Following last year’s summer of highly successful events; Community Games is back! In Berkshire last year 35 free Community events gave local people a chance to organise their own and take part in local cultural and sporting activities in their area, in celebration of the London 2012 Games.

The Community Games programme returns and Get Berkshire Active (GBA) along with partners YMCA are inviting event organisers to sign up their events through the website now.

In return we are offering organisers the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to £200 to help stage your event, along with free t-shirts, banners, bunting and publicity to get communities into the swing of things.  And behind the scenes, there is lots of other event support to make it as easy as possible to run your event.

To unite the whole nation within the spirit of the Community Games and to mark the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relay’s one-year anniversary there will be a Shine a Light Torch relay to celebrate the 49 counties taking part within this unique programme of events.

Kick-starting on May 19 in Land’s End, Community Games will place a spotlight on each area of the Olympic and Paralympic torch relay route as it virtually passes through England

Making its way to Berkshire on the 11th July, GBA and Slough YMCA will be putting on activities for local people to enjoy and would like to invite any local sports clubs, entertainers or activity providers to get involved in putting on some activities to promote their offer to local people.

The Community Games were officially launched in Berkshire at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre earlier this month, where ‘advocates’ for the games came forward to mark the occasion.

Mark Lawrie Chief executive of Get Berkshire Active said

Colin Young Chief executive of Slough YMCA said

For more information and registration of your event onto the programme, visit:  www.communitygames.org.uk

For any enquiries and information about grants please email community.games@getberkshireactive.org

Here is the latest update for the Bucklebury & Downlands neighbourhood from Neighbourhood Officer PC Matthew Allen.

The latest crime statistics can be found by visiting www.police.uk.  This website provides you with helpful information about crime and policing in your area. Enter your postcode, town, village or street into the search box, and get instant access to street-level crime maps and data, as well as details of the neighbourhood police team and ‘Have Your Say Events’. The level of crime and anti-social behaviour in the area remains below average compared with the rest of England and Wales.  Crime rates in your neighbourhood for the months of April 2012 to February 2013 as opposed to the same period in 2011/12 have remained the same; however burglaries to houses and thefts of vehicles are down over 55%.

The neighbourhood has three priorities; please look at the Thames Valley Police website for details.  If you do have some concerns about crime or disorder in the Bucklebury & Downlands neighbourhood please email me at the address below or call me on the non emergency number for Thames Valley Police, 101.

A 28 year old male received a caution for arson following an incident in Ashmore Green during March 2013.  59 year old female has received a caution following a theft in Chapel Row during February 2013. 

The mobile police station is coming to a street near you and gives you the chance to meet your local police team and discuss any issues you may have.  It will be out and about on the 18th May.  Check the Thames Valley Police website for times and locations.

Please make sure you report all crimes and any instances of anti social behaviour to Thames Valley Police so we can deal accordingly.  Too often we are receiving calls from your parish councilors of incidents that should be reported to the police and too much time has passed by to be able to deal effectively.