Chairman’s Report

September is here again and already the leaves and the wretched dust from the trees is falling and finding its way into every nook and cranny. We have had a wonderful Summer though, for which we should be truly grateful.

The Park Rules consultation is now well under way and the Committee would like to thank all those residents who took the time to attend the meeting on the 23rd July. It was a truly unexpected turnout and we calculated that at least 90 (if not more) residents turned out. Our thanks also go to the Country Club for allowing us to hold our meeting in the club. Many questions were asked and we hope that we were able to answer most concerns.

We now have the parks response to the consultation and are in the 21 days period required to allow for any appeals before the Rules may be lodged with the Local Authority. If any of you have any questions on this subject please contact any Committee Member and we will be more than happy to help you.

We are continuing to investigate new ways of protecting residents from the many 'cold callers' and scams which seem to be intruding into our worlds these days and you will read news plus advice on this further on. Unfortunately, once again, we have had news of residents falling foul of either scam advertisements or doorknockers. We have, many times in past Newsletters, advised against allowing workman who 'cold call' to carry out work to your homes and it is especially not advisable to pay any money up front or before work is completed. Please also be very cautious when receiving phone calls or letters making offers.

We do have 'No Cold Calling' stickers for your doors and if you would like one, again, please contact any Committee Member.

By the time you read this we will have had our September coffee morning with the CAB in attendance offering advice on pensions and other benefits. If anyone would like us to invite any other agency which they think may be of interest, please do let us know. It sometimes does have us scratching our heads trying to think of something different and interesting!

We have several new residents moving on to the park since the last Newsletter and we welcome them to Turners Hill Park.

Petition to Re-Route the No. 84 Bus

You may remember that we were undertaking a project whereby we would be requesting the Council and the Metro Bus Company to change the No. 84 bus back to its original route, that is, coming to the Park and then going through Crawley Down instead of going past Tulleys Farm which maroons residents from getting to the shops and the Doctor. We drew up a form and circulated this to every home on the park. However, the response was very poor so we will be calling at every home asking for a signature to support us in this effort. If you have already signed, then all will be well for you and you will not be asked to sign the Petition Sheet. It is hoped that, by doing this, we will get a much greater number of signatures which will give more power to our elbow. We shall, of course, keep you advised as to progress.

Petition to Re-Route the No. 84 Bus

Now that Tulleys has downsized and there is now only a cafe, the Residents Committee feels that it would be appropriate at this stage to draw up a Petition asking if the No. 84 bus could return to its previous route through Crawley Down. This way our residents could get to the shops, Doctors' Surgery etc. Please read and sign the attached Petition and drop it in to the appropriate box in the Office. Many thanks.

Neighbourhood Watch [NHW]

We expect to launch our Neighbourhood Watch [NHW] messaging service on Monday September 1st. Hopefully, by the time you read this it will be in full swing and those of you who are already registered should have received information via email.

It is designed to keep you up to date with NHW issues and informative messages from the police. This is a free service, and if you would like to join, then please contact Geoff Gant [01342 713581] or else go to our website www.thpra.co.uk for more details.

Author: Geoff Gant

Scams - How to Protect Yourself

The Trading Standards Service has produced an Information Sheet in which they detail all the types of scams which we are subjected to - through the letterbox, via the phone, on the doorstep or by e-mail. The advice is not to respond to any scam call or mailing. If you do, you will be put on to a so called 'suckers list' and will be bombarded with further calls and letters, all with fake promises of prizes. Never give out your name, phone number or address to any strangers or to people who should already have this information. Never give financial information or details of your identity, bank account, credit card or PIN numbers to strangers or to businesses who should already hold your details. If you think you have been scammed or that someone has tried to scam you, report it to the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06. Warn someone or tell a friend, relative or neighbour about the danger of being scammed. Visit www.thinkjessica.com for further information.

Remember: - If it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is. If you didn't buy a ticket or enter - you can't win and never pay out money to receive a prize.

Neighbourhood Watch [NHW]

We expect to launch our Neighbourhood Watch [NHW] messaging service on Monday September 1st. Hopefully, by the time you read this it will be in full swing and those of you who are already registered should have received information via email.

It is designed to keep you up to date with NHW issues and informative messages from the police. This is a free service, and if you would like to join, then please contact Geoff G

Author: Geoff Gant

No Cold Calling Zone [NCCZ]

A No Cold Calling Zones (NCCZ) is:-

• an initiative to help combat the problem of doorstep crime. The zones aim to make residents feel safer in their own homes.
• an area in which residents have stated they do not wish to receive unsolicited visits to their homes (cold calls) from businesses.
• identified by street signs and the use of stickers on resident's front door or window can act as a reminder to any trader that calls.

Zones should meet the three criteria before they can be set up:-

• a history of doorstep crime or distraction burglary.
• a vulnerable population.
• a defined geographical area.

NCCZ do not ban cold callers or create exclusion zones, however, they are effective in deterring unscrupulous cold callers from approaching people living in the zones and giving those residents the confidence to say "No".

Your Residents Association strongly supports the creation of a NCCZ on Turners Hill Park and a Petition has been drawn up for signature by all residents. We require 51% of all homes to sign in order to begin the process but we would hope for more. Geoff Gant [01342 713581] is co-ordinating the petition, and would welcome any questions or help.

For further details please go to our website www.thpra.co.uk

Author: Geoff Gant

Incident on the Park

Last week, one of our beady eyed residents saw a black-single axle Ford Transit van, Reg.No. LV14 UND in Linnet Close. The driver and passenger were acting most suspiciously and, when challenged, they claimed to be looking for Calor Gas tanks. The matter was reported to the Police. If anyone has seen this van or can add any other details, please call 101 and quote Ref. No. 00881 3/9/14.

A big well done to Doug Stack-Pash for his vigilance. This is what Neighbour-hood Watch is all about.

Cribbage League

Mr. Colin Smith, 7 Siskin Avenue is very keen to start a new Cribbage League in the Social Club starting in October. If you are interested, can you please contact him on 01342-713049.

Speed on the Park

As a plea on behalf of our more senior residents who are not just so spritely as they used to be, could we ask that both residents and visitors alike slow down on park roads. The speed limit is 10mph and there are signs at the entrance to the park and roundels on the roads. We don't have any pavements here and there is nowhere for our residents to go if anyone drives round a corner fast and comes upon someone who is walking slowly. Thank you for your consideration.

Green Deal Cash Back Scheme

Insulated Homes Limited is pleased to inform us of the Government's Green Deal Cash Back Scheme for Park Homes. They are the only company who can access this cash back as they have an approved external wall insulation system specifically for park homes and can also provide the appropriate 25 Year Insurance backed guarantee which is essential for them to be able to claim the cash back. There are extra savings for those in receipt of benefits and fully trained staff will explain the entire process and complete all necessary paperwork. If you are interested and would like further information, then please contact them on e-mail: ann@insulatedhomes.net or write to them at Horselake Farm, Cheriton Bishop, Exeter or telephone 01647-24599

Our Thanks To:-

Before closing, we would like to take the opportunity to thank Jill Chisholm for delivering the Parish Magazine for so many years. However, we have been lucky enough to find a replacement, Jackie Sussex, and we would like to thank her for taking on Jill's round. To finish, we would like to wish Jill every happiness in her new home.

Large Print Copies

If you find you are having difficulty in reading the printed Newsletter, a Large Print copy can be made available to you. All you need do is contact one of the Committee Members and one will be slipped through your letterbox. Those who have already requested a copy need do nothing as they are on our list.