Bracknell

St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary School is a good school with many outstanding features according to an inspector from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).

The Ofsted inspector visited the Bracknell Forest Council school in July and has rated it as a grade two, good school rating.

The inspector said in a letter to St Margaret Clitherow Bracknell pupils: “You have a good school and I was very impressed by everything I saw.

“You do well and learn lots of new things. You are keen to learn and are well behaved. I was impressed by your kindness and thought for one another - for instance, how you look after pupils who do not have anyone to play with.”

The report noted that:

• Pupils are well supported and there is much that is outstanding.
• The quality of teaching and learning is good and often better than this.
• The quality of the curriculum is good. It is flexible and responsive to the needs of pupils.
• The quality of leadership and management is good with an outstanding capacity to improve. The headteacher has clear objectives, keen to explore how to improve opportunities for pupils without harming what is already going well.
• The school enables all pupils including those with learning disabilities to make good academic progress and outstanding progress in their personal development.

In common with many Ofsted reports the inspectors identified the need to raise pupil achievement in Key Stage 2

Bracknell Headteacher Fran Valentine said: “I am delighted that Ofsted have recognised what a good school St Margaret Clitherow is.

“The teachers, staff, pupils and their families all take an active role in ensuring the school’s success. The personal development of each individual pupils it of the utmost importance to us and we are currently working on further improving our Key Stage 2 achievements.”

Cllr Alan Kendall, Executive Member for Bracknell Education, said: “I am pleased to see St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary get a grade two, good school rating.

“This Ofsted report shows there is dedicated, quality teaching in the school and I congratulate the headteacher and her team on this achievement.”

Bracknell Forest Council

Bracknell MP, the Rt Hon Andrew McKay, and Bracknell Forest Council’s Executive Member for Education and Libraries, Cllr Alan Kendall, are visiting two primary schools on Friday.

Waiting to welcome them during a morning visit are the staff and pupils of Meadow Vale Primary School, in Moordale Avenue, Bracknell. Mr MacKay and Cllr Kendall will take part in an assembly, followed by a tour of the classrooms to meet the teachers and children.

They are also expected to sample the delights of the school canteen at lunchtime.

Bracknell Headteacher Nigel Duncan said: “Mr MacKay last visited Meadow Vale in 2005 when the school celebrated its 50th anniversary. I am sure he will be very interested to see the changes that have happened since then.”

In the afternoon Mr MacKay and Cllr Kendall are to visit St Michael’s Easthampstead, in Crowthorne Road. They will be greeted by headteacher Steve Litson, before meeting children and staff.

Mr Litson said: “The pupils are really looking forward to welcoming our special visitors and showing them the work they do.”

Said Cllr Kendall: “These visits around the borough’s schools are a wonderful opportunity to see the progress staff and pupils are making.

“We always have a wonderful time and are made to feel welcome by everybody at the schools.”

Bracknell Forest Council

Budding artists and people with a real community spirit are invited to the launch of Headspace in Bracknell’s town centre on Monday, October 6.

Headspace is a studio specially designed for local Bracknell artists, with or without a disability, to display their work in a safe, friendly and convenient location.

Marc Box, community arts and disability officer for Bracknell Forest Council, said: “Headspace is the result of a partnership between the Council, South Hill Park Arts Trust, U3A and Rethink.

“The space is ideal for artists and can also be used for community activities such as arts and craft sessions for people of all ages and abilities.”

Headspace is a two-storey shop which was in desperate need of redecorating. For two months an army of volunteers have put in the hard work to refresh the shop to create the perfect environment for artists.

Mr Box said: “We have had countless volunteers from Rethink (mental health charity), the Council’s day services and Dell employees all pitching in to renovate the shop unit.

“The waste and recycling department at the Council also helped by providing the paint and furniture.

“Without this help and support, Headspace would not have been possible."

Cllr Dale Birch, Executive Member for Bracknell Adult Services, Health and Housing, said: “With Headspace we hope to create a truly integrated arts experience where disadvantaged and disabled people can gain self esteem and enjoy the opportunity to feel part of their local community and attain a real presence in the town centre.

“I congratulate all who had a part in making Headspace a reality for our budding local artists and will enjoy visiting the exhibitions that will be on display.”

Bracknell Forest Council

Bracknell Residents will be able to discuss issues in their area and influence local priorities from their own homes via new online neighbourhood forums, which are going on trial in three areas from Thursday, September 25.

The forums will run until January for Sandhurst, Great Hollands and Birch Hill residents. If it is successful, they will be used across all of Bracknell Forest’s neighbourhoods for future surveys.

The online forums will assist the work of the borough’s 14 Neighbourhood Action Groups, which are supported by Bracknell Forest Council and Thames Valley Police, to help residents improve their communities. They will be run via the Council's website.

Residents can also give their views in Neighbourhood Forum meetings, which are taking place across the borough from Monday, September 29, or by responding to a survey which is being delivered with the October edition of the Council’s newspaper Town & Country.

Feedback from the online Bracknell forums, Neighbourhood Forum meetings and the Town & Country survey will all be fed into the Neighbourhood Action Groups to help identify issues which matter to residents, to be resolved together with the Council or the police.

Following feedback from residents last year, Binfield NAG has been working on parking issues around Binfield Primary School caused when parents drop off and collect their children. A walk to school scheme has been introduced, which uses parking areas away from the school gates.

In Martins Heron, Bracknell the NAG arranged a litter pick with young people from the Wayz Youth Centre in response to residents’ concerns about rubbish in local streets and pathways.

And in Harmans Water, the NAG worked with the Council to increase parking restrictions to resolve concerns about children getting to junior school safely around parked cars.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Leisure, Corporate Services and Public Protection, said: "There are real successes coming out of the Neighbourhood Action Groups in response to real concerns from residents.

”By introducing online forums, it means you could influence what happens in your neighbourhood 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Chief Inspector Simon Bowden, from Thames Valley Police, said: "The feedback we receive from residents is extremely helpful in identifying what people would like to improve in their communities.

"No matter how you get in touch, we want to hear your views on your neighbourhood.”

Bracknell Forest Council

Bracknell shoppers will say bonjour, once again to the French market when it pitches up in Bracknell town centre this week.

From Thursday until Saturday (25 - 27 September) the market will be in Charles Square. There will be the familiar sights and smells of a continental market tempting shoppers over to try and buy all manner of continental goodies, from croissants to cookies and baguettes to brie.

Graham Mountford, Bracknell Town Centre Manager, said: "The French market comes a few times a year to Bracknell town centre and it always provides a great opportunity to stock up on some lovely continental food. Shoppers can also try things they might not have tasted before, so it is good for that too."

Bracknell Forest Council

Edgbarrow Sports Centre and Bracknell Leisure Centre are both hoping to be record breakers, as they are taking part in the annual world’s largest coffee morning to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The event is taking place in both Bracknell centres between 10am and 12.30pm on Friday, September 26, and is running simultaneously with other coffee mornings across the country.

Participants are invited to enter a cake making competition, which will be judged by the Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest, Cllr Bob Edger. Slices will then be sold for donations, and all proceeds from tea and coffee sold will be donated to charity.

It is the first time Edgbarrow Sports Centre has taken part in the annual fundraiser, following the opening of its new Time Out café bar in April. It now serves hot and cold drinks and snacks and shows the latest sporting events on flat screen televisions. The café bar is also running events like race nights, a Halloween party and monthly skittles evenings.

The world’s biggest coffee morning was attended by more than 50,000 people and raised more than £7million last year, and the charity hopes to raise £8.5million this year. All money raised helps support people with cancer and their families.

Bracknell Cllr Edger said: "I am pleased to be attending the first Macmillan coffee morning at Edgbarrow Sports Centre, and then at Bracknell Leisure Centre too – and I’m looking forward to a very thorough judging of the cakes!

"Hopefully with the coffee morning running at two centres, we will have a record attendance this year.”

For more details of the coffee mornings, Edgbarrow Sports Centre, Bracknell Leisure Centre, and the Council’s other leisure sites call 01344 352000.

Bracknell Forest Council

The regeneration of Bracknell town centre has taken a significant step forward as the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) has now been confirmed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Securing the CPO is a key milestone in the regeneration process and enables Bracknell Forest Council to ensure that all of the land necessary for the development can be legally acquired.

Confirmation of the CPO also provides the platform for the Council's development partner Bracknell Regeneration Partnership (BRP) to move forward with the designs of the scheme, further negotiations with major retail tenants and finalisation of the strategy for delivering the development.

In the letter of confirmation, the Government Office for the South East, stated: "The Secretary of State considers that there are no outstanding legal implications to the confirmation of the Compulsory Purchase Order or implementation of the proposed scheme."

Cllr Paul Bettison, Leader of Bracknell Forest Council, explained: “This is another great step forward for the scheme. Now that we have received confirmation of the CPO, we will be able to look at the timetable of the phasing.”

Helen Barnett, marketing manager for Bracknell Regeneration Partnership commented: “We are all very pleased to have received this confirmation. Bracknell continues to be a thriving community and we are all working hard to produce a development which will transform the town centre.”

It is anticipated that detailed designs will be unveiled and announcements about the first letting agreements made within the next 18 months.

Bracknell Forest Council

Bracken and Bramble, Bracknell Forest’s famous shire horses, will do their last public engagement on Tuesday, September 16, before retiring to the Redwings Horse Sanctuary in Norfolk.

After 16 faithful years serving the Bracknell borough’s residents, they will spend their last working day giving rides to children around Bracknell town centre.

During their farewell summer, they appeared in Portsmouth’s Heavy Horse Show, took the borough’s Britain in Bloom judges on a tour of Lily Hill Park, attended various school and village fetes and even appeared on ITV’s local news bulletin Thames Valley Tonight.

Bracken and Bramble have been 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.

Bracken and Bramble are expected to spend their first couple of months settling into retirement at Redwings. But the sanctuary is hoping they will be able to move to its visitor centre in Great Yarmouth next year and perhaps even give rides to visitors around the site, so they can keep up their relationship with the public, and keep gently active at the same time.

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

Nicola Markwell, Communications Manager for Redwings, said: "We know how special these two beautiful Shires are to the people of Bracknell Forest and it can’t be easy to see them leave.

"However, we are delighted to be able to give them the super retirement they both deserve here at Redwings in the lovely Norfolk countryside.”

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Leisure, Corporate Services and Public Protection, said: "Generations of Bracknell Forest residents will remember Bracken and Bramble for giving rides to our children at school fetes, and tending to our floral displays; they have served us well and deserve their retirement, nonetheless it is very sad to say goodbye.

Bracknell Forest Council

Bracknell Forest Council is one of eleven local authorities selected to pilot a new primary authorities partnership with some of the UK's biggest retailers.

New government proposals provide for the setting up of Primary Authority Partnerships between local authorities and national companies. In Bracknell one such potential partnership is between Bracknell Forest Council and Waitrose. If the scheme is adopted nationally it would means that, any business that trades across council boundaries can ask to register one local authority as its source of specialist advice about compliance with trading standards, fire safety, licensing and environmental health matters.

The Primary Authority scheme is run by the Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) and it is intended to be available to all businesses that operate across different local authority areas from next April (2009), with the pilot running from October to next March (2009).

Steve Loudoun, Chief Environment and Public Protection Officer at Bracknell Forest Council, said: "This pilot is a new initiative for us and a new way for local authorities to work with local retailers. Waitrose head office is located in the borough and we already have good links with them so I am pleased to be working with them on this pilot scheme. It means that we will be the one stop shop for specialist advice for all Waitrose branches and that there will be better co-ordination between inspections."

Shriti Vadera, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, said: "The Primary Authority scheme will save time and money for businesses and local authorities across the country.

"It will provide clear and consistent support for businesses, better protection for consumers and a strong framework for local authorities to improve inspection and enforcement."

Currently businesses, even if they follow official advice, can run the risk of prosecution, if local inspectors disagree about how to interpret regulations. The new scheme will help ensure consistency and improve companies' confidence about getting robust and reliable advice from council regulators. The new partnerships with councils are a key part of better local regulation, improving compliance and reducing red tape."

Cllr Iain McCracken Executive Member for Public Protection at Bracknell Forest Council, said: "This new scheme will benefit the Council as we will know exactly what messages are being given out by whom and to which retailer. It will also benefit the retailers and in the long term will include all businesses trading across council boundaries or on the internet. I look forward to taking this pilot project forward."

The other retailers included in the pilot scheme include B&Q, Boots, John Lewis, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Waitrose. The Council regulators, as well as Bracknell Forest are City of London, Dundee, Eastleigh, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Highland, Nottinghamshire, Wakefield, West Yorkshire and Westminster.

Government estimates suggest that the scheme could eventually save business up to £48 million a year.

Bracknell Forest Council

Britain in Bloom judges take at look at the flowers in Bracknell town centreBracknell Regeneration Partnership and Bracknell Forest Borough Council are delighted to have won the 'Small City, Large Town' Category of the Thames and Chilterns in Bloom competition, receiving a Silver Gilt Award and Winners Trophy at this weeks Awards ceremony held in Milton Keynes.

Bracknell’s entry into the regional Britain in Bloom competition is a central part of the Bracknell Flowers campaign, which aims to regenerate the local environment through the imaginative planting of trees, shrubs, floral displays and other environmental initiatives.

The entry involved numerous businesses, individuals and schools and the Borough was further rewarded for its efforts with The Eco-Gardening Club at Ranelagh Eco Secondary School was one of three schools in the region to receive a coveted highly commended certificate from the judges.

In July, judges from the Royal Horticultural Society were accompanied by Councillors, local business sponsors and representatives from the town and borough councils, on a tour of Bracknell in a sunflower oil fuelled bus, followed by a walk through the town centre.

Steve McKenna, Bracknell Forest Borough Council’s landscape manager said: “Every year we make every effort to improve on our entry and this award is a perfect reflection of this. Great pride is taken in our flowers to brighten the borough and maintain the environment - we are already working on next year’s campaign!”

Helen Barnett, marketing manager for Bracknell Regeneration Partnership commented: “This is a great achievement for Bracknell and we are extremely proud. The borough has looked fantastic throughout the Flowers campaign and receiving this award makes everyone’s hard work worth while!”

Bracknell Forest Council

Bracknell town centre's most well-known green grocer, Banana King, is offering customers a brand-new shop layout.

The new look Banana King has been rearranged so that Bracknell customers can now go right into the shop, and choose their own quality fruit and vegetables, instead of standing outside and asking for what they want.

Andy Dudman, owner of Banana King, will still offer the same customer service and help shoppers weigh out their goods if they want it.

He said: "I decided to open the shop out a bit as it allows people to come right in and if it rains then people can get out of the wet. With the new layout and all the fruit and vegetables displayed, people can browse more easily and choose exactly what they want. We are still on hand to offer advice and help weigh out anything."

Graham Mountford, Town Centre Manager for Bracknell Forest Council, said: "The Banana King sells quality fruit and vegetables from its shop and also has a stall in Bracknell Market on Fridays and Saturdays. The shop and the stall offer a friendly, individual service that is not always found in supermarkets and it makes shopping there a real pleasure.

"I am really pleased with the changes Andy Dudman has made to the Banana King and wish him well in his future sales from the shop."

Bracknell Forest Council

Bracknell Residents are invited to a public meeting to find out the future of the new primary school at Jennett’s Park.

The meeting will be held at the temporary community centre at Jennett’s Park (next to the Peacock Farm bar and restaurant) on Wednesday, September 24, at 6.30 pm.

David Watkins, Bracknell Chief Officer: Performance and Resources, said: "We received two bids for the proposed school - one from the Diocese of Oxford and the other from the CfBT Education Trust.

"I am really pleased with the strength of the two proposals and am looking forward to hearing the views of residents during the consultation."

At the meeting residents will have the opportunity to hear presentations from the prospective providers and be able to ask questions.

Once the proposals have been unveiled there will be a period of public consultation until Friday, October 31, where residents can feedback their thoughts and preferences to the proposals.

Lesley Heale, Director for Bracknell Social Care and Learning, said: "I urge residents to attend this public meeting and to give us your thoughts on this new school.

"Giving the Council your views during the consultation is an excellent way to say what you would like to see for the borough’s young people.”

A summary of the proposals from the prospective providers will be published in the Public Notice section of the local papers next week.

Bracknell Forest Council

There were 80 scams reported to Bracknell Forest Council during a month long Scamnesty in February.

Bracknell Residents reported a range of potential cons, with a local trend towards inheritance scams.

Nationally, sweepstakes, misleading prize draws, bogus lotteries, fake clairvoyants and miracle health cures were all discovered in the Scambusters campaign.

The Bracknell mailings were passed to the Office of Fair Trading - who ran the campaign - and have provided intelligence which will help future investigations and prevent people from being scammed. Nationally, 50 councils took part and 15,000 mailings were collected.

Every year three million people in the UK lose money to mass marketed scams they receive by mail, email, text or over the phone which are designed to con victims out of their cash.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Public Protection, said: I would like to thank everyone who contacted us and reported a potential scam, each and every report helps in the fight to stop people trying to scam us.

”The investigation has shown that there is potentially a scam out there for everyone, so I urge residents to remember that if something appears too good to be true, then it probably is.”

For help or advice visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/tradingstandards or www.consumerdirect.gov.uk or call 08454 040506.

Bracknell Forest Council

Bracknell Forest Council Mayor, Cllr Bob Edger, got to sample the new menu when he dropped into The Look in for a cuppa and a chat last Friday (5 September).

The Bracknell Mayor and the Mayoress, Sigi Edger, delighted many of the locals when they popped into the cafe for over 50-year-olds on Bracknell's Broadway. They spoke to people about how valuable they find the Look In and met many of its characters, before sitting down to a much needed cup of coffee and some home-cooked food from the new selection.

Cllr Edger, said: "The Look In is a great place where many people go to meet friends and catch up on gossip. Myself and the Mayoress were also joined on the day by Cllr Cliff Thompson, Older People's Champion for Bracknell Forest Council and Cllr Ray Simonds and we chatted at length with the customers and staff and saw what an excellent place the Look In is for these people. I hope we have many more years service from this excellent cafe."

Bracknell Forest Council

Heritage Open Days in Bracknell Forest will be bigger than ever this September, with 13 different sites and activities opening free to the public.

Bracknell Forest Council has arranged for the sites to be opened as part of the annual event, which runs from Thursday, September 11, until Sunday, September 14.

Highlights include a rural craft and folk day in Lily Hill Park, tours of the private grounds of Pope’s Manor in Binfield, guided tours of Wellington College and a historic ramble around Caesar’s Camp and Swinley Forest.

Some of the Bracknell events have special activities for children, including special activity trails. All events are free, but some need to be booked in advance.

Bracknell Heritage Officer Agostina Hawkins said: "The Heritage Open Days event is now in its third year and this year is the largest and most wide ranging set of activities we have run since we first took part.

There are many hidden treasures right across Bracknell Forest, so the open days are really worth a look."

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Leisure, Corporate Services and Public Protection, said: "There is a tendency to think of Bracknell Forest solely as a new town but so often visitors, and occasionally residents, to our beautiful borough are surprised and delighted by the richness of our history and diversity.

"I would like to thank all the groups and organisations who are opening their doors and giving up their time over the Heritage Open Days weekend to help us all learn a bit about Bracknell Forest."

For more details, visit www.bfheritage.org.uk or call 01344 352000.

This year's Heritage Open Day events are listed below.

All Stitched Up
A display and demonstration of the work of the Bracknell Forest Stitchers – who commemorate important points in Bracknell's history through needle work.
Saturday, September 13; Bracknell Library. Exhibition 10am-4pm; workshops at 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm – booking is essential, call 01344 354124 or email heritage@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

The Benedictines: why they had such an impact on our area
A talk about the impact the Benedictines had on the area, local historian Robin Seward will cover topics including Warfield Priory, Piggy Wood and John Atte Lane.
Thursday, September 11; 7.30pm-9pm; Brownlow Hall, Newell Green, Warfield. Booking is essential, call 01344 354124 or email heritage@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

Berkshire Record Office - behind the scenes tour
A tour of the records office, which was established in 1948 to locate and preserve records relating to the county of Berkshire and its people, and to make them available to anyone who is interested in the county's past.
Saturday, September 13; 11am-1pm; Berkshire Record Office, 9 Coley Avenue, Reading. Booking is essential, call 0118 9015132 or email arch@reading.gov.uk

Historical Ramble South of Caesar's Camp
A three mile historical ramble over footpaths will take in Caesar's Camp, the Gorrick Well, the Roman Road, the 1792 redoubts and a possible site of the lost Roman Fort.
Saturday, September 13; 10am-12:30pm; meet outside The Look Out Discovery Centre, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell.

Historical Warfield walk
An afternoon historical stroll around Warfield guided by Right of Way Ranger, Hugh Fitzwilliams.
Friday, September 12; 3.30pm-5.30pm; meet at Priory car park, opposite Brownlow Hall, Newell Green, Warfield.

Newbold College Gardens
Visit the beautiful, Grade II* listed garden designed by Oliver Hill. The garden is a rare example of his early work, which is being restored by the college.
Sunday, September 14; 2pm-5pm; Newbold College, St. Mark's Road, Binfield, RG42 4AN.

Pope's in the Park
A guided tour of Pope's Manor private grounds, once home to the famous poet, Alexander Pope. Younger visitors will be able to take part in an interactive treasure trail. The house is not open to the public.
Saturday, September 13; 2pm; meet in the main car park at Pope's Meadow, off St. Mark's Road, Binfield

Rural Craft and Folk Day, Lily Hill Park
There will be artists and craft workers demonstrating such as weaving and spinning, a blacksmith and birds of prey during the day in conjunction with the Museum of English Rural Life. There is also an ancient tree hunt.
Saturday, September 13; 11am-4pm; Lily Hill Park, London Road, Bracknell.

South Hill Park: tour of the grounds and house
An early afternoon historical stroll around the grounds of South Hill Park. This tour will take in the Ice House, and is partially wheelchair accessible. Followed by a tour of the house.
Saturday, September 13; 4.30pm grounds tour, 5.30pm house tour - booking is essential, call 01344 354124 or email heritage@bracknell-forest.gov.uk; South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell.

St Michael and St Mary Magdalene Church, Easthampstead
Visit and tour the Victorian church, churchyard and bell tower, including stained glass windows by William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones. There is also a churchyard tour for children.
Thursday, September11, 11am-2.30pm.
Saturday, September 13, 10am-4pm, bell tower tours between 10am-12:30pm and churchyard tour at 2pm. Sunday 14 September 10am-1pm and 2pm-4pm, festal evensong on Sunday at 6pm.
Easthampstead Church, Crowthorne Road, Easthampstead.

St Michael the Archangel, Warfield
Experience more than 900 years of history by visiting Warfield's fascinating church. An exhibition spread throughout the church will explain the features and events which have happened on this site. Many of these features date back to before the fifteenth century, including the 'Devil's Door' and the'green men' hidden among the stone leaves.
Thursday, September 11, Friday, September 12, and Saturday, September 13, 10am-4pm; Sunday, September 14, 12:30pm-4pm; Church Lane, Warfield.

St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Sandhurst
Explore some of the Victorian church’s fascinating features, including a beam inscribed to Charles I from 1647 and its adjoining church yard. Church members will be on hand to answer questions.
Sunday, September 14, 2pm-5pm with guided tour at 2.30pm; Lower Church Road, Sandhurst.

Wellington College: guided tours
A guided tour of the building which will take in the chapel, the great school and the old hall. Teas and coffees will be served and the grounds will be open after the tour.
Sunday, September 14;11am and 2pm – booking is essential, call 01344 354124 or email heritage@bracknell-forest.gov.uk, Wellington College, Crowthorne, Berkshire.

Bracknell Forest Council

Residents in Bracknell Forest are being asked for their views on rubbish and rubble as the Berkshire Joint Strategic Planning Unit prepares to publish its minerals and waste strategy this month.

Bracknell Forest Council, together with the other five unitary authorities of Berkshire, make up the Berkshire Joint Strategic Planning Unit with the main aim of supporting the structure plan and the minerals and waste local plans for the Berkshire area, and to provide a range of information services related to those tasks.

The questions which residents need to consider are:

What to do with all the waste generated by the people of Berkshire? - Every four months, enough waste in Berkshire, is generated to fill Trafalgar Square to the top of Nelson's Column. Putting this waste in landfill is no longer an option as it is a danger to the environment and too costly.

The other question relates to minerals and where the 30 million tonnes of sand and gravel, destined for the building industry, and required by the Government, is likely to come from over the next 20 years?

The Berkshire Joint Strategic Planning Unit will publish the strategy it plans to submit to the Government on Monday 15 September but residents have until Monday 27 October to make their views known. For more information then log onto: www.berks-jspu.gov.uk or pop into your local library to find a copy of the draft documents.

To get an electronic copy of the response form to this consultation then email: minerals.waste@rbwm.gov.uk or to make a general enquiry then ring: 01628 796518

Bracknell Forest Council

Residents interested in finding out about their family tree will be able to get help and advice from Bracknell Library

Volunteers from the Berkshire Family History Society’s Bracknell and Wokingham branch will be in the library on the second Tuesday of each month from 2pm to 5pm. They will be able to help new genealogists look back at past census information from across the country to trace relatives from years gone by.

The society is already helping researchers in Wokingham library, including helping a man whose father was adopted, to trace his natural family tree - based on a single document from his grandmother.

Margaret Brenchley, from Berkshire Family History Society, said: "Our sessions are very popular in Wokingham, so we thought we would try them in Bracknell as well.

"If people want to trace their family tree, please do come along - one document from a relative like a birth certificate is enough to make a start.”

Cllr Alan Kendall, Executive Member for Education and Libraries, said: "I’m really pleased to be welcoming the society to Bracknell library and hope Bracknell Forest residents make the best use of their valuable experience.

”Bracknell Forest’s libraries contain far more than just books, there are nine spread across the borough, so pop into your local branch and find out what they offer.”

Berkshire Family History Society’s Bracknell and Wokingham branch meets on the third Friday of the month at Priestwood Community Centre at 7.30pm, and often have nationally known speakers.

Bracknell Forest Council

Police and their partners in Bracknell Forest are holding a series of neighbourhood forums in the autumn.

The Bracknell public meetings, to be held in each neighbourhood across the borough, are an opportunity for residents to raise any concerns they may have about policing and quality of life issues in their community.

Members of the neighbourhood policing teams will be reporting back on what has been done to address local priorities, and the results achieved over the past year. Residents will have the opportunity to set new priorities for the year to come.

Ch Insp Simon Bowden, commander of Bracknell Forest Local Police Area, said: “This month marks the third anniversary of the introduction of neighbourhood policing across Bracknell Forest. Over the past three years, our expanded neighbourhood teams have provided greater accessibility and a more visible police presence. I would like to thank our partners and all those members of the public who have worked with us to make their communities safer and better places to live.

“I hope as many people as possible will come along to the forthcoming round of neighbourhood forums, to meet their local policing team and make their views known.”

The neighbourhood forum dates and locations are:

Warfield
Monday 29 September 7.30 pm Warfield C E Primary School
Priestwood & Garth
Wednesday 1 October 7.30 pm Jocks Lane Pavilion
Binfield
Thursday 2 October 7.30 pm Binfield Primary School
Bullbrook
Monday 6 October 7.30 pm Holly Spring Junior School
Winkfield, Cranbourne & North Ascot
Tuesday 7 October 7.30 pm Carnation Hall, Winkfield
Harmans Water
Thursday 9 October 7.30 pm Harmans Water Primary School
Crown Wood & Forest Park
Monday 13 October 7.30 pm The Studio @ Crown Wood Primary School
Great Hollands Saturday 18 October 10.00am Great Hollands Primary School
Martin’s Heron & The Warren
Monday 20 October 7.30 pm Martin's Heron & The Warren Community Centre
Birch Hill & Hanworth Wednesday 22 October 7.30 pm Birch Hill Primary School
Central Sandhurst & Little Sandhurst Wednesday 29 October 7.30 pm Sandhurst Community Hall
Easthampstead & Wildridings Thursday 30 October 7.30 pm Brakenhale Open Learning Centre
College Town & Owlsmoor Monday 3 November 7.30 pm Owlsmoor Primary School
Crowthorne Thursday 6 November 7.30 pm The Morgan Centre

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Residents across Bracknell Forest are being invited to take part in the Big Tidy Up - a national campaign to keep the country clean.

The Big Bracknell Tidy Up is taking place in September, with events already planned for South Hill Park and at Sandy Lane Primary School.

Bracknell Forest Council is supporting the campaign under its aim to keep the borough clean and green. The Council is able to lend a limited number of litter pickers to residents, and can collect bags of litter after each event.

Additionally, litter picks which are registered at www.thebigtidyup.org will be sent tabard bibs, refuse sacks, a guide, posters to promote your clean up, badges, and stickers.

Anyone can get involved if they wish to clear up a local rubbish spot; individuals, businesses, schools, community groups, or land managers can all offer help and contribute to the national clean up.

Regular litter picks already take place across the Bracknell borough, including in Birch Hill and Winkfield, with residents making sure they can be proud of where they live.

Bracknell Forest Council has been supporting this work by investing an extra £100,000 in environmental improvements which include deep cleansing of the borough's neighbourhood shopping areas, plus graffiti removal and refreshing paintwork if needed and additional litter picking of verges along the borough's main roads. This work was carried out following requests from residents in the annual council tax consultation.

The tidy up is being co-ordinated by the Keep Britain Tidy campaign, and aims to collect 500,000 bags of rubbish from across Britain in September.

Cllr Mrs Dorothy Hayes, Executive Member for the Bracknell Environment, said: "There is already a lot of good work going on across the borough with residents taking part in regular litter picks to improve their local areas.

"But if you want to do something to improve your area, get in touch and keep Bracknell Forest tidy.”

For more details, to register litter picks or find a local event, visit www.thebigtidyup.org and to request support from Bracknell Forest Council, call 01344 352000.

Bracknell Forest Council

This autumn at The Bracknell Look Out Discovery Centre will be out of this world, as the new Planets and Stars show starts on Saturday, September 13.

The Bracknell family show is in the centre’s own planetarium, and takes viewers on a trip through the solar system, telling stories about stars and identifying famous constellations.

The show will be running four times a day until January at weekends and Bracknell Forest school holidays. It costs £1.75 in addition to the entrance fee for the science and nature exhibition – which includes more than 80 exhibits in five themed zones which are bright and appealing to all ages.

There are also special days aimed at parents and toddlers at The Look Out this autumn, with special activities including make and take activities, playdough, face or hand painting and storytelling.

On Monday, November 17, there is a dinosaur theme, and on Tuesday, November 18, there is a space theme. It costs £5.50 for a parent and toddler, and £1 for additional toddlers – up to a maximum of three per adult.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Leisure, said: "The Look Out never fails to impress and this autumn’s show is no exception, with the toddler days and the new Planets and Stars show there’s something for everyone..

So come down, learn about space and see a whirlwind or launch a hot air balloon.”

Bracknell Forest Council

Children have been enjoying using new kayaks during the summer holidays at Bracknell Forest Council’s Horseshoe Lake Activity Centre.

The centre's operators - Freetime Leisure - have bought the new equipment, after agreeing with Bracknell Council to run the centre for the next 10 years.

Children are using the new sit-on-top kayaks during activity days and birthday parties. Unlike traditional kayaks, they are not enclosed so do not need to be drained following a capsize, which make them fun and easy to use.

The 22-acre lake on the outskirts of Sandhurst provides watersports for all including dinghy sailing, windsurfing, dragon boating, canoeing and raft building. There is a purpose-built pavilion with changing rooms, showers and refreshments. The lake is situated alongside the Blackwater river, surrounded by woodland and a nature reserve.

Centre Manager Steve de Botte said: "Horseshoe Lake is a superb facility used for watersports courses, birthday parties and team building days, and is a great place for recreation and fun by learning through leisure on the water.

”The new kayaks are just one way we are continuing to improve our facilities, which are enjoyed by people of all ages across the borough.”

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Leisure, said: "We are pleased to be continuing our longstanding arrangement with Freetime Leisure to manage Horseshoe Lake.

The centre compliments our superb sports and leisure sites to make one of the best selection of publicly owned facilities in the south east.”

Bracknell Forest Council