September sees the beginning of a gradual slide into the mellow autumn and colder winter months – the nights start noticeably drawing in and daytime temperatures become a little less clement. The Romans believed that September was looked after by Vulcan, the god of fire, perhaps recognising his intrinsic worth as the temperatures inevitably dropped.
Here September is traditionally the month of harvest although, with the scorching summer we have enjoyed this year, most of the local crops have already been gathered in. Nevertheless the September full moon, this year occurring at 7.10pm on the 7th, is known as the Harvest Moon because it rises early and appears particularly bright. In times gone by this brightness allowed farmers to carry on harvesting well into the night.
Notable dates in September include the World Letter Writing and Literacy days on the 1st and 8th respectively (although it would probably be better if they were the other way round…) the Maplesteads’ Autumn Show in Great Maplestead Village Hall on the 6th and the Little Maplestead Craft Fair on the 13th. The 17th sees the start of British Food Fortnight, a national celebration of British food and the health benefits and pleasures of eating quality, fresh, seasonal and regionally distinct produce, during which the Maplesteads’ Jumble Sale will be taking place, offering bargains galore, on the 20th . Monday the 22nd is the Autumnal Equinox, after which nights will become longer than days all the way through until March next year… Plenty of time then to appreciate some further parishioner suggestions for engaging autumn entertainment in The Reading Room (Page 17).
Our Local Myths and Legends feature this month relates an intriguing tale of sex and death in a gothic Haunted House (Page 5) while elsewhere there is information about lots of different events going on in September, reports on Little Maplestead’s new Playground Equipment (Page 7); details of the second national Emergency Alert Test (Page 11) and steps you need to take and information you need to be aware of to avoid becoming a victim of e-mail Scams and Fraud (Page 32). Sadly, our long-time Nature Notes contributor, Patch Patroller, is leaving for pastures new later this month –his final article (with a reveal!) is on Page 19. We would like to take this opportunity to thank him for all his interesting and enlightening contributions over the years and wish him well on his new ‘patch’.
As well as urging you once again to use the services of our advertisers (and to make sure you tell them you are doing so), we would also like to see more articles contributed to the magazine. News from your village and/or village hall, information about forthcoming events and activities, reports of Council business, nostalgic memories and so on: all are essential to maintaining Parish News as a vital, mutually beneficial community amenity, informing and entertaining all those living and working in the four Parishes.
If you have stories to share or articles of local interest we would love to hear from you. Please send your contributions to the Editorial address (Page 31).
Letter from the Reverend Beverley Vincent
Here we are in September…
September often feels like a fresh page in the year’s diary. The summer holidays are drawing to a close, children are returning to school, and many of us are settling back into more regular routines after the busyness or perhaps the quiet of August.
For our churches and communities, September is a time to look forward. Activities and groups that paused over the summer start up again. For some, it’s a welcome return to familiar faces and an enjoyable pastime; for others, it might be a chance to try something new.
This month is also a good opportunity to think about our own spiritual rhythms. Just as farmers would traditionally prepare for harvest, although this year harvest came early, we can consider what we have been sowing in our lives this summer through acts of kindness and time with others and what fruit those seeds of friendship might bring in the months ahead.
One of my favourite Bible verses is from the Book of Ecclesiastes (3:1): “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” . September is our time to step into a new season with hope, trusting that God will guide and provide for all that lies ahead.
Our churches provide some great opportunities to come and see what we are about and maybe try something new. The Team who leads Café Church surpassed themselves with a service of Hymns and Pimm’s in St Giles last month. It was wonderful to hear about the composers of the hymns and see the wonderful flower arrangements reflecting the hymns’ themes; the singing was joyful, all washed down with plenty of Pimm’s!
Do think about coming to one of our other activities either a regular Sunday service; Meet, Cake, Create; Coffee Morning or Housegroup. In October we will launch our first Men’s Breakfast Group on 18th October in Great Maplestead Village Hall; it’s about friendship, faith and men supporting one another as well as enjoying a good breakfast! Details will be in the October Parish News.
May this month be one of fresh starts, exploring opportunities, renewed energy, and a deepened sense of community. And, as we watch the leaves turn and the evenings draw in, may we be reminded that God’s love is constant through every season of life.
Wishing you all a blessed September.
The Most Haunted House in Britain?
The haunting of Borley Rectory – combining sex and death set against a background of tortured nuns and gothic architecture – is a story that has for many years, fuelled by the oxygen of tabloid publicity, entranced the nation.
Built in 1862, the rectory was an imposing gothic mansion. Tales of its haunting started in 1863, when the rector’s children apparently ‘saw’ the ghost of a nun, who had been tortured and incarcerated in nearby ruins as punishment for an illicit affair.
The first modern haunting occurred in 1927, when the Reverend Guy Smith and his wife found the skull of a young woman in a cupboard. This discovery seems to have triggered other paranormal events; unexplained footsteps and strange lights in the house and, nearby, the appearance of a ghostly horsedrawn carriage. The Smiths contacted The Daily Mirror, which responded by sending out a reporter and Harry Price, a paranormal researcher. Shortly after their arrival, the unexplained activities increased considerably. In 1929 Price wrote a report in The Mirror about spirit messages and objects thrown about by unseen hands. Oddly, when Price left, the phenomena stopped.
Later Borley became home to the Reverend Lionel Foyster, his wife Marianne and their daughter Adelaide – and it was this family, Marianne in particular, that became most associated with the ghostly goings on. During their five years in the house, Lionel compiled a large dossier of all the ‘supernatural’ events the family experienced, including: the breaking of windows, strange writing appearing on the walls, Adelaide being locked in a room with no key and objects, bottles and stones being mysteriously thrown about. The dossier was sent to Harry Price and, using it, his further reports in The Mirror during the mid-1930s created interest and much notoriety, attracting many amateur reporters and psychic researchers to the house to study these phenomena.
Marianne appeared to be the focus of the most extreme poltergeist activity, claiming to have been violently thrown from her bed and periodically attacked. Some of the more intriguing happenings were manic scribbles and illegible writing addressed to Marianne that were found scrawled across the walls of the rectory’s rooms. It eventually transpired that these writings coincided with Marianne’s affair with a lodger, Frank Peerless. In the 1940s she admitted responsibility for the ‘haunting’, saying she had never experienced anything supernatural in the rectory and that the wierd ‘events’ were either natural creaks and sounds or her deliberate attempts to divert her husband’s attention from the affair.
However, Borley’s ‘haunting’ had already featured sensation and death; adding sex into the tabloid mix made for a nationally gripping ghostly scandal. In 1939 a new owner, moving in, overturned an oil lamp and the house was gutted by fire. It was left as a ruin, never rebuilt, and was eventually demolished in 1944.
Sources: Kate Cherrell/Wikipedia
Little Maplestead Matters
On the 15th July Little Maplestead Parish Council were delighted to officially open the new play equipment on the playing field.
After sterling efforts by Clerk Paula Sillett and Cllr. Claire Mullineaux to acquire significant grant funding, we were able to go ahead and install two new pieces of equipment. Much consideration was given to make sure that the new equipment chosen was able to be used by the widest range of ages and abilities and so collectively, as a Council, it was decided to install a basket swing and a zip wire.
These new pieces of play equipment seem to have proven extremely popular, with not a day gone by when they are not in use. And from early observations it’s not just the children enjoying them!
The Council were pleased to welcome out-going Chairman Bill Piper not only to cut the ribbon to launch the equipment (and take the zip wire for a little test ride!) but also to allow us to make a presentation to thank Bill for all of his efforts and achievements during his long service on the PC.
Amongst many other projects for which he gave up his time, Bill was a driving force behind the implementation of the playing field upgrades. Despite coming up repeatedly against walls of bureaucracy, Bill was always passionate about the village and gave freely of his time to help make things better for residents.
He also generously allowed us to hold our meetings in his house, for which we give our thanks to him and Jane. Cllr. Tony Crudgington has very kindly agreed to host our meetings from now on, so our ongoing thanks to him and Margaret. I’m sure that Bill will continue to support village events and we will be delighted to see him. Happy Retirement Bill!
Bill’s retirement leaves a vacancy on the Parish Council so, if you would like to be involved in future decision-making for our village, please do join us. We are a small but dedicated team and would welcome your interest. Please contact the Parish Clerk in the first instance at: littlemaplesteadparishclerk@gmail.com or telephone: 07975 571 253
Helen Went – Chair Little Maplestead Parish Council
National Emergency Alert Test
Mobile smart phones and tablets all across the UK will be sent a test Emergency Alert at 3.00pm on Sunday 7th September.
The Emergency Alerts system is intended to be used to warn of a nearby danger to life, including extreme weather, allowing vital information and advice to be sent to people rapidly in an emergency. This test is part of ongoing plans to strengthen the country’s preparedness.
During the test smart phones will vibrate and make a loud siren sound for roughly ten seconds, even if they are set to silent. A message will also appear on phone and tablet screens, making it clear this is only a test. The second of its kind, the test follows a Government commitment to ensure the system works optimally and also to familiarise everyone with how the alerts are received.
This test will function like a real life Emergency Alert and will work on all 4G and 5G phone networks in the UK. Your mobile smart phone or tablet does not have to be connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi to get the alert. You will not receive alerts however if your device is turned off, connected to a 2G or 3G network, is Wi-Fi only or is an incompatible older phone.
Data about you, your device or location will not be collected or shared –the emergency services and Government do not need your phone number to send the alert. If you are driving, find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message.
Emergency Alerts may contain life-saving information, so accessibility notifications should be enabled on your smart phone or tablet and kept switched on for your own safety.
However, there may be some scenarios where it is sensible to opt out of alerts, particularly those victims of domestic abuse with a concealed phone. In the run up to the test the Government will have engaged with domestic violence charities and campaigners to ensure vulnerable people know how to switch off the alerts on concealed phones.
Opting out instructions are at: https://www.gov.uk/alerts/opting-out. People who are still getting alerts after opting out should contact their device manufacturer for further advice.
Eating and Saving Lives
Gestingthorpe Defibrillators
There is now a second defibrillator in Gestingthorpe installed on the front wall of the Pheasant pub at Audley End. The defibrillator is owned and maintained by the Pheasant, assisted by the Village Defibrillator volunteer team.
Cardiac Response and Defibrillator Awareness Session
Wednesday 1st October at 7.00pm in Gestingthorpe Village Hall
This two hour session will cover:
What is sudden cardiac arrest
5 minutes to save a life
Physiology of the heart
How to recognise SCA
How to dial 999
What to expect
Questions you’ll be asked
How to do CPR and why
Practical demonstration
How to use your AED (defibrillator)
Recovery position/turning a patient
Handover to the paramedics
Governance and support programmes
We will also talk about the location of AEDs in the village, the Volunteer Emergency Telephone System (VETS) and the volunteer team responsible for checking that our AEDs are always operational. This session is open to all residents of Gestingthorpe. If you would like more information, e-mail GestingthorpeAED@gmail.com.
FUNFITFAB’s Three Peaks Challenge…
…to raise money for Tiny Tickers
On Saturday 6th September, twelve rather brave people from Gestingthorpe will take part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, a 24-miles round trip route including 1,585m of ascent. The challenge takes in the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough and must be completed in under 12 hours.
We are raising money for Tiny Tickers, a small national charity that works to improve the chances of babies born with a serious heart condition.
One in every 100 babies is born with a heart problem but fewer than half are detected during pregnancy. In some parts of the UK, detection rates are as low as 1 in 4. This means over 1,000 newborns leave UK hospitals every year with an unidentified, potentially life-threatening, heart condition.
Babies with undetected heart defects will often fall into the early stages of heart failure which can significantly impact their long-term quality of life. Some will die before anyone realises they have a poorly heart or before getting the surgery that would save them. Tiny Tickers want to increase early detection rates of cardiac conditions thus improving a baby’s chances of survival and long-term quality of life.
I’m Nic, the owner of FUNFITFAB fitness classes. My grandson Jaxon was born with multiple heart defects, which thankfully were picked up by a sonographer at my daughter’s 20-week scan. Jaxon was born with a right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery, vascular ring and perimembraneous VSD (a hole in the heart).
Jaxon had his first surgery just after his first birthday. He is now 3 years old and thriving like a normal child. The support of Colchester Hospital, the Royal Brompton Hospital and the Tiny Tickers charity made the journey much easier for the whole family.
We are hoping to raise £2,000 for the charity so if you would like to support us on our challenge while helping towards giving a better start to tiny hearts, you can donate through our JUST GIVING page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/funfitfab-y3p or to Tiny Tickers at https://www.tinytickers.org/get-involved/donate/donate-online/.
If you prefer to donate offline, please e-mail: nicsmithpe@gmail.com.
We will give you an update in next month’s Parish News to let you know how the FUNFITFAB team got on and how much money we raised.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Gestingthorpe Goings-on
Gestingthorpe Village Hall Coffee Morning & Book Exchange Fortnightly on Fridays from 10.00am to 12 noon
Join friends and neighbours in the Village Hall for tea, coffee, cake and a chat. All cakes are homemade and served by our fabulous team of volunteers. Tea or coffee and cake £3.00 (cash only). Bring a book to swap or buy a book for £1. Our bookcase is located next to the big window in the small hall. There are a large range of books and genres to choose from.
The next Coffee Mornings and Book Exchange will be on 12th & 26th* September and 10th & 24th October
*On 26th September we will be fundraising for MacMillan Cancer Support. All money donated for drinks and cake and any additional donations will go to MacMillan to help support people affected by cancer.
Normally the funds go towards running & maintaining the Village Hall.
Gestingthorpe Neighbourhood Watch
Your Gestingthorpe Neighbourhood Watch Representatives are now Chris Harman and Lindsay Smith. Helen Skerratt, who has acted as the Representative for many years has decided to ‘take a back seat’ but will still be involved with your village’s Neighbourhood Watch.
Contact details are: Chris: home phone 01787 462 763
Lindsay: home phone 01787 460 236.
There is a new dedicated Gestingthorpe Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page that will be operated by Lindsay – please sign up. There is also a new dedicated e-mail – Gestingthorpe.nw@btinternet.com –that will be operated by Chris.
During late July and early August each household in Gestingthorpe received a flyer giving details of how to sign in to the new dedicated Facebook account and/or the e-mail in order to receive news, updates and any ‘Alerts’ of suspicious activity.
The Reading Room
Here are some recommendations for three books by Tim Moore, a British travel writer and humourist who has a penchant for unusual adventures. Each themed to a particular – some may say quirky – idea, they provide interesting insights into the places he visits and the people he meets:
DO NOT PASS GO
Monopoly is now nearly ninety years old and has become the genre’s definitive board game. How and why the British version’s twenty-eight iconic streets, stations and utilities were chosen is of interest in itself. However, while travelling around the board’s locations for real, by throws of the dice, Moore tells the story of the game and the city that frames it, contrasting 1930s London with the present day. He meets interesting local characters, stays in hotels in Mayfair and on the Old Kent Road, does time in Pentonville Prison and experiences a noxious Water Works outfall. He reveals how Pall Mall got its name, three addresses not in the A-Z and why the cul-de-sac Vine Street is so special for Britain's most successful Monopoly champion. A lovingly researched insight into some lesser-known aspects of London, this book is both fascinating and funny.
YOU ARE AWFUL (But I Like You)
The idea for this book was to visit places around Britain that are widely considered to be bywords for awfulness and see what they are really like. In keeping with the premise, Moore makes the journey in one of Britain’s least-loved cars, an Austin Maestro, uses a satnav with Ozzy Osbourne’s voice (and vocabulary) and, for entertainment, tapes of some of the worst music ever to disgrace the charts. He stays in seedy boarding houses, hotels and an out-of-season holiday camp. He also exists on some of the worst food on offer. A serious purpose emerges from all this privation: putting the sad state of places such as Hull or Barrow into the context of all that has gone wrong, economically, with the nation since World War II. It’s a thought-provoking but nonetheless amusing read.
ANOTHER FINE MESS
The idea this time was to drive a Model T Ford from the Atlantic Coast across America to the Pacific Ocean, going via the ‘fly-over’ central states where this car had originally opened up movement for the masses. The trip was also to try and get a better understanding of why these people had voted for Donald Trump Along the way Moore’s preconceptions are completely subverted: contrary to his expectations, those he meets are unfailingly polite, kind and always willing to go, sometimes to extreme lengths, to help him out with parts and labour to keep his unreliable vehicle on the road. He learns a lot about Trump’s voter base and how people’s political opinions are now more polarised but is pleasantly surprised to find their innate character remains one of mutual support, friendliness and an amused tolerance of outsiders.
If you have any suitable suggestions for October’s Reading Room, please send them to the Editorial address on Page 31
Gardening Corner
With the exceptionally hot weather recently, I thought I would start this month’s article with a few plants that are drought-resistant.
Firstly, the Californian Poppy [Eschscholzia californica]: this fast growing annual gives weeks of good value, with its bright orange to yellow flowers. I have a gravel area here at home and this plant self-seeds every year and I sometimes have to thin out the prolific seedlings.
Secondly, Lavender [Lavandula angustifolia]: I tend to stick to the two well established varieties ‘Hidcote’ or ‘Munstead’ (the later being named after the home of the famous lady gardener Gertrude Jekyll, Munstead Wood in Surrey). Remember to go over lavender lightly with a sharp pair of garden shears once it has finished flowering and the blue has faded.
Lastly, Catmint [Nepeta nervosa]: this is a long flowering plant and mine has been covered in bees for the past six weeks. Cut down the plants in the autumn and they should send up fresh shoots each spring.
In the vegetable garden onions will soon need the tops tied over or laid to one side – wait until the tops die back completely before harvesting. Shallots can be taken up and dried in the greenhouse or garden shed. Early potatoes need to be dug up and stored in a dark, lightfree container to stop them turning green!
Continue watering marrows and courgettes. Side shoot tomatoes and pick the fruit daily – I find the cherry tomatoes tend to ripen first. Continue picking blackberries and tayberries.
For those of us with a garden pond, look out for blanket weed; skim this water pest off the top of the pond and leave to dry on the bank so that any wild life can creep back into the water.
Before I go, an old tip used in my family for three generations: save the washing up water if you can, it is especially useful for watering shrubs that are looking drought-stricken. For anyone who has a ground floor bathroom with a bath, if you fill up just 2 watering cans with bathwater every day it will all help to keep our plants going!
Try and keep cool everyone…
Nature Notes
This will be my final contribution to Parish News as my wife and I are moving to Hampshire to be closer to our grandchildren and their parents. My first observations were in April 2021 and, looking back, it is remarkable that there has always been something new to say about our wonderful natural heritage in The Patch. I would like to thank Ann Harris, who recruited me and encouraged me when I started having doubts about whether I had run my course.
But, to more interesting things! We are all aware of how common the Red Kite has become around the patch, and what a bonus to our birdlife the addition of this beautiful raptor is. We have added to the enjoyment of these by discovering that they are super observant and always on the lookout for a meal. The old carcass of a chicken will be spotted almost immediately and, after a period of careful observation, they will swoop down and carry it off.
By breaking it down into smaller pieces, more swoops are required and we have had as many as three birds participating. What a spectacle this is – try it yourself, almost any meat or fish scraps will be taken. Our food bin is emptier these days.
The bird list for my garden stood at 63 species until I started feeding the kites, then one day, after I put out some scraps, a Lesser Blackback gull (orange legs are the key!) dropped out of the sky and helped itself! A new species for the garden after 8 years and what is sure to be my final total for the garden of 64.
We also put little treats out on the patio – raisins are a favourite of blackbirds and the like. One evening there were some uneaten raisins left and as it grew dark, we saw a movement which revealed itself to be a Hedgehog. We were delighted to have such close views and to get a video. Animals are smart; the Hedgehog comes every evening now, at dusk, and we ensure there is always something there to reward it.
So, finally, I hope you have enjoyed my musings over the years and I encourage one and all to get out and walk to experience the richness of life on our doorstep. There are a host of fascinating creatures to be discovered whatever the season or the weather. We are blessed indeed to share with them this lovely corner of Essex.
Alan Emmerson (aka Patch Patroller)
Some Events to Enjoy in September
EARLS COLNE HERITAGE MUSEUM
Saturday, 6th September
STEP BACK IN TIME: WWII AIRFIELD WALK AND TALK Essex Golf & Country Club. 10.00am-5.00pm
An immersive, all-day historical experience discovering the fascinating history of this wartime airfield.
Enjoy an Illustrated Talk about the airfield's construction and its pivotal role for the USAAF (1943-1944) and the RAF (1944-1945).
Explore Marks Hall and see the grounds of the historic mansion that served as a crucial HQ for both the USAAF and RAF.
Take a Guided Airfield and Marks Hall ‘Then and Now’ Walk, led by owner Malcolm Hobbs, offering his unique insights. Walk the remains of the original runway and buildings and visit the wartime memorials. More information at: https://www.theessexgolfandcountryclub.com/events/september-2025/airfieldwalk-and-talk/
Saturday 20th September
LANCASTER MEMORIAL EVENT AND FLYPAST at the Museum from 11.30am
We have been successful in arranging (weather and operational considerations permitting) a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster Flypast at 12.40pm. There will also be a short memorial service followed by a family picnic with live entertainment. Refreshments available. Donations welcome.
More details of all our events on the website www.echm.org.uk and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/earlscolneheritagemuseum
Forthcoming Local Events
Hedingham Heritage Society
Note the alterations to our autumn programme: a different speaker and date in September, then later an autumnal walk and, in October, a talk on the Tudors.
Thursday 11th September: ‘Mushrooms and Fungi’. Roger Hance – award winning Natural History Photographer and Public Speaker – will be talking about some of the nearly 15,000 types of wild fungi that can be discovered in the UK.
7.30pm – Castle Hedingham Memorial Hall
Sunday 28th September: ‘Two churches, a brook, a hall and a folly’ –join us for a circular, 4 mile walk from Bulmer to Belchamp Walter and back. 10.30am - Meet in Bulmer Village Hall car park CO10 7EH
Thursday 2nd October: ‘Tudor Royal Visits’ . Jan Cole - Local Historian/Author – will be talking about the visits to Hedingham of Henry VII, Elizabeth of York, Margaret Beaufort, Henry VIII’s cancelled visit and Elizabeth I. 7.30pm – Castle Hedingham Memorial Hall
Annual Membership of our local and natural history society is just £15.
Members come free to all walks and talks : Non-Members - £5. Everybody is Welcome. Contacts: Rob: 01787 460 664 : Trudi: 01787 462 889 : Mark: 07906 472 636 E-mail: hedinghamheritage@gmail.com or visit www.hedinghamheritage.org.uk
News from St Giles’
During August St Giles’ Church hosted two wonderful events: Hymns and Pimm’s and a fundraiser afternoon tea in aid of Breast Cancer. These two events were driven and planned by Philippa Mills, supported by the Café Church team.
Hymns and Pimm’s created an opportunity for us to come together on a sunny Sunday evening, sing a few hymns and learn about their composers whilst enjoying a glass or two of Pimm’s.
Each of the hymns were represented by a beautiful flower arrangement, all of which remained in place beyond the event and continue to brighten the church. We were extremely fortunate to have visiting organist Lewis Morrin accompanying our vocal efforts and a very enjoyable evening was had by all.
The weather was good for both events, which enabled the afternoon tea event to be held in the church grounds. We made some 80 cups of tea or coffee and raised over £500 for the charity.
Our sincere thanks to everybody who helped to make these events so successful and to all who attended or supported them in some way.
Denise & Paula – St Giles’ Churchwardens
Parish News Information
Advertising/Announcements/Articles
The 2025 Parish News Business Advertising Rates for the year (10 issues, pro-rated as applicable) and for monthly single issue advertisements and fundraising event announcements are shown below, along with the Copy/Artwork Deadline dates for the next three issues of Parish News:
Contacts:
Articles
Please submit these by e-mail, preferably as a Word document attachment with separate images:
½ page: 150-160 words + images
Full page: 400-420 words + images
The Parish Representatives, to whom articles and event announcement submissions should be sent, are listed on the Inside Front Cover.
SCAMS AND FRAUD AWARENESS (Part 1)
The Essex Police Fraud Awareness team have provided Parish News with details of the many and varied scams currently doing the rounds to which people across the county are unfortunately still becoming victim. In Part 1 of a two-part series we cover some of the most common:
Courier Fraud/Fake Police Officer scam: Over the summer some criminals have been posing as Police Officers, stating that they have arrested someone possessing of the victim’s bank card and either asking for financial information, or for victims to withdraw cash for a courier to collect as evidence. Police will NEVER ask for your financial details or to collect bank cards, cash or gold as part of an investigation.
Doorstep Fraud: Typically someone with a bag of cleaning goods appears at the front door, pressuring you to buy something. Agreeing to buy items for, say, £20 you are asked to pay by card. The criminal uses his mobile phone with an app to accept the card payment. However, instead of inputting £20, the amount is changed to £200 or £2,000 and your bank account is debited this greater amount. Never deal with cold callers on the doorstep – if they won’t go away, or become aggressive, call the Police.
Boots e-mail scam: Fake e-mails supposedly coming from ‘Boots’ claim the recipient has won a free prize, such as a Medicare kit, and needs to click on a link to claim it. However, the link takes you to a realistic looking but fake ‘Boots’ website, controlled by the criminals, from which your personal and financial data can be stolen.
Fake Compensation e-mails: A large number of people have received emails or seen Facebook posts claiming that diesel car users are eligible for thousands of pounds in compensation and asking them to click on a link. These are fake: the link will take you to a realistic looking but criminal website from which your personal and financial data can be stolen.
Marks & Spencer scam: Due to the recent cyber-attack, in which a large number of customers’ names and e-mail addresses were compromised, people with an M&S bank account, Sparks card or shopping account may receive e-mails from scammers typically suggesting that they have won a prize – a £100 Golden ticket or Tea for 2 Shopping Hamper are just a couple of examples. Be very careful: any e-mails asking you to click on a link and change your password, or asking you to verify your details should be treated as a scam. Do not log into any M&S account from an email link. M&S are gradually returning to normal trading conditions.
PLEASE NOTE: NEVER click on any links contained in e-mails sent from seemingly reputable organisations. Instead, go to their official website to check or confirm whether the e-mail ‘offers’ are genuine or otherwise. DO NOT use any telephone numbers in the e-mails either – these are likely being monitored and answered by the criminal e-mail senders.
More next month – in the meantime, for help or other information contact: Terrie Johnson PCSO 8143 [terrie.johnson@essex.police.uk], Braintree Neighbourhood Policing Team
Come and celebrate Harvest Communion on 21st September. The Service for all four parishes is at the Round Church, St John the Baptist, Little Maplestead at 11.00am, followed by ‘bring your own picnic’ in the churchyard (inside the church if wet). Everybody is welcome.
More information can be found on the Knights Hospitaller Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064958463133
