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Prime Minister visits St Anne’s

ST ANNE’S PRIMARY SCHOOL in Caversham, which is taking part in the free breakfast club initiative, was visited by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, and local MP Matt Rodda at the end of November.
Headteacher, Bridget Tobin, applied for the school to be part of the pilot scheme, recognising the benefits it would bring to the children and parents in the school community. She was delighted to welcome the Prime Minister to the school to see the breakfast club in action. Prime Minister Starmer spoke to local and national press about the importance of the breakfast club scheme in making sure that all children can start the school day well fed and settled and ready to learn. He also recognised the benefit that access to additional free childcare hours can bring to families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis…Read More

January – Veganuary

OUR FIRST EDITION for 2026 leads with an unexpected school visit in November (see left). Two of our articles this month feature Pride of Reading winners we reported on last month. As January is promoted as Veganuary, a campaign to inspire people to try vegan living for January, we interviewed Kevin Farell, owner of Vegivores, as our Community Connection (p13). Liz Bradbury, of Walk Works, another Award winner, is the subject of our Creative Caversham article (p12).
Learning to disagree agreeably is the subject of Nigel Jones’ Talking Point this month (p2). A recent local disagreement involves the ending of public membership of Highdown Sports and Leisure facilities, and we have both a reader’s letter and an interview with the head teacher (p4). We also report on the Caversham and District Residents’ Association meeting in November, at which Amanda Stephens spoke about setting up the charity Olly’s Work following the murder of her son five years ago. Amanda is also the subject of our Kind Community article (both p8)…Read More

Off with the bird(watcher)s

THE BIRDWATCH ISN’T just to find favourites but to help conservation and track bird numbers across the country. Half a million people took part in 2025, with common birds including the blue tit, woodpigeon, starling, and blackbird–all fairly easy to spot in Caversham. Of course, not everyone needs a specific event to make them watch birds. As a hobby, birdwatching dates back well over a century, and the keenest birdwatchers have travelled the world to log thousands of species. If time and budget allow, you can succumb to birdwatching madness and take guided birding holidays, buy multi-pocketed clothing to carry field guides, and collect expensive binoculars and camera lens kits.
The most dedicated are called ‘twitchers’, and if you’ve ever seen news reports showing crowds of people with zoom lenses in the middle of nowhere, the chances are they are twitchers, the paparazzi of the natural world, out to spot a rare bird…Read More

Expectation and Excitement

THERE WERE many events in our area in the run-up to Christmas, including the traditional Christmas Fairs at St Peter’s and St Barnabas’ Churches, and the Gala at St Andrew’s Hall over the weekend of 6 and 7 December.
The centre of Caversham was busy for the late night opening event of Friday 5 December. Despite the rain, the crowds came out to enjoy singing by The Abbey Primary Choir, a DJ set at Pop Classics, refreshments and food. Vegivores, BRKY, Costa and Spill were full, and the market stalls set up around St Martin’s Precinct were busy. This year’s big attraction was a pair of reindeer who flew in for the evening with Santa’s Sleigh – all the way from Ashford! Santa himself was in Fourbears Books to receive gifts for distribution at Christmas – he was given quite a few books by the children visiting him in his ‘Reverse Santa’ role. Artist Janina Maher was also in the bookshop working on her latest painting. Local craft producers and Caversham Fairtrade set up stalls in the Baptist church, which provided a welcome stopping-off point to escape from the rain!…Read More

Changes at Highdown

FOLLOWING A CHANCE meeting at the CADRA open meeting in November, the head teacher at Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre invited me to visit the school and meet her to talk about her vision for the future. Given recent correspondence about access to the sports facilities at the school (left) and the important role the school plays in our community, I was pleased to accept the offer.
Laura Mathews became head teacher in January 2025, after a spell at Kennet School in Thatcham. However, she had worked at Highdown as Assistant Head before moving to Kennet, so was familiar with the school. She felt it had great potential and was excited by the prospect of taking it forward.
Given the immediacy of the closure of Highdown Sports and Leisure (HSL) to public membership, this article considers the reasons for closure. Next month we will look at what is happening within the school, aspirations for the future, and for greater community engagement…Read More

More than a kind face

Care 4 Calais is a charity supporting people seeking asylum in the uk and refugees making a new life here

I STARTED VOLUNTEERING with them recently, and found that what these people want is a friendly face and a bit of help to navigate their way through the asylum system, so it’s not too hard and so rewarding. I thought it would be tea, biscuits and a bit of sympathy, which it is, but also the Care 4 Calais lanyard draws people towards you.
The recruitment process is long and rigorous, but essential, as these people are so vulnerable. It involves an ID and criminal records checks, and safeguarding training. Then the big reveal – it’s not in Calais – in fact it’s still Caversham! I started helping with the English lessons at the drop-in as a teaching assistant, so I don’t have to plan the lesson or prepare materials. I listen to the lesson and then help the students with their exercises. In one lesson I played a landlord to whom they had to pose questions such as, ‘Is the room near the railway station?’. Their level of English varies enormously, but all the students are keen to learn and lessons are fun. When I arrived at the drop-in, volunteer asylumseekers, eager to help, were putting out the tables…Read More

Happy New year to everyone from Fourbears Books

OUR FIRST BOOK is List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey. It is set in 1970s Yorkshire when the Yorkshire Ripper is still at large. 12-year-old Miv decides that she and her best friend are going to catch the Yorkshire Ripper by keeping a list of anything that is suspicious in their village. It includes the vandalism at the local newsagents, the way Miv’s dad is acting, the behaviour of her teachers, and many more goings on. It’s written well, as it reads like a 12-year-old is talking. I really liked the different characters but, as you can imagine in those times, the goings on are not always pretty. This was recently a ‘thumbs up’ from the book club.
The children’s pick is a series I have written about often, Skandar. This title is The First Unicorn Rider, and it is set around a thousand years before the adventures of Skandar. George is shipwrecked on a mysterious island and, while exploring, he discovers a unicorn. But not the fluffy cuddly unicorns we know and love, these are wild, bloodthirsty beasts…Read More

Getting ready to sell your home?

WHEN YOU feel it’s time to move, it’s the perfect time to get your property ready. It may be a long-term planned move, or a more spur of the moment decision. If you don’t have long to prepare your property for sale, here are some great tips for getting you and your home market-ready, whatever the circumstances.
1. De-clutter.
2. Clean your home from top to bottom, with shining taps, clean windows, spotless kitchen work surfaces, and plumped and inviting sofas and cushions.
3. Don’t forget the outside of your home, as first impressions are vital.
4. Make sure your home smells nice…Read More

The Holm Oak

ON A SUNNY morning last October, I was standing at the bus stop by the Library in Hemdean Road when the wonderful autumn colours of the trees in the shopping precinct on the opposite side of Church Street caught my eye. It didn’t seem all that long since they were planted, and I seemed to remember some old trees there before. And then my attention turned to the more sombre colour of the very large holm oak, growing right up against the Costa Coffee shop. Why on earth had the shop been built so close to the tree? It must have been a large tree before the shops were built. And why had the tree been planted there in the first place, a century and more before?
The holm oak, or evergreen oak, quercus ilex, is not native to Britain. Like other oaks, it has small greenish flowers in the spring, and acorns in the autumn. Its leaves are dark green with paler and slightly downy undersides and, sometimes, spines on the edges like holly. The Oxford English Dictionary says that the name for the holly was originally holm or hollin, and the botanical name of the tree signifies an oak tree which is like a holly…Read More

Five Years On: How Kindness Carries Olly’s Legacy

January marks five years since the murder of 13-year-old Olly Stephens

OLLY’S LEGACY began close to home. Emmer Green Primary School created their annual Kindness Awards in his name, inspired by the way he looked after a younger pupil, his buddy, when he was in Year 6. That small act, a boy simply caring for another child, has become the inspiration for everything his parents now do.
Amanda describes their work in three streams: campaigning, fundraising, and raising awareness. She and Stuart were part of the Bereaved Families for Online Safety, brought together by Baroness Beeban Kidron. By sharing their stories directly with MPs, they helped push the Online Safety Bill into law in October 2023. They now work with Ofcom to ensure social media platforms are properly regulated; a daunting task, but one they approach with the same compassion which has become their trademark.
Fundraising with a lot of support has grown too, from Memorial birthday walks, fishing and rugby events, to an 18th celebration party that was filled with love and fun, just as Olly would have liked! In August 2025, their ‘Olly’s Work’ became a registered charity, The Olly Stephens Trust…Read More

Hope and Happiness

THE THEME OF the Caversham and District Residents’ Association (CADRA) open meeting on 19 November was Promoting Hope + Happiness, Preventing Hate + Harm. Olly Stephens was just 13 when an online argument led to his murder in Bugs Bottom nearly 5 years ago. His mother, Amanda, spoke about the circumstances which led up to this and the events which have unfolded since, including the setting up of a charity, The Olly Stephens Trust, which aims to protect young people by raising awareness and educating them away from violence and to stay safe online.
Amanda started with a warning about the disturbing and emotional content of her talk. Olly’s tragic story was outlined and included an extract from BBC News following the conviction of his killers. The role of social media and the ready access to violent content which it served to normalise was outlined…Read More

Angel Bar

THE ANGEL BAR, with its distinctive angel wings motif, is a stylish venue that provides ‘Food for the Soul, Cocktails for the Spirit’. Meena Arch opened the business about three years ago, after twenty years in the hospitality and entertainment world working in cafés, hotels and restaurants. She is now passionate about her new enterprise which is a supper club as well as a cocktail bar with a great atmosphere. Hannah, behind the bar, described the interior design as ‘vintage chic’. They were about to welcome guests to a quiz night when I visited, as the venue specialises in private bookings for special events, as well as welcoming everyone seeking a relaxing drink and delicious food.
Before Meena took over 18 Prospect Street, it was the Tipsy Bean Cocktail and Coffee Bar, and the building has been occupied for many decades by those providing catering and food. In 1895, it was a restaurant run by a J Hunt but, by 1900, it had changed hands to G Goggins, a baker and confectioner. A street directory for 1921 lists the premises now being a confectioner and ‘Refreshment Rooms’ run by the Talbot Sisters, part of a business with branches in Castle Street and 17 and 18 West Street in Reading…Read More

Annual Market Drew The Crowds

THE FIFTH Artisa Christmas Market, held in Southview Park off Marsack Street, is now becoming a firm Caversham fixture during the build up to Christmas. Held on November 16, organiser Tamalia Reeves – who runs the Creativ.Spaces studio there – was delighted that the crowds turned out to check out the stalls offering a mix of arts and crafts locally made, as well as tasty food and hot drinks. For those with young children, there was also the chance to meet Father Christmas.
The sun shone on the event, and it was lovely to see old friends meeting up as they checked out potential Christmas gifts and enjoyed listening to festive music, including both a choir and Liz Bradbury’s young violin pupils…Read More

Questions answered – and still learning

IN OCTOBER I went to Phyllis Court in Henley, to attend a recording session of the BBC radio programme Gardeners’ Question Time. It was an enjoyable and enlightening evening with an enthusiastic audience of mostly ladies. The chairman was Peter Gibbs, with panellists Pippa Greenwood, Christine Walkden and Matthew Pottage. Before the recording began, we were asked to write down any questions we might like to ask, and I dutifully wrote one about plants to grow with the onset of climate change.
The other questions were very good, and the experts answered them all with ease. But events like this do make you appreciate the gaps in your knowledge. For example, Matthew Pottage recommended Hibiscus Moscheutos, a hardy perennial that has large showy flowers in the summer. It sounded rather good and worth growing, but I had never heard of it…Read More

How to keep your glow through the cold months

WHEN THE temperature drops, so does our skin’s moisture. The cold winter air, combined with indoor heating and harsh winds, can quickly strip the skin of hydration, leaving it feeling dry, tight, and sensitive. But, with a few small changes to your routine, you can protect your skin barrier and keep your glow all season long. The key to healthy winter skin is hydration and barrier support. Many clients tell me their skin feels rough or flaky at this time of year — that’s your skin’s way of telling you your barrier is compromised and asking for a little extra care.
Switch to a gentler cleanser that won’t strip natural oils, and look for products containing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and squalene to lock in moisture.
Exfoliation is still important during winter, but it should be done carefully. Over-exfoliating can damage the skin’s protective barrier and worsen dryness. I recommend gentle enzyme exfoliants or low-strength acids to remove dead skin cells without irritation…Read More

Reading Hydro Energy Champions

READING HYDRO is the Community Benefit Society which built the hydro-electric plant at Caversham Lock. Following four successful years’ operating the plant, our innovation team looked at how we could help individuals achieve warm, comfortable, energy-efficient homes. We also wanted to actively support a fair transition to a low-carbon economy for everyone.
As a result, we are pleased to announce the launch of a new, completely free, service providing home energy advice. Our volunteer ‘Energy Champions’ group started work on 1 December 2025. The service is designed to help anyone facing an energy challenge. For those struggling with bills, our Champions replace light bulbs with low-energy LED bulbs free of charge. We also help troubleshoot heating system problems, and offer advice on saving energy at home…Read More

Check your home for draughts

DRAUGHTS ARE bad news. They waste your heat, reduce comfort and bring dirt in from outside. Controlling draughts is the most cost-effective way of reducing your heating bills, with paybacks
in a couple of months. To find draughts, first of all look for them. If you can see daylight through a letter box, keyhole, around or below a window frame or beside a door, then there will be a draught there. Check the top of your airing cupboard for gaps, or holes through the ceiling into the loft. Any crack that is discoloured black could well have a draught coming in through it, depositing dirt from outside. In an older house, don’t forget to look for the ventilation systems provided for old boiler systems and fireplaces. Unnecessary airbricks hidden behind furniture and cupboards are common places where draughts can get in. Finally, the fireplace itself. If you do not use it, then plug it for the winter months with a ‘chimney sheep’ or a pillow in a bin bag. Take it out in the Spring to air the chimney…Read More

Taking back the reins

BEING A PATIENT doesn’t mean giving up control. In fact, self-advocacy is one of the most powerful tools you have in your armoury in discussions with health professionals. It’s about ensuring you are being heard, asking the right questions, knowing your options — and owning your role in managing your health and wellbeing. Practical steps to speak up
1. Prepare before appointments – Write down your symptoms, questions, priorities. What worries you most? What do you expect from the outcomes? Having a list helps to focus the conversation and ensures you don’t leave the room wishing you’d asked something.
2. Ask open-ended questions – ’What are the possible causes of this symptom?’ ‘What might happen if I decided not to take this treatment?’ or ‘Are there any alternatives?’ These kinds of questions invite explanation rather than a yes/no answer.
3. Clarify what you don’t understand –  If a term, diagnosis, or risk is unclear, ask them to explain it again— in plain language. If you’re unsure about next steps, probe what monitoring or follow-up will look like and how information will be communicated to you…Read More

Our hidden helper

THE LYMPHATIC system permeates almost every organ of our bodies, even as it remains almost invisible! It is a sort of waste disposal system. Our blood vessels supply our tissues with a clear, yellowing liquid containing oxygen, nutrients and immune cells. As well as nourishing cells, it sweeps up their metabolic waste products, along with fragments of damaged cells, before draining back into the vascular system. However, about ten percent of the waste remains in the tissues. Here is where the lymphatic vessels come in; they collect the leftovers! Inside the lymphatic tubes, this fluid is known as lymph. We have about five to six hundred lymph nodes spread out all over our bodies. At these nodes our immune cells gobble up much of the detritus and, in turn, activate nearby T-cells to look for any cancers/pathogens…Read More