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VILLAGE NEWS
Firstly, many thanks to all who supported us at Buckden
Village Festival and our Teddy Bears’ Picnic, including
Pauline Coker, whose dance session was very popular with
the bears, children, staff and parents! Our festival stall raised £250, while the picnic has raised £224.50 so far. In
July we continued our People Who Help Us topic with fun and informative visits from two local postmen, Anna
Ratcliffe (aka Terry’s Mum!) who is a nurse, and PC Newman. Many thanks to them for their time and effort, and
also to Barry and his team at Costcutter who supply free fruit and vegetables for our snack time.
Don’t forget our Stay & Play Sessions, running 10-12 every Tuesday and Thursday until 20th August. Why not
catch up with friends (or meet new ones!) while your children play? Sessions are £2 per family and refreshments
and a snack are free.
Looking ahead to September, we will be starting online learning journals for the children, allowing parents to easily
contribute to their child’s learning record. We still have preschool places at present, so to arrange a visit or find out
more see our contact details below. Both the preschool phone and email will be manned over the holidays.
Miss Alison
For news, visit
www.facebook.com/www.buckdenpreschool.co.uk
.
For information visit
www.buckdenpreschool.co.uk
or telephone Michelle Nelson (Manager) on 07941 671999 or
Alan Scott (Chairman) on 07745274921.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH (NHW)
DISTRACTION OR WRONG ADDRESS?
UPDATE
Last month we wrote about an incident in the village
where a resident surprised by two men cleaning his
windows. During the past week been another resident
recalls an almost identical event which happened to
her in Sawston a few years ago. On that occasion she
managed to note the number plate of the cleaner’s van
and passed the information to the police who were
able to catch them following a subsequent high value
burglary they committed. It therefore appears that it is
an established scam which it is well worth considering
with respect to one’s home security.
Car Tax Sellers refunds.
It is not necessary now to display a Tax Disc on your
car so what happens when you sell your car? Now, it
is up to the buyer to arrange tax from the moment they
take ownership of the vehicle, with any outstanding full
months’ tax being refunded to the seller.
It has been reported that criminals are emailing people
pretending to be from DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Li-
censing Agency) and offering to pay these tax refunds.
These emails ask recipients for their bank details as
well as other information such as internet banking
passwords and log-ins so the ‘refunds’ can be pro-
cessed. In fact, the fraudsters plan to use this infor-
mation to empty their’ victims’ bank accounts. The
DVLA says it would never ask licence holders to send
in bank details via email.
Callers should use 101 to report less urgent crime or
disorder, to contact the police with a general enquiry
or to speak to a local officer.
If the incident is recognised as an emergency, the op-
erator or police call handler will put the caller through
to 999.
Your village NW Coordinators are:
Clive Williams 811828
Richard West 811467
THE FRIENDS OF BUCKDEN TOWERS
It has been a rewarding time for FOBT. On 20
th
June
we held “Midsummer at the Towers” with drinks on
the Knot Garden terrace, followed by an excellent
meal prepared by the Towers staff and then Tudor
dancing with the Capriol Society for Early Dance.
Although it rained in the afternoon, we were lucky as
the weather cleared up and it was warm enough to
be outside even at 9.00 in the evening. Lots of peo-
ple came in costume which made it really special.
The event was hugely enjoyed by everyone and
raised over £700 for our funds. Our thanks go to the
Towers staff and also the volunteers who helped or-
ganise this excellent event. Photos from the event
can be seen online at www.buckdenroundabout.info/
community/tudor-ball
On 3
rd
June we held our usual coffee morning at the
Methodist Hall. It was well attended and the buzz of
conversation was heard outside on the road. It raised
nearly £115 for the funds.
As I have previously said, the new floor in the Kings
Room will be going ahead and work will take place
over 3 days in September. The council has also de-
cided to fund the replacement of the viewing platform
in the Knot Garden. It has been repaired numerous
times over the years, but has now reached the point
that full replacement is the only option. I expect this
work to happen in late summer or early autumn. Our
thanks are due to Crusader Scaffolding who have
very kindly offered to supply the necessary scaffold-
ing.
DIARY DATES:
Heritage Day is on
13
th
September
. There will be
produce stalls and refreshments as well as short
tours of the Palace Tower and surrounds. It’s a great
opportunity to look round this wonderful old building
and enjoy excellent cakes and teas.
We will be holding another Beetle Drive on
20
th
No-
vember
. Last year’s was pronounced to be great fun
by all who came and we hope to see more of you this
year.
John Thelwall, Chairman