National Trust

by WebmasterNational TrustPosted on Comments are Disabled

As you will be aware, the decisions regarding the lifting of social distancing rules and face covering etc have still not been made and, at the time of writing this on May 26th, are due to be announced on June 14th, although this may change again!!

So presently we are still in the same position as last month with National Trust properties not accepting coach bookings and the coach companies forced to limit numbers on board.

If we have some positive news in the next few weeks then we will email or phone all members who were originally on the Fountains Abbey list to give out further information. This group will include everyone who paid for the trip and also the few people who requested their money back.

Hopefully we are getting close to making real progress but in the meantime enjoy the better weather which is forecast for the next week.

Sue and Barrie

Scams – June 2021

by WebmasterAnnouncementsPosted on Comments are Disabled

1. National Insurance number ‘compromised’ cold calls.
If you’ve received a pre-recorded message or phone call claiming your National Insurance number has been compromised, you can safely ignore it. It’s a scam.

Phishing emails
Fraudsters appear to be continuing to use the hook of National Insurance numbers as a means to exploit personal information from victims – the scam appears to have now moved to phishing emails:

This email, which was not sent by GOV.UK

2. Cold call ‘crime scam’

We’ve been made aware that an official sounding voice usually claiming to be from the National Crime Agency or ‘National Office for Serious Crimes’ has been cold calling unsuspecting members of the public, asking them to call back urgently. Fraudsters will then try to manipulate you into handing over personal information using a web of lies and threats.

There have been dozens of people targeted by this scam over the past few months. Action Fraud data shows it is the most reported phone scam of this year so far, having received more than 1,000 reports.

One victim reported that when he returned the call he was falsely told that someone had been using his National insurance number (NINo) to claim Universal Credit. The scammer told him that if he didn’t hand over his personal details so they could make a ‘correction’ he would be liable to repay thousands of pounds in fraudulently claimed benefits and could be sent to prison. At this point he realised something wasn’t right and put the phone down, but the scammers continued to try and get in touch with him for more than a week.

The scammers tell the unsuspecting victims to hand over their personal information as they need to be issued with a new NI number. Don’t be pressured for your details. In reality, there’s very little damage anyone could do with just your National Insurance number, even if someone had access to it. But your other personal details, such as your name, date of birth, address and bank details are much more valuable to criminals. They could use this information to target you with more personalised scams, or try to gain access to your accounts. No government organisation would ever pressure you to hand over sensitive information, and if you’re uncomfortable or unsure, just hang up the call.

Finally: Remember, you can visit Gov.uk which offers contact numbers and web chat support if you have concerns regarding your National Insurance number.

David Rose

Science Group 2

by WebmasterScience GroupPosted on Comments are Disabled

In May our topic was Floods and Flooding.

Floods are becoming more frequent in most parts of the world. They have many causes and can be country wide, affect a town or just a local street or area. This example is Thorsby Dale in 2020.

Next month we are meeting via Zoom on Friday, 18th June, 2021 at 10 am for a presentation on ‘The History and Development of Forensic Science’.

David Rose

Pickleball

by WebmasterPickleballPosted on Comments are Disabled

During the structural work and changes at Hucknall Leisure Centre courts have been booked at the Kirkby in Ashfield (Festival Hall) Leisure Centre on: Thursdays from 1pm to 3pm. Please note the change of times from our previous 2pm start.

Several members acted as an advance party and played our first session since early March 2020 on the 20th May, 2021. Covid protocols are in place which restrict each court to a ‘bubble ‘of 6 players. This worked well on the first visit.

Location: Hodgkinson Road Kirkby in Ashfield NG17 7DJ

David and Terry

Ukulele Group

by WebmasterUkulele for FunPosted on Comments are Disabled

This group formed almost six years ago and, up to the lockdown 14 months ago, members were playing enthusiastically, introducing new songs each month.

In 2020 they held a few session on Zoom but it wasn’t a popular way of playing as a group, having to ‘mute’ while only being able to hear the leader of the group playing.

24 May 2021 was the date set for an outdoor session, the days leading up to that Monday morning had been atrocious, weather wise, more like November than May, but at 9.15am the sun was shining and the decision was taken to go ahead. The get together to be on the patio at Alan’s home, balloons were tied to the hedge at the entrance to his drive so the nine other members could easily locate the house,. So keen were the members one arrived a good 20 minutes early and another missed the drive and had to go another mile before they could turn around.

Everyone was set up and ready to go at 10.30am, Phil, the group leader admitted that he had not touched the uke since the last Zoom meeting, last September, gasps of horror could be heard from everyone, before most admitted they were as guilty of not practising.

Gradually everyone ‘warmed up’, their playing that is and the sun continued to shine. We managed to play all the songs requested, finishing just as the grey clouds arrived.

The group will start up again, Covid permitting, on Monday 13 September, 2021 at 10am at the John Godber Centre and will resume the regular meetings on 2nd and 4th Monday of the month. If you would like to come along, either to look at playing a ukulele or just to join in the singing please contact me.

To contact Vivian, the Group Co-ordinator, please use the form below:-