Maidenhead & Windsor

Maidenhead Blood donors are a giving lot – but along with ‘nearly an armful’ of blood there is no need to donate a parking fee too.

Anyone giving a pint of the red stuff at the Magnet Leisure Centre, Maidenhead can claim a refund on their parking. All they have to do is pay as usual at the machine, where they will be issued with a ticket to place in their car and a voucher which they can present at reception after their donation for the refund.

Kevin Mist, head of leisure services, said: “We have reviewed our parking policy following comments from blood donors. They are doing their bit to help and we want to ensure they are not put off by having to pay to do a good deed.”

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Food and retail outlets in the Maidenhead Royal Borough are taking the initiative and stubbing out smoking before smokefree legislation comes into effect on July 1.

That’s the message from the Maidenhead council’s environmental health officers as they work with local businesses to prepare for the new legislation. From July 1, it will be illegal to light up in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England.

And with World No Tobacco Day taking place on Thursday May 31, environmental health officers are keener than ever to encourage even more businesses to beat the deadline and go smokefree sooner in the Royal Borough.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Maidenhead environment, said: “There are overwhelming health and economic arguments for going smokefree. Legislation is still a month away but it would be in the interest of all businesses in the borough and their employees, visitors and clients to make the change sooner.

”There are many benefits forsociety by going smokefree but we know society has to change to accommodate this new law and we are here to help.”

Gillian Taylor, Maidenhead environmental health manager, added: “No Smoking signs have been mailed out to all businesses registered with Companies House and from July 1 it will be law for them to display the signs and ensure the smokefree rules are adhered to.

“But signs are already going up in businesses around Windsor, Maidenhead and Ascot and managers are taking the initiative to prevent smoking on their premises. We hope that many more businesses will follow their lead.”

At present Gillian and her team of Maidenhead environmental health officers are advising local businesses on what they need to do to prepare for the smokefree legislation. Once the legislation comes into effect it will be down to the officers to ensure local businesses comply with the law.

The legislation has been introduced, in large part, to reduce the impact of second-hand smoke, but Smokefree England, the national body co-ordinating the overall programme, says there are many other advantages. Other countries and cities that have introduced smokefree laws, such as Scotland, Wales, Ireland and New York, have seen an increase in trade in bars and restaurants, a dramatic improvement in air quality in these establishments, and a huge reduction in exposure to second-hand smoke by the public and, especially, bar and restaurant staff.

According to Smokefree England, many English pubs and restaurants that have already introduced voluntary smokefree policies have reported an increase in trade and profits. A survey for The Times, published in October 2006, found that among English pubs that have already banned smoking:

* profits have risen by an average of 50%
* food sales have risen by 80% on average
* nine out of 10 landlords reported that they were selling more food
* nearly half of landlords said drinks profits had increased by 37% on average, while a third said they had stayed the same.

Gillian pointed out further business benefits to going smokefree before the July 1 start date, including:

* giving the workforce the opportunity to get used to the smoking ban before it becomes law
* saving money – by protecting employees from second-hand smoke and helping current smokers to quit or cut down, sick days will be reduced, work-time smoking breaks stopped and there may be a reduction in cleaning and redecorating costs
* allowing businesses to take advantage of the NHS Stop Smoking Services, which provide workplace clinics for employees who want to give up. Demand could be high so by getting in now managers could avoid a waiting list.

Business owners can visit the Smokefree England website at www.smokefreeengland.co.uk for information and advice and to order signs, or can contact the borough’s customer service centre on 01628 683820.

Residents can visit www.berkshire.nhs.uk/smokefreeberkshire/areas/venues.asp or a list of smokefree venues in the Royal Borough.

Smokers who would like to quit can log on to the East Berkshire free stop smoking service website at www.smokefreeengland.co.uk

Cllr Rayner concluded: “Let’s work together to make this new legislation work within the Royal Borough.”

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Maidenhead councillors will be opening the door on their regular surgery session for local residents on Saturday June 2.

The welcome mat will be out between 10am and 12 noon in the council’s mobile facility, located outside the National Westminster Bank, High Street.

The open session - no appointment necessary - means people can drop in and meet the members to discuss local issues, air their views or ask for help and advice. Arrangements can be made for confidential interviews during the morning, if requested.

The next Maidenhead surgery will be held between 10am and 12 noon on Saturday August 4.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 3 June - 9 June 2007
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

3rd June at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
The Lives of Others (Das Leben Der Anderen) (15)
* 7:30 pm
The Lives of Others (Das Leben Der Anderen) (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Daniel Iles: Dark Light

4th June at Maidenhead

No events planned

5th June at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Nightfall

6th June at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Amazing Grace (PG)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
East Berkshire College: Jewellery Design

7th June at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Amazing Grace (PG)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
East Berkshire College: Jewellery Design

8th June at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:45 pm
Henry Lowther with the Pendulum Quartet
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
East Berkshire College: Jewellery Design

9th June at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
St John’s Chamber Orchestra Summer Concert
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
East Berkshire College: Jewellery Design

It’s a happy ending to a tale of helping Maidenhead foster children and their families - and all those involved want to prove they have a way with words by saying a big Thank you!

Members of the Maidenhead Royal Borough’s fostering team are happy to complete the latest chapter in their quest to improve resources for children in foster care following the success of their recent book day and other literary initiatives.

Earlier this month Maidenhead social workers from the fostering team – together with libraries’ staff, the Children’s Information Service, foster carers and Usborne Books – joined forces to boost resources by organising a literary-fest which included a book day, a Harry Potter-themed treasure hunt, storytelling training, a book fair and library sessions for teenagers.

An appeal for good quality books for the book day resulted in donations of more than 500 books, including a donation of brand new books from publishers Puffin which were distributed on the day to carers and young people.

The Maidenhead Harry Potter-themed treasure hunt proved popular with all ages, attracting entries right up until Book Day on May 15, with local businesses including the British Heart Foundation, Woolworth’s, Waterstones, the Early Learning Centre and Argos providing “homes” for the clues and prizes donated by Woolworth’s.

For further information contact Ros Whittaker, team manager, fostering, adoption and respite service, on 01628 683201.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Maidenhead’s new Hines Meadow multi-storey car park is set for a boost in the number of users, with the news that the town’s temporary park and ride facility will close on Saturday June 9.

The Stafferton Way park and ride opened in 2005 to provide replacement parking for Maidenhead workers, shoppers and visitors while the Sainsbury’s development was underway. The project meant the closure of the old Tyrells car park and the temporary suspension of Hines Meadow to allow the building work to go ahead.

Now the completely redesigned and enlarged Hines Meadow has spaces for 1,476 cars (including 672 short stay spaces on levels 3, 4 and 5) and is ready for ‘business as usual’ with the welcome return of parkers who have been using Stafferton Way during the building work.

The Maidenhead park and ride was always intended as a stop-gap measure to ensure Maidenhead had a good supply of alternative parking until the new Sainsbury’s store opened and the multi-storey was reinstated.

Hines Meadow has been fully open for the past two months and, with the agreement of Sainsbury’s who funded the park and ride, the council decided to keep Stafferton Way operational for a couple of months. This was to allow time for the store to settle into the town centre and to give people the opportunity to get used to the new car parking arrangements.

Fewer people are now using the park and ride and there is plenty of space in Hines Meadow to accommodate Maidenhead town centre parkers for both short and long stays.

Funded by Sainsbury’s, the park and ride has around 600 spaces and the regular shuttle ‘veggie bus’ runs every 15 minutes to and from the town centre every day (except Sundays and bank holidays).

Prominent signage will be displayed at Stafferton Way and leaflets will be distributed to let users know about the closure and the alternative parking available.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Maidenhead Royal Borough school children are leading the field in this year’s Junior Citizen stakes as the popular educational programme returns for the fourth consecutive year.

More than 600 Year Six pupils from 18 Maidenhead borough schools will make up nearly half of the total number of youngsters taking part in the two-week event at the Thames Valley Community Centre in Chalvey starting today (Monday May 21) and running until Friday May 25 and next week from Monday June 4 to Friday June 8.

They will join other Year Six pupils – all aged 10 to 11 years old – from schools in Slough and Bracknell Forest taking part in the multi-agency event focussing on community safety and citizenship issues.

Also flying the Maidenhead Royal Borough flag at the event will be the council’s road safety team who will run sessions focussing on the importance of wearing seatbelts and cycle helmets as well as other road safety issues, and the community safety partnership (including the community wardens, the drug and alcohol action team and the anti-social behaviour team) who will address the problems of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour.

Organised by the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, the interactive event is also supported by Thames Valley Police, the British Red Cross, the ambulance service, Network Rail and Consumer Direct, who will all run morning and afternoon sessions aimed at making children aware of personal safety and encouraging them to become responsible citizens, featuring topics including:

· fire safety and the importance of fitting and maintaining smoke alarms
· the dangers of playing near water and dealing with accidents in water
· first aid
· railway safety
· stranger danger.

Royal Borough schools taking part in the event are:

Monday May 21
(morning)
Cookham Rise Primary (32 pupils)
St Luke’s Primary (33)
Holy Trinity, Cookham (27)
(afternoon)
Oldfield Primary (31)
St Mary’s Primary (44)
Bisham Primary (16)

Tuesday May 22
(morning)
Waltham St Lawrence primary )17)
Wessex primary (56)
(afternoon)
White Waltham primary (29)
Wraysbury primary (34)
St Francis Primary (35)
Wednesday May 23
(morning)
Holyport primary (46)
Larchfield primary (28)
Lowbrook primary (28)
Thursday May 24
(morning)
St Edmund Campion primary (91)
Friday May 25
Holy Trinity primary, Sunningdale (30)
St Michael’s primary (31)
Thursday June 7
(morning)
Woodlands Park primary (30)

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

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Maidenhead Royal Borough libraries are on the lookout for book-loving teenagers to be lead characters in a fun-packed summer tale.

Young people between the ages of 14 and 17 years are invited to volunteer as Maidenhead summer helpers, encouraging and motivating younger readers at libraries throughout the borough.

The Maidenhead teenage summer helper programme runs from June to September and is a great opportunity for teenagers looking for:

· Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award community service opportunities
· Millennium Volunteers community service opportunities
· something fun and rewarding to do over the summer.

As well as chatting to children about books they have read, teenage helpers encourage children to take part in and complete the children’s summer reading challenge, and hand out motivational gifts plus a certificate and medal to those who complete the challenge of reading at least six books during the summer holidays. The helpers may also get involved with children's summer activities.

Full training is provided and participants will receive a certificate on completion of their service.

Potential volunteers are invited to attend either of two sign-up sessions during half-term:

· Windsor Library: Wednesday May 30 from 4 – 5pm
· Maidenhead Library: Thursday May 31 from 2 – 3pm

Alternatively they can contact the young people’s team on 01628 796969 or at maidenhead.library@rbwm.gov.uk

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Children and young people in the Maidenhead Royal Borough can weave a magic world of reading, writing, drawing and discovery thanks to a fun and creative initiative being launched towards the end of the month through the borough’s libraries.

Stories from the Web is a free website aimed at Maidenhead readers from pre-school to 14 years and is designed to develop reading skills through online activities. Not only are children able to read and listen to stories but they are encouraged to join in by adding their own stories and drawings to an online gallery.

When they access the website, Maidenhead youngsters can choose to ‘visit’ one of three planets, leading to activity areas designed for ages 0-7, 7-11 and 11-14, where they can take part in activities including:

· find books on the virtual bookshelf by author, title or genre
· read and review stories, books and poems – the youngest group can even listen to stories online
· write a story, poem, song, rap or playscript, complete a story started by another child and left on a cliffhanger or be inspired by a kickstart theme
· read and comment on other youngsters’ contributions
· play games and enter competitions
· pick up writing, illustration and poetry tips from top authors, illustrators and poets
· draw online pictures for display in the gallery where other children’s work can be viewed
· view interviews with top authors, illustrators and poets
· find links to author, publisher, and other book-related websites
· take part in discussions, online votes and the writers forum
· see the latest book-related news
· print off dot-to-dots, colouring pictures and puppets
· rate events at the borough’s libraries
· find details of libraries and the approximately 50 local authorities from around the country involved with Stories from the Web.

In addition there are adult areas where parents and Maidenhead library staff can receive guidance on making the best use of the site.

Youngsters will be able to access the site, www.storiesfromtheweb.org, on PCs in the borough’s libraries and at home, from Saturday May 26. Login details will be available from any of the libraries from that day or from www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/youngpeoples_library.htm

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 27 May - 2 June 2007
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

27th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Shazia Mirza – Fun!
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Daniel Iles: Dark Light

28th May at Maidenhead

No events planned

29th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Becoming Jane (PG)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Daniel Iles: Dark Light

30th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 10:30 am
Becoming Jane (PG)
* 2:30 pm
Becoming Jane (PG)
* 7:30 pm
Becoming Jane (PG)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Daniel Iles: Dark Light

31st May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Becoming Jane (PG)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Daniel Iles: Dark Light

1st June at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:45 pm
Beethoven and Ravel Piano Trios
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Daniel Iles: Dark Light

2nd June at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
The Illusionist (PG)
* 7:30 pm
The Illusionist (PG)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Daniel Iles: Dark Light

The Maidenhead Royal Borough streetcare and highways officers acted swiftly to make safe an area at the top of Maidenhead High Street this morning (Thursday May 17) after a 26ft deep hole appeared near the Boy and the Boat statue.

The 3ft x 3ft hole was discovered by staff from borough waste contractors Veolia who alerted the council’s emergency out-of-hours service just after 7am.

A Maidenhead streetcare officer sped to the scene to assess the damage and the area around the hole was barriered off and covered over. The council’s building control service was called in to inspect the extent of the problem to ensure nearby premises were not affected, and police and gas company officials also attended.

Stephen Brown, head of Maidenhead highways and engineering, said: “We are not yet sure what caused the collapse but we think it may have been the site of an old well. We need to access the situation carefully before making any decision about a permanent solution.”

The incident has not disrupted pedestrian access to the town centre from the King Street direction and the Italian market, due in the town centre on Friday and Saturday, will go ahead as planned.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Nearly £460,000 of fraudulent benefit payments have been discovered over the past year thanks to the Maidenhead Royal Borough’s benefit fraud team and residents who helped stop the fraudsters from ‘cheating council taxpayers’ by providing helpful information.

A total of 304 investigations into alleged housing and Maidenhead council tax benefit frauds were completed during the year, resulting in seven prosecutions, seven cautions and 23 fines. In addition, the team stopped a number of fraudulent claims before they were actually paid.

Measures have already been put in place to recover overpayments.

Almost 25% of the Maidenhead cases investigated by the team came from referrals from the public, and the remainder from the matching of computerised information with other government agencies such as HM Revenue and Customs, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Pensions Service, as well as those referred to the team by the council’s own benefit staff who process the benefit claims.

Examples of the prosecutions include:

· One person received maintenance payments which they did not declare. Following an anonymous phone call, investigations showed they had received a total of £7,000 in overpayments. The person pleaded guilty in court, received a 12-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £100 costs plus the overpayment.

· A data-matching exercise suggested one person’s circumstances may have changed. An investigation showed they had previously married and failed to declare it to the borough. The person pleaded guilty, received a 12-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £100 costs plus the £7,100 overpayment.

· Anonymous information from the public suggested one person’s partner had moved into the household shortly after the birth of their child and this was confirmed following enquiries. The householder pleaded guilty to failing to disclose the change in circumstances, received a two-year conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £100 costs plus the £4,100 overpayment.

Catherine Hickman, Maidenhead Royal Borough head of audit and review, said: “This has been a particularly successful year for our team and the benefit team. I would like to congratulate them on their excellent performance, and to thank those members of the public who have assisted in uncovering fraud.

“As it is in effect each and every council taxpayer who is being cheated, I would appeal to any resident who is aware of benefit fraud to inform us. Together we can fight fraud.”

Tricia Jones, Maidenhead housing benefit manager, said: “We have started the recovery of these debts and will ensure a firm line is taken in recovering fraudulently overpaid benefit.”

The benefit fraud team has also introduced new practices, procedures and policies to ensure continued best practice. Plans are in place to enable them to continue building on this level of performance, giving best value to the Maidenhead authority and its residents.

Anyone who has information on suspected benefit fraud, such as benefit recipients failing to tell the council about a partner living with them, employment, additional pensions or benefits, money in the bank or property ownership, is asked to contact the Royal Borough’s Beat the Cheat hotline on 0500 353300.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Education is for everyone. That’s the message from the Maidenhead Royal Borough in the run up to Adult Learners’ Week 2007, which aims to highlight the numerous learning and educational opportunities available in the local area.

Running from May 19 to 25, this special Maidenhead week is supported by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education for England & Wales (NIACE) and it highlights that learning doesn’t need to end when people leave school – with full and part-time courses on offer for subjects as wide ranging as first aid for dog owners, ornamental pond design, IT skills and keep fit.

From Monday May 21 the council’s lifelong learning team will be focusing on adult learning opportunities with a special display in the reception area of the Town Hall, Maidenhead. There will be examples of how local people have benefited from embracing new learning opportunities and leaflets about the courses and learning centres available in the Maidenhead Royal Borough. The council will also be staging a competition for its employees, offering a 10-minute holistic shoulder massage for just £1 to lucky winners to raise awareness about the importance of work-life balance.

Watch out for national Learning at Work Day on Thursday May 24, when employers across the country will be staging fun and business-related learning activities to help their staff learn new skills they can subsequently put into action at work.

Prospectuses for local Maidenhead colleges will soon be available for enrolments in September 2007 but in the meantime there are summer courses on offer at Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA), Burchetts Green, with places still available for Floristry, Summer Flowers, Plant Identification, Wildflower Identification, First Aid for Dog Owners, Ornamental Pond Design, Brickwork for Beginners, Practical Paving Skills, ‘Making Good’ Techniques Around the Home and Dressage. For further information call freephone 0800 071 1666.

Summer courses are also available at East Berkshire College, Windsor. Call 0845 373 2500 for further information.

Courses in Improvers’ Microsoft Word and Excel as well as Keep Fit are available in the daytime at Windsor’s Broom Farm Community Learning Centre. For further information and for general information on lifelong learning opportunities for adults in the borough, contact Parwati Mistry in the council’s lifelong learning team on 01628 796584 or visit the Royal Borough’s website at www.rbwm.gov.uk

Information and advice on careers and training are available at the Centre for Developing Connections in Maidenhead Library. Call 01628 796621 to arrange a confidential appointment.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

People working in Maidenhead builders’ merchants will be the focus of a new health and safety initiative launched by environmental health officers in the Maidenhead Royal Borough, together with colleagues from the five other Berkshire local authorities and the Health and Safety Executive.

Part of the Health and Safety Commission’s Fit3 programme (Fit for Work, Fit for Life and Fit for Tomorrow), the aim is to target the top four causes of accidents and injuries resulting in more than three days off work:

* slips trips and falls
* workplace transport
* falls from heights and
* manual handling.

Over the next few weeks environmental health officers across Berkshire will visit around 40 builders’ merchants, looking out for hazards relating in these four main accident areas:

* Slips, trips and falls: poor/damaged shop floor and yard surfaces, trailing cables, items of stock left on stairs and in aisles on shop floors, in warehouses and outside adjacent to stacks of bricks, blocks and timber etc
* Workplace transport: forklift trucks driven recklessly or overturning, employees or loads falling from vehicles, employees or customers struck by vehicles, unsatisfactory traffic routes
* Falls from heights: access to racking, mezzanine levels, high level maintenance tasks, use of ladders and access cages on fork lift trucks
* Manual handling: stock stored in inappropriate places, awkward loads, stock which is too heavy for employees to lift alone, lack of provision or use of manual handling aids (trolleys etc).

Tabitha Hosey, Maidenhead environmental health team leader commercial services, explained: “This is a good opportunity for the Health and Safety Executive and councils to work in partnership to carry out dual inspections. While we in local authorities are responsible for enforcement on the premises, most off-site deliveries come under the remit of the Health and Safety Executive.

“We will be contacting builders’ merchants ahead of our visits and our findings will be set out in a written report which will be left with the manager. Where appropriate, employers will also be advised of any improvements that need to be made.”

The other local authorities involved are West Berkshire, Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell Forest and Slough.

For more information about the national FIT3 programme visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/plans/hscplans/0506/fitfor.htm

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 20 May - 26 May 2007
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

20th May at Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Daniel Iles: Dark Light

21st May at Maidenhead

No events planned

22nd May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
Tea Dance
* 7:30 pm
The Sorcerer
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Daniel Iles: Dark Light

23rd May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
The Sorcerer
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Daniel Iles: Dark Light
* 7:00 pm
Reading Group

24th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
The Sorcerer
* 7:45 pm
Generation Txt
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Daniel Iles: Dark Light

25th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
The Sorcerer
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Daniel Iles: Dark Light

26th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
The Sorcerer
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Daniel Iles: Dark Light

Pioneering staff and pupils at one Maidenhead Royal Borough primary school will literally have “the whole world in their hands” next week when they enjoy a very special extra-curricular sustainability lesson.

Pupils at St Edmund Campion Catholic primary school in Altwood Road, Maidenhead, will be proving they are top of the sustainability class when they are presented with an innovative one-metre Earth Ball in recognition of their leading-edge work on sustainability.

The Maidenhead school is the first in the borough to write its own draft Learning for Sustainability framework, an ‘action learning’ tool designed to enable all school activity to be directed with sustainability as the over-arching goal.

The school will be the “keeper” of the innovative Earth Ball – a lightweight globe featuring satellite images to depict the earth as viewed from outer space – which will be available for use by all other Royal Borough schools.

Pupils will receive the Earth Ball from Karen Barker, Corporate Affairs, Masterfoods (sponsors of Learning for Sustainability) during a schools’ conference to be held at the school in Altwood Road, Maidenhead on Tuesday May 15 at 4pm to discuss the progress being made in promoting learning for sustainability in schools and their wider communities.

Representatives of 26 borough schools will discuss the local and national initiatives and activities supporting Learning for Sustainability – and hear from Leszek Iwaskow, Ofsted inspector for geography and education for sustainable development, on the opportunities that exist for improving standards and ensuring that the future of every child matters.

On hand will be members of the council’s LfS Action Group offering advice on areas such as energy, water, transport, waste and biodiversity, as well as Eco-schools, an awards programme already adopted by more than one-third of local schools.

Tim Morton, Learning for Sustainability co-ordinator, said: “This is the first opportunity we have had in the borough since November 2005 to update schools on developments. They have a major role to play in developing a culture that equips young people to positively shape the world of the future.

“The Earth Ball, which will ‘live’ at St Edmund Campion school, is a fun, inspirational tool which can be used to help children better understand the fundamental ‘bottom line’ of all human activity, our dependence on planet earth.

“Learning for Sustainability is all about developing the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes we need to understand and respond appropriately to the complex home we inhabit. It is encouraging to see our schools responding so positively.”

Karen Barker, corporate affairs, Masterfoods, sponsors of Learning for Sustainability, said: “In 2005 we supported a major conference to launch Learning for Sustainability in schools.

“I am thrilled that, 18 months on, there are five schools actively engaged in the LfS process and that around one-third of schools are now registered as Eco-Schools. It is exciting to see how the rate of involvement is speeding up.”

For further information about Learning for Sustainability contact Tim Morton, Learning for Sustainability Co-ordinator, on 01628 796426.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Maidenhead Cllr Leo Walters, the Royal Borough’s longest-serving member, looks set to be the borough’s new Mayor. This will be his second term as Mayor, having previously served as first citizen in 2002/03.

Cllr Walters, who represents Bray ward, Maidenhead has been nominated as Mayor-elect for 2007/2008, with Oldfield (Maidenhead) councillor Cllr Dorothy Kemp as Deputy Mayor. The election ceremony will take place at the council’s annual meeting in the Town Hall on Tuesday May 22.

Cllr Walters’ long association with the Maidenhead Royal Borough goes back to the days of local government re-organisation in 1974, though he had previously served for seven years on Cookham Rural District Council. He has also been a member of Bray Parish Council for the last 40 years.

Born in London in 1933, Cllr Walters studied estate management and is qualified as both a chartered surveyor and a barrister. He was chief estates surveyor for the former British Overseas Airways Corporation and then British Airways, and now works in London as a property consultant. He is a member of a city livery company and a former honorary treasurer of the International Real Estate Federation.

During his three years in the Army, Cllr Walters was commissioned in the Queen’s Royal Regiment and serving in the Royal West African Frontier Force in Nigeria. He was also a member of the Territorial Army for ten years. He and his wife Margaret have one daughter, and have lived in Holyport since 1965.

Throughout his long and busy career in local government, Cllr Walters has served on many committees and sub-committees and he has maintained a passionate interest in planning.

Cllr Kemp has been an Oldfield ward representative since May 1998 and over the past nine years has served on a large number of council committees, boards and panels. She has a particular interest in issues affecting children and young people and has represented the council on a range of outside bodies and organisations looking after the interests of youth in the community. These include membership of Castle Hill Youth and Community Centre management committee and the borough’s Early Years Partnership. She is also a school governor at both Cox Green Maidenhead Comprehensive and Woodlands Park Primary Schools.

Cllr Kemp is widowed and has three grown up children.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Maidenhead shoppers will be saying ‘benvenuto’ to the tantalising tastes and smells of Italian food and produce when the colourful and mouth-watering Italian market comes to the town centre.

On Friday and Saturday (May 18 and 19) the pedestrianised area of MaidenheadHigh Street will be transformed by 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, ice cream and hot chocolate. Also on sale will be non-food products, such as ceramics.

Steph James, Maidenheadtown manager; said the return of Italian market would add colour and an end-of-week buzz to the town centre. She added: “Last year’s market was a great success and we are expecting lots of people will be attracted again by the prospect of a taste of Italy right in their own town centre.”

Steph’s message to everyone is: “Don’t just read about Italian regional produce in the cook books or watch TV chefs. Come and see, taste and smell this little bit of Italy for yourself!”

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 13 May - 19 May 2007
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

13th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
Miss Potter (PG)
* 7:30 pm
Miss Potter (PG)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Daniel Iles: Dark Light

14th May at Maidenhead

No events planned

15th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Climates (Iklimler) (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Daniel Iles: Dark Light

16th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Spiers and Boden – Spring into May
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Daniel Iles: Dark Light

17th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Anna Grevelius, James Harrison and Jonathan Beatty
* 7:45 pm
Earfull
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Daniel Iles: Dark Light

18th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:45 pm
Celebrity Piano Recital: Nikolai Demidenko
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Daniel Iles: Dark Light

19th May at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Geoff Muldaur
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Daniel Iles: Dark Light

Maidenhead Green-fingered gardeners who are keen on composting and gardening greenies who would like to learn more have the perfect opportunity to reap the experts’ knowledge at a special event at Braywick Nature Centre this month.

Royal Borough countryside rangers and waste awareness officer Ankit Rao are holding a ‘Compost Corner’ at the Hibbert Road, Maidenhead centre from 1 – 4pm on Saturday May 12 as part of Compost Awareness Week.

They will reveal the secrets and benefits of successful composting at home – composting is a great way of using kitchen and garden waste to improve the quality of the soil and it reduces the amount of waste going to landfill.

There will be fun hands-on activities for children and the rangers will hand out vouchers to be redeemed at Braywick Heath Nursery for a FREE bag of compost made from Royal Borough green waste.

Visitors are invited to go along any time between 1 – 4pm. All children must be accompanied by an adult – and should bring a small flowerpot for growing their own ‘magic’ beanstalk.

There is no entrance fee but donations are welcome.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Maidenhead Royal Borough’s fostering team has begun a new chapter in its quest to help foster children and their families – and would like local residents to add a few words.

The aim is to get youngsters of all ages reading more, in a literacy initiative organised by the fostering team in partnership with foster carers, Maidenhead Library and Mill House Family Centre in Maidenhead, which provides assessments of children and their families for social work teams.

Events lined up for May include a book day on Tuesday May 15, a colouring competition and a Harry Potter-themed treasure hunt. The team is appealing to the public to donate good quality second-hand books to help make the book day a success; all kinds of fiction and non-fiction books, for various ages and abilities, will be welcomed.

Donations can be made via Jenny Dean, in the Maidenhead fostering and adoption team, who can be contacted on 01628 683207.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead