Bracknell

There was a lot more than just clowning around which took place in Bracknell town centre on Saturday (26 July).

As part of Bracknell Streetlife 08, Fraser Hooper, thought to be one of the country's finest clowns joined other acts including an unusual, energetic dance theatre group called Motionhouse Dance Theatre who acted out a journey on the London Underground and Larkin About - deep sea divers who discovered they had drifted out of the ocean and had become lost. Their first thought was to locate the fish stall in Bracknell Market.

Graham Mountford, Bracknell Town Centre Manager, said: We had a lovely, warm and sunny day on Saturday and there was plenty for shoppers and visitors to the town to watch and enjoy. Fraser Hooper was extrememly funny and popular with the children and the deep sea divers captivated the audience with their unusual and bizarre performance.

"For another three weeks there will be free, family Streetlife entertainment to enjoy in the town centre and it really is something which is worth coming along too."

Next weekend (Saturday August 2) the weird and the wonderful to perform in Bracknell continues with:

Natural Theatre - Coneheads - A group of pointy headed aliens are on the loose. Their destination is Bracknell and they will try to unravel the human concept of shopping.

Strangelings - The Photographers - Henry and Bert are two photographers who will aim to make the perfect photographic work of art by providing participants with all manner of wacky props and items of clothing.

Beatroots - For the more adventurous and energetic audience members get absorbed in this carnival samba drumming, fusing African, Asian and Latin-American rhythms.

Streetlife is put on by Bracknell Forest Council, South Hill Park and Bracknell Regeneration Partnership. It is free, family entertainment put on annually in Bracknell town centre and is now in its seventh year.

Streetlife runs every Saturday until August 1,6 from 12pm until 3.30pm, in Charles Square, Bracknell. A list of full acts is available. For more information log onto: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk

Bracknell Forest Council

Young wannabe architects and people with an interest in buildings in Bracknell Forest are encouraged to go along to a fun family-orientated day to celebrate Architecture 08.

Architecture 08 is a fun celebration in the art of architecture and on Friday 1 August, a session will be held at Bracknell and Wokingham College. The aim is to create a piece of artwork inspired by the new college building currently being built next to its Church Road site.

There will be a whole selection of creative and constructive artist’s materials available to work with including cameras, scanners, computers, glue, pens and traditional artist’s canvasses.

Agostina Hawkins, Heritage Officer for Bracknell Forest Council, said: "This is a great opportunity for families to work together in the school holidays on an original piece of work inspired by their home town. There are so many different types of building and architecture to be discovered in Bracknell Forest, some of it is very old and very artistic and some is very new and interesting so this really is an opportunity to let the imagination run wild and to have a really good time doing it."

The workshop runs from 1pm until 4pm and the cost of this workshop is £4 for adults and £3 for children (over eight years only).

In addition, from 5pm until 7pm evening, there will be a free talk about the new college building and will include themes about the environmental impacts of the building.

For more information on the art event log onto: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/leis-heritage or call or 01344 354124 and to find out more about the talk then call Agostina Hawkins at Bracknell Forest Council on: 01344 351754 or email her at heritage@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

Bracknell Forest Council

Bracknell Forest residents growing sunflowers with real flower power still have time to enter their 'pride and joy' into the Your Gardens Tallest Sunflower competition organised by Bracknell Forest Borough Council and sponsored by Bracknell Regeneration Partnership.

Although the Your Bracknell Gardens competition closed for entries in June, the sunflower category is open until August 25th and the tallest five will be measured in September.

The Your Gardens competition forms part of the Bracknell Flowers campaign which is the name given to Bracknell’s entry in to the Thames & Chilterns in Bloom competition. Last week judges from the RHS visited Bracknell and the results will be known in September.

Steve McKenna, Landscape Manager for Bracknell Forest Council, said: "The Sunflower Competition is just a bit of fun and we find there is always a bit of rivalry in who can grow the tallest sunflower. It is interesting to hear what measures some people go to in order to grow a huge sunflower, some people have admitted singing to their flower or feeding it with a cocktail of different non alcoholic feeds."

If you have great expectations for your sunflower, enter online at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/yourgardens or call 01344 352000

Bracknell Forest Council

It is unlucky for some, but not for these 13 Bracknell ladies who are the latest to receive accreditation as Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTA).

At a special ceremony, held at Easthampstead Park Education Centre, the Bracknell Forest Council school teaching assistants were presented with certificates in recognition of their achievement by Tony Eccleston, Director of Social Care and Learning.

The HLTA is similar to a quality mark given to teaching assistants who demonstrate that their work meets the teaching standards set by the Training and Development Agency.

To achieve it, the Bracknell teaching assistants were assessed against criteria including professional values and practice, knowledge and understanding, and teaching and learning activities. Each TA had to plan, deliver and evaluate lessons without a teacher being present and complete a portfolio or work.

Tony Eccleston, said: A big well done to our qualifying teaching assistants. This achievement demonstrates all the hard work they put into being successful and benefiting the children and our schools. I wish them all the best of luck in their future careers.”

The newly qualified HLTA’s are:

From The Pines School

•Lynne Quarterman

•Janet Robbins

From Great Hollands Primary School

•Suzanne Botley

•Isobel Jones

•Nicola Heaton

•Anita Wheeler

From Binfield C of E Primary School

•Elaine Trewhella

•Janice Brien-Tappenden

•Kate Holland

•Ann Dale

From Kennel Lane School

•Zoe Meeson

•Jolene Nelson

And

From New Scotland Hill Primary School

•June Hill

This takes the total number of HLTAs at Bracknell Forest schools to 51, with a further three teaching assistants expected to gain their HLTA status next term.

Bracknell Forest Council

An ambitious Bracknell 13-year plan for primary school education has been unveiled at a council meeting this week.

Bracknell Forest Council presented its Primary Capital Strategy for Change (PCSfC) report at an executive meeting on Tuesday, July 22.

The PCSfC is a Government programme of capital investment in primary schools targeted at areas most in need and at school buildings in the worst physical condition. The programme aims to refurbish or remodel all primary schools in the borough, as well as fund the building of new schools when the need arises.

David Watkins, Chief Officer: Bracknell Performance and Resources, said: “The Primary Capital Strategy for Change is a positive plan for our schools.

“There is a direct link to the school environment and learning outcomes. With this strategy we aim to remove all environmental obstacles to teaching and learning, which will also improve pupil morale and behaviour.”

After consulting with schools, pupils and governors the Council has ranked the borough’s schools according to their need for improvements. The first phase of refurbishments will include Holly Spring Infant and Nursery, Crown Wood Primary, Sandy Lane Primary, Great Hollands Primary, Holly Spring Junior School and Ascot Heath Junior School.

Subject to the availability of funding, refurbishments for these schools could include:

• Addressing suitability issues to remove impediments to teaching and learning and improve standards of attainment, enabling pupils to enjoy and achieve and creating opportunities for excellence and equity.
• Refurbishment of kitchen and dining areas, combined with promotions, will make mealtimes more enjoyable and improve the take up of school meals contributing to healthy eating and improvements in health and fitness.
• High priority accessibility works will also be addressed to remove physical obstacles to accessing buildings and facilities.
• Improvements to toilets, which were the highest priority for pupils in the consultation.

Mr Watkins said: “Our philosophy is to work in partnership with our schools, local communities, private and voluntary sector organisations to ensure the vision is delivered for our children and young people. The Bracknell Forest ethos is that ‘All schools will be good schools’.”

Cllr Alan Kendall, Executive Member for Bracknell Education, said: "This plan for the capital investment in primary schools is essential for maintaining and further improving the borough's high standards in Key Stages 1 and 2.

"By investing money into our schools we are ensuring that pupils get the best possible education and it will greatly benefit the community as a whole in Bracknell Forest."

The PCSfC for Bracknell Forest will include all primary, infant and junior schools. This includes all voluntary aided, voluntary controlled and community schools and maintained nurseries.

Bracknell Forest Council

Shoppers in Bracknell were treated to a surreal blast from the past and awesome street entertainment last Saturday when Streetlife made a welcome return to the town centre.

Acts, which took to the Charles Square stage, Bracknell included Ozstar Airlines, a high comedy circus duo; Atongo Zimba, who played an usual range of funky style African music; Stuff n Things – Keystone Kops, who try hard but just can't catch their man and Fairly Famous Family – Tennis – who played a thrilling one set match between John McEnroe and Pat Cash (complete with slow motion replays and elaborate wigs).

Streetlife is put on by Bracknell Forest Council, South Hill Park and Bracknell Regeneration Partnership. It is free, family entertainment put on annually in Bracknell town centre and is now in its seventh year.

Graham Mountford, Bracknell Town Centre Manager, said: The acts last week were very entertaining. I particularly liked Atongo Zimba, his music was amazing and captivating and he really had quite a following. The Fairly Famous Family - Tennis, were also very funny and everyone I saw was cheering them on and getting involved in their comedy tennis match.

"I am now very much looking forward to next week's acts and would encourage everyone to come along to at least one weekend of Streetlife. It really is a feel good event for all ages and is free too."

Next weekend (Saturday July 26) the Bracknell festival of fun continues with:

Fraser Hooper - Fraser plays theatres and street festivals worldwide and is one of the country's finest clowns. His show has got it all - mime, audience participation, comedy, juggling and eccentric dance.

Motionhouse Dance Theatre - Underground - suspended at odd angles and riding the rhythm of the train, four travellers are thrown together in an unlikely alliance. This is energetic, thought provoking, in-your-face dance theatre.

Larkin About - Deep Sea Divers - invariably lost and only able to communicate with wipeboards, the chances are they'll need your help if you meet them. But watch out for their leaky helmets!

Streetlife runs every Saturday until August 1,6 from 12pm until 3.30pm, in Charles Square, Bracknell. A list of full acts is available. For more information log onto: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk or www.bracknell.com

Bracknell Forest Council

Britain in Bloom judges take at look at the flowers in Bracknell town centreRepresentatives from the Royal Horticultural Society visited Bracknell last week to judge the town’s entry in this year’s Britain in Bloom contest.

Accompanied by Bracknell Forest Borough councillors and representatives from sponsors, including Bracknell Regeneration Partnership and Bracknell Town Council, the judges were taken on a tour of the Borough in a sunflower oil fuelled bus which was followed by a walk through the town centre.

Steve McKenna, Bracknell Forest Borough Council’s landscape manager said: “With the sun shining and the flowers around the town looking fabulous, I am sure that we will be an extremely hard act to follow. I will keep my fingers’ crossed for a successful outcome.”

Helen Barnett, marketing manager for Bracknell Regeneration Partnership commented: “The winners of the Britain in Bloom competition will be announced in September. The town looks absolutely fantastic and has really given us all something to be very proud of.”

The Britain in Bloom entry is part of the Bracknell Flowers campaign to regenerate the local environment through the imaginative planting of trees, shrubs, flowers and landscaping.

Bracknell Flowers is part of an on-going commitment by Bracknell Forest Council, Bracknell Town Council and Bracknell Regeneration Partnership.

Bracknell Forest Council

The summer is here and even dogs get a festival of fun as Bracknell Forest Council’s free dogs’ day out will be taking place on Saturday, July 26, in Westmorland Park in Warfield.

Dogs have the chance to drag along their Bracknell owners for a tail-wagging day of excitement - there will be the chance to take part in competitions, dog walks and games, with the opportunity to win a bronze award in the Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Dog Scheme.

There will be arena displays at the park from Berkshire Search and Rescue dogs and also Oakwood Park Kennels. On hand to give expert advice there will be stalls from various dog-related charities and local businesses including Guide Dogs For The Blind, Moor Cottage Veterinary Hospital and Pets as Therapy.

The Council’s parks and countryside service is holding the event in order to highlight responsible dog ownership and to give something back to key users of local parks and open spaces.

The day runs from 11am until 4pm and will be guaranteed to give your pooch a treat.

Park ranger Iain Macfarlane said: "Paws in the Park has become established as a really popular event with dog lovers. Please come along and join the fun - and you might even win a prize."

Cllr Bob Edger, Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest, said: ‘‘I think this is great recognition and reward for responsible dog ownership and the support networks that surround them. It is a great family day out, as well as raising money and supporting different charities.’’

Bracknell Forest Council

Lily Hill Park in Bracknell has been awarded a prestigious Green Flag Award following a £2 million restoration project.

Bracknell Forest Council restored the park to its original Victorian and 1930s designs with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. It has now been given a Green Flag - the highest national standard for quality parks and green spaces.

The Victorian east side of the park has benefited from opening up of lost views, the restoration of wild flower meadows, and re-establishing of historic tree planting; the 1930s features in the west side included a ha ha sunken fence, landscaping with flowers and shrubs, a paved walkway, and new oak trees.

Green Flags were also retained in Pope’s Meadow in Binfield for the seventh consecutive year and at Sandhurst Memorial Park and Shepherd Meadows - which was jointly awarded to the borough and Sandhurst Town Council.

Winkfield Parish Council has also been awarded its first Green Flag for Carnation Hall.

Green Flag judges work to a strict criteria when assessing parks. These include making the park a welcoming place; it should be healthy, safe, and secure; and be clean and well maintained. They also look at conservation and heritage, community involvement, marketing and management.

Richard Walton, Bracknell Parks and Countryside Manager, said: "We work hard maintaining all our parks to a high level, so we are really pleased to have three Green Flags flying in parks managed by Bracknell Forest Council.

"A huge amount of work went into the restoration of Lily Hill Park and it is incredibly satisfying that this has been recognised by the Green Flag judges.”

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Leisure, Corporate Services and Public Protection, said: "Our parks and countryside staff in Bracknell Forest Council work incredibly hard to maintain the high standards of our parks and countryside so they can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

"I would like to congratulate Winkfield Parish Council on their success, long may it continue; our partners at Sandhurst Town Council for another successful entry and to everyone who helped to restore Lily Hill Park. I know from the residents who live in my ward just how popular it is with them and visitors from across the borough and beyond. I am now looking forward to seeing similar results at South Hill Park through its upcoming restoration.”

Members of the public can feedback on all of the Council’s parks and open spaces online. By taking part in the internet Greenstat survey, residents can influence how parks are managed to ensure they meet their everyday needs.

Visit www.greenstat.org.uk to feedback online or call 01344 354 441 for a paper version.

Bracknell Forest Council

A panel of judges from the Royal Horticultural Society will visit Bracknell on Thursday, July 17 to judge the town’s Britain in Bloom entry.

They will be taken on a tour of the Borough in a sunflower oil fuelled bus, when they will be able to view the hordes of fabulous floral displays across Bracknell.

The aim of Bracknell Flowers is to regenerate the local environment through the imaginative planting of trees, shrubs, flowers and landscaping.

Bracknell Flowers is part of an on-going commitment by Bracknell Forest Council, Bracknell Town Council and Bracknell Regeneration Partnership, which focuses on keeping the borough bright, vibrant and beautiful.

Helen Barnett, marketing manager for Bracknell Regeneration Partnership comments: “It has been a real pleasure to work with the excellent team on what has hopefully been another successful Bracknell Flowers campaign. A huge thank you to everyone, including our sponsors, for all the hard work that has gone into making the Borough and town centre environments so fabulous again this year.”

Steve McKenna, Bracknell Forest Borough Council’s landscape manager adds: “We are really proud of our blooms and are impressed with the efforts local people have gone to again this year. The borough is looking great and I’m confident the judges will be impressed with the floral displays they will see on their tour around Bracknell. Fingers crossed the sun will be shining!”

Bracknell Forest Council

There is such a wide variety of children’s activities taking place in Bracknell Forest, there will be no need to hear shouts of ‘I’m bored’ during the summer holidays.

The Bracknell activities can be found at the borough's sport and leisure services, in libraries, in schools through the extended services scheme, and in the local parks and countryside.

Football, karting, swimming and trampolining all make up the summer fun at Bracknell Leisure Centre.

There are fun camps for children aged seven and over, plus the return of the Chelsea FC soccer school, which can keep participants occupied all day. Both camps include lunch and a free swim – under eights will need to be accompanied in the water by an adult.

There are also courses in multi-sports, soccer dribblers, fun sessions for under fours, athletics, karting kapers, gym and trampolining.

In the pool, there are a wide variety of children’s courses for all ages and abilities.

Coral Reef, Bracknell Forest’s water world, was designed with fun in mind with three giant water slides, wild water rapids, an erupting volcano and hissing snakes. For younger children there is a rain cloud, small slides, shallow pools to paddle in and a pirate ship complete with shooting cannons.

An air-conditioned restaurant and bar overlooks the pool and provides hot meals, snacks and drinks.

There will be kids camps running throughout the summer holidays at Downshire Golf Complex with fun tuition, lunch and refreshments. Contact the centre for exact dates.

The complex has a superb 18-hole course and benefits from tree lined fairways, lush even greens and water features.

There is also a nine hole pitch and putt which is great fun for all the family.

There are a range of children’s activities during the summer holidays at Edgbarrow Sports Centre to keep all ages entertained. Between Monday, July 28, and Friday, August 29, there will be Foxy’s Fun Camps for three to six year olds, and Club 7-11 is for seven to 11 year olds. Children can attend for half or full days.

There are also have a go sessions every afternoon from 3.30pm to 5pm in trampolining, gymnastics, and archery. They can be added onto the daily children’s sessions or be a separate activity.

There will be bouncy castle and soft play sessions for under threes, on Wednesdays between 9.30am and 11.30am between July 30 and August 27, at Sandhurst Sports Centre.

The Bracknell Look Out Discovery Centre is good fun in the summer holidays, whatever the weather, with a wide range of ways to keep the children entertained.

There are more than 80 exciting, interactive science and nature exhibits which are bright and appealing to all ages. Launch a hot air balloon, freeze your shadow, solve the intriguing puzzles in the puzzle carousel and play a harp without any strings. One of the new features is Optimusic - pass the bat through eight colourful beams of light and see what happens.

The new Yucky You show is running throughout the summer holidays and will show families what dandruff looks like, how bogies form, what vomit is and why we burp after eating. The shows are on four times a day and are an extra charge to the entrance fee.

The Look Out is surrounded by 1,000 hectares of Crown Estate woodland, where there are many trails and walks to explore, plus a children’s adventure play area, picnic area, and mountain bike hire. Come down and have some fun.

Information on all the sport and leisure centres can be found at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/be

Through the Council’s extended services, holiday activities are being provided in and around the borough’s schools. Planned activities include a Summer of Fun in Sandhurst, activities for young people in Crowthorne, and summer activities in Great Hollands and Binfield. In Children’s Centres, holiday schemes are being provided across the borough, including in Priestwood, Great Hollands, Crowthorne, North Ascot, Bullbrook, Harmans Water and Warfield. For more details, visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/extendedservices

The Council’s popular parks and countryside rangers are holding a variety of events during the summer holidays to teach children about the great outdoors. Their events include:

• Pond dipping and mini-beasting on Wednesday, July 30, at Sandhurst Memorial Park.
• Puppets Galore at Westmorland Park on Wednesday, August 6, where children can make animal puppets from recycled materials - birds on fingers, sock snakes and funky caterpillars.
• Bird box building and a nature treasure hunt on Thursday, August 7, at Sandhurst Memorial Park.
• Woodland Art Gallery at Englemere pond on Tuesday, August 12; where woodland materials are used to make sculptures to decorate the site and homes.

Sessions must be pre-booked by calling 01344 354441, there may be a cost for materials. Details of all parks and countryside’s events can be found at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parks

Bracknell Forest libraries are hoping to encourage children to pick up some books in the holidays with the annual Summer Reading Challenge.

The challenge is simple, read six books from a local library over the holidays. This year’s theme is Team Read, and there is a whole range of sporty activities and incentives to keep children reading.

Children are given a special pack and prizes to collect as they read, with a certificate and medal if the challenge is completed.

Team coaches at Bracknell borough’s libraries will be able to support the children as they read, while parents and carers can find something to read on the beach.

For more details, call 01344 352409 or visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/libraries

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Leisure, Corporate Services and Public Protection, said: "With the summer holidays coming up, I am pleased to see there is so much being offered by Bracknell Forest Council it would be hard not find something to keep the family entertained.

”From the clear waters of Coral Reef’s pools, to pond dipping in Sandhurst we have something here to suit all tastes.”

For details of all the Council’s summer holiday activities call 01344 352000.

Bracknell Forest Council

Bracknell Forest Council showed off some of its jewels last Monday when a special visitor was welcomed to the borough.

Bob Neill, Shadow Minister for Local Government, was greeted to the Council by Cllr Paul Bettison, Leader of Bracknell Forest Council, and Timothy Wheadon, Chief Executive of the Council. His aim for the day was to learn more about some of the priorities of the Council and to meet some of the Council’s partners.

Mr Neill was given a whistle-stop tour of the borough, visiting Bracknell police station, the fire station, and Garth Hill College, where he learnt all about the plans for the re-build of the site. He was also given a presentation on re3, the waste and recycling partnership work, and he got involved in a round table discussion on partnership working.

The day was rounded off when Bob had the opportunity to meet the Council’s Executive Members and to observe the leader’s briefing meeting.

Bracknell Cllr Paul Bettison, said: "It was a great pleasure to be able to show Bob Neill around the borough and to demonstrate to him some of the projects we are currently working on, like Garth Hill College and re3, of which we are very proud.

"Mr Neill was very interested to learn about how we work closely with partners on many projects and had the opportunity to meet many of them and he talked to them at length.”

Bob Neill MP, said: "Visiting Bracknell Forest has been extremely interesting and has allowed me to learn more about the good work that the Council is doing in the borough.

"I met some inspirational people and heard about some of the plans for the borough in the coming years. I certainly think the Council is on the forefront of change and the serves those people living and working in Bracknell very well.”

Bracknell Forest Council

Mini-beasts, a bath full of strawberries and recycled clothes will all be on display in Bracknell Forest Council’s environment marquee at this year’s Big Day Out.

The annual event, organised by South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell is taking place on Saturday, July 12, and also features live music, dance, performances, workshops and children’s activities.

The Bracknell Council’s environment marquee includes a 10p second hand clothes sale sponsored by the Clothing Warehouse, who who will also be selling vintage and modern clothing with donations going to the Mayor's charity; the Waste Recycling Action Programme will be promoting home composters in a recycled garden with unusual plant pots including a bath, Belfast sinks, wheelbarrows and a barbecue; and people will be able to see a green cone home composing system.

There will also be mini Beasts of Bracknell Forest, which have been made by local children, schools and youth groups using recyclable materials. The best beast makers will be presented with prizes donated by The Look Out Discovery Centre.

The Beast of Bracknell Forest competition ties 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 in the evening at the event through the magic of pyrotechnics.

Cllr Mrs Dorothy Hayes, Executive Member for the Environment, said: "We are really pleased to be supporting South Hill Park Arts Centre’s Big Day Out which has a green theme this year.

"There is a lot going on in our environment tent, so please do come along and find out about recycling.”

For more information about Big Day Out, visit www.southhillpark.org.uk or call 01344 484123.

Bracknell Forest Council

A fresh new menu is now available at Bracknell's favourite café for the over 50s, the Look In.

With freshly made paninis, salads and sandwiches there's something to tantalise the taste buds at the Look In. The Bracknell café also includes hot food and a specials menu which is regularly updated.

Mira Haynes, head of Older People and Long Term Conditions for Adult Social Care, said: "The new menu has an emphasis on healthy eating and well being. With fresh sandwiches and salads on offer it makes healthy eating easier than ever before

"The Look In is the place to go for some relaxed socialising whilst enjoying a nourishing meal in a warm and friendly environment."

The Look In, opened in 1995, was designed as a chat, snack and information centre for Bracknell Forest residents. The Look In serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.

Since it was opened in the town centre, the Look In has gone from strength to strength. The friendly atmosphere and welcoming aroma of fresh filtered coffee has made it a popular meeting place for residents and their visitors.

The Bracknell café features a quiet lounge area ideal to read the newspaper, take a break from shopping, or to meet up with friends. There are also notice boards full of information about local clubs, services and events.

A popular feature of the Look In is a computer with internet access. Support sessions are arranged for new users to help with surfing the web and emailing.

Cllr Dale Birch, Executive Member for Bracknell Adult Services, Health and Housing, said: "I am looking forward to visiting the Look In soon and sampling the excellent food and great atmosphere it offers town centre shoppers.”

The Look In is located at 44 The Broadway in the town centre and is open Monday to Saturday from 9am until 4pm.

Bracknell Forest Council

Bracknell Forest residents are always encouraged to report cases of flytipping to the Council - who will investigate where it came from, make sure it’s cleared up, seek to prosecute offenders and recover any costs.

The Bracknell borough has one of the country’s lowest flytipping rates, but is still working hard to stop the illegal dumping of anything from domestic rubbish to trade waste which can impact on residents' quality of life.

Bracknell Council is asking residents to take down as many details as possible - for example type and registration of the vehicle used - when they see flytippers, before reporting them for investigation.

Commercial businesses responsible for flytipping face an unlimited fine, a criminal record and five years imprisonment if they are caught. If waste can be traced to a household, residents face fines of £5,000; which makes it cheaper to make sure everyone properly disposes of waste rather than risk being fined.

One example involved a local Bracknell trader who agreed to pay the Council’s £324.29 costs for removing and disposing of building materials which had been left outside a home in Hanworth. Disposing of the waste correctly would have cost £82.50. The trader agreed to pay the costs after the Council started legal action at Reading County Court earlier this year. On this occasion the trader was not prosecuted.

In January last year, another local builder was was ordered to pay £925 in fines and costs by Maidenhead magistrates after being found guilty of flytipping, it would have cost just £76 to legally dispose of the rubbish and he would not have been given a criminal record.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Public Protection, said: "Flytipping is inconsiderate, anti-social, and illegal. We will always investigate anything which has been flytipped as it can impact on the quality of life of our law-abiding residents.

”I urge everyone to keep an eye out for any flytipped waste and report any information to the Council or Crimestoppers so that appropriate action can be taken."

Domestic waste can be taken to the Longshot Lane civic amenity site, details of how to dispose of trade waste can be found at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/env-trade-waste

Flytipping can be reported online at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/env-flytipping, email customer.services@bracknell-forest.gov.uk, or call 01344 352000. Please include your name and contact details; the name, address and registration number of the offender; and the date, time, location and contents of the flytipped waste. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Bracknell Forest Council

Back by popular demand, Streetlife, will be taking place in Bracknell town centre once again this summer.

From Saturday July 19 until Saturday August 16 be prepared to be amazed and awed by the array of unusual and elaborate acts and Bracknell street entertainers which make up Streetlife.

Put on by Bracknell Forest Council, South Hill Park and Bracknell Regeneration Partnership, Streetlife is now in its seventh year and is street theatre not to be missed. There is something for everyone including acrobatics, theatre, music, comedy and dance.

Bracknell Streetlife kicks off on Saturday 19th July at 12.30pm in Charles Square with:

Ozstar Airlines – High flying, high comedy circus duo. See Tracey and Stacey juggle the in-flight merchandise and gyrate five hula-hoops on different parts of their body.

Atongo Zimba – Atongo was born on the Savannahs of North Ghana. His grandfather taught him how to build and play the two stringed koliko. Watch him in action.

Stuff n Things – Keystone Kops – As hard as they try, the bungling Kops are incapable of apprehending their quarry Slippery Jack. With his ball and chain in tow, Jack eludes the law by nimble guile and cunning disguises.

Fairly Famous Family – Tennis – A thrilling one set match is played out live with all the drama of real tennis: slow motion replays, heated line calls and live commentary.

Streetlife will run from 12pm until 3.30pm in Charles Square, Bracknell.

Bracknell Forest Council

Residents are urged to be prepared this week, as Bracknell Forest Council send out practical advice to every household about how they can get ready for an emergency situation.

By taking a few simple steps, Bracknell residents can make sure they minimise the impact of situations such as being flooded by a burst water main, being trapped in a traffic jam during a heat wave or being evacuated from home because of a gas leak.

Bracknell Council is delivering the “How Prepared Are You” advice leaflet through every door with their edition of Town & Country newspaper.

Advice includes keeping an emergency pack at home; being aware of the emergency arrangements at their school or workplace; making sure insurance and other important documents are kept in a safe place; having details of local radio stations.

The leaflet also suggest a small list of items residents might want to keep in their car, as well as giving them a space to fill in their emergency contact details.

Cllr Iain McCracken, the Executive Member responsible for emergency planning, said: “We all may think that these events will never happen to us, but if you do face a situation that is out of the ordinary, just taking a few quick and easy steps could make the difference and mean being able to deal with the issue much more effectively.”

Louise Osborn, Emergency Planning Manager, added: “We hope residents find this leaflet useful and take a few minutes to think about how they and their family would be able to respond in an emergency situation.”

Residents who need further advice can contact the Council’s emergency planning team on 01344 352000 or email emergency.planning@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

Bracknell Forest Council

A campaign is being launched to encourage people in Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham to cut the amount of food they throw away and waste.

The Bracknell move comes in the wake of a report from the Government funded Waste and Resources Action Plan (WRAP) that shows UK households throw away a third of the food they buy.

Over the next six months, the three councils and their waste disposal partner re3 will be highlighting to residents how much food is thrown away and suggesting some practical steps to reduce it. This includes thinking carefully when doing the weekly shop about how much is needed and storing food so it lasts longer.

WRAP estimate the average household wastes £420 a year on wasted food. The three councils have a population of around 400,000 residents which means they may be throwing away as much as £71m worth of food each year.

On a daily basis WRAP reckons households across the UK throw away:
• 7 million slices of bread
• 260,000 packs of unopened cheese
• 4.4 million whole apples
• 5.1 million whole potatoes

There is also a huge environmental impact when the amount of transportation involved in delivering food to our homes is taken into account. The WRAP study says that if the waste was cut we could save CO2 emissions equivalent to removing one in every five cars from the road.

Cllr Mrs Dorothy Hayes, Executive Member for the Environment at Bracknell Forest Council, said: "Encouraging residents to think carefully about the amount of food they throw away could not only stop unnecessary waste ending up in harmful landfill sites, but save money at the checkout as well.”

Cllr Paul Gittings, Lead Councillor for Environment and Sustainability at Reading Borough Council, said: "I was pretty shocked by the findings of the WRAP report. The amount being wasted is a concern, especially as there are plenty of places in the world where the food we are wasting would make all the difference. I hope people everywhere will do their bit to waste less perfectly good food.

Cllr Rob Stanton, Chairman of the re3 project and Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for corporate services, said "The issue of food waste affects all of us. It is an economic, environmental and health issue. People often feel that this type of issue is too big for them to make a difference but this is an issue on which everyone can have a positive impact and if they do, they will not only see a reduction in the amount they throw away but they'll save money too."

Bracknell Forest Council

Avoiding throwing out food which could have been eaten will save you money and help the environment. However, some food waste is inevitable. Egg shells, banana skins and tea bags, peelings, cores and bones are never going to be on the menu.

To help, a revolutionary green waste reduction system – which uses solar power to digest or decompose food – is being offered to Bracknell Forest residents for £10 at a roadshow being held over two days only.

The green cone turns food waste back into its natural components of water and carbon dioxide. You can put all your food waste – not just vegetable peelings and fruit skins, but meat, bones, fish, bread crusts and dairy products – into your green cone and forget all about it. Through a completely natural decay process it turns into harmless liquid that seeps into the soil.

To operate effectively the Green Cone needs a sunny position with free draining soil, and there will be no smells or vermin. You will just be able to leave it working away in your garden for several years before it needs emptying.

The green cone normally costs £69.99 plus delivery, but the Council has a special offer for Bracknell Forest residents of just £10 if bought in person, or £20 including home delivery from www.greencone.com

For a £10 green cone, visit the roadshow between 10am-2pm at Bracknell Leisure Centre, Bagshot Road, on Saturday, July 19; or at Sandhurst Sports Centre, Owlsmoor Road on Sunday, July 20.

Please bring proof of residency, like a council tax or utility bill. Cash payments only, one per household. Green cone staff will be available to answer any questions.

Bracknell Forest Council

Half a pound of brie and a dozen French sausages will be on the Bracknell shopping list this week as the continental market prepares to make a welcome return to Bracknell town centre.

Stock up on your continental goodies and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of a market on the mediterranean side.

The market will be held this Thursday, Friday and Saturday (3rd - 5th July) in Charles Square, Bracknell.

Bracknell Forest Council Town Centre Manager, Graham Mountford, said: "The market is always a must in my diary and is especially welcome in Bracknell. The traders are always given a warm welcome from the shoppers here and they always sell some lovely produce."

Bracknell Forest Council

Bracknell Forest Council is now set to cut its carbon footprint and prepare for the consequences of climate change.

An action plan which addresses the causes and impacts of climate change was given the green light by the Council's Executive on Tuesday, June 24.

Measures in the action plan include how the Council can use energy efficiently, the use of sustainable transport, reducing waste and raising awareness across the organisation and throughout the borough.

The plan was written after the Council signed up to the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change last year, which committed it to reducing its own impact on the environment, and encouraging partners and residents to do the same.

The action plan will also support the Bracknell Council's commitment to the Carbon Trust's Local Authority Carbon Management programme, which it signed up to last month.

Vincent Paliczka, Director of Environment, Culture and Communities, said: "We are committed to making improvements which will not only cut the Council's impact on the environment, but save money too.

"We have already started making sure that we are doing all we can, like keeping swimming pools covered at night to keep the heat in, and appointing energy champions to encourage colleagues to keep their carbon footprint down."

Cllr Mrs Dorothy Hayes, Executive Member for the Environment, said: "Bracknell Forest Council has set a challenging action plan which I hope will make us more efficient and minimise our impact on the environment.

"I hope our work will encourage businesses in Bracknell Forest to also consider how they could also reduce their carbon footprint."

Bracknell Forest Council

The safety of children and young people was the theme of a conference which brought together professionals from across Bracknell Forest.

The Bracknell conference, entitled 'Families - how adults and children's services can work together to safeguard children', was held at The Grange Hotel in Bracknell on Thursday, June 5. The event was organised by the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB).

The event held a variety of workshops with topics such as:

* Learning from the national review of Serious Case Reviews.
* Managing allegations or 'concerns about suitability' about professionals or volunteers.
* Working together to support 'vulnerable adults' and their families.
* Managing substance misuse and domestic abuse and its impact on families.
* Supporting families with emotional health needs.

Keynote speakers included a fascinating introduction to a new approach to assessing and supporting families by Guy Shennon from the BRIEF in London. BRIEF is Europe's largest provider of training with professionals from the NHS, local authorities, education and private sector attending courses each year.

Agencies which attended the Bracknell conference included Children's Social Care, Adult's Social Care, police, Berkshire East Primary Care Trust, GPs, local schools and various voluntary organisations. More than 110 delegates attended this year's event.

Tony Eccleston, Social Care and Learning director, said: "The Bracknell Forest LSCB has an important role to play ensuring that all agencies and organisations delivering services to children and their families in the borough are committed to keeping children safe.

"With this in mind the annual LSCB conference brought together professionals and volunteers from a wide range of services to learn about the latest developments in safeguarding policy and practice. The conference had a specific focus on how to work with colleagues from a variety of disciplines to support families and minimise the risks to children's welfare."

Bracknell Forest Council

Inspectors have been hard at work in Bracknell Forest compiling Ofsted reports for three schools in the borough.

In May Ofsted visited Bracknell Holly Spring Infant and Nursery School, Warfield CofE Primary and Fox Hill Primary and their findings have now been published.

An Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) inspection team made a visit to Bracknell Holly Spring Infant and Nursery School on May 15 and 16. The inspectors gave the Lily Hill Road school a grade two, good rating overall, highlighting the school's many strengths which include:

• Pupils are achieving well because of good teaching and an interesting curriculum.
• Effective pastoral care and support, and a positive atmosphere result in good personal development and wellbeing for pupils.
• The headteacher, approachability of staff, additional activities and communication all receive praise from parents.

In common with all Ofsted reports, the inspectors identified areas for improvement. At Bracknell Holly Spring inspectors would like the school to raise achievement and standards in writing and to implement more efficient systems for monitoring pupils' progress.

Headteacher Julia Paradine said: "We are very proud of our pupils and their achievements and are pleased Ofsted has recognised the strengths and successes of our school. We shall continue to work with our pupils, parents and governors to provide the best learning opportunities for our children."

Bracknell Fox Hill Primary in Pondmoor Road received a grade three, satisfactory rating from Ofsted when they visited the school on May 14 and 15.

The report said: "Despite staff changes, the school is improving and morale is high. This is because of the dynamic leadership of the interim headteacher.

"In a short time he [Michael Harris] has provided clear and determined direction for the school. Teachers are embracing his new ideas and they are keen to improve. As a result there is a sense of teamwork among staff firmly fixed on raising standards."

The Bracknell report also noted:

• Pupils respond well to the caring attitude of adults, which helps them feel safe.
• Pupils of all abilities and from different backgrounds feel welcome at the school and settle in quickly.
• The school rightly recognises the need to strengthen the influence of subject teachers on monitoring and improving achievement levels, and the quality of teaching and learning within their areas of responsibilities.

The report said: "The most important areas for improvement have been identified and appropriate actions are being taken to tackle them."

Headteacher Michael Harris said: "Fox Hill Primary School is a happy school and the children, staff, parents and governors all played a part in achieving this encouraging report."

On May 15, an inspector arrived at Warfield C of E Primary in All Saints Rise to take a look at how the school teaches geography and the standard of pupils' work.

The inspector looked at key areas of the subject, with the focus on the school's response to 'Excellence and Enjoyment' and how this is impacting on the provision in geography, particularly in terms of planning and progression.

The overall effectiveness of geography is good and is in line with national expectations.

The inspector noted that:

• Pupils make good progress in lessons.
• There are high levels of engagement in geography lessons and pupils enjoy the planned activities, as seen in the very good relationships with teachers and other adults and their willingness to talk about what they have learnt.

The Bracknell school has taken an innovative approach to the curriculum which is now organised through a series of guiding topics rather than subjects. The new 'living curriculum' has provided more relevance to what is being taught and allows for greater flexibility and topicality. Teachers feel more empowered and older pupils report an increased engagement with the curriculum.

Suggested areas for improvement noted by the inspector included the need to develop a fuller range of assessment opportunities in the new curriculum, ensuring that all aspects of geography are assessed over each key stage.

Bracknell Headteacher Andrea Griffiths said: "We made a decision two years ago to build and implement a new curriculum that we truly believed in. We have already seen the differences it is making in our school. To have this acknowledged by Ofsted is wonderful. This positive outcome is a testimony to the dedication and energy of the teachers and the hard work and enthusiasm of the pupils."

Cllr Alan Kendall, Executive Member for Education, said: "I am delighted with all of the results of the Ofsted for these three schools.

"I am pleased the inspection teams have recognised the high quality of education in Bracknell Forest. Well done to all of the headteachers and their staff on this success."

Bracknell Forest Council

Bracknell Forest Council is helping local residents to stay mobile by offering a £25,000 grant to enable Bracknell Shopmobility scheme to continue running this year.

The current funding for the Bracknell scheme, provided by a grant from the Big Lottery, three years ago, will end this August. So the Council decided to help out and ensure that the residents in the borough can continue to enjoy the town centre.

The Bracknell Shopmobility scheme has been operating for the last four years, and provides a mobility services to local residents and visitors who would otherwise not be able to access the town centre easily. The charity operates from a shop unit in The Crossway, provided by Bracknell Regeneration Partnership.

Bracknell Forest Councillor Mrs Jacqui Ryder, and Chairman of Bracknell Shopmobility, said: "Bracknell Shopmobility is a great asset to the town centre and provides a fantastic service and a lifeline for people with mobility problems who wish to get around the town centre.

"The Bracknell Forest Council grant will safeguard the scheme in the town for the foreseeable future and allow its staff and volunteers to continue to offer the high quality service that it has been doing so well for the last four years."

Bracknell Shopmobility has enabled almost 5,000 trips in the last year for residents who would not be able to visit the town centre otherwise.

Bracknell Forest Council

Many Bracknell Forest residents will soon be able to have the standard of their homes improved thanks to Bracknell Forest Council becoming members of the flexible home improvement loan scheme.

The Scheme means the Bracknell Council can access additional government funding to make loans available to enable private home owners in the borough to improve their homes. The home owner can choose how the loan will be repaid. They can make interest only payments or can choose to pay nothing until the home is sold.

Joining the scheme was agreed by the Council's Executive at a meeting last Tuesday (24 June). This will support the Council's aim of ensuring the homes of at least 70% of vulnerable people in the borough meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Decent Homes Standard is set by government and includes a basic standard of living. A decent home should be warm, weatherproof and have reasonable modern facilities.

Cllr Dale Birch, Executive Member for Bracknell Adult Services, Health and Housing, said: To be able to get access to this capital funding means that we can improve the homes, lives, health and well-being of many people across the borough.

To be able to get homes up to Decent Homes Standard, by offering discretionary loans, means that the Council will be working towards ensuring that at least 70% of vulnerable households are living in homes which meet the Decent Homes Standard by 2010.”

Bracknell Forest Council