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BEWARE: COVID-19 Scams

30 April 2020 by elpatech 0
BEWARE: COVID-19 Scams

From Neighbourhood Alert:

Criminals are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to defraud people.

Below are some of the most common scams to be aware of:

EMAIL, TEXT AND PHONE CALL SCAMS:

An unexpected email from the government offering you money.The ‘infection list’ scam mimicking the World Health Organisation (WHO) claiming to provide a list or map of local infections.An email from HM Government asking for donations for the NHS.An HMRC email stating you are ‘eligible to receive a tax refund’.Sale of fake COVID-19 swabbing tests, supplements, and anti-virus kits.A text message asking you to pay a fine as it says you have been ‘recorded as leaving your home on three occasions’ during the lockdown.A phone call stating ‘government guidelines now require everyone to wear a mask outside the house, press 1 to purchase your mask’.

DOORSTEP CRIME

Cleansing services that offer to clean drives and doorways to kill bacteria or offering to ‘decontaminate’ the inside of your home.Bogus healthcare workers offering to take your temperature or provide ‘home-testing’ for the virus.Criminals offering to do your shopping. They take the money and do not return.

ADVICE AND SUPPORT:Always question unsolicited calls, texts or emails requesting your personal or financial information (name, address, bank details). To verify the company contact them directly using a known email or phone number. For advice on cybercrime, or to report suspicious emails, visit www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware Anyone who has been a victim of fraud or cybercrime can report it online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040

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RAISE A GLASS: Mayor to lead virtual VE Day commemoration

30 April 2020 by elpatech 0
RAISE A GLASS: Mayor to lead virtual VE Day commemoration

The Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane will lead the VE Day 75 Anniversary commemorations on FRIDAY 8th MAY to thank those who gave so much during World War Two.

Note this includes for Whitchurch.

3.00pm TWO MINUTE SILENCE and a RAISING OF A GLASS or a CUPPACllr Taylor is encouraging residents to mark the day safely at home and is inviting people to raise glass or a cup of tea at 3pm to join the nation in marking VE Day.

6.55pm CRY OF PEACE7.00pm RINGING OUT FOR PEACEShe will then take part in an international Cry for Peace at 6.55pm, to be streamed on social media at the same time as other dignitaries around the world, before the 7pm Ringing Out for Peace, a worldwide celebration of the peace and friendships we share today.

9.00pm WE’LL MEET AGAINAt 9pm, borough residents are invited to a UK-wide singalong of ‘We’ll Meet Again’ with Dame Vera Lynn to be broadcast on BBC One as part of the commemorations.

The WeekendDespite the current coronavirus outbreak, this year’s VE Day 75 anniversary will still take place from Friday 8 May to Sunday 10 May but with personal commemorations in people’s homes, rather than the previously arranged public events.

Basingstoke and Deane residents are encouraged to plan and enjoy their own celebrations with those they live with – and to share on social media. This could include everything from a VE Day 75 tea party with specially decorated cakes, bunting and flags and children’s face painting to virtual choir singing to bring people together in celebration.

Find out more about VE Day 75 at https://www.veday75.org/

Visit the Mayor’s webpage https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/the-mayor

——-Many people in Whitchurch are holding personal celebrations and recognitions of the event. with special cakes, the raising of toasts, waving of flags and decorated windows all being arranged.NOTE SOCIAL DISTANCING RULES APPLY.

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Is anyone doing the TwoPointSixChallenge?

27 April 2020 by elpatech 0
Is anyone doing the TwoPointSixChallenge?

Let us know and coverage can be provided.

One participant is Andrew Smith:

Andrew, organist at All Hallows and local campaigning activist is undertaking a cycle ride as part of the challenge.

General fundraising by UK charities has been hit very hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.Thousands of fundraising events have been cancelled and many charities, particularly smaller ones, are struggling to maintain services because of this huge reduction in income. This affects all sectors of society from children to the elderly as well as the vital work in areas such as palliative care, serious diseases, mental health, housing support, food supplies and countless others that charities support.

I am cycling for Amos Trust (https://www.amostrust.org), which is a small, creative human rights organisation, committed to challenging injustice, building hope and creating positive change, in Palestine and elsewhere.  You can see my intended route shortened from 26 miles to 26 kilometres, in order to keep closer to the spirit of government Coronavirus guidelines at https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/4820717/South-of-Whitchurch-26km-cycle-ride.

“Amos Trust is a small, creative human rights organisation, committed to challenging injustice, building hope and creating positive change”.

Andrew says:

I am particularly inspired by its work in Gaza: see https://www.amostrust.org/palestine-justice.

FUNDRAISING PAGE:Please check out my page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundrais…/andrew-smith-amos-cycle: I’d be very grateful if you could share this post (or the JustGiving page) even if you don’t wish to donate.

Thank you!

**********************

More about the #TwoPointSixChallenge at https://www.twopointsixchallenge.co.uk.

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Fantastic … as Testbourne makes much needed COVID-19 visors

23 April 2020 by elpatech 0
Fantastic … as Testbourne makes much needed COVID-19 visors

THIS JUST CANNOT BE PRAISED ENOUGH

Another great local community-minded activity is taking place in Whitchurch at Testbourne Community School.Using their laser cutter they are now making face visors that are being distributed to those in need.

In conjunction with Costello School in Basingstoke they are also trying to raise £3000 to buy the materials for Covid-19 Scrubs and Visors which are going to NHS staff, local GP surgeries, chemists, ambulance stations, fire services, care homes, district nurses as well as some local charities.

Claire Young of the Design and Technology Department at Costello School said:

“Our key workers in our community are supporting you, please, if you can, do something to support them”.

and

Costello, Basingstoke

“I am now pleased to have Testbourne Community School working along side us to produce PPE for hospitals, care homes, doctors, ambulance stations in and around North Hampshire. We have now increased production enabling us to donate to Watership Down partnership, Wessex Lodge care home, Two Rivers partnership and the pharmacy’s in Overton and Whitchurch. We have also been able to donate visors to Marks and Spencer’s and Aldi’s. Thank you so much Testbourne School for showing true community spirit and collaboration.”

It is a fantastic initiative showing how local schools can work together for the needs of this local and national emergency.

Testbourne, Whitchurch

Testbourne Community School has published today:

“We are pleased to announce that we are now producing face visors for key workers within the local community using our laser cutter.After a trial period, Mr Roberts managed to make 50 face visors yesterday and even more today and these have now been distributed to the GP Surgery, pharmacy and Wessex Care home in Whitchurch.”

“We are not charging for these face visors and are working in collaboration with Costello School, who are sourcing the materials. If you feel that you are able to make a donation to continue to fund this worthy cause, please visit the Just Giving page below.”

Thank you! https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/costello-711

At the time of writing over £2,700 had been pledged.

DO YOU REQUIRE VISORS?If any frontline workers for the NHS, care homes, fire service, ambulance service would like visors for their work place they can contact:

C.roberts@testbourne.school

C.Young@costello.hants.sch.uk

A wonderful achievement and a fantastic project.

—-

johnb

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Charity Contacts – mental health, loneliness and domestic abuse

23 April 2020 by elpatech 0
Charity Contacts – mental health, loneliness and domestic abuse

There are a number of local and national charities continuing to provide support on issues such as mental health, loneliness and domestic abuse.

These contacts are supplied by Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council:

MIND(mental health charity)Call 0300 123 3393text on 86463email: info@mind.org.ukweb: https://www.mind.org.uk

SAMARITANSCall 116 123email: jo@samaritans.orgweb: https://www.samaritans.org

THE SILVER LINE(advice and friendship for the elderly)Call 0800 470 80 90web: http://www.thesilverline.org.uk

AGE UK(friendship service for over 60s)Call 0800 678 1602web: http://www.ageuk.org.uk

HAMPSHIRE DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICECall 03300 165112

NATIONAL DOMESTIC ABUSE HELPLINECall 0808 2000 247

CHILDLINECall 0800 1111

RESPECT PHONELINECall 0808 802 4040

——

For more information contact http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/coronavirus

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The Return of Jeff the Codfather

21 April 2020 by elpatech 0
The Return of Jeff the Codfather

One of our much loved visiting mobile traders returns to Whitchurch this week.

Jeff the Codfather returns on Thursday 23rd April to his spot in Bell Street Car Park where he will be offering his wide choice of fresh fish.

The staples of cod, haddock, sea bass, mackerel and tuna are usually found alongside fish patés, shellfish and kippers, all at very good pricesJeff will be in his spot between 1.45pm and 2.45pm.

Expect a goodly amount of banter too at no extra charge.—

Real ale with your fish?And as an aside – When Jeff leaves Whitchurch he usually ends his day at the award winning Wonston Arms.It was the friendly landlord Matt who tipped us off about him being back in Whitchurch, so it is worth mentioning that they too serve Whitchurch with deliveries of their excellent real ales straight from casks.They can be contacted at: https://www.facebook.com/thewonston

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News on local financial support for residents and businesses

21 April 2020 by elpatech 0
News on local financial support for residents and businesses

From Basingstoke & Deane And thank you to our local Councillors for keeping us informed

The Basingstoke & Deane Revenues team has been working hard to administer the financial support available to residents and businesses across the borough.

Council TaxFollowing the decision to automatically apply a council tax payment holiday in April and May 2020, new bills are being sent to all properties across the borough this week. This also includes further support for working-age residents eligible for the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

GrantsThe team has been contacting small businesses and businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors that are eligible for grants of between £10,000 and £25,000 to ensure this support is administered as quickly as possible. An estimated 1,600 businesses are eligible for this support at a cost of almost £21 million and so far grants totalling over £16 million have now paid to over 1,200 businesses.

Business ratesAround 820 businesses in the leisure, retail and hospitality businesses, as well as early years providers, estate agents, letting agencies and bingo halls, will not pay business rates in the 2020/21 financial year.

Rent and Service chargesIn recognition of the position the council is in as a landlord to many businesses, a three-month rent and service charge holiday has also been made available for all 344 small businesses in council-owned properties with annual rents of up to £50,000.

 We are continuing to work to the clear guidelines the government has provided, including eligibility criteria, when administering grant support for businesses.

ContactDue to the number of businesses the team is currently supporting with this, it is important that businesses continue to come directly to the Revenues team so enquiries can be logged.

Businesses can visit the dedicated webpage – www.basingstoke.gov.uk/COVID-19-business-guidance

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Community / Home Composting

17 April 2020 by elpatech 0

Suggestions had been made by a number of local residents that a Community Composting Scheme could have some merit.

This idea followed Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council temporarily suspending its Garden Waste Collections as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.Many consider it an excellent idea – just where could it be and who would manage it?

One suggestion was that the Town Council’s Harry Gilbert Allotments in Winchester Road could be a location but that was deemed not to be possible with the Town Council saying that while being “sympathetic to residents who are unable to provide their own composting facilities … this could encourage residents to leave their homes unnecessarily, could be difficult to monitor and could cost the Council to have it cleared.”

So if anyone has any suggestions please let them be known, noting that care would need to be taken over its management to ensure no fly-tipping, and that any implementation may need to wait until after the lockdown movement restrictions are lifted.

Meanwhile … Home CompostingComposting is an easy way of producing soil improver for your garden as well as helping the environment in reducing the amount of waste that otherwise needs disposal. Now is just the time to start a compost heap or to obtain a compost bin.Some info from Hampshire County Council on Composting is here:COMPOSTING

The Bonfire falloutRegrettably, one fallout of the temporary halt of Garden Waste Collections has been that the number of bonfires has increased which has raised considerable concern. Bonfires, whilst not illegal, can fall under legislation covering “statutory nuisance” and penalties issued.

Basingstoke Council have said:

The [Environmental Health] team is urging people not to have any bonfires because of the problems smoke will be likely to cause their neighbours. Anyone who is tempted to have a bonfire is asked to think again because of the impact of filling the air with smoke, particularly as a neighbour could be unwell.

Many will say:Why have a Bonfire when you could Compost? 

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Update on Community Support (from Basingstoke & Deane)

15 April 2020 by elpatech 0
Update on Community Support (from Basingstoke & Deane)

RECEIVED TODAY WITH A REQUEST TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION

UPDATE on support for vulnerable residents

The Basingstoke and Deane Community Hub continued to operate across the Easter period and responded to requests from vulnerable residents during this time.

The community hub continues to be working well and is receiving triaged enquiries from Hampshire County Council.

If you are aware of vulnerable residents in your ward who need support, please ask them to contact the Coronavirus Hampshire Helpline on 0333 370 4000.

The helpline is available seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm.

£200,000 availableFollowing the award of £200,000 of emergency funding last Wednesday to BVA, community groups are being encouraged to submit applications for funding – see: COMMUNITY GRANTS

A number of applications are currently being considered and funding will be issued as soon as possible to ensure groups can continue to provide support in their communities. Please help by sharing this with the groups operating in your area.

Details of Community GroupsMore information about the community groups providing support in your wards can also be found on the BVA website:COMMUNITY HUBS

Further support on other issuesIn recognition of the wide range of support required by residents during this period, we have updated our website with details of charities providing support on issues such as mental health, domestic abuse and loneliness.If you are aware of any residents that require this support, please direct them to:COVID-19 COMMUNITY HUB for more information.

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A Message From The Mayor of Basingstoke & Deane

15 April 2020 by elpatech 0
A Message From The Mayor of Basingstoke & Deane

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR OF BASINGSTOKE AND DEANECllr Diane Taylor

I have always noted that humans are great adjusters.  Whenever there is a difficult and significant change in our lives, perhaps a death or illness or relationship break-up, we can feel that we will never get used to it… but somehow, with time, we always manage to adjust to our “new normal” and get on with life in its different format.

 If you had told me last year that in Spring 2020 I would be confined to my home for weeks on end, working forever at the computer, not meeting people face-to-face, queueing to get into food shops, unable to attend a single public meeting or event, I would have been horrified.  How can I live like that?  Guess what – I can!  Like everyone who is either completely isolated for health reasons or, at the other end of the scale, working all hours to save the lives of dangerously ill people, somehow we humans adjust and find a way to get on with life.

 One of the final public duties of my Mayoral year would have been to lead the celebrations of the 75th Anniversary of VE Day on Friday 8 May.  Needless to say, there will be no public event to mark this significant occasion – just a video of me at the War Memorial at 10am on that morning which will go out on social media.

 However, can I encourage everyone to find a way – perhaps in the afternoon at about 3pm – to raise a glass or a tea cup in in your own homes in celebration of a victory that brought us the great life that we are privileged to lead today.

 The resilience, courage and determination of this nation during World War Two astounds me.  Let’s celebrate the outcome of a war that logically we should have lost – but, with our great allies, we won!  And what’s more, we will win the Coronavirus war too! In the meantime, please stay safe by staying at home unless it’s for an essential journey as outlined by the government and help to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

 If you are a vulnerable resident self-isolating due to an increased risk of illness, and have no friends or family nearby, you can register for support to access food supplies and collection of prescriptions. Call the Coronavirus Hampshire Helpline on0333 370 4000, available seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm or visit COMMUNITY HUB for more information.

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