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Bray parish news

21 April 09
Britian in Bloom Competition 2009: Bray Village
Bray village (the conservation area) has once again entered the Britain in Bloom competition, competing in the Thames and Chilterns Region. The event is organised by the Royal Horticultural Society. Bray's entry is coordinated by the Bray Enhancement Committee, who realise that they have a tough job in 2009 to continue to meet the high standards achieved in recent years. Below is a list of key dates for this year's campaign:

Saturday 9th May : Annual Plant Sale
This will be held at Bray Village Hall from 10.30am to 12.30pm . All profits enable us to buy plants for the village. Please try and support this event.

If you have any spare plants or produce we would be happy to receive donations, and willing volunteers are always gratefully appreciated. Please contact one of the committee via the Parish Clerk.

Wednesday 8th July: Grand Clean Up
Cleanliness and lack of litter contribute to the marks which lead to a winning entry. Please help ensure the village is looking its best for judging day.

Meet at Bray Village hall at 6pm. Black sacks and gloves will be provided, and afterwards join us for a glass of wine and nibbles.

Saturday 11th July: Judging Day
Two judges from the RHS will tour the Conservation area of Bray to assess our entry. Marks are given in 3 core areas:

• Horticultural achievement
• Environmental responsibility
• Community participation

7 January 2009
2009 Police Surgery Dates
Below is the next schedule of dates for the surgeries held in the shared area outside the Parish Office at Holyport Memorial Hall between the times of 6.00pm to 8.00pm as follows:

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.

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.

21 July 08
Britain in Bloom 2008: Bray
Judging
Regional Judges visited Bray on 5 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 2008 Regional Bloom competition will be announced on 3rd September at Milton Keynes .

Garden Competition
This year's garden competition in the conservation area of Bray village has been judged. Standards were as high as ever. Bray Enhancement Committee, together with the Regional Judges from Britain in Bloom were impressed with front gardens, troughs and hanging basket displays. Several locals opened their gates to allow the judges to admire the gardens more clearly.

This year's best garden was a closely fought contest. Eventually a joint first prize was awarded to neighbours in Brayfield Road ; Ingrid Savoretti and Mr and Mrs Mark Hamilton, who each created complementary cottage gardens. Each received a gardening voucher, kindly donated by Squires Garden Centre. A highly commended certificate was awarded to Audrey McMahon at the Terrace, for providing impact and colour in a key focal point of the village.

The best container display was awarded to the Mrs Marie Tinker at Hanover Mead, who won a voucher kindly donated by Bray Hair Studio.
The most vibrant display on a theme was won by Mr & Mrs Norman Williams of Ferry End. They received a cookery book, donated and signed by M. Michel Roux of the Waterside Inn.
Bray Hair Studio received a highly commended certificate for its fantastic hanging basket.
Many garden displays were singled out for praise, including the pubs, restaurants and businesses. A special prize for commercial premises was awarded to the Hinds Head Hotel.

Other awards
Schools participation was extremely high. Oldfield School and Winbury School received certificates for their art and nature studies. Pupils at Bray Pre School received a special commendation for their wildlife and nature studies projects on their allotment.

Many local residents helped make Bray looked attractive for the judging competition, especially Bray Guides, who undertook weeding and planting tasks in May and then collected litter around the Green and Jubilee Field in July. Bray Brownies provided stunning posters informing residents of the judging date, and other residents helped with weeding, litter picking and general tidying up .It was decided to give a special award to Mr Bobby Blackall of the Terrace for his contribution to the community and Mr Jack Hopkins was also singled out for praise.

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, Caldesi in Campagna, Waitrose, Homebase, Savills (L & P), Windsor, Copas Bros, Cookham & Mrs A Robinson. The support of RBWM and Bray Parish Council is greatly appreciated.

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: Richard Russell 01628 624806 or Robert Howes (Chairman)  01628 777017.