Shopping before Christmas

Please be careful with your purses and wallets when you are out shopping in crowded areas.  Put your money inside your coat or jacket pocket or wear a shoulder bag across your body.  Fasten all bags and put the flap next to your body.  A lovely lady unfortunately lost her purse which contained a lot of money, when she was shopping in Romford.  She had a bag with a zip and this was undone, whilst she was shopping and her purse was lifted.  So please take care!    

 

Cheques must be paid in within 6 months

In the pile of papers on my desk I came across a cheque which was dated December 2008.  I took it to the bank and they said that it should have been paid in within 6 months, but a new cheque might be written out in its place.  Actually I found out later that it was valid for a year, so there was not a problem. So please remember to deal with cheques fairly quickly as their time limit is six months!

 

Christmas Carol Service

The Christmas Carol Service is on Sunday 20th December 2009 at 4.00pm in Wennington Church, then on Christmas Eve Thursday 24th December there will be Holy Communion at 7.00pm.  Carol Singing will take place through the village on Friday evening 11th December.  The Rainham Christmas Fayre takes place on Saturday 5th December.

 

Postal arrangement for Christmas have been circulated by the Post Office; the one important date to remember is International Airmail last posting dates are from 4th December, so remember to send your Christmas cards to Uncle Fred and Great Aunt Agnes by that date!

 

Goal Keeping One Day Course

On Tuesday 22nd December there is a Goal Keeping One Day Course run by Vince Nicoll.  It costs £20.  If you want further details go the website run by Vince Nicoll - www.vincenicollgoalkeeping.com.  

Provision is made for girls to be coached; an example of this is when the West Ham United FC Ladies come for extra training.  Vince works in partnership with the Danny Searle Soccer Schools and can give advice on the choice of clubs to suit your needs.  So please log onto his website.

 

Community Crime Fighters

The Community Crime Fighters programme was announced in September 2008.  It aimed to develop stronger links between crime-fighting agencies and the communities that they serve.  Community Crime Fighters are members of the public who are already actively involved in their communities and want to do or know more.  The training for CCF’s provides the opportunity to learn:

• What the Policing Pledge means
• The tools and powers local authorities could and should be using to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime
• The help provided to victims and witnesses of crime and anti-social behaviour
• Ways to get the best out of local crime fighting agencies

The Community Crime Fighters Autumn Road show is taking place on Wednesday 25th November in Central London starting at 9.30am and finishes at 4.00pm.  To book a place phone 0800 197 2965; these places are volunteers and community activists, but not council reps, housing officers or the police.

 

Police Alert

The new system created by the Met Police to help them keep in touch is really becoming effective.  It is called AlertComms and notifies those who sign up to the programme about recent crimes and events.  You can be notified by E-mail, text or voice mail.  It is an efficient way of disseminating information.

 

Beware of Bogus Callers!  No Appointment No Entry!

Use a chain on the door, look through the viewfinder, look out of the window, nominate a neighbour to be with you for any visit, set up a password for all utility companies. Take care when opening the door!

 

Best Wishes to those who are ill

We see that Jack and Eileen are improving and they hope to celebrate their eldest granddaughter’s 18th birthday soon!  We send our best wishes to Ivy and hope that things are easier.  Our best wishes to Jim that his health will improve.  Also to Anne who is unable to get out as much as she did.  To Jan that she is benefiting from her recent treatment.  We send our best wishes to Carole, who had an operation this week.  Also Rosie who is unwell, that things will improve.

Our Constitution

We are reviewing our constitution with a view to making minor alterations prior to our Annual General Meeting in 2010.  It is only when problems occur that you realise how the constitution needs to be amended.  Constitutions are created to give a framework in which the association can facilitate its development, they safeguard the exploitation of the charity and its members.  We aim to treat all of our members equally and with respect.  The Committee aims to listen to members’ concerns and deal with them fairly for the benefit of the community.  The responsibility held by the Committee is extensive, particularly where finance is concerned: if a member has a vested interest, they are required to resign immediately.  A vested interest is where a person will gain financially from work undertaken for the charity that they are involved in.  For an association to function efficiently there must be a consistent approach from the adherence to the constitution to the deposit of monies in the accounts.  If there is no constitution you can do what you like!  We need your support to ensure that this doesn’t happen.