Bracknell

Whether you fancy yourself as a tap-dancer extraordinaire or a snap happy photographer, there’s bound to be something for you to get your teeth into during the Bracknell Learning Showcase.

A taster of various learning opportunities in Bracknell Forest will certainly whet the appetite when the showcase unfolds on Saturday, September 11.

Pottery, dancing, IT skills, photography, food courses and even wine tasting will be just some of the learning opportunities featured.

Why not pop along and have a go on a potter’s wheel? Or you could even have your photo taken in a Bracknell studio session.

The event will take place between 10am and 2pm at Bracknell and Wokingham College’s new Church Road campus.

As well as tasters and displays, a series of events will run as follows:

* Find out if pilates is for you between 10.45am and 11.30am.
* Find out how to motivate older learners during the Learn to Teach Adults session from 11am to 11.30am.
* For those returning to studying, a helpful workshop will give some hints and tips between noon and 12.30pm.
* Get you’re feet moving and take part in a tap dancing lesson from 1pm to 2pm.
* Get all your questions about management courses answered between 1pm and 1.30pm.

There will also be five different activities going on over the four hours in The Cube, including pilates, salsa, circle dance and yoga.

The showcase is a joint venture between all members of the Personal and Community Development Learning Partnership, sponsored by Bracknell Forest Adult Learning and Bracknell and Wokingham College, to encourage adults to get back into learning.

Learning opportunities available throughout the borough range from work based skills to help people change career or further their employment prospects, to keeping fit through a new sport.

Kara Julian, project coordinator for Bracknell Learning Showcase, said: "Whether you’re 19 or 90 there’s definitely a learning opportunity for you in Bracknell Forest. There’s so much on offer including pilates, learning a new language, boosting your IT skills or even finding out how to take a better holiday snap, so why not come along and find out what new skill you could achieve?"

There will also be refreshments available at the Star Cafe and music will be provided by The Supertonics and a live swing and jazz band.

Cllr Alan Kendall, executive member for education, said: "You’re never too old to start learning and with so much on offer within our borough there are countless opportunities to pick up new skills or find a new hobby that you love."

Bracknell Forest Council ~ Bracknell

A man has on 3/9 pleaded guilty to 14 charges relating to the kidnap and sexual assault of teenage girls in Bracknell in November 2009 and May 2010.

Terry Michael Bryant, aged 41, of Waverley Road, Tottenham, London, appeared at Reading Crown Court this afternoon. He was remanded in custody to await sentencing at the same court on Friday 8 October 2010.

The charges relate to three separate incidents involving teenage girls in Bracknell.

At around 4.30pm on 4 November 2009, a 16-year-old girl was walking along a footpath in the Warfield area, Bracknell when she was approached by Bryant who asked for directions. As she was replying to him, he grabbed her and forced her to walk to a car that was located nearby. She was taken to a location in Malt Hill, where she was subjected to a serious sexual assault.

At about 5.15pm on 6 May 2010, a 14-year-old girl was grabbed by Bryant in the Bracknell Hanworth area and forced to walk with him along the street. However, she managed to escape without physical injury.

At around 6.30pm the same day (6/5), a 15-year-old girl was walking home when she was grabbed by Bryant in the Bracknell Wildridings area. He forced her into a car before driving her to a location in Malt Hill, where he sexually assaulted her. Following the assault, he drove her to back to Wildridings, where he let her out of the car and she made her way home.

Bryant was arrested on 2 June and charged with numerous offences on 3 June relating to the three Bracknell incidents.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

It’s full marks for The Bracknell Look Out Discovery Centre after it was awarded Learning Outside the Classroom LOtC) Quality Badge this week.

The badge recognises the Bracknell centre in Nine Mile Ride provides good quality educational visits for young people and is a safe environment for them to learn.

The award, by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, was launched in 2009 to benchmark excellence for places helping children learn outside their school environment.

Jacky Henderson, manager of The Bracknell Look Out Discovery Centre, said: Being awarded the LOtC Quality Badge is a real coup for all the staff here, as it shows that we offer young people the type of high quality learning experiences they really benefit from.

"We’re thrilled to get official recognition for our efforts and we look forward to welcoming even more children and young people from the local area to the hands-on science and nature exhibition."

Beth Gardner, chief executive of the Bracknell Council for Learning Outside the Classroom said: Educational visits are among the most memorable experiences in a child’s school life. Quality Badges offer teachers a guarantee that not only is a venue providing the sort of educational value that they can build on in class long after the visit, but they also have the appropriate risk management structures in place.

"Learning outside the classroom has many proven educational benefits. The LOtC Quality Badge will reduce red tape and provide assurance for schools, thereby ensuring that many more young people have memorable, exciting and valuable learning outside the classroom experiences. I congratulate The Look Out on being awarded the badge.”

Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for Bracknell culture, corporate services and public protection, said: "Well done to everyone at The Look Out Discovery Centre on gaining this award. Time and again the centre comes up trumps for being one of the best in the country for providing good quality educational visits with excellent facilities."

Bracknell Forest Council

A man was jailed at Reading Crown Court today (2/9) for grievous bodily harm following an incident at a Bracknell pub in July 2008.

Brian Michael Oliphant, aged 67, of the William Twigg pub, Great Hollands Square, Bracknell, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. He had been found guilty of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm on 5 August 2010 following a trial at Reading Crown Court.

At about 1am on 12 July 2008, a 46-year-old man was drinking with two friends at the William Twigg Public House, Great Hollands. An altercation took place between the men and another group of men, including Brian Oliphant, who were also drinking at the Bracknell pub.

The three friends were asked to leave the premises and did so, but the victim had left his coat behind and went back to retrieve it. Before he could enter the pub, Oliphant came out holding his coat and punched him in the face, causing him to fall to the ground.

Brian Oliphant was arrested on 12 July 2008 in connection with the incident. Following extensive enquiries, he was charged with grievous bodily harm on 21 May 2009.

Det Con Iain Watkinson, Bracknell investigating officer, said: "The victim was punched with considerable force to his head causing him to fall to the floor, hit his head and lose consciousness. He was taken to hospital straight away and remained in hospital until 13 August 2008. The victim had a severe head injury causing a bleed on his brain. He still has problems with his short-term memory and has weekly medical meetings as a direct result of his life-changing injuries.

"This was a particularly difficult case to investigate as, although it happened in a busy pub, no witnesses to the incident came forward. However, after a lengthy investigation and consultation with lawyers from the Crown Prosecution Service, enough evidence was produced to charge and prosecute the landlord of the pub at the time. I hope that the victim can now try and start putting this behind him and re-build his life with the help of his family and friends."

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Did you know that Bracknell Forest was once the favourite haunt of devious highwaymen, provided a sanctuary for Catherine of Aragon and was home to Prime Minister George Canning?

The Bracknell borough is a hot bed of history just waiting to be tapped into this autumn as part of Heritage Open Days, organised by Bracknell Forest Council.

Why not learn more about how Sandhurst developed over the 20th century or hear some gruesome tales about how The Old Manor pub was a highwayman’s paradise and is allegedly haunted by ghouls?

Family friendly events include:

- SNAP Bracknell – a look at how local residents have recorded their own impressions of Bracknell town centre over the past year. Exhibition held in Charles Square between 11am and 3pm between Thursday, September 9, and Saturday, September 11.

- People’s Museum – display of residents’ artwork which was compiled under artist Jon Lockhart’s guidance earlier this year with the theme of their favourite possession. Display held in Bracknell Charles Square between 11am and 3pm between Thursday, September 9, and Saturday, September 11.

- Sandhurst Then and Now – discover how the town has been transformed from a small village in to a town with this exhibition by Sandhurst Memorial Committee. Display at Yorktown Road on Thursday, September 9, between 10am and 7pm

- Gruesome Tales from Bracknell – horrendous highwaymen, mysterious escapes and haunting hosts will be explored at this look beyond The Old Manor’s history. Suitable for families with children aged 10 and over, it will run from 10am to 11am on Saturday, September 11, and Sunday, September 12. Booking required by calling 01344 352000.

- Easthampstead Park Mansion – royalty runs through the walls of this house, which was selected by Catherine of Aragon as her retreat when Henry VIII planned to divorce her and was oftern frequented by Richard III. Find out more between 10.30am and noon on Saturday, September 11. Booking required by calling 01344 423440.

- Pope’s Meadow and Manor Magical Trail and Tales – encounter trolls, genies and princesses on this enchanting trail led by famous children’s author Clare Bevan on Saturday, September 11, from 2pm to 4pm. Suitable for children aged five to 12 – booking required by calling 01344 354441.

- Lily Hill Park History Walk – take a step back in time with a guided walk around the park and the mansion, which was built in 1850, on Sunday, September 12, from 2pm to 4pm. The walk starts from the main car park at 2pm.

Other Bracknell events on offer include a trail of St Michael and St Mary Magdalene Church in Easthampstead, a historic walk around Warfield, a ramble around Caesar’s Camp, a behind the scenes tour of Berkshire Record Office, and tours of South Hill Park’s grounds, Newbold College gardens and St Michael’s and All Angels’ Church in Sandhurst.

Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for Bracknell culture, corporate services and public protection, said: "Bracknell Forest has a varied and interesting history and so to celebrate our borough’s heritage there are an abundance of events taking place this September. With something to suit everyone, why not dig into the past and join one of the fun-filled activities taking place?"

For more information and directions to any of the events call 01344 352000

Bracknell Forest Council

Bracknell Forest residents are urged to be on their guard against con-artists posing as officials in a council tax refund scam circulating the area.

A Warfield resident has been approached by one of the scammers this week, who posed as a bogus Bracknell council official and claimed the resident was entitled to a council tax refund. The bogus caller tried to obtain the resident’s bank details during the phone call, but the resident refused and alerted the council and police.

Bracknell Forest Council is now warning all residents to be exceptionally careful when speaking to anyone claiming to be a council employee.

Residents should be aware that Bracknell Forest Council does not phone or email residents asking for bank details.

Refunds are made direct to a bank account if the resident pays by direct debit, in which case the council already has the information it needs to complete the transaction. Any request to confirm or provided bank details would always be made in writing.

A council tax scam has been operating nationally for some time, but this is the first time a resident in Bracknell Forest has been approached.

Anyone contacted about a council tax refund, by someone claiming to be from Bracknell Forest Council should take down the caller’s name and department and telephone revenue services on 01344 352011 to check the caller is in fact a member of staff.

Bracknell Forest Council

A 46-year-old man has been committed to appear before crown court in connection with an incident at a hotel in Bracknell involving an eight-year-old girl.

Eric Stephenson, of Manston Drive, Easthampstead, Bracknell, will appear before Reading Crown Court on 6 October 2010.

Stephenson was arrested by officers on Friday 9 July 2010 and later charged with sexual assault on a female under 13.

The charge relates to an incident at a hotel in Bracknell in October last year involving an eight-year-old female victim.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Being a Bracknell parent or carer isn’t always easy, and those looking for some advice and support are invited to attend a programme of free parenting workshops.

Bracknell Forest Council’s extended services team offers a variety of events throughout September, October and November.

‘Helping children develop good peer relationships’ is the theme for the first workshop, and parents will be offered advice on supporting their children as they learn to relate to others in a positive way. The session takes place at Crown Wood Primary School on Thursday, September 23, between 12.45pm and 2.45pm.

The second event is called ‘Dealing with difficult behaviour’ and explores ways parents can develop a positive relationship with their children. It takes place between 7pm and 9pm on Thursday, October 7, at Wooden Hill Primary School.

On Thursday, November 4, ‘Setting boundaries’ and setting clear limits for children to build positive relationships will be explored. The venue for this is Harmans Water Primary School, Bracknell and the session takes place from 12.45pm to 2.45pm.

The final workshop of the year – ‘Sex and relationships’ – offers information and skills for talking to your child about sex and relationships. The session is at Crown Wood Primary School on Thursday, November 18, from 7pm-9pm.

Janette Karklins, Bracknell director of Children, Young People and Learning, said: We are very aware of the importance of fathers, mothers and other carers in raising healthy and happy children. We also know there are times when parents may need some extra support. Often that support is found through family and friends, but help is also available locally through schools, children’s centres, health workers and the council’s extended services team.”

Cllr Alan Kendall, executive member for Bracknell education, said: Extended services brings together key services in one place making it easier for parents and carers to get the help and support that they and their children need.

"They will ensure that educational and health professionals work together to create the best possible care, support and education for children and families in Bracknell Forest."

Although booking for each session isn’t essential, it is preferred. Call 01344 354067 to book and find out more.

Bracknell Forest Council

Children from the Wildridings area of Bracknell will be creating a colourful display of plants outside the shops in Deepdale tomorrow (25/8).

Assisted by their parents and Bracknell Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) from the neighbourhood policing team, local youngsters will be planting dozens of bulbs, shrubs and bedding plants in raised beds.

PCSO Joanna Hughes said: “The plants have been donated by Homebase Bracknell. We are very grateful for their generosity, especially to Roy Lean and Kevin Stangroom, who have been a great help.”

Insp Michael Squire, neighbourhood inspector for Bracknell South, said: “The project is one of several in our For the Future campaign, in which individuals or groups ‘adopt’ a local area that they improve and maintain. The aim of these projects is to bring a sense of ownership and pride to the area, promote community cohesion and reduce vandalism.

“Our intention is that the Wildridings flower beds will be maintained by local children aged five to 12, supervised by a rota of parents with frequent visits by neighbourhood PCSOs.

“We are also hoping that other areas near the Wildridings shops, such as the covered alleyway, will be painted, personalised and maintained by older children from the area.

“We are aiming to bring all sectors of the community together. Local children of all ages, their parents and other residents are welcome to come along and help with the planting in Deepdale at 4pm on Wednesday.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Two Bracknell landowners who ‘flagrantly and persistently’ breached planning laws by building mobile homes, kennels and stables without permission have been fined £27,500.

Nelson Keeling, 38, of Birch Lane, Ascot and David Reed, 33, of Birch Lane, Ascot were fined on Friday, August 13, after a two day hearing at Reading County Court for continuing to carry out development on a piece of land between Merrymead and Pine Acres in Birch Lane, Ascot without planning permission.

Bracknell Forest Council had obtained court orders forbidding any further development following the placing of two mobile homes on the land in November 2009 without planning permission. These orders were replaced by legally binding ‘promises’, which the landowners gave to the court on November 19, 2009, not to undertake any more work on the site.

Bracknell Forest Council prosecuted Keeling and Reed after they ignored the ‘promises’ they had given to the court by constructing stables, kennels and hard standings on the land.

During the hearing, the council proved the owners had failed to comply with the ‘promises’ and the judge found the ‘promises’ had been broken and noted the owners’ actions were a ‘flagrant and persistent breach of planning legislation’. Planning permission for the mobile homes placed on the site was refused earlier this year and the council is currently pursing enforcement action against these.

For the breach of planning laws, the judge imposed the following financial penalties on the landowners:

* Nelson Keeling to pay £15,000 within three months;
* David Reed to pay £12,500 within three months.

The Bracknell council was also awarded costs of £9,793 for the time, effort and inconvenience of the case.

In addition, the council has served the landowners with a planning enforcement notice requiring the removal of all structures, materials and mobile homes from the site and reinstatement of the land to its former condition.

Cllr Mrs Mary Ballin, executive member for Bracknell planning, transport and economic development, said: "Planning laws are in place to protect and preserve our communities and countryside and this case shows we will doggedly pursue anyone who flouts those laws.

"I hope this case is a stern warning that we will prosecute anyone who thinks they can get away with developing pieces of land without due consideration for the planning process."

he mobile homes were built prior to a planning application being lodged by the owners for:

The use of land as residential caravan site for two gypsy families accommodating four caravans (one travelling caravan and one static mobile home on each pitch) and two portable amenity buildings with associated drive from Birch Lane, areas of hardstanding, stables building, dog pens and septic tank. This was refused by the council in May 2010.

Bracknell Forest Council