Over the past two years, residents of Fairfield, Wildmoor & Stoneybridge have taken up the offer of receiving a FREE SmartWater kit, marking their property with this unique solution.
Please remember it is crucial that you put your SmartWater stickers in your doors & windows advertising that your property is security marked.
If you have moved into our community and would like a FREE SmartWater Security Marking Kit, email admin@fvca.org.uk
Full Fibre – Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) – is on its ways, as part of OpenReach’s upgrade of the Bromsgrove network.
In our Autumn newsletter we informed you that over the past few months contractors have been unblocking and preparing underground pipes for the upgrade.
It was initially thought that FTTP in Fairfield would be live sometime during the Autumn. Contractors have encountered several issues with their preparation work that has delayed the “live” date, with talk now of early 2021.
Residents can register for OpenReach updates, visit https://www.openreach.com/fibre-broadband/fibre-for-home
West Mercia Police are asking those of you planning to take part in Halloween activities to be “s-careful” and follow Covid-19 regulations.
Whilst Halloween is going be different this year, for obvious reasons, we are sure that many of you are still hoping to seize the opportunity to have a good time.
Along with asking you to keep following the Coronavirus regulations (as the vast majority of you have been for the last eight months) we are also asking you to be “frightfully thoughtful” to those living around you. Some people, particularly those that live alone, can find parts of Halloween behaviour intimidating, so please be mindful of this. We have also produced our annual posters to help prevent visitors; these are available from our Safer Neighbourhood Teams and at the bottom of this page.
Chief Superintendent Sue Thomas said: “We want to get the balance right between ensuring everyone is doing their bit to prevent the spread of coronavirus by following the law whilst not stopping people from having a good, safe, time.
“As in previous years, we will have an increased number of officers on duty and will be carrying out additional high visibility patrols to ensure that anti-social behaviour remains low. We will also be engaging with those out and about and encouraging them to act responsibly and reminding them to follow Covid-19 laws. Where we need to though, we will take enforcement action.
“Perhaps most importantly, please remember that if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been told to self-isolate you shouldn’t take part in any in-person Halloween festivities and shouldn’t give out sweets to trick-or-treaters. There are, however, lots of other ways that you can still make a memorable evening for your family.”
Are you up to date on the latest scams?
A fortnightly scam alert is now available, to subscribe visit the Friends Against Scams website https://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/scam-alert
If you have any used 5″ plant pots, the church office would be most grateful to have these to use for Mothering Sunday flowers next year.
If you are unable to get to the church office in Belbroughton, leave your pots in the porch of St. Mark’s and someone will take them there.
Think twice about home firework displays, in addition to the destress that fireworks cause livestock and family pets (we are a farming community), fireworks are dangerous and can cause serious injury.
If you choose to go ahead plan and prepare – carefully,
A £2 firework at a family display misfired & left Maisie with burn injuries. Hear her story in this video released by the National Fire Chiefs Council.
WARNING: Some people may find the film destressing.
Diseases found in dog poo can cause abortions in cattle and death in sheep
Local farmers and Fairfield Village Community Association are urging members of the public to clean up after their dogs when walking on or near to agricultural land.
Parasites found in some dog faeces can result in the abortions of cattle and death in sheep and with several reports over recent months, local farmers are pleading with the public to be more responsible.
As the lambing and calving season begins for another year, the message to members of the public is to remember to pick up any faeces from dogs they are walking, including when they are using agricultural land.
The two diseases of particular concern that can be present as a result of faeces on farmland are neosporosis and sarcocystosis.
Neosporosis can cause abortions in cattle and is thought to be responsible for the highest percentage of all cattle abortions reported in the UK. Neospora eggs are produced by infected dogs and excreted in their faeces. Cattle will then become infected if they eat food, i.e. grass, or drink water contaminated with the eggs.
Sarcocystosis is also caused by parasites, which can use dogs as intermediate hosts, and similarly the eggs are produced and excreted in faeces.
In terms of both these diseases, faeces from infected dogs can contaminate pasture and animal feed, water or bedding. There is currently no licensed vaccine or drugs available for these diseases.
Having considered Government guidance and other advice received, the age & vulnerability of members of our community, the limited space around the war memorial and the restricted maximum number of people permitted in St. Mark’s church, it has been decided not to hold a Remembrance Service this year.
Members of the public & community groups may leave wreaths (that are pegged down) and crosses at the War Memorial at a time when that they feel safe to do so.
A national act of remembrance will be televised on BBC1.
The police report that fraudsters are targeting elderly and vulnerable people in the Bromsgrove area by phone to try to steal their money claiming they are the police. They aren’t, its a scam.
The police will NEVER phone and ask you to transfer money, take out cash or ask for your bank/card details.
Please speak to our your elderly and vulnerable neighbours about this scam.
The annual Harvest Festival service will take place on Sunday (11th October) at St. Mark’s church. The short, family friendly, service starts at 11.15 am.
Non-perishable donations only, these will be passed to Foodbank.