Cold Callers (posted 12 March 2010)
We have received reports of the Nottingham Knockers being back in town. These are young men, often offenders, who call door to door trying to sell dusters and other household goods. The quality is invariably shoddy and the prices inflated. These young people are paid on a commission only basis and the goods that they offer for sale are sold to them by the company. Accordingly, they will be on the lookout for other income sources, so to speak.The last sighting was in St Luke's Ward yesterday, but they could be operating anywhere in the Borough.
We have also received reports of a variation on the I have a load of tarmac left over from a job, going cheap con except this time, the vendor is trying to offload memory foam beds cheaply. He claims to have one left over from a job at a residential care home! We have no description of the man except that he was driving a white panel van.
The standard advice is, don't buy at the door from unsolicited callers - the chances are that you will be ripped off!
Bikeability at Blenheim (posted 11 March 2010)
Bikeability is the new National Standards training course replacing Cycle Proficiency. This new course teaches children how to ride their bikes confidently and safely on the road. The courses are run by two fully qualified trainers, provided by Southend Borough Council.
The first part takes place within the school grounds, after this the course then uses the surrounding roads.
For details of the Bikeability courses at Blenheim Primary School and Children's Centre, click on the following link Bikeability at Blenheim
Communities and Local Government (CLG) (posted 9 March 2010)
Communities and Local Government (CLG) have arranged to hold a conference around Tackling Anti Social Behaviour in Southend on Monday 22nd March 2010 between 9.30 and 2.15 including lunch at the Maritime Rooms, Cliffs Pavilion. This event will include a presentation on Tools and Powers, a case study from an Ilford senior school and workshop session to discuss anti social behaviour.
CLG will be hosting the event and there will be attendance from agencies working to combat asb in Southend.
We have been asked to assist them in their promotion of the event. If you are interested, please click on the following link where you will be asked to register directly with CLG. www.asb-events.org If you have difficulties please contact
0845 680 9754
This is a Communities and Local Government Conference in Southend with assistance being provided by SMAART . Further information can be downloaded at 100308Revisedposter
2010 Citizen of Southend Award Launched (posted 5 March 2010)
It’s time to recognise those unsung heroes who perform selfless acts of kindness or make an outstanding contribution to the community, as nominations open for the fourth annual Citizen of Southend Awards (1 February).
The awards cover two categories - Adult and Youth (under 19) – with nominations coming from members of the public. The winners are selected by a panel of distinguished Southend dignitaries; including former Southend East and Rochford MP Sir Teddy Taylor, Adventure Island Executive Chairman Philip Miller and Councillor Ian Robertson.
Last year’s Adult winner was 68-year old Rita Hasler from Kingswood Chase, Leigh-on-Sea who has worked as a volunteer for Southend Hospital (WRVS) and the PDSA shop for twenty-three years. She says “It was a great honour to be recognised in such a way. You do these things because you enjoy doing them. I never thought for a minute that I was doing it for an award but it was lovely to be given the award and such a surprise”.
Rita urges people to nominate deserving individuals, saying “Go ahead and do it! As someone said to me, it brings to peoples’ attention that important jobs are being and need to be done. If you know someone who is doing excellent work, nominate them for it.”
The 2009 Youth winner was 15-year old Joe Stone, a pupil at Shoeburyness High School. On top of his school work, Joe also is a member of St John Ambulance and takes an active part in work of the Neighbourhood Action Panel. He says, “Winning the Citizen of Southend Award has been fantastic for me. There’s loads of bad press about young people - hoodies and the like - but this scheme perfectly demonstrates that we are not all like that. I’ve also found my win has been great for raising awareness of projects that really need people’s help – it’s actually encouraged new people to get involved and make a difference. I would definitely recommend taking the time to make a nomination because it really can make a world of difference.”
Nominee’s achievements can be based on several criteria; including demonstrating courage and bravery, setting up or leading projects that benefit the community or helping/caring for the disadvantaged.
Nominating is easy - simply visit www.citizenofsouthend.co.uk or pick up a form at any Southend Library.
The closing date for nominations is 30 June 2010.
In addition to the prestigious title, the winner of the Gold Adult award will receive a personalised trophy and £500. Similarly, the Youth section’s Gold winner will receive a commemorative prize and cheque for £100.
The awards will be presented by the Mayor of Southend during a special ceremony at his official residence, Porters, on 28 September 2010.
Citizen of Southend 2010 is sponsored by Southend Radio 105.1 and Adventure Island.
Bag yourself some “Recycled Reads” (posted 19 February 2010)
Friars Library Bargain Book sale Saturday 13th March 2010: 9.30 - 1.00pm & 2.30 - 5.00pm
Visitors to Friars Library in Shoeburyness will have another chance to bag some bargains, when ex-library stock of all shapes and sizes becomes available as part of a big book sale on Saturday 13th March 2010 ( 9.30 -1pm and 2.30- 5.pm).
Whatever your interest, there will be something to catch your eye. Fiction, non-fiction, children’s titles, audio books, videos and DVDs will be on offer at sale prices that are guaranteed to suit everyone’s pocket.
Free Re-usable Bags for the first 60 bargain hunters
The first sixty visitors who buy ex-library titles will be offered the chance to take their bargains home in a free re-usable bag made from natural fibres, and that is also biodegradable.
Free Loan of Energy Cost Monitors
Library visitors will also have the opportunity to loan a free Energy Cost Monitor, which may help to reduce pounds on both your energy bills and impact on the environment.
The re-usable bags are limited to 2 per family and offered on a first-come, first-served basis, whilst stocks last. Loan of energy cost monitors are subject to availability on the day.
Southend-on-Sea Borough Libraries hopes that by encouraging readers to take a re-usable bag home, it will help to reduce plastic bags in circulation and encourage Southend residents to use their re-usable bag wherever they go, whether it’s to work, shopping or borrowing and returning library items.
For maps and directions to Friars Library visit www.southend.gov.uk/library or call
Call 01702 215011. Free parking is available next to the library.
For details on recycling initiatives in the Borough visit www.southend.gov.uk/recycling
For energy saving schemes, contact Stuart Burrell, Southend Council’s Domestic
Energy Efficiency Officer 01702 534363.
British Transport Police - Passenger Forum (posted 19 February 2010)
The latest forum newsletter can be downloaded at Forumnewsletterfebruary
Southend Environmental Projects Update (posted 19 February 2010)
The latest environmental projects update for the Borough has been published. It can be downloaded via the following link SouthendEnviroprojectsupdateFeb2010 Comments or queries should be addressed to the Community Engagement Officer in the first instance on 01702 464199 or e-mail southendnhw@aol.com
Community Safety Roadshow 2010 dates announced (posted 18 February 2010)
The popular Community Safety Roadshow, organised by Southend Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP), will be at more locations than ever this year with 16 events already confirmed.
Recently recognised by the Government as ‘best practice’, the Community Safety Roadshow visits various locations across the borough to offer crime prevention advice and to hand out free security devices to members of the public.
Services include fitting electronic tags to mobility scooters and bicycles; post-coding valuable items such as iPods, mobile phones and cameras; handing out personal attack alarms and purse chains and taking referrals for smoke alarms and the HandyVan scheme.
The Roadshow works closely with its Southend CDRP agencies to reach as many members of the public as possible.
Mick Holland, Community Engagement Officer, said: “The Community Safety Roadshow is central to engaging with the public at all levels. For that reason we take the Roadshow to many diverse locations such as local libraries, parks, schools and even allotments. This is effected through the robust partnership working that we enjoy with our library service, local police officers, schools, council officers and Fire and Rescue Service.”
“As we are now embarking on our annual recruitment drive for Neighbourhood Watch - the target being to increase the number of watches across the Borough - it is important we continue to take the Roadshow to as many locations as possible."
For the latest information on the Community Safety Roadshow visit www.southendcdrp.co.uk or follow Southend CDRP on twitter at www.twitter.com/southendcdrp.
If you are interested in becoming involved in the Neighbourhood Watch scheme, please contact Mick Holland on 01702 464199 or email southendnhw@aol.com.
2010 Community Safety Roadshow events:
Westcliff Library
Saturday 20 February 9.30am to 1pm
Morrisons, Western Approaches
Saturday 27 March 9.30am to 1pm
Friars Library, The Renown,
Shoebury
Saturday 10 April 9.30am to 1pm
Eastwood Police Station
Wednesday 14 April 2pm to 5pm
Tesco, Prince Avenue
Thursday 29 April 9.30am to 12.30pm
Leigh Library, Broadway West
Saturday 8 May 9.30am to 1pm
Springfield Allotment Society
Sunday 9 May (Time TBA)
Warrior Square Gardens
Friday 14 May 12noon to 4pm
Thorpedene Library, Shoebury
Saturday 5 June 9.30am to 1pm
Milton Road Gardens
Friday 11 June 12noon to 4pm
Shoebury Fair at Shoeburyness
High School
Saturday 19 June 12noon to 5pm
Community in Harmony at
Southend High School for boys
Sunday 20 June 1pm to 6pm
Southchurch Library, Lifstan Way
Saturday 11 September 9.30am to 1pm
Kent Elms Library
Saturday 23 October, 9.30am to 1pm
Park Wardens' Event TBA
Southchurch Park TBA
BT Directories (posted 16 February 2010)
PDC (Product Development corporation UK) are contracted to deliver the new BT directory in Southend, starting around 8th March 2010. The operation will take 2 -3 weeks. The distributors will be private individuals driving their own vehicles. They’ve been instructed not to leave books on doorsteps. Any queries to southendnhw@aol.com or 01702 464199
A Feather in Our Cap (posted 11 February 2010)
The Southend Community Safety Roadshow has been flagged as best practice by the Home Office in the latest edition of GO EAST News, a quarterly publication that is circulated to councils and CDRPs across East Anglia. The article, entitled Changing Perceptions of Crime and raising confidence, can be dowloaded at GOEastarticle-Winter2010
Southend Spring Show at Garon Park (posted 9 February 2010)
Southend Spring Garden Show bursts into bloom this spring with over 250 stands displaying everything you could ever want for your garden and home. Whether you are an avid gardener or an amateur the show features fantastic products many at show discounted prices.
This years event features RHS topical gardening discussions, floral displays an on site restaurant and a fantastic main show arena with live entertainment.
For more information and discounted tickets visit (www.aztecevents.co.uk)
Show details: Southend Spring Garden Show, Garon Park, Southend-On-Sea, Essex, SS2 4FA
Saturday 1st, Sunday 2nd & Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May
10am until 5pm Daily.
Admission:
Adults: £5.50
Children: £1.00
Third party reporting sites for victims of hate crime (posted 8 February 2010)
Southend CDRP is launching a new campaign to help those affected by hate crime in the Southend area.
By improving awareness of third-party reporting sites, we aim to support and encourage more people to come forward and to stop them from suffering in silence.
Third-party reporting sites offer an alternative way of reporting hate incidents and hate crimes. Those who, for whatever reason, choose not to involve the police can contact one of the sites listed below where their issue will be dealt with in confidence.
The under-reporting of hate crime has been identified by the Government as a nationwide issue. We aim to get a truer picture of what issues are affecting people living in Southend. This will enable us to respond to any particular problems that are affecting a specific area or group of people.
Simon Ford, Partnership Manager Community Safety, said: “Key agencies in Southend have worked in partnershipover the last twelve months to introduce new ways for victims of hate crime to report incidents. Our aim is to strengthen the support they receive, and encourage people who may be victims of hate crime, to come forward and speak to us.”
Victims of hate crime can contact the following sites –
Southend Citizens Advice Bureau:
Southend CAB
Southend Victim Support: 0845 456 5995
Southend Police Hate Crime Unit: 01702 423 151
Southend Borough Council: 01702 215 000
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
In an emergency always dial: 999
Southend in Bloom Competition 2010 Be part of the town’s growing Green Scene (posted 1 February 2010)
Local residents are being invited to take part in Southend in Bloom 2010, a local competition based on “Britain in Bloom” a prestigious floral and environmental contest, designed to encourage people to make their towns and cities look as attractive as possible. 
Any resident, School and Business within the Borough can enter this free competition. Prizes are awarded at an official ceremony in the autumn and more than half of the Borough’s schools take part each year.
The 2010 theme is “World on a Plate” and the Southend in Bloom website has lots of hints and tips, fact sheets and practical ideas to get you started and encourage local residents to join in. You can also find out more and keep up to date with the competition by visiting the Southend in Bloom’s Face Book and Twitter pages.
The competition has been running since 1995 and attracts hundreds of local gardeners every year. Anyone can take part and you don’t need to be a “green fingered expert” to take part!
The official launch will be at the Central Library in early April - watch the local press for details closer to the date and entry forms will also be available at branch libraries, the Civic Centre or downloaded direct from the “Southend in Bloom” section of the Council’s website at www.southend.gov.uk
Committee members representing all parts of the local community give up their time to support & run the competition voluntarily.
For information please contact Southend in Bloom team on
01702 215000 or e-mail Southendinbloom@southend.gov.uk
Cold Calling Security Firms (posted 13 January 2010)
We have received reports of a couple of security companies cold calling by telephone on the Eastern side of the Borough and offering householders camera systems, alarm systems etc at greatly reduced costs. The general advice with regards to unsolicited callers whether they be calling in person or by telephone is the same. NEVER sign up to such deals without obtaining quotations from other companies that you have sourced yourselves.
In the case of security equipment, alarms, CCTV systems and the like, the advice is to only purchase equipment that is either Secured by Design or carries an NSI mark
Mobile Library calls at Centre Place Family Centre (posted 11 January 2010)
From Wednesday 13th January the mobile library will stop at Centre Place Family Centre, Prospect Close, on the Woodgrange Drive Estate in Southend to encourage local families to share books with young children.Families with children under 5 years old can catch the mobile every 3 weeks from Wednesday 13th January 10.45 – 11.15am
Staff employed by Estuary Housing Association at Centre Place Nursery are involved with the Every Child a Talker (ECaT) project which aims to develop children’s language. By sharing books and rhymes, parents can help their child develop good language and listening skills. It’s never too soon to start sharing the delights of picture books with children to develop a lifelong love of books. A “Bookstart” is the best start any child can have and any parent can give it.
A few minutes a day sharing a book helps children develop their language, concentration and skills that will make learning easy. Children who have been introduced to books do better when they get to school – and it works because it’s fun.
Janet Kempson, Nursery Manager says, “We’re very pleased we’re getting the mobile library as it will be of benefit to the families, help the children’s language and encourage the enjoyment of books and reading.”
Sharon Dodson, Centre Place Children’s Centre Manager says, “ Working in partnership with Southend-on-Sea Borough Libraries has proved very fruitful and having the mobile library service will be very positive for local families”.
Lynsey Weston, Early Language Consultant for ECaT in Southend says "I am delighted that Centre Place have been given this opportunity. It is a well known fact that by far the most important ingredient in supporting children’s language and communication skills is the interaction that takes place between children and adults as they share experiences together. Book sharing can be one of these magical experiences. It is not only a time to show a child that reading is important, but it is also a time to show a child that they are important. I wish Centre Place and the mobile library every success.”
Twitter and Facebook (posted 8 January 2010
Southend CDRP passed another communications milestone today when our Facebook page was launched together with our new look Twitter page. To view both visit the Useful Websites page and click on the links
Bicycle Recycling Scheme (posted 7 January 2010)
The bike recycle project is an exciting opportunity that makes use of unwanted bikes and returns them recycled to people in the community that most need them. To facilitate this we need your help! If you have any unwanted bikes that are collecting dust and could be given a new home please bring them to Unit 2 Brunel Road, Eastwood, Essex, SS9 5JL on;
Tuesday 9:00 to 3:00
Wednesday 9:00 to 3:00
Thursday 4:00 to 8:00
Friday 9:00 to 12:30
Saturday 9:00 to 12:30
Your bike will be recycled by volunteers under the guidance of Cytech trained bike mechanics and then sold at nominal cost to cover the parts.
Book in for your Message in a Bottle (posted 7 January 2010)
All the town’s libraries are teaming up with the Southend Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) to offer the free ‘Message in a Bottle’ scheme at branches across the borough.
The Message in a Bottle scheme is aimed at older and vulnerable people living alone and has already proved a great success in Essex. The “bottle" is a small plastic container, which is kept in the fridge and holds details of the person’s Carer or next of kin, medical condition and GP etc. This information can be easily found in an emergency and acts as a simple but effective lifesaver.
To date this voluntary scheme has saved the lives of 120 people living in Essex. Bottles are also available through Police Stations, local Neighbourhood Watch schemes and the Turning Tides (SAVS) Neighbourhood Management project.
Mick Holland, Southend Community Engagement Officer said:
“The real attractiveness of the Message in a Bottle scheme is its simplicity. Evidence shows that it has helped people to get quicker access to appropriate treatment in an emergency and provides peace of mind for people living alone."
For more information about the Message in a Bottle Scheme contact: Mick Holland, on southendnhw@aol.com or 01702 464199
Computer Virus Scam (posted 7 January 2010)
We have been advised of a possible scam where a householder received an unsolicited telephone call from a person claiming to be from their Internet Service provider security team. The caller advised the householder that a virus had been detected on the householder's broadband connection and tried to provide a telephone helpline number in order that the problem could be addressed.
The householder declined to provide any information to the caller and terminated the call. A 1471 check revealed number withheld. It is currently unclear how this scam would have developed. It is feasible that the help number offered would have been a premium rate number.
The standard advice on unsolicited calls is not to provide any details to the callers (personal or otherwise); to be wary of calling telephone numbers offered by such callers, and to terminate the call as soon as possible.
Southend Association of Voluntary Services (SAVS) Volunteer survey (posted 6 January 2010)
SAVS have commissioned a survey to measure the increase in volunteering in Southend. This is happening now and for the next 6 weeks in various locations around the area. SAVS need to make sure they get as many people as possible to participate in the survey - the results from this survey have important funding implications for volunteering in Southend.
They would be very grateful if volunteers can participate in the survey by seeking out one of the surveyors at any of the locations around Southend (listed below).
Location
Central Southend - Jan 9,15,21,28 - Feb 2,10
Hamlet Court Road - Jan 11,16,18,29 - Feb 3,11
Outside Lidl (Woodgrange Drive) - Jan 6,12,19,23,26 - Feb 1,11,12
Leigh Broadway - Jan 7,13,20,26,30 - Feb 4,8
Thorpe Bay Broadway - Jan 8,14,22,27 - Feb 5,6,9
Any questions about the survey or any volunteering matter please shoukld be directed to the Volunteer Centre Southend on 01702 356060 or email vb@savs-southend.co.uk
British Transport Police London North Passenger Forum - December newsletter (posted 23 December 2009)
The latest issue of the BTP newsletter can be downloaded here Forumnewsletterdecember
The Community Safety Roadshow - a review of 2009 (posted 22 December 2009)
Monday 21 December saw the last Community Safety Roadshow for 2009 at the highly successful Christmas event, run by the Thorpe Ward Neighbourhood Action Panel, in Broadway, Since January the team has run thirty-five Roadshows at various locations across the Borough. In that time, we have tagged six hundred and thirty-five bikes; handed out 450 purse chains and 150 personal attack alarms. The breakdown by month can be seen in the chart below
We were joined for one session by the Borough Animal Warden who fitted dogs with electronic tags whilst we did the same to bikes. The Essex Fire and Rescue Service, Crime Reduction Initiative outreach workers, Turning Tides Wardens and Youth Offending Service workers attended a number of the events.
Details of next year's Roadshow events can be found on 'What's On' page of the site. The basic timetable is currrently displayed, but be sure to revisit it regularly to see additional events and locations as they are added.
Two new bikes for policing in Thorpe ward (posted 21 December 2009) |
