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New Sources Of Inspiration

AS SPRING GETS into its stride, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate – and certainly, there will be plenty of chances to find inspiration in the incredible range of locally produced arts and crafts which can be viewed this month, and into the summer. Caversham Arts Trail will be back this May, and, as usual, nearly all the venues will be open on two weekends, 10-11 May and 17-18 May. This year there are many new artists to discover.
Queen Anne’s School in the Henley Road will be welcoming visitors to the trail, the first time a local school has taken part in the trail. The school’s art department will open its doors from 13:30-17:00 on 10 May, and from 11:00-17:00 on 11 May – this venue is part of the trail for the first weekend only.
Meanwhile, Caversham Picture Framers is also making its first foray as a venue as part of the trail; local artists will be found exhibiting in their newly opened Print Club space…Read More

The Busy Month of May

THERE IS a lot going on in and around our area this month! As the weather warms up you don’t need to go far to find a variety of events and activities over the next few weeks.
The Caversham Arts Trail marks its 15th anniversary this year and continues to evolve, with both well established artists and those who are new to the trail. We also have the return of the Fourbears Fest, with its intense programme of literary events over three days for adults and children. For those who wish to explore the wider Reading area actively, the Reading Walking Festival is on from 10 to 18 May with around 50 walks planned.
This year marks 80 years since the end of the war in Europe – VE Day – on 8 May 1945, and we have a reflection on war poetry from Roslyn Weaver this month…Read More

Our Kind Community

KATIE BETTLE HAS devoted her career to supporting new families, both as a midwife at the Royal Berkshire Hospital and through her voluntary work in the local community. After qualifying in London in 2006, she trained under the Sure Start programme, which provided vital support to families navigating early parenthood. When the government discontinued Sure Start and Katie relocated to Caversham in 2014, she felt compelled to continue offering guidance and care in her new community, at the Weller Centre.
Determined to bring back elements of the programme, Katie launched a weekly baby massage class, held every Wednesday from 12:15 to 13:00. Open to up to 12 mothers, the classes are free, with voluntary donations going to the Weller Centre. In addition to baby massage, she offers advice on feeding and…Read More

A Hidden Gem

TUCKED AWAY in the corner of Albert Road Park in Caversham is a little gem of a club you might not know about. It offers social activities, a bar and the most important of all, a chance to take part in a fun and rewarding game – lawn bowls. Many people think this is a game for the older generation, but did you know that you can walk up to three miles in an afternoon playing bowls? But maybe it’s not just the physical activity which is the most important part of this club, it’s also the improvement to your mental health, offering a chance to meet new people and to join in the social aspects.
Having a club house with an affordable bar allows us to run social events, from quiz nights to watching the football. It’s all included in your membership costs, which are very affordable, at only £70 a year for new full members for the first year and trial sessions are free. If you don’t fancy playing, Social Membership is available for only £10 a year.  Fancy coming along for a go? We have open sessions on Friday evenings from 18:00, just turn up or let us know you are coming by dropping a message to Gary on 07740 731502… Read More

One in three hundred

SOCIAL MEDIA was full of questions about the queue in Caversham on Saturday 12 April. There was a simple answer! Pop Classics was one of three hundred independent record shops in the UK taking part in Record Store Day 2025. This celebration of the world of vinyl records started in 2007 and has become an annual fixture. Musicians from around the world support the day with special, limited edition, releases of their music on vinyl. Around 400 special pressings were produced by acts which included Adam Ant, English Teacher, Oasis and Elton John.
The terms for participating stores prevent them from reserving records for their customers, so the only way to obtain them was in person. The first fan started queuing at 22:00 on Friday and, by 7:00 on Saturday morning, there were more than 100 people in the queue. This grew to around 200 by opening time, stretching from the precinct towards the Esso garage… Read More

Centenary of St Peter’s Lady Chapel

THE SCALE OF First World War casualties had a profound psychological effect upon local communities throughout Britain. After the armistice came a push to commemorate the names of local combatants killed in this war. So many public war memorials, inscribed with these names, were erected in towns and villages. However, in the case of St Peter’s, this was manifested by extending the church with the construction of a Lady Chapel. The chapel would include a wooden glass cabinet containing the Caversham Roll of Honour names. The 1939-1945 war Roll of Honour has been added to this cabinet.
The idea for a memorial chapel occurred immediately after the war…Read More

CAFOD Walk

On Saturday 8 March, Catholic parishes across Reading got together for the fifth annual Big Lent Walk in support of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), the international development charity of the Catholic Church.
CAFOD WORKS with Christian, Jewish, Muslim and secular partners in troubled parts of the world like Gaza, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The charity helps families to meet basic needs, and fights poverty and injustice wherever it is found, helping anyone regardless of faith, gender and ethnicity.
The Big Lent Walk commenced with reflection, prayer and song at Our Lady and St Anne’s Church in Caversham, before beginning the trek to the first checkpoint, which was the Camino mural on Friar Street. The route continued to the Hospitium at St Lawrence Churchyard, to St James’ Church and the Abbey Ruins, through the Oracle…Read More

For Your Bookshelf

I’M GOING to be cheeky and try and fit three books in this month. The first is a Non-Fiction title. Wintering by Katherine May is a beautiful, gentle exploration of the dark season of life and the light of spring that eventually follows. Katherine thoughtfully shows us how to come through these times with the wisdom of knowing that, like the seasons, our winters and summers are the ebb and flow of life. A moving personal narrative, interwoven with lessons from literature, mythology and the natural world.
My children’s choice is one of my favourite Picture Books at the moment. A Dress with Pockets is an entertaining rhyming story of an aunt who takes Lucy to buy a new dress. The shopkeeper shows her all sorts of dresses, but all are ‘Not Quite Right’. When the shopkeeper is aghast, Lucy explains that she just wants a dress with pockets…
I also want to mention briefly Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde. I can’t really summarise this book, perfect for fans of Douglas Adams, but hundreds of years in the future, after the Something that Happened, the world is an alarmingly different place…Read More

Community Connections – Rob Bowen of AW Cycles

ROB BOWEN is a force of nature, and it would be impossible not to be swept along by his passions – for the outdoors in general and for bikes and all things cycling in particular. He grew up on a farm in Mapledurham and still describes being out in the local woods as his happy place. He now owns AW Cycles in the row of shops on Henley Road at the top of Donkin Hill. He first started working there in 2005 as a Saturday boy and, over the years, undertook most jobs in the shop. When the old owner wanted to give up in 2016, he leapt at the chance to take over the business. Nine years later, he sees the shop as a community hub, sharing his passion to get people back onto bikes and giving them the opportunity to come in and learn how to do their own repairs, as much as selling new bikes.
AW Cycles has been a main sponsor of Sonning Common’s On Your Bike initiative since its inception. The ride this year is on Sunday 8 June, and Rob would love to see you there, getting out in the fresh air and enjoying a bike ride…Read More

The Wood Spurge

HERE’S A curious plant which you can find on the edges of woods around Caversham, and which flowers about now. The first part of its name describes where it grows. The name ‘spurge’ is recorded in English from 1387, and it arrived via Old French and is connected with ‘purge’ and ‘pure’. …avoid touching…
The Wood Spurge is usually around two feet tall, with upright woody stalks. The whole plant is green, occasionally flushed with red. The leaves tend to become larger as they go up the stalks, and are a darker green than the rest of the plant. It’s worth giving the flowers a close look, but please avoid touching the plant. The sap is irritant and corrosive, and the whole plant is poisonous – except that the nectar in the flowers is perfectly wholesome for the insect pollinators. The poison protects the plant from being eaten…Read More

The hidden world beneath our feet

YOU MAY have heard about the burst water main and ‘sinkhole’ that has closed Kidmore Road. It is, almost literally, on our doorstep and we have seen the whole story unfold. The good news is that the water main is now repaired but, at the time of writing, it is not clear if the ground movement is just in the soil around the burst pipe or is a more serious deep sinkhole. We are waiting for the results of the extensive ground investigation work to confirm this. Only then can work start on rebuilding the road.
We are now long past the initial challenge of almost three days without mains water until a temporary supply was installed, but the road disruption goes on. Everyone is considerate over where to park to keep access open. The delivery drivers and bin men and other services continue to get here despite the difficulties. And for us it is much quieter without the traffic noise. Other neighbouring roads on the diversion route may be less happy…Read More

A unique history and location

LAST YEAR, the Island Bohemian Bowls Club Open Days had to be cancelled due to the dreadful wet weather. With Spring now upon us, the 2025 Bowls Season is just around the corner. The Club, situated on Fry’s Island between Reading Bridge and Caversham Bridge, has a unique history and location. Access is by ferry, which the Club provides. We need more members, so why not give bowls a try? Bowling is for everyone, regardless of age, gender or ability, and you can play to whatever level you wish. Our Club has national, county and league players, but also members who wish for nothing more than to play amongst themselves on the Island. It is an excellent way of keeping active and will bring you lots of friends and social events. We have many teams visiting us for friendly, mixed team fixtures, as well as men’s and ladies’ teams which play in league games. The club has a bar, kitchen and full changing facilities, and hosts a number of social occasions throughout the year.
The Island Bohemian Bowls Club is holding two Open Days this year. Do take advantage of them to come to the Island for an introduction to the sport. Just turn up for the ferry on the Open Days which are: SUNDAY 4 MAY and MONDAY 26 MAY – both 14:00 to 19:00…Read More

All clear to generate

HAVE YOU ever noticed a small team in yellow jackets working by the hydropower station at Caversham Weir and wondered what they are doing? The station generates renewable, low-carbon electricity from the power of the River Thames. It is owned and operated by Reading Hydro, a Community Benefit Society, which is a type of not-for-profit business. It was financed by community investment and is run by volunteers and has been generating electricity since September 2021. The electricity is produced using two Archimedes Screws, which are protected from river debris by the steel screens which can be seen from the path.
Something like a tree branch could damage the screws, so the screens are essential. But they can become clogged with leaves and litter, reducing the water flow to the screws and the amount of electricity generated…Read More

Our Lady and St Anne’s Church, South View Avenue

HAVING LIVED in South View Avenue for over forty years, I have always taken an interest in the comings and goings of the lively congregation and church activities at Our Lady and St Anne’s Catholic Church.
In particular I have enjoyed seeing families and young children peeping in at the little window set in the wall of the stone chapel facing the road. Inside, when lit by candles, you see a beautiful statue of the Madonna and child which dates from the fifteenth or sixteenth century. This is the shrine of Our Lady of Caversham.
A few months ago, the Caversham Bridge reported on the re-pointing and internal redecoration of the church; passersby will have seen all the scaffolding, and this has created a fresh and tranquil space. The church itself was built in phases – the foundation stone was laid in 1903 and, by 1907, a tower and south aisle had been added, followed by a north aisle in the 1920s. In July 1933 it was consecrated by the Archbishop of Birmingham…Read More

Supporting Bugs Bottom

BUGS BOTTOM is a well-supported, much loved and ecologically important local wildlife site at the end of Hemdean Road. It is composed of lowland chalk meadow, a nationally scarce habitat, with native hedgerows and deciduous ancient woodland. It is visited by hikers, dog walkers, cyclists, horse riders, community groups, and local residents, who all enjoy the diversity and beauty of Hemdean Valley. Local resident Iuliana Davey contacted the Friends and Supporters of Bugs Bottom Facebook page after some of the saplings along the main path were mown during the recent tractor cutting of the grass. She wanted her little boy and other children to grow up alongside new trees and thought it would be a wonderful addition to Bugs Bottom. Reading Borough Council provided more than 100 replacements, including rowan, small leafed lime, yew, spindle and dog rose. Early in February, with the help of Reading Tree Wardens, local residents and Karen Rowland, lead councillor for Environmental Services at the Council, these were planted and given additional protection with stakes and tree guards. Nature will provide the watering!…Read More

A Taste of Spring

I GUESS WE all love the month of May, when everything in the garden is fresh and new. Everywhere the trees have a mass of sparkling green leaves; in the countryside the hawthorn is overflowing with white blossom and buzzing bees. I have a few crab apple trees that are brimming with pink and white flowers, welcomed by the masonry bees as they awake from their winter hibernation. There is a slight snag, in that we gardeners should have been out there sooner cutting the grass and trying to keep the weeds at bay. Which does beg the question as to what is a weed? In February I attended an on-line talk by an excellent speaker who spoke fondly of Arum Italica (Italian lords and ladies), a lovely variegated green and white leafy plant. A few years ago I was given one of these by a kind friend and, striving to be a good gardener, I carefully planted it in an excellent position. The darned thing repaid me by deciding to take over my garden and I have been trying in vain to get rid of it ever since!…Read More

The Pity of War

IT WAS FIVE years ago that the Imperial War Museum released a forgotten poem of Edmund Blunden, titled V Day. Blunden himself served in World War I and his writing reflects this, noting in the V Day poem that ‘once more we have come through’.
War poetry takes many forms, from the patriotic and noble to disillusioned and angry, and every response in between, reflecting the array of emotions many feel: joy when conflict ends, respect for those who serve, despair and sorrow for the fallen, and a profound desire for peace. It is also poets who have given us many enduring symbols of war.
One of our local literary connections is Wilfred Owen, famous for his war poetry from World War I. Owen lived in nearby Dunsden as a vicar’s lay assistant from 1911 to 1913, also taking classes at what is now the University of Reading, and he enlisted in 1915…Read More

Looking After Yourself

THERE IS SO much research on exercise and activity out there — much of it contradictory — I want to present to you some more recent robust research, and then put together easy to understand recommendations you can follow to improve your overall health. We all know exercise and activity are good for us. But how much, when and what type of exercise or activity is best?
The NHS/UK government recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity per week. They define moderate intensity activities as those which make you breathe harder and heartbeat faster than usual, but you should still be able to have a conversation whilst doing them. Vigorous intensity activity makes you breathe hard and fast. If you’re working at this level, you will not be able to say more than a few words without…Read More

Shabaz Says: I’m Rich, You’re Poor

SHABAZ ALI has had an amazing couple of years. His tongue in cheek videos, poking fun at the many ostentatious displays of wealth on social media, have gained him millions of followers and resulted in him changing careers from teaching to full time entertainer. When we saw he was embarking on his first stand up tour, and was visiting Reading on the 30 date run, we knew we had to be there.
Starting off the evening, in support, was local comic Nayim Ali. He soon had the audience warmed up with commentary on his time spent in Reading. Shabaz then took to the stage and instantly had a seemingly effortless rapport with the audience. Incredibly quick witted and cutting, whilst also being warm and likeable, he had us all in stitches from the outset. I was impressed with how he ably made the transition from short form videos to a stage show of over an hour in length, whilst keeping the show fresh and engaging…Read More

Reading Walks Festival Returns!

GET READY TO lace up your walking shoes – Reading Walks Festival is back from 10-18 May, and this year it’s bigger, bolder, and bursting with new adventures! With over 50 walks, two scenic bike rides, and a fascinating talk, 2025’s programme is packed with ways to explore Reading like never before.
But this festival isn’t just about walking – it’s about discovering the stories which have shaped our town for over 1,000 years. From its days as a centre of medieval religion to its rise as a Victorian industrial powerhouse, Reading’s rich history is etched into its streets, buildings and waterways. And you don’t need to be a hiking pro to join in – most walks are relaxed, sociable, and led by friendly volunteer guides who love to share hidden stories and surprising facts…Read More

Five Days that Changed the World

READING BACH CHOIR asks: ‘What would you choose as one of the five events that changed the world?’ Might it be the discovery of penicillin?
On 10 May the choir will be performing Five Days that Changed the World, a choral piece composed by Bob Chilcott, a British choral composer and former member of the King’s Singers based in Oxford. This work was composed in 2013, using specially written text by award-winning poet Charles Bennet.
The five events are: the invention of moveable type, the abolition of slavery, the first powered flight, the discovery of penicillin, and the first man in space…Read More

Job searching in the age of online meetings

YOU’LL NO doubt have seen those unforgettable moments from online meetings (mostly made famous during lockdown)—whether it’s a lawyer stuck in a cat filter, or a newsreader with an unexpected background. While these incidents may be funny, they highlight the importance of being mindful when attending a virtual interview. Here are some simple steps to ensure your background leaves a professional impression.

• Pre-call check – Before joining a call, make sure your lighting is good, and your background is free of distractions.
• Tidy up – Avoid a messy workspace, and be mindful of things like mirrors, bookshelves, or posters that could send the wrong message.
• Virtual backgrounds – If your environment isn’t ideal, use a virtual background.
• Alert your household – If you live with others, give them a heads-up about your call to avoid unexpected interruptions or surprises.
• Technical aspects – Check that your video and microphone work, that the picture is sharp (clean your camera), and that the sound is clear.
• Check it out – Hold a call with a friend or family member or record yourself to check all the above points.

A little preparation can go a long way in helping you make the right impression during your job interview…Read More

Disagree kindly, kindly disagree

Disagreement literally means the state of being at variance. It means that we are willing to go against what other people, or the crowd, are thinking. The root words mean not conforming, not settling. It is our disagreements that can set us free – We have to begin by disagreeing with ourselves then we can disagree with other people. But we have to be prepared to be annoying and even misunderstood sometimes. Disagreement is not the same thing as being disagreeable.
Disagreement may not make us richer, more attractive or more positive. But it will bring out our true friendships. It will mature and ground us. Disagreement is mostly about questioning. Asking ourselves questions and not settling for surface answers. Some of our answers may disturb us. And being disturbed is the first sign that change is on its way…Read More