Distraction burglary

I understand, from the local Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, that there has been an increase in the number of "distraction burglaries" recently - when someone enters your house pretending to be someone in authority.

Most of the incidents recently involved male callers frightening elderly people into believing that there was a problem with their water supply.

Anyone who IS official will carry an ID card and will not mind if you keep the chain on your door while you check their card. The card will carry an official phone number that you can phone to check.

Most of the bogus callers recently have said "WE ARE FROM THE WATERBOARD". This area of Essex is supplied with water by the Essex & Suffolk Water Company. The "water board" no longer exists. They do not call unless requested and when they do they produce a bona-fide Identity card.

You should report any suspicious activity IMMEDIATELY to the police on 999 / 112.

More information about Neighbourhood Watch on the Springfield website or the national neighbourhoodwatch.net

V Festival - the great clean up

Over a week after the V rock/pop festival in Hylands Park near Chelmsford and the park area is still recovering. The adjacent campsite was littered with abandoned tents - another symbol of the throwaway society, I guess. And other litter marked many of the routes to/from the park. Not to mention parked cars damaged by buses speeding past on their way to the park.

Whereas 40,000 Scouts and leaders spent 12 days in Hylands Park - and the area around the park hardly noticed any negative impact. The Scouts have left a lasting legacy, having helped various community projects (see pictures on Writtle Parish Council website).

In common with most (?) local residents, I am happy to have V in the park. But the negative impact on the local area still needs reducing.

The whole world in one park

Up the road in Hylands Park a tented city is under construction for 40,000 Scouts and leaders - for the jamboree that will mark 100 years of Scouting. Every country in the world that has Scouts will be represented. More about the building work on Latest news

On 1st August every Scout in the world is encouraged to renew their Scout Promise at 8.00am their time. In Chelmsford, hundreds will do so in Oaklands Park. Should be a very special time. Memories of my time as a Scout start to come back......

Jamboree at Hylands

Just back from Hylands House, where local residents heard about the plans for the World Scout Jamboree in the park. The park will be closed from 22 July to 9 August to accommodate the event. It will be a fantastic event for 32,000 14-18 year olds and 10,000 adult helpers from just about every country in the world. And the public will be able to attend on some days.

This is one event to celebrate 100 years of Scouting. On 1st August every Scout around the world will mark the event at 8.00am.

Local residents have expressed concerns, particularly about traffic. We heard about all the arrangements that are in place to deal with this. Many problems were addressed during the "practice run" of holding the Euro Jamboree here in 2005.

Writtle Parish Council was well represented at the meeting and has been keeping an eye on the arrangements.

A leaflet will be going to almost every house in the Borough with the Weekly News next week. More information: www.thejamboree.org There is also a phone number that is already taking enquiries, and will be answered 24 hours a day once the site is in use to deal with any concerns: 0845 300 1818.

Footnote for my non-Chelmsford readers: Hylands House was saved by the first Liberal administration of Chelmsford Council (1983-1991) after the previous administration had let it decay.