Glanton Village Community Website. Northumberland. UK.

BEWARE THE BOGUS FISHMEN
Two intimidating men, in a white van, visited the village on Saturday attempting to sell fish at highly inflated prices. They managed to persuade an elderly couple in the community to part with £90 in cash and a cheque for £500 for fish. They were described as aggressive. These men are now being sought by the police.

Chief Insp Jackie Coleman of Northumberland Area Command told The Journal: “We are concerned that residents, and elderly people in particular, are being conned into parting with large sums of money.

“These elderly people were deceived into paying a highly inflated price for items only worth a fraction of that amount. We always advise people not to part with large sums of money at their front door to unsolicited tradespeople.

“People need to remain extra vigilant at all times and make sure they check identification thoroughly. If the caller is genuine, they won’t mind coming back and having their identification checked.

“I’d urge anyone who may have seen these men or who has any information to contact police immediately.”

The police advise that if you have any information, or to report any other suspicious activity, contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The familiar Glanton landmark of the Jubilee pole on the hill above the village has been replaced and is now back again. The previous pole was blown down in a gale earlier this year and, after an appeal for help by the Parish Council, Northern Powergrid offered to donate a new pole and also to send a team to put it up for us. This was done on Sunday 22nd April in cold and wet conditions. However the skill and expertise provided meant that the job was completed in no time at all.

Photo above: The new Jubilee pole arrives at the top of the hill. Click here for all the photos.

At the same time the Jubilee Pole was being put up, another Parish Council Jubilee project was being carried-out on the Causeway consisting of a newly built stone planter opposite the Juries and which promises to brighten up the approach to Glanton from the A697. Ronnie Anderson has kindly offered to do all the building work needed.

Photo right: Ronnie Anderson working on the new planter.

We would also like to thank all those who have recently responded so positively to our appeal for items and ideas for this web site. It is nice to see that community spirit is still alive and certainly improving in Glanton!

SAVE MONEY ON HEATING OIL!

Community Action Northumberland [CAN], which is a registered charity working with community groups in Northumberland, is setting up a county wide group oil buying scheme.  These have run very successfully in other parts of the country, and work by combining orders from one or more villages so that the oil supplier makes only one visit to supply several customers.  This is much more efficient for them, and also enables CAN to negotiate lower prices because of making a bulk order, the savings are then passed on to group members.  It also means members can order smaller quantities, say 500 litres instead of the normal minimum of 1,000 litres, which helps with budgeting and also means you can keep your tank 'topped up' more easily (as I type this oil delivery drivers are threatening strike action, and here in Glanton we all know about weather disruption to supplies as well!).  It's simple to join the scheme, costs a small annual membership fee (£20 for a domestic user which should easily be saved in fuel costs), and once you're in the scheme the co-ordinator (me!) will contact members each month to check if you need oil.  If you're interested there are forms giving more details in the shop and at the village hall, or you can download one here  or from CAN www.ca-north.org.uk/oil .  You can register online or by post, and the registration form is available here .  Feel free to contact CAN or me if you have any questions – CAN on 01670 500812, me on 578222.

Sandra Nattrass

LOCK YOUR DOORS

People who read the newspapers and keep an eye on the community police messages, posted on this site, will have noticed that there have been a number of break-ins in some of the more rural parts of the county including in our own area. There have also been one or two reports of apparent strangers loitering around properties in the village . They have quickly left when they realise they have been noticed. The message from the police is simple - "If you see any vehicles or people acting suspiciously then please contact the Police IMMEDIATELY on 999. Can we remind you that you should not leave your house or vehicle insecure, even if you are only leaving them unattended briefly, thieves will seize every opportunity to relieve you off your property. Ensure your house appears occupied".