A Zen pre-Launch for Our Maidenhead Directory of Community Groups & Charities

Our Maidenhead Directory landed in a storm on Wednesday afternoon but were calmly handed out last night by Eddie and his helpers at Taplow Court, the UK HQ for the Buddhist foundation, Soka Gakkai International.

Learning from the creation of the last directory, for Windsor and folk wanting last minute changes, we made clear the deadlines and it all came together in time for the official launch on the winter solstice at Windsor Castle. Because of their timely delivery, the opportunity for a zen pre-launch arose as the Voluntary and Community Sector Partnership were hosting a celebration of the outstanding contributions of the voluntary sector in RBWM last night. A couple of pals were going along…

Voluntary and Community Sector Partnership - Tim and Helen

I’d spoken to Helen in the afternoon and asked her to help Eddie with his photography… she did, by striking a pose 😉 I also asked her to “share your first impressions of the architecture and ambiance of the place”

Taplow Court is the UK HQ for the Buddhist foundation, Soka Gakkai International. It is an imposing Grade II listed building PICTURE, with a sumptuous interior. It was purchased by the Grenfell family in the mid 19th Century and remodelled. It became a centre for lavish Edwardian entertaining. Lord Grenfell lost his three sons, two in WWI. There are unfinished murals of his sons and their friends (who also lost lives in WWI). The murals are unfinished to reflect the young men’s unfinished lives. It is profoundly sad.

Tim Walker is a published author, he’s written Thames Valley Tales amongst others so I asked him for “50+ words on the two towns on the Thames w&m and how the people are the same but so different.”

Maidenhead moved on from the stagnant politics of selfishness and greed to elect a Liberal Democrat MP in 2024, showing there is still hope for an inclusive and progressive town. Windsor, in contrast, continues to live in the shadow of a castle that demands obedience and servile grovelling from the serfs in its constituency. Windsor remains stubbornly Conservative, an anachronistic island of elitism that does little for its hard-pressed people who have been alarmed that they too have been caught up in the profit-driven cost of living crisis.

Sadly, politics continues to divide rather than unite us.

Seems like he absorbed some of the frustrations being released by the zen environment at Taplow Court last night but hey, I did ask 🙂

Voluntary and Community Sector Partnership - Taplow Court

I’d also asked Eddie to scribble me 50+ words on the VCS Partnership but I know he’s busy with family stuff and I don’t know if he caught some of what Tim got last night… so let’s be safe and take a few paras off the email they sent out this morning and the website to get a better picture.

WAM Get Involved – Email

This week, we celebrated the outstanding contributions of the voluntary sector in RBWM at the beautiful SGI-UK Taplow Court, in Maidenhead. Over 70 partners and guests gathered for an unforgettable night, thanks to WAM Get Involved, WAMCF, RBWM, Berkshire Community Foundation, and the Community Learning & Skills Service.

Hosted by the VCS Partnership, the evening provided an opportunity to thank voluntary partners for their invaluable work and featured a raffle, with fantastic prizes, as a token of appreciation. Asma Aziz, CEO of WAM Get Involved, praised the night for its spirit of unity and gratitude and said, “It was a testament to the power of collaboration and the unwavering commitment of those who support our communities. Thank you to everyone who made this night possible and to SGI-UK for providing such a stunning venue. Truly, a night to remember!”

WAM Get Involved – Website & Newsletter Subscription

WAM Get Involved was set up in 2014, to promote greater Community Involvement across the Royal Borough. The team works across Windsor Ascot and Maidenhead to build capacity within the Voluntary Sector with regular Information, Consultations, Networking Meetings and Workshops eg Safeguarding and Management.

In May 2024, The One Borough Group, WAM Get Involved, RBWM, WAMCF and Berkshire Community Foundation formed a new Voluntary and Community Sector Partnership to support the voluntary and community sector within the Royal Borough. The organisations will plan these meetings together, drawing on the feedback, skills and knowledge of each organisation.

The aim is that a new approach will enable us all to work better together and meet any new challenges in the coming years.

Thank you.

Jon Davey
Community Champion