Crowthorne and Sandhurst

When I first started working at Crowthorne police station nearly three years ago, I worked with three police officers and two newly recruited PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers). My current team has expanded considerably with the arrival of neighbourhood policing and now consists of Neighbourhood Specialist Officers Gary Campion (who covers Sandhurst and Little Sandhurst), Amanda Price (Owlsmoor and College Town), Neighbourhood Officers Justin Barton (Owlsmoor and College Town), and Steve Botwright (Crowthorne).

My PCSOs are Ivana Houska (Crowthorne), Rebecca Swann (Sandhurst and Little Sandhurst), Katherine Bullen and Alistair Willcocks (both Owlsmoor and College Town). Also stationed at Crowthorne on a temporary basis are two student officers under training, who will shortly be transferring to response (shift) work at Bracknell and a PCSO under training, again who will eventually work from Bracknell.

We can all be contacted on the main 0845 8 505 505 police non emergency number, or by calling in at Crowthorne police station or the Sandhurst police point.

Crowthorne police station is open 9am to 1pm Monday to Thursday, Wednesday evenings and most Saturday mornings. Sandhurst police point (adjacent to the Sandhurst Town Council offices in the Memorial Park) is open 10am to 2pm Monday to Friday, plus Monday evenings and some afternoons. Details of opening hours are shown on the entrance door.

During these times, the front desks at Crowthorne and Sandhurst are manned by volunteers, who provide an excellent service for callers. We are always looking for more volunteers and if you feel you could assist with this role please contact me or call in and speak to a volunteer directly. Full training, as they say, will be given!

As well as dealing with calls from members of the public (assaults, shop theft, road collisions and the like) we deal with issues which have been raised by the public as neighbourhood priorities. These are currently speeding and anti-social behaviour. We carry out weekly speed enforcement checks across the area. We have also had considerable success in many areas in dealing with anti-social behaviour. As always there is more to be done so if you suffer from either of these issues please contact me.

Thames Valley Police ~ Crowthorne and Sandhurst

A Crowthorne Indian restaurant is to pay £5,000 in fines and costs after substituting spirits with cheaper brands and serving watered down vodka.

Khalid Miah, a director of Chillies Restaurant, in Dukes Ride, Crowthorne, appeared in Bracknell Magistrates’ Court on April 16 and pleaded not guilty to four offences under the Food Safety Act.

It follows a routine visit by trading standards officers on October 25, 2006, who carried out checks on the spirits. They found Bells scotch whisky had been substituted with the MacAndrews brand, Gordons Gin was actually Grosvenor Gin, and Smirnoff vodka was Chekov vodka.

They also found the vodka had been topped up with more than 22 per cent of water.

Chillies was found guilty and was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £3,000 costs.

Rob Sexton, Head of Trading Standards and Services, said: The substitution of branded spirits for cheaper spirits misleads customers and provides an economic advantage for the business concerned.

"We are hopeful that the fines imposed by the court will discourage other businesses from using such practices."

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Crowthorne Public Protection, said: "It is unacceptable for restaurants to serve customers with cheaper brands and charge higher prices.

”The Council will continue to carry out routine tests at other restaurants in the borough to make sure customers are getting a fair deal.”

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Sandhurst Police are appealing for witnesses after vandals targeted the community centre in Yorktown Road, Sandhurst, on Sunday 20 April.

At about 10pm police received a report that a group of youths were causing damage to the Sandhurst community centre. Four windows in the building were smashed, concrete bollards were uprooted and rolled around the car park, and a chewing gum bin was broken.

Officers arrived at 10.11pm but the culprits had left the scene and could not be found.

Anyone with information about the incident, who has not already come forward, is asked to contact PC Doug Crowe 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 man has pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving in connection with a road traffic collision in Crowthorne last year.

Jamie Michael McDonald, aged 19, of Oldstead, Crown Wood, Bracknell, pleaded guilty at Reading Crown Court today (21/4).

McDonald was the driver of a Vauxhall Corsa that was in collision with a Ford Fiesta on the Old Wokingham Road, Crowthorne, on 10 February 2007.

Rebecca Gough, aged 16, who was a passenger in the Corsa, was seriously injured in the collision and died in hospital on 16 February. McDonald was charged on 20 August 2007 with causing death by dangerous driving.

The case has been adjourned until 30 May for pre-sentencing reports.

Thames Valley Police ~ Crowthorne

An opportunity for all Crowthorne green-fingered residents. Although the Crowthorne Carnival itself is still several months away, you can start getting involved right away.

One contest that will be livening up the Crowthorne village this summer is the front garden competition. The organiser, Maureen Myers, says “the aim is to create a fun event that brightens our streets and fosters community spirit”.

There will be three classifications: balconies, hanging baskets & window boxes; small garden; and average/large garden. This means that almost anyone who lives in Crowthorne can enter the competition. The main requirement for entry is not a pristine lawn or perfect weed-free landscaped garden; it is simply that the garden enhances its local environment and can be viewed from the pavement.

Of course, a gorgeous garden doesn’t spring up overnight, so if you’re thinking of entering the competition, now’s the time to get sowing those seeds and potting those plants. Entry forms are available from the Crowthorne Carnival website, and should be completed and returned as soon as possible. For more information about the front garden competition, contact Maureen Myers on 01344 772325.

The theme for the 2008 Carnival is “Fun & Fantasy”. Crowthorne Carnival will start with the procession and fete on Saturday 5 July 2008, and will run until Sunday 13 July 2008 with various event throughout the week. There is still time to register for the fete and procession. More information and application forms are available from the website: www.crowthornecarnival.co.uk.

Saturday 5th July 2008 @ 8pm

The Old Gym
Wellington College
Crowthorne
RG45 7PU

Tickets:
£8 in advance, £10 on door. Concessions £6 in advance, £8 on door. Children £1

From Telstar Traveltime, Crowthorne or email secretary@crowthorneorchestra.com or phone Ruth on 0118 972 2164

Crowthorne Orchestra

Police are appealing for the public’s help in identifying a man who exposed himself to a dog walker in Sandhurst on 2nd April

Between 4.10pm and 4.16pm a woman in her fifties was walking her dog through woodland off the A321 Wokingham Road, near the junction with Ambarrow Lane, Sandhurst when she saw a man who exposed himself to her.

The man is black with very dark skin, aged 25 to 30, 5ft 9ins, of medium build, with short black hair. He was wearing a mid-blue sweatshirt.

PC Katie Ali, who is investigating the case, said: “The area where this incident took place is close to the railway line and Crowthorne railway station. There is a car park used by visitors to the Ambarrow Nature Reserve and the area is popular with dog walkers.

“The victim in this case reported a similar incident to police on 11 March and believes it was the same man on both occasions. She has spoken to other dog walkers who think they may also have seen him in the area.

“The man has not approached anyone, but we are anxious to find him and put a stop to his offending behaviour.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sandhurst PC Katie Ali 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

Crowthorne Amateur Theatrical Society are presenting ‘A Tomb With A View’ by Norman Robbins at Crowthorne Parish Hall, Heath Hill Road from Wednesday 30th April until Saturday 3rd May. Curtain up is at 19:45.

In this comedy-thriller set in the old library of a sinister family's house, a dusty lawyer reads a will to a family, one member of which has werewolf tendencies, another wanders around in a toga, and a third plants more than seeds in her flower-beds. And what about the sympathetic nurse and the author of romantic novels - are they all, or more than they seem to be?

Tickets are available from Playhouse Cleaners and Becky’s in Crowthorne, or from the box office on 0118 989 1036 or boxoffice@catswebsite.co.uk, and are priced at £7.50 (£6.00 concessions).

During the festival there will be musical entertainment from various local groups, a children's flower arranging tent (at certain times) and excellent refreshments and light lunches.

There will be a display of patchwork and quilting items from Crowthorne Crafts, an exhibition by Embroiderers' Guild, Wokingham and demonstrations by North Downs Lacemakers.

The festival is on Saturday 12 July 10am - 6pm, Sunday 13 July 12 - 6pm and Monday 14 July 10am - 4pm.

It will be held at St John's Parish Church, Waterloo Road, Crowthorne, Berkshire, RG45 7PB

Admission is free with donations to Daisy's Dream, who support bereaved children and their families in Berkshire and surrounding area.

Rotary Club of Crowthorne & Sandhurst. Crowthorne Carnival 2008

Could you be Crowthorne’s Princess and head the Carnival Procession through the village on Saturday, 5th July 2008? You would be provided with an outfit, have your hair styled, have a manicure and your face made up on the day. The Princess and her two attendants also win a special prize.

To Apply

* You must live or go to school in Crowthorne

* You must be between 8 and 11 years old on the 5th July, 2008

* You must be free to take part on the day and attend the selection at two o’clock on Saturday 17th May 2008 at the John Nike Leisure Complex Bracknell.

Application Forms can be obtained from:

www.crowthornecarnival.co.uk

Crowthorne Library

by telephoning Patricia on 01344 772288.

Applications must be returned by 15 May 2008, to Crowthorne Library

Good Luck

The Rotary Club of Crowthorne and Sandhurst is once again delighted to combine with the Carnival committee in this event. If you are interested in what we do and want to give something back to your community. Call our secretary on 0118 978 0239 to arrange a visit to a club meeting, you will be very welcome.

Patricia Walmsley, 28 Edgcumbe Park Drive, Crowthorne RG45 6HX Tel: 01344 772288