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Free swimming sessions for local teenagers this summer to aid water safety


Young people aged 13 to 17 years old will be able to enjoy free swim sessions at two popular leisure centres during the school summer holidays, thanks to a water safety initiative. 

 

Leisure Focus, our leisure operator, in collaboration with local partners including the council ourselves, is launching its “Safe Summer Swim” initiative, with a mission to reduce the risk of young people getting into trouble in lakes and rivers. 

 

The programme offers free one-hour fun swim sessions for 13- to 17-year-olds at Windsor Leisure Centre and Braywick Leisure Centre (weekdays only), from Monday 22 July to Friday 30 August, making swimming accessible and promoting water safety. 

 

With up to 40 spaces available per session, this initiative seeks to provide local teenagers with an opportunity to learn essential water safety skills, improve their swimming abilities, and foster a greater appreciation for water-related activities. 

 

Read more here.

Our Community Wardens working hard to promote water safety


Our Community Wardens are once again including open bodies of water as part of their patrols this summer, to support water safety.  

  

The team will be carrying throw lines which can be used to help anyone they spot in trouble in the water.  

  

Wardens will also be speaking with people they see in the water about the risks, as well as responding to any reports of people jumping off bridges into rivers. We will also be working with our partners to educate those going into any water.  

  

During hot weather the wardens are inspecting all the safety equipment including life buoys, to make sure they are in good condition and ready to be used in an emergency.  

Get ready for our updated website


We’re updating our website on Wednesday 31 July to refresh its look and feel, and ensure our online services remain secure into the future.

 

You will still be able to report, pay, apply and find information

at www.rbwm.gov.uk as usual. However, there are some changes you need to be aware of, because we’re switching over to a new website system. 


If you currently have an online account (My RBWM), you will need to create a new account from Wednesday 31 July, if you wish to continue having an account with us. Your existing account will not be accessible from that date.

 

However if you have a garden waste subscription, please do not create your account until you receive a separate email from us on 31 July with a dedicated link to create it.


Read more here about what to do before 31 July and from that date.

Councils work together on fostering


Councils from across the South East, including ourselves at the Royal Borough, have come together to create the country’s largest local authority fostering partnership, to help increase the number of foster carers across the region.


In the Royal Borough and across the region, we need more people from all walks of life to become foster carers with us and make a difference for local children and young people in the community. Providing a secure, stable and supportive home for children in care is a valuable and rewarding paid role. In return, we offer our foster carers excellent support, training and benefits via our in-house independent fostering agency, Achieving for Children Fostering.


Launched this week with funding from the Department for Education, Local Authority Fostering South East is a new virtual fostering hub bringing together the expertise of 20 councils from across the region. The new hub will ensure prospective foster carers have access to a centralised platform for their initial enquiries about fostering and will see local authorities work collaboratively to provide the best support, right from the start of a carers fostering journey.


The new regional hub will also be running marketing campaigns to help raise awareness of this unique role and encourage more people to take the next step and become a foster carer with their local council, complementing our own efforts to encourage more local people to foster. 


Read more here.


Could you foster? Get in touch


We welcome enquiries from anyone aged 21 or over, regardless of income, employment status, gender, sexuality, religion, whether or not you have pets, own your home or rent. It’s your personal qualities that matter. Our website has lots of information about the process and opportunities, we are also available via phone and email, make contact with us for an informal chat.


Email us at fosteringenquiries@achievingforchildren.org.uk or call 020 8547 5355.

Park Smart Maidenhead - make the most of your parking choices


If you drive into Maidenhead, park up and walk to your workplace, you can get affordable long-stay day parking or season tickets at Hines Meadow, Vicus Way or Stafferton Way car parks. Hines Meadow is the most central location.

 

If you’d like to save money and don’t mind a 10-minute walk into the town centre, Vicus Way is among the cheapest option for commuter parking in Maidenhead, offering all-day long-stay parking for £6.90.

 

Annual season tickets there are also cheaper than Stafferton Way next door or Hines Meadow. You can get season tickets for three months, six months or 12 months, with Vicus Way also having the option of one-month season tickets. 

A308 Braywick Roundabout to close overnight for essential resurfacing


Essential maintenance work to resurface parts of the A308 Braywick Roundabout, between Windsor and Maidenhead, will take place on Tuesday 23 July. 

 

The work is an important investment by us in the future of this strategically important road link and is scheduled to take place overnight, requiring the closure of the roundabout on Tuesday 23 July 2024, between the hours of 9pm and 6am on the Wednesday morning.


The project is weather dependent and thus the programmed start and completion dates may change. Any changes will be notified on the advance warning signs that will be placed on site.


A diversion will help to manage traffic flows in the local area during the period when the closure is in place.


Read more here.

New opening times for the Windsor and Royal Borough Museum


Going forwards, the Windsor and Royal Borough Museum is operating under revised opening hours with the support of volunteers, while the team focus on work with heritage and tourism partners to transition to a viable model for delivering a museum service. This is in light of the council's financial challenges, which are well documented.


The opening hours are now 10am to 2pm every Tuesday with tours available of the Guildhall. Any exhibitions or additional opening hours will be promoted in advance on our museum website - windsormuseum.org.uk and museum social media.

Are your children ready for the Summer Reading Challenge?


This year's Summer Reading Challenge is now live at your local library and online.

 

Take your young ones to your local library this summer so they can join the free challenge. Sign up to receive your Marvellous Makers collector folder and then choose books to read over the school holidays. Collect stickers for each book you read and add these to your folder to complete the challenge!

Marvellous Makers Challenge Crafts


And this year we have all sorts of Summer Reading Challenge crafts on offer, with everything from making a hedgehog by book folding and garden bug craft, to learning to juggle, knit, crotchet or tie knots, as well as learning to make models from household items. Visit our website to find out more! 

Author Events


We're also hosting two author events, on Saturday 13 July at Maidenhead Library, as part of the launch of the Summer Reading Challenge.

 

Jim Smith, the author of 'Barry Loser' at 11am.

 

Iszi Lawrence, who has written 'The Time Machine Next Door' at 2pm.


And for younger children Story and Rhyme times is back at our libraries in Sunningdale, Ascot and Windsor.

Summer fun at Braywick Nature Festival


Braywick Nature Festival returns later this month, and it promises to be a buzzing weekend for the whole family! 


Our free event takes place at Braywick Nature Reserve, on Friday 26 July and Saturday 27 July and it’s a chance to experience your local nature reserve and interact with nature. The fun includes pond dipping, meadow madness, live music, a veggie BBQ, a licensed bar, nature trails, workshops and more.


Our nature activities are free but Pond Dipping and Meadow Madness places will need to be pre-booked online. Nature activities are most suitable for four to 11-year-olds but all ages are welcome!


If you've never visited before, the address is Braywick Nature Reserve, Hibbert Road, Maidenhead, SL6 1UU. Pushchairs and wheelchairs are welcome.


There's no parking available on-site, so we recommend parking at Braywick Leisure Centre car park, which is less than a five-minute walk away.


To find out more please visit the Braywick Nature Centre Facebook page. 

Street Tag update - more than 21 million steps so far!


The first four weeks of our new virtual treasure hunt game, Street Tag, have been a huge success.


Nearly 750 schoolchildren from 24 borough schools have been taking part, walking some 17,800 miles or more than 21 million steps. The current season of the game launched on 10 June and is due to finish on 6 August before starting again this autumn.


The whole borough is a now virtual playground encouraging players to search their surroundings, on foot or on two wheels, collecting virtual tags to win prizes. These tags are hidden in locations including parks, footpaths and bridleways, leisure centres and other public spaces. Players can also add tags along their favourite routes.


Not only does the game empower players to get healthier while having fun, but they also discover more about their communities. For more details visit the Street Tag section on the council website. 

Calling all job seekers - attend our next jobs fair!


A jobs fair will take place at Maidenhead Library Tuesday 23 July, 10.30am to 1pm.

 

Jobseekers will have the opportunity to meet local employers and find out about their current vacancies. Employers across a variety of sectors will be attending this event, so it’s an ideal forum for candidates to get to know the local jobs market, and the skills required to be successful in their applications.


There’s no need to book, just turn up on the day.


Employers who wish to attend the event should contact DWP-library@rbwm.gov.uk or berks.employerteam@dwp.gov.uk

 

For more information, please visit our employment support webpage.

Any plans for the game?

 

To show our support for the England team ahead of the Euro 2024 final on Sunday night, we’re flying the St George’s flag proudly at Maidenhead Town Hall and Windsor Guildhall.


As we cheer on the Three Lions, please continue to support the national side responsibly. If you’re going out to watch the game and having a few drinks, make sure you have plans to get home safely afterwards. Don’t risk it, book a taxi or get a lift.


And remember, depending on how much you drink, you could still be over the limit the morning after, even if you feel fine to drive. Check the Morning After Calculator.

Royal Borough Community Spotlight


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


  • Thames Hospice annual concert (Saturday 13 July, 2.30pm) - Hospice on Windsor Road, Maidenhead. Attendance is free and the renowned Hospice Café will be open for refreshments. Some of the concert will be of a singalong nature so why not come along and enjoy an afternoon by the lake listening and singing with the choir. For more information visit. 


  • Charity Cheese & Wine Quiz (Saturday 13 July, doors open at 7.15pm) – Holyport Memorial Hall, Moneyrow Green, Holyport, Maidenhead SL6 2NA. Join Maidenhead Rotaract for a fun quiz night raising money for MIND, the mental health charity. With several fun rounds including the ever-popular film and theatre, sports and food & drink rounds, it’s going to be a great night. But don't worry it’s not mastermind, we promise they'll be questions everyone can answer For more information visit, or email, or call Lisa on 07876 341334. 


  • Butterfly walk & talk (Tuesday 16 July 11.30am to 1.30pm) - Woolley Firs Maidenhead, Environmental Education Centre, SL6 3LJ. Join the fantastic Emma Turnbull, local ecologist, on a gentle stroll around Woolley Firs Meadows, gardens and grasses. To find out more and to book a ticket (£20) visit our website, email, or call us on 01628 829 574.


  • Maidenhead Festival (Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July) - Kidwells Park. Get ready for the summer event of 2024! Join us for two unforgettable days of fun. Dance to live music, relax on our sandy beach oasis, and explore bustling stalls filled with unique crafts and delicious street food. Thrill-seekers will love our exciting rides and games, and the night sky will dazzle with a spectacular fireworks display. Best of all, it’s entirely free! Bring your family and friends to experience the ultimate summer celebration at the Maidenhead Festival. For more information visit. 


  • Compost workshop - Gather & Grow Maidenhead (Saturday 20 July 1pm to 2.30pm) - ECO Action Hub, 5-7 Nicholsons Walk, Maidenhead SL6 1LB. Are you thinking of starting a compost bin in your garden? Or maybe you live in a flat and want to find a space saving way to deal with food scraps? From wormeries to bokashi, we've got you covered! All our welcome to this free, community led workshop. Email us to book a place.


  • Bazaar & coffee morning (Saturday 20 July, 10am - 11.30am) - St Marks Crescent Methodist Church, Allenby Rd, Maidenhead, SL6 5BQ. Come and enjoy a morning with us, we've lots of stalls selling delicious home baked cakes, stationery, books, CDs, DVDs, bric-a-brac and a raffle with various prizes. Coffee available during the morning and served in our friendly Hub. All proceeds go to St. Mark's Crescent Methodist Church Fund. All are welcome, email us for more information.


  • Monday Friends (Monday 22 July, 10.30am – 12pm) - St Marks Crescent Methodist Church, Allenby Rd, Maidenhead, SL6 5BQ. Join us for a lovely friendly morning. Each month we bring a different theme and for July (weather permitting!) we’ll be having outdoor games, otherwise games will be in the hall. The meeting includes refreshments and is very informal with a short time for a prayer. This is a morning for all in the community, especially those who are alone and would like to make friends and get to know others and if you would just like to come and enjoy the company, that is fine as well. Phone 07714 892599 or email info@stmarkksmaidenhead.org.uk.


  • Community meeting for St Peter and St Andrew Parish Church. (Tuesday 23rd July at 7.30pm.) We’re planning to give our much loved 800-year-old church a facelift and new facilities for the community to use. However, before going ahead we want to hear from you - whether you use the church regularly or not. Join us at the church for an open to have your say and to see a presentation on our plans. There is plenty of parking and you will find us at the bottom of Church Rd, Old Windsor, SL4 2JW. This is your church so please come and help us get it right.


  • Windsor Classic Bus Running Day (Sunday 28 July). Hop on board a range of vintage classic buses and travel back in time on the bus routes of yesteryear around our picturesque Royal Borough. The running day will be based at the bus stops outside Windsor Parish Church, just beyond the Guildhall and close to the entrance of Windsor Castle. The event is being organised by the Amersham & District Motorbus Society, to commemorate 40 years to the day since the large 1930s garage in St Leonards Road, Windsor closed its doors for the last time. Visit their website or email them for more information. 


  • Free cricket this summer (Tuesday 30 July for six weeks) Leisure Focus are offering free cricket lessons at Furze Platt Senior School, in partnership with the Berkshire Cricket Foundation. Lessons for five to eight year olds - 9am to 10am for six weeks from 30 July. Free code: RUWPB. Sign up here. Lessons for eight to 11 year olds - 10.15am to 11.15am for six weeks from 30 July. Free code: QIYYK. Sign up here. Email for more information.


  • Swan Lifeline needs two new Trustees: Are you passionate about wildlife and nature? Are you looking for a purpose-driven Trustee role? The Swan Lifeline has two Trustee roles that offer the chance to be the ‘wind beneath the wings’ of these beautiful birds, who we rescue, rehabilitate and release back into their natural habitat. If you have a background in HR and an interest in developing people, then click here. And if you want to gain valuable leadership experience applying your digital knowledge and skills in a charity organisation, then click here.  

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


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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