Bracknell

Bracknell based theatre company TableNine are celebrating five years of theatre production by returning to South Hill Park, Bracknell this spring with the award winning comedy, Humble Boy, to be performed on Wednesday 14th to Saturday 17th May at 7.45pm.

Penned by acclaimed new playwright Charlotte Jones, Humble Boy brings together the grand search for the fabric of the universe with family squabbles and a big bang in a Cotswold country garden.

The story centres around Felix Humble, a shambling Cambridge astrophysicist whose quest to discover the holy grail of physics, is inconveniently interrupted by the death of his father. Felix’s feeble attempts to play the dutiful son are thwarted by his demanding and acid-tongued mother, her brash new boyfriend, and the lover that he left behind years before to pursue his science. Felix battles on through domestic disharmony with his head firmly fixed in the stars, until he meets the kindly and wise gardener Jim who introduces him to a more earthly life of beekeeping and potted plants, and slowly, the seeds of unity begin to grow.

TableNine have created quite a buzz at Bracknell South Hill Park Arts Centre in recent years with their mix of quirky comedy, insightful drama and immersive theatre. This autumn will also see them expand their sets and audience members’ imaginations as the Wilde Theatre is transformed into Victorian London and the eminent detective Sherlock Holmes returns with a thrilling evening of murder and mystery.

TableNine is a thriving local Bracknell community theatre group always on the lookout for more members. For more information including how to join, visit www.tablenine.ik.com.

“Rich, original, intelligent, funny and touching… I can’t recommend this lovely play too highly.”
Daily Telegraph

“TableNine – a company that always delivers.” Bracknell News

Praise for previous productions:
‘Amazing show! Truly exceptional acting. A privilege to watch.'
'Super, fantastic, relaxing, fun entertainment - such talent!'
'A great evening, lots of talent and energy - can't wait for the next one!'

Humble Boy is performing at the Studio Theatre at South Hill Park Arts Centre, Ringmead, Bracknell RG12 7PA on Wed 14th to Sat 17th May at 7.45pm. Tickets priced £8 (concessions £7, members £6) available from the Box Office on 01344 484123 or at www.southhillpark.org.uk.

TableNine, Bracknell

Bracknell Leisure Centre’s gymnastics club for seven-to-11 year olds have been crowned British champions for the second year running.

The Bracknell Falcons Primary Mixed Team Gymnastics Squad won the National Team Gym Championships in Gloucestershire on Saturday, April 19.

Once again, they competed superbly in the four required elements of floor, trampette, tumble and vault, and wowed audiences with their high level of skill.

The team train at the leisure centre three times a week, as part of Bracknell Gymnastics Club, and are coached by Stuart Woods, Claire Fuller and Zoe Offen. They were representing the south of England after winning the regional competition on home soil in Bracknell Leisure Centre in March.

During the senior competition, Stuart Woods retained his British title for the third consecutive year, and will compete in the European Team Gym Championships in Belgium this October.

Bracknell Gymnastics Club are now preparing for International Festival of Acrobatic Sports, which is taking place in Italy, in May; their club gala at Bracknell Leisure Centre in June and then hosting an International Team Gym Tournament in October.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Leisure, said: "I am delighted to be able to congratulate our young gymnasts again for this their second successive triumph, we really do have some of the country’s best young gymnasts living right here in Bracknell Forest.”

For more details on how to get started in gymnastics or in Team Gym at Bracknell Leisure Centre, call 01344 454203, or visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/be

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Two giant cranes will be used to lift a modern steel arch footbridge into position over Bracknell's Mill Road in a two day precision operation.

A section of Bracknell Mill Lane between Wildridings and South Hill Road will be closed on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4, so the 40 metre-long arch can be installed safely. There will be an off peak road closure on Wednesday, May 7, so the remaining sections of the bridge deck can be installed. A diversion will be in place to minimise disruption to motorists.

Placing and fixing the separate elements of the arch - which will rise 14 metres above the road - and bridge decks will be a difficult operation which requires skilled labour and patience. Members of the public will be kept a safe distance away.

The new Bracknell bridge will replace the existing narrow concrete footbridge that has come to the end of its life and will also provide a new cycle link between Great Hollands and Easthampstead. The road will then be closed when the old bridge is demolished on Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18.

The existing bridge is an important link particularly for children going to school, so is being replaced with a wider structure with space for both pedestrian and cyclists.

Cllr Mrs Mary Ballin, Executive Member for Bracknell Planning and Transportation, said: "The new foot and cycle bridge over Mill Lane will be a striking addition to the Bracknell landscape.

"We have worked to minimise the disruption for both drivers and bridge-users, who I hope will like this interesting, new bridge.”

For the latest information on the bridge, visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/env-mill-lane-footbridge or call 01344 352000.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Bracken and Bramble, the Bracknell borough's much loved shire horses, will be receiving a fond farewell this summer before retiring after 16 years' service.

The Bracknell horses - who have become very popular with local residents - will be making appearances at events across the area before retiring in September to the Redwings Horse Sanctuary in Norfolk.

They had become a common sight around Bracknell Forest since they started working for the borough in May 1992. Their work included collecting landscaping waste, pulling grass-cutting equipment and watering the town centre’s floral displays.

At weekends the horses regularly attended school fetes and fun days and at Christmas they have given Father Christmas a ride to his grotto in Princess Square Shopping Centre.

The two shires were purchased by Bracknell Forest Borough Council from Radford Shires in Bath. On their arrival, a competition was held in a local newspaper to name them. Since then Bracken and Bramble have become local celebrities in their own right, regularly appearing in the local press.

Cllr Iain McCracken, the Executive Member responsible for the Bracknell borough's landscape team, said: "Bracken and Bramble's retirement really marks the end of an era for the borough as they have been a popular sight over the last 16 years, always attracting a crowd.

"We are delighted that they will be retiring to the excellent Redwings Horse Sanctuary, where local people will still be able to visit them if they are holidaying in the Norfolk area."

Redwings is the largest horse charity in the UK, with eight sites including its Caldecott Visitor Centre located on the A143 beween Great Yarmouth and Beccles, where the charity are hoping to settle in Bracken and Bramble once they arrive. The centre is open every year from April to October so the shires will be able to meet the public and perhaps even keep their "hooves in" by taking visitors for horse drawn tours of the site.

Nicola Markwell, Press and Communications Manager at the sanctuary, said: "We will make sure Bracken and Bramble have a super retirement and that they receive the care and support they need. I am sure they will prove very popular with visitors to the sanctuary and Bracknell Forest residents are more than welcome to come and visit them."

Entry is free to the Redwings' Caldecott Visitor Centre near Great Yarmouth. For more details, visit www.redwings.org or call 01508 481000.

The Bracknell Council does not intend to replace the horses at this moment in time, due to the planned regeneration of Bracknell town centre. Shire horses are a long term commitment, and they may not be appropriate for the new town centre.

Bracken and Bramble vital statistics

Bracken
Bracken is a 17.3hh bay gelding. He is 22 years old and was one of the lead horses when Colin Horler of Radford Shires broke the world record when 20 horses were driven by one man.

Bramble
Bramble is a 17.3hh bay gelding. He is 19 years old and is less experienced than Bracken but he is a very friendly gentle giant who likes attention.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Residents living in Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham can now recycle their empty juice, milk and wine cartons at several new Tetra Pak bring banks.

The Bracknell banks were installed as part of the re3 waste partnership with Tetra Pak Ltd and the carton industry body ACE UK (Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment).

The new recycling points mean that for the first time ever, residents can take milk, wine, chopped tomato and soft drink cartons to the banks instead of throwing them into the bin.

The recycling banks are at several locations across the Bracknell area, near to shopping and amenity centres, so residents can drop off their recycling when they do their shopping.

The new recycling points can be found at:

* Albert Road Car Park, Albert Road, Bracknell
* Sainsburys, Bagshot Road, Bracknell
* Waitrose, College Town, Sandhurst

Once the cartons are collected and processed at a recycling mill they are recycled into a number of different products, including plasterboard liner, high-strength paper bags and envelopes.

Bracknell Residents should wash and squash paper-based liquid food and drinks cartons before putting them into the bins. No plastic, card, cans, glass, plastic bags or foil should be placed in the carton bins – separate recycling banks are available for other materials.

Cllr Mrs Dorothy Hayes, Bracknell Forest Borough Council's Executive Member for the Environment, said: "We are always looking at ways to help residents recycle even more of their waste, so I am delighted that we will now have tetra pak banks in Bracknell Forest.

"Bracknell Forest residents already recycle about 40 per cent of their rubbish, and I hope this new service will help increase that figure even more."

For a full list of recycling banks in Bracknell Forest, visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/env-waste-and-recycling

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

The Mayor welcomed new citizens to Bracknell Forest last Monday (April 14) at a special ceremony held at the Syrett Suite, Easthampstead Park.

Citizenship ceremonies take place every month in the borough.

They mark the end of a long journey for those seeking British citizenship.

The ceremonies are conducted by a registrar and Cllr Mrs. Gill Birch, Mayor of the borough of Bracknell Forest, attends each one as the Queens representative.

She gives a speech, welcoming all new citizens to the borough, and presents them with their certificate of British nationality.

Cllr Mrs Birch said: "I am always very proud to be involved in these ceremonies, welcoming people to Bracknell Forest as British citizens.

"Citizenship can take many years and the ceremony means so much to the people who attend them.

"The ceremony is a celebration of their new status and is a moving and triumphant occasion for all involved."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Support for drug users in the borough to help them kick the habit is continuing to be improved in a new three-year contract let by Bracknell Forest Borough Council.

Following a year-long review of all existing drug support services, the Bracknell Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) at the Council has awarded all of its contracts for drug and alcohol misuse to one contractor, SMART CJS (Criminal Justice Services).

This will mean clients will now receive seamless support from community drug services, through to structured interventions and aftercare and arrest referral. DAAT Manager Jillian Hunt, said: The award of the new contracts means the start of a new era for drug support services for residents in the borough.

With one Bracknell provider delivering all of the services it means clients will have a seamless treatment journey and with more emphasis on education, training and employment, we hope to see more and more positive outcomes.

The services will continue to be delivered from New Hope in Broadway in the town centre.”

SMART was established in 1996 to provide an arrest referral service for Thames Valley Police. In 2002 SMART was recognised by the Home Office when its ‘enhanced arrest referral’ service was identified as a model of best practice.

Darren Worthington, Chief Executive for SMART CJS, said: Here at SMART we are really excited to be able to further develop drug services in Bracknell Forest.

We have been providing services to criminal justice clients in the area for many years. We are confident that we will have a positive impact and in doing so this will benefit the whole community.”

Cllr Dale Birch, Executive Member for Bracknell Adult Services, Health and Housing, said: The new services are aimed at not only reducing crime but at enabling drug users to become valuable members of our community.

The new services will continue to improve the high performance that has been achieved since New Hope opened almost three years ago.”

If you, or a member of your family, has issues with drug misuse, contact New Hope on 01344 3121360.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Schools from Bracknell Forest and beyond are being invited to build a beast to display at the Borough Council and South Hill Park’s Big Day Out event on Saturday 12 July.
The Beast of Bracknell Forest will need to be made entirely of recycled material and ideally be no bigger than around the size of an A3 piece of paper.

The idea is that the beasts will be entered into a competition and judged on the day by a panel with arts and environmental expertise. All entries will also be displayed in Bracknell Forest Borough Council’s Environment Department’s tent. Winners will be presented with prizes donated by The Look Out Discovery Centre.

After the Big Day Out event the beasts will be moved to go on display at Headspace, a new centre for displaying arts in Bracknell town centre.

The Beast of Bracknell Forest competition will tie in with a production at Big Day Out by music and theatre company Rag’n’Bone. They will create their own Beast which will be made entirely out of materials collected from Longshot Lane civic amenity site and which will come alive at the event through the magic of pyrotechnics.

Janet Dowlman, Waste and Recycling Manager for Bracknell Forest Borough Council, said: “We are trying to get the message out about how important it is to protect the environment and to reduce, reuse and recycle waste material and we are using Big Day Out as another way to reach people and get this message out.

“With this competition, it is up to the children how they interpret this brief but obviously judges will be taking into account their creativity and how well they use recycled products in putting their beast together.”

Cllr Mrs Dorothy Hayes, Executive Member for the Bracknell Environment, said: "This will be a wonderful event and gives young people the opportunity to get stuck in and make something which can be shown off to the all the visitors to Big Day Out. I would also hope that young people would be able to learn something about recycling and the environment when they are creating their beast."

For an information pack on how to get involved in this competition contact Jo Wright, Education Officer on jo.wright@southhillpark.org.uk / 01344 416 206 or see www.southhillpark.org.uk/education . For further information on Big Day Out drop into South Hill Park Arts Centre, call box office on 01344 484 123 or see wwww.southhillpark.org.uk

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

An extra £100,000 will be spent by Bracknell Forest Borough Council this year in response to residents who want the borough to be even cleaner and greener.

During the Bracknell annual budget consultation, residents said they would like more money to be spent in making the borough's attractive environment even better.

Therefore the Council is now planning to spend an additional:

• £25,000 to give the borough's 11 neighbourhood centres a deep clean every 11 weeks in addition to their normal cleaning;

• £30,000 so high speed single roads and dual carriageways can be cleaned and maintained every eight weeks by providing essential traffic control.

Underpasses will be spruced up, as part of the plans, and rural hedges will be cut and litter picked more frequently. A chewing gum clearing machine will also be deployed more frequently around the borough; and more resources will be spent on keeping the borough’s verges, hedges and plants neat and tidy throughout the peak growing season.

The Bracknell Council’s Take Pride campaign will continue to support community groups who want to run local litter picks and can lend equipment and arrange for waste to be collected.

Vincent Paliczka, Director of Environment, Culture and Communities, said: "A clean and green environment makes us all feel better and this extra money will make the borough even better.

"We will continue to work with the public to try and create a litter free borough where no-one drops it in the first place, but in the meantime this investment is a welcome boost to our environment in direct response to the wishes of our community and it will see a marked improvement in these areas."

Cllr Mrs Dorothy Hayes, Executive Member for the Environment, said: "Bracknell Forest is a lovely place to live and work, and the additional work by the Council will make it even more attractive.

"I hope this work will encourage everyone to take more pride in our environment, and not drop litter or chewing gum in the first place.”

For more information about Take Pride, visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/takepride or call 01344 352000.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

On 17 March, I joined the Bracknell town centre neighbourhood policing team – or to be more precise, I rejoined it. For the past five years, I’ve been working in Intelligence, but before that I spent a year as a ‘beat bobby’ in the town centre.

In total, I’ve been with Thames Valley Police for some 13 years, initially as a civilian in the Crime and Incident Management Unit. While doing this job, I started working as a special constable, which is a voluntary role. I liked it so much that I decided to join the regulars as a full-time police officer, spending my first two years as a reactive shift officer in Windsor.

I used to enjoy being out and about in Bracknell town centre, and had built up some good relationships with local retailers, so I’m very pleased to be back on the beat. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been renewing old acquaintances and meeting new people.

The Bracknell town centre team is now up to full strength. There’s Sgt Graham Smith, three police constables: PC Marc Boyd, myself and PC Daemon Farry; plus three police community support officers (PCSOs): Chris Keeley, Fran Millen and Anita-Marie Kennedy.

We carry out regular uniformed patrols to deter criminals, reduce the fear of crime and provide reassurance to people who work, visit and live in the town centre. We work closely with our partners, particularly the retailers, businesses and local authorities who belong to Bracknell Businesses Against Crime (B:BAC).

Members of B:BAC work together to prevent crime by using town link radios and sharing information with CCTV operators and police. Their combined efforts mean that crime in Bracknell town centre is kept at a low level. Another significant factor in reducing crime and disorder has been the granting of anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) restricting the activities of several people who were responsible for shoplifting, harassment and nuisance behaviour in the town centre.

I look forward to meeting people while I’m out on patrol; please feel free to stop for a chat, and remember that all the members of the town centre policing team can be reached on 0845 8 505 505.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Bracknell Forest borough’s businesses, voluntary organisations, and members of the Council joined the Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest Cllr Mrs Gill Birch at the annual civic reception last Friday (April 11) to celebrate excellence.

Other guests included Sir Philip Wroughton KCVO, Lord Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire, Dr Carolyn Boulter, High Sheriff of the Royal County of Berkshire, Rt Hon Andrew MacKay MP, other local mayors and Council staff.

The prestigious black-tie event was held at the Licensed Victuallers' School in Ascot and is an annual celebration where the borough's Mayor thanks everyone who she has come in to contact with during her period as Mayor.

In her speech Bracknell Cllr Mrs Birch reflected on the year and events which have and will shape the borough for years to come.

She recognised the huge contribution made to many groups and individuals in the borough who give so much, often unpaid, to support a wide range of activities and public service.

Gill had invited a wide range of people from community groups, schools, Heathlands care home, and youth organisations.

The Bracknell Mayor also thanked the head teachers, staff and governors of the borough’s excellent schools and all the other, coaches, mentors, scout leaders and support staff who work hard to support Bracknell Forest's young people.

She introduced Michael Carne, Deputy Member of the Youth Parliament, and talked about his work with young people.

She said: "It has been a very busy year with the Council receiving many awards and high praise for many areas. We are now a four star Council which means the residents of the borough will continue to get first class service from us.

"Our social services have improved so much with the dementia tea, winning a national award. I also wanted to thanks all the staff, tenans and leaseholders who have worked so hard on the housing stock transfer and I'd like to wish Bracknell Forest Homes the best for the future.

I have attended many events over the last year and have been impressed by the work in the borough by volunteers and also the support of the business community. The civic reception is a way of saying thank you to these people.

I would also like to thank everyone who has supported my chosen charity, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help, and helped by raising or donating money.

"This year I set two objectives for my charity. I didn't want to just raise as much money as possible which is going well, but to also raise the profile of SSAFA and all the terrific work they do to support our former service men and women.

"I am pleased to say that in the last year the number of referrals to SSAFA locally has increased by 15%.

My husband Dale and I have had a wonderful year in office and we are both extremely proud and privileged to have served the community in this way.”

Cllr Birch thanked the Deputy Bracknell Mayor Cllr Bob Edger, the Mayor's Chaplain Rev Guy Cole and her secretary and chauffeur for their support during her mayoral year. She also thanked her children, Graham and Susie, for their support.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

However old your child, the new online Children’s Bracknell Services Directory is an invaluable tool to find contact details you need.

The Bracknell directory contains contact details for a wide range of organisations offering support and advice on health, family, social care and education issues - including the Council's services as well as charities and voluntary sector agencies within Bracknell Forest and nationally.

Organisations are classified under categories such as Early Years and Childcare, Health and Wellbeing, and Young People among others.

There is a search facility so you can use keywords to find what you are looking for, or you can just look at all entries in the category.

The directory will be updated over time and is available to all members of the public. Just click here to browse children's services.

Martin Gocke, Chief Officer for Bracknell Access and Inclusion, said: The new children’s services directory is an invaluable tool for any family.

"There are hundreds of listings and I urge people to browse the directory to see what organisations there are out there that may be able to help or advise them on any number of matters.”

Gareth Barnard, Executive Member for Bracknell children’s services, said: "As a parent I know how hard it can sometimes be to find information - whether it be to find dance classes or Girlguiding UK.

"The new directory is easy to search and also lists organisations that offer advice on things such as sexual health and drugs.

"It is a fantastic tool and one which I’m sure I will be using!”

http://search3.openobjects.com/kbroker/bracknell/brackcsd/search/asearch.jsp

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Bracknell Residents are invited to Garth Hill College to find out about the school’s future during a public exhibition.

The multi-million pound proposal involves constructing a Bracknell new school, which will provide top class education and sports facilities. Once finished, the old school buildings will then be demolished.

An exhibition will be held prior to the submission of a detailed planning proposal to ensure feedback of residents is fully considered.

The new college will provide more pupil places, could be open longer and the Council hopes it will be able to provide arts, sports and library activities to engage young people as well as the wider community.

With flexible spaces the new building can be used for a multitude of activities - meetings, events, recreation and of course, as standard classrooms.

Materials, colour, space and storage have been carefully considered to get the most out of the building.

David Watkins, Chief Officer for Bracknell Performance and Resources, said: "The exhibition is a great opportunity for residents to see the next stage of the project and to see the design of the new school.

"I am very excited about the new college and am sure that everyone at Garth Hill and in the local community is looking forward to seeing the finished building in 2010!"

The project is being run under the DfES Building Schools for the Future programme. This sets out a national programme of development for all secondary school in the country, including Bracknell Forest's six secondaries, over the next 15 years.

An open exhibition of the detailed plans will be held at Garth Hill College on Tuesday, April 29, from 7pm, and a drop-in session will also be held on Saturday, May 3, from 10am until 3pm at Easthampstead House in the town centre.

Representatives from the Bracknell Council, Garth Hill College and the project development team will be there to answer residents’ questions and to listen to feedback.

Cllr Alan Kendall, Executive Member for Education and Libraries, said: "Garth Hill College is going to be an outstanding building.

"This project is a very exciting one for Bracknell Forest. We know the local community are going to be very proud of this brilliant education facility in their midst.

"Please come along to the exhibition and find out more about the potential for the new Garth Hill College building in your community."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Crime in Bracknell Forest fell by more than a fifth last year: a drop that translates into 1,177 fewer victims across the local police area.

Bracknell Forest saw the Thames Valley’s biggest percentage reduction in British Crime Survey (BCS) crimes, which account for over half of all crime and are those that matter most to the public.

BCS crimes, including domestic burglary, criminal damage, vehicle crime, robbery, wounding and common assault, were down by 20.4 per cent overall between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2008, compared with 2006/07.

The most notable statistics included falls of 57.7 per cent in robberies of personal property; 42.7 per cent in vehicle interference; 41.2 per cent in theft from vehicles; 21.5 per cent in woundings (non-domestic); 17.6 per cent in theft from the person; and 17.4 per cent in criminal damage.

The 41.2 per cent decrease in theft from motor vehicles goes far beyond a Local Public Service Agreement target reduction of 30 per cent, agreed with the Government Office of the South East. By exceeding this target, Bracknell Forest will receive additional government funding for community safety initiatives.

Also, the police and their partner agencies have been working hard to encourage more victims of domestic common assaults to come forward. This has been reflected by an increase in reporting of 10.3 per cent, or 15 offences – the only BCS category to increase.

Ch Insp Simon Bowden, commander of Bracknell Forest local police area, said: “Our reduction in crime is the best in the Force. This significant achievement reflects a tremendous amount of effort by police and our partner agencies, with the strong support of the community as a whole.

“Neighbourhood policing has been running in our borough for more than two years. The hard work put in by my officers and staff, together with neighbourhood action groups (NAGs) and members of the public, is really making a difference.

“I would like to emphasise that the police are not the only people responsible for reducing crime in Bracknell Forest. We also have an excellent Community Safety Partnership with the Borough Council, and the active support of Borough, Town and Parish Councils.

“When you combine these with the NAGs, numerous Neighbourhood Watch schemes, as well as the efforts of many community organisations and dedicated individuals, it all adds up to a formidable crime-fighting force.”

Cllr Iain McCracken, Bracknell Forest Borough Council's Executive Member for Public Protection, said: "It is encouraging to see our close working relationship with Thames Valley Police is helping to cut crime across Bracknell Forest.

“Speaking for the authority, we are committed to continuing our support of the neighbourhood forums and action groups and have provided another means for our residents to identify local issues which really matter to them.

“With the Council, police and residents working together, I am confident we will see further reductions in crime in Bracknell Forest.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Bracknell Forest residents can make a fitness push before the summer holidays with exciting sports and swimming courses at Bracknell Leisure Centre.

The jam packed summer term schedule starts on April 21 and residents will be spoilt for choice with more than 110 stimulating sports courses to pick from. There are exciting children’s courses including trampolining, team gym, ballet, tumblers and football classes run by Chelsea FC.

For Bracknell teenagers looking to get into fitness there are balance, jam, cycling and TeenWorX sessions for 11-16 year olds. The teen sessions are designed to introduce participants to the physical, mental and social benefits of following a health-related physical activity programme.

To kick start summer with some energy, adult courses include tai-chi, tap dancing, squash, trampolining and ladies multi-sports, plus the return of other popular sporting activities such as pilates, yoga and badminton.

For those who don't mind getting wet there are swimming courses for all ages from six months to adults. All abilities are well catered for, from nervous non swimmers through to the more advanced swimmers. There are more than 300 swimming courses to choose from so you are guaranteed to find a the right class.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Leisure, said: It's April already and we are only a few months away from the summer holidays so what better way to get fit for the summer than taking part in a course or class at Bracknell Leisure Centre.”

To find out more about the courses and enrol call 01344 454203

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

I am responsible for supervising the policing teams in three neighbourhoods in the south of Bracknell: Great Hollands; Easthampstead and Wildridings; and Birch Hill and Hanworth.

In the last two weekly columns, PC Foot from Birch Hill, and PCSO Francis from Great Hollands, reported on some of their recent activities. I would like to add an update from their sergeant’s point of view.

The neighbourhood team has been doing a lot of preventative work at Easthampstead Park conference centre, where we have had a problem with thefts from motor vehicles. Because the centre is used by many different organisations, it can be difficult to get crime prevention messages to the people who park there.

We’ve been carrying out extra patrols of the area to deter criminals and to check that no valuables are left on display in parked cars. Our PCSOs have been speaking to drivers, as well as handing out crime prevention advice and leaflets. In addition, a state-of-the-art CCTV system has been installed, covering the whole car park. I’m pleased to report that this combination of measures has resulted in a significant decrease in vehicle crime at the conference centre.

In Great Hollands, parking is one of the neighbourhood priorities. Neighbourhood Specialist Officer PC Michael Parker says it is the single issue that generates the most complaints, including many from disabled residents who are forced to go into the street to get past, and people unable to leave for work as they are blocked in by parked cars. We would like to appeal to the entire community of Great Hollands to park more considerately. The neighbourhood team will be responding very robustly to this problem and we will be removing illegally parked cars at the owners’ expense.

At the end of March, neighbourhood officers arrested a 17-year-old boy in Great Hollands on suspicion of drug dealing. We have been carrying out uniformed and plain clothes patrols to combat drug use and supply in the area, in response to residents’ complaints.

Drug use does not exist in isolation: it is directly connected to acquisitive crime and receiving stolen goods. I would like to warn people not to buy items such as satellite navigation systems, mobile phones or laptops which may be offered for sale at low prices and be of doubtful origin. These will have almost certainly been stolen from vehicles or from peoples’ homes during burglaries, often by drug users who sell them to fund their addiction. Buying things on the cheap may seem harmless, but by doing so you may well be perpetuating drug-related crime and feeding the drug habits of criminals.

Finally, I would like to remind everyone that Operation Lion Cub, our anti-social behaviour initiative, is being stepped up during the school holidays and on into the summer months with extra numbers of officers patrolling hotspots to prevent youth disorder and underage drinking. We will be making contact with the parents of youths found to be involved in such behaviour, which disrupts the quality of life of people in the Bracknell area.

If you have information about crime or anti-social behaviour in your area, please call the neighbourhood team on 0845 8 505 505. In an emergency, always dial 999.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Does the thought of Bracknell grocery shopping fill you with dread? Is doing the laundry a struggle?

If so then the Bracknell Forest Domestic Support Service can help you.

Set up in October, the service is funded by Bracknell Forest Borough Council and run through Bracknell Forest Voluntary Action.

The service offers older or vulnerable residents helpers to assist in housework, shopping, laundry, pension and benefit collecting and other tasks they are struggling to do.

Gemma Frewin, from the Bracknell domestic support team, said: "For £9 an hour we provide domestic assistance to people living independently in the borough that need just a little support.

"Our helpers are all self-employed but have all been interviewed and CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checked as safety is paramount for our clients.

"So far we have had fantastic feedback about the service. Clients have praised us for our dedication, punctuality and valuable service."

Dale Birch, Executive Member for Bracknell Adult Services, Health and Housing, said: "This service is testament to our commitment to ensuring people stay independent in their own homes.

"Sometimes day-to-day tasks can be a struggle for our older or vulnerable residents. By utilising this affordable service, residents can continue to live independently for many years to come."

If you would like to find out more about the service contact Gemma Frewin or Katie Elliot on (01344) 383516 or email domsupport@bfva.org.

Due to the success of the project, more helpers are needed. If you would like to be self employed and are flexible, reliable and caring, then contact Gemma or Katie on the above number.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

A lost Bracknell dog was found and returned to its owners in less than an hour of it being reported thanks to the local knowledge of the Council's dog warden Andy Hill.

The Chihuahua and Yorkshire Terrier cross, called Codie, escaped from the Wildridings Bracknell home of its owners ( Michelle and her daughter, 12-year-old Billie) on a Friday night late last month. He was immediately reported missing to the police and to Bracknell Forest Borough Council the following Monday morning.

Andy Hill, who has been the Bracknell Council’s dog warden for eight years, immediately got on the case. He followed clues on where Codie was last seen and discovered him in a garden near Bracknell town centre. He was returned safe and well to his family within the hour.

He said: “I have worked in Bracknell Forest for a while now and I have a lot of experience on tracking down dogs when they have gone missing. Call it a sixth sense! I was able to go on information from the owner and the police which gave me an idea of where Codie might be and I found him within the hour.

”I was pleased I was able to return Codie to Michelle and Billie so quickly, and see him back at home safely.”

Michelle, Codie's owner, said: "We were absolutely devastated after Codie disappeared and my daughter, Billie, was in pieces. I want to thank Andy for the way he found our Codie so quickly. He deserves a lot of praise. Everyone has been so good and we are so pleased to have Codie home.

Cllr Ms Denise Whitbread, ward member for Bracknell Wildridings and Central, said: “I gave Codie as a puppy to Michelle and Billie last year, and was sad to hear he had gone missing as I often see them dog walking around Wildridings Green.

”I am thrilled Andy was able to respond so quickly, and urge residents to register any lost dogs or strays with the Council as soon as they go missing so we can offer our help.”

From this month (April), the Council will become fully responsible for dealing with lost or stray dogs. Owners are reminded that it is a legal requirement to have a collar and tag on their dog which gives the name and address of the owner. Additionally having a pet microchipped can provide essential details to enable it to be identified and returned to its owners as soon as possible.

If any residents have lost a dog or found a stray, please report it to the Council by calling 01344 352000.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Bracknell Forest residents can splash out for charity by taking part in Swimathon 2008 on Saturday, April 19.

Participants at Bracknell Leisure Centre can take part in one of the long distance challenges and raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Swimathon Foundation.

At the centre last year, 30 volunteers raised nearly £5,000 for the charities – more than doubling what was raised in 2006.

Participants can set their own choice of distance ranging from five kilometres for regular swimmers; 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, said: "The Swimathon is a great challenge, which is always accepted with great enthusiasm by Bracknell Forest residents.

”The event had a great year last year, raising a huge amount of money for charity and I hope it can do even better this year.”

To register, visit www.swimathon.org or call 0845 36 700 36. Standard registration is £9 or £4.50 for concessions.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Students at Bracknell Ranelagh School enjoy excellent business education according to an inspector.

The Bracknell school was visited at the start of the year by an Ofsted representative and his findings have now been released.

The purpose of the Bracknell visit was to consider the development of economic and business understanding and financial capability for all students at Key Stage 4 as part of the statutory provision for work-related learning.

The report said: "The overall effectiveness of business education was judged as outstanding. The provision of examination courses and for developing economic and business understanding for all students is excellent."

The inspector noted that:

• Standards at GCSE and in sixth form are well above national levels.

• In lessons, students feel confident to challenge opinions.

• The school has made excellent progress towards meeting its challenging specialist school target.

• Students respond well to learning opportunities and make excellent progress in lessons. Behaviour is excellent, as are student-staff relationships.

• An extensive range of enterprise activities provides excellent opportunities for all students to develop their team and problem-solving skills.

• Young Enterprise gives Year 12 students an excellent insight into business planning and collaborative working.

Kathy Winrow, Ranelagh School headteacher, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the inspector's comments on our excellent provision of business education.

"This positive outcome is a testimony to the enthusiasm, energy and hard work of staff, students and governors."

Cllr Alan Kendall, Executive Member for Bracknell Education, said: "Ranelagh School has been recognised as a centre of excellence for business education.

"The school provides the highest standard of education for our children and I congratulate the headteacher and her staff on their continuing success."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

A Freecycle network has been launched in Bracknell Forest to help residents exchange and recycle unwanted possessions free of charge rather than throw them away.

Local Bracknell volunteers have set up the environmentally-friendly network where residents can exchange or give away possessions they no longer need, but might still be useful to someone else; or find something they do need.

The local network has been running since February and has already got more than 630 members, who have made more than 570 postings which Freecycle believe has diverted 1.5tonnes of waste away from harmful landfill sites.

Bracknell Forest Freecycle is supported by Bracknell Forest Borough Council’s waste and recycling team as it can help divert useful items from being sent to harmful landfill sites.

Freecycle is an international non-profit internet-based organisation where there is only one rule - everything put online must be available for free.

Russell Bryant, who set up Bracknell Forest Freecycle, said: "Freecycle is a great idea and I firmly believe in recycling, so I volunteered to start a group because there wasn’t one in this area. Everyone in the area is welcome to join, including non profit groups like schools and charities.

"We’ve had all manner of things including a three piece suite, story tapes, and computer equipment. So whether it is an old door, a chair, fax machine, gardening tools or construction materials, it is very satisfying to pass something on to someone who needs it.”

Cllr Mrs Dorothy Hayes, the Council’s Executive Member for the Environment, said: "I am very pleased to hear that volunteers have set up a local Freecycle network as it is a great way of getting rid of any items you don't need any more and getting anything you do need, and all with minimum effort."

To join, visit website www.uk.freecycle.org and look for Bracknell in the south east UK listing

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

A group of teaching assistants from Bracknell Forest Borough Council's schools are celebrating gaining their Higher Level Teaching Assistant status.

Some 17 Bracknell teaching assistants gained Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) status and a further nine Teaching Assistants are expected to gain their status this term.

HLTA status is given to teaching assistants who demonstrate their work meets the teaching standards set by the Teaching and Development Agency.

Bob Welch, Chief Adviser, Learning and Achievement, presented each of them with a certificate to mark their achievement.

To achieve it the teaching assistants were assessed against criteria including professional values and practice, knowledge and understanding, teaching and learning activities.

Each Bracknell candidate had to plan, deliver and evaluate lessons with whole classes, groups and individual pupils as well as completing a portfolio of work which evidenced how their work met the other standards.

They were also interviewed by an assessor, before successfully gaining their HLTA status.

Bob Welch said: "Well done to all the successful teaching assistants who have put in a good deal of hard work to achieve this.

"Working towards this status and gaining these skills and knowledge make them a real asset to learners in the borough’s schools."

Alan Kendall, Executive Member for Education, said: "I would like to congratulate these teaching assistants on their success.

"As a teacher myself, I know their support is invaluable and I hope their success will inspire them to continue learning and developing their skills."

There are no mandatory qualifications for teaching assistants but all those working in Bracknell Council's schools are encouraged to undertake professional training towards a formal qualification. Grants are available for some courses.

Any teaching assistant who wants to find more about the qualifications they can take should contact Susan Alcock on 01344 354087, email: susan.alcock@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

The successful students were:

Lyn Arpino: Harmans Water

Lisa Nutsford: Harmans Water

Julie Gillis: Harmans Water

Anna Crowley: St Michael's Sandhurst

Helen McComish : St Michael's Sandhurst

Susan Brooks: Ascot Heath Junior

Clare Groom: Garth Hill College

Susan Wilson: Garth Hill College

Juianne Cahill: Meadow Vale

Sally Watson: Meadow Vale

Irene Richardson: Holly Spring Infant

Lorraine Clark; Sandy Lane

Lisa Sandy; College town Infant

Angela Nicholas: Broadmoor

Claudia Matthews-Eve: Adastron House

Helen Jones: Fox Hill

Susan Maving: St Michael's, Easthampstead

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

I have been dealing with reports of obstructive and illegal parking outside Birch Hill Primary School in Leppington, Birch Hill, Bracknell. Complaints, which have come from teachers and parents, have ranged from people parking on double yellow lines, parking in disabled bays without disabled badges, and blocking in other cars.

In response, I patrolled the Bracknell area at the end of the school day for three consecutive days in the week before Easter. One driver was parked on double yellow lines and her excuse was that she had a bad hip. Although I am sympathetic to a degree, it is still not acceptable. Some drivers are in such a rush that they end up parking anywhere, even if it means a problem for someone else. This causes danger to the school children as they can't see properly when crossing the road.

I am very concerned that a child may get hurt in the future. There are plenty of places to park nearby; I would urge Bracknell drivers to allow more time to find a parking space and if it means walking a bit further, then do so. What I don’t want is drivers parking on the nearby residential streets causing problems there, so I would suggest they use the parking spaces in Leppington, or Birch Hill shops, or even South Hill Park - plenty of spaces there and it only takes two minutes to walk to the school.

There is no such excuse for illegal and inconsiderate parking. It is parents themselves who are parking in this way, and I'm sure they can imagine how they would feel if it was their own child who was hurt as a result of someone else's poor parking. Users of the Bracknell Birch Hill Community Centre, which is the next to the school, are often there at the same time as the school is closing, and this further adds to the problem. Again, I would urge these drivers to find somewhere else to park, or arrange to collect people at an earlier or later time than when the school closes.

I will continue to monitor the parking and will enforce where I can. As the local authority took over parking enforcement in April 2006, it is their attendants who have the power to fine drivers for most parking offences. I will be working with them to request that they carry out frequent enforcement patrols in the area.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Budding Bracknell maestros will be beaming at The Look Out Discovery Centre this spring.

Bracknell Optimusic is a new groundbreaking exhibition at The Look Out guaranteed to entertain the whole family.

Optimusic has to be seen to be believed. With eight colourful beams of light, a musical bat creates a symphony of sounds when passed through the beams.

With a whole series of musical activities and interactive games, visitors can become a conductor and wave the bat through the beams in time with a tune.

Or can you be the quickest person to make all of the beams disappear in the Speedy Beamer game?

Jacky Henderson, manager of The Bracknell Look Out Discovery Centre, said: "Optimusic is proving to be one of our most popular exhibits yet. The parents and children really like it because it's unusual and great fun."

Optimusic is just one of 80 exciting and interactive science exhibits at The Look Out. Other exhibits include a giant floor piano, a hydrogen rocket and a fantastic hot air balloon.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Leisure, Corporate Services and Public Protection, said: "With new exhibits arriving regularly, The Look Out Discovery Centre always has something new to delight the family.

"Optimusic is a fun exhibit which is sure to entertain the young and young at heart."

The Look Out Discovery Centre is open daily from 10am until 5pm.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Our three neighbourhood priorities in Great Hollands, Bracknell are illegal parking, anti-social behaviour and environmental issues.

The Bracknell neighbourhood policing team has stepped up patrols at lunchtimes and evenings to prevent anti-social behaviour in hotspots such as outside the shops in Great Hollands Square, and we will continue to keep up a uniformed presence during the forthcoming school holiday period.

My colleague PCSO Taylor Walmsley and I have been handing out parking tickets and giving advice to car owners, and we will continue to target illegal and inconsiderate parking in the area.

We are planning to carry out patrols in the early mornings and early evenings to hand out leaflets and speak to dog walkers about clearing up after their pets. If we catch someone allowing their dog to foul the footpath, we will issue a £50 fine.

Another initiative we are working on is trying to get more people to join Bracknell Neighbourhood Watch groups. I have been knocking on people’s doors to explain the benefits of Neighbourhood Watch in preventing crime and anti-social behaviour. So far I have recruited seven people in three roads, but we would like to encourage a lot more.

We are recruiting members in the following streets, not because there is a particular crime problem here, but simply because they don’t have Neighbourhood Watch groups yet. The streets are: Wheatley, Wylam, Welbeck, Waverley, Holland Pines, Holbeck, Highfield, Halewood, Turnberry, St Andrews, Carnoustie, Wickham Vale, Penwood Gardens, Silwood and Sarum.

If you live in any of these streets, or anywhere in Great Hollands and would like to find out more about Neighbourhood Watch, please call Bracknell PCSO Carl Francis or PCSO Taylor Walmsley on 0845 8 505 505. Alternatively, you can find more information on: www.tvpcommunitymessaging.org/

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell