News .. October & November 2011
I recently received details from Community Development (Staffordshire), about an Email currently in circulation, reporting a Postal Scam which takes place in the run up to Christmas. The chain Email reads ‘A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number). DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize. If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been charged £15 for the phone call'. This Scam was shut down several years ago so if you receive this chain Email, please do not forward it on to friends and family. This only serves to keep the chain going year on year, and provides unnecessary worry and anxiety to those people who think this scam is still taking place.
It does, however, make sense to be aware of scams that might come through your letter box at this time of the year and if you have concerns about any letters or parcel delivery cards you may receive, please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
Prior to us building our own WEB site we were only able to make this type of information available to residents at our meetings but now we are able to pass this on more easily to everyone who has a computer. We regularly update the ‘Scam Alerts page' on our site and invite you to take advantage of the information ... simply log onto www.cloughhall.co.uk/Scam-Alerts . Our thanks to Community Development (Staffordshire) for providing us with these consumer updates.
Our October meeting took the form of an ‘Open Meeting' giving residents the opportunity to hear about local crime statistics, ongoing problems and how the Police reorganisation will affect Kidsgrove. PC Dave Woodward represented the local police and took questions from the floor.
A report on the Neighbourhood Watch Conference, was given by our Vice Chairman, which attracted a packed attendance of 130 delegates. Helen Jarvie, Force Partnerships Co-ordinator, said: "This well attended event provided an ideal opportunity for co-ordinators, police and partner agencies to talk about Neighbourhood Watch and the vital part it plays in keeping communities across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent safe and reassured." Neighbourhood Watch was introduced in Staffordshire in 1982 and has played a vital role in helping to reduce crime in our area ... log onto www.cloughhall.co.uk/Neighbourhood-Watch for details of incidents in the Kidsgrove area.
We are pleased to report that following an enjoyable Quiz Night held at the Cricket Club £200 was donated to the Clough Hall School Gambia Project.
Finally, we wish you a happy Christmas and New Year and if you live in the Clough Hall area and haven't yet attended one of our meetings, make it one of your New Year resolutions to join us in 2012.
Carol Singing .. Date and time to be announced (see WEB site).
Carol singing led by the Salvation Army will again take place on ‘The Green' in front of The Clough Hall Hotel. You are all very welcome to join us; carol sheets will be provided.
Meetings are held at Hollinwood Sheltered Housing, Hollinwood Close 7.15pm. for 7.30pm start.
Dates for the next two meetings are ..
Tuesday December 6th.
Guest speaker :- Sydney Hague - ‘Stories of The Inland Revenue'. This is our Christmas meeting and free refreshments will be available.
Tuesday January 31st. 2012
AGM. Guest speaker :- Philip Leese - ‘Kidsgrove during World War I and II'.