Important Security Message - February 2023
We need to warn you that rogue traders have been operating in Watermead. People are calling at residents’ doors, saying that work needs doing to their trees or hedges. They suggest your council has sent them, or is unhappy. Some of our residents have been conned out of significant sums of money, for shoddy work.
Your Council will NEVER send workpeople to your door. If we ever had a concern about your property, we would come and talk to you about it in person – and we would identify ourselves first.
We realise it can sometimes be difficult to know whether work needs doing, or whether someone is genuine. That concern applies to us all. For your protection, and for the protection of our community, we’d like to offer this information and guidance:
If you are concerned about a trader, you can always talk to the Trading Standards office. They are really helpful, and they certainly want to know about any dodgy activity. Our local office is called Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards, and their phone number is 0300 123 2329.
You can also talk to the Citizens Advice Bureau. The Aylesbury office is on 0808 278 7938.
There are a number of ways to find a reputable trader. These schemes all conduct checks on the traders working with them. More details are on their websites:
Which? Trusted Trader https://trustedtraders.which.co.uk/
TrustATrader.com https://trustatrader.com/
Checkatrade https://www.checkatrade.com/
We realise that not everyone has a computer at home, so it may help you to know that computer and internet access is available at Aylesbury Library.
You can also consider using businesses who are based in Watermead, and who advertise in Village View. All are known to us.
Please take care!
We need to warn you that rogue traders have been operating in Watermead. People are calling at residents’ doors, saying that work needs doing to their trees or hedges. They suggest your council has sent them, or is unhappy. Some of our residents have been conned out of significant sums of money, for shoddy work.
Your Council will NEVER send workpeople to your door. If we ever had a concern about your property, we would come and talk to you about it in person – and we would identify ourselves first.
We realise it can sometimes be difficult to know whether work needs doing, or whether someone is genuine. That concern applies to us all. For your protection, and for the protection of our community, we’d like to offer this information and guidance:
- Don’t use traders who call at your door. If you didn’t call them, don’t use them.
- Don’t be fooled by the fact that they may be wearing clothing that has a logo on it, or their vehicles look smart. Anyone can buy these things, or get them made.
- Don’t be misled by someone who tells you that your trees need pruning, your roof needs repairing, or your driveway needs re-laying. They will make it seem like they are being helpful – but all they want is to help themselves to your money.
- Don’t let anybody through your door. It doesn’t matter what it’s for. They might say they need to get to the back of the house, into the garden, or just to use the loo. If you don’t know them, don’t let them in. If you have a door chain, use it. That’s what it’s for. And please keep your garden gates and garage doors locked too.
- Don’t be fooled by someone who says they’re already working in the area or for your neighbours, and who offers to do the job for a low price. This is part of their ploy. Once they’re on the premises they either “discover” something is “dangerous”, or that a lot more work needs doing. Then they try to charge you a huge amount more – and things become very unpleasant indeed if you refuse.
- PLEASE NEVER EVER let a trader take you to a cash machine or your bank so you can pay them!! They will make it seem as if they’re being really nice and helpful – the only thing they like about you is your money.
- If the person won’t leave, or they come back and bother you again, call Thames Valley Police on 101.
- If you think you’ve been conned – tell someone. Immediately. Please don’t feel stupid or ashamed. These people are good at what they do, and they make a living out of tricking people. We can only stop them if we know.
If you are concerned about a trader, you can always talk to the Trading Standards office. They are really helpful, and they certainly want to know about any dodgy activity. Our local office is called Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards, and their phone number is 0300 123 2329.
You can also talk to the Citizens Advice Bureau. The Aylesbury office is on 0808 278 7938.
There are a number of ways to find a reputable trader. These schemes all conduct checks on the traders working with them. More details are on their websites:
Which? Trusted Trader https://trustedtraders.which.co.uk/
TrustATrader.com https://trustatrader.com/
Checkatrade https://www.checkatrade.com/
We realise that not everyone has a computer at home, so it may help you to know that computer and internet access is available at Aylesbury Library.
You can also consider using businesses who are based in Watermead, and who advertise in Village View. All are known to us.
Please take care!
Watermead Photo Competition 2022
WATERMEAD PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION 2022
JUDGES REPORT
This was the fifth year in which we have run this competition. Unfortunately, the number of entries has fallen from a high of over 100 to just over 40 this year. However the quality remains high and I would stress as usual that in judging there is inevitably an element of personal preference although I was not given the names of entrants before reaching a decision.
BEAUTIFUL WATERMEAD.
The winner in this category was Damon Mitchell. His shot of a swan with a background of the Piazza and a dramatic sky sums up the beauty of our village. For this reason, Damon is also our overall winner of the bottle of champagne. Runners up were Cleo Conway-Bence for her striking evening shot of the Watermead Inn Bandstand with reflections in the flooded lake and Matt Presdee for his photo of a Gosling.
OPEN CATEGORY
The Winner In this category is Adele Crawley for her nicely captured shot of two dogs. Runners up were Damon Mitchell for his capture of the Red Arrows and Cleo Conway-Bence for her beautifully lit rural shot at sunset.
PEOPLE AND EVENTS
Unfortunately, there were only 2 entries in this category and I have decided not to award a prize.
OVERALL WINNER
Damon Mitchell
Thanks to everyone who entered this year's competition
Eric Rose 21 September 2022
.
JUDGES REPORT
This was the fifth year in which we have run this competition. Unfortunately, the number of entries has fallen from a high of over 100 to just over 40 this year. However the quality remains high and I would stress as usual that in judging there is inevitably an element of personal preference although I was not given the names of entrants before reaching a decision.
BEAUTIFUL WATERMEAD.
The winner in this category was Damon Mitchell. His shot of a swan with a background of the Piazza and a dramatic sky sums up the beauty of our village. For this reason, Damon is also our overall winner of the bottle of champagne. Runners up were Cleo Conway-Bence for her striking evening shot of the Watermead Inn Bandstand with reflections in the flooded lake and Matt Presdee for his photo of a Gosling.
OPEN CATEGORY
The Winner In this category is Adele Crawley for her nicely captured shot of two dogs. Runners up were Damon Mitchell for his capture of the Red Arrows and Cleo Conway-Bence for her beautifully lit rural shot at sunset.
PEOPLE AND EVENTS
Unfortunately, there were only 2 entries in this category and I have decided not to award a prize.
OVERALL WINNER
Damon Mitchell
Thanks to everyone who entered this year's competition
Eric Rose 21 September 2022
.
Beautiful Watermead
Open Category
Watermead Neighbourhood Plan
Watermead Parish Council is working with residents and stakeholders on developing a Neighbourhood Plan for Watermead. You may well have read about it in Village View or on social media.
Watermead is already a fantastic place to live, and we want to make sure that we continue to maintain it, and where possible improve it, in the ways that most benefit the people who live and work here, both now and in future. Once the current restrictions on movement are eased we hope to have open events in the Village Hall or Hall garden, but in the meantime we will be asking for your feedback through a series of short questionnaires.
Click here to see the first questionnaire results
Watermead Parish Council is working with residents and stakeholders on developing a Neighbourhood Plan for Watermead. You may well have read about it in Village View or on social media.
Watermead is already a fantastic place to live, and we want to make sure that we continue to maintain it, and where possible improve it, in the ways that most benefit the people who live and work here, both now and in future. Once the current restrictions on movement are eased we hope to have open events in the Village Hall or Hall garden, but in the meantime we will be asking for your feedback through a series of short questionnaires.
Click here to see the first questionnaire results
17/00771/APP WATERMEAD - WATERMEAD 21 Flats Lakeside, Piazza Car Park
Watermead Parish Council resolved Thursday 21st October 2021 to object to the Lakeside Piazza Car Park development application. The Parish Council's response objection document has now been submitted to Buckinghamshire Council. To view our response, please click here
Watermead Parish Council resolved Thursday 21st October 2021 to object to the Lakeside Piazza Car Park development application. The Parish Council's response objection document has now been submitted to Buckinghamshire Council. To view our response, please click here