Royal Borough relaunches Here to Help campaign providing cost of living support

As days grow colder and heating bills rise, we are again boosting promotion of cost of living support and encouraging those struggling financially to seek help before problems escalate.

We've relaunched ‘Here to Help’, our promotional campaign bringing together a range of cost of living support available from us, government and local community partners.

If you are facing difficult decisions around food, rent, heating or other essentials, please visit our website to see what help might be available and also check the free benefits calculator here to see whether you could be missing out on national assistance.

We're also launching a new service to help maximise the income of residents. If you would like to discuss your income with a dedicated officer from the Financial Inclusion Team, please email financial.inclusion@rbwm.gov.uk and an appointment can be arranged. 

Applications also remain open for the DWP Household Support Fund to those in financial need. To target this funding, we've been working with 15 frontline community partners to identify those residents in greatest need to receive a one-off cash payment of £145 and help them to explore wider cost of living support around food, debt relief, and benefits.

Citizens Advice East Berkshire is the point of contact for residents who would like to put themselves forward for support from the Household Support Fund. Email hsf@caeb.org.uk in the first instance, or otherwise call 0808 278 7914. Read more in our press release.

Reminder: Observing Remembrance in the Royal Borough

You're invited to attend the Remembrance Sunday services taking place in the Royal Borough to honour those who have served and sacrificed in wars and conflicts.

On Remembrance Sunday (12 November) we'll hold two services from 10.50am in Windsor and Maidenhead, and observe a two-minute-silence at 11am.

The Maidenhead service will be held at the War Memorial outside Maidenhead Town Hall, and the Windsor service will be held at the war memorial on Windsor High Street outside the Parish Church of St John the Baptist.

The ceremonies will be followed by the usual church services at St Mary’s Church in Maidenhead and Windsor Parish Church.

A number of community-run services are also taking place in the borough’s villages, including Cookham, Cookham Dean, Horton and Waltham St Lawrence.

Read more in our press release.

Update: Cookham Bridge essential maintenance

Work is continuing on schedule to carry out essential maintenance to Cookham Bridge.

The bridge closed last month for approximately 20 weeks while work is carried out. While shut to motor vehicles, pedestrian access remains. Cyclists need to dismount before crossing the bridge.

The project will help extend the life of the Grade II listed structure, ensuring the bridge continues to serve the community for many years to come and will avoid more disruptive work in future years.

Businesses in Cookham and the High Street are open as usual and we'd encourage you to continue to support them during the closure period.

Work is currently ongoing both above and below the bridge. The carriageway (pictured) and western footway have been removed, exposing the concrete deck ready for re-waterproofing. On the underside of the bridge our contractors have been working to prepare the structure ready for strengthening works. The project will also include bearing replacement, resurfacing and joint replacement.

Find out more about work to reduce flood risk

You’re invited to find out more about possible measures to reduce flood risk in the wards of Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury and Old Windsor at two drop-in sessions.

Datchet to Hythe End Flood Improvement Measures is a project that is exploring measures to better protect up to 2,500 properties from flooding. 

We and the Environment Agency are working in partnership to find solutions that work for our communities and the environment. You are invited to meet the project team, learn more about the scheme and ask any questions you may have at one of the following sessions:

• The Wraysbury Hub, 12a High Street, TW19 5DB, Friday 24 November, 11:30am to 4:30pm
• Datchet Women’s Institute Hall, The Green, Horton Road, SL3 9EH, Saturday 25 November, 11am to 4pm.

If you're unable to drop in to either of these sessions, you can view the materials that will be on display on our project website after midday on Friday 24 November, or email THM.schemes@environment-agency.gov.uk if you have any questions.

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 16 November, with food stalls, funfair rides, music and dancing, in and around Jubilee Square from 5pm.

With the majestic Windsor Castle as the backdrop, Windsor’s switch-on will take place in Castle Hill on Saturday 18 November, with a full programme of live festive performances from local groups from 1pm.

Maidenhead’s lights switch-on follows on Saturday 25 November, where the fun begins from 11am.

For full details, read our press release.

Christmas wreath making at the Windsor Guildhall

Create your own beautiful Christmas wreath in the elegant splendour of the Windsor Guildhall’s Council Chamber on Wednesday 22 November.

You’ll receive expert guidance from talented local florist Jan, from Stems Floral, to help you create your bespoke Christmas wreath. With a glass of fizz on arrival and a selection of canapes, why not bring a friend or two and kickstart your festive season in style.  

The drinks reception starts at 6pm, with wreath making from 6.30pm to 8pm. Tickets are £75 per person (plus booking fee) and include: 

• All materials needed to create your own fresh wreath  
• Expert guidance from an experienced florist 
• A glass of fizz on arrival 
• A selection of sweet and savoury canapes.

Further drinks including prosecco, wine and soft drinks can be purchased on the night. Visit the website to book.

Mums and dads - applications now open for primary and junior school admissions

The applications process is now open for parents of children starting school, or moving up to junior school, in September 2024. The closing date for applications is 15 January 2024.

Parents of children born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020 can now apply for a reception place.

Parents of children born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017 attending infant school can apply for a junior school place.

To find our more and to apply, visit our website.

Reminder: Calling all jobseekers! Attend our jobs fair

A jobs fair will take place at Maidenhead Library on Tuesday 14 November 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 or berks.employerteam@dwp.gov.uk

For more information, please visit our employment support webpage.

Reminder: Children invited to join 21-gun salute outside Windsor Castle for King’s birthday

Children 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 Tuesday 14 November, starting at noon.

We will be celebrating His Majesty’s 75^th birthday in style with the annual firing of mini cannon on The Long Walk, near the Brook Street entrance, with the special tribute led by Councillor Neil Knowles, the mayor.

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. If your children would like to be involved, simply turn up by 11.40am and they might be fortunate to be picked.

Read more in our press release.

Need help to find your healthy weight?

Our weight management service, run by Everyone Health, offers a 12-week programme which is free if you qualify.

You’ll discover how to understand food choices to find tasty alternatives as well as make small active changes to your lifestyle. Both in-person and virtual groups are held across the borough on Wednesdays and Thursdays by registered nutritionists. These sessions are fun and sociable, where you meet others on the same journey as you.

Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for both your physical and mental wellbeing. If you’re overweight, you’re more likely to suffer a range of serious health conditions. It’s all about finding the healthy weight that’s right for you.

Find out more about the service on our Everyone Health webpage. You can refer yourself or do so via your GP. Alternatively, call 0333 005 0095 or email clinical.contactcentre@nhs.net.

Royal Borough Community Spotlight

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

• Join GoodGym Windsor and Maidenhead and The Friends of Maidenhead Waterways (Saturday 11 November, 8.45am to midday). Help restore waterways through the town centre, making them accessible for everyone to enjoy, whether by boat, on foot or by bicycle, and help encourage wildlife. Join a Saturday morning work party and use secateurs, rakes, nets, and possibly waders or boats to clear litter, weeds and debris from the streams that feed into town. Click here to join.

• Living Library of Faiths & Beliefs (Saturday 11 November, midday to 3pm) - Maidenhead Library. Come along and ask questions of representatives from the following faiths: Bahai, Brahma Kumaris, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Humanism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. Organised by the Royal Borough interfaith group, the Windsor & Maidenhead Community Forum.

• Quiz night (Saturday 11 November, 7pm for 7.30pm, prompt start is required) - Woodlands Park Village Centre, Manifold Way, SL6 6GW. Tables of six or ask about individual entries. £7.50 per person. Bring your own food, drinks, glasses, etc. A raffle will be held with various donated prizes. To book, email info@stmarksmaidenhead.org.uk or call 01628 623263. All proceeds go to St Mark's Crescent Methodist Church Boiler Fund.

• Christmas craft fayre (Saturday 11 November, 9.30am to 12.30pm) - St Michael's Church Bray, SL6 2AA. A two-minute silence will be held at 11am. Free entry with lots of great Christmas ideas. Visit Facebook for more details.

• Spirit of Resistance (Sunday 12 November, 3pm) - St Michael's Church, Bray. A recital by acclaimed pianist Eva Doroszkowska, featuring works by Polish, Latvian, Estonian and Ukrainian composers. Admission free with a retiring collection. Visit the church's website.

• Talkin’ Tables comes to Maidenhead (Tuesdays, starting from 14 November at 3.30pm to 4.30pm) - Bakedd the Artisan Bakery and Café in Maidenhead. Maidenhead Bridge Rotary Club is supporting the initiative aimed at encouraging new friendships, bringing people together around a table for a coffee, or tea, in the hope of making new friends. The tables are free for anyone to join, but people need to buy their own coffee and snacks. For more information, and to be kept up to date about other events organised by the club, visit its website or contact Lisa Hunter on 07876 341334 or e-mail info@maidenheadbridgerotary.org.uk

• Cost of living help (Tuesday 14 November, midday to 2pm) - Spencer Denney Centre, Park Corner, Windsor. The Green Doctor will be giving a presentation on how to save money and Citizens Advice will be giving information on benefits and other avenues of help. There will also be a hot water bottle exchange. Bring your old hot water bottles and exchange them for a new one.

• Autumn fayre (Saturday 18 November, 10am to 4pm) - Cookham Dean WI Hall, SL6 9PD. Run by St John the Baptist Church, Cookham Dean. Raffle for fabulous hampers, home cooking stall and homemade cake stall. Refreshments available all day. For further details email info@cookhamdeanchurch.org.uk

• Autumble table top sale (Saturday 18 November, 10am to 12pm) - Clewer Green First School, Hatch Lane, Windsor, SL4 3RL. Entry for buyers is free and it’s a great chance to pick up some pre-loved bargains. A few seller tables are still available to book - £10 each with sellers taking home all profits on the day. To book a table email friendsclewergreen@gmail.com

• Christmas bazaar (Saturday 18 November, 10am to 12noon) - St Mark's Crescent Methodist Church. Home baked cakes, stationery, a Christmas stall, CDs/DVDs, bric-a-brac, raffle and a tombola. The Explorer Scouts will have their Christmas sweet shop, face painting and children's games. All welcome - free entry. Coffee and mince pies. Funds raised go to St Mark's Crescent Methodist Church Fund. Email info@stmarksmaidenhead.org.uk 

• Quiz evening (Thursday 23 November, starting at 7pm) - Spencer Denney Centre, Park Corner, Windsor. Tickets £15 a head and will include a fish, chicken or veggie burger and chips. All proceeds are going to Age Concern Windsor to help support services for older people in and around Windsor. Bring your own refreshments (soft drinks will be on sale, before the start and with the meal). Come as a team or join one on the night. For more information and to book call 01753 860685 or email info@ageconcernwindsor.org.uk 

• Maidenhead Music Society presents the pianist Margaret Fingerhut playing Around the World in 88 piano keys (Thursday 23 November, 7.45pm) - Norden Farm. The title comes from a recital tour in 2019 on the theme of migration, in which Margaret raised £88,000, one thousand for each piano key. Tickets £20, £15 for members, under 18s free with an adult. Details on the website. 

• 13th Maidenhead Scouts and 4th Maidenhead Brownies and Guides Christmas fair (Saturday 25 November, 10am to 2pm) – Methodist Church, High Street, Maidenhead. Join for games, Christmas gift ideas, homemade jam, puzzle sale, local crafts, tombola and a raffle. Refreshments available and much more.

• Ukrainian charity Christmas craft fair (Saturday 25 November, 11am to 4pm) - Windsor Baptist Church. Local Ukrainian guests will be selling their beautiful handmade crafts, some raising money for Ukrainian charities and organisations. Highlights include scented candles, crochet children's toys and homewares, handmade mirrors and jewellery, hand drawn cards, knitted and embroidered decorations. There will also be festive refreshments, cakes and music, together with masterclasses in making Lalki-Motanki dolls and decorations. Entry is free.

• Christmas fayre (Saturday 25 November, 10am to 1pm) - Spencer Denney Centre, Park Corner, Windsor. There will be knitted goods, handmade soaps and bath bombs, Christmas decorations, table decorations and wreaths, along with a cafe and cake stall. Most of the stalls are run by local people and Age Concern Windsor. For more information and to book call 01753 860685 or email info@ageconcernwindsor.org.uk 

• Christmas fair (Sunday 26 November, 1pm to 5pm) - Clewer Memorial Park, Dedworth Road, Windsor. Lots of fun for the kids, stalls and meet Santa. Visit Clewer and Dedworth Together for more information.

• Old Mother Hubbard, The Lady who Lived in a Shoe (1, 2 and 3 and 7, 8 and 9 December, matinee and evening shows) - Memorial Hall in Old Windsor. Riverside Players are a local, not-for-profit, society that has just celebrated its 60^th anniversary. It makes annual charitable donations to local and national charities that have meaning to its members. For more information contact Vicki Arnold 07799 840599 or visit the website.

• Clewer Scout and Guide Group Christmas fayre (Saturday 9 December, 11am to 2pm) - 12^th Windsor Scout HQ, Maidenhead Road, SL4 5EY. Books, cakes, tombola, gifts, games and toy stalls with a raffle and food available.

• Christmas with Cantorum (Saturday 9 December, 5.30pm) - Holy Trinity Church, Cookham. Enjoy the best of the Christmas spirit in a concert packed with seasonal songs and carols along with favourites for the audience to enjoy singing too. Tickets include a programme and refreshments and are available from the website.

• Bray Village Hall Christmas market (Saturday 9 December, 11am to 5 pm) - Bray Village Hall, High St, Bray, Maidenhead, SL6 2AR. You'll find something for the whole family with children's entertainment and a variety of stalls including jewellery, reflexology, clothing, accessories, Christmas gifts and even some Bray specific treats. Indulge in a mince pie or enjoy a tipple in the village hall bar. Father or Mother Christmas will make an appearance. Christmas tree lights switch-on and carols around the tree at 4pm.

• Community Fridge volunteers. Shifts work out well for parents whose children are at school. Volunteers are also needed to help with local food collections in the mornings and to take the collection to the Community Fridge. Please contact driven.forward@outlook.com

If you have an upcoming not-for-profit community event or appeal for volunteers 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.

To see further volunteering opportunities in the borough, or for another way for community organisations to promote volunteering opportunities, please visit RBWM Together.

Local Travel Updates

Council highways works

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

Keep in touch

Keep up to date with news and information from the council by signing up to Nextdoor and following us on X and Facebook.

Other accounts you may be interested in:

• Royal Borough official tourism web page.  
• Libraries on Facebook and X.
• Royal Borough Registrars on Facebook and Instagram.
• Communities Team on Facebook and X.
• Windsor & Royal Borough Museum web page.
• MyRoyalBorough on X, Facebook and Instagram.
• Make Maidenhead on X and Facebook.