November 2008 News
Christmas card competition
Winner announced:
Building for the Future is pleased to announce that the winner of its ‘Design a Christmas Card’ competition is Robert Scales. Robert entered with a Rudolph-inspired drawing, done cleverly using graphic design techniques on his PC.
“We would like to thank everyone for their fantastic entries,” comments Building for the Future’s Chairman Jane Holmes. “Choosing the winner was a really hard decision and we wish that we could award all entrants something! However, it came down to a vote and James won so well done to him. It is a really colourful design and James even thought to include the charity’s name on the card.”
James was offered the prize of an annual pass to Legoland but instead chose Amazon gift vouchers in order to buy a camera that he has wanted for a long time.
Cards are on sale for £3 a pack. If you would like to buy some please write to buildingforthefuture@googlemail.com
Frosty the robot
Several trustees of Building for the Future braved the rain and the wind at the Wokingham Winter Carnival to run a stall on 30th November to raise awareness and funds for this important local charity.
During the day the newly launched Christmas cards were sold and visitors to the stall had the chance to go on the ‘Lucky Dip’, where there was a prize every time for a small donation to the charity, or they could have a shot at ‘Guess the name of the Robot’ for £1.
People had a choice of 100 names to choose from – and the names were not your usual robotic or futuristic names but names of Christmas characters and pantomime heroes and villains. The winner was Sue Bloodworth of Finchampstead who correctly guessed that the robot was secretly called ‘Frosty’.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by the stall that day to donate money or to find out more about the charity.
Thank you also to Tricia Drinkwater from the Wokingham Brittle Bone Society who came to our rescue by donating to us the use of a gazebo for the day!
Get your laughing gear ready
Comedy Benefit date announced
Tickets will soon be on sale for a comedy benefit night which will be held in Reading on 23rd April to raise funds for Building for the Future.
Headlining the event at Reading’s Concert Hall is BFTF’s very own Patron Francesca Martinez. She will be joined by her comedian colleagues: Lee Mack, Stewart Lee, Chris Addison, Dan Antopolski, Pippa Evans (nominee for this year's Perrier Newcomer) with more to be announced at a later date.
750 tickets are available with all proceeds going directly to the charity. Keep checking this website for more information or to be put on our events mailing list please write to: buildingforthefuture@googlemail.com
Sleep Solutions event
On 22nd November Building for the Future held a parents’ consultation evening where we invited parents of disabled children along to give us their views about what they would like to see in our community centre.
Parents were given the chance to view the brand new set of plans that have recently been drawn-up and donated by local architect: Martyn Wiltshire of Chaplin, Farrant Wiltshire Ltd and to give us their input before the next stage of planning takes place.
The main attraction of the evening was a talk by Pattie Everitt, a sleep therapist from the national special needs support organisation Cerebra. Pattie gave a very interesting talk about reasons for why special needs children may not be getting enough sleep and she passed on really useful tips for making sure that their sleep patterns are changed for the better.
Also available on the night was the opportunity for parents to chat over refreshments and to browse information stands from the Wokingham Complementary Therapy Clinic, Wokingham LINK, Dingley Parent Network and Scope.
October 2008 News
Checking out the opposition
Chairman Jane
Holmes writes about a recent appointment at the House of Commons
This October I was
privileged to be invited to the House of Commons to meet with my MP, Theresa
May, and Shadow Minister for Disability, Mark Harper. The purpose of the visit
was to talk through the plans that the Conservative Party has for disabled
children.
I was heartened to hear that the Conservatives are very passionate about improving the lives of disabled children, should they come into power at the next General Election, and are very aware of many of our concerns.
Lots of emphasis was placed on listening to parents concerns via consultation, particularly the ‘hard-to-reach’ parents who don’t have the time or the energy to complete questionnaires etc. We agreed that more effort needs to go into talking to these parents, so that results are totally representative and services are not shaped by the louder ones among us!
Other good news is that the Conservative Party would work on making the form-filling that we have to do in order to receive essential benefits a lot easier and more user-friendly. Health Visitors would be assigned to families, right at the beginning of a disabled child’s life and one of the things they could do would be to help guide parents through the all the processes involved in benefit claims, health support etc.
It was a fabulous opportunity to go to the House of Commons and hear what the opposition have to say. I know that many parents have concerns that there does not appear to be much in the way of strong policy coming through from the Conservative Party at the moment, but I am assured that this does not mean that there are not strong policies being considered. It was reassuring to hear that the futures of our children are still in safe hands, should the Conservatives get into power and much is being done for them behind the scenes.
GETTING
DOWN TO BUSINESS
Building for
the Future is pleased to announce that an organisation in Wokingham has donated
the use of some of its office space to the charity.
Chairman Jane Holmes and Head of PR Melissa Ruel are now working harder than ever in their new rooms in Toutley Road. The donation includes use of a an office and a conference room several times a week.
“For the past year we have ran Building for the Future from our respective home offices but we needed more space away from home distractions to give this charity the time and focus it deserves. Plus, the charity is growing all time and more and more businesses are supporting us and lots more parents are getting involved and therefore this office space is essential to meet these demands,” comments Jane.
“This donation shows just how supportive the business community are in helping us achieve our goals.”
For the time being Building for the Future will
still use its address of:
Braybrooke, Church Lane, Ruscombe RG10 9UA.
Jane can be reached on: 07967 105 842
Melissa can be reached on: 07841 518 708
September 2008 News
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE - with a brand new Board of TrusteesJane Holmes and Melissa Ruel of Building for the Future are proud and pleased to announce that they are joined on the board of Trustees by six keen local business people. They are:
Mark Ashwell (Chair of Wokingham Chamber of Commerce and owner of Trademark Windows) Andy Barden (Wealth Manager with St James's Place Partnership) Sue Costello, (Accounts Manager / Receptionist for a busy physiotherapy based in Twyford and Earley) Stan Hetherington (Property Developer and Chair of Wokingham Winter Carnival) Kate Lole (Director of Yellow Poppy Marketing Consultancy) Gisela Sharpe, (Accountant)
Sue Costello was appointed as Secretary and Gisela Sharpe as Treasurer
Together they are thrilled to announce the charity's two new Patrons – Councillor for Hurst, Annette Drake and International Comedian, Actor, Speaker, Writer Francesca Martinez
Melissa Ruel comments: “During our first year we made a big impression within the local community and more people outside of the disabled community wanted to come on board and help us achieve our dream.
“Our new trustees are from different industries and are all prominent local people. We are extremely excited to have them on board as with their business expertise combined with our passion we will hopefully raise this building from the ground quicker than we first anticipated!”
BFTF’s chairman, Jane Holmes, adds: “I am thrilled to share the news of our Trustees and Patrons with the local community. Since forming a year ago we have received an overwhelming amount of interest and support from local businesspeople and now six of them have come on board to help us drive the charity forward. They each have the perfect mix of being great thinkers and doers and having real community spirit.
“This Board of Trustees will certainly help us take the charity forward and help us to raise the profile of the charity and to ultimately raise the several million pounds that we need to build our centre.”
Patrons Annette Drake has been supporting and campaigning for disabled children and looked after children's rights for over 25 years. During 2007, BFTF’s launch year, she was Wokingham Borough Mayor and chose BFTF as her charity raising just under £23,000 in twelve months.
Francesca Martinez was introduced to the aims and vision of Building for the Future early in 2008. Here she explains her connection with the charity:
"I first heard about Building For The Future in May this year when I performed at their charity evening. I was touched by the dedication and commitment that the parents showed and how they were positively fighting for equality for their children.
“Parents of children with disabilities know that their kids have the same desires as any child and should be treated no differently. The practical needs may be unique but every child needs to play, socialise and feel part of a loving community.
“I am honoured to be a patron and I passionately support the admirable aims of each and every parent involved in creating a better future for their families"
LINKS
www.greathouseatsonning.co.uk
Thanks go to The Great House Hotel and its owner and director Gordon Currie, who sponsored the entire evening by providing room hire, drinks and canapés plus full staff support to help us run the event.
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July 2008 NEWS
Parents meeting update July 2008
ON JULY 3RD PARENTS and carers of disabled children met in Wokingham Town Hall's Main Hall to listen to an update on Building for the Future's plans for a community centre and accessible playround for disabled children.
Head of PR Melissa Ruel showed the newly created plans of the proposed building and discussed with the parents what they would like to see in a purpose-built facility. Chairman Jane Holmes gave an update on where the charity was with planning issues and with fundraising.
Then the audience of mums and carers were shown the Building for the Future DVD which features several of Wokingham's disabled children and lists their wishes for an accessible community centre and playground. Jane also showed the audience her new proposed structure for the way the charity is to be governed and she encouraged people to sign-up as Trustees if they so wished.
During the two-and-a-half hour informal meeting there was plenty of time to talk about other issues, such as the area's Aiming High Agenda and to listen to an update on health matters from Peapods' Angie Burnish and Julie Monahan.
There was also a need to have a lengthy, open discussion on issues affecting disabled children and their families and everything from education to problems with local transport was discussed.
The morning was a big success as everyone left with a greater understanding of the project and to how they and their respective parent support groups can get involved.
The next update for parents and carers will be at the end of September 2008.
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BFTF hosts dinner for business community
SIXTEEN LOCAL BUSINESSPEOPLE attended a Building for the Future presentation evening at Phyllis Court, Henley on July 14th. The were invited along to find out more about the charity's aims and to see how they could get involved.
After canapes and Pimm's on the terrace overlooking the Thames the guests sat down to a two-course meal. Over coffee they watched a short DVD which features some of Wokingham's disabled children. Each child shares their wish for why they would like - and deserve - an accessible community centre and playground.
Two short presentations were then delivered by BFTF Trustees, Melissa Ruel and Jane Holmes, before a question and answer session took place.
On the evening several businesspeople pledged their support by offering to do fundraising events and by helping the Trustees with further planning. The evening lasted three and a half hours and was hailed as a success by the Trustees.
The evening was part-sponsored by Phyllis Court.
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June 2008 NEWS
Three Peaks Challenge success
Congratulations to Barnaby Smith who raised over £1,200 by completing the Three Peaks Challenge. He climbed Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike in just over 24 hours - not bad for a first-time hiker!
He told Building for the Future:
"It all went well, we made it up and down in about 25 hours - the most important thing being that we all finished together, a real sense of achievement. The weather was good - not too hot nor raining , so we were very lucky with that. There was still some snow at the top of Ben Nevis which caused lots of entertaining slips!
"The only issue I had was that the sole of my boot fell off near the top of my first mountain, but thankfully one of the other guys had some tape and cord so we managed to tie it all back together for the descent; then changed boots into someone elses spares! So apart from that there were no injuries, just a bit sore for a few days after! Also a real lack of sleep meant that I was falling asleep in the pub after!
"We also had some excellent drivers who kept us on track, fueled and fed!
"I think that I would do the challenge again - although not for some time! I would want to try to get it below 24hrs, but I think that will have to be saved for a couple of years!"
Barnaby is Building for the Future's first solo fundraiser and we extend a huge thanks to him for attempting and succeeding such a brave challenge.
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Clifton Ingram
A big thank you to Wokingham solicitors, Clifton Ingram, who donated £1,500 to Building for the Future.
Funds were raised at the firm's annual Ball.
www.cliftoningram.co.uk
First Patron announcement!
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE is thrilled to announce that Cllr Annette Drake, former Mayor of Wokingham Borough Council and Councillor for Hurst, is the first Patron of the charity.
Annette Drake has over 25 years' experience in local issues as a Councillor and is an active community member. She is a passionate supporter of BFTF and helped to launch the charity in September 2007.
She will help to guide the charity towards its goal of fundraising for and managing a community centre for disabled children and their families.
Building for the Future is hoping that other prominent local people and interested high profile people will take up an invitation to become Patrons alongside Annette.
May 2008 NEWS
Farewell and thank you Madam Mayor
On 22nd May 2008 Wokingham Borough Mayor and huge supporter of Building for the Future, Cllr Annette Drake, stepped down after twelve months of being Wokingham's Mayor as her Deputy, Cllr, Pauline Hellier-Symons, was voted in.
In a passionate farewell speech Annette thanked her family and colleagues for their support during her year in office and she wished her successor luck in her new role. She also spoke about Building for the Future, her chosen charity as Mayor 2007-08.
During the year Annette raised over £20,000 for Building for the Future and at over 100 public engagements she flew the flag for this important local disabled children's charity, urging all who she encountered to get involved and help the charity to reach its goal of fundraising for and managing and community centre and playround for disabled children.
She commented that it was a pleasure and an honour to have known and supported many more disabled children and their families during her year in office. She also expressed her determination to see the dream of a building turned into reality and she jokingly warned the council's planning department to be kind to Building for the Future when the time comes to request permission to build!
"Annette gave Building for the Future a great boost during its first year of fundraising," says Chairman Jane Holmes. "She is so passionate about helping parents of disabled chidlren achieve equality and we are so grateful to her for the high profile she has given the charity, for the money she has raised and for the contacts she has made for us. Our launch year is a great success. Thank you Annette!"
Annette remains a Councillor for Hurst and has pledged to continue her support for Building for the Future.
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Building for the Future celebrates success of May Ball
AS THE SUN SET OVER THE SMOOTH EMERALD LAWNS OF BEARWOOD LAKES GOLF CLUB IN SINDLESHAM, THE RED CARPET WAS ROLLED OUT TO WELCOME THE 95 GUESTS OF BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE TO ITS FIRST ANNUAL MAY BALL.
Dressed in black tie and gowns, guests included Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, Theresa May MP, John Redwood MP, Jon Cant of the London Wasps and prominent local business people such as Andy Barden of the St James's Wealth Management company, who presented Building for the Future with a cheque donation of £1,000 on the night.
Over a Champagne reception guests were snapped by photographers from Totally Wokingham, the Wokingham Times and Berkshire Life as they mingled and browsed through Building for the Future's display material. Guests who watched the brand new 'awareness raising' DVD were particularly moved by the images of and messages from some of the children who will benefit from the kind of building that Building for the Future is aiming for. The DVD demonstrates the great need for the kind of things that are lacking in the local area - such as a wheelchair accessible playground.
After wine and a sumptuous three-course dinner of ham terrine, lamb and vegetables and a raspberry crème brulee, Building for the Future's Chairman Jane Holmes took the stage to say thanks to Cllr Annette Drake who was Wokingham Borough Mayor in 2007-08, during which time Building for the Future became her chosen charity to support.
A thank you from the children
Annette helped to launch Building for the Future and remains a champion of causes for disabled children. Three of the charity's very severely disabled children created a special piece of 'thank you' artwork for Annette and this and a huge spring bouquet of flowers were presented to her on the night.
Providing a laugh
Entertainment on the night was provided by the inimitable actress and comedienne Francesca Martinez who delivered one of her most memorable political comedy acts. The entire crowd was laughing at her candid, eye-opening jokes where she makes a mockery of people of have prejudices against disability and where she blows the lid off any pre-conceptions people have about living life as a disabled person. Not only is she a great public speaker and excellent at educating adults but Francesca is a phenomenal role model to young children and BFTF hopes to invite her back soon to talk to some of its children.
Celebs and singers help out
After being presented with a bouquet of flowers Francesca chatted to the Trustees of the charity, saying how important it was and that she wishes it all the very best in campaigning and fundraising. Shortly after the Ball Francesca put the wheels in motion for a Building for the Future Comedy Benefit night which will take place next year.
Helping to end the evening on a high note was music provided by swing band of the moment, the Ding Dong Daddios. Not only did they do a great job of getting toes tapping but they also did some fundraising on the night by donating 100% of their CD sales to Building for the Future!
Turning down an invitation to the evening's celebrations were Terry Wogan, David Cameron and Dame Stephanie Shirley, local retired businesswoman and autism awareness campaigner. All three had prior engagements but wrote to Building for the Future congratulating them on such an important mission.
MAY BALL achievements
- It was Building for the Future's first annual May Ball. Traditionally charities make a loss on their first event but BFTF made almost £4,500!!!
- This figure is partly due to the kind donations from: Andy Barden, of company: St. James's Place Wealth Management, who presented BFTF with a cheque for £1000. BFTF also received a donation from the Dolphin School in Hurst for £450. THANK YOU!
- £1200 was raised on the raffle. Companies and individuals who sponsored the raffle are:
Haringtons (Haircut and blowdry with salon director)
Nirvana (Spa Day)
D&D London (Dinner for two, plus Champagne at Bluebird Restaurant, London)
Waitrose Wokingham (£25 John Lewis Voucher)
Deon and Gill Melck (Indulgence Package, Kubu Spa, Henley)
Charles and Diane Herlinger (Bottle of Champagne)
Gordon Currie (Dinner for Four at the Great House, Sonning)
Reading Royals (Signed Reading Football Club Programme)
Carlo and Maureen Nuvoloni (Dinner for two with wine at Forenza Restaurant, Maidenhead
Cantley House Hotel (£30 Voucher for Lunch at Miltons Restaurant)
Louise Drake at Noodle Jewellery (Venetian Glass bracelet) Jean and Peter Cox (Case of Lanson Champagne)
London Wasps1 (Signed London Wasps Rugby Ball)
With thanks to Kate Lole of Yellow Poppy Marketing and to Congo Blue for lending a microphone and stand for the evening.
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Wokingham's first successful Autism Awareness event
WORLD AUTISM DAY was highlighted in Wokingham this year with a wine tasting event at Stanlake Park, Twyford's very own vineyard estate.
Building for the Future were pleased to invite a keen audience of 60 Wokingham Borough residents who gathered on an extremely pleasant spring Saturday afternoon to hear important messages on autism from two prominent speakers.
Local teacher Trudy Cleary was the first to address the event at 1pm. Trudy manages 'The Acorns’, the first junior school resource in the country for pupils with a diagnosis of Special Educational Need for autistic spectrum disorders.
After her speech, one of her pupils presented Trudy with a National Autistic Society Heroes certificate. The pupil had written to the charity in response to its 'make school make sense' campaign - where they are highlighting teaching professionals who help children with autism reach their full potential.
The second speaker was Josh Muggleton, an 18-year-old public speaker and campaigner. Josh spoke about what it feels like to have the condition, Asperger's Syndrome, and even put the audience through their paces with specially devised sensory games to make them understand some of the ways in which children with autism feel things and react.
Josh is a National Councillor for the National Autistic Society and has addressed the House of Commons. In the lead-up to World Autism Day Josh was interviewed on CNN News. He hopes to attend St Andrew's University in the Autumn.
With thanks to Annette and Peter Dart, owners of Stanlake Park, who were there on the day to host and support the event. Building for the Future guests were treated to a fabulous selection of red, white, rose and sparkling wines when listening with eagerness to our two speakers or when wondering about the enchanting sun-filled courtyard reading the display materials prepared by Wokingham’s ASD Family Help Group.
"We are incredibly overwhelmed by the support this Autism Awareness Day received and grateful to our hosts at Stanlake Park for giving our event the perfect home. Special thanks deservedly go to our amazing speakers who held the audience captive with their words of wisdom.
"I think that everyone who came today left feeling differently about how autism affects people,” comments BFTF’s Chairman Jane Holmes.
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April 2008 News
Building for the Future launches awards for local businesses
Monkey Mates, the indoor and outdoor activity barn on Old Forest Road, Wokingham, is the first recipient of a Building for the Future local business award. The award was given to owners Ricky and Ray Welch in recognition of their support for special needs children and their families. The family-run firm was recommended for an award because they realised that special needs children needed an exclusive session of their own so that they can explore and play at their own pace. The session is a big hit in the area with families with special needs children and has been running successfully for a while now. It is the only thing of its kind offered in the area and it is a monthly event that many families never miss.
Maria Land, a Trustee of Building for the Future, and member of ASD Family Help Group, regularly takes her children to the monthly special needs sessions. She says that the members of the ASD Group in particular find the Monkey Mates special needs session invaluable. She adds: " The special needs evenings were set up after a mum with a child on the spectrum asked the owners if they would run a session for special needs children. And they did, without hesitation.
"It's very hard for children on the spectrum to go to Monkey Mates during a regular session as they are often very noisy and unpredictable and frighten the other kids (and parents) with their enthusiasm."
"What Monkey Mates has allowed us to do is have a private session where the kids have freedom to run around and play as they wish. This also gives the parents a chance to grab a coffee, relax a little and chat. It's brilliant and the owners are angels for doing this."
www.monkeymates.co.uk
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Nirvana Spa supports
BFTF
THE AWARD WINNING NIRVANA SPA IN SINDLESHAM IS AIMING TO RAISE AN AMAZING £20,000 FOR BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE BY RUNNING AN ONLINE LOTTERY.
Members of the Spa can purchase the £1 tickets in hope of winning a seven-day spa break in Austria.
Nirvana Spa has been behind Building for the Future since December when its members generously raised £1,400 by holding a carol concert. Earlier on this year an exercise class raised several hundred pounds by holding a sponsored event.
“Having a fantastic local business such as Nirvana Spa behind us is incredible,” says Jane Holmes, Building for the Future’s Chairman. “Every pound raised gets us closer to our goal of building our community centre and we are grateful to Nirvana Spa for their commitment to our project and for encouraging their members to support this great cause.”
www.nirvanaspa.co.uk
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March 2008 News
BFTF Chairman in the press
POPULAR LOCAL IFESTYLE AND INTEREST MAGAZINE, Berkshire Life, writes about Building for the Future's Chairman, Jane Holmes, in a feature entitled 'Past, Present and Future.'
Writer Lucy Allen labels Jane as one of five people "who put the heart into this thriving community."
Jane is quoted in Berkshire Life:
"Most parents with disabled children are chronically exhausted. The centre would be a place for them to come and have a cry or to lie down or just have a cup of coffee and a chat with other people who understand their situation; to know there is a place where they can go and be understood."
"People would rather not know about disability but everyone needs to see that it is real and they have a face to it."
"We want a base, a focal point in the community for disabled children, somewhere we can work together to imrove their lives for the future."
Book Sale Boost
Bookworms were treated to several very special book sales in aid of Building for the Future. Held at Wokingham Council’s Civic Offices in Shute End, the sales are organised by Ann Marie Bonwick.
Three sales throughout the early part of this year sold over £70 worth of books each. Snapping up new releases and old favourites alike were officers at WBC and members of the public who kindly made donations when picking up a few good reads.
“I was overwhelmed by the support that people have shown Building for the Future,” comments Cllr Annette Drake, and champion of BFTF. “Selling seventy pounds worth of second hand books at each sale was a great success.”
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January 2008 News
Calendar Girls
TWELVE WOKINGHAM RESIDENTS, including Cllr Annette Drake, BFTF's Patron, got their kit (on) for a charity calendar to raise money for Building for the Future.
The women are all members of the hugely popular fitness gym Curves, on Denton Road, and were chosen to appear in the 2008 calendar after losing impressive amounts of weight or inches through working out for 30 minutes three times a week.
Instead of appearing in their usual Curves gear - t-shirt, leggings and trainers - Curves Wokingham owner Bev Gellard decided to dress her calendar girls up in glamorous gowns.
The cinderella-esque dresses were provided by Anthony Blay, of Rose Street Wokingham, and each weightloss winner was treated to a makeover by Personal Style Consultant, Emma Tennant, of etc.
Our favourite was, of course, Miss September - Mayor Annette Drake! Annette already does so much to support BFTF yet like all our calendar girls she gave up sevearl hours of her time one evening to be photographed.
Calendars are on sale for a minimum donation of £5 each. For more details go to www.curveswokingham.com.uk or Ritz Plaza House, 10 Denton Rd, Wokingham. Tel: 0 118 977 5512 |
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©2007-2008 BuildingForTheFutureWokingham - All rights reserved. UK registered charity 1121458.
www.BuildingForTheFutureWokingham.org
www.BFFWokingham.org
Web Site Maintained by
Simon Booth