The monthly Lunch Group will not meet (in view of the present Covid restrictions) for the rest of this year but we will look at the situation again in January 2021. We are hoping that the situation will have improved by then (who knows!!).
As lockdown eases, Neighbourhood Watch & the Home Office are expecting a rise in burglaries across the country.
Life’s safer when you know your neighbours. With more people looking out for unusual behaviour on your street, burglaries can be prevented. If you see suspicious activity REPORT IT, online via https://www.westmercia.police.uk or telephone 101. If safe to do so, share your observations with us admin@fvca.org.uk so that we can make others aware. Get practical tips to burglar-proof your home at https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/crimeprevention/crime-prevention-toolkits/burglaries
Bromsgrove District Council and the Community Association have received several complaints regarding residents dumping garden waste in the hedge along Wood Lane.
Bromsgrove District Council placed “No Tipping” signage along Swan Lane in late July, two days later more grass & hedge cuttings had dumped in the hedge.
Residents are reminded that dumping garden waste is fly tipping and, apart from being illegal, can be harmful to wildlife and, if blown into neighbouring fields, livestock.
Please use a home composter or the Brown Wheelie Bin service from Bromsgrove District Council.
Play Area to Remain Closed
On Monday evening (6th July), at a meeting of the Parish Council, which was attended by the leader of the District, Cllr. Karen May, it was decided not to re-open the Recreation Ground play area in line with Bromsgrove District Council’s stance at the time on similar facilities that are in their control.
It was felt that the recently released ”guidelines” set out by National Government cannot be met with sufficient confidence, due to logistics of cleaning, availability of onsite sanitisers etc. and the close monitoring of the site.
The Council will keep the Community Association informed of the situation, which one hopes will in time will lead to the Play Area re-opening.
The Community Association has received the following update from Rachel Benson, Highways & Transport Control Centre Manager at Worcestershire County Council regarding the ongoing work to clear gullies along Swan Lane:
“With regard to Swan Lane, this is a typical rural road in Worcestershire. There is a drainage issue in the ‘dip’ and it appears that the problem lies with the ditch (where the system discharges into) . We needed permission from Cadent Gas to do work as there is a pipeline nearby and this resulted in a delay. We are now focussing on drainage schemes and this location is, and always has been, included on the programme as an interim project. As with all drainage/flooding work, our priority is always flooded property (houses) or where principal roads are affected. In the case of Swan Lane, the A491 runs parallel with it and so there is an alternative, suitable route. It is therefore not a high priority but, of course, we continue to monitor for any changes.
It is sometimes the case that gulley lids cannot be lifted because of salt, but that does not necessarily mean that there is or will be a problem. Gullies that appear blocked (for example along the Stourbridge Road) can still be working effectively despite evidence of weeds/debris. We are not aware of flooding or ponding water on this carriageway. There was some initial confusion where our contractor advised us that the work on Stourbridge Road had been completed and this was not the case; I can only apologise for this. Where this happens, we always examine lessons learned to minimise such events reoccurring.”
The Great British September Clean
11-27 September 2020
Fairfield Village Community Association is thrilled to support Keep Britain Tidy’s launch of the Great British September Clean.
We’re calling on you – our #LitterHeroes – to be part of the pick and do your bit to care for the environment on your doorstep, as we join forces to collect and safely dispose of litter from our community’s roads and open spaces.
So join us, as we stand together and declare that litter – which degrades the beauty of our environment and threatens to harm wildlife – is not acceptable.
There’s two ways you can get involved and show support for the Great British September Clean:
1. Organise a private group clean-up with up to five family & friends.
2. Pledge to do your own individual clean-up, you can give as little as 15 minutes to the campaign.
To join us in tidying up Fairfield, Wildmoor and Stoneybridge, pledge your support visit https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/get-involved/support-our-campaigns/great-british-spring-clean/
If you need to borrow litter picking equipment email admin@fvca.org.uk
Yesterday morning (Sunday 5th July), the police reported that overnight a motorist was arrested for providing a positive roadside breath test in Fairfield. The driver of the vehicle provided a further reading of 73 in custody, charged and left to sober up in an en-suite room in custody.
At 5pm yesterday evening (5th July), residents from across Fairfield, Wildmoor & Stoneybridge came out on their doorsteps to wish the NHS a Happy 72nd Birthday and applauded all Key Workers for their service.
Recently a resident in Pepperwood has experienced the theft of their key safe, which was prised from the wall, and on a separate occasion their wheelie bin (not on a bin day).
If you know or have information relating to these thefts please contact the police.
Residents across West Mercia have been receiving telephone calls from fraudsters claiming to be from Amazon and have successfully defrauded victims of around £70,000 in the last 24 hours.
The scam involves a fraudsters stating that the recipient is eligible for an Amazon refund. The victim then follows a series of instructions from the criminal caller who then gains access to their bank details and removes their funds.
The West Mercia Police Economic Crime Unit is warning people who have been receiving these calls that this is a scam.
Detective Inspector Emma Wright “Please remember that no legitimate company, organisation, government body or police force will ever ask for you bank details, ask you to transfer money or offer to transfer money into your account. While we are working hard to make everyone aware of these scams and identify these criminals and bring them to justice the public can help us by helping each other; by telling vulnerable and elderly friends, neighbours and relatives who may not have seen the news or social media messages that these scams exist and what they can do. Together we will make it impossible for these fraudsters to take advantage of those more vulnerable in our communities.”
“We are advising all reports of these calls to be passed onto actionfraud.police.uk, and reminding computer users to evaluate their online safety. Tips include: ensuring you have up to date security software, using secure passwords and regularly backing up your data.
“If you are able to, I would recommend visiting actionfraud.police.uk, who have a detailed information such as below about what to look out for.
”Always question uninvited approaches in case it’s a scam. Instead, contact the company directly using a known email or phone number.
“Have the confidence to refuse unusual requests for personal or financial information. It’s easy to feel embarrassed when faced with unexpected or complex conversations. But it’s fine to stop the discussion if you do not feel in control of it. Never install any software or visit a website as a result of a cold call. Unsolicited requests for remote access to your computer should always raise a red flag.
“If you have received such a call and have provided personal details, which has led to funds being removed, it is advised that you contact your bank immediately and contact police on 101.”