Latest news with #Bracknell
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
M4 minibus crash: 'Othneil will be in my heart forever', says mum
"Othneil will be in my heart forever, I won't forget him, he will always be my Othneil," says Mintaa Okyere, with tears in her is sat with her husband, Peter Oppong, in their small lounge in Bracknell, surrounded by flowers and sympathy cards, as well as, framed photos of Othneil and their other three sons.A display cabinet behind them contains his football trophies and a memory box, including a handprint that was made in hospital after he passed away on 5 June, four weeks before his 12th birthday."This is the hardest time in our life, I don't know what to do," Mintaa says."As a mother I cried all night, it's hard for me." Othniel was one of two children to die after the minibus they were travelling in overturned on an M4 slip road on 11 tells me his son was a caring boy who would help do chores around the house and wait up for him to return home after work."He has influence on everybody's life because if he sit with you he talks as if he's an old person."So if you say 'big head' he'd say 'big head, with big brains'," says Peter smiling was a member of Crowthorne FC and had dreams of becoming a professional coach, Mitch Noble, described him as having "dazzling" footwork, and said he would be remembered for bringing joy and laughter to those around him. Othneil had been attending a youth event at The Church of Pentecost, in Oxford, with his two older brothers and a group of young people on 11 were just minutes away from home when the white Ford Transit minibus they were in overturned on a link road off the M4 near Reading at about 14:25 BST. In the chaos and confusion, Othneil's brothers could not find him, and one of them called their mother from the crash scene in a panic."He said 'Mum, Othneil's not breathing', so he was screaming calling me on the phone," says parents say medics told them their son had suffered a cardiac arrest and his heart had stopped for 40 minutes. Othneil was airlifted to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford in a critical emergency surgery, his parents say his brain damage was so severe he remained in a coma for more than three weeks before his life support was switched off."There's nothing I can do to stop it and I watched my son breathe the last [breath] and I told the nurses and then the doctors and consultants that my son is gone," Peter tells me it still feels like a dream she's not woken up from."I can't believe that he just passed away just like that because he was full of life, full of energy," she people were injured in total in the single vehicle crash. Six-year-old Kwaku Frimpong from Bracknell died at the scene. Five other children were seriously injured but have since been discharged from hospital. Othneil and Kwaku's families are very close and are supporting each other through their says Kwaku was a real character who loved superheroes."Kwaku is an energetic boy and he likes Spiderman, he likes drawing he's got a lot of drawings at the school, Kwaku is someone lovely," says month a vigil was organised by Othneil's football of the community were invited to attend the event at Birch Hill Recreation Ground in Bracknell on 13 June, with candles lit and balloons released in Othniel's FC has also raised more than £9,000 for his family. Hundreds of mourners gathered for Othneil and Kwaku's funeral in Bracknell on 11 of the Ghanaian community, school friends and football teammates attended the service at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The BBC was given permission by both families to be there."We are so grateful for the community, for the council, for the schools and friends, the church, " says Mintaa."That day what we saw make us feel proud," adds and Kwaku's families are planning to set up a charity together in their memory, for people in need in the UK and Valley Police's serious collision investigation unit continues to investigate what caused the crash, no arrests have been made. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Bracknell: Free footballs sessions 'breaks down barriers'
Free football coaching sessions have been organised to "break down the barriers" to children playing the scheme is funded by the owners of Bracknell Town FC and the sessions are open to 80 children, aged 5 to15, each week throughout the Jason Elwell said it was important to remove "financial barriers" to children playing sessions have been held so far and one of those taking part, 12-year-old Lara, said it had helped her make friends and boosted her confidence. Coach Jason Elwell, who has been leading the sessions every Friday, said "Our sole focus is participation above performance and to remove that financial barrier for parents."One participant, 12-year-old Rosina, said the scheme has helped her "open up a lot".She said: "When I first started the sessions I was really shy, I didn't make a lot of friends, and now I have lots of new friends."Eleven-year-old Mila said: "[Football] means so much to me, it takes your mind off things when you are a bit stressed." Tristian, father of seven-year-old Joshua, said his son had "always struggled with that winning and losing aspect of it, but here it's all about shaking hands and being a team"."He has grown a lot since coming here," he said her son, 11-year-old Josh, "really enjoyed the sessions"."I see his confidence building learning new skills, he leaves the sessions full of confidence and is always excited to come back," she said. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
02-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Banking hub to open in Crowthorne Baptist Church building
Part of a village church is set to become a banking hub after receiving council Baptist Church in the High Street had an office space which was available for businesses to Access UK, a not-for-profit organisation, funded by banks including Lloyds, Barclays, HSBC, NatWest and TSB, has taken the space on and will use it as a banking Forest Council approved the firms plans, on 24 June, to change the space from a community and learning centre into a place for commercial, business and services. The venue will provide cash and basic banking services from a number of banking brands, You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Sun
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
I fought Taliban and ended up homeless – now my hometown is prioritising Afghan refugees over me… the system is broken
VETERAN George Ford spilled blood fighting to give the people of Afghanistan their freedom. The hero Para had to use a wheelchair after being shot on a tour of the brutal Helmand province aged 21. 4 4 When he got back to the UK, he dreamed of living a simple life in his home town of Bracknell, Berks, but like many traumatised ex-military he fell into addiction and lost his rented home when his long-term relationship broke up. He has spent the past two years sofa surfing and living with his mum after the local authority failed to find him a home — despite welcoming 300 Afghans who, ironically, George had tried to liberate. The families are being put up in a four-star hotel in the centre of Bracknell as part of a government scheme to resettle Afghanistan people who worked with the UK mission in the country. George, 35, said: 'I don't have a problem with them helping Afghans. They deserve help and respect. 'But surely the Government should also be helping those who served the country first? 'I don't understand how some of the families have made it into the UK at all because I've seen a few outside the hotel and some of them don't even speak English, so I'm not sure how they helped our missions. 'A lot of them are fighting-age males and it's alarming because nobody has seen the women or children meant to be with them. 'I just want some stability in life after everything I've been through.' Speaking about the situation, Reform MP Lee Anderson said: 'It's a sad state of affairs that a Para like George, who took a bullet for our country, is left sofa surfing while Bracknell council rolls out the red carpet for refugees. Fury as hotel firm housing asylum seekers in 'all-inclusive resorts' paid £700M a year of YOUR money 'The Armed Forces Covenant is meant to honour our veterans, not be ignored in favour of unvetted arrivals who can't even speak English. Our heroes deserve better.' George's plight comes nine months after PM Keir Starmer vowed British war heroes living on the streets will be guaranteed a house, declaring 'homes will be there for heroes'. Bracknell council agreed to take part in the scheme to house hundreds of Afghans in The Bracknell Hotel, with free food, employment advice, benefits and private healthcare, after they were granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK. They are not classed as illegal immigrants, asylum seekers or refugees because they either helped the UK mission, with many working as translators, or fled the country because they had been deemed at risk from the Taliban. But the move has provoked fury among local residents and veterans who claim they are left living in run-down, cramped homes. Local independent councillor John Edwards asked families about their experiences on Facebook — and was stunned when a Labour colleague threatened to report him to police. 4 4 He said that he was not surprised that George had met Afghans who could not speak English and questioned how thorough the vetting had been on the new arrivals. The councillor added: 'I did a Freedom of Information request and no information about the vetting process was ever shared with the council and it didn't ask questions. 'The process may well have been sound, but the authority has done nothing to check if it was robust enough to keep residents safe.' George joined the military aged 17 and was on his second tour of Afghanistan on Remembrance Day in 2010 when his platoon was ambushed and came under fire from the Taliban. He said: 'We were patrolling and went into a village under cover of darkness, hunting a Taliban commander, but were ambushed. Platoon ambushed 'I was in the open and was running across to get myself into cover when I felt this high-velocity round hit my leg. 'At first I thought I'd stepped on an IED because, when I landed, I couldn't see anything. 'My section commander saved my life by dragging me to safety and placing a tourniquet on my leg. 'An American helicopter flew in to pick me up and I had to be revived twice on the way to Camp Bastion.' George was medically discharged and underwent 13 operations, some 14 hours long, at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. When he returned home to Bracknell, he suffered from severe PTSD and started self-medicating with drugs. Brutally honest about his spiral, he said: 'I was too embarrassed to reach out for help and started doing drugs. It took me to hell and I ended up losing everything I had. 'I lost all the internal riches of life because I'd been through a lot of trauma and just wasn't addressing it. 'I was in a wheelchair for a year, then on crutches. It was really hard on my body, but I lost my way. 'I've since realised my mistakes and have found God. I am a different person and just want to move on and make a fresh start.' One veteran who served in Afghanistan told me he and his two young daughters live in a one-bedroom flat. George Ford George split from his long-term girlfriend, who he rented a property with, in 2023 and has been living with friends and his mum ever since. Bracknell Forest Council has signed the Armed Forces Covenant designed to help soldiers, but says that 'it does not guarantee immediate entitlement to housing'. George said: 'I'm a proud guy, but they are making me feel like I've got a begging bowl out. 'I can't afford to rent property around here because a tiny bedsit costs about £1,400 a month and I need a two-bedroom house based on medical grounds, so my family can come and help me if they need to. 'I'm not asking for special treatment. I'm just asking to be treated as if I served my Queen and country. 'I don't have any issue with Afghans being given help — so long as veterans are given the same consideration. 'When I approached the council, I realised how little support there is for other veterans and I even offered to work with them to put measures in place, but I was turned down.' George's mum Michelle, 57, has watched her son struggle physically and mentally since his return from Afghanistan. 'Heartbreaking stories' She said: 'When he first got home, he had a machine in his stomach which cleaned his blood and he struggled massively to get upstairs. The council offered him a flat in a high rise at the time, but it was in a terrible area with drug addicts and needles everywhere. He deserved more than that. 'We love each other, but George is a 35-year-old man and he doesn't want to be at home with his mum.' Cllr Edwards believes veterans should be entitled to the same support packages as the Afghans. He said: 'I was on a briefing call to explain what was happening with the Afghans. 'They've been given a four-star hotel, all their food catered for, all their bills paid. 'They get private-delivered healthcare — it's not Bupa, but it's outside the NHS and avoids waiting times — and there's wraparound care and support, yet veterans who served our country are not being given the same package. 'I put out a post on a community Facebook group asking what support local residents and veterans received and some of the stories I got back were heartbreaking. 'One veteran who served in Afghanistan told me he and his two young daughters live in a one-bedroom flat. I've always maintained that these people should be treated with dignity and respect, but this isn't about them — it's about policy. George Ford 'Then a local Labour councillor said she had reported me to the police and MoD. 'There has to be equality and parity here. The differences in the way people are treated is what is causing division, not the fact Afghan people are being helped. 'I've always maintained that these people should be treated with dignity and respect, but this isn't about them — it's about policy. 'The council says the scheme is being funded by the Government, but it's all taxpayers' money regardless. It's unfair.' A Bracknell Forest Council spokesman said: 'Mr Ford is currently on the housing register as eligible for a one-bedroom property. His eligibility is based on the medical and care evidence that he provided to us. 'Our records show that Mr Ford has applied for several properties outside of his eligibility criteria, but has not applied for any one-bedroom properties. 'Our new housing policy prioritises veterans, and Mr Ford will continue to be supported to apply for properties on our online portal based on his eligibility. 'The council has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, which means that our Armed Forces community is treated equally and fairly. However, it does not guarantee immediate entitlement to housing.' But George said: 'The council has ignored everything I've been saying and the medical paperwork. They've not been helpful in any way. 'They are ignoring the basis of the Armed Forces Covenant, which states they should provide housing. It's total neglect.'
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bracknell Forest Council to roll out kerbside glass recycling
A council is expected to start providing kerbside glass recycling in the authorities across England are required to offer kerbside recycling collections for a wide range of products as part of the updated Simpler Recycling legislation, including glass and flexible plastics.A report published ahead of Bracknell Forest Council's next cabinet meeting says the introduction of a kerbside glass collection service "is a significant improvement for residents who have frequently requested this".Residents already recycle around 75% of glass used in the borough. The report says additional collections will be "costly" but due to government mandate, the council has "no choice" but to implement the bins have been recommended as "the most practical and safest way" to collect the houses, a 140 litre bin will be provided, while flats and communal areas will be provided with bins up to 360 will cost around £980,000 for the vehicles needed, as well as £800,000 for the containers, with three 26-tonne glass collection vehicles required and a 16-tonne vehicle for limited access report says 12 extra crew members will be needed for the delivery of the new bins across the borough will be a "logistical challenge", it will enable the council to communicate with residents over how it works, the report cabinet will make a decision on Tuesday. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
