Local schools Thatcham Festival tournament is a winner

Twelve teams of Year One and Two children took part in a mini football festival at Lower Way as part of the Thatcham Festival of Art and Leisure on Saturday, October 18.
The event was organised by Thatcham Tornadoes FC and sponsored by Newbury-based company, SPX.
All the teams were split into two groups and the children played round-robin matches.
Schools and teams participating were Francis Baily (Aries, Cygnus and Pegasus), Hampstead Norreys, Hermitage, Parsons Down, Spurcroft (Sparrows, Swallows & Swifts), St Finians (Falcons & Foxes) and The Willows.
The club’s speedshot was in action and raised £72 for local charity, Swings and Smiles.
In the battle of the mascots, Twister, the Thatcham Tornadoes mascot, struck 28mph, just 1mph ahead of Thatcham Town Council’s Cyril The Squirrel.
The club uses the speedshot to raise money for charity and presented the Mayor of Thatcham, Gary Johnson, with a cheque for £250, for his charities: The Rainbow Rooms, based at the West Berkshire Community Hospital; and the West Berkshire Therapy Centre in Lower Way, from funds raised at Thatcham's Family Fun Day in June.
In addition, a cheque for £750 was presented to Colin and Andrew Waters on behalf of Fanconi Hope, a charity that supports those affected by Fanconi Anaemia, a rare genetic disorder which causes bone marrow failure, in memory of former Tornadoes manager and coach, Stephen Waters.
All the children taking part in the Festival received their participation medals from the Mayor to bring the morning’s play to a close.
Organiser, Peter Walker, said: “This event would not be possible without the incredible support, encouragement and cheering from all the teachers and parents who so freely gave up their Saturday morning to spend it on the side of a football pitch.
“Thankfully, the early-morning showers stayed away for most of the morning, and it was fantastic to see all the players enjoying themselves and the skills on display from the younger footballers within the schools were very impressive.”