Dear Resident,
I hope you are keeping well and enjoying the sunshine. Here are the latest news items:
Free Street Closures for Coronation Street Parties
Hertfordshire County Council is waiving its usual fees for street closures for holding events to celebrate King Charles III Coronation in towns and villages. Anyone who would like to arrange a street party and request closure of the road over the weekend of the Coronation must apply using this link http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/streetparties by 26th March.
Cllr Richard Roberts, leader of Hertfordshire County Council, said: “For most of us the coronation of King Charles III will be the first coronation that has taken place in our lifetimes, and I know people across Hertfordshire will want to join in with the celebration of this historic event.
“Street parties are a fantastic way of bringing communities together and we want to make it as easy as possible for residents to organise their own local events, which is why we’ve decided to waive the fees for street parties to celebrate the coronation.
“We want to make sure that our residents can have a fun and memorable weekend, and I’d encourage everyone to speak to their neighbours about organising street parties and apply for a street party road closure as soon as possible.”
Disused Railway in Ickleford
A visitor to the Parish Council website from another part of Hertfordshire who is a keen railway enthusiast read the article on the disused miniature railway in Ickleford – please see https://ickleford-pc.gov.uk/the-parish/miniature-railway-tracks-in-the-old-manor-estate/ for more details. The Bushey resident, Daniel, is enquiring whether anyone has more information or photos of the railway either as it is now or when it was running, and would also like to know who the manager of the estate was who built the railway and if local residents ever rode on it. He wondered when it fell into disrepair and the reasons for it. Daniel would be happy for anyone to contact him directly on daniel.siddall@gmail.com with any information that you may have.
Messages from Online Watch Link, Hertfordshire Constabulary
Telephone frauds currently targeting older people in the area
Fraudsters posing as Police Officers and Bank Officials are currently targeting residents in Hertfordshire. During the last month they have asked victims to hand over cash and bank cards or to purchase high value watches and gold bars all of which were collected by a courier. This has resulted in total losses of over £100,000.
The fraudster phones you and claims to be from the police or from your bank. They tell you a convincing story. They may say that there is a problem related to your bank account and that you urgently need to withdraw your money from your bank and give it to a courier who will come to your house to collect it. Sometimes, people were asked to give their bank card to a courier. Sometimes, they ask you to buy high value items, such as watches or gold.
Please remember the police or your bank would:
- never ask you to withdraw money from your account.
- never ask you to buy high value items.
- never ask you to give your money or goods to a courier or to send money in the post.
- never ask you to give your bank card to a courier or to send it in the post.
If you need to check with your bank, remember that fraudsters can hold the line open, so you should use another phone or call someone you know first to check that the line is clear. Alternatively, visit your local bank branch.
To verify a police officer’s details, call 101 and give the name or number that the officer gave you.
Please remember the Watch Liaison Team cannot report an incident on your behalf – you need to ring 101 or report electronically at Contact us | Hertfordshire Constabulary (herts.police.uk)
Volunteers for Reach Out
Reach Out is looking for people in Hertfordshire who can spare an hour a week to help an elderly person in their local area who is home from hospital, or living with frailty, and feeling lonely and isolated.
Reach Out offers companionship and practical support to people as they recover and rebuild their confidence. Many elderly people really appreciate someone popping in for a cuppa, or helping them by collecting small items of shopping for them. Reach Out links up people who are isolated with volunteers who can offer a friendly face and a chat. Just giving a small amount of your time can make a huge difference.
You can register your interest here https://forms.gle/yoTd2kgvdqweXccd7
Find out more here https://www.reachout-project.org.uk/ or contact Reach Out via email at reachout@nhcvs.org.uk or by calling 01462 689403.
