Maidenhead, England News

“They talked about their hobbies, school lives and interests for about an hour and a half. It was amazing to see. "The children were so engaged, their jaws were on the floor.”

SCHOOLCHILDREN could be taking a giant step into the future this summer by hooking up for a live link with NASA. via This is Local London

A state-of-the-art monorail could be built over the M4 to ease congestion and improve access from Reading to Heathrow airport. via Get Reading

“This is the second significant deal we have helped McKay Securities PLC secure in the space of just a few months, and is evidence of the close working relationship we've developed.”

Reading law firm Shoosmiths has helped secure a 9 million office space deal for one of the South East's leading investment companies. via Get Wokingham

“We've been putting on gigs in Reading, Maidenhead and Slough now for five years roughly”

I've heard of local battle of the bands before, but one that lasts a whole year? It's the moshpit-loving brainchild of brothers Jon and Dave Nash, otherwise known as Bukandskit Promotions. via Get Wokingham

Schools urged to act over pupils' access to junk food Teachers should consider banning children from leaving the school grounds at lunchtime to stop pupils going to the chip shop, the Government's food chiefs ... via 24dash

Video and audio from the BBC News archive WWII and 1950-2005. This site is archived and no longer updated. via BBC

THURROCK travel to Berkshire this afternoon to face a Maidenhead side reeling from a 3-0 defeat against a Cambridge City side that closed to within a point of Thurrock following the win. via This is Southend

“But it was a big step -- to give up your country and your career and everything.”

ime to pirouette.

Three budding ballerinas rise onto the balls of their left feet. Each girl's right leg stretches behind her, toe touching the floor. On cue, the dancers spin. They're shaky, but give them a break. They're maybe 10 years old.

Their right feet haven't done enough to launch the turn.

'Push down,' their teacher says. 'The floor is your friend.'

They try again. Better.

'Good girls,' the teacher responds. 'You can't just say, `I think I'll turn.' You have to do something to make yourself turn.' Read more

Michael Coughlin is the preferred candidate to become the new chief executive at Reading, replacing Trish Haines. via Get Reading

Construction company Costain has announced its first dividend payment in 17 years after hailing a recovery in fortunes for the firm.

The Maidenhead-based firm - builder of the Thames Barrier - will pay out 3.1 million in dividends after all its divisions returned a profit for the first time since 1990.

Shares soared almost 13% on the news as Costain also unveiled pre-tax profits of 19.8 million for 2007, recovering from losses of 61.7 million the previous year. Read more

Wanted: Berkshire Mooring Wanted Mooring wanted for Static Houseboat required for approx 40ft residence. via Apollo Duck

South Oxfordshire is one of the top 20 places in the UK when it comes to quality of life - and the only local authority in Oxfordshire to be in the list. via This is Oxfordshire

“The site is directly underneath the [Heathrow] flight path with a constant flow of planes landing and taking off”

The 55-hectre site would be developed over ten years Residents of two Berkshire villages have formed an action group in an attempt to stop plans for a new quarry. via BBC

“It is absurd that while rail fares are rocketing way above inflation, the cost of motoring has actually decreased. "British people are being driven back onto the roads. This is unconnected government at its worst.”

Rail passengers will be hit by "unfair and unjustified" fare rises of up to 11 per cent from tomorrow, despite the "abysmal" record of many train companies. via Telegraph.co.uk

“Cookham is a very good place to live because there is a lot going on. "There are a lot of people who take an active part in lots of events.”

Ms Kwantes thought the letter about her MBE was from the tax office Veteran broadcaster Michael Parkinson and a company director are among those in Berkshire honoured by the Queen in the New Year Honours. via BBC

Former Chinnor flanker Dave Seymour scored his first Heineken Cup try on Saturday. via This is Oxfordshire

Having seen their Setanta Shield run come to an end at St Albans last weekend, Thurrock return to Blue Square South action tomorrow when Maidenhead United visit Ship Lane. via This is Southend

A TEENAGER "with an angelic face" who made the lives of residents a misery with his threatening behaviour has been banned from the Britwell estate for two years. via IcBerkshire

Civica, one of the UK's leading providers of consulting, software and services for the public sector, has introduced state-of-the-art library services based on its Spydus automated library management platform ... via 24dash