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I sure wish that the bridge could be repaired to the level of supporting bi-directional traffic. Given the huge increase in traffic that all the new development WILL bring, it would make long-terrm sense. Yes, it would be more expensive and might take more time - but a free running bridge across the Thames would be a benefit.

A Met Office YELLOW Heat Health Alert starts noon today (10 Aug) until 9am this Friday.
🙏🏼 Vulnerable or elderly family, friends & neighbours are most at risk from yellow alert temperatures. If you can, please check in on them.

It is hoped that the group will learn more about an Anglo-Saxon settlement, with an old cemetery being uncovered alongside evidence of a road, housing structures and cooking equipment.

Professor Gabor Thomas, project lead, from the University of Reading, told the Observer: "It's really exciting. This is really hitting the jackpot in terms of the quality and the level of preservation of the archaeology.

"It will enable us to push the frontiers of knowledge forward in terms of understanding how these institutions are organised.

“This site is of national archaeological importance. No other monastic settlement from this period in southern England has such a good state of preservation.”

The excavations are run as part of a field school for the Department of Archaeology at the University of Reading, with students working alongside local volunteers and others in the field.

First-year student Abigail Walton, 19, said: "It is a lot of fun and we are all really enjoying it.

"Last year it was a surprise when they found their first set of bones. There are steps to an excavation but everything can change in a second."

Speaking about what it is like to be involved with the cemetery excavation dealing with the possibility of finding human remains, Abigail said: "Obviously there is that moment of shock - but we're archaeology students and some of us have done digs before.

"I'm not sure you'll ever get used to it."

It is hoped that the group will be able to recover human remains, which will aid the researchers in understanding the population of the settlement.

First found in 2021, the University have a permit to return to the site in Cookham each summer until 2024.

Last year excavators uncovered an industrial and craft zone which would have supplied nuns with food and helped to transport imported items along the River Thames.

Logistics Manager for the Cookham Abbey excavation and Field School, David Mudd said: "This is really great archaeology and it is a great bit of English history.

"I was really pleased to find the site is so close to home. I live in Maidenhead."

David has seen the site develop over the last three years, with more finds being made and trenches being extended.

The dig runs from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday, until Saturday, September 2.

Free site tours led by a senior archaeologist will be taking place each Saturday, open to the public, which can be booked via ticketsource.co.uk.

Up to 300 pieces of artwork are set to be displayed at an annual exhibition in Cookham this August.

Cookham Arts Club’s 81st exhibition will be taking place in Pinder Hall from Tuesday, August 15 to Sunday, August 27.

The free-to-enter exhibition will be open daily from 10am to 6pm and will close at 4.45pm on the last Sunday.

Artwork from members and non-members, including paintings in numerous mediums and crafts such as ceramics will be showcased.

A range of entries, including landscapes, portraits, sketches, still life and abstracts are set to be exhibited.

Visitors can vote for their ‘Best in Show’ entry and the winning artist will receive a prize.

A raffle draw will take place at the end of the exhibition.

This is the club’s main exhibition of the year, and everything submitted must be new work that has not been exhibited in Cookham previously.

New members of all abilities from non-painters to beginners and experienced artists are welcome to join Cookham Arts Club.

A range of events are organised throughout the year, including weekly painting sessions at Cookham Dean Village Hall, featuring suggested topics, and on alternative weeks, general painting sessions take place.

Both conclude with tea and cakes or biscuits and the opportunity to exchange ideas and chat.

Professional artists are booked for monthly presentations or demonstrations and lead four workshops in the year.

Monthly outdoor sessions are also organised at a range of venues in the area from April to October.

For more information, visit: www.cookhamartsclub.com

The Cookham Society is calling on the council to reduce business rates and change plans for its Cookham Bridge closure to soften the blow on businesses and residents.

The grade II-listed river crossing, built in 1867, requires essential maintenance and is set to close to motorists for 20 weeks from Monday, October 16.

Windsor and Maidenhead council will decide at a planning committee meeting on Wednesday whether to grant listed building consent to carry out the works.

Wonderful.
Where is it?

Archaeologists have started their next phase of works to excavate the 8th Century monastery at Holy Trinity Paddock

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-66450684

This week's headlines

📣 Smoking Skewers: Check out Smoking Skewers' meal platters available to pre-order for pick up this Friday afternoon

📣 Afternoon Market: We're back with our double Market - open from 8:30-1:00pm and 3:30-7:30pm.

🎟️ Raffle time!: This week our Charity Raffle is supporting Maidenhead Food Share. Find out more about them and how to enter below.

📣 Tell your friends: We'd love for more people to experience the Metre Market and support our wonderful local business, so bring your friends and share away!

https://mailchi.mp/72fae1aff19b/metre-market-mail-13563287?e=eb9498f400

Demolition of the closed Broadway car park is due to start this autumn, to remove safety risks posed by the failed structure, while reducing the potential for anti-social behaviour and town centre blight.

The 1960s concrete structure is unfortunately beyond its economic life and in significant structural failure, due to water ingress eroding the reinforced steel. Cabinet has agreed this work, which was the recommended way forward to make the site safe.

Now the formal call-in period on this decision has passed, a contractor will be appointed. Levelling and clearance will take around a year, supported by arrangements to minimise disruption on the town centre. While this might seem a while, this time is needed to safely remove a large multi-storey building in a busy, built-up area.

We will also be looking at options to create a temporary car park once it has been demolished. In the meantime, we'd again like to thank everyone for your ongoing patience, and for continuing to play your part for Maidenhead town centre by shopping locally and supporting traders.

Construction starts on 100% affordable housing development in Maidenhead
 
The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead has broken ground to officially mark the start of construction of its 100 per cent affordable housing scheme in Maidenhead.
 
The £4m council investment, at 20 Ray Mill Road West, will provide 14 one- and two-bedroom flats. The council’s Property Company is delivering the scheme on behalf of the authority.
 
Earlier today, representatives of the Royal Borough, its Property Company, construction contractor Helix, scheme architect and technical consultant gathered on the cleared site to celebrate construction work getting underway, which is anticipated to be complete by autumn 2024.
 
Councillor Adam Bermange, Cabinet member for planning, legal and asset management, said: “I think everyone recognises that our borough is affected by a local housing market that presents a significant barrier to those on lower incomes and young people trying to buy or rent.
 
“Whilst this scheme is relatively small and we know some homes labelled ‘affordable’ may remain out of reach for some, this, nevertheless, demonstrates one way the council can work proactively towards addressing the housing challenge and needs locally.
 
“By retaining and investing in our own assets to deliver affordable properties of different tenures and sizes, we also generate a much-needed future income stream. Importantly, it also brings a vacant brownfield site back into a beneficial use within the community.
 
“This is the first such scheme being delivered through the council’s Property Company, which is currently exploring other council-owned sites for their potential for similar smaller-sized schemes, from which we are particularly keen to see more social-rent homes delivered.
 
“The start of construction is an exciting milestone but I most look forward to seeing the development completed so people can move into their new homes.”
Jon Scofield, Construction Director at Helix, added: “As our first project working with the Royal Borough, we’re delighted to be starting construction on the delivery of much-needed affordable homes for the community.
 
“Today’s milestone is just the start of this journey to delivering high quality homes and we look forward to continuing to build our partnership with the Royal Borough and our partner organisations across the duration of this project and beyond.”