Revised rubbish collections over the festive season are as follows:

No collection on 25 December 2023 - collection will be on 30 December 2023.

No collection on 26 December 2023 - collection will be on 31 December 2023.

No collection on 1 January 2024 - collection will be on 6 January 2024.

All other collections remain the same, please ensure your bins are out before 6.30 am.

Kingstone BMX Bike Track Open

After years of planning and many hours of hard work, a BMX bike track has officially been opened in Kingstone.

With support from Kingstone and Thruxton Group Parish Council and West Mercia’s local Policing Team, the track was constructed by a local Company, PB Yeomans Contracting Ltd, the dirt track is completely free to use and has already received rave reviews from local children and adults alike.

Councillor Warrillow from the Parish council said “I am thrilled to see this completed. The Track looks great and I am sure it will continue to develop over the years as the local young people of our village take ownership of its upkeep.

I would like to thank Connexus for allowing us to lease the land, PB Yeomans Contracting Ltd for their support in building the track and the local young people for their invaluable help and ideas during the construction.”

For more details please email: clerk.ktgpc@hotmail.com.

Herefordshire Council Leaders Newsletter, January 2023 is attached:

Sponsored by Herefordshire Council  providing a wide range of information on organisations, groups, activities, events, advice and help available both locally and nationally to members of the public and professionals. 

"Talk Community are bringing Herefordshire together, by connecting people to services, groups, community hubs, events, and information to help them stay well.

We want our residents, businesses, community leaders and council to all play their part, to make Herefordshire a better place to live and work.

From little acts of kindness, like looking out for your neighbours, or volunteer-run community hubs across the county, offering information and signposting, to partnerships with the police and NHS."

Click here for the Talk Community website homepage.

With Spring on its way we start to think about getting out to walk in the beautiful English countryside again, but where to find new and interesting walks?

Walking in Herefordshire https://www.walkinginengland.co.uk/hereford has loads of walks to download and print, free, it also has books of walks, details of all the walking groups in the county and much more. Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group all the information is there in one place.

John Harris (who maintains the website) said ‘There is so much walking information on the web but it is difficult to find. Walking in Herefordshire (part of the Walking in England website) has brought it together in one place so whether you are walking from home, or away on holiday, you will be able to find a walk suitable for you’.

With walks from half a mile to twelve miles plus long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy.

So home or away, check out the websites and get walking!

John Harris

www.walkinginengland.co.uk

john@walkinginengland.co.uk

Weekly Fraud update from West Mercia Police - Economic Crime Unit - 17/01/2023

BANK ACCOUNT FRAUD

Regular reports of bank account fraud are being received both locally and nationally.

The first sign that Bank Account Fraud has occurred is usually when transactions you have not made, show up on your bank statements.

Do not let criminals steal your identity, this may be done by taking personal documents thrown out with your rubbish, or contacting you by phone or email and posing as a legitimate organisation.

How do you protect yourself?

· Always shred any paperwork with your name, address , personal or financial details before throwing it out

· Beware of unsolicited emails or phone calls form callers claiming to be your bank or building society; most banks will not contact you this way

· Always hang up, wait 5 minutes and then ring back on a designated number on your bank statement or bank card to check; always check you have a dialling tone and where possible phone back on a different phone

· Check your bank statements regularly for unrecognised transactions

· If you move house make sure your post is redirected by Royal Mail

· Notify your bank immediately if you see any unusual activity on your bank account – you can call straight through to most major banks by dialling 159 as the fastest route

HMRC

A further short reminder as we approach the deadline for self-assessment returns. This is the key time to be aware of messages, or even phone calls, claiming to be from HMRC.

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR

· Scammers may text or email people to tell them they are due a Tax Rebate from HMRC; this may also include a link that asks for personal details which can be used for further scams

· Scammers are also using phone calls to gain people’s details

· Automated phone calls may be used to say people owe tax, and arrest warrants may be issued by HMRC unless they pay the outstanding tax

· Fake web pages have also been used which can copy the genuine HMRC website

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

Before you give out any personal details first consider:

· Were you expecting to be contacted? Check it is HMRC really contacting you

· Are you being pressured? If the request is for an urgent money transfer or for personal details be very wary

· Are you being threatened with arrest? HMRC will never call you and threaten arrest

· Is it sounding too good to be true? Are you really expecting a Tax rebate?

· Is the website or email address genuine? Always double check these details if you are unsure. Some more refined scams may use official details and logos so be aware

· Check your personal tax account online to see if there are any genuine messages

· If you think it is a scam, report it to HMRC as soon as possible for further investigations

Please feel free to share this information with any relatives, friends or neighbours you think may be vulnerable.

Take Five To Stop Fraud

Stop: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.

Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

Protect: If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

For further information visit:

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/

Community Engagement

Today officers from both the South Wye and Golden Valley Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) have been in the villages of Kingstone, Clehonger, Madley and Eaton Bishop conducting enquiries with regards the increase in reported crime which is believed to be connected.

If anyone has any information that can assist officers with their enquiries. Please contact either SNT via Tel No. 101.

Neighbourhood Watch Our News - January 2023

Click on link to see latest Neighbourhood Watch News Our News

As part of Operation Snap, members of the public can report and submit digital footage showing potential traffic offences via a secure online form.

This can range from driving dangerously or carelessly to overtaking on solid white lines, using a mobile phone while driving, ignoring traffic lights or dangerous driving around other road users, such as horse riders and cyclists.

See the following link for further details and to submit a report. Operation Snap