Friends launch 90-day charity football challenge to raise money for Thames Hospice

• Two friends have taken on an ambitious challenge to organise charity football event from scratch in just 90 days to raise money for Thames Hospice

Today in Thames Valley

Conditions in your area this morning.

The local news that matters this morning

Here's the local news from the past 24 hours, made easy to digest.

Reading Today Online (rdg.today) · today Popular Reading go-karting venue makes midnight alcohol bid after £1.35m revamp • go-karting business in Reading has applied to sell alcohol until midnight and play music at its venue in the town.

Bracknell News — News · 2 days ago Bracknell parking charges to rise as Warfield road gets lower speed limit • The changes are among series of notices published on August 26 affecting roads, parking and land in Bracknell, Warfield, Ascot, Sunninghill and Camberley.

Bracknell News — News · yesterday The hidden boiler setting that could save you money without sacrificing heat • simple tweak to your boiler could cut gas bills by nearly 10% without leaving you in the cold, according to experts.

Reading Chronicle · yesterday Three-bedroom Earley house with tandem garage listed for £550k • three-bedroom house in Shepherds House Lane, Earley, Reading, is on the market for £550,000.

BBC Berkshire RSS feed · 3 days ago Nepal floods 'tragedy beyond words' - charity boss • Khalsa Aid International, based in Berkshire, is coordinating relief efforts on the ground in Nepal.

Reading Chronicle · Local news · yesterday In the frame: nature in action across the county as summer draws to close • AFTER multiple heatwaves and scorching summer unlike anything most of us have ever encountered, it appears summer is finally drawing to close.

Slough Observer — News · Local news · yesterday Man, 19, charged following e-bike and drug crackdown • 19-year-old man has been charged with drug offences after police stopped an electric motorbike rider during crackdown on illegal e-bikes and e-scooters.

Wokingham.Today — News · Local news · yesterday Police facial recognition catches wanted people at Reading Festival • Live facial recognition cameras have detected number of wanted people attempting to enter Reading Festival, Thames Valley Police has said.

Slough Observer — News · Local news · yesterday Trigger Point full cast list for series 4 of ITV drama starring Vicky McClure • Vicky McClure is back as Lana Washington for series four of Trigger Point, which will be airing on ITV

Wokingham Today RSS feed · News and media · yesterday Wokingham police reveal busy round-up including lake rescue and arrests • Police officers in Wokingham, Winnersh, Woodley, Earley and Twyford have dealt with range of incidents and community activities in recent weeks.

Wokingham.Today — News · Local news · yesterday Trading Montecito for Market Place? The Wokingham borough homes fit for Harry and Meghan • If Harry and Meghan want blend of countryside seclusion and top-tier privacy, this is exactly where they need to be.

Wokingham Today RSS feed · News and media · yesterday West Oak summer fete: fun for every generation • Wokingham care home brings families together

BBC Berkshire RSS feed · News and media · yesterday Town holds its first community cook-off event • The charitable initiative was created after the Grenfell Tower disaster in 2017.

What's on: next 14 days

A quick-view of 13 priority public listings from 13 tracked events over the next 14 days. Tap any item for the source and full details.

31 Aug at 18:00 · Purple TurtleAway with the Seas

Every Monday at 22:00 · Purple TurtleCLUB RECKLESS

Every Tuesday 10.30 - 11.30am · Reading LibrariesCoffee Mornings at Southcote Library

31 Aug at 14:00 · Castle TapOpen Mic Showcase 2026

Every Monday at 19:00 · Reading Men Walking and Talking (MWAT) groupReading Men Walking and Talking (MWAT) group

5 Sep at 12:00Reading Pride 2026

12 Sep at 18:00Reading Raga Resonance: Slide & Strum on The Mystic Frets

Every Tuesday 10.15 - 10.45am and 11.15 - 11.45am · Reading LibrariesRhymetime at Caversham Library

Every Tuesday and Thursday 10.30 - 11am · Reading LibrariesRhymetime at Palmer Park Library

Every Tuesday 10.15 - 10.45am and 11.15 - 11.45am and Thursday 10.15 - 10.45am and 11.15 - 11.45am · Reading LibrariesRhymetime at the NEW Reading Central Library

Every Monday 9.45 - 10.15am and 10.45 - 11.15 am. Every Thursday 2 - 2.30pm · Reading LibrariesRhymetime at Tilehurst Library

31 Aug at 10:00 · Swallowfield Horticultural SocietySwallowfield Show 2026

2 Bands every Monday · Purple TurtleTurtle Underground Presents...

Resident pulse

One weekly reader question. Choose one option; responses guide what we follow up next.

Local picks on Amazon

Three handpicked Thames Valley searches for today, rotated daily.

Affiliate disclosure: these open Amazon UK searches with tag productlin052-21. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

A small local fact

Reading and Maidenhead are both Elizabeth line endpoints on the western branch, so London transport disruption can be a genuinely local Thames Valley story.