Latest news with #Datchet
BBC News
7 days ago
- BBC News
Man charged with sex assaults at Nirvana Spa near Wokingham
A man accused of inappropriately touching women during treatments at a spa has been charged with four counts of sexual assault by Ali, 36, of Datchet, was charged with the offences on Saturday, Thames Valley Police allegations relate to four incidents at Nirvana Spa in Sindlesham, near Ali is due to appear at Reading Magistrates' Court on 6 August. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Times
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Times
Times letters: Fixing the amateur way Britain is governed
Write to letters@ Sir, Munira Mirza's assessment of where we are going wrong appears spot on, and her scathing criticism of our politicians also rings true ('Here's how we can fix the way Britain is run', Jun 26). One hopes that the efforts of her Fix Britain group will bear fruit. However, given that, as she says, there is no shortage of sound input from think tanks, the issue would seem to have less to do with lack of sound advice than an unwillingness to act on it by those who govern us. As to her closing statement about people's reluctance to vote for a political party unless it can tell them exactly how it will fix Britain, the electorate appears to be showing no reluctance whatsoever. If opinion polls are to be believed, Reform is surging ahead — with only the merest nod to the 'how' and no nod at all as to the means by which Britain might be BrowneDatchet, Berks Sir, Munira Mirza is unsparing in her critique of career politicians, whom she characterises as ignorant of their subject and the machinery of government, and as rabbits caught in headlights or consummate bluffers, seeking celebrity but lacking competence. Her proposition, however, is another think tank, a sector with which, as she points out, we are richly blessed. But the difficulty with think tanks is that the thinkers in them have no responsibility for the ideas they propose. They too seek celebrity, their job titles often being 'fellow' or some other quasi-academic handle. Perhaps she could instead found a school for politicians to teach them the machinery of government, and she and the other nine members of Fix Britain's advisory board could take their expertise properly into politics by standing for election as BrockFowlmere, Cambs Sir, Many of us would endorse Munira Mirza's observation that 'something is fundamentally broken about Britain and the way we are run', and applaud the ambition of Fix Britain to 'prepare a prospectus for government' by putting 'the right plan' in place. But the right plan will make little difference if our political system itself remains unreformed, for it is within that system that the fundamental weaknesses of government in the UK exist. These include the lack of professional competence; the inability to create, take and implement strategic decisions in a timely manner; the excessively confrontational nature of party politics; the lack of a genuinely democratic mandate; and the pandering of political parties to the whims of today's voters rather than the needs of future generations. Without profound and coherent reform of our political system I fear that any plans made by Fix Britain will fall on stony General APN CurrieWinchester Sir, Munira Mirza says the measure of success for her Fix Britain group will be 'a future in which no party stands for election without publishing a detailed and credible programme for government'. Yet within a short time of coming to power, any government will face issues entirely unforeseen during the programme-planning stage — Covid-19, the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis, Israel-Gaza etc — that will render its detailed and credible programme obsolete. As Mike Tyson said: 'Everyone has a plan until I punch them in the mouth.'Lucian CampLondon NW1 Sir, Emily Fabricius says that 'grateful patients' are surely the biggest reward for doctors (letter, Jun 26). As a consultant diagnostic histopathologist in NHS labs for 39 years, diagnosing 5,000 patients' diseases/pathology each year, I received a total of two letters from grateful patients. Both were consultant colleagues. My motivation was nevertheless for patient welfare, even though their gratitude may not have been explicit. Diagnosticians are the hidden and unrecognised back-room doctors but are nevertheless John McCarthyRet'd consultant pathologist, Newcastle upon Tyne Sir, I couldn't agree more with Phillip Alderman about the importance of continuity of care (letter, Jun 25). Training to be a doctor, of whichever chosen speciality, is an apprenticeship — one in which the value of watching, absorbing, asking questions and being supervised by senior members of the 'team' should not be underestimated. The sense of belonging this brings, together with ownership of the patient and their journey, has been lost in the change to a shift pattern with reduced working hours and therefore the exposure to pearls of wisdom that you cannot glean from a book. The issue of continuous 'handovers' occurs not only in a hospital setting but also in GP practice, where almost exclusive part-time working contributes to loss of information and the inevitable Siobhan CarrollConsultant anaesthetist, Guildford Sir, Phillip Alderman correctly links continuity of medical care with patient safety. Two systematic reviews have found that continuity is associated with lower patient mortality. Given the usual emphasis on patient safety, the policy blindspot on continuity is Sir Denis Pereira GrayFormer chairman, Academy of Medical Royal Colleges; Exeter Sir, As a relative, friend and former nurse I have had the great privilege of sitting with people of many ages who are dying. Just being able to alleviate some of their distress and discomfort; holding their hand, moistening their lips and wiping their forehead. Praying, if it helps them, reading and softly playing their favourite music, remembering that hearing is the last sensation before consciousness is lost. And frequently reminding them how loved they are by everyone. That is my interpretation of assisted dying. Of course, this scenario is not always possible but I believe that, above all, love must be the dominant factor when you are comforting someone who is WickhamDorking, Surrey Sir, Dr MWM Upton speaks of the palliative doses of morphine that are given when a patient is in great distress towards the end of their life (letter, Jun 24). My mother and father, and recently my husband, were allowed to die in this way. The kindness and mercy of such a palliation were profoundly helpful to them, and to me, as I sat with them at the end of their CoshBournemouth Sir, Wes Streeting says there is no 'budget' for setting up an assisted dying service in a constricted NHS (news, Jun 26). He should surely balance against this cost the savings gained in not having to treat those patients who opt for assisted dying during the final six months of a terminal GrayIffley, Oxon Sir, I agree with all of Alice Thomson's excellent article (Jun 25; letters, Jun 26) save for its headline 'Too many women see childbirth as traumatic'. This should have read: 'Childbirth is too traumatic for too many women.' The young women of my daughter's cohort were all traumatised by their birthing experiences, none being straightforward or without significant, unplanned interventions. Several have cited it as their reason for adopting a 'one-child' policy — devastating for an already declining birthrate and an indictment of our maternity services. Wes Streeting should roll his sleeves up and sort this SlaterStowmarket, Suffolk Sir, Edward Lucas is right to highlight the cowardice of Nato ('Nato's Potemkin summit sends lethal signals', Jun 26). At a time when Ukraine needs to feel the support of Nato, the Nato summit was an appeasement of a maverick and unpredictable US president. It should have been a summit in which European nations reassured Ukraine of their commitment. At a time when civilian targets are being increasingly attacked in Ukraine, air support is essential. The attack on Dnipro train station on Tuesday was only a success because local units had run out of air defence missiles. Talk of increased Nato defence spending in the future is of no comfort here. I hope we don't live to regret Nato's EdwardsZhytomyr, Ukraine Sir, I beg to differ with Georgi Holley about Glastonbury festival (letter, Jun 24). I live within a short walk of Worthy Farm and find the disruption minimal. Yes, we have a proliferation of pop-up camping sites but only for two weeks before the festival. Our lanes 'designed for horses and traps' are regularly visited by overlarge lorries, so no change there. Most of the festival is on-site and provides a gloriously memorable week for those who attend. The atmosphere is one to treasure and it is a safe environment for young people to celebrate the end of their exams. My husband and I have volunteered there and regularly benefit from the free Sunday ticket given to locals. My children and grandchildren (ranging in age from 3 to 50) will join us this year and there will be something for all of us. I feel privileged to live in this glorious area and am glad to share it with others. Within a fortnight, all vestiges will have disappeared and we can return to our 'normally sleepy hollows'.Linda DaviesNorth Wootton, Somerset Sir, I take issue with Alan Ward's suggestion that 'there are many more for whom a life on benefits is always going to be preferable to getting out of bed every morning to go to a job that is likely to be thankless, tedious and not even financially beneficial' (letter, Jun 26). In my experience of being forced on to benefits because work was not available — or because men aged over 50 were not wanted — I found few who enjoyed the experience. Benefits are too low to 'live on', and those seeking work (whether fit or otherwise) wish for routine, company and the sense of worth that work gives, even when it is badly paid. It is just not possible to live on benefits. Many of us now struggle to survive on a pension, so how can anyone survive on benefits, which pay much less? If Mr Ward knows those who can do it there are many who would like to learn from HerriottBraintree, Essex Sir, Further to the letters on weight-loss drugs (Jun 26), I was in a school class with 32 other boys and I never knew anyone who was overweight. Of course, we had the perfect stimulus to avoid being overweight: it was called rationing. It worked, and as far as I know no one died from it. Maybe the government should start issuing ration books SharpScarborough, N Yorks Sir, My Oxford interviewers asked me to define a gentleman (letters, Jun 23 to 26). Frantically I cited Chaucer's Knight ('a verray, parfit gentil knyght') and stepping out of a lift to expel wind. It proved insufficiently intellectual for a scholarship but did sneak me in as a BrooksSutton Coldfield, W Midlands Sir, My late father, a dyed-in-the-wool Yorkshireman, once stated that a gentleman would always hold the door open for his wife when she brought the coal JordanTimperley, Cheshire Write to letters@
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Villagers revolt over chaos brought to their leafy Windsor idyll by a hotel-turned-asylum hostel
Desperate villagers have vented their fury at an emergency meeting over 'chaos' brought to their leafy Windsor idyll by a hotel-turned-asylum hostel. Almost 100 residents of upmarket Datchet, Berkshire, crammed into a village hall to demand the Manor Hotel be banned from taking taxpayers' cash to house migrants. In a heated gathering attended by MailOnline, they insisted that the Manor should be transformed back into a venue for weddings, Christmas dinners and tourist parties. One man stormed out after dubbing the hotel a 'cr*p hole' which had been run-down for years because the owners failed to spend money on repairs. There were further spiky exchanges following claims that owners MH Hotels are advertising for regular guests again after an asylum contract with the Home Office ended. Some residents urged their neighbours to give the company's bosses Sam and Mandip Gill their 'trust' and 'support' despite the years of controversy. But angry opponents pointed out that the Gills had not attended the public meeting to explain their plans and had simply just 'taken the money and ran the hotel down'. The summit arranged by Datchet Parish Council was the latest twist in a long-running saga sparked after asylum seekers were moved into the mock Tudor landmark. Desperate villagers have vented their fury at an emergency meeting over 'chaos' brought to their leafy Windsor idyll in Berkshire by a hotel-turned-asylum hostel Residents complained about groups of young, single migrant men hanging around the chocolate box village's green just five minutes' drive from Windsor Castle. The Gills have also used the hotel as a homelessness hostel and the venue found itself at the centre of fears about crime, drug-taking and other anti-social behaviour. Just last month, MailOnline revealed how the owners of £2million properties in the Berkshire village were now desperate to move - but were trapped because buyers showed no interest. The last asylum seekers were moved out ahead of the Home Office deal running out on May 29, and neighbours say cleaners and decorators have been working inside the property. It is understood that the Gills have completed the renovation of a number of rooms, launched a new website and advertised rooms on The brothers are due to meet parish councillors later this week to discuss their plans and some residents told the public discussion they should be given the chance to restore the hotel to its former glory. But one resident, who gave her name as Jackie, said: 'They ran the hotel down during the pandemic and then just took money. It is on them to win us back. 'They will only get us back on board by being honest and open and involving us - so that we trust them to run the hotel and put it back on the map.' Another resident, a cab driver called Suzanne, said: 'I don't understand why the hotel can't be an ordinary hotel. 'We're five minutes from Windsor and there must be people who want a room. 'I don't understand why they have to go for the immigrants and the homeless when we have enough going on in Datchet. What is wrong? Why can't it be a hotel again. ' A man called Satish said before the residents trusted the owners, they should look for something more 'black and white' which would guarantee they honour their promises. 'My only point is that we need to have something more black and white to indicate that it is not going to happen again and we get asylum or homeless. 'The owners are commercial people and don't have any allegiance to the town so they might well pick a different contract tomorrow which is more beneficial to them. 'We need something from the council or the authorities which keeps things going in the direction we want them to go.' Another male homeowner added: 'It's all very well looking forward but we also need to look at what's happened. 'We had unvetted, mostly men, living in a hotel just across from a school. Many parents I've spoken to privately were very concerned. 'We had people loitering in front of the school. so we need to acknowledge the mistakes that have been made and we need to know what we can do to prevent this happening again. 'Because I for one do not want unvetted people male or female living across from the school. 'We don't know who they are, where they come from or what their background is unfortunately not everyone comes from good places. 'We don't know what they have seen or done and that has an impact on how they behave.' Alison Whelan, the parish council's communications officer, said: 'In the past, the Manor Hotel has been a community and business asset. 'It has operated as a public hotel, supporting tourism, events and local businesses. 'I provided local employment and boosted the high street economy just through being there. 'Over the last five years, we have had a restricted use and this has had an economic impact. We've experienced a decline as village centre and the High Street has become less than it was.' Parish councillor Ian Thompson told the meeting: 'Previously, the Manor Hotel was a village hub, several groups had meeting at the hotel, plus business interfaces, events, Christmas dinners, wedding receptions. 'What was a thriving "wedding village economy" has now been destroyed either by closure or reduced income.' The Mail reported in April this year how the accounts for MG Hotels, who were approached for comment, showed that shareholders' funds had soared from £309,000 in 2019 to £2.8million in 2024.
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Kyra Hill death: Liquid Leisure had incorrect planning permission
A water park where an 11-year-old girl drowned during a birthday party did not have planning permission to be used as a party venue or child's play centre, council documents Hill got into difficulty in a designated swimming area at Liquid Leisure near Datchet, Berkshire, in August 2022.A new report from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead's planning committee shows there was also no permission in place for the site to be used as an aqua theme park. An inquest last month found Kyra had been unlawfully killed as a result of gross breaches in health and safety at the park. Liquid Leisure has not responded to a request for comment. The water park was also fined £80,000 in June last year for health and safety Leisure was originally granted planning permission to be used for water-skiing and wind surfing in a planning enforcement notice issued to the company in December 2020 accused it of several planning said these included the "material change of use of the land" to a "mixed use" comprising an "aqua theme park", "caravan and camping site", "party venue" and "child's play centre". Liquid Leisure appealed to the government's Planning Inspectorate in February 2021 to overturn the enforcement notice, arguing that many of the activities were covered by the permitted use and that the council's theme park description was it withdrew its appeal in September 2022 following Kyra's council also issued Liquid Leisure a breach of condition notice in October 2021, concerning breaches in its original planning permission restricting the erection of buildings and application for retrospective planning permission for elements of the water park was submitted in February council's development management committee will consider this on application wants to keep water-skiing on the southern lake, and to use the northern lake for open water swimming, paddleboarding, and a small aqua park.A planning officer's report says this will "reduce the scale of activities" and recommends that councillors vote to approve report says it will "not cause issues relating to public safety provided the correct precautions are carried out in the operation of the site as required by health and safety legislation".A council spokesperson said the current enforcement notice had been "partially complied with" but was still in added: "The outcome of the current planning application will inform the next steps." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Datchet company fined £4,200 after losing door move appeal
A company that failed to restore a building to comply with a council's instructions will have to pay £4,200.A retrospective application to move the front door at Hardware House, on The Green in Datchet, Berkshire, was refused in October 2023 by the Royal Borough of Windsor and appeal against that decision lodged with the Planning Inspectorate was refused again in October Property Investments Limited admitted it breached an enforcement notice issued in August 2024 and it was told to pay a £500 fine, a £200 surcharge and £3,500 costs by Slough magistrates on 16 May. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
