Category: Announcements

25/09/2020: British Gas phishing email currently doing the rounds

British Gas is making its customers aware of a fake email telling its customers that they’ve ‘overpaid’. As with similar phishing attempts we’ve been made aware of, fraudsters are after your personal data and/or bank details. Here’s what the fake email looks like

British Gas Response
We’re aware there is a fake email going around telling our customers they’ve overpaid and are entitled to more than £400 in refunds. If you’ve received this or another suspect phishing email from us, you can send it as an attachment to phishing@centrica.com and we’ll investigate.

The passing off of well-known and respected brands is nothing new. This year we’ve seen Bit coin scammers impersonating Martin Lewis and the Mirror by email, and similar phishing attempts disguised as emails from the Royal Mail.

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Door to Door Driveway Scam

Please be warned – do not accept any work from people just knocking on your door offering services such as the example below and others such as tree pruning, rubbish clearing , tarmac, drive and roof repairs .

In our local area very recently a female resident has been targeted by two young males who door knocked offering to level, jet wash, re-sand and seal her block paving driveway. They did not do the job as agreed. They damaged her car and refused to admit responsibility and charged her a large amount of money only accepting cash. She felt intimidated, scammed and ultimately foolish but thankfully not too upset and said “lesson learned”. I’m sure they have moved on to their next vulnerable target but please ensure that you and any vulnerable neighbours are aware.

To read the latest advice please click below:-

Covid-19 Advice 14 September 2020

A September ‘Hello’ to all members.

Thank you for the significant response to our online AGM and for supporting the resolutions. As Barrie stated in his August message he did not expect to be our chairman beyond April‘s AGM. During the period between the March lockdown and now there was lots of correspondence to deal with, decisions to make and frequent Zoom meetings to attend by the Chair. On behalf of all of us at Hucknall and District U3A we extend our thanks to Barrie for carrying on and for remaining on the committee until April 2022.

We would also like to thank Melvyn Francis for standing as Vice Chair and to Greg Umney who has taken on the role of Membership Secretary following on from Marguerite who did a great job for the maximum term of 6 years.

What we are experiencing today is unprecedented in our lifetime. However we know about the ‘Spanish Flu’ and from an even earlier time the Black Death. In the spring of 1918 Mother Nature unleashed the deadliest strain of influenza in modern history. The virus infected as much as 40 percent of the global population over the next 18 months. Of these, an estimated 20 to 50 million died — more than the roughly 17 million people killed during the First World War. Spain was one of only a few major European countries to remain neutral during World War I. Unlike in the Allied and Central Powers nations, where wartime censors suppressed news of the flu to avoid affecting morale, the Spanish media was free to report on it in detail. Hence it was referred to as the ‘Spanish Flu’.

Today we are adapting our lifestyles to minimise the spread and effects of Covid-19. As we are aware older people usually suffer more severe effects than young people, this means it is even more important for U3As to adopt a common sense, safety first, approach to restarting activities. National U3A advice follows from the current Government advice which changes as circumstances change.

David Rose, Chairman

The online Zoom Monthly Meeting – 10.00 am, September 9th, 2020.

Agenda: Part 1

1. Welcome to the meeting – David Rose

2. Introducing the 2020 to 2022 committee members and their roles – Committee

3. An update on Covid-19 guidance and the impact on U3As – David Rose

4. Information about Group activity during lockdown – Siobhan Lee

5. Looking ahead in a changing environment – David Rose

Part 2

We are pleased to have member Bob Gow who will be taking us a walk through:

‘A short history of Bestwood from Royal Hunting Grounds to a Hive of Industry and Commerce’

Bob, as some of you will know, is heavily involved with the restoration and upkeep of the
Bestwood Engine Winding House which is the last remaining part of a vanished colliery and a relic of Victorian industrial engineering. Before all this came Nell Gwynne and Bob, much like Nell, will be revealing all.

ACCESSING THE MEETING WITHOUT THE INTERNET or ZOOM

This is a Zoom event however if you do not have Zoom, do not like Zoom or have Zoom fatigue then the meeting can be accessed by phone. It is your normal call rate (they are not premium numbers) It allows you to join in and listen to the meeting.

How to access

If you do not have an internet connection you can join the meeting by telephone.
Dial any one of the standard rate numbers below:
0203 901 7895
0131 460 1196
0203 051 2874
0203 481 5237
0203 481 5240
When prompted enter the meeting ID, which is 718 4497 8566, followed by #
When prompted for Participant ID, press #
When prompted for the meeting password, enter 136162, followed by #.
You will then be in the meeting.
To mute / unmute yourself during the meeting press *6

For more information please click on the link below:-

Haggis