Cold Callers — Some Advice

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Dear Friends,

This time of year when the weather is hot, the undesirables are out knocking on doors to gain entry and possibly ROB you. Please see below further advice that may help your in making your decision to open your door. You may think my message is a bit strong, but I do not know of another way to tell people to be careful. I hear many times of burglaries where people still leave windows open, doors unlocked because I am just popping to the shops for a few minutes. It takes 2-3 minutes for a burglar to steal from you. Please, please be more aware about your security. Look after your neighbour and they will look out for you.

You can tell door-stop salesmen not to knock — and they have to listen (it’s an offence not to!).

To stop them disturbing you print out Trading Standard’s ‘No Cold Caller’s’ sign (PDF) and put it by your front door. You have seven days to cancel most purchases over £35 made on the door-step. This cooling off period starts when you get written notice of your right to cancel (they have to give you one). If you cancel in this time you should get a refund (including your deposit). There are exceptions – check out the CAB website for details. Remember: the safest approach is to never buy on the door-step or let anyone in if you’re not sure who they are.

If someone knocks that you don’t know:

  1. Don’t answer if you don’t feel safe
  2. Always ask for ID and call the company to check
  3. Don’t sign anything on the spot – get details and do your own research
  4. Never hand over cash or agree for work to start straight away
  5. Call the police if you feel threatened

Best regards,

John Wright MBE
Chairman
Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Federation.

Mobile: 07917385213
Business:01444 247368
Email: enquiries@sussexnwfed.org.uk
Web: www.sussexnwfed.org.uk

Cakes & savouries request

Cakes and savouries request
To be sold at the Fulking Fair in aid of the Fulking Social Fund. Any homemade cakes and savouries that we could sell at the fair would be welcomed. They can be dropped off with Ceri Thayer at Four Acres or with Kate Slavin at Septima Cottage on Friday evening or Saturday morning before 10.30. Or just bring them along to the Fair and drop them off at the cake and savouries stall. Anything that you can turn your culinary skill to will be very welcome.

DECC decision due June 2014

Looking to the future
Chris Tomlinson (E.ON) writes:

We welcomed the opportunity to present to West Sussex County Council’s Scrutiny Committee on Friday about E.ON’s Rampion Offshore Wind Farm .. We have .. committed to develop a Community Benefits Strategy later in the year .. The Rampion application is now due for examination by the Planning Inspectorate over the course of the next six months and we expect a decision to be made by the Secretary of State (DECC) around June 2014.

New South Downs Book Series

New South Downs National Park book series
UPDATE, 21st July: all three volumes are now available — my copies arrived a couple of days ago, GJMG.

There’s a new book series on the South Downs with volumes on the archaeology (John Manley), geology (David Robinson) and natural history (Robin Crane and Rendel Williams). The geology volume appears to be available now but note that there’s a slightly discounted price if you order all three volumes at the same time.

Mapping the woods

Aerial photo versus LiDAR showing hidden archaeological features
A regular aerial photo compared with a LiDAR image of the same area. The latter reveals archaeological features that are hidden in the former.
The BBC reports that:

Ann Bone, the authority’s cultural heritage expert, said laser technology on a plane would be used to produce a map of the landscape under the trees. Archaeological work on the ground would then follow .. Maps will be created of the most densely-wooded area from the River Arun to the A3 road. .. Data gathered by directing a laser at the ground and measuring the reflected light would provide a three-dimensional map showing all the “humps and bumps” under the forest.

The £935,756 project has received nearly £662,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and up to £130,000 from the park authority.

Update: the SDNPA press release.