I hope everyone has been enjoying the warmer weather recently, though today could be a little nicer.

Let’s hope the nice weather lasts this week, ready for the runners taking part in this Sunday’s Lexicon Bracknell Half Marathon. It promises to be a great event, but I’d remind runners and spectators to prepare for those potentially hot conditions on the day; currently, it is set to be slightly hotter than optimum conditions for those doing over 13 miles. You’ll be seeing more about the half marathon over the coming week, but come on down to The Lexicon to see the runners off at 8.45am on Sunday. If you still want to sign up, you can do so on the Everyone Active website.

Of course, as it’s taking place at The Lexicon, runners and spectators will see the bunting already overhanging Braccan Walk South. This is in preparation for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. I have used this column before to talk about the tremendous lifetime of service The Queen has given the country, and as you will know, the Jubilee also brings with it a double bank holiday. I hope this means that many of our residents will have some well-deserved time to relax and enjoy the celebrations.

Certainly, we’ve had several applications for road closures from residents enjoying street parties; these are being surveyed and will be approved, or otherwise, in due course. It’s good to see that residents are taking a chance to celebrate with their neighbours, but there are also several events happening across the borough.

The Lexicon has a great line up of festivities, from a special Jubilee edition of The Lexicon proms on Wednesday, 1 June, to the lighting of a beacon in Union Square the day after. In fact, visit now and you can take part in The Jubilee Beacon trail; an innovative experience that anybody with a smartphone can enjoy. It really does combine the new and the traditional, paying respect to the monarchy in an innovative way.

The parishes and the borough council have also joined in, with everything from parties to poetry taking place across Bracknell Forest from now until the end of the extended weekend. You can find out more by visiting our Jubilee events pages.

I’m pleased to say that almost 25,000 households in Bracknell Forest, who pay their council tax by direct debit, have now received payments of £150 from the Government’s Energy Rebate scheme. Bracknell Forest was the first council in Berkshire to make these payments. Any household in this category who has not received the payment, is asked to contact: energy.rebate@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.

Attention is now turning to payments for non-direct debit payers. They will need to complete the application form on the council’s website. Payments to applicants will start to be made in the coming week.

So, with all that out of the way, I wish everyone a lovely week ahead.