• Support Wokingham Today
  • Get the print edition
  • Sign up for our daily newsletter
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Wokingham.Today
  • HOME
  • MY AREA
    • All
    • Arborfield
    • Barkham
    • Beech Hill
    • Binfield
    • Bracknell
    • Charvil
    • Crowthorne
    • Earley
    • Emmbrook
    • Finchampstead
    • Grazeley
    • Henley
    • Hurst
    • Lower Earley
    • Norreys
    • Reading
    • Remenham
    • Riseley
    • Shinfield
    • Sindlesham
    • Sonning
    • Spencers Wood
    • Swallowfield
    • Three Mile Cross
    • Twyford
    • Wargrave
    • Winnersh
    • Wokingham
    • Wokingham Without
    • Woodley
    • Woosehill
    • Yateley
    Picture: Thames Valley Police

    Child sexually assaulted and chased by man in Finchampstead, police release CCTV image

    Whether people are planning a barbecue, camping trip or countryside hike, there are small steps they can take to prevent a fire from breaking out. Picture: RBFRS

    Help keep Berkshire’s countryside safe from fire this Summer

    Government legislation now requires photographic I.D. for those voting in person at the upcoming local elections. Picture: Reading Borough Council

    All you need to know ahead of Thursday’s elections

    Prospective parents at Colleton Primary School's open day will be able to see the children's revamped playground, Telly Tubby Hill. Picture: Colleton Primary School

    New nursery provision for Twyford

    Barkham

    350 homes and care home plans in Barkham approved at government appeal

    Image by Nicky Perom Pixabay.

    Call for schools to make a splash

    Hurst Morris

    Hurst Morris People help show off contrasting dance traditions

    Group gathers in Wokingham to mark International Conscientious Objectors Day

    The Newbury Building Society team receive an award from ceremony host, comedian Simon Evans..Credit: Smart Money People.

    Top awards for building society

  • SPORT
    • All
    • Binfield FC
    • Reading FC
    Caversham AFC U18 Rovers

    Friendship and football – a winning combination as Caversham AFC U18 Rovers celebrate success

    Reading FC fans

    Reading FC chairman Couhig to invite fans to watch game in owner’s box

    Wargrave Sprint Triathlon

    Entries still open for Wargrave Sprint Triathlon 2025

    Joel Pereira

    Reading FC goalkeeper Joel Pereira ‘weighing up options’ ahead of summer transfer window

    Reading Football Club, Joe Jacobson

    ‘This club has tremendous potential’: Reading FC CEO speaks on transfer targets ahead of summer window

    Reading FC

    Reading FC to enhance matchday experience for fans

    Joe Jacobson Picture: Reading Football Club

    ‘We’re in a position to grow’: Reading FC’s new CEO speaks on his objectives

    Reading FC

    ‘He didn’t get the culture of Reading’: Former controversial Royals CEO appointed at Valencia CF

    Reading FC fans

    ‘Together we can be successful’: CEO thanks Reading FC fans for their support as season tickets go on sale

  • READING FC
  • COMMUNITY
    Whether people are planning a barbecue, camping trip or countryside hike, there are small steps they can take to prevent a fire from breaking out. Picture: RBFRS

    Help keep Berkshire’s countryside safe from fire this Summer

    Government legislation now requires photographic I.D. for those voting in person at the upcoming local elections. Picture: Reading Borough Council

    All you need to know ahead of Thursday’s elections

    Prospective parents at Colleton Primary School's open day will be able to see the children's revamped playground, Telly Tubby Hill. Picture: Colleton Primary School

    New nursery provision for Twyford

    Image by Nicky Perom Pixabay.

    Call for schools to make a splash

    Hurst Morris

    Hurst Morris People help show off contrasting dance traditions

    Group gathers in Wokingham to mark International Conscientious Objectors Day

    Works are still planned for the busy junction. Pic: WBC.

    Weekend junction closure postponed

    Wokingham Borough Community Lottery

    How you can play the Wokingham Borough Community Lottery

    Inner Wheel members take to the catwalk for charity

  • LIFESTYLE
    • All
    • Food
    • Health
    • Obituaries
    • People
    Whether people are planning a barbecue, camping trip or countryside hike, there are small steps they can take to prevent a fire from breaking out. Picture: RBFRS

    Help keep Berkshire’s countryside safe from fire this Summer

    Share Wokingham operates at locations across the borough, through the week, providing fresh groceries. Picture: courtesy of Share Wokingham.

    Struggling families can get help with groceries

    Wokingham MP Clive Jones Picture: Andrew Batt

    MP calls for action on ‘dangerous’ delays

    Mike's company, Kill A Watt, aims to help households cut down their energy bills and reduce their impact on the environment. PIcture: Dock8 via PIxabay

    Naturally Speaking

    Christen  Forster speaks about the explosion of life in Spring, and at Pentecost. Picture: Christen Forster

    Church Notes: Impossible things to believe?

    Entries are open for this year's event.

    Enter now for Wokingham Bikeathon

    A government push for more radiotherapy machines has been welcomed by ministers as the Royal Berkshire Hospital is among the services to benefit from them.

    Royal Berks one of 28 Trusts to see new radiotherapy machine investment

    A banking hub in Yorkshire. Pic: Murray Scott/Link.

    Banking hub plans for village

    Retrospective plans have been refused. Pic: WBC.

    Vending machine plans refused

  • WHAT’S ON
    • All
    • Arts
    • Entertainment
    Double Standards

    New play ‘Double Standards’ at South Streets Art Centre to explore hypocrisy in dating

    Wokingham Pride

    Could you help Wokingham Pride 2025?

    REVIEW: “Three Hens In A Boat” at The Watermill Theatre

    Siren RG1

    Siren RG1 to mark first anniversary with weekender celebration

    Wellington Farm Shop

    Wellington Farm Shop celebrates its 20th anniversary

    Two concerts in one day from Reading's APO. Picture: Pexels via Pixabay

    An orchestral event in Wokingham promises evening of drama and contrast

    Eva Wong Nava will be at Trinity Hall Church on Monday from 4pm until 5pm. Picture: Eva Wong Nava

    Young writers can meet children’s author Eva Wong Nava

    Crafters can join a project  to decorate Twyford village centre with bunting Picture: Hello I'm Nik on Unsplash

    Get out the bunting for VE Day at Wokingham’s May Fayre

    Crowthorne Symphony Orchestra's performance of American music promises to be a fun and high energy evening. Picture: CSO

    Discounted tickets available for summer concert in Wokingham

  • JOBS
  • ADVERTISE
  • CONTACT
No Result
View All Result
Wokingham.Today
No Result
View All Result
Home Featured

ANOTHER VIEW: Vaccine joy

by Neil Coupe
April 15, 2021
in Featured, Opinion
Covid-19

The Covid-19 vaccine being prepared for injection Picture: Phil Creighton

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

It is quite exciting to be one of the 52% of the population to have had at least one vaccine.

As everybody I have spoken to has said, the vaccination process has been superbly organised.

I turned up at the Madejski Stadium at the allotted time, and as there was a chill in the air, was told to sit on my car for ‘5 minutes’.

Literally 5 minutes later I was whisked into the facility to join on to the end of a socially distanced queue, which never stopped, and seamlessly went from stage to stage with my various details being checked before finding myself in a booth to face up the needle. 

2 minutes of small talk and one injection later, I was ready to face the world again (after a 15 minute rest). 

For the first time, I felt privileged to be considered as a vulnerable older person.

Related posts

ANOTHER VIEW: Family ties

ANOTHER VIEW: Lessons from the Women’s World Cup

The past 12 months have presented massive challenges, leaving some people bereaved, sick or with major financial problems.

For us adults, I am certain that the very strange period in our history will never be forgotten. 

IT literate, communicative teenagers and young adults appear to have adapted to the new world reasonably comfortably, on the whole, but I wonder how younger primary school age children will remember this period. 

It might be appropriate to create some type of Memory Book for the younger children, with photographs and other mementoes and anecdotes about what they did when they were unable to go to school or see their friends and relatives in person. 

In 20 years time, for young adults it would surely be fascinating to look back at what they lived through and what their parents did to help and guide them through unprecedented times. 

The roadmap out of lockdown set up a few weeks ago appears to be going to plan, and this week with hairdressers, shops and pubs reopening it really feels like a significant step forward.

Even a simple pleasure such as sitting for a limited period in a pub beer garden (or converted car park) in the unreliable April weather seems like an exotic thrill.

It is by no means straightforward to book a slot, which suggests that there is great demand for this, enabling our local pub landlords to start earning a living again.

One of the lessons of lockdown has been how much social activity we can still enjoy, just by using a little imagination and by taking advantage of the technology available. 

Once the novelty of Netflix box-sets had worn off, it was the people with the more creative minds who seemed to thrive, whether converting ‘real life’ activity to an on-line equivalent, be it say language lessons, wine tasting or organising Murder Mystery Nights, giving a genuine reason to dress up. 

Others may have enjoyed doing things they do not usually have time for such as building bird boxes or starting to read Dickens.

In our complicated post-lockdown world, no doubt the most successful businesses will be those able to adapt and make an imaginative offering. 

I am certain that there is a pent-up demand for people to start leading a normal life again.

It is tantalising to see on social media how local pubs and restaurants are reacting to the challenges of being alfresco, at least in the short term, by innovating and making their outdoor space as appealing and hospitable as possible.

I for one wish them all well and look forward to pursuing a social life as the country gradually returns to normal.

Keep up to date by signing up for our daily newsletter

We don’t spam we only send our newsletter to people who have requested it.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Tags: coronavirus vaccineNeil Coupeneil coupe opinionneil coupe wokinghamopinionopinion wokingham.todayvaccineswokingham coronavirus vaccine
Previous Post

Enjoy a curry to help Wokingham youngster Dawson

Next Post

Forget Banksy, have you seen Catsy?

FOLLOW US

POPULAR THIS WEEK

Charvil Picture: Wikimedia Commons

Nine homes in Charvil approved

June 2, 2025
Mike's company, Kill A Watt, aims to help households cut down their energy bills and reduce their impact on the environment. PIcture: Dock8 via PIxabay

Naturally Speaking

May 30, 2025

Group gathers in Wokingham to mark International Conscientious Objectors Day

June 3, 2025
Hurst Morris

Hurst Morris People help show off contrasting dance traditions

June 3, 2025
Erleigh Cantors will be singing in a concert on Saturday. Picture: Foto-Rabe via Pixabay

Celebrate 35 years of music with an Earley concert of Sacred music

June 1, 2025
Reading Football Club, Joe Jacobson

‘This club has tremendous potential’: Reading FC CEO speaks on transfer targets ahead of summer window

June 2, 2025

ABOUT US

Wokingham Today is dedicated to providing news online across the whole of the Borough of Wokingham. It is a Social Enterprise, existing to support the various communities in Wokingham Borough.

Wokingham.Today is a Social Enterprise and aims to ensure that everyone within the Borough has free access to independent and up-to-date news. However, providing this service is not without costs. If you are able to, please make a contribution to support our work.

CONTACT US

[email protected]

Keep up to date with our daily newsletter

We don’t spam we only send our newsletter to people that have subscribed

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Support Us
  • Book Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Get the Print Edition
  • Sign up for our daily newsletter

The Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation.
If you have a complaint about a  The Wokingham Paper Ltd  publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance, contact the publication concerned, email: [email protected], or telephone: 0118 327 2662. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.

No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • MY AREA
    • Arborfield
    • Barkham
    • Beech Hill
    • Binfield
    • Bracknell
    • Charvil
    • Crowthorne
    • Earley
    • Emmbrook
    • Finchampstead
    • Grazeley
    • Henley
    • Hurst
    • Lower Earley
    • Norreys
    • Reading
    • Remenham
  • COMMUNITY
  • LIFESTYLE
  • SPORT
  • READING FC
  • OBITUARIES
  • WHAT’S ON
  • JOBS
  • PHOTOS
  • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • CONTACT US
  • WHERE TO GET THE PRINT EDITION
  • SUPPORT US

© 2022 - The Wokingham Paper Ltd - All Right Reserved.