Hot weather presents criminals with additional opportunities.
Don’t become a victim of summer crime!
Think security!
For more crime prevention information visit: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/
If you need to report something, please complete this online form: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/
Always call 999 in an emergency.
You can collect your free, rapid COVID-19 test kits from one of five libraries located in and around Gloucester City.
Regular, rapid COVID-19 tests are for people with no symptoms. Rapid testing helps to detect cases of the virus, that we might not of otherwise known about, so that action can be taken quickly to help prevent the virus spreading to others.
The following libraries are offering the service, please check opening hours as these will vary between each site:
NHS Site Finder Map includes the locations of all participating pharmacies and Community Collect points across the county.
www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/testing
There is a good programme of events at Robinswood Hill over the summer. Visit www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/events for more information and to book.
[Originally posted on my Facebook page]
I had a productive meeting on site at Earls Park, with the Managing Director of Matthew Homes and the site management team.
We discussed a range of issues and I am pleased that things seem to be moving forward.
Here’s an update on some of the concerns:
? Cut-through – after I raised concerns over the use of the cut-through by vehicles, this has been blocked off. Eventually this will be replaced with a bollard or staggered gates.
? Road surfaces – these will need to be topped off at the end of the development when all the roads are adopted by Highways. In the meantime there has been some patching work but please let me know if there are areas where more is needed.
? Play areas – site team are going through the final insurance and health & safety checks and these should be open in the next two weeks.
? Litter bins – are included in the approved plans but not wooden railings round the sites – I raised this in the meeting and it is something we can press the council for when they adopt the play parks.
?Street lights – all lights should now be active but if any are not please let me know and I will pass this on. In the case of lights that are too bright then this needs to be raised in the usual way.
? Internet – Virgin Media have been going door to door and there will be further providers once CityFibre have completed.
? Street nameplates – more have arrived and will be installed soon – including at the top of Neven Place.
? Covid – Matthew Homes have been working on the backlog of issues from the pandemic, including the time when home visits were impossible.
? Comms – Residents are asked to keep using the aftersales contact for communication, and reminded that they have the recourse of NHBC for persistent issues.
❓If there is something that crops up on a weekend then please visit the sales office at the Bristol Road entrance and this will be passed on for Monday.
As always you can raise issues with me and I will be happy to pass them on to Matthew Homes.
There will be two meetings of the ‘Not so secret book club’ in July and August. These events are run by Read with me and are free.
Do take your young readers along!
It’s great to see all the fantastic yarn art on the trees in Tuffley Park.
Visitors can take part in then numbered trail by obtaining the information from the Club at Tuffley Park.
This work from a team of volunteers is brightening up the park and helping to cheer people up. What’s more, it’s a free thing to do with the kids as schools break up for the summer.
Gloucester residents are being warned not to lose their voice on decisions that affect them by making sure their electoral registration details are up to date.
The annual canvass ensures that the electoral register is kept up to date, identifying any residents who are not registered to vote so that they can do so in future.
Residents will be sent a letter or an email to update their details with information about how they can submit their details.
Jon McGinty, Electoral Registration Officer at Gloucester City Council, said: “It’s important that residents help us to make sure we have the right details on the electoral register for every address in Gloucester. We will send you a form or an email for you to respond to and all you need to do is simply follow the instructions. Alternatively the easiest way to register now is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.”
People who have moved recently are particularly encouraged to look out for the voter registration messages from Gloucester City Council and check the details.
Research by the Electoral Commission indicates that recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time.
Information on registering to vote is available on the Electoral Commission website or contact the Gloucester registration team at elections@gloucester.gov.uk.
Two local GP-led vaccination sites are holding a ‘last chance’ drop-in service on Saturday 17 July for anyone over the age of 18 who has yet to take up the offer of their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The move comes as the NHS continues the final push to vaccinate as many people as possible before restrictions lift fully on 19 July.
The bulk of vaccinations have, and continue to be, provided by appointment through 10 GP led primary care network community vaccination centres, but a number of flexible ‘drop-in’ clinics have also been offered in recent weeks to ensure all available slots are used.
Anyone over 18 will be able to drop-in and get a first dose of the Pfizer vaccination at Rosebank surgery or Cheltenham East Fire Station while going about their usual weekend business – without needing to book a time in advance.
People can also drop-in if they are overdue a second dose of AstraZeneca (at least 8 weeks since their first dose).
People are encouraged to walk or use public/alternative transport options if possible. Although car parking is available, it is limited and the teams at the centres are keen to keep congestion to a minimum for patients and staff.
Please pass this onto all your friends and neighbours
This is the end of the message.
Thank You and Please Stay Safe
We are excited to tell you more about our SLING YOUR HOOK campaign running throughout July to help tackle scams
WHY ‘SLING YOUR HOOK’?
The campaign taps into the psychology that scammers use to hook people in, helping you stay one step ahead and protect yourself and your loved ones against the increasing variety of scams happening every day. We’ve identified the following five behaviours scammers commonly use:
We also know that often victims of scams report that in hindsight they felt something wasn’t quite right at the time. This campaign aims to raise awareness of the tactics scammers use and encourages people to ‘stop and think’ if something doesn’t FEEL, SEEM, LOOK or SOUND right. This allows them time to trust your gut instinct and help prevent becoming a scam victim.
“Everyone likes to feel special. But watch out! If a stranger is going out of their way for you, something fishy may be going on instead. Scammers like to offer one-off deals and favours. Don’t be afraid to tell them no.” John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch Network
How can you support this campaign?
ONLINE TALKS
We are delivering a series of scams awareness online talks in partnership with the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU), the National Trading Standards Scams Team (NTSST) and Avast.
Anyone can attend, but we are now running waiting lists only for all the webinars apart from one! Last week we ran an online talk on ‘Exploring the psychology behind scams and how scammers are so effective at their crimes’. It was so popular we have decided to re-run it on 27th July, 5pm. Click here to book your place. Please note – this event will not be recorded.
Keep safe,
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NETWORK, Central Support Team
Follow us.. ourwatch.org.uk / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn
Neighbourhood Watch Network is a charity registered in England & Wales, CIO no: 1173349
Message Sent By
Central Support Team (NWN, Neighbourhood Watch Network, England and Wales)
Gloucestershire Libraries are inviting children to celebrate books, nature and the environment in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
The national event, led by the Reading Agency, began on Saturday 10 July and runs until Friday 10 September, with the aim of encouraging children to enjoy reading and visiting their library.
Children are invited to borrow at least six books over three visits and are offered rewards and opportunities to get involved with many other events and activities.
This year’s theme is ‘Wild World Heroes’, which aims to inspire families and children to enjoy reading, as well as get outside to visit their local nature reserves and wildlife parks.
Activities to celebrate books, nature and the environment will also be organised by libraries and cultural partners, including the Everyman Theatre and the Museum of Gloucester.
Nearly 10,000 families took part in the Summer Reading Challenge in 2019, when it last took place in Gloucestershire’s libraries. Last year online activities were provided instead, as well as makeaway packs.
As well as borrowing books, children can again take away the popular makeaway packs which include crafty bits and pieces, plus instructions for families to make their own nature-inspired crafts at home. More information is available from your local library.
To find out more, including how to sign up to the challenge for free, visit: https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/libraries/library-activities-and-services/facilities-and-activities-for-children/2021-summer-reading-challenge-wild-world-heroes/
Find out the latest opening times for your local library here: https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/libraries/library-locations-and-opening-hours/
You can also stay up to date with the challenge through a new Facebook group. Search for @Gloucestershire Libraries and look for the ‘Summer Reading Challenge Takeover Group’ for the latest news, along with activities and chat.
Jane Everiss, head of libraries and registration services at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming children and families back to our libraries for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. Like last year we will be reaching out to vulnerable children by offering free resources and gifted books to foodbanks and we hope everyone enjoys taking part in the many activities on offer.”