XBY Concert Band – “An Evening with XBY”

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XBY has recently represented the UK in the World Championships in Holland as well as performing local concerts.This is a charity concert so we really want to encourage and spread the word to encourage a large audience!!

We are performing a concert on April 1st at St Mildred’s Church at 7:30pm.

We are playing a selection of music from shows, films and musicals spanning over several decades and I believe that most of these will be familiar to the audience such as Phantom of the Opera and Shrek.

We are also playing a few larger works from our competition repertoire that will showcase what Concert Bands can do. This includes “Music of the Spheres”  by Philip Sparke and East Coast Pictures by Nigel Hess.

Tickets are available by emailing infocroydonwelsh@gmail.com or on the door if necessary but please can you let us know by reserving seats.

For more information, click here.

Trading Standards – Doorstep Crime & Cold Callers

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We have had reports that Croydon residents are being targeted by cold callers, sometimes called “Nottingham Knockers”, going from door to door selling goods.

We would encourage you NEVER to engage with a cold caller, NEVER to sign up for any work or services from your home, and NEVER to buy any products on your doorstep without taking time to seriously think about what you actually need and to research the trader in question.

Please do not open the door immediately but check who is outside first by looking out the window so you can decide if you want to open the door or not. Most will walk away if you are firm when you say ‘NO’.

If they come onto your property without permission, call the police on 999

ALWAYS get several quotes in writing before having any work done, ensure you have time to think about the quote and ensure the companies or traders are legitimate by finding traders using Approved Trader Schemes such as:

 

Trust Mark – www.trustmark.org.uk/find-a-tradesman
0333 555 1234

 

 

Buy With Confidence www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk 01392 383 430

 

 

 

 

Which? Trusted Traders https://www.trustedtraders.which.co.uk/
0117 405 4689

 

 

Other platforms and websites which offer trader services do not carry out the same levels of checks and some do not carry out any checks at all.

Call Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline 0808 223 1133 or visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ to report a scam or if you require further advice in regards to scams or consumer matters.

Please remember to report to Action Fraud 0300 123 2040 https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting-fraud-and-cyber-crime if you have actually been the victim of a scam or fraud.

Planning Report – March 2023

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To find out the latest news on what is being planned in your local area, check out our latest Planning Report with up-to-date information on Planning Applications including developments in:

  • Addiscombe Road
  • The Glade
  • Hanbury Mews
  • Orchard Avenue
  • Orchard Rise
  • Orchard Way
  • Wickham Road
  • Woodmere Avenue and Woodmere Gardens.

Also, take a look at the MORA Planning App, which gives you an easy way to track all the current and recent planning applications within the MORA area. It’s simple to use and free for you to access.

How to Report Scam Texts & Phone Calls

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Criminals often impersonate legitimate organisations in an attempt to dupe their victims and leave them out of pocket. So it’s important to be extra cautious if you receive a text message or a call from a number you don’t know.

Scam calls often involve criminals purporting to be from HMRC, your bank or from a legitimate business such as well-known energy providers or phone network providers offering better deals or ‘upgrades’ to your account. Texts often involve parcel delivery scams from various couriers or Royal Mail, or even scammers pretending to be your friends and family!

How to report and where to report
Most major communication networks have signed up to the 7726 service, making it very easy to report scams texts/whatsapps or calls to your mobile.

7726 is a number that most mobile customers using UK networks can text to report unwanted SMS messages or phone calls on a mobile. The number ‘7726’ was chosen because it spells ‘SPAM’ on an alphanumeric phone keypad!

The following Ofcom web page has some useful information on scam calls and messages:
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/scams

The link below takes you to a ‘How to report’ page and takes you through a very quick guide on reporting numbers to 7726 on iPhone or Android. The videos are very short and easy to understand.
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/scams/7726-reporting-scam-texts-and-calls

To report a scam text you copy the content of the text and start a new message to 7726, paste in the content and send the message. The service will then reply to you asking for the number the message was sent from. You copy and paste the number or manually type it in and send it as a message.

To report a scam call number you just need to copy the number, put it into a text writing ‘Call’ before you put the number in and send it to 7726.

When you’ve done this, it alerts your mobile provider to investigate the number and potentially block it from the network, if it’s found to be a nuisance.

Please also remember to block the number on your handset!

See below an example of what it looks like on your phone when you report these texts or calls.

If you have actually engaged with a scammer over the phone and been defrauded or given out personal information as a result, please report this to the police on 101 or Action Fraud: Action Fraud 0300 123 2040 or visit https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

If you have been scammed or duped into contracting with a business or a trader, please report to Citizens Advice Consumer Advice Line on 0808 223 1133 or go to the following website to report online:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/if-you-need-more-help-about-a-consumer-issue/

Power for People – February 2023 Update

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A new Government-published report – the ‘Net Zero Review’ – has backed exactly what we are campaigning for. Its leading recommendation for more clean community energy: “Government should commit to the Local Electricity Bill.”

It says: “Current regulations in the energy market mean that community energy projects cannot directly supply local communities, an issue which the Local Electricity Bill seeks to address.”

But despite this Government-published report recommending that they themselves support the Bill, they continue to say it is not needed.

Active advocacy in Parliament by our MPs can help change the Government’s mind. We have seen that local constituents meeting with their MP is a very effective way of creating this.

Will you please meet with your MP? We will support and guide you with the organising and provide a briefing to help you feel confident and prepared. You do not need to be an expert on the issue. I can come along with you too, which has worked well when other supporters have met with their MPs.

Please click here if you are interested.

This campaign has come so far in building support to over 300 MPs. Let’s keep the momentum going so that we can enable communities to take control of local clean energy generation.

Together we can transform things.