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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.
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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.
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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.
The dates for next year’s OEB will be published as part of December’s agenda.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Learn about the link between nature and wellbeing
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.
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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.
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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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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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).
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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Keep in touch
Other accounts you may be interested in:
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