MapRA email 15 January

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Reminder. Mosaic workshop for Kilburn station – MapRA sessions. Free workshops to make an exciting mosaic for the planters at Kilburn tube station. Still some spaces available on the special MapRA sessions on Tuesday 17th Jan. Also various dates throughout January to March, Age 10+ with adult or 18+ (No experience needed - new skills taught! MapRA members are encouraged to come on Tue 17th January if free that day. More details and to sign up: http://bit.ly/3IJ73u2

New home for Ukrainian mother and daughter. A neighbour of a member has asked if anyone might know of someone who could offer lodging. A local family has been hosting a Ukrainian mother & daughter (who speaks excellent English) for the past 7 months. The arrangement has been very successful and the guests have been very resourceful and got on well with their hosts. The mother has a childminding job locally and the daughter has a scholarship to Haberdasher;s Aske’s where she is doing her A levels. The hosts are now trying to help them find a new home locally. Ideally, they are looking for somewhere to stay for about 1 - 2 years and would be paying a small rent (plus the monthly compensation paid by the Govt).If anyone has space in their house and wants some company, they would make great tenants. But if anyone could take them even for a few months, that would be helpful. If so, let me know and I’ll put you in touch to explore further.

Scams to watch out for. Banking online can be fraught with danger, with criminals creating apps and impersonating banks to steal people's money. One of the most notable was a fake app called 2FA Authenticator on Google Play. This app appeared to be entirely legitimate but in the background it disabled system security checks on victims’ devices and secretly installed malware that stole login details. Another dangerous scam saw fraudsters spoof their caller ID to match banks and steal money via calls and texts. Details from which magazine.

And Beware of ‘free’ supermarket vouchers. claim to offer free grocery vouchers, but they require you to sign up to play a series of games and subscriptions. This not only wastes your time, it can also cost you money and involve you handing over your personal information. details

TV licensing scam. A member reports an email claiming that something wrong with TV licensing payments and asking to set up new direct debit; and threatening to cancel or pass details to debt collection agency. For how to recognise and avoid such scams see link Helping you avoid TV Licensing scams – and how to report one - TV Licensing

Selective Licensing consultation. Willesden Green Town Team have produced this pretty salutary video about Brent Council's Selective Licensing consultation which is open for public comment until 23rd January 2023. The video explains some of the issues and suggests how Selective Licensing can be a useful tool for the Council in tackling them. (I trust that our area isn’t as bad as Willesden Green appears from this!) Link to consultation here

Keep fit with Donna. Experienced fitness professional Donna Sheehan will lead a 30 minute gentle seated exercise session designed to get you moving and mobile. Places are limited, so book to ensure your place at Cricklewood Library. Free, Next class tomorrow Monday 16 Jan 10am at Cricklewood Community Library. More information on Cricklewood Library website

Reminder recycle Xmas cards to Leslie Daisley’s charity (The Paul Daisley trust to raise awareness of colon cancer). Already have taken a number of large bags of them to Lesley. Drop them off to me at 64 Teignmouth Road (leave in plastic bag outside door), and if I’ve sent renewal notice you can drop renewal sub in as well!

Fencing contractor. Can anyone recommend one?

Current local Planning applications
(For details search Brent Planning and type in ref no in Appn reference no field; New items in red).

Appn 22/3688, Flat 1, 9c Exeter Road. Comments by 24 January

Proposed two single storey rear side infill extensions, three new ground floor side windows and replacement of existing ground floor side window, reduction in width of front boundary wall, new front hardstanding and soft landscaping to ground floor flat

Other

Police contact. NWMailbox-.SNTMapesbury&Cricklewood@met.police.uk.
(However still use 101 to report ongoing problems or 999 in emergency.)
Brent vaccination schedule. Link
Virus Support information. https://www.brent.gov.uk/covidtesting
Guide to tradesmen and services. New: Window repair. Leaded lights https://mapra.org.uk/local-traders
Ashford Place https://www.ashfordplace.org.uk/;
Latest from Brent: New Year, New opportunities
Culture in Brent: Reduce, Re-use Recycle, art and sustainability; making the room sing; Brent Biennial
Brent Environment Network Newsletter: Green Christmas
MapRA Facebook page.https://www.facebook.com/mapesburyRA

Gerry Weston https://www.mapra.org.uk/