Bracknell Forest Council News

Best seller books her spot at Sandhurst Library

Sandhurst Library has scored another literary coup with a visit by international best-selling author and poet Sophie Hannah. She will be at the library on Wednesday, February 22, from 7.30pm to talk about her latest psychological thriller, Kind of Cruel, published this month. Tickets for the event are available from the library in The Broadway, Sandhurst, at �3 each, to include refreshments. Sophie, who lives with her family in Cambridge, has published six previous books featuring her detective pair Simon Waterhouse and Charlie Zailer, who will feature in a new TV drama later this year. She has also written several acclaimed collections of poetry and has translated the classic Moomin Valley series of children's books by Finnish writer Tove Jansson. Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for culture, corporate services and public protection, said: "Sophie Hannah is a very successful and well-known author and this visit is sure to be very popular. I'd urge bookworms to book their tickets as soon as possible." Contact Sandhurst Library on email sandhurst.library@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or call 01252 870161. For information about all the borough's libraries go to http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/learning/learn-libraries.htm

What the Dickens is happening at Whitegrove Library?

In the last decade of his life, Charles Dickens forged a new career for himself as a successful performer, reading from his novels and stories to thousands of people. To mark the 200th anniversary of the great author's birth in February, Whitegrove Library is staging a selection of readings from some of his best know works. The event, on Wednesday, February 15, will feature Reading University English lecturers Nicola Bradbury and Andrew Mangham reading from and commenting on Dickens' writing. There will also be an opportunity for visitors to discuss and ask questions. The event, which includes refreshments, begins at 7.30pm at the library in County Lane, Warfield. Tickets cost �3. Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for culture, corporate services and public protection, said: "The Dickens bicentenary is a great event during a very eventful year for the borough and for the whole country. "I hope residents will make the most of everything going in Bracknell Forest in 2012, including the fantastic activities in all our libraries." For more information, go to http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/learning/learn-libraries.htm

Winter weather - latest update: Monday, February 6, 2.30pm

The council's gritting lorries will be out from 8pm salting primary routes across the brorough, ahead of expected freezing temperatures overnight. Winter weather - latest update: Monday, February 6, 9.30am Snow clearing on priority footways around local shopping areas, outside schools, doctors' surgeries etc is continuing today and the forecast of drizzly rain is likely to help the thaw. A decision on further salting of roads will be made later today, depending on the weather forecast for tonight. We estimate we have used more than 150 tonnes of salt so far during the current cold snap, but there is plenty available so we will carry on gritting as necessary. Local salt bins are being refilled and we thank everyone, residents and local businesses, who have helped by clearing snow in their neighbourhoods. Winter weather - latest update, Sunday, February 5, 6.30pm Gritting lorries have been out salting the borough's primary routes again since 5pm. They expect to complete two back-to-back runs in advance of possible freezing temperatures overnight. The teams went out at 2pm to salt secondary routes. Residents in Crowthorne, Birch Hill and Great Hollands should put out their waste bins for collection tomorrow as usual. The council's landscape teams will be on hand to salt roads ahead of the Sita waste trucks if required. Winter weather - latest update: Sunday, February 5, 11am Bracknell Bracknell Forest gritting lorries have been out five times to salt primary routes since 3pm on Saturday. The snow ploughs were attached for the midnight and 3am runs. Secondary routes are being salted this morning where possible. Bracknell town centre was salted and swept through most of the night and that is being continued this morning. Our landscape teams are also clearing snow from priority footways and local shopping areas as far as possible. Please be aware that the gates to the grounds of Easthampstead Park Cemetery and Crematorium are closed today due to the weather conditions. The Look Out Discovery Centre is open as usual. Salt bins have also been stocked up so residents can grit public pavements and roads near their homes. �� And for the first time since last year’s snow, the council has access to its very own salt barn, which is fully stocked with 2,500 tonnes of salt. While the council has a responsibility for gritting roads and has prepared for bad weather, residents are encouraged to think about how they can help themselves during the predicted period of severe winter weather. rs Residents are reminded that there's no reason for them you not to clear snow and ice from the pavement outside their home or from public spaces. Doing so can help everyone get about more easily. �More detailed advice is available at www.direct.gov.uk or a guide to snow clearing and the law is available on the council’s website at: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/guidance-about-clearing-footpaths-of-snow-and-ice.pdf Other key advice on how to deal with bad weather includes: Buy stocks of salt from local hardware shops in advance, so you can grit driveways, paths and the area around your property and vehicle. Alternatively, lay cardboard onto your path prior to any frost/snowfall. If your road has a salt bin, then be proactive and spread salt on slopes; this salt is for use on public roads and pavements only. Buy a snow shovel and be ready as you may need to dig a path into and out of your property and around your car. Be prepared; pack a shovel, salt, de-icer, your mobile phone and charger, warm blankets, a torch and some food and water in your car boot. Ensure you have plenty of fuel in your car before making a journey as you may get delayed in queues. Have a torch available at home just in case electricity supplies fail. Make sure you have enough non-perishable food, like canned and powdered goods, to last a few days, just in case you can’t get to the shops. Make sure you have enough blankets and warm clothes just in case your heating supply fails. �� If you take prescription medication it may be wise to have enough to last a few days. Likewise, if you have a small child it may be a good idea to stock up on nappies and formula milk. Put an In Case of Emergency (ICE) contact phone number in your mobile phone or address book. Follow advice on the local radio and television stations. � Residents are also urged to check on elderly and/ or vulnerable neighbours should any severe weather take hold. Additionally, residents planning to use Longshot Lane Household Waste and Recycling Centre are advised to check:www.re3.org.uk before setting off in the case of snow/ ice. The latest opening information will be available via that link. Steve Loudoun, chief officer for environment and public protection, said: “The council has a responsibility for gritting roads and keeping people moving during bouts of bad weather and with the addition of the new salt barn, we are well prepared for any cold snap that hits in the next few days. “However, we need residents to take some proactive steps to make sure they too are ready, just in case we get lots of snow and ice again. These steps are simple but can make a world of difference in bad weather. If you’re not ready then now is the time to act.” Information on the council’s gritting routes, salt bin locations and advice on clearing snow from footpaths can be found at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/env-winter-weather Notes: The council's new salt barn was built in 2011. It stands at 12.5 metres tall and is fully stocked with 2,500 tonnes of salt. It is the first time there has been a salt barn in the borough, giving gritters quicker access to the council’s salt supply. This winter, the council has access to five gritting lorries which can hold between six and 10 tonnes of salt each. If required, a snow plough can be attached to each of the lorries. For pedestrianised areas - such as town centres, neighbourhood centres and footpaths - the council has three small de-mountable salt spreading machines, making it easier to salt areas which traditionally have been harder to reach.

Get down to The Look Out this half term

If you are on the look out for something to do with the kids this February half term, why not pay a visit to The Look Out Discovery Centre for some dinosaur themed fun. Ever wondered what the breath of a T-Rex would have smelt like? Or how much poo the biggest dinosaurs would have made? Want to know how we know that the T-Rex had the best sense of smell out of all the meat eating dinosaurs? Find out this and lots more at The Big Dinosaur Show, which is at the centre until May 6 and aimed at children over the age of three. During February half term there will also be a free dinosaur themed quiz, which all visitors can take part in. Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for culture, corporate services and public protection, said: “This February half term, do come and enjoy what The Look Out has to offer - including The Big Dinosaur Show and a free dinosaur quiz. “Visiting The Look Out is a great day out, as it has over 90 hands-on science and nature activities. Leave your shadow on the wall, dam up a stream, launch a hydrogen rocket, create circuits and much more! You will have science at your fingertips! “Inside the centre there is a gift shop full of great pocket money items and coffee shop with drinks and light snacks, including homemade cake. For those braving the winter weather there is the recently enhanced play area.” The Look Out is set in 1,000 hectares of Swinley Forest and is open daily between 10am and 5pm. A super saver ticket is only ��17.60 for two adults and two children or one adult and three children (valid until March 31, 2012). Children aged three and under are free! Special parent and toddler rates for term time.

Can you take on the pancake race challenge?

The annual Bracknell town centre charity pancake race is back with a twist this year as it takes on a three-legged theme. Bracknell Regeneration Partnership is again hosting the event in a bid to raise cash for Age Concern Bracknell Forest - the Mayor’s chosen charity – and Sebastian’s Action Trust. The challenge to take part in this year’s race is now on. The event will be held on Tuesday, February 21 at 10.30am in the Broadway. All you need is a team of four and a frying pan. It costs �5 per person (�20 per team) and entries must be submitted to gemma.tizzard@bracknell.co.uk by Friday, February 17. Further information can be found at: http://bit.ly/AxBtzi

Creative snaps go on display

Amateur photographers from across Bracknell Forest will have their work on show at South Hill Park in an ‘Exploring the Borough’s Routes and Trees’ exhibition. The exhibition will take place at the community gallery between Saturday, February 11, and Sunday, April 8, and will showcase the 18 best photos from more than 180 entries to last year’s annual Parks Photography Competition. The competition theme ‘Routes and Trees’ celebrates our access to the great outdoors and marks the UN International Year of Forests 2011. Photographs will include the winning entry from Anne Eckersley, with her imaginative photo 'Tree Roots', David Robins’ eye-catching entry 'Lady in Red, Shepherd Meadows, Sandhurst' which came second and Phil Chappell’s 'Route through Crowthorne Woods', which came third. The pictures were judged by a panel which included executive member for culture, corporate services and public protection, Cllr Iain McCracken, former head of exhibitions at South Hill Park, Dr Outi Remis, Jeff Lawrence from Bracknell Camera Club, John Deakin, chief forester at The Crown Estate and Graham Pockett, parks and countryside development officer at Bracknell Forest Council. Richard Walton, head of parks and countryside, said: “We're really lucky to have some fantastic, easily accessible parks and countryside in Bracknell Forest. The Routes and Trees theme of the competition challenged amateur photographers to capture their special qualities.” Cllr McCracken added: “The standard of entries to the competition was very high last year and it was extremely hard to pick a winner. I would encourage residents to make a visit to the exhibition to look at the great work on show. And while you are there, enjoy the many other attractions the park has to offer.”