- Basingstoke and Deane Rotary Club
- BCoT boasts impressive end of year pass rate
- Parish Magazine Article September 2020
- Basingstoke and District Railway Society
- Crime Prevention Bulletin August 2020
- Lions Club World Sight Day 2020
- Basingstoke Lions Club Magazine Report
Basingstoke and Deane Rotary Club
Rotary and the World Celebrate The Eradication of Polio in Africa
We are in the middle of a Covid 19 pandemic and are resting our hopes on a vaccination being developed quickly, so it was a timely reminder of other ongoing work on serious worldwide illness when it was declared, by the World Health Organisation on 25/8/2020, that Polio had been eradicated in Africa. Polio has long been a feared viral infection that mainly affects children for which there is no cure. It causes nerve injury which leads to death or partial or full paralysis. Whilst the last outbreak of polio in the UK was in the 1970’s there are still many people in our country that live with the paralysing effects of this disease. British children are still routinely vaccinated against Polio and kept safe from infection.
Polio is preventable with vaccination
Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 30 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever.
As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, we’ve reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent since our first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979.
We’ve helped immunize more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries. So far, Rotary has contributed more than £1.4 billion toward eradicating the disease worldwide.
Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but it’s crucial to continue working to keep other countries polio-free. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyse as many as 200,000 children each year.
These agencies have been working since 1996 to try to eradicate the virus from the African continent with sustained vaccination campaigns. Almost 9 billion polio vaccines have been delivered in the eradication programme and this will continue and needs to be funded.
The part played by Jonas Salk
The unsung hero of this battle is a man named Jonas Salk, an American virologist and medical researcher who developed one of the first successful polio vaccines which quelled one of the biggest outbreaks of Polio in the US when it was introduced in 1952. The rolling out of Polio vaccination programmes around the world has been a great success. Joseph Salk has been hailed for his altruism, he chose to not patent the vaccine or seek any profit from it in order to maximize its global distribution and in doing so he gave the world a great gift.
Until we end polio forever, every child is at risk.
Smallpox is the only deadly disease to have been eradicated. This was in 1979. Polio is close to eradication but we will need to continue to fund the programme until it is achieved. Rotary Clubs around the world are committed to continue to fund the vaccination programme. Since the year 2000 The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have matched Rotary International funding by 2 to 1 to give a huge boost to the programme. We’ve reduced cases by 99.9% since 1988.
Worldwide scientists are working on a vaccine for Covid 19. Hopefully altruism will play a part so that it will be available to all, not just those who are able to pay but include those in the developing world with less ability to pay.
BCoT boasts impressive end of year pass rate
Media Release
Wednesday, 26 August 2020
BCoT boasts impressive end of year pass rate
Staff and students at Basingstoke College of Technology have good cause for celebration as the college has this year achieved a 97.6% pass rate across all of their full-time Level 3 courses, after a tumultuous and challenging academic year that has been heavily-disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
After an initial delay from the awarding organisations to release the results last week, students from BCoT have started to receive their provisional results over the last week, although the results remain subject to awarding organisation final confirmation.
After passing her Level 3 Early Years at BCoT, student Emily Lawrence has been offered a place at Norland College this September, a prestigious university in Bath specialising in early years education. Upon receiving her impressive A* results, Emily, who worked as a student rep alongside her studies said: “I’ve always wanted to work with children and BCoT provided me with a variety of experiences in children’s development and learning which enabled me to achieve my dream of being accepted into Norland College!”
Emily, who celebrated her results at a restaurant near Norland with her family, had undertaken work experience alongside her studies and was even offered a job at a local nursery. “I worked extremely hard to achieve my result with the help of my lecturers who helped guide me through and taught lessons in a fun and interesting way!”
Anthony Bravo, Principal of BCoT, said: “I would like to congratulate all of our fantastic students and everyone throughout the College on achieving these impressive results. To achieve a pass rate of 97.6% in what has been incredibly challenging circumstances is a testament to the hard work, ability and dedication of our staff and students. We are proud to be one of the leading vocational colleges in the area, providing young people with the knowledge, skills and experience they need to progress to university or launch their career.”
BCoT has been offering advanced technical training in Basingstoke for more than 70 years, and the more practical and coursework-based nature of vocational courses has allowed their students to be able to be continually assessed throughout the year, instead of heavily relying on final exams.
For further information on studying a vocational course at BCoT, and to apply for September 2020, go to bcot.ac.uk.
If you like to be social, please keep connected at facebook.com/BasingstokeCollegeofTechnology/, twitter.com/bcot and instagram.com/instabcot
ENDS
Editor’s notes
Contact for BCoT media enquiries:
Sacha Gardener
Marketing Team Leader, Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT)
Email: sacha.gardener@bcot.ac.uk
PARISH MAG ARTICLE – written 10th September 2020
Update by Basingstoke & District Disability Forum (BDDF) your local adult disability charity.
BDDF quickly responded to lockdown by moving our services on-line. We focused efforts on tackling isolation for our members by providing support virtually. Offering both weekly coffee & chat and chair yoga sessions.
We also continued to provide our signposting activities which help those with disability related queries.
BDDF are slowly reintroducing face to face yoga, whilst continuing the online sessions – both are free to attend.
We are also exited to announce our brand NEW weekly Walking Group which again is free to attend, open to all abilities and strictly follows Government group guidelines. Funded by ‘Energise Me’ these social walks are already being thoroughly enjoyed by our members, an opportunity to make new connections whilst getting exercise and fresh air.
Our next annual disability information day will take place in The Malls shopping centre on Friday 26th March 2021. If you are a local disability service or business operating in Basingstoke and are interested in exhibiting do get in touch.
Over the summer BDDF organised Chineham and Sherfield Park’s first ever Scarecrow Trail. With 5 awards all voted for by the public, the community spirit shone and competition for the coveted title of ‘best in show’ was fierce with 91 displays all based around the theme of books.
Our local charity partner for 2020 was the incredible Sebastian’s Action Trust who support children and the families of children with life limiting and life threatening illnesses.
We are so grateful to everyone who supported, entered a scarecrow, sponsored and donated raffle prizes and of course our volunteers. Thanks to you all it was a huge success raising over £5k.
The feedback suggests we would be welcomed back. We plan to reach out in the new year to seek volunteers to be part of the 2021 organising committee.
We will always find a way to continue supporting the disabled people in our community. Currently our offerings include weekly virtual Chair Yoga & meditation; Walking Clubs; and Online Signposting and Support groups.
We would love to hear from you whether you have feedback, ideas on how we can best serve our disabled community or if you would like more information on our current services – become a member of our BDDF community follow us on Facebook @BDDForum; email us info@bddf.org.uk or call 01256 423869.
BASINGSTOKE AND DISTRICT RAILWAY SOCIETY
All of our meetings since March have been cancelled in accordance with Government instructions and for the wellbeing of our members and guest speakers and we do not yet know how soon we will be able to meet safely again. We are hoping that when the restrictions are removed we will be able to reschedule the presentations that we have missed.
For Society members we have, since March, arranged a series of on-line presentations by our own members. The next one is on Wednesday 28 October, topic yet to be decided. If you are interested in seeing these presentations, do join the Society and be ready for when we are able to resume our regular meetings. For more information, please keep an eye on our website at www.bdrs70d.com or telephone 01256 331002.
Update from the Force Crime Prevention Advisor
Hampshire Trading Standards Alert: Cold Callers
Hampshire Trading Standards would like to warn residents about cold callers at the door offering to clean driveways. Reports have been received from the Chandler’s Ford / Eastleigh area, but the alert is Countywide.
The cold callers are offering to clean driveways and will try to do a demonstration. They are very persistent, and will try to persuade the resident to have the work done, sometimes starting without permission. No paperwork is given before the work starts, and any flyers may contain false information and contact details. Payment in cash is requested.
Advice from Trading Standards (TS):
- TS strongly advise residents not to agree to work that is instigated as a result of a cold call.
- Residents should obtain at least 3 written quotes from reputable businesses or traders who are either members of the Buy With Confidence scheme or a recognised trade association.
- To inform Trading Standards about cold calling, please report the matter to the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133. Please also try to obtain a name and address for the company.
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Relay (Keyless) Car Theft
Did you know?
- Any car that uses keyless entry is at risk of Relay Theft
- It can take less than two minutes for thieves to gain full access to your car
Top 5 Prevention Tips:
1. Keep keys in a signal blocking pouch (aka a Faraday Bag) out of sight and away from doors and windows. Don’t forget to do the same with any spare sets.
2. Use a Sold Secure tested and approved Steering Wheel/Pedal/Gear Lock as a deterrent.
3. Tracking devices can help track down your vehicle and the perpetrator should it be taken.
4. Use your garage if you have one. Contact an MLA approved company for advice on garage locks.
5. If you park on your driveway consider fitting outdoor motion detector lighting and CCTV.
For further information regarding Relay Theft please visit www.locksmiths.co.uk/faq/keyless-car-theft/
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SNAP Scheme launched by Hampshire Constabulary
The Hants SNAP scheme has launched and aims to use submitted footage of dangerous incidents to protect road users across the region. Under the scheme, footage of dangerous incidents can be submitted via an online portal. This can be from a dash cam, head cam or other recording device that is being legally used.
The footage must meet the below criteria:
- It must be reported within seven days and should not be edited
- Should not have been deleted from your device
- Should not be shared on social media
- Needs to show between one to two minutes either side of the incident
- If it is from a collision, or an offence not listed in the criteria set out on the submission portal, then it will need to be reported by calling 101, or online via our force website.
Along with the footage, people will submit a witness statement and will be required to answer some basic questions to support their statement.
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Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS)
In April 2020 the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the City of London Police launched SERS, which allows the public to report suspicious emails (via report@phishing.gov.uk) to an automated system that scans emails malicious links.
The most common fake emails have been from TV Licencing, HMRC and GOV.UK.
Since its launch the pioneering tool has received more than 1.7 million reports of phishing, identified 6,501 scams, and removed 15,805 malicious websites.
Officers from the national Cyber Protect Network will be taking part in a live twitter chat at 9.30am on Friday 4 September and hosting a webinar for the public at 10.30am, covering topics such as how to protect yourself online and how to spot to a scam email. Click here for more information.
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Action Fraud Alert: Paypal Scam using Facebook Messenger
Action Fraud have received a surge of reports where victims have received messages through Facebook Messenger from friends and family requesting to use their Pay Pal account to receive funds from the sale of items on EBay.
Messages are sent by fraudsters purporting to be friends and family stating that they have sold a camera on eBay but that they are unable to process the payment as they either do not have a Pay Pal account or because their Pay Pal account is not working. Click here for more information.
THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LIONS CLUBS
THE LIONS CLUB OF BASINGSTOKE
World Sight Day 2020 
Thursday 8 October
MORRISONS SUPERMARKET (RG21 8BJ)
providing a home for your unwanted spectacles from Thursday, 24 September – Thursday, 8 October
1.2 billion people need glasses to see better!
World Sight Day, begun in 2000 and celebrated annually by the Basingstoke Lions Club, will this year be very different, courtesy of Covid 19. For the first time the Club is unable to stage its usual stand in the Town Centre featuring a collection point for redundant spectacles and resources for the sight impaired. However, not to be beaten, the Club – with the wile and guile that’s kept it successfully responding to the needy of the town for 53 years – sought an alternative way to ensure the day was still marked, gaining much valued help from MORRISONS SUPERMARKET.
On a global scale the aim of this day, on which Lions Clubs around the world conduct various sight-related projects, is to focus attention on the universal issue of avoidable blindness and visual impairment and thus raise awareness about the importance of eye health and the need for quality eye care services for all.
Locally, from 24th September up to and including WORLD SIGHT DAY on 8th October, Morrisons shoppers can find a home for their now unwanted spectacles – prescription, non-prescription, sun, in fact any – by dropping them in to the clearly labelled receptacle in the store. From here these once useful visual aids will find their way via the Club’s partnership with Medico Lions Clubs de France to countries where so many have no access to spectacles.
On WORLD SIGHT DAY itself, between 9.30am-4.30pm, members of the Club will be on hand to accept, thank personally and, if wished, explain the work of the Basingstoke branch of Lions International, the largest voluntary association in the world. Perhaps even our mascot ‘Lennie’ might drop in – socially distancing of course!
So shoppers, take your unloved, unwanted, unused spectacles with you on your supermarket shop – or make a special journey anyway (free parking!); they WILL find another home. Such a simple act can change the lives of the ultimate recipients beyond measure.
(Note: No spectacle cases, thank you)
Contact : Ann Vicars – av@mypostoffice.co.uk – www basingstokelions.org.uk
Ordinary people – amazing things!
Basingstoke Lions Club Mag Report
BASINGSTOKE LIONS CLUB – AUGUST 2020
The Zoom Quiz: We had our zoom quiz night on the first of August. Seventeen teams entered, but three failed at the first hurdle, couldn’t make the zoom connection. The Quizmaster nearly fell into that category which would have been a real disaster. The next problem was how long to leave between questions. The answer seems to be 18-20 seconds. Our usual top team, “Haute Quizine”, won proving that honour is alive and well. Financially it was not a success. They say half a loaf is better than no bread, but this was crumbs. But, as my ancestors would have said, “Ay a mickle maks a muckle” so we’ll try again.
The Business Meeting: This was supposed to be face to face at the British Legion. In fact due to a variety of circumstances we had half on zoom and half in the hall social distancing, with the whole kit and caboodle under the control of Lion President. It went well for everyone but the minute taker who ended up with paranoid schizophrenia and got hauled over the coals for getting several important matters of financial significance completely wrong. The minutes had to be re-issued.
The Future: We have had several fundraising ideas. However having touted them to various organisations whose co-operation/ permission we would need, we have had nothing but negative responses. It appears that the pandemic is being used as an excuse to block anything that might involve people in a bit of work or initiative.
The Past: Brian Locock, a Lion of 47 years outstanding service, has produced A History of the Basingstoke Lions Club. It deals with the essential elements of the founding of the Club in 1967 and its progress, without getting lost in nitty gritty details which, interesting though they are, would detract from the major highs and lows which have beset us in our 53 year history.