Fairfield Village Community Association have now received sight of the original and draft revised plans to create a 40 mph buffer between Stoneybridge Island and Fairfield village along the Stourbridge Road.
The initial proposal, as detailed below, was to have a 40 mph buffer to Orchard Farm. As previously reported the Community Association, Worcestershire Highways have admitted that there was a procedural error with the original consultation.
As further consultation is required, Worcestershire Highways are taking the opportunity to consider a revised proposal, having taken account of concerns expressed by some local residents. The revised proposal is for the 40 mph buffer from Stoneybridge Island to the (north) village planter, where the current 30 mph zone commences, see image below.
A formal consultation is required, and we await the public notice that should details the Traffic Regulation Order, which will include the exact legal start and finish of the new 40 mph zone.
Residents may wish to comment on the draft plans. Any objection/representations you may have must be sent in writing to Thomas Pollock, Head of Commercial Law, Legal and Governance at County Hall, or email roadtrafficregs@worcestershire.gov.uk
The National Anti-Fraud Network (NAFN) have been made aware that unsolicited text messages are being sent to members of the public purporting to offer a COVID-19 Grant due to the current lockdown. The text includes a link to “claim” the grant and starts with the words GOV.UK and ends with govuk.com, suggesting the text message has been sent by or on behalf of the government and is therefore an authentic message. Open source checks confirm that the number from which the text appears to be sent is associated with other fraudulent attempts. These can be forwarded directly to 7726, which goes to your mobile provider.
There have been several reports of scam text messages and emails claiming to be from a well-known delivery service such as Royal Mail, FedEx, UPS, Yodel and Hermes.
Messages state that a delivery has been missed and that the recipient will need to rearrange a delivery or that it has a shipping fee associated with the package. It will contain a link which will direct the consumer to a phishing website designed to look like the official website where consumers can make payment.
If in doubt, don’t click the link. Take Five and think about what is being asked; are you expecting a delivery? Would it require a shipping fee if you have?
Royal Mail will only send email and SMS notifications to customers where the sender has requested this when using their trackable products that offer this service
The only time Royal Mail would ask customers to make a payment in an email or SMS is if a customs fee is due. In this case, they will also leave a grey card telling them there’s a fee to pay, either for the international customs fee or a surcharge for an underpaid item before they can release the item.
You can forward suspicious text messages to 7726 and suspicious emails on to report@phishing.gov.uk
Nationally, there has been a 250% increase in reported Scam telephone calls, and the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) needs your help.
The ICO would like you to report the unwanted scam and nuisance calls that you receive to them.
Download and complete the Phone Call Log, Phone Call Log (friendsagainstscams.org.uk), record details of the call that you receive, with as much information as possible, and periodically return the log to the National Trading Standards Team (address can be found at the top of the Phoned Call Log.
We have been notified that Worcestershire Highways have acknowledged that there has been a procedural error regarding the B4091 speed change between Stoneybridge Island and village entrance, a new consultation will take place.
Please keep an eye on the County Council’s Public Notices page, CLICK HERE. Residents are encouraged to respond.
It is understood that Worcestershire Highways are now prepared to consider keeping the start of the 30 mph zone at the planter, rather than move the start to the entrance of Orchard Farm, should it be the wish of the community. It is very important that you have your say.
Fairfield Village Community Association would like to thank all those residents that emailed the Legal and Governance department at County Hall, your actions have helped focus the minds of the people behind the TRO amendment.
Reported blocked gullies in Third Road have been cleared.
Unfortunately the same cannot be said for Swan Lane; a couple have been cleared, one has had the mud cleared from the top of the grid yet there is still mud just below the grid, a couple have been partially “wiped over” and there are still hidden grids that are beneath the mud that has slid from the roadside. The broken gully grid has still not been replaced and the gully by the gas pipeline is still blocked.
Whether another return return visit is being scheduled, who knows?
There is still no news regarding repairs to the Swan Lane pot holes and road erosion.
Fibre optic cables have been laid underground to nearly all the telegraphs poles that are connected to the Mount Road junction box in the south of the village.
Work is expected to commence in the next two weeks laying fibre optic cables underground to those telegraph poles in the north of the village that are connected to the Mount Road junction box.
Once underground fibre optic cables have been laid and connected, properties will be contacted to arrange the final Fibre To The Property journey.
See below email that received on 4th March in response to the Community Association’s email 7th February.
From: Clewer, Richard Sent: 04 March 2021 08:06 To: chair@fvca.org.uk Cc: Benson, Rachael Subject: FW: Outstanding Repairs & Improvements to Swan Lane & Wood Lane, Fairfield
Dear Mr Palmer
I am sure you will appreciate that covid restriction together with the recent floods and bad weather have both severely restricted and pressurised our operational ability.
An inspector has visited site this week and new orders have been raised to jet the blocked gullies reported in both Swan Lane and Third Road together with the repair of the damaged covers. Whilst I have yet to receive firm dates for this I would hope that it will be done within the next 28 days.
As previously explained we are unable to dictate to road users directions they wish to take to access the commercial units however signs have been ordered to indicate to drivers leaving the commercial units the direction of the M5 via Wildmoor Lane. I will follow up with the traffic management team as to where we are with these.
Changes to local speed limits require the support of the local member you may wish to discuss with Cllr Webb the speed limit in Swan Lane. However although Swan Lane is derestricted drivers are expected to drive to the conditions of the road. Swan Lane is a typical rural county lane with little development of it and therefore will fit the current speed limits according to the Dept for Transport guidance.
As previously reported, we are aware of the signs directing traffic away from Wildmoor Mill and that Third Road has been assessed.
Mr. Clewer’s email does not mention the blocked Wood Lane gully. It is not clear whether the jetting of the gullies on Swan Lane will include the unblocking of grids, replacing a broken grid, clearing the blocked gully near the gas pipeline, reconstructing the parts of Swan Lane that have eroded away, filling in pot holes and preventing further mother slide on to the road.
The response to the Swan Lane speed limit is poor; the speed of traffic driving along Swan Lane and the need for a reduced speed limit has been mentioned to County Councillor Shirley Webb previously and the Department of Transport guidance Setting local speed limits paragraph 127 states:
127) Table 2 sets out recommended speed limits for roads with a predominant motor traffic flow function. If walking, cycling, horse riding, community or environmental factors are particularly important on any road section, consideration should be given to using the lower limit.
Table 2 Speed limits for single carriageway roads [footnote 8] with a predominant motor traffic flow function
Speed limit (mph)
Where limit should apply:
60
Recommended for most high quality strategic A and B roads with few bends, junctions or accesses.
50
Should be considered for lower quality A and B roads that may have a relatively high number of bends, junctions or accesses. Can also be considered where mean speeds are below 50 mph, so lower limit does not interfere with traffic flow.
40
Should be considered where there are many bends, junctions or accesses, substantial development, a strong environmental or landscape reason, or where there are considerable numbers of vulnerable road users.
The Department of Transport guidance suggests that Swan Lane can be considered for a 40 mph speed limit, due to, and not exclusively to, the bends, landscaping (that provide low light) and vulnerable road users – due to the nature of the road the speed limit could be lowered even further, Swan Lane between the “Devil’s Steps” and Mill Lane forms part of the Monarch’s Way and is used by walkers, including older people walking their dogs, and Swan Lane is often used by horse riders.
Earlier this year, copies of “Expedition to the Mountains of the Scottish Highlands” were sold for a donation. Our generous community donated £83.00, and our “Church Mouse” has asked that we convey his thanks to you, he is very touched by your kindness.
Those of you who know Ian will know that he has not had an easy life and is often marginalised from society. Ian has recently returned to Bromsgrove from trekking and cycling around mid Wales, and will soon be off on another “adventure”, which is helping to improve his physical and mental well-being.
Following on from our highly successful 40th Anniversary production of ‘Cinderella’ back in 2019 the Fairbourne Dodders are proud and excited to be spinning into Christmas 2021 with ‘Sleeping Beauty’.
Fairbourne Dodders are looking for people to be involved both on and off stage, so if you would like more information please join their Facebook page or send them a message.
Just a reminder that the ‘Fairbourne Dodders’ represents Fairfield, Bourneheath and Dodford so it would be great if any new or old residents would like to get involved
A resident has reported receiving a nuisance call at 8.10 am, a time that most people would only receiving very urgent or emergency telephone calls.
The resident picked up the telephone receiver to find that there was silence for about 12 seconds, then the call was disconnected. The telephone number of the caller was 00.
Please remain vigilant, an early morning Scam call could easily catch someone off guard and could result with someone losing hundred, even thousands, of pounds.
Please speak to your elderly and vulnerable about telephone scams and nuisance calls.
If all goes to plan with the Government’s Roadmap it may be possible for Community Group Litter Picks to resume from 12th April, subject to compliance with Government Advice and our local assessment, therefore if it possible our first Community Litter Pick will take place on Saturday 8th May, meet outside Village Hall 10.00 am, wear suitable clothing & footwear, litter picking equipment will be provided.
Of courses, individual households can carry out their own litter picks before this date as part of their daily exercise.
Keep Britain Tidy have announced that this year’s (rearranged) Great British Spring Clean (GBSC) will take place between 28th May and 13th June, i.e. subject to their being no change or delays to the Government Roadmap it may be possible that our Community GBSC will be on Saturday 10th May.
According to minutes, at the February meeting of the Parish Council, Councillors agreed to:
Recreation Ground
1. Sorting the footpath drainage issues.
2. Redevelop corner area garden with input from the school /orchard soil investigation / planting a wild, sensory or ‘wet’ garden. (All are possibly grant fundable).
3. Carparking, while approval in principle by the Council for an extension this is ‘on hold’ due to high cost of quotes received and there will be a reassessment of best use of funds.
Fairfield Village Community Association (FVCA) welcomes 1 & 2, however, it is disappointing that the car park extension is being put on hold, even though the Council had previously agreed in principle to spend £15K and the balance of the project, which we are informed would cost £28K, could be secured from grants, which FVCA have offered to help bid for.
It is understandably frustrating for residents and other users of our community to see that 5 years on from our lobbying and the Council agreeing in principle for a car park extension at their meeting on 3rd October 2016, we still do not have the additional parking spaces in the village to accommodate the vehicles arising from the increased number of spectators supporting Fairfield Villa football matches, the growing Fairfield First School population and community facilities that are enjoyed by many visitors.
Pepper Wood
With regard the Pepper Wood expansion the Parish Council have “deferred decisions on both promoting the appeal for funding by the Woodland Trust, and considering a donation”. According to the February minutes, the Council “wished to consider the plans the Woodland Trust had for the site including any additional parking facilities.” The expanded woodland will not be open to the public for many years, as the area is being allowed to rewild itself through natural tree growth.
The current Chair of Fairfield Village Community Association writes:
“When our AGM finally take places, having served as Chair of the Community Association for 5 years, it is my wish that I am not nominated to serve another year as Chair. It has been a honour to serve our community and to be a part of the Association’s many achievements, supported by some fantastic residents and committee members. Please cast the net, or give consideration yourself, for a replacement Chair, who will have a different style and can work to continue making a positive difference for Fairfield, Wildmoor & Stoneybridge. I will, of courses, continue to support the Community Association, so whoever is Chair will not be required to do everything that I have been doing, they can delegate.”
Fairfield Village Community Association have become aware of a report given by our County Council to the Parish Council at a meeting of the Parish Council that was held on Monday 1st February, the minutes state:
“C.Cllr. Webb advised that the Traffic Regulation Order (Speed limit reduction from National Speed Limit to 40m.p.h.) for the Stourbridge Road from the Stoneybridge island to the circa the Fairfield village boundary had finished its consultation process, with no objections recorded. She will advise when the signage is to be erected.”
Is “circa the Fairfield village boundary” the planter or as previously suggested moving the 30 mph sign to the entrance of Orchard Farm?
Fairfield Village Community Association have today (1st March 2021) sent an email to Legal Services at County Hall, the contents of our email are below.
If you wish to question that a fit and proper consultation has not taken place, email legalservices@worcestershire.gov.uk (if you could keep us in the loop, it would be appreciated).
Thomas Pollock
Head of Commercial Law, Legal and Governance
Worcestershire County Council
Dear Mr. Pollock,
On Friday 26th February 2021, we became aware of the draft Belbroughton and Fairfield Parish Council minutes of 1st February 2020 that records during the item “County and District Councillors reports” the following:
“C.Cllr. Webb advised that the Traffic Regulation Order (Speed limit reduction from National Speed Limit to 40m.p.h.) for the Stourbridge Road from the Stoneybridge island to the circa the Fairfield village boundary had finished its consultation process, with no objections recorded. She will advise when the signage is to be erected.”
Fairfield Village Community Association and residents that we have spoken to over the past few day are unaware of any formal consultation taking place. Please tell us:
What was formally being proposed and has been allegedly agreed?
What consultation took place, including dates of consultation and who was approached?
What public media was used to promote the consultation and how were members of the public notified of the plans to amend the TRO?
Fairfield Village Community Association had wind of a possible amendment of the TRO in 2019, voicing our concern at a Parish Council working group meeting.
The Association mentioned the possible amendment of the TRO in our email to Mr. J. Hobbs, Director of Economy and Infrastructure, Worcestershire County Council, dated 9th February 2020:
“We are informed that there are plans to reduce the speed limit on the approach to the village from Stoneybridge Island. This proposed reduction to 40mph is welcomed, however, we strongly object to moving the 30mph marker closer to the village, to the entrance to Orchard Farm, which is at the brow of the road.”
On 5th May 2020, we received a copy of a report that County Councillor Shirley Webb sent the Parish Council (email below, report attached) in which Cllr. Webb writes:
“TRO from Stoneybridge Island, consultation has started to reduce speed from 60 to 40 mph up to nearby Orchard farm when the speed will then change to 30MPH. Relining of the road will also take place to give the impression the lane is not as wide. New painted road signs will also be done at the same time.”
On the 15th May 2020 we sent Cllr. Webb a response to her report, which includes our comment regarding amending the TRO:
“You state that a consultation has started. As yet the community have not received official notification of what is being proposed. We look forward to receiving and circulating the consultation document. From briefings received to date, we have strong reservations regarding increasing the speed limit from 30mph to 40mph on that stretch of Stourbridge Road between the north planter and Orchard Farm, a point on Stourbridge Road that is a blind spot with brow in the road and nearby access points from residential properties, a farm and a pub.”
According to the Parish Council minutes of 7th December 2020, Cllr. Webb advised:
“The Traffic Regulation Order to reduce the speed limit on the entrance to Fairfield from the Stoneybridge island was due to start its six week consultation process. Provided there were no objections this should come into force by the end of January 2021.”
As regulations require consultation with ‘such other organisations (if any) representing persons likely to be affected by any provision in the order’, any decision that has been made is must be considered null and void, and an appropriate consultation should take place that includes a full risk assessment due to hazardous nature of what is being proposed.
We look forward to your timely reply.
Yours sincerely,
Conrad
Conrad Palmer
Chairman
Fairfield Village Community Association & Neighbourhood Watch Group
Saturday 20th February – A resident witnessed two cars been driven suspiciously around Stoneybridge Island. It is thought that the drivers of the vehicles were trying to instigate a slow speed rear crash, and it was third time that these vehicles, a silver Mercedes and a black Alfa Romeo saloon, have been seen in the area been driven in a suspicious manner. The police have been notified.
With the rise of dog thefts nationally, a dog walker has contacted us to share an experience that made them feel uneasy in Pepper Wood recently.
“It was around 5 and I was walking with two dogs down the centre path towards the car park. When I approached the car park I saw a white van with a couple (could have been two women could have been a man and a woman). They were standing outside the van smoking cigarettes and chatting. As I got closer they started to walk towards the path without any dogs. I was turning around anyway to walk back but something just felt uneasy. The woman was not wearing the type of clothes you associate with walking in the woods. I felt quite nervous so started walking at speed and within around 5 minutes they had turned back.”
There is nothing saying that these people have done anything wrong, they may have just been out for a walk. This experience highlights the need for vigilance at all times, if you do feel threatened or the activity appears to be suspicious please report to the police CLICK HERE
West Mercia Police want to hear from you about your perception and understanding of ANPR usage across the West Mercia area, to help them better engage with the public about how we use it.
A resident has received the below email, if you receive similar email do not respond to it, forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS): report@phishing.gov.uk and then delete.
Thieves and organised gangs are continuing to target catalytic converters from vehicles across West Mercia. This is also an international concern with forces across the world reporting a recent increase in reported catalytic converter theft. The rise in the value of the precious metals they contain is thought to be the reason behind the spike in this offence.
Inspector Andy Tanner said: “Thieves tend to target vehicles such as vans and 4x4s that have a higher ground clearance making the converters more easily accessible. However, all types of vehicles are vulnerable.
“The illegal market for the metals that the converters contain is strong and each converter can make a thief hundreds of pounds, but take only a few minutes to remove from a vehicle and can cost thousands to replace.”
“We are actively investigating several cases and would ask people to please take a few steps to reduce the chances of their vehicle being targeted. One of those steps is to please report any suspicious activity around parked vehicles that you may see or have recorded on mobile devices, CCTV or in-vehicle cameras.”
Tips on how to protect your vehicle:
Keep your vehicle in a garage if you can
If you park it on a driveway, install motion activated lighting
Otherwise, park in a well-lit, populated area
Forensic security marking kits are available to mark your catalytic converter
Locks are also available that can be fitted to your converter
Please share, verbally and through social media, and ask your friends to share this message far and wide to all dog walkers:
“If you Bag It, Bin It, Don’t leave It”.
Once again, dog pooh bags have been left on the ground in Pepper Wood; on Monday 15th February 4 bags were picked up from the bottom of the “welcome” sign at the Wood Lane entrance plus a purple bag left adjacent to the bridle path.
Some people say that they leave a bag to pick up later, the purple bag had been left for over two weeks.
It is NOT acceptable that volunteers have to clear up other peoples’ laziness.
We are fortunate that in Fairfield village you are no more than 1/2 mile from a dog waste bin. Also, if your dog does a mess in Pepper Wood off the path you can leave it, Mother Nature will work her magic and in a few days it is gone.
Work commences Monday 15th February to replace old water pipes in the Bournheath area, which should take approximately two months to complete.
Teams will start at the junction of Doctors Hill/Rock Lane and Valley Road, work will progress along Valley Road and Cockshutt Lane before finishing at the Cockshutt Lane/Snakes Lake Lane junction by the end of February.
The team will then move and restart work on Dordale Road/Yarnold Lane junction (22nd February) and progress along Yarnold Lane until it meets Warbage Lane by early April 2021.
In order to maintain safety, traffic control or road closures will be in place, with diversion routes sign posted.
The fundraising campaign to double Pepper Wood is progressing well, if you would like to make a donation to the appeal CLICK HERE
Littering around our beautiful woodland remains at a low level, however, the Pepper Wood volunteers are making an appeal on two items:
1: If you are not prepared to take bags of dog waste to the bins, then please do not bag the stuff – use a stick to flick it into the undergrowth, otherwise it simply becomes a particularly unpleasant item of litter. Pepper Wood and Community volunteers are not there to clear up the mess left.
2: Please do not discard tissues. Their delicacy made persuade you that they are easily biodegradable. In fact, they remain visible for weeks, and some do not degrade at all.
The muddy state of the footpaths around the wood are worse than any of us can remember, and every time we think it cannot get worse it does. Footpath improvements will be high up the agenda when the volunteer teams get going again.
In normal times, volunteer teams work every Sunday and Wednesday from about 10 am until 1:30 pm. You are welcome to join any of the work parties, all tools are provided at work parties, and all you will need are: Clothes to protect you from the elements and rogue plants such bramble and dog rose, strong shoes or boots, something to drink, and a sense of humour.
An essential ritual of all work parties is the cake and coffee break. In colder months this is held around a brazier on which coffee is roasted and brewed.
No experience or specific skills are assumed; a lot of the work is scaled-up gardening.
New data from UK Finance reveals a 20 per cent increase in bank transfer romance fraud between January – November 2020 compared to the previous year, with the total value of these scams rising by 12 per cent to £18.5 million. The average loss per victim reported to UK Finance members was £7,850, highlighting the significant impact this type of fraud can have on victims’ finances.
But criminals can trick victims into sending them money in many ways, not just via a bank transfer. Action Fraud has also seen a rise in reports made by members of the public who have fallen victim to romance fraud in 2020, with total reported losses equating to over £68 million. In these reports, victims have lost money via bank transfer, money transfer, sending fraudsters gift cards and vouchers or presents such as phones and laptops, and providing them with access to their bank account or card.
Romance scams involve people being duped into sending money to criminals who go to great lengths to gain their trust and convince them that they are in a genuine relationship. They use language to manipulate, persuade and exploit so that requests for money do not raise alarm bells. These requests might be highly emotive, such as criminals claiming they need money for emergency medical care, or to pay for transport costs to visit the victim if they are overseas.
The rise in romance scams comes as more people have turned to online dating during 2020 due to social distancing restrictions. Figures from the Online Dating Association (ODA) estimate that over 2.3 million Brits used dating apps during the first lockdown, with 64 per cent of people surveyed seeing dating apps as a lifeline for those living alone. While the internet can be a great way to meet people and form new relationships, the growth in popularity of online dating is giving criminals more opportunities to exploit and coerce people into parting with their money.
Scammers will often build a relationship with their victims over time, the ODA’s data shows that half (53 per cent) of people surveyed are having longer conversations on dating services during lockdown. UK Finance is therefore calling on people to look out for their friends and family this Valentine’s Day. Dating app users should also speak to their friends and family for advice, and follow the advice of the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign to keep themselves safe from scams.
West Mercia Police Detective Inspector Emma Wright from the Economic Crime Unit said: “We are committed to safeguarding vulnerable people and disrupting criminality that preys on victims and causing them significant financial losses. We work in collaboration with the City of London Police to investigate reports and develop intelligence leads to disrupt romance fraudsters, whilst also safeguarding, supporting and offering protection advice to the victims.
“Romance scams are both emotionally and financially damaging for victims. The increasing popularity of online dating services has made it easier for criminals to target victims, so we urge everyone to be cautious and follow the advice of the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign, which offers straight-forward and impartial advice to help people spot scams and protect themselves against fraud.
“Although banks are always looking out for suspicious activity, customers must be on their guard and protect themselves too. Always be wary of requests for money from someone you’ve never met in person. If you think you’ve been the victim of a romance scam, contact your bank immediately, report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call us on 101.”
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “I am committed to protecting vulnerable people and supporting victims of crime. Romance fraud is a horrible crime that can leave victims devastated, both financially and emotionally.
“Providing the right support for victims is central to my role as commissioner, and I would urge anyone that has been a victim of this very personal crime to reach out to the support that is available.”
If you’ve been affected by romance fraud or know someone who has, then support is available from the West Mercia Victim Advice Line.
The Victim Advice Line is a free and confidential service offering advice, practical help and emotional support to people affected by crime, regardless of whether it has been reported to the police.
Be suspicious of any requests for money from someone you have never met in person, particularly if you have only recently met online.
Speak to your family or friends to get advice.
Profile photos may not be genuine, do your research first. Performing a reverse image search on a search engine can find photos that have been taken from somewhere, or someone, else.
If you think you have been a victim of a romance scam, do not feel ashamed or embarrassed – you are not alone. Contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk.
It is important that no matter how long you’ve been speaking to someone online and how much you think you trust them, if you have not met them in person it’s important that you do not:
Send them any money
Allow them access to your bank account
Transfer money on their behalf
Take a loan out for them
Provide copies of your personal documents such as passports or driving licenses
Invest your own money on their behalf or on their advice
Purchase and send the codes on gift cards from Amazon or iTunes
Agree to receive and/or send parcels on their behalf (laptops, mobile phones etc.)
Preparations for the laying of fibre is complete and contractors, on behalf of Openreach, have started laying the fibre optic cables that will bring Ultrafast Broadband to properties that are connected to the Mount Road junction.
Once underground cables are laid, work will commence connecting properties. It is hoped that Fibre to the Properties will be “live” by early Spring.
Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day as it is sometimes known, is a traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, this year Shrove Tuesday falls on 16th February.
Lent – the 40 days leading up to Easter – was traditionally a time of fasting, and Shrove Tuesday was the last opportunity to use up eggs and fats before embarking on the fast, and pancakes are the perfect way of using up these ingredients. As well as eating pancakes it is traditional to have pancake races and toss pancakes!
There will be no community pancake races due to Covid restriction, but there is still something that we can do as a community to mark the occasion:
Challenge
On a dinner plate size circular piece of paper (your pancake), create something that depicts part of our community, e.g. your pancake could have a church (St. Marks), or trees (Pepperwood) or football field (Recreation Ground) – you can use pens, crayons or craft materials. Take a photo of your creation and email to admin@fvca.org.uk where will share on a social media streams & website. Please state name to be quoted and, if created by a child, age.
For the people of Belbroughton, Blakedown, Broome, Churchill and Fairfield
On Zoom
on The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis
Starting Wednesday 24th February 2pm, lasting till 3.15/30 pm
For 6 sessions
The only thing you will need is a Bible.
Session 1: Following Jesus. Matthew 4: 18-22; 8: 18-27
Session 2: The Path of Grace. Mathew 5: 1-12
Session 3: The Path of Humility. John 13: 1-17
Session 4: The Path of Suffering: Matthew 10: 1-33
Session 5: The Path of Peace. Matthew 7: 1-12
Session 6: Following to the End. John 11:1-44
Not everyone agrees, but the majority think that Thomas a Kempis, an Augustinian monk of the 1400’s, is the author of a book that for years was second only to the Bible in sales. The Imitation of Christ has never been out of print and copies have been in circulation since 1418.
Revered by Protestants and Catholics alike, you might like to get your own copy. You can get the Penguin Classics translation by Robert Jeffery, the Dean of Worcester Cathedral before the present one, for under £10. But you do not need to have your own copy. You might already have one!
If you indicate you want to join this Zoom Group, along with the Zoom details, each week you will get a “Handout” with some text from the Imitation and the questions we shall discuss/think about.
It will be soon be Valentine’s Day (14th February), an occasion when when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts.
This year, let share the love a bit further:
Roses are Red
Violet are Blue
Write us a Poem
That says I love You.
Email your poem to admin@fvca.org.uk and we will add to our special Valentine’s webpage. Your poem could be serious or funny, it can be about a person, animal or whatever you like.
No prizes, just the satisfaction that you have shared your love.
To read the Poems for Valentine’s that we have received CLICK HERE
Contractors have nearly completed preparatory work that will see ultrafast broadband rolled out to properties connected to Mount Road junction. Indications are that BT OpenReach will be laying fibre optic cables in early spring.
At this stage we are not aware of any timetable that will see properties in our community that are not connected to the Mount Road junction also enjoy the benefits of Fibre To The Property.
Neighbourhood Watch are delighted to announce our exciting new partnership with Universal Studios and the Co-op in the launch of The Croods 2: A New Age in the UK. The film (also known as The Croods 2) is a computer-animated adventure comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures.
The film centres around values of community, neighbourliness, inclusivity, and working together. These are values that are close to the heart of all Neighbourhood Watch supporters, and as part of our initiative to reach more young families and to add to the positive and approachable perceptions of Neighbourhood Watch, the opportunity presented by this partnership was too good to pass up!
The Croods and The Bettermans are thrown together, two very different families who have to learn to live with one another when an evil tribe of monkeys threaten their homes. Once safe from this threat, the Croods and the Bettermans realise that home is not a place, it’s people, and together they create history’s first neighbourhood!
Neighbourhood Watch’s partnership with the film provides the opportunity to reach young families and to promote the importance of neighbourliness and community spirit to new audiences and across diverse communities. We know many young people and their families believe in the values which we stand for and this partnership gives them the introduction to becoming Neighbourhood Watch supporters for life.
WIN! Design a Croods 2 inspired treehouse and win it for your local Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve
In partnership with ‘The Croods 2: A New Age’ and Co-op, we want children up to the age of 16 to design their very own Croods 2 inspired treehouse for their local community. What’s more, the winning entry will be brought to life and built within a nearby Wildlife Trust location to be enjoyed by the public for years to come!
What do you need to do to enter?
Head over to Co-op Insurance website to download the treehouse template and top tips for entering
Design a Croods 2 inspired treehouse for your local community – it can be as wacky as you want, let your imagination run wild!
You can draw, paint, use computer software or even cave drawings to create your design, but above all be sure to think about how this could be used by the community and bring a lot of fun.
Share the design on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #Croods2Treehouse and tag Co-op (@coopukinsurance on Facebook and Twitter) and Neighbourhood Watch Network (Facebook: @ourwatch; Twitter: @N_Watch and Instagram: @neighbourhood.watch.insta) to enter.
The competition closes on 22nd February and the winner will be contacted within 5 days via social media. The treehouse will be built by 26th March, just in time for the film’s release and Easter holidays!
West Mercia Police are aware that criminals pretending to be police officers are again attempting to defraud people in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire, in a scam known as ‘Courier Fraud’. Some jewellery shops are also being taking advantage of as part of the scam.
Detective Inspector Emma Wright said: “This type of fraud traditionally targets older, vulnerable people however cases reported in the last 24 hours would suggest the criminals are targeting a broader range of ages.
West Mercia Police Economic Crime Unit is also making all jewellery shops aware of the Courier Fraud scam that can see their businesses used by criminals as part of the fraud.
Detective Inspector Emma Wright said: “Courier Fraud is an especially cruel type of fraud that sees vulnerable people prayed on by criminals.
“Victims are telephoned by a person, pretending to be a police officer. The bogus police officer explains that the victim’s bank accounts are under threat from fraudsters. He or she convinces the victim to participate in a fictitious undercover police operation to catch the fraudsters and safeguard their funds. They are told not to inform anyone, including their bank, as bank staff are equally under suspicion. Often the bogus Police officer discloses private financial information about the victim, which is used to encourage the victim to trust them.
“Where the jewellery shops may come into this, is that victims are sometimes instructed to either buy gold bullion or high valued watches. These items are handed to a courier who confirms a password given to the victim over the phone by the suspect.
“While this may seem hard to believe and that nobody would fall for this con, we have had recent cases where one victim was convinced over several long and very detailed calls to buy £250,000 in gold which once delivered to their home, was handed to ‘investigating officers’ and another where a victim who had already withdrawn more than £25,000 in cash was tricked into purchasing a £35,000 designer watch as part of a fake investigation, which was then handed to waiting criminals pretending to police officers.
“These people are operating as part of organised crime gangs. They are ruthless, extremely convincing and extremely successful and these scams net millions of pounds a year for them.
“So my message to everyone is simple: no police officer, bank security staff or government agency, will ever ask you for your bank details over the phone or by text and email. They will never tell you to withdraw money as part of a criminal investigation, nor ask you to buy goods like watches or gold, nor request that you transfer funds to another account. The police and security teams for banks simply do not work in this way. I would ask you to please let elderly and vulnerable people know never to believe anyone who claims to be from the police and who then asks for their money, even if they know some of your financial and personal details.
“We are contacting all jewellery shops across West Mercia to encourage them to be aware of the scam and what to look for if they are approached by a customer who may be a victim of this fraud and we are working in conjunction with the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau to combat this type of crime.”
“If you are concerned you have been targeted, because for example, you have recently provided bank details, handed over cards/cash/valuables, you are going to visit your bank/a jewellers, or the caller has arranged for someone to visit your address to collect items; you should call the police to report this on 101. In an emergency dial 999.”
Over the past couple of days residents have sent in some fantastic images recording our village under a blanket of snow. To view the photo album CLICK HERE
Please continue to send in photographs throughout the year so that we can capture our community for our pictorial archive.
Due to popular demand, our community egg stall will return this Friday (29th Jan) from 10am-2pm and all proceeds will continue to go to Parkinson’s UK. A tray of 30 Free Range eggs will still be £2.50.
Dependant on the weather, eggs will continue to be sold outside the main Bumble Hole gates (David Hewston Way, Rocky Lane, Bromsgrove, B61 9HU) or from inside the hut which is just inside the main Bumble Hole gates.
The Egg stall will only continue on a week to week basis if the demand to carry on is there.
As the Fairfield Wombles are having to isolate and shield due to lockdown restriction, we need you to help keep our roads, ditches and open spaces clear of litter.
When out for your daily exercise please help keep your community tidy and safe for wildlife by picking up litter – take with you a pair of gloves and a bag. Only pick up with your hands items that are not sharp.
Along some of our roads and in the hedges grot can be found, please help pick this litter up before the vegetation grow back.
If you would like to borrow one of out litter pick stick do drop us a message admin@fvca.org.uk
Now more than ever we will all be spending more time at home which may mean purchasing games console, computers, tablets, games and other expensive items to keep everyone occupied at home. This means there are even more items to keep safe. The best way to do this is to follow our tips for keeping your home secure this festive period.
Mark your property. We hold special bike marking events which are worth looking out for if you have got a new bicycle for Christmas. You can mark all your gifts including jewellery, tools etc and can place a sticker on your window to state that your property is parked. Marking your stuff makes it difficult for thieves to sell on, and so less desirable.
Register all of you good on the Immobilise Property Marking Register here.
Avoid posting photos of your gifts and purchases on social media and be careful not to identify your address in your posts.
If you are going out for the whole of Christmas day to form a bubble as per the regulations, ask a trusted neighbour, family member or friend to keep an eye on your home, and do the same for them – don’t’ forget to leave your lights on a timer switch to make it look like someone is at home in the evening.
Try and place your Christmas tree out of sight of street fronted windows
When Christmas is all over don’t leave the boxes to your valuable gifts out by the rubbish bin, this lets burglars know what you have in your home. Take them directly to your local household recycling centre or think about keeping the broken-down boxes in a garage or loft
Don’t keep presents in garden sheds etc and allow someone else to do their shopping at your expense.
Do not leave house or car keys near to your letterbox.
Inspector Ram Aston said: “Burglars often target homes specifically and although we will still be patrolling and are here to help you, we urge you to take these steps to protect your home.
“This year has been difficult enough for all of us without coming home or waking up to find someone has stolen some of you valuables. Crime prevention is absolutely crucial and anything residents can do to help protect their home can help make a difference.
“If you leave you home for the day make sure the house is locked up before you go and the burglar alarm is set. Right now the advice during the pandemic is to keep a window open for ventilation but it is really important you take a couple of minutes to check these are closed before leaving your house. Hide any valuable items from view from the outside and don’t leave anything in the garden that could potentially be used to gain entry into your home. Be mindful of where you store your wheelie bin too and consider if it could be used for someone to climb on and access an upstairs window or used to climb over into the garden. If you’re leaving the car at home and have a garage, park it in the garage while you’re away rather than on the drive and if you’ve got gates close and lock them with a good quality lock.
“If you are victim of a burglary and your property is stolen, if the items are Smart Water marked we can ensure they are returned to you if they are found. This is particularly important with high value items such as games consoles, computers and bikes. It is also incredibly useful to take photos of your valuables so if they are taken you can supply us with an accurate image, This is particularly helpful with jewellery and family heirlooms.”
For more advice on keeping your home safe from burglars visit the West Mercia Police website here and for more ways to secure your home visit Secure By Design here.
Criminals will use every opportunity they can to defraud innocent people. They will continue to exploit every angle of the Covid-19 pandemic as more people shop online this festive season.
Detective Sergeant Jon Cooper said: “I’m sure most of us will be ordering items online this month and we simply want people to be aware of the very simple steps they can take to protect themselves from handing over their money or personal details to criminals. I would ask the public to talk to each other; especially elderly and vulnerable friends and family and warn them of the risks and how they can protect themselves.
“Law enforcement, government and industry are working together to protect people, raise awareness, take down fraudulent websites and email addresses, and ultimately bring those responsible to justice.
“If you think you’ve been a victim of a scam, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk.
Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime where you should report fraud if you have been scammed, defrauded or experienced cybercrime.
They provide a central point of contact for information about fraud and financially motivated internet crime.
When you report to Action Fraud you will receive a police crime reference number. Reports taken are passed to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau.
Steps you can take to prevent yourself from cyber crime
Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations and the police. They spend hours researching you hoping you’ll let your guard down for just a moment.
They can contact you by phone, email, text, on social media, or in person.
They will try to trick you into parting with your money, personal information, or buying goods or services that don’t exist.
If you are approached unexpectedly remember to:
Stop: Taking a moment to think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
Protect: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam and report it to Action Fraud.
The police, or your bank, will never ask you to withdraw money or transfer it to a different account. They will also never ask you to reveal your full banking password or PIN.
Do not click on links or attachments in unexpected or suspicious texts or emails.
Confirm requests are genuine by using a known number or email address to contact organisations directly.
To keep yourself secure online, ensure you are using the latest software, apps and operating systems on your phones, tablets and laptops. Update these regularly or set your devices to automatically update so you don’t have to worry.
More advice on how to keep prevent cybercrime is available here from the National Cyber Security Centre also here from Take Five to Stop Fraud
It’s been a year like no other for all of us and our Christmas celebrations are also not going to be anything like the sort we normally enjoy.
As usual, however, there will be memorable moments created and a chance to enjoy some time and relaxation with our nearest and dearest.
But in amongst all the changes we have to make to our usual routines, one thing remains the same and that’s the need to remember to take extra care and think about fire safety in our homes at this special time. Simple things such as not leaving candles and cooking unattended and turning off Christmas lights can make the difference between enjoying a memorable festive time and suffering a devastating house fire.
Statistics show that an accidental fire in the home is more likely to happen in December than in any other month and so if the worst were to happen, it’s worth remembering that smoke alarms can buy you vital time to escape. Please consider fitting one on every level of your home.
Giving some thought to having an escape plan in the event of fire could save your life and so it’s worth making sure that all of your house guests are made aware of yours.
There is plenty more good advice on fire safety in the home on our website www.hwfire.org.uk so please check it out.
As always, our crews and fire control staff will maintain their around-the-clock cover across our two counties to help to keep you safe during this festive time.
So on behalf of everyone at Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas in the hope that 2021 will be a more normal year for us all.
West Mercia Police, working closely with colleagues in the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) is pleased to be bring you The Little Book of Big Scams. This book has been reproduced with the kind permission of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Cyber Crime Unit.
The Regional Organised Crime Unit West Midlands Team leads the response for Serious and Organised Crime across the region, which includes Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire. The goal of the team is to reduce the impact of the most dangerous offenders and criminal groups in order to make our communities safer.
Detective Inspector Emma Wright who leads the fight against fraud for the Economic Crime Unit said: “Fraud has evolved over recent years and The Little Book of Big Scams seeks to address the challenges both the public and the police face in deterring and preventing these crimes.
“The book covers everything from fraud enablers, types of fraud and what to do if you get scammed. Many of the traditional frauds remain a threat to us all however the prevalence of the digital world now has opened the door to new types of online fraud and new types of risk.
“With organised criminals finding new ways to access our personal details and new ways to exploit most people’s inherent trust in other people and what they tell them, it is more important than ever that we all arm ourselves with the best and most up to date knowledge available. It is only through doing this and working together that we will combat fraud in all it’s forms.”
Present-wrapping, decorating your home and dinner with all the trimmings will hopefully take our minds off other concerns this yuletide, especially now that the Government has given the go-ahead for the Christmas break.
But Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and the national Fire Kills campaign are reminding people that fire safety always needs to stay high on their Christmas lists.
While fire safety is vital throughout the year, the extra distractions of Christmas make it especially important to be vigilant, so HWFRS is asking people to take extra care over the festive season to ensure that their families and loved ones are protected from fire.
In recent years, excessive alcohol consumption has been a major contributor to fire-related casualties, so if you are having some festive drinks, please don’t drop your guard.
Last Christmas, between 24 December 2019 and 1 January 2020, there were more than 120 incidents in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, more than 30 of which were fires.
Over the Christmas period, more than half of the fires were accidental, including 14 accidental dwelling fires in which cooking was the most common cause. The kitchen was the most common start place for fires to occur.
15% of non-fire related callouts were for road traffic collisions and other vehicle incidents.
There were also more than 50 false alarms throughout the period.
HWFRS Community Risk Manager Emma Roberts said: “Christmas is a time for festive cheer with family. But fairy lights, candles and decorations mean it is also a time to take extra care to keep our loved ones safe from fire.
“Make sure you place candles in suitable holders and away from curtains and, at this time of year, from Christmas decorations, never leave cooking unattended, especially with so much more food than usual on the go, and of course, test your smoke alarms.
“The colder weather brings its own menaces, too. Take care when using portable heaters or open fires to keep warm.”
Here are some simple tips from the Fire Kills campaign to help you and your family enjoy the joys of Christmas safely:
Check your Christmas tree lights carry this British Safety Standard sign
ensure you have working smoke alarms installed on all levels of your home. Test them regularly and never remove batteries.
never leave cooking unattended, especially the extra quantities for a Christmas meal. The majority of fires start in the kitchen so this is a high-risk area.
never leave burning candles unattended. Keep candles out of the reach of children, and away from decorations, cards and wrapping paper, fires, lights and heaters.
put your cigarette out, right out. Make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished and take care when under the influence of alcohol or tired.
never use heaters to dry clothes. Heaters can start fires when things are placed too close to them. Keep them well away from curtains, clothing and furniture.
don’t overload electric sockets. Ensure only one plug per socket. Always turn off plugs when they are not in use, except those that are designed to be left on, like freezers
ensure you switch off fairy lights and unplug them before you go to bed or leave the house
always use an RCD (residual current device) on outdoor electrical equipment. This safety device can save lives by instantly switching off the power if there is a fault and can be found in any DIY store.
do something good this Christmas. Test the smoke alarms of someone you know who may need help such as an older relative or neighbour to ensure their safety.
make sure that everyone in your home knows what to do in a fire – in the event of fire you should Get out, Stay out and Call 999.
Due to the increase in dog walkers visiting Pepper Wood, a second bin has been installed in the car park.
Procured and sited by the Pepper Wood volunteers with the help of Fairfield Village Community Association, the bin will be emptied as part of the Parish Council current “dog waste” contract.
In response to a need the Parish Council have agreed to a Community Association request to procure, site and maintain a dog waste bin on Woodcote Lane, on the side of the road where the footpath leads into Nutnells Wood.
Our thanks to the Pepper Wood Volunteers and Parish Council.
PC’s Bolton & Trowman from the We Don’t Buy Crime team highlight cycle security and how quick and easy it is to take your bike.
Mark your bicycle with SmartWater (Free kits available to properties in Fairfield, Wildmoor & Stoneybridge – email admin@fvca.org.uk) and use a secure, sturdy lock.
Lawful owners of certain weapons can begin to surrender them to the police from today as part of a three month scheme launched by the Home Office.
The weapon surrender scheme runs from today, Thursday 10 December 2020 until Tuesday 9 March 2021, where those owning particular weapons can hand them over to police and submit a compensation claim from the Home Office.
The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 contains measures to make it unlawful to possess certain offensive weapons– including rapid firing rifles and specific types of knives such as flick knives and zombie knives.
West Mercia Police will be accepting offensive weapons – those detailed in the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 – at front counters at the following police stations; Kidderminster, Redditch, Worcester, Hereford, Telford and Shrewsbury.
Those with legally held firearms that are affected are being contacted directly by the Firearms licencing unit with specific instruction on surrender and compensation.
Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Jones said: “Supporting this Home Office initiative is part of our commitment to tackling violence together with our partners and the public. It is only by working together that we will reduce violence including street violence and domestic abuse.
“For those weapons that are not detailed in the Offensive Weapons Act, there will also be knife bins at every station so they can be deposited safely.”
If you have information about someone you suspect to be in possession of an illegal weapon, you can contact West Mercia Police through the 101 number or via our website. Any information received is always dealt with in the strictest confidence.
If you have information but don’t want to speak to police, then you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting their website Crimestoppers-UK.org They are 100% anonymous and totally independent of the police. They never ask your name, they cannot trace your call or I.P address and no one ever knows that you’ve passed on information.
Young people can find advice by visiting Fearless.Org Full details on the Home Office surrender scheme can be found here.
More and more people are moving over to online and phone banking due to the current pandemic. Criminals have become wise to this and are sending out thousands of scam text messages every month to extract important personal information designed to access their potential victim’s finances.
To spot these fraudulent text messages, take a good look at them. Most are designed to instil a sense of panic (‘request was created from an unrecognised device’). After the sense of panic, the text message gives you way to solve the problem (‘Cancel this request via:’). The solution will lead you to a fake website, which looks a lot like your bank’s website, and instruct you to enter your details. Once this is done, they can now access your bank account.
You can report these text messages to your network provider by forwarding them to 7726. If you think you have been scammed, contact your bank immediately and report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
Are you living with chronic back pain? Does it restrict your daily life?
The District Council’s Escape-Pain for back programme is designed to help reduce pain, improve your physical function and improve the psychosocial consequences of pain.
