Crowthorne and Sandhurst

More than 40 students with disabilities were rewarded for their hard work and dedication to various computer courses last month at the Karten CTEC Centre in Crowthorne.

Students who used the Crowthorne centre to take IT courses were presented with certificates in honour of their qualifications, at the Celebration of Achievement event, by the then mayor of the Wokingham Borough Cllr Annette Drake.

The presentation ceremony recognised the achievements of students who had completed training courses such as OCR CLAIT and National Open College Network Opening Doors to ICT and was hosted by Rod Clay, director of Ravenswood Village, Crowthorne.

The Crowthorne Karten Centre provides computer-aided training and education for people with disabilities. The centre is run in partnership by charity Norwood and Wokingham Borough Council and is based at Ravenswood Village in Crowthorne.

Ravenswood Village is a residential community owned by Norwood, a leading UK charity that supports children and families with learning disabilities, or coping with social difficulties. Residents of Ravenswood Village and adults with disabilities from the local community attend courses at the centre. It was established by Ian Karten, MBE, in 1997 to provide computer-led education for disabled people, people with special needs and people with learning disabilities.

Cllr Annette Drake, said: “It was wonderful to present these very special people with their certificates to celebrate their achievement of qualifications in IT. We are very proud of our people with learning difficulties who have received recognition for their hard work and I’m pleased to have taken part in the special event, my last event before passing the Mayoral chain to my successor. I recognise how much effort went into training the students, who obtained these practical qualifications in IT.”

Rod Clay, Director of Ravenswood Village, said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the achievements that the students have all made during the last year and to recognise their progress.”

Wokingham Borough Council ~ Crowthorne

I joined the Owlsmoor and Sandhurst College Town neighbourhood policing team in March this year, having worked in church and charitable organisations in the past.

I enjoy being part of the Sandhurst community and working with people and partner organisations, such as Bracknell Forest Council, local businesses, schools and youth clubs, to help tackle local issues and concerns.

Meeting people is something I enjoy and I do my best to reassure them, offer crime prevention advice and help deter crime and the fear of crime.

Every Wednesday my colleague and I join the pupils and teachers for lunch at Sandhurst Secondary school and during the break we play football with the pupils. It is a great way to engage with the young people and get to know their interests and concerns.

I have also been involved with the youth club at St George’s church in Owlsmoor Road, Sandhurst. This is held on Friday evenings from 7pm to 10pm for youths between the ages of 14 to18+. It’s well attended and there are lots of different activities to choose from.

My aim is to try and minimise anti-social behaviour in the area by encouraging young people to utilise facilities that already exist, including the Sandhurst sports centre and The Spot youth club.

Together with my colleagues in the neighbourhood team, I take part in Operation Lion Cub patrols at the weekends to prevent youth disorder and under age drinking in hotspots such as Owlsmoor Park. We have had reports of mini motorcycle riders causing a nuisance in the area, and I have recently stopped a couple of youngsters while out on patrol.

If you have any concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour in the Owlsmoor and Sandhurst College Town area, please feel free to stop me for a chat or contact me on 0845 8 505 505.

Thames Valley Police ~ Sandhurst

Police are appealing for witnesses after a cross was stolen from a grave in St. Michael’s Church graveyard, Lower Church Road, Sandhurst.

The Sandhurst cross, which is oak with an engraved plaque, was taken sometime between 6.30pm on Sunday 8 June and 1pm on Friday 13 June.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 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 ~ Sandhurst

A woodland area in Sandhurst has been awarded a £9,000 grant to clear scrub, improve access and provide information for visitors.

Sandhurst Town Council successfully applied for the Breathing Spaces grant for Berrybank woodland, near York Town Road, with support from Bracknell Forest Council. The whole project is worth £11,500 and will be delivered with support from local conservation volunteers.

Breathing Spaces is a National Lottery and BBC project which encourages volunteers to improve wildlife areas close to where they live.

Work being planned includes entrance improvements, installing new bat and bird boxes, reinstating a pond and creating a circular path with signage, seating and litter bins.

Chris Smith, Sandhurst Town Council’s Executive Officer, said: "We are looking forward to working with residents to improving Berrybank.

”I hope it will become an oasis for wildlife and a tranquil place for residents to visit.”

Cllr Iain McCracken, Bracknell Forest Council’s Executive Member for Leisure, Corporate Services and Public Protection, said: "Now the grant has been awarded, we will be working with residents and volunteers groups to enhance this important green space.”

”When work is completed, the Berrybank woodland will be a wonderful place for people and wildlife to visit and enjoy.”

Bracknell Forest Council ~ Sandhurst

Author and actress Barbara Ewing will be speaking about her work at Sandhurst library on Wednesday, June 18.

She was born in New Zealand, and her novels include The Actresses, A Dangerous Vine, The Trespass, Rosetta and The Mesmerist which is being published in paperback in June.

Her best known television role was playing Agnes Fairchild in the 1980s ITV comedy series Brass. Her other appearances include Comrade Dad, Casualty, Holby City, The Bill, Peak Practice, and the Ruth Rendell mysteries. She also appeared in the Hammer Films production of Dracula Has Risen from the Grave with Christopher Lee in 1968.

Cllr Alan Kendall, Executive Member for Sandhurst Education and Libraries, said: Barbara Ewing has had a diverse career in television and film before becoming an author.

”I’m sure she has some interesting stories to tell, so it should be a fascinating evening.”

The talk begins at 7.30pm, tickets cost £2 and are available from the library in The Broadway. For more details, call 01252 870161 or email sandhurst.library@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

Bracknell Forest Council ~ Sandhurst

Crowthorne Carnival starts on Saturday July 5th with a procession and fete, plus an Entertainment Evening and a Crowthorne Orchestra concert in the evening. Tuesday 8th has an Elvis night at The Mango Tree and the schools music festival at Wellington College. Wednesday 9th offers a Darby & Joan tea party for older residents of the village, and a read-through of Crowthorne Amateur Theatrical Society's planned pantomime Dick Turpin Rides Again! Thursday sees a bingo night at Woodmancote, and the Friday has the ever-popular Wine & Wisdom Quiz. The final weekend has an art exhibition, the flower festival, and a Songs of Praise at the Parish Church, as well as a Barn Dance on the Saturday evening.

Before the Carnival week, there will be a front garden competition, and entries for this are currently being accepted. eXpression art gallery are running a raffle throughout the summer, and after the Carnival there will be a photography competition.

Tickets for events that require them are on sale now in the village: Bewitched (Dukes Ride) and Whimsical (High Street) are selling tickets for the Entertainment Evening, Wine & Wisdom Quiz, and Barn Dance; Telstar Traveltime are the outlet for Crowthorne Orchestra tickets; and free tickets for the Darby & Joan tea party are available from the Churches, Coffee Shops, Carlysle Court, Good Neighbours, Rothwell House, the Jubilee Club at St Sebastian's and the Thursday Fellowship at the Baptist Church.

All houses in Crowthorne should have received their copies of the Carnival programme, and more information about the events is available on the website - www.crowthornecarnival.co.uk