Drop in Youth Café

You may have noticed an old grey ’bus rather like a prison van parked along by the playing fields on Ettington Road. It wasn’t the Pied Piper of Wellesbourne enticing the children away, just some members of St Peter’s Church running a Drop in Youth Café on early August Monday & Tuesday evenings with free food and cold drinks for everyone and time to relax.

It proved to be very popular and we all enjoyed ourselves immensely but some of us approaching our dotage are nursing aches and pains from the rather robust “Quick Cricket” sessions. One of the great advantages of being with young people is that it makes you feel younger too and inclined to forget that older muscles are not quite as responsive as they used to be.

However, the old bus provided some shelter from the wind and occasional rain even if the battery ran down and there were no lights. Hope to see you around again some time.

Back & 4^th Transport

is a community transport scheme that serves the residents of the Stratford on Avon District and is based at HRI Wellesbourne. We urgently need volunteer minibus drivers to undertake bookings on behalf of our customers. In return for your time, Back & 4th will cover all travel, subsistence and training costs.

All volunteers need to undertake MiDAS (Minibus Drivers Awareness Standards) training and a Criminal Records Bureau check and hold a full clean driving licence including category D1.

If you would like more information about this rewarding opportunity or know of someone who would, please contact Kate Skinner on 01789 471595,
email: kate.backand4th@btconnect.com .

Neighbourhood Watch

Isn't it always the way just when you think things are getting better something happens or in this case a number of things and you are back to square one! I am unfortunately talking about scams, and pretty devious ones at that. A lady recently bereaved decided to go online to 'meet' friends, it is now a very popular way of meeting people and has on many occasions resulted in long term relationships. One particular man, recently bereaved like herself and with a young daughter, seemed to be very kind and considerate. They chatted over many months, no suggestion of their meeting so no pressure. Then nothing, he didn't reply to her emails and she was really quite anxious. Remember they had never met but a bond had been formed. He eventually contacted her to say that his daughter had been diagnosed with a life threatening illness and treatment was only available in the States and he didn't have the money!!! So before she knew it she was 'lending' him money and lots of it. To cut a long story short, he disappeared with her money, the whole episode very carefully planned. Foolish you will say, but a vulnerable lady, with cash and a kind heart just wanting to believe it was all true. The brave bit is that despite the fact she had been made a fool of, she shared this with the media and it will hopefully warn others. Another quite different case, the guy very keen on puzzles and crosswords received through the post a number of puzzles to be completed, with cash prizes to be won, all very tempting and good fun. However, despite completing everything correctly, no prize just more puzzles and more money to win. Pretty harmless you might think but in order to complete the competition he had to phone the results, yes you have guessed 0900 number, lots of cash for the recipient, big bill for the caller. It wasn't until the first month's telephone bill arrived for £52 that he realised he had been caught. Again brave enough to share it. So please if you do get caught please share it with us so that we can all be prepared. Thanks

Frankie Stuart, Chairman, Neighbourhood Watch, 841819, frankiestuart@virginmedia.com