A hear-yee.com podcast, powered by dixerit.com. Hear-yee, Hear-yee there's a new town crier on the street and the name is.. Hear-yee. Hear-yee is the worlds first podcasting town crier, enabling town councils and government bodies to convert their text based communication into audio podcasts, that can be heard by the communities they serve - where-ever they are, when-ever they want. Wether you want hear-yee to take your web pages or RSS feeds and convert them to an audio announcements, or you wish to distribute other audio or video content through podcasting to the communities you serve, Hear-yee can do it. To find out more visit www.hear-yee.com http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/rssgeneralnews.xml Wed, 14 Feb 2007 11:53:00 +0000 A burst water main has today forced the temporary closure of a major route through Crowthorne and so motorists are advised to seek an alternative route through the village for the next few days. The water main, which belongs to South East Water, is located at the roundabout connecting Bracknell Road, Dukes Ride and High Street. Two way traffic lights will be in place from lunchtime on Friday, July 30, so traffic can flow between Bracknell Road and High Street. However, no traffic will be able to turn into Dukes Ride and this is likely to remain closed until early next week. Motorists should leave extra time for their journey if they need to travel through Crowthorne over the next few days. Diversion routes will be in place and are as follows: northbound traffic: Waterloo Road to New Wokingham Road southbound traffic: Old Wokingham Road to Nine Mile Ride to New Wokingham Road. Work to create a direct link to the A329 Berkshire Way from Peacock Lane, along with associated roundabout and slip roads started earlier this summer. The road works are currently taking place ‘offline’ to the south of the existing A329 carriageway but will move onto the carriageway in late summer. Once the roadworks reach the carriageway, there will be some disruption to traffic flows and a 50mph speed limit will be enforced for safety reasons. The new link is scheduled for completion in Winter 2010/2011 and will provide a vital connection to the main route into Bracknell and onto the M4. It will be of significant benefit to people who use Peacock Lane – who currently have to go through the Southern Industrial Estate to reach the A329 – and to the growing residential community of Jennett’s Park and people who work at the adjacent Southern Industrial area. The roadworks will consist of the construction of a short length of access road from an existing stub in Peacock Lane to a new roundabout on the A329.  Vehicles travelling eastbound into Bracknell will however be able to use a through-lane rather than the roundabout in order to maintain traffic flow from the M4 towards Bracknell.   The programme of work is being carried out by contractors working on behalf of the Jennett’s Park Consortium – Persimmon Homes and Redrow Homes. Information and weekly updates  for road users about the improvements is available at www.a329roadworks.co.uk. Additionally a freephone information line with a recorded weekly update message is available by calling 0800 028 8332. Does your pooch have the waggiest tail or perhaps crazy capers are right up your canine's street, if so then why not pop along to Paws in the Park? You'd be barking mad to miss the family-fun event, which will be taking place at Lily Hill Park on Saturday, July 31 as it will be full of doggy delights. The free event will start at 11am and run until 4pm and will feature dog advice, displays, competitions, charity stalls and stands from local dog-related businesses. Dog owners can come along to enjoy games and some good old handling challenges. Competitions will include the waggiest tail and best trick award and the chance for dogs and their owners to obtain the coveted bronze award in the Kennel Club's Good Citizen Dog scheme. Bracknell Forest Council's parks and countryside team organises the annual event to give something back to dog walkers who use the borough's parks throughout the year. It aims to promote responsible dog ownership, including how to keep pets healthy and well exercised. This year's event will include arena displays by Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs and Oakwood Park Kennels with stalls from various charities such as the RSPCA and Moor Cottage Veterinary Hospital, where information and advice is available. For more information visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/leis-paws-in-the-park Edgbarrow Sports Centre's grand reopening will kick off with a special visit from a well-known footballer on Sunday, August 1. Ex-Chelsea and Leeds United striker Tore Andre Flo, will be making sure there are no own goals during the celebration, which marks the centre's re-launch after a fire late last year. Mr Flo, who has also represented his native Norway in international matches, will be joined by the Deputy Mayor of Bracknell Forest Cllr Chris Turrell and the centre's mascot Foxy to celebrate its much earlier than anticipated reopening. A summer fun day is also planned after the ribbon cutting, between 10am and 4pm, so families can enjoy everything the centre has to offer now that it's back to full strength. Free activities will include: - gymnastics; - bouncy castle and soft play; - trampolining; - archery; - tennis; - athletics and; - badminton. Plus a great prize raffle, garden games and a barbecue will be on offer.   There will also be the chance to sign up for some fantastic discounts and promotions on memberships and bookings, as well as finding out more about the benefits of becoming a member. Cllr Turrell said: "I'm very much looking forward to helping Edgbarrow Sports Centre celebrate being fully open again. The fire caused real damage to the centre so I'm pleased that it has been able to open earlier than anticipated and I urge all families to come along on Sunday and try out all the free activities." More information is available at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/beFollow Edgbarrow Sports Centre on Facebook. The trading standards team at Bracknell Forest Council has directly intervened and helped residents and organisations save over £125,000 in the last year. Trading standards stepped in and helped local residents get refunds and savings of £65,000 for items ranging from rusty scooters and replacement TVs to faulty footwear and car repairs. One couple, Marcella and Bob Begbie, from Binfield, reclaimed more than £1,000 from a bathroom company and Margaret and Catherine Whitehead from Warfield got a refund of £1,700 from a will company. Marcella and her husband became involved with the bathroom firm after responding to an advert in a catalogue. They paid  £1,066 as a deposit for a new shower unit. The couple tried to cancel their order, only to be told they would incur additional charges of £740 if they pursued their attempt. Mrs Begbie said: “When we tried making contact with the man that initially sold us the shower unit, we were unsuccessful, and he wouldn’t return our calls. I couldn’t believe the lies that I had been told and so I decided to contact trading standards. They were so helpful. Initially their calls were screened too, but after persisting they managed to get us our money back - we were so grateful for their help.” In a similar incident, Mrs Whitehead and her daughter were seduced by a stall in a Slough shopping centre which was offering two wills for £100. Later the same week she was telephoned by the company and asked to pay an additional £1,700 so that changes could be made to the wills at a later date. Mrs Whitehead only realised she’d been misled when she read about a similar story in a national newspaper. Mrs Whitehead added: “As soon as I saw the article I called the will company to try and cancel. When they said no I made contact with trading standards, who got involved and helped me get my money back.” From April 2009 to March 2010, the team also helped save taxpayers' money by preventing over £60,000 worth of fraud from local authorities and national health trusts. Robert Sexton, head of trading standards and services at Bracknell Forest Council, said: “Our team has worked hard to try and save people’s money both directly by way of refunds and indirectly by tackling fraud against the public sector. "Over the last year we have intervened and recovered £65,000 for Bracknell Forest residents when their own efforts have failed. I would urge anyone who feels they have concerns about a purchase they have made, fallen victim to a scam, rogue trader or been mislead to make contact with Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.” Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for public protection, added: "These cases highlight how important it is to be aware of your rights and how to exercise them.   "There are unscrupulous people out there who wouldn't think twice about ripping you off, so the general advice is purchase from established retailers or those that come recommended to you, know your rights, and if a deal seems too good to be true then it usually is." For more information and advice about trading standards, visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/tradingstandards or call 01344 352000. Ofsted inspectors were impressed with New Scotland Hill Primary School when they visited recently. The Bracknell Forest Council run school was rated as a ‘good’ with several ‘outstanding’ features after inspectors visited between June 30 and July 1. In a letter to pupils Jacqueline Marshall lead Ofsted inspector, said: We were pleased to hear you like school a great deal and that your teachers plan many interesting things for you to do and become involved with….We agree that there are lots of interesting clubs and activities and understand why you enjoy all your learning so much.” The report also found that: * New Scotland Hill Primary School has raised standards in the level of care, guidance and support to excellent since the last inspection; * pupils achieve and progress well because teaching is good; * the trend in pupils’ attainment in core subjects at both Key Stage 1 and 2 has continued to be above average; * pupils achieve especially well in their personal and social development; and * children enter the early years Foundation Stage with levels of skills and understanding that are generally above those expected for their age. The majority of parents and carers questioned about the school expressed  satisfaction with it. Typical comments included: The school is extremely friendly and positive, they treat children well and try to make learning as fun as possible;” Their concern for his well being and education, and that of the other children around him, is outstanding;” Totally happy with this school.” As with all reports, the inspectors identified areas which the school needs to improve. The area which New Scotland Hill Primary School needs to improve on is mathematics, and work has already started to improve marking methods and to develop links between subjects. Headteacher Pat Kerton said: "We are delighted with our recent inspection report which showed that the school has made significant progress across the board. The response from parents was brilliant, with 100 per cent agreeing that their children enjoy school, that the school keeps their children safe and that the school makes sure their child is well prepared for the future. "Thanks should be extended to all teachers, governors, pupils and parents for all their hard work and effort throughout the year." The school has also received several external awards including Healthy School Status, the Activemark, Rights Respecting Schools level one and a Arts Mark, silver level. Cllr Alan Kendall, executive member for education at Bracknell Forest Council, said: "The council strives to ensure that all Bracknell Forest schools are good schools. "Congratulations to Pat and the whole school community on this fantastic result - keep up the good work."