Maidenhead Advertiser

1 day ago | maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk | Anaka Nair

A homeless couple living outside Maidenhead Town Hall says the council's priority housing system ‘needs to be changed fast’. James and Carrie Flower have been sofa surfing and intermittently living in a tent on the grounds of the council offices since April 10. The pair, in their forties from Maidenhead, ran a cleaning business and lived in council housing for years before leaving to work as pub landlords in Medway, Kent, early last year.

2 days ago | maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk | Anaka Nair

The Stanley Spencer Gallery will pay tribute to the artist with an event that blends art, history, and views of the River Thames next week. Sailing through Spencer’s Cookham: a Thames tribute will take place on the 134th anniversary of Stanley Spencer’s birthday, Monday, June 30, and features a boat ride down the river. Onboard, guests will meet Dr Amy Lim, curator of the gallery’s current summer exhibition titled A Marvellous Atmosphere: Stanley Spencer and Cookham Regatta.

2 days ago | maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk | Adrian Williams

A ‘much loved village character’ and master craftsman from Waltham St Lawrence has been laid to rest in a funeral attended by 500 people dressed in his signature style. Charlie Belcher, who lived in the village for his whole life, was a farmer and ‘a country man by birth and by choice’, whose talent for working with materials was famed in his community. With an eye for detail and a particular specialism – plus ‘infinite patience’ – for timber work, Charlie knew his craft ‘inside and out’.

2 days ago | maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk | Adrian Williams

The Government has judged that Slough Borough Council has ‘serious failings’ as a social housing landlord and ‘significant improvement is needed’. An inspection into Slough Borough Council’s housing provision has rated the service C3, the second lowest out of four. In a judgement released on June 25, the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH), which holds local authorities to account, found ‘serious’ issues on multiple fronts. One of the biggest criticisms was regarding official tenancy standards.

2 days ago | maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk | Adrian Williams

Here are the latest and most significant planning applications in the Royal Borough. To find out more, enter their reference numbers into the council’s planning portal at publicaccess.rbwm.gov.uk/online-applications Approved: Plans to replace a block of garages in Phipps Close, Maidenhead with two semi-detached houses have been approved, despite strong local opposition.