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Get ready to vote as candidates announced in our Local Elections
Make sure you’re ready to vote in the Local Elections. With a month until polling day, you can now check the candidates in your area.
A total of 126 people have put themselves forward across 19 wards to stand as borough candidates on Thursday 4 May. The details of valid nominations are available on our election webpage.
The borough operates by a system of whole council elections every four years, meaning all 41 seats across all 19 wards are available. Borough wards have either two or three seats, meaning voters can choose up to that number of candidates.
In addition, all 14 parish councils have all-out elections this year. However, there will only be contested parish elections as follows:
- Cookham Parish Council – in all three parish wards (Cookham ward, Cookham Rise ward, and Cookham West ward)
- Sunninghill and Ascot Parish Council – in one of the two parish wards (Sunninghill and South Ascot ward)
- Wraysbury Parish Council (not a warded parish)
- Sunningdale Parish Council (not a warded parish)
If you'd like to check which borough ward you live in, or whether you live in a parish, our Neighbourhood Map is a helpful tool.
Polling cards were dispatched last month to those already on the electoral register. However, it is not too late to register – the last date is Monday 17 April at 11.59pm. Registering to vote is easiest online via the Government website.
Due to a national legal change, for the first time you will need to show photo ID in order to vote at a polling station. A wide range of photo ID will be accepted, including passports, driving licences and cards with a PASS Mark.
If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, you can apply by 5pm on Tuesday 25 April for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate. Visit the Electoral Commission website to learn more and apply.
Read our candidate announcement press release to learn more.
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Getting involved and volunteering with The Big Help Out
Community volunteering is His Majesty King Charles III’s legacy wish for his Coronation in May.
The Big Help Out, which takes place on Monday 8 May, encourages everyone to discover local volunteering opportunities and think about how you could become more involved in your community.
In the run up to the celebratory Bank Holiday weekend and into his new reign, we are focusing on the roles volunteers play in our community and in supporting some services.
This week we are encouraging you to have a look at what volunteering opportunities are available and showcasing the work of our ambassadors and an organisation where health is at the heart of helping.
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Ambassadors keep people safe and showcase our Royal Borough
Helping visitors from around the world enjoy the splendour and ceremony of events in the Royal Borough has been part of Richard and Maureen's lives for 12 years.
They are two of 120 ambassadors dedicated to keeping visitors and residents safe and well during events.
The couple from Cookham first volunteered when the group initially formed to assist with the 2012 London Olympics. As the Royal Borough has stayed in the world's eye with royal weddings and state events, they have been called upon many times to help.
Community volunteering is King Charles III’s legacy wish to celebrate the Coronation and his reign.
You can see what volunteering opportunities are available through the official national Big Help Out portal or our own free volunteer matching service.
The ambassadors have volunteering opportunities throughout the year to facilitate annual events for residents, such as the Windsor Pumpkin Party and Windsor and Eton En Plein Air within the walls of Windsor Castle.
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Maureen (pictured) said she initially signed up because of her experiences as an international traveller and the reassurance of greeters in unfamiliar airports. The couple now volunteers at around 12 events a year.
She said: "We have the local, practical knowledge needed during big events.
"You are constantly looking for security issues, dealing with individuals in the crowds, and helping people. We even help the emergency services, and stewards who can be from all over the country.
"However, with the smaller events like the Pumpkin Party, you can really talk to people, and I probably enjoy them more."
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Maureen gets close to historic events and the pair have met the Prince and Princess of Wales due to being ambassadors.
Richard said meeting and getting to know new people makes the volunteering worth it.
The ambassadors are trained in security and safety, and work closely with emergency services, and stewards to make sure people can celebrate, commemorate, and safely enjoy events.
Coordinator Julia White said: "Our ambassadors are an incredible group of people who come from all walks of life and take pride in the place they live. We think they do a fantastic job.
"Our ambassadors are the best legacy of the 2012 Olympics."
If you are interested in becoming an ambassador, there is an application process, and you can apply by emailing julia.white@rbwm.gov.uk.
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Work out and help out with GoodGym
Volunteering and being physical are both at the heart of GoodGym in Maidenhead.
The national initiative has an active branch in Windsor and Maidenhead and volunteers go to people’s homes and community organisations to lend a helping hand.
GoodGym volunteers have kindly assisted with work at some of our nature reserves like Braywick.
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Maidenhead resident and GoodGym organiser Amy Lovell said volunteers can get as active as they want when signing up to a task.
She said: “Some of the tasks we are asked to do are physical in nature like painting, clearing land or gardening.
“We have tasks for everyone, and you can contribute in whatever way you can or where your skills lay.
“Some volunteers will run, cycle, or walk to a task, but volunteers can do as much as they feel able to. It means so much to the organisations to have the extra help."
She added GoodGym has introduced social visits to isolated or vulnerable residents. This could be for a chat, lending a helping hand, or tending the outside of a home for security reasons.
Amy said: “This is a chance to meet new people. You may be new to the area, or your circumstances have changed, and you want to get involved with something new. We are a diverse and friendly group of people, of all ages.
“And you can choose how involved you get and what volunteering opportunities you want to get involved with.
“This might be the way you choose to volunteer as part of the Coronation celebrations.”
Sign up free to GoodGym or email Amy if you have any questions.
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Reminder: Bin collections are not affected this Easter
We are now collecting household waste and recycling on Bank Holiday dates (excluding Christmas and New Year).
If your bin is due to be collected on a day which is a designated Bank Holiday this Easter, please put it at the kerbside by 7am on the day as usual.
Please remember to recycle your Easter egg packaging- the cardboard boxes, the plastic it sits in, and the foil wrapping can all be recycled in your blue bin.
Visit our recycling and rubbish webpage for more information about what can go in each bin or read our bin collection press release to learn more.
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Where to go for medical support this Easter
Local NHS services, including A&E, will be busier this Easter bank holiday weekend.
If you, or your loved ones, need medical advice or support during this time, there are other options which may save you time.
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Apply now to get one hour’s free parking in two further car parks
Our Resident Parking Discount Scheme, offering one hour’s free parking in selected council car parks, has been extended to include Hines Meadow in Maidenhead and Victoria Street in Windsor.
If you’re a resident of the Royal Borough, you can now apply online for your free virtual permits to get your daily discounted sessions in those multi-storey car parks.
If you’ve previously registered for the discount at the other designated car parks that are part of the scheme, you will still need to complete new applications to get the discount in Hines Meadow and Victoria Street.
The other designated car parks are Alma Road and Alexandra Gardens in Windsor, Grove Road and West Street in Maidenhead, Horton Road in Datchet, and Meadow Lane in Eton.
For full details and to apply, please visit our parking discount webpage.
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Get involved in our new Town Team and help shape how Maidenhead town centre will be improved
You are invited to help shape the future of Maidenhead town centre by getting involved in our new Town Team.
We are still inviting expressions of interest to join the team, which will be made up of several action groups. You have until Thursday 27 April to let the us know if you are interested in being part of these groups.
These will be made up of representatives from the public, private, not-for-profit and community sectors, helping to shape a vision, and guiding community aspirations, for the future of Maidenhead town centre. They will lead on activities and projects which will benefit the users of the town and enhance its vitality and attractiveness.
To sign up, email Maidenhead Town Manager Robyn Bunyan at maidenhead.tm@rbwm.gov.uk.
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Reminder: Last chance to share your thoughts to help shape activities at Windsor & Royal Borough Museum
Thank you to everyone who has so far shared their views to help with planning future exhibitions, talks and other activities at the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum.
If you’ve not shared your views already, make sure to fill in the online survey before the deadline tomorrow (Friday 7 April) so you can help shape future activities at the museum.
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Calling all jobseekers! Attend our jobs fair
A jobs fair will take place at Windsor Library on Thursday 20 April from 10.30am to 1pm.
Jobseekers will have the opportunity to meet local employers and find out about their current vacancies. There’s no need to book, just turn up on the day.
Employers who wish to attend the event should contact windsor.library@rbwm.gov.uk
For more information, please visit our employment support webpage.
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Royal Borough Community Spotlight
Here are just some of the upcoming community events in the Royal Borough:
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Walk the Stations of the Cross (Friday 7 April, 11.30am) – St John the Baptist Church, Cookham Dean. Nine local artists have been asked to paint an Easter ‘Stations of the Cross’ picture for this traditional walk which goes through the village finishing at Holy Trinity Church, Cookham. Everyone, with their children and dogs, are welcome to join or leave whenever they like, and the walk will finish about 1.30pm. There may well be coffee and a bun at the end of the walk
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Free Easter Family Fun Day (Saturday 8 April, 11am to 3pm) – Grenfell Park, Maidenhead. Aimed at families with children aged up to 12 years old, there will be an Easter egg hunt, face painting, bunny mask painting and many other activities and refreshments. Learn more on the Maidenhead Bridge Rotary website
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Celebrate Easter at King's Church International (Sunday 9 April at 10am) – Baylis Theatre, Braywick Leisure Centre. Kings Church International (KCI) welcome you to an inspiring all age family Easter celebration. Free parking at the venue. Visit the KCI website to learn more
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Volunteer at Nature’s Haven (Wednesday 12 April from 7pm to 9pm and Saturday 15 April from 10am to 12pm) - The Community Centre, 4 Marlow Road, Maidenhead. Nature’s Haven is inviting volunteers to get hands on, practical gardening experience creating a community healing garden as they nurture and promote a feeling of connectedness and wellbeing. If you’d like to be part of their project, further details can be found on the Nature's Haven website
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Maidenhead Waterways fun day (Saturday 22 April from 10am to 3pm) – Chapel Arches, Maudsley Gardens, Maidenhead. Browse the stalls in the closed road between The Bear and Coppa Club and enjoy the free family entertainment on and off the water. For more details see the Waterways Fun Day website
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Boost your knowledge of scams - If you are part of a community group in the Royal Borough and would welcome an informative presentation on how to protect yourself from scams, please contact our Community Wardens on wardens@rbwm.gov.uk or 01628 685636. For more information, check out the scam awareness flyer
If you have an upcoming not-for-profit community event or activity 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.
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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:
Other local consultations
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is also asking for views on options for a redeveloped or relocated Royal Berkshire Hospital. Take part in their online survey or visit the Building Berkshire Together website to learn more.
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Local Travel Updates
The A404(M) will be closed southbound from Junction 9b (Thicket Roundabout) to the Holyport Interchange on weeknights (9pm to 6am) from Monday 17 to Thursday 20 April. Drivers will be diverted via the A4 and A308.
For more information, please visit the National Highways website.
For details of 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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