.

SUN cream
The best guide is the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) – the general rule is the higher the number, the longer you can stay in the sun before burning. Trading standards test that the SPF printed on bottles is accurate and ensure batch numbers, ingredients and manufacturer details are all present.

It is important to reapply sun cream regularly and especially after coming out of water. Some 'waterproof' creams have been known to cause skin irritations, so make sure you get a type that works well for your skin type.

SUN protection cover-ups
Maidenhead Trading standards officers often test the types of products that claim to protect you from the sun's harmful rays. The vast majority of what is available is absolutely fine – but this is only the case if you know how to use them and what all the labels mean.

The messages about sun protection have become very confusing and it is clear from trading standards' tests that some clothing and cover-ups that people could reasonably expect to protect them are actually providing very little protection. For example

* Some t-shirts tested had SPF as low as 7, which fell to SPF 4 when the t-shirt was wet
* A sarong had an SPF of 4
* A sun shelter offered less protection than factor 20 sun creams.

The main advice is to carefully read the labels and claims being made. If in doubt ask Maidenhead trading standards for advice on 01628 683802 or email trading.standards@rbwm.gov.uk

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

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

16th July at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
U-Carmen eKhayelitsha (12A)
* 7:30 pm
U-Carmen eKhayelitsha (12A)

17th July at Maidenhead

No events planned

18th July at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Junebug (15)

19th July at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Love + Hate (15)
* 9:00 pm
Potatoes

20th July at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:00 pm
The Garden

21st July at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 9:00 pm
Hello Dalai

22nd July at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
Confetti (15)
* 7:00 pm
Bussman's Holiday
* 7:30 pm
Confetti (15)

Nik Huggins, a former Maidenhead Shopmobility employee, and four friends recently completed their Three Peaks Challenge raising more than £900 for the community service at the same time.

The Three Peaks Challenge involves climbing the highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon) within 24 hours.

Nik said: "We made a few mistakes with the route on Scafell Pike and Barry sustained a knee injury but we are proud of our achievement and we all felt we had a thoroughly great adventure. We would definitely do it again."

All four are active hill climbers; however this was their first climb for a charitable cause.

Sue Gibson, Maidenhead Shopmobility manager, said: "The money raised is more than £900. As the cost of a new mobility scooter is £1,400 we are well on the way to replacing one of the scooters from our ageing fleet."

Shopmobility loans manual and powered wheelchairs and scooters to enable people with mobility difficulties to access the town centres in Windsor and Maidenhead.

For further information on Shopmobility call 01628 543038.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

More than 700 Maidenhead Royal Borough nursery school children will enjoy a very special road safety lesson next week – with a little bit of help from some friendly puppets and more than a touch of magic!

Starting on Monday, the Maidenhead Royal Borough is driving home the road safety message to its youngest-ever audience with the first road safety roadshow for three-to-five-year-olds at nursery schools.

The interactive roadshow will visit 13 nurseries over five days with 30-minute performances using puppets and magic to spell out basic road safety messages in a series of simple lessons:

· traffic awareness – in particular the importance of always holding an adult's hand
· the importance of colours – red for danger, green for safe
· holding a grown-ups hand and finding a safe place to cross
· stop look and listen
· how to use school crossing patrols

Cllr Antony Wood, lead member for Maidenhead road safety, said: "This is great news! It's never too soon for children to start learning the importance of road safety – and if we can make it fun and enjoyable then those lessons are more likely to become habit.

"I very much hope that those good habits will also continue into their teenage years and beyond. As a country we have a very serious problem as many young drivers and their passengers believe it is 'cool' NOT to wear seatbelts. This is silly and dangerous! As part of this campaign I urge parents to consider whether this is true of their teenage children."

The roadshows will visit the following nurseries:

Monday July 3
Munchkins Pre-School, St Luke's School, Cookham Road, Maidenhead (9.30 – 10am); Boyne Hill Nursery School, Rutland Road, Maidenhead (11.15 –11.45am and 1.15–
1.45pm

Tuesday July 4
The Lawns Nursery School, Imperial Road, Windsor (9.30 – 10am); Little Fishes Pre-School, Furze Platt Road, Maidenhead (11.15 – 11.45am); Cookham Nursery School, Station Hill, Cookham (1.15 – 1.45pm)

Wednesday July 5
Winbury School Nursery, Hibbert Road, Maidenhead (9.30 – 10am); Upton House Nursery School, St Leonard's Road, Windsor (11.15 – 11.45am); Wessex Infant and Nursery School, St Adrian's Close, Cox Green, Maidenhead (1.15 – 1.45pm)

Thursday July 6
Hilltop Nursery, Hilltop First School Clewer Hill Road, Windsor (9.30 – 10am); Alexander First nursery, Kenneally Road, Windsor (10.45 – 11.15am); The Lawns Nursery School, Imperial Road, Windsor (1.15 – 1.45pm)

Friday July 7
St Pirans Nursery, St Pirans School, Gringer Hill, Maidenhead (9.15 – 9.45am); Woodlands Park Nursery, Woodlands Park Primary School, Heywood Avenue, Maidenhead (10.45 – 11.15am); South Ascot Village Nursery (formerly Swinley Primary), All Souls Road, South Ascot 1.15 – 1.45pm).

For more information about the roadshow contact Philippa Baxter, Royal Borough road safety officer on 01628 796577.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

It's all systems go for the Maidenhead Royal Borough's annual roads resurfacing programme scheduled to begin in about two weeks time.

Preparation work on levelling the road surfaces prior to resurfacing began last week, and the two-month programme is scheduled for completion by the end of August.

This year's programme takes in a total of 50 roads across the Maidenhead borough, including three A–roads, and the rest B-roads and minor roads.

The A-roads to be resurfaced are parts of the A330 Brockenhurst Road and the A329 London Road at Sunninghill, and the stretch of St Cloud Way between the new Sainsburys development and the police station roundabout in Maidenhead.

Stephen Brown, head of Maidenhead highways, said: "We have focussed our spending this year on the B roads and minor roads because we need to improve their condition. Our main roads are in better condition and we have to prioritise where the money is spent on the roads most in need of attention."

"We have already sent out letters to all ward councillors and parish councils detailing the affected roads in their wards, and we will be writing to residents just before the work begins on resurfacing their streets, as well as putting up advance notices in the affected roads.

"We appreciate that these works will cause some very short-term disruption for residents and businesses but once the work is completed we shouldn't need to dig the roads up again for several years.

"This is very much a case of short-term pain for long-term gain and we hope residents will understand that these works are absolutely essential if we are to keep the roads safe for them to use."

A special hotline has been set up for information about the resurfacing programme – tel 01628 683868.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Following widespread consultation with concerned local residents and discussions with ward members, a new traffic scheme to improve safety along the A308 Maidenhead Road in Windsor – including replacing the central lane with hatching - is to be implemented in the school summer holidays.

More than 500 homes and businesses along the Maidenhead Road and surrounding area were asked their views earlier this year on a package of road safety measures drawn up in response to four main ongoing concerns - speeding, accident levels, lack of crossing facilities and traffic congestion.

In response, residents gave the thumbs-up to plans for a traffic island near the Harvester public house, and the thumbs-down to plans to create a right-hand turn into the BP garage. However they were split 50-50 on removing the central lane between the Mill Lane roundabout and the junction of Vale Road and replacing it with hatching.

In a bid to resolve the stalemate, the borough introduced a two-week trial closure of the central lane in March to establish the effect of any possible reduction in lanes. Following this trial closure, an independent report recommended the removal of the central lane and the creation of hatching. Data collected during the trial period found that:
· the average speed of traffic was reduced by 10%
· but congestion in the morning peak times during school term time is only slightly increased.

Cllr Antony Wood, lead member for Maidenhead road safety explained: "The question of safety along this stretch of the Maidenhead Road has been a real issue for residents for some years now. We have listened carefully to the concerns of residents and at the end of last year we put forward several different proposals to try to resolve the situation.

"Residents responded positively to plans for another pedestrian crossing, but told us they did not want a right turn into the BP garage. Residents were divided equally on the issue of hatching – but the independent consultant recommended that we reduce the two lanes to one. Taking all these factors into consideration we had to very carefully balance the need for road safety with the potential for congestion when making our decision.

"Although there may be slightly more congestion in the morning peak, during term time, this is more than offset in the consultant's recommendation, and in my view too, by the significant improvements in safety.

"I would like to thank everyone who took the time and trouble to take part in our consultation earlier this year."

The scheme will be implemented during the Maidenhead school summer holidays and is expected to take about two weeks to complete.

For further information contact Vikki Lewis, acting traffic and road safety manager, on 01628 796283.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

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

9th July at Maidenhead

No events planned

10th July at Maidenhead

No events planned

11th July at Maidenhead

No events planned

12th July at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Mouth to Mouth by Kevin Elyot

13th July at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Mouth to Mouth by Kevin Elyot

14th July at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Altwood School Summer Show
* 8:00 pm
Mouth to Mouth by Kevin Elyot

15th July at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Altwood School Summer Show
* 8:00 pm
Mouth to Mouth by Kevin Elyot

The Maidenhead Royal Borough is to streamline the provision of home-to-school transport for special education needs pupils living within the borough in a bid to provide a higher quality service with fully trained drivers and assistants and to increase focus on special training and safety checks.

This will be achieved by reducing the number of contractors Maidenhead council works with from 31 to 10. Home-to-school transport is provided for more than 250 special education needs pupils on 79 different routes to various special education needs schools. The new system will come into effect from the start of the next academic year September 2006.

Maidenhead Cllr Cynthia Pitteway, lead member for education and lifelong learning, said: "This is a great step forward in improving the borough's service to special education needs children and their parents. Through working more closely with a smaller number of operators, we can ensure the focus is where it should be, namely the safety and care of the children while they are traveling to and from school.

"We will be working closely with parents before the new system is implemented for the autumn term later this year."

Neil Beswick, principal officer, Maidenhead passenger transport team, said: "To help to improve the quality of the service provided by the passenger transport team and the transport operators, a thorough review of home-to-school services took place.

"The review's conclusion was that by grouping viable routes together, we could reduce the number of operators we contract with. This will help the passenger transport team spend less time on administrative duties and help focus on the important area of training for all contractors' staff. It will also enable us to increase our monitoring of the transport to schools, which is vital to ensure that safe, secure and timely transport of pupils is being provided."

In the run-up to the decision, all of the 31 taxi and minibus operators currently involved in the home-to-school service were invited to tender for the runs, and two bidders' conferences were held to explain the process to the operators. Of the 15 who submitted tenders, 10 were selected based on a composite of quality and price.

Maidenhead Parents were also advised by letter that a review was being carried out and were invited to attend a question-and-answer Parents In Partnership forum, attended by transport officers, last month.

The education and passenger transport teams will now be:

· informing all parents about any changes to their child's transport
· starting training sessions for all drivers and passenger assistants who work on home-to-school transport
· meeting with the operators to discuss the new routes and ensure they have all the necessary information about the pupils they are carrying.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead,

Disposing of trade and business rubbish has become a whole lot easier as the trade waste facility at Stafferton Way, Maidenhead, has extended its hours to cover the entire working day.

The Maidenhead site is now open from 7.30am to 6.30pm from April 1 to October 31, and 7.30am to 4.30pm from November 1 to March 31, except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day when the site is closed.

This is an almost four-fold increase on the previous opening hours of 4pm to 7pm Monday to Friday and 8am to noon Saturday and Sunday throughout the year.

Cllr Simon Werner, lead member for Maidenhead public protection, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for local businesses to use our facilities rather than go to Slough."

Terry Gould, head of public protection, said: "To continue the improved management of the civic amenity site and to prevent the deposit of wrong materials, the borough has worked closely with Cleanaway to extend the opening hours of the trade waste facility to make the site more available and convenient for use by local traders and businesses."

The site accepts waste and recyclable material but does not accept asbestos, paint, chemicals, fluorescent tubes, batteries, oils, electrical goods, clinical and hazardous waste.

Charges remain competitive – £75 plus VAT per tonne, for both waste and recycling, with a minimum charge of £25 plus VAT.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead