Maidenhead & Windsor

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough has reinforced its determination to clamp down on unauthorised dumping of waste materials in the Green Belt after a Maidenhead landowner was found guilty of failing to comply with two planning enforcement notices.

Michael Delaney, of Finch Farm, Drift Road, Maidenhead, was fined a total of £500 - £250 for each of the two offences - and ordered to pay the Windsor and Maidenhead council's costs of £1,200 when he appeared at Maidenhead magistrates' court on Wednesday (3 February) charged with failing to remove waste materials and caravans from his farm under the conditions of the enforcement notices.

The court heard how Mr Delaney dumped a large amount of waste materials and brought a number of caravans onto his land without planning permission in 2007.

Following intervention from the Royal Borough's planning enforcement team, Mr Delaney submitted a planning application for the dumping of waste and hardcore -
but this was refused by the council as inappropriate in the Green Belt.

Two enforcement notices were issued requiring the removal of the caravans and the waste, and although no appeal was lodged against the caravans notice, the waste notice was later upheld by a government inspector on appeal.

As a result of the Windsor and Maidenhead inspector's decision, the compliance date for both notices was 30 June 2009 - one for the unauthorised importation of soil, hardcore, brick rubble and other waste materials and the other for the unauthorised siting of mobile homes/caravans. Mr Delaney failed to comply with either notice, resulting in his appearance in court last week.

Cllr Alison Knight, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead planning and development, said this week: "This case highlights our determination and commitment to prosecute when planning legislation is disregarded.

"The original decision to refuse planning permission was based on that commitment to protect the Green Belt. We hope that successful prosecutions such as this will send a message loud and clear that we will not tolerate defiance of the law in our efforts to look after the local area for the benefit of both residents and visitors."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

A Maidenhead man was sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Friday (5/2) to a minimum of six-and-a-half years in prison for false imprisonment, rape and assault.

Reynold Leon Reid, aged 47, of Knowl Hill, Maidenhead, was found guilty after a 12-day trial at Reading Crown Court in October 2009. The jury returned four unanimous verdicts of rape, one majority verdict of rape and one unanimous verdict of false imprisonment. On one charge of rape there was a hung jury. During the trial Reid changed his plea to guilty on two counts of common assault.

Reid was given an indeterminate sentence, but will have to serve a minimum of six-and-a-half-years in prison before being considered for release. He will also be placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

Between 1 and 3 August 2008, Reid carried out five offences of rape and also held his victim against her will at his home address in Knowl Hill for several hours. The other rape took place in June 2008 and the assaults in May and August 2008.

Reid's Maidenhead victim, who does not wish to be identified, commented after the trial: "I'm over the moon with the guilty verdict and feel so relieved at the result. It has made the very long stressful trial worth it. I am very happy and finally feel believed. It was always my worry that the jury would find (Reid) innocent after all the horrible things he made me endure. I had blocked out most of what happened to me, preparing myself for the worst.

"I was not scared to call the police; I was more embarrassed by the details… I feel the police have been very caring towards me while dealing with my case. I am aware there are other cases going on, but I personally felt that I had their undivided attention and 100 per cent commitment. The police and their sensitive approach were extremely appreciated by me and my family.

"I would definitely urge anyone else (who has been a victim of sexual offences) to pursue a complaint. I would tell that person how well I was treated and dealt with in a very positive manner by Thames Valley Police."

Following the Maidenhead sentence, she added: “It is hard to put into words exactly how I am feeling now that he has been sentenced. But I am truly over the moon with the outcome and feel a massive weight has been lifted. I would like to say that the police have been fantastic in their work, very supportive and caring. Now it's time for me to move on with my life, with the support of my family and counselling.”

Specially Trained Officer (STO) PC Teri Howes, the Maidenhead victim’s dedicated support officer, said: “This result demonstrates that the criminal justice system takes such reports very seriously and I would like to reassure and encourage victims of such assaults to come forward."

Maidenhead Det Con Sue Beacham, who led the investigation, said: "I would like to express my appreciation to the victim for her courage, both during the investigation and throughout the long trial."

Within the Thames Valley Police area, each victim of a serious sexual offence is assigned a Specially Trained Officer (STO), who acts as a dedicated contact point.

The main roles undertaken by the STO include:

•Establish a rapport with the aggrieved

•Explain procedures which will be undertaken

•Work with the Force Medical Examiner (doctor) in preparing exhibits

•Conduct video or written interviews with victim and witnesses

•Advise on support networks and agencies for the victim

•Work with other agencies in supporting the victim

•Provide up-to-date information to the investigating officers

•Provide up-to-date information to victim and family/carers

•Support victim in relation to court appearances.

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead

Teenagers in the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough are enjoying a double helping of advantages thanks to the efforts of their parliamentary peers.

Both last year's Windsor and Maidenhead Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) Jodie Dingwall and this year's representative Faisal Shafiq have each fulfilled at least one of their election manifesto commitments to introduce discounts on leisure activities and bus travel for young people in the borough.

Following a series of consultations during her year of office, Jodie's innovative Young People's Advantage Card scheme is now up and running for a trial period until 31 March.

Under the scheme all 13-18-year-olds who have a Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Advantage Card can receive discounts on a range of activities at the Magnet leisure centre and Kidwells Park in Maidenhead (normal prices with Advantage Card in brackets):

• swimming - over 16s - £1 (£3.10)
• swimming - under 16s - 50p (£1.90)
• badminton - £4.40 (£9.50)
• squash - £4.30 (£7.20)
• bodyzone gym (peak) - £3.30 (£6.30)
• bodyzone gym (off-peak) - £1.30 (usually £5.25)
• tennis at Kidwells Park - £3.10 (£5.80).

To apply to join the Windsor and Maidenhead scheme simply complete an application form on the young people's wamster website at www.wamster.org.uk and send with a photocopy of proof of age (birth certificate, national ID card etc) to Danny Gomm, 4 Marlow Road Youth Centre, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 7YR or complete the form online and upload proof of age electronically.

Advantage Card details will be automatically updated within 21 working days allowing the holder to take advantage of the agreed discounts.

Discounted bus travel on Courtney Coaches bus services around the borough is the second "bonus" negotiated for local teenagers, courtesy of this year's MYP Faisal Shafiq.

Under his Windsor and Maidenhead Teen Bus Scheme 13-18-year-olds who apply for and receive a special bus pass can buy batches of bus tokens for single journeys on Courtney Coaches routes on a buy-one-get-one-free basis.

Bus pass holders can buy up to 20 tokens a month - which under the scheme means they will actually receive 40 tokens entitling them to 40 single journeys. Tokens can be bought until 31 March but can be used until 1 July 2010. Tokens can be used after 4.30pm Mondays to Fridays, all day Saturday and Sunday and during statutory school holidays.

Tokens can be bought at either Marlow Road youth centre in Maidenhead or Windsor youth and community centre (as well as through local youth clubs across the borough) on a series of dates throughout February and March. A full list of dates and times can be found at the wamster website.

To apply for your Windsor and Maidenhead bus pass fill in the application form on the wamster website and return together with your photocopied ID to Fran O'Mahony at Highway Services, 4th floor, York Stream House, St Ives Road, Maidenhead SL6 1RF.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead children's services, said: "I really must congratulate both Jodie and Faisal for their determination to achieve their election pledges and bring such great benefits for the young people of the borough and thank Courtney Coaches for their willingness to support the discounted travel scheme.

"Both these schemes will make a real difference to the lives of many young people. Jodie's Advantage Card scheme will make it so much easier for young people to enjoy the benefits of keeping fit by making sports and leisure activities affordable, with many of the discounted activities at less than half the regular price.

"Faisal's discount bus travel scheme will also help to make life more affordable by keeping the cost of bus travel down and enabling young people to get out and about more easily to visit friends and pursue out-of-school activities."

Both projects have been funded by the Youth Opportunity Fund and will run as trial periods until 31 March.

For further information contact Danny Gomm, youth participation co-ordinator, on 01628 685856

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 14 February - 20 February 2010
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

14th February in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
St Valentine Concert
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Light, Colour, Shape, Imagination and Escape: Jackie Webb

15th February in Maidenhead

No events planned

16th February in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 11:00 am
Peter and the Wolf
* 3:00 pm
Peter and the Wolf
* Film
* 8:00 pm
Unmade Beds (15)

17th February in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 11:00 am
Peter and the Wolf
* 3:00 pm
Peter and the Wolf
* Film
* 10:30 am
Unmade Beds (15)
* 2:30 pm
Unmade Beds (15)
* 8:00 pm
Unmade Beds (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
MonoDuo: Micki Aston and Rod Bird

18th February in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 11:00 am
Princess and the Pea
* 3:00 pm
Princess and the Pea
* 7:30 pm
Maidenhead Music Society presents Violin and Piano Rectial
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
MonoDuo: Micki Aston and Rod Bird

19th February in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Richard Digance
* 8:00 pm
Jon Richardson - This Guy at Night
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
MonoDuo: Micki Aston and Rod Bird

20th February in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
Amelia (PG)
* 7:45 pm
Cabaret Night with Kit and the Widow
* 8:00 pm
Amelia (PG)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
MonoDuo: Micki Aston and Rod Bird
* 10:00 am
Upcycling / Recycling Fabrics
* 10:00 am
Tightrope Writing

Thames Valley Police no longer wish to trace Ben Layton, aged 27, from Maidenhead, he was arrested by officers in Chalvey, Slough, on 3/2 and has been recalled to prison.

A police containment was placed around a house in Martin Road, Chalvey, at 1.08pm on 3/2, after information was received to suggest that Layton was at the address. Several officers were deployed to the scene.

During the arrest attempt, Layton was seen to climb onto the roof of the property. Following negotiations with officers on the ground, he climbed back into the house and was arrested at 1.54pm.

Supt Tim De Meyer, local police commander for the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough, said: “I am pleased that Layton is now in custody, and that the incident was resolved safely.

“I would like to thank the community for their support in tracing Layton.”

At the time of making their public appeal to trace Layton on 28 January, Thames Valley Police were also keen to trace 23-year-old Adam Neighbour, from Windsor. Neighbour was arrested in Windsor on Tuesday (2/2) and has been recalled to prison.

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead

Ticket sales are fast approaching the 300 level, but there's still time to join the guest list for the Windsor and Maidenhead Mayor's annual Charity Ball to be held at The Pavilion, Ascot Racecourse, next month.

That's the message from the Windsor and Maidenhead organising committee with the prestigious black-tie event just over a month away on Saturday 13 March.

The deadline for applications for tickets - and for submitting advertisements for the evening's programme* - is Monday 15 February.

The evening's special guest of honour is HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, who will be accompanied by a guard of honour from the Household Cavalry regiment, many of whose members are currently serving in Afghanistan.

Half of the proceeds from the Windsor and Maidenhead gala event will be donated to the Bobby Moore Fund and the remaining 50% will be shared between Thames Hospicecare, WAMDSAD, the Alexander Devine Children's Cancer Trust and Help for Heroes.

Strictly Come Dancing winner and TV sports personality Chris Hollins will compere the evening, which will feature a champagne reception, three-course dinner with wine, world class cabaret and a charity auction.

Windsor and Maidenhead Auction prizes include:

* A bejewelled guitar donated by Gary Hutchins of Sussex-based Hutchins Guitars - the guitar will be on display in Hooters music shop in King Edward Court, Windsor from next week
* A Bomber Command print signed by the veterans and donated by the Artique Gallery in Eton
* Winston Churchill signed memorabilia
* Dinner for 12 at Cumberland Lodge in Windsor Great Park
* A special Mayor's prize for two comprising a private tour of Windsor Castle and overnight stay with dinner at the Harte and Garter Hotel.

Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Mayor, Cllr Jesse Grey, said this week: "A great many people are working very hard to make this ball a really special and memorable evening, and we are delighted to have such a wonderful event in prospect - and very honoured to have Royal patronage with Prince Philip as our guest of honour.

"We are delighted with the way ticket sales have gone so far, but there is still time to book your seats to help us raise as much money as possible for all the very deserving charities which do so much to help others less fortunate than themselves."

Tickets for the Windsor and Maidenhead ball are currently on sale at £95 each from Alison Singleton, Mayor's secretary, Town Hall, Maidenhead; telephone 01628 796223 or email Alison.singleton@rbwm.gov.uk ; also from organising committee members Cllr Sayonara Luxton at cllr.luxton@rbwm.gov.uk and Alan Carr at alan.carr@carr.co.uk.

The deadline for ticket applications and programme adverts is Monday 15 February.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

A 16-year-old boy has been charged in connection with the theft of a DVD player from a transit van in Acre Passage, Windsor, on Sunday evening (31/1).

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested near the scene of the Windsor incident at about 10pm and charged on Monday (1/2). He has been released on bail to appear before Maidenhead Youth Court on Tuesday 16 February.

Thames Valley Police ~ Windsor

The Royal Borough has underlined its 'total and unequivocal' support for the minor injuries unit (MIU) at St Mark's Hospital, Maidenhead, and issued a further call to NHS Berkshire East to keep it open.

The Windsor and Maidenhead move follows news that the primary care trust (PCT) has looked at six options for the unit but has deferred a final decision until its board meeting on 22 March.

The unit, opened last year on a trial basis, has been strongly backed by the council, local residents and Maidenhead MP Theresa May but there are fears that, despite this support, it will close its doors.

Cllr Simon Dudley, the Windsor and Maidenhead council's lead member for adult and community services, said: "The MIU is very much valued by the local community and has been stoutly defended by a huge number of residents, along with the council and the Maidenhead MP.

"The strength of local feeling must be taken into account by the PCT and we call on the board when they meet in March to make the facility permanent so that it can continue to provide this excellent service to local people."

Public opinion in support of the MIU has included local petitions and campaigns, a unanimous motion from Windsor and Maidenhead council in September and the 'total and unequivocal' support of the Royal Borough on Monday (25 January) through its adult and community services and health overview and scrutiny panel.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead