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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Helping those in need with the rising cost of living
Our ‘Here to Help’ campaign is continuing to highlight the latest local and national support that can help residents struggling with the rising cost of living. Here to Help first launched in May and brings together a range of cost of living support from the council and our various partners onto one dedicated webpage, covering energy and water bills, rent, council tax, food, childcare, school meals, benefits and more.
If you’re struggling financially and facing difficult decisions around food, rent or heating, please seek help before you reach crisis point. Check out our dedicated 'Here to Help' webpage as soon as possible, contact us, your landlord and energy supplier, to see what help might be available to you.
As winter approaches, bringing extra financial pressures and worries around heating costs, we are expanding the campaign to include promotion of an emerging network of safe, warm spaces within our borough where people in need can go this winter for advice and support. Visit the RBWM Together website for a map of locations and further details.
Did you know that all local libraries are safe places for the community? You are welcome to use library facilities, explore the ‘Here to Help’ website on the public-access computers and speak with a librarian for advice around cost of living support and/or getting online.
Read more in our press release or by checking out #HereToHelpRBWM.
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Get involved in next stage of shaping Vision for Windsor
You're invited to get involved in the next stage of shaping a compelling vision for how the community would like Windsor town centre to evolve over the next 20-plus years.
Earlier this autumn, we asked residents to complete a survey and other engagement activities to share what you think is good in the town centre, what you'd like to change and what you'd like to keep and take forwards into the future. A workshop also took place with a range of local partner organisations.
As part of analysing people's feedback and ensuring we’ve fully captured the community’s priorities in developing the visioning document, you are now invited to one of two public drop-in sessions at Windsor Library, Bachelors Acre:
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Thursday 10 November from 3pm to 7pm
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Saturday 12 November from 10am to 12.30pm.
These sessions will give you the opportunity to comment on the key themes and ideas emerging from the community, and to share any further ideas or thoughts. You can also see the information online and comment on the RBWM Together website until Sunday 27 November. Learn more in our press release.
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Observing Remembrance in the Royal Borough
Everyone is invited to attend the Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday services taking place in the Royal Borough.
On Remembrance Day (Friday 11 November) we're holding a short Act of Remembrance starting from 10.55am at the War Memorial outside Maidenhead Town Hall. The Act of Remembrance will be led by the Mayor, Councillor Christine Bateson, and those attending will observe a two-minute-silence at 11am.
On Remembrance Sunday (13 November) we'll also hold two services from 10.50am in Windsor and Maidenhead with a two-minute-silence at 11am.
The Maidenhead service will be held at the War Memorial outside Maidenhead Town Hall and will be attended by the Mayor. The Windsor service will be held at the war memorial on Windsor High Street outside the Parish Church of St John the Baptist and will be attended by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Gary Muir.
A service will also be held at St Michael’s Church, Sunninghill and this will be followed by the Act of Remembrance and wreath laying at the War Memorial in the church grounds.
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Green light to adopt joint Minerals and Waste Plan
Independent Planning Inspectors have given the green light for the council to adopt a key planning document which will guide decisions and activities around mineral extraction and waste management across central and eastern Berkshire authorities.
We've been working with Bracknell Forest Council, Reading Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council to finalise a joint Minerals and Waste Plan for these areas, which has been shaped through a series of consultations.
The joint plan has been examined by two independent Planning Inspectors, who have now concluded the plan is sound, legally compliant and capable of adoption, subject to some recommended modifications.
In the coming weeks, full council will be asked to consider the inspectors' report and decide whether to adopt the joint plan. If adopted, the plan will be used to help decide relevant planning applications. Read more on our website.
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Attention all birdkeepers: Take steps to protect your birds
Housing measures to protect poultry and captive birds from Avian Influenza are being extended and will be in-force across England from Monday 7 November.
This means that if are a bird keeper, whether at work or at home, you must house your birds and practise strict biosecurity from this date.
Please visit the Government website for full details.
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Looking after the health and wellbeing of your children
Has your child used our health visiting or school nursing services during the past five years?
If so, we’d like to hear your views, via a short online survey. This will help us understand your thoughts on the current services, and what you’d like to see in the future.
Health visitors and school nurses are health professionals supporting the health and wellbeing of 0 to 19-year-olds, and their families, across the Royal Borough, to give children and young people the best start in life and achieve their full potential. Health visitors support families with children under five, while school nurses focus on age six upwards.
The survey on our RBWM Together engagement website has been designed to take no more than five minutes of your time and ends at midnight on Wednesday 30 November. Once the survey has finished, we’ll upload your feedback onto that site.
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Could you be an education appeal panel member?
Education Appeal Panels are independent and impartial bodies which decide cases where a parent or guardian has appealed against a decision to refuse their child a place at a particular school.
There are no specific qualifications or experience you need to become a Panel Member and almost anyone can take on the role. We welcome people with all types of knowledge, background and experience.
However, Panel Members must be empathetic, good listeners, and want to contribute to the education system. Panel Members must also be fair minded, and willing to give up some of their time. Full training will be provided on the School Admission Code and School Admission Appeal Code, and Panel Members will be trained before sitting for the first time.
The role is voluntary although expenses can be paid for attending all sessions.
If this is of interest to you, please visit our Education Appeal Panel webpage for further information. Applications close on Friday 17 December.
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Children invited to join 21-gun salute for HM The King’s birthday
Children of the Royal Borough are invited to help wish His Majesty The King a happy birthday, by taking part in the traditional 21-gun salute outside Windsor Castle, on Monday 14 November at noon.
The council will be celebrating His Majesty’s 74th birthday with the annual firing of mini cannon on The Long Walk, near the Brook Street entrance, with the special tribute led by Councillor Christine Bateson, the mayor.
As usual, a number of lucky children attending the ceremony will be chosen at random to fire the guns, under the safe supervision of an ordnance expert.
This annual gun salute on the reigning monarch’s birthday is a long-standing, popular Windsor tradition, and this year will be extra special as it’s the first time we’re firing the cannon for the birthday His Majesty King Charles III. If your children would like to be involved, simply turn up by 11.50am and they might be fortunate to be picked.
Photo: Gill Heppell
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Celebrate Christmas in the Royal Borough
Celebrate Christmas in the Royal Borough this year with an abundance of baubles and lights, good food and merriment in some of our most picturesque settings.
From glittering Christmas lights switch-on events and breakfasts with Santa, through to festive extravaganzas and experiences all the family will love, we have a fabulous line-up of events and so many good reasons to get out and about in the Royal Borough this yuletide season. We’ve put together a selection to help you get the most out of this special time.
And don’t forget to support your local independent retailers and markets - you’ll be sure to surprise and delight your loved ones with something special they won’t find anywhere else.
We hope you find a few ideas to help you make the most of your festivities. See the Visit Windsor website for regular updates and latest special offers plus more inspiration on our local gifts and experiences page.
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Stay safe when celebrating Bonfire Night
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding everyone to celebrate safely this Bonfire Night. To stay safe, they encourage you to observe the following safety guidance:
Fireworks
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Always follow the Firework Code
- Only buy fireworks from licensed in-store and online retailers
- Adhere to the fireworks curfew – midnight on Bonfire Night
- Be considerate to animals – if you plan to let off any fireworks, let your neighbours know in advance so they can care for pets.
Bonfires
- Build bonfires well away from buildings, fences, trees and garden structures
- Never burn aerosols, tyres, canisters or anything containing foam or paint – many produce toxic fumes and some containers may explode causing injury
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby in case of emergencies.
For more information on celebrating safely, visit the Celebrating Safely page.
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Trading Standards conduct firework safety operation
Our Trading Standards officers have been visiting businesses licensed to store and sell fireworks in the run up to Bonfire Night.
They have been conducting safety inspections, checking storage arrangements and fire safety measures, and reminding businesses about responsible selling.
They recently carried out an operation with Thames Valley Police where underage volunteers attempted to buy fireworks from licensed retailers. We're pleased to report that no sales were made to these children.
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Halloween Swap Shop success!
Last Friday, our Sustainability team collaborated with Maidenhead Library to host our first ever Halloween Swap Shop for children. Parents in the borough could donate their children's old Halloween costumes and swap it for a different costume for free.
This meant that less costumes ended up in landfill which benefits the environment and promotes a more circular economy. In addition, it helped to relieve some of the financial pressure of Halloween, which is especially important with the current cost of living pressures.
The team were delighted to have more than 100 costumes donated, which reflected a real sense of community spirit.
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Our pumpkin carving competition winners!
Thank you to everyone who shared their wonderful pumpkin carvings (and designs) with us. Here are just some of the great submissions:
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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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Remembrance poppies available in Maidenhead – If you’re searching for a Remembrance poppy, they are available at Maidenhead Heritage Centre in Park Street. The centre also has a Remembrance display from 10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday, admission is free. On Friday 11 November at 11am, Heritage Centre representatives will also hold a short informal ceremony at All Saints Cemetery to place poppies on the headstones of 19 Air Transport Auxiliary pilots and flight engineers who lost their lives during World War II
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Windsor Christmas Tales book launch (Thursday 10 November) – The Old Court, Windsor. The Windsor Writers’ Group are delighted to launch their new book which showcases the essence of Windsor at Christmas in humorous, insightful and, at times, poignant ways. Bookings for the book launch can be made on the Old Court website. The community group are also looking for more members, visit their website to learn more
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Windsor Homeless Project Annual Sleep Out (Friday 11 November, 7pm to 10.30pm) – Windsor Football Club. Join the Windsor Homeless Project for a fun and educational evening. Tickets cost just £20 and include food, entertainment by the Skin&Blister sisters, a talk by local PCSO and founder of Windsor Street Angels, David Bullock, and inspirational personal stories from people we have supported. There is a full licensed bar too. Book via their website
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Maidenhead Community Choir and Rollin’ Stoned Concert (Friday 11 November) – Old Court, Windsor. The Rollin’ Stoned have toured their affectionate tribute to The Rolling Stones for more than 27 years, and will perform a very different set up, with the Maidenhead Community Choir performing a short set at the beginning and joining the Rollin’ Stoned for a couple of tunes. Tickets are available from the Old Court website
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Charity Quiz Night (Saturday 12 November, 7pm to 7.30pm) – Woodlands Park Community Centre, SL6 3GW. A very good evening where all in the community can come and enjoy a relaxed time together and raise money for the St Marks Building Fund. Tables of six or individual entries are accepted, tickets are £7.50 and can be booked by contacting 01628 623263 or info@stmarksmaidenhead.org.uk
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Windsor & Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra concert (Saturday 12 November, 7.30pm) – St Mary’s Church, Maidenhead. In the first concert of their 50th anniversary season, Windsor & Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra will be performing three contrasting masterpieces from the 20th century including Weber’s Der Freischütz overture, Shostakovich’s Cello Concert No. 1 and Sibelius’s Symphony No. 5. Tickets are £18 (£5 for student/child) available on the WMSO website
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Cookham Dean Church Autumn Fayre (Saturday 19 November, from 9.30am to 12.30pm) – Cookham Dean Village Hall. Raffle for super hampers, tombola, homemade cakes, home cooking, and more, plus refreshments available all morning. More information is available on the church website
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Royal Free Singers’ Brahms Requiem (Saturday 23 November, 7.30pm) – Windsor Parish Church. If you missed the Windsor Festival, you're sure to enjoy the Royal Free Singers' performance of the wonderful Brahms Requiem with soloists Emma Louise Jones and Edward Birchinall, accompanied by organist Adrian Bawtree. Tickets are available on the door on the Royal Free Singers website
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 20,000 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:
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Local travel updates
The M4 is due to be closed in both directions between junctions 5 (Langley) and 6 (Slough-Windsor) from 10pm on Friday 11 November until 6am on Monday 14 November. Traffic will be diverted onto A4 and the A355. 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.
There are also planned train strikes tomorrow (Saturday 5 November), Monday 7 and Wednesday 9 November by the RMT Union which may cause disruption to local rail services. For the latest information, please visit the Great Western Railway and South Western Railway websites.
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