Benington Parish Council
Annual Governance and Accounting Statements, 2017/18
click here

Warning to Residents about Driveway Company

Hertfordshire CC Trading Standards is warning residents not to deal with a company called Oakray Drives and Patios Limited using the address of 86 Bancroft Hitchin SG5 1NQ.

The company is NOT limited as claimed and does not have the right to use this address.  We know that they have been operating in the Welwyn Garden City area using leaflet drops but believe that they may have extended works into Hitchin and Stevenage.

Trading Standards advice is not to use any trader that cold calls at the door or who leaflet drops. Instead, use recommendations from family and friends. If you still have a problem finding a good trader, please use a Trading Standards checked trader through our Which? scheme. Go to whichtrustedtraders.co.uk or call Hertfordshire Trading Standards on 01707 292429

If you have dealt with this company and would like some further help or advice, please contact Trading Standards through the Citizen’s Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 040506

Fake Celebrity Endorsements For Investment Schemes

Fraudulent websites offering investment opportunities are dishonestly using the image of Martin Lewis, the founder of moneysavingexpert.com, as an endorsement for their business. Martin Lewis has published a warning to the public saying “I don’t do adverts. If you ever see one with my face or name on it, it is without my permission, and usually a scam”.

The adverts, found on social media and other websites, link to Martin Lewis’ image along with fake quotes recommending investments in bitcoin and other digital currencies with the fraudulent company.  Clicking on the advert may take you to a page requesting your contact details.  The suspect company will then phone you and encourage you to invest.

Similarly, fraudulent websites are trying to appear legitimate by misusing images and fabricating recommendations from the investors on “Dragons Den”.

Protect Your Money

Criminals exploit the names of well-known brands or individuals to make their scams appear legitimate.  Professional-looking websites or social media posts don’t indicate that an investment opportunity is genuine.

A genuine bank or financial organisation won’t force you to make a financial transaction on the spot. Be wary if you’re pressured to invest quickly or promised returns that sound too good to be true.

Avoid unsolicited investment offers, especially via cold callers. If you’re considering an investment, get impartial advice from an independent financial adviser. Visit www.fca.org.uk to search the Financial Conduct Authority’s Financial Services Register for authorised providers.  Never use an adviser from a company that contacted you, as this may be part of a scam. 

Benington History

At one time, Anglia TV ran a series titled ‘Portrait of a Village’, and Benington was one of the featured villages, and although the exact date is not known, it was probably in the late 1970s.

Julie Goddard has a copy of the programme copied onto DVD, and thanks to her we can make copies available to anyone who would like one.

Included on the same DVD is amateur video footage of two exhibitions in the Village Hall of old photographs and other paraphernalia, the later one of which was titled ‘Benington Life, Then and Now’ held in March 1995. There is also footage of the 120th anniversary celebration of the school in June 1993.

It should be pointed out that the sound quality of the DVD is not very good, but it does feature various village residents, some of them talking about the photographs and their memories.

Also available is another DVD which features Julie’s father, Vic Robinson, talking about his collection of old village photos. This gives an insight to some of the history of the village, including some of the old names. And, on a CD, is an interview with Vic by Three Counties Radio.

Proceeds will be split between the Village Hall and the Recreation Ground.

Copies are available from Kate Daniel – 01438 869 438 – kate.j.daniel@gmail.com

Cheques to be made payable to Benington Village Hall

Puckeridge Hunt apology

Puckeridge Hunt have written to the Parish Council to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the hunt on 9 November 2017.
Click here to view details

Superfast Broadband for Benington

14 March 2018

BT Openreach have completed their engineering works to bring super fast broadband to Benington.

Service providers like BT and Plusnet (and others) are now accepting orders for the new high speed service. Speeds of up to 76MBPS are being mentioned.

You will have to make contact with them to place an order for the service. Most properties in Benington and Hebing End should be able to receive the service.

Update - Walkern Road (Shummery Lane) Flood

Richard Bott’s opinion (which he is 90% but not 100% certain is correct) is that the flood is in a low point in the road that collects water in the field to the north (Walkern side) and sends it south (Benington side).

There are gullies in the road at this low point that collect the road water and pipe it into a clay land drain that runs downhill across the Grundy’s field. It is likely that the land drain and all the gullies are blocked, hence the flood.

Richard has discussed this with Highways who have visited the site, but pressed for a date to clear the gullies, they have advised that nothing can be done for at least three months. Despite this being the responsibility of Highways, Richard is in the process of obtaining two quotes on behalf of the Parish Council to clear the gullies.

In the meantime Ken Grundy has contacted Richard to advise that he has booked a digger to clear/restore the drain in the field on 20 November. Hopefully these measures will resolve the problem’.

Willow trees by bus shelter

Cllr Crofton arranged for HCC to visit the willow trees beside the bus shelter at Stoopers Hill, Town Lane with their tree specialist.

The tree specialist has confirmed the trees are considered safe. They have historically been reduced, however there is no visible sign of fruiting bodies, old or new and no major cavities. He has however recommended to reduce to previous cut points and remove dead wood.

This work has been added to the planned programme of maintenance and it is anticipated this work will be completed within the 2018/19 financial year.

Saturday 14 July 2018, from 2pm

top of page

Friday 7 September 2018
A Street Cat Named Bob
(12)

click for trailer

SPECIAL SUNDAY DOUBLE BILL MATINEE

Sunday 23 September 2018
2pm - 6pm

The Lavender Hill Mob

The Man in the White Suit