Martham Parish Council

Rogue Trader Alert – Sales of generators, chainsaws and pressure washers from vans

We have received reports of generators, chainsaws and pressure washers being sold from vans from several locations including Diss, Costessey, Swaffham and around Fakenham.  Reports have included cold calls at domestic properties and people being approached in the street, in car parks of retail stores and drive through restaurants.

Never purchase items if approached in this manner.  There is a high possibility that the items being sold are low quality counterfeits, which could be unsafe to use, or are stolen.

It is possible these sellers could move on to other parts of Norfolk.

Anyone sighting these sellers in Norfolk or concerned about rogue trader activity in their community can contact us through our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06 or to Norfolk Constabulary via 101.

Cold Calling Alert – Telephone cold calls requesting payment for your ‘solar panel service’

We have received a report of a telephone cold call which was made to a Norfolk resident regarding a ‘solar panel service’.

During the call the cold caller stated this service was ‘required every five years’ and that they needed bank details for payment.

Always be very wary of any approach made in a telephone cold call and never give or confirm any personal or financial details, agree a service or to someone visiting your home if approached in this manner.

British Spring Clean
Martham Parish Council joins the GREAT BRITAIN SPRING CLEAN with its annual Litter Pick organised for Saturday 20 April at 10-12pm – meeting outside the Coop next to the Green opposite the KA public house anyone welcome to come along and help out .
Keep Britain Tidy (KBT) has launched the Great British Spring Clean for 2019.
This year, the event will be taking place from 22 March – 23 April 2019 and aims to build on the success of last year’s event.
Over 370,000 #LitterHeroes joined forces last year – despite the ‘Beast from the East’ – to collect litter at 13,500 events across the UK, taking a national stand against single-use plastic.

ONLY 4 WEEKS TO GO

The event will be held on Sunday 5th and Monday 6th May, 10am – 5pm.
Let’s make 2019 a great success.

To all Residents, Businesses and Organisations we are hoping for as many Scarecrows as you can make.
~ Yarn Bombing (knitted or crocheted)
~Bunting (bunting can be knitted, crocheted, made from material or indeed from anything you think suitable)
~Decorated Houses (in your own choice of design)
~Pompoms

Prizes for best Categories 2019

Best Scarecrow £100

Scarecrow – runner up £50

Best Yarn bombing £25

Best Bunting £25
Best Pompoms £25

Best Decorated Property £25

Miniature World Display – Vouchers for – ‘The Works’ & Bottle of Prosecco.

Paper Craft Displays – Book Vouchers  & Bottle of prosecco.

With the warmer months now approaching, it would be a good time to start making your scarecrows and your wonderful creations.

We have quite a few Garden/Garage sales entered already they will be all around the village on both days, so residents please don’t forget to sort out your unwanted items in time & get ready to sell to all the visitors that return to this annual event time & time again!!
If you have anything that you no longer want and would like it out of the way, please contact us to arrange a collection.
We still need donations of
~ Books
~ Clothes
~ Bric a Brac
~ Toys
~ We also welcome donations of prizes that we can use throughout the weekend.

We really do appreciate your support.

Registration Forms have now been posted through every door in Martham.

We are accepting Visiting Scarecrows, so if you don’t live in the village and would like to enter you still can.

All Visiting Scarecrows will be positioned on the Village Green.

Please contact us for an Entry Form on 07340782884 or visit Martham Parish Council website where you can download an entry form, please email us your entries by Sunday 14^th April to marthamscarecrowfestival@yahoo.com

There will be a variety of stalls on the village greens over the two days, and not forgetting the Treasure Hunt for all the family to enjoy too.

We have some demonstrations over the weekend by 901 Marine Cadets, Chain Saw Carvings, Dragon Stage School and a re-enactment by The Vikings/Saxons.

Gray’s Family Fun Fair on the main Green.

St Marys Church will be holding an Art exhibition, weather permitting the Church Tower will be open to climb and Refreshments will be available.

Miniature World and Paper craft Competition at Cornerstone Baptist Church, they will be open for Refreshments both days.

Flower Festival at the Methodist Church with the Theme ”People” Refreshments will be available.

Free Car Parking provided until 6pm at Martham Academy & Martham Playing Field.

Money raised at this event will be used for village projects. In the past the money has been able to support Martham Community Centre, Martham Youth Club and the purchase of Christmas lights and new seating for the village green.

For more information regarding the Scarecrow Festival for 2019 please send us a message on our Facebook Page or call Laura on 07340782884 or Corrine on 07880507532.

For any correspondence please email: marthamscarecrowfestival@yahoo.com

Laura and Corrine

Online scams continue with the latest being a telephone call claiming outstanding money is owed to BT and has to be paid immediately, and TV Licensing scam stating that the TV License has expired. Both calls request bank details.
There have also been reports of cold callers offering driveway cleaning and mis-selling cavity wall insulation. Please remember these are only some of the most recent known scams. These websites provide a list of the latest known scams:
www.gov.uk
www.nidirect.gov.uk

Crime Prevention Advice
Do not give out passwords.
Do not give out bank details.
Do not give out any personal details.
Do not let anyone into the house.
Do not leave anyone unattended in the house.

And remember, if it seems too good to be it true, it is too good to be true.

 Living in a rural community can feel lonely and isolating. These feelings can be enhanced by fear of crime, whether it’s a real or imagined. Of course, this has a knock-on effect on our everyday worries and issues and can lead to a decline in our mental health.

It’s important to remember there are charities out there that offer help and guidance. One such charity is You Are Not Alone (YANA).

YANA has successfully raised the profile of mental health in rural communities. highlighting that it is ‘ok not to feel ok’.

Yana is a confidential service and encourages those suffering from depression, stress or anxiety to visit their GP or contact the YANA helpline. YANA can fund up to six sessions of counselling and these can be arranged within days, compared to NHS waiting times of months.