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Congratulations to our local A-Level students


Well done to our local A-Level students after receiving your results this week.

 

We hope you're happy with your results after your hard work and study, but if they weren't quite what you were hoping for please do contact your school or college for advice on your next steps.


If you need independent mental health support, you can also contact Kooth, and AQA has got some handy tips to manage stress.


More information on other support available can be found on our website 

Tickets now on sale for the Mayor's Charity Dinner

 

You’re invited to attend the Mayor’s Charity Dinner, which is taking place on Friday 27 September, from 7pm to 10.30pm, at the Guildhall.

 

The dinner is in aid of Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service, which provides specialist care and support to children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and their families, across Berkshire and the surrounding counties. 

 

The guest speaker for the evening will be Mr Harry Hunter, the oldest Briton to run the Marathon Des Sables. Mr Hunter ran the Sahara Desert ultra marathon (160 miles in seven days) in aid of Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice.

 

Tickets are £70 each and are available on a first come first served basis. You can book your tickets here. Bookings will close at midday on Thursday 19 September or before if all tickets are sold, so please book as soon as possible so you don’t miss out.

 

There are also other ways to support this charitable event such as providing sponsorship, donating an auction or raffle prize or by purchasing advertising space in the programme. For more information please email mayors.parlour@rbwm.gov.uk 

Get involved in Overview and Scrutiny


Residents ideas and feedback matter to us, so we’re inviting you to get involved with Overview and Scrutiny at the council.


Scrutiny ensures good governance and helps influence the policies we adopt and the decisions we make. We’d like to hear your suggestions for inclusion within our work programmes for three overview and scrutiny panels: Corporate, People, and Place.

 

What makes a good scrutiny topic:


  • Scope - is it an issue of concern to our local communities and organisations?
  • Significance - could a review of this issue improve the council's processes or performance and make a positive difference to the lives of our residents?
  • Appropriate - is this review timely and does it avoid duplicating other work?


Items that will not be considered include:


  • Individual service complaints for which there is a corporate complaints procedure
  • Topics outside of the remit of the council or where the council has no powers or influence to change an outcome.
  • Issues which scrutiny has considered in the last 12 months.
  • Areas relating to quasi-judicial functions, for example: planning, licensing and standards.


If you have any suggestions of topics that you wish to be considered for scrutiny, please complete the suggestion form. Your request will then be considered for approval against the outlined criteria and considered for inclusion on the relevant work programme.


More information can be found on our website

Back to school - term dates for 2024/25


With the summer holidays into the final weeks and children going back to school soon, make sure you’ve got the term dates for the new academic year in your diary, mums and dads.


The first official day of term, Tuesday 3 September, is a Teacher Training Day set by the council.


For more information on term dates, visit our website

Volunteer at Cranstoun


Cranstoun, the commissioned service that provides the adult drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services for the Royal Borough, is looking for volunteers to work in its Maidenhead office.

 

Opportunities include meet and greet, reception, admin, group work, community support, one-to-one sessions, counselling, as well as specialist roles including holistic therapies. Full training is provided by Cranstoun as well as regular supervisions. Volunteering can also lead to employment at Cranstoun or in the community.

 

To find out more contact Stuart Cook on 07955 276 545 or email Scook@cranstoun.org.uk. Alternatively, download and complete Cranstoun’s volunteering application form

Free adult maths courses available with Multiply


Numbers are everywhere, from budgeting for the weekly shop, to helping the kids with their homework. Becoming more confident with numbers can help you at work, school, with home life and so much more. 


Multiply is a government backed scheme with free, flexible courses that work around your busy schedule, meaning you can find the course you need to succeed.


Courses are open to anyone aged 19 and over who don't have the equivalent of a maths GCSE at grade C, or need to brush up on their maths skills for work. 


If you need help with those all-important maths skills, find your free course in your area today!

Braywick Centre worker nominated for national award


Gina Macgregor, a Leisure Focus Ambassador who works at Braywick Leisure Centre, has been nominated for the UK Active Physical Activity Hero Award.

Gina, who was awarded the MBE in 2005, has more than 30 years of experience in the leisure industry and in recent years she's concentrated her efforts on supporting the 50+ community, creating tailored programs that help older adults stay active, healthy, and socially engaged.


Voting is now open, which can do online 

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


Young people aged between 13 and 17 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 itself, has launched 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) and it runs until 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.


For more information please visit our website  

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.


For more information please visit our website

Apply now for energy efficiency schemes


We’re keen to support residents to improve the energy efficiency of properties and, in doing so, reduce carbon emissions. That’s why we're working in partnership to offer two free schemes to help support low-income families in the borough.


Eligible homeowners or private tenants can apply to receive the free energy-saving upgrades designed to lower carbon emissions and help manage energy bills. This will help families phase out high carbon, fossil fuel heating and reduce fuel poverty.


The first scheme is the Energy Company Obligation Scheme Flex Phase 4 (ECO4), where medium to larger energy suppliers fund the installation of energy efficiency measures in households. The council has partnered with the charity, the National Energy Foundation, who will administer the scheme.


The second scheme, the Home Update Grant Phase 2 (HUG2), is being delivered across the region through the Greater South East Net Zero Hub and AgilityEco. It's open to off-gas grid households, where gas is not used for heating but runs on oil, LPG, solid fuel or has electric heaters and aims to support those who find it difficult to keep their homes warm.


Applications can be made until 2025, but we encourage you to apply by September 2024 to ensure adequate time to assess and deliver the works.


For more information please visit our website

Help shape future local sexual health services

Local public health bosses are gathering information about the current sexual and reproductive health services across East Berkshire and they're keen to hear your views.


You can do this via this online survey, which is due to close on Friday 30 August.


They’re also talking to professionals and specific groups to gather the information they need to help inform how future services should run and what to offer.


The survey is completely anonymous, unless you want to be entered into the prize draw for one of four £25 Amazon vouchers up for grabs.

We want to know what you think about your Residents' Newsletter


We are running a survey to get your feedback on this newsletter.


Residents' Newsletter is our weekly digest of council news and information and a look ahead to forthcoming council activities and local events, and it's sent every Friday to those who've subscribed.


The survey only takes 10 minutes to complete and your feedback is valuable to us and will help us to improve the newsletter. To take part visit the RBWM Together webpage


Prize draw


By participating, you will be offered the chance to be entered into a prize draw to win a £50 Amazon voucher.


We would also appreciate if you could share the link to the survey with your friends and family in the borough, if they are subscribed to the newsletter.


And those who aren't yet subscribed to the Residents' Newsletter can sign up online 

NHS support during the Bank Holiday


If you take regular medications, remember to order and collect your prescriptions before the holiday weekend. You can also use the NHS App for this as well as nominate your preferred pharmacy.

 

It’s also worth checking your medicine cabinet to see you’ve all the essentials such as paracetamol, cough and cold remedies, hay fever medicines, bite and sting treatments and plasters and bandages. You never know, you may even need sun cream!


If you start to feel unwell before the weekend, community pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals who can help before things get worse and provide medicines for minor illnesses. If symptoms suggest it’s more serious, they can direct you to the help you need.


If your child is unwell, and you’re not sure where to go for advice, visit the NHS Frimley Healthier Together website or download the app. It offers support to parents and carers covering a range of common childhood illnesses.

Royal Borough Community Spotlight


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


  • Cookham at Maidenhead Heritage Centre talk - Thursday 5 September, 2.30pm, Cookham Dean WI Hall, SL6 9PD. This talk will be given by Richard Poad and is followed by tea and cake. For further information call Barbara Dent on 01628 476512.


  • Seed workshop - Saturday 28 September, 10am to 4pm, Waltham Place Farm, White Waltham. Join estate manager, André Tranquilini, biodynamic farmer and gardener, founding member of the Living Seeds, organic and biodynamic seed company, for this step-by-step workshop to help you to obtain the best quality seed from your gardens. Learn how to select, harvest, dry, clean and store your seeds for maximum effect. The workshop is community led and is free. For more information and to book a place email


  • Free PSA blood test to all males over 40 - Saturday 28 September, 10am to 4pm, Desborough Bowling Club, Green Lane, Maidenhead, SL6 1XZ. Did you know 1 in 8 men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and more than 47,500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year - that is 129 men every day. Why test? Maidenhead Lions aim to provide a FREE PSA blood test to as many men over 40 as possible who chose to take the test. It is well proven that early detection and treatment may vastly increase your chances of survival. Holding the event costs Maidenhead Lions approximately £30 for each test but we don’t make a fixed charge - although we strongly encourage a donation from those taking part. Don’t delay book today. For more information and to book your time slot visit


  • The Big Blue Bike Ride - Sunday 8 September. Prostate Cancer UK are hosting their cycling event for the second year running in Windsor. The event will start and finish at Windsor Racecourse, those taking part will choose from a 40 or 65 mile signposted route and will raise money to go towards vital prostate cancer research into better tests and treatments to diagnose men sooner and save lives. For more information visit


  • All Saints church in Boyne Hill will be open on 14 and 15 September, between 9.30 and 4.30 on the Saturday, and between 12 and 4.30 on the Sunday. All Saints is a Grade 1 listed church built in the gothic style, full of polychromatic colour, beautiful windows, stone carvings and much more. The church it sited in an enclosed grass quadrangle with other buildings around it in the same style. Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and there’s a guided tour at 3pm on both days, and an organ recital at 2.30 on the Sunday. Light refreshments will also be available.


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   


  • Road Resurfacing Work: A30 London Road, Sunningdale between Charters Road & Waitrose, from 9pm to 6am, Monday 19 August to Tuesday 20 August.

 

  • Road Resurfacing Work: B3021 Burfield Road, Old Windsor between Crimp Hill & Kingsbury Drive, from 9am to 4pm, Monday 19 August to Tuesday 20 August. 

 

  • Road Closure: Ray Mill Road West, Maidenhead from Fullbrook Close to Woodside Farm, from 9.30am Monday 19 August to 4pm Friday 23 August, to facilitate renewal of leaking communication pipe.

 

  • Road Closure: A308 King Street and A308 Grenfell Road for their entire lengths between 9pm and 5am. from Tuesday 20 August to Friday 23 August, to facilitate renewal of pit frame and covers.


  • Traffic Management will be in place on Forlease Road, from the junction with Moorbridge Road to the junction with the A4 St Cloud Way, from 9:30am to 4:00pm, between Wednesday 21 August and Tuesday 10 September, to facilitate new walking and cycling routes.   

 

  • Road Resurfacing work: A4 Bad Godesberg Way, Maidenhead between Castle Hill & Cookham Road, from 9pm to 6am, Tuesday 27 August to Thursday 29 August. 

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