Maidenhead & Windsor

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 7 June - 13 June 2009
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

7th June in Maidenhead

* Film
* 3:00 pm
Wendy and Lucy (15)
* 7:30 pm
Wendy and Lucy (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Ben Mecklenburgh
* 1:30 pm
Norden Lights (Group D)
* 4:00 pm
Norden Lights (Group H)
* 4:00 pm
Norden Lights (Group E)

8th June in Maidenhead

No events planned

9th June in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Mark Watson
* Workshops and other events
* 4:30 pm
Bollywood Dance
* 5:45 pm
Norden Exposure Youth Dance 9 - 14
* 7:00 pm
Norden Exposure Youth Dance 15+

10th June in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Bubbles
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Inkle Braid Weaving Workshop
* 1:00 pm
Lunchtime Yoga
* 2:00 pm
Expressions
* 4:15 pm
Norden Lights (Group A)
* 5:30 pm
Norden Lights (Group B)
* 6:45 pm
Norden Lights Academy
* 7:00 pm
Book Club

11th June in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Fuzzy LOGIC and guests
* 8:00 pm
Medea
* Workshops and other events
* 9:15 am
Make Silver Jewellery - Experienced 2
* 11:30 am
Make Silver Jewellery - Beginners 2
* 2:00 pm
Expressions
* 5:00 pm
Norden Lights (Group C)
* 6:15 pm
Norden Lights (Group F)
* 6:15 pm
Tabla (Beginners)
* 6:45 pm
Tabla (Experienced)

12th June in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:45 pm
Five Star Swing
* 8:00 pm
Medea
* Workshops and other events
* 11:00 am
Messy Monkeys
* 2:00 pm
Expressions
* 4:30 pm
Norden Lights (Group G)
* 7:00 pm
Life Drawing Course

13th June in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Andrew Clover: Dad Rules
* 8:00 pm
Medea
* Workshops and other events
* 9:30 am
Kathak Dance (Advanced)
* 10:00 am
Expressions
* 10:30 am
Kathak Dance (Intermediate)
* 11:30 am
Kathak Dance (Beginners)

The magnificent Holm Oak tree that has been a longstanding landmark at Boulters Lock, Maidenhead, is now suffering from considerable decay and needs to be removed.

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough, which owns the land leased by Boulters Restaurant and Bar, has reluctantly agreed that the tree has now reached the end of its life and, in the interests of public safely, must come down.

Cllr Simon Dudley, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead adult and community services, said it was with great regret that the council had agreed the tree should go.

He said: “The oak is a much-loved local landmark on the river, enjoyed by generations of Maidenhead residents and visitors. However, the borough’s tree officer agrees with the experts employed by the restaurant owners that the tree is well beyond saving. If left alone it would continue to deteriorate and could be blown down by a strong wind, posing a risk to the public.

“It is always a matter of the greatest regret when a beautiful tree reaches the end of its days and the council is asking the lessees for a semi-mature tree to be planted at the earliest opportunity so that it will grow over the coming years to be a fitting replacement for the much-admired oak.”

The tree is scheduled to come down on Monday 8 June and the contractors will be working to minimise inconvenience to local residents, restaurant users and drivers on Ray Mead Road. Access for residents and Boulters Lock users will be maintained at all times.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

More than 2,800 residents in the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough are set to reap rewards for their recycling, thanks to a pioneering pilot that is a UK first starting on Monday 1 June.

The Windsor and Maidenhead council believes in rewarding people for their recycling, not imposing penalties. That’s why it is working with waste contractor Veolia Environmental Services and award-winning RecycleBank to bring in the groundbreaking rewards scheme.

Based on the concept of ‘the more you recycle, the more you earn’, the scheme gives residents the opportunity to sign up for RecycleBank reward Points based on the amount they recycle and divert from landfill. The Points can then be used to buy goods and services from a wide range of local and national shops and businesses or they can be donated to charity.

The Windsor and Maidenhead scheme – based on the successful rewards programme run by RecycleBank in the USA where it serves one million residents – will be piloted initially for three months with the council’s popular green waste collection before being expanded to mixed recycling.

Cllr Liam Maxwell, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead sustainability, said: “I am delighted the Royal Borough is leading the way in recycling policy. The pilot gives us an excellent opportunity to test a system that rewards residents and reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill. It also supports our local economy by promoting borough shops and businesses alongside big international names like M&S and Legoland.”

Over the past few weeks tags in the wheelie bins used in the popular green waste scheme have been scanned by equipment in the collection vehicle. No personal identification is held – the scanner identifies the address, allocates a unique user number to the household and this is then used by residents to access, monitor and claim their reward Points.

Some 55 national and local shops and businesses have signed up to be reward partners, including the Magnet and Windsor Leisure Centres, Subway, Pizza Hut, The Tree Council’s Tree Warden Scheme, Strok’s restaurant and Bar and Wren’s Club.

Paul Levett, deputy chief executive of Veolia Environmental Services, said they were proud to drive forward the first recycle-reward scheme in the UK: “We are confident it will help increase recycling rates and encourage other local authorities to follow suit.

“As the leading waste management company in the UK, we utilise the most progressive technologies and practices available. We are very pleased to bring RecycleBank to our local authority partners to modernise the UK’s environmental practices and turn waste into a resource.”

Matt Tucker, president of RecycleBank and one of the world’s most eminent environmentalists, said they were excited to bring the valuable rewards scheme to the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough to increase recycling.

He said: “RecycleBank is an innovative, socially responsible company, leading the charge towards environmental change on a daily basis, while offering opportunities for residents, businesses and local authorities – big and small – to take on environmental leadership and help create significant change. We are thrilled to work with such a forward-thinking council as the Royal Borough and an innovative partner like Veolia Environmental Services.”

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

A comprehensive series of surveys has been commissioned to help the Windsor and Maidenhead council and its partners better understand how traffic moves in and around the Royal Borough.

Information from the Windsor and Maidenhead surveys will be used to develop a traffic model – a computer simulation of the local road network. This will be instrumental in the development of a number of important initiatives such as the Local Development Framework, the Local Transport Plan and the scheme for the regeneration of Maidenhead, as well as assessing the traffic impact of future planning applications.

The surveys will involve both traffic counts and roadside interviews and should be completed by the middle of June. The roadside interviews will be carried out at a small number of designated sites.

On average one in Windsor and Maidenhead ten drivers will be interviewed and asked a few brief questions including the origin, destination and purpose of their journey. Each interview should take less than a minute and delays will be kept to an absolute minimum. The police will monitor any potential build-up of traffic and discontinue the interviews if necessary until the situation eases.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead highways, said: “This is an extremely important project. It will help us to form an accurate picture of local travel patterns – information that we can use to assess the impacts of new developments and test ideas for new transport schemes.

“Roadside interviews will be carried out at designated sites, from 7am to 7pm on one day at each site. Residents and motorists will appreciate that we cannot divulge the exact locations as this could lead to motorists changing their usual travel behaviour to avoid any delays – which of course would skew the collected information.”

He added: “We ask motorists to be patient if they are involved in these interviews – and bear in mind that they will potentially be affected only on one day, and hopefully with only very minor delays. Thankfully we do not have to do this type of survey very often – the next time will not be for several years.

“We would like to thank drivers in advance for their help. It is only by talking to the people who use these routes that we can get the information necessary to really plan for the future to help keep the borough moving and both motorists and pedestrians safe.”

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Celebrating the achievements of the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough’s ‘secret service’ – that’s the aim of Carers Week to be held from Monday 8 to Sunday 14 June.

A variety of events and exhibits organised by the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough and its partners, NHS Berkshire East and The Princess Royal Trust Carers Service, will be held throughout the week to highlight the positive experiences of carers as well as their challenges.

Cllr Simon Dudley, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead adult and community services, is encouraging carers and anyone involved or interested in the caring programme to come along.

He said: “Carers are an indispensable ‘secret service’, providing unpaid care for someone they know who is ill, frail, disabled or affected by mental health or substance abuse issues. The carers themselves can suffer more than they need to, especially with finances, job, social life and general wellbeing.

'We would like to invite everyone in the local community to the events – especially if they have caring responsibilities themselves.'

Six million people of all ages countrywide provide unpaid care to someone they know, saving the economy an incredible £87bn a year, the same as the cost of running the NHS.

John Shaw, chief executive of The Princess Royal Trust Carers Service in Berkshire, said: “Unpaid carers play a vital role in our local community and deserve everyone's support. These events are a great opportunity for carers from across the Royal Borough to access information, get that vital support and meet together.”

Supporting the week are the local Carers Partnership Board working together with carers, and the Carers Week Steering Group, made up of representatives from the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough, Berkshire East NHS, Maidenhead MENCAP, Maidenhead, Slough and District Multiple Sclerosis Society, Age Concern Windsor, Thames Hospicecare, Maidenhead, Slough and District Alzheimer’s Society, Community Mental Health Team, Milaap Asian Women’s Group and others.

Planned events are:
· Wednesday 10 June, 10.30am to 3.30pm – Carers celebration day, St Joseph’s Parish Centre, 36 Cookham Road, Maidenhead. Therapies, facials, blood pressure and blood glucose checks, items for sale, information and advice. Buffet lunch and refreshments.
· Friday 12 June, 9am to 6pm – Carers stall, Nicholson’s Shopping Centre, Maidenhead. Someone to talk to, carers booklets, carers emergency cards.

In addition, information will be on display all week at:
· St Marks Hospital, Maidenhead
· King Edward VII Hospital, Windsor
· Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot
· Upton Hospital, Albert Road, Slough
· Town Hall, Maidenhead
· York House, Windsor
· Ascot Durning Library, Ascot
· Community mental health team offices, Reform Road, Maidenhead.

For further information call The Princess Royal Trust Carers Service on 01628 777217.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

It’s been a bit of a slow start to John Levitt’s campaign to be named Council Worker of the Year – and the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is calling on every resident to help boost his chances of winning.

John, a task force operative in the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough’s streetcare and operations department, is well known throughout the borough for his dedication to cleaning up graffiti, even out of hours.

The popular Pinkneys Green resident is one of four finalists in the Council Worker of the Year Award’s transformation category which recognises ‘a council worker whose work has transformed a project team, department or scheme to benefit the community or council itself’.

John has a real challenge on his hands, with his fellow contenders coming from councils between two and five times the size of the Royal Borough – and a recent tally showed that John is in the lower half of votes so far.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead highways and streetcare, said: “John may be at a disadvantage in terms of borough size but what the Royal Borough lacks in numbers it makes up for in community spirit.

“Let’s all pull together to vote for John and show how much we appreciate his hard work and dedication to improving the quality of borough streets. It takes only take few residents forgetting to vote or post that could make all the difference.”

John added: “Thanks to everyone who has voted for me so far.”

Polling continues until Thursday 18 June with the category finalist receiving the most votes being announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday 2 July.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 31 May - 6 June 2009
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

31st May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 11:45 am
Sunday Concert: Galini Trio
* Film
* 7:30 pm
The Good The Bad The Weird (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Ben Mecklenburgh
* 1:30 pm
Norden Lights (Group D)
* 4:00 pm
Norden Lights (Group H)
* 4:00 pm
Norden Lights (Group E)

1st June in Maidenhead

No events planned

2nd June in Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Ben Mecklenburgh
* 4:30 pm
Bollywood Dance
* 5:45 pm
Norden Exposure Youth Dance 9 - 14
* 7:00 pm
Norden Exposure Youth Dance 15+

3rd June in Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 1:00 pm
Lunchtime Yoga
* 2:00 pm
Ben Mecklenburgh
* 4:15 pm
Norden Lights (Group A)
* 5:30 pm
Norden Lights (Group B)
* 6:45 pm
Norden Lights Academy

4th June in Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 9:15 am
Make Silver Jewellery - Experienced 2
* 11:30 am
Make Silver Jewellery - Beginners 2
* 2:00 pm
Ben Mecklenburgh
* 5:00 pm
Norden Lights (Group C)
* 6:15 pm
Norden Lights (Group F)
* 6:15 pm
Tabla (Beginners)
* 6:45 pm
Tabla (Experienced)

5th June in Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 11:00 am
Messy Monkeys
* 2:00 pm
Ben Mecklenburgh
* 4:30 pm
Norden Lights (Group G)
* 7:00 pm
Life Drawing Course

6th June in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
St Johns Chamber Orchestra Summer Concert
* Workshops and other events
* 9:30 am
Kathak Dance (Advanced)
* 10:00 am
Ben Mecklenburgh
* 10:30 am
Beadylicious Basics Workshop
* 10:30 am
Kathak Dance (Intermediate)
* 11:30 am
Kathak Dance (Beginners)
* 2:30 pm
Alexander Technique

Following two major events in Windsor last week the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is asking local people for their views about how traffic was managed to see if there are lessons to be learned for the future.

The organisers of Windsor Horse Show and the Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo worked with the council to prepare traffic management plans to minimise congestion and disruption in the town and surrounding roads.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead highways and streetcare, said: “We believe we have almost got it right – but we need local people and businesses to tell us if there are any improvements we can make for future special events.

“I believe the co-operation by the organisers of the horse show and tattoo resulted in a workable traffic plan that helped eased congestion and gave people plenty of warning about leaving extra time for their journeys. However, I’m sure the local knowledge of our residents and their personal experiences of driving in the area during these big events will give us valuable information that will enable us to plan even more effectively in the future.”

Cllr Rayner said that other event organisers should work with the Windsor and Maidenhead council to put sensible travel arrangements in place.

He said: “We need events like these coming into the Royal Borough to support our local economy but we must also make sure that residents can still get to work, schools, the shops and leisure activities.

“Last week demonstrated what can be achieved by proper advance planning. I’m sure residents will be able to feed back their own views but, overall, I think the travel plan worked well.”

Anyone who would like to provide their views about travel in Windsor last week during the horse show and tattoo should email customer.service@rbwm.gov.uk or call 01628 683868.

he Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 24 May - 30 May 2009
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

24th May in Maidenhead

* Film
* 3:00 pm
The Young Victoria (PG)
* 7:30 pm
The Young Victoria (PG)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Ben Mecklenburgh

25th May in Maidenhead

No events planned

26th May in Maidenhead

* Film
* 2:30 pm
Hotel for Dogs (U)
* 8:00 pm
Hotel for Dogs (U)
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Ben Mecklenburgh

27th May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 2:30 pm
Potted Pirates
* 7:00 pm
Potted Pirates
* Workshops and other events
* 1:00 pm
Lunchtime Yoga
* 2:00 pm
Ben Mecklenburgh

28th May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Ha Ha Hamlet!
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Ben Mecklenburgh

29th May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Fruteland Jackson
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Ben Mecklenburgh

30th May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Say Hi to the Rivers and Mountains
* 7:45 pm
Daniel Cainer - Jewish Chronicles
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Ben Mecklenburgh

Walking to school is an excellent time for Windsor and Maidenhead children, parents and carers to enjoy quality time together away from the stresses of traffic jams and blaring radios – that’s the message to pupils and parents in the run-up to Walk to School Week (Monday 18 to Friday 22 May).

This year’s theme is Walk ’n’ Talk and pupils in participating Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough schools have already received diaries to record their conversations as they walk to school. Pupils are also encouraged to talk about different things each day, with suggested topics including the environment, what they have seen on their journey to school, and learning a new word each day to use in their conversations.

This year, along with the social, health, environmental and financial benefits, walking to school could result in a visit from a specialist theatre company, courtesy of the Royal Borough, as a prize to schools that come up with the most innovative ideas for encouraging walking during the special week.

The added incentive to ditch the car will hopefully result in an increase in the 34% of pupils in the Royal Borough who usually walk to school – compared to more than 40% who travel by car. During last year’s Walk to School Week the best schools encouraged more than 90% of pupils and parents to leave the car at home and travel to school on foot.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead transport, said: “Royal Borough schools are doing an excellent job of encouraging children to walk to school, despite the comparatively high car usage in our area, and Walk to School Week gives a great focus to the message.

“We are asking motorists to please drive carefully at all times and especially during school term time. We will be asking the police to carry out extra traffic monitoring outside and near schools. We will also ask parents who have to drive their children to school to park away from the school in a safe place and walk the last few hundred yards as this will help stop traffic congestion outside schools.”

The 34 Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough schools signed up for Walk to School Week will, as in previous years, also take the opportunity to launch initiatives such as:

· Walk Once a Week (WOW), where pupils are encouraged to make the effort to walk to school on a set day each week
· Walking buses, in which groups of children are escorted to and from school along agreed routes, picking up and dropping off at 'walking bus stops' along the way
· Park and Stride schemes, where parents park at agreed sites a short distance from the school and make the remainder of their journey on foot
· School Travel Reward Scheme (STaRS), which rewards pupils who regularly walk to school with fun and healthy activities at local sports clubs and leisure centres.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough has successfully carried out a benefit fraud prosecution involving overpayments of more than £15,000.

At Maidenhead Magistrates Court on Friday 17 April, Danielle Macinski, 27, of Evenlode, Maidenhead, pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to notify a change in circumstances. At Slough Magistrates Court on Friday 8 May she received a £2,500 fine, was ordered to pay costs of £280 and compensation of £15,250.10 within eight weeks.

Between 11 August 2007 and 8 September 2008 Ms Macinski received housing benefit overpayments of £5,118.60, Windsor and Maidenhead council tax benefit overpayments of £768.25 and income support overpayments of £9,363.25.

The case arose as a result of an anonymous tip-off that Ms Macinski had a partner in full-time work living with her while she continued to claim benefits as a lone parent.

All three offences are contrary to Section 111a of the Social Security Administration Act 1992.

Cllr David Hilton, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead finance, said: “The Royal Borough has been successful in bringing about a number of prosecutions and this conviction makes the message clear that we will continue to take firm action against anyone who tries to cheat the benefit system.

“I would strongly advise anyone who has received overpayments to contact us as soon as possible so that the issue can be resolved.”

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The owner of a Windsor adult education college has been given a 40-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, as well as community work plus prosecution and compensation costs, for making false statements about the courses offered.

Paul Lowe of Osborne Road, Windsor, owner of Windsor Schools in Osborne Road, was sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Friday 8 May for 15 offences under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 and Fraud Act 2006 to which he had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing in August 2008.

The school’s general manager, Ashley Arnold of Clarence Road, Windsor, was sentenced for five offences under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 following guilty pleas at a hearing in March.

All the offences relate to making false claims about a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) teacher training qualification. The men claimed their college was validated by Trinity College London, a recognised and respected provider of TEFL qualifications.

As well as the suspended 40-week custodial sentence, Mr Lowe was ordered to undertake 200 hours of community work, pay £450 compensation to a customer left out of pocket, and £3,000 prosecution costs. Mr Arnold was sentence to 250 hours’ community work, £450 compensation to the customer and £2,000 prosecution costs.

The court heard how students signed up to courses after seeing glossy brochures and a slick website, meeting for pre-course interviews and sitting entrance exams, only to discover once they were on the course that it was a sham as official validation had already been taken away.

The prosecution was brought by the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough trading standards service following a lengthy and involved investigation into Windsor Schools’ trading practices, with a total of 17 statements being taken from students, former tutors and representatives of Trinity College London.

The students’ suspicions were first alerted when their tutors began raising concerns about the value of the qualifications, at which point they involved trading standards.

Trading standards began investigating in January 2007 after receiving the first of 16 complaints.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead public protection, said: “The Royal Borough does not take formal action like this lightly. However, where businesses fail to have regard for trading laws and deliberately or recklessly mislead the public we will have no hesitation in prosecuting them.

“This has been a long, complicated and thorough investigation and credit should go to the officers involved. I hope this will be a warning to other institutions offering qualifications, diplomas and degrees – they must not make claims about their businesses or the courses which are untrue or misleading.”

His Honour Judge Reddihough told the defendants: “Students put their trust in each of you. You both knew the Trinity accreditation was of importance to students. You took their money knowing the accreditation was not available to them. This was a breach of trust in respect of those various students. I hope you have both learnt your lesson not to do anything dishonest or stupid like this again.”

After the sentencing, Sarah Kemp, chief executive of Trinity College London, said: “We are delighted that the Royal Borough’s trading standards service has protected the reputation of legitimate colleges that work hard to uphold Trinity’s exacting standards by sending a clear message out to rogue providers that misusing our name will not be tolerated. This action will ensure that students can have confidence, when booking one of our validated courses, that it comes with the backing and integrity of our professional team of experts.”

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough has named the play areas set for a major revamp in the first phase of a £1.1m government-funded project.

The cash injection – provided by the Department for Children, Schools and Families’ Playbuilder programme – means 22 of the borough’s 60 well-equipped and maintained play areas will be further improved over the next two years.

Half the money will be spent on improving 11 sites in the first year:
· Clewer Memorial Recreation Grounds, Dedworth Road, Windsor
· Wolf Lane play area, Wolf Lane, Windsor
· Dedworth Manor open space and play area, Hanover Way, Windsor
· Sawyers Close play area, off Smith’s Lane, Windsor
· Greenfields at Braywick Park, Braywick Road, Maidenhead
· Ockwells Park, Ockwells Road, Cox Green, Maidenhead
· Grenfell Park, Grenfell Road, Maidenhead
· Kenneally Park, Broom Farm Estate, Windsor
· Guards Road play area, Broom Farm Estate, Windsor
· Choseley Road play area, Knowl Hill
· Blythewood amenity area, Blythewood Lane, Sunninghill, OR Cheapside Recreation Ground play area, Cheapside Road, Ascot (Sunninghill and Ascot Parish Council to decide).

Windsor and Maidenhead Residents are invited to have their say on what they would like to see at the seven play areas managed by the Royal Borough (the first seven areas mentioned above). The Kenneally Park and Guards Road consultation will be managed by the Ministry of Defence, Choseley Road by Hurley Parish Council and Blythewood or Cheapside by Sunninghill and Ascot Parish Council. The Royal Borough will work in partnership with these organisations to create the play areas.

A new Royal Borough Playbuilder webpage has been set up to allow residents to give their views online or they can attend one of two workshops on Saturday 30 May:
· Rehearsal Room, Windsor Leisure Centre, 10am to 12noon
· 4 Marlow Road Community Centre, Maidenhead, 2 to 4pm.

Cllr Simon Dudley, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead adult and community services, said: “The play area sites were selected based on factors such as the needs of the area, play equipment age and condition, safety and access and overall quality of the play areas.

“The council is committed to providing safe, attractive and exciting play areas for our children and young people. I would strongly encourage residents to take part in this consultation as their ideas will help the council develop the best designs for each of the sites.”

For more information visit www.rbwm.gov.uk and key in ‘playbuilder’, call 01628 796580 to request a questionnaire or email playbuilder@rbwm.gov.uk

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Two major events in Windsor next week will bring high levels of additional traffic into the town and the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is advising drivers to leave extra time for their journeys.

Windsor Horse Show runs from Wednesday 13 May to Sunday 17 May in Home Park and the usual high volumes of daytime traffic will continue into the evening with the second year of the highly successful Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo to be held from Wednesday to Saturday (13 – 16 May).

Heavy traffic is expected on all five main approach routes to Windsor from Ascot, Old Windsor, Datchet, Eton/Slough and from the west on the A308.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead highways and streetcare, said the council had worked closely with the events’ organisers to encourage them to help reduce traffic congestion by promoting the use of public transport.

“We welcome these internationally-recognised events to Windsor and appreciate the benefits to the town and its economy. However, we want to ensure that disruption for our local residents and businesses is kept to the absolute minimum – and that people travelling to Windsor are fully aware that thousands of others will be doing the same and to expect delays.”

There is expected to be major traffic congestion on the evenings of the tattoo and the Windsor and Maidenhead council’s advice to those not attending the event is to avoid Windsor and Datchet as a through route on these evenings.”

The council’s Home Park, Romney Lock and Kind Edward VII (Datchet Road) car parks will be closed to the public during the horse show and tattoo. All other council car parks will be open as usual.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 17 May - 23 May 2009
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

17th May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 11:00 am
Old Mother Hubbard
* 3:00 pm
Old Mother Hubbard
* 7:30 pm
Baharan Spring
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Ben Mecklenburgh
* 1:30 pm
Norden Lights (Group D)
* 4:00 pm
Norden Lights (Group E)
* 4:00 pm
Norden Lights (Group H)

18th May in Maidenhead

No events planned

19th May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
The Mozart Question
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Maduro Salsa
* 2:00 pm
Ben Mecklenburgh
* 4:30 pm
Bollywood Dance
* 5:45 pm
Norden Exposure Youth Dance 9 - 14
* 7:00 pm
Norden Exposure Youth Dance 15+

20th May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:45 pm
Luke Wright A Poet's Work is Never Done
* Film
* 2:30 pm
The Class (Entre les murs) (15)
* 8:00 pm
The Class (Entre les murs) (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 1:00 pm
Lunchtime Yoga
* 2:00 pm
Ben Mecklenburgh
* 4:15 pm
Norden Lights (Group A)
* 5:30 pm
Norden Lights (Group B)
* 6:45 pm
Norden Lights Academy

21st May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 11:30 am
Make Silver Jewellery - Beginners I
* 7:30 pm
The Heath Quartet
* Workshops and other events
* 9:15 am
Make Silver Jewellery - Experienced I
* 2:00 pm
Ben Mecklenburgh
* 5:00 pm
Norden Lights (Group C)
* 6:15 pm
Tabla (Beginners)
* 6:15 pm
Norden Lights (Group F)
* 6:45 pm
Tabla (Experienced)
* 7:30 pm
Indian Head Massage

22nd May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Dave Cliff (guitar) with the Pendulum Quartet
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Printing: Japanese Wood Block Technique
* 11:00 am
Messy Monkeys
* 2:00 pm
Ben Mecklenburgh
* 4:30 pm
Norden Lights (Group G)
* 7:00 pm
Life Drawing Course

23rd May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:45 pm
Cabaret Night with Rebecca Thornhill
* Film
* 3:00 pm
The Young Victoria (PG)
* 8:00 pm
The Young Victoria (PG)
* Workshops and other events
* 9:30 am
Kathak Dance (Advanced)
* 10:00 am
Ben Mecklenburgh
* 10:30 am
Kathak Dance (Intermediate)
* 11:30 am
Kathak Dance (Beginners)

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough’s drug and alcohol action team (DAAT) is hosting a workshop on Wednesday 13 May to highlight the need to report drug litter (known as paraphernalia) and drug-related activity.

The Windsor and Maidenhead event is for partners who have a presence in their local community, including housing association wardens, police community support officers, community wardens and fire service personnel. It aims to encourage greater reporting to the DAAT of needle finds and other drug paraphernalia and will include a police demonstration of the drug paraphernalia that has been seized as well as a drug identification talk.

Cllr Simon Dudley, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead adult and community services (which includes the DAAT), said: “Fortunately the Royal Borough does not have a major problem with needle and paraphernalia finds. For health and safety reasons it is important that any finds are removed swiftly and safely, ensuring a safe and pleasant environment in the borough. All information we receive is important and taken seriously.

“Reports of needle finds and other paraphernalia also provide essential information to direct police activity. This enables the police to concentrate their efforts on areas with repeated finds, particularly as they can often be close to the site where deals are made. This information can also be used to support other intelligence around drug dealers in the borough.”

Det Insp Kev Brown of Thames Valley Police, said: “Gathering information and intelligence from our partners in the community is paramount in protecting our neighbourhoods from the harm that drugs and crime can cause on a daily basis.

“Receiving fast-time information about where drug dealing or using appears to be happening, makes it easier for us and our partners to adopt a problem-solving and enforcement approach in tackling the issue more effectively and making each neighbourhood a cleaner and safer place to live.”

What to do if you find drug paraphernalia

To report discarded needles in the borough, please call 01753 796803 (9am – 4.30pm Monday to Friday) or 01753 853517 (4.30 – 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am – 8pm Saturday and Sunday).
Out of these hours phone the police on 0845 8 505 505. Call your landlord if paraphernalia is found in housing association property.
For help or advice about substance misuse, please call T2 Maidenhead on 01628 683260.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

John Levitt – a task force operative in the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough’s streetcare and operations department – is in the running for a Council Worker of the Year Award.

Better known around the Windsor and Maidenhead borough as Chemical John, he is one of four finalists selected by a Local Government Association panel in the awards’ transformation category which recognises ‘a council worker whose work has transformed a project team, department or scheme to benefit the community or council itself’.

From now until Thursday 18 June the public is invited to vote and the category finalist receiving the most votes will be announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday 2 July.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead highways and streetcare, said: “Chemical John is a local hero who is well known to go above and beyond the call of duty in the quest to rid the borough of graffiti. His dedication is such that he regularly cleans up graffiti when he is off duty. I first met him cleaning signs in Maidenhead high street at 6am one cold, dark Sunday morning.

“The council has a policy of zero tolerance on graffiti and littering and John’s sterling efforts contribute hugely to the streetcare team’s success in keeping the borough’s streets clean and attractive for visitors and residents alike.”

John added modestly: “It’s exciting to be a finalist in this competition – even if it does mean getting more publicity than I would normally like – but this is a team effort. We all do our bit to make the borough look good.”

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is now calling on all residents, workers and visitors to Vote for John. Only one vote per person is allowed.

Other ways of voting are by:
· SMS – text LGATV 2 JohnL to 80039. Regular network rates apply
· filling in a form – available at various sites throughout the borough including the Town Hall and York House reception.

Broadcaster Jeremy Vine, host of this year’s awards, said: "Council workers so often get blamed for everything, even the stuff that wasn't their fault. These awards are fantastic because they show the standards that are being set by people who really understand what public service is. It's not about politics, it's sheer hard work that will scoop these awards – on a good day a local council can connect with voters in a way that Westminster and Brussels really struggle to."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Service users and their carers are to be asked for their views about how the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough takes forward its strategy for dealing with dementia.

A Windsor and Maidenhead dementia strategy conference will be held on Thursday 14 May featuring a keynote speech from Neil Hunt, chief executive of the National Alzheimer’s Society.

Participants will be able to give their ideas to professionals in a series of workshops hosted by among others, Dr. Christopher Allen, consultant psychologist for older people, and Gill Major, locality commissioning project manager for Berkshire East NHS.

Cllr Simon Dudley, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead adult and community services, said: “I am pleased that the council, together with its partners, is hosting this conference.

“Dementia affects many older people and we know that the number of sufferers is likely to increase. It is therefore vital that there are services in place that will enable us to continue to provide a high level of care and support in the future.”

The conference takes place on Thursday 14 May from 10am to 2.15pm in the council chamber, Town Hall. To book a place call 01628 683719. Please note there is limited availability.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Police and their partners in the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough are “pleased and encouraged”, after crime figures just released for Windsor and Maidenhead Local Police Area (LPA) show that overall crime fell by 8.2 per cent between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009, compared with the same period the previous year.

There have been reductions in Windsor and Maidenhead serious violent crime, which fell from 55 offences in 2007/08 to 43 in 2008/09, a reduction of 21.8 per cent, and serious acquisitive crime (burglary, robbery and thefts from vehicles), down by 6.9 per cent.

Looking at individual crime categories, reductions were seen in theft from the person, down by 27.5 per cent, criminal damage, down by 21.8 per cent, and robbery of personal property, which fell by 7.5 per cent.

There was also good news in the fight against vehicle crime, with 234 fewer thefts from vehicles in 2008/09, a reduction of 10.8 per cent, and 44 fewer thefts of vehicles, down 11.9 per cent. Incidents of interference with motor vehicles also fell by 20.5 per cent.

More will be done in the coming year to tackle Windsor and Maidenhead burglary dwelling, which saw an increase of 2.8 per cent, despite the number of non-dwelling burglaries falling by 7.9 per cent.

Supt Tim De Meyer, Commander of Windsor and Maidenhead Local Police Area, said: “It will really encourage my officers to know that their dedication, bravery and professionalism has resulted in fewer victims. They have worked hard – patrolling, gathering forensic evidence, interviewing witnesses, arresting suspects and preparing cases for court.

“We have had some excellent support from partners such as the Royal Borough, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and schools. They have helped us to reduce crime and protect vulnerable people, such as victims of domestic abuse. Serious violence in particular has fallen as a result of the Royal Borough, licensees and police working together to make pubs and clubs safer.”

“Most important of all though has been the support of the people of Windsor, Maidenhead and Ascot. Without their cooperation in giving statements, reporting suspicious activity, keeping their property secure and supporting Neighbourhood Action Groups (NAGs), we could not have achieved a reduction anything like this.

“But there is so much more to be done. To reduce burglary this year we must average fewer than three burglaries a day - a very low number for an area the size of the Royal Borough and a reflection of just how low crime is here.

“So to continue to cut crime, we need more than traditional policing and detective work. Rest assured that we will continue to arrest and charge every criminal we can, and by doing that we will keep locking them up. But if, together with the Royal Borough and other partners, we can get improved drug rehabilitation, more youth provision and better parenting, crime will continue to fall for years to come.”

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead highways and streetcare (which includes community safety), said: “I am pleased that overall crime in the Royal Borough has fallen by more than 8%, clearly demonstrating the borough is a safer place. Performance on criminal damage has been outstanding and our community wardens and police community support officers must take a lot of credit for this.

“We are fortunate to have a history of successful partnership working and these figures are testimony to this.”

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Windsor looks set to get a town centre museum – at last!

Cabinet has given the go-ahead for the Maidenhead Room of the Grade I listed Guildhall in High Street to be used as a home for permanent Windsor & Royal Borough Museum exhibitions. Subject to the agreement of English Heritage and listed building consent, it could be open next year.

Cllr Simon Dudley, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead adult and community services, said the news would be warmly welcomed by residents who had been calling for a museum for many years.

He said: “It is a great shame that much of the borough’s museum collection remains hidden away and local people have, quite rightly, been calling for a solution.

“We are determined to give the collection the home it deserves and over the past two years we have been looking at a number of different options to make it more readily available to the public.

“We believe the Guildhall is an appropriately-historic and convenient location. A large part of the civic collection is already there but currently the building is open to the public just one day a week. By turning the Maidenhead Room into a permanant home for the museum we will give more residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy these treasures and also to appreciate this fine building.

“The council looks forward to working with the Friends of the museum to deliver their long-held aspiration to provide a museum in Windsor.”

The museum exhibitions proposed for the Maidenhead Room will be designed to a very high quality, with particular care taken to preserve the 17th century building. The aim is to create a family-friendly, educationally inspirational and interactive visitor attraction, telling the story of Windsor and settlements across the borough through exhibits and interactive touch screen presentations. The old robing room downstairs will be used for educational activities for school groups.

There are also plans for improving accessibility for people with mobility problems and all works will be undertaken with specialist advice from English Heritage.

The Guildhall was last used as a museum exhibition centre in 1982 and since then the collection has been in storage, with regular displays mounted at the old visitor information office in High Street and latterly at Windsor Library.

The museum is just part of the Windsor and Maidenhead council’s vision for opening up the Guildhall to more public and commercial use. It is already a popular venue for weddings, conferences and dinners but the borough’s cabinet has also tasked officers with developing plans for making better use of and upgrading the building by working with a commercial partner to maximise the opportunities for a wider range of functions, for example dinner packages with pre-meal river trips or guided walks.

Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Dudley explained: “The Guildhall is an amazing historical asset and we want to make sure it is well used and appreciated by as many people as possible. We believe it will also be possible to generate more income which can then be used to maintain the Guildhall, thus reducing the burden on local council taxpayers.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 10 May - 16 May 2009
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

10th May in Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Gemma Collins, Sue Batchelor, Samantha Cullum, Keith Daisy, Toyah Hollingshead and Vanessa McNulty
* 1:30 pm
Norden Lights (Group D)
* 4:00 pm
Norden Lights (Group H)
* 4:00 pm
Norden Lights (Group E)

11th May in Maidenhead

No events planned

12th May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:45 pm
The Scarlet Pimpernel
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Maduro Salsa
* 4:30 pm
Bollywood Dance
* 5:45 pm
Norden Exposure Youth Dance 9 - 14
* 7:00 pm
Norden Exposure Youth Dance 15+

13th May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:45 pm
The Scarlet Pimpernel
* Workshops and other events
* 1:00 pm
Lunchtime Yoga
* 2:00 pm
Ben Mecklenburgh
* 4:15 pm
Norden Lights (Group A)
* 5:30 pm
Norden Lights (Group B)
* 6:45 pm
Norden Lights Academy
* 7:00 pm
Book Club

14th May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 11:30 am
Make Silver Jewellery - Beginners I
* 7:45 pm
The Scarlet Pimpernel
* Workshops and other events
* 9:15 am
Make Silver Jewellery - Experienced I
* 2:00 pm
Ben Mecklenburgh
* 5:00 pm
Norden Lights (Group C)
* 6:15 pm
Norden Lights (Group F)
* 6:15 pm
Tabla (Beginners)
* 6:45 pm
Tabla (Experienced)
* 7:30 pm
Indian Head Massage

15th May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:45 pm
The Scarlet Pimpernel
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Printing: Japanese Wood Block Technique
* 2:00 pm
Ben Mecklenburgh
* 4:30 pm
Norden Lights (Group G)
* 7:00 pm
Life Drawing Course

16th May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 2:30 pm
The Scarlet Pimpernel
* 7:30 pm
Slough Philharmonic Society
* 7:45 pm
The Scarlet Pimpernel
* Workshops and other events
* 9:30 am
Kathak Dance (Advanced)
* 10:00 am
Ben Mecklenburgh
* 10:30 am
Portrait Drawing Workshop
* 10:30 am
Kathak Dance (Intermediate)
* 11:30 am
Kathak Dance (Beginners)

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough has this week reinstated parts of two local bus routes in Maidenhead in response to concerns from residents – at the same time as simplifying its passenger timetable information at bus stops.

Several Windsor and Maidenhead bus routes were re-launched at the beginning of February to improve access to St Mark’s hospital – leaving passengers using bus route 6 in particular unhappy that the revised route no longer served the Cookham Road area of the town.

Their concerns were addressed at a passengers’ surgery initiated by the Royal Borough’s lead member for highways and streetcare, Cllr Colin Rayner, and borough transport officers together with bus operator Courtney Coaches – and the decision subsequently taken to reinstate sections of routes 6 and 8 with effect from Monday this week (April 27).

The reinstated services are as follows:
Bus route 6 – the revised route between Maidenhead and Windsor will once again include Cookham Road, Gardner Road and Switchback Road before heading along Furze Platt Road, Courthouse Road, via St Mark’s Hospital and Maidenhead town centre and on to Windsor.
Bus route 8 – at the request of residents the local ‘loop’ through Camley Gardens, Headington Road and Farm Road has now been reinstated on the return journey from Halifax Road to Maidenhead town centre.

Changes have also been made to bus route 5. The existing route from Maidenhead town centre via Craufurd Rise, Belmont Road, St Mark’s Hospital, Pinkneys Road and Cranbrook Drive remains the same but the return journey back into town is now via Furze Platt Road, Gringer Hill and Craufurd Rise to improve timetable reliability and offer a quicker journey into the town for residents in the Cranbrook Drive area.

Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Rayner said this week: “We have worked hard with Courtney Coaches to find solutions to the concerns expressed by our residents at the changes introduced earlier this year. I was very concerned that some residents in the Cookham Road had lost their lifeline to Maidenhead town centre and took action to make sure they got their bus service back.

“I am delighted that we have been able to reinstate the areas on routes which were giving most cause for concern, and look forward now to seeing even greater use of the buses on the Royal Borough’s popular network.

“I would like to thank all those residents who took part in the surgery in Cookham Road and gave us their views. I am also delighted to be able to report that we have already had several messages of thanks from bus passengers following this week’s route changes.”

New stop-specific timetables have been installed at all the bus stops along the three bus routes, giving passengers easy-to-read information about times of buses at that particular stop.

For further information about the revised routes contact Neil Beswick, transport team leader, on 01628 796509.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead