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Welcome to the latest edition of Hayes Town News after my return from a cycling trip in France. Thank you to those readers who sent best wishes for a safe and enjoyable holiday. It was certainly that - and there was not a petrol queue to be seen.


The other big contrast in France was the high levels of mask-wearing in shops and hotels and on public transport. This could help to explain why our country now has the worst levels of hospital admissions compared to the other main countries in Europe. They have all overtaken us on the percentage of the population who have been double vaccinated. Infection levels in London remain high and Hillingdon is now 8th out of the 32 Boroughs.


David Brough

Chair

Hayes Town Partnership

Hate Crime Awareness Week begins here

Hate crimes are among the most under-reported crimes and National Hate Crime Awareness Week aims to convince victims why it is worth reporting. This year it takes place between Saturday 9th and Saturday 16th October.


A hate crime covers ill-treatment related to a person's disability, gender identity, race, religion or sexual orientation. It includes violence but also covers verbal and social media abuse. In Hillingdon we have a group of trained people called Hate Crime Upstanders to help victims come forward and I am member of the Team.


Click here to find out more about the Week and here to report a hate crime in Hillingdon or send me an email.

Beware the wing mirror scam

Hillingdon Neighbourhood Watch have uncovered a spate of incidents involving alleged wing mirror damage which turns out to be a fraud. Residents report hearing a thud on the outside of their vehicle shortly before being pulled over by the perpetrator flashing their lights or sounding their horn. It is then alleged that you have damaged their wing mirror and can settle the matter by paying a sum of money there and then. It is nearly always £450. If you refuse or resist there may be a threat to report you to the Police for failing to stop at the scene of an accident.


The Police advise that the thud is usually caused by a plastic water bottle being thrown at the front nearside of your vehicle. Under no circumstances should you pay any money. If you experience this scam please report it to Action Fraud so that the pattern of the crime can be tracked and analysed.


If you can safely take a photo of the alleged damaged wing mirror and of the perpetrator this can be reported to the Police online but do not put yourself at risk and if threats are made call 999.

Your chance to comment on health & wellbeing priorities

Hillingdon Council has devised a draft strategy to improve the health and wellbeing of residents over the next three years and to reduce the disparities in health and care across the Borough's communities. It wants to hear your views and you have until Friday 12 November to let them know. Click on this link to see the strategy and here to give your views

Flu jab more important than ever this winter

You may think that you have heard enough about vaccinations this year but now the latest push is to get one for influenza. It can be a real killer disease, especially for older people, but years of regular flu jabs have generally kept the situation under control. Last year there were very few cases because we were all keeping well apart and the fear is that the loss of immunity means that the disease could return with a vengeance this winter. To find out more about who should get vaccinated and how to get it done please click on this link.

World Mental Health Day was yesterday

Sunday 10 October was World Mental Health Day. It takes place every year as part of the World Health Organisation's efforts to give mental health a higher profile and priority. The theme this year is 'Mental health in an unequal world' and to find out more click here. You can also take part in a short quiz to help develop your own Mind Plan.

StreetSafe launched to help spot unsafe places

A Hayes Town News reader has drawn my attention to StreetSafe which is a pilot service launched by the Police following the recent tragic murders of lone women. It is for people to anonymously tell the Police about public places where they have felt or feel unsafe, because of environmental issues such as poor street lighting, abandoned buildings or vandalism and/or because of incidents of being followed or verbally abused. To report a location of concern click here.


This is also a reminder of the Women's Safety, Health and Wellbeing event to be held in Hayes on Tuesday 19 October between 10am and 2pm. Click here to find out the details.

Helping trolleys find their way home

People who abandon trolleys presumably assume that there is some magic fairy who wheels them back to their normal abode. In the absence of that happening some supermarkets such as Asda have arrangements with a company called Collex who do the collection for them. To report an abandoned Asda trolley send an email or call 0800 0933 350. There is also the Trolleywise App you can put on an iPhone to report any trolleys. I have tried it and it works.

Grants available for sporting activities

London Sport have published their latest newsletter and it is packed full of information including details of a number of grant-giving bodies that are now looking to give out funds. It is worth a look for any organisation that is trying to get people active again after the restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Return to Play and the Active Thames Fund are of special interest. Click here for more information.

Code published on safe flying of drones

The Civil Aviation Authority has published a code on how to fly a drone safely and legally. It will be of particular interest to anybody who has one and lives in the vicinity of Heathrow Airport. Click on this link to find out what it has to say.

Finding Fred

Can anyone help find a long-lost chum? A former pupil of Barnhill School and one-time Hillingdon councillor Graham Tomlin lost touch with his school friend Paul Kennedy when he went to live in the USA 60 years ago but in January this year completely out of the blue Paul made contact. They are now regularly in touch and Paul is very keen to track down his old neighbour Fred Micklewright. They used to live in Ashford Avenue off Brookside Road in Hayes. Do any readers go back that far? If you have any information that might help please send me an email. It would make Paul very happy.

Children's music workshop - Saturday 16 October

On Saturday 16 October St. Anselm's in Station Road will be running a free Children’s Music Workshop from 1pm to 3pm. The children will practise and sing a piece of music and at 3pm perform a mini-concert in front of parents and friends. The session is run by the new Director of Music at St. Anselm, Anthony Wang, and forms part of the ongoing and growing children’s work at the church. All are welcome to this community event.

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