Phone Scams - be Aware

Phone scams seem to be a modern day scourge, affecting most of us.  A new one came to light recently when I was phoned by someone with an Indian accent called 'Alex', claiming to be from Claims Advisory Group, working for the UK Government.  I was informed I was due a cheque for £3,000 for overpaid bank or building society fees and asked me to confirm my name, date of birth and my bank as they wanted to write out a cheque for me, so I gave a false name, birth date and bank name.  He said his Manager would phone me the next day.

True to form, the next day the 'Manager' phoned me, though I'm sure it was 'Alex' who'd spoken to me the day before.  He again asked me to confirm my details, and again I confirmed the false ones.  He said their representative, 'Mr Robinson', was in my area and would call round with my cheque, and though they don't charge for their services, the representative did as he was independent.  His charge would be 10% and as my cheque was now £3600 then I'd need to pay him £360 when he called.

It was then I said I thought it very strange as I'd never had to pay for money that was owing to me, but if they'd kindly like to take the fee off my monies owing to me to save time, they could then post my cheque for £3240 through my letterbox.

'Alex' said 'forget it' ..... and hung up.

People - please be aware of phone calls like this.  Always be aware and never give personal details over the phone.  Genuine callers would never ask for personal details.

Stay safe.

Street Corner Parking

When parking vehicles on road, do make sure you don't park on, or too near street corners (Highway Code does say not to park opposite or within 10 metres of a junction).  It makes crossing difficult for pedestrians, including our school children, plus it makes sight-lines very difficult for cars and cyclists when pulling out at junctions.  Let's keep all our folk safe.

AGM

We held a brief AGM - report below:

• Chair - Anita
• Vice-Chair - Maureen
• Treasurer Val
• Newsletter Editor - Kay

• Val reported that we currently have £911.79 in 2 accounts and some cash.

• When reviewing our year, we agreed that we were fortunate that Councillor Palmer was now joining us on a regular basis as both Councillor and resident.

River Path

Last time we said that the Vale Property team were inspecting the state of the footpath from Ladygrove to Tesco's.  Afterwards, they said that they thought it wasn't in too bad a sate and that a few dips and ruts were to be expected.  We disputed this!  Since then we have had some information from a non Council / Environment Agency source that there is possible work planned for the Ock path and Sanford Brook areas but we have no details or confirmation at the time of writing.  Watch this space!

An Orpwood Road Resident Remembers........

Long before our houses were built, when the main road south out of Abingdon was the Drayton Road, a little girl called Eileen and her brother played in the south Abingdon fields of Tithe Farm and Ladygrove.

Mill Road was only a farm lane then, leading to the Mill itself and the small row of cottages.  Twice a day the cows would be taken out of the fields either side of the lane and moved down to the milking barns and sheds - these were on the other side of the Drayton Road, roughly where Lady Eleanor Court has been built.  The farmhouse was where the low 'odd' numbers of Mill Road are now and Eileen would be sent by her mother to knock at the back door of the farmhouse to buy a jug of milk.  Along with the milk, she was often given a pear or apple for being a helpful girl.  The apples and pears would have come from the orchard on the other side of the lane, now covered by the 'even' numbers of Mill Road and Burton Close.  Best of all in the orchard was the old walnut tree, where Eileen was allowed to pick up the fallen nuts.

Farmer Cox's hens were kept behind the farmhouse - probably now Wordsworth Road area - but were often seen strolling across the lane to peck in the orchard.  We don't see many hens crossing our road now!!

Beefeater

... not the burger kind (or the gin)! (by Paul Abbot)

I have lived on Masefield Crescent for the last 16 years, however have lived in Abingdon since 1981 as it was my first posting after joining the RAF in 1980.  I served on 99 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton until March of this year when I heard of an opening at The Tower of London as a Yeoman Warder, commonly known as Beefeater.  The criteria is very strict for applicants, you must have held the rank of Warrant Officer in either of the three services, you must have completed at least 22 years service, I had done 35, and you need to have been awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct medal.

34 potential applicants applied which was short listed to 14 for interview, which included your partner as you were joining a village community within The Tower of London and it is important that your wife will embrace the obvious constraints that go with living within a walled community that gets locked up nightly at 10.00pm.

The 14 were reduced to 4 candidates for a second interview resulting in an offer for me to take up the post as of 1st May of this year.  I am now coming to the end of my probation period where I have had to learn the 'Tour' which is a one hour presentation from 1066 to present day, and having dropped History at school, a decision I now regret, I can safely say it has been a very steep learning curve.

We are now looking forward to life together in The Tower while our son Luke will have the run of our 'country Oxfordshire retreat'.

Christmas and New Year Refuse Collection

Fri 25th Dec       Tue 29th Dec     Grey Bin and Food Bin

Fri 1st Jan          Tue 5th Jan        Green Bin and Food Bin (no Garden Waste)

Fri 8th Jan          Mon 11th Jan     Grey Bin and Food Bin

Fri 15th Jan        Sat 16th Jan      Green Bin, Brown Bin and Food Bin

Burton Close / Drayton Road Footpath

In our last newsletter we mentioned that the Residents' Association was contacting Oxfordshire County Council Highways Section about the overgrown state of this short, but much used footpath.  We were pleased to see that the ivy that was badly obstructing the footpath was soon cut back and the cuttings later removed from the adjacent verge.  The other problem was the obstruction of the exit railings by a hedge next to the warehouse.  People have said it is increasingly difficult to get buggies through the gap.  It has taken the Residents' Association nearly three months to get an answer from the County Council about this problem but we have just heard that they have now instructed the warehouse to cut back the hedge.

By the time you read this, the barriers should be clear again - if they aren't, we certainly will be back in touch once more with the Highways Department!

Neighbourhood Watch - Be on Your Guard!!!!!

A message from the Neighbourhood Watch - a resident has been informed that a group of people are targeting customers in local stores / car parks.  They are distracting couples / individuals by asking questions ie 'I am lost, can you give me directions', or 'have you seen my son'.  While you are trying to help them, an accomplice steals a handbag or part of your shopping.

Please take care and inform your friends.

Abingdon Extravaganza

This year's Christmas Extravaganza will be happening on Saturday 28th November.  There'll be dancers, singers, musicians, a fire performer, the Mayor's parade, Punch & Judy and many others with lot's of stalls selling goodies, followed by the big finale with the turning on of the Christmas lights complete with fireworks!!!

For more information click on the link below:
http://www.abingdonchamber.co.uk/christmas.php