VIDEO: Meet Rev Tonia Elliott, community minister in Arborfield Green

When the first coronavirus lockdown began last year, residents in our new Arborfield major development quickly united to look after each other.

Rev Tonia Elliot, who is community minister at St Eligius’ Church in Arborfield Green, says the close relationships which already existed made this easier.

Tonia moved there with her husband David, their grown-up daughters and family dog Digby in 2018, four years after being ordained.

She quickly got to know parishioners by knocking on newcomers’ doors and stopping to chat with people while walking Digby around the neighbourhood.

Much more than housing

Tonia says the area’s generous public green spaces, funded by contributions from housing developers, make it easier for residents to mix and build friendships.

She also regularly visits the Bohunt secondary school, which opened in 2016 and was funded by development, to bring in cakes, organise services and talk to pupils.

The secondary academy is the first built in the borough in more than 50 years and Tonia says it plays a crucial role in community life.

Arborfield’s major new development is also home to the newly relocated Farley Hill Primary School, which opened in September, and has space for another primary when it is needed.

Tonia says: “I love my job because life here is so vibrant – it’s such a green, scenic neighbourhood to live in and get to know others who are also enjoying it.

“We moved here from a town centre with very little green space so and we’re all in our element, including the dog!

“Our family life revolves around the outdoors, whether it’s visiting local pubs and the café at California Country Park or my husband leading the weekly running group around this beautiful area.”

Looking out for each other

At the start of lockdown, Tonia launched a scheme to help those who were isolating due to age or medical conditions by bringing shopping and medicine or providing a listening ear.

The church had to close but activities were still held outside when it was safe to do so, and with full precautions in place.

Tonia said: “The neighbourhood seemed to come alive – it was buzzing with people looking after one another and while we couldn’t do much inside, there was still a supportive atmosphere.

“We got to know each other a lot better and I certainly met more people. It felt like almost everybody got dogs during lockdown so there were far more opportunities to chat.

“Residents have also found this is a great environment for working from home because they feel so comfortable. I understand a lot of small businesses have started recently because of that.

“People are glad to have friendly neighbours and social opportunities they might not have had in places they’ve lived before. It's a great area for them to bring up children.”

Tonia says working with Bohunt School is another highlight.

She says: “It’s a wonderful, modern secondary with all the facilities a student could need. They see themselves as part of the community and are there for everyone, just as the church is.

“A lot of students come from this area and we see them cycling or walking in every morning. It’s a very safe place to live, work and study.”

Working together for everyone

Tonia sits on a team which organises regular community events alongside our own representatives and those of housing developers.

She says our strategic, co-operative stance on development has proven successful.

Tonia says: “That joined-up approach has helped to build an active community, with the council and developers working together and residents like me working with both.

“There’s a real sense that everyone’s pulling together to make this a nice place to live.”

A winning approach to development

Arborfield is one of our four major new developments, with three others allocated at North and South Wokingham and Shinfield Parish as part of our local plan.

That plan, which serves as a blueprint for housing and other development across Wokingham borough, must now be updated and we’re proposing to continue that successful approach.

We want to hear your views and are consulting until 24 January. Visit the local plan update page for more information or to respond to our survey.