Bracknell Town Council News

Bracknell Forest Council is reviewing all of the bus services that it supports, and so is keen to understand how, and why, residents use buses in Bracknell Forest and what the implications to the residents would be if a service was reduced or withdrawn.

A number of service changes are being considered to make savings and so the consultation seeks resident’s views on these as well as resident’s thoughts and comments on other bus services that Bracknell Forest Council provides.

Information on the changes being considered and an on-line questionnaire can be found at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/bussurvey or alternatively residents can pick up a paper copy of the questionnaire from Council Offices, Libraries and Council Leisure Centres.

Eight of Bracknell’s recreational spaces managed by Bracknell Town Council did extremely well in The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge ‘Save a Space for Me’ national public vote and could be protected for posterity. The Challenge is led by its Patron HRH The Duke of Cambridge and is looking to protect 2,012 outdoor recreational spaces across the UK by the end of 2012 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

950 parks and playing fields entered the Challenge and over 22,000 people voted in ‘Save a Space for Me’ which took place at the end of 2011.

Braybrooke Recreation Ground proved to be the most popular Bracknell recreational space and came an impressive sixteenth position in the national vote. Harman’s Water Recreation Ground was Bracknell’s second most popular park closely followed by Mill Park and Jocks Lane Recreation Ground. The other Bracknell recreational spaces entered were Calfridus Way Recreation Ground, Great Hollands Recreation Ground, The Elms Park and Wildridings Playing Field.

Mary Harris, Town Clerk said, “We are thrilled that the eight Bracknell recreational spaces entered in ‘Save a Space for Me’ gained enough votes to go forward for protection as an open space forever. We are now going through the legal issues involved in protecting them. I would like to thank everyone that took the time to vote for them, the success in the vote illustrates how much Bracknell residents’ value their recreational spaces.”

The good news continues as funding is available to improve Queen Elizabeth II Fields and because of its success in the public vote Bracknell Town Council has been awarded £6,000 by Fields in Trust to improve three recreation grounds. The money will be used to help finance outdoor gym fitness equipment to be installed at Jocks Lane, Calfridus Way and The Elms.

Allan Moffat, the Town Council’s Recreational Facilities Manager commented, “We are delighted to have been awarded the Fields in Trust grant. The equipment will be available for free use by all members of the local community, young and old. It is unlike the other 'play equipment' on the three sites and will be available throughout the seasons providing a real opportunity for people to undertake mild to moderate exercise. With the increasing concerns about the health risks of obesity in young people and adults this ‘gym’ equipment provides an opportunity for all sections of the community to exercise in the fresh air and improve their general level of health.”

Alison Moore-Gwyn, Chief Executive of Fields in Trust, said. “Saving outdoor space is crucial for the health and enjoyment of communities everywhere and I am delighted that Bracknell Town Council is embracing the opportunity presented by the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge to protect and improve Elms Park, Jock’s Lane Recreation Ground and Calfridus Way Recreation Ground. By safeguarding these areas, the Council has, by celebrating The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in this wonderful way, shown how much they value the quality of life of everyone in their community both now and in the future. I encourage other councils to watch for further rounds of Fields in Trust County Funding in 2012 to help make their Queen Elizabeth II Field the best they can be,”