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See the Windsor Christmas lights switch-on tomorrow

Tomorrow is Windsor’s official Christmas lights switch-on.

With the majestic Windsor Castle as the backdrop, there will be a programme of live entertainment in Windsor from 3pm, with carol singing and community stalls culminating in the switching on of the Christmas lights, at 5.30pm, with the cast from Theatre Royal Windsor’s panto Jack and the Beanstalk.

There will be road closures on Castle Hill, Thames Street, and High Street starting at midday.

For more information about other local Christmas lights, festive parking and road closures, read our press release.
Funding secured to support vulnerable people

We’ve been awarded £260,000 to develop a digital community support platform to help care workers and volunteers support vulnerable individuals in the community.

The funding, from the government’s Local Digital Fund, will be used to create a smartphone app that social care, primary care, and volunteers can use to support those in need.

This will allow professionals to refer them to services and alert volunteers that may be able to help, via a smartphone notification.
Covid Outbreak Engagement Board

The last public Covid Outbreak Engagement Board (OEB) of the year is due to be held live via our YouTube channel on Monday 20 December from 2.30pm.

Join to hear the latest information about the borough’s Covid’s case rates and vaccinations status, how we and our public health partners are tackling the virus, specific government messaging or any other important announcements, plus our ongoing communications and engagement activities.

You can submit questions in advance of the session, by emailing democratic.services@rbwm.gov.uk by Friday 17 December.

The dates for next year’s OEB will be published as part of December’s agenda.
Suggest discussion topics for our scrutiny panels

Did you know you can suggest discussion topics to our scrutiny panels?

A good topic suggestion can be an issue of concern in your local community which could be looked at to improve the services we provide.

By suggesting topics, you can help ensure our local public services are delivered effectively, efficiently, and meet the needs of our communities.

To learn more about what makes a good scrutiny topic, and how to suggest one, visit our website. 
Look out for your copy of Around the Royal Borough

Around the Royal Borough, our magazine for residents, is dropping through letterboxes across the borough over the coming days.

The magazine is full of useful news, information and advice about a wide range of council services and projects, as well as highlighting opportunities to get involved and make a difference in your community.

There’s also a handy cut-out-and-keep timetable for bin collections over the festive period. To read it online, visit our website.
Christmas all wrapped up

Christmas is a magical time of year, but it can be a wasteful one as well. We can produce up to 30% more waste during the festive season!

It’s estimated that around £42 million-worth of unwanted Christmas presents are thrown out each year – and that’s just a fraction of the overall bill for unwanted presents, which is a massive £700 million in the UK!

We will be providing ideas between now and the big day to help you have a greener Christmas this year, and many of the ideas save your pocket too.

Remember, how you celebrate Christmas is personal to you and your family, so if you don’t want a huge turkey or can’t stand sprouts, don’t feel pressured to have things you don’t like and that are more likely to be wasted.


Advent

It’s not long at all until those advent calendars will be counting down to Christmas, so how about doing something different this year? You can buy (or make) a reusable calendar and fill it with sweets, chocolate or small gifts without individual plastic wrappers - or make the sweets yourself or with your children.

Alternatively, what about a reverse calendar? Add one food item each day and donate to a local food bank instead, to help local people who are struggling.
If you do have a conventional advent calendar with chocolates, separate any plastic and card before you put it in your blue recycling bin or clear bags.


Gifts and Presents

Make all that recycling this year really count; look for unique upcycled items, or products made from recycled material.

Receiving a gift that is lovingly handcrafted is extra special, so if you feel creative, you could try making your presents. Craft Coop runs some interesting workshops for decorations and gift ideas at their Windsor branch.

They also have some fantastic handcrafted and artisan gifts ready-made. Keep your gift miles low by supporting our local shops and small businesses.
Help your local community by returning unwanted social care equipment

Optalis, who provide adult social care in the Royal Borough, are asking residents to return any social care aids and equipment they’ve been loaned but no longer need.

Items such as wheeled commodes, mattresses, and bed rails could be recycled and reused by people who need them.

To arrange a free collection, please contact your local centre at enquiries@berkshire.nrs-uk.net or call 0344 893 6960.

Learn more on the Optalis website.
Updated high-rise fire safety webpages

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) has recently updated its website with refreshed content on fire safety for those living in high-rise buildings. 

The updated webpages are intended to bring all relevant guidance together in one place, providing a range of helpful information and links to residents living in high-rise buildings, as well as to those responsible for these premises.

Guidance for residents living in high-rise buildings includes information about what to do in the event of an emergency, types of evacuation strategy, ways to minimise the risk of a fire starting and contact details for any concerns.

Guidance for owners and those responsible for high-rise residential buildings includes information on key building safety legislation, recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and information on choosing a fire risk assessor.

To access the updated pages, please visit the RBFRS website.
Light up your winter with a visit to Windsor Illuminated

Open until Sunday 9 January, this very special light trail will take you on a magical journey as woodland and water at Windsor Great Park come alive with dazzling lights, dancing stars and breathtaking projections.

Along the way you’ll pass fountains of flowers and holograms of mythical creatures and be mesmerised by a dreamlike laser-scape amongst the trees.

At a cosy rest spot, enjoy mouth-wateringly good food, mulled wine and hot chocolate, or toast marshmallows at one of the fire pits.

Book your tickets today on the Windsor Illuminated website.
Learn about the link between nature and wellbeing

On Sunday 28 November, local conversation group WildSL6 and mental health peer-to-peer support group Mad Millennials Mentors Berks will be running a free nature walk.

Starting at 2pm at the Butterfly Trail car park in Maidenhead, the groups will set off on the 2-3km walk and discuss how getting out in nature can benefit your mental health and wellbeing.

Anyone is welcome to attend, see the Facebook event for more information.
Free jobseekers’ course

The Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) are hosting a free virtual course to help jobseekers.

Due to run from 9.30am to 2.30pm, on Wednesday 24 November, this course will provide attendees with the tools to understand the key aspects of a CV, what makes a good CV, and how to use social media to look for a suitable job.

If you would like to enrol, visit the WEA website, or call 0300 303 3464.
Royal Borough community spotlight

Here are just some of the upcoming community events in the Royal Borough:

  • Autumn Fayre – (10am-1pm Saturday 20 November) - Cookham Dean Village Hall. A range of stalls including a raffle for super hampers, tombola, homecooked food, homemade cakes and much more. Refreshments will also be available. Visit the Cookham Dean Church website to learn more

  • Pop-up charity Christmas market (Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 November) - The Hub, Unit 15, Maidenhead. Alexander Divine Children’s Hospice is holding a charity Christmas market with a wide selection of new and pre-loved toys, games, and books in addition to Christmas treats and local crafts. Visit the Alexander Divine website to learn more

  • Windsor & Maidenhead Orchestral concert - (Saturday 20 November) – Braywick Leisure Centre. An evening of classical music featuring the talents of the Royal Free Singers, Maidenhead Choral Society and Dedworth Middle School Children’s Choir. To learn more and book your tickets, visit their website

  • Christmas market - (11am-2pm Saturday 20 November) - St Andrews Church, Clewer. Enjoy the variety of stalls selling items including miniature Christmas trees, home produce and wreaths. Learn more on their website
 
  • Charity coffee morning – (10am-noon Friday 26 November) - The Swan in Clewer, Windsor. A range of home-made cakes, biscuits and much more with an excellent range of coffee and tea too. All proceeds will go to The Windsor Homeless Project. Visit The Swan website to learn more

  • Alexander Devine’s Santa Dash - (6-11.30am Sunday 28 November) – Windsor. Volunteers and runners are invited to put on their Santa suits or reindeer antlers and take part in the 9th annual Santa Dash in support of Alexander Divine Children's Hospice. Your support could help provide a magical Christmas for a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening illness and ensure families can make special memories together this festive season. For more information, visit the Alexander Divine website

  • Christmas tree festival - (Friday 3 - Sunday 5 December) - St Luke’s Church, Maidenhead. Visit this beautiful church full of Christmas trees decorated by the community and help support their fundraiser for Thames Hospice. For more information, visit the St Luke’s website

  • Christmas on The Green - (4-7pm Saturday 4 December) - Datchet Green. See the Christmas tree lights switch-on and enjoy the perfect Christmas atmosphere complete with Santa’s Grotto, festive music, and plenty of refreshment and cakes
 
  • Charity Christmas concert - (Saturday 18 December) - Windsor United Reformed Church. The Royal Free Singers community choir will perform a programme of carols and Christmas music, with mince pies and drinks during the interval. Admission is free, donations are invited in support of Driven Forward, a local charity, and Medecins sans Frontieres 

If you have an upcoming not-for-profit community event or activity you’d like to promote in this newsletter simply send basic information about your event to communications@rbwm.gov.uk and it could be shared with over 19,000 local residents.

You just need to include a brief description, when and where it takes place, and a link to a website/social media page/contact where people can find out more.
Gardens wanted for Maidenhead Open Gardens 2022

Maidenhead Rotary Club is looking for gardens to take part in Maidenhead Open Gardens 2022, which runs from Saturday 25 to Sunday 26 June.

It doesn’t matter if your garden is large or small, traditional or modern, established or still a work in progress, all are welcome.

For information on how to take part, please email contact@maidenheadopengardens.org.

Visit the Maidenhead Rotary Club website for more information.
Have your say

We regularly hold consultations to get your views on proposals within the Royal Borough.

Responding to our consultations and giving your feedback is the best way to ensure your views are heard.

Our current consultations are:


More information can be found on the consultations pages of our website. 
M4 closures

The M4 is due to be closed in both overnight directions between Junctions 5 (Langley) and 6 (Slough-Windsor) from 8pm today until 6am on Monday 22 November.

The M4 is also due to be closed in both directions from 8pm on Friday 26 to 8pm on Sunday 28 November between Junctions 6 (Slough-Windsor) and 8/9 (Maidenhead).

Visit the Highways England website for more details on the M4 smart motorway scheme.

For details of council works on highways, visit our website. For full local roadwork details, including work by utility firms, please visit the One Network website.
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