Citizens Advice

Together with Jobsmatch Medway and the Revenue and Benefits team at the Council, Citizens Advice Medway is holding a seminar for people who have either been made redundant or threatened with redundancy at under1roof, 5A New Road Avenue, Chatham from 1.00pm to 5.00pm on Thursday 26th February. We shall be able to offer advice on benefits, debt, housing and employment law as well support on training opportunities, job search and CVs.

Peter Stokes
CEO, Citizens Advice Medway

01634 409715 or 07957 912108

.

posted by pat

Scam Mail

Closing the door on scam mail
Medway residents are being asked to help in the battle against scam mail, which affects about three million people a year.
Medway Trading Standards has joined forces with the Office Of Fair Trading (OFT) to stop letterboxes being blighted by promises of money, fake competition prizes and holidays from bogus companies. Anyone who receives these types of letters and emails, as well as ones promising miracle health cures and get-rich-quick schemes can drop them into one of five Scamnesty points in Medway.
You can drop your scam mail at the following Scamnesty points until Sunday, 15th February:
ASDA, Maidstone Road, Chatham Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre. Morrisons, Knight Road, Strood. Strood Post Office, North Street. Medway Council offices, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham. Civic Centre Contact Point Gillingham Library, High Street. Rainham Contact Point Rochester Contact Point, Visitor Information Centre, High Street. Sainsbury’s, Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre. Dockside Outlet Shopping Centre, Chatham Maritime. Gillingham Post Office, WH Smith, High Street, Gillingham. Tesco, Courtney Road, Gillingham. Chatham Post Office, Pentagon Shopping Centre, Chatham.
All letters handed in will be examined by Medway Trading Standards and the OFT to help prevent others from becoming a victim of scam mailings, which are usually sent from international addresses.
Trading Standards officers have also been running surgeries for anyone who is concerned about scam mail.
The campaign is part of February’s Scams Awareness Month to help people avoid falling victim to scams, particularly the elderly and vulnerable.
Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Enforcement Cllr Rehman Chishti said: “We have all received letters promising us that we have won a luxury holiday or car, if we send money to an organisation are usually scams. The advice is if it seems to good to be true, it usually is.
“I want everyone who has been a victim of these bogus prizes to contact Medway Trading Standards with details of any scam mailings they receive so we can stop someone else becoming a victim of this illegal trade.”
If you think you have fallen victim of scam mail and would like impartial advice, phone Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.
.
posted by Pat

February Surgery 2009

After a two month break the Princes Park surgery is back tomorrow.
I will be there between 10-11am to answer any local issues from residents in Princes Park.
The surgery is in the normal place (and now permanent home) in the church in Dove Close.

No appointment is necessary, just turn up.
.
posted by matt bright.

Mobile Citizens Advice

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Free advice

Benefit Bus

Information on: How best to save and avoid interest charges.

Information will be confidential.

Based at ASDA’s

Near Rochester airport

In the car park

Monday the 9th February 2009
Tuesday the 10th February 2009

From 9.00 am to 5.00pm

Sponsored by the office of fair trading and run by Citizen Advice.
.
posted by pat

Cameron Direct on Video

I said before that as soon as we had a link to Cameron Direct I would add it to the blog. So if you click HERE you will be able to see Cameron direct from Chatham and Aylesford. It is well worth viewing.

.

posted by Pat

Rochester Castle

A fairytale offer at Rochester Castle
If you’re looking for an unusual way to say I love you without breaking the bank this Valentine’s Day, Rochester Castle could be the perfect setting. Couples visiting the castle on Saturday, 14 February can take an advantage of a two for the price of one ticket offer.
An inspiration for artists and writers for centuries, the castle has fabulous views from the battlements – making it an ideal location for a romantic day out or even a proposal. For those who are serious about popping the question, the castle chapel will be hosting information about Medway wedding venues, so you could book your big day too. Wedding staff will be on site from 11am-2pm.
Rochester castle is open daily from 10am to 4pm, and last admission is 45 minutes before closing. Admission is £5 for adults, £4 for students and seniors. The 2 for 1 offer, valid on Saturday, 14 February only, allows one free admission with one full paying adult, senior or student. Opening times may vary in extreme weather conditions. For further information contact the castle on 01634 402276.

posted by Pat

Bligh Childrens Centre

Stuck for February break ideas?
Bligh Children’s Centre is offering two exciting activities to keep children entertained during the February break.
On Tuesday, 17 February from 10am to 12noon the centre is holding a winter-themed arts and craft session for under-5s and their families.
Splatter and Splodge will be a paradise of paint where children and families can get stuck in and be creative, with the added bonus of leaving the mess behind.
Face painting will also be part of the fun.
The free session is open to all local families and will be at Bligh Children’s Centre, Bligh Way, Strood.
If action and adventure is what you fancy then look no further.
On Thursday, 19 February the children’s centre has hired out the Sea Cavern at Strood Sports Centre.
The Sea Cavern is a fantastic way to keep young children entertained and they are guaranteed to go home exhausted.
Swinging ropes, soft ball pools, gym mats and foam shapes are all part of the free event.
There are two sessions on offer, either from 10am to 11am or from 11.30am to 12.30pm.
Children must be under 10 and all places need to be booked in advance, as numbers are limited for each session.
For more information or to book a place at the Sea Cavern, phone Bligh Children’s Centre on 01634 710154

posted by Pat