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Observing Remembrance in the Royal Borough
Everyone is invited to attend the Remembrance Sunday services taking place in the Royal Borough this Sunday, 13 November.
We'll be holding two services from 10.50am in Maidenhead and Windsor with a two-minute-silence at 11am.
The
Maidenhead service will be held at the War Memorial outside Maidenhead
Town Hall and will be attended by the Mayor, Councillor Christine
Bateson. The Windsor service will be held at the war memorial on Windsor
High Street outside the Parish Church of St John the Baptist and will
be attended by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Gary Muir.
A
service will also be held at St Michael’s Church, Sunninghill and this
will be followed by the Act of Remembrance and wreath laying at the War
Memorial in the church grounds.
Thank you to everyone who joined today's Act of Remembrance at the war memorial outside Maidenhead Town Hall. Watch our short video of this event. Read more in our press release.
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Celebrate the start of the festive season with our magical lights switch-on events
Magical
lights switch-on events in Eton, Windsor and Maidenhead this month will
kick-off the start of the festive season in the Royal Borough.
You can see the spectacle of Eton’s lights switch-on in the High Street on Thursday 17 November,
with food stalls, funfair rides, music and dancing, in and around
Jubilee Square from 5pm. The chapel service will be at 6pm, followed by a
procession with Father Christmas and the switch-on itself in Jubilee
Square at 7pm.
With the majestic Windsor Castle as the backdrop, Windsor’s switch-on will take place in Castle Hill on Saturday 19 November,
with a full programme of live festive performances from local groups,
plus community stands and food stalls. The switch-on ceremony will be at
5.30pm by the Mayor, Councillor Christine Bateson, and the cast from
the Theatre Royal Windsor’s Sleeping Beauty.
Maidenhead’s lights switch-on follows on Saturday 26 November,
where the exciting countdown will begin outside the Town Hall just
before 6pm, followed by a fireworks display, subject to weather
conditions.
Take the
opportunity to enjoy the festive cheer of these magical lights switch-on
events and support businesses by shopping local for unique gifts for
family and friends.
Read more in our press release.
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Take advantage of free bus services in the run up to Christmas
There
will be free travel on supported bus services on selected Saturdays
leading up to Christmas to encourage use of public transport in the
borough.
You can travel for free when you board within the borough on Saturday 19 November, Saturday 26 November, Saturday 3 December and Saturday 10 December on the following services:
- Thames Valley Buses routes 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 53, 127, 234/235 and 238/239
- White Bus route 01
For timetables, visit the Thames Valley Buses and White Bus websites.
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Applications now open for September 2023 reception and junior school places
If your child was born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019, you can now apply for a school reception place for September 2023.
If your child was born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016 and is currently attending an infant school, you can also apply for a junior school place.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 15 January 2023.
More information about how to apply and key dates to remember can be found on our website.
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Reminder: Children invited to join 21-gun salute for HM The King’s birthday
Children
of the Royal Borough are invited to help wish His Majesty The King a
happy birthday, by taking part in the traditional 21-gun salute outside
Windsor Castle, on Monday (14 November) at noon.
As
usual, a number of lucky children attending the ceremony will be chosen
at random to fire the guns, under the safe supervision of an ordnance
expert.
This
annual gun salute on the reigning monarch’s birthday is a
long-standing, popular Windsor tradition, and this year will be extra
special as it’s the first time we’re firing the cannon for the birthday
His Majesty King Charles III. If your children would like to be
involved, simply turn up by 11.50am and they might be fortunate to be
picked.
Photo: Gill Heppell.
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Helping those in need with the housing challenge
Over the next fortnight, we’re highlighting some
of our work with partners to address the housing challenge locally,
which includes preventing homelessness and helping those in housing
need. Our Housing Operations Manager, Jordan Hatswell, explains more.
What is the Housing Options Team?
Our Housing Services is made up of various teams,
each specialising in an area of service, and this includes Housing
Options, Housing Allocations, Temporary Accommodation and the Rough
Sleeper Team. The Housing Options Team is there to help any households
who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness. The team works to prevent
homelessness, with help from colleagues in the Temporary Accommodation
and Rough Sleeper Teams.
The Housing Allocations team manages the Royal
Borough’s Housing Register, and nominations to our social housing
partners’ properties across the borough.
What housing support is available within the brough?
The Housing Options Team aims to prevent
households from becoming homeless in the first instance, by a range of
means including negotiation with landlords, letting agents and
relatives. If prevention is not possible, we will assist households to
find alternative accommodation (homelessness relief) in the private
rented sector where properties are more often available. Each applicant
will have a personal Housing Plan created for them, with goals and
actions set out to help them in their aim of finding suitable
accommodation.
How do I get a social housing property?
Social housing properties are allocated via the
Housing Register to applicants based on their level of housing need, and
who have a local connection to Maidenhead and Windsor. There is a high
demand for social housing within the borough, and all nominations for
properties are completed in line with the Housing Allocations Policy
which can be found here.
How do I access housing support?
Housing support can be accessed via our website, for Homelessness here, or for applying for social housing by visiting this webpage.
Alternatively, for urgent housing/homelessness issues, you can call the Housing Options Duty number 01628 683803.
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New waymarked trails officially opened at Braywick Nature Reserve
We have officially opened three new trails showcasing Braywick Nature Reserve’s woodland, grassland and waterway habitats.
The
waymarked Kingfisher, Butterfly and Woodpecker routes have interpretive
signs around them explaining more to visitors about the habitats and
the wildlife that call them home.
They were opened yesterday by Councillor Gurpreet Bhangra, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, Parks & Countryside, who cut an ivy vine to mark the opening, and artist and illustrator Stu McLellan, who created the signs (pictured above).
For more information, please read our press release. For more information about Braywick Nature Centre and the reserve, visit the RBWM Together website.
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Knife amnesty bins launched in Maidenhead and Windsor
Thames
Valley Police have launched knife amnesty bins in Maidenhead and
Windsor, ahead of Operation Sceptre, the national week of action to
tackle knife crime.
Working
closely with the council, four community amnesty bins have been placed
across neighbourhood areas, providing the opportunity to dispose of
knives and bladed articles in a safe and legal way.
Those using
the scheme are asked that all knives are safely wrapped in tape and
newspaper before placing in the bins which are being closely monitored
and regularly emptied with the contents carefully disposed of.
They are located at:
- The Boy in the Boat statue, Maidenhead
- Desborough Park, Maidenhead
- Tesco, Dedworth Road, Windsor
- Vansittart Skate Park, Windsor.
The
initiative builds upon the success of other knife amnesty initiatives
already operating effectively in other areas of the Thames Valley. Read
more in Thames Valley Police's press release.
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Last chance to help reshape constituencies
Earlier this week, the Boundary Commission for England (BCE) opened a final consultation, ending on Monday 5 December, which will give you the chance to share your views on revised proposals for constituencies across the country.
The Commission
has taken into consideration more than 45,000 comments sent in by the
public during the previous two stages of public consultation and has
changed nearly half of its initial proposals based on this feedback.
The public are invited to view and comment on the new map on the BCE website.
After this
final consultation has closed, the Commission will analyse the responses
and form its final recommendations. These will be submitted to
Parliament by Saturday 1 July 2023.
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Free holiday activities and food programme returns for children eligible for free school meals
A successful
free holiday activities and food programme helping children eligible
for free school meals is returning to the Royal Borough this Christmas.
Our programme is called Feed Ur Everyday Lives (FUEL) and aims to provide additional support to vulnerable children.
It is
delivered by Achieving for Children (AFC), our children’s services
partner, with funding from the Department for Education. It is for
children aged five to 16 years old who are eligible for free school
meals.
FUEL will offer dance, arts and crafts, and sports activities. For full details and to register, visit the AFC website.
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Artisan Christmas Fair at The Windsor Guildhall
Start your Christmas shopping in style at The Windsor Guildhall Artisan Christmas Fair next week.
Browse
a selection of Windsor’s finest local businesses in the elegance of the
Council Chamber and enjoy festive activities including wreath-making
and creative Christmas craft activities for children.
Join us on Thursday 17 November between 11am and 5pm before heading over the bridge to Eton for the annual Christmas Light Switch on, or on Friday 18 November
where we’ll be open from midday until 8pm and will be hosting a bar
serving mulled wine and other drinks on the Corn Market in front of the
Guildhall. There will also be live music supplied by the Windsor Boys'
School.
There will be free entry on both days, charges apply for wreath-making and some children’s activities.
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Tickets on sale for the Mayor's Charity Christmas Meal
Tickets are now on sale for the Mayor, Councillor Christine Bateson’s, Charity Christmas Meal.
The event, in aid of Thames Hospice, will take place on Saturday 3 December at 7.15pm in The Windsor Guildhall.
Tickets cost £49 and the evening includes a drinks reception, three-course meal and seasonal entertainment.
Dress code: Lounge suit/cocktail dress. Visit our website to purchase tickets.
For more information, contact the Mayor's Secretary on 07866 127222 or email alison.singleton@rbwm.gov.uk.
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Royal Borough Community Spotlight
Here are just some of the upcoming community events in the Royal Borough:
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Christmas Fair (Saturday 12
November, 1pm to 4pm) – Braywood Memorial Hall. Oakley Green, Fifield
& District Community Association are holding a Christmas Fair
featuring craft stalls, local honey, Christmas gifts, and tea and cakes.
Admission is free
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Charity Quiz Night
(Saturday 12 November, 7pm to 7.30pm) – Woodlands Park Community
Centre, SL6 3GW. A very good evening where all in the community can come
and enjoy a relaxed time together and raise money for the St Marks
Building Fund. Tables of six or individual entries are accepted, tickets
are £7.50 and can be booked by contacting 01628-623263 or info@stmarksmaidenhead.org.uk
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Windsor & Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra concert
(Saturday 12 November, 7.30pm) – St Mary’s Church, Maidenhead. In the
first concert of their 50th anniversary season, Windsor & Maidenhead
Symphony Orchestra (WMSO) will be performing
three contrasting masterpieces from the 20th century including Weber’s
Der Freischütz overture, Shostakovich’s Cello Concert No. 1 and
Sibelius’s Symphony No. 5. Tickets are £18 (£5 for student/child)
available on the WMSO website
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Recital for Remembrance (Sunday 13 November, 3pm) – St Michael’s Church, Bray. A
Recital for Remembrance, featuring works by Clara Schumann, Bloch and
Brahms will be given by Amber Emson (violin) and Leah Nicholson (piano).
Admission is free with a retiring collection. Further details on the St Michael’s website
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Holyport variety show (Sunday
13 November, 2pm) – Holyport Memorial Hall. A small variety show and
some stalls to browse with wonderful bargains for Christmas. Handmade
items, gardening stall, jewellery for sale and refreshments of hot
drinks and cake. All donations for Thames Hospice
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Thames Hospice variety show (Sunday
13 November, from 2pm) – Holyport Memorial Hall. Thames Hospice is
hosting a variety show, a raffle, and stalls including a handmade stall
and a garden stall. Entry is by suggested donation of £5 or £8 for two
tickets
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Royal Free Singers’ Brahms Requiem (Saturday 26 November, 7.30pm) – Windsor Parish Church. If you missed the Windsor Festival, you're
sure to enjoy the Royal Free Singers' performance of the wonderful
Brahms Requiem with soloists Emma Louise Jones and Edward Birchinall,
accompanied by organist Adrian Bawtree. Tickets are available on the
door on the Royal Free Singers website
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Maidenhead Scouts, Guides and Brownies Christmas Fair
(Saturday 26 November, 10am to 2pm) – High Street Methodist Church,
Maidenhead. Join 13th Maidenhead Scouts and 4th Maidenhead Brownies and
Guides for a free Christmas fair featuring face painting, tombola,
raffle, games, and refreshments. There will also be a bake-off
competition with multiple age categories. Entries to be submitted to
church between 6pm and 7.30 pm on Friday 25 November.
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 more than 20,000 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.
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Have your say
We regularly hold consultations and surveys to get your views on proposals within the Royal Borough.
Participating, sharing ideas and giving your feedback is the best way to ensure your views are heard.
Our current consultations are:
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Local travel updates
The M4 is due to be closed in both directions between junctions 5 (Langley) and 6 (Slough-Windsor) from 10pm today Friday 11 November until 6am on Monday 14 November.
The M4 will reopen by 6am on Sunday 13 November to allow for Remembrance Sunday events. This section of motorway will then be closed again overnight on Sunday 13 November.
Traffic will be diverted onto A4 and the A355. For more information, please visit the National Highways website.
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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