Desborough's new head vows to make school 'beacon of excellence'

The new headteacher of Desborough School in Maidenhead has pledged to make the school a 'beacon of excellence.' Paul Frazer, its interim headteacher, plans to replicate the success he achieved as head of the Airedale Academy, which is in the first percentile nationally and the highest performing school in Yorkshire and Humberside. He says consistency of teaching will transform the school, rated 'satisfactory' by Ofsted, into a leading centre of education.

Artist to photograph mental health sufferers

An artist in Maidenhead is hoping to raise awareness of mental health issues by photographing sufferers of depression and bipolar disorder. Jo Dagless is appealing for people to be part of her new project, Manifold, which will chart the effects of depression through a series of portraits. "Depression is a condition that affects a huge amount of people at some point in their lives yet there is still a lot of stigma attached to it," she said.

Topshop confirms move to Nicholsons Centre

Fashion retailer Topshop has announced plans to open a new store in the Nicholson's shopping centre in Maidenhead. It has confirmed its existing store in the High Street will close and relocate to the

Vandals trash children's graves and steal toys

Children's graves have been trashed at a Maidenhead cemetery. Toy tractors and other children's playthings were stolen and plants and headstones were vandalised at Braywick Cemetery sometime between Sunday and Wednesday.

There were two reports of graves being targeted but a police spokesman said others may also have been wrecked.

Union hits out at Sure Start job losses

A union organiser is calling for a widespread campaign against the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead's plans to cut staff in Sure Start children's centres.The borough has nine Sure Start children's centres. The borough has nine Sure Start children's centres which provide services for children under five and their parents. Although the authority decided to keep all nine

Couple treated for smoke inhalation after electric blanket fire

A couple in Maidenhead were treated for smoke inhalation after waking up to find their electric blanket on fire. The man and woman managed to put out the blaze in their bedroom in Woodstock Close at 2.27am today before calling the fire service. Fire crews from Maidenhead attended and treated the couple with oxygen before calling an ambulance. Nicole Targett, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue spokeswoman, said the fire could have been 'much worse' because there were no smoke alarms in the house.

Date of Fifield Fun Day announced

A feast of entertainment is being prepared for villagers at this year's Fifield Fun Day. Hundreds of families are expected to descend on Deep Meadows on Saturday, August 11 for the annual event. It

Village opera singer to perform at Jubilee Extravaganza

An opera singer from Cookham will sing alongside Eighties pop star Nick Heyward at a concert to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee on June 4. Joanna Henwood is set to perform at the Jubilee Extravaganza

Tesco Express set to open in Maidenhead in summer

A controversial new supermarket is set to open its doors in Maidenhead this summer following a two-year wait. Supermarket giant Tesco has already started work to turn the former Mercedes Benz garage

Female racing driver competing in championship

A feisty female racing driver is giving the boys a run for their money in a motorsport competition. Racing instructor Jade Edwards is battling it out in the Ma5da MX5 Championship 2012, which sees her compete at race tracks across the country. The 22-year-old from Maidenhead made a positive start in the first round at Silverstone last month. "I got a fifth and a third - a podium finish," she said.

No animosity for Maidenhead RFC coach Khan

Ricky Khan says he bears no grudges against the Maidenhead RFC officers who made the decision to sack him as head coach just days after delivering the South West 1 East title. Khan, who is now back at

WATCH: Actress Lynda Bellingham speaks about mum's dementia

Actress Lynda Bellingham describes her experiences coping with her mother's dementia in a new video released by Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. With support from the Big Lottery fund, the the video has been released as part of Dementia Awareness Week next week. The primary care trust, NHS Berkshire, also marked the week by announcing that a dedicated dementia care advisor will help people living with the disease and their carers in the borough.