Please share with friends, family and neighbours in the borough so they can keep up to date. Sign up here if you've received a forwarded copy.
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Reminder: Have you responded to your child’s Primary, First or Junior school offer?
Calling all parents! If your child is starting Primary, First or Junior school in September 2024, please respond by Friday 3 May 2024 to let us know if you wish to accept or decline the offer of the school place made to your child.
If you applied online using the portal, you will be able to log into your account to view the outcome and accept or decline your offer and you will also receive an email confirming the outcome of your application.
You can also email your acceptance or decline of offer to rbwm.admissions@achievingforchildren.org.uk. Please remember to include your child's full name and date of birth.
If you applied using our Google online form, you will not be able to access the admissions portal and your outcome will be sent via email providing information about the outcome and how to respond. Further information is available on our school admissions page.
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Campaign highlights how you can get involved in supporting a sustainable borough
Our communications campaign, Supporting a Sustainable Borough, finishes this week with a look at some of the opportunities available for you to get involved, and how you can help work towards a more sustainable borough.
This includes tips and advice on reducing single-use plastics with the theme of Earth Day 2024 on Monday (22 April) being 'planet vs plastics'. We've also highlighted the range of items you can recycle in your blue bin and tips and links to ideas to help you throw less rubbish away.
We finished the week by highlighting the equipment which you can borrow to monitor and record nature, as well as the ECO Action Hub's 10% Carbon Reduction Challenge, with more details below of how you can take part.
As a council, one of our key priorities is to take action to tackle climate change and its consequences and improve our natural environment. Achieving a sustainable future is a collective community effort – we all have a part to play in tackling climate change and its consequences.
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Join the ECO Action Hub’s 10% Carbon Reduction Challenge
We all know that we need to reduce our carbon footprint. Can we afford to do nothing, or can we make some changes ourselves and have an impact?
The ECO Action Hub’s 10% Carbon Reduction Challenge will help you understand your personal and household’s carbon footprint and will provide plans, approaches, and support to reduce your footprint year-on-year.
The group will:
- Help you calculate your carbon footprint
- Prioritise changes you can make
- Build a plan with you to make a difference
- Show you how to keep assessing, planning, and making real changes.
Visit the ECO Action Hub in The Nicholsons Centre, Maidenhead and get ideas to make a difference now. Sign up to get more help and start your journey with the 10% challenge. It’s open Thursdays to Sundays, and opening hours are available here.
The ECO Action Hub is holding its first anniversary celebration on Saturday 11 May from 10am and all are welcome. For more information, visit the website, as well as resources to support your own ECO Action Journey, including an individual action plan ready for you to download.
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Reminder: Police and Crime Commissioner election on 2 May
The Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election takes place next week, on Thursday 2 May.
Five candidates are standing, and you can see who they are and read their election statements on the official “Choose My PCC” website.
PCCs are elected representatives who oversee how crime is tackled in a police force area and aim to ensure the policing needs of communities are met. They are elected for four years – this short video covers their role.
West Berkshire Council has overall responsibility for running this election across the Thames Valley policing area. Find out more on their website.
Remember, you need to bring an accepted form of photo ID to vote at a polling station. Visit The Electoral Commission website for details.
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Civic Amenity site in Maidenhead closed on Monday 29 April for resurfacing work
Please be aware that the Civic Amenity site at the top of Vicus Way will be closed on Monday 29 April due to resurfacing works taking place on site. It will be open as normal from Tuesday 30 April.
The Household Waste and Recycling Centre, where garden waste and wood can be disposed of, will remain open as normal. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
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Join the Learning Disability Partnership Board
The Learning Disability Partnership Board are a group of adults with a learning disability, family members, carers and service providers, who aim to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities.
The Board is free and open to anyone interested in improving services and making sure adults with a learning disability have their views heard in the borough. They work together as equal partners to make sure adults with a learning disability, their families and carers have their views heard.
They meet six times a year online. To join or for more information, please email Caroline Waites, from The Advocacy People, at caroline.waites@theadvocacypeople.org.uk. The Advocacy People are our advocacy provider, and support residents to access services. Caroline will keep you updated on plans for meetings, Zoom links for you to join the meetings, as well as information discussed at the meetings. If you have a learning disability you can join the meeting at 1.30pm to set up and go through the meeting plan.
Parent/Carer Support Group
The Board also set up an online Parent/Carer Support Group back in 2021 for residents who care for adults with a learning disability.
The group provides friendship, knowledge, and support in a safe space where carers set the agenda and are free to talk openly about their experiences. The group also invite guest speakers from time to time to discuss topics/services group members want to learn more about.
If you or someone you know would like to join, again, please contact, Caroline at caroline.waites@theadvocacypeople.org.uk. The group meet online once a month, on a Wednesday at 12.30pm and 1.30pm.
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Calling all artists! Apply for Windsor and Eton painting competition
The En Plein Air (Open Air) Windsor and Eton painting competition will take place on Saturday 20 July inside the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Artists are invited to come and create their own masterpieces within a six-hour timeframe at various locations around the world’s most famous castle.
Having completed their work, artists are invited to exhibit their piece as part of an open-air pop-up exhibition in Windsor Royal Shopping, where the public will have the opportunity to see and buy the work. Judging by a panel of industry experts will take place at 5pm, followed by the prize-giving at 6pm. The first prize is £2,000.
All artists wanting to take part can register online via the website. The cost is £60 and registration closes at midnight on Sunday 30 June.
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Maidenhead Town Forum and Windsor Forum - get involved
You are welcome to attend, listen to the discussion, ask questions and suggest items for future agendas at the next Maidenhead Town Forum and Windsor Forum meetings.
The next Windsor Forum will be held on Wednesday 8 May at York House, Windsor from 6.30pm. The next Maidenhead Town Forum will be held on Monday 13 May at Maidenhead Town Hall, also from 6.30pm.
The meetings will also be streamed live on the council’s YouTube channel.
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Calling all businesses! Complete the digital infrastructure for business survey
There's still time for businesses to take part in the Digital Infrastructure Group’s digital infrastructure for business survey.
It's been designed with the goal of assessing the current state of digital infrastructure, identifying areas for improvement, and gauging the digital skills of employees within local businesses.
The deadline to complete the survey has been extended until Wednesday 15 May. Take part by visiting the website.
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Royal Borough Community Spotlight
Here are just some of the upcoming community events and volunteering opportunities in the Royal Borough.
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Age Concern Windsor tabletop sale (Saturday 27 April, 10am to 1pm) - Spencer Denney Centre, Park Corner, SL4 4EB. Lots of bargains to be had so don't miss out. Everything from bric-a-brac to tea and cake. For more information, call 01753 860685 or email info@ageconcernwindsor.org.uk
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Windsor Great Park Bowling Club open day (Saturday 27 April, 10am to 3pm) – Prince Consort Drive, Windsor Great Park SL4 2HT. This is an opportunity for all ages, abilities and backgrounds to come and try bowls at the club, in the peaceful surroundings of Windsor Great Park. You will be made very welcome and will be provided with all you need to have a go. Just wear flat shoes. Refreshments, bar and free parking available on site. For more information, please contact the club secretary on 07912 682516.
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Datchet Seed and Seedling Swap (Saturday 27 April, 11am to 2pm) - Datchet W.I. Hall, Village Centre, SL3 9EH. Bring seeds and seedlings, swap seeds and seedlings or just take some free to begin your own growing journey. Talk to gardening and compost experts and share ideas about gardens and growing. There will also be information about Datchet village grounds-care and planting projects which local residents can become involved with from the earliest stages. The event is entirely free – even the tea, coffee and biscuits. For more information email Allen.
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Bray Village Hall spring market (Saturday 27 April, 1pm to 5 pm. Come along and support local businesses and the local community. There will be jewellery, clothes, food and much more, including a pre-loved luxury clothing sale in support of Thames Hospice. Coffee and teas served and the bar will be open. All welcome - free entry. For more information, visit the Facebook page.
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St Luke’s Church concert in aid of Thames Hospice (Saturday 27 April, 7.30pm) - St. Luke’s Church, Norfolk Road, Maidenhead, SL6 7AX. Join for an evening of ‘Schubert and all that Jazz’ - an accessible concert of classical, jazz and popular music. All proceeds in aid of Thames Hospice. For more information visit the website, call 01628 622733 or email admin@stlukeschurchmaidenhead.org.uk
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Windsor and Eton Bowling Club open day (Sunday 28 April, 10am to 4pm) - Goswell Meadow, Barry Avenue, Windsor SL4 1QX. An opportunity for all ages, abilities and backgrounds to come and try bowls at the club, nestling in the shadow of Windsor Castle. You will be made very welcome and will be provided with all you need to have a go. Just wear flat shoes. Refreshments and free parking on site is available. For more information, visit the website.
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International celebrity pianist returns to Old Windsor Parish Church (Sunday 28 April, 3pm) - Old Windsor Parish Church, Church Rd SL4 2JW. David Goode has toured extensively abroad as well as performing regularly at the Proms and the Royal Festival Hall with his piano recitals. The programme will include works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Liszt. Refreshments will be available and there is plenty of parking. Donations welcome on the day.
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What is Success? - a special service (Sunday 28 April, 4pm) - The URC, William Street, Windsor, SL4 1BA. Visit Grace Church Windsor to consider what Jesus had to say about this important question. All welcome, just turn up. For more information, visit the website or email.
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An evening with Nelson Mandela’s bodyguard (Friday 3 May, 7.45pm) - St Mary’s Church, Maidenhead, SL6 1YY. Join for an interview with Rory Steyn to hear about his life, his Christian faith and his close-quarter observations of Nelson Mandela. For more information and to book, visit the website.
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Music and Arts Festival at Hurley (Friday 3 May to Sunday 5 May). The festival in Hurley includes a concert each evening at 7pm and an art show during the day on Saturday. Music at the concerts includes performances from Papa Truck (performing homegrown bluegrass) to Tamesis (a chamber choir) and some very talented young musicians. For more information and tickets, visit the website. Entry to the art show is free and there will be refreshments available.
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2024 Cookham Festival (Friday 3 to Sunday 19 May). This year's festival starts with the opening of the Sculpture Garden at The Odney Club and an evening with Theresa May and Lord Young at the Sir Bernard Miller Centre. The Cookham Festival is a non-profit organisation, run by volunteers to raise money for local art projects and relies on the support of the public. For more information, visit the website.
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Come and sing Mozart's Requiem - Windsor & Eton Choral Society (Tuesday 7 May, doors open 6pm) - Eton College Chapel. This is a chance to rehearse and perform this amazing work on a very special evening in wonderfully unique surroundings. For more information and tickets, email tickets.wecs@gmail.com, call 07940 811395 or online through TicketSource.
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Desborough Bowling Club open day (Saturday 11 May, midday to 4pm) - 10 Green lane, Maidenhead, SL6 1XZ. Come along and enjoy the excellent bowling and social facilities in the new purpose-built bowling complex. This is an opportunity for all ages, abilities and backgrounds to come and try bowls at the club. Wear flat shoes. Refreshments and free parking on site is available. For more information, visit the website.
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Dementia-friendly walk and refreshments (Wednesday 29 May and last Wednesday of each month until 31 October, 11am to 12.30pm) - Braywick Nature Centre, Hibbert Road, Maidenhead, SL6 1UU. Meet in the main car park. Join for a walk in the great outdoors at Braywick Nature Centre, followed by refreshments. This event is suitable for people with dementia and their carers. For more information call 0118 959 4242, email info@ageukberkshire.org.uk or visit the website.
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Signature A Cappella Singers - Do you love to sing? The group is looking for new members and would like to invite any women who are keen singers. You don’t have to be able to read music. It rehearses every Thursday evening, arrival at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. Held at St Edwards Parish Centre, Windsor, SL4 3BA. For more information, visit the website, or to join one of our rehearsals, email singwithsignature@gmail.com
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Maidenhead Softball Club free softball sessions (adults every Friday, under-14s every Monday, 6.30pm to 8pm) - Summerleaze Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 8SP. The club is running softball sessions for both adults and under-14s. Come along to the free sessions and see what softball is all about. No experience necessary or any equipment needed. For more information about softball, the club or to book a place visit the website, or call 07359 574150.
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.
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Our consultations - have your say
We regularly hold consultations and surveys to get your views on proposals within the Royal Borough.
Participating, sharing ideas, and giving your feedback is the best way to ensure your views are heard.
Our current consultations are:
Partner consultation:
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Local Travel Updates
Rail - industrial action
The ASLEF union has announced strike action affecting the SWR network on Tuesday 7 May and the GWR network on Wednesday 8 May. In addition, there will be action short of strike across several train operating companies from Monday 6 May to Saturday 11 May. For updates, check the SWR and GWR websites.
Council highways works:
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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Keep in touch
Keep up to date with news and information from the council by signing up to Nextdoor and following us on X and Facebook.
Other accounts you may be interested in:
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