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Royal Borough installs additional sensors to monitor air-quality

 

Further air-quality sensors have been installed in the Royal Borough in response to a petition by residents.


The sensors monitor the levels of particulate matter in a set area and will help to enhance the existing nitrogen dioxide monitoring network.

 

The petition, which received more than 2,000 signatures, was launched in 2022. It was then debated at Full Council later that year, where a commitment was made to add the additional monitoring stations for particulate matter.

 

The five sites where the additional sensors have been installed are:

  • Bridge Road, Maidenhead – between Ray Street and Oldfield Road
  • Windsor Road, Bray – between Priors Way and M4 flyover
  • Clarence Road/Goslar Way/Royal Windsor Way Roundabout, Windsor
  • St Leonard’s Road, Windsor– near Prince Albert PH
  • Wraysbury Road, Wraysbury – just south east of M25

 

These locations had been previously highlighted as needing additional monitoring. The sensors have the capacity to be relocated and moved if needed. Residents are able to view the air quality readings at the sensor sites in the borough via the Air Quality England website. Read more in our press release.

Award-winning student artwork on display at Town Hall


Impressive artwork from talented local students is on display in Maidenhead Town Hall following a competition involving Maidenhead schools.


The artwork was created as part of Norden Farm’s Maidenhead Schools Exhibition, held in 2023.


The selected pieces all received awards and high praise from the judging panel. The exhibition featured artwork from students from Altwood C of E School in Maidenhead, Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA) in Burchetts Green, Holyport College, and Newlands Girls School in Maidenhead.


Four pieces are now on display on the second floor of the Town Hall until at least the end of February. Read more about the artwork and the students who created them in our press release.

Check out the refreshed website for families and young people


Achieving for Children (AfC), our children’s services partner, is pleased to announce the launch of a refreshed SEND Local Offer and AfCinfo website.


The website hosts up-to-date information on support and services for children, young people, parents and carers. The website has been redesigned based on feedback to make it more engaging, easier to navigate and to ensure it contains more relevant information.


The SEND Local Offer provides details of support and services for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) aged 0 to 25 years and their families.


People visiting the website are clearly signposted to information, including SEND support in education, health and social care services, activities for young people and their families, support for carers, young carers, and siblings, post-16 education and training as well as the Special Educational Needs and Disability Register. 


The redesign also includes the AfCinfo website. This part of the website covers childcare, school admission policies, procedures for children in employment and entertainment, Family Hubs, safeguarding and child protection as well as support for young people leaving care. It also includes an organisation directory, news feed and calendar to help families find out what's going on in the local area and nationally, where relevant.


Please send any feedback about the new website to local.offer@achievingforchildren.org.uk.

Hone your tree pruning skills

 

Come along tomorrow (Saturday) for a free guided session of basic fruit tree pruning techniques, with hands on practice pruning the orchard trees at Ockwells Park, near Maidenhead.


Meet in the carpark for 10am. The main session will take place in the orchard just a couple of minutes walk away.


Dress warmly with sturdy footwear, and please bring gardening gloves, sharp secateurs and a hand saw if possible. Secateurs and hand saws must be sterilised and this can be done with antibacterial gel.


Toilets available and well behaved dogs welcome. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.

Can you help with biodiversity in the borough?

 

We adopted our Biodiversity Action Plan in 2023 and made commitments to promote biodiversity across the borough.


Managing land for nature and biodiversity can help with the resilience of landscapes, including maintaining cool areas in higher temperatures, flood alleviation, clean air and a healthy, dynamic planet.


With habitat action plans in place for woodland, grassland, standing water (ponds, lakes, wetlands), waterways, and the urban environment, wherever you are, you can get involved.

 

Are you a landowner in the borough? If you own one hectare of land or more, our in-house Natural Environment Team are offering free consultations and advice on managing your land for nature. To find out more and book your free slot, email bnc@rbwm.gov.uk. Visit our RBWM Together page for more information and best practice guidelines.

Update: Cookham Bridge essential maintenance

 

Essential maintenance work to Cookham Bridge continues on schedule for completion of the project as planned.


Works have been ongoing behind the scenes ready for the bridge lift. Lifting the bridge is crucial to replace the bearings and is a highly technical activity which required on site testing and stringent design approval. 


The resurfacing of the bridge will take place towards the end this month. Other upcoming key activities include ducting and cabling work for the new traffic signals taking place early to mid February.


The bridge closed in October 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.


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. For project updates, visit our website.

NHS Talking Therapies - get the help you need


NHS Talking Therapies can help if you’re struggling with a range of conditions including depression, anxieties, PTS, obsessions and compulsions. The service is available online or in person, is confidential and is free. You can refer yourself, to the service, or via your GP.


Find out more about NHS Talking Therapies. There’s also lots of local support which you can find details about on the NHS Frimley Health and Care website. 

Reminder: Marking the Year of the Dragon with Lunar New Year celebrations

 

Lunar New Year celebrations kick off in style tomorrow (Saturday) with the return of the much-loved Lion Dance Parade. 

 

Performers from the Eagle Claw Kung Fu School UK have teamed up with Make Maidenhead to bring this spectacular event to the town centre, which will start at 12.30pm from the Boy and the Boat statue on the High Street. 


Celebrations continue in Windsor for the first time this year, with the Lion Dance taking place in Windsor Royal Shopping Centre at 3pm on the same day. Full details in our press release.

Reminder: Local businesses get ready to FLIP! The Maidenhead Pancake Race is back

 

Maidenhead businesses will be taking part in the annual charity Pancake Race on Tuesday 13 February. 

 

Taking place in the Nicholsons Shopping Centre, businesses will battle it out in a series of heats to win the Fastest Flippin’ Finishers title. Races begin at 12.30pm. Read more in our press release.

Maidenhead Town Forum and Windsor Forum - get involved

 

You are welcome to attend, listen to the discussion, ask questions and suggest items for future agendas at the next Maidenhead Town Forum and Windsor Forum meetings.

 

The next Windsor Forum will be held on Tuesday 12 March at York House, Windsor from 6.30pm. The next Maidenhead Town Forum will be held on Wednesday 13 March at Maidenhead Town Hall, also from 6.30pm.

 

The meetings will also be streamed live on the council’s YouTube channel.

Nominate your community heroes for the BBC Make a Difference awards

 

If you know of an unsung hero in your community, you can enter them into BBC Radio Berkshire’s third annual ‘Make A Difference’ awards.

 

Whether it’s caring for someone in need, being a brilliant neighbour, or inspiring children in the classroom, if you know someone who is making a difference in your life or where you live, then you can nominate them for an award.

 

There are eight award categories covering volunteering, fundraising and being a great neighbour. We know there are lots of dedicated people doing great work within our communities, so we expect there will be many nominations from the Royal Borough.

 

Take part on the BBC website before 11pm on Sunday 10 March.

 

The winners will be announced at the Make a Difference awards ceremony in September.

Royal Borough Community Spotlight


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


  • Windsor Artists Collective Art Exhibition (Saturday 10 February and Sunday 11 February, 12pm to 5pm) - Northcote House, Audley Sunningdale Park. Original arts, prints and cards from Windsor Artists Collective. For more information visit the website.


  • Desborough Bowling Club open day (Sunday 11 February, 2pm to 5pm) - Green Lane, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1XZ. Come along between 2pm and 5pm to look at one of the premium bowling centres in the country. You will be able to try your hand at indoor bowling with fellow members or just take a look at the club's multi million-pound bowling complex and facilities. For any queries or to register your interest in coming for the day, email gensec@desboroughbc.com, call 01628 629403 or just turn up on the day. For more information visit the website.


  • St Michael's Church, Bray (Sunday 11 February, 3pm) - High Street, Bray SL6 2AB. Join us for a recital by prize-winning Chinese pianist Peng Lin. The programme will include Beethoven's ‘Les adieux’ Sonata and works by Debussy and Skriabin. Admission free with a retiring collection, with tea and cakes served in the church hall afterwards. For further details visit the website.


  • Coffee morning  (Monday 12 February, 10:30am to midday) - Parkside Christian Fellowship, 16 St Lukes Road, Maidenhead, SL6 7AN. Join on the second and fourth Mondays each month for free refreshments and a chance to chat and make new friends. See details here.


  • Lunchtime recital given by The Dryads Duo (Wednesday 14 February, 1pm) - All Saints Church, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead. The church will welcome the locally-based Dryads Duo to All Saints who will present an attractive and accessible programme of music for violin and piano. They will play the 3 Romances Op. 22 by Clara Schumann; Sonata BWV 1017 by J. S. Bach, and the well known Sonata by César Franck. There will be a soup lunch available at the church from 12.15pm. Donations to the Ripple Effect Charity. More information on the website.


  • Friends of RBWM Libraries Annual General Meeting (Thursday 15 February, 7.30pm) – Dedworth Library, Smiths Lane, Windsor SL4 5PE. The Friends of Royal Borough Libraries is a registered charity that helps to heighten awareness of the work in our public libraries across the borough, as well as support with fundraising initiatives. It invites, and encourages, passionate public library users to become a Friend of Royal Borough Libraries. As a Friend you will be able to share your ideas, actively engage in library activities, and help raise funds for projects that will benefit learning and reading communities across the borough. RSVP here.


  • Bazaar & Coffee Morning (Saturday 17 February, 10am to 11.30am) - St Mark's Crescent Methodist Church, Allenby Rd, SL6 5BQ. Stalls with many lovely items including home baked cakes, books, CDs, DVDs, bric-a-brac and Chris's Crafts with lovely handmade items for gifts and home. Raffle with prizes. All welcome - free entry. All proceeds go to St Mark's Church Fund. For more information, visit the website.


  • Snowdrop Trail (Saturday 17 February) - St James-the-Less Church, Stubbings (Burchetts Green Parish) Henley Road, Maidenhead, SL6 6QW. Refreshments will be provided starting at 9am with coffee. Sandwiches will be available from 11:30am to 1:30pm and then tea and cake from 2pm to 4pm. Come and enjoy the snowdrops. There will be a quiz on winter flowers, a prayer walk, and a craft activity for the younger ones to enjoy. Donations gratefully received. For more information, email office@burchettsgreenparish.org


  • Cooking for One course (up to 22 February). Age Concern Windsor is running a course where you can cook, eat and learn together with discussions about how to adapt recipes and money saving ideas. £8 a session and you will learn to cook and eat six two-course meals together. Price includes all costs. For more information call 01753 860685 (9.30am to 3.30pm) or email info@ageconcernwindsor.org.uk


  • Maidenhead Seed Swap (Saturday 2 March, 11am to 2pm) – Eco Action Hub, The Nicholsons Shopping Centre, Unit 5/7 Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1LB. Bring seeds to swap with others. Take seeds to start your growing journey. Seed talk and paper pot making. For more information, visit the website.


  • Maidenhead Softball Club free softball Fridays (Fridays 6pm to 7.30pm) - Newlands Girls School, Farm Road, Maidenhead, SL6 5JB). Looking for something different this year? Come along to the free Friday softball sessions and see what softball is all about. No experience necessary or any equipment needed. Everything provided. The club also runs youth sessions for eight to 14-year-olds on Mondays. For more information about softball, the club or to book a place visit the website, or contact Alan on 07552 811048.


  • Dementia drop-in groups. Friendly advice and refreshments. Meet others in a similar situation, talk through issues and ways of coping and learn about community resources. First Thursday of every month, 10.30am to 11.30am - Boyn Grove Library, Courthouse Road, Maidenhead, last Thursday of every month, 10.30am to 11.30am - Oakbridge Day Centre, Imperial Road, Maidenhead and first Wednesday of every month, 10.30am to 11.30am - Boyn Grove Library, Courthouse Road, Maidenhead.


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.

Our consultations - 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:

Local Travel Updates


Rail - engineering work


  • Planned engineering works are taking place on the South Western Railway network this weekend, Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 February. On Sunday, buses will run between Ascot and Reading. Visit the SWR website for further details.


  • From Saturday 10 to Sunday 18 February planned improvements will close lines in the Wokingham area. Rail replacement bus services will operate between Ascot, Bracknell and Reading. Please check before you travel. For more information, visit the SWR website.


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.

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