CHESHIRE FURNITURE RE-USE FORUM (CFRF)

   For people who are planning home improvements, moving house or who just haven't got round to

   recycling their domestic electrical appliances, CFRF will collect good-quality items that are no

   longer needed.

   CFRF is made up of 14 not-for-profit projects and is supported by all seven Cheshire councils.

   The projects do much more than recycle.  Unwanted, good-quality appliances are of huge 

   practical value to other less fortunate people and the projects also provide support and

   training opportunities for local volunteers - 238 of them last year.

   More than six million electrical items are thrown away every year in the UK.  It is estimated 

   that over half of them are still in working order or are easily repairable.  The CFRF can make  

   sure that they go to good homes where they'll be really appreciated.

   For details on donating to your local furniture re-use project, call 0845 760 3456 or visit

   www.cfrf.org.uk

INFORMATION FROM CHESHIRE POLICE

For those of you involved with the upkeep of older buildings, parish halls, churches, pubs and so forth, we are seeing an increase across the country of thefts of lead and copper piping. The value of scrap metal has risen dramatically this year making this type of theft more lucrative. General crime prevention advice for a building can be obtained from Dave Owens (Community Safety Network Officer, Cheshire Constabulary - Ellesmere Port Police Station, Stanney Lane, Ellesmere Port CH65 9ER, telephone 01244 613083, email david.owens@cheshire.pnn.police.uk), either by a visit or by leaflets sent out in the post.

Two modern, high-tec. products worth looking at are Smartwater and Selectadna. Both these firms offer unique ultra violet solutions that can permanently mark lead and copper.

Smartwater was used last year by Cheshire Police in a successful anti burglary campaign.

Selectadna have adapted the ultra violet dye into a thick grease that will permanently

coat the lead and stick to anyone handling it or the vehicles they use. Since the ultra violet dye in each application is unique to the customer, property so marked can always

be traced back to it’s owner.

For further details look at:

www.smartwater.com

www.selectadna.co.uk.

Changing Address?

   You can tell Chester City Council about changing your address online.  Click onto

     www.chester.gov.uk and fill in the online change-of-address form.  By using this service, you

     notify several council departments your change of address, including Electoral Roll, Council

     Tax, Benefits, Planning, Building Control, Space Management, Housing and Charisma.

 Every household in the Chester District is entitled to one free special collection of rubbish a year.  To get rid of those large unwanted items, such as furniture etc., that can get dumped and cause a hazard, 

ring 01244 402477.

 To get abandoned vehicles removed ring, 01244 402477 

       Or Email callcentre@chestercc.gov.uk

If you have an unroadworthy vehicle you want to dispose of safely, ring 01244 402477 (some restrictions apply and proof of ownership may be required).

       If you have any information about vehicle fires or any other crime, ring  

 01244 301581 or make a free, confidential call to 

Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 

"IN CASE OF EMERGENCY" (ICE)

"ICE" has recently been launched by the East Anglian Ambulance Service with the support of Falklands veteran Simon Weston.  The idea is that you store the word "ICE" on your mobile 'phone address book and against it, enter the number of the person you would want to be contacted "In Case of Emergency".  For more than one contact, you can store ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 and so on.  In an emergency, ambulance and hospital staff would then quickly be able to find out who your next of kin are and be able to contact them.

Pass on this idea to as many people as you can.

BLOOD DONOR SESSIONS

None scheduled for the moment.

____________________________________________________________________

Hospitals across the country need blood every day to carry out planned operations like hip replacements, cope with emergencies and treat patients with serious diseases like cancer.

To meet that need, the Blood Service is totally reliant on the generosity of others - but only six out of every hundred people who can give blood actually do so.

Almost anyone between the ages of 17 and 60 weighing over 7st 12 (50kg) and in good health can become a blood donor.

If you are interested, telephone 0845 7 711 711 (24 hours) or visit www.blood.co.uk

  Useful information

     To stop telephone sales calls, register with the Telephone Preference Service on 

     0845 0700707 Website:  www.tpsonline.org.uk 

     To reduce the amount of direct mail you receive, register with:

     The Postal Preference Service Ltd., Freepost NAT10042, Chippenham SN15 1BR  

     Email:  member@thepreferenceservice.com 

     To stop all direct mail, register with:

     The Mailing Preference Service, Freepost 22, London W1E 7EZ, telephone 

     0845 7034599 Website:  www.mpsonline.org.uk 

INFORMATION FROM CHESTER CITY COUNCIL

   Did you know that the total amount of Council Tax benefit left unclaimed is between 

   £760 million to £1060 million? (Source: Census 2001)

   You could qualify if you have a low income or an adult living with you has a low income. 

   If you think this could be you, contact us on:  01244 402236 or email

   benefits@chester.gov.uk   

   We can provide:

· confidential benefit calculations

· claim forms & advice

· home visits

   or visit our website www.chester.gov.uk

COULD YOU CLAIM EXTRA MONEY?

   Angela Robinson is an experienced disability rights adviser working on a project for 

   Dial House in Chester.  The aim of the project is to increase awareness of the 

   benefits which disabled and older people in rural areas of Chester District could be

   entitled to claim.

   Benefits such as attendance allowance, disability living allowance and incapacity benefit

   may be awarded to people who are having difficulties because of their age or disability.

   To find out if you qualify and to arrange a free, confidential appointment, please contact

  Angela on 01244 345655.  Leave your name and telephone number if she is not in the 

  office and she will contact you as soon as possible.