Bracknell

Officers investigating a snatch theft in Bracknell are appealing for a key witness to come forward.

At around 11.45am on Monday 28 April a woman in her eighties was driving her mobility scooter near Jubilee Court in Hazell Hill, Bracknell when she had her handbag snatched from her lap.

Police are particularly keen to trace a white woman in her late twenties or early thirties who witnessed the incident and spoke to the victim shortly afterwards.

Anyone with information is urged to contact PC Neil Slocombe of the Priority Crime Team in Bracknell via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police or leave your name, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

A drab Bracknell mini roundabout by the entrance to Sainsbury’s in Birch Hill has been given a sustainable face lift thanks to Bracknell Forest Borough Council’s landscape services team.

The landscape team took the decision to replace the traditional shrub planting with cutting edge sedum matting as part of this year's annual Bracknell Flowers campaign.

Sedums are tiny succulent plants that require virtually no water but flower throughout most of the year providing habitat for insects and butterflies. These little plants are much more diverse than short mown grass and won’t require frequent mowing. The original shrubs were very old and needed constant pruning to maintain the sightlines across the roundabout. This new planting is very low growing so this is no longer a problem.

This is one of many projects that the Bracknell Flowers team are hoping will impress the Royal Horticultural Society Britain in Bloom judges during their visit to the borough in July.

Steve McKenna, Landscape Manager, said This first area of sedum matting is a trial and if it is successful we will look at other sites around the borough which could benefit from similar treatment. So far I am very pleased with the result”.

Helen Barnet Marketing Manager for BRP, which works alongside the Council on Bracknell Flowers, said We all need to look for more sustainable solutions to everyday problems and this is a great example of innovation, lets hope the judges are impressed.”

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Harmans Water Primary School, Bracknell respects the rights of others, according to a UNICEF initiative.

The Bracknell Forest school has achieved the UNICEF Level 1 award as a “Rights Respecting School”. The award, an initiative by UNICEF, is based on children having an awareness of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Having learnt about their rights, the pupils at Harmans Water Primary have come to understand that rights bring responsibilities. For example, the right for children to receive a good education gives all children the responsibility to listen, to take part and to do their best.

To this end, all classes have discussed and devised their own 'class charter', where they have all agreed a set of rules and the responsibilities that come with them.

Michael Harris, Harmans Water Primary School headteacher, said: "We have found that respect for each other and general behaviour around our school has improved dramatically. Our pupils have become aware that their actions have an immediate impact on others. It has given our children a voice.

"It has improved their self-esteem and their belief that their school cares about them. It has broadened their global knowledge and made them question political issues happening around the world.”

Governors, parents, dinner staff and teaching staff have worked hard to drive this whole school initiative.

Anne Smith, co-ordinator of the project at the Bracknell school, said: “This is not just a certificate, trophy or a plaque for our wall, it’s a working document - an ethos. With everyone on board, we all can benefit from the Rights Respecting Initiative."

Harmans Water Primary School is now working towards the Level 2 award. This not only reinforces the Level 1 bench marks, but raises the profile of global issues affecting children’s rights and makes valuable links with the local community.

Mrs Smith said: "The children should emerge from our school as well informed, responsible and caring young people."

The Bracknell primary school recently hosted a training day for more than 140 colleagues from local schools, all of whom are interested in, or are already working towards their own UNICEF “Rights Respecting School” awards. With presentations by school children and with guest speakers including the Head of Education for UNICEF Edward Waller, the day was deemed a great success by all.

Cllr Alan Kendall, Executive Member for Education, said: “Congratulations to Michael and his team for being the first primary school to reach Level 1: Rights Respecting School.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Warfield C of E Primary School Summer Fete
Saturday 7th June
12.00—3.00pm

Pre-Auditioned (pupils only) Talent Show 3.00pm
Organised by Warfield C of E Primary School PTA

Our annual PTA fete, to include - Bouncy Castle, Bouncy Slide, Bungee Run, Go-Karts, Lucky Dip, Jam-Jar Ping Pong, Panda Pops, Hoopla, Crossbow Inflatable, Penalty Shootout, Tombola, Alcohol Tombola, Silent Auction, Teddy Tombola, Coconut Shy, Mini Train, Scalextric Challenge, Football Table Challenge, Duck Pond, Second Hand DVD, Computer Games and CD's Pony Rides, Raffle, Cake Stall, Guess the Weight of the Cake and Guess the Number of Sweets in the Jar, BBQ, Popcorn, Beer Tent, Ice Cream Van, followed by Warfield Primary School Talent Show (pupils only- pre-auditioned) to be Judged by: Quentin Jones who plays Roger Kiddle in Hollyoaks.

Quentin will be with us to open the fete, and staying all afternoon to sign autographs etc, and then will be judging the Talent Show at the end of the fete. Come along and meet a real live TV/Film Star!

Warfield CofE Primary School, All Saints Rise, Warfield, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG42 3SS.

Bracknell Businesses Against Crime (B:BAC), a partnership initiative designed to make Bracknell a safe place to shop, has appointed a new co-ordinator.

Katie Simmons works closely with the Bracknell Town Centre neighbourhood policing team and is based in their office at Bracknell police station. Since taking up her new post in February, she has been getting to know the existing members of B:BAC, as well as encouraging more businesses to join.

“B:BAC currently has 35 members, including three who joined this month,” said Katie. “It is chaired by Clare Rebbeck, the manager of Millets, who is very proactive. Membership of B:BAC includes local retailers and businesses, the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership, Bracknell Forest Borough Council, the Town Ranger and security officers.

“The group has bi-monthly meetings, at which we review the latest CCTV figures for incidents in the town centre and discuss any concerns about crime and disorder. There is a list of people, mainly prolific shoplifters, who are banned from the premises of all B:BAC members for one year. Members vote on whether to include target individuals or remove them from the list.”

B:BAC members exchange information about the activities and whereabouts of known Bracknell criminals, ensuring that everyone is alerted to any potential threat. Having signed up to strict data protection protocols, members are issued with descriptions and pictures of any possible suspects in the area. The scheme works on the basis of members holding town link radios and sharing information with town centre CCTV and the police.

“Our aim is to help B:BAC members to help themselves,” said Katie. “For example, the police provide crime reduction tips so that retail staff can join in the fight against crime. If staff see a shopper whose purse is visible in an open bag, they will advise her to put it away safely and thus prevent a potential crime.

“By working as a team, we make it very difficult for people to commit crime in Bracknell town centre.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

New bird boxes to encourage Bracknell biodiversity at Clinton's Hill

A series of bird boxes have been installed at Clinton’s Hill in Bullbrook, Bracknell, to encourage more of our feathered friends to nest in the woodland.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council’s tree service put the bird boxes up for the Bracknell Natural History Society, who have received a Breathing Places grant from the National Lottery to improve biodiversity and help residents learn more about local wildlife.

There will soon be new picnic benches and an information boards at the bottom of the hill, near the children’s playground; and children from Holly Spring Infants School have helped plant wild daffodils and wood anemone to supplement the natural bluebells.

Volunteers have cleared scrub to allow planting of hawthorn and field maple, created beetle loggeries, built dead-hedging, improved paths and removed litter.

Another litter pick is being held on Sunday, June 8 - all help will be welcome.

Gillian Martin, from Bracknell Natural History Society, said: We have been working hard at Clinton’s Hill to improve it for the wildlife and people living near it.

”I hope the new bird boxes will lead to greater biodiversity, and mean there is even more for residents to see.”

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Leisure, Corporate Services and Public Protection, said: "When Gill Cheetham approached me as one of the ward councillors for Bullbrook to sponsor her bid I was happy to do so and I am delighted our tree officers were able to help the natural history society with this worthwhile project.

”I’m looking forward to seeing even more wildlife flourish at Clinton’s Hill thanks to the hard work of these volunteers.”

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Bracknell Forest Borough Council’s learning disabilities team has won the regional heat for the Dignity in Care category of the Health and Social Care Awards, 2008.

The Bracknell learning disabilities team, based at the Council’s Time Square offices, impressed the judges with the way they have changed their way of working during the last 18 months. People are now supported to have the same opportunity as all residents in the borough, rather than having to use traditional services.

The Bracknell team picked up their accolade at an award ceremony held at Oxford United’s Kassam Stadium, last Wednesday (April 23). There were over 90 submissions for the awards and the team will now compete against other regional award winners to be shortlisted for the national finals which take place in London in July.

Glyn Jones, Chief Officer: Adult Social Care, said: This award is a credit to the hard work of our team during the last 18 months or so and it is a privilege to be recognised for this.

We will certainly be keeping up the work we are doing within the learning disabilities team and keep our fingers crossed that we may receive a national award.”

The award was also in recognition of new services provided by the learning disabilities team, like the Green Machine, which is a social enterprise aimed at employing people with disabilities and which will offer quality gardening and maintenance services to residents in the Bracknell borough. It also recognised other initiatives including the council teaming up with national employment agency A4E to help people with learning disabilities find jobs and to support their families.

Cllr Dale Birch, Executive Member for Bracknell Adult Services, Health and Housing, said: Our learning disabilities team are driving forward our agenda for modernisation and change and have introduced an ethos of empowerment for our learning disability residents which now allows them to live a much fuller and more active life in the community, if they choose.

I think it is fantastic that the team has been recognised in this way and I congratulate them on receiving this award. They are making such a difference and are genuinely changing people’s lives for the better. Congratulations to them and I wish them the very best for the national finals.”

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TableNine, Bracknell

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bracknell Forest Borough Council