Bracknell Nostalgia - What was going on in the summer of 2001?

That month 20 years saw many people in and around the Bracknell area enjoy many school fetes as the academic year for 2000/01 came to a conclusion, a lucky youngster from Binfield won a free bike, the foot and mouth disease played havoc in the end of year school celebrations, and Romanian children received items due to the generosity of those who live in Berkshire.

Alex Doyle with the workers from Halfords when he got his bike

One of those who were smiling in July 2001 was 11-year-old Alex Doyle.

The children received a free bike from Halfords after he won a competition to raise funds for the maternity unit at Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot.

Alex won the bike through a competition that was organised by Safeway the Supermarket and after getting the victory, one of the workers from the chain said: “Alex was over the moon to win the bike because he said he had never won anything before.

“He was smiling from ear to ear went to choose it.”

He wasn’t the only smiling, as seven-year-olds Jordan Wren and Casey Cochrane from the College and Infant School won the Key Stage 1 category for the Bin It competition.

Jordan Wren and Casey Cochrane with their winning entries

The contest saw children draw up the most creative posters, which urged those in the area to not litter when out and about.

The winner of the KS2 category was nine-year-old Amy Jane McGwigan.

Amy Jane McGwigan won the Bin It contest

Overall, around 500 children took part in the competition.

It was also all smiles at the Birch Hall Primary School, as students celebrated the end of the school year with a summer fun day.

On the day, the borough council’s shire horses made an appearance, whilst bouncy castles, face painting, coconut shires and a beer tent were on show.

Also, hundreds of balloons were released as part of the celebrations

The day saw £2,700 raised for the school, with that money going towards new equipment for the playground.

Emily Brown, Sarah Forde and Steven Jervis with the balloons in July 2001

Sticking with schools, 2001 was also year that a health epidemic hit the UK (that sounds familiar), as the foot and mouth disease took over the country.

This meant that some plans to travel to the beach were called off.

However, one school used their initiative and came up with a clever plan.

Students at the Priestwood nursery enjoyed the beach as members of staff decided to bring the seaside to Berkshire.

Remembering when the seaside came to Berkshire

The children, who are aged between two and five, enjoyed a day of face painting, watching a Punch and Judy show and eating ice cream.

Remembering when the seaside came to Berkshire

It was a lovely touch by the nursery.

Another school that made the headlines that month was the South Grange Nursery, as they encouraged their students, and the parents of the children to bring in unwanted and unused clothing, which was donated to children in Romania.

This was a scheme that was part of the Prince’s Trust 25th anniversary.

The clothes were donated to Romania

The month also saw several people take part in the Barmy Army training course, which included four Bracknell News journalists, whilst a festival took place in the centre Bracknell whilst shoppers were getting along with their days.

Former Bracknell News reporters in Caroline Short, Jeremany Davis, Sarah Clark and Keely Sherbird at the Barmy Army course with instructor Sgt Sean Semple

Everyone tried their best on the course

Everyone tried their best on the course

The fair was enjoyed by many

One of the participants from the fair in Bracknell Town Centre

The fair in Bracknell Town Centre

The event was enjoyed by many.