South Hill Park 

 The Bracknell Forest Society

(TBFS)

Welcome

The Bracknell Forest Society, started in 2007, is one of the 1000 Civic Societies in England that encourage residents to be proud of where they live. They celebrate and safeguard their communities and environment and give local people a voice.

Why not join us? See Contact Us

Click here for information about the Society

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 The Bracknell Forest Society Events

 Sunday 27th May 2.30pm
Rhododendron Walk
at Lily Hill Park with Andrew Radgick
Members free Non-members £3

The Big Picnic
Sun 24th June 1pm - 3pm
the Society's Picnic at Lily Hill Park's long picnic table to celebrate National Civic Day and promote community spirit.
Welcome 1pm and photo 1.15pm
Bring a picnic and a seat
Many free activities are planned!

Tuesday 10th July
The Olympic Flame passes through Ascot and Bracknell and we plan to be there Details to follow　

Saturday 18th August 11.45am
Lunch Out at The Golden Retriever
To book phone 01344 451878

Saturday 8th September
Tour of Easthampstead Mansion
for Heritage Open Days Weekend
Talk and Tour 10am and 11am
Limited numbers - so booking essential
0118 9747576

Sunday 23rd September 2pm
Adventurous Walk to a secret part of Swinley Forest. Stout footwear needed. Must be booked 01344 451878 or 423440

Painting of Charles Square in the subway under the roundabout next to Bracknell and Wokingham College　 

The Red Lion and Winchester House, the former '3M building'

Photo by Rev Michael Bentley

We thank our Corporate Members for their support:

Dennis Artis Tree Surgeons
01344 486332
dennisartistreesurgeons@hotmail.com

We are extremely grateful to Peter Munday who created and managed our first website.  We can recommend his 'MIP Websites' 'affordable web site design in Berkshire'  www.mipwebsites.co.uk  Website assistance also given by Ask Alvin www.askalvin.biz

 Spotlight on Rev. Michael Bentley
the Chairman of
The Bracknell Forest Society

Rev. Michael Bentley has just written and
published his 16^th book. This time it is a book for children about the life of Billy Bray called ‘Saved from the Deepest Pit’.  Billy was a very poor, uneducated boy in the 19th century working in the Cornish tin mines who taught himself to read and write and went on to become a preacher. 

Michael has had an interesting life, too.  He grew up in Edenbridge in Kent, during the Second World War. He was not evacuated but his home suffered some damage from the bombing.

He failed the 11 plus but won a place at Tunbridge Wells Technical Institute where he studied building until he left school at sixteen. When he was eighteen years old he was called up to do his National Service. After training as a cipher operator at Catterick Camp in Yorkshire, he was posted the Kenya during the Mau Mau Campaign.

After his two years of compulsory service he worked in the West End of London for a Music Library until he became Manager of a Book and Stationery Shop in Surrey. He studied for the Baptist Ministry and pastored churches in Surrey and South East London. During his time in London he worked in local televisions and as a free-lance Religious Reporter for BBC Radio 4.

In 1975 he trained as a teacher and was appointed to the Religious Education department of Easthampstead Park School in 1978. He remained there, although in a part time capacity for the last ten years, until 1994. In 1984 he was appointed Pastor of Great Hollands Free Church and for ten years served as Chairman of the Great Hollands Community Association.

Since his retirement in May 2000 he has become more active in Bracknell and serves as Chairman of the Bracknell Forest Society, The Great Hollands Neighbourhood Action Group and the Bracknell Forest Christiain Network. He also serves various local Councils and Committees, including the Bracknell Forest Advisory Council of Religious Education, The Bracknell Forest Police Liaison Board, The Parochial Church Council of Warfield Parish Church and the Bracknell Deanery Synod. He is also chaplain to the Bracknell Police. 

He has five children and nine grandchildren.

He has been the Chairman of the Bracknell Forest Society since its start and we are very grateful to him for all that he does.

‘Billy Bray: Saved from the Pit’  is published by Christian Focus Publications.

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  Civic Societies

There are many towns with civic societies.

Griff Rhys Jones, writer, actor, and comedian, is the new President of the Civic Trust (now named 'Civic Voice') which campaigns for better places in the built and green environment.

Griff Rhys Jones said: "All over Britain people who love and care about their towns and cities work to take responsibility for something that affects us all - our urban landscape. I salute them, respect them and am delighted to be made their President and to support the work of the Civic Trust."

Civic Voice is the national charity for the civic movement. It aims to make places more attractive, enjoyable and distinctive and promote civic pride. 

 Representatives of The Bracknell Forest Society met Griff Rhys Jones, President of Civic Voice and main speaker, at their Reading Conference