Chairman’s Report

This is our first Newsletter for 2015 and how the 3 months since our last one have flown. We have had some changeable weather since Christmas including some unexpected snow and the spring bulbs do not know quite what to do at the moment, although, the snowdrops seem to be particularly pretty this year. We also have had some extra visitors from the bird world on our feeders, including Bull Finches and several Nuthatches, all feeding together.

Now on to some news. Mid Sussex District Council has settled the Licence Fee required from Berkley Parks, this was agreed at Council in December. As you have already been advised, the bad news is that the law allows for park owners to pass this fee on to residents. The good news is that, at £255.00, this works out to only approximately £1.00 per home and even more good news is that a recent First Tier Tribunal decision has stipulated that this fee may only be put on our pitch rent as a 'Service Item', much the same as the water rates. This means that it will not be able to attract RPI and become an integral part of the pitch rent as previously intended.

The Park Office has undergone some changes and now looks very smart. We also have a new Admin. Assistant and I have been advised by the Park Manager, that the Office will have longer opening hours; these can be viewed on the Office door. He is also expecting the Office to become more computerised during 2015, which will certainly bring some changes.

And, finally, we are currently planning our AGM which is scheduled for 13th April, this year and Yvonne Leddy from Mid Sussex District Council will be present to talk to us about the changes to Park Licensing and what these changes mean to us as residents. As in previous years, I ask that you all come along. This is your opportunity to tell us what you think about the activities we undertake on your behalf. If you do not tell us, we will not know. I look forward to seeing you there.

As a reminder, shortly after the AGM, that is, during April, May and June, Committee Members will be out collecting Annual Membership Subscriptions and we hope that you will continue to support us by joining or re-joining.

No Cold Calling Zone

We are almost there now. We have ordered the NCCZ signs and have had discussions with the Park Manager as to where these should be sighted. You will remember that all those who responded voted in favour of introducing this scheme and we are absolutely delighted with the result. As a reminder to everyone, attached is the Police and Trading Standards Information Sheet giving details of what a No Cold Calling Zone actually is and what powers it gives residents in stopping aggressive salespeople from forcing anyone to buy their wares. Also attached is a NCCZ Sticker for you to use. If you already have one, then all the better as you can attach this one to one of your other outside doors if you have one either that on your front window. The more you have the safer you will be.

Some More Scams - Be Diligent - Beware

(1) Fraudsters are asking people to list items on online auction sites. You are offered 10% of the funds received but, and there's the catch, there are no items for sale and, because you are accountable for listing the item on the site, your bank account could be closed for suspected fraud or money laundering. If you have received a suspicious e-mail, report it immediately to:- www.actionfraud.police.uk or phone 0300-123-2040. Do not pay out any money.

(2) Postcards are being sent out claiming that 'jewellery' is waiting for a homeowner to collect and giving a specific telephone number to contact. The processing fee is £10.00 but must be paid by telephone and credit card. Do not call the number and do not give your credit card details. If you receive one of these postcards, contact Phonepay Plus on 0800-500-212 (Mon - Fri), 8am-6pm) for further guidance.

(3) There were two reports of attempted Op Edisto scams on the park recently. Op Edisto is the scam where a person phones you up and says that they are a Police officer and that your cards have been stolen. They will then advise you to ring your bank but leave the line open. They will then attempt to either send a courier to collect the card or ask you to withdraw cash then come round and collect it. Please can you pass the message on to all residents that THIS IS A SCAM .

Remember; stay vigilant - if an offer seems too good to be true - it probably is a scam. These people are clever - watch out.

Siting of Green, Black and Blue Refuse Bins
Purely as a reminder to residents, both new and long standing, refuse bins should be stored, where possible, by the side of the home, out of sight. Please do not leave them out at the front of your home as they are not the most attractive of items for residents to look out at. It is appreciated that not everyone can store their bins out of the way but, if it is at all possible, please do so as they have a habit of blowing over and the contents strewn about. Many thanks.

Free Home Fire Safety Check
The Fire Brigade state that their home fire safety checks have been crucial in reducing the number of people being injured in house fires. Their Home Safety Checks are free and they especially want to reach those who are 65 or over and live alone; have a physical disability or frailty; have a sensory impairment or difficulty hearing a standard smoke alarm; use a Community Alarm service like Careline or Lifeline; have a cognitive impairment affecting their ability to remember things. If you would like to request a Home Fire Safety Check, call free on 0800-328-6487 or visit:-

www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire.

Bakers & Cooks
The Horticultural Society is holding its Spring Flower Show at the Haven Centre in Crawley Down on 28th March 2015. There is a Competition for a homemade sponge sandwich to be decorated for Easter. If you would like to enter a cake (and entry is free) all you need to do is have your cake at the Haven by 10.30am ready for judging or get it to Linda on Friday who can take it for you and get it back after the show later on Saturday afternoon. There is also an ' Arrangement of Spring Flowers ' class limited to 10 entries and judged by public voting on the day.

The Society's Summer Show will be held at The Ark on 19th July 2015 and, besides the usual vegetable and flower classes, there will be classes for jams and chutneys, cakes, shortbread, quiches and much more. There are also handicraft classes for woodwork, art, knitted items, cards and others together with a photographic section for your photos. If you have grandchildren, then the under 9s and 9-12 years can also take part in special classes including poems, insect making, gingerbread men and others. Programmes can be obtained from Linda Furzer or Jennie Forbes. ALL ENTRIES ARE FREE. So, come on Park residents, let's show everybody what we can do!

Flower Arrangers
On 2 occasions during 2014, the Park was asked to provide a floral arrangement for the Church. The Residents Committee did their best but if any of you would like to make any future arrangements when required, we would be delighted if you could contact us. Please just give your name to any Committee Member and we will advise you as to what is required. The cost of the materials will, of course, be met by the Residents Association

Home Insurance
Residents who are new to the Park and who have their homes insured with Towergate may not be aware that, by becoming members of IPHAS (the Independent Park Home Advisory Service) they can qualify for a 10% reduction on their Premium. The Block Membership fee is £4.00 per year per home. Linda Furzer is our IPHAS Representative and can be contacted at 9 Swallow Street or on 01342-714551. Her husband, Geoff, is a consultant for IPHAS and answers queries from Park Home residents nationally.

Author of the above 3 articles: Linda Furzer

Removal Of Ivy From Trees
In the March 2014 Newsletter under the heading 'Messages from the Office' the Park Manager requested that residents check trees in their gardens and if there is any ivy growing on any of them, then they should attempt to remove it or inform the office and they will advise. Perhaps everyone could check their trees again. Many thanks.