tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81894754531391177692025-07-21T07:30:26.171+01:00ROUND AND ABOUT THE BERKSHIRE BLOGOSPHEREOranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.comBlogger603125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-42167977275182469972013-06-01T12:00:00.000+01:002013-06-07T20:12:13.682+01:00

Questions have been raised about the use of expenses by elected officials after reports showed unusual discrepancies. 'Entitled to be fed' In Reading deputy leader of RBC, Labour's Cllr Tony Page, defended his choice to claim nearly 20-times more in travel expenses than any other councillor - he said, "it may come as a shock... but [travel] does cost money." Cllr Page argued his claim was a

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-28836051652490599852012-11-27T10:01:00.000+00:002013-06-07T19:17:01.015+01:00

A 66-year-old former helicopter commander who served in Borneo and the Falklands War has been elected as the first Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley Police, describing it as an 'honour' and a 'privilege'. The Public Interface: TVP Chief Constable Sara Thornton meets PCC Anthony Stansfeld Read more about his 'eclectic' background here. He highlighted the democratic nature of

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-7904710475767457642012-05-30T11:29:00.000+01:002012-06-01T15:43:46.048+01:00

Oh dear! Newbury's Conservative MP and Defra Minister Richard Benyon keeps attracting negative headlines. On the day his department introduced the hosepipe ban The People's investigative team discovered a 15ft hosepipe 'gushing in the grounds' of his family's £125m, 20,000-acre Englefield estate. Mr Benyon responded in time-honoured fashion by threatening legal action, and filing complaints

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-61316199715771492952012-05-09T10:30:00.000+01:002012-05-09T10:30:01.667+01:00

Following on from yesterday's 'Then & Now' post, here is RBC's own video from last Thursday's election and the count held at the Rivermead Centre.   Oranjepan says: Beyond the significant changes to the role and responsibility of local councils, a comparison of then and now shows a stark change in media perspective - the purpose of the 1940s dramatised narrative is to engage the

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-36476740016039881272012-05-08T00:30:00.000+01:002012-05-08T00:30:00.419+01:00

Things have changed a lot in local government in the 70 years since the 1940's when the British Council made this wonderfully evocative information film. Oranjepan asks: can you spot the differences? Are they for the better or the worse?

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-79159736327050281762012-04-09T19:00:00.000+01:002012-04-10T03:12:39.365+01:00

Reading Borough Council's local election campaign exploded into controversy this week as accusations and counter-accusations exposed the political divisions between the parties. Following the deselection of sitting Conservative councillor, Jamie Chaudhary, over an internal 'vendetta', the Peppard ward representative announced his party resignation during the full public session of the Council

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-55286071498759074032012-02-29T11:20:00.001+00:002012-02-29T11:36:00.104+00:00

Local charity Red Balloon has teamed up with new celebrity patron Danyl Johnson to help promote a 'Black & White' charity fund-raising ball.  The event will take place  from 7-11.30pm on Saturday 17th March at Shehnai Banqueting Suites, 75-77 London Street, Reading, and is hosted by Yell UK Chief Executive Richard Hanscott with Red Balloon founder Dr Carrie Herbert MBE. Tickets

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-54883540329028255992012-02-05T17:00:00.012+00:002012-02-05T17:10:59.714+00:00

Winter weather traditionally inspires giddy childlike enthusiasm, as can be seen on Bracknell's slopes (video) - and this has been replicated on the blogopshere too. Ceramix notes the generally mild winter to date, but gets excited by his rapidly falling thermometer which bottomed out at -8 degrees Celcius and takes a few snaps of the snow. Up on the downs Adrian Hollister turns

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-71480860456116151442012-02-03T12:10:00.000+00:002012-02-03T12:10:00.596+00:00

Cyclists and journalists may seem like occassionally odd bedfellows, but local bloggers appear to think they talk the same language. Groovy Yank pokes some fun at the self-importance of guardians of public information. And Andrew Sykes puts a spoke in the wheels of peddalers of stereotypes. Elsewhere Caroline Everleigh suggests it is the haste of people working under pressure which leads

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-82764272779106816292012-02-01T13:00:00.006+00:002012-02-02T13:03:40.411+00:00

#rdgnews - Tesco's remarkable recent growth in the local area has lead to suspicion of backroom favours and secret deals are propping up political interests at the expense of local businesses. The decision to award a £27m contract for a new 84,000-sq m. distribution centre to Vinci Construction UK on the site of the former Courage brewery in Whitley was greeted by a

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-55609159755433657712012-01-27T11:30:00.002+00:002012-01-29T09:14:54.048+00:00

It must be that time of year again - when the New Year's resolutions have been put on the backburner and people start dreaming of getting away from routine. Graeme Thiessen recently emigrated from Reading to Adelaide in Australia - he describes the first part of his family's travels (and some travails too) with a selection of fantastic photos to stir the wanderlust. Putting everyone in the mood

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-83518362386854207362012-01-26T10:00:00.001+00:002012-01-27T20:49:17.219+00:00

#rdgnews - Reading's Labour party bosses have admitted they were 'forced' to reveal their plans to eliminate senior management posts in a £1m savings drive earlier than required. Cllr Jo Lovelock described her 'embarrassment' at discovering the 'leak'. The anonymous author of the since-deleted Civic Minded in Reading blog had reported 'overhearing' a private supermarket conversation in which a

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-6577916367366312672012-01-25T08:50:00.033+00:002012-01-27T20:57:28.001+00:00

The announcement that Reading FC owner Sir John Madejski has agreed to sell a controlling stake in the club has been met with mixed feelings. Reading Post polls 2:1 of readers in favour. The deal, which is 'subject to due diligence and league approval', will see Thames Sports Investment Ltd recieve 51% of shares in exchange for an estimated £40m upon completion at the end of March. At the

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-77680714403976492822012-01-14T11:07:00.003+00:002012-01-14T11:07:00.199+00:00

Friday 13th appears and TV repeats of the horror series are resurrected. In a similar vein local bloggers are on the scene... Elizabeth Thomas worries that she has enough accidents as it is, and promises not to get out of bed for the whole day. Reading some of the bedroom door notices gives a sense of the approaching fear and trepidation. Elsewhere jabblog scares all-comers with the depth of

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-25691264215646658392012-01-12T10:00:00.001+00:002012-01-12T10:09:13.397+00:00

#RdgNews - Reading Conservative Group have elected a new frontbench leadership team. New Leader, Cllr Harris Church Ward's Cllr Tim Harris was elected unopposed as the new leader, replacing Cllr Andrew Cumpsty. In a deliberate show of unity he was proposed by Cllr Richard Willis and supported by Cllr Jeanette Skeats, new Group Whip and Deputy Leader respectively. Cllr David Stevens was

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-54806591441840511712011-12-20T11:00:00.001+00:002011-12-20T11:38:37.702+00:00

According to the Openly Local UK Councils Open Data Scorecard, only 3 of Berkshire's six councils have open data - compared to 85 out of 428 across the rest of the country. So far Bracknell Forest, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and West Berkshire have responded to public demands for greater transparency, while Reading, Slough and Wokingham have not. As part of the government

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-64228360611230086092011-11-11T11:11:00.003+00:002011-11-12T13:36:24.743+00:00

While the controversial aspects of poppy-wearing have caused consternation in the footballing world, Berkshire's own Internet Psychologist, Graham Jones, provides the best tribute to rememberance of the cause for which so many people have fought and died throughout the years. He argues we should be proud even of all the 'rubbish and nastiness' we find online, because this is a perfect

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-63130211054842191932011-10-27T13:30:00.002+01:002011-10-27T13:30:03.107+01:00

Cross-cultural dialogue has been to the fore during this year's Reading International Festival - and there's been remarkable evidence that to be successful learning must be a two-way exercise! Organiser Dave Richards explained the festival is designed to present "an amazing programme of events that will help you explore the world outside your comfort zone." Iranian news agency Ahlul Bayt (ABNA)

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-13949426326155763932011-10-07T10:00:00.005+01:002011-10-07T11:07:06.963+01:00

#rdgnews - While parts of Berkshire completed the switch-over from analogue to fully-digital television on 28th September the government is moving forward with plans to liberalise broadcast media coverage across the country with a strategy for decentralising production and opening up ownership to new companies - and Reading has been identified by the DCMS as one of the 65 potential locations to

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-34946580517850398812011-08-30T11:00:00.003+01:002011-08-30T11:00:03.845+01:00

Swamp-like conditions and motorway misery weren't going to stop the fun for thousands of visitors to Reading for the annual Bank Holiday festival washout - not that the hordes are known for their fondness for soap. The event According to one reviewer Reading is recognised as the festival which creates the most buzz due to its prestigious position at the climax of the outdoor season. The

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-2576001975333540082011-08-27T11:00:00.000+01:002011-08-27T11:00:02.609+01:00

#rdgnews - Thames Water have returned with a new application to redevelop the former Bath Rd reservoir site. Changes include another reduction of the number of residential properties from 96 to max. 80 homes and a restriction on the overall height of development. Additionally the Grade-II listed pump house visible to the public will no longer be converted to offices, but luxury flats instead.

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-14756104699740523852011-08-19T17:00:00.004+01:002011-08-19T17:00:07.566+01:00

This summer's archaeological dig at Silchester Roman town has already provided some interesting discoveries - notably that the site pre-dates Roman times where locals had adopted an urbanised living model before the 1st Century invasions. Assistant Producer of the new BBC Two series 'Digging for Britain', Louise Ord, gives more details. Among potentially exciting theories stylistic patterns and

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-28017734442775031552011-08-12T13:00:00.009+01:002011-08-13T18:28:40.715+01:00

#riots - As coverage of rioting gripped the nation this week, locals have been keen to get in on the act. Mike McNamara reports Thames Valley Police recorded several small incidents in Reading and Oxford, and  offered precautionary advice to carry on with business as normal so as "not to cause widespread public concern". Bracknell's Cllr Alvin Finch says an additional Police street

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-88831816046905519922011-08-05T20:30:00.006+01:002011-08-05T22:32:19.427+01:00

#rdgpol - Controversial Katesgrove Councillor Warren Swaine has had his party membership reinstated after a drawn-out suspension lasting six months. At a 2 1/2 hour hearing in front of LibDem officials in Basingstoke last Tursday he was asked to provide a detailed explanation for a light-hearted remark published on Twitter on 27th January during a #bbcqt session. In an interview with Linda

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189475453139117769.post-58105492413662153462011-08-02T22:00:00.069+01:002011-08-02T22:07:11.587+01:00

#rdgpol - As part of coordinated efforts to encourage greater engagement with residents Reading Borough Council recently announced a new initiative to create a direct feedback channel to Council officials and councillors under the strident headline: "Difficult times, big questions…We need to talk!" Respondants will be encouraged to discuss the "difficult decisions facing the council in the

Oranjepanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.com0