Bracknell

Bracknell Forest Borough Council is encouraging local people to find out more about the key worker living scheme.

The scheme supports public sector workers including local authority employees in certain categories to find and afford housing, with part buy-part rent and loan options.

Two free events are being held in Bracknell town centre on Friday 4, between 12noon and 5pm, and Saturday November 5, between 10am and 4pm, where officers from Thames Valley Housing Association will be on hand to advise how the scheme works, who is eligible for it, how to apply and what type of funding and accommodation could be available.

Linda Wells, Assistant Director Sustainable Communities, said: "Bracknell Forest is an expensive area of the country to live in so it is important we support and encourage people to come to the area to ensure we have good quality staff for all services."

Cllr Dale Birch, Executive Member for Adult Services, Health Commissioning and Housing, said: "The Council is committed to high quality services so we are keen to encourage and support people to live and work in Bracknell Forest and these open days are the perfect opportunity for people to find out more."

As part of the national key worker housing scheme, the Council is working with Thames Valley Housing Association to provide affordable housing and encourage people to live and work in the area.

Everyone is welcome to come along to the town centre to find out more and further information about the national key worker scheme is available online

Bracknell Forest Borough Council 31 October 2005

get Reading ~ 28/10/2005

BRACKNELL Bees assistant player-coach Ryan Aldridge admits that the club is facing a dilemma as it looks to replace Stephen Walls.

Bees’ No. 1 netminder was released on Tuesday as player-coach Mike Ellis said in a statement that “his performances have not been up to the standard required to compete at this level”.

With Bees currently lying third in the English Premier League, a massive 11 points behind leaders Guildford Flames, and a double-header weekend against second-placed Milton Keynes coming up soon, they are actively looking to recruit a quality new netminder.

Aldridge said: “We need to make sure we make the right choice.

“We have two different options to choose from and at the moment we don’t know which way to go.
“We are looking at it from both angles.

Preferably we’d like to get a quality Brit in, but if this doesn’t happen we are going to have to look elsewhere.”

Should Bracknell be unsuccessful in securing the services of a British netminder, they would look to recruit an import player.

This, however, would lead to a new dilemma. With Bees already having filled their allocation of four import players, it would mean having to axe one of the quartet, all of whom are considered to be key players.

In the meantime, Dean Skinns will continue in goal this weekend, when Bees will be looking for maximum points against two of the league’s bottom-four clubs.

Bees travel to Telford Tigers tomorrow (5.45pm) and play host to rock bottom Solihull Barons on Sunday (6pm).

With Telford languishing fourth from bottom and Solihull yet to register a single point this term, Bracknell will not be happy with anything less than four points.

Bees had mixed fortunes last weekend, beating Romford Raiders 5-3 at the Hive, only to suffer a 4-3 defeat the next day in their away match at Chelmsford Chieftans.

Bracknell have no fresh injury problems ahead of the weekend’s games and Ellis is likely to name the same side that lost at Chelmsford on Sunday.

Canadian Stuart Simmons will continue up front, with Danny Meyers again dropping back in defence.

get Reading ~ 27/10/2005

JON UNDERWOOD is determined to help Reading Town stop the rot and start climbing the Combined Counties League Premier Division table again.

Underwood has joined Town as assistant manager and he has already set his sights on tightening up the defence.

After a run of six straight wins, Town have now lost five games on the trot in all competitions, and both Underwood and manager Colin Millard are desperate to get back to winning ways.

Underwood has come to Scours Lane after a serious knee injury brought to an end a distinguished career in non-league football at the age of just 30.

Underwood started his career as a centre half at Wokingham Town, but moved on to Farnborough Town where he played for five years in the Conference.

After that he had spells skippering both Staines and Bracknell Town in the Ryman League before he suffered a cartilage injury.

More knee trouble flared up this term, and he decided to hang up his boots.

Underwood, who lives in Forest Park, Bracknell, said: “I did a full pre-season with Bracknell Town in the summer and was feeling fit, but my knee broke down again within 30 seconds of the kick-off in the first league game.

“I am definitely calling it a day now as I would only end up doing myself more damage if I carried on.”

Underwood wanted to move into management and, as he knows Town player Graham Pickersgill well, he was delighted to join the Scours Lane club.

He said: “I played a couple of games for Town last season and met Colin (Millard) then.

“We kept in touch and he contacted me last week and asked if I would interested in helping him out.

“I will be an extra pair of eyes during games, and we have been conceding a lot of goals so I will help out with the defence.”

Underwood still has to acquire his coaching badges, but he will be taking them next February.

He said: “I have been doing a bit of coaching with the youngsters at Bracknell, but I wanted to get into senior adult football as soon as I could.

“It is all new for me. It is about getting experience, although the chance has come about a bit quicker than I expected.

“I am really grateful to Colin for giving me the chance. We share similar ideas on football so we should get on fine.”

Underwood got his first taste of life in the Combined Counties League on Saturday.

And although Town slipped to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of in-form Colliers Wood, he saw plenty to work with.

Town were struggling with injuries and six first-teamers were unavailable.

However, they more than held their own for much of the game before Colliers ran out comfortable winners.

Underwood said: “Colin admitted after the game that Colliers Wood were the better side in both penalty areas.

“They defended well and looked more of a threat up front.

“But our defence had been thrown together a bit and it showed.

“The three goals we conceded could have been avoided and with a settled defence that would not have happened.”

Underwood will be hoping that he can celebrate his first town win on Saturday when Town travel to Guildford United.

Then Town face two tough games in the space of four days.

ic Berkshire ~ Oct 27 2005

Bracknell Town ................0 Clevedon Town ................2

A SERIES of missed chances came back to haunt Bracknell last Saturday as Clevedon left Larges Lane with three undeserved points.

The Robins matched their opponents throughout the 90 minutes, making a mockery of the 16 place gap that separated the two sides before kick off.

But poor defending from a corner gave Clevedon the lead with 20 minutes remaining and, with Bracknell pushing forward looking for an equaliser, the visitors snatched the points with a late second.

Manager Alan Taylor, said: "The word is mugged. I thought we were totally in control but at this level you have to take your chances.

"We were the better team, there is no doubt about that but you don't always get what you deserve in football.

"The players are gutted but they know they've done well, it must have been strange for them when the manager comes into the changing room at the end and praises them for losing 2-0.

"But that's what I did and I said that if you keep playing like that this season we will be fine."

The home side started the game the stronger and forced the first chance of the game after 10 minutes but Neil Selby shot tamely at Ray Johnston in the Clevedon goal.

Selby went close again five minutes later when he got on the end of an excellent cross from Jon Palmer but his header grazed the crossbar as it flew over.

The striker wasted his third, and probably best chance, on 28 minutes when he dragged an effort just wide after being found unmarked after good play from John Dyer.

The visitors then began to get into the game and had the better of the closing stages of the first half with Andrew Poyser in superb form for Bracknell.

Centre forward Jack Pitcher pulled one effort wide when through on goal, before Poyser produced an athletic finger-tip save to deny the same man when he got his head onto a left-wing cross.

Tom Jacobs then looked to have given Clevedon the lead on 41 minutes but Mike Cook's desperate goal line clearance kept the scores level at half-time.

The second half started in the worst possible way for Bracknell when Selby broke his arm in an innocuous looking challenge.

He was replaced by Stuart Tanfield who put in a superb display and provided the home side with extra width down the right which gave Clevedon all sorts of problems.

Good play from John Dyer gave the Robins their first real chance of the second half on 54 minutes but Gavin Taylor's shot was deflected wide.

Bracknell continued to put the visitors under pressure but went behind against the run of play on 71 minutes.

Poor marking from a corner allowed Steve Lester to head unchallenged back across goal and Kris Witcombe volleyed home.

Tanfield went close to levelling five minutes later but saw his shot saved and, with the home side pushing forward towards the end, Clevedon wrapped up the points.

A through ball from Pitcher sent Jacobs clear and the striker coolly slotted home to seal the points in injury-time. Bracknell: Poyser, Cook, Oldham (Fenton), Browne, Baker, Hayward (McNamara), Griffin, Taylor, Dyer, Selby (Tanfield), Palmer.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council ~ 25 October 2005

Bracknell Forest Borough Council and the DVLA have been carrying out an unpublicised two week operation to remove untaxed vehicles from local roads with the support of Thames Valley Police.

Untaxed vehicles that were not on private land were the target of the joint initiative as owners are breaking the law that owners must have a current tax disc or comply with the Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN) rules by removing their vehicle to private land.

105 vehicles were immediately taken to a local pound, and a further number of owners paid a fee on the spot.

48 owners have so far reclaimed their cars on the payment of a fee - £80 within the first 24 hours rising to £160 plus storage at £15 per day thereafter.

On collection a £120 surety or a tax disk is required as well as proof of ownership and/or identity.

Offenders can also face prosecution and could be fined a minimum of £1000.

Cllr Terry Mills, Executive Member for Environment and Leisure, said: "This has been an extremely successful campaign. Vehicle tax evasion will not be tolerated in Bracknell Forest, and this fortnight has proved that.

"By working in partnership with the DVLA and Thames Valley Police, we have made a real impact. With unlicensed vehicles being removed from our streets, we are creating much needed parking space for licensed vehicles.

We aim to carry out further operations, so owners of vehicles not displaying a valid tax disc would be well advised to get their disc up to date."

Jeff Mumford, Head of Compliance, DVLA said: "The drivers of untaxed cars are often involved in some other form of criminal activity, whether that be transporting drugs or driving without insurance or an MOT - both of which have a direct impact on the community and other motorists.

"This operation has been a great success and a further endorsement of the benefits of our new strategy. We know who these people are, where they are and what vehicles they drive, and now with the help of the Council and the police our answer is simple: we're taking your car - no more warnings."

The DVLA is the enforcing authority for these campaigns, however, the council assists at an operational level by identifying untaxed vehicles on public highways and associated areas and removing abandoned ones.

Residents are reminded that they can still voluntarily surrender vehicles for disposal by the council for £25 plus VAT. Contact Bracknell Forest Customer Services on 01344 352000.

By Vicky Huntley ~ icBerkshire ~ Oct 25 2005

BULLBROOK neighbours are up in arms at plans to build a six-storey blocks of flats near their homes.

Thames Valley Housing Association wants to build 56 one and two-bedroom flats in a split level block ranging from three to six storeys.

The developments would replace a public car park and open land between Bay Road and London Road.

But Elaine Hathaway of Radnor Road wrote to borough planners saying Holly Spring Infant and Junior schoolchildren's lives could be put at risk.

She said: "The development is absolutely ridiculous. If this car park is closed where are the parents of the schoolchildren supposed to park at the end of school?"

She added: "Parents with cars will start parking by the crossing and making it really dangerous for the children."

Residents fear flats would overlook their homes and that they will lose open space at the back of houses on Bay Road.

At a residents' meeting to discuss the plans at Bullbrook community centre, Frank Naper of Bay Road said: "I thought government policy was to knock down blocks of flats but now they want build them here."

Another resident added wryly: "I can just see us having picnics on the round about and spending Sunday afternoons there."

Bracknell MP Andrew MacKay said he had written to the borough environment director Vincent Paliczka to oppose the scheme.

He added: "It is unacceptable to have three to six-storey buildings of flats in a quiet residential area and some residents nearby will have their homes ruined.

"There is also a serious traffic problem in this area with the school, shops and community centre which should lead to the application being turned down."

Bullbrook ward councillor Michael Sargeant said: "I think there is a good chance we can make a case for it to be turned down locally."

Thames Valley Housing Association spokeswoman Miranda Jollie said: "Bracknell's high house prices make it increasingly difficult for local people to find an affordable home in the town.

"Thames Valley Housing Association's proposed development has been designed by an architect with extensive experience of similar locations including a number of schemes in Bracknell.

"It includes homes for rent and for sale on a part-rent/part-buy basis, with four of the homes specially adapted for wheelchair users.

"If approved, we believe it will make a valuable contribution to helping local people who could not otherwise afford a home.

"We have carried out a very detailed traffic impact assessment. This concludes that the new development will have little or no effect on the wider road network and the traffic calming measures already in place in Bay Road and Lily Hill Road are adequate to protect the safety of children and other vulnerable people in the immediate locality."

Details of the application can be seen at www.ukplanning.com or visit Bracknell Forest Borough Council's planning department at Time Square, Market Street. Quote planning application number 05/00916/FUL.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council ~ 24 October 2005

Cllr Alan Ward at The Family Tree Nursery with budding bookwormsSome of the youngest children in the borough are being encouraged to start reading books as part of a new scheme called Bookstart.

The scheme aims to introduce all children to books as a way of learning as well as for the simple pleasure of listening to or reading a story.

Bookstart gives youngsters a free pack containing two books appropriate to their age group and there are separate packs for toddlers aged 18 to 30 months and children aged 36 to 48 months.

Each pack also includes colouring pens, pencils and books.

Sarah Bickley, Bookstart Support Officer and Philippa Hendy, Bookstart Co-ordinator and Children's Librarian from Bracknell Library, are holding a series of information sessions at Bracknell Forest Borough Council's libraries so parents and carers can drop by to find out more and pick up a pack for their child.

Parents need to bring their child's red health book to the the sessions which are scheduled as follows:

Bracknell Library, Town Square, Bracknell

10.30 -11am

Tuesday 25 October

Tuesday 22 November

Thursday 8 December

Harmans Water Library, Neighbourhood Centre, The Square, Harmans Water, Bracknell

10.30 - 11am

Thursday 10 November

Whitegrove Library, 5 County Lane, Warfield, Bracknell

10.30 -11am

Tuesday 29 November

More dates are planned for the start of the spring term.

Sarah and Philippa have also been out spreading the word about Bookstart at nurseries, playgroups and toddlers groups.

This week they dropped by The Family Tree Nursery in Bracknell town centre to hand out some Bookstart packs and tell parents and carers more about the scheme.

They were joined by Cllr Alan Ward, Executive Member for Education and Libraries and Chairman of the Early Years Childcare Partnership.

Cllr Ward said: "Reading is a key skill and the more familiar children are with books at an early age, the more likely it is they will develop a lifelong interest in reading.

"As a lifelong reader I believe that reading helps people to enter worlds that those who do not never see.

"As a result I believe the greatest gift we can give our children is to encourage them to read.

"And as the many parents and carers who visit our libraries already know, reading can offer boundless pleasure as well as being a means to learn.

"For our youngest children being read to or simply holding a book may kindle an interest in reading and that is why I am think Bookstart is a great idea."

Bookstart is a national scheme being run by Booktrust, the Department for Skills and Education and Council's around the country.

Weston & Somerset Mercury ~ 24th October 2005

Clevedon travelled Bracknell Town for Phil Bater's first match as manager, and came away with all three points after grinding out a hard fought victory with goals by Kristian Witcombe and Tom Jacobs.

Scott Hendy and Danny Haines were back in the starting line-up with Rob Scott making a late appearance as a substitute.

Both sides created chances, but both were guilty of poor finishing especially Bracknell who could have gone ahead at half time if they had finished better, their first opportunity coming on 11 minutes when Neil Selby shot straight at Ray Johnston for an easy save. Two minutes later Selby headed on to the crossbar after a cross from Jon Palmer.

Clevedon had a chance on the half hour when Charlie Welch released Jack Pitcher who shot narrowly wide. Kye Holly crossed for Jack Pitcher to head across goal for Tom Jacobs who shot wide.

Two minutes later Jacobs and Pitcher linked up to break and Haines had a shot blocked on the line by Michael Cook.

Bracknell's best chance came on the hour when Gavin Taylor's shot was blocked on the line by an unsighted Ray Johnston, but Clevedon took the lead on 71 minutes, Haines' corner was headed back across goal for Witcombe to score his first goal for the club.

Despite several substitutions, Bracknell never had the decisive pass to unlock a tight Seasiders' defence in which Witcombe and Hendy were outstanding.

Clevedon scored again in the 90th minute when Jacobs raced on to substitute Scott's forward pass, beat the offside trap and the Bracknell keeper Andrew Poyser, for his 50th league and cup goal for the club in just 78 appearances to send them to the top of Southern League Division 1 West.

Virgin Net 24/10/05

The Bracknell-based firm said its contract logistics division - which manages company supply chains - boosted its showing for the three months to September 30.

The business was lifted by recent acquisitions such as Tibbett & Britten and Power Packaging, as well as strong organic growth.

icBerkshire ~ Oct 20 2005

BRACKNELL coach Jamie Turner has described this Saturday's trip to North Walsham as, "our toughest fixture of the season."

The Lily Hill men face a daunting journey to Norfolk to face a table-topping North Walsham side who have won their opening four fixtures in National Division Three (south).

Bracknell, in contrast, have won just one of their opening four games and Turner knows his side will have to be at their very best to cope with the high-scoring league leaders.

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He said: "The long journey and the opposition make this our toughest fixture of the year as North Walsham are always there or thereabouts in this league.

"They lost to Esher in the cup last week but I won't read too much into that. They are a well-drilled, experienced unit who are scoring freely this season so we'll certainly have our work cut out.

"But we are an enthusiastic bunch who are also scoring tries and a couple of defeats won't get us down.

"We have to start well this week and we'll be working on that in training as it will be good to see us build an early lead rather than chase the game like we've done in the last couple of weeks."

Promising teenage winger Rob Frost looks set to keep his place for the trip to Walsham following an encouraging dis-play against London Scottish in the Powergen Trophy.

Wingers Ben Taylor (back) and Craig Fellowes (ham-string) both look set to be ruled out for this weekend's clash so 19-year-old Frost, who has come through the colts system at Bracknell and is currently studying at university in Kingston, is likely to retain his place.

Prop Dan Murphy should be fit to return after recovering from his broken hand but Sam Nowak (broken thumb) and Va'a Mulipola (shoulder) are both major doubts for the trip to East Anglia.

London Scottish..............49

Bracknell........................24

A BELATED second half fight-back wasn't enough to save Bracknell from defeat in the fourth round of the Powergen Trophy last weekend.

The London League Division outfit included former Bracknell players Josh Heke and Matt Johnston in their ranks but it was their pack which provided the plat-form for the victory.

Scottish took an early 14-5 lead with Rob Smart touching down for Bracknell, but the Exiles pulled away before half-time by running in three tries in quick succession.

They added a sixth try just after half-time to stretch their lead to an unassailable 42-5 but Bracknell then hit back to produce their best spell of the game with tries from Kemeli Vuadreu, Dave Budge and Greg Anstead.

New kicker Ben Nowak slotted two conversions to bring Bracknell back to 42-24 but Scottish had the final word when they claimed a late interception try to round off an ultimately comfortable victory.

"We played well for 20-30 minutes but we need to try and do that for 50-60 minutes," admitted coach Jamie Turner.

"We leaked four tries either side of half-time and although we had had a good spell after that and ran in three tries of our own, we've got to stop giving points away."