Crowthorne and Sandhurst

Police are appealing for witnesses after a fire at the Shell petrol station in Bracknell Road, Crowthorne, at about 2.20am today (24/8).

The fire service was called by an off-duty police officer who saw smoke coming from one of the pumps.

A man believed to be in his late teens and wearing a black hooded top over a body warmer was seen running away from the scene.

The fire is being treated as arson with intent to endanger life as there are homes near the petrol station.

At least four of the pumps have been damaged by the fire. Police forensics teams are currently working at the site.

Crowthorne PC Holly Castle, investigating said: “This fire could have been much more serious and could even have caused an explosion if it had not been spotted in time. Local residents may know who started it and I am appealing for anyone with information to come forward.”

Anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously I the areas or has any information is asked to contact PC Castle via 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police or give your name, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Crowthorne

Three officers from Berkshire East are taking part in the Palace to Palace bike ride on Sunday 16 September in aid of charity.

Sandhurst PCSO Rebecca Swann is teaming up with her colleagues PC Amanda Price, neighbourhood officer for Owlsmoor and College Town, and Zara McDonagh, custody assistant at Maidenhead police station, to cycle 45 miles from London to Windsor.

“The route starts at Buckingham Palace, goes through London and Richmond Park, then along the River Thames to Windsor Castle,” said Rebecca. “We expect it will take us about four hours. Some of the participants will be treating it as a competitive event, but we will be happy just to complete the course.”

As members of the Sandhurst neighbourhood policing team, Rebecca and Amanda do a lot of cycling as they patrol their beats on mountain bikes. However, they have also been putting in some extra training in preparation for the ride.

The three women are aiming to raise money for The Prince’s Trust charity. Through practical support, including training, mentoring and financial assistance, the Trust helps young people aged 14 to 30 realise their potential and transform their lives. Its efforts are focused on those who’ve struggled at school, been in care, been in trouble with the law, or are long-term unemployed.

Rebecca, Amanda and Zara are looking for sponsorship and have set up a website (www.justgiving.com/tvp-crowthorne) for people to make donations.

“We’re aiming to raise a minimum of £150 and hope our colleagues, friends and local people will join us in supporting this very good cause.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Sandhurst

A man has been charged in connection with a fatal road collision in Crowthorne on 10 February 2007.

Jamie Michael McDonald, aged 18, of Oldstead, Crown Wood, Bracknell, was charged yesterday (20/8) with causing death by dangerous driving. He will appear at Maidenhead Magistrates’ Court on 29 August.

The charge relates to a collision that occurred on the Old Wokingham Road, Crowthorne at about 10.45am on 10 February, when a Vauxhall Corsa collided with a Ford Fiesta.

Rebecca Gough, aged 16, who was a passenger in the Corsa, was seriously injured in the collision and died in hospital on 16 February.

Thames Valley Police ~ Crowthorne

Best selling author Christina Jones will be visiting Sandhurst library on Thursday 20 September to give a talk on her life and her work.

Christina is the author of the bestselling Love Potions, Seeing Stars and Hubble Bubble. Her first novel, Going the Distance was selected for the 1997 W H Smith Fresh Talent promotion.

She was born in Oxford, and before becoming a full time writer, had a variety of jobs, getting sacked from nineteen of them for writing when she should have been working.

Christina describes her novels as 'romantic comedy' and draws on her own experiences when she writes. She says, "My books reflect the life I've lived and still live - very working class, very friendly, very rural close communities, almost old-fashioned.

She writes about robust yet romantic heroines, unusual situations like acrobatic flying or fairgrounds, and remarkable casts of supporting characters who are highly realistic.

Christina was brought up in a circus family and wrote short stories for some time before being encouraged to write her first novel.

Ruth Burgess, Head of Libraries and Information, said: "We are delighted to welcome Christina to Sandhurst library.

"I encourage any fans of her work to come along and meet her!"

Alan Ward, Executive Member for Sandhurst Education and Libraries said: "Christina sounds like quite a character and I'm sure she will give a fascinating talk.

"This visit will be a great opportunity for fans of her books to come along and ask her about her work."

There are a limited number of tickets available for Christina's visit. They will be available from Sandhurst library, cost £2 each and are on sale from Monday 20 August.

Refreshments are included and free parking is available outside of Sandhurst library. The talk will start at 7.30pm.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council ~ Sandhurst

“I would like to introduce myself as the new neighbourhood officer for Crowthorne. I took up the post in June 2007 and work alongside PCSO Ivana Houska.

“Ivana has excellent local knowledge of Crowthorne and she has helped me to familiarise myself quickly with the village. In fact, I already know the Bracknell Forest area well, having worked here since I joined Thames Valley Police in 2000. Initially, I worked as a reactive shift officer, and for the past four years I have been a member of the Domestic Violence Unit based in Bracknell and Maidenhead. I’m currently working part-time, as I have two children under four years old.

“The main priority for the neighbourhood policing team in Crowthorne is anti-social behaviour by young people, particularly disorder linked to underage drinking.

“My colleagues and I are running Operation Lion Cub at weekends throughout the summer months. This initiative targets anti-social behaviour ‘hotspots’, such as the Morgan recreation ground in Crowthorne. Neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs carry out high visibility patrols on Friday and Saturday nights, actively looking for youngsters who may be causing problems and seizing alcohol from under 18s.

“The key to this operation’s success is involvement by local residents. Volunteers are notified when police are patrolling their area, and given officers’ mobile phone numbers so they can call them directly to report when and where anti-social behaviour is happening. If you would like to join this scheme, please contact me via 0845 8 505 505 for more information.

“As well as enforcement, my colleagues and I are focusing on preventing anti-social behaviour by encouraging constructive activities. In Crowthorne, PCSO Houska has set up a cinema night; in Sandhurst, PC Amanda Price is planning a weekly Boxercise class, and we are looking at other ideas to provide entertainment for local youngsters.

“We’ve had tremendous support from various local organisations and businesses for these initiatives, which is much appreciated by all of us in the neighbourhood policing team.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Crowthorne

With accident figures still showing that the greatest age group at risk of being involved in an accident are the 17 - 25 year olds, it comes as no surprise that the authorities concerned (Driving Standards Agency) are looking at ways to improve these figures. We all benefit from having safer roads whether as a pedestrian, cyclist or a driver and therefore we all share that responsibility.

Many initiatives are currently being implemented to help improve these accident rates such as extending the current Theory exam from 35 to 50 questions, aimed at giving potential new drivers a better understanding of the hazards they will meet on our busy roads.

With this in mind a new local business has started up based in Crowthorne, home of the Transport Road Research Lab that is taking this challenge head on with Defensive Driving Techniques as a central core to their teaching practices.

Chris Gregory from the Mini School of Motoring says that "it's not enough to just learn the basics of car control with a few lessons from a relative, after all when was the last time that relative or friend studied the Highway Code. We often hear boasts from the older generation that in their day they only had five or six lessons and went on to pass the test first time. But consider how many more cars are on our roads today and it's little wonder that the accident rates are not improving. If we still cling to these misplaced principals that driving is down to a few basic techniques then poor driving habits will continue to have a direct affect on us all. These manifest themselves as higher insurance premiums, increased traffic delays due to poor use of signals such as at roundabouts, with the vast majority of older drivers not signalling their exit, even when travelling straight across.

Bad driving is not only confined to larger towns and the lower social groups, even driving around the leafy lanes of Crowthorne and Wokingham I see many new cars being driven by both young and old trying to negotiate roundabouts while holding a mobile phone, poor parking especially outside schools which is a particular danger area for accidents. Why is it that when we park outside a school to collect our loved ones we ignore that fact that our actions of inconsiderate parking are placing our very own children at risk? Do we still think that accidents don't happen to us!

It's these simple observations that have given cause to Chris to re evaluate the needs of the new driver and to have a planned teaching approach that has Defensive Driving Techniques at its core and teaching their pupils to drive safely. Having driving lessons with us is not just to pass a test. Holding a driving license is a privilege and one that needs to be earned after all the consequences of bad driving can affect us all and are too horrific to contemplate. So when you next look at the cost of a driving lesson, don't just compare it to what you paid all those years ago rather make the calculation based on the time that this life skill will last ,which is circa 50 years and then it's less than the price of a Cappuccino once every 6 weeks!

How much to you value your children?

Chris Gregory
Mini School of Motoring
4 Eagle Close
Crowthorne
RG45 6TP
Tel: 01344 750621

On Monday 3rd September the Garden Opera Company will perform La Boheme (sung in English) in the stunning location of the Common Room Gardens at Wellington College.  Tickets are £55 each and this includes buffet supper and drinks in the interval.  It promises to be a great evening, and we would love to see the Crowthorne residents enjoying this event.  

"Over the past decade The Garden Opera Company has firmly established itself as one of the nation’s leading small opera companies, and has delighted audiences nationwide with its innovative and accessible operatic productions at a wide variety of stunning locations. 

This summer’s production of one of the worlds’ most popular and captivating operas brings to the stage an emotionally charged story of two star-crossed lovers entangled in a struggle for life and love amidst the harsh realities of bohemian life.  Featuring some of Puccini's most ravishingly beautiful music we take you on a journey of romance, joie de vivre and heartbreak."

Please call 01344 444023 to book tickets.

Wellington College, Crowthorne