JPRA Newsletter
Chairman's Chat!
Hi Everyone
Welcome to our latest newsletter from the J.P.R.A. I hope you all survived the long winter months and are looking forward to the brighter and warmer summer months. It has not been an easy time and it is now compounded by the vast increases in the cost of living that has led to many struggling economically. We hope all our residents are okay.
The Queen's Jubilee has generated a lot of reasons to celebrate and I hope you are all looking forward to the extra long bank holiday. If you have an event planned then do drop us a line and we can include it on our website and on social media. We have opted to celebrate this in 2 ways. The first of these is our very own Jubilee 'Party in the Park' that we are keeping in its regular slot - 3rd July starting at 14:00. I gather the relaxed ambience of previous years will very much prevail, but we do hope to organise junior races for the younger attendees. Andy from 'Sir Whippy' hopes to attend to provide refreshments and all we need is you, your family and friends.
We also hope to rejuvenate the rose bed at the end of Sewell Avenue by weeding, edging and generally replanting the bed. The bed has become overgrown and is not in the beautiful state of previous years, so offers of horticultural expertise, plants and digging power would be very much appreciated. Do drop us a line and I will fix a Saturday morning to get a few of us to do this.
Thanks to all the amazing people across the Park who volunteer to cover patches and clear litter on a regular basis. The 'Adopt-a-Street' Social Media Group does an amazing job and clears sacks and sacks of rubbish. This includes some of the committee and we appreciate all the time and effort spent in making Joel Park a nicer place to live.
So, until next time, wishing all our residents all the very best and see you at Party in the Park on the 3rd July.
Steve, JPRA Chair, and all the committee
Joel Park
Have you taken a wander down to Joel Park yet to look at the beautiful bluebells? We are so lucky to have this on our doorstep.
New Developments
The main construction works began in Summer 2020. A section of Old Forest Road/Toutley Road is still currently shut and Road Safety Audits and sign off from all relevant parties will need to be in place before the road can be officially opened. This is anticipated to be late April 2022 for the opening of the Toutley Road section. The new section of road/railway bridge that leads to Winnersh is planned to be opened in early summer 2022.
The Ashridge Farm section of the NWDR will connect Bell Foundry Lane with the section constructed by Crest Nicholson as part of the Kentwood Farm Phase 2 development. The opening of this section of the road is in the hands of WBC, and is related to the programme of neighbouring development works. We haven't been given any firm dates and therefore assume it could be as late as the opening of the other new section to Winnersh (i.e. summer this year).
Mathewsgreen School Update
WBC still plan to open the new St Cecilia's Church of England Primary School and a new community centre on Queens Road, Matthewsgreen. In March, WBC agreed with The Keys Academy Trust, which will run the school, that the school would not open this September because of delays and to avoid contractors being on site at the same time as staff and pupils. Further announcements on the community centre, which is being built on the same site as the school, are expected shortly.
New Play Area in Cantley Park
The borough's newest destination play area in Cantley Park, opened recently. The attraction was funded by developers' contributions from the new housing.
A special feature at the new play area is the Yalp interactive equipment, which is designed to make playing outside as interactive as gaming - but without the screen time.
The play area has been designed to appeal to a wide age range, including teenagers as well as younger children, and is inclusive with wheelchair accessible equipment.
The space aims to encourage all children and families to play together in carefully laid out inclusive play zones.
Housing and Care Home Scheme Uodate
Proposals for up to 130 new houses and a care home for older residents in the North Wokingham major development were set to go before the WBC planning committee early in the new year.
Officers are still considering the application but hope to be in a position to decide as soon as possible.
1st Emmbrook Scout Group
We thought that Covid was finished but are finding that, like the schools, our meetings continue to be affected by illness among the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Adults.
The annual census in January confirmed that we are the biggest Scout Group in the Wokingham District with 40 Beavers, 55 Cubs and 55 Scouts giving a total of 150 young members. We are very full and can't offer places to all who wish to join and the waiting list continues to be large. Surprisingly, the new houses have not produced the expected increase in the waiting list.
The roadworks in Toutley Road have caused some minor difficulties to our access but Balfour-Beatty has tried very hard to minimise any problems. Completion looks to be near and our difficulties might become greater with the expected speed of the cars on the new road.
All six Sections have had great programme events including a muddy hike and camp for the Scouts and Easter Egg Hunts and Slot-Car Racing at Pinewood for all the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.
Looking to the future, we always need new Leaders and Assistants - training will be given, so if any of you want to have a life-changing and fulfilling hobby please contact me to find out more. A reasonable commitment is needed as well as a wish to help young people grow up to be awesome adults. Scouting is good for you!
Martin Wilson
Group Scout Leader - 1st Emmbrook Scout Group
Email martwilson@btinternet.com
St Paul's and St Nicholas
At the time of going to press, the next thing we are looking forward to it is a stall at the May Fayre near the Brown Bag coffee shop where we will be advertising baptisms and weddings along with our friends from All Saints, Wokingham - do stop to say hello as you come past from the ferret racing to the Scouts tombola.
See you soon!
Richard Lamey
Rector of St Paul's, Wokingham and St Nicholas, Emmbrook
rector@spauls.co.uk
Bounce
☆ Our motto is "Fun.Friendly.Fierce" ☆
So prepare to work hard but feel welcomed, smile and have a laugh.
* What is ((BOUNCE))? A mini trampoline fitness class choreographed to music. 45 minutes cardio followed by 15 minutes of toning.
There are beginners in every session too, so don't worry about feeling self-conscious - you'll see everyone bouncing at their own pace. It usually takes 3 sessions to get used to the moves, the more you do it the more you become familiar!!
* What are the benefits? Rebounding workouts are 3X more effective than floor-based workouts. Burn up to 700+ calories in every class! Great for weight loss, mental wellbeing, stress release and lymphatic circulation.
A ((BOUNCE)) class can burn up to 700 calories, so if you're looking for a low impact, high intensity workout then this could be for you!
* Who's it for? EVERYONE! Different options are given in every track, and you can bop lightly or bounce hard to make it the right level for YOU! High intensity and low impact it's suitable for all ages and abilities.
* How do I book? All classes must be booked online in advance at https://bookwhen.com/bouncewokingham
Mon, Tues & Thurs 6.30-7.30pm at the Holt School - All you need is water, towel and your lovely happy selves
And Finally - Please Park Considerately
We are still having problems with parking on the pavement around the estate. Please try to park considerately and remember there is a very good reason why it is now a prosecutable offence to block the pavement, as these pictures demonstrate.
Reference
- Common abbreviations:
- ERA - Emmbrook Residents' Association
- JPRA - Joel Park Residents Association
- NHW - Neighbourhood Watch
- NWDR - North Wokingham Distributor Road
- PCSO - Police Community Support Officer
- SDL - Strategic Development Locations
- TVP - Thames Valley Police
- WBC - Wokingham Borough Council
- WTC - Wokingham Town Council
- Useful Numbers:
- Wokingham Borough Council 0118 974 6000
- Wokingham Town Council 0118 978 3185
- When it's less urgent than 999: Thames Valley Police 101
- Gas Emergency Line 0800 111 999
- Wokingham Medical Centre 0118 978 4566
- Emmbrook Village Hall contact: embrookbookings@gmail.com
- Contact Us:
- E-MAIL newsletter@jpra.org.uk
- BY HAND: 6 Matthewgreen Road
- WEBSITE: www.jpra.org.uk
- Via Facebook: search for 'Joel Park Residents' Association' and 'Like' or 'Follow' us!