News

FIFA 2018 World Cup Alert

26 April 2018 0 Comments

The 2018 FIFA World Cup will take place from 14th June – 15th July 2018. The worldwide demand for match tickets, flight tickets, and somewhere to stay throughout the competition is expected to be significant. Those planning to travel should exercise caution when considering the purchase of tickets or accommodation because the event is highly likely to be targeted by fraudsters looking to take advantage of unsuspecting fans.

Fraudsters will likely be posing as:

  • Official World Cup ticket vendors or private individuals attempting to sell on a match ticket via online marketplace.
  • A fraudulent website or operator offering non-existent flights or other transport to host cities.
  • An accommodation booking service, hotel or operator, offering seemingly convenient accommodation in one of the host cities for the duration of the game.
  • Lottery or competition organisers claiming that you’ve won a prize or cash related to the tournament.

Action Fraud received over six hundred reports and intelligence submissions in relation to the previous World Cup so it’s vital that football fans exercise caution when considering a purchase or making a transaction.

Protect yourself:

  • Listen to your instincts: If something feels wrong then it is usually right to question it. Fraudsters will use the promise of steep discounts to lure you into handing over your money or revealing personal/financial details.
  • Clicking on links/files: Don’t be tricked into giving a fraudster access to your personal or financial details, and never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text.
  • Visit the Action Fraud website and take a look at their Ticket Fraud, Holiday Fraud and Lottery Fraud advice pages before making any decisions or bookings.
  • For useful advice and information on the World Cup please visit the Government Guidance Pages: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/be-on-the-ball-world-cup-2018

Visit Take Five (takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/advice/) and Cyber Aware (cyberaware.gov.uk) for more information about how to protect yourself online.

Action Fraud  18 April 2018
www.actionfraud.police.uk/news/action-fraud-warns-football-fans-ahead-of-2018-world-cup-Apr18

Last updated 26th April, 2018

Crime, Finance, News, Security

Victoria Park Needs You

25 April 2018 0 Comments

Do you have children under 11 years old?

Do you use Victoria Park?

How would you like to see the park developed and used in the future?

What:

Ashford Borough Council are going to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for £3miIlion to redevelop the Park. We need local parents who use the Park to help us develop the plans.

How:

Please drop in to Ashford Gateway on Thursday 3rd May from 11.30 am – 1pm to share your ideas for the park.
(Please note this is one of several consultation sessions we are running)

Where:

Ashford Gateway Plus, Church Rd, Ashford TN23 1AS.

For more information and to book

please contact Claire Adler:
Email: claireadler@btintenet.com Telephone: 07970 671965

Last updated 25th April, 2018

Ashford Borough Council, Environment, Family, News, Victoria Park

Call for mums in Ashford

24 April 2018 0 Comments

The Diocese of Canterbury are looking for mothers in Ashford area to join forces with recently arrived Syrian Refugee mums for an exciting and unique art project to explore the theme of Home with an award winning textile artist.

You’ll Work together to consider: what makes you feel at home, how do feel about home-making and what does it mean for you?

There is no need to have ANY previous experience. There will be 1 or 2 interpreters at each session and children of all ages are welcome. Initially the meet-ups will he from 10am-12pm, but there is flexibility to make these longer as the Weeks go on. Expect lots of cake to be involved!

About the project

Home is a joint project between the Diocese’s Communities and Partnerships Framework,  People United and Ashford Borough Council and will take place between April and October 2018. It will bring newly arrived Syrian refugee mums together with long-term resident mums in Ashford and has been given the green light by Arts Council England.

Participants will work with a female visual artist over a period of 6 months to explore the theme of home: What makes a place a home, how do women feel about home-making and what does it mean for different people? Together, the group will create artworks for a public exhibition.

Kent Refugee Officer, Domenica Pecoraro said:

“I’m so delighted that we are involved in this project, which is a new strand to our work on refugees and asylum. It affirms everything we stand for as a people of faith regarding our belief in the dignity and shared humanity of all people.

‘Maya Angelou once said, ‘The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.’ This creative project will provide a safe space where apparently very different women will be able to connect and relate to each on a common issue.”

If you would like more information about how to get involved, please email Domenica on DPecoraro@diocant.org

Diocese of Canterbury  01 March 2018
www.canterburydiocese.org/new-arts-project-to-bring-mums-together/

Last updated 24th April, 2018

Ashford Borough Council, church, Family, News

Help build up plans for Victoria Park

11 April 2018 0 Comments

Ashford Borough Council have secured initial funding to develop a £3.7m restoration and improvement project. They are looking to make the park an even better place to visit, with thanks to support from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery
Fund and Big Lottery Fund.

21st April 2018

9:30am – 3:30pm

Get involved

Come along and take part, we’d love to hear what you think about the park and what changes you would like to see.

Fun activities for all the family to enjoy featuring:

  • Mini sports day
  • Giant board game
  • Fantasy spending

Activities will take place by the fountain in the park.

 

Last updated 11th April, 2018

Ashford Borough Council, Environment, Heritage, News, Victoria Park

Magazine Debt Fraud Alert

6 April 2018 0 Comments

Fraudsters are cold calling victims nationwide and tricking them into paying a debt for magazine advertisement subscriptions that do not exist.

How does this fraud work?

Victims receive a telephone call from someone purporting to be a bailiff enforcing a court judgement, attempting to recover funds for a non-existent debt.

Over the phone the fraudsters state the debt originates from the victim not paying a magazine advertisement subscription.

The fraudsters use a variety of magazine names and publishers and are using the names such “Scott Davis”, “Stephen King” and “Mark Taylor”. These are names of certified Bailiff Enforcement Agents employed by debt enforcement companies.

Bank transfer

Fraudsters then request that the debt be repaid by bank transfer. If the victim refuses, they threaten to visit the victim’s home or place of work to recover the debt that is owed.

Once the money has been transferred, victims are not provided with receipt details of the payment or contact details. Later when victims make enquiries, they’ll discover that the debt did not exist, and often that no advertisement was placed.

This type of fraud is nationwide. Since 2017, there have been 52 reports relating to this fraud. From the reports received, there are a range of different businesses and individuals being targeted.

How to protect yourself:

Listen to your instincts: just because someone knows your basic details, such as your name and address, it doesn’t mean they are genuine.
Stay in control: always question cold callers. Always contact the companies directly using a known email or phone number.
Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision: A legitimate company will be prepared to wait whilst you verify information.
If you have been affected by this, or any other type of fraud, report it to us.

Visit Take Five and Cyber Aware for more information about how to protect yourself online.

Action Fraud  5th April 2018
www.actionfraud.police.uk/alert/fraudsters-claiming-to-be-bailiffs-tricking-people-into-paying-fake-debts-apr18

Last updated 6th April, 2018

Consumer, Crime, News, Security

Road Closure: Newtown Road

4 April 2018 0 Comments

From 16th April – November 2018

Newtown Road junction with Romney Marsh Road [A2042]

These works form part of the expansion of Ashford Designer Outlet.

Changes to local roads and pedestrian walkways surrounding the centre are part of a long-term project to make roads safer and improve traffic flows.

The changes will include the introduction of a signalised junction and a pedestrian crossing, which will make it easier for people to move between the International Station, the town centre and Ashford Designer Outlet. This will include a complete re-landscape of the area.

When will the roadworks finish?

The works will begin on Monday 16th April and will run until November 2018. The maintenance and improvement projects have been carefully planned to allow road works to be completed safely, while keeping disruption to road users to a minimum.

Where are the roadworks?

Due to the nature of the works, Newtown Road will be closed at the junction with Romney Marsh Road [A2042]. There will be no access to Ashford International Station and its car parks from Romney Marsh Road [A2042].

A fully signed diversion route will be in place via Orbital Park Roundabout and Crowbridge Road. Access to the centre is uneffected. Please refer to the below maps.

Who is doing the work?

The works are being led by McLaren and delivered by Walker Construction.

How can I avoid them?

Drivers are advised to check their route and allow extra time for their journeys where needed, especially at peak times.  McLaren and Walkers Construction have released a series of tips to help drivers navigate the improvement works during peak periods:

  • Check conditions on the roads and possible detour routes prior to making your journey
  • Use alternative routes to avoid road works where possible
  • Familiarise your changes in route prior to driving
  • Follow the yellow directional signage for diversion routes
  • Obey road signage for the safety of you and the workforce

Who can I talk to about these works?

Please email enquiries@ashfordexpansion.co.uk if you have a question.

McArthurGlen
https://outlets.mcarthurglen.com/en/uk/designer-outlet-ashford/whats-on/planned-improvement-works/

Last updated 4th April, 2018

News, Planning and Development, Transport

Stroke Consultation deadline extended

31 March 2018 0 Comments

The Joint Committee of Clinical Commissioning Groups for the Kent and Medway Stroke Review has taken the decision to extend the stroke consultation by one week. The consultation will now close at midnight on Friday 20 April.

The reason for this is that during the week of bad weather in late February and early March, we had to postpone a number of listening events, which have been rescheduled, and in response to feedback we have scheduled a number of additional events. Whilst these events will be concluded by the 13 April it is important to allow time for those attending to consider what they have heard and respond to the consultation. The extension would allow this and take into account time lost due to bad weather.

Transforming health and social care in Kent and Medway 29 March 2018
https://kentandmedway.nhs.uk/stp-workstreams/stroke/stroke-consultation-extended-to-friday-20-april-2018/

For more information on the consultation please see our previous post

https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/2018/02/27/improving-urgent-stroke-services-in-kent-and-medway-consultation/

Last updated 31st March, 2018

Health, News

Bonfire spreads to bungalow

20 March 2018 0 Comments

Ashford firefighters are warning residents about the risks of leaving bonfires unattended, following a callout to Ashford where a fire spread to a house.

Crews were called to reports of a fence alight in a garden Arcon Road. When they arrived they discovered that an unattended bonfire has spread to a garden gate, as well as the PVC window frames and guttering of a semi-detached bungalow.

Crews used a hose reel to contain the fire and prevent it spreading to the roof of the building, and drag rakes to expose hotspots in a heap of burning rubbish.

Ashford watch manager Mark Scott said: “Crews managed to bring this fire under control and minimise the damage to the house, but a few minutes more and we would have been facing a much larger incident.

“Our advice would be to find other, more environmentally friendly, ways of disposing of rubbish, such as taking it to your local recycling centre. If you do have a bonfire, make sure it is built well away from fences, buildings, trees and garden sheds, that it’s kept to a manageable size and that it’s not left unattended. An adult should supervise it until it has burnt out. If it has to be left, damp it down with water.”

There were no reported injuries.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service  20 March 2018
www.kent.fire-uk.org/news/incidents/?entryid2=15482

Last updated 20th March, 2018

News, Safety