QUEENS PARK IN SMOKE

QUEENS PARK IN SMOKE

There was lots of smoke about this week as the Fire Cadets gave safety
presentations in Queens Park, Crewe. Visiting children were delighted
to go into the Smoke Tent and climb over the Fire Appliance in the Park
grounds.

The fire cadet unit, part of the Cheshire Fire Services, at Crewe is
open to boys and girls (13-17yrs) and gives them the opportunity to
learn a wide range of new skills within the framework of a uniformed
disciplined youth organization.

Cadets undertake a training program comparable to that of operational
firefighters. This not only provides them with an insight into the work
of the fire service but also enables them to develop leadership
qualities and team building skills, which are useful in other areas of
their lives.

Two cadet groups meet at Crewe, on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

Councillor Andrew Knowles, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder for
Cheshire East Council, said, "Everyone always loves to see the Fire
Services with the interesting promotion and safety demonstrations. They
also get involved with a whole host of supportive and fund raising
events in the local community. The cadet teams are extremely dedicated
and these young people are the Fire Fighters of tomorrow, we are
extremely proud of them and the good works they do."

For more details about the fire cadets based at Crewe Fire Station,
please contact:
The Crewe Community Safety office, Fire Station, Crewe Road, Crewe,
Cheshire, CW1 6DS
Tel: 01270 254907

The Fair comes to town

The Fair has arrived at Tipkinder ready for the Carnival this weekend. The procession is earley this year starting at 11 am. The main events will be held on the Georges playing fields as the park isn't open so there will be a long trek down to the fair.
Is the fair safe? Every year when the fair comes the fair ground caravans plug their electric into the power supply 3 feet from the skate park and the cables lead a long way to the caravans. You can see the control box and the cable loop all these cables carrying main electricity go all over the field were children play. They are a trip hazard and all these cables should be tested by the council for leakage and they should have a trip on them and be armored so kids cant damage them.

Every year the council are informed and no one ever does anything are they checked and why arnt they buried so kids cant play with them

Distraction Burglary

Please be aware of the following incident that happened on 21/08/2009

During evening hours an unknown individual approached a property in the Elm Drive area of Crewe claiming he was from the Water board and needed to check the water as there had been an explosion down the road. He claimed that he needed to run the tap for 15 minutes to check the colour of the water. The landline rang and the owner left the kitchen to answer it and found three further unknown males exiting the living room and the property. The owner noticed that one of the drawers was open in the living room and that some money had gone missing from the drawer. No vehicle was seen and offender headed off on foot.

Description of males are as follows:

Male 1: White, 5'10"/5'11", 18 - 20 years old, dark shortly cropped hair, proportionate build, black pullover, black trousers, black boots, Irish accent
Male 2: White, 5', 18-19yrs, black bushy hair, average build, multicoloured pullover
Male 3 & Male 4: White, one was at least 6' and the other was slightly smaller, no further details.

Queens Park

Its all go down at the park and on the main Queens Park Website I have had lots of old photos sent in including this one but what is the band stand in the picture? Pop over to the main site for more pictures.
The Park its self is looking spectacular with the summer bedding at its best.
The band stand work is well under way as you can see with a few people working on it. The park is full of machines clearing a blocked pipe which runs under the park from Alton St to Victoria Ave. The blockage isnt in the park but the pipe has to be replaced. The new contractor should be anonced soon with work hopefuly starting in Septemeber

ON THE GRAPEVINE

Farm Machinery Thefts Admitted Eight men arrested as part of a Strikeout operation against thefts of valuable farm machinery across a wide area of Cheshire will be sentenced in September. The men appeared at Chester Crown Court and admitted charges including theft and handling stolen property. The investigation was carried out by a team of officers from Eastern and Western Areas of Cheshire Police.

Drugs Arrest A man arrested after Police Officers discovered a large quantity of cannabis bush in a car at Crewe has appeared in court. He was charged with possessing cannabis and ecstasy with intent to supply, possessing heroin and possession of criminal property. He was remanded in custody.

Illegal Goods Seized Officers from Crewe Neighbourhood Policing Team took part in an operation which resulted in the seizure of 47,000 illegal cigarettes, nearly 24 kilos of counterfeit tobacco and 50 litres of illegal vodka. Most of the haul was recovered from houses on the Middlewich Street estate in Crewe. Shops and stalls at a market were also checked as part of the operation, which included investigators from HM Revenue and Customs and officers from Cheshire Trading Standards Service and from housing organizations. Police Sergeant Andy Collier said, “This kind of illegal selling often attracts children and teenagers as customers, involving them in criminal activity and exposing them to health risks. It is certainly not a victimless crime.”

Safety Choice for Drivers A new series of “driver engagement days” have begun across East Cheshire, focused on roads where local people have expressed concern about safety. Police Officers stop drivers for offences such as speeding, not wearing seat belts and using mobile phones. Some are then given the choice of the usual fines and penalty points or a fifteen-minute roadside safety presentation delivered by Fire Fighters. The action has been organized by Cheshire East Local Road Safety Partnership.

Reducing Biker Casualties “Biker Roads” in East Cheshire are being targeted in another summer safety campaign. It will combine enforcement measures with education. In 2008 seven motorcyclists and pillion passengers were killed and 48 seriously injured on roads in East Cheshire. Constable Paul Burke said, “Nationally motorcycles account for less than one per cent of vehicle traffic but fourteen per cent of the death and serious injury traffic collisions involve motorbikes.” This campaign is organized by the Cheshire East Local Road safety partnership and funded by the Cheshire Safer Roads Partnership.

Have Your Say Community Payback Schemes and local sentencing issues will be featured in the next Eastern Area “Have Your Say” meetings, organized by Cheshire Police Authority. People will also hear about the latest developments in local policing and have a chance to ask questions about them. The meetings are on Thursday September 3^rd in the Municipal Buildings at Crewe and on Monday September 14^th in the Town Hall, Congleton. Both begin at 7pm.

Digital Signs

Sign all down West St today reminding us that we go digital in November when BBC2 goes of the analogue signal and you have to re tune you digi box and watch it on Freeview. In December all channels go digital and you have t re tune your Freeview box again

West St

The chaos continues in West St with half the road closed. The new flags are going down rapid now but they are leaving a gap were they have to cut them. Two people have fallen already but it does look posh. It still leaves us with the rocky hills of Calcutta up to the church then we have a posh bit. It make sit look as if only the middle bit matters or they are the only ones to pay their taxes

Square Update

I was around town today and the square is nearly finished and should be fully open by weekend. I decided to road test the new seats and they are terrible they seat isnt flat but curved and after a few mins sitting down you feel very uncomfortable. Maybe they are designed to stop you hanging around. They havent planned the layout very well as after a few short while it started raining or so I thought until I noticed they have put the seat under the flower baskets so when they are watered they drip onto the seats

The Mystery stone

The boulder (rock) in the picture is reputed to have been swept down from Scotland after the last Ice Age. There was originally a sign on the boulder but it disappeared many years ago."
Its millions of years old and the oldest thing in Crewe.

Anyone have any further information on it please let us know It can be seen in the old picture bottom middle with a plaque on it by coronation walk

Queens Park Update

This week has seen another local contractor earth moving, utilising the clay-soil deposits from the debris of the lake, to form the basis for new raised footpath improving access and supporting the original failing retention wall, all on the North West side of the Park.

Even more exciting is that the Cheshire East specialist restorers ‘Lost Art’ has been appointed to complete the Bandstand refurbishment and works commenced this Monday (20th).

At a recent meeting with the Heritage Lottery and Cheshire East Council all parts demonstrated their commitment seeing the works progresses and finalised.
As the original contractor went into administration, the project legalities and the stoppage of works caused frustration, both within the Authority and to members of the public.
Full update on The Queens Park Page

Tipkinder SK8 Park

You may remember in the winter I reported how someone had stolen the rail from the SK8 park despite the fact that they have CCTV and the rail is bolted to the ground. How it was stolen without being caught on CCTV is a mystery. But today the man came along with a replacement rail and bolted it in place. Lets hope it last a bit longer this time. The area has been a hive of activity as everywhere is cleaned up for the big 2 day BMX event this weekend 1st/2nd August

The Bob Field Memorial Grands" will be hosted by CGR in partnereship with Cheshire East Council at the Shanaze Reade BMX Track, Tipkinder Park, Crewe.
The event is being held in memory of Bob Field, the driving force behind the Cheshire Ghost Riders BMX Club for many years & trainer of a host of top level riders including multiple World Champion Shanaze Reade. The track will be renamed after Shanaze Reade full details here

Leighton Park Play Area

The play area at Leighton Park is going great guns and must be near completion. Its interesting to note the post at the back for CCTV. Derby Docks has begged for CCTV for years and never got it despite the under age drinking and drugs in the area. Leighton Park has had a fair few play areas in the past and they never last very long lets hope the CCTV helps to keep them in one piece.

West St

The pavements are now being done in West St covering from the Polish Club to Ford Lane. They are putting down small fancy flags which is taking forever so no wonder the work will not finish until October. Its causing lots of traffic problems with traffic lights in operation. The problem with these flags is what happens when someone needs to dig the road up? Digging it up if its tarmac is simple but putting these flags back is not a simple matter

Distraction Burglary

Please be aware of some of the MO's (Modus Operandi / Modes of Operation) that have been used throughout Cheshire recently to try and gain entry to residential properties. Offenders tend to be male and in the majority of cases target elderly or more vulnerable people. None of these incidents have occurred in the Crewe & Nantwich area but it is worthwhile to be forewarned about these methods as people who are involved in distraction burglaries are often fairly mobile and don't remain in the same area for long to minimise their chances of being identified.

1.) Male approaches property claiming that he is from the water board and he needs to turn the water off for 48 hours as there has been an explosion. He asks her to take him through to the kitchen and to empty cupboard under the sink whilst he turns the taps off. At this time a second offender has entered the property, made and untidy search downstairs and removed cash from the property.

2.) Male knocks on door of property stating that he needs to change the battery in the gas meter. When questioned as to where he was from he retorted 'do you want it doing or not'. The resident declined and the male left.

3.) Male calls at residential address asking if resident wants any work doing to his guttering. Resident declines but later sees same male coming out of elderly neighbours house. He enquires with neighbour and learns that the male claimed that he had done some work for the lady and she has given them £10 and is now unable to find her purse.

Please remember that although the more standard MO for distraction burglaries involves males posing as tradesmen that women / smartly dressed individuals can also be involved in such incidents so exercise caution regardless of who is at your door.

A garden to prevent crime

As autumn and winter approach many of us will plan out planting for our gardens for the next year. Your gardens can be excellent tools in trying to prevent people from gaining entry to your property. With a little bit of clever planning you can enhance your security. Please find below some illustrated ideas about how you can create an attractive garden that deters burglars and provides additional security for your home.



Prickly Planting
1 - Climbing Rose: Bramble like stems are covered in sharp, hooked thorns which make it difficult for would-be burglars to reach the window or door it surrounds.

2 - Juniperus chinensis Evergreen conifer. Planted in appropriate places it's density and needle sharp leaves can deter people from getting close to the 'Obelisk' property. The needles grow to 15mm in length.

3 - Berberis temolaica Pale yellow flowers and red berries. Grows to 3 metres. The plant is covered in prickly thorns

4 - Multi-frond palm Long razor sharp edges to fronds provide an ideal barrier between borders and windows

5 - Holly Evergreen shrub or tree with prickly leaves. Providing round the year cover.

6 - Phormium tenax Evergreen sword shaped, spiky leaves that grow up to 3 metres long. It's height and spikes make it difficult to push through or climb over. Flowers purple and brown in the summer

Noise
7 - Gravel/Slate path Noisy when walked on. Sound alerts you to someone approaching the house, acting as a deterrent to potential criminals

8 - Bamboo Attractive feature. When planted against walls or fences it will prevent burglars climbing into upstairs windows alerting you to their presence. If the canes are forcibly broken they will make a loud snapping sound.

Security Locks and Lights
9 - Window/Door locks Ensure all windows are fitted with security locks. Front and rear doors should be fitted with mortice locks (BS3621), hinge bolts and no weak panels. Door frames should have secure frames. Add motion sensor lights around the exterior of the house and garden.

Perimeter Security
10 - Walls, fences Supplement walls, fences and railings with thorny shrubs. Higher fences - existing fences made higher with trellis (minimum of 1800mm railings and gates high). Fit gates to all access points with locks and ensure you lock them.

Safer Homes
11 - Home Watch Congratulations you have already covered this element of suggested crime prevention by running/participating in your local Home Watch scheme. This provides natural surveillance allowing people to report suspicious behaviour and to look out for each other.

Stakeholder meeting 8th July

I attended the stakeholders meeting held at the park on Wednesday 8th July. There has been little or no visible work done at the park for months but thats all about to change. The new tender should be opened this week and hopefully a new contractor appointed very quickly. There has been a delay as after the tenders were in one contractor reduced the price and as a result other had to be given the opportunity to resubmit tenders.

At the meeting the Lions came with some cash to build a sensory garden like the one a Stapley Water gardens so that is another new feature which should be a major attractions and as the Lions are funding it there is no messing about getting the money.

The meeting discussed that the stakeholder work would be done once the park was finished and then a friends of the Queens Park would take over to make decisions about the park and see that its maintained and looked after. This will be open to anyone and will shortly be setup as a charity so they can get funding for any future projects.

The work on the wall were the Bats have held up work is now due to start this week and should be finished in a month. This also means the railings can then be finished as there is only this small section to do. We will have pictures as soon as there is signs of life. Work on the bandstand is also imminent.

The summer bedding is now starting to flower and will soon be in its full glory as can be seen above taken after the meeting.

The park has events still going on this summer which are

12th July Blozone Band - FAB Blues Band
19th All Sorts Dog Display Team
26th George Formby Ukulele Soc
1st & 2nd Aug TipKinder - Bob Fields GRANDS incl. "The Shanaze Reade BMX Track"
2nd August The Valentines Duo
9th Tarporley Concert Band
16th Lucy Jane ~ Punch & Judy
23rd Matrix Dancers with Pheonix Disco
Thurs 27th Youth Fire Serv Display
Sat 29th CARNIVAL King George V Playing Fields
Thurs 5th Nov LIONS Bonfire & Fireworks Display


For more details see the main site for the Queens park

Bad Accident closes West St

A bad accident closed some of West St near the bridge at 2 oclock today when its believed a cyclist was knocked of their bike. There were over 4 Police cars at the scene and the area was taped off. The road was shut at Minshull New rd but still people ignored the sign and tried to get past only to be forced into turning around and going back