Heavy snow and icy roads

Take extra care
When temperatures fall to sub-zero, the number of deaths from heart attacks peaks three days later, from strokes five days later and from respiratory infections ten days later.
When snow or icy roads are forecast you should adjust your driving to suit the conditions. Black ice isn't always visible and so can be an even greater hazard for both motorists and pedestrians. Black ice may be formed when rain or drizzle fall on a road surface which is at a temperature below zero.
Make sure you know what to do
Before snow or ice
•If you have to make a journey when snow is forecast, make sure you have warm clothes, food, water, boots, a torch and spade, and let someone know when you expect to arrive and your route. Try to wait until the roads have been gritted before travelling.
•Put grit or cat litter on paths and driveways to lessen the risk of slipping on compacted snow.
•Check on vulnerable neighbours.
During snow or ice
•Avoid travel if possible.
•If you must drive check the Highway Code for advice on driving in ice and snowy weather. A summary of the advice is: Take care around gritters. Don't be tempted to overtake. Slow down — it can take 10 times longer to stop in snowy or icy conditions, so allow extra room. Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin. Manoeuvre gently and avoid harsh braking and acceleration. If you start to skid, gently ease off the accelerator and avoid braking. If braking is necessary, pump the brakes don't slam them on. If you get stuck, stay with your car and tie something brightly coloured to your aerial.
•If you go outside wear several layers of clothing and keep dry to prevent loss of body heat. Watch out for signs of hypothermia — uncontrollable shivering, slow/slurred speech, memory lapse and drowsiness and frostbite — loss of feeling in and pale appearance of fingers, toes, nose and ear lobes. Keep moving your arms and legs to help the blood circulate.
After snow and ice
•Be careful when walking or driving on compacted snow — it may have turned to ice.
•Take care when shovelling snow. Cold air makes it harder to work and breathe, which adds some extra strain on the body and can be the cause of heart attacks in the vulnerable.
.
(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

SYPG Cancelled tonight - Friday 26th Nov

Please note that due to operational requirements we are having to cancel the meeting for tonight. We do apologise for the short notice but this has been totally unavoidable.

Stuart Craig will advise you of a new date which will be as soon as possible.




(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

PERSIMMON - the flytippers mecca!

Mike Farley Group Chief Executive Persimmon plc, shortlisted for, and will be invited to collect the PFNW Shabbytat not listening FlyTip award

Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch has had a long, expensive and frustrating dialogue with Persimmon Homes who own a huge site at the other side of the roundabout directly facing the main entrance to Park Farm. In addition Peterborough City Council officers have taken up the challenge of getting Persimmon to fence off and shut what is rapidly becoming the largest free flytipping site in Cambridgeshire.

We thought the message had sunk in but no sooner had the site been cleared then another load of furniture and household debris appeared. The solution is very simple fence off or gate and lock the entrance to the site and we can all rest a little easier.

The local Persimmon representative does not seem to have read the Persimmon PLC Environment Policy, so it's reproduced in full below. As a PLC, Persimmon is publicly accountable to its shareholders and investors.

They won't be best pleased when we alert the City to the fact that Peterborough -based Regional Managing Director Adrian Evans who ultimately carries the responsibility for Persimmon PLC locally is also flying in the face of the main board environment policy and that his managers seemingly have an unwritten policy of breaking promises and refusing to make the site secure.

Persimmon PLC Environment Policy

Persimmon plc is one of the UK’s leading housebuilders, with
regional offices and developments throughout the country. We recognise that our
activities have an impact on the environment and that we have a responsibility
to consider and minimise these impacts where possible. This commitment is
formalised through our Environment Policy, which forms a key part of Persimmon’s overall approach to Corporate Responsibility (CR).

We place great emphasis on designing our developments to be in keeping with
the character of an area, and to protect and enhance the local environment and
surroundings. We aim to make a positive contribution to the communities in which
we work.

We actively comply with relevant environmental legislation and throughout
the planning and building of our new developments we adhere to local planning
guidance and building regulations.
We have reviewed our environmental
impacts and identified those which are the most significant to us. These impacts
relate to:

• Minimising the amount of waste we produce through effective design and
on-site management.
• Making efficient use of materials during the house
building process, including the use of recycled and existing materials on site
when appropriate.
• Protecting and enhancing the natural
habitat and local surroundings throughout the development process.
•
Making the most efficient use of land, including the regeneration of redundant
or contaminated land.
• Designing our houses and developments to incorporate
features, when practicable and cost effective that minimise the impact on the
environment during their habitation.
• Preventing pollution occurring at our sites.

In these areas, we set objectives and targets against which we regularly
monitor and review our progress. This policy forms the basis of our
Environmental Management System (EMS), which is implemented across our business.
This includes detailed guidance and procedures relating to our environmental
impacts and how to minimise these impacts during the planning, design and
construction of our developments.


We understand that our stakeholders are interested in how we manage our
impact on the environment and how we are performing. We also appreciate that
they may provide views and opinions that can strengthen our approach to
environmental management. We will openly communicate on environmental issues with interested parties and report on progress at regular intervals on our
website. We will provide training appropriate to our employees’ particular
environmental responsibilities to ensure that they are aware of our
environmental impacts and their role in managing them.

Our performance is monitored and reviewed by the Persimmon CR Committee, a committee of senior executives and representatives from across the Group. Responsibility for implementing this policy rests with the Managing Directors of each of the Group’s Operating Businesses. On each site, the Site Manager is responsible for the day to day management of environmental issues and ensuring adherence to our policy.

Our Environmental Policy, first introduced in 2002, is reviewed at least annually to ensure its relevance to our business operations and that it is consistent with other policies and our approach to Corporate Responsibility.

Mike Farley
Group Chief Executive
4 January 2009

Group Company Secretary Neil Francis
Registered Office Persimmon House Fulford York YO19 4FE

Telephone (01904) 642199 Fax (01904) 610014

Persimmon Homes

East Midlands

Charles Church East Midlands

Persimmon House

19 Commerce Road

Peterborough Business Park

Lynch Wood

Peterborough PE2 6LR

Telephone (01733) 397200

Managing Director: Adrian Evans

adrian.evans@persimmonhomes.com

(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

EDL March/Road closure (11th December)

EDL
POLICE have agreed the route of the EDL (English Defence League) protest on December 11 in Peterborough.

The decision was made in consultation with Peterborough City Council, local community representatives, local business representatives and follows negotiations with the EDL.
The EDL march will start at 1pm on London Road, close to Peterborough United Football Club and proceed over Town Bridge, past Bridge Street Police Station and then congregate
on Lower Bridge Street Peterborough Magistrates’ Court.

Temporary road closures will be applied for on London Road and Town Bridge while the protest takes place.

Superintendent Paul Fullwood said: “We have worked hard to ensure we identified a location which would balance the concerns of local people and businesses in Peterborough, while
responding to the EDL’s requests.

“We decided on this location because it provided a central location for the EDL while allowing the majority of businesses in the city to continue as usual.“We understand that for businesses in the Rivergate area there will be an impact during the protest and we are working with those business owners, alongside the council, to minimise this and look at alternative ways of drawing in business over the weekend.

“At this stage we cannot confirm numbers likely to attend but hope to be able to provide some indication as negotiations between the police and EDL continue. As and when we have
further information we will share this with the public through our various established links with the community.

“As public authorities, the Constabulary and Peterborough City Council have a duty to support and facilitate people’s right to peaceful protest. Key to that process is ensuring we deal with
any concerns people may have. “

A multi-agency community group, involving police and the city council, has been set up to ensure the community are kept updated on information about the process and deal with any
community concerns. Members of the public with questions can email the group at macg@cambs.pnn.police to receive feedback and further information.

Paul Phillipson, Executive Director of Operations, said: “The Local Authority are fully supporting the police on insuring that this demonstration causes the minimum disruption to
the people of Peterborough.

“We are working closely with our schools, youth groups, youth workers and educational contacts across the city to ensure that our youth communities understand and are fully aware
of what is taking place. This is to ensure that there are no misunderstanding and the messages are clear and unbiased in the same way that we have presented to yourselves.

“There is considerable work taking place with the Muslim Community Reference Group and the briefing of more than 70 attendees has already taken place and included an equivalent
leader from Leicester so that we can all learn from their experience. We are working with all faith groups across the city and are looking to present two events to celebrate the cohesion
peace and harmony that the city enjoys both prior to the march and directly after the march, further details of these will be released once we have concluded.

“We have already briefed our taxi community and will continue to maintain close contact in order to support them during this time. We will also be looking to place additional events
within the city on the following day to mitigate any business impact and will work closely with the businesses in order to identify what is the best support that we can offer. “




(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

Community Payback/Garden Scheme

Since the scheme began on 31st March, some 97+ properties have received help from the Community Payback teams. Work undertaken has included installing security lighting to vulnerable properties, carpentry work, clearing rubbish and helping elderly or infirm people with their gardens.

The scheme is not one way, as some people working on the payback team have said it has been the most fulfilling work they have ever been involved in. Community Payback helps prevent the likelihood of reoffending and gives those involved a chance to gain qualifications thus increasing employment prospects.

The work is supervised by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Probation Trust, all offenders are carefully risk assessed before being allowed to wok on projects ensuring public safety.

Park Farm NHW has requested a regular visit from the teams to help keep our area clean and tidy.
If you would like some help with your garden (or know someone who would benefit from this) please contact us.





(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

Volunteering for Speedwatch/Allotments

The Safer Peterborough Partnership is looking for volunteers to take part in SpeedWatch. Speedwatch allows the public to get actively involved in monitoring the speeds of vehicles travelling through their neighbourhood.

The scheme is run by Cambridgeshire Constabulary alongside the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Road Safety Partnership.

All volunteers are given full training to use speed indicator devices and provided with safety equipment. The registered owner of any vehicle seen exceeding the speed limit is sent an advisory letter from their local neighbourhood policing team, explaining that speeding is unacceptable in the local community.

Speedwatch is not an enforcement tool but about educating motorists and raising awareness of the dangers speeding. The scheme is just one part of the ongoing work being carried out to target speeding.

If you are interested in becoming a Speedwatch volunteer, please phone the council on 01733 747474 and ask for the Neighbourhood Officer for the area you live in or the Road Safety Team.

Also,
We are having quite a few vandalism/criminal damage issues in allotments around the City and I would ask that everyone be vigilant and report anything
at all suspicious to our Control room on 0345 456 456 4.

Many thanks
Helen


Helen O'Driscoll
Crime Reduction Officer
Safer Peterborough Team

Tel: 01733 424477
Mob: 07736 085238
Mobex: 7110989
Email: helen.odriscoll@cambs.pnn.police.uk

Register your property at www.immobilise.com




(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

Balancing the books

Want to have a go at balancing the police budget? We’re giving you the chance to ponder the difficult budget decisions facing Cambridgeshire Constabulary using a new online tool.

The Your Police Budget interactive feature on our website aims to demonstrate some of the choices facing the constabulary over coming years following budget cuts announced by the Chancellor last month. The tool concentrates on frontline policing and will give hypothetical consequences for the choices made. Balancing the police budget over coming years will mean making choices between competing priorities. This online tool allows anyone to try their hand at making these difficult decisions.

Once you’ve completed the survey, you will see a snapshot of answers given by other respondents to see how your ideas compare. The results of the survey will be presented to Chief Constable Simon Parr and the police authority, who have joint responsibility for deploying resources and setting the budget.

Find Your Police Budget by clicking on the link below or go to our website www.cambs.police.uk and click on Your Police Budget

You can also follow us on Twitter @cambscops

http://www.cambs.police.uk/yourpolicebudget/ -



(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

Catalogue and Amazon.com Deliveries being Stolen

Not all carriers and casual delivery people are reliable




URGENT + URGENT + URGENT + URGENT



We are getting several reports of expensive Christmas presents ordered over the Internet from catalogues and Amazon.com being literally dropped off during the day by freelance and casual delivery people, and deliveries being stuffed behind dustbins, rather than being physically delivered to the person concerned; even if they are waiting inside! 'Sorry to have missed you...' cards are then pushed through letterboxes. The casual people work and are paid by the number of deliveries they can fit in.



Be warned the lowlife 'one percenters' living in Park Farm and Stanground are now pouncing on and collecting your deliveries, then selling them on. Please arrange with a neighbour to take in and secure your delivery and make this crystal clear on the delivery instructions, inserting the following text (adapted for your needs):

"IMPORTANT: Deliveries will not be accepted unless signed by me
in person or the package left with Mrs XXXXXX at number 20 or Mr XXXX at number 24 and signed for. Goods must not under any circumstances be left without a signed delivery slip being obtained by your carrier or mandated delivery service"

(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

Raining Men at the Key Theatre. DO NOT MISS THIS!

You have just until Saturday 20th November to see Raining Men written by Chris Ponka this brilliant rip roaring side-splitting laugh a minute comedy production at the Key Theatre, Peterborough. If you thought the late, great Danny la Rue was stunning, just wait until you see the Keys urbane Artistic Director Michael Cross as the wonderfully camp Colin appear in beautifully applied drag and 18 inch false eyelashes.

This takes the genre to a whole new level, when a sleazy bar owner attempts to trouser the takings for a Halloween Drag & Hag Night and offers the gig to the resident straight slaphead bouncer, a well sauced gay ex-holiday camp pink coat (mixture of red and yellow coats dear!) barman and an ageing local radio disc jockey, if they can secretly get a drag act togther in time for the big night.

No one escapes the Raining Men treatment from Edith Piaff to Scarey Spice. Striesand, Bassey and Judy Garland all appear as you have never seen them before and never will again in your lifetime and your childrens lifetime.... not for prudes or those with high blood pressure..

You need the interval just to get your chuckle muscles back in line, although half the cast might just have elbowed their way to the bar before you.

If you want to see the real Any ol' Winehouse and legion of wardrobe malfunctions, meat and two veg doing battle with a riot of camp jokes, this is a night you will long remember for all the delightfully wrong reasons.

Don't bother to remember the punchlines of the deluge of jokes either, there is absolutely nowhere on earth you could ever possibly retell them. ...
Key Theatre Box Office 01733 207239

Review: Julian Bray










(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

Love, Love Me. Do!

The big news tonight has to be that after many years....

The Beatles back catalogue is now available for download on on i-tunes!

The other big news is that Kate (call me Catherine) Middleton has accepted an offer of Marriage from Prince William. Congratulations and Best Wishes to the new Royal Couple and all other happy couples who have announced their engagement today.

C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

Police update

Stanground has once again experienced a reduction of reported incidents. Despite the Halloween and Fireworks we are pleased to say there has been little Anti social behaviour in our area. I am pleased to say local shops have been more vigilant in respect of sales of related items and certainly checking ages when selling alcohol.

Local officers have requested trading standards continue looking at test purchases of drink and following these tests the co-op on Southfield's Drive was given a 48 hour banning order on selling alcohol following a test purchase failure.

We have a little crime to report but are productively dealing with other areas of concern such as illegal parking and speeding in our area. the phrase "I was only 2 minutes" or " I thought it was a 60mph limit on Coneygree Road" are quite frankly unacceptable. Expect to see plenty of tickets on offending vehicles and keep an eye out for us with the speed gun.

Park farm is again very low on reported incidents however we are aware of small pockets of anti social behaviour mainly around the abandoned shop near Heritage House. An incident was called in where two children had climbed on to the roof of this shop. Those children have been on the receiving end of strong word of advice and the recipient of GAP letters.

You may have heard the term GAP, this stands for Guardian Awareness Programme. This is a tool which we use when dealing with the younger members of our community. A GAP letter is a letter home to parents following an incident of anti social behaviour to ensure they are aware of there child's poor behaviour and their dealings with Police.

Details of the incidents are shared with Peterborough City Council, once 3 letters are sent the child is then subject to an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC). The contract is tailored to the child to ensure it is effective. For example if the child is guilty of ASB in the evening then we would look to put in place curfews and also exclusion zones in the area.

Breeches of this said contract could lead to a ASBO and housing restrictions. It is always sad when someone gets to this stage but poor behaviour is not tolerated. Adults can also be subject to an ABC or an ASBO.

While this all sounds negative its important to remember that Stanground and Park Farm are in essence a great place to live with very low levels of crime and ASB. I see no reason for this to change and local officers have received some really positive feedback from residents and businesses a like.


http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/national-news/store_banned_from_selling_alcohol_1_1595494 - Peterborough Evening Telegraph Article On Alcohol Ban



(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

CONVINCING CREDIT/DEBIT CARD SCAM COMING OUR WAY!

from WILTSHIRE POLICE
Keeping you informed

Swindon Police Station

Gablecross

Shrivenham Road

South Marston
Swindon

Wiltshire SN3 4RB

Telephone: 0845 408 7000



Hi all,


This has been passed on via another Force area through our own Fraud Department In Wiltshire Constabulary, and it is a very convincing
SCAM. We have been asked to disseminate the information as widely and was
quickly as we can through Neighbourhood Watch, School Safe and others.


This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want. Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it. This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.. One of our employees was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on Thursday from "MasterCard". The scam works like this: Person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank) did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for £497.99 from a Marketing company based in London ?" When you say "No", the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from £297 to £497, just under the £500 purchase pattern that flags most cards.


Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your
address), is that correct?" You say "yes". The caller continues - "I will
be starting a fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 0800 number listed on the back of your card (0800-VISA) and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?"


Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works the caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card." He'll ask you
to "turn your card over and look for some numbers." There are 7 numbers; the
first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security numbers
that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you
sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The
caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the
caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you
have any other questions?" After you say, "No," the caller then thanks you
and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up You
actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card
number


But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20
minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security
Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase
of £497.99 was charged to our card. Long story - short - we made a real
fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new
number.


What the scammers really want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES give it to them!

Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or MasterCard directly for verification of their conversation.

The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.


What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a "Jason Richardson of MasterCard" with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA scam. This time I didn't let him finish I hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we know that
this scam is happening .



(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

BUPA Properties PFNW Scruffyville Award

THE LATEST CONTENDER FOR OUR

SCRUFFYVILLE AWARD..

BUPA former Nursery, Park Farm Crescent,

Park Farm Way, Park Farm,

Stanground Peterborough.

PFNW were promised by BUPA Properties contractors would be on Site Saturday by lunchtime when we took these pictures. No one had turned up......

To view any of these pictures 'full size' simply double click on the picture...

14th OCTOBER 2009 BUPA PROPERTIES REGAINED POSSESSION. Some thirteen months ago!

The notice signed by Simon Whiting,
Senior Estates Surveyor,
BUPA Property,

Tel: 0207 656 2116.

This is the latest 'PFNW 'SCRUFFYVILLE' project.

We had to hunt for the Legal Notice of ownership placed inside the glass doors so the broken glass must have been caused by BUPA bailiffs regaining entry, shame they didn't think to sweep up the broken glass!

We think the shoddy boarding up would have been better done by the children of reception class at Heritage Park Primary School immediately opposite! Cheap, incomplete, nasty and now dangerous.

A second golden opportunity for BUPA to clear up the broken glass.... but no.

Smashed windows, neglected landscaping, overgrown hedges, gates open, a few rats openly nesting, fences smashed and of course more broken glass...
The new Colditz , new security fencing left behind by the ousted tenant and if it was to have been a retail shop where are the emergency exits? Fly tipping has started with builders materials lobbed over the fence facing Park Farm Way. Don't think the former tenant bothered with any form of planning permission , but could be wrong! A valuable amenity area totally fenced off and neglected right in the middle of Park Farm,


To see the full horrific portfolio of BUPA pictures click below!

Hanging by a thread, a heavyweight security camera ripped off the wall by vandals, above an open footway used daily by parents and school children attending the Primary School immediately opposite.

If the gates are locked then just rip the planking off, this is the way into the back overgrown garden complete with discarded furniture and more broken glass... and that 'tag' on the wall? We know who you are...

BUPA new style boarding up, dollop mastic on perfectly good windows and roughly cut to size cheap particle board, leave it a natural colour , so it contrasts with the well kept surroundings. Why bother to make it safe, neat and environmentally friendly? London is a very long way....

Make friends with your immediate neighbours but just let parents staff and children observe the BUPA Properties eyesore opposite on a daily basis ...

This shows the car park immediately in front of the BUPA property, to the right is a stack of bricks (see below) ripped from the wall neatly stacked ready for more mindless vandalism. It's clear the owners BUPA have now been in control of this site since October 14th 2009!

This is well inside the BUPA owned Colditz security compound, so much for the extensive metal security fences with razor sharp jagged tops left behind by the outgoing tenant... if children did climb these fences, no one would know if they were injured, the razor tops are lethal. They could be there for some considerable time...

This is known in the trade as 'Board Up and Run Away' Run out of board, so just leave it and hope no one is looking ! Tried to make BUPA out of it but you get the idea.

Not so Nisa, not so BUPA Properties, not so local either! This is an eyesore we can all do without.... not the 14 foot high weeds encroaching onto the public footpath of Park Farm Way

This would look good in a BUPA corporate brochure, the abandoned property, part painted in BUPA blue as well!

Tell us what you think? Use the comment box below or phone us.

(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

Peterborough-Libraries
Stanground Library's reading group is looking for new members! They meet on the first Tues of the month, at 3.30pm. Contact Stanground Library on 01733 864302 to join or email stangroundlibrary@vivacity-peterborough.com.



(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

Operation Scruffyville Underway....

The seemingly abandoned building immediately in front of the Heritage Park School, Park Farm Crescent is about to get some essential attention. PFNW tracked down the owners BUPA and it seems that the building was repossessed some time ago.

Simon Whiting is the Estates Surveyor for BUPA, in London  (0207 6562116) and has now responded to our approachs by appointing a contractor to carry out urgent remedial work and generally tidy up the area. Hopefully contractors will be on site this Saturday.

The CCTV company has been alerted and has now been given permission by BUPA to remove the dangerous external vandalised camera and mount. Many thanks for all your telephone calls and e-mails.

A full list of concerns on the whole area, running to several pages has now been handed over to PCC along with a photographic record, including several more that PCC Neighbourhood Officer Gavin Wade spotted. PCC are seeking to establish a tool bank for community use and for community payback teams to use, more on this later.... meanwhile its blowing a gale and raining stair rods (ask your Father!) Time we had a community centre or a small pub in walking distance perhaps? Anyone know of a suitable building?




(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

Remembrance Sunday at Duxford

On Remembrance Sunday, Imperial War Museum Duxford will be holding a special service of remembrance.



Admission to the Museum is free for all on this day and we very much hope that people will take this opportunity to explore IWM Duxford on the day when members of the Armed Forces, who have lost their lives in active service, are remembered.

At 11.00am, the two-minute silence will be observed across the Museum.

IWM Duxford’s Department for Learning will be hosting remembrance-themed family activities in AirSpace from 10.00am to 2.30pm.


Families can read about the story of the poppy and why it has become synonymous with remembrance since the end of the First World War. Children can make their own poppies and wear them as a symbol of remembrance or add them to the Flanders Field frieze.


There will be opportunities for families to handle a range of wartime artefacts and, by handling uniforms and personal kit from the collection, to compare and contrast how the experience of the Second World War soldier differed from that of a modern-day soldier.


Veterans of the Royal Anglian Regiment from a range of military conflicts will be talking to visitors in Land Warfare from 11.30am to 3.30pm.


A talk by the UK National Inventory of War Memorials will be held in the Marshall Auditorium between 11.15am and 12.00pm, while extracts from the Duxford – the Second World War Years DVD will be shown in the auditorium during the afternoon between 1.30pm and 2.30pm.


The Remembrance Service will commence at 12.30pm and will be preceded by a marching display featuring Sawston Youth Group Band with local air cadets. The Band of the Royal Anglian Regiment will also be performing.


There will be standard bearers from the Royal British Legion and the Burma Star Association.


Join us at historic Imperial War Museum Duxford to remember those who gave their lives, in conflicts past and present, to ensure that the world continues to enjoy the freedom that it does today.


(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

London armed drug dealers in Peterborough bid...

Cambridgeshire Police have launched Operation Riptide to stop gangs and dealers arriving from cities – such as London, Nottingham and adding the City to their dealing ground, the aim is to stem the flow of crack cocaine and heroin reaching the citys' streets from sometimes armed, drug dealers.


Police are set to increase visible police presence on the streets, particularly the Lincoln Road area of the city and will be stopping and searching suspected suppliers and others, with firearm Trojan units on standby as part of a zero-tolerance approach.


Chief Inspector Paul Rogers, force lead officer on drugs, said Operation Riptide was a robust long-term project to prevent Peterborough suffering the problems with guns that other major cities face.


“We don’t currently have a big gun problem in the city and we want to keep it that way, so armed dealers coming in wanting to peddle drugs will not be tolerated" he added.


Julian Bray Chairman, PFNW comments: "In posting the above, the intention is clear that if police resources are concentrated on Lincoln Road and known drug dealing areas, the "one percenters" living on Park Farm and Stanground might want to step up their own dealing and supply activities.

Active 'busts' are usually marked by the police helicopter hovering overhead and a Trojan firearms unit or Dog Unit parked off Park Farm Way. We are asking residents to keep a careful watch and report directly to police if anything unusual is happening. It might be streams of people coming and going to a single address at all times of the day and night or discarded drug wraps in the street, also keep a close watch on the playground and recreation area also the riverside greenwheel path at Middle Level. We just need to make it very uncomfortable ie impossible, for these lowlife dealers to operate." 


(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

URGENT REQUEST TO ALL RESIDENTS: SCRUFFYVILLE ALERT!

SCRUFFYVILLE ON THE RUN....

After a bit of arm twisting and nose tweaking, our neighbourhood officer is paying a flying visit to Park Farm on THURSDAY MORNING and will be given a drive round. The objective is to get a snag list together so the PCC and possibly Comminity Payback teams can come in and spruce up the estate, remove spray painted tags, cut back overgrown hedges, repair fences, renew road signs that have been vandalised and generally give the streets and furniture a good clean up and a deweed(?). If you see anything that should be the subject of our enquiry, telephone  01733 345581 or e-mail julianbray@aol.com  or just leave a confidential comment on here for moderation (ie we can read and copy it and then not publish on the blog it if so desired...) As the spending cuts bite, many areas in Peterborough will after the services of the PCC, our aim is to provide them with every facility possible.  


(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

Winter Fuel Allowance still to be cut – despite Coalition promise

Winter Fuel Allowance still to be cut – despite Coalition promise

Warm and Cosy, the way we all should be... 
Click on picture to see it full size.

The National Pensioners Convention (NPC) has criticised the Chancellor, George Osborne, for planning to cut the winter fuel allowance in 2011, despite a pledge in the Coalition government's programme to protect it.
In the Spending Review, the Chancellor said: "Winter Fuel Payments will remain exactly as budgeted for by the previous Government" - but the NPC points out that this means the £250 currently paid to households under 80 will drop to £200 and the £400 currently paid to the over 80s will fall to £300.


Already over 70 MPs have signed Early Day Motion 481 criticising the move.


Dot Gibson, NPC general secretary said: "The winter death rate amongst older people is a national scandal and getting worse. Last winter over 36,700 pensioners died of cold related illnesses – a staggering 13 pensioners every hour. Yet the government has now confirmed it is going to cut the winter fuel allowance next year, which will only make matters worse.”


“Up to 3m pensioner households are already spending more than 10% of their income on fuel bills, and are living in fuel poverty. What older people need now is more money – not less. They need to be reassured that when the cold weather comes they will not be financially punished for keeping warm in winter. The government must give them confidence that they will be able to pay their bills by immediately ruling out any changes to the winter fuel allowance.”

Julian Bray, Chairman, Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch said: This winter I am asking residents to make extra physical checks on elderly neighbours, and ensure that they are warm and safe this winter. We are facing a hike of 25% in fuel costs and a rise to 20% in VAT from January 2011. These and other increases will put intolerable strains on some slender household budgets and the easy option is to turn the heating down when old people most need it. There are special plans whcih could financially help but we cannot do anything unless we can find  and locate the people who are affected and they are agreeable to some form of practical assistance. The Government funded Warmfront programme for example will replace old boilers with energy saving  (IE MONEY SAVING!) condenser boilers...."




FUEL POVERTY POINTS 




Nearly 90 per cent of all excess winter deaths are of people over the age of 65.


There were 36,700 excess winter deaths of older people last year (Dec 08 - Mar 09)


Almost one in three older people live in homes with inadequate heating or insulation making their homes more difficult to heat and/or keep warm.


More than 1 in 4 people living in fuel poverty are over 70 years old


Average annual energy bills now exceed £1,000. This will absorb 16 per cent of the income of a single pensioner dependent on the pension credit minimum guarantee and the current £250 Winter Fuel Payment.






(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

PFNW Chair elected as Peterborough member on County Executive Group

Digging out the Police Office, a timely reminder that cold snaps are on the way and unlike last year the 'over the top' health and safety restrictions preventing residents from clearing snow have been dumped by the coalition government.  Double click on photograph to see it full size.

You'll be delighted to hear that Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Chairman Julian Bray was elected by the Peterborough NW Association on Saturday November 6th and now has a clear mandate to act as as the official representative for the City of Peterborough on the Cambridgeshire NHW Executive Group.

Julian Bray comments: "Historically, the City of Peterborough, has had to my mind, a raw deal from the Cambridgeshire Executive Group, which is mandated to act as an overall steering group for hundreds of countywide NW schemes. I have yet to be convinced that it is.   I intend to work towards changing all that and get the Executive Group working on behalf of all local schemes treating them equally.  For example, for years they have been sitting on £11,000 worth of funds, rather than ploughing the money into worthwhile local projects. This has to change and the Executive Group need to work on creating closer ties with NW groups in Peterborough. From time to time I will be publishing 'mid term reports' on how the Executive Group is looking out for Peterborough or are we fighting an uphill battle? Only time will tell."

(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

Handy Top 10 Festive Checklist from St Ives & District NHW

CAT FLU  We'd really like to be kept in at night as its freezing outside....

With winter and the festive holiday season approaching here are some things you might like to think about:



1. Now that the grass cutting season is over make sure youR lawnmowers and all garden tools are safely locked away in your shed or garage.

2 When Jack Frost is about leaving your windscreens frosted each morning, do not leave your engine running, defrosting your car whilst you pop indoors for a moment, when you return your car may have disappeared.
3 When Christmas shopping be more aware of the dangers of pickpockets and possible theft of purses from your open shopping bags.

4 Make sure any items bought are put in the boot of your car, do not leave them for others to view and steal.

>>>> READ MORE

5 When you have wrapped all your presents, please make sure they are not in full view of your windows, there maybe someone who prefers your presents to buying their own.


6 If going away for the holiday, remember to cancel papers, but don’t shout it to the world! You just do not know WHO is listening.


7 When loading your vehicle, do so in the garage  or discreetly to avoid alerting everyone to your imminent departure.


8 Tell your NHW co-ordinator you are going away and ask them to keep an eye on your property using the PFNW HolidayWatch scheme


9 Fit an automatic light system, plug timers or ask a neighbour to draw curtains/ switch on house lights.


10. Remember your older and more vulnerable neighbours, please keep an eye on them as the weather gets colder.


This way may you have a happy, secure and crime free Festive Season with the best wishes of St Ives & District NHW  !!



(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

Christmas Tins Appeal

Age Concern Peterborough - Christmas Tins Appeal


NHW in Peterborough has been asked to support the above appeal. This appeal has run for several years now which helps give a little bit of Christmas cheer to older people who otherwise might not have anything special for their Christmas Day meal. The people who receive these bags of goodies are normally on their own, lonely and often unable to get out to the shops regularly.


If you would like to donate anything to the collection please contact me. I am going to a collection point so could take some with me then.  Alternatively if you wish Bridge Street Police Station is the central Peterborough Collection point if you are able to drop off your donation of tins for this very worthwhile cause. No donation is too small!
Thank you.


(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

Andrew Neil on The Daily Politics on Voting Rights for Prisoners

You may not have seen this, it was on BBC1 at lunchtime today, and basically Andew Neil decided to launch a couple of massive broadsides at an ex-prisoner who was on a video link from Hull.  If you are nervous or easily offended please do not watch the video.  The gentleman was convicted of manslaughter using an an axe and made himself a cup of coffee whilst his victim died. He served over 21 years. He is now campaigning for the rights of prison inmates to have a vote. I've included this on the Park Farm Website as a reminder of why we campaign constantly to keep the neighbourhood watch going and to keep our residents safe and secure.  




(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

Stanground Co-Op Caught in Underage Booze Selling Sting

Helping your community. Some mistake!

The Co-op store, in Southfields Road, Stanground,  has been hit with a booze ban over Bonfire Weekend after being caught selling alcohol to underage teenagers twice in three months. 

The store was caught selling alcohol to the youths during covert Police and Peterborough City Council test purchasing operations on July 16th and September 3rd. New legislation  passed in July gives authorities new powers to act swiftly if a licenced premises, store, supermarket or pub breaks the “two-strike” rule and is caught selling alcohol to youths twice in three months.  The store, which is run by Anglian Regional Co-operative Society, is in an area once subject to ASBO youth assembly anti social behaviour restrictions.

The ban starts at 9am on Friday and lasts until 9am on Sunday....

A shop worker selling alcohol to underage drinkers can be fined up to £5,000 while failing to ask for a valid ID can carry a fine of up to £20,000 or six-month jail-term.

Npower & The Football League £2m Community Boost...



Word reaches us that Npower and The Football League have today 2nd November announced the launch of 'Home Town Heroes', a new community initiative that aims to put the power into the hands of the fans.

The £2m Home Team Heroes initiative - which will be run over the course of the three year sponsorship - will ask communities around the UK's 72 Football League grounds to vote on how this money should be spent, in order to make the most impact in their local area.

Communities can choose from one of three projects for children:


- A 'respect' training workshop for ten year-olds run in schools with a focus on team work and citizenship

- Football skills training for 4 - 6 year-olds run by the club's community coaches

- Improvement/clean up of a local park into a more football friendly space



The public will have until the end of December to decide and then each Football League club will work with npower to implement the project their fans have selected, before the end of the season. The 72 clubs will be supported in this initiative by The Football League Trust which oversees the League's community and youth development programmes.

READ MORE >>



Fans can cast their votes by clicking onto the npower website, texting; filling in postcards at their local Football League club or one of npower’s touring event stands in the local area; or by logging onto their club’s official website.


Volker Beckers, RWE npower's CEO, said: "This scheme is all about giving power to the fans. As a new sponsor, we didn’t want to come in with a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Instead, we’re asking the communities around each club to vote and tell us which option suits them best."


Greg Clarke, Chairman of The Football League, said: "Football League clubs are an integral part of their local communities, demonstrating that football has the power to make a difference to peoples’ lives. Whichever project each community votes for - be it respect workshops, football training or the improvement of local playgrounds - our clubs will be actively engaging with local children to encourage them to get involved in football."


(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733  345581

SaferPeterborough? Yes We Can.....

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Goose

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Goose as community safety strategy manager introduces us to the revamped SaferPeterbough Partnership

TACKLING CRIME IN PARTNERSHIP



SaferPeterborough is a community safety partnership made up of several local organisations working together to reduce crime and lessen the fear of crime in our city, ensuring Peterborough continues to be a place where people feel safe to live, work, visit and invest.


It has a specific focus on tackling some key areas of concern they are:


• Serious acquisitive crime
• Anti-social behaviour
• Domestic abuse
• Violent crime (including alcohol-related crime and disorder)
• Sexual offences
• Road safety
• Hate crime
• Arson
• Substance misuse

Read More >>>

 The partners include Peterborough City Council, NHS Peterborough, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, Cambridgeshire Police Authority and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Probation Trust. 

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Goose, as community safety strategy manager for the SaferPeterborough partnership, oversees projects and initiatives ranging from ensuring Safer Schools officers can resolve issues with young people, tackling anti-social behaviour to substance misuse. The projects extend to dealing with theft and burglary crimes through a new considered scheme that jointly manages and interacts with people who commit the most crime.


Chief Inspector Goose is also responsible for what is termed 'embedding justice' and introducing tighter licensing/ alcohol controls in the neighbourhoods. An essential part of the work is devoted to providing practical sympathetic support to victims, paying special attention to those who are vulnerable.  These will include people who have probably suffered long term domestic abuse and incidents of hate crime.


 “Quite simply I help deliver solutions to city crime issues by co-ordinating activity undertaken by the statutory organisations that make up the partnership and our voluntary sector colleagues. Together we believe we have truly made a difference to the quality of life in our city.


“For years each organisation had concentrated on its own individual issues. Everyone worked hard but crimes are still being committed, leading me to consider what difference we have truly made.  As a result, we now look at the causes of crime as well as dealing with the symptoms. This does not mean going soft on criminality. People have to take responsibility for their own actions and face the consequences, but unless something is done to deal with the problem it will just occur over and over again” he added.



(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

Cash strapped PCC spends £175,000 on old Woolworths Building



PCC's Santa arrives early with £175,000
gift for London Landlord.


Cash strapped Peterbough City Council is spending £175,000 on renovating the former Woolworths building, a property they do not own and PCC will not benefit from rentals received, so the cash rich American owned retailer TK Maxx can move in. The news was greeted with mixed feelings as BBC Peterboroughs Breakfast Show broke the news this morning although reports say gaff prone MP Stewart Jackson (annual MP's expenses currently around £27,000) had let the cat out of the bag and tweeted the news some months earlier.

Although TK Maxx’s UK store numbers in Europe are growing, the fashion retailer’s US parent company has reported a dramatic profit loss for the first half of the year. 

Profit at TJX Europe dropped from just over $34 million (£21.7 million) in the first half of 2009 to $7.9 million in the opening six months of this year.

Like-for-like sales at TJX Europe, fell four per cent in the second quarter, although total sales rose from $511.6 million to $528.2 million. These figures were reported despite TK Maxx opening 11 new stores across Europe in the last three months alone, with one of them located in the heart of London’s busy West End region.

US parent company TJX Companies - which owns American brands such as Marmaxx and HomeGoods - saw net sales for the second quarter rise to $5.1 billion and its international store portfolio increase by 33.

It's unclear why TJX Europe has seen such a significant reduction in profits, although foreign currency exchange rates were said to have had an impact.  A statement from TJX Companies said: “Changes in foreign exchange rates affect the translation of sales and earnings of the Company’s businesses in Europe and Canada into US dollars for financial reporting purposes.

“In addition, for accounting purposes, ordinary course inventory-related hedging instruments are marked to market at the end of each quarter. Changes in currency exchange rates affect the magnitude of these translations and adjustments, and can have a material impact when there is significant volatility in currency exchange rates.” 

Despite the profit slump in Europe, President and CEO of the TJX Companies, Carol Meyrowitz, said the business remains confident about delivering profit increases in the long term.

The discount store claimed it will bring at least 100 jobs to the city, but this is yet to be confirmed as jobs will depend on sales volume. The Bridge Street store plans to open in the Spring and optimistically believes it will see an estimated 20,000 shoppers pass through the store every week.

 TK Maxx, Woolworths’ administrators Deloitte and Touche and the unit’s distant landlords LaSalle Investment Management, the latter (who logically should have properly maintained and updated the Bridge Street building) will directly benefit from the £175,000 of council funding being spent before the store opens on the ground and first floor of the four storey building in the Spring. It's not clear if the PCC expects to get the money back or is just reliant on business rates generated by a part occupied building.

From their website:  LaSalle Investment Management is one of the world’s leading real estate investment managers with 30 years of experience.  We manage approximately $40.2 billion of public and private equity real estate investments. Our diverse investor base includes public and private pension funds, insurance companies, governments, endowments and private individuals worldwide.

(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581