Bracknell

It will be a glamorous Bracknell night of speeches and dancing when the fifth annual BAFTAs come to town on Wednesday March 14.

Bracknell Forest's own youth stars will be honoured at the Bracknell awards for teenagers (BAFTAs) during an evening filled with music, dancing and laughter.

The awards are held each year by Bracknell Forest Borough Council to recognise the achievements and good work of the borough's young people aged between 13 and 19-years-old.

Certificates will be given out to more than 100 young people after the Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest, Cllr Clifton Thompson, welcomes everyone to the event.

Some of the Bracknell awards being handed out this year are for the borough's teenagers who have completed first aid courses, have completed or worked on their Duke of Edinburgh Award (silver and bronze), or achieved National Keystone Awards or Youth Achievement Awards.

To celebrate the achievements of all the young people the teenagers, as well as guests including the Mayor and local dignitaries, will be invited to listen to a band called Valour, who will perform a live set, and then party-on into the evening to the sounds of DJ Rory.

Cllr Clifton Thompson, Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest, said: "Our young people do a great deal of good work which frequently goes unnoticed and the BAFTAs are a good way of recognising all the time and effort they put into achieving various qualifications and awards.

"I'm looking forward to meeting so many of our young people at the Bracknell BAFTAs and congratulating them on all their efforts."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

The volunteers who help Bracknell Forest Borough Council run it's home library service have been thanked for their hard work and commitment at a specially organised seminar.

The volunteers were welcomed to the seminar, held at Easthampstead Park, by Ruth Burgess, Head of Libraries and Information.

The volunteers took part in training sessions on reader development and manual handling before receiving a talk and thanks for their work from Cllr Alan Ward, Executive Member for Bracknell Education and Libraries.

The free home library service takes loan books, talking books, CDs and DVDs to residents who are housebound and can't come to one of the Council's libraries themselves.

When someone joins the service they are invited to discuss their reading or listening preferences with a member of the home library staff. They can specify particular writers, genres or subjects that interest them.

They then get a visit every two or three weeks from a volunteer or member of Bracknell Council's libraries team who provides them with a selection of their preferred loan items.

Home library service users are not liable for any fines, hire charges or request fees. Currently there are 117 people using the service and 12 regular volunteers.

Ruth Burgess said: "I was delighted to welcome these volunteers to our event and to thank them for helping us make sure everyone in the borough has access to our excellent library services.

"Their hard work is much appreciated by the Council as well as the people who benefit directly from the service."

Bracknell Cllr Alan Ward, said: "It gave me great pleasure to have the opportunity to meet the volunteers and to thank them personally for the work they do.

"Their work enables older people who can't get to the libraries to obtain their books, giving them a personalised service. And as a keen reader myself it was also nice to chat with them about the books."

Home library service application forms, which will need to be signed by the applicant's doctor or health visitor are available from the libraries service on 01344 352406.

If you would like to be a home library service volunteer call 01344 352406.

For more information about the Council's libraries visit: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/libraries

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

The Who's Tommy,
Starmaker Theatre Company,
Wilde Theatre,
South Hill Park,
Ringmead,
Bracknell,
Berkshire,
RG12 7PA.

6th - 10th March

Starmaker Theatre a non-profit company are putting on a production of The Who's Tommy - the musical on 6th - 10th March.

Tommy, the hit musical by The Who, is coming to the Wilde Theatre in Bracknell for one week only.

Starmaker theatre company together with a top west End band are rocking up to tell the story of Tommy, a 'Deaf Dumb and Blind Kid' who becomes a pinball legend. Featuring hit songs such as Pinball Wizard and Acid Queen, this show is one of the greatest rock musicals every written and should not be missed at any cost!

"A powerful and energetic musical featuring fantastic music from The Who. A moving story about a deaf, dumb and blind boy whose only release into the real world is through a pinball machine!"

Box Office: 01344 484123. Tickets £9 - 15.

Starmaker Theatre Company ~ Bracknell

The project to rebuild Garth Hill College in Bracknell took another step forward this week following confirmation of £33million funding.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council was notified by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) that sufficient funds will be made available to pay for the whole rebuild.

The announcement means detailed project planning will now get under way. The new school is expected to open in 2010.

The multi-million pound project will involve constructing a brand new Bracknell school, demolishing the old buildings and providing top class sports facilities for use by students and the local community.

Stan Turner, Principal of Garth Hill College, said: "Everyone at Garth Hill is delighted with this news.

"The College has gone from strength to strength in recent years and is now very popular.

"The new facilities will help ensure that Garth Hill continues to improve and provide first rate educational, sporting and community facilities for people living in north Bracknell."

Tony Eccleston, Director of Bracknell Education, Children's Services and Libraries, said: "I welcome this announcement which means we can now get on with the detailed planning to make the new school a reality.

"Everyone at Garth Hill and in the local community can now look forward to a brand new school in which their children will flourish."

Cllr Alan Ward, Executive Member for Bracknell Education and Libraries, said: "The modern school our children in the north of Bracknell deserve is another step closer.

"Most of the schools being rebuilt under the Building Schools for the Future scheme are being financed by local authorities borrowing money - something the government has to sanction.

"However thanks to the pressure we put on DfES we are now one of a small number of authorities who are being fully funded for the rebuilding of one school without having to borrow the money to do it."

The project is being run under the DfES Building Schools for the Future programme. This sets out how every secondary school in the country, including Bracknell Forest's six secondaries, will be rebuilt or renewed over the next 15 years.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Bracknell Forest Borough Council is improving its services while achieving good customer satisfaction and value for money, according to the Audit Commission.

The Government body, which monitors all councils across the country, found that Bracknell education and children's services as well as recycling rates are improving well.

The Council also provides good community leadership and works well with its partner organisations across the borough, the report found.

Local people have now noticed improvements in areas such as health and road safety.

However, the Commission report said Bracknell Council has a more mixed track record in the areas of social care for adults, housing services for vulnerable people and the operational leadership of these two services.

It adds: "The Council has now dealt with the leadership issue and has the corporate ability to support future improvement."

Timothy Wheadon, Chief Executive of Bracknell Council, said: "The Audit Commission has recognised the steps we have already taken to deal with the issues that have been raised, and we now have a new director of social services and housing in place to take these services forward and make the improvements that are needed."

Cllr Paul Bettison, leader of Bracknell Council, added: "We are pleased that overall we were found to be improving our services but the most important thing is that residents are actually noticing the improvements and benefiting from them. We are now focusing on those services which need additional support to make sure we are improving well across the board."

The Council was rated as three stars out of four and "improving adequately" by the Audit Commission.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Broken glass left on the ground can cause serious injuries and is a danger to the public. This is the hard-hitting message of two posters being distributed in the Bracknell area by police officers and crime reduction advisers.

The posters were designed by pupils at Easthampstead School in Great Hollands, Bracknell following a request by Chris Smith, Executive Officer of Sandhurst Town Council.

Everett Bentley, crime reduction adviser for Bracknell Forest local police area, said: “There is an ongoing problem with broken glass in the town’s parks and children’s playgrounds. Council staff are constantly having to clear it up, and we are concerned that someone could be seriously hurt.”

The problem is common in parks all over the Borough, hence Chris Smith’s appeal for help from the community. With over 800 reported incidents since April 2003, this is a serious community issue that requires a positive message and appropriate response.

Waitrose supermarket in Birch Hill, Bracknell is supporting the initiative by presenting the designer of each of the two posters with a £25 prize. Sandhurst Town Council has paid for the printing. Hundreds of the eye-catching posters will be distributed for display in local schools, youth centres, libraries, sports centres and other public places.

The posters are part of a joint project by community safety officers, licensing staff and Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators to reduce anti-social behaviour. Schools liaison officers PC Phil Bissell and PC Jan Collins will be visiting schools across Bracknell Forest to talk to pupils about the impact of anti-social behaviour, including the dangers of throwing away glass bottles in public open spaces.

Everett Bentley added: “Most people think of litter as an unsightly nuisance, but it can be a real danger. If a child falls on broken glass while playing, or a dog steps on it, they could suffer nasty cuts. We want to get the message across before there is a serious injury.”

The offence of ‘Leaving Litter’ (section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act statutory instrument (law) 1990) is a criminal offence and either the police or local authority can prosecute people who drop litter. Local authority officers and/or litter wardens can give an on-the-spot £75 fixed penalty notice for littering. Average fines are around £95 but can rise to a maximum of £2,500 if taken to court.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Representatives from community groups who have helped with the restoration of Lily Hill Park will see the Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest officially open the project’s second phase.

Organisations including the Friends of Lily Hill Park, the Bracknell Gardening Club and local conservation volunteer groups have helped over the 10 year project, which now reflects Victorian and 1930s landscape designs and planting.

The project has also used the knowledge of tree experts, horticulturalists, landscapers, environmentalists and technicians, and the support of schools and young people’s groups - who have enjoyed many hours of environmental fun and continue to breathe life into the park.

The work has been funded by two Heritage Lottery Fund grants worth a combined £2million, which was inspired by a report in 1997 detailing a long term plan for the park, which had become overgrown.

The second phase has restored the western section of the park with Victorian and 1930s features, including a ha ha sunken fence, landscaping with flowers and shrubs, a paved walkway, new oak trees and an extension of the footpath network.

During the work, 82 examples of rare rhododendron were found in Starch Copse, which the Royal Horticultural Society has asked the Bracknell Council to protect and reproduce. The breeds, which could be more than 100 years old, include Pelopidas, Sappho and Mrs Lionel de Rothschild.

Work on the first phase was started in March 2003 and concluded with its official opening in June 2005 by the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

It restored the Victorian east side of the park, including opening up lost views, formalising paths, clearing overgrown shrubs and trees, recreating wild flower meadows, re-establishing historic tree planting and resurfacing the main carriage drive.

New benches, seats, fencing and gates were also installed to improve the park as a place to visit and enjoy.

Dina Thorpe, Heritage Lottery Fund South East England Committee Member, said: "The wonderful thing about the UK's parks is that they are as much a part of our daily life as they were for the Victorians who created them.

"Lily Hill Park is a great example of this, with thousands of people coming to relax away from the bustle of modern life and its great to see it restored to former glory."

Cllr Clifton Thompson, Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest, said: "Lily Hill Park is much appreciated by not only the people who live around it, but people from across Bracknell Forest, and I am delighted to see it restored to its former glory.

"The huge rise in visitor numbers and overwhelming enthusiasm for the project is testimony to the great efforts of a dedicated team and to the park's future prosperity, and I urge those who have not been to visit and see it for themselves

"I would like to thank all the staff, contractors, but especially the volunteers who have given their time to make Lily Hill Park a wonderful community resource to be enjoyed by everyone."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Police are appealing for witnesses after a robbery in Bracknell.

At about 6.15pm on Friday (16/2), a man armed with a small handgun entered William Hill bookmakers, High Street, Bracknell, and demanded that staff hand over money. He left with over £500 cash.

The man is described as white, in his thirties or forties, approximately 5ft 10ins and of medium build. He was wearing dark clothing and spoke with a London accent.

Police are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time. If you have any information, please contact DC Carole Sessions via the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. If you do not wish to speak to police or leave your name, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Anyone who has ever considered adoption can now find out exactly what's involved at the click of a mouse thanks to a new section of Bracknell Forest Borough Council's website.

Bracknell Council's Family Placement Team is seeking to build on the increased interest in adoption following the high profile media coverage and offer potential adoptors the true facts.

The web pages at: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/adoption provide information and answer many of the most frequently asked questions around adoption including who can adopt, what the process is and how to take the first step.

Juliette Thomas, Bracknell Forest Family Placement Team Manager, said: "Deciding to adopt is a huge decision and it is important that people have all the information they need before they take that decision.

"We know families thinking about adoption will have many questions so hopefully our new web pages will help to answer some of them. And then we hope they'll be interested enough to take the next step and get in touch with us."

The Family Placement Team has organised an open event for anyone interested in finding out more about adoption and fostering. This will take place on March 8 at the Family Centre, Warfield Road, Bracknell just off the Avis/Old Met Office Roundabout, from 7 to 9pm.

Call the team on 01344 351582 for more information or visit the web site at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/adoption

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

The victims of a burglary in Bracknell are offering a small reward for the safe return of their property.

Culprits gained entry to their house in Fencote, Crown Wood, Bracknell, sometime between 6.30pm and 8.50pm on Wednesday 7 February.

Once inside, the offenders made an untidy search of the house and stole several personal items including a large amount of jewellery, a mobile phone and £80.00 cash.

The property owners are particularly keen to see the return of the jewellery which is of high sentimental value.

The jewellery included an oval shaped lapis lazuli signet ring with an engraved mount, a distinctive 18 ct gold heart-shaped necklace, and a Seiko ladies’ watch with a gold bracelet.

Two diamond rings, a 9 ct gold amber heart choke necklace and several pairs of gold earrings were also stolen.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the investigating officer, PC Tim Johnson on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to talk to police or give your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Residents who take part in Bracknell Council’s garden waste recycling scheme will be able to collect a free bag of compost if they attend a composting roadshow.

People who own or buy a brown wheelie bin, or 10 biodegradable brown sacks, will be entitled to the compost - taken from the Bracknell Council’s composting facility. The brown sacks will be for sale at the special offer price of five for £1.

The roadshows are taking place at:

- Sandhurst Town Council, Yorktown Road, on Friday, February 23, from 11am until 2pm.

- Binfield Parish Council, Benetfeld Road, on Wednesday, February 28, from 11am until 2pm.

- Bracknell Leisure Centre, Bagshot Road, on Friday, March 2, from 11am until 2pm.

- Larks Hill car park, Harvest Ride, Quelm Park, on Wednesday, March 7, from 11am until 2pm.

Residents who already have a brown wheelie bin will need to bring along its unique serial number, which will be verified against the delivery name and address.

The roadshow will also include information on home composting, and how to order discounted composters for the garden.

Bracknell Council is working hard to dramatically reduce the amount of waste being sent to the landfill sites, where it pollutes and contributes directly to climate change. Also, the sites in Berkshire are almost full, and sending less waste to landfill helps to avoids new Government fines and charges which could cost more than £7.7million over the next five years. A survey in 2002 showed that a third of landfill refuse in green bins during the summer was garden waste.

There will also be information on Bracknell Council's garden waste collection service. Residents can buy a brown wheelie bin for a one-off charge of £30 or biodegradable brown sacks from local shops for 30p each. Most councils charge for garden waste containers and some also have annual collection charges.

The charges also contribute to the collection costs of the garden waste which takes place on the same day as the recycling collection. In 2005/6 1,031 tonnes of garden waste was diverted from landfill and so far in this financial year 1,861 tonnes have been collected from the kerbside collection scheme and turned into useful compost.

Cllr Peter North, Executive Member for Bracknell Public Protection and Services, said: "Having a compost bin is a great way of turning your decomposable waste into something which you can use to improve your garden.

"I would like to thank every resident in Bracknell Forest who takes the effort to reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill sites."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Ann WiddecombeMember of Parliament (MP) and former government home affairs minister turned novelist Ann Widdecombe took time out of her busy schedule to meet bookworms at Bracknell Library yesterday (February 14).

Ann delighted 100 fans when she dropped by the Bracknell Forest Borough Council library to talk about how she got into writing and her plans for writing after she retires.

She has written four best-selling novels: The Clematis Tree, Father Figure, An Act of Treachery and An Act of Peace. She is currently working on her fifth novel.

Last night Ann answered questions about her novels and political career before signing some of her books.

Ruth Burgess, Head of Libraries and Information, said: "Ann's books are very popular in our libraries so it was no surprise that tickets for this event sold out quickly.

"She gave a thoroughly entertaining talk about her work as novelist and politicican. Everyone enjoyed the evening and I'm pleased that once again we have been able to attract another high profile writer to our libraries."

Ann has been MP for Maidstone (Maidstone and The Weald since 1997) since 1987. She worked in marketing for Unilever from 1973 to 1975 and was a senior administrator at London University from 1975 to 1987 before being elected to Parliament.

Born in Bath in 1947 she was educated at the Royal Naval School Singapore, La Sainte Union Convent Bath, Birmingham University (BA Hons Latin) and Oxford University (BA Hons Politics, Philosophy and Economics) LMH MA 1976.

Other top flight writers to come to Bracknell Council's libraries in recent times include Morse creator Colin Dexter, Freya North, Katie Fforde and Cynthia Harrod-Eagles.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Monday 12 March 2007
Pamper Evening
7.15 – 10.00pm
Warfield C of E Primary School
All Saints Rise
Warfield
Bracknell

Treatments can be pre-booked for the evening once the doors are open.

Treatments available include Hair Care/Advice, Mini Facial, Eyebrow Threading, Mini Manicure, Neck and Shoulder Massage, Hand Massage, Footspa, and Massage.

All treatments are carried out by a fully qualified therapist/consultant.

Retail therapy to include Chocolates, Accessories, Jewellery, Cards, Cosmetics, Handbags, Clothing (children and women’s), Photography, Hair Removal Products, Aloe Vera Products, Wine Tasting/Sales, Scarves and Embroidery, Personalised Cards from Photo Images and Candles.

Figure/BMI Analysis by Curves Ladies Gym.

£3.00 includes complimentary glass of wine or soft drink

Raffle Tickets for sale Prizes to include: 2 Months Membership at Prestigious Ladies Gym Club, Laithwaites Wine, Meal for Two

Warfield C of E Primary School, Bracknell

Proposals for a £478,500 grant for the South Hill Park Arts Centre have been approved by Bracknell Forest Borough Council’s Executive.

The grant is provided by Bracknell Council to ensure there is a venue where the community can access a wide range of arts.

The Council will be working with the centre over the next year to support longer term fundraising campaigns and increase the outreach work to encourage more borough residents to use the centre and take part in its activities.

It is expected about 240,000 people will have attended shows and events at the centre in the current financial year. Popular events have included the Mela, Unravel knitting project and the hosting of the Chinese State Circus in its grounds.

Over the coming year, it hopes to run a Black and Asian film festival and host performances from the Moscow State Circus.

Bracknell Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Leisure and Corporate Services, said: "We have enjoyed an long and successful relationship with South Hill Park Arts Centre and have watched with a sense of pride as it has grown in statute to be what it is today, a nationally recognised arts centre, here in the heart of Bracknell Forest.

"I am delighted the Council is continuing to support the centre and I urge people see the wide range of arts it has available."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Council tax in Bracknell Forest will rise by 4.9% as the Council works to balance its books amid increasing demand for its services and a disappointing Government grant.

Councillors on the Bracknell Executive agreed to recommend the increase at a meeting last night (Tuesday). The Council's budget proposals will now go before a meeting of the full Council on February 28 before being finalised.

The decision came after 60% of residents surveyed by the Council during its budget consultation said they would be willing to pay at least a 5% increase in council tax to protect the level of services provided.

If the proposals are agreed by Bracknell Council, it would mean the average band D council tax in the borough would be £964.89 for the year. The average for all councils in England in 2006/07 was £1,252.

The Council has consistently had one of the lowest actual council taxes in England and the 4.9% rise will ensure that this remains the case. The low council tax was recognised by residents in the recent survey with 69% believing the Council provides value for money for the council tax they pay.

Cllr Paul Bettison, leader of Bracknell Council, said: "We will continue to work hard to continue to provide local residents with good quality, value for money services in the coming year."

It has been another difficult year for the Council's budget. The Government grant the Council received is increased by just 1.7%, well below the rate of inflation.

At the same time Bracknell Council saw a big rise in demand for the important services it provides for vulnerable children and adults and rising costs in these areas.

The budget proposals include £2.5 million savings including ways to modernise and continue to improve the efficiency of council services.

It also includes the use of £2.8 million balances, the money the Council has "in the bank", to fund services in the coming year.

Timothy Wheadon, Bracknell Chief Executive, said: "This year we have used more of our balances than might otherwise have been the case because we did not want to make irreversible cuts ahead of the vote by tenants about whether the housing stock should transfer to a new, local housing association.

"However, this is a one off decision as when the balances are gone, the only option will be to make cuts in expenditure."

Every year the Council delivers a wide range of services for those who live, work and study in the borough.

The overall day-to-day cash spending of the Council is outlined below:

Education, Children’s Services and Libraries

£14.9 million will be spent on support for Bracknell borough’s schools, maintaining and improving local libraries and providing social care to children and young people with disabilities, those who need fostering and adoption services as well as those who need other protection and support. We will also be working to provide more before and after school services this year as well as developing children’s centres for those who are not yet at school.

Bracknell Environment and Leisure

£20.7 million will be spent on protecting, maintaining and improving our local environment by providing street cleaning and landscaping services, highway and footpath repairs, refuse and recycling collections, waste disposal, planning and building control services. We will also be providing public protection through environmental health and trading standards services.

We will continue to provide popular leisure facilities such as Coral Reef Waterworld, the Look Out Discovery Centre, Downshire Golf Complex and Bracknell Leisure Centre.

Bracknell Social Services and Housing

£21.3 million will be spent on providing support to vulnerable adults, older people and those with disabilities including home support, the blue badge parking scheme, Heathlands residential home, the Downside resource centre and the Look In café.We will also provide help and advice to those looking for social housing and a service for those who are homeless.

Bracknell Corporate Services

£15.9 million will be spent in the coming year including improving our customer services, maintaining our website and enabling services online www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk. We will also make sure we are getting the best value for money from our services and efficiently manage our land and property and investments.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

St Michael's Easthampstead CE Primary School, Bracknell is a good school with outstanding features according to inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).

An inspection team visited the Bracknell Forest Borough Council, Church of England school in December and their report gives St Michael's a grade two, good school rating.

The report says: "St Michael's is a good school with outstanding features. More than one parent commented that St Michael's is a fantastic school where you feel part of a large family."

The inspectors report highlights a number of outstanding features at the Crowthorne Road school including the pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, their attendance, the curriculum and the way they are cared for, guided and supported.

In summary the key findings highlighed in the report are:

* Pupils' personal development and their care and well-being are outstanding;
* Pupils enjoy coming to school and rapidly acquire the skills to become confident leaders;
* Parents are overwhelmingly supportive;
* Standards are above average by the time the pupils leave school;
* Pupils achieve well because they are well taught and have a good range of interesting and challenging tasks which inspire them to work hard;
* Good achievement is rooted in the good quality of the teaching and the outstanding curriculum that capture pupils' enthusiasm and interest;
* There are very many opportunities for children to develop their curiosity and creativity;
* Very effective leadership by the headteacher gives a clear direction to the work of the school;
* Good progress has been made at the school since the last inspection and there is good capacity to secure further improvement.

In common with all Ofsted reports the inspectors identify areas for improvement. At St Michael's these are to further improve the levels of challenge for higher attaining pupils at Key Stage 1 and to focus on monitoring activities.

Steve Litson, Headteacher at St Michael's Easthampstead CE Primary School said:

"This is a brilliant Ofsted report and I am very proud of the children, staff and governors. To have the excellent standards we achieve recognised by Ofsted is worth all the hard work."

Tony Eccleston, Director of Bracknell Education, Children's Services and Libraries, said: "The report confirms that this is a school where imagination and challenge go hand in hand with care for pupil's wellbeing.

"I am pleased they highlighted a number of outstanding features. Well done to everyone at the school."

Bracknell Cllr Alan Ward, Executive Member for Education and Libraries, said: "Pupils and their parents can be pleased with this report which shows their school is delivering a good quality education for them.

"I congratulate the headteacher and his team on their success."

For more information about the school visit: www.stmich-east.bracknell-forest.sch.uk

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

There are only six weeks to register for the Bracknell Swimathon 2007 and raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

On March 24, Bracknell Leisure Centre is giving residents the chance to take a dive into the Swimathon and take part in one of the long distance challenges.

Volunteers can set their own choice of distance ranging from five kilometres - which requires six weeks of training; two-and-a-half kilometres for intermediate swimmers and one-and-a-half kilometres for occasional swimmers.

If participants want to team up with colleagues, friends and family, the five kilometre challenge can be completed in a team of up to five people; or just take part in the Simply Swim challenge - where you can cover any distance at any pool at any time.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Leisure and Corporate Services, said: The Swimathon is a great way to get fit and raise money for an excellent cause. We always get a good turn out at Bracknell Leisure Centre and I hope our support breaks all previous records in 2007.”

The Swimathon is taking place across 600 swimming pools nationwide, over four days - March 22 to 25. Registration is open until 11.45pm on Tuesday, March 20.

To register, visit www.swimathon.org or call 0845 36 700 36. Standard registration is £8.50 or £4.50 for concessions.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Bracknell Residents will have the chance to find out more about the rewards of foster care next month at an open evening organised by Bracknell Forest Borough Council.

The Bracknell Council's Family Placement Team has organised the open event which will take place on March 8 at the Family and Adolescent Support Centre, 7 Portman Close, Bracknell from 7 to 9pm.

The no-commitment session is free is the latest in a series of events designed to give potential carers the low down on how to become a foster carer and how it fits in with their day-to-day life.

Juliette Thomas, Bracknell Family Placement Team Manager, said: "These events are a great way for people interested in becoming foster carers to find out what’s really involved.

"We have refocused our approach to recruiting foster carers to make sure potential candidates have a clear picture of what being it involves.

"Everyone's welcome to attend our open evening but anyone who can't make it can look at our website or give us a call.

Donna Gibbons, a Bracknell Forest foster carer who also volunteers to speak at the open evenings said: "I really love meeting and talking to people at the open evenings.

"Often they come along thinking that being a carer is going to be like hell on earth but once they have had a chance to chat it through with the Family Placement Team and with people like me – a carer with a husband and three kids of my own - they soon realise that it is possible and they could do it."

Some 800 foster carers are currently needed in the south east region.

Anyone can apply to be a foster carer. Bracknell Council offers flexible fostering options to suit you, your family and your lifestyle.

Contact the Bracknell Forest Family Placement Team on 01344 351582 or complete a no commitment online Expression of Interest form at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/fostering

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Celebration was in the air at Heathlands day centre, Bracknell this week when the very first 100th birthday party was held.

Alice, who turned 100 on Tuesday, February 6, was joined by more than 10 friends at the Wildridings-based day centre on Monday afternoon for a spot of high-tea complete with champagne and ginger wine.

The great, great grandmother puts her long and healthy life down to the occasional drop of ginger wine and so she toasted her milestone centenary birthday with a glass of her favourite tipple at the day centre where friends and staff also tucked into a delicious buffet and birthday cake.

Alice, who has been using the Bracknell Council-run day centre for the past 12 months, is the very first client to have a 100th birthday party at Heathlands day centre although several residents of the adjoining residential home are in their 100s.

Alice was born in 1907 in Castletown on the Isle of Man and was the second eldest of eight siblings. She left school at 14 and started working for Lady Tollemach in Slone Square, London, until she was 19 when she moved to Bracknell to work for the diamond Oppenheimer family.

She married George in 1936 in London and they couple had two daughters Elsie and Margaret.

During the Second World War she moved back to the Isle of Man while George served in the army overseas. The family moved back to London after the war ended but sadly George died in 1959.

Alice moved back to Bracknell in 1977 to be near her daughter and family which includes seven grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and four great, great grandchildren.

To celebrate her 100th birthday Alice also had a party with her family and friends on Tuesday.

Alice said: "I celebrated my birthday with a party with more than 60 guests - with all the children around me.

"I certainly do not feel 100 and people are always telling me that they can't believe I'm that age but I think they work it out.

When asked what she puts her long-life down to Alice said: "A caring family, contentment and a small drop of ginger wine now and again."

Linda Parsons, Manager of Heathlands, Bracknell said: "Alice is our very first day-centre client to turn 100 so we made a real fuss of her on Monday with some champagne and high-tea. All her friends here joined in the party and everyone had a good time helping Alice celebrate such a milestone birthday."

Cllr Dale Birch, Executive Member for Bracknell Adult Services, Health Commissioning and Housing, added: "I'm pleased that Alice had a lovely 100th birthday. It was wonderful that Heathlands staff provided her and her friends with a special tea and some champagne to celebrate the happy event."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

On 20th February at the sixth annual Bracknell Pancake Race, organised by the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership (BRP), local businesses will be pitting themselves against each other to raise money for charity.

So if you’re skilled in running around a kitchen juggling food, or simply used to working under pressure, now is your chance to jump out of the fire and into the frying pan by rounding up three colleagues and entering the Pancake Race which is supported by the Bracknell News. Teams of four will compete against each other to win one of four trophies, running a short course in The Broadway in Bracknell Town Centre. The Grange Bracknell Hotel is donating regulation pancakes for participants to toss, so each team will just need to bring a medium sized frying pan to share.

Bracknell residents are also invited to come along and watch the flipping good fun; the Shrove Tuesday activity is always a hit with teams dressing up to improve their flipping aerodynamics or just to get their picture in the paper!

Speed, endurance, skill and determination will win the race which starts at 12.30pm in Broadway, earning victorious teams a trophy presented by the Mayor of Bracknell Forest Borough Council, Cllr Cliff Thompson.

The entry fee is £5 per person and all proceeds raised from the event will be split evenly between two local charities; the Mayor’s charity – Age Concern and the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance which provides a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service for the people of the Thames Valley, covering the whole of Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The latter is the chosen charity of Bracknell Regeneration Partnership – the organisers of the event.

Deadline for registration is 19th February, although you can still register on the day. To register please call Vikki Mackrory at the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership on 01344 350080.

Bracknell Regeneration Partnership

St Sebastian’s Playing Fields, Nine Mile Ride, Wokingham

Wokingham Crown Wood Cricket Club have been playing cricket in the Berkshire League since 1992 and just experienced our first season playing in Division One but finished up as Division One Champions and are now promoted to the Premier Division this coming season!! We also have a second team playing in Division 5 and two Sunday friendly sides one of which also plays in a local Millennium League. We are lively and chatty; we field for each other, back each other up, and never let heads go down even if things are looking dodgy!

We also have a fantastic youth section, 5 teams were entered into the Berkshire Youth League U9, U11, U13, U15 & U17 last season. Our squads are improving all the time and there has been a great deal of talent, commitment and good sportsmanship evident in matches and training sessions. The U11's did particularly well last year, winning their group and reaching the quarter finals in the league. The U9’s also did well finishing runners-up in their division and going on to a semi-final as the best runners-up. Our youth section is expanding again this coming season with 8 teams being entered into the Berkshire Youth League! The boys and girls are coached by ECB qualified coaches, all of which are CRB checked.

In addition, Crown Wood Wokingham offers various social activities for all its members such as quiz nights, race nights and our yearly fun day.

No matter what your age or experience, if you are interested in playing cricket why not come along to our pre-season nets. Please email us at crownwoodcc@googlemail.com and we will send you our brochure telling you all about our club and how to join.

Crown Wood Cricket Club, Wokingham

Dignitaries from across Berkshire joined the Mayor and Mayoress of the Borough of Bracknell Forest on Sunday for the annual civic service.

Bracknell Cllr Clifton Thompson and Mrs Sue Thompson were joined by more than 100 people at the church service on Sunday, February 4, at St Michael's the Archangel Church in Warfield.

The aim of the service is to celebrate the contribution that Bracknell Forest councillors, officers, community and voluntary groups have made to the civic life of the borough.

Cllr Thompson welcomed all his guests to the annual service including mayors and chairmen of neighbouring unitary authorities and parish councils, and John Nike, Deputy Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire.

Lessons were read by the Mayor and Cllr Paul Bettison, leader of the Council, while the Mayor's Chaplain Rev Canon Dr Brian Meardon officiated the service.

Members of Eternity Youth Church made a video presentation during the service about their work and performed the song Blessed is Thy Name.

Representatives from the Mayor's chosen charity Age Concern Bracknell Forest were also present and a retiring collection was held for the organisation.

The civic service was rounded off with afternoon tea at the church in Church Lane.

Bracknell Cllr Thompson said: "I'm pleased that so many people joined me at the annual civic service on Sunday - it was a first-class turn out. It was nice to take time to celebrate the contribution that so many people have made to the civic life of Bracknell Forest.

"I'd also like to thank everyone who gave so generously to my chosen charity Age Concern Bracknell Forest every penny that's given to the charity does help."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

There will be a wide range of activities at Bracknell Leisure Centre in February half term to keep the children entertained.

Between Monday, February 12, and Friday, February 16, there will be the popular range of activities for children of all ages. Activities include fun sessions, trampolining, soccer dribblers, swimming courses and national pool lifeguarding qualifications.

As well as beginner and improver swimming classes for Bracknell children, there are adult and toddler swimming classes for two-to-four-year-olds where the adult is in the water with the child. There is a breaststroke clinic for those who can swim but have not yet quite mastered the co-ordination or technique.

There will also be the return of Chelsea FC’s three day soccer school, starting on Tuesday, February 13, at 10am. It is for girls and boys aged five and over, and includes a free swim at 3pm - under eights must be accompanied in the water by an adult.

For the more daring, there is the new Karting Kapers activity, for children aged four-to-five and six-to-nine-years-old. Participants can drive battery powered karts on a indoor track.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Leisure and Corporate Services, said: "Bracknell Leisure Centre always runs a superb range of activities during half term and this February really is no exception.

"Children can take part in all manner of sporting and fun activities from soccer school to karting, trampolining to swimming, there's something for everyone.”

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

The Bracknell Look Out Discovery Centre has been recognised yet again for the service it offers its visitors.

The centre has now been approved by the national tourist board’s Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service.

Following its inspection in October, the assessor said The Look Out was a very well managed and organised attraction with high levels of visitor welcome and care provided by friendly staff.

Its good presentation and interpretation was complimented, with the interactive areas maintaining the interest of visitors.

Additionally, the range of attractions both in the centre and with the woodland trails were particularly praised.

The accreditation means information on the centre will be available through the national tourist board.

The centre also has the charter mark for good customer service and has consistently been awarded four stars for the cleanliness of its toilets.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Leisure and Corporate Services, said: "The Look Out is a well known and favourite attraction for Bracknell Forest residents and visitors alike and it just keeps going from strength to strength.

"Already a Chartermark award holder and dare I say it again, Loo of the Year Award holder for the 12th successive year, it has now added the National Tourist Board (NTB) visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service award to its list of achievements.

"As visitors know The Look Out is a great educational and fun attraction for all the family. Now as an NTB Quality Assured Visitor attraction, even more people will hear about and can come and enjoy what we enjoy, the superb facilities at The Look Out. ”

The Look Out Discovery Centre is open from 10am - 5pm. As well as the hands-on science exhibition, there is a children’s adventure play area, free car parking, gift shop and coffee shop. Based in 2,600 acres of Crown Estate woodland, there is plenty of space for walks, cycling and orienteering.

For further information, please call The Look Out Discovery Centre on 01344 354400, or visit our website on www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/be

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Do you like treasure hunts?
Are you a fan of Pirates of the Caribbean?

Then why not pop down to the Brownlow Memorial Hall, Warfield, Bracknell during half term week to see Warfield Players’ traditional family pantomime Treasure Island – The Panto?

Packed full of the usual panto favourites, including baddie, dame, principal girl and boy, this hilarious production also features a dubious collection of angry pirates, a stupid parrot and even a mad coconut fight!

There are plenty of well-know songs and colourful choreography as well as the obligatory audience participation song (with actions – be warned!!!). Oh – and there’s cute children, too!

The Bracknell production runs from Thursday 15-Saturday 17 February only. Evening performances are at 7.30pm, with a matinee performance at 3pm on Saturday.

Tickets are priced at £8 for adults and £5 for concessions (children under 16 and OAPs) and are available from 07833 105206 or 07905 536329.

Alternatively, tickets can be booked via the Producer at rehearsals at the Brownlow Hall, Newell Green, Warfield, Bracknell, RG12 6AB held Tuesdays and Thursdays 7.15-9.30pm. Note that seats reserved will be the best available at the time of booking.

Warfield Players ~ Bracknell

An 18-year-old man has been sentenced to two years in a young offenders’ institution in connection with a robbery in Bracknell last summer.

Michael John Jordan, of Albert Street, Maidenhead, pleaded guilty to the Bracknell robbery on 13 December 2006 and was sentenced at Reading Crown Court on 26 January.

The conviction relates to an incident that took place on a footpath off the Bagshot Road, Bracknell, between 11.30pm on 31 July and 12.30am on 1 August 2006.

Earlier that evening a young man, who was 18 at the time, called at a friend’s house in Birch Hill, Bracknell. Jordan was among several people at the address.

The young man showed his new Sony mobile phone to the group, and after staying for around 45 minutes he decided to cycle home.

As he cycled along a footpath nearby, he was hit on the back of the head with an unknown object, causing him to fall from his bike. He looked up to see two people standing above him, who threatened to attack him and demanded his mobile phone.

Before he was able to respond, he was punched in the head and face and held on the ground while his pockets were searched and his phone taken.

The injured man eventually made his way home, where police and an ambulance were called. He was taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital and treated for serious facial injuries, including a broken nose and fractured eye socket. He also sustained a significant loss of vision in his left eye, which will not be regained.

Jordan was arrested on 3 August and later admitted carrying out the Bracknell robbery. When he was sentenced on 26 January, the judge recommended that he serve a minimum of 18 months, due to the unprovoked violence used, and the fact that Jordan showed no remorse for his actions.

Det Con John Braddy of the Priority Crime Team, who investigated the robbery, said: “This was a nasty attack on a vulnerable young man, who will probably lose some percentage of his vision permanently. The custodial sentence handed down reflects the seriousness of the offence.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell