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 Burglary warning as clocks go back |
| With the clocks going back and the evenings start to draw in, we’re urging residents to check their home security. With more homes empty after sunset, it is so important to make sure your home is protected from opportunistic burglars. · Keep a light on when you go out or use timer switches (battery or solar powered lamps are great for keeping costs down) · Lock all windows and doors, even when you’re at home · Don’t leave valuable items on display · Close your blinds and curtains at night to prevent people looking into your home · Install good lighting, for example exterior lights with dawn-to-dusk sensors and an alarm. · Do not leave car keys near the front door or anywhere easy to find. Don’t become a victim of a burglary, visit our website to find out how to protect your home. Kind regards, |
 Message Sent ByGrace Corney (Police, Communications Assistant, Cambridgeshire) |
Author: Clerk
Willingham Parish Council Meeting 2nd November 2022
Cultivate Cambs Grant
Cambridgeshire County Council is pleased to announce that the next deadline for Cultivate Cambs grant applications is 16 December 2022. Pre-application advice appointments will be offered in November.
Cultivate Cambs awards grants of £2,000 to £15,000 for new initiatives that support adults & older people with care and support needs and children, young people & families, to live independently, safe and well in thriving and inclusive communities.
Pre-application advice
We encourage you to seek pre-application advice on your project ideas before submitting your application. Appointments are available on 8 & 9 November for projects supporting adults with care and support needs, 9 & 23 November for projects supporting children, young people and families, and 7 & 10 November for anti-poverty projects (e.g. enhanced community food projects). Please pre-book your 15-minute telephone or virtual advice appointment here.
Cultivate Ideas
Do you want to do something for your community but need inspiration to start a project? Cultivate Ideas offer guidance and support for setting up the following community-led initiatives – Enhanced Community Food Projects, Care Micro-enterprises, Community Warden Schemes, Community Youth Worker, Timebanks, Good Neighbour Schemes, Dementia Friendly Communities and Men’s Sheds.
Cultivate Cambs grant applications and information may be found on the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation website.
Scam Alert from Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
   Scam Alert from Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough One of CAPASP’s partners, Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, has been in touch to warn about an attempted scam relating to the Household Support Fund (HSF) which is in place to support older people this autumn. Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are working in partnership with the County Council to administer this fund. One of its service users was phoned by a man who didn’t give his name but said he was from Age UK. The call was from a withheld number. He told her that she could have £200 that same day if she gave her bank card details immediately. Fortunately, the service user didn’t give her card details and asked the caller to phone her son. Unsurprisingly the son never received a call. Please know that: The Household Support Fund will not be paid on the same day. Age UK Cambs & P’boro staff will not ask for the long bank card details or the security number on the card. Their staff will always give their full name and contact details, and the advice is to contact the organisation using a number that is trusted to verify who the caller is. They are happy to talk to family members or carers. While they do ask for bank account details to make the payment, it will ONLY be the account number, sort code and name which appears on the account. This information allows a deposit to be made into the account but cannot give access to make a withdrawal of money from the account. If you have experienced a phone scam, contact your bank as soon as possible and contact Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or online Action Fraud . Follow us on Twitter| Facebook|Cambridgeshire.gov.uk/against-scams  |
Planning Meeting Monday 24th October 2022
POSTPONED – PUBLIC HALL DROP IN AND PUBLIC MEETING 18th and 19th October 2022
Having received new information regarding the hall which requires clarification, the Council has decided to postpone the drop-in session scheduled for Tuesday 18th October and the public meeting scheduled for Wednesday 19th October . The Council will update residents as soon as we are able.
Seven naturally fun activities for families this Autumn
– Great ways to explore the nature and wildlife on our doorstep –
As the russet and golds of Autumn tint the leaves across our wonderful Cambridgeshire countryside, it really is a wonderful time to be outdoors, immersing yourself in nature.
Here are 7 outdoor adventures to enjoy this change of season – and many can be done at home or in your local green spaces. Each one has been selected by the New Life on the Old West team and their project partners to entertain and inspire you.
- Autumn is an ideal time to build a den in the woods as there are lots of fallen leaves and branches to use. Dens make perfect bird watching hides, as well as shelters and basecamps for woodland walks. We’re fortunate that there are so many woodland areas around our county that we can explore such as Doghouse Grove near Wilburton.
- Now’s the time to make your garden hedgehog friendly by creating suitable hibernation sites such as piles of leaves, logs or a hedgehog house. You could even create a hedgehog highway and provide food/water. There is some great information about hedgehogs on our website.
- Become a detective! Spotting the tracks of birds and animals is always exciting but who made the footprints? Making a plaster cast of what you find can help you to identify the creator and solve the mystery! You can paint and varnish the cast and start a collection too. Here’s how to make a plaster cast thanks to the RSPB and here’s a great guide for identifying who left their mark from The Wildlife Trust.
- If you’d like to do something for your community, why don’t you visit the New Life on the Old West website and join us at a work party? You can help us to dig a pond, plant hedges and trees or sow a wildflower meadow. Everyone is welcome!
- Why not build a bug hotel? Whilst enjoying your nature walk, collect lots of natural materials such as sticks and twigs, pinecones, and leaves. Place them where they are unlikely to be disturbed to create a unique place to stay for our favourite insects! There are many ways to build a bug hotel: here’s just one idea courtesy of the National Trust.
- Can you spot the signs of autumn? Visit the NLOW website to download our ID sheets for hedgerow berries, nuts, and leaves. Keep a record of what you spot and share photos of what you’ve found on social media using the hashtag #NewLifeOldWest so we can see too!
- Colourful Autumnal leaves are a great natural resource that can be turned into some stunning artworks. Here are just a few leaf art ideas by The Woodland Trust. We’d love to see your creations so remember to use the #NewLifeOldWest when you share them on social media!
There you have it – seven super ways to have fun together whilst learning more about the flora and fauna found on our doorstep and enjoying time in nature too.
Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, New Life on the Old West (NLOW) is a three-year programme delivering small-scale habitat improvements across the Cambridgeshire Fens, important strongholds for rare and threatened species.
If you’d like to become a volunteer doing something as simple as counting wildlife spotted on a monthly walk or supporting community activities, do get in touch via info@newlifeoldwest.org.uk
Scam Phone Call – Council Tax Arrears
This was shared by a Peterborough resident in order to protect others – It’s the transcript of a phone call that her Mother received last week:
“You are in debt £1,998 on your Council Tax bill. This issue will be taken to court and you will get house arrested. If you don’t want to resolve this debt in court, you must pay for a solicitor. I can help taking you to the solicitor to solve this Council Tax case. If you don’t get the solicitor or pay the £1,998 debt now, you can get house arrested.”
Luckily, the lady’s daughter was there at the time and when she noticed that her Mother was feeling panicked and confused by the phone call, she took the call and ended it.
They then did exactly the right thing: they contacted the City Council directly where the team confirmed that the lady was fully up-to-date with her Council Tax, that it would NEVER threaten someone with “house arrest” and that it would send out reminder letters if the account was in arrears.
Remember:
Never be Rushed – Take the time to talk to friends and family if you are worried about a cold call approach, whether that has come by phone, mail, online or on the doorstep.
Stay in Control – Make your own enquiries as the lady and her daughter did here.
If you need to phone to check the veracity of a call:
Use a phone number you know and trust, not one the caller gives you.
Make sure the line you use is clear (by leaving 10 mins before phoning, or phoning a friend first), or maybe use a different device. This is to prevent what is known as “no hang up” fraud where the scammer stays on the line.
Could your friends and family benefit from eCops?
According to our 2022 survey, 73% of respondents said that thanks to eCops, they would now “find it easier to spot a scam, fraud or potential crime attempts”.
A further 55% of respondents said that due to eCops, they have changed their behaviour regarding how they protect themselves and others against crime.
Also as a result of eCops:
· 23% of respondents said that they have taken action to help protect themselves against crime
· One third of respondents said the information in eCops alerts has helped prevent them from becoming a victim of crime
· And half of the respondents said that their confidence in the police has increased since signing up
Help your friends, family and neighbours to feel safer in their community and protect themselves against local crime. Anyone in Cambridgeshire can sign up to eCops for free at www.ecops.org.uk
Citi5 Removal from Service
Withdrawal of the Stagecoach Citi 5 service north of Longstanton from 30 October.
An urgent process is underway by the Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority to put in place replacement services until March for routes axed by Stagecoach. Willingham is joining with other local Parish Councils in collecting residents’ responses to this appalling decision to remove our only bus service.
If you would like to comment, both on what this withdrawal means for you and also on important points to be considered for any replacement, please pass your comments to the Parish clerk at email@willinghampc.org.uk, by phone to 01954 261027 or put a note through the Office letterbox at the Ploughman Hall.
We have noted comments already made on the Village Facebook page.”
Catalytic converter thefts in a village near you
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 Catalytic converter thefts in a village near you |
| Over the past two weeks we’ve seen an increase in catalytic converter thefts in South Cambs. Catalytic converters are found in the exhaust system of every car and reduce the output of toxic gases and pollutants. It takes just minutes for thieves to remove a catalytic converter and on many occasions victims are unaware their vehicle has been targeted even though it was sat on their driveway. The offences happen in broad daylight as well as at night. There have been reported thefts in the villages of Meldreth, Foxton, Melbourn, Eltisley, Littlington, Bassingbourn, Guilden Morden, Hardwick, Comberton, Orwell, Pampisford and Barton. We’re increasing our patrols to try and catch those responsible and we’re asking you to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to us. If you suspect a crime is taking place, call 999. Please provide operators with as much information as possible including the vehicle they are driving and number plate, descriptions of those involved and the location. You can find more information on our website about catalytic converter theft including steps you can take to try and protect your vehicle against thieves. Kind Regards, Inspector Shane Fasey South Cambs Neighbourhood Team |
 Message Sent ByTara Dundon (Police, Senior Communications Officer, All ) |
County Council Highways events diary – October 2022
Please find attached the Highway Events diary for October. The diary shows all known events and their highway restrictions. The diary includes links to one.network where further details can be viewed, including the specific road closure timings of each traffic management plan.
October’s Highlights
Duxford Flying Finale – 8th October 2022
Cambridge Town & Gown 10K – 16th October 2022
Please remember details of all highway events can be found on https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/roads-and-pathways/highway-events/
Future key event dates
Numerous Remembrance events are planned county wide throughout November.
Cambridge Bonfire Night, Midsummer Common – 5th November 2022
Mill Road, Cambridge Winter Fair – 3rd December 2022
Lost Property – Willingham Fun Fair
Following on from the Willingham Fun Fair at the weekend, we have been handed a small coin purse that was found on Saturday night. If you believe this to be yours, please contact the Willingham Parish Council Office on 01954 261027.
Energy Bill Scam Texts
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| ALERT: Energy Bill Scam texts |
| Dear Subscriber, Action Fraud has received 139 crime reports relating to fake text messages purporting to be from the UK government. The texts state that the recipient is “owed” or “eligible” for an energy bill discount as part of the Energy Bill Support Scheme. The links in the emails lead to genuine-looking websites that are designed to steal your personal and financial information. You can see screenshots of the text messages on our Twitter post here. How to protect yourself · Energy Bill Discount : £400 off energy bills for households in Great Britain from October 2022. You do not need to apply for the scheme and you will not be asked for your bank details. · Spotted a suspicious text message? Forward it to 7726 (it’s free of charge). If you forward a text to 7726, your provider can investigate the origin of the text and arrange to block or ban the sender, if it’s found to be malicious. For more information on how to stay secure online, please visit www.cyberaware.gov.uk If you found this information useful, please share it with friends, family and colleagues. |
 Message Sent ByAction Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National) |