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Special events revealed for the local community to celebrate the Coronation
This
week we're announcing special events which will be held in Windsor for
the local community to celebrate the Coronation of Their Majesties King
Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The Coronation itself will be on Saturday 6 May,
and events marking this historic occasion will be held across the
country, including the Coronation Big Lunch on the Sunday, the
Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle, and the Big Help Out on the Bank
Holiday Monday. There are no ceremonial events in Windsor for the Coronation.
The
Coronation service at Westminster Abbey will be televised live from
11am on the Saturday. We have arranged big screens for the local
community on part of the Long Walk from 10am for a limited number of
residents to watch this big national moment together. Access to this
event area is not ticketed but is subject to capacity.
On
the Sunday, you are welcome to bring picnics to enjoy within this
community event area on the Long Walk, as part of the Coronation Big
Lunch, from midday until 6pm. During this time, a small stage will also
share community performances as part of the Windsor Community Coronation
Showcase, an exciting and varied programme of entertainment organised
by the Windsor Platinum Jubilee Event Team.
The
BBC Coronation Concert, starting at 8pm on the Sunday, is a ticket-only
event inside Windsor Castle’s grounds and hundreds of lucky residents
of the borough will be attending following a special local ballot. You
won’t be able to access anything without a ticket. However, the concert
will be televised and also shown at the screen site on the Long Walk –
this site has limited capacity and is primarily for local residents.
If you plan to attend the community events
Windsor
is expected to be busy over the Coronation weekend. If you’re planning
on travelling into Windsor, please use public transport if possible,
ideally the train, and check timetables before you travel.
Town
centre parking is limited. A number of car parks in Windsor will be
temporarily unavailable for general public use, or have reduced spaces,
in order to support the BBC Coronation Concert and Royal Windsor Horse
Show.
However, extra free dedicated parking has been set aside at the Review Ground on Saturday 6 May and Sunday 7 May,
specifically for local residents attending the community events on the
Long Walk, on a first-come-first-served basis, with
availability subject to weather conditions and capacity.
For
further advice and information on attending the community events,
including what you can and can’t bring, full event programme, on-site
facilities, and temporary car park and road closures, please visit our Coronation celebrations press release or our dedicated Coronation webpages for Royal Borough residents.
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Remember to bring your photo ID to the polling station
Our borough and parish elections take place next Thursday (4 May).
A
total of 126 candidates are putting themselves forward across all 41
borough seats and 19 wards. Candidate details and election information
is available on our website.
In
addition, all 14 parish councils will have all-out elections, though
there will only be contested parish elections within four parishes.
There will also be a local referendum in the Datchet parish about the
proposed Datchet Neighbourhood Plan.
If you’re voting in person, remember to bring your photo ID to the polling station so you can be given ballot papers. You can check your polling station location on your polling card (if you have one) or on our dedicated webpage. You can also check which borough ward you live within using our Neighbourhood Map.
The
deadlines for registering to vote and applying for a Voter Authority
Certificate or to vote by proxy or post have now passed.
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Bring an accepted form of photo ID
Due to a national legal change, for the first time you will need to show photo ID on election day to vote at a polling station.
A wide range
of photo ID will be accepted including a UK, European Economic Area
(EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK or EEA driver’s licence; and some
concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an
Oyster 60+ card. The Resident Advantage Card is not an accepted form of
ID for voting.
You will also be able to use expired ID if you are still recognisable from the photo.
Visit the Electoral Commission website for more information about Voter ID and to check the full list of accepted forms of ID.
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Watch the Coronation Lion being created
Check out our short video showing how Mfalme, the Coronation Lion, was created by residents who are supported by our adult social care partner Optalis.
Watch the video to experience an amazing sung and
signed rendition of the national anthem using Makaton, a communications
system for people with learning difficulties and additional needs.
You can find Mfalme in the Windsor Yards shopping
centre. He is stored safely each night and returned to his spot every
morning to be enjoyed by visitors to Windsor.
Learn more in our Boyn Lion press release.
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Discover the royal links to Windsor Guildhall
You
can follow in the steps of royal history during the Coronation weekend
by visiting Windsor Guildhall where Their Majesties King Charles III and
Queen Camilla were married.
The
building has been at the heart of life in Windsor since the 17th
century and has had a long-standing connection with the royal family who
have lived and worked from Windsor Castle just a few steps away.
The Council Chamber, which has served as coroner’s
and magistrates’ court, has original portraits of most of our monarchs
from Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603) to Queen Elizabeth II
(1952-2022).
The new King has personal links to the Guildhall marrying Queen Camilla in the Ascot Room in April 2005 in front of 15 guests, including William, Prince of Wales, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
On
21 December of the same year, Sir Elton John and David Furnish had
their Civil Partnership on the first day same-sex ceremonies were
allowed to take place in England and Wales.
Join one of Windsor & Royal Borough Museum’s guided tours on Sunday 7 May and find out more about the history of this Grade I listed building.
Tours start at £5 per person and last approximately 40 minutes. They are available both morning or afternoon on Sunday 7 May and bookings can be made on the Visit Windsor website.
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Volunteers needed for our Museum
Come and talk to some of our wonderful Windsor & Royal Borough Museum volunteers on Monday 8 May to see if it's something you might like to be involved in.
The
museum, at Windsor Guildhall, is open on the Bank Holiday Monday
because of the support of our current volunteers, but we are looking to
recruit more volunteers to support our weekend calendar.
The
museum is open from 10am until 4pm so come and take a look at our
wonderful history and artefacts. You can also chat with our volunteers
to find out what’s involved and hear why they dedicate their time to
support us. You can even sign up to volunteer with us while you are
visiting.
More information about volunteering in the Museum and Information Centre is available on our website.
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Feeling crafty for the Coronation?
Join other Royal Borough families celebrating the Coronation at Windsor Guildhall on Sunday 7 May with a craft session.
Children
can come, make and colour then take their creations home. There are
Coronation crowns, badges, and bookmarks to be made all fit for a king.
Sessions
last approximately 40 minutes and will run every hour from 10.30am and
the last session begins at 2.30pm costing £2.50 per child.
Booking
in advance is recommended to avoid disappointment. You can turn up
on the day to purchase a ticket at the Information Desk, if there are
spaces left.
You can learn more and book your tickets on the Visit Windsor website.
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Bin collections not affected on the Bank Holidays
Bin collections will take place as normal on Bank Holidays, Monday 1 May and 8 May.
If your bin is due to be collected, please remember to put your
recycling and general rubbish out by 7am on the day and no earlier than
the night before.
Visit our recycling and rubbish webpage for more information about what can go in each bin.
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Last chance to respond to your child’s reception or junior school offer
Calling all parents! If your child is starting reception or junior school in September 2023, you have until next week (Wednesday 3 May) to let us know if you wish to accept or decline the offer of the school place made to your child.
If you applied online using the portal,
you will be able to log into your account to view the outcome and
accept or decline your offer and you will also receive an email
confirming the outcome of your application. You can also email your acceptance or decline of the offer to rbwm.admissions@achievingforchildren.org.uk. Please remember to include your child's full name and date of birth.
If
you applied using a paper common application form or our Google online
form, you will not be able to access the admissions portal and your
outcome letter will be dispatched via email or first-class post
providing information about the outcome and how to respond.
Further information is available on our school admissions page.
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Calling all jobseekers! Attend our jobs fair
A jobs fair will take place at Maidenhead Library on Tuesday 16 May from 10.30am to 1pm.
Jobseekers
will have the opportunity to meet local employers and find out about
their current vacancies. There’s no need to book, just turn up on
the day.
Employers who wish to attend the event should contact maidenhead.library@rbwm.gov.uk.
For more information, please visit our employment support webpage.
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Domestic abuse awareness training available for hairdressers
For
many victims of domestic abuse, hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons
are safe spaces where they are at ease with people they can trust and
confide in.
We
are offering free one-hour online training sessions for professionals
working in the hair and beauty industry in the Royal Borough.
The
training will include information on recognising the signs of domestic
abuse in clients, what to do if a client says they’re being abused, and
what services to signpost clients towards.
The sessions take place on MS Teams from 6pm to 7pm on:
- Thursday 18 May 2023
- Tuesday 4 July 2023
- Tuesday 3 October 2023
- Wednesday 17 January 2024
To learn more and book, please see the Cut It Out flyer or email Sophie.wing-king@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.
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‘Be Water Aware’ as temperatures begin to rise
As
the weather begins to improve, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service
(RBFRS) is joining other fire services across the UK and asking everyone
to stay safe when spending time in and around water.
The call comes as part of the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) ‘Be Water Aware’ campaign which runs until Sunday 30 April. The campaign is warning people of the risk of accidentally drowning.
Last
year, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service responded to 36 water
rescue incidents involving people getting into difficulty in Berkshire’s
waterways – an increase of 50 per cent since 2020.
Many
people underestimate the risk of jumping into water where unseen
hazards and cold water can endanger even the strongest swimmers. Even on
a warm day the temperature in open water can remain very cold, causing
cold water shock, a physical reaction which can make it difficult to
control breathing, cause panic and make it difficult to swim.
If
you find yourself in trouble, try not to panic and remember ‘Float To
Live’. Lean back in the water and spread your arms and legs to stay
afloat and control your breathing. It can take up to 90 seconds for the
effects of cold-water shock to pass.
If you do see someone in difficulty, remember ‘Call, Tell and Throw' – call 999, tell the person to float on their back and throw something to them to help them float.
For more information on water safety, visit the RBFRS website.
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Come and listen to the spring dawn chorus
Join
bird call experts and come and listen and learn about the magnificent
spring dawn chorus in the Dell at Braywick Nature Centre at 4.45am on Saturday 20 May.
Keeping
quiet is the only condition for the early morning visit, so not to
scare the birds away as you identify which native birds are being vocal
and why.
The
ticket-only event will include a walk in the forest which is also
accessible for those with mobility issues. All ages are welcome and
guide dogs only.
Tickets
cost £3.50 with a £1 booking fee. Parking is free. After enjoying the
chorus, the experts will take visitors to the centre to warm up with
coffee and doughnuts.
Learn more and book on the Eventbrite website.
Photo credit: Mike Vogel
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Discover our beautiful local bluebell forests
The bluebell carpet is out in full bloom at Ockwells Park, Cox Green, and Thrift Wood. They should be flowering for another few weeks so head down to experience it for yourself.
The area of bluebells has increased in recent
years due to our work in the only ancient woodland we manage. With the
help of our volunteers, we have discouraged the growth of invasive
species allowing space for more wildflowers and bluebells to grow. This
work forms part of our plans to manage woodland in the Biodiversity
Action Plan.
We also have a fabulous living fence, created by
the Windsor and Maidenhead Conservation Volunteers, outlining a wide
path which has plenty of room for you to enjoy being surrounded by these
beautiful flowers.
Just remember to stick to the path as bluebells
are very easily damaged by trampling under foot or dog paw. It can take
up to seven years for seeds to develop into flowering bulbs and they
only have a small window each year to gain enough energy to flower the
following year.
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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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Filling Good’s eco quiz
(Saturday 29 April at 2pm) – ECO Action Hub, Maidenhead. Come and test
your knowledge on different sustainability subjects at this free quiz
with prizes up for grabs. Suitable for children aged eight and up. Learn
more on the Filling Good Facebook page
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Windsor and Eton Bowling Club Open Day
(Sunday 30 April from 10am to 4pm) – Goswell Meadow, Barry Avenue. An
opportunity for all ages, abilities and backgrounds to come and try
Bowls at the Windsor and Eton Bowling Club, nestling in the shadows of
Windsor Castle. You will be made very welcome and will be provided with
all you need to have a go. Please wear flat shoes. Refreshments and free
parking on site will be available
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Maidenhead Sailing Club open day
(Monday 1 May, noon to 4pm) – Maidenhead Sailing Club, Lakeside,
Summerleaze Road. Ever fancied sailing or paddleboarding? Come along and
have a go. Bring your family and friends for a great day out. No
experience required. Changing facilities, BBQ and bar available and
bring a change of clothing just in case. To learn more, visit the Maidenhead Sailing Club website
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Royal Windsor Rose Show flower arranging demonstration
(Tuesday 2 May, 2.30pm) – Gardeners Hall, St Leonard’s Road. The Royal
Windsor Rose Show Floral Club is hosting a flower arranging
demonstration. All are welcome, £7.50 entry (cash only) with an
opportunity to win the arrangements in the raffle. Any questions, please
contact 07786 703238
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Quiz Night
(Saturday 13 May, 7pm) – Woodlands Park Village Centre, SL6 3GW. Tables
of six or enquire about individual entries. Entry is £7.50 per person. A
raffle will also be held with various prizes. All proceeds to go to St
Mark’s Crescent Methodist Church Fund. Bring your own food, drink and
glasses. Book at info@stmarksmaidenhead.org.uk or call 01628-623263
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Royal Windsor Flower Show
(Saturday 10 June, 10am 6pm) – Windsor Great Park. The Royal Windsor
Flower Show returns with inspiring showcase gardens, fabulous nurseries,
incredible speakers and honorary president Alan Titchmarsh. A wonderful
day out for all the family with horticultural, craft and cooking
competitions for all ages and abilities. Learn more and book tickets on
the Royal Windsor Rose and Horticultural Society website
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 21,000 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.
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is asking for
views on options for a redeveloped or relocated Royal Berkshire
Hospital. Visit the Building Berkshire Together website to learn more.
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Local Travel Updates
The Aslef union has announced industrial action which will affect local Great Western Railway (GWR) services on:
- Friday 12 May
- Wednesday 31 May
- Saturday 3 June
There will also be further disruption to services from Monday 15 to Saturday 20 May and on Saturday 13 May and Thursday 1 June due to action short of a strike. For more information, please visit the GWR 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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