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CONTENTS 06
Julia Lopez
10
James Blower
14 16 18
Political Update
The Savings Guru
Its OK Campaign Its ok to not be ok
CLLR Clarence Barrett Tax Refund Scams
With ‘Dry January’ a distant memory. I hope the good work in abstaining has not been undone during February! The weather seems to be really mixed now although it remains cold at night and the mornings are particularly cold and icy. So please keep a watch on any older or vulnerable neighbours you may have who may struggle in these conditions. A friendly chat with a neighbour can make all the difference to someone who may not be able to get out. We are always most grateful to all our advertisers and would encourage you to use them whenever possible. If you can mention Around Town that helps the advertisers gauge the response from advertising with us. Finally, we must thank all our contributors who write for this magazine. They are providing some very interesting editorial about your community. If you have something you would like to be included in this magazine then please get in touch with us. Until next month, wrap up warm!
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22 What’s On
When and Where...
From everyone at Around Town Magazines Copyright 2019. Around Town Upminster is an independent magazine and does not endorse the products or services that appear in the magazine. Opinions expressed in Around Town do not necessarily represent those of the editors of Around Town Magazines. Around Town Magazines are published by Black Square Print Media Ltd produced by Black Square Litho Ltd.
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an additional £250 million in high needs funding, of which Havering will get over £600,000. More recently, I spoke in a parliamentary debate on special needs funding to keep the pressure up on Ministers and to highlight the fast-growing number of children in our borough.
Julia Lopez
I know Cranham and Upminster residents are concerned by the proposed closure of the local branch of Santander, and I am meeting a representative from the bank in parliament soon to raise those concerns directly. In policing news, I am meeting the Borough Commander and neighbouring MP, Jon Cruddas, to discuss how to improve efforts against street crime. I am also campaigning for a tightening up of taxi regulations to improve passenger safety, and supporting government moves to strengthen laws on criminal trespass and help police and councils deal with unauthorised encampments.
Since my election I have made it a priority to visit each of the 42 schools in our constituency to get to know the school community and its needs. I have nearly completed this task and most recently visited Branfil School in Upminster. The pressure on special educational needs services has been one of the most consistent themes in my conversations with parents and teachers. I have raised these concerns with the Education Secretary and was pleased by his announcement before Christmas of
In my last column, I highlighted my campaign for a new health centre on the former St George’s Hospital site on Suttons Lane, Hornchurch – a facility I believe is vital in delivering expanded GP services, an integrated local health and social care system, improved mental health services and a less-pressured Queen’s Hospital. I have now secured a private meeting with Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, to see if he will assist our funding bid for this centre. In the meantime, I have met the executive team at Queen’s and our regional NHS team to talk about how we strengthen our case.
Member of Parliament For Hornchurch and Upminster
6
I also had the chance to talk to the Queen’s team about how to ensure we have enough GPs, nurses and consultants to serve our growing population. These discussions form part of a wider skills agenda that my team and I are pursuing to ensure residents can access a broader range of employment opportunities. In Havering, 53 per cent of adults do not have A Level-equivalent qualifications – a higher percentage than any other London borough – and I believe we can do more to match the needs of employers to the talents of people in our community. Last month I brought big East London employers together to see how we might turn the Beam Reach site in the south of the borough into a centre for training so local people can work on big projects like the Lower Thames Crossing or Havering’s estate regeneration programme. I have also brought Google’s Digital Garage Bus to the constituency to give parents free digital skills and CV-building courses while their children are in school. As ever, if you have a problem you think my team and I can help you with, please drop us a line! Or if you would like to come and have a look around parliament, we can book you in for a complimentary tour. Julia.Lopez.MP@parliament.uk 0207 219 2631 www.julialopez.co.uk Twitter: @julialopezmp House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
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Savings Roundup Last month was a very busy month in the savings market and for the Savings Guru! We saw new best buys in instant savings, notice and all fixed rate bond categories apart from four and five years. As a company, we recorded a ‘savings special’ podcast with This Is Money, the Daily Mail’s financial website, which has already been downloaded and listened to by over 10,000 people. We were thrilled to be shortlisted as a finalist at the British Bank Awards for ‘Consultancy of the Year’. The Awards are the ‘Oscars’ of our industry and we are on a shortlist of five - which includes global giants Deloitte and Cap Gemini. Voting runs until the 10th February (details and links on our website) and the winners are announced on 7th March – we will keep you posted on how we fare! Family Building Society knock Marcus off top spot Epsom based Family Building Society knocked global giant Marcus by Goldman Scahs off the top spot for instant savings. Marcus have lead the best buys since their launch last September, bar a 48 hour period when they were briefly toppled by Nottingham Building Society.
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Family’s ‘Premium Saver 3’ account pays 1.51% and can be opened by internet, phone, post or at their branch in Epsom. The downsides of the account is the £15,000 minimum balance, which is much higher than most rivals, and the lack of monthly interest options, which will disappoint income seekers. However, for those that meet the minimum balance requirements, the rate and range of options to open and manage the account will have huge appeal. Family’s last issue of their premium saver didn’t last long so we’d recommend moving quickly if this one does appeal as we can’t see if lasting beyond the middle of the month. Fixed Rate Bonds on the rise Last month saw a number of price increases on fixed rate bonds with Gatehouse Bank launching a 2.15% 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond to top the market. They were then joined by Bank of London & Middle East, who also lowered their minimum balance to £1,000, in line with most rivals. Al Rayan Bank increased their rates and now lead the way on 18 Months, 2 and 3 Year Fixed Rate Bonds paying 2.32%, 2.42% and 2.52% respectively.
Al Rayan typically hold their rates for a good period of time so we expect these rates to be around for some time and we could see rivals close the gap behind them. Cash incentives to switch bank – £150+ offered! The New Year has seen the return of some great financial incentives to switch bank. With many people short of cash following Christmas, banks are offering some great rewards for those looking for some ‘free’ money. RBS is offering £150 to new and existing customers who switch to their Select, Reward or Reward Silver/Platinum/Black accounts by 8th March and pay in £1,500 and log in online or via their app by 12th April. The Reward accounts come with monthly fees, starting from £2 per month, but pay 2% cashback on seven different household bills so the average household should make something in the region of £80 - £85 on top of this (before the fees are taken in to account). NatWest’ Select Account offers the same £150 incentive for switchers who move by 15th February and pay in £1,500 by 22nd March and HSBC’s Advance Account also pays £150 to switchers.
M&S Bank gives £180 in vouchers over the first year, Halifax’s Reward Accounts pays £135 (in two instalments) and £2 monthly reward to switchers who pay in £750 per month and set up two direct debits. Finally, First Direct pays £100 who have, until recently, topped the customer service charts for years. That’s all changed though as they’ve been usurped by branchless app based bank Monzo. If cash incentives don’t do it for you but great service, helpful features, alerts and a hot coral debit card do, Monzo is definitely worth a look! You may not have heard of them but over 1 million people have an account with them, despite only launching in 2015. What are the best rates currently? The savings market does move quickly, so we always recommend that you check our website for the latest rates. At time of print, our best personal savings rates are:
James Blower
Terms
Interest Rate
Provider
Instant Savings
1.51%
Family Building Society
Notice
1.90%
Charter Savings Bank
1 Year
2.15%
Gatehouse Bank and Bank of London & Middle East
www.thesavings.guru
18 Months
2.32%
Al Rayan Bank
hello@thesavings.guru
2 Year
2.42%
Al Rayan Bank
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Vanquis Bank, Union Bank of India and Bank of London & Middle East
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Bank of London & Middle East
Founder Savings Guru Ltd
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As always, this article is reproduced on our website www.thesavings.guru, with links to all the accounts and providers mentioned. Have a great February and see you again in March.
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ITS OK CAMPAIGN Its ok not to be ok Firstly we are excited to announce Dr Sara Kayat as our Campaign Ambassador. Dr Sara is best known for being in the tv show GP’s Behind Closed Doors and also numerous appearances on ITV’s This Morning. Sara also gives some words of advice on Mental Health
W
hilst evolutionarily the purpose of stress was related to triggering the fight or flight response when confronted with a survival situation, in modern day life, there is little benefit in feeding stress. We have long been aware of the role that stress plays in exacerbating anxiety and depression, but more recently research has also focussed on its effects on physical health. Studies have uncovered a link between stress and cardiovascular disease and have suggested that it may be as important a risk factor as smoking and high blood pressure.
Other lifestyle measures that may help include reducing your alcohol intake, ensuring you are getting enough sleep and having a well-balanced diet. More research is going into how diet may affect mental health, and the concept of a “brain-gut axis” is becoming more widely accepted.
...IDENTIFY YOUR TRIGGERS.
Certainly, if these measures aren’t helping your stress, it is important to speak to your doctor, as you may benefit from talking therapies and other psychological input.
Stress can be multifactorial but a good first step in managing it, is to identify your triggers. Unsurprisingly given that we work the longest hours in Europe, work is one of the biggest contributors to stress in the UK. As such, maintaining a good work-life balance is paramount, and keeping an open dialogue with colleagues and managers about mental health is important in maintaining wellbeing in the workplace, as well as making sure you carve out time to do things you enjoy, and see people that make you happy. We know that cardiovascular exercise is also important in tackling anxiety, stress and low mood, by increasing you’re your dopamine and serotonin levels, but other forms of exercise like yoga is also beneficial in promoting relaxation techniques like meditation, breathing and mindfulness, all of which have been shown to help manage stress.
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15
CLLR The CLARENCE BARRETT
Upminster & Cranham Residents’ Association
ways of defrauding victims of their money, and quite often their identity. A fraud that has seen a rapid increase over the last few years are ‘romance’ scams, where victims are led to believe they are in a genuine and caring relationship only to discover they have been deceived and the only object of desire is their bank account.
Support our Town Centre The survival of our High Streets and town centres has never been more pronounced than it is today. Against the challenges of business rates, rents, on-line shopping and out-of-town shopping centres, the need to help our local economies survive, adapt and flourish is crucial. An additional factor is that, from April 2020, local councils will rely on business rates as their main source of income. If our shops and businesses close, then there is no business rate income. That is why our town centres need effective and sensible strategies that embraces input from the police, local council, residents, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Havering Chamber of Commerce. A particular focus is the availability and affordability of car parking provision in our town. A few years ago a free 30-minute period was introduced which has proven to be very successful and valued by shoppers and retailers alike. With that, it is vital that we maintain what works, adapt to changing consumer trends and make our town centre a place of destination and choice. Watch out for Romance Scams Scammers are always looking for new
Figures from Action Fraud reveal that there were 4,555 reports of ‘Romance Fraud’ last year, and is probably significantly understated. This was a 27% increase on 2017 with an average loss of £11,145 per victim. The average age is 50 and 63% of victims are women. Potential victims are targeted via online dating websites, apps and through social media where enough information is gleaned by the scammers to adopt a fake profile and appeal to the persons interests. While on-line dating is a great way to meet many people, users should be wary that not everyone may be as they seem. Action Fraud advise users to think twice about posting too much information about themselves, to be wary of sudden declarations of affection and never send money to someone online you have never met.
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#WEAREPRINT PROJECT OF THE MONTH We always thought Christmas was party season! How wrong were we! January has seen us print a record number of invitations. Invitations for Weddings. Invitations for 18th parties. Invitations for 80th parties. Invitations for corporate events. Invitations for sporting events.
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ACS Dance Centre Ballroom dancing weekly class to learn something new, have fun and get fit! Beginners welcome Fridays 7.30-8.30pm at ACS Dance Club, 66 Albert Road, RM1 2PP. Experienced dancers Tuesdays 8.30pm or Mondays 8.30pm- please Call Diana 01708 783576 for details Basildon & District Rambling Club The group meets every Saturday at 2.00pm. The Saturday walks are 4-5 miles with a rest halfway, we have some longer walks on other days. New members are welcome and membership is only £6 per year which includes all walks. See our website www. basildonanddistrict ramblingclub.btck.co.uk for full details Clockhouse Bowling Club The Club welcomes new members, either existing bowlers or beginners. Our green is situated in Clockhouse Gardens, St Marys Lane, Upminster, close to Waitrose, in delightful surroundings. 2019 Club Open days will be held on Wednesday 1st May 3.00 - 7.00pm and Saturday 4th May 10.00am - 4.00pm. Bowls and equipment will be available, the only requirement is flat soled shoes. So why not join us. Details on: www. clockhousebowlingclub.co.uk. email: clockhousebowlingclub@ gmail.com.
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Cranham Art Society If you would like to join a friendly Art Club why not give us a try. We meet every Tuesday in Cranham Community Centre in Marlborough Gardens every Tuesday between 10am & noon. Whatever your standard you will be made welcome. Ring Gordon Setter on 01708 225612 for more information. Cranham Community Library Come along to our new style Library at Cranham Community Centre in Marlborough Gardens. We have a great range of jigsaws and fiction books to borrow. We are open Tuesday to Friday 10.00 to 12.00 and Monday 1.30 to 3.30. Volunteers wanted ring Janet 01708 222665 for information. Cranham Over 60s Club Covers Upminster and Cranham. Every Thursday 1’00pm ‘till 3.00pm. Cranham Social Centre. Good company, tea and biscuits, entertainment, dancing free raffle, bingo. Car parking at the rear. Access for the disabled. All welcomed. £4.00 each. Just turn up, or ring 0208 5935 625. Essex Wildlife Trust The Nature Reserve and Historic Gardens at Warley Place, Great Warley will be open every weekend from Saturday 23rd February to Sunday 7th April. Volunteers will be on hand to provide guidance on the above
days from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm, weather permitting. Please come and enjoy the wonderful show of snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells as well as the historic gardens created by Ellen Willmott. Guided walks are available on Saturday mornings at 10.30 am. Large groups should please book in advance, suggested donation £4.00 per person. The post code for Warley Place is CM13 3HU and is located on Warley Road adjacent to the Thatchers Arms public house. For further information please contact Mick Hedges on 01277 231367 or Fiona Agassiz on 01277 230436. Friends of Parklands The aim of our “Friends” Group is to maintain Parklands Open Space as a pleasant place to walk and relax, surrounded by a natural environment. We arrange Working Parties to keep Parklands tidy and to help control any excessive overgrowth. The Working Parties meet for a couple of hours, at 10 a.m., on the second Wednesday of every month. If you would like to join us please visit our website, www.friendsofparklands.org.uk, for further information, or email our Working Party Organiser, Andy Brett, at: upminsterbrett@gmail.com Friends Of Upminster Mini Golf Course We are a recently formed group with the aims of promoting
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the Mini Golf Course in Hall Lane, Upminster and working in partnership with Havering Council to improve amenities and to encourage people of all ages to participate at the course. Find us on Facebook. Why not come and give it a go. Equipment is supplied and the course suits all abilities from novices to experienced golfers looking to improve their short game. More information on the Councils website: www.havering.gov.uk/Pages/ ServiceChild/Hall-Lanegolf-course. Friends of Upminster Windmill Volunteers are sought to help us develop and maintain an attractive garden area around the new visitor centre at Upminster Windmill. Our small friendly group meets on Tuesdays. If you would like to help email info@upminsterwindmill.org or enquire at the site on a Tuesday. ‘Gone Too Soon’ 18th March Bereavement Support for Parents who have lost a Son or Daughter, all ages. Monthly meetings are held on the third Monday of each month, at Reids, 66-68 Laindon Road, Billericay CM12 9LD from 7.00 p.m,. – 9.00 p.m. There is ample free parking. For further details please contact Lyn on 07387 805406 or email lyncurrie@hotmail.co.uk
Greenfingers Gardening Club We are a friendly group and meet at the Cranham Community Centre, Marlborough Gardens, Cranham. 7.30pm First Monday of the month, but if this falls on a Bank Holiday we meet on the following Monday. No meetings in August. Horticultural speakers, raffle and free refreshments. Come & join us you will be very welcome. Info from Sheila Woodrow 01708 228752 Havering Museum The Museum tells the remarkable story of Havering from pre-history to the present day and celebrates the achievements of local people while exploring how the areas that make up the Borough were formed and developed. Currently exhibiting; Titanic Honour and Glory. It tells the story of the Titanic disaster through artefacts and includes stories from local people, who have a connection to the ship. We also have various family events, talks and events on throughout the year. See website for details www.haveringmuseum.org.uk or phone 01708 766571 Registered charity no109376 Learn, Laugh and Live! Havering U3A meets at 2:30pm second Wednesday of the month at St. Michael’s Church Hall, Main Road, Gidea Park. March 13th Myths and Legends in Art by Colin Lomas
April 10th The Red Cross by Philippa Radford Hancock Interest groups run throughout the month. Doors open 2:15pm. For more information come along or see our website. www.u3asites.org.uk/havering Pilates for a Healthier Spine Experienced Sports & Remedial Massage Therapists Charlene & Neil Carpenter teach traditional Pilates in private sessions and also to small groups in Upminster & Cranham. For further information or to book a course or trial class please visit www.upminstersportsmassage. co.uk or call Charlene on 07411 826721, or email upminstersportsmassage@gmail. com Upminster and District Probus Club Retired with free time during the week - Upminster and District Probus Club. Luncheon club, with talks and outings, for retired men, covering art, crime, gardening, history, music, sport and transport etc. Meet on the last Wednesday of the month at the Cranleigh Restaurant, Hornchurch. Outings planned 2019: Royal Opera House Backstage Tour, D-Day in Portsmouth, Orwell Cruise and Royal Landscape Heritage Tour Secretary: Barry on 01708 703783 secretary@upminsterprobus.com www.upminsterprobus.com and www.facebook.com
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