MARCH began on the sad note that Chris Pape had died.
Many people in Wokingham would have known Chris who most recently worked for Just Around The Corner (JAC), helping young people who, for whatever reason, needed some additional support.
This included her long-held vision to open a shop in Wokingham town centre to allow the youngsters to get vital work experience.
Throughout her life she was also active in a number of churches, in particular St Mary’s & St John’s – California, Wokingham Baptist Church and Norreys Church (as well as the Salvation Army).
A Wokingham stalwart who will be truly missed.
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia triggered an outpouring of support from all corners of the borough.
Wokingham Borough Council raised a flag in solidarity with Ukraine.
The flag at the Shute End offices was raised by Cllr Keith Baker, then mayor of Wokingham, on Wednesday, March 2.
Cllr Baker said: “We want to show full support to the people of Ukraine who are under vicious attack from Russia.”
Cllr John Halsall, then leader of Wokingham Borough Council, condemned the invasion.
He said: “We condemn the violation of an innocent and independent country, the targeting of civilians and the murder and maiming that has been carried out by Vladimir Putin’s office.
“We call for an end to the war and the restoration of peace in Ukraine.”
This was one of a number of messages of support from a united council as it readied its services to assist with welcoming refugees.
One of the nation’s political party leaders also came to Wokingham.
Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, was visiting the town as part of his “blue wall tour” and called in at the Wokingham Medical Centre and Market Place.
He was joined by councillors and campaigners to discuss local and national issues with residents ahead of local elections later in the year and the general election in 2024.
Sir Ed said: “It is great to be in Wokingham and the response we are getting on the doorstep has been really, really strong.
“There is a momentum behind the Liberal Democrats across the town.”
A Berkshire charity also received a special visit, but from a different kind of public figure.
Parenting Special Children welcomed HRH Sophie Countess of Wessex to an anniversary event on Wednesday, March 2.
The charity, founded in 2006, offers specialist support across Berkshire to families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, including families who foster and adopt.
Ruth Pearse, Parenting Special Children’s founder and CEO said: “Thank you to HRH The Countess of Wessex for joining us to celebrate our 15th anniversary, it was an honour and privilege to welcome you to meet our families.
“I will remember the pure delight on the children’s faces for a long time to come, especially my daughter presenting your gift, special memories to treasure forever.”
A runner from Lower Earley completed a gruelling challenge as she ran five marathons in as many days for charity.
Nicki Farrell née Aitken joined a virtual team of six runners to take on the task for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, a Motor Neurone Disease charity setup by former Scotland Rugby Union international player Doddie Weir OBE.
She completed the challenge by running 26.2 miles around Lower Earley and surrounding areas every day from Saturday, March 12, to Wednesday, March 16.
Finishing at Dinton Pastures meant that her husband Gary and many of her club mates from Thames Valley Triathletes and Bracknell Road Runners could run with her.
Speaking of the support received from her friends and family,, she said : “They have been great, many of them ran with me out on the roads and some came out to ring cow bells.
“We had lots of cake afterwards.”
One of the more positive stories we covered in March was headlined “Late retirement for Earley man” and that’s exactly what it was.
David Wilson BEM spent 66 years conducting the Slough Philharmonic Orchestra but just before his 90th birthday decided it was time to retire as conductor and as the director of music at Slough Philharmonic Society.
Mr Wilson conducted for the final time with the orchestra on Saturday, March 5.
Mr Wilson’s daughter, Sally, said that conducting could be the secret to his longevity.
“It has kept him fit,” she said, “and he’s very sprightly indeed, and he wanted to go out on a high.”
The final concert of his tenure was attended by Sally, and his partner Jan, who has missed only two of his concerts in 66 years.
Mr Wilson was educated in Maidstone, where he played piano with the school orchestra.
He later went on to study at the Royal College of Music, before completing national service in the RAF Central Band.
After National Service he went into teaching at Renelagh School in Bracknell, where he taught for 38 years.
The concert began with a rendition of the Ukrainian national anthem to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
Ms Wilson said that this was an emotional start to an already emotional evening.
“When dad heard the air raid sirens in Kyiv on the news, it really reawakened memories that he’d parked almost a lifetime ago.”
But the evening was a happy occasion, and he celebrated afterwards in the pub with friends and family until late.
Celebrations of a different kind were heard as residents celebrated the abandoning of plans to build a 3G pitch at Laurel Park.
Initially proposed by the Berks and Bucks Football Association to tackle a lack of football facilities in the area – an ongoing problem – the borough council decided the site was not suitable.
This was not the last that readers would hear about as Cllr John Halsall, then leader of the council, accused Cllr Clive Jones, leader of the Liberal Democrats, of “misleading residents” on the issue – something he denied.
Cllr Halsall revealed an email sent by Cllr Jones, on December 8, 2020 at a council meeting in late March.
It was sent to a council officer after plans for revamping Cantley Park were revealed.
Cllr Jones wrote: “How are discussions going with them about Laurel Park? It would be great to have something similar there?”
Following the meeting, Cllr Jones hit back.
“This isn’t saying we want something similar (to a 3G pitch), it’s asking to have a conversation about what is being planned,” he said.
The month ended with “six of the best” as Wokingham Town Council unveiled the winners of its civic awards.
Each year, the awards recognise residents who have gone above and beyond to make the town a better place.
This could be through exceptional service, adding to the cultural life, or helping make it more environmentally friendly.
The winners were Alan Rouse, Claire Revie, Gerald de la Pascua, James Baston, Jean Taylor and Siobhan Sanctuary.
They received their awards from the deputy town mayor, Cllr Maria Gee, at a ceremony held in the town hall on Tuesday, March 29.
Cllr David Lee, who chairs the civic committee, was thrilled with the occasion.
“I am constantly amazed at the voluntary contributions made by so many unsung heroes each year,” he said.
“Usually, these people quietly carry on these good works in an unassuming way without seeking recognition or reward and bring untold happiness and relief to many of our residents.
“Whether help is given through putting food on the table, bringing families together, putting on events for the community to enjoy or offering a helping hand to those who need it, we salute you.”
