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    Cllr Adrian Betteridge

    FROM THE CHAMBER: Keeping Wokingham Borough moving

    The crossing on Easthampstead Road. Pic: WBC.

    “Lethal” crossing repainted

    Visitors to a Greener Henley event heard how projected CO2 levels and warmer air could affect the Thames and the town if fossil fuels continue to be burned at the current rate. PIctures: Greener Henley

    Reading scientist links rise in red board days to climate change, ahead of busy regatta season

    The final climate emergency newsletter was sent last week.

    Climate emergency still ‘front and centre’

    Bracknell forest

    Filming for Marvel’s new Avengers: Doomsday film could take place in Bracknell Forest

    During a Nature Game session, participants learned about pollinators, invasive species, and what nature does for us for free. PIcture: Kathryn marshall

    How a nature game brought Wokingham locals together

    Three important good causes in Wokingham receive much-needed funding. Picture: Tesco Wokingham

    Three important good causes in Wokingham receive much-needed funding

    Adoptive parents open up, in a new book, about their life-changing journey of adoption. MP for Earley and Woodley, Yuan Yang, was at the launch. Picture: Parenting Special Children

    New book lifts the lid on the highs and lows of modern-day adoption

    Image by Christopher White from Pixabay.

    Upgraded audio for town council

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    Andy Carroll

    Former Reading FC striker Andy Carroll reveals decision to leave France

    Paudie O'Connor Picture: Royals TV

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    Rams RFC Picture: Tim Pitfield

    Rams RFC to begin 2025/26 National One campaign at Sedgley Park

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    ‘Worst kit we’ve ever had’: Reading FC fans give mixed reactions to release of new home kit

    Jon Dadi Bodvarsson

    Former Reading FC striker released by League One club

    Reading FC Women

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    Premier division action from the Bracknell Sunday League. Pic: Andrew Batt.

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    Ruben Selles

    Former Reading FC boss Ruben Selles appointed as Sheffield United manager

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    The crossing on Easthampstead Road. Pic: WBC.

    “Lethal” crossing repainted

    Visitors to a Greener Henley event heard how projected CO2 levels and warmer air could affect the Thames and the town if fossil fuels continue to be burned at the current rate. PIctures: Greener Henley

    Reading scientist links rise in red board days to climate change, ahead of busy regatta season

    The final climate emergency newsletter was sent last week.

    Climate emergency still ‘front and centre’

    During a Nature Game session, participants learned about pollinators, invasive species, and what nature does for us for free. PIcture: Kathryn marshall

    How a nature game brought Wokingham locals together

    Three important good causes in Wokingham receive much-needed funding. Picture: Tesco Wokingham

    Three important good causes in Wokingham receive much-needed funding

    Adoptive parents open up, in a new book, about their life-changing journey of adoption. MP for Earley and Woodley, Yuan Yang, was at the launch. Picture: Parenting Special Children

    New book lifts the lid on the highs and lows of modern-day adoption

    Image by Christopher White from Pixabay.

    Upgraded audio for town council

    Come and Give WADE a Try!

    Honesty is set to open in Wokingham town centre. Pic: Andrew Batt.

    New cafe set to open in Wokingham town hall

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    Heat Picture: Pixabay

    Expert advises on how to keep your home cool as temperatures top 32 degrees this weekend

    Visitors to a Greener Henley event heard how projected CO2 levels and warmer air could affect the Thames and the town if fossil fuels continue to be burned at the current rate. PIctures: Greener Henley

    Reading scientist links rise in red board days to climate change, ahead of busy regatta season

    The final climate emergency newsletter was sent last week.

    Climate emergency still ‘front and centre’

    During a Nature Game session, participants learned about pollinators, invasive species, and what nature does for us for free. PIcture: Kathryn marshall

    How a nature game brought Wokingham locals together

    Three important good causes in Wokingham receive much-needed funding. Picture: Tesco Wokingham

    Three important good causes in Wokingham receive much-needed funding

    Adoptive parents open up, in a new book, about their life-changing journey of adoption. MP for Earley and Woodley, Yuan Yang, was at the launch. Picture: Parenting Special Children

    New book lifts the lid on the highs and lows of modern-day adoption

    Image by Christopher White from Pixabay.

    Upgraded audio for town council

    Help keep your pets safe in the heat

    Top tips to help keep your pets safe in the heat

    Honesty is set to open in Wokingham town centre. Pic: Andrew Batt.

    New cafe set to open in Wokingham town hall

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    Shaun the Sheep Picture: Pixabay

    Shaun the Sheep flocks to Reading town centre this summer

    The event is at Dinton Pastures Country Park..

    Celebrating dads with free family fun day

    More than 6,000 people are expected to attend the event.

    Woodley Carnival returns on Saturday

    A series of short horror films made by local filmmakers will be shown at Reading's Biscuit Factory on July 17. Picture: Alexander Krivitskiy via Unsplash

    Local filmmakers bring spooky horror shorts to Reading Biscuit Factory

    The summer show is happening on Saturday.

    Vote for your favourites at Twyford summer show

    Steam railways

    Steam specials to depart from Reading in railway’s 200th year

    BWCB, here in rehearsal, will perform a night of movie music in July. Picture BWCB

    Enjoy a film music night for charity

    An afternoon of jazz and afternoon tea will raise funds for The Cowshed in July. Picture: Zeno Aras via Unsplash

    Uplifting July jazz afternoon promises to fizz in Waltham St Lawrence

    The Bucket List Wishes Summer Festival is taking place at Highfield Park, Hook, from 2.30pm-10.30pm on Saturday, July 5.

    Bucket List Wishes Summer Festival to return in July

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Home Featured

Hurst pre-school marks its 50th with a celebration party

by Sue Corcoran
July 19, 2023
in Featured, Hurst
Preschool staff Jules Knight, Lucy Davis, Sam Gunter, Claire Guile, Lucy Hand, Gemma Monaghan

Preschool staff Jules Knight, Lucy Davis, Sam Gunter, Claire Guile, Lucy Hand, Gemma Monaghan

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A popular preschool, which has its highest-ever number of children on roll, has just celebrated its 50th anniversary.

There was fun, even in the rain, for the children, staff and parents at the birthday party earlier this year.

Children go to St Nicholas Preschool at Hurst from the village, but also from Wokingham, Woodley, Twyford and even Arborfield.

Claire Guile of Winnersh, the preschool’s manager for eight years, said: “Fifty is the most children we’ve ever had. We have a waiting list for places. We’re allowed 26 children at a time, so they’re spread across the week.”

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The preschool’s facilities at Hurst’s small village hall have kept improving. This is thanks to caring staff, committees, parents and supporters over five decades. Hurst Show has been a regular benefactor.

The hall’s outdoor toilets, the boys’ section without a roof, were long ago replaced by indoor ones.

In about 2009, the bramble-filled area behind the hall was cleared to create a spacious garden.

“The committee, staff and others built the large climbing frame looking like a castle with a concrete tunnel under it. The tunnel was big enough for a child in a wheelchair,” said Claire a former primary school teacher.

“The castle was replaced 10 years later to modern safety standards and keeping the original tunnel. A new doorway means children can go straight from the hall into the garden.

“Parents looking around to bring their children here gasp when they see the Castle Garden. It’s a special place and much-loved.”

The children plant, water, and pick fruit and vegetables in the allotment area.

Claire loves her job: “We have a good team of ten staff, the committee and of course our parents. My three girls all came here.”

The Ofsted registered charity preschool was rated as Good last year.

The aim is to help children’s independence and self-confidence, preparing them for school. They learn through play.

Claire’s husband Simon was landlord of the Green Man pub, Hurst for 12 years until 2010.

Among the guests last Saturday was Sue Rockall from Hurst, who with her late sister-in-law Elsie Carter in 1973 started a playgroup which developed into today’s preschool. Elsie had been involved in something similar in Maidenhead and took charge of the new Hurst group.

“The village hall caretaker Rita Poole and Lynne Neville also helped. My son Jake was one of the first children. There were 18 or 20 children at first and we were open in the mornings. The hall was used by others so we cleared everything out each day,” said Sue.

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Tags: hursthurst newshurst pre school 50th birthdayhurst pre-schoolhurst villagest nicholas hurstst nicholas pre school hurstst nicholas pre-school
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