Communities Festival shows Bracknell Forest is stronger together

Hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds enjoyed an afternoon of community spirit, fun, music and entertainment at the Stronger Together Bracknell Forest Communities Festival on Saturday 26 September. 

The festival showcased some of the wonderful talent that exists in the borough as well as what support, activity and community groups are available to help local people have full, happy and healthy lives. 

The festival took place in The Lexicon and included live music, dance and performances from: 

• Albanian Heritage Society (children’s dance)
• Artemis Studios (performing arts)
• Nepalese dancers
• Indian Community Association Bracknell, Indian Dancers
• Matthew Allman (reggae songs) 
• Dance Xcite (street dance)
• Dhol Collective (bhangra drumming beats)
• JB MAC (DJ set)

The event was hosted by Bracknell Forest’s Will and Manny - lifelong Bracknell residents and close friends. Will and Manny also hosted a quiz called Bracknell Fortunes, which tested the audience’s local knowledge. 

Festival-goers also were able to visit the communities’ marketplace where more than 30 local community groups and organisations were on hand to provide activities, support and information. The groups included: 

• Abri and the community chef
• Andy's Man Club
• Berkshire Women's Aid
• Bracknell Camera Club
• Bracknell Forest Community Climate Action 
• Bracknell Islamic Cultural Society
• Bracknell Nepalese Society
• Bracknell Royal British Legion
• Everyone Active
• Great Hollands Brownies 
• Happiness Hub 
• Indian Community Association Bracknell 
• Involve 
• Kaleidoscopic
• Open Learning Centre
• Ring Amateur Boxing Club
• Sandhurst Youth
• South Hill Park
• The Bracknell Parent Carer Forum 
• The Cowshed
• The Gaming Hub and Warfield Board Gamers
• Youthline
• Youth Employment Hub

Organised by Bracknell Forest Council in partnership with various community and voluntary groups, the festival is part of the wider work to make Bracknell Forest an even stronger, inclusive and supportive community under the Stronger Together banner.

To this end, there was also a Stronger Together communities stall at the festival with information on what Stronger Together is and how it is aiming to connect people locally with opportunities and activities to improve their lives and the local area. The stall also encouraged local groups and organisations to sign up and be officially part of the Stronger Together initiative – offering support, guidance, activities and opportunities to local people. 

Cllr Helen Purnell, leader of Bracknell Forst Council, said: 

“It was lovely to see so many people from across Bracknell Forest and beyond come together at the festival. It was such an uplifting and happy day full of fun and smiles with a really welcoming atmosphere. It was a great showcase of local talent, arts and activity, which brought a real sense of joy and pride. 

“People from a wide range of ages and backgrounds took part either as performers, community champions or as festival-goers and it was lovely to see how connected everyone was. 

“I hope attendees found the wealth of information about what wonderful opportunities we have in the borough useful. Whether its volunteering, fitness, sports, arts, religion, culture or wellbeing that you’re interested in, there’s bound to be something for you in Bracknell Forest, but if there’s not – the organisations helping each other as part of the Stronger Together initiative can also help you set something up.”    

The event was sponsored by Bracknell Town Council, Thriving Communities and Abri Community Fund.

More information about Stronger Together can be found on the dedicated website.