Brill Parish Council Newsletter

October 2023 (vol 3, issue 10)

Fireworks : Are you breaking the law?

A message from Bucks Fire & Rescue:

Whilst most people enjoy fireworks responsibly, in the wrong hands they can cause real misery. Remember that fireworks are explosives, and as such should be treated with respect and only used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the Firework Code.

Irresponsible use of fireworks can cause damage to property and do significant harm to people and animals. Not only is there a danger from fireworks exploding, they can also pose a serious fire risk as well.

Please be considerate and let the community know if you are planning to let off fireworks. You can do this very easily via the Brill Village Group on Facebook. Not everyone enjoys fireworks and unexpected loud bangs can cause great distress to both animals and humans.

Image taken from the Natural Animals website

Beware QR Scams

A bit ironic, considering the Parish Council’s own use of QR codes but scams involving these innocuous little patterned squares are on the increase. These can take many forms, including:

• QR email scams (known as ‘quishing’; a mix of QR codes/email phishing) You may be asked to scan a QR code within an email appearing to be from legitimate company.

• QR payment scams Scammers can place QR codes in public places such as parking meters and restaurant menus, covering the original QR to steal your card details/money.

• QR donation scams Scammers may attempt to steal money by creating a fake charity or impersonating an existing one.

• QR package scams Criminals may send you mail that you never ordered requesting you to scan a QR code on the package for more information.

Help protect yourself by taking the following steps

• Don’t be rushed! Take 5 before you scan.

• Check for tampering; make sure the QR code isn’t hiding an existing QR code. Contact the company if in doubt.

• Ensure the QR website URL is legitimate. Does it look right? Check for misspelling of the site in the URL.

• Don’t scan QR codes from unknown senders.

 If you think you are a victim of a QR code scam:

1. Contact your bank so they can take steps to protect your finances.

2. Change your passwords, ideally setting up two-factor authentication.

3. Report the scam to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040

There is a lot more information about digital and physical security on the Community Safety page on the Brill Parish Council & Community website.

Hartwell’s Barn Project Update

Fundraising has now started in earnest. The team have delivered postcards to all Brill homes listing the various ways residents can donate to the purchase of Hartwell’s Barn and Saunder’s Field. If you haven’t received yours, or you’d like to talk about the project, please email Andy Fisher (chair of The Brill Society) or call him on 07881 950 684.

If this is the first you’ve heard of this community venture, take a look at the Hartwell’s Barn & Saunder’s Field page on the Brill Parish Council & Community website.

The team (which comprises members of Brill Parish Council, The Brill Society, Brill Environment Group, FAT Daddies and other supporters) has now prepared a page of FAQs; answers to all the questions posed on social medial or in person in the last few weeks. The page will be regularly updated.

Community Life-Saving Training

We’re plodding on, determined to make a difference to the emergency responsiveness of Brill!

The last training session of the year will be Saturday November 18th. This is nearly full so please book on the Brill Parish Council & Community website ASAP if you’d like a space. After a brief Christmas break, training will recommence on Saturday January 20th and February 17th 2024.

All sessions are 11am - 12 noon in Brill Sports & Social Club, behind All Saints Church. We will be following the British Heart Foundation’s community training programme, which uses virtual (DVD) trainers - but there’s also plenty of opportunity to ask questions of a knowledgable real-life person.

Any questions - or if you'd like a bespoke session for your team or group, please email Hannah. Non-Brill residents welcome - so please spread the word.

Finally!

Please tell others about this e-newsletter. Lots of people aren’t on Facebook or comfortable with social media, and we want to reach all parishioners equally. We also value the opportunity to give something extra to subscribers - longer explanations or different perspectives - than is possible on the website.

Tell friends, family or neighbours to email hannahbrillcommunity@gmail.com or fill in the newsletter form on the welcome page of the Brill Parish Council & Community website. Alternatively, if they’d like to read a paper copy, please tell them there are always copies of the newsletter in the pouch on the door of the Old Library in the Memorial Hall, on the table at the back of All Saints Church, and (sometimes) in Brill Stores.

Remember you can read past issues of the newsletter on the Brill Parish Council & Community website.

All good wishes
Brill Parish Council