Zumba Warwickshire

January 2012 saw the first anniversary of Zumba Warwickshire teaching at Wellesbourne Primary school. We told you of the classes starting there this time last year, and they have been a tremendous success. Ian Parker of Zumba Warwickshire said “We never thought they would become so popular: we still have a lot of clients coming to us now that were with us on day one! They are a great bunch of people and we love teaching them. The part I love the most is seeing a room full of people smiling and laughing while exercising: it's brilliant! We call it exercise in disguise.”

Zumba, the Latin rhythm inspired exercise class has taken the fitness world by storm over the past twelve months and is one of the fastest growing fitness activities in the country at the moment. Vicki Parker, also a qualified Zumba instructor, said “Zumba is for everyone. I teach kids aged 4-12 a specialised version of Zumba called Zumbatomic. They just love all the dance moves: it's getting them active and having fun without them realising the number of benefits they are getting. It's great to watch!”

Zumba Warwickshire teaches at the Primary school on Monday evenings at 8pm and the village hall on Thursday mornings at 9.30am; classes cost just £4. There is still room for anyone new who wants to come along to try it out for themselves! Visit www.zumbawarwickshire.co.uk for more details and to see video clips of other Wellesbourne residents in action.

Wellesbourne & District

Following all the activity over the Christmas period, the Lions are back to business as usual and January/ February is traditionally a quiet time for us.

However, I am pleased to report that the Santa Christmas floats raised £4,800 this year, which will be shared amongst the 20 local charities who participated. This was very close to last year's figure, which is particularly pleasing, considering the difficult economic times we find ourselves in. Once again, thanks again on behalf of the Lions and all of the charities for your wonderful generosity. The Wellesbourne lights switch on raised £113.

I have been asked to see whether anybody in our area could make use of a stair lift. We have had two straight stair lifts kindly donated to us and we would like to offer them to anybody who could make use of them and is perhaps having difficulty raising the money to purchase a new one. Unfortunately due to health and safety reasons, the Lions would not be able to install the lifts. Please contact Lion Ian Bealing on 01789 470292 if you are interested.

Finally this month I would like to make an appeal for new members, both men and women. We meet every second and fourth Monday at 8pm at Shah's restaurant in Wellesbourne. If you are interested in serving the local community and enjoy social events then becoming a Lion could be for you.

If you would like to find out more then please ring me on 01789 841939 for more info.

Lion Andy Stokes

“Microsoft” Scam

Telephone Calls Target Business and Consumers

Have you received a phone call from Steve of Microsoft, happy to fix the ‘problem’ with your computer?

Then, warn Warwickshire County Council's Trading Standards Service, you are one of many Warwickshire consumers and businesses who have been targeted by this ‘computer fix’ scam. The unexpected phone calls come from people who falsely claim to represent Microsoft. Recipients are told that there is a serious problem with their computer that needs ‘fixing’. These claims are entirely bogus. Giving access to your computer to someone you don't know could lead to your PC becoming infected with viruses and other malware, or your personal or financial information being stolen and used fraudulently. Or you may have software downloaded on to your PC or ‘work’ done unnecessarily for which you may then be asked for payment.

• Microsoft do not make unsolicited (unexpected) phone calls to consumers.
• Never allow anyone you don't know or trust to take control of your PC.
• For more information on business and consumer scams, please visit our website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/scams .

Parish Council News

158 new homes planned for the Red Hill Nursery site
At its meeting on 13th December, the Council, by a majority, decided not to oppose the development on the Red Hill site. We understand that the District Council will take its decision in late February.

There is still information which is not yet available including information about the roads, footways and access, and about the resources which will become available either from the New Homes Bonus, an allocation of funds from Government Grant, or by agreement from the Developer, known as a section 106 agreement.

The Parish Council will continue to monitor progress.

New Parish Councillor
We welcomed Mr Dale Troth, from Mountford Close, who has been co-opted on to the Parish Council.

Development of the Sports and Community Centre
By February we will see significant physical changes to the building on the Recreation Ground. The trees which are undermining the building will have been removed. Orders have been placed for the replacement of the windows and the installation of shutters.

As well as physical changes, we have also obtained drawings ready to go for planning permission for the installation of stand alone changing rooms, to be used alongside other activities in the building. We will be discussing those ideas at the AGM of the Sports Association. At the end of January the Parish Council will receive tenders from existing ‘not for profit’ operators of leisure facilities, with their proposals for services which could be provided.

Remember that when the building was acquired by the Council it was little more than a shell, with no adequate heating, nor electrical installation, and was unsafe to use. Since then the priority has been to make the building safe, secure and watertight. A secure gate has been installed, CCTV is now in place, the roof repaired and the interior cleared out and tidied up.

The Parish Council has received a petition for the installation of a skate ramp in the last few weeks.

We will be putting reports of progress on the Parish Council website from now on. This will be January's report, so do please keep an eye on www.wellesbournepc.org .

Future Meetings
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on 7th February 2012 at the Methodist Hall at 7.30. All are welcome.

There will be a special meeting to consider the future of the Village Hall and car park on 21st February. Keep an eye on the website for details: www.wellesbournepc.org .

David Johnston, Chair, Wellesbourne Parish Council 01789 841434