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The Bracknell Forest Society (TBFS)

Welcome

The Bracknell Forest Society, started in 2007, is one of 750 Civic Societies in the UK that celebrate and safeguard their communities and environment andSue Tunnicliffe give local people a voice.

Dr The Lady Sue Dale Tunnicliffe JP has agreed to be our patron.  She has been a resident of Hanworth for 37 years and enjoys living in the area.

 

TBFS AGM 2009

The Committee at the AGM  of the Society on the 4th of November 2009 with Cllr Bob Wade, Mayor of Bracknell Forest, with his wife, Maggie, and Adrienne Jones representing Chas Baily, the Town Mayor.

Poppy Cert 2009

During Radio 2's morning programme on 4th November 2009 Sarah Kennedy mentioned that the Rev Michael Bentley had informed her that he had lost his Remembrance Day Poppy. He said he had intended to wear this poppy while chairing the AGM of The Bracknell Forest Society that day.

Cllr Bob Wade, the Mayor of Bracknell Forest, having heard the same programme, arrived at the same AGM with a framed certificate for the occasion for Michael Bentley!

Our Chairman has put the Society on Facebook and 43 members have signed up.  Key in 'The Bracknell Forest Society'.

This website will be up-dated regularly to give residents the opportunity and voice to know through an independent body exactly what is going on in their area.

We also have a full programme of events for members of the Society.  These will take place each month at a variety of times and days so there will be something for all.  There are visits, guided walks and social occasions.

Hollywood Bowl

The Society's winning team at Hollywood Bowl...

Frankie & Benny's

celebrates at Frankie and Benny's

In September, as part of the Heritage Weekend we visited South Hill Park. Richard Scrivener, project manager of the Heritage Lottery Restoration, gave The Bracknell Forest Society a guided tour of South Hill Parkland.

Richard Scriverer SHP near terrace

The work on the parkland is planned to start in March 2010.

Our December meeting is Mulled Wine and Mince Pies at 5pm on Saturday 19th December followed by carols by candlelight and torchlight around the barbecues. There will be a collection for Wateraid.

Phone 01344 451 878 for details.

It would be good to have more residents and local businesses joining The Bracknell Forest Society (TBFS).

As a Society, we have been asked to give our opinion on the planned development at Amen Corner and the Local Transport Plan 3.

We hope that the Society will able to influence future development in the Borough.

Red lion and former 3M building

The Red Lion and the former '3M building'

We thank our Corporate members:

  • Minimec Garage Services, Kiln Lane,
    RG12 1NA 01344 429 609
    Excellent!    5 star service for 33 years
  • Oak Tree Nurseries, Brock Hill, RG42 6LH 01344 890 667
    Probably the largest plant nurseries in Berkshire
    Over one million plants, mostly home propagated.
  • Calibra Tree Surgery Ltd
    Garden and property maintenance
    Calibra Mobile Mechanic
    01344  311101

The Society also offers sincere thanks to the following, for their generous support: Coral Reef, Panasonic, 3M, Cinnamon Tree, Pizza Hut, The Old Manor, Bracknell Gardening Club, The Look Out, Jim Wardle Plumbing, The Print Room, Liam's Lawns, Ceramic Fun and Bazarey Personalised Gifts, Crossway.

To become a member of TBFS please download and complete the membership form
Click here for membership form.

Spolight on Shirley Burns
Winner of Creative Hero - the Pride of Bracknell Awards

Shirley BurnsShirley Burns, 73 years' young, of Roman Wood, Hanworth, has just been presented with the Creative Hero Pride of Bracknell Award for having been involved with producing the South East Berks Gang Show for 39 years.

Shirley arrived in Bracknell New Town from Chiswick in October 1959 without even seeing the house in Rapley Green off Manson Drive, Easthampstead, beforehand.  She  worked for fourteen years at Racal. When made redundant by Racal, she worked at Tesco’s for ten years as the Staff Receptionist before retiring.

She was also a professional singer in the theatre. She still performs with Enterprise II entertaining in Residential Homes, Hospitals, clubs etc. Enterprise II is a voluntary organisation raising funds for local charities.

 Twenty-five years ago she moved to Roman Wood, Hanworth, which backs onto Caesar's Camp. This suited the family because they are great walkers. 

She was married at twenty, had a daughter and two sons and she now has twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren. 

Shirley started as a helper at Guides for 3 years to prevent the unit closing. She then became a member of the Executive Committee for 1st Easthampstead Scouts. It was during this time that she was asked to join the Gang Show and to enable her to do this she became an Assistant Cub Leader at 9th Bracknell. In 1990, after 17 years at 9th Bracknell, she and her daughter started the 2nd Crowthorne Hawks Cub Pack and they are still running it today!

Shirley has produced the Gang Show for 29 years and during this time it has evolved into an extremely professional production and is usually sold out.

Approximately 350 people are involved in the production including around 100 on stage.  Of these performers, about 90 are young people from local Scout and Guide, Cub and Brownie groups and the rest are Leaders in these movements.  It is great to see these youngsters working so hard on stage.

Although rehearsals only run for 6 months, from September through to Show Week in February, the actual production is a year round role. Once one show has finished planning starts for the next.

The Gang Show provides young people with the chance of performing on stage to a public audience which greatly increases their confidence which will enhance the rest of their lives. Its amazing to see a child grow from shy and rather timid to one full of enthusiasm and confidence, making many friends on the way.

Over the 6 months rehearsals the Gang gels together as one big family where everyone is there to help and support everyone else no matter what age or role in the show.

As well as the benefits to the people involved, the Gang Show also raises money for local children’s charities each year and has to date raised £19,563.

The Scouting Association has shown its appreciation of the hard work and time that Shirley constantly gives by awarding her two of its top medals. She received the Medal of Merit November 1st 1989 and the Silver Acorn May 23rd 2007 – Scouting’s centenary year.

The next Gang Show (15th - 20th Feb 2010  at South Hill Park)  will be special as it will include celebrations of 100 Years of Guiding!

Click here for An Interview with the Society's Chairman, Rev Michael Bentley, on BBC Radio Berkshire.

Spotlight on 'Bracknell in Bloom'

'Bracknell in Bloom' won the highest accolade in the Thames Valley and Chilterns Section with a Silver Gilt Award - only 4 marks from gaining a Gold!  Well done to all involved!

'Bracknell Flowers' was launched in 2002 and since then has gone from strength to strength. Bracknell Council together with the Town Council and Bracknell Regeneration Partnership enter the Royal Horticultural Society's annual 'Best in Britain' Competition.

We enter the 'Thames and Chiltern in Bloom'  region every year, and in 2004 we were put forward to the 'Britain in Bloom' National Final. 

The delightful flowers are entirely supported by the generous sponsorship of local industry and businesses.

 

The Aims of The Bracknell Forest Society:

  • To celebrate all aspects of Bracknell Forest and to promote a positive interest in the locality
  • To improve the image of Bracknell Forest and instil civic pride
  • To act as a consultant regarding future planning and independently support its development
  • To ensure information regarding history and events is easily accessible to all
  • To be an umbrella for all the organisations in Bracknell Forest especially those without a website

There are over 750 towns with civic societies.

Griff Rhys Jones, writer, actor, and comedian, is the new President of the Civic Trust which campaigns for better places in the built and green environment.

Griff Rhys Jones said: "All over Britain people who love and care about their towns and cities work to take responsibility for something that affects us all - our urban landscape. I salute them, respect them and am delighted to be made their President and to support the work of the Civic Trust."

Click for Constitution

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Site last updated:
25 January 2010