The Farming Life Centre http://www.thefarminglifecentre.org.uk/ is running a series of free drop in clinics for farmers during Spring 2013, whose aim will be to show farmers the benefits of online services and provide an overview of how to use them. Sessions will be one-to-one or one to a few and places must be booked by phoning the Centre on 01298 85162 or Jonathan Charlesworth, Farm Business Development Officer on 07410 550616.

Also, for more information about agriculture online, see the Farming Online page

A young man (18) from Switzerland (a friend of a friend) would like to come to England for 2-4 weeks during the summer to improve his English.  He is willing to do unskilled work to pay for his board and lodgings.  If anyone would like more information, please contact Brian or Carrie Ross

The Peak District National Park Authority have changed their previous policy of having a duty planning officer to answer your questions regarding planning within the Park. From 18th February , the ‘drop-in’ Duty Officer will no longer be available. In place of this, the Peak Park has introduced a Pre-Planning Application Service. Further details will be published in the Spring edition of Park Life magazine and also via the web pages on the changes which are available from the website at:  www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

if you have any questions, please contact either customer.service@peakdistrict.gov.uk, or me on barabarani@aol.com

Liz  - Clerk to Alstonefield Parish Council

Message from Neighbourhood Watch:

Between 10am and 3pm on Sunday 3rd February a Citroen Zsara parked on a car park off Lode Lane in Alstonfield was entered by smashing a rear nearside window. Stolen was a black leather shoulder bag containing spectacles and store cards. Please be aware that this may be the start of further vehicle crime on car parks at Moorlands beauty spots. The police at Cheadle and Leek ask that you keep a watching brief when in these areas for any suspicious person or vehicle in and around parked vehicles and report it immediately.

Regards,
Ken Rickard
Neighbourhood Watch Manager
Neighbourhood Watch
Email: joseph.rickard@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk
Tel: 01785 232938

A young tabby cat has been found – see picture.  If you recognise this cat please get in touch with the administrator (use the “Contact Us” buttton)

CAT’S OWNER HAS NOW BEEN FOUND (IN BIGGIN!)

From Neighbourhood Watch:

House burglary in Wetton
Dear Watch Member,

Wetton 76593
Between 6am and 8pm on Wednesday 26th December a burglary was committed at a dwelling in Wetton. Entry was gained through an insecure rear door. Stolen were cash and a HDMI lead for a T.V. Please make your neighbours aware remind them to be extra vigilant and security conscious and to report any suspicious person or incident to the police immediately.

Like everyone who uses email,  I receive my fair share of fake emails,  often from a bank I have never used telling me to click on a link to “verify” my account or telling me I have won the Spanish lottery…

This is to let you know of a new breed of very plausible emails purporting to come from local organisations which you would be more likely to trust.

So far I have received:

• A “receipt” from Derbyshire Dales District Council
• A “payslip” from Peacock Hotel (Baslow) from accounts@cavendish-hotel.net

I don’t have any dealings with either organisation.

Each message had a zipped pdf attachment (xxxxxx.pdf.zip) which would no doubt have infected my PC with a virus if I had attempted to open it.

In each case an inspection of the internal message header showed that it hadn’t come from the apparent sender.

What is rather worrying is that the perpetrators have matched the email address used (actually not an email address I would normally use) to the local area…

I would always be suspicious of zipped files in general and zipped pdf in particular.

The defibrillator has now been installed at the village hall. This is an automatic unit with voice prompts/instructions and is intended to be used by anyone without the need for special training in an emergency, under advice from the emergency services (999 ambulance operator).

However there is no doubt that a comprehensive training course will be a huge benefit to help us to prepare for such a life or death situation. I have booked a course to cover the essentials:

• Calling the emergency services
• Patient assessment
• CPR
• Deciding whether use of the defibrillator is appropriate
• Using the defibrillator (preparing the patient,  applying the pads correctly, understanding the sequence, troubleshooting etc)
• Ongoing actions whilst waiting for the emergency services
• etc

The course will be run by the West Midlands Ambulance Service and will take place at the village hall on Tuesday 11 December at 18:30 -  approximately 3 hours.

I am hoping that we will attract 15 – 20 attendees – please support this initiative by signing up!

It is essential that you BOOK YOUR PLACE so we know what number to prepare for:

Phone: 01335 388203

or click here to send email to: heartstart@shuttlewood.com

r.

We have received the following information from Neighbourhood Watch:-

“At 9.40pm on Tuesday 6th November a resident of Gateham Grange in Alstonefield saw a male driving away from his property riding his quad bike that had just been stolen from a shed. He gave chase and stopped the offender who is described as a 35 year old white male, 5ft 10″ tall, stocky build with short dark hair. He recovered his quad bike and the offender is believed to have left towards Hulme End in a red Transit type van with the word ‘Action’ on the side. The registration number was not taken. Please pass this information onto your neighbours and ask them to be extra vigilant and security conscious.”

Some of you may have noticed that a pattern has emerged! Every time there’s a Saturday concert in the village hall, the “survivors” meet in the Oak at Wetton the following day for lunch. Unfortunately, due to the current dietary restrictions I’m not allowed chips or beer (sob). Survivors usually consist of members of FCB (Festival Ceilidh Band) together with any other local musicians we can drag along. It’s all very informal. This time we will be joined by Mr Arnie Rainbow (Songwriter, guitarist and banjo player) from Mappleton. Last time we had Vicar Annie playing fiddle with us and Mr John Clarke demonstrating his ukelele talents! You don’t have to play or sing (unless you want to) just bring your ears! We start at noonish and have, on occasion, gone on ’til 4pm. The bar staff start dancing at around 3pm. Come and join in the fun, you’ll enjoy it. Mine’s a fizzy water!