Page 36 - Sonning Common News Today

MORE than half of people living in Henley have now received at least one coronavirus vaccination. At the Hart Surgery, off York Road, 7,282 vaccinations have be...

Voters head to polls VOTERS are heading to the polls for the local elections today. Elections are being held for Oxfordshire County Council, Wokingham Borough Council, Reading Borough Council and Buckinghamshire Council. Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm, with people being asked to respect coronavirus guidelines and to bring their own pens and pencils. Votes are also cast for the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley area. The elections for Oxfordshire County Council were...

A retired teacher who wrote to a campaigner disagreeing with her stance on abortion was told by police that the “hate incident” would go on his record.Douglas Kedge, 85, who had defended parents’

Police recorded a hate incident against a retired teacher who wrote a polite letter to a campaigner defending a mothers right to abort a baby with Downs syndrome.  Douglas Kedge, 85, penned a letter to a woman protesting about an episode of Emmerdale in which a couple decided to terminate a pregnancy after the baby was diagnosed with the genetic disorder. He wrote that although he understood some may regard having a child with Downs syndrome as a great privilege and joy, there are other perfec...

Couple who forgot entry win front garden competition );  ); nominated by their neighbour. Bill and Angie Cordell were surprised to hear they had won as they had forgotten their front garden in Bay Tree Rise had been entered. The couple, who have lived in the village for about three years, have planted a variety of perfumed plants, spring bulbs, tulips and shrubs outside their home.  Mrs Cordell, 73, describes it as her “jewel garden” due to the bright orange, purple and pink colours.  S...

Independent and small party candidates: Jeanette Matelot, Richard Langridge, Judith Harley, Chaka Artwell, David Henwood, Les Sibley, Stefan Gawrysiak, Pete Handley, and Jamila Azad THIS week the Oxford Mail is speaking to candidates from the different political parties standing to win power on Oxfordshire County Council on May 6. Today, this paper looks at the smaller political parties and independent councillors standing across the county. Independents There are 12 independent candidate...

Takeaway scores poorly in latest hygiene inspection ); A TAKEAWAY restaurant in Henley has scored poorly in two consecutive food hygiene inspections. Herbies Pizza, which is based at the “top shops” in Greys Road, was awarded two stars out of a possible five at its most recent visit by South Oxfordshire District Council’s environmental health inspectors. The score, meaning “improvement needed”, follows the one-star rating, or “major improvement needed”, which the business received...

‘Lessons learned from £1.6m blunder’ );  ); THE cabinet member for finance at Oxfordshire County Council has defended his role in a blunder that cost taxpayers £1.6million. The council agreed to an out-of-court settlement with Marston Holdings after “significant failings” were identified in the procurement process for a parking enforcement contract. However, this decision was reached by council officers without consultation with or the agreement of members. In June 2019, the company ...

Village that fed intensive care staff during pandemic );  ); FIVE women who helped feed NHS staff during the pandemic are to mark their achievement by producing a cook book. Jocelyn Lynch, Sue Remenyi, Jane Mather, Kristina Stitt and Sarah Wilkinson, who all live in Kidmore End, helped to deliver more than 1,700 homemade meals for staff working in the intensive care unit at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. The initiative started in January when an anaesthetist at the hospital, who als...

Lockdown opponent stands in election ); A CAFE owner who opposes the coronavirus lockdown is standing for election. Vivienne Lee is competing in the Henley division of Oxfordshire County Council for a new party called Freedom Alliance. Ms Lee, who owns the Chocolate Café in Thames Side, Henley, is one of four people challenging for the seat at the council elections on Thursday, May 6. She said: “The decision to stand is a direct result of the last 10 months, which have been very tough due ...