Village newsletter

The December newsletter is out. See the "Village Newsletters" tab on the left.

KEYS FOUND

A set of keys has been found on Newman's Field, Ram Hill.

If you have lost them, please contact Terry Smith at Bitterwell Lake (07901 074158).

Rogue traders and distraction burglars

Top Tips on staying safe:

• Check the identity of the caller by telephoning the company they claim to be from. Use the telephone numbers listed in your local directory or provided independently by your service provider.
• Genuine callers won't mind making an appointment for a date when you can have someone with you. This gives you time to check their identity too.
• Never use companies who make unsolicited calls, who don't provide contracts, or who offer to do work for cash.
• Call a neighbour or friend nearby to come along and check out the caller before you open the door to them.
• Many service providers provide password schemes and it can be helpful to sign up to these. When unannounced callers knock at your door they should know the password if they are genuine.
• Keep doors locked and windows secure at all times.
• Where possible, have a safety chain fitted and always attach the chain before opening the door to strangers.
• Remember it's your doorstep, your decision.
• Check whether traders are members of the Local Authority Assured Trader Schemes (www.oft.gov.uk) or the government Trust Mark scheme (www.trustmark.org.uk).
  
  
• The key message is: 'Not sure? Don't open the door'.
  
  
• If you suspect a rogue trader is at your door dial 999.

Police alert - Bristol burglaries

In Bristol there have been a series of dwelling burglaries, whereby the properties are being attacked due to the nature of their exterior door handle - a paddle / stub exterior door handle.

The design is that once the door is shut you cannot open the door again from the outside using the paddle / stub handle on the exterior.

Victims they believe that once the door is closed that means their door is locked and their home is secure. This is not the case. These doors are still easily opened and this is why burglars are specifically targeting homes with these handles.

 The 2 methods of entry of burglars are as follows:

1)      They put their hand in through the letterbox and use a stick or pole to knock down the interior door handle, which then opens the door. If the door was locked using the key, and the key is still in the door, some offenders hook the key out of the lock and use it to unlock the door from the outside.

2)      They place a small screwdriver / bradawl in at lock height which disengages the releaser of the lock, which then makes the exterior handle work and the door can be opened. This style leaves very little visible damage to the door, and can only be seen upon very close inspection.

 

If the victims used their keys to lock the doors and took the keys out of the lock, then offenders could not break in using the above methods. 

 

Victims also believe that by lifting the interior door handle that means the door is locked. Again this is not the case, it purely engages the lever hooks into the frame, but once the offender disengages the releaser in the lock using a tool, this allows the offender to open the door using the exterior door handle as the mortice lock has not been locked using the door key.

The September newsletter is now out.
See the "Village Newsletters" tab on the left.

Murder Mystery Evening

Saturday 24th October, 7pm in the Village Hall

The Red Herrings will perform the premiere of their new costume mystery called Death in a Silver Masque for your entertainment.

The evening will include a two course course meal during the interval cooked by Chris and Jenny Forrester-Wood and puddings from the Neighbourhood Watch. Please bring your own drinks.

Tickets are £15 each (half price for children). They can be ordered from Robert Cole (311859) cash only. Or (for a small fee) you can book online using a credit card.

Come along and see if you can solve the mystery.

Two more dates for the diary:
Saturday 15th August 

Macmillan Coffee Morning at 11 am
At Newman Communal Lounge, Newman Close. Hosted by Luke Packer.
RSVP: lukepacker@btinternet.com .

Sunday 23rd August 

Pet Service at 10.30 am
At St James in the Churchyard outside west door, with Westerleigh Band.
Bring pets safely on leads and small furries in cages please! Coffee and biscuits in church afterwards. All are welcome. 

Newsletter

The June Village Newsletter is now out. Look on the newsletter tab on the left.

Dates for your Diary -- Social events

Boules and Barbecue -- Saturday 4th July

On the village playing field behind the Olde Inne. Starts at 3:30 and goes on as long as needed. Teams of two or three to play for the Boules trophy. Prizes for the winning team.

Come along and have some sunny summer fun. Just turn up, no tickets.

 

 

 

 

 

School Dinners Evening -- Saturday 26th September

This is a provisional date. Have an evening of memories as we serve your worst nightmare -- a school dinner. Traditional puddings supplied by various cooks in the village.
There will be a quiz and prizes on the topic of school days. Details to follow. Look out for further publicity

 

 

Murder Mystery Evening -- Saturday 24th October

By popular request the Red Herrings will return with a new mystery to baffle us all. They will premier their new costume mystery based on a masked ball.
Food will be provided by our village chef team of Chris and Jenny. Details to follow.

Mill Crescent Lights raise £2333.50

Mill Crescent Christmas lights

This year a magnificent total of £2333.50 was raised for St Peters Hospice. Thanks to all the residents who braved wet and windy weather, some on ladders, to put the displays in place and to everyone who donated. Special mention to Martin Gay who tirelessly collected and counted the donations on a daily basis and to Lisa and Mark Powell who made the initial contact with St Peter’s.

Cheque Presentation in the New Inn

The cheque was presented to Jo Plummer from St Peter’s Hospice in the New Inn (see photo). Jo said "I was delighted to meet all the lovely residents of Mill Crescent, their sense of community is a lovely thing especially going the extra mile with neighbours to think of others at Christmas. This fantastic amount will provide more than 3 days round–the–clock care for one patient in the Hospice.”