Dear Resident,
I hope you are staying warm and well.
IckleFest
IckleFest arrangements are progressing and the schedule is becoming fuller! The four days over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee long weekend, 2nd – 5th June, will be filled with entertainment, food, beer, sports and activities throughout the village. A programme is being devised which will provide all information on events and locations.
Nesting season and footpaths
Nesting season has begun, which means that cutting back hedges and trees should be avoided until September. There are ground nesting ducks and geese, and other wild fowl, in the meadow beside the river.
Unfortunately there are still many uncontrolled dogs that disturb and chase the ground nesting waterfowl, birds and other vulnerable nesting animals, which are protected by law during the Nesting Season which lasts from March – August.
If you are walking your dogs along a public footpath, please keep them on a lead, especially where you see signs requesting this; even if your dog is friendly, wildlife can still be terrified by a dog that invades their territory, and most dogs will naturally chase other animals. Dogs entering the river will also frighten baby ducks, geese and other wild fowl, and in many cases, cause the parents to leave their young.
60+ group at St Katharine’s Church
The meet-ups for over 60s have started again! The meetings will be in the New Room every Wednesday afternoon from 1.45 – 3.30. There will be Scrabble, dominoes, cards and various other board games to play or come along for a chat and enjoy a cup of tea and cake. Everyone is most welcome.
Luton Rising
The proposed expansion of London Luton Airport will have an important impact on the whole region. Learn about these plans, and have your say at http://www.lutonrising.org.uk/consultation. But don’t delay – the consultation ends at midnight, Monday 4 April.
- Complete an online form here
- Email your views to 2022consultation@lutonrising.org.uk
- Write a letter and send to: Freepost Future Luton 2022 (no stamp required) All postal responses with a post date of 4 April or earlier will be accepted.
Neighbourhood Watch and OWL
Ickleford continues to be a safe place to live, with low crime reports each month. It is worth signing up to the Neighbourhood Watch scheme, and OWL Messaging, however, to keep you informed of any crimes in surrounding areas as well as how to improve security for yourself, your family and your home.
There have been recent reports of different types of crime in North Herts via OWL Messaging, as follows:
Rural properties – homes in very rural areas have been targeted since the new year. North Herts Neighbourhood Inspector James Lant said: “We are urging those who live in our rural areas to be extra vigilant and secure their property as best they can. Now would be a good time to review security on your outbuildings and sheds and to secure items stored within them.
“CCTV is a useful prevention and detection device, and it is always a good idea to security mark all valuable property stored outside. Try not to leave high value items on display longer than necessary and report any suspicious activity around your property immediately.”
Distraction thefts involving parking – offenders have been persuading drivers, who are paying for parking their own cars using a credit or debit card, to enter their card into the machine whilst the offenders are with them, telling them there is a new parking scheme, or asking for help, saying their own cards are not working. The machines then keep the cards, which are later removed by the offenders and used fraudulently. If anyone asks you to pay for someone else, or tries to insist that you have to insert your card again, for any reason, please call 999 and quote incident number 41/5401/22.
Scams – Hertfordshire County Council Trading Standards is warning of fraudulent cold calls being made to residents about loft insulation.
This is another variation on a fraud that we have warned about previously. This time fraudsters may tell you that old style loft insulation is causing issues with damp. They try to frighten you by telling you that your rafters and roof are in danger of collapse unless you deal with the issue as soon as possible. They then arrange an appointment to carry out a no obligation survey to check if there is a damp problem at your property. Unsurprisingly, once at your home, they tell you that there is a problem and then sell you new insulation and a dehumidifier for your loft for a great deal of money.
None of their claims are true. What is true however, is that customer lists have fallen into the hands of scammers who are making these targeted sales calls. This and any other cold calls about loft insulation, solar panels, new boilers and cavity wall insulation is a scam.
Please tell them that you are not interested. Please don’t allow the trader to enter your home.
If you have had this work done and need advice, please contact Hertfordshire County Council Trading Standards via Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133. We have a small stock of call blocking devices that we can lend to victims of landline telephone frauds, please contact us to discuss if appropriate.
To report a fraud to the Police, please contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at http://www.actionfraud.police.uk
Information about motorcycle safety – officers from our Road Policing Unit are once again running the popular BikeSafe events this year, aimed to help keep bikers safe on the roads of Hertfordshire.
BikeSafe is a national police-led motorcycle initiative, aimed at working with motorcycle riders in a relaxed environment to raise awareness of the importance and value of progressing on to accredited post-test training.
The workshops cover topics including: rider attitude to risk, road positioning, overtaking, cornering, hazard perception and management, and also involve an observed ride with a police graded motorcyclist or approved observer.
Sergeant Russell Jones, of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit, said: “Every day in the UK there are 60 serious motorcycle related road traffic accidents – 16 of which involve life-changing injuries, with at least one daily fatality. Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users which is why workshops like these are so important.
“With restrictions easing, and as we approach spring and summer, I’m sure many bikers will be ready to hit the tarmac once again. The BikeSafe workshops aim to help riders recognise the benefits of investing in ongoing post-test rider training. I highly recommend the workshops to riders of all ages – it’s a great way to refresh your skills and raise awareness of the dangers on the roads and how to avoid them.
“Motorcyclists will gain increased skills and awareness which can have a really positive impact on reducing the number of bikers being hurt on our roads.”
The workshops take place over two days, with delivery of a theory input from an experienced police motorcyclist taking place on the first day, and an observed ride on the second day. Availability is limited. For more information, to book a course or check availability, please visit https://bikesafe.co.uk/hertfordshire/.
Walking in Hertfordshire article
Time to get walking again!
At this time of year we start to think about the mud drying up and getting out to walk in the beautiful English Countryside again, but where to find new and interesting walks?
Walking in Hertfordshire https://www.walkinginengland.co.uk/herts has hundreds of walks to download and print, free. It also has books of walks, details of all the walking groups in the county and much more. Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group all the information is there in one place.
John Harris (the custodian of the website) said ‘There is so much walking information on the web but it is difficult to find. Walking in Hertfordshire (part of the Walking in England website) has brought it together in one place so whether you are walking from home, or away on holiday, you will be able to find a walk suitable for you’.
With walks from half a mile to twelve miles+ long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy. See https://www.walkinginengland.co.uk/herts/walks.php for walks in Hertfordshire.
So home or away, check out the website and get walking!
John Harris
Best wishes,
Judith Crosier
Clerk to Ickleford Parish Council
Thank you Judith……. another informative and interesting edition
David Barnard Herts County Council