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From the Indepenant

The best turkeys for 2021 are:

Best overall – Copas traditional whole bronze free range turkey, 5kg: £93, Copasturkeys.co.uk
Best for traditionalists –  Morrison’s the best large whole free range turkey, 4.5kg: £33.71,  Morrisons.com
Best value organic turkey – Aldi specially selected British free range organic capestone whole turkey, 5kg: £49.95, Aldi.co.uk
Best for tasty breast meat – Parson’s nose traditional bronze free range turkey, 4kg-5kg: £94, Parsonsnose.co.uk
Best succulence – Fosse Meadows pasture raised bronze turkey: £84.60 for 4kg, Farmdrop.com
Best for feeding a crowd –Tesco Finest British free range heritage narragansett whole turkey, 5.26kg-6.51kg: £65.10, Tesco.com
Best flavour – Farmison Devon bronze whole turkey, 5kg: £88, Farmison.com

[M4 weekend closures in December 2021]

Road works are set to continue throughout the month as part of the smart motorway project which is due to be completed next year

The M4 weekend closures you'll want to plan your journeys to avoid

M4 drivers face overnight closures as full closure cancelled

M4 weekend closures in December 2021
Road works are set to continue throughout the month as part of the smart motorway project which is due to be completed next year

Drivers on the M4 face delays during the first two weekends of December but there will be some respite in the run up to Christmas.

Stretches of the motorway will close for an entire weekend as work continues on the project to transform part of the M4 into a smart motorway.

It is being converted into four running lanes between junction 3 for Hayes and junction 12 for Theale, the stretch between junction 12 and junction 10 at Reading is almost complete but is not fully functioning.

This weekend the motorway will be shut from Friday night through to the early hours of Monday morning between Slough and Maidenhead.

M4 closures from Friday, December 3 to Monday, December 6

Junctions 6 - 8/9 Slough to Maidenhead

The motorway will be closed between junction 6 for Slough and junction 8/9 for Maidenhead this weekend.

The closures begin at 8pm on Friday, December 3 and the road is expected to reopen by 6am on Monday, December 6.

This stretch of the M4 will be closed in both directions for the entire weekend as part of National Highways' (formerly Highways England) smart motorway project.

Further details on a project to build a new film studio in Marlow are being presented to residents over the coming days.

The third stage of engagement events regarding the project are being held from Friday, December 3, until Saturday, December 11.

Organised by independent consultants Soundings, the series of exhibitions will give a further opportunity for local community to speak to the team behind the plans to bring a ‘state-of-the-art’ film studio to South Buckinghamshire.

The exhibitions will showcase the draft architectural designs of the studio complex which is planned to be on the former landfill site next to the A404 at Westhorpe junction.

Concerned campaigners have opposed the development citing its location to a residential area, impact on the environment and height of the infrastructure at the site.

Founder and CEO of the Marlow Film Studio project, Robert Laycock, said: “We have a first-class British design team working with us, who are bringing a quality of vision and craftmanship to the project and I am hugely proud of the designs that are emerging, following our public engagement sessions.

“Our intention has always been to deliver a studio which brings opportunity to Buckinghamshire and hopefully the new exhibition will give people a sense of this.

“The county has a rich history of film making already and so delivering a world class hub for talented film makers to realise their ambitions, is our priority,” he added.

The exhibition will be held at Consultation HQ, Unit 6 Liston Court Marlow SL7 1ER on the following dates:

•             Friday, December 3, 10am – 5pm

•             Saturday, December 4, 11am – 5pm

•             Monday, December 6, 11am – 3pm

•             Tuesday, December 7, 11am – 3pm

•             Wednesday, December 8, 11am – 3pm

•             Thursday, December 9, 11am – 3pm

•             Friday, December 10, 10am – 5pm

•             Saturday, December 11, 11am – 5pm

On Saturday, December 4, from 1-4pm the exhibition will also be at The Pavilion in Little Marlow so the team can speak to those living in closest proximity to the site.

To sign up for more information on the studio plans and to find all the information about the forthcoming exhibition as well as the opportunity to respond to the questionnaire, visit www.marlow.film   

Proposals to give residents and carers more choice and flexibility over the kind of day services and opportunities available across the Royal Borough were agreed by Cabinet on 25 November.
Day services – also known as day opportunities – include activities, services and day centres for adults with dementia, learning disabilities and additional complex needs who need care and support, as well as their carers who may need respite services.
 

Following a needs analysis and extensive public consultation during the summer, including with residents who use the services and their families, Cabinet has approved a more flexible and person-centred service, tailored to individual needs and aspirations, that supports independence and choices in the community.
 

Windsor Day Centre and Oakbridge Day Centre will close, with Boyn Grove retained as a day centre for older people and people with learning disabilities. For people with a learning disability who need a building-based service in the Windsor area, a smaller building-based day centre will be available at the Mencap building.
 

When day centres closed during Covid, the council worked closely with voluntary organisations to implement different support by increasing the use of community resources. Windsor Day Centre remains closed due to lack of demand, and people are now either supported in the community or have transferred to Boyn Grove.
 

For older people, Windsor also has the Spencer Denney Day Centre run by Age Concern Windsor, and The Old Windsor Day Centre run by Age Concern Slough and Berkshire East, which both already receive grants from the council.
 

The new approach will start to be implemented this December, with the intention of being fully operational by next summer. The council will support residents and families through the transition.
 

The council will also have the land at Windsor Day Centre and Oakbridge Day Centre to secure accommodation for young people with complex needs, so they can continue to be housed in their local area, close to their family, local support networks and services.
 

Councillor Stuart Carroll, cabinet member for adult social care, said: “Many people who use these services had, even before the consultation, expressed an appetite for more community-based opportunities and a broader range of activities better tailored to their needs and aspirations.
 

“Thank you to everyone who took part in the consultation. Not everyone wants or needs to be supported predominately in a static day centre. Every resident’s needs and aspirations are unique, attitudes and ambitions are changing: so our service must adapt and broaden to better meet those and provide a range of opportunities.
 

“While we’re maintaining some buildings-based provision in Windsor where there was clear demand, we’ll be providing a more flexible and personalised service, where people can access a wider range of activities in the community with others of similar ages, interests and needs, supporting people’s independence and choice.”
 

The Cabinet decision on Thursday 25 November is subject to call-in by Scrutiny.
 

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS⭐️
Outside Cookham Dean Village Hall, Sunday 5th December 4:30-6:00pm. Mince pies, mulled wine carols,  Everyone welcome!!

Christmas trees. Santa and his reindeer will be visiting the Nursery again on Saturday and Sunday.

https://mailchi.mp/daviesbrothers/christmas-at-davies-brothers-begins-this-weekend-671712?e=eedb79fbe7

Limited stock of 5kg Whole Free Range Turkeys are available to order now for Christmas delivery or collection on December 22nd.
www.copasturkeys.co.uk

Here are the latest rates of cases of Covid-19 in Berkshire.
The figures are the number of coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in the seven days up to and including 25 November compared with the week before, shown in brackets.
The breakdown of the figures by local authority area is:
Slough - 410 (up from 408)
Windsor and Maidenhead - 598 (up from 540)
Reading - 533 (up from 454)
Wokingham - 646 (up from 485)
Bracknell Forest - 505 (up from 490)
West Berkshire - 548 (up from 535)
For comparison, the figure for England is 439 (up from 423).

Residents, community groups and businesses are invited to take part in the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead’s consultation on our proposed budget, which runs from today until Monday 31 January.
 

The proposed budget for 2022/23 is an investment budget that seeks to deliver significant infrastructure upgrades, support our most vulnerable residents, and ensure the council continues to provide high quality services for all residents.
 

Following robust budgets in February 2020 and February this year, the proposals aim to significantly increase levels of investment and growth into key areas, and to support delivery of the priorities of the Corporate Plan.
 

Councillor Andrew Johnson, leader of the council, said: “This is an investment budget which matches the newly-adopted Corporate Plan and supports our vision going forward.
 

“This year’s proposed budget looks to the future with investment at its heart. While maintaining the lowest Council Tax rate in Berkshire and one of the lowest Council Tax rates in England, we’re investing significantly in children’s services and adult social care - two of the most impacted areas by demographic demands.
 

“There is a focus on thriving communities and inspiring places, as we’re undertaking extensive rejuvenation and regeneration programmes – most notably, of Maidenhead town centre, Ascot and the Windsor public realm. We’re also investing heavily in our flood prevention measures and Climate Partnership.
 

“The past two years have been challenging. Like many other councils up and down the country, we have had to make some difficult decisions. These decisions have stabilised our financial position and addressed those issues needed for longer term financial sustainability.”
 

Councillor Johnson added: “As part of our commitment to sustaining a borough where residents’ voices are heard, we’re holding a public consultation. I would encourage you to take part, share your thoughts with us on our proposals and we welcome ideas if you think there are other ways we can deliver the services that matter to you.”
 

The consultation runs from today until Monday 31 January. Feedback from the public consultation will help inform discussions when the draft budget is debated at Full Council on Tuesday 22 February 2022. 
 

To take part in the budget consultation visit https://rbwmtogether.rbwm.gov.uk/budget-consultation. Paper copies of the consultation are also available in libraries across the Borough.

From Jackie James

Just found a little baby/toddler shoe I have put it on sign on Whyteladyes Lane bridge end sign.