12 / 24
12
VILLAGE NEWS
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH (NHW)
DANGERS OF USING MOBILE PHONE
Studies have shown that using a mobile phone whilst
driving is so distracting that it’s as dangerous as be-
ing over the drink drive limit. Studies have also
shown that reaction times are 50 per cent slower if
using a mobile phone whilst driving, and you are four
times more likely to have a collision. Comparisons
have been made to it impairing ability to drive to a
similar degree as driving under the influence of alco-
hol or drugs.
Driving while using a mobile phone is considered one
of the ‘fatal four’ driving offences, along with speed-
ing, not wearing a seatbelt and drink or drug driving.
The Government has recently announced plans to
increase the penalties for driving whilst using a mo-
bile phone. The decision comes following a number
of high profile court cases where mobile phone use
was deemed a factor in fatal collisions. In Cambridge-
shire, in the last six months, 595 people were caught
using their mobile phone whilst driving.
CRIMINAL DAMAGE
There have been reports of criminal damage to motor
vehicles with wing mirrors being broken off. If you
have any information please telephone 101
PHONE NUMBERS
101 Anyone with information for the police; 0800 555
111 Crime stoppers anonymously; 999 in an emer-
gency
Burglarycrackdown@cambs.pnn.police.uk OR online
at
www.crimestoppers-uk-org
Your village NW Coordinators are
RICHARD WEST 811467 CLIVE WILLIAMS 811828
Here at Alzheimer's Socie-
ty, we want to connect to
as many people as possi-
ble who are affected by
dementia. In rural areas,
this can often be hard to
get our message out there
which is, "we are here for you".
As a result of the difficulties faced from rural areas,
we are currently looking for volunteers to help raise
awareness of Dementia and Alzheimer's Society in
their local areas. This can be achieved by ensuring
local GP's, health centres, community centres and
even local shops have up to date information from us.
The role would involve supplying these places with
the information through the forms of posters etc. that
would be supplied to you by our Information Worker.
The Information Worker will be managing you to en-
sure you have the resources available to raise aware-
ness of Dementia and Alzheimer's Society.
The volunteering opportunity has no fixed hours, and
can be done in your own spare time where available.
If the opportunity is of interest to yourself and you
would like to speak about it in more detail, then
please feel free to email
Joshua.Pearce@alzheimers.org.uk
‘12 Days of Christmas Giving’
Most of us look forward to Christmas but for some it
can be a very difficult time. I thought that our village
could support some of those people in our own local
community who may be struggling.
Godmanchester Foodbank operate throughout the
year supporting people in Huntingdon, with food and
other assistance, that are referred to them.
Christmas can be a particularly demanding time,
which is where we come in! I am asking that you fill a
small box or large bag with at least 12 items of non
perishable foods, such as tins, packets, rice, pasta,
etc. As your donated items will help towards making
up Christmas Hampers for people you could also in-
clude some kind of Christmas chocolate or biscuits,
such as a Chocolate Orange or children's selection
box, as this will make all the difference to some peo-
ple who just can' afford those luxuries.
I will need your donations by the 14th December, at
the latest, so that I can then get them to Godman-
chester Foodbank for them to make up the hampers
and distribute them in time for Christmas.
If you just put one extra item in your shopping trolley
between now and then you'll soon have your box
made up.
Please contact me if you require further details:
Jo Redwood - 07730478290
53 Greenway, Buckden