BELLE VUE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION Newsletter May 2008
Chair: Eddie Fewings, tel. 390441 Vice chair: Jack Ambrose
Treasurer: Kath Holden
Committee: Eric Doddemeade, 395196, Liz Noland, Anne Ashworth
Police officers for this area, tel. 01253 607012
PC Guy Harrison, PC Sarah Greer (Community Beat Managers)
PCSO Amy Atherton and PCSO Dennis Nelson
Councillor: Ron Bell tel. 766997, cllr.ron.bell@blackpool.gov.uk
GREETING ALL NEIGHBOURS
Welcome to new neighbours in the area, and hello again to the rest! Though we have not arranged a meeting in the immediate future, Neighbourhood Watch is still around. Our heartfelt thanks to all our workers and supporters, including hosts, businesses, police and councillors for helping to make our neighbourhood cleaner, safer and happier. If you have any ideas about how to take things forward, or what the Watch should be focussing on, please contact our volunteer Eddie Fewings (see above).
POLICE UPDATES
The police keep us informed of their priorities for this area. They are focusing on antisocial behaviour, drug trafficking and criminal damage. In recent months they have specifically mentioned Newcastle Avenue and Whitegate Drive as problem areas, which are being monitored. The dog warden has been called in to address a problem with a loose dog on Newcastle Avenue.
The Watch group is keen to co-operate with local police. Don’t forget that any resident may talk to our police at PACT meetings - first Wednesday of the month at the Guards Club, 7.00 pm.
WHAT’S DOWN YOUR ALLEY?
Litter? Dog dirt? Even in the gated alleys there is still some mess. May we remind all neighbours - please pick up after your dog; and please don’t put rubbish out too soon. Simple things, but they could make life pleasanter for all of us.
It was a real success for the Neighbourhood Watch group when we got our alley gates, and they have made us all more secure. But of course if we forget to close those alley gates anyone can get in. It happens sometimes when someone has a workman who needs access. We all need to shut the gates as soon as our workman has brought all his equipment in. So if you see a gate open but no-one about, just close it.
And please do bolt the non-locking gate to Belle Vue Place! Yes, it is there for a reason! When we excluded undesirable gangs from the gated alleys we needed to deter them from using Belle Vue Place. When that side gate is shut it looks like private property (which in fact it is), not a public thoroughfare. Let’s keep it looking like that.
Dumping is an offence and definitely not acceptable. (Where did that washing machine come from?) We are each responsible for having our large unwanted items removed.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT to the Annual General Meeting
Thanks
Eddie began his report by looking back over the last three years. He then thanked all the committee by name, paying special tribute to our departed vice chair Steve Beanland, who is now replaced by Jack Ambrose. He also welcomed our new Ward councillors Ron and Gary Bell, who encourage our work.
Links with other bodies
Eddie went on to explain our close links with local police, PACT, the Blackpool Residents Association, Area Forum, county wide bodies and Trading Standards.
Local friends and events
Eddie congratulated the licensees of the Belle Vue pub and thanked them for their support, including hosting our barbecue. The cricket club also continues its valued support and hosts our meetings.
Issues of neighbourhood concern
Eddie writes: “We offer moral support to victims of crime and antisocial behaviour. This last year, we had two evictions from properties in the immediate area, one for class A drug dealing and the other for the vilest forms of persistent antisocial behaviour.
All this effort has led to some changes in the area and also raised some new issues, such as responsibility of landlords in letting properties (an issue to do with antisocial behaviour) and planning issues concerning applications for mobile phone masts.
The Watch always encourages the community to raise issues to our committee through appropriate methods laid out in our constitution. These are then acted upon at committee level. We are always on the lookout for volunteers to help on the committee and if anyone has an issue they feel strongly about then they could drive it by becoming more involved.
The Watch is about the people who live and work in the surrounding area who want a peaceful and safe environment to abide in. It is about looking out for your neighbours and standing up for what is right. It is a team effort and thanks must go to the community for supporting us.”
TREASURER’S REPORT
Kath Holden is able to report a satisfactory balance in hand this year. This was largely owing to our barbecue, which raised £144.03. Raffles at meetings raised £77 - thanks to all our generous donors. Expenditure has been only petty cash, mainly stationery. So we began the year with £221.00 and end it with £382.81. Our thanks go to Kath for her careful and reliable bookkeeping.
BEWARE ROGUE TRADERS
That was the advice given at our last meeting by Trading Standards officer Julie Borrows. She spoke of dishonest traders and high pressure door selling. If you have a problem with a trader, you can call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 for practical advice. The good news is that the ‘No cold calling’ zone will soon be put in place in Blackpool.
There is a new warning about street traders purporting to be selling for charity. Many are bogus, so be sure to ask for identification.
And do take care when buying a vehicle, Trading Standards officers warn. There are still too many unscrupulous car salesmen offering unroadworthy vehicles.
A GREAT FAMILY DAY OUT
Lancashire Police Open Day, Sunday 29 June - apply for free tickets now! You can see police dogs and horses, a police helicopter, a crime scene investigation, a chip pan fire demonstration and more. Tickets can be booked by calling 01772 412008, or on www.lancashire.police.uk. Ticket registration closes 6 June.
THE BIG CAT CHALLENGE
That stands for Blackpool Is Getting Clean and Tidy’, the current challenge set by and for the town. We have done our bit towards keeping our patch decent. Keep it up, neighbours, so we can be proud of our streets, our alleys and our park. Don’t be too proud to pick up rubbish!