Local News



Parish Newsletter
The Bray Parish Council Newsletter's are now available to view online. Click here to download the latest copy.

 




Bray parish news

16 December 2010
Britain in Bloom 2010: Bray Entry : Winning News
The Regional Awards of the Britain in Bloom competition were announced on Thursday 30th September at Amersham. Entrants from communities in the Thames and Chilterns Region gathered to hear the results of the campaign, which is organised by the Royal Horticultural Society.(RHS).

Bray village won the best small village category, and received a prestigious RHS GOLD award. No other village in the region won a GOLD award.

The judges summarised the Bray entry with the following accolade:
“It is a great credit to the Bray in Bloom Committee and village community to maintain a very high standard over many years. 2010 is no exception and Bray fully deserves their awards”.

Bray also won a special regional award for the best portfolio.” ( This document is a mandatory entry requirement which records the Bloom activities though the year in words and photographs.)

The judges suggested that an area for improvement for 2010 could be “to monitor wildlife areas and keep records of the birds and butterflies in their habitats”.

They were impressed with the involvement of schools (Oldfield, Winbury and Bray Pre-School ), and Bray Brownies and Bray Guides. (We received maximum points in this category) They also praised the high standard of residential gardens, the impact of summer displays in the village, the grounds at Jesus Hospital and the management of St Michael's Churchyard.

Bray Enhancement Committee thanks the organisations and individuals who help make possible Bray's entry in the competition.

8 August 2010
Britain in Bloom 2010: Bray
Judging
Regional Judges visited Bray on 24 th July as part of the annual Britain in Bloom competition. The conservation area of Bray was entered in the small village category of the Regional competition. ( Thames and Chilterns Region). The event is organised by the Royal Horticultural Society. The judges seemed to be happy with what they saw, but kept their opinions close to their chest.

The results of the 2010 Regional Bloom competition will be announced on 30th September at Amersham.

Garden Competition
This year's garden competition in the conservation area of Bray village has been judged.

Bray Enhancement Committee, together with the Regional Judges from Britain in Bloom were impressed with front gardens, containers and hanging basket displays.

Choosing this year's best garden was very difficult, as standards were higher than ever, with much diversity and individuality. However, the judges awarded first prize to Mr & Mrs Scarborough in Brayfield Road for their all year round colour and impact displays. They received a signed copy of a Michel Roux cookery book, which was kindly donated by the Waterside Inn. A Highly Commended front garden certificate went to Mr & Mrs Spencer at Ferry End.

The best container display was awarded to Monica Armstrong and Doreen Kermack at Hanover Mead. They received a voucher kindly donated by Bray Hair Studio. Mr & Mrs Dorsett at Ferry End and Mr & Mrs Clark of Hanover Mead received Highly Commended awards.

The winners of the best hanging baskets were Mr & Mrs Farmer at Bettoney Vere, who received a Waitrose gift voucher, donated by the Maidenhead store.

Many garden displays were singled out for praise, including the pubs, restaurants and businesses. A special commendation was awarded to The Waterside Inn for its excellent floral displays and Bray Hair Studio for its all year round floral impact in a key part of the High Street.

Other awards
A special community award was given to Mr Bobby Blackall who continues to work tirelessly on the shrubs around the village car park. He received a gift voucher donated by Squires Garden Centre

Schools participation was extremely high. Oldfield School received prizes for their garden club projects. Winbury School produced detailed projects on flowers & worked hard on their new eco-garden.

Many locals helped make Bray looked attractive for the judging competition, especially Bray Guides, who undertook weeding and planting tasks in June and then collected litter around the Green and Jubilee Field in July. Bray Brownies created litter bins from recycled materials. Many residents helped with weeding, litter picking and general tidying up.

Sponsorship
Bray Enhancement Committee would like to thank the local businesses for kindly donating the prizes for the garden competition.

In addition, entry in the Britain in Bloom competition could not continue without the marvellous support of our sponsors, John Guest Ltd., The Hinds Head, The Fat Duck, The Waterside Inn, The Crown Inn, Savills (L & P), Windsor, Squires Garden Centre, Stubbings Nursery, Braywick Heath Nursery, Waitrose, Copas Bros, Bray Village Hall Committee, Bray Lich Gate Trustees & Mrs A Robinson.

The continued support of RBWM and Bray Parish Council is greatly appreciated.

13 May 2010
2010 Police Surgery Dates
Below is the next schedule of dates for the Police surgeries held between the times of 6.00pm to 8.00pm as follows:

Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Bray Village Hall
Contact: PCSO Amy Shah
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Bray Parish Hall, Moneyrow Green
Contact: PCSO John Connor
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Bray Parish Hall, Moneyrow Green
Contact: PCSO John Connor

If you have a problem or local issue to discuss with the police, please pop along. Alternatively you can contact the non-emergency number 08458 505 505.

1 May 2010
Britain in Bloom 2009: Bray Entry : Winning News
The Regional Awards of the Britain in Bloom competition were announced on Monday 28th September at Newbury. Entrants from communities in the Thames and Chilterns Region gathered to hear the results of the campaign, which is organised by the Royal Horticultural Society.(RHS).

Bray village won the best small village category, and received a prestigious RHS GOLD award. No other village in the region won a GOLD award.

The judges summarised the Bray entry with the following accolade:

“Bray is a previous national winner and stalwart of the Thames and Chiltern Region.

Bray shows what Britain in Bloom is all about, with a great community involvement and spirit. The very colourful hanging baskets and tubs throughout the village are a great credit to the residents, businesses and committee members of the Bloom. The judges noted the floral displays throughout the village, the planting displays by Bray Guides, and listed buildings identified by a red geranium outside each one. The lack of litter, graffiti, fly posting and dog fouling was outstanding. The community involvement of the schools, (Winbury, Oldfield and Bray preschool) with their projects stood out, alongside the funding and support given to the local Bloom campaign”.

Bray also won a special regional award for the best portfolio.”

The judges suggested that areas for improvement for 2010 could be “to monitor birds and wildflowers in our village and to highlight recycling projects.”

Bray Enhancement Committee thanks the organisations and individuals who help make possible Bray's entry in the competition.

20 October 08
Britain in Bloom 2008: Bray Entry : Winning News
The Regional Awards of the Britain in Bloom competition were announced on Wed 3rd September at Milton Keynes . Entrants from communities in the Thames and Chilterns Region gathered to hear the results of the campaign, which is organised by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Bray village won the best small village category, and received a prestigious GOLD award.

The judges summarised the Bray entry with the following accolade:
“We were particularly impressed by Bray's overall cleanliness, and the obvious pride of all concerned. The many pretty front gardens, the trees and floral features around the village all contributed to the overall impact; the obvious awareness of the Bloom competition and the involvement of young people through work done by Bray Guides and Bray pre school allotment bode well for the future. Fully deserving a Gold award. Well done!”

They were also most impressed by collages undertaken by Winbury and Oldfield Schools , by the posters designed by Bray Brownies, the Bray allotments and the gardens at Jesus Hospital and Hanover Mead.

They also singled out the excellent support of the local community for the entry through either sponsorship or participation in duties such as litter picking and weeding.

Bray also won a special regional award for the best interpretation of the RHS theme of “Local Roots.”

(Last year Bray won t he best overall clean and pristine award and the best portfolio. The RHS rules do not allow a win in these categories in the following year.)

The judges suggested that an area for improvement in the future would be to find an area to develop for wildlife conservation.

Bray Enhancement Committee thanks the many organisations and individuals who help make possible Bray's entry in the competition.

Anyone for tennis?
Have you tried Bray Parish Council’s open air tennis court in Jubilee Field, Bray?

Car parking is available in the Causeway car park. Children's play area adjacent to the court. Favourable booking conditions for those who purchase a court key for the year.

For further information or booking contact:
Mrs Alwyn Jones - 01628 625918 between 6.30pm and 8.30pm - weekdays only please.

5 Mar 05
Charities information added to site

Information on Bray Parish Charities and Bray Lich Gate Trust is now online. Click on the Clubs/Organisations heading in the menu bar on the left and then choose Charities from the sub-menu.

Feeding the ducks at Holyport Pond
The parish council has asked residents not to throw bread into Holyport Pond for the ducks, but to leave it at the side of the pond instead. Throwing bread into the pond changes the balance of nutrients in the water and encourages the thick layer of weed which covers the surface of the pond, blocking the light to plants below.
Geoff Hayes, parish council chairman, said: "Please leave food on the banks where the ducks will come out and get it. Any leftover food will be eaten by birds and squirrels."

The Garden of the Lych Gate Trust, Bray Village

This garden may be viewed from Church Lane, Bray. Anyone wishing to arrange to visit should ring either of these two Trustees: Robert Howes (Chairman)  01628 777017.