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Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience People in Wokingham and Reading are being asked to have their say on plans for a new garden village in Wokingham Borough The University of Reading and its partners are unveiling further details on their plans for Loddon Garden Village To address the demand for new homes and public services in Wokingham Loddon Garden Village aims to provide not just housing but also essential supporting infrastructure This includes primary and secondary schools The new garden village is a significant undertaking designed to eventually support approximately 3,930 homes The University of Reading and its partners are collaborating with Wokingham Borough Council following the development of its updated Local Plan to lead a development that integrates communities A series of public engagement and consultation events will be held in March 2025 to gather feedback from the community on the proposed plans Key features of the garden village include: One of the key goals of the University is to grow its position as a world leader for the study of food and farming supporting new facilities and investment in the local area The site for Loddon Garden Village includes the University of Reading’s Hall Farm which is owned by the National Institute for Research in Dairying (NIRD) Trust All receipts from the land belonging to the NIRD Trust will be invested and applied Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading “The University of Reading and Hall Farm have been an important part of the local community for more than a century We want Loddon Garden Village to have a positive impact for local people and our environment providing sustainable housing alongside the necessary facilities and infrastructure while helping us expand our agricultural work We believe this is a well-considered scheme which also supports our aims to make Reading and Wokingham a global centre for the study of food and farming for the century ahead.” we are aiming to create a vibrant place where people can enjoy working Our proposals provide much needed housing in the area while also opening up and restoring wildlife habitats and green and open spaces while protecting and enhancing the floodplain.” “The proposals will create generational change and benefit to the local community Echoing the comments of the University’s Vice-Chancellor the Loddon Garden Village will also include significant investment in the local road network to address congestion along with integrated plans to encourage active and safe travel This includes the delivery of a new M4 motorway crossing a new link road to Hatch Farm Way from Mill Lane alleviating congestion pressures through Sindlesham and substantial improvements to the Lower Earley Way corridor through dualling.” People are being asked to provide their input to plans at a series of upcoming public consultation events For more information, please visit the Loddon Garden Village website: www.reading.ac.uk/lgv The consultation closes on Monday 21 April and an application is expected to be submitted to Wokingham Borough Council later in the summer and if the Wokingham Borough Council Local Plan Update is deemed sound by Government Inspectors development of key infrastructure and the first homes could be delivered from 2028 News from 2025 Contact the press team Expert spokespeople Media, demonstrations, and petitions on campus Connecting Research Blog Events Journalists can contact the press office at any time pressoffice@reading.ac.uk News from 2024 News from 2023 News from 2022 News from 2021 News archive 1998-2020 We are in the process of finalising our postgraduate taught courses for 2026/27 entry Meeting every second Saturday of the month between 10am and 12 noon the men’s breakfast led by two church members Keith Vertigan Darren Early with the support of church leader Roelof Vermeulen What started as a small initiative to support men’s mental wellness has grown into a popular monthly event with 18 regular attendees—only four of whom are members of the church.  Councillor Mike Smith is a familiar face at the gatherings but as a fellow man seeking connection and camaraderie.   Roelof Vermeulen said: "Our monthly men's breakfast isn't just coffee and a chat; it's a lifeline It's a place where men can find a listening ear and find healing from the pressures that weigh them down “It’s wonderful to see so many different men coming together The mayor’s presence shows that we’re all individuals outside of our roles It’s a place where we can just be true to ourselves without the distractions of the outside world.” Each breakfast offers something different from cooking together members of the staff of the royal household remains on open conversation and mutual support breaking down the stigma surrounding men’s mental health Councillor Mike Smith praised the initiative saying the community needs more of such programmes that remind humanity the power of social networks and community support systems The mayor said: “I am delighted to have been invited to these events This is a great initiative to create opportunities for companionship and conversations I have attended three of these events so far and they are most enjoyable meeting people across a wide spectrum of Earley residents and enjoying the various speakers." The Salvation Army in Reading Lower Earley is a community hub driven by compassion to offer practical support and a welcoming space for all, providing vital services and foster connections to strengthen individuals and families. For more information about The Salvation Army in Reading Lower Earley visit Reading Lower Earley | The Salvation Army.  Copyright © The Salvation Army 2025 The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity in England (214779) Scotland (SC009359) and the Republic of Ireland (CHY6399) The Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters an area of open green space in Lower Earley was officially opened to the public on Saturday 2 November Earley and Woodley’s Member of Parliament Yuan Yang as well as neighbouring constituency MP Clive Jones Clive Jones was involved in championing the space when he was leader of Wokingham Borough Council is owned by the University of Reading and is a popular walking spot Working in partnership with Earley Environmental Group the University has recently installed new signs and a gate Further improvements to the site include mown pathways to make the space more accessible while also preserving habitats for wildlife The event was attended by around 50 people with guided tours from Earley Environmental Group as well as family-friendly activities and the opportunity to share ideas for future improvements.  The ribbon cutting was done by Professor Robert Van de Noort University of Reading Vice-Chancellor and Cllr Mike Smith who welcomed attendees and spoke about their enthusiasm for the space Professor Robert Van de Noort said: “We are pleased to be able to share this green space with our neighbours Modern life is busy and I know that access to natural surroundings in the open air such as this can be a vital resource for people’s wellbeing “I’d like to thank Earley Environmental Group for their efforts in helping us improve this space for people to enjoy and be among the wildlife.” The University will continue with ongoing maintenance of the site and will work with Earley Environmental Group and Earley Town Council to identify further potential improvements The University also plans to work with local schools to offer opportunities for young people to benefit from the enhanced green space Local residents are invited to help plant some new fruit trees at Swallows Meadow in Lower Earley on Saturday 29 March a local charity that plants wild fruit trees in community spaces providing free fruit for local residents and a better environment for wildlife Freely Fruity is donating 50 young fruit trees of various species Working with the University of Reading (which owns and manages the space) Wokingham Borough Council and Earley Town Council the event will bring together local residents who can help with the planting learn new skills and enjoy being surrounded by nature The event will run from 10am -12pm and meet at the Chatteris Way entrance to Swallows Meadow People joining the event are encouraged to travel sustainably said: “It’s really important to our charity that we engage local people and organisations Planting fruit trees is brilliant for the environment and wildlife it’s a fantastic resource for residents to learn new skills and help them enjoy their natural surroundings.” Community Engagement Manager at the University of Reading said: “We know that Swallows Meadow is a popular walking spot for many local residents We are extremely grateful to Freely Fruity for donating these trees to help enhance this green space even further “The event will be a great opportunity to bring people together as we continue to work with the community to nurture this well-loved green space.” Swallows Meadow is an area of open green space in Lower Earley. It was officially opened to the public in November 2024 after work was undertaken to make the space better signed and more accessible We are in the process of finalising our postgraduate taught courses for 2026/27 entry. In the meantime, you can view our 2025/26 courses. ITV Meridian's Wesley Smith went along to a men's breakfast club to find out the impact it is having on the local community A breakfast club for men has been described as "a recipe for community and wellbeing". The monthly gathering in Lower Earley near Reading is seen as a safe space. It is led by Keith Vertigan and Darren Early, with the support of church leader Roelof Vermeulen, and has become a cornerstone of the community. What started as a small initiative to support men’s mental wellbeing has grown into a popular monthly event. There are now 18 regular attendees and only four of them are members of the church. The group has grown well beyond expectations, but they say there is still room for more and everyone is welcome. 14:00",matchAwayCrest:e,seasonName:"Season 2024/2025"}],season:2024,guid:1732879585230,competition:{seasonID:2024,matchID:r,teamID:o},squad:o,matchID:r}]}},rowID:"b4420750-ae44-11ef-a9ae-d925d316719c"},{rowData:{widgetName:i,widgetID:"c5e87611-ae44-11ef-a9ae-d925d316719c",widgetType:n,widgetData:{mediaLibraryID:e,toggleDouble:e,contentDouble:e,content:"FA Cup fever hits RG2\nAfter almost three weeks away the Royals are back at the Select Car Leasing Stadium this Sunday ready for a classic ‘magic of the FA Cup’ encounter will travel to RG2 for their historic second-round tie Competing in the Southern League Premier Central (Tier 7) the visitors are aiming to write another chapter in their remarkable cup journey Here’s everything you need to know ahead of kick-off: Tickets for this fixture are available at reduced prices compared to standard league matches with advanced purchase discounts valid until 10am on Sunday All home fans will be seated in the Sir John Madjeski Stand Please note that Season Ticket holders must purchase tickets separately as passes are not valid for this cup match With multiple events taking place and limited train services on Sunday fans are encouraged to plan their journeys in advance A minimal service will be operated by Great Western Railway with only a single three-car train available on the day Several roads will be affected by local events: For full details on buses, parking, and travel updates, visit the Matchday Travel page The Fanstore will be open from 11am to 5pm Take advantage of up to 50% off selected items Send your photos to be featured on the big screen during the match! Submit your selfie here It is important to reiterate to our supporters that it is unacceptable for any supporters to enter the field of play before during or after the match or to throw missiles of any description onto the pitch.We acknowledge that fans have the right to a voice and to make that voice heard but any supporter protests which disrupt the running of a matchday or the club’s day-to-day operations Disruption to matchday operations can lead to significant penalties and fines for the club which cannot possibly aid the club’s cause Supporters in breach of the rules may also receive a criminal record or a banning order so we would strongly advise against any supporter action which might bring the club into disrepute and impact the running of this or future club fixtures a seventh-tier side in the English football pyramid made headlines in the first round of the FA Cup with a stunning 4-1 victory over National League South outfit Tonbridge Angels the club was founded in 1975 and is currently managed by Mitch Austin They compete in the Southern League Premier Central where they sit 15th in the table after 17 matches (5 wins This season has proven challenging compared to last year’s impressive third-place finish where they came close to claiming the league title Sunday’s clash marks a historic moment for Harborough Town as they compete in the second round of the FA Cup for the first time Their journey to this stage has been remarkable requiring five victories in the qualifying rounds and an unforgettable win in their first-ever first-round tie striker Tendai Daire shared a light-hearted insight into his preparations saying he plans to familiarise himself with the Royals by playing as them on FIFA while also “doing what he can” to gain a competitive edge Former Tottenham Hotspur and Brazil midfielder Sandro has made a surprising return to football coming out of retirement to join Southern League Premier Central side Harborough Town Sandro brings a wealth of experience to The Bees He originally joined Tottenham from Brazilian club Internacional in 2010 going on to feature for Queens Park Rangers Reflecting on Sandro’s unexpected arrival Manager Mitch Austin admitted he was “gobsmacked” when the former Premier League star expressed interest in the club Austin explained that after their initial conversation about Harborough’s journey eager to join the team and contribute to the project With his wealth of experience and leadership Sandro is set to be a pivotal figure in Harborough Town’s dressing room and on the pitch—a player to keep a close eye on this weekend Referee - Declan BourneAssistant Referee 1 - Kevin HowickAssistant Referee 2 - Ryan WhitakerFourth Official - Neil Pratt For best viewing experience of this website Please enter a place name in the search bar After provisionally the warmest May Day on record in the UK higher than average temperatures will subside over the weekend Environment Agency Updated: 05:49 (UTC+1) on Tue 6 May 2025 it will turn increasingly cloudy from off the North Sea Some bright or sunny spells developing by evening Staying dry with some lengthy clear skies overnight Turning chilly with a touch of grass frost in places Largely dry with variable amounts of cloud and bright or sunny spells on Wednesday with variable amounts of cloud and bright or sunny spells throughout the period Dry across the vast majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells but also some patchy cloud Cloud will likely thicken across the far north and northwest during the weekend with some outbreaks of rain for a time There is also a small risk of some heavy showers in the far south or southwest high pressure will be dominant across the UK This will bring predominantly fine and dry weather for the majority of places Temperatures are likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year although there is a chance of some cold nights Fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average Earley residents are invited to attend the official opening of Swallows Meadow following the completion of improvements at the popular site.  An opening event will take place on Saturday with walking tours and family friendly activities available between 1pm and 3pm In partnership with Earley Environmental Group the improvements at the University of Reading-owned Meadows mean residents now have a pleasant space to enjoy with a consistent mowing regime Additions to the site include kissing gates and proper signage The University and Earley Environmental Group are inviting residents to suggest further improvements they would like to see to enhance biodiversity and access at the opening on Saturday said: “We have spent a lot of time making improvements to Swallows Meadow for the benefit of both residents and local wildlife We are grateful for all the support we have received from Earley Environmental Group and look forward to working with them in the future “There are still more improvements we could make so please come and make your suggestions at the official opening of the Meadows.” Labour has won a landslide victory in the UK general election In Berkshire, Matt Rodda was the first winner, taking Reading Central Tan Dhesi has been re-elected in Slough Conservative James Sunderland has lost his seat in Bracknell Wokingham is a Lib Dem gain Labour's Yuan Yang has won Earley and Woodley Newbury is another gain for the Lib Dems Theresa May's old seat of Maidenhead turns to Liberal Democrats Dan Kerins, Nathan Briant & Daisy Stephens Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang were barred entering from the country over the weekend. Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingNeneh Cherry among shortlisted women authorspublished at 06:09 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March06:09 GMT 27 MarchAn MP and a palliative care doctor are also on the shortlist for the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction. Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingMP and hospital staff meet minister over rebuildpublished at 06:17 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March06:17 GMT 13 MarchStaff at the Royal Berkshire Hospital had hoped to rebuild it in Reading in about 2031. Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingNandy 'appalled' by Badenoch's football viewspublished at 13:59 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February13:59 GMT 27 FebruaryCulture secretary Lisa Nandy was told about Reading FC's issues by Earley and Woodley MP Yuan Yang. 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Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingMajor road reopens after military convoy crashpublished at 08:19 British Summer Time 28 July 202408:19 BST 28 July 2024Two men were seriously injured in a collision on the A34 that led to almost 12-hour traffic queues.