VIDEO COMPETITION AIMS TO PULL MAT FROM UNDER DOORSTEP CRIME
Handy with a video camera? Fancy yourself as a budding Spielberg? A competition to produce a video short could put you on the right path – and land you a handy £1,000 prize into the bargain.
Launched by the Trading Standards Institute (TSI), the competition invites amateur videographers, media students, filmmakers and directors to create a 90-second Good Neighbours Stop Rogue Traders informational video.
Each entry should encourage people to prevent neighbours, family and friends falling victim to exploitative doorstep traders.
Cllr Mark Watson, cabinet member for safety and justice, said: “Doorstep crime is a cowardly assault on victims who are, more often than not, elderly and vulnerable; people who grew up in a more trusting age and who are more inclined to take callers at face value.
“These callous rogue traders leave their victims, in some cases, many thousands of pounds the poorer, and, more tellingly, with their self-confidence in tatters.
“Our trading standards team does a great job in bringing rogue traders to book but unfortunately, these incidents sometimes come to light after money has been paid and the traders have gone. I’d hope this competition results in a short film that successfully warns potential victims of the dangers of not taking the proper precautions and highlights the importance of neighbours keeping a watchful eye open.
“So, come on, videographers of Croydon, get your thinking caps on, your cameras out and produce a short that can really make a difference.”
Leon Livermore, TSI chief executive, said: “This is a great opportunity for creative minds to join trading standards in promoting our key messages and protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities.
“Every year there are as many as 170,000 incidents in the UK where rogue traders try to illicitly solicit money from consumers in their home. Not only does this impact an individual’s financial wellbeing, it affects their mental and physical health.”
The deadline for entries is midnight Wednesday 1 October. All videos will be considered for a place in the semi-final. Semi-finalists will be announced on 20 October. The videos will then be judged by a panel of industry and media experts.
The winner will be announced on 3 November, during this year’s TSI National Consumer Week campaign to raise awareness and encourage communities to look out for each other.
In addition to the £1,000 prize, the winner will have their video played by trading standards officers and community partners across the country as part of an educational campaign.
To enter, visit the TSI Good Neighbours Stop Rogue Traders page at www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/events/VideoCompetition.cfm (Source: Croydon council press release)
ILLEGAL TRAVELLER CAMPS MOVED ON
Two illegal traveller camps which appeared in Upper Norwood have been moved on.
Residents reported camps which appeared overnight on Upper Norwood recreation ground which stands between Chevening and Eversleigh Roads – and on a site on The Lawns in Spa Hill.
Croydon North MP Steve Reed MP contacted Croydon council who took immediate action to remove the illegal camps and direct the travellers to sites put aside for their use elsewhere.
Steve Reed said: “I know how concerned and worried people were when the travellers moved in. “I want to thank council staff who worked quickly to move them on.
“Councils across London put aside sites where travellers can live. “There is no need for them to occupy public parks which should be kept free for everyone to enjoy.”
A Croydon council spokesman told News From Crystal Palace: “There would be no legal action taken once they have moved on. We use legal means to evict people from sites such as these.
Croydon have one permanent site with 19 spaces at Lathams Way (off Beddington Farm Road which is off Purley Way).
FAST FOOD HEALTH CAMPAIGN TO HELP PEOPLE EAT WELL
Fast food and takeaway outlets are the target of a new health drive to promote better eating.
The Eat Well Croydon campaign has been launched by the council to invite food businesses to come forward and demonstrate they offer healthy menu choices as well as healthier cooking methods.
Those complying with the qualifying criteria will receive an Eat Well Healthier Catering Award certificate and sticker which they can display to customers.
To qualify they must meet a number of criteria for healthier cooking practices and have a food hygiene rating of three or above.
The criteria will be adapted according to the type of food business, some of which may include using healthier oils and margarines; using correct frying techniques; promoting a portion of fruit and vegetables; reducing salt, and selling more low-sugar drinks while not increasing prices.
Proprietors in areas where there is a high number of fast food outlets are being sent letters inviting them to volunteer for the scheme.
The Eat Well Croydon campaign is a key part of the council’s Heart Town agenda to tackle coronary heart disease.
Cllr Louisa Woodley, cabinet member for people and communities, said: “Our Eat Well campaign is about reducing child and adult obesity, which can lead to serious and life-threatening conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
“It will help people make healthier choices when they eat out. This may mean a portion of veg instead of fries, or low-sugar fruit juice instead of a soft drink.
“It also means that fast food outlets that take part will be demonstrating they are contributing to the health and well-being of their community by offering healthy food options.” (Source: Croydon council press release)
FREE HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Croydon’s street-based youth team is encouraging teenagers to get outdoors and have fun, with a range of free summer park activities.
The events, for 13- to 19-year-olds, will take place between 3 and 6pm at five different green spaces on the dates listed below. The activities on offer will include cricket, football coaching and matches led by staff of Crystal Palace Football Club, jewellery making and street art.
Cllr Mark Watson, cabinet member for safety and justice, said: “These events give young people the chance to try something new this summer, and at no cost to them or their parents. I would encourage them to get out in the open air, take part and, most importantly, have fun.”
The youth team will be in:
Edgecoombe Park (Monks Hill) on Monday 4 August
Thornton Heath Recreation Ground on Tuesday 5 August
Walton Green (Fieldway) on Wednesday 6 August.
For more details of summer events, go to www.croydonyps.org.uk
FREE 40TH ANNIVERSARY LAMBETH COUNTRY SHOW PROVES HUGE SUCCESS
Huge crowds enjoyed the amazing sights and sounds of the 40th Lambeth Country Show under blazing sunshine. An estimated 125,000 people joined the fun on July19 and July 20 at south London’s biggest festival.
Despite rain and storms forecast for the Saturday, which was attended by more than 60,000 people, it remained dry. New Zealander dance music band Shapeshifter took to the main stage as did the 2014 winner of The Voice talent show, Jermain Jackman and soul-shaking R&B dance diva, Jocelyn Brown.
The Sunday which attracted an estimated 65,000 people started well with bright skies, but the humidity eventually gave way to heavy rain and the decision was taken to close at 5pm instead of 7pm.
This year highlights of the Lambeth’s Country Show have been put on the social sharing and entertainment site Buzzfeed. Click here to see the list.
Cllr Lib Peck, Lambeth council leader, said: “It was a brilliant event, the atmosphere was fantastic and I’m really proud that in its 40th year we have managed to keep the Lambeth Country Show as a free event.
“It really is the highlight of the year and attracts a huge variety of people to Lambeth from all over London. It is a great way to celebrate the diversity and welcoming nature of our wonderful borough.
“It was a shame we had to pack up a bit early on the Sunday, but it was such a fantastic, well organised and entertaining event that everyone still had a fantastic time.”
For more information on the show visit lambethcountryshow.co.uk or http://www.facebook.com/lambethcountryshow
