Paper Preview: Bracknell, Wokingham & Ascot

RESIDENTS are complaining there aren’t enough police patrolling the streets in Bracknell.

When the Bracknell News visited the high street on Friday, members of the public shared their concerns about a lack of visible patrols after it emerged crime had doubled in the year to December.

Charlie Drury, the chairman of Shopmobility says: “I could go out to the town centre and not see a police officer for days. In the past walking round the town, you would always see at least one policeman or policewoman around. If ever they want to fight crime, they need police on the street with the support that they should have.”

Also in the paper:

• Former Olympic show-jumping coach denies sexually abusing teenage girl. John Sillett, who trained riders for the 2016 Rio Games, faces five counts of rape, five of assault by penetration and two of sexual assault.
• Briony Hunt’s plea for treatment after spending 21 years in pain. The 26 year old, who contracted Lyme disease and a variety of tick-borne infections has started a go fund me to help raise money for a cutting edge treatment in Poland.
• Rapist jailed for 3 years: THE grandson of a former prison governor will get another taste of jail life after he was locked up for raping a young woman. William Thorpe, has already spent time inside having assaulted the woman before he raped her in 2019.
• Rival political parties are clashing over a controversial plan to build a 2,000-home ‘garden village’ at Jealott’s Hill.
• Bracknell Forest Council is set to spend nearly £90m in the 2022/23 financial year. In full, the council will spend £89,355,000, which was announced during a discussion of the council’s revenue budget proposals by its executive committee in December
• A charity that helps people with mobility issues in Bracknell has been dealt a devastating blow after losing a vital grant.

And much more

Wokingham News

A DEVELOPER is ploughing ahead with plans for a 2,500- home development in a Berkshire village, despite the scheme apparently being snubbed in the Wokingham Local Plan update. Berkeley Group has a plan to build 2,500 ‘low carbon’ homes on land to the east of Twyford and could feature a brand-new tube station taking residents right into the heart of London. The development has been called ‘Twyford Gardens’, and it would involve building new business space and community amenities, including shops, parks, a health centre, nursery and primary school, and even a station in the countryside.

Also in the paper:

• Call for support for live music venues amid Covid pandemic uncertainty. A RALLYING cry for support of live music venues amid the pandemic has come from Wokingham Music Club faced with almost 30 per cent no-shows amid pandemic concerns.
• A developer is ploughing ahead with plans for a 2,500- home development in a Berkshire village, despite the scheme apparently being snubbed in the Wokingham Local Plan update.
• Fight to save Ravenswood: A campaign to keep Ravenswood Village open has grabbed thousands of people’s hearts after a consultation was announced in April 2021.
• Council staff grilled over chaotic new school transport arrangement.
• A former home site in a rural village will be converted into an apartment block despite a parish council’s strong objection.

And Much More

Ascot News

THE Liberal Democrats have announced their Windsor Parliamentary candidate to spearhead their hopes of breaking the Tory blue wall if a by-election goes ahead. Julian Tisi, the Lib Dems’ Parliamentary candidate, is already gearing up to take on the Conservatives by campaigning if a by-election is triggered, depending on the outcome of Windsor MP Adam Afriyie’s bankruptcy proceedings. Court records show a petition for bankruptcy was filed by HRMC against Mr Afriyie, who has represented the constituency since 2005, on October 25

Also in the paper:

• Mega Mansion: Look inside the £25,000 a month party house
• Hospital trust restricts visitors again overrise in Coronavirus concerns. The changes, which came into force on January 1, as imposed by Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust which runs Heatherwood Hospital.

You will also find a four page puzzle supplement in each paper this week to keep your brain active.

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