Bracknell

Bracknell Forest Borough Council's Look Out Discovery Centre has been awarded the Charter Mark.

The Charter Mark award is the Government's national standard for excellence in customer service and is open to all public sector organisations. The Bracknell Look Out Discovery Centre has held the Charter Mark continuously since 1997.

Jacky Henderson, the centre manager said "We are continually striving to improve the service we provide for our customers. We have recently added the woodland and water zone, on the back of customer suggestions, which has been a great success and also as a result of customer feedback we have greatly improved the adventure play area. The Charter Mark is a great acknowledgement of the facilities and the staff."

Bracknell Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Leisure and Corporate Services said: "It will come as no surprise that I wholeheartedly endorse the Charter Mark assessor's findings. The Look Out is a fine example of the diversity of leisure facilities we have here in Bracknell Forest. This award reflects the attention to detail that the staff have when dealing with our customers and their desire to continuously develop and improve the service they offer at The Look Out Discovery Centre. I am delighted that customer service remains the priority of all the staff at the centre."

The Charter Mark award recognises six areas where service needs to be top notch:

* Set standards and perform well;
* Actively engage with your customers, partners and staff;
* Be fair and accessible to everyone and promote choice;
* Continuously develop and improve;
* Use your resources effectively and imaginatively;
* Contribute to improving opportunities and quality of life in the communities you serve.

The Charter Mark assessor said: "The Look Out Discovery Centre has held the Charter Mark continuously since 1997 and is an excellent example of local authority leisure management. Staff focus on Charter Mark principles to deliver a customer focussed service.

"The Look Out Discovery Centre has an excellent record that is reflected in the published performance information that shows very high visitor satisfaction levels achieved on a regular basis. I am pleased to pass my recommendation for The Look Out Discovery Centre to retain their Charter Mark for a further 3 year period."

For more information contact The Bracknell Look Out Discovery Centre on 01344 354400

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Bracknell Police are appealing for witnesses after a custom-built mountain bike worth around £1,300 was stolen from the rear of an office building in Bracknell. Sometime between 5pm on Monday 20 February and 8.30am on Tuesday 21 February, thieves cut through a high-security lock and removed a mountain bike from a cycle rack behind Globe House in Willoughby Road, in the Southern Bracknell Industrial Trading Estate. The stolen Kenisis cycle, which belonged to a 26-year-old local man, was a unique machine assembled by the owner from high-specification parts. The bike had a grey/black Maxilight Eston frame, Rock Shock Pilot forks, V8 DMR pedals, Alexis rims, Shimano hubs, Shimano Deore gears, a Hope headset and a black leather saddle. It was secured to the Bracknell cycle rack with a lock through the front wheel, as well as a second lock that secured the cycle frame to the front wheel. Whoever stole the bike would have needed heavy-duty bolt cutters or a hacksaw to cut through the second lock. The bike’s front wheel was left behind, still chained to the cycle rack. Anyone who saw somebody behaving suspiciously in the area at the time, or who has been offered this bicycle for sale, is asked to contact the investigating officer, Bill Power, via the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police or give your name, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

A Bracknell teenager has been jailed for assaulting a boy only two days after Christmas, leaving him with head injuries.

The 17-year-old from Great Hollands, Bracknell , who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to six months imprisonment at Maidenhead Youth Court on Tuesday (21/2).

At around 1pm on 27 December 2005, an incident occurred outside Coopers Hill youth centre, Bagshot Road.

A 16-year-old boy was walking with two girls when they were approached and followed by a group of youths.

The victim was then subject to racial abuse before being punched in the face by one of the youths, causing him to fall to the ground. As he lay on the floor, he was further assaulted by the offender and one other group member.

The victim managed to pull himself up, however he was again attacked by the pair who then ran off towards Mount Pleasant.

The 16-year-old was subsequently admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital with head injuries. He was released that evening following treatment.

Two youths, aged 17 and 14, were arrested and charged with causing racially aggravated grievous bodily harm.

Both pleaded not guilty to this charge at court, but admitted a lesser offence of causing actual bodily harm.

The 14-year-old is currently on bail awaiting sentencing.

Bracknell Police Sergeant Phil Woods, investigating officer, said: “I am pleased that this teenager has been given a custodial sentence, as this was a particularly nasty and unprovoked attack.

“The sentence should send out a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated by police.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

The arrival of a new inspector in Bracknell on 13 February 2006 marked an important step in the process that will bring policing closer to the community.

Inspector Simon Bowden, aged 38, has been appointed to the post of Neighbourhood Inspector, Bracknell North. Based at Bracknell police station, Insp. Bowden intends to become a familiar face to residents in the Northern parishes of the Bracknell district.

He heads a team of fourteen community beat officers, two sergeants, and four PCSO’s, whose beats cover Bracknell town centre, Priestwood Garth, Bullbrook, Crown Wood and Forest Park, Martins Heron and Harmanswater, The Warren, Winkfield, Binfield and Warfield.

“I joined Thames Valley Police as a constable in Maidenhead and Burnham in 1988,” says Insp. Bowden. “After seven years, I was promoted to sergeant and moved to Amersham and Wycombe as a patrol sergeant. In 1998 I moved to Windsor where I was a sector sergeant, then inspector working with the communities of Windsor followed by Slough. For the past four years I have working at the Criminal Justice Department at Headquarters, where I was a member of the Force Custody Team and was responsible for rolling out witness care units across the Thames Valley, as well as implementing the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.

” Neighbourhood policing provides much more than high visibility policing. It is about using local knowledge and intelligence from local people to target crime hotspots, allowing the police and community to work together to detect and reduce crime. I believe that long-term engagement with members of the community is absolutely fundamental to maintaining law and order.

“Over the coming months I plan to concentrate on the needs of the Neighbourhoods that I am responsible for, providing the effective and efficient service that people want by tackling those issues that are important to local residents. Three particular areas that I intend to focus on are, anti-social behaviour, the quality of service provided to members of the public and ensuring that we can bring about justice for as many people as possible.

“I am keen to meet as many ‘key people’ as possible, policing is about partnerships, whether that be with Bracknell Forest Council, local councillors or local youth groups. Nationally crime is much lower than it has ever been and I hope that with the help of our statutory partners and community members we can reduce crime levels even further and bring more offenders to justice – that has to be good for everyone concerned.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Bracknell Leisure Centre has launched a new swimming programme for fun and fitness seekers.

The new Bracknell swimming programme, developed by Zoggs International, runs during public swim sessions at the Council owned leisure site.

The Swim4FitnessTM programme has four levels to suit your training and lifestyle, from fun to fitness training. The programme aims to introduce the principles of interval training, where short and long bursts are alternated. The programme is easy to apply to swimming routines to get the most out of recreational swimming.

The programme began last month and will be available during the Centre's public swimming sessions. You can collect the swimming timetable from Bracknell Leisure Centre or online

You can also collect the Swim4FitnessTM programme from Bracknell Leisure Centre

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

More than 80% of people feel Bracknell Forest Borough Council provides value for money, according to a survey of residents.

Almost one third would be prepared to see Bracknell council tax rise more than 5% to keep services at current levels, a meeting of Bracknell Council's Executive heard last night (Tuesday). Just under half of residents (47%) said they would be willing to pay up to 5% more in council tax and see some service cuts.

As it faces its biggest budget challenge yet, Bracknell Council carried out extensive consultation with residents to find out their priorities and how much they are willing to pay for them.

Schools, the regeneration of Bracknell town centre, highways and footpaths and services to support children and young people were the most popular areas for increased funding.

Last night (Tuesday) Bracknell councillors on the Executive approved continued investment in key areas - reflecting the results of the consultation - despite the difficult financial year ahead.

These included:

•Highways, footways and cycleways £1.6 million

•Upgrading and maintaining school buildings £4.2 million

•Support to vulnerable children and adults £2.2 million

•Refurbishment of leisure sites £0.15 million

•Support the regeneration of Bracknell town centre £0.27 million

•Waste and recycling £0.8 million

•Updating council owned homes £5.5 million

•Refurbishment of community centres £0.05 million

As a result of the public consultation, some important changes were made to the Bracknell budget proposals put forward in December, including reviewing the reduction to the music service provided by the Berkshire Young Musicians' Trust and deferring the proposed reduction to the Young People in Sport programme to allow time for alternative funding sources to be sought.

The Executive decided, however, to defer a decision on the council tax until the full Council meeting on 1 March.

Cllr Paul Bettison, leader of the Bracknell Council, said: "We are facing extremely difficult times which makes it even more important that we focus on the priorities of residents. The money provided by the Government this year has only increased by 2%, which is well below the level of inflation - and that is before the impact of new services such as licensing, is even considered.

"We do have to make some tough decisions but our overall aim is to minimise disruption to our frontline services."

Bracknell Forest has the lowest actual council tax of any unitary authority in mainland England. The level of council tax increase needed to maintain all of its services at current levels would be around 23%, but the Government have given a clear indication that 5% is the maximum average increase that it will allow.

Bracknell Chief Executive Timothy Wheadon added: "It is important we continue to be efficient while at the same time protect the long term financial future of the Council and our ability to deliver essential services to our residents who depend upon us. Therefore we need to think carefully about council tax.

"The Government has made it clear they expect average council tax increases to be no higher than 5% and we would not want to risk the expense to our residents of being capped by the Government and having to send out revised bills to every home.

"Against this, our current council tax level of £875.70 compares with the national average of £1,003.40. This is due to our sound financial management over a number of years, but does mean that a 5% increase in Bracknell Forest generates significantly less than in other parts of the country."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Bracknell Forest Borough Council will be taking over the enforcement of almost all yellow line parking and loading restrictions from the police.

The move, which is happening across the country, takes place for Bracknell Forest on Monday, April 3, 2006 and will be promoted over the next few months with an awareness campaign called Park Right.

Jon Freer, Assistant Director for Bracknell Environment and Leisure said: "There will be no change in the current parking laws or fines amounts, but with a self funded enforcement scheme run by the Council, we will have the resources to reduce the amount of illegal parking in the borough.

"Illegal, inconsiderate and dangerous parking has been raised as a great concern by residents across the borough, in particular in many of the recent Neighbourhood Forums.

"A more effective scheme will improve road safety and traffic flow, give a fairer distribution of available parking places and will also provide a more pleasant environment for all.

"The scheme aims to be fair and reasonable to everyone and we also expect that it will help prepare the Council for some of the challenges associated with the town centre redevelopment."

For more information, visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parkright

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

A new police point in Binfield was officially opened at 10am today by Chief Inspector Rob Povey, commander of Bracknell Forest local police area.

Ch Insp Povey was joined by the new neighbourhood inspector for Bracknell North, Insp Simon Bowden, as well as neighbourhood officers, partners, police volunteers and parish councillors at a ceremony to declare the police point officially open.

Located in the parish council offices in Benetfeld Road, Binfield, Bracknell the police point will provide a base for Binfield beat officer PC Rob Crawford and other members of the neighbourhood policing team.

Thanks to volunteers Janet Burrell and Derrick Wilks, the police point will be open every Tuesday from 9.30am to 11.30am, when residents can drop in to seek advice and report crime and anti-social behaviour. In addition, it will be used as a venue for beat surgeries and meetings, bringing the neighbourhood team closer to the community they serve.

“We are very grateful to Derrick and Janet for enabling us to open the police point on a regular basis,” said Ch Insp Povey. “In future, we hope to be able to extend the opening times if more volunteers can be found.”

PC Crawford, who lives locally, knows how important the long-awaited police point is to Binfield residents. “With its convenient location in the village, I hope people of all ages will find it easy to access, and I look forward to meeting them.”

If you would like to find out more about volunteer opportunities with Thames Valley Police in Berkshire East, please contact the volunteer co-ordinator, Amanda James, on 0845 8 505 505.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Police are investigating an incident that occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning (19/2) near the 3M roundabout in Binfield Road, Bracknell.

A young woman reported that, sometime between 4am and 5.30am, she was walking through an underpass when she was sexually assaulted by a man.

Det Insp Paul Cook said: “The underpass was temporarily closed on Sunday morning while investigators examined the scene.

“No arrests have been made and our investigations are still ongoing to establish exactly what happened. At this stage, we are not linking this incident to the sexual assault which occurred near the Bracknell Sports and Leisure Centre on Tuesday night (14/2).”

Ch Insp Rob Povey, commander of Bracknell Forest local police area, said: “I would like to reassure the community that incidents such as this are rare.

“I would ask anyone who was in the area at the time, or who has any information about this incident to come forward and assist with our inquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police or give your name, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

p>Bracknell Forest Borough Council has today (Thursday 16th February) announced that a by-election for a seat in the Binfield with Warfield ward will be held. If the election is contested, then a poll will take place on Thursday 23 March 2006 to elect the successful candidate.

The by-election follows the sudden and untimely death of Bracknell Cllr Terry Mills at the end of December and the new candidate will fill this seat.

Only those people who were resident in the Bracknell Ward and registered to vote as at

1 February (closing date January 11) will be eligible to vote at this by-election.

The timetable now is as follows:

* February 24 will be the close of nominations
* February 28 will be the latest date for publication of the Notice giving details of the candidates standing for election
* March 1 is the deadline for any withdrawals of candidature
* March 8 is the deadline for cancellation or amendment of existing postal and proxy voting facilities
* March 15 is the deadline for new applications to vote by post or proxy
* March 23 will be the by-election (provided more than one candidate stands for election)

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Parents and pupils in Bracknell Forest are directly helping decide what school meals will be like in the future, having just completed a six month consultation.

Bracknell Parents and carers, infant, junior and secondary pupils, headteachers and school governors have all had their say on their food likes and dislikes, the current school meals service and what they would like to see in the new contract which is due to start in September 2006.

The following are among the key findings from the consultations:

* Bracknell Parents definitely want the full two course hot meals service to continue;

* Parents, Headteachers and Chairmen of Governors are keen to see more fresh fruit and salads, more traditional dishes (casseroles and roasts), more home cooking and less processed food on the menu;

* A majority of Bracknell parents are willing to pay more to achieve this;

* Schools would like to see more pupils taking school dinners - the most important factors in achieving this are the quality of the food and parental perceptions;

* Over half of Bracknell secondary pupils are concerned about healthy eating but for them cost is the biggest factor in choosing their lunch;

* If they had a free choice, pupils of all ages would choose 'popular food' (burgers, chips, pizza, ice cream, cakes) however, 'roast dinner', 'spaghetti bolognese' and 'fresh fruit salad' are firm favourites with Bracknell Forest pupils of all ages;

* As regards the current meals, the surveys revealed issues around choice, quality of food and portion-sizes;

* Bracknell Parents would like more information about school meals and think that the schools should exercise more control however most schools are only able to spend 1 hour or less per week on managing the school meals service.

All the results and key findings of the consultations are now published in a comprehensive report available on Bracknell Council's website

There was a good response from parents and carers, pupils and headteachers and school governors.

The process of tendering for the new school meals contract for Bracknell Forest schools is already underway. The results of the consultation are being made available to companies wishing to bid for the contract and as part of the evaluation they will be judged on how well they are able to respond to the consultation findings.

Alison Sanders, Assistant Bracknell Director of Education, Children's Services and Libraries, said: "This is the first time all pupils in the borough have been consulted about what they eat in school and we are really pleased that so many took part in this consultation and gave us their views.

"Among the most positive findings for us are that a majority of those parents responding told us they want the full hot-meals service to continue and also that they are willing to pay more to improve the quality of the menus.

"Our job now is to build on the results of all the surveys and work with schools to ensure we get a new school catering contract in place by September 2006 that aims to provide what parents, pupils and schools told us they wish to see."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

I have been very successful in helping Bracknell people stop smoking over the past 18 years. Now that a smoking ban in public places will soon be in force, many people want to beat the ban and stop of their own accord, before they have to. One session of hypnotherapy is usually enough to help people to stop, and it only costs as much as 200 cigarettes!
I also deal with all types of weight issues, phobias, self esteem, anxieties and compulsions.
Hypnotherapy is used extensively for sports enhancement, helping people to reach their full potential, particularly in golf, power lifting, horse riding and team sports.
Another area in which hypnotherapy can be successful is in treating infertility for which there is no medical reason.

Hypnosis is a natural state of deep relaxation. In this state you feel very comfortable and fully aware. There are no drugs involved, and the only side effects are good ones of sleeping better and being more relaxed generally.
This is in addition to making any changes that you want to make by allowing the subconscious mind to accept and act on the positive suggestions given by the hypnotherapist..

Ann Bruce MBAThH. MNCH.
Registered Hypnotherapist. Est 1988.
Even Keel
25 Shepherds Hill
Bracknell
Berkshire
RG12 2LS
Tel. 01344 421481
email: ann@hypnotics.org.uk
Website www.hypnotics.org.uk

Haringey Greyhounds 8

Bracknell Hornets 5

HARINGEY Greyhounds avenged last week's 10-1 defeat at Bracknell with a sweet victory over the Hornets in Sunday's English League clash at Alexandra Palace.

The Hounds produced some of their best hockey to date and were never headed in a 13-goal feast. Haringey's former Bracknell player Andy Johnson gave the home side the lead in the fifth minute and 60 seconds later Ricky Rutherford double their lead. The Hornets gradually regained their composure and pulled one back through Chris West.

The second period started slowly and it took 10 minutes before Haringey scored a third through Eric Ojala. However, Jan Bestic quickly added a fourth before Bracknell made it 4-2. Ojala soon restored the Hounds three-goal cushion with his second and although Bracknell grabbed a third Johnson made it 6-3 with his second.

Despite having a three-goal lead Hounds knew they would have to keep their discipline in the last quarter. However, within a minute Bracknell scored twice to put themselves back in the contest. For once, it was the opposition's who lost their cool and Bracknell's indiscipline saw them shorthanded for five minutes.

Haringey cashed in to make the points safe with two further goals from Bestic - his second - and Dodds. Bracknell decided to go literally down fighting - a couple of fights broke out on the ice - but Hounds protected their lead.

Hampstead and Highgate Express ~ Bracknell

A man arrested in connection with a serious sexual assault in Bracknell on Tuesday evening (14/2) has been released without charge.

The investigation into the Bracknell assault continues with officers carrying out inquiries at the scene.

The victim, a woman in her twenties, was sexually assaulted near Bracknell Sports and Leisure Centre, Bagshot Road.

The woman was approached from behind as she walked through an underpass at around 11pm. She was then dragged into some bushes near Opladen Way where she was subjected to a serious sexual assault.

She was found by a member of the public who contacted the police.

Det Ch Insp Steve Read, senior investigating officer, said: “The area where the incident occurred remains cordoned off while officers continue with their inquiries.

“I would appeal to anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident, or who has any information which they think would help us catch the offender, to come forward. In particular, we would like to speak to anyone who saw a white man acting suspiciously either prior to or after the incident.”

Those with information should contact Det Insp Anthony Padfield via the 24 hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. Those who do not wish to speak to police or leave their name should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Bracknell NCT are holding a Retail Therapy fundraising event at Carnation Hall, Chavey Down Road, Winkfield Row, Bracknell on Friday 5th May 2006 between 8pm and 10.30pm.

Join us for an early Summer evening, browsing a range of stalls to include cards & gift-wrap, books, cosmetics and perfumery, household storage and baking, clothing for women and children, as well as a range of jewellery, aloe vera products and many more..

Everyone Welcome! Bring your Mum! Bring a Friend!

Proceeds from the event will be used to continue our work in the local area, which includes training new antenatal teachers for Bracknell, and also to raise funds nationally for the NCT.

Tickets are available now - £2.00 in advance or £2.50 on the door.

You don’t have to be a member of the Bracknell NCT to come along – we’d love to meet you!

Interested in being a stall holder? Please contact Inge on 01344 867336 or email ingetaylor@hotmail.com. To purchase your tickets in advance, please contact Eryl on 01344 643221 or email eryl@e-kitty.co.uk

Jan Smith
Bracknell NCT
secretary@bracknell-nct.org.uk

A Bracknell Forest Borough Council mother has been tagged for allowing her daughter to miss school after being jailed for a similar offence in 2004.

East Berkshire Magistrates handed down a two month curfew sentence and ordered the woman to pay a £150 fine earlier this month (February 1) after hearing how she failed to ensure her 15 year old daughter attended school.

In spite of repeated efforts by Bracknell Forest Borough Council's education welfare officers the girl attended school for just 45 half day sessions from a possible 116 between April and September 2005.

The mother has been taken to court by Bracknell Council on six previous occasions since 1996 receiving four fines, a community sentence and on the sixth occasion, a custodial sentence of 28 days.

The Education Act 1996 states that parents are responsible for ensuring children of compulsory school age (five to 16 year olds) receive a suitable education, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.

Bracknell Council, as the local education authority (LEA) can prosecute parents who fail to meet this statutory duty. Recent government guidance encourages LEAs to take a hard line on absenteeism.

Education welfare officers investigate reports of regular absenteeism with schools and parents. Legal action is the last resort if parents refuse to accept their responsibility to educate their child.

Tony Eccleston, Bracknell Director of Education, Children's Services and Libraries, said: "We always try to work with parents to resolve problems but regrettably there are cases, such as this, in which parents are not willing to co-operate.

"We have a duty to make sure our children get the education they are entitled to and unauthorised absence from school is not acceptable. If parents won't work with us in these cases we will take them to court."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

A teenage boy was arrested after an alleged break-in at a garage in Wildridings, Bracknell, this morning (13/2).

At 6.40am, police were called by a resident who had disturbed a burglar allegedly trying to steal a bicycle from a garage in Crossfell, Wildridings.

A 16-year-old boy was detained by the resident and subsequently arrested on suspicion of burglary. He is currently in custody awaiting questioning.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police on 0845 8 505 505, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

The £750 million regeneration of Bracknell town centre has got the green light from the Planning and Highways Committee of Bracknell Forest Borough Council.

The Committee granted permission in principle for Bracknell Regeneration Partnership’s outline planning application, subject to consideration by the Government Office of the South East (GOSE) and legal conditions being agreed.

The decision marks a significant milestone towards the regeneration of the town.

Due to the size of the planning application, it is required to go to the GOSE before a formal decision can be issued by the Council.

The mixed-use plans are designed to create a vibrant town centre that will be the destination of choice for local people, bringing them back to Bracknell to shop and to enjoy their leisure time.

Bracknell Cllr Paul Bettison, Leader of Bracknell Forest Borough Council said: “Our residents are now a big step closer to having the town centre they want and deserve – and one of which they can be proud with fantastic new shops, homes, offices, commercial areas, leisure facilities and landscaped public space – thanks to the combined determination and vision of the Council and the BRP.

"This is an incredibly exciting time and we are on the verge of seeing the masterplan become a reality. This is the culmination of many years work for us, talking and listening to local people to make sure we develop a town centre that is right for them."

David Gregory of Bracknell Regeneration Partnership (BRP) added: “We are delighted with the Committee’s decision to support our proposals for Bracknell. BRP has invested a significant amount of time and effort preparing and supporting the application with appropriate information and research.

“The scheme is a large and complex project and we are pleased with the positive Committee decision – it will put the heart back into Bracknell by investing in a sustainable community for the future and creating a first-class, mixed use, town centre for the Borough. Construction work will start around 18 months after the final granting of planning permission, once road closure orders have been agreed and negotiations with relevant landowners complete.”

BRP’s plans are broadly in accordance with the masterplan for the town centre, developed by the Council after extensive consultation with residents in 2000.

The outline planning application includes:

* 56,000 sq m of new retail space
* 15,000 sq m of new bars, cafes, restaurants, leisure and entertainment facilities
* 1,000 new homes
* 3,500 new car parking spaces
* 62,000 sq m new and replacement business space
* 4,000 sq m food store

Also included is replacement civic accommodation with a new larger library, bus station, better CCTV, police station, magistrates court, a new health centre, extensively landscaped public space and significant transport improvements.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Two big squads clashed at the Hive in Bracknell on Sunday night in the Battle of Berkshire with final honours even in one of the most thrilling games seen this season.

At stake was second place in the EPL behind Guildford, and this game certainly did not disappoint the fans from both sides who were entertained to a classic struggle.

The Jets were boosted by three players from their under 19 team who had made their Jets debut on Saturday, although they did not get the chance to play on Sunday, and the Bracknell Bees had four members of their ED 1 side, the Hornets on the bench, though they too saw no ice time, so tight was the game.

The Jets stunned the home crowd after only thirty-one seconds when Joe Ciccarello netted a rebound from Euan Forsyth off netminder, Steve Briere's pads. The lead was short-lived however, as Shaun Thompson scored a good solo goal past Stephen Wall.

Both teams' defences were outstanding with early powerplays being defended and Wall had a degree of luck as a couple of the Bracknell Bees' efforts went just inches wide.

Paddy Ward hit Briere's post and the Bracknell netminder had to make some quality saves before three penalties, in quick succession, gave the Jets a long powerplay with a two man advantage. Despite defending well, Steve Moria put the visitors ahead in the eighteenth minute with a classic powerplay strike.

The Jets defence spent most of the middle period defending their own zone against a determined Bracknell onslaught but Wall, sacked earlier in the season by Bracknell as 'not being good enough' had something to prove and was absolutely outstanding. The home side missed some good chances to level the match and the period ended goalless, the Jets having been outshot in the period by 18 to 8.

The Bracknell Bees must have been disappointed not to at least be level at this stage, and continued in the same vein at the start of the final session.

Mike Ellis whipped in a shot which did beat Wall after only fifty-three seconds had lapsed and Ryan Aldridge hit the metalwork. Slough were again on the defensive for much of the period, at one point defending a two man advantage after a 'too many men' call was followed by a hooking minor against Terry Miles.

Against the odds, the Jets again returned to full strength but then a controversial incident saw Wall make a 'save' on the goal-line. Referee Dave Cloutman went to the goal judge for a decision, and gave the goal

to the Bracknell Bees Mike Ellis. The Jets hit back with time running out for them. A penalty to Adam Greener allowed the Jets to call a 'time-out' and Gary Wishart scored the equaliser on the powerplay from some distance out, set up by Ciccarello.

This set up a frantic end to the match. Stu Simmons was excellent in the back in these final minutes - another player whose season had begun at Bracknell - and the home side called their own 'time-out' at 59.03.

Bracknell fans went wild when they thought that Ellis had scored with six seconds remaining, but Cloutman washed out the goal, scored by being kicked in.

This perhaps righted the 'wrong' that Slough fans felt had been done to them after the Bracknell Bees' third goal.

A tie was good enough to keep the Jets in second place.

icBerkshire ~ Bracknell

Bracknell Forest Borough Council led the way in an energy efficiency event at Warfield Park Community Centre held earlier this week (Tuesday February 7).

Bracknell Council hosted the event to provide information and advice to local residents about how they can save money on their energy bills while also protecting the environment. This included tips on insulation, being efficient with electricity and recycling.

Over 150 Bracknell residents attended to see demonstrations provided by energy experts Osborne Energy, who use special thermal paint which keeps heat in, and Mould Growth Consultants, who demonstrated special wall and floor insulation materials.

Bracknell Council's recycling team also attended to explain recycling initiatives that save money and help the environment. The Council's solid green waste sacks were offered as well as a free composter for a prize draw. Low energy light bulbs were also given to all who attended.

Bracknell Cllr Mrs Mary Ballin, Executive Member for Planning and Transportation, attended and said: "Creating sustainable communities is very important and in Bracknell Forest we work hard with local people and businesses to improve the environment. This all helps for the future but in the meantime simple solutions can be very efficient and save people a fair bit of money!

"Some of the residents who attended have already piloted some of the ideas and acknowledged how effective the tips were and how much warmer their homes felt."

A prize draw was held where Mr Jordon won a colour television and Mrs Mclaughin won a microwave. To find out more about recycling call 01344 352000 and energy efficiency call 01344 352536

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

They're back. Are the aliens trying to make contact with Bracknell again?

Just months after a sighting above Coppid Beech Hotel sparked off a series of UFO reports around the town, Bracknell is back at the centre of an alien alert.

This time it was residents in Priestwood who reckon last Wednesday they could have been targeted by unexpected visitors from another world.

Just after 9 am, residents in Moordale Road saw a jet black spherical object with four claws coming out of the bottom as it hovered in the sky.

Julie Kendall said that she saw a dark solid object hovering a small distance above the ground.

She said: "Everything was really quiet and because the sky was so white I could see it really clearly.

"I didn't think it was a UFO at first but I started counting off other things that it could be and it just couldn't have been anything else.

"I was gobsmacked - I would have had the same reaction if I had seen a flying pig as I just stood there stunned. It really was amazing."

And UFO spotting is becoming something of a family thing in the household - a year ago Julie's dad, Terry Walters, claimed that he was abducted by aliens.

At the time he reckoned they cured his bad back which had baffled even top medical professionals.

Julie told the Bracknell News: "I thought that they must have come back to get my dad.

"It has made me think that they really are out there - seeing is believing."

Similar thoughts were also shared by a neighbour who described the scene: "At first I thought I was going crazy as it was so strange. But so many people were looking up at it so they must have been thinking the same as me."

ic Berkshire ~ Bracknell

The future of Bracknell town centre rests inside a three-inch-thick planning agenda containing several hundred pages of detailed proposals.

But a whole new chapter in Bracknell's history could open tonight (Thursday) if planners approve the ambitious £750 million regeneration scheme within the dense document.

Bracknell Regeneration Partnership's (BRP) outline appli-cation was submitted in November 2004, but planning officers have spent months fine-tuning the scheme.

Last month, a major stumbling block was overcome when government conservation agency English Nature withdrew its objections to the scheme.

It was worried the population of three rare bird species on Wildmoor Heath in Sandhurst would be reduced if people from new Bracknell town centre flats walked their dogs there.

But a deal was struck - banning tenants in the new flats from keeping dogs.

Bracknell Cllr Paul Bettison, the borough council leader, said: "I'm thrilled that it's coming forward to the committee. I'm thrilled that it's coming forward with the support of many surrounding towns and neighbouring authorities, and that we have successfully shown some bodies that might have put in objections that their objections were not appropriate.

"I think it represents a huge milestone in the long journey we have had to negotiate for our town centre."

Cllr Bettison said he hoped the regeneration could truly commence if members approved the outline application. The committee will not be considering the design of buildings, as separate applications are due to submitted at a later date.

Bracknell Cllr Bettison added: "This marks the end of the beginning and it will mark the beginning of much hard work."

If the committee does give the nod it could be 18 months before the bulldozers move in, as the scheme also has to be approved by the Government Office for the South East because of its size and significance.

Borough council assistant chief executive Victor Nicholls said there would also be more behind-the-scenes negotiations over Section 106 contributions from BRP, which would fund a range of schemes including road improvements.

The proposal's centrepiece is the Bracknell Eye, a three-storey shopping and leisure complex which would be constructed on land currently covered by 1960s buildings on Crossway, Broadway, service yards behind Broadway and the northern stretch of The Ring.

Cllr Bettison said he hoped Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott would not "call in" the application, as he did with previous ones in 2001, as it was in line with the 2002 Bracknell Masterplan.

The council leader added that the masterplan was drawn up with the full knowledge and backing of Mr Prescott.

The scheme has provoked very little opposition, with the exception of around 155 objections at plans to build a wood chipped-fired renewable energy centre on the 3M roundabout. This would power public buildings.

Objectors, particularly neighbours from Priestwood, worry it would be an eyesore, harmful to the environment, cause noise pollution, and that the scheme does not give adequate detail about its impact.

ic Berkshire ~ Bracknell

Bracknell Police are appealing for witnesses after a spate of criminal damage at St Michael’s Church in Crowthorne Road, Bracknell.

Bracknell Neighbourhood police officer PC Richard Jarvis said: “The church has been targeted by vandals on several occasions over the past three months. Damage has been caused to headstones and grounds, and windows have been smashed.

“In the most recent incident, which took place between 12.30pm on 29 January and 3pm on 31 January, a window was broken. On the night of 13 and 14 January, windows in the sacristy and organ loft were smashed, and there were four similar incidents in November and December.

“We are actively investigating all these incidents, as well as providing crime prevention advice and holding regular meetings with the groundsman.

“Staff at the church are naturally very concerned about the damage, and would like to enlist the community’s help in putting a stop to it. We are appealing to anyone with information that could assist us to identify the culprits to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Jarvis on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police and don’t want to give your name, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Police officers will be tackling residents of Rainforest Walk and Holly House, Bracknell this Saturday – on the football pitch.

PC Richard Jarvis, neighbourhood police officer for Easthampstead and Wildridings, has organised a seven-a-side football match between Bracknell police and a team of residents from Rainforest Walk and Holly House in Reeds Hill.

“The match is being held to raise the profile of the Lookahead charity group and build community spirit,” said Richard. “Everyone is welcome to come along and we hope lots of people will turn up to support the teams.”

The match is being held at 2pm on Saturday 11 February on the Astroturf pitch at Bracknell Leisure Centre, Bagshot Road

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Bracknell NCT are holding a Nearly New Sale of clothes, accessories and toys for babies and toddlers, plus maternity wear and equipment at Carnation Hall, Chavey Down Road, Winkfield Row, Bracknell on Saturday 4th March 2006 between 2pm and 3.30pm. Entrance £1. Refreshments available.

To register, please contact Wendy on 01344 648820 (no calls after 10pm please) or email nearlynewsale@bracknell-nct.org.uk. Registrations cannot be accepted after Saturday 18th February.

Be there, and bag a bargain!

Bracknell NCT

A man is in critical condition in hospital after his car collided with a tree in Bracknell on Saturday morning (4/2).

At abut 1.30am, on the A322 Bagshot Road between the Coral Reef roundabout and the Swinley Bottom roundabout, a black Smart car Roadster left the dual carriageway and hit a tree at the side of the road, causing the vehicle to catch fire.

Members of the public who stopped to help used a fire extinguisher in an attempt to put out the fire, but were beaten back by the flames. At one point the flames were 30ft high and nearly set fire to the trees lining the road.

The fire service attended and moved the car’s driver, a man in his thirties, to a safe area and the fire was extinguished. The driver was treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to Frimley Park Hospital with severe head injuries and burns. He remains in intensive care, where his condition is described as critical.

There were no passengers in the car.

Anyone who may have seen the vehicle before the collision, or who has any other information about the incident is asked to contact the investigating officer, PC Guy Summers, at Taplow Roads Policing department on 0845 8 505 505.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

All Bracknell Forest tenants and leaseholders are invited to visit roadshows in Bracknell town centre to find out more about the future of council owned homes and housing services. The first roadshow is Saturday February 11, from 9am to 5pm.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council is hosting the events in Princess Square shopping centre in the coming months to provide information and answer questions about what will happen to Bracknell borough's housing in the future. Tenants and leaseholders will be provided with information about what will happen if housing continues to be owned and managed by the Council, compared to what could be offered by a Bracknell Forest-based housing association.

Come along to first floor of Princess Square shopping centre in Bracknell town centre on:

* Saturday February 11, 9am to 5pm
* Friday March 10, 9am to 5pm
* Friday April 7, 9am to 5pm

The Council is required by the Government to ensure its houses meet the Decent Homes Standard - a basic standard - by 2010.

However, it is £8million short of meeting this standard, which would need to be covered by money currently spent on other services such as roads and schools.

The Decent Homes Standard also does not meet the improvements tenants have said they want to see in their homes. A detailed survey carried out by the Council with tenants has produced the Bracknell Forest Standard - a higher level of improvements.

The Council does not have the money to make these improvements. However, a Bracknell Forest-based housing association would be able to.

This is because £9million (half) of tenants' rent money is currently taken by the Government to be redistributed in other areas of the country. A housing association would not be bound by these rules and would be able to keep the £9million to make improvements to Bracknell Forest homes.

If you would like more information on the Your Homes: the Way Forward project please telephone 01344 351420.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

As the season enters its final quarter, Bracknell jockeying for position and the race to ensure a play-off berth intensifies.

The Isle of Wight team may have broken one of the longest losing streaks on record on Saturday when beating Sheffield - but it is now official, they have no chance of the play-offs. Similarly,Chelmsford and Solihull are almost certainly out.

At the other end of the table, Guildford need just four more wins from their remaining 12 matches to confirm the league title.

For the rest? Well, ten points separate second to tenth place, with only the top eight going on to the post season competition and the chance to play at Coventry on Easter weekend.

Last weekend Bracknell had two wins to tie them with the Jets in second, and Peterborough also took maximum points to lift them into the top eight.

This Saturday,Slough play their third fixture against Chelmsford at the Hangar before a crucial fourth meeting, at Bracknell, against the Bees.

Chelmsford Chieftains are suffering at the moment. Two weeks ago they only had 11 skaters available and although they have players coming off the sick list, I do not expect the Jets to have any problems.

The recent 9-3 Jets' victory flattered the Essex side and they only scored two goals last weekend, one in each game, as they were comprehensively beaten by Bracknell and Peterborough. They will playing for pride, however, so don't expect them to go down without a fight.

The Bees on their own ice, for second place, is a mouthwatering prospect. Assuming that Slough collect two points from Chelmsford, they will go into the game in second spot as Bracknell do not have a game on Saturday. But the Bees will therefore be fresher on their John Nike rink.

They are also on something of a roll right now. Having recently made the finals of the Premier Cup (against Hull) they also look as though they are through a 'sticky patch' in the league.

With so many ex-Jets in the team, the local rivals will be up for this one. Last time the Bracknell Bees played the Jets, Slough came out 5-4 winners with debut goals from Stu Simmons and Warren Rost, as well as markers from Zoran Kozic, Scott McKenzie and Gary Wishart. Prior to that game, in early December,the Jets had lost to Bracknell twice, both times by the odd goal.

Matt Foord has joined his fellow exJets Scott Moody,Adam Bicknell, Adam Greener and Nicky Chinn, with Slough junior Shaun Thompson now a regular Bee, after being released by Basingstoke.

Like the Jets, Bracknell are under new management this season. They have high quality imports in Lukas Smital, Jan Milchar and netminder Steve Briere, and are well coached and motivated by one of the nice guys in hockey,Mike Ellis.

There are bound to be some divided loyalties in the crowd for this one. And definitely no predictions from me.

ic Berkshire ~ Bracknell

Waiting for Bracknell's buses has become something of a regular headache for young mum Danielle Watts.

But nothing could prepare the 23-year-old for the nightmare bus run she and her son Karl endured one freezing Bracknell day.

What should have been a routine trip from the Great Hollands shops to Sainsbury's at Birch Hill, Bracknell turned out to be anything but simple. In fact, it was a six-and-a-half hour journey from hell.

Like many other young mums in Great Hollands, Danielle, who lives in St Andrew's, relies on the buses to get around and believes the recent fare increases imposed by Bracknell First Bus were "disgraceful".

She said: "If they improved on the appalling services then people would be more willing to accept the increases."

Danielle and two-year-old Karl's ordeal started at 11am when they waited in vain for a 159 bus to arrive at Great Hollands shops. It finally turned up an hour late.

That was only the start of her ordeal by Bracknell public transport.

After she left Sainsbury's with her shopping, the driver of a yellow school bus did not let her on, despite her offer to collapse Karl's buggy.

She said: "It's appalling because when you think about how all the young mums of Bracknell are dumped in Great Hollands, First should be doing more to ensure the buggy buses are working properly."

On January 3, First launched two flat fares for bus travel in the Bracknell town. Prices are now £1.50 for a single and £2.50 for a return.

But the scheme means the price of a ticket for some short return journeys has soared by 47 per cent, while some short single trips have risen by as much as 36 per cent.

Danielle, who went to Owlsmoor Primary then Sandhurst and finally Easthampstead Park School, lives off a weekly income support of around £69.

She said: "Being on income support, you rely on all the money you can get.

"These increases don't make it viable for young people, or anyone for that matter."

Bracknell Borough council commuters' champion Cllr Robert McLean said: "I'm lost for words that anybody has had as ghastly a journey as that."

He said nobody from First Bus had responded to his letter in the Bracknell News last week requesting a meeting to discuss this and other issues.

Bracknell MP Andrew MacKay said: "I am very sympathetic to the concerns of bus passengers, as this latest fare increase does seem unreasonable. But at the end of the day it has to be the decision of the bus company."

He said he was pleased pensioners receive a bus pass from Bracknell borough council, but that did not mean there were not other vulnerable people on low incomes who would find the increases difficult to afford.

He added: "I suspect the real problem is that the buses are not being much used and I regularly notice buses travelling with not very many passengers on them.

"But if the service is poor, as clearly it was with the experience of this young mother from Great Hollands, it doesn't encourage people to use the service."

First Bus operations manager Andrew Taylor claimed the only Bracknell service affected that day on Danielle's route was the 13.51 from Sainsbury's, which failed to leave the bus station because of a mechanical fault.

He said: "It just doesn't seem likely that it took so long. I can't think of any occasion recently when someone has had a problem of that magnitude. It's incomprehensible."

Mr Taylor said First did not have a significant problem in Bracknell with staff shortages, multiple cancellations or mechanical defects to buses.

ic Berkshire ~ Bracknell

Bracknell Council wardens will take over the issuing of tickets to illegally-parked drivers in Bracknell Forest from April.

The Bracknell borough will have three uniformed attendants to enforce parking and loading restrictions, a job now done by the police.

In a bid to head off its critics, the council pledges there will be no link between the number of tickets issued and pay or incentives for the attendants. And there will be no targets for the number of notices to be issued.

Bracknell council claimed this week that the scheme will be self-funding. Parking fines will stay the same, at £60, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days. There will also be an appeals process.

The move from police to local government enforcement is happening across the country in response to parking offences being decriminalised by the Government.

In Bracknell Forest an awareness campaign called Park Right will publicise the changes through leaflets, posters and letters to businesses and community groups.

Assistant director for environment and leisure John Freer said the police enforcement was run from Windsor and there had not been the resources for full coverage of the borough.

The new scheme would also take pressure off neighbourhood police teams, which would be able to focus on community safety and anti-social behaviour issues.

Mr Freer said: "Illegal, inconsiderate and dangerous parking has been raised as a great concern by residents across the borough, in particular in many of the recent neighbour-hood forums.

"A more effective scheme will improve road safety and traffic flow, give a fairer distribution of available parking spaces and will also provide a more pleasant environment for all."

"The scheme aims to be fair and reasonable to everyone and we also expect that it will help prepare the council for some of the challenges associated with the town centre redevelopment."

ic Berkshire ~ Bracknell