NEWS SHEET No.34

August 2004

Health Service – important Changes From September 1st. if you need urgent medical care on Monday to Friday between the hours of 6.30p.m. and 8.30a.m. or at any time during weekends and bank holidays you should call 0845 345 8995. You can also get general health advice 24hours a day by calling NHS direct on 0845 46 47 For more information about changes to out of hours service contact 01235 205565 or 0800 052 3225

Deer Collisions There is a great effort being made nationally to reduce the numbers of wild deer on account of the damage caused to people and vehicles with which they are in collision. We need to take great care when driving through the wooded areas as we go along the Henley and Reading roads. In the event of a collision you should call the police immediately . They will arrange for the animal to be removed if dead or humanely killed if wounded. A deer collision project officer has been appointed and would appreciate being informed of any collisions you encounter. His number is 01842 890798 . If you wish to have further information there is a website – www.deercollisions.co.uk

Changed Telephone Numbers All enquiries regarding Council Tax, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit should be to 0845 612 2422  Other Council numbers remain the same.

Citizen’s Advice Bureau During the past year the Henley branch of the C.A.B. was contacted by clients 5327 times, and 80 of those contacts were made by Nettlebed parishioners. In appreciation of this excellent service, the Parish Council makes a contribution each year. Now there is a way you could make a very valuable contribution- not by giving money but by becoming a volunteer. They are in the process of recruiting people to train as advisers. They say that you need to be open minded, and care about others in the community. They say that the work is challenging, never dull and extremely satisfying. If you would like more information please contact Sarah Westcott on 01491 574508. Interviews will be held during early October.

Re-cycling Are you sorting your rubbish? Separating the recyclable goods – paper, cardboard, plastic, tins, so that they don’t need to go to landfill? If you need an additional or replacement green box please contact the clerk who will supply you with one.

South Oxfordshire Small Repairs Scheme A reminder of this excellent service which is a ‘not for profit’ home improvement agency run by Anchor Trust. The service is available for older and disabled home owners and covers minor plumbing repairs, joinery work, lock fitting, window repairs, and countless other smaller jobs. (no gardening or decorating)
There is a charge which is only a fraction of commercial costs. This service is supported by S.O.D.C., O.C.C. local primary care trusts , the local police and fire service
Contact them on 01491 823 895 or e-mail  [email protected]

Home and Vehicle Crime Reduction Exhibition Thames Valley Police have teamed up with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Security companies to provide advice and services to residents in and around Henley , on home and vehicle security and safety. The exhibition will take place in Henley Market Place from 10.00a.m. to 4.00p.m. on Saturday, September 18th
Residents will be able to:-
Obtain guidance on home and vehicle security from crime reduction and security advisors.
Book home security surveys which will be carried out free of charge by T.V. police.
Discover the latest products available to increase the security of your home and car.
Bring along bicycles, tools and other portable items to be post coded in order to deter thieves and enable goods to be traced.
Ensure that car seats are fitted safely- will be checked by the Fire and Rescue Service.
Receive advice on fire safety.
Enquire about Alarms, CCTV, Locks and Bolts and most other types of physical security
Talk to your beat officer about policing issues which concern you.
 This will be a valuable opportunity for residents and vehicle owners to increase their awareness of security and safety issues- do go along – it is in all our interests to do so

New Police Officer We now have a new Police Officer covering Nettlebed. He will be attending our next Council Meeting on September 7th His name is Keith Brockington.

Crime Reduction in South Oxfordshire. Some good news – there has been a 14% reduction in crime in South Oxfordshire – figures from the Home Office state this is the largest reduction in the South East. No cause for complacency but a step in the right direction :
29% reduction in thefts from vehicles.  25% reduction in robberies.  13% reduction in stolen cars.  5% reduction in sexual offences.

Local Commons We are extremely fortunate in having so many commons in and around our area. Obviously they don’t look after themselves and we are indebted to the Nettlebed and District Commons Conservators who manage them. They have lots of plans for the future and will share them with us at a meeting on October 13th. This is a subject which affects us all so we are strongly advised to attend. Time and venue will be announced on the village notice boards and also on the website at www.nettlebed.org.uk

Newcomers to village We like to send a letter of welcome together with details of all local activities to all newcomers. Sadly, some slip through the net as we don’t get informed of their arrival in the village. If you are one of those who missed out, please accept our apologies, and we hope you have settled in nicely.

Your Parish Councillors Mr. J. Simon, Dr. J. McWhirter, Mr. N. Gibson, Mr. J. Reynolds, Mr. D. Butler, Dr. M. Atkins, Mrs B. Lewis, Mrs D.Ackerman

Reminder of dates
Sept.7th. Council Meeting
Sept. 18th Crime Prevention Exhibition
Oct.13th. Friends of Commons meeting