Great Hollands Matters

Forthcoming Events Saturday, 15 June, meet 10.00 am, Talk Shop Community Litter Pick. Everyone welcome.

Saturday, 13 July, start 10.00 am, Talk Shop Joint AGM of the New Great Hollands Community Association and Great Hollands Neighbourhood Organisation, followed by Community Forum.

Community Litter Pick Saturday, 15 June, meet 10.00 am at the Talk Shop Everyone welcome

reat Hollands Matters The Newsletter for Great Hollands Also, why not visit our website: www.greathollands.com

Sunday Services in Great Hollands Primary School 10.30 am including: "The Snug" for under 5s “The Den" for 5-10s "The Attic" for 11+s followed by tea and coffee.

Drop in for a cuppa and a chat at our Café, every Thursday in the Talk Shop: open from 10.00 ‘til 12.00.

For details of all activities or to contact the Church: Phone: (01344) 286359 or visit us at: www.GHFC.org.uk

Polite Request Would the chain smoker who stands half way along Underwood - opposite the bungalows, kindly take an ashtray with him or her or, alternatively, a dustpan and brush to sweep up the dog-ends and put them in the nearest litter bin.

Making sure they are extinguished first, of course!

The results of all the hard work by volunteers in December 2012.

What a lovely sight!

June 2013

The Oaks & Hollies Children’s Centre

Bookings

we can be found on the site of Great Hollands Primary School

Are you pregnant or a mum or dad with a child under 5?

The Oaks Children’s Centre is here for you!

We’re open Monday - Fridays 8.30 am - 4.30 pm, the kettle is always on!

Some of the things that you can join in: Teen Parents, Parenting workshops, Baby Groups, Cooking on a budget, Stay & Play in school holidays, Movers and Shakers Active sessions, Baby Massage courses, Paediatric First Aid workshops, Speech & Language Drop Ins, Benefit Advice Appointments, Links to the Health Visitors, Links to the local Parent & Toddler Groups, Coffee & Breakfast mornings and much more….

There’s also a pre-school on site: The Oaks Pre-school Monday - Friday am and pm sessions available.

Please call 01344 317040 If you would like to know more about what we can do for you and your family, or to find out more, please call the centre on 01344 317020

Wooden Hill/Ringmead Underpass Many of you will remember that the children of Wooden Hill Primary school designed and created a wonderful mural for both walls of the underpass that leads up to Wooden Hill. This was done by painting the pictures, photographing them and putting this onto film that was then stuck onto the walls.

This was a new technique and because the walls were uneven, the film did not stick well and the whole became damaged very quickly. A year on, Bracknell and Wokingham college students, following a Community Art Course, are to try again. The walls will be painted similar to the children’s original designs. The design will be painted straight onto the walls - the old technique.

Ringway will pay for the preparation of the walls and for the coating of anti-graffiti top coat. Our thanks for this wonderful support to help our children change a negative experience into a success. The paint used will be sourced from the Green Machine Enterprise, which recycles unused paint for just £1 a tin and can be found in Longshot Lane. Our thanks to everyone involved.

Great Hollands Community Centre Contact: Gillian Leather Tel. 425092 (evenings) E-mail: leather_134@btinternet.com

Talk Shop Contact: Ronny Lewis Tel. 07540 450019 Email: VeronicaJLewis@btinternet.com The Talk Shop cannot accept bookings where alcohol is to be consumed

Website: http://www.greathollands.com

Great Hollands Matters is delivered four times a year to houses, shops and businesses in Great Hollands.

Advertising rates are: Full page (A5) £60 per issue, £200 for four issues (pre-paid) ½ page (A6) £30 per issue, £100 for four issues (pre-paid) ¼ page (A7) £15 per issue, £50 for four issues (pre-paid) Contact any of the newsletter committee listed below to get your advert placed in the next issue, due out in September 2013.

The Newsletter Committee would like to emphasise that publication of advertisements in no way implies any endorsement of advertisers or the services they provide. Residents are advised to use their own discretion when responding to advertisements.

Newsletter produced by: Gillian Leather Mary Temperton

Tel. 425092 Tel. 426191

Eileen Mann Clive Temperton

Tel. 451041 Tel. 426191

The views expressed in Great Hollands Matters are not necessarily those of the people involved in its production. All material is included at the Editor’s discretion. The information contained herein is accurate, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of going to print.

Produced jointly by NGHCA and GHNO, Printed by Press To Print

If you have a child under 16 or you yourself are under 21, if you bring a photo ID like a passport, the E+ card you’ll receive can even provide a nationally recognised proof of age card for you.

You’ll find us at the far end of the neighbourhood centre, opposite the William Twigg Pub, between the Community Centre and Great Hollands Primary School.

We’re your local library, with a wide range of adult, teenage and children’s books - fiction and non-fiction, DVDs (from only 50p for a week’s rental!), magazines, talking books on CD and cassette (children’s sets are FREE!) and photocopying. You can also order any item from any Bracknell Forest library and collect it close to home for a small charge. We’re always happy to help with any query, especially if you’re a new member coming in for the first time.

We’re open three days a week: Wednesdays 9.30-12.30 and 2-7 Fridays 9.30-12.30 and 2-5 Saturdays 9.30-12.30 and you can phone us for more information on 01344 424095 or email us with queries greathollands.library@bracknell-forest.gov.uk If you have children aged up to 7, why not bring them along to our story times on Friday afternoons at 3.40. We’re always happy to welcome more kids along for 15 minutes of stories. We also run a Bounce and Rhyme Time session every Friday morning at 11am. Bring your babies and toddlers along for 20 minutes of rhymes and songs with other mums, dads and carers.

As the summer holidays approach, we’re getting ready for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge for the kids. 2013 has a Creepy House theme, so expect some creepy goings on this summer! All you have to do is come in and register when the summer holidays begin, and then we’ll be encouraging your kids to read 6 books over the holidays, with little prizes as an incentive for every 2 read.

We’re gearing up to make this our biggest year yet, so please come in and take part. All our events are listed on both the Bracknell Forest Website www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/libraries.

If you have physical or mental health issues that stop you getting in to our libraries but would still like to use the library, did you know you can sign up for the Home Library Service? Rod, Gina and their team of volunteers can deliver books and spoken word items on cassette and CD to you at home. Call 01344 352406 for more information on joining this service. We’re also looking to recruit some more volunteers to go and visit home library service members. If you’ve got a couple of hours to spare and would like to help pleased call the home library service number above. We hope to see you soon,

Damaged kerbs and grass verges A SUGGESTION - Please Respond I have received a great many complaints about damage to the grass verges, especially from residents of the roads beginning with W (Welbeck, Wheatley, and Winscombe). These roads seem to have the narrowest entrances to their squares.

I did a walk about and took lots of photos and whilst there saw a SITA refuse collection truck drive up over the corner of a verge to enter a square. The driver had no alternative as there were cars parked either side of the entrance. The rut was huge and a mud mire.

I raised my concerns with both Bracknell Forest Homes (responsible for the verges) and Bracknell Forest Council (responsible for refuse collection). I met representatives from both for a site meeting.

Bracknell Forest Homes would like to plant trees on the verges to improve the appearance of the streets. The SITA drivers have great difficulty in entering the squares due to the parked cars and feel it would help if they could just drive up the main access roads and not enter the squares at all. It has therefore been suggested that residents could bring their bins out to a central collection point on the main access roads. Disabled and elderly would still have their bins collected.

What do you think of this SUGGESTION, please?

It would mean you have to deliver your bins to the designated area and collect them again but the SITA trucks would not enter the squares and the verges would not be so rutted.

Please let me know on 01344 426191 or mary.temperton@bracknell-forest.gov.uk Please let me know how you feel. Nothing has been decided.

Cllr Mary Temperton

Simon, Glynis, Lynn and Alison.

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Great Hollands News • Work to install Bracknell to Camberley cable almost complete.

Trees replanted at top of Wooden Hill.

Chicanes replaced at Ullswater.

Landscaping restored but not yet planted.

But - ugly boxes now in place along Ringmead with warning notices ’high voltage’.

• Bracknell Forest Homes have installed five new parking spaces in Wordsworth and five in Aysgarth.

• Bracknell Forest Homes have planted lots of trees on the grass verges throughout Great Hollands.

• New flashing warning light should soon be installed on the approach to Waverley, before drivers meet Easthampstead Park Community School.

• Both Town and Borough Councils asked about planting new trees and bushes along Ringmead near the allotments.

• New, enormous, hall at Great Hollands Community Centre now open for hiring. This is a wonderful facility. There will be a grand open day in September, inviting all user groups to have a stall and exhibit what they have to offer. Charges and details of hiring - please contact Gill Leather on 425092 (evenings) or leather_134@btinternet.com • Other Community Centre hall repainted to match new hall - our thanks to Karen and Ian Richardson, Mary and Clive Temperton and Adrienne Jones for giving up their Good Friday.

• Work planned to improve Community Centre kitchen area and frontage of Centre and to enlarge the library to provide more computer space.

Cllr Mary Temperton CARERS ALERT!!

The week of June 10th to 15th is National Carers Week - and events will be going on around the country to raise awareness of the huge amount of work carers do in providing support to family members. There will be a stand in the Great Hollands shopping area with a range of leaflets providing useful information.

Dr Arora's Practice is planning to support this event. We will be holding a Carers’ Open Afternoon at the Talk Shop on Friday 15th June from 2 pm until 4 pm. Jane Currie, the Carers Information and Advice Worker at Bracknell Forest Voluntary Action, will be joining us and will be able to offer advice, information and support on the subject of caring in the community and the range of help available to carers.

Do come along, have a cup of tea and ask Jane lots of questions.

If you need more information please ring Anne Shillcock on 01344 420609.

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The acres of mud, giving the area the nickname of “The Somme”, and the only public telephone just fixed to the wall of East Lodge with a little roof over it to keep the rain off - the telephone, not the person making the call! They shared their memories of the May Day celebrations where the youth club chose a May Queen and Princess. They were given dresses and a sash made by Eva Mountain and got to wear a tiara - on loan for a year and passed on to the new Queen and Princess the next year. The pram races where some “babies” fell out on sharp corners, ending up at Heatherwood Hospital resplendent in their ‘nappies’ with dummies round their necks.

Martin Slater spent a day touring the area with our local police. Not surprisingly, he didn’t get to witness any crime, just lots of friendly discussions between residents and police officers.

They visited local allotments and learnt about the community orchard. They were particularly impressed with the landscaping and the profusion of daffodils that residents have planted around the estate.

At the end of their visit, Martin Slater rounded off by saying “.. there’s a real community spirit here in Great Hollands, it kind of belies the headlines don’t you think? Do you get a sense Susanne that talking to people they feel the place has a bad reputation?”

Susanne: “It’s really different than its reputation suggests - the reputation is 40 years old, now it’s completely different, it’s just that people’s perceptions have to catch up with what it’s really like.”

Well done Great Hollands. It is a good place to live and, yes, we are a real community.

Great Hollands Library is a community library with something of interest for all ages. You may not be aware that the library offers free use of a PC to all its members. You can use an hour a day to browse the internet or use any of the Microsoft packages we have available. There’s a scanner you can use too to scan in documents or photos. We also subscribe to some websites like Ancestry and Find My Past for any family history queries you may have, as well as the Oxford Online websites that offer information on many different subjects. All you have to do is join and you can use this for free!

If you’ve never used the internet and want someone to help you get online for the first time, come in and see us. We run courses that help you take your first steps on the net, set up an email address and help you gain some confidence using the web. Come in and ask, and we’ll be pleased to help you get online.

Joining the library is really easy to do. All you need to bring is an up to date proof of your address (like a bill or a bank statement or driving licence) and a proof of your signature (a bank card).

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An introduction to a new face I joined the Metropolitan Police in 1985 and served for twelve years in central London. I then transferred to Thames Valley Police on promotion to Sergeant, serving across Buckinghamshire and for the last four and a half years, on the management team in the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead. In January 2013, I was posted to become the new Local Police Area Commander for Bracknell Forest. I have found Bracknell Forest to be a very friendly place, both within the police station and community. There is a strong partnership and my staff are all committed to serving their community.

I have had the pleasure of patrolling Great Hollands and also found those members of the community I met to be extremely friendly and supportive of the police. I am pleased to say that Bracknell Forest has some of the lowest crime rates in the Thames Valley area and this is reflected across Great Hollands.

I would encourage you all to sign up to Thames Valley Alert at https://www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk/. This will enable you to see on a daily basis any crimes that occur within your community.

I look forward to working with partners and the community to keep driving crime down.

Dave Gilbert | LPA Commander for Bracknell Forest Closing of Great Hollands Neighbourhood Organisation Talk Shop Many of you will be aware that the lease on the Talk Shop was due to expire in June 2013.

Bracknell Forest Council kindly extended our lease to run until June 2014. However, what was the Social Club has been refurbished and this enormous hall is now a wonderful additional facility at the community centre. There are still some minor works to be carried out and the hall, and its kitchen, needs to be fully equipped.

In the light of this, the Great Hollands Neighbourhood Organisation, after discussion with The New Great Hollands Community Association, agreed to donate the majority of the equipment they need from resources they have at the Talk Shop.

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It is hoped the new hall will be up and running at the beginning of September and, therefore, it is likely that the Talk Shop will close some time during August.

More information on our plans will be given at the combined Annual General Meeting of The New Great Hollands Community Association and Great Hollands Neighbourhood Organisation which is to be held on Saturday, 13 July, start 10.00 am in the Talk Shop.

Everyone is very welcome

Eileen Mann, Honorary Secretary, Great Hollands Neighbourhood Organisation Great Hollands is one of the safest places to live in the Borough!

Walking around in the sunshine, with so much green space, newly mown grass and trees bursting - it is also a lovely place to live.

There is one big blot at the moment - Dog’s mess!!!

Thank you to all who pick up your dog’s mess and take it away. This is by far the majority of our dog owners. However, we do have some who allow their dog to foul outside the school gates, down the passage way to school and on the children’s playing areas. Three huge dollops on the Ullswater recreation ground obviously belong to the same dog that has just been let out to go.

The Environment Warden is aware and is out and about.

If you see it happening, please ask the culprits to clean up after their dog. Some Councils have started spraying the mess with luminous paint. Perhaps that is the next step.

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Pamper Parties and Princess Parties available contact us for details.

To book an appointment either call: 07501 546427 or email: asterbeauty@ymail.com or visit our website: www.asterbeauty.co.uk

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Visit Great Hollands During the week April 22nd to 26th BBC Radio Berkshire did a project on Great Hollands, visiting us and recording live from 7.00am until 10.00am. Roving reporters were Susanne Courtney and Martin Salter.

On Monday they were concentrating on the headline that "1 in 3 children living on Great Hollands are living in poverty" and the fact that many who are in need are not aware of the help available.

They interviewed: • Sandra Woodward at The Oaks and Hollies Children’s Centre to find out what they can do for you and your family. If you would like to know more contact the centre on 01344 317020.

• Geoff and Pat Hallett and Jean Ardron from Bracknell Foodbank, run in partnership with The Trussell Trust, who can provide nutritionally balanced emergency food for people in need.

Contact them via email: foodbank@kerith.co.uk • Andy Jackson of Christians Against Poverty. They can provide free debt and money advice. Contact them on 0800 3280006 They also spoke to parents at the Mother and Toddler Groups run in the community centre on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 09.00 to 11.30 (term time). Mary Temperton, one of our local Councillors, stressed the importance of asking for help before any situation becomes out of control.

The youth of Great Hollands was another topic and they toured Easthampstead Park Community School interviewing Liz Cook, the Head, and the head boy and girl. They also visited Great Hollands Primary School and talked to School Council members. Debbie Coleman discussed the work she does at the Zone. Martin Slater spoke with leaders of 2nd Easthampstead Scouts and was very supportive of their efforts to raise sufficient funds to move the building donated by Persimmon Homes from Jennnett’s Park to Great Hollands.

A group of early residents got together over tea ‘n toast at the Talk Shop to discuss what had brought them to Great Hollands.

They also reminisced about the first playgroup (set up and run by Anne Shillcock), the first shops and doctor’s surgery - all located in houses.

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Can you help us make a difference to local families struggling with the demands of family life?

2013 is a special year for Home-Start Bracknell Forest, a registered charity which offers support and friendship to families with young children under five. This year we celebrate 20 years of supporting local families, while recognising the increasing pressures they are under.

Home-Start Bracknell Forest supports up to 100 families each year through weekly home visits and/or our Family Group. Families, who may be overwhelmed, exhausted or finding parenting a struggle, are matched with a trained volunteer to support them through situations as diverse as illness, isolation, bereavement, multiple births, depression or disability. If you, or a family you know, would benefit from our help please get in touch on the number below.

Home-Start Volunteers all have parenting experience, are fully checked and have completed a 40 hour training course. A carefully matched volunteer will visit a family at home for 2 hours a week offering friendship, practical and emotional support, in confidence.

We are currently recruiting for our next 10 week Volunteer Preparation Course running on Wednesday mornings (9.30am – 1pm) commencing 25th September 2013.

If you have time to spare and would like a rewarding experience, to learn new skills and meet new people, find out more about volunteering with Home-Start, by contacting us on: Telephone: 01344 860025 or E-mail: admin@homestartbf.plus If you can’t commit to regular day time visiting but have strategic level skills and experience we are currently looking for new Trustees to join our Board too and would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

DON’T FORGET!!

The joint Annual General Meetings of the New Great Hollands Community Association and Great Hollands Neighbourhood Organisation PLUS the Community Forum on Saturday, 13 July, from 10.00 am in the Talk Shop.

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