November 2021

6 Buckden Roundabout November 2021 Buckden Neighbourhood Watch LIGHTING When the clocks go back, we realise how much we miss the crisp natural daylight of balmy summer days. Light has a mas- sive impact on our lives. It doesn ’ t simply impact how well we can see but also how we sleep and feel. Good lighting can deter a thief so fit exterior lights to the front and rear of the house, preferably exterior lighting is dawn to dusk lighting. Exterior security lights are not expensive DARKER NIGHTS After dark park in a well - lit busy place. Look around before you get out of the car. If you ’ re parking in daylight but coming back for your car at night think about how things will look in the dark. Have your key ready when you go back to your car. SECURITY AROUND THE HOME When you leave the house even if it is only for a short time make sure that doors and windows are secure. It only takes seconds to steal your property. Do not leave keys in obvious places. Burglars know where to look. Keep garage doors closed and locked. BOUNDARY PERIMETER Start at the outside and walk around the whole of the perime- ter. Check fences, gates, shrubbery and hedges looking for possible hiding areas or easy ways of gaining entry. Check for good visibility from surrounding houses and roadways. Low boundaries at the front of the house give maximum visibility but high walls or fences of 1.8 m( 6 ft ) provide good security at the rear. Side entrances should be secured with lockable gates. The height should match that of the rear fence so that any burglar attempting to climb or force the gate will be visible from the road or a nearby house. OUT and ABOUT/ PERSONAL SAFETY Walking home at night carry your bag close to you with the clasp facing inwards. Carry your house keys in your pocket. If you think someone is following you check by crossing the street. Don ’ t take short cuts through dark alleys. Walk facing the traffic so a car cannot pull up behind you unnoticed RICHARD WEST Village Coordinator 01480 811467 / 07841 866630 To contact the police: 999 in an emergency; 0800 555 111 Crime Stoppers; 0300 123 2040 Action Fraud. EMAIL burglarycrackdown@cambs.pnn.police.uk or visit www.crimestoppers.uk.org or you can telephone 101 Suspicions or concerns can be reported via the police force ’ s online web chat function here https://bit.ly/3tfssQF Or via the online reporting forms here https://bit.ly/3ck9z85 Village News Lockdown Wildlife The Huntingdonshire Local Group of the Wildlife Trust invite you to our on line illustrated talk on Wednesday 10th Novem- ber at 7.30pm, which will be hosted via Zoom. Our speaker will be Jim Stevenson who has recently retired as the Senior Wildlife Ranger for Paxton Pits. Often known as Ranger Jim on Radio Cambridgeshire, he had spells with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust under Peter Scott, and over 20 years with the RSPB. A very entertaining speaker, Jim will de- scribe his favourite places that he visited during Lockdown. These include Brampton Wood, Stirtloe Sewage Works, Paxton Pits and a few places further afield such as Frampton Marsh, Minsmere and some Trust sites in the Yorkshire Dales. This event is free. Please book by emailing Pat on jp.doody@ntlworld.com in advance. He will send you a zoom link before the meeting is due to start. Donations are grateful- ly accepted via the Wildlife Trust BCN website. For more information please contact Alistair on 07775 365507 or alistairrgrant@hotmail.com. Part of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Registered Charity No: 1000412 Buckden Friends We had a lovely time in Blackpool, despite the weather trying to upset us. The Doric hotel was splendid and we would highly recommend it. Very good food. Great entertainment and ser- vice. The Blackpool lights were amazing and we enjoyed our steam train trip and cruise on Lake Windermere. Quiz sheets kept us amused and we had the advantage of hav- ing Janet as a passenger who kindly did some Line dancing with us. Planning ahead. In 2022 we are contemplating going to the Isle of White from May 16th to 20th. If you are interested please let us know, with your room requirements, so that we can start to find a hotel. Contact Pat or Brian King 07981727603, 01480 811020, pat- king@writeme.com with your contact details.